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Months after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct surfaced online against Vulvodynia vocalist Zion Bittenbender, the South African deathcore outfit announced today that they’ve formally let him go.

You may recall that shit went south for the band and Bittenbender shortly after he joined last autumn. Following his hiring as Vulvodynia’s frontman, allegations began swirling online that he had a particularly worrying tendency of being a fucking creep to women. In some of the allegations, women shared instances where he allegedly assaulted his partners while they slept. He was also accused of dating a 16-year-old when he was 19 and according to one woman, he allegedly attempted to force himself upon her after she declined his sexual advances.

Naturally, Bittenbender vehemently denied those allegations, but decided to step down from the band and their then ongoing tour to deal with the allegations back in November. The band continued on with guitarist Lwandile Prusent handling vocals in the meantime. Things settled down for Vulvodynia and not much else really made headlines regarding Bittenbender.

That was, until recently. Just last month Vulvodynia announced they were stepping down from Defeated Sanity’s tour, leading many to speculate that some more upheaval will be taking place in the band.

Then came the news today. In a statement issued by the band, they announced that Bittenbender was no longer a member of Vulvodynia. The statement reads as follows:

“We would like to apologize for the delay in addressing this situation. We took time to step back and carefully consider the appropriate course of action. After serious internal discussion, we have decided to part ways with Zion. We will also no longer be participating in the upcoming US tour with Defeated Sanity.

“We take allegations of sexual misconduct extremely seriously. Our priority is maintaining an environment that reflects our values and respects our fans, peers, and the wider community. After careful consideration of the circumstances, we believe this decision is in the best interest of the band moving forward.

“We also acknowledge that aspects of how this was initially handled were not managed in the way they should have been, and we sincerely apologize. We will now begin the process of finding a new vocalist. Details regarding auditions will be shared soon. In the meantime, Lwandile will be handling vocal duties for our remaining shows this year.

“We appreciate the patience of our fans and remain committed to moving forward with focus and integrity.”

As of this moment, Bittenbender has not issued his own statement over what happened. If he does, we’ll update this story.

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The post Vulvodynia Part Ways with Vocalist Zion Bittenbender Months After Allegations Surfaced appeared first on MetalSucks.

“Dead End Life”  is the debut album by AVERTAT, the new project of former DÉCEMBRE NOIR mastermind Sebastian Görlach. When Sebastian Görlach parted ways with DÉCEMBRE NOIR in the spring of 2024, the decision did not mark the end of his musical journey. Instead, it opened the space he needed for a creative new beginning – or rather, a return to the very essence of […]

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Denzel Curry has a new crew. Recently, the tireless Florida rap monster rounded up his peers Bktherula, TiaCorine, Key Nyata, and FERG (formerly A$AP Ferg) to form a collective called the Scythe. On Friday, the group will release their official debut Strictly 4 The Scythe. I have heard it, and it’s exactly as much fun…

The post The Scythe – “Mutt That Bih” appeared first on Stereogum.

On April 10th internationally, Adirondack Black Mass is proud to present Sicarius‘ highly anticipated third album, Nex, on CD and cassette tape formats. SI_CA_RI_USLatin. “Assassin, Murderer Dagger-Man, Slayer. Killer” Formed in early 2014 by Argyris and Carnage, the idea behind Sicarius was to embody the fury and violent spirit of black metal. Drawing heavy inspiration from the artists of first- and second-wave […]

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Are Killswitch Engage And Machine Head Touring Together In 2026?

Yes. Killswitch Engage will headline a June 2026 U.S. tour with Machine Head, joined by Iron Reagan and Havok across major cities nationwide.

TL;DR

Killswitch Engage have announced a June 2026 U.S. headline tour with Machine Head, plus support from Iron Reagan and Havok. The run kicks off June 3 in Detroit and wraps June 27 in San Francisco. It marks Killswitch Engage’s first U.S. tour since 2025’s “Summer Of Loud” and supports their latest album This Consequence.

There are tours.

And then there are statements.

This one feels like the latter.

Killswitch Engage aren’t easing into summer. They’re detonating it.

After a massive 2025 cycle behind This Consequence, the Massachusetts metalcore architects are returning to U.S. stages with a lineup that reads less like a support bill and more like a coiled fist.

Machine Head.
Iron Reagan.
Havok.

That’s not filler.

That’s velocity.

Get Your 2026 Killswitch Engage Tickets Here

The First U.S. Run Since Summer Of Loud

This marks Killswitch Engage’s first U.S. tour since last year’s high-profile “Summer Of Loud” run alongside Beartooth, I Prevail and Parkway Drive.

Now the band shifts back into headline mode.

Frontman Jesse Leach didn’t hide his excitement.

“We are hitting major cities and bringing along with us an absolutely killer lineup… This is a stacked and powerful crew of bands that will electrify and dominate wherever we roll up to.”

It’s not just hype.

This Consequence, released February 2025 via Metal Blade, delivered a Top 10 single with “I Believe,” earned cover spots on Revolver and Outburn, and reaffirmed the band’s position as one of modern metal’s most consistent forces.

If you’ve seen them live in the past decade, you know the formula hasn’t softened.

It’s sharpened.

Loaded Radio Recommends – Best Metalcore Bands: 13 Must-Know Powerhouses That Defined the Genre

Machine Head And Killswitch — Finally Touring Together

For years, the overlap was obvious.

But this will be the first time Machine Head and Killswitch Engage have actually toured together in this capacity.

That’s significant.

Robb Flynn called it out directly.

“We’ve shared history and respect for a long time, but this will be the first time we’ve actually toured together.”

Machine Head enter this run behind 2025’s Unatoned, their eleventh studio album via Nuclear Blast/Imperium Recordings. The band has been rotating guitar lineups in recent years — with Reece Alan Scruggs stepping in after Wacław “Vogg” Kiełtyka departed in 2024 — but the live energy hasn’t dipped.

If anything, it’s more volatile.

Flynn emphasized the scale of this tour.

“Big rooms, big crowds, big nights.”

That doesn’t sound like a support act mindset.

That sounds like two titans colliding.

The Full June 2026 U.S. Dates

June 03 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore Detroit
June 05 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore Minneapolis
June 07 — South Bend, IN — Four Winds Field
June 09 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
June 11 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount
June 12 — Boston, MA — Roadrunner
June 13 — Bethlehem, PA — Wind Creek Event Center
June 16 — Orlando, FL — Hard Rock Live
June 17 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle
June 19 — Dallas, TX — South Side Ballroom
June 20 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center
June 21 — San Antonio, TX — Boeing Center At Tech Port
June 23 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel Entertainment Center
June 24 — Tempe, AZ — The Marquee
June 25 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium
June 27 — San Francisco, CA — The Warfield

The routing hits the coasts hard, swings deep into Texas, and stacks high-capacity venues across the Midwest and Southeast.

No small-club nostalgia.

This is major-market aggression.

A Lineup Built For Collision

Iron Reagan bring crossover thrash chaos.
Havok deliver technical speed precision.

Killswitch Engage supply melody wrapped in sledgehammer rhythm.
Machine Head bring groove, brutality and a catalog that spans three decades.

It’s not just diversity.

It’s impact layering.

The real question isn’t whether this tour will move tickets.

It’s whether this is one of the strongest pure-metal summer packages of 2026.

Because on paper?

It’s hard to top.

Check This Out – Killswitch Engage Albums Ranked: Every Record from Worst to Best

FAQ

When Does The Killswitch Engage And Machine Head Tour Start?

The tour kicks off June 3, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.

What Album Is Killswitch Engage Supporting?

They are touring behind This Consequence, released February 2025 via Metal Blade.

What Album Is Machine Head Touring Behind?

Machine Head are supporting their eleventh studio album, Unatoned, released April 2025.

Is This The First Time Killswitch Engage And Machine Head Have Toured Together?

Yes. According to Robb Flynn, this is the first time the two bands have toured together in this capacity.

Killswitch Engage Band Bio

Killswitch Engage formed in Massachusetts in 1999 and became one of the foundational bands of American metalcore. With Jesse Leach returning to the band in 2012, the group has continued to blend melody, aggression and socially conscious lyricism across nine studio albums.

Machine Head Band Bio

Machine Head formed in Oakland, California in 1991 under the leadership of Robb Flynn. Known for groove-driven heaviness and politically charged themes, the band has remained a staple of modern metal through multiple lineup evolutions.

The post Killswitch Engage And Machine Head Announce Massive 2026 U.S. Tour appeared first on Loaded Radio.

The band’s final two albums will receive limited edition pressings via Ipecac Recordings.

The post Isis’ “In The Absence Of Truth” & “Wavering Radiant” Set For Remastered Vinyl Reissues In May appeared first on Theprp.com.

Dow Jones today: United States equities fell sharply on Tuesday morning, March 3, as oil prices spiked again.

The post Dow Jones Today: Entertainment and Music Stocks Take a Hit appeared first on Audio Ink Radio.

South African deathcore band confirm lineup change, prioritize community values, and announce interim vocal arrangements.

The post VULVODYNIA Part Ways With Vocalist ZION BITTENBENDER Amid Misconduct Allegations appeared first on Metal Injection.

Ukraine’s Melodic Black Metal band DEUS SABAOTH sign to Paragon Records to release their highly anticipated second full-length album, Distortion of Lies. The album will see the light on May 29th, 2026. The band comments on the album:““Distortion of Lies” drifts through the fragile architectures we build to protect ourselves from reality. It traces the quiet seduction of belief — […]

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Having ridden into their latest battle with their eleventh epic full-length Field Of Swords, Swedish power metal warriors Bloodbound have released another video single from the album. “The Nine Crusades” is another historically-themed anthem, retelling the titular events in typical Bloodbound style: A sweeping blend of melodic and heavy power metal. Joining their conquest is powerhouse vocalist Brittney Slayes of Canadian band Unleash The Archers, on a duet with Patrik J. Selleby in a glorious mid-tempo anthem. Not only is “The Nine Crusades” the perfect album closer, but also a powerful herald of what’s to come.

Bloodbound are currently getting ready to share their new songs live. Starting March 12 in Hamburg, they will be on tour supporting labelmates Angus MCSIX, with additional support from Brainstorm. Their run will take them to eleven cities, ending in Eindhoven on March 22. Following, Bloodbound will play European festivals, including mountainous Full Metal Mayrhofen, organized by Wacken Open Air, and Alcatraz Festival in Belgium.

Fredrik Bergh comments about “The Nine Crusades”: “The major part of this song was actually written by myself and Tomas back in 2018, and it was written especially for the band Sabaton! Joakim Brodén from Sabaton liked the rough demo and wanted to work further on this song together with us, but the collaboration never materialized. I have always felt it was a very strong track, so we decided to record the song ourselves for the new album instead. I am super proud of this song. I feel it’s one of the best songs I’ve ever been involved in writing! The song features the great Brittney Slayes from Unleash The Archers, who sings the song as a duet together with Patrik.”

Tomas Olsson commented about “The Nine Crusades”: “This song is a summation of the Crusader era, 1096–1291. During this period nine crusades took place. It is estimated that over 2 million people died.”

Brittney Slayes says about “The Nine Crusades”: “It is such an honor to be featured on this Bloodbound track; I have been a fan of the band for well over a decade so when they approached me about doing some guest vocals of course the answer was a resounding yes! This song is quite different from what we do in Unleash The Archers, and is not at all like my own writing style, so I was excited to be able sing something new and to put my own spin on it. The whole collaboration had been a blast, and I’m glad I was able to make it into the music video as well; it was very nice of them to include me. Hopefully the fans enjoy this song and feel I added something worthwhile to this already amazing band!”

Bloodbound‘s first release with Napalm Records adds another 11 captivating battle hymns to their repertoire. A diverse record with aggressive songs and epic tracks alike, their eleventh album also contains some of the band’s fastest material ever written.

The opening title track, “Field Of Swords”, immediately storms into Bloodbound‘s signature sound, braiding stories of glory with a sweeping blend of melodic and heavy power metal. The dominant “As Empires Fall” follows the crusaders east and powerfully depicts said glory in epic battle in contrast with sacrifices made on the way. “Defenders Of Jerusalem” cleverly expands on the topic of loss, leaving listeners to wonder which side is holding their heads up high in the face of imminent defeat. Catchy flutes have the heroes take heart in “The Code Of Warriors” to guide them into the “Land Of The Brave” and “Field Of Swords” to new heights at the same time. “Light In The Sky” further illustrates Bloodbound‘s battle scars turned electrifying sound, while the mature “Teutonic Knights” opens up the bleak reality of the tragedy that undoubtedly accompanies this battle-torn era of history. Yet, “Forged In Iron”, “Pain and Glory”, and “Born to be King” hold their ground as equally unforgettable tunes, all leading up to the brilliant finale with Brittney Slayes of Canadian band Unleash The Archers joins “The Nine Crusades” as another valuable fighter to lead Field Of Swords to greatness.

Field Of Swords is available here in the following formats:

• Deluxe Box 350g Cardboard Box, incl. 1CD Digipak, Flag, Patch, Live Album in Slipcase, Autographed Card – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
• 1LP Vinyl Gatefold Marbled Oxblood Red, incl. 12-page booklet – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
• 1LP Vinyl Gatefold Black
• 1CD Digipak
• Digital Album

The post BLOODBOUND Releases Video For “The Nine Crusades” Featuring BRITTNEY SLAYES Of UNLEASH THE ARCHERS appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.