LIVE REVIEW: Vader @ Slay, Glasgow

Recently, there have been quite a few extreme metal shows touching down in Glasgow, following an unusually quiet lull. Tonight, it’s the turn of Polish death metal veterans VADER to level the city into ruins. Two years have elapsed since the band was last in this territory, and the turnout confirms the success of that prior show. Tonight, SLAY is busy with metalheads, ready to raise their temperatures and heart rate in search of carnal cacophonies.

Skaphos live @ Slay, Glasgow. Photo Credit: Duncan McCall

Support comes from French black/death metallers SKAPHOS. The quintet formed in 2018 and has three albums bearing their name, of which the latest, Cult of Uzura comes out next month. Bedecked in raggedy post-apocalypse garb and corpsepaint, their interpretation of the subgenre is built on a dense inventory of riffs that lurch from the spiteful to the dissonant. Blastbeats and tremolo picking are served in abundance, alongside haunting atmospheres and smart deployment of introspective melodies. It’s refreshing to hear such inspired and ambitious black/death metal for such a popular extreme metal headliner. SLAY‘s sound is fantastic, really clarifying their intriguing Lovecraftian hymns. This is a solid forty minute set of anguished, challenging black/death metal that hopefully supplies SKAPHOS with deserved recognition.

Rating: 9/10Vader live @ Slay, Glasgow. Photo Credit: Duncan McCall

VADER hit the ground running with God Is Dead (Hellelujah). Despite the tongue-in-cheek nature of this concert staple, the opener is a lip-smacking blend of lightning tempos and pensive build-ups, storing and then unleashing feral energy. Instantly, a massive mosh pit ignites, accentuated with wily crowd-surfers, serenaded by rugged thrash-hinged death metal. Anyone who has seen these Polish death metal vanguards a few times understands the consistently premium show they always execute. Tonight, it’s business as usual. Guitarist and vocalist Piotr Wiwczarek leads this live assault with a freshly expanded five-piece line up, following the return of long-term guitarist Mauser last year. VADER with three guitars beefs up their tremolo riffs, SLAYER-inspired solos and brutality to devastating effect.

The familiarity of a VADER show is an exemplary illustration of the idiom “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The setlist, as always, is studded with classic after classic, including the likes of Silent Empire, Sothis, Wings, Carnal, Dark Age and Reborn In Flames. Alongside this, the Poles unearth a new song, Unbending, a creeping tune closer to thrash metal than death, giving the listeners a brief reprieve from the usual ferocity. The sound is fantastic for such a high-octane show, and the venue is in a constant state of moshing and headbanging. The show never dips in entertainment value, nor becomes lacklustre. Wiwczarek has always been an affable man – always thankful to perform and appreciative of the people who attend his show – so much that he’s forgiven for accidentally calling the city ‘London’ before shortly correcting himself with a smile.Vader live @ Slay, Glasgow. Photo Credit: Duncan McCall

With so many fan favourites stuffed into their gig, time whizzes by. Soon, Wiwczarek wishes Glasgow a good night and the band leaves the stage. The crowd doesn’t shrink and eventually the band returns for an encore of This Is The War followed by Lead Us!!! Once again, a pit the size of most of the venue sprawls across the floor, snatching people in like an expanding vortex. This final paroxysm of might electrifies the venue and VADER have left yet another venue entirely enthralled.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Glasgow from Duncan McCall here:



































Like VADER on Facebook.

INTRODUCING: Mutagenic Host

Self-describing as a “highly violent, visceral, death metal band that are spurred on by the ineptitude of any form of government control and degradation of human kind”, MUTAGENIC HOST have become a relenting force since their inception and first release in 2023. We caught up with vocalist, Ash Moore, a month after their seminal debut release, The Diseased Machine, which has whipped up a serious storm in the British death metal scene.



“Our mantra has always been to do all killer, no filler,” Ash explains as he details the 8 months of writing their latest record. Including only what the band felt was their best material and discarding the rest. “Ultimately, our main goal is just to create the best music that we possibly can, and also the most honest and the most true music we can,” adds Ash. “The Genotoxic Demo had a really good response and that spurred us to go on and write something of merit.” And the band have definitely achieved what they set out to do, amassing 180,000 streams, receiving an 8/10 in Metal Hammer and landing the position as one of best selling albums on Bandcamp in the genre.



“We weren’t ready for this response,” Ash admits, informing that the reaction to the LP is not something the band considered when crafting the record. “We just wanted to write something that we were proud of and thought contributed to death metal in this country and everybody that came before us. As huge fans of death metal we wanted to be able to reach even the slightest bit of quality from the likes of BOLT THROWER, CARCASS and CANCER.” What was of great importance to the band was who brought out the record “I think what is most important is that we went out with Dry Cough and Gurgling Gore. Dry Cough is our home and it’s the home of British death metal,” Ash states. “We’re essentially a DIY band and they’re DIY labels.”

The varied musical backgrounds across the members of MUTAGENIC HOST spanning into doom, black and traditional metal territories account for the numerous influences and touches that seep into their material. But, it’s the unification of hardcore and death metal that allow the staunch themes that pack significant fuel into their tracks to flourish. “We saw the ways in which hardcore was able to project its thoughts in a very direct way to an audience and we wanted to replicate that in death metal.”


Prior release, The Genotoxic Demo, was born out of the dismay following the hellscape that was the pandemic. Their latest release takes a dive into an arguably more profound, sinister topic, the looming threat of AI. Reflecting on his upbringing and appreciation of socialism and communism, Ash discloses, “where it all starts is the loss of autonomy for the worker and their rights. The whole idea of AI taking away people’s jobs really means a lot to me. And that is something that will eventually take place.”

But the threat in which The Diseased Machine tackles is twofold, exploring the apocalyptic eradication of humanity through AI as well. “The other major thing is, is the destruction of life based on the unmanned systems,” Ash continues. “[It’s] a terrible thing that humanity is in the place where we can push a button and destroy a whole family, their whole lineage in one push. The disregard of human life and standards based upon some form of algorithm. We don’t understand the magnitude of those decisions [which] are being so easily made.” However, not every track is loaded with cataclysmic lyrics to harness the distress behind these topics. Closing instrumental, Rivers, is, as Ash tells, an “ode to a friend of ours who was killed in Israel, Jake Marlowe… and generally, the loss of life that’s happened over the last 10 years worldwide.”



The decision to tackle this topic came with no haste. “I said, listen, with what’s happening worldwide, with the introduction of these systems that no one has control over, there’s nothing else we should be talking about that’s worse than this.” Also, as Ash explains this the reason behind addressing this did not arise from wanting to “stand on a soapbox and preach the truth”, but rather to just report on the current situation happening now. To MUTAGENIC HOST “it’s cathartism… we just wanted to get out what we feel.”

Moving on to speak broadly about death metal and the common themes that run through the genre, Ash suggests that “death metal in its essence should be, something that takes the everyday and distorts it and shows those who are ignorant to it, what is possible possible by the hands of humans,” acknowledging that discussions on social, political and environmental matters are not a side of death metal that often rears its head. However, it’s again MUTAGENIC HOST‘s amalgamation of hardcore and death metal and the underlying ethos of the band that helps to bridge this gap. “The moral obligation of hardcore is important, as is the artistry of death metal and the projection of what is possible”. In alignment with this is their commitment to “creating an environment where everybody is invited to MUTAGENIC HOST shows, because everyone is invited to MUTAGENIC HOST shows”.

MUTAGENIC HOST really smashed 2025 in the face, only a few days in. Launching an incredible album and holding a sold out release show in London is an impressive way to kick off the year. After a short break and well deserved down time, we can only expect more relentless brutality and hopefully features on festival line ups as this trajectory continues.

The Diseased Machine is out now via Dry Cough Records.

Like MUTAGENIC HOST on Facebook.

METALLICA Confirmed To Play Abu Dhabi Grand Prix In December 2025

Photo by Tim Saccenti





“Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, here we come,” begins a just-issued update from Metallica. “We’re taking the stage at Yas Island on December 6 after F1 qualifying – the night before the race.

Tickets to the After-Race Concerts are exclusive to Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ticket holders. Get a ticket for the race + our show here.

If you already have a ticket to the race, Golden Circle upgrades are also available now at abudhabigp.com.”




Prior to performing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on December 3, Metallica will play Bahrain for the first time ever. Tickets for that show at Beyon Al Dana Amphitheatre will be available via the venue on Thursday, April 24, at 4 PM AST (2 PM BST / 9 AM EDT).



Metallica’s M72 World Tour lands in Toronto on April 24 and 26. Live Nation has shared details of the band’s “Toronto Takeover” events for April 25.


Kirk Hammett / The Collection: Live At The TIFF Lightbox:

Join Kirk Hammett, legendary guitarist of the multi-platinum-selling and 9X Grammy Award-winning band Metallica, for an intimate, live discussion that will take a deep dive into Kirk’s storied music career, and celebrate the launch of his new coffee table book, The Collection: Kirk Hammett.

This event is now SOLD OUT.



The Art Of Squindo – A Q&A Session At The Lounge At Live Nation:


“Born in NJ and raised on huge doses of Saturday morning cartoons through the 70s and 80s definitely shaped the attitude and art style I have today. More than once my art teachers told me that what I was doing was not art and the cartoon-ish style could never mesh with real art, leaving no future or career doing what I was doing… so of course I pursued it! My fine art is a lowbrow collection of skulls, hotrods, monkeys, tikis and pinup girls primarily painted with wood stain on panels and I also sculpt in epoxy clay and automotive body filler. When I’m not behind a pencil or paintbrush, I’m most definitely behind the wheel of my 65 Snotrocket panel truck or my 1931 pickup from hell out slinging art at your local car show. Seems that some of my teachers may have been wrong…the combination of quirky cartoons and heavy metal has been working for me so far.”

Tickets available now here.



Sandman. Tribute, Licensed by Metallica at Velvet Underground:

Sandman is a Metallica tribute band, dedicated to delivering high-energy performances of Metallica’s iconic songs. They meticulously recreate the sound, energy, and stage presence of the legendary metal band, taking audiences on a journey through Metallica’s extensive discography. With precise attention to detail, Sandman brings the intensity and power of Metallica’s music to life, satisfying fans and leaving them wanting more.

Tickets available now here.



The M72 Toronto Pop-Up Shop opens Wednesday, April 23.

Each M72 Pop-Up Shop will feature its own splatter vinyl edition of 72 Seasons and a completely exclusive screen-printed poster, event tee, and skateboard designed by some of your favorite artists.*

Premium items, including the newest Dixxon Flannel Co. collaboration, will also be available. Plus, you’ll find all the staples you’ve come to expect, including a full selection of new and classic merch and Metallica-branded YETI products.

Don’t forget to pick up an #M72FanCard during your visit for a chance to win awesome prizes, including Snake Pit passes!

M72 Toronto Pop-Up Shop hours of operation and location:

Wednesday & Friday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Thursday & Saturday: 10 AM – 7 PM

The Well at 486 Front Street West (Unit LG-04)

*There will be a limited daily quota of vinyl, posters, and skateboards on sale, and each will be limited to one per customer.



Make sure you are following BraveWords Records on YouTube so you don’t miss any future videos by Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse, The Chris Slade Timeline, Jack Starr, Prophets of Addiction, ASKA, Crimson Glory, Lillian Axe and more!

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Today In Metal History 🤘 April 17th, 2025 🤘MOTÖRHEAD, OPETH, MOUNTAIN, ANNIHILATOR, TOOL, WARRIOR SOUL, BORKNAGAR

TALENT WE LOST / BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY

R.I.P. Felix A. Pappalardi Jr. (MOUNTAIN) – December 30th, 1939 – April 17th, 1983 (aged 43)

MOUNTAIN bassist Felix Pappalardi was shot dead by his wife Gail Collins in 1983 at their East Side Manhattan apartment. Pappalardi was said to be the fourth member of CREAM having produced Disraeli Gears, Wheels Of Fire and Goodbye.






R.I.P. Mats Olausson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KAMELOT, ARK): April 17th, 1961 – February 19th, 2015 (aged 54)

HEAVY BIRTHDAYS

Happy 61st
Maynard James Keenan (TOOL) – April 17th, 1964

Happy 51st
Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH) – April 17th, 1974

Happy 40th
Heidi Shepherd (BUTCHER BABIES) – April 17th, 1985



HEAVY RELEASES

Happy 55th
TEN YEARS AFTER’s Cricklewood Green – April 17th, 1970

Happy 43rd
MOTÖRHEAD’s Iron Fist – April 17th, 1982

Happy 36h
ANNIHILATOR’s Alice In Hell – April 17th, 1989

Happy 35th
WARRIOR SOUL’s Last Decade Dead Century – April 17th, 1990Happy 30th
FIGHT’s A Small Deadly Space – April 18th, 1995




Happy 25th
BORKNAGAR’s Quintessence – April 17th, 2000

Happy 19th
DIO’s Holy Diver – Live – April 17th 2006

Happy 18th
SIX FEET UNDER’s Commandment – April 17th, 2007

Happy 16th
DEATH ANGEL’s Sonic German Beatdown – Live In Germany – April 17th, 2009
DISBELIEF’s Protected Hell – April 17th, 2009
ENDSTILLE’s Verführer – April 17th, 2009
MAROON’s Order – April 17th, 2009

Happy 10th
APOCALYPTICA’s Shadowmaker – April 17th, 2015
KISKE/SOMERVILLE’s City Of Heroes – April 17th, 2015
IMPELLITTERI’s Venom – April 17th, 2015

Happy 5th
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s Verminous – April 17th, 2020
DANZIG – Danzig Sings Elvis – April 17th, 2020
ABORTED – La Grande Mascarade – April 17th, 2020
ABYSMAL DAWN – Phylogenesis – April 17th, 2020
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – Verminous – April 17th, 2020
CADAVER – D.G.A.F. (EP) – April 17th, 2020
KHEMMIS – Doomed Heavy Metal – April 17th, 2020
MYRATH – Live in Carthage (live album) – April 17th, 2020
ORANSSI PAZUZU – Mestarin Kynsi – April 17th, 2020
TURMION KATILOT – Global Warning – April 17th, 2020

BLACK METALDEATH METALEXTREME METAL INFERNAL

Since 2001, when Easter weekend falls across Norway’s capital Oslo, what should be a celebration of new life becomes a weekend of darkness for metal aficionados; Inferno Metal Festival. For over two decades, a cohort of extreme metal’s finest heavyweights and venomous underground filth descend to the spiritual home of where black metal revolutionised the world. 2025’s event is no different with a staggeringly impressive lineup across four days this April. However, with the news that festival founder and organiser, Jan-Martin Jensen, sadly passed away in February, 2025’s festival will be more than a weekend of extreme metal; it will be a fitting tribute to a man who gave his life to heavy fucking metal.



Ahead of Inferno Metal Festival 2025, we digest the lineup to give you the top 10 bands we are most anticipated for at this year’s event. If you’re making the pilgrimage to Oslo, or want to discover some extreme metal treats, read on!

GAEREA – Friday, April 18 – Rockefeller

Portugal’s GAEREA have the metal world in a stranglehold. Capitalising on the lull and isolation of the pandemic, 2020’s Limbo announced the band to the world and their stock has risen dramatically ever since with 2022’s Mirage continuing their upwards trajectory. Their fusion of black and death as they explore the swirl of the vortex is encapsulating, especially on the live front, with the band’s anonymous frontman twisting and contorting in perfect synergy with their aural chaos. Last year’s Coma and their astonishing performance at Fortress Festival here in the UK cemented GAEREA as a genuine heavyweight in black metal. We cannot wait to see what they conjure at Inferno.


ROTTING CHRIST – Saturday, April 19 – Rockefeller

For over 35 years, Greece’s ROTTING CHRIST have been on an endless campaign to remain at the forefront of the extreme metal scene. Their storied career has seen the band undergo numerous stylistic changes but retain a commanding respect. Their recent run over the past decade has been immaculate with 2016’s Rituals, 2019’s The Heretics, and last year’s Pro Xristoy being lapped up with sheer glee. The way in which the band can create an enormous earthly tone whilst being accessible enough to make a connection is incredibly impressive and it will be on full show at this year’s Inferno. Expect a victory lap from one of black metal’s hardest working bands.


SCHAMMASCH – Sunday, April 20 – Rockefeller

Switzerland’s occult collective SCHAMMASCH have conjured intrigue and fellowship over the past 16 years. Since forming at the tail-end of the noughties, the band have forged a truly impressive sound and their ambitious approach to crafting extreme metal is genuinely exhilarating. Take 2016’s staggering triple album Triangle. A hugely ambitious effort that put the SCHAMMASCH on the map. Subsequent releases (2019’s Hearts Of No Light and last year’s The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean) only have reinforced their impressive reputation. It’s somewhat fitting the band grace Inferno on Easter Sunday itself, albeit the forthcoming ritual will be quite different!


BLOOD INCANTATION – Friday, April 18 – Rockefeller

Denver’s BLOOD INCANTATION have an approach to death metal that conjures desire to explore the unknown. Themes of ancient alien civilisations, mysticism, the terrifying inner works of existence, nothing is off limits and these concepts sit at the heart of the BLOOD INCANTATION template. Live, the band are a force to be reckoned with and this year’s Inferno Metal Festival sees the band proudly represent the death metal arm of the festival. Marking their debut at the festival no less, expect a cosmic, weird and utterly mesmerising performance at Inferno where material from the likes of 2019’s Hidden History Of The Human Race will have you question your very existence. Plus, we’ll have the added treat of hearing material from last year’s stunning Absolute Elsewhere. Strap yourself in, it’s going to get cosmic and weird.


SETH – Saturday, April 19 – John Dee

French black metal horde SETH have enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance in their second coming. Since reforming in 2011, the band have carved their own space in the black metal scene with their vicious approach to the genre. Romanticising their country’s rich history, spanning from 2019’s Notre-Dame fire that is strikingly represented on 2021’s La Morsure Du Christ or the turmoil of the French revolution in last years’ La France des maudits. The band’s national identity bleeds into every book and cranny of their DNA, with last year’s album being entirely written in French Alexandrine by vocalist Saint Vincent. It’s this authenticity that helps set SETH apart in a crowded market and we are confident they will be a standout at this year’s Inferno Metal Festival!


BEHEMOTH – Sunday, April 20 – Rockefeller

Polish juggernauts BEHEMOTH have risen to a level that defies logic, especially for an extreme metal band. Their storied career and 21st Century boom has seen the Poles catapult to one of the biggest names in metal and at this year’s Inferno, the band look to close the festival in thunderous fashion. A BEHEMOTH live show in 2025 is a spectacle with enough tricks and sinister visual cues to conjure a devilish atmosphere. Just look at the band’s staggering show during the pandemic, 2020’s In Absentia Dei, a performance that pushed the boundaries of what extreme metal live can do. At Inferno, we can expect a memorable and explosive live show from one of our leading theatrical heavyweights. Whether it’s the likes of the alluring Bartzabel, the bombastic Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel or the sheer aural firepower of Ov Fire And The Void, BEHEMOTH have the arsenal of songs to accompany the visual flare. And with their performance coming ahead of album number 13, The Shit Ov God, we can’t wait to hear how their new material stacks up.


KYLESA – Friday, April 18 – Rockefeller

Holy shit, this is going to be good. Georgia’s finest sludge metallers KYLESA have sorely been missed since going on hiatus in 2016, but 2025 marks a special year. The band have awoken from hibernation. Performing at just a select few festivals through out the year – including ArcTanGent here on UK soil and Roadburn in the Netherlands, those at Inferno will be blessed with a rare chance to see one of the coolest bands in heavy music. Expect a bucketload of wicked sludgy riffs with the likes of Scapegoat and Unspoken set to become highlights of the weekend. Although there’s no confirmation that we will see a follow-up to 2015’s Exhausting Fire, for now, we have an opportunity to bask in the finest American sludge. We cannot wait.


TSJUDER – Sunday, April 20 – Rockefeller

Although they may not boast the same notoriety against some of their fellow countrymen, Norwegian black metallers TSJUDER have enjoyed a long and sustained career. Since the release of their first demo in 1995, the band have remained a consistent presence in the scene and at this year’s Inferno Metal Festival, fans will have the opportunity to see the band ignite on home soil. Plus, this year’s performance is bolstered by the fact its split into two performances; the first being a set of their own material and the second being a BATHORY tribute set, in which they will be joined by co-founding BATHORY bassist Frederick Melander.


BATUSHKA – Thursday, April 17 – Rockefeller

Pre-2017, BATUSHKA were the poster child of the black metal scene. 2015’s Litourgiya – a record that effortlessly fuses black metal ferocity with intense atmospheric Eastern Orthodox mysticism – was critically acclaimed and their live performances, such as 2017’s astonishing set at Scotland’s North Of The Wall, cemented BATUSHKA as a genuine established force within modern black metal. Although very public and ugly legal disputes over ownership rights marred the BATUSHKA name, the subsequent schism finally resolved last year with band founder Krzysztof Drabikowski retaining the BATUSHKA rights whilst Bartłomiej Krysiuk engages with his new endeavour PATRIARKH. At Inferno, Easter gives the gift of the rebirth of BATUSHKA under Krysiuk‘s name with enough theatrics and black metal flare to make their festival debut a memorable one.


SIBIIR – Thursday, April 17 – Goldie

Although Inferno‘s big draws is often the international heavyweights of extreme metal, the festival plays an important part in curating homegrown talent and each year, the festival welcomes a host of Norwegian bands and this year, SIBIIR are flying the flag. The Oslo-based band have been crafting a wicked blend of black metal and hardcore for over a decade now and 2019’s Ropes was a firm favourite of ours here at Distorted Sound. On the back of last year’s Undergang, the band arrive at Inferno on day one with momentum on their side. We are bracing ourselves for one of the nastiest sets of the weekend!




And that wraps up our top picks for this year’s Inferno Metal Festival! If you’re making the pilgrimage to Norway, who are you most excited to see? The Distorted Sound team will be on the ground in Oslo at this year’s festival bringing you all the latest!

Inferno Metal Festival takes place in Oslo, Norway from April 17th-20th 2025. Tickets are available now and can be purchased here.