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  • HYPOCRISY Add Headline Dates Around Upcoming North American Tour With Dimmu Borgir

    HYPOCRISY will continue their Mass Hallucination North American Tour this August, with newly added headline dates surrounding their upcoming run as special guest to DIMMU BORGIR.

    Presented by Heart of Music Agency, the tour will bring HYPOCRISY across Canada and the United States, with select headline performances added in key markets including New York, Omaha, Salt Lake City, and San Diego.

    Known for their crushing live presence and uncompromising extreme metal legacy, HYPOCRISY return to North America for a powerful summer run that will give fans both full headline sets and major support appearances alongside Dimmu Borgir.

    HYPOCRISY — Mass Hallucination North America 2026:

    08/10 – Toronto, ON – History *
    08/11 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS *
    08/12 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
    08/13 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre *
    08/14 – Chicago, IL – The Vic *
    08/15 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore *
    08/16 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
    08/18 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom *
    08/19 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
    08/21 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield *
    08/22 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at House of Blues
    08/23 – Los Angeles, CA – The Novo *

    * Special guest to Dimmu Borgir

    About HYPOCRISY:

    HYPOCRISY has a 30 year history with 12 albums, hundreds of gigs all over the world, and thousands of fans. This influential Swedish death metal band started from the will of one person, and this person’s name was (and is) Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, THE ABYSS, PAIN, ex-LINDEMANN). Having made the first demos all by himself, after getting an offer from Nuclear Blast, he invited musicians to form an actual band.

    Since then, HYPOCRISY gained success with its records and rocking live performances, and evolved musically and conceptually. Heavy and rich sound with catchy melodic riffs, crushing drum fills, obscure lyrics and versatile vocal parts became a signature style of the band. Its discography from debut Penetralia to the recent Worship, through such legendary albums as The Fourth DimensionAbducted, and Virus, it’s indeed a thrilling metal journey. A journey that continues.

    Today, apart from Peter, the band consists of Mikael Hedlund (bass), who joined HYPOCRISY back in 1991. Guitarist Thomas Elofsson is a session member since 2013. In 2022, the band was joined by a session drummer Henrik Axelsson.

    Don’t let the name ‘Hypocrisy’ trick you: Peter Tägtgren stays true to himself, to the music and the fans, never stops creating and never settles for less than perfect. 

    More on RPM:

    reigningphoenixmusic.com | Instagram | TikTok 

    Source: C Squared Music

  • Jungle Rot announce North American tour with Vader, Fleshcrawl, and Trash Panda

    The “Reign Forever in Kingdom of Blood” tour kicks off in September

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  • METAL DEVASTATION RADIO AND PR SMASH PAST 29.5 MILLION TOTAL VIEWS – @thebeast









    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    METAL DEVASTATION RADIO AND PR SMASH PAST 29.5 MILLION TOTAL VIEWS

    Nearly One Million More Views in June Push Underground Metal Closer to the Historic 30 Million Mark

    The momentum refuses to slow down.
    Metal Devastation Radio and Metal Devastation PR have officially surpassed 29.5 million all-time views , adding 981,388 views during June 2026 and bringing the platform’s lifetime total to an incredible 29,559,161 views .
    Built from the ground up through a passion for heavy music and unwavering support for the underground, Metal Devastation continues proving that independent metal media can compete on a global scale without corporate backing or industry gatekeepers.
    JUNE KEPT THE MOMENTUM ROLLING

    The numbers from June continue to demonstrate the strength of the underground metal community:


    981,388 total views
    247,000 active users
    246,000 new users
    3 million tracked events , including article views, radio streams, submissions, clicks, and fan engagement
    551,000 Google Search impressions

    Those numbers pushed Metal Devastation’s all-time view count from 28,577,773 to 29,559,161 .
    With less than half a million views remaining before reaching 30 million , another historic milestone is already on the horizon.
    FROM THE FRONTLINES

    “It’s incredible to watch this community continue growing month after month,” says Zach Moonshine .
    “Every article read, every interview shared, every song streamed, and every band discovered adds another brick to what we’ve been building for years. We’re getting closer to 30 million views, and that’s something every band, label, promoter, journalist, DJ, and fan who has supported Metal Devastation should be proud of. This has always been about giving underground metal a louder voice.”
    BUILT BY THE UNDERGROUND

    Behind every statistic is a worldwide community dedicated to keeping heavy music alive:


    Independent bands creating uncompromising music
    Record labels supporting new artists
    Promoters and publicists building opportunities
    Magazines, blogs, podcasts, and radio stations covering the scene
    Metal fans discovering and sharing new music every day
    The Metal Devastation Radio staff delivering heavy music around the clock
    Tennessee Metal Devastation Music Fest bringing the underground together face to face

    Every submission, interview, livestream, playlist, and article helps expand the reach of underground metal around the world.
    SEARCHING FOR METAL

    Search visibility remains one of the platform’s strongest drivers of growth.
    During June alone, Metal Devastation generated 551,000 Google Search impressions , helping connect thousands of fans with new bands, interviews, album reviews, festival coverage, and underground news.
    Every search represents another opportunity for independent artists to reach listeners who may have never discovered them otherwise.
    THE ROAD TO 30 MILLION

    Crossing 29.5 million views is another major milestone, but the mission remains the same.
    Metal Devastation Radio and PR will continue promoting independent artists, breaking new music, supporting festivals, interviewing legendary musicians alongside rising talent, and giving underground metal the worldwide platform it deserves.
    “The numbers are exciting,” Moonshine adds.
    “But what matters most is what they represent. Every view means another person discovering a band that deserves to be heard. That’s what keeps us going, and we’re just getting started.”
    THANK YOU

    This achievement belongs to every musician, listener, label, promoter, venue, festival organizer, journalist, DJ, and supporter who continues believing in independent heavy music.
    The underground doesn’t wait for permission.
    It builds its own stage.
    And together, we’re closing in on 30 million views .
    About Metal Devastation Radio and PR

    Founded in 2013, Metal Devastation Radio and Metal Devastation PR have become leading voices in the global underground metal community. Through 24/7 radio programming, worldwide promotional campaigns, artist interviews, news coverage, festival production, and dedicated support for independent bands, the platform continues connecting heavy music fans across the globe.
    Contact:
    Zach Moonshine
    zach@metaldevastationradio.com








  • Iceland’s Sorcerous Folk Metal HRAFNABLÓT Unleashes Debut Music Video “Svartigaldur”

    The First Chapter of Forthcoming Album “Guðlaugar Saga” Due Out Fall 2026 Reykjavík, Iceland’s sorcerous folk‑metal conjurers Hrafnablót (pronounced rahv-nah‑blote) have released their first official single, “Svartigaldur,” alongside an atmospheric music video. The track marks the opening strike from the band’s forthcoming debut album, “Guðlaugar Saga,” arriving in fall 2026. A metallized Icelandic sea‑shanty rooted in ancient folk melody, “Svartigaldur” tells a pivotal […]

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  • Lorna Shore release live tour video for “War Machine”

    Filmed during their recent European headlining tour with Whitechapel, Shadow of Intent, and Humanity’s Last Breath

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  • SNĚŤ to Unleash New Album “V bažinách vědomí”

    Czechia OSDM beasts Sněť are set to release their newest full-length, V bažinách vědomí. Having annihilated the underground with their 2021 debut LP and kept things flowing with two splits in the interim, this promises to be an excellent slab of old-school death metal. Experience the madness to come with the music video for the album’s […]

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  • Album Review | Amberian Dawn – “Temptation’s Gates”

    General Information

    Personnel:

    Nicole Willerton – vocals
    Tuomas Seppälä – keyboards, guitars
    Emil Pohjalainen – guitar
    Joonas Pykälä-aho – drums
    Jukka Hoffren – bass

    Producer: Tuomas Seppälä
    Release Date: June 26, 2026
    Record Label: Napalm Records

    Setting the Scene

    It takes a certain kind of confidence to reach your eleventh album and decide not to keep doing what has always worked. Amberian Dawn spent years shaping a sound that served them well, but Temptation’s Gates makes it plain the Finnish quintet has no interest in standing still. The reason for that change is Nicole Willerton. Making her debut behind the microphone, she isn’t here just to sing the melodies and keep everything in order. She brings a little more weight and roughness into the band’s soaring songs. It is a clear turn toward a heavier sound, one that gives an already strong catalog a fresh sense of purpose.

    First Impression

    Imagine sitting at your desk, buried in numbers, stubborn computers, and people who seem determined to make the day longer than it ought to be, only to find yourself on a horse crossing wide green plains. That would be a welcome change, wouldn’t it? Then the horse lifts off the ground and keeps right on going through the sky. That is about the same feeling I had the moment Temptation’s Gates began to play. The music carries a steady weight beneath melodies that drift high above it, and the two move together so naturally that the whole thing feels both grand and easy at the same time.

    Similar Sounds

    If you’re into any of these artists, this album should be on your radar.

    NightwishStratovariusSonata ArcticaXandria

    Visual Vibes

    The album cover depicts Taylor Momsen seated at a school desk, staring into a barren wall beneath a black cross pointing downward. This stark visual of isolated rebellion perfectly captures the dark emotional territory and heavy, unfiltered grit driving the music.

    Track on Repeat

    “Moon”

    “Moon” places carefully woven vocals over a truly heavy instrumental rush before breaking into a soaring guitar solo. If this album were a city, this track would be the beautiful landmark that both the people who live there and those just passing through would make time to visit.

    In-depth Notes

    Musical Shape 🎸

    The music on Temptation’s Gates is a bird with two wings: a flowing melodic side and a powerful layer of guitars and drums. Both work together perfectly, carrying the songs through the air with a graceful sense of movement. The title track gets things moving immediately with a fast melody that wastes no time taking flight. “The Vision of Dreaming” handles the heavier parts of the journey, building from atmospheric verses into crushing choruses before settling into a calmer bridge that keeps the whole thing from becoming a one-note sprint. The band keeps this energetic momentum going until “Undying Colours” finally gives the listener a chance to rest. Here, the tempo drops and the aggression fades away at exactly the right moment. Then “Moon” comes in and tears that calm apart. It opens with a rapid guitar riff and keeps the instrumental side running at full speed until the solo reaches its highest point. “The Garden” follows with more strong instrumental moments before “Phantasmagoria” brings everything to a close with a beautifully melodic finale.

    Vocal Performance 🎤

    Nicole Wellerton steps into the role of the new vocalist and immediately proves to be a remarkably fitting addition to the band. Her voice has a perfect tone that follows the melody so closely that the two might as well be glued together. The title track introduces her with undeniable flair, while “The Vision of Dreaming” puts her versatility to work right away. She carries the calm bridge with pure vocal control before the song throws her back into its heavier sections. She handles incredible high notes and harsh vocals with the same steady confidence. On “Moon,” her singing intertwines naturally with the rapid instrumentation, eventually returning after the guitar solo to push an already epic song to an even higher peak. Even when the pace slows to a crawl on “Undying Colours,” her performance remains just as impressive. She moves through every technical and melodic challenge this album demands without ever sounding like the music is asking too much of her.

    Themes and Concepts 💭

    Lyrically, the album takes on the rather complicated business of admitting what the heart wants, escaping the judgment of others, finding hope in a world that often seems determined to crush it, and searching for something deeper than ordinary connections. Thankfully, the music does not stand in the corner pretending it has nothing to do with all this trouble. The frantic heavy riffs carry the feeling of wrestling with inner demons, while the sweeping melodies and sudden changes in pace arrive like moments of clear air after a long struggle. The songs understand that even the darkest thoughts occasionally need a place to rest.

    Final Verdict

    It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Temptation’s Gates taking off beautifully with brilliant vocals and a wonderfully heavy melodic flow before making a perfect landing.

    Mood Meter

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    Intensity

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    Melancholy

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    Darkness

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    Emotional

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    Serenity

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    Energy

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    Romance

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    Joyfulness

    Perfect For…

    Working on arts – good for inspiration
    Driving – windows closed, singing your heart out along
    Thinking in nature symphonic metal in nature is like the tzatziki in gyros
    Working at office – especially when you need to get rid of the noise Steve makes. Fuck you, Steve

    Get the Album

    The post Album Review | Amberian Dawn – “Temptation’s Gates” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

  • Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal – “Watching A Movie Called Freedom By Myself”

    “Ain’t no post-credits scene. We can all just leave.” That’s the refrain from Open Mike Eagle and Kenny Segal’s new single “Watching A Movie Called Freedom By Myself.” I don’t think we’re supposed to take that line literally. Similarly, I don’t think this is a song about a solo viewing of Freedom, the 2014 film in which Cuba Gooding Jr. escapes slavery on the Underground Railroad. Or at least it’s not just about that. I think the “freedom” here is more conceptual, and so is the “movie.” Open Mike Eagle is a master of the allegory, and he’s found a resonant one here.

    The post Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal – “Watching A Movie Called Freedom By Myself” appeared first on Stereogum.

  • MORTEMIA Releases Metal Cover of “California Dreamin’” Featuring Helle Bohdanova, Caterina Nix and Karmen Klinc

    MORTEMIA, the solo project of Morten Veland of SIRENIA and former TRISTANIA fame, has released a new metal rendition of the timeless classic “California Dreamin’.” The song features guest vocal performances from Helle Bohdanova of IGNEA, Caterina Nix of CHAOS MAGIC and Karmen Klinc of VENUS 5. It marks the tenth release from MORTEMIA’s ongoing […]

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