Taiwan's metal masters CHTHONIC have released a new live EP MEGAPORTAL2425, including five select songs from the band's appearances at 2024 and 2025 Megaport Festivals.

Stream: https://lnk.to/muziu-0524

There has been a consistent theme in CHTHONIC’s performances at Megaport Festival over the past two years - breaking the boundary between reality and illusion, and bringing onto stage the virtual. In 2024, technology was used to allow virtual characters to be presented in real time on the big screen, and in 2025, these characters appeared onstage in person - interacting with the virtual big screen characters.

Lead vocalist Freddy explains that the screen at these two concerts are a "tunnel of time and space", "portals" in time-travel dramas. "The virtual time and space are connected to the real world through the portals. We see the virtual character through the screen, and the character sees us in the real world. When we performed 'Endless Aeons',  the character travelled through and appeared in the real world," he states.

Other than 'Endless Aeons', the interweaving of time and space appears throughout other songs included in this live EP. The overture 'MEGAPORTAL INTRO' superimposes different versions of the band's smash single 'Takao', presenting a chaotic and thrilling atmosphere; 'Quell the Souls in Sing Ling Temple' is a battle across the world and the underworld; for 'Defenders of Bú-Tik Palace–acoustic version', Finn, a character who has appeared in several CHTHONIC music videos in the past decade, came to life onstage.

CHTHONIC will now turn their attention to a new album, with no future performance plans in the short term. For now, the band invite fans to enjoy the live EP.

CHTHONIC have released several albums including Mirror of Retribution (2009), Takasago Army (2011), and Butik (2013) on Spinefarm/Universal Music. In their time they've performed at such fêted events as Ozzfest, Download Festival, Wacken Open Air and have toured Europe and North America multiple times.

However, the band's activity halted in 2016 when lead vocalist Freddy Lim was elected to Taiwanese Parliament. 

For almost a decade, Freddy has been occupied with parliamentary work, and other members have been working on their own projects - resulting in only occasional large Taiwan performances for the CHTHONIC. Occasional musical output followed (2018's Battlefields of Asura album and 2023's 'Pattonkan' single, which was selected to GRAMMY's Global Spin) but almost all overseas performances were halted. 

Although CHTHONIC have stayed low-profiled in recent years, in 2019 they performed with an orchestra in front of Taiwan's Presidential Palace to an audience of 50,000. 

People say rock can change the world, and Freddy Lim made that a reality during his two terms in parliament, advocating for reform. Freddy pushed for legislation to make Taiwan’s first Asian country to have marriage equality, and for greater protection of indigenous rights. Additionally, he pushed for increased budgetary aid for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, and advocated for “transitional justice”, demanding that government declassify files from Taiwan's past authoritarian era.

This hit home unexpectedly in 2023. Declassified files revealed the sorrowful and previously unknown past of Freddy’s family. Combining history and mythology, it is perhaps not coincidental that CHTHONIC’s music told the sorrowful yet brave stories of Freddy’s grandparents. Shocked at the news and overwhelmed by emotion, Freddy called time on his eight year service in parliament, and announced that he would not seek re-election. 

Now, CHTHONIC return. The band are working on new songs, and could possibly return to global stages once more again soon.

CHTHONIC are:

Freddy Lim (lead vocals)
Doris Yeh (bass, backing vocals)
Jesse Liu (guitars, backing vocals)
Dani Wang (drums)
CJ Kao (keyboards, synthesiser)

For more information:
https://www.instagram.com/chthonictw
https://chthonic.tw/en
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3mBFvlqINbTNsRB6htlJEY
https://www.facebook.com/chthonictw

MEGAPORTAL 2425 tracklisting: 

1. MEGAPORTAL INTRO
2. Quell the Souls in Sing Ling Temple
3. Endless Aeons
4. Defenders of the Bu-Tik Palace-acoustic
5. TAKAO

Renowned modern guitarists KEYAN & Connor Kaminski unveil their progressive metal three-track collaborative EP Kinetic today, and share the final video for 'Pirouette', featuring none other than guitar masters Adam 'Nolly' Getgood of Periphery and Jack Gardiner.

Watch 'Pirouette' here: https://youtu.be/3aAmdPJtDks

Pre-order Kinetic here: https://keyanhoushmand.bandcamp.com/album/kinetic

'Pirouette' is the centrepiece of KEYAN & Connor Kaminski’s new EP, releasing with a video that features all four guitarists, weaving between playthroughs and behind the scenes footage. Pirouette' completes a trilogy of movements that began with 'Swell' and 'Oscillate'.

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. Described by Beat Magazine as: "a match made in prog rock heaven", 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', was released earlier this month, and offered listeners a taste of the duo’s technical brilliance, with triple j and Void of Vision's Jack Bergin awarding the track 5 stars on Unearthed and reviewing with: "Beautifully organised, KEYAN is a musical genius and true master of his craft. Next Aus guitar hero, name needs to be on more lips!". 

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: Akos Sogor

TÖRZS, Hungary’s premier instrumental post-rock band, have unveiled their new album Menedék in full today via Pelagic Records. 

Listen to Menedék here: https://youtu.be/ueU46ZfKuc4
Order Menedék here: https://orcd.co/torzs

Whilst TÖRZS’ previous full-length effort was a spectacular collision of the band’s tight-knit existence and the (literal) echo chamber of the world outside, Menedék is introspective, understated and refreshingly brave in its honesty. TÖRZS have opened the doors to their inner sanctum, their rehearsal space, their songwriting process, their friendship; inviting us to live in it with them, to revel in the moment together.

Loosely translating as ‘Refuge’, Menedék sees the freshly bolstered trio in their element; finding shelter, comfort and joy in the act of creative collaboration whilst the storm of day to day life weathers ever on.

A steadfast and admirable mission statement centred on staying true to themselves in the moment, being open to growth and documenting this process as honestly as possible has led to TÖRZS building a reputation as one of Hungary’s most exciting musical collectives. Three stunning albums of organic and perfectly composed contemplation, as well as the band’s transcendental live shows alongside acts including contemporaries We Lost The Sea, Oh Hiroshima, Föllakzoid and more have placed TÖRZS at the forefront of a post-rock movement that prizes the shared experience of band and listener above all else.

The band’s previous full-length release, 2019’s Tükor, was recorded live at Aggteleki Cseppkőbarlang, a UNESCO World Heritage protected cave system, 500 metres below the Aggteleki National Park. Embracing the cave’s utterly unique natural reverb almost as a fourth member led to Tükor receiving critical acclaim, with TÖRZS were subsequently nominated for the HEMI Music Awards 2022 and invited to perform at the likes of Moscow Music Week (2020), The Budapest Showcase Hub (2021) and 2024’s Changeover Festival in Belgrade, Serbia.

Whilst the intervening years have seen unprecedented change on a global scale, TÖRZS too found themselves in a state of flux. The band returned to the more traditional studio setting in 2023, working alongside long-time producer György Ligeti, in order to faithfully capture the intimate energy of songs meticulously crafted together in their small rehearsal space, a far cry from 2019’s subterranean setting. However, having spent countless hours writing, orchestrating and recording the pieces that have become Menedék, the band’s founding drummer Zsombor Lehoczky stepped away from the band and music as a whole. Where this might have been catastrophic for any other band, remaining members Soma Balázs and Dániel Nyitray soon found a connection with Tamás Szijártó, who approached TÖRZS’ music with the same openness to creativity in the moment; not ‘performing’ as such, but simply working together to produce breathtaking, musical escapism away from the daily humdrum.

The album’s themes of shelter, refuge and support resound clearly on lead single ‘Otthon’. Meaning  ‘At Home’ in Hungarian, ‘Otthon’ serves as a de facto introduction to the record. The song’s lilting groove, soaring yet soft guitar palette and the band’s signature delicate dynamism all combine to invite the listener to reflect; not steering one way or another yet inviting us to close our eyes and join the flow.

Elsewhere, the pounding, chiming ‘Levegővétel’ proves TÖRZS are still staying true to their mission statement of documenting the inevitable process of change. Here the band embrace elements of post-rock’s harsher, heavier side with a cacophony of driving half-time drums and distorted, open-chord guitars yet still provide brief havens of space for themselves, the song and the listener alike to breathe before the euphoric swell rises anew.

TÖRZS are:

Recording:
Soma Balázs - Guitar
Dániel Nyitray - Bass
Zsombor Lehoczky - Drums

Live:
Soma Balázs - Guitar
Dániel Nyitray - Bass
Tamás Szijártó - Drums

Links
https://torzs.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/toerzs
https://www.instagram.com/torzstorzs
https://www.youtube.com/torzs

Track list:
1. Egy pillanatban a végtelen
2. Levegővétel
3. Átfordul
4. Földet ér
5. Otthon

Photo Credit: Curtis Perry

Internationally acclaimed Canadian cellist and composer Raphael Weinroth-Browne returns with ‘Speed of Light’, a visceral reworking of J.S. Bach’s Prelude to the G Major Cello Suite. Far from a mere interpretation, this piece doesn't hold back but drags every ounce of feeling from the cello, intertwining centuries old musical heritage with sweeping cinematic flair. Paired with a stunning video by Dark Fable Media (Sleep Token, TesseracT), 'Speed of Light' blurs the line between classical tradition and contemporary vision, forging a vivid conversation across time.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/S6aQaObAjnY 

Stream 'Speed of Light': https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/raphaelweinrothbrowne/speed-of-light-2 

Commissioned by the acclaimed UK-based James Wilton Dance, the track was originally conceived as part of the score for a new contemporary dance work entitled BACH Reimagined - a meditation on time, transformation and embodiment. With its angular motifs, Middle Eastern inflected melodies and unrelenting intensity, 'Speed of Light' stands on its own as a fierce, living exchange between past and future.

Blending Baroque intricacy with a progressive edge, the track’s production, mixed by Adam Noble (Leprous, Katatonia) and recorded by Darren McGill (The Dirty Nil, PUP), is both pristine and immersive. Across five exhilarating minutes, delicate cello arpeggios collide with crushing distortion soaked riffs and relentless rhythms, building to a cathartic, transcendent crescendo.

Raphael reflects on the creative process: "In 2024, I was commissioned by James Wilton Dance, an incredible UK-based contemporary dance company, to create an 80-minute soundtrack to their latest work, entitled BACH Reimagined. James and I are both avid metal fans and one of the guiding threads of this piece was the intersection between Baroque counterpoint and modern heavy music.

"'Speed of Light' was one of the first pieces that came out of this writing process. My first impulse was to take the very familiar repeated arpeggio from the prelude to the G major cello suite by Bach (popularly known as “the cello song”) and reframe it as a jagged, nasty riff. I also decided to redecorate the pattern, transposing it into every metal guitarist’s favourite scale, the Phrygian mode.

"Lately I’ve taken an interest in integrating contemporary pop rhythms into my music; the four on the floor kick and offbeat bass accents are a cheeky wink at the reggaeton beat that is so ubiquitous these days. Combined with driving riffs and solos, I think they give a feeling of forward propulsion as well as groove, both of which are great for dance."

The end result is more than a reinterpretation, ‘Speed of Light’ is a confrontation with legacy, an exploration of what classical music can become when refracted through modern sensibilities and global textures. As Raphael explains, “It’s a spiritual successor to Bach, but built in the present, for now.”

He adds, “With this track, I wanted to evoke both a feeling of ferocious determination and uplifting transcendence. The song’s third act sees the clouds parting for a brief moment before the layered cellos forge ahead to a dramatic finish. I like to think of the music itself as the protagonist in an epic narrative and for the progression of the piece to be its character arc. This one has evolved into quite the banger at live shows and it’s always a wild ride to perform it.” 

Celebrated for his emotionally charged performances and boundary pushing artistry, Raphael Weinroth-Browne has become one of the most innovative cellists of his generation. With over 200 studio credits, including the Juno Award-winning W5: Grey Skies & Electric Light by Woods of Ypres, his work spans metal, classical, ambient and film. His music has appeared in major film and TV soundtracks and his cello arrangements have gone viral, earning praise from Steven Wilson, Opeth, and Katatonia.

As a touring and recording member of prog-legends Leprous, Weinroth-Browne has played some of the world’s most prestigious venues and festivals, from London’s Royal Albert Hall to Hellfest in front of 40,000 people, and helped shape the sound of three of the band’s studio albums. His solo debut Worlds Within (2020), a single-instrument concept album built entirely from cello, was lauded for its emotional depth and genre-transcending ambition.

In recent years, Raphael’s deepening work in the world of contemporary dance and experimental performance has solidified his place as a boundary breaking composer and collaborator. His commissioned score for BACH Reimagined toured prestigious UK and German venues in 2025, performed live in dialogue with movement.

With ‘Speed of Light’, Raphael Weinroth-Browne continues to ask urgent and beautiful questions about sound, time and meaning. This release marks the beginning of a new artistic chapter, one that promises to further blur the boundaries between concert hall, rock stage and cinema.

More new material will follow in 2025, a year that is already shaping up to be a defining moment in his extraordinary career.

Catch Raphael live on the following dates: 

May 18 - Ottawa, Canada - Solo performance at Speakeasy Tapas Lounge 
May 31 - Toronto, Canada - Solo performance at Prepare the Ground Festival (918 Bathurst)
Jun 1 - Kitchener, Canada - Solo performance at Open Ears Festival (The Registry Theatre)
Jun 18 - Calgary, Canada - Solo performance at Sled Island Festival (BLOX Arts Centre)
Jul 17 - Ottawa, Canada - Solo performance at Rainbow Bistro supporting PAKT
Jul 25 - Suffolk, UK - Performing with James Wilton Dance at Latitude Festival


Raphael Weinroth-Browne online:

Official Website || Facebook | Instagram || Youtube ||  X || Bandcamp || Tik Tok 

The French metalcore outfit Revnoir just dropped their new single 'Night Terror' today, 15th May; a merciless follow-up to their orchestral masterpiece 'New World'.

Watch 'Night Terror' here: https://youtu.be/AWp6UIh1OaE
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/nightterror

Where 'New World' took us on a cinematic journey with its orchestral grandeur and atmospheric depth, 'Night Terror' is exactly what it says on the tin; a relentless descent into pure aggression. This is Revnoir at their most savage, unleashing a barrage of crushing riffs and face-melting breakdowns, all wrapped in their trademark dark electronic elements.

Revnoir are flexing hard here, showing they can flip between epic soundscapes and straight-up brutality without missing a beat. They're quickly becoming one of Europe's most vital heavy acts, and for good reason; they simply don't know how to play it safe.

Catch Revnoir live 
May 24 – Tours, FR – Artificial Waves Festival
June 14 – Leeuwarden, NL – Into The Grave Festival
June 28 – Vitry-sur-Seine, FR – Skull Valley Festival
July 6 – Gisors, FR – Kave Fest 2025
August 9 – Rothenburg ob der Tauber, DE – Taubertal-Festival 2025

Berlin's vianova have just dropped a behemoth of a track called 'Whatever Alright' - the result of what happens when metalcore collides with Timbaland-inspired beats.

vianova aren't just pushing boundaries here, they're taking a sledgehammer to them. 'Whatever Alright' is what happens when you stop caring about genre rules and just let the madness flow.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/o-SURLJL-Tg
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/whateveralright

The video's just as twisted. Berlin dancer Greta Schuster turns everyday monotony into a fever dream, her movements shifting from robotic precision to complete chaos. It's like watching someone lose their mind in the most graceful way possible. The track is mixed by Leon Schmidt, metal legend Jens Bogren handled the master.

Catch vianova live:
08.05.2025 – Berlin, Cassiopeia (Low Tickets)
09.05.2025 – Hamburg, Monkeys (Low Tickets)
22.05.2025 – Stuttgart, Goldmarks (Sold Out)
23.05.2025 – Köln, MTC (Sold Out)
12.06.2025 – Heidelberg, Halle02 (with Northlane & Whitechapel)
04.07.2025 – Herrenberg, 48er Umsonst & Draußen Festival (Jugendhaus Herrenberg)
13.08.2025 – London (UK), 229 Great Portland St (Exclusive Headline Show)
14.08.2025 – Bristol (UK), ArcTanGent Festival
14-17.08.2025 – Dinkelsbühl, Summer Breeze Festival
04-06.10.2025 – Köln, Euroblast Festival
07.02.2026 – Königsbrunn, Matrix (Raptor Metalcore Festival)

Photo Credit: Caroline Teinum Gilje

Celestial doom metal quintet Leonov have released their captivating new single 'Auld Ashok', taken from their newly-announced forthcoming EP Shape of Ash, due 4th July via Pelagic Records.

Watch the video to 'Auld Ashok' here: https://youtu.be/UKwD25mwVMk

Pre-order Shape of Ash and stream the single here: https://orcd.co/leonov

The band comment on the new single: "'This song is a pulse we’ve followed for a long time without knowing. 'Auld Ashok' is a stoner meditation built around a single, mantric riff - less blues, more OM. Something old, coming into focus. 

"'Auld Ashok' is about shifting perspectives - how the character moves between seeing herself as at fault, default, or a treasure vault. It circles questions of confidence, self-worth, and what we’re capable of carrying.

"Performance artist Gunhild Kilde anchors the music video with a physical intensity that mirrors the song’s emotional weight. Shot and edited by Simen Skari, the film unfolds like a ritual." 

For 15 years, Leonov have been honing their captivating brand of celestial doom metal. Named after Aleksej Leonov, the first human to take a walk in space, the Norwegians combine the melancholic slow burn of King Woman with the ethereal heaviness of Subrosa and an incredible voice that is undeniably reminiscent of Julie Christmas.

Shape of Ash showcases the refined sound of a band whose career has been a similar slow burn as their music. A band who have managed to stay together and create music throughout all these years, despite the odds of families and the real world.

Like staring into a purgatory bonfire, listening to Shape of Ash is a powerfully entrancing experience. Dealing with themes of helplessness, uncertainty, conflict and resolution, these four songs touch upon the many adversities of life. 

“We envisioned the image of a holy woman in flames, peacefully smiling”, vocalist Tåran comments on the theme of the album. “It represents fire as a means of purification. We become better versions of ourselves through burning off our ego and through enduring the suffering of the human condition. To become truly human is partaking in a process of evolving, striving, being changed through love and adversity.”

From the swaying rhythm that introduces album opener 'Samaritan' to the heavenly ascension of the title track’s finale, Shape of Ash is an EP with many surprising facets and nuances. It is the first time the band recorded their instruments separately, as opposed to playing live as a band in the studio. “This really made a difference in the amount of time we were able to give each voice”, says Tåran about the recording process. Calling each instrument a voice is an unusual yet fitting way of describing the interplay of instruments on Shape of Ash. 

These four songs come together to portray a strikingly human conversation that is both fiery and embracing. There is always an ebb and flow of intensity which leaves us to discover a mysterious tenderness, which finds its pinnacle in the duet between Tåran and Norwegian folk singer Syvert Feed (Jake Ziah). Structured as an argument between a couple, 'Bygg en Menneskekropp' features an incredible vocal performance filled with so much injustice and pain it will leave you longing for a resolution, which is provided gratuitously by the epic bridge. Channelling prime Led Zeppelin in a grand melodic theme (think 'Kashmir' or 'No Quarter') the song ends with a wonderful unison from both vocalists leading the way to the EP’s monumental finale. The ultimate title track functions as the final cleansing, the one end to all suffering and at the same time an experience of rapt ecstasy. 

On Shape of Ash, Leonov create moments of primordial heaviness on which Tåran's unique voice floats atop, blends in effortlessly in some moments and takes reserved distance in others. With the four songs that make up this stunning EP, the band set the bar incredibly high for their upcoming full length album. 

Leonov are:

Rune Gilje – guitars
Jon-Vetle Lunden – drums
Ole Jørgen Reindal – guitars
Morten Kjelling – bass
Tåran Reindal – vocals & organ

For more:

INSTAGRAM • FACEBOOK • BANDCAMP

Forever Now track list:

1. Samaritan
2. Auld Ashok
3. Bygg en menneskekropp
4. Shape of Ash

Photo Credit: Brian Krahe

Progressive death metal masters FALLUJAH have released their third single, ‘Step Through The Portal And Breathe,’ from their highly-anticipated new album, Xenotaph, due for release 13th June via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commenting on the new single, ‘Step Through The Portal And Breathe,’ the band state: “‘Step Through the Portal and Breathe’ is classic heavy Fallujah with a few new elements. It’s nearly seven minutes of hard-hitting death metal with enough atmosphere to retain the unmistakeable sound we’ve been cultivating for over a decade. Founding guitarist Scott Carstairs shows off his flashiest playing yet, Kyle Schaefer showcases the heaviest sides of his vocal range, and new addition Sam Mooradian steals the show with his stunning guitar solo debut. This track is a great representation of our new album Xenotaph, a total ripper, and definitely not one to sleep on.”

Pre-order Xenotaph: https://fallujah.bfan.link/xenotaph

Stream ‘Step Through The Portal And Breathe’: https://fallujah.bfan.link/step-through-the-portal-and-breathe

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/_qg6liotXwI

FALLUJAH’s eagerly awaited sixth album, Xenotaph, is available for pre-order now on limited edition vinyl, CD and cassette.

Speaking about the album, vocalist Kyle Schaefer says:

"We are excited to finally reveal Fallujah’s new album Xenotaph, marking the sixth chapter in our discography. This is our most ambitious record yet, and is certainly the band’s most technical, dynamic and progressive material to date. The music carried out by these eight tracks is matched with an equally ambitious concept, a lyrical story that traverses unfolding layers of time and reality in an otherworldly, post-death realm of existence.

"Xenotaph is also our most collaborative album, with broad input from the current lineup leading us to expand the scope of our songwriting while simultaneously highlighting the true potential of everyone involved. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming this bold new stage of the band’s evolution."

About FALLUJAH:

Prog death-metal outfit FALLUJAH expand horizons and solidify their position as one of America’s most exciting acts on their new album, Xenotaph, through Nuclear Blast. The quintet’s confidence in the lineup that made their previous album, Empyrean (2022), such a resounding success - earning high marks from Metal Injection, New Noise, and Guitar World - has been reconfigured slightly, with guitarist Sam Mooradian (INHALE EXISTENCE, SAM MOORADIAN) and drummer Kevin Alexander (DISEMBODIED TYRANT, BROUGHT BY PAIN) bringing their jaw-dropping musical proficiency to the fold, as vocalist Kyle Schaefer, guitarist Scott Carstairs, and bassist Evan Brewer enter a new chapter with FALLUJAH. Moored by singles ‘Kaleidoscopic Waves,’ ‘Labyrinth of Stone,’ and ‘Step Through the Portal and Breathe,’ Xenotaph is FALLUJAH personified, reinvigorated, and re-imagined.

Xenotaph was produced by FALLUJAH, engineered by Dave Otero (CATTLE DECAPITATION, ARCHSPIRE) and Mike Low (VITRIOL, ABORTED) at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado and Top Track Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Otero also mixed and mastered Xenotaph. The main goal was elevation, building upon yet soaring upward from Empyrean, one of the group’s strongest productions to date. The team focused the separation of FALLUJAH’s breakneck pace, meticulous songcraft, euphonious leads, and unrivalled intensity, creating an experience pulls the listener into Xenotaph’s high-calibre music and concept.

Beyond releasing Xenotaph to an anticipating fanbase, FALLUJAH take aim at the road, drawing upon the success of their Empyrean runs. Indeed, attendees to the group’s live performances have witnessed some of Xenotaph’s songs already, namely the shimmery prog-bounce and inner world horror of ‘The Obsidian Architect.’ FALLUJAH are in a perpetual state of evolution, and Xenotaph demonstrates the group’s hard-won, if profound journey. For there is no reverse—only forward progress, and the path ahead is illuminating before them. Step through the portal if you dare…

Kyle Schaefer | Vocals, Programming
Scott Carstairs | Guitars
Sam Mooradian | Guitar
Evan Brewer | Bass
Kevin Alexander | Drums

Follow FALLUJAH:

Linktree | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube | Patreon

Xenotaph tracklist:

1. In Stars We Drown
2. Kaleidoscopic Waves
3. Labyrinth of Stone
4. The Crystalline Veil
5. Step Through the Portal and Breathe
6. A Parasitic Dream
7. The Obsidian Architect
8. Xenotaph

Photo Credit: Alexander Skepp

Stockholm experimentalists Gösta Berlings Saga have unveiled new single 'Ceremonial', taken from their highly anticipated 7th studio album, Forever Now, out 6th June via Pelagic Records. 

Watch the video to 'Ceremonial' here: https://youtu.be/YcyF8bN3R1M

Pre-order Forever Now and stream the single here: https://orcd.co/gostaberlingssaga

The band comment on the new single: “'Ceremonial' is the eclectic final track of Forever Now. It’s both lush and propulsive, highly electronic and with an ending that lingers. Eternal Rock. No more, no less. The video, directed by Martin Vogel, is 100% ceremonial VHS worship."

A masterful collision of intricate songwriting, raw rock spontaneity and their signature disregard for genre limitations, Forever Now rests on no laurels; it’s a driving continuation of a journey that suggests, even after two decades and counting, the band’s best work may still be ahead of them.

On the new album, the band continue: "Super stoked to soon unleash Forever Now upon the world. It’s an album we’ve put our heart, soul and every atom of our beings into. Written, recorded, mixed and produced by ourselves it fills us with great pride that even after 20+ years we still find joy, creativity and new ways to approach music. Forever Now is a journey in search of small fragments of eternity within the present moment - where time dissolves, and music becomes the gateway to the infinite."

'Ceremonial' follows the release of standalone 19-minute single 'Fragment I' - an expansion on Forever Now,  which doesn't actually appear on the album.

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