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Posted on July 19th 2026, 11:10am

After being all but defunct for over 30 years (with the exception of a short-lived reunion from the late 2000s/early 2010s), German thrash/speed metal legends Living Death recently announced that they have reformed and will play one of their first shows in more than 15 years at the Speed Metal Party festival in Finland on August 29th. The band has not yet disclosed any plans for more shows or a new album.
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Greetings once again, dear readers. It’s time for Staff Infections, where we listen, you read and everybody has fun. Before we get to the fun part, however, we should acknowledge the recent passing of a foundational figure in American death metal, Mike Browning. For those without google, Mike was the original drummer and vocalist for Morbid Angel, and he played on what was to be the band’s first album, Abominations of Desolation, which was recorded in 1986 but not officially released until 1991. Mike was also the original drummer and vocalist for Nocturnus, performing on the group’s first two albums, including the sci-fi death metal classic The Key. Mike contributed to several musical endeavors over the years, including Incubus (no, not that one, and not that one either) Acheron, and Lethal Prayer. Mike eventually reformed Nocturnus as Nocturnus A.D. and issued a fitting sequel to The Key in 2019’s Paradox, as well as a follow-up Unicursal in 2024. 62 is far too young to go, but Mike definitely left a big mark in death metal. Rest in peace, Mr. Browning.

Now, on to what we’ve been listening to. As it turns out, we haven’t been listening to a lot of the same stuff, because only two albums made it on to multiple playlists. Our tie for album of the month consists of the aforementioned The Key, and Too Much Heaven by Bug Bath. Bug bath falls a bit outside our purview, and The Key is 36 years old, so reviews on either are not to be had. However, we do have a review of Nocturnus A.D.’s Paradox right here, which is worth checking out.

For our group discussion this month, in honor of Mike Browning, share with us in the comments your favorite singing (or growling) drummer. Since there aren’t that many to choose from, I’ll keep my favorite to myself.

That just about does it for this month. While you’re ruminating on your favorite singing drummer, have a listen to the staff-curated Spotify playlist below, and please share your own playlist in the comments. Until next time, watch out for that wildfire smoke and wear sunscreen.

Zach Duvall
Sleep – The Sciences
Desert Collider – Generation Ship: Endless Drift Through Infinity
Yob – Catharsis
Led Zeppelin – everything
Anathema – Distant Satellites
Autopsy – Mental Funeral

Andrew Edmunds
Eastwood – Antibiose
Focus – Moving Waves
Richard Inman – Faded Love Better Days
Meliah Rage – Kill To Survive
Gin Blossoms – New Miserable Experience
Concrete Blonde – Bloodletting

Captain
Killing Time – Brightside
Fishbone – Give a Monkey a Brain and He’ll Swear He’s the Center of the Universe
Quicksand – Bring On the Psychics
Galneryus – A Cry from the Sky Above
Arise From Worms – A Bleeding Tree Hanging Self Destruction
Vio-Lence – Eternal Nightmare

Wolf Rambatz
Buried – Imagined Deformation
Orbital Ensemble – Continua
Bug Bath – Too Much Heaven
Desecation – Despoiled Ethereal Purity
Kloyd – New Love
Fate – A Matter of Attitude

Lone Watie
Desert Green Water – Eerie Meadows
Kristoffer Gildenløw – Humanised
Mono – Snowdrop
Galasphere 347 – the syntax of things
Bug Bath – Too Much Heaven
Ben Vince – Street Druid

David Fonseca
3 – The End Is Begun
Mastodon – Hushed and Grim
Karnivool – Sound Awake
Nocturnus – The Key
Battleroar – Petrichor
Elder – Through Zero

Jeremy Morse
Visigoth – Conqueror’s Oath
Dream Death – Somnium Excessum
Devourment – Pious Impiety
Alice in Chains – Dirt
Chainsword – Blightmarch
All Out War – For Those Who Were Crucified

Danhammer Obstkrieg
Atomic Aggressor – The Occult Forces
Lyo XS – Borde
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Hulder – Verbolgen
Ellen Allien – New Life
Azaxul – The Fleshly Tomb

Spencer Hotz
Fake Dust – Decrepitizing Din Of The Cerebral
Warning – Watching From A Distance
Neurosis – An Undying Love For A Burning World
Owl – Ivory Eye
Pig Destroyer – 38 Counts Of Battery
Captain Beyond – Sufficiently Breathless

Isaac Hams
Dissection – Storm of the Light’s Bane
Telefon Tel Aviv – Fahrenheit Fair Enough
Warning – Rituals of Shame
Armand Hammer – Mercy
Atheist – Unquestionable Presence
Phantom Spell – Heather & Hearth

 

The post Staff Infections – July 2026 appeared first on Last Rites.

In wake of their forthcoming Carrie Chains album release, the Californians Castle have launched a lyric video for the second single “The Messenger”.
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Pix by Sarah Gilpin Photography SKYE LAWS NO BULL NECKO UNTAMED THE POOR

Tennyson King delivers a deeply moving blend of indie folk and Americana on Good Intentions, where tender songwriting meets rich cross-cultural musicianship. Warm acoustic guitars intertwine beautifully with traditional Chinese instruments, creating an organic and immersive sound that feels both timeless and refreshingly distinctive. King’s heartfelt vocal performance carries the emotional weight of a story about love, timing, and acceptance with remarkable sincerity, while the elegant arrangement allows every melodic detail to breathe. Poignant, beautifully crafted, and emotionally resonant, Good Intentions is a graceful meditation on love’s enduring impact, even when it isn’t meant to last.

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Valley continue to refine their irresistible indie pop formula with Vending Machine, a shimmering, hook-filled anthem that pairs polished production with heartfelt songwriting. Bright guitars, vibrant synth textures, and an infectious rhythmic pulse provide the perfect backdrop for expressive vocals that effortlessly balance vulnerability and optimism. The band’s gift for crafting memorable melodies is on full display, making every chorus instantly satisfying without sacrificing emotional authenticity. Sleek yet sincere, Vending Machine is another expertly crafted slice of modern indie pop that proves Valley’s knack for turning everyday emotions into endlessly replayable songs.

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Progressive technical death metal outfit Entheos have announced their new studio album, Empty On The Inside, is set for release on October 23rd via Metal Blade Records. The band has also unveiled the first single, titled “Golden Crown”.
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British blues-rock artist Joanne Shaw Taylor returns  with ‘Bad Boy‘, the latest single from her forthcoming studio album ‘The Trouble With Love‘, due October 23rd via Journeyman Records. A swaggering, emotionally charged rocker, the song explores the magnetic pull of relationships that are as destructive as they are impossible to resist, pairing Joanne‘s unmistakable guitar […]

The post Joanne Shaw Taylor Releases Fiery New Single ‘Bad Boy’ appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

Jennifer Finch, longtime bassist of influential punk/grunge outfit L7, has died after battling an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was 59 years old.
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