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Cold Blue Mountain are not exactly thinking small on The Healer. The Chico, California post-metal quintet’s new double album is a 74-minute concept record tracing the rise of Grigori Rasputin from grief-stricken peasant mystic to royal-court power broker, turning Russian historical obsession into a massive doom/sludge/post-metal descent through grief, faith, ego, corruption and control.

Out June 24 via Vulture Print Records, The Healer marks Cold Blue Mountain’s most ambitious work to date. Across eight tracks, the band build on the massive emotional architecture of Neurosis, Amenra and Oathbreaker while pushing into heavier, more violent terrain. Lead single “The Storm” channels the intense grief of Rasputin’s early life through death metal breakdowns before collapsing into an outro of black metal-style annihilation and ego death. In other words: not exactly light weather.

The album also finds Cold Blue Mountain reforged with a new lineup around returning members Brandon Squyres, William McGahan and Daniel Taylor. Guitarist Nathan Collins brings complex doom harmonies and frenetic black metal influence, while bassist/vocalist Chris Keene adds soaring clean vocals to counter Squyres’ bloodcurdling screams and expanded harsh-noise/sound-design work. The result is still recognizably Cold Blue Mountain, but broader, darker and more melodically adventurous.

“We are incredibly proud of this record,” Squyres tells Decibel. “The story of Rasputin has always fascinated me. Having this theme and story in mind for the next album gave us a focus that helped create our heaviest music to date.”

Stream “The Storm” below, and look for The Healer on June 24 via Vulture Print Records. Cold Blue Mountain will also hit the West Coast for a short release run June 24–28, with physical media in hand, including the double LP on gold vinyl with full art booklet and CD editions.

The post Album Premiere: Cold Blue Mountain – <i>The Healer</i> appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

On brand.

The post Brand Of Sacrifice Launch Two New Singles “Seeing Red” & “This Place Wasn’t Meant For Us” appeared first on Theprp.com.

Brand of Sacrifice Return With Explosive Double Single

Canadian deathcore titans Brand of Sacrifice have returned with a devastating double single, ‘Seeing Red’ and ‘This Place Wasn’t Meant For Us’, marking the band’s first new music since late 2023 and the opening strike of a major new chapter. Arriving with the scale, precision, and emotional force that have made Brand Of Sacrifice one of heavy music’s most singular modern bands and serious contenders for the modern deathcore crown, the two tracks feel both newly sharpened and deeply connected to the sound, scale, and conviction that the band are known for.

Watch the video here!

Since their formation in 2018, Brand of Sacrifice have built a world around a lethal combination of force and feeling. Across every era, their sound has carried the feeling of standing at the edge of something enormous, where beauty, violence, grief, and transformation all collide in the same frame. With the two new tracks released today, Brand of Sacrifice reconnect with the atmosphere and emotion of early releases The Interstice, their 2019 debut EP, and their 2021 Billboard-charting, Juno-nominated sophomore album Lifeblood. The result is a continuation of the band’s formative instincts: visceral heaviness, cinematic unease and emotional immediacy, sharpened through the force and command of the band they have become.

’Seeing Red’, sees the band come out swinging with one of their most direct and overwhelmingly brutal tracks to date. Built for devastating impact, the track is arguably one of the heaviest in the band’s catalog but underneath the brutality is something more human. The track speaks to the desperate search for agency when everything feels unstable, turning the guttural chaos of the music into something listeners can connect to on an emotional level.

Its companion, ‘This Place Wasn’t Meant For Us’, leans into the band’s gift for atmosphere and tension. Hauntingly eerie, cinematic, and slow-burning before the earth finally gives way, the track pulls the listener deeper into the darker, moodier sonic world-building side of Brand of Sacrifice.

Speaking on the new singles, vocalist Kyle Anderson shares:

“Seeing Red” and “This Place Wasn’t Meant For Us” mark an incredible moment for us as our first new material since 2023. While these songs push Brand of Sacrifice forward, they also reconnect with elements of our past, drawing inspiration from the atmosphere and emotion of The Interstice and our sophomore release Lifeblood. We wanted to strip things back and focus on something more visceral, and honest while capturing a sense of nostalgia without simply repeating ourselves. We’re very proud of these tracks and can’t wait for everyone to experience this next chapter with us.”

For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.

The post Brand of Sacrifice Return With Explosive Double Single appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

A new series titled Through Static And Shadows is aiming to bridge the worlds of heavy metal, horror entertainment and paranormal investigation through a format built around psychic readings and mediumship.

Led by psychic medium and clairvoyant Catherine Nadal, the program focuses on personal readings with figures from the metal and horror scenes, offering viewers a look at both the lives and spiritual experiences connected to its guests.

One of the show’s defining elements is its approach to the readings themselves. According to the production, Catherine Nadal begins each filming session without knowing the identity of the guest beforehand. By avoiding any advance research or preparation, the series is designed to present the readings as they happen, relying entirely on intuition and spiritual communication.

Each episode is divided into two segments. The opening portion centers on tasseography, a form of divination commonly known as coffee reading. Guests drink a cup of espresso before Nadal interprets the patterns left inside the cup. The process is intended to provide insight into a person’s past, present and possible future, serving as the starting point for the session.

The second half shifts into mediumship, where Nadal attempts to communicate with deceased loved ones connected to the guest. These conversations often reveal personal messages, emotional moments and unexpected details that become the centerpiece of the episode.

The series is produced by M.A.S. Productions and directed by Mike Schiff, known for creating the award-winning documentary The History of Metal and Horror. The production combines a professional visual presentation with a more intimate atmosphere focused on individual stories and experiences.

The guest list draws from both metal and horror circles. Confirmed participants include Acey Slade of Murderdolls, Don Jamieson of That Metal Show, Fred Vogel of August Underground, Felissa Rose of Sleepaway Camp, and Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Entertainment.

Beyond her work as a psychic medium and clairvoyant, Catherine Nadal is also an author and retired Army Reserve colonel. She has spent decades working with people dealing with grief, personal challenges and spiritual development. According to her background, her experiences communicating with spirit guides began during childhood and eventually became the foundation of her professional work.

Currently in production, Through Static And Shadows is planned as a five-episode limited series. The initial run has been developed to demonstrate the concept’s long-term viability while introducing audiences to its unique blend of paranormal investigation and entertainment.

The team behind the project is also exploring partnerships, distribution opportunities, sponsorship agreements and additional financing as it looks toward future seasons.

With guests from established corners of the metal and horror worlds and a format that appeals to paranormal audiences, Through Static And Shadows is positioning itself for potential expansion across digital, streaming, and broadcast platforms.

The post THROUGH STATIC AND SHADOWS Brings Paranormal Readings To The Metal & Horror Communities appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

(Andy Synn has three more prime cuts of British beef to share with you today) Look, I know I’ve titled this series of columns the “Best of British”, but I’ll admit that that’s not always the case… sometimes the artists/albums I feature here are just “good”, rather than “great”, and it’s more about me just […]

The post BEST OF BRITISH: SCORDATURA / TEMPLE GUARD / URZAH appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

A massive scandal has officially overshadowed the closing days of the United Kingdom’s premier rock and heavy metal gathering. Regional law enforcement authorities have confirmed a formal criminal investigation is underway following an explicit, highly inappropriate intimate encounter between two attendees on the main Ferris wheel at Download Festival.

The incident, which took place at Donington Park, has triggered an absolute firestorm across global rock communities after mobile phone footage of the encounter completely saturated major social media networks like TikTok and Instagram.

According to a public statement released by the Leicestershire Police department, detectives are actively seeking to identify the individuals involved during the highly anticipated Saturday night news cycle.

STREAM THE METAL BREAKDOWN DAILY BELOW:

Want more unedited analysis on this wild Download Festival scandal? Host Scott Penfold breaks down the entire news cycle, the viral memes, and the police investigation on today’s episode of the Metal Breakdown Daily! Track the latest rock updates, plus the newly announced Faith No More 2027 reunion and Danzig’s fall tour drop by streaming directly inside the free Loaded Radio App available on Apple iOS and Google Play.

THE DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2026: EVENT STRUCTURE MATRIX

High-Velocity Engagement Sparks Global Download Meme Storm

The sheer velocity of the crowd density at the time of the incident has turned the situation into one of the most viral moments in modern festival history. The explicit encounter took place inside a fully transparent glass panoramic cabin on the festival’s signature amusement ride, elevated directly above thousands of congregating music fans.

Witnesses speaking to British media outlets indicated that the spotless condition of the glass enclosure left absolutely nothing to the imagination, completely shattering the individuals’ apparent assumption of privacy.

“Originally for the first rotation of the wheel people thought he was just standing behind her with his arms around her, looking at the view,” an anonymous eyewitness stated to the media. “But, as it got lower, somebody shouted ‘I can see her pants pulled aside!’ They were literally in a glass pod above everyone’s heads at the busiest point of the night, just before Guns N’ Roses were due on. All I can think is they thought the glass was tinted, but it wasn’t at all, it was actually spotless, you could see everything. I just hope they cleaned the cabin after they got out of it.”

The resulting digital media fallout spawned an instant wave of viral internet memes and heated discourse across online rock and metal forums. Despite the massive public exposure and millions of impressions generated by the footage online, the Leicestershire Police have confirmed that no official arrests or criminal charges have been processed at the current time of publication.

Leicestershire Police Issue Formal Public Appeal for Identification

Law enforcement personnel are currently working in tandem with Download Festival corporate organizers to review localized security camera footage and trace the digital origin of the viral video files.

An official spokesperson for the Leicestershire Police department issued a direct mandate to the public, heavily urging anyone with authentic cell phone footage or direct knowledge of the suspects’ identities to come forward immediately:

“Officers are aware of a video on social media concerning two people acting inappropriately while on a Ferris wheel at Download this weekend,” the official police statement reads. “The incident is currently being investigated and officers are in contact with the organisers of the festival. Enquiries in relation to this are ongoing and police are working to identify and speak to the people involved. Anyone with information is asked to report online at www.leics.police.uk – quoting crime reference 26346427.”

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Download Festival Closes Out Historic Weekend of Music Meta

The unexpected Ferris wheel controversy added a chaotic footnote to an otherwise historic, record-breaking weekend for the legendary British rock institution. Marking its 23rd annual iteration at the hallowed grounds of Donington Park, the event drew a massive weekend attendance of over 95,000 passionate heavy music purists.

The festival’s lineup featured monumental, top-tier performance milestones across all four days of operation. Nu-metal veterans Limp Bizkit officially topped the absolute apex of the Download bill on Friday night, marking their first-ever appearance as main stage headliners in a critically acclaimed, high-octane set.

On Sunday night, the alternative rock titans Linkin Park made definitive festival history. Co-fronted by new vocalist Emily Armstrong, the band officially became the first-ever female-fronted act to close out the Download Festival main stage since the event’s inception over two decades ago.

Following the historic Sunday night performance, Mike Shinoda revealed Armstrong’s humble, class-act response to breaking Download’s long-standing gender barrier.

“I asked her and she said: ‘If it wasn’t us, it would’ve just been someone else, because there are so many great female-fronted bands,’” Shinoda stated over the weekend. “But, she’s so grateful, she wanted you guys to know, she’s so grateful that she is the one and that she’ll remember it forever.”

While operations have officially concluded for the summer season, executive organizers have already confirmed that Download Festival will return to its historic home at Donington Park from June 9 to June 13. At the current time of publication, no official legacy performers, tier-one ticket packages, or exclusive lineup announcements have been revealed to the public.

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FAQ: Download Festival Ferris Wheel Investigation

Why are the police investigating the Download Festival Ferris wheel incident? The Leicestershire Police launched a criminal inquiry because the public sexual encounter took place in a fully transparent glass cabin visible to thousands of public attendees, including families and children, which constitutes a public decency offense under regional laws.

What is the crime reference number for the Ferris wheel video scandal? Authorities have requested that anyone with video logs, photo evidence, or direct identification links report information online via the official portal using crime reference code 26*346427.

Did the Ferris wheel incident disrupt the headlining band’s schedule? No. While the viral encounter happened during the busiest crowd rush of Saturday night right underneath the ride tracks, it did not alter or delay the live headline performance by Guns N’ Roses.

The boundaries of public festival culture have been clearly challenged, and the rock community is heavily debating where the line should be drawn. As festival operators tighten up infrastructure parameters for next summer, the conversation surrounding safety and behavior at major rock gatherings is moving faster than ever.

Does an explicit public encounter at a historic music festival warrant a full-scale law enforcement inquiry, or should festival crowds expect the unscripted wild west when entering the gates? Fire off your theories, structural breakdown reviews, and thoughts in the comments section below!

Also Recommended – The Black Book of Metal: 13 Heavy Metal Scandals That Shook the Music World

TL;DR

• The High-Flying Scandal: Two festival attendees engaged in a highly explicit intimate act inside a transparent glass panoramic cabin on the Download Festival Ferris wheel.
• The Police Response: Leicestershire Police have opened an active criminal inquiry and are appealing to the public for suspect identification under crime reference number 26*346427.
• The Viral Fallout: The explicit footage has gone viral across TikTok and Instagram, spawning a massive wave of internet memes within the global heavy metal community.
• The Historical Baseline: The incident occurred during a massive weekend at Donington Park featuring record-breaking headlining sets from Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park.

Never miss a breaking rock dynasty update, an unscripted artist statement, or international metal festival tracking data. Download the free Loaded Radio App for iOS App Store and Google Play Store today to command our live 24/7 high-decibel digital stream and catch our Daily Podcast on demand.

The post Couple Busted In Intimate Act on Download Festival Ferris Wheel as Police Launch Active Investigation appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Yellowcard, New Found Glory and Bowling For Soup are among the artists set to perform as part of Walt Disney World’s ‘Eat To The Beat’ concert series, taking place at EPCOT later this year.

Presented by Enterprise as part of the Florida theme park’s International Food & Wine Festival, the series of live shows will take place on select days from August – November.

Take a look at the post below for a full run-down of who you’ll be able to catch.

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A post shared by Disney Parks (@disneyparks)

If you’re lucky enough to be in the parks over any of those dates, you’ll also be able to ride the new Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Having opened last month, the coaster features a cameo from Travis Barker, and a soundtrack including Def Leppard, delivering a new version of their 1983 hit ‘Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)’.

You may even hear Yellowcard and Bowling For Soup alongside the likes of My Chemical Romance, Paramore and The Warning whilst you wait to ride, as they’re all among the huge list of songs is set to loop as you make your way through the courtyard.

The post Yellowcard, New Found Glory, Bowling For Soup + More To Perform At Walt Disney World’s ‘Eat To The Beat’ appeared first on Rock Sound.

Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee are back on tour as Rush for the first time since drum god Neil Peart’s death in 2020, now with Anika Nilles behind the kit. At their first show, Aimee Mann joined them onstage at the Los Angeles-area Kia Forum to sing her guest spot on “Time Stand Still.” Mann reprised her appearance at three more Forum gigs over the past week. Presumably she won’t be with Rush when they move on to Mexico City this week. She almost wasn’t with them in LA.

The post Aimee Mann’s Latest Comic Reveals Why She Nearly Passed On Rush Reunion Tour appeared first on Stereogum.

Onetime New Orleans rap star Mystikal has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to rape. In 2022, police in Louisiana arrested the 51-year-old Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, for first-degree rape, domestic abuse, battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and property damage.

The post Mystikal Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison In Rape Case appeared first on Stereogum.

We frequently highlight women who took charge in politics, science, sports, and literature, but true leadership also thrives in the shadows where women can absolutely dominate the grim reality of the criminal underworld. The most successful pirate in human history was a woman named Ching Shih, and she built an illicit maritime empire that brought the most powerful nations on earth to their knees.

Her ascension to power began in a violent void. In 1807, a coastal storm claimed the life of her husband, the pirate commander Zheng Yi, leaving his Red Flag Fleet on the brink of collapse and bloody infighting. Ching Shih stepped directly into that chaos and seized total control. She secured the loyalty of the top commanders and dragged the warring factions together under her singular, uncompromising vision. Within months, she commanded a dark armada of hundreds of ships and tens of thousands of hardened outlaws.

Controlling an army of outcasts required absolute, terrifying discipline. She forged an ironclad code of laws to keep the fleet functioning like a lethal machine. Disobeying an order from a superior meant immediate execution by beheading. Stealing from the communal treasure pool or mistreating female captives carried the exact same bloody penalty. Her severe regulations transformed a disorganized mob into a unified, merciless naval force that completely dominated the South China Sea.

Her expanding shadow eventually forced major world empires to intervene. The Qing dynasty sent their imperial navy to crush her operations, and her fleet annihilated their ships. The Portuguese and British navies joined the hunt using superior technology, and she battered them into humiliating retreat. The Qing government eventually surrendered to the reality of her power and begged for negotiations. She dictated her own terms of surrender, secured full pardons for her men, kept her immense accumulated wealth, and walked away from the sea to run a massive gambling operation.

Ching Shih conquered a hyper violent and male-dominated world using pure, cold tactical genius. Her reign translates perfectly into modern ideas of knowing your absolute worth and thriving in hostile spaces. She treated piracy as a ruthless business enterprise, built unbreakable systems, and forced her enemies to pay her to walk away. The ultimate lesson from her life is clear. True power comes from mastering the darkness around you, demanding respect, and always dictating your own exit.

The post She’s In Charge | Zheng Yi Sao: The Pirate Queen Who Conquered the Seas first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.