Blog

There’s something about farewell records that makes every listening so bittersweet. Whether you know the band or not,

70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, is thrilled to announce the first bands that will be part of next year’s lineup: 
 

ÆTHER REALM
ARCH ENEMY
BRAINSTORM
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
ENFORCER
EVERGREY
EQUILIBRIUM
MELECHESH
MOONSPELL
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST
OBSCURA
THULCANDRA
ULI JON ROTH
WARBRINGER

…And 46 more! 

Also joining the lineup is musical visionary and innovator ULI JON ROTH, whose career spans five decades and includes his pioneering work with Germany’s legendary Metal band SCORPIONS. 

Andy Piller, CEO, Founder and “Skipper” of the fan-favorite Metal cruise states: “As part of his two sets on 70000TONS OF METAL, Uli will be paying tribute to two iconic SCORPIONS albums, both celebrating their 50th anniversary. In his first set, Uli will perform ‘VIRGIN KILLER’ in its entirety. In his second performance, he’ll heavily focus on ‘IN TRANCE’. We’re delighted he’s joining the party next year!”

Roth is widely recognized as a key founder of the Neoclassical Metal genre, having revolutionized guitar technique by fusing Blues-based Rock with intricate European classical influences. He also founded the acclaimed ‘Sky Academy’, which offers immersive, masterclass seminars that unlock a musician’s full creative potential. The legendary virtuoso guides players of all levels toward a more profound, holistic understanding of music.

Additional bands will be announced in the coming weeks, with an additional lineup announcement #SOON. 

70000TONS OF METAL 2027 will sail from Miami, FL to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and back from January 14-18, 2027, aboard Royal Caribbean’s luxury cruise ship Freedom of the Seas. The ship offers round-the-clock entertainment, artist-hosted activities and events, exclusive meet-and-greets, and the unique opportunity for fans to mingle with their metal heroes in a completely immersive environment.

The festival-at-sea continues its tradition of delivering an unforgettable experience with 60 Metal bands from around the globe, playing across four stages – including the legendary Pool Deck Stage, The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to Ever Sail the Open Seas. 

Only 3000 tickets are available to metalheads from around the globe, continuing the festival’s legacy of cultivating a tight-knit, global metal community, the “United Nations of Heavy Metal at Sea”. Fans are encouraged to book early to secure their place on this epic voyage on the High Seas.

Visit www.70000tons.com and follow the @70000tons social media channels for more upcoming news about 70000TONS OF METAL 2027, featuring a lineup of top metal bands and exclusive performances and events.

The post 70000TONS OF METAL announces first 14 performers for 2027 voyage first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

Clutch are heading back to Australia in January, 2027 with Corrosion Of Conformity for a run of headline shows to celebrate the release of their upcoming new studio record.
Read more…

Funeral doomsters When Nothing Remains have confirmed departure of Mattias Jaselius (rhythm guitars) and Gunnar Hård af Segerstad (bass). Vocalist Jan Sallander will be handling rhythm guitars during the band’s live shows from now on.
Read more…

All aboard, ah-hahaha! Continue reading…

Acclaimed musician, songwriter, and multidisciplinary artist Chelsea Wolfe has announced her 9th studio album, The Dark, out August 21 via Loma Vista Recordings. CD and vinyl editions will follow on September 18. The album announcement is accompanied by the release of its opening track and lead single, Cold, a soaring, heartwrenching ballad whose chorus will […]

Live Review: Bat Sabbath – Corporation, Sheffield

16th July 2026
Support: Black Mastiff, Froglord
Words & Photos: Martin Hingley

Just over a year since Black Sabbath played their final show, Canadian hardcore heavyweights Cancer Bats bring their Bat Sabbath alter ego to Sheffield’s The Local Authority at Corporation, celebrating one of metal’s greatest bands. Having already paid tribute to Sabbath at Download Festival back in June, tonight’s intimate show gives fans another chance to witness the project up close.

Before the Sabbath celebrations begin, tonight’s incredible support acts more than hold their own. First up are Edmonton’s Black Mastiff, making one of their first UK appearances. Bathed in green light, they waste no time showcasing their fuzzy, distorted blend of stoner rock and doom. Their sound sits somewhere between early Black Sabbath and Queens Of The Stone Age, making them an ideal fit for tonight’s bill. Tracks such as Pyramids and the riff-heavy Paddle get heads nodding as bassist Clay Shea grooves across the stage, curly hair flying everywhere, while guitarist and vocalist Bob Yiannakoulias drives the set with thick, sludgy riffs and understated vocals. Closing with the thunderous Star Base 77, Black Mastiff leave a strong first impression and I’m hoping they won’t be strangers to UK stages for long and make it back soon.

Next up are Froglord, taking the audience on a bizarre but hugely entertaining journey into the swamp. Ambient swamp sounds echo around the room before the hooded Frogmen emerge, launching into recent single Croak. The room is abuzz with energy as frontman Benjamin “Froglord” Oak throws himself around the stage, his enthusiasm quickly spreading through the crowd as crushing doom riffs fill Corporation. Follow The Star drags everyone even deeper into Froglord’s strange amphibious world.

Soon it’s time to worship The Mystic Toad. As Benjamin passes a giant inflatable frog around the stage, the set reaches peak nuttiness as the creature appears to jokingly give its own bass solo (courtesy of bassist Luke “Bufo” Clemenger). The closing run of songs, including the blues-infused Swamp Boogie, rounds off one of the night’s most memorable performances.

“Are you ready to worship the gods of metal?” Liam Cormier asks as he swishes his cape across the stage. As the pounding opening of Children Of The Grave kicks in, Bat Sabbath immediately demonstrate exactly why this project has become so popular, delivering a faster, heavier take on the Sabbath classic. Supernaut follows moments later, with Cormier warning anyone who doesn’t like moshing to “leave this area” before pointing straight into the middle of the crowd. The crowd respond instantly, with big pits opening up and the energy levels rising even further.

When the unmistakable riff of Paranoid rings out from Jackson Landry’s guitar, dressed in an outfit paying homage to Tony Iommi, the whole venue erupts. It feels like a glimpse into what a Black Sabbath show may have been like in the early 1970s. Throughout the evening Bat Sabbath breathe fresh life into these songs, adding extra pace and aggression while never losing the spirit of the originals and paying respect to Sabbath’s extensive back catalogue.

From Cormier’s raw vocals to Landry’s outstanding guitar work, Bat Sabbath get the balance just right. They stay true to the original songs while adding enough of their own heavier edge to make them feel fresh. Whether you’ve loved Black Sabbath for years or you’re hearing these songs live for the first time, it’s hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere when they are played with such passion. War Pigs brings the main set to a fitting close, a song that remains just as relevant today as it was upon its release in 1970, with Cormier handing the opening verse over to the crowd before taking over himself.

The band soon return for an encore, dropping the Bat Sabbath personas as Cancer Bats. Cormier casually announces that a new album and tour are on the way before the band tear through one final song, a Cancer Bats track, giving the Sheffield crowd an unexpected bonus to end the night.

What began as a one-off festival idea has become one of Cancer Bats’ defining side projects, keeping Black Sabbath’s music alive for a new generation. It may never replace seeing Ozzy and co. themselves, but Bat Sabbath comes remarkably close to capturing the spirit, power and sheer fun that make those songs timeless.

Photo credits: Martin Hingley

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

The post Live Review: Bat Sabbath – Sheffield appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

Celebrated blues and roots band Misty Blues, fronted by singer, guitarist and founder Gina Coleman, will release their 18th studio album, ‘Still Ticking‘, on July 31st, 2026 via Guitar One Records — available digitally and on CD and vinyl. Arriving in the band’s 27th year together, the 11-track collection is what the band calls “blues […]

The post Misty Blues Return With 18th Studio Album ‘Still Ticking’ appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

One month prior the release of their seventh full-length offering Maanääri, melodic death metal bringers Noumena offer in listening the third single titled Tyhjyys (“The Void”). The accompanying music video was written, directed, filmed and edited by Ville Lamminaho.
Read more…

In a recent interview with ‘Stevie J of TotalRock’ at this past weekend’s Maid Of Stone festival at Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, one of long-running all female heavy metal act Girlschool are planning to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2028 with the release a new studio album. The upcoming effort will be the follow-up to WTFortyfive?, which came out in July 2023 via Silver Lining Music. More info in due time.
Read more…