Written By Kevin McSweeney
The best new metal songs for September 2025
Welcome to Seven Deadly Songs, Metal Lair’s weekly feature September 12th 2025 in which I talk shite about songs that are a delight. This week, we’re looking at the tracks that have tickled our fancy from albums and EPs due to be released between the 8th and the 14th of September. It’s a particularly strong week for fanciers of folk and proponents of power metal, though I’ve tried to keep it to one song per subgenre, just to try and avoid the indiscretions of previous weeks. So, without any further faffing around, let’s get stuck in, and mind where you’re pointing that violin bow.
Balt Hüttar – Tanzerloch
As previously alluded to, it’s an exciting time to be a fan of metal inspired by traditional folk music. Alestorm graced us with a new album not so long ago, and I recently reviewed an EP of metal versions of sea shanties by Italian band Calico Jack. Here, we have their fellow Italians Balt Hüttar returning with their second full-length album, Tanzerloch, released on September 12th via Rockshots Records.
The title track is a seven minute-plus epic featuring a contrast between modern and traditional instrumentation, as well as a wide array of vocal styles. It’s their use of Irish instruments such as bouzoukis, tin whistles and bodhràns that caused me to give them the nod over the other folk-inspired metal artists releasing albums this week, but I strongly recommend that you check out I Haggans Afton by Bergsvriden and …Of Bards and Madmen Reimagined by Lothloryen as well.
Dreamlord – Artificial Imprisonment
The Greeks have been absolutely smashing it this year with new metal albums. We’ve had some great releases from the likes of Black Path, Black Sword Thunder Attack and Fell Omen to name but three.
Athens-based thrashers Dreamlord are continuing that fine trend with the imminent arrival of their second full-length album, Artificial Imprisonment, due to be released independently on September 12th. The video of the title track explores the fears that many of us have about the rapid advancement of AI, with a soundtrack of good, old-fashioned organic thrash metal the way it used to be made in the 1980s.
That, by the way, is exactly how I like it! Check it out before listening to music is banned by our new robotic overlords.
Hyperstrike – High Risk
As I said earlier, I’m trying to keep it to one song per subgenre this week. This is unfortunate, as there’s some outstanding new power metal that I could have included. I could very easily have gone with something from The Universal Realm, the new album by Aedan Sky, for example, and there’s others I could name.
In the end, I went with the title track from High Risk, the debut album by Hyperstrike, just to prove that not all good music from Seattle is grunge. Plus, I really like the cover art! The vocals are strong, the harmonies lavish and the musicianship will have you wondering how it could possibly have been performed by the hands of mere mortals. This is one high-risk strategy that has paid off handsomely.
I, Cursed – Death Pays It All
Traversing that same fine line between death metal and grindcore as the likes of Napalm Death and Brutal Truth before them, this is a short and savage blast of sonic severity from Finland’s I, Cursed, who release their latest EP Heretical Onslaught on September 11th via Inverse Records.
There’s a fleeting moment when vocalist Eero Haula sounds like David Draiman doing his monkey noises on Down With The Sickness. Mercifully, the moment passes very quickly, and all comparisons cease immediately. That aside, it’s pure extreme metal intensity from them, accompanied by a spooky video that tips its cap to the Blair Witch Project and other classic horrors, with spooky figures loitering in corners and whatnot. It’s never too early to start celebrating Halloween.
Moribund Oblivion – In The Middle of The Dark Chaos
Next, we have the welcome return of the Turkish black metal institution that is Moribund Oblivion, who are back with their eight full-length album, Intertemporal, which is due to be released on September 12th, courtesy of Theogonia Records.
A song called In The Middle of The Dark Chaos could only ever be black metal, really, but while there’s plenty in the way of blast beats and banshee vocals, there’s much more to it besides. There’s mid-paced chuggery and shredding to buggery, and also a little bit of plinky plonky piano in there in addition to the eerie atmospheric synths that are more commonly deployed in this most sinister sounding of subgenres. All in all, it’s a true Turkish del… No! That joke is too corny, even for me!
Slomatics – Phantom Castle Warning
We now head to Belfast in the North of Ireland for the first of two Antrim-based offerings in the form of some sumptuous sludge/doom metal from Slomatics, who serve up large, lumbering beasts of riffs here on a track that still manages to yield unexpected moments of poignant beauty, even if it’s a sound that seems as if it’s struggling on through heavy sedation.
Phantom Castle Warning is taken from their forthcoming album, the gloriously-titled Atomicult (I love a good portmanteau!) It is their eighth full-length album in a distinguished twenty-year career, and is available from September 12th, courtesy of Majestic Mountain Records. Don’t be slow in seeking out a copy, whatever you do.
Sweet Savage – Bang
Finally, we have the return of these legendary heavy metal pioneers, also from Belfast in the North of Ireland, who have been around since 1979 and boast Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell and Deep Purple’s Simon McBride among their alumni.
Currently operating as a trio, they deliver a thoroughly punky slice of metal on the title track of what is, astonishingly, only their fourth full-length album, available via earMUSIC from September 12th. It features some highly impressive lead guitar work from Phil Edgar, as well as enough bangs to rival the Fourth of July celebrations. It’s a staggering return to form and a great way to bring this week’s list to a close. Keep it heavy, everyone! These guys have for the last 46 years!
That wraps up this week’s Seven Deadly Songs and our roundup of the best new metal tracks from September 8–12, 2025.”
More Metal Discoveries:
If you enjoyed this week’s Seven Deadly Songs, don’t miss our Deep Cuts series, where we unearth forgotten demos and rare tracks. You can also dive into our Album Reviews for in-depth looks at the latest releases shaking the scene.
FAQ – Seven Deadly Songs
Q: What is Seven Deadly Songs?
A: It’s Metal Lair’s weekly feature spotlighting the best new metal tracks from the past week, across subgenres from folk and power to death, doom, and black metal.
Q: How often is Seven Deadly Songs published?
A: Every week. We cover the freshest songs released between Monday and Sunday to keep you up to date with the latest in metal.
Q: Which bands are featured this week (Sept 8–14, 2025)?
A: Balt Hüttar, Dreamlord, Hyperstrike, I, Cursed, Moribund Oblivion, Slomatics, and Sweet Savage.
Q: Where can I listen to the songs featured?
A: Most tracks are available on major platforms like Bandcamp, Spotify, and YouTube. Links are included in each write-up where possible.
Q: How can I see past Seven Deadly Songs lists?
A: Visit Metal Lair’s Seven Deadly Songs hub page for the complete archive of weekly features.
