The metal community has recently faced a heartbreaking loss, alongside exciting new releases and surprising developments from some of the genre’s most iconic bands.

This article covers the key highlights from the recent Metal Pocket Digest episode MPD64, bringing you up to speed on the latest in metal.

 

The metal family mourns the loss of a true legend—Ace Frehley, the legendary guitarist of Kiss, passed away on October 16th at the age of 74.

Ace’s death followed a tragic fall in his home studio on September 25th, which resulted in brain bleeding and ultimately led to his passing.

 

Ace Frehley was one of the founding members of Kiss, a band that played a pivotal role in shaping rock and metal music in the 1970s.

His unique guitar technique, including his signature “vibrator” move where he shook his entire arm rather than just his hand, made him stand out as an innovative musician.

Remarkably, Ace never took formal guitar lessons but played by feel, which contributed to his distinctive style.

 

His influence extends far beyond Kiss.

Prominent metal guitarists such as Dimebag Darrell and Chuck Schuldiner have cited Ace as a major inspiration.

Without Ace Frehley, many of the metal icons we know today might never have existed.

Paul Stanley, Ace’s bandmate, fondly recalled hearing his guitar playing for the first time and recognizing the talent that would define Kiss’s sound.

 

The metal world honors Ace as an eternal rock soldier, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who loved him.

In a nostalgic nod to physical music formats, Swedish melodic death metal pioneers Dark Tranquility have teamed up with Alone Records to release an extensive 17-cassette box set.

Covering their entire career from 1991 to 2025, this collection includes every album and EP from *Skydancer* to *End Time Signals*, along with rare tracks and compilations.

 

This release is notable for embracing cassette tapes, a format that is surprisingly making a comeback in the metal community.

After the resurgence of vinyl and CDs, cassettes are now being appreciated again, especially by metalheads who value tangible music experiences in the age dominated by streaming services.

 

For fans of Dark Tranquility and collectors alike, this box set is a treasure trove that celebrates the band’s enduring legacy and the charm of physical media.

 

Disturbed faced a significant setback when their concert in Brussels, scheduled for October 15th, was abruptly canceled by the city’s mayor citing security risks.

The controversy stemmed from the past political views of the band’s frontman, David Draiman, who had publicly shown support for the Israeli military.

 

Local unions had planned protests against the show, leading authorities to shut down the event entirely.

Despite the cancellation, Disturbed released a dignified statement emphasizing that music should be a unifying force, not a divisive one.

They expressed sadness over the cancellation but stood firm in their beliefs and committed to continuing their 25th anniversary tour for *The Sickness* across Europe.

 

This incident highlights the complex intersection of politics and music, reminding fans and artists alike of the challenges that can arise in today’s global climate.

 

Fifteen years after the death of Peter Steele, the iconic frontman of Type O Negative, surviving members of the band are considering organizing tribute concerts to honor his legacy.

Guitarist Kenny Hickey revealed in a recent interview that there have been serious discussions with agents interested in these tribute shows.

 

However, keyboardist Josh Silver remains hesitant about the idea, though he is reportedly nearing retirement and might reconsider in the future.

Importantly, the band emphasized that any tribute would not be a full reunion or an attempt to replace Peter Steele, who they regard as irreplaceable.

 

The proposed tribute concerts aim to celebrate Steele’s impact and introduce new generations to Type O Negative’s music, which is an exciting prospect for fans worldwide.

 

Amidst the somber news, the metal world also celebrated love with two notable metal weddings happening nearly simultaneously in Georgia and Las Vegas.

Mastodon’s Brann Dailor married Kina Walker in Decatur, Georgia, in a ceremony officiated by bandmate Troy Sanders.

The unique celebration featured clowns making balloon animals, adding a playful and memorable touch to the event.

 

In Las Vegas, Anthrax’s drummer Charlie Benante wed Carla Harvey of The Violent Femmes and Lords of Acid.

The legendary Jean Simmons of Kiss officiated the ceremony, which began with the words, “Every great love story starts with a spark.

” The reception turned into a full-blown rock concert with appearances by notable musicians, making it possibly the most metal wedding ever.

 

These joyful events are a testament to the vibrant and close-knit nature of the metal community.

 

Several new metal releases dropped recently, each offering something unique to fans:

– **Battle Beast** unleashed *Steelbound*, their seventh full-length album, blending power metal intensity with themes of resilience and overcoming adversity.

– **Biohazard** returned with *Divided We Fall*, their first studio album in over a decade, continuing their politically charged legacy.

– **Bloodbound** released the single *Empire’s Fools* from their upcoming album *Field of Swords*, showcasing epic melodies and Crusader-era themes.

– **The Steve Morse Band** shared the instrumental single *Texas*, featuring guest guitarist Eric Johnson, evoking classic guitar sounds of the late ’70s and early ’80s.

– **Evoken**, veterans of funeral doom metal, released *Mournful Mandacio*, a concept album steeped in atmosphere and cinematic dread.

These releases highlight the diversity and ongoing creativity within the metal genre.

 

Swiss technical thrash metal legends Coroner made a spectacular comeback with *Dissonance Theory*, their first new music in over 30 years.

Released via Century Media, the album combines the band’s signature precision with darker, more progressive elements.

 

The record features founding members Tommy Vetterli and Ron Broder and has been praised for its complexity, speed, and atmospheric depth.

It’s already being hailed as a contender for the best metal album of 2025.

 

Fans can look forward to more in-depth content about this release, including an exclusive interview with Tommy Vetterli.

 

Iron Maiden delighted fans with a stunning limited collector’s edition of their legendary live album *Life After Death*, released exactly 40 years after the original in 1985.

The new edition features a 2LP colored vinyl set (blue and yellow), a replica of the World Slavery Tour program, a tour pass, and a 12-page booklet with new essays and interviews.

This release celebrates one of the most iconic live albums in metal history and offers fans a nostalgic journey through Iron Maiden’s grueling 1984-1985 World Slavery Tour, which featured 187 shows in 331 days.

 

Following last year’s 40th anniversary edition of *Powerslave*, this release fuels hope that Iron Maiden will continue to honor their classic albums with special editions, including a potential re-release of *Somewhere in Time* next year.

 

The metal community is currently navigating a mix of profound loss, exciting new releases, and memorable events.

From mourning the passing of Ace Frehley to celebrating Iron Maiden’s milestones and exploring new music from veteran and emerging bands, metal remains a vibrant and evolving genre.

 

Fans can look forward to tribute concerts, special collector’s editions, and the continued spirit of unity and passion that defines the metal family worldwide.