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It begins next May. Continue reading…

DragonForce have announced a self-titled album for March 2027, their first album featuring two new vocalists. Continue reading…

– September 22nd, 2026 –

Watch/stream RAM’s “Abattoir” HERE

“Abattoir” is the latest single from Swedish heavy metal stalwarts RAM. The track comes by way of the band’s impending new full-length (and first in nearly seven years), Against, set for release on October 9th through Metal Blade Records.

Comments vocalist Oscar Carlquist, “‘Abattoir’ is pure speed metal. To me it sounds like a mixture of Bonded By Blood-era Exodus and Accept. A super aggressive song. The lyrics deal with the fact that when push comes to shove the guillotines will be built again.”

Watch RAM‘s “Abattoir” video HERE

Watch RAM‘s previously released video for “Ghost Emperor” HERE and “Night Blade” HERE

Photo by Sanna Bäckström

While RAM‘s previously released The Throne Within full-length was defined by its spiritual and metaphysical themes, Against takes a more grounded approach, focusing on the experience of being pushed beyond reasonable limits and refusing to comply. The album captures that moment of resistance, “that fire of defiance, which ultimately defines its title and message,” as the band collectively states.

Musically, guitarists Harry Granroth and Martin Jonsson continue to favor bridge pickups, maintaining a sharp and aggressive tone. The equipment used on Against reflects a classic approach, contributing to a sound that feels both timeless and direct. Sonically, Against was conceived as a return to classic recording philosophies. Drawing inspiration from the early works of Dio, MSG, and Sweet, the goal was to create an honest and unpolished sound. In a music landscape increasingly divided into countless subgenres, the band positions itself deliberately outside of categorization.

Writes Metal Hammer in part in an advance review of the record, “The Gothenburg-based outfit continues to craft stunningly beautiful, traditional anthems… It is a mystery why RAM aren’t already playing on bigger stages. Anyone with a heart for honestly forged heavy metal who hasn’t yet checked out this band really ought to do so immediately. It doesn’t get much better than this.”

Rock Hard echoes the sentiment, “It offers everything one could want from classic heavy metal: catchy, high-energy hooks, driving twin-guitar harmonies, defiant lyrics, and-of course-riffs, riffs, riffs. What’s more, Against is anything but monotonous: there are songs for an adventurous highway drive, tracks for rocking out and letting loose, and-in the ballad-like ‘Leavin’”-something that speaks to the heart. Held together by Johan Reiven’s organic production, this is heavy metal through and through.”

In a 9/10 review, Powermetal.de lauds what is “arguably the best RAM album since Svbversvm,” adding, “Anyone into real heavy metal won’t want to miss this record.”

Ultimately, Against stands as a statement of intent, a reaffirmation of identity and purpose. Or, as they put it themselves: “Fear the return of the Heavy Metal Tyranny!“

RAM‘s Against full-length will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:

180g Black
Clear Lilac Marbled
Purple Melt (Ltd. 300)
Crystal Clear Blackdust (Ltd. 300)
Silver Black Splatter (Ltd. 250)

Find pre-orders at: metalblade.com/ram

Against Track Listing:
01. Obsession
02. Ghost Emperor
03. One Vs. All
04. Abattoir
05. Out of Control
06. Leaving
07. Against
08. Night Blade
09. Rising Again
10. 1984
11. The Final Hour

In related news, after 17 years as the bassist for RAM, Tobias “Tobbe” Petterson has decided to step down from the band. Petterson has been a pivotal part of both RAM‘s recordings and live shows and his steadfast bass playing and ferocious stage presence will be missed. The band comments, “Petterson will always remain a part of the RAM family and we part as brothers, still united by the power of heavy metal. But the heavy metal tyranny must proceed, new horizons await and these will be shared with our new bass player Desekrator of Voodus and Stormdeath fame. Desekrator has been close to the band for decades and through being a die hard fan he is already well versed with the true spirit of RAM. This combined with his bass skills makes him the perfect replacement for Tobbe. Onward Upon The Black Path!“

Petterson will perform his final show with RAM on October 9th in Gothenburg, the band’s record release show.

RAM Live:
9/12/09/2026 Candelabrum Metalfest – León, MX
10/09/2026 Skjulet – Gothenburg, SE *Record Release Show w/ Portrait
12/04/2026 Spectrum – Murcia, ES
12/05/2026 Peter Rock – Valencia, ES
12/06/2026 Upload – Barcelona, ES
12/07/2026 Urban – Vitoria, ES
3/12-13/2027 Heavy Metal Thunder Fest – Pisek, CZ
4/08/2027 Don’t Panic – Essen, DE
5/20-22/2027 Iron Fest – Ohmbachsee, DE

“After all these years, RAM still perfectly embodies what real metal must be; passionate, Luciferian, antagonistic, and musically overpowering. Oscar’s vocals are some of the best in the genre; fearless and full of intent. A heavy metal soundtrack for the twilight of the world.” – Erik Danielsson, Watain

“Just when you thought it was safe to be dead, RAM resurrects you only to kill you again. I have loved this band since the very start, and Against contains some of their strongest material to date, in terms of both lyrics and music. This is thinking man’s metal of the highest order!” – Christian Lindell, Portrait

“There’s only one band in Sweden making classic heavy metal without it sounding like a pastiche or tribute act to the old days. Oscar is Sweden’s best and most charismatic singer and frontman. Why isn’t this one of the leading bands in the genre? Probably because they are completely uncompromising and refuse to bend the knee or kiss the asses required to reach the biggest stages. Against is every bit as good as everything else they’ve done. Elite!” – Sebastian Ramstedt, Necrophobic/Nifelheim

“After seven years, RAM are finally back with another anthem-fueled album. While remaining true to their roots, they are opening their sound and manage to show a few new angles to their classic heavy metal. Can’t wait to bang my head to ‘Night Blade’ at a show of one of the best live bands of our times!” – S. Castevet, Vulture

“Pure heavy metal, raw and unfiltered. Just my cup of tea!” – Niklas Stålvind, Wolf

RAM:
Oscar Carlquist – vocals
Morgan Pettersson – drums
Harry Granroth – guitar
Martin Jonsson – guitar
Tobias Petterson – bass

https://ram-metal.com
https://www.facebook.com/RAMheavymetal
https://www.instagram.com/RAMheavymetal

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Dave Mustcomplain here. Listen. I may have lost myself for a bit during my review of the new Archgoat album, and that’s okay.

Doreen and I went down to Faith Lutheran and talked to Pastor Mark, and seeing as how I never officially committed apostasy, I can still be welcomed into the loving bosom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ when I die. Phew!

So here I am, back reviewing this godless bullshit for you long-haired ne’er-do-wells, and I’m going to start with a band from New York City, of all places. You know the place: run by a Socialist and ripe with the foul stink of the Tempter. I’ve never been, but Jesse Watters regularly tells me how much of a collapsing hellhole the Democrats have made it, and that’s as educating as an actual visit would be.

Anyway, here’s my review of the new album by Anthrax, and if you haven’t yet caught on, I’m going to be overly critical.

Track 1: Persistence of Memory

Only a minute long? Skip.

Track 2: The Long Goodbye

Wait, this band sings, and doesn’t do that growling bullshit? Hmm…

Track 3: It’s For the Kids

I don’t like this. I swear to God, I don’t, because I hate New York and everybody from it (aside from America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani, of course). Therefore, I must fight every urge to enjoy this. Goddamnit MetalSucks, why are you doing this to me?

Track 4: Everybody’s Got a Plan

I am closing my eyes and imagining every member of this band voting for Zohran Mamdani to keep myself from having a good time.

Track 5: The Edge of Perfection

Some people think my fear and hatred of New York City contrast sharply with the “9/11 – Never Forget” bumper sticker on the back of my Ford F-150, and I honestly don’t have a good response to that.

Track 6: Infectious

Ugh, fuck. I like this.

Track 7: NYC 93

Thank you, Anthrax, for reminding me of your hometown. I’m strong. I can get to the end of this album without looking upon it favorably.

Track 8: Cursum Perficio

Oh hell yeah, listen to that rockin’ guitar solo, and—STOP IT, DAVE!

Track 9: T.O.M.B.

Think about your freshly repaired relationship with the Son of God, Dave. Are you prepared to throw it all away for these killer thrash riffs? You know He despises that godless cesspit they come from even more than you do!

Track 10: Watch It Go

I’m going to be honest. I turned the volume down on this so I would no longer be lured into nodding along to Joey Belladonna’s Siren’s wail. Hopefully the last track is just another minute of skippable nothing.

Track 11:  My Victory

Almost five minutes. FUCK!

That’s it. I can’t. I CAN’T, but I can’t stop myself: 5/5 stars. Oh God, what have I done? Tears are streaming down my face.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to reevaluate every life choice I’ve made up to this point. I’ll see you next week if I’m able to get out of bed before then.

Dave Mustcomplain out.

The post DISGRUNTLED DAD REVIEWS With DAVE MUSTCOMPLAIN: ANTHRAX – CURSUM PERFICIO appeared first on MetalSucks.

Today, with the announcement of their tenth studio album and first self-titled record, DragonForce mark the start of their next chapter, soaring headfirst into a new echelon of music-making that proves one thing above all: the world’s fastest band will not slow down. Arriving March 19th, 2027 on Napalm Records, produced by Jens Bogren and recorded across the US, UK, Canada and Sweden, DragonForce heralds a reintroduction to and continuous evolution of the preeminent pioneers of extreme power metal. Alongside freshly united lead vocalist and frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz and vocalist Alessio Garavello, longtime members Herman Li, Sam Totman, Gee Anzalone, Alicia Vigil and new addition Billy Wilkins together take their biggest step forward, elevating new sides to each of their artistry and virtuosic prowess, while building on all of the elements that have made DragonForce so beloved for nearly three decades and counting. Harkening back to their formative material, DragonForce promises high energy, relentless speed and heavy, triumphant hooks, all woven in ways unlike anything fans have heard from them before. 

The era of DragonForce begins with the launch of new single “Hunger of The Beast,” debuting through a super-charged, ass-kicking live performance video. Written specifically for the multiple dimensions and double-sided skillsets of White-Gluz and Garavello’s ferocious range, the song serves as the first taste of the forthcoming album, summoning a similarly youthful, uninhibited spirit as the band’s classic “Through the Fire and Flames.”

Pre-order DragonForce, and watch the video for “Hunger of The Beast”:

HERE

“Every time we begin making another album, we just think, ‘Wow – I can’t believe we’re still doing what we love after all these years.’ The approach of the tenth album is as important as the first one, or any of the albums, because the way we look at music is we’re making a piece of art that’s going to be frozen in time,” says DragonForce co-founder and lead guitarist Herman Li. “We always try to use everything we’ve learned from our years of experience, and put that into the new music. This is unlike any DragonForce album you’ve ever heard, and unlike any metal albums out there. There’s just nothing like it, and everyone listening will realize that straight away. We’re not trying to be commercial. We’re not trying to be popular. We’re not trying to be famous. We make music because we want to make something that we love to hear and elevate our musicianship to the next level.”

“I have loved the entire process of making music with DragonForce. It’s great to connect with such elite musicians and work together to really bring out the best of our respective styles,” adds Alissa White-Gluz, who became DragonForce’s first frontwoman this past spring. “I think this new combo of speed and ferocity is refreshing and exciting. It’s going to be so much fun to perform live.”

In addition to releasing new music this fall, DragonForce will soon begin their largest North American tour in more than two decades, in celebration of 2026’s 20th Anniversary of Inhuman Rampage, the monumental album that birthed the Platinum-selling global phenomenon of “Through the Fire and Flames” and spent 23 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200. Joining White-Gluz on vocal duties throughout the new album and on-stage is Alessio Garavello, who has been a close friend and collaborator of DragonForce for 25 years. Alessio is taking over the male vocals position of previous lead singer Marc Hudson, who is temporarily stepping back from DragonForce music duties due to an ongoing issue with tinnitus. Read more from DragonForce HERE. 

Since the release of Inhuman Rampage and its signature anthem “Through the Fire and Flames” – the notoriously unbeatable final boss of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock – the GRAMMY®-nominated DragonForce have welcomed tens of millions of listeners into the fold through their eternally joyous, adrenaline-filled music. Founded in 1999 and based between Los Angeles and London, they have rewritten the rules of heavy metal, while redefining the possibilities of their respective instruments, appearing everywhere from Despicable Me 4 to Fortnite Festival, Brawl Stars and Asphalt Legends; from the covers of dozens of magazines to stages with Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot, Metallica and many more. 

Heading to 22 cities in November and December, with support from Ensiferum and Rhapsody of Fire, DragonForce’s Inhuman Rampage 20th Anniversary Tour will feature “Cry for Eternity” and other songs that have never been played live, through front-to-back performances of Inhuman Rampage, new album previews and more in a mind-blowing production. 

The post DragonForce enters new chapter with 10th self-titled studio album first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

Elliot Minor have announced a tour to celebrate two decades of their band, and they’ll be joined by some very special bands as support.

With 2025 bringing their first new music in a decade, a huge sold-out tour and a triumphant return to a packed crowd at Download Festival, the band are celebrating their latest milestone in style.

Marking 20 years since their debut single ‘Parallel Worlds’ arrived, the five-piece will be kicking off 2027 with some unmissable UK shows to mark their achievement.

Their biggest headline tour since their comeback, the shows will take place throughout March, ending with a night at London’s renowned O2 Forum Kentish Town.

Of course, they’re bringing along some fantastic support to in the form of Madina Lake and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. A trio of ultimate scene nostalgia.

Speaking on their return and the new tour announcement, Elliot Minor vocalist Alex Davies has shared:

“Coming back together for the reunion tour in 2025 was such an amazing and nostalgic experience for all of us. We genuinely didn’t know what to expect after so many years away, and it was unbelievably surreal to walk out each night and see so many people there, singing every word back at us. There were moments where we’d just look at each other on stage and think, ‘How is this happening again?’

“The response to the shows reminded us just how much our band and songs still mean to people. Some of these songs were actually written back in our school/college days pre-2007, which is pretty crazy to think about – especially seeing people that age now discovering the band for the first time. It really re-ignited something in us. We’ve also been spending time together writing and recording new music, and we’re incredibly excited to get that out there as part of our 20th Anniversary alongside all the 2000s nostalgia.

Having the opportunity to get back out there and play alongside bands that we’ve loved for years, including Madina Lake and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, makes this upcoming tour feel even more special. There’s a real sense of nostalgia around it, but at the same time it feels like we’ve entered a completely new chapter for Elliot Minor. We’re pumped for what’s ahead and can’t wait to get back out there.”

Get ready for a night of this:

Followed by a bit of this:

And rounded out with a whole load of this:

The post Elliot Minor Announce 20th Anniversary Tour appeared first on Rock Sound.

DragonForce will release their tenth studio album, DragonForce, on 19 March 2027 through Napalm Records. The self-titled record marks a new chapter for the extreme Power Metal band and introduces their new vocal partnership of Alissa White-Gluz and Alessio Garavello.

Produced by Jens Bogren and recorded across the US, UK, Canada and Sweden, DragonForce promises the high energy, relentless speed and triumphant hooks that have defined the band for nearly three decades, while pushing their sound into new territory.

The album is led by the new single Hunger Of The Beast, accompanied by a supercharged live performance video. Written to showcase the contrasting vocal styles and range of White-Gluz and Garavello, the track taps into the youthful, uninhibited spirit of the band’s classic Through The Fire And Flames.

“Every time we begin making another album, we just think, Wow – I can’t believe we’re still doing what we love after all these year,” DragonForce co-founder and lead guitarist Herman Li told us. “The approach to the tenth album is as important as the first one, or any of the albums, because the way we look at music is we’re making a piece of art that’s going to be frozen in time.

“We always try to use everything we’ve learned from our years of experience, and put that into the new music. This is unlike any DragonForce album you’ve ever heard, and unlike any Metal albums out there.

“There’s just nothing like it, and everyone listening will realise that straight away. We’re not trying to be commercial. We’re not trying to be popular. We’re not trying to be famous. We make music because we want to make something that we love to hear and elevate our musicianship to the next level.”

“I have loved the entire process of making music with DragonForce, Alissa White-Gluz said. “It’s great to connect with such elite musicians and work together to really bring out the best of our respective styles.

“I think this new combo of speed and ferocity is refreshing and exciting. It’s going to be so much fun to perform live.”

DragonForce is available to pre-order from lnk.to/DF-DragonForce/napalmrecords.

Inhuman Rampage 20th Anniversary Tour

DragonForce will begin their largest North American tour in more than two decades this autumn, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Inhuman Rampage. The landmark album produced the Platinum-selling global phenomenon Through The Fire And Flames and spent 23 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200.

Ensiferum and Rhapsody Of Fire will support the 22-date run in November and December. DragonForce will perform Inhuman Rampage in full, including Cry For Eternity and other songs never previously played live, alongside previews of the new album.

Garavello, a close friend and collaborator of the band for 25 years, will share vocal duties on the album and tour. He takes over the male vocal position while Marc Hudson temporarily steps back from DragonForce duties because of an ongoing issue with tinnitus.

Since forming in 1999, the Grammy-nominated band have taken their adrenaline-fuelled Heavy Metal around the world. Their music has appeared in Despicable Me 4, Fortnite Festival, Brawl Stars and Asphalt Legends, while the band have shared stages with Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Slipknot and Metallica.

DragonForce Lineup

• Alissa White-Gluz – lead vocals
• Herman Li – guitar, backing vocals
• Sam Totman – guitar, backing vocals
• Alessio Garavello – lead vocals
• Alicia Vigil – bass, backing vocals
• Billy Wilkins – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
• Gee Anzalone – drums, backing vocals

Inhuman Rampage 20th Anniversary Tour Dates

• 13 November – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park
• 14 November – Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues
• 15 November – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
• 17 November – Dallas, TX – House Of Blues
• 18 November – Houston, TX – House Of Blues
• 20 November – Lake Buena Vista, FL – House Of Blues
• 21 November – Tampa, FL – The Ritz Ybor
• 22 November – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven)
• 24 November – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
• 25 November – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
• 27 November – Worcester, MA – Palladium
• 28 November – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia
• 29 November – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square
• 1 December – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
• 2 December – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
• 4 December – Chicago, IL – The Riviera Theatre
• 6 December – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore Minneapolis
• 8 December – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
• 9 December – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
• 11 December – Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades
• 12 December – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre
• 13 December – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern

Album artwork: Mark Riddick. Band photo: Alex Bemis.

The post DragonForce Announce Self-Titled Tenth Album And New Single Hunger Of The Beast first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

Posted on September 22nd 2026, 3:00pm

(Today we happily present Zoltar’s interview of the Belgian death metal band Torturerama, whose pleasingly foul and ripping second full-length was released this past July by Memento Mori Records.) Back in 2010, as in the bowels of the Swedish underground scene a new breed of newcomers were doing their best to take death metal back […]

The post AN NCS INTERVIEW: TORTURERAMA appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

Party-starting Nashville punks Snooper are getting ready to open Mannequin Pussy and Wednesday’s Bitch Cabal tour, which ought to be a great time. Today, they drop a new single that will probably go crazy at those shows. “Mouth Closed” is a pummeling pogo jam with a merciless pep-rally drum-machine beat and some ultra-corroded scream-along vocals. It sounds like electroclash reinvented as basement punk, or maybe Sleigh Bells played at 1.5x speed.

The post Snooper – “Mouth Closed” appeared first on Stereogum.