Five new songs to counter the holiday cheer with some heaviness. What are you listening to?
HEAVYS Metal Picks | 12/5/25
Poppy “Guardian”
Ov Sulfur “Vast Eternal”
Mayhem “Despair”
Sylosis “The New Flesh”
Kreator “Satanic Anarchy”
“Fresh off announcing a tour with recent collaborators Evanescence, Poppy have dropped another single from her upcoming seventh studio album, Empty Hands. Produced by Jordan Fish, new track Guardian continues Poppy’s passion for expansive, infectious metal, buoyed by that unmistakable voice and desire to push any boundary you care to mention. It’s the third song to be released from Poppy’s forthcoming LP, following Bruised Sky and Unravel.” (Kerrang)
“KREATOR have unleashed “Satanic Anarchy,” the brand new single from their highly anticipated sixteenth full-length, Krushers Of The World, which will be out on January 16 via Nuclear Blast Records. The song bears all the hallmarks of KREATOR’s best material of the last few decades — fast-paced thrash riffs, a catchy, anthemic chorus, and a masterful guitar solo — all wrapped into three-and-a-half minutes.” (Kreator Press Release)
Mirrorcell continues their momentum with the release of “Ichi” featuring VCTMS out on Friday, December 5th through InVogue Records. The single arrives with a music video and serves as the official announcement of their upcoming full length album Long Nights in Lovescape, landing all streaming platforms in February. Pre-order/pre-save for the upcoming album will be live on December 5th at 12pm ET.
Vocalist Nate Cell shares: “Our upcoming single, ‘Ichi’ shows the heavy roots ingrained within our band delivering a darker tone from our past singles. Inspired by “Ichi the Killer” (2001) Directed by Takashi Miike – this single creates the idea of being completely empty and unsatisfied by any corporeal thing in the world. Exploring themes of identity and consumerism in a downward spiral. Leaving the glaring question repeated throughout the song’s lyrics ‘would you change yourself if you could’.”
Pre-save their upcoming album Long Nights in LovescapeHERE
“Ichi” carries a darker energy than the singles Mirrorcell has shared throughout the year. The song speaks to the feeling of being hollow on the inside and searching for something that actually fills the space. It moves through questions of identity, desire, and the things we chase even when they hurt us. VCTMS brings an added intensity that makes every moment feel shaper and more emotional.
Mirrorcell will head out on their first U.S. tour run alongside Siamese and Hawk in February of 2026. See dates below: 2/20 – New York, NY @ Meadows 2/21 – LeMoyne, PA @ The Champ 2/22 – Richmond, VA @ The Canal Club 2/24 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 2/25 – Nashville, TN @ The End 2/26 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Purgatory) 2/27 – Bradenton, FL @ Oscura 2/28 – Orlando, FL @ Conduit 3/2 – Houston, TX @ Secret Group 3/3 – Dallas, TX @ TX Tea Room 3/5 – Mesa, AZ @ The Underground 3/6 – Anaheim, CA @ Parish Room – HOB 3/7 – Fresno, CA @ Fulton 55 3/8 – Sacramento, CA @ Starlet Room – Harlow’s 3/10 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court 3/11 – Denver, CO @ Marquis 3/13 – Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge 3/14 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups 3/15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground
Looking at some of the best new bands of 2025 from rock, metal, alternative, etc who had a debut LP release this year. Here are five that we picked out and recommend supporting as they are about to take off big.
The BEST New Bands Of 2025
This video is the first of four year-end list videos for December 2025 on the channel. Here, we are looking at five of the best new bands of 2025, including Vianova, End It, High., Sleep Theory, and The Pretty Wild. You can check out some of their music above. Next time will be the five most diasspointing albums of 2025. Going to break some hearts with that one.
The Podcast That Rocked for 12/3/25. Feminine Badassary takes over in 2026 with Evanescence, Spiritbox, Poppy, Ross Haflin Lawsuit, AI Architects, and more music discussion.
2026: The Year Of Feminine Badassary | The Podcast That Rocked on YouTube
2026: The Year Of Feminine Badassary | The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify
Discussion Topics: -Feminine Badassary with Evanescence, Spiritbox, Poppy, K. Flay, Nova Twins -Ross Halfin, storied rock photographer, did a BAD THING -Architects get copied by AI Scam -Park Waves Festival cancelled for financial struggles -Scatterbrain (Brian Burkheiser) tries to channel Taylor Swift again -Alice In Chains petitioned by PETA for a good reason -Upcoming albums/tours/more
SONG OF THE WEEK: Poppy “Bruised Sky”
Poppy “Bruised Sky”
“Evanescence have announced a massive world tour for 2026 and they’re bringing along some heavy-hitting opening acts. The tour will be Evanescence’s first as a headlining act in nearly four years. In September, Amy Lee of Evanescence teamed up with Cortney LaPlante of Spiritbox and Poppy to release the song “End of You.” The single was well-received and served as a precursor to Spiritbox and Poppy joining Evanescence as opening acts for the 2026 tour. Lee told Rolling Stone that the trio has yet to perform the song live together, but she hopes that will happen at some point during this run.” (Loudwire)
Scatterbrain “Look What You Made Me Do (Taylor Swift Cover)”
The Amity Affliction & August Burns Red Announce Spring 2026 Co-Headline Tour
Spring Horizons Tour Set For April + May Boundaries and Heavensgate To Support
AUGUST BURNS RED + THE AMITY AFFLICTION will hit the road this coming spring for the Spring Horizons Tour. It kicks off April 10 in Worcester and runs through May 17 in Philadelphia. BOUNDARIES and HEAVENSGATE will serve as support.
“We’ve been talking in the background about touring with August Burns Red for years at this point,” says Amity’s Joel Birch. “It’s so awesome that it’s finally happening. We can’t wait to get back to our second home and bring what we feel will be one of the best tours we’ve been a part of to all the cities we’re hitting. The lineup is amazing, the venues are amazing, and we couldn’t be more hyped for it — see you there.”
“We’re pumped to be joining forces with The Amity Affliction for what’s sure to be the can’t miss metal tour of the spring,” says August Burns Red. “ABR will be debuting a few brand new songs and bringing the shred alongside Boundaries, Heavensgate, and Dreamwake. We’ll see you all this April and May for the Spring Horizons Tour!”
AUGUST BURNS RED + THE AMITY AFFLICTION ON TOUR: WITH BOUNDARIES + HEAVENSGATE: 4/10 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium* 4/11 — New Haven, CT — College Street Music Hall* 4/12 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE 4/14 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore 4/15 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle 4/16 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues 4/18 — New Orleans, LA — The Fillmore 4/19 — Dallas, TX — The Bomb Factory 4/21 — Houston, TX — House of Blues 4/22 — San Antonio, TX — Vibes Event Center (Outdoors) 4/24 — Phoenix, AZ — The Marquee 4/25 — San Diego, CA — Soma 4/26 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues 4/28 — Sacramento, CA — Channel 24 4/29 — Garden City, ID — Revolution Concert House 5/1 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union Event Center 5/2 — Denver, CO — The Fillmore 5/3 — Omaha, NE — The Astro Theater 5/5 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore 5/6 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave 5/8 — Chicago, IL — Riviera Theatre 5/9 — Royal Oak, MI — Royal Oak Music Theatre 5/10 — Toronto, ON — History 5/12 — Montreal, QC — Mtelus 5/13 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount 5/15 — Baltimore, MD — Nevermore Hall 5/16 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple** 5/17 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore *With Dreamwake, No Heavensgate **Festival Date (ABR + TAA Only)
Pre-sale and VIP packages are available at this location. VIP packages will include meet and greet, signed screen printed poster, a photo with the band, early merch access (when venues allow), and a collectible tour laminate.
General tickets go on sale on Friday, December 5 at 10am local time. All dates are below, including an appearance at Sonic Temple.
Germany’s Future Palace continue their upward trajectory with the release of their new single “Deep Blue” – a striking next chapter that builds on the momentum they’ve created over the past months. After launching their new era with their first single under Century Media Records, the band now dives deeper into its signature mix of emotional intensity and cinematic storytelling.
Future Palace “Deep Blue”
“Deep Blue” captures the fear of drifting away from the people who matter most, using the image of sinking into the deep sea as a metaphor for emotional distance, depression, and the pressure of everyday life.
“It’s about the moment you realize you’re losing someone – or yourself – because everything around you becomes too overwhelming,” says vocalist Maria Lessing.
The video brings this inner conflict to life through a dramatic underwater narrative: The band as a submarine crew searching for a friend who has spent so much time alone that she has transformed into a siren. Her defensiveness and pain mirror the emotional distortion that isolation can cause — the belief that no one cares, even when help is close.
Musically, “Deep Blue” strengthens the band’s trademark blend of melody and heaviness.
“It combines our most addictive hooks with a fierce, guitar-driven energy — a mix of what ‘Run‘ and ‘Distortion‘ did best,” explains guitarist Manuel Kohlert.
The result is a track that feels immediate, atmospheric, and unmistakably Future Palace. “Deep Blue” stands as an anthem for anyone who has felt left behind or trapped in their own thoughts – a reminder that even in the darkest depths, connection might still be within reach.
Watch the previously released music video for “Cyclone.”
FUTURE PALACE ARE: Maria Lessing — Vocals Manuel Kohlert — Guitar Johannes Früchtenicht — Drums
Sound effects, loops, digital beats, and enough cheese to make you lactose intolerant. This video looks at The Click, the Platinum selling album from AJR.
“The Click is the second studio album by American indie pop band AJR. It was released on June 9, 2017, via the band’s labels AJR Productions and S-Curve Records, and later released internationally through Ultra Records and Black Butter Records. The album sonically follows the trio’s previous work, maintaining a pop-rock sound with elements of hip-hop, electronic dance music, and jazz. It includes a sole guest appearance from Rivers Cuomo of the band Weezer while taking influence from Fun, Twenty One Pilots, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye West.” (Wikipedia)
I may think this album is awful, but like I said in the video, I do not hate AJR. I just think sound effect loops don’t equate to popular radio music. Thank you for checking this out. If you enjoyed the video, please leave a like on the YouTube page. I’m going to use this video’s specific analytics and engagement for a gauge on if I should do another.
The Podcast That Rocked for 11/26/25. Talking about the WMG/Suno settlement (and impending disaster with AI), Arch Enemy, Vitriol, and more.
WMG, SUNO, SPOTIFY and the AI NIGHTMARE | The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify
Discussion Topics: –Warner/WMG has settled with SUNO over allowing AI usage -Spotify is doubling down on AI usage –Arch Enemy parts with Alissa White-Gluz –Vitriol members quit and leave singer stranded in Vermont –Warped Tour 2026 going international -Guns N’ Roses plan a big return with new music and world tour -Upcoming albums/tours/more
SONG OF THE WEEK Vana “Prey”
Top Music Attorney/Miss Krystle | Huge Update In Suno Lawsuit
Top Music Attorney/Miss Krystle | Why Everyone Is Leaving Spotify
“Warner Music has signed a licensing deal with the artificial intelligence song generator Suno after settling a copyright infringement lawsuit it launched against the service a year ago. Warner, the world’s third-largest music company and home to acts including Coldplay, Charli XCX and Ed Sheeran, is the first of the major record labels to partner officially with the company. As part of their agreement, users will be allowed to create AI-generated songs on Suno via simple text prompts using the voices, names and likenesses of the Warner acts who choose to opt in to the service.” (The Guardian)
Talking about new music from Lamb Of God, Converge, Jay Weinberg, and new albums released this past week.
HEAVYS Weekly Breakdown | 11/23/25
“For more than three decades, Converge have delivered musical and emotional catharsis, putting purpose before perception and intent before interpretation. Whether it’s their 2001 landmark recording Jane Doe or their 2021 Bloodmoon: I collaboration, Converge have created some of the most compelling music, lyrics, and visual art of the 21st century. During that time, fewer bands have had a greater impact on the underground imagination. It seems unlikely that anyone who has been making music for this long would create one of their best works for their eleventh album, in their 35th year as a band. And yet: Love Is Not Enough— incoming February 13, 2026— might be the apotheosis of Converge’s decades-long journey through the punk, hardcore and metal microcosm. What vocalist/lyricist Jacob Bannon, guitarist/producer Kurt Ballou, bassist/vocalist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller have created is a strident artistic statement on the turmoil of living that hones their collective strengths to a razor’s edge.” (Press Release)
Rock/metal icon ROB ZOMBIE has revealed the latest single, ‘Heathen Days,’ from his highly-anticipated upcoming album, The Great Satan, due out February 27th from Nuclear Blast Records.
Accompanied by a video directed by Zombie, ‘Heathen Days’ is a callback to his earlier sound of furious, groove laden guitar riffs as he lyrically invokes the ungodly days when chaos and war were constantly at your back.
Following the success of his Top 10 charting record The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy (2021), Zombie is back with his 8th album, The Great Satan, revisiting his early Hellbilly roots for a slaughterhouse of anthemic punk infused heavy rock/metal.
As a rock icon and filmmaker with a unique vision, Rob Zombie has continuously challenged audiences as he stretches the boundaries of both music and film. He has sold more than fifteen million albums worldwide, and is the only artist to experience unprecedented success in both music and film as the writer/director of nine feature films including “HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES,” “THE DEVIL’S REJECTS,” “THE MUNSTERS” and the number one smash “HALLOWEEN.”
After four years, Rob Zombie is back with new music as he announces his latest record, THE GREAT SATAN, out on Nuclear Blast in 2026. The new music brings Zombie back to his Hellbilly roots with frenetic cuts such as ‘Punks And Demons,’ ‘Heathen Days,’ ‘(I’m a) Rock ‘N’ Roller’ and ‘Tarantula.’
Rob Zombie has achieved great success in the music industry, first as a member of the multi-platinum band White Zombie and later as a solo artist with even greater results collecting numerous multi-platinum and gold albums along the way including Hellbilly Deluxe, The Sinister Urge and Educated Horses. Rob Zombie’s most recent record, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy (2021), debuted at #9 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, making it his 7th consecutive solo album to debut in the top 10.
