After seventeen years of anticipation, Brazilian death metal stalwarts Ophiolatry have officially released their new album “Serpent's Verdict” today (June 6th, 2025) through WormHoleDeath Records. Available now on all major digital platforms and in physical formats, this landmark release represents both a triumphant return and an evolutionary leap forward for one of extreme metal's most brutal underground acts.
“Serpent's Verdict” stands as a complete sonic ritual—a brutal, immersive descent into cycles of destruction, revenge, and rebirth. Rooted in themes of ancestral pain, war defiance, and spiritual reckoning, the album fuses relentless death metal with primal energy drawn from indigenous Amazonian spiritual traditions. Each track functions as a chapter in a larger narrative, combining aggressive riffs, guttural vocals, and tribal rhythms that pay homage to ancient warrior cultures. The band comments:
“This album pushes our technical and compositional limits while maintaining the speed and aggression that defines Ophiolatry. The riffs are intricate but wild, combining relentless blast rhythms with haunting atmospheric passages. The drums are faster and more precise than ever, while the guitars weave a mix of crisp precision and crushing heaviness. The vocals convey pure ferocity, from guttural growls to visceral screams that echo the intensity of the lyrics. While we pursue a new approach, the essence of Ophiolatry remains intact: ruthless, dark, and unapologetically extreme.”
Citing a brutal process in the creation of the album, the band describes it as ‘a communion between the band and the artist, a shared trance where sound and image feed each other’. The result is an album that honors the band's brutal death metal roots while expanding their sonic palette into more atmospheric and thematically rich territory. It is recommended for fans of Suffocation, Morbid Angel, and Death.
Baltimore, MD's NIGHT'S EDGE announces the release of their fourth studio album entitled "The World That Never Was" this coming August 21st, 2025 to follow their Strangers – LP (2023), Night's Edge - EP (2022), The Darkest Side of Dreams - LP (2020), and Shades of Dusk - LP (2019).
Since their inception in 2018, the band has gone through a few changes in lineup and sound, and has progressed significantly from their debut in 2019. Falling under the umbrella of Alternative Metal, Night's Edge's sound is hard to pin down. Incorporating influences from gothic metal, progressive rock, and nu metal, the band's music is equal parts heavy and poppy, soaked in synthesizers and drama. Lyrics breach topics including isolation, dissociation, and the romantic, approaching themes common to the human experience from a cerebral angle that complements the band's emotionally evocative music.
Night's Edge believes in creating music that has a purpose. There is no copy-cating of other artists, or following trends here - even the band's select cover tunes turn the originals on their heads. This is music that you can't get anywhere else, that has something to say, that is unique and exciting while still feeling familiar, like a friend finishing your sentences when you run out of words.
Their fourth full-length, "The World That Never Was," is a statement of songcraft and lyricism. The album flows and progresses clearly as it explores the concept of self-identity and the loss thereof. Moments of melancholy, anger, wonder, and plenty of crushing riffs elicit the stank face. Each single shows a different side of the album.
Brian Haran (Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming) comments:
"We think our fans will love it and agree with us that it is, hands down, the best Night’s Edge album. There will be a lot of different opinions on which song is the best or who prefers this vs that, but all of those conversations will center around this LP. This album encapsulates the Night’s Edge sound we have been building towards while experimenting with new and innovative ideas. Our lead single, “If You Loved Me,” is the most straightforward song, with a massive chorus reminiscent of HIM that continues to build through the song towards an explosive conclusion. “Someone to Stay” is a guitar-forward track with great leads, a killer solo, and very Queensryche-esque vocals. We gave ourselves a challenge for the live shows, and I (singer, Brian) curse myself for recording this song like this every time we play it live. “Smite” is the album’s heaviest song and has major Slipknot and Ghost influences. It is weirdly danceable right up until the Latin choir bridge and eventually descends into IOWA-esque screaming right before a caveman breakdown. “Love Fiction” is unique for Night’s Edge, very Deftones influenced, but with a synthwave twist featuring rare falsetto vocals. The lyrics describe the romanticization of one’s depression as a safe, never-leaving partner, “Songs in Grey Space II: Soaring” is two and a half minutes of balls out symphonic alternative metal and the middle piece in a three song suite detailing a parable of self-identity in an alternate world where the narrator is the last person on earth."
Night's Edge has unveiled two singles to date, "If You Loved Me" and album opener "Someone To Stay," with more to be shared in the lead up to the record's release in August.
The trio adds about the singles:
If You Loved Me:“All three of us love this song. It has everything – a massive chorus, a scorching guitar solo, and some unexpectedly creepy, heavy sections. A LOT of ground gets covered in under four minutes. The lyrics are a scathing reflection on manipulation, with changing perspectives between the verses and choruses. Above all, the song is inimitably Night’s Edge. This is a sound that you can only get at one place – here, with us.”
Someone to Stay: "This is our guitarist, Damian’s favorite song. The song began with a riff that Damian wrote as an intro lead. When coming up with the intro riff, he was hoping to capture “anime-intro” level energy, and we all agreed that it would make the perfect introduction to the album! Brian took that intro riff and created a very guitar-focused song out of it. The music primes the listener for the progressive compositional journey that is the rest of the album, but the song itself is easily digestible with fun riffs and catchy vocal hooks."
Recommended for fans of Coheed and Cambria, Avantasia, System of a Down, HIM, and Deftones, listen to the singles at the following links:
Upcoming Show Dates: 06/07 – Granny’s – Winchester, VA 06/28 – Cafe 611 – Frederick, MD 07/11 – Union Vapes – Scranton, PA 07/12 – Psychic Garden – Rochester, NY 07/18 – The Depot – Baltimore, MD 07/19 – Century – Philadelphia, PA 08/23 – Roachfest – Hollywood, MD
Album Artwork by Eden Wormwood
Track Listing: 1. Someone To Stay (4:11) 2. If You Loved Me (3:51) 3. Man of Many Faces (4:23) 4. Love Fiction (4:14) 5. Wish You Wouldn’t (4:09) 6. Overdue For Destruction (2:50) 7. Smite (3:46) 8. Ataecina (5:08) 9. Songs In Grey Space I: Reaching (7:43) 10. Songs In Grey Space II: Soaring (2:41) 11. Songs In Grey Space III: Separating (5:23) Total Length: 48:32
Recording and Live Line Up: Brian Haran – Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming Damian Remmell – Guitars Dan Hunt – Drums
Canadian hard rockers IN/VERTIGO return with brand-new music, unleashing their explosive new single “Save Me”, now available on all digital platforms. The track is the first preview of their upcoming EP “Prevail”, set for release on July 18th, 2025, via Rockshots Records. Formed in 2016 by seasoned Calgary musicians, IN/VERTIGO has made a name for themselves across Western Canada with their high-energy live shows and relentless touring. The band has shared stages with acts such as Buckcherry, Steel Panther, Bret Michaels, Bif Naked, Diamond Head, and Pop Evil, becoming a must-see name in the modern hard rock scene. NEW SINGLE “SAVE ME” OUT NOW “Save Me” is a blistering anthem that shows IN/VERTIGO pushing their sound into even more aggressive territory. Fusing their rock ‘n’ roll backbone with punk and thrash influences, the track hits like a freight train—raw, fast, and unrelenting. The single is paired with a chaotic and entertaining music video, loosely based on a true story. Listen:https://lnk.to/POmavT
This marks the first release from the upcoming EP “Prevail”, which will be the band’s second release in collaboration with Rockshots Records. With “Prevail”, IN/VERTIGO are poised to deliver their most refined and aggressive work to date, a Molotov cocktail of sharp riffs, infectious hooks, and full-throttle rock attitude.
PREVAIL – EP Tracklisting: 1. Weathervane 2. Save Me 3. Liar 4. Euphoria Line-up: Reed Alton – Lead & Backing Vocals, Percussion Shaddy Elsaghir – Lead & Rhythm Guitars Duncan McCartney – Bass, Backing Vocals, Keyboard About IN/VERTIGO: Delivering their shows at jet-engine volume, IN/VERTIGO have made an unmistakable impact in the Canadian rock scene. Their self-titled demo, produced by Ronnie Champagne (Alice In Chains, Jane’s Addiction), quickly sold out, and their debut EP “Sex Love & Chaos” introduced a band ready to raise hell. Now, with “Save Me” and the upcoming EP “Prevail”, IN/VERTIGO are back to light the fuse. Crank it up and join the ride.
Pushing the boundaries of its genre with thought-provoking lyrics, heavy grooves, and graceful technicality, by integrating unexpected elements and focusing on what serves the song rather than individual egos, Calgary, AB metalcore band Victoria Lies always aims to deliver a fresh and compelling sound. Formed in 2023, they have released a series of singles, “Trial By Fire” (May 2024) and “...Ready for it?” (December 2024) to introduce themselves to the Canadian metal scene and beyond. Currently working on their first full-length to be released later in 2025, the quintet has one more standalone single to unveil in preparation for upcoming dates at Gatorfest (Calgary, AB) and Decimate Metal Fest (Millet, AB) (listed below).
Entitled "Zerotonin", the song is about the feeling you get when drugs stop working. You keep reaching for a high that was once attainable and no longer through the means and chemicals you put into your body, yet you keep doing it because if you stop, it will be much worse.
The comments on the track:
"Zerotonin is a play on the word serotonin, only being the opposite of the former. The struggle with watching your body slowly break down while swallowing that next pill, because you might die if you don’t. Recording this song was a very special project for us, as we had recorded it several years ago, but it just fell flat. We did not give this song the love and attention it needed. So when the opportunity came up to go into the studio with our producer and finally give it that injection of passion and attention to detail, we all jumped at the chance. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it for you!"
Recommended for Northlane, Bad Omens, Of Mice and Men, August Burns Red, In Flames, "Zerotonin" can be heard at the following links:
Rockshots Records and Secret Rule are thrilled to announce the release of the band's brand new single called "Just A Sacrifice" available on all digital platforms starting today, May 2nd, 2025, and accompanied by a music video. The track offers the first glimpse into the band's highly anticipated tenth studio album, due for release later this year.
"Just A Sacrifice" is a powerful anthem about the cost of staying true to oneself in a world that demands conformity. Blending heavy guitars, intense vocals, and a bold, wide-open chorus, the song captures both the emotional toll and the inner strength that come with resisting societal pressure.
“This song is about the price we pay for thinking freely, speaking our truth, and refusing to follow the crowd,” the band comments. “It’s deeply personal but also a quiet political statement.”
In recent weeks, Secret Rule completed an intense 15-date European tour alongside Temperance and Induction, showcasing their renewed energy and connection with audiences across the continent. The band is now preparing to take part in prestigious summer festivals including Masters of Rock (Czech Republic), Rock Imperium Festival (Spain), and Laurus Nobilis (Portugal).
Entering 2025 with a refreshed lineup and a renewed artistic vision, Secret Rule is ready to push their sound even further. The upcoming album promises a dynamic and immersive experience fusing the cinematic edge of Within Temptation’s recent work with the raw energy of Falling In Reverse.
"Just A Sacrifice" marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Secret Rule, one built on resilience, individuality, and a sound more powerful than ever.
SUMMER FESTIVALS: 27.06.25 ES - Imperium Rock Festival 10-13.07.25 CZ - Masters of Rock 20.07.25 PT - Laurus Nobilis ANGELA DI VINCENZO: Vocals ANDY ‘MENARIO’ MENARINI: Guitar SOFIA BASILI: Bass ANDREA MIAZZETTO: Drums
