GATES TO HELL have released a new music video!

Photo Credit: Aurore Angelique



The new music video, for the track Crazed Killer, is taken from the Louisville, Kentucky-based death metal band’s upcoming new album, Death Comes To All, which is scheduled to be released in month this year, via label

Fuelled by youthful ambition and a sharp creative focus, the band enlisted Randy LeBoeuf to produce their new record. The partnership resulted in raw intensity with a sharpened sense of precision, elevating their sound to new heights. Their album artwork—crafted by WYRMWALK—offers a fitting representation of the blood-soaked dread and suffocating darkness that Death Comes to All unleashes.

Watch the official music video for Crazed Killer here:


Death Comes To All is set for release on March 21st via Nuclear Blast Records. Pre-orders are available now and can be purchased here.

For more information on GATES TO HELL like their official page on Facebook.

ALLEGAEON have announced a new album!

Photo Credit: Stephanie Cabral




Titled The Ossuary Lens, the upcoming album from the American technical death metal band is the follow-up to 2022’s Damnum, and is scheduled to be released in date this year, via Metal Blade Records.

The upcoming album was recorded with producer Dave Otero at Flatline Audio studio in Denver. It marks the sixth album recorded with Otero. “He’s our guy and we couldn’t imagine working with anyone else at the moment,” says vocalist Ezra Haynes. “We have worked with Dave Otero at Flatline Audio since the beginning of our career,” adds guitarist Greg Burgess. “So seventeen years now. Dave always provides a comfortable working environment, amazing ideas, and a career-spanning understanding of what has made ALLEGAEON, ALLEGAEON.”

Alongside the announcement of the new album, the band have released a new music video for a new song lifted the upcoming album; Driftwood.

Speaking about the new song, Burgess says, “this song holds a special place in ALLEGAEON history, honestly. This piece was written for Apoptosis by our then-brand new bassist Booboo. In its original form, it was so tech death, I don’t think we knew how to incorporate it into the ALLEGAEON sound when he submitted it. Fast forward six years and, as we were kicking around ideas for this album, I remembered the piece, and asked Booboo if he wouldn’t mind if I took a crack at possibly rearranging its format a little smoother into the ALLEGAEON sound. I just wanted there to be a little bit more repetition of some parts. The song turned out amazing. Always goes to show – never throw out anything as you never know when it’ll come back.”

Watch the official music video for song here:


Also, you can view both the track list and artwork for the upcoming new album below:

Track List:

1. Refraction
2. Chaos Theory
3. Driftwood
4. Dies Irae
5. The Swarm
6. Carried By Delusion
7. Dark Matter Dynamics
8. Imperial
9. Wake Circling Above
10. Scythe



The Ossuary Lens is set for release on April 4th via Metal Blade Records. Pre-orders are available now and can be purchased here.

For more information on ALLEGAEON like their official page on Faceboo

CAVALERA

CAVALERA Set To Launch “Third World Trilogy” US Tour This Month 0
BY EDITORIAL TEAM ON FEBRUARY 11, 2025BLACK DEATH, HEAVY METAL, NEWS
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Cavalera has become synonymous with extreme metal music, a name that to this day still holds the highest regard, a family legacy built upon decades of musical aggression. In 2023, Max and Iggor Cavalera achieved what some would say was an impossible feat; they revisited their earliest releases, Morbid Visions, and Bestial Devastation, and re-recorded them with bone-breaking intensity. A risk that few would dare to even attempt, yet they artfully and prolifically attained their trademark raw sound by means that could only be described as magic or time travel.

The band’s “Third World Trilogy” US tour will kick off on February 19 at Queen B in Cottonwood, Arizona and will make stops in Seattle, Brooklyn, and Orlando before concluding at the Van Buren in Phoenix on March 30. Joining the tour are Oakland death metallers Necrot, and California thrash/hardcore band Dead Heat.

Max Cavalera states, “We are really excited to bring the ‘Third World Trilogy’, featuring Schizophrenia, to the US! If you want to hear fast riffs, pummelling drums, thunderous bass, and schizophrenic leads, jump in our pit!!”

Iggor Cavalera comments, “I’m super excited about this upcoming us tour, is one of those rare chances to see our first releases on our most purest form performed live. I hope to see you all in the pit!!! Don’t sleep on these dates. You have been warned. X”


Purchase tickets here.



Tour dates:


February
19 – Cottonwood, AZ – Queen B Vinyl Cafe*
20 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
21 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
22 – Chico, CA – Senator Theater
23 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse
24 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
26 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
27 – Portland, OR @Roseland Theater

March
3 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
5 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues
6 – Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue
7 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Small’s Theatre
9 – Boston, MA – Paradise
11 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
12 – Wilmington, DE – The Queen
13 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw
14 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
15 – Greensboro, NC – Hanger 1819
16 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theater
17 – Orlando, FL – The Abbey
18 – Ft Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room
20 – New Orleans, LA – Howlin’ Wolf
21 – Houston, TX Hell’s Heroes Fest ^
22 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City
23 – Dallas, TX – Echo Music Hall
24 – Wichita, KS – WAVE
26 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater
27 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
28 – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey Theater
30 – Phoenix, AZ – Van Buren

* no Necrot
^ no support

No stranger to collaborations, the Cavalera brothers enlisted Travis Stone (Pig Destroyer) on lead guitars, and that choice becomes obvious within the first song. The full lineup would consist of more Cavalera alumni, as Igor Amadeus Cavalera (Go Ahead And Die, Healing Magic) once more brought his talents on bass to the fold. Thundering and thrumming the low end with brute force, it is clear that the double Iggor and Igor combination is a rhythm section to be reckoned with.

It should come as no surprise that the Cavalera brothers always felt that these songs deserved a fresh take with modern production. From April 15th to June 5th, 2023 the band re-recorded the album at Focusrite Room in Mesa, Arizona. Mixing and mastering was handled by Arthur Rizk (Soulfly, Go Ahead And Die, Turnstile) and engineering was completed by John Aquilino.


Schizophrenia’s album cover has obsessed and fascinated fans for decades. The brothers left no stone unturned and no detail unnoticed, also revisioning the original cover artwork of the album, restored in hand-painted watercolors by Eliran Kantor.

With the impressive catalog that the Cavalera brothers have created over the years, you will soon see that Schizophrenia will also sit amongst their greatest achievements. Max and Iggor have relinquished an album that for many years was locked away behind rusty, iron cell doors, barred by straight jackets and haunted by madness. From the past comes the storms as Schizophrenia is set loose on the world once more!


Purchase Schizophrenia here. Watch the visualizer video created by Costin Chioreanu for “Nightmares Of Delirium”, below:






Cavalera is:

Max Cavalera – Vocals, Guitar
Iggor Cavalera – Drums, Percussion
Igor Amadeus Cavalera – Bass
Travis Stone – Lead Guitar

OBSCURA – A Sonication ALBUM REVIEWS, BLACK DEATH

(Nuclear Blast)
Rating: 8.5

Kinda sounds like a Mind Funk album title, but here we have it, the latest from tech-death heroes Obscura, A Sonication, the band cutting to the chase fast on opener “Silver Linings”, which showcases a streamlined technical approach and a death that leans on thrash, which is where this band is and has been naturally progressing.

But by the time the second track, “Evenfall”, kicks in, it’s clear what’s happening: Obscura is releasing their The Sound Of Perseverance. The song is melodic and majestic and taps into the spirit of pure old school metal the way extreme metal rarely does. “In Solitude” checks off several boxes as well, the band swirling and twirling and taking us places all the while.

What a fantastic couple of songs there, and there are others that threaten to be even more ambitious, like the mighty “Beyond The Seventh Sun” or wildly soaring “Stardust”, both album highlights.

I must admit to going through a bit of Obscura fatigue over the past number of years, even though they never put out a dud, but A Sonication, wow, the band is absolutely on fire here, and I’m all in, right until the title track closes it all off eight songs after things started with, again, a sort of pure metal vibe to a death metal track with pure thrash sonics.


Release date: February 7th, 2025

MEAN MISTREATER ALBUM REVIEWS, HEAVY METAL

(Dying Victims Productions)
Rating: 7.5

Eagerly anticipated, after witnessing the Texas tribe at Legions Of Metal festival, last year. On album #2, Mean Mistreater dish another helping of their gritty/greasy ‘70s inspired barroom hard rock: loud guitars & louder, caustic whiskey hoarsed vocals (courtesy of Janiece Gonzalez). This ain’t for the faint of heart.

Speedy, six-string driven “One Survivor” lays heavily on the wah wah pedal, without losing aggression, or becoming stoner material. The aggro quotient continues with “Nothing’s Free” (In the words of Nigel Tufnel, “Listen to that sustain.”) To start, “Walk With Fire” gets a little artsy (complete with military cadence snare drumming), but quickly returns to familiar ground (low lit, stale beer smelling dive bars), with a fist-thrusting anthem for denizens of the same.

The title track jumps in the deep end, feet first: rapid picking, locomotive chugging (pace, as well as downing beers)! Only a slight stumble, the autobiographical “Road Dogs” comes across as more CBGBs than down & dirty Dixie, but a minor complaint. “Three Of Swords” (Tarot card depicting sorrow & grief) ushers in another mid-tempo gallop.

Coming full circle, the “Release The Wolf” finale is a storm of almost distorted riffs at ear splitting volume. What’s not to love? Kick out the jams…if you haven’t been sold, you’re too old! Otherwise, secure a copy, as soon as possible.


Release date: February 21st, 2025

ALBUM REVIEW: Parasomnia – Dream Theater

The band is officially back together. After over a decade away from DREAM THEATER exploring other projects, Mike Portnoy is back behind the kit and everything feels right in the world again. Their 16th full length album and the first contribution from Portnoy since 2009’s Black Clouds And Silver Linings, Parasomnia is due for release on February 7th via InsideOut Music and it’s arguably one of the band’s most anticipated releases of their career. Will the iconic quintet be able to roll back the years?



In The Arms Of Morpheus sets the stage with the sounds of a closing window and the sighing protagonist preparing for slumber. The track quickly descends into chaos with heavy downtuned riffing and signature snappy drum fills. Dramatic keyboard runs join the rousing cacophony. Night Terror provides some enticing melodies alongside the energetic instrumentation. The pace surges as the guitar work is injected with intricate flourishes. The inviting, theatrical tones of frontman James LaBrie offer an alluring contrast to the crunchy riff sequences. The twisting and turning charm of this track could well become a consistent mainstay in future live performances.

A Broken Man immediately instils an intense mood with its frantic, unpredictable tempo. A wealth of light and dark elements intertwine to construct an immersive soundscape. An ever-transforming wave of impressive virtuosity hits that sweet spot between madness and majestic.


Dead Asleep dishes up some gnarly, groove-filled heaviness betwixt silky smooth lead segments. The haunting narrative is inspired by the true story of Brian Thomas, a man from Wales who accidentally strangled his wife whilst enduring a nightmare about being robbed. The expansive, sprawling sensations that DREAM THEATER can create fall hand in hand with bringing an emotional journey like this to the realms of music. Midnight Messiah continues to delve into darker, moodier tones whilst also possessing a buoyant, energetic stride that feels reminiscent of the Train Of Thought era. The lyrical content cleverly gives a nod back to installments of their catalogue including Constant Motion, Strange Déjà Vu and This Dying Soul.

Are We Dreaming is a brief interlude consisting of chiming bells and various whispers that leads into the calming ballad-like Bend The Clock. As the track gains traction alluring, melodic riff work takes centre stage combined with poignant piano pieces. Meticulously executed sweeping courtesy of John Petrucci provides another chapter for his highlight reel. The Shadow Man Incident reprises the hefty grooves and punchy drum rhythms before transitioning into a procession style beat that resembles the opening of Metropolis Pt. 2’s The Dance Of Eternity.

The ever-shifting soundscape keeps you on your toes, from soaring solo’s to swift, technical riffing the impressive instrumental layering ensures your attention is along for the ride. Portnoy gets put through his paces, navigating a whole host of tempo changes and still managing to cram a ridiculous amount of brilliant fills into the mix. The rapid-fire fingers of Jordan Rudess also play a pivotal role in the finely tuned balancing act.

Parasomnia is the album that everyone has been eagerly anticipating since the news first broke of the ‘classic lineup’ reformation. It certainly lives up to the hype, containing all the hallmarks of a nostalgic DREAM THEATER sound without aimlessly treading old ground. It feels crazy that a band sixteen albums deep into their career can still continue to display such high level innovation and experimentation but this is precisely what has been presented. This is not an album which will be immediately understood and digested in one single sitting so sit back, get comfortable and enjoy revisiting another epic statement piece from progressive metal’s elite outfit.

Rating: 9/10



Parasomnia is set for release on February 7th via InsideOut Music.

Like DREAM THEATER on Facebook.

ALBUM REVIEW: Roses From The Deep – Marko Hietala

MARKO HIETALA is a name synonymous with Scandinavian heaviness. Whilst his CV holds credits for founding TAROT and being a member of supergroup SINERGY, it’s the Finn’s work with NIGHTWISH that really put him on the map, his bass playing and rich, baritone voice complimenting three vocalists and spanning six studio albums over nearly two decades. Since his departure, he’s also branched into television work, appearing in the latest series of music-oriented entertainment show Vain elämää in his native country, which has been viewed by millions. Friday 7th February sees Marko‘s follow up to his 2019 debut Pyre of the Black Heart emerge – Roses From The Deep, released by Nuclear Blast Records.



As one very often finds with solo releases, they may have the foundations, blueprints and influences of the projects they are best known for, but the layers and styles that are built on top are much more varied and a truer representation of said individual. Roses From The Deep may exhibit certain elements of Marko‘s former outfits – there is still the grandeur within songs, the underpinning of symphonic metal and a strong progressive edge, but the towers crafted on top of these are significantly different.

Opening track Frankenstein’s Wife is driven by a classic, JUDAS PRIEST-esque riff and sci-fi inspired synthesisers; the final swirl sounds just like something out of a Horror Hammer film or episode of Dr. Who. Proud Whore manages to dip its toes in both SABBATH and OZZY territory, the doom-laden guitar lick reminiscent of the former combined with the soaring, more commercially edged chorus of the latter. The Devil You Know begins acoustically, the impression of MARKP HIETALA telling a folklore story around a campfire before it explodes into a full band stomper, and Rebel Of The North has the vintage, gothic edge of ALICE COOPER in his pomp.


The absolute highlight, however, is the album’s central track, the eight-minute epic Dragon Must Die. It could have been inspired by any number of fantasy worlds within popular culture musically, but the strings intro, methodical and purposeful pace and military style drums and brass section bring to mind the world of Game Of Thrones more than anything else.

Delve a little deeper into the lyrics, however, and it’s noticeable that the ‘dragon’ being spoken of is less in a classic sense, but a darker, more politically-edged metaphor for the evils of the world, which gives the song added grit. The other key track is Left On Mars, which sees Marko reunite with former bandmate Tarja Turunen and trade vocal lines as effortlessly as they did all that time ago; it’s suitably imaginative in feel and will whet the appetites of those who have pined about both musicians since their respective NIGHTWISH departures.

Marko‘s first album was a solid, if not spectacular collection of songs that served as a litmus test for how his sole creativity would fare away from the constructs of an album wit an established band. Roses From The Deep is far more cohesive, immersive and interesting in every single way. It rises and falls as gracefully as the man himself who, after a self-imposed sabbatical to tend to his mental health, sounds vibrant and energised once more.

Rating: 7/10



Roses From the Deep is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.

Like MARKO HIETALA on Facebook.