Katy Perry chose her stage name because she worried that her actual name, Katy Hudson, might be too close to a certain rom-com-associated actress. Nobody’s confusing Katy Perry for Kate Hudson, but that stage name did wind up getting Perry into a 16-year legal dispute with an Australian designer whose brand just so happens to be called Katie Perry.
(written by Islander) Atlantic Ridge is the brainchild of Italian artist Giuseppe Emanuele Frisone, who will be known to our site’s visitors (and many others) as the person behind such heavy musical projects as Thecodontion and Clactonian. We’re told that the ideas for Atlantic Ridge came to him as long ago as 2019, and then […]
One of Europe’s most dedicated underground death metal festivals is back – and bigger than ever. DEATHFEAST OPEN AIR 2026 will take place from August 20-22, 2026 at JUZ Andernach, Germany, bringing together 33 bands from 18 countries for three days of uncompromising brutality. The 2026 edition delivers a carefully curated lineup spanning the full […]
Koyo, Long Island hardcore guys who make fired-up and hooky emo, have a new album called Barely Here coming out this spring. Drain’s Sammy Ciaramitaro and Fleshwater’s Marisa Shirar make appearances, and we’ve already posted the very fun lead single “Irreversible.” Today, Koyo drop another track on us. The new Koyo song “What I’m Worth”…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNMERCIFUL Announces Maryland Deathfest Debut with James “Freight Train” Lee & Full “INFERNALLY CONQUERING TOUR 2026”
Kansas death metal titans UNMERCIFUL are ready to scorch stages across the Midwest and East Coast this May, culminating in their first-ever performance at Maryland Deathfest 2026 . Fans are in for a monstrous treat, as James “Freight Train” Lee—legendary for his work with Origin on III , Echoes of Decimation , and Antithesis —will command the vocals for a jaw-dropping set of UNMERCIFUL’s unrelenting death metal assault.
The band had this to say:
“Our first ever performance at Maryland Death Fest is just 3 months away. With that, we want to announce a very special guest that will be performing on vocals. This man is none other than the almighty James ‘Freight Train’ Lee!!! Hearing him performing our material will be something NOT to miss!!
Also, Trynt is still dealing with some health issues, so Andy Vincent will be handling the relentless drum duties. We are in the process of booking some shows around this time (May 20th–May 28th). More information on show dates and venues coming soon.
We look forward to delivering an unforgettably crushing set! We will see you all soon.”
Following the cancellation of their previous tour with Vitriol and Weeping , UNMERCIFUL returns stronger than ever. Their latest album, Devouring Darkness (Willowtip Records), has been hailed as a brutal triumph:
“ Devouring Darkness is an unceasing beatdown of a death metal album where technicality takes a backseat to brutality.” – Angry Metal Guy
“Malicious guidance does well to hold their focus tight on bludgeoning brutal death metal here, an ideal ratio of unreal skill and severe impact.” – Mystification Zine
“Unmerciful are among us to blast our ears with Brutal Death Metal at its finest.” – The Headbanging Moose
“A swirl of riffs will wrap themselves around you like a coiled snake, and the drums will cave your head in.” – Dead Rhetoric
With longtime guitarist Jeremy Turner returning and Josh Riley debuting on vocals, UNMERCIFUL continues to define the cutting edge of American death metal. The record was engineered and produced by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, mastered by Alan Douches ( Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal ), with artwork by Santiago Francisco Jaramillo.
UNMERCIFUL 2026: INFERNALLY CONQUERING TOUR
Prepare for full-throttle death metal devastation from May 20th–28th, as UNMERCIFUL hits the following cities:
5/20 – Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge
5/21 – Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary
5/22 – TBA
5/23 – Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz
5/24 – Baltimore, MD (Maryland Deathfest 1st performance)
5/25 – Harrisburg, PA @ Capital Music Hall
5/26 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
5/27 – Indianapolis, IN @ State Street
5/28 – Kansas City, MO @ The Warehouse
2026 Live Lineup:
Jeremy Turner – guitar / vocals
Clint Appelhanz – guitar / vocals
James “Freight Train” Lee – vocals
Andy Vincent – drums
Steve Giddens – bass
Fans can expect a blistering mix of technical ferocity and unrelenting brutality that will leave stages in ruin. Devouring Darkness is available now wherever extreme metal is consumed. For more information, tickets, and updates, visit https://deathfests.com.
Follow the band at these links:
https://www.facebook.com/officialunmerciful/ https://www.instagram.com/official_unmerciful https://music.apple.com/us/artist/unmerciful/173905522 https://open.spotify.com/artist/1A7qyjUuQGJTkOL8LUmmtG https://www.pandora.com/station/play/98443676228797847 https://www.iheart.com/artist/unmerciful-393849/?autoplay=true https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/81522
What Did David Ellefson Say About Dave Mustaine Recently?
David Ellefson blasted Dave Mustaine in a new interview, telling the Megadeth leader to “just f* off” while criticizing how his dismissal from the band and songwriting credits were handled.
TL;DR
David Ellefson slammed Dave Mustaine in a new interview, saying “You know what? F* off.”**
Ellefson claims Mustaine removed his lyrics and bass performances from Megadeth’s 2022 album
The former bassist says his real farewell to the band happened in 2018
Ellefson insists there was nothing illegal in the 2021 scandal that led to his firing
He says he ultimately chose to “drop the rope” rather than pursue further legal action
A Friendship That Was Once Close
For longtime Megadeth fans, the relationship between David Ellefson and Dave Mustaine has always been complicated.
The two musicians co-founded the band in 1983, helping shape the aggressive technical style that turned Megadeth into one of the defining acts of thrash metal.
Ellefson says there were genuine moments of brotherhood between the two over the years — especially after he rejoined the band in 2010.
“When I went back to Megadeth in 2010, Dave and I were close — we were really close,” Ellefson explained in a recent appearance on the Quemar Un Patrullero podcast.
He described quiet moments away from the stage where the two would simply meet for coffee and talk.
“Those moments were genuine. They were sincere,” he said.
But according to Ellefson, that closeness didn’t last.
Ellefson Says His Contributions Were Removed
The tension became particularly apparent during the recording sessions for Megadeth’s 2022 album The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!.
Ellefson says he could tell Mustaine no longer wanted him involved.
“He didn’t wanna use any of my music,” he said.
At one point, Ellefson wrote what he describes as a ballad featuring guitarist Kiko Loureiro that he believes would have been a strong addition to the album.
The track ultimately never made the record.
He also says he contributed lyrics to what eventually became the song “Soldier On!”, but those contributions were later removed.
Ellefson compared the situation to Mustaine’s own experience after being fired from Metallica in 1983.
“When Dave got fired from Metallica, at least they kept his words and his music and they paid him and gave him credit,” Ellefson said.
He believes the same courtesy was not extended to him.
Ellefson’s second stint with Megadeth came to an abrupt end in 2021.
Sexually explicit messages and video clips involving the bassist were leaked online, sparking intense controversy and allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Ellefson has repeatedly maintained that nothing illegal occurred.
According to him, the woman involved was 19 years old at the time of their virtual encounter, and he claims the video was recorded and distributed without his consent.
He filed a report with police in Scottsdale, Arizona regarding the alleged unlawful distribution of the footage.
“There’s nothing here,” Ellefson said about the accusations.
He insists the situation was largely fueled by online speculation and misinformation.
One of the biggest flashpoints between the two musicians came when Mustaine suggested that a former band member’s past behavior made a reunion impossible.
Ellefson took that personally.
“You know what? F*** off. Just f*** off,” he said during the podcast.
He argues that nothing he did should prevent him from returning to the band, accusing Mustaine of trying to position himself on moral high ground.
Why was David Ellefson fired from Megadeth? He was dismissed in 2021 after explicit messages and video clips involving him were leaked online.
Did David Ellefson play on Megadeth’s 2022 album? His bass tracks were originally recorded but later replaced by bassist Steve DiGiorgio before release.
Are Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson still friends? Their relationship appears strained following Ellefson’s firing and the events surrounding it.
Was there illegal activity in the scandal? Ellefson maintains there was nothing illegal, stating the woman involved was an adult.
Band Bio: Megadeth
Megadeth was formed in 1983 by guitarist and vocalist Dave Mustaine shortly after his departure from Metallica. Alongside bassist David Ellefson, the band became one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal, releasing landmark albums including Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?, Rust In Peace, and Countdown To Extinction. Known for technical precision and political lyrics, Megadeth has sold millions of albums worldwide and remains a dominant force in heavy metal.