There’s a deluge of great releases coming up in the next month, so we’ve devised this handy guide for our most anticipated albums!

Black Label Society – Engines Of Demolition (March 27, 2026)

With Engines Of Demolition, Black Label Society mastermind Zakk Wylde channels the turbulence of the past four years into a record that spans triumphant highs and crushing lows. Written between 2022 and 2025 during Wylde‘s time on the Pantera Celebration World Tour, the album balances hulking riffs and road-hardened grit with some of his most personal material to date, including the heartfelt tribute “Ozzy’s Song.”

Bosse-de-Nage – Hidden Fires Burn Hottest (March 6, 2026)

San Francisco’s elusive post-black metal collective Bosse-de-Nage return after eight years with Hidden Fires Burn Hottest, their most expansive and unbound work yet. Long affiliated with The Flenser, the band has evolved in relative isolation, allowing their sound to mutate beyond categorization. Tracked by Jack Shirley at Atomic Garden East and mixed/mastered by Richard Chowenhill, the album trades the taut restraint of Further Still for sprawl and strangeness, treating emotion as something tangible and spatial.

Dan Swanö – Moontower (Reissue) (March 6, 2026)

After 27 years, Dan Swanö‘s cult solo opus Moontower returns in a newly remastered edition, complete with a 16-track bonus disc. Originally conceived as “death metal from 1972,” the album captures Swanö at his most adventurous, weaving progressive rock ambition into extreme metal frameworks. Known for his work with acts like Opeth and Katatonia, Swanö revisits pivotal tracks such as “Sun of the Night” and “Uncreation” with renewed clarity, spotlighting the record’s swirling keys, humming guitars, and introspective menace.

Egregore – It Echoes In The Wild (March 20, 2026)

Canadian occult extremists Egregore push further into sonic wilderness on It Echoes In The Wild, an elemental expansion of their blackened death metal assault. Featuring members connected to acts like Mitochondrion and Auroch, the band balances primitive force with vast, atmospheric breadth, conjuring diabolic landscapes both geographic and psychological. Engineered by Mariessa McLeod and mixed/mastered by Arthur Rizk, the album embraces esoteric madness and untamed spirituality, plunging listeners into a lawless dominion where occult fury and windswept ambience collide.

ERRA – silence outlives the earth (March 6, 2026)

On silence outlives the earth, Alabama progressive metalcore standouts ERRA sharpen both their thematic focus and sonic extremes. Opening with the liminal swirl of “stelliform,” the album navigates existential uncertainty with mystical restraint and crushing catharsis in equal measure. Produced once again by Daniel Braunstein, the record finds ERRA at their most cohesive – ethereal passages bloom into punishing crescendos, and personal reflection intertwines with commentary on a fractured world.

Exodus – Goliath (March 20, 2026)

Thrash legends Exodus return swinging with Goliath, a ferocious and collaborative statement four decades into their reign. Produced by the band and mixed/mastered by Mark Lewis, the album blends razor-wire riffing and mosh-pit savagery with dynamic flourishes–from the anthemic surge of “The Changing Me” to the colossal title track featuring ominous string arrangements. With contributions from stalwarts Gary Holt, Lee Altus, Tom Hunting, and Jack Gibson, Goliath proves Exodus remain fearless, evolving without sacrificing the explosive authenticity that defined their 1985 debut Bonded By Blood.

Fotocrime – Security (March 13, 2026)

Louisville post-punk force Fotocrime expands its sonic arsenal on Security, welcoming new members Benjamin Clark and David Cundiff into the fold. Spearheaded by Evan Patterson, the album boasts an eclectic cast of collaborators, including Jay Weinberg, Barney Greenway, and members of Sumac and Young Widows. Co-produced and engineered alongside J. Robbins, Security refines Fotocrime‘s brooding intensity with layered textures and guest-driven dynamism, marking another bold chapter for the ever-evolving project.

Gaerea – Loss (March 20, 2026)

Portuguese masked collective Gaerea shed and reshape their blackened skin on Loss, their first release with Century Media. Recorded with longtime collaborator Miguel Tereso, the album integrates their post-black metal roots with sharper production, haunting melodies, and even unexpected clean vocals and choruses. Still cloaked in anonymity and ritualistic presence, Gaerea continue to explore the frayed edges of the human psyche, inviting their “Vortex Society” into a deeply personal yet transcendent sonic experience.

Gold Pyramid – Gold Pyramid (March 5, 2026)

The instrumental duo Gold Pyramid – uniting drummer Evan Diprima and guitarist John D. Cronise – deliver a self-titled debut that fuses heavy rock muscle with sci-fi synth shimmer and Southern groove. Known respectively for their work with Moon Destroys and The Sword, the pair channel their knack for uplifting, expansive sounds into a wordless journey aimed at transcendence. The result is a cinematic, riff-driven record that feels both grounded and otherworldly, offering a restorative blast of instrumental heavy rock.

Gutvoid – Liminal Shrines (March 20, 2026)

With Liminal Shrines, Canadian death/doom explorers Gutvoid unleash the first half of an ambitious two-part concept. Across six immersive movements, the band refines their cosmic horror atmospheres with more progressive structures and melodic focus, as heard on “Spell Reliquary.” Recorded across multiple studios and mixed/mastered by Greg Dawson, the album expands their crushing foundation into intricate, transformative territory steeped in themes of metamorphosis and mysticism.

Heavy Metal Shrapnel – Heavy Metal Hairspray (March 27, 2026)

Spearheaded by Andrew Lee and featuring powerhouse vocalist Mark Boals, Heavy Metal Shrapnel inject classic US power metal with a lean, aggressive edge on Heavy Metal Hairspray. Eschewing symphonic excess, the album embraces riff-heavy directness reminiscent of Boals‘ era with Yngwie Malmsteen, bolstered by a guest appearance from keyboard virtuoso Derek Sherinian. It’s a defiant celebration of big hooks, bigger riffs, and unapologetic heavy metal thunder.

Hellripper – Coronach (March 27, 2026)

The brainchild of James McBain, Hellripper storms forward with Coronach, a black/speed metal barrage steeped in Scottish history and old-school ferocity. Recorded at McBain‘s Coronach Studios and mastered by Damien Herring, the album draws inspiration from the raw attack of early Metallica and Venom while sharpening Hellripper‘s own blood-soaked identity. As their Century Media debut, it promises high-octane riffing and fearless extremity.

Intoxicated – The Dome (March 27, 2026)

Florida death-thrash veterans Intoxicated return with The Dome, their third full-length and a reaffirmation of their place in the state’s storied extreme metal lineage. Originally formed in 1993 and mentored early on by Chuck Schuldiner of Death, the band delivers unrelenting speed, razor-sharp riffs, and concise songwriting rooted in classic death-thrash tradition. The Dome channels decades of experience into a focused, high-impact assault.

Këkht Aräkh – Morning Star (March 27, 2026)

On Morning Star, Këkht Aräkh merges 90s black metal devotion with lo-fi warmth and experimental textures. Collaborators VS–55 and Varg2TM contribute abstract sampling and grainy atmospherics, while James Ginzburg‘s mastering enhances the album’s depth. The result is a deeply personal work that honors tradition while embracing subtle sonic evolution, marking both a continuation and an arrival for the project.

Lamb Of God – Into Oblivion (March 13, 2026)

Richmond metal titans Lamb Of God confront societal fracture head-on with Into Oblivion. Vocalist Randy Blythe frames the album as a commentary on the erosion of the social contract, a theme underscored by blistering singles like “Sepsis” and “Parasocial Christ.” Produced and mixed by longtime collaborator Josh Wilbur, the record was tracked across locations deeply tied to the band’s identity, delivering a furious yet reflective statement from modern metal mainstays.

Monstrosity – Screams From Beneath The Surface (March 13, 2026)

Florida death metal titans Monstrosity return after seven years with Screams From Beneath The Surface, a ferocious reaffirmation of their genre-defining brutality. Led by drummer and founder Lee Harrison, the revitalized lineup features longtime guitarist Matt Barnes, returning original bassist Mark Van Erp, and new vocalist Ed Webb (ex-Massacre), whose guttural power injects fresh venom into the band’s sound. Tracked between Audiohammer Studios with producer Jason Suecof and Morrisound Studios alongside Jim Morris, the album fuses classic and modern production muscle, cementing Monstrosity’s enduring dominance in extreme metal.

MORS.VOID.DISCIPLINE – Txketh)ëké (March 13, 2026)

Emerging from the depths of Chile’s extreme metal underground, MORS.VOID.DISCIPLINE unleash their debut full-length Txketh)ëké, a 20-minute obliteration of bestial war metal and 90s-inspired goregrind. Preceded by the premiere of “Sanguinem In Anum Caprae Putrescentis Eiaculans,” the album has already been hailed as “inhuman, unhinged, hideously toxic, and perversely addictive.” Drawing on influences like Blasphemy and early Carcass, the band blends mangled riffs, pitch-shifted vocals, and occultly inflected horror into a cryptic, arcane soundscape.

Poison The Well – Peace In Place (March 20, 2026)

After years of milestone tours and sustained influence, metalcore pioneers Poison The Well return with Peace In Place, their sixth full-length. Produced by Grammy-winner Will Putney, the album channels the spirit of genre-defining releases like The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation while refracting it through decades of growth and perspective. Following a lengthy hiatus, the band’s renewed creative unity signals a powerful next chapter for a group whose legacy continues to resonate.

The Silver – Looking Glass Hymnal Blue (March 20, 2026)

Philadelphia’s The Silver aim for mythic scope on Looking Glass Hymnal Blue, an ornate and emotionally excavating work that builds on the exploratory spirit of their prior release. Recorded with engineer Richie DeVon and adorned with unified artwork by Paul Romano, the album blends ambitious compositions with introspective lyricism centered on reflection, memory, and fractured identity. Each song functions as both hymn and key, inviting listeners to confront the mirror and what lies beyond.

Temple Of Void – The Crawl (March 6, 2026)

Detroit doom/death crushers Temple Of Void delve into allegory and existential dread on The Crawl. Tracked in a frigid January week at Kurt Ballou‘s GodCity Studio, the album favors a raw, human feel, with massive guitar tones and in-the-room percussion. Lyrically grappling with life, consequence, and humanity’s darker impulses, The Crawl balances psychological horror with crushing sonic weight.

Vreid – The Skies Turn Black (March 6, 2026)

Norwegian stalwarts Vreid describe The Skies Turn Black as one of their most demanding yet rewarding creations. Emerging from a turbulent writing period, the album’s eleven tracks reflect struggle, recalibration, and artistic renewal. Produced alongside Anders Nordengen and adorned with artwork by Kim Holm, the record marks a confident evolution five years after their previous release, setting the stage for a major European tour.

Winterfylleth – The Unyielding Season (March 27, 2026)

UK atmospheric black metal torchbearers Winterfylleth offer pointed social commentary on The Unyielding Season, their ninth album and first with Napalm Records. Expanding on themes introduced in The Imperious Horizon, the band confronts the manifestation of looming malevolence with meticulously crafted poetry and sweeping compositions. It’s a rebellious, reflective work that continues their legacy of blending historical consciousness with cinematic black metal grandeur.

Witchcraft – A Sinner’s Child (March 13, 2026)

Swedish heavy rock icons Witchcraft return with the intimate five-track EP A Sinner’s Child. Following the acclaim of 2025’s IDAG, founder Magnus Pelander strips the sound to its essence, moving between proto-doom weight, luminous folk passages, and soulful acoustic dirges. Deeply personal and emotionally resonant, the EP serves as both epilogue and distillation–proof of the enduring power of melody, vulnerability, and stripped-down heaviness.

Eric Church spoke about a wide range of his experiences with grief during a new appearance on Anderson Cooper’s All There Is podcast last week.

Some of the traumatic instances he discussed were collective grieving experiences. He spoke about the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting as well as the 2023 mass shooting at Nashville’s Covenant School, which happened close to the school that Church’s own children were attending.

But one of the instances he brought up was a devastating personal loss that he hasn’t spoken about much. That was the death of his brother Brandon, who died in 2018 at just 36 years old.

Read More: Eric Church’s Brother, Brandon Church, Has Died

Church admits he tends to “bury stuff like that” when it comes to grief emotions, and that he’s had to learn to talk more openly about what he’s feeling during those difficult times.

The singer also says he regrets not letting his two children be a part of one of his rawest moments after his brother’s death.

Eric Church Shares What He Regrets About How He Handles His Brother’s Death With His Kids

In the interview, Church admits it was a “mistake” not to bring his children to Brandon’s funeral. They were about seven and five years old at the time.

“We left them back with a relative,” he recounts. “At the time, it sounded like the exact right thing to do. ‘Cause I was a wreck. I was a mess. My family was a mess.”

In hindsight, though, he wishes the two boys had been able to be the adults in their lives navigating that grief.

“I look back on it now and sometimes it’s good for a child, if they’re in that age, to see everybody hurting, to see the life changing, to see what that death is,” Church continues. “So that’s one thing I regret. If I could go back, I would do that different.”

Eric Church Shares What He Regrets About His Relationship With His Late Brother 

Church’s brother died of “consequences of chronic alcoholism,” according to an autopsy report that was subsequently released.

He suffered seizures before he died, which the autopsy revealed as “alcohol withdrawal-induced seizure disorder.”

Read More: Eric Church’s Brother’s Cause of Death Revealed

In his new podcast appearance, Church alluded to the struggles that his brother was going through before he died, and recalls that Brandon spoke to him about what he was feeling.

Now, the singer says he regrets the way he reacted during that conversation.

“I did a little bit of the, ‘You’re not doing the things you’re supposed to be doing,’ and it was a little bit of the ‘tough love,’ big brother thing. I wish I’d had more grace and been more compassionate, now.

“But at the time, you think, ‘Oh, come on, get your s–t together.’ I regret that now,” Church reflects.

Eric Church Still Feels His Late Brother’s Presence — And His Grief is Ongoing

Church said he feels his late brother’s presence often, especially when he’s performing onstage. The singer has written and performed songs about Brandon, some of which, he says, will never be recorded.

Read More: 40 Country Singers Who Died Too Soon

He also says that his grief over that loss still comes in strong, unpredictable waves.

“It’s been eight years, and those things will come out of nowhere,” the singer reflects.

“I just don’t see it coming. That train’s not coming. And there it is,” he continues. “…You would think, after five, six, seven years, that wouldn’t happen, or they would be less frequent. But I’ve found that they’ve been more frequent over the last few years.”