German thrash metal veterans SODOM will release their new album, "The Arsonist", on June 27, 2025 worldwide through SPV/Steamhammer.

We all know that good music is always also a question of sound. To this end, the human factor is crucial — along with the right equipment, of course. After all it's about authenticity and individual personality. With that in mind, SODOM came to a logical conclusion: to enable the most natural production possible, the drum parts on "The Arsonist" were recorded using a 24-track analog tape machine. No studio tricks, no digital overdubs, or, to quote frontman Thomas "Angelripper" Such: "No plastic! The difference in sound compared to today's standard ...

---

Swedish grand seigneurs of gloom KATATONIA have parted ways with founding guitarist Anders Nyström.

Earlier today (Monday, March 17),KATATONIA singer Jonas Renkse released the following statement via social media: "Anders Nyström and I are going our separate ways. A decision not taken lightly, but for everyone to thrive and move forward with their own creative preferences as well as personal schedules this has become the realistic option.

"Anders and I started the band in 1991 and his impact on the band's trademark sound is undeniable.

"As bleak as this sounds, and is, it's further evidence of life getting in the way of our preferred plans. I wish Anders al ...

---

IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain has announced his retirement from touring.

The 72-year-old musician, who has been a member of MAIDEN for more than four decades, revealed his decision to "step back" from being on the road earlier today (Saturday, December 7) in a statement on the band's official web site and his social media.

Nicko wrote: "After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle. Today, Saturday, December 7th, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with IRON MAIDEN. I wish the band much success moving forward.

"I will, however, remain firmly part of the IRO ...

---

On behalf of his family, Conquest Music has confirmed the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di'Anno.

Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66.
Born in Chingford, East London on May 17, 1958, Paul first came to prominence as lead singer of English heavy metal band IRON MAIDEN between 1978 and 1981. He sang on their groundbreaking debut album "Iron Maiden" and the influential follow-up release, "Killers".

Since leaving IRON MAIDEN, Paul Di'Anno had a long and eventful recording career with BATTLEZONE and KILLERS as well as numerous solo releases and guest appearances.

Despite being troubled by severe health issues in r ...

---

Progressive music titans DREAM THEATER will release their sixteenth studio album, "Parasomnia", on February 7, 2025 via InsideOut Music. The LP marks the band's first release with drummer Mike Portnoy since 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings". The news on this latest album comes on the heels of the recent announcement of the tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of the band.

"Parasomnia" was produced by guitarist John Petrucci, engineered by James "Jimmy T" Meslin, and mixed by Andy Sneap. Hugh Syme returns once again to lend his creative vision to the cover art.

From the opening track "In The Arms Of Morpheus" to the closer of "The Shadow Man Incident", DREAM THEATE ...

---

Rest in Peace to a black metal legend.

"PK 1975 - 2024 immortal in his legacy - blood (family), soil (home) and monuments of Black Metal art. walked through the gate by his own hand, through his own will. (photo below May 1995 during the recording of Nachthymnen. more following during the next days. keep your respectful distance to the bereaved for now!)"

---

American death metal icons NILE return in 2024 with their highly-anticipated tenth onslaught, "The Underworld Awaits Us All", due out August 23 via Napalm Records. Boasting airtight technicality and unrelenting brutality, the new album pushes each member of NILE — founding mastermind/guitarist Karl Sanders, longtime drum master George Kollias, vocalist/guitarists Brian Kingsland and Zach Jeter, and bassist Dan Vadim Von — to their furthest extremes both in artistry and performance.

Once again produced and recorded at Sanders's own Serpent Headed Studios in Greenville, South Carolina, the band returned to "Vile Nilotic Rites" engineer Mark Lewis (CANNIBAL CORPSE, DYING FETUS, W ...

---

Grammy-winning progressive music titans DREAM THEATER have announced the return of drummer Mike Portnoy to the group. Portnoy will reunite with guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung — the trio formed the band at the Berklee College Of Music in 1985 — along with longtime members, vocalist James LaBrie and keyboardist Jordan Rudess. DREAM THEATER will be going into the studio to begin working on their 16th studio album and the first with Portnoy since 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings".

"I understand DREAM THEATER's decision to get Mike Portnoy back at this time," states Mike Mangini, who joined the band in 2010. "As was said from Day 1, my place was not to fill all ...

---

Renowned around the world as one of the greatest and most distinctive heavy metal vocalists of all time, IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson will release a brand new solo album in early 2024 on BMG. Titled "The Mandrake Project", it sees him reunited with long-time musical collaborator and producer Roy Z.

"The Mandrake Project" will be Dickinson's seventh solo album and his first since "Tyranny Of Souls" in 2005.

Dickinson explains: "This album has been a very personal journey for me and I am extremely proud of it. Roy Z and I have been planning, writing and recording it for years, and I am very excited for people to finally hear it. I'm even more excited at the prospect of g ...

---

Florida death metal veterans OBITUARY will release a new studio album, "Dying Of Everything", on January 13 via Relapse Records.

The official music video for the LP's first single, "The Wrong Time", directed by Odd Life Studios, can be seen below.

OBITUARY comments: "We couldn't be more excited to FINALLY get this new album out and into the hands of the fans!

"We chose 'The Wrong Time' for the first single as it is a true depiction of the sound, style and feel we went for in the studio and is a great taste of what you can expect from 'Dying of Everything'."

"Dying Of Everything" destroys in the time-honored tradition of early OBITUARY classics "Slo ...

---