Storming ahead into their next chapter, Nevermore has solidified their new line-up with their first live show in over fifteen years. The legendary act performed for a sold-out IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş audience on April 1 in Istanbul, Turkey, the home country of their new vocalist Berzan Önen, and the birthplace of bassist Semir Özerkan.
An event eagerly awaited by fans was cemented as a night to remember. While honoring the band’s well-established history, Nevermore look to the future with a passionate vigor for the next evolution. Following the success of yesterday’s show, Nevermore will join Judas Priest this September for the final seven shows of their FaithkeepersTour.
Tour Dates:
09/11 — Bern, Switzerland @ Festhalle Bern 09/12 — Strasbourg, France @ Zenith 09/14 — Lyon, France @ LDLC Arena 09/15 — Bordeaux, France @ Arkea Arena 09/17 — Paris, France @ Arena Zenith 09/18 — Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National 09/21 — London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
Over the summer months, ahead of their run with Judas Priest, Nevermore are set to appear at shows and festivals in Latin America and across Europe. Explore dates and purchase tickets here.
04/24 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Cariola 04/26 – São Paulo, Brazil – Bangers Open Air 04/28 – São Paulo, Brazil – Carioca Club Pinheiros 04/26 – Plovdiv, Bulgaria – Hills of Rock 04/28 – Rasnov, Romania – Rockstadt Extreme Festival 04/30 – Budapest, Hungary – BARBA NEGRA Blue Stage 08/01 – Wacken, Germany – Wacken 08/03 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 Open Air 08/05 – Jaromer, Czechia – Brutal Assault 08/08 – Derbyshire, United Kingdom – Bloodstock Open Air 08/09 – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz Festival 08/11 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja [with Savatage] 08/12 – Leipzig, Germany – Parkbühne [with Savatage] 08/13 – Bonn, Germany – KUNST!RASEN [with Savatage] 08/15 – Carhaix Plouguer, France – Motocultor Festival
An esteemed powerhouse in heavy metal, Nevermore recently unveiled their signing to Reigning Phoenix Music and introduced new members Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan on bass, and vocalist Berzan Önen in a documentary directed and produced by Ola Englund.
The film provided an enticing insight into the band’s rehearsals, and an open discussion by guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams on their decision to bring Nevermore back.
Tesla will release Homage, an album of soul and R&B covers, in July via Frontiers Music Srl. Built around the vocal abilities of frontman Jeff Keith, the record features interpretations of classics by Sam Cooke, Etta James, and James Brown, alongside a new original Tesla track, “Never Alone”.
Guitarist Frank Hannon confirmed the details in a recent interview with Evan Toth, saying (via Blabbermouth): “Tesla is releasing an album of R&B classics that showcase our lead singer’s voice, singing Sam Cooke and Etta James, and James Brown. It’s called Homage. And that album is gonna come out in July. It’s a very interesting record, and it’s got some really cool songs on it, as well as a new Tesla song called ‘Never Alone’.”
Hannon had first flagged the project during a November 2025 appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”, explaining the thinking behind it to host Eddie Trunk: “Well, you were talking about [Tesla frontman] Jeff Keith being a singer who can still sing compared to a lot of our other comrades from our era. And so we’re doing a collection of songs that showcase Jeff Keith‘s singing ability. And it’s coming out really great, man. Some really obscure classic songs that you would not expect to hear from Tesla. And it’s centered around his ability to sing and his soulfulness in his voice.
“[Tesla bassist] Brian Wheat has been working really hard at producing it. These guys were just in the studio for a week. I did some recording in Las Vegas in my hotel room with Jeff, and we’re working on it. It’s a work in progress.”
Hannon also revealed the tracklist would include Tesla‘s take on Supertramp‘s “Give A Little Bit” — a song the band has been playing live recently — as well as a new version of Climax Blues Band‘s “I Love You”, which has racked up significant streaming numbers and become effectively part of the band’s regular repertoire. He said:
“That’s one of the new ones we’re doing. And we’re doing another version of [Climax Blues Band‘s] ‘I Love You’, which got millions of views on Tesla‘s Spotify, I think, or YouTube or something. So that’s almost like one of our own hits, the song ‘I Love You’. But there are some really obscure tracks on this new batch of recordings — songs by The Temptations… Jeff picked most of ’em. And Brian, as I said, Brian‘s been spearheading this project.”
This summer, Tesla will support Mötley Crüe on “The Return Of Carnival Of Sins” tour alongside Extreme. The band’s most recent release was the six-song EP All About Love, out in November 2024, which included four versions of the title track, a live take on “Walk Away”, and an instrumental, “From The Heart”, written by Hannon.
Sepultura have shared “Beyond The Dream”, the second single from their upcoming farewell EP The Cloud Of Unknowing, due out on 04/24 via Nuclear Blast Records. The four-track release is described as the band’s most diverse and emotionally resonant work, and functions as a closing statement on four decades of music.
“Beyond The Dream” marks the fulfilment of a long-held ambition for the band to work in the ballad format. To realise it, Sepultura brought in Sérgio Britto and Tony Bellotto of Brazilian rock institution Titãs — longtime collaborators and composers of the classic “Polícia” — whose melodic sensibility shapes the track alongside the band’s own identity. The result is framed as both an emotional and historical milestone for the group’s final chapter.
The EP’s first single, “The Place”, was released in late February. Vocalist Derrick Green said of that track: “This song deals with immigrants who have come to a place seeking refuge and start a new life. Once assimilated into a false sense of security and relentless propaganda, they began to act out against what they hate about themselves. The transition begins to escape from self-hatred and the lashing out against people who believed in the same ideas. I feel the lyrics truly follow the transitions of the song. Starting with disappointment and arriving at anger.”
The EP was recorded with drummer Greyson Nekrutman, the 23-year-old who stepped in as Eloy Casagrande‘s replacement in February 2024 after Casagrande departed to join Slipknot. Guitarist Andreas Kisser had previously teased the sessions, explaining how they came together: “It was very spontaneous. We had a situation where we played the 70000 Tons Of Metal [cruise in January 2025], and we stayed in Miami. ‘We have this studio. We have a few ideas. Okay, let’s do it.’ [Laughs] And it was great. No pressure from labels, no due date… But it’s great… We did it in our time with no rush… And it’s great. Because of the farewell [tour] idea, we can do that as well, to plan something like that, or not plan something like that, plan as less that we can to really to challenge ourselves artistically to work something like that.”
On whether the decision to wind down Sepultura was connected to a desire to work outside the constraints of extreme metal, Kisser pushed back on the premise: “I never felt kind of locked in the Sepultura world to write [in a specific style]. We were always very fearless in doing whatever we wanted. I mean, Nation is a very different album, A-Lex, all those albums that were inspired by books and stuff. It is, I think, more of the routine of being in a band like Sepultura. 40 years — 40 years, man. Have you ever done something for 40 years, like your job? Think about it. [Laughs] It’s an amazing achievement inside the entertainment business to have such a band for so long, and ups and downs, to have a following.
“Every time we were doing albums, we were playing, we had a deal with the record label, regardless of the formation, regardless of the time we were in. We played for 10 people, then we went back to play big places and stuff. It’s a beautiful history. It’s a beautiful history of art and life. And I was kind of feeling like getting in that mode of doing another album, doing another tour, it’s kind of too predictable. I mean, an artist has to be not in their comfort zone. If you’re there, you’re fucked, because you’re going to lose touch with reality. You’re gonna start living in this bubble of what Sepultura should be,” he added.
“There’s no ‘should’. There’s a new Sepultura every day. We can do anything we want musically, because we conquered that. Sepultura is this. It is not thrash metal. It’s not heavy metal. It’s not dark metal. It’s not Brazilian metal. It’s Sepultura metal. That’s why we have a name, right? [Laughs] Otherwise, why have a name? This is Sepultura. That’s what we are — very free. We’re not scared or to take risks. Art is risky. If you do something new, you’re gonna take risks. There’s no other way. And that’s where you learn, with your mistakes or with your errors and everything.”
“But it’s great to stop in a great momentum without fighting, without an external factor breaking up this band. It’s on our own terms. We chose that very peacefully, a conscious decision. We took two years talking about working out, preparing this, and now we are enjoying ourselves. It’s amazing. And why not? I mean, it’s a privilege to have that, to have that possibility, to stop while we can or to stop in this momentum. And then the future is the future. Let’s see. [Laughs]”
Kisser has also outlined his vision for the band’s final concert, planned for October 2026 in São Paulo: “The idea is to do it around October 2026 in São Paulo, Brazil. A big Sepul-fest type of show, a party with bands that are important. And as a part of Sepultura‘s history, we like to invite every member that was a part of Sepultura, including the Cavalera brothers [Max and Iggor], to be a part of the concert, to play, to jam. I mean, it’s totally irrelevant to discuss the past, who is right, who is wrong. We’re never gonna get to a point — we’re gonna have two different views of it, and that’s fine. This is irrelevant. Let’s jam for the fans, to ourselves, to our families [who had] never seen us together.”
“But not only them — Jairo [Guedz], Eloy Casagrande, Jean Patton and Roy Mayorga, musicians that were a part of Sepultura in very specific and important moments that kept Sepultura flowing and going regardless of our problems and our challenges that we had. So hopefully that will happen. They are gonna be invited. If you wanna be a part of this party, you are welcome. If not, that’s fine.”
The band’s ongoing farewell tour, “Celebrating Life Through Death”, wraps its final North American leg on 05/29 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The run kicks off 04/29 in Montclair, New Jersey, and includes festival appearances at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple, with support from Exodus, Biohazard, and Tribal Gaze. Sepultura are also recording 40 songs across 40 cities for a live compilation documenting the farewell run.
Blaze Bayley has been confirmed as a headliner for the Maidenville stage on the Friday night of Iron Maiden‘s Eddfest, taking place at Knebworth Park this summer. The former Maiden vocalist — who fronted the band from 1994 to 1999 — will perform a set drawing exclusively from the two albums he recorded with them: The X Factor and Virtual XI.
Bayley said: “I’m so excited to be invited to headline Friday night at Eddfest, celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden. I am so proud of my two albums with the band and I’m really looking forward to playing some of the songs that we recorded together. Can’t wait to see you all at the hallowed grounds of Knebworth!”
The Friday night Maidenville stage has been personally curated by Iron Maiden bassist and founder Steve Harris, who co-wrote several of the tracks from that era alongside Bayley. Harris has also invited Gypsy’s Kiss — the band he formed in 1974 with singer and guitarist David Smith, and the very first group he ever played in — to appear on the same stage.
Harris said: “Having the opportunity to put together our very own festival at Knebworth, and celebrate 50 years of Iron Maiden, has given me a chance to bring together friends past and present and create a really special weekend for the fans.
“I’m very pleased that Blaze is able to join us and perform some of the songs we wrote and recorded in the ’90s. He has been a big part of Iron Maiden‘s career, and I know the fans will be really excited to see him on stage at Eddfest.
“It’s also great to have Gypsy’s Kiss playing with us at Knebworth too. They were a big part of my musical heritage, and it’s really exciting to have them play at the Maidenville stage.”
Eddfest is built around Iron Maiden‘s 50th anniversary and promises a fully themed weekend experience at Knebworth, including the Infinite Dreams Museum Experience — a walk-through display of stage props and relics tied to the Sunday Times bestseller Infinite Dreams — plus Eddie’s Dive Bar, an Unfair Funfair with Eddie-themed rides and games, and Eddie’s Extended Emporium. Camping is available for both nights, with Friday afternoon access included for weekend ticket holders.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood said: “After the monumental shows in the U.K. last year, we knew that if we were going to play the U.K. in 2026, it had to be very different. So we chose Knebworth Park as it gives us the space required — which is just not available in stadiums — to put together something groundbreaking for our fans by creating a ‘Maiden world’ for them.”
“We are excited to reveal the details of this one-off event now to celebrate the band’s 50-year career, which we are now calling Eddfest, because, as everyone knows, Eddie is the true star of the show! We also know Maiden fans are basically a huge gang, and we want to give them a weekend to remember at Knebworth.”
“For the last couple of tours, we have been arranging the Eddie Dive Bars for our fans, both pre- and post-show. Some of these took over the entire centres of towns with thousands of fans gathered there, enjoying the fun, the music, and each other’s company. So Eddfest is going to expand on that concept in a huge variety of ways, to create a truly unmissable ‘Maiden world’ over the whole weekend!”
“There will be a whole host of great music, great beer (of course!), lots of exciting and varied fun things to do, great souvenirs and merch, some unique and fantastic photo opportunities to create unbeatable Maiden memories, and of course, the true camaraderie that comes from being a Maiden fan.”
Lex Legion is a brand new band comprised of old friends with incredible heavy metal pedigree. Comprising four-fifths of the classic late 1980s King Diamond line-up – drummer Mikkey Dee, guitarists Pete Blakk and Andy La Rocque, and bassist Hal Patino – the group is infused with the jaw-dropping vocals of Nils K. Rue (Pagan’s Mind). And let’s not overlook that their members also boast Motörhead, Scorpions, and Death on their collective resumes.
Lex Legion‘s eponymous debut album is a single-minded, future-facing throwback of world-class hard rock/metal distinguished by tasteful, less-is-more arrangements, virtuoso musicianship, and relentless melody and harmony. Check out the album opener and first single, “Sleep Eternally,” below.
“Lex Legion is totally written the way we thought in the ’80s,” said Mikkey Dee. “We wrote what we wanted, and if you liked it, that was a great bonus. If you didn’t like it, that was fine with us, too!”
Lex Legion was formed by Blakk and Dee, and completed by Patino, alongside La Rocque (a KingDiamond constant since 1985, who also played on Death‘s seminal Individual Thought Patterns), and finally, Rue.
This is music for hard rock/metal fans, but also with a freshness and sense of excitement that only a debut album can capture. Lex Legion‘s members find themselves more musically accomplished than ever before, but now free of the egos of youth, and with friendship that comes with careers spanning more than forty years.
Despite their impressive resumes (Dee is also a Grammy winner and both La Rocque and HalPatino are nominees) and busy individual schedules, Lex Legion is a serious passion project that’s been gestating for a quarter century, until the time was right.
Lex Legion‘s self-titled debut will be released by MNRK Music Group in June of 2026, with possible touring beginning the following year.
“It has elements of everything on the album,” said La Rocque. “The right tempo and the right kind of vocals, starting out like a fist in your face!” Rue’s soaring pipes and ominous harmonies are framed by Dee’s unmistakable powerhouse drumming, imaginative leads from both guitarists, Patino’s melodic basslines, and shifts of pace and tempo that will satiate fans of more progressive sub-genres.”
The second track and follow-up single “Gypsy Tears” (which arrives in May) seals the deal – eerie, rapturous, otherworldly, propulsive, and evocative, but also, straight-up driving, melodic metal.
“This is totally unique. No one is writing this kind of music, and there’s a big hole for us to fill,” Blakk concluded. “Welcome to our new journey of friendship and hard rock!”
Multi-million streaming, UK-based collective President continue to exist at the intersection of heavy music, electronic experimentation, and cinematic atmosphere. Launching in 2025 and operating under the cloak of minimalism and anonymity, President have been cultivating intrigue with each single and live performance. Refusing to conform to the traditional structures of genre or identity, President prioritize intent over image.
Today, the band announces its upcoming North American 2026 headline tour, with support from Cenobia and Showing Teeth on select dates. Produced by Live Nation, the tour is set to kick off September 4 at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, making stops across the U.S in Chicago, New York, Toronto, Boston, Atlanta, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles. and more before wrapping up in Dallas at House of Blues on October 14. Fresh off their first-ever full U.S. run supporting Bad Omens, President will return this fall to headline venues across the continent.
Tickets will be available starting with an artist and Citi pre-sale in select venues beginning on Thursday, April 2 at 10 am local time. The general on-sale begins on Friday, April 3 at 10am local time here.
Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Thursday, April 2 at 10 am local time until Thursday, April 2 at 10 pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit here.
Last week, President unveiled the new single “Mercy”, which is all about perfectly executed dynamics — mixing memorable melodies and heavier-than-granite riffs with gritty breakdowns. The result is another unforgettable anthem.
About the song, President say: “Throughout history, religion has been tied to profound division and loss. This song is a reflection on that reality, and a way for me to come to terms with what it means on a human level.”
Built to exist outside the noise, President are building something that invites deeper investment — designed to be discovered, not sold. President said it best, telling Revolver in a cover feature that “the music industry has elements of fast fashion to it these days. Things just come and go. Everything’s really quick. Everyone’s shouting for attention and there’s just so much noise, and it just becomes a fucking conveyor belt. [We] wanted to step back and not be a part of that. But if people are interested, and they want to enter into this world, we’ll grab them with open arms.”
British hard rock mainstays Deep Purple are heading back out on the road this summer, lining up a North American run with support from Kansas and Jefferson Starship on select dates.
The band will launch the tour on August 4 in Raleigh, North Carolina, before making its way across the continent. The run is set to conclude on September 12 in Sparks, Nevada, giving fans a solid stretch of dates to catch one of rock’s most enduring names in a live setting.
Tickets go on general sale this Friday, April 3 at 10 a.m. local, with various pre-sales beginning Wednesday (March 31).
With a catalog that spans decades and continues to resonate with heavy music audiences, Deep Purple remain a consistent draw on the live circuit. Pairing them with Kansas and Jefferson Starship adds a classic rock edge to the bill, making this tour a strong option for fans looking for a mix of legacy acts that still deliver onstage.
Deep Purple summer 2026 tour dates:
Aug. 04 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater * Aug. 08 – Clearwater, FL – The Daycare Sound Aug. 09 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Casino Aug. 12 – Wantagh, NY – Jones Beach Theater Aug. 13 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center * Aug. 15 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre * Aug. 17 – Laval, QC – Bell Place * Aug. 18 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre * Aug. 19 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre * Aug. 21 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Aug. 22 – Salamanca, NY – Seneca Allegany Casino Aug. 24 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheatre Aug. 25 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Aug. 27 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino Aug. 29 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre * Aug. 31 – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome * Sep. 02 – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre * Sep. 04 – Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley * Sep. 05 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre * Sep. 06 – Highland, CA – Yaamava Theatre Sep. 08 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amp * Sep. 10 – Las Vegas, NV – Planet Hollywood Sep. 11 – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Amphitheater Sep. 12 – Sparks, NV – Nugget Event Center
German progressive metal pioneers Vanden Plas are back with AcCult II, a new acoustic album set for release on June 12, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl. To coincide with the announcement, the single “Far Off Grace”, along with an official video, are available today.
Andy Kuntz commented: “The single “Far Off Grace” exemplifies the unpretentious, pure, and at the same time artistic, multifaceted acoustic expression of all the songs on AcCult II. They say you can recognize a good song when it works even in a stripped-down version. Compared to the studio version first released in 1999, however, this interpretation opens up on top many new avenues of understanding”.
“It allows the song’s once bombastic beauty to blossom in the virtuosic interplay between Stephan Lill‘s exquisite guitar work, Alessandro Del Vecchio‘s shimmering grand piano, and Kuntz‘s vocals, ranging from sensitive to ecstatic – only to then be driven, by the unbridled power of an exceptional band with Andreas Lill on drums and Torsten Reichert on bass, to a hypnotically intensifying, furiously breathtaking finale”, he added. “This is far more than an acoustic version of a song; it is the ultimate reinvention of a classic in its own light.”
AcCult II is the highly anticipated acoustic sequel to Vanden Plas’ 1996 landmark album AcCult.
Stephan Lill explained how the album came to life: “When we released our first acoustic CD, AcCult, in 1996, it was special to us in many ways. For this release, we arranged songs from our debut album, “Colour Temple”, into new acoustic versions. And we did the same with songs by other artists or bands that didn’t necessarily fit our usual musical style. Ever since that release, we’d always had it in the back of our minds to produce another acoustic CD at some point. But then came tours, more regular CDs, many theatre productions we were involved in, and time flew by…”
“When Frontiers approached us with the idea of another acoustic CD, we knew that we had the time needed for it, and with the right songs, it could work. And we can now say, it worked out. We sticked with the concept of the first AcCult CD, and so AcCult II once again features acoustic versions of Vanden Plas songs, as well as two cover songs: “Nothing Else Matters” (Metallica) and “Boat on the River” (Styx)”, he continued. “We are more than happy that, exactly 30 years later, we can write the next AcCult chapter. And all Vanden Plas fans can look forward to a truly extraordinary release.”
Building on the innovative concept that first reimagined tracks from their debut “Colour Temple” in a stripped-down, unplugged setting, this new release revisits select songs from their extensive catalog with fresh acoustic arrangements, offering fans a completely new perspective on the band’s music.
In addition to reworked originals like “Far Off Grace”, “Holes In The Sky”, “The Ghost Xperiment”, and “You Fly”, AcCult II features inspired interpretations of classic songs by other artists, including Styx’s “Boat On The River” and Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”, blending reverence for the originals with Vanden Plas’ signature emotional depth and musical sophistication.
Notably, John Helliwell of Supertramp makes a guest appearance on saxophone on the album’s closing track, “You Fly”, adding a unique, melodic touch to the album’s finale.
The album showcases the band’s current lineup: Andy Kuntz on vocals, Stephan Lill on guitars, Andreas Lill on drums, Thorsten Reichert on bass, and Alessandro Del Vecchio on keyboards, whose synergy brings a nuanced warmth to each track.
With AcCult II, Vanden Plas demonstrates that their progressive sensibilities translate seamlessly into intimate, acoustic settings, creating a compelling experience that resonates both with longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Following the electrifying kickoff of their extensive European tour, metal legends Kreator are keeping the momentum alive with the release of a brand-new music video for “Loyal To The Grave,” the powerful closing track of their latest studio album, Krushers Of The World.
Showcasing a different side of the band’s signature intensity, “Loyal To The Grave” stands out as one of the album’s most memorable moments. Driven by a highly melodic approach and elevated by a soaring, anthemic chorus, the track captures both the aggression and emotional depth that have defined Kreator‘s enduring legacy. The accompanying video visually amplifies this spirit, blending striking performance footage with cinematic storytelling that underscores themes of loyalty, unity, and resilience.
Mille Petrozza on “Loyal To The Grave” music video: “The video was inspired by the movie TheCrow this time. I hope you enjoy our little journey into obscurity as much as we do.”
Currently tearing through Europe alongside Exodus, Carcass, and Nails, Kreator have been delivering spectacular shows to fans across the continent. The tour continues through the end of April, cementing the band’s reputation as one of the most formidable live acts in metal.
Looking ahead, Kreator will take their explosive live show across the Atlantic this May, joining forces with Carcass and Cold Steel for a highly anticipated U.S. tour. With no signs of slowing down, 2026 is shaping up to be another landmark year for the band.
Krushers Of The World Tour tickets available here.
When Kreator‘s earliest incarnation formed under the influence of Kiss and Judas Priest in the early ’80s none of the above was thinkable. For young adults, Essen, back then a 600k-plus city in the Ruhr area, was a grim place. Unemployment rates were surging, houses had been blackened by smoke from factories and coal mines, for some alcohol and drug abuse were the only escape route from this dismal, post-industrialized backdrop.
Whereas Birmingham spawned Black Sabbath and undoubtedly became the legitimate birthplace of heavy metal, the bands associated with the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal like Iron Maiden, Venom, Saxon pushed the genre with a street-fighting attitude, US artists such as Metallica, Exodus, Slayer, and Swedes Bathory intensified the style even more, and altogether concocted a dangerous brew Kreator poured down their throats in gallons. For today’s remaining founding members Mille and drummer Jürgen“Ventor” Reil, music was the way out from these dire surroundings, and provided an outlet for the frustration and contempt boiling in their guts. And Kreator went all in. Naive, chaotic yet utterly determined.
And they left their own mark on heavy metal history, radicalizing thrash and inspiring legions of musicians including Arch Enemy, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth and Ghost, with Papa Emeritus joining a TV performance of “Satan Is Real” in 2017.
Their newest studio album, Krushers Of The World, shows a band that has lost none of its bite kicking off with the rabid aggression of “Seven Serpents.” It also tackles Petrozza’s love for horror flicks by paying tribute to Dario Argento’s Suspiria in “Tränenpalast” with extreme metal vocal coach Britta Görtz (Hiraes) adding her own vicious tone over dark yet catchy melodies. And of course, you shall have hefty doses of pure, thrashing aggression as well! “Barbarian,” “Deathscream” or “Psychotic Imperator” deliver your fix of merciless riffs, majestic leads by SamiYli-Sirniö and some of Ventor’s fastest parts ever. Are you looking for powerful mid-tempo sections allowing bassist Frédéric Leclercq to shine? Then the monumental groove of the title track and stunning chorus of “Satanic Anarchy” will have you covered. Rounded off by a triumphant and — no pun intended — krushing production courtesy of Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, who previously worked with the group on Phantom Antichrist (2012) and Gods Of Violence (2017), Kreator returns in perfect shape.
In essence, Krushers Of The World is of course not a throwback to Kreator‘s past, it is furious, massive sounding and creative in its own right, gifted with a songwriting quality honed over years. It displays a band which earned its spot among the giants of the genre, and developed its youthful anger further into a professional, internationally successful, nonetheless intimidating creature. Krushers Of The World underlines the fact that fueled by the reflective look at their own legacy sparked by 2025’s Hate & Hope movie, Kreator nowadays appear more mindful of their early days while simultaneously progressing uncompromisingly, unstoppable in their search for new realms to conquer and new worlds to krush.
With the debut of Puscifer’s new comic book series, Tales From The Pusciverse, and two issues already sold out, the band shares an animated adaptation of “Tales From The Pusciverse #2: The Briefcase”, set to “A Public Stoning”, from their new album, Normal Isn’t.
The story centers on the longest running mystery 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 Briefcase” features artwork by Marlin Shoop (CaptainAction, G.I. Joe, Unprepped) with lettering by Jack Morelli (Afterlife with Archie, Peter ParkerAnnual, Marvel Comics). The animation for the “A Public Stoning” video was created by RaulAraujo and Chris Rubey.
“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.”
The new clip arrives as the band is in the midst of their Normal Isn’t North American tour, with dates this week slated for Asheville, Durham, Bethlehem, and Boston. Tickets are available here, and the full list of dates is below.
Puscifer’s new album, Normal Isn’t, is out now via Puscifer Entertainment/ AlchemyRecordings/ BMG.
