Alt-Pop Trio Exploring Birdsong Reveal Video for New Single "Romanticise" + Announce 2026 Tour

Exploring Birdsong are stepping into a new era with their stunning single "Romanticise," released today via Long Branch Records.

Stream "Romanticise" here. 

Watch the video below. 

The trio has also announced a 2026 UK headline tour. Catch Exploring Birdsong at the following locations.

9/23 — Glasgow, UK — Classic Grand
9/24 — London, UK — Islington Assembly Hall
9/25 — Bristol, UK —  Strange Brew
9/26 — Manchester, UK — Gorilla 

Exploring Birdsong are headlining London's St Pancras Old Church tonight, November 5, and tomorrow, November 6. After the first date sold out in two minutes, the band added a second. This also sold out in minutes, underlining the breathless excitement building around the group.

"'Romanticise' is centered around a relationship plagued by toxicity," the band shares. "Written from the perspective of the perpetrator, lyrically it depicts the needless and unnecessary frustration and anger shown towards their partner. The chorus had to be catchy. This was written first, and as the writing process developed and lyrical content was formed, we wanted the breakdown section to match the chaotic and aggressive nature of the lyrics."

The band continues. "The opening line to the chorus is a sarcastic jab at the protagonist's partner — 'You could romanticise a car wreck at eighty' — it illustrates their frustration at a tenaciously positive outlook, and is followed by 'Would you anatomise the way I'm behaving?,' shifting the blame from themselves as if their behavior is being overly scrutinized when questioned. The song is written, unfortunately, from personal experience."

The alt-pop trio, centered on Lynsey Ward's stunning vocals, showcase a richer and more expansive element with their newest effort — a mature evolution from the organic rawness of their piano-led roots. Despite the shift in sound first signaled with the acclaimed 2024 singles "The Collapse," "Weight in Gold," "All I Lack," and "Stitch," the three-piece has not sacrificed any of the emotional intimacy or genre-blending beauty that sets them apart.

The voice of Ward (also of Espera), mixed with the talents of Jonny Knight (bass + keyboards) and Matt Harrison (drums), help forge a truly unique approach to songwriting and modern heavy music. 

Previously, the band has supported Katatonia and Sleep Token as well as a main stage appearance at RADAR and Euroblast festival. Straddling pop, progressive rock, and uncategorizable genre-blending beauty, the band is mostly unplaceable, but "Romanticise" suggests flashes of Everything Everything's inventiveness, the dramatic flair of Kate Bush, and the synth-heavy intensity of Enter Shikari — whilst remaining uniquely Exploring Birdsong.

EXPLORING BIRDSONG ARE:
Lynsey Ward — Vocals, Piano
Jonny Knight — Bass, Synthesizers
Matt Harrison — Drums, Percussion

KORPIKLAANI - Release Video For 'Got The Time'

Finnish Folk Metal Superstars KORPIKLAANI have released a video for their cover of the popular ANTHRAX version of the Joe Jackson song 'Got The Time', which is streaming now on all platforms. Originally released in Finnish under the name 'Ennen' between KORPIKLAANI's most recent albums Jylhä (2021) and Rankarumpu (2024), you can now enjoy the English version as well. 

Be sure to catch KORPIKLAANI live on the remaining dates of this year or at HEIDENFEST 2026 with Finntroll, Heidevolk, Trollfest and The Dread Crew Of Oddwood. All dates below.

LISTEN TO 'GOT THE TIME':
https://korpiklaani.bfan.link/got-the-time

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR 'GOT THE TIME' BELOW.

KORPIKLAANI ONLINE:
https://linktr.ee/korpiklaani

Photo by Peero Lakanen / edited by Jan Yrlund

Nightfall Salute Judas in New Video for "The Traders of Anathema"

Ahead of their long-awaited return to stages all across Europe, today, Nightfall are releasing a new video for one of the fiercest cuts off their monumental new album Children of Eve. “The Traders of Anathema” is a climactic hymn to Judas Iscariot. Its blazing riffs and towering chorus are the ultimate tribute to the eternal rebel.  

Watch the video for “The Traders of Anathema” below.

Children of Eve is out now on Season of Mist

https://orcd.co/nightfallchildrenofeve

“The Traders of Anathema” is the perfect rallying cry for Nightfall’s resurgence into the live arena. Backed by the monumental production of Jacob Hansen, the song grapples with faith, guilt and rebellion amidst a grand chorus and Gothic fury.  After taking a break from the stage and launching Metal Music Against Depression(MMaD) out of their frontman’s own personal struggles, Nightfall are now back and ready to step resiliently into the spotlight as a true act of defiance on their upcoming European tour with Possessed, Terrorizer, Massacre and Ater.

“Hello people of darkness”, greets the half-masked Efthimis Karadimas. “The time has come for us to hit the road across Europe. After a very long introverted period where we kept the band away from touring activity, we finally set to rise again. From the ashes of depression, the battles with inner demons and all those endless nights in despair, we managed to grow up stronger and motivated. This is by far the best line-up, the loudest and the most precise. I can’t wait to sing about pain and darkness in front of you. Embrace darkness, you children of Eve.”

With Children of Eve, Nightfall return from the shadows to unite blackened souls everywhere with their darkest and most epic creation yet.

Line-up:

Efthimis Karadimas - Vocals

Kostas Kyriakopoulos - Guitars

Vasiliki Biza - Bass

Fotis Benardo - Drums

Recording Credits:

Recorded at Devasoundz Studios, Athens, Greece

Produced by Efthimis Karadimas with Fotis Benardo & Thimios Krikos

Engineered by Fotis Benardo & Thimios Krikos

Mixed & Mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Ribe, Denmark

Production Credits:

Produced by Efthimis Karadimas & Engineered by Fotis Benardo

Mixed & Mastered in Hansen Studios, Denmark by Jacob Hansen

Cover Art:

Eliran Kantor

Art Concept:

Efthimis Karadimas

Order & Stream: https://orcd.co/nightfallchildrenofeve

Follow Nightfall:

Official Website: http://www.nightfall.gr/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightfallband/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NIGHTFALL_band

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nightfallband/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4W0Vom1cl6o3UCq8tTfRHV

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/nightfall/1369568685

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/76457

TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3521048

Bandcamp: https://nightfallofficial.bandcamp.com/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nightfallband_gr

Black Coast Announce Signing to Papercut Recordings & Release New Single "Overflow"

Stoke-on-Trent, UK’s Black Coast have signed to Papercut Recordings, the label from Leo Valeri and Ryan “Tuck” O’Leary. The partnership launches with new single “Overflow”, punctuating a bold new chapter for the band and serving as the first step toward a full album planned for Spring 2026 (more on that to come). Fans can stream “Overflow” HERE. Watch the accompanying music video Below. 

"Overflow” narrows the frame to the private headspace people use to cope when life swells too loud. Speaking on the track, vocalist Charlie Hewitt shares

“Overflow is the inner escape that everyone dwells in. I don’t want to wake up to reality sometimes. Sink in the overflow.”

That sentiment threads through Black Coast's catalog, which has drawn comparisons to Alice in Chains, Deftones, and Linkin Park while carving out its own identity. The band has accumulated over 4 million streams across platforms, with their work tackling mental health, personal struggle, and the weight of unprocessed emotion.

"Overflow" arrives as Black Coast enter into a bold new chapter. Their newly inked deal with Papercut Recordings comes after years of self-releasing music and building a dedicated following through relentless touring and raw, emotionally charged performances. The band has worked with producer Sam Bloor at Lower Lane Studios since 2019, a partnership that has shaped their evolution from their 2021 debut album Outworld through their 2023 self-titled EP.



Black Coast will support the release with in EU and UK tour dates in November and December, including shows with Silly Goose and a London date supporting Profiler on December 10 at The Black Heart.

ABOUT BLACK COAST

Black Coast are a heavy music band from Stoke-on-Trent, England, formed in January 2016 from the ashes of local projects Bet It All and Dead City Souls. The five-piece comprising Charlie Hewitt (vocals), Scott Pinnington (guitar), Joe Mayer (guitar), Jack Beardsall (bass), and Matty Clark (drums) blend hardcore intensity with grunge textures, groove-driven riffs, and nu-metal aggression.

Their debut album Outworld (2021) and self-titled EP (2023) established Black Coast as a band unafraid to confront internal darkness, with lyrics centered on mental health, emotional barriers, and the struggle for authentic self-expression. Produced by Sam Bloor at Lower Lane Studios, their catalog has earned over 4 million streams and 130K YouTube views to date.

Live, Black Coast are known for visceral, emotionally raw performances that prioritize connection over spectacle. They continue to champion Stoke-on-Trent's thriving music scene while advocating for men's mental health awareness.

NEW SINGLE: Katerina Nicole Finds Her Diamond Edge On "Crystalline"

Atmospheric metal disruptor, Katerina Nicole, steps back into the storm with the video for her latest single, "Crystalline". Built around sharp riffs, aching vocals, and lyrics that see her caving deeper into reflection, "Crystalline" is a punishing anthem that swings between soul-baring confessions and full-throttle screams. Fans can watch the brand new video below.

Trapped inside the walls of her own creation, Katerina turns vulnerability into a weapon as she navigates through a whirlwind of danger and defiance. The brand new video for "Crystalline" throws Katerina into a gritty auto shop, held by strangers who think they've won. Breaking loose from her restraints, she fights back with a force that leaves nothing to chance, taking down her captors in a blur of grit and adrenaline. It's as if Katerina is fighting her way out from behind the glass, each howl and guttural note scattering her story in every direction.

Offering a glimpse beyond the crystalline edges, Katerina Nicole shares:

"‘In Crystalline, I let myself be seen — fragile, honest, and whole in my vulnerability."

With "Crystalline", she doesn't just revisit the storm, but she becomes it. Reminding us that every shattered edge refracts light and strength, her transformation is a declaration of survival. There is beauty in fracture and in the chaos, Katerina Nicole discovers the kind of resilience that only comes from breaking and rebuilding yourself anew.

Following up her breakout EP, "Serene in Violent Oceans", this new era of Katerina Nicolecarves out territory where melody collides with mayhem. Unafraid to plunge headlong into the deep end, Katerina fuses ethereal atmospheres with guttural breakdowns, wrapping vulnerability in distortion and letting each song become a ritual of self-discovery through darkness and light.

This is Katerina Nicole at her most fearless: haunting, heavy, and clear as crystal.

Be sure to stay tuned for more Katerina Nicole news coming soon.

ABOUT KATERINA NICOLE

Katerina Nicole is a force of metal—raw, cinematic, and unapologetically bold. Hailing from Kelowna, BC, Katerina blends melodic nu metal, doom, and industrial grit into a sound that’s both emotionally unrelenting and sonically massive. With roots in the pop and EDM world, her shift into heavy music wasn’t a pivot—it was an evolution. Her music is drenched in vulnerability, rage, and resilience, channeling chaos into catharsis with every guttural scream and haunting melody.

Her debut EP, “Serene in Violent Oceans”, is a visceral statement piece— equal parts confession and confrontation. Produced by Jordan Chase (Trench, World of Pleasure), the record marks the arrival of a singular new voice in heavy music. Her live performances are nothing short of ritualistic: raw, hypnotic, and emotionally charged, commanding the stage with both fury and grace. Backed by a growing global fanbase, Katerina Nicole is not here to ask for space in the scene—she’s here to take it.

Misfire Unleash New Video For Track "All Over The Place"

Illinois thrash metal wrecking crew Misfire release a new video for their track “All Over The Place” today. Directed by Alex Zarek, the video captures the unhinged energy and raw aggression that define Misfire’s live presence. Watch it below:

Misfire is set to hit the road across the U.S. this fall, joining legendary thrashers Death Angel, Toxic Holocaust, and Lions at the Gate for a tour that promises nothing but carnage. The run kicks off November 26 in Denver, CO, and smashes through cities nationwide before wrapping December 17 in Los Angeles, CA.

Drummer James Nicodemus fires off, “Let’s go! This is our final run of the year, and it’s a monster. We’re beyond stoked to share the stage with absolute legends — Death Angel, Toxic Holocaust, Lions at the Gate — and we’re coming for blood. See you maniacs in the pit!”

“All Over The Place” comes off Misfire’s latest full-length Product of the Environment, released earlier this year — a record hailed by Ghost Cult Magazine as: “Total thrash, total riffs, total devastation… don’t go crying to mummy when your eyeballs burst and your face falls off. You brought this on yourself.”

Full tour dates below. Brace yourself. Misfire is coming.

U.S. Tour Dates:

11/26 Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
11/28 Joliet, IL  @ The Forge
11/29 Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theater
11/30 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
12/02 Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue
12/03 Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theater
12/04 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Monarch
12/05 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
12/06 Albany, NY @ Empire Live
12/07 Reading, PA @ Reverb         
12/10 Dallas, TX @ Southside Ballroom
12/11 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Midtown
12/12 Corpus Christi, TX @ House of Rock
12/13 San Antonio, TX @ Vibes
12/15 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
12/16 Tucson, AZ @ 191 Toole
12/17 Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco

Stream / Get Product of the Environment HERE.

Follow Misfire:

Official Website
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
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DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT Ignite Revolution With “The Only Good Dictator Is A Dead Dictator”

DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT has released their new single “The Only Good Dictator Is a Dead Dictator” via Armalyte Industries. The Portland-based industrial outfit returns with one of their most ferocious and politically charged tracks to date, blending crushing industrial metal, seething electronics, and the band’s signature horror aesthetic into an unflinching statement about power, fear, and human complicity.

Recorded at Primal Studios and produced, mixed, and engineered by Fernando Ruiz, “The Only Good Dictator Is a Dead Dictator” captures DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT at their most intense and focused. The single was mastered by Nicky Howard, with cover art by guitarist Rebecca Wager. A one-shot live performance video filmed at Wasteland Weekend premiered today at noon PST on YouTube. You can see the video below.

"This song is aggressive from tonality to message. The song underlines society’s complicity towards totalitarianism and how we are controlled through fabricated fears and toxic vitriol spewed by those in power. The cyclical nature of humans falling for the lies and promises of dictators. It’s a tale we’ve spun over and over and yet it continues to happen. Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. In the end - the only good dictator no matter who or where - is a dead dictator. Anyone who desires that much abusive power is a blight on humanity and the world is better off without tyrants." - Zach "Dead" Wager

About DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT:
Formed in 2007, the Portland OR, USA, act began as a solo project by Zach Wager before evolving into a full band in 2011. Drawing inspiration from the likes of SLIPKNOT, PIG, NINE INCH NAILS, and ROB ZOMBIE, DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT allow themselves to be experimental with their creative direction. The band use these influences along with a wide array of instruments and styles to create a distinctive sound, "I think the unique elements of our sound really stem from not trying to write any conventionally genre specific song. So whether it’s using theremins, sampling high tension wires, or anything we feel can add some personality to the song - nothing is off limits."

Over the course of their career to date, DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT's notable appearances include Knotfest (2015), Wasteland Weekend (2018-2022, 2024), as support for COMBICHRIST on the Only Death is Immortal North American Tour (2024), along with headlining Hellfire Tour (2018, West Coast/Southwest Run) and Bring Out The Dead North American Tour (2019). DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT have also created/performed multiple soundscapes for Belgian surrealist photographers, Mothmeister, at their art exhibits. 

DEAD ANIMAL ASSEMBLY PLANT is: 
Zach ‘Dead’ Wager (Vocals)
Rebecca ‘Buzz’ Wager (Guitars)
Nick ‘Nix’ Snyder (Bass)
Jason ‘Skorn’ Moore (Drums)

Links:
Bandcamp: https://deadanimalassemblyplant.bandcamp.com/album/bring-out-the-dead-2
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deadanimalassemblyplant 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deadanimalassemblyplant
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/deadanimalassemblyplant
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/deadanimalassemblyplant
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/deadanimalassemblyplant

Avatar Release "Don't Go In The Forest" Album + Share Video for Title Track

The heavy metal visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — have finally unleashed their latest masterwork Don't Go in the Forest. Listen and get the album HERE.

Avatar will hit the road for their massive North American headline run, beginning November 5 in Phoenix. All dates are below.

Regarding the album, Eckerström has explained, "The secret ingredient is that we still feel like we're just getting started. Don't Go In The Forest is an album filled to the brim with stuff we've never done before. It's all songs and concepts we haven't been close to touch until now. The mind is wild and we have lost ourselves in the darkest woods, filled with memories, and fantasies. Forbidden thoughts that must be spoken."

He furthered, "It would have been impossible to make this album at any other time than now. That's all we ever wanted, and I think you'll find it's all you ever wanted too."

Avatar’s growth and momentum has only accelerated in recent years. There's the critically acclaimed, 2023-released album Dance Devil Dance, which included their first #1 at Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay, "The Dirt I'm Buried In." There have been scores of sold-out headline shows across the globe, and an actual fossil named after them. The list goes on and on. 

Avatar will spend the foreseeable future (if not forever) on the road. See below for a complete rundown of the band's planned tour activity for the next two years.

Avatar shows no sign of pausing to take a breath in their quest for absolute world domination — much less stopping. 

2025 U.S. HEADLINE TOUR:
11/5 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren 
11/6 — San Diego, CA —  The Observatory San Diego
11/7 — Riverside, CA — Riverside Municipal Auditorium
11/8 — Las Vegas, NV — Brooklyn Bowl
11/10 — Seattle, WA — Moore Theater 
11/11 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theatre 
11/12 — Boise, ID — Revolution 
11/14 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union 
11/15 — Denver, CO — Fillmore 
11/17 — Minneapolis, MN — Fillmore 
11/18 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee 
11/20 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore Detroit 
11/21 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE 
11/22 — Columbus, OH — KEMBA Live!
11/23 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring 
11/25 — Huntington, NY — Paramount
11/26 — Boston, MA — House of Blues
11/28 — Allentown, PA — Archer Music Hall
11/29 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore Charlotte
11/30 — Louisville, KY — Old Forester's Paristown Hall
12/2 — Chicago, IL — Riviera Theater
12/4 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
12/5 — St. Louis, MO — The Pageant
12/6 — Tulsa, OK —  Tulsa Theater
12/7 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues

For centuries the circus would come to town. Now, for the first time in history, the gravitational pull of Avatar is so strong that the town is coming to the circus. A circus deep in the forest. A forbidden place. A taboo you are destined to break.

AVATAR ARE
Johannes Eckerström — Vocalist
Jonas Jarlsby — Guitarist
Tim Öhrström — Guitarist
 Henrik Sandelin — Bassist 
John Alfredsson — Drummer

BEYOND FORGIVENESS Unleashes a Storm of Emotion and Power on Their Newest Album COLD AS WINTER’S ICE

The veil of frost has descended, and from the heart of the storm rises BEYOND FORGIVENESS, returning with their breathtaking newest album, Cold as Winter’s Ice — a sweeping symphonic metal odyssey that melds beauty, fury, and emotion into one cinematic experience.

Beyond Forgiveness Bio:

Where light and darkness interweave, where brutal death metal and angelic classical voices coexist on the same plane, and a storyland of myth and legend transport you away into a realm of symphonic beautality, you will encounter the band Beyond Forgiveness. The U.S. based band emerged in 2014 as a studio project formed by death metal guitarists Greg Witwer and Richard Marcus. Collaborating with classical vocalist and orchestrator, TaliaHoit, drummer Sean Rogers, and bassist Jim Lasselle, Beyond Forgiveness combined contrasting musical styles into an epic adventure of symphonic metal.

In 2016, the band released an EP, “The Ferryman’s Shore”. The release was embraced by the underground symphonic metal scene with rave reviews, and the band’s signature sound was dubbed “beautality”. The band followed with touring in Europe and two additional full length albums, “The Great Wall” in 2017, and “Live to Tell the Story” in 2019, each becoming more symphonically charged. With lyrics ranging from emotional turmoil to Tolkien-eque fantasy, the music explores the paradoxes of a wide range of human experience and musical style. Incorporating extreme metal elements as well as classical composition, the band continues to push boundaries to create art as a metaphor of life. Although Jim and Richard have since left, the band had already composed and recorded an epic new album, exploring deep into the wilderness of universal human experiences, available now.

Talia Hoit - Vocals

Greg Witwer - Guitar | Vocals

Sean Rogers - Drums | Percussion

Mayhem Announce New Album "Liturgy of Death" Out 2/6 + Unvei Video for "Weep for Nothing"

The most influential black metal band of all time is back with their seventh studio album Liturgy of Death. 

With this new opus, Mayhem reaffirm their status as the most uncompromising force in extreme metal music. Four decades into their career, Mayhem turn their focus toward the inescapable reality of death. Liturgy of Death examines loss, fear of dying, powerlessness, and the fragility of existence through a stark and unrelenting lens.

Stream "Weep for Nothing" here. 

Watch The visualizer Below. 

"Weep for Nothing" turns the fear of mortality into revelation, a hymn to nothingness where grief becomes meaningless. With its cold and fast grandeur, razor-sharp riffs. and a suffocating atmosphere, the band channels it channels the essence of mortality without offering solace or escape.

Pre-order Liturgy of Death here. 

With Necrobutcher, Hellhammer, Attila, Morten, and Ghul locked into a unit tighter than ever, Liturgy of Death celebrates Mayhem's own legacy, a continuation of the raw and uncompromising sound that defined their beginnings. The result is a merciless record — dark, fast, and unrelenting —that captures the band in their most dangerous and vital form. 41 years since their formation in Langhus, Mayhem remain a defining force in Norwegian black metal, continuing to shape the sound they helped create.

MAYHEM LINEUP:
Attila Csihar — Vocals
Ghul — Guitar
Hellhammer — Drums
Necrobutcher — Bass
Morten — Guitar

Introducing HÉR, a bridge to the raw spirit of the North

Emerging from the northern shores of Poland, HÉR are both seekers and storytellers. Their upcoming debut album, Monochrome, weaves bowed strings, raw incantations and entrancing percussion into ritual soundscapes that conjure the vast and mythical landscape of the North. The album’s lead single, “Needles and Bark”, calls on the enduring spirit of Icelandic fjords and Old Norse myths, inviting us into a meditation on decay and endurance.

“The pine on the rocks dries and dies / needles neither protect nor the bark / why should he live long?”

Watch the video for “Needles and Bark” below.

Monochrome comes out January 30, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/hermonochrome

Available Formats:
CD Digipak
12” Vinyl Gatefold — Black
12" Colored Vinyl Gatefold — Transparent Orange

“We are honored and deeply thrilled to announce our signing to Season of Mist”, HÉR says. “To begin our musical journey with such a renowned and visionary label is both a privilege and a powerful affirmation of our path.

“HÉR — meaning ‘here’ in Icelandic — is more than a name; it is a call to presence. And here, in this moment, something new begins. Our collaboration with Season of Mist opens a gateway to share our sound, our myth, and our vision with a wider world”.

“This signing marks not only our debut”, HÉR continues, “but also the crossing of a threshold — from the roots of Old Norse poetry and northern mysticism into a vast, boundless landscape of sound and emotion. We stand ‘here,’ united by rhythm, voice, and story, ready to bring the raw essence of the North to those who are willing to listen, feel, and be transformed.

Sit here with us — sestu hérna — and witness what begins now”.

Line-up:
Maciej Świniarski — Vocal, Percussion
Tomasz Chyła — Vocal, Violin, Synth Percussion
Piotr Chęcki — Saxophone, Percussion
Tomasz Sadecki — Bass Guitar, Synth, Percussion
Sławek Koryzno — Drums, Percussion

Production Credits:
Recorded at Monochrom Studio, Gniewoszów, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland.
Produced & Engineered by Ignacy Gruszecki.
Mixed & Mastered by Marcin Bors at Fonoplastykon, Wrocław, Poland.

Guest Musicians:
Magdalena Kuraś „Freya”

Cover Art:
Mary Zaleska

Photography:
Daria Szczygieł (https://dariaszczygiel.com/)

Pre-save & Pre-order

https://orcd.co/hermonochrome

Press-kit: https://presskit.season-of-mist.com/H%c3%89R/
Login: presskit
Password: Presskitofmist

Follow HÉR:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herbandofficialprofile/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/her.bandofficial/
Bandcamp: https://hersom.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4yHViIb0eCl4eVMFcVnzm5

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/h%C3%A9r/1751778615

Melodic Metal Band RED SANDS Announce New EP Evocations

Independent melodic metal band RED SANDS have announced the release of their highly anticipated EP Evocations, arriving worldwide on January 30, 2026. The record captures the group’s evolution into a symphonic, emotionally charged sound that merges power, melody, and atmosphere into a single vision.

Evocations presents six tracks that explore mortality, memory, and transformation. From the ominous opening “Mors Vincit Omnia” to the commanding presence of “The Coven,” the ferocity of “The Hunt” featuring Stu Block, and the reflective melancholy of “My Beloved Ghost,” the EP traces a cycle of creation and decay. A new song, “System,” stands at the heart of the release, confronting the corruption and chaos of modern existence with sharp lyrical force and complex musicianship.

Produced by Daniel Novelo and featuring contributions from acclaimed engineers and guest artists, Evocations embodies the precision and emotion that define RED SANDS. The band’s sound draws from the intensity of ICED EARTH and IRON MAIDEN, the symphonic depth of NIGHTWISH and THERION, and the introspection of OPETH and DRACONIAN, forming a unique expression of melodic and symphonic metal rooted in Mexico City’s creative scene.

The artwork, created by vocalist and visual artist Jonathan Corral, mirrors the album’s lyrical themes through surreal imagery: a creature made of memories and relics, carrying a dying bird on a blank musical score. It serves as both a metaphor for unfinished creation and a meditation on impermanence.

About RED SANDS:

RED SANDS formed in Mexico City in 2012 when brothers Daniel and Eric Novelo joined forces with their cousin Juan Carlos León. What began as a family project soon developed into one of Mexico’s most distinctive melodic metal acts. Over the years, the group shaped its identity through precise musicianship, layered compositions, and a deep sense of atmosphere. After a brief hiatus, the band returned in 2022 with a renewed focus and a new vocalist, Jonathan Corral, whose operatic range and theatrical presence expanded the band’s sound into symphonic territory. Drummer Ángel Asiain completed the current lineup, bringing power and control to the rhythm section.

The members of RED SANDS draw from contrasting musical backgrounds that converge in their songwriting. Daniel’s passion for classic heavy and power metal, influenced by ICED EARTH, IRON MAIDEN, and OPETH, intertwines with Jonathan’s symphonic and gothic inspirations from acts such as NIGHTWISH, THERION, and DRACONIAN. Together they create songs that blend melody, intensity, and emotional storytelling. Their lyrics often explore death, spirituality, and the human condition, while the arrangements combine soaring vocal lines, intricate riffs, and cinematic keyboards.

Since regrouping, RED SANDS have released a series of acclaimed singles, “My Beloved Ghost,” “The Hunt” featuring Stu Block, and “The Coven,” each of which expanded their audience and earned praise from critics and metal outlets across Latin America and Europe. Their work has been featured in the Top 100 Mexican Metal list, nominated for the Kalani Metal Awards, and included in international compilations such as Hell Spawn Vol. 8.

Beyond the stage, members of the band remain active in Mexico’s metal culture. Eric and Daniel host the podcast Metalópolis, dedicated to promoting the national scene and connecting audiences with emerging artists. This sense of community and independence continues to define RED SANDS, whose music stands as both a personal statement and a contribution to the evolution of Latin American metal.

RED SANDS is:
 

• Jonathan “Jona” Corral – Vocals

• Daniel Novelo – Rhythm & Lead Guitar

• Eric Novelo – Bass

• Juan Carlos “CJ” León – Piano & Keyboards

• Ángel Asiain – Drums

Connect with RED SANDS:
 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redsandsmetal

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redsandsmetal/

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/RedSandsMetal

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/redsandsmetal

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/artist/1s2oL32tMDS8yq0FkdgVVG?si=5YyvjiZZQT2yF5hI_OAVrw

• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/red-sands/1674098147

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@redsandsmetal

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.

Experience the magic of this unforgettable night right through your speakers or headphones.

Digital release only, available worldwide on December 19th, 2025 on all major digital music platforms.

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
 

More on CORELEONI:
coreleoni.com | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

Danko Jones - Leo Rising

Toronto’s most determined and hardest‑working power trio, DANKO JONES, let out a mighty roar in Leo Rising, an eleven-track masterclass in sweat-soaked, no-nonsense rock ’n’ roll. The album – produced to red‑hot perfection by long‑time collaborator Eric Ratz – lands on 21 November 2025 via Perception - A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music and Sonic Unyon (for Canada).

“You know the sound every kid makes with their mouth when they play air guitar?”Danko asks. “That’s still the sound I want to put on every album we make. If we can come close to that sound, that’s an album worth releasing. Eric Ratz produced this album and he knows this about me. I have complete faith in the guitar tones he manages to capture. There weren’t any changes in recording. We still did it all apart from one another, like our previous two albums. JC recorded in Finland, Rich flew in from Prince Edward Island to Toronto to record his drums, and I worked with Eric in Toronto on guitars and vocals.”

Leo Rising is another triumph from one of the most consistent bands in the business. Above all, it showcases the fizzing, electrified chemistry between the three members of this explosive powerhouse. Operating as a stable and harmonious unit since 2013, DANKO JONES join forces on stage every night, united in their love for riffs, melodies, and a raucous, sweat-drenched good fucking time.

“This is the line-up I wish we had from the start,” Danko concludes. “I’m not just saying that because time has already proven it. First and foremost, we all get along with each other onstage and offstage. The mood is always light and nobody’s ego gets in the way. When it comes to writing and recording, we are all on the same page and we service the songs, always!”

Leo Rising may just be the most uplifting and inspirational DANKO JONES album to date. A thunderous display of high octane guitar-driven rock awaits, from the thrill seeking opener "What You Need" to the blues infused seductive delight, "Too Slick For Love". Also lying in wait on Leo Rising is the power-pop hit "Everyday Is Saturday Night" which brings the party vibes with a catchy lyrical hook you'll find yourself repeating everyday of the week. "It's A Celebration" sees the energy continue flowing with fiery rhythms across the dynamic track. Unafraid to reveal a grittier side as the distortion is turned up a notch, the sleaze-metal leaning "Pretty Stuff" is followed by the edgy "Gotta Let It Go". 

DANKO JONES are:
Danko Jones | vocals, guitars
John Calabrese | bass
Rich Knox  | drums

DON’T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS TURN TRAGEDY INTO TRIUMPH ON “BUT ON THE BRIGHT SIDE” — OUT NOVEMBER 7TH ​

New York City alternative indie-pop rock band Don’t Believe In Ghosts return with their most personal and powerful release to date, But On The Bright Side, available everywhere this Friday, November 7th via Mindful Recordings. The band will celebrate the release with a special hometown show at Soho Live NYC on Saturday, November 15th, joined by special guests Moonwater.

The album title, But On The Bright Side, was born from a year that tested the band’s strength and unity like never before. Early in the process of making the record, frontman Steven Nathan was diagnosed with a genetic kidney disorder, forcing him to completely rethink his health, lifestyle, and priorities while pushing forward to complete the album.

Guitarist Dan DelVecchio nearly lost his ability to play after a serious medical condition required surgery, with recovery stretching longer than expected and putting the band’s live future in question. Drummer Ken Yang endured the devastating loss of his father and later faced a medical emergency that required life-saving surgery, followed by complications that sent him back into the hospital.

“It was hard wrapping mixes and putting the final touches on these songs after all we'd been through this last year,” says Nathan. “That’s really where the title But On The Bright Side came from. Even when everything feels like it’s falling apart, there’s always something to hold onto — and for us, that was the music.”

Stream Don't Believe In Ghosts

https://linktr.ee/dontbelieveinghosts

Recorded across multiple studios including Mindful Recording Studio (NYC), Canyon Private Studios (Nashville, TN), and Mixing Night Studios (OH), the album represents a mosaic of collaboration and perseverance. The band worked with Grammy-winning producer Ken Lewis (FUN., X Ambassadors, Taylor Swift) and Cooper Anderson (Co-produced “Girl” and “Drowning”), alongside co-writing sessions with Brendan Benson (The Raconteurs), Don Miggs, and Nick Brown (MONA). Mixing duties were shared by Steven Nathan, Ken Lewis, and the legendary Mark Needham (The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees), giving the album its dynamic and cinematic energy.

The album follows the success of recent singles “Driver,” “Brooklyn Baby,” and “Outta Your Head” — the latter currently receiving airplay around the world. Together, they set the tone for a record that blends introspection and optimism, transforming personal struggle into soaring, anthemic alt-pop.

While the past year brought uncertainty, But On The Bright Side stands as a defiant statement of resilience, creativity, and faith in moving forward.

When Don’t Believe In Ghosts return to the stage at Soho Live on November 15th, it will mark more than just a release celebration — it will be a rebirth.

“When we walk out on that stage, it’s not just about performing,” Nathan reflects. “It’s about everything we went through to get there — and the fact that we’re still here, stronger than ever.”

Breaking Benjamin's Keith Wallen Shares Video for "Teeth Marks" (Feat. Haley Roughton of Gore)

BREAKING BENJAMIN guitarist KEITH WALLEN has teamed up with GORE. singer Haley Roughton for the new single "TEETH MARKS."

Watch the video below.

Wallen states that the song is about "Love, hate, pain, power, and the all consuming cycles of obsession."

The interplay between Wallen and Roughton is nothing short of magical, as his melodics collide full force into her sung/scream style, resulting in a master class in vocal dynamics. Add some ferocious riffs and undeniable hooks and "Teeth Marks" leaves, well, a musical mark.

Wallen released his most recent solo album Infinity Now last year via Rise Records. Get it here. 

He has since dropped a string of singles, including the anthemic "Dead Inside." Watch the video here. He also delivered his gorgeous take on Avril Lavigne's contemplative classic "I'm With You." Watch the video here. Prior to that, Wallen shared the standalone single "Us Against the World." Watch the video here. 

ABOUT KEITH WALLEN:
Keith Wallen is a prolific songwriter responsible for soaring melodies and hypnotic hooks heard across modern rock radio. The West Virginia-born troubadour uses his solo work as a vehicle to explore his multifaceted passions, moving seamlessly from the smart pop of '80s favorites like The Police and Depeche Mode to the big moody riffs of '90s grunge heroes like Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots. 
 
His co-writing collaborations include compositions with Saint Asonia, Fuel, We Came As Romans, Red, Dorothy, and Korn guitarist Brian "Head" Welch's Love And Death. Wallen bares his soul as a solo artist with earnest resolve, powering his honest anthems with commanding vocals. 
 
A former member of Adelitas Way, Keith was among his first calls when Benjamin Burnley decided to reform and reconfigure his band. Dark Before Dawn, Breaking Benjamin's powerhouse comeback, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Ember followed in 2018. 
 
Keith's self-produced acoustic and piano-driven Allies EP arrived in 2014. His debut solo album, 2021'sThis World Or The Next, featured "Dream Away," a song streamed 1.4M times on Spotify alone. His second solo album, Infinity Now, includes production and co-writing contributions from Kevin Thrasher (RIVALS, Jelly Roll) and work with Dan Braunstein (Spiritbox, Dayseeker) and Andrew Baylis (Sleeping With Sirens, Jelly Roll, Brantley Gilbert). 
 
Produced by Kevin Thrasher (Jelly Roll, RIVALS) and mixed by Joel Wanasek (Rain City Drive, Scott Stapp), Keith's sophomore solo album, Infinity Now, extends a warm invitation into the singer/songwriter's heart and mind. Hard rock bombast meets intimate pensiveness via engaging songs like "Blackout," "Strings," and first single, "Headspace Holiday."
 
As guitarist for Breaking Benjamin, a solo artist or songwriting collaborator, the common threads through Keith Wallen's work are honesty, authenticity, and heartfelt spirit. 

AGENBITE MISERY Release “A Charitable View of Temporary Insanity”

Experimental metal trio AGENBITE MISERY have released “A Charitable View of Temporary Insanity,” the latest track from their forthcoming debut album Remorse of Consciousness, due out February 6, 2026.

Serving as the emotional centerpiece of the record’s first half, the song is a sprawling meditation on death, memory, and inner turmoil. It adapts the “Hades” episode from James Joyce’s Ulysses, in which protagonist Leopold Bloom journeys through Dublin to attend a funeral while reflecting on personal loss. With lyrics drawn directly from Bloom’s internal monologue, the band translates Joyce’s psychological density into a massive, genre-warping composition.

The track unfolds with a gentle, ambient intro that evokes the quiet tension of a city morning. Subtle field recordings and bass harmonics set the scene before a crushing sludge riff drops in, anchoring the song’s emotional gravity. From there, the composition drifts between suffocating heaviness and moments of haunted clarity. Elements of funeral doom, acoustic interludes, blackened chaos, and harsh noise are woven together with meticulous intent.

One of the track’s most jarring moments comes when the instrumentation falls away completely, leaving only sparse percussion and a raw, grief-stricken vocal. The lyrics, drawn from Bloom’s thoughts about his deceased infant son, strike with an emotional immediacy that few metal bands attempt, let alone deliver with this level of conviction.

“A Charitable View of Temporary Insanity” is a clear statement of purpose from a band committed to exploring the limits of what heavy music can express. While dense and ambitious, the song remains grounded in thoughtful, evocative songwriting that rewards close listening.

Remorse of Consciousness adapts each chapter of Ulysses into a standalone piece, forming a concept album that bridges literary complexity with sonic extremity. With this single, AGENBITE MISERY continues to carve out a space entirely their own, where literature and extreme metal converge with startling clarity.

About AGENBITE MISERY:
AGENBITE MISERY is a New Hampshire-based trio that fuses literary ambition with the visceral force of experimental metal. Formed in 2022 by guitarist Sam Graff, bassist Cam Netland, and drummer Adam Richards, the band emerged from a shared academic background in literature and a mutual devotion to the most extreme and boundary-pushing corners of heavy music.

At its core, AGENBITE MISERY is a project rooted in transformation. Their work doesn’t merely incorporate influences, it dismantles them, reshapes them, and recontextualizes them within a vision that is as cerebral as it is punishing. Their sound weaves together elements of black metal, sludge, death metal, post-punk, ambient, and noise rock, unified not by style but by intent: to confront, to immerse, and to challenge.

Individually, the members bring a history of musical experimentation: Sam Graff and Adam Richards were longtime collaborators in the avant-garde project UNDER GREEN SUNS and the Boston metalcore outfit VICARIUM, while Cam Netland previously fronted the Connecticut stoner/black metal band COAGULATE. Together, they’ve forged something entirely distinct, a collective voice that draws from their diverse histories but refuses to be defined by any one genre or scene.

AGENBITE MISERY exists at the edge of metal and the margins of modern art, translating abstract ideas into concrete sound with unrelenting force. Whether performing live or recording in isolation, their ethos remains constant: dig deeper, aim higher, and never repeat what has already been done.

AGENBITE MISERY is:
Sam Graff – Guitars / Vocals / Synth
Cam Netland – Bass / Vocals
Adam Richards – Drums / Vocals

Connect with AGENBITE MISERY:
Bandcamp: https://agenbitemisery.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574211514876#
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agenbitemisery/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwjOZilhkqTRkZHpJJwlbhw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6dYQgCtNvpvNWwfQ06LQQZ
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/agenbite-misery/1716987132
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@agenbite.misery
Ampwall: https://agenbitemisery.ampwall.com/

UK electronic outfit Scissorgun shares 'Gone Rogue', teasing new album 'Scream If You Wanna Go Faster'

UK electronic outfit Scissorgun announce their album 'Scream If You Wanna Go Faster', out November 21 via Dimple Discs. Mixing urban electronica with fuzz and wah guitar, these trailblazers present a solid collection of songs, dances and abstract soundscapes. A must-have for Factory Records collectors, the vinyl includes seven tracks, while the digital and CD versions include three bonus tracks. Ahead of its release, they present the tracks 'Gone Rogue' and 'Bad As Bingo'.

Formed in Manchester in August 2016, Scissorgun is an electronic trio comprised of Dave Clarkson (synths, rhythms, tapes, percussion), Alan Hempsall (vocals, treated guitar, samples, loops) and Adrian Ball (light show and projections). Carriers of Factory Records' legacy.

“We always operate on instinct and improvisation is the key starting point. Some ideas become structured songs, but others remain as first recorded, with the music finding us and not vice versa. The title is a soft attempt at social comment, intended to be inferred rather than overt,” says Dave Clarkson.

Their musical scope is varied - pastoral dreams one minute and, the next, crashing swathes of noise chased down with a dub twist.

"The idea for 'Gone Rogue' started with a busy electro bass line and, as soon as we found a good quote from a conspiracy theorist on social media, the whole thing seemed to turn into a polemic against turning your back on humanity in revulsion. We dwell on the impact of the fight for our attention on the individual and the damage done. All the while, the driving beat is pushing us on with heavy cowbells and pulsing bass. We’ll all feel better if we dance," says Dave Clarkson.

Alan Hempsall adds, "As for 'Bad as Bingo', we were both overjoyed when this came out of the mincing machine. We’d been looking for something with a go-go beat to it, so this was perfect. The words flowed automatically as the best ones always do. Broad brush observations of a situation gone bad coupled with a mawkish sentimentality for what’s lost. The glitching and grinding bass line and barking dogs take on a life of their own. Suddenly it all makes sense and the initial spark revolts into structure and form."

Alan and Dave first met in 2007 when Dave’s band, Triclops, were supporting Biting Tongues at Islington Mill in Salford. Alan was in the audience and was so taken with Triclops’s performance that he wandered over to show appreciation and a friendship was struck up, bonding over a mutual weakness for early industrial, rock and modern jazz. After nine years of gig-hopping and hanging out, the timing was suddenly right for them to organise some jam sessions to see what came out.

It so happens that both of their bands were on hiatus at the time. While Dave Clarkson was in Triclops from 2000 to 2015, he was in White Cube prior to that. He since boasts an extensive catalogue of solo works.

As for Alan Hempsall, he was the vocalist for Crispy Ambulance, who was on Factory Records from 1980 to 1982, before spending five years in the mid ‘80’s playing percussion in a Brazilian Samba band. Hempsall also famously appeared on stage with Joy Division in April 1980, standing in for Ian Curtis at a show in Bury that descended into a riot.

"As with any album, we operate on instinct. Improvisation is the key starting point. At this moment, anything can and generally does come out. The bizarre accidents and serendipity that occur during this process are the parts we keep. Those moments that feel like you’re merely the vessel that the music is transmitted through," says Alan Hempsell.

Dave Clarkson adds, "Some ideas gradually emerge into structured songs whilst others have the fortitude to remain in their original form to some extent or another. Yet no conscious decision is made. We are not in control. It is the music that finds the musicians. As the body of work is growing and developing, it seems to take on its own identity, something else we appear to have little influence on. So, there is an element of Praxis at work here, we’ll do it because we want to and think up the reasons why later."

Prior to this album, Scissorgun released three albums - ‘Assault Two’ (2017), ‘All You Love Is Need’ (2020) and ‘Psychological Colouring Book’ (2021). They frequently perform live and have opened for such artists as Wolfgang Flur, Wrangler and Eric Random.

Ahead of its official release on November 21, ‘Scream If You Wanna Go Faster’ is available via Bandcamp - both digitally and as a signed white label vinyl release (with colour paper photocopy of a brilliant sleeve). It can be ordered on CD and cyan-coloured vinyl from select record shops. Scissorgun's album release show takes place on November 19 at the Amersham Arms in London.

CREDITS
All music written performed and recorded by Scissorgun
Dave Clarkson – synths, keyboards, loops, electronic drums & field recordings
Alan Hempsall – vocals, words, treated guitars, effects & found sounds
Engineering & production by Dave Clarkson
Mastering by Peter Beckmann at Technology Works, East Lothian
Scissorgun device by Kevin Craig
Sleeve design by Bruce
Photography by Wayne Goodman
Recorded over the course of 2024 at Cavendish House Studio, Manchester, UK
With thanks to Adrian Ball at Hollowsphere, AV
Released by Dimple Discs
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with Scissorgun 
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Alternative pop artist Celeste Corsano unveils animated adventure for new single 'XS'

Alternative pop artist Celeste Corsano presents'XS', released via Magic Door Record Label, and its animated video by Brother JT. This collaboration relays Corsano's message through surreal imagery that questions the pressure to achieve perfection, leading to a symbolic release or escape, embodying freedom through transformation.

The 'XS' single expresses feelings of insecurity, body image issues, and the pressure for perfection and success, often driven by media and external standards, using the double meaning of "XS" (extra small) sizes and "excess" success. With a sound wrapped in analogue perfection, Corsano grapples with the cycle of comparison and the fleeting nature of achieving an "industry standard" of happiness.

Based in Milford, Pennsylvania (on the border with New Jersey), Corsano worked withRay Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony), who produced, recorded, mixed and mastered this release, at Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, NJ. Recalling The Cars and Kate Bush, 'XS' follows the stunning singles 'Stuck', 'Nightbird' and 'Sunlight Gazing'.

"XS is about feeling like an outsider and trying to fit in, insecurities about body image and the trap of perfection.  These mindsets come from my own insecurities based on my personal experiences, examples of women I've seen growing up and by outside sources such as the media and the entertainment industry," says Celeste Corsano.

"Feeling we have achieved the "industry standard" of whatever it is we are trying to achieve - be it body size, our image in our creative expression, or success in social circles, perhaps, but then saying, “Well, have I reached it? Am I now in the perfect spot of happiness?” We all know how transitory this can be and the ambivalence that may set in after that high wears off."

This song features famed guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale), Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) on drums and synths, and David Nagler (Nova Social, Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Yo La Tengo) on bass.

"Brother JT is a visual artist, videographer/animator and musician, who has had a following for both his visual art and with his psychedelic rock core. He was gracious enough to do another video for me, the first one being for my song ‘Stuck’, a heartfelt exploration into emotional impasse. With ‘XS’, we find more of JT’s signature style and there is a message, although not hammered home in my lyrics or his conceptualization, that we both developed in some aspects," says Celeste Corsano.

"This gives thought to trying to squeeze oneself into the cruel arena of perfection and constantly changing rules of it. The ending has a bit of my idea and JT’s idea:  the woman reaches out for herself in the mirror as if accepting herself, but then releases herself from the bondage of all of the rigidity of perfection and escapes into nature, in the form of a deer, and then the deer runs into the forest. Nature is my refuge and my freedom, so I suggested the ending be a kind of ambivalence because the lyrics say “am I perfect? ‘. This is a question that should never have to be asked. Freedom from the whole prison of perfection looked like this to me - the girl jumping into the forest in the body of a deer."

Corsano's music blends poetic lyricism with adventurous arrangements, unexpected rhythms and a distinct emotional range -- from ethereal and moody to playful and bold. With a natural use of mixed meters and layered vocal timbres, her fearless approach to storytelling conveys a deeper truth. With a simple unassuming style, there's a disarming honesty in her work that feels deeply personal, yet speaks to something we all feel. Revealing a vulnerability that is both deeply personal and strikingly relatable, her sparse, almost childlike vocals amplify its impact.

From a musical family, Celeste is inspired by her brothers - Latin roots musician Tony Corsano and percussionist Chris Corsano (Björk, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore). Corsano began in NYC's live music scene, drawing inspiration from punk and new wave while also writing poetry and studying art. After initially performing Celtic and Bluegrass music, she evolved into a songwriter. She also honed her ear during countless studio sessions with her ex-husband, producer Brad Morrison (and founder of Absolute A-Go-Go Records), working with notable artists like Phish, the Figgs and Spiral Jetty.

'XS' is out now, available from fine online music platforms, including Bandcamp, where her latest singles 'Stuck', 'Sunlight Gazing' and 'Nightbird' can also be found. 

CREDITS
Written by Celeste Corsano
Celeste Corsano – vocals & keyboards
James Mastro – guitar
Ray Ketchem – drums & synths
David Nagler – bass
Produced by Ray Ketchem
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ray Ketchem at Magic Door Recording, Montclair, NJ
Cover artwork by Chris Corsano
Released by Magic Door Record Label
'Stuck' video production & concept by Brother JT
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with Celeste Corsano
Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

Keep up with Magic Door Record Label
Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram  | Soundcloud | YouTube | Magi c Door Studio | Press contact

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Dark Metal Band THE VICE Unleash First Single/Video From Upcoming EP "The Red Tape Sessions"! ​

Stockholm-based dark metal four-piece THE VICE has announced the release of their brand new 3-track EP "The Red Tape Sessions", set to drop on December 5 via Noble Demon. With the track "Cardinal Tropes", the band offers a first glimpse of what’s to come. The single is accompanied by a striking music video, available to watch below:

THE VICE about the song: "Sometimes things don't have to be too complicated, pretentious. 'Cardinal Tropes' began with only a couple of lines spat out on top of a simple, cool rhythm. Those first few seconds made it very clear as to what kind of a song it was going to be, so writing and arranging the rest was nothing but smooth sailing. And the end result is a dazzling display of The Vice firing on all cylinders, a purple freaking haze of mean rock 'n' roll, dark metal, self-indulgence and a juvenile tenacity to always take the road less traveled." 

From the very beginning, THE VICE has followed their own crooked path, driven by a desire to carve out a place of their own within the scene.

And that grimy, wildhearted, metal/rock/pop fusion, with one foot firmly planted in the windswept, frozen North and the other cemented to the concrete of the streets, sure sounds like nothing else.

Dark, blackened metal, ferocious rock 'n' roll, posh punk and harsh, hardcore attitude; mixed with a huge dose of the cultural colossi of the 90's such as Guns & Roses, Pantera, Prince, Grunge, Oasis, Neometal, Fight Club, The Matrix and Terminator 2 to name a few. All of that - and everything in between - comes close to describing the very essence of THE VICE.

Three full-length albums and numerous EPs into their career, the band stands as a confident, adrenaline-pumping unit - a bunch of loose cannons at the starting blocks, ready to commence the next chapter in THE VICE saga.

The first leg of this new era is marked by "Cardinal Tropes", the opening track from "The Red Tape Sessions" mini-EP, closing out 2025 with a colorful bang. The track is a straightforward, mean-sounding statement piece - a perfect representation of THE VICE in 2025.

"The Red Tape Sessions" - a striking collection that builds upon the foundations of March’s "A Great Unrest" (Noble Demon), elevating both the production and songwriting while drenching it all in a strange, electrifying neon glow - arrives December 5 and is available for pre-order HERE.

The Vice are:
Rickard - Vocals & Guitars 
Charlie - Bass 
Petter - Drums
Joel Öhman - Guitar

For more info visit:
https://www.facebook.com/TheViceOfficial/  
https://www.instagram.com/theviceofficial/  
https://theviceonline.bandcamp.com/  
https://linktr.ee/nobledemon