TX2 Drops New Single "Murder Scene" Featuring Magnolia Park

Alt-rock phenom, TX2 has today released "Murder Scene," the second single from his debut album End Of Us, arriving February 13 via Hopeless Records. The track features Magnolia Park and marks a reciprocal collaboration between two of the new generation's most buzzed-about emo acts.

"Magnolia Park and I have been friends for years now, and since they had me featured on a song, it seemed only right to invite them to collab on this track," says Evan Thomas (TX2). "The song 'Murder Scene' dives into the story of our album, with Josh playing a different character introduced in the last act. We are both in two of the biggest upcoming emo bands of the new generation, this is the perfect collaboration to me."

"Murder Scene" uses gothic horror imagery to explore the intersection of relationship betrayal and mental health crisis. Set in a haunted motel with ghosts and shadows, the track transforms the fear of abandonment into a theatrical nightmare, capturing the paranoia and isolation of hitting rock bottom alone. The single continues the narrative arc established by the album's title track "The End of Us feat Black Veil Brides," a six-minute epic that dropped in December alongside the album announcement.

TX2 also surprise-dropped a music video for previously released track, "The Rain" in December while supporting Ice Nine Kills on their UK and European arena tour. The animated video, inspired by PS2-era survival horror games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, was created in collaboration with animator @fersetid_ and bridges the visual storyline between TX2's "FEED" and "The End of Us" music videos. ICYMI, you can watch The video for "The Rain" below.

With 1 million monthly Spotify listeners and 1.3 million TikTok followers, TX2 has built one of alternative music's most devoted and polarizing fanbases through relentless touring and the X Movement, a Discord-based mental health community. His debut album End Of Us arrives February 13, 2026 via Hopeless Records and features collaborations with Black Veil Brides, Magnolia Park, DeathbyRomy, Ekoh, and Ice Nine Kills' Spencer Charnas.

TX2 already has a stacked touring schedule for 2026. Beginning with their US 'End of Us' Headline tour beginning in February, they then head to Australia with Rain City Drive in March, followed by a stellar European festival run including Download Festival, Rock AM Ring, Rock Im Park, Rock For People, Novarock, Graspop, Jera On Air and Vainstream.

ABOUT TX2

TX2 has spent years earning co-signs from scene veterans. Beartooth's Caleb Shomo has publicly praised his "passion, hard work, and talent", his track "MAD" featuring Ice Nine Kills' Spencer Charnas generated over 10,000 TikTok video creations and From First to Last joined him on "THIS ISN'T ABOUT DRUGS (I SWEAR)."

His upcoming debut album, 'End Of Us' (due out February 13th via Hopeless Records) collects previously released singles alongside new material, including recent tracks "The Rain," "HOSTAGE (they will not erase us)," "Feed" featuring DeathbyRomy, and "Nice Guy" featuring Ekoh. Between them, these previously released songs have racked up a staggering 100 million streams, 42 million likes on TikTok and 1 million monthly Spotify listeners in the last 12 months. The upcoming album features a further collaborations with Magnolia Park and an instrumental version of TX2's track with Ice Nine Kills' Spencer Charnas, "M.A.D".

Beyond the music, TX2 has built something even more impressive: the X Movement, a Discord-based community where thousands of fans support each other through mental health struggles. He goes live on social media to answer fan questions every day and stays after every show, sometimes for hours, to meet every fan. He keeps ticket prices low and uses his platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and fan safety in music spaces. It's work that's made him both a target and a lifeline, depending on who's watching.

End Of Us captures all of it. The noise, the defiance, the exhaustion, and the refusal to quit. Thomas describes the album's sound as "punk meets vampire-core with an Eminem edge," drawing from influences like My Chemical Romance, Green Day, Black Veil Brides, and Linkin Park while carving out space that's entirely his own and elevating the genre, and it’s fandom, to a new level.. His debut album End Of Us arrives February 13, 2026 via Hopeless Records.

Solo Artist Seth Salois Releases New Single "Surrender" + Music Video 

Rhode Island-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist Seth Salois proudly releases his brand-new single, “Surrender,” available now on all streaming platforms. "Surrender" is the 2nd single off of the forthcoming album Between the Darkness and the Light due out in late 2026. 

STREAM “Surrender” HERE

 

"'Surrender' was always going to be the 2nd single because I felt it was a great way to showcase the ends of my writing spectrum. I grew up on bands who were able to create energy, emotion and chaos etc., not just with heaviness but with content and passion. Bands like Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Collective Soul and Sevendust had these beautiful songs that had as much veracity as the heaviest parts of their catalog. Not that I am ever comparing myself to them but they were always such influence on me as to what was possible," shares Salois.

 

The song was recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered at No Boundaries Studio in RI by Chris Piquette. Chris also lent himself to the guitar, bass, programming. The drums were done by Brody Briggs who lend his talent to the first single "Failed Storm Drain" and the rest of the remaining songs to come. 


WATCH the Official Music Video for "Surrender": Below

If you are looking for songs with words that matter, music that carries a story and a voice that tells the truth, you have found what you’re looking for. Seth Salois is Rhode Island native who has been the front man/guitarist, lyricist, and catalyst for the RI base band Psycle for over 20 years. Bringing tenacity, soul and purpose to what Psycle’s music stood for was always at the fore front of the group and this can now be found in his own songs.

With the upcoming EP Between the Darkness and the Light, due out in 2026,  Seth has created a landscape of songs to voice his experiences, his will and the transference of those around him. The EP will consist of 5 songs that will reach the edges of all his musical inspirations ranging from the 90’s Seattle sound, to Modern artists such as Shinedown, Daughtry, and Alter Bridge. The first single “Failed Storm Drain” will bring you thru a maze of beautiful melodies, introspective lyrics and crushing guitars that leave you asking, “Are we better when we are together?”. With the swing and edge of bands like Chevelle and Breaking Benjamin to the soulful delivery of Chris Daughtry, “Failed Storm Drain” delivers a potent statement to its last breath.

Creating a family of like-minded individuals who are looking for stories to share, feelings of hope and light in the darkest of times, and a way through it all is not only who he is as a person but who he tries to inspire others to be. Welcome to a place where the only ego in the room…is the song.

 Catch all of SALOIS show dates at www.saloisofficial.com or HERE

Stay tuned for more updates, and join Seth Salois on his exciting journey.

 

For More Information Please Visit:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

X

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 HurricaneBEYOND 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.

Manchester's iconic INCA BABIES share 'Superior Spectre' from newest 'Reincarnation' album

Manchester's iconic post-punk outfit Inca Babies presents the single 'Superior Spectre', showcasing the brilliance of their recently released 'Reincarnation' album, which sees the band re-envision versions of select tracks, each of them re-recorded and re-inca-rnated.

A live favourite that confirms the Inca's goth credentials to an even larger and newer set of fans, this song was included in the band's 1984 John Peel Session and also appeared on their 2014 'Scatter' EP.  The accompanying video was largely filmed in Rome (just before Covid-19) by photographer Jandi Moreno. De live footage is from a recent Manchester gig at Big Hands.

Inca Babies were a vibrant part of Britain's early postpunk / death-rock scene, having amassed a steady following over five years of intensive touring, six singles and four albums, all of which entered the UK Indie Charts. After recording four BBC John Peel sessions in 1984-1988, the band called it quits before ultimately reforming in 2007 to a welcoming audience.

'Reincarnation' was recorded and mixed over two years at 6Db Studios in Salford, Greater Manchester by renowned producer Simon ‘Ding’ Archer (The Fall, PJ Harvey) and Harry Stafford, with Ding also contributing sonic and dub flourishes. The album was then mastered by Marco Butcher at Boombox Studio in North Carolina. 

"Looking through our back catalogue, it occurred to me that there were tracks that should again be made available in some manner and others that would benefit from reinvention. Last year's 'Ghost Mechanic Nine' album was an opportunity to create new music for our fans, who would like this music in the form of digital downloads and, for the truly hardcore, as a 12” Vinyl Album," says Harry Stafford.

"But it was also a realisation that we could invigorate old tunes. We already had a ‘best of’ compilation in ‘Plutonium', released in 2006, so we embarked upon a new quest, to inject new life into our favourite back catalogue. This whole project was to be an Innovative re-imagining of old tunes: re-invented for contemporary consideration. All of them Re-awakened and 'Re-inca-rnated'."

Inca Babies' journey since their formation in 1983 in Manchester's now-legendary deck-access flats of Hulme was highlighted in the 2024 documentary 'The Making of Ghost Mechanic Nine'. Since reforming, they've released four albums and toured three continents. Continuing to explore goth, punk, death-rock and jazz-blues, the Incas now also include guitarist Jim Adama, bassist Dave Carmichael (Rat) and long-term member Rob Haynes (The Membranes, Goldblade) on drums and percussion.

In the lead-up to the album, the Incas shared two singles in A/B-side formats: 'Candy Mountain', with its hypnotic bass line, contemporary groove and electronic sequencing; and 'Two Rails To Nowhere' with its original uptempo 1988 version featuring Inspiral Carpets' Clint Boon. The expanded Gun Club-esque version, featuring guitarist Vincent O'Brien, tells a more spacious heroic tale. 

The 'Reincarnation' album is out now and available everywhere digitally, including SpotifyApple Music and Bandcamp, and also available on CD, via Black Lagoon Records.

CREDITS
Harry Stafford - guitars, bass, keyboards & vocals
Rob Haynes - drums & percussion
Vincent O'Brien - slide guitar
Written by Harry Stafford
Harry Stafford – vocals, guitars & keyboards
Rob Haynes - drums & percussion
All songs re-recorded by Harry Stafford and Rob Haynes. + Slide Guitar Vincent O Brien+
Recorded & produced at 6Db in Salford by Simon ‘Ding’ Archer
Mastered by Marco Butcher at Boombox Studio, North Carolina
Artwork designed by Harry Stafford
from images by James Chadderton Art Ltd. (Manchester Apocalyptic visions)
Album released by Black Lagoon Records - catalogue no. BLRLP0061
Video created by Harry Stafford & Jandi Moreno
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with Inca Babies
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Shields' New Single "Miss Me" Is Their Tribute to the Unbearably Tragic Loss of a Friend

NEW ALBUM DEATH & CONNECTION OUT JANUARY 30 — PRE-ORDER

Acclaimed British metalcore band Shields have released their new single and music video "Miss Me."

The song is taken from their upcoming studio album Death & Connection, to be released on January 30 via Long Branch Records

"We lost someone dear to us. This song is our tribute — a personal account of the unbearably tragic farewell to our friend, George Christie," the band says.  

Stream "Miss Me" and pre-order the album HERE.

"Our new album Death & Connection is a body of work born from the absence of the people who no longer hold space in our lives," comments the band. "This record was created from a necessity to express and soothe our deepest losses; however, that was never the intention — we simply set out to make an album we wanted to hear."

Watch the "Miss Me" music video Below.

Founded in 2012 by primary songwriters Joe Edwards (vocals) and Samuel Kubrick Finney (guitar/vocals), Shields quickly made an impact in the heavy music scene with their viral single "I Just Feel Hate" — a track they re-released in a newly reimagined version in April 2025. Their EP GUILT cemented their refined sound, blending brutal instrumentation with poignant, emotionally driven lyrics. With this release, they demonstrated an aggressive adaptability to the ever-evolving alternative music landscape, winning over fans from across adjacent genres. The momentum of their powerful breakthrough led to tour cycles alongside acts such as Loathe, Ice Nine Kills, and Escape the Fate.

Shields' debut full-length album Life in Exile (2018) received critical acclaim for its raw honesty and musical maturity. However, the album cycle was tragically cut short by the sudden passing of guitarist George Christie — an event that ultimately led to the band's untimely and abrupt disbandment.

Their return marks a bold decision, given the tragic circumstances surrounding their 2018 split. Yet, Shields re-emerge with powerful new tracks, inviting audiences to witness the next evolution of their sound - matured, refined, and fearless. This new chapter is supported by a fortified lineup, featuring founding members Joe Edwards and Samuel Kubrick Finney, now joined by Alastair Wain (drums) and Krishan Pujara (bass).

If Shields' discography is any indication of what lies ahead, audiences can expect a torrent of unrelentingly bold strides into new sonic territories.

More info about Shields on tour in the UK here.

SHIELDS ARE:
Joe Edwards — Vocals
Samuel Kubrick Finney — Guitar + Vocals
Alastair Wain — Drums
Krishan Pujara — Bass

Death Thrash Metal Outfit INTOXICATED Unleashes Vicious New Single, "Shifted Cross"

Florida death thrash metal outfit INTOXICATED will be unleashing their third full-length, 'The Dome,' on March 27, 2026 via Redefining Darkness! The band is now unleashing the vicious second single from the album, "Shifted Cross," which can be found below.

Vocalist/guitarist Erik Payne comments, "'Shifted Cross' was written for the puppeteers. The ones that hide in the night, the manipulative cowards. It's a reminder that we see them and to never get complacent. They as well can be pulverized where they snivelingly hide."

INTOXICATED is a thrash/death metal band from Altamonte Springs, Florida, originally formed in 1993. Led by vocalist and guitarist Erik Payne, the band quickly carved out a place in Florida’s extreme metal lineage, earning early mentorship from Death’s legendary Chuck Schuldiner. Rooted firmly in Florida’s storied death-thrash tradition, Intoxicated’s sound draws natural comparisons to Death, Sadus, and Obituary— as marked by unrelenting speed, sharp riffing, and concise, high-impact songwriting.

'The Dome' is now available for pre-orders in the USA HERE while it's available for the rest of the world HERE.

In addition, INTOXICATED is hitting the road tomorrow, December 5, in support of Obituary's Florida Swamp Tour 2. The trek will kick off in Destin, FL and make its way through the state until the final stops in Tampa, FL on December 13 - 14. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.

The cover artwork for 'The Dome' was created by Celeste Payne.

Intoxicated is a thrash/death metal band from Altamonte Springs, Florida, originally formed in 1993. Led by vocalist and guitarist Erik Payne, the band quickly carved out a place in Florida’s extreme metal lineage, earning early mentorship from Death’s legendary Chuck Schuldiner. Their first run produced a trio of EPs—.08 (1994), Scars (1995), and Metal Neck (1997)—before releasing their third EP, Drain.

Following their initial rise, Intoxicated went on hiatus as Payne, along with Obituary’s Donald Tardy and Ken Andrews, joined the touring lineup for Andrew W.K. in 1999, a role they held for nearly two decades while performing around the world.

The band reactivated in 2019, returning with the Walled EP (2020) and their long-awaited debut full-length, Watch You Burn (2022). The album showcased the band’s signature blend of ragged thrash aggression and Florida-bred death metal grit. Featuring guest appearances from Ken Andrews (Obituary, ex–Andrew W.K.) and Tony Foresta (Municipal Waste), and produced, mixed, and mastered by Ryan Boesch (Foo Fighters, Andrew W.K.) at Candor Recording—formerly Morbid Angel’s headquarters—Watch You Burn reaffirmed Intoxicated’s place among fans of classic Kreator, Death, Obituary, Protector, and Devastation.

Now, Intoxicated is preparing to unleash their second full-length album, The Dome, on Redefining Darkness Records.

Rooted firmly in Florida’s storied death-thrash tradition, Intoxicated’s sound draws natural comparisons to Death, Sadus, and Obituary— as marked by unrelenting speed, sharp riffing, and concise, high-impact songwriting.

Lineup:

Erik Payne - Guitar/Vocals

John Sutton - Guitar

Shawn Clarson - Bass/Backing Vocals

Colin Vaccaro - Drums

Album credits:

Produced by Ryan Boesch and Erik Payne @ Candor Recording in Tampa Fl

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Ryan Boesch

Cover Artist: Celeste Payne

Formats:

CD

Vinyl

Digital

Pre-orders (Worldwide excl. USA): https://shop.redefiningdarkness.com/

Preorders (USA): https://tornfromthegrave.us/collections/intoxicated

Links:

Official Website

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Music

HOKKA UNLEASHES VIDEO FOR SECOND SINGLE 'DEATH BY CUPID'S ARROW'

The story of the warrior and the sensai continues as HOKKA presents their second single, 'Death By Cupid’s Arrow'. Following the powerful debut of 'In The Darkness', the new track expandsHOKKA’s cinematic narrative with intensity, emotion, and epic scale.

'Death By Cupid’s Arrow' is released alongside another epic music video bringing the next chapter of the story vividly to life through striking visuals and dramatic storytelling.

Both singles have already been performed on Finnish national television during the country’s major New Year's Eve broadcast, introducing HOKKA to a nationwide audience and marking a significant milestone for the band.

Joel Hokka comments on the song: 

“Cupid’s arrow to the chest or a knife in the back — it’s all the same. Death by Cupid’s Arrow is a song about the not-so-nice side of love. Time after time, a poor broken heart cries out its pain as it drowns.”

Check out the video Below:

Listen to the single on all platforms: https://hokka.bfan.link/death-by-cupid-s-arrow

In addition, HOKKA has just announced their first live shows for 2026 giving fans the opportunity to experience the power and storytelling of the warrior and sensai saga on stage for the first time.

The first club show:
07.05.26  FI  Helsinki - Tavastia

Confirmed Finnish festival shows:
12. - 13.06.26  FI  Lahti - Kesämössö
27.06.26          FI  Helsinki - Tuska
03. - 05.07.26  FI  Turku - Ruisrock
17. - 19.07.26  FI  Joensuu - Ilosaarirock
23. - 25.07.26  FI  Kuopio - Kuopiorock
25.07.26          FI  Oulu - QStock

line up:
Joel Hokka - voc
Pauli Rantasalmi - guitar
Sampo Sundström - guitar
Jimi Aslak - drums

social media: 
Instagram: @joelhokka @jimiaslak @paulirantasalmi
Tiktok: @joelhokka @jimiaslak.  
YouTube: @hokkasyndicate.    

New Jersey's The Melancholy Kings share 'UV', showcasing new album 'Her Favorite Disguise'

New Jersey rockers The Melancholy Kings kick off 2026 with the single 'UV', a quasi-psychedelic musical journey drawing from Thomas Pynchon’s novel "V", a post-modern homage that follows the enigmatic heroine V and the Whole Sick Crew, brought to life through crunchy guitar riffs, psychedelic keyboards, string interludes, a quasi-rap and a bacchanalian finale.

'UV' is featured on their sophomore album 'Her Favorite Disguise', recently released via Magic Door Record Label. This song features contributions by famed trumpeter Mac Gollehon (David Bowie, Al Jarreau, Duran Duran, Mick Jagger, Hall and Oates), who added his sick improvisations in the outro, cellist Carolyn Jeselsohn, who performs Scott Selig’s Beatle-esqe string arrangements, and vocalist Olivia Selig with some soulful belting at the end of the song.

The Melancholy Kings' core is singer-guitarist Mike Potenza (The Anderson Council, Crash Harmony, BARD, Gramercy Arms) and bassist Scott Selig (Ambulance, Uncle Moon, Deni Bonet Band, Super Tuesday), who met amidst corporate life in Manhattan, learning they were both active in the '90s-'00s NYC indie scene, playing in various "almost-famous" bands, touring and opening for legendary artists. They ultimately rededicated themselves to music, solidifying their lineup with drummer Paul Andrew (Fluffer, Phantom Tollbooth) and guitarist Peter Horvath (The Anderson Council).

"I wanted both the music and lyrics to embrace multiple genres like the book “V” and the main character, who transforms in many unexpected ways.  So we worked in rock, psychedelic, some rap and a classical vibe with the strings and the lyrics being purposefully impressionistic. This song is this kind of mixture with a lot of different things happening, but in the end comes together," says Michael Potenza.

Scott Selig adds, “From the start, we wanted the studio version of this song to have a kaleidoscope of aural ear candy, with trippy effects, multiple guitar layers, electric piano, strings and horns. The song originated as a riff, chord progression and embryonic song structure that I recorded and sent to Mike, who fleshed it out and added the lyrics. The band worked up the final arrangement collectively."

This long-awaited follow up to their 2019 eponymous debut record, 'Her Favorite Disguise' is an unapologetic nod to the rough-hewn '80s pre-grunge alt-rock era. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Luna, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Crash Harmony) at Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, NJ, this album also involves Elk City vocalist Reneé LoBue, accordionist Carl Riehl (Michelle Shocked, Uncle Moon), and Ketchem on percussion.

"The video alludes to, without overtly referencing, the characters in the novel “V” – in particular the mysterious title character.  It juxtaposes colorful outdoor band performance footage with black & white vignettes (shot old-school on 16mm film) of a V-like woman from various indeterminate time periods in and around New York City, perhaps engaged in semi-clandestine activities," says Scott Selig.

"Later, they are joined by assorted characters (beatniks, punks, flappers, intellectual revolutionaries, hippies, a Russian spy, a Bierkeller-Madl, a recluse) to form a colorful debauched bacchanal, in an indirect nod to The Whole Sick Crew from the novel. An unforecasted rain shower drenched our party, but I think that ended up contributing to a more absurd and interesting atmosphere. The video concept was fleshed out and brought to fruition with the help of emerging cinematographer Jordan Miller, filmmaker Madeleine Grace Smith as “V”, and our friends and family as The Whole Sick Crew".

'Her Favorite Disguise' taps into the vicissitudes of life in the Big Apple and its homely step-sister across the Hudson, celebrating and cringing at its rich tapestry and follies. 'Bitcoin Elegy' explores the inevitable decline of meaningful personal relationships in the digital age. Jangly guitar rocker 'Victoria' was resurrected from days of wearing down the grooves of their REM and Replacements records. 'Astor Place'recounts the familiar tale of suburban exodus to Jersey's promised land, and 'New Girl' tells the lonely tale of a man hopelessly in love with a film noir siren.

As of January 8th, 'Her Favorite Disguise' is available on limited edition 12" vinyl. Digitally, the album is out everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. The Melancholy Kings perform next in NYC at The Delancy on February 12 and at The Meat Locker in Montclair, NJ on March 21 for their official album release show.

CREDITS
Mike Potenza – lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, pedal steel, keyboards & percussion
Scott Selig – electric and upright bass, keyboards, guitar, backing vocals & percussion
Peter Horvath – lead vocals on 9, backing vocals, guitars & percussion
Paul Andrew – drums & percussion
Mac Gollehon – trumpet on 7 & 8
Carolyn Jeselsohn – cello on 3 & 8
Ray Ketchem – various percussion
Reneé LoBue – vocals on 5
Carl Riehl – accordion on 5 & 7
Olivia Selig – vocals on 2, 4, 5 & 8
All songs by Mike Potenza except, Track 2 by Mike Potenza & Peter Horvath;
Track 8 by Mike Potenza & Scott Selig; Track 9 by Robert Pollard
Published by Hamilton Publishing (BMI) © 2025 except:
2 by Hamilton Publishing (BMI) / Peter Horvath (BMI) © 2025
9 by Needmore Songs (ASCAP) © 2022
Produced by Ray Ketchem, Scott Selig & The Melancholy Kings
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
Additional recording at The Old Stone House, Maplewood, NJ
String arrangements on Tracks 3 & 8 by Scott Selig
© 2025 The Melancholy Kings
Released by Magic Door Record Label
Cover art by Reneé LoBue
Art & design by Ray Ketchem
Photo on LP sleeve by Sonya Selig
Video directed by Scott Selig & Jordan Miller
Director of Photography: Jordan Miller
Video edited by Scott Selig
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

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The Hirsch Effekt Explore A Less Melancholic Theme With Video for Emotional Single "Die Brücke"

Today, German rock/metal trio The Hirsch Effekt present the new single "Die Brücke."

It's the third track released from the new studio album Der Brauch, which arrives January 30 via Long Branch Records.

"Meiner? Ebenso. Viel zu lange wach schon. Echt K.O. Und bei dir? Gehst du noch raus? Jetzt noch?"

"'Die Brücke' — matching the music — takes on a less heavy theme," says singer Nils Wittrock. "It's more of an every day scene. Two people meet at home after a long day and ask each other how it went. One decides to go straight to bed. The other chooses to keep working. Amidst the every day stress, the protagonist — realizing how much the close environment depends on him — tries to remain a safe harbor."

Watch the "Die Brücke" video Below

Stream the new single and pre-order the album HERE.

Since their formation The Hirsch Effekt have carved out a unique niche in the German-speaking music scene. Yet, despite — or perhaps because of — their elusiveness, the band has captivated a devoted audience. Musically, The Hirsch Effekt have always embraced limitless possibilities. Acoustic, introspective moments — where bassist Ilja John Lappin brings out his cello or guitarist Nils Wittrock returns to his classical roots — sit naturally alongside massive progressive metal onslaughts.

While earlier works, despite their diversity, were still labeled "metal albums," this new record explores paths first hinted at on the multilayered second album, Holon: Anamnesis — the same album that fans of VISIONS magazinevoted the only German-language entry among the 20 best albums of all time. Der Brauch can be seen as a return to that pivotal point - and simultaneously as a bold step forward. Drummer Moritz Schmidt doesn't entirely forgo blast beats, but the record demands a new heading. In the end, though, there is only one truth: It unmistakably sounds like The Hirsch Effekt.

THE HIRSCH EFFEKT ARE:
Nils Wittrock — Guitar, Vocals
Ilja John Lappin — Bass, Vocals
Moritz Schmidt — Drums, Vocals

SYLOSIS - Drop Devastating Second Single 'Erased' From Forthcoming Album 'The New Flesh'

Late last year, SYLOSIS almost left a rift in the cosmos with furious track 'The New Flesh'. Now they're back for blood, delivering devastating second single 'Erased'.

'Erased' is taken from their upcoming seventh studio album, The New Flesh, slated to drop on February 20th via Nuclear Blast RecordsThe New Flesh is a towering testament to destructive riffing, incisive melody and refined brute force.

SYLOSIS stated,
"Erased was one of the last songs to be written for the album. As we were approaching the deadline to get everything submitted there was a pressure there that really helped shape this song into something special. There's a massive chorus here and one of our favourite middle 8 sections that we've ever put together. We can't wait to play this one live."

Pre-order album The New Flesh here: https://sylosis.os.fan/
Watch the 'Erased' video below:
Stream 'Erased' here: https://sylosis.bfan.link/erased 

Across January and February 2026, SYLOSIS will be tearing across the UK and Europe for their biggest ever tour.

Tickets on-sale now via https://sylosis-band.com

SYLOSIS will also be touring North America across April and May 2026 with Bleed From Within, Great American Ghost & Life Cycles. Full dates are here:

NORTH AMERICA 2026
w/ Bleed From Within, Great American Ghost & Life Cycles

02.04 - Worcester MA, The Palladium
03.04 - Montreal QC, Theatre Beanfield
04.04 - Toronto ON, Opera House
06.04 - Philadelphia PA, Theatre of the Living Arts
07.04 - Lakewood OH, The Roxy
08.04 - Millville PA, Mr Smalls
10.04 - Detroit MI, St Andrew’s Hall
11.04 - Grand Rapids MI, Elevation
12.04 - Chicago IL, House of Blues
14.04 - Minneapolis MN, Varsity Theatre
15.04 - Lincoln NE, Bourbon Theatre
17.04 - Englewood CO, Gothic Theatre
19.04 - Boise ID, Shrine Social Club
20.04 - Seattle WA, The Crocodile
21.04 - Portland OR, Hawthorne Theatre
22.04 - Roseville CA, Goldfield Trading Post
24.04 - Los Angeles CA, The Regent Theatre 
25.04 - Pomona CA, The Glass House
26.04 - Phenoix AZ, Crescent Ballroom
28.04 - Austin TX, Come and Take It Live
29.04 - Dallas TX, Granada Theater 
01.05 - Tampa FL, The Orpheum
02.05 - Atlanta GA, The Masquerade (Hell)
03.05 - Greensboro NC, Hangar 1819
05.05 - Richmond VA, Canal Club
06.05 - Baltimore MD, Nevermore Hall
07.05 - New York NY, Gramercy Theatre

Tickets on-sale now via https://sylosis-band.com

When the going gets tough, metal gets heavier. SYLOSIS have always been devoted to the fine art of breaking necks, but in recent times, the urgency of their mission has grown exponentially. Still surfing on a wave of acclaim and the effusive fan response to their last album, 2023’s A Sign Of Things To Come, Josh Middleton’s virtuoso wrecking crew are poised to release their latest and best album, The New Flesh. A towering testament to destructive riffing, incisive melody and refined brute force, the band’s seventh full-length offering is a powerful showcase for the state of SYLOSIS in 2025: lethal, uncompromising, and avowedly metal as all hell.  

The New Flesh is a fearsome statement of renewed intent. Harder, heavier and more ruthless than its predecessor, it is full of the kind of explosive, riff-driven anthems that guarantee carnage in the pit. But this is no exercise in mindless bludgeon: instead, Josh Middleton has penned his most evocative and thought-provoking songs to date. From the punishing grooves and breakneck viciousness of the opening 'Beneath The Surface', to the epic conflagration of album closer 'Seeds In The River', The New Flesh is an artful and nuanced take on the pure metal that SYLOSIS hold close to their hearts. This is brutality and catchiness in perfect symbiosis.   

Dark and destructive, but dynamic and diligent, SYLOSIS are on blistering, career-best form on The New Flesh. The purposeful reset that began with The Sign Of Things To Come has evolved into something unstoppable, and the band’s latest work brims with confidence and authority. If it’s skull-shattering, 21st century heavy metal you want, The New Flesh brings it like never before.  

Cosmic Inheritance And Inescapable Darkness As PROFANE ELEGY Unveils “Immutable

Independent black metal band PROFANE ELEGY unveils “Immutable,” a stark and uncompromising new track that delves into the shadowed realities of human inheritance and cosmic fate.

“Immutable” explores the negative attributes, conditions, and pathologies that are etched into us at birth. It reflects on the idea that existence itself is governed by a cruel balance of blessing and curse, with cosmic luck determining the circumstances, traits, and burdens we are born into. While growth and transformation remain possible, the song confronts the unsettling truth that the darkness within us can never be fully erased, only understood and endured.

Musically, “Immutable” channels PROFANE ELEGY’s raw black metal intensity, pairing aggressive ferocity with a contemplative undercurrent that mirrors the song’s philosophical weight. The track stands as both a personal reckoning and a universal meditation on inevitability, decay, and the limits of escape.

“Immutable” is the latest preview from the forthcoming album Herezjarcha, set for release on January 30, 2026. With this release, PROFANE ELEGY continues to carve a path defined by bleak introspection, unfiltered emotion, and a relentless commitment to confronting the darker truths of the human condition.

For listeners drawn to uncompromising black metal that faces existence without illusion, “Immutable” offers a haunting glimpse into what awaits on Herezjarcha.

About PROFANE ELEGY

PROFANE ELEGY is a black metal band from Bangor, Pennsylvania, formed in late 2021 by guitarist J Gulick and vocalist Mikael L. Originally conceived as a two-man studio project, the band quickly evolved into a full lineup with the addition of bassist David G and drummer Sean M in 2023. What sets PROFANE ELEGY apart is their refusal to remain confined within genre boundaries—while rooted firmly in black metal, their sound incorporates elements of death, doom, and progressive metal, often enhanced by orchestral arrangements and clean vocals.

The band’s debut album When All Is Nothing (2023) was released independently and drew attention for its blend of atmospheric aggression and emotional vulnerability. The release earned praise for its ability to move fluidly between blistering speed and melancholic melody, with Doom Heart calling it “a massive Doom delight.” Following the album’s release, PROFANE ELEGY made their live debut and began performing across the northeastern United States, including a notable support slot for Dark Funeral in late 2024.

Lyrically, the band explores themes of nihilism, mortality, philosophy, and religious symbolism, often invoking figures like Satan not as dogmatic statements, but as metaphors in a broader spiritual and existential dialogue. Their work is poetic, introspective, and often challenges the listener to confront uncomfortable truths about life, death, and belief.

Their upcoming full-length album Herezjarcha, set for release in January 2026, represents the band’s most ambitious and expansive work to date. With a more dynamic sound, deeper orchestration, and a clear conceptual throughline, the record pushes their sonic and thematic boundaries further than ever before. The album title, the Polish translation of the English word heresiarch (meaning arch-heretic), encapsulates the spirit of the band: rebellious, introspective, and unafraid to question the sacred.

PROFANE ELEGY continues to forge a unique path within the underground metal scene. Blending bleak intensity with philosophical weight, they aim not just to be heard—but to be felt.

VOICES OF EXTREMES Release the Music Video for “Stoned Babies” the First Single from the Upcoming Album “Faith In Action” Featuring Rod Morgenstein on Drums

VOICES OF EXTREME have released a performance music video for their first single “Stoned Babies”, taken from their upcoming full-length album ‘Faith In Action’ due out in 2026. Legendary Winger/Dixie Dregs drummer Rod Morgenstein says that he's “Really pumped about the premiere of ‘Stoned Babies’, the band’s first video from our debut album, ‘Faith in Action’, on BraveWords Records. Hope you dig watching the band in action!”

Powerhouse vocalist Don Chaffin and bassist Paul Ranieri from the band add, “We’re so excited to unveil the video for our first single, “Stoned Babies” from our upcoming new album. It shows not only what this new lineup of Voices Of Extreme sounds like, and now what we look like! We’re hitting the road with a bunch of live dates which will be announcing soon but I can’t think of a better way to start a brand new year with a killer first video and album to come.”

Iridium Rock and Metal Reviews heard the first single “Stoned Babies” and fell in love with it… “I love it, I absolutely love it… I can’t believe the vocals, they just blow me away… I love everything about it… Can’t wait to hear more from them… Fucking brilliant… Beautiful song.”

Watch VOICES OF EXTREME “STONED BABIES” Official Music Video Below

VOICES OF EXTREME “Stoned Babies” Lyric Video: https://youtu.be/ymIO7XC6pQ8

VOICES OF EXTREME “Stoned Babies”, stream the single: https://smarturl.it/VoxStonedBabies

 

Links:

https://voicesofextreme.com

https://www.facebook.com/VOICESOFEXTREME/

https://youtube.com/@voicesofextremetv

https://www.instagram.com/voicesofextreme/

https://x.com/voicesofextreme

https://www.bandsintown.com/a/2199204

About BraveWords Records:

BraveWords Records has released albums by Alcatrazz, Bangalore Choir, Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse, The Chris Slade Timeline, Rhett Forrester and Rob Robbins, Prophets of Addiction, Jack Starr, ASKA and future releases from Lillian Axe, Crimson Glory.

DISTANT RELEASE VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE "NOTHING LEFT TO HATE"

After releasing "Desolation" in October, the Netherlands Dutch/Slovakian down-tempo x deathcore band DISTANT are dropping the new single, "Nothing Left To Hate." Watch the video Below.

The band comments, "'Nothing Left To Hate' is DISTANT at full destructive force — thicker riffs, deeper grooves, and a raw dive into self-destruction and chaos. The track is made for circle-pits, rage workouts, and letting the anger out."

The single lands right before DISTANT join Sylosis for a massive EU tour starting January 16, placing the band in front of thousands of new fans across Europe.

In the past two months, DISTANT played the Evisceratour with Ingested and Ov Sulfur in the USA and Canada as well as their own Dutch Xmas Special with Cabal and local supports to help their native scene.

DISTANT have become one of the prominent faces of European Deathcore. Melding together brutal death metal, slam, noise and beatdown with a hyper-dissonant orchestra of impending doom, they've come eons since their origins as metalcore obsessed friends in Rotterdam and Bratislava.

All The Damn Vampires Close The Vicecore Story With New Single "Sunset Over The Final Chapter" Featuring Miles Dimitri Baker (Ice Nine Kills)

Los Angeles-based synthwave-meets-alternative-metal pioneers All The Damn Vampires drop "Sunset Over The Final Chapter" today, the album-closing track from their highly anticipated debut VICECORE (out February 6th). The single marks a pivotal moment for the project: the first proper introduction of guitarist and official live member, Miles Dimitri Baker (Ice Nine Kills) to All The Damn Vampires fans, and the emotional culmination of the story woven throughout the album.

Fans can stream "Sunset Over The Final Chapter" HERE, watch the live performance video Below, and pre-order VICECORE on vinyl .

Where previous singles "Last Man Standing" and "Into The Night" leaned into AI-generated visuals, "Sunset Over The Final Chapter" brings the band into sharp, tangible focus. The video splices smoky, neon-drenched band performance footage with cinematic shots of a young woman looking out over Los Angeles from the Hollywood Hills—a visual representation of the album's themes of longing, closure, and release. It's intimate and atmospheric, grounding the project's retro-futuristic world in raw human emotion.

Speaking on today's release. ATDV founder, songwriter, producer and guitarist - Davey Oberlin - shares

"'Sunset Over The Final Chapter' is not only our way of introducing guitar virtuoso Miles Dimitri Baker to our All The Damn Vampires listeners, but it closes out the story being told throughout our VICECORE album.It's the culmination of a delicate blend of synthwave and heavy that will define the direction going forward for ATDV."

Miles Dimitri Baker also adds

“So stoked on this track and video finally coming out. I really like how the solo turned out and it’s awesome to be doing something not only with my friends, but musicians I respect.”

Musically, "Sunset Over The Final Chapter" delivers everything that's made All The Damn Vampires compelling: vintage synthwave textures colliding with crushing alternative metal, industrial elements threading through the arrangement, and gut-punch beatdowns that hit like emotional catharsis. But it's Baker's incendiary guitar solo that elevates the track into something transcendent. Dripping with emotion and technical firepower, the solo showcases a different facet of his exceptional talent that may pleasantly surprise fans who are only familiar with his work in Ice Nine Kills. Powerhouse vocalist, Ryan Rose delivers one of his most vulnerable performances yet, his classically trained voice cutting through the dense production with raw intensity.

Throughout VICECORE, there's a story being told. A narrative that unfolds across reimagined covers (Benny Mardones' "Into The Night," Whitesnake's "Is This Love," Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight," Cutting Crew's "(I Just) Died In Your Arms") and original tracks that blur the line between the two. "Sunset Over The Final Chapter" brings that story to its conclusion, leaving listeners to piece together the details themselves.

"Throughout the VICECORE album there is a story being told," Oberlin explains. "It's up to the listener to pinpoint exactly what is being told—we're just providing the paintbrush and canvas. This song closes out the story with subtle direction, where we see ourselves walking away from a day that never seems to end, finally letting this next sunset be its last."

Recorded over 18 months and entirely self-produced by Oberlin, VICECORE also features contributions from synthwave producer Sunglasses Kid on the title track and a blistering guitar solo from virtuoso Andy James on "Is This Love." The album's aesthetic draws from Miami Vice, hardcore merch culture, and Los Angeles gang imagery, filtered through Oberlin's deep love of film soundtracks and a childhood spent obsessing over Type O Negative, Korn, and Alice in Chains.

All The Damn Vampires has already carved out a lane at the intersection of heavy music and visual media. The project's music has appeared in cult horror film Terrifier 2, while Oberlin's collaboration with Avenged Sevenfold on a reimagined version of "Ordinary", which he produced and co-wrote, debuted via a secret Fortnite puzzle. With over 12.7 million cross-platform streams and 2.14 million YouTube views to date, All The Damn Vampires continues to build a world where nostalgia can be cinematic, crushing, and transformative.

ABOUT ALL THE DAMN VAMPIRES

All The Damn Vampires is more than a music project. It’s a cinematic world crafted by musician and producer Davey Oberlin. Built on a foundation of synthwave, goth metal, and cinematic sound design, the project evokes neon‑drenched cityscapes, emotional storytelling, and an unapologetic embrace of retro‑futuristic aesthetics.

Oberlin’s musical pedigree adds depth to the project. Having performed and toured with legendary acts like Korn, Five Finger Death Punch, and Winds of Plague, he brings a unique perspective that fuses heavy music sensibilities with lush, melodic synth textures. This balance of grit and atmosphere has become a hallmark of All The Damn Vampires.

The project’s reach has extended into visual media, with its music featured in films such as the cult‑favorite Terrifier 2, connecting the sound of All The Damn Vampires with horror and synthwave subcultures worldwide.

Further elevating the project, Oberlin collaborated with Avenged Sevenfold on a reimagined version of their song “Ordinary.” Serving as both producer and co‑writer, he infused their track with his distinctive sonic vision, melding synth‑pop vibrancy with the band’s powerful rock identity.

Whether crafting immersive soundscapes or collaborating with some of the biggest names in modern music, All The Damn Vampires continues to push boundaries. Delivering beautifully evocative music that’s as cinematic as it is unique and unforgettable.

Bizarrekult Haunt Hopes and Dreams on New Single “Drøm”

Without breaking, Bizarrekult continues to bend black metal’s traditions by honing its mastermind’s singular, tortured vision. Much like Roman V.’s two previous retreats into the studio, his upcoming third album slowly and painstakingly emerged from a deeply personal crisis. Only this time, he’s not alone in confronting all there is.  

Today, Bizarrekult is releasing the second advanced single from Alt Som Finnes (All There Is). While hounded by a familiar sense of dread, “Drøm” (Dream) escapes by following the mysterious call of Predatory Void and Cross Bringer vocalist Lina R. before the darkness closes in once more.

“Chased like a hunted beast, you run in haste, all your life, only to lose that crazy race”, Roman says about the inspiration behind “Drøm”. “It’s only in your dreams that you remember who you are and what your purpose is. Only in dreams are you yourself. But there is no place to hide when you are awake”.    

Watch the haunting video for “Drøm” below;

Alt Som Finnes comes out February 20, 2026 on Season of Mist Underground Activists.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/bizarrekultaltsomfinnes

In keeping with Norwegian tradition, Alt Som Finnes (All There Is)maintains the manic energy of old-school black metal. Chased by frantic riffs and horrified screams, there’s no escaping “Drøm”. The song’s video brings its mental prison to life. A woman breaks free from her captor, only for him to hunt her down through the woods. But in a strange twist of fate invoked by Lina R.’s heavy, sighing incantations, she escapes once again. Or does she? As blast beats pound away at the dreamy passage carved out by the guitar melody, she’s left to ponder whether her scars will ever heal.    

“I was not ready for all this”, Roman says about Bizarrekult’s new album. “None of us are, when the time comes. But at the end of this journey, it seems to have all been worth it. The music gave me hints as to where to go and what can be”.  

The video for “Drøm” was directed by Natalia Drepina (@mourneress). It stars Pavel V. Boldyrev (@somebodyawful) and @dustofreason.

Line-up
Roman V. — Vocals
Ignat P. — Guitars & Bass
Alexander P. — Drums

Production Credits
Recorded at Seaside Room.
Produced, mixed & mastered by Miguel Tereso at Demigod Recordings, Portugal.

Guest Musicians
Yusaf "Vicotnik" Parvez (Dødheimsgard) — Vocals on "Blikket Hennes"
Lina (Predatory Void / Cross Bringer) — Vocals on "Drøm” (Recorded by Tim De Gieter)
Kim Song Sternkopf (Møl) — Vocals on "Tomhet"

Cover Art
Gravestench Art (https://www.instagram.com/gravestench_art/)

Photography
Radmila Volchenkova

Available Formats
CD Jewelcase

12” Vinyl (Black)

12” Vinyl (Purple, black and white marbled)

Pre-save & Pre-order 

https://orcd.co/bizarrekultaltsomfinnes

Follow Bizarrekult
Bandcamp: https://bizarrekult.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bizarrekult/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bizarrekvlt/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Cj4Bc1WpdNZhGcKyQfWci/
Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/artist/bizarrekult/1455860457 Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/11699593

Freedom Call Release Video for New Single "Heavy Metal Happycore" (Feat, Petri Lindroos of Ensiferum)

German "Happy Metal" pioneers FREEDOM CALL have released the video for their new brand new single "Heavy Metal Happycore" today. The song features Petri Lindroos of Ensiferum.

 

Singer/guitarist Chris Bay says, "The brand new song 'Heavy Metal Happycore' was born from the idea of creating a superlative to the musical style 'Happy Metal.' With 'Heavy Metal Happycore,' Freedom Call, known for their extremely melodic and catchy metal music style combined with positive and life-affirming lyrics, has created an additional and previously unprecedented and concise trademark. With the overwhelming images of our incredible audience in mind, we set out to write a song that immediately engages the listener and highlights all the typical elements of our musical style ...a song that ultimately leads us to a new era of Happy Metal — HAPPYCORE!"
 

The song is available on all digital platforms HERE.

Watch the video Below.


Don't miss Freedom Call on tour with Ensiferum and Dragony starting in Heidelberg, Germany today. Tickets are available HERE.

NYC artist NEVARIS shares 'Ninth Sun - Live', previewing 'SoundSession' EP, involving BILL LASWELL

Manhattan-based artist Nevaris presents 'Ninth Sun-Live', the first offering from his new 'SoundSession' EP, a fruitful and soulful live recording that combines dub, funk, Afro-Latin rhythms, turntablism and extended improvisation. This follows his 2023 debut 'Reverberations' album, released via M.O.D. Reloaded, with the one and only Carlos Santana calling it "a work of supreme creativity”. 

A live studio recording from percussionist Agustín Nevaris, and a nine-piece ensemble that includes DJ Logic, Jonathan Maron, Angel Rodriguez, Will Bernard, Peter Apfelbaum,  Jojo Kuo, Lockatron and Matt Dickey, 'SoundSession' is the fourth collaboration between Nevaris, legendary bassist-producer Bill Laswell, and this lineup of musicians. 

Captured in Laswell’s Orange Sound studio in West Orange, New Jersey, this EP was recorded live in a single session on May 30th, 2023. Originally planned as a streaming virtual performance, the band scrapped that idea to instead focus on the simplicity of playing live with multiple cameras documenting the process. There were no edits or overdubs to the recording, and all instruments were captured synchronously in real time. The result is 'SoundSession'.

Recorded and mixed by James Dellatacoma and mastered by Michael Fossenkember at Turtletone Studios, this recording features interpretations of music previously written by Nevaris and Bill Laswell, including specific basslines that were written by Laswell, which bassist Jonathan Maron learned and performed when Bill was unable to participate in the recording for health reasons.

"SoundSession is about playing together live without being stressed by ticket sales or a venue accommodating so many musicians. Bill Laswell's studio in West Orange, New Jersey has always been an inspiring place with so much history. (It was built for Franki Valli originally.) The live room is something magnificent. We had never used it in a way that fully took advantage of it," says Nevaris.

"So this was a chance to do so, using the full space of this sizeable room. From the first notes, we could tell there was something good happening. And the recording documents it exactly as it was, with no overdubs or edits. Every note feels right from my perspective; exactly how it happened in real time."

Agustín Nevaris is a percussionist, keyboardist, vocalist and composer, heavily influenced by Afro-Latin, dub, and funk music. From the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Nevaris also performs under the name Loud Apartment with an evolving lineup of musicians, most notably Bernie Worrell of P-Funk and Talking Heads.

"People think everything is manipulated in the studio and a lot of it is. And everybody is talking about AI now. But we are moving in the opposite direction where everything gets more organic and raw with every project we work on," says Nevaris.

"There is nothing that can compare to the beauty of artists making work in its most organic form. There's a place for technology and a place for getting back to the old school way of doing things. And that's what this recording is about. Playing live together without any click track or overdubbing, or edits of any kind. And it takes cats who can really play to pull it off. It is a joy to play with every one of the musicians involved in this process."

Inspired by the energy of growing up in New York City, Nevaris is of European and Mexican descent with multi-generational roots in both NYC and LA's Echo Park neighborhood. A visual and multimedia artist, who has worked on a vast array of creative projects across mediums, Nevaris also co-founded Nolej Records, Nolej Studios and the Uncomun Festival.

Already in the works is a second studio album that features some truly exciting special guests, which will be released via Bill Laswell's label M.O.D. Reloaded later in 2026.

As of January 7, 'Ninth Sun - Live' will be available on the 'SoundSession' EP pre-order via Bandcamp. On February 27, the full EP will be released via digital music platforms, including Apple MusicSpotify and Bandcamp, where the 'Reverberations' album can also be found.

CREDITS
Written by Agustín Nevaris, Bill Lasswell, DJ Logic, Peter Apfelbaum, Jojo Kuo, Will Bernard, Lockatron, Angel Rodriguez, Jonathan Maron & Matt Dickey
Agustín Nevaris - timbales, bongos, Hammond Organ
Angel Rodriguez - bata drums, shekere, congas, darbuka
Jojo Kuo - bata drums, shekere, misc. percussion
DJ Logic - turntables
Peter Apfelbaum - sax, flute, melodica, reed organ
Will Bernard - guitar
Lockatron - drumset
Matt Dickey - guitar
Jonathan Maron - bass
Produced by Agustín Nevaris
Recorded at Orange Sound in West Orange, New Jersey
Recorded & mixed by James Dellatacoma
Mastering by Michael Fossenkember at Turtletone Studios
Artwork by Realize
Artist photos by Michael Black
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 


Keep up with Nevaris

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OFFICER LUCIFER Releases New Single "Far From Right" Featuring Page Hamilton of HELMET

OFFICER LUCIFER returns with "Far From Right", a blistering new single featuring the unmistakable vocals and guitar work of Page Hamilton of HELMET. "Far From Right" delivers a confrontational and uncompromising statement that attacks complacency, false authority, and media-fueled outrage.

Fusing metal, punk, grunge, and Latin rhythms, "Far From Right" expands OFFICER LUCIFER’s genre-defying sound while reinforcing the project’s core mythology. The song exists within a narrative world where engineered hybrids rise up against their human creators, mirroring real-world cycles of control, corruption, and resistance.

Driven by crushing riffs, volatile rhythms, and Hamilton’s venomous vocal performance, "Far From Right" functions as both protest and provocation. The lyrics dissect moral decay, consumer worship, and hollow belief systems, calling out performative rage and manufactured ideology with brutal clarity. It is politically charged without slogans and aggressive without compromise.

The single was recorded across Ecuador, California, and Austin, Texas, with production handled by OFFICER LUCIFER. Mixing and mastering were completed by Jim Kaufman. The international recording process reflects the project’s hybrid identity, unconfined by borders or traditional genre expectations.

With "Far From Right", OFFICER LUCIFER offers no comfort and no easy answers. The track stands as a warning and a challenge, demanding awareness, resistance, and a rejection of the systems that thrive on apathy.

About OFFICER LUCIFER:

OFFICER LUCIFER is a conceptual heavy music project built on confrontation, storytelling, and sonic collision. Drawing from metal, punk, grunge, and Latin rhythmic traditions, the project creates an aggressive and immersive sound that refuses genre boundaries. Each release exists within a dystopian narrative framework where engineered half-animal, half-machine beings turn against their human creators, reflecting themes of control, resistance, and collapse in the modern world.

The project first revealed its universe with the debut single "Uncivil War", establishing a raw and cinematic atmosphere where chaos is not background noise but the driving force. The music is designed to feel physical and urgent, pairing crushing instrumentation with a sense of narrative tension and unrest.

OFFICER LUCIFER operates as a collective rather than a traditional band. The core creative vision is shaped by Pancho Tomaselli, David Coloma, and Andrés Benavides, musicians whose international careers span diverse projects, scenes, and stages. Their combined experience fuels a foundation that is both disciplined and volatile. As the project evolves, additional collaborators are brought in to expand the sound, introducing new textures, voices, and perspectives without diluting the central vision.

Beyond the music, OFFICER LUCIFER functions as a fully realized world. Band members are portrayed as hybrid soldiers assigned distinct military-style ranks, reinforcing a shared identity rooted in rebellion, unity, and defiance. The result is not just a collection of songs, but a living mythos designed to confront listeners and challenge complacency.

OFFICER LUCIFER is:

Pancho Tomaselli - Bass
David Coloma - Guitars
Andrés Benavides - Drums

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG Broadcast Their Metal ‘Propaganda’ In New Video

On time with their monthly rendezvous with fans since the first single release, here comes another video from Babylon: DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG have unveiled the new visual for "Propaganda", one of the most high-energy tracks from their latest album, released on October 3rd, 2025 through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). While the song has already made its mark on the album, the video now adds the visual dimension to its uncompromising power.
 

"Propaganda" is a rousing song in typical double bass drum style that barely gives you time to breathe. After an aggressive guitar intro and a sublime guitar riff, the highlights follow in rapid succession: Udo Dirkschneider and Peter Baltes shine with their polyphonic choir type vocals which alternate with two-part guitar licks, while the chorus screams the entire media-critical message of the lyrics out into the world.
 

Manuela “Ella” Bibert supports all this with her solo vocal interludes as well as with a harsh and intensely played Hammond organ. as if that weren’t enough, a guitar solo follows a hymn type vocal part, which culminates in a harmony battle with the organ. The seventies and eighties send their regards!

Listen to Babylon on your favourite streaming platform or get your CD/LP/Earbook here: https://datog.rpm.link/babylon

About DATOG:

DIRKSCHNEIDER & THE OLD GANG (DATOG) was originally launched in 2020 as a one-off charity project, but quickly developed a momentum of its own and formed into a band consisting of Udo Dirkschneider (vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Peter Baltes (bass, vocals; ACCEPT/U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER), Stefan Kaufmann (guitar; ACCEPT/U.D.O.), Mathias “Don” Dieth (guitar; SINNER/U.D.O.), Sven Dirkschneider (drums; U.D.O./DIRKSCHNEIDER) and Manuela “Ella” Bibert (vocals). Between 2020 and 2021 their first three singles attracted a lot of attention, whereupon the band wrote more songs and recorded their debut album. With a unique vocal concept of three voices, powerful riffs and stylistic complexity, DATOG combine classic heavy metal with a modern, powerful production.

 

 

DATOG are:

Udo Dirkschneider | lead vocals

Peter Baltes | bass, lead & backing vocals

Manuela “Ella” Bibert | lead & backing vocals, keys

Stefan Kaufmann | guitars, backing vocals

Mathias “Don” Dieth | guitars, backing vocals

Sven Dirkschneider | drums, backing vocals

 

More on DATOG:

datog.de | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | RPM

HORROR SCENE Ignites A New Era With The Explosive Single “YEAH YOU”

HORROR SCENE is back—and they’re coming straight for the pulse. The band unleashes their latest single, “Yeah You,” is a relentless, high energy track that blends aggression, attitude, and hooks that hit like a gut punch. Fueled by dark intensity and raw emotion, the song captures that moment when you stop explaining yourself and let the music do the damage. Produced by Dan Malsch, "Yeah You" delivers crushing power, sharp precision, and a sound that refuses to be ignored.”

"Yeah You’ is a middle finger wrapped in melody loud, unapologetic, and aimed straight at anyone who ever doubted us.

- HORROR SCENE

Fueled by driving riffs, pounding rhythms, and a vocal delivery that balances menace with undeniable charisma, “Yeah You” is confrontational in the best way possible. It’s a song that doesn’t hide in metaphor—it locks eyes with the listener and calls them out. Loud. Direct. Unfiltered.

Lyrically, “Yeah You” thrives on confrontation and confidence, capturing that moment where frustration turns into fire and silence turns into action. HORROR SCENE channels that raw, electric tension into an anthem built for packed clubs, midnight drives, and anyone who’s ever felt underestimated or overlooked.

Sonically, the band sharpens their edge, blending gritty industrial textures with infectious modern rock energy. The result is a track that feels both dangerous and accessible—dark enough to haunt, catchy enough to stay stuck in your head long after the final chorus fades.

With “Yeah You,” HORROR SCENE proves they’re not here to play it safe. They’re here to make noise, shake rooms, and leave a mark. This single signals a band fully locked into their identity—confident, confrontational, and unafraid to push forward at full volume.

This is HORROR SCENE at their most focused

and ferocious.

“Yeah You” is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Turn it up. Let it hit. And don’t look away—HORROR SCENE talking to you.