“Over the past years, we’ve worked extensively on the next chapter of Equilibrium. Bloodwood marks the beginning of this journey — back to our roots and a brave step into our future. Our goal was to make everything more coherent — visually, musically, and contextually. More organic, cinematic and real. We’re excited to finally begin this new chapter.”

The band comment: “‘Sacrificial Slaughter’ marks the next step in our journey through the “Survival Protocol” story. This track dives deep into the heart of ritualistic violence on an alien planet. After ‘Baptized In Blood,’ this is where things get even darker. We’re thrilled to share this chapter of the story - and trust us, it’s only getting more intense from here.”

Calling it how they see it, Deficit explain: “We notice a lot of bands spend so much time and energy taking themselves so seriously without actually having anything to say… So as a tongue-in-cheek jab, we wrote a track with deliberately nonsensical lyrics laden with over-the-top angst and a barrage of expletives.”

French visionary Igorrr unleashes AMEN on September 19 via Metal Blade. Twenty years in, Gautier Serre still blindsides listeners with unclassifiable chaos, joined by guests Scott Ian (Anthrax), Trey Spruance (Mr. Bungle) and Mike Leon (Soulfly).

Coming from Brazil to Arizona, extreme metal trailblazers SOULFLY unleash their thirteenth album Chama on October 24 via Nuclear Blast. The lead single ‘Storm The Gates’ channels ancestral strength in rebellion against control and greed.

Rob Damiani explains that ‘Hype Man’ is about the brotherhood of his bandmates, the gratitude he feels for their support through life’s highs and lows, and the reminder that we all need someone to lean on when things become too much.

Newcastle progressive rockers KōDEM join XMusic with their debut single ‘Tattooed Sin’. Blending intensity, atmosphere and raw emotion with echoes of Tool and A Perfect Circle, the track explores vulnerability, shame and longing for closeness. After commanding live stages, KōDEM now cement their place in Australia’s next wave of progressive rock

"Isolate.Fixate.Deteriorate" is a personal one for vocalist Liam Holmes. He explains: "This song comes to terms with a habit I didn’t even realise was destroying me - and the people I love. I’ve always had the urge to disappear when I’m struggling, thinking that if I locked myself away long enough, I could outthink the pain. At the time, it felt like the safest option. In reality, it was me slowly deteriorating and cutting myself off from everyone who cared."

“Closure speaks about the breaking point in a toxic cycle, that moment when you realise the answers you search for will never come. Sometimes closure doesn’t come from others, but from finally saying it’s over, it’s okay, and walking away.”

"I don't think we could have chosen a more honest and heartfelt song for our first release as the new lineup than Pray For Silence," the band offers. "As life grows heavier and the world feels like it's at a breaking point, this song captures something we all crave — some peace, even just for a moment."

‘Run It’ is a hostile barrage of riffs and venomous lyricism, produced by Mark Williamson (Keywork Audio) and mastered by Kris Crummett. Harroway rip into sycophants, liars and false bravado, firing a warning shot that betrayal and arrogance end in downfall. It’s modern hardcore and metalcore distilled to its most uncompromising form.

Carrillo added, “The video represents the disillusion of self. The acceptance of violence and how we see ourselves in other people. We try to silence those thoughts with our own righteous beliefs only to be a different version of the same knife. We continue to fail to protect one another.”

Weinman said: “It’s kind of about allergies. But mostly I think it’s just asking a question of whether I’d prefer to feel it all if it means feeling bad, or choose to feel nothing at all. It’s less band-y than the other songs and maybe more similar to older Runnner songs where I throw a bunch of random instruments together.”

Vocalist Zora Cock shares:

“Sometimes curiosity feels so strong it’s as if you’re compelled by an unseen force… mine felt more like opening Bluebeard’s chamber, leaving me covered in blood.”

Dayseeker have shared the video for their new single ‘Shapeshift’. Vocalist Rory Rodriguez calls it “an open letter to myself about the anxiety I live with daily.” The track previews Creature in the Black Night, produced by Daniel Braunstein and mixed by Zakk Cervini, showcasing the band’s heaviest and most immersive sound yet.