Sacramento-based alt hard rock band SOLELY VEIL have today released their new EP, REVERIE, via The Artery Foundation. It is the band's debut release.
Listen to the five-track EP here.
"REVERIE captures the feeling of being stuck between reality and the thoughts that keep you up at night," says the band's vocalist Allen Wheeler. about the EP as a whole. "Each song is a different part of that struggle. It's honest, uncomfortable, and exactly where we were when we wrote it."
Regarding the song "Static," Wheeler offers, "It's about the experience of being trapped in a dream-like state where the boundaries between reality and illusion collapse, as a malevolent entity seeks to assert control, leaving you unable to distinguish what is real from what is not." Listen below.
It's a heavy concept but it's one worth ruminating on via the song!
Out Now and Shipping, Paul Di'Anno's Final Album of Original Songs on Limited Edition Vinyl
Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse debut album is now available and shipping on vinyl from BraveWords Records. This album is the last full album of new, original songs released by the legendary Paul Di’Anno.
Order your copy of PAUL DI’ANNO’s WARHORSE on vinyl today. Visit https://mvdshop.com/collections/bravewords-records
Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse - Here Comes The Night (Official Video) with over 200,000 plays:
You can stream Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse: https://smarturl.it/Warhorse
Produced and Arranged by Pupi and Madiraca
Warhorse:
Paul Di´Anno – Vocals
Hrvoje Madiraca – Guitars
Ante Pupačić Pupi - Guitars
Guest Musicians:
Becky Baldwin (Bass Guitar on songs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9)
Petar Šantić (Drums on songs: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10), (Bass guitar on song 10)
Joe Lazarus (Drums on song 1)
Andro Banovac (Backing Vocals on songs: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Danijel Stojan (Drums on song 5)
Nikolina Belan (Backing Vocals on song 9)
Recorded in Studio Pupi
Except Drums in Studio Deva, and drums in song Warhorse - Barnyard Studio
Mix: A. P. Pupi
Mastering: Dado Marušić Deva
Except Going Home and The Doubt Within- Ante Pupačić Pupi
Photography: Dado Marušić Deva
Except Madiraca´s b/w by Nikola Brnaba
Album Cover Art / Logo Design: J.M. Navigator
About Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse:
The core of the band and founders are Paul Di'Anno, vocals, Hrvoje Madiraca, guitar and Ante Pupačić Pupi, guitar.
Paul Andrews, a British singer better known by his stage name Paul Di’Anno, his nearly half-century-long career began explosively with Iron Maiden, when with the EP ‘The Soundhouse Tapes’, and the albums ‘Iron Maiden’ and ‘Killers ‘ forever cemented the foundations of heavy metal. With timeless hits like ‘Iron Maiden’, ‘Remember Tomorrow’, ‘Running Free’, ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Killers’, ‘Wratchild’, Murders in the Rue Morgue’, ‘Purgatory’ etc., they influenced numerous musicians and bands and were responsible for the creation or development of many subgenres in metal music.
Paul was known as one of the most productive singers, who had a huge number of albums and other releases behind him, either as a solo artist or a member of bands such as Gogmagog, Di’Anno’s Battlezone, Praying Mantis, Killers, Architects of Chaoz or Warhorse. In all his incarnations, Paul always knew how to find a way to the fans, with numerous hits, uncompromising singing, whichwas confirmed by his successful career and furious live shows around the world.
This icon of heavy metal with the heart of a punk rock rebel never spared himself in his life, but he always gave everything for music and fans, which is why they have followed him faithfully for almost fifty years.
Warhorse was the final original band/project of Paul Di’Anno. The first idea of forming a band arose in December 2021, when Paul and guitarist Hrvoje Madiraca met in Zagreb, Croatia. The formation and naming of this project happened simultaneously with the writing and recording of new songs, which were started immediately after Paul and Hrvoje joined hands and thus formed the band. Warhorse independently released the DVD single ‘Stop the War’ in a limited edition of 666 copies and sold it out in just a few days. This was followed by the fantastic ‘Stop the War’ lyric video, which delighted fans around the world. The Warhorse project gathered fantastic guest musicians on some songs. The core of the band itself is the three ‘horsemen’ Paul Di’Anno – vocals, Hrvoje Madiraca – guitars and Ante Pupačić Pupi – Guitars.
Paul Dianno, a true original, never forgotten!
Kreator Release Dystopian Video for Title Track of New Album "Krushers of the World" // Album Out Now
The wait is finally over!
The mighty KREATOR have unleashed their highly anticipated 16th studio album Krushers Of The World! Featuring 10 hard-hitting anthems, the album enhances the band's unmistakable classic thrash metal sound by boldly embracing modern elements wrapped in an uncompromising, massive production by acclaimed producer Jens Bogren.
Krushers Of The World showcases KREATOR at the peak of their creative force — furious, precise, and more relevant than ever. The album bridges decades of thrash metal legacy with a contemporary edge that pushes the genre forward.
Coinciding with the album release, KREATOR have premiered the official music video for the title track "Krushers Of The World."
Set in a post-apocalyptic Berlin, the video paints a grim yet striking vision of a world on the brink, capturing themes that feel more urgent and topical than ever.
With Krushers Of The World, KREATOR once again prove why they remain one of the most influential and vital forces in metal.
Mille Petrozza comments, "Hordes! Krushers Of The World is yours now! We hope you will enjoy it as much as we do. See you on tour!"
Stream and purchase Krushers Of The World HERE.
Watch the video for "Krushers Of The World" below.
KRUSHERS OF THE USA TOUR 2026
WITH CARCASS + COLD STEEL:
5/7 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — Revolution Live
5/8 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville
5/10 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
5/11 — Knoxville, TN — The Mill & Mine
5/12 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
5/14 — Worcester, MA — Palladium
5/15 — McKees Rocks, PA — Roxian Theatre
5/16 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple
5/18 — Davenport, IA — Capitol Theatre
5/19 — Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue
5/20 — Chicago, IL — Romova Theatre
5/22 — Huntington, NY — Paramount
5/23 — Baltmore, MD — Maryland Deathfest
GET TICKETS HERE.
Out Now - ANTI-SAPIEN - At The Mercy Of The Merciless
ANTI-SAPIEN return with At the Mercy of the Merciless, a 22 minute blast of sewer-filthy death crust that captures the band in a moment of evolution and escalation. Written on the road and recorded at Growl House Studios for a January 16, 2026 release on Terminus Hate City, the record feels like the point where a pandemic side project that started as a joke has hardened into a focused, relentless, politically furious machine. The songs are still fun, still catchy, still gross and sweaty, but the riffing has become more intricate and the sense of purpose sharper, with the band leaning into real world themes, personal damage, and systemic rot without sacrificing the primal thrill of heavy music.
About ANTI-SAPIEN:
ANTI-SAPIEN formed in Brooklyn in 2021 and grew quickly from a loose pandemic experiment into a touring force known for filthy death crust riffs, sweat soaked shows, and a message that cuts through the noise. The band began as a way for friends to blow off steam and write ugly, fun songs that blended their love of D beat punk, death metal, grind, and the classic New York slam tradition. What surprised them was how quickly audiences connected to not only the heaviness but the honesty. Kids responded to the riffs but also to the moments between songs where the band spoke openly about inequality, exploitation, and the systems that grind people down. That connection pushed ANTI-SAPIEN to take the project further, tighten their sound, and hit the road hard across the United States and eventually through Australia, Korea, and Japan.
Over time the band’s lineup shifted into the current form of Blake Charlton, Alex Fewell, Ryan Murphy, and Nathan Rand, all seasoned musicians with long histories in heavy music. Their combined backgrounds in bands like Ramming Speed, Black Mass, Soul Remnants, and others helped shape the sound into something both raw and disciplined, equal parts crust punk grit and death metal precision. They have played festivals like NEDM Funtime Bonanza and the NYDM International Fest, building a reputation for fast sets, filthy tones, and a refusal to shy away from uncomfortable truths.
ANTI-SAPIEN operate with a clear sense of purpose. They are proudly anti fascist, openly political, and committed to calling out abuses of power while keeping their shows rooted in community and catharsis. The band writes music that is catchy and disgusting, equal parts sewer filth and adrenaline, and they deliver it with the conviction of people who believe heavy music can be fun while still saying something worth hearing. Audiences continue to grow each tour, fueled by the band’s willingness to merge riffs, rage, humor, and a perspective shaped by lived experience.
ANTI-SAPIEN is:
Blake Charlton – Guitar and Lead Vocals
Alex Fewell – Drums
Ryan Murphy – Bass and Backup Vocals
Nathan Rand – Lead Guitar
Connect with ANTI-SAPIEN:
Website: terminushatecity.com
Bandcamp:https://anti-sapien.bandcamp.com/music
E Shop:https://anti-sapien.bandcamp.com/merch
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AntiSapienBand/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/antisapienband/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@antisapienband
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qq4lPjBPdNmudoOk1CfRZ
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/anti-sapien/1679779909
Out Now - VISERION - Fire & Blood
Exploring a wealth of fantastical literature through the bloodthirsty shroud of black metal, VISERION's forthcoming atmospheric album, Fire and Blood, is set to manifest in this realm on January 16th, 2026. The likes of ULTAR, 1349, SATYRICON, GATES OF ISHTAR are significantly influential in the construction of VISERION's creativity, as they delve heavily into the melodic across their discography.
The title track opens the album with a more conventionally leaning black metal quality. It establishes the primary theme that bleeds through the release: "our concept for this album was inspired by George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones world. It particularly focuses on the Targaryen dynasty hence the title being their house words: Fire and Blood." The band explain further, "this particular song focuses on the black magic rituals that the Targaryen family was rumored to use in order to control dragons". The violent and aggressive tones emanate from the unyielding instrumentation and monstrous vocal delivery.
The use of non standard time signatures creates a sense of chaos and unease in the introduction to "Mad King". The instability of the arrangement is intentional as the song explores "the delusions and cruelty of King Aerys II as well as his demise". Aegon The Conqueror and his dragon Balerion are the focus of "Reign of Fire". VISERION's use of groove and melodies mark "Reign of Fire" as a standout track. "Blackfyre" tells of The Blackfyre Rebellions through a dark and rhythmic offering. The addition of keys enhances the track with further texture - "part of the production that stands out is the inclusion of keys recorded by our engineer Billy. These keys then sparked our mixer Chris to come up with the idea to use it as an outro".
Horror and anguish lie within the intense "Harrenhal". This composition of despair sees the lyrics portray "the horrifying destruction of Lord Harren’s fortress at the hands of Aegon the Conqueror and his dragon". In an enthralling display of unceasing power the intensity of the instrumentation is immense, only pausing to lament in eerie melodic moments.
About VISERION:
Located in Queens, NY, VISERION blend brutal and aggressive black metal with atmospheric and melodic passages in their own distinctive take on the genre. Storytelling is embedded in their musical creativity, highly influenced by the writings of George R.R. Martin and the World of Westeros. The band initially formed as a three-piece in 2020 by Ben Marvilli taking on bass and vocals, Matt Marvilli on drums and John Magnani performing guitars. Subsequently, in 2022, Magnani left and Ben Marvilli swapped out bass for guitar. Cris Valentine also joined on guitar and Tasso Diakov took on the bass. The debut album Natural Selection dropped in 2021, followed by a split EP release with TELOCH VOVIN titled The Iron Age of Kali Yuga in 2023. Now, Fire and Blood is set to emerge on January 16, 2026.
VISERION Is:
Benedetto Marvilli -Guitar/Vocals
Matthew Marvilli - Drums
Cris Valentine - Guitar
Tasso Diakov - Bass
Album Credits:
Producer: Billy Pfister
Recording Studio: Westfall Recording
Engineer: Billy Pfister
Mastering: Jacob Buczarski
Mixing: Chris Grigg
Cover art: “Fire in Rome” by Hubert Robert
Out Today From Carrion Vael
Melodic death metal force of nature CARRION VAEL returns with a vengeance on their fifth album, Slay Utterly, to be released through Unique Leader Records on January 16, 2026. Though raw and ferocious at their core, the band weaves intricate technical nuances throughout the album. Punchy riffs and rhythms drive the intensity home, while memorable lead guitar lines and powerful vocal performances leave a lasting impact. Lyrically, Slay Utterly goes above and beyond to immerse the listener in CARRION VAEL's fascination for history and true crime.
CARRION VAEL's technical prowess may take the spotlight on this album, but they are storytellers at their core. Each song on Slay Utterly explores the story of a different serial killer. The perspective jumps between the killer themselves, and the experiences of the victims. On the whole, the album presents a collection of stories delving into the psyches of famous axe murderers, slashers, and other uniquely violent killers throughout history.
Slay Utterly opens with "19(fucking)78", which instantly sets the tone for the album's intensity and nuance. Featuring layers of technical guitar parts, slam riffs, and clean vocals, the band leaves no skill in their toolbox unused. Lyrically, the song is set in 1970s California; a particularly violent time in history, given the presence of the Hillside Stranglers. The lyrics contemplate issues of nature versus nurture, as well as an obsession with control by any means possible.
Opening with ominous Spanish guitar arpeggios, "Truth or Consequences" tells the story of David Parker Ray, best-known as the Toy Box Killer. Living in the remote deserts of New Mexico, Ray built a soundproof bunker on his land, where he would kidnap women who were passing through. His number of kills remains unknown, though estimates are high.
"1912" then presents itself as one of the more theatrical and progressive songs on the album. The lyrics tell of an unsolved axe murder that shook the small town of Villisca, Iowa on a hot June night in 1912. To this day, no one knows who really committed the strange and horrific murders of two adults and six children, but speculations abound. The lyrics explore each speculation, varying from train-hopping sociopaths, scorned business associates, or even evangelical madmen.
Fast, heavy, and catchy, "30 on 9" is a quintessential CARRION VAEL track. It delves into various aspects of the mystery of Jack the Ripper, ranging from his true identity, his victims, and the bloody details of his murders. He was believed to have murdered Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes on September 30th, with this date lending the song its title.
Guitarist Ryan Kuder shines on "40 Echoes Upon the Parlor", with rapid-fire riffs and blazing lead sections throughout. Clean vocals make a notable appearance in the choruses, wailing spectrally above a mass of blast beats and growls. The lyrics tell of numerous smaller axe murder cases, referencing Lizzie Borden most prominently.
"Lord of 74" opens almost innocently and uncharacteristically for the band, with delicate piano notes and the sound of water dripping in the background. Low, mournful clean vocals build an atmosphere of remorse and anguish until the song explodes into the fury that defines CARRION VAEL. The song tells the story of Joseph Kallinger, a schizophrenic shoe cobbler from Philadelphia who believed that God had sent him to murder every person on Earth... and that with the help of his children, he could complete this task.
"Bisection 47" embodies unrelenting rage from the first note to the last. The song explores the 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short, better known as the Black Dahlia. She was found cut in half (bisected) from the waist, and the identity of her killer remains unknown. The murder has left its mark on history as one of the biggest true crime mysteries to date.
The final track, "Black Chariot", was originally recorded for CARRION VAEL's album God Killer (2020). As a fan favorite, the band decided to update the song and re-record it for Slay Utterly. Despite the fact that it was recorded for a different album, "Black Chariot" picks up right where "Bisection 47" left off, with layers of vicious snarls and stunning lead guitar work.
About CARRION VALE:
In 2017, brutal melodic death metal storytellers CARRION VAEL set out on a mission to understand disturbing events that may baffle the sane. Each album and each song explores an aspect of true crime history, often focusing on the stories of individual serial killers and their victims. Though this conceptual focus underpins CARRION VAEL's songwriting, they seek to fully utilize all of their skills and talents to ensure that each song develops the sound it needs to tell its story. The band released their first album, Resurrection of the Doomed, independently in 2017, then signed with HPGD Records and released their 2020 follow-up, God Killer. Subsequently, the band signed with Unique Leader Records and released Abhorrent Obsessions (2022) and Cannibals Anonymous (2024).
With their fifth album, Slay Utterly, on the horizon, CARRION VAEL are set to continue this journey into the monstrous side of the human psyche. Vicious, but surprisingly poignant in just the right dose, Slay Utterly presents an anthology of serial killer stories from significant points in history. The album is certain to enthrall fans of horror, history, and true crime with its vivid portrayals of the minds of both murderers and victims.
CARRION VALE is:
Travis Lawson Purcell - Vocals
Alex Arford - Bass
Trenton Limburg - Guitar
Ryan Kurder - Guitar
Matt Behner - Drums
Bangalore Choir Release Live Video for Bullet Train from their New Album RAPID FIRE SUCCESSION: On Target Part II
Bangalore Choir have released their new album, Rapid Fire Succession: On Target Part II on BraveWords Records. The first single, 'Bullet Train’, recently hit #1 for six weeks on the 97Underground.com radio playlist as well as being in medium rotation on the legendary KNAC FM. Today, Bangalore Choir release a live video for 'Bullet Train', that was filmed on their recent European tour with Girlschool and label-mates Alcatrazz.
David Reece took a moment to talk about the response to the new album: “What can I say but thank you! The response from everyone has been incredible and it's hard to put into words the feeling to be honest. Also I would like to thank media and radio for embracing our record it's been truly incredible! Lastly I want to mention the tour Bangalore Choir was honored to be a part of with Alcatraz and Girlschool. Many of you know we perform classics from On Target, but this time around we were fortunate to be able to showcase many songs from Rapid Fire Succession: On Target Part II and amazingly seeing and hearing people singing along to 'Bullet Train', 'Driver's Seat' and many others was truly inspiring! We can't thank you all enough for raising the roof! I look forward to seeing and hearing you all again in 2026!”
Stream or purchase RAPID FIRE SUCCESSION: On Target Part II: https://smarturl.it/bangalorechoir
David Reece: Vocals
Diego Pires: Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Eric Juris: Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Andy Susemihl: Lead, Rhythm Guitars & Backing Vocals
Mario Percudani: Lead, Rhythm Guitars & Backing Vocals
Riccardo Demarosi: Bass and Backing Vocals
Nello Savinelli: Drums
Guest appearances:
Jimmy Waldo: Keyboards
Ferdy Doernberg: Keyboards
Engineered by Riccardo Demorossi
Mixed and Mastered by Thomas Mergler @Tom's Soundranch
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HwR7Kvq48/
https://www.instagram.com/david.reece.official
Out today from Vesseles!
VESSELES returns with Home, a devastating and majestic sophomore release that delves deep into identity, belonging, and the mythos of a demon cast into the human world. Founded as a personal vessel for Valira, a demon entity discovering her truth through music, VESSELES fuses symphonic black metal with cinematic grandeur and emotional weight. This project is not just about sound; it's about survival, transformation, and reclaiming power in a world that was never built for her.
Home is the sound of returning to a place you've never truly known. It opens with “Flesh Throne,” a regal, thunderous anthem where Valira reclaims her sovereignty over humanity. From there, the album dives into the mythic rituals of The Beneath with “Eternally Within Us,” a ceremonial track complete with Latin mantras and sweeping symphonics that ground the demon realm’s ancient roots in flesh and blood.
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“The Beneath” stands out as a brutal, bombastic ode to her home world: violent, majestic, and unwavering in its hatred of mankind. The longing is palpable, yet there’s pride in the cruelty; it’s not just where Valira is from, it’s what shaped her. Then comes “Home,” the album’s namesake and emotional center. For the first time, Valira takes on lead vocals, questioning whether the place she fought so hard to return to was ever meant to comfort her. This track weaves in foreshadowing, referencing the next four songs, as a lyrical and thematic bridge that transforms the concept of home from destination to obstacle.
“They Wither…” provides a quiet, haunting pause. An instrumental piano piece that counters the despair of previous releases, this song leans into reflection, rooted not in shame, but in power. That strength explodes in “Until They Are Dust,” a sprawling composition that details the grotesque birth of The Beneath: a cursed sludge consuming humanity to give rise to the next generation of demons. The piano motifs from the previous track grow into a full, imperial force here, setting the stage for what follows.
“Scriptures Etched Into the Mind’s Pillars” shifts focus inward. A fierce, classic black metal track about building mental walls for survival, it marks the album’s lyrical turning point, from external reclamation to internal unraveling. This descent continues in “Perpetual Chasm of Black Mirrors,” a harrowing journey through isolation, suffocation, and the horror of being self-aware in a world that rejects you. The dissonant piano passages echo like thoughts in a collapsing mind.
Finally, “This Is Not Home” brings the album full circle. It is both a response to the title track and a fiery rebirth. Realizing she will never belong in the world she left behind, or the one she was cast into, Valira chooses to summon her own empire. Pain gives way to rage, sorrow to power. It’s a triumphant, wrathful finale that cements VESSELES not only as a voice of identity and resistance but as a sovereign presence in the black metal realm.
Home is the natural maturation of VESSELES' sound. More dynamic, more orchestral, more unflinchingly personal, it charts Valira’s journey from confident origin to tortured self-doubt and finally to righteous authority. During recording, a late inclusion of Valira’s own vocals unlocked new potential, revealing the expressive power of her voice in leading the story. While it arrived too late to be fully incorporated across the album, it points clearly to the project's future: bolder, deeper, more human, and more demonic, than ever.
For those drawn to the theatricality of CRADLE OF FILTH, the compositional complexity of SEPTICFLESH, or the grandeur of DIMMU BORGIR, VESSELES is both homage and evolution. It’s not just music. It’s a reckoning, and Home is the sound of a demon returning, not to find peace, but to claim it by force.
All live vocals are now done by Valira with contributions on the album by Joel Ferry.
THE ETERNAL Celebrate Release of New EP Celestial with Music Video for “Celestial Veil” Out Now on Reigning Phoenix Music!
Australian-Finnish dark progressive gothic metal collective THE ETERNAL celebrates the release of their new, critically-acclaimed EP, entitled "Celestial", that is out now on powerhouse label Reigning Phoenix Music.
To mark the day, the band have unveiled an official music video for “Celestial Veil”, a track that highlights their talent for slow-burning heaviness and emotional depth. The EP is available digitally and as a limited, eco-friendly recycled vinyl LP edition (exclusively available through the band’s official store and the RPM shop). Order your favorite choice of format at this location: https://theeternal.rpm.link/celestialPR
Built on restrained weight and a drifting sense of atmosphere, the new single “Celestial Veil” unfolds like a moment suspended in time. The video mirrors this feeling through cosmic imagery, light meets vast darkness, visually reinforcing the song’s themes of loss, distance, and fragile connection.
Featuring celestial metaphors, “Celestial Veil” captures the longing and grief of separation. As stars fade and time stands still, the song reveals that love, though fragile and doomed, remains a luminous force: eternal in memory and dreams beyond the darkness.
Watch the video clip now premiering below:
Following the success of their acclaimed 2024 album Skinwalker, THE ETERNAL now return with their new EP Celestial. Continuing their signature fusion of melancholic atmospheres, doom-laden heaviness, and progressive depth, the band once again delivers an emotive and cinematic journey through sound and spirit, unafraid to embrace both beauty and bleakness while charting new creative horizons.
With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, joined by Niclas Etelävuori (bass, ex-Amorphis/Flat Earth) and Jan Rechberger (drums, Amorphis) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL have solidified themselves as a truly international collaboration. Their music resonates with fans of acts such as Katatonia, Swallow the Sun, and Anathema - dark yet luminous, heavy yet emotionally transcendent!
THE ETERNAL is:
Mark Kelson / Guitar & Vocals
Richie Poate / Guitar
Niclas Etelävuori / Bass
Jan Rechberger / Drums & Percussion
More on THE ETERNAL:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/TheEternal
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theeternalofficial/
X | https://www.twitter.com/theeternalband
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@theeternalofficial
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4vJAnrZbwUesT_FlY03mdw
Lionheart Release New Album
California hardcore powerhouse Lionheart have officially entered full domination mode with the release of their new album Valley Of Death II, cementing one of the most aggressive and effective album campaigns modern hardcore has seen in years.
Musically, Valley Of Death II delivers exactly what its title promises. Crushing grooves, merciless riffs, and commanding gang shouts collide with an even darker, heavier, and more confrontational atmosphere than its predecessor. Serving as the long-awaited sequel to their 2019 fan favorite, the album finds Lionheart fully locked in, focused, and firing on all cylinders — a band that knows exactly who they are and how hard they want to hit.
Freshly released via Arising Empire, Valley Of Death II is not about reinvention, but escalation. One track after another underlines why Lionheart have reclaimed their position at the top of modern hardcore and why the response to this release cycle has been nothing short of overwhelming.
To complete this massive chapter, Lionheart will return to Europe in January 2026 for a huge headline tour, joined by hardcore royalty Madball, metalcore heavyweights Gideon, and German crossover force Slope.
From the first comeback blow to the final album drop, Lionheart make one thing unmistakably clear: this era isn’t about survival — it's about total domination.
Catch the band live in Europe — more info HERE.
Out Now From Redivider - Sounds Of Malice
REDIVIDER, a death metal band from Louisville, Kentucky, presents their debut full-length album Sounds of Malice, a concentrated expression of aggression, narrative depth, and old school brutality fused with modern execution. Formed in early 2021 by Jacob Spencer and Paul Nunavath, REDIVIDER was built with a singular intent: to write crushing death metal rooted in the atmosphere of the 1990s Florida scene while expanding on those foundations with contemporary precision and weight. Joined by Jake Atha and Alexander Farrington, the band forged their identity through live performance and focused songwriting, culminating in an album that reflects both their influences and their evolution.
Sounds of Malice opens with "Quartered and Devoured", a violent and immediate introduction to the record. The track pulls from Dungeons & Dragons mythology, portraying a ritualistic execution of a savage race by divine decree. The music is relentless and hook-laden, prioritizing tension, groove, and a sense of fury that refuses to let up. This track was chosen to lead the album for its visceral energy and capacity to immediately strike the listener.
The title track "Sounds of Malice" follows, drawing from a character created by Spencer for a campaign he never got to play. Told from the perspective of an evil wizard addicted to a substance called Liquid Pain, the song balances morbid fantasy with deeply structured guitar work. The dual solos from Nunavath are a highlight, combining melodic phrasing with unhinged dissonance. It is both personal and grotesque, a reflection of the band’s creative range.
"Shackled to Existence" is the album’s longest and most introspective piece. Originating from an idea by original drummer Tyler Lewis, it deals with the inevitability of death and the emptiness of existence. The track journeys through dynamic shifts, intricate harmonies, and a guitar solo that mirrors the emotional despair embedded in the lyrics. It showcases the band's ability to slow the pace without sacrificing impact.
In "Apocalyptic Waste", REDIVIDER offers their take on global ruin, inspired by the Book of Elder Evils from D&D lore. The song is structured to depict an unfolding disaster, beginning with chaos and closing in desolation. The drumming and riffing here lean into the modern death metal playbook while staying grounded in groove, reflecting both destruction and aftermath.
"Fratricide" continues the mythological thread, drawing inspiration from the Elder Scrolls universe. It recounts a cosmic battle between divine brothers over a goddess, resulting in the violent birth of existence itself. The music reflects that chaos through shifting rhythms and dissonant layers while still delivering heavy, crushing sections that ground the narrative in sonic weight.
"Bask in the Rot" moves into monster territory, a tribute to the Gelatinous Cube reimagined as a sentient mass of sewage and death. The band wrote the instrumental parts around Spencer’s vocal rhythm, resulting in a track that drags and smothers, matching the grotesque nature of the subject matter. Influenced by "Where the Slime Lives", it is slow, grinding, and impossible to ignore.
The album concludes with "Left to Rot", a hymn of devotion from the undead to Orcus, Lord of the Undead. One of the earliest songs written by the band, it encapsulates the themes present throughout the record. The arrangement grows from a heavy groove into a dramatic finale that resolves the tension built across the album. It is an appropriate end for a record that began with violent resistance to the gods and closes with a prayer for apocalyptic release.
Recorded at Round Table Recording Company and Michael Kent O’Bryan Studio, mixed by guitarist Paul Nunavath and mastered by Dan Swano at Unisound, Sounds of Malice captures REDIVIDER's live energy and commitment to authentic performance. The band wrote these songs with the stage in mind, crafting moments of impact, tension, and catharsis. Every song exists to be felt physically, with riffs meant to be remembered and choruses meant to incite chaos.
Though Sounds of Malice does not follow a strict concept, its cohesion comes from atmosphere and intention. From the first note to the last, REDIVIDER seeks to overwhelm the listener with stories of death, decay, addiction, ritual, and myth. The band channels their influences, from CANNIBAL CORPSE and MORBID ANGEL to DEATH and GORGUTS, not as a template, but as a foundation to build upon. This album is not a tribute. It is a statement of purpose. REDIVIDER has crafted a debut that is punishing, articulate, and unflinchingly true to the spirit of death metal.
About REDIVIDER:
REDIVIDER is a death metal band from Louisville, Kentucky, formed in 2021 by vocalist Jacob Spencer and guitarist Paul Nunavath. Joined by guitarist Jake Atha and bassist Alexander Farrington, the band draws influence from the early Florida death metal scene and bands like CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL, DEATH, and GORGUTS. With a sound rooted in old school brutality and layered with modern aggression, REDIVIDER combines guttural vocals, dissonant riffs, and relentless groove to create music that is both violent and immersive.
The band made their live debut in 2022 and quickly gained recognition in the underground scene, sharing stages with acts such as CREEPING DEATH, CRYPTA, MASACRE, COGNITIVE, and SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY. Their debut album Sounds of Malice is a conceptually rich, sonically punishing record that blends fantasy-driven storytelling with crushing heaviness. Written with live performance in mind, REDIVIDER’s music thrives on tension, rhythm, and unapologetic intensity, death metal built to be felt as much as heard.
REDIVIDER Lineup:
Jacob Spencer – Vocals
Paul Nunavath – Guitar
Jake Atha – Guitar
Alexander Farrington – Bass
Mike Hargrave – Drums (live)
Connect with REDIVIDER:
Billy Morrison & Ozzy Osbourne Collector’s Edition Picture Disc Vinyl Now Available!
TLG|ZOID proudly presents Billy Morrison and Ozzy Osbourne Collector’s Edition Picture Disc Vinyl, arriving , January 9th and distributed by Virgin Music Group. The limited-edition 180g picture disc—available now online and at local record stores—is designed as a true collector’s piece, worthy of framing and displaying like fine art offering a rare and visually striking keepsake that celebrates their powerful collaboration.
Further cementing its impact, “Gods of Rock N Roll” has earned major critical acclaim, landing on Loudwire’s Best Rock Songs of 2025 (Ranked) and being named a Top 10 Song of 2025 in Wall of Sound's Year in Review by Senior Writer Ranga Gareth Williams at #1. The track also secured a spot on Ultimate Classic Rock’s Top 10 Songs of 2025 list, and was included in Amazon Music’s Best of Rock 2025, underscoring its broad cultural impact and cross-platform recognition from both fans and tastemakers.
This stunning release brings together both smash hits, “Gods of Rock N Roll” (featuring Steve Stevens and a beautiful score by Fred Coury) and “Crack Cocaine" (featuring Steve Stevens), united on one brilliantly crafted, art-forward vinyl. The picture disc format elevates the release into a gallery-worthy keepsake—an item meant not only to be played, but cherished, displayed, and celebrated.
The release carries historic significance, as these two tracks represent the final studio recordings from Ozzy Osbourne, transforming the picture disc into a definitive collector's piece—one that captures the closing chapter of an era in rock history.
Billy Morrison shares: “I feel so incredibly fortunate to have been able to work with my best friend on those last two songs, CRACK COCAINE and GODS OF ROCK N ROLL, that when the idea of a picture disc vinyl with all the versions on it came up, thanks to my guys at TLG |ZOID, I jumped at the idea. We already had the wonderful cover shots that our photographer, Jane Stuart, had taken throughout the process of both releases, and I remember as a kid just loving the idea of a vinyl record with images on the actual vinyl! It was a no brainer, and a truly wonderful way to close out that chapter with a tip of the hat to Ozzy and the two amazing songs that we did together. I will always be able to watch that video of GODS, when Steve Stevens and I are belly laughing with Ozzy in the studio and hold that close as a treasured memory.”
Billy Morrison, the British guitarist, singer, and songwriter is primarily known as Billy Idol’s rhythm guitar player for the past 15 years alongside lead guitarist Steve Stevens. His recent collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne and Steve Stevens, “Crack Cocaine,” soared to #1 on the Mediabase Active Rock Chart, further solidifying his place as a powerhouse in the rock world. The Morrison Project is a testament to his collaborative spirit and fearless commitment to creating boundary-breaking music that unites artists and genres in bold, unexpected ways.
BEYOND THE BLACK - share video for 'Let There Be Rain' + new album 'Break The Silence' is out today
Today, symphonic metal sensation BEYOND THE BLACK are celebrating the release of their eagerly awaited sixth studio album Break The Silence!
Break The Silence is a concept album rooted in melodic metal with ethno influences, it explores themes of communication, inner strength, resilience and the urgent need to reconnect in a divided world. Tracks like 'Let There Be Rain', '(La Vie Est Un) Cinéma', 'Ravens' and 'The Flood' examine how words – and their absence – shape our reality. It’s an emotional, multi-layered experience that mirrors today’s complex world and invites fans to be part of this new chapter.
Coinciding with the album release, BEYOND THE BLACK have premiered a music video for the song 'Let There Be Rain', which features Gergana Dimitrova, a soloist of the Grammy award-winning ensemble The Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices, on guest vocals.
Singer Jennifer Haben commented:
"'Let There Be Rain' is about embracing the storm instead of fighting it, because sometimes the rain is what we need to let go, find clarity and move forward. With this song, our chapter is complete and we’re excited that the full story is now yours to experience."
PURCHASE / STREAM THE NEW ALBUM BREAK THE SILENCE:
https://beyondtheblack.bfan.link/break-the-silence-album
WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR 'LET THERE BE RAIN': Below
BEYOND THE BLACK
'RISING HIGH' HEADLINE TOUR 2026
w/ guests: Setyoursails + Seraina Telli
15.01.26 UK-Manchester, O2 Ritz
16.01.26 UK-London, O2 Shepherd´s Bush Empire
17.01.26 FR-Paris, Bataclan
19.01.26 CH-Zurich, X-tra
20.01.26 DE-Munich, Tonhalle
22.01.26 HU-Budapest, Barba Negra
23.01.26 AT-Vienna, Arena
24.01.26 DE-Geiselwind, MusicHall
26.01.26 DE-Stuttgart, Wagenhallen
27.01.26 DE-Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
28.01.26 DE-Hanover, Capitol
30.01.26 PL-Warsaw, Proxima
31.01.26 DE-Leipzig, Haus Auenseee
01.02.26 DE-Berlin, Huxleys
03.02.26 DE-Hamburg, Insel Park Arena
04.02.26 BE-Antwerp, Trix
05.02.26 DE-Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle
06.02.26 NL-Nijmegen, Doornroosje
08.02.26 DK-Copenhagen, Pumpehuset
09.02.26 SE-Gothenburg, Pustervik
11.02.26 NO-Oslo, Vulkan
12.02.26 SE-Stockholm, Kollektivet Livet
14.02.26 FI-Helsinki, Aäniwalli
TICKETS HERE: https://beyond-the-black.com/#tour
About BEYOND THE BLACK:
German symphonic metal band BEYOND THE BLACK have become one of the most exciting forces in modern symphonic metal, carving an impressive path since their formation. It started with their debut album in 2015: Songs Of Love And Death was an instant success and stayed strong in the German Top15 for weeks, earning the Metal Hammer Award for “Best Debut.” Its successor Lost In Forever (2016) entered the German charts at #4 and paved the way for a major tour through Germany, the UK, Russia and Japan. Since their live debut in 2014, the band has played the world’s biggest metal festivals like Wacken Open Air and supported international metal acts such as AEROSMITH, KORN, SCORPIONS, SAXON, and WITHIN TEMPTATION.
With the release of their third album Heart Of The Hurricane, BEYOND THE BLACK launched their first European headline tour in autumn 2019 – over 20 shows in 10 countries, most of them sold out. The band returned to the studio soon after and in June 2020 released the highly anticipated Horizons, which entered the German album charts at #3 (CH #6, AT #16, BE #53).
After the pandemic-induced break, BEYOND THE BLACK came back stronger than ever: Following a successful European tour in fall 2022, their self-titled fifth album BEYOND THE BLACK dropped in January 2023, charting in several countries (DE #2, UK #2 Rock, CH #6, AT #12, SE #12, US #7 Top New Artist) and marking a new career high.
Following a powerful festival summer, the band toured Australia and New Zealand for the first time in late 2023, as special guests of Swedish metal act THE HALO EFFECT. In early 2024, BEYOND THE BLACK played their most successful European headline tour to date – Dancing In The Dark – followed by more celebrated shows across the continent that summer.
In early 2025, the band reached another milestone with their first-ever Latin America tour, playing headline shows in Argentina, Chile and Mexico, as well as performing at Brazil’s renowned Bangers Open Air. In summer 2025, they will once again take the stage at Europe’s most prestigious festivals, including Wacken Open Air, Hellfest and Graspop.
The excitement continues as BEYOND THE BLACK launch their next European headline tour, Rising High, kicking off this month, tied with the release of their highly anticipated sixth studio album Break The Silence.
Brutal Planet Records Announce the Remastered Releases of SIX FEET UNDER Albums “Unburied” and “Bringer Of Blood” on CD and Vinyl
Brutal Planet Records drags Six Feet Under Unburied and Bringer of Blood from obscurity with their first fully distributed vinyl editions. Unburied is pressed on Opaque Turquoise Vinyl and on CD. These nine unreleased tracks—grim outtakes from the Undead, Unborn, and Torment sessions—capture Six Feet Under in their most visceral and unrefined state. As Chris Barnes noted: “I always felt like these tracks were excellent Six Feet Under material. Real raw and in their earliest form.”
Previously available only as a flimsy, low-quality cardboard-sleeve promo that barely surfaced in the collector world, Unburied has long been considered nearly impossible to obtain. This Brutal Planet Records edition finally gives these unearthed horrors a proper home in a jewel case with a 12-page lyric booklet, remastered by Rob Colwell and officially welcomed into the Metal Icon Series.
Brutal Planet Records resurrects the album with its first worldwide retail vinyl release, pressed on Opaque Turquoise Vinyl and mastered for vinyl by Rob Colwell. Housed in a traditional jacket with a 12x12 lyric insert, this edition finally gives Unburied the high-quality physical treatment fans have been waiting for. Only 500 LPs are being pressed. When they're gone, they’re gone.
The only previous vinyl pressing appeared briefly in Italy as a magazine kiosk bonus. It sold out instantly, was never placed into retail distribution, and is now almost impossible to locate. This Brutal Planet Records edition finally gives Unburied a proper physical home with upgraded sound mastered for vinyl by Rob Colwell, a traditional jacket, and a 12x12 lyric insert.
Brutal Planet Records also brings Bringer of Blood back from the underground, resurrecting one of Six Feet Under’s most savage chapters with its first-ever U.S. vinyl release. Originally unleashed in 2003 and recorded at Morrisound Studios, this album captures the band at peak ferocity—thick, pulsing riffs, grisly atmosphere, and Chris Barnes’ unmistakable guttural roar carving through each track like a bone saw.
SIX FEET UNDER – UNBURIED (Jewel Case CD)
Release Date: Out Now
For years, Unburied was the ghost in the Six Feet Under catalog — originally released digitally in 2018, with only a tiny number of flimsy cardboard-sleeve promo CDs that almost nobody ever found. The nine tracks on this album were pulled from the Undead, Unborn, and Torment sessions, and as Chris Barnes himself has said: “I always felt like these tracks were excellent Six Feet Under material. Real raw and in their earliest form.”
Key Features & Collector Details
First-ever real CD distribution of Unburied
Jewel case CD with 12-page lyrics insert booklet
Nine previously unreleased tracks
Material sourced from the Undead, Unborn, and Torment sessions
Remastered by Rob Colwell
Part of the elite Metal Icon Series on Brutal Planet Records
Original cardboard-sleeve CD was extremely limited and poorly distributed
Licensed from Metal Blade Records
Limited to 1,000 copies worldwide
SIX FEET UNDER – UNBURIED (Opaque Turquoise Vinyl)
Release Date: February 15, 2026
One of the rarest items in the SFU universe is the old Italian kiosk-only vinyl pressing of Unburied. It was never distributed, vanished instantly, and has been almost impossible to locate since the day it appeared.
Key Features & Collector Details
First-ever worldwide retail vinyl release of Unburied
Nine previously unreleased tracks
Traditional jacket with 12x12 lyrics insert
Pressed on Opaque Turquoise Vinyl
Material sourced from the Undead, Unborn, and Torment sessions
Mastered for Vinyl by Rob Colwell
Part of the elite Metal Icon Series on Brutal Planet Records
Licensed from Metal Blade Records
Original Italian kiosk-only vinyl pressing was extremely limited to 444 copies
Limited to 500 copies worldwide
Purchase SIX FEET UNDER "Unburied” Vinyl: https://boonesoverstock.com/collections/pre-orders/products/six-feet-under-unburied-turquoise-vinyl-2025-brutal-planet
Purchase SIX FEET UNDER "Unburied” CD:
Purchase SIX FEET UNDER "Bringer of Blood” Vinyl: https://boonesoverstock.com/collections/pre-orders/products/six-feet-under-bringer-of-blood-blood-red-vinyl-2026-brutal-planet
Windswept Resurrect Historic Witch Trials on 'The Devil's Vertep'
In 2017, Roman Sayenko of Drudkh started a new band built on raw black metal. Now, Windswept are casting a cold spell over a dark moment in Ukrainian history with their upcoming third album The Devil’s Vertep.
The Devil’s Vertep come out Friday, December 12, 2026 on Season of Mist Underground Activists, but you can hear all six blazing tracks by listening to the full album stream at Black Metal Promotion.
Listen Below:
Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/windsweptthedevilsvertep
Available Formats
CD Digipak
12” Vinyl Gatefold — Black
12” Colored Vinyl Gatefold — Red & Black
Across The Devil’s Vertep, Windswept retrace the witch trials that took place in Western Ukraine between 1753 and 1754. The album blisteringly unfolds across six acts: the grim discovery narrated in “Infanticide,” the escalating procedures of “Investigation” and “Torture & Confession,” the witchdoctor’s craft in “The Potion,” the broader networks of sorcery in “Nest of the Witches,” and the judicial reckoning in “Verdicts.” With a cold hard gaze, Windswept transform archival records into unflinching black-metal.
While The Devil’s Vertep marks Windswept’s first venture into Ukrainian demonology and witchcraft, these themes trace back much earlier in Roman Sayenko’s creative path. In the autumn of 1996, Sayenko began developing an unfinished project titled KOZLONOGYI (Goat-Footed): a concept rooted in the same folkloric and mythological territory that would later resurface within The Devil’s Vertep. Although KOZLONOGYI never moved beyond a few rehearsals, its sketches and early riffs became the foundation for Windswept’s latest work. By reviving and re-working these ideas nearly three decades later, Sayenko bridges eras of black metal evolution, imbuing The Devil’s Vertep with a distinctly 1990s sensibility and reverence for the early traditions that shaped his artistic identity.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Viter Music with production handled internally, The Devil’s Vertep balances immediacy with conceptual cohesion. Its stark presentation reflects the gravity of the source material, while the cover art by Obsidian Bone situates the work in a visual landscape as unsettling as the music itself. By channelling the voices of the past, Windswept expand their raw black metal vision into a work of historical remembrance, turning archival fragments into a haunting artistic statement.
Line-up:
R. — Vocals & Guitars
T. — Bass
V. — Drums
Production Credits:
Recorded at Viter Music. Produced & engineered by R. & V. Mixed & Mastered by V. at Viter Music.
Cover Art:
Obsidian Bone
PARADISE LOST UNVEILS NEW VIDEO FOR 'SALVATION' FROM ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM 'ASCENSION'
Icons of goth and doom, PARADISE LOST have revealed a new music video for the song ‘Salvation’ from the band’s widely acclaimed new album, Ascension. Directed by longtime collaborator Ash Pears, the stunning, cinematic portrayal of one of 2025’s most haunting tracks provides further evidence of their unyielding creative vision decades into the band’s legendary career.
Commenting on the song and video, vocalist Nick Holmes states:
"Salvation embraces the belief in a higher power and seeking forgiveness for a lifetime of transgression, typically prompted by the approach of death or a significant crisis. However, the video, and given that it is Christmas, takes perhaps a more optimistic view. It portrays the connection between two individuals committed to upholding a beacon, a symbol they will protect until their last breath and pass on for others to embrace. Whether this force is ultimately good or bad will always remain a mystery."
PARADISE LOST’s first album in 5 years, following 2020’s acclaimed Obsidian, was produced by the band’s revered guitarist Gregor Mackintosh and mixed/mastered by Lawrence Mackroryand is adorned with artwork by renowned British artist George Frederic Watts’ classic painting The Court of Death (1870-1902). Their latest, critically lauded masterpiece soaked in misery and grief, soars with song’s like ‘Tyrants Serenade,’ ‘Serpent on the Cross’ and ‘Silence Like The Grave,’ that take listeners on an unforgettable journey through morose despair forged in soundscape of massive riffs and searing solos.
PARADISE LOST will embark on the second leg of their “Ascension of Europe” tour in February. Tickets are on sale now at: https://tix.to/Ascension
Purchase/Stream Ascension: https://paradiselost.bfan.link/ascension
About PARADISE LOST:
More than three decades into their career, and with over two million albums sold, PARADISE LOST remain the undisputed kings of metal’s dark side. Formed in Halifax in 1988, the band quickly became noted as the pioneers of gothic metal through their early groundbreaking albums like 1991’s aptly-titled Gothic, a mixture of heaviness intertwined with shadowy melody and atmosphere.
Never a group to remain creatively static, across their career they’ve explored a myriad of avenues of dark music, from sludgy doom-death roots, to conquering the metal mainstream with the enormous, lush sounds of 1995’s Draconian Times, to more experimental, electronic leanings, leaving an influence on a trail of artists as varied as CRADLE OF FILTH, HIM, GATECREEPER and CHELSEA WOLFE.
Now, in 2025, the Yorkshire quintet return with their staggering 17th album, Ascension, a record that sees their crown continue to gleam as it underlines just how they attained their position. Produced by guitarist Gregor Mackintosh at Black Planet studios in East Yorkshire, with drums and vocals captured at NBS and Wasteland studios in Sweden, its 10 tracks traverse the multitude of sounds in the band’s arsenal, from full-bore heavy metal to sky-high melody, all the while keeping a minor-key melancholy that remains irresistible.
Follow PARADISE LOST:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp
ATAVISTIA Unveil Lyric Video For "Eternal Oceans (Reforged)"
Symphonic melodic death metal band ATAVISTIA return with their reimagined and re-recorded album The Winter Way (Reforged), unleashed today via Blood Blast Distribution. The Winter Way (Reforged) showcases ATAVISTIA’s ability to merge cinematic orchestrations with ferocious metal intensity to form a catalyst for their epic storytelling. The new album is accompanied with a lyric video for the dramatic and enthralling “Eternal Oceans (Reforged)”.
Engulfed in the lyrical theme of a vast, cosmic sea, “Eternal Oceans (Reforged)” sees the pacing become slower with lower-tuned guitars, but without lessoning the power and resonance of the arrangement. The track demanded extreme changes from its original incarnation; the band focused intently on removing unnecessary details so that the most important parts of the song could make the greatest impact. Although the arrangement remains long, the orchestration and atmosphere were completely overhauled, and a guitar solo was added for a sudden burst of energy. It is as dynamic and thrilling as the untamable nature of the open water.
Originally released in 2020, The Winter Way marked a defining moment for ATAVISTIA’s ambitious fusion of extreme metal and orchestral soundscapes. However, founder Mattias Sippola felt that its execution and production did not live up to his vision for the album. While working on a brand new record, unforeseen delays arose and during this pause, Sippola decided to completely reconstruct The Winter Way from the ground up. This new version is not a remix or remaster but an entirely new recording, featuring reworked arrangements, modern production, and rewritten orchestral and atmospheric elements. Some of the original drum and bass recordings remain but have been refined for tighter performance. The addition of Spencer Budworth’s powerful growls brings an entirely new energy to the mix, elevating the album to new heights.
The Winter Way (Reforged) was produced, mixed, and mastered by Matthew Richard Sippola at Atavistic Studios with engineering support from Maximilian Sepulveda. The recording lineup includes Mattias Sippola on vocals, guitars, orchestrations, and production, Max Sepulveda on drums, Spencer Budworth on backing vocals, and D’wayne Murray on bass. The album artwork was created by Simo Häsänen.
ATAVISTIA lineup:
Mattias Sippola - Guitar, Vocals, Composition, Production
Max Sepulveda - Drums, Engineering
Elia Baghbaniyan - Guitar
Spencer Budworth - Bass, Vocals
About ATAVISTIA:
Formed in 2017 in Vancouver, Canada, ATAVISTIA takes their fans on a spellbinding journey though vast sonic landscapes of snow covered forests, desolate tundras, and permafrost-laden landscapes. Fans of WINTERSUN, ENSIFERUM, DIMMU BORGIR, and XANTHOCHROID will be enthralled by the elements of melodic death metal, black metal, and Scandinavian folk that is intricately woven together throughout their diverse soundscape.
Taking inspiration from the majestic natural landscapes of their homeland, earthly seasons, and ancient Norse culture, ATAVISTIA’s grandiose sound matches these lyrical themes in an impressive symphony of destruction. Their debut EP, One With The Sun (2017) introduced their unique blend of beauty and ferocity, which they followed up with a stormy full-length in 2020 through The Winter Way. The next two releases, the full-length Cosmic Warfare (2023) and the EP Inane Duncam (2024), saw the band spreading their wings and exploring a wider variety of influences. Through it all, ATAVISTIA balances graceful melodies with a brutal rhythmic cacophony, swirling elegance and fury together like a ferocious northern blizzard.
On stage, ATAVISTIA is a force of nature, like waves crashing against a rocky shore. Their music washes over audiences worldwide, leaving them gasping for more long after the last note has faded. They have toured Europe twice alongside notable acts such as SKÁLMÖLD, METSATÖLL, and SEVEN SPIRES, and have opened locally for MOONSPELL, ELEINE, and OCEANS OF SLUMBER. ATAVISTIA has firmly established its presence in a niche among a wide swath of metal genres.
Are you ready to lose yourself in the juxtaposition of lush and arid, the dichotomy of hope and despair, and welcome the inevitable and beautiful end?
Out Now from Aunt Cynthia's Cabin!
The San Diego, CA, based psychedelic desert rock trio AUNT CYNTHIA'S CABIN, are preparing to celebrate their 2020 debut full-length album Misty Woman with a re-release containing a new bonus track. Recorded in the midst of the sun-scorched landscape in Austin, TX, at Electric Deluxe Recorders with Grammy-award winning producer Adrian Quesada, Misty Woman contains the influence of this impressive environment. The album will arrive on cyan and magenta vinyl, as well as on CD, via Black Throne Productions on December 19th, 2025.
"Kennel and the Dog" gently introduces the album with contrasting brighter guitar leads and grounding bass tones, before building into a fuzz-fueled powerhouse. There's a subtle underlying touch of shadow beneath the brightness of the psychedelic rock sound with doom influences. Found within are moments of catchiness, intriguing progressions and full immersion. "Which One Is the Jellyfish?" drifts away from the desert and down into the echoey depths as the prominent bass tones bring to life this watery world. A touch of drama carries through the enticing arrangement in which steadfast rhythms are interrupted with flourishes of keys, guitar licks and other sonic explosions. Seeing the overdrive turned up way past 11, this instrumental offering is characterful in its world building.
The enticing seductive mood of "Misty Woman" is brought to life with a slow tempo, a more minimalist arrangement placing the focus on Brennan Justice's lead vocals. The playful layering of instrumental components sees the track ebb and flow, gently teasing. Gradually building into a full inviting sound, "Rider in the Desert Sun (Pt I)" sees a multitude of tones and textures manifest throughout it's journey. The presence of additional organ layers reveals a 'feel good' vibe in this instrumental track. Hidden further within, a heavier rock section reveals further stylistic influences in the band's sound. "Rider in the Desert Sun (Pt II)" follows on from it's brighter first half with a dustier, more raucous rock 'n' roll spirit. This guitar driven track brings memorable hooks in the lead vocal melody supported with fuzzy distortion laden chord progressions beneath.
A sense of drama and adventure is prevalent from the off. "In the Valley"'s steadfast percussion hits contrast the bright tones of the guitar strums and notes that float above. There's an uplifting and comforting feel to this expansive and immersive instrumental offering. "There’s No Saving Cass" returns from the wild expanse of the valley into the Western plains. Subtle bass grounds the track while the lead guitar and lead vocal line entwine, rising and falling together. Reaching it's full arrangement, this charismatic track delves into the heart of the band's psychedelic rock style. "Grains of Sand", an interlude piece, briefly diverts in mood and feel. Acoustic guitar arrangement contribute to the track's melancholy feel that reverberates through a slow tempo and contemplative progressions.
The intensity of "Black and Blue" hits instantly. The high octant feel and movement of the track's rhythms is instantly alluring. Dynamically, it ebbs and flows between brief moments of reflection and full on vigorous impact. Taken from the Miramar Sessions,the bonus track "Magic Touch" offers a more intimate feel of AUNT CYNTHIA'S CABIN's sound.
About AUNT CYNTHIA'S CABIN:
AUNT CYNTHIA'S CABIN is comprised of San Diego’s Brennan Justice (guitar, lead vocals), Anthony DeFreitas (bass, vocals) and Jeremy Luvaas (drums, percussion). Beginning as a duo, Justice and DeFreitas' previous time in a surf rock ensemble saw the pair develop their signature western tones with an excessive use of spring reverb, translating now to the ethereal, dusty sound of psychedelic desert-rock. The band’s name is born from a fictional 1970s murder mystery novel dreamt up by the trio on a drunken night, capturing their embrace of “strange and heavy”, aptly fitting of the uncanny elements entwined in their sound. AUNT CYNTHIA'S CABIN produce an neo-psychedelic sound that carries an eerie quality. The sonic atmosphere envelopes with nostalgia.
The trio began as a self-recording band with a home-brew analog-meets-digital rig set up. The DIY approach was left behind in 2019 when the outfit ventured from their hometown of San Diego, CA to Austin, TX to record Misty Woman in a studio they felt would best fit the vibe of their new compositions. Working with producer Adrian Quesada (The Black Pumas, 7-time Grammy-nominee) at Electric Deluxe Recorders, the very sun-beaten landscape that surrounds the studio fed into the quality and mood of the recordings.
Initially released by Nasoni Records in February of 2020, the enthralling textures and captivating character of AUNT CYNTHIA'S CABIN's Misty Woman returns including the new track "Magic Touch", on vinyl and CD via Black Throne Productions on December 19th, 2025.
AUNT CYNTHIA'S CABIN is:
Brennan Justice (guitar, lead vocals)
Anthony DeFreitas (bass, vocals)
Jeremy Luvaas (drums, percussion)
Out Now - CORELEONI - Live At Hallenstadion Zurich
Swiss hard rock veterans CORELEONI, featuring members of GOTTHARD, are proud to unleash their new live album, Live At Hallenstadion Zurich, via Perception. Featuring a mix of classic GOTTHARD tracks and new favorites from CORELEONI’s latest studio album, III, Live At Hallenstadion Zurich documents a pivotal night in the CORELEONI saga.
One hot summer evening on July 3rd 2025, CORELEONI supported heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST at Zurich’s Hallenstadion, performing in front of 7,000 rock and metal fans. The show took the audience on a wild ride through classic GOTTHARD tracks and newer songs from III. An instant success, III had reached #2 on the Swiss album charts and found a place in the hearts of fans around the world. New tracks such as “Like It Or Not” and “Sick & Tired” became staple crowd-pleasers, right alongside beloved fan favorites such as “Sister Moon”, “Mountain Mama”, and “Standing In The Light”.
On Live At Hallenstadion Zurich, the band delivers nine songs in total and kicks off the show with two high-energy classics, “Downtown” and “Firedance”. “We wanted to go out and rock the shit out of our body”, explains guitarist Leo Leoni. Fellow guitarist Igor Gianola adds, “It seems we succeeded. The crowd was fantastic and we were able to deliver a great performance, as we wanted.”
CORELEONI’s energy and the audience’s passion electrified the show. “The night was fantastic”, remembers Leoni. “There was this special magic in the air, Zürich is always fantastic for us to play, but this was somehow a night to remember.”
The band also recalls fond memories of the bonds they forged with metal veterans JUDAS PRIEST, making the show a particularly notable highlight in CORELEONI’s career. “At the Hallenstadion we met Scott Travis on stage, who was there the whole show, and he spent some very nice words about our performance. He’s a great guy and a fantastic drummer, so we appreciated and proved our effort to get it right to the point”, recalls Gianola.
“It was an honour for us to support Judas Priest, they are one of the most important metal bands and I follow them also since I was a kid. It wasn’t the first time we played together, but especially in this location, it was like a mythos”, comments Leo Leoni.
About CORELEONI
Founded by guitarist Leo Leoni in 2018, CORELEONI started reviving the early GOTTHARD days successfully with their album duo consisting of The Greatest Hits - Part 1 and II. The band also convinced fans and critics alike with their high-energy performances all over Europe, making the five-piece write their very own material. The result titled III was finally released in early 2022 and saw the addition of gifted Albanian singer Eugent Bushpepa to CORELEONI’s powerful line-up, which is completed by guitarist Jgor Gianola (ex-GOTTHARD, ex-U.D.O.), bass player Mila Merker and drummer Alex Motta. The group’s latest record hit the official Swiss album chart at no. 2 and thereby cemented the high demand for their captivating craft. Of course, III guided the quintet’s way across the continent once again while making one thing even clearer: CORELEONI are more than just a studio band and need to be experienced (a)live to understand their vision in full. So what are you waiting for? Feel the magic & enjoy their second live offering, Live at Hallenstadion Zurich!
CORELEONI are:
Eugent Bushpepa | vocals
Leo Leoni | guitars
Jgor Gianola | guitars
Mila Merker | bass
Alex Motta | drums
Charlie Nieland's 'Stories From the Borderlines' is the Year's Most Unsettlingly Glamorous Album - a darkly essential NYC rock statement
Renowned NYC songwriter-producer Charlie Nieland presents 'Stories From The Borderlines', a dazzling and deeply personal album that explores themes of connection and severance. This is one of the most profound albums from Nieland, known of his work producing and writing for such artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie and Scissor Sisters.
More than music, the meticulously crafted songs on this album—a geography of intention—are an act of imaginative resistance, passionately mining for light and truth in a darkening world. Shaped by a reverence for pioneering '80s and '90s synth and guitar-driven music, these cinematic soundscapes and poignant songs involve drummer Billy Loose, Staten Island rapper spiritchild, guitarist Dan McAssey and Joe McGinty(The Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams, Nada Surf, The Loser's Lounge).
"This set of songs is a kaleidoscope of styles. They are luminous secret rooms that reflect one human’s heart in a world at the precipice. Staying creative is resistance. As authoritarians attack culture, they make the mistake that imagination can be controlled when it actually emerges from the bottom up. Culture is not imaginary. It’s is rooted in imagination but it’s more real than what can be measured," says Charlie Nieland.
"These songs tell stories of growing up, of how we got severed, and how we connect. I burrowed into each idea over several years that were filled with love, uncertainty and family drama. The time allowed me to create and explore sound worlds with a cinematic eye; finding contrasts in texture and time. To create an experience that shifts with each listen. These songs are a geography of intention and intuition, mining for light in a dark world. Let’s find the switch."
Nieland also presents 'Shame' with a firecracker video, directed and edited by multi-faceted NYC-based artist Hypnodoll, and filmed by Alice Teeple. Fueled by the obsessive lust and repulsion that has been weaponized against the queer community, this song explores how fascination runs like blood from all sides, our own self-loathing driving us into the unknown.
Previewed the epic lead track 'Win' feat. spiritchild and 'The Ocean Understands' EP, this new album presents a visceral blend of post punk, glam, dream pop and progressive rock. With sweeping melodies and restless rhythms, these unique soundscapes deliver an immersive journey, showcasing Nieland's continued evolution as an artist and producer.
Nieland's backstory is extensive, having written, performed and produced music for decades. He was awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie's 'Greatest Hits Sight & Sound' and achieved a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Position with Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced. Hehas scored the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (with Glenn Close), Showtime's pilot episode of 'The L Word' and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'.
An artist rich on nuanced songwriting and sonic exploration, he released the album 'Ice Age' (2014), followed by 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016) and ‘Divisions' (2021). After 20 years with Her Vanished Grace, he is half of the literature-inspired duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang, and both produces and co-hosts the podcast 'An Embarrassment of Prog'.
'Stories From The Borderlines' is out now, available everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Nieland returns in January with his next audio-visual offering.
CREDITS
All songs written by Charlie Nieland, except 'Win' (by Charlie Nieland & spiritchild
)
Charlie Nieland - vocals, 6 and 12 string electric and acoustic and e-bow guitars, lap steel guitar, fretted and fretless electric basses, upright piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Korg MS20 analog synth, virtual Mellotrons and string machines, autoharp, glockenspiel, percussion
Billy Loose - drums
Dan McAssey - guitar on 'Brutalist Monuments' & 'You Fell Down'
spiritchild - Vocals on 'Win'
Joe McGinty - keyboards on 'Today'
Recorded at home and at Saturation Point Studios in Brooklyn, NY
Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
© 2025 Athame Music, xspiritmentaleyez Music (Win)
Album cover art by Hypnodoll™
Videos for 'Redshift' and 'Drown' by Hypnodoll™
Video for 'Shame' by Hypnodoll™ and Alice Teeple
Artist photos by Alice Teeple and Bob Krasner
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up with Charlie Nieland
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