NICK BARKER (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR): INTERVIEWED BY INTO THE NECROSPHERE

 

 

 

 NICK BARKER, legendary former drummer of  CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR was recently interviewed by  INTO THE NECROSPHERE... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM INTO THE NECROSPHERE: 

This week I'm joined by the legendary Nick Barker, a truly generational talent whose thunderous drumming has defined extreme metal for three decades. From Cradle of Filth to Dimmu Borgir, Lock Up (official), Brujeria and beyond, Nick's career speaks for itself. In this raw, hour-plus conversation, Nick opens up about the serious health struggles he's faced over the past three years. We also dive deep into his time with Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, explore how he first picked up the sticks, and discuss what keeps him fighting.

On my weekly news rant, I tear through new singles from Mammon's Throne, Hecate Enthroned, Kanonenfieber and Sisyphean, then rank every The True Mayhem album including the latest Liturgy of Death. PLUS: I answer your questions—my Top 5 UK black metal albums, my desert-island Seinfeld episode, and more. AND, Australian aggression merchants, The Furor, rip it up in this week's Unsanctioned Filth.

Episode out now on all digital platforms.

#BlackMetal #DeathMetal #nickbarker #MetalPodcast

#metaldrummer

 

 

 

 

VIDEO BELOW: NICK BARKER (CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR): INTERVIEW (VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF INTO THE NECROSPHERE ):  

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ARCHAIC OATH: SET TO UNLEASH "DETERMINED TO DEATH AND BEYOND"

 

 

 

 European melodic black metal warriors ARCHAIC OATH have revealed the art work and track listing for the bands anticipated new release  "DETERMINED TO DEATH AND BEYOND", dye to be unleashed 4/24/2026 via AOP.  

 

 

 

 

 

FROM AOP RECORDS: 

 

Today we are proud to present you the cover artwork of Archaic Oath's debut album entitled "Determined to Death and Beyond"

It is known that a bluish cover is always a masterpiece.

First single is coming on February 12th at 6pm CET here: https://youtu.be/cK1U-3N-Q6Y

The album will be released on April 24th 2026 on various formats.

Tracklist:

1. Above the Ice

2. Wrath of the Witches

3. Forest of Horrors

4. Requiem for a Doomed Soul

5. Abysmal Ascent

6. Path of Penitence

7. Into the Temple of Light

8. Ye Entrancemperium (Emperor official cover)

Cover artwork by Wesley Dewanckel

More information soon.

 

 

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-  

DEVENIAL VERDICT: SET TO UNLEASH "OLD BLOOD, FRESH WOUNDS", POST NEW TRACK "ELYSIUM"

 

  Finland based death metal warriors DEVENIAL VERDICT have posted "ELYSIUM", a track from the bands anticipated new release "OLD BLOOD, FRESH WOUNDS", due to be unleashed soon in 2026 (release date T.B.A.) via TRANSCENDING OBSCURITY RECORDS...   

 

 

  DEVENIAL VERDICT have posted  the bands anticipated new release "BLESSING OF DESPAIR",  unleashed 10/4/ 2024 via TRANSCENDING OBSCURITY RECORDS. .

DEVENIAL VERDICT have posted the bands anticipated new release "ASH BLIND",  unleashed  10/28/ 2022 via TRANSCENDING OBSCURITY RECORDS. 

DEVENIAL VERDICT unleashed "SOULTHIRST" (EP), 9/16/2016 via BANDCAMP....

FROM TRANSCENDING OBSCURITY RECORDS: 

 

Here's some info on the new release from the Finnish death metal band Devenial Verdict whose preorders will be up later this week! A song from it can be heard here - https://youtu.be/7xKGx3_rt1k

Band's statement - "This release celebrates the 20th anniversary of Devenial Verdict. We wanted to update some of our older songs on this EP; these songs mark some of the most important musical moments of us as a band. We have the first instances of dissonance in our music and the seeds of our melancholic and atmospheric leanings; we have brutal passages and rare instances of melody. It was really eye opening to realise that all the influences were there all along! Some of these songs have never been properly released and exist only as live videos captured at our shows.

We wanted to add Soulthirst EP to this release since 2026 marks the 10 year anniversary for that release. Soulthirst functions as the bridge between all of our older material and our current sound, which we fully unleashed on Ash Blind in 2022."

Line up -

Okko Tolvanen – Drums

Sebastian Frigren – Guitars, backing vocals

Antti Poutanen – Bass, backing vocals

Riku Saressalo – Vocals

Artwork by Niilas Nissilä

VIDEO BELOW:DEVENIAL VERDICT:NEW TRACK "ELYSIUM" (VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF TRANSCENDING OBSCURITY RECORDS):  

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

MANOWAR: FORMER GUITARIST ROSS "THE BOSS" FRIEDMAN DIAGNOSED WITH ALS

 

 

 

 Auburn, New York, U.S.A. based power metal warriors MANOWAR'S publicist has announced former guitarist  ROSS "THE BOSS" FRIEDMAN has been diagnosed with ALS...   

MANOWAR unleashed "THE FINAL BATTLE I" (EP), 3/29/2019 via MAGIC CIRCLE MUSIC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM BLABBERMOUTH.NET: 

 

"Ross 'The Boss' Friedman, founding member of punk rock legends THE DICTATORS and heavy metal stalwarts MANOWAR, has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS),commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The diagnosis followed several months of seemingly unrelated symptoms that included weakness in his hands and legs. A series of very minor strokes was initially thought to have been the cause, but changes in diet, exercise and added physical therapy did nothing to slow the progression or increase his strength."

The 72-year-old Friedman added in his own statement: "It's difficult to know what lies ahead, and it crushes me not to be able to play guitar, but the outpouring of love has been so, so strong. I'm absolutely blown away by the love and support from family, friends and fans. I love you all."

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing muscle weakness, paralysis, and loss of voluntary muscle control.

 

 FROM MANOWAR: 

 We heard the terrible news about Ross's diagnosis of ALS. We are deeply saddened and are sending him and his family lots of strength during this difficult time. MANOWAR

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-  

ANAAL NATHRAKH: CANCEL OUT OF 2026 CACIQUE METAL FEST MEXICO

 

 

 

 UK black metal warriors ANAAL NATHRAKH have CANCELLED out of the CACIQUE METAL FEST 2026 , set to take place 4/18/2026 MONTERREY, MEXICO.. 

 

 

 

 

FROM ANAAL NATHRAKH: 

 

We are incredibly disappointed to announce that we will not be playing at the Cacique Metal Fest. No issues on our side, we were very excited for the trip and show. But a lack of communication unfortunately leaves us no choice. Hopefully more opportunities to bring the necro to Mexico will arise. And in the meantime, there are other irons in other fires…. Keep em peeled!

 

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-  

VALDRIN: SET TO RE- UNLEASH "BEYOND THE FOREST", POST NEW TRACK "BATTLES IN THE MEDIEVAL SKY"

 

 

 

Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. based melodic black metal warriors VALDRIN have posted "BATTLES IN THE MEDIEVAL SKY", a track from the bands anticipated reissue of the bands debut release  "BEYOND THE FOREST", due to be unleashed 3/27/2026 via AVANTGARDE MUSIC.  





VALDRIN, via BANDCAMP, are streaming the bands anticipated new release "EFFIGY OF NIGHTMARES", unleashed 6/12/2020 via BLOOD HARVEST.


VALDRIN unleashed "TWO CARRION TALISMANS", unleashed 9/28/2018 via BLOOD HARVEST. 



FROM AVANTGARDE MUSIC: 

By now the name Valdrin is known to many ears. The melodic black metal band from Ohio has been constantly rising in the underground for over a decade now, gathering acclaim across the board thanks to its unique narrative approach, singing the deeds of Valdrin Ausadjur. Still, it is not known to many that the first Valdrin studio album, the first chapter in the Valdrin Ausadjur saga, is somewhat of a lost record. Originally crafted between 2011 and 2012, Beyond The Forest only saw the light through two small runs of CDs in 2013 and 2014, and has been unavailable since. Until now.

The renewed collaboration between Valdrin and Avantgarde Music brings forth the first proper edition of Beyond The Forest, scheduled for release on March 27th, 2026, just in time for the band’s first European tour ever (courtesy of Occult Booking). Valdrin’s very first effort, now made available on CD and double LP with a brand-new cover art by long-time collaborator Lucas Ruggieri Illustration and a dedicated vinyl mastering by Tim Yatras (Austere, Germ), tells the first steps of a hero. Here is how the legend was born…

Preorders available via Sound Cave and Bandcamp, links in the first comment.

VIDEO BELOW: VALDRIN: NEW TRACK "BATTLES IN THE MEDIEVAL SKY" (VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF AVANTGARDE MUSIC):  

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-

ONSLAUGHT: ANNOUNCE NEW GUITARIST NIK SAMPSON

 

 Bristol, England thrash metal warriors  ONSLAUGHT have announced new guitarist  NIK SAMPSON.. 

 

 ONSLAUGHT have announced SPRING 2026 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES. 

ONSLAUGHT have POSTPONED the bands anticipated  WINTER 2026 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES..  

ONSLAUGHT, via SPOTIFY, are streaming  the bands anticipated new release  (40th anniversary offering)  "ORIGINS OF AGGRESSION",  unleashed 5/23/.2025 via REIGNING PHOENIX MUSIC.

 

 

 ONSLAUGHT have posted a video for the title track from the bands latest release  "GENERATION ANTICHRIST",  unleashed 8.7/2020 via AFM RECORDS. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM ONSLAUGHT: 

 

Thrash alert! UK legends Onslaught welcome Nik Sampson as their new lead guitarist! Get ready for high-octane, neck snapping energy, and pure unstoppable metal fury. Welcome to the family, Nik…We’ll see you all in the pit!

Huge thanks to Benediction for lending us Nik on the recent Australia / Asia tour..!

#Onslaught #ThrashMetal #NewLineup #NickSampson #UKThrash #MetalNews

 

 FROM BENEDICTION: 

 

Benediction would like to announce the departure of bass player Nik Sampson.

As is common knowledge, Nik is primarily a guitar player , and one of immense talent. He has been given the opportunity to fulfil his true potential playing his preferred instrument with Onslought and leaves his post with benediction with our full support. We would like to take this opportunity to wish Nik and the boys in Onslaught our best wishes going forward and thank Nik for his dedication and hard work over the past few years with Benediction. We’ll see you on the road for a beer in the not too distant future boys !

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-