A bold new chapter in progressive death metal unfolds with the unveiling of Abyss, the leading single from CHANGELING’s forthcoming album set to be released in April 2025. This auditory journey invites listeners to the deepest recesses of the subconscious where the boundaries of reality blend with the infinite possibilities of the imagination. CHANGELING stands at the confluence of audacious innovation and intricate artistry, a place where the fretless guitar sings in harmony with jazz fusion, and where progressive and death metal waltz with a 50-piece orchestral ensemble. Conceived by the virtuoso Tom Geldschläger, also known as Fountainhead, CHANGELING is a project that defies categorization and transcends the ordinary confines of genre. Abyss, the album’s sixth track, encapsulates the ultimate immersion into the subconscious, where Georgi Ligeti-inspired microtonal choir arrangements and an orchestration that defies gravity meld into an experience of ego-death and transcendence. Composed with meticulous precision, the track features the talents of Tom Fountainhead, Morean’s haunting vocals, Arran McSporran’s evocative fretless bass and Mike Heller’s relentless drumming.

Feast your eyes on the blockbuster video for their star-studded new single and even those outside of the metal scene will know that Savage Lands are fierce defenders of our natural habitat. But this supergroup aren’t acting when it comes to preserving the world’s ecosystems.

ROTTING CHRIST have stood the test of time for over three decades. From their humble beginnings on Satanas Tedeum & Passage to Arcturo in the early 90’s, the genesis of their ‘Hellenic’ melodic black metal sound in the 2000’s with Sanctus Diavolos & Theogonia, all the way to their later masterpieces Rituals & The Heretics, released through Season of Mist – ROTTING CHRIST are a force of their own. The true strength of ROTTING CHRIST lies not only in their discography, however. The Tolis brothers bring with them an unmatched energy across international stages, performing over hundreds of shows in 2024. Celebrating their 35 year existence, ROTTING CHRIST culminated their performances with a one-of-a-kind showcase of their discography at the Lycabettus Hill Theater in Athens, Greece – the band’s hometown. A two-hour long, career-spanning set with long-time classics from their early days dabbling in the rougher ROTTING CHRIST sound, to the newer, ‘Hellenic’ anthems such as The Raven or Demonon Vrosis.

Eight years ago, the underground lost a unique leader when Spawn of Possession crawled into their hallowed crypt. Foul-mouthed disciples still utter the name SoP with reverence, but while others tried to crack the band’s forbidden cabinet, these accursed innovators were secretly festering in their grave, plotting to return and haunt the world of extreme metal once more.

While they’re known for putting a twist on traditional heavy metal, NITE strives to be a light when the world is constricted by darkness. Upon hearing the high-flying first single off their upcoming third album, heshers from across the underground raised their spike-gloved fists over the triumphant return of the blackened Bay Area torchbearers.

They’ve always forged a solitary path, but on their seventh album, Revenge reach a new level of conflict. Violation.Strife.Abominate crowns J. Read and his long-standing partner Vermin atop the edges of black metal. The Canadian veterans of chaos lay waste to the degenerate kneeling swine of humanity with an impenetrable wall of  primal screams, frantically scraping guitars and scum-crushing bass.

After an extended absence from the band’s tours over the last two years, Ne Obliviscaris vocalist Xen has made the decision to officially depart NeO, with the band officially announcing James Dorton (Black Crown Initiate, The Faceless) as their new vocalist. James has been touring as NeO’s live vocalist since May, 2023.

While a fresh mutation, Retromorphosis are a proven batch of tech-death freaks. The band contains former members of Spawn of Possession, Obscura, Necrophagist and Decrepit Birth.

Despite its fiery and contentious spirit, black metal can get stuck in its own ways. But while they emerged from a mystic scene that’s familiar to the well-initiated, Wrath of Logarius aren’t bound by black metal’s strict sense of tradition.

Turin’s maestros of esoteric, doom-laden alchemy, PONTE DEL DIAVOLO, are set to cast their infernal spell across Europe in 2025. Following the colossal wave of support for their haunting debut, Fire Blades from the Tomb, the band is primed to ignite the continent’s most revered metal festivals with their unrivaled brand of black & doom metal.

Cast away the light, descend into the chasms of cosmic dread, and behold the latest opus from the alchemical minds of THE GREAT OLD ONES. The Bordeaux-based harbingers of Lovecraftian black metal unveil their new and terrifying masterpiece, Kadath, capturing the essence of H.P. Lovecraft’s “The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath.” Prepare to traverse landscapes both magnificent and horrific, guided only by the arcane melodies forged in the dark heart of the Dreamlands. For the first time, THE GREAT OLD ONES step aside from the unfathomable depths of the Cthulhu mythos to delve into Lovecraft’s Dream Cycle. Kadath draws the listener into the dream-haunted world of Randolph Carter, who is lured by visions of a forbidden city. As Carter navigates the perilous Dreamlands, escaping the clutches of the crawling chaos and otherworldly perils, he embarks upon a quest fraught with both wonder and doom. Comprising seven tracks of epic, immersive intensity, Kadath is an unholy journey into unfathomable realms. The impeccable production by Francis Caste at Studio Sainte-Marthe envelops the listener in an atmosphere of dread and transcendence. Each composition is a carefully wrought chaos of melodies and violent ferocity, promising an experience both brutal and beautiful. ‘Kadath’ is out this Friday, January 24th, through Season of Mist. ➤ Pre-order & Pre-save the album here: https://orcd.co/tgookadath

The band’s leaders have long lorded over the demons of  underground metal, but VLTIMAS rose to truly epic extremes on their new album. “…lives up to their reputation as extreme metal’s leading lights“, wrote Metal Hammer, who named EPIC one of the best albums of 2024.

DRUDKH are a venerated pillar of atmospheric and pagan black metal – and today, they emerge from the shadows to present the world with their latest track, The Eve— the lead single from their forthcoming album, Shadow Play. It’s an invitation to traverse the delicate interplay between existence’s light and darkness.

High amidst the snowy Norwegian mountains, KEEP OF KALESSIN are hammering away at their upcoming seventh album. As the band prepare to add another fantastical fixture to their treasured discography in 2025, today, they’re polishing off another one of their crown jewels.

Descending from the abyssal depths of the darkest recesses, THIS GIFT IS A CURSE emerges once more to engulf the light on their latest single, Ascension. The track serves as the harrowing finisher to their forthcoming album, HEIR, set to annihilate the earthen plane.

Having celebrated their 15th anniversary with two reissues last year, Stoned Jesus are turning over a new leaf in 2025. The Ukrainian psychedelic prog rockers are rolling across the European summer festival circuit in heavy anticipation of their upcoming sixth album and first with the band’s new lineup.

Swedish black metal titans MÖRK GRYNING are set to electrify fans with the release of S-L’s guitar playthrough of lead single Tornet, featured on their recently released album, Fasornas Tid. This exclusive video is a masterclass in blackened ferocity, showcasing MÖRK GRYNING’s signature blend of melodic black metal.

2025 is off to a rip-roaring start. After taking the high seas by storm last year with High on Fire, Weedeater are craving a taste of the open road. The veteran Carolina stoners are packing their pipes in preparation for a month-long roll across California, the Southwest and East Coast with Napalm Death and the Melvins.

She’s serenaded crowds from the UEFA Champions League to The Game Awards, but on her latest album, Eivør reached several new milestones. The Faroe Islands superstar performed songs off ENN to sold-out crowds from Red Rocks to Hellfest.