Metal Mix Tape 15
Let there be metal! Have a look to see who made Metal Mix Tape Volume 15:
On the heels of a successful tour alongside Baby Metal, Black Veil Brides are back with their first piece of new music since 2024’s chart-topping single Bleeders. The band – comprised of vocalist Andy Biersack, guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx, bassist Lonny Eagleton and drummer Christian Coma – return to their roots with the aggressive new track Hallelujah. The Tampa Florida based choir “One Voice Ensemble” also leant their talents to the recording. The song is being released by their label partners Spinefarm and was produced by Andy Biersack and Jake Pitts. Hallelujah is now available via all digital service providers here.
“Hallelujah is an important song for us, not only because it is the first track from the new record, but also as a signifier of what’s to come for the band. On a narrative level, it represents the themes and ideas I am exploring lyrically on the album. I am fascinated by the current state of discourse and how often we seem to prioritize ideological certainty over the heart and soul of humanity. Over the years we have developed a tremendous connection with our audience, which is often dismissed or misinterpreted by the ‘scene.’ We stand at a unique inflection point culturally and I want to be able to speak openly about how much I believe in being true to yourself over the fear of mass hysteria or in-group recriminations,” explains Andy Biersack.
“When my grandfather’s voice spoke to ‘the outcasts’ in the first moments of our first record in 2010, it was a sincere call to arms for all those who feel different. In many ways this record is the natural evolution of that same idea. This is the heaviest and most vitriolic BVB record by far but more importantly I believe it is the most sincere and honest record we have ever made.”
Melbourne metalcore band TERMINAL SLEEP are proud to announce they have signed to Nuclear Blast Records. Formed in 2022 and shaped over the pandemic, the band are unapologetic about their fierce style; a melting pot of heavy music championing self-empowerment and gender equality as well as the importance of mental health. This message of music with substance is just one facet that fans can expect alongside the reputation of delivering an explosive live performance. The past year has been a whirlwind having played with the likes of COUNTERPARTS, SPEED, KUBLAI KHAN, HARMSWAY, and GATES TO HELL as well as adding several festivals to their intensive resume.
TERMINAL SLEEP comments, “It is a privilege to be welcomed into the family amongst so many legendary bands we grew up listening to, and fresh new bands we have on repeat. We could not be more excited to bring in the new era of Terminal Sleep with Tommy and the whole team at Nuclear Blast!”
Nuclear Blast American Label Manager & A&R Tommy Jones comments, “Last year a pal of mine hit me with a link and said ‘check this out’. It was to a few unreleased songs by Terminal Sleep from Melbourne, Australia. One listen and a bit of research and I was all the way in! Last January, I saw the TS crew from down under in Hamburg Germany …and holy hopping kangaroos, I was completely blown away! Bec was in full on beastmode and I thought she was going to eliminate the entire room. A must see. I am ecstatic to usher in Terminal Sleep to the worldwide Nuclear Blast family! LFG, don’t sleep!”
TERMINAL SLEEP present their new standalone single, They Circle Below. The track and music video provide a frantic experience staggering between grooves and head banging perfectly packaged in their fusion of metal and hardcore. They Circle Below was recorded at Chameleon Studios in Sydney, Australia. The track was produced, engineered and mixed by Elliott Gallart while Brad Boatright handled mastering at Audioseige.
The heavy metal visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — have gone from strength to strength to strength over the past several years.
There’s the critically acclaimed, 2023-released album Dance Devil Dance, which included rock radio chart topper The Dirt I’m Buried In. There have been scores of sold-out headline shows across the globe and an actual fossil named after them. The list goes on and on.
But the past is the past and the future is, well, dark in the best possible way and that’s JUST how Avatar like it!
“Avatar is defined by the challenges we put in front of ourselves. We always push for more and look for new angles. In this ever ongoing pursuit for the next great thing, we return to one of the most important aspects of metal: Speed.”
The band continues, “This is the fastest song we have done in what seems to be an eternity, and it feels good to push the engine to the max again. In a way, it feels like a return to something. Enjoy our rage.”
Melbourne metal outfit HEAVENSGATE have unveiled their frenzied new single, RAIN, out now via Greyscale Records and Pure Noise Records.
RAIN is a poignant shift for the band, and tackles the emotional haunting after the significant event of loss, underscoring the band’s ability to translate the human experience in a relatable and cathartic way. “While this is a personal story told by us, the symptoms of emotional isolation and helplessness are symptoms of grief we all share,” shares the band.
Entirely self-produced, RAIN was shaped to preserve the band’s creative intent. “Every element of this track, from the lyrics to the instrumentation, was crafted to reflect a deeply personal vision, making the final result an uncompromised and authentic expression of our sound.”
Just days before returning to the holy grounds of Wacken Open Air, modern metal sensations ENEMY INSIDE are proud to announce the digital release of their haunting track Innocent alongside its visually striking official music video. Previously only available as part of the physical edition of their acclaimed current album Venom (February 28, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music), both the track and video are now accessible worldwide on all major streaming platforms and YouTube.
Being a fan favourite since its original release, ‘Innocent’ dives deep into the shadows of human morality. With its cinematic soundscapes, thunderous guitars, and the emotionally-charged varied vocals of singer Nastassja Giulia, the new single continues the band’s signature blend of heavy riffs and dark elegance that has earned them international attention. The supporting video is a visual metaphor for inner conflict and moral duality, complementing the track’s lyrical themes with bold, provocative imagery while solidifying ENEMY INSIDE’s status as one of the most exciting acts in the modern metal scene.
The band adds: “It’s a song about guilt, hypocrisy, and the human tendency to judge others while ignoring our own flaws. Inspired by the biblical quote ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,’ it’s a reminder that before we point fingers, we should take a hard look at ourselves.”
NAILED TO OBSCURITY have released a video for the stunning title track of their upcoming fifth studio album, Generation Of The Void, which will be out on September 5th, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. The song Generation Of The Void features an epic chorus unlike anything in the band’s previous works and it underlines the versatility of the new record alongside a potent message about our connection and interaction with each other.
NAILED TO OBSCURITY commented:
“‘Generation Of The Void’ is a mirror held up to a world that feels increasingly disconnected. We tried to capture the overwhelming sense of unease that defines our time, but also the inner battles we all face. It’s a song that grew out of chaos, but from a desire to understand and endure.”
Can love survive beyond the veil?
Blackbriar are proud to release their wistful new single, A Last Sigh Of Bliss, alongside a video. The song details a tragic romance between someone living, and someone deceased.
Vocalist Zora Cock comments:
“As the scent of honeysuckle drifts into your bedroom window on a warm summer’s night, this song intoxicates you into a fever dream. Like a bee drowning in honey, you know you’ll die, and yet, you ache for nothing more. It’s a sultry, seductive, and euphoric song with heavy guitars and a chorus that makes you want to run barefoot through a moonlit field in a lace gown.”
Ahead of the release of Bruce Dickinson’s re-worked version of his classic 1994 album, now titled More Balls To Picasso, the lyric video for lead single Gods Of War has dropped.
With a timely message and a fresh, contemporary production, Gods Of War, features Brazilian composer Antonio Teoli’s unique contribution, adding indigenous instruments from the Amazon at the beginning of the track. It is a striking taste of the newly reimagined album and brings to life the roaringly full-throttle and ambitious for its time collection of supremely crafted and realised songs.
Acclaimed progressive stoner rock powerhouse GAUPA have released a video for their song, Lion’s Thorn, the blistering opening track of their brand new 4-track mini-album FYR, out nowvia Nuclear Blast Records (digital) and Magnetic Eye Records (physical).
FYR is the follow-up to the Swede’s highly acclaimed sophomore album MYRIAD, and features some of GAUPA’s heaviest and most absorbing work to date
Emma Näslund (vocals) commented:
”In a world full of chaos I hope these songs will bring you dance, hope and lust to resist oppressors.”
CLAWFINGER are back. Not to save the world, but to shout unapologetically while it burns. Their new single Scum is a blistering punch of punk-rap fury – loud, raw, and seething with intent. It marks the return of the pioneering crossover band at their most direct, furious, and unfiltered in years.
“‘Scum’ is a raw, loud, and brutally honest punk rap anthem that goes straight for the throat,” says singer Zak Tell. “It’s aimed at the kind of guy who’s selfish, sexist, full of himself and somehow still talking. With sharp lyrics and a beat that hits like a punch, ‘Scum’ says what we’re all thinking about that one guy we all wish would just vanish from the face of the earth. It’s angry and it’s dark. If you’ve ever wanted to spit in someone’s face but lacked the upper-body strength or social permission, this song’s for you.”
FIT FOR A KING – Ryan Kirby, vocals; Bobby Lynge, guitar; Daniel Gailey, guitar; Trey Celaya, drums; and Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary, bass/vocals – recently announced their new album and eighth overall, titled Lonely God. It was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Daniel Braunstein (Spiritbox). Lonely God will arrive on August 1 via Solid State Records
“Thematically, you can think of it as a person who’s ready to begin the sacrifice of himself for a greater cause, but there are a million things asking for his attention,” says Kirby about the song’s subject matter. “It’s not necessarily religion. People are arguing about everything these days. So, it’s easy to end up believing in nothing because you feel overwhelmed.”
Six-member wrecking crew PSYCHO-FRAME recently announced their debut album SALVATION LAUGHS IN THE FACE OF A GRIEVING MOTHER. The album arrives July 25 via SharpTone Records.
Drawing influence from classic American death metal while channeling a chaotic, present-day urgency, the band’s sound is as deliberate and technical as it is aggressive. Now, they share the new single BLACK_WAVE II.
It’s a literal easter egg, as it’s a bit of an homage to BLACK_WAVE, a song by guitarist/vocalist Hunter Young’s other band MOODRING. MOODRING also feature on vocals on the track.
“Much of the record is very anti-religious,” says Young about the song. “But that extends to idols in politics and the music scene. No one is above you.”
1 Global Power Metal Band and one of Sweden’s most successful bands SABATON, have unveiled their second single and cinematic video, Hordes Of Khan from their forthcoming 11th studio album which is due out later this year, marking their Better Noise Music debut.
“The story behind our new single ‘Hordes Of Khan’ was a great one to take a deep dive into,” says singer Joakim Brodén. “The song actually turned out to have way more depth than we expected. Genghis Khan wasn’t just a conqueror; he was a complex figure who left behind a huge legacy. He built the largest contiguous empire in history, stretching far beyond Mongolia, and his influence only grew after his death. Honestly, we couldn’t have picked a more suitable subject for the new direction SABATON is heading in! ‘Hordes of Khan’ hits hard, and it’s heavy for good reason. We know our fans crave heavy music, and we’re pumped to see how they react to this one. Hopefully, it’s a track they’ll be blasting on repeat!”
As bassist Pär Sundström explains, “Joakim wanted to write a proper heavy metal song, and as we’ve seen from past releases, a lot of our fans appreciate pure fucking heavy metal! That’s what ‘Hordes Of Khan’ is, and when you listen to it and close your eyes, you can imagine Genghis Khan on his horse, galloping to battle. Joakim composed the music and I actually wrote the lyrics for this one. When I started to work on them, I realized the melody was pretty complicated. Honestly, they were some of the most difficult lyrics that I’ve ever written. All in all, I’m very happy with the result, especially as Joakim has said that parts of the lyrics are some of SABATON’s best to date.”
Soul-seeking alt hardcore quintet Higher Power are proud to announce that their third studio album, There’s Love In This World If You Want It, has been surprise released digitally today via Nuclear Blast Records. The album will be released physically on September 19th.
Vocalist Jimmy Wizard comments:
“This album is the natural progression of Higher Power sonically and as a band. This is our first time consciously self producing an album and I am, for once, genuinely excited to put something out that feels really authentic to us as individuals and where we are at as a band.”
Just ahead of their upcoming stint on the “Summer Slaughter Tour,” INCITE have released their blistering new single Lies. The track is from their highly anticipated upcoming album Savage New Times which is out on August 15, 2025 via Reigning Phoenix Music. The song’s speed mixed with groove is a perfect example of what fans can expect from the upcoming album and shows why the band is widely considered to be rising stars in the genre.
Frontman Richie Cavalera comments: “We didn’t hold back on the intensity with ‘Lies.’ The message demanded that energy. Every riff, every word speaks to those moments when you realise someone’s true colours. It’s a song with purpose, written for anyone who’s dealt with deception.”
After the highly successful release of their second album March of the Unheard in January 2025 and their celebrated first European headlining tour, melodic death metal stars THE HALO EFFECT return with a powerful interpretation of DANZIG’s iconic track How the Gods Kill—originally released on the classic 1992 album Danzig III: How the Gods Kill.
This cover version was handpicked by front man Mikael Stanne, who shares:
“During my teenage years the darkness and allure of the early Danzig albums introduced me to a whole new way of thinking about what rock and metal could be. Glenn’s vocals and lyrics were also incredibly influential on this aspiring vocalist/lyricist.”
The band brings a new weight and urgency to the track while preserving the brooding mystique of the original. With soaring guitar harmonies, thunderous rhythm, and Stanne’s commanding vocals, THE HALO EFFECT reinvents the classic through the lens of the Gothenburg sound.
Fresh from their secret set at last weekend’s DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL, Steel City Kings MALEVOLENCE have released a new single from their massively anticipated new album, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken, which is out now via MLVLTD in partnership with Nuclear Blast Records.
The video comes in response to a takedown of their previous single Salt The Wound, which was forcibly removed from Nuclear Blast’s YouTube channel after The National Trust threatened legal action.
“Apparently pretending to play the guitar for a couple of hours on a public path that thousands of tourists walk up every single day is a criminal offence worth pursuing,” said the band in a statement.
“The video is a celebration of where we come from and we’re proud of what we made. Fortunately… Someone has anonymously uploaded a version back to YouTube” they continued.
New single So Help Me God sees the band safely performing within the walls of the historic Abbeydale Picture House cinema in Sheffield.
“This song is one of the most personal songs I’ve ever written. This song is a raw exploration of my own resentment, and unresolved anger” comments frontman ALEX TAYLOR.
“For the video, we wanted to match the tone of the song and have a raw performance driven video full of energy and aggression.”
San Jose’s breakout metalcore/hardcore band MUGSHOT has finally released their eagerly awaited sophomore album, All The Devils Are Here with Pure Noise Records. The band’s first album in nearly a decade marks a new beginning for the ferocious four-piece as they mount one of the genre’s most anticipated comebacks. The devastatingly heavy record was produced by Randy Leboeuf (Kublai Khan, The Acacia Strain, Gideon, Bad Omens) and features 12 crushing tracks that blur the lines of metal and hardcore in a violent storm of unrelenting chaos.
Commenting on the record, the band has said: “This album is the most collaborative we have ever been as a band, every person had a major hand in creating whether that be musically, lyrically or both. It’s also the first album we haven’t self produced and having Randy Leboeuf on board was so invaluable, he really felt like a 5th member. Lyrically this is the most personal and pissed off we have ever been and we think everyone will be able to connect with many tracks on this record.”
Mugshot ushers in their reign over West Coast metalcore with the album’s release and a new video for the title track All The Devils Are Here.
Sydney metal heavyweights Justice For The Damned share the title track to their long-awaited upcoming album, Stay Relentless, out August 15 via Greyscale Records. They join Make Them Suffer this week on a regional lap of Australia, tickets on sale via Destroy All Lines.
Written during a time of personal challenge, new single Stay Relentless channels hope and resilience and is a scathing affirmation for pushing through adversity with a steadfast mindset: “The track was written as a reminder to self that you can take whatever life throws at you when your mind is set on it,” says the band. “It’s interesting that the song became a premonition with the hurdles that would come at Justice that same year.”
The track follows Built To Be Broken, which accompanied the album announcement in May and sharpened the blade of the band’s signature sound without compromising its core. “Every element is showcased at one point or another,” the band shares. “The vocals are the meanest Bobak has ever sounded, the guitars relentlessly hammer the main riff into your brain, the drums are fast and precise and the bass soars on its own toward the end to lead you into the final breakdowns (both of them) where everything comes together to totally crush your skull.”
Brisbane emo-metalcore icons Stepson are charging into a villainous new era with their unrelenting new single, Venom. A far cry from the band’s melodic beginnings, Venom is a sonic pivot into louder, more aggressive territory that hits like a shotgun blast to the chest.
Produced by Callan Orr (Make Them Suffer, Bad Juju, Dream on Dreamer), with a mix and master by Lance Prenc (Polaris, Alpha Wolf, Void of Vision), Venom trades in heartbreak for rage, capturing a more abrasive and visceral side to Stepson than ever heard before. The track is a definitive mission statement and was made to be felt in the pit.
“When we started, we were heartbroken kids writing music trying to understand why we had been hurt or left behind,” shares bassist/vocalist Jayden Ridley. “Now we’re older and we’re not those sad kids looking to understand those emotions. We understand them now and we’re angry. I think Venom showcases just that. It’s a song for those who are pissed off by how they’ve been treated, and we’re not scared of being the villain anymore.
Carolina post-hardcore quintet EXCIDE, who’ve been tipped by Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, and Revolver, are back with the visualizer for their brand new single YOUR FLOWERS. It’s a hyperkinetic anthem with plenty of push and pull guitar energy, a monster breakdown, and singalong choruses.
This song is all about feeling deceived, manipulated, and taken advantage of,” the band says. “We put so much of ourselves into what we create, and only ever want it to have a fair shot out in your world. This single is a first installment from something huge that we’ve been putting together for a long time. It survived many obstacles to see the light of day today. We can’t wait to share more with you all soon.”
Icons of goth and doom, PARADISE LOST will release their long-awaited, 17th album Ascension on September 19th with Nuclear Blast Records. The band’s first album in 5 years, following 2020’s critically acclaimed Obsidian, was produced by guitarist Gregor Mackintosh and mixed/mastered by Lawrence Mackrory. Ascension is a testament to the band’s longevity and relevance over their 35+ year career, encompassing their signature styles of gothic, death and doom fans have cherished along the way.
Ascension’s album cover fittingly features the painting The Court of Death (1870-1902) by renowned British artist George Frederic Watts, which hangs in the Tate Gallery in London. The painting depicts Death as an enthroned angel flanked by allegorical figures of Silence and Mystery guarding sunrise and the star of hope, while a warrior surrenders his sword and a duke his coronet, showing that worldly status offers no protection. The painting’s bleak, prophetic vision embodies Ascension’s dark, tormented soundscapes as mournful verses collide with dire, foreboding riffs.
Commenting on the record, vocalist Nick Holmes says:
“Ascension is a cavalcade of molten misery, a vigorous sorrow filled stroll through a wicked world of glorious triumph and pitiful tragedy.”
PARADISE LOST offer a glimpse into their melancholic masterpiece with the record’s first single and music video, Silence Like The Grave.
Following the announcement of their 15th studio album BORDERLAND Finnish metal icons AMORPHIS release the first single from their forthcoming opus. Light And Shadow, which can also be interpreted as a metaphor of the album title in the sense of counter-play between two parties close to each other, wins over listeners right away with an uplifting piano intro, enriched by an electronic sound tapestry. As the song unfolds, it transforms into a driving, mythic anthem of self-discovery, a powerful reminder of why AMORPHIS remain unrivalled in crafting melancholic majesty.
Santeri Kallio, who wrote the music, adds: “I threw my brain into the closet and went with the flow – without stressing about opinions. I didn’t want to repeat the old nor copy what we’ve already done before. When I heard Tomi’s final vocal parts, I realised that ‘Light And Shadow’ would be the perfect introduction to our new album!”
Swedish 2025 Grammi winners OPETH are pleased to unveil a full-on band performance video for §1. The track is taken from their current success album The last WILL and TESTAMENT (released on November 22, 2024 through Moderbolaget / Reigning Phoenix Music), which was highly praised by press and fans alike and saw frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt return to growling vocal territory for the first time in 16 years. Their new material has additionally been warmly welcomed during their ongoing world tour, which is why the video arrives right in time as their touring cycle commences at legendary Sweden Rock Festival.
Åkerfeldt states: “So here’s a video (of sorts) for your ‘enjoyment.’ We had requests left, right & centre to do one of them measly ‘lyric videos’ or ‘visualizers’ for ‘content.’ Now, right there are three words I despise! I’ve made it clear in our circle of trust that we shouldn’t use the word ‘content’ even if that’s exactly what we’re working on. We’re not some goddamn influencers, now are we? So can we please settle on the old fashioned word ‘video’ without meddling with modern online lingo? And a video is what it really is. A performance video, no less. We figured it’s a bit more happening to look at (should you decide to do so) than a lyric video. ‘§1’ is the opener on “The Last Will And Testament.” A good song. I like it! The video looks good. As good as it can look when involving 5 middle-aged, slightly hungover geezers miming along to something. We shot it in some industrial area in Birmingham (UK) on the latest Euro tour. Everyone (well, the band and crew) were quite eager to get out of there as we had dinner planned at a fancy curry house locally. Much thanks to Ash Pears and ASH TV, who were really professional (ie: quick!) and made the whole experience rather easy on us. Hope you dig it, people!”
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