For the last two years, Charlotte, North Carolina’s lauded metal monsters WRETCHED worked on the songs that would populate their long-awaited fifth full-length, Decay. Released October 17th on Metal Blade Records, the result is a conceptual masterpiece that blends haunting melodies with progressive complexity.  

Rock fans, brace yourselves: multi-platinum acts CREED and Limp Bizkit will headline the 3rd Annual Summer of ’99 and Beyond Festival on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 at the Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL.  

Milwaukee Metal Festival 2026 has announced day splits for its highly anticipated return to The Rave/Eagles Club, taking place June 5–7, 2026. In addition to previously announced headliners Acid Bath (Friday), Killswitch Engage (Saturday), and Ministry (Sunday), the festival has added Suicidal Tendencies and a wave of additional artists spanning the full spectrum of heavy music. The current day splits can be found below with more bands still TBA!  

With their self-titled eighth studio album arriving worldwide in just two days, Alter Bridge return with the final song to be released ahead of the album’s official launch. “Scales Are Falling” is another signature rocker from the acclaimed quartet—Myles Kennedy (vocals/guitars), Mark Tremonti (guitars/vocals), Brian Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums).  

Kicking off the new year, Puscifer release “ImpetuoUs,” a third and final preview of the band’s highly-anticipated album, Normal Isn’t, arriving Feb. 6 via Puscifer Entertainment/Alchemy Recordings/BMG.  

Let’s get ready to rumble! Wacken Metal Battle Canada is proud to announce this year’s 2026 battle grounds across the country, where one independent metal band will gain the opportunity to play at Wacken Open Air, one of the world’s most prestigious and largest metal festivals.  

ARMSTRONG METALFEST 2026 – Tickets On Sale Now! The Okanagan’s Ultimate Mountain Mosh Pit Returns“It’s one of the premier festivals of its kind in Canada, showcasing the biggest names in local, national, and international heavy metal music.” – Vancouver Sun  

Italy-based computer metal project MASTER BOOT RECORD (MBR) will return to US and Canadian shores this coming Spring for an extensive North American headlining tour after completing their very successful European tour with labelmates IGORRR plus openers IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT! The group’s North American journey begins on April 24th in Cambridge, Massachusetts and runs through May 30th in Brooklyn, New York.  

US rockers Hellgrimm announce their highly anticipated sixth full-length album, Resurrection, set to be released in early 2026.  

As anticipation continues to build for MEGADETH’s final studio album—out January 23, 2026 via DAVE MUSTAINE’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label)—the metal titans have today (December 19) released the latest single and video for “Let There Be Shred!”  

Milwaukee Metal Festival 2026 has announced day splits for its highly anticipated return to The Rave/Eagles Club, taking place June 5–7, 2026. In addition to previously announced headliners Acid Bath (Friday), Killswitch Engage (Saturday), and Ministry (Sunday), the festival has added Suicidal Tendencies and a wave of additional artists spanning the full spectrum of heavy music. The current day splits can be found below with more bands still TBA!  

Tampa-based hardcore thrashers COLD STEEL are proud to announce their east coast headline tour in support of their upcoming debut album, ‘Discipline & Punish,’ kicking off on November 8th. Produced by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Blood Incantation), the new full-length will be out on November 7th via Spinefarm.