Where Have All The Metalheads Gone? Rick Beato Explains Why Heavy Metal Is Losing Its Edge in the Streaming Era Over the last 15 years, metal has quietly been losing its dominance. You might feel it at shows, in streaming stats, or even scrolling... More

Where Have All The Metalheads Gone? Rick Beato Explains Why Heavy Metal Is Losing Its Edge in the Streaming Era Over the last 15 years, metal has quietly been losing its dominance. You might feel it at shows, in streaming stats, or even scrolling through your playlist—today’s metal scene doesn’t pack the same punch it once did. Music educator and YouTube legend Rick Beato recently tackled this very topic in his video, “Where Have All The Metalheads Gone?”, breaking down the staggering numbers and cultural shifts behind modern metal. Streaming Numbers Show the Decline Beato starts with contemporary metal bands, comparing their monthly Spotify listeners: Bring Me The Horizon – 13.6M Ghost – 9.8M Pierce The Veil – 9.7M Falling in Reverse – 8.7M Bad Omens – 7M Five Finger Death Punch – 6.7M Even the biggest current metal acts barely reach the listener counts of their predecessors. By contrast, heritage metal bands—bands that have been dominating since the ’80s, ’90s, and early 2000s—still command massive audiences: Linkin Park – 53.7M Metallica – 31.4M System of a Down – 24.8M Limp Bizkit – 21.9M Clearly, the giants of the past still tower over today’s stars. Beato also highlights that there are only 16 metal songs with over a billion streams, and most are from legacy acts like Linkin Park, Metallica, and System of a Down. Why Modern Metal Isn’t Connecting So why is metal struggling to resonate with younger listeners? Beato pinpoints a cultural shift: kids today aren’t engaging with music the way they used to. It’s not that heavy music isn’t appealing—they just don’t have the same lifestyle, environment, or habits that historically bred metalheads. He recalls the words of legendary producer Terry Date, who in 2000 predicted cycles in heavy music: it rises, fades, and returns, mostly capturing 15-25-year-old males. Beato argues that contemporary youth are distracted by social media, fitness, gaming, and streaming culture, not the communal, raw energy of band practice, live shows, and rebellious teenhood. A key point Beato stresses: connection comes through playing music, not just listening. In decades past, kids picked up guitars, slammed drums, and made noise in basements or garages. That DIY culture bred a visceral bond with metal that streaming alone can’t replicate. The Lost Vibe and Lifestyle Beato and his guest Mike also discuss how the “vibe” of metal—its freedom, rebellion, and edge—is missing today. They reminisce about shows like Woodstock ’99, where teenagers could truly immerse themselves without phones or parents policing every move. That raw, unfiltered experience is largely gone, replaced by curated online lives and headphones-in isolation. Beato concludes that metal hasn’t disappeared—it’s just smaller, more fragmented, and less culturally dominant. The legends of the past maintain huge audiences, while modern bands carve out niches without the same broad impact. But he leaves the door open for a resurgence, suggesting that as long as there are passionate teens craving aggressive music, metal’s fire can reignite. Key Takeaways Contemporary metal bands struggle to match the streaming numbers of legacy acts. Heritage metal acts like Metallica and Linkin Park remain dominant, even decades later. Youth culture has shifted away from playing instruments and attending shows. Streaming and social media can’t replace the lifestyle and rebellion that historically fueled metal. Rick Beato’s breakdown is a wake-up call for metal fans: the scene is smaller, but it’s not dead. For metalheads, it’s a reminder that the community, the vibe, and the music itself are what keep heavy music alive—and that revival may be closer than you think. Watch the full video: [jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="Ga7FWlBiqh8"] Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SCREAMER MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHTS POWERHOUSE AND THEIR NEW ALBUM “AMERICAN REBEL” — OUT NOW VIA WITCHES BREW RECORDS Metal Devastation PR is fired up to announce that the legendary Screamer Magazine has officially featured... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SCREAMER MAGAZINE SPOTLIGHTS POWERHOUSE AND THEIR NEW ALBUM “AMERICAN REBEL” — OUT NOW VIA WITCHES BREW RECORDS Metal Devastation PR is fired up to announce that the legendary Screamer Magazine has officially featured POWERHOUSE and their explosive new album American Rebel. The rock world’s been waiting, and POWERHOUSE just dropped a record that doesn’t tiptoe around a thing. It kicks the door in and dares anyone to stand in the way. Screamer Magazine lays it out plain: “The wait is over. POWERHOUSE has unleashed their explosive sophomore album ‘American Rebel,’ a six track, adrenaline fueled assault that takes a fearless swing at modern society and the fading ideal of the American Dream.” Pulling all the strength of a stadium sized rock show into one fierce package, American Rebel hits with raw conviction. Screamer highlights the band’s sharp blend of classic 70s and 80s rock muscle mixed with a modern cultural edge that refuses to sugarcoat a single word. This album isn’t here to comfort anyone. It’s here to wake them up. Tracks like Heartbeat, Bring the Reign, and the title track American Rebel show exactly why POWERHOUSE has been earning the reputation they have. Heavy riffs, soaring vocals, and a rhythm section that never lets up. Screamer Magazine puts it best — this isn’t a revival, it’s a rebellion against the watered down and the overproduced. The band sums it up with one line that says everything, “‘American Rebel’ isn’t just an album, it’s a statement. It’s about standing tall, facing the world head on, and remembering what freedom and music used to mean.” American Rebel is available now on CD, digital, and limited edition vinyl in both Black and Splatter variants through Witches Brew Records. Anyone looking for real rock with real guts needs to give this one a spin. Stream or order “American Rebel” now:https://witchesbrewthrashes.bandcamp.com/album/american-rebel For press inquiries, interviews, and more, contact zach@metaldevastationradio.com Check out the feature here: https://screamermagazine.com/press-releases/new-thrashers-powerhouse-unleash-sophmore-disc-american-rebel-on-witches-brew-records/ American Rebel by POWERHOUSE Connect with the band: https://www.facebook.com/pwerhouse/https://witchesbrewthrashes.bandcamp.com/album/american-rebelhttps://www.instagram.com/powerhousethrash_official/http://www.witchesbrew.eu/ Contact: niko1998@gmail.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REAPING ASMODEIA ROARS INTO YEAR FIFTEEN WITH A CRUSHING CHIMAIRA COVER, “NOTHING REMAINS,” OUT DECEMBER 5, 2025 Minneapolis tech-death bruisers Reaping Asmodeia are closing out their fifteenth year with a full-throttle... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REAPING ASMODEIA ROARS INTO YEAR FIFTEEN WITH A CRUSHING CHIMAIRA COVER, “NOTHING REMAINS,” OUT DECEMBER 5, 2025 Minneapolis tech-death bruisers Reaping Asmodeia are closing out their fifteenth year with a full-throttle tribute to one of the cornerstones of the early 2000s metal surge. Their new single, a blistering reimagining of Chimaira’s “Nothing Remains,” drops December 5, 2025 through Blood Blast Distribution, with physical formats handled by Cardinal Sun Records. The band didn’t pick this one by accident. Drummer Daniel Koppy lays it out straight.“The 20th anniversary of Chimaira's self titled album just past recently. They were a pinnacle band in the NWOAHM movement in the early and mid 2000s. We were heavily influenced by their sound and stage presence quite a bit in our formative years as musicians. We felt that it would be a lot of fun to put our spin on this classic riff heavy track by them. Twenty years later, ‘Nothing Remains’ is still as heavy as it ever was. We hope that we did it justice, while putting a little bit of our feel into the track.” The release is the final piece in a year-long run of singles that leads directly into a major milestone. December marks Reaping Asmodeia’s 15 year anniversary, celebrated with their new EP “Metempsychosis”, landing December 12 via Cardinal Sun Records. The EP includes “Shattered Leviathan,” “Sanctuary of Poison,” their new take on “Nothing Remains,” plus instrumental versions of all three tracks. Vinyl collectors can grab an exclusive pressing and a throwback merch line now at reapingasmodeia.limitedrun.com. To honor the moment properly, the band will hit the stage for their official 15 Year Anniversary Show on Friday, December 12 at Amsterdam Bar & Hall in Saint Paul, MN, joined by Maul, Micawber, The Enmity Offensive, and Rahvn. Before that, fans can catch the premiere of a short documentary chronicling their fifteen year history at a free viewing event on December 9 at Klash Drums in Columbia Heights, MN. This chapter also marks a powerful shift in the band’s lineup. 2024 brought the return of original bassist Jakub Kingery along with the arrival of new vocalist Eric Keyes, injecting fresh energy and widening the creative palette. Koppy adds, “We are thrilled to welcome Eric Keyes as the vocalist of Reaping Asmodeia. Eric has been a longtime friend and a staple in the Minnesota metal scene. For those of you who have seen us on the road this year, you can tell the vibe on stage between us is exactly where it should be. Having Jakub back with us, and now Eric, has brought an amazing collective feeling of creativity and enthusiasm towards our future as a band.” Once again steering their own ship, Reaping Asmodeia self-produced “Nothing Remains,” with guitar engineering by Alex Kelly, bass engineering by Jakub Kingery, vocals produced and engineered by Koppy, and drums engineered by Adam Tucker of SignatureTone Recording. Tucker handled mixing and mastering for both the digital and vinyl formats. “Nothing Remains” hits all platforms December 5. Pre-save now at: https://bfan.link/nothing-remains Label: Blood Blast Distribution (digital) / Cardinal Sun Records (physical)Management: Daniel Koppy For fans of: Despised Icon, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Acacia Strain Press & Interviews: zach@metaldevastationradio.com Connect with the band: https://reapingasmodeia.limitedrun.comhttps://facebook.com/reapingasmodeiahttps://instagram.com/reapingasmodeiahttps://www.youtube.com/reapingasmodeiahttps://reapingasmodeia.bandcamp.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/2eeZd6XfINSlPKKoRkYa8Ohttps://music.apple.com/us/artist/reaping-asmodeia/912446116https://bfan.link/nothing-remains Contact: reapingasmodeia@gmail.comcardinalsunrecords@gmail.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VELVETCUT HONORS THE 90s GRUNGE ERA WITH THE GREAT CHAMELEON (NEW SKIN)REVITALIZED ALBUM DROPS NOVEMBER 21, 2025 VIA ROCKHOPPER MUSIC Finnish alt-rock torchbearers Velvetcut are gearing up to unleash The Great Chameleon... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VELVETCUT HONORS THE 90s GRUNGE ERA WITH THE GREAT CHAMELEON (NEW SKIN)REVITALIZED ALBUM DROPS NOVEMBER 21, 2025 VIA ROCKHOPPER MUSIC Finnish alt-rock torchbearers Velvetcut are gearing up to unleash The Great Chameleon (New Skin) on November 21, 2025, a fully reimagined edition of their 2025 comeback album The Great Chameleon. This new version digs deep into the dirt and heart of the 90s grunge era, celebrating its rawness while pushing Velvetcut’s own evolution forward. The Great Chameleon (New Skin) expands the original record with two previously unreleased tracks that shine a brighter light on the band’s range and roots: • Carnival Of Lust – A heavy-grooved, hypnotic grunge crawler that even features spoon playing as a sly, respectful wink to Soundgarden’s iconic “Spoonman.”• Rabbit Holes – A mellow, atmospheric dive into Velvetcut’s introspective side, showing the band’s talent for dynamic mood and texture. The album also includes three songs originating from Velvetcut’s early 90s writing sessions. One standout is Run Rabbit Run, their newly recorded take on the cult classic originally performed by Finnish rock legends Smack. Smack left their fingerprints all over the late 80s West Coast underground, catching the ear of Kurt Cobain himself; early Nirvana even covered “Run Rabbit Run” live, with rare footage still floating around online for the diehards. Velvetcut has long been known for blending grunge grit with melodic weight and atmospheric depth. After releasing three albums and stepping back in 2012, the band made a triumphant return in 2025 with The Great Chameleon. Now, New Skin gives the record a second life, honoring the band’s origins while sharpening their modern identity. The album was engineered and mixed by Topi Wiio and mastered by Svante Forsback (Chartmakers). Velvetcut is managed by Rockhopper Agency and released through Rockhopper Music. The Great Chameleon (New Skin) lands on all major digital platforms November 21, 2025. Press / Interviews: zach@metaldevastationradio.com Connect with the band: https://www.facebook.com/velvetcut/https://www.instagram.com/velvetcutband/https://www.youtube.com/velvetcutofficial/https://open.spotify.com/artist/5I4dHTktG9F9eYt3I9kVz4 Contact: tomi@rockhopper.fi Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EMISSARY UNVEILS “THE SILENT TREATMENT” CAPITOL RECORDS MASTERA POWERFUL NEW TAKE ON A FAN FAVORITE CUT Release Date: November 24, 2025 Medford’s own Emissary is at it again, sharpening their USPM and melodic thrash edge... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EMISSARY UNVEILS “THE SILENT TREATMENT” CAPITOL RECORDS MASTERA POWERFUL NEW TAKE ON A FAN FAVORITE CUT Release Date: November 24, 2025 Medford’s own Emissary is at it again, sharpening their USPM and melodic thrash edge with a newly unearthed version of “The Silent Treatment.” This alternate master, originally created during the production cycle for their 2022 full length “The Wretched Masquerade,” is finally getting its moment in the spotlight. This isn’t just any alternate version either. This one was mastered by Grammy Award winning, RIAA Multi Platinum and Gold Mastering and Mix Engineer Evren Göknar, whose long tenure at Capitol Records put him behind the board for icons like KISS, Megadeth, and Queensryche. If you’re hearing shades of that classic sheen, you’re not imagining it. The track appears on a brand new compilation album from Metallurg Music in Ukraine, set to drop in late November alongside issue #6 of Metallurg Magazine. It’s packed with an international lineup including DarkFlow, Hybridized, Rage Unfold, Silver Phantom, Celtic Hills, Everlust, Crystal Sword, and plenty more underground firepower. Frontman Jym Harris breaks it down straight: “We tried out a few different mastering engineers when ‘Wretched’ came out,” he says. “Jamie King mastered the full album for consistency, but Evren’s version always had a special character to it. We used his master on a limited summer tour EP and hardly anyone got their hands on that thing, so we’re stoked people can finally hear it again.” Emissary continues building momentum after their debut album and their 2024 maxi single “The Crystal Witch,” with a new full length planned for 2026. The current lineup includes Jym Harris (vocals), Tim Dahlen (guitar), Charlie Francipane (guitar), Peter Shawn Kinney (bass), and Tony Mullins (drums). For fans of Metal Church, Death Angel, Megadeth(Zach’s take: I definitely hear the Metal Church punch, but there’s also a little early Sanctuary and a pinch of Forbidden attitude hiding in there.) The compilation CD will be available through Emissary’s Bandcamp starting in December.Grab it here: https://theoriginalemissary.bandcamp.com/ Produced by: Emissary and Doug HillRecorded and Mixed by: Doug Hill at 60 Psycho Hum, Medford OregonMastered by: Evren GöknarLabel: Metallurg Music Check out the premiere on YouTube: [jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="HPdg0tSxzzg"] Connect with the band: https://www.facebook.com/EmissaryMetalband/https://www.instagram.com/the_original_emissary/https://www.youtube.com/@theoriginalemissary422https://theoriginalemissary.bandcamp.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/2HgbdIBNiLDbrY3qLlw1RGhttps://music.apple.com/us/artist/emissary/1612805745https://www.metallurg.net/emissary/ https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/emissary4/the-wretched-masqueradedistrokid.com/hyperfollow/emissary4/the-crystal-witch-maxi-single Contact: Jym Harris louiebones@hotmail.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NIGHT OF THE SNAKE UNLEASH “LIPS LIKE VENOM” — A DARK, EAR-SPLITTING METALCORE STRIKE FROM TORONTO Release Date: November 15, 2025Genre: Metalcore/DeathcoreFFO: Bring Me The Horizon, As I Lay Dying, For The Fallen Dreams... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NIGHT OF THE SNAKE UNLEASH “LIPS LIKE VENOM” — A DARK, EAR-SPLITTING METALCORE STRIKE FROM TORONTO Release Date: November 15, 2025Genre: Metalcore/DeathcoreFFO: Bring Me The Horizon, As I Lay Dying, For The Fallen Dreams Listen: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/nightofthesnake/lips-like-venom Toronto’s own Night Of The Snake return from the shadows with Lips Like Venom, a fresh blast of melodic brutality that hits with the same force that made the mid 2000s metalcore boom unforgettable. Formed in 2007, the band has always thrived on that perfect collision of gothic atmosphere, razor sharp riffs, and breakdowns designed to turn any pit into a demolition zone. Fronted by the dual vocal onslaught of Remi and Alex, the band pulls off a rare balance of soul and savagery. Remi’s powerful, expressive leads twist around Alex’s monstrous range of gutturals and screams, creating a vocal chemistry that’s impossible to ignore. Their writing dives into the raw edges of humanity, pulling from themes of nature, emotion, and the darker corners of life without ever putting up walls around what they can explore. Holding down the low end is Dani Blood, whose sheer presence and driving bass tone give the songs that chest-rattling backbone. Completing the strike team is drummer Kyle Craib, firing off a blend of precision and high energy that turns every track into a weapon. Together, they tap into the roots of the classic Myspace metalcore era while pushing forward with a sound built for today. The new single arrives fully sharpened and lethal, crafted from the ground up by vocalist and producer Remi Monroe who handled production, mixing and mastering duties. The band describes the tone of the release with one chilling line“From beneath my breath, dragged in her horror.” No label. No management. Just pure dedication and a vision carved in steel. Lips Like Venom is out now. Crank it, share it, and let it bite. Press / Interviews: zach@metaldevastationradio.com Connect with the band: https://nightofthesnake2.bandzoogle.com/https://www.facebook.com/nightofthesnakeofficial/https://www.instagram.com/nightofthesnake/https://nightofthesnake.bigcartel.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@nightofthesnakeofficialhttps://nightofthesnake.bandcamp.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/32PJdmPODDCZXvY2xjsQ68https://music.apple.com/us/artist/night-of-the-snake/358103307https://linktr.ee/nightofthesnake   Contact: nightofthesnakeofficial@gmail.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NINE RED MOONS UNVEIL SUMERIAN SONGS FOR THE DEADFEATURING GUESTS FROM SEPULTURA AND MORE HEAVY METAL ROYALTY The underground is about to get a jolt of old school electricity. International heavy metal force Nine Red Moons... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NINE RED MOONS UNVEIL SUMERIAN SONGS FOR THE DEADFEATURING GUESTS FROM SEPULTURA AND MORE HEAVY METAL ROYALTY The underground is about to get a jolt of old school electricity. International heavy metal force Nine Red Moons are gearing up to release their debut album Sumerian Songs for the Dead, a record forged across continents and rooted in the timeless spirit of the genre. Fans of Iron Maiden, Queensryche, and Helloween are about to find their new obsession. Nine Red Moons is the brainchild of Brazilian guitarist Eduardo “Paulista” Simões (Pit Passarell, Chakal). After tracking guitars for Pit Passarell’s solo album, he started catching heat from fans who wanted to hear his music front and center. So he dusted off the songs he wrote during the pandemic, called up some trusted heavy hitters from around the globe, and brought the whole thing to life the old fashioned way: great riffs, great players, zero shortcuts. The lineup spans Brazil, England, Poland, and Greece, with powerhouse vocalist Tasos Lazaris stepping up to re-record the vocals. His voice hits that sweet spot between Bruce Dickinson’s fire and Geoff Tate’s finesse, giving the band that classic metal edge without ever feeling stuck in the past. The album also features a killer list of guests, including Paulo Xisto (Sepultura), Hugo Mariutti (ex-Shaman, ex-André Matos), Felipe Machado (Viper and Silver), Alan Wallace (Eminence), Val Santos (Viper, Brutal Brega, Toy Shop), Edu Megale (The Mist), and violinist Julia Stein, a Guildhall-trained musician who brings an unexpected but striking flair to the mix. As the band puts it, these first releases showcase songs built on heavy guitars, soaring melodies, and everything fans miss about traditional heavy metal. No gimmicks. No trend chasing. Just the real deal. The album was produced by Eduardo Simões and mixed and mastered by Val Santos, keeping everything tight, sharp, and proudly rooted in the sound metal was built on. Nine Red Moons remain independent and unsigned for now, but with this record on the horizon, that won’t last long. For fans starving for heavy metal with guts, brains, and a beating heart, Sumerian Songs for the Dead is the one to watch. Press / Interviews: zach@metaldevastationradio.com Connect with the band: https://linktr.ee/nineredmoonshttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580677258898https://www.instagram.com/nineredmoons/https://x.com/NineRedMoonshttps://www.youtube.com/@NineRedMoonshttps://nineredmoons.bandcamp.com/https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/artist/4A4F8oT57ZwFu2TlWbOxzGhttps://music.apple.com/br/artist/nine-red-moons/1835815552  Contact: bandnineredmoons@gmail.com Less

Deadline Dec 1st - WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2026 Band Submissions - One Band To Conquer Them All & Play WACKEN OPEN AIR 2026 One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air 2026 One Band To... More

Deadline Dec 1st - WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA 2026 Band Submissions - One Band To Conquer Them All & Play WACKEN OPEN AIR 2026 One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air 2026 One Band To Conquer Them All! After another successful year in 2025, to send one unsigned and independent American to play the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals, Wacken Open Air, Wacken Metal Battle USA band submissions for the 2026 battle end on December 1st. "I am beyond stoked to bring back the Wacken Metal Battle to the US. Every year we get invited to participate is an opportunity to grow. This year will be no different. We will be bringing back some cities that haven't participated in a few years, and we will be adding at least one new city/state to the competition. Do you have what it takes to represent the US at Wacken? Sign up now!" - Eric Dow - Artist & Promoter Relations. American bands interested in participating can apply at https://www.metal-battle.com/countries/ (please select the United States as your country) Watch - Wacken Metal Battle 2025 - Aftermovie | Have You Heard the Future of Metal? - https://youtu.be/nCulXiLlaSw​ Wacken Battle Trailer Video – https://youtu.be/fjMugRXEc5g​ The 2026 WMBU champion will receive the following:- A slot at the 2026 Wacken Open Air Festival.- Full professional backline provided.- $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.- VIP camping at the festival. At the 2025 WMBU national finals held this past June at Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, Southern California and Arizona-based band ​MOURNING HIGH​ emerged as the seventh champion selected to represent the United States at the prestigious international showdown, Wacken Open Air, that took place from July 30th to August 2nd in Wacken, Germany, where over 185,000 attendees from around the world gathered. Mourning High, crowned the West Coast Winner, competed alongside five other standout American bands: ​PRIME PROPHECY (New Jersey), ​WHAT’S WRONG (Pacific Northwest), ​PONTIFEX​ (Florida), ​FIREHAZE (East Coast), and BROKEN TIME (Texas). A panel of seasoned industry professionals, including Jeff Buttermark (FM Management), Shawn Quinn (Napalm Records/FM Management), and Rob Caggiano (formerly of Anthrax and Volbeat), ultimately selected Mourning High as the top U.S. act to perform at the International Wacken Battle. Spotify - 2025 WMBU National Finalists Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5q7Or6tHAsWsAGg8zQSVgZ​ List of previous WMBU national winners: Cascade Effect (2024 - San Diego), Fadrait (2023 - San Diego), Mythraeum (2022 - San Diego), Monarch (2019 - San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 - Anaheim), and Corpse Hoarder (2017 - Philadelphia). For the last 7 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival, Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to COVID, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2026 will be the 35th edition of the festival and will be held from July 29th to August 1st. The 2026 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Def Leppard, Lamb Of God, In Flames, Powerwolf, Emperor, Sepultura, and Running Wild, among others. Details here. Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among over 55 other countries’ champions, and represent the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and give independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience, along with the chance to win multiple prizes. How it works:​​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter, where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2024 and compete against the winners of 30 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives. Links:​​Metal-Battle.com​​MetalBattleUSA.com​​Facebook.com/metalbattleusa​.official​​X.com/MetalBattleUSA​​Instagram.com/metalbattleusa.official​ Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NARCOTIC WASTELAND JOINS BELPHEGOR AND INCANTATION FOR PRAISE THE BEAST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2026 Metal Devastation PR proudly announces that extreme metal force Narcotic Wasteland has been confirmed as support for... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NARCOTIC WASTELAND JOINS BELPHEGOR AND INCANTATION FOR PRAISE THE BEAST NORTH AMERICAN TOUR 2026 Metal Devastation PR proudly announces that extreme metal force Narcotic Wasteland has been confirmed as support for Belphegor’s Praise the Beast North American Tour 2026, alongside death metal icons Incantation and Hate. This run is shaping up to be one of the heaviest tours of the year. Frontman Dallas Toler Wade shared his excitement.“Excited to be hitting the road again with Narcotic Wasteland on the Praise the Beast North American Tour 2026. I’ve shared stages with Belphegor, Incantation, and Hate before back in my Nile days, and it is an honor to be back on tour with these legends. This lineup is absolute carnage. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 19 at 12 PM PST and 3 PM EST. Prepare yourselves. The riffs will rend, the drums will crush, and the darkness will consume.” Narcotic Wasteland continues to carve out its place as one of the most hard-hitting bands in the extreme metal landscape. Dallas brings his trademark technical riffs and commanding voice, backed by drummer Joseph Howard, whose precision keeps the storm tight, and bassist Kenji Tsunami, who anchors the low end with crushing force. The tour news arrives as Dallas releases his new playthrough of the Nile classic “Lashed to the Slave Stick”, with official tablature now available at DallasTolerWade.com. The timing aligns with the 20 year anniversary of Nile’s Annihilation of the Wicked. Dallas will also be performing “Lashed to the Slave Stick” and “The Burning Pits of Duat” live on this tour, along with Narcotic Wasteland staples including “Barbarian”, “Sex, Lies and DNA”, “Introspective Nightmares”, “Coastal Killings”, and more. Praise the Beast North American Tour 202602/19 Brooklyn NY02/20 Lowell MA02/21 Montreal QC02/22 Toronto ON02/23 Lakewood OH02/24 Joliet IL02/26 Denver CO02/27 Albuquerque NM02/28 Haltom City TX03/01 Houston TX03/02 San Antonio TX03/05 Mesa AZ03/06 San Diego CA03/07 San Francisco CA03/08 Roseville CA03/09 Los Angeles CA03/10 Santa Ana CA Booking contact: belphegor.at/contact.htm Narcotic Wasteland is locked, loaded, and ready to tear through North America. Extreme metal fans should brace themselves for one of the most punishing tours of 2026. Connect with Narcotic Wasteland: https://linktr.ee/narcoticwasteland Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PONTIFEX ANNOUNCED AS SUPPORT FOR OBITUARY’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF CAUSE OF DEATH Metal Devastation PR is fired up to announce that PONTIFEX has been officially confirmed to share the stage with the legendary... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PONTIFEX ANNOUNCED AS SUPPORT FOR OBITUARY’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF CAUSE OF DEATH Metal Devastation PR is fired up to announce that PONTIFEX has been officially confirmed to share the stage with the legendary OBITUARY for a special 35th Anniversary celebration of Cause of Death. For longtime fans, this album sits high on the throne, and seeing PONTIFEX step into this lineup is one of those proud, hell yeah moments. The event also features heavy hitters Virulence, Intoxicated, and Castrator, rounding out a bill that promises a full night of crushing Florida metal done the way it’s meant to be. The show goes down December 13th, 2025 at The Brass Mug in Tampa, Florida. Presale tickets are available for 25 dollars and expected to move fast. PONTIFEX continues to climb with force, and this announcement marks another major step as they bring their sound to one of death metal’s most iconic stages. Event Details:December 13th, 2025The Brass Mug, Tampa FL25 dollars presale For press inquiries, interviews, or additional promo materials, contact: zach@metaldevastationradio.com  Follow the band at these links: https://www.facebook.com/pontifexmetalhttps://pontifex.bandcamp.com/community Less

🔥 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, Dragonborn, crushed the... More

🔥 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, Dragonborn, crushed the competition with a staggering 213,754 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, November 21st at 9PM EST! 👇 Who Will Rise as This Week’s Champion on the MDR Battle Of The Bands? 11/17/25 - 11/21/25 Less