Written By Kevin McSweeney
Seven Deadly Songs – February 27, 2026
Welcome to Seven Deadly Songs, Metal Lair’s weekly feature in which we draw attention to seven of the week’s best releases in the world of rock and metal, and highlight the songs that have us excited for them.
The most notable release of the week would be the new album from the returning industrial/groove metal icon and horror movie actor and director extraordinaire, the one and only Rob Zombie. His new album, The Great Satan, has been ably reviewed by my colleague.
Also notable is the return of Swedish hard rock legends Glorious Bankrobbers, who have been around for over four decades, and whose latest album Intruder displays as much attitude and enthusiasm as they did back in the heady days of the 1980s.
But it’s the artists you might otherwise miss out on that we prefer to focus on here, and with that in mind, here’s our list.
Cemetery Reign – Pendulum Clock
I’m really not sure I care to be reminded of my own mortality in such blunt fashion. That’s what I’m getting courtesy of this punk-infused death metal solo project by one David McMaster of New Mexico, however.
That’s he of Street Tombs fame, by the way. The project’s debut album, Confined to Time, is due to be released on February 26th via Carbonized Records, with all vocals and instruments having been handled by the multi-talented McMaster.
There’s some riffs in there that remind me of surf rock – that’s if the waves were red with blood and full of sharks. For the most part, it’s pure brutality, though, and that’s exactly how I like to kick off the list, even at my advanced age.
Gladenfold – Wardens of Time
I don’t know if their name is derived from the work of JRR Tolkien. It certainly sounds as though it is, but I do know that Finland’s Gladenfold have been treating us to their glorious blend of (very) melodic death metal and power metal since 2014’s From Dusk to Eternity, an album that came about some ten years into their existence as a band.
Their fourth full-length album, Soulbound, is due to be released on February 27th via Reaper Entertainment.
Judging by Wardens of Time, the most recent single to be released from the album, they will be spoiling us with their customary blend of soaring melodies and searing riffs in what their website describes as their “…most ambitious and expansive work to date.” If you check it out, you’ll be glad.
Locus Noir – Hollow
What a week for the goths! It was exciting for me, as a huge Type O Negative fan, to hear the new project of Ben DMN of Sybreed’s chugging riffs, sexy synths and rich baritone croon that draws inevitable comparisons with the late, great Peter Steele.
That’s not to say that it’s derivative thereof. It has a much greater sense of earnestness about it, for one thing.
The debut album, Shadow Sun, is out on February 27th via Listenable Records.
Locus Noir are not to be confused with similarly-named fellow TON acolytes October Noir, nor with Liechtenstein goth metal project Black Reuss, whose similar-sounding fifth full-length album Death is also out on February 27th.
Nor should they be confused with Boston goth metallers Final Gasp, whose sophomore album New Day Symptoms is out on February 27th, again, via Relapse Records. Like I said, it’s a heck of a week for the Goths!
Necrosexual – The Brimstone Brothel
How could I possibly fail to include The Brimstone Brothel by Necrosexual? It’s Manna from Heaven for someone as puerile as me.
The filth peddlars from Pennsylvania are due to release their second full-length album, Road to Rubble, independently on February 27th.
It’s sure to be full to the brim of innuendo-laden crossover/thrash/hardcore/speed/black metal… are you sure you’ve got enough subgenres on the go there, chaps?
Are you certain there isn’t a smidgen of hair metal in there as well? I shudder to think what hair we’d be talking about, exactly. Anyway, go get it. The cover art isn’t anywhere near as horrific as that of their Seeds of Seduction EP, so you’ll be fine.
Scratch One Grub – Ysbryd
The use of the letter Y as a vowel can mean only one thing: we’re heading to Wales. Ysbryd is the Welsh-language word for spirit, apparently.
There’s no shortage of spirit on display here from the Aberdare alt-metallers, who cite Strapping Young Lad, Machine Head and Slipknot amongst their influences. (No Max Boyce, lads? Seriously?)
According to the press release: “The record promises an unflinching fusion of progressive ambition, alt-metal grit, and raw emotion – cementing the Welsh six-piece as one of the UK’s most exciting new heavy acts.”
We’re certainly not going to disagree with any of that, and we strongly recommend that you check out their debut album, One, which is due to be released independently on February 27th. It’s proper tidy, butt!
Templar – Conquering Swords
I thought at first I was looking at a rebranding of Tenpole Tudor’s Swords of a Thousand Men.
There I was, ready to go over the hill, having drunk a barrel or much, much more, but instead I’ve been taken back to the glory days of British heavy metal in the early 1980s – similar era to Tenpole Tudor, to be fair – by Sweden’s Templar.
The title track from their debut full-length album – due to be released on February 27th via Jawbreaker Records – is like a lost cut from one of Iron Maiden’s first two albums, with its Steve Harris-style bass and duelling lead guitars.
It has a similar bass intro, tempo and time signature to the aforementioned punk classic, however, and I’m prepared to die on that hill, possibly as a result of having drunk a barrel or much, much more. Hoorah, hoorah, hoorah, yeah!
Unverkalt – Oath Ov Prometheus
We conclude proceedings this week with an absolute monster of a track courtesy of our good friends at Season of Mist, who are about to unleash on an unsuspecting public the third full-length album from Greek post-metallers Unverkalt on February 27th.
Titled Héréditaire, the album finds the Athenians: “…wrestling with the weight of our accursed history”, by delving into Greek mythology, as is the case on this track.
The album: “…stands as the band’s heaviest and most heartfelt offering”, according to the press release, and there’s also a guest appearance elsewhere on the album from Rotting Christ’s Salis Tokis.
So, plenty to look forward to there, and plenty to look forward to next week, I’m sure. See you in seven for another seven!
Missed last week’s Seven Deadly Songs? You can find it right here
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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:
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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
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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.
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