One of heavy metal’s most iconic labels is roaring back. Combat Records, the legendary U.S. label behind Megadeth, Exodus, Helstar, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, and countless other 1980s thrash and punk trailblazers, is set for a full-scale relaunch in 2026 under the leadership of Robert Dujmusic and Alex Stojak.

Combat’s storied history is steeped in metal lore. After launching some of the most influential acts of the 1980s and surviving a handful of ownership changes, the label went dormant in the mid-2000s, with its catalog eventually absorbed by Sony. In 2016, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and Thom Hazaert of EMP Label Group acquired the Combat brand and its intellectual property, safeguarding the label’s legacy.

As of January 2026, Combat Records is officially under the stewardship of independent film producers Alex Stojak and Robert Dujmusic, operating from their new office in Göttingen, Germany. The revived label has already expanded infrastructure to include distribution, PR, festival support, and touring, signaling a modern, full-service approach.

The first wave of confirmed releases will include projects from established artists as well as development opportunities for emerging bands, ensuring that Combat stays true to its history of championing underground heavy music. Key additions to the team include Nicole Wendeborn (former Eternal Sound partner) as A&R manager and Christian “Opus” Lawrence (ex-Cro-Mags) as U.S. manager.

“It is the honor of a lifetime to be able to continue the legacy of such an important part of heavy music history and I’m super excited for what we’ve got coming up,” said Dujmusic. “Combat is back!”

Ellefson added his endorsement: “It’s good to know that the Combat Records brand has landed into the right hands and will continue to thrive with Christian and Rob at the helm.”

Carrie Underwood isn’t afraid to poke fun at herself!

The country singer noticed something about a contestant on American Idol that brought up memories about the time her knees became an internet sensation.

Carrie Underwood Shows Off Her Baby Knees

The moment happened on a recent episode of the reality singing competition series. After a contestant left the set, Underwood said she couldn’t help but notice that person’s “baby knees.”

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“Her what?” fellow judge Luke Bryan asks with a puzzled look on his face.

“Baby knees,” Underwood says with authority. “When you have, like, a face in your knees.

Fans Spot Prince George’s Face on Carrie Underwood’s Knees

After explaining what “baby knees” are, she recounted the story about how her knees became internet famous.

In 2016, her knees became a meme. It was just three years after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine, had their first child, George. Someone pointed out that it looked like George’s face was superimposed on Underwood’s kneecaps and the internet did what the internet does best.

They ran with it.

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Even Underwood herself had to laugh at the moment, agreeing that the shape of her knees did bear a resemblance to the royal child. She shared a photo on social media so fans could get a closeup view.

Do Knees Really Look Like Faces?

It sounds strange, but finding famous faces in other things is not that uncommon. Similar to seeing Abe Lincoln’s face in a potato chip, people sometimes see faces in the knees of others.

In fact, Buzzfeed has an entire list with side-by-side photos. Some famous faces that has been spotted include James Corden, Channing Tatum and John Travolta. It will definitely make you look twice the next time you look at yourself in the mirror.

American Idol airs Mondays at 8PM ET on ABC.