Featuring Liz Ziegler’s commanding vocal debut, ‘Vain’ is a bold statement of empowerment. Its provocative narrative challenges listeners: “Do not mistake her silence for agreement.” The song is a reflection on how women endure constant belittlement and unwanted attention, using its intense sonic landscape to convey the weight of these experiences. It epitomizes the band’s unique fusion of doom, black, and gothic metal, bridging ethereal clean vocals with raw, uncompromising energy to create a powerful and immersive listening experience.

Set to take the world by storm in 2025, BEX has released her first music of the year with ‘crybaby’, a single addressing on-going female oppression that’s all-too ingrained in our society. Raw, real and fun, this is the first glimpse of a new BEX, feeling like she’s re-found her purpose. The instrumentation is punchy, lively, aggressive. The vocals are simple, one take, going straight back to basics. The music video, directed by BEX herself as usual, exemplifies her unique style and vision.

Written by BEX, alongside Sam Matlock (WARGASM) and Sam Cramer (Future Humans), ‘crybaby’ is out now on BEX’ own outlet “SCUM”.

“‘crybaby’ is a representation of female oppression,” says BEX, matter-of-factly. “Throughout history women have been deemed the weaker sex and the property of men. This track explodes those ideas. With references to a Molotov Cocktail, ‘crybaby’ represents the built-up rage exploding out of today’s women with the unjust still playing out all around them.

“In life, we can close our eyes to inequality and live blind and naive to the facts (the ‘crybaby’ eye masks in the music video represent this). It can be easier to ignore the ‘little comments’; it can be easier to not ‘cause a scene’; it can be easier to just ‘not care’. This doesn’t make it right; this doesn’t make it ok; this allows it to continue. It is our choice to remove the mask and fight back. You just have to be prepared for what you see.

“‘crybaby’ is about not letting go. It’s about holding that grudge with you every day and using it to fuel your mission, using it to make a difference.”

IZZY REIGN releases haunting new single ‘Phobos’, out now, new self titled album out on March 21 on FiXT.

‘Phobos’ delves deep into the unsettling world of panic attacks, drawing from personal experience to convey the overwhelming and unpredictable nature of these episodes. With raw emotion and vivid descriptions, the song captures the sensation of air thinning, heartbeats overpowering, and the inevitability of panic despite any attempts at control. Through ‘Phobos,’ Reign seeks to resonate with those who have faced similar battles, whether through the struggle to resist the attacks or the resigned acceptance of their recurrence, creating a visceral sonic journey of anxiety and resilience. This song is about the experiences of having panic attacks. A true understanding of how they feel and how at complete random they can occur.

In her own words, “I spent many years of my life undergoing random panic attacks, which felt like, for no reason at all, but upon learning and understanding how much the subconscious stress levels of your brain truly affect the physical responses of your body, it seemed to make more sense. I struggled with this for a long time and as many people have experienced them selves, it can take a major toll on ones every day life. How ever, I wrote this song in regards to this becoming my norm, and when I felt the coming on, I just had to take them steps to prepare and let them pass. The inevitable would happen, regardless of how in control I felt or how much I changed my situations/surroundings. I wanted to give the feeling of what a panic attack felt like to people who have gone through the many different stages of them. Whether or not they let it consume them, the sensation of the air around them thinning, or your heart beat being the only thing you can hear, or the other side of acceptance, almost, in a way, being annoyed that you have to sit down and ground yourself to prepare for what you’re already used to.”

Eville is already surpassing expectations after being chosen as Alyx Holcombe’s One to Watch for 2025 with their first release of the year, ‘Plaything’.

The Brighton-based trio may have debuted and ascended as pioneers of Brat Metal, but ‘Plaything’ sees the powerhouse mature into provocateurs of psyche-piercing post-hardcore furore with their lacerating hyper-sonic hooks, heavy riffs and indomitable drum n bass beats which precariously teeter on the edge of cataclysmic chaos.

With endless vocal transitions, Eva dons a kaleidoscope of guises with her chameleonically always-in-flux shifts from bubblegum pop siren to nu-metal lyrical waxer to outpourer visceral metal screams which cut through the mix like a razor-sharp buzzsaw to protest against capriciously selfish protagonists prone to treating others as easily discard objects of pleasure.

Eva Sheldrake said: “In true Eville style, ‘Plaything’ incites a riot of huge melodic pop choruses interwoven with hard-hitting, edgy verses. The track also marks a pivotal point in our career, exhibiting our expansive versatility and how fearless we’ve become as songwriters as we incinerate the boundaries of our sound.”

Serpentyne unleashes their highly anticipated new album Tales From The Dark, a bold evolution of their symphonic metal sound. The album refines its signature fusion of orchestral grandeur and modern metal intensity, weaving together fast-paced, cinematic compositions with powerful vocal harmonies. Fans of Nightwish, Within Temptation, and Eluveitie will find themselves immersed in a dynamic and evocative listening experience.
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The road to Tales From The Dark has been paved with an electrifying single that introduced listeners to the album’s rich sonic universe. The first glimpse came with ‘Prophetess of Dreams’, a hard-hitting and fast-paced track that set the stage with machine-gun guitar riffs and an ominous tale of fate and destiny. Now, the album release is accompanied by the focus track ‘Run For Your Life’, a relentless and high-energy anthem that captures urgency and fear through a powerful mix of 8-string guitar work, soaring vocals, and layered orchestration. This song encapsulates the cinematic intensity of Serpentyne’s evolved sound, pulling listeners into a desperate chase for survival.

As the band prepares to release their brand new studio album Sleepless Empire, Italian metal titans LACUNA COIL have released the ultimate single ‘I Wish You Were Dead’ alongside a stunning music video.

‘I Wish You Were Dead’ is about the emotional turmoil and struggle that accompanies toxic relationships. The song’s video takes the track’s heavy theme and spins it into a romantic Goth tale just in time for Valentine’s Day. Filmed by Martina L McLean in a church in Capranica, a small town north of Rome, it marks a first in the history of LACUNA COIL: the band performing a choreography!

On the new single, the band shares: “We all have this person we wish never existed, right? We all felt the need to erase the same person from our thoughts, someone who hurt us that it’s still in our mind. We wanted to write heavier lyrics on a happier musical canvas. Also we are a little tired of being politically correct at all costs…”

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While 2025 has barely started, Italian metal legends LACUNA COIL are already going on full force with the release of their newest single ‘Gravity’. The new single, which comes with a striking new music video, marks the fifth single from their upcoming record Sleepless Empire, which is set to be released February 14 via Century Media Records. Exploring themes of the inevitability of fate as well as the constant cycle of falling and rising, ‘Gravity’ delivers an important message on resilience. The band shares about the single: “Balance is so difficult to keep as we navigate through desperate times, feeling lost and gasping as we ask for help. How do we deal with tough times? Do we ask for a hand? Or do we isolate ourselves from everything else to recollect in our own misanthropic golden cage? I hope you will love ‘Gravity’ as much as we do and that it will make you reflect on the time we have left and how to use it wisely.”

Los Angeles-based cinematic hard rockers EDGE OF PARADISE are pleased to unveil their epic sixth studio album and Napalm Records debut, Prophecy, arriving March 7. Alongside the album announcement, the band unleashes the melodically soaring ‘Death Note,’ a thunderous anthem built on big riffs and harmonious hooks, urging listeners to escape their technological confines and reconnect with humanity. The official music video, directed by Monet, features high quality special effects and deeply immersive sets and costumes, transporting viewers into the band’s rich narrative universe at the EDGE OF PARADISE. Monet says about the single: “Death Note’ is an intense battle for identity and connection, powered by soaring melodies and an aggressive sound. In a world where digital forces aim to seize control, and greed and conquest have dehumanized existence and stripped away individuality, two souls stand in defiance. Together, they fight to preserve the essence of being alive. Bound by loyalty, determination, and human spirit, they risk everything to stand united against the rising tide of control to reclaim what it means to be truly human.” [via Tuonela Mag]

As December Falls have announced their fourth album Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine, set for release through ADF Records via Virgin Records on August 8. Alongside the announcement, the Nottingham pop-punk group have also shared new single ‘Therapy’. “Most bands don’t make it to their fourth album. Let alone without a label, management or the usual machinery needed to make records happen,” Bethany Hunter says. “So the fact that I’m able to say our new album ‘Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine’ is coming on the 8th August 2025 isn’t only a miracle in itself, but a testament to every single Faller out there that made this happen. After the chart-topping success of Join The Club, we were able to spend more time in the studio than we’ve ever spent. We dedicated full days to writing, arranging and adding the craziest sounds we could until we had 14 tracks of perfectly crafted mayhem. We always knew we wanted to work with Alex again since the last album was an absolute pleasure but being able to recruit Sam Guaiana and Mike Kalajian into the fold was the cherry on top. The result is probably our most daring effort, exploring sounds way beyond the early pop punk days. From piano tracks to pop bangers to songs lifted straight from the Undercity in Arcane. There’s something in this record for everyone – fans that have been with us since day one and the new Fallers discovering us every day. It feels like every record has been building to this point and I’m so excited for this new album to take the world by storm.” [via Dork]

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French modern metal act Pyrah is thrilled to announce the release of their latest video for the single ‘End Of The Slope,’ taken from the critically acclaimed album Veni Vidi Delevi, available now via Wormholedeath. Known for their powerful blend of aggressive riffs and emotionally charged lyrics, Pyrah delivers a fresh take on modern metal with a fierce, unmistakable edge. ‘End of the Slope’ takes you deep into the shadows of regret and emotional torment. A relentless cycle of guilt, haunting memories, and suffocating isolation—fear and hope collide in this extreme metal journey. Prepare to face the darkness within.

Luna Kills have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘slay ur enemies,’ is the brand new single from the Finnish alternative metalcore band and its release comes as the band sign with SharpTone Records. The new single was mixed and mastered by Jeff Dunne [MAKE THEM SUFFER, KNOCKED LOOSE, ICE NINE KILLS, DISTURBED]. Speaking about the new single, vocalist Lotta Ruutiainen shares, “’slay ur enemies’ describes an inner dialogue and feelings during a panic attack. Mostly the lyrics depict the hopelessness of those emotions, but also the will to fight & endure and survive this absolute nightmare. The song actually pretty much wrote itself right before we hit the studio. We listened to the demo in the middle of the night, thinking either we had all collectively lost our sanity, or the song was a fucking banger.” [via Distorted Sound]

VUKOVI are set to release their new album MY GOD HAS GOT A GUN early next year. The full-length is due on January 24 via SharpTone Records.It was produced by Machine at The Machine Shop Recording Studio in Austin, Texas, and has artwork painted by vocalist Janine Shilstone. Commenting on the new album, Janine says: “A new chapter of sound is about to unfold. These songs will speak to places we’ve all been, but few have heard.” To coincide with the announcement, the band have released a new single ‘GUNGHO’ – check it out below. [via Dork]

German symphonic metal icons, Xandria, are about to chart new paths with their epic upcoming nine-track EP, Universal Tales, out on November 22 via Napalm Records. This EP follows the success of their latest top 10 charting album (German charts), The Wonders Still Awaiting (2023), which introduced an impressive new line up featuring the fantastic Ambre Vourvahis, who stuns audiences with her vocal talent that blends elements of rock grit, operatic highs and even growls. This fresh sounding masterpiece highlights Xandria’s reinvention by elevating their trademarks to a new level, setting the bar for modern symphonic metal while presenting four brand new majestic songs that showcase the band’s refined versatility and impressive intensity. Xandria unveils the new offering of the upcoming EP, ‘No Time To Live Forever’, together with a visually stunning official music video. Driving drums and fast-paced riffs underscore the dramatic lyrics of the apparent loss of reason in the world and the rise of chaos, while the five-piece aligns with their signature sound of impressive orchestral interludes and the majestic operatic highs of vocalist Ambre. Xandria on the new single ‘No Time To Live Forever’: “You already know ‘Universal’ from our upcoming EP, and after receiving such overwhelmingly positive feedback from you, it is now time for ‘No Time To Live Forever’. If you loved the bombastic choirs and operatic vocals in ‘Universal’, you are in for a treat with this one… prepare for a ride.” [via Brave New Words]

April Art’s latest single ‘Burn’ was released last week coinciding with the debut of its official music video. The track features on the band’s new album Rodeo, out now. ‘Burn’ delves into themes of inner turmoil and past trauma. The lyrics paint a picture of an individual grappling with haunting memories, feelings of betrayal, and a daily struggle against internal voices. The song’s narrative conveys a sense of isolation and ongoing emotional battles. [via Metal Cue]

Lacuna Coil are looking to take your breath away with their latest atmospheric single. With that in mind, it’s only fitting that the Italian metal veterans’ newest number is called ‘Oxygen.’ The new track follows the recent ‘Hoisting the Shadow’ collaboration with Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe, and it will be a part of the band’s newly confirmed tenth album, Sleepless Empire. This time around, vocal phenom Cristina Scabbia is handling the mic with elemental whimsy (“My breath is getting lighter/I float on crimson waters”) as the rest of the band leans into an outsized and epic arrangement. “‘Oxygen’ is a powerful exploration of emotional struggle and inner conflict,” Scabbia commented. “The lyrics convey a sense of drowning in a toxic environment… where attempts at salvation, represented by ‘oxygen’ are somehow futile. This song encapsulates the feeling of struggling to break free from what holds us down, when the journey is filled with difficulty. It’s a raw anthem of vulnerability, resilience and the courage to face what seems insurmountable.” As for the newly unveiled music video, which the band had been teasing on Instagram over the past week via a series of liquid-y snippets, it accordingly taps into that aqueous lyrical energy with dramatically plunging visuals and near-death experiences. Scabbia added that staying in the water through the shoot was “cathartic,” and you can drink in the visuals below. [via Revolver]

Lauren Babic has released her new single ‘Let It Die’. The track showcases Babic’s vocals alongside guitars by Adam Bentley, who also served as the mixing engineer. Lee Albrecht handled the mastering duties for the song. ‘Let It Die’ evolved from a demo originally titled ‘Hypermetal’ by Adam Bentley. Babic and Bentley collaborated to expand on this initial concept, incorporating a nu-metal inspired bridge into the final version. Lyrically, the song draws from Babic’s personal experiences, aiming to create a more intimate and relatable connection with listeners. [via Metal Cue]

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Finnish melodic metal band Unén proudly unveil their first official single and video, ‘My Love’s Broken’. “After countless disappointments in relationships, one becomes numb and cold… There is nothing left to give to another person, and yet the endless search for the perfect person continues. It’s always easier to leave everything behind and start anew”, says singer Stina Girs about the song. The band describes the concept behind the video: “The main character starts sculpting a vision of perfection, only to shatter it, symbolizing the disappointments in love and relationships. Piece by piece, she starts tearing it apart. At this stage, the mood of the performance shots also changes, and crumbling clay begins to fall on the band members”. “Around the visual storytelling, we see super slow motion shots of the band and Stina’s vocal parts, which are filmed both in slow motion and at normal speed. The music video is filmed at the historic Lapinlahti Hospital in Finland, one of the oldest psychiatric hospitals in Europe” they continue.

Talented Brazilian Rock band Malvada unveil their new single and video, ‘Down The Walls’, out now via Frontiers Music Srl. Talking about the single, singer Indira Castilho says “’Down the walls’ is a song that describes a relationship based on lies and psychological control. It tells about a situation that many women go through but that is never discussed. The music aims to show the reality, alert women and bring courage to face this situation”. “The riffs are very heavy, rhythmic and connected to the drums”, adds guitarist Bruna Tsuruda. Drummer Juliana Salgado describes it as “a strong music, with strong guitar riffs and drum beats”, while bassist Rafaela Reoli states “I think it’s the perfect song to introduce Malvada to the world”.

Rap metal sensation Sicksense – featuring vocalists Vicky Psarakis (ex-The Agonist) and Robby J. Fonts (Stuck Mojo) – have released their new single, ‘On Repeat’. Check out the official video below. The band’s Earache Records debut, Cross Me Twice, will be released on February 14, 2025.

Arch Enemy have unveiled their first new music since their acclaimed 2022 album, Deceivers, by surprise releasing the new single and video ‘Dream Stealer.’ The veteran extreme metal band’s guitarist Michael Amott stated, “First new Arch Enemy song we release in a little while and it feels good to be back! It was a blast working on ‘Dream Stealer’ in the studio, this song just has the high energy and twisted atmosphere that makes it so fun to play! Crank it up, loud and heavy! Metal is immortal!” After a haunting instrumental intro, singer Alissa White-Gluz kicks off the vocals with a monster scream, and goes full guttural for the rest of the powerful track. The song is accompanied by an equally dramatic music video, directed by Patric Ullaeus. [via Consequence]

FUTURE PALACE have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘Decarabia,’ is taken from the German post-hardcore band’s upcoming new album, Distortion, which is scheduled to be released in September this year, via Arising Empire. The band have dedicated the new single to the relationships of people who are suffering from mental illnesses. The picture the band paints of this difficult circumstance is engagingly complex and asks fundamental questions: How much can we help the loved ones around us when we ourselves are already dealing with so many of our own demons? How can we not be alone in our struggles when at the same time we see how it becomes too much for our counterpart? “It’s not just bad if you yourself lose joy in life. It hurts all the more when you find out that a loved person has to deal with it,” vocalist Maria Lessing explains, reporting on experiences that come from her own life. “It’s a struggle to try to support someone when you need all your strength to be able to function. But in the end you can resolve even such serious problems with work and growth and become happy together. In any case, I hope so.” [via Distorted Sound]

Just over a month out from Jinjer’s next U.S. tour, the Ukrainian prog-metal crushers have dropped a surprise single that may well pop into their upcoming setlists. The song, titled ‘Someone’s Daughter,’ arrives as a percussively punishing, and spirit-empowering battle anthem. The studio track finds the act once again needling into precision drum battery, bassist Eugene Kostyuk’s slippery fretwork, and vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk’s cascade of immaculate melodies and rumbling death-growls. The music video, which you can see below, mixes performance footage with CGI landscapes. With its lyrics themed around cutting a signature path in the world as a woman, Shmayluk also gets into character while seemingly dressing up as iconic figures like chemist Marie Curie or Egyptian ruler Cleopatra. “´Someone’s Daughter´ is an artistic attempt to cast the light on the inner world of women, who in various scenarios and circumstances, have had to choose a path that was historically made by men,” the singer said in a statement. “In a world where women are often underestimated and overlooked, they are still powerful heroes who navigate hardship with strength and resilience, unapologetically becoming themselves and breaking barriers in the face of the challenges that face them. ‘Someone’s Daughter’ celebrates transitions from naivety into wisdom, weakness into force, unwavering determination, and fearlessness as our mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives walk through adversity and fight for better change. These women are often forgotten but they have earned respect. They‘ve earned mine, that’s for sure!” [via Revolver]

Criminal activity and psychology has been at the forefront of SKYND’s music from the start, observing the bleakest and most horrific aspects of the human condition through musical and lyrical examinations of true crimes and their impact on the victims and society. Marking the duo’s second single of 2024, ‘Violets are Blue’ looks at the 2012 murder of Jun Lin by Luka Magnotta, with Skynd and Father saying that the case points out the severity of mental health issues and the importance of recognizing and addressing them before they lead to violence, as well as the ethical responsibilities of the media and the criminal justice system. Jun Lin was an international student at Concordia University in Montreal, studying computer engineering; he was stabbed and dismembered by Luka Rocco Magnotta, who mailed parts of Lin’s body to schools and political party offices, as well as posted videos online depicting the murder – this has led to him being referred to as an “Internet Killer.” Magnotta was arrested in Berlin less than a month later, and was sentenced two years later to life and an additional 19 years for other charges such as sexual assault, animal abuse, and public obscenity – during his trial, issues of his mental stability were raised, including diagnoses of schizophrenia and several personality disorders. As Lin was a gay man, SKYND has also pointed out the purpose of ‘Violets are Blue’ to discuss the impact such crimes have on the LGBTQ+ community. “This case brought attention to issues of violence within the community and the unique vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and it therefore felt very important for me to explore,” Skynd says, pointing out the importance of standing up for diversity in the band’s music. The accompanying music video was directed by regular SKYND collaborator P.R. Brown, produced by Anique Wild, and stars David Bruckner. [via ReGen Mag]

Italian metal masters Lacuna Coil have unveiled a new single titled ‘Hosting the Shadow’ featuring guest vocals from Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe. The song marks another new stand-alone single from Lacuna Coil, who earlier this year unveiled the track ‘In the Mean Time’ featuring New Years Day singer Ash Costello. While Lacuna Coil are already known for their dual vocal attack from Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro, Blythe takes the band’s sound to a new extreme. After an extended instrumental intro, the Lamb of God singer’s voice is heard first on the song, as he delivers his signature growl in the verses, where he is eventually joined by Ferro. Scabbia’s clean singing then arrives in the melodic chorus. “‘Hosting the Shadow’ is a trip through light and dark, where silence reveals its hidden secrets,” stated Lacuna Coil. “Obscure moments can become occasions to evolve, to learn to master one’s own shadow — which is crucial in order to prevail. Randy Blythe did an incredible job on this track, we absolutely adore his voice and his evil laugh!” The band continued, “Our admiration for him is infinite and to have him as a guest on this song is a dream come true. Partnering with a friend you respect immensely, that also kicks ass on stages around the world: it doesn’t get any better than this. We’re looking forward to the day we can perform ‘Hosting the Shadow’ live together!” [via Consequence]

Stand Atlantic have shared a new single, ‘FRENEMIES’. The new track explores the theme of complicated friendships, as lead singer Bonnie Fraser explains: “FRENEMIES is about rocky friendships and not knowing where you stand with someone. We’ve thrown it back a lil more in this track for the OG fans stylistically but in a fresh lil way.” It’s a cut from new album WAS HERE, due August 23, which represents an evolution in Stand Atlantic’s sound, pushing into darker, heavier, and more experimental territory. [via Dork]

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Exsomnis is an atmospheric and melodic powerhouse in progressive gothic metal, hailing from Montreal, Canada and they are proud to announce the release of their debut single, ‘Inertia’. This haunting track delves deep into the abyss of existential contemplation, enveloping listeners in a symphony of gloomy soundscapes, haunting riffs, and orchestral grandeur. Vocalist Viky Boyer comments on the track: “’Inertia’ is one of the earliest songs we wrote and one of the songs I spent the most time writing and re-writing. With every scrap of lyrics and melody, I felt like I was getting closer to the message I actually wanted to put out. I am also very glad that the band was on board with me including some French spoken words in the song, sort of like a mini poem, as I feel like it really completes the vision I had for it. I really hope my experience with the theme of the song will resonate with the listeners, partly for my artistic ego, but also as a sign that I am not alone struggling with those particular feelings of dread when it comes to life choices.”

The hard rock sensation, Beautiful Skeletons, is proud to announce the release of their gripping new music video, ‘Letter to a Narcissist’. The track stands out from their highly anticipated EP, Temperance, set to launch on May 10 via Wormholedeath. ‘Letter to a Narcissist’ is a dark, melodic journey that blends haunting vocals with Beautiful Skeletons’ signature gritty and intense sound. This song is about the painful realization that you’ve been manipulated. The lyrics explore the journey from justifying a narcissist’s behavior to recognizing the damage they’ve caused. Ultimately, it’s about taking back your power and confronting the abuse you’ve endured.

Rising symphonic metal force ELVELLON released their second single and next harbinger, ‘My Forever Endeavour’, taken from their upcoming new album, Ascending in Synergy, set for release on May 17. The track convinces with an enchanting, uplifting intro building up to a strong chorus that is topped by Nele Messerschmidt’s magnificent vocal skills, inviting the listener to get lost in dreamy worlds. [via Metal Planet]

Lacuna Coil have dropped a crushing new song called ‘In the Mean Time’ that features soaring vocals from New Years Day singer Ash Costello. The track is Lacuna Coil’s first since their 2023 one-off ‘Never Dawn,’ and it’s ostensibly the first taste of the band’s upcoming new album, which frontwoman Cristina Scabbia teased to Revolver late last year. “‘In The Mean Time’ is a reflection on how much our society has generally ‘lost the plot,'” Lacuna said in a press statement. “We are living in really mean times filled with unhappy people: lonely, anxious, depressed, destructive. The pressure that crushes from the outside doesn’t allow to see things with the right clarity. This song is like group therapy: not a lamentation, but acceptance that once broken, it’s hard to put oneself back together again. We need to take our minds off all the inescapable toxicity and find that there’s so much more to this life…and know that in the meantime, everything cannot be aligned. We invited Ash Costello from New Years Day to feature on the track and we’re thrilled she came on board adding exactly what we needed for this song with her warm voice and charisma.” [via Revolver]

Renowned symphonic metal band XANDRIA have unveiled a catchy brand-new single, entitled ‘Universal’, accompanied by a mesmerizing official video. The track, mixed by acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen, harmoniously combines symphonic choruses and captivating refrains with classic heavy metal guitar work. XANDRIA about ‘Universal’: “We have been overwhelmed by the amazing feedback for our album The Wonders Still Awaiting and are so grateful for our wonderful fans! All this positive energy inspired us to write new music quickly, and here is the first song of the new music waiting for you! We hope you enjoy it! Thank you so much for your support! In memory of Jina Mahsa Amini and for all the brave people everywhere else in the world who fight for human rights. Human rights are universal. But they are not respected everywhere, and where they are, they can be taken away again. That means that we all need to be constantly defending them, and we need to be standing together with all people in the world for that. ” [via FrontView Mag]

Polish heavy metal act, Crystal Viper, will release their new studio album, The Silver Key, on June 28 via Listenable Records. The band have also released the new digital single, ‘Fever Of The Gods’. Watch a video for the song below. Band leader Marta Gabriel comments: “Not counting the intro (which is entitled ‘Return To Providence’), ‘Fever Of The Gods’ is the opening song of the album, and the first single. We all agreed, that if we would need to show the world what the new album is all about with just 1 song, it needs to be this one. It is fast, very dynamic, and it has some new elements, but also very classic riffing and harmonies, and its chorus is very easy to remember. We also filmed a video for this song, together with the Grupa 13 production house. They did some amazing videos for bands such as Kreator, Arch Enemy or Behemoth, so we knew our song will be in right hands. Lyrics for ‘Fever Of The Gods’ are a story about meeting various shapeless forms during a dream-quest of Kadath. Lovecraft fans will probably have a big smile on their faces right now!” [via Brave New Words]

DEFENCES have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘The Curse’, is the brand new single from the Hertfordshire-based alternative metal band and marks their first new music since 2021’s In The Balance. The release of the new single comes as the band sign with Long Branch Records. Speaking about the new song, vocalist Cherry Duesbury says, “’The Curse’ is a song about feeling like the universe is against you, trying to sabotage your every endeavour despite your best efforts to achieve something. The feeling of being just a little too late, or pipped to the post, and having to start over again. To demonstrate this, it references the individual struggles of trying to be creative in an oversaturated industry, focusing on the internal fortitude required to not only persevere but to enjoy creativity for its own sake. By making these fears and inadequacies into a character, we wanted to show how powerful this feeling of being cursed can seem, and the importance of recognising and accepting it as part of yourself.” [via Distorted Sound]

Red Handed Denial, who recently announced the May 24 release of their new album, A Journey Through Virtual Dystopia (Paid Vacation Records), have released a second song and video from the 10-song album: ‘One More Night’. “This might be my favorite song we’ve ever done, definitely my favorite on the album,” vocalist Lauren Babic says of the four-minute track. “There’s something special about it. I think it’s a really fresh take on what rock/metal can be by combining EDM and future bass elements. It’s not the heaviest on the album by any means, but there is a heaviness and sense of despair that translates in the vocal delivery so powerfully.” [via FrontView Mag]

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UK post-metalcore band Ithaca have announced a US tour, bookended by their previously announced appearances at Louder Than Life and Aftershock. That includes shows in Brooklyn, DC, Atlanta, Austin, LA, and more. Ithaca also just put out a new video for ‘Fluorescent’ off their great 2022 album They Fear Us. Check that out below. [via Brooklyn Vegan]

Crypta is back with a new record Shades Of Sorrow due out August 4, and a new single ‘Lord Of Ruins’ streaming right now. “‘Lord of Ruins’ was our pick for a first single ’cause it combines both melodic and aggressive melodies that are present throughout the whole album,” said Crypta drummer Luana Dametto. “So we thought it’s a good representation of what to expect of the whole piece. It’s also the final song of the record and it has a very impactful meaning. It’s the closure of the whole album concept and it also fits perfectly with the artwork concept we had in mind.” “Shades of Sorrow is a semi-concept album which describes a journey through the depths of our psyche when facing tough battles,” added vocalist and bassist Fernanda Lira. “It’s a trip to the many shades of pain we sometimes have to face while enduring our lives’ challenges. The songs are the perfect gloomy, dark, emotional soundtrack for this journey.” [via Metal Injection]

After much build-up, Lacuna Coil have finally offered up their new single, ‘Never Dawn,’ a propulsive metal anthem featuring an operatic chorus sung by the powerhouse Cristina Scabbia and complementing the guttural verses from Andrea Ferro. Scabbia commented: “First presented, in its instrumental version, in the trailer for Zombicide White Death game, and then in its live version, during our last sold-out show in L.A., we’re so incredibly thrilled to finally unveil the full version of ‘Never Dawn’! This song is a fierce survival journey throughout grotesque and frozen lands, where the power within is the main weapon. Ignite the fire in your heart and enjoy the listening!” [via Revolver]

Hailing from Copenhagen, Prime Collective are proud to unveil their brand new artist: Martiné. Her sound is best described as a heavy metal Lana Del Rey and with her mysterious demeanour she delivers haunting songs about past relationships, on a fast track to becoming one of the most interesting newcomers of Danish metal. Now she presents her gloomy debut single ‘Oxytocin’. She says of the track: “My inspiration for this song was the very powerful hormone Oxytocin, which is also released when falling in love or by physical touch. The lyrics reflect how to embrace the power of one’s femininity and learn how to use that to set boundaries. It is definitely a song about being in control and not getting blinded by Oxytocin.”

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