Category: news

The schedule includes their first concerts of 2027. Continue reading…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nocturnal Ceremony’s “Obsidian” Earns Rave Review – A Dark Horse for AOTY
Independent modern death metal force Nocturnal Ceremony is back from a 30-year hiatus with a debut album that is turning heads and breaking necks. Obsidian , released March 4th, 2026 , has already earned a glowing review from Heavy Metal Philosophy , calling it “a dark horse for your AOTY list. I was genuinely shocked.”
Formed in the 90s as kids playing talent shows, Nocturnal Ceremony disappeared before their full potential could be realized. Now, decades later, they return with a record that outshines many seasoned bands who’ve spent years under major-label guidance. Obsidian delivers crushing riffs, punishing grooves, and an atmosphere both malignant and captivating.
The review highlights:
Guitar tones “some of the chunkiest in recent memory”
Production that amplifies heaviness with clarity and punch
Dynamic shifts that keep every moment fresh
Relentless grooves and malicious atmosphere
Fans of Igorrr, Behemoth, and Bloodbath will find a kindred darkness in Obsidian . Rated “AOTY Contender” , the album is already gaining traction as a standout release in the underground scene.
Nocturnal Ceremony says of the album:
“Sharing our music is a way of alleviation, up to the point of being cathartic. It is a way to express emotions that simply don’t have any words, or a name. Releasing these songs is an act of letting go of some demons. It is about accepting what life now is and who you have become, to perhaps ultimately find some small measure of peace. Maybe by listening, you can too. We are Nocturnal Ceremony – welcome to our darkness.”
Produced, mixed, mastered, and engineered by Thomas Madsen , Obsidian captures the band’s raw ferocity and atmospheric depth. Each track channels chaos and emotion into a dark, crushing sonic journey that refuses to be ignored.
Stream or pre-save the album here: https://hypeddit.com/nocturnalceremony/obsidian
Independent, relentless, and unapologetically heavy, Nocturnal Ceremony proves that modern death metal still has room for both intensity and emotion, and Obsidian is the proof.
For interviews, review copies, or additional assets: zach@metaldevastationradio.com
Check them out on YouTube: 


Connect: 
https://linktr.ee/nocturnalceremony
Contact: mail@nocturnal-ceremony.com

And no, Blood For Blood isn’t booked.

The post Slaughter To Prevail, Black Label Society, Crowbar, Etc. Set To Play Alex Terrible’s New Bare Knuckle Fighting/Music Festival ‘Blood4Blood’ appeared first on Theprp.com.

Due to high demand, Metallica have added six new dates to their 2026 Las Vegas Sphere residency, which will take place in the fall and winter. Continue reading…

Ozzy Osbourne is getting a six-meter statue at this year’s Hellfest, and Sharon Osbourne has confirmed the whole family plans to be there for the unveiling.

The annual open-air festival in Clisson, France — one of Europe’s largest metal events — runs 06/18 through 06/21, with the statue set to greet attendees near the entrance on opening day.

Sharon revealed the first image of the sculpture during a 02/06 appearance at MIDEM 2026 at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. Her reaction on seeing it left little room for interpretation: “Oh, there he is. Look at him, a rock god. That is going to debut at Hellfest, and that is June 18th. And the whole family will be there to see it.”

She also directed praise toward Hellfest director Ben Barbaud: “It’s such a great tribute. It’s amazing. So, I can only thank Ben. Just bless you. It’s an amazing piece of art.”

The move puts Ozzy in notable company at the festival grounds. Back in June 2022, Hellfest unveiled a statue of Mötörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister — a replacement for an earlier sculpture of the bassist that had been erected six years prior but had deteriorated badly due to crumbling plaster.

The post OZZY OSBOURNE’s Six-Meter Statue To Be Unveiled At Hellfest – SHARON OSBOURNE Says “It’s An Amazing Piece Of Art” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Progressive metal titans deliver powerhouse performance in Walton-on-Trent, featuring Nick Johnston and a Black Sabbath cover.

The post MASTODON Streams "Blood And Thunder" Live At Bloodstock 2025 appeared first on Metal Injection.

Indigenous solo black metal project returns March 6 with standalone EP featuring new songs and an acoustic experiment.

The post BLACKBRAID Announces Nocturnal Womb EP, Streams New Single "Celestial Bloodlust" appeared first on Metal Injection.

Why Billy Joel’s dream home finally sold for $14 million under the asking price.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Valley Returns With New Single “Like I Never Lived (Without You)”
Cairo Montenotte’s alt-prog innovators step boldly onto the international stage with emotive, cinematic soundscapes
https://music.imusician.pro/a/LBhLxURG
Cairo Montenotte, Italy – February 27, 2026 – Italian alternative progressive rock quartet The Valley are back with their latest single, “Like I Never Lived (Without You),” released today via Volcano Records & Promotion . The track melds grunge textures, atmospheric tension, and emotionally driven dynamics, showcasing the band’s signature ability to balance nostalgia with modern sonic exploration.
Produced and mixed in Los Angeles by Fabrizio Grossi (Alice Cooper, Steve Vai, Slash) and mastered by legendary engineer Pete Doell (Miles Davis, Marilyn Manson, Toto), the single demonstrates world-class production while preserving The Valley’s independent ethos. Recorded entirely in their own studio in Italy, the song’s layered guitars, dynamic rhythms, and evocative vocals explore the fragile line between love and emotional dependency.
“ Like I Never Lived (Without You) explores the fragile line between love and emotional dependency. It’s about losing yourself in someone else until you don’t recognize who you are anymore,” says the band.
Fans of Incubus, Alice In Chains, and Faith No More will recognize familiar textures, but The Valley transforms these influences into a distinctive, contemporary alt-prog identity. The official video, directed by Nazar Bajew , premiered exclusively via BraveWords ahead of release and can be viewed here: https://bravewords.com/news/exclusive-the-valley-premieres-like-i-never-lived-without-you-music-video/, marking a major step in the band’s international visibility.

Production Credits:
Produced & Mixed: Fabrizio Grossi, Los Angeles
Mastered: Pete Doell
Recorded: Mattia Miniati, Italy
Video Directed: Nazar Bajew
Label: Volcano Records & Promotion
Management: Independent / Volcano Records & Promotion
Media Contact: zach@metaldevastationradio.com
With this release, The Valley cements their reputation as one of Italy’s most compelling modern alt-prog acts, proving that emotional depth and technical prowess can coexist in music that’s both accessible and daring.

Connect:
https://music.imusician.pro/a/LBhLxURG
https://www.facebook.com/thevalleyprog
https://www.instagram.com/thevalley.band 
Contact: thevalleytheband@gmail.com eros.povigna@gmail.com

Is Touring Actually Broken for Major Metal Bands in 2026?

Not creatively — but financially and structurally, yes. The cost of staying on the road has exploded, margins are thinner than ever, and even legacy acts are questioning whether it’s sustainable.

TL;DR

Touring isn’t dead, but the traditional model is under serious pressure. Rising production costs, insurance spikes, inconsistent ticket demand, festival instability and artist burnout are forcing even major metal acts to rethink what the road looks like in 2026 and beyond.

I’ve watched this industry long enough to know when something feels off.

Metal isn’t declining. The passion is still there. The crowds still show up. But behind the curtain, the economics are getting ugly — and artists are starting to say it out loud.

When Trent Reznor told a crowd he didn’t know if Nine Inch Nails would tour again after this run, that wasn’t theatrics. It sounded like a man doing math.

And that’s the part nobody wants to talk about.

Get All Your Official 2026 Tickets To Live Metal Shows Here

The Cost Explosion No One Sees

Production has never been more expensive.

Fuel costs. Crew wages. Bus rentals. Insurance. Freight. Visa fees. Venue percentages. Merch cuts.

The fan sees the stage. The band sees the spreadsheet.

Margins that used to be healthy are now razor thin — even for bands playing large rooms.

For mid-tier metal bands, it’s worse. If you’re not moving serious ticket volume, you’re gambling every night.

That’s not drama. That’s logistics.

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Festival Fatigue Is Real

We’ve also seen instability creeping into the festival circuit.

Cancellations. Lineup reshuffles. Reduced capacity. “Scaled back” editions.

Promoters are being cautious. Sponsors are tightening budgets. Fans are more selective.

And here’s the tension: festivals used to subsidize the ecosystem. They gave bands large paydays that justified the road grind.

If those payouts shrink, the whole system shifts.

Fans Are Spending Differently

Ticket prices are higher. Everything is higher.

Fans are choosing carefully.

Instead of five shows a year, maybe it’s two.

Instead of mid-tier tours, maybe it’s only the must-see legacy act.

That changes routing math fast.

Metal fans are loyal — but they’re not immune to inflation.

Why Reznor’s Comment Matters

Trent Reznor has hinted at touring uncertainty before. That’s true.

But context matters.

Nine Inch Nails are not struggling to sell tickets. They are not irrelevant. They are not coasting on nostalgia.

If a band at that level is openly questioning the viability of continuous touring, it tells you something about the backend reality.

And it’s not just them.

More artists are:

• Doing shorter runs
• Limiting production
• Skipping secondary markets
• Pivoting to residency-style models
• Exploring one-off events instead of full circuits

That’s not collapse.

That’s adaptation.

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The Model That Built Metal Might Be Obsolete

For decades, the touring model was simple:

Record → Tour → Record → Tour

Now?

Streaming gutted record revenue. Touring became the primary income engine. Then touring costs exploded.

That creates a dangerous squeeze.

If touring becomes financially risky instead of reliable, the foundation shifts.

Metal will survive. It always does.

But the scale and structure of touring might look very different five years from now.

More curated events.
Fewer sprawling runs.
Bigger cities prioritized.
Selective appearances.

Less grind. More strategy.

So Is Touring “Broken”?

Broken might be too dramatic.

But stressed? Absolutely.

Unsustainable at old scale? Increasingly.

And if major acts are quietly adjusting while fans are still buying tickets, that’s the phase you need to watch.

Because the public usually notices last.

The fuse doesn’t explode overnight.

It burns quietly.

FAQ

Why are metal tours struggling in 2026?

Rising production costs, higher insurance, increased venue fees, inflation impacting ticket buyers, and shrinking festival margins are all pressuring profitability.

Did Trent Reznor say Nine Inch Nails might stop touring?

He recently told a crowd he wasn’t sure if they would tour again after this run, sparking renewed discussion about touring sustainability.

Are metal festivals being cancelled more often?

Some festivals have faced cancellations or scaling back due to financial pressures, though the market remains active overall.

Is metal losing popularity?

No. Engagement remains strong, but the economics of touring are more complex than ever.

What will metal touring look like in the future?

Likely more strategic runs, fewer extended tours, residency-style shows, and carefully curated festival appearances.

The post Is Touring Broken in 2026? Why Major Metal Bands Are Quietly Struggling to Stay on the Road appeared first on Loaded Radio.