This week marks a significant moment for metal music enthusiasts, with established acts like Rob Zombie and Black Label Society releasing new tracks. Emerging artists such as Ice Nine Kills and Cemican also feature prominently, offering diverse sounds from industrial metal to folk-infused extremity. Fans can explore a wide range of new music and participate in a weekly poll to select their favorite new song.
Key Takeaways
- Rob Zombie returns with a new single, "Punks And Demons," after four years.
- Ice Nine Kills releases "The Laugh Track," inspired by comic book villains.
- Black Label Society unveils "Broken And Blind," hinting at a new album.
- A diverse lineup of new bands, including Cemican, Jet Jaguar, and Pinkshift, are also featured.
- Lord Of The Lost maintained their top position in last week's fan poll.
Weekly Metal Chart Sees New Entries
The latest collection of new metal songs brings together both veteran artists and rising talents. Rob Zombie, known for his distinctive industrial horror aesthetic, has launched his first new single in four years, titled "Punks And Demons." This release comes just weeks before Halloween, a period often associated with his work.
Alongside Zombie, theatrical metal band Ice Nine Kills has also released a new track, "The Laugh Track." These releases are part of a broader wave of new music that includes heavy hitters and promising newcomers, ensuring a varied listening experience for fans.
Last Week's Top Performers
- First Place: Lord Of The Lost secured their sixth consecutive win.
- Second Place: Ukrainian anti-war death metallers 1914 took a strong second.
- Third Place: Sweden's Avatar held off Megadeth to claim the bronze position.
Rob Zombie and Ice Nine Kills Lead New Releases
Rob Zombie's return to the music scene with "Punks And Demons" signifies a shift towards his earlier, more industrial sound. The track features a raw energy reminiscent of his White Zombie days, with clear influences from bands like Ministry. This single is a preview of his upcoming album, "The Great Satan," scheduled for release on February 27.
"Punks And Demons feels the most industrial Zombie track since his White Zombie days – there's a massive spectre of Ministry in that core riff – stripping away some of the more sideshow trappings of his most recent albums to get back to making an infernal racket, spelling great things for new album The Great Satan on Feb 27."
Ice Nine Kills continues their trend of concept-driven music with "The Laugh Track." This song draws inspiration from classic comic book villains, specifically referencing Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film. The track showcases the band's signature flamboyant style, strong hooks, and a notable incorporation of Danny Elfman's iconic Batman theme riff.
Emerging Talents Offer Unique Sounds
The new releases also highlight several innovative bands pushing the boundaries of metal. Mexican band Cemican presents "Viaje Astral Del Quetzal De Fuego," a track that blends foreboding metal with traditional Mexican folk elements. Similar to bands like Alien Weaponry and The Hu, Cemican uses their music to explore Mayan culture, delivering a powerful sound with Gojira-esque intensity. Their new album, "U_k'u'uk'ankil_Mayakaaj," is set for release on October 31.
Exploring Cultural Identity in Metal
Many contemporary metal bands are integrating their cultural heritage into their music. This approach creates a unique sound that resonates globally. Cemican's fusion of Mayan culture with extreme metal is a prime example, offering listeners a rich, layered experience.
Jet Jaguar, also from Mexico, offers a different take on heavy metal with "Mach 10." This track embodies classic heavy metal with a proto-thrash and power metal influence, living up to its name with its energetic and thunderous feel. "Mach 10" is from their upcoming album, "Severance," due out on October 24.
Maryland's Pinkshift brings a hardcore punk edge with their latest single, "Authority Problem." The song reflects on current societal issues in America, featuring oppressive riffs and intense vocals from Ashrita Kumar. The band is scheduled to tour the UK in February next year with Grandson.
Diverse Genres and Anticipated Releases
Moodring contributes to the growing "Deftonescore" genre with their new single, "Half-Life." This track blends alternative rock, nu metal, and shoegaze, creating a sound that is both ethereal and heavy. The band combines weightless melodies with powerful breakdowns, suggesting a promising new album next year.
From Hungary, Witcher delivers "Szélhozó," a grandiose and atmospheric black metal track. This song delves into Hungarian folklore, creating a mystic and furious sound reminiscent of an underground Dimmu Borgir. "Szélhozó" is part of their new album, "Öröklét," releasing on November 4.
- Cold In Berlin: "The Stranger" offers ethereal darkness, blending doom and post-punk. It is from their upcoming album, "Wounds," out November 7.
- Black Label Society: "Broken And Blind" is the third single from the band in the past year, showcasing their signature Southern-tinged heavy metal. A new album is expected before summer, with the band set to appear at Bloodstock in the UK.
- Greyhaven: "Prelude: Evening Star / Shatter And Burst" moves from a calm intro to chaotic noise, displaying furious vitality and unexpected turns. The band is touring the UK with Better Lovers this month.
Shoegaze and Metalcore Highlights
Blanket's "Hole In My Head" falls into the shoegaze-influenced metal category, providing a sense of nostalgia. The track combines fuzzy low-end sounds with hazy tones, creating a dream-like quality even in its heavier sections. This song represents 90s nostalgia effectively.
Japanese metalcore band Crystal Lake makes a strong return with "The Weight Of Sound." This marks their first new record in seven years, following lineup changes including the departure of guitarist Shinya Hori in 2020 and vocalist Ryo Kinoshita in 2022. The new single features vocalist John Robert Centorrino, showcasing his powerful voice in an arena-anthem style. The full album, also titled "The Weight Of Sound," is scheduled for release on January 26.
Upcoming Album Releases
Several artists featured this week have announced new albums:
- Rob Zombie: "The Great Satan" (February 27)
- Cemican: "U_k'u'uk'ankil_Mayakaaj" (October 31)
- Jet Jaguar: "Severance" (October 24)
- Witcher: "Öröklét" (November 4)
- Cold In Berlin: "Wounds" (November 7)
- Crystal Lake: "The Weight Of Sound" (January 26)
Fans are encouraged to vote for their favorite new metal song of the week. The poll closes on October 17, 2025, at 11:00 AM. This interactive element allows the community to directly influence the weekly rankings and discover new music based on collective preferences.