FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SUM OF SEVEN, GREG C. BROWN, ARCHFIEND, DRAGONBORN, DAY 40 & FALSE MESSIAH FEATURED IN LATEST ROCK HARD MAGAZINE
Six Metal Devastation PR Clients Earn Reviews and Feature Coverage Alongside Moonspell, Judas Priest, Acid Bath, Left to Die, and More
Metal Devastation PR is proud to announce that six artists and projects represented by the agency are featured in the latest issue of Rock Hard Magazine , one of Europe's longstanding and respected heavy music publications.
The issue features Moonspell on the cover and includes coverage of major names including Judas Priest, Acid Bath, Left to Die , and many more. Among that impressive lineup, six Metal Devastation PR clients have secured their own space throughout the issue, with coverage ranging from album reviews and ratings to an extensive interview.
Featured artists include Sum of Seven, Greg C. Brown, Archfiend, Dragonborn, Day 40, and False Messiah , showcasing an impressive cross-section of progressive, traditional, epic, death, thrash, and symphonic metal.
SUM OF SEVEN
The Seventh Element
Finnish metal band Sum of Seven are featured with coverage of their new album The Seventh Element , a record built around seven different personalities coming together to express a shared musical vision.
Rock Hard describes the project as a combination of progressive metal with melodic and cinematic influences , with the album exploring human emotions and the constant search for balance between light and darkness.
The review characterizes The Seventh Element as an immersive listening experience , with each track representing a different facet of human existence. The band's emphasis on authenticity and emotional depth is also highlighted, as the group seeks to create a personal connection with listeners.
The feature additionally spotlights the band's collaboration with photographer Oliver Weber , whose visual work reinforces the album's themes of introspection and transformation.
GREG C. BROWN
Solar Winds
Rating: 7.5/10
Acclaimed guitarist Greg C. Brown receives a 7.5/10 rating for Solar Winds .
Rock Hard praises Brown as an extremely eclectic guitarist with superb technique, noting the variety of his solo discography and his ability to combine virtuoso technique with emotional depth .
The review specifically points to the transition between Phobos and Deimos , highlighting guitar work worthy of the great guitar heroes, before moving into the cosmic and contemplative atmosphere of Theia .
Tracks including Solar Winds and Mist at Dawn reveal another side of Brown's musical personality, with Rock Hard praising the delicate and dreamy sensitivity found within the record.
The result, according to the review, is an engaging record where quality and quantity coexist in balance , once again demonstrating Brown's compositional and interpretive abilities.
ARCHFIEND
Lost Forever
Rating: 7/10
The solo project of singer and multi-instrumentalist Brian LaFave , Archfiend earns a 7/10 rating for Lost Forever .
Rock Hard describes Archfiend as rooted in solid, traditional heavy metal , while emphasizing the project's dramatic tension and emotional weight.
At the center of Lost Forever is the story of Jenna Lee , a teenager attempting to leave behind a troubled environment and build a better future, only to encounter another series of difficult and painful circumstances.
The review praises the record's dark, decadent melancholy , noting how effectively the music reflects Jenna's increasingly troubled emotional state.
With arrangements recalling the atmosphere of the 1980s, combined with LaFave's anguished vocals and straightforward but effective songwriting, Lost Forever delivers a strong nostalgic quality while maintaining its own emotional identity.
DRAGONBORN
No Mercy
Rating: 8/10
Turkish metal band Dragonborn deliver one of the strongest scores among the MDPR clients featured in the issue, earning an impressive 8/10 for No Mercy .
The release opens with an extended instrumental introduction filled with symphonic elements, immediately establishing the band's cinematic direction.
Rock Hard highlights Warhorns for Liars , where the band's grand and theatrical approach reinforces its preference for gripping narratives and medieval-inspired settings .
That cinematic and narrative quality continues throughout the four-track EP, which also features an instrumental interlude serving as a clear homage to fantasy literature and the battle imagery deeply associated with epic heavy metal.
Tracks such as Revenge of Pagan Storms and Execution allow Dragonborn to explore their passion for myths and legends through arrangements combining grandeur and majesty .
Rock Hard ultimately describes No Mercy as a true musical soundtrack , making the 8/10 rating a significant achievement for the Turkish quintet.
DAY 40
Phenomenon
London-based Day 40 , led by vocalist and guitarist Den Dimitrov , are featured in Rock Hard with coverage surrounding their latest album Phenomenon .
The article explores the long road behind the album, which began taking shape years ago before ultimately being reshaped following major lineup changes.
Dimitrov discusses the importance of the band's current lineup and the chemistry that comes from four musicians sharing the same passion. As he puts it, when that combination comes together, "magic happens."
Rock Hard also digs into one of Phenomenon 's most important strengths: its lyrical depth and substance .
Rather than relying solely on familiar metal subjects, Day 40 tackle ancient mysteries, conspiracies, philosophical questions, freedom of speech, and access to knowledge.
Musically, the band brings together death and thrash metal in their rawest and most traditional forms , with Dimitrov drawing equally from the classic 1980s thrash movement and the early 1990s death metal scene.
That combination of influences has helped Day 40 create a sound that bridges two important eras of extreme metal while maintaining its own identity.
FALSE MESSIAH
Seven
The mysterious international project False Messiah receives one of the issue's most extensive pieces of coverage with an in-depth interview surrounding its debut concept album Seven .
The identities of the project's members remain deliberately concealed. Instead, False Messiah describes itself as a "controlled creative entity" , placing the story and music ahead of individual personalities.
The project was created around a musical universe exploring themes including technology, artificial intelligence, social division, and the concentration of power , while deliberately approaching those subjects through speculative storytelling rather than political messaging.
According to the project, False Messiah was born in Montréal and has an international identity spanning Canada, Finland, France, and the UK.
Rock Hard's interview explores the band's description of its sound as symphonic dark metal , combining symphonic and cinematic elements with influences that reach from the darkness of Black Sabbath to the adventurous spirit of Iron Maiden and the melancholy of Sisters of Mercy.
At the center of Seven is a dystopian future where humanity has surrendered control to automated systems, power structures, and artificial intelligence.
But the album is ultimately not about machines.
It is about resilience .
Each song represents another chapter in a journey through fear, loss, courage, and ultimately hope, with False Messiah maintaining that even in its darkest moments, Seven leaves room for redemption.
SIX MDPR CLIENTS. ONE ISSUE. A HELL OF A STATEMENT.
For Metal Devastation PR, seeing six represented artists appear throughout the same issue of Rock Hard Magazine is a significant accomplishment.
The coverage demonstrates not only the international reach of the artists working with MDPR, but also the diversity of music coming through the agency.
Progressive metal. Cinematic metal. Traditional heavy metal. Epic metal. Death metal. Thrash metal. Symphonic dark metal.
Six very different artists. Six very different stories.
And all six are now represented in the pages of the same issue alongside some of the biggest names in heavy music.
With Moonspell commanding the cover and major features involving Judas Priest, Acid Bath, Left to Die , and many others, this latest issue represents exactly the kind of environment where underground and independent artists deserve to be seen.
Zach Moonshine of Metal Devastation PR states:
"This is what it's all about. You don't want every band you work with sounding the same or telling the same story. You want great artists with something to say, and you want to get them in front of the right people. Seeing six of our clients in one issue of Rock Hard, alongside bands like Moonspell, Judas Priest, Acid Bath, and Left to Die, is fucking awesome. And the fact that we're looking at everything from an 8/10 for Dragonborn to a 7.5/10 for Greg C. Brown, a 7/10 for Archfiend, plus features on Sum of Seven, Day 40, and False Messiah, makes it even better. These artists earned this."
Metal Devastation PR congratulates Sum of Seven, Greg C. Brown, Archfiend, Dragonborn, Day 40, and False Messiah on their appearances in the latest issue of Rock Hard Magazine .
This is another reminder that independent metal is alive, kicking, and still finding its way onto the pages of major international publications.
Rock Hard Magazine. Six MDPR clients. One issue. No small achievement.
ABOUT METAL DEVASTATION PR
Metal Devastation PR is an independent heavy music publicity and promotional agency dedicated to helping metal, rock, punk, and extreme music artists reach new audiences through press coverage, interviews, reviews, radio promotion, social media campaigns, and targeted media outreach.
Metal Devastation PR
Promoting the Underground. Supporting the Music. Destroying the Silence.
Grab a copy here:
https://www.rockharditaly.com/
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https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29306/sum-of-seven-greg-c-brown-archfiend-dragonborn-day-40-false-messiah-featured-in-latest-rock-hard-magazine?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
Metal Devastation Radio Blog
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Rise From Your Grave Unleash Final Single “Like Mother Said” Ahead of Upcoming Seventh Album “Choose Your Scare” - @thebeast
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rise From Your Grave Unleash Final Single “Like Mother Said” Ahead of Upcoming Seventh Album “Choose Your Scare”
Pittsburgh Horror Punk Veterans Deliver Another Dose of Macabre Hooks, Heavy Riffs, and Old-School Horror-Inspired Chaos
Release Date: August 7, 2026
Stream “Like Mother Said”:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/risefromyourgrave/like-mother-said/
/>
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s horror punk force Rise From Your Grave have officially unleashed their latest nightmare-fueled offering, “Like Mother Said,” the final single leading into their highly anticipated seventh studio album, “Choose Your Scare,” arriving September 18, 2026.
Blending the raw energy of classic punk with crushing heavy metal influences and vivid horror storytelling, Rise From Your Grave have built a reputation for delivering unforgettable hooks, dark atmosphere, and a sound that feels right at home between the worlds of punk rock and metal. “Like Mother Said” continues that tradition, bringing the band’s signature blend of aggression, melody, and macabre creativity to the forefront.
As the final preview of “Choose Your Scare,” “Like Mother Said” offers fans another glimpse into an album that showcases the band’s continued evolution while remaining firmly rooted in the horror punk sound that has earned them a dedicated underground following.
Mixed and mastered by Tom Gaffron , the single captures the full impact of Rise From Your Grave’s energetic sound, combining sharp punk attitude, metallic weight, and cinematic horror-inspired songwriting.
For fans of The Misfits, Blitzkid, and Evelyn’s Casket , Rise From Your Grave deliver the perfect soundtrack for those who like their punk rock loud, their riffs heavy, and their stories soaked in darkness.
About Rise From Your Grave
Formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Rise From Your Grave are a heavy metal-influenced horror punk band known for their high-energy performances, love of the macabre, and instantly memorable hooks. Drawing inspiration from classic horror, punk rebellion, and heavy metal intensity, the band has created a distinctive identity within the underground scene.
With seven albums of material behind them, Rise From Your Grave continue to bring their own brand of horror-fueled chaos to fans worldwide, proving that the spirit of horror punk is alive and kicking.
“Like Mother Said” is out now.
“Choose Your Scare” arrives September 18, 2026.
Follow Rise From Your Grave
https://linktr.ee/rfyghorrorpunk
/>
https://risefromyourgrave.bandcamp.com
/>
https://www.instagram.com/rfyg_horrorpunk/
/>
https://www.facebook.com/rfyghorrorpunk
/>
Contact: thomasgaffron@gmail.com
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29305/rise-from-your-grave-unleash-final-single-like-mother-said-ahead-of-upcoming-seventh-album-choose-your-scare?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
Rise From Your Grave Unleash Final Single “Like Mother Said” Ahead of Upcoming Seventh Album “Choose Your Scare”
Pittsburgh Horror Punk Veterans Deliver Another Dose of Macabre Hooks, Heavy Riffs, and Old-School Horror-Inspired Chaos
Release Date: August 7, 2026
Stream “Like Mother Said”:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/risefromyourgrave/like-mother-said/
/>
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s horror punk force Rise From Your Grave have officially unleashed their latest nightmare-fueled offering, “Like Mother Said,” the final single leading into their highly anticipated seventh studio album, “Choose Your Scare,” arriving September 18, 2026.
Blending the raw energy of classic punk with crushing heavy metal influences and vivid horror storytelling, Rise From Your Grave have built a reputation for delivering unforgettable hooks, dark atmosphere, and a sound that feels right at home between the worlds of punk rock and metal. “Like Mother Said” continues that tradition, bringing the band’s signature blend of aggression, melody, and macabre creativity to the forefront.
As the final preview of “Choose Your Scare,” “Like Mother Said” offers fans another glimpse into an album that showcases the band’s continued evolution while remaining firmly rooted in the horror punk sound that has earned them a dedicated underground following.
Mixed and mastered by Tom Gaffron , the single captures the full impact of Rise From Your Grave’s energetic sound, combining sharp punk attitude, metallic weight, and cinematic horror-inspired songwriting.
For fans of The Misfits, Blitzkid, and Evelyn’s Casket , Rise From Your Grave deliver the perfect soundtrack for those who like their punk rock loud, their riffs heavy, and their stories soaked in darkness.
About Rise From Your Grave
Formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Rise From Your Grave are a heavy metal-influenced horror punk band known for their high-energy performances, love of the macabre, and instantly memorable hooks. Drawing inspiration from classic horror, punk rebellion, and heavy metal intensity, the band has created a distinctive identity within the underground scene.
With seven albums of material behind them, Rise From Your Grave continue to bring their own brand of horror-fueled chaos to fans worldwide, proving that the spirit of horror punk is alive and kicking.
“Like Mother Said” is out now.
“Choose Your Scare” arrives September 18, 2026.
Follow Rise From Your Grave
https://linktr.ee/rfyghorrorpunk
/>
https://risefromyourgrave.bandcamp.com
/>
https://www.instagram.com/rfyg_horrorpunk/
/>
https://www.facebook.com/rfyghorrorpunk
/>
Contact: thomasgaffron@gmail.com
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29305/rise-from-your-grave-unleash-final-single-like-mother-said-ahead-of-upcoming-seventh-album-choose-your-scare?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
DETH PROVIDER GARNERS NEW COVERAGE FROM BRAVEWORDS - @thebeast
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DETH PROVIDER GARNERS NEW COVERAGE FROM BRAVEWORDS
Bay Area Death Metal Collective Featuring Members of Death Angel, Exhumed, Necrot, Ripped to Shreds, Insanity, Molten & Deathgrave Continues to Make Noise With Self-Titled Debut
San Francisco, California – August 2026 – The Bay Area death metal collective Deth Provider , featuring Will Carroll of Death Angel alongside an impressive roster of musicians from some of the region's most respected extreme metal bands, has picked up new media coverage from BraveWords for its crushing self-titled debut album.
Check it out here:
https://bravewords.com/news/deth-provider-feat-death-angel-exhumed-necrot-members-release-digital-edition-of-self-titled-debut-album/
Originally released on 12" vinyl in June 2026 through Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records , Deth Provider was recently re-launched digitally, bringing the project's nine-track assault of old-school death metal brutality to listeners worldwide.
Rather than functioning as a conventional band, Deth Provider was conceived as a gathering of Bay Area metal veterans and rising forces, with different musicians contributing vocals, guitars, solos and other elements throughout the album.
At the center of the project is rhythm guitarist and songwriter Kenneth Dutton , who began developing the material in 2024 from a collection of raw, phone-recorded ideas. What started as three songs eventually grew into a nine-track album after Dutton recruited Herman Bandala and Chris Corona of Molten and brought in Will Carroll to provide the album's powerful drumming.
The resulting lineup reads like a who's who of Bay Area extreme metal.
The album features:
Will Carroll (Death Angel) – Drums
Herman Bandala (Molten) – Bass
Chris Corona (Molten) – Guitar Solos, Production, Recording & Cover Art
Kenneth Dutton – Rhythm Guitar & Songwriting
Brandon Bristol (Molten) – Vocals
Dave Gorsuch (Insanity) – Vocals & Guitar Solos
Matt Harvey (Exhumed) – Vocals & Guitar Solos
Andre Cornejo (Deathgrave) – Vocals
Andrew Lee (Ripped to Shreds) – Guitar Solos
Sonny Reinhardt (Necrot) – Guitar Solos
The new BraveWords coverage adds another important piece of exposure for the project as Deth Provider continues reaching metal fans beyond the Bay Area scene.
Musically, the album draws heavily from the traditions of classic death metal, combining filthy riffs, crushing grooves, punishing drums and an unmistakably old-school atmosphere. For listeners who grew up on Entombed, Obituary and the foundational sounds of death metal , Deth Provider delivers a record that embraces those traditions while allowing each contributor to bring their own personality to the music.
The band's name itself has an unusual Bay Area connection. During an appearance on Zetro's Toxic Vault , Forbidden bassist Matt Camacho discussed his former occupation as a caretaker and jokingly referred to himself as a "death provider." Host Steve "Zetro" Sousa suggested it would make a great band name, and Kenneth Dutton immediately knew he had found the title for the project.
Deth Provider was produced by Chris Corona and Kenneth Dutton , recorded and mixed by Corona at Secret Studios in San Francisco, California , and mastered by Justin Weis at S.S.F. The album artwork was created by Corona, with insert design by Dave Gorsuch and jacket and label design by Hectic Records.
With the album now available digitally as well as on 12" vinyl, Deth Provider is continuing to bring the sound and spirit of Bay Area death metal to a wider audience.
DETH PROVIDER
Self-Titled Debut Album
Available now digitally and on 12" vinyl LP via Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records
🎧 Listen to Deth Provider on Bandcamp:
https://dethprovider.bandcamp.com/album/deth-provider
/>
For More Information
Deth Provider
Bandcamp:
https://dethprovider.bandcamp.com/
/>
Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records
Press Contact: zach@metaldevastationradio.com
About Metal Devastation PR:
Metal Devastation PR is an independent metal publicity and promotion company dedicated to helping underground, independent and established metal artists reach new audiences through targeted media promotion, radio exposure, interviews, press coverage and digital marketing.
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29303/deth-provider-garners-new-coverage-from-bravewords?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
DETH PROVIDER GARNERS NEW COVERAGE FROM BRAVEWORDS
Bay Area Death Metal Collective Featuring Members of Death Angel, Exhumed, Necrot, Ripped to Shreds, Insanity, Molten & Deathgrave Continues to Make Noise With Self-Titled Debut
San Francisco, California – August 2026 – The Bay Area death metal collective Deth Provider , featuring Will Carroll of Death Angel alongside an impressive roster of musicians from some of the region's most respected extreme metal bands, has picked up new media coverage from BraveWords for its crushing self-titled debut album.
Check it out here:
https://bravewords.com/news/deth-provider-feat-death-angel-exhumed-necrot-members-release-digital-edition-of-self-titled-debut-album/
Originally released on 12" vinyl in June 2026 through Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records , Deth Provider was recently re-launched digitally, bringing the project's nine-track assault of old-school death metal brutality to listeners worldwide.
Rather than functioning as a conventional band, Deth Provider was conceived as a gathering of Bay Area metal veterans and rising forces, with different musicians contributing vocals, guitars, solos and other elements throughout the album.
At the center of the project is rhythm guitarist and songwriter Kenneth Dutton , who began developing the material in 2024 from a collection of raw, phone-recorded ideas. What started as three songs eventually grew into a nine-track album after Dutton recruited Herman Bandala and Chris Corona of Molten and brought in Will Carroll to provide the album's powerful drumming.
The resulting lineup reads like a who's who of Bay Area extreme metal.
The album features:
Will Carroll (Death Angel) – Drums
Herman Bandala (Molten) – Bass
Chris Corona (Molten) – Guitar Solos, Production, Recording & Cover Art
Kenneth Dutton – Rhythm Guitar & Songwriting
Brandon Bristol (Molten) – Vocals
Dave Gorsuch (Insanity) – Vocals & Guitar Solos
Matt Harvey (Exhumed) – Vocals & Guitar Solos
Andre Cornejo (Deathgrave) – Vocals
Andrew Lee (Ripped to Shreds) – Guitar Solos
Sonny Reinhardt (Necrot) – Guitar Solos
The new BraveWords coverage adds another important piece of exposure for the project as Deth Provider continues reaching metal fans beyond the Bay Area scene.
Musically, the album draws heavily from the traditions of classic death metal, combining filthy riffs, crushing grooves, punishing drums and an unmistakably old-school atmosphere. For listeners who grew up on Entombed, Obituary and the foundational sounds of death metal , Deth Provider delivers a record that embraces those traditions while allowing each contributor to bring their own personality to the music.
The band's name itself has an unusual Bay Area connection. During an appearance on Zetro's Toxic Vault , Forbidden bassist Matt Camacho discussed his former occupation as a caretaker and jokingly referred to himself as a "death provider." Host Steve "Zetro" Sousa suggested it would make a great band name, and Kenneth Dutton immediately knew he had found the title for the project.
Deth Provider was produced by Chris Corona and Kenneth Dutton , recorded and mixed by Corona at Secret Studios in San Francisco, California , and mastered by Justin Weis at S.S.F. The album artwork was created by Corona, with insert design by Dave Gorsuch and jacket and label design by Hectic Records.
With the album now available digitally as well as on 12" vinyl, Deth Provider is continuing to bring the sound and spirit of Bay Area death metal to a wider audience.
DETH PROVIDER
Self-Titled Debut Album
Available now digitally and on 12" vinyl LP via Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records
🎧 Listen to Deth Provider on Bandcamp:
https://dethprovider.bandcamp.com/album/deth-provider
/>
For More Information
Deth Provider
Bandcamp:
https://dethprovider.bandcamp.com/
/>
Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records
Press Contact: zach@metaldevastationradio.com
About Metal Devastation PR:
Metal Devastation PR is an independent metal publicity and promotion company dedicated to helping underground, independent and established metal artists reach new audiences through targeted media promotion, radio exposure, interviews, press coverage and digital marketing.
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29303/deth-provider-garners-new-coverage-from-bravewords?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
OLA ENGLUND Featured in New Metal Injection Interview - @thebeast
OLA ENGLUND Featured in New Metal Injection Interview
Metal Injection has just published a new in-depth interview with acclaimed guitarist and YouTube creator Ola Englund , discussing his upcoming solo album The Neverending Story and the evolution of his songwriting and playing.
In the interview, Englund talks about his musical roots, his years with The Haunted and Feared , the inspiration behind his new material, and why the riff remains at the heart of everything he creates. He also discusses his latest single, “DOGMA PROGMA,” and his approach to using guitar melodies as the voice of his instrumental music.
The Neverending Story is set for release October 14, 2026 .
Read the full interview:
https://metalinjection.net/interviews/ola-englund-interview-qa-august-2026
/>
Stream “DOGMA PROGMA” and pre-order The Neverending Story :
https://olaenglundshop.com/pages/the-neverending-story
/>
Acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, and content creator Ola Englund returns with another crushing preview of his highly anticipated solo album.
Metal Devastation PR is proud to announce the release of "Dogma Progma," the brand new single and official music video from Ola Englund . The track is the latest offering from his upcoming solo album, The Neverending Story , arriving October 14, 2026 .
Following the enthusiastic response to previous singles including "The Ember Saga" and "The Guillotine," Englund continues building anticipation for the album with another powerful display of soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and cinematic songwriting.
Watch the official video for "Dogma Progma" here:
Stream, listen, and pre-order The Neverending Story here:
https://olaenglund.com/dogma
/>
Blending technical precision, memorable hooks, and Ola's unmistakable guitar tone, "Dogma Progma" further showcases the ambitious scope of The Neverending Story . The album promises a dynamic journey inspired by fantasy, cinematic storytelling, and riff driven metal, while highlighting the musicianship that has made Englund one of modern metal's most respected guitarists and creators.
Previous singles from the album campaign have earned praise from leading metal media outlets including Metal Injection, BraveWords, Burn, Lambgoat, Metal Anarchy, Metal War, Eternal Terror, The Metal Mag, and The Metallist, helping build excitement for what is shaping up to be one of the year's most anticipated metal releases.
The Neverending Story features ten original tracks:
The Ember Saga
Game Over
The Astral Gate
Dogma Progma
The Guillotine
Means to an End
World Rift
The First of its Kind
Artax Reborn
Sun & The Moon Part 2
Known worldwide as the founder of Solar Guitars, a member of Feared, and for his work with The Haunted and Six Feet Under, Ola Englund has become one of modern metal's most recognizable guitarists. His massively successful YouTube channel and dedication to the global guitar community have earned him millions of followers and a reputation that extends far beyond the stage.
As anticipation continues to build toward the release of The Neverending Story , "Dogma Progma" stands as another powerful chapter in an album that promises to be Ola Englund's most ambitious solo work to date.
Check out the previous videos below:
Connect with Ola:
https://olaenglundshop.com/
/>
https://www.facebook.com/olaenglund
/>
https://www.instagram.com/olaenglund
/>
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29302/ola-englund-featured-in-new-metal-injection-interview?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
Metal Injection has just published a new in-depth interview with acclaimed guitarist and YouTube creator Ola Englund , discussing his upcoming solo album The Neverending Story and the evolution of his songwriting and playing.
In the interview, Englund talks about his musical roots, his years with The Haunted and Feared , the inspiration behind his new material, and why the riff remains at the heart of everything he creates. He also discusses his latest single, “DOGMA PROGMA,” and his approach to using guitar melodies as the voice of his instrumental music.
The Neverending Story is set for release October 14, 2026 .
Read the full interview:
https://metalinjection.net/interviews/ola-englund-interview-qa-august-2026
/>
Stream “DOGMA PROGMA” and pre-order The Neverending Story :
https://olaenglundshop.com/pages/the-neverending-story
/>
Acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, and content creator Ola Englund returns with another crushing preview of his highly anticipated solo album.
Metal Devastation PR is proud to announce the release of "Dogma Progma," the brand new single and official music video from Ola Englund . The track is the latest offering from his upcoming solo album, The Neverending Story , arriving October 14, 2026 .
Following the enthusiastic response to previous singles including "The Ember Saga" and "The Guillotine," Englund continues building anticipation for the album with another powerful display of soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and cinematic songwriting.
Watch the official video for "Dogma Progma" here:
Stream, listen, and pre-order The Neverending Story here:
https://olaenglund.com/dogma
/>
Blending technical precision, memorable hooks, and Ola's unmistakable guitar tone, "Dogma Progma" further showcases the ambitious scope of The Neverending Story . The album promises a dynamic journey inspired by fantasy, cinematic storytelling, and riff driven metal, while highlighting the musicianship that has made Englund one of modern metal's most respected guitarists and creators.
Previous singles from the album campaign have earned praise from leading metal media outlets including Metal Injection, BraveWords, Burn, Lambgoat, Metal Anarchy, Metal War, Eternal Terror, The Metal Mag, and The Metallist, helping build excitement for what is shaping up to be one of the year's most anticipated metal releases.
The Neverending Story features ten original tracks:
The Ember Saga
Game Over
The Astral Gate
Dogma Progma
The Guillotine
Means to an End
World Rift
The First of its Kind
Artax Reborn
Sun & The Moon Part 2
Known worldwide as the founder of Solar Guitars, a member of Feared, and for his work with The Haunted and Six Feet Under, Ola Englund has become one of modern metal's most recognizable guitarists. His massively successful YouTube channel and dedication to the global guitar community have earned him millions of followers and a reputation that extends far beyond the stage.
As anticipation continues to build toward the release of The Neverending Story , "Dogma Progma" stands as another powerful chapter in an album that promises to be Ola Englund's most ambitious solo work to date.
Check out the previous videos below:
Connect with Ola:
https://olaenglundshop.com/
/>
https://www.facebook.com/olaenglund
/>
https://www.instagram.com/olaenglund
/>
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29302/ola-englund-featured-in-new-metal-injection-interview?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
Tuesday, August 11, 2026
SOOTHSAYER Unleash New Album Chapter IV and Official “Catfish” Visualizer via CDN Records - @thebeast
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SOOTHSAYER Unleash New Album Chapter IV and Official “Catfish” Visualizer via CDN Records
Quebec City Thrash Veterans Celebrate Their 40-Year Legacy With a New Full-Length Album and New Video
Listen to Chapter IV + Official Artist Page:
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
/> Purchase Chapter IV on Vinyl:
https://cdnrecords.com/shop/soothsayer-chapter-iv/
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https://cdnrecords.com/shop/soothsayer-chapter-iv/
/>
Quebec City old-school thrash veterans SOOTHSAYER have officially unleashed their new full-length album, Chapter IV , via CDN Records . To celebrate the album's arrival, the band have also released a brand-new official visualizer for “Catfish,” giving fans another vicious taste of the record's relentless old-school attack.
Watch “Catfish” now.
With Chapter IV officially out, SOOTHSAYER continue a 40-year tradition of delivering raw, aggressive, uncompromising Canadian thrash metal. There is no attempt to chase trends, soften the edges, or dress up the band's sound for modern expectations. Chapter IV is SOOTHSAYER doing what they have always done best: playing fast, furious, pissed-off thrash with attitude to spare.
“Catfish” follows the previously released single “Kick Throat,” another savage preview of the album that showcased the band's razor-sharp riffs, breakneck pacing, and venomous vocal attack.
Together, the tracks set the tone for Chapter IV , an album that sounds like it came straight out of the underground but carries the experience of musicians who have spent decades refining their craft.
Formed in 1985 , SOOTHSAYER carved their name into the foundations of the Canadian thrash underground during the genre's most explosive era. Their infamous 1986 demo To Be a Real Terrorist spread rapidly through tape-trading networks, establishing the band as one of Canada's most aggressive and uncompromising underground acts.
Songs such as “Death Radiation,” “Troops of Hate,” and “Kill Oppression” helped define SOOTHSAYER's signature combination of Bay Area-inspired thrash velocity, crossover aggression, and punk-fueled hostility. Their classic-era release Have a Good Time and subsequent underground catalog further cemented their reputation.
After stepping away from the scene, the original lineup, including members from the earliest demo era, reunited in 2007 , reigniting the band's attack and continuing the legacy they had started decades earlier.
Now, in 2026 , SOOTHSAYER have reached another chapter with the release of Chapter IV .
And make no mistake, this isn't some nostalgia trip.
This is a veteran thrash band still swinging hard.
With Chapter IV now available and the new “Catfish” official visualizer out now, SOOTHSAYER are proving that four decades of experience haven't dulled the blade. If anything, they've sharpened it.
WATCH “CATFISH” NOW
SOOTHSAYER - “Catfish” (Official Visualizer - CDN Records)
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
/>
CHAPTER IV IS OUT NOW
Listen to Chapter IV and explore the complete SOOTHSAYER catalog through CDN Records:
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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Physical vinyl copies are also available:
https://cdnrecords.com/shop/soothsayer-chapter-iv/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/shop/soothsayer-chapter-iv/
/>
SOOTHSAYER - Chapter IV . Out now via CDN Records.
Four decades in, the mission hasn't changed.
No trends. No compromise. No surrender. Just pure Canadian thrash.
Connect:
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://www.facebook.com/troopsofhate
/>
Contact: troopsofhate@gmail.com
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29300/soothsayer-unleash-new-album-chapter-iv-and-official-catfish-visualizer-via-cdn-records?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
SOOTHSAYER Unleash New Album Chapter IV and Official “Catfish” Visualizer via CDN Records
Quebec City Thrash Veterans Celebrate Their 40-Year Legacy With a New Full-Length Album and New Video
Listen to Chapter IV + Official Artist Page:
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
/> Purchase Chapter IV on Vinyl:
https://cdnrecords.com/shop/soothsayer-chapter-iv/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/shop/soothsayer-chapter-iv/
/>
Quebec City old-school thrash veterans SOOTHSAYER have officially unleashed their new full-length album, Chapter IV , via CDN Records . To celebrate the album's arrival, the band have also released a brand-new official visualizer for “Catfish,” giving fans another vicious taste of the record's relentless old-school attack.
Watch “Catfish” now.
With Chapter IV officially out, SOOTHSAYER continue a 40-year tradition of delivering raw, aggressive, uncompromising Canadian thrash metal. There is no attempt to chase trends, soften the edges, or dress up the band's sound for modern expectations. Chapter IV is SOOTHSAYER doing what they have always done best: playing fast, furious, pissed-off thrash with attitude to spare.
“Catfish” follows the previously released single “Kick Throat,” another savage preview of the album that showcased the band's razor-sharp riffs, breakneck pacing, and venomous vocal attack.
Together, the tracks set the tone for Chapter IV , an album that sounds like it came straight out of the underground but carries the experience of musicians who have spent decades refining their craft.
Formed in 1985 , SOOTHSAYER carved their name into the foundations of the Canadian thrash underground during the genre's most explosive era. Their infamous 1986 demo To Be a Real Terrorist spread rapidly through tape-trading networks, establishing the band as one of Canada's most aggressive and uncompromising underground acts.
Songs such as “Death Radiation,” “Troops of Hate,” and “Kill Oppression” helped define SOOTHSAYER's signature combination of Bay Area-inspired thrash velocity, crossover aggression, and punk-fueled hostility. Their classic-era release Have a Good Time and subsequent underground catalog further cemented their reputation.
After stepping away from the scene, the original lineup, including members from the earliest demo era, reunited in 2007 , reigniting the band's attack and continuing the legacy they had started decades earlier.
Now, in 2026 , SOOTHSAYER have reached another chapter with the release of Chapter IV .
And make no mistake, this isn't some nostalgia trip.
This is a veteran thrash band still swinging hard.
With Chapter IV now available and the new “Catfish” official visualizer out now, SOOTHSAYER are proving that four decades of experience haven't dulled the blade. If anything, they've sharpened it.
WATCH “CATFISH” NOW
SOOTHSAYER - “Catfish” (Official Visualizer - CDN Records)
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
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https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
/>
CHAPTER IV IS OUT NOW
Listen to Chapter IV and explore the complete SOOTHSAYER catalog through CDN Records:
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
/>
Physical vinyl copies are also available:
https://cdnrecords.com/shop/soothsayer-chapter-iv/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/shop/soothsayer-chapter-iv/
/>
SOOTHSAYER - Chapter IV . Out now via CDN Records.
Four decades in, the mission hasn't changed.
No trends. No compromise. No surrender. Just pure Canadian thrash.
Connect:
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
">
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/soothsayer/
/>
https://www.facebook.com/troopsofhate
/>
Contact: troopsofhate@gmail.com
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29300/soothsayer-unleash-new-album-chapter-iv-and-official-catfish-visualizer-via-cdn-records?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
W.A.S.P.’s Blackie Lawless Reflects on Split With Chris Holmes: “It Really Was Musical Differences” - @thebeast
W.A.S.P.’s Blackie Lawless Reflects on Split With Chris Holmes: “It Really Was Musical Differences”
More than three decades after Chris Holmes' original departure from W.A.S.P., frontman Blackie Lawless has once again addressed the longtime guitarist's exit, the creative differences that drove the band in a new direction, and whether fans could ever see the two musicians share a stage again.
In a new interview with Scott Penfold of Loaded Radio, Lawless was asked whether he wishes things had turned out differently with Holmes, one of the key musicians associated with W.A.S.P.'s classic early lineup.
According to Lawless, the split ultimately came down to the direction in which he wanted to take the band's music.
“Chris is a great performer,” Lawless said. “But he wasn't able to do musically the things that I wanted to do later on.”
Lawless explained that after completing 1989's The Headless Children, he felt he had taken the band's original musical approach as far as it could go. He pointed specifically to the ambitious direction of 1992's The Crimson Idol as an example of where his songwriting and musical vision were heading.
For Lawless, the phrase “musical differences” wasn't simply a convenient explanation for a band breakup.
“It really was that,” he said.
Blackie Lawless Says W.A.S.P. Changed After the Early Years
Lawless also pushed back against the idea that tension between himself and Holmes was responsible for the magic of W.A.S.P.'s early records.
According to the singer, the chemistry originally came from the entire lineup, not just his relationship with Holmes.
Lawless specifically remembered the impact of losing original drummer Tony Richards, saying the band was “seriously damaged” by his departure.
He explained that W.A.S.P. attempted to move forward on its second and third albums, but eventually recognized that the original formula was no longer working.
After The Headless Children, Lawless said, the band deliberately moved in another direction.
One of the most visible signs of that transformation was the disappearance of band members from W.A.S.P. album covers.
From that point forward, Lawless said, the group stopped presenting itself visually as the same band that had started out in the early 1980s.
“The Music Is the Most Important Thing”
Asked whether he has regrets about the band's early years, Lawless acknowledged that a career spanning more than 40 years naturally comes with some.
However, he said his ultimate measure of those decisions is whether the music worked.
The W.A.S.P. frontman invoked Frank Sinatra's classic “My Way” when discussing the subject, saying that the important question is whether there was ultimately more good than bad.
For Lawless, the music remains the deciding factor.
“The music is the most important thing,” he said, explaining that ultimately it determines whether a band “lives or dies.”
That philosophy appears to remain central to his approach to W.A.S.P. decades after the band's formation.
Could Blackie Lawless and Chris Holmes Ever Reunite?
For fans who have spent years hoping for a reunion of W.A.S.P.'s original lineup, Lawless' latest comments don't offer much encouragement.
Asked about the possibility of sharing the stage with Holmes again, Lawless said he would have to turn his back on the musicians who currently make up his band.
He rejected that possibility.
“I've been with these guys for over 30 years, and this is the band that I know,” Lawless explained. “And I just couldn't do that.”
Lawless has repeatedly defended W.A.S.P.'s current lineup and dismissed the idea that reuniting the original musicians would necessarily represent a step forward.
In a previous interview, he praised current members Mike Duda, Doug Blair and Aquiles Priester, describing them as world-class musicians.
For Lawless, the issue isn't simply nostalgia. He believes the musical demands of W.A.S.P.'s later material require musicians capable of performing that material consistently at a high level.
Chris Holmes Has a Very Different View
Holmes, meanwhile, has been equally clear that he has no interest in returning to W.A.S.P. under the current circumstances.
In a May 2026 interview with Thomas S. Orwat, Jr. of the Rock Interview Series, Holmes was asked whether he would consider rejoining the band if Lawless invited him back.
His answer was immediate: no.
Holmes cited longstanding disputes concerning publishing royalties as the primary reason he would not return.
The guitarist has repeatedly alleged that he did not receive publishing income he believes he was owed from his work with W.A.S.P. Those allegations are Holmes' account of the dispute and have been a recurring subject in interviews throughout the years.
Holmes also recalled being paid substantially less than drummer Frankie Banali during one period of W.A.S.P.'s touring career and said he confronted Lawless about the difference.
According to Holmes, he was told that publishing income would make up the difference.
Holmes has said he later discovered that he had been listed as a session player in documentation relating to the band's recordings, which he says contributed to his longstanding anger over the situation.
Holmes Says He Would Need His Publishing Dispute Resolved
Holmes has been consistent on one point: if a W.A.S.P. reunion were ever to happen, he would want the publishing dispute addressed first.
The guitarist has made similar comments in interviews dating back several years.
In 2020, Holmes told Canada's The Metal Voice that he had never received what he believed he was owed in royalties or songwriting income from W.A.S.P. material.
He said that after investigating the matter with legal assistance in the mid-2000s, he discovered that he had been listed as a session player on the records.
Holmes has characterized the situation as a betrayal by someone he once considered a close friend.
He has also said that he would never get over what he believes happened to him financially and professionally during his years with W.A.S.P.
Holmes' Role in the Classic W.A.S.P. Sound
Regardless of the dispute surrounding the band's business history, Holmes remains an important part of W.A.S.P.'s early identity.
He joined the band in 1982, alongside Lawless, guitarist Randy Piper and drummer Tony Richards.
Holmes remained with W.A.S.P. through 1990 before eventually returning to the band during the mid-1990s. His second stint lasted until 2001.
He has not performed with W.A.S.P. since.
Although Holmes received songwriting credit on only a limited number of tracks across the band's early albums, he has long maintained that his guitar playing and creative input were fundamental to the band's sound.
In a 2021 appearance on SiriusXM's Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Holmes argued that W.A.S.P. was genuinely a group on its debut album but became increasingly centered around Lawless afterward.
Holmes also recalled Lawless telling him when they first met that the band would not work without him.
That history helps explain why the possibility of an original-lineup reunion continues to generate discussion among W.A.S.P. fans.
The Mean Man Documentary Added Another Layer
The complicated relationship between Lawless and Holmes was also explored through the documentary Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes.
Released on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD in 2021, the film was created by French filmmakers Antoine De Montremy and Laurent Hart.
The documentary chronicles Holmes' life and career, including his time with W.A.S.P. and his later life in France.
Lawless has made it clear that he has no interest in watching the documentary.
In a 2024 interview, he questioned the accuracy of Holmes' account and said that someone's personal version of events does not necessarily make it factual.
Lawless also said he did not recall being invited to participate and would not have agreed to take part had he been asked.
Holmes, for his part, previously said that De Montremy had approached Lawless about participating.
Holmes Has Also Spoken About W.A.S.P.'s Musical Direction
The disagreement between the two musicians isn't limited to business matters.
Holmes has also criticized the direction W.A.S.P. took after his departure, particularly the band's use of sampling during the Kill.Fuck.Die. era.
He has said that performing with extensive sampling made the experience feel less authentic to him because he wanted W.A.S.P.'s live performances to be completely live.
Lawless, meanwhile, has argued that the band's musical evolution required increasingly accomplished musicians.
He specifically pointed to The Headless Children and The Crimson Idol as turning points.
According to Lawless, the musicians involved in those records possessed a level of technical ability and creativity that he felt was necessary to execute his increasingly ambitious material.
No Original W.A.S.P. Reunion on the Horizon
For fans hoping to see Blackie Lawless, Chris Holmes, Randy Piper and Tony Richards reunite for a performance, the latest comments from both sides suggest that dream remains extremely unlikely.
Lawless has consistently argued that returning to the original lineup would represent a step backward creatively.
Holmes has consistently maintained that he would only consider returning if his publishing concerns were resolved.
And with decades having passed since the original lineup was together, the personal history between Lawless and Holmes appears to remain every bit as complicated as ever.
For Lawless, W.A.S.P. is about continuing to move forward with the musicians he has worked alongside for decades.
For Holmes, the unresolved publishing dispute remains a line he says he will not cross.
The two men may disagree strongly about what happened, but there is one thing they have both made clear: a W.A.S.P. reunion featuring Chris Holmes isn't something fans should expect anytime soon.
For a band whose early records helped define the darker, theatrical side of 1980s heavy metal, the history remains fascinating. The first W.A.S.P. lineup may be frozen in time on those classic album covers, but the story behind the band continues to generate controversy more than 40 years later.
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29297/wasps-blackie-lawless-reflects-on-split-with-chris-holmes-it-really-was-musical-differences?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
More than three decades after Chris Holmes' original departure from W.A.S.P., frontman Blackie Lawless has once again addressed the longtime guitarist's exit, the creative differences that drove the band in a new direction, and whether fans could ever see the two musicians share a stage again.
In a new interview with Scott Penfold of Loaded Radio, Lawless was asked whether he wishes things had turned out differently with Holmes, one of the key musicians associated with W.A.S.P.'s classic early lineup.
According to Lawless, the split ultimately came down to the direction in which he wanted to take the band's music.
“Chris is a great performer,” Lawless said. “But he wasn't able to do musically the things that I wanted to do later on.”
Lawless explained that after completing 1989's The Headless Children, he felt he had taken the band's original musical approach as far as it could go. He pointed specifically to the ambitious direction of 1992's The Crimson Idol as an example of where his songwriting and musical vision were heading.
For Lawless, the phrase “musical differences” wasn't simply a convenient explanation for a band breakup.
“It really was that,” he said.
Blackie Lawless Says W.A.S.P. Changed After the Early Years
Lawless also pushed back against the idea that tension between himself and Holmes was responsible for the magic of W.A.S.P.'s early records.
According to the singer, the chemistry originally came from the entire lineup, not just his relationship with Holmes.
Lawless specifically remembered the impact of losing original drummer Tony Richards, saying the band was “seriously damaged” by his departure.
He explained that W.A.S.P. attempted to move forward on its second and third albums, but eventually recognized that the original formula was no longer working.
After The Headless Children, Lawless said, the band deliberately moved in another direction.
One of the most visible signs of that transformation was the disappearance of band members from W.A.S.P. album covers.
From that point forward, Lawless said, the group stopped presenting itself visually as the same band that had started out in the early 1980s.
“The Music Is the Most Important Thing”
Asked whether he has regrets about the band's early years, Lawless acknowledged that a career spanning more than 40 years naturally comes with some.
However, he said his ultimate measure of those decisions is whether the music worked.
The W.A.S.P. frontman invoked Frank Sinatra's classic “My Way” when discussing the subject, saying that the important question is whether there was ultimately more good than bad.
For Lawless, the music remains the deciding factor.
“The music is the most important thing,” he said, explaining that ultimately it determines whether a band “lives or dies.”
That philosophy appears to remain central to his approach to W.A.S.P. decades after the band's formation.
Could Blackie Lawless and Chris Holmes Ever Reunite?
For fans who have spent years hoping for a reunion of W.A.S.P.'s original lineup, Lawless' latest comments don't offer much encouragement.
Asked about the possibility of sharing the stage with Holmes again, Lawless said he would have to turn his back on the musicians who currently make up his band.
He rejected that possibility.
“I've been with these guys for over 30 years, and this is the band that I know,” Lawless explained. “And I just couldn't do that.”
Lawless has repeatedly defended W.A.S.P.'s current lineup and dismissed the idea that reuniting the original musicians would necessarily represent a step forward.
In a previous interview, he praised current members Mike Duda, Doug Blair and Aquiles Priester, describing them as world-class musicians.
For Lawless, the issue isn't simply nostalgia. He believes the musical demands of W.A.S.P.'s later material require musicians capable of performing that material consistently at a high level.
Chris Holmes Has a Very Different View
Holmes, meanwhile, has been equally clear that he has no interest in returning to W.A.S.P. under the current circumstances.
In a May 2026 interview with Thomas S. Orwat, Jr. of the Rock Interview Series, Holmes was asked whether he would consider rejoining the band if Lawless invited him back.
His answer was immediate: no.
Holmes cited longstanding disputes concerning publishing royalties as the primary reason he would not return.
The guitarist has repeatedly alleged that he did not receive publishing income he believes he was owed from his work with W.A.S.P. Those allegations are Holmes' account of the dispute and have been a recurring subject in interviews throughout the years.
Holmes also recalled being paid substantially less than drummer Frankie Banali during one period of W.A.S.P.'s touring career and said he confronted Lawless about the difference.
According to Holmes, he was told that publishing income would make up the difference.
Holmes has said he later discovered that he had been listed as a session player in documentation relating to the band's recordings, which he says contributed to his longstanding anger over the situation.
Holmes Says He Would Need His Publishing Dispute Resolved
Holmes has been consistent on one point: if a W.A.S.P. reunion were ever to happen, he would want the publishing dispute addressed first.
The guitarist has made similar comments in interviews dating back several years.
In 2020, Holmes told Canada's The Metal Voice that he had never received what he believed he was owed in royalties or songwriting income from W.A.S.P. material.
He said that after investigating the matter with legal assistance in the mid-2000s, he discovered that he had been listed as a session player on the records.
Holmes has characterized the situation as a betrayal by someone he once considered a close friend.
He has also said that he would never get over what he believes happened to him financially and professionally during his years with W.A.S.P.
Holmes' Role in the Classic W.A.S.P. Sound
Regardless of the dispute surrounding the band's business history, Holmes remains an important part of W.A.S.P.'s early identity.
He joined the band in 1982, alongside Lawless, guitarist Randy Piper and drummer Tony Richards.
Holmes remained with W.A.S.P. through 1990 before eventually returning to the band during the mid-1990s. His second stint lasted until 2001.
He has not performed with W.A.S.P. since.
Although Holmes received songwriting credit on only a limited number of tracks across the band's early albums, he has long maintained that his guitar playing and creative input were fundamental to the band's sound.
In a 2021 appearance on SiriusXM's Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Holmes argued that W.A.S.P. was genuinely a group on its debut album but became increasingly centered around Lawless afterward.
Holmes also recalled Lawless telling him when they first met that the band would not work without him.
That history helps explain why the possibility of an original-lineup reunion continues to generate discussion among W.A.S.P. fans.
The Mean Man Documentary Added Another Layer
The complicated relationship between Lawless and Holmes was also explored through the documentary Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes.
Released on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD in 2021, the film was created by French filmmakers Antoine De Montremy and Laurent Hart.
The documentary chronicles Holmes' life and career, including his time with W.A.S.P. and his later life in France.
Lawless has made it clear that he has no interest in watching the documentary.
In a 2024 interview, he questioned the accuracy of Holmes' account and said that someone's personal version of events does not necessarily make it factual.
Lawless also said he did not recall being invited to participate and would not have agreed to take part had he been asked.
Holmes, for his part, previously said that De Montremy had approached Lawless about participating.
Holmes Has Also Spoken About W.A.S.P.'s Musical Direction
The disagreement between the two musicians isn't limited to business matters.
Holmes has also criticized the direction W.A.S.P. took after his departure, particularly the band's use of sampling during the Kill.Fuck.Die. era.
He has said that performing with extensive sampling made the experience feel less authentic to him because he wanted W.A.S.P.'s live performances to be completely live.
Lawless, meanwhile, has argued that the band's musical evolution required increasingly accomplished musicians.
He specifically pointed to The Headless Children and The Crimson Idol as turning points.
According to Lawless, the musicians involved in those records possessed a level of technical ability and creativity that he felt was necessary to execute his increasingly ambitious material.
No Original W.A.S.P. Reunion on the Horizon
For fans hoping to see Blackie Lawless, Chris Holmes, Randy Piper and Tony Richards reunite for a performance, the latest comments from both sides suggest that dream remains extremely unlikely.
Lawless has consistently argued that returning to the original lineup would represent a step backward creatively.
Holmes has consistently maintained that he would only consider returning if his publishing concerns were resolved.
And with decades having passed since the original lineup was together, the personal history between Lawless and Holmes appears to remain every bit as complicated as ever.
For Lawless, W.A.S.P. is about continuing to move forward with the musicians he has worked alongside for decades.
For Holmes, the unresolved publishing dispute remains a line he says he will not cross.
The two men may disagree strongly about what happened, but there is one thing they have both made clear: a W.A.S.P. reunion featuring Chris Holmes isn't something fans should expect anytime soon.
For a band whose early records helped define the darker, theatrical side of 1980s heavy metal, the history remains fascinating. The first W.A.S.P. lineup may be frozen in time on those classic album covers, but the story behind the band continues to generate controversy more than 40 years later.
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29297/wasps-blackie-lawless-reflects-on-split-with-chris-holmes-it-really-was-musical-differences?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
Bruce Dickinson Says His New Solo Album Will Be “Heavy As Shit” and Arrives in 2027 - @thebeast
Bruce Dickinson Says His New Solo Album Will Be “Heavy As Shit” and Arrives in 2027
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has confirmed that his upcoming eighth solo album is shaping up to be a seriously heavy affair, with the singer describing the new record in no uncertain terms: “The album is heavy as shit.”
The long-awaited follow-up to 2024’s The Mandrake Project is currently expected to arrive in early 2027 through BMG, and Dickinson has revealed that the new album will take a different direction from his most recent solo effort.
Speaking with VSX at last month’s San Diego Comic-Con, Dickinson discussed the evolution of The Mandrake Project, his approach to songwriting, and what fans can expect from his next solo release.
According to Dickinson, the concept behind The Mandrake Project began nearly two decades ago. What started as an idea for a single comic book intended to accompany a solo album eventually expanded into an ambitious multimedia project featuring a 12-issue adult comic book series published by Z2 Comics.
The music and comics share conceptual elements involving science, the occult, and the human soul, but Dickinson now believes The Mandrake Project has developed a life of its own within the world of comics.
“I've got a new record coming out next year, new solo album. It's kind of standalone. There's one song that has a bit of something to do with ‘Mandrake.’ Now, the album is heavy as shit.”
Dickinson also made it clear that he does not want to force the new album into the Mandrake universe simply for the sake of maintaining a connection.
“I'm not digging into ‘Mandrake.’ I think ‘Mandrake’ has a life now on a comic book level.”
That separation could make the upcoming album particularly interesting for longtime fans of Dickinson's solo career. Rather than revisiting familiar territory, the Iron Maiden singer says he wants to continue pushing his songwriting in different directions.
Bruce Dickinson Wants to Avoid Repeating Himself
When asked whether he thinks about his previous solo albums when writing new material, Dickinson explained that he tries not to simply recreate what he has already done.
For Dickinson, experimentation does not necessarily mean abandoning his musical identity. Instead, it means finding new ways to present familiar elements.
“Music is something which you try not to stick too much of a format,” Dickinson explained, while acknowledging that he remains firmly within his own musical style.
The approach has been a consistent part of Dickinson's solo career. From Tattooed Millionaire and Balls To Picasso through Accident of Birth, The Chemical Wedding, Tyranny Of Souls, and The Mandrake Project, his solo work has allowed him to explore territory that sometimes differs considerably from Iron Maiden.
This new album appears poised to continue that tradition, but Dickinson's description of the record suggests fans may be in for one of his heaviest solo outings yet.
New Bruce Dickinson Album Was Recorded at Studio 606
Much of Dickinson's upcoming eighth solo album was recorded during January and February 2026 at Studio 606 in Northridge, California, the legendary recording facility associated with Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters.
Producer Brendan Duffey is handling the production, mixing, and mastering work. Duffey previously worked on the expanded and reworked version of Dickinson's 1994 solo album Balls To Picasso, released in 2025 under the title More Balls To Picasso.
The new album is currently being mixed at Duffey's high-end Brendan Duffey Audio studio in Jupiter, Florida.
Dickinson has also revealed that the recording sessions were completed using his touring band, featuring:
Mistheria – keyboards
Dave Moreno – drums
Tanya O'Callaghan – bass
Chris Declercq – guitar
Philip Näslund – guitar
The album will also feature a guest appearance from Andreas Kisser, legendary guitarist of Brazilian metal giants Sepultura, who revealed earlier this year that he contributed percussion to the record.
Bruce Dickinson and His Son Austin Collaborate
Another intriguing element of the upcoming Bruce Dickinson solo album is a collaboration with his son Austin Dickinson.
Austin is a musician best known for his work as the former frontman of British metal bands Rise To Remain and As Lions. Bruce recently confirmed that Austin will appear on the new record.
Dickinson has also indicated that fans will not have to wait until the album's 2027 release to hear it.
The singer said that some tracks are expected to surface during 2026 and revealed plans to shoot four or five videos for the project.
With the album now moving through the mixing stage, the first official taste of the new material could be coming sooner rather than later.
16 Songs Recorded in Just Three Weeks
Dickinson previously revealed that he recorded 16 songs for the new solo album during an intense three-week period earlier this year.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, he emphasized that the sessions were performed completely live, describing the approach as the “anti-A.I. generation.”
That detail should grab the attention of old-school metal fans.
Rather than building an album piece by piece through heavily edited modern production techniques, Dickinson and his band captured the performances together in the studio. The result could give the new record a rawer, more organic feel while still benefiting from modern recording technology.
And if Dickinson's “heavy as shit” assessment is anything to go by, there may be plenty of volume involved.
From Iron Maiden to a Legendary Solo Career
Bruce Dickinson made his recording debut with Iron Maiden on the band's landmark 1982 album The Number Of The Beast, one of the defining records in the history of heavy metal.
He left Iron Maiden in 1993 to focus on his solo career, with Blaze Bayley stepping into the vocalist position.
Dickinson released several solo albums during his time away from Maiden, including collaborations with former Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith. He eventually returned to Iron Maiden in 1999, with Smith also rejoining the band.
Since then, Dickinson has continued to maintain both his Iron Maiden career and his solo work.
His most recent solo album, The Mandrake Project, was released in 2024 and spawned an extensive touring campaign. The accompanying multimedia project expanded the album's story into a comic book series, turning what was originally envisioned as a promotional tie-in into a much larger creative universe.
Now, Dickinson appears ready to leave that world behind musically and start another chapter.
What Can Fans Expect From Bruce Dickinson's New Album?
Details surrounding the new album remain limited, including its official title and track listing. However, several important pieces are already in place.
The album:
Is expected in early 2027 via BMG
Will be Dickinson's eighth solo studio album
Contains 16 recorded songs
Was largely recorded at Studio 606
Features Dickinson's current touring band
Includes percussion from Sepultura's Andreas Kisser
Features a collaboration with Austin Dickinson
Was recorded largely live
Is being mixed by Brendan Duffey
Is expected to receive its first previews during 2026
Most importantly, Dickinson himself says it is going to be heavy.
After decades of creating some of heavy metal's most recognizable music, Bruce Dickinson clearly isn't interested in simply coasting on his legacy. If the new album delivers on his promise, 2027 could bring another major chapter in one of metal's most enduring solo careers.
And honestly, when Bruce Dickinson says a record is going to be “heavy as shit,” we're probably going to want to hear that one for ourselves.
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29295/bruce-dickinson-says-his-new-solo-album-will-be-heavy-as-shit-and-arrives-in-2027?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson has confirmed that his upcoming eighth solo album is shaping up to be a seriously heavy affair, with the singer describing the new record in no uncertain terms: “The album is heavy as shit.”
The long-awaited follow-up to 2024’s The Mandrake Project is currently expected to arrive in early 2027 through BMG, and Dickinson has revealed that the new album will take a different direction from his most recent solo effort.
Speaking with VSX at last month’s San Diego Comic-Con, Dickinson discussed the evolution of The Mandrake Project, his approach to songwriting, and what fans can expect from his next solo release.
According to Dickinson, the concept behind The Mandrake Project began nearly two decades ago. What started as an idea for a single comic book intended to accompany a solo album eventually expanded into an ambitious multimedia project featuring a 12-issue adult comic book series published by Z2 Comics.
The music and comics share conceptual elements involving science, the occult, and the human soul, but Dickinson now believes The Mandrake Project has developed a life of its own within the world of comics.
“I've got a new record coming out next year, new solo album. It's kind of standalone. There's one song that has a bit of something to do with ‘Mandrake.’ Now, the album is heavy as shit.”
Dickinson also made it clear that he does not want to force the new album into the Mandrake universe simply for the sake of maintaining a connection.
“I'm not digging into ‘Mandrake.’ I think ‘Mandrake’ has a life now on a comic book level.”
That separation could make the upcoming album particularly interesting for longtime fans of Dickinson's solo career. Rather than revisiting familiar territory, the Iron Maiden singer says he wants to continue pushing his songwriting in different directions.
Bruce Dickinson Wants to Avoid Repeating Himself
When asked whether he thinks about his previous solo albums when writing new material, Dickinson explained that he tries not to simply recreate what he has already done.
For Dickinson, experimentation does not necessarily mean abandoning his musical identity. Instead, it means finding new ways to present familiar elements.
“Music is something which you try not to stick too much of a format,” Dickinson explained, while acknowledging that he remains firmly within his own musical style.
The approach has been a consistent part of Dickinson's solo career. From Tattooed Millionaire and Balls To Picasso through Accident of Birth, The Chemical Wedding, Tyranny Of Souls, and The Mandrake Project, his solo work has allowed him to explore territory that sometimes differs considerably from Iron Maiden.
This new album appears poised to continue that tradition, but Dickinson's description of the record suggests fans may be in for one of his heaviest solo outings yet.
New Bruce Dickinson Album Was Recorded at Studio 606
Much of Dickinson's upcoming eighth solo album was recorded during January and February 2026 at Studio 606 in Northridge, California, the legendary recording facility associated with Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters.
Producer Brendan Duffey is handling the production, mixing, and mastering work. Duffey previously worked on the expanded and reworked version of Dickinson's 1994 solo album Balls To Picasso, released in 2025 under the title More Balls To Picasso.
The new album is currently being mixed at Duffey's high-end Brendan Duffey Audio studio in Jupiter, Florida.
Dickinson has also revealed that the recording sessions were completed using his touring band, featuring:
Mistheria – keyboards
Dave Moreno – drums
Tanya O'Callaghan – bass
Chris Declercq – guitar
Philip Näslund – guitar
The album will also feature a guest appearance from Andreas Kisser, legendary guitarist of Brazilian metal giants Sepultura, who revealed earlier this year that he contributed percussion to the record.
Bruce Dickinson and His Son Austin Collaborate
Another intriguing element of the upcoming Bruce Dickinson solo album is a collaboration with his son Austin Dickinson.
Austin is a musician best known for his work as the former frontman of British metal bands Rise To Remain and As Lions. Bruce recently confirmed that Austin will appear on the new record.
Dickinson has also indicated that fans will not have to wait until the album's 2027 release to hear it.
The singer said that some tracks are expected to surface during 2026 and revealed plans to shoot four or five videos for the project.
With the album now moving through the mixing stage, the first official taste of the new material could be coming sooner rather than later.
16 Songs Recorded in Just Three Weeks
Dickinson previously revealed that he recorded 16 songs for the new solo album during an intense three-week period earlier this year.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, he emphasized that the sessions were performed completely live, describing the approach as the “anti-A.I. generation.”
That detail should grab the attention of old-school metal fans.
Rather than building an album piece by piece through heavily edited modern production techniques, Dickinson and his band captured the performances together in the studio. The result could give the new record a rawer, more organic feel while still benefiting from modern recording technology.
And if Dickinson's “heavy as shit” assessment is anything to go by, there may be plenty of volume involved.
From Iron Maiden to a Legendary Solo Career
Bruce Dickinson made his recording debut with Iron Maiden on the band's landmark 1982 album The Number Of The Beast, one of the defining records in the history of heavy metal.
He left Iron Maiden in 1993 to focus on his solo career, with Blaze Bayley stepping into the vocalist position.
Dickinson released several solo albums during his time away from Maiden, including collaborations with former Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith. He eventually returned to Iron Maiden in 1999, with Smith also rejoining the band.
Since then, Dickinson has continued to maintain both his Iron Maiden career and his solo work.
His most recent solo album, The Mandrake Project, was released in 2024 and spawned an extensive touring campaign. The accompanying multimedia project expanded the album's story into a comic book series, turning what was originally envisioned as a promotional tie-in into a much larger creative universe.
Now, Dickinson appears ready to leave that world behind musically and start another chapter.
What Can Fans Expect From Bruce Dickinson's New Album?
Details surrounding the new album remain limited, including its official title and track listing. However, several important pieces are already in place.
The album:
Is expected in early 2027 via BMG
Will be Dickinson's eighth solo studio album
Contains 16 recorded songs
Was largely recorded at Studio 606
Features Dickinson's current touring band
Includes percussion from Sepultura's Andreas Kisser
Features a collaboration with Austin Dickinson
Was recorded largely live
Is being mixed by Brendan Duffey
Is expected to receive its first previews during 2026
Most importantly, Dickinson himself says it is going to be heavy.
After decades of creating some of heavy metal's most recognizable music, Bruce Dickinson clearly isn't interested in simply coasting on his legacy. If the new album delivers on his promise, 2027 could bring another major chapter in one of metal's most enduring solo careers.
And honestly, when Bruce Dickinson says a record is going to be “heavy as shit,” we're probably going to want to hear that one for ourselves.
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29295/bruce-dickinson-says-his-new-solo-album-will-be-heavy-as-shit-and-arrives-in-2027?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger
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