Heilung Release “Læknisgaldr” As Lead Single from Sagas

After a restful hiatus, Heilung is waking up. This month, the world famous ritual collective is entering LAVA Studios to begin recording their highly-anticipated fourth full-length studio album.

While fans around the globe eagerly await their next album, today, Heilung is excited to share the first single from Sagas, a collection of recordings that core members Kai Uwe Faust, Maria Franz and Christopher Juul created in collaboration with Ninja Theory for the award-winning video game Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga. Unreleased until now, “Læknisgaldr” heals afflictions of the mind, body and soul through the simple act of ritual repetition.

“‘Læknisgaldr’ is the first song we are sharing from our in-between albums release Sagas, which collects sounds from the time we traveled to the land of Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga”, Heilung says. ”We see Sagas as its own branch within Heilung’s musical universe. These recordings show a  cinematic, immersive and environmental side of what we do and were shaped very specifically by our work with Ninja Theory and the world of Hellblade.

“The first sound you hear on ‘Læknisgaldr’ was not made by anything from our reality. During the recording process, somehow, while playing with real human bones and breath, we managed to capture a ghost in the studio!” Heilung continues. “The video tells the second part of a greater story about trauma. Like Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga, it deals with what causes trauma to our minds and, most importantly, how to heal it”.  

Watch the music video for “Læknisgaldr” below:

Stream “Læknisgaldr”

https://orcd.co/heilunglaeknisgaldr

Sagas comes out December 11, 2026 on Season of Mist. The deluxe CD and vinyl editions of Sagas include Ambient, which features eight additional soundscapes that Heilung recorded to draw listeners even deeper into the world of Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga.

Pre-order Sagas

https://orcd.co/heilungsagas

Sagas holds a special place in Heilung’s discography. While the recordings capture Senua’s epic journey through 9th-century Iceland, they took on a life of their own after Franz, Faust and Juul returned home inspired from a 10-day trip across the country’s ice caves, rivers, waterfalls, beaches and volcanoes. These forces of nature inspired them to write far more material than could be used in the game, including the new single “Læknisgaldr”.

Heilung envisions “Læknisgaldr” as a song of healing. It is rooted in a belief from the early medieval period that language is connected to the condition of the human body. By naming an affliction, it becomes defined, contained and open to ritual healing. With each repetition of the song’s percussive beat, its affliction weakens, until it is guided toward dissolution by soothing tribal chants.

“In situations that create acute stress, shock or danger, the body releases adrenaline, preparing the muscles to go into a fight-or-flight state or the so-called freeze response”, Heilung core member and throat singer Kai Uwe Faust explains. “In nature, mammals use neurogenic tremors to shake off this built-up adrenaline once the danger has passed”.

“We humans, being socially conditioned, see trembling with fear as a sign of weakness”, Faust continues. “Or we find ourselves in dangerous situations that last for a long time, where the body simply has no chance to release it. As a result, the adrenaline builds up both in the muscles and in the body. Only in a state of absolute safety and security - and often with the help of therapy - does the possibility arise to develop these neurogenic tremors and free the body from the built-up energy. If this energy stays trapped in the body, it can lead to a range of illnesses.

“In the video for ‘Læknisgaldr’, you can see how the warriors reach this feeling of absolute safety and security in the forest after the battle is over. There, with the help of psychedelics, they are guided into the neurogenic tremors”.

The video for “Læknisgaldr” was directed by Gornoss (@gornoss)

Additional video credits

Produced by Eudaimonia APS/Maria Franz

Filmed on location at Borre Vikingmarked, Borre National Park, Norway and

Árdalur, Írárfoss and various others parts of Iceland.  

Camera, Lightening and Editing - Gornoss

Camera Assistant - Ruben Terlouw

Colorist and Visual Effects - Teddy Masson

Main Project Coordinator - Maria Franz

Warrior Coordinator - Ruben Terlouw

Smoke Effects - Francien Heckman

Special Effects Makeup - Avalon Middelton

Special Effects, Makeup and Lighting Assistant - Andor Syvertsen Juvet

Natural Props - Petter-Olai Østbye Sagen

Bjørnar’s Caretaker - Christine Gaski

Local Assistants - Tonje Årolilja Størseth Digre, Lene Madsen Hageløkken, Bent Ole Hageløkken

Catering - Bjunegårdsdrift, Linnea Hellström

Catering Assistant - Jóhanna Sif Þórðardóttir

Location Advisor - Christopher Lund

Location and Project Assistant - Ariya Theprangsimankul

Location Manager - Líam O’Malley

Landowner - Pétur Jónsson

Runner - Jessica Martinez

Warriors - Marian Brinkman, Tom André Skigelstrand, Petter Hennissen, Johannes Reinert Agdestein, Eirik Skår Tomren, Martin Ek, Anja Baalerud Sand, Sisilje Gregersen, Adrian Sarmasan, Rebekka Olafsen Aarum, Brage Sandengen, Morten Svendsrud, Monica Bjørnstad, Markus Wande, Pawel Odvold-Widuto, Stig Morten Flaat, Elias Valbo Ridderström, Krister, Egill Óskar Gíslason, Sigurjón Arason, Kristjón Runar Halldórsson, Kristján Logi Einarsson ísfeld, Jón Gestur Björgvinsson, Theodór Árni Söebech Hansson, Eydìs Moon Guðmundsdóttir, Natalía Ósk R. Snædal, Diðrik Mason Sigurðsson, Daníel Örn A. Linduson, Andri Björn, Heimdall Apeland, Ísleifur Gisurrarson, Bjorgvín Hafn Ásmundson

RELIQA - Announce New Album "High Risk Thoughts" - Stream New Single "Serum"

Australian metalcore quartet RELIQA have today announced their second album High Risk Thoughts, which lands 12th February via Nuclear Blast.

To commemorate the moment, the quartet have also revealed the record's opening track, the titanic 'Serum'.

Watch the video for 'Serum' Below :

Stream 'Serum': 
https://reliqa.bfan.link/serum

Pre-order High Risk Thoughts: 
https://reliqa.bfan.link/high-risk-thoughts

The band comment: "'Serum'’s sound represents a sort of bridge from where we were to where we are now, so it felt apt to have it not only open the new record but also mark its announcement to the world. It's low and menacing with a mechanical edge (heavily inspired by the Danish prog legends VOLA), but we’ve also loaded it with some fun twists and turns, all part of our long-held goal to condition our listeners to expect the unexpected and be open-minded. This is the only song on the record that we’ve been consistently playing live for some time now and the reception has been full of energy, giving us high hopes for the rest of the album’s verdict."

RELIQA's debut full-length, Secrets of the Future (2024) was a wonderfully compelling and thoughtful look at what may be possible for the Sydney modern metalcore upstarts. Since then, so much of what they hoped would take place, has.

Racking up over four million streams on Secrets of the Future alone, cementing themselves as a mainstay in the Australian heavy scene, touring nationally with Northlane, Periphery, performing at Good Things and Life's A Beach festivals, and, most importantly, finding their feet as a headlining band, the quartet reached a level that had been the aim ever since they were kids.

Now, the band stand on the edge of a precipice, ready to release their incredible second album High Risk Thoughts. An album that is not just a cementing of so many of the factors that have allowed RELIQA to get to this point, but a mature extension and thrilling expansion of who and what they want to be as they move forward.

Musically, it looks to the greats of the modern genre. Shimmering with the ethereal tranquillity and gorgeous melodic control of Spiritbox at their most open; flickering with the pulsating synths and heightened tension underpinning Northlane; engaging with the forward-moving embracing of change of Bring Me The Horizon - High Risk Thoughts is an album that reaches for the stars. 

Lyrically, it builds on the idea that we should give ourselves more grace in the life we are living. A sense of love, understanding and patience embedded into every crystalline refrain and soaring chorus. A reminder that by even considering how to make even more of a splash than you already have, you have already won, and that should be noted and celebrated, no matter where it lands you. 

Together, it creates a record as inspiring as it is intense, as spine-tingling as it is sincere, as boundless as it is bludgeoning. A significant factor in keeping everything in check is that the band continues to keep things close to home and DIY at heart.

RELIQA will be touring North America for the very first time, in support of NORTHLANE (dates listed below). As they transform from Australia's best-kept secret to one of their most exhilarating, exuberant and electric exports, RELIQA are fast becoming the figurehead to show what doing things your own way can achieve. 

RELIQA live:

02.12.2027  US  Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
02.13.2027  US  Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
02.14.2027  US  Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater
02.16.2027  US  Dallas, TX @ South Side Music Hall
02.17.2027  US  San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Event Center
02.18.2027  US  Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
02.20.2027  US  Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
02.21.2027  US  Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)
02.23.2027  US  Charlotte, NC @ The Underground
02.24.2027  US  Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
02.26.2027  US  Philadelphia, PA @ Brooklyn Bowl
02.27.2027  US  New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
02.28.2027  US  Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
03.02.2027 CAN Montreal, QC @ Beanfield Theatre
03.03.2027 CAN Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall
03.05.2027  US  Detroit, MI @ St Andrews Hall
03.06.2027  US  Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
03.07.2027  US  Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
03.08.2027  US  Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
03.10.2027  US  Salt Lake City, UT @ The Grand @ The Complex
03.13.2027 CAN Calgary, AB @ The Palace Theatre
03.14.2027 CAN Edmonton, AB @ Midway
03.15.2027 CAN Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
03.17.2027  US  Seattle, WA @ Neptune
03.18.2027  US  Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

More info:
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GLORYHAMMER Release New Single "Starfighters of Leuchars" + Video! — WATCH

POWER METAL TITANS GLORYHAMMER RELEASE GRAND NEW SINGLE, "STARFIGHTERS OF LEUCHARS"  WATCH THE ANIMATED VIDEO!

NEW ALBUM, SPACE 1993: WRATH OF KOR-VIRLIATH, RELEASES THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026, VIA NAPALM RECORDS! — GET YOUR COPY NOW!

For the Eternal Glory of Dundee!

Nearing the release of their fifth album, Space 1993: Wrath of Kor-Virliath, power metal heroes GLORYHAMMER share another single. In ''Starfighters of Leuchars',' their hero Angus McFife V gains some help on his quest to save the universe. The song introduces his ace pilot allies — also pictured on the album's artwork – in a stunning orchestral landscape, proving their sound equally as grand as the intricate story they're telling. ''Starfighters of Leuchars'' once again comes with a lovingly animated video.

Space 1993: Wrath of Kor-Virliath releases this Friday, October 16. On the same day, GLORYHAMMER will be kicking off their tour. Starting in Toulouse, France, and ending in Glasgow in November, they will travel through Europe and the UK extensively, gathering their forces and recruiting new fighters. For the Eternal Glory of Dundee!

GLORYHAMMER about "Starfighters of Leuchars":
"Mighty warriors! Set H-foils to attack position. You may Hoot when ready."

Watch the Video for "Starfighters of Leuchars" Below:

The enemies of Dundee tremble as exalted power metal heroes GLORYHAMMER announce their long-awaited fifth album, Space 1993: Wrath of Kor-Virliath! Due for release on October 16 via Napalm Records, the album is a direct sequel to 2015's Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards, continuing the epic saga of the McFife dynasty. Space 1993: Wrath of Kor-Virliath follows Angus McFife V, the Crown Prince of Fife last seen in 2022's single "Fly Away," as he ventures into a perilous journey across spacetime that will lead him to the distant future of 1993, where his destiny lies.

Across 11 tracks, the band of heroes draws upon a more diverse range of influences than ever before, without ever compromising on the hook-driven, memorable songwriting that they are known for. From classic power metal to thrash, high energy synth rock to vast, sweeping orchestral soundscapes and more. Produced by the band themselves and mixed by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe), this is GLORYHAMMER as you've never heard them before.

Will Angus and his allies prevail in this titanic struggle? Or will the galaxy plunge into demonic chaos? Join GLORYHAMMER and find out —For the Eternal Glory of Dundee!

GLORYHAMMER about the new album:
"Mighty warriors, rejoice! The almighty GLORYHAMMER return triumphantly with a new chapter in the long and tumultuous history of the Intergalactic Empire of Fife. Multidimensional wormholes, abandoned space stations, and EPIC BATTLES await at the final frontier of Space 1993. FOR THE ETERNAL GLORY OF DUNDEE!"


Pre-Order Your Copy of Space 1993: Wrath of Kor-Virliath NOW, available in various limited formats:

GLORYHAMMER LIVE 2026:
ALBUM RELEASE TOUR:
WITH MAJESTICA + ARION:
10/16 — Toulouse, FR — Interference
10/17— Villava, ES — Sala Totem Aretoa
10/18 — Madrid, ES — Sala But
10/20 — Barcelona, ES — Razzmatazz 2
10/21 — Lyon, FR — Rayonne
10/23 — Stuttgart, DE — LKA Longhorn
10/24 — Hamburg, DE — Docks
10/25 — Utrecht, NL — Tivoli Vredenburg
10/26 — Copenhagen, DK — Amager Bio
10/28 — Helsinki, FI — Tavastia
10/30 — Stockholm, SE — Fryshuset
10/31 — Gothenburg, SE — Pustervik
11/01 — Oslo, NO — Rockefeller
11/03 — Berlin, DE — Festsaal Kreuzberg
11/04 — Warsaw, PL — Proxima
11/05 — Ostrava, CZ — Club Garage
11/06 — Hanover, DE — Capitol
11/07 — Oberhausen, DE — Turbinenhalle 2
11/08 — Saarbrücken, DE — Garage
11/10 — Vienna, AT — Arena
11/11 — Nuremberg, DE — Hirsch
11/12 — Frankfurt, DE — Batschkapp
11/13 — Munich, DE — Backstage
11/14 — Leipzig, DE — Hellraiser
11/15 — Pratteln, CH — Z7
11/17 — Paris, FR — Machine du Moulin Rouge
11/18 — Antwerp, BE — Trix
11/20 — London, UK — Islington Assembly Hall
11/21 — Manchester, UK — Academy 2
11/22 — Glasgow, UK — Garage

GLORYHAMMER ARE:
Angus McFife V, Crown Prince of Fife — Vocals
Ser Proletius, Grand Master of the Space Knights of Crail — Guitars
The Hootsman, The Barbarian Warrior of Unst, King of California — Bass
Zargothrax, Dark Sorcerer of Auchtermuchty — Keyboards
Ralathor, Mysterious Hermit of Cowdenbeath — Drums

ANKOR To Release New Album "I See Red" on 11/20

Opening up an inimitable world for heavy music, multi-cultural alternative metal quintet ANKOR — vocalist Jessie Williams (Bristol, UK), drummer Eleni Nota (Athens, Greece), guitarists David Romeu and Fito Martinez, and bassist Julio López (Catalonia, Spain) — proudly present their new album, I SEE RED, out November 20 via UNFD. Pre-order the album here.

To herald its release, they just unleashed a brand new single and music video entitled "ITACHI · blood moon."

Watch the video below. 

"ITACHI · blood moon" hints at the scope of ANKOR's immersive vision. Ominous guitar brings dimension to a hypnotic rhythm. Meannwhile, haunting vocal transmissions echo over a pounding beat, giving way to a corrosively catchy chorus, "Drown me in poison, I'll stay where it hurts." It concludes with a chilling invitation, "Make me your nightmare, let me haunt your sleep." The accompanying visual projects this image on screen through striking vignettes and arresting storytelling.

Fall into ANKOR's dark embrace and see RED with them...

About their forthcoming album, Jessie Williams said, "I See Red is a journey through pain, power, sacrifice, betrayal, loss and obsession. Each song tells the story of someone who was shaped by the world around them and by the choices they made when everything they believed in began to fall apart. Some sought peace. Some sought power. Some sacrificed everything for the people they loved. Others let hatred consume what was left of them. But none of them were born monsters. The world made them. And sometimes, when pain becomes the only thing you know, becoming the monster is easier than becoming the victim. Six names. Six paths. One color. I See Red."

Adding another layer to the project, each song on I SEE RED evokes the lore of prominent villains in the Naruto manga and anime series.

The album will also include their 2026 single, "DANZO · lying ghost" featuring MAH of Japanese rock powerhouse SiM. Since releasing in March, the track continues to gain traction with over 498.4k Spotify streams while the music video has tallied 255.7k views. It also received plugs from Distorted Sound Magazine, That Eric Alper, and Louder who named it among "The 12 Best New Metal Songs You Need To Hear This Week," going on to rave "it's a vibrant showcase of how unique the band are." The latter praised, "Heavy guitars and modern metalcore production collide with the band’s fascination with Asian pop culture, while the song’s central character gives its aggression a clear narrative target."

In other news, ANKOR will be supporting Amaranthe on their forthcoming Nordic tour. Rolling through cities across Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Latvia, the trek kicks off on October 15 before ending on November 7. Shortly after, ANKOR will venture to Europe for a co-headline tour alongside Self Deception and Lauren Babic. The run begins on November 27 in Cologne, Germany followed by performances across France, the UK, Austria, Denmark, and more. The tour concludes on December 19 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Check out the full list of tour dates below.

Stay tuned for more music and news from ANKOR coming soon.

Welcome to their world.

NORDIC TOUR – SUPPORTING AMARANTHE:
10/15 — Huskvarna, SE
10/16 — Lund, SE
10/17 — Göteborg, SE
10/18 — Örebro, SE
10/20 — Karlstad, SE
10/22 — Stavanger, NO
10/23 — Bergen, NO
10/24 — Trondheim, NO
10/25 — Oslo, NO
10/27 — Falun, SE
10/28 — Umeå, SE
10/30 — Seinäjoki, FI
10/31 — Tampere, FI
11/1 — Jyväskylä, FI
11/3 — Rīga, LV
11/4 — Vilnius, LT
11/6 — Turku, FI
11/7 — Lahti, FI

EU/UK CO-HEADLINE TOUR WITH SELF DECEPTION & LAUREN BABIC:
11/27 — Cologne, DE
11/28 — Hamburg, DE
11/29 — Utrecht, NL
12/1 — Kortrijk, BE
12/2 — Paris, FR
12/4 — Manchester, UK
12/5 — London, UK
12/6 — Birmingham, UK
12/8 — Aschaffenburg, DE
12/9 — Aarau, CH
12/11 — Karlsruhe, DE
12/12 — Vienna, AT
12/13 — Munich, DE
12/15 — Hannover, DE
12/16 — Berlin, DE
12/17 — Aarhus, DK
12/18 — Copenhagen, DK
12/19 — Stockholm, SE

Minute After Midnight Drops "THE HATMAN" Video — WATCH

MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT, the brainchild of Derrick Ryan that sprouted from the fertile musical grounds of Nashville in 2016 and who cannot be tethered to singular genre parameters in favor of mixing alt, rock, and pop, previously announced that the new album MATTER OF TIME will arrive on November 13 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here. 

Minute After Midnight shares the video for "THE HATMAN." Watch the lyric video below. 

Ryan offered this about "The Hatman": "The song introduces the darker force at the center of the world we’ve been building. He represents the darkness that exists alongside the light the part of yourself you can try to bury or contain, but eventually have to face. The more you try to run from him, the more powerful he becomes."

The same can be said for the song itself. It's one of the heaviest tracks in Minute After Midnight's repertoire thus far. It goes for the jugular from the opening notes and isn't afraid to pummel with breakdowns or super melodic choruses, for that matter (of time).

When the clock strikes twelve, one day gives way to the next. The slate wipes clean, life restarts, and another chapter commences. Minute After Midnight sounds like a new beginning born from the high-speed collision of bright pop-punk, heartfelt emo, intense metalcore, and expertly executed alternative rock steeped in the lore of an evocative mythos. The Tennessee-born singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer acts as a conductor both sonically and aesthetically, conceiving a larger-than-life vision and ushering it into existence. After quietly amassing tens of millions of streams and building buzz, he makes the most of the moment on his full-length debut LP, Matter of Time 

"Everything stems from the concept of time," says Ryan. "When you think about it, music itself is keeping time. The name—Minute After Midnight—is a reference to time. The title A Matter of Time was also fitting for the album. I always believed it was only a matter of time until this happened. I've got my chance to start now."

Derrick grew up between Bristol and Knoxville. Following college, he found his way to Nashville where he planted down roots. Pursuing a life in music, he honed his talents in genres as diverse as pop, country, electronic, and house, grinding to be heard non-stop, cultivating his voice with various features, and sharpening his songwriting skills alone. He introduced Minute After Midnight with independent tracks and received substantial activity on TikTok and airplay from SiriusXM Octane.

Anything went in the Matter of Time writing sessions as he channeled inspiration from the likes of My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, All time Low, and Bring Me The Horizon. Ryan share, "I was nostalgic for the bands I would see at Warped Tour back in the day. I was trying to embrace that headspace for the record."

Ultimately, the album is designed to uplift and inspire hope. Because what else is there?

"When you listen to this, I hope you realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel," states Ryan. "Even in the darkest of dark, you can always keep moving forward. If you have dreams, it's only a matter of time until you accomplish them."

KAITLIN BUTTS ENLISTS HONKY TONKS AROUND THE GLOBE TO REVEAL THE TRACK LISTING FOR HELLO, HONKY TONK

There’s no better place to reveal a record called Hello, Honky Tonk than a honky tonk. This week, Tulsa-born singer/songwriter Kaitlin Butts enlisted honky tonks around the globe to unveil the track listing for her highly anticipated fourth studio album, Hello, Honky Tonk, out October 30 via Republic Records. Pre-save Hello, Honky Tonk HERE.

Beginning Monday this week, a different honky tonk or legendary music venue unveiled a new song from the album each day, turning the track-listing announcement into an international bar crawl through the world Butts created for Hello, Honky Tonk. From Nashville and Tulsa to Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Sydney and London, the daily reveals have brought the album’s complete 14-song track listing into that neon light.

The venues participating in the weeklong reveal include some of the most iconic honky tonks and live music rooms in the country and abroad, including Billy Bob’s Texas, Cain’s Ballroom, the Grand Ole Opry, Luckenbach Texas, John T. Floore’s Country Store, Skinny Dennis and the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, as well as Sydney’s Jolene’s and London’s Duke’s of Highgate.

“Hello, Honky Tonk is really a world of its own,” says Butts. “There are all these characters and stories and little moments happening inside of it, so I thought it would be fun to let the places that inspired that world introduce the songs. Honky tonks are where these stories live, so who better to tell you what’s coming?”

After a week of daily reveals, the complete list of participating honky tonks and venues include: Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth, TX, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa, OK, Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN, Luckenbach Texas, Luckenbach, TX, Showboat Saloon, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Jolene’s, Sydney, Australia, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Jackson, WY, Tower Theatre, Oklahoma City, OK, John T. Floore’s Country Store, Helotes, TX,  Skinny Dennis, Nashville, TN, Harry’s Northgate, College Station, TX, Duke’s of Highgate, London, England, Brewster Street, Corpus Christi, TX and The Newberry, Great Falls, MT. 

The track listing reveal follows a string of new music from Hello, Honky Tonk, including “What More Could You Want,” which Country Central says, “two-steps towards something that feels built for props and blocking in a musical” along with tracks “I Wanna Be Bad” and “Never Really Mine.” The recently released “What More Could You Want” is a languid, Broadway-ready piano ballad and autobiographical sketch of a performer questioning how much more she has to give.

“That song feels exactly word for word what I feel like every day,” says Butts. “This tug and pull of loving this and craving this and loving to be on stage, loving every creative moment but also being stressed out wondering, ‘Do you like me? Do I need to be shinier? Do you want more?’”

Named one of Rolling Stone’s most anticipated albums for 2026, Hello, Honky Tonk is a love letter to the honky tonks and nightlife that have shaped Butts while becoming a huge part of her life on the road. Recorded in Nashville with producer Tofer Brown (Carter Faith, Willow Avalon, Little Big Town), the album brings to life a bar like no other, populated by a cast of characters listeners might recognize from the dance floor, behind the bar or from the corner booth.

Inspired in part by the vaudeville vignettes of Chicago and Disney World’s Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Butts envisioned Hello, Honky Tonk as a place where all of these characters could coexist.

“The thought behind the concept was how in Chicago, the character Roxie Hart is dreaming up what her show would look like and all the people in it,” says Butts. “I picture all of this happening at Skinny Dennis here in Nashville. These are all the different people in the room. There's the bar fight that's happening. There's the bad girl that just got off work. There's me being the entertainer. There are so many people that really love the nightlife. It’s a connector for people.”

The album continues the momentum of Butts’ critically acclaimed Roadrunner! in 2024, a bold reimagining inspired by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! that landed on numerous year-end best-of lists and featured her viral anthem “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me),” which has amassed more than 157 million TikTok views and 67 million global streams.

Butts will celebrate the release of Hello, Honky Tonk with her Hello, Honky Tonk Live and In Person Tour, kicking off October 29 at Nashville’s Skinny Dennis before continuing with stops across Texas and Oklahoma in December. Her performance at Skinny Dennis sold out in four hours. Tickets for the remaining shows are available at kaitlinbutts.com.

HELLO, HONKY TONK LIVE AND IN PERSON TOUR DATES
Oct. 29 — Nashville, TN — Skinny Dennis SOLD OUT
Dec. 10 — College Station, TX — Harry’s Northgate
Dec. 11 — Helotes, TX — Floore’s Country Store
Dec. 12 — Corpus Christi, TX — Brewster Street Ice House
Dec. 17 — Oklahoma City, OK — Tower Theatre
Dec. 18 — Fort Worth, TX — Billy Bob’s Texas

For the latest news, music and tour dates, visit kaitlinbutts.com and follow @kaitlinbutts on Instagram and Facebookand @kaitlinbuttsmusic on TikTok.

FINGER ELEVEN RELEASE NEW MAXI-SINGLE "LAST NIGHT ON EARTH" — ARE THEY GETTING A NEW SINGER?

Multi-platinum hard rock institution and one of the best-selling Canadian bands of all time FINGER ELEVEN unveil a brand new maxi-single of their fan favorite single ''Last Night On Earth,'' out now via Better Noise Music. The release showcases the depth and dynamics of the song, offering a fascinating perspective on "Last Night On Earth" from multiple angles — and heralds the arrival of a fully-loaded Deluxe Version of their most recent album, Last Night On Earth, on November 6. Pre-order Last Night on Earth (Deluxe Edition) here. 

Listen to "Last Night on Earth" maxi-single below.

In tandem with the release, the band launched a special global campaign to find the perfect guest to accompany them on the track. Fans may either add their own vocals or remix the instrumental and post their ensuing creations on social media with the #F11LastNightDuet. Watch what singer Scott Anderson has to say here. 

Anderson says, "We have always loved the idea of turning 'Last Night on Earth' into a duet. Putting the #F11LastNightDuet idea out to the artist community and leaving the creative boundaries open is key. We hope artists will bring their own style and emotion — whether by adding lyrics, adjusting the arrangement, or working within the existing framework. I'm excited to hear the different interpretations. I have no idea what to expect, and that’s exactly what I love about it."

Watch the official video for the original version of the song here.

In other news, FINGER ELEVEN are set for an upcoming 12-city UK tour with SOiL. The tour begins on October 30 at Brighton's Chalk, followed by performances in Hull, Glasgow, Nottingham, Manchester, Bristol, and more. The run concludes on November 14 at London's Electric Ballroom. In March 2027, the band will return to Canada for the Last Night on Earth Tour. See the full list of tour dates below. 

One of the best-selling Canadian bands of all time, FINGER ELEVEN — Scott Anderson(vocals), James Black (lead guitar, backing vocals), Rick Jackett (rhythm guitar), Sean Anderson (bass), and Steve Molella (drums) — have amassed north of 1 billion overall career streams. The Toronto-based band has released a series of consecutive international hit albums and chart-topping singles, setting radio records with "Paralyzer" and "One Thing." After celebrating their legacy with a "Greatest Hits" collection, the band entered a new chapter with Last Night On Earth, featuring the #1 Rock hits "Adrenaline" and "The Mountain." 

FINGER ELEVEN ON TOUR:
10/30 — Brighton, UK — Chalk*
10/31 — Wolverhampton, UK — KK’s Steel Mill*
11/1 — Hull, UK — Asylum*
11/3 — Glasgow, UK — The Garage (Attic)*
11/4 — Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK — Digital*
11/5 — Great Yarmouth, UK — Hard Rock Hell Festival XIX
11/6 — Nottingham, UK — Rock City*
11/7 — Manchester, UK — O2 Ritz Manchester*
11/10 — Northampton, UK — Roadmender*
11/11 — Southampton, UK — The 1865*
11/12 — Torquay, UK — The Foundry*
11/13 — Bristol, UK — O2 Academy Bristol*
11/14 — Camden, UK — Electric Ballroom*
3/3 — Thunder Bay, Canada — Thunder Bay Community Auditorium
3/5 — Winnipeg, Canada — Club Regent Event Centre
3/6 — Saskatoon, Canada — Capitol Music Club
3/7 — Saskatoon, Canada — Capitol Music Club
3/9 — Lloydminster, Canada — Vic Juba Community Theatre
3/11 — Grand Prairie, Canada — Better Than Fred's
3/12 — Grand Prairie, Canada — Better Than Fred's
3/14 — Prince George, Canada — CN Centre
3/15 — Kamloops, Canada — Sagebrush Theatre
3/16 — Victoria, Canada — McPherson Playhouse
3/18 — Nanaimo, Canada — Port Theatre
3/19 — Campbell River, Canada — Tidemark Theatre
3/20 — Vancouver, Canada — Commodore Ballroom
3/22 — Vernon, Canada — Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre
3/23 — Trail, Canada — Charles Bailey Theatre
3/25 — Cranbrook, Canada — Key City Theatre
3/26 — Red Deer, Canada — Red Deer Memorial Centre
3/27 — Tsuut’ina, Canada — Grey Eagle Event Centre
3/30 — Sherwood Park, Canada — Festival Place
3/31 — Camrose, Canada — Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre
4/2 — Regina, Canada — Casino Regina
4/3 — Brandon, Canada — Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium
4/5 — Prince Albert, Canada — EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts

FINGER ELEVEN ONLINE:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY  

MENTAL CRUELTY Storms the Gates of Valhalla with Epic New Single “Ride of the Valkyries” + Cinematic Music Video by Grupa13

With ‘Echoes of a Forlorn Land’ drawing closer, MENTAL CRUELTY unleashes its grand finale with “Ride of the Valkyries,” accompanied by the cinematic intro “Dämmerbruch.”

 

Serving as the closing chapter of the upcoming record, the two tracks bring its world to a monumental conclusion. Sweeping orchestration and triumphant melodies collide with MENTAL CRUELTY’s extreme metal force, channeling the mythology of the Valkyries and the journey of fallen warriors to Valhalla.

 

The scale reaches another level with the accompanying video. Created together with renowned production company Grupa13 (Behemoth, Amon Amarth), MENTAL CRUELTY’s most ambitious visual production to date plays more like a short Viking film than a traditional music video, bringing both “Dämmerbruch” and “Ride of the Valkyries” to life on a truly cinematic scale.

Watch the Official Video for “Dämmerbruch” and “Ride Of The Valkyries” Below:

Vocalist Lukas Nicolai comments:

“‘Ride of the Valkyries’ is the grand finale ahead of the release of our new LP 'Echoes of a Forlorn Land.' It closes the album (alongside intro 'Dämmerbruch') with heroic atmosphere, bombastic orchestration and uplifting melodies to tell the tale of Norse mythology’s angelic deliverers of the dead.

Symphonic death metal’s epic riffing serves as the perfect soundtrack to fallen warriors’ journey to Valhalla, as well as the battlefield below, where the likes of Children of Bodom, Wintersun and Ensiferum clash with each other and influences like black metal and deathcore.

We matched that with the biggest, most expensive and over-the-top production we’ve ever done, both musically and visually. We teamed up with production company Grupa13(Behemoth, Amon Amarth) to create our own blockbuster, complete with a captivating intro and epic emotional ending. Throughout are stunning shots centered around a historically-accurate Norse village and re-enactors who focus on the time period to keep it true. This is basically our own little Viking movie!”

Stream / Listen to "Ride of the Valkyries" HERE

Produced, mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Kreator, Amon Amarth, Opeth), ‘Echoes of a Forlorn Land’ pushes MENTAL CRUELTY beyond the foundations laid on ‘Zwielicht,’ further expanding their uncompromising blend of extreme metal and dark atmosphere. Join their text list to stay up to date and be the first to hear about new tour dates and more.

Pre-Order 'Echoes Of A Forlorn Land' HERE

This November and December, MENTAL CRUELTY will bring ‘Echoes of a Forlorn Land’ across Europe on a massive 21-date headline run. Ov Sulfur and Extermination Dismemberment join throughout the tour, with Acranius and Sun Eater appearing on select dates.

Get Your Tickets HERE

European Headline Tour

w/ Ov Sulfur, Extermination Dismemberment, Acranius, Sun Eater

27.11🇳🇱Rotterdam @ Baroeg ~

28.11🇩🇪Köln @ Club Volta ~

29.11🇳🇱Nijmegen @ Doornrosje ~

30.11🇬🇧Birmingham @ Asylum ~

02.12🇬🇧Manchester @ Academy 3 ~

03.12🇬🇧London @ Downstairs At The Dome ~

04.12🇫🇷Paris @ Glazart ~

05.12🇧🇪Antwerp @ Zappa ~

06.12🇩🇪Hamburg @ Bahnhof Pauli ^

07.12🇩🇰Copenhagen @ Hotel Cecil ^

08.12🇸🇪Stockholm @ Kollektivet Livet ^

10.12🇫🇮Jyväskylä @ Lutakko ^

11.12🇫🇮Helsinki @ Ääniwalli ^

13.12🇸🇪Gothenburg @ Monument ^

14.12🇩🇪Berlin @ Hole 44 ^

15.12🇨🇿Prague @ Rock Café ^

16.12🇩🇪Frankfurt @ Das Bett ~ ^

17.12🇩🇪München @ Backstage ^

18.12🇨🇭Aarau @ KIFF ^

19.12 🇩🇪Schweinfurt @ Alter Stattbahnhof ^

20.12🇩🇪Karlsruhe @ Substage ^

 

^ w/ Acranius

~ ⁠w/ Sun Eater

Since forming in 2014, MENTAL CRUELTY have grown from their deathcore roots into an internationally recognized force in extreme metal. Their rise has taken them across Europe and beyond, sharing stages with Lorna Shore, Cradle of Filth, Carnifex, Shadow of Intent, Kanonenfieber, Signs of the Swarm and more. With an expanding global audience and a reputation for powerful live performances, the band continues to cement its place among the leading names of a new generation of extreme metal. With 'Echoes of a Forlorn Land,' MENTAL CRUELTY now takes their next major step, presenting their most expansive and fully realized vision yet.

MENTAL CRUELTY are:

Lukas Nicolai – Vocals

Nahuel Lozano – Guitars, Vocals

Marvin Kessler – Guitars

Jonathan Koltun – Drums

SEVEN WITCHES TO RELEASE CAREER-SPANNING COLLECTION BEST OF THE WITCH OCTOBER 30 THROUGH DEKO ENTERTAINMENT

Seven Witches, the acclaimed American heavy metal and power metal band founded in 1998 by guitarist Jack Frost (Savatage, Lizzy Borden, Aldo Nova) and vocalist Bobby Lucas, will release the definitive career-spanning collection Best of the Witch on October 30 through Deko Entertainment.

Known for their powerful blend of traditional heavy metal, power metal, and melodic hard rock, Seven Witches quickly built a loyal following with albums including Second War in Heaven (1999), City of Lost Souls (2000), and Xiled to Infinity and One (2002).

Over the years, the band featured an impressive roster of musicians, including vocalists Wade Black (Crimson Glory), James Rivera (Helstar), and Alan Tecchio (Hades), while Frost remained the band's driving force and sole constant member. Their catalog includes fan favorites such as Passage to the Other Side, Year of the Witch, Call Upon the Wicked, and The Way of the Wicked, securing Seven Witches' place as one of America's most respected power metal acts.

Now, Best of the Witch brings together highlights from across the band's extensive catalog in a collection personally curated by Jack Frost. This definitive 2-CD set has been completely remastered, delivering the power, precision, and intensity of Seven Witches like never before.

As Frost explains:
"I'm thrilled to see this Best Of record being put out by DEKO... 27 years in the making, I'm so proud of every one of these albums and to see my dream turned into reality through the success of Witches. I'm beyond thankful for all the incredible musicians that have been involved with Seven Witches, and I truly hope that everyone enjoys this landmark release as much as I do. It's been an honor to work with everyone over the years and now to have this coming out for the fans who have stuck by me for this long. I'm still pinching myself and can't believe that I'm seeing almost 30 years of my work compiled into one amazing collection."

Watch "The Burning" featuring Jon Oliva Below:

Best of the Witch is the ultimate collection for longtime fans and the perfect introduction to the enduring legacy of Seven Witches.

Pre-Order Best of the Witch on 2CD and Limited Signed Bundles:
https://www.dekoentertainment.com/reissues/seven-witches

About Deko Entertainment
Deko Entertainment is a leading music and media company dedicated to delivering exceptional releases across rock, metal, progressive, pop, and specialty markets. Through innovative packaging, artist partnerships, and fan-focused experiences, Deko continues to bring legendary recordings and exciting new music to audiences around the world.

For more information, visit:
www.dekoentertainment.com

Swedish Symphonic Metallers ELEINE Release New Single "Ich Sehe Dich" + Official Music Video

Today, Swedish metal powerhouse ELEINE drops their new single and music video “Ich Sehe Dich,” taken from their highly anticipated fifth studio album, ‘The Water Taste Of Blood,’ arriving December 4th via Algoth Records / Sound Pollution. 

Where previous singles painted the picture of falling empires of lies, betrayal, and the damage left in their wake, “Ich Sehe Dich” brings the reckoning face-to-face as the most direct statement from the upcoming album. The song thrives on the striking contrast of beautifully melodic verses that steadily build tension until heavy, static, chuggy riffs shatter the calm and a three-word German chorus lands like a verdict: “Ich Sehe Dich.” I see you.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with the ELEINE Legion’s favorite “Mein Herz Brennt,” the track is stern, heavy, and unapologetic. It unmasks manipulation and toxic shame, written for the exact moment you stop letting someone’s lies shape you and the people around you. Unflinching and brutal, it cuts straight through deceit, unveiling an intense, powerful new dimension in ELEINE’s signature sound.

Watch the Music Video for "Ich Sehe Dich" Below:

What began in southern Sweden has grown into a loyal global community united by music, perseverance, and the refusal to give up. Led by vocalist Madeleine Liljestam and guitarist/vocalist Rikard Ekberg, ELEINE have spent recent years building one of metal's most dedicated fan communities through acclaimed releases, including a #1 album on the Swedish sales charts, successful headline tours, and a direct connection with their audience that extends far beyond the stage. 

Along the way, the band has shared stages with Arch Enemy, Kamelot, PAIN, Sonata Arctica and W.A.S.P., while steadily building a headline presence of their own. Their 2024 European headline tour sold out multiple dates and led directly to a second headline run in spring 2025.

Today, ELEINE connect with nearly 700,000 followers across their social and streaming platforms, while their music videos have surpassed 60 million views on YouTube. Now with ELEINE’s new album 'Water Taste of Blood' arriving December 4th, 2026, and their most extensive European and UK headline tour already underway, ELEINE are ready to be heard on the biggest stage of their career and continue to expand the world they have built together with the Legion, their fans, who have grown alongside them and who have become the heart of the band.

Pre-Order 'The Water Taste Of Blood' HERE

Tonight, ELEINE will kick off the biggest headline run of their career, taking their high-adrenaline live shows across Europe and the UK for 31 shows across 13 countries, through London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Warsaw, and Copenhagen, before coming home to Sweden for an exclusive album release show at Mejeriet in Lund on December 5. With multiple dates on their previous European run selling out well in advance, tickets are moving fast. 

ELEINE Live:

10/08: Hamburg, Germany @ Logo

10/09: Dortmund, Germany @ Junkyard

10/10: Hoogeveen, Netherlands @ Podium

10/11: Kortrijk, Belgium @ DVG Club

10/13: London, England @ The Underworld

10/14: Southampton, England @ The Brook

10/15: Manchester, England @ Rebellion

10/16: Glasgow, Scotland @ Slay

10/17: Nottingham, England @ Saltbox

10/18: Birmingham, England @ O2 Institute 2

10/19: Paris, France @ Backstage By The Mill

10/22: Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz 3

10/23: Marseille, France @ Molotov

10/24: Monthey, Switzerland @ Pont Rouge

10/25: Lucerne, Switzerland @ Sedel

10/26: Milan, Italy @ Slaughter Club

10/27: Munich, Germany @ Feierwerk

10/29: Trier, Germany @ Mergener Hof

10/30: Salzburg, Austria @ Rockhouse

11/01: Zlín, Czech Republic @ Masters Of Rock Café

11/03: Warsaw, Poland @ Hydrozagadka

11/04: Krakow, Poland @ Zaścianek

11/05: Poznan, Poland @ 2Progi

11/06: Berlin, Germany @ Cassiopeia

11/07: Hanover, Germany @ Café Glocksee

11/08: Leipzig, Germany @ Hellraiser

11/09: Aarhus, Denmark @ VoxHall

11/10: Copenhagen, Denmark @ Stengade

11/11: Stockholm, Sweden @ Kollektivet Livet

11/12: Gothenburg, Sweden @ Valand

12/05: Lund, Sweden @ Mejeriet (Exclusive Album Release Show)

Find tickets & more information HERE

Trivium Announce New Album "Crown in the Grave" + Share Video for Title Track

GRAMMY-nominated heavyweights TRIVIUM — vocalist/guitarist MATTHEW K. HEAFY; guitarist COREY BEAULIEU; bassist PAOLO GREGOLETTO; anddrummer ALEX RÜDINGER — are thrilled to announce their new album CROWN IN THE GRAVE. It arrives November 20 through Roadrunner Records. Pre-order it here.

Trivium today share the title track, which builds from a gradual progression of layered riffs into an explosive wall of metal, pairing crushing heaviness with the precision, melody, and technical firepower that have defined the band for more than two decades. The song is vintage Trivium — galloping riffs, robust solos, and battering ram percussion, seamlessly sewn together with three-tiered vocals. But like the rest of the album, it stays true to the band's signature sound, all the while pushing it further into new sonic terrain.

The accompanying, Japanese Noh theater-inspired, post-apocalyptic music video brings the album's artwork and themes into a smoke-filled dojo, where the main characters prepare for an impending showdown through a series of tense, atmospheric sequences. Drawing on the band's longtime passion for classic Japanese theater and martial arts, the visual captures the discipline, drama, and focused physicality at the heart of the song's storytelling.

 Watch the video, directed by Pavel Trebukhin, Below:

For the first time, the group crafted Crown In The Gave in their own creative hub and de facto clubhouse—The Hangar—in Orlando. Plus, they officially welcomed drummer Alex Rüdinger (Rüdi) in the studio. During 2015, the drummer nearly joined Trivium, but opted to focus on other endeavors. A decade later, he heeded the call. "It happened when it was meant to," Heafy declares. "Rüdi didn't just kill it on the drums; his contributions as a writer made a huge difference."

Reteaming with longtime producer Josh Wilbur [Korn, Lamb of God] and working with mixer Jacob Hansen [Volbeat, Amon Amarth] for the first time, the musicians rallied around a shared vision. "We took all of the  elements of Trivium, honed in on them, and focused on writing songs with big riffs and big hooks,” notes Beaulieu. "We made the record we'd been dying to make. The late great Shaun Glass [Soil] was a big Trivium fan. He'd always say, "You guys don't cook the same meal.' Even though we use the same ingredients, we always make a new dish."

"Any band who has been around this long starts to ask: Where do we go from here?" says Gregoletto. "We decided to challenge ourselves to top everything we've done. We referenced a lot of '90s albums. If you look at The Black Album by Metallica, Countdown To Extinction by Megadeth, or Superunknown by Soundgarden, the choruses are so important, and the songs are relatable. That's what we strived for."
 
Thematically, Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood served as a north star. Gregoletto brought the film to the group’s attention. "Kurosawa took Macbeth and set it in a feudal Japan," the bassist elaborates. "There's minimal dialogue, yet the storyline is powerful. There are these haunting elements of being tempted by fate and this man's downfall."

Trivium will hit the road on November 5 in St. Petersburg, Florida and run through December 19 in Charlotte, North Carolina for a North American headline run with In Flames, Orbit Culture, Fit for an Autopsy, and Frozen Soul in tow. It is a truly stacked lineup that cannot and should not be missed. Get tickets here. 

"This fall's Trivium tour is a huge one for us," the band declared upon announcing the tour earlier this year. "The lineup is stacked from top to bottom, and we're honored to have special guests In Flames, who not only influenced our early years but continue to prove time and again why they're one of the greatest metal bands of all time. With Orbit Culture, Fit For An Autopsy, and Frozen Soul rounding out the bill, we can't wait to get out there, kick off this next era of Trivium with Rudi behind the kit, and give you a taste of the new music we've been working on. We'll see you soon!"

TRIVIUM ON TOUR:
WITH IN FLAMES, ORBIT CULTURE, FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY, AND FROZEN SOUL:

11/5 — St. Petersburg, FL — Jannus Live
11/6 — Atlanta, GA — The Eastern
11/7 — Louisville, KY — Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
11/8 — Grand Rapids, MI — GLC Live at 20 Monroe
11/10 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore
11/11 — New Haven, CT — College Street Music Hall
11/12 — New York, NY — Terminal 5
11/14 — Philadelphia, PA — Franklin Music Hall
11/15 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium
11/17 — Laval, QC — Place Bell
11/18 — Toronto, ON — GCT Theatre
11/20 — Royal Oak, MI — Royal Oak Music Theatre
11/21 — Chicago, IL — Aragon Ballroom
11/22 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee
11/24 — Nashville, TN — The Pinnacle
11/25 — Chesterfield, MO — The Factory at The District
11/27 — San Antonio, TX — Boeing Center at Tech Port
11/28 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center
11/29 — Dallas, TX — South Side Ballroom
12/2 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre
12/3 — Las Vegas, NV — The Pearl
12/4 — Inglewood, CA — YouTube Theater
12/5 — San Francisco, CA — The Masonic
12/7 — Penticton, BC — Penticton Trade & Convention Centre
12/8 — Vancouver, BC — Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
12/9 — Seattle, WA — Paramount Theatre
12/11 — Reno, NV — Grand Sierra Resort — Grand Theatre
12/13 — Denver, CO — Mission Ballroom
12/15 — Tulsa, OK — Tulsa Theatre
12/16 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse
12/18 — Pittsburgh, PA — Citizen's Live at The Wylie
12/19 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore

DARKEST HOUR ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO "WARRIOR" HEADLINING U.S. TOUR DECEMBER 2026

Washington, D.C. metalcore pioneers DARKEST HOUR release their new single and video, "Warrior," today. This is the second single from the band’s forthcoming album, Suffer Divine, out on October 30.

Guitarist Mike Schleibaum comments, “This song showcases our melodic death metal tendencies with a bit of a modern twist. It draws you deep into a fresh yet familiar DH sound. I love the progressiveness of Nico’s solo, the intricacy of Travis’ drum work, Deal’s devastating low end, John’s vocal delivery, and lyrical density. This album is full of both rage and technicality. It’s furious with focused intent, and this song is a perfect example of that in action.”

Vocalist John Henry adds, “Lyrically, this song is meant to reach out to the intrapersonal warrior. The internal struggle is often the most important battle we ever fight. This song touches on the idea of gaining control of your thoughts, actions, and purpose. It's meant to be fuel for action.”

Acclaimed filmmaker Thomas Mignone directed the accompanying video for “Warrior” for DOOM Inc.

Schleibaum says, "The video for ‘Warrior’ is heavily inspired by one of our favorite movies, Raging Bull AND one of our favorite music videos, ‘Mama Said Knock You Out.’ This video is both fun and tough at the same time.”

Pre-order/order Suffer Divine:
https://darkesthour.ffm.to/sufferdivine

The band has also announced a headlining U.S. tour with direct support from Judiciary. The dates kick off on December 1 in Austin, TX, right after the band wraps up their run with Fear Factory.  

A bastard child born from the mid-'90s punk, metal, and hardcore movement, DARKEST HOUR emerged from Washington, D.C. with a sound that fused the passion, energy, and soul of punk and hardcore with the speed, vengeance, and fury of melodic speed, thrash, and death metal. Widely regarded as pioneers of modern metalcore, the band played a key role in defining the sound that would become known as the New Wave of American Metal.

Throughout their career, DARKEST HOUR has continually evolved without abandoning the intensity that has defined them from the beginning. Their blend of melodic death metal and metalcore has earned them a devoted following and critical acclaim.  In 2024, the band released its tenth full-length album, Perpetual Terminal.

As AllMusic has noted, "Modern metalcore pioneers Darkest Hour employ an uncompromising sonic attack rooted in melodic speed, thrash metal, and the righteous fury of punk and hardcore."

That relentless approach remains central to the band's identity. New Noise Magazine has praised DARKEST HOUR for maneuvering "with an unrivaled level of dedication" as they continue developing their distinctive melodic fusion of heavy metal and hardcore. The publication also noted that, while remaining true to their punk-rock mentality, the band continues to embrace new methods of expression with each album.

For vocalist John Henry, that longevity is rooted in something deeper than simply making music.

"This has been such a constant in my life that I can't live without," Henry told New Noise. "Any time we ever felt dragged down, something would happen where we would write a song, or we would do a tour, and it'd be, like, okay, we can't stop. This is what we know. This is what we love, and we love doing it too much."

With "Warrior," DARKEST HOUR continue that decades-long journey, delivering another chapter in a career built on intensity, perseverance, and an unwillingness to stand still.

DARKEST HOUR is:
John Henry – vocals
Mike Schleibaum – guitar
Nico Santora – guitar
Aaron Deal – bass
Travis Orbin – drums

HEADLINING TOUR DATES:

12.01     Austin, TX           Come And Take It Live 
12.02     Dallas, TX           Trees
12.03     Lawrence, KS      Bottleneck
12.04     Chicago, IL          Reggies Rock Club 
12.05     Pontiac, MI          Pike Room
12.06     Pittsburgh, PA      Preserving Underground
12.07     Toronto, ON         Lee’s Palace 
12.08     Montreal, QC       Foufounes 
12.09      Albany, NY          Empire Underground 
12.10      Worcester, MA    The Palladium (Upstairs)
12.11      Brooklyn, NY       St. Vitus  
12.12      Millersville, PA     Phantom Power 
12.13      Washington, DC   Atlantis


FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
darkesthourband.com

Connect with Darkest Hour:
Official Patreon
Website
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook

SAOR Release Re-recorded Version of "The Awakening MMXXVI"

SAOR, the one-man Scottish atmospheric black metal project of Andy Marshall, have released "The Awakening MMXXVI," the second single from the upcoming new album Caledonia, which comes out November 6 on Season of Mist. The track is a re-recording of a song first heard on 2014's Aura, and follows lead single "Carved in Stone MMXXVI" ahead of an album revisiting five songs from Saor's first three records.

Listen to The Awakening MMXXVI Below :

The song opens on an instruction: to truly understand the essence of antiquity, learn the lore of the land and become the atavist. From there it moves through a Gaelic cry of “èirich,” meaning “rise,” and a call to follow the celestial compass beyond the illusion of God, before settling on a vow to reignite the flame, forge an iron will, and keep to the overgrown path the forefathers once trod. It is among the most direct lyric writing on the album, now carried by the scale and atmosphere Marshall always heard in it, shaped by years of live performance.

"The Awakening MMXXVI" is one of five tracks on Caledonia. Rather than a nostalgia exercise, the album presents these songs as they exist today, after years of live performance and refinement, closing a circle between early Saor and the band's current form.

Pre-order & pre-save: https://orcd.co/saorcaledonia

Caledonia does not reinvent SAOR's past. It completes it, offering listeners the chance to hear where these songs have been all along, and where, after more than a decade, Marshall has finally brought them.​

Line-up:
Andy Marshall — Composition, Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Pads

Production Credits:
Produced, mixed & mastered by Chris Fielding (https://www.chrisfielding.co.uk/).

Guest Musicians:

Carlos Vivas — Drums
Ella Zlotos — Female Vocals, Tin Whistle, Low Whistle, Uilleann Pipes
Àngela Moya Serrat — Violins

Cover Art:
Anaïs Chareyre-Méjan (https://www.instagram.com/nanirio/).

Follow Saor:
Official Website: https://www.saormusic.com/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/saormusic

Bandcamp: https://saor.bandcamp.com/

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/saormusic

BandsInTown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/4099241-saor

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rHMzJ1RKUMtid1K2QEYbr

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/saor/879243889

Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/5653569

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/6768301

ALCEST - Announce Live Album "Live At Hellfest 2022" To Be Released On Dec 4th On Ltd. Vinyl And Digital Platforms

French atmospheric metal pioneers ALCEST have officially announced the release of their long-awaited first live album, Live at Hellfest 2022, set for release on December 4th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Captured during a spellbinding appearance at one of heavy music’s most revered gatherings, Live at Hellfest 2022 stands as a monument to the group’s transcendent live presence. The performance seamlessly weaves together evocative fan favorites spanning their entire career prior to 2022 - tracing an emotional trajectory from their groundbreaking 2007 debut Souvenirs d'un autre monde through to 2019's acclaimed Spiritual Instinct.

To mark the announcement, ALCEST have unveiled the album’s first single, 'Protection (Live At Hellfest 2022)'. Listeners can stream the audio track now or experience the intense live performance video below.

ALCEST are currently finishing their Fall 2026 North American tour as special guests on MASTODON’s The Poisonous Weapons Tour, which also features DEAFHEAVEN.

Live at Hellfest 2022 arrives on all major streaming platforms on December 4th. Physical collectors can pre-order the exclusive, limited-edition 2LP Vinyl (Natural w/ Black Smoke finish) starting today.


PRE-SAVE / PRE-ORDER (LIVE AT HELLFEST 2022):
https://alcest.bfan.link/hellfest-2022

STREAM 'PROTECTION (LIVE AT HELLFEST 2022)':
https://alcest.bfan.link/protection-hellfest22

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR  'PROTECTION (LIVE AT HELLFEST 2022)' Below:

ALCEST - NORTH AMERICA 2026 TOUR
w/ Mastodon & Deafheaven

Oct 6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
Oct 7 - Garden City, ID @ Revolution Concert House
Oct 9 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater
Oct 10 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
Oct 11 - Del Mar, CA @ The Sound
Oct 12 - Las Vegas, NV @ FILL
Oct 14 - Denver, CO @ The Fillmore
Oct 16 - Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
Oct 17 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Oct 18 - Memphis, TN @ Satellite Music Hall
Oct 20 - Cleveland, OH @ The Agora
Oct 21 - Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall
Oct 22 - Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern

ALCEST - EUROPE 2027 TOUR
w/ special guests: Agriculture

Mar 12 - Annecy, FR @ Le Brise Glace
Mar 13 - Aix-en-Provence, FR @ Headbang Festival
Mar 14 - Orléans, FR @ L’Astrolabe
Mar 16 - Southampton, UK @ The Brook
Mar 17 - Bristol, UK @ Electric Bristol
Mar 18 - Birmingham, UK @ O2 Institute
Mar 19 - Tourcoing, FR @ Le Grand Mix
Mar 20 - Esch-sur-Alzette, LU @ Kulturfabrik
Mar 21 - Tilburg, NL @ O13
Mar 23 - Kraków, PL @ Kwadrat
Mar 24 - Wroclaw, PL @ Zaklete Rewiry
Mar 25 - Brno, CZ @ Fleda
Mar 26 - Kosice, SK @ Colosseum
Mar 27 - Salzbourg, AT @ Rockhouse
Mar 28 - Nuremberg, DE @ Hirsch
Mar 30 - Hannover, DE @ Capitol
Mar 31 - Leipzig, DE @ Felsenkeller
Apr 1 - Wiesbaden, DE @ Schlachthof
Apr 2 - Groningen, NL @ Oosterpoort
Apr 3 - Köln, DE @ Tapdeck Music Fest
Apr 4 - Antwerp, BE @ Samhain Festival
Apr 9 - Lisbon, PT @ Lisboa ao Vivo *
Apr 10 - Porto, PT @ Casa da Musica *

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE:
https://alcestmusic.com/#tour

ABOUT ALCEST:

For principal songwriter and frontman Neige, ALCEST has always been a gateway to the otherworldly, a means of exploring his spirituality. An elemental two-piece, completed by long-serving drummer and creative confidante Winterhalter, ALCEST seem to dip their toes in a multitude of musical genres without ever quite fitting in. “In the metal scene ALCEST is a weird band, in the indie/post-rock scene ALCEST is a weird band- we never quite fit in,” Neige reflects. “This is how I feel in life, always an outsider; It’s not a problem, it’s just the way it is.”

ALCEST is:
Neige | vocals, guitars, bass, synths
Winterhalter | drums

ALCEST online:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music

ONLY HUMAN Release New Live Video for "Breach"

With their debut album, ONLY HUMAN are on the verge of a major discovery. Critics are praising Planned Obsolescence for its cutting-edge fusion of prog metal, hard rock, electronics and existential dread over our dystopian future.

Now, after storming the stage at Sweden Rock Festival and ahead of their 2027 European tour with Uuhai, ONLY HUMAN are releasing their first-ever live video. Filmed in Copenhagen during the release party for Planned Obsolescence, the band’s chilling performance of “Breach” is further proof that their future is impossibly bright.

“The release party for Planned Obsolescence was so special for us that we decided to document it”, ONLY HUMAN says. “It was our very first time headlining. Performing our new record in front of our home crowd was an incredible feeling. ‘Breach’ ended the evening on an extremely high note! Special thanks to the whole team behind us for pushing the extra mile”.    

Watch ONLY HUMAN perform “Breach” live in Copenhagen below:

Planned Obsolescence is out now on Season of Mist.

Order & Stream

https://orcd.co/onlyhumanplannedobsolescence

Catch ONLY HUMAN live and in the flesh with Cold Night for Alligators ahead of their 2027 European Tour with Uuhai, Manticora+ Blossom Cult.

“We’re excited to announce that we’re joining Uuhai on a trip across Europe next spring”, ONLY HUMAN says. “It will be our first time playing outside of Scandinavia. We can’t wait to present Planned Obsolescence to our fellow humans in Germany, France, The Netherlands and Switzerland. To those who have been patiently waiting for us, NOW IS THE TIME! We hope to make many friends and good memories along the way while sticking it to the techno fascists!”.

ONLY HUMAN Live in 2026

November 7 - Hjortshoj, DK @ Viruphuset (with Cold Night for Alligators) [TICKETS]

November 19 - Copenhagen, DK @ Stengade (with Cold Night for Alligators) [TICKETS]

Human Herds European Tour 2027 Part I

with Uuhai, Acyl, Manticora, Blossom Cult + Only Human

March 19 - Rotterdam, NL @ Baroeg [TICKETS]*

March 20 - Lille, FR @ Black Labl [TICKETS]*

March 21 - Hamburg, DE @ Logo [TICKETS]*

March 23 - Deventer, NL @ Burgerveeshuis [TICKETS]*

April 6 - Pratteln, CH @ Z7 [TICKETS]^

April 7 - Munich, DE @ Z7 Konzertfabrik [TICKETS]^

April 8 - Weinheim, DE @ Backstage [TICKETS]^

April 9 - Colmar, FR @ Le Grillen [TICKETS]^

April 10 - Leeuwarden, NL @ Neushoorn [TICKETS]*

April 11 - Nijmegen, NL @ Doornroosje [TICKETS]*

*with Uuhai, Manticora + Blossom Cult

^ with Uuhai, Acyl + Blossom Cult

The live video of “Breach” was recorded by Andreas Bjulver Paarup and Alice Meunier.

Additional video credits

Sound Engineer - Mikki Christiansen

Mixing & Mastering - Patrick Grønbæch Christensen

Video Edit - Guillaume Blanjean

Lights - Anni Klitmøller 

“When the world is going badly, the reason is because people gave up”, Christensen concludes. “Things aren’t hopeless. We can absolutely fight back. Hopefully, this album gets people to think about valuing humanity over profit”.

Lineup
Patrick Grønbæch Christensen- Vocals
Martin Hastrup - Guitars
JaCK Kijne - Guitars
Andreas Pröll - Drums
Guillaume Blanjean - Bass

Recording, Mixing and Mastering Studio
Only Human Studio

Production Credits
Producer & Sound Engineer - Patrick Grønbæch Christensen
Mixing Engineer - Patrick Grønbæch Christensen
Mastering Engineer - Patrick Grønbæch Christensen (Digital and CD), Brett Caldas-Lima (Vinyl)

Cover Art
Guillaume Blanjean

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/onlyhumanplannedobsolescence

Available Formats
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Jacket (Black)
12" Colored Vinyl (Transparent red with black and white splatters)
12" Colored Vinyl (Transparent red and black marbled)


Follow Only Human
Official Website: https://onlyhuman.band/
Bandcamp: https://onlyhumandk.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlyhumandk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnlyHumanDK
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/dk/artist/only-human/1742337573
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/11Cl9Vdw4xGPUMtcurjgg1
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyhumandk

Swedish Rock Icon ALFONZETTI Announces New Studio Album 'Going For The Kill' Out December 11, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl

Swedish rock icon MATTI ALFONZETTI returns with 'Going for the Kill,' his new studio album set for release on December 11, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

The first single and official music video, “Runaway”, are also available today, giving a taste of the upcoming record.

MATTI ALFONZETTI described the single as “very much classic rock, and a favourite of mine. I think it sets the mood for the whole album. It’s pure Alfonzetti!”

Watch the Official Music Video for "Runaway" Below:

'Going for the Kill' is a dynamic melodic rock album that seamlessly blends classic influences with a modern edge. Best known for his soulful voice, powerful delivery, and songwriting prowess, ALFONZETTI once again proves why he’s considered one of Scandinavia’s most enduring and respected rock vocalists.

He stated: “'Going For The Kill' is my way of paying tribute to 70s and 80s AOR rock which I grew up with. I think any fan of that era will understand what this release is about.”

'Going for the Kill' is a tour de force of contemporary AOR and hard-edged melodic rock, taking cues from genre masters such as Foreigner, FM, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, and Alias, while injecting fresh energy and production polish. From the soaring hooks to the crisp arrangements, the album is a showcase of melodic craft and passionate performance.

On the recordings, MATTI ALFONZETTI not only takes care of lead and backing vocals but also handles bass, rhythm guitars, and keyboards, underlining his multi-instrumental talent and personal investment in the project. The line-up of musicians on the album also includes Dante Alfonzetti (bass on “Going for the Kill” and “When The Gods Play Rock n' Roll”), Staffan Brodén on drums, and Martin Jepsen Andersen on lead guitar.

With a career spanning over four decades, Matti first made waves in the '80s with Bam Bam Boys and went on to front acclaimed acts such as Jagged Edge (UK) and Skintrade, before embarking on a successful solo journey with albums like 'Ready' and 'Machine.' He’s also been a key part of projects like Impera, Red White & Blues, and Road to Ruin, earning a reputation as both a consummate performer and a highly skilled producer and songwriter.

'Going for the Kill' is not just a return - it’s a reaffirmation. A statement album by an artist at the height of his creative powers, it’s essential listening for fans of melodic rock, both classic and contemporary.

Pre-Order 'The Long Road Back' HERE

Line Up:

Matti Alfonzetti - Vocals, guitars, bass, and keyboards

Dante Alfonzetti – Bass on “Going for the Kill” and “When The Gods Play Rock n' Roll”

Staffan Brodén – Drums

Martin Jepsen Andersen – Lead Guitar

Thy Catafalque Release New Single “Tömbök”

Today, the two-time Fonogram winner Thy Catafalque is releasing the second single from its quietly expansive thirteenth album. Both the darkest and heaviest song on XIII: Sárga erdő, “Tömbök” is centered around a natural phenomenon that’s reminiscent of daily life’s affect on the human mind.

“In English, ‘Tömbök’ means Masses”, explains Thy Catafalque visionary Tamás Kátai. “The lyrics are about the method of waste disposal by incineration and the process of how the waste is being divided into heat and slag or lifeless masses and how matter shifts its shape during different chemical and physical circumstances. You can apply the phenomenon to how the human mindset is affected by daily life, if you wish, though that’s just an idea”.

Watch the music video for “Tömbök” below:

“This is Thy Catafalque’s first video with the band playing a song”, Kátai continues. “On ‘Tömbök’, we have Gábor Veres on vocals and we also have a flute”.

XIII: Sárga erdő comes out November 20, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order

https://orcd.co/thycatafalquesargaerdo

Pre-save on Spotify

https://orcd.co/thycatafalquesargaerdo

On XIII: Sárga erdő (Yellow Forest), Kátai wanders through an old, half-remembered time from a quietly expansive direction. Thy Catafalque’s new album features more than 30 collaborators, including a 20-person choir and, for the first time in the project’s history, a live drummer. However, the folk and classical elements that flooded 2024’s XII: A gyönyörű álmok ezután jönnek are handled here with a lighter touch. Just as a forest doesn't explain its colors, the album turns inside you, until you look up to discover that you’re  somewhere new.  

Sárga erdő, out this autumn via Season of Mist, was recorded across various locations and at Miracle Sound Szeged with Gábor Vári again handling engineering, mixing and mastering. It marks another first for the project: real drums, played rather than programmed, for the first time in Thy Catafalque's history. Thirty-four musicians and vocalists appear across the record, along with a twenty-voice male choir, but the folk and classical textures that flooded XII—sitar, kamancheh, zither, strings—are handled with a lighter touch here, chosen with more precision for the moments that call for them. There's no unifying story across the twelve tracks, only that same felt sense of wandering through old, half-remembered time. A forest doesn't explain its colours—it just keeps turning them, until you look up and you're standing somewhere new.

Line-up:
Tamás Kátai — Guitar, Bass, Keyboards & Vocals

Production Credits:

Recorded in various locations and Miracle Sound Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.

Produced by Tamás Kátai; Sound Engineer, Mixing & Mastering by Gábor Vári (Miracle Sound Szeged).

Cover Art:
Tamás Kátai

Photography:
© Laszlo Horvath — Album Artwork

© Orsolya Karancz — Tamás Photos

© Katalin Hunyás — Live Band Photos

Guest Musicians:
Martina Veronika Horváth — Vocals (9, 12)
Ivett Dudás — Vocals (3, 10, 11)
Gábor Dudás — Vocals (2, 5, 11, 12)
Bálint Bokodi — Vocals (1, 8, 9)
Annamari Oláh — Vocals (6)
Lambert Lédeczy — Vocals (6)
Gergely Balla — Vocals (7)
Gábor Veres — Vocals (10)
Antal Cseh — Bass/Baritone Vocals (12)
The Male Choir of Tiszaföldvár — choir (8)
Anikó Für — Prose (5)
Árpád Szenti — Drums & Percussion
Krisztián Varga — Lead Guitar (1, 5, 6, 9, 10)
Zoltán Vigh — Lead Guitar (10)
Breno Machado — Lead Guitar (12)
Daniele Belli — Classical Guitar (12)
Anikó Barna — Citera & Koboz (8)
Chithrinie Nirupama — Sitar (4)
Peter Voronov — Violin (5)
Maria Grigoryeva — Violin (5)
Victor Morales — Violin & Piano (9)
Oleg Bezuglov — Violin (12)
Michaela Lilla Bos — Cello (9)
Francesco Pisciotta — String Arrangement (11)
Noam Dayan — Kamancheh (1)
Dmitry Karev — Accordion (8)
Dario Cei — Flute (8, 10)
Brandon Wilkins — Bassoon & Alto Flute (2)
Dan Rowland — Oboe d'Amore (7)
Kelly O'Donohue — Trumpet, Trombone & Flugelhorn (9, 11, 12)
Michele Fortunato — Trombone (12)
Patricio Böttcher — Alto Saxophone (3)
Efim Braylovskiy — Alto Saxophone (9)
Ibrahim Danbaba — Saxophone (11)

Follow Thy Catafalque
Website: https://www.thy-catafalque.hu/

Bandcamp: https://thycatafalque.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thycatafalque/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thy_catafalque/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/thycatafalque
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@thy_catafalque
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thycatafalque
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4sgTqbA7htxYkRRJBPZIom
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/thy-catafalque/372164196
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/1441022
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/4026939

Japanese Melodic Power Metal Force HAGANE Sign With Napalm Records!

Napalm Records is thrilled to welcome Japanese melodic power metal force HAGANE to the family!

Hailing from Tokyo, HAGANE have been making waves since their formation in 2018 with their energetic blend of soaring melodies, powerful riffs, lightning-fast guitar work, and infectious songwriting. After captivating audiences in Japan, HAGANE made a strong impression on European soil this summer at Germany's renowned Rockharz Festival, proving that their high-energy performance and melodic metal have what it takes to connect with audiences far beyond their home country.
 
Now, HAGANE are ready to enter their next chapter with Napalm Records. The band has signed a worldwide physical deal, excluding Japan, with the Austrian rock and metal label for their upcoming studio album Through the Night. Set for physical release outside Japan on January 15, 2027, the album showcases HAGANE's unique take on melodic power metal, combining epic melodies, powerful vocals, technical musicianship, and an unmistakable Japanese spirit. Through the Night marks an exciting new chapter for the band and their growing international fan base.

HAGANE comment:
''We have signed a worldwide agreement—excluding Japan—with the Austrian label Napalm Records. This prestigious metal-specialized label is home to numerous world-renowned acts, including DragonForce (whose songs have been covered on YouTube by Sakura and JUNNA), Kamelot, Accept, Frozen Crown, and Alter Bridge. Through this partnership, the new album Through the Night will be released globally on both CD and vinyl. Please stay tuned for HAGANE's future activities on the global stage.''

Napalm Records Senior A&R Sebastian Münch about the signing:
''HAGANE absolutely impressed us at this year's Rockharz Festival. For fans of melodic power metal, this is definitely a band to watch! A big thank you to our Japanese partners at Euclid Agency and Eagletail Music for the great collaboration.''

Pre-order your copy of Through the Night HERE.

HAGANE LIVE 2027

In spring 2027, HAGANE will return to Europe for four shows, bringing Through the Night to stages in Germany and Denmark. Following their impressive Rockharz appearance, the shows will give fans the chance to experience the band’s explosive live energy up close. With a new album, a new label home, and plenty of momentum behind them, HAGANE are ready to take their next step on the international metal stage.

EUROPE 2027:
4/9 — Roskilde, DK — Epic Fest
4/13 — Berlin, DE — Lido
4/14 — Hamburg, DE — Markthalle
4/16 — Köln, DE — Club Volta

HAGANE ARE:
Nagi — Vocals + Guitars
Sayaka — Bass guitar
Sakura — Guitars
Juuna — Drums

KAITLIN BUTTS TAKES HELLO, HONKY TONK LIVE AND IN PERSON WITH SPECIAL TOUR DATES TO CELEBRATE ITS RELEASE

With her fourth studio album Hello, Honky Tonk set to arrive October 30 via Republic Records, Tulsa-born singer/songwriter Kaitlin Butts is taking the album’s colorful cast of characters, theatrical spectacle and late-night energy on the road to celebrate its release with the Hello, Honky Tonk Live and In Person Tour. 

The six-date run kicks off October 29 at Nashville’s Skinny Dennis, the day before the release of Hello, Honky Tonk, before making stops at Honky Tonks across Texas and Oklahoma in December with support from singer/songwriter Meels. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 2 at 10 a.m. CT at kaitlinbutts.com.

“I’ve spent so much time imagining this honky tonk and all the people who inhabit it, so getting to actually bring it to life in the rooms that inspired it feels really special,” says Butts. “I can’t wait to play these songs live and celebrate this record together.”

Hello, Honky Tonk Live and In Person Tour Dates
Oct. 29 — Nashville, TN — Skinny Dennis
Dec. 10 — College Station, TX — Harry’s Northgate
Dec. 11 — Helotes, TX — Floore's Country Store
Dec. 12 — Corpus Christi, TX — Brewster Street Ice House
Dec. 17 — Oklahoma City, OK — Tower Theatre
Dec. 18 — Fort Worth, TX — Billy Bob’s Texas

Named one of Rolling Stone’s most anticipated albums for 2026, Hello, Honky Tonk is a love letter to the honky tonks and nightlife that have shaped Butts while becoming a huge part of her life on the road. Recorded in Nashville with producer Tofer Brown (Carter Faith, Willow Avalon, Little Big Town), the album brings to life a bar like no other, populated by a cast of characters listeners might recognize from the dance floor, behind the bar or from the corner booth.

Inspired in part by the vaudeville vignettes of Chicago and Disney World’s Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Butts envisioned Hello, Honky Tonk as a place where all of these characters could coexist.

“The thought behind the concept was how in Chicago, the character Roxie Hart is dreaming up what her show would look like and all the people in it,” says Butts. “I picture all of this happening at Skinny Dennis here in Nashville. These are all the different people in the room. There's the bar fight that's happening. There's the bad girl that just got off work. There's me being the entertainer. There are so many people that really love the nightlife. It’s a connector for people.”

The upcoming tour follows a string of new music from Hello, Honky Tonk, including the recent releases “What More Could You Want,” “I Wanna Be Bad” and “Never Really Mine.” “What More Could You Want,” a Broadway-ready piano ballad and autobiographical sketch of a performer questioning how much more she has to give, offers an intimate glimpse behind the curtain of the album’s larger-than-life world.

“That song feels exactly word for word what I feel like every day,” says Butts. “This tug and pull of loving this and craving this and loving to be on stage, loving every creative moment but also being stressed out wondering, ‘Do you like me? Do I need to be shinier? Do you want more?’”

The album continues the momentum of Butts’ critically acclaimed Roadrunner! in 2024, a bold reimagining inspired by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! that landed on numerous year-end best-of lists and featured her viral anthem “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me),” which has amassed more than 157 million TikTok views and 67 million global streams.

For the latest news, music and tour dates, visit kaitlinbutts.com and follow @kaitlinbutts on Instagram and Facebookand @kaitlinbuttsmusic on TikTok.

New Heavy Music From thrown

Swedish heavyweights thrown have officially launched the pre-order for their highly anticipated new album UNWANTED, set for release on November 6 via Arising Empire.

Few bands in modern heavy music have experienced a rise quite like thrown. In just a few years, the Swedish four-piece have gone from one of the scene's most exciting new names to a genuine international phenomenon, building a massive global audience with a sound that is instantly recognizable, relentlessly heavy, and impossible to ignore.

Now, UNWANTED captures thrown at the height of that momentum.

Following the impact of their acclaimed debut album EXCESSIVE GUILT, the new record takes everything that has made thrown one of today's most exciting heavy acts and pushes it even further. Crushing grooves collide with hardcore aggression, nu metal swagger, and an almost instinctive sense for hooks, creating songs that are brutally direct without sacrificing their infectious quality.

Lyrically, UNWANTED retains the raw honesty and confrontational attitude that have become inseparable from thrown. Frustration, self-reflection, resentment, isolation, and the absurdity of dealing with other people all find their way into the record, but rarely without the sarcasm, confidence, and blunt humor that give the band their unmistakable personality. Rather than dwelling on darkness, thrown turn it into fuel.

The first three singles have already demonstrated exactly how powerful that combination can be. "split" marked the beginning of this new chapter with a frantic collision of crushing heaviness and internal chaos. "rehearsed" followed with enormous grooves and a venomous edge, while "critic" turned outside noise and unsolicited opinions into a defiant statement from a band increasingly comfortable doing things entirely on their own terms.

Together, the tracks offer the first glimpse of an album that feels unmistakably thrown while showing just how far the band have come. UNWANTED is compact, aggressive, addictive, and built around impact. There is no unnecessary excess and barely a second wasted. That approach has propelled thrown to a level few emerging heavy bands reach this quickly.

Their 2022 debut EP EXTENDED PAIN surpassed 50 million streams across just five tracks and remained in Spotify's Global Metal Top 200 for almost a year. The momentum exploded further with 2024's EXCESSIVE GUILT, an eleven-track debut album delivered in little more than twenty minutes. Since then, thrown have grown to more than 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify and accumulated well over 100 million streams worldwide, establishing themselves as one of the biggest breakout stories in contemporary heavy music.

Their impact reaches far beyond streaming. thrown have taken their explosive live show across North America, Europe and Australia, touring alongside artists including Knocked Loose, Fit For A King, Counterparts, While She Sleeps, and Wage War, while steadily building an international headline audience of their own.

The band's remarkable ascent has also been recognised by the wider heavy music community. thrown took home Best Breakthrough Live Artist at the Heavy Music Awards in 2024, followed by Best Breakthrough Album in 2025, further underlining their position among the leading names of a new generation of heavy music.

At the centre of it all are Marcus Lundqvist on vocals, Johan Liljeblad and Andreas Malm on guitars, and drummer and producer Buster Odeholm. Together, they have created a sound that pulls from hardcore, metalcore, and nu metal while belonging completely to thrown: Massive grooves, abrasive production, unforgettable hooks and songs designed to hit immediately.

With UNWANTED, thrown are no longer simply proving why they are one of heavy music’s most exciting breakthrough bands. They are showing exactly why they have become one of the most compelling heavy acts of their generation.

No filler. No compromise. No slowing down.​

thrown LIVE:

10/1 — Asbury Park, United States — House Of Independents
10/2 — Allentown, United States — Archer Music Hall
10/3 — Norwalk, United States — District Music Hall
10/4 — Worcester, United States — Palladium
10/6 — Grand Rapids, United States — Elevation
10/7 — Milwaukee, United States — The Rave / Eagles Club
10/8 — Minneapolis, United States — Varsity Theater
10/9 — Kansas City, United States — The Truman
10/11 — Birmingham, United States — Furnace Fest 2026
10/13 — Jacksonville, United States — The Albatross
10/14 — Tampa, United States — The Orpheum
10/16 — Greenville, United States — Radio Room
10/17 — Greensboro, United States — Hangar 1819
10/31 — Göppingen, Germany — Core Fest 2026
11/27 — Johanneshov, Sweden — Fållan
11/29 — Hamburg, Germany — Grosse Freiheit 36
11/30 — Berlin, Germany — Huxleys Neue Welt
12/1 — Wien, Austria — Gasometer
12/3 — München, Germany — TonHalle München
12/4 — Wiesbaden, Germany — Schlachthof Wiesbaden
12/5 — Köln, Germany — Palladium Köln
12/6 — Paris, France — Élysée Montmartre
12/8 — Tilburg, Netherlands — Poppodium 013
12/9 — Antwerpen, Belgium — Trix
12/11 — Manchester, United Kingdom — Academy
12/12 — Glasgow, United Kingdom — O2 Academy Glasgow
12/13 — London, United Kingdom — Troxy
2/3 — Fremantle, Australia — Freo Social
2/5 — Hindmarsh, Australia — The Gov
2/7 — Melbourne, Australia — Forum Melbourne
2/10 — Bruce, Australia — UC Hub
2/11 — Moore Park, Australia — Liberty Hall
2/12 — Newcastle, Australia — King Street Hotel
2/13 — Brisbane, Australia — The Tivoli