In a time of endless sub-genre classifications, ACT OF DEFIANCE‘s highly anticipated debut offering simply delivers 100% in-your-face, uncompromising heavy metal. The scathing debut, Birth and The Burial, is set for an Aug. 21st release via Metal Blade Records and pre-order bundle packages are now available at metalblade.com/actofdefiance. The group’s first official introduction to the masses is via the album’s ripping lead-off track “Throwback“, which is a face-melting all out thrash assault. The new music video for it, shot by renowned director Corey Soria (Danzig) can be viewed now at metalblade.com/actofdefiance. With a hefty resumé that chronicles time spent riffing and shredding... 

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER have returned with the much-anticipated, new full-length album Abysmal, which is officially set for a September 18th release. This vicious slab of unrelenting aggression showcases TBDM at their very finest with a meticulous, pin-point precise rhythmic assault mixed with ferocious speed and dynamic hooks. The band also re-enlisted the services of renowned producer Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, Whitechapel) and former bass player Ryan Williams, who also helped produce Everblack, with the sole intent to get away from the overt sonic sterility affecting far too many contemporary metal albums.  

Philadelphia’s hard-hitting power trio ON TOP have debuted a new track from upcoming EP, Topless. Streamit below the break!  

SUNN O))) announces that their live, cathartic reverberations have been documented and can now be accessed via their live BandCamp page. Compiled of taper and fan recordings, spanning from their 2002 show at the Blackbird in Portland up to their recent headlining show at Temples Festival 2015, these documents are presented in their raw and unedited beauty.  

In Vaults, the dynamic third studio album from Chicago’s progressive/alternative rock outfit, DISTRICT 97, is out today through Laser’s Edge, and in conjunction with its release the record is now streaming in its entirety.  

Primitive Race, the industrial super group founded by album producer Chris Kniker (Lords of Acid, RevCo), and including players Graham Crabb (Pop Will Eat Itself), Erie Loch (Luxt, Dream In Red), Tommy Victor (Prong, Danzig) and Dave “Rave” Ogilvie (Skinny Puppy, Jackalope), release their self-titled debut album on Aug. 7 via Metropolis Records.  

Sometimes an album comes along that so surprisingly good, everything else kind of loses it’s luster. Such a two edged sword has come to my attention with the newest album from Khemmis, Absolution. This album is a monster, find out why after this!  

Finland’s most decimating hardcore crossover thrash quintet, FORESEEN HKI, has announced the band’s very first American touring endeavor, as the band prepares to raid This Is Hardcore Fest, kicking off their first stateside tour with Helsinki Savagery Over America.  

2015 sees Portland’s RABBITS trio celebrating ten years of antagonizing their surroundings with their diseased auditory droppings, with a new pile of live shows locked up and plans of an extremely limited 8-Track retrospective release.  

BLACK SPACE RIDERS have released the first official music video for a track from upcoming album, Refugeeum.  

Upon return from their European tour in their stint of shows supporting their lauded Black Age Blues LP, GOATSNAKE is gearing up for the final gig of the run with a headlining slot at Crucial Fest V this weekend. Running from Thursday, June 18th through Saturday the 20th in Salt Lake City, Utah, GOATSNAKE will headline the final evening of Crucial Fest. This performance will be the final show from the band for the immediate future, although additional live actions will be announced for later in the year.  

U.S. Black Metallers NIHILISTINEN BARBAARISUUS have released a lyric video for the song “Let Them Perish” from new album The Child Must Die (Infernal Kommando Records).