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US outfit NINTH REALM has erupted onto the underground scene with Damnation’s Veil, a scathing death/thrash metal record that is rapidly gathering widespread critical acclaim. Drawing heavily from classic old-school extreme metal while injecting hardcore aggression and heavy metal-inspired songwriting, the album stands as one of the most exciting heavy releases of the season. The […]

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A brief look at the music video for it has been shared.

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This is the second album from Abyssal Rift, a death metal band from the US. Prepare thyself for the hulking great chunk of spectral rot that is Relics of Great Ash. This is a hideous collection of malignant death metal, corroded by foul doom corruption and poisoned by industrial waste. Yep, Abyssal Rift have produced … Continue reading “Abyssal Rift – Relics of Great Ash (Review)”

W.A.S.P.’s Blackie Lawless Reflects on Split With Chris Holmes: “It Really Was Musical Differences”

More than three decades after Chris Holmes’ original departure from W.A.S.P., frontman Blackie Lawless has once again addressed the longtime guitarist’s exit, the creative differences that drove the band in a new direction, and whether fans could ever see the two musicians share a stage again.
In a new interview with Scott Penfold of Loaded Radio, Lawless was asked whether he wishes things had turned out differently with Holmes, one of the key musicians associated with W.A.S.P.’s classic early lineup.
According to Lawless, the split ultimately came down to the direction in which he wanted to take the band’s music.
“Chris is a great performer,” Lawless said. “But he wasn’t able to do musically the things that I wanted to do later on.”
Lawless explained that after completing 1989’s The Headless Children, he felt he had taken the band’s original musical approach as far as it could go. He pointed specifically to the ambitious direction of 1992’s The Crimson Idol as an example of where his songwriting and musical vision were heading.
For Lawless, the phrase “musical differences” wasn’t simply a convenient explanation for a band breakup.
“It really was that,” he said.
Blackie Lawless Says W.A.S.P. Changed After the Early Years

Lawless also pushed back against the idea that tension between himself and Holmes was responsible for the magic of W.A.S.P.’s early records.
According to the singer, the chemistry originally came from the entire lineup, not just his relationship with Holmes.
Lawless specifically remembered the impact of losing original drummer Tony Richards, saying the band was “seriously damaged” by his departure.
He explained that W.A.S.P. attempted to move forward on its second and third albums, but eventually recognized that the original formula was no longer working.
After The Headless Children, Lawless said, the band deliberately moved in another direction.
One of the most visible signs of that transformation was the disappearance of band members from W.A.S.P. album covers.
From that point forward, Lawless said, the group stopped presenting itself visually as the same band that had started out in the early 1980s.
“The Music Is the Most Important Thing”

Asked whether he has regrets about the band’s early years, Lawless acknowledged that a career spanning more than 40 years naturally comes with some.
However, he said his ultimate measure of those decisions is whether the music worked.
The W.A.S.P. frontman invoked Frank Sinatra’s classic “My Way” when discussing the subject, saying that the important question is whether there was ultimately more good than bad.
For Lawless, the music remains the deciding factor.
“The music is the most important thing,” he said, explaining that ultimately it determines whether a band “lives or dies.”
That philosophy appears to remain central to his approach to W.A.S.P. decades after the band’s formation.
Could Blackie Lawless and Chris Holmes Ever Reunite?

For fans who have spent years hoping for a reunion of W.A.S.P.’s original lineup, Lawless’ latest comments don’t offer much encouragement.
Asked about the possibility of sharing the stage with Holmes again, Lawless said he would have to turn his back on the musicians who currently make up his band.
He rejected that possibility.
“I’ve been with these guys for over 30 years, and this is the band that I know,” Lawless explained. “And I just couldn’t do that.”
Lawless has repeatedly defended W.A.S.P.’s current lineup and dismissed the idea that reuniting the original musicians would necessarily represent a step forward.
In a previous interview, he praised current members Mike Duda, Doug Blair and Aquiles Priester, describing them as world-class musicians.
For Lawless, the issue isn’t simply nostalgia. He believes the musical demands of W.A.S.P.’s later material require musicians capable of performing that material consistently at a high level.
Chris Holmes Has a Very Different View

Holmes, meanwhile, has been equally clear that he has no interest in returning to W.A.S.P. under the current circumstances.
In a May 2026 interview with Thomas S. Orwat, Jr. of the Rock Interview Series, Holmes was asked whether he would consider rejoining the band if Lawless invited him back.
His answer was immediate: no.
Holmes cited longstanding disputes concerning publishing royalties as the primary reason he would not return.
The guitarist has repeatedly alleged that he did not receive publishing income he believes he was owed from his work with W.A.S.P. Those allegations are Holmes’ account of the dispute and have been a recurring subject in interviews throughout the years.
Holmes also recalled being paid substantially less than drummer Frankie Banali during one period of W.A.S.P.’s touring career and said he confronted Lawless about the difference.
According to Holmes, he was told that publishing income would make up the difference.
Holmes has said he later discovered that he had been listed as a session player in documentation relating to the band’s recordings, which he says contributed to his longstanding anger over the situation.
Holmes Says He Would Need His Publishing Dispute Resolved

Holmes has been consistent on one point: if a W.A.S.P. reunion were ever to happen, he would want the publishing dispute addressed first.
The guitarist has made similar comments in interviews dating back several years.
In 2020, Holmes told Canada’s The Metal Voice that he had never received what he believed he was owed in royalties or songwriting income from W.A.S.P. material.
He said that after investigating the matter with legal assistance in the mid-2000s, he discovered that he had been listed as a session player on the records.
Holmes has characterized the situation as a betrayal by someone he once considered a close friend.
He has also said that he would never get over what he believes happened to him financially and professionally during his years with W.A.S.P.
Holmes’ Role in the Classic W.A.S.P. Sound

Regardless of the dispute surrounding the band’s business history, Holmes remains an important part of W.A.S.P.’s early identity.
He joined the band in 1982, alongside Lawless, guitarist Randy Piper and drummer Tony Richards.
Holmes remained with W.A.S.P. through 1990 before eventually returning to the band during the mid-1990s. His second stint lasted until 2001.
He has not performed with W.A.S.P. since.
Although Holmes received songwriting credit on only a limited number of tracks across the band’s early albums, he has long maintained that his guitar playing and creative input were fundamental to the band’s sound.
In a 2021 appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Holmes argued that W.A.S.P. was genuinely a group on its debut album but became increasingly centered around Lawless afterward.
Holmes also recalled Lawless telling him when they first met that the band would not work without him.
That history helps explain why the possibility of an original-lineup reunion continues to generate discussion among W.A.S.P. fans.
The Mean Man Documentary Added Another Layer

The complicated relationship between Lawless and Holmes was also explored through the documentary Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes.
Released on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD in 2021, the film was created by French filmmakers Antoine De Montremy and Laurent Hart.
The documentary chronicles Holmes’ life and career, including his time with W.A.S.P. and his later life in France.
Lawless has made it clear that he has no interest in watching the documentary.
In a 2024 interview, he questioned the accuracy of Holmes’ account and said that someone’s personal version of events does not necessarily make it factual.
Lawless also said he did not recall being invited to participate and would not have agreed to take part had he been asked.
Holmes, for his part, previously said that De Montremy had approached Lawless about participating.
Holmes Has Also Spoken About W.A.S.P.’s Musical Direction

The disagreement between the two musicians isn’t limited to business matters.
Holmes has also criticized the direction W.A.S.P. took after his departure, particularly the band’s use of sampling during the Kill.Fuck.Die. era.
He has said that performing with extensive sampling made the experience feel less authentic to him because he wanted W.A.S.P.’s live performances to be completely live.
Lawless, meanwhile, has argued that the band’s musical evolution required increasingly accomplished musicians.
He specifically pointed to The Headless Children and The Crimson Idol as turning points.
According to Lawless, the musicians involved in those records possessed a level of technical ability and creativity that he felt was necessary to execute his increasingly ambitious material.
No Original W.A.S.P. Reunion on the Horizon

For fans hoping to see Blackie Lawless, Chris Holmes, Randy Piper and Tony Richards reunite for a performance, the latest comments from both sides suggest that dream remains extremely unlikely.
Lawless has consistently argued that returning to the original lineup would represent a step backward creatively.
Holmes has consistently maintained that he would only consider returning if his publishing concerns were resolved.
And with decades having passed since the original lineup was together, the personal history between Lawless and Holmes appears to remain every bit as complicated as ever.
For Lawless, W.A.S.P. is about continuing to move forward with the musicians he has worked alongside for decades.
For Holmes, the unresolved publishing dispute remains a line he says he will not cross.
The two men may disagree strongly about what happened, but there is one thing they have both made clear: a W.A.S.P. reunion featuring Chris Holmes isn’t something fans should expect anytime soon.
For a band whose early records helped define the darker, theatrical side of 1980s heavy metal, the history remains fascinating. The first W.A.S.P. lineup may be frozen in time on those classic album covers, but the story behind the band continues to generate controversy more than 40 years later.

ANTHRAX Unleash “Everybody’s Got A Plan” Music Video Ahead of New Album Cursum Perficio

New York thrash metal legends ANTHRAX have unleashed the official music video for “Everybody’s Got A Plan,” the third single from their highly anticipated new album Cursum Perficio . The record arrives September 18, 2026, marking the band’s first studio album in a decade.
The new video, which premiered through Revolver, offers fans a behind-the-scenes look at ANTHRAX on the road, combining live performance footage with candid moments from the band’s touring life.
A major portion of the video was filmed during ANTHRAX’s recent performance at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon, Portugal , where the band shared the stage with IRON MAIDEN .
Bassist Frank Bello described the video as “a great representation of a day in the life of ANTHRAX on tour,” giving fans a glimpse at both sides of the band’s existence, from the chaos and energy of the stage to the downtime and camaraderie that happen away from the spotlight.
“Everybody’s Got A Plan” follows the release of the album’s first two singles, “It’s For The Kids” , released in May, and “The Edge Of Perfection” , which arrived in July.
ANTHRAX Says “Everybody’s Got A Plan” Is a Fan Favorite

Drummer Charlie Benante revealed that “Everybody’s Got A Plan” has long been one of his favorite songs from Cursum Perficio .
“‘Everybody’s Got A Plan’ has always been one of my favorite songs on ‘Cursum Perficio’,” Benante said. “The video basically shows the band on and off stage in a montage of video clips that kinda matches the velocity of the song.”
The track’s title comes from the memorable line:
“Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the face.”
Benante called the line particularly fitting, adding that it rings true in everyday life.
Guitarist Scott Ian said the band’s goal was simple: capture ANTHRAX having a good time on the road.
“We wanted to capture us having fun on tour and what better way to do that?” Ian explained. “That was a plan that didn’t end up with a punch in the face! Have fun watching, my friends!”
The result is a video that captures ANTHRAX in their natural environment: loud, fast, energetic and clearly having one hell of a time.
Watch ANTHRAX Take Over the Road

The “Everybody’s Got A Plan” video arrives at a particularly exciting time for ANTHRAX. After spending years touring in support of their previous album, For All Kings , the band is finally preparing to unleash its long-awaited follow-up.
Cursum Perficio will be released on September 18, 2026 , through Megaforce Records in the United States and Nuclear Blast in Europe .
The album represents ANTHRAX’s first new studio record since 2016’s For All Kings , which debuted inside the Top 10 of the Billboard 200.
The Latin phrase “Cursum Perficio” can be translated as “My journey has come to an end,” “My journey is over,” or “I complete my journey.”
For a band that has spent more than four decades helping define American thrash metal, the title carries some serious weight. But judging from the three songs released so far, ANTHRAX certainly aren’t sounding like a band preparing to slow down.
A Decade in the Making

ANTHRAX began working in earnest on Cursum Perficio in 2022, recording at Dave Grohl’s Studio 606 in Los Angeles .
Produced by Jay Ruston and ANTHRAX , the album reportedly finds the band digging deep into its history while refusing to simply recreate the past.
The result is being described as angry, aggressive and alive, combining the elements that made ANTHRAX one of thrash metal’s defining acts while continuing to expand the band’s signature sound.
That approach is already evident in the three singles.
“It’s For The Kids” delivers the classic ANTHRAX attack with razor-sharp riffs, explosive drums and a huge, instantly memorable chorus.
“The Edge Of Perfection” takes a darker and more atmospheric approach, beginning with clean guitar textures and restrained percussion before erupting into a much heavier assault.
Then comes “Everybody’s Got A Plan,” which brings another shot of straight-ahead ANTHRAX energy.
Taken together, the singles suggest that Cursum Perficio could be one of the band’s most ambitious releases in years.
ANTHRAX Announce Special Louisville Release Event

ANTHRAX will celebrate the release of Cursum Perficio with a special late-night in-store signing at Guestroom Records in Louisville, Kentucky .
The event will take place immediately following ANTHRAX’s September 17 appearance at Louisville’s annual Louder Than Life festival.
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on September 18 , Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna and Jonathan Donais will meet fans and sign copies of the new album.
Space is limited, and fans who want to attend must pre-order the album directly through Guestroom Records. Only albums purchased through the designated pre-order will qualify for the signing.
For longtime ANTHRAX fans, it’s a pretty killer way to ring in release day.
Cursum Perficio Track Listing

The new ANTHRAX album will feature 11 tracks:


Persistence Of Memory
The Long Goodbye
It’s For The Kids
Everybody’s Got A Plan
The Edge Of Perfection
Infectious
NYC93
Cursum Perficio
T.O.M.B.
Watch It Go
My Victory

ANTHRAX Offers Plenty of Physical Editions

As expected from a major metal release, Cursum Perficio will be available in a wide variety of physical formats.
Fans will be able to find the album on standard CD, a Target-exclusive CD featuring a fabric album-cover patch, and multiple double-LP editions.
Vinyl variants include standard black vinyl, red zoetrope, purple zoetrope, lilac, white, red ripple, and a multicolor red/orange/yellow pressing.
Several editions will be exclusive to specific retailers and partners, including Target, Amazon, Metal Injection, Talk Shop Live and independent record stores.
For collectors, this one could get dangerous for the wallet. You know how this game works.
ANTHRAX’s Legacy Continues

Since forming in New York in the early 1980s, ANTHRAX have stood alongside Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth as one of the bands responsible for defining the American thrash metal movement.
With Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna and Jonathan Donais currently carrying the banner, the band continues to deliver its trademark combination of blistering riffs, infectious hooks and unrelenting live energy.
Now, after a ten-year wait between studio albums, Cursum Perficio is finally almost here.
With three singles already released and a new music video showcasing the band’s explosive life on the road, ANTHRAX are making it clear that the journey isn’t ending anytime soon.
If anything, “Cursum Perficio” sounds less like the end of the road and more like another chapter in the ongoing ANTHRAX assault.
ANTHRAX’s Cursum Perficio arrives September 18, 2026, via Megaforce in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast in Europe.

Swiss doomgaze entity E-L-R have unveiled a highly symbolic and visually arresting music video for their new track, “Archeress.” The song serves as the first advanced single from the duo’s forthcoming third full-length album, Atropa, scheduled for international release on November 6, 2026, via Prophecy Productions. A Tale of Predestination and Quiet Violence Hailing from […]

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Beach Weather & Tunnel Vision will be joining them at select stops.

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Trip Tease dives into melodic deep techno with Ambiental, combining deep electronic grooves with hypnotic rhythms and atmospheric textures. A steady pulse drives the track forward while layered synths and subtle melodic details gradually build its immersive character. The production remains deep and restrained, allowing the groove to breathe while creating a sense of nocturnal movement and spaciousness. Melodic elements add emotional depth without overpowering the darker electronic foundation, resulting in a sophisticated balance between rhythm and atmosphere. Hypnotic, sleek, and deeply immersive, Ambiental is a compelling journey through the deeper side of techno.

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Bruce Dickinson Says His New Solo Album Will Be “Heavy As Shit” and Arrives in 2027

Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has confirmed that his upcoming eighth solo album is shaping up to be a seriously heavy affair, with the singer describing the new record in no uncertain terms: “The album is heavy as shit.”
The long-awaited follow-up to 2024’s The Mandrake Project is currently expected to arrive in early 2027 through BMG, and Dickinson has revealed that the new album will take a different direction from his most recent solo effort.
Speaking with VSX at last month’s San Diego Comic-Con, Dickinson discussed the evolution of The Mandrake Project, his approach to songwriting, and what fans can expect from his next solo release.
According to Dickinson, the concept behind The Mandrake Project began nearly two decades ago. What started as an idea for a single comic book intended to accompany a solo album eventually expanded into an ambitious multimedia project featuring a 12-issue adult comic book series published by Z2 Comics.
The music and comics share conceptual elements involving science, the occult, and the human soul, but Dickinson now believes The Mandrake Project has developed a life of its own within the world of comics.


“I’ve got a new record coming out next year, new solo album. It’s kind of standalone. There’s one song that has a bit of something to do with ‘Mandrake.’ Now, the album is heavy as shit.”


Dickinson also made it clear that he does not want to force the new album into the Mandrake universe simply for the sake of maintaining a connection.


“I’m not digging into ‘Mandrake.’ I think ‘Mandrake’ has a life now on a comic book level.”


That separation could make the upcoming album particularly interesting for longtime fans of Dickinson’s solo career. Rather than revisiting familiar territory, the Iron Maiden singer says he wants to continue pushing his songwriting in different directions.
Bruce Dickinson Wants to Avoid Repeating Himself

When asked whether he thinks about his previous solo albums when writing new material, Dickinson explained that he tries not to simply recreate what he has already done.
For Dickinson, experimentation does not necessarily mean abandoning his musical identity. Instead, it means finding new ways to present familiar elements.
“Music is something which you try not to stick too much of a format,” Dickinson explained, while acknowledging that he remains firmly within his own musical style.
The approach has been a consistent part of Dickinson’s solo career. From Tattooed Millionaire and Balls To Picasso through Accident of Birth, The Chemical Wedding, Tyranny Of Souls, and The Mandrake Project, his solo work has allowed him to explore territory that sometimes differs considerably from Iron Maiden.
This new album appears poised to continue that tradition, but Dickinson’s description of the record suggests fans may be in for one of his heaviest solo outings yet.
New Bruce Dickinson Album Was Recorded at Studio 606

Much of Dickinson’s upcoming eighth solo album was recorded during January and February 2026 at Studio 606 in Northridge, California, the legendary recording facility associated with Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters.
Producer Brendan Duffey is handling the production, mixing, and mastering work. Duffey previously worked on the expanded and reworked version of Dickinson’s 1994 solo album Balls To Picasso, released in 2025 under the title More Balls To Picasso.
The new album is currently being mixed at Duffey’s high-end Brendan Duffey Audio studio in Jupiter, Florida.
Dickinson has also revealed that the recording sessions were completed using his touring band, featuring:


Mistheria – keyboards
Dave Moreno – drums
Tanya O’Callaghan – bass
Chris Declercq – guitar
Philip Näslund – guitar

The album will also feature a guest appearance from Andreas Kisser, legendary guitarist of Brazilian metal giants Sepultura, who revealed earlier this year that he contributed percussion to the record.
Bruce Dickinson and His Son Austin Collaborate

Another intriguing element of the upcoming Bruce Dickinson solo album is a collaboration with his son Austin Dickinson.
Austin is a musician best known for his work as the former frontman of British metal bands Rise To Remain and As Lions. Bruce recently confirmed that Austin will appear on the new record.
Dickinson has also indicated that fans will not have to wait until the album’s 2027 release to hear it.
The singer said that some tracks are expected to surface during 2026 and revealed plans to shoot four or five videos for the project.
With the album now moving through the mixing stage, the first official taste of the new material could be coming sooner rather than later.
16 Songs Recorded in Just Three Weeks

Dickinson previously revealed that he recorded 16 songs for the new solo album during an intense three-week period earlier this year.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, he emphasized that the sessions were performed completely live, describing the approach as the “anti-A.I. generation.”
That detail should grab the attention of old-school metal fans.
Rather than building an album piece by piece through heavily edited modern production techniques, Dickinson and his band captured the performances together in the studio. The result could give the new record a rawer, more organic feel while still benefiting from modern recording technology.
And if Dickinson’s “heavy as shit” assessment is anything to go by, there may be plenty of volume involved.
From Iron Maiden to a Legendary Solo Career

Bruce Dickinson made his recording debut with Iron Maiden on the band’s landmark 1982 album The Number Of The Beast, one of the defining records in the history of heavy metal.
He left Iron Maiden in 1993 to focus on his solo career, with Blaze Bayley stepping into the vocalist position.
Dickinson released several solo albums during his time away from Maiden, including collaborations with former Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith. He eventually returned to Iron Maiden in 1999, with Smith also rejoining the band.
Since then, Dickinson has continued to maintain both his Iron Maiden career and his solo work.
His most recent solo album, The Mandrake Project, was released in 2024 and spawned an extensive touring campaign. The accompanying multimedia project expanded the album’s story into a comic book series, turning what was originally envisioned as a promotional tie-in into a much larger creative universe.
Now, Dickinson appears ready to leave that world behind musically and start another chapter.
What Can Fans Expect From Bruce Dickinson’s New Album?

Details surrounding the new album remain limited, including its official title and track listing. However, several important pieces are already in place.
The album:


Is expected in early 2027 via BMG
Will be Dickinson’s eighth solo studio album
Contains 16 recorded songs
Was largely recorded at Studio 606
Features Dickinson’s current touring band
Includes percussion from Sepultura’s Andreas Kisser
Features a collaboration with Austin Dickinson
Was recorded largely live
Is being mixed by Brendan Duffey
Is expected to receive its first previews during 2026

Most importantly, Dickinson himself says it is going to be heavy.
After decades of creating some of heavy metal’s most recognizable music, Bruce Dickinson clearly isn’t interested in simply coasting on his legacy. If the new album delivers on his promise, 2027 could bring another major chapter in one of metal’s most enduring solo careers.
And honestly, when Bruce Dickinson says a record is going to be “heavy as shit,” we’re probably going to want to hear that one for ourselves.

General on-sale begins Friday, August 14, at 10:00 a.m. local time.

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