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

MORS PRINCIPIUM EST To Release 9th Studio Album, 'Darkness Invisible,' Through PERCEPTION

May 22, 2025

Finnish melodic death stalwarts MORS PRINCIPIUM EST announce their long-awaited ninth studio album, Darkness Invisible. Officially signed to PERCEPTION, the latest imprint of Reigning Phoenix Music, the band will once again embrace listeners with razor-sharp riffing, sweeping orchestration, melancholic harmonies, and relentless rhythmic precision - topped by Ville Viljanen’s unmistakable vocals.

Viljanen comments: “Joining PERCEPTION marks a powerful new chapter for us. We’re proud to be part of a label family that houses so many legendary titans. With their support, we’re ready to unleash our most furious, blistering and ambitious work yet. The future burns bright, shrouded in “Darkness Invisible.””

“Throughout their career, MORS PRINCIPIUM EST have kept impressing me and the rest of the metal world with solid melodic death of the faster kind. Although they’ve never been the most active live band, they succeed in growing their following with each of their releases what underlines the masterfulness of their craft additionally...and in this case, ‘[Of] Death’ is really just the beginning. Welcome to PERCEPTION!” states label strategist Nils Wasko.

MPE are also not stingy with details above all: Darkness Invisible will finally be unleashed upon the world on September 26, 2025, and was once again self-recorded at Ansa Studio (Ulvila, Finland); Jens Bogren mixed and Tony Lindgren mastered the ten new tracks (plus CD / digital bonus song) at Örebro, Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, SEPULTURA, KREATOR etc.). Alvaro Valverde Fernandez was hired to create artwork and layout.

Pre-order your copy: https://mpe.rpm.link/darknessinvisiblePR

Despite delivering MPE’s much-loved trademark elements, Darkness Invisible is not content to simply revisit old formulas, but it expands upon them: the arrangements are more cinematic than ever, layered with subtle electronic textures, ambient passages, and dynamic shifts that mirror the emotional weight carried within the lyrics - and the result is a work that feels both cathartic and devastating.

First single "Of Death," also the opening track of their new record, a bone-shattering yet enormously melodic piece with a darkly majestic chorus, can be heard below:

About MORS PRINCIPIUM EST

Over the course of seven original studio albums, MORS PRICIPIUM EST refined their modern approach to melodic death metal again and again. Members came and gone, but their music remained untouched: razor-sharp riffing, sweeping orchestration, melancholic harmonies, and relentless rhythmic precision - topped by Ville Viljanen’s unmistakable vocals.

MORS PRINCIPIUM EST were founded in Pori in 1999 and are one of the longest serving Finnish melodic death metal bands. With frontman Viljanen being the most stable members, the present quintet survived several line-up changes before original members and guitarists Jori Haukio and Jarkko Kokko returned to MPE and already took part in recording their latest offering Liberate The Unborn Inhumanity [2022]. Also contributing to these refreshing re-recordings from their early years were former bassist Teemu Heinola and drummer Marko Tommila. A statement to honour the group’s history and to celebrate the freshly motivated line-up, which is now set to blast out their ninth album titled Darkness Invisible on September 26, 2025 through new label home PERCEPTION.

MORS PRINCIPIUM EST are:
Ville Viljanen | vocals
Jori Haukio | guitars, programming
Jarkko Kokko | guitars
Teemu Heinola | bass
Marko Tommila | drums

More on MPE:
morsprincipiumest.com | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music

J.B.O. Embark On Adventurous Hike Through Franconian Woods In "Ka-Fump!" Music Video

May 21, 2025

J.B.O. the self-proclaimed ‘defenders of nonsense,’ serve the first slug from their upcoming album Haus Of The Rising Fun today. Living in a world turning faster than you can even follow, the Franconians look back on the ‘good ol’ times’ with their single "Ka-Fump!," which invites fans to the band’s new record, due out on January 9, 2026 through new label partner PERCEPTION. The song originates in Shania Twain’s world-wide known track "Ka-Ching!" but comes along in a unique pink wrapping as it can only be created by J.B.O.

They rejoice: “‘Ka-Fump!’ In neo-German, the opening sound of a beer bottle would be described as ‘satisfying.’ We’ve reflected on why it is like that and which emotions it provokes, resulting in the lyrics of this song. Or as we’re used to say in Franconia: ‘Let’s go and have a party!’”

The accompanying music video guides the audience deep into Franconian undergrowth where the group -- Veit, Hannes, Ralph & Wolfram -- have embarked on an almost endless quest for well-deserved after-work beers. At the end of this adventurous trip, J.B.O. are finally rewarded by the Holy Hop Grail - presented by a very special guest. Who that is? Find out below:

Stream the single: https://jbo.rpm.link/kafumpPR

The creational period of J.B.O.’s ‘pink light district’ opus is almost over, and more details can be expected very soon. Until then: cheers!

About J.B.O.

Heavy guitars and German lyrics combined with Franconian sense for nonsense don’t work? Way off the mark! Since 1989, J.B.O. have multiply proven that they’re the real masters of comedy metal - over the course of 14 studio albums to be concrete. Additionally awarded with two gold records, the quartet are mostly known for covering hit songs by artists of different genres, giving them a unique twist through re-written lyrics with an extra portion of humour.

Their original tracks shouldn’t remain unnoticed nevertheless since they also popularise with not minor jocular lyrical content. Fan favourites such as "Ein guter Tag zum Sterben"[‘A Good Day To Die’] are classics of the band’s repertoire and vital parts of each and every J.B.O. concert.

From die-hard old-school metalheads to families and kids and fans beyond the hard’n’heavy boundaries: Their wide range of musical inspiration has resulted in an equally varied amount of followers which sees J.B.O. unite all sorts of people under their multicoloured musical roof and especially in front of the stages, making them even more outstanding amidst the heavily crowded world of artists out there.

J.B.O. are:
Hannes “G. Laber” Holzmann | vocals, guitars
Veit “Vito C.” Kutzer | vocals, guitars
Ralph Bach | bass
Wolfram Kellner | drums

More on J.B.O.:
jbo.de | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | TikTok | Bluesky | Mastodon
YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | jbo-fans.de

About PERCEPTION

PERCEPTION is the latest label imprint of Reigning Phoenix Music. Following the successful addition of ROAR, a sub-label dedicated to emerging talents and artists, PERCEPTION is set to provide a strong foundation for regionally and stylistically leading bands with high growth potential.

Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme and hard music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists by offering best services and practices in the industry. Reigning Phoenix Music’s paramount goal is to help the artists amplify their music and talent to a winning formula for success. The label recently opened a new office in London, UK.

More on PERCEPTION:
perception.music | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok