ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: Half Me Drop New Release

German hardcore powerhouse HALF ME announce their sophomore album DOGMA, set for release on October 23 via Arising Empire. The album is available for pre-order in a variety of exclusive formats. Following the band's relentless rise over the past years, the record marks their most ambitious and uncompromising work to date, expanding both their sonic identity and the conceptual depth that has become a defining characteristic of their music.

At its core, DOGMA is a reflection on a society willingly taking part in its own collapse. The album explores a world shaped by fear, manipulated through division and consumed by distractions that keep people from questioning the systems surrounding them. Truth and lies dissolve into blurred lines, leaving humanity trapped in a state of trauma induced ignorance where people unknowingly become complicit in their own demise.

According to the band, DOGMA begins from the unsettling assumption that the damage may already be irreversible. Rather than offering solutions, the album challenges listeners to question accepted narratives, confront absolute truths and look beyond the systems that thrive on fear, obedience and complacency. It is not a call to arms, but an invitation to think critically and look behind the dogma.

Musically, DOGMA sees HALF ME pushing their sound further than ever before. Combining crushing metallic hardcore, oppressive grooves and emotionally charged songwriting with an even stronger focus on atmosphere and dynamics, the album delivers some of the band's heaviest, darkest and most emotionally resonant material to date.

With DOGMA, HALF ME present an album that refuses to comfort or provide easy answers. Instead, it invites listeners to look behind the narratives they are taught to accept, question the structures that shape their reality and confront a society that may already be embracing its own collapse.

Catch the Band live — all dates below.

HALF ME – AMERICAN CRUSADE 2026:
10/1 — Asbury Park, NJ — House of Independents
10/2 — Allentown, PA — Archer Music Hall
10/3 — Norwalk, CT — District Music Hall
10/4 — Worcester, MA — Palladium
10/6 — Grand Rapids, MI — Elevation
10/7 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
10/9 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity Theater
10/10 — Kansas City, MO — The Truman
10/13 — Jacksonville, FL — Alhambra
10/14 — Tampa, FL — The Orpheum
10/16 — Greenville, SC — The Radio Room
10/17 — Greensboro, NC — Hangar 1819

HALF ME – AUSTRALIAN CRUSADE 2026:
10/22 — Perth, WA — Amplifier Bar
10/23 — Adelaide, SA — Ed Castle
10/24 — Hobart, TAS — The Grand Poobah
10/28 — Melbourne, VIC — The Last Chance Hotel
10/29 — Canberra, ACT — Front Time Pony
10/30 — Wollongong, NSW — La La La's
10/31 — Sydney, NSW — Crowbar
11/1 — Brisbane, QLD — Crowbar

HALF ME – EUROPEAN CRUSADE 2026:
11/27 — Eindhoven, NL — Dynamo
11/28 — Hannover, DE — Musikzentrum
11/29 — Köln, DE — Helios37
11/30 — Frankfurt am Main, DE — Das Bett
12/1 — Vienna, AT — Viper Room
12/2 — München, DE — Hansa39
12/3 — Prague, CZ — Modra Vopice
12/4 — Hamburg, DE — Kent Club
12/5 — Berlin, DE — Hole44
12/6 — London, UK — The Black Heart
12/7 — Glasgow, UK — The Garage
12/8 — Birmingham, UK — Asylum
12/9 — Paris, FR — Backstage By The Mill
12/10 — Lyon, FR — Rock N Eat
12/11 — Zurich, CH — Werk21
12/12 — Stuttgart, DE — Tower

Half Me Release "Weather Eye"

With "Weather Eye," Half Me return with one of their most crushing and confrontational tracks to date.

The new single is a suffocating descent into manipulation, blind obedience, and the devastating consequences of placing faith in false idols. Blending relentless aggression with an atmosphere of looming dread, the Hamburg-based metalcore outfit once again prove why they have become one of Europe's most exciting heavy acts.

Lyrically, "Weather Eye" is a direct attack on systems of control and the figures who exploit fear, loyalty, and suffering for their own gain. Lines such as "These saints hold smoking guns" and "No one"s watching over you" dismantle the illusion of protection and expose the hypocrisy hidden behind authority, belief, and power. Throughout the song, feelings of apathy, hopelessness, and inner collapse collide with a growing sense of resistance, ultimately culminating in a violent rejection of those who seek to control others.

Musically, Half Me deliver exactly what fans have come to expect: punishing breakdowns, razor-sharp riffs, oppressive atmosphere, and explosive vocal performances that shift seamlessly between seething tension and outright fury. Every section of "Weather Eye" feels designed to ignite chaos, combining modern metalcore precision with the raw intensity that has become the band's trademark.

Since emerging as one of Germany's fastest-rising heavy exports, Half Me have built a reputation through relentless touring, acclaimed festival appearances, and a string of hard-hitting releases that have resonated far beyond their home country. Sharing stages with some of the biggest names in modern heavy music and steadily expanding their international audience, the band have established themselves as a formidable force within the new wave of European metalcore.

With "Weather Eye," Half Me channel rage, disillusionment, and defiance into a mosh-fueled anthem that refuses to offer comfort or false hope. Instead, the track forces listeners to confront uncomfortable truths, question the narratives they've been fed, and decide for themselves whether they 

HALF ME ARE:
Christopher Zühlke — Vocals
Christopher Hesse — Guitar
Silvan Petersen — Guitar
Tobias Max Sajons — Bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff — Drums

Vicious Rain Share New Single & Video

Swiss act Vicious Rain — vocalist David Häusermann, guitarist and vocalist Mauro Gugerli, guitarist Tristan Meier, bassist Loris De Notaristefano, and drummer Michael Teufelberger — have just released their brand new single, "Hysteria," featuring Half Me.

This fresh track from the Swiss rock band continues to build their emerging presence in the music industry. The release is perfectly timed with the eagerly awaited announcement of their debut album, There Is Beauty In Letting Go, set to drop on October 11 via Arising Empire.

"Hysteria" explores the chaos and emotional turbulence within a relationship where both individuals are deeply in love, yet they recognize their incompatibility. This powerful track conveys the intensity of facing the difficult truth and the emotional roller coaster that comes with choosing to let go. It poignantly highlights how love, even when it leads to separation, leaves an indelible bond between the individuals involved.

Watch the video below.

Stream the song and pre-order the album here.

Formed in late 2022, Vicious Rain are an alternative metalcore band hailing from Baden, Switzerland. The members bring several years of professional recording and live show experience to the mix. Combining influences as intertwined singing/screaming vocals — with a pinch of hope-infused singalongs, screaming melodic leads topped with crushing breakdowns — embracing everything from the heavy side of the genre all the way to the more intimate and melodic side. The band's spirit is marked by their shared belief in the importance of solidarity and the role of the individual accomplishment of a common vision. Lyrically, the band expresses its stance on recent and recurring personal matters, without mincing their words while believing that self-reflection is the key to growth.
 
VICIOUS RAIN ARE:
David Häusermann — Vocals
Mauro Gugerli — Guitar + Vocals
Tristan Meier — Guitar
Loris De Notaristefano — Bass
Michael Teufelberger — Drums

Half Me Share "Fatalist" Video

"Half Me have unveiled a monstrous statement of intent" — 8/10 Metal Hammer

"SOMA is how you get attention. Soma is how you make people notice you" — GBHBL

"Extremely well-written, well-produced, and well-performed on every front" — The Soundboard Reviews
Reject conformity, embrace anomaly. 

Half Me's new single "Fatalist" channels raw frustration over a disposable society, combining bone-crushing heaviness with anguished, soul-piercing vocals. "Fatalist" marks another bold step in their musical offerings.

Watch the video Below.

Stream the song here.

Catch the band live and on the road in the U.S. in the fall!

HALF ME ON TOUR:
9/5 — Detroit, MI — Sanctuary
9/6 — Columbus, OH — King of Clubs
9/7 — Erie, PA — Basement Transmissions
9/8 — Brooklyn, NY — The Meadows
9/10 — Baltimore, MD — Baltimore Soundstage
9/11 — Greensboro, NC — Hangar 1819
9/12 — Columbia, SC — New Brookland Tavern
9/13 — West Palm Beach, FL — Respectable Street
9/14 — Orlando, FL — Conduit
9/15 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
9/17 — Houston, TX — Scout Bar
9/18 — San Antonio, TX — The Rock Box
9/19 — Dallas, TX — Southside Music Hall
9/20 — El Paso, TX — Rockhouse
9/21 — Albuquerque, NM — Launchpad
9/22 — Phoenix, AZ — The Nile Theater
9/24 — Anaheim, CA — Chain Reaction
9/25 — Fresno, CA — Full Circle Brewery
9/26 — Sacramento, CA — Harlow's
9/27 — Portland, OR — Dante's
9/28 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
9/29 — Spokane, WA — The Big Dipper
10/1 — Salt Lake City, UT — Metro Music Hall
10/2 — Denver, CO — HQ
10/3 — Omaha, NE — The Waiting Room
10/4 — Chicago, IL — Cobra Lounge

Stream, order Half Me's previous full-length SOMA as CD, limited colored vinyl and exclusive merch options at the Arising Empire Shop.

HALF ME ARE:
Christopher Zühlke — Vocals
Christopher Hesse — Guitar
Silvan Petersen — Guitar
Tobias Max Sajons — Bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff — Drums

Half Me Share "Nothing To Lose But The Chains" Video

Reject conformity, embrace anomaly. 

Half Me released the video for their visceral new single "Nothing Left To Lose But The Chains" and continue their mission of modern synthesis of metalcore new and old.

Watch the video below.

Stream the song here.

"Half Me have unveiled a monstrous statement of intent" — 8/10 Metal Hammer

"SOMA is how you get attention. Soma is how you make people notice you" — GBHBL

"Extremely well-written, well-produced, and well-performed on every front" — The Soundboard Reviews

 
Stream, order their full-length SOMA now as CD, limited colored vinyl and exclusive merch options at the Arising Empire Shop.

HALF ME ARE:
Christopher Zühlke — Vocals
Christopher Hesse — Guitar
Silvan Petersen — Guitar
Tobias Max Sajons — Bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff — Drums

Half Me Share "Quitter Talk" Video

Half Me made a striking entry into the heavy music world with their debut album SOMA  which blended metal, hardcore, and experimental styles. The powerful riffs and reflective lyrics turned heads and caught ears.

They are back and more heated than ever, following up on the previous single "Concrete Ceiling" with "Quitter Talk."

Losing a battle, fighting a war. On their new single "Quitter Talk," Half Me deal with inner turmoil manifesting in addiction — loud and without compromise.

Watch the video below.

Stream the song here.

"Half Me have unveiled a monstrous statement of intent" — 8/10 Metal Hammer

"SOMA is how you get attention. Soma is how you make people notice you" — GBHBL

"Extremely well-written, well-produced, and well-performed on every front" — The Soundboard Reviews

PHOTO: Jana Boese

Stream, order SOMA now as CD, limited colored vinyl and exclusive merch options at the Arising Empire Shop.

HALF ME ARE:
Christopher Zühlke — Vocals
Christopher Hesse — Guitar
Julius Jansen — Guitar
Tobias Max Sajons — Bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff — Drums

Half Me Share "Concrete Ceiling" Video

Half Me made a striking entry into the heavy music world with their debut album SOMA — which blended metal, hardcore, and experimental styles. The powerful riffs and reflective lyrics turned heads and caught ears.

Now they are back and more heated than ever with a new video.

"
Concrete Ceiling" targets inequality on a worldwide scale. No moralizing, no bullshit, no holding back. It paves the way for a new directive — visceral and raw in words and sound.

Watch the video
below.

Stream the song
here.
 

Stream, order SOMA now as CD, limited colored vinyl and exclusive merch options at the Arising Empire Shop.

PHOTO: Jana Boese

HALF ME ARE:
Christopher Zühlke — Vocals
Christopher Hesse — Guitar
Julius Jansen — Guitar
Tobias Max Sajons — Bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff — Drums

Half Me Share "I Am But A Guest In Exile" Video — WATCH

NEW ALBUM SOMA OUT TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 17

"Half Me have unveiled a monstrous statement of intent" — Metal Hammer

HALF ME are one of the newest additions to the Arising Empire roster. Hailing from Hamburg, Germany, this five-piece was founded in October 2018 after the demise of each other's prior bands. Musically, the band blends modern metal and hardcore with '90s, nu-metal vibe. 

Today, Half Me have shared the video for "I Am But A Guest In Exile." Watch it below.

"'I Am But A Guest In Exile' is leading into the final act of the album," the band says. "The fear of being replaced is getting out of hand and delusion is spiraling out of control. The entity that has accompanied them for so long is beginning to force itself onto the protagonist. Has it already taken over? There's no way to determine from the outside... so is it even possible to notice from within? While suffering from sleep withdrawal and schizophrenic episodes, the protagonist is repeating their mantra to stay in control: Don't black out."

The track appears on SOMA, out tomorrow, February 17, via Arising Empire. Get it here.
 
The band's previous single 'Exitwound' (featuring Jack Bergin of Void Of Vision) earned the band a slot on KNOTFEST's "Countdown to Oblivion."

HALF ME ARE:
Christopher Zühlke — Vocals
Christopher Hesse — Guitar
Julius Jansen — Guitar
Tobias Max Sajons — Bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff — Drums

Half Me Share New Video "Ex Negativo" Video

NEW ALBUM SOMA ARRIVES FEBRUARY 17 VIA ARISING EMPIRE

 Half Me have shared the video for their fifth single "Ex Negativo," featuring Marcus Lundqvist of thrown. The track appears on their recently announced album SOMA, set for release on February 17 via Arising Empire.

Watch the video below.

Pre-order the CD, limited color vinyl, and exclusive merch here.

Half Me — guitarists Chris and Julius, vocalist Chris, drummer Max, and bassist Tobias  are one of the newest additions to the Arising Empire roster. In two years time, the band has been self-producing music and videos. 

Musically, the band blends modern metal and hardcore with '90s, nu-metal vibe. 

HALF ME ARE:
Christopher Zühlke — Vocals
Christopher Hesse — Guitar
Julius Jansen — Guitar
Tobias Max Sajons — Bass
Maximilian Eisersdorff — Drums