Metal Devastation Radio Blog

Thursday, June 11, 2026

WICKED ONE Unleash Debut Single "Kneel Before Lucifer" In Metal Injection Premiere - @thebeast

WICKED ONE Unleash Debut Single "Kneel Before Lucifer" In Metal Injection Premiere

A new force has emerged from the shadows of the extreme metal underground. WICKED ONE, a black metal project formed by a collective of acclaimed death metal veterans, has officially unveiled its debut single and music video, "Kneel Before Lucifer," which premiered via Metal Injection on June 6, 2026.

Check it out here:
https://metalinjection.net/av/video-premiere/premiere-new-black-metal-band-wicked-one-release-menacing-single-kneel-before-lucifer

Drawing from decades of experience across some of metal's most respected acts, WICKED ONE unites musicians whose histories include work with Nile, The Black Dahlia Murder, Deeds of Flesh, Vital Remains, Arsis, Nevalra, Serpent of Gnosis, and more. The lineup features Scott Eames, known as "Wicked One," on guitars, vocals, and songwriting, alongside drummer Darren Cesca ("Agares") and bassist Maxwell Lavelle ("Malvernis").

The band's first offering, "Kneel Before Lucifer," serves as the opening chapter of their forthcoming debut album, Burn Thy Offering . Released symbolically on 6/6/26, the track introduces listeners to WICKED ONE's vision of uncompromising black metal, blending relentless aggression, sinister atmosphere, and anti-religious themes into a fierce sonic assault.

Metal Injection described the track as embracing "all things satanic," featuring an ominous chorus alongside obliterating blast beats, crushing gutturals, and feral screams. The premiere also highlighted the band's mission to bring a fresh yet authentic approach to extreme metal while remaining firmly rooted in black metal's darkest traditions.

According to founder and songwriter Scott Eames, the project has been years in the making.

"I used to play the Wicked One character in a previous band. After having a blast playing the character for years and many tours, it felt like Wicked One deserved its own voice. WICKED ONE isn't about reinventing the wheel. It's about stripping everything down to something direct and unapologetic: scathing black metal that simply drips with hatred."

Eames further explained why "Kneel Before Lucifer" was chosen as the band's debut statement.

"'Kneel Before Lucifer' was chosen as the first single because it captures the core DNA of Wicked One. The atmosphere, the aggression, and the themes that define the entity. It simply drips with hatred. It serves as the first chapter and the gateway into this world."

To bring the visual side of the project to life, WICKED ONE partnered with renowned production team Aimed & Framed, whose impressive portfolio includes work with Kerry King, Deicide, Suffocation, and Exodus. The resulting visual presentation delivers a dark and gothic aesthetic that complements the track's menacing atmosphere.

The project's visual identity extends beyond the music video. WICKED ONE's logo was crafted by legendary Belgian illustrator Christophe Szpajdel, widely known throughout the metal community as the "Lord of the Logos" for his iconic work with bands such as Emperor, Old Man's Child, Enthroned, and Borknagar.

While WICKED ONE is only now making its public debut, Eames revealed that the concept has existed in his creative world for years.

"What began as a persona slowly took on a life of its own, appearing in different artwork, concepts, and projects. Over time, it became clear that Wicked One was never meant to remain just a character. It demanded its own world, its own voice, and ultimately its own music."

The debut release has already generated strong interest among fans, with teaser footage accumulating more than 44,000 views prior to the video's official premiere. Additional singles and music videos have already been completed and are scheduled for release in the coming months as WICKED ONE builds momentum toward the full unveiling of Burn Thy Offering .

With future albums already in development and plans for worldwide live performances, WICKED ONE is positioning itself as a long-term creative endeavor rather than a one-off side project. For Eames, "Kneel Before Lucifer" represents a defining moment.

"For me, 'Kneel Before Lucifer' is more than simply the first song release. It's the moment Wicked One crosses the threshold, and the world gets to hear Wicked One in full form, staring back."

Watch the official music video for "Kneel Before Lucifer" here:

https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29083/wicked-one-unleash-debut-single-kneel-before-lucifer-in-metal-injection-premiere?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Decibel Premieres Full Pre-Release Stream Of Nuclear Tomb's Epoch Inhumane Ahead Of June 12 Release - @thebeast

Decibel Premieres Full Pre-Release Stream Of Nuclear Tomb's Epoch Inhumane Ahead Of June 12 Release

Baltimore's mind-bending thrash extremists Nuclear Tomb are giving fans an early glimpse into one of the year's most anticipated underground metal releases.

In partnership with Decibel Magazine , Nuclear Tomb have officially launched a full album stream of their forthcoming sophomore full-length, Epoch Inhumane , allowing fans to experience the entire record before its official release on June 12 via Rotted Life Records.

Check it out here:
https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2026/06/10/album-premiere-nuclear-tomb-epoch-inhumane/.

The advance stream arrives amid a wave of praise from critics across the underground metal landscape, with reviewers hailing the album as one of the most inventive, aggressive, and compelling thrash releases of 2026.

Drawing inspiration from legendary boundary-pushers such as Voivod, Pestilence, Coroner, and Atheist, Nuclear Tomb continue to carve their own warped path through the metal underground. Their sound combines razor-sharp thrash riffing, chaotic punk energy, progressive experimentation, and classic heavy metal grandeur into a sonic assault that feels both familiar and completely alien.

Decibel Magazine described the album as:

"Unabashedly pulling from weirdos of the past like Voivod and Atheist, though never giving in to straight up tribute or worship. Endlessly fascinating."

The acclaim doesn't stop there. Publications across the globe have showered Epoch Inhumane with praise, including Metal Temple's 9/10 review, Mystification Zine's 9/10 score, Broken Tomb Magazine's 9.5/10 rating, and countless endorsements calling the album a potential year-end standout.

After spending the past two years refining new material both in the studio and on stages stretching from Texas to Quebec, Nuclear Tomb return with a record that pushes every aspect of their sound further into the unknown. Faster tempos, sharper hooks, and increasingly unpredictable songwriting fuel an album that explores themes of societal collapse, existential dread, and humanity's self-inflicted downfall.

The band's description of the record says it all:

"Mind Thrashing Sonic Nightmares."

For fans seeking metal that challenges convention while maintaining crushing intensity, Epoch Inhumane appears poised to become a mandatory listen.

Track Listing

Watch The Skies

Falling Out The World of Lies

Unbowed and Averse

Faithless Continuum

Broken Promise, Barren Essence

Lifeless Transformation

Butcher's Lament

Terminally Emboldened

The Coward's Curse

Epoch Inhumane

Album Credits

Engineered and Mixed by Matt Michel at Viva Studio VA

Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege

Additional Lead Guitar by Demir Soyer

Album Artwork by Brad Moore

For Fans Of

Voivod, Pestilence, Coroner, Atheist

Stream The Album

Fans can hear the complete pre-release stream now via Decibel Magazine before the album's official release on June 12.

Pre-Order Epoch Inhumane

Vinyl, CD, Cassette, and Digital formats available through Rotted Life Records and Bandcamp .

With overwhelmingly positive reviews pouring in from every corner of the underground metal community, Epoch Inhumane is shaping up to be a landmark release for Nuclear Tomb and a serious contender for many year-end best-of lists. Thrash fans looking for something stranger, darker, and more adventurous would be wise to dive into this radioactive nightmare before the rest of the world catches up.

https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29082/decibel-premieres-full-pre-release-stream-of-nuclear-tombs-epoch-inhumane-ahead-of-june-12-release?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

BELPHEGOR Announces "Praise The Beast" European Tour 2026 With KRISIUN And ASAGRAUM - @thebeast

BELPHEGOR Announces "Praise The Beast" European Tour 2026 With KRISIUN And ASAGRAUM

Austrian blackened death metal titans Belphegor have officially announced their highly anticipated "Praise The Beast" European Tour 2026, set to bring a wave of blasphemous intensity across the continent this fall.

The extensive trek begins September 29 in Essen, Germany, and will carve a destructive path through Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Central Europe, Poland, and the United Kingdom before concluding with a final ritualistic performance on October 18 at London's legendary The Underworld.

Joining BELPHEGOR on the campaign are Brazilian death metal veterans Krisiun and Dutch black metal force Asagraum. Organizers have also confirmed that a fourth band will be announced in the coming months.

The tour arrives as BELPHEGOR continue building momentum toward their forthcoming thirteenth studio album. Following the critical success of 2022's The Devils , the band appears poised to push even deeper into the dark and ritualistic territory that has defined their career for more than three decades.

Founded in 1993 by vocalist and guitarist Helmuth Lehner, BELPHEGOR have become one of extreme metal's most enduring and uncompromising acts. Their unique fusion of black metal atmosphere and death metal brutality has earned them a devoted global following and appearances at major festivals including Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, Bloodstock Open Air, and Sweden Rock Festival.

Throughout their career, BELPHEGOR have consistently evolved their sound while maintaining the savage intensity that first put them on the map with releases such as The Last Supper , Blutsabbath , and Necrodaemon Terrorsathan . Their most recent album, The Devils , showcased the band's ability to blend relentless aggression with intricate compositions, ritualistic atmospheres, and multilingual lyrical themes.

The record also helped secure the band the 2023 Amadeus Austrian Music Award in the Hard & Heavy category, marking a significant milestone for one of Austria's most internationally recognized extreme metal exports.

As anticipation grows for new material, the upcoming tour offers fans a chance to witness BELPHEGOR's infamous live ceremonies firsthand. Known for combining crushing performances with theatrical elements of smoke, fire, and occult imagery, the band continues to deliver one of the most immersive experiences in extreme metal.

BELPHEGOR "Praise The Beast" European Tour 2026

September

29 - Essen, Germany - Turock

30 - Kortrijk, Belgium - DVG

October

01 - Dordrecht, Netherlands - Bibelot

02 - Hengelo, Netherlands - Metropool

03 - TBA

04 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Monument

06 - Helsinki, Finland - On The Rocks

07 - Stockholm, Sweden - Kollektivet Livet

08 - Malmö, Sweden - Plan B

09 - Berlin, Germany - Musikbrauerei

10 - Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic - Klub Mir

11 - Plzen, Czech Republic - Serikovka

13 - Krakow, Poland - Hype Park

14 - Gdańsk, Poland - Drizzly Grizzly

15 - Osnabrück, Germany - Bastard Club

16 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation

17 - Torquay, UK - Arena

18 - London, UK - The Underworld

Tickets and additional information will be available through local venues and promoters.

For fans of uncompromising blackened death metal, the "Praise The Beast" European Tour 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most devastating extreme metal packages of the year.

https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29080/belphegor-announces-praise-the-beast-european-tour-2026-with-krisiun-and-asagraum?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

HEXJAKT AND DOOMHERRE FEATURED ON UPCOMING NORDIC DOOM SPLIT "FOUR ALTARS OF SIN" - @thebeast

HEXJAKT AND DOOMHERRE FEATURED ON UPCOMING NORDIC DOOM SPLIT "FOUR ALTARS OF SIN"

The Nordic doom underground continues to thrive, and two standout acts from the Metal Devastation PR roster are set to make their mark on an ambitious new release arriving later this month.

Swedish doom metal forces Hexjakt and Doomherre will both appear on Four Altars of Sin , a four-way split album being released June 26, 2026, through Majestic Mountain Records. The release brings together four respected names from the Nordic doom and stoner metal scene, including Finland's Kaiser alongside Sweden's Hexjakt, Ordos, and Doomherre.

The project showcases a diverse range of heavy sounds rooted in doom, stoner rock, and classic metal traditions while highlighting some of the strongest emerging and established acts currently carrying the torch for the genre across Scandinavia.

Hexjakt continue their rapid ascent following the release of their acclaimed debut album Blessing of the Damned in late 2025. Earning a remarkable 9/10 review from Sweden Rock Magazine, the Västmanland-based band quickly established themselves as one of the most exciting new names in modern doom metal. Their contribution to the split, "Svartkonst," promises to deliver the band's signature blend of crushing riffs, haunting atmosphere, and emotionally charged songwriting.

Meanwhile, Stockholm doom trio Doomherre contribute the brand-new track "Blood Relics of Old." Drawing inspiration from classic doom legends such as Candlemass, Trouble, and Saint Vitus, the song expands upon the dark mythology established across the band's previous releases Bonegoat (2023) and Plaguelords (2025). The track serves as both a continuation of their growing legacy and a powerful standalone statement of traditional doom metal.

Joining them on the release are Finnish stoner powerhouse Kaiser with "Sonic Satan" and Swedish doom veterans Ordos with the epic "Inferno." Together, the four bands create a collection that celebrates the depth, diversity, and enduring strength of Nordic doom and stoner metal.

Four Altars of Sin Track Listing:

• Doomherre – Blood Relics of Old
• Ordos – Inferno
• Hexjakt – Svartkonst
• Kaiser – Sonic Satan

Four Altars of Sin will be available on limited-edition vinyl and across all major digital platforms beginning June 26, 2026, through Majestic Mountain Records.

For fans of heavy riffs, towering atmospheres, and the darker side of Scandinavian metal, this is one release that deserves a place on your radar.

Pre-save (digital):
https://recordu.lnk.to/Four_Altars_of_Sin /> Vinyl pre-order:
https://www.majesticmountainrecords.com/products/four-altars-of-sin-4-way-split-with-kaiser-doomherre-hexjakt-and-ordos />

https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29076/hexjakt-and-doomherre-featured-on-upcoming-nordic-doom-split-four-altars-of-sin?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Metallurg Magazine Issue #7 Spotlights Metal Devastation PR Roster With Featured Cover The Prodigal Son! - @thebeast

Mephisto Odyssey’s Mikael Johnston Receives RIAA Gold Certification for His “Crucified Dub” of Static-X’s “Push It” - @thebeast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mephisto Odyssey’s Mikael Johnston Receives RIAA Gold Certification for His “Crucified Dub” of Static-X’s “Push It”

Alternate version developed with Wayne Static during the band’s early Warner Bros. era earns Gold status, highlighting one of Static’s most notable creative collaborations outside Static-X

April 21, 2026 — The RIAA has officially certified Static-X’s iconic single “Push It” as Gold. Among the versions featured on the original 1999 maxi-single was the “Crucified Dub,” an alternate version created by Mikael Johnston of Mephisto Odyssey with creative input from Wayne Static.

Johnston recently completed a 2026 remaster of the track at Pop Twist Studios. The updated version is now streaming here:

The accompanying video was edited by filmmaker Matt Zane.

Wayne Static did not just approve of the “Crucified Dub” — he embraced it, recognizing the creative chemistry he shared with Johnston as something distinct from the core Static-X sound. That connection became the foundation for an ongoing creative partnership.

Static later contributed vocals and writing to Mephisto Odyssey’s “Crash” from the album The Deep Red Connection . The track was featured on the Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker soundtrack, received significant alternative rock radio play and MTV2/MTVX rotation, and was supported by a music video directed by Len Wiseman, featuring Koichi Fukuda on guitar.

Over the following years, Wayne Static continued to work with Johnston whenever he wanted to explore material outside the traditional Static-X framework. Johnston and Mephisto Odyssey contributed remixes and alternate versions for several key tracks, including:

“Love Dump” (Mephisto Odyssey Voodoo Mix) — featured on the 2001 film Valentine soundtrack

“Cold” (Mephisto Odyssey Remix) — released on German promotional singles tied to the Queen of the Damned soundtrack and distributed to winners of a Static-X fan contest

Additional remixes for Static-X tracks including “This Is Not” and “Black & White”

Johnston and Wayne Static remained close collaborators and friends until Static’s passing in October 2014.

In addition to his own work, Johnston has become a visible supporter of filmmaker Matt Zane’s upcoming unauthorized documentary on Wayne Static and Tera Wray, a project that has faced resistance in some circles. Johnston has granted Zane permission to use his 2025–2026 reimagining of “CRASH: Reborn” in the film.

“Wayne was genuinely happy with how the ‘Crucified Dub’ turned out, and that trust led to us working together on several projects over the years,” Johnston said. “I’m proud of the music we created together, and I’m happy to support Matt’s documentary. Wayne’s story deserves to be told honestly, not filtered or controlled by people with their own agendas.”

As interest in Wayne Static’s unreleased recordings and unfinished projects continues to grow, Johnston’s long and well-documented history with Static has placed him at the center of ongoing discussions about how the singer’s legacy should be preserved and presented moving forward.

Mikael Johnston continues to work at Pop Twist Studios in Texas.

Media Contact: poptwistmanagement@gmail.com & zach@metaldevastationradio.com

https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29074/mephisto-odysseys-mikael-johnston-receives-riaa-gold-certification-for-his-crucified-dub-of-static-xs-push-it?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

CEMETERY ROT UNCLOG THE SEWERS WITH NEW SELF-TITLED TRACK FROM UPCOMING ALBUM “DECOMPOSING BODIES UPON THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE” - @thebeast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CEMETERY ROT UNCLOG THE SEWERS WITH NEW SELF-TITLED TRACK FROM UPCOMING ALBUM “DECOMPOSING BODIES UPON THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE”

From the filth-soaked underground of Kern County, California comes a new slab of pure death metal rot. Cemetery Rot return with a self-titled track lifted from their forthcoming full-length, Decomposing Bodies Upon the Altar of Sacrifice , arriving via CDN Records .

This is not polished. Not cleaned up. Not watered down for comfort. This is death metal dragged straight through the sewer line and left to ferment.

Cemetery Rot have always operated like they crawled out of the pipes rather than a practice space. Formed in 2022 by guitarist and vocalist Gar, the band quickly carved out a name with their debut EP Euphoric Consumption of Human Flesh , establishing a sound rooted in early 90s demo-era death metal brutality. No gloss. No compromise. Just decay, despair, and distortion.

Now they push deeper into the rot with a new self-titled track that sets the tone for their upcoming record Decomposing Bodies Upon the Altar of Sacrifice . The song leans hard into what the band has always represented, suffocating atmosphere, low end punishment, and that cold reminder of what death metal is supposed to feel like when it is done right.

Cemetery Rot describe themselves as coming “from the sewers,” and honestly, it tracks. This is music that sounds like it was unearthed, not recorded. A direct transmission from the slumber of decay, where everything is collapsing in slow motion and loving every second of it.

For anyone still loyal to the raw spirit of early tape-trading era death metal, this is aimed right at you.

Watch and listen here:

https://cdnrecords.com/artists/cemetery-rot/

ABOUT CEMETERY ROT

Cemetery Rot emerged in 2022 from Kern County, California, formed by guitarist and vocalist Gar. The project quickly built its identity around a sewer-drenched aesthetic and a sound inspired by early 90s death metal demos. Their work channels decay, despair, and suffocating atmosphere into a raw, unfiltered sonic assault.

ABOUT CDN RECORDS

CDN Records is dedicated to pushing extreme music in its rawest and most uncompromising forms, supporting artists who keep underground metal ugly, honest, and loud.

No polish. No filter. Just rot.

Follow the band at these links:

https://cemeteryrot.bandcamp.com/track/it-came-from-the-sewers />
https://www.instagram.com/cemetery_rot/ />
https://linktr.ee/cemetery_rot />
https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/cemetery-rot/ />

https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29073/cemetery-rot-unclog-the-sewers-with-new-self-titled-track-from-upcoming-album-%E2%80%9Cdecomposing-bodies-upon-the-altar-of-sacrifice%E2%80%9D?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger