INFAMOUS STIFFS Track "Evel Mann" Heard in Jason Statham Film A Working Man. Release the Single and Video "Loose Screws"

OAKLAND, CA - Southern California punk rockers INFAMOUS STIFFS have released the next single "Loose Screwz" from  their upcoming six song EP titled “The Ornery Six. The band had this to say about the new single, "There is a lot of craziness here in America and you get ripped here and torn there. Mix that up in a song with a touch of optimism sprinkled in and you have “Loose Screwz”."

Watch the video for "Loose Screwz" below:

Stream or purchase "Loose Screwz": https://orcd.co/loose-screwz

INFAMOUS STIFFS are also excited to announce that the third single from “The Ornery Six” entitled “Evel Mann” is featured in the new film “A Working Man” starring Jason Statham”. The movie was released in theatres March 28th. Pre-save for the single starts May 23rd and the release date is June 6th. Watch the promo video for "A Working Man": https://youtube.com/shorts/n6ttT-VLg-M?si=FFBcj5RE3WMTjt1c

 

Infamous Stiffs came onto the scene in 2019, just before the world shutdown. Hailing from Southern California cities, the members have spent decades playing punk rock ‘n’ roll in various incarnations... all roads leading to the sonic condition that is Infamous Stiffs. A relentless assault of loud infectious hooks and grooves, that’ll make you shout & shake and make ya move your hips with an uncanny swing!

Band Members: 
Vocals - Scott Wilkins (Verbal Abuse, Electric Frankenstein)

Guitar - Mark Pananides (Junkyard)

Bass - Troy Takaki (Boneless Ones)

Drums - David Bach (House of Wheels, Adam Sandler's band and a current member of The Avengers)
 
 
Production Details
Engineered, mixed and produced by David Irish at Pot of Gold Studios 

 

https://www.infamousstiffs.com

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Out Friday - Exterminatus - Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1

Formed in the depths of Vancouver, Canada, in 2013, the death metal colossus EXTERMINATUS is poised to unleash their third studio assault, Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1, on April 18, 2025. The album is a culmination of over a decade of relentless crafting and intense recording sessions, symbolizing the band's evolution into a formidable force within the metal scene.

The narrative of Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1 unfolds across its tracks, each serving as a chapter in a grand cosmic saga that explores the origins of the universe and the haunting truths hidden within its expansive reach. The journey begins with the turbulent force of "Cosmic Disturbance" and traverses through a series of dark revelations, culminating in an unexpected twist with a metal rendition of "Rock Me Amadeus."

Drawing inspiration from the cosmic and dystopian visions found in the works of Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke, as well as the expansive narratives of "Stargate SG:1" and the "Mass Effect" series, the album offers a profound exploration of existence through its lyrical and musical depth. Songs like "Primordial Sea" and "Starbound" feature brutal drum patterns and shredding riffs, echoing the thematic and sonic complexity that EXTERMINATUS is known for.

The formidable lineup delivering this sonic onslaught includes Max Sepulveda on drums, Tabreez Azad wielding guitar and vocals, Elia Baghdaniyan on guitar, Luka Bresan as the lead vocal force, and Lucas Abreu anchoring the low end on bass. The band themselves drove the production, with recording, mixing, and mastering helmed by Max Sepulveda and Zack Ohren at The Beat Lab, ensuring every note conveys the intended ferocity. The album's striking visuals were crafted by Mark Cooper, encapsulating the album's thematic essence.

Key tracks like "Cosmic Disturbance" come alive with an accompanying music video, while "The Signal" and "Primordial Sea" are depicted through haunting lyric videos, offering a window into the album’s dark narrative.

Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1 marks a pivotal chapter for EXTERMINATUS, as they delve into the abyssal depths of death metal, challenging the boundaries of the genre with philosophical narratives and thunderous compositions. 

About EXTERMINATUS:

Since their formation in 2013, EXTERMINATUS has evolved into a dominant force within the technical death metal scene. Their journey began with the debut album Veni Vidi Vici, which immediately set the tone for their aggressive style characterized by rapid-fire riffs, relentless drumming, and devastating vocals. By the time their second album Laniakea was released in 2018, EXTERMINATUS had firmly established themselves not just as a project but as a mainstay, pushing the boundaries of technical death metal.

The current lineup features the dual-guitar attack of Tabreez Azad and Elia Baghbaniyan, combined with the unstoppable rhythm section of Max Sepulveda and Lucas Abreu, and the ferocious lead vocals of Luka Bresan. This potent combination creates a sound that is both brutally precise and expansively atmospheric, drawing comparisons to luminaries like Aeon, Decapitated, and The Faceless, yet with a distinct identity that is entirely their own.

Thematically, EXTERMINATUS ventures into the cosmic unknown, exploring vast astronomical themes and the fundamental forces of the universe. Their narratives delve into complex physical phenomena and the chilling mysteries of space, a theme that resonates deeply in their upcoming release, Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1, scheduled for release on April 18, 2025. This album promises to fuse their signature technical complexity with a hauntingly eerie cosmic atmosphere.

EXTERMINATUS's impact on the scene is underscored by their dynamic live performances, highlighted by appearances at festivals such as Armstrong Metalfest and Loud As Hell Festival. Collaborations with notable figures like Andrew Baena, Dean Lamb, and Mike Greenwood have further solidified their reputation, expanding their influence and showcasing their ability to innovate within the genre.

With their intricate compositions, powerful performances, and forward-thinking approach, EXTERMINATUS not only captivates their audience but also promises a continual evolution. As they prepare to release Echoes From A Distant Star Part 1, they stand at the forefront of technical death metal, ready to explore new sonic territories and deepen their exploration of the cosmos.

EXTERMINATUS is:

  • Tabreez Azad – Guitar/Vocals

  • Elia Baghbaniyan – Guitar

  • Luka Bresan – Lead Vocals

  • Max Sepulveda – Drums

  • Lucas Abreu – Bass


Album Credits:

  • Producer: EXTERMINATUS

  • Recording Studio: The Beat Lab

  • Engineer: Max Sepulveda

  • Mastering: Zack Ohren

  • Mixing: Max Sepulveda

  • Album Cover Artist: Mark Cooper

  • Album Formats: Digital and CD


Connect With EXTERMINATUS:

Heaven Shall Burn Release "My Revocation of Compliance" Video — WATCH // New Album "Heimat" Out June 27🪽

"Heimat" = German for "home + homeland + native land" — a term that merely refers to a relationship between people and spaces but has nevertheless always been highly emotionally charged. Often misused, it sometimes causes discomfort, lively discussions, and battles over interpretation.

Guitarist Maik Weichert comments, "Heimat is not meant as the narrow-minded end point in the sense it has been used by agitators and populists, but the starting point for observations and perspectives. The album is about a much wider sense of the term 'Heimat:' the homelands for many different people and also about the spiritual home, something that shapes and determines our thoughts and actions."

Heaven Shall Burn took their time with the follow-up to Of Truth And Sacrifice, which reached number 1 in the Official German Album Charts in 2020. Heimat was produced at the band's own studio, The Dude Ranch, which is run by guitarist Alexander Dietz. Like in the past, Danish producer Tue Madsen took care of the mixing and mastering.

The Thuringians enlisted the renowned artist Eliran Kantor for the artwork, who previously crafted the artwork for Of Truth And Sacrifice. The centerpiece of the impressive triptych is a rearing stag — in its roaring variant a classic motif of wildlife painting, the epitome of kitsch and trivial art from the 19th and 20th centuries and interpreted by some as a symbol of patriarchy and capitalist competition, but here placed as a vital allegory of resistance amid an apocalyptic scene. He is flanked by a hunting lynx and a watchful owl, which complete the highly symbolic artwork concept as further elements of the triptych.

Watch the video by Thomas Liebchen Below:

As with Of Truth And Sacrifice, Heaven Shall Burn worked with composer, producer and director Sven Helbig and conductor Wilhelm Keitel, this time supported by the Mondëna Quartet and the Ukrainian Sophia Chamber Choir.

Over the last couple of months, Heaven Shall Burn have released two unusual singles, "Keinen Schritt zurück" (Feat. Donots) and "Schweineherbst" (Feat. Dÿse). Today they are pleased to present "My Revocation of Compliance," a typical Heaven Shall Burn song.

"The song reflects our current attitude," Heaven Shall Burn say. "It is time to stop being held back by candy coated speeches. The essential challenge for our generation is to consistently live our own attitudes and convictions and to no longer tolerate the omnipresent ignorance of the pressing problems of our time. Sham discussions, divisive tendencies, and envy debates, in other words everything that is available in the political toolbox of those in power, must not distract us from the real undesirable developments and must be rigorously smashed. We think the iconoclastic symbolism of the video conveys this attitude in a very special way."

Heimat will be released on June 27 by the band's long-standing label partner Century Media Records. 

Pre-order the album here.

HEAVEN SHALL BURN ARE:
Marcus Bischoff — Vocals
Maik Weichert — Guitar
Alexander Dietz — Guitar
Eric Bischoff — Bass
Christian Bass — Drums

Epic Doom/Dark Power Metallers BEHÖLDER Launch New Single "Draconian (Slave Or Master)" + Visualizer

Epic Doom/Dark Power Metallers BEHÖLDER are excited to launch their new single, "Draconian (Slave Or Master)," taken from their upcoming debut album 'In The Temple Of The Tyrant,' out on April 25th via Black Lion Records. The new single is accompanied by a visualizer, which is available to view below.

On the new single, BEHÖLDER comments:

"A merciless warlord leads a life of conquest, conducting brutal nighttime raids upon helpless villages, seeking plunder and captives as trophies. The harsh reality that he too is a slave is not lost on him, that his identity and freedom were lost long ago, indoctrinated to serve and even worship his own tyrannical lord. The lines between being either a slave or master in a relentless cycle blur, mixed with the bloodshed and domination that define his existence."

Watch the Visualizer for "Draconian (Slave Or Master)" Below

'In The Temple Of The Tyrant' features 8 tracks of monstrous proportions, a true love letter to epic Doom Metal set within the more shadowy and grim realms of classic Dungeons & Dragons. 

Fusing elements of darker power and even traditional Metal, the album lures the listener in with colossal & imposing riffs, haunting, majestic melodies and powerful vocals that range from sinister to grandiose.

Boasting an outstanding world class mix and mastering by Ronnie Björnström of Björnström Ljud & Produktion in Sweden and absolutely stunning artwork from Zsofia Dankova (Powerwolf, Elvenking) that beautifully captures the essence of the music contained within, 'In The Temple Of The Tyrant' has been unleashed upon all who would seek dark tales of adventure filled with – Magic, Mayhem and Riffs Heavier Than A Storm Giant’s Ass!!! ™

Pre-Order 'In The Temple Of The Tyrant' HERE

BEHÖLDER is an Epic Doom/Dark Power Metal band from the US inspired by classic Dungeons & Dragons. Formed in late 2021 by guitarist Carlos Alvarez, the band includes singer John Yelland, guitarist Matt Hodsdon, drummer Andrew Julkowski, and bassist Michael “Oneirous” Sanchez.

Their songs weave cautionary tales from the more grim, foreboding realms of fantasy against a backdrop of colossal riffs with elegant yet powerful melodies. Their debut album 'In The Temple Of The Tyrant' is set for release on April 25th through Black Lion Records as they promise to unleash dark tales of adventure filled with - Magic, Mayhem, and Riffs Heavier Than A Storm Giant’s Ass!!! ™ For fans of Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Sorcerer, Memento Mori.

Dinosaur Pile-Up Kick Back Into Action with New Album "I've Felt Better" + Video for New Single "My Way"

Struggle. Vulnerability. Pain. Resilience. Love. It's been a hell of a journey that Dinosaur Pile-Up have been on, and they've bravely laid it out bare on their new album I've Felt Better.

Their first record in six years will be released on August 22 via Mascot Records. They will also be hitting the road in the UK in September, calling through Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester, and London. 

It was 2019 when they last toured the UK — on a completely sold-out run — so it's understandable that the band is absolutely buzzing to get back on the stage and in front of their fans and see those beautiful faces once again. "After an extended break away from touring we just can't wait to get back out on the road and play the new songs live," singer/guitarist Matt Bigland says. "We're really stoked on this record and can't wait to see the fans again!"

It's understandable for them to be tightly coiled and ready to go because overcoming life-threatening illness and finding a fresh perspective on life will do that to you.  Before they pack back up in their van, they've dropped their new single, which sees them take back control of their future on the raucous "My Way." The incredible video sees the band in various scenarios taking a light stab at the song's meaning — with added aliens.

Watch the video below:

"I wrote 'My Way' because I'm gonna do what I want, how I want, my way," Bigland reflects. "I made peace with the fact that I'm never going to be recognized as 'cool,' and that I will never be in the 'what's hot' of the rock scene, and that my talents as a songwriter will seemingly never be worthy of mainstream acclaim. As a younger artist, that still held some weight or value in my mind. But that's OK. I will do my thing my way because I dig what I do. Doing my thing, my way. I love 'My Way' because it's this crazy mix of an Eminem-type vibe with a big rock song that even has this kind of 'Amish farm breakdown' and a hardcore breakdown in the same song. That sounds fun, right!? Sign me the fuck up!!"

There is a reason that Bigland has reappraised his view on life. He opened up about how his life has changed and what he has been through when the band dropped their recent single, "Bout to Lose It" in March. Five years of pent-up emotion — hope, despair, resignation, and colossal bravery — let loose into a blistering 3:40 minutes of Dinosaur Pile-Up at their absolute best.

When it was released it was met with a wave of support by the likes of BBC Radio 1 Rock Show."It's good to have them back." said Daniel P Carter. Kerrang Radio, Primordial Radio, Kerrang Magazine, NME, Dork and a host of playlisting across Spotify, Apple, Amazon, Deezer and YouTube — the response was "DP-U ARE BACK!"

 So much time has passed since their last studio album. 

"People need clarity about what happened," Bigland explained. "It's been so cathartic to lay it out." He began documenting his story on the band's Instagram account in December 2024. You can see it in his own words here: Part 1 | Part 2 |Part 3 | Part 4.

There were six people in the ward the second time that Matt Bigland admitted himself to hospital. Three of them didn't make it out alive. "You think you're halfway through life, then you realize you might be right at the end," he says today. "Being in that room was scary. I felt incredibly vulnerable. I had no control. But hearing people in the final hours of their lives forced me to think about what would happen if I were to die. What was I leaving behind? What really mattered while I was here?"

Flash back to 2018.

Ten years of chasing opportunity and betting big, on every chance had built Dinosaur Pile-Up into one of the UK's most beloved alt-rock bands. It had also left them flat broke, physically and mentally drained, and without a label to release their imminent fourth album, Celebrity Mansions. It became their make-or-break record.

Between Matt, bassist Jim Cratchley and drummer Mike Sheils, it was agreed that failure would mean calling it quits.

However, the rock gods were smiling on them, and the album was a hit. On the back of their US Top 5 Rock Radio runaway hit "Back Foot," they went on the road with Shinedown in the U.S. and lined up major summer festival dates, along with a North American tour with The Offspring and Sum 41 in North America through to the end of the year. They were soaring. 2020 was going to be massive — then everything changed.
 
"I've felt better…" started as a makeshift mantra. Unwilling to sift through the layers of trauma with every friend who checked in to see how he was doing — indeed, often unable to speak through a mouth filled with centimeter-wide sores — Matt found himself defaulting to that wry, understated three-word response. After four years of repetition and rattling around his head, those words are reclaimed as the title to Dinosaur Pile-Up's defiant fifth album: 12 songs to draw a line under a half-decade of sickness and struggle, a distillation of his agonizing uncertainty and self-analysis.
 

 "This record is about triumph over adversity through perseverance and resilience," he explains. "I'm so proud that it actually got made, as its journey was rough, and I'm so proud that it's going to be out there in the world. I think it will serve as an epitaph to an intensely challenging and defining part of my adult life. But I'm just really stoked that I'm on the other side of it, and it's now memorialized in solid rock."

At his worst, he suffered rapid weight loss, internal bleeding, and proliferation of sores in his mouth and over his body, which continued to grow worse. Sections of his tongue were removed for investigation — while he was conscious. Most unnervingly, the doctors seemed to be panicking, unable to stop his throat collapsing in on itself. 

"People don't relate things like health crises with being a dude in a band," he stresses the sense of isolation that came with the ordeal. "We're more associated with rocking out and having a great time."

Striking up a relationship online with Karen Dió was a shard of gold in a sea of grey. Her UK visit in October 2020 was one of the few moments of real relief. Maddeningly, Matt's trip to her South American homeland at New Year's 2021 would be cut short: worsening health forcing a return to the UK and setting him on a lonely spiral towards some of the darkest days of his entire life.
 
In the end, real love shines through. Motivating himself to get out of the hospital, Matt kept a photo of a wedding ring on his phone and promised himself that marrying Karen would be his reward for pulling through. That promise was fulfilled in April 2022, and a thread of romance runs from their partnership through the heart of the record. 
 

Ultimately, this album's seeing the light of day is a huge part of Matt's happily ever after. He's more focused on work, home, and life's simple pleasures than he's ever been. All that has underlined why music matters, which is why the album runs the full gamut of emotions —exhaustion, mental health, empowerment, celebrity, vulnerability, and, at the heart of the album, love. 

I've Felt Better will be released on August 22 via Mascot Records and will be available in CD, LP and digital formats. Pre-order info here.

BLAKE SHELTON RELEASES NEW SONG “STAY COUNTRY OR DIE TRYIN’”

The countdown continues to Blake Shelton’s highly anticipated new album For Recreational Use Only, available May 9 on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. The album is available now for pre-order, pre-add, and pre-save here.

Leading the album rollout is the hit single “Texas,” which has soared into the Top 10 and continues to climb both radio and streaming charts. Shelton also recently unveiled “Let Him In Anyway,” a soul-stirring ballad that Billboard praised as having “the makings of an enduring Shelton classic.”

Today, Shelton delivers another taste of the album with the release of the electrifying new track “Stay Country Or Die Tryin,’” written by Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis and Beau Bailey.

“When I heard ‘Stay Country or Die Tryin,’’ it took me back to the first time I heard ‘Ol’ Red’ or ‘God’s Country,’” says Shelton. “It’s got so much energy and is full of those little catchphrases and things we say out in the country. I absolutely fell in love with it. I’m proud of this recording—and I love singing it live even more. Hopefully, you’ll come catch a show and sing it with us.”

For Recreational Use Only spans 12 tracks that capture life’s highs and lows with Shelton’s signature blend of authentic storytelling, raw emotion, and unforgettable melodies. The album also boasts guest appearancesfrom music superstar Gwen Stefani, country legend John Anderson, and Shelton’s longtime friend and tourmate Craig Morgan.

With For Recreational Use Only, Blake Shelton strengthens his status as one of country music’s most compelling voices, delivering a deeply personal yet universally relatable collection that celebrates love, resilience, and staying true to your roots.

About Blake Shelton:

With 29 No. 1 singles, 52 million singles and 13 million albums sold and nearly 11 billion global streams, Blake Shelton has received numerous awards, including six ACMs, three AMAs, ten CMAs, 11 CMTs and six People’s Choice, among many others. Shelton just announced his new BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville album, For Recreational Use Only, set to drop May 9. The 12-track album, his first in nearly four years, features his Top 10 Wheelhouse Records single “Texas,” the poignant “Let Him In Anyway” and red-dirt “Stay Country or Die Tryin’” and includes appearances by Gwen Stefani, John Anderson and Craig Morgan. 

 

Shelton kickstarted the year with his Live In Las Vegas Residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. He just wrapped his Friends & Heroes Tour, which featured Craig Morgan, Deana Carter, Trace Adkins and Emily Ann Roberts, and will play a variety of festivals this summer  The Grand Ole Opry member also remains focused on his Ole Red partnership with Ryman Hospitality, with locations currently in Tishomingo, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Orlando, and most recently, Las Vegas, with a stand-alone venue complete with a roof-top stage and bar on the Las Vegas strip.

KEEP UP WITH BLAKE SHELTON

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | X | FACEBOOK

The Callous Daoboys Unleash New Single "Distracted by The Mona Lisa" + Official Video via MNRK Heavy

Witness the latest exhibit from Atlanta, GA sextet The Callous Daoboys with their new track "Distracted by The Mona Lisa" unveiled today via MNRK Heavy. Accompanying today's release is the visceral official music video showcasing the band's electrifying energy they bring to their live performances. Today's drop leads to the grand opening of The Museum Of Failure with the release of the band's highly-anticipated forthcoming album 'I Don't Want to See You in Heaven' out on Friday, May 16. When asked about the inspiration behind the track, vocalist Carson Pace shared:

"There have been countless times in my life where I have felt married to my passion. It’s been detrimental, painful, and has forced me to sacrifice a normal life. This song is me committing to being married to that passion, regardless of the consequences. It’s less a spit in the face of normality, and more a love letter to my own band."

The journey through The Museum Of Failure began with the visceral, full-force energy of "Two-Headed Trout/The Demon of Unreality Limping Like A Dog", followed by the striking reveal of "Lemon", where pop harmonies danced with heaviness. Continue the art walk by streaming "Distracted by The Mona Lisa" here, watching the official music video below, and pre-ordering 'I Don't Want to See You in Heaven' here.

Don't miss your chance to catch The Callous Daoboys' incendiary live show on the 20 Years of All's Well That Ends Well tour, going on now with Chiodos, Hawthorne Heights, and Emmure. After the tour wraps on April 26, the sextet will next be playing a handful of dates with Beartooth later this month and early May, followed up an appearance at Unhinged Festival in July and ending the year on the Coheed and Cambria S.S. Neverender Cruise in November. Snag your tickets at the link here, and be sure to stay tuned for more The Callous Daoboys news coming soon.

20 Years of All's Well That Ends Well with Chiodos, Hawthorne Heights + Emmure:

Apr 11 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

Apr 12 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

Apr 13 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore

Apr 15 - St. Pete, FL @ Jannus Landing

Apr 16 - Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall

Apr 17 - Raleigh, NC @ Ritz

Apr 18 - Richmond, VA @ The National

Apr 20 - Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore

Apr 21 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall

Apr 22 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium

Apr 24 - Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall

Apr 25 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Roxian Theater

Apr 26 - Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue

Beartooth Spring 2025 Dates:

Apr 30 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pagent*

May 15 - Mobile, AL @ Soul Kitch Music Hall*

May 16 - Dothan, AL @ The Plant*

Unhinged Festival:

Jul 26 - Denver, CO @ National Western Stockyards

Coheed And Camrbia S.S. Neverender Cruise:

Nov 8-13 - Miami, FL to Cozumel, MX

ABOUT THE CALLOUS DAOBOYS

A fearlessly free-spirited collective from Atlanta, Georgia, The Callous Daoboys revels in high-strung extremity, careening from furious metal cacophony to unabashed rock 'n roll and back again. The band Kerrang! hails as “gloriously chaotic” is like a Molotov cocktail combining extreme metal and nü-metal with life-affirming glee, as each song deliriously swerves across stylistic lines.

The Callous Daoboys are frontman Carson Pace, possessed like a young Mike Patton; fretboard-abusing guitarists Maddie Caffrey and Daniel Hodsdon; frantic bassist Jackie Buckalew; destructive drummer Matthew Hague; and spirited violinist Amber Christman. 

Celebrated by SPIN, Fader, Revolver, Brooklyn Vegan, and New Noise (who praised the band as “innovative, unflinching, brazen”), The Callous Daoboys have turned heads on raucous tours with TesseracT, Protest The Hero, and SeeYouSpaceCowboy, and at prestigious international metal festivals. Celebrity Therapist (2022) more than delivered on the promise of the band’s early rumblings. I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven (2025) ups the ante on every conceivable level. The album was produced by Dom Maduri (Silly Goose, GEL, Bummer Hill). 

The Callous Daoboys resurrect noise rock as if they’re summoning the dead. Sure, every band claims to blend heavy riffs with catchy melodies as if that’s somehow fresh by itself, but this crew delivers that with a wrecking ball of unrestrained frenzy and total mayhem. The band’s three full-length albums and various EPs loudly testify to their fearless creativity and clever craftsmanship. - Ryan Downey

BAEST Announces New Album, Unleashes Video for New Single, “Misfortunate Son (feat. ORM)”

Danish death metal commando BAEST will be unleashing its fourth studio album, 'Colossal,' on August 15, 2025 via Century Media Records! To celebrate the upcoming offering, the band is now sharing the crushing new single, “Misfortunate Son (feat. ORM)," which can be found along with an official music video created by Moshmallows below.

Produced by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio (Heaven Shall Burn, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Haunted, etc.), the album contains nine tracks across 42 minutes, including the already released singles "Colossus" and "Imp Of The Perverse," as well as an upcoming single with guest vocal features by Jesper Binzer of D-A-D on “King Of The Sun."

Pre-orders are now live HERE.

BAEST explains about the “Colossal” album and the band’s current activities as follows: “Paying homage to the heavy metal roots of our music, we wanted to incorporate fast, classic and rocking riffs. This album showcases our passion for melody and a new direction for our death metal. Keeping the energy of former releases and adding new flavours to the inferno, ‘Colossal’ stands out as an honest, original and exciting release. Recording it over the course of 2 years at Antfarm Studio with Tue Madsen has been a different but exciting process, leaving a lot of space in between material released off the album, with the two first singles ‘Colossus’ and ‘Imp Of The Perverse’ being almost a year old by now. We found that giving songs more time to grow felt right, and we also had to reinvent our own style and sound in that process, which leads to our satisfaction with ‘Colossal’ - it’s a broad album sound wise, and we feel this is the essence of BAEST. Playing some of the new tracks live on our recent tour with Danish rock legends D-A-D was helpful in cementing the appeal of the new tracks and helped us finish the album recordings between those shows. Next up, we embark on our first ever U.S./North America run supporting Arch Enemy, and we are following this tour up with a ton of European festivals. This will be the perfect platform to show the new material and get feedback from the fans - see you on the road!”

Adds BAEST about the new song: "'Misfortunate Son’ is the newest single release from our upcoming 4th album ‘Colossal.’ Recorded at Antfarm Studio with Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Heaven Shall Burn, Meshuggah), it brings forth a blend of melody and brutality. The song showcases our passion for classic heavy metal riffing while incorporating the signature catchiness we always strive for with BAEST! We brought our Danish heroes ORM to add some eerie vocals, contributing a darker mood to the track…”

In addition, BAEST will be laying waste to North America next week for the first time ever as they embark on the "Blood Dynasty" tour in support of Arch Enemy w/ Fit For An Autopsy and Thrown Into Exile! The band will launch their destruction in San Diego, CA next week, on April 15, and will batter audiences across the continent through May 10 in Stroudsburg, PA. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.

The album’s artwork was created by Solomacello

GET TICKETS HERE

BAEST North American Tour Dates

(supporting Arch Enemy w/ Fit For An Autopsy + Thrown Into Exile):

04/14: San Diego, CA @ Observatory Northpark

04/15: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern

04/16: San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom

04/18: Portland, OR @ Roseland Ballroom

04/19: Seattle, WA @ Showbox

04/20: Vancouver, BC @ The Pearl

04/22: Edmonton, AB @ Union Hall

04/23: Calgary, AB @ The MacEwan Hall

04/25: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

04/26: Denver, CO @ Summit

04/28: Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore

04/29: Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theater

04/30: Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Hall

05/02: New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square

05/03: Worcester, MA @ The Palladium

05/05: Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of The Living Art

05/06: Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore

05/08: Montreal, QC @ L’Olympia

05/09: Toronto, ON @ Queen Elizabeth Theater

05/10: Stroudsburg, PA @ The Sherman Theater


Are you ready to rock? Something colossal is coming…

Baest are back, with a new sound and a badass attitude. Over the last decade, the Danish quintet have become one of the most celebrated and respected death metal bands in Europe. Their reign of terror began with debut album Danse Macabre, which emerged to great acclaim in 2019. Since then, the Danes have been relentless. Subsequent albums Venenum (2019) and Necro Sapiens (2021) cemented their reputation as extreme metal mavericks with an ear for lethal hooks, while their passionate dedication to playing live enabled them to spread the word at shows and festivals around the world. 

But things are slightly changing with album number 4: Colossal. Pieced together in the aftermath of Covid lockdowns, and fine-tuned over the last couple of years, the new Baest album is an absolute monster. The new songs are still rooted in the belligerent death metal that informed previous records, but Colossal represents a wholesale transformation. Inspired by and infused with old school, classic metal riffs and a giant helping of rock ‘n’ roll bombast, Baest have written an album that delights in the glory of heavy metal and the fine art of rocking out. Bursting at the seams with catchy riffs and classy melodies, with stylistic salutes to everyone from Ozzy Osbourne and Dokken, through to Iron Maiden and Whitesnake, this is the magnificent rock ‘n’ roll rebirth of Baest. 

“We went on tour with the Krisiun guys a couple of years back, and every soundcheck they were playing ZZ Top songs,” says Baest guitarist Svend Karlsson. “Everyone in the venue was rocking out, you know? So let’s rock! As a band, you have to mature a little and figure out that you have to write songs for yourself, and that way of thinking has brought the best out of us. When we talked to Tue about it, we called it ‘Ozzy death metal’. It’s really exciting to see what people think. We’re looking forward to people hearing this album. We released two singles last year that were in a different direction, but the fans haven’t heard the Dokken stuff yet! [Laughs]”

From the explosive assault of the opening Stormbringer, the new Baest album is an electrifying dose of the good stuff. Produced by the legendary Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio in Denmark, Colossal never bends to current trends. Instead, this is a thrilling celebration of heavy metal, played with extreme metal intensity. Vocalist Simon Olsen has evolved into a truly formidable frontman, with a vastly expanded array of shouts and growls, and his band mates – Karlsson, guitarist Lasse Revsbech, bassist Mattias Melchiorsen and drummer Sebastian Abildsten – have grown in power and stature. As Karlsson explains, this change of direction was simply about Baest being true to themselves. 

“We began the process during Covid, and we found out that we needed to do something that everyone thought was fun,” he states. “Then we tried to zoom in on what makes different songs fun. On the first EP, before we signed to Century Media, there is a lot of melodic rock ‘n’ roll stuff. I think it’s there because we hadn’t learned yet to do more death metal riffs, so those were the riffs that Lasse and I had from our upbringing. This time, we turned back to all of those kinds of riffs, being influenced by Zakk Wylde and Jake E. Lee, Accept, Metallica and all that kind of stuff. We figured that if it’s fun and we enjoy playing it, then it’s going to fit! We finally had the guts to try it, and not to worry about what the death metal fans are going to think.”

Although they may anticipate a backlash from death metal purists, Baest are confident that their evolution will be well received. With songs ranging from the anthemic ‘80s metal fury of the title track, and the brutal rock squall of King Of The Sun (featuring a cameo from D-A-D’s Jesper Binzer), to the progressive, true metal avalanche of epic closer Depraved World, Colossal takes Baest back to the essence of their craft. 

“When we wrote Depraved World, that’s a riff from when Lasse was 14 years old,” says Karlsson. “He said, ‘I’ve got this riff!’ and we were like, ‘Let’s do an Iron Maiden death metal song!’ [Laughs] It’s so much fun, because it’s long and so different. The headline for the whole album is that it’s different, it’s catchy, and it’s rock ‘n’ roll. Rock ‘n’ roll vibes, but in the aggressive form of extreme metal. This is our first time working with Tue Madsen, and he’s a no-bullshit kind of guy. He’s been in the industry for so many records and with so many different bands, so he’s like, ‘Fuck what people think! Let’s do what seems fun and what sounds catchy!’”

2024 saw the release of two singles from Colossal: the viciously catchy Imp Of The Perverse, and the aforementioned Colossus. Both were rapturously received, and generated a lot of excitement about Baest’s next move. Now that they have the new music in the can, Svend Karlsson and his comrades are brimming with confidence and commitment to the heavy metal cause. Armed with songs that are guaranteed to send metal crowds into a joyous frenzy, Denmark’s smartest death metal band are perfectly placed to conquer the entire world. 

“I think we needed to figure out that we were okay with being a heavy metal band,” Karlsson shrugs. “There are also a lot of progressive elements to the record, that we started developing on the Justitia EP. That’s when we realised that it works live, and people really like the Ozzy riffs! So let’s do some more! We played a new, unreleased song on the last tour. Nobody had heard it before, but instantly everyone started clapping along and jumping and having fun. Everybody wants to party, right?”

BAEST line-up:

Svend Karlsson - Rhythm/Lead Guitar 

Simon Olsen - Vocals 

Lasse Revsbech - Rhythm/Lead Guitar 

Sebastian Abildsten - Drums & Percussion

Mattias ‘Muddi’ Melchiorsen - Bass

Album Artwork:

Solomacello

Production:

Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio

Special Guests:

Jesper Binzer of D-A-D on "King Of The Sun"

ORM on "Misfortunate Son"

Formats (U.S.): Ltd. CD Digipak / LP / Digital Album

BAEST online:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK 

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

STREAM // DOWNLOAD

Century Media online:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

Knosis Announce Debut Album "GENKNOSIS" + Share "SHINMON" Video

Japanese metal powerhouse KNOSIS, the visionary project led by renowned multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ryo Kinoshita, is proud to announce their debut full-length album GENKNOSIS due out August 1 via SharpTone Records.

To celebrate this landmark moment, Knosis has unleashed a brand new single, "SHINMON," delivering an explosive preview of what's to come. Packed with emotional weight, blistering riffs, and Ryo's signature vocal intensity, "SHINMON" stands as a testament to the band's unrelenting creative force.

This announcement follows Knosis' recent signing to SharpTone Records, marking a new chapter for Ryo Kinoshita — formerly the frontman of genre-defining Japanese metalcore act Crystal Lake.

Knosis blends searing metal, visceral hardcore, and introspective soundscapes, capturing the raw emotion and spiritual tension of life's heaviest moments. Following the powerful debut single "FUHAI" (Featuring Yukina of Hanabie)," the release of "SHINMON" sets the tone for what promises to be one of the year's most compelling heavy records.

Watch the official music video for "SHINMON" Below.

SHADOW OF INTENT Announce New Album 'Imperium Delerium'; Drop New Single & Music Video "Feeding The Meatgrinder" feat. Corpsegrinder

Shadow of Intent have returned—and they’ve brought war with them. The New England metal titans today release “Feeding the Meatgrinder”, a merciless new single and it's accompanying music video, that serves as both harbinger and warning shot for their upcoming studio album, ‘Imperium Delirium’, set for release June 27 via Blood Blast Distribution. Pre-save the album HERE.

Featuring a guest vocal from death metal legend Corpsegrinder (Cannibal Corpse), “Feeding the Meatgrinder” is an unrelenting descent into sonic carnage. Lyrically, it paints a brutal anti-imperialist and anti-war narrative, describing the dehumanization and destruction of mass conflict in harrowing detail—its chorus a nihilistic refrain: “Continue to bleed or feed—you're feeding the meatgrinder.” Find the new track on streaming platforms HERE and watch the official music video below.

“We couldn’t be more excited to kick off album 5 with this brand new track where we get to push our boundaries even further. A massive thank you to the great George Fisher aka Corpsegrinder for lending us his voice."

Lyrically and thematically, Imperium Delirium continues Shadow of Intent’s descent into the real-world horrors that define our past and foreshadow our future. From mythic allegory to modern bloodshed, the band’s subject matter confronts the sickness of empires, the seduction of violence, and the machinery of death that fuels it all. As always, the sound is enormous—melding symphonic grandeur, blackened melody, razor-sharp technicality, and punishing breakdowns into a style that remains utterly their own.

Since their formation in 2014, SHADOW OF INTENT have garnered a reputation for crafting mind-blowingly technical, prog tinged symphonic deathcore. Widely acknowledged as one of the forerunners of the current deathcore renaissance, the band's debut album 'Primordial' was named as one of Revolver Magazine's '15 Essential Deathcore Albums', with Metal Sucks giving their 2019 album 'Melancholy' a perfect 5/5 review, stating "you can expect Shadow of Intent to send echoes across metal for as long as they feel like making music". To date, they have clocked up 200 million streams, 62 million YouTube Views and have 340,000 monthly listeners on Spotify.

Shadow of Intent are currently playing the last few dates of their North America with Chelsea Grin, Signs Of The Swarm, and Disembodied Tyrant. Remaining dates below, tickets available from shadowofintent.com

Remaining dates:

04/11 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium

04/12 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

04/13 Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl

04/15 Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre

04/16 Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues

04/18 Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater



04/19 Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot

ABOUT SHADOW OF INTENT

Formed in 2014 by Ben Duerr and Chris Wiseman, Shadow of Intent have become one of the most respected and forward-thinking bands in modern metal. With four self-released albums—Primordial (2016), Reclaimer (2017), Melancholy (2019), and Elegy (2022)—the band has blended deathcore, black metal, symphonic and progressive elements with narrative and conceptual ambition. The band’s music and subject matter centers on the many evils in the world, whether myth or real-life events, and the future it may lead to.

2022’s Elegy charted at #4 on Billboard’s Top New Artist Albums, #6 Current Hard Music Albums, and #16 on Current Rock and Digital Albums charts. The band has clocked up 200 million streams, 62 million YouTube Views and have 340,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and toured alongside metal heavyweights including Cannibal Corpse, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Lorna Shore, and Cattle Decapitation.

Shadow Of Intent Are

Ben Duerr - Vocals

Chris Wiseman - Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards

Bryce Butler - Drums

Andrew Monias - Bass

Find Shadow of Intent Online

www.shadowofintent.com

Gaahls WYRD Release "Time and Timeless Timeline"

Emerging like a phantom from the depths of an unseen plane, "Time and Timeless Timeline" is Gaahls WYRD at their most lucid and direct—yet no less enigmatic. Clocking in at just over three minutes, the tightly-wound second single from the Norwegian Grammy winners' upcoming second album, Braiding the Stories, defies the sprawling structures often associated with esoteric metal. Instead, it delivers its message with precision, fire and clarity—imbued with a fierce groove, bold '80s-inspired production and an almost ritualistic cadence.
 

Watch the video for "Time and Timeless Timeline" below.

Braiding the Stories comes out June 6th, 2025 on Season of Mist.


Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/gaahlswyrdbraidinggthestories

Driven by Ole “Lust Kilman” Walaunet’s razor-edged riffwork and soaring melodic leads, "Time and Timeless Timeline" explores the dissonance of perception and memory. It’s a meditation on temporal dislocation, how when the time collapses, the subconscious rises to the surface.

Anchored by Gaahl’s commanding vocal performance, "Time and Timeless Timeline" captures the essence of Braiding the Stories. The album goes behind the veil, delving into reams of emotions and emerging into a dream state that lives somewhere between structure and spirit, time and timelessness.

Filmed at the Solslottet Studio in Bergen, Norway, the music video for "Time and Timeless Timeline" offers an intimate look at Gaahls WYRD as they channel the song's metaphysical energy through pure, raw performance.

The striking cover art by visual artist Øivind Myksvoll (Wardruna, Trelldom) is just as mysterious and arresting as his work for The Humming Mountain. Look closely and you’ll find what appears to be hair (aka the veil) and the cosmos (crystallized wine from Gaahl’s collection). Indeed, the group’s signature horned figure lurks between the layers. For Gaahls WYRD, music, lyrics, concept, and art are synonymous. They’re designed to be experienced in their entirety and in unison. Braiding the Stories isn’t an obvious listen, but it gently (and sometimes maniacally) pulls at the listener. The sensation of the journey from opener “The Dream” to closing epic “Flowing Starlight” is quite unlike anything before. All hail Braiding the Stories!


Line-up:
Kristian Espedal «Gaahl» - All Voices
Ole Walaunet «Lust Kilman» - All Guitars
Andreas Salbu «Nekroman» - Bass
Kevin Kvåle «Spektre» - Drums

Production Credits:
Recorded at Solslottet Studio, Bergen, Norway.
Produced by Iver Sandøy & Gaahls WYRD.
Mixed & mastered by Iver Sandøy at Solslottet Studio, Bergen, Norway.

Cover Art:
Øivind Myksvoll

Biography:
Chris Dick

Pre-order & Pre-save: https://orcd.co/gaahlswyrdbraidinggthestories

Follow Gaahl's Wyrd:
Bandcamp:https://gaahlswyrd.bandcamp.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/gaahlswyrd/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/gaahlswyrd
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/7h8V7XHdJ3akShW3uFaZyn
Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/artist/gaahls-wyrd/1451373309
TIDAL:https://tidal.com/browse/artist/10911081
Deezer:https://www.deezer.com/artist/58388182

Hence unveils haunting new single ‘Steadying The Ship’ – A sonic meditation on the Long Lost Pleasers

In a world rocked by turbulence, where some shake the foundations while others quietly stabilise, Hence returns with their latest single, ‘Steadying The Ship – Long Lost Edit’ - a hypnotic, poetic dive into the paradox of those who hold things together at their own expense.

Set against an atmospheric, undulating soundscape, the track pulses with tension - passive aggression hitting like a whip, promises un-promised, salvation turning numb. At its heart is the hypnotic refrain: “Long lost pleasers, steadying the ship,” a mantra that lingers, both a lament and a quiet rebellion.

“Steadying The Ship is about the ones who become so devoted to maintaining peace that they forget their own truth” the band explains. “The Long Lost Pleasers are those who silence themselves to keep things from falling apart. What starts as an act of grace turns into a slow, quiet disappearance.” With a choir-backed outro swelling into cosmic calm, the song immerses listeners in a space where passivity is both a refuge and a slow erosion of self. The vocals, performed by Arika Adams, dissolve into melodic humming and primal cries - an aching plea for salvation from this Long Lost Feeling. The mood is further enhanced by Haizea Huegun’s rich string arrangements.

The EP also includes ‘Woman In Love’, a collaboration with Irish dark synth-wave specialists Tiny Magnetic Pets, with Paula Gilmer’s sublime vocals complementing a glitchy reimagining of an evergreen classic. The collection is completed by a piano arrangement of the title track from Matt Wilier, the Parisian composer. ‘Steadying The Ship (The Calm Sea)’ is a beautiful rendition which brings new light to the song. ‘Steadying The Ship’ is more than a song - it’s a reflection of human dynamics in times of unrest. Who holds steady, and who gets lost in the process? Hence doesn’t provide the answers but invites listeners to sink into the question.

To further expand its meaning, a series of striking videos and images will accompany the single, transforming its themes into a visual narrative where film meets fashion and the bizarre becomes beautifully normal.

‘Steadying The Ship’ is available on all streaming platforms through Cosmic Cassettes, from 16th April 2025.

Published by Archangelo Music/BMG.

Renowned Rock Singer RUSS BALLARD Shares New Single “You Can Do Magic” + Video

Today, renowned rock singer RUSS BALLARD is pleased to share his new single and accompanying video “You Can Do Magic,” taken from his upcoming double album 'Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired,' out on April 25th, 2025 via Frontiers Music Srl.

 

This release is a real treat for all rock fans: the first CD contains new songs, which show once again that the inspiration never left RUSS, while the second CD includes brand new recordings of famous hits either penned or performed by him during the years.

About the new single, RUSS BALLARD says:

“America’s management asked me to write a song for them. Their best song for me was always 'Horse With No Name' - it had that hypnotic theme. I thought if they could get another hypnotic one - that would be a big hit… So, I wrote 'You Can Do Magic' and it was a hit for them!”

 

He also expresses his excitement for the album:

“It’s a buzz releasing a new album. What started as my 'Lockdown-tapes' during the pandemic became an album! During lockdown, my studio was a life saver for me, and I found new ways of writing and recording. The result gives the listeners a good insight into this time - have a listen!”

Watch the Video for “You Can Do Magic”  below.

RUSS BALLARD is simply one of the most renowned and gifted songwriters in pop and rock music. His music career started when he was only 14 years old and he wrote a tune, which was recorded by The Shadows, appearing on their album 'The Sound Of The Shadows' in 1964.

During the 70’s and 80’s, his songs ruled the airwaves and the list of hits is pretty much endless. From “Since You Been Gone” (Rainbow), “God Gave Rock'n'Roll To You” (Argent and Kiss), “So You Win Again” (Hot Chocolate), “New York Groove” (Hello and Ace Frehley), “You Can Do Magic” (America), “Winning” (Santana) or “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” (Colin Blunstone) – just to name a few – everyone who needed a great song knew that with RUSS BALLARD they could not go wrong.

 

Numerous records/artists were also produced by him, like Roger Daltrey, America, Elkie Brooks, Skindred or Sada Vidoo. In 1974, he started a solo career (after his stint with the band Argent in early 70’s), which had its highest momentum with the 'S/t' album in 1984 (which included the hit single “Voices”) and the follow up “The Fire Still Burns”.

Since then, BALLARD has released 10 studio albums and is still writing and producing hits. Three songs from his 1984 and 1985 albums were featured in the TV show “Miami Vice” and were extensively played on dance floors around Europe.

 Pre-Order 'Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired' HERE

"The Red Garden" by FREEZE THE FALL

Emerging from the vibrant rock scene of Kelowna, British Columbia, FREEZE THE FALL is poised to unleash their compelling new EP The Red Garden on June 18, 2025, via 604 Records. Known for their gritty and introspective sound, this trio is ready to take their music to new heights with a project that weaves intricate tales through each track.

The Red Garden showcases a sophisticated fusion of heavy rock and narrative depth. Produced, mixed, and mastered by Jordan Chase at Oodelally Recordings, the album promises a deep dive into thematic richness, complemented by haunting visuals from album artist Kevin Moore of Soft Surrogate.

The journey begins with "Denial," a chilling instrumental that seamlessly transitions into "Rot," where medieval allegories collide with modern-day dilemmas of misinformation. "Hypothermia" follows, with bassist Aria Becker's intricate rhythms underpinning a narrative on the perils of digital anonymity.

Intensity mounts with "VHS," a track that draws from the horror genre to explore the dynamics of power and subjugation. Conversely, "Aurora" offers a melodic reprieve, reflecting on the universal ties that connect humanity through its ethereal sound and thoughtful lyrics.

The album continues to explore profound themes with "Oubliette" and "Lace." The former melds atmospheric tones with progressive elements, including a verse in French that accentuates its reflective mood. The latter, "Lace," closes the album on a poignant note, using sparse instrumentation to delve into themes of innocence lost and the harsh realities of growth.

This album, rich with thematic complexity and audacious musicality, invites listeners to traverse a landscape where music meets myth, emotion, and introspection. With The Red Garden, FREEZE THE FALL crafts an audial tapestry that is both haunting and deeply resonant, promising to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those who journey through its tracks. This isn't merely an album; it's an immersive experience designed to challenge, captivate, and inspire.

About FREEZE THE FALL:

Hailing from Kelowna, British Columbia, FREEZE THE FALL is a dynamic trio that has quickly carved a niche within the hard rock and metal scene. Formed in 2023, the band consists of Quinn Mitzel on guitar and vocals, Aria Becker on bass and backup vocals, and Jonah Goncalves on drums. Together, they bring a fresh fervor to the modern rock landscape, melding elements of metalcore, nu metal, and hard rock with a deeply narrative-driven approach to their music.

FREEZE THE FALL began making waves shortly after their formation. Their breakthrough came with a viral cover of THE WARNING’s “Evolve,” which caught the attention of both fans and industry insiders. This early success led to their debut single, "Glitch," in February 2024 and subsequently secured them a distribution deal with 604 Records. Their debut EP, Thrones, released in July 2024, showcased their ability to blend intense instrumentation with lyrical depth, earning them nominations for Best Music Video at the Okanagan Screen Awards 2025 for the singles "VHS" and "Hypothermia."

Inspired by the likes of BRING ME THE HORIZON, EVANESCENCE, and SPIRITBOX, FREEZE THE FALL crafts songs that explore the complexities of human emotion and societal issues. Their music features emotive vocals, thunderous bass lines, and blistering guitar riffs, paying homage to ‘90s grunge and ‘00s alt metal while pushing the boundaries with their modern sound.

The band’s creative process is marked by a collaborative spirit and a shared passion for storytelling through music. Each track they create is not just a song but a chapter in a larger narrative, exploring themes from misinformation and the impact of digital anonymity to personal introspection and societal critique.

With their second EP, The Red Garden, released in 2025, FREEZE THE FALL continues to expand their sonic landscape. This project dives deeper into experimental sounds and elaborate storytelling, weaving a tapestry of lore and emotional intensity that challenges the listener while providing a cathartic musical experience.

FREEZE THE FALL not only aims to make music that resonates on a personal level but also seeks to create a lasting impact, pushing the boundaries of rock music with every note and lyric. As they continue to grow and evolve, their journey is one of relentless creativity and a commitment to making music that matters.

Sodom Announce New Album "The Arsonist" + Share Video for "Trigger Discipline"

We all know that good music is always also a question of sound. To this end, the human factor is crucial — along with the right equipment, of course — after all it's about authenticity and individual personality. With that in mind, German thrash metal band Sodom have come to a logical conclusion: To enable the most natural production possible, the drum parts on their latest album The Arsonist were recorded using a 24-track analog tape machine.

No studio tricks, no digital overdubs, or, to quote frontman Tom Angelripper: "No plastic! The difference in sound compared to today's standard drum productions is amazing and has had a positive effect on all the instruments. Naturally, time and effort as well as costs were also higher, but we're happy to fork out for a superior result."

However, it's not only the complex production process that testifies to the band's exceptional creative spirit, but also their diverse songwriting, which saw all four Sodom musicians — the aforementioned Tom Angelripper (vocals, bass), Frank Blackfire (guitar), York Segatz (guitar) and Toni Merkel (drums) — involved in the development of the material on The Arsonist. 

Tom Angelripper continues, "Frank contributed those typical Sodom riffs and hooks again, whereas York favors more epic songwriting. As a perfect complement to both of them, Toni, who is also an excellent guitarist, contributed a number of songs and helped to make the album even more versatile."

The first single and lyric video "Trigger Discipline," the toughest song on The Arsonist, is released today. The song sounds equally martial and is about a sniper who has completely lost control of his actions and shoots people indiscriminately.

Watch the "Trigger Discipline" lyric video below.

The Arsonist will be released on June 27, 2025 worldwide through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipak, 2LP version, download and stream.
Pre-order info here.

Info about Sodom's Europe shows is here.

Psychedelic Garage Rockers SCOTT HEPPLE & THE SUN BAND Announce New Album 'English Mustard' Out on May 2nd via Rise Above/Popclaw

Today, Psychedelic Garage Rockers SCOTT HEPPLE AND THE SUN BAND are proud to announce their new album 'English Mustard,' due out May 2nd via Rise Above/Popclaw. To celebrate the announcement, the band has released their new single "Velvet Divorce,"accompanied by a music video available to view below.

Watch the Music Video For "Velvet Divorce"

Since 2021, Newcastle’s SCOTT HEPPLE has grown from solo recordings into a full band with Thomas Keith (guitar), Sophie Keith (bass, vocals), and Luc Hindmarsh (drums). Their lo-fi debut 'Ashes to Wildflowers' (2023) and mini-album 'Lama' (2024) gained underground praise, leading to shows across Europe and the UK. A standout performance at Shindig! Magazine’s ‘Happening!’ night secured a deal with Rise Above Records, with their debut single "Smoke and Frown" dropping last August.

SCOTT describes their sound best:

“I hate it when bands feel stuck to one sound or genre. Sometimes I want to make a loud doomy song, or a folk song, or a love song or a crazy fast garage-rock song. Sometimes all of that ends up being in the same song!”

'English Mustard' is a major leap forward. Recorded in six days at Tilehouse Studios with Toe Rag’s Liam Watson (The White Stripes’ 'Elephant'), the all-analogue album refines their raw energy without losing grit.

“Recording with dream equipment we’d normally never get to use felt surreal,” says SCOTT. From the acoustic "The Gooseberry" to the fuzzed-out "Fake A Smile," the album captures the dynamic, unfiltered essence of SCOTT HEPPLE & THE SUN BAND.

Pre-Order 'English Mustard' HERE

CANADIAN HARD ROCK ACT HELIX CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WITH NEW BEST-OF RELEASE

Crown X Recordings, Canada’s premier re-issue label, proudly announces the release of Helix 50 – The Best Of, a career-spanning collection celebrating five decades of one of Canada’s most legendary hard rock bands. The compilation features an all-star re-recording of Helix’s multi-platinum hit “Rock You,” alongside international chart-toppers from their major label debut, No Rest For The Wicked(1983), through to Vagabond Bones (2009). An all-new track complete the circle. Using cutting-edge audio technology, every track has been expertly remastered for both CD and vinyl at Iguana Recording Studios in Toronto, ON for a new sonic experience.

Helix’s newest studio track “Stand Up” is released on all streaming platforms Friday, May 18. Followed by a Friday, May 2 streaming and video release of the all-star recording of “Rock You”, featuring founding vocalist Brian Vollmer and longtime bassist Daryl Gray, along with special guests Phil X (Bon Jovi), Brent Fitz (Slash), and Todd Kerns (Slash). The track will be available for streaming in both stereo and Dolby Atmos.

Helix 50 – The Best Of is a definitive collection including the classic remastered hits “Heavy Metal Love,” “Deep Cuts The Knife,” “Wild In The Streets, “Running Wild In The 21st Century,” “Good To The Last Drop (Radio Version)” and “Animal Inside.” Additionally, unplugged versions of “(Make Me Do) Anything You Want,” “The Kids Are All Shakin,’” and  “Dream On” have been remixed for a fresh, updated sound. Released in both CD and LP format, the CD version includes the bonus tracks “That Day Is Gonna Come,” “Sleeping’ In The Dog House Again,” featuring Kim Mitchell, and “Look Me Straight In The Heart,” a duet with Lee Aaron.

Exclusive Releases and Live Events

Fans will be able to order a Deluxe Signed Bundle exclusively through the band’s webstore at rockpapermerch.com/collections/helix starting Wednesday, May 21. This edition is limited to 300 units and comes in a special gatefold format that holds both the CD and 180g marble color vinyl. This hand signed bundle also includes a record slip mat, a Helix 50 guitar pick and a Helix 50 can koozie.

Standard single CD and LP versions will be available in retail stores this July.

The band will release Helix 50 – The Best Of  with a special unplugged show on Wednesday, May 21, as part of the McBowl Concert Series, an annual charity event in Mississauga, ON. Brian Vollmer and Daryl Gray will be joined by former Helix guitarist Sean Kelly, who will also host a retrospective discussion on the band’s history. Before the performance, Vollmer will launch Helix 50 – The Best Ofvia a live-stream event, sharing stories from the band’s iconic career.

For McBowl Concert Series tickets: www.classicbowl.com/concerts/mcbowl

Follow Helix social media for the most up to date information on Helix 50 – The Best Of.

Join the RockPaperMerch.com mailing list for more information on Helix 50 – The Best Of and other album drops.

Follow Helix Online for updates on Helix 50– The Best Of:
Website: www.planethelix.com
Facebook: facebook.com/helixofficial
Instagram: instagram.com/helixband
YouTube: youtube.com/helix
Crown X Recordings: CrownXRecordings.com

HOTLINE TNT ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM, RASPBERRY MOON, OUT JUNE 20th LEAD SINGLE "JULIA'S WAR" OUT NOW

the New York-based band fronted by Will Anderson — announce their third album Raspberry Moon, out June 20th via Third Man Records and share its lead single, “Julia’s War.”

 

The follow up to Cartwheel, the band’s “exquisite” (Billboard) 2023 breakthrough, Raspberry Moon is the most sweeping and compelling Hotline TNT album to date and, crucially, the first built by a full band. Funneled into the album are moments of vulnerability and romance, creating a generationally great statement of youthful wistfulness and very adult growth that also happens to be very charming and sometimes funny. 

 

The album is available to pre-order now on the following formats (the first 100 pre-orders of the album on either colour vinyl LP, exclusively from thirdmanrecords.com, will receive a bonus 'cassingle' of Julia's War + demo version.

STREAM JULIA'S WAR

PRE-ORDER NOW

 Limited edition copies at Rough Trade are also available.

PRE-ORDER NOW

Hiroe Announce New Album "Wield" + Share "Tides" Video

Hiroe, the new darlings of the American post-rock underground, will release their debut album, Wield, on June 20 via Pelagic Records. Pre-order Wield here. 

The band has released their first single from Wield, the titanic-sized "Tides."

Stream "Tides" here. Watch the video below.

Both powerfully melodic and heavy, Wield shows the Philadelphia-based quintet mastering their craft, of creating compelling melodies that sound larger than life.

"The intention for 'Tides' was to evoke aural imagery akin to an unstoppable force colliding with an immovable object," comments the band. "Our studio intern's observation perfectly captured this sentiment: 'It sounds like a soundtrack for Godzilla fighting King Kong.' There's an undercurrent of frustration woven into the song. It serves as a metaphor for the very universal human experience for us all — the constant challenges, both monumental and mundane, that we all face in a struggle to exist."

2022 saw Hiroe burst onto the scene with an explosive debut EP full of soaring anthems and sublime soundscapes. Combining the sonic expansiveness of Deftones with the dynamic heaviness of bands like Isis and Caspian, Hiroe immediately already figured out how to make the most majestic sounding post-rock early in their career. 

"Our first release, Wrought, was a statement of creation," explains principal songwriter and guitarist Eric Kusanagi.
 
For the recording of Wield, Jill Paslier moved from bass to guitars, with Brian Kong (guitars), Jon Seiler (bass) and Dan Sagherian (drums) joining to complete the lineup. Produced once more by Mario Quintero (Spotlights), Wield capitalizes on everything the band learned in the creation of its predecessor, adding to it a new focus on textural intricacies and compositional detail.
 
"We wanted to show a larger range of musical themes on this record," continues Kusanagi. "You'll hear us dive into some synth work, some piano work, some really interesting effects that Mario helped us dial up." 

As a result, Wield packs in a huge range of details, which reveal themselves over repeated listens. 
 
Nevertheless, Wield is still an affair of instant gratification for fans of guitar driven post-rock. From the soaring leads of "Tides" to the epic finale of "I've Been Waiting For You All My Life," Hiroe show they've upped their game in every department, but especially that which tugs at your heartstrings.

Wield presents the brave new future we all need in these confusing times. A new American frontier on which we can build our wildest dreams and our most daring ambitions.

HIROE ON TOUR:
6/6 — Baltimore, MD — Monument City Brewing
6/7 — Washington, DC —The Pocket
6/13 — Brooklyn, NY — Gold Sounds
6/14 — Boston, MA — Deep Cuts
6/20 — Harrisburg, PA — JB Lovedraft’s
6/21 — Lancaster, PA  — The Upside
6/27 — Philadelphia, PA — Kung Fu Necktie
6/28 — Pittsburgh, PA — Ormsby's
7/23 — Indianapolis, IN — Black Circle (Post-Fest Pre-Show)

HIROE ARE:
Eric Kusanagi — Guitar
Jill Paslier — Guitar
Brian Kong — Guitar
Jon Seiler — Bass
Dan Sagherian — Drums

Melodic Rockers GIANT Unveil New Single “A Night To Remember”

Melodic rockers GIANT are pleased to unveil their new single and lyric video “A Night To Remember," taken from their new upcoming album 'Stand And Deliver,' out on May 16, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

GIANT returns with a powerful new chapter in their storied career, featuring a fresh lineup that propels the band's signature sound to exhilarating new heights.

Drummer and founder David Huff expressed his excitement for the new album:

“Making GIANT records has always been our passion! Thanks to everyone at Frontierswe can make our dreams happen. I know it’s a bit of a different lineup but whoever is in the lineup the legacy of GIANT lives on."

The forthcoming album entitled 'Stand And Deliver' showcases once again the talents of David Huff on drums, Mike Brignardello on bass, Kent Hilli (of Perfect Plan) as the commanding lead vocalist, with the addition of Jimmy Westerlund (One Desire) on guitars. Westerlund also takes on mixing duties alongside Alessandro Del Vecchio, who adds his touch on keyboards as a featured guest.

Watch the Lyric Video for “A Night To Remember" Below.

As if this dynamic combination of talent was not enough, the album also includes some gems penned by the original guitarist and singer Dann Huff including “Time To Call It Love” (a collaboration with the late Mark Spiro), “Holdin’ On For Dear Life” and “Paradise Found”, coming both from his sessions with Van Stephenson, which strongly link the new album with the sound of the classic album 'Time To Burn'.

 

However, with this new album, GIANT delivers the hard-hitting rock and melodic hooks that fans have come to expect while pushing the boundaries of the genre with a state-of-the-art production. 

Pre-Order 'Stand And Deliver' HERE

Originally formed in the late '80s by brothers Dann and David Huff, together with the experienced jazz and rock keyboardist Alan Pasqua and Nashville session bass player Mike Brignardello, GIANT would soon become one of the most respected bands of the melodic hard rock scene, with the release of their debut album 'Last Of The Runaways' (A&M Records, 1989).

Following countless live performances in support of their debut, the band released the follow-up 'Time To Burn' (Epic, 1991), an album still regarded as a main source of influence for many melodic and hard rock bands who came after. With the sudden change of musical climate in the early '90s, GIANT disbanded with their members becoming involved in different projects, with both Dann and David Huff becoming well respected producers.

 

In 2001, Frontiers prompted GIANT to release 'III', an album that would prove to be a landmark in the growth of the new era Melodic Rock scene, particularly in Europe. Unfortunately, Dann's busy schedule along with the other members' commitments made the reunion impossible to carry on as had originally been planned; however, the vision of bringing GIANT back as a band with a recording and touring line-up was something that the band was still open to exploring, even if Dann had to step away.

Thus, original members, drummer David Huff and bassist Mike Brignardello, with the blessing of Dann started endless research for the right musicians that could be part of a renewed GIANT line-up. In the end, the choice fell on vocalist Terry Brock (ex-Strangeways) and guitarist John Roth (Winger, Starship).

The resulting album, 'Promise Land' soon became a fan favorite, showcasing top quality songwriting and performances. GIANT, however, went into hibernation again, with the exception of a one-off show in 2017, where the original band members reunited on a Nashville club stage for a charity event.

 

That event piqued fan interest and Frontiers and David Huff started talking again to see if they could manage to find the right formula for a new album from GIANT. When the Swedish bandPerfect Plan released a cover version of the GIANT’s original hit “Stay” in 2019, all the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place.

Huff and Brignardello were keen on the idea of Kent handling lead vocals for the next GIANTrelease. Dann Huff gave his seal of approval, appearing on lead guitar on the single “Never Die Young”, which anticipated the successful release in 2022 of the 'Shifting Time' album.

GIANT are:

Kent Hilli - Lead Vocals

Jimmy Westerlund - Lead Guitar

Mike Brignardello - Bass

David Huff - Drums