Technical death metal architects COGNITIVE have unveiled their outstanding cover of the Slipknot classic, “People = Shit.” The standalone single arrives in advance of the band’s upcoming US tour, supporting death metal legends NILE. The Underground Awaits Tour 2025 is set to begin this Friday, September 12th in Raleigh, North Carolina, and will run through October 11th in Indianapolis, Indiana. Additional support will be provided by Cryptopsy and labelmates, The Last Ten Seconds Of Life.
In a collective statement, COGNITIVE commented on the new release: “We have been hard at work writing our next album and prepping for tour, but decided to spend some time having fun and recorded a cover of ‘People = Shit’ by the almighty Slipknot! We wanted to have fun with something that wasn’t exactly death metal, but still in the extreme realm! The world is an awful place, and humanity doesn’t make it any better, so to us the Slipknot math and song title added up correctly! We hope you enjoy and see you on the road!”
COGNITIVE will be touring in support of their most recent full-length album, Abhorrence, released last spring via Metal Blade Records. The record finds the New Jersey-based quintet at their brutal best. Abhorrence carries on band tradition with its maniacal fusion of relentless riffs and devastating lyrics, making for a raging, draining, and ultimately fulfilling experience.
Metal Blade Records is thrilled to welcome Tasmanian death metal behemoths PSYCROPTIC to its esteemed roster for the release of their forthcoming new full-length album. To mark the occasion, the band has just unleashed their new video and single, “Architects Of Extinction.”
PSYCROPTIC stands as Australia’s most globally respected death metal act for a quarter-century. When the history of technical metal is written, PSYCROPTIC will undoubtedly claim a hefty chapter. They carved their path into the underground in the late ’90s and have consistently pushed the genre forward with their dense riff jungles, bursting into powerfully rhythmic grooves and blasts. The profound talent of brothers Joe (guitar) and Dave Haley (drums) anchors their sound. Joe’s esoteric picking style weaves hooks that ensnare listeners, while Dave’s pulsating rhythms provide the backbone. Their level of synchronization is unparalleled, a testament to decades of playing together. The telepathic performance is only matched by the precise contributions of Todd Stern on bass and the charismatic roar of Jason Peppiatt. Like true masters, they make the impossible look impossibly easy.
Guitarist Joe Haley comments on the signing: “Having grown up listening to countless amazing bands on the Metal Blade roster, the label had a big impact on shaping who we are as musicians, essentially becoming an integral part of our creative DNA. From the early days of picking up our instruments to finding our own sound as a band, Metal Blade has always represented the pinnacle of heavy music and a place where groundbreaking artists are created and thrive. So we’re beyond honored to announce that we’re officially joining the Metal Blade family – a surreal and humbling moment for all of us in PSYCROPTIC. We’re currently in the final stages of finishing our new album, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on. To kick off this awesome new chapter on the right note, we’re dropping our brand-new single, ‘Architects Of Extinction.’ Enjoy.”
Bassist Todd Stern adds, “As PSYCROPTIC prepares to release our ninth full-length studio album, we couldn’t be more excited about the fact that we’ve joined forces with the one and only Metal Blade Records, who will be handling its release. We feel that at this point in our career, both the timing and the fit are seemingly perfect. Metal Blade and its roster have always been exceptional, and we are very grateful and humbled to join such a legendary list of artists that have been part of the label’s family throughout the ages. We are adding the final touches on our next record, but in the meantime we have something savory prepared: a dense, hard-hitting single entitled ‘Architects Of Extinction.’ Get ready for the golden age of Tasmania’s most prolific metal band!”
Watch PSYCROPTIC’s “Architects Of Extinction” video HERE.
Next week, PSYCROPTIC will kick off a host of Summer performances throughout Australia and Europe. See all confirmed dates below.
PSYCROPTIC Live:
6/06/2025 Republic Bar – Hobart, AU
6/07/2025 Royal Oak – Launceston, AU
6/08/2025 Pub Rock Diner – Devonport, AU
6/10/2025 Magnet House – Perth, AU
6/11/2025 Lion Arts – Adelaide, AU
6/13/2025 170 Russell – Melbourne, AU
6/14/2025 Metro Theatre – Sydney, AU
6/15/2025 Princess Theatre – Brisbane, AU
7/26/2025 Tolminator – Tolmin, SI
7/27/2025 Backstage Free & Easy – München, DE
7/28/2025 Vaudeville – Lindau, DE
7/29/2025 Garage – Saarbrücken, DE
7/30/2025 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE
8/02/2025 Manchester Academy – Manchester, UK
8/05/2025 La Eventhalle – Cham, DE
8/07/2025 Brutal Assault – Jaromer, CZ
8/09/2025 Alcatraz – Kortrijk, BE
8/10/2025 Hall Of Fame – Tilburg, NL
Most bands take a few albums to find their feet, but PSYCROPTIC’s first two releases were underground classics: The Isle Of Disenchantment (2001, self-released) and The Scepter Of The Ancients (2003, Unique Leader). Vocalist Matthew Chalk and bassist Cameron Grant were part of the first squad who joined the Haleys on their quest for perfection. A relentless touring schedule emerged in Australia, including legendary appearances at Canberra’s Metal For The Brain festival. Normally this would be the high point for an Australian metal band. Two albums out, successful shows, who could ask for more?
Tasmania couldn’t contain them, and as it turned out, neither could Australia. Their first overseas tour was Europe in 2004. Matthew was replaced on vocals by Jason Peppiatt, and PSYCROPTIC went on to record Symbols Of Failure (2006, Neurotic). The band expanded their sound with Ob (Servant) (2008, Nuclear Blast), bringing in ambience and atmosphere, then The Inherited Repression (2012, Nuclear Blast) introduced the powerful neck-cracking grooves that would mark their sound going forward.
It also introduced them to touring the US with their first happening in 2010. This pushed their lust for the road to new levels, smashing audiences and stupefying musicians around the planet. They’re unique among death metal bands in that it’s almost pointless to try and list the festivals and countries they’ve visited, let alone the bands they’ve played with. It can be condensed to “everyone, everywhere.” Official estimates are at forty countries.
PSYCROPTIC solidified their American relationship by signing to Prosthetic Records in 2014, replacing Cameron on bass with US legend Todd Stern in 2015, then releasing their self-titled album in the same year. At this point something indefinable clicked, and the band unleashed As The Kingdom Drowns (2018), a clear step up from their previous work. Divine Council (2022) proved that this wasn’t a new level for the band – it’s a new normal. Origin vocalist Jason Keyser, long considered a part of PSYCROPTIC’s extended family, contributed vocals to Divine Council as well as the upcoming new material. Keyser remains a session and live vocalist on select tours.
Signing to the legendary Metal Blade Records for their forthcoming full-length album – there is no slowing down. PSYCROPTIC are no longer the local Australian band made good: they are a global powerhouse with a footprint the size of the world, nothing left to prove, and an endless commitment to finding ways to rock you as hard as technically possible.
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.
🗣 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!”
💿 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.
Technical death metal visionaries ALLEGAEON have just dropped their latest single, “The Swarm,” accompanied by a powerful new video, now premiering at Metal Injection. The track is taken from their forthcoming full-length album, The Ossuary Lens, set to be released on April 4th, 2025, via Metal Blade Records.
Guitarist Greg Burgess shares insight into the track’s origins: “This is a piece written by [guitarist] Michael Stancel. The frantic intro riff was actually written on tour in the UK on a boat in Bristol. I remember filming him playing it so we wouldn’t forget how to play it. The show was sold out and ruled, and then all of our gear got rained on because they had us load out so they could have a disco after the show. Shame!”
Stancel adds: “If I could have set that venue adrift, I would have—but at least we got a song out of it.”
The Ossuary Lens: ALLEGAEON’s Most Brutal and Technically Dazzling Album Yet 💀🎶
The Ossuary Lens marks ALLEGAEON’s seventh studio album and the highly anticipated return of original vocalist Ezra Haynes, rejoining the band after nearly a decade. The album explores various perspectives on death, delving into themes both philosophical and visceral.
“Each song is a different topic, but there’s always a perspective of death tied in,” explains Haynes. “Since the entire album revolves around this theme, we felt that ‘Ossuary’ was a fitting concept, and thus, The Ossuary Lens was born.”
ALLEGAEON Hits the Road with Warbringer for The Vortex of Violence Tour 🎤🔥
Starting March 18th, 2025, ALLEGAEON will co-headline North America with WARBRINGER, alongside Skeletal Remains and Summoning The Lich. The 26-date tour will take the bands across the US and Canada, wrapping up on April 12th in Los Angeles, CA.
The Ossuary Lens: A Monumental Return for ALLEGAEON 🎶⚡
Produced by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio in Denver, The Ossuary Lens promises to be a career-defining record for ALLEGAEON. Consequence raves about its “brutal intensity and progressive sophistication,” while MetalSucks calls it “a relentless masterclass in technical death metal.”
Germany’s progressive metal icons Obscura have returned with their highly anticipated album, A Sonication, marking the second chapter of their ambitious trilogy. Released today via Nuclear Blast Records, this seventh full-length album showcases the band’s ongoing evolution while staying true to their complex, signature sound.
A Sonication bridges past and future, written during extensive touring in support of 2021’s A Valediction. The album was produced by award-winning Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman (In Flames, Architects) in Gothenburg, Sweden. Frontman Steffen Kummerer completed vocals and acoustic guitar sections using custom-built ENGL amps, creating a heavier yet brighter sonic experience. The result is a deeply personal record that blends scientific themes with philosophical introspection, offering fans an immersive experience.
Acclaimed artist Eliran Kantor designed the album’s silver-toned artwork, perfectly complementing its sonic identity. To celebrate the release, the band has shared the music video for In Solitude.
“With A Sonication, our seventh full-length album sees the light of day, and we couldn’t be prouder. This record has an introverted, melancholic vibe that fits perfectly with the trilogy’s theme. It’s a fragile, human touch—best experienced on a good system or high-quality headphones. We’ll be touring relentlessly in the coming years. Listen to the record and see you at a venue near you!”
Obscura European Tour 2025 with Skeletal Remains and Gorod
In addition to their European dates, Obscura will headline the Shred Fest 2025 tour across North America and Canada with Atheist, Origin, Decrepit Birth, and Fractal Universe.
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:
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:
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.
Canadian kings of technical death metal, CRYPTOPSY, have made a resounding announcement that has sent shockwaves through the metal community. After over a decade of anticipation, they are set to release their highly awaited full-length album, titled “As Gomorrah Burns,” on September 8th, courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records. The groundbreaking quartet is back with a vengeance, showcasing their renewed vigor and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of extreme music.
“As Gomorrah Burns” promises to be one of CRYPTOPSY’s most tumultuous and ambitious albums yet, continuing their tradition of sonic exploration and complex songwriting. Vocalist Matt McGachy expressed his excitement about the upcoming release, describing it as a meticulous endeavor that perfectly blends the old-school CRYPTOPSY sound with modern twists. The album features infectious grooves and a breath of fresh air, allowing the riffs to shine in ways that haven’t been seen in their recent releases. McGachy is thrilled about this new era for CRYPTOPSY, and fans can expect a captivating musical journey that stays true to the band’s roots while embracing their evolution.
To give fans a taste of what’s to come, CRYPTOPSY has unleashed the first single, “In Abeyance,” along with an accompanying music video directed by Chris Kells (The Agonist, Beneath The Massacre). McGachy describes the single as a conceptually intense exploration of feeling isolated in a new environment, searching for a sense of belonging while mourning a previous life. Musically, “In Abeyance” is a forceful slap in the face, appearing deceptively straightforward but revealing layers of intricate complexity upon closer inspection.
Fans can pre-order “As Gomorrah Burns” now and stream “In Abeyance” to get a taste of the fury that awaits them. The album promises to be a relentless onslaught of extreme metal, featuring tracks like “Lascivious Undivine,” “Flayed The Swine,” and “Praise The Filth.” The anticipation surrounding the release is at an all-time high, with listeners eagerly awaiting the album’s arrival.
Looking back at CRYPTOPSY’s storied career, it’s evident that they have continually pushed the boundaries of death metal. Formed in 1992, the band quickly became known for their uncompromising attack and unparalleled musicality. Their debut album, “Blasphemy Made Flesh,” shocked the metal world, and subsequent releases like “None So Vile” and “Once Was Not” solidified their status as apex predators in the genre. They have embarked on high-profile tours, performing over 1,000 shows across 47 countries.
“As Gomorrah Burns” not only serves as a follow-up to their previous EPs, “The Book of Suffering – Tome I” and “The Book of Suffering – Tome II,” but also represents a new era for the band. Crafted over two years during the pandemic, the album is the result of painstaking dedication and an arduous songwriting process. The initial sessions took place in a cabin in the haunting forests of Quebec, providing an eerie backdrop for the creation of this beastly album. Guitarist and producer Christian Donaldson, together with his bandmates Matt McGachy, Flo Mounier, and Olivier “Oli” Pinard, channeled their collective energies to create eight slabs of unadulterated barbarity. The production of the album was helmed by Donaldson, ensuring that CRYPTOPSY’s vision was executed flawlessly.
As Gomorrah Burns” Tracklisting
Lascivious Undivine
In Abeyance
Godless Deceiver
Ill Ender
Flayed The Swine
The Righteous Lost
Obeisant
Praise The Filth
Conceptually, “As Gomorrah Burns” delves into the collision of the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah with the modern-day Internet. McGachy’s vision was to explore how the internet serves as both a birthplace of invention and a cesspool of exploitation. The album touches upon real-life incidents of online stalking, cults, misinformation, isolation, and intimidation, amplifying their impact through devious ornamentation. The striking cover art, created by Italian artist Paolo Girardi, perfectly complements the album’s old-world lyrical themes, creating a visual representation of the darkness that lies within.
“As Gomorrah Burns” is an aggressive and thought-provoking masterpiece that pierces through the mundane and relentlessly delivers uncompromising death metal. The album captures the essence of what our world needs—a ferocious and unyielding musical force that only CRYPTOPSY can provide. McGachy emphatically declares that CRYPTOPSY is not merely a legacy band but a modern and relevant force in extreme music. With “As Gomorrah Burns,” CRYPTOPSY invites listeners to embark on a thrilling journey that is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.
In addition to the upcoming album, CRYPTOPSY has tantalized fans with news of an impending fall headlining “Carnival Of Death” tour across North America. The tour dates will be announced soon, and it is sure to be a monumental event for fans of extreme music. Cryptopsy’s live performances are renowned for their energy and intensity, leaving audiences breathless and craving more. This tour will undoubtedly be an unmissable experience for metal enthusiasts.
Deep Dive into the universe of CRYPTOPSY on their official Facebook and Instagram pages
Don’t miss out on the chance to witness the return of these death metal juggernauts as they reclaim their throne of domination with “As Gomorrah Burns.”
Dark/Alt/Dance Culture, Music Entertainment News, Mental Health/STEM updates, Educational/Informational Community Outreach resources, Fashion, and Interviews with the artists you know and love – Featuring a HUGE mix of THE Most Dirty, Heavy, Danceable, Electronica, Rock, Metal, and Industrial! from the underground to the mainstream, coast to coast, and ALL around the globe.
Your source for Dark/Alt/Dance culture on EvolRadio.com- with DJ Darkside 