It’s been more than 20 years since Carach Angren first crawled out of their Limburg vault with a mission: to turn ghost stories into symphonic black metal spectacles. Now, the Dutch masters of Horror Metal are revisiting the legend that started it all — and, true to form, they’re not […]
Metal stories
Dropkick Murphys slam President Donald Trump at Boston Irish music festival
Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey unloaded on President Donald Trump during the band’s rain-delayed headlining set at Boston’s Seisiún Irish music festival this past weekend. Mid-rant, Casey used the moment to throw his support behind Graham Platner, a Marine Corps vet and oyster farmer running as a Democrat against longtime […]
BARONESS Former Drummer Allen Blickle Passes Away at 42
Allen Blickle, the original drummer for American sludge / progressive stoner rock band Baroness, has passed away at the age of 42. Blickle was part of Baroness’ formative line-up from its inception in 2003 and remained with the band through a decade of landmark releases – the First and Second […]
Homicide Investigation at Burning Man: Authorities Seek Witnesses in the Death of Artist Vadim Kruglov
The Black Rock Desert was lit with fire and celebration on August 30, 2025, as Burning Man’s towering effigy burned against the Nevada sky. But amid the spectacle, tragedy struck. Around 9:14 p.m., officers were called to 8:30 & I streets, where they found 37-year-old Russian artist Vadim Kruglov lying […]
Rob Barrett will be replaced by Brandon Ellis (ex-The Black Dahlia Murder) in the upcoming Cannibal Corpse tour
Cannibal Corpse have confirmed that Brandon Ellis (ex-The Black Dahlia Murder) will be handling guitar duties for their upcoming fall tour in place of Rob Barrett. The band issued a brief statement: Rob Barrett will not be on this tour, Brandon Ellis will be filling in. See you all on […]
Ex-VENOM Members Mantas and Abaddon Reunite — In Court
Because nothing says “true black metal spirit” quite like a courtroom battle, Jeff “Mantas” Dunn and Anthony “Abaddon” Bray have officially reunited—this time not with guitars and drums, but with lawyers. The duo is locked in a legal struggle with former bandmate Conrad “Cronos” Lant over the ownership of VENOM’s […]
Jürgen Bartsch, founder of BETHLEHEM, has died
The metal world is mourning the loss of Jürgen Bartsch, the co-founder, bassist, and principal songwriter of the influential German band Bethlehem, who passed away on August 27, 2025, after a long illness. His passing was confirmed by Bethlehem vocalist Yvonne “Onielar” Wilczynska, who shared a heartfelt message of grief […]
And Then There Were Fewer: Ashok Confirms His Exit From CRADLE OF FILTH (Yes, the Guitarist Too)
Well, it didn’t take long. Just days after Zoë Federoff shocked fans by leaving CRADLE OF FILTH mid-tour, her husband, guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda, has officially announced that he’s clocking out too. Posting to Facebook, Ashok confirmed what everyone suspected: that he’ll be finishing the band’s current Latin American run […]
Nisse Karlén of Sacramentum Has Passed Away
The extreme metal community is mourning the loss of Nils “Nisse” Joel Karlén, founding vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist of the Swedish melodic black metal band Sacramentum. He passed away at the age of 50, having chosen to end his life. In a statement shared by the band, Sacramentum wrote: “With […]
Zoë Federoff Exits CRADLE OF FILTH – And Her Husband, Guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda, Next?
In a plot twist so very Cradle of Filth, Zoë Marie Federoff-Šmerda has announced her sudden exit from the band mid-tour. The 33-year-old vocalist/keyboardist, who joined the eternally rotating lineup of CRADLE OF FILTH in 2022, bowed out with a statement citing “personal reasons” and a polite request for privacy. […]