Slaughter To Prevail have announced a headlining North American tour. Whitechapel and Attila will open.
Tour Dates:
03/21 Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
03/22 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
03/23 Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
03/25 Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
03/27 Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
03/28 Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert House
03/29 Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
04/01 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
04/02 Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
04/04 Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl
04/06 Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater
04/08 Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
04/10 Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
04/11 Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
04/12 Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre
04/14 New York, NY – Hammerstein Ballroom
04/15 Worcester, MA – The Palladium
04/17 Montreal, QC – L’Olympia
04/18 Toronto, ON – History
04/20 Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
04/21 Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
04/22 Maplewood, MN – Myth Live
05/10 Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville
05/14 Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple
Amon Amarth and Dethklok have announced a co-headlining North American tour. Castle Rat will open.
Tour Dates:
04/15 Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
04/17 San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
04/18 Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
04/20 Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
04/21 Kansas City, MO – The Midland Theatre
04/22 Chesterfield, MO – The Factory
04/24 Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
04/25 Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
04/28 Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
04/29 Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall At Fenway
05/01 Toronto, ON – Great Canadian Casino Resort
05/02 Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
05/05 National Harbor, MD – The Theater at MGM National Harbor
05/07 Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville
05/09 Atlanta, GA – Coca Cola Roxy
05/10 Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle
05/12 Johnstown, PA – 1st Summit Arena
05/13 Detroit MI, – Fox Theatre
05/14 Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center
05/16 Milwaukee, WI – Landmark Credit Union Live
05/17 Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple
05/19 Denver, CO – Junkyard
05/20 Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center
05/21 Las Vegas, NV – PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino
Amon Amarth commented:
“Three bands. One night. The strong will scream. The weak will fall. Limbs will be lost. We will crush skulls beneath our boots and tear the halls down stone by stone. This is not a concert. It is a reckoning. If you survive… perhaps the gods have other plans for you.”
Dethklok’s Brendon Small continued:
“We are celebrating our 20th anniversary. And what better way to do it, with Amon Amarth and Castle Rat, who embody theatrical heavy metal. We’re going to entertain you as hard as we possibly can with the power of heavy metal in many kinds of ways, and many different iterations — from Viking battleships to Castle Rat to Dethklok with our music and fast-paced, insane animation. We challenge ourselves to get in as much material without wearing out our welcome. We also get to be funny.”
Castle Rat’s Rat Queen added:
“On the heels of the Vernal Equinox, our adjacent universes shall align as we bring ‘The Realm’ of Castle Rat into battle alongside venerable vikings Amon Amarth and ‘Metalocalypse’ metal masters Dethklok! Join us as we seek to expand and defend ‘The Realm’ from our arch nemesis: Death, Herself — The Rat Reaperess!”
I have put together a list of my top 10 albums of 2025. You can check that out below. This is just for fun and I know I probably left out some of your favorites, but these are all of the albums that I enjoyed the most this year:
01. Spiritbox – “Tsunami Sea”:
Spiritbox have continued to rise to new heights with every release and their latest album is no exception. The effort maintains a contrast between beauty and brutality, while also injecting new elements into their sound. Every piece blends together seamlessly, unfolding into a journey that captivates you the whole way through. Some highlights from this one include: “Soft Spine,” “Perfect Soul,” and “Keep Sweet.”
02. Halestorm – “Everest”:
Halestorm’s latest album is nothing but pure unadulterated hard rock. The effort feels different from the band’s previous material, but it serves as a powerful reinvention steeped in old-school influences. The songs are heavy, dark, riffy, and soulful with Lzzy Hale’s most vulnerable lyrics to date. Some highlights from this one include: “Fallen Star,” “Rain Your Blood On Me,” and “Darkness Always Wins.”
03. Dying Wish – “Flesh Stays Together”:
Dying Wish’s latest album finds the band continuing to push the boundaries of their sound. It still contains the pummeling metalcore/hardcore elements fans have come to expect, while continuing to move into a more melodic territory. Despite the softer parts, the group still maintain their edge while showcasing bleak lyrics in a world that feels hopeless. Some highlights from this one include: “I Don’t Belong Anywhere,” “Empty The Chamber” and the title track.
04. Not Enough Space – “Weaponize Your Rage”:
Not Enough Space busted right out of the gate with their debut album. The effort is reminiscent of 2010s metalcore with elements of deathcore and pop-punk mixed in for good measure. The catchy music is only matched by its cathartic lyrics, making for a great listening experience throughout. Some highlights from this one include: “Primitive,” “Devil Left Me On Read,” and “Solace In Silence.”
05. Volbeat – “God Of Angels Trust”:
Volbeat’s latest album finds them returning to their roots. The effort leans into the heavier nature of the band’s early sound, while incorporating elements of more recent releases. It’s got everything one would want from a Volbeat record, killer riffs, great hooks and Johnny Cash/Elvis-like vocals courtesy of frontman Michael Poulsen. Some highlights from this one include: “Demonic Depression,” “In The Barn Of The Goat Giving Birth To Satan’s Spawn In A Dying World Of Doom,” and “Better Be Fueled Than Tamed.”
06. Ghost – “Skeletá”:
Ghost’s latest album is an epic offering from the masked rockers. Musically, the effort puts the band’s ’80s influence on full display, capturing the infectiousness of that era, while still maintaining a depth within the lyrics. Some fans may think the record is bit more subdued than previous releases, but the more you listen, the more you come to appreciate the vision Tobias Forge had for it. Some highlights from this one include: “Peacefield,” “Lachryma,” “Marks Of The Evil One.”
07. Deftones – “private music”:
Deftones’ latest album is one of their strongest releases yet. It’s heavy and ambient with a pop-like sensibility that stays infectious while letting Chino Moreno’s vocals shine. Every element works cohesively to offer something familiar with a more modern flair. Some highlights from this one include: “My Mind Is A Mountain,” “Ecdysis,” and “Infinite Source.”
08. Scowl – “Are We All Angels”:
Scowl’s latest album is another sonic evolution for the band. The group have continued to move beyond the confines of hardcore into a more alternative rock sound. The new songs retain elements of the band’s heavier style, but they sound bigger with a garage-like vibe. Some highlights from this one include: “Special,” “B.A.B.E.,” and “Not Hell, Not Heaven.”
09. Sleep Token – “Even In Arcadia”:
Sleep Token’s latest album offers fans another polyjamorous journey from the rapidly rising masked group. The songs lean heavy into R&B and pop, but still retain a tinge of metal that kicks things up a notch in unexpected places. The eclectic music matched by its emotional lyrics make for a solid piece in the band’s catalog. Some highlights from this one include: “Gethsemane,” “Look To Windward,” and “Infinite Baths.”
10. Arch Enemy – “Blood Dynasty”:
Arch Enemy’s latest album proves consistency is key. The effort uses the same melodeath formula the band are known for to create familiar sounding songs with hooky solos and gutteral vocals. There does seem to be more of a NWOBHM influence in some pieces and more cleans from now former singer Alissa White-Gluz, but for the most part, it never strays too far from the sound fans have come to know and love. Some highlights from this one include: “Dream Stealer,” “Illuminate The Path,” and the title track.
As previously reported, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard recently removed their music from Spotify in protest of CEO Daniel Ek, who generated controversy after investing in Helsing’s AI military tech. Despite the band’s disapproval of the service, an AI copy recently surfaced to take their place. The fake band, King Lizard Wizard, released a self-titled EP featuring five covers of songs from King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. The effort was reportedly available on Spotify for weeks. However, it appears to have since been removed.
The New York Times have unveiled their choices for the “Best Songs of 2025.” Notably, Sleep Token took the No. 1 spot with their single “Caramel.“ That track appears on the band’s latest album “Even In Arcadia.”
Varials have announced a headlining U.S. tour. UnityTX, Heavy//Hitter, and Boltcutter will open.
Tour Dates:
03/12 Detroit, MI – The Shelter
03/13 Lakewood, OH – Winchester Music Tavern
03/14 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
03/16 Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
03/18 Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell
03/20 Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
03/21 Anaheim, CA – The Parish at House of Blues
03/22 San Diego, CA – SOMA
03/24 Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar & Billiards
03/25 Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater
03/27 Dallas, TX – Trees
03/28 Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall
03/29 Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
03/31 Pensacola, FL – The Handlebar
04/01 Atlanta, GA – Hell at The Masquerade
04/02 Orlando, FL – The Social
04/03 Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
04/04 Richmond, VA – Canal Club
04/06 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
04/07 Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Café & Music Hall
04/09 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
04/10 Brooklyn, NY – The Meadows
04/11 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
Jeris Johnson has announced a headlining U.S. tour. Butcher Babies, Eva Under Fire, and LYLVC will open.
Tour Dates:
02/08 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
02/11 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
02/12 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater
02/13 Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street OKC
02/15 Dallas, TX – Puzzles
02/18 Tampa, FL – Orpheum
02/20 Winter Park, FL – Conduit
02/21 Atlanta, GA – Smith’s Olde Bar
02/22 Madison, TN – The ’58
02/26 Washington D.C. – DC9 (free show)
02/27 Millersville, PA – Phantom Power
02/28 Frenchtown, NJ – Arlie’s
03/01 Warrendale, PA – Jergels
03/04 Saginaw, MI – The Vault
03/05 Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
03/06 Chicago, IL – WC Social Club
03/07 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Cafe
03/09 Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
03/10 Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s Ent. Center
03/12 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
03/14 Lubbock, TX – Soggy Dog
03/17 Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater
03/18 West Hollywood, CA – The Whisky A Go Go
03/19 San Francisco, CA – Brick And Mortar
David Lee Roth (Van Halen) will be performing at the BMO Pavilion in Milwaukee, WI on June 20. Pre-sale will launch on December 10. The general sale will follow on December 12.
Pollstar have unveiled their list of the 25 “Most Popular Touring Artists Of The Millennium.” The ranking is based on ticket sales from the beginning of 2001 to the end of 2025 and it includes several rock/metal acts. Among them are: Metallica, who hit No. 8 with over 15.5 million tickets sold, Bon Jovi, who hit No. 9 with over 13.9 million tickets sold, The Rolling Stones, who hit No. 12 with over 12.5 million tickets sold sold, Guns N’ Roses, who hit No. 16 with over 10.7 million tickets sold, and Iron Maiden, who hit No. 19 with over 10 million tickets sold. The full list can be seen below:
During his December 7 show at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, CA, Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge) was joined onstage by his Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators bandmate Slash (Guns N’ Roses, etc.) for a performance of “Behind The Veil.” You can check out some fan-filmed footage of that below:
Metal Anarchy 
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