Photo Credit: Alexander Skepp

Fearlessly experimental, deliciously irreverent and defiantly unclassifiable for 25 years, Stockholm’s Gösta Berlings Saga have announced the release of Forever Now, their highly anticipated seventh studio album, on 6th June via Pelagic Records. Still determined to push boundaries after two decades, Forever Now’s second single ‘Fragment I’, which is unveiled today, doesn’t actually appear on the record. 

Watch the video to 'Fragment I' here: https://youtu.be/p4y2sMcPXGo

Pre-order Forever Now here: https://orcd.co/gostaberlingssaga

The band comment: "'Fragment I' was recorded in January 2025 with the ambition to expand the NOW within Forever Now. Fragments of music from the upcoming album, intertwined with ideas dating back to the time before our very first record, were allowed to merge freely over an afternoon in the studio. To shape this session, we invited two guest musicians we deeply admire: Reine Fiske (Träden, Dungen) on guitar and Gustav Nygren (Kungens Män, Anekdoten) on guitar and saxophone.

"The result is a journey through layers of sound and improvisation, colliding to create something entirely new and ‘now’." 

Gösta Berlings Saga began in 2000 with a creative spark keenly felt between keyboardist David Lundberg and drummer Alexander Skepp. Taking formative inspiration from the ‘60s jazz fusion improvisations of fellow Swedes Hansson & Karlsson, Gösta Berlings Saga broadened their sonic palette with the addition of bassist Gabriel Tapper and guitarist Mathias Danielsson before the release of their debut album Tid Är Ljud in 2006. Danielsson subsequently left the project to be replaced by Einar Baldursson, contributing to the darker and more complex sound of 2009’s Detta Har Hänt, 2011’s Glue Works and 2016’s Sersophane.

The overt manipulation of sound and melody on this trio of early releases helped set Gösta Berlings Saga apart from the rest of the progressive pack, swerving easy cliché and navel gazing nostalgia in favour of a fervently forward-thinking ethos. Undoubtedly influenced by the greats of prog, art-rock, electronica and the avant-garde, Gösta Berlings Saga have remained thrillingly impervious to categorisation.

2017 saw another evolution within the band as Baldursson left to be replaced with Rasmus Booberg whilst percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Jesper Skarin also joined the ranks. Rejuvenated and revitalised, Gösta Berlings Saga’s subsequent albums, ET EX (2018) and Konkret Music (2020), introduced a whole new audience to the band’s idiosyncratic fearless experimentation, breakneck rock ‘n’ roll infused with even more found sound electronics and sonic obscura. Uncompromising and utterly distinct, these albums solidified the band’s belief that staying true to their own artistic vision was always the only way forward.

Forever Now is 10 tracks of hand-crafted chaos that bear all the brilliance of Gösta Berlings Saga’s 25 years of irreverent innovation. Entirely written, recorded, produced and mixed by the band for the very first time, the album sees synthesizers and arpeggiated guitars spiral ever higher, colliding with helter skelter percussion and pulse-racing drums on the way, whilst the band’s innate trust in each other and in their music form the propulsive core of a perpetual energy engine five years in the making.

Although not established as a concept album as such, personal tragedies during the early writing process ultimately left their mark. For a time the band tried to separate their collective creativity from the events of their private lives but, rather than grief and darkness making their presence felt, Gösta Berlings Saga built this album on the pursuit of the eternal - a euphoric glimpse beyond time, where music becomes a bridge between the present and what was and will be, echoing connections that never fade.

Gösta Berlings Saga are:
Jesper Skarin - Percussion
Gabriel Tapper - Bass
David Lundberg - Keys
Rasmus Booberg - Guitars
Alexander Skepp - Drums

Forever Now track list:

1. Full Release
2. Through The Arches
3. Arrangements
4. Forever Now
5. The Sprig and the Birch
6. Fragment II
7. Ascension
8. Dog Years
9. Make of Your Heart a Stone
10. Ceremonial

Photo Credit: Damien Demolder

Cinematic post-metal quartet Telepathy have today unveiled a new video for their behemoth track 'End Transmission', taken from their most recent, and acclaimed, record Transmissions (March 2025, Pelagic Records).

Watch: https://youtu.be/IYtkNGfuqeA
Order Transmissions here: https://orcd.co/telepathy

Telepathy will perform tracks from Transmissions at A Colossal Weekend in Denmark on Thursday 8th May. In addition, they're touring at the following:

UK 17.04 London - The Black Heart
DE 06.05 Leipzig - Werk2
DE 07.05 Berlin - Neue Zukunft
DE 08.05 Copenhagen - A Colossal Weekend
DE 10.05 Bremen - Zollkantine
DE 11.05 Siegen - Vortex Music Club
NL 23-24.09 Maastricht - Pelagic Festival

The band comment: "We are excited to announce the first European live dates in support of our new album Transmissions, including a stop at A Colossal Weekend festival in Copenhagen. We can't wait to see you. Welcome to the first Transmission".

They continue: "'End Transmission' was the first song we performed from our new album, way back at the end of 2022. It became THE song in our set on that tour with Oranssi Pazuzu, and we wanted to document that initial excitement with this clip. 

Featuring footage from Euroblast in Germany, Amplifest in Porto, the 2000trees vs ArcTanGent event in Bristol and club dates through France and the UK we present this nostalgic look back at life on the road as we prepare to head back out on the road in support of Transmissions."

Telepathy are:

Piotr Turek
Albert Turek
Krystian Turek
Richard Powley

For more:
https://www.instagram.com/telepathybanduk
https://www.facebook.com/telepathyband
https://telepathyband.bandcamp.com/album/transmissions

Track-list

1. Oath 09:10
2. Augury 06:26
3. Knife Edge Effect 04:12
4. Tears in the Fibre 14:19
5. A Silent Bridge 01:57
6. End Transmission 15:49
7. Home 05:52

Renowned modern guitarists KEYAN & Connor Kaminski have joined forces to unveil their new instrumental progressive metal three-track EP, Kinetic, set for release on Friday 16th May.

The duo have also shared the first single 'Swell', which you can stream here: https://youtu.be/1fltWSrMbJ0

Pre-order Kinetic here: https://ffm.to/kinetic-contest.ZRF

Kinetic's tracklisting has also been revealed, showcased legendary featured artists Adam 'Nolly' Getgood of Periphery and guitar maestro Jack Gardiner.

KEYAN, a Fender/Jackson-endorsed shred-lord and YouTube sensation, has made waves in the global guitar community through his social media presence and online persona. Known for his technical prowess and ability to bridge social media virality with serious musicianship, KEYAN has shared the stage with progressive metal icons like Animals As Leaders, Periphery, Intervals, Leprous and more, and has over 50M YouTube views to boast.

Across the ocean, UK-based composer, producer, and technical guitar virtuoso Connor Kaminski has built a reputation for his intricate guitar work and innovative approach to modern prog metal. Influenced by Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, and Intervals, Connor has honed his craft as a guitarist and cultivated a strong following online. This growth helped him establish relationships with .strandberg*, D’Addario, Neural DSP, GetGood Drums, and even allowed him to design and release his dream signature guitar with .strandberg* at the young age of 27 last October.

The pair pool their talent on Kinetic, a 20+ minute progressive metal journey, exploring the concept of movement in relation to the human experience. The release showcases the unique synergy between KEYAN and Connor’s distinct playing styles, offering a dynamic listening experience that blends soaring leads, intricate rhythms, and cinematic soundscapes. The EP’s first single, 'Swell', is available for streaming now, offering listeners a taste of the duo’s technical brilliance.

Kinetic features guest performances from two modern guitar titans - Adam 'Nolly' Getgood from Periphery, who is known for his precision production work and bass/guitar mastery, and Jack Gardiner - known for his melodic phrasing and jazz-fusion-infused approach to prog.

With Kinetic, KEYAN and Connor set out to push the boundaries of instrumental progressive metal, showcasing a new chapter in the evolution of modern guitar music. The EP captures the energy, complexity, and technicality that define their artistry, solidifying them as key players in the global prog scene.

For more:

Connor Kaminski
https://www.instagram.com/connor.kaminski
https://www.youtube.com/@ConnorKaminski

KEYAN
https://www.instagram.com/keyanhoushmandlive
https://www.youtube.com/c/keyanhoushmandlive

Tracklisting:

1 Swell
2 Oscillate
3 Pirouette

Photo Credit: Chris Sikich

Hiroe, the new darlings of the American post-rock underground, return with news of their debut album, Wield, due 20th June via Pelagic Records.

The band have today released their first single from Wield, the titanic 'Tides'. 

Stream 'Tides' here: https://youtu.be/RhiUsR0CqGE
Pre-order Wield here: https://orcd.co/hiroe

Both powerfully melodic and heavy, Wield shows the Philadelphia-based quintet mastering their craft, of creating compelling melodies that sound larger than life.

On 'Tides', the group comment: "The intention for 'Tides' was to evoke aural imagery akin to an unstoppable force colliding with an immovable object. Our studio intern's observation perfectly captured this sentiment: "it sounds like a soundtrack for Godzilla fighting King Kong”.  There’s an undercurrent of frustration woven into the song. It serves as a metaphor for the very universal human experience for us all – the constant challenges, both monumental and mundane, that we all face in a struggle to exist."

2022 saw Hiroe burst onto the scene with an explosive debut EP full of soaring anthems and sublime soundscapes. Combining the sonic expansiveness of Deftones with the dynamic heaviness of bands like Isis and Caspian, Hiroe immediately already figured out how to make the most majestic sounding post-rock early in their career. "Our first album, Wrought was a statement of creation," explains principal songwriter Eric Kusanagi (guitars).
 
For the recording of Wield, Jill Paslier moved from bass to guitars, with Brian Kong (guitars), Jon Seiler (bass) and Dan Sagherian (drums) joining to complete the lineup. Produced once more by Mario Quintero (Spotlights) Wield capitalises on everything the band learned in the creation of its predecessor, adding to it a new focus on textural intricacies and compositional detail.
 
“We wanted to show a larger range of musical themes on this record,” continues Eric. “You’ll hear us dive into some synth work, some piano work, some really interesting effects that Mario helped us dial up.” Wield as a result packs in a huge range of details, which reveal themselves over repeated listens. 
 
Nevertheless, Wield is still an affair of instant gratification for fans of guitar driven post-rock. From the soaring leads of 'Tides' to the epic finale of 'I’ve Been Waiting For You All My Life', Hiroe show they’ve upped their game in every department, but especially that which tugs at your heartstrings.

Wield presents the brave new future we all need in these confusing times. A new American frontier on which we can build our wildest dreams and our most daring ambitions.

Watch Hiroe live:

JUN 06 – Baltimore – Monument City Brewing
JUN 07 – Washington, DC – The Pocket
JUN 13 – Brooklyn – Gold Sounds
JUN 14 – Boston - Deep Cuts
JUN 20 – Harrisburg – JB Lovedraft’s
JUN 21 – Lancaster – The Upside
JUN 27 – Philadelphia – Kung Fu Necktie
JUN 28 – Pittsburgh – Ormsby’s
JUL 23 – Indianapolis – Black Circle (Post-Fest Pre-show)

Hiroe are:

Eric Kusanagi – Guitar
Jill Paslier – Guitar
Brian Kong – Guitar
Jon Seiler – Bass
Dan Sagherian - Drums

For more: 
INSTAGRAM • FACEBOOK • BANDCAMP • PELAGIC ARTIST PAGE

Track-list

Side A
1. The Calm
2. Tides
3. Collider

Side B
4. Dancing at the End of the World
5. The Crush
6. I’ve Been Waiting For You All My Life

The award-winning, genre-busting RADAR Festival has completed its 2025 lineup, with the addition of Annisokay, The Scratch, and Alyx Holcombe. 

Co-founder and co-organiser of RADAR, Joe James, comments: "Well, that’s it for the music booking for 2025 (we’ve been booking 2026 for a while in honesty!) and we’re in the final straight heading towards the festival in July. German post-hardcore band ANNISOKAY are in to replace Oni (who can no longer make it) and the last missing band from the lineup is THE SCRATCH, who mix traditional Irish music with the groove and intensity of metal. They’re going to get the tired bodies moving on the last day! 

"We’re also delighted to welcome our friend of the festival and RADIO 1 DJ, Alyx Holcombe, who’ll be looking after you for the Saturday night afterparty.

"Next up we’re going to be announcing the lineup for the other side of the festival, The Music & Gaming Market. We’ve exceeded anything we’ve had in there before, so we’re very excited to start announcing the content."  

Full list of bands announced:

Carpenter Brut (2025 UK Exclusive)
UNDERØATH (2025 UK Festival Exclusive)
Bob Vylan
Zeal & Ardor
As December Falls
Normandie
Yonaka
Vukovi
Intervals
As Everything Unfolds
Novelists
Allt
Annisokay
Lake Malice
David Maxim Micic
The Scratch
Dream State
GHØSTKID
Pintglass
Shelf Lives
Future Palace
Floya
Tropic Gold
Avralize
Artio
Cyan Kicks
Tiberius
Arch Echo
Lastelle
Ġenn
Air Drawn Dagger
Continents
Hero In Error
Waterlines
Mother Vulture
Deity’s Muse

Afterparties:
The Algorithm (DJ set)
Alyx Holcombe (DJ set)
The 900 (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Band)

Get your RADAR Festival tickets here: www.radarfestival.co.uk/tickets

Alongside the acts announced, RADAR's commitment to a musical and gaming paradise continues: their music & gaming market will return. Expected to be wowed by a retro arcade, the best new instruments and music tech, and many more besides. 

Also demonstrating their commitment to new bands, RADAR will continue to donate a portion of ticket sales proceeds to Music Venue Trust and Save Our Scene's Liveline Fund, in order to support grassroots music venues.

RADAR - the UK's most exciting new progressive music festival - moved to Manchester for its 2023 edition, the third iteration of the festival.

RADAR pride themselves on providing a first home for the best international artists - previous years have seen Dirty Loops' (2022) and The Callous Daoboys' (2023) first UK shows. 

Joining the list were RADAR 2024's Friday headliners - synth royalty The Midnight, making their UK festival debut. Accompanying them were Saturday headliners TesseracT, as the UK prog metal titans delivered a special War Of Being album set. Finally, closing the festival on Sunday, modern progressive titans Leprous performed a world-first live, by request fan set. 

RADAR 2023 saw Friday headliners Sleep Token joining Periphery (Sunday) and Igorrr (Saturday) among a host of the best from the UK and global progressive underground.

RADAR capped their intensely impressive 2022 by winning the Best New Festival Award at the UK Festival Awards on 6th December in Manchester, and were shortlisted for Best Small Festival and Best Metropolitan Festival at 2023 and 2024's UK Festival Awards.

With their mixture of international talent and confirmed homegrown success, RADAR Festival has already positioned themselves as a champion of forward-thinking, guitar-led progressive music. No genre boundaries, welcome to all, RADAR Festival was launched in 2019 to acclaim, with performances from Animals As Leaders, Agent Fresco, Rolo Tomassi, among others. Following the COVID hiatus, RADAR Festival 2022 expanded to three days with triumphant appearances from Leprous, Haken, Dirty Loops, Plini, Conjurer, Soen and more.

RADAR Festival is all about pushing boundaries - this year introducing fresh genres to the line-up and stages - and this is just the beginning. 

For more information:
Instagram: RDRfestival // Facebook: RDRfestival
Twitter: @RDRfestival // Website: www.radarfestival.co.uk

Depressive black metallers Ghost Bath have emerged from beyond the veil with their new album, Rose Thorn Necklace, which will be released on 9th May via Nuclear Blast Records. The band, in their 12th year of existence, are not in the business of softening the edges. Rather, the frontman (Nameless aka Dennis Mikula) is leaning more toward his antisocial traits, serrated like a rusty knife yet beautifully honed over years of toil.

Today, the band unveil the atmospheric second single, 'Well, I Tried Drowning'. Watch the video directed by Claudio Marino of Artax Film here: https://youtu.be/GkB8vC8kbEU
 
Ghost Bath comment, "'Well, I Tried Drowning' is a plea for death, not by my own hand but for someone else to do the courtesy as I have not been able to bring myself to do. It is a fantasy - rooted in wishful thinking - that someone would cut my throat in my sleep, finally ending my life as I drown in my own blood. Wish fulfillment in blunt, gory detail."

Pre-order & pre-save Rose Thorn Necklace:
https://ghostbath.bfan.link/rose-thorn-necklace-album

Stream 'Well, I Tried Drowning':
https://ghostbath.bfan.link/well-i-tried-drowning

Rose Thorn Necklace was recorded in 2024 between January and June. The drums were recorded and engineered by Mike Heller at Heaven and Heller Studios while the remaining sections were completed by Nameless (Dennis Mikula) at his home studio. The album was mixed and mastered by Jack Shirley. The cover artwork was created by Ksenija Tarasova. Free from the Moonlover-Starmourner-Self Loather conceptual album trilogy, sole proprietor Nameless (aka Dennis Mikula) explores the most intense and introspective music from Ghost Bath’s oeuvre, advancing with blackened blasts and melancholic movements while moving his only child forward into the unknown.

Rose Thorn Necklace is now available for pre-order in the following formats:

• CD Jewel Case

• LP

  • Pink Swirl

  • Red Swirl

Ghost Bath are:

Nameless (Dennis Mikula) | Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Piano, Synth
Mike Heller | Drums
Chewie a.k.a. Jason Tjoei | Piano

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/blackghostbath
https://x.com/GhostBath
https://www.instagram.com/ghostbathofficial

Tracklisting:

1. Grotesque Display
2. Rose Thorn Necklace
3. Well, I Tried Drowning
4. Thinly Sliced Heart Muscle
5. Dandelion Tea
6. Vodka Butterfly
7.  Stamen and Pistil
8. Needles
9. Throat Cancer

Sinners, the time has come. Dogma’s newest invocation, 'Banned,' is here, a profane melody woven in flesh and defiance, a hymn to liberation wrapped in forbidden rhythms. A fusion of metal and tango that tears through the veil of sanctimony.

Watch the video to 'Banned' here (8pm BST premiere) : https://youtu.be/ewoDjshtHSQ

Stream 'Banned' here: https://ffm.to/dogmabanned

Some acts are condemned, others are justified. Who draws the line? 'Banned' tells another chapter of the story, the moment desire collides with imposed virtue, where submission is shattered, and pleasure becomes power. But sinners, they are not stopping here.

For the first time ever, Dogma set foot on European soil, joining forces with Patriarkh on Sinning Over Europe Part 1. With this, the first gates are broken, and their presence is marked across Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. Dogma has also been announced for Bloodstock Open Air festival.

This is only the beginning. There are more places to reach, more sinners waiting in the shadows. Let this be a warning: Europe is ready for Dogma, and they are ready to take it.

A message from vocalist Lilith: "Sinners, For the first time, we set foot on European soil. A land steeped in history, contradiction, and rebellion, where saints were martyred, heretics burned, and revolutions born. Now, Dogma arrives, not to kneel, but to rise. 'Banned' is revelation. A wound torn open, a truth they buried, a desire they shamed. It is not just a song, but a confession, a defiance, a sin they tried to erase. Some will flinch, some will fall silent, and some will wake up, which one will you be? To those who will stand before us on this tour, I want to see you. I want to see you wearing our emblems, our mark, your devotion. Show me that Europe is ready. Show me that Dogma belongs here."

This first-ever European tour is not just about the stage. Dogma summons our sinners to a limited, intimate gathering beyond the lights and the noise. This is your chance to meet Dogma, to speak, to share, to be part of the movement.

These meet & greets are extremely limited. No show tickets included. Reserve your place here: https://officialdogma.store/eu-meetngreet

Known for blending hard rock, metal, and theatricality, Dogma’s shows are more than just performances, they’re experiences that push audiences to confront their innermost desires and truths. Their music, laden with powerful riffs and unapologetic sensuality, invites listeners into a world where self-expression is the ultimate form of freedom.

Join Dogma in this provocative journey as they shatter the barriers between the sacred and the profane.

Dogma are:
Lilith – vocals
Lamia – guitar
Nixe – bass
Abrahel – drums

Dogma online:  
http://www.officialdogma.com
http://www.facebook.com/theofficialdogma
http://www.instagram.com/officialdogma
http://www.twitter.com/dogmatheband

Hertfordshire Metal quartet Lowdown deliver the riffs with new single and announce Bloodstock 2025 performance.

This Hertfordshire metal quartet are smashing their way through 2025 with the release of new single 'Set Fire' via Damage Records. The quartet have also been announced for this year’s Bloodstock Open Air alongside an incredible lineup.

Watch the 'Set Fire' video here: LOWDOWN - Set Fire (Official Music Video)

Stream the single here: Set Fire

Vocalist and guitarist Dave Runham comments on the single: “'Set Fire' is about war and conflict existing in many forms. Some fight battles in the physical world, while others struggle within themselves. This duality is at the heart of our upcoming album ALPHA OMEGA to be released 25th July 2025 via Damage Records. ‘Set Fire’ embodies the frustration of trying to fix a problem, only to realise that the real issue lies within yourself."

Upcoming live shows:

APR 19 - BreckFest - Thetford, United Kingdom
APR 20 - Supporting Raging Speedhorn - Cambridge, United Kingdom
MAY 11 - Bloodstock M2TM Guest Headline Act - Hitchin, United Kingdom
JUL 25 - ALPHA OMEGA Album Launch - Stevenage, United Kingdom
JUL 26 - Northants Rocks Festival - Finedon, United Kingdom
AUG 8 - Bloodstock Open Air Festival - Derbyshire, United Kingdom
AUG 23 - ADK Presents - Birmingham, United Kingdom

Drawing inspiration from the crushing grooves of Black Label Society, the soaring melodies of Alter Bridge, the raw aggression of Pantera, and the ominous weight of Sabbath, Lowdown fuse doom-laced chords with searing, down-tuned riffs with pinch harmonics ricocheting through the air like battle cries. Their arrival wasn't just noticed; it was felt.

ALPHA OMEGA is built on the idea that everything—beginnings and ends - come back to us. As Runham explains, "The album ALPHA OMEGA was crafted from the understanding that everything starts and ends with us (you). You are your beginning and end."

Lowdown are:

Dave Runham - Guitar / Vocals
Ant Pinnell - Guitar / Vocals
Kev Smart - Bass Guitar
Richard Emms - Drums

ALPHA OMEGA out 25/07/25 via Damage Records

Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Andy J. Davies at Damage Recordings, Hertfordshire    

1. ALPHA

2. SET FIRE

3. GRIND THE AXE

4. M.O.A.B.

5. TELL ME MORE

6. I AM KING

7. WRETCHED TOWN

8. COLLATERAL DAMAGE

9. BLEED

10. SLEEP

11. OMEGA

Lowdown online:

https://linktr.ee/lowdownbanduk
https://www.instagram.com/lowdown_band

Damage Records:

https://www.instagram.com/damage_records

German metalcore outfit THROATCUT. return with their heaviest and most uncompromising release yet with the brand new single 'blasphemous'. Known for their raw energy and unfiltered aggression, the band take things up a notch with this track and showcase a darker, more refined production while staying true to THROATCUT.’s chaotic roots. 

Watch the video here:  https://youtu.be/pR6hN2Y90aQ
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/blasphemous