Photo Credit: Nicolas Alban

French post-metal collective Year of No Light return with their highly unique, evocative live album Les Maîtres Fous, to be released 23rd May via the esteemed Pelagic Records.
 
Haunting, discordant and deeply unsettling, Les Maîtres Fous (‘The Mad Masters’) was written by the group in response to French filmmaker Jean Rouch’s controversial 1950’s docufiction of the same name.
 
Captured live in 2015, this arresting piece of music is now available to hear for the first time in a decade.

To acknowledge the album announcement, the group have streamed an excerpt from the album. Listen here: https://youtu.be/L1ZrZvIq4L4

Pre-order Les Maîtres Fous here: https://orcd.co/yonl

Commissioned by Musée Du Quai Branly in Paris for their 2012 ‘L’Invention Du Sauvage’ exhibition, Year of No Light approached the ritual practices of the Hauka movement as depicted in the original film and responded with their uniquely hypnotic heaviness.
 
Performed only twice, once at the exhibition on the 6th January, 2012 and again in Bordeaux on the 29th January, 2015 - this release is a live recording of the second and final performance of Les Maîtres Fous. Whilst Year of No Light have a long history of collaboration with forward-thinking filmmakers and visual artists, the sensitivity of this documentary’s problematic subject matter and the intensity of the band’s performance made this performance both a physically and emotionally demanding experience; something that can be keenly felt upon listening.

Founded in September 2001 by a collection of Bordeaux’s heavy scene stalwarts as an ongoing side project encompassing elements of sludge metal and shoegaze, Year of No Light released their debut album, Nord, in 2006 to critical acclaim. The subsequent years however saw a significant line-up change, with the band replacing their vocalist with a third guitarist to become a fully instrumental sextet, incorporating aspects of black metal, drone electronica and dark ambient into their already formidable sound.
 
2010’s four-track epic Ausserwelt and the 2013 follow-up Tocsin saw Year of No Light distilling their punishing sound even further; stalling the tempo to a glacial crawl and tuning guitars ever downwards to new uncharted depths. Consolamentum, the band’s first full-length release in nine years and their first with Pelagic Records, brought the outfit’s crushing double-drumming percussion to the fore - as a masterclass in dynamic control saw Year of No Light embrace the highest highs and the lowest lows of the intervening years.
 
Now approaching their 25th anniversary, Les Maître Fous is a pressing reminder that, despite the band’s long and ongoing journey, Year of No Light have never been afraid to experiment, to take risks, to square up to life’s ugliness and look it straight in the eye.
 
For more:

https://www.instagram.com/yearofnolightofficial
https://yearofnolight.bandcamp.com
https://pelagic-records.com/artist/year-of-no-light
https://www.facebook.com/yearofnolight

Year of No Light are: 
Bertrand Sebenne
Shiran Kaidine
Mathieu Megemont
Pierre Anouilh
Johan Sebenne
Jerome Alban

Tracklisting: 

1 Part 1
2 Part 2

Photo Credit: Tommy Sommers

Buckcherry have today unveiled 'Come On', the latest single taken from their upcoming eleventh album, Roar Like Thunder, set for release on 13th June via Earache Records.

Watch the lyric video here: https://youtu.be/7Wd7Gk_mhAY

Frontman Josh Todd commented “I feel that the human race is in a very fragile state and 'Come On' is about finding the “sweet spot” in your life where you rise above the distractions, have courage, and make your dreams a reality.”

Roar Like Thunder was recorded in Nashville at Sienna Studios and produced by Marti Frederiksen. All 10 tracks were written by vocalist Josh Todd, guitarist Stevie D, and Frederiksen. The album will be released in North America by Round Hill Records; in Japan by Sony Japan; and in the remainder of the world by Earache Records.

Pre-order the album from Earache here: EARACHE.COM/BUCKCHERRY

The band are currently on a co-headline tour with Steel Panther in North America.

The two-time GRAMMY-nominated band have created an album that's bursting at the seams with lightning-hot rock'n'roll. From the the horn-swelling swagger of 'I Go Boom' and the honey-dripping riffs of 'Blackout', to the AC/DC stomp of 'Come On' and the frantic runaway train rhythm of the title track, Roar Like Thunder sees a band that bring live rock'n'roll to the stage more days a year than the sun is seen in Britain, and set that energy off like a bottle rocket in the studio. The album was mastered by Anthony Focx [Metallica, Aerosmith].
 
Frontman Josh Todd comments: “Roar Like Thunder rocks from beginning to end. It grooves, it thumps, and there is subject matter in each song everyone can relate to. Strap in and enjoy the ride.”
 
Guitarist Stevie Dacanay affirms: “It’s the pure, uncut, rock’n’roll music you’ve been jonesing for…”
 
Buckcherry are:

Josh Todd (vocals)
Stevie Dacanay (guitar)
Billy Rowe (guitar)
Kelly LeMieux (bass)
Francis Ruiz (drums)

Buckcherry online:
https://www.buckcherry.com
https://www.facebook.com/buckcherry
https://www.instagram.com/buckcherry

Track list:

1 - Roar Like Thunder
2 - When The Sun Goes Down
3 - Come On
4 - Talking Bout Sex
5 - Blackout
6 - I Go Boom
7 - Set It Free
8 - Hello Goodbye
9 - Machine Gun
10 - Let It Burn

Sleeping Mountain are raw and come from the heart. A blend of psych rock, desert grooves, and doom, the trio take you on a journey through folklore, mysticism, and the natural struggles of life.

The band have released their mighty new single 'Medusa', which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/TOADmw6FjXU
Stream: https://linktr.ee/sleepingmountain

The band comment: "'Medusa' takes a deep dive into the feeling of emotional paralysis, capturing the weight of betrayal and manipulation. Unlike our previous single 'Alibi', where the song builds intensity, 'Medusa' starts upbeat before descending into slow, doom-like heaviness, mirroring the gradual realisation of being trapped. The lyrics highlight how words and silence can wound, turning vulnerability into stone."

Dormant power and introspective depth, resonating in trance-inducing riffs, tempo shifts, and haunting lyrics that enchant the soul - Sleeping Mountain are already making a name for themselves in the UK's stoner and psych scene.

Inspired by legends like Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd and standing tall alongside All Them Witches and Graveyard, Sleeping Mountain create music designed to evoke goosebumps, ecstasy, heaviness, and an introspective trip to your mother’s womb. Working in the shadows, the band craft live shows that are transformative rituals where sound becomes a shared awakening. Born from musicians hungry for something real, most notably Sleeping Mountain have founded Stoomfest, London’s festival of stoner rock and heavy psych. 

'Medusa' follows Sleeping Mountain's previous single 'Wildfire' - a track which blends classic rock influences with their signature style. Lyrics talking of freedom and movement, symbolising the break from the past and embracing the unknown - the song embodies a truly unstoppable force of liberation.

For more:

https://www.instagram.com/sleepingmountainband
https://sleepingmountain.band
https://sleepingmountainband.bandcamp.com

German metalcore titans Annisokay just released new single 'Into The Gray' and their highly anticipated EP, 'Abyss Pt II' via Arising Empire. This new instalment promises to continue the band's evolution, delivering their signature blend of crushing heaviness and melodic intensity.​

Watch the visualiser for the full EP stream here: https://youtu.be/fOAN9mwD51Q

The previous lead single, 'Inner Sanctum', offers a glimpse into the EP's depth, exploring themes of inner struggle and resilience through powerful vocals, atmospheric soundscapes, and intense breakdowns.​

Reflecting on Abyss Pt I, released in September 2023, the EP received widespread acclaim for its fusion of metalcore aggression and melodic elements. Tracks like 'Human' and 'Ultraviolet' showcased the band's ability to balance heavy riffs with catchy choruses, while their rendition of Leony's 'Remedy,' titled 'Calamity', demonstrated their versatility and willingness to push genre boundaries. ​

With Abyss Pt II, Annisokay aim to build upon this foundation, further solidifying their status in the modern metalcore scene. Fans can look forward to experiencing these new tracks live during their European tour in October, which includes performances at major festivals such as Wacken, Greenfield Festival, Reload Festival, and Summer Breeze.

UK tour dates:
UK-London - 15.01.26
UK-Leeds - 16.01.26
UK-Bristol - 17.01.26
UK-Nottingham - 18.01.26

Annisokay are:
Rudi Schwarzer | Vocals
Christoph Wieczorek | Vocals / Guitar
Peter Leukhardt | Bass
Nico Vaeen | Drums

For more information:
www.annisokay.com
www.facebook.com/annisokay
www.instagram.com/annisokay
www.twitter.com/annisokay

Poland’s Demeted return with their captivating and dynamic Rituals EP, released 9th May via Seek & Strike. 

A modern metalcore masterpiece, you can hear the EP's second single 'Naiad' now. 

Watch the video for 'Naiad' here: https://youtu.be/GFW4y3Ndb0Q
Pre-save Rituals here: https://orcd.co/demetedrituals

This is the follow-up to Demeted's debut EP Lunacy, which earned them national recognition and saw the band push their songwriting to new heights, crafting more epic hooks and infectious melodies, while maintaining their overall aggression.

Demeted state:  "The EP’s second single, ‘Naiad,' was inspired from a legend about slavic Rusalka. The theme of this song revolves around water, just like the legendary creature. The character in the music video is a Rusalka that tries to lure the main character into water, where it is most powerful. This is a metaphor to people getting deceived, just to have a rude awakening when they discover they’ve been fooled. This song is very fun to play, as it contains a chorus that is good sing-along material and also has complicated riffs that keep the listener guessing what's next.

"This EP is also the manifestation of our continuous evolution as a band. The sound has turned to a darker, more aggressive and mysterious tone, but the imagery was adjusted to resemble the offering's main themes. Everything in the new release falls under the concept of displaying the forgotten and mysterious, indigenous culture of Poland from hundreds of years ago. The one specific element that clearly helps separate us from the rest of the bands in our genre is our sound flexibility. We can always find a way to create a catchy chorus, even if the song is really heavy and it would be impossible at the first glance. 

"If there’s anything we can share with the world, it would be one thing - be proud of who you are, because your intrinsic value is immense. You just need to show it to the world and eventually there will be someone that’s going to cherish it."

For more:

https://www.facebook.com/DemetedOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/demetedofficial

Track-list:
1 Whispers
2 Evoke
3 Basilisk
4 Naiad
5 7 Rituals
6 Inheritance

Photo Credit: Terhi Ylimainen

If you like intense, highly energetic live shows with perfect musicianship and songwriting, powerful vocals, a spectacular scenery, fire, force and fun, Finnish metal stars Battle Beast are your perfect choice.

Today, they celebrate the release of Circus Of Doom – Live in Helsinki 2023, a triumphant display of entertaining and monumental heavy rock.

To coincide with the album release, the band have unveiled their new video 'Eden (Live In Helsinki 2023)'. Noora Louhimo quotes excitedly: ”It was such a special moment to perform our song 'Eden' - the long time favourite of our fans, in Helsinki Ice Hall. The audience got to be part of the song as the heavenly choir and sang with us the whole time. I still get goosebumps while thinking about it. Go check it out and enjoy!”    

Watch: https://youtu.be/JgTiikhV13Y
Order Circus Of Doom - Live In Helsinki 2023 here: https://battlebeast.bfan.link/circus-of-doom-live

Battle Beast's European tour starts with a bang on 17th October with their biggest German headline show to date at Hamburg’s Inselpark Arena. The tour will keep the band on the road until mid-December. To complete the bill with melodic metal superiority, the band are thrilled to welcome Germany’s metal sensation Dominum as their special guest, and Sweden’s rising power metal force Majestica as their opening act.

Tickets for the tour are onsale now at www.battlebeast.fi/tour.

Dates:

17-Oct-25     Germany      Hamburg      Inselpark Arena
18-Oct-25     Germany      Berlin      Huxleys Neue Welt
19-Oct-25     Netherlands      Den Bosch      The Rock Circus
21-Oct-25     England      Birmingham      O2 Institute
22-Oct-25     England      Manchester      O2 Ritz
23-Oct-25     England      Bristol      O2 Academy
24-Oct-25     England      London      Shepherd's Bush Empire
25-Oct-25     France      Paris      Elysee Montmartre
26-Oct-25     France      Toulouse      Bikini Toulouse
28-Oct-25     Spain      Madrid      Sala La Riviera
29-Oct-25     Spain      Barcelona      Sala Apolo
30-Oct-25     France      Lyon      Transbordeur
31-Oct-25     Germany      Filderstadt      FILharmonie
01-Nov-25     Germany      Wiesbaden      Schlachthof
02-Nov-25     Belgium      Antwerp      Trix
04-Nov-25     Germany      Hannover      Capitol
05-Nov-25     Denmark      Roskilde      Gimle
06-Nov-25     Sweden      Huskvarna      Folkets Park
07-Nov-25     Sweden      Gothenburg      Trädgårn
08-Nov-25     Sweden      Stockholm      Fryshuset Arenan
09-Nov-25     Norway      Oslo      Rockefeller Music Hall
28-Nov-25     Germany      Leipzig      Felsenkeller - Ballsaal
29-Nov-25     Germany      Nuremberg      Löwensaal
30-Nov-25     Austria      Vienna      Arena Wien
01-Dec-25     Slovakia      Bratislava      Majestic Music Club
02-Dec-25     Hungary      Budapest      Barba Negra Red Stage
03-Dec-25     Slovenia      Ljubljana      Cvetlicarna d.o.o.
05-Dec-25     Germany      Munich      TonHalle
06-Dec-25     Switzerland      Pratteln      Z7 Konzertfabrik
07-Dec-25     Italy      Trezzo sull'Adda      Live Club
09-Dec-25     Switzerland      Lausanne      Metropole
10-Dec-25     Germany      Saarbrücken      Garage
12-Dec-25     Germany      Oberhausen      Turbinenhalle
13-Dec-25     Czech Republic      Zlin      Sports Hall Datart
14-Dec-25     Poland      Warsaw      Progresja

Close to two decades into their career, with six records, 300M+ streams, four consecutive number #1 albums, and the strongest line-up the Finnish symphonic heavy metal group ever had, it’s about time Battle Beast release a proper live album. Now, Circus Of Doom – Live in Helsinki 2023 finally comes out via Nuclear Blast Records on April 11th, 2025 as digital album and Limited Edition CD plus Blu-ray Digipak. 

Offering 117 minutes of playing time, 15 songs, a stunning 24-page booklet showing the band’s impressive stage and performance in a series of photos by Jaakko Manninen, and artwork by Jan Yrlund, Circus Of Doom – Live in Helsinki 2023 is a triumphant testimony to BATTLE BEAST’s one of a kind adventurous and monumental music. Recorded in the Helsinki Ice Hall on January 27, 2023, mixed by the band’s “keytarist” Janne Björkroth and mastered at the legendary Finnvox by Mika Jussila, this massive live package is a highlight for every dedicated fan out there and perfectly captures the ambitious dystopian carnival show Battle Beast put up during their past touring cycle. And rest assured that Noora, Janne, Joona, Juuso, Eero and Pyry are already preparing an even more exciting new chapter for their fantastic tale that will hit you straight to the heart and take you beyond the burning skies.

Battle Beast are:
Noora Louhimo | vocals
Eero Sipilä | bass
Joona Björkroth | guitars
Juuso Soinio | guitars
Janne Björkroth | keyboards
Pyry Vikki | drums

For more:
https://www.instagram.com/battlebeastband
https://battlebeast.fi/home
https://www.facebook.com/battlebeastofficial

Introducing DEVILHUSK - the new nu-metalcore Brightonian quartet - releasing their debut single 'I SEE GOD'.

Watch: https://youtu.be/HZ-JxX47B7I

The band comment: "‘I SEE GOD’ is DEVILHUSK’s debut single and a violent opening statement of intent. The track doesn’t beat around the bush, focusing in on disillusionment with and criticism of organised religion following a loss of faith. The song lyrically features tongue in cheek recitals of bible verses that have had their meanings twisted, and musically delivers as much as a metal song can in a 3-and-a-half-minute runtime. Distorted, aggressive sound design, haunting atmospheric textures and 3 breakdowns for good measure. While likely shocking to some, ‘I SEE GOD’ is exactly what the others are looking for."

DEVILHUSK forcefully bend genre boundaries to suit their idea of where the style can be taken. Forming in late 2023 out of necessity, DEVILHUSK decided to push forward with a vision that’s creatively driven by artist and producer Kino’s stubborn desire to make music that simply does not exist yet. 

Having spent more than a year in the lab ardently crafting a sound and image that they’re satisfied with, DEVILHUSK draw from the gargantuan intensity of progressive metal titans like Meshuggah and Vildhjarta, and the innovative energy of modern electronic pioneers like Nitepunk and MARAUDA, and channels it into a metalcore/modern hardcore aesthetic akin to the likes of Knocked Loose or thrown. Trying to summarise their style into a sentence isn’t easy, as the sum of influences results in just as much an industrial sounding Tearout dubstep or Neurofunk drum and bass project as it does a metal band. This wide array of influences in tandem with their near neurotic attention to detail creates an experience that’s simultaneously vivacious and crushing, whether it’s at home or in a live environment. 

The DEVILHUSK line-up consists of James Boon (Kino), Joe Lyndon, Joshua Hutchings and Kieron Durrant. Kino is the main driver of the band’s creative direction and pulls from his deep, long term involvement with the underground electronic music scene with the ambition of filling a hole in the metal world – an organic blend of the two styles that comes from a genuine understanding of both. The music is often inspired by a sound design session, with his guitar parts written around the unconventional production, which immediately sets DEVILHUSK’s music apart from that of bands that write for the sake of riffs. Joe’s background and experience with the UK’s underground death metal scene has proven equally as invaluable as his uniquely aggressive vocal capabilities. Having engineered for major names like Loathe, Doyle, GBH, and Discharge, his co-production adds a familiar appeal to the band’s sound. Joshua Hutchings is a wildcard, having previously been involved in bands influenced more by the likes of Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie than anything in the metal scene. However, his ear for hooks and background outside of metal, like Kino, is a perfect fit for a project intended to be such a melting pot of differing sounds. Finally, DEVILHUSK finds it’s backbone and rhythmic framework in Kieron Durrant, a drummer whose musical roots lie in a combination of deathcore and 90s hip-hop, solidifying the punchy, assertive style the band has, reminiscent of the nu metal era. 

The band have immediately hit the ground running, and within weeks of announcing the project have played alongside the likes of ARCHIVES, Dead Flesh, Downpour, Earthbound and Chaos Reigns. With a lot of music soon to be released and a point to make, DEVILHUSK are looking to make a lasting impact on the UK metal community and beyond, as not just a band, but a statement. 

Watch DEVILHUSK live:

29th April Brighton - Daltons 

For more:
https://linktr.ee/devilhusk080

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