Author: Editorial Team

Elegant Weapons, the hard rock and heavy metal powerhouse led by Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner, have released their new single “Bridges Burn,” the first track from the band’s forthcoming sophomore album Evolution, due April 24, 2026, on Exciter Records.

The album will be released digitally and on CD on April 24, 2026, with a special edition vinyl pressing to follow later in the year. The lead single “Bridges Burn” is available now, and you can watch the lyric video below.

Pre-save and pre-order the album Evolution here.

Elegant Weapons features a formidable lineup: Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG), bassist Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heep), and drummer Christopher Williams (Accept). 

With Evolution, the band pushes its sound forward — combining razor-sharp riffing, arena-sized hooks, and technical precision with a chemistry forged through touring and collaboration. The album was co-produced by Faulkner alongside Andy Sneap (Judas Priest’s touring guitarist, who also produced Priest’s Invincible Shield), with the recording spanning Nashville, Europe, and France — a truly global effort reflecting the band’s international pedigree.

“This record represents growth in every sense,” said Richie Faulkner. “When the four of us come together, we sound like Elegant Weapons. We’ve spent time on the road, we’ve developed a chemistry, and you can hear that evolution in the performances. I’m proud of what we’ve built, and I’m excited to begin this next chapter with Exciter Records.”

For Exciter Records, the signing marks a strategic move into contemporary metal while reinforcing the label’s deep ties to the genre’s foundations. Exciter Records and its publishing affiliate Reach Music, recently acquired Judas Priest’s landmark early albums Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny, making the partnership with Richie Faulkner and Elegant Weapons a natural continuation of that legacy into a new era. 

“Richie Faulkner is not only one of the most respected guitarists as a member of Judas Priest, but he is also a leader in forming and developing Elegant Weapons,” said Michael Closter, Founder and President of Exciter Records. “Signing Elegant Weapons is a natural step for Exciter Records as we continue to honor metal’s heritage while investing in its future.”

The album features standout tracks including the opener “Evil Eyes,” the groove-driven anthem “Generation Me,” and the lead single “Bridges Burn,” alongside the instrumental “Rupture,” an emotionally charged composition inspired in part by Faulkner’s life-threatening onstage medical emergency in 2021.

With Evolution, Elegant Weapons solidify their identity as a band defined not simply by pedigree, but by forward momentum.

The post ELEGANT WEAPONS (Featuring Members Of JUDAS PRIEST, RAINBOW, URIAH HEEP & ACCEPT) Announce New Album “Evolution”, Stream First Single “Bridges Burn” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Adrian Smith has seen the upcoming Iron Maiden documentary — and says fans are in for a few surprises.

Speaking to Brazil’s Kazagastão, the guitarist weighed in on Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition, which hits theaters for a limited run starting 05/07. “Yeah, I have [seen it]. And I really enjoyed it, which might sound funny, but when there’s something on a big screen about you, it can be a bit — you wanna hide behind the chairs,” he said. “But I think it’s a good document of the band, and I think fans will enjoy it. There are a few things in there that have never come to light before, and it goes into depth on a few things. So I think people are really gonna enjoy it,” Smith said (via Blabbermouth)

Smith also touched on Iron Maiden: Infinite Dreams – The Official Visual History, the hardcover book published globally in autumn 2025, covering the band’s first five decades. For Smith, the most compelling material is the mundane stuff — the kind that puts 100 million records sold into perspective.

“I love some of the old photos,” he said. “It’s almost like a different life back in the ’80s when I was in the band, a different person. But I love the stuff in it, like [Maiden founder] Steve Harris‘s diary, talking about getting just a couple of bucks to do a show and having to buy guitar strings and petrol and counting all the pennies. Stuff like that is priceless. It’s great that he’s kept that stuff.”

Asked whether he and Bruce Dickinson took the band to another level when they came on board, Smith deflected on his own behalf but was direct about Dickinson‘s impact. “I can’t really talk about myself, but Bruce definitely did, because as much as we love [former Iron Maiden singer] Paul [Di’Anno], I don’t think he had the same mindset as Bruce, the same determination to succeed, commitment,” he said.

“Bruce was all about commitment and professionalism, and he could sing night after night after night. And that’s what the band needed to do. They needed to go on the road — they needed to go on the road for six, eight months at a stretch. And that’s what rock bands have to do. No one’s gonna hand them success with, ‘Okay, we’ll play you on the radio. You’ll be stars.’ There’s none of that.”

On his own contributions, Smith pointed to his songwriting track record. “I’ve been a part of it. I think we all worked hard to get to another level. Maybe, hopefully, my contributions, writing-wise, helped,” he said. “A lot of the singles that we used, ‘Flight Of Icarus’ and ‘Wasted Years’ and stuff like that, were my ideas, my songs — ‘2 Minutes To Midnight’ — co-writes, really. So, I feel like I hopefully contributed in that way, or do contribute.”

Directed by Malcolm Venville (Churchill At War) and produced by Dominic Freeman (Spirits In The Forest – A Depeche Mode Film), Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition traces the band’s five-decade run and features on-camera appearances from Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich, and Chuck D.

The film arrives as Iron Maiden continues its two-year “Run For Your Lives” world tour, with over 50 shows planned for 2026 — including EddFest, a one-off celebration at Knebworth Park, England on 07/11.

The post ADRIAN SMITH Talks New IRON MAIDEN Documentary: “There’s A Few Things That Have Never Come To Light Before” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

The Pusciverse continues to expand with the arrival of the new comic “Tales From The Pusciverse #2: The Briefcase”. The new installment follows the immediate sell-out of the series’ debut issue, which introduced the character Bellendia Black and quickly moved through two printings.

The second issue centers on one of the longest-running mysteries in the Pusciverse… The Briefcase. For years, the object has appeared in Puscifer‘s videos and photographs, prompting the recurring question among fans: “What’s in the briefcase?”

Written by Maynard James Keenan, the new issue features artwork by Marlin Shoop (“Captain Action”, “G.I. Joe”, “Unprepped”) with lettering by Jack Morelli (“Afterlife With Archie”, “Peter Parker Annual”, Marvel Comics).

“The Briefcase has been part of the Puscifer mythology for years,” Keenan notes. “Everyone wonders what exactly is inside. This issue doesn’t necessarily answer the question… but it moves the story forward.”

“Issue #2 pulls you deeper into the mystery of the briefcase, and illustrates that chaos was half the fun,” Shoop shares.

Issue #2 also marks the Pusciverse comics debut of Major Douché, one of the earliest and most recognizable figures in the Pusciverse. The character first appeared ahead of Puscifer‘s 2009 Las Vegas residency, the band’s live debut, and later appeared in the “V Is For Versatile” concert film.

“Tales From The Pusciverse” comics are available exclusively via this location.

Puscifer‘s new album, Normal Isn’t, is out now via Puscifer Entertainment/Alchemy Recordings/BMG. The band’s North American tour launches on March 20.

The post PUSCIFER Releases “Tales From The Pusciverse #2: The Briefcase” Comics appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Nate Garrett is back with Spirit Adrift. Following his gothy 2024 side project Neon Nightmare, Garrett has returned to his main band with “Eternal Celestial Energy,” a new standalone single.

The track is a heavy, detuned dirge built around melodic low-end crush and Garrett‘s emotionally raw vocals — screaming and crooning through a storyline that cuts deep.

Garrett kept his comments on the song brief, but direct: “I can’t speak too much on this song, other than to say it’s probably the heaviest thing I’ve ever written, both sonically and emotionally. It was extremely difficult to make, but hopefully it will resonate with people who need some catharsis.”

He also confirmed that “Eternal Celestial Energy” is not tied to an upcoming album — but that one is coming.

Garrett added, “This is a standalone single. That said, the sixth and final Spirit Adrift album is approaching sooner than you realize. We will debut two brand new, never-before-heard songs at our upcoming show with Crowbar, Eyehategod, and Bl4ckm4gnet on 03/20. Thank you so much to all of you who made the show sell out. It will be Spirit Adrift‘s final performance. We look forward to the coolest possible farewell we could imagine, in one of the most metal cities in the world!”

Garrett closed with a nod to a recently lost legend: “In the words of our beloved Ozzy Osbourne… ✌🏻 ‘We love you all!’ ✌🏻”

The post SPIRIT ADRIFT Stream Crushing New Standalone Single “Eternal Celestial Energy”, Confirm Band’s Final Album Is In The Works appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Industrial metal veterans Fear Factory have announced a U.S. tour scheduled for November 2026. The run, titled the Cybernetic Domination tour, will feature support from Darkest Hour and Brotality. The shows will begin right after Fear Factory wraps up its upcoming co-headlining tour with Mushroomhead, the masked metal act from Cleveland, Ohio.

Guitarist Dino Cazares shared a short message about the upcoming dates: “We’re hitting places we haven’t played in a while, and we can’t wait to play with our friends in DarKest Hour and the newcomers Brotality.”

He continues: “The tour launches in Wichita, Kansas and ending in our hometown Los Angeles. To close it out, Fear Factory will perform TWO nights at the legendary Whisky A Go Go, two completely different albums in its entirety. First night Demanufacture, second night Obsolete (Los Angeles only).

“Pick up something at our merch table and we’ll gladly sign it and take photos with you after the show (wherever the venue allows it).”

The band also continues work around its next studio release. Fear Factory’s long-awaited new album is expected later this year through Nuclear Blast. The upcoming record will be the first to feature vocalist Milo Silvestro and drummer Pete Webber, both of whom have spent the past several years performing with the band on tour.

Cybernetic Domination Tour dates:

Nov. 13 – Wichita, KS @ Wave
Nov. 14 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
Nov. 15 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
Nov. 17 – Billings, MT @ Pub Station
Nov. 18 – Great Falls, MT @ The Newberry
Nov. 20 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Nov. 21 – Portland, OR @ The Hawthorne Theatre
Nov. 22 – Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club
Nov. 24 – Fresno, CA @ Strummers
Nov. 25 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Nov. 27 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House
Nov. 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
Nov. 29 – Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A Go Go

The post FEAR FACTORY Announces Fall 2026 U.S. Dates With DARKEST HOUR And BROTALITY appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

New York death metal legends Immolation are reaching a fever pitch as they prepare to unleash Descent. Their twelfth studio album arrives April 10th via Nuclear Blast Records, just as the band kicks off a North American tour alongside label mates Behemoth.

The band has release the second single, “Attrition”, a masterclass in tension. Defined by its crushing groove and volatile tempo shifts the track opens with a crawling, mid-paced groove that eventually gives way to stunning tempo shifts, culminating in a bone-shattering finale. This is dark death metal at its most cinematic—equal parts atmospheric depth and sheer, crushing brutality proving Immolation remains the gold standard of the genre.

Immolation comments: “We are excited to release, “Attrition”, another new track from our upcoming album, Decent. This song is a dark, powerful heavy track with plenty of intensity. “Attrition” has a dismal, hopeless atmosphere…as it focuses on the senseless wars and battles for territory that mankind seems to constantly repeat, no matter what the cost. The drum work by Steve Shalaty is a key component in this song as it emphasizes the overall emotion of the track, with not only a militant feel, but unique rhythmic cymbal work and other twists that bring the musical parts to life. “Attrition” is a good example of the diverse nature of Descent. A catchy, yet explosive track with all the Immolation elements. We hope you enjoy “Attrition””

Descent was captured across two locations: Justin Passamonte tracked guitars, bass, and vocals at Jpass Music, while drums were recorded at Mercinary Studios with Noah Buchanan. The production was a collaborative effort between the band and long-time engineer Zack Ohren, who also handled the mixing and mastering. The result is a muscular, high-fidelity production that captures the band’s most fiery and brooding moments with equal clarity. To call Descent “heavy” or “brutal” is an understatement; this is death metal with a unique, elevated voice that stands entirely alone.

Visually, the band has once again tapped Eliran Kantor to craft a haunting cover masterpiece—a true hallmark of the Immolation aesthetic— complemented by Santiago Jaramillo’s (Triple Seis Design) internal booklet illustrations. With this release, Immolation reinforces their status as one of the most enduring and vital forces in the genre.

Immolation will join headliners and label mates Behemoth on their The Godless IV 2026 Tour with Deicide and Rotting Christ.

04.14.2026 US San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
04.15.2026 US San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
04.17.2026 US Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
04.18.2026 CAN Vancouver, BC @ The Vogue Theatre
04.19.2026 US Seattle, WA @ Showbox Sodo
04.21.2026 US Salt Lake City, UT @ Union Event Center
04.22.2026 US Denver, CO @ The Fillmore
04.24.2026 US Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
04.25.2026 US Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre
04.26.2026 US St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
04.28.2026 US Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
04.30.2026 US Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore ~
05.01.2026 US Worcester, MA @ The Palladium ^
05.02.2026 US New York City, NY @ The Palladium
05.04.2026 US Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Riverworks
05.05.2026 US McKees Rock, PA @ The Roxian
05.09.2026 US Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
05.11.2026. CAN Toronto, ON @ History
05.12.2026 CAN Montreal, QC @ L’Olympia
05.14.2026 US Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple*
05.15.2026 US Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
05.16.2026 US Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
05.18.2026 US Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory
05.20.2026 US Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
05.21.2026 US Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium

~No Rotting Christ
^No Deicide
*Festival date

Festival Dates:

07.27 – 31.2026. RO. Brasov @ Rockstadt Extreme Fest
08.05 – 08.2026 CZ. Josefov @ Brutal Assault

The post IMMOLATION Drops New Single “Attrition” Ahead Of US Spring Tour appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Swedish gothic doom outfit Draconian will release their new studio album In Somnolent Ruin on May 8 through Napalm Records. The record arrives as one of the band’s most personal works so far, unfolding across nine tracks that move through a dreamlike atmosphere while leaning on the poetic writing of vocalist Anders Jacobsson.

The album also marks the return of longtime singer Lisa Johansson, who handled vocals on the band’s first five albums. The first taste of the record is the single “Cold Heavens,” a track that deals with the idea of finding no comfort in heaven, where the line between life and death offers no relief.

Draconian guitarist, vocalist and keyboardist Johan Ericson explained how the song came together: “In need of a more up-tempo song, ‘Cold Heavens’ was the final piece written for In Somnolent Ruin. The intention was to create a simple, straightforward track to balance the album’s longer compositions and add versatility. Lisa’s laid-back vocals take center stage, guiding us through a bleak, cold landscape before giving way to Anders’ more spiteful and desperate delivery. The song ends with a sense of resignation, leading into the album’s next track.”

Six years have passed since Draconian released its previous album, Under A Godless Veil, which became the band’s most successful release to date. A lot has shifted since then while the band’s identity remains intact. Guitarist Niklas Nord (Myteri, Deathtrap, The Random Victims) joined in spring 2022, and the group later confirmed the return of Lisa Johansson, who once again shares vocal duties with Anders Jacobsson. Her comeback follows several festival appearances with the band in recent years. Johansson originally stepped away from Draconian in 2011 for personal reasons.

The current lineup also includes drummer Daniel Johansson (Antikult, ex-Wormwood), who became a full member in 2025 after Jerry Torstennson departed. Before that, Johansson had worked with the band as a session drummer starting in 2019. Another notable shift finds longtime member Daniel Arvidsson now handling bass after moving over from guitar in 2022. In Somnolent Ruin is the first Draconian album where he appears in that role.

With a career stretching back to the mid-1990s and a debut album, Where Lovers Mourn, released in 2003, Draconian have built a reputation for slow-burning doom arrangements, layered melodies and lyrics that read like bleak poetry. Their music often leans into themes of inner conflict and isolation, guiding listeners through dark emotional territory before offering a sense of release.

The journey on In Somnolent Ruin opens with “I Welcome Thy Arrow,” which sets the tone through haunting melodies and the interplay between Johansson’s and Jacobsson’s voices. Songs like “The Monochrome Blade” and “The Face Of God” raise the tempo while pushing the vocal dynamics further.

“Anima” brings in Swedish musician Daniel Änghede, adding extra emotional weight as the track explores darker impulses and the feeling of losing direction. “Asteria Beneath The Tranquil Sea” works as a short bridge between “I Gave You Wings” and “Cold Heavens,” the latter focusing on the uneasy space between life and death while delivering one of the album’s most intense vocal performances.

Later in the record, “Misanthrope River” begins with a long instrumental section and narration from Simon Bibby, slowing the pace while reflecting the grind of everyday struggles. The album closes with “Lethe,” named after the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology. Those who drank from it would lose their memories. As Jacobsson delivers the final lines — “Oh, shooting star… Drown in me! Drink. Forget. Repeat.” — the album ends on a bleak but fitting note.

Even with that theme of forgetting, In Somnolent Ruin stands as the kind of record that lingers long after it ends. For Draconian, it continues a long-running exploration of darkness, emotion and atmosphere that has defined their sound for decades.

In Somnolent Ruin is available to pre-order here in the following formats:

• 2 CD 36-page Earbook incl. In Somnolent Ruin & Bonus CD with 2 Tracks only available with this format (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
• 2 LP Gatefold Picture Vinyl incl 24 pages 12’’ booklet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Europe Mailorder)
• 2 LP Gatefold Splattered Black Smoke/White Orange Black Vinyl incl 24 pages 12’’ booklet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
• 2 LP Gatefold Gold Vinyl incl lyric sheet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
• 1 CD Digipak
• Digital Album

The post DRACONIAN Shares First Single “Cold Heavens” From Upcoming Album “In Somnolent Ruin” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

In just under a month, on April 10, OPVS Noir Vol. 3, the final part of Lord Of The Lost‘s OPVS Noir album trilogy, will be released. Today, the Hamburg-based band presents another preview in the form of their new single, “My Funeral,” which, as usual, cannot be pigeonholed into any genre and embodies the authenticity for which Lord Of The Lost are appreciated by fans and beyond. The lyrics declare black to be the “happy color” with a dose of irony and define pink as the new color of mourning, which is visually underlined by the accompanying music video.

With nearly half a million listeners on Spotify, their appearance at the Eurovision final in 2023, followed by a number-one album and international tours with Iron Maiden, Lord Of The Lost are proving themselves to be one of the most exciting and successful acts on the scene right now. OPVS Noir Vol. 3 represents the creative peak of a band whose repertoire leaves no room for stagnation. The year started with shows in the USA, Canada, and Australia, and now continues with the upcoming headline tour across Europe. The tour kicks off on Thursday, March 12, in Oslo, Norway.

Chris Harms shares thoughts about “My Funeral”: “The message of the song – that black is our ‘happy color’ and that I want my funeral guests to adhere to the ‘dress code: pink’ – is actually no joke. It’s a shame that when I eventually kick the bucket, I’ll only be able to attend this pink funeral service lifelessly.”

Lord Of The Lost bring their ambitious album trilogy to a brilliant finale with OPVS Noir Vol. 3. A direct continuation of OPVS Noir Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, which were both unveiled in 2025, it gloriously expands on the genre-defying band’s opus. The most out of the box of the three, the third and final part of their latest journey has the six-piece end this chapter of their career on a fulminant high note, intertwining heavy guitars and dark electronica with compassionate messages and cinematic orchestrals.

Following the captivating Blood & Glitter, which brought them to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and a #1 chart entry in their native Germany to go along with it, Lord Of The Lost once again demonstrate their unmatched diversity on OPVS Noir Vol. 3. Initiated by beautiful cello melodies, “Kill The Lights” is an overture like no other, setting a dark mood, but also unafraid to switch it up to make room for catchy and reassuring “I’m A Diamond.” Stomping “I Hate People” invites horror punk icon Wednesday 13 to an industrial duet about equality, after which gentle “The Shadows Within” hits twice as hard with its symphonic arrangement.

Next, Chris Harms and parting Kissin’ Dynamite frontman Hannes Braun deliver “La Vie Est Hell,” before going back to “Square One.” “When Did The Love Break?” is a heartfelt song of lost love – the addition of whimsical vocals by Ambre Vourvahis of Xandria drives the emotions of this universal topic right home. After “Your Love Is Colder Than Death,” Lord Of The Lost teams up with Damien Edwards of British glam rock band Cats In Space for the captivating duet “Take Me Far Away”, before the album closes with a ballad, “The Days Of Our Lives” – the sweeping track simultaneously being the closest Lord Of The Lost have ever been to a cinematic soundtrack. The happy ending is skipped, almost making it sound like a goodbye…

OPVS Noir Vol. 3 is available to pre-order here in the following formats:

• 1-LP Liquid Vinyl Purple-Black with 12-page booklet – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited) – SOLD OUT!
• 1-LP Gatefold Splattered Silver/Black with 12-page booklet – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited)
• 1-LP Gatefold Cristallo with 12-page booklet – LordShop exclusive (strictly limited)
• 1-LP Gatefold Recycled Black
• 1-CD in paper sleeve for everyone that already own a OPVS Noir Collectors Edition (= Earbook or Wooden Box Set)
• 1-CD 6-page Digisleeve with 16-page booklet
• Music Cassette Noir with silver print – Napalm Records Mailorder & LordShop exclusive (strictly limited) – SOLD OUT!
• Digital Album
• Deep Dive Edition, containing OPVS Noir Vol. 3 Digisleeve with 16-page booklet, USB Stick incl. 8 so called “audio stems” per song, so you can deep dive into listening to the vocals only, the guitars only, the drums only, and so on. Also perfect for musicians to create your own playthrough versions or for audio engineers to create remixes. CD and USB stick bundled in a cloth bag – Napalm Records Mailorder Europe & LordShop exclusive

The post LORD OF THE LOST Announces Album Trilogy Grand Finale “OPVS Noir Vol. 3” And Shares New Single “My Funeral” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Hard rock veterans Spread Eagle are thrilled to announce the release of their upcoming new album The Brutal Divine, out on June 12, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl. To coincide with the announcement, the band shares the first single and accompanying video for “Street Noise”.

Spread Eagle is set to embark on The Brutal Divine Tour 2026 later this month, with dates across the US, UK, and Europe throughout the summer. For the full list of dates, please see below and get tickets here.

The band stated: ‘””Street Noise” is an obvious choice to kick off The Brutal Divine. It sets the aggressive tone of the album and hints at what’s to come. On this song, Ray West does a great job channeling the energy of our day-to-day dealings in NYC.”

The Brutal Divine is Spread Eagle’s long-awaited fourth studio album and a fierce new chapter in the band’s uncompromising legacy. Known for their raw energy, streetwise attitude, and explosive live performances, they once again prove why they remain a vital force in modern hard rock.

The band described the new record as “an emotionally and musically heavy body of songs showcasing a unique command of power, dynamics, and melody. We have harnessed the energy of years of non-stop touring and turned it into a metal/punk thrill ride of an album.”

“Lyrically, The Brutal Divine challenges us to question our views and ask if we’re truly as free-thinking as we may believe. Once that question is posed, the album progresses towards uplifting messages of hope and community”, they continued.

Fronted by the unmistakable voice of Ray West, the band delivers a powerful collection of songs that balance grit and melody, aggression and soul. Guitarist Gianmaria “Jommy” Puledda injects the record with razor-sharp riffs and soaring harmonies, while Rob De Luca on bass and vocals and Rik De Luca on drums, form a thunderous rhythmic backbone that drives every track with authority and groove.

Produced by Rob De Luca, The Brutal Divine captures the band at their most focused and dynamic, blending their classic hard rock roots with a darker, heavier edge. The album channels the intensity and authenticity that first put Spread Eagle on the map, while showcasing a band that continues to evolve without losing its identity.

With a full slate of live dates planned in support of the release, Spread Eagle is ready to bring The Brutal Divine to stages around the world – where their music truly comes alive. This is hard rock delivered with conviction, attitude, and fire.

The Brutal Divine is available for pre-order here.

The Brutal Divine 2026 Tour:

US Dates:

Mar 20 – Thomasville, PA @ Racehorse Tavern
Mar 21 – Corona, NY @ Juan Bar Metal Night
Mar 27 – New Bedford, MA @ The Vault
Apr 2 – New York, NY @ Arlene’s Grocery
Apr 3 – Albany, NY @ Empire Live
Apr 4 – Bristol, CT @ Bleachers Bar
Apr 9 – Tampa, FL @ The Brass Mug
Apr 12-16 – Monsters Of Rock Cruise – Dominican Republic
Apr 17 – Casselberry, FL @ The Green Parrot
Apr 18 – Ft Myers, FL @ Stet’s Bar
Apr 19 – Davie, FL @ Cagney’s House of Rock
May 3 – Halethorpe, MD @ Fish Head Cantina
Jun 6 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos Southend
Jun 12 – Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz
Jun 13 – Newark, DE @ Halftime
Jun 19 – Norton, WV @ RimRocks Fest

EU Dates:

Aug 29 – Issenheim, France @ Rockfest
Sep 10 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Huhnerstall
Sep 11 – Lichtenfels, Germany @ Paunchy Cats
Sep 12 – Wroclaw, Poland @ Klub Muzyczny Liverpool
Sep 13 – Reichenbach, Germany @ Bergkeller
Sep 18 – Grebbestad, Sweden @ Rode Orm
Sep 23 – Southampton, England @ The Brook
Sep 24 – St Albans, England @ The Horn
Sep 25 – Isle of Wight, England @ Strings
Sep 26 – London, England @ New Cross Inn
Sep 27 – Derby, England @ The Victoria Inn
Sep 28 – Birmingham, England @ Subside
Sep 30 – Newcastle, England @ Trillians
Oct 1 – Edinburgh, Scotland @ Bannermans
Oct 2 – Buckley, Wales @ The Tivoli
Oct 3 – Harrogate, England @ The Den
Oct 4 – Stockport, England @ The Spinning Top

The post SPREAD EAGLE Announces New Studio Album “The Brutal Divine” And Shares First Single “Street Noise” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

American death metal pioneers Six Feet Under will unleash their Next To Die full-length on April 24th through Metal Blade Records.

That sonic devastation shines on lead single, “Unmistakable Smell Of Death,” which sees guitarist Jack Owen owning his blast and fast riffs with dynamic pull-offs and stop sections. “This song began musically before I had any lyrical ideas in mind,” says Owen. “I dug through my riff archive for some blast and fast riffs and updated them with some pull-offs and stop sections. The middle section riffs were also from my riff archive. I do scratch leads on my demos, but Ray [Suhy, guitarist] always does a much better job with the leads.”

“Lyrically, I’m writing from the perspective of a killer who toys with a victim and unties them, allowing them to fight. He underestimates their ability to fight, and they get the better of the killer, ultimately impaling and beheading him. The ‘Unmistakable Smell Of Death’ is now that of the killer!”

Next To Die marks a new creative high for Six Feet Under, its dozen songs marking the band’s fifteenth album since 1995’s Haunted. “It started out as an album full of death metal songs with speed and aggression,” says Owen. “Then [vocalist] Chris [Barnes] had the brilliant idea to keep half of those death metal songs and add some groovier songs in the vein of the early Six Feet Under material. Chris emphasized tempo, so keeping with the beats per minute for early SFU classics, I wrote a side of tasty groove-laden music with Chris doing all the lyrics.”

The creative collaborative approach sees Next To Die essentially broken down into two different sides – Death and Groove – resulting in an aural masterwork that satisfies Six Feet Under as artists, while also offering something for every fan.

The record was produced by Owen and Barnes and mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis of MRL Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and follows 2024’s Killing For Revenge. It’s the third record that Barnes and Owen have created together since reuniting in 2017. “We don’t discuss lyrical themes, we each write what we’re feeling,” explains Barnes. “We each just write what we find interesting.”

Six Feet Under was initially formed as a side project for Barnes during his final years with the band that he co-founded, Cannibal Corpse. It became the frontman’s sole focus in 1995, coinciding with the release of their debut, Haunted. The current lineup of Barnes, Owen, lead guitarist Ray Suhy, bassist Jeff Hughell, and drummer Marco Pitruzzella makes for a devastating unit.

Next To Die comes swathed in the cover art of Sandy Rezalmi and will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:     

• 180g Black (US)
• Red w/ Black Smoke (US)
• Bone Brown Marbled (EU – Ltd. 500)
• Blue Grey Marbled (EU – Ltd. 300)
• Blood Splatter (EU – Ltd. 300)
• Bone White Green Splatter (EU – Ltd. 200)

Find all preorders here.

Six Feet Under will return to stages this Summer on a North American headlining tour. Set to begin on July 8th in Detroit and run through August 11th in Chicago, the tour features support from Kataklysm and Wormhole.  

Comments Barnes, “July and August are gonna get ultra brutal on our headlining tour of North America in support of our new album Next To Die, with our old friends in Kataklysm, and special guests Wormhole. Very psyched to get back on the road in the States, and really, really looking forward to playing Canada on this tour. I think it’s our first time in Canada in decades… You do not want to miss these shows! See you all this Summer!”

The North American journey will follow the band’s previously announced European headlining tour this June with support from Embryonic Autopsy.

Presales begin Thursday, March 12th, password: GRAVE. General on sale date is Friday, March 13th. See all confirmed dates below. 

The post SIX FEET UNDER Announce New Album “Next To Die; Stream New Single “Unmistakable Smell Of Death” & Announce North American Tour With KATAKLYSM appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.