IRON SAVIOR To Release Final Part Of “Reforged” Double Album Series, “Machine World,” on August 22, 2025

May 30, 2025

IRON SAVIOR are one of the dinosaurs in the scene as well as pioneers of the traditional power metal genre and can proudly look back at almost 30 years of history. Founded by Piet Sielck (guitars, vocals) in 1996, the Hamburg, Germany based band quickly established themselves with their energising mix of power metal and sci-fi driven lyrics. Especially fantasy inspired metalheads have always been in love with IRON SAVIOR’s early works which are built on a story about a spaceship carrying the band’s name and their popularity is unbroken. Iron Savior [ 1997], Unification and Interlude [both 1999], Dark Assault [2001], Condition Red [2002] and Battering Ram [2004] were bestsellers - until they ran out of stock.

In order to meet the demand, IRON SAVIOR -- now consisting of Sielck, guitarist Joachim Küstner and a rhythm section powered by Patrick Klose (drums) and latest member Patrick Opitz (bass) -- didn’t only re-record the material from their Noise Records years (1997-2004), they even added an additional doze of enthusiasm to the original songs. Part 1 and 2 of these session have been received enormously well from fans, that’s why the group are even prouder to announce the release of the concluding third part of their legacy worshipping Reforged series today.

Due out on August 22, 2025, Reforged - Machine World features reinterpreted songs as well as a cover version of JUDAS PRIEST’s "Starbreaker," skillfully bridging to IRON SAVIOR’s old tradition of frequently paying tribute to the ‘metal gods.’ The new 2CD/LP marks the quartet’s debut release at their new label home PERCEPTION, the promising new division of Reigning Phoenix Music, where they (re-)unite with other well-known acts such as DANKO JONES, GRAILKNIGHTS, J.B.O., and SERIOUS BLACK among others. The 16 included tracks were recorded and produced at Powerhouse Studio Hamburg by frontman Sielck, who additionally took care of mixing, mastering and artwork/layout of the album.

Band leader Piet Sielck comments: “After collaborating with Nils Wasko and Jochen Richert [managing director] at AFM Records, I didn’t have to think twice when it came to deciding about a new partner. Continuing success, chart entries and three satisfied parties - band, fans and label - are more than enough reasons to follow the two of them to PERCEPTION and the Reigning Phoenix Music family. Onwards to at least 15 more years of this fruitful union!”

Label strategist Wasko adds: “We’re really thankful for IRON SAVIOR’s trust, and we’re equally happy to continue working with Piet and his fellow men at PERCEPTION. Having a collaborative long-term plan, IRON SAVIOR are only warming up, and we’re extremely confident to reach new extragalactic spheres together, with their final 'Reforged' chapter blasting off on the journey to their next original studio album. Power and melodic metal maniacs, go aboard!”

Pre-order/pre-save Reforged - Machine World: https://ironsavior.rpm.link/machineworldPR

Today’s announcement is supported by the first appetizer of the ‘upgraded’ album, "Eye Of The World [2025 Version]," which can originally be found on IRON SAVIOR’s 2001 effort, Dark Assault.

“I was just never happy with this song. Somehow it didn't really take off. But the new version is an absolute hit and is now even being released as the first single,” comments Sielck.

Convince yourselves and stream it here: https://ironsavior.rpm.link/eyePR

British Rock Icons SKUNK ANANSIE Release New Album 'The Painful Truth' — Out Now via FLG Records

May 23, 2025

Today, British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their long awaited brand new album, 'The Painful Truth.' To celebrate, the band has also released the focus track, "Shame," which is accompanied by a visualizer available to view below.

'The Painful Truth' is a truly mesmerizing, provocative, powerful and emotional album. It is the sound of SKUNK ANANSIE facing up to who they are and what they want to become. It is more than an album title, it's a reality that they have lived through and has been greeted by rapturous reviews.

Watch the Visualizer for “Shame” Below;

Produced by David Sitek of TV On The Radio fame, 'The Painful Truth' is a fresh, frank, uplifting, and richly textured album that proves SKUNK ANANSIE’s knack for writing big pop songs remains defiantly undiminished. If anything, their hooks are sharper than ever, sinking in quicker and hitting harder.

'The Painful Truth' marks SKUNK ANANSIE’s first release on the newly formed FLG Records, and it carries a vitality that belies their storied career and multi-platinum achievements. With 'The Painful Truth,' SKUNK ANANSIE boldly reclaim their place as one of the most exciting, visionary, and essential bands in British music.

On the new album, Skin confesses:

“When I really think about it, yes, we have made some good records in our time but it’s been a long time since we have made a great album. And that is the painful truth. Understanding that, led us to making what I genuinely think is our greatest record yet.”

Order 'The Painful Truth' HERE

Full details for all live performances can be found HERE

About SKUNK ANANSIE:

SKUNK ANANSIE formed in 1994 in London, and are a truly seminal band. One of the first multi-racial British rock bands, they are known for their powerful sound and thought-provoking lyrics. Fronted by the charismatic and dynamic vocalist Skin, the band blends alternative rock with elements of punk and metal. They remain one of the most important and influential bands of their era.

Their debut album ‘Paranoid & Sunburnt’ (1995) and its follow up ‘Stoosh’ (1996) both hit the Top 10 album chart in the UK, and with hits like “Weak” and “Hedonism,” they established themselves on the international stage, helped by their stunning live performances. In 1999, SKUNK ANANSIE closed the decade off in style by releasing their third studio album, ‘Post Orgasmic Chill’ and headlining Glastonbury Festival, before surprisingly going on a lengthy hiatus in 2001.

The band reconvened in 2008 to embark on the second chapter of their career, releasing three acclaimed albums - 2010’s ‘Wonderlustre,’ 2012’s ‘Black Traffic’ and 2016’s ‘Anarchytecture.’ In 2019, the band marked their 25th anniversary with ‘25LIVE@25,’ a live album that brings together the greatest songs from their six studio albums.

Throughout their career, SKUNK ANANSIE have sold over five million records around the world. The band’s international prominence continues to thrive today, selling out live arenas and headlining festivals across the continent, and now with ‘The Painful Truth’ receiving rave reviews around the world, SKUNK ANANSIE are back at the peak of their powers.

AGENTS OF YOUR DEMISE Featuring STEPHEN CHESNEY, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT VOCALIST ERIC DOVER, BILLY SHEEHAN, KoRn's RAY LUZIER & G'N'Rs DIZZY REED for Fiery NEW Single "Sick Existence"

May 19, 2025

AGENTS OF YOUR DEMISE

Featuring STEPHEN CHESNEY,

SLASH'S SNAKEPIT VOCALIST ERIC DOVER, BILLY SHEEHAN, KoRn's RAY LUZIER & GUNS N' ROSES DIZZY REED for Fiery

NEW Single "SICK EXISTENCE"

"SICK EXISTENCE" is another song that musically sounds a lot happier at some points than it really is... it tells an important story, If you know you know. I've been waiting to finish this song for a long time so getting it out into the world has been a long time coming."

- Stephen Chesney

ON THE SICK EXISTENCE RECORDING PROCESS:

“We'd been hanging out at a crochet circle and after a lot of hand cramps and light banter we decided to throw our knitting needles at the b*tch giving the class and say stick these up your ass, we're going to go rock this f*cker.” - Eric Dover

THE SONGS

"What you hear on the record in a lot of ways is the story of the last 10/15 years of my life. They’re songs written during some crazy peaks and valleys and I think that makes it a very relatable record. A lot of anger, a lot of venting and a few receipts (maybe…) but there’s a pretty good sense of humor kept within the lyrics throughout. The musicianship of the guys involved is as incredible as you’d expect from them, it was amazing having the songs come together with guys that have the ability that these guys do... and then having Dizzy sign on for the final two songs I was tracking made all the time that it took to get to this point worth it.” - Stephen Chesney

THOUGHTS ON THE RECORD

“I had such a blast playing on this record,

Ray Luzier is so awesome on drums and Stephen played some spectacular guitar on his great songs. I’m glad I could be a part of this!”

- Billy Sheehan

ON THE BAND COMING TOGETHER

“Stephen called me and said hey so i’ve got this idea and these guys in mind to put a band together for a record so I said whats in it for me? - He said he’d buy me a lap dance from a stripper and take you to Buc-ee's to buy beef jerky and I said you know what when you put it that way... by god I’m in.” - Eric Dover

BASK Cover The Brian Jonestown Massacre

May 12, 2025

After a smoking hot tour with their labelmates and fellow North Carolinians Weedeater, Bask are now ready to turn over a different kind of leaf. The Asheville natives will release their fourth album later this year. But first, the band are looking back at one of their influences.

"We've always been inspired by acts like The Brian Jonestown Massacre", says guitarist and vocalist Zeb Wright. "They write songs that feel outside of time and place".

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the documentary that thrust The Brian Jonestown Massacre into the spotlight, today, Bask are releasing a cover of "Anemone". The road to get to this point has been much smoother than it was for the shaggy San Franciscan collective, but the heavy dose of Americana that the band bring to this cult classic shows how far they've come.

Listen to Bask's heavy and heady cover of "Anemone" below:

Stream
https://bask.fanlink.tv/Anemone

Even though they're separated across coastlines and nearly three decades, Bask and The Brian Jonestown Massacre were in a similar headspace heading into their fourth albums. While partially named after the Rolling Stones' guitarist, BJM shifted from spaced-out shoegaze to flower-powered '60s psychedelia on 1996's Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request. Bask's upcoming full-length also ventures into headier pastures, though their cover of that album's sleeper hit "Anemone" is plucked straight from the band's Appalachian roots.

"You should be picking me up / Instead you're dragging me down", Wright repeats in a dazed drawl while twanging on his banjo.

Bask haven't endured nearly the same amount of lineup turnover as their kindred spirits in The Brian Jonestown Massacre. On "Anemone", Drummer Scott Middleton and bassist Jesse Van Note hold down a bottomless groove that's as sludgy and free-flowing as a riverbed. But this cover is the first release since Jed Willis joined as the band's official fifth member. As his pedal steel ripples against Ray Worth's colorfully swirling leads, the band take cosmic country into a whole new dimension.

"'Anemone' is hypnotic in its repetition and perfectly expresses the combination of emotional distress and unbothered cool that to us feels so integral to BJM's sound and songwriting", Bask says. "It's also really fun to play and riff on".

Hailing from Carolina’s storied Blue Ridge Mountains, Bask came together in the fall of 2013. Guitarist Ray Worth, drummer Scott Middleton, bassist Jesse Van Note and guitarist/vocalist Zeb Wright produce sounds that reflect their lush yet rugged Appalachian habitat.

The band's upcoming fourth album is an inter-dimensional Western that digs its heels into their trailblazing Heavy Americana by swirling between raw, metallic energy and country twang.

Line-up:

Jesse Van Note – Bass
Scott Middleton – Drums
Ray Worth – Guitar
Zeb Wright – Guitar/Vocals
Jed Willis - Pedal Steel

Guest musicians
Kenny Harrington - Tambourine

Recording studio
Echo Mountain Spring

Production
Produced, Engineered and Mixed by Kenny Harrington and Zeb Wright.

Mastered by Joe Hutchinson at Garage Masters in Nashville, TN

Order & Stream
https://bask.fanlink.tv/Anemone

Follow Bask
Official website: www.baskband.com
Bandcamp: https://basknc.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/basknc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baskband/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebandbask
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/44JvnzLiXzAtiMSDJTnFC7
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bask/209266263

Psychedelic-indie rock outfit Messiness shares infectious 'Feature With A Rapper' single

May 10, 2025

Psychedelic-tinged indie rockers Messiness present 'Feature With a Rapper', following their March debut single 'Previous Life'. This is the second taste of the band's first album, slated for release later this year via Tarla Records and StoneFree Records. Driven by a ferocious baritone sax riff, this is an electrifying fusion of hard psych rock and Mediterranean vibes, laced with a chaotic arsenal of folk instruments, flower-punk relics and aggressive old-school rap.

What starts as a tongue-in-cheek tale of an artist chasing industry clout unravels into a biting critique of creative legitimacy in the digital age. The track’s high-energy delivery mirrors the desperation of an independent musician, who is struggling to navigate a world where access trumps talent, and credibility is a commodity. Playful yet scathing, its explosive sound and razor-sharp irony make it both a wild ride and a ruthless industry takedown.

Revolving around Sicilian singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, writer and sociologist Max Raffa, Messiness is the welcome result of his remarkable journey, carved through Europe’s cultural landscapes, from sun-bleached Balearic shores to British harbour towns, as Raffa performed in various rock’n’roll bands while conducting the ethnographic research that ultimately shaped his musical vision. Finally landing in Milan’s shadowy outskirts - in the gritty underbelly of Italy’s fashion capital.

Messiness also involves Rosario Lo Monaco on guitars, Filippo La Marca on keyboards, Giovanni Calella on bass guitar, and Luca Anello on drums. Creating accessible, vibrant feel-good indie rock with Britpop leanings, Messiness synthesizes elements of art pop, psychedelic and space rock, their harmonic styles amalgamating the best of British rock, Britpop and Southern European flavours.

In its absurdist circularity, 'Feature with a Rapper' transcends its narrative of industry frustration and becomes a broader indictment of neoliberal cultural economies, where creative legitimacy is both a commodity and a privilege.

"The industry, as depicted here, is a closed circuit, where legitimacy is not earned through talent alone but through prior recognition. This dilemma is exacerbated by the anonymous and decentralized nature of digital platforms; the question “Who are you?” is not simply an expression of unfamiliarity but an existential challenge to artistic worth. In an era where visibility is currency, those without prior capital are functionally non-existent," says Max Raffa.

The protagonist’s journey—from naively seeking validation through established figures to cynically circumventing the process through royalty-free loopholes—mirrors the contemporary artist’s existential dilemma: to play by the rules is to remain invisible, but to cheat the system is to risk exposure as inauthentic. Messiness delivers this critique not with heavy-handed indignation but with a biting, self-aware irony that makes the song as humorous as it is damning. This is ultimately a manifesto of disillusionment—an acknowledgment that, in an industry where credibility is dictated by association, authenticity itself becomes a construct.

As of May 9, 'Feature With a Rapper' is available from fine online music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and directly from the artist via Bandcamp.

CREDITS
Words & Music by Massimiliano Raffa
Produced by Ivan A. Rossi & Massimiliano Raffa
Recorded in Milan by Ivan A. Rossi (at 8brr.rec Studio), Lorenzo Di Blasi (at Sartoria 57 Studio) &
Giovanni Calella (at Diabolicus Studio)
Edited, mixed & mastered by Ivan A. Rossi at 8brr.rec Studio
Massimiliano Raffa – vocals, guitars, Mellotron, synthesizers, sound FX, oud, shawm
Rosario Lo Monaco – guitars
Giovanni Calella – bass
Filippo La Marca – keyboards
Luca Anello – drums & percussion
Beppe Scardino – baritone saxophone
Lucci – Additional vocals.
Cover artwork by Güneş Akyürek
Released by Tarla Records and StoneFree Records
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with Messiness
'Previous Life' single | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | BlueSky | Threads | Soundcloud | LinkedIn | Emai l

Attack Attack! Prank the Scene, Announce New Album, & Drop "Dance!" ft. Will Ramos & "Chainless"

May 10, 2025

After throwing the internet into a frenzy of chaos, speculation, and unexpected genre detours, Attack Attack! are officially back in full force as announcing, "Attack Attack! II", their first full length record since 2012, set for release on August 8th, 2025 via Oxide Records. Fans can pre-order the upcoming record HERE.

Today, they unleash not one, but two massive new singles, "Dance!" featuring Will Ramos of Lorna Shore and "Chainless". Fresh off blindsiding fans with a country remix, the real version of "Dance!" sees the metalcore titans teaming up with one of deathcore's most recognizable voices, Will Ramos, for their first ever official feature that blends sheer aggression with off-the-wall energy. On the other hand, "Chainless" offers a powerful, anthemic counterbalance that's wrapped in explosive riffs with unshakable momentum.

Coming off a week of confusion, cowboy hats, and conspiracies, Attack Attack! are setting the record straight:

"selling out is sick"

Attack Attack! will return to the road for their upcoming headlining run, "The Roadside Rumble Tour", which is set to tear through the US beginning Thursday, May 15th. The band will be joined on the road by fellow heavy-hitting forces Convictions, Downswing, and Uncured. Full routing listed below, and tickets are available to purchase now HERE.

Formed in 2007, Attack Attack! has become a staple in the metalcore scene, amassing over 100 million streams across major streaming platforms on multiple chart-topping records. As torchbearers of the genre, the band continue to push the boundaries of metalcore while solidifying their place in its ever-growing legacy. Known for their no-holds-barred approach, Attack Attack! remain unpredictable as ever, with more bold twists in store for the year ahead.

Be sure to stay tuned for more Attack Attack! news coming very soon.

THE ROADSIDE RUMBLE TOUR

*Attack Attack! only

May 15 | Greensboro, NC | Hangar 1819

May 16 | Athens, GA | 40 Watt Club

May 17 | Spartanburg, SC | Ground Zero

May 18 | Daytona Beach, FL | Welcome To Rockville*

May 20 | Pensacola, FL | Handlebar

May 21 | Birmingham, AL | Workplay

May 22 | Memphis, TN | Minglewood Hall

Full tour information can be found HERE.

ABOUT ATTACK ATTACK!

If you went to Warped Tour in the mid 2000’s, shopped at Hot Topic, or were active on Myspace; then you have heard the name “Attack Attack!” While the band’s early career was relatively short-lived, their reputation has done nothing but grow since the band went on indefinite hiatus in 2013. Known for incorporating dance/electronica music with metal, the band consistently bent the rules of songwriting. They took the sounds they liked and crafted seemingly incompatible genres into anthems for local Ohio scene kids, and later, audiences across the globe. After years of silence, Attack Attack!exploded back onto the scene in 2020. They’re here to remind you that rules are made to be broken, adversity is meant to be overcome, and that legends never die.

Gaahls WYRD Mystify with New Single "And the Now"

May 7, 2025

With "And the Now", Norwegian Grammy winners Gaahls Wyrd are revealing the beating heart of their upcoming second album. The third single spun from Braiding the Stories twist and turns black metal into something darker and dreamier.

Listen to And the Now below.

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

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/gaahlswyrdbraidinggthestories

"And the Now" captures the essence of Gaahls Wyrd's latest musical evolution. The third single off Braiding the Stories draws us deeper into the mercurial frontman's self-appointed "White Lodge", which floats somewhere between dreams and the subconscious.

Anchored by Kristian "Gaahl" Espedal's dynamic vocals and Ole "Lust Kilman" Walaunet's stunning guitars, "And the Now" channels the energy of ‘80s and ‘90s gothic rock without sacrificing the esoteric intensity that defines Gaahls Wyrd. Recorded at Solslottet Studio in Bergen, Norway, and produced alongside Iver Sandøy (Enslaved, Wardruna), the song reinforces the band's commitment to experimentation and depth. Once again, they're cinematic, vivid, and audaciously unclassifiable.

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

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

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

Cover Art:
Øivind Myksvoll

Biography:
Chris Dick

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

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

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear & Black Marbled
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Silver & Dark Green Marbled
12" Special "Hair-Filled" Vinyl
Cassette
Various Merch

Seattle rocker AudioGust explores fame & imposter syndrome in new ‘Award Show’ single

April 29, 2025

Seattle-based artist AudioGust announces his new single 'Award Show', a catchy indie rock piece narrated from the perspective of a barren artist riding on inertia, as hollow accolades amplify his dread in a surreal theater of unworthiness - a gilded cage of his own past glory.

AudioGust is the solo project of songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Evans, whose journey started in the 1980s as a guitarist and bassist in various bands. After a decades-long detour in the software industry (including 20 years at Microsoft), he has returned to his true passion, writing and recording in his own studio. He has since released over three dozen songs and collaborated with artists worldwide, drawing inspiration from bands such as Green Day, The Police, and Foo Fighters.

'Award Show' is the second offering from AudioGust's new album 'Here We Go Again', presenting a menu of hooky anthems for disenchanted optimists. With a sound vortex imbued with 90’s to 2000’s alternative rock, his guitar-driven music brings in a strong, driving rhythm section, big choruses and even bigger bridge sections.

“'Award Show' delves into the darker side of creative success, exposing the paralyzing grip of imposter syndrome. The song follows an artist who once thrived on inspiration but now finds himself creatively empty, yet still receiving accolades for past work," explains Chris Evans.

"As he sits in the audience of a prestigious award show, he silently prays not to win—dreading the spotlight, the praise, and the expectation that he’s something he no longer feels he is. But when his name is called, the weight of the moment only deepens his self-doubt. Playing off his lack of preparation, he accepts the honor, yet inside, he’s unraveling—proof that even recognition can feel like a curse when inspiration is nowhere to be found."

Not long ago, AudioGust released the bright and punctuated title track 'Here We Go Again', an upbeat tribute to the unpredictable nature of creative inspiration, capturing an artist’s late-night encounter with his muse—an unexpected, almost mystical moment when a song begins to take shape in his mind.

His new 14-track album is deeply personal and universally relatable. An ode to the highs and lows of creativity, it includes some of his most popular singles, along with new material. Blending raw energy with introspective storytelling, the album explores the unpredictable nature of inspiration—both the exhilarating moments when it strikes and the emptiness when it fades.

AudioGust explains, "This album is split into songs that describe the extremes of the fickle nature of inspiration and songs that have come to me in both of those places". Offering a deep dive into the creative process, this record features six brand-new songs as well as fan-favorite singles, including 'Tomorrow is Mine', a finalist in the 2024 USA Songwriting Contest.

With a knack for crafting memorable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, underscored by upbeat rhythms and evocative guitar arrangements, AudioGust creates music that speaks to the disenchanted and dreamers alike through sonic exploration of the modern human condition. AudioGust released his debut album 'Walk With Me' in 2023, followed by the 'Hope from Darkness' and 'Love and Pain' EPs.

'Here We Go Again' is available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full album by the same name will be released on May 30.

ALBUM CREDITS
All songs written by Chris Evans
except 'How You Been?' written by Chris Evans & Liz Rodrigues
Recorded, mixed & mastered by AudioGust on Whidbey Island
Performed by AudioGust
Liliana Tani - vocals on 'Dead to Me'
Leslie Irish Evans - announcer's voice on 'Award Show'
Cover artwork by Chris Evans
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Finnish Powerhouse Vocalists LAURENNE/LOUHIMO Release New Album 'Falling Through Stars' via Frontiers Music Srl

April 18, 2025

Today, LAURENNE/LOUHIMO - the collaboration between powerhouse Finnish vocalists Noora Louhimo (Battle Beast) and Netta Laurenne (Smackbound) – are proud to release their sophomore album 'Falling Through Stars,' out now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate, the band has released a new single titled "All For Sale" which is accompanied by a visualizer, available to view below.

LAURENNE/LOUHIMO is one of the most exciting projects on Frontiers Music Srl and, in this second chapter, deliver a full force metal assaults with the power to blow you away.

Talking about the new single, Netta Laurenne commented:

“'All For Sale' is one of the metal ballads on the new album. It is a story of lost love that evolves into the realization that love is never truly lost but instead serves as a teacher. That heartache has a deeper purpose in our lives as a catalyst and healer.”

This new album from LAURENNE/LOUHIMO offers listeners a mix of heavy metal and hard rock tracks that explore the variety of the genre while maintaining a straightforward, easy-to-enjoy appeal.

'Falling Through Stars' has shades of all eras of Rainbow here and there, as well as Judas Priest and many other 80s icons of the style. All of these influences are expertly filtered into Netta and Noora's way of composing music.

Watch the Visualizer for “All For Sale” Below:

The idea of a possible collaboration between Netta and Noora became a reality once the pandemic started and cleared out calendars for both artists. It felt like a perfect time to start the project and share all the things they have in common, from the same original town to similar idols and influences.

The main highlights of the album are, naturally, the vocal melodies created and shared by Netta Laurenne and Noora Louhimo.

'Falling Through Stars' has been once again produced at the Sonic Pump studio under the guidance of Nino Laurenne (who also played the guitars and contributed to the songwriting). The production is clear and powerful and gives the deserved value to the two stars here.

Songs like “Falling Through Stars,” “Damned,” “Loud And Clear,” or “Wait” are just a few of the highlights of a great album that will please all melodic metal fans!

Commenting on the album, Netta states:

“'Falling Through Stars' is the second collaborative album with Noora, and it gave us the opportunity to step in and out of our comfort zones to meet halfway. We had a great time writing and recording the album, which I co-produced with my husband, Nino Laurenne. This album takes us on a journey through both the past and future of metal. We’ve aimed to incorporate styles, instruments, and emotions spanning from the ’70s to the present day. It’s a dynamic album that showcases both raw power and delicate moments, and we’re excited to share it with everyone.”

Order 'Falling Through Stars' HERE

LAURENNE/LOUHIMO are:

Netta Laurenne - Lead & Backing Vocals

Noora Louhimo - Lead & Backing Vocals

Sampo Haapaniemi - Drums

Pasi Heikkilä - Bass

Vili Itäpelto - Keyboards & Programming

Mikko Kosonen - Solo/Acoustic/Lead & Additional Guitars

Nino Laurenne - Rhythm & Solo Guitars

IN THEORY COLLABORATES WITH GUITAR GREAT ERIC GALES ON ROUSING RENDITION OF THE LED ZEPPELIN CLASSIC “SINCE I’VE BEEN LOVING YOU”

April 16, 2025

In Theory is not your average rock band; they are a powerhouse of sound, emotion, and creativity, redefining the boundaries of the genre with their unique and electrifying sound. Hailing from diverse musical backgrounds, this dynamic group of talented players has come together to forge a path that is distinctly their own. Formed in the heart of a bustling music scene, bringing together a group of talented individuals who shared a passion for pushing the limits of rock music. Their journey began in Muscle Shoals where they honed their craft, and their chemistry as a band quickly became evident.

Now, In Theory have just released their new single “Since I've Been Loving You,” with special guest Eric Gales in tribute to one the greatest rock bands - Led Zeppelin. The single is powerful, emotional collaboration with guitar legend Eric Gales and Mike Mostert bringing down the house. This exciting dramatic version showcases the incredible vocalist Tony Covino, along with a special all-star cast of Glen Sobel-Drums (Alice Cooper/ Hollywood Vampires/ Motley Crue), Jimbo Hart- Bass (Jason Isbell), and Clayton Ivey- Keys (Swamper/Fame Gang). As Mostert states, “We created a unique dark, dramatic version of a classic with tension, passion which takes the listener through an emotional journey that transcends the body and soul”.

Listen below:

The song landed on both the New In Rock and Breaking Hard Rock playlists on Apple Music and the Gibson Guitar Rock playlist. Covino continues his thoughts on the track, “A passionate remake of a classic song for the modern era filled with blazing guitars from two powerhouse players. 10 out of 10!". Sobel, comments, “Mike and In Theory know how to take classic rock and infuse it with a modern edge. Creating something sounding both familiar and fresh at the same time. It was a pleasure to work with them!”. Lastly, Gales adds, “I am very proud and honored to be a guest on this rendition of such a legendary song, done by my guy Mike Mostert. Great playing all the way around. Love it. “

You can get a Limited Edition CD Single Bundle (100 copies) with the bonus track "Raise Me Up" and insert signed by both Mike Mostert and Tony Covino while supplies last here: https://bit.ly/InTheoryBand

BUNDLE INCLUDES:
1-CD Single featuring Eric Gales
1-Melanie Watts Artwork signed by Mike Mostert & Tony Covino
5-Guitar Picks

For more information, visit
www.intheoryoriginal.com
https://www.dekoentertainment.com
Deko Entertainment–Art Has Value

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

April 11, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Blake Shelton:

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

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

KEEP UP WITH BLAKE SHELTON

DoFlame Releases Deluxe Edition, "GET BENT!" + Shares New Track "Lost In Time"

April 10, 2025

Last year, Toronto hardcore up-and-comer DoFlame released his sophomore album, BENT, on his new label Blue Grape Music, and he's barreling headfirst into 2025.

Today, DoFlame mastermind Mateo Naranjo dropped the deluxe version of the album, titled GET BENT! Listen here.

It features the new track "Lost in Time" and the recently released hip-hop infused "Drunk Talk" in a newly shuffled version of the album. Listen below.

"Lost In Time" funnels DoFlame's sound back towards his brash punk and hardcore roots, but this time, with a big league mix from platinum engineer Josh Wilbur (KORN, Megadeath, Avenged Sevenfold). Appropriately, "Lost In Time" is the final statement from this seminal period of DoFlame development, a memorable punctuation to halcyon days that are worth remembering, but hard to recall.

"'Lost In Time' is about those that hold up a facade to get what they want: They lie chronically, hop town to town, and clique to clique," the artist says. "It's a burden to deal with these people, but it's bittersweet knowing they'll eventually get caught in their tracks. Those who move like that and get left behind, forgotten, and lost in time."

DoFlame has several U.S. and European dates booked through spring, with more to be announced in the coming months. All dates are below.

DOFLAME LIVE:

U.S. DATES:
4/28 — Beat Kitchen — Chicago, IL#
4/30 — The Middle East — Cambridge, MA#
5/1 — Songbyrd — Washington, DC#
5/2 — Kung Fu Necktie — Philadelphia, PA#
5/3 — TV Eye — Brooklyn, NY#
6/27 — The Rumble — Chicago, IL*
#With Bob Vylan
*Festival

EUROPEAN DATES:
5/16 — The Great Escape — Brighton, UK*
5/17 — Brudenell Social Club — Leeds, UK^
5/19 — The Pits — Kortrijk, BE^
5/20 — La Source — Brussels, BE^
5/23— Supersonic — Paris, FR^
5/24 — Sniester Festival— Den Haag, NL*
5/27 — Cassiopeia — Berlin, DE^
5/28— Blue Shell — Cologne, DE ^
*Festival
^Headline Date

ABOUT BLUE GRAPE MUSIC:
In 2022, industry veterans David Rath and Cees Wessels formed Blue Grape Music. The name will be familiar to rock music fans, as it was the merchandise company also launched by Wessels, who founded the venerable and esteemed record label Roadrunner Records in the '80s. Roadrunner earned a reputation as an iconic label that turned hard rock and metal acts into household names for several decades under Wessels' tutelage. Rath spent 21 years in the A&R department at Roadrunner, working on albums by a variety of RIAA-certified and culturally important acts, including but not limited to Slipknot, Korn, Turnstile, Gojira, Coheed and Cambria, White Reaper, Slash, Trivium, Dream Theater, and more. When the label changed management and ownership, Rath guided the company and oversaw the signings of bands like Young the Giant and Vance Joy. Ultimately, the Blue Grape executive team is powered by experience and a roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-your-hands-dirty, by-any-means-necessary work ethic. Blue Grape's inaugural signing was the two-time Grammy nominee Code Orange and since then, the label has gone on to sign San Francisco punks Spiritual Cramp, hardcore heavyweights GEL, and Baltimore sludge slingers GASKET, with several new signing announcements expected to be announced this year. Blue Grape is distributed globally by The Orchard.

OBSIDIAN TONGUE Announces New Full-Length, Shares First Single, ”Orphaned Spiritual Warrior”

April 2, 2025

Progressive black metal duo OBSIDIAN TONGUE will be releasing their fourth full-length album, 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn,' on May 30, 2025 via Profound Lore Records! To celebrate the forthcoming opus, the band is now sharing the devastating new single, "Orphaned Spiritual Warrior," which can be heard below.

Comprised of multi-instrumentalist Brendan Hayter (Thrawsunblat/Obsequiae live) and drummer Raymond Capizzo (Falls Of Rauros/Panopticon live), OBSIDIAN TONGUE returned to the all-analog Mystic Valley Studio, where their first two records were made, to print their Covid-era home sessions onto two-inch tape. Mixed and mastered in the analog domain as well by Alex Garcia-Rivera, 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn' boasts a unique and unmistakable sonic force amidst the modern digital landscape; created with a total absence of click tracks, quantization, or sound replacement of any kind.

Hayter comments on the single, "The first track we arranged for 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn' practically named itself - 'Orphaned Spiritual Warrior.' It was clearly an album opener, as complex and chaotic as it is.

"It felt like being dropped into a new world you knew you didn’t belong in - and everyone and everything around you knows it too. You vaguely remember that you came from somewhere else, that you had a dignified purpose there, and that there were people way beyond this place that understood you…but the worst part is you don’t know if they’re looking for you, if they’re trying to get you back. All you know is a sense of abandon and mortal danger…every step is heavy with some sort of impostor syndrome and every movement feels uncoordinated, jagged, and bound for disaster. You once could fight, but in this place it feels like trying to fight off an attacker in a dream and you can’t make contact or move your arm fast enough no matter how hard you try. All there’s left to do is find some sort of shelter, try to find your center, try to unlock the memories, and fight off the strife. 'Set ablaze this world to pass onto the next.'"

'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn' can now be pre-ordered HERE.

Lauded as USBM’s best kept secret, Obsidian Tongue has been on a steadfast artistic journey since their formation in 2009. They’ve never failed to retain the original mission of playing raw and cathartic melodic black metal as they journeyed further into psychedelic and progressive territories with each release following 2012’s self-released debut 'Subradiant Architecture.' While their debut won a passionate following for its perfect union of the grimy and the epic sides of black metal, it was 2013’s 'A Nest of Ravens in the Throat of Time' (Hypnotic Dirge Records) and its psychedelic dark metal that established their name more into the scene and showcased their ambitious nature even more.

2015’s 15-minute single 'The Lakeside Redemption,' with its progressive, haunting, dreamlike and triumphant elements, set the groundwork for their third full length, which took several years of tireless effort to complete. Released in Jan of 2020, 'Volume III' (Bindrune Recordings) was clearly the band’s magnum opus but all plans to support the album on the road became thwarted due to the pandemic. So all there was left to do was write even more music. This gradually led to a creation of not one, but three works: the first being 2024’s much-delayed self-released digital EP 'The Stone Heart' and the second being their fourth full-length album 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn' to be released via Profound Lore Records on May 30, 2025.

In the summer of 2024, Obsidian Tongue, comprised of vocalist/guitarist/bassist Brendan Hayter (Thrawsunblat/Obsequiae live) and drummer Raymond Capizzo (Falls Of Rauros/Panopticon live) returned to the all-analog Mystic Valley Studio, where their first two records were made, to print their Covid-era home sessions onto two-inch tape. Mixed and mastered in the analog domain as well by Alex Garcia-Rivera, 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn' boasts a unique and unmistakable sonic force amidst the modern digital landscape; created with a total absence of click tracks, quantization, or sound replacement of any kind.

The progressive black metal journey that is 'Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn' takes off immediately with the wrathful sounds of “Orphaned Spiritual Warrior” and “Snakeskin Tunnel Colony,” easily the band’s two heaviest tracks to date. These flow directly into the apocalyptic title track, and onto the vulnerable and surreal sounds of “To Forgive Oneself” leading into the acoustic instrumental “…And Still They Dream.” This dream ends with the triumphant “Theater of Smoke & Wind,” a true psychedelic black metal classic that still evokes some of the original feeling found on the band’s 'Subradiant Architecture' debut.

Sixteen years into the band’s existence, Obsidian Tongue clearly show no signs of running out of new ways to alter their sound - song by song, album by album.

Lineup:

Brendan Hayter - Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Synth

Raymond Capizzo - Drums

Recorded @ Mystic Valley Studio

Mixed & Mastered by Alex Garcia-Rivera

Photos by: Stephanie Sintra

Pre-Orders: https://linktr.ee/obsidiantongue

Recommended for Fans Of: Agalloch, Blut Aus Nord, Dødheimsgard, Wolves in the Throne Room

Links:

Seattle indie rocker AudioGust presents punchy feel-good 'Here We Go Again', heralding new album

March 31, 2025

Seattle-based indie rock artist AudioGust presents his latest single 'Here We Go Again', the bright and punctuated title track from his forthcoming second album, set for release in late spring. This song kicks things off with an upbeat tribute to the unpredictable nature of creative inspiration.

AudioGust is the solo project of songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Evans, whose journey started in the 1980s as a guitarist and bassist in various bands. After a decades-long detour in the software industry (including 20 years at Microsoft), he has returned to his true passion, writing and recording in his own studio. He has since released over three dozen songs and collaborated with artists worldwide, drawing inspiration from bands such as Green Day, The Police, and Foo Fighters.

'Here We Go Again' captures the artist’s late-night encounter with his muse—an unexpected, almost mystical moment when a song begins to take shape in his mind. As dawn approaches, the rush of ideas intensifies, and he scrambles to keep up, fearing that if he lets them slip away, inspiration may stop visiting altogether. With driving energy and vivid storytelling, Evans sets the tone for the album’s exploration of the highs and lows of the creative process.

This 3 a.m. creative encounter and subsequent search for its significance is a story that fits well with AudioGust's menu of hooky anthems for disenchanted optimists. With a sound vortex imbued with 90’s to 2000’s alternative rock, his guitar-driven music brings in a strong, driving rhythm section, big choruses and even bigger bridge sections.

This first offering is an intriguing introduction to AudioGust's new 14-track album. Deeply personal and universally relatable, this is an ode to the highs and lows of creativity, including some of his most popular singles, along with new material. Blending raw energy with introspective storytelling, the album explores the unpredictable nature of inspiration—both the exhilarating moments when it strikes and the emptiness when it fades.

AudioGust explains, "This album is split into songs that describe the extremes of the fickle nature of inspiration and songs that have come to me in both of those places". Offering a deep dive into the creative process, this record features six brand-new songs as well as fan-favorite singles, including 'Tomorrow is Mine', a finalist in the 2024 USA Songwriting Contest.

With a knack for crafting memorable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, underscored by upbeat rhythms and evocative guitar arrangements, AudioGust creates music that speaks to the disenchanted and dreamers alike through sonic exploration of the modern human condition. AudioGust released his debut album 'Walk With Me' in 2023, followed by the 'Hope from Darkness' and 'Love and Pain' EPs.

As of March 31, the single 'Here We Go Again' is available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full album by the same name will be released on May 30.

ALBUM CREDITS
All songs written by Chris Evans
except 'How You Been?' written by Chris Evans & Liz Rodrigues
Recorded, mixed & mastered by AudioGust on Whidbey Island
Performed by AudioGust
Liliana Tani - vocals on 'Dead to Me'
Leslie Irish Evans - announcer's voice on 'Award Show'
Cover artwork by Chris Evans
Artist photos by Ernie Sapiro
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Female-Led Upon Wings Drop Metalcore Anthem "My Remedy"

March 31, 2025

Upon Wings are back in full force in 2025, and the female-led band has just released their second single of 2025, "My Remedy," which is a metalcore anthem.

On "My Remedy," Upon Wings unleash their heaviest song to date, with hard-hitting breakdowns, loud guitars, and pummeling rhythms backing vocalist Anne Autumn Erickson's angelic, heartfelt vocals. This powerful new song, which is about that one thing in life that gets your through hard times, is available now.

Stream and download the song on all platforms HERE.

Upon Wings were quiet in 2024, but they're enjoying a fantastic 2025.

In January, the band released "Haunting Me," an emotive electronic ballad with dark beats and production. Meanwhile, their music has been strong on streaming platforms, with their 2022 heavy metal single, "Last Love," garnering more than 26,000 streams on Spotify, and their 2023 single, "Distant Memory," is at nearly 12,000 Spotify streams. Both of those songs feature guitars from Kevin Jardine and pummeling rhythms from Kyng drummer Pepe Clarke Magaña. "Distant Memory" also features a shredding guitar solo from Lita Ford guitarist Patrick Kennison.

Meanwhile, their debut single, "Afterlife" featuring Brett Hestla of Creed and Dark New Day, is also still going strong.

Anne's "Women of Rock and Metal," "Metal and Rock That Slays," and "Fire Tracks" playlists have taken off on Spotify, too.

Find Upon Wings on Spotify HERE and on Apple Music HERE.

Find Anne Autumn Erickson's solo music on Spotify HERE and on Apple Music HERE, and find her work at Audio Ink Radio here.

From Fall to Spring Share New Single

March 30, 2025

From Fall to Spring have released a special rendition of the Backstreet Boys hit "Incomplete." The song was originally created for the ESC 2025 preliminary round and combines the band's signature metalcore elements with emotional melodies and powerful vocals.

In addition to their festival appearances all over Europe like Nova Rock, Barcelona Rock Fest, Resurrection Fest, Taubertal Festival, and many more, From Fall Spring will embark on their first international headline tour across Europe and the UK in October 2025. The tour kicks off on October 22 in Bochum, Germany, and includes stops in cities such as Cologne, Hannover, Hamburg, Eindhoven, London, and Manchester. Tickets for several shows are already sold out, highlighting the band's growing popularity.

With their unique interpretation of "Incomplete," From Fall to Spring once again showcase their talent for blending creativity with raw emotion.

More info about their festival dates and headline Europe and UK tour here.

Iodine to Release Bloodhorse's Long-Awaited Sophomore Album "A Malign Star" + Band Shares Title Track

March 30, 2025

Iodine Recordings is pleased to announce it will release A Malign Star, the long-awaited sophomore LP from Boston's Bloodhorse. The vinyl arrives on May 30. Pre-order it here.

The record was produced by Alex Garcia-Rivera at Mystic Valley Studios (Vundabar, American Nightmare, 108) and is the long-awaited follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed Horizoner album, which was released by Translation Loss.

The band is a who's who, featuring members of iconic Massachusetts bands American Nightmare, The Red Chord, and All Pigs Must Die.

A Malign Star is a reckoning — a raw, relentless journey through doubt, defiance, and the eerie spaces in between. From crushing riffs that pay tribute to self-destruction to compositions steeped in imperial dread, each track carves out its own space in the chaos. There's a biting critique of pettiness and alienation, an eerie drift through half-waking nightmares, and a full-throttle push to the brink of speed and control. If you like it fast, dark, and just a little self-aware of its own doom, then you're in the right place.

The band has also shared the title track. Listen below.

"The title is cribbed from a quote from Robespierre describing Paris as being held under a malign star. The idea for this song was to capture a sense of majestic, imperial foreboding," the band says.

Bloodhorse plan to tour in support of the record, as well!

BLOODHORSE ARE:
Alex Garcia-Rivera — Drums
Matt Woods — Bass + Vocals

Swedish Supergroup W.E.T. Release New Album ‘Apex’ Out Now Via Frontiers Music Srl

March 30, 2025

International powerhouse rock group W.E.T. is pleased to release their highly anticipated new studio album, 'Apex,' via Frontiers Music Srl. The focus track, “What Are We Fighting For,” is accompanied by a visualizer, available below.

Vocalist Jeff Scott Soto commented on the focus track:

“What I love about this song and even about the evolvement of W.E.T. is utilizing the fact that we have two lead singers in the band, and this can be exploited as many of my favorite bands in the 70’s - like Queen, Styx, Journey, and Eagles did, adding layers to the songs. On this track, Erik and I trade off on lead vocals for this defining song with a sound that has the true W.E.T. stamp to it."

Watch the Visualizer for "What Are We Fighting For"

The acronym W.E.T. comes from the members’ association with other bands, Robert Säll & Andreas Passmark from Work of Art, Erik Mårtensson & Magnus Henriksson from Eclipse and Jeff Scott Soto from Talisman. And now, for the first time ever, the T is emphasized as Talisman drummer Jamie Borger has joined forces with the band’s original core members.

W.E.T. truly epitomizes what melodic rock has become in the new decade. The key element at the foundation of W.E.T. has always been to create a modern melodic hard rock sound that will drive the genre into the future. Combining powerhouse rhythms and top-notch production (courtesy of Erik Martensson), the music is equally classic and contemporary.

Although a side project to the members’ original bands, over the course of the band’s existence, W.E.T. have reconvened regularly over the last 15 years to produce four studio albums and a live record.

Starting with a genre-defining self-titled debut, Robert Säll (the “W” from Work of Art), Erik Mårtensson (the “E” from Eclipse), and Jeff Scott Soto (the “T” from Talisman) accepted the daunting task to give that debut a follow-up, 'Rise Up'. After that stellar follow-up, their third opus, 'Earthrage', cemented a legacy of music which will stand the test of time.'Retransmission', their latest album, is nothing else than an absolute milestone, which is well in keeping with the tradition established by the three amazing records that have preceded this one.

Erik Mårtensson says:

“It’s always a challenge to find that sweet spot in our calendars when we are all available, not to mention the fact that Jeff lives in California and the rest of us in Sweden. But I also believe that adds to our ambition once we are able to gather. We are all aware that we don’t get too many shots at this, so when we do we gotta make it count.”

'Apex', the fifth studio album of the melodic supergroup, is a bold statement in the band's confidence that they have delivered their best work to date. Eleven tracks full of big choruses and hooky melodies, all served on a platter of smooth heaviness.

Order 'Apex' HERE

W.E.T. are:

Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals

Erik Mårtensson – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards

Robert Säll – Guitars, Keyboards

Magnus Henriksson – Guitars

Andreas Passmark - Bass

Jamie Borger – Drums

GEMINI SYNDROME RELEASES NEW SINGLE “CAROUSEL” – A SONIC RECKONING WITH THE CYCLES OF SELF-DESTRUCTION AND TRANSFORMATION

March 29, 2025

In the ever-turning wheel of existence, where past, present, and future blur into a singular, cyclical motion, Gemini Syndrome unveils their latest offering, “Carousel”—a haunting meditation on the cycles we trap ourselves in and the courage it takes to break free.

"I am my own worst enemy."

A confession. A revelation. A truth buried beneath layers of pretense. We sabotage ourselves in the shadows, hiding behind the illusion of control. The turmoil within is relentless, unseen yet omnipresent. “Carousel” rips the mask away, exposing this eternal conflict—the conscious self at war with the unconscious. The driver and the passenger. The master and the captive.

"We can often be our own worst enemies," says drummer Brian Steele Medina. "There’s this illusion of control, like we’re holding the reins, but sometimes we don’t realize we’re just along for the ride. ‘Carousel’ captures that duality—the war between who we are and who we want to be."

To break the cycle requires an act of will—but true will is more than defiance; it is surrender. The courage to let go of the illusions that bind us. How can we evolve if we refuse to release the weight of our past? How can we ascend if we remain tethered to a wheel that never stops spinning?

"How can we become better than our present selves, when we live our lives like we’re on a carousel?"

The question lingers like an incantation, a challenge to all who dare to listen. “Carousel” is not just a song—it is a rite of passage, a moment of reckoning for those willing to look into the mirror and confront the storm behind their own eyes.

"At some point, you have to face the mirror," vocalist

Aaron Nordstrom adds. "The song is about that reckoning—when you finally admit that you’re the architect of your own suffering. But acknowledgment is the first step to change."

With towering riffs, hypnotic rhythms, and a chorus that lingers like a whispered truth, “Carousel” embodies the struggle between stagnation and self-awareness.

This is the journey of Origin: From Nothingness to Everything—the transmutation of the self through trial and tribulation. The endless fight to wake up, break free, and become more than the sum of our past mistakes.

The ride is not over. But the choice is yours: remain in endless repetition, or shatter the cycle and step beyond.

As Gemini Syndrome continues their journey of musical and philosophical alchemy, “Carousel” stands as a call to arms for those willing to step off the loop and forge a new path.

GEMINI SYNDROME

Aaron Nordstrom | Messanger

Brian Steele Medina | Drums + Programming

Meegs Rascón | Guitars

AP Paveri | Bass

ALIEN WEAPONRY Joined by Lamb of God's Randy Blythe on New Anthem "Taniwha"; New Album Out This Friday, March 28, 2025 via Napalm Records

March 27, 2025

This Friday, March 28, New Zealand modern groove metal trio ALIEN WEAPONRY will release heaviest, most powerful and mature offering to date, Te Rā, via Napalm Records! Today, in celebration of this week's release, the band has unleashed one of the album's most aggressive, death-metal leaning offerings, “Taniwha”, featuring a raw, heavy-hitting contribution from longtime supporter and metal icon Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God.

Take a listen to the new track now – a special bonus listen two days in advance of the album's drop – and see below for insight into the track's inspirations! The new anthem follows acclaimed latest singles “Mau Moko” ("...top-notch technical thrash metal..." - Heavy Consequence) and "1000 Friends" ("a driving, riff forward affair that makes it super easy to bang your head to" - MetalSucks).

ALIEN WEAPONRY says about “Taniwha”:

“Lamb of God played a significant role in making Alien Weaponry what it is today and this collaboration with Randy Blythe feels like one of those ‘pinch yourself’ moments that our teenage selves would never believe possible. Randy’s lyricism and vocal expertise was an amazing addition to this song and we are beyond stoked to share this song/milestone with the world.”

Listen to "Taniwha” HERE:

ALIEN WEAPONRY have solidified themselves as one of the greatest young metal bands of their generation with renewed musical tenacity and crucial messaging. Since releasing their acclaimed debut Tū(2018), the band have been lauded for their kinetic presence and sound, as well as their vital blend of culturally profound lyricism in both English and te reo Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand.

With their third full-length album, ALIEN WEAPONRY expand on their hallmark messages of cultural, societal and environmental resilience while delivering their most massive-sounding, focused musical output ever. In the hands of veteran producer/mixer Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Gojira, Megadeth), Te Rā’s gnashing blend of groove, nu, math and thrash metal shines with anthemic choruses and refreshed technical skill. Te Rā is a bold, unwavering cry for a future in which we can all take part in the legacy of peoples like the Māori and others all around us – people who, if they aren’t seen, most certainly need to be heard! Taken as a whole, Te Rā grapples with what it’s like to be caught in the pull of divergent cultures – not just for the descendants of colonized people, but for all of us.

Pre-Order Te Rā HERE:

On Te Rā, listeners can hear the band doubling-down on the aggression in the verses before applying temperance, especially in the case of “Taniwha”, a death metal-leaning banger featuring the particularly raw aforementioned guest vocal from Randy Blythe. Lyrically, there’s a noticeable tilt towards despondency, hopelessness, and frustration on Te Rā. While bassist Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds' lyrics in Māori on songs like “Tama-nui-te-rā” and “Ponaturi” draw from the themes of history, battle lore and mysticism that made the first two albums so rich, frontman/guitarist Lewis Raharuhi de Jong's English-language lyrics illustrate the impact when culture collides with disenfranchisement day to day. “Crown” and “Hanging by a Thread” take us into the headspace where struggle pushes people to the brink of desperation, while on “Blackened Sky” and “1000 Friends”, Lewis addresses universal woes like the looming threat of World War III and the damaging effects of social media. On album closer “Te Kore”, Tūranga dives into primordial nothingness at the root of the Māori origin story, while on “Mau Moko”, he finds the middle ground between these perspectives. As the lyrics honor the traditional Māori practice of face tattooing, they also delve into the social costs of maintaining customs that are at-odds with dominant cultural norms.