Metal Contraband News For June 2nd, 2026:
This week in Metal Contraband:
Sepultura has announced the date of the final concert of their career, bringing the band to a close live at the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu in São Paulo, Brazil, on November 7th. Sepultura and Guests will feature Metal Allegiance (Mark Menghi, Mike Portnoy, Alex Skolnick), Krisiun, and Sacred Reich, with more special guests TBA. Former members and musicians connected to Sepultura’s history over the decades are also expected to join the celebration, including Jean Dolabella and Jairo Guedz, who were part of the band’s original line-up. Keep an eye out for more updates on the special guests and details at: https://www.sepultura.com.br/.
Flotsam and Jetsam is heading to the release of Rats In The Temple, set for an August 28th release via Napalm Records. This week, you can check out a video for the title track here: https://youtu.be/DLwxt85T3u0?si=uf45ddqinQQBGUKp. Eric A.K. Knutson says, “We’re super excited to release the first single from the album, which is very fittingly the title track, ‘Rats In The Temple’! This song has a lot to say, and we hope the fans love the song as much as we do. This is possibly one of the most technically challenging songs Flotsam has ever recorded, and we look forward to delivering this song live as well!” Follow the band via: https://www.flotstildeath.com/.
Paul Di’Anno, original Iron Maiden vocalist and solo artist, is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of 1986’s Fighting Back, with a remastered and repackaged Deko Entertainment release. Originally released under Paul Di’Anno’s Battlezone, the Fighting Back 40th Anniversary features 180G vinyl in two Limited Edition colors, CDs, plus the bonus track “Rising Star”. For all the details, visit: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/reissues/battlezone.
Nonpoint recently dropped the new single, “Is It”, which marks the first single off The Last Word, the band’s new album expected late Summer 2026. The band says, “”In a world that sometimes wants to put a timestamp on creativity, The Last Word is our way of saying we’re just getting started. We’re pushing back against expectation and pushing forward into our own next chapter”. Frontman Elias Soriano says of the track and album cover, “‘Is It’ is that internal conflict where you question getting too involved? Did I push too hard? Did I ask too much? It’s that feeling of wondering if doing what you thought was right actually meant hurting the people around you. This album cover tells a piece of our story. After years of making music, we feel more aligned than ever—musically, visually, and creatively. We’re writing some of the strongest material of our career, our live shows are as powerful as they’ve ever been, and the band feels focused and energized. The pencil on the cover represents what it’s like to be handed one last tool and expected to fit everything you have left to say into it. Not because the ideas are gone, but because longevity often comes with assumptions and limits. The Last Word isn’t about accepting an ending. It’s about challenging that narrative. If this is the pencil we’re being handed, we’re going to use it—and make sure the words written with it still matter”. For more, head to: https://nonpoint.com/.
Southpaw FLHC is getting ready for The Standard, their new album out July 31st via Spinefarm. The Hardcore 4-piece will follow up on their August 1st record release show with an Aug/Sept tour across the States. Check out the track “Run Game” here: https://southpawflhc.lnk.to/RunGame. The band says, “It’s a tip of the hat to those who move correct and a message to those who lead in their field. ‘Run Game’ is for the wise, the fearless, and the devoted. All gas, no brakes. Driven by hunger, discipline, and a relentless passion for the love of the game. This is The Standard. For the full list of tour dates, visit: https://www.southpawflhc.com/.
Chart Editor: Munsey Ricci from Skateboard Marketing Ltd.
Editorial By Chelsea Nelson-Fernandez & Munsey Ricci
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