Category Archives: Secret Service Publicity

Carpenter Brut Ignites a Neon-Drenched Uprising with New Single “Leather Temple” — The First Strike of His Final Leather Trilogy Chapter 💀

French synthwave titan Carpenter Brut has returned, tearing open the next chapter of his dark cinematic universe with the release of “Leather Temple,” the first single from the third and final installment of his legendary Leather trilogy, arriving in 2026. Brut’s newest offering is a serrated collision of abrasive beats, metallic tension, and dystopian world-building—his most ambitious vision yet.

Directed by Dehn Sora, the accompanying video introduces Midwichpolis, a scorched post-nuclear metropolis reborn from the ashes of 2077. This sprawling nightmare city forms the narrative backbone of the new album.

At its core stands the monolithic Temple, a blackened tower piercing the skyline like a ceremonial blade. It serves as the throne of Iron Tusk, the brutal ruler whose empire thrives on fear, propaganda, and decadence. While the upper sectors—known as the City of Light—bathe in neon excess, holographic glamour, and grotesque luxury, the truth is far more rotten. Below the shimmering facade stretch the Midwich Slums, a labyrinth of ruin, poverty, and perpetual surveillance. Here, rebellion simmers. Here, the shadows swallow the innocent whole.

Leather Temple” channels this tension directly into sound. Its steel-sharpened beats and heavy metal-kissed riffs echo the rage of the oppressed, while blistering neon synths reflect the glowing corruption above. Saturated in 90s electro grit and soaked in dystopian atmosphere, the track stomps forward with distorted aggression and relentless propulsion—classic Carpenter Brut, but fiercer, darker, and even more cinematic.

Since erupting onto the scene in 2012, Carpenter Brut has fused metal, dark electronic music, and ‘80s pop culture into his own unmistakable universe—equal parts John Carpenter, Dario Argento, Slayer, and Justice. The Leather trilogy has become a modern mythos:
Leather Teeth (2018) — a glam-rock-infused neon nightmare
Leather Terror (2022) — a brutal slasher odyssey following anti-hero Brett Halford
The forthcoming final chapter — the ultimate crescendo of this filmic saga

Carpenter Brut’s live spectacle continues to evolve alongside the narrative, and he has announced extensive European and U.S. dates for March 2026, including a massive North American co-headline run with HEALTH.

Deep Dive into the Universe of Carpenter Brut

WebsiteFacebookInstagramXYouTubeBandcampSpotifyApple Music

🎧🎶 DEATH RATTLE Unleashes New Single/Music Video “The Darkness” Today! Album “The Moral Chokehold” Out July 11th 🎧

New England metal band DEATH RATTLE continues to build momentum with the release of their powerful new single and music video, “The Darkness,” available today, June 2nd, 2025. This release comes as anticipation builds for their forthcoming album, The Moral Chokehold, now set to drop on July 11th, 2025, due to a manufacturing delay.

Check out “The Darkness” on all streaming/download digital platforms or watch the music video here.

“’The Darkness’ is collectively one of, if not our most favorite song from the ‘Moral Chokehold,” states guitarist Ryan Vanderwolk. “Not only is it the closer for the record, but also the closer for our live sets. Born from a couple of riff ideas, it quickly grew to a much larger, and diverse song as everyone put their fingerprints on it. There are the elements of the groove, and aggression Death Rattle does well, but also has more relaxed moments, a huge catchy chorus, and a very progressive climax. ‘Rage against the dying of the light’ and enter ‘The Darkness.’”

Building on recent tours with diverse acts like Left To Die, Gorgoroth, and Aeturnus, and gaining traction on Liquid Metal radio, DEATH RATTLE showcases their blend of groove, melody, and aggression, as previously heard in tracks like “Malthusian Dependency”, “Immersed in Black,” and “Nietzsche, and the Fall” (featuring Bjorn “Speed” Strid of SOILWORK/THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA).

Pre-order The Moral Chokehold now for a limited edition 300 “Philosopher’s Moon” colored vinyl, CD, and Digital formats at http://lnk.to/deathrattle.

The Moral Chokehold boasts a powerful sound, thanks to production by Kevin Billingslea (Lamb of God, Trivium), mixing/mastering by Jens Bogren (Amon Amarth, Kreator), and stunning artwork from Tamer Azab of The Dark Art in Dubai.

“We are beyond stoked to release ‘The Moral Chokehold.’ For us, this album has been almost four years in the making. We had a blast writing and recording it, but for the last year we have been in the trenches making content and releasing things to hype up the release. It is the grind of the music business. It feels so good to finally get back to what we are passionate about – the music. Releasing these songs to the world and touring to support them is what this whole venture is all about. Creatively, this was a giant step forward for us. We experimented with writing more in the studio environment and playing with different melody structures. It has brought out a new energy in our live show. When a group of songs inspires the band to begin writing the next album before the music is even released, you know you have made something special. That is how we feel about ‘…Chokehold.’ We cannot wait for you all to hear this thing all the way through.”

Hailing from New England, a region known for producing influential metal acts, DEATH RATTLE aims to follow in those footsteps. They have already released two independent albums, toured the US four times (including supporting The Convalescence), and toured Japan twice, supporting acts like Cattle Decapitation, Revocation, Ne Obliviscaris, and Wolfheart. They have also played regionally with Hatebreed, Soulfly, Unearth, Crowbar, Allegaeon, Philip H Anselmo and the Illegals, Let Us Prey, and appeared at festivals like Mayhem Fest, Summer Slaughter, New England Metal and Hardcore Fest, and the Tattoo & Music Festival.

Upcoming Live Shows:

  • 6/13 – Jewel – Manchester, NH
  • 6/14 – The Cage – Lewiston, ME

DEATH RATTLE is:

  • Trey Holton (vocals)
  • Ryan Vanderwolk (guitar)
  • Justin Brown (bass)
  • Chris Morin (drums)

Deep Dive into the Universe of Death Rattle: 🎧🎶
FacebookInstagramM-Theory Audio,

🎧 AMIENSUS Returns with New Song “FIELDS OF EMERALD FIRE”! 🎧

AMIENSUS has surprisingly dropped a digital single for their new song “Fields of Emerald Fire.” Just last year, the epic, melodic, progressive black metal group released two critically acclaimed records. Not resting on their laurels, AMIENSUS now gives fans the first of several new tracks in the works. Listen to “Fields of Emerald Fire” here or watch the streaming visualizer here.

“’Fields of Emerald Fire’ was written concerning The Great Hunger,” explains singer/guitarist James Benson. “As a band that has often written about historical events, as well as current events, we used this opportunity to draw parallels between the past and present actions of governments and their oppression of minorities.”

James continues, “’Fields of Emerald Fire’ is the first of multiple singles to be released in 2025. Some of these tracks were written with the objective of creating within a limited time span, and therefore pushing ourselves to maintain our standards on creativity without the pesky overanalyzing that often can delay completion of songs/albums. We have a lot of material for the future and a lot to speak on. We hope you enjoy ‘Fields…’ and look forward to sharing more music with you this year!”

James Benson, who also fronts Midwest post-black metal operatives CHROME WAVES, is joined in AMIENSUS by GHOST BATH drummer Chris Piette plus guitarists Alec Rozsa, Kelsey Roe and bassist Todd Farnham. Chilling, harsh yet melodic and progressive are just some ideas of AMIENSUS’ sound heard on “Fields of Emerald Fire,” which will sate fans of their two-part ‘Reclamation’ opus while they continue work on additional new music this year.

AMIENSUS formed in Minnesota in 2010 as a project amongst friends, who self-released an EP that same year. It took 3 years for the band to develop into a full group, expanding their lineup way beyond state lines to find the right talents and mindsets, and release the atmospheric black metal album ‘Restoration’ in 2013. Two years later AMIENSUS were back with the more polished and well-received ‘Ascension,’ which introduced Alec and Todd. 2017 marked the release of the lengthy EP, ‘All Paths Lead To Death’ (Apathia/Black Lion Records), which saw the band drop some of the heavy orchestration in favor of more melodic death and black metal passages and introduced Chris. In 2020, AMIENSUS signed with Transcending Records to release the heralded ‘Abreaction,’ which now also included Kelsey. That same lineup remains today and also recorded the aforementioned ‘Reclamation’ albums.

Here’s what some have written about ‘Reclamation’: “Easily the group’s best album yet, demonstrating that they more than deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as their more prominent peers… Agalloch, Alcest, Borknagar and Enslaved. – No Clean Singing”

“This is an auditory journey like no other—a fusion of raging, intense black metal with glorious melodies that will ignite your soul. It’s a sonic tempest, a whirlwind of ferocity and beauty that will leave you breathless and exhilarated. You’ll be engulfed in the raw power of black metal, with blistering riffs and thunderous drums. Yet within, melodies soar and cascade, weaving a tapestry of beauty and emotion that transcends the brutality of the music. This is an early contender for “Album of the Year” for sure. – Metal Temple”

“An impressive album that shows all of AMIENSUS’ finest features and builds them to a level that the band has not achieved previously, Reclamation part 1 builds further anticipation for its second half, while reminding the metal community that they are still one of the underground’s best kept secrets. Black, death, prog, folk – whatever your flavor, you are going to find plenty of content with Reclamation that will leave you incredibly impressed even if you are already familiar with the band. AMIENSUS have a poignant and genre-pushing masterpiece in their hands… it will more than satiate anyone looking for high quality extreme metal that tosses the traditional boundaries aside for something insightful and far more unique. – Dead Rhetoric”

Deep Dive into the Universe of Amiensus: 🎧🇺🇸 FacebookInstagramBandcampM-Theory Audio,

🎧💀 Portland Black/Death Metal Force DROUTH Unleashes “The Teeth of Time” Album + US Tour Kicks Off May 31st! 🎧 – 💀

Prepare for a sonic onslaught from Portland’s burgeoning black/death metal entity, DROUTH, as they unleash their highly anticipated third full-length album, “The Teeth of Time,” today via Eternal Warfare Records!

“We are proud to present The Teeth of Time, a culmination of several years of blood, sweat and pain. It is a nightmare made manifest, and we are both eager to share our creative work and grateful to the many people who helped make it possible,” states the band DROUTH.

“The Teeth of Time,” the long-awaited follow-up to their acclaimed 2020 release, “Excerpts From a Dread Liturgy,” is a true sonic mind-melter. Brace yourself for a potent blend of searing death metal and vicious black metal, as evidenced on crushing tracks like “False Grail” and the title track itself. Step through the portal and experience one of the year’s most intensely rewarding records.

Purchase/Stream “The Teeth of Time”


Stream on YouTube

“The Teeth of Time” Tracklist:

  1. Hurl Your Thunderbolt Even Unto Death
  2. False Grail
  3. The Teeth of Time
  4. Through a Glass, Darkly
  5. Exult, Ye Flagellant

But the darkness doesn’t end with the album! DROUTH is also embarking on a US Spring Tour, starting May 31st:

DROUTH Tour Dates:

May 31 – Portland, OR – High Water Mark
June 2 – Salt Lake City, UT – Ace’s High Saloon
June 3 – Colorado Springs, CO – What’s Left Records
June 4 – Denver, CO – Hi Dive
June 6 – Minneapolis, MN – Zhora Darling
June 7 – Milwaukee, WI – Sabbatic
June 8 – Indianapolis, IN – Black CIrcle
June 9 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
June 10 – Wichita, KS – Kirby’s Beer Store
June 12 – Denton, TX – Dan’s Silverleaf
June 13 – Dallas, TX – Double Wide
June 14 – Austin, TX – The 13th Floor
June 16 – El Paso, TX – Love Buzz
June 17 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister Bar
June 18 – Flagstaff, AZ – Monte Vista Lounge
June 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Eli’s Mile High Club
June 21 – Eureka, CA – Savage Henry Comedy Club

Credit: Jason DeSomer

About DROUTH:

Formed in Portland in 2012 (originally as Contempt), DROUTH has been stirring the local scene with their powerful concoction of black metal, death metal, doom, and crust. Following their 2014 EP “Skinwalker,” 2015’s “Vast, Loathsome” EP, and the albums “Knives, Labyrinths, Mirrors” (2017) and “Excerpts From a Dread Liturgy” (2020), “The Teeth of Time” marks their most crushing offering yet. Recorded and mixed with the legendary Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Cattle Decapitation) and mastered by Justin Weis (Agalloch, Hammers of Misfortune), this five-track behemoth delivers 40 unrelenting minutes of vicious and melodically adventurous black/death metal.

DROUTH is:

Matt Stikker: Guitar, vocals, lyrics
Patrick Fiorentino: Drums
John Edwards: Guitar, vocals
Matt Solis: Bass

Deep Dive into the Universe of DROUTH:

Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp / Spotify

⚔️🛡️ Fantasy Metal Warriors CASTLE RAT Announce New Album “The Bestiary” + 2025 US Tour! 🦇💀

Emerging from the creature-infested depths of New York, the epic fantasy heavy metal band CASTLE RAT, led by the formidable “Rat Queen” (Riley Pinkerton), have revealed details for their highly anticipated sophomore album, “The Bestiary,” set to be unleashed on September 19th via a collaborative release from King Volume Records (US) and Blues Funeral Recordings (UK/Europe).

Following their critically acclaimed debut, “Into The Realm,” “The Bestiary” promises 13 spellbinding tracks of mystical metal carnage, brought to life by “The Rat Queen,” “The Count,” “The Plague Doctor,” and “The All-Seeing Druid” in their ongoing battles against “The Rat Reaperess.”

“The Bestiary” was recorded by the renowned Randall Dunn (Sunn O))), Wolves in the Throne Room, Björk) and mixed by Jonathan Nuñez (Torche, Restless Spirit), ensuring a sonic journey of epic proportions.

The Rat Queen herself describes the album: “‘The Bestiary’ is a conceptual book of beasts containing a collection of mystical creatures from a world forgotten. The last remaining souls of each have been gathered and preserved by ‘The Wizard.’ Cautionary tales of each beast and The Wizard himself are woven through the power of traditional heavy metal song and spell.”

The Bestiary Tracklist:

  1. PHOENIX I: Ardent
  2. WOLF I: Tooth & Blade
  3. WIZARD: Crystal Heart
  4. SIREN: The Pull of Promise
  5. UNICORN: Carnage and Ice
  6. PATH OF MOSS
  7. CRYSTAL CAVE: Enshrined
  8. SERPENT: Coiled Figure
  9. WOLF II: Celestial Beast
  10. DRAGON: Lord of The Sky
  11. SUMMONING SPELL
  12. SUN SONG: Behold The Flame
  13. PHOENIX II: Cinerous

In support of “The Bestiary,” CASTLE RAT will embark on “The Book of Beasts Tour” across the US in late summer. Tickets are available for purchase here: https://bnds.us/jnqiyj

CASTLE RAT Tour Dates: 
Sep 5 – Boston, MA – Sonia
Sep 6 – Elizabethtown, NY – Otis
Sep 7 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
Sep 8 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
Sep 9 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
Sep 10 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
Sep 12 – Kansas City, MO – The Ship
Sep 13 – Colorado Springs, CO – What’s Left Fest
Sep 14 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
Sep 16 – Seattle, WA – Clockout Lounge
Sep 17 – Portland, OR – Star Theater
Sep 18 – Austin, TX – Fantastic Fest
Sep 20 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
Sep 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Zebulon
Sep 22 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah
Sep 23 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit
Sep 24 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister
Sep 27 – Houston, TX – Last Concert
Sep 28 – New Orleans, LA – Gasa Gasa
Sep 30 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
Oct 1 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy
Oct 2 – Raleigh, NC – Chapel of Bones
Oct 3 – Charlottesville, VA – Southern Cafe
Oct 4 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
Oct 5 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg

Edited with Afterlight

Deep Dive into the Universe of CASTLE RAT: 🎧💀🦇

Facebook Instagram YouTube Bandcamp

Deep Dive into the Universe of King Volume Records: 🎧💀

Website Facebook Instagram Bandcamp

Deep Dive into the Universe of Blues Funeral Recordings: 🎧💀

Website Facebook Instagram Bandcamp

BLOOD VULTURE Announces Debut Album, “Die Close,” Out June 27th!

New Single/Video, “A Dream About Starving To Death,” Streaming Now

From the shadowy crypts of New York comes the malevolent new band, BLOOD VULTURE. Created by Jordan Old (2 Minutes To Late Night), this gothic sludge metal entity lures listeners in with a mesmerizing blend of romanticism, metallic vibes, and brutal reckoning on their debut album, Die Close, which will be released on June 27th via Pure Noise Records.

Today, BLOOD VULTURE reveals the video for their first single, “A Dream About Starving To Death.” Jordan Olds comments on the track:

“’A Dream About Starving To Death’ is a song I wrote about a vampire who realizes he is about to watch the world end. He has lived past the extinction of humanity and lost count of how many days he has been hungry, and he realizes that soon there won’t be an earth anymore. He’s not sure whether it will explode or just rot and crumble, and he’s curious about whether he’ll disintegrate or just float forever in space.

The music video was inspired by the “Freddy coming through the wall” scene from “A Nightmare On Elm Street.” I then built it around a sleep paralysis narrative and had a lot of fun creating a Gullermo Del Toro style Hat Man and a goopy void reminiscent of Aliens and the symbiote from Spiderman alongside one of my main visual collaborators for this project, Kelly Harris. She also built and designed “Montague” the puppet from the “Blood Vault” segment at the beginning of the video. She’s a genius.”



Watch “A Dream About Starving To Death”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwMOaqOIsxE

Pre-Order Die Close: https://lnk.to/BloodVulture

Die Close Tracklist:

  1. Die Close – Overature
  2. An Embrace In The Flood
  3. A Dream About Starving To Death
  4. Grey Mourning (Feat. Jade Puget)
  5. Entwined (Feat. Kristin Hayter)
  6. Die Close – Interlude
  7. Burn For It (Feat. Brian Fair)
  8. The Silence of God
  9. Abomination
  10. Die Close – Finale

About BLOOD VULTURE:

Deep in the heart of a dark, mythical land (New York) in a bygone era (2025), BLOOD VULTURE has awakened ominous, morose tales of mortality, grief, madness and obsession. The self-described “Gothic sludge” project is the brainchild of Jordan Olds (Two Minutes to Late Night.) On his debut LP, DIE CLOSE (Pure Noise), Olds melds the emotive vocal stylings of grunge’s golden era with death metal, goth rock, and doom metal through a vampiric lens. The album tells the story of a reclusive vampire long locked away as he grapples with what it means to live forever in a world of impermanence. Blood Vulture’s songs are deeply personal, filtering real life ruminations through fantastical set pieces as tracks like “A Dream About Starving To Death” and the three-part “Die Close” suite ask: What good is immortality if there’s no one to share it with? What’s the true cost of isolation?

Deep Dive into the Universe of BLOOD VULTURE:

Instagram

Bluesky

Facebook

TikTok

Twitter/X

⚔️ AVENGER OF BLOOD Return to the Frontlines with “Revenge Is My Name” and a New Era of Thrash 💀

Once forged in the fires of the Bay Area thrash scene, AVENGER OF BLOOD has spent the past two decades carving a path of pure sonic devastation. After relocating to Las Vegas following a pair of raw and furious demos, the band scored a deal with JCM Records, unleashing their 2005 debut Complete Annihilation—a scorched-earth statement that quickly earned them global underground recognition.

From there, AVENGER OF BLOOD hit the metal circuit hard, storming festivals like Minneapolis Mayhem, Monsters of Metal, and Northwest Deathfest, and landing a coveted spot on the legendary Speed Kills… Again compilation alongside rising acts like Warbringer, Toxic Holocaust, and Enforcer—a release that helped ignite the modern thrash resurgence.

Their momentum built to a crescendo with the 2008 full-length Death Brigade, issued via Heavy Artillery Records and featuring blistering artwork by the iconic Joe Petagno (Motörhead, Krisiun, Sodom). But the machine hit a snag when founding frontman Eric Greaney and bassist Shawn Loureiro departed, briefly stalling the band’s upward trajectory.

Undeterred, co-founders Shannon Frye and Marc Flores pressed forward, rebuilding the ranks and keeping the flame alive with releases like the Spawn of Evil EP (2012), a split 7” with Witchaven, and the raging On Slaying Ground LP (2016).

Now locked and loaded with their most solid lineup to date—featuring Sal Lalli on vocals, Chris Garcia on guitar, and Corey Sorrenti on bass—AVENGER OF BLOOD is officially back with sharpened teeth and a vendetta to match.

Last year, the band revisited their roots by re-recording their debut as Completely Re-Annihilated, bringing fresh blood to classic cuts and hitting the stage at Blades of Steel Fest alongside legends like Flotsam & Jetsam, Exciter, Vio-lence, and Jag Panzer. They also supported Death Angel and Ruthless on select shows in California and Nevada, signaling their official return to the live battlefield.

Their upcoming full-length Revenge Is My Name is now in the works, with a 2026 release planned—and the band has already begun to unveil what’s next through unrelenting live performances.

The blood is still fresh. The riffs are still lethal. And AVENGER OF BLOOD is here to remind you that thrash never dies—it just gets louder.

Deep Dive into the Universe of AVENGER OF BLOOD

Facebook
Bandcamp
Instagram
Official Website

⚡ LAUREN BABIC Shatters Expectations with Debut Solo EP “Too Much and Never Enough” 💀

Alt-metal shapeshifter Lauren Babic has officially stepped into the spotlight with the release of her long-awaited debut solo EP, Too Much and Never Enough—a bold, emotional, and genre-blurring statement from one of modern metal’s most compelling voices.

Known for fronting Red Handed Denial, CrazyEightyEight, and SKYLIMIT, and for racking up hundreds of millions of streams across her viral covers and original work, Babic now takes full creative command on this four-track record, blending soaring hooks, gut-punch breakdowns, and raw vulnerability.

“This EP has been a massive turning point for me—musically and personally,” says Babic. “I’ve always done things independently, and this release is proof that hard work, belief, and kindness really can get you there.”

The EP features fan-favorite singles “Breathe You In,” “Let It Die,” “I’m Bored,” and now the final single: “Sanctuary”—which arrives today with a brand-new music video.

🎥 Watch “Sanctuary” Now

“‘Sanctuary’ is the first track on the EP, but the last to drop—it perfectly captures everything this project is about: melody, heaviness, fierceness, and versatility.”

Produced by Adam Bentley (Arch Echo, Plini) and Lee Albrecht (Silverstein, Hollow Front, The Devil Wears Prada), Too Much and Never Enough isn’t just a debut—it’s a manifesto. It’s Babic proving she can take the mic, the moment, and the metal world by storm—all on her own terms.

🎧 Stream the full EP here

Tracklist

  1. Sanctuary
  2. Breathe You In
  3. I’m Bored
  4. Let It Die

Deep Dive into the Universe of Lauren Babic

Website
Instagram
TikTok
YouTube

⚡ FIRSTBORNE Ignites a New Era with M-Theory Audio and Blazing New Single “Wake Up” 💀

Brace yourself—FIRSTBORNE, the hard rock and heavy metal juggernaut featuring some of the genre’s heaviest hitters, has officially joined the ranks of M-Theory Audio. To celebrate, the band has dropped a blistering new single and music video, “Wake Up,” now streaming for those brave enough to hit play.

🎥 Watch “Wake Up” now
Directed by Drew Kaufman (Two Minutes to Late Night), the video blends thunderous riffs with tongue-in-cheek flair, giving fans a dose of FIRSTBORNE’s signature mix of shred, swagger, and self-awareness.

FIRSTBORNE isn’t just a supergroup—they’re a full-throttle collision of talent and tone. Featuring legendary drummer Chris Adler (Lamb of God, Megadeth), guitar hero Myrone (yes, the soft shred pioneer himself), and powerhouse vocalist Girish Pradhan (Girish and the Chronicles, The End Machine), the band fuses classic metal roots with modern energy, soaring hooks, and surgical-level precision.

Formed in 2019, FIRSTBORNE made early waves with a series of independently released EPs and singles from 2020–2023, blending melodic mastery with enough groove to shake tectonic plates. Now they’re leveling up with their first full-length album Lucky, produced by the one and only Machine (Clutch, King Crimson, Crobot)—and due out July 18th via M-Theory Audio.

🛒 Pre-order Lucky now on limited-edition colored vinyl, CD, or digital.

Guitarist Myrone offers a glimpse into the creative chaos:

“When Chris, Girish, and I finally got in a room together, it was a dream. We wrote everything in real-time at Machine’s barn in Texas. I came in with 150 songs… and we used zero. What you hear was born right there, right then.”

Between Adler’s iconic rhythm work, Myrone’s neon-shred precision, and Pradhan’s genre-defining vocals, FIRSTBORNE is an electrified fist to the face of the modern metal scene—built for stages, playlists, and repeat button abuse.

Deep Dive into the Universe of FIRSTBORNE

Facebook
Instagram
M-Theory Audio

HEADLESS Unveils New Single “Weightless” Ahead of Upcoming Album ‘Transitional Objects’

European progressive hard rock outfit HEADLESS has returned with their latest single, “Weightless,” available now on all streaming and download platforms. Fans can also watch the animated music video directed by Dime Stamenov (Sabaton, Uriah Heep, Saxon) HERE.

A Preview of ‘Transitional Objects’

“Weightless” serves as the first glimpse into HEADLESS’ forthcoming album, ‘Transitional Objects,’ set for release in late summer 2025. Mastered by Ted Jensen (Dream Theater, Metallica), the track encapsulates the band’s signature fusion of intricate guitar work, dynamic rhythms, and soaring melodic vocals.

Guitarist Walter Cianciusi describes the single as “a hyper-prog song” filled with complex rhythmic textures and a deeply personal lyrical theme:

“This single delivers a brand-new level of complexity. It’s a hyper-progressive song where the rhythm section creates an intricate tapestry at the limits of human performance. At the same time, the vocal melody remains smooth and uplifting, narrating the growing bond between a father and son.”

He further explains that the new album is:

“A no-frills heavy release featuring eight solid prog songs that mark the absolute peak of HEADLESS’ career. We achieved a level of chemistry and craftsmanship that will likely remain unparalleled in future releases.”

A Legacy of Excellence in Hard Rock and Progressive Metal

One of the defining elements of HEADLESS’ sound is the unmistakable voice of Göran Edman, the Swedish singer renowned for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum, Vinnie Vincent, Madison, Swedish Erotica, Glory, Karmakanic, and many more.

Formed in 1996 by cousins Walter (guitars) and Enrico Cianciusi (drums), the band initially released ‘Future to Past’ (1996) and ‘Inside You’ (1998) before disbanding in 2000. Walter later revived the project in 2011 with a fresh lineup, incorporating elements of progressive metal, melodic rock, and AOR-style choruses.

The band’s comeback album ‘Growing Apart’ (2013) featured Queensrÿche’s Scott Rockenfield on drums, followed by ‘Melt the Ice Away’ (2016) (featuring Jim Matheos of Fates Warning). Their 2021 release, ‘Square One’, marked their debut with M-Theory Audio and introduced bassist Martin Helmantel (Elegy), further strengthening their sound.

Praised by Critics and Fans Alike

  • “The right combination of technique and melody.”Metal Hammer
  • “Fans will find catchy choruses, excellent melodies, and well-crafted songs—a fine piece of hard rock.”Metal Temple
  • “Flawless melodic hard rock.”PowerMetal.de

A Respected Live Act Across Europe

HEADLESS has shared the stage with Geoff Tate, Fates Warning, Queensrÿche, Tygers of Pan Tang, Angra, Skid Row, Bonfire, D.A.D., Candlemass, The Dead Daisies, and more.

Guitarist Walter Cianciusi is currently on tour with David Ellefson and has previously toured with Geoff Tate, even appearing on his ‘Sweet Oblivion’ album.

HEADLESS is:

  • Göran Edman – Vocals
  • Walter Cianciusi – Guitars
  • Martin Helmantel – Bass Guitar
  • Enrico Cianciusi – Drums

Deep Dive into the Universe of HEADLESS:

🔗 Official Website
🔗 Facebook
🔗 Instagram
🔗 Bandcamp
🔗 M-Theory Audio

Aztec Folk Metal Warriors CEMICAN Return with New Single & Video – “KUKULKÁN WAKAH CHAN”

“KUKULKÁN WAKAH CHAN” – now streaming on all major platforms – marks the triumphant return of Guadalajara-based Aztec folk metal pioneers CEMICAN, their first new release in four years.

A Sonic Tribute to Mayan Culture

CEMICAN, celebrated for blending the mysticism and mythology of ancient Mexican culture with headbanging modern metal, unveiled their latest single alongside a visually mesmerizing music video directed by Jobo Panteras.

Watch the official video here:


Watch on YouTube

CEMICAN shares:
“Warriors! We’re thrilled to unveil this new preview of our upcoming album, inspired by the magnificent Maya culture. After five long years and countless challenges, including personal struggles and the pandemic, we are back with a renewed spirit, ready to guide you on an astral journey through our music.”

The band continues to record their new album, expected to release in summer 2025. This record follows the tradition of their 2021 single, “Yook’ol Kaab Maya,” and 2019’s ‘In Ohtli Teoyohtica In Miquiztli’.


CEMICAN’s Signature Sound

CEMICAN’s name translates to “the duality of life and death” in the Aztecan language of Nahuatl, spoken by millions in Central Mexico. Their unique sound marries traditional pre-Hispanic instrumentation with the ferocity of modern metal, drawing comparisons to “Slipknot scoring Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto” (Revolver Magazine).

The group incorporates ancient instruments such as huehuetls, teponaztlis, and death whistles, blending these elements seamlessly with electric guitars and thunderous percussion.

CEMICAN Live in 2025

The band has performed on legendary stages such as Hellfest, Wacken Open Air, Resurrection Fest, and Mexico Metal Fest. Now, 2025 marks their first U.S. performances, with dates including:

  • 6/6 – SinWave – Las Vegas, NV
  • 6/7 – Leonardo’s HP – Los Angeles, CA
  • 6/8 – Rockapulco – San Francisco, CA
  • 6/19 – San Pedro Sula, Honduras
  • 6/21 – CA5 Metal Fest – San Salvador, El Salvador
  • 6/22 – San Jose, Costa Rica

About CEMICAN

Band Members:

  • Tlipoca – Drums
  • Tecuhtli – Guitar/Vocals
  • Ocelotl – Bass/Backing Vocals
  • Itzcoatl – Choirs/Performance
  • Yei Tochtli – Pre-Hispanic Instruments
  • Mazatecpatl – Pre-Hispanic Instruments
  • Xaman-Ek – Rituals/Dance/Pre-Hispanic Instruments

Deep Dive into the Universe of CEMICAN