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The Swedish formation Hypocrisy have been forced to cancel their previously announced North American tour, supporting Dimmu Borgir, due to visa issues.
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Since the last Filter dropped, it still hasn’t stopped raining and storming in my neck of the woods. Consequently, my minions trudge evermore through the thin sheet metal of our ducts as the thunder rattles everything like so many dice in a tabletop nerd’s clutches.¹ Yet I must press them and push them, for we have quotas to meet and ravenous appetites to sate.

So it is with shaky hands and discombobulated craniums that my grunts hand over the goods. BEHOLD!

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Kenstrosity’s Thrashed Thrall

Ascended Master // Crepuscular Gloom [May 8th, 2026 – Self Released]

Death thrash is best thrash, if you ask this sponge. Something about this unholy combo really rustles my jimmies, especially when its executed with great speed and riff-centered fervor. Cincinnati’s Ascended Master nail that combination right into the grave, boasting a sound that’s three parts Death, one part Atheist, and a pinch of Blood Red Throne. With a sense of groove that gives barnburners “Blood Spilled Upon the Stars,” “Crepuscular Gloom,” and rabid closer “Xenopaleontology” a deadly swagger liable to cause fierce whiplash in all who would headbang to it, debut LP Crepuscular Gloom” is a record pumped full of testosterone and adrenaline. Speedy rippers like “Midnight Mother” and “Ghoul Queen” put the pedal to the metal with a ferocity more commonly associated with Kvaen or Hellripper in the modern pantheon, but the record’s natural engineering and coherent screams hark to earlier times where Death reigned supreme in the scene. However, it would be inaccurate to call it pure worship. Ascended Master have an intense personality and a particular ferocity that allows Crepuscular Gloom to integrate smoothly into their respective category without blending into the crowd. As their career develops from this point, I expect we’ll see their identity bloom and rise with greater distinction, further setting them apart and threatening year-end lists all around. Just wait, you’ll see!

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ClarkKent’s Prehistoric Pulls

Ilienses Tree // Toward the Storm [May 1st, 2026 – Meuse Music Records]

Ilienses Tree sow their roots deep into the island the band originates from—Sardinia, just off the coast of Italy. Their name, Ilienses, refers to an ancient Nuragic civilization that, during the Bronze Age, built impressive stone tower structures that still stand today. While the band isn’t nearly so old, their second album, Toward the Storm, dabbles in the sort of slow, deliberate doom that speaks of the patience of those ancient ruins. They lean towards a style of funeral doom that has the brutal power of My Dying Bride, but their record also contains the unpredictable dynamic drumming of Oromet and sneaks into speedier death/doom territory akin to Paradise Lost and Novembers Doom. Ilienses Tree have a mastery over melancholic lead riffs, such as the one that opens “To Not Be Forgotten.” “Sudden Rain” flexes the band’s creative muscle most impressively. Beginning in a slow burn and anchored by a poignant guitar lead, the song has a sudden burst of energy, turns in a lovely duet between arpeggiated riffs and bass, and features several more memorable and distinct guitar leads. Though the songs average nine minutes, they fit neatly into a 38-minute record, and thanks to progressive structures, they never feel overlong. If you’d like some music that simultaneously hits you in the feels and provides a shot of adrenaline, then go towards, not away from, this storm.

Anna Fiori // Metztli [May 21st, 2026 – Self Released]

Sometimes symphonic metal bands grow a touch stale from a failure to innovate, relying too heavily on the gimmick of symphonic instruments. Anna Fiori, however, has created something pretty special, with a Mexican/Aztec twist on the genre. Her band mixes “pre-Hispanic instrumentation” with cinematic symphonics and heavy guitars to create thrilling high-energy music. While some songs hit a more poppy Beyond the Black mold (“En El Vacio”), others take a longer-form route. The nine-minute “Luna Llena (Xiki Noeso)” blends indigenous chants and flutes with orchestral elements that sometimes sound like an exciting score to a whimsical adventure film. The highlight, “Luna Menguante (Nimotemak),” contains a mix of cool riffs, flutes, and blast beats before taking us on a bonkers ride involving operatic singing, off-kilter pianos, a few solos, and perhaps the summoning of a demon or two. While the song compositions are tons of fun, Fiori’s performance ties it all together. She sings in the sweet poppy manner of Epica’s Simone Simons, the operatic style of many a Therion singer, and even some growls in the spirit of Seven Spires’s Adrienne Cowen, if not quite her power. Fiori even briefly raps on a couple of tracks, with a pretty impressive section on the outro track, “Tetzahuitl, Pt. 2: El Origen,” and goes off-script with an infectious laugh on “Entre Mil Voces.” Clearly she’s having a lot of fun. Metztli hits some of the familiar symphonic notes while injecting enough personality of its own to make for an entertaining, and sometimes wild, ride.

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Grin Reaper’s Spring Fling

Beyond the Veil // Oblivion [May 1st, 2026 – Wormholedeath Records]

There’s little online information about Tokyo prog metallers Beyond the Veil,² and while I don’t recall how I stumbled across debut Oblivion, I’m glad I did. Upon listening, I was immediately enamored by their familiar yet enchanting blend of drama and technicality. Fans of Opeth and Dream Theater will uncover a trove of unapologetic prog where Beyond the Veil weaves gorgeously conceived instrumentation into intricate compositions. Oblivion also embraces long-form arrangements, sporting six tracks ranging between seven-and-a-half and sixteen minutes each. Credit to Beyond the Veil, though, because even with such robust runtimes totaling over an hour, Oblivion never feels repetitive or bankrupt of ideas. Quite the opposite, in fact, as each listen reveals new knots to untangle and coils to unwind. Perhaps the facet I’ve come to appreciate the most as I revisit Oblivion is Beyond the Veil’s merger of piano, mellotron, and orchestrations with guitar, bass, and drums. They’re hardly the first band to do this, but each song sounds well-attuned to incorporating the right instrument for the right part rather than spotlighting heavy-handed wankery, allowing Oblivion to soar. While Beyond the Veil doesn’t break the mold with this one, getting lost in Oblivion never sounded so sweet.

Lago // Vigil [May 8th, 2026 – Everlasting Spew Records]

Vigil introduced me to Lago and their infectiously abrasive death metal, and this album is forty-two minutes of unhinged brutality flecked with melody. The blood of Immolation, Morbid Angel, and Incantation pumps through Lago’s veins, delivering unapologetic tangles of dissonant, jangling guitars, fuming blast beats, and murky bass runs beneath Cole Jacobsen’s devilishly demented gutturals. Lago’s brew is potent stuff, swirling and churning with caustic acid that will leave your eardrums scarred and cowed with nary a moment wasted. Complimenting the devastating filth Lago dredges is Gus Barr’s warbling lead guitar, which cuts through the grime with off-kilter shredding. “Behold, Ruin” and “Initiation Rite” hit with the immediacy and aplomb of Immolation, lurching onwards with Brian Miller’s timekeeping straight out of Close to a World Below’s playbook. Meanwhile, “Procession into Slaughter” and “The Land Was a Desert” launch into Azagthoth-tinged, otherworldly riffs. Everything about Lago screams danger, yet once the blood starts flowing it’s impossible to turn away from their murderously addictive violence. Once Vigil has its hooks in you, you won’t want them to Lago.

Redshift // Down the Wire [May 29th, 2026 – Pale Wizard Records]

As a massive Rush fan, Redshift’s Down the Wire immediately caught my attention with ample parallels. A power trio wielding buttery smooth bass lines, Lifeson-leaning chords, and Tiago Martins’ tender tenor call to mind Canada’s greatest export for all the right reasons. Yet Bath, England’s Redshift is more than a Rush clone, and on Down the Wire they bounce and whip in syncopated flurries and chromatic runs while dabbling with vocoded vocals and deathly roars. As the best prog does, Redshift explores vast territory in a commensurately brief runtime. Opener “The Routine” hits the Rush influence hard and early, but “The Clown” draws upon Synchestra-era Devin Townsend kookiness while “The Rogue” dabbles in Yesified eclecticism and even features guest keys from Derek Sherinian (ex-Dream Theater, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen). One thing Redshift steers away from is the self-seriousness associated with a lot of prog, and Down the Wire radiates a pervasive sense of fun. Trumpets and samba-coded melodies enliven “The Rogue” while “The Singer” assaults with fierce growls, wicked solos, and perfectly balanced instrumental interplay. Down the Wire fires on all cylinders, scorching with progressive songwriting and so much replayability that I regret not getting the chance to write a review in full. If you’re Down to the Wire and need a prog fix quickly, Redshift is a clever choice that won’t disappoint.

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Spicie Forrest’s Nostalgic Nugget

Haste the Day // Dissenter [May 1st, 2026 – Solid State Records]

I haven’t heard the name Haste the Day since 2008. At the time, I was on the tail end of my metalcore phase and pushing into heavier styles, so while I recognized their quality, I didn’t latch on to them as I did other acts of their ilk. It’s a shame, because Dissenter is the sound of my adolescence. Slinging the same emo-flavored metalcore as early As I Lay Dying and August Burns Red, the Indianapolis-based six-piece offers 39 minutes of beautifully aching nostalgia. Stephen Keech’s lead vocals sound pushed and strained (complimentary), evoking the emotion of early Linkin Park (“Shallows,” “Grave”). Guitarists Scott Whelan, Brennan Chaulk, and Dave Krysl are so in sync, delivering stellar layered riffs and leads felt in the soul (“Burn”). When Michael Murphy’s bass comes to the fore, as on “Liminal,” he brings a heaviness and intensity that hurtles me back to middle school like it was just yesterday. Dissenter is a bit heavier and faster on the front end, but even the not-quite-overwrought power ballads of the back half maintain their drive and pacing thanks to Giuseppe Capolupo’s kit work (“Adrift,” “Escape”). For those of us who cut our teeth on acts like Haste the Day, late-career and comeback albums can be an anxious affair, but I’m happy to report that Dissenter is a worthy walk down memory lane.

The post Stuck in the Filter: May 2026’s Angry Misses appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

Ukraine’s Ignea are premiering an official music video for “Darkness”, the newest single from their upcoming studio album Monumental.
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October 23, 2026 will see the release of the Dragonland‘s seventh full-length instalment entitled Prophecies. Mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman. Cover artwork created by Pedro Sena. Symphonic/power metal outfit also present the album’s first single, “Survival Of Mankind”.
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Up-and-coming German melancholic heavy metal outfit The Night Eternal is pleased to present their latest single, “The Veins Of Time.” The consuming new track comes by way of the band’s forthcoming Metal Blade debut, Cold Velvet, set to drop on August 21st. The band’s third single opens the B-side of Cold Velvet and immediately signals… Continue Reading →

After confirming the release of their upcoming self-titled debut for Napalm Records, Prong have now revealed the first music from the record. The New York metal veterans have premiered “The Banner”, the opening track from Prong, which is scheduled for release on November 6.

“The Banner” wastes no time setting the pace. Built around tight, aggressive riffing and Tommy Victor‘s unmistakable vocal delivery, the track reflects the heavier direction the band has promised for the new record while keeping the industrial and hardcore influences that have defined Prong for decades.

Speaking about the single, Victor said: “We are unbelievably excited to share the first single, ‘The Banner’, from our upcoming self-titled record. Andy Sneap‘s mix and master is absolutely blistering and ferocious. This is just the beginning and we hope you enjoy it.”

The upcoming album features eleven tracks that combine the different elements that have shaped Prong‘s sound throughout their career. Thrash, industrial metal, alternative metal, and New York hardcore all remain part of the band’s formula, resulting in a record that looks back at their roots while pushing forward.

Victor has already expressed strong confidence in the new material, stating: “This could be the best Prong album to date. It’s definitely the best-sounding Prong album ever, with the incredible Andy Sneap mixing and mastering it! This record represents a new lease on life for Prong with a new label, a fresh attitude with faster and heavier songs, bigger hooks and top-notch sound quality. That’s why it’s self-titled; it’s a redefining episode for Prong!”

The tracklist suggests an album that moves between several sides of the band’s identity. Following opener “The Banner”, “New Commission” continues the high-energy approach before “The Uprising” leans further into industrial textures. “Uncertain Truth” highlights a more melodic side, while “Fear The Sun” channels the intensity of classic New York hardcore. “Proportionate Response” puts Victor‘s guitar work in the spotlight before “Simulated Drowning” raises the tempo again. The closing track, “Our Continuance”, rounds out the album with a slower, heavier atmosphere built around layered synths and crushing breakdowns.

The production is another major talking point. Andy Sneap handled both mixing and mastering at Backstage Studios, giving the album a sharp, powerful sound designed to complement Victor‘s direct songwriting. Lyrically, the record tackles subjects including truth, personal limitations and altruism while maintaining the confrontational edge that has long been associated with Prong.

For longtime followers, a self-titled release carries added significance. Nearly forty years after the band’s formation, Prong is presented as a statement of where the group stands today while acknowledging everything that came before.

Emerging from New York City’s late-1980s underground alongside bands such as Gorilla Biscuits, Madball, Sick Of It All and Biohazard, Prong carved out a distinct identity by blending hardcore aggression with groove, melody and industrial experimentation. Albums such as Beg To Differ and Cleansing established the band’s reputation, while regular appearances on MTV’s Headbangers Ball introduced their music to a wider audience. Their influence can still be heard across groove metal, industrial metal and crossover thrash.

Throughout nearly four decades, Prong have maintained a steady touring schedule, performing across the globe and becoming familiar names at major festivals including Wacken Open Air, Alcatraz and Brutal Assault. Along the way, they have built a catalogue that continues to resonate with metal audiences across streaming platforms, radio and television.

Napalm Records will issue Prong in several formats. Fans will be able to choose between Black LP, Inkspot Cristallo/Red LP, White Label LP, digital editions, and CD. The CD version includes two exclusive bonus tracks, “Out Of Body” and “Cruel Summer”, the latter being a cover of the Bananarama classic. Two cap bundle options will also be available, one paired with the CD and another with the LP.

The new album follows an active period for the band. Earlier this year, Prong released the live album Live And Uncleansed through SPV/Steamhammer. Recorded over seven performances during July and August 2025, it captured Tommy Victor alongside bassist Christopher Dean and drummer Tyler Joseph delivering eleven live tracks, plus three additional bonus performances.

The band’s partnership with Napalm Records was announced in June 2025 after a European headline tour celebrating the 31st anniversary of Cleansing. Their most recent studio album, State Of Emergency, arrived in October 2023 via Steamhammer/SPV. Produced by Steve Evetts, whose credits include Sepultura and The Dillinger Escape Plan, the record also featured a version of “Working Man”, originally recorded by Rush.

With “The Banner” now available, Prong have offered the first indication of what listeners can expect from Prong. If the single reflects the rest of the album, the band’s latest chapter continues to build on the aggressive style and identity they have refined since their earliest days in the New York underground.

The post PRONG Unveils First Single “The Banner” As Self-Titled Album Arrives This November appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Launching in mid-November.

The post Bodysnatcher, Gideon, PSYCHO-FRAME & Volatile Ways Announce Fall U.S. Tour appeared first on Theprp.com.

Susanna Hoffs, the Bangles co-founder and solo artist, always has some new project in the pipeline, but she hasn’t released an album of original material in 14 years. That’s about to change.

The post Susanna Hoffs Announces New Album <em>The List</em> Feat. Rufus Wainwright, Edie Brickell, Spencer Zahn, & More appeared first on Stereogum.

The band filmed a November 2024 São Paulo performance for this new documentary/live film.

The post Linkin Park’s New Film ‘UNSHATTER’ & Its Soundtrack Due In September, “Somewhere I Belong” Live Video Debuts appeared first on Theprp.com.

(written by Islander) Using Juliet as his voice, Shakespeare asked us to ponder “What’s in a name?” But while roses would indeed smell as sweet (or as foul, depending on your tastes) if given some other name, names do matter, especially when a band chooses one that tells you what they’re up to like a […]

The post AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: LEADBELCHER — “OFFALATED YESHUA” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.