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Kawaii-metal is going to be heading out across the world yet again, as Babymetal announced they’ll be heading out on a world tour this year. And they’re going to start the whole thing off in North and Latin America.

Kicking off on August 30 in San Diego as a supporting act for My Chemical Romance, Babymetal will then play a total of 20 shows in North America. That run will come to an end on October 3 in Sacramento, California. Supporting Babymetal on their North American run will be Halestorm and Violent Vira.

As for the Latin American run, those dates will begin more than a month later on November 28 in São Paulo, Brazil and will run until December 12 in Mexico City, Mexico.

Tickets for dates in the US and Canada will be available starting with an artist presale that begins on Monday, April 6 at 10 a.m. local time, and you can sign up for that presale now until April 5. A Citi presale will begin on April 6, with additional presales running throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale starting Friday, April 10 at 10 a.m. local time.

Tickets for the Latin American dates will be available starting with an artist presale on Monday, April 20 at 10 a.m. local time through April 21 at 11 p.m. local time. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting on April 22.

You can find the full list of tour dates below.

In addition to the tour announcement, Babymetal revealed a deluxe edition of last year’s Metal Forth, featuring bonus live tracks and some remixes, as well. That will be released on June 26.

Babymetal Tour Dates
North America Tour Dates

August 30 – San Diego, CA* – Petco Park
September 2 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
September 4 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
September 5 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
September 7 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
September 9 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
September 10 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
September 12 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
September 13 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
September 15 – Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater
September 16 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
September 18 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
September 19 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life**
September 21 – St Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
September 23 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
September 25 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Sponsored by Huntsman
September 26 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
September 29 – Albuquerque, NM – First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater
October 1 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
October 3 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival**

*Supporting My Chemical Romance
**Festival

Latin America Tour Dates

November 28 – São Paulo, Brazil – Espaço Unimed
December 1 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Movistar Arena
December 3 – Santiago, Chile – Arena Movistar
December 7 – Lima, Peru – Costa 21
December 12 – Mexico City, Mexico – Estadio Fray Nano

The post Babymetal Announce North and Latin American Dates of Their 2026 World Tour appeared first on MetalSucks.

As the sun starts to set on a legendary four-decade career, Brazilian icons Sepultura are making sure they go out with a bang rather than a whimper. Following the announcement of their final ever release, The Cloud of Unknowing EP, the band have just dropped a brand new single titled “Beyond the Dream”. The track … Continue reading Sepultura share “Beyond the Dream” from upcoming farewell EP

Raye, Olivia Dean, Lola Young and PinkPantheress are making a big impact on the charts and in pop culture, foregrounding their Englishness rather than adapting it.

The post Album Of The Week: Makthaverskan <em>Glass And Bones</em> appeared first on Stereogum.

In October 2000, as the nu metal revolution rolled ever onward, one band released an album that changed the game, and their lives, forever…

In October 2000, as the nu metal revolution rolled ever onward, one band released an album that changed the game, and their lives, forever…

Does “Sleep Eternally” Actually Deliver Or Is Lex Legion All Hype?

It delivers — the track immediately shows a focused, melody-driven approach that avoids both nostalgia bait and modern overproduction.

TL;DR

• Lex Legion release debut single “Sleep Eternally” with official video
• First real test of the band after lineup reveal — and it lands
• Sound leans classic but feels intentional, not recycled
• Self-titled album arrives June 2026 via MNRK Music Group

The lineup announcement already made noise.

This is the moment that mattered.

Because once the first song is out, there’s no protection from expectations — and “Sleep Eternally” walks straight into that pressure without hesitation.

It doesn’t try to impress you with complexity.
It tries to hit you immediately.

And that choice defines everything.

The Song Doesn’t Ease In — It Hits With Intent

There’s no buildup here.

“Sleep Eternally” opens direct, controlled, and locked into a structure that feels deliberate from the first few seconds.

Not overloaded. Not chasing trends.

Just tight execution.

That lines up exactly with how the band framed the record themselves:

“There’s elements of everything on the album… both starting out like a fist in your face!”

You hear that right away.

The track isn’t trying to prove technical dominance — it’s built to land quickly and stick.

Loaded Radio Recommends – King Diamond’s Story Is Darker Than Most Fans Realize—These 13 Facts Prove It

The Sound Leans Backward Without Feeling Stuck There

This could have easily gone the wrong way.

Four members tied to a classic era of metal?
That usually means one of two things:

• Pure nostalgia
• Or overcorrection into something modern and unrecognizable

“Sleep Eternally” avoids both.

The band made it clear where their mindset was:

“Lex Legion is totally written the way we thought in the ’80s… if you liked it, that was a great bonus. If you didn’t like it, that was fine with us, too!”

That attitude shows up in the structure.

The riffs are cleaner.
The pacing is controlled.
The focus is on melody instead of excess.

It feels intentional — not accidental. And yeah it’s definitely got a hint of that classic King Diamond vibe.

Fans looking to catch heavy metal shows live can find tickets here.

This Is Where The Song Either Wins You Or Loses You

There’s a specific expectation that comes with names like this.

You don’t get a warm-up period.

You either:

• Believe in it immediately
• Or you don’t

That’s what makes this first single important.

Not because it’s a debut — but because it answers the question people had after the announcement:

Is this a real band… or just a collection of names?

“Sleep Eternally” answers that fast.

The Band Aren’t Trying To Fit Into Modern Metal

This is probably the most defining choice they made.

They’re not chasing current production trends.
They’re not stacking layers just to sound bigger.

Instead, they’re leaning into:

• Space in the mix
• Clear vocal presence
• Structured songwriting

And they’re openly leaning into that lane:

“This is totally unique. No one is writing this kind of music and there’s a big hole for us to fill.”

Whether you agree with that or not — the confidence is there.

What This Sets Up For The Album

If this track is the entry point, the direction is clear.

The self-titled album drops in June 2026 via MNRK Music Group, with “Gypsy Tears” already positioned as the next step forward.

That matters — because it suggests consistency, not experimentation.

They know exactly what they’re building.

Now it becomes about whether that identity holds across a full record.

Check This Out – King Diamond’s ‘The Institute’: The Horrifying True Story Behind the Album Trilogy That Has Fans Terrified and Thrilled

FAQ

Who are Lex Legion?

A new heavy metal band featuring Mikkey Dee, Andy La Rocque, Pete Blakk, Hal Patino, and vocalist Nils K. Rue.

What is “Sleep Eternally”?

The debut single and first released track from Lex Legion’s upcoming album.

When is the album coming out?

June 2026 via MNRK Music Group.

What style is the song?

Classic heavy metal influence with modern clarity and tighter arrangements.

Lex Legion Bio

Lex Legion bring together members of King Diamond’s classic late ’80s lineup — Mikkey Dee, Andy La Rocque, Pete Blakk, and Hal Patino — alongside vocalist Nils K. Rue of Pagan’s Mind. Built on decades of shared history, the band focuses on melody-driven heavy metal rooted in classic influences while avoiding overproduction and trend-chasing.

The post Lex Legion Debut “Sleep Eternally” — King Diamond Icons Finally Reveal Their Sound appeared first on Loaded Radio.

In a few short weeks, we’ll all get freaky with Friko. That’s when the enormously likable young Chicago indie band will release their new album Something Worth Waiting For. Right now, that’s an apt title. Friko’s first two singles from the LP, “Seven Degrees” and “Choo Choo,” were among our favorite songs of their respective…

The post Friko – “Still Around” appeared first on Stereogum.

Nearly three years after quietly putting out the demo single “Mantra Vitalis,” the New Zealand-based Vaeovon is preparing to unleash their debut album on the world. Spiritual Nullification is due for release this April, but you can stream lead single “Dreaming of a Stygian Night” below:

…

…

I won’t lie – when I first saw the album artwork and the black/death metal genre label, I steeled myself for the impending war metal butchery, and while Vaeovon proves more than capable of delivering just that through truly demented riffing and ghoulish snarls, “Dreaming of a Stygian Night” is far from a one-trick pony. The ominous chord that rings out at the 44-second mark provides a fleeting respite before plunging once more into the swirling darkness. But it’s the subsequent half-time sections that will have you facing down the existential horrors of the universe with grim finality, unable to tear your gaze away from the terrible truth. 

–Alex Chan

…

Here’s what the band had to say about the track:

We are proud to release our first single off our debut album Spiritual Nullification – This track will undoubtedly unleash a visceral assault on the listeners’ ears.
Spiritual Nullification explores the concept in which a morbid entity hungers not only for the death of the living but for the chaos that dances on the fringe of reality. The void, a cosmic abyss beyond mortal comprehension, whispers promises of power, enticing him with the allure of ultimate dominion.

…

Spiritual Nullification will release on April 20 via Gutter Prince Cabal.

The post Sepultura Release New Single ‘Beyond The Dream’ appeared first on The Razor's Edge.