ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: New Song From Lost In Hollywood

Hamburg-based breakout act Lost in Hollywood continue their rise with the release of their brand-new single "Like A River," featuring powerful guest appearance by Of Virtue. Listen Below.
 

After turning heads with a string of successful recent singles and rapidly growing their fanbase across Europe and beyond, the band now takes thei next major step forward with an international collaboration that underlines their momentum.
 

With "Like A River," Lost in Hollywood sharpen their modern sound even further, blending emotional intensity and heavy-hitting energy with the vocal presence of Of Virtue. The result is a high-impact release that bridges scenes and audiences.
 

Following the strong performance of their latest releases and a steadily expanding live footprint, the collaboration marks a new step in Lost in Hollywood's evolution — louder, more confident, and more globally connected than ever before.


"Like A River" doesn't just add another chapter to their story — it raises the bar for what's coming next.

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: New Song From Vicious Rain

Swiss metalcore force Vicious Rain return with full intensity on "Silent Therapy," marking the powerful next step toward their upcoming album The Anatomy of Surviving, set for release on March 13.

 

 Following the momentum of their previous singles "IKIGAI" and "Spitting Blood Again," both of which firmly established the band as an exciting, modern heavy act, Vicious Rain now dive even deeper.


With the release of "Silent Therapy," Vicious Rain have officially launched the pre-orders for their new album The Anatomy of Surviving. The record promises to be their most personal and dynamic work to date, capturing the struggle, resilience, and emotional weight that define both the band and their growing international fanbase.
 

From the spiritual drive of "IKIGAI" to the ferocious outburst of "Spitting Blood Again" and now the haunting depth of "Silent Therapy," Vicious Rain continue to sharpen their identity — uncompromising, emotional, and built to endure.

SLIK HELVETIKA RETURN WITH NEW SINGLE, "SOLAR HEAD"

One of the heaviest bands to emerge from the Philadelphia rock scene is certainly Slik Helvetika. Who, will be returning on December 5, 2025 with a brand new single, "Solar Head" – which serves as a preview concerning what to expect from the band's 2026 full-length, 'Walk Through Fire,' which will be released through Deko Entertainment.

"'Solar Head' begins with an unsettling actual recording of solar wind, then erupts into full ass kicking mode," explains the group's long-time singer/guitarist/songwriter Michael Myers. "The song is written about a mass coronal ejection large enough to engulf all in its path. A mass extinction level event."

"What if this event's energy had a consciousness?  Let's talk about that.  Better yet, let's write a full throttle heavy metal anthem around this this extinction level event with the tongue in cheek placement of some very aggressive cliches and lyrics! The Atomic Killpig rules this world!”

 

Check out the visualizer for “Solar Head” below;

 

To pre-save on Spotify or pre-add on Apple Music, visit: https://push.fm/ps/trxojc5l

 

To pre-order, visit: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/inthesquare/slik-helvetika

From the glory days of the Philadelphia and New Jersey rock scene of the 80s that spawned Cinderella, Britny Fox, Pretty Poison, John Eddie, and an entire laundry list of artists who went forward to be stars, there was a band called Destroyer.  These boys in Destroyer were *ssholes. Too young, bad attitudes, but really good, great songs, and ultra entertaining. 

 

Going wide open full throttle, it would take them some time before they were a commodity that a record company of that day would even consider. Even though their self-released EP sold out of multiple pressings. When that glorious day came, there was a flash bulletin....“Sorry, grunge ate your genre”. 

 

Led by Myers, the band had unknowingly sidestepped all the woes and pressures of being “that commodity” and unwanted influences. Taking some time to let the songs and playing develop to be the best it could resulted in that band today called Slik Helvetika. Lots of driving energy, melody, memorable chorus hooks, great playing and strong lyrics. Yes, it is a reincarnation of Destroyer with bigger balls, but incredibly tastefully done. 

 

The line up has always featured Michael Myers on lead guitar and vocals – who has had the privilege of playing alongside a variety of talented musicians, such as Kjell Benner [formerly of Quiet Riot] Vern Parsons [Greg Howe].  Slik Helvetika and Destroyer have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Cinderella, Trixter, Savatage, EZO, Kingdom Come, Malice, Foghat, Rick Derringer, Funny Money, [Kix side project], Krokus, Manowar, John 5 and many more.

 

And on December 5th, Myers and co. will prove once again that they are one of the most ferocious rock bands to ever come out of the Philly scene, with the arrival of "Solar Head."

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 

slikhelvetika.com

Mayhem Drop Video for "Despair"

The most influential black metal band in history returns with their seventh studio album, Liturgy of Death.

With this new chapter, Mayhem once again cement their reputation as one of the most relentless forces in extreme metal. Nearly 40 years into its career, the band turns its gaze toward the unavoidable truth of mortality. Liturgy of Death explores the philosophy of mortality with stark, uncompromising clarity. The album presents death not as an ending, but as a universal law that touches all life and exposes the fragility of human existence. This impermanence becomes a call to live with full intensity, for every gain and loss ultimately falls back into the same silence. Echoing ancient philosophies, the album portrays life as a transitional state and death as a gateway to a higher form of being, while the solemn, dark beauty of death permeates the entire work.

Stream "Despair" here. 

Watch the video here. 


"Despair" captures this vision in its most visceral form. The track unravels the collapse of being through ritualistic chants, Latin invocations, and blistering blast beats that echo like the pulse of annihilation. Attila’s vocals summon an ancient, fatal truth: the fading of light, the inevitability of death, and the recognition of human fragility. "Despair" stands as the album’s stark revelation — the moment where death is not feared but understood.

Pre-order Liturgy of Death here. 

EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AS:
• Ltd. Deluxe Box Set incl. an exclusive 12" Clear-Black Marbled Vinyl with alternate artwork, bonus 7" Marbled Vinyl with 2 extra tracks, metal pin, patch, art prints, and the special tarot card "Liturgy of Death" (Clear-Black Marbled Edition and Transp. Red-Black Marbled BAND EDITION)
• Ltd. Gatefold Black Vinyl (180g) & 12 pages LP-Booklet
• Ltd. Gatefold Transp. Orange-Black Marbled Vinyl (180g) & 12 pages LP-Booklet
• Ltd. Gatefold Splatter Black-Apricot Vinyl (180g) & 12 pages LP-Booklet
• Ltd. Gatefold Haze Bright Gold-Black Vinyl (180g) & 12 pages LP-Booklet
• Ltd. Gatefold A/B Split Red-Black Vinyl (180g) & 12 pages LP-Booklet (BAND EDITION)
• Ltd. Gatefold Black Ice Ghost Vinyl (180g) & 12 pages LP-Booklet (US EDITION)
• Ltd. Gatefold Cooper Black Ice Vinyl (180g) & 12 pages LP-Booklet (US EDITION)
• Ltd. CD Mediabook in Slipcase (with bonus track and additional artwork)
• Standard CD Jewelcase
• Digital album

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

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

THE HALO EFFECT - unveil final track "Shoreline" (Broder Daniel cover)

The circle is closing. THE HALO EFFECT unveils the fifth and final song from their highly anticipated cover EP We Are Shadows. Each member of the band selected a personal favorite and classic track to reinterpret, and this last choice comes from drummer Daniel Svensson.

Svensson’s pick is a heartfelt tribute to Gothenburg legends Broder Daniel – their 2003 alternative pop anthem 'Shoreline'.

Needless to say, THE HALO EFFECT have made the song entirely their own, delivering a powerful and emotional rendition where frontman Mikael Stanne once again shines, seamlessly blending clean vocals with his unmistakable growls.

Reflecting on his choice, Daniel Svensson comments:
"Broder Daniel were one of the bands that created the Gothenburg indie-pop scene in the late ’90s. There are several parallels to the ‘Gothenburg Sound’ — both scenes were driven by a strong DIY ethos and comradeship while gathering international attention.”

Watch the visualizer for 'Shoreline' Below;

Stream the EP We Are Shadows: https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/waslp

THE HALO EFFECT  will join German metal outfit HEAVEN SHALL BURN along with The Black Dahlia Murder and Frozen Soul on tour early next year.

THE HALO EFFECT is:
Niclas Engelin | guitar
Jesper Strömblad | guitar
Mikael Stanne | vocals
Peter Iwers | bass
Daniel Svensson | drums

Randy Houser Releases Regret-Proof "Back In The Bottle"

Multi-Platinum hitmaker and powerhouse vocalist Randy Houser releases “Back In The Bottle,” tapping into the reckless, unforgettable nights that linger long after last call. Listen to the new track, available now via Magnolia Music Group, Below.
 
Leading up to the song’s release, Houser shared the inspiration for the song on socials: “When I had the idea for ‘Back In The Bottle,’ not to name drop, but I was hanging out with Post Malone, and we went to the studio. Didn’t even leave to get started ‘til probably midnight. We did two nights like that, and we were having a great time, writing and drinking.
 
“So that gave me the idea: ‘If I could put last night back in the bottle, I’d pull last night back down and drink it again,’” he shared with a laugh. “And we’ve all had those nights. How many times have we hair-of-the-dogged it? Sometimes you just gotta keep rocking and keep having fun.”
 
Written solely by Houser and co-produced by Blake Chancey, “Back In The Bottle” opens with the familiar wreckage of a rowdy night out, leading to a chorus that embraces the kind of night you’d gladly repeat, consequences be damned:

The release ignites a new chapter for Houser, and fans can expect a steady stream of new music throughout 2026. “Back In The Bottle” follows Note To Self (Deluxe), which saw the Mississippi native trading powerhouse moments with Cody Johnson, Justin Moore, Miranda Lambert and Riley Green.

Beyond the studio and stage, Houser has been building his presence in film, with roles in Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” and starring alongside Dennis Quaid in “The Hill,” demonstrating the range and depth of his artistry.
 
For tour dates and more information, visit RandyHouser.com or follow along on Instagram @RandyHouser, Facebook.com/RandyHouser and Twitter/X @RandyHouser.

Horizon Theory Release New Single "Transcendence" feat. Morgan Rose (Sevendust) ​   

Horizon Theory has released their new single “Transcendence”, featuring Morgan Rose of Sevendust on both guest vocals and drums, available now via Mindful Recordings.

 

“Transcendence” marks the first single from Horizon Theory’s upcoming full-length album, Mission Control, slated for release in March 2026. Accompanied by a visualizer, the track delivers an atmospheric and hard-hitting sonic experience.

 

Produced by Morgan Rose, mixed by Chris Dawson and mastered by Kris Crummett, the single delivers a polished sound that rivals some of modern rock’s most powerful productions.

 

Josh Harrington, the band's vocalist shares, "'Transcendence' is a song that I think everyone can relate to. It’s basically about a relationship that implodes. Love lost and questions unanswered. Something we’ve all been through at some point in our lives. It features Morgan on drums and backing vocals also!"

 

He adds, "This will be our first release working with a producer and until we toured with Sevendust we hadn’t really considered it. While we were on the road with them Morgan mentioned getting in the studio and putting an album together. To say we were pumped at the opportunity is an understatement! Working with Morgan was an awesome experience and a great way for us to expand our sound with some fresh ideas in the studio. We can’t wait for you to hear the rest of the album Mission Control!"

 

Morgan Rose comments, “I had the best time working with these guys. The songs are amazing. Lyrically, and musically, I have no doubt people will relate to it in a big way”. 

 

“Transcendence” is available now on all major streaming platforms.

 

STREAM "Transcendence HERE

 

WATCH the visualizer video for "Transcendence" below.

Horizon Theory is a 5 piece Heavy Rock/Metal band that is quickly showing that they have what it takes to become a mainstay in the genre. The airtight rhythm section featuring Luen Murr on Bass produces the foundation for what will only prove to be more complex and melodic. Chris Black layers guitars that can mesmerize and enchant just as easily as they can violently blast through whatever is in the path. This all sets the stage for Josh Harrington to invoke emotion and energy from any crowd that witnesses his passionate vocal performance. With several singles racking up Millions of views and streams since 2023 as well as tours with the likes of Sevendust, 10 Years, Cold, Orgy and Smile Empty Soul, HORIZON THEORY has exploded onto the scene with energy and conviction. 

Horizon Theory:

Josh Harrington - Vocals
Chris Black - Guitar
Luen Murr - Bass 

 

For More Information Please Visit:

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

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

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

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

Stream "Weep for Nothing" here. 

Watch The visualizer Below. 

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

Pre-order Liturgy of Death here. 

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

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

AGENBITE MISERY Release “A Charitable View of Temporary Insanity”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Volumes Announce New Album "Mirror Touch" Out 12/12 + Share "S.O.A.P." Visualizer

15 years into their career, Volumes have weathered ups, downs, time, trends, and everything else life could throw at them only to come out stronger on the other side. Against all odds, a devout audience has ridden shotgun and grown with them every step of the way, waiting for this moment.

The Los Angeles quartet — Michael Barr [vocals], Raad Soudani [bass], Myke Terry [vocals], and Nick Ursich [drums] — are thrilled to announce their fifth album, titled Mirror Touch. It will be released digitally on December 12 via longtime label Fearless Records. The physical album will arrive on February 27 of next year. Pre-order it here. 

Volumes have dropped the visualizer for the new single "S.O.A.P." Watch it

Volumes have never sounded as confident and assured as they do on this riff-roaring new single. Crunchy, industrial-tinged production, screamed vs. melodic vocal interplay, and a thunderous breakdown signal the beginning of the new era of Volumes. If Meshuggah or Fear Factory entered into a cage match with the Terminator: Judgment Day's T-1000 liquid antagonist, it would sound a lot like "S.O.A.P."

"'S.O.A.P.' is about pure and impure indulgence," the band explains. "Good versus evil. Playing with fire or magic — the lines are blurred here. We self-nurture habits that are deemed immoral, although who is the person making that decisions for us?"

Through a decade-and-a-half, Volumes' quiet impact has been felt, with over 167 million streams in the U.S. alone, widespread acclaim, and sold-out shows. They've carved out their own corner of heavy music with an inimitable hybrid of head-crushing polyrhythmic prog-spiked metal, hardcore spirit, and unbridled attitude. They have assuredly leveled up over the course of albums such as Via [2011], No Sleep [2014], Different Animals [2017], and Happier? [2021]. KERRANG! hailed the latter as "an album that gives a nod to the band's past while still bringing in new ideas." Meanwhile, the group shared stages on tour with everyone from Ice Nine Kills and Born of Osiris to Dance Gavin Dance and Counterparts. The Los Angeles group continues to fortify a full-on sensory assault with thick riffing, chilling soundscapes, and the venomous bite of its incomparable two-headed vocal hydra.

CROBOT Fire Off Their New Single “GUN TO MY HEAD” — A Riff-Loaded Shot of Adrenaline

There’s a special kind of madness that happens when a band circles back to its roots — that wild-eyed realization that the thing you were chasing was behind you the whole damn time. CROBOT are standing right there now, staring down the beast they built, grinning through the smoke.

Brandon Yeagley still preaches his gospel from behind the mic like some back-alley shaman with a harmonica holstered for punctuation. Christopher Bishop remains the riff conjurer — tone soaked in engine grease and snake oil, as if the guitar itself were trying to escape the song. And with the arrival of brothers Willie (bass, vocals) and Nico Jansen (drums, percussion), the band’s pulse has started to sound downright dangerous again — thick, swinging, and impossible to fake.

Every band says they’re “getting back to their roots.” Most of them mean they’re out of ideas. CROBOT means it like a blood oath. They’ve stripped it all down to the muscle and marrow, rediscovering that holy intersection where Sabbath’s weight meets Funkadelic’s freak, where Clutch’s swagger shakes hands in the Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic Chili-Peppers era. This isn’t nostalgia — it’s resurrection. The past few years have sanded off a lot of pretense. What’s left is a band that’s learned how to breathe again, how to groove again, how to trust the dirt under their boots. They’ve been through the industry grinder, the touring trenches, the ego traps, and the inner wars — and somehow came out grinning wider, riffing harder, and sounding more alive than they have

in a decade.

That rebirth roars to life on “Gun to My Head,” the first shot fired from their upcoming album. It’s CROBOT at their most unfiltered — hook-heavy, groove-drenched, and thick with the kind of swagger that makes amps sweat. The song’s chorus swings like a pendulum between surrender and salvation, the sound of four musicians testing their own limits and finding freedom on the other side. It’s not about violence — it’s about the pressure of transformation, the push and pull between love, truth, and the kind of pain that forces

you to evolve.

“Sometimes you’re forced to take a step back and reflect on what really matters,” explains Yeagley. “Every note has a reason, every word a purpose. We’re etching something in-blood into the CROBOT discography - and Gun to My Headfelt like the best taste of what’s to come.”

CROBOT in 2025 isn’t chasing relevance. They’re chasing feel. That unspoken alchemy that happens when four lunatics hit a downbeat and the room levitates for a second. They’ve traded the smoke and mirrors for sweat and instinct,

and it shows.

Call it rebirth, call it regression, call it whatever you want — CROBOT is back where they belong: knee-deep in the groove, grinning like thieves, and daring you to

prove them wrong.

BLACKSHAPE Release New EP 'Prismer I' + "Feels Like Flying" Official Visualizer via Papercut Recordings

Atmospheric post-metal outfit BLACKSHAPE have released their new EP 'Prismer I' along with the official visualizer for "Feels Like Flying" via Papercut Recordings. The EP is the band's latest body of work since their 2021 self-titled full length, 'BLACKSHAPE'. Speaking about today's release, the band commented:

"Making 'Prismer I' was the most demanding creative endeavor of our lives. It tested friendships, stretched deadlines, introduced a new member, and pushed us to our absolute limits. We set out to make something bigger, heavier, and more beautiful than our first record, and we feel we’ve accomplished that. Musically, it captures the full spectrum of our elation and struggle throughout its creation.

Endless thanks to our producer and friend, Adam Cichocki (CHEE-HOT-SKEE), who worked tirelessly alongside us to bring this record to life. We couldn’t be more proud of what we created and can’t wait to release the first installment of Prismer into the world."

'Prismer I' is available now on all streaming platforms at the link here. Watch the "Feels Like Flying" visualizer below, and be sure to stay tuned for more BLACKSHAPE news coming soon.

ABOUT BLACKSHAPE

Haunting, intricate, and emotionally brutal, BLACKSHAPE create music that lives in the shadowed space between chaos and clarity. Their compositions stretch across post-metal, math rock, and ambient minimalism—twisting tension and release into something visceral and cinematic. For fans of sonic unease, dramatic builds, and songwriting that lives outside the lines.

Making Prismer I, BLACKSHAPE’s new record, pushed the band to their breaking point. The process became their prison, a crucible of relentless personal and creative pressure. But the music was a prism—refracting that pressure into something beautiful, harrowing, and cathartic, and ultimately reshaping their perspective in the very act of making it. The title reflects this duality, capturing both the burden of confined thinking and the liberation in breaking it apart. Like a prism splitting light, every experience expands perspective into countless paths, showing that escaping the prison of one view means embracing the full spectrum: beautiful, ugly, terrifying, and freeing. This is Prismer.

BLACKSHAPE is:

Bryan Lee

Joseph Woit

Josh Dunn

Scott Shepard

THE HALO EFFECT UNVEIL A POWERFUL RENDITION OF PHENOMENA'S 'DANCE WITH THE DEVIL'

Swedish melodic death metal collective THE HALO EFFECT continue to reveal tracks from their forthcoming cover EP We Are Shadows, out November 21.

Each band member has chosen a personal favorite song to reinterpret, and this time it’s guitarist Niclas Engelin’s turn. His choice: the 1985 classic 'Dance With The Devil' by the legendary “supergroup” PHENOMENA, featuring Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley (Whitesnake), and Cozy Powell, among others.

THE HALO EFFECT’s version transforms the iconic track into a crushing, melodic storm — with Mikael Stanne’s ferocious growls and the band’s trademark guitar-driven intensity breathing new life into the timeless song.

Niclas Engelin recalls the song’s lasting impact:
“I got hit by lightning in the 7th grade when I got to borrow the album by Phenomena from my friend Emil Olsen. The song Dance With The Devil struck me hard, and I recorded the whole album on cassette — which I played into dust.”

We Are Shadows will feature unique reinterpretations personally chosen by each member of THE HALO EFFECT, showcasing the diverse influences behind one of Sweden’s most acclaimed modern metal acts.

Listen to 'Dance With The Devil': https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/dwtdsg

Watch the visualizer Below;

Pre-order the EP We Are Shadows: https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/waslp

THE HALO EFFECT is:
Niclas Engelin | guitar
Jesper Strömblad | guitar
Mikael Stanne | vocals
Peter Iwers | bass
Daniel Svensson | drums

The Pretty Wild Unleash New Track "AFTERLIFE (feat. Magnolia Park)" + Official Visualizer via Sumerian Records

Rising metaphysical metalcore powerhouse The Pretty Wild has unleashed their latest offering, "AFTERLIFE (feat. Magnolia Park)" and the accompanying visualizer (via Sumerian Records). The track can be found in the band's forthcoming full-length 'zero.point.genesis', out Friday, November 21. Other tracks on the album include previously released bangers "PARADOX", "OMENS", "Button Eyes", "living ded", and the smash-hit "sLeepwALKeR" (as a physical bonus track). The songs so far have amassed over 23 million streams on Spotify alone and 3 million views on YouTube and counting. Speaking about today's drop, the band commented:

"'AFTERLIFE' circles the idea of star-crossed souls bound by something ancient and unbreakable. Conceptually it’s plucked from the kind of love you find in mythology and old tragedies, where you have this obsessive devotion and destruction. It isn’t perfect, but it's dark, beautiful, and eternal." -jules 

"'AFTERLIFE' explores the idea that love dynamics are rooted in codependent magnetism and resonance patterns. it asks, what happens when obsession doesn’t end with death, but carries ur soul into magnetizing eternal dynamics? the result is kinda tragic and romantically glitchy. it’s basically a pop-metal requiem." -jyl

Stream "AFTERLIFE (feat. Magnolia Park)" here, watch the official visualizer below, and pre-save 'zero.point.genesis' here.

After wrapping up a recent run with Sleep Theory earlier this month, fans will next have their chance to see The Pretty Wild hit the stage across the US alongside Set It Off, Fame On Fire, and VANA, starting Tuesday, October 28 in Atlanta, Georgia. For ticket information, please click here.

The Pretty Wild Upcoming Tour Dates:

10/28/2025 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

10/29/2025 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

10/30/2025 - Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom

11/1/2025 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues Cleveland

11/4/2025 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues Chicago

11/7/2025 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium

11/8/2025 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

11/10/2025 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory - Spokane

11/11/2025 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

11/12/2025 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo

11/14/2025 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades

11/16/2025 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater

11/17/2025 - Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory

11/20/2025 - Houston, TX @ House of Blues Houston

11/21/2025 - Dallas, TX @ Southside Music Hall

11/23/2025 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues Orlando

11/25/2025 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's

11/26/2025 - Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew's Hall

11/28/2025 - Indianapolis, IN @ Old National Centre

11/30/2025 - Buffalo, NY@ Buffalo RiverWorks

12/1/2025 - Toronto, ON @ The Danforth Music Hall

12/2/2025 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club

12/5/2025 - New York, NY @ Irving Plaza

12/6/2025 - Allentown, PA @ Archer Music Hall

12/7/2025 - Philadelphia, PA @ The Fillmore Philadelphia

12/9/2025 - Baltimore, MD @ Nevermore Hall

12/10/2025 - Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz

Blackshape Release New Track "Falling" and Official Visualizer via Papercut Recordings

Atmospheric post-metal outfit BLACKSHAPE have dropped their latest offering "Falling" and the surreal accompanying visualizer (via Papercut Recordings). Rife with soaring, expressive guitar melodies interlaced with menacing beats, "Falling" is taken from the band's forthcoming new EP 'Prismer I', set for release on October 24. Speaking about today's release, the band commented:

“'Falling' captures the tension at the heart of [our] sound—the pull between making music [that is] heavier and more abrasive, and at the same time more beautiful. An intense instrumental journey, “Falling” speaks for itself while setting the stage for its vocal-driven sister song on [our] upcoming record, 'Prismer I'".

Stream "Falling" here, watch the official visualizer below, and pre-save 'Prismer I' here.

ABOUT BLACKSHAPE

Haunting, intricate, and emotionally brutal, BLACKSHAPE create music that lives in the shadowed space between chaos and clarity. Their compositions stretch across post-metal, math rock, and ambient minimalism—twisting tension and release into something visceral and cinematic. For fans of sonic unease, dramatic builds, and songwriting that lives outside the lines.

Making Prismer I, BLACKSHAPE’s new record, pushed the band to their breaking point. The process became their prison, a crucible of relentless personal and creative pressure. But the music was a prism—refracting that pressure into something beautiful, harrowing, and cathartic, and ultimately reshaping their perspective in the very act of making it. The title reflects this duality, capturing both the burden of confined thinking and the liberation in breaking it apart. Like a prism splitting light, every experience expands perspective into countless paths, showing that escaping the prison of one view means embracing the full spectrum: beautiful, ugly, terrifying, and freeing. This is Prismer.

BLACKSHAPE is:

Bryan Lee

Joseph Woit

Josh Dunn

Scott Shepard

CORELEONI Present Official "Sick & Tired (live)" Visualiser Video; to Release Live at Hallenstadion Zurich

The world is getting pale, leaves are falling, rain and fog are the only constants at the weather forecast: who wouldn’t suffer from autumn blues every now and then under these circumstances? But don’t worry as Swiss based hard rock quintet CORELEONI have come to deliver the perfect antidote for everyone.

Today, the band - GOTTHARD guitarist Leo Leoni, phenomenal singer Eugent Bushpepa, guitarist Jgor Gianola as well as the pumping rhythm section (Mila Merker on bass & Alex Motta on drums) - release "Sick & Tired (live)," the first single from their brand new live album Live at Hallenstadion Zurich. Due out on December 12, 2025 via PERCEPTION - A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music, the digital offering can be pre-saved here: 
https://coreleoni.rpm.link/zurichlivePR

“This is probably the heaviest track on our latest record III, where the vocal parts reach some of the highest tones of the album. The crowd in Zurich pushed us to the point where we and especially Gent delivered 110% of the magic we had to give. This becomes very clear when listening to this recording,” states guitarist Jgor Gianola.

Leo Leoni adds about the original intention behind the track: “It’s a great song with a lot of energy that helps you when you’re ‘sick and tired’ of things you wanna get rid of. Then the guitar riff kicks in and the rock ‘n’ roll spirit brings back the positive vibes.”

Watch the official visualizer video below.

Live at Hallenstadion Zurich was recorded on July 3, 2025 at their show supporting the mighty JUDAS PRIEST and comprises 9 electrifying tracks. Including both covers of the rich GOTTHARD catalogue and tracks from III, CORELEONI’s first original effort which came out in early 2022, this new recording is essential rock ‘n’ roll: raw yet heavily rocking.

These history-charged 40 minutes simply had to be captured for eternity - not only for the 7,000 attending fans to relive the event but also for CORELEONI’s and hard rock fans all over the world!

About CORELEONI

Founded by guitarist Leo Leoni in 2018, CORELEONI started reviving the early GOTTHARD days successfully with their album duo consisting of The Greatest Hits - Part 1 and II. The band also convinced fans and critics alike with their high-energy performances all over Europe, making the five-piece write their very own material. The result titled III was finally released in early 2022 and saw the addition of gifted Albanian singer Eugent Bushpepa to CORELEONI’s powerful line-up, which is completed by guitarist Jgor Gianola (ex-GOTTHARD, ex-U.D.O.), bass player Mila Merker and drummer Alex Motta. The group’s latest record hit the official Swiss album chart at no. 2 and thereby cemented the high demand for their captivating craft. Of course, III guided the quintet’s way across the continent once again while making one thing even clearer: CORELEONI are more than just a studio band and need to be experienced (a)live to understand their vision in full. So what are you waiting for? Feel the magic & enjoy their second live offering, Live at Hallenstadion Zurich!

CORELEONI are:
Eugent Bushpepa | vocals
Leo Leoni | guitars
Jgor Gianola | guitars
Mila Merker | bass
Alex Motta | drums
 

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

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: Annisokay Share New Track

German metalcore powerhouse Annisokay are back with their brand-new single "Splinters," further cementing their reputation as one of Europe's most exciting heavy acts. Formed in Halle (Saale) in 2007, the band has built an impressive legacy across six major releases — including the acclaimed Abyss Pt I & II EPs and five full-length albums — each pushing their sound and reach to new heights.
 

Their steady rise has been reflected on the charts, with Enigmatic Smile (2015) debuting at #68, Devil May Care (2016) at #74, Arms (2018) climbing to #26, and Aurora (2021) breaking into the Top 20 in Germany at #18 while also hitting #49 in Switzerland. On the streaming front, Abyss Pt I & II together have racked up over 36 million Spotify streams, with the band now boasting more than 480,000 monthly listeners worldwide.
 

Renowned for their explosive live presence, Annisokay recently took their energy to new levels with the Abyss Pt II Europe Tour — the biggest headline run of their career, spanning 30 shows across 14 countries — and their largest festival appearances to date at Summer Breeze and Wacken Open Air.
 

With "Splinters," Annisokay not only deliver another crushing anthem but also officially launch the pre-order for Abyss – The Final Chapter, arriving on November 21. Uniting Pt I and Pt II into one definitive statement, the release marks the culmination of the band’s most ambitious era to date.


Catch the band live on tour in the UK + EU — more info here. 

Watch the "Splinters" music video below.

Wind Walkers Release New EP 'I Don't Belong Here' + Share "Hereditary" Official Visualizer via Fearless Records

Genre-blending metalcore outfit Wind Walkers have today released their new EP 'I Don't Belong Here' (via Fearless Records), the band's latest body of work since their 2023 sophomore album 'What If I Break?'. In celebration of the news, the quintet has shared the official visualizer for their track "Hereditary". When asked about the inspiration behind the song, vocalist Trevor Borg commented:

"This song comes from some of my earliest memories of watching someone I loved change in ways I couldn’t understand. As a kid, you don’t have the power to fix it, you just kind of absorb it. The “shapeshifting” spoken of in the lyrics is about the ways people hide their pain, how they put on new faces to survive, and how that loss of self can be passed down. I wrote it to process how trauma can echo through generations. It’s a very personal song to me, but I think a lot of people know what it’s like to grow up in the shadow of someone else’s suffering and to feel that weight shape who you’ve become."

'I Don't Belong Here' is available now on all streaming platforms at the link here. Watch the official "Hereditary" visualizer below, and stay tuned for more Wind Walkers news coming soon.

Trevor Borg - Vocals

Timothy Comeau - Guitar

Neil Comeau - Guitar

Craig Martin - Bass

Ethan Cheesman - Drums

Avatar Show Their "Death And Glitz" in New Video

The heavy metal visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — previously announced the thoroughly fitting October 31 release of their latest masterwork Don't Go in the Forest. Pre-save it here.

Today, the band shares the visuazlier for the new single "Death And Glitz." Watch it below. 

Eckerström states, ":Death and Glitz' is a song about perversion and detachment. A homeless, young runaway collapses and dies on a dancefloor. The crime scene tape becomes a red velvet rope. The investigator's camera flashes like paparazzi on the red carpet. We love her for dying. Now, she's perfect. Obedient. Anything you want." 

He continues. "The true crime genre is as sick as the sickest goregrind band you've ever heard. Its popularity and the form in which it's being consumed, as a choice between Mickey Mouse and hospital dramas, reveals a darkness. The best ones are when it's someone young and attractive. A couple goes hiking. Only the man returns. What do we project on this very real person's very real tragedy? Do we see ourselves, with a strange envy for being so desired? Do we see a canvas on which we can paint the perfect future, if we were there to make it right? Do we completely dehumanize the victim and those who lost her, obsessed with the puzzle? No matter the reason, it is clear that no one is more obedient than the dead. People simply like it when death has a nice rack."

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

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

Avatar have gone from strength to strength over the past several years. There's the critically acclaimed, 2023-released album Dance Devil Dance, which included their first #1 at Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay, "The Dirt I'm Buried In." There have been scores of sold-out headline shows across the globe, and an actual fossil named after them. The list goes on and on.

But the past is the past and the future is, well, dark in the best possible way and that's JUST how Avatar like it!

Avatar will spend the foreseeable future (if not forever) on the road — with forthcoming tours supporting Iron Maiden and Metallica, along with the band's biggest show EVER in Mexico City. See below for a complete rundown of the band's planned tour activity for the next two years.

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

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

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

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