Metal News for December 26, 2016
Last updated on September 14, 2025 at 3:01 AM ET
We post metal news every day, throughout the day, covering thousands of metal bands including underground and unsigned bands. You are currently browsing the news archive, but you can also find news by band.
Hot Topics
- Bent Sea (Napalm Death, Aborted) Premiere Video
- Limp Bizkit Premiere New Single For Battlefield 6
- Kublai Khan TX Premiere New Single & Music Video
- We Came As Romans Premiere New “Bad Luck” Version
- Mudvayne Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Internal Bleeding Premiere New Single
- Tribal Gaze Premiere New Single & Music Video
- Not Enough Space Premiere New Track & Music Video
- The Devil Wears Prada Premiere New Music Video
- The Plot In You Premiere New Single & Music Video
30 news articles posted on this day.
OpEd
2016 Metal Newcomers Explored
The end of the year means our annual staff awards have arrived! Every year we make a point of searching out new, unknown, and freshly formed groups to bring the best of the best in the metal underground to you.
Ultimately Abbath ended up taking our Best Debut Album / Newcomer award with his self-titled album after splitting off from Immortal, but there were a whole lot of other bands nominated in that category. To give you a look back at what new material came out in 2016 you may have missed, the staff will all be covering our individual band nominations for Best Newcomer.
This was a first for me personally in my time at Metalunderground: unlike nearly all years past, most of my best debut album nominations didn't come from legitimate "newcomers" in 2016, but rather were from new bands consisting of established members of the scene. That's not to say there weren't truly new outfits born this year that are worth hearing, but rather that none of those I heard blew me away and made my top list like these bands did.
Trees Of Eternity
Featuring members of Swallow The Sun, Wintersun, and October Tide, this ill-fated band showed up with a stunning debut album that will also most likely be its last ever release.
Recording on "Hour Of The Nightingale" (reviewed here) was nearing completion when tragedy struck and vocalist Aleah Starbridge unexpectedly passed away.
This highly atmospheric release is made all the more haunting (and lyrically compelling) knowing that Aleah is speaking beyond the grave to the audience. It's a shame the band is likely over just as it was getting going, but it offered some truly stellar music on this debut release, easily beating out all the competition for me.
Grai Streaming "Tread Of Winter"
Russian folk metal outfit Grai has a new winter single online and available for streaming below. The band also comments:
"Friends! Upon your requests, we present to you a new track called 'Tread of Winter' as well as a sympho-karaoke version. This track will most surely be on our new record.
"Lyrics by Dmitriy 'Hort' Dubinin, illustration by Alexander "Alex,' recorded and mixed by The Amplogia studio, and symphony by Nikola Nikita Jeremic. Only available at our Bandcamp page. More...
Luminous Vault Announces "Charismata"
NY-based industrial black metal entity Luminous Vault will release “Charismata,” the duo’s second EP, in early March on limited edition vinyl and digital via Profound Lore Records. The label comments:
"Formed in 2014 by acclaimed NYC musician MDdL (aka Oneirogen), the band evolved into a duo with SS (of Artificial Brain) on bass and would combine militaristic death/black metal with colossal drum machine beats and ethereal synth passages in what it would sound like if early ‘90s Greek black metal and Godflesh amalgamated.
"With the Profound Lore debut, Luminous Vault has crafted a primal, hypnotic, and hallucinatory set of four songs, conjuring mythological experiences of death, rebirth, and battles of the inner self."
1. Birthblood
2. Kyrios
3. Charismata
4. Tower More...
Eluveitie Announces Hurdy Gurdy Player
After revealing Alain Ackermann is officially taking over drum duties while Rafael Salzmann and Jonas Wolf have been confirmed as Eluveitie's guitarists, another new member position has now been announced. The band comments:
"Dear fans & fellow metalheads, we're as pleased as excited to present to you our extremely talented new Hurdy Gurdy player Michalina Malisz!
"Ready to get some music from her now? Please enjoy our Michalina shredding through the song '404' by our Polish friends from Decapitated! Yes, you've read correctly – THE mighty Decapitated!
"So who says a Hurdy Gurdy can't kick ass! If you've liked it, make sure you visit us again tomorrow! For tomorrow evening you'll get the chance to drill Michalina with all your questions! Don't miss it – tomorrow evening, official Q&A with Michalina Malisz! Have a killer evening!" More...
Elm Street Posts "Face The Reaper" Video
Elm Street just released a new music video for "Face The Reaper," taken off the "Knock 'Em Out... with a Metal Fist" album out now via Massacre Records. The full track listing for the album is as follows:
1. Face the Reaper
2. Kiss the Canvas
3. Will It Take a Lifetime?
4. Sabbath
5. Heavy Mental
6. Next in Line
7. Heart Racer
8. S.T.W.A.
9. Blood Diamond
10. Leave It All Behind More...
Deranged Issues 2016 Recap
Deranged just issued this year-end message about the band's activity and announcement about a lineup change:
"2016 has been a hell of a year for Deranged. First .U.S show at Maryland DF, an amazing week in Indonesia, signing with Agonia, recording and releasing our ninth album - intense and heavy work! We're 100% grateful for all the support we've had, from organizers, the press, and most of all YOU, our fans!
"And now we head into 2017, with both some bad news and some good news to follow. Bad news first: Anders has left the band. He wishes to focus on his family, so we part as friends and wish him the best of luck!
"Now for the good news: while Anders' shoes are big to fill, we have already found a perfect replacement. An old friend who also happens to be an awesome vocalist and great frontman will join our ranks for 2017, making his live debut in February. Who? You'll see... For 2017 and the future of Deranged!" More...
The Silent Wedding Unveils Album Artwork
The Silent Wedding today unveils details on an upcoming album, available below, and the band also comments:
"We are excited to share with you the artwork of our new album 'Enigma Eternal!' Once again by the amazing Seempieces | Illustration & Design by Travis Smith!"
1. A Living Experiment
2. Shadows And Dust
3. What Lies Beyond
4. Insanity
5. The Endless Journey
6. A Dream Of Choices
7. Loneliness
8. Under The Veil Of Grey
9. Catharsis
10. Closer To The End
11. Silence
12. Hands Of Fate More...
Misantrof's "Holy Fucking AntiChristmas" Released
It's finally here - the annual Misantrof ANTIRecords "Holy Fucking AntiChristmas" compilation has officially arrived! Stream or download your copy at this location. The 2016 edition's track listing is as follows:
01. 26z – “Six Fold Symmetry”
02. Azgaal – “Claws”
03. Picture Ann – “Stench”
04. Blodsgard – “Forpestede Tro”
05. Gebrechlichkeit – “Nekromantie”
06. Djiwo – “Nogosari”
07. McMoon – “Tales From The Leather Nun”
08. Plaag – “They Have Gone Retarded (Another Christmas Carol)”
09. NahemiA – “9mm”
10. Impaled Martyr – “Christian Slut”
11. Marco Cella – “Boys of Detention” More...
Betraying The Martyrs Posts Piano Medley
Get into the holiday spirit with this piano medley from Betraying The Martyrs' very own Victor Guillet performing a piano medley infused with classical pieces and BTM originals.
Don't forget to pre-order upcoming album "The Resilient" over here. The album is due out January 27th via Sumerian Records and will feature the following track listing:
1. Lost for Words
2. Take me Back
3. The Great Disillusion
4. Dying to Live
5. The Resilient
6. Unregistered
7. Won't Back Down
8. (Dis)Connected
9. Behind the Glass
10. Waste my Time
11. Ghost
12. Wide Awake
Gutlocker Posts Year End Video
Gutlocker just released a year-end message video to fans recapping what went down in 2016, including playing Bloodstock, and what's on the horizon for next year. The band comments:
"Our vocalist has decided to do a little update on whats to occur 2017. He has assured to do a shout out for Simon from Beholder as well as King Leviathan, Abhorrent Decimation, End Of Salvation, Black Emerald, Remnant, Violence Is Golden, Sincerely, Yours, Outright Resistance, King Minos, and Oakhaart."
Angela Martyr Announces "The November Harvest"
Angela Martyr rises from the ashes of Vanessa Van Basten, a cult band born in Genova, Italy, in 2005 and which survived through various hiatuses until approximately 2014.
A handful of releases from Vanessa Van Basten have remained on the tongues of many people, and not only in Italy. The cinematic mix of post-rock, doom metal, and shoegaze was appreciated worldwide, thanks to records released by such international labels as Consouling Sounds from Belgium and Robotic Empire from the United States.
With a few splits and a tribute EP to The Cure, all showing an evolving and eclectic sound clearly influenced by God Machine and Swans, Vanessa Van Basten said farewell, and after a small rest, his machine-head Morgan Bellini rose up from the ashes for a new martyrdom named Angela Martyr.
Now, Avantgarde Music presents the debut album of Angela Martyr, "The November Harvest." A new age of sonic adventure begins here, and it is time to reap the harvest...
1. Deviant 04:14
2. Georgina 03:50
3. Deathwish 05:00
4. Serpent 07:13
5. Negative Youth 03:42
6. Carsleeper 03:53
7. On the Edge of Next Time 04:06
8. Imprinting 00:54
9. Angela Martyr 13:37 More...
A.I.(d) Releases New Album
Just in time for Christmas, A.I.(d) has released a new album for fans titled "Alchemy," which can be heard below in full through the YouTube playlist.
Free download instructions are also available at the band's Facebook profile here. Artwork for the "Alchemy" release was handled by Sylvanor.
Ah Ciliz Streaming "Cascadia"
California atmospheric black metal group Ah Ciliz is now streaming a new song titled "Cascadia" that's taken from an impending 2017 release.
This track features the band's new vocalist Boris Iolis (L'Hiver en Deuil, Marche Funèbre, Soul Dissolution) in addition to drummer Marco Ceccarelli and multi-instrumentalist Elmer Bonilla.
The Khind Offering Album For Free Download
The Khind has a triple album online for streaming and free download (listen in below), and the band issued this statement to fans:
"36 FREE songs from The Khind for everyone today and tomorrow only! Merry Christmas from The Khind! Thanks for helping us make this a great and exciting year!
"We are letting EVERYONE download our new 'Trilogy' triple album for FREE as a gift to you!! You can also gift it to someone for only $1.00 ....if you need a last minute gift for the heavy music lovers out there! \m/\m/" More...
Need Posts "Alltribe" Lyric Video
Need has a new lyric clip online, which can be seen in the YouTube player below, and the band also comments:
"So here it is, as promised, the lyric video for ‘Alltribe.’ Once more an exceptional job by Haris Kountouris and HK Visual Creations. We are super proud of the final result. We hope you like it as much as we do and of course share it as much as possible!
"We can’t thank you enough for the love & support so far! You can still pre-order the limited edition (available for one more week) and standard edition bundles here and in case you haven’t checked the previous tracks we’ve released from ‘Hegaiamas,’ here is 'Rememory' and also 'Tilikum' (live rehearsal)." More...
Syndemic Posts Holiday Message
German death metal outfit Syndemic just issued this year-end holiday message to the fans via Facebook:
"Merry Christmas, everybody! We already cleaned most of our equipment, after the filthy smoke of a fire next to our rehearsal room messed up our stuff.
"As you can see, we were really feeling the christmas vibe while cleaning our dirty, smelly stuff. We hope to be able to return to our room and rehearse again early next year. Enjoy your holidays! Cheers!" More...
Lich King Wants You To "Cut The Shit"
Lich King just released a video for "Cut The Shit," which can be seen below, and the U.S. thrash band also issued this brief message to fans:
"This video, after almost two years of editing hell, is now released. Here's the new song. Aaaaand a very merry Lichmas to you all." More...
NonZeroSum Presents Festivals Announced
NonZeroSum Presents is proud to announce collaborative nationwide festival events coming in January. These events will take place in Oakland, Santa Cruz, Dallas, Austin, Houston, New York City, Syracuse, Boston, and Philadelphia.
Full details for each show are available below. Founder and organizer Jesse Fuentes from NonZeroSum Presents comments: "We created these nationwide events to elevate the already flourishing communities all over the United States and to showcase some of the biggest talents in the underground."
NONZEROSUM PRESENTS: OAKLAND
JANUARY 14 at Oakland Metro
Despise You
HONG KONG FUCK YOU
A D H D O D
Rapid Decline
Concussive
Bob Plant
Moirai
Drain
Misophonia
FIEND
Pattern Breaker
Forged
DDA
Torture Method
Bathtub Barracuda More...
Fall Of Summer 2017 Announced
The Fall Of Summer team is happy to announce that the festival will return in 2017 on the 8th and 9th of September by the lake of Torcy for its 4th edition.
The first bands will be announced in January but you can already save the date and join the event, with current details available at Facebook here. Stay tuned for full info coming shortly!
Dream Theater Adds More Tour Dates
Dream Theater has added more "Images & Word" tour dates to the upcoming 2017 itinerary, with the band issuing this brief announcement:
"We've just announced more dates in the UK! Dream Theater's 'Images, Words & Beyond' tour 2017 kicks off next month, delivering an unparalleled live set of 'Images & Words' in its entirety, along with an array of songs from the band's deep catalogue. Come hear your favorites, live!"
Catch these upcoming Dream Theater 2017 European tour dates:
JAN 30 Auditorium Parco Della Musica Rome, Italy
FEB 1 Gran Teatro Geox Padova, Italy
FEB 3 Samsung Hall* Zurich, Switzerland
FEB 4 Mediolanum Forum Milan, Italy
FEB 6 Forum Karlin Prague, Czech Republic
FEB 8 013 Tillburg, Holland
FEB 10 MHP Arena Ludwigsburg, Germany
FEB 11 Mitsubishi Electric Halle Dusseldorf, Germany
FEB 12 Zenith Paris, France
FEB 14 Mehr Hamburg, Germany
FEB 16 Malmo Arena Malmo, Sweden
FEB 17 Partille Arena Partille, Sweden
FEB 18 Fryshuset Arenan Stockholm, Sweden
FEB 23 Kilden (Theater Hall) Kristiansand, Norway
APR 18 Symphony Hall Birmingham, UK
APR 19 o2 Apollo Manchester, UK
APR 20 Royal Concert Hall Glasgow, UK
APR 22 Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, UK
APR 25 Afas Live Amsterdam, Netherlands
APR 26 Lotto Arena Antwerp, Belgium
APR 28 Razzmatazz Barcelona, Spain
APR 29 Bilbao Exhibition Centre Bilbao, Spain
APR 30 Coliseum Porto Porto, Portugal
Thunderwar Posts Full Album For Streaming
Thunderwar just made the entire "Black Storm" album, released by Whitching Hour Productions, available for streaming in the YouTube player below.
Like what you hear? Be sure to pick up copy over here.
The "Black Storm" track listing is as follows:
1. Marvel at My Sins 00:00
2. New Age Prophecy 06:44
3. Black Storm Will Unfold 09:36
4. New Messiah 15:15
5. The Descent 21:35
6. Path Of The Aghori 26:55
7. A Tale of Lust and Disgust 32:29
8. Iconoclast(bonus track) 37:49 More...
Waiting For My End Posts Album Online
Depressive black metal group Waiting For My End, a new solo project from A.K. (Merrimack / Decline of the I), is now streaming the "Our Need Of Consolation Is Insatiable" album online. The band also comments:
"His music, filled with pain and distress, has allowed this monster to build a real cathartic venture for listeners, that we are plunging deep in our tormented emotions in order to liberate ourselves.
'Our Need Of Consolation Is Insatiable' is a black metal album that will atone for all the pain that lies dormant in us through these incisive riffs, cold and devoid of human feelings. It is music that would be nothing without the tortured screams issued by A.K.
"Haunting, dark, acerbic, sometimes crossed in a fit of madness, W.F.M.E. fully releases the perfect defeatism of the suicidal writings of Dagerman. This is what you should expect with this beast; forget black metal's conformity and conventions, forget long-standing labels and codes, A.K. has been able to make Waiting For My End a truly unique project." More...
Eczema Streams "#0231"
“Project 3k9” is a conceptual work from Spanish group Eczema released earlier this year about evolution and human experimentation. Each track of this album revolves around a subject or object of such experiments.
Today the band has made album track "#0231" available for streaming online - check it out below. The following press release was also issued:"
"Musically this is, by far, Eczema‘s strongest album. They are increasingly clear about what they want and they succeed more accurately. From the darkest to the most violent landscapes, of the most melodic to the most squeaky, the songs are always in accordance with the dialogues of these experiments with an evolutionary background."
1. #0411 [2/2] 07:40
2. #0073 06:21
3. #0231 05:56
4. #0313 07:15
5. #0516 07:50
6. #0503.b 06:14
7. #0053[2/2] 08:10
8. #0137 05:58
9. #0053[1/2] 06:41
10. #0656[PsiQuE #67] 08:27 More...
Evilspeak Magazine Releases Issue #5
The fifth issue of horror / metal publication Evilspeak Magazine has now officially been released and can be ordered here. The Evilspeak crew comments:
"For this issue, we have unearthed the legendary Enzo Sciotti for an interview feature and a stunning and exclusive cover painting! Enzo is known for his amazing poster artwork for such Italian horror classics as Demons, The Beyond, House by the Cemetery, The New York Ripper, and so many more! We are extremely proud to have gotten the chance to work with Enzo for volume 5 of Evilspeak. A true legend and master of horror artwork!
"The new issue features 200 pages of unstoppable horror carnage in the form of passionate features and articles on such films as The Other Hell, All the Colors of the Dark, Satan's Slave, Eyeball, Headless Eyes, Patrick Still Lives, Tragic Ceremony, Black Candles, Lady Terminator, Nude For Satan, and many more!
"We dive into some extreme Asian horror and gore this time with a full-length feature on the infamous category 3 films from Hong Kong, as well as the splatterific Shaw Brothers classic Seeding of a Ghost! Doc Holocausto provides us with some incredible full-length features on Verotik comics, the infamous horror comic company from Danzig himself, as well as an epic feature titled 'Books of Blood' about horror films involving evil and terrifying tomes of terror! More...
Black Autumn Releases "Rauhnacht MMXVI"
Black Autumn's yearly "Rauhnacht" release has now come online and can be heard below, while the band had this to say to fans:
"Greetings and happy Juletide to all and everyone of you friends and forest lurkers! It's time again for the annual EP to celebrate the Rauhnächte! So here's your treat for 2016's time between the years. As always you can name your price or grab it for free! Hope you enjoy it and all the best for 2017!"
1. Rauhnacht MMXVI - I 07:26
2. Rauhnacht MMXVI - II 06:09 More...
Escaping Amenti Streaming "The Gathering"
Escaping Amenti just released new single "The Gathering," which can be heard via the YouTube clip below. This new video for "The Gathering" was made by Gustav Eiksson (Abandoned By Bears), while the track was mixed and mastered by Niklas Johansson (Harkla).
Mortiis Re-Issuing "Era 1" Material On Cassette
Mortiis is gearing up to re-issue his first four releases on cassette in February. The band just checked in with thsi update:
"For over 6 months we have been working directly with Foreign Sounds/Children of the Night to coordinate the re-issue of the first 4 releases in the 'Era 1' catalog. Mortiis 'Era 1' material needs no introduction. A founding father if you will of what is now known as dungeon synth.
"Originally described by Mortiis himself as dark dungeon music, Mortiis created a number of dark ambient/synth works in the early-to-mid-1990s now known as his 'Era 1' material. These releases are considered to be some of the greatest of the genre. Often imitated, but never replicated, Mortiis' 'Era 1' is available again on cassette.
"Due to territory restrictions these releases are U.S.-only. That being said Mortiis will facilitate some non-U.S. orders himself through his future store and touring. Non-U.S. customers can contact Mortiis direct via e-mail info[at]mortiis.com or through social media. U.S. customers can pre-order from Foreign Sounds/Children of The Night here." More...
Gravebreaker Releasing "Sacrifice"
After a digital self-release earlier this summer, Swedish old school heavy metal outfit Gravebreaker is now releasing debut album "Sacrifice" physically via Gates of Hell Records (a Cruz Del Sur Music imprint).
No gravestone has been left unturned in Gravebreaker's quest for the original sounds of heavy metal - the hot-tempered drums, the irascible guitars and the fiery growls, all presented at breathtaking speed. Are YOU ready for the "Sacrfice?" As the band's motto goes: "Only Traditional Heavy Metal, Accept No Substitute!"
"Sacrifice:" will be available as a limited edition vinyl LP (500 copies, 100 of which will be ultra-limited Coke bottle green vinyl with patch, exclusively from Cruz Del Sur Music webstore) and a limited edition CD (500). More...
Transcending Obscurity Releases 55 Song Sampler
Transcending Obscurity Records just released a massive 55 track sampler online, which you can stream below or pick up at Bandcamp here. The label also comments:
"This is probably the last press release of this year but it's a culmination of all that we have achieved as a record label. The struggle is real. Most of you have witnessed the growth of a label that was primarily about Indian bands.
"Now the tables have turned so to speak and it's time for sub-divisions to get phased out in favour of one strong label as a whole. While region-specific sub-labels for both India and Asia currently exist, the same time next year things will be differently poised. We have no vinyl or tape manufacturing units over here but one way or the other, we are keen to add those formats to our releases in 2017." More...
Kaosophia Premieres New Song "Enter the Devotion"
Ukrainian black metal outfit Kaosophia premieres a new song entitled "Enter the Devotion", taken from the upcoming new album "Serpenti Vortex", which will be out in stores in 2017 on vinyl, CD, and tape via Lamech Records.
Check out now "Enter the Devotion" below.
Navigate forward or backward through each day of news below: