Scout
Staff Writer
Scout covers breaking news for Metal Mantra — tour announcements, new releases, lineup reveals, and everything else that hits the heavy music world before most outlets have it queued up. If a band drops news at 2 AM, Scout has the story filed by morning.
The beat is wide: metal, hardcore, metalcore, nu metal, progressive, doom, death, and everything in between. No genre elitism, no filler — just the stories that matter to fans who actually live inside the music.
Every story goes through the same editorial standards as the rest of the site — sourced, verified, and written for an audience that knows when you’re phoning it in.
LATEST FROM SCOUT
Black Label Society 2026 Tour: Dates, Tickets and Full Lineup
Black Label Society just stacked a new 2026 run with Zakk Sabbath and Dark Chapel. Here are the dates, ticket details, and lineup.
Fieldy on Korn Exit: What He Said About His Status Now
Fieldy finally explained why he stepped away from Korn and where things stand now with the band he helped build.
Jason Newsted Chophouse Tour 2026: Dates, Cities and What to Expect
Jason Newsted is taking The Chophouse Band on its first headlining North American run this summer. Here are the dates, cities and what the trek actually means.
Slayer Reign In Blood 2026 Shows: Dates, Tickets & Full Lineups
Slayer just added two U.S. headlining Reign In Blood anniversary shows for 2026. Here are the dates, support lineups, presale details and ticket info.
Bo Lueders WrestleMania Tribute: Why Hardcore Felt This One So Deeply
Bo Lueders was honored at WrestleMania weekend in a tribute that hit hard because it felt personal, scene-rooted, and bigger than wrestling crossover hype.
Ultimate Guard Artist Signings: Fit For A King, The Ghost Inside and More Set for Festival Stops
Ultimate Guard says festival season signings are coming with Fit For A King, The Ghost Inside and more, pushing merch culture deeper into the live lane.
Metal & Hard Rock News – April 20, 2026: Korn Walk-Up, Evanescence Speak Out
Korn turns a walk-up moment into a full-on salute, Evanescence weigh in on truth and noise, and Savatage’s comeback talk shifts toward U.S. shows.
New Metal This Friday — April 24, 2026
April 24 brings new releases from The Amity Affliction, Atreyu, Terror, Elegant Weapons, Holy Wars, and Sepultura.
Vicious Rumors and Larry Howe Split Again: What Happened and Why It Keeps Escalating
Larry Howe says he is out of Vicious Rumors after months of fallout, and the split looks like the final break in a saga that was already burning publicly.
Atreyu 'The End Is Not the End': Release Date, Tracklist and New Album Details
Atreyu break down how The End Is Not the End came together, plus the April 24 release date, tracklist, Max Cavalera feature, and tour context.
Best Festivals We’d Actually Recommend in 2026
The best festivals of 2026 are not just the biggest posters. These are the U.S. and worldwide weekends we’d actually recommend spending money on.
From Ashes To New ‘Reflections’ Review: Hook-Heavy, Hard-Hitting, and Built for Repeat Spins
From Ashes to New sharpen the hooks and keep enough weight on Reflections to make this modern alt-metal record stick past the first chorus.
Metal & Hard Rock News – April 17, 2026: Electric Callboy, Iron Maiden, BABYMETAL & More
Electric Callboy tee up Tanzneid, Iron Maiden skip the Rock Hall ceremony, BABYMETAL drop a Major Lazer remix, and more Friday metal news.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster Hit With Monopoly Verdict: What It Means
A federal jury in Manhattan found Live Nation and Ticketmaster acted as a monopoly. Here’s what comes next, and why fans might not see cheaper tickets soon.
Corrosion of Conformity — Good God / Baad Man Review: Eight Years Was Worth the Wait
Eight years, two lineup losses, and a pandemic later — COC return with a double album that covers the full range of what this band can do.
Tobias Forge Has Been Stalked for Months — Woman Under Investigation in Sweden
A woman is under investigation for stalking Ghost's Tobias Forge — she sent letters, a phone to his home, and claims they've been engaged since September.
Bo Lueders, Harm's Way Guitarist and HardLore Co-Host, Has Died at 38
Bo Lueders, founding guitarist of Harm's Way and HardLore co-host, has died at 38. The band confirmed his passing on April 2, 2026.
Four Ex-King Diamond Members Form Lex Legion: Album Out June 2026
Four-fifths of the classic King Diamond late-'80s lineup have reunited as Lex Legion, with a self-titled debut album due June 2026 via MNRK Music Group.
T3RMINAL: Tesla + WASP + Saliva Icons Form New Hard Rock Band
Brian Wheat, Tommy Skeoch, Chris Holmes, and Josey Scott have formed T3RMINAL — a modern hard rock supergroup with a debut album on the way for 2026.
Converge Announce Second 2026 Album 'Hum of Hurt': Tracklist, Single, and June Release Date
Converge announce 'Hum of Hurt,' their second album of 2026, out June 5 on Deathwish/Epitaph. Here's the full tracklist, first single, and European tour dates.
Crystal Lake Part Ways With Vocalist John Robert Centorrino After Three Years
Crystal Lake and vocalist John Robert Centorrino have parted ways. The split is mutual — family and tour schedules couldn't align.
Babymetal Announce 2026 North American Tour With Halestorm: Full Dates
Babymetal are taking their Fox Day world tour to North America with Halestorm and Violent Vira in tow. 20 dates, August 30 through October 3.
Randy Blythe and Mark Morton Say Lamb of God Will Never Break Up
Randy Blythe and Mark Morton told Revolver they see no reason to ever stop. 'This band never has to break up' — and they mean it.
Michael Kiske on AI Music: 'Do You Want Fake Perfection or Human Originality?'
Helloween's Michael Kiske calls AI music fake perfection with no human spirit — and draws a hard line between tech and genuine art.
PRESIDENT Announce First-Ever North American Headline Tour for Fall 2026
PRESIDENT are headlining North America for the first time. 25 dates. Fall 2026. Cenobia and Showing Teeth in support. Presale opens April 3.
Every Pantera Album Ranked — All 9 Studio Records, From Metal Magic to Reinventing the Steel
Pantera made nine studio albums. Four of them were glam metal. Five of them changed heavy music forever. Here's every record ranked, no exceptions.
New Metal This Friday — April 4, 2026
COC return after eight years with a double album, Nervosa drop a thrash machine, and Edge of Sanity unearths rare Swanö demos. Here's what's hitting April 4.
Boysetsfire Co-Founder and Drummer Matt Krupanski Has Passed Away
Boysetsfire have confirmed the death of co-founding drummer Matt Krupanski, who helped build one of hardcore's most important bands from a Newark basement.
Jay Buchanan Wants the Next Rival Sons Album to Be Raw, Unrefined, and 'Toothache Raw'
Jay Buchanan wants the next Rival Sons record to be raw, unrefined, and close to the bone — but a personal reason has pushed the timeline.
Jack Osbourne Reveals Back to the Beginning Mystery Band Wanted 'High Hundreds of Thousands' Just to Show Up
Jack Osbourne breaks silence on the band booted from Back to the Beginning — they wanted high hundreds of thousands just in hard costs, no talent fee.
Anthrax Played New Song Snippet With Vocals in Adelaide — Fall Album Still Coming
Anthrax played a new song snippet with full vocals in Adelaide — and Charlie Benante has plenty to say about what the fall album sounds like.
Charlie Benante Wants Pantera Live Album: 'I Think That Would Be a Great Thing'
Charlie Benante wants the current Pantera lineup to release a live album — and has a direct message for critics who still can't accept the revival.
Black Label Society Release Official Music Video for 'Ozzy's Song' — Watch
Black Label Society dropped the official video for 'Ozzy's Song' — Zakk Wylde's tribute, written on the same Les Paul from his first sessions with Ozzy.
Blaze Bayley Added to Iron Maiden's Rock Hall Nomination: What It Means for the Class of 2026
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has quietly added Blaze Bayley to Iron Maiden's Class of 2026 nomination after initially leaving him off the list.
Muse Announce North American Amphitheater Tour Behind New Album 'The Wow! Signal'
Muse announce 'The Wow! Signal Tour' — an extensive North American amphitheater run starting July 5. New album out June 26 via Warner. Tickets on sale April 3.
August Burns Red Announce 'Season of Surrender' — New Album Out June 5 via Fearless
August Burns Red announce 'Season of Surrender,' their new album out June 5 via Fearless Records. First single 'The Nameless' is out now — stream it here.
Ross 'The Boss' Friedman Dead at 72: Manowar Co-Founder Dies After ALS Battle
Ross 'The Boss' Friedman, co-founder of Manowar and The Dictators, has died at 72 after battling ALS. A pioneer of both punk and heavy metal.
Judas Priest Announce Remixed and Remastered 'Sad Wings of Destiny' for 50th Anniversary
Judas Priest's 'Sad Wings of Destiny' turns 50. Exciter Records returns to the original master tapes for a fully remixed and remastered anniversary edition.
Arch Enemy's Lauren Hart Makes Live Debut in Beijing — 19-Song Set, Rarities, and a Live First
Lauren Hart played her first live show as Arch Enemy's frontwoman in Beijing — 19 songs, rare deep cuts, and the live debut of 'To the Last Breath.'
Terror Add Six New Dates to Spring U.S. Tour Behind 'Still Suffer'
Terror have added six more U.S. dates to their spring run behind 'Still Suffer,' their ninth album out April 24 on Flatspot Records.
Alice Cooper and Corey Taylor Heading to Monsterpalooza Horror Convention in Pasadena This May
Alice Cooper and Corey Taylor are both appearing at Monsterpalooza in Pasadena May 29-31. Fan photo ops on sale now.
Senses Fail's 'Calling All Cars' Is Now RIAA Gold — Their Third Certification
Senses Fail just hit gold again. 'Calling All Cars' earned RIAA certification on March 19 — their third gold record, second from Still Searching.
New Metal This Friday — March 27, 2026: BLS, Hellripper, The Casualties & More
Friday March 27 drops Black Label Society's Ozzy tribute album, Hellripper's blackened Celtic opus, The Casualties' first record in 8 years, and more.
Avenged Sevenfold's Full 2014 Pinkpop Set Gets Official Pro-Shot Release
Avenged Sevenfold's full 2014 Pinkpop set is now officially online in pro-shot quality — nine songs from the Hail to the King cycle, finally preserved.
Man Pleads Guilty to $8M AI Streaming Royalty Fraud — First Case of Its Kind in the U.S.
Michael Smith pleaded guilty to stealing $8M in streaming royalties with AI songs and bots — the first AI music fraud conviction in U.S. history.
Sepultura Debut 'The Place' Live for the First Time on Final Australian Tour
Sepultura debuted 'The Place' live in Perth on March 20 — the first performance of any track from farewell EP 'The Cloud of Unknowing,' due April 24.
Parkway Drive Issue Statement After Staff Member Enters Guilty Plea
Parkway Drive issued a statement after a former staff member pleaded guilty to a sex offense involving a minor. Band condemned it and cut ties immediately.
Sleeping With Sirens Return with 'An Ending In Itself' — First New Music in Nearly Three Years
Sleeping With Sirens are back with 'An Ending In Itself,' their first new music in nearly three years and first Rise Records release since 2013.
Nashville Pussy Are Back: '10 Inches Of Pussy Season 1' EP Drops May 22
Nashville Pussy drop their first new studio recordings in eight years: '10 Inches Of Pussy Season 1,' out May 22 via Slinging Pig Records.
Heidi Shepherd on Leading Butcher Babies Solo: 'Doubt Me. I Want Something to Prove.'
Heidi Shepherd opens up on navigating Butcher Babies as sole frontwoman after Carla Harvey's 2024 exit — and how therapy helped her silence the doubt.
Ritchie Blackmore Opens Up About 'Nasty Vertigo Attack' That Forced Show Cancellations
Ritchie Blackmore opens up about the vertigo attack that shut down four November shows — worse than anything, including his 2023 heart surgery.
WARGASM Are Wrapping Up Their Sophomore Album
WARGASM confirm final tracking sessions for their sophomore album are underway. No title, no release date — but the follow-up to 'Venom' is nearly done.
The Amity Affliction Carrying $646K AUD Debt as Ahren Stringer Split Drags On
New report reveals The Amity Affliction carried $646K AUD in debt as Ahren Stringer's split turns into a long, unresolved business entanglement.
Blue Medusa Drop 'Checkmate,' Alissa White-Gluz's Heaviest Lyric Yet
Blue Medusa — Alissa White-Gluz's new band — have released 'Checkmate,' a chess-themed single she calls 'the heaviest thing I've written in terms of lyrics.'
Poison The Well Drop First Album in 16 Years — Watch 'Weeping Tones' Video
Poison The Well are back. 'Peace In Place' — their first album in 16 years — is out now on SharpTone Records, with the 'Weeping Tones' video dropping alongside.
Exodus — Goliath Review: Rob Dukes Returns and the Beast Is Fed
Exodus return with Goliath and Rob Dukes back at the mic. Forty-plus years in and the Bay Area titans still know how to draw blood.
Anthrax Album Pushed to September 2026 — First Single Coming in May
Charlie Benante confirms the Anthrax album has been pushed to September 2026, but promises the first single and video will arrive in May.
Papa Roach Drop 'Wake Up Calling' Music Video — Produced by Colin Brittain
Papa Roach drop the official video for 'Wake Up Calling,' directed by Hannah Gray Hall and produced by Colin Brittain. Out now via New Noize Records.
Black Veil Brides Announce 'Vindicate' — Seventh Album Out May 8 via Spinefarm
Black Veil Brides are back with 'Vindicate' — their seventh album drops May 8 via Spinefarm, with a North American tour already confirmed.
Dave Mustaine's 'In My Darkest Hour' Memoir Gets September 2026 Release Date
Dave Mustaine's cancer memoir 'In My Darkest Hour' lands September 8, 2026 via Da Capo — co-written with NYT journalist Joe Layden.
Exhorder Parts Ways With Drummer Sasha Horn After 8+ Years; God Forbid's Corey Pierce Steps In
Exhorder drummer Sasha Horn is out after 8+ years. God Forbid's Corey Pierce fills in for 'The Tour Of Unsound Minds.'
Ice Nine Kills Go Glam as 'Grave Diggler' for Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come
Ice Nine Kills resurrect a fictional '80s glam band called Grave Diggler for Ready Or Not 2 — and the track drops this Friday.
After The Burial Are Back in the Studio Recording Their Seventh Album
After The Burial are in the studio tracking drums for their seventh album — the long-awaited follow-up to 2019's Evergreen.
Stitched Up Heart Drop 'CANNIBAL' Featuring Butcher Babies' Heidi Shepherd
Stitched Up Heart recruit Heidi Shepherd of Butcher Babies for 'CANNIBAL,' the latest single from their upcoming album MEDUSA, out June 12.
Corey Taylor and Kid Bookie Drop New Collaboration 'BLAME'
Corey Taylor and UK rap-rocker Kid Bookie return with 'BLAME' — nearly five minutes of new territory built on a decade-long creative bond.
Chuck Billy Says Testament's Next Album Is Already in Motion for 2027
Chuck Billy confirms Eric Peterson and Chris Dovas already have six to eight tracks written, with 2027 studio sessions in sight.
Scott Ian Says Anthrax New Album Is Done and He 'Can't Wait' — May Release Confirmed
Scott Ian: new Anthrax album is done, May release confirmed via Megaforce/Nuclear Blast, 10 years in the making.
Linkin Park Now Has Seven Songs With Over 1 Billion Plays on Spotify
'Somewhere I Belong' just hit 1B Spotify plays — making Linkin Park one of the most-streamed rock bands in history with 7 billion-play tracks.
New Metal This Friday — March 20, 2026
Poison The Well's first album in 17 years, Gaerea's 'Loss,' and Exodus' 'Goliath' headline a stacked March 20 release day.
A7X, A Day To Remember & Good Charlotte Announce BMO Stadium Show in Los Angeles
Avenged Sevenfold, A Day To Remember, and Good Charlotte are bringing a stadium-sized show to BMO Stadium in LA on August 30.
Scott Ian Played Through Brutal Back Injury, Heading to Australia Ahead of New Anthrax Album
Scott Ian played through debilitating back spasms after a freezing 70000 Tons of Metal show, now gearing up for Australia and a new album.
Iron Maiden's 'Burning Ambition' Documentary Hits Cinemas in May — Adrian Smith Says It Reveals Secrets
Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition opens in limited theaters May 7, 2026. Adrian Smith says it goes deep and reveals things that have never come to light before.
Tom Morello's Directorial Debut Is a Judas Priest Documentary — And It Premiered at Berlin
Tom Morello co-directed 'The Ballad of Judas Priest' — his directorial debut — and the film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.
Chuck Billy on Testament's Future: 'My Mind, Body and Soul Will Tell Me When It's Time'
Chuck Billy says he's not thinking about retirement — Testament has a two-album deal with Nuclear Blast and a singer who says he's at the top of his game.
Phil Campbell, Motörhead Guitarist, Dead at 64
Phil Campbell, the Welsh guitarist who spent 31 years driving Motörhead's machine, has died at 64 following a complex major operation.
Richie Faulkner Has Been Playing Through a Stroke: The Full Story Behind Five Years of Silence
Richie Faulkner has been carrying a secret for five years: a stroke, brain damage, and ongoing paralysis of his right side — all while playing every Judas Pries
Gary Holt on 45 Years with Exodus: 'I'm Not Rich, But I Make a Living Playing Guitar'
Gary Holt turned down comfortable to stay hungry. Four and a half decades into Exodus, he still wouldn't trade the sketchy German showers for anything.
'Robbing Them Blind Baby': Live Nation Employees Caught Mocking Fans in Leaked Slack Messages
Unsealed Slack messages from Live Nation's own directors confirm what fans have suspected for years: the company knew exactly what it was doing, and found it fu
Testament's 'Practice What You Preach' Is Getting a 2026 Remaster — And It Looks Stunning
Testament's landmark 1989 album 'Practice What You Preach' is getting a full remaster via Nuclear Blast on May 8, with new artwork, limited vinyl, and a 20-page
Jay Weinberg Opens Official Reverb Shop — Slipknot Kits, Springsteen Tour Gear, and More
Jay Weinberg is selling off 17 years of career gear — including the SJC kits he played in Slipknot and his 2009 Springsteen tour kit. Shop opens March 18 on Rev
Review: Lamb of God 'Into Oblivion' — Angry, Dangerous, and Unapologetic
Twelve albums deep and Randy Blythe is still the bringer of truth. 'Into Oblivion' is Lamb of God at their most focused and furious since 'Wrath' — a controlled
Deicide, Rotting Christ & Immolation U.S. Tour 2026: Dates and Tickets
Three of extreme metal's longest-running acts are hitting the road together this spring — Deicide, Rotting Christ, and Immolation confirmed for a run of U.S. da
Geoff Tate Is Closing the 'Operation: Mindcrime' Trilogy With Dr. X's Story — Due in May
Geoff Tate is wrapping up one of metal's most ambitious trilogy projects — Operation: Mindcrime III arrives in May, produced by Disturbed's John Moyer, with the
Tom Hunting Is Almost Five Years Cancer-Free — And He's Not Done Fighting
Nearly five years after a total gastrectomy and a battle with two simultaneous cancers, Exodus drummer Tom Hunting is closing in on one of the most significant
Parabellum — 'Behold a Pale Horse' Review: Sacramento Thrash With Something to Say
Sacramento's Parabellum make their sophomore statement with a concept album drawn from Revelation. The ambition is real. So are the riffs.
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