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Los Angeles punk band Mermaid Island have announced their self-titled debut album, arriving Friday, June 12. The record will be

Bay Area Thrash icons Heathen release another deep dive cover of their members’ musical history to celebrate their signing to Napalm Records. The new single, "Twist Of Faith," was originally released by Psychosis in 1992 as the opening track of their album Lifeforce, featuring Heathen members Kragen Lum and Jason Mirza. Now that it has been "Heathe… Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

I’m not really a believer in fate. I just feel like people can make rational choices that end up steering them down a new path. Having said that, I’ve certainly seen examples where the Universe just keeps knocking someone back on track. The musician Odd Marshall seems to be one of those. An obsession with […]

Riverside frontman, Mariusz Duda, has announced that Riverside has officially ended after 25 years. He explained the decision on social media which you can see here.

“Dear Everyone,

I would like to officially announce that, after 25 years, my journey with Riverside is coming to an end.
I am proud of everything this band has achieved over the years. But most of all, I am proud of the incredible and extraordinarily loyal fans we have gathered around us. Thank you for everything.

Unfortunately, the current situation within the band no longer allows me to pursue my main passion there, the passion to create new music. And that has always been my primary life goal and priority. On top of that, I am tired of pretending and forcing a smiling band image which, in recent years, has had nothing to do with reality.

Those who know me are aware that what I feel and what happens in my life usually finds its way into my lyrics. It was no different with my latest album, “The World Under Unsun”. In truth, it is not about the end of the story of Lunatic Soul. And the act of leaving a toxic relationship does not concern “romantic relationships.” The main inspiration was the situation within the band, and the track “The New End” was written primarily as a farewell to Riverside fans. The emotions in that song, which were difficult to control, speak for themselves.I am glad that I can finally say this out loud.

So, without going into details, I would like to announce that, although I remain on good terms with most of the members of Riverside, from now on, over the coming years, I will be focusing primarily on my work in Lunatic Soul and my side projects.
As for Riverside, I do not see any possibility of the band continuing in its current line-up. And restarting it with a different one would be extremely complicated.

That is why I am shifting my creative energy to Lunatic Soul, which will soon enter a new phase and become my main studio and live project.

I can understand the sadness and disappointment. But I see nothing wrong with, at a certain point in life, simply starting to put your own needs first and no longer allowing yourself to be taken advantage of. In a world where everyone pretends to be someone else, it is worth finally being yourself and surrounding yourself with people who truly care about you.

Thank you for your support and understanding. My warmest regards to those who will continue to keep me company in my future musical plans.

Sincerely,
Mariusz Duda”

The most recent Lunatic Soul album, ‘The World Under Unsun’ was released in 2025.

The post appeared first on The Prog Report.

"I leave it in your capable hands," the note reads in part. Continue reading…

Nashville quintet idle threat will drop their new album you’ll forget the sun, out May 8 via Tooth & Nail. Pre-order it here.

The German metal label Reaper Entertainment is thrilled to announce the signing of Finnish melodic death metal powerhouse Wolfheart. Led by mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen, the band has entered a worldwide agreement for their upcoming releases and will now be part of the growing Reaper family. Since their formation in 2013, Wolfheart has established… Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

Slayer have five dates in total booked for 2026 now. Continue reading…

Mariusz Duda has officially announced his departure from Riverside after 25 years with the Polish progressive metal band. In a personal statement, the vocalist and bassist cited a creative dead end and a toxic internal dynamic as his reasons for walking away.

“I am proud of everything this band has achieved over the years,” Duda wrote. “But most of all, I am proud of the incredible and extraordinarily loyal fans we have gathered around us. Thank you for everything.”

The core of his frustration was the inability to create: “The current situation within the band no longer allows me to pursue my main passion there, the passion to create new music. And that has always been my primary life goal and priority. On top of that, I am tired of pretending and forcing a smiling band image which, in recent years, has had nothing to do with reality.”

Duda then revealed that his latest Lunatic Soul record, The World Under Unsun, was less about that project’s mythology and more about his deteriorating situation inside Riverside. “In truth, it is not about the end of the story of Lunatic Soul. And the act of leaving a toxic relationship does not concern ‘romantic relationships.’ The main inspiration was the situation within the band, and the track ‘The New End’ was written primarily as a farewell to Riverside fans. The emotions in that song, which were difficult to control, speak for themselves.”

“I am glad that I can finally say this out loud,” he added.

While he says he remains on good terms with most of the band’s members, Duda is clear-eyed about Riverside‘s future. “I do not see any possibility of the band continuing in its current line-up. And restarting it with a different one would be extremely complicated.”

Going forward, Lunatic Soul becomes his primary focus — both in the studio and on the live front. “I am shifting my creative energy to Lunatic Soul, which will soon enter a new phase and become my main studio and live project.”

He closed with a broader reflection: “I see nothing wrong with, at a certain point in life, simply starting to put your own needs first and no longer allowing yourself to be taken advantage of. In a world where everyone pretends to be someone else, it is worth finally being yourself and surrounding yourself with people who truly care about you.”

Read his full statement here.

The post MARIUSZ DUDA Leaves RIVERSIDE After 25 Years: “I Am Tired Of Pretending And Forcing A Smiling Band Image” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Lowertown, the New York duo comprised of Olivia Osby and Avsha Weinberg, share new single “Worst Friend.” The track is the