Written By Kevin McSweeney
Metal Lair’s Seven Deadly Songs October 24th 2025
Welcome to Seven Deadly Songs, Metal Lair’s weekly feature where, on this occasion, we’ll be drawing attention to seven of the best albums and EPs to be released between 20th and the 26th of October, and the songs that have us most excited for them.
There will be notable releases this week from such exalted names as the Acacia Strain and Max Cavalera’s nü/groove metal institution Soulfly. We prefer to shine a light on those who might not garner the same level of publicity, but are thoroughly deserving of your appreciation nonetheless. So, without any further faffing about, let’s get this thing started!
Aligned in Ruins – Feel
I kicked off last week’s list with Age of Ruin. I might as well continue in that vein by beginning with this similarly-named groove metal crew from Colorado, whose EP Algea is due to be released independently on October 24th.
Feel is a mid-paced stompalong with sandpaper-throated vocals and some blisteringly bluesy Dimebag-style riffs. It also boasts a rhythm section that is sturdy enough to withstand the most full-blooded boot to the bollocks. Their website describes their sound as: “…a crushing fusion of groove metal, hardcore, and djent.
Infectious guitar riffs lock in with bone-shaking breakdowns, while guttural screams cut through the mix – creating a sound that’s unmistakably their own.” I don’t know if I’d call their sound unmistakable, but it’s certainly good. Now to find a band with a similar name to open next week’s list!
Bonginator – Short Ass Bus (ft. Big Ass Truck and Ignominious)
This merry band of reprobates from Boston, Massachusetts aren’t making any kind of appeal to the intellectuals here. (They once had a song called 420lb Poop, after all.) They’re a lot of fun, however, and also very heavy, which is the way to my heart!
Their second full-length album, Retrodeath – out on October 24th via Testimony Records – is a strong contender for best album cover art of 2025, featuring a hapless Gen Xer having his face ripped to shreds by what appears to be a Cylon emerging from his computer screen. The bedroom itself is like a Comic Con exhibit, with many of the trappings of 1980s/1990s popular culture represented therein.
Musically, it’s a pummelling blend of death metal and hardcore, (though there’s a bit of polka in there as well, if I’m not mistaken.) It might not be highbrow, but I can’t help but love a band who write songs about Robocop and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It must be my age.
Heavy Pettin’ – Rock Generation
What’s that? Welcome back some metal legends, you say? With pleasure! How about some NWOBHM stalwarts who first assailed our ears all the way back in 1981, and are about to release their first new music since 2020 and first full-length album since 1989?
Glaswegian masters of metal Heavy Pettin’ are back with Rock Generation, which is due to be released on October 24th, courtesy of Silver Lining Music, and the title track is an anthemic blaster of a song that will get you holding your devil horns aloft with giddy abandon.
The riffs are bluesy, the vocals soar and the rock star histrionics are all present and correct. Feet will be stomped and hands will be clapped by those who know that there’s no school as cool as the old school! Welcome back, gentlemen! It’s been far too long.
Jet Jaguar – Mach 10
Next up, we have some speed metal from the city of Cancún in Mexico. My brother went there on holiday once; very good diving, apparently, so I’m hoping the supremely talented Ariyuki Arce will oblige me with some dive bombs on Jet Jaguar’s second full-length album, Severance, which comes screaming our way on October 24th, courtesy of Steamhammer.
I love the way there’s a slight dissonance to what would otherwise be a melodic flourish in the verse riffs of Mach 10. That’s harder to pull off than playing within the key, I imagine. Oh, and there’s guitar solos.
Muchos guitar solos! The virtuosity on display is truly impressive, and especially when taken in the context that speed metal is often thought of as a primitive precursor to the greater musical proficiency of thrash. Oh, and let’s show some appreciation for that band name! Jets are cool, jaguars are cool, and alliteration is especially cool! Yes it is! Shut up!
Karate Steve – Time Under Tension
How could I not include a band called Karate Steve? They are in fact our second inclusion this week from Boston, Massachusetts, which is unfortunate, as the name of that state is difficult to spell. Time Under Tension – a concept that will be familiar to any gym-goer.
It’s all physical exertion with this lot! – is the title track of their third full-length album, which is due to be released independently on October 24th. It’s a delightfully robust slab of thrash/sludge/alternative metal, with a heavy emphasis on the sludge, though there’s actually some Cannibal Corpse-style trills in there as well.
I love the fact that they define themselves as a “snore-piece metal band” on their social media. I always appreciate a bit of self-deprecating humour, though I can assure you they won’t be sending anyone to sleep with this ferocious little number!
Remina – Theia
It’s only fitting that such spectral sounds as these should emanate from New Zealand – which was chosen as the setting for Middle Earth in the Lord of The Rings franchise.
This phantasmagorical little number is taken from Remina’s second full-length album, The Silver Sea, which is flowing our way on October 24th via Avantgarde Music.
Defined as atmospheric gothic/doom metal, they are certainly all of those things, with their atmospheric synths and doom laden-guitars and funereal rhythms.
The gothic element comes in the form of the haunting, ethereal vocals of Heike Langhans. How I would have loved to hear her duet with the late and much-missed Peter Steele! I always wondered what Clannad would sound like if they got their hands on a distortion pedal; now, I know.
Them – Catatonia
Finally, we have a band that is half-German, half-American and completely and entirely excellent! Them actually started life as a King Diamond tribute act some seventeen years ago. Since then, they’ve transformed into a legitimate original band with their fifth full-length album, Psychedelic Enigma, about to drop on October 24th on the Steamhammer label.
Catatonia is fast and frenetic, but with supremely catchy hooks and a superb solo to boot. It’s an exhilarating brand of power metal tinged with thrash that they’re bringing to the table, and it might result in you headbanging yourself into a catatonic state if you’re not careful. It’s certainly a fine way to bring proceedings to a close for this week. See you next week for more Seven Deadly Songs from the top drawer!
Missed last week’s Seven Deadly Songs? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Catch up right here.
“That wraps up this week’s Seven Deadly Songs and the heavy hitters that refuse to stay quiet. But don’t wander off just yet. If you’re hungry for the deep, dusty gems that never made the spotlight, Deep Cuts Metals Hidden Gems is where the real treasure’s buried. And if you want your brain melted by riffs that defy genre and push metal’s limits, our Metalhead Horoscope will take you there. See you in the pit.”
Looking for more details about Seven Deadly Songs? Here are answers to the most common questions about our weekly roundup from how it works and when it drops to where you can find the best new metal releases and weekly companion series.
FAQ: Seven Deadly Songs (October 24th 2025)
Q: What is Seven Deadly Songs?
A: Seven Deadly Songs is Metal Lair’s weekly roundup of the heaviest new releases across the metal spectrum from black and death to doom, thrash, and speed metal. 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 week, typically highlighting releases from Monday through Sunday. This edition covers October 24th 2025.
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 Metals Hidden Gems for rare, overlooked tracks or unreleased demos and our Metalhead Horoscopes shows you what the stars have in store, translated into metalhead language and paired with a lucky song of the week.
