Written By Kevin McSweeney
Welcome to Seven Deadly Songs, Metal Lair’s weekly feature where we highlight a song from seven of the best newly-released albums and EPs of the week, with a particular emphasis on those artists who have yet to achieve the level of exposure their talents deserve.
That said, we like to alert you to releases by more established acts in the build-up, because we’re nice like that.
Looking at this week’s offerings, there’s a little something from a prominent and somewhat divisive musical figure who was hugely popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but I don’t think I’m allowed to mention him.
Less contentiously, we have the return of legendary alternative rock band Saliva, though this is actually a little contentious, as the current line up doesn’t feature Josey Scott or any of the members from their heyday in the early 2000s. The band’s 12th studio album, Breaking Through, is due to be released on August 14th via Judge & Jury. Make of it what you will.
Finally, we’ll draw your attention to a new live album. Live at Gothenburg Film Studios by Swedish hard rockers Nestor is due to be released on August 14th via Napalm Records. Now, excuse me while I shout “Cut!” and get on with the list!
Seven Deadly Songs: Desolate Pathway – Visions in Death
Our first offering this week is some dark and doleful doom metal from Desolate Pathway, and I’ve walked one or two of those in their manor, let me tell you.
The lugubrious Londoners, whose gloomy sound is enriched by the haunting baritone vocals of Vinny Konrad, released Visions in Death, their third full-length album, independently on August 12th.
It comes a full decade after their previous effort, Of Gods and Heroes. The title track certainly suggests it will have been worth the wait. (They’re not the only band returning to us after a lengthy absence this week – looking at you, Soulgrind!)
Their output and outlook are strikingly similar to that of their fellow British doom metal masters Witchsorrow, whose most recent album, The Devil and All His Works, was reviewed last month by yours truly.
Those seeking more British heaviness released this week should look to Silo by Archetype and The Great Offensive by Death Kommander, both of which are well worth your time.
Seven Deadly Songs: Ironflame – Legion of Fire
Seriously, Kevin? Another band with “iron” in its name? Yes! And when you hear the harmonised lead guitars and semi-operatic vocals of the Ohio-based old-school metal merchants, you’ll understand why.
They’ve been around for a decade now, and are about to release Worlds to Conquer, their sixth full-length album, on August 14th via the ever-reliable High Roller Records.
There’s plenty to enjoy for the power metal enthusiast, with indefatigable drumming and a well-balanced blend of menace and melody.
And there’s more in the way of traditional metal to enjoy this week, as Phoenix, Arizona’s Show N Tell are about to release their second full-length album, Eyes of Evil, independently, also on the 14th. You might want to slip on the spandex for that one.
Seven Deadly Songs: Maidenhead – Magia Obscura
I can only assume that this thrash/death metal band from Boston Massachusetts hasn’t been named in honour of the leafy little market town in Berkshire on the banks of the Thames.
Perhaps they’re fans of Maidenhead United FC, but it seems unlikely. I’m quite a fan of the noise they make, however, and I note with interest that their debut full-length album, Maximum Clonage is due to be released independently on August 14th.
Is it a self-deprecating album title? Possibly. Theirs is perhaps not the most original sound, but it’s intense, and full of energy and vigour.
They’ve actually been around since 2013, despite being just about to release their debut album, so over a decade of frustration has gone into it, and I’d certainly be frustrated if I came from a city with a shortage of beer, due to a recent visit from the Tartan Army in the World Cup. Those crazy Scottish fitba* fans!
Seven Deadly Songs: Mean Green – Wasteland
This is not to be confused with the song of the same name by the criminally underrated Warrior Soul, nor is the band to be confused with Pretty Green, which is Liam Gallagher’s Carnaby Street-based fashion label.
No, Mean Green is people! Three of them, to be precise, and they deal in massive riffs and monumental munchies, in all likelihood.
The stoner metal (if you hadn’t guessed) trio hail from Boone, North Carolina, and they are about to release Castle, their second full-length album, independently on August 14th.
It’s an album of highs and, well, more highs. Those with a penchant for big, groovy riffs should also check out Norway’s Duckwalk Chuck, named presumably in honour of Mr Berry. Their latest album 525 is due to be released independently on the 15th. It’s bound to B. Goode, Johnny!
Seven Deadly Songs: Occult Master – Heavy Metal Madness
You’ve got to love that title! It’s actually a very busy week for the outstanding Inverse Records. They have a few notable releases coming out, more than one of which made our list.
Doom metal trio Occult Master have been around since 2012, but are only just getting round to releasing their self-titled debut full-length album on August 14th, roughly six months after releasing their self-titled debut EP.
I’m not alleging tardiness on the part of this three-piece, nor am I suggesting that they struggle to come up with good titles. Just look at the title of the song!
It was tough to choose between this and Point of No Return from their fellow Finnish fellows Wizards of Hazards, which is also out on the 14th, and also via Inverse Records.
What swung it in the end was the song title, in fact. Who could turn down a bit of heavy metal madness?
Seven Deadly Songs: Soulgrind – Dark Water Wide
Like I said, it’s a busy week for Inverse Records, and yet another week of impressive output from Finland. If ever a nation punched above its weight in terms of the heavy music it produces, it’s this chilly Scandinavian land.
Things take a distinctly gothic turn here from a band who first dealt in death and doom back in the 1990s. Dark Water Wide is taken from Ad Pulchram Mortem, their tenth full-length album, and first collection of songs since 2010’s The Tuoni Pathway.
The other band that kept us waiting also involved a pathway, which is quite a coincidence. This latest release is available from August 14th.
Its title translates from Latin into English as: “to a beautiful death.” Indeed, it’s from a beautiful blend of death and doom to an equally beautiful blend of gothic, black and pagan metal from these venerable Finnish veterans.
Seven Deadly Songs: Thorns of Ruins – Wicked Souls
The Scandinavians are truly spoiling us this week, as they so often do. It’s over to Norway now for our final selection, which comes in the form of some epic and melodic black metal from Thorns of Ruins, aka multi-talented solo artist Thomas Aamodt.
He’s a productive chap, having released the project’s self-titled debut album just last year. Its sophomore effort, Stellar Reverence, is due to be released on August 13th via Satanath Records.
You probably won’t have to wait a decade or more for his next release! Those with a penchant for black metal solo projects might also like to check out Causalitas Abyssi by Mexico’s Crypta Abyssi, who are not to be confused with Crypta, the all-female death metal band from Brazil.
The equally talented multi-instrumentalist Lucifero Errantis Bellator released his debut album on August 11th via Hidden Marly Production.
I don’t know what a marly is, nor why you’d want to hide it, but I’ll hopefully see you in seven for another seven.
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SEVEN DEADLY SONGS Q&A
Q: What is Seven Deadly Songs?
A: Seven Deadly Songs is Metal Lair’s weekly roundup of the heaviest new releases across the full metal spectrum. Each week we spotlight seven standout tracks you shouldn’t miss.
Q: When does Seven Deadly Songs update?
A: We post a new edition every Friday, typically highlighting weekly new releases.
Q: Where can I find the best new metal songs?
A: Right here. Seven Deadly Songs is your go-to source for discovering the latest metal tracks including fresh black, death, thrash, doom, and speed metal releases, all curated in one place.
Q: How can I listen to the songs featured?
A: Every featured track links out to the artist’s official release, streaming platform, or label page so you can dive deeper and support the bands directly.
Q: Does Metal Lair have other weekly series?
A: Absolutely, Try:
- Deep Cuts – Metal’s Hidden Gems and lost recordings from rock and metal history.
- Metalhead Horoscopes – Weekly forecasts laced with riffs, attitude, and a lucky song for every sign.
- World Metal Weekly – A global passport through the underground, one country at a time.
- Women in Metal – A series celebrating the voices, pioneers, and rule-breakers reshaping heavy music’s DNA.
- Ministry of Metal – A satirical authority devoted to the laws, rituals, and unspoken rules of heavy music. Features proclamations, decrees, cultural edicts, metal lore, and an original comic book series, all delivered with humor and bite.
- Metal Legacy Profiles – Deep dive essays honoring artists who shaped metal’s sound, culture, and philosophy. These aren’t timelines or greatest-hits lists, but examinations of impact, conflict, evolution, and what each figure left behind.
- Road Riffs: Metal On The Map – We take metal beyond the speakers and onto the highway, exploring legendary venues, scene-defining cities, historic landmarks, local haunts, and travel stops tied to real
metal scenes around the world that every metalhead should experience.
About The Author
Kevin McSweeney is Metal Lair’s resident scribe of the underground, eternally rummaging through the global metal scene for riffs worth your time.
As the guiding hand behind Seven Deadly Songs every Friday, he has an uncanny knack for finding the track you didn’t know you needed, usually before finishing his pint.
Equal parts loyal, kind, and quietly razor-witted, Kevin brings deep knowledge, impeccable taste, and a steady, reliable presence to Metal Lair.
Read More From This Author:
The Larches – Nihilistic Majesties EP Review
Album Review: Exodus Unknown by Imperium
Remembering Lou Koller: The Voice of Sick Of It All (1967 to 2026)
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