Rising nu-metal quartet Profiler today release their huge EP Masquerading Self, and celebrate with their new video 'Illusion'.
Watch 'Illusion' here: https://youtu.be/ezJ_bXRbWlc
Stream: https://profiler.ffm.to/illusion
Order Masquerading Self: https://profiler.ffm.to/masqueradingself-ep
The band comment: "'Illusion' is a track about the infatuation of relationships and the attachment of ego. It is discussing how our desires and attachment can create suffering in human experience. It’s a fast paced in your face heavy hitting song that we are supper excited about releasing."
The EP has seen a wealth of support, including from BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show with Dan Carter, Future Artists with Sian Eleri, plus Kerrang! Radio, Kerrang! magazine, Metal Hammer, and BBC Introducing Rock with Alyx Holcombe, rapidly cementing their place as one of the most exciting names in the UK’s heavy scene.
Praised for their versatility and boundary-pushing songwriting, Profiler continue to carve their own lane. Their nu-metal-grunge-alt-rock sound is for anyone who misses or missed the contagious nineties Seattle grunge movement, or the explosion of nu-metal that dominated the 00s and the genre-bending bands they made a path for.
Profiler are known for unforgettable live shows and have previously opened for bands such as Memphis May Fire, Monuments, Vower and joined Vended for all 34 shows on their EU tour. They recently supported Northlane and Whitechapel across the UK - and will showcase their new EP at their first-ever headline show at The Black Heart in London on 10th December 2025. A venue known for breaking new talent and hosting future legends, this will be an unmissable night for fans. Tickets available here: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/profiler
For more information:
https://linktr.ee/profilerband
Photo Credit: Napalm Records
LORD OF THE LOST go full opulence with 'What Have We Become', the latest single taken from their upcoming album, OPVS NOIR Vol. 2, out 12th December 2025 via Napalm Records. Working with exceptional British electronic music artist IAMX, the fearless kings of versatility build an emotional masterpiece in which Chris Harms and IAMX (aka Chris Corner) duet in an exceptionally moving way, significantly expanding LORD OF THE LOST’s vast musical universe yet again.
Stream the single and pre-order OPVS NOIR Vol. 2 here: https://lnk.to/LOTL-OPVSNOIR
Following the recent success of their co-headline tour with FEUERSCHWANZ and last month’s UK tour, LORD OF THE LOST are headed towards their very own festival. The next edition of LORDFEST takes place on 13th December 2025 in their native Hamburg’s Sporthalle. Celebrated the day after next week’s album release side by side with PAIN, SETYØURSAILS, and PYOGENESIS, it will be a special release show. The headliner will also be joined by BEYOND THE BLACK for three songs. Next year, the band will tour across the USA, Canada and Australia, before returning to Europe for the recently announced TOVR NOIR 2026, with shows in 19 countries.
Chris Harms commented on “What Have We Become”: “IAMX has been one of my favourite artists for almost 20 years and has been the soundtrack of many significant moments in my life. Chris Corner’s voice and expression are so unique and unmistakable, and the feeling he conveys with every word and every note cried out for a song to be conceived at some point, which was already intended for LORD OF THE LOST and IAMX at its core, in which worlds collide and become one big feeling. The result is ‘What Have We Become’, one of the most moving LORD OF THE LOST songs we have ever produced.”
Following their enchantingly colourful 'Blood & Glitter', which earned them participation in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and a #1 chart entry in their native Germany, LORD OF THE LOST reinvent themselves yet again. With OPVS NOIR Vol. 2, another 11 heartfelt songs join the three-part cycle, tying seamlessly into Vol. 1.
Once again produced by frontman Chris Harms in the historic Chameleon Studios, it is yet another stirring example of the Hamburg-based band’s unparalleled versatility.
Opening with dark yet catchy 'The Fall From Grace', LORD OF THE LOST immediately showcases their way with grand ballroom choruses weaved into grave melodies that will continue to sit enthroned on all the varied tracks until the last note of the ballad 'Sharp Edges'. Joining in are guests ranging from scene favourites to top-tier musicians outside the metal genre. First up is Infected Rain’s Lena Scissorhands, who refines the pitch-black 'Would You Walk With Me Through Hell?' with the full range of her fierce, yet fragile vocals. Similarly, Anna Brunner of rising melodic metal stars League Of Distortion and symphonic metal band Exit Eden lends her energetic voice to 'Please Break The Silence', inducing goosebumps - every talent is an important scene in OPVS NOIR’s grimly colorful movie for the ears. The most moving collaboration is the opulent 'What Have We Become', in which experimental artist IAMX meets Chris Harms for a cathartic duet.
Completely fearless, LORD OF THE LOST have long since playfully risen above genre conventions and expectations. OPVS NOIR Vol. 2 mercilessly opens new doors in the band’s musical palace, yet still feels 100% at home for fans from the very beginning.
Lord Of The Lostare:
Chris Harms – Vocals, Guitar
Pi Stoffers – Guitar
Class Grenayde – Bass
Gared Dirge – Piano, Synths, Percussion, Guitar
Niklas Kahl – Drums
Lord Of The Lost online:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Tiktok
Napalm Records
OPVS NOIR Vol. 2 will be available in the following formats:
- 1-LP VINYL DELUXE Edition Splattered Translucent Turquoise/White, Black
With 12-page booklet. Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 200 copies worldwide)
- 1-LP Liquid Vinyl Turquoise, Black
with 12-page booklet. Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 200 copies worldwide)
- 1-LP Gatefold Cristallo
With 12-page booklet. LORDSHOP exclusive (strictly limited to 200 copies worldwide)
- 1-LP Gatefold Recycled Black
- 1-CD in paper sleeve for everyone that already own a OPVS NOIR Collectors Edition (= Earbook or Wooden Box Set)
- 1-CD 6-page Digisleeve
with 16-page booklet
- Music Cassette Noir with silver print
Napalm Records Mailorder & LORDSHOP exclusive (strictly limited to 150 copies worldwide)
- Digital Album
- DEEP DIVE Edition, containing OPVS NOIR Vol. 2 Digisleeve with 16-page booklet, USB Stick incl. 8 so called “audio stems” per song, so you can deep dive into listening to the vocals only, the guitars only, the drums only, and so on. Also perfect for musicians to create your own playthrough versions or for audio engineers to create remixes. CD and USB stick bundled in a cloth bag – Napalm Records Mailorder Europe & LORDSHOP exclusive
AUDIO STEMS per song:
01 Drums, Percussion and Beats
02 Bass, Bass Synths
03 Rhythm Guitars
04 Additional Guitars
05 Piano
06 Orchestra, Choir, Organ
07 Synths
08 Vocals
+ Audio Click
+ MIDI Track containing all tempo and time signature changes
Audio format:
WAV, 44.1 kHz, 24 Bit
OPVS NOIR Vol. 2 track list:
1. The Fall From Grace
2. Would You Walk With Me Through Hell? (feat. Infected Rain)
3. One Of Us Will Be Next
4. Walls Of Eden
5. Raveyard (feat. Käärijä)
6. The Last Star
7. What Have We Become (feat. IAMX)
8. Winter’s Dying Heart
9. Scarlight
10. Please Break The Silence (feat. Anna Brunner)
11. Sharp Edges
Canadian metalcore powerhouse The Veer Union unleash their explosive new single 'Meet Your Maker', delivering a thunderous blend of towering melodies, crushing heaviness, and raw emotional fire. Known for their ability to fuse massive hooks with relentless intensity, the Vancouver-based outfit once again prove why they remain one of the most gripping forces in modern heavy music.
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/theveerunion
Driven by razor-sharp riffs, pounding drums, and commanding vocals, 'Meet Your Maker' hits with both power and purpose. The track channels dark, confrontational energy while wrapping it in anthemic dynamics that are destined to erupt on festival stages and in packed clubs alike. It’s a fearless declaration of strength, defiance, and confrontation — both inward and outward.
With 'Meet Your Maker,' The Veer Union continue to evolve their sound while staying true to the emotional depth and unmistakable edge that define their identity. The single marks another bold step forward in the band’s ongoing journey and sets the tone for what’s yet to come.
California’s heavyweight Lionheart waste no time and strike again: hot on the heels of their crushing comeback single 'Bulletproof', the Oakland kings are already back with their next hammer — the brand-new single 'Roll Call.' With pre-orders for their upcoming album Valley of Death II already in full swing, Lionheart shift straight into the next gear and keep the pressure at maximum level.
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/lionheart
'Roll Call' delivers everything fans expect from the band’s signature sound — groove-laden brutality, razor-sharp riffs, and commanding, pit-ready gang-shouts that hit with uncompromising force. Direct, aggressive, and built for chaos, the track underlines why Lionheart remain one of the most dominant forces in modern hardcore.
Following their official re-signing with Arising Empire, Lionheart are charging headfirst into the next chapter of their career. Their new album Valley of Death II, the long-awaited sequel to their 2019 release, is set to drop on 9th January 2026 via Arising Empire and promises to be darker, heavier, and more relentless than ever before.
To complete this massive new era, Lionheart will return to Europe in January 2026 for a huge headline tour, joined by Madball, Gideon, and Slope. With “'Bulletproof' igniting the start and 'Roll Call' now following immediately, Lionheart make one thing crystal clear: this next chapter is already in full attack mode.
Catch the band live:
09.01.26 – Germany, Münster – Skaters Palace
10.01.26 – Germany, Leipzig – Haus Auensee
11.01.26 – Germany, Berlin – Astra
12.01.26 – Czech Republic, Prague – Lucerna Music
13.01.26 – Austria, Vienna – SiMM City
14.01.26 – Germany, Nürnberg – Z-Bau
15.01.26 – Germany, Munich – Tonhalle
16.01.26 – Germany, Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
17.01.26 – Switzerland, Solothurn – Kofmehl
18.01.26 – France, Paris – Bataclan
20.01.26 – Netherlands, Tilburg – 013
21.01.26 – Germany, Stuttgart – Im Wizemann
22.01.26 – Germany, Bremen – Modernes
23.01.26 – Germany, Cologne – Carlswerk Victoria
24.01.26 – Belgium, Antwerp – Trix
Acclaimed French post-rock troupe BRUIT ≤ have announced the re-issue of their stunning debut EP, Monolith, to be released 9th January via Pelagic Records.
Pre-order: https://orcd.co/bruit-monolith
Watch the making of, behind-the-scenes documentary here: https://youtu.be/112_zTeMtrk
BRUIT ≤’s sound is a tectonic collision of raw noise and patient, cinematic structure: layers of metallic percussion, low-end rumbles and fractured melodic fragments that creep, accumulate and then converge. Balancing soaring melancholy and industrial grit with meticulous dynamics, they turn long-form pieces into physical architectures where silence, resonance and sudden force are equally important.
With this reissue of their staggering debut EP Monolith, BRUIT ≤ give us the opportunity to rediscover their first ever release, the completely self-produced and recorded record that defined their direction and introduced their world-shattering sound. Monolith is an epic portrayal at the centre of the human experience, the band’s use of melancholia, industrial textures reimagined through patient dynamics, sculpted resonances, and a singular attention to momentum.
Monolith is the first expression of BRUIT ≤’s exploration of material sound and human scale. Building on the dense palette of integrity and compositional mastery, BRUIT ≤ interrogates what long-form composition can hold: memory, pressure, and a cinematic coalescence. BRUIT ≤'s sound captures the exorbitant nature of the times, the outrageousness of humanity at a moment in time that is grotesque in scale and overwhelming in scope.
And so, we leave you with an official statement from BRUIT ≤, themselves:
“Life may be elsewhere, at another rhythm, a different scale, and you have forgotten it. Your body hosts a microscopic and elusive world that dies and is reborn every second. It is swarming with particles that will be the cause of your life and your death. It will be your first vertigo. The bloom.
“Then you look to the sky and realise that this inner world floats in a universe in which the human mind cannot comprehend borders and where you are no more significant than a grain of sand. Energy of unimaginable power has been developing for billions of years and it is also responsible for your life and death. It will be your second vertigo and with it you will fall.
“So who are you? Between the infinitely small and the incredibly large. Is your little daily problem still meaningless? Sit down by the vestiges of the monolith erected by your ancestors and take the time to think. Ask new questions rather than repeating old answers.”
BRUIT ≤ are:
Théophile Antolinos - Guitars, Banjo, Tapes, Soundscapes
Clément Libes - Bass, Baritone Guitars, Bass VI, Violin, Viola, Organ, Piano, Modular Synth, Programming
Luc Blanchot - Cello, Programming, Synth
Julien Aoufi - Drums
BRUIT ≤ online:
https://www.facebook.com/bruitofficial
https://www.instagram.com/bruit_official
Photo Credit: Freakshot
Today, German rock/metal trio The Hirsch Effekt present their new single, entitled 'Das Nachsehen'. It is the second track to be released from their new studio album Der Brauch, to be released 30th January 2026 via Long Branch Records.
Watch the visualiser to 'Das Nachsehen' here: https://youtu.be/5ZDoJYJFzIs
Stream the new single and pre-order the album here: https://thehirscheffekt.lnk.to/derbrauch
"Tausend Male hab ich diskutiert. Kein Mal davon hab ich das mit dir.“
"The song 'Das Nachsehen' is basically about how I – and some people around me – deal with conflicts," says singer Nils Wittrock. "Instead of talking to each other, interpersonal conflicts are negotiated with third parties. Many people shut themselves off behind their noise-cancelling headphones and smartphones. This stands in stark contrast to how many (especially) men walk around with a great sense of mission – be it loud engines, phone calls on speakerphone or Bluetooth speakers. Sometimes it seems to me that we are forgetting how to talk."
Since their formation The Hirsch Effekt have carved out a unique niche in heavy music, embracing limitless possibilities. Yet, despite - or perhaps because of - their elusiveness, the band have captivated a devoted audience.
While earlier works, despite their diversity, were still labelled “metal albums,” this new record explores paths first hinted at on the multi-layered second album, Holon : Anamnesis - the same album regarded as one of the best German-language records of all time. Der Brauch can be seen as a return to that pivotal point - and simultaneously as a bold step forward. Drummer Moritz Schmidt doesn’t entirely forgo blast beats, but the record demands a new heading. In the end, though, there is only one truth: it unmistakably sounds like The Hirsch Effekt.
The Hirsch Effekt are:
Nils Wittrock - Guitar, Vocals
Ilja John Lappin - Bass, Vocals
Moritz Schmidt - Drums
For more information:
http://www.thehirscheffekt.de/
https://www.facebook.com/thehirscheffekt
https://www.instagram.com/thehirscheffekt
https://www.youtube.com/thehirscheffekt
Tracklisting:
1 Der Brauch
2 Der Faden
3 Das Seil
4 Brauch Reprise
5 Der Doppelgänger
6 Die Lüge
7 Die Brücke
8 Das Nachsehen
9 Die Heimkehr
---
Vinyl Exclusive - Bonus Tracks
1 Agitation (acoustic)
2 Die Brücke (acoustic)
3 Stegodon (acoustic)
Photo Credit: Kim Andersen
Danish trio HIRAKI today announce their signing with famed German progressive label Pelagic Records, and release their new single 'Pale Antics'.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/69h5G5HQ244
Stream here: https://orcd.co/hiraki-paleantics
After spending the last few years channelling their explosive energy as co-conspirators with projects like the doom-rave collective JOHN CXNNOR, the synthpunk trio are now back in control of their own realm.
Brace yourself for a tidal wave of aggressive noise rock, an aggressive style of progressive synthpunk from the edge of the abyss. As a part of Denmark’s flourishing underground scene for dark and heavy music, the three-piece present a sonic assault to accompany the inevitable fact: our world is sick and we are all responsible for this.
New single 'Pale Antics' dives headfirst into the chaos of self-inflicted loss of control. The track captures the feeling of slipping into a black hole of one’s own making - wavering on the edge between surrender and self-destruction. With their signature blend of abrasive urgency and emotional rawness, HIRAKI turn inner collapse into a furious, cathartic sonic assault. 'Pale Antics' features multi-instrumentalist Zeki Jindyl (Narcosatanicos) on EWI (electronic wind instrument), underlining the beautiful madness heard within.
With foam at their mouths, HIRAKI sing, scream, and recite their way through songs about corrupted data and moral decay. Encouraged by boundless acts like Botch, Street Sects, and The Body, HIRAKI were formed in 2016, when the progressive rock band Liserstille went into hibernation. Jon Gotlev and Tue Schmidt Rasmussen then recruited their old friend and collaborator, Tim Frederiksen, to form a noisy trio unlike anything else on the Danish scene at the time.
In May 2017, the band self-released their EP Modern Genes digitally, on cassette, and as vacuum-sealed art prints. Later, it was also issued as a split vinyl with post-hardcore band We Are Among Storms (now EMBLA).
In 2021, the highly acclaimed debut album Stumbling Through The Walls was released through American label Nefarious Industries, which firmly cemented HIRAKI as a vital force within Denmark’s thriving underground scene for dark and heavy music.
In 2022, the songs found new life with ALTERER – Stumbling Through The Walls REWORKED, also released on Nefarious Industries - featuring ten unique reinterpretations by visionary and stylistically diverse artists. Pressed on recycled vinyl and hand-assembled by HIRAKI themselves, all profits were donated to Doctors Without Borders.
HIRAKI have played countless club and festival shows across Denmark, including Ilter Festival in Odense, SPOT Festival in Aarhus, and Store VEGA in Copenhagen during A Colossal Weekend. The band has also supported the American act The Armed in Hamburg and Berlin and toured in Norway.
In recent years,HIRAKIhave focused heavily on collaborative projects across genres and musical backgrounds - including vocal performances at large-scale shows with the doom-rave collective JOHN CXNNOR at Roskilde Festival and Copenhell, and most recently, a creative partnership with the Danish-Korean indie ensemble Meejah, with new music on the way.
For more:
https://www.instagram.com/hirakiband
https://www.facebook.com/HIRAKIband
https://pelagic-records.com
Photo Credit: Jiawei Zhang
Legendary German outfit The Ocean have revealed their cover of Nine Inch Nails' 1999 song 'Even Deeper', as part of a Best Of Nine Inch Nails Redux tribute album, to be released 28th November (Magnetic Eye Records).
Watch the official visualiser here: https://youtu.be/XzD082JCUyw
Pre-order the album here: https://reduxrecords.bandcamp.com/album/best-of-nine-inch-nails-redux
The Ocean's Robin Staps (guitars) comments: "The Fragile has been an eye opening record for Loïc and me in many ways. The sheer scope of it, the production marrying fat electronics with broken, organic & acoustic elements that are intentionally slightly out of tune… no-one else had done it like that before. We wanted to do 'The Great Below' initially, but someone else had already picked that track, so 'Even Deeper' was only our second choice. But in hindsight I’m happy, it’s the right track for us and I believe we managed to make it ours, while honouring the original. Special thanks to Simen from Spurv and Orestis from Playgrounded for contributing trombone and synths. This is also farewell, thank you and send-off to Loïc, as it’s the last track we recorded with him on vocals."
The Ocean continue to work on new material - nearing completion of recording their upcoming album, to be released autumn 2026.
Lineup on 'Even Deeper':
Loïc Rossetti - vocals
Robin Staps - guitars
Mattias Hägerstrand - bass
Jordi Farré - drums
Simen Eifring - trombone
Orestis Zafiriou - synths
For more:
https://www.instagram.com/theoceancollective
https://www.facebook.com/theoceancollective
https://www.theoceancollective.com
Photo Credit: Rob Blackham
Today, hotly-tipped UK rocker Dan Byrne announces his signing with Frontiers, and reveals news of his debut record, This Is Where the Show Begins, which will be released 22nd May.
Dan has also released the first single from the album, the massive 'Saviour'.
Stream 'Saviour' and pre-order the album here: https://ffm.bio/thisiswheretheshowbegins
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/qTGI9qHPDzI
Dan comments: "This album has been a long time coming for me and many of my fans, so I’ve truly poured my heart and soul into it. The journey to get here has been wild a one. Full of moments that shaped me, challenged me, and pushed me further than I ever expected to go as a young lad from Liverpool. I’ve lived with these songs for a little while now and I’m so proud to finally release them into the world. It feels incredible.
"Signing with Frontiers Records has given this whole chapter an energy and excitement I’ve never felt before. In many ways it feels like the stars have aligned at exactly the right moment. I’ve been working so hard behind the scenes and I do feel like I’ve come up with an album that represents me - not just as a musician, but as a person.
"Every track tells a part of the story. Some songs are loud and unapologetic, some are vulnerable and cinematic, but they all come from a very real place."
Dan's managers at Steelhouse Live, Max and Mikey, comment: "We're delighted Dan has found his recording home at Frontiers, a label that's about to celebrate being at the forefront of rock music for 30 glorious years. We believe it's passion that drives success and in Frontiers, Dan now has a label team that's hugely passionate about his music and totally committed to help him deliver his artistic vision."
Dan Byrne will be supporting Jared James Nichols on three dates in December, followed by his own headline run in March and April.
Full dates as follows:
Nov 29 Porthcawl Planet Rockstock
Dec 01 Bristol Thekla (supporting Jared James Nichols)
Dec 02 Glasgow G2 (supporting Jared James Nichols)
Dec 04 Nottingham Rescue Rooms (supporting Jared James Nichols)
Headline tour
Mar 21 Wolverhampton KK's Steel Mill
Mar 22 Manchester Deaf Institute
Mar 24 Chester The Live Rooms
Mar 26 Newcastle The Cluny
Mar 27 Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms
Mar 28 Glasgow The Attic
Mar 29 Blackpool Waterloo Music Bar
Apr 01 Sheffield Corporation
Apr 03 Nottingham Bodega
Apr 04 Southampton The Joiners
Apr 05 Bristol Exchange
Apr 10 London The Lower Third
Apr 11 Crumlin The Patriot
Jul 25 Ebbw Vale Steelhouse Festival
Dan Byrne swept in off the Mersey, announcing himself as a solo artist in 2023 with his debut EP, Beginnings. His powerhouse, soul-inflected vocal and deftly-executed, yet hugely accessible songcraft has quickly marked him out as an artist on the rise. Blending contemporary edge with classic influence, Byrne’s music is powerful, honest, and deeply emotive - widescreen in scope yet intimate at its core. It rocks, without question, but what truly sets him apart is the courage to weave sensitivity and vulnerability through the intensity. This isn’t just rock music - it has the heart and authenticity to connect with an audience beyond any one genre.
In just two years Dan has toured the UK three times, delivered standout performances at multiple festivals and found overwhelming support from Planet Rock - the UK’s leading rock station - where his first four singles amassed an impressive 25 weeks on the playlist. With that foundation firmly in place, Byrne now turns his focus to the release of his long-awaited debut solo album, marking the next powerful step in his evolution as an artist.
This Is Where The Show Begins - Dan’s debut album - is full of joy and confidence. There’s a swagger alongside the sensitivity, a further broadening of musical scope. But at the centre of it, is that voice - as powerful as it is vulnerable, as emotive as it is strong.
The lead single, ‘Saviour’ - the perfect album opener - bursts to life with attention-grabbing hard-rock stabs and pile-driving riffs. Its verses simmer with drama before the tension breaks in a chorus that makes it clear we’re in for one hell of a ride. It struts, it shimmies and it absolutely rocks. “Light ’em up,” indeed. There’s no let up as we barrel headlong into ‘She’s the Devil’ - Dan weighing in with a colossal vocal punctured by gonzo guitar gymnastics, the sheer euphoria spilling forth here is palpable.
Elsewhere, we're taken to church with ‘Praise Hell’, and ‘Sober’ is stained with regret. We even perhaps get a glimpse of where Byrne is heading next with album closer ‘Home’ - a sprawling, soaring, shapeshifting piece of alt-rock which essentially is never in danger of losing its soul. It’s what Glenn Hughes and 30 Seconds To Mars might come up if they ever combined their superpowers.
This Is Where The Show Begins is the culmination of what has been an incredible journey so far. It’s a marker for what can happen when you back yourself, a calling card for following your gut. Bursting with ambition, diversity and authenticity, this is where it may truly begin for Dan, the exciting thing for us to ponder is where it should lead to next.
Dan Byrne online:
https://www.danbyrne.co
https://www.instagram.com/danbyrne__
https://www.facebook.com/danbyrneofficial
Tracklisting:
1. Saviour
2. She’s The Devil
3. Praise Hell
4. Sober
5. Cherry & Leather
6. Death Of Me
7. Temple
8. Pulling Me Under
9. Hate Me
10. Home