Melvins 1983, featuring Buzz Osborne and original drummer Mike Dillard, dropped their new track “King of Rome” today, March 19, 2025. It’s the second single from their album “Thunderball”, out April 18 on Ipecac Recordings.
This lineup, active since a 2012 EP, pairs Osborne and Dillard with electronic artists Void Manes and Ni Maîtres. Osborne calls Thunderball—their third full-length as Melvins 1983—”bombastic,” thanks to the electronic duo’s push. The five-track album, including “Victory of the Pyramids” from February, mixes punk roots with sludgy weight. “King of Rome” runs over seven minutes, tight at first, then sprawling into chaos.
Formed in Montesano, Washington, in 1983, Melvins shaped grunge and sludge metal early on. They start a tour with Napalm Death on April 4, hitting Florida with these stops:
- April 23 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum
- April 24 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
- April 25 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham
You can stream it now with a visualizer on YouTube.