Photo Credit: Rhys Bennett

Maverick Aussie rockers Battlesnake today, 6th June, celebrate the release of their magnificent new record Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd. 

Stream and purchase Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd here: https://battlesnake.lnk.to/DawnOfTheExultantsAndTheHuntForTheShepherd

The band have released the epic, sprawling focus track 'Moto Exordium', which they encourage you to indulge in here: [link]

6th June is also an auspicious date for the Australian sextet in that they today begin a odyssean three-month trek of the UK and Europe, including performances at Download Festival, Boomtown, Copenhell, ArcTanGent, 2000trees, supporting Eagles of Death Metal, and many more. The band have also today announced two more German headline dates in Berlin and Hamburg on 23rd and 24th July. A full list of dates can be found below.

In 2024, Battlesnake's momentum exploded internationally across the UK and Europe where their unique sound resonated with fans and critics alike. Their album The Rise and Demise of the Motorsteeple (2024) marked a significant milestone in their career, blending high-octane metal with intricate storytelling. The album’s success propelled Battlesnake into the global spotlight, securing their place as one of the most anticipated bands in the scene.

Now, with 2025 rattling ahead, Battlesnake are steaming through their biggest year yet, with the release of their mindbending new record Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd. With each performance, Battlesnake will prove their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in modern rock.

Dates:

8 June     Markthalle, Hamburg, DE
10 June     Kesselhaus, Berlin, DE
11 June     Täubchenthal, Leipzig, DE
12-13 June     Download Festival, UK
14 June     Rock For People, CZ
16 June     Essigfabrik, Cologne, DE          
17 June     Speicher, Husum, DE*     
18 June     Copenhell, DK
19 June    Den Atelier, Luxembourg, LU    
20 June    Freak Valley, DE  
21 June     Pinkpop, NL
1 July    L'Aeronef, Lille, FR
3 July    Bootleg Social, Blackpool, UK*
4 July     The Grand Social, Dublin, UK*
 
With DZ Deathrays
7 July    Bodega, Nottingham, UK (co-headline) 
8 July    Chalk, Brighton, UK (co-headline)
9 July    Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, UK (co-headline)

10 July    2000trees, UK    
11 July     MadCool, ES    
15 July    DB's, Utrecht, NL     
16 July    Altstadt, Eindhoven, NL*
17 July     Zwarte Cross, NL     
18 July     Rockland Festival, ES    
20 July     Ilosaarirock, FIN
23 July     LARK, Berlin, DE*
24 July     Molotow, Hamburg, DE*
25 July    Rock Im Wald, DE
1 August    Open Air Graenichen, CH
3 August    Multitude Festival, UK
5 August    Voodoo Daddy's, Norwich, UK*    
6 August    Underworld, London, UK*
8 August    Boomtown, UK
9 August    Rebellion, Manchester, UK*
11 August    Cluny2, Newcastle, UK
12 August    Hug & Pint, Glasgow, UK*
13 August    Lending Room, Leeds, UK*
14 August    ArcTanGent, UK    
15 August    Hoflärm Festival, DE

*Headline shows

The rising titans of Australian hard rock and pure heavy metal, Battlesnake have quickly ascended from the underground, captivating audiences worldwide with their unique blend of powerful riffs and dynamic songwriting. Channelling the likes of Queen, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath into something familiar yet ground breaking at the same time. Renowned for their high-octane live performances, epic theatrical compositions, and relentless energy, they have firmly established themselves as one of the most exciting acts in contemporary metal.

Formed in 2019, Battlesnake quickly captured attention with their debut EP, Myths and Legends from Gorbag’s Domain (2020), followed by their self-titled full-length album in 2023. With each release, their sound has evolved into a mighty force, blending heavy riffs, soaring vocals, and intricate melodies, while keeping the raw, unrelenting energy that defines their live shows.

The band's explosive rise in Europe and the UK was complemented by their collaboration with renowned acts like KISS (on their "End of the World Tour"), The Smashing Pumpkins, and Jane’s Addiction (on the "World Is a Vampire Tour"). The Australian outfit’s electrifying live performances were met with widespread acclaim, leading to sold-out shows and a rapidly growing fan base in these territories.

As they prepare to unleash their next chapter, Battlesnake remains steadfast in their pursuit of musical excellence. With a rapidly expanding fan base, critical acclaim, and an unyielding commitment to their craft, they are on track to conquer new territories and continue captivating audiences across the globe.

All hail Battlesnake! 

Battlesnake are:

Nick Zammit (drums)
Sam Frank (vocals)
Ben Frank (guitar)
Daniel Willington (guitar)
Billy O'Key (keytar)
Elliot Hitchcock (bass)

For more: 

https://www.instagram.com/battlesnakeband
https://www.facebook.com/battlesnakeband
https://www.youtube.com/@BattlesnakeTV
https://sptfy.com/PVxI

Tracklisting:

1 Dawn of the Exultants
2 The Fathers of Iron Flesh
3 Shepherd Hunter
4 Beelzebug’s Nativity
5 Beelzebug II
6 Murder Machine
7 Fowl of the South
8 Sanctum Robotos
9 The Borning of the Golden God
10 Aurous Automatic
11 Moto Exordium

Photo Credit: Leo Baron

Rock legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Glenn Hughes returns with his new studio album Chosen set for release on 5th September 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

To mark the announcement, Glenn shares the title track, along with an accompanying music video, available now.

Watch 'Chosen' single here: https://youtu.be/t-fj5sl_Rqc

Pre-order Chosen here: https://ffm.to/glennhugheschosen
 
This year will also see Glenn Hughes touring across Europe and South America, with The Chosen Years tour starting in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, on 2nd September, and ending on 29th November in Bogota, Colombia. For the full list of dates and tickets, please see here: https://www.glennhughes.com/tour.html

UK dates as follows:

14/10 - O2 Academy - Bristol, UK
15/10 - Guildhall - Portsmouth, UK
17/10 - KK's Steel Mill - Wolverhampton, UK
18/10 - O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire - London, UK
21/10 - O2 Ritz - Manchester, UK
22/10 - Boiler Shop - Newcastle, UK
24/10 - Rock City - Nottingham, UK
25/10 - The Garage - Glasgow, UK

Commenting on the new album, Glenn stated: "Songwriting is deeply personal to me, and l generally write and record when I have something to say. It’s been nine years since I recorded my last solo album, Resonate. There have been recordings and collaborations with other artists, since 2016."

"When writing Chosen, I went back to my life drawing board, writing about the human condition, love, hope, faith and acceptance. I write about how I feel on the inside and not externally. My life is lived from within, in the present moment. It’s an album of soul food, and I’ve never been so grateful, right here, on planet earth. Music is the healer!" he added.

Vocalist/bass guitarist/songwriter Glenn Hughes is a true original. No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul and funk. That astonishing voice is his calling card. He's known as a singer's singer. Stevie Wonder once called Glenn Hughes his favorite white singer.
 
After a nine years hiatus as a solo artist, Glenn Hughes is back with Chosen, his brand-new solo record: an album which presents Glenn in his most hard rockin’ fashion. An explosive record that offers Glenn Hughes at its absolute best with a state-of-the-art album, both from a songwriting and production standpoint. A truly captivating return.
 
Glenn Hughes, a native of Cannock, England, absorbed all kinds of influences, including early British hard rock, The Beatles and, most importantly, American soul and R&B. The sleek Motown sound from Detroit and the gritty Stax/Volt sound from Memphis left their mark on him.
 
Glenn Hughes first found success in the early '70s with the band Trapeze, before joining Deep Purple in 1973 during a pivotal lineup change that introduced him and David Coverdale to the group. Despite initial scepticism, the revamped band silenced critics with the release of Burn (1974), a powerful album that revitalized Purple’s sound and remains a classic.
 
During this era, the band headlined the iconic California Jam in front of over 300,000 fans, toured the world aboard their private jet The Starship, and released two more studio albums, Stormbringer and Come Taste The Band, before disbanding in 1976.
 
Glenn's first solo album Play Me Out was released in 1977. He joined former Pat Travers guitarist Pat Thrall to form Hughes/Thrall, which released an acclaimed self-titled album in 1982. Throughout the '80s and '90s, Glenn Hughes made countless guest appearances (both credited and un-credited) as a vocalist, bass guitarist or songwriter on other artists' albums. The endless list includes - among others - Gary Moore, John Norum, and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath.
 
Since 1992, Glenn has started a prolific solo career with a dozen studio albums where he explored all the different sides of his songwriting and influences: from hard rock to funk and more contemporary sounds. He collaborated - among others - with such musicians as Chad Smith (RHCP), Dave Navarro, and John Frusciante.
 
He also founded or took part in some amazing musical alliances such as California Breed (with Jason Bonham and Andrew Watt), Black Country Communion (with Joe Bonamassa) and The Dead Daisies.
 
Glenn has collaborated with Robbie Williams on his new single 'Rocket', which was released on 22nd May 2025. The track also features a collaboration from Tony Iommi and will be the first time Glenn has been featured on a record with Tony since 2005, when they released 'Fused' together.
 
Glenn Hughes has also recently joined forces with Satch Vai, a new collaboration by legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, by writing and singing on their new single 'I Wanna Play My Guitar'.

Line Up:
Glenn Hughes - Vocals
Soren Andersen - Guitar
Ash Sheehan - Drums
Bob Fridzema - Keys
 
Follow GLENN HUGHES:
Facebook
Instagram
X
Website

Tracklisting:

1.    Voice In My Head
2.    My Alibi
3.    Chosen
4.    Heal
5.    In The Golden
6.    The Lost Parade
7.    Hot Damn Thing
8.    Black Cat Moan
9.    Come And Go
10.    Into The Fade

Photo Credit: Alexander Skepp

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

Purchase Forever Now and stream the single here: https://orcd.co/gostaberlingssaga

Listen to the full album stream on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/wQn9xJ2Azto

The band comment on the new single: “'Ascension' might be the most exploratory track on Forever Now - born from a series of “what if” moments. We flipped ideas upside down, pulled them apart, and reassembled them in ways that made it all feel fresh and alive to play. Somehow, the chaos aligned, and what emerged was a track that opened up yet another passage into the forever that is now."

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."

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

Gösta Berlings Saga online:
https://www.tnor.se/gosta-berlings-saga
https://www.instagram.com/gostaberlingssaga

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: Dazey Doom

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

View this email in your browser

Experimental metal band Kaonashi stream new single / video on album release day
 

New single 'Slower Forms Of Suicide' streaming now via Equal Vision / Rude Records

I Want To Go Home album includes guest features from Anthony Green (Circa Survive, L.S. Dunes), Piantini Toribio (Newcomer) and more

UK/EU tour announced with God Complex in support including 2000trees performance

Credit: Dazey Doom | High-Res here

"Kaonashi keep things wonderfully bizarre on excellent third album" - 4/5 Kerrang!

Hotly-tipped experimental metal group Kaonashi have unveiled their new / video single 'Slower Forms Of Suicide' and have released new album I Want To Go Home via Equal Vision/Rude Records.

Watch the video for 'Slower Forms Of Suicide' here: https://youtu.be/DwX3Z28Zn9M

Stream / purchase I Want To Go Home. here: https://kaonashi.lnk.to/home

The blistering follow-up to Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me: Senior Year - and the second part of a concept series that was taken through three additional companion EPs - I Want To Go Home. finds the experimental trio taking their metallic and melodic tendencies to deafening new heights that defy categorisation, ultimately bringing this powerful and suspenseful saga to a close.

Kaonashi will be hitting the road in support of I Want To Go Home. across the UK and Europe with God Complex opening, including a performance at 2000trees festival.

Dates:

03/07 Berlin, DE @ Cassiopeia
04/07 Velké Meziříčí, CZ @ Fajtfest
05/07 Stuttgart, DE @ Juha West
06/07 Ypres, BE @ Ieperfest
08/07 London, UK @ Shacklewell Arms
09/07 Newcastle, UK @ The Grove
10/07 Glasgow, UK @ The Hug & Pint
11/07 Cheltenham, UK @ 2000 Trees
12/07 Lincoln, UK @ Lincoln Labour Club
13/07 Exeter, UK @ Cavern Club
15/07 Paris, FR @ Glazart
16/07 Ghent, BE @ JH Asgaard
17/07 Tilburg, NL @ Little Devil
18/07 Arnhem, NL @ Uffie's
19/07 Bielefeld, DE @ Flacore Fest

Tickets: https://kaonashipa.com/pages/tour

Kaonashi’s music is difficult to define. It combines death metal growling, unexpected time changes and technical flourishes that bring to mind nineties metalcore legends like Coalesce and The Dillinger Escape Plan. However, there isn’t anything dated about the band’s sound — and in fact, there’s something inherently progressive about the Philadelphia trio’s unique brand of music. Although the act was started by vocalist Peter Rono and guitarist/vocalist Alex Hallquist in 2012, things really solidified for Kaonashi in 2016 when drummer Pao joined the band and they started touring all over the country, eventually gaining the interest of Equal Vision Records who released the band’s sophomore full-length Dear Lemon House, You Ruined Me: Senior Year in 2021. 

“[Conceptually], this album answers any questions anyone has ever had about the story,” Rono says, adding that the band’s 2024 EP collection - The 3 Faces Of Beauty: A Violent Misinterpretation Of Morgan Montgomery/A Second Chance At Forever: The Brilliant Lies From Casey Diamond - helps further expand on this compelling narrative. “It was written to be heavy, chaotic and overwhelming,” he summarises.

Since 2021, Kaonashi have toured relentlessly with everyone from The Fall Of Troy to Protest The Hero, a fact that has made the band sound tighter and more ferocious on I Want To Go Home.. “I think [touring] has influenced the record because we’ve been playing further out than we ever have to the most people we ever have and [getting] the craziest reactions we ever had this far from this band,” Rono explains. “I can’t help but take that into consideration when I’m writing because it's really inspired. Before I was just trying to prove to people that we were worth listening to and now we have a dedicated audience, so I want to provide the best music that I can.” 

That said, it hasn’t always been easy for Kaonashi to be a band that exists on the outskirts of so many genres — and at times they weren’t even sure if their message would find an audience. “I’ve been saying this a lot on this tour to summarise the band, but people hate what they don’t understand and I think that’s been extremely polarizing,” Rono explains. “It hasn’t been this simple, easy trajectory, it’s been love and hate. It’s been one or the other and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The people who do understand it genuinely support us and the people who don’t actively dislike us,” he adds with a laugh. “So I embrace it and I love it and I’m glad it’s been that way… it’s been equally easier and harder.” 

While it would be easier for Kaonashi to lean into an established subgenre, I Want To Go Home. sees them further pushing their musical boundaries and expanding their sound in the face of this admiration and criticism. So what keeps them inspired to continue working toward their unified sonic vision? “I don’t just go in and write a song, I go into it with aim and intention and try to emulate these things that I love,” Rono responds. “It just so happens that a lot of the things I love are polarizing artists that are creative and expressive for no other reason than just to make music that they like.” 

Whether it’s guttural screaming or fingerpicked guitars, there isn’t any musical idea that’s off limits to Kaonashi, and that phenomenon is ultimately baked into the DNA of the band. “It really just comes from chasing the same thing I’ve always loved and what got me here in the first place,” Rono continues. “That hasn’t changed and it’s been like a through line of this band from 2012 until now: Extreme art, extreme aggression and originality. I’ve seen the easy way — and that’s just not the way I want to go.” 

Kaonashi online:
Official | Instagram| Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Shop

Track-list:
1. Confusion In A Car Crash
2. Fairmount Park After Dark
3. Extra Prayers
4. When I Say
5. J.A.M.I.E. (feat. Anthony Green)
6. Red Sink, Yellow Teeth
7. Slower Forms of Suicide
8. Fly On The Wall (An Orange Sidewalk Paved Around Your Feet)
9. Elephant In The Room (If You Can Keep A Secret)
10. The Sanguine I — Nevermind, Narcissist
11. The Sanguine II — Misguided Malice
12. The Sanguine III — Auditorium Annihilation
13. The Sanguine IV — Exit Pt. VII (The Confession of Classroom 2114)

Photo Credit: Curtis Perry

Internationally acclaimed Canadian cellist and composer Raphael Weinroth-Browne has announced his new solo album Lifeblood, set for release on 3rd October. Today, he unveils the album’s powerful title track, an electrifying artistic manifesto accompanied by a stunning cinematic video shot in a Polish monastery by the esteemed production house Grupa13 (Behemoth, Leprous).

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/3sfvAPxeEGw 

Stream 'Lifeblood' here 

A deeply personal body of work, Lifeblood captures the raw duality at the core of Weinroth-Browne’s expression: the transcendence of creative flow alongside the consuming intensity of ambition. Blending the weight of progressive metal with Middle Eastern modalities, modern classical precision and immersive electronic textures, Lifeblood marks his most audacious and fully realised solo work to date.

Raphael reflects on the album :"Lifeblood is a reflection on my journey as an artist and my relationship with music. Music has always been my life force; it has been there for me in all the seasons of my life and has given me everything I have, and in turn, I have devoted myself fully to it." 

Shot on location in the remote Polish countryside, the video for first single 'Lifeblood' brings the music’s mythic, spiritual undercurrents to life with ritualistic imagery and architectural decay. The result is an extension of the song’s emotionally charged tension, a sense of becoming a vessel for something otherworldly.

He adds, "I consider this album to be my most autobiographical work to date. As a metalhead turned full-time professional cellist making original music outside the classical realm, I have taken the road less travelled, nurturing my artistic vision and trusting my intuition even on an unorthodox path. I have forged a unique career and identity around my musical voice and the way it manifests itself through the cello. The defiant, audacious energy of this music represents my inexorable drive to continue pursuing my dream in spite of all obstacles." 

Lifeblood was engineered and co-mixed by Darren McGill at Union Sound Company in Toronto, with a final mix by acclaimed producer Adam Noble (Leprous, Katatonia). The album was then mastered by Robin Schmidt (Placebo, Ben Howard). Adding a visual dimension to the album’s immersive sound, the captivating cover artwork was created by Maldivian artist Maahy, celebrated for her ethereal, nature-inspired aesthetic.

Known for his emotionally charged performances and boundary pushing vision, Raphael Weinroth-Browne has become one of the most innovative cellists of his generation. Merging his roots in progressive metal with a passion for Middle Eastern music, he has forged a singular artistic voice that defies traditional expectations. His cello work can be heard on over 200 studio albums, including Woods of Ypres’ Juno Award-winning W5: Grey Skies & Electric Light and in major film and TV soundtracks. Viral cello covers of Opeth, Katatonia and Steven Wilson have earned praise from the artists themselves, while his genre-spanning studio and stage career continues to attract international attention.

Since joining Norwegian progressive rock icons Leprous in 2016, Weinroth-Browne has played over 200 shows worldwide with the band and helped shape the sound of three studio albums. He has shared stages with Evanescence, Apocalyptica, Devin Townsend and performed in front of 40,000 at Hellfest, as well as at prestigious venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall. As a solo artist, he has opened for artists ranging from Polish neoclassical pianist Hania Rani to Nordic folk ensemble SKÁLD and UK legends Soft Machine.

In recent years, Weinroth-Browne has pushed further into experimental performance and contemporary dance. His solo debut Worlds Within (2020), a 40-minute composition built entirely from layered cello, earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth and innovative form. In 2023, he performed the album live with Ottawa Dance Directive to a sold-out audience at Canada’s National Arts Centre. In 2024, he was commissioned by the UK’s James Wilton Dance to compose BACH Reimagined, an 80-minute score that toured leading venues across the UK and Germany in spring 2025. Following this, his recent single 'Speed of Light' continued the forward momentum, merging baroque motifs with crushing distortion and polyrhythmic intensity, earning acclaim for its fearless fusion of past and future. As his creative output grows increasingly multidisciplinary, Weinroth-Browne continues to defy genre boundaries and redefine what the cello can be in the 21st century.

With more to come later this year, Lifeblood marks a major milestone in Weinroth-Browne’s uncompromising creative journey, an album that channels passion, pain, discipline and defiance into a work that feels at once ancient and immediate, cerebral and gut-wrenching.

Catch Raphael live on the following dates: 

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
Aug 28 - Ottawa, Canada - Solo performance at Speakeasy Tapas Lounge 

Raphael Weinroth-Browne online:

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

Lifeblood Tracklist: 

1. Lifeblood
2. Possession
3. Ophidian
4. Pyre
5. Labyrinthine
6. Nethereal
7. Winterlight
8. The Glimmering

Photo Credit: Matthias Willi

Today, Swiss doom/sludge outfit Zatokrev announce their return with their immense and immersive new album. Bring Mirrors To The Surface will be released 29th August via Pelagic Records - a record that obliterates the past and conjures a previously unimagined future. In celebration, the quartet has revealed the first single from the album; 'Blood' featuring vocals of the Swiss band Inezona. This collaboration is not the only guest appearance on the new album, as vocal contributions from Schammasch, Zeal&Ardor, Minsk, and Bölzer elevate this release to masterpiece status.

Watch the visualiser for 'Blood' here: https://youtu.be/37I8OfRQYXY
Pre-order the album here: https://orcd.co/zatokrev
 
The band comment on the new album:  "Our new album, completed in 2022, reflects a time of profound change and resilience. It's a testament to how challenges were overcome and new beginnings were embraced, both personally and creatively. The fact that the new album is only released three years later is due in no small part to the overcoming of serious life challenges and profound changes. The new album is the follow-up to the previous album, Silk Spiders Underwater, where the story began. Now, Bring Mirrors To The Surface tells the story to its conclusion."

After all the detritus of pain, time, and letting go has been slogged through, 2025 sees Zatokrev return with an immense and immersive new (double LP) album: Bring Mirrors To The Surface obliterates the past and conjures a future previously unimagined, pleading with humanity to remember the power of the will and the imagination.
 
An album in which to truly lose oneself, these songs provide a candle in the dark, an arcane map, providing directions to the tearing down, and the painful realizing, as a means to metaphysical freedom. A beauty unmatched in any previous Zatokrev material has become entrenched in every aspect of this record. Moments of comfort fow freely into the deafening sounds: Bring Mirrors To The Surface encourages one and all to stare into the abyss of the self. Zatokrev have given us a musical grimoire. Sounds heard through the ages have congregated in a unique moment in time. 

“Changes, recognize, release. A black fame splitting the ground in two, opens the gate to where we lose ourselves” 

Line-up: 
Frédéric Hug: Drums
Frederyk Rotter: Guitar, Vocals
Lucas Löw: Bass, Vocals
Matthieu Hardouin: Guitar, Vocals

For more:
INSTAGRAM • FACEBOOK • FULL BIO

Track-list
1. Red Storm (ft. Bölzer & Schammasch)
2. Blood (ft. Inezona)
3. The Only Voice
4. Unwinding Spirits (ft. Manuel Gagneux of Zeal & Ardor)
5. Faint
6. Changes (ft. Schammasch)
7. Pearl Eyes
8. Deep Dark Turns Green (ft. Minsk)

Photo credit: Travis Shinn

GRAMMY nominated extreme power metal legends DragonForce unleash a new official music video for an alternate version of their recent album track 'Burning Heart', featuring Alissa White-Gluz. Originally released as a bonus track on select editions of their celebrated 2024 album Warp Speed Warriors, the special version supported by White-Gluz’s distinctive vocals is now out as its own single.     

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/y0Th1P3ef5o

Purchase Warp Speed Warriors here: https://lnk.to/DragonForce-WarpSpeedWarriors/napalmrecords

Formed in 1999, DragonForce have earned their reputation as the world’s fastest band via their power metal anthems filled with spectacular guitar solos, including the iconic platinum-selling hit 'Through the Fire and Flames'. Several of the songs on Warp Speed Warriors have already gained over a million streams on Spotify.
 
Alissa White-Gluz on the collaboration: "As a long time DragonForce fan, it was such a fun experience to sing 'Burning Heart'! This band knows no speed limits - even as a vocalist I found myself tripping over consonants trying to keep up. It was a refreshing challenge! I’m happy to be a part of such a cool song and video!”
 
DRAGONFORCE guitarist Herman Li adds: "Alissa has been one of my favorite metal vocalists for a long time. I’m thrilled that the stars aligned, allowing us to collaborate on this track. I believe 'Burning Heart' is the perfect song for Alissa to showcase her remarkable vocal range and her stunning performance has elevated the song to another level."

This summer DragonForce will finish the last European leg of their epic Warp Speed Warriors tour, playing several massive festival dates and selected shows together with label mates POWERWOLF, before joining the wolfpack on a North American tour, ready to deliver breathtaking shows to their ever-growing fanbase.

Herman Li on Warp Speed Warriors:
“After four years of creative incubation, we are beyond excited to release what we believe to be our most ambitious and grandiose record yet. This album showcases multiple facets of our artistic abilities, and we invite metal aficionados from every corner of the genre to discover something captivating within its layers."

Warp Speed Warriors is available in the following formats:      
●    2CD Deluxe Box incl. Bonus Jewel Case CD with 5 bonus tracks, wristband (embroided), poster flag (100x70cm), gaming coin keyring/pendant (with leathercord), packed in a gym bag (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) – strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide SOLD OUT
●    1LP Gatefold TURQUOISE marbled Vinyl incl. slipmat, record butler (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) – strictly limited to 200 copies worldwide    SOLD OUT
●    1LP Gatefold PURPLE Vinyl (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) – strictly limited to 400 copies worldwide SOLD OUT
●    1LP Gatefold ORANGE Vinyl (Retail UK exclusive) – strictly limited to 300 copies SOLD OUT
●    1LP Gatefold BLACK Vinyl    
●    1CD Digisleeve incl. 1 Bonus Track        
●    Digital Album incl. 3 Bonus Tracks

DragonForce are:
Herman Li – Guitar, Backing Vocals 
Sam Totman – Guitar, Backing Vocals 
Marc Hudson – Vocals 
Alicia Vigil – Bass, Backing Vocals 
Gee Anzalone – Drums, Backing Vocals

DragonForce online:
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
TIKTOK
FACEBOOK
 
Herman Li online:
WEBSITE
TWITCH
TIKTOK
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER
DISCORD
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK

Warp Speed Warriors track list:

1    Astro Warrior Anthem
2    Power of the Triforce
3    Kingdom of Steel
4    Burning Heart
5    Space Marine Corp
6    Doomsday Party
7    Prelude to Darkness
8    The Killer Queen
9    Pixel Prison

Photo Credit: Witzki Vision

Heavy new Swiss band Vicious Rain have unveiled their new single, 'IKIGAI', via Arising Empire. Following the success of their debut album There Is Beauty In Letting Go, Vicious Rain are opening a new chapter and deliver a powerful statement with the new single.

Watch the video (4pm BST premiere) here: https://youtu.be/fRdZe2lXpAE

Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/viciousrain
.
'IKIGAI' – the reason why life is worth living – explores the search for purpose, inner drive, and the courage to walk your own path despite doubts and obstacles. Vicious Rain combine raw emotion, soaring melodies, and crushing heaviness into a sound that feels even more direct and determined than ever before.

The single not only marks the beginning of a new era for the band but also highlights Vicious Rain’s musical and personal growth. A band ready to push boundaries and fearlessly pursue their vision.

Catch the band live:
06.06.25 CH - Metalmayhem Festival Aarau Kiff w/ Sylosis, Abbie Falls and Half Me
23.08.25 CZ - Rock For Your Shock Festival Headliner
20.09.25 CH - Garage 8 Olten 
22.11.25 DE - Corefest Stuttgart w/ Future Palace, Dead By April, Aviana and many more.

Formed in late 2022, Vicious Rain are an alternative metalcore band 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. 

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

Photo Credit: Frances Carter

New Zealand's ALIEN WEAPONRY have today dropped a brand new music video for their album
single 'Taniwha', featuring an intense guest appearance from metal icon Randy Blythe (Lamb Of
God).

Taken from the trio's acclaimed newest album Te Rā (out now via Napalm Records), you can now watch the video here: https://youtu.be/2S7Mo8cJlGc

In the video, the modern groove metal trio find themselves face to face with puppet masters of corporate greed and overconsumption, providing a thought-provoking backdrop to one of the album's most aggressive, death-metal leaning offerings.

ALIEN WEAPONRY say about the 'Taniwha' video: "We are super excited to share something we have been working on for a while.

"We felt honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with the mighty Randy Blythe on our song
'Taniwha' off of our latest album, so it only made sense to have him be a part of the music video too! We wanted to create something special for this one, and we are stoked with how it turned out!"

ALIEN WEAPONRY have recently announced a UK and Europe tour supporting Avatar. UK dates as follows:

14.02.26 UK - London / Exhibition
15.02.26 UK - Manchester / Academy
16.02.26 UK - Glasgow / Barrowland
17.02.26 UK - Nottingham / Rock City
18.02.26 UK - Bristol / O2 Academy

Order Te Rā here: https://lnk.to/AlienWeaponry-TeRa/napalmrecords

Alien Weaponry have solidified themselves as one of the greatest young metal bands of their generation with renewed musical tenacity and crucial messaging. Te Rā is a bold, unwavering cry for a future in which we can all take part in the legacy of peoples like the Māori and others all around us – people who, if they aren’t seen, most certainly need to be heard.

With their third full-length album, Alien Weaponry expand on their hallmark messages of cultural, societal and environmental resilience while delivering their most massive-sounding, focused musical output ever. In the hands of veteran producer/mixer Josh Wilbur (Lamb Of God, Gojira, Megadeth) and featuring a guest vocal appearance from longtime Alien Weaponry champion Randy Blythe of Lamb Of God, Te Rā’s gnashing blend of groove, nu, math and thrash metal shines with anthemic choruses and refreshed technical skill.

On Te Rā, listeners can hear the band doubling-down on the aggression in the verses before applying temperance, especially in the case of 'Taniwha', a death metal-leaning banger featuring the particularly raw guest vocal from Randy Blythe. Lyrically, there’s a noticeable tilt towards despondency, hopelessness, and frustration on Te Rā. While bassist Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds' lyrics in Māori on songs like 'Tama-nui-te-rā' and Ponaturi' draw from the themes of history, battle lore and mysticism that made the first two albums so rich, frontman/guitarist Lewis Raharuhi de Jong's English-language lyrics illustrate the impact when culture collides with disenfranchisement day to day.

'Crown' and 'Hanging by a Thread' take us into the headspace where struggle pushes people to the brink of desperation, while on 'Blackened Sky' and '1000 Friends', Lewis addresses universal woes like the looming threat of World War III and the damaging effects of social media. On album closer 'Te Kore', Tūranga dives into primordial nothingness at the root of the Māori origin story, while on 'Mau Moko', he finds the middle ground between these perspectives. Taken as a whole, Te Rā grapples with what it’s like to be caught in the pull of divergent cultures – not just for the descendants of colonized people, but for all of us.
 
Alien Weaponry are:                      
Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong - Drums, Backing vocals 
Lewis Raharuhi de Jong - Guitars, Lead vocals         
Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds - Backing vocals & guitar
 
Alien Weaponry online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM 
NAPALM RECORDS

Te Rā will be available in the following formats:      
- 1-LP Deluxe Gatefold Splatter Vinyl w/ 20'' Booklet, Patch, Slipmat - Napalm mail order only, limited to 300
- 1-LP Gatefold Marbled Vinyl - Napalm mail order only, limited to 300
- 1-LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
- 1-CD Digisleeve  
- Digital Album

Te Rā tracklisting:

1. Crown    
2. Mau Moko    
3. 1000 Friends    
4. Hanging by a Thread    
5. Tama-nui-te-rā    
6. Myself to Blame    
7. Taniwha (feat. Randy Blythe)
8. Blackened Sky    
9. Te Riri o Tāwhirimātea    
10. Ponaturi    
11. Te Kore