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 […]
Metal stories
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. […]
Hooded Menace Cast Death-Doom in Ghoulish New Light with ‘Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration’
For nearly two decades, Finland’s Hooded Menace have been less a “bridge” in the world of underground metal and more of a concrete pillar covered in cobwebs, mildew, and probably some ectoplasm. With their upcoming seventh full-length, Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration (out October 3, 2025 via Season of Mist), the […]
ZOË M. FEDEROFF Abruptly Exits CRADLE OF FILTH Mid-Tour ‘For Personal Reasons’
Zoë M. Federoff has just dropped a bombshell – she’s outta CRADLE OF FILTH. 🎤💥 The 33-year-old vocalist/keyboardist, who joined the British goth-metal circus in 2022, posted this gem on social media today (August 24): *”It is with deep regret I share that for personal reasons I am unable to […]
Signs Of The Swarm Drop Brutal New Video “Natural Selection” as New Album ‘To Rid Myself of Truth’ Arrives
Pittsburgh deathcore giants Signs Of The Swarm have unleashed their sixth full-length album, To Rid Myself of Truth, today (August 22nd) through Century Media Records. To mark the release, the band has also dropped a crushing new video for the track “Natural Selection”, now streaming on YouTube here. The video, […]
Former MASTODON Guitarist Brent Hinds Reportedly Killed in Motorcycle Crash at 51
The metal community is mourning the loss of Brent Hinds, former guitarist and vocalist of MASTODON, who was reportedly killed in a motorcycle accident in southeast Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday night (August 20). He was 51 years old. According to Atlanta News First, the Fulton County medical examiner’s office confirmed […]
SEPULTURA’s Final Tour: The Band Is Writing New Music
Remember when bands used to mean it when they said “farewell”? Yeah, us neither. SEPULTURA, currently in the middle of their “final world tour” (final in the same sense that Mötley Crüe’s retirement was final), have already started talking about—wait for it—new music. Because apparently nothing screams the end like […]