Danish extreme metal quintet, The Arcane Order, return with their fourth album Distortions From Cosmogony, to be released 9th June via Black Lion Records.

The group celebrate with releasing their first single from the album, the monumental 'Cry of Olympus'. The first new music featuring Kim Song Sternkopf (Møl) on vocals and Bastian Thusgaard (Soilwork) on drums, you can watch the video for ‘Cry of Olympus’ here: https://youtu.be/tgLt4t7Uufc 

And stream the single here: https://orcd.co/cry-of-olympus-single

Distortions From Cosmogony is an album for which the word 'epic' does little justice. Its singular style combines the extreme, the grandiose, technical and melodic while telling the story of mankind’s eternal existential conflict between autonomy and submission. 

Lead singer Kim Song Sternkorpf states of the song:

"The 'Cry of Olympus' is the first single from the album and probably the most progressive of the songs on the album. We purposely wanted to create a song that would work well as a first impression of the new album and a gateway into the rest of the songs on the album.

"Can man handle true power or will it be his undoing? 'Cry of Olympus' is as classical as a tale of hubris gets. A mortal challenging fate by aspiring to climb as high as one can get to fall just as far. Because all heroes can fail us. That’s what makes us human."

Distortions From Cosmogony will be released on 2-LP, CD and physical formats can be pre-ordered HERE while digital formats can be pre-saved HERE. 

Kim and Bastian join long-time members Flemming C Lund (guitars) and Kasper Kirkegaard (Hatesphere, rhythm guitar).
 
Founded by Flemming in the 00s, with the aim of delivering epic, melodic extreme metal, The Arcane Order swiftly signed with Metal Blade, who released their first two albums The Machinery of Oblivion (2006) and In the Wake of Collisions (2008).
 
After a hiatus, the band then released Cult of None (2015), before another break while all band members worked on their other projects. Despite this, along the way, The Arcane Order have played a string of high-profile shows, marking themselves as one of Denmark’s most exciting underground metal acts.
 
In their time, the band have played alongside Carcass, Suffocation, and Testament; and they draw inspiration from French tech-death legends Scarve, Decapitated, Strapping Young Lad, and Ihsahn, among many others.
 
As the previous three, the new album was recorded by Jacob Hansen (Aborted, Arch Enemy, Volbeat, Katatonia, etc), with Jacob Bredahl (Lifesick, Eyes, Livløs, etc) recording vocals.
 
The result: a 54-minute long virtuosic display of The Arcane Order’s unique fusion of death, black, tech, classic and melodic metal. In the same manner, the subject matter of The Arcane Order demands a will to be challenged.
 
Distortions from Cosmogony revolves around eternal existential struggle, between autonomy and submission. This is a subject close to vocalist Kim Song Sternkopf’s heart – he grew up in an oppressive religious sect; subsequent loss of faith has led to a deep fascination with what leads us as humans drawn to hierarchies, vs our deep desire for independence and the existence of free will.

The Arcane Order are:
Kim Song Sternkopf - Vocals
Flemming C. Lund: Guitar
Kasper Kierkegaard: Guitar
Anders Frodo S. Mikkelsen - Bass
Bastian Thusgaard - Drums
 

The Arcane Order online:
http://www.thearcaneorder.net
https://www.facebook.com/thearcaneorder
https://www.instagram.com/thearcaneorderofficial/

Black Lion Records online:
www.blacklion.nu
https://www.facebook.com/blacklionrecordsswe
https://www.instagram.com/blacklionrecordsswe/

Track list:

1. Distortions From Cosmogony
2. Cry Of Olympus
3. A Blinding Trust In Chosen Kings
4. Starvations for Elysium
5. Favors For Significance
6. The First Deceiver
7. Empedocles' Dream
8. Ideals Of Wretched Kingdoms
9. Children Of Erebos
10. Wings of Duality

photo sighting by a photographer who prefers to remain anonymous

One of the UK underground's most fascinating groups, the sci-fi extreme metal quintet, Wallowing, have released their new single 'CRIES OF ESTIMA'. It's the second song from their new album Earth Reaper, to be released 28th April via Church Road Records.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/DH_CNJtMujM

Pre-order here: https://bfan.link/earth-reaper

The band comment: "Written as an audible interpretation of a spacecraft's final journey - from the craft beginning its explorative mission, to a hostile encounter with an enemy star fleet and the eventual crash landing on a dead planet, 'CRIES OF ESTIMA' is a brave step into new worlds for Wallowing as sonic storytellers."

Wallowing have also announced their Earth Reaper tour, with support from Still.

Tickets: https://lnk.to/EARTHREAPER-UK2023

Dates:

May 11: Birmingham Asylum 2
May 12: Newcastle Bobiks
May 13: Glasgow Garage Attic
May 14: Hull Adelphi 
May 15: Leeds Boom
May 16: Bristol The Gryphon
May 17: London New Cross Inn
May 18: Leicester Soundhouse

Labelled a must-see band in the flesh, the faceless Wallowing are as much a conceptual multimedia art project as a band. Known for their intense and atmospheric live show, endless smoke machine, duel lasers, all-black space suits, Wallowing have also released hand-crafted action figures, trading cards, an alternate reality game, and comic book.

Wallowing dive further into their sci-fi reality with the new video 'Flesh and Steel', the opening chapter to their second concept album, Earth Reaper. A sonic introduction to the band, the album, and one of the story's main characters; a mysterious outcast living amongst a group of unlikely and unearthly beings. Yearning to uncover the truth behind her own existence, the outcast makes a risky attempt to break free from her company and face the reality of the dead planet they reside on.

Continuing the themes on Wallowing's acclaimed debut Planet Loss (2019), Earth Reaper sees the listener diving into a bleak universe plagued by evil, oppressive rule. 

A tale of growth and discovery, an epic journey to uncover the real truth behind the dying planet, Earth Reaper is a tale of hope born from despair, influenced by real-world topics including the current political climate, racism and classism.

Written in two halves, the first six tracks of the album, approximately 22 minutes, is the prologue to the second half, the mighty title track 'Earth Reaper', itself 22 minutes. Instrumental and lyric motifs represent various characters and locations, seamlessly weaved into the endlessly-evolving doom-laden narrative. Needless to say, Earth Reaper is an intense experience - a heavily atmospheric and lovingly-detailed sonic journey akin to the most epic of film scores which have inspired it.

Such an immersive approach has seen Wallowing garner a strong following of dedicated fans, eager to escape. Finding their feet in the expanded metal and sci-fi communities throughout the COVID pandemic, the group have since toured the UK twice, performed internationally for the first time, released a split EP and re-released their debut in Asia via Gutless Productions.

In their time as a group, Wallowing have performed at Desertfest, Dreadfest, alongside Black Tongue and Wiegedood, and garnered early praise from Kerrang!, Clash, and Vice. Wallowing are also the first metal group to perform in a Waterstone's.

For more:
https://linktr.ee/WALLOWING

Tracklisting:

1:A WORLD WEEPING
2:FLESH AND STEEL
3:ECHOES OF THE OUTER REACHES
4:CRIES OF ESTIMA
5:OBLITERATION
6:CYBORG ASPHYXIATION
7:EARTH REAPER

British heavyweights Heart Of A Coward are back with their self-reflective, heavy and aggressive track 'This place only brings death', a song that explores the harsh realities of modern society, out now via Arising Empire.

Watch the video to 'This place only brings death' here: https://youtu.be/xCRCAwt8b8U

Stream / download here: https://arisingempire.com/thisplace

The band are known for their heavy and aggressive sound, which combines elements of metalcore, deathcore, djent and strong melodies.
 
Heart Of A Coward released their debut album, Hope and Hindrance in 2012, which received critical acclaim and helped establish the band's sound and style. They have since released several other albums, including Severance (2013), Deliverance (2015), and The Disconnect (2019).
 
Throughout their career, Heart Of A Coward have toured extensively, performing at various festivals and sharing stages with many popular metal bands. Their music has gained a significant following, particularly in the UK metal scene, and they continue to be a prominent force in the genre.

Heart Of A Coward are:
Kaan Tasan | vocals
Carl Ayers | guitar & vocals
Dan Thornton | guitar
Vishal "V" Khetia | bass
Christopher "Noddy" Mansbridge | drums

For more information:
www.facebook.com/heartofacowardofficial
www.twitter.com/hoac_official
www.instagram.com/heartofacowardofficial
www.heartofacoward.bigcartel.com/

American hard rock quartet Throw The Fight have announced their new album Strangeworld will be released 30th June via Long Branch Records.

The band have also released their huge new single 'Hourglass'.

Stream 'Hourglass' and pre-order the new album here: https://throwthefightmn.lnk.to/Strangeworld

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/Q40peqZC1iE

Vocalist Kade Katz comments: "An hourglass resembles the passage of time and serves as a reminder that time and moments are precious. It's a reminder to embrace life and be grateful for our limited time on this planet." 

With over 100 million streams and nearly 700k monthly Spotify listeners, Throw The Fight have developed an impressive fanbase in their time as a group. Three years after the release of their latest album Settle Your Sins the band mark their return as they officially announce the release of their upcoming full-length, entitled Strangeworld, released 30th June via Long Branch Records. Produced by Josh Gilbert and Joseph McQueen (As I Lay Dying, Bad Wolves, Light The Torch, Upon A Burning Body), the record is a potent distillation of the strengths of their catalog and a huge step forward to the future. 

Live is the avenue in which Throw The Fight truly come to life and they've put countless miles on the road, winning over new fans in a grassroots, tried and true way: one city, one gig, and one venue at a time. The group has embarked on plenty of national touring. They've supported Bullet For My Valentine and Black Veil Brides on the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour and as direct support for All That Remains throughout Canada. They have also logged dates with Avenged Sevenfold, Papa Roach, Nonpoint, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and more, in addition to festivals such as The Vans Warped Tour, Rock Fest and Rock USA.

With a diehard audience earned the old-school way and modern rock anthems suited for the digital age, Throw The Fight celebrates two decades of passion and perseverance. Mixing soaring melodicism and heavy bombast without ever sacrificing hooks, the Minnesota outfit was built to last.

Throw The Fight will be touring Europe in support of their new material. Tickets available from: throwthefight.com

UK dates as follows (support from Atena and Elwood Stray):

May 15: Manchester Satan's Hollow
May 16: Birmingham Dead Wax
May 17: London O2 Academy2 Islington

Throw The Fight are:
Kade Kastelitz - Vocals
Ryan Baustert - Guitar/Vocals
Kris Weiser - Guitar
Jeff Baustert - Drums

Tracklisting:

1 Cover Your Tracks
2 Obey
3 Lost Without You
4 Sorry, Not Sorry
5 Hourglass
6 Shadow Self
7 Lost in the Lies
8 Snake Mountain
9 Wake up!

The ever-mercurial, boundary-pushing UK rock quartet Sugar Horse have released their abrasive, anthemic new single 'Thrash Music', on their own label Fat Dracula Records.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ZPwE21ClCL8

Stream: https://li.sten.to/thrashmusic

The band comment: "This video was recorded in the depths of the night in almost complete silence, apart from the creepy - and slightly depressing - clattering of the feet of small marionettes.

"On seeing the materials I'd acquired to make this masterpiece, my loving partner stated she was no longer sexually attracted any more. While this might be quite the blow to my personal life, I think finding a new passion for low quality puppetry was almost worth the pain."

'Thrash Music' is a song dedicated to striking workers across the UK, and the rest of the world. While record profits are made, people on wages once considered substantial now struggle to feed themselves. 

We once stood on our doorsteps and applauded nurses for their heroism and self-sacrifice through war-like pandemic conditions. Now monetarily-biased media institutions and sons of billionaires call these heroes money-hungry and "unrealistic", yet provide themselves with pay rises. 

Money talks and the lives of normal folk are kept mute.

Sugar Horse will be touring the following dates:

May 2: Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
May 4: Bristol, Dareshack
May 5: Kingston, Fighting Cocks
May 6: Birmingham, Asylum II

Tickets: https://li.sten.to/shmaytour

Sugar Horse are riding high following the release of their storied collaborative EP Waterloo Teeth, which features members of Heriot, Conjurer, IDLES, Biffy Clyro, and many more. 

A lot of people take the name Sugar Horse to be a drug reference - perhaps fitting for a band that sound like the last moments of a three-day binge. Darting wildly between dark/light, pain/bliss, sacred/profane, Sugar Horse are unpredictable and unrestrained.

Formed in what is now considered to be the utopian dreamscape of 2015, the band grew slowly at first. Far from fully formed, but steadily gaining limbs, heads and vital organs. Finally, 2019’s DRUJ followed swiftly by 2020’s DRUGS saw them hit on a relentless stride of eclectic releases that simultaneously confused and entranced audiences.

2021 saw the band encamp in a former Lutheran church to record their debut album, The Live Long After, releasing it via Brighton’s own Small Pond Records. Publications such as The Quietus describing the record as “shift[ing] dispositions fluidly, taking elements of extreme aggression alongside floaty Post-Metal” and Echoes & Dust calling it “a monumental achievement”. The album took every disparate element that Sugar Horse previously employed and amplified them, while juxtaposing each next to each other, with genuinely unpredictable and exciting consequences.

2022 saw no relent from the band’s fast pace release schedule, as they put out an anthemic shoegaze single in 'Pictures Of Dogs Having Sex', followed swiftly by the Waterloo Teeth EP. A release that paired Sugar Horse’s terrifying eclecticism with guest appearances from twelve other artists in just four short(ish) songs. Each artist coming from a different area of the modern British music scene, whether that be world conquering post-punk bass lines from IDLES’ Adam Devonshire, heavy titans Conjurer and Pupil Slicer’s throat crippling wails, or a shredding guitar solo from Biffy Clyro/Oceansize axe wielder Mike Vennart. The EP packs in an album’s worth of genre mutilating twists and turns into just 25 minutes of music.

Purchase: https://sugarhorse.bandcamp.com/album/waterloo-teeth

Sugar Horse are:

Ashley Tubb (Vocals/Guitar)
Jake Healy (Baritone Guitar, Keyboards)
Chris Howarth (Bass)
Martin Savage (Drums)

For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/sugarhorseruinedmybirthday
https://www.instagram.com/sugarhorse.are.awful
https://twitter.com/sugarhorse666

About Fat Dracula Records:

Alas, 2023 saw the demise of the universally adored Small Pond Records. Such is life in the indie music sphere. Being insatiable control freaks, akin to tyrannical European royal families, Sugar Horse decided to seize the means of production with the help of fellow commie bastard, Small Pond founder Vlad Mateikov.

…And so Fat Dracula Records was born. A vehicle for the band to release their own music, on their own terms. So join the insurgency and give us your hard earned money.

Photo Credit: Marc Signer

Swiss metalcore act Vicious Rain have signed with Arising Empire and released their crushing debut single 'The Devil & Lovers', alongside a stunning music video directed by Mirko Witzki. The song delves into deeply emotional topics, exploring passion, connection and its obstacles.

For this release, the Swiss quintet called on the co-production, engineering, mixing and mastering talents of Manuel Renner (Senna, Consvmer).

Check out the video for 'The Devil & Lovers' here: https://youtu.be/9AXzlAnli20

Stream/purchase 'The Devil & Lovers' here: https://arisingempire.com/devilandlovers

Guitarist and vocalist Mauro Gugerli comments: "It’s a special song for us as it was the first one we wrote together. We immediately found a natural rhythm and flow, and the writing process felt effortless. Our co-producer, Manuel, was an invaluable collaborator, helping us refine the track and bring it to the next level. While Mirko Witzki's stunning visual representation further enhances the song's message and emotion. Overall, creating this song was a fun and enjoyable journey, and we're excited to share it with everyone." 

Speaking of the song's lyrical themes, vocalist David Häusermann adds: "'The Devil & Lovers' is a heartfelt song that explores the bittersweet story of two people that share a deep passion and connection, but whose circumstances or timing keep them apart. The song captures the intense emotions of love and longing, while symbolising the obstacles that can prevent two people from being together. It’s a testament to the universal human experience of unfulfilled desire and the struggles we face in pursuing our heart's desires."

On their signing to Arising Empire, the band states: "This is an important step in the right direction and it feels good to do it in cooperation with the Arising Empire family. Much excitement and anticipation for our first collaboration!“ 

Formed in late 2022, Vicious Rain are an alternative metalcore band hailing from Baden, Switzerland. The group combine intertwined singing/screaming vocals with anthemic singalongs, screaming melodic leads and crushing breakdowns, as they embrace everything from the heavy side of the genre all the way to the more intimate melodies. 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 Swiss quintet wholeheartedly express their stance on personal matters, while highlighting their belief that self-reflection is the key to growth. 
 

With 'The Devil & Lovers', Vicious Rain show their honest emotions, heartblood and passion. The future looks promising for the quintet.

Vicious Rain are:

David Häusermann | Vocals
Mauro Gugerli | Guitar & Vocals
Tristan Meier | Guitar
Loris De Notaristefano | Bass
Michael Teufelberger | Drums

Vicious Rain online:
https://www.instagram.com/viciousrainband
https://www.tiktok.com/@viciousrainband
https://www.facebook.com/viciousrainband
https://twitter.com/viciousrainband
https://viciousrain.com

Full-speed death-thrash metal engine Nervosa are setting the metal world ablaze with their brand new song, 'Endless Ambition'. The steamrolling track is accompanied by an inexorably energetic music video and marks a new chapter and milestone in the band’s history, showcasing Nervosa with a revitalised line-up. 
 
Along with this blistering new offering, the band have finally lifted the veil on who will take over vocal duties on future releases. From now on, guitarist and founding member Prika Amaral will be the voice of Nervosa. 'Endless Ambition' acts as a first harbinger for everything that is about to come and shows the incredibly powerful attitude and talent of Amaral ruling in this new position. 

Watch the video for 'Endless Ambition' here: https://youtu.be/BWAhkHdXAVI
 
Prika Amaral says about becoming vocalist:
"It was a huge challenge for me. It wasn't something I planned or expected, but after a second change of vocalist, I didn’t want to go through these changes again, so I decided to face what a lot of people have said since the beginning of Nervosa - that I should be vocalist. But, as I always heard from some people that I didn't have a technique, that the way I sang hurt my throat, I got carried away by that. Now, after studying vocal techniques for the last few months, I discovered that yes, I’ve always had the technique and feel comfortable facing this new journey, which I am enjoying a lot."

With their latest record, Perpetual Chaos (2.8M plays on Spotify), thrash metal band Nervosa not only secured their first charting positions at #18 on the German album charts, #6 on the US Hard Music Albums and #9 on the US Top New Artist Albums charts, but also played some of Europe’s biggest festivals such as Summerbreeze and Wacken Open Air. The new standalone single 'Endless Ambition' graces their 35k monthly listeners and 77k followers on Spotify alone with an exciting glimpse of what’s about to come in 2023. Stay tuned for more exciting news coming soon!
 
Catch NERVOSA live in 2023
April 5th: SE -Linkoping / Platens
April 6th: NO – Inferno Metal Fest
April 7th: SE –  Borlänge / Broken Dreams
April 8th: SE – Sundsvall / Club Deströyer
April 11th: FI – Tampere / Yo-Talo
April 12th: FI – Helsinki / On The Rocks
 
May 20th: BE – Ostend / Huginns Awakening Fest
May 22nd: UK – London / The Underworld
May 23rd: UK – Bradford / Nightrain
May 24th: UK – Sheffield / Corporation
May 25th: UK – Wolverhampton / KKs Steel Mill
May 26th: UK – Manchester / Satans Hollow
May 27th:  UK – Northampton / Manorfest
 
Nervosa are:
Prika Amaral – Vocals and guitars
Helena Kotina – Guitars
Hel Pyre – Bass
Michaela Naydenova – Drums

For more information:
Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Youtube || TikTok || Napalm Records 

Inspiring post-hardcore newcomers New Habits have revealed their single 'Sunflares'. It is the first offering and title track from their upcoming EP, due for release later this year. The band describe this new track as "a hot and heavy homage to the art of getting lost in a lover".

Watch 'Sunflares' here: https://youtu.be/NjK_PGVAFEE

Stream: https://linktr.ee/newhabitsband

Combining elements of Bring Me The Horizon, Currents, Spiritbox and Underoath, New Habits are already being marked as a new band to watch through the quality of their songwriting and the immediacy of their approach. The band have already been featured in Knotfest and Kerrang!.

Starting in 2020, everything New Habits have created focuses on this attitude - taking negative viewpoints and turning them positive; moving from problem-oriented lyrics to solution-oriented lyrics.

New Habits are fully DIY, managed and self-produced at-will. Beyond their extensive individual experiences as friends and musicians, it is their collective life experiences which make the band such an authentic, fresh, and vital voice – a voice that echoes throughout every aspect of the band's music.

Members of New Habits have experienced anxiety, crises, dependencies, depression, loss and more. These are all events that could easily lead to a cynical and nihilistic viewpoint, seen all too often in today’s scene. Instead, the band focuses on overturning and overcoming these moments - an attitude that will surely resonate with those looking for hope in their hurt.

For more information:
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Photo Credit: Mariana Mayer

Defocus have released a video for their new single 'let the bond be my grave', out now via Arising Empire. The track follows the band's previous new single 'biased', their first new material since their debut album In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same. 

'let the bond be my grave' tells the story of fighting your inner demons, most of the time alone. The new single explores this theme while wrapping the listener in a dark mood of despair, using angry rhythms and melodies that get under your skin.

Check out the video for 'let the bond be my grave' here: https://youtu.be/0CTnuvDSCDc

Stream/purchase 'let the bond be my grave' here: https://arisingempire.com/bond

Founded by Simon Müller, Jeffrey Uhlmann, Jonas Mahler and Marcel “Bambam” Heberling, the German quartet launched in 2019, instantly proving their worth in the scene with their energetic live shows and their hard-hitting debut album In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same.  

Stream/purchase In The Eye Of Death We Are All The Same here: https://defocus.lnk.to/intheeyeofdeath

Defocus are:

Simon Müller | Vocals
Jeffrey Uhlmann | Guitar
Marcel "Bambam" Heberling | Bass
Jonas Mahler | Drums

Defocus online:
https://www.instagram.com/defocus.band
https://www.facebook.com/defocus
http://defocusband.com