Brevity, it is said, is the soul of wit. It can also be the key to a good band name. Cases in point: Today’s hard-hitting crop of mononymic metalheads and headbanging heroes. They don’t need two words when one gets the job done. In keeping with that, let’s get right down to today’s bloody business:
GraveMass | Fallen
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Constantly evolving to explore the darkness and brutality, Canada’s newest black / death metal demons GraveMass (ft. members of Zimmers Hole, The Golers, Punch Drunk, 3 Inches of Blood, Revocation), are unshackling their next single and video Fallen. The track is a journey into the darker truth of fallen angels and the embodiment of that sinister truth. Aggressive, brutal, and driving, the song will be featured on GraveMass’s forthcoming debut album, slated for release later this year. The full-length — written by Mayan Hate with lyrics by Lorde Heathen — promises to be a masterclass in extreme death metal, capturing the true spirit of Canadian black metal. GraveMass comments on this preview of the album: “The fans are hungry for new material, and this one is a feast. We bring the listener into our world, our experience, our message. A fresh slab of darkness. The soundtrack for the madness that is the current human condition. Enjoy this journey into the unrelenting brutality that is GraveMass.”
Sandness | Draw The Line
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Following the release of Not Your Dog, Sandness continue building momentum toward their upcoming album Vertigo with the new single Draw The Line. Direct and melodic, it reveals a more emotional and introspective side of the band, blending hard-rock energy with strong ’80s AOR influences. Inspired by a personal turning point, the lyrics speak about the strength to start over and view life from a new perspective. With catchy riffs, big choruses and polished production, Sandness deliver a song that showcases their growth while staying true to their roots. Featured on the tracklist of Vertigo, Draw The Line perfectly represents the spirit of the album: A record born in a time of transition that pushed the band to rethink their creative process. Recorded and produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio at Ivorytears Music Works Recording Studio in Italy, the album blends modern and vintage rock sounds, combining radio-friendly immediacy with arena-sized impact.”
Nastyville | Power To The People
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Power To The People is the new single from Italian hard-rock band Nastyville. The track is the first taste of the band’s upcoming fourth studio album Rebirth, set for release on June 6. The album was recorded at Ivorytears Music Works Recording Studio, produced by the band, and mixed and engineered by Alessandro Del Vecchio. Rebirth marks a new beginning for Nastyville, a powerful and deeply personal record shaped by real-life stories and the band’s evolution both musically and personally. Power To The People is a hard-hitting anthem built on gritty riffs, thunderous grooves, and a rallying cry for unity and rebellion. With its energetic hooks and no-frills attitude, the song delivers the raw power of a band that’s back in full force.”
Braveride | Nightmares Are Real
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Today marks a major milestone in the journey of epic power metal band Braveride, as they proudly unveil their new album The Great Awakening. To celebrate, they have also revealed the video for Nightmares Are Real, a powerful and emotionally charged track from the record. A standout from the album’s more epic and atmospheric side, Nightmares Are Real features one of the strongest choruses on the record. With enchanted harmonies and grand orchestrations, the track delves into a haunted world in motion, one where evil thrives as people look the other way. Presented through a visually engaging lyric video, the song’s themes are brought to life, enhancing its narrative weight and emotional intensity. The Great Awakening is a concept album built as a complete listening experience, where each track contributes to a vast fantasy universe crafted by band founder and songwriter Marios Christakis. With a deep love for fantasy lore, sword-and-sorcery imagery, and cinematic storytelling, Braveride blend symphonic arrangements, classical guitar passages, and powerful riffing into a cohesive and dynamic sound.”
Quemasantos | Under The Moonlight (ft. Sebastian Osorio)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Thrash metal duo Quemasantos have released the video for their track Under The Moonlight. As always, they have meticulously crafted every aspect of the track. Nelson Diaz designed the lyrics and concepts, while Ignacio Orellana, at the renowned Oily Sound Studios, handled the production, recording, mixing and mastering. This track showcases the band’s remarkable dynamic range and exceptional musicianship. Blistering guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and powerful, gritty vocals create an intense and captivating soundscape. Diaz comments: “It’s a reflection of a feeling of horror and despair, feeling like you could transform into a wild animal, losing your mind and endangering those you love. It’s similar to moments of uncontrolled anger that cause some people to make mistakes they’ll pay for the rest of their lives.” Adds Orellana: “This track embodies the raw intensity and passion that drives our music.”
Margantha | Blood Moon Sacrifice
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Margantha are a black metal band born from a shared artistic vision rooted in darkness, atmosphere and storytelling. Conceived by experienced musicians from the extreme music scene, the project was founded on the idea of anonymity — removing names, past projects and expectations to let the music speak for itself. Their debut EP, Blood Moon Sacrifice, will be released on June 27. It is a concept work based on a legend passed down orally through generations. The tale, told to the vocalist as a child by his grandmother, tells of a werewolf haunting a hunter’s village at the foot of a remote mountain range. This myth gave birth to a collection of songs designed not simply to be listened to but to be experienced in full immersion. The EP was mixed and mastered at Sonic Train Studio by legendary guitarist and producer Andy LaRocque, adding an extra layer of depth and sonic intensity to the work. The band comment: “We always begin with the concept. The music follows naturally, often starting with a guitar riff or arpeggio, and evolving through a collaborative process. We’re not interested in technical exhibitionism. Every choice serves the narrative. The resulting material is raw, evocative, and direct — true to the spirit of black metal, but enriched with depth and atmosphere.”
Spheres | Underworld
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Paris band Spheres invitate you on a spiritual journey to a dystopian dimension with their new single Underworld. This is the first feast of new music since their 2022 sophomore album Helios. The new track, recorded and mixed by Chris Edrich (Devin Townsend, Tesseract), is a preview of their third full-length Shadows of Despair, set for release in October. Just like the world we live in, Spheres’ sound is becoming increasingly extreme, and their new song Underworld asks: Can we evolve without destroying ourselves? We don’t need to save the planet. The Earth has undergone several mass extinctions and will remain alive until our star, the Sun, dies out. Humanity is less certain. With Underworld, listeners will be struck by the multitude of contrasts and textures that inhabit Spheres’ music: From sharp riffs to ethereal melodies, from clean singing to growls and screams, the atmosphere oscillates between dream and frenzy. Everything is designed to push the listener’s boundaries and invite them to take part in this expedition.”
