Category: news

Cryptopsy Claim Second Decibel Magazine Cover as 2026 Tour Dominance Continues!

There are death metal bands, and then there is Cryptopsy. The Canadian extreme metal legends have officially landed their second Decibel Magazine cover in under a year, cementing 2026 as another career peak for one of the most vicious and technically lethal bands the genre has ever produced.
Fresh off tearing through a largely sold-out European headline tour, Cryptopsy show zero signs of slowing down. The band is once again nominated for Best Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year at the Juno Awards , a category they already conquered just two years ago. Now, they are set to headline the longest-running heavy metal tour in North America as the featured act on the Decibel Magazine Tour 2026.
Their latest album, An Insatiable Violence , has been a major catalyst behind this renewed surge of momentum. The record sees the band blending surgical precision with savage intent, proving they are not just surviving in the modern death metal landscape, but dominating it. The Decibel cover also nods to Cryptopsy’s legendary legacy, with 2026 marking the 30th anniversary of their genre-defining album None So Vile , a release that remains a benchmark for technical brutality.
Decibel Magazine Editor-in-Chief Albert Mudrian summed it up best, calling this era “Peak Cryptopsy,” a rare moment where a band’s ferocious present and untouchable past collide at full force. The issue also features tourmates Necrot, Fulci, and Blood Monolith, who will be supporting Cryptopsy on the road during the 2026 Decibel Magazine Tour.
The band themselves did not downplay the significance of the moment, expressing pride in returning to the cover of what many consider the world’s foremost authority on heavy metal. With a stacked lineup, a milestone anniversary, and one of the most punishing live sets in modern extreme metal, these shows are shaping up to be the kind people brag about surviving.
The Decibel Magazine Tour 2026 will span 21 dates across the U.S. and Canada, with Cryptopsy performing material from both None So Vile and An Insatiable Violence. For longtime fans, it is a celebration of three decades of sonic violence. For newer listeners, it is a front-row seat to a band that refuses to age quietly.
If there is any doubt left about Cryptopsy’s place at the top of the death metal food chain, 2026 is here to shut that down. Loudly.
https://orcd.co/cryptopsyaninsatiableviolence

For us elder millennials and even Gen Xers, there are few things more 80s (and thus nostalgic) than John Hughes directed flicks. Sixteen Candles, Weird Science, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off… All classics, but if you ask me The Breakfast Club is high up there on the list. And of course you can’t think about that movie without hearing Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”.

Well now there’s a new way to hear that tune, as Life Of Agony released a live video of their cover of that very song. For those that don’t know, Life Of Agony previously released a cover version of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” on their 1995 album Ugly, which featured a darker, heavier, and more brooding style. Sure, it eventually picks up, but they definitely made the song their own.

Bassist Alan Robert said this live version of their Simple Minds cover was a special part of the band’s ’30 Years of Ugly’ anniversary tour in Europe.

“Even though our studio version of ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ appears on Ugly, we had never performed the song live until the 30 Years of Ugly anniversary tour. Bringing it to the stage after all these years — and experiencing the live energy of the crowd — made the song one of the highlights of the set every night.”

You can check out the aforementioned live video below. Just try not to walk off into the distance with your fist in the air while you do it.

The post Life of Agony Join the Breakfast Club with Live Version of “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” appeared first on MetalSucks.

The former Skid Row vocalist previews his upcoming shows in an interview with UCR and offers an update on possible new music. Continue reading…

(written by Islander) In 2023 the Spanish death metal band Deimler released a concept album named Immortalized that was based on Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking 1979 movie Alien. Following that up, guitarist/vocalist Pako Deimler decided to pay tribute to a personal favorite series from the ’90s — The X-Files. More specifically, Deimler’s new album, Darkness Falls, […]

The post AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: DEIMLER — “DARKNESS FALLS” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

Parting ways is never easy, but this music may help you through. Continue reading…

Did Gene Simmons Backtrack On His Rap And “Ghetto” Comments?

No — Simmons says he stands by his words and insists hip-hop doesn’t belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

TL;DR:

Gene Simmons defended his use of the word “ghetto” and reiterated his long-held belief that rap should not be included in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. The KISS bassist acknowledged respect for rap artists but argued genre boundaries matter. The comments revive a cultural debate that has divided fans and musicians for over a decade.

Gene Simmons has never exactly been known for softening an opinion.

And in 2026, he’s proving that hasn’t changed.

During a recent podcast appearance, the KISS bassist/vocalist revisited one of his most controversial stances — his belief that rap and hip-hop do not belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

What makes this flare-up different isn’t the topic.

It’s the tone.

“I Stand By My Words”

After backlash surrounding his phrasing — particularly his statement “I don’t come from the ghetto” — Simmons addressed the controversy directly in a statement to People.

“I stand by my words.”

He then clarified his use of the term:

“‘Ghetto’ is a Jewish term… borrowed respectfully.”

Simmons rejected any accusation of racist intent, pointing to what he considers historical context rather than insult.

Loaded Radio Recommends – The Demon’s Dirty Secrets: 13 Gene Simmons Facts That Prove He’s Rock’s Ultimate Marketing Genius

Respect For Rap, Rejection Of Its Placement

Simmons made an interesting distinction that often gets lost in headline reactions.

He did not attack rap artists personally.

In fact, he explicitly stated respect for figures like Ice Cube.

But respect, in his view, does not equal category inclusion.

“Hip-hop does not belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, nor does opera, nor symphony.”

His argument centers on definition:

The institution is named Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Genres exist for a reason
Labels describe musical approaches

The Iron Maiden Comparison

One of Simmons’ most pointed criticisms involved a familiar frustration among rock fans:

“The fact that Iron Maiden is not in… when they sell out stadiums…”

Contrasted against the induction of hip-hop pioneers like Grandmaster Flash.

For Simmons, this represents a credibility imbalance rather than a cultural dismissal.

“Rock Is Black Music”

Perhaps the most paradoxically nuanced part of Simmons’ remarks came when addressing accusations of racial undertones.

“How could you be [racist], when rock is black music?”

He emphasized a point often forgotten in heated genre debates:

Rock owes its roots to Black artists
Hip-hop is also Black music
The disagreement is structural, not racial

“Statement of fact, period.”

The Long-Running Genre War

This isn’t a new Simmons position.

Back in 2014, he openly criticized the Rock Hall for inducting non-rock artists, calling the process “back-room politics.”

“You’ve got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? You’re killing me!”

His frustration was blunt:

“They don’t play guitar. They sample and they talk.”

Ice Cube’s Counterargument Still Echoes

Ice Cube famously pushed back during N.W.A.’s induction speech:

“Rock ’n’ roll is not an instrument. It’s a spirit.”

That philosophical divide remains the heart of the controversy:

Simmons → Rock as musical structure
Ice Cube → Rock as attitude and cultural energy

Two definitions.
One Hall Of Fame.

Why This Debate Refuses To Die

Because it taps into something bigger than Simmons, Megadeth, N.W.A., or the Rock Hall itself.

It’s about:

What defines rock?
Can a genre evolve beyond instrumentation?
Should institutions protect tradition or reflect culture?

There is no answer that doesn’t alienate someone.

Check This Out – From Maiden to Motörhead: 13 Metal Snubs That Prove the Rock Hall is a Joke

FAQ

Did Gene Simmons Apologize For His Comments?

No. He said he stands by his words.

Is Gene Simmons Against Rap Music?

Not exactly. He stated respect for rap artists but doesn’t connect with the genre personally.

What Is Simmons’ Main Argument?

That hip-hop, like opera or symphony, falls outside the Rock Hall’s genre definition.

Has Rap Been Inducted Into The Rock Hall?

Yes. Artists including Grandmaster Flash, RUN-D.M.C., Eminem, Jay-Z, and N.W.A.

Artist Bio – Gene Simmons

Gene Simmons is the bassist, co-lead vocalist, and co-founder of KISS, one of rock’s most commercially successful and visually iconic bands. Known for his entrepreneurial mindset and unfiltered commentary, Simmons has remained a polarizing yet influential voice in music culture. KISS was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014.

The post Gene Simmons Doubles Down: Rap “Does Not Belong” In Rock Hall, Defends “Ghetto” Comment appeared first on Loaded Radio.

The legendary Vardis are back with a new album which isn’t really a new album. They’ve been a big favourite of mine since they came to the fore in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal days and I saw them supporting Hawkwind on the Levitation tour all the way back in 1980. It’s been […]

The post Vardis New Archive Album 100 M.P.H 79 Revisited Available April 2026 first appeared on New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Their last album came out in 2004. Continue reading…

Godsticks have shared the first single from their long-awaited seventh studio album VOiD today. The new track, titled ‘M.I.A.,’ is the first glimpse into Godsticks’ darkest, heaviest, and most uncompromising album to date. With the single comes a new video produced by Martin Holmes. The new album is due out on March 27th.

Speaking about the new single, frontman and songwriter Darran Charles said – “Although I’ve no experience in the field of psychology I’ve always been fascinated (and indeed tortured) by that voice in your head that goes under various guises such as ‘inner critic’ or ‘inner monologue’.

Mine is a mouthy bastard that has an opinion on practically everything and never fails to offer it -incessantly. No amount of internal vitriol directed at it seems to quieten its destructively negative offerings. It never sleeps either – I could wake up at 4am to use the bathroom and to my surprise and determent, it reminds me that it’s been up all night searching through the archives to remind me of some embarrassment I felt 25 years ago.

I always like to imagine this voice manifested in physical form, so when it tells me that it thinks I’m a terrible musician, or that I’m conceited, or that I’ve wasted my life away, or lists all the wrong decisions I’ve made over my life, then I could beat the living shit out of it.

MIA is a song about that. And I think this same voice was responsible for writing the guitar and drum parts, because they were tortuous too, and made us all question our ability as musicians at one point or another. We won in the end though, so fuck you, me!”

Both lyrically and musically, VOiD reflects a disillusionment with a world increasingly defined by division, ideological rigidity, and the loss of nuance. The album documents a conscious withdrawal from the noise – a retreat into a personal void.

Pre-order here: https://godsticks.lnk.to/VOiDFA

GODSTICKS – VOiD
1. M.I.A. — 04:08
2. Hold Back — 04:41
3. Watch It Burn — 03:05
4. Master of a Plan — 04:47
5. Torn Again — 05:31
6. Can’t Withstand — 05:07
7. Ruthless Coward — 04:28
8. Talking Through Walls Pt. 1 — 03:28
9. Talking Through Walls Pt. 2 — 04:30
10. Hope Is Burning — 04:55

GODSTICKS UK TOUR DATES
April 17th – London, Hope and Anchor TICKETS
April 18th – Nottingham, The Old Sal TICKETS
April 23rd – Manchester, Gullivers TICKETS
April 24th – Birmingham, The Victoria TICKETS
April 25th – Swansea, The Bunkhouse TICKETS
May 1st – Hidden, Dundee TICKETS
May 2nd – The Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh TICKETS
June 27th – The Louisiana, Bristol TICKETS
June 28th – The 1865, Southampton TICKETS
July 4th – SOS Festival, Oldham TICKETS

The post Godsticks announce long-awaited new studio album VOiD, single “M.I.A.” out now. appeared first on The Prog Report.

West Coast thrash metal legends Metal Church have released the next piece of music from their 14^th studio album, Dead To Rights, scheduled for release on April 10 via Rat Pak Records.

“Brainwash Game” is a clinic in metal that the new lineup featuring founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof alongside longtime guitarist Rick Van Zandt, joined by bass icon David Ellefson, powerhouse drummer Ken Mary, and dynamic new vocalist Brian Allen put on full display throughout the new album. 

“‘Brainwash Game’ is really about the machinery behind the curtain,” says founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof. “We’re living in a time where the modern media cycle and the internet move so fast that truth often gets twisted, filtered, and repackaged to fit whatever narrative sells the most clicks. It’s not always about informing people anymore — it’s about steering them. The song dives into that idea of manipulation, how repetition and outrage can blur the lines between fact and fiction until people don’t even realize they’re being conditioned. It’s heavy, it’s aggressive, and lyrically it’s meant to challenge listeners to think for themselves in a world that constantly tries to think for them.”

A performance video for “Brainwash Game” – directed by Rick Moyer – can be seen below.

From the aggressive opening assault of “Brainwash Game” to the riff-driven finale “My Wrath,” Metal Church prove they still possess the same relentless drive that has earned them fans for over four decades. Tracks such as “Deep Cover Shakedown,” “The Show,” and “Wasted Time” deliver the signature sound the band has long been known for. The album’s first single, “F.A.F.O.,” was released last November, with its accompanying video surpassing 425,000 views to date. Dead To Rights was produced by Kurdt Vanderhoof and mixed and mastered by Zeuss at Planet Z.

“This new album is very special to me for one reason: the band was over, and I honestly didn’t see it being resurrected. But somehow, it brought itself back to life—again!” exclaims Kurdt Vanderhoof.  “I’m incredibly proud of these new songs; they hit hard. Brian Allen brings the classic Metal Church sound to the vocals, and adding a rhythm section with musicians of the caliber of Dave Ellefson and Ken Mary makes this a force to be reckoned with. If you enjoy classic Metal Church, you’re going to love this record.”

Pre-order Dead To Rights in various bundles here.

The post METAL CHURCH Share Music Video For New Single “Brainwash Game”, From Upcoming Album “Dead To Rights” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.