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Making another major move and breaking down walls once again, the Swedish masters of heavy metal Sabaton have joined forces with leading historically accurate naval multiplayer game, World of Warships, and released a brand new single and music video entitled “Yamato” — available in-game and on all DSPs now. It is being released by Better Noise Music on the heels of 2025’s Legends, which marked Sabaton’s first album for the label. “Crossing The Rubicon” (Feat. Nothing More) from the album was also the band’s first-ever Top 10 single on the Billboard Rock Chart.

This song notably marks the second World of Warships collaboration between the band and developer Wargaming following the mega-popular “Bismarck.” For the first time, a Sabaton-branded Yamato is also available in World of Warships in addition to dialogue by vocalist Joakim Brodén and bassist Pär Sundström. Along with different bespoke items in game, Joakim Brodén can take the helm of the ship while the standard battle soundtrack replaced by “Yamato” or “Bismarck”, transforming every engagement into an epic metal experience.

As history will tell you, “Yamato” was the name of a massive Japanese battleship constructed in-secret and unveiled during 1941 as the most dominant vessel of its kind. Designed to win at naval warfare, it represented the ultimate floating symbol of strength. In 1945, it famously hit the high seas on a suicide mission to defend Okinawa. Despite ceaseless fire from aircraft above and an opposing fleet of a far greater number on the water, the “Yamato” and its crew never gave up. Instead, they literally battled until the bitter end when a huge explosion rendered a deathblow to the ship. It sank in a blaze of glory…

As part of the alliance with World of Warships and Wargaming, the band filmed the accompanying music video in Belgrade, Serbia last October. Quite fittingly, it depicts Sabaton aboard the titular ship during its last stand, descending into the unforgiving ocean as the band hangs on for dear life. Waves consume the deck, but each member keeps playing his instrument even as the chaos swallows the guys up one-by-one.

Testing their mettle in real-life, the musicians faced brutally frigid temperatures, weathering a continuous blast of ice-cold water for the duration of the shoot. The band remained submerged in freezing waters with the help of ventilators. Pushing it to the max, the guys even wore weights beneath their stage clothes to truly evoke the sensation of sinking. Maintaining the highest level of safety protocol, professional divers assisted Sabaton throughout.

About the track, vocalist Joakim Brodén said: “Battleships are interesting and naval stories have, from time to time, been part of the Sabaton lore. ‘Bismarck’ was an exciting story for us to share and a fan favorite, and ‘Yamato’ is sort of a follow-up to that song. Our former guitarist, Tommy, wrote this song while he was still in the band. We only ‘Thobbefied’ it after guitar duties were returned to Thobbe!”

Bassist Pär Sundström added: “‘Bismarck’ was such an exciting song but it was never part of an album, and it felt that it was missing something. We always wanted to follow up on that story. Over the years, countless fans have asked us to write a song about ‘Yamato,’ and we knew that that would be a natural continuation of what we started with ‘Bismarck.’ We knew we wanted this song to have a totally different sound, and when Tommy was writing the music for this, we felt we had the appropriate, powerful song for this story. Once again, we are collaborating with World of Warships, and since our worlds are so close, it just feels so natural to continue this great partnership. Together, we once again created a legendary music video!”

The post SABATON Releases Battle-Ready New Single “Yamato” In Partnership With World Of Warships appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

With contributions from Pixel Grip, DeathbyRomy & Perturbator.

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What Are The Best New Metal Songs This Week?

This week’s standout metal tracks come from Sabaton, Lamb Of God, Corrosion Of Conformity, UNITYTX, Hellripper and Six Feet Under, showcasing everything from historical power metal storytelling to crushing death metal brutality.

TL;DR

• Sabaton released the new historical anthem “Yamato.”
• Lamb Of God return with the crushing “St. Catherine’s Wheel.”
• Corrosion Of Conformity drop the sludgy rocker “You Or Me.”
• UNITYTX bring modern hardcore chaos with “Lucid.”
• Hellripper unleash blackened thrash fury with “Mortercheyn.”
• Six Feet Under continue their brutal death metal run with “Unmistakable Smell Of Death.”

Loaded Radio Recommends – 13 Perfect Metal Albums With Zero Skips

This Week’s Best New Metal Songs

Sabaton – Yamato

Sabaton have built an entire career around turning historical events into massive heavy metal anthems, and their newest single “Yamato” continues that tradition.

The track focuses on the legendary Japanese battleship Yamato — one of the most powerful warships ever constructed during World War II.

Musically, the song is classic Sabaton: huge melodic hooks, pounding double-kick drums and Joakim Brodén’s unmistakable battlefield-narrator delivery.

If you’re a fan of songs like “Bismarck” or “The Last Stand,” this one hits the same cinematic nerve.

And like most Sabaton tracks, it feels designed to be shouted by 20,000 fans in a festival field.

Corrosion Of Conformity – You Or Me

Corrosion Of Conformity remain one of the most criminally underrated heavy bands of the last four decades.

Their new track “You Or Me” arrives as part of the band’s 2026 album cycle Good God / Baad Man, continuing the group’s signature fusion of Southern rock swagger, sludge metal weight and classic heavy riffs.

What stands out here is the groove.

C.O.C. have always understood that heavy music doesn’t need to be fast to hit hard — sometimes the nastiest riffs come from a slow, stomping rhythm.

“You Or Me” leans into that philosophy with thick guitar tone and a blues-soaked heaviness that feels straight out of the Deliverance era.

Lamb Of God – St. Catherine’s Wheel

Whenever Lamb Of God release new music, the metal world pays attention.

“St. Catherine’s Wheel” hits with the band’s signature formula: razor-sharp riffing, relentless groove and Randy Blythe’s unmistakable roar.

What keeps Lamb Of God relevant after more than two decades is their ability to evolve without abandoning the sound that made them huge.

This track feels modern but unmistakably Lamb Of God — a balance the band has mastered since albums like Ashes Of The Wake and Sacrament helped define the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal.

UNITYTX – Lucid

If you want proof that modern heavy music is still evolving, look no further than UNITYTX.

“Lucid” blends hardcore, metalcore, hip-hop energy and electronic textures into something that feels chaotic in the best possible way.

UNITYTX have built a reputation for delivering pit-ready aggression in sonic slices of awesomeness.

The result is music that doesn’t sound like the metal of 20 years ago — but absolutely represents where heavy music is heading.

Hellripper – Mortercheyn

Hellripper has quietly become one of the most exciting names in extreme metal.

The Scottish project led by James McBain thrives on a vicious blend of black metal, thrash and speed metal that feels like a love letter to the underground.

“Mortercheyn” is exactly what fans want from Hellripper: blistering tempos, savage riffs and a raw energy that feels completely unapologetic.

It’s the kind of track that reminds you why extreme metal will never truly die.

Six Feet Under – Unmistakable Smell Of Death

Six Feet Under have been delivering death metal carnage for decades, and “Unmistakable Smell Of Death” proves the band still knows exactly what their audience wants.

Chris Barnes’ unmistakable growl sits on top of Jack Owen’s slow, crushing riffs and a groove that leans heavily into classic American death metal territory. Strait up it unsurprisingly sounds like early Cannibal Corpse a la Butchered At Birth.

It’s ugly, it’s filthy, and its exactly what Six Feet Under should be.

Fans interested in seeing heavy bands like these live can find tickets here.

What This Week Says About The State Of Metal

What stands out about this week’s releases is how wide the genre has become.

On one end, you have Sabaton delivering cinematic historical power metal.

On the other, UNITYTX are fusing hardcore with modern hip-hop energy.

Meanwhile bands like Lamb Of God and Corrosion Of Conformity continue carrying the torch for the heavy metal traditions they helped shape.

Metal has always been a broad church — and weeks like this prove that diversity is exactly why the genre keeps surviving.

Check This Out – The 13 Most Brutal Metal Breakdowns Ever Recorded (Ranked)

FAQ

What Is “This Week In Metal”?

This Week In Metal is Loaded Radio’s weekly roundup highlighting the best new heavy music releases across the metal spectrum.

What Genres Are Featured?

Everything from power metal and thrash to hardcore, death metal and experimental heavy music.

How Are The Songs Chosen?

Selections focus on notable new releases, trending tracks and songs from both major artists and rising underground bands.

The post This Week In Metal: Sabaton, Lamb Of God, Corrosion Of Conformity, Hellripper, UNITYTX And Six Feet Under Drop Crushing New Songs appeared first on Loaded Radio.

When last we saw the mighty power metal heroes of Angus McSix, they were a fledgling group with a noble aim and a mighty quest: the titular starlord offered promises of adventure and whimsy, with epic aims and a glorious future that had nothing whatsoever to do with Gloryhammer, thank you for asking. Angus McSix could do no wrong on his epic trajectory. Then Thomas Winkler (vocals and the titular Angus McSix) opted to leave the band after their debut, so now McSix’s brother Adam (Samuel Nyman, Manimal) will lead in his stead. So that was a surprise. Still, I have nothing against a new hero, so, like Adam himself, I’m happy to roll with the punches and see what Angus McSix have up their sleeves for their descriptively-titled sophomore, Angus McSix and the All-Seeing Astral Eye.

Unsurprisingly, the core of the Angus McSix sound is pretty much the same. Nyman even sounds uncannily like Winkler on vocals, and the band’s approach to “join our D&D session, the drinks are already here” metal is largely unchanged. It’s a fairly open session too; joining Angus McSix are Rhapsody of Fire (“I Am Adam McSix”), Van Canto (“Dig Down”), Turmion Kätilöt (“Techno Men”), and Freedom Call (“The Power of Metal”).¹ Winkler himself makes a brief appearance in opener “6666” for just long enough to say “help me brother, for I am trapped in a block of ice”² and pass the torch to Adam. It’s a big number³ too, with exactly the kind of over-the-top, bombastic chorus and structure that made Angus McSix and the Sword of Power such a great album. It seems at first that Angus McSix has not missed a step; they pick up exactly where they left off, which is fine by me.

Unfortunately, the rest of the album is not so consistent, with the songwriting oscillating between classic Angus McSix and shakier ground. In particular, the guitars are pushed way back in the mix. The keyboards are similarly brought way up, and, in contrast to the previous album, focused on synths rather than orchestrations, giving several songs a vague ’00s-dance-pop-meets-power-metal feel. “Techno Men,” for example, plays to the industrial metal feel the Turmion Kätilöt singers bring to the song. The chorus, however, is classic Angus McSix, with Nyman singing his heart out on catchy vocal melodies this band does so well. Still, without a strong guitar presence—and the drums don’t pack much punch either, I’m sad to say—a lot of Angus McSix and the All-Seeing Astral Eye feels passive. “I Am Adam McSix” and “Dig Down” are good examples of this; in both songs, Angus McSix slow things down a bit, but only the latter one brings the energy needed to maintain an adventurous feel. This poppier Angus McSix can be a little hit-or-miss.

One of said misses was really unexpected: contrary to their debut, it feels like Angus McSix are trying to be funny. Many of the narrations are intentionally silly; at one point, a narrator describes Adam’s aims as “utterly impossible,” “even more impossible,” and “all in all, a rather questionable plan, except it wasn’t even a plan” (this all from “The Power of Metal,” an otherwise strong song that would be at home on an Avantasia record). Songs like “Ork Zero” embrace the inherent silliness of Angus McSix’s storytelling without overtly acknowledging it and largely succeed; when they do, it falls flat. I love the story of the uber-ork with a heart of gold, but why do Van Canto comment of Adam, “honestly, his tune is really catchy”? Does the phrase “orkish mumbo jumbo” have to appear at all? These feel like unneeded distractions from a group that actually does storytelling fairly well.⁴

There are great moments and baffling moments on Angus McSix and the All-Seeing Astral Eye. I strongly believe we need more fun in metal and adore Angus McSix for their success in that department. But I feel they missed a step here, leaning too far away from solid songwriting and too much into on-the-nose humor. I remain fully in Angus—and Adam—McSix’s corners, and will be back for the next chapter. But I hope things will feel more like they did back in the day.

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Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: NA | Format Reviewed: Crappy STREAM!
Label: Napalm Records
Websites: angusmcsix.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/angusmcsix
Releases Worldwide: March 13th, 2026

The post Angus McSix – Angus McSix and the All-Seeing Astral Eye Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

Posted on March 13th 2026, 3:41p.m.

Every year, City Winery owner Michael Dorf picks an artist to honor with his annual “Music Of” tribute concert at Carnegie Hall, a benefit for music education for underserved youth programs. Last year, the honoree was Patti Smith.This year’s 21st installment of the series celebrated Billy Joel.

The post Billy Joel Tribute At Carnegie Hall Had Rufus Wainwright, Natalie Merchant, Yola, & More appeared first on Stereogum.

Today, Jack Harlow turns 28, and he releases an R&B album. Harlow recorded his new LP Monica at New York’s Electric Lady studio after moving to the city, and it represents an extremely unexpected career pivot for the onetime pop-rap hitmaker. Harlow’s last full-length was the relatively low-key 2023 rap LP Jackman. On Monica, he reintroduces himself as a neo-soul singer. In a new interview, Harlow explains the transition by saying, “I got Blacker” — a wild thing for a white artist to say.

The post Jack Harlow Explains New R&B Era: “I Got Blacker” appeared first on Stereogum.

If you’ve been following along with the lore videos that Ghost’s been putting on for a while now, you know that Frater Imperator (fka Papa Emeritus IV and Cardinal Copia) was unhappy in his new role as Papa V Perpetua took over fronting the band. There’ve been hints that Imperator’s time is short and well… I think that time has come.

Released just moments ago, Ghost posted “Chapter 25: The Portrait” in which Frater Imperator is getting his portrait done. There’s a whole thing about the portrait and then about his new office, complete with a shitty portrait of himself posted in it. He’s now happy in his position, getting along with the folks that work beneath him, and things are going so well that he can take some much needed rest.

Then he leaves the clergy building or whatever while the Sex Pistols cover of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” plays and bam — it’s over. He walks out of the frame and you see a truck roll by and then blood splatter on the credit screen. Not sure if the dude’s dead — feels like the perfect time to kill him off — but it would be a great way to send him off.

Of course, this ties into the real-world situation where Ghost mastermind Tobias Forge has said he wants to take some time off to recharge, as it were. So yeah, this video just feels like a thematic way to tell people that yes, Ghost is going to be away for a long while.

The post Ghost Say Goodbye to a Fan Favorite Papa appeared first on MetalSucks.

And he has Stanton Moore’s blessing.

The post Corrosion Of Conformity Welcome New Drummer Nick Shabatura appeared first on Theprp.com.

The award-winning blues-rock duo When Rivers Meet are back with a bang, dropping their brand-new single “The Tide Is Turning” alongside the announcement of their upcoming album, Rhythm Rust & Static. Husband and wife team Grace and Aaron Bond have been busy, and not just in the studio – they’re expecting their first child this … Continue reading The tide is turning for When Rivers Meet as they announce new album and tour, release video