Written By Kevin McSweeney
Welcome to Seven Deadly Songs, Metal Lair’s weekly feature where we highlight tracks from seven of the best new albums and EPs of the week.
Our emphasis is on artists who have yet to achieve the level of recognition that their talents deserve, though we normally have a word or two for the more established acts before we get into the list.
That said, there’s really not much to mention regarding the legends this week. There’s a live album from Floridian power metal pioneers Savatage. Madness Reigns From The Gutter (1990) will be available from June 26th via earMUSIC.
That aside, there’s not much to report. We would like to draw your attention to the impending release of Apocalyptic Steel by German black metal masters Nargaroth. That one will be getting the full Metal Lair review treatment.
Oh, and a special mention goes to Canada’s Powerlöad for their independently released debut album In The Pocket, which is due on June 26th.
I enjoyed their heavy metal/punk sound, but I haven’t included them among the seven, as I don’t think the boss would thank me for making her feature an image of the slightly dubious album artwork! Anyway, on with the list!
Seven Deadly Songs: Amberian Dawn – Unchained
Our first entry this week is from Finland. While it is hardly unusual for the Scandinavian nation to be represented in this column, said representation doesn’t usually come in the form of a band known for covering ABBA.
Temptation’s Gates, which is due to be released on June 26th via Napalm Records, is the symphonic/melodic power metal band’s first album since 2022’s Take A Chance: A Metal Tribute to Abba – does your mother know it was out? – and their eleventh overall.
As was alluded to by The Righteous Brothers, Unchained features plenty of melody, but also some distinctly heavy moments. Why not lay all your love on them?
For more top-notch power metal this week, we would point you in the direction of Agent Steel by Italy’s Crying Steel, Souls of The Fallen by Sweden’s Prime Creation, and the fabulously titled Metalmorphosis by Germany’s Masterplan.
Seven Deadly Songs: Autumnblaze – Licht Aus
Autumnblaze? We’ve not even had a summer yet! (That said, it has been very hot in the UK recently. The rain got a lot warmer.) Licht Aus apparently means “Light Off” in German, and “Licked House” in a Cockney accent.
It is taken from Glut, the tenth full-length album from this veteran German duo, which is due to be released on June 26th via Argonauta Records. They define their sound as “trip rock”, but it has been described elsewhere as dark metal/rock, and as gothic, black, doom and alternative metal.
That’s quite the glut of subgenres! For similarly sombre sounds, you might also want to check out The Sky Was Colored as Hammered Lead, the oddly-titled debut album by instrumental post-metal outfit A World Worth Burning, which is due to be released on the same day via the same label.
Seven Deadly Songs: Bong Wizard – Bluntlust
I’m not one to cast aspersions lightly, but between you and me, I think these LA-based boys might partake of a bit of the old Marjorie-Anna from time to time.
I actually laughed like I was stoned when I saw the Darkthrone-inspired cover art of their third full-length album, which bears the quite brilliant title Transylvanian Munchies!
They have a bit of previous when it comes to hilarious parody titles, such as Left Hand Pass, Vulgar Display of Flower, and my own personal favourite, The Bong Remains The Same!
The doom/stoner metal trio are a serious proposition when it comes to the quality of their music, however. The album is due to be released independently on June 25th.
We certainly hope it leads them to a career high. For more outstanding stoner metal, we recommend (Des) by the UK’s Troy The Band, which was released independently on June 23rd.
Seven Deadly Songs: Druidess – The Forest Witch’s Daughter
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne has made a significant contribution to rock and metal over the years; the indie rock of Sam Fender, the classic rock of Dire Straits, the gritty grungy rock of The Wildhearts. Perhaps most significantly of all, it gave us extreme metal pioneers Venom.
Now, the northern English city presents us with psychedelic doom metal in the form of Trip Meadow, the debut album from Druidess.
I presume they got their name from the Type O Negative song, and that TON are an influence on them, but possibly not.
They have a bass-playing singer in the form of Shonagh Brown, but that’s true of Venom as well as the Drab Four. The 60’s organ sound was a favourite of Josh Silver’s, but also of fellow Geordie band The Animals, of House of The Rising Sun fame.
Whatever the case may be, the album will be released independently on June 26th. Won’t you let them be your Druidess?
Seven Deadly Songs: Orga Mecha – Idols and Gods
We seem to be featuring a lot of female-fronted bands this week, either in full or by passing reference. This was not a conscious decision, but Sabbatha Ashvale will be delighted that SDS is emulating A Rip In Time: Women in Metal this week. (If you’re not reading that column, I recommend that you do so at your earliest convenience.)
Our second LA outfit to be featured this week are due to release HUMANITY.EXE, their debut album, independently on June 26th. According to their YouTube channel, their sound: “…blends 1980s heroic metal with techno-futurism, sci-fi themes, and electronic textures.”
I guess the name references the way the organic and the mechanical coexist beautifully in their sound, with those futuristic synths perfectly complementing the soulful riffs, beats and vocals.
I’m sure Sabbatha would approve! (But I can only guess, as she’s blocked me on Tinder.)
Seven Deadly Songs: Rock Justice – Rocker’s Confession
Anyone for some good old-fashioned bluesy hard rock? Well, the Dutch have got you covered with this anthemic track from You’ve Been Served, the first full-length album by Rock Justice.
Their dazzling debut is to be released via Fireflash on June 26th, and features big hooks, catchy choruses and the powerful but surprisingly gravelly vocals of Maggy Luyten.
It makes me wonder what she might have been smoking. In the Netherlands of all places, it could be pretty much anything.
Fans of that 1980s hard rock/hair metal sound might also enjoy Propaganda Elite, the latest album from Rhode Island rockers Tragik, which is to be released via Rock Company on June 26th.
Seven Deadly Songs: Steelballs – Reckless, Savage and Evil
Reckless, Savage and Evil is a track from Rebels, the third full-length album from the fabulously-named Argentinian speed metal quintet Steelballs.
It’s also how I like my women. (Looking at you, Sabbatha!) The boys from Buenos Aires have been putting their steely balls to the wall – shout out to Accept! – since 2013, and they’ve delivered a track here that is full of furious riffs, pounding drums, abrasive vocals and face-melting solos.
They show plenty of steel, and indeed, plenty of balls. For more in the way of splendidly-named speed metal bands, we nudge you in the direction of Cimbrian Rites, the debut album (released on June 26th via Listenable Records) from Denmark’s Speedslut.
They have a song called Pestridden Stallions, which sounds like a delightful note on which to end this week’s column. 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:
Album Review: Altered State by Defiled
BlackMarket – Radical Views EP Review
Impure Wilhelmina – Le Sanglot Review Melancholy & Post Hardcore Beauty
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