Metal Contraband News For July 21st, 2026:
This week in Metal Contraband:
Sabaton has just announced The Last Stand (10th Anniversary Edition), a celebration of the original album set for release on September 11th via Nuclear Blast Records. The special edition will feature all the bonus tracks, plus live footage from Sabaton Open Air 2016. Pär Sundström says, “Who would have believed that 10 years could fly by so fast? We have so many great memories tied to ‘The Last Stand’, so we’re really happy to celebrate its 10th anniversary with the special edition vinyl and digibook with all the extras. If you get your hands on the digibook, you’ll find bonus video footage that captures Thobbe – our guitarist – playing his final show with us at Sabaton Open Air in 2016 before stepping away for an eight-year vacation. In a way, it became his own “Last Stand”! Of course, none of us knew at the time that he’d eventually return to the band in 2024, which makes looking back at those moments even more meaningful. It’s a poignant chapter in our history, and the perfect thing to share as we celebrate the album’s 10th birthday”. Keep up with the band via: https://www.facebook.com/sabaton/.
Moonspell recently released Far From God, their latest album via Napalm Records, and the band is celebrating with a tour announcement as the special guests of Cradle of Filth on an North American tour, with Worm Gloom and Black Satellite along for the ride. Fernando Ribeiro says, “Moonspell and Cradle of Filth, came a long way…We first played together in 1994 and since then we’ve sharing stages all around the globe. It’s also our return to the North America and we sure want to make it count! Cradle is on a creative and touring roll so we’ll try to get ourselves some of their charm and deliver you amazing nights to the sound of our very own Portugal brand of Gothic Metal. We’ll be promoting our new album Far from God, the 30th anniversary or Irreligious and will go deep into our history and legacy. See you under the spell!” For all the dates and details, head to: https://www.moonspell.com/.
Employed To Serve has unleashed their second single of the year, with “A Moment Gone Too Soon” out now. Check it out with the music video here: https://youtu.be/OhpbZfwpAJ0?si=n1M9HeHEJKbufgPH. The band says of the track, “‘A Moment Gone Too Soon’ touches on something we’re all guilty of, taking what we have for granted and not realising until it’s too late and the sands of time have insidiously slipped through our fingers, until every grain of a reality we once knew exists only in memory. However, this is not a song focused on looking back with rose-tinted glasses, far from it. This is a track that focuses on grabbing the present day with both hands and ringing every bit of happiness and opportunity out of it. At the end of the day, it’s all we truly have”. For more on the band, visit: https://www.employedtoserve.com/.
Trivium heads into a new era, with new music on the way as they prepare for their headline tour this fall, with In Flames, Fit For An Autopsy, Frozen Soul, and Orbit Culture on board. The band says, “This fall’s Trivium tour is a huge one for us. The lineup is stacked from top to bottom, and we’re honored to have special guests In Flames, who not only influenced our early years but continue to prove time and again why they’re one of the greatest metal bands of all time. With Orbit Culture, Fit For An Autopsy, and Frozen Soul rounding out the bill, we can’t wait to get out there, kick off this next era of Trivium with Rudi behind the kit, and give you a taste of the new music we’ve been working on. We’ll see you soon!” Find all the info at: https://www.trivium.org/.
Kärbholz is heading to the release of Sturm Zieh Auf, set for September 18th via Metalville. Check out the latest single with “Razor’s Edge” here: https://youtu.be/cq5pFwv1wzg?si=CmNe8if53cjXTC04. This marks Kärbholz’s first new release since their double release of Kapitel 10 and Kapitel 11 three years ago. Keep up with the band via: https://youtu.be/cq5pFwv1wzg?si=CmNe8if53cjXTC04.
Forbidden is getting ready for their self-titled album that’s set for an October 23rd release via BLKIIBLK, their first full-length since 2010. The Bay Area Thrashers have dropped the music video “Psyclops” this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC-62rubZXU. Guitarist Craig Locicero says, “‘Psyclops’ was the final song completed for our newest self-titled offering. It was part of the last batch of music completed with Jeremy Von Epp & myself on the home stretch of our writing sessions & it came together quickly. The song itself is a hypnotizing stomper. Heavy footed like millions of people marching against how things stand in the status quo. Norman’s lyrics for ‘Psyclops’ should be left to the interpretation of the listeners. The chorus paints a vivid picture…’Forsaken, fast asleep and trapped inside a maze, Complacent eyes securely locked in an obscure gaze’”. Follow the band via: https://www.forbiddenreborn.com/.
Chart Editor: Munsey Ricci from Skateboard Marketing Ltd.
Editorial By Chelsea Nelson-Fernandez & Munsey Ricci
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