With exactly one week to go until Ghost return to the big screen, the band have given fans another taste of what awaits inside 2 BIG TO RIG — and this time, it’s a full performance of “Umbra”. Released today, August 19, the new clip captures Papa V Perpetua and the Nameless Ghouls performing in front of a packed Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, complete with all the cowbell, swagger and theatrical excess you would expect from the SKELETOUR. There was actually a brief f

DOWN have officially announced their long-awaited new studio album, Volume V, set for release on November 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. And yes, there is already a first taste. The New Orleans heavyweights have released “Blood Oath”, complete with an official video, and it takes only a few seconds to remove any doubt about who has entered the room. The riffs arrive thick, hostile and unmistakably Southern, while Phil Anselmo sounds entirely at home roaring above them. As Pepp

Four weeks. That's all that stands between us and the arrival of London Metalfest. On September 11th and 12th, a brand-new metal festival will hit the capital, bringing a distinctly European festival spirit to the heart of Camden — and with exactly four weeks to go, the countdown is officially on. London certainly isn't short of gigs. What it has perhaps been missing is something that feels a little more like the European metal festival experience: multiple stages, a packed d

There was a total solar eclipse. Six planets aligned across the morning sky. And, just when the universe had exhausted its supply of unlikely events, Ritchie Blackmore walked onto a stage with Deep Purple. Yes, It really happened… On August 12, Blackmore joined Deep Purple at the Northwell at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York, to perform “Smoke on the Water”. It was his first appearance with the band since leaving in 1993 — 33 years ago. Carrying his yellow Fender Stra

Swedish metalcore visionaries Imminence will bring the world of Axis Mundi to Europe in early 2027, accompanied by August Burns Red and House of Protection. The Axis Mundi Tour will begin in Gothenburg on 8 January before visiting Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, France, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Poland, Finland and Norway. It will conclude with three Scandinavian shows, including the band’s first hometown headline performance in Malmö for more than a decade. For the

Blind Channel are officially back. The Finnish nu-metal outfit have ended their hiatus and announced their new album, Painstream, arriving on October 30 via Century Media Records. Painstream will be the follow-up to 2024’s Exit Emotions and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band. Blind Channel stepped away from the spotlight towards the end of 2024, while the departure of vocalist Joel Hokka in 2025 left their future looking increasingly uncertain. Now, the silence

Happy New Music Friday! Another week, another excuse to turn the volume all the way up. This week's selection brings together some of heavy music's biggest names alongside one of its most intriguing newcomers. From anonymous modern metal and old-school thrash to a legendary collaboration and one of this week's most anticipated album releases, these are the tracks that have dominated our speakers over the last few days. Don't forget to check out our THE RIFF Spotify playlist a

Record Label: Century Media Records Release Date: 7 August 2026 The Riff Doctor’s Score: RRRR½ Electric Callboy are one of those rare bands with a personality so distinctive that you know exactly who you're listening to within seconds. They prove that musical extremes don't just coexist – they blend together naturally, and, just to make things even more entertaining, they wrap it all in a healthy dose of humour. Their formula sounds simple on paper but is incredibly difficult

Germany's FUTURE PALACE unleashed their fourth album RESURGENCE on July 31 via Century Media . The album is a powerful exploration of isolation, inner conflict, and the struggle to rebuild oneself. Blending post-hardcore intensity with cinematic electronics, soaring melodies, and crushing breakdowns, the Berlin trio dives deep into themes of depression, doubt, and emotional transformation. Ultimately, Resurgence captures the fragile moment where despair slowly turns into stre

After weeks of speculation surrounding the band's future, Greta Van Fleet have officially lifted the curtain on their next chapter. The Michigan rock quartet have announced their fourth studio album, Palace For The People, due for release on October 9 via Republic Records, while unveiling its second preview, the heartfelt new single "Saw You Stand." Following the release of "Play Your Games" back in May, the new track reveals a more vulnerable side of the band. Beginning as a

Forget the masks for a moment. The mystery surrounding PRESIDENT may have sparked the initial conversation, but it's quickly becoming clear that the music is doing the real talking. With every release, the anonymous collective continues to prove they're far more than clever marketing—and Dark Heaven might just be their strongest statement yet. Released today, the new single will be part of the band's debut full'lenght album, Blood Of Your Empire, due on September 4 via Atlant

Happy New Music Friday! Another week, another excuse to turn the volume all the way up. This week's selection proves that great riffs come in many different forms. Whether it's modern hard rock, metalcore with a sense of humour, arena rock, or the unmistakable sound of the man who helped invent heavy metal, there's plenty to get excited about. These are the tracks that have dominated our speakers over the past few days. Hit play, enjoy the videos below, and don't forget to fo

Germany's rising force in melancholic heavy metal, THE NIGHT ETERNAL, have released 'Caught In A Spell', the latest single taken from their upcoming album Cold Velvet, due out on August 21 via Metal Blade Records. Built around a hypnotic groove, soaring twin guitars and a huge sing-along chorus, 'Caught In A Spell' perfectly captures the band's unique blend of classic heavy metal, dark rock and gothic atmosphere. The accompanying video, directed by Robert Piel, follows a...

When the architect of heavy metal releases a new album, the entire scene pays attention. Just over a year after Black Sabbath's emotional farewell performance at the Back To The Beginning concert in Birmingham, Tony Iommi is proving that retirement has never been part of his vocabulary. The legendary guitarist has announced From The Dark, his first full-length studio album in years, arriving October 23 via BMG. Photo by Ross Halfin Leading the announcement is the explosive ne

One of 2026´s strongest modern metal releases.

After the recent departure of original guitarist Andy LaRocque, King DIamond unveiled his replacement.

Amon Amarth keep the momentum rolling. After surprising fans with the band's first-ever acoustic track, "Upphaf", the Swedish Viking metal giants have officially announced their 13th studio album, The Allfather Awakens, set for release on October 2 via Metal Blade Records. Leading the charge is the explosive new single "Gjallarhorn", a classic slice of Amon Amarth that immediately feels destined to become a live favourite. Built around razor-sharp riffs, relentless pace and a

Another week, another batch of incredible new music. As summer rolls on, the countdown to one of the busiest release schedules of the year continues, with many of rock and metal's biggest names offering another taste of what's to come over the next few months. These are the tracks that have dominated our speakers this week. Turn them up, watch the videos below, and don't forget to check out our THE RIFFS Spotify playlist at the end of the article, where we update the very bes

Ghost are heading back to the big screen.

Hit follow, turn it up and never miss the riffs that matter.