SÖNUS ANNOUNCE “PLANES OF TORMENT” – A HARD-HITTING ODYSSEY THROUGH ROCK AND METAL - @thebeast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SÖNUS ANNOUNCE “PLANES OF TORMENT” – A HARD-HITTING ODYSSEY THROUGH ROCK AND METAL

Pre-save “Planes of Torment” now:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/snus/planes-of-torment />
May 22, 2026 – Following the critical acclaim of 2022’s Usurper of the Universe , SÖNUS returns with their most ambitious work yet, Planes of Torment . Forged in the fires of personal trial and artistic vision, this album is a crushing journey through Hard Rock, Stoner Rock, Heavy Metal, Psychedelic Rock, and Prog Rock, crafted for fans of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Monster Magnet.

After the release of Usurper of the Universe , multi-instrumental mastermind David Wachsman confronted upheaval and loss that threatened both life and art. Emerging from the chaos, Wachsman rallied a formidable team to channel their collective fury into sound. With Wachsman leading on vocals, rhythm, and lead guitar, joined by Dave Reno on bass, Colin Drake Jaramillo on drums, Mike Gorman on rhythm guitar, and special guest Will Harper adding flute to the epic “Scorpio,” Planes of Torment became a labor of passion, spanning more than three years of dedication.

Recorded live in the studio by Adam Reed at Reed’s Recordings in Campbell, CA, and mixed by Dave Reno at Fuzzy Wizard Studios, the album captures the raw, untamed energy of SÖNUS’ performances. Mastered by Matt “Mojo” Denton at Ragged Birds Music, Planes of Torment is a hell-bent, blistering odyssey through madness, heartbreak, and triumph.

“Planes of Torment” is more than an album—it’s a testament to resilience and the enduring power of rock.

SÖNUS is:

David Wachsman – Lead/Backing Vocals, Lead/Rhythm Guitars, Synths, Lyrics/Arrangements

Dave Reno – Bass, Backing Vocals

Colin Jaramillo – Drums, Backing Vocals

Featuring Mike Gorman – Rhythm Guitar

Special Guest Will Harper – Flute on “Scorpio”

Produced by SÖNUS, engineered and recorded live by Adam Reed, mixed by Dave Reno, and mastered by Matt “Mojo” Denton.

Release Date: May 22, 2026
Label: Independent / Self-released
Contact: David Wachsman – band@sonus.rocks
More Info & Links:
https://linktr.ee/SonusRocks">
https://linktr.ee/SonusRocks

Check them out on YouTube and subscribe:





Connect with the band:


https://linktr.ee/SonusRocks">
https://linktr.ee/SonusRocks

Contact: band@sonus.rocks


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28569/sonus-announce-planes-of-torment-a-hard-hitting-odyssey-through-rock-and-metal?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

GRATE UNLEASHES NEW SINGLE “YOUR LIFE SUCKS” ON SOCIAL BLASPHEMY RECORDS - @thebeast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRATE UNLEASHES NEW SINGLE “YOUR LIFE SUCKS” ON SOCIAL BLASPHEMY RECORDS

Stockholm, Sweden — February 2, 2026 — GRATE, the three-piece metal/noiserock powerhouse, is set to release their latest single, Your Life Sucks , on February 13, 2026. Blending elements of sludge, noiserock, doom, and post-metal, the track delivers a punishing yet melodic assault that fans of Buzzov-en, Cherubs, and Unsane are sure to devour.

GRATE, comprised of Nick Vincent (vocals/guitar), Rodolfo Montenegro (bass), and Samsam (drums), thrives on the philosophy that three musicians can create an immense wall of sound. Their music explores the harsh truths and dark absurdities of the world—stories of violence, vengeance, love, and twisted happiness—all wrapped in crushing riffs and relentless rhythms.

“Nothing is so bad that it can’t get any worse. The height of optimism,” says Nick Vincent about the single’s lyrics, encapsulating GRATE’s signature blend of bleak humor and existential insight. Drummer Samsam adds, “We made way heavier songs before, but this is relentless in a different way,” hinting at the unyielding energy listeners can expect from Your Life Sucks .

Fans of GRATE’s latest will also likely enjoy bands such as Buzzov-en, Cherubs, Unsane , and other heavy, noisy, and uncompromising acts in the sludge/noiserock realm.

The single will be available on all streaming platforms through Social Blasphemy Records. Fans can explore GRATE’s full catalog and stay up to date on future releases through their SubmitHub page and social media links via Linktree.

Contact:
Nick Vincent – grategbg@live.se

About GRATE:
GRATE defies simple genre labels, melding sludge metal, sludgecore, trash metal, noiserock, post-metal, doom, and stoner influences into a uniquely chaotic yet precise sound. Previous releases such as I For One , What You Think , There Be Monsters , and You Should Be each explore distinct themes—from slasher films and ’90s metal to mental illness and World War II—cementing GRATE’s reputation as a band unafraid to confront darkness with brutal creativity.



Connect with the band: 


https://www.facebook.com/grateband />
https://grate666.bandcamp.com/ />
https://orcd.co/socbldg018 />
Contact:
Nick Vincent – grategbg@live.se


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28568/grate-unleashes-new-single-your-life-sucks-on-social-blasphemy-records?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

BRAVEWORDS.COM SPOTLIGHTS ECHO CVLT DEBUT VIDEO “DIAMOND HANDS” - @thebeast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BRAVEWORDS.COM SPOTLIGHTS ECHO CVLT DEBUT VIDEO “DIAMOND HANDS”

BraveWords .com has featured the debut single and video “Diamond Hands” from genre bending project Echo Cvlt, shining a light on the project’s fusion of hard style EDM and heavy metallic riffing.

The track features Derek Engemann of Cattle Decapitation, Scour, and Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals , alongside Ragga Ragnars , known for her role as Gunnhild on History Channel’s Vikings . The BraveWords feature highlights the track’s high energy, club ready production paired with a dark, aggressive edge rooted in heavy music.

Filmed in Iceland and tracked across multiple locations, the “Diamond Hands” video sets the tone for Echo Cvlt’s forward looking approach and signals the beginning of a steady stream of new releases planned for 2026.

“Diamond Hands” is available now on all major streaming platforms, with the official video streaming online.




Check it out here:
https://bravewords.com/news/from-scour-to-edm-former-cattle-decapitation-bassist-derek-engemann-and-echo-cvlt-launch-debut-single-diamond-hands-video/ />
















Stream & Download:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/echocvlt/diamond-hands-feat-ragga-ragnars--buzzsaw />
https://echocvlt.bandcamp.com/track/diamond-hands-feat-ragga-ragnars-buzzsaw






Release Information

Artist: Echo Cvlt
Single: Diamond Hands (feat. Ragga Ragnars & Buzzsaw)
Release Date: January 30, 2026
Genre: EDM, Hard Dance, Hard Style, Pop, Dance Pop
FFO: Darren Styles, DJ Isaac, Steve Aoki




Credits

Producer: Derek Engemann
Music: Derek Engemann
Lyrics: Ragga Ragnars
Mixed & Mastered: Stefano Santi at SPVN Studio (2025)
Vocals Engineered: Steve Brogden at Forge Audio (2024)

So it begins.

Check out the video and subscribe:





Connect with the band: 


https://linktr.ee/echocvlt />
https://www.instagram.com/echocvlt/ />
https://x.com/echocvlt13 />
https://www.youtube.com/@echocvlt13 />
https://www.nightshiftmerch.com/collections/Echo-Cvlt />

Contact: Derek Engemann
echocvlt@gmail.com


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28567/bravewordscom-spotlights-echo-cvlt-debut-video-diamond-hands?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Who Will Rise as This Week’s Champion on the MDR Battle Of The Bands?? 02/02/26 - 02/06/26 - @thebeast

🔥 Who Will Rise as This Week’s Champion on the MDR Battle Of The Bands? 🔥
And who will dominate next month as Band of the Month on Metal Devastation Radio?

Last month’s winners, BROKEN TRINITY, crushed the competition with a staggering 46,705 VOTES , claiming the title of Band of the Month on Metal Devastation Radio! You can check them out HERE !

This is the weekly championship edition of the Band Of The Month – Battle Of The Bands that we host every month on MDR!

How does it work?
Every Monday, we launch a new poll featuring bands that submit music each week on metaldevastationradio.com. Voting runs until Friday at 9PM EST .

Each Friday night , at the start of The Zach Moonshine Show , I’ll be spinning the Top Six weekly winners , and announcing the #1 band of the week live on air — getting thousands of listens on Mixcloud !

At the end of the month , all weekly votes are added up, and the band with the highest total votes becomes our Band of the Month !

Winning Band of the Month gets:

A featured post on our Facebook page, reaching thousands of fans

A front-page spotlight on metaldevastationradio.com , which pulls in hundreds of thousands of views every month

A free PR email blast from Metal Devastation PR, hitting 40,000+ contacts including labels, zines, stations, and more

Airplay every hour during general rotation

Tons of social media shares and exposure across our network

If you want the world to know who your band is, this is the easiest way to make it happen!

💥 Want in on the next battle?
Comment below with your band name and we’ll add you to next week’s poll — or email me at zach@metaldevastationradio.com with “Battle Submission” in the subject line.

Bands can compete as many times as they want , and if you enter multiple weeks in the same month, your votes combine toward the Band of the Month title!

👇 Click on the bands below to vote as many times as you like, or add your own! Poll closes Friday, February 6th at 9PM EST ! 👇











Who Will Rise as This Week’s Champion on the MDR Battle Of The Bands?? 02/02/26 - 02/06/26


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28566/who-will-rise-as-this-weeks-champion-on-the-mdr-battle-of-the-bands-02-02-26-02-06-26?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

BROKEN TRINITY CROWNED BAND OF THE MONTH AFTER SMASHING BATTLE OF THE BANDS WITH 46,705 VOTES - @thebeast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROKEN TRINITY CROWNED BAND OF THE MONTH AFTER SMASHING BATTLE OF THE BANDS WITH 46,705 VOTES

Atlanta, GA — BROKEN TRINITY has officially been named Band of the Month for February 2026, following a commanding victory in the Battle of the Bands with a staggering 46,705 total votes. The win reflects overwhelming fan support and the undeniable impact of their long-awaited debut full-length, Challenges Of Gods And Mortals .

After six years in the making, Challenges Of Gods And Mortals brings together the evolution of BROKEN TRINITY’s sound, capturing the band’s journey from their earliest compositions to the latest recording techniques. The album delivers tales of epic Viking battles, the wisdom of Odin, religious history, and modern-day spirituality — all fused into a cohesive and compelling metal landscape.

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, BROKEN TRINITY has quickly carved a reputation as a dynamic force in the metal scene. Fronted by the commanding Steven Cannon on lead vocals and concept design, the band’s twin guitars of Ray Adriano and Sean Morrissey, combined with Angelo Sasso on drums and Sean’s programming and backing vocals, create a layered, epic sound that balances technical precision with raw power. The album was mastered by Alex Parra of Paladin, adding an extra punch to every track.

BROKEN TRINITY’s live performances are as epic as their recordings, delivering high energy, intricate musicianship, and a deep connection with fans. Each show immerses audiences in the band’s mythic storytelling, leaving a lasting impression and a growing loyal following that extends well beyond Atlanta.

The Band of the Month accolade marks a major milestone for BROKEN TRINITY. With momentum building, fans discovering their music daily, and an album that captures six years of growth, the band is poised to make a lasting impact on the modern metal landscape.

BROKEN TRINITY is:

Steven Cannon – Lead Vocals, Lyrics, Concept Design

Ray Adriano – Guitars, Bass

Sean Morrissey – Guitars, Programming, Backing Vocals

Angelo Sasso – Drums

Challenges Of Gods And Mortals was released January 10, 2026.

Check out BROKEN TRINITY and support:
https://brokentrinity.bandcamp.com/album/challenges-of-gods-and-mortals">
https://brokentrinity.bandcamp.com/album/challenges-of-gods-and-mortals />


Connect with the band:


https://www.facebook.com/BrokenTrinity />
https://brokentrinity.bandcamp.com/album/challenges-of-gods-and-mortals">
https://brokentrinity.bandcamp.com/album/challenges-of-gods-and-mortals />


Contact: therealbrokentrinity@gmail.com


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28565/broken-trinity-crowned-band-of-the-month-after-smashing-battle-of-the-bands-with-46705-votes?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

KÜNTSQUÄD Dragged Us Into the Abyss on The Zach Moonshine Show - @thebeast

KÜNTSQUÄD Dragged Us Into the Abyss on The Zach Moonshine Show


There are interviews where you get the usual promo talk, safe answers, and surface-level band history. Then there are interviews where you hit record and just let the chaos unfold. This episode of The Zach Moonshine Show on Metal Devastation Radio fell squarely into the second category.

Our guests were Paula and Nick from Melbourne’s crust-death maniacs KÜNTSQUÄD , and from the first few minutes it was obvious this was not going to be a polite, watered-down industry conversation. We talked about their latest release Satan’s Cock , the band’s intentionally confrontational name, satire in extreme metal, underground ethics, and why music is still one of the best ways to challenge power, control, and hypocrisy in the modern world.

If you missed the live broadcast, you can check out the full interview segment below, along with the complete show replay featuring new underground metal releases that aired during the episode.

Watch the full interview with KÜNTSQUÄD here:


Listen to the full Zach Moonshine Show episode here:

https://www.mixcloud.com/thezachmoonshineshow/k%C3%BCntsqu%C3%A4d-descent-into-the-abyss-full-interview-new-metal-releases/ />



Shock Value With a Brain Behind It


One of the most interesting parts of the conversation was how open Paula and Nick were about the band’s use of shock, satire, and grotesque imagery. On the surface, KÜNTSQUÄD comes off as pure provocation. The band name, the album title Satan’s Cock , and the artwork all hit you in the face first.

But once you get past the initial “what the hell did I just see” reaction, there is a lot more going on under the hood.

The band talked about using satire the same way comedians like Bill Hicks did. Not just for laughs, but as a form of rage, frustration, and social commentary. Their lyrics touch on political structures, control, consumerism, censorship, AI, drug criminalization, and the general feeling that regular people are stuck inside systems they did not choose and cannot easily change.

They were clear that they are not trying to preach or tell anyone how to think. The goal is to provoke thought, start conversations, and make people uncomfortable enough to question things they might otherwise ignore. In extreme metal, that kind of honesty hits harder than any safe, sanitized message ever could.




Underground Ethics and WormholeDeath


We also dug into the band’s relationship with WormholeDeath Records , who have been working with KÜNTSQUÄD since their early releases. The band spoke highly of the label for giving them creative freedom and not trying to censor or control their direction.

That is a big deal in a scene where a lot of bands still worry about labels trying to smooth off the rough edges to make something more “marketable.” KÜNTSQUÄD made it clear they have no interest in sanding down the chaos. The ugliness, the discomfort, and the rawness are part of the point.

The reception to Satan’s Cock has already gone way beyond what the band expected, with the album getting attention across the underground and beyond. It is proof that you do not have to compromise your identity to connect with people. Sometimes leaning harder into who you actually are is what cuts through the noise.




Old School Roots, Modern Tools


For the gearheads, the interview did not disappoint. Paula and Nick broke down their recording process, guitar setups, amps, modeling gear, and how they balance old school heaviness with modern convenience.

We talked about everything from traditional tube amp tone to digital modelers like Kempers and Katanas, and why modern technology actually makes life easier for bands who tour and record on tight budgets. The takeaway was simple. Use what works. The crowd does not care what logo is on your amp. They care if the band sounds massive and honest.

There was also a strong point made about not getting stuck in the past. The band respects the old school roots that shaped them, but they actively listen to new bands and new sounds. That mindset is part of why KÜNTSQUÄD does not sound like a copy of any single influence. They are pulling from multiple eras and scenes and letting it come out naturally.




Why This Conversation Matters


What made this interview stand out was not just the humor, the filth, or the shock value. It was the honesty about how frustrating it feels to live in a world full of contradictions, control, and hypocrisy, and how music can be a pressure valve for that frustration.

Extreme metal has always been a space for outsiders, misfits, and people who see the cracks in the system. KÜNTSQUÄD leans fully into that tradition. They are not trying to be comfortable. They are trying to be real.

If you are into underground metal that still has teeth, ideas behind the noise, and zero interest in playing it safe, this is an interview you should not skip.




Support KÜNTSQUÄD and the Underground


If you dig what KÜNTSQUÄD is doing, the best way to support them is the old school way.

Buy their music.
Grab some merch.
Share their work.
Show up to shows when they hit your area.

You can find their releases and merch on Bandcamp and follow them on social media for updates on new music and shows.


https://kuntsquad.bandcamp.com/album/satans-cock />
And as always, keep supporting the underground. Scenes do not survive on algorithms alone. They survive because real people care enough to listen, share, and show up.

Full Track List For The Show:

Battle Of The Bands Top Six Winners:

1 - Broken Trinity - Robes Of Purple And Gold - (14,666 votes)
2 - Anima - Viral Nation - (7,205 votes)
3 - Mistress - Terrified eyes - (6,029 votes)
4 - Frostmorner - Necromorph - (4,369 votes)
5 - The Funeral Procession - The Whispering Dark - (3,794 votes)
6 - Hollow Construct - Habitual Backbreaker - (1,164 votes)

The Zach Moonshine Intro

7 - Ozzy Osbourne - Snowblind/Black Sabbath (live)
8 - Septarian - Descent To Ruin
9 - Filth - OUTTA POCKET

Küntsquäd - Interview featuring "SATANS COCK/YOUR MUM SUCKS CRACK IN HELL"

10 - Echo Cvlt - Diamond Hands (feat. Ragga Ragnars & Buzzsaw)
11 - Scour - Hell
12 - Rob Zombie - (I'm a) Rock "N" Roller
13 - Bruce Springsteen - Born In The U.S.A./Streets Of Minneapolis
14 - Electrocutioner - Vampies Kiss
15 - Patriarchs In Black - Left Behind
16 - Pantera - Cold Gin
17 - Interceptor - Blood On The Kudzu
18 - Inception of Eternity - Digital Messiah
19 - Concrete - Blood Upon the Necronomicon
20 - VAULDERIE - Calling the Blood
21 - Saint Omen - Satan Man







Huge thanks to 147,410 metal maniacs who tuned in live from all over the world for Friday night’s broadcast of The Zach Moonshine Show with KÜNTSQUÄD .


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28564/kuntsquad-dragged-us-into-the-abyss-on-the-zach-moonshine-show?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Echo Cvlt Launches With “Diamond Hands” Featuring Derek Engemann of Scour and Vikings’ Ragga Ragnars Debut Single Out Now - @thebeast

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Echo Cvlt Launches With “Diamond Hands” Featuring Derek Engemann of Scour and Vikings’ Ragga Ragnars
Debut Single Out Now

Stream & Download:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/echocvlt/diamond-hands-feat-ragga-ragnars--buzzsaw />
https://echocvlt.bandcamp.com/track/diamond-hands-feat-ragga-ragnars-buzzsaw

Echo Cvlt has officially launched with its debut single “Diamond Hands (feat. Ragga Ragnars & Buzzsaw)” , out now on all platforms as of January 30, 2026. The track brings together Derek Engemann of Scour and Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, performing under his new DJ persona Buzzsaw , with Ragga Ragnars, best known for her role as Gunnhild on the History Channel’s Vikings .

The first offering from music collective Echo Cvlt, “Diamond Hands” delivers hard-style EDM intensity fused with melodic pop structures and metallic guitar riffage. Built for high-impact sound systems and crossover audiences, the track blends club-driven energy with a cinematic edge that cuts across traditional genre lines. Fans of Darren Styles, DJ Isaac, and Steve Aoki will recognize the kinetic pulse, while the guitar work injects a darker, more aggressive identity.

For Engemann, Echo Cvlt serves as a parallel creative outlet beyond the confines of traditional heavy music. “There is a lot of music resting idle in the cellar,” he explains. “Ideas that never quite resonated in the right avenue… until now.” The main guitar hook for “Diamond Hands” dates back to 2008. “It was never abandoned. It just needed the right track to thrive.”

The collaboration came together in 2022 when Engemann and Ragnars met at a biohacking conference in Beverly Hills. Already familiar with her acting work, Engemann was struck by her vocal ability. “Once the music for Diamond Hands was completed, I kept hearing her presence in it, almost as if the riffs had already shaped themselves around her voice before she ever sang a note.” Coincidentally, Ragnars had just decided to return to music that same week, making the collaboration feel inevitable.

Tracking began in San Diego, followed by a production trip to Iceland, where the music video was filmed across Ragnars’ home landscape. The stark terrain, volatile weather, and shifting gray skies provide a visual counterpart to the track’s tension and intensity.

“ Diamond Hands hits with hard-style EDM intensity, melodic pop structures, and metallic guitar riffage. Powered by vocals from Ragga Ragnars, with Buzzsaw driving the production, the track ignites the dance floor and dares you to Hold On for Dear Life.”

“Diamond Hands” marks the beginning of an ongoing creative run for Echo Cvlt, with additional collaborations and new releases already in motion for 2026 and beyond.




Release Information

Artist: Echo Cvlt
Single: Diamond Hands (feat. Ragga Ragnars & Buzzsaw)
Release Date: January 30, 2026
Genre: EDM, Hard Dance, Hard Style, Pop, Dance Pop
FFO: Darren Styles, DJ Isaac, Steve Aoki




Credits

Producer: Derek Engemann
Music: Derek Engemann
Lyrics: Ragga Ragnars
Mixed & Mastered: Stefano Santi at SPVN Studio (2025)
Vocals Engineered: Steve Brogden at Forge Audio (2024)

So it begins.

Check out the video and subscribe:





Connect with the band: 


https://linktr.ee/echocvlt />
https://www.instagram.com/echocvlt/ />
https://x.com/echocvlt13 />
https://www.youtube.com/@echocvlt13 />
https://www.nightshiftmerch.com/collections/Echo-Cvlt />

Contact: Derek Engemann
echocvlt@gmail.com


https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/28561/echo-cvlt-launches-with-diamond-hands-featuring-derek-engemann-of-scour-and-vikings-ragga-ragnars-debut-single-out-now?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger