Hrvaška zasedba Sikasa, ki je lani izdala album Matter Earth, zdaj predstavlja akustično predelavo komada Where Giants Walk.

Bruce Dickinson, sicer frontman velikanov Iron Maiden, sporoča, da bo v začetku naslednjega leta izdal nov solo album The Mandrake Project. Več informacij sledi kmalu.

Češka black metal zasedba Inferno je posnela videospot za skladbo Stars Within and Stars Without Projected into the Matrix of Time z aktualnega albuma Paradeigma (Phosphenes of Aphotic Eternity) iz leta 2021.

Grški tehnični thrash metal band Venus je podpisal z založbo Xtreeme Music. Pri tej bo novembra izšel njegov debitanski album Obscured Until Observed, do takrat pa lahko tukaj prisluhnete aktualnemu EP-ju Project Lamda.

Doom/stoner metal zasedba Kal-El iz Norveške je napovedala EP z naslovom Moon People. Ta bo izšel 22. septembra pri Majestic Mountain in bo vseboval dve pesmi:

Moon People
Universe

Ukrajinski simfonični epic metal dvojec Mistyfica je podpisal za Elevate Records, kjer naj bi septembra izdal svoj dolgometražni prvenec Century Tales. Ta naj bi nagovoril ljubitelje zasedb, kot so Epica, Xandria, Within Temptation in Delain. Kmalu naj bi bil znan prvi single.

Mystifica sta:
Max Molodtsov, instrumenti (Edenian, Sorrowful Land, Blessdivine, Resolution)
Valerie Chudentsova, vokalistka (Edenian, The Mystic Euphoria Project, ex-Nulla Rosa)

Nemški melodični death metalci Kambrium so se razšli s kitaristom Maximilianom Wernerjem. Zasedba je trenutno v fazi snemanja novega albuma. Spodaj lahko preberete izjavo banda v celoti:

»Dear Kambrium fans, today we would like to contact you with an important announcement. Maxi and Kambrium will now go their separate ways. It was a difficult decision for all of us, but we strongly believe that this is the right step for us to continue to grow and explore new musical paths.

Maxi was a constant part of Kambrium. His talent, commitment, and energy have shaped our music and shows in a significant way and accompanied us on many memorable journeys. We are grateful for the years we spent together and will carry the memories we made together forever in our hearts.

Although Maxi will no longer be part of the band, we want to emphasize that our friendship remains and remains strong. We've been through so much together and been through so many highs and lows together that we're sure our connection goes beyond music. We will continue to stay in touch, support each other and look for new adventures in our respective musical projects. Maybe you'll even see Maxi at our merch stand.

For Kambrium, this change is also a chance to reinvent ourselves. We are already working on the next album and are looking forward to enthralling you with our music in the near future. We are very grateful for your support and hope you’ll join us on this new chapter of our journey.

At this point we would like to thank Maxi again from the bottom of our hearts. You'll always be a part of the Kambrium family and we wish you all the best on your journey ahead.«

Italijani Lacuna Coil predstavljajo nov single Never Dawn. Band je posnel komad za namizno igro Zombicide: White Death, ki naj bi izšla kmalu. Ali pa bomo slišali še kaj novega od Lacuna Coil, pa band ni razkril.

Nemški black metal dvojec Schädel je objavil video za single Feindberührung. Komad se bo nahajal na njunem prvencu Erosion des Willens, ki izide 6. junija.

Horror metalci Nargathrond so objavili videospot za komad Rivers of Blood, ki se nahaja na njihovem prihajajočem albumu Killing Season. Ta bo izšel 16. junija pri Wormholedeath Records.

Dark synthwave/black metal projekt Nargathrond je predstavil naslovni komad svojega prihajajočega albuma Killing Season. Ta bo izšel 16. junija pri Wormholedeath Records.

Po precej dolgem premoru od zadnjega Carnivore Mothermouth, ki je izšel leta 1999, se na sceno vrača kultna progressive/technical/groove death metal zasedba Obliveon. Zasedba je bila ustanovljena daljnega leta 1987, izdane pa ima štiri studijske albume. Peti po vrsti naj bi izšel maja prihodnje leto, zasedba pa je že začela s Kickstarter kampanjo, kjer lahko z finančnim prispevkom podprete nastajanje oziroma izdajo omenjenega ploščka.

Pred časom smo že poročali, da so melodični death metalci The Agonist iz Kanade odpovedali nastop na letošnji ediciji festivala MetalDays. Sedaj pa je iz tabora zasedbe tudi odjeknila vest, da je uradno prenehala z delovanjem. Več si lahko preberete v spodnji izjavi:

Dear friends, it's time to make a very difficult but necessary announcement.
We have decided that The Agonist as a band, has come to an end. Much deliberation and care has been put into making this decision, and unfortunately, given the circumstances, this is the conclusion that makes the most sense for the band and us as individuals.
There are many factors that led to this decision. It is a mix of personal, financial and industry related issues, but in the end the 5 of us are no longer able to agree on a way forward that would benefit The Agonist business as a whole, while respecting each member's personal lives and wishes.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to the fans for coming out to the shows, buying our merch, and supporting us over the years. Nothing is more satisfying than connecting with our fellow human beings via the gift of music. It is the number one factor that has always driven us- to make you, the listener, feel something. In the end, we know that we've accomplished this together.
Some members of the band will continue to work on music in various ways, others will focus on personal projects and family. We kindly ask you to respect their privacy on this particular matter and encourage you to follow them on their individual social media accounts to support their future endeavors.
Vicky Psarakis will be carrying on with her band, Sicksense. They have a new EP coming out this summer and she will be playing 2 live shows with them in Montreal, in June.
You can also directly support her by following her on Patreon and Twitch.
Simon McKay is currently looking to join a new band full-time, while offering session work for studio and live gigs. Also, keep an eye out for new music coming soon from his solo project.
Chris Kells will be focusing on his career as a videographer. Since 2015, he has directed all of The Agonist's music videos, as well as many other established bands.
Danny Marino is currently writing music for 2 new projects.
Pascal "Paco" Jobin will be releasing new music with his project Leading the betrayed.
Our US-based merch store with Sound Escape Agency will remain open. We have also put together an EU-based store for our European fans. Inventory is final and there will be no restocks. Proceeds will go directly to the band to help us pay off our remaining debt.
Once again, we thank you and we love you.
»We will survive. At the end of the tunnel there's always a light.« - The Agonist

Newyorški progresivni metalci Sarmat so objavili komad Landform s prihajajočega prvenca Determined to Strike, ki ga bodo 16. junija izdali pri založbi I, Voidhanger. Album zajema naslednje naslove:

Formed From Filth
Landform
Arsenal Of Tyranny
Enervated
Determined To Strike (Dead Hand Cycle Pt 1)
Disturbing Advances

Newyorški progresivni metalci Sarmat so objavili izsek pesmi s prihajajočega EP-ja Dubious Disk, ki bo izšel 19. aprila pri založbi I, Voidhanger. Izseku lahko prisluhnete spodaj oziroma prednaročite EP na Bandcampu. Pri projektu, ki ga prežemajo vplivi jazza in sci-fija, med drugim sodelujeta Steve Blanco (Imperial Triumphant, Pak) in Oleg Zalman (Artificial Brain).

Člani Sarmat so:
James Jones – bobni
Cotter Champlin – kitara
Steve Blanco – baskitara, klavir
Andrew Gonzalez – vokal
Oleg Zalman – kitara
Cameron Carrella – trobenta, krilni rog