Written By Kevin McSweeney
Welcome to Seven Deadly Songs, Metal Lair’s weekly feature in which 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. Browse more weekly picks in the Seven Deadly Songs archive.
We also like to squeeze in a word or two about releases by more established acts, and we had plenty to discuss last week in that regard.
This week, unfortunately, it’s fairly slim pickings. So I found myself on the horns of a dilemma, but luckily those horns happened to be attached to a viking helmet, as the legendary Amon Amarth sailed in on a longboat to save the day.
They will be reacquainting us with their exquisite brand of melodic death metal on October 2nd with their thirteenth full-length album, The Allfather Awakens, courtesy of Metal Blade. They’re not the only Swedish band we’ll be discussing this week either, so let’s get on with the list.
Seven Deadly Songs: Asomvel – Set Your World on Fire
We kick things off this week with some good, old-fashioned heavy metal from Harrogate with this, the title track of the British band’s fifth full-length album, which is due to be released independently on October 1st.
It has that same feel-good vibe as something like Motörhead’s Born to Raise Hell. In fact, Ralph Robinson sounds uncannily like Lemmy at times, in that he appears to have been gargling razor blades.
Though technically a quartet, the band regard themselves as a five-piece as, touchingly, the late founding vocalist Jay-Jay Winter is still included as part of the line-up.
If anybody tries to tell you heavy metal can’t be wholesome, tell them that. It’s a beautiful tribute that makes us want to root for them even more, and we already wanted to root for them.
Seven Deadly Songs: Eternal – Man Down (In The Front Row)
These Hellenic headbangers are not to be confused with the 1990s all-female British pop group of the same name, nor with about a thousand other metal bands called Eternal, or so it seems.
Instead, the Athenians are going about proving that the Greeks know a thing or two about the preservation of culture with a thrash sound that is as classic as the Parthenon.
This exhilarating track is taken from their debut album, Conspiracy of Warheads, which was released on September 28th via Fioga Records.
Now, that’s an explosive way to start a week! It’s not explosive in the same way as our next entry, however, but that’s going to be an explosiveness for the puerile to savour, like me.
Seven Deadly Songs: Methane – 360° of Destruction
It’s an odd choice of name by the Swedish southern/groove metal band, the first of a double-header on our list from Sweden.
I’ve always imagined the Scandinavian country to be a fresh-smelling sort of place, with all that icy hinterland. Thanks to these guys, I’m now going to associate it with farts. Also, I’d imagine a band of their ilk to sound like Pantera. They’d be the most obvious southern groove metal reference.
This track, which is the opening number from Demolate, their third full-length album, sounds like straight up thrash metal to me. But ultimately, who cares?
It’s an absolutely awesome bit of metal and they definitely have not blown it. The album was released on September 30th via Fireflash Records, and it’s bound to be a blast from start to finish.
Seven Deadly Songs: Razorvoid – Into The Void
I hate to state the obvious, but I think that title might have been used before. Sweden’s Razorvoid might not have the most original approach to naming songs, but they make up for it with the quality of their music.
This is the title track from their debut full-length album – thank goodness they didn’t call it Master of Reality – which is due to be released independently on October 2nd.
They offer up old-school thrash metal of the finest quality. I know we’ve already covered that subgenre with the highly-impressive Eternal, but there’s no such thing as too much thrash.
For further proof of the veracity of this statement, look towards the Assault Into Hell EP by Glaswegian thrashers Amok, and From Wreckage by Portland, Oregon’s Thrash Course, both of which are due to be released on the same day.
Seven Deadly Songs: Ruled by Raptors – Algebra (I’m On a Rage)
It’s an amusing band name for sure, but unfortunately, we’re ruled by far more rapacious leaders than actual Velociraptors.
This melodic and endearing little track is taken from a little album – a mini-album, to be precise.
A Shadow That Never Moves is due to be released independently on October 2nd, and is sure to further the already flourishing reputation of the British alternative metal/post-hardcore outfit, who have garnered a reputation for “…energetic live shows and (a) relentless approach to songwriting”, according to the press release.
It continues: “Building on the foundations of their previous work, the release sees the band push their sound further, combining progressive influences, driving riffs and melodic vocals with a heavier, more expansive approach.” Looks like these guys are not going extinct any time soon.
Seven Deadly Songs: Temic – Ceased to Be
This multi-national progressive metal powerhouse is made up of musicians from Mexico, Norway and the United States – musicians who have worked with such illustrious artists as Devin Townsend and Mike Portnoy. The latter will be particularly unsurprising, as there is a stylistic similarity to Dream Theater.
The haunting, ethereal vocals of Fredrik Klemp are worth the price of admission alone. Ceased to Bewas released as the second single from their second full-length album Ceiba. The album is due to be released on October 2nd via the always reliable Season of Mist.
According to the band, it’s “…a concept album about loss in all its various forms,” full of songs “…driven by honesty and emotions. They deal with pain, anger, fear, blame and silence, which are all difficult in their own way but a part of the process to renewing our inner strength”. Powerful words. Powerful music.
Seven Deadly Songs: Viled – Throne of The Timeless Void
We conclude proceedings this week with some slam/brutal death metal, though you’d be forgiven for thinking it was black metal, judging by the titles of both song and album. Though the customary snare sound, and the porcine quality to the vocal delivery clear up all doubt.
Ecuador’s Viled are due to release their debut album, Ascension Into The Immortal Aeon, on October 2nd via New Standard Elite.
It’ll be a busy day for that label, as they will also be releasing Imperious Mortality’s Abyss of Uncreation, and the delightful Sculpting Demented Perversities by Intestinal Sodomy.
Christmas isn’t far away. That might be one to get for your grandmother. And on that charming note, we will thank you for joining us this week and hope to see you in seven for another seven.
Catch up on last week’s Seven Deadly Songs weekly weekly roundup”
Seven Deadly Songs is A Metal Lair® Original Series
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:
Album Review: Keep The Fire Burning by Mikey Ball and The Company
THE COLLAPSE OF A BITTER END ALBUM REVIEW: THE CARTOGRAPHER
Album Review: The Scars by LUGOSi
EP Review: Beyond The New Horizon by iAtlas
ALBUM REVIEW: GREEN CARNATION – A DARK POEM, PART III: THE MESSIAH COMPLEX
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