Tag Archives: #progressivedeathmetal

Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Live Tours, M-Theory, New Music Release

🌌 FRACTAL UNIVERSE Unleashes New Video “A New Cycle” Ahead of The Great Filters Album Release 💀

Progressive death metal boundary-breakers FRACTAL UNIVERSE have dropped a brand-new music video for their latest single “A New Cycle” — the third and final preview from their upcoming full-length, The Great Filters, out this Friday, April 4th via M-Theory Audio.

🎥 Watch “A New Cycle” HERE

The track dives into the speculative sci-fi concept of directed panspermia — humanity, teetering on extinction, sends probes filled with primordial life across the cosmos to spark new civilizations. But those civilizations, destined to repeat our same fatal mistakes, find themselves trapped in a never-ending loop of rise and ruin.

Directed by Pauline Colombani (www.c3polette.com), the video is the latest visual chapter following “Causality’s Grip” and “The Seed of Singularity,” all showcasing FRACTAL UNIVERSE’s signature fusion of progressive technicality and eerie saxophone-laced soundscapes.

🎧 About The Great Filters

Due out April 4, 2025, The Great Filters is FRACTAL UNIVERSE’s most ambitious and intricate album to date. Merging heavy riffs, jazz-influenced melodies, and philosophical storytelling, it delivers a cerebral experience laced with cosmic awe.
Recorded at Boundless Production Studios and Fractal Headquarters, the album was mixed and mastered by Flavien Morel (Benighted Soul, Catalyst).

💿 Available Formats:

  • Limited-edition red with black splatter vinyl (500 copies)
  • Red and cream marble vinyl (band/label exclusive, 200 copies)
  • Digipak CD
  • Digital

🛒 Pre-order Now

🔥 FRACTAL UNIVERSE – Tour Dates

European Shows
Apr 3 – Chambery, FR – Brin De Zinc
Apr 5 – San Sebastian, ES – Donostia Prog/Tech Death Fest
Apr 11 – Nilvange, FR – Le Gueulard Plus (release party)

North America – Shred Fest Tour w/ Obscura, Atheist, Origin, Decrepit Birth
Apr 20 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
Apr 21 – Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar
Apr 22 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater
Apr 24 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Apr 25 – Dallas, TX – Trees
Apr 26 – Birmingham, AL – WorkPlay Theatre
Apr 27 – Jacksonville, FL – Underbelly
Apr 28 – Orlando, FL – Conduit
Apr 29 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
Apr 30 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club
May 2 – Boston, MA – Middle East Downstairs
May 3 – Quebec City, QC – Salie Montaigne
May 4 – Ottawa, ON – Overflow
May 5 – Montreal, QC – Fairmount
May 6 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
May 7 – Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving
May 8 – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
May 9 – Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze
May 10 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theater
May 12 – Edmonton, AB – Starlight Room
May 13 – Calgary, AB – Dickens
May 15 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater
May 16 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
May 17 – Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom
May 18 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
May 20 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
May 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
May 22 – Los Angeles, CA – 1720

🧬 FRACTAL UNIVERSE – A Legacy of Evolution

Formed in 2015 in Nancy, France, FRACTAL UNIVERSE made their debut with the independent EP Boundaries of Reality before signing to Kolony Records for 2017’s Engram of Decline, a concept record influenced by Nietzsche.
They joined Metal Blade Records for 2019’s Rhizomes of Insanity, exploring fragmented human consciousness with technical brilliance. Their critically acclaimed 2021 album The Impassable Horizon tackled themes of determinism and free will, all while integrating saxophone flourishes into their progressive metal palette.
Having toured with heavyweights like Obscura, Evergrey, Black Dahlia Murder, and God Dethroned, FRACTAL UNIVERSE continue to carve their place as one of the most innovative acts in modern metal.

Deep Dive into the Universe of FRACTAL UNIVERSE

🌐 Official Website
📘 Facebook
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🏷️ M-Theory Audio

Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Metal Blade, New Music Release

🔥 Rivers of Nihil Drops Crushing New Single & Video “American Death” 🎶💀

Progressive death metal titans Rivers of Nihil have unleashed their latest single, “American Death,” a ferocious and hard-hitting track taken from their highly anticipated self-titled fifth full-length album, set to drop on May 30th via Metal Blade Records.

🎥 Watch the “American Death” video now: Click Here

🗣 Guitarist Brody Uttley shares:
“American Death” is a title we’ve had floating around since 2013. It was finally time to write a song with that name, and given the lyrics, it had to be a brutal, relentless track. This is definitely one of the heaviest songs on the album, and we can’t wait to perform it live!”

📀 Pre-order the new album “Rivers of Nihil” here: metalblade.com/riversofnihil

💿 Album Details & Formats:
The self-titled album will be available on CD, digital, and vinyl in multiple variants, including:
🔹 Bleach & Ammonia (Light Blue Smoke – US)
🔹 Adenochrome (Tiger’s Eye – US)
🔹 Stomach Acid (Blue / Yellow Smoke – US)
🔹 House of Light (Yellow / Green Marbled – US Tour Exclusive)
🔹 Radiant Light (Neon Yellow Marbled – EU)

🔥 Upcoming Tours:

EU/UK Headlining Tour w/ Cynic, Beyond Creation, Dååth
📆 March 12 – March 29, 2025
📍 Full list of dates & tickets: Click Here

North American Tour w/ Holy Fawn, Inter Arma, Glacial Tomb
📆 May 22 – June 22, 2025
📍 Full list of dates & tickets: Click Here

💀 About “Rivers of Nihil”
Sixteen years into their career, Rivers of Nihil is entering a new era with their self-titled album. Featuring the return of original vocalist Adam Biggs and the addition of guitarist Andy Thomas (ex-Black Crown Initiate), the album delivers ten crushing tracks that explore death from multiple perspectives.

With production from Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio, and guest contributions including Patrick Corona (alto sax), Stephan Lopez (banjo), and Grant McFarland (cello), Rivers of Nihil is an album that blends brutality, melody, and technical mastery like never before.

📢 Follow Rivers of Nihil:
🌐 Official Website
📘 Facebook
📷 Instagram
🐦 X (Twitter)
📺 YouTube

#metal, Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Live Events, LIVE TOURS AND EVENTS, New Music Release

JOB FOR A COWBOY Returns With Blistering New Single and Video: “The Agony Seeping Storm” – Prepare for a Decade-Long Awaited Album

Arizona death metallers JOB FOR A COWBOY return after a near decade long hiatus with their brand new single and accompanying video for [“The Agony Seeping Storm”](insert video link). The track comes by way of the band’s first new full-length in a decade, set for release in 2024 via Metal Blade Records!

JOB FOR A COWBOY released their Sun Eater full-length in 2014. The record received an overwhelmingly positive response, with [Decibel Magazine](insert Decibel Magazine website link) confessing, “Fuck it, I can admit when I’m wrong… while I was busy pointedly not paying attention to them, these deathcore progenitors actually became a pretty damn good band.” In a 4.5/5 review, [Alternative Press](insert Alternative Press website link) championed, “a full-on progressive death metal band… the songs have progressive sweep and epic power, at times recalling Opeth’s heavier work,” adding, “Sun Eater is one of 2014′s best metal albums, period,” while [Metal Injection](insert Metal Injection website link) hailed an album, “that will be a solid brick in the foundation of the death metal genre with no gimmicks or trends to back it up.”

Ten years later, the band returns with their most volatile work to date. The as-yet-untitled full-length is at once musically multifaceted, unabashedly brutal, and compellingly conceptual. First single, [“The Agony Seeping Storm”](insert video link), is a mathematically mind-blowing hybrid of bludgeoning death metal specializing in unconventional riffing that echoes the resemblance of legendary experimentalists like Cynic, Atheist, and Gorguts. A newly refreshed and reinspired lineup – vocalist Jonny Davy, guitarists Tony Sannicandro and Al Glassman, bassist Nick Schendzielos, and drummer (since 2020) Navene Koperweis – seamlessly pick up the mantle where Sun Eater left off.

Listen/watch
JOB FOR A COWBOY’s “The Agony Seeping Storm” video HERE

Issues Davy, “‘The Agony Seeping Storm’ gives a slice of our upcoming concept record. Regarding the video, the band collaborated extensively with director K. Hunter Lumar (Digital Mile), while our bassist, Nick Schendzielos, co-directed. The concept was inspired by a close friend who embarked on a relentless quest for profound enlightenment through the incessant abuse of hallucinogenic drugs. However, as they delved deeper into their religious-like experimentation they began exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. They came to believe that they could access an alternate, esoteric reality through hallucinogenic intoxication, where they encountered gnostic and biblical figures and imagery. These songs reflect their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.”

Further info on JOB FOR A COWBOY’s new full-length will be revealed in the coming weeks. Stay alert!

JOB FOR A COWBOY’s official comeback show will take place at this year’s edition of Blue Ridge Rock Fest with additional live dates to be announced soon.

JOB FOR A COWBOY Live:
9/08/2023 Blue Ridge Rock Fest – Alton, VA

JOB FOR A COWBOY hails from Glendale, Arizona. Formed in 2003, the band’s debut album, Genesis, was released in 2007, peaking at #54 on the US Billboard 200 and selling 13,000 copies in its first week of release. The second album, 2009’s Ruination, sold 10,600 copies in the United States in its first week to debut at position #42 on the Billboard 200 chart! The band has been described by [The New York Times](insert The New York Times website link) as “an Arizona band with a guttural, brute-force sound descended (indirectly) from hardcore punk,” and a, “straightforwardly brutal act,” by [Rolling Stone Magazine](insert Rolling Stone Magazine website link). The band has appeared on numerous music festivals both stateside and abroad, including Sounds Of The Underground, Download Festival, Mayhem Festival, Summer Slaughter, Graspop Metal Meeting, and Wacken Open Air, among others.

Photo by Tom Couture

JOB FOR A COWBOY:
Jonny Davy – vocals
Al Glassman – guitar
Nick Schendzielos – bass
Tony Sannicandro – guitar

Deep Dive into the universe of JOB FOR A COWBOY

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#metal, Cutting Edge Culture Updates, New Music Release

The Zenith Passage’s “Datalysium” Album Achieves Impressive Billboard Chart Positions

Progressive death metal band The Zenith Passage has achieved remarkable success with their latest album, Datalysium, as it debuted at the #4 position on Billboard’s Top New Artists Albums chart during its first week of release. The album also secured notable positions on several other Billboard charts:

US:

  • #4 Top New Artists Albums
  • #6 Current Hard Rock Albums
  • #12 Independent Label Albums
  • #14 Current Rock Albums
  • #55 Current Albums

Canada:

  • #15 Hard Rock Albums
  • #17 Current Digital Albums
  • #28 Top Current Albums

Datalysium features a revamped lineup, including original guitarist/keyboardist/backing vocalist Justin McKinney, guitarist Christopher Beattie (Dreamer), vocalist Derek Rydquist (ex-The Faceless, John Frum), and bassist Brandon Giffin (ex-The Faceless, Cynic). The album showcases a fusion of diverse influences, resulting in a captivating sound. It marries technical prowess, atmospheric elements, melodic intricacies, and dynamic shifts, captivating the listener’s full attention from start to finish. Songs like “The Axiom Of Error,” “Synaptic Depravation,” and the closing title track epitomize the band’s creative force and penchant for pushing sonic boundaries.

Datalysium was recorded at Justin McKinney’s home studio and Derek Rydquist’s apartment. Some vocals were tracked at Flatline Audio with Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Wake), who also mixed the album. Ryan Williams (The Black Dahlia Murder, John Frum) contributed to bass and vocals production.

The album is available in various formats, including standard LP, limited-edition LP, CD, and digital versions, and can be acquired through metalblade.com/thezenithpassage.

The Zenith Passage’s music video releases for “Divinertia II,” “Lexicontagion,” and “Datalysium” offer captivating visuals to complement their music.

Critical Acclaim for “Datalysium”:

  • Decibel Magazine: “…creepy, gangly manner…”
  • Metal Injection: “…one of 2023’s greatest tech death metal opuses.”
  • Distorted Sound: “…enthralling experience…”
  • No Clean Singing: “…surgical precision…”
  • Wall Of Sound: “…progressive death metal record of 2023.”
  • Metal Temple: “…top-notch musicianship…”
  • Metal Wani: “…near-perfect technical death metal record…”
  • The Weekend Sport: “A triumphant return.”
  • Ave Noctum: “…technical death metal interesting…”
  • Toilet Ov Hell: “Super tight instrumental work…”
  • Technical Music Review: “…better tech death albums of the last decade.”
  • Musipedia Of Metal: “…taken to a new state…”
  • Ghost Cult: “…the band’s best work to date…”
  • Teeth Of The Divine: “…tightest and best-performed albums…”

Deep Dive into the universe of The Zenith Passage:

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#metal, Cutting Edge Culture Updates, New Music Release

THE ZENITH PASSAGE Releases Monstrous Album ‘Datalysium’ – A Progressive Death Metal Masterpiece

Los Angeles progressive death metal group, THE ZENITH PASSAGE, releases their second full-length studio album, “Datalysium,” via Metal Blade Records. The album features an overhauled lineup, including original guitarist/keyboardist/backing vocalist Justin McKinney, guitarist Christopher Beattie, vocalist Derek Rydquist, and bassist Brandon Giffin. “Datalysium” showcases the band’s blend of technical head-fuckery, atmosphere, melody, and shifting dynamics, capturing the listener’s undivided attention throughout.

Check out the video for the title track, “Datalysium,” here.

Decibel Magazine praises the album, likening the songs to a creepy daddy longlegs spider, while Metal Injection simply states, “it rips!”

The album was recorded at various locations, with McKinney’s home studio and Rydquist’s apartment being primary spots, and vocals tracked at Flatline Audio with Dave Otero, who also mixed the album. The release is available in standard LP, limited-edition LP, CD, and digital formats. You can get it at metalblade.com/thezenithpassage.

Additionally, don’t miss the previously released performance video for “Divinertia II” here and the video for “Lexicontagion” here.

Deep Dive into the Zenith Passage universe:

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Polish progressive metallers FACTOR 8 have unleashed their latest single, “Antidote,” accompanied by a captivating music video.

The band, hailing from Bydgoszcz, Poland, was formed in 2009 by Bartek Wojciechowski (vocals), Mariusz Lemański (guitar), and Łukasz Reksa (guitar). Their music is a fusion of melodic progressive rock and modern heavy metal.

In 2016, the first album “The Valkyries” was released, receiving high praise from critics. Promoting the material from their debut album, FACTOR 8 had the opportunity to share the stage with renowned artists such as Kat and Roman Kostrzewski, Turbo, Non Iron, Ira, Kaliber 44, Organek, Mrozu, Cugowscy, and others.

Currently, the band is in the process of creating material for their next album while performing live with the following lineup: Bartek Wojciechowski (vocals), Mariusz Lemański (guitar), Piotr Lestath Leszczyński (drums), Kamil Robaczewski (bass guitar), and Piotr Łotocki (guitar).

Over the years, FACTOR 8 has released four singles accompanied by captivating videos. Their latest offering, “Antidote,” is now available to the public. You can watch the video here.

Music: Mariusz Lemański
Lyrics: Bartek Wojciechowski
Arrangement: Mariusz Lemański and Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński
Recording: Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński (Red Sun Recording Studio)
Drums Recorded in: YacobRecords
Vocal Recording: Marcin Grzella – MG Studio
Production, mix, and mastering: Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński – Red Sun Studio
Camera operator, post-production, montage: Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński

Band Members:

  • Vocals: Bartek Wojciechowski
  • Electric Guitars: Mariusz Lemański
  • Electric Guitars: Piotr Łotocki
  • Bass Guitar: Kamil Robaczewski
  • Drums: Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński
  • Keys: Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński and Mariusz Lemański
  • Backing vocals: Mariusz Lemański, Peter ‘Lestath’ Leszczyński

Special Thanks: Natalia Kuligowska (052b Studio), Tomasz Piotrowski

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#metal, Cutting Edge Culture Updates, Lifestyle, New Music Release

Dååth Release Cover of Morbid Angel’s “Where the Slime Live” Featuring Guest Solo from David Davidson of Revocation

Band currently in the studio recording new material.

Metal Blade set to release band’s classic album, The Hinderers, on Vinyl

Check out Where the Slime Live here and pre-order The Hinderers on Vinyl here!

Dååth’s just released their latest digital single, a cover of Morbid Angel’s classic Where the Slime Live featuring a guest guitar solo performance by Dave Davidson of Revocation. The track was mixed and mastered by Dave Otero with artwork by Ryan Wolanski.

Guitarist Eyal Levi had this to say about the cover: “It’s funny to say this because ‘Where The Slime Live’ is a total classic, but I’ve been feeling like people have not been giving Trey and co their due for the massive impact they’ve had on the evolution of metal. Not that our version of this song is going to change the world, but if any Morbid Angel song deserves the modern treatment, it’s this one. Everything about it more than holds up and showcasing it in this fashion really illuminates how ahead of their time they were. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed learning and interpreting this BANGER of a song!”

Dave Davidson added: “‘Where The Slime Live’ is one of my favorite Morbid tunes so I was stoked to be asked to lay down a solo for this killer cover. Trey has a very unique style so it was a cool challenge to tap into his vibe and let the lava flow so to speak. Hope y’all dig it!”

“As a fan of Dååth since the original demos in 2003 I absolutely jumped at the opportunity to work with the band two decades later. They perfectly executed the recording of Where the Slime Live and I’m really proud of the final mix” comments Dave Otero.

Dååth’s – “Where the Slime Live”
Eyal Levi – Guitar
Sean Z – Vocals
Krimh – Drums
Jesse Zuretti – Guitar
Dave Marvuglio – Bass
Dave Davidson – Guest Guitar Solo

In album news; Dååth has just entered the studio this week to begin the recording process of their 5th full-length album, which will be released via Metal Blade Records in 2024.

Eyal had this to say about entering the studio: “I never thought I’d be able to say this, but we’re back in the studio to complete the new Dååth album, which by the way, is our heaviest album in at least 13 years.”

Last, but not least, Metal Blade Records will be releasing the band’s 2007, debut album, The Hinderers on multiple vinyl variants. Check it out at: metalblade.com/daath

The Hinderers tracklisting:

  1. Subterfuge
  2. From the Blind
  3. Cosmic Forge
  4. Sightless
  5. Under a Somber Sign
  6. Ovum
  7. Festival Mass Soulform
  8. Above Lucium
  9. Who Will Take the Blame?
  10. War Born (Tri-Adverserenade)
  11. Dead on the Dance Floor
  12. Blessed Through Misery
  13. The Hinderers

Check out Dååth’s other current singles below and keep eyes out for more covers and originals to be released over the coming months.

The Philosopher (Death Cover ft. Dan Sugarman and Rafael Trujillo) HERE
No Rest No End (original single) HERE
Purified by Vengeance (original single) HERE

Image concept by Alex Morgan Imaging

About the band:
Dååth is an American progressive death metal band based in Atlanta, Georgia. The band began their journey in 1999 and stayed busy for just over a decade before taking a hiatus in 2011. In that time, Dååth released 4 studio albums (Futility – self-released 2004, The Hinderers – Roadrunner Records 2007, The Concealers – Century Media 2009, Dååth – Century Media 2010) and toured throughout the world with bands like Dark Funeral, Naglfar, Zyklon, Dragonforce, Goatwhore, Chimaira, Throwdown, Dying Fetus, and Devildriver, making a lasting impression with the metal community and its many subgenres. Dååth also landed a coveted spot on Ozzfest playing before tens of thousands of fans in outdoor amphitheaters across the US, in addition to the infamous and long-running metal tour, Summer Slaughter.

In their time, Dååth managed to create an extensive fanbase worldwide with their unique brand of experimental death metal, which makes it no surprise that the metal community lit up once rumors of the band’s return began to surface online. The metal community only continued to buzz with support as members began making posts teasing new material. The metal world made it clear they were ready for the return of one of the strongest progressive death metal bands of the first part of the 00’s.

Dååth is now back with an updated lineup and stronger than ever, which can be heard in the group’s new single “No Rest No End” that saw digital release by Metal Blade Records on February 22, 2023. The track features guest solos by Rafael Trujillo (Obsidious, ex-Obscura, instagram.com/rafaeltrujillo_official) and Spiro Dussias (instagram.com/spirodussias) and was mixed by Jens Bogren (Sepultura, At The Gates, Kreator, Dimmu Borgir), mastered by Tony Lindgren (Enslaved, Katatonia, Leprous, Wardruna), with vocal production by Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember, Motionless In White, Wage War), and engineering by John Doug

lass (Megadeth, Alluvial, The Contortionist).

Dååth followed up the release of “No Rest No End” with a cover of Death’s “The Philosopher” that features Dan Sugarman of Ice Nine Kills and Rafael Trujillo, released digitally on April 24, 2023.

The last single released by Dååth (May 30) was “Purified By Vengeance” and features both Mark Holcomb of Periphery and composer and sound designer Mick Gordon. The track was mixed by Jens Bogren, with Andrew Wade as vocal producer, and John Douglass handling engineering duties.

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