Featuring the legendary Logan Mader (Machine Head, Soulfly) on guitars, who has produced for metal heavyweights like Gojira, Five Finger Death Punch, and Fear Factory, ‘Reach’ delivers a crushing mix of industrial soundscapes, cinematic chaos, and bone-rattling riffs.

“This song is a testament to my love for the APOC scene and the community,” says Militia Vox. “We are some of the most die-hard, heavy music lovers on the planet. The commitment to the Wastelander lifestyle, the creativity, and the people are like no other. Wasteland is my happy place. It’s where my music and my fire show make the most sense, and they fully accept my artistry – uncensored.”

Two years on from their sensational debut, Ukrainian ‘Riot Grrrls’ Mariana, Anastasiia and Nataliia, aka Death Pill are back. And back in full force, locked and loaded with a mighty set of tunes on their highly anticipated second album SOLOGAMY, which is … as they put it. ‘A bold exploration of personal empowerment’. SOLOGAMY is fierce, heavy and melodic, and is set to land on June 20 via New Heavy Sounds.

Commenting on first single ‘Craterface’ the band add, “‘Craterface’ is a metaphor for a person whose face bears the marks of past struggles—both physical and emotional. This track is a cry from the soul, reflecting fear, self-hatred, and complicated relationships. The lyrical hero wrestles with inner conflicts, searching for acceptance. In a world filled with pressure and stress, Craterface becomes the voice of those trying to make sense of their emotions.

“The protagonist feels not only anger toward others but also rage toward themselves for their own helplessness. This fury transforms into a thirst for revenge—a painful yet powerful way to cope with suffering. ‘Craterface’ is my ultimate catharsis. A catharsis of consuming hatred, of the vengeance that eats me from the inside. “Let’s be honest—haven’t we all felt this way at least once?”

Rockshots Records proudly announces the first single and official video from HELLFOX, a band that blends melodic death and alternative metal with a sharp emotional edge. Titled ‘Seaweed Braids’, the song anticipates their upcoming album The Spectrum of Human Gravity, a bold and emotional journey set for release June 6.
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‘Seaweed Braid’ is a melancholic and introspective track that opens the emotional arc of the new album. As the band explains, the song evokes the image of a fragile creature submerged in deep waters — a metaphor for a soul lost in pain and memory. Lyrically, the track reflects on the irreversible moment when we realize what we’ve lost and can only sing a lullaby to the waves.

Dutch symphonic metal frontrunners EPICA have finally released their brand-new studio album, Aspiral. The band invites fans to immerse themselves in the full sonic journey as it is meant to be experienced: from start to finish in one go.

In conjunction with the album release, EPICA has unveiled a sci-fi-themed music video for ‘Fight To Survive – The Overview Effect’. The track draws inspiration from the cognitive shift experienced by astronauts after observing Earth from space — a powerful moment of awe, interconnectedness, and a profound appreciation for the planet’s fragility.

“Musically, this song encapsulates the full spectrum of EPICA,” the band explains. “From heavy to soft, uplifting to melancholic — ‘Fight To Survive’ embodies it all.”

The visually striking video was once again brought to life by Remko Tielemans and produced by Kollektiv Kunststoff, who also directed clips for the band’s previous singles ‘Arcana’ and ‘Cross The Divide’.

Finnish melodic metal band Unén are excited to unveil their new official video, ‘Forever Winter’, out now via Frontiers Music Srl.

Vocalist Stina Girs commented on the new single by saying: “When the mind sinks into darkness and no light is in sight, the inner landscape can feel like an eternal winter. Also, the loss of a loved one can feel like a desolate midwinter. Forever Winter can be either one for the listener – a personal battle toward brighter days, or a message to a loved one, on the other side”.

Ominous Ruin will release their new record Requiem on May 9. Should you be in the mood for decimating riffs and mind-melting technicality, look no further than our premiere of the band’s new single ‘Staring Into The Abysm’.

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The band described the track as “a powerful and provocative new single that channels raw energy into a rebellious anthem. The song is an intense outburst of sound and emotion, built for those who have ever felt like outsiders, pushing them to turn their frustration into strength”.

“The meaning of ‘Hate Manifesto’ is deliberately ambivalent – it’s a battle cry against those who try to label and limit us, but also a reflection on the destructive power of hatred. The lyrics walk a fine line between defiance and self-destruction, asking: what do you do with your anger? Do you use it to fight back or let it consume you?”, they added.

Talking about the video, they commented: “It plunges into a world of late 19th-century occultism, drawing inspiration from colonial-era America, voodoo rituals, and the dark shadows of superstition. Haunting imagery and ritualistic performances set the stage for a feverish descent into hysteria and revolt, where the line between persecutor and outcast blurs. Steeped in mysticism and unrest, the video mirrors the song’s raw energy – an invocation of defiance against those who seek to control and condemn. A song for the misfits, the rebels, and anyone who refuses to be silenced”.

Transcontinental deathcore collective, FACE YOURSELF have announced their brand new EP Martyr. The five track offering is set for release on April 18 via Sumerian Records and raises the modern deathcore bar to an unprecedented level. Punctuating today’s news is their blistering new single ‘Predatory’ which offers a brutal yet haunting exploration of trust and betrayal, diving deep into the dark undercurrents of vulnerability and self-preservation.

‘Predatory’ is out now alongside the accompanying music video – directed by FACE YOURSELF drummer, Eric DiCarlo.

Speaking on their latest single and upcoming EP, the band shares: “FACE YOURSELF is proud to release our newest single ‘Predatory’, alongside the announcement of our new EP Martyr via Sumerian Records. ‘Predatory’ is based on a modern story with some metaphoric images. It’s about going to a dance with a stranger and quickly finding yourself in a dangerous situation. Martyr explores struggles through difficult mental health battles. The lyrical content on the EP is based on vulnerability, and confronting your own demons. The record flirts between standing up for yourself, but also getting back to this dark place, as no one has a perfect linear mental health. Sometimes it takes a few trials to heal old wounds.

“With our producer Joey Sturgis, we tried to translate the theme through the impacts, melodies, vocals, making those emotions loud.”

FRANTIC AMBER have announced a new album. Titled Death Becomes Her, the upcoming album from the Swedish melodic death metal band is the follow-up to 2019’s Bellatrix, and is scheduled to be released in April this year, via RPM ROAR.

Alongside the announcement of the new album, the band have released a new music video for a new song lifted from the upcoming album; Hell’s Belle.

Speaking about the new song, the band shares, “Death Becomes Her is a concept album about female serial killers and includes different kinds of killers and categories of serial killers. Hell’s Belle Gunness was a particularly gruesome Black Widow type serial killer, who lured unsuspecting men to her Indiana farm with promises of love, only to poison and dismember them for their money. She also orchestrated multiple insurance frauds and many suspicious deaths, including those of her husbands and children. Her gruesome legacy, spanning from 1884 to 1908, left a trail of at least 14 confirmed victims, with estimates reaching as high as 40 murders. Belle most probably faked her own death by burning down her farm, leaving behind a headless corpse and a farm full of buried body parts.

“The song ‘Hell’s Belle’ has a lot of black metal inspiration and combines a waltz with blast beats giving it a ruthless sway. We also incorporated a lot of orchestra to set the mood and tone together with the guitar melodies and tremolo. The lyrics tell the story of Belle Gunness and her bloody activities on her farm. The writing style is brutal with a little tongue-in-cheek undertones and the vocals have a wide range going from vicious growls to a little sprinkle of clean classical vocals in a three-part-harmony.”

HÄXAN have announced a new EP. Titled Death Of Me, the upcoming EP from the Welsh hard rock band is the follow-up to 2020’s White Noise, and is scheduled to be released in May this year, via self-release.

The upcoming EP was recorded at Longwave Studios and was produced by Grammy nominated Romesh Dodangoda. Alongside the announcement of the new EP, the band have released a new music video for a new song lifted from the upcoming EP; the title track ‘Death Of Me’.

Speaking about the new song, the band shares, “it was one of the later songs we wrote for the EP, and we played around with lots of ideas for the melody in the verse as we wanted something quite rhythmic but still melodic and catchy. Once we had this melody, albeit with very different words, we all couldn’t stop singing it days, even weeks, later so we knew it was the one.

“This is the first new song HÄXAN fans will hear since our debut album release in 2020, so we hope they will see and love the band’s and our sound’s evolution. It’s still HÄXAN. Still big riffs, big choruses, but bolder, heavier, and bigger than ever.”

Symphonic metal frontrunners EPICA return with a spellbinding third single off their upcoming album, Aspiral, which will see the light of day on April 11 via Nuclear Blast.

‘T.I.M.E.’ is a track that takes listeners on a journey through self-discovery, as the title stands for “Transformation, Integration, Metamorphosis and Evolution” and delves into the art of dying — more specifically, the death of the ego, and the necessary steps one must take to achieve personal and spiritual growth. Bringing this vision to life is the new music video created by Dave Letelier, which captures the song’s haunting aesthetic.

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Dutch symphonic metal titans EPICA have released a brand new single, ‘Arcana’. The track heralds a new chapter in EPICA’s two-decade-long history and marks the band’s first new release since the group’s chart-topping 2021 album Omega and the collaboration EP The Alchemy Project. It offers a glimpse into the band’s future music, coming in 2025. EPICA comments: “‘Arcana’ guides you through the universal stages of spiritual evolution in life. It leads the way to a higher consciousness and spiritual self-awareness. Writing this song was a spontaneous effort, so it came together quickly, which felt so natural that it wrote itself. The music contains classic EPICA elements but has some vibes that might remind you of ’80s alternative rock or modern metal.” [via Blabbermouth]

Birmingham UK based noisemongers Vanitas release ‘Wait And See’, their last single from a very impressive 2024. They pronounced earlier this year that “Vanitas return matured and dangerous, promising to deliver their heaviest release yet”. Said release was their musclebound Chaos Theory EP. Vanitas proclaim that “’Wait And See’ is an epic anthem, exploring the duality of excitement and anxiety of trusting an unknown future, out now.” [via Planet Mosh]

VUKOVI have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘Misty Ecstasy’, is taken from the Scottish alternative band’s upcoming new album, My God Has Got A Gun, which is scheduled to be released in January next year, via SharpTone Records. Speaking about the new song, vocalist Janine Shilstone shares, “the most fun/tongue-in-cheek song we’ve created. We wanted to put out something that could cut through a very dark and uncertain time for this day and age. Sex should be fun and safe without judgement. OUR BODY OUR CHOICE.” [via Distorted Sound]

Poppy’s new album, Negative Spaces, is finally here, and it comes with the post-genre auteur’s most extreme and crushing song yet: ‘the center’s falling out.’ The album’s pre-release singles have showcased the record’s range — from the neon-soaked synth-pop of ‘crystallized’ to the dynamic metalcore of ‘they’re all around us.’ But ‘the center’s falling out’ is a different and more dangerous beast entirely. Raging from start to finish, it puts even Poppy’s Grammy-nominated turn with Knocked Loose, ‘Suffocate,’ to the heaviness test. The song — which was co-written by House of Protection’s Stephen Harrison (formerly of Fever 333 and the Chariot) — arrived accompanied with a sick performance video in which Poppy throws down in Argento-esque red fog while being surreally filmed by herself. [via Revolver]

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Finnish heavy metal band Ratbreed release their new single ‘Master Of Deception’ via Wormholedeath. Formed in 2015, the band released their debut album Evoke The Blaze in 2018 and thrived as a solid live act in the Finnish rock club circuit. After a small hiatus, due to line-up changes and Covid-19-related cancellations, they are now working on their second album and offer the first taste of what Ratbreed sounds like in 2022. The song was mixed and mastered again at Soundspiral Audio by Swallow The Sun guitarist Juho Räihä. Cover art was made by Petri Lampela and ‘Master Of Deception’ video by Niko Sihvonen (Rocktografia).

Daedric returns with a somber official music video for their dark new industrial rock single ‘Coldharbour.’ Continuing where they left off with ‘Wretched’ Daedric pushes into a more cinematic rock direction. Directed by Brittany Davis, the music video contrasts dark and light themes, with an enigmatic, lack-robed wraith figure roaming a gloomy forest and an obscure face singing through folds of white fabric for an overall mysterious and mystical atmosphere. Featuring the sultry vocals of lead Kristyn Hope with provocative lyrics fused over synthesizers, pulsing drums, and heavy guitars, ‘Coldharbour’ is an ethereal soundscape with an overall somber but fierce atmosphere faceted with intensity till the last cold hard beat. Mixed by heavily sought-after producer Joey Sturgis, known for his work with some of the biggest names in metalcore such as Of Mice & Men, Asking Alexandria, and We Came As Romans ‘Coldharbour’ is the fifth single to be released by the up-and-coming group. “’Coldharbour’ takes the energy established with ‘Wretched’ and pulls the listener into a whole new cinematic realm,” states Daedric. “The song further establishes Daedric as a multifaceted artist whose genre-bending sound and visual is a force to be reckoned with.”

The Sacramento-based quintet Graveshadow – who deftly mixes symphonic/gothic metal with elements and influences from a variety of styles to create something epic, progressive, melodic and powerful – release a brand-new music video for ‘The Betrayer’ from their recently released comeback album, The Uncertain Hour. The footage that comprises the clip was shot on the band’s recent west coast headlining tour from a show at Seattle’s Funhouse venue by Karl Whinnery, bassist from tour and labelmates Vintersea. “’The Betrayer’ was written with the intention of continuing the more power metal direction that was introduced with the release of [the first single] ‘Gwynnbleidd,’” explains guitarist Aaron Robitsch. [Guitarist] Will also wanted to make more use of guitar harmonies, and I think this song showcases that well. It also continues a theme we have become known for — lyrics about World of Warcraft.” “This song became an early favorite of mine during the recording process. Aaron worked out the idea to have a video shot while we were on tour and the fantastic Karl Whinnery from Vintersea helped us out by shooting it,” states guitarist William Lloyd Walker. “Really happy with how it came out and a huge thanks to Karl for helping us put this together.”

North Carolina band, LYLVC release their most powerful new single ‘Undertow’ from their upcoming EP Perfect Drug, due out January 20, 2023. ‘Undertow’ continues LYLVC’s trend of breaking down barriers between genres and taking the best from hard rock, hiphop, and electronic music to create a unique and inventive sound. Co-lead vocalists Alyse and Oscar’s lyrics are emotionally charged and their powerful voices deliver the heartfelt vocals over the background of the band’s heavy instrumentation. LYLVC has delivered a thoughtful and intense visual performance in the video, under the direction of Digital Thunderdome’s Scott Hansen. Rife with straight-jackets, water torture, and horror themed imagery, the music video hammers the lyrical content home of being fighting through the pressures of life.

Epica will release their new EP The Alchemy Project on November 11. The EP features a ton of guests and two songs featuring the entirety of Fleshgod Apocalypse of Shining (the saxophone one from Norway). You can check out the Epica-meets-Shining single ‘The Final Lullabye’ below alongside a music video directed by Jens De Vos. [via Metal Injection]

One thing is for sure: the world is ready and it demands new rock and metal heroes! APRIL ART climbing the ladder of success steadily throughout the last couple of months ain’t a secret anymore. With impeccable force, the up- and coming formation has been hopscotching across the European festival summer, acquiring a number of new fans after international gigs with Dark Tranquility and Ensiferum as well as slots at renowned festivals such as Rock Harz (Germany) or Alcatraz (Belgium) – packed with the best album in the world. This is exactly what they aspired to create with their sophomore record POKERFACE; of which a Deluxe Version will be available on September 30 – and the latest single ‘Try’ is a perfect attunement: “’Try’ is basically the essence of the whole album”, the group says. With ponderous metal riffs, a catchy hook and raspy vocals in flirt with rap elements, April Art manage to unify influences from Halestorm up to Rage Against The Machine to create what they can do the best: Their own damn thing! [via Insane Blog]

Discover more women in heavy music via the playlist below!

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