West Tennessee Doom Four-Piece Burnt Witch Unleash Crushing New EP Dopelich - @thebeast

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West Tennessee Doom Four-Piece Burnt Witch Unleash Crushing New EP Dopelich

West Tennessee – Rising from the smoke and swamp of West Tennessee, Burnt Witch are dragging slow, crushing riffs straight through the mud with the release of their new EP Dopelich, out now as an independent release as of February 13, 2026.

Burnt Witch is a doom and sludge four-piece dealing in suffocating heaviness, occult atmosphere, and Southern grit. Built on fuzz-drenched bass, monolithic riffing, cavernous drums, and vocals that swing from blues-soaked cleans to unhinged screams, the band channels the oppressive weight of classic doom while keeping one boot planted firmly in Tennessee soil.

Formed from a shared obsession with bands like Electric Wizard, Crowbar, and Eyehategod, Burnt Witch craft songs that feel summoned rather than written. Their sound leans into hypnotic repetition, bleak atmospheres, and grooves that hit like a slow collapse. It is immersive. It is uncomfortable. It lingers.

The band recently caught the attention of Weedian , who featured Burnt Witch with the following praise:

“Burnt Witch is a West Tennessee doom/sludge band delivering crushing low-tuned riffs, occult atmosphere, and slow, punishing heaviness rooted in Southern grit. They bring a unique twist to the doom genre that could only be achieved in the deep south, melding clean bluesy vocals with extreme screams, and groovy stoner riffs with soul crushing slams and spacy leads. From the ritual sacrifice of biker cults, to fortune tellers, to evil wizards with drug problems, you won't wanna miss what Burnt Witch brings to the table.”

That kind of recognition from a respected name in the underground doom community only reinforces what Dopelich proves front to back.

Released February 13, 2026, Dopelich pushes deeper into the smoke. The EP blends sludge-soaked aggression with creeping doom textures that feel both familiar and freshly unearthed. Each track unfolds like a ritual, thick with tension and drenched in distortion.

Early reactions have already started turning heads:

“Move over Electric Wizard, here comes Burnt Witch!”
- Reaper’s Underground, Black Flame Entertainment & Tracks of the Damned Podcast

“Doom is not supposed to save the world. It is supposed to scorch it one riff at a time.”
- Zach Moonshine, Metal Devastation Radio

“Dopelich will take you on a ride that will leave you feeling like you are deep in Occult ritual, begging for more.”
- Cody Gray, Defiler Magazine & Tracks of the Damned Podcast

Burnt Witch have also appeared on The Zach Moonshine Show via Metal Devastation Radio and on Tracks of the Damned Podcast with Reaper, further cementing their presence in the underground heavy scene.

Fans of Dopethrone, Weedeater, Electric Wizard, Crowbar, Eyehategod, Dopelord, Down, Superjoint Ritual, Brainoil, Cough, and Coffinworm will find plenty to sink into here.

Stream Dopelich now:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/burntwitch/dopelich-ep">
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/burntwitch/dopelich-ep />
For press inquiries, interviews, or further information, contact zach@metaldevastationradio.com

Burnt Witch are not here to be clean. They are here to be crushing.

Check out this promo video and get ready! 





Connect: 


https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/burntwitch/dopelich-ep">
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/burntwitch/dopelich-ep />
https://open.spotify.com/artist/19WSxNJAzrFZoivgL0f5Pe />
https://burntwitch.bandcamp.com/album/dopelich-ep />
https://www.facebook.com/burntwitch75/ />
https://www.instagram.com/burnt_witch75/ />
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/burnt-witch/1865047179 />
https://shop.tonethreads.com/collections/burntwitch /> burntwitch75.com

Contact: burntwitch75@gmail.com


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UNMERCIFUL Unleashes James “Freight Train” Lee on Vocals for Maryland Deathfest Debut - @thebeast

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UNMERCIFUL Unleashes James “Freight Train” Lee on Vocals for Maryland Deathfest Debut

Kansas death metal powerhouse UNMERCIFUL is set to make their first-ever appearance at Maryland Deathfest 2026 , and they’re bringing a very special guest along for the carnage. James “Freight Train” Lee—renowned for his monumental work with Origin on III , Echoes of Decimation , and Antithesis —will be stepping in on vocals, delivering an unforgettable performance of UNMERCIFUL’s relentless death metal assault.

The band shared the news directly:




“Our first ever performance at Maryland Death Fest is just 3 months away. With that, we want to announce a very special guest that will be performing on vocals. This man is none other than the almighty James ‘Freight Train’ Lee!!! Hearing him performing our material will be something NOT to miss!!







Also, Trynt is still dealing with some health issues, so Andy Vincent will be handling the relentless drum duties. We are in the process of booking some shows around this time (May 20th–May 28th). More information on show dates and venues coming soon.







We look forward to delivering an unforgettably crushing set! We will see you all soon.”




Following the recent tour cancellation with Vitriol and Weeping due to drummer availability, UNMERCIFUL is back stronger than ever, promising fans a blistering return to the stage. Their latest album, Devouring Darkness (Willowtip Records), has already been hailed as a brutal triumph:

“ Devouring Darkness is an unceasing beatdown of a death metal album where technicality takes a backseat to brutality.” – Angry Metal Guy

“Malicious guidance does well to hold their focus tight on bludgeoning brutal death metal here, an ideal ratio of unreal skill and severe impact.” – Mystification Zine

“Unmerciful are among us to blast our ears with Brutal Death Metal at its finest.” – The Headbanging Moose

“A swirl of riffs will wrap themselves around you like a coiled snake, and the drums will cave your head in.” – Dead Rhetoric

With longtime guitarist Jeremy Turner returning and Josh Riley debuting on vocals, UNMERCIFUL continues to define the cutting edge of American death metal. The record was engineered and produced by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, mastered by Alan Douches ( Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal ), with artwork by Santiago Francisco Jaramillo.

Fans can expect crushing new performances and select shows leading up to Maryland Deathfest. UNMERCIFUL’s blend of technical ferocity and unrelenting brutality guarantees that this set will be one for the ages.

Stay tuned for full tour dates and ticket information. Devouring Darkness is available now wherever extreme metal is consumed.
https://deathfests.com/



 Follow the band at these links:


https://www.facebook.com/officialunmerciful/ />
https://www.instagram.com/official_unmerciful />
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/unmerciful/173905522 />
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1A7qyjUuQGJTkOL8LUmmtG />
https://www.pandora.com/station/play/98443676228797847 />
https://www.iheart.com/artist/unmerciful-393849/?autoplay=true />
https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/81522 />

Contact: unmercifulbooking@gmail.com


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Samurai Pizza Cats Drop New Single/Video "T-Rex(plosion)" Featuring Ankor - @thebeast

Samurai Pizza Cats Drop New Single/Video "T-Rex(plosion)" Featuring Ankor


Samurai Pizza Cats are back with a blast from the past and a modern metal twist. The Castrop-Rauxel band has just released their latest single and video, "T-Rex(plosion)" , featuring Spanish metal band Ankor , ahead of their upcoming album Press Start , out March 27, 2026 via Century Media Records .

The video captures the chaotic energy and playful chemistry between both bands, delivering dino-sized riffs and over-the-top metal theatrics. Watch it now



Press Start is available for pre-order
https://samuraipizzacats.lnk.to/PressStart-Bio in multiple formats, including CD, deluxe box set, limited vinyl, and digital.

With this release, Samurai Pizza Cats continue to blend metalcore, deathcore, and electronic influences, proving their humor, energy, and shredding chops are as sharp as ever.


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28666/samurai-pizza-cats-drop-new-single-video-t-rexplosion-featuring-ankor?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Worm Shepherd Return with New EP Dawn Of The Iconoclast; Single "Feast" Out Now - @thebeast

Worm Shepherd Return with New EP Dawn Of The Iconoclast ; Single "Feast" Out Now


After a two-year silence, Worm Shepherd are back and heavier than ever with their new EP, Dawn Of The Iconoclast , released via Unique Leader Records . Fans can stream and purchase the EP now
https://orcd.co/DawnOfTheIconoclast , and check out the blistering new single "Feast."

A masterclass in blackened brutality, this EP marks a major comeback for the band, now transformed into a deathcore powerhouse. Worm Shepherd ’s lineup reads like a who’s who of extreme metal, featuring current and former members of Immortal Disfigurement , Ingested , and Archaic Epidemic , alongside the return of original drummer Leo McClain (also of Psycho Frame ).

Guitarist and orchestrator Tre Perdue shared his excitement about the new lineup:

"I feel like we have the most talented members that we've had to date. Harry brings so much to the table for writing and meshes with my style perfectly. Tom is an absolute workforce on bass and adds flair to the rhythm guitars with his aggressive style. Having Leo back behind the kit gives some of that original tone from our first albums. Ian fits in perfectly with his aggressiveness and the tonality of our new music. This is the beginning of a new era for Worm Shepherd."

Since their formation, Worm Shepherd have carved out a fearsome reputation as one of deathcore’s most uncompromising forces, blending immersive soundscapes, technical ferocity, and relentless intensity. With Dawn Of The Iconoclast , they emerge sharper, heavier, and more focused than ever, ready to set a new standard for their legacy.

Fans can also revisit the EP’s previously released single "Whispers Of A Buried Land" with its official video

With this release, Worm Shepherd prove that after the silence, the storm hits harder.


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28665/worm-shepherd-return-with-new-ep-dawn-of-the-iconoclast-single-feast-out-now?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

At The Gates Announce Eighth Studio Album The Ghost of a Future Dead; Debut Single "The Fever Mask" Out Now - @thebeast

At The Gates Announce Eighth Studio Album The Ghost of a Future Dead ; Debut Single "The Fever Mask" Out Now


Swedish melodic death metal legends At The Gates have announced their highly anticipated eighth studio album, The Ghost of a Future Dead , set for release on April 24, 2026 via Century Media Records . Pre-orders are officially live, and fans can now get a first taste of the record with the debut single and video, "The Fever Mask."

The follow-up to 2021's adventurous The Nightmare of Being , this album carries a weight of significance as a final tribute to frontman Tomas Lindberg , who tragically passed away in September 2025. Lindberg’s vision and artistry permeate the album, cementing it as a true parting legacy.

Recorded and mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden, the album showcases the band's signature blend of ferocious energy and hard-hitting melodic precision. The visual side is equally striking, with artwork by Robert Samsonowitz of rbrt.org .

Speaking about the release, the band shared:

"We are proud to finally share some news about our eighth studio album, 'The Ghost of a Future Dead.' The album will be released on April 24, 2026 – more than two years after it was completed in the studio. As you all know, Tomas Lindberg passed away last year due to complications from his cancer treatment. Over the past few years, we worked closely with Tomas, discussing and refining every detail to ensure nothing was left to chance. In accordance with Tomas' wishes – including the album title, sound mix, track order, artwork, and overall presentation – 'The Ghost of a Future Dead' remains true to form. It combines the ferocious energy and hard-hitting powerful melodies that are the essence of At The Gates. This album is Tomas' legacy."

Fans can stream the album’s opening track "The Fever Mask" now, accompanied by a deeply moving tribute video to Lindberg, assembled by longtime collaborator Patric Ullaeus . Watch it here:



With The Ghost of a Future Dead , At The Gates not only honor Lindberg’s memory but reaffirm their status as one of melodic death metal’s most influential forces, delivering an album that hits as hard emotionally as it does musically.


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28664/at-the-gates-announce-eighth-studio-album-the-ghost-of-a-future-dead-debut-single-the-fever-mask-out-now?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Italian Black Metallers Calvana Premiere New Track “Summer Storm” at NoCleanSinging - @thebeast

Italian Black Metallers Calvana Premiere New Track “Summer Storm” at NoCleanSinging


Italian black metal collective Calvana have unveiled their latest track, “Summer Storm” , exclusively at the heavily trafficked portal NoCleanSinging.com. The song is the second glimpse into the band’s highly anticipated third album, Sub Janus , set for an international release on March 20th via Adirondack Black Mass . Fans can stream “Summer Storm” in full exclusively
https://www.nocleansinging.com/2026/02/23/an-ncs-video-premiere-calvana-summer-storm/ />
Formed in 2015 at the foot of the Calvana massif , Calvana are a band devoted entirely to the raw, monolithic voice of the mountain. Their members remain completely anonymous, allowing the focus to stay on the music and the elemental landscapes it evokes. Their first two releases, the cryptically titled IɅ (2020) and III┼ (2022) , carved a singular path in black metal, combining primal intensity with a defiant, trend-free approach.

With Sub Janus , Calvana strike again, channeling the unrelenting fury of nature through old-school black metal. The album balances cryogenic stillness with lava-like eruption, maintaining an all-analog sound where each instrument is vital—especially the bass, often overlooked in black metal but here grounding the elemental force of the music. The songwriting moves through hypnotic states of violence, interspersed with grim marches, evoking a stark and desolate landscape that feels both expansive and intimate. Fans of obscure, uncompromising black metal may find echoes of Altar of Perversion , but Calvana’s voice remains uniquely their own.

In addition to “Summer Storm” , the band previously shared “Death of Pan” , available
https://adirondackblackmass.bandcamp.com/. Sub Janus can also be preordered on Bandcamp,
https://adirondackblackmass.bandcamp.com/album/sub-janus />


For those seeking black metal that reverberates like the peaks themselves, Calvana’s Sub Janus promises to deliver the kind of elemental, unflinching intensity that only a mountain can inspire.

MORE INFO:
facebook.com/calvana 
calvana.bandcamp.com 


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EYEHATEGOD & THUNDERCHIEF HEAT THINGS UP: NEW THUNDERCHIEF PRESSING AND “KILL YOUR SAUCE” HOT SAUCE DROP - @thebeast

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EYEHATEGOD & THUNDERCHIEF HEAT THINGS UP: NEW THUNDERCHIEF PRESSING AND “KILL YOUR SAUCE” HOT SAUCE DROP

Richmond’s two-man sonic wrecking crew THUNDERCHIEF aren’t done wreaking havoc. After tearing up the East Coast/Midwest with Telekinetic Yeti , they’re keeping the fire alive with a 2nd pressing of their ferocious full-length No Sufferance For Thy Fools —originally unleashed May 15, 2020. The first batch vanished fast, and now it’s back for anyone who missed it.

Listen and order here:

https://thethunderchief.bandcamp.com/album/no-sufferance-for-thy-fools

Adding extra heat to the mix, THUNDERCHIEF have teamed up with EYEHATEGOD for the ultimate collab: Kill Your Sauce , a fermented firestorm of Red Savina, Moruga, and Scotch Bonnet peppers, with carrot, garlic, cilantro, and pineapple juice. It’s available now at
https://armadamerch.com/collections/eyehategod and will hit the road with EYEHATEGOD on their upcoming tour with New Orleans legends Crowbar .

Details on the tour here:
https://lambgoat.com/news/47873/crowbar-and-eyehategod-announce-co-headlining-tour/ />
Record revived. Tour fired up. Sauce that bites back. THUNDERCHIEF are back, louder, hotter, and ready to demolish everything in their path.





 Follow Thunderchief:


https://linktr.ee/thunderchief />
 Contact: riksurly@gmail.com 


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