Photo Credit: Kim Andersen

Danish trio HIRAKI have revealed their new single 'Thee Ode' via famed German progressive label Pelagic Records.

Stream here: https://orcd.co/hiraki-theeode

HIRAKI have also revealed a live piano session video which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/QQ9j_BvJyGQ

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. 

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

Iconic Berlin label Pelagic Records has announced its first wave of artists for Pelagic Fest 2026, which will unfold on 28th and 29th August at Muziekgieterij in Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Including post-metal legends The Ocean, returning with a new lineup and a new album release coming soon, Pelagic Fest 2026 looks to be yet another sensational event from the esteemed label.

The Ocean are joined by The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble for an ultra-rare performance, Oh Hiroshima, EF, and more.

Get your tickets: https://muziekgieterij.stager.co/shop/pelagic

Pelagic comment: 

"We are excited to share a first glimpse on the lineup of Pelagic Fest 2026 with you.

"THE OCEAN will return to the stage of Muziekgieterij with a new lineup and a new album release just around the corner, to inaugurate the next chapter in their journey spanning 11 albums and 25 years of existence. This will be the first show for the European audience and the first opportunity to hear new material.

"We are incredibly excited to welcome THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE to Pelagic Fest. 
After 10 years of hiatus, the collective reunited this summer for a single Berlin show, which sold out months in advance. The vibe in the room was sublime and full of anticipation, and proved that even after such a long hiatus their music has been all but forgotten. TKDE have pioneered and shaped a musical genre of their own with albums like Here Be Dragons‚ From The Stairwell and the self-titled 2006 debut album. We can’t wait to immerse ourselves in their mesmerizing dark soundscapes.

"OH HIROSHIMA will return to the MainStage of Pelagic Fest with a new album that we can’t tell you more about at this stage, only that it’s coming out before the festival.

"EF will grace us with their 2025 re-recorded debut album Give Me Beauty... Or Give Me Death! in its entirety.

"SPURV will be releasing their new album Kelolågen next spring and LOST IN KIEV will drop We’re All Going To Be Fine in the summer, and Pelagic Fest will be your chance to watch them perform their new offerings in full. 

"THE DEVIL’S TRADE will bring us a full band performance this time, and PREDATORY VOID, OTAY:ONII, ZATOKREV, NORNA, ABRAHAM, HANRY and PREYRS will all make their debut appearance at Pelagic Fest.

"This is not the full lineup! More names tba.

"See you in Maastricht!"

Line-up so far:

The Ocean
The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
Oh Hiroshima
EF
Lost in Kiev
Spurv
The Devil's Trade
Predatory Void
otay:onii
Zatokrev
Norna
Abraham
Hanry
Preyrs

More information on Pelagic Records:

Founded in 2009 by post-metal spearheads The Ocean and their Berlin collective, Pelagic Records has grown into one of the most influential labels in the realms of post-rock, post-metal, and progressive/left-field heavy music. Over the years, Pelagic has worked with an impressive roster of artists, including MONO, Årabrot, Sugar Horse, Year of No Light, and Bruit ≤, among many others. Celebrating its 15th anniversary last year, Pelagic Records is focused on further solidifying its legacy by establishing Pelagic Fest as an annual event, an occasion that removes barriers and brings together artists and fans for a captivating celebration of the music that defines the label’s diverse and forward-thinking sound.

Pelagic Records online:
https://pelagic-records.com
https://www.facebook.com/pelagicrecords
instagram.com/pelagic_records
https://pelagicrecords.bandcamp.com/

Photo Credit: Tetiana Malezhyk

Belgian sludge/doom collective Predatory Void, featuring members of Amenra, Oathbreaker and Cobra The Impaler, return with Atoned in Metamorphosis, their second release and most focused artistic work to date. Set for release on 6th February 2026 via Pelagic Records, the four-track EP distills the band’s volatile creative energy into a tightly honed expression of intensity, restraint and emotional upheaval. Alongside the announcement, the band have unveiled their first single, 'Contemplation In Time', offering listeners an initial descent into the EP’s shadowed depths.

Watch the live studio video for 'Contemplation In Time' here: https://youtu.be/-p0IsYDunbg

Stream here: https://orcd.co/predatoryvoid

Across Atoned in Metamorphosis, Predatory Void navigate extremes with precision and purpose. Reverb-drenched, lingering passages rupture into searing metallic surges; subterranean basslines underpin shifting guitar architectures; vocals move between condemnation, lament and raw catharsis; percussion oscillates from deliberate, architectural patience to explosive release. The result is an austere yet immersive sonic landscape, incandescent, razor edged and unflinchingly direct.

Conceptually, the EP confronts the darker terrain of the human psyche. Calling on sludge, doom, black metal and the unrelenting urgency of hardcore, the band channel these influences into concise, tightly constructed compositions that balance melody with abrasion.

The band comments, “Atoned in Metamorphosis represents the process of confronting the uncomfortable truths within ourselves, the obsessions, the grievances, the shadow sides so many hide or ignore. As we evolve and change in life, we’re inevitably faced with these darker, sometimes evil and obsessive parts, both in ourselves and in others. In recognising our flaws, we begin to find strength, not in perfection, but in self-awareness. For some, this can feel like a spiritual or emotional cleansing, a kind of healing that comes from seeing ourselves fully, and embracing what we once tried to deny.” 

Working with producer and recording engineer Gilles Demolder (Wiegedood, Oathbreaker), the band pursued a raw, performance centric aesthetic,  preserving immediacy while amplifying contrast. Atoned in Metamorphosis stands as a vital evolution for Predatory Void, a work defined by architectural heft, emotional honesty and a deep commitment to tension as both a creative force and a narrative engine.

Predatory Void emerged from the collision of sharply contrasting musical backgrounds. Guitarist Lennart Bossu (Amenra, Oathbreaker, Living Gate), long associated with atmospheric and introspective soundscapes, began writing harsher, more immediate material during the pandemic. To bring this vision to life, he assembled drummer Vincent Verstrepen (Carnation) and guitarist Thijs De Cloedt (Cobra The Impaler, ex-Aborted), both steeped in more direct and aggressive strains of metal, alongside vocalist Lina R (Cross Bringer) and, more recently, bassist/vocalist Kris Auman (ENDLINGR).

The result is a volatile and cohesive fusion of styles, shoegaze, doom, hardcore, black metal and death metal, anchored by emotional weight and sheer sonic force. It’s a sound as haunting as it is punishing, resonating with fans drawn to the current vanguard of alternative metal, from Ragana and Agriculture to Thou.

Predatory Void are: 
Vocals - Lina R
Guitars - Lennart Bossu
Bass/vocals - Kris Auman
Guitars - Thijs Decloedt
Drums - Vincent Verstrepen

For more:
https://www.facebook.com/PredatoryVoid
https://www.instagram.com/predatoryvoid
https://linktr.ee/predatoryvoid
https://pelagic-records.com

Atoned in Metamorphosis tracklist:

1. Make Me Whole
2. New Moon
3. Peeling Cycle 
4. Contemplation In Time

Hamburg-based breakout act Lost in Hollywood continue their unstoppable rise with the release of their brand-new single 'Like a River', featuring powerful guest appearance by Of Virtue.

Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/likeariver

After turning heads with a string of successful recent singles and rapidly growing their fanbase across Europe and beyond, the band now take their next major step forward with an international collaboration that underlines their momentum.

With 'Like a River', Lost in Hollywood sharpen their modern sound even further, blending their signature blend of emotional intensity and heavy-hitting energy with the unmistakable vocal presence of Of Virtue. The result is a high-impact release that bridges scenes and audiences, reinforcing the band’s position as one of Germany’s most promising heavy exports.

Following the strong performance of their latest releases and a steadily expanding live footprint, the collaboration marks a new milestone in Lost in Hollywood’s evolution — louder, more confident, and more globally connected than ever before.

'Like a River' doesn’t just add another chapter to their story — it raises the bar for what’s coming next.

'Death Grip' is the latest hammer blow from Oakland’s hardcore juggernaut Lionheart, taken from their upcoming album Valley of Death II. Powered by crushing intensity, massive grooves, and a standout guest feature from Kevin Skaff from A Day To Remember the track delivers everything fans expect. Heavy riffs, riot-ready shouts, and that unmistakable street-born edge. Lyrically, it dives into the fear of death, the collapse of faith, and the struggle to keep going when hope feels out of reach.

Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/lionheart

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

Swiss metalcore force Vicious Rain return with full intensity on their brand-new single 'Silent Therapy', marking the powerful next step toward their upcoming album The Anatomy of Surviving, set for release on 13th March 2026 via Arising Empire.

Stream and pre-order here: https://arisingempire.com/viciousrain
 
Following the massive momentum of their previous singles 'IKIGAI' and 'Spitting Blood Again', both of which firmly established the band as one of Europe’s most exciting modern heavy acts, Vicious Rain now dive even deeper.

With the release of 'Silent Therapy', Vicious Rain officially launch the pre-orders for their highly anticipated new album The Anatomy of Surviving. The record promises to be their most personal and dynamic work to date, capturing the struggle, resilience, and emotional weight that define both the band and their growing international fanbase.

From the spiritual drive of 'IKIGAI' to the ferocious outburst of 'Spitting Blood Again' and now the haunting depth of 'Silent Therapy', Vicious Rain continue to sharpen their identity — uncompromising, emotional, and built to endure.

Photo Credit: Andy Ford

RADAR is the culmination of a fifteen-year journey that has seen TesseracT rise from underground beginnings to one of the most vital forces in modern metal music. Out today, RADAR and the accompanying soundtrack RADAR O.S.T. is available on a variety of video and audio formats including Blu-ray, CD and vinyl LP.
 
Filmed at Radar Festival 2024 in Manchester, the new concert film captures the band at a peak moment in their career, performing to a sold-out crowd and delivering a performance for the ages.

The band have also unveiled a video for 'Natural Disaster', watch it here: https://youtu.be/p31tAeBXsMI

Stream and purchase RADAR here: https://tesseractkscope.lnk.to/Radar_OST

In their own words: “The 90 minutes, or so, on stage, were proceeded by 2 full years of talks. Wild creative chats about ideas, and an ever increasingly ridiculous level of ambition from both Joe at Radar, and Mos in TesseracT. Venue changes, schedule changes, album touring, none of these impeded the momentum once the ball was rolling”.

The performance soars even higher with the addition of Choir Noir, led by the indomitable Kat Marsh, whose imprint was vital in shaping the vocals on 2023’s landmark War Of Being.

RADAR is out now on the following formats –
 
Special 3-Disc Hardback Mediabook - includes Blu-ray with RADAR concert film, 2CDs of the full soundtrack and 48-page book. Disc 1 – Blu-ray featuring the electrifying full 85-minute live concert film and behind the scenes footage, Dolby Atmos/5.1/hi-res stereo audio and 24/48 lossless stereo audio + 2 CD’s of the full performance audio (12 tracks).
 
RADAR Blu-ray - featuring the electrifying full 85-minute live concert film, behind the scenes footage, 'Legion' one-shot music video, Dolby Atmos/5.1/hi-res stereo audio and 24/48 lossless stereo audio.
 
RADAR O.S.T. Limited Band Edition ‘Lagoon Vinyl’ 2LP – original soundtrack edition of the RADAR concert film, double vinyl and gatefold sleeve with audio remastered at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios.

RADAR O.S.T. Transparent Orange Vinyl 2LP – original soundtrack edition of the RADAR concert film, double vinyl and gatefold sleeve with audio remastered at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios.

RADAR O.S.T. Classic Black Vinyl 2LP – original soundtrack edition of the RADAR concert film, double vinyl and gatefold sleeve with audio remastered at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios.
 
RADAR O.S.T. 2CD – original soundtrack edition of the RADAR concert film presented as a double CD package with 16-page printed booklet.

TesseracT online:

https://www.tesseractband.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/tesseractband
https://www.instagram.com/tesseractband
https://twitter.com/tesseractband
https://open.spotify.com/artist/23ytwhG1pzX6DIVWRWvW1r
https://kscopemusic.com/artists/tesseract

TesseracT are:

Daniel Tompkins (vocals)
Acle Kahney (guitar)
James Monteith (guitar)
Amos Williams (bass) 
Jay Postones (drums)

TesseracT – RADAR
1. Natural Disaster [07:59]
2. Echoes [04:21]
3. Nocturne [06:17]
4. Tourniquet [05:54]
5. Concealing Fate Part One: Acceptance [08:06]
6. The Grey [05:39]
7. Legion [06:26]
8. Tender [04:51]
9. King [07:11]
10. Juno [06:16]
11. Sacrifice [10:22]
12. War Of Being [12:23]

Photo Credit: Pelagic Records

Post-rock trio Jagged City, featuring Jake Woodruff (Defeater) and Carlos Torres (former touring member of Explosions In The Sky) have unveiled their debut single 'Imaginary Lines'. They have also announced their debut EP, There Are More of Us, Always, to be released on 30th January via Pelagic Records.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/kYWwkO5ks08

Stream here: https://orcd.co/jaggedcity

Jake commented on the single "'Imaginary Lines' is a meditation on how all lines are imaginary - all borders are fake, all classifications are arbitrary, all divisions aren't real. We are all connected, and any line made by force and power is a denial of that. Musically, this is the first full song on the record, and Urian [drums] nailed the groove - it feels natural, even though it's in 5. I love how the chime-like guitar and fuzzed-out bass tones came together with the drum groove to form a cohesive, intimate, natural-sounding song."

There Are More of Us, Always is a bold collection that moves between spacious, melodic guitar passages and raucous, swelling climbs. With heartfelt, melodious songwriting, a diverse range of eclectic touches buried within, and eruptions of dense, layered sound, this record delivers wonderfully balanced compositions through raw and personal production.

The project began as a cross-continental art experiment between Jake Woodruff (Defeater) and Carlos Torres (former touring member of Explosions In The Sky). What started as a simple exchange of ideas quickly found real shape through collaborative composition and thoughtful arrangement. Early sessions with David Haik helped refine the songs’ structures and drum frameworks, setting the groundwork for what would become Jagged City’s striking debut.

“We wrote with pure instinct, just tried to add something new to a genre that we love. As we traded ideas, we took some left turns and incorporated elements that may be unexpected.“ commented Woodruff.

When it came time to record, scheduling issues led to an inspired change of plans. Urian Hackney joined the project both behind the kit and behind the board, engineering and performing the drum parts that propel the record. In two intense days at The Box studio in Burlington, VT, Jake and Urian captured the core of the album with an immediacy and urgency that remain audible in every take. 

Carlos recorded bass in Los Angeles alongside longtime musical colleague Michael James (Explosions In The Sky), while Jake added further guitar textures from his home studio, creating layers that thread the compositions together.

This debut is both a statement of intent and an open invitation: Jagged City offer music that rewards close listening and communal experience—an instrumental journey shaped by collaboration and a fierce commitment to feeling. While still post-rock, There Are More of Us, Always utilises a diverse range of influence, giving a freshness to each uniquely realised track.

“This record is a product of collaboration and love and creativity - we hope it inspires people to be connected and think collaboratively and creatively together. That's the only way forward." concludes Woodruff.

Jagged City are:

Jake Woodruff - guitar
Carlos Torres - bass
Urian Hackney drums & production
Featuring Takaakira Goto as guest guitarist on 'Deluge in a Paper Cup'.

For more: 
https://www.instagram.com/jaggedcity

There Are More of Us, Always track list:

1.    (DON’T DREAM ITS OVER)
2.    IMAGINARY LINES
3.    RAIN AND SIRENS 
4.    OCEAN EAST, OCEAN WEST
5.    HAIRSPRING 
6.    MINUS POWER
7.    (DELUGE IN A PAPER CUP)

Swedish rock quintet Hällas have revealed the second new single from their fourth full-length Panaroma, which will be released on 30th January, 2026. The new album will be released via their own label Äventyr Records.

Watch the video for 'Face of an Angel' here: https://youtu.be/WSbZwuOHLvE
Download/stream 'Face of an Angel' here: https://orcd.co/34wjpba
Pre-order Panorama here: https://shop.hallasband.com

Hällas comment on the new track: "Hooves clip-clopping against the pavement, galloping straight into a world of twin guitars, vintage synths, 80s influenced drums and raw, repetitive vocals over a suggestive bass line – this is 'Face of an Angel', the second single from our upcoming album Panorama. Expanding a blend of 70s prog rock and heavy metal with pulse, groove and catchy lyrics."

Hällas will be performing at Desertfest London in May 2026. They have also previously announced Scandinavian and European tour dates in support of Panorama.

With their new album Panorama, Hällas both consolidates and expands the image of what the band is - but also what rock can be. This time, different perspectives in a scenario are explored regarding whether humanity is capable of understanding a viewpoint other than their own. It reflects our time but is, in typical Hällas fashion, staged in a fictional, distant world.

A full list of confirmed dates can be found below.

Hällas live
06-02-2026 Korjaamo, Helsinki (FI)
13-02-2026 Rockefeller, Oslo (NO)
20-02-2026 Fållan, Stockholm (SE)
21-02-2026 Filmstudion, Gothenburg (SE)
28-02-2026 Amager Bio, Copenhagen (DK)
11-03-2026 Uebel & Gefaerlich, Hamburg (DK)
13-03-2026 La Machine du Moulin Rouge, Paris (FR) 
15-03-2026 De Helling, Utrecht (NL)
16-03-2026 Junkyard, Dortmund (DE)
17-03-2026 Dynamo, Zürich (CH)
18-03-2026 Hansa39, Munich (DE)
19-03-2026 Arena Wien, Vienna (AT)
21-03-2026 Heimathafen Neukölln, Berlin (DE) 
22-03-2026 Futurum, Prague (CZ)

Tickets on sale here: https://hallasband.com/live

15-05-2026 - 17-05-2026 Desertfest, London (UK)
Tickets: https://www.desertfest.co.uk

Forget about everyday life and step into an adventurous fantasy world - that's what Hällas want for their audience to experience. The Swedish quintet craft epic fantasy-themed concept albums filled with adventurous twin guitars, vintage synths, and mystical storytelling, carving out their own genre of adventure rock.

Their upcoming album Panorama is Hällas' fourth full length release. While staying true to their signature sound and lyricism, it may very well be the most varied and complex so far.

Hällas were founded in 2011 and saw their initial breakthrough with their first full length album, Excerpts From A Future Past (2017), and its hit single 'Star Rider'. Building on their initial success, Hällas released their sophomore album Conundrum in 2020, garnering them a Swedish Grammy nomination. The album trifecta was complete with the release of Isle of Wisdom in 2022, widening their repertoire even further. 

With each release, the band has cultivated a cult following in the modern prog and hard rock scenes around the world. With their cinematic storytelling and timeless sound, Hällas have been touring far and wide-playing sold out shows all over Europe, as well as North and Latin America. Regardless of where, Hällas capture their audience with their own adventure rock universe coming to life on stage. 

With Panorama, the band writes yet another chapter in the story of Hällas. Tread carefully, friends.

Hällas are: 
Tommy Alexandersson: vocals, bass 
Rickard Swahn: guitar 
Marcus Petersson: guitar 
Nicklas Malmqvist: keyboards 
Kasper Eriksson: drums 

Follow Hällas: FACEBOOK · INSTAGRAM · WEBSITE

Track list:
1. Above the Continuum
2. Face of an Angel
3. The Emissary
4. Bestiaus
5. At the Summit