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Petey Pablo’s Timbaland-produced 2001 anthem “Raise Up” is almost certainly the greatest song ever written about taking your shirt off, twisting it around your hand, and spinning it like a helicopter. Over the past quarter century, Petey Pablo’s career has been through peaks and valleys, including a two-year stay in federal prison for the time he tried to bring a stolen gun on board a commercial flight. But “Raise Up” has never gone away. Just this year, it’s been heavily referenced on songs from A$AP Rocky and Pablo’s fellow North Carolina rapper J. Cole. Now, “Raise Up” could become North Carolina’s official state hip-hop song.

The post Petey Pablo’s “Raise Up” Could Become North Carolina’s Official State Hip-Hop Song appeared first on Stereogum.

Tygers Of Pan Tang have debuted an Andy Pilkington-produced video for their newest single, “Electrifyed”. The latter will appear on the group’s next full-length effort, due out later in 2026 via Mighty Music.
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It’s not every day we get to hear new music from Marnie Stern. Today might not even be that day unless you pay up. Stern has returned with “Trix Are For Kids,” her first new song since 2023’s The Comeback Kid. For now, it’s only on Bandcamp, and it’s not streaming unless you buy it.…

The post Marnie Stern – “Trix Are For Kids” appeared first on Stereogum.

Portland, Oregon’sSlow Goat have unveiled details in what will be their debut long player. Dubbed Where The Wisest Fear To Tread, it will be set free on July 10th, 2026. The 8-piece outing was engineered and mixed by Eddie Brnabic. Mastered by Jack Endino.
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Switzerland’s rockers King Zebra are presenting a new song “Heart Without A Home”, their very first ballad. Check it out together with an official lyric video.
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STOCKHOLM, SE — The frozen landscapes of Scandinavia birthed a movement that changed the trajectory of extreme music forever, as Viking metal continues to dominate the global heavy metal consciousness in 2026. What began as a rebellious departure from the Satanic tropes of early black metal has evolved into a massive, cinematic subgenre that blends historical storytelling with crushing technicality. From the legendary basement tapes of Quorthon to the pyrotechnic-laden arena shows of Amon Amarth, the “Spirit of the North” remains an indomitable force in the metal world.

The Call of the Iron Woods: Why Viking Metal Matters

Ranking Viking metal bands is a task that requires more than just a list of names; it requires an understanding of the fundamental shift from the occult to the ancestral that occurred in the late 1980s. At Loaded Radio, we’ve tracked this evolution from its primal, frost-bitten origins to the sophisticated, multi-layered arrangements seen in 2026.

Viking metal isn’t just a genre; it’s a sonic reclamation of history. It’s about the tension between the harshness of the elements and the majesty of the sagas. Whether it’s the use of traditional folk instruments like the tagelharpa or the implementation of soaring clean-sung choirs, these 13 acts represent the absolute pinnacle of the craft.

We Also Recommend: Riffs That Weep – An Essential Guide to the Gothenburg Sound

13. Falkenbach

While the genre was born in the North, Germany’s Falkenbach proved that atmosphere is the ultimate currency. The one-man project of Vratyas Vakyas is a masterclass in what we call “Cinematic Viking.” Eschewing the frantic blast beats of his contemporaries, Vakyas focuses on vast, misty keyboard soundscapes and mid-tempo marches that evoke the feeling of standing alone on a frozen fjord. It is the “thinking man’s” Viking metal, prioritizing mood over muscle.

Where to Start: …Ok Nefna Tysvar Ty… (2003)

12. Heidevolk

These Dutch warriors are unique on this list for their ability to make the listener feel like they are sitting in a mead hall before a raid. Heidevolk’s secret weapon is their use of dual, clean male harmonies—a choice that creates a “war-torn choir” effect rarely seen in extreme music. They move away from black metal grit, leaning instead into a traditional “Heavy Metal” foundation that is undeniably infectious and anthemic.

Where to Start: Walhalla Wacht (2008)

11. Skálmöld

If you seek true linguistic and cultural authenticity, you look to Iceland. Skálmöld performs exclusively in Icelandic, weaving complex ancient sagas into a dense, three-guitar attack. They are among the most technical and heavy bands in the modern era, utilizing a crushing death metal delivery that proves the language of the ancestors is the perfect vehicle for modern aggression.

Where to Start: Börn Loka (2012)

10. Turisas

This is “Battle Metal” at its most flamboyant and theatrical. Clad in their iconic red-and-black war paint, Finland’s Turisas brought the accordion and violin to the frontlines of the genre. Their sound is symphonic, over-the-top, and unapologetically epic. If you want to experience the sheer triumph of a cavalry charge through song, this is your mandatory soundtrack.

Where to Start: The Varangian Way (2007)

9. Månegarm

Named after the celestial wolf that swallows the moon, Månegarm has spent three decades perfecting the delicate balance between “Savage” and “Soulful.” As pillars of the Swedish scene, they masterfully blend black metal riffs with traditional folk flutes and violins. Erik Grawsiö’s vocals remain some of the most versatile in the genre, shifting seamlessly from animalistic growls to evocative clean passages.

Where to Start: Vargstenen (2007)

8. Týr

Hailing from the remote Faroe Islands, Týr brings a scholarly, progressive edge to the Viking world. Led by the virtuosic Heri Joensen, their music is mathematically complex yet remains deeply rooted in Faroese folk melodies. They act as the “Power Metal” bridge to the genre, focusing on clean, soaring vocals and intricate guitar harmonies that would make Iron Maiden proud.

Where to Start: Ragnarok (2006)

7. Windir

The story of Windir is one of the most tragic and enduring in the history of metal. The project of Terje “Valfar” Bakken, Windir pioneered “Sognametal”—a unique cocktail of harsh black metal and folk-inspired synth melodies. Valfar tragically froze to death in a blizzard in 2004, but his music remains a haunting, beautiful monument to the Norwegian wilderness and a cornerstone of the genre’s DNA.

Where to Start: 1184 (2001)

6. Einherjer

One of the foundational pillars of the Norwegian movement, Einherjer has maintained a “gritty” and authentic approach since the mid-90s. They avoid the symphonic polish of their peers in favor of pure, mid-tempo stomps and anthemic choruses. They represent the “working man’s” Viking metal—rugged, honest, and focused on the heavy metal spirit.

Where to Start: Dragons of the North (1996)

5. Unleashed

While many of their peers looked toward Black Metal for inspiration, Unleashed brought the raw power of Swedish Death Metal to Valhalla. As part of the “Stockholm Big Four,” they were the first major death metal band to consistently swap gore for Viking lore. Johnny Hedlund’s lyrics regarding Norse heritage proved that the genre’s themes were not exclusive to the black metal scene.

Where to Start: Where No Life Dwells (1991)

4. Ensiferum

Commonly known as the “Sword-Bearers,” Ensiferum is the high-energy gold standard for folk-infused Viking metal. Their music is a relentless storm of galloping riffs and massive, clean-sung choral arrangements. For any newcomer looking for the “gateway drug” into the genre, Ensiferum provides the perfect blend of catchiness and extreme metal intensity.

Where to Start: Iron (2004)

3. Enslaved

Emerging from the notorious early 90s Norwegian scene, Enslaved was always the most “intelligent” band in the room. They took Viking mythology and projected it through a psychedelic, progressive lens that defied easy categorization. Over 30 years later, they continue to evolve, but their early work remains the definitive blueprint for “Viking Black Metal.”

Where to Start: Frost (1994)

2. Amon Amarth

The global ambassadors of the North. No other band has done more to bring Norse mythology to the masses than these Swedish melodic death metal giants. With Johan Hegg’s thunderous roar and a stage show that often includes full-scale Viking ships, they have turned the underground into an arena-filling empire. They are the definition of “Modern Viking.”

Where to Start: Twilight of the Thunder God (2008)

1. Bathory

There is no debate. Without the visionary Quorthon, this genre simply does not exist. While he initially gained fame in raw black metal, 1990’s Hammerheart was the “Big Bang” for the Viking sound. The acoustic passages, the waves crashing on the shore, the epic 10-minute sagas—Quorthon invented it all. Every band on this list is a branch on the tree that he planted.

Where to Start: Hammerheart (1990)

FAQ: Viking Metal Origins & Evolution

• What was the first Viking metal band? Bathory is the originator. Albums like Blood Fire Death and Hammerheart created the musical and lyrical blueprint for the entire genre.
• Is Amon Amarth Viking metal or death metal? Both. While their sound is rooted in melodic death metal, their lyrical content and aesthetic are purely Viking metal.
• Do Viking metal bands have to be from Scandinavia? No. While it originated there, the genre has spread globally with major acts appearing from Germany, the Netherlands, and Iceland.

Check This Out: In Flames Albums Ranked – From Melodeath Masters to Modern Metal Titans

TL;DR: The Key Takeaways

• The Originator: Bathory remains the undisputed architect of the genre, with 1990’s Hammerheart serving as the “Big Bang” of Viking metal.
• The Mainstream Giant: Amon Amarth has successfully transitioned from the underground to arena-filling global ambassadors for Norse mythology.
• The Diverse Soundscape: The genre spans from the atmospheric one-man projects like Falkenbach to the progressive mastery of Enslaved.
• The Modern Expansion: Bands from Iceland (Skálmöld) and the Netherlands (Heidevolk) prove the genre is no longer bound by Scandinavian borders.

STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of what’s happening in metal news today on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast, or crank the hard rock and metal 24/7 on our live digital stream.

The post ODIN’S CHOSEN: 13 Best Viking Metal Bands Ranked: The Definitive Pillars of the North appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Phew, that sure was a month, eh? As usual, we’ve rounded up our favorite releases of the month to spotlight for you here. Ellis also have Terror‘s new record a full review and I (Kep) did the same for the new Necropia record, which technically released May 1 but I won’t complain about you checking it out regardless.

Read on for the monthly spotlight!

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Immolation – Descent

Death metal from the US

The kings are back for another round (their 12th album, if you can believe it) and they’re making it clear that the crown won’t be going anywhere any time soon. It’s not surprising at this point that they still have the damn goods, given that they’ve never released anything that was less than excellent, but a record like Descent still sort of makes you sit back in awe of what Ross Dolan, Bob Vigna, and co. are doing here in year 38(!). The riffs range from blistering to bludgeoning to downright groovy and the band’s sound is titanic, vicious stuff. Immolation‘s strongest suit in a host of strong suits, though, remains their ability write complex, layered songs with remarkable nuance hidden inside all that brutality. “God’s Last Breath,” “Bend Toward the Dark”, “Host”, and the title song are all elite Immo tracks. Find me another death metal band operating at this level, I dare you.

– Kep

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Hold My Own – Pay No Mind

Hardcore from the US

Hold My Own more like Hold My Moans every time I listen to this album am I right? Sometimes there is something to be said for getting exactly what you signed up for, as is the case for Pay No Mind which sticks firmly to the mosh-centric style and maintains the same level of swagged out quality Hold My Own have delivered on three EPs, a split and a demo so far. Sick riffs, heavy beatdowns, booming gang vocals and some killer lead guitar spice on top—you can give it the biggun about how you’ve heard this sort of thing plenty of times before or you can shut up and eat. Saving the guest spots from members of Fatal Realm, Bulldoze and Sunami for the last three tracks is a great shout too as it gives the album that little extra pop before it crosses the finish line at a tight 21 minutes.

– Ellis

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Pan – Glacial

Doom/black/sludge/stoner metal from the US

My favorite hidden Michigan gem went eight years between albums this go round, but they made sure the wait was worth it. Glacial feels like their best work yet in a discography that’s four entries and 16 years strong at this point. Pan remains as hard to classify as ever, blending elements from all over the metal universe in service of heavy shit that’s atmospheric and riffy as hell. Built on legend and folklore, all is ice and forests and weather and water and crushing, thick bands of deeply soulful work from the guitars. The songs twist and turn, brooding, meditating, screaming forward in manic rushes, pausing for gorgeous reflection. It’s hard to capture in words what Pan has captured in music; just trust me and give it a listen.

– Kep

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Grumm Trencher – The Bat and the Hellebore

Dungeon synth from Canada

Boy, what a mixed bag this month has been! A handful of hits amongst a whole lot of stuff that was good, interesting, or simply bounced off of me. But this little guy right here, this one is special. It comes from the mastermind behind Syrup Moose Records, MEGAFAUNA, VNRL, and an assortment of other projects and endeavors, and boy howdy is it going to throw you through a loop. It’s less an album than it is a soundtrack to either a movie or a video game that doesn’t exist (at least in our world), and it blends so many unique and unconventional sounds and textures that it starts off strange and quickly becomes utterly captivating. The long and short of it here is this: it’s the story of a bat in search of a hellebore (as the title clearly explains), but close your eyes as the album plays and try to imagine the story as best you can. The sadness, the fear, the triumph. All of it. It’s a coming-of-age story in a time where we could all use a little more optimism.

– Kirk

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Knumears – Directions

Screamo from the US

Finally, some real fuckin’ screamo. SoCal trio Knumears’ debut full-length makes up for what some have ever so boringly criticised as a lack of moving the needle by simply nailing the sound and style along similar lines to the manner in which it was pioneered and perfected by the likes of Orchid and Saetia and Pageninetynine and so on about 30 years ago. Produced by Jack Shirley who did Sunbather by Deafheaven, Directions is furious and fragile in all the right places and should hopefully put a whole new generation of kids onto the joys of throwing yourself to the floor and clawing despairingly at your face.

– Ellis

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Ordh – Blind in Abyssal Realms

Death metal from the US

This was perhaps the nicest surprise of the month: a debut from a brand new band I’d never even heard of that absolutely blew me away. Now Ordh is made up of members of Barishi and Come to Grief, so perhaps the quality of Blind in Abyssal Realms wouldn’t have been a surprise if I’d known. With only five meaty tracks stretching across its 42 minutes, this is a true journey of a listen, one that feels cosmic in scope and idea but viscerally grounded in grit and dirt at the same time. It’s not your pretty prog death a la An Abstract Illusion but rather something more akin to Blood Incantation before they went full 70s: wild, crushing, and full of delightfully off-kilter riffage.

– Kep

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Laden – Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly

Progressive post-sludge from the US

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that mixing post-metal with sludge would A) work or B) be a good idea, but Chuck Wilson one day said, “Fuck it,” and threw caution to the wind. What he created in the process is something that is both aggressive and reflective, combining the inherent aggression of sludge metal with the emotional depth of post-metal and adding just a dash of progressive rock to give it all a little zing. There’s a level of polish to these tracks that makes them feel almost psychedelic, granting the listener a chance to experience a broad range of emotions if they so choose. Or you could simply choose to bang your head really, really slowly. At least you have options.

– Kirk

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.gif from god – Dissimulation

Mathcore/metalcore from the US

I’ve been a fan of .gif from god since the release of their 2019 full-length Approximation_of_a_human, and while their music is so maddeningly chaotic I probably couldn’t hum you back a single part I do feel confident enough to claim that Dissimulation is their best yet. It feels like the six-piece have beefed up on this one, leaning more into metalcore than sass or screamo while still charging all over the place sonically. In amongst the bevy of jagged and punishing tracks which flesh out the majority of this album’s 35-minute runtime are a two stand-out melodic cuts in the semi-blackened “Turn from the Ruin” and the smouldering turned expansive “Burnt House Horizon”, plus a couple of ambient interludes and a particularly menacing opening chunk to “A Gift from God”—all well-placed and tied impressively into the overall vibe and aesthetic and journey of the record.

– Ellis

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Devoid of Thought – Devoid of Thought

Death metal from Italy

Real ones will remember that I gave Devoid of Thought a rave review (9.5/10!) back in 2021, when we still scored albums. I stand by that score because the album whips ass, and I still give Outer World Graves periodic spins. Now we’ve been blessed with a new record and good lord does it meet and exceed expectations. This self-titled effort is a dizzying, heady affair that feels more psychedelic and experimental than its predecessor. The artwork is a good visual approximation of the listening experience: so many colors and shapes it’s almost overwhelming, and the band presents their new material with tremendous technical panache and overwhelming intensity. This isn’t a listen you can digest in one go, so it’s definitely a grower, but it’s so worth the time.

– Kep

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Negative Agent – Terminal Days

Industrial metal from the US

Q: What’s better than industrial metal? A: Leftist, anti-fascist industrial, obvs! For a genre that is so technology-centric, there is a surprising number of industrial artists who are vehemently anti-A.I. and anti-fascist. And Brian Stillman very firmly puts his foot down on Terminal Days, a debut album “that raises a giant middle finger to fascists, oligarchs, tech-bros, A.I. fetoshists, and human rights abusers. Recruiting the talents of Steve Wiener (guitar on “Mind Wipe”), Greg Schwan (bass on “Pain Control”), and Voidscan, this is less a debut and more a manifesto. Negative Agent is here, so let’s grab our glow sticks, strap on our gas masks, and get ready to kick some Nazi ass! The soundtrack to your post-apocalyptic dystopia has finally arrived.

– Kirk

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Division of Mind – Exoterror

Metallic hardcore from the US

Some asses just yearn for beating, and Division of Mind are happy to oblige. The much-anticipated follow-up to their 2019 self-titled debut full-length is an absolute heater, channelling the spirit of Satisfaction era Hatebreed into an industrially augmented body that’s literally all muscle and menace. The atmosphere is darkened further still by the occasional sample or ominous ambient break, which also helps the album maintain its ability to knock the wind right out of you for the duration of its (relatively) ambitious 34-minute runtime. Between this and the Killing Pace record from February which still has my AOTY on lock, it’s safe to say Richmond is very much on top.

– Ellis

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Man Band – Strong Man

Hardcore from the UK

Normally I would leave the hardcore writeups to my colleague Ellis (he’s so good at them!), but I am also a man of many tastes, and I have been known to enjoy a hardcore record every now and again. And while to bulk of my hardcore knowledge is rooted in the early days—the late ‘70s through mid ‘80s—it is also incumbent that I fill in the decades between. Though a very modern band, Man Band have every bit the chops to cut it in the world of hardcore. Their sound is rooted heavily in noise rock, an offshoot of hardcore and one of the few surviving bastard children of the bygone era of classic rock. But what Man Band do best is lock in on what it means to “be a man” and tackle the plague that is toxic masculinity. Because hardcore isn’t just a sound, it’s a mentality, and Man Band is here to rehabilitate each and every wanker the world over. Listen to Strong Man and see if it causes you to look at the world a little bit differently.

– Kirk

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The Neptune Power Federation – Mondo Tomorrow

Stoner rock from Australia

Pardon me, but do you have a moment you could spare? I’d like to talk to you about the gospel of the Neptune Power Federation. Are you saddened by the lack of boogie in your rock music? Has your step lost its pep? Do you wake up in the middle of the night afraid that the future of rock ‘n’ roll is doomed, and A.I. is going to replace all of your favorite riffs? Fear not! The Neptune Power Federation is here with a new album, Mondo Tomorrow, and it carries with it the message that all will be well. Sure, the world at large may be a dumpster fire about to fly off a cliff, but at least we still have toe-tapping stoner rock riffs. So bob your head to the beat and say an, “Amen!”, because the Neptune Power Federation is here to save us all.*

*results may very, but it’s not likely

– Kirk

The post April Release Spotlight appeared first on Noob Heavy.

Find out where your nearest local drive-in is, and add a visit to your summer plans. Continue reading…

Cradle of Filth is making their way to DC to play at the historic Black Cat venue on Monday, May 11th with death metal legends Suffocation and support from Ghost Bath and Cultus Black. We’re so excited about this show at DCHM that we’re giving away a free pair of tickets to this very show to one of you lucky readers! I’ve noticed that some of you have struggled to figure out how to leave comments in the new WordPress comment system so you can enter by either leaving a comment telling me your favorite song by any band playing this show on my Instagram post here OR you can leave a comment on this post as usual, making sure to include an email address so I can contact you if you win. If you want to double your chances of winning you can even enter in both places. Then this Thursday, May 7th at 2pm the contest will close and a winner will be selected from all valid entries using Random.org! If the selected winner hasn’t written me back within 24 hours then another winner will be selected. If you can’t wait to see if you win or the contest is already over when you read this, then you can purchase tickets here.

Cradle of Filth has been releasing their unique style of extreme gothic metal since the early 90s and in March 2025 they released their 15th studio album, The Screaming of the Valkyries, however they’ll be playing some of their classic songs on this tour as well. Suffocation raised the bar of technicality and brutality in death metal when they released their debut album Effigy of the Forgotten in 1991 and they’ve never let up since! Ghost Bath are from North Dakota (not China) and play a somber style of post-black metal that fans of Alcest and Deafheaven will want to check out. The opening band, Cultus Black, is a nu-metal/deathcore band formed by James Anthony Legion after he left Motograter. Now check out the videos of all of these bands below and tell me your favorite song by any band on the bill!

Cradle of Filth – Malignant Perfection

Suffocation – Seraphim Enslavement

Ghost Bath – Rose Thorn Necklace

Cultus Black – House of Straw