Svalbard have released a video for brand-new single ‘How To Swim Down’, the latest cut from their upcoming album The Weight Of The Mask. Featuring full-clean vocals from Serena Cherry and a violin performance from guirarist Liam Phelan, it’s something a little bit different from the Bristolian metallers. “This song is about the exquisite pain and sorrowful beauty of unrequited love,” says Serena. “I think it’s the saddest, most heartbreaking song we’ve ever written. Lyrically, the starting point of the verse is about concealment of adoration, before the chorus gives way to realising and accepting a fate of loving someone quietly from afar. “I cannot watch the music video for ‘How To Swim Down’ without crying,” she continues, adding that video creator Boy Tillkens “has captured the bittersweet emotion of the song so delicately, it’s an incredibly moving piece of animation to watch. “Musically, ‘How To Swim Down’ saw us dive into uncharted waters with Liam adding many layers of mournful violin parts onto the track. Finally, violins – for the first time in Svalbard history! It feels so exciting to have new instruments on a song. Another first is that How To Swim Down features only clean vocals, no screams. I wanted the vocal delivery of these lyrics to feel as though I’m whispering a secret to someone whilst they’re sleeping. My vocals here represent that lonely type of communication, singing to yourself in an empty house. It’s a private, selfless love song, where only the listener knows of my heartache.” [via Kerrang]

Death Dealer Union are back with a second single from their debut album, Initiation. The band, who are fronted by Elena “Lena Scissorhands” Cataraga of Infected Rain fame, lined up the song ‘The Integument’ as the latest to surface online from that effort. An official music video for it was shot with Vicente Cordero (Cradle Of Filth, Filter) and features the talents of members of the Cherry Bombs. The band stated: “We are proud to present to the world and our fans ‘The Integument‘! A mix of old-school thrash, power and modern metal, ‘The Integument‘ delivers an upbeat vibe with a positive message. Thanks to the amazing Cherry Bombs and Alicia Taylor for lending their unmatched talents to our visual spectacle!” [via The PRP]

Within Temptation, the renowned Dutch symphonic metal band, are set to captivate fans with their eighth studio album Bleed Out on October 20. Bleed Out signifies a bold leap forward for the band. From contemporary, hard-hitting djenty riffs to soaring melodies displaying their symphonic roots, Within Temptation have created a sonic journey that fuses diverse musical styles and thought-provoking themes. Listen to the title track below. [via Metal Planet]

Brutal and revolutionary band Brujeria just dropped a new video from their upcoming album, ‘Bruja Encabronada.’ Their forthcoming album, Esto Es Brujeria, is out September 15 via Nuclear Blast Records, and this is the second single to be released from that album. The video contains live footage taken by Roel Verscheure and Emerik Siimessalmi. [via Metal Sucks]

BABYMETAL have unveiled their first song since being “reborn” with new member MOMOMETAL earlier this year. The new track ‘METALI!!’ features guitar playing from Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello. ‘METALI!!’ comes in addition to BABYMETAL’s latest album, THE OTHER ONE, which arrived in March of this year. As described on BABYMETAL’s website, the new song “incorporates both traditional J-RAP and Tom Morello’s legendary, phenomenal guitar playing.” The accompanying music video features the three members of BABYMETAL — SU-METAL, MOAMETAL, and MOMOMETAL — dancing and performing the song, with Morello appearing at the 2:15 mark to rock his minute-long guitar part that ends the tune. [via Consequence]

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Lacey Sturm has debuted a music video for her aggressively introspective new song ‘Reconcile’, a long-awaited follow-up to 2021’s ‘Awaken Love’. “My own humanity can be so divided. When I cling to my rights by pointing out the faults of others, I splinter myself. All of this division is rooted in my own pride,” Sturm shares. “Have I arrogantly supposed that I could somehow reconcile the world around me if I am not reconciled within myself?” Lacey’s personal process of looking inward to bring herself into congruence with her ultimate human purpose informs ‘Reconcile’. The track is an unflinching mirror held up to the uncomfortable ways in which she acknowledges her own contribution to the world’s brokenness through arrogant pride: personal pride, relational pride, religious pride. The accompanying music is equally visceral, with Josh Sturm’s careening guitar riffs and Lacey’s gut-punch vocals. The video is a visual representation of the singer’s inner fight for personal reconciliation. As always, the darker reflections are tempered by the hope that comes when she can integrate her ego’s death with the life that comes from resurrecting grace. Lacey says: “As soon as I cultivate peace within myself, the world around me starts falling into peace too— my kids, my family, my friends, the person at the checkout in the grocery store.” [via Blabbermouth]

Earlier this year, Svalbard released their single ‘Eternal Spirits,’ their first new track since the excellent 2020 album When I Die, Will I Get Better? Now, Svalbard have announced the impending release of their new LP The Weight Of The Mask. Svalbard recorded the new album with longtime collaborator Lewis Johns, and it’s all about turning depression into aggression. Svalbard have dropped the video for opening track ‘Faking It,’ which sounds tremendous. Here’s what bandleader Serena Cherry says about the track: “’Faking It’ is a song about feeling deprived of meaningful human connection due to depression acting like a wall that shuts you off from others. It addresses the ways in which those who suffer with depression can feel guilted into putting on a happy mask. The lyrics are a reflection on happiness as a social obligation and how scarily good you can become at deceiving everyone around you into thinking that you’re fine when you’re not. With ‘Faking It,’ we are both acknowledging the pressure for forced positivity, the fear that people won’t like you if you’re sad, and also questioning where the root of this intolerance towards depression lies.” [via Stereogum]

Hippie Death Cult is back with a crunchy new single ‘Arise’ and a new record Helichrysum due out on October 20. If you’re in the mood for slow-burning riffs and smoke vocals, then you’re gonna love this. “Lyrically, ‘Arise’ serves as a poignant reminder of the prevalence of grifters and self-proclaimed spiritual leaders who exploit vulnerable individuals searching for guidance, often leaving them even more disillusioned and adrift than before,” said bassist and vocalist Laura Philips. “The song narrates a tale of a devoted follower who finally sees through the charismatic manipulation and shatters the illusion. Another reminder to question everything and trust your own inner compass when navigating the path of truth.” [via Metal Injection]

Sweden’s female-fronted symphonic/industrial metal pioneers Rave The Reqviem are back with their new single ‘Doombreaker’, a catchier-than-catchy metal banger made to shake your core.With its perfect harmony between heavy shouts and beautiful female vocals, this track proves that Rave The Reqviem is back with vengeance, ready to claim their God-given right to the throne of symphonic/industrial metal. The song was written and produced by Filip Lönnqvist and the clip was directed by Petter Perseius and Daniel Yor Lindgren. [via Chaos Zine]

THE HELLFREAKS have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘Rootless Soul Riot’, is taken from the Hungarian punk band’s latest studio album, Pitch Black Sunset, which was released back in April. Speaking about the song and its accompanying music video, the band says, “’Rootless Soul Riot’ is the ‘last and first’ music video to celebrate the release of our new album Pitch Black Sunset. This song was the very first video the band recorded for this album, and it’s the final one to be released from the tracklist… for now. Even back in high school, we always felt a deep camaraderie for the misfits, the freaks, and geeks – anyone that was not considered cool. That was our gang. That was our people. We gravitated towards them because these individuals were the ones who stood out, unlike the ‘cool kids’ who were too afraid to embrace uniqueness. In our eyes, the real souls with genuine hearts were the weirdos like us. That’s why our band, THE HELLFREAKS carry the name with purpose and see it as a badge of honor. Hand on heart, we all found solace in the community of metal, punk, or hardcore music because we rejected conformity and committed ourselves to living life on our own terms and being different personally and musically. We may not conform to any societal norms and definitely do not fit into one musical genre, but we have made it a point to be different because this is what we are.” [via Distorted Sound Mag]

Swedish symphonic dark metal powerhouse Eleine definitely have the world at their feet: Not only have they just been confirmed as support act for industrial metal icons Pain’s upcoming European tour, the group have also finally unleashed their long-awaited new opus We Shall Remain via Atomic Fire Records. In addition, Eleine has prepared another music video — this time for the album’s title track. Band founding members, lead singer Madeleine Liljestam and Rikard Ekberg (guitars, vocals), comment, “This song combines all important elements that Eleine are known for: Chuggy riffs, groovy rhythms as well as a smashing chorus while its empowering lyrics breathe the spirit our legions keep following us for.” [via Metal Underground]

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Next month, New Jersey hardcore punk freaks Gel will release Only Constant. Gel have already proven themselves as an intense, fervent live act, and they’ve released a bunch of EPs and stray tracks. Gel have shared another new song. ‘Honed Blade’ is a seething, guttural rager that’s less than two minutes long. Gel shot the ‘Honed Blade’ video with director Carlisle Jones, and it’s just them ripping though the song at the Alabama venue and studio Lawnchair Youth. Check it out below. [via Stereogum]

Burning Witches have announced a new album. Titled The Dark Tower, the upcoming album from the Swiss heavy metal band is the follow-up to 2021’s The Witch Of The North, and is scheduled to be released in May this year, making their label debut at new home Napalm Records. Alongside the announcement of the new album, the band have released a new music video for a new song lifted from the upcoming album; the title track ‘The Dark Tower’. Speaking about the upcoming album, and the new single, the band says, “wow that was quick, right? Album No5 is already done and we are back with the brand-new single The Dark Tower. The title track of the new record will fit perfectly into our set list with its relentless beat, the truly epic riffs and the striking but melodic vocals! The theme of Elizabeth Bathory and her infamous ‘blood countess’ reputation was a fantastic inspiration for a breathtaking video clip. We all could relate to the story and its creepy saga and knew from the beginning, it would be a new highlight in the WITCHES history! Last but not least, we want to thank the fans that supported us here and played the extras, in this very emotional and creepy little ride! Enjoy the clip!” [via Distorted Sound]

With their 2021 breakthrough debut album, Within Each Lies The Other, British metal act, As Everything Unfolds, garnered over 20 million streams, international media acclaim and legions of fans alike. Just two years later, the band marks their return as they officially announce the release of their upcoming sophomore full-length, entitled Ultraviolet, out April 21 via Long Branch Records. The band has released a new track, entitled ‘Flip Side’. Singer Charlie Rolfe comments: “‘Flip Side’ is the song with the most frustration, the most surface level anger. But it’s actually a song of relief, a song of a new side of life. Lyrically the song focuses on the feeling about being an artist, being one with yourself, looking at people who put you down, and asking them, how is it living life on the other side?” [via Brave Words]

Following a string of singles last year, alt-metal four-piece Vilify are here to make their mark on 2023 with blistering new single ‘Take The Pill,’ alongside its intense warehouse-set music video. Truly putting the metal in metalcore and favouring the extreme side of things over the “melodic”, ‘Take The Pill’ is four minutes of groove-laden heavy goodness, packing plenty of big distorted guitar hooks, a thumping rhythm section and the ferocity of singer Amy McIntosh’s captivating vocals… and a big, weighty breakdown for good measure, of course. On the meaning behind their new single, Vilify said “This song is about the battle of balance between SSRIs, depression and drive. Finding the balance between what makes you feel alive but what keeps you sane. It’s about accepting different points in life that call for different plans of attack. What worked for you once might not work next time and that is ok. Always striving to be better is what’s important even if it feels unattainable at times.” The video for ‘Take The Pill’ was filmed, directed and edited by Joel Black (Tommirock), full of quick cuts that capture the band’s energy and passion. “We did something super unheard of and did a band playthrough in a warehouse,” the band comments. “Had to be done. There is no concept except showing people that we can dance like queens while we play the heavies.” [via Pilerats]

Scarlet Aura presents new video and digital single ‘Fire All Weapons’ featuring one of the most recognizable voices of power metal – Ralf Scheepers from Primal Fear. The filming took place at the very special place full of history near Bucharest, Romania and continued for 16 hours, right before rehearsals for the Rock United event made by Scarlet Aura, in which Ralf and Doro Pesch were invited guests to play together with the Romanian power metallers. Scarlet Aura comments: “’Fire All Weapons’ is by far one of our greatest songs Mihai Danciulescu wrote for Scarlet Aura and having Ralf with us gives to it an even more importance and charm. It’s a powerful song we made with the intention to show how serious we are on the heavy metal stage and how we’ll continue fighting for our right to be here, to sing, and to make people happy with our music. Ralf is such an impressive artist, he is also a good friend that we’ve got to cherish, love and respect him very much, one of the few that got our backs and that forever can rely on ours. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the song and the video as much as we do, a video that we’ve made with our talented friends Laurentiu Tomoroga, Roberto Stan and Paul Decu.” [via All About the Rock]

The UK band Svalbard have released a new single, ‘Eternal Spirits,’ their first material since the 2020 album When I Die, Will I Get Better?. “’Eternal Spirits’ is one of the most tragic songs we have ever written, yet it is also a celebration of legacy and musical heritage,” the band’s Serena Cherry said in a statement (via Kerrang.) “It is a song about late metal musicians who sadly passed away too soon and the loss we feel within the metal community without their presence.” She continued: “This song is a heartfelt tribute to our metal heroes who are gone but will never be forgotten, because their legacy lives on in the millions of hearts they have touched with their music. It’s crushing when your heroes die, but with this song we want to commemorate our late heroes’ glorious music and the legions of bands they have inspired. That inspiration will never die. On a more personal level, Joey Jordison was the person who inspired me to pick up an instrument. I started learning drums when I was 12 years old because of the energy and passion he exuded from his playing. When I listened to his drumming, every hit gave me a surge of motivation. His creative spark lit a fire within me that will never be extinguished. I’d like to dedicate Eternal Spirits to his memory.”

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