SPECTRAL WOUND
Spectral Wound play black metal, unadulterated and unadorned. Against the grain of both atmospheric and militaristic strands of the genre, Spectral Wound carves a space beyond the fetish of nature or the puerile romance of power. Without God, without Satan, without Odin, without nation, without transcendence, without essence. Spectral Wound channels the horrors of the flesh and the violence of the spirit, deformed under the weight of history, poised on the brink of a whirling void.Spectral Wound formed in 2014 in Montreal, Québec, as a vessel of self-negation and existential dread, melding the raw fury of traditional black metal with the melodic sensibilities of Finnish and Québécois BM. After the departure of lead guitarist Mike Kirkenbranssar following 2015’s Terra Nullius, Spectral Wound expanded their lineup with the addition of guitarists Patrick McDowall and Sean Zumbusch, developing and refining the band’s sound on the monumental Infernal Decadence (2018). With the recruitment of Samuel Arseneau-Roy on bass in 2019, the band went on to release A Diabolic Thirst in 2021, a further distillation of the ferocity and towering, exultant melancholy that is Spectral Wound. Spectral Wound @ Bandcamp Spectral Wound @ Deezer Spectral Wound @ Facebook Spectral Wound @ Instagram Spectral Wound @ Spotify |
LAMP OF MURMUUR
Few artists in recent memory have swept through the dark underground with the excited fervour that Lamp of Murmuur has achieved since first appearing with a string of demos in 2019.Despite the project’s quick rise to renown, little is known about the band except that the project hails from Los Angeles, CA, and is led by an enigmatic man known as M. Lamp of Murmuur @ Bandcamp Lamp of Murmuur @ Deezer Lamp of Murmuur @ Instagram Lamp of Murmuur @ Spotify |
COMBICHRIST
Combichrist, a Norwegian / American aggrotech and industrial metal band, continues to evolve and make significant strides in the music industry. In 2024, they released their tenth studio album, CMBCRST, showcasing their dynamic range and commitment to pushing genre boundaries.The current live band is founder and lead vocalist Andy LaPlegua, guitarist Eric13, keyboardist Elliott Berlin, drummer Dane White, and guitarist Jamie Cronander, all contributing to the band’s powerful live performances. Combichrist’s relentless innovation and energy affirm their influential status in the industrial music scene. Combichrist Website Combichrist @ Bandcamp Combichrist @ Facebook Combichrist @ Instagram Combichrist @ SoundCloud Combichrist @ Spotify Combichrist @ X Combichrist @ YouTube |
EXTIZE
In the shadowy depths of the electronic music abyss, there emerged a phenomenon like no other, a bizarre fusion of dark music and twisted humor. EXTIZE are like an UFO soaring high above the gothic electronic scene.Born from the mind of the inimitable frontman Rapha Hell, EXTIZE crash-landed onto the music scene in 2007 with all the subtlety of a chainsaw-wielding maniac in a moonlit cornfield. Hailing from the unholy union of France and Germany, this dark electronic misfit would go on to bewilder, entertain, and terrify audiences worldwide. EXTIZE's musical journey is a genre-bending rollercoaster through the nightmarish realms of sound. Picture this: "Redneck Industrial," an unholy matrimony of country twang and soul-crushing industrial beats, as if Leatherface decided to swap his chainsaw for a synthesizer. But wait, there's more. "Anarchy Engineers" beckons you into a dystopian cyberpunk story, where man and machine merge in a dance of digital anarchy. Their latest album "MonStars" is a ghastly tribute to cult horror flicks from the '80s to the 2000s. Think of it as a gloomy séance summoning the spirits of Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and every other bogeyman that ever haunted your dreams. But don't be fooled by their macabre melodies and twisted tales, for EXTIZE brings the wicked humor of French farce to the fore. These friendly aliens indulge in a hearty dose of self-derision and dark humor, proving that even in the darkest of nights, a laugh can be as piercing as a scream. In the murky depths of their musical landscape, EXTIZE defies categorization. One moment, you're knee-deep in the rusted gears of industrial cacophony; the next, you're soaring through the neon-lit skies of futurepop, only to plummet into the abyss of acid darkwave. It's a sonic carnival of horrors that's impossible to predict, like a zombie outbreak at a rave party. But make no mistake, dear dark souls, for EXTIZE is more than just a musical spectacle: they are the dark electronic party band your blackened hearts have yearned for. They beckon you to join their darkly exhilarating dance of the damned, where French humor meets Gothic despair, and the party never ends. So, when you see that UFO in the festival lineup, don't run for cover—embrace the madness, join the revelry, and let EXTIZE take you on a spine-tingling journey through the twisted corridors of their musical minds. In the world of dark electronic music, they are the true MonStars, and you're invited to the most electrifying party this side of the graveyard. Extize @ Bandcamp Extize @ Deezer Extize @ Facebook Extize @ Instagram Extize @ Spotify Extize @ YouTube |
CRIMSON VEIL
Dark progressive band from Brighton, UK. Crimson Veil are a group of multi- instrumentalists that blend elements of rock, metal and cinematic music to create a sound that's striking and unique.The band travel through multiple genres while still retaining their signature dark and brooding sound which could be described as ethereal, yet heavy and progressive rock. Aptly titled ‘HEX’, their debut collection of songs is esoteric in theme, with a dark visual aesthetic that sees the band redefining the auspices of progressive and post-metal music. Crimson Veil emerge as a new project from their previous band, Birdeatsbaby, who toured extensively through the UK, US, Germany and Mexico, supporting bands such as ASP, Coppelius and The Courtesans. As Birdeatsbaby, the band worked with the likes of Paul Reeve (Muse fame) and John Fryer (Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails…). Their music was featured in ‘Close to Me’ (Channel 4 thriller starring Connie Nielson and Christopher Eccleston) and was reviewed by magazines such as Orkus and Prog. Stepping further into progressive and post-metal territory, these accomplished musicians now embark upon a new chapter with a suitably esoteric name, Crimson Veil. Their debut album promises to engulf the senses with a dark visual aesthetic and a musical style that will challenge your preconceptions of metal. Crimson Veil Website Crimson Veil @ Facebook Crimson Veil @ Instagram Crimson Veil @ Spotify Crimson Veil @ Threads Crimson Veil @ TikTok Crimson Veil @ X Crimson Veil @ YouTube |
ESOTERIK
Since their inception in 2013, the US Dark Pop duo ESOTERIK has enchanted fans with their unique blend of sound, affectionately dubbed Pagan-Synth. Comprised of the dynamic Allison Eckfeldt and Brady Bledsoe, the band masterfully fuses the melodic essence of 80’s synthpop with the raw intensity of rock. Their music delves deep into the human experience, exploring both the seen and unseen aspects of life, inviting listeners on a journey through shadow and light.Their latest LP, “Alchemy”, has been hailed as a mesmerizing fusion of mystical folk elements and electronic rhythms. Described as “beautiful and danceable with a spiritual core,” the album transports listeners to a time when humanity was more attuned to the earth and its mysteries. On November 22, 2024, ESOTERIK unveiled their highly anticipated EP, “Archetypes”. This release, preceded by a series of captivating singles and videos, has been met with acclaim from both critics and fans. The EP showcases a refinement in both composition and production, with each single earning a spot on the Deutsche Alternative Charts. Notably, the track “Trickster” broke into the top 10, highlighting the band’s growing influence. “Archetypes” explores timeless themes that have shaped societies for centuries. The band delves into the power of language and storytelling, celebrating legends that transcend time and culture. These stories, rich in symbolism and ritual, carry the wisdom of generations and continue to captivate audiences with their enduring lessons and sensational nature. Esoterik Website Esoterik @ Facebook Esoterik @ Instagram Esoterik @ Spotify Esoterik @ YouTube |
JELUSICK
Dino is a Croatian rock singer, musician, and songwriter. He was the founder, principal songwriter and lead singer of hard rock band Animal Drive, which was formed in 2012 and dissolved in 2020. Besides working on several hard rock and metal projects, Dino became a permanent member of American rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra since 2016. He also worked with Gus G., Mike Mangini, George Lynch, Will Hunt, Jeff Scott Soto, Joel Hoekstra, Steve Smyth, Jon Oliva, Kip Winger, John Macaluso, Deen Castronovo, Phil Demmel, Mike Portnoy, Henrik Linder, Justin Johnson, Tony Franklin, Kyle Hughes, Virgil Donati, Kiko Loureiro, Jordan Rudess, David Coverdale, Tommy Aldridge, Reb Beach, Michele Luppi and others.Dino got his master’s degree in the Academy of Music, University of Zagreb, in 2020. On July 27th 2021, David Coverdale and Whitesnake announced that Dino became new snake and member of Whitesnake! After a part of the Whitesnake farewell tour was canceled, August 2022, Dino jumped in to sing for The Dead Daisies, replacing legendary Glenn Hughes. So far Dino recorded numerous songs and albums with some legendary musicians: World of War 2 (Michael Romeo), Dirty Shirley with George Lynch, Magnus Carlsson’s “Free Fall”, Ralph, Stoneleaders… As his parents also played musical instruments, Dino was introduced to music and singing at the age of three and started performing at the age of five by appearing on television and on international festivals. Dino participated and won the first Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2003 in Denmark with his own song “Ti si moja prva ljubav” and released his first solo album, No. 1 in 2003 and an English version in 2004. The same year Dino became the youngest nominee of the Croatian music award Porin at the age of twelve. In Croatia he released a conceptual album “Prošao sam sve” inspired by book “260 days”. Since June 2023. Jelusick released 7 singles: Healer, Reign of Vultures, Fly High Again, The Great Divide, Chaos Master, Acid Rain and Died. The album is released on September 29th 2023 for Escape music Ltd and licensed already for release in USA, Japan and Brazil. In May 2023 Dino performed as the only singer in Symphonic Bohemian concert supported by a rock band, symphonic orchestra and choir (80 musicians in total) in Zagreb sport hall Cibona performing Queen greatest hits. Since November 2023 Dino is one of four mentors mentors in Croatian “The Voice”. Jelusick Website Jelusick @ Facebook Jelusick @ Instagram Jelusick @ Spotify Jelusick @ TikTok Jelusick @ YouTube |
GRIMA
Started in 2014 as a studio-only endeavor by two twins (Vilhelm and Morbius) from Siberia, Grima has gradually become a four-piece band, active both live and in studio.Grima @ Bandcamp Grima @ Deezer Grima @ Facebook Grima @ Instagram Grima @ Spotify Grima @ YouTube |
DVNE
DVNE is a 5 piece progressive metal band from Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded in 2013, the band was then called dune in reference to Frank Herbert's masterpiece of the same name; a statement of the band's mutual obsession for Sci-fi and fantasy of all forms, the inspiration of which has continued to influence their music to this day.Breaking in the scene with their first album Asheran in 2017, Dvne secured tours in the UK, Europe and US with Eyehategod, Elder, Inter Arma and performed at prestigious festivals such as Psycho Las Vegas 2018, Desertfest London 2019 and Inferno Festival 2019. Dvne’s sophomore album Etemen Ænka (March 19, 2021, Metal Blade Records) garnered critical acclaim, earning spots on numerous year-end lists and winning 'Best Metal Act' at the 2021 Scottish Alternative Music Awards. Following its release, the band embarked on extensive tours across the UK and Europe, sharing stages with High On Fire, Villagers of Ioannina City, and Bossk, while performing at major festivals including Hellfest, Resurrection Festival, ArcTanGent, Desertfest London, Desertfest Berlin, and Damnation Festival. Dvne released their third studio album, Voidkind, via Metal Blade Records on April 19, 2024. The album further solidified their unique sound, seamlessly merging influences from post-metal and progressive rock into an expansive and dynamic work. Voidkind received critical acclaim, propelling the band into two headlining tours across the UK and Europe, marked by many sold-out shows and standout festival appearances, including Desertfest London, Dunk Festival, Mystic Festival, Into the Grave, and Copenhell. DVNE Website DVNE @ Bandcamp DVNE @ Deezer DVNE @ Facebook DVNE @ Instagram DVNE @ Spotify DVNE @ X DVNE @ YouTube |
ALLOCHIRIA
Allochiria is a metal band formed in Athens, Greece in 2008.They have released one EP (2010) and three full-length albums: Omonoia (2014), Throes (Art of Propaganda, 2017) and Commotion (Venerate Industries, 2023). The band has played countless live shows and festivals throughout the years, alongside multiple European tours. They've shared the stage with Amenra, Botch, Social Distortion, Deafheaven, Year of No Light, Altar of Plagues, Toundra, Minsk, Harakiri for the Sky, Deaf Kids, and more. They have played in Desertfest Athens, Rockstadt Extreme Fest in Romania and Rockwave Festival Athens. The band is actively booking new shows for the coming months and more tours and festivals will be announced soon. Allochiria’s music is thematic; it revolves around humans as social beings, the corruption that defines them in modern societies, their vain struggles, painful routines and the consequences of their actions in the world around them. Allochiria Website Allochiria @ Bandcamp Allochiria @ Deezer Allochiria @ Facebook Allochiria @ Instagram Allochiria @ Spotify Allochiria @ YouTube |
STONED JESUS
Doomy proggy poppy banging music from Ukraine.Stoned Jesus @ Bandcamp Stoned Jesus @ Deezer Stoned Jesus @ Facebook Stoned Jesus @ Instagram Stoned Jesus @ SoundCloud Stoned Jesus @ Spotify Stoned Jesus @ X Stoned Jesus @ YouTube |
POLYMOON
Polymoon is a rock band from Tampere, Finland where it was formed in the autumn of 2018. Polymoon's unique sound draws from various influences, including psychedelic rock, progressive rock and shoegaze. Polymoon released its critically acclaimed debut album, Caterpillars of Creation, via Svart Records in the autumn of 2020. After playing various venues supporting the album release, Polymoon signed with Berlin-based Robotor Records in 2021.Since its formation, Polymoon has aimed to lift the listener to a higher level of existence through the aural combination of euphoria and melancholia. On their debut album, Polymoon strived to lure their listeners towards them, to join them behind their secretive veil. But Polymoon is this formless entity no more. On their second album the clandestine curtains have been opened: embrace the second phase of Polymoon's metamorphosis where everything is exposed and nothing is hidden anymore. The chrysalis is opening and the newly-formed wings are slowly unfolding. Old conventions have been blown to pieces and the shell is cracking. The rays of light are shining through more brightly than ever before. Be prepared to dance. Polymoon's second musical manifestation, Chrysalis, was released through Robotor Records on the 17th of February, 2023. Polymoon Website Polymoon @ Bandcamp Polymoon @ Deezer Polymoon @ Facebook Polymoon @ Instagram Polymoon @ Spotify Polymoon @ TikTok Polymoon @ YouTube |
RICKSHAW BILLIE'S BURGER PATROL
“Our catalog has never been short on big dumb riffs, but the idea on this record was to really turn the screw,” says RBBP bassist Aaron Metzdorf.On Big Dumb Riffs, that screw is cranked incredibly tight. “We just wanted ‘the part’: The opening of Pantera’s ‘Primal Concrete Sledge’, the breakdown in Primus' ‘Pudding Time’ — the shit that makes you move and lose your mind. Just that part the whole time.” Across 11 concise, taut songs — most clocking in around 2 minutes or less — Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol demonstrates their skillful ability to blend the merciless low end of Leo Lydon’s 8-string guitar, Aaron Metzdorf’s masterful chordwork on the bass, and Sean St.Germain’s driving drumming. Hot on the heels of their breakout 5th studio release Doom Wop (2023), Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol returns with Big Dumb Riffs: A whole new variant of the fuzzed out, overdriven, melodic, groovy music they have been making since 2016. While Big Dumb Riffs is decidedly more aggressive and rhythmic, it still retains the overtly melodic feel of Doom Wop. But Leo Lydon’s vocals are considerably more angry and negative (song titles like “1-800-EAT-SHIT” and “Body Bag” should be a clue.) “The whole writing process was, ‘what if we just played two notes the whole song’,” Metzdorf says. “‘What if we tuned down to almost unusable string tension?’, ‘what if we write a record that will make everyone say 'wow that is dumb’? Leo and I really move around on stage a lot. Being a dingus is crucial to the groove. All these riffs were designed to allow us to act bigger and dumber on stage.” Big Dumb Riffs is available on LP, cassette and streaming, released on March 22, 2024. Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol Website Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol @ Bandcamp Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol @ Facebook Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol @ Instagram Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol @ Spotify Rickshaw Billie's Burger Patrol @ YouTube |
BEWITCHER
All the best tunes belong to the Devil, and Portland’s bastard triptych Bewitcher have returned to take back rock n’ roll in Baphomet’s name. Spell Shock, the speed demons’ latest, raises Bewitcher's horns and pushes their extremes straight into the fiery red. Says bassist A. Magus on the unholy genesis of the new album: “Spell Shock is the product of playing 130 shows in a row and then going straight into writing and recording,” Indeed, Bewitcher's unrelenting post-Covid-era tour-grind for their 2021’s Cursed Be Thy Kingdom, alongside the likes of Municipal Waste, Goatwhore, Cavalera and Exhumed became the fuel for their finest moment to date. Spell Shock lives up to its title. It’s riffs, filth and fury at their most demonic and rebellious.When searching for a producer for Spell Shock, Bewitcher found a kindred spirit in Bewitcher fan, Lars Frederiksen. A like-minded badass, largely known for his guitar-wielding presence in Rancid and Old Firm Casuals, Frederiksen’s passion for metal and punk was an unexpected, but natural fit. “It was weird case of the stars aligning,” says frontman Mateo von Bewitcher. “At first, we were kind of like, ‘Huh?’ But literally from the first conversation, it turned into a total no-brainer.” Lars Frederiksen himself is equally stoked on the results: “It’s the best record I’ve ever produced for one of the best bands in the world.” Says Magus of their experience with vaunted producer: “[Lars’] knowledge of heavy metal, black metal and thrash – as well as punk, is vast and extreme. It was definitely a match made in hell.” From Spell Shock’s pummeling first invocation, “Starfire Maelstrom”, Bewitcher stake a bloody claim on making a metal record that’s equally classic and contemporary. In classic Bewitcher fashion, the trio is hardly sheepish (or goat-ish) about waxing on the dark side as inspiration in their classic metal quest. “[‘Starfire Maelstrom’] is full of apocalyptic, speed demon vibes and imagery taken from the worst of current events that only get more apocalyptic as time goes by,” says Von Bewitcher of Spell-Shock’s lead missive. “It’s the feeling you get from “Fight Fire with Fire” on [Metallica’s] Ride the Lightning. It’s immediate how it feeds into themes of human destruction and war, but also has cosmic elements. It’s a classic album opener.” With Bewitcher, classic is key. “We kept coming back to classic heavy metal records for inspiration,” says Magus. “What we got was our take on classic 80’s metal records using the tools we have today.” The band also credits engineer and mixer Chris Dugan, best known for his work with Green Day (Yes, Green Day, but listen to those guitars!), for nailing Spell Shock’s energized rawness. “We’ve always tried to be an old school band, without being or sounding like a retro or trad metal band,” adds Von Bewitcher. Songs like the title track or “Out Against the Law” are rough-riding anthems while “Dystopic Demonolatry” blasts as hard as anything from the band’s self-titled 2016 debut or 2019’s Venom-worshipping classic Under the Witching Cross. “The intent of this album was to take all the elements of Bewitcher and throw them into the cauldron,” says Magus. “Let’s bring back some of the first record vibe, but let’s also have some of the rock elements from Cursed Be Thy Kingdom, while broadening the sound. It’s a silver bullet of a record.” From its eye-grabbing-and-gouging artwork by Italian horror maestro Solo Macello, to songs like the haunting “We Die in Dust”, to the epic closing track “Ride of the Iron Fox” (“That’s Bewitcher's Dokken song!” laughs A. Hunter.) Spell Shock is Bewitcher at their most evolved and most devastatingly primal. “We wanted it to be an album experience,” says drummer A. Hunter. “Imagine King Diamond’s Abigail in terms of atmosphere merged with the energy of AC/DC’s High Voltage.” Bewitcher's diabolical tale begins in 2013 when longtime friends and collaborators, Von Bewitcher and Magus gathered elements and inspirations from the likes of Motorhead and Bathory to concoct the Satanic Panic and Wild Blasphemy demos (collected for 2023’s Deep Cuts & Shallow Graves compilation of demos and unreleased tracks). With early anthems like “Speed til You Bleed” or “Too Fast for the Flames”, Bewitcher snared a rabid cult with their assault of insanely catchy riffmongery and grimly fiendish wordplay. By 2015, they had a leather jacket and dark sunglass-clad touring lineup ready and hit the road, to never look back. Touring became non-stop, the three-piece becoming a seasoned live band owning stages across North America and Europe as they spread the gospel of their self-dubbed “Black Magick Metal”. From Hell to eternity, Bewitcher's blasphemous mission remains unfailingly the same - playing razor sharp, unforgettable heavy metal from festival stages to the darkest recesses of small clubs across the world. “We still have to earn it every night,” says Magus. “We’re going to go grind it as hard as we can and win over as many people as we can. That’s Bewitcher and that’s the essence of heavy metal itself.” Bewitcher Website Bewitcher @ Bandcamp Bewitcher @ Deezer Bewitcher @ Facebook Bewitcher @ Instagram Bewitcher @ Spotify Bewitcher @ X Bewitcher @ YouTube |
TEN TON SLUG
Ten Ton Slug plays riff-laden sludge from the west Ireland and has shared stages with Black Label Society, Crowbar, Corrosion of Conformity, Conan, Memoriam, Jinjer, and more.Ten Ton Slug @ Bandcamp Ten Ton Slug @ Deezer Ten Ton Slug @ Facebook Ten Ton Slug @ Instagram Ten Ton Slug @ Spotify Ten Ton Slug @ YouTube |
DIGGETH
Take 50 years of Hard Rock, Metal, Southern Rock and a bit of Progressive Rock; Diggeth will digest it and will spew out their mix of all these genres in songs with hooks, heaviness and groove! This kick ass 3-piece band does give a complete new meaning to “Metal-‘n-Roll” with their breakthrough album Gringos Galacticos. Their live shows are legendary; the mix of genres is never forced, it flows, it pulses, it grinds and most important; it grooves! It leaves you with an impressive “beep” in your ears and makes you wonder: “How can a three piece sound so big?”The band, founded by big bearded, veteran guitarslinger & vocalist, Harald “Big H”, know their trade: From the big sounding guitar and the weathered, raw and melancholic vocals, to the low-end thunder by bassplayer Natasja aka “Pebbles” and the grooving, heavy drums by Casper “The Chief”; This band is on fire. To deliver more than a great show, it takes hard labour, practice and experience. Diggeth do understand that basic fact very well, they toured and played from 2004 up to the present, all over Europe and The UK multiple times. This Intense touring brought them opening slots to a fine selection of respectable bands such as: Michael Schenker, Exodus, Megadeth, Slayer, Karma To Burn, Soulfly, Sacred Reich, Motörhead’s Phill Campbell And His Bastard Sons, Flotsam & Jetsam and Disturbed. All these impressions and experience were absorbed, digested and erupted on their critically acclaimed album Gringos Galacticos, which has been released in 2019 on No Dust Records and in 2020 in the USA by Qumran Records. During the pandemic the band stayed to true to their motto “Keep On Diggin” and returned to the studio to write and record so much material, enough to fill a double vinyl album, entitled “Zero Hour In Doomtown”. This behemoth of an album will be released, through No Dust Records, in association with Suburban Records, for Europe and Qumran Records in the USA. Diggeth Website Diggethg @ Bandcamp Diggethg @ Deezer Diggeth @ Facebook Diggeth @ Instagram Diggeth @ Spotify Diggeth @ YouTube |
IN FLAMES
In a music scene full of seemingly endless subgenres and transient trends, In Flames are an example of what it means to steadfastly stay true to your vision. Since forming in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1990 the legendary melodic metal act have toured the planet countless times and influenced many of today's biggest metal acts without ever ceasing to push their own signature sound forward. In that spirit the band's twelfth full-length Battles sees In Flames eschewing proven formulas in favor of trying new things, most notably finding a new collaborator in Grammy-nominated producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, The Used ) who was brought into the band's coveted inner circle in order make Battles an album that will appeal to every type of In Flames fan.“This album came together much sooner than we thought it would,” guitarist Björn Gelotte explains when asked about the writing process. “I was very reluctant in the beginning but I had a bunch of riffs so I just sat down with [vocalist] Anders [Fridén] and started working on stuff and it began to come together really quickly.” Before bringing things to bassist Peter Iwers and guitarist Niclas Engelin, the duo decided to leave the comforts of Sweden for Los Angeles where they would write all day and then BBQ and drink beer until the early hours of the morning. “I think being in California really affected this album in the sense that we had a studio in the house that we were staying at and the vibe was really relaxed which lent itself to productivity,” Fridén adds. In fact although the band were only planning on recording 11 songs they actually came away with 15 of them and this inspiration was partially due to Benson's influence on the overall process. “I think it really helped having a producer who could make us focus on what we needed to accomplish and keep us on track,” Fridén continues. “This was a very new approach for us because we've never let anyone else in the way we did with Howard,” Gelotte adds. “We met with a lot of producers prior to starting this album and he seemed like the only guy who didn't want to change anything; he just wanted to make sure we were making the best In Flames record that we could and it just felt right,” he continues. “It's not that we aren't happy doing things ourselves. we just thought we would try something different because that's what this band has always been about.” That confidence and palpable excitement is dripping all over Battles from the instantly infectious “take the power back” anthem “The Truth” to the jaw-dropping technical brutality of “Through My Eyes” and distinctive groove and climactic chorus of the album's title track. In other words, the album sees the band making the hooks sharper, the riffs tighter and honing the overall attack in a way that parallels their legendary live shows in an unparalleled fashion. “When people hear this album I think they're going to instantly know that it's the new In Flames without us repeating the same song over and over and that's something I'm incredibly proud of,” Fridén says. “There's something in the fingers of the guys and my voice that's undeniable but I really hope that our songwriting is something can continue to evolve the way that it did here in the future.” That relentless drive to innovate in light of their success is something that's been inherent in In Flames' approach from day one and it's something they've never lost sight of despite their countless accolades and constant reinventions. ”We decided early on we are going to do this band our way and aren't going to think about what the flavor of the month is,” explains Gelotte. “In the end we are the ones who are going to have to play these songs and stand behind them and as long as we love what we you do and make the listener feel it then that's what makes it an In Flames song,” he continues. “That may sound like a cliché but it's true. We need the music to be as interesting to us as it is to our fans because this has never just been a job for us, it's a way of life.” This mission statement to be working as evidenced by the fact that In Flames' audience is a wide range of ages, genders and music fans, which is ultimately due to the fact that the band have never tried to be something they're not. “The beautiful thing about this band is that you can do whatever the fuck you want and that's the whole point of the music because all of the restrictions and labeling kills it in a way,” Gelotte summarizes. “This time around we had the Howard filter to come in and give us a new perspective on how we could approach this songs but ultimately what it comes down to is very simple: Is it good or is it bad? If it's something that all of us can stand behind and be proud of then we know that it's an In Flames song.” In Flames Website In Flames @ Bandcamp In Flames @ Deezer In Flames @ Facebook In Flames @ Instagram In Flames @ ReverbNation In Flames @ SoundCloud In Flames @ Spotify In Flames @ X In Flames @ YouTube |
HEAVEN SHALL BURN
Since 1996, Germany's Heaven Shall Burn have specialized in politicized death metal fused with metalcore, melodic death, and deathcore. Their lyrics typically express support for anti-racism and anti-fascism. They also write about resistance, oppression and animal rights. The band's members are all either vegan or vegetarian. The group's brutalizing sonic onslaught has drawn comparisons to traditional death metal bands like England's Bolt Thrower and Sweden's the Haunted, but is much more frenetic. Their second full-length, 2002's Whatever It May Take (packaged with a reissue of their EP In Battle There Is No Law), took them outside Germany to play festival and club stages in Iceland, Greece, the U.K., and at German festivals including Wacken Open Air. 2006's Antigone, their debut for Century Media, showcased a more chug-worthy riffing style that basically left the melodic death metal aspect of their attack behind. The album's commercial success netted the band a headlining tour of the U.K. Their Iconoclast trilogy (2008's Iconoclast I: The Final Resistance, the live-in-Vienna Iconoclast II: Bildersturm - The Visual Resistance, and 2010's Iconoclast III: Invictus), all landed inside Germany's Top 25 and established them as one of the most consistent seat-filling acts in heavy metal. 2013's Veto charted in the U.S. (number 14, Top Heatseekers Albums) where Heaven Shall Burn at last became a top concert draw. 2016's Wandererproved to be their most successful album in terms of sales. It placed inside the Top 20 on five European charts, including at number three in Germany.Founded by guitarist Maik Weichert and drummer Matthias Voigt in the fall of 1996, Heaven Shall Burn (initially named Consense) soon included singer Marcus Bischoff and bassist Eric Bischoff. Following a set of demos, the band recorded a 1998 mini-CD entitled In Battle There Is No Law (reissued on CD with bonus tracks in 2002) and a split LP with Fall of Serenity before welcoming second guitarist Patrick Schleitzer into their lineup. Signing with Lifeforce Records in early 2000, they subsequently unleashed the very competent Asunder album, as well as another split CD (this one with Caliban) and proceeded to tour both Europe and South America. 2002 saw the release of another acclaimed effort, and their first to gain worldwide distribution, Whatever It May Take, after which the group signed with Century Media and cut their third full-length album, Antigone, in 2004. Their Century follow-up, Deaf to Our Prayers, followed in 2006 and in 2008, the band released the first of three conceptual albums Iconoclast 1: The Final Resistance. The second piece in the set, Iconoclast II: Bildersturm - The Visual Resistance, was a live DVD/CD that appeared in 2009. Rounding out the Iconoclast series was 2010's Iconoclast III: Invictus. During this time, drummer Matthias Voigt was temporarily replaced on-stage due to back surgery. Though he returned for the release of 2013's Veto, he was forced to leave the band for good later that year due to recurring health problems and was replaced by Christian Bass on drums. After extensive touring across Europe, South America, and the United States, and a short break, Heaven Shall Burn entered the recording studio with producer Alexander Dietz. They cut 12 songs and a pair of covers, Sodom's "Agent Orange," and My Dying Bride's "The Cry of Mankind." A deluxe edition included a bonus disc of covers that Heaven Shall Burn recorded throughout their career. A long international tour followed, winning them main-stage performances at virtually every metal festival on the globe over the next two years. When the band re-entered the recording studio in 2019, they elected guitarist Alexander Dietz as producer. They cut Of Truth & Sacrifice as a loosely conceptual double album. The first, "Of Truth," and the second "And Sacrifice," consisted of 19 original songs and a cover (on volume two) of Nuclear Assault's "Critical Mass." Released in the spring of 2020, with a deluxe edition that contained the movie Mein grünes Herz in dunklen Zeit (My Green Heart in Dark Times) on a separate DVD. All told, the album comprised was some 97 minutes of music. The double set sold well internationally and marked the first time Heaven Shall Burn placed an album at number one the German charts. Heaven Shall Burn Website Heaven Shall Burns @ Deezer Heaven Shall Burn @ Facebook Heaven Shall Burn @ Instagram Heaven Shall Burn @ SoundCloud Heaven Shall Burn @ Spotify Heaven Shall Burn @ X Heaven Shall Burn @ YouTube |
JINJER
Leading modern metal juggernauts JINJER return with their eagerly awaited fifth studio album, Duél, set to be released on February 7, 2025 via Napalm Records! Known for their unique progressive groove metal sound that is impossible to replicate and goes against everything written in the heavy metal rulebook, Ukraine’s JINJER have cemented their standing in the global metal scene through tireless touring and the extreme success of their previous albums, including the chart-storming 2021 studio album Wallflowers. Praised by both fans and critics, JINJER have gathered tens of millions cross-platform streams on their biggest hits, such as fan-favorite “Pisces”, and have managed to create an entirely unique sound that followers and metal elite alike could describe as musical perfection.Many sold-out headline shows and performances for massive audiences at leading festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Download UK serve as further proof of JINJER’s dedicated, ever-growing fanbase. Having previously shared stage with the likes of Arch Enemy and Cradle Of Filth, recent additions to JINJER’s intense live schedule feature supporting the legendary Sepultura on their farewell world tour. The new album showcases the very best of JINJER’s multifaceted, extreme soundscapes, providing a gripping listening experience. Nothing less than the highest level of musicianship is expected from the modern metal frontrunners, and track after track JINJER skillfully delivers fierce attitude and emotion. Charismatic vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk’s extraordinary vocal performance combines brutal growls and epic clean vocals, soaring atop chugging riffs, intricate drum patterns, aggressive guitars and Eugene Abdukhanov’s trademark bass wizardry. On Duél, JINJER continue their long-lasting collaboration with accomplished producer Max Morton, who co-produced, mixed and mastered the album. This new masterwork lives up to JINJER’s reputation as metal visionaries, once more showing that the band refuses to follow any set rules in their genre, but choose their own path of creativity. Jinjer @ Facebook Jinjer @ Instagram Jinjer @ X Jinjer @ YouTube |
PALEFACE SWISS
Paleface Swiss (formerly just Paleface) is a slamming deathcore band from Zurich, Switzerland.The band formed in 2017, releasing their debut EP 'Chapter 1: From the Gallows', the following year and the follow-up, 'Chapter 2: Witch King', in 2019. In 2020, they released their debut studio album, 'Chapter 3: The Last Selection'. In 2022, they released their second album 'Fear & Dagger', which was met with positive reception. Paleface Swiss gained international recognition throughout the Deathcore and Beatdown Community. Known for their simply aggressive riffs, unusual blasting drums and a heavily bass output and a pinch of humor. This is Switzerland’s finest heavy music. Paleface Swiss Website Paleface Swiss @ Facebook Paleface Swiss @ Instagram Paleface Swiss @ TikTok Paleface Swiss @ YouTube |
SYLOSIS
Sylosis are one of the UK’s most renowned names in thrash, death metal, and progressive metal. Founded by guitarist Josh Middleton, the band quickly established a niche in the metal scene, known for intricate guitar work, intense riffs, and complex song arrangements. Middleton’s versatile guitar skills and commanding vocal presence have shaped the band's sound, combining technical precision with a dark and brutal atmosphere.Their debut full-length album, Conclusion of an Age, introduced listeners to a style that was both aggressive and melodic, drawing from classic thrash and modern metalcore. Subsequent releases like Edge of the Earth and Monolith helped Sylosis build a die-hard international fanbase, cementing their reputation as a driving force in modern metal. Following a brief hiatus, during which Middleton served as guitarist for Architects, Sylosis resumed recording and touring in 2019. With each album, they have continued to refine their sound, earning respect as one of the most popular names in contemporary British metal. Sylosis Website Sylosis @ Bandcamp Sylosis @ Deezer Sylosis @ Facebook Sylosis @ Instagram Sylosis @ Spotify Sylosis @ TikTok Sylosis @ X Sylosis @ YouTube |
GLORYHAMMER
And lo, Planet Earth had been destroyed by the Hootsman, with an explosion so powerful it ripped a hole in the very fabric of spacetime. And yet, Zargothrax was still not defeated, for he managed to use his last shreds of power to escape through the dimensional rift. Vowing to defeat the evil sorcerer, Angus McFife XIII followed him into the portal, with no idea where it might lead…Mighty warriors of the galaxy! GLORYHAMMER has returned from an epic quest, and they come bearing their new album, "LEGENDS FROM BEYOND THE GALACTIC TERRORVORTEX". In this thrilling third chapter of the Gloryhammer saga, we follow the legendary prince Angus McFife into another dimension, where he will fight with more terrifying foes and embark on more epic adventures than ever before. Join his quest to save the Kingdom of Fife, through 10 tracks of nuclear-fueled high-velocity heroic power metal, the likes of which you've never heard in your life. FOR THE ETERNAL GLORY OF DUNDEE! Gloryhammer Website Gloryhammer @ Bandcamp Gloryhammer @ Deezer Gloryhammer @ Facebook Gloryhammer @ Instagram Gloryhammer @ SoundCloud Gloryhammer @ Spotify Gloryhammer @ X |
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS
Visions Of Atlantis is a Austrian symphonic metal band with international character since its members have their origin from three different countries: Austria, France & Italy. But not only that: VoA is also internationally well known. In their over 20 years history the band played shows on different continents like South & North America, Asia and of course in a lot of countries in Europe. Founded in 2000, the band had to face many line-up changes. Drummer Thomas Caser is the only remaining founding member, but in 2018, with the album “The Deep & The Dark”, a new era has started.With this album Clémentine Delauney and the former singer Siegfried Samer brought the band back to the roots of their origin. With their music they take us on a journey through the seven seas and on the path of mysterious legends. Dive into the wonderful world of pirates, sailors and wanderers and enjoy the epic, grandiose and magnificent tunes of Visions Of Atlantis! Visions of Atlantis Website Visions of Atlantis @ Deezer Visions of Atlantis @ Facebook Visions of Atlantis @ Instagram Visions of Atlantis @ SoundCloud Visions of Atlantis @ Spotify Visions of Atlantis @ TikTok Visions of Atlantis @ YouTube |
DIE KRUPPS
Critics worldwide hail them alongside KRAFTWERK and EINSTUERZENDE NEUBAUTEN as pioneers of Electronic and Industrial music, bands like FRONT 242 and NITZER EBB called them their inspiration, and their musical ideas found their way into the sound of a wide spectrum of music, from DEPECHE MODE to the innovative pioneers of Detroit Techno. Over 30 years and many internationally successful albums, DIE KRUPPS have developed an unmistakable signature sound that is meant to stay!After monumental and industrial beginnings with the album 'Stahlwerksinfonie', the foundation for Electronic Body Music was laid by the single 'Wahre Arbeit Wahrer Lohn' (both Album and Single Of The Week in the British NME), and the following albums 'Volle Kraft Voraus' and 'Entering The Arena', which created international interest in the band's characteristic synthesis of hard electronics and highly danceable beats. European wide releases secured the band a large following, that was only meant to increase in the '90s. After a 3-year break, international chart positions of a remake of their classic track 'Wahre Arbeit', now called 'The Machineries Of Joy', which was a collaboration with NITZER EBB (U.S. Billboard Dance Charts Top 10), marked the next chapter in the history of the band. The following widening of their musical spectrum, which saw the addition of a more metal inspired aggressive vocal style and guitar riffs on the album 'I', and the essential single track 'Metal Machine Music', was like a slap in the face of conservative critics and listeners alike. The mini album 'A Tribute To Metallica' underlined this daring step, gaining the attention of Lars Ulrich and Co., who helped to secure the band a deal in the U.S. The highly successful albums (european-wide chart positions, Germany Top-20) 'II - The Final Option', 'The Final Remixes', which consisted of remix interpretations of DIE KRUPPS tracks by fellow bands such as NINE INCH NAILS, THE SISTERS OF MERCY, FAITH NO MORE, CLAWFINGER and many others, and the album '..III - Odyssey Of The Mind', were again inspiration to many upcoming new bands, such as RAMMSTEIN, whose song 'Tier' was a direct adaptation and tribute to DIE KRUPPS' 'The Dawning Of Doom' from the album 'I'. After several worldwide tours, and another chart-topping album, 'Paradise Now' (Germany No.17), on which the band collaborated with Arthur Brown ('Fire'), it was decided to bring a temporary stop to the bands extraordinary career. 2005 marked the 25th anniversary of DIE KRUPPS, which was reason enough for the 2 original members Engler and Doerper to prove to the rest of the world that DIE KRUPPS are far from being dead. The reunited group played festivals across Europe and proved that their live shows are as energetic as ever. The audience response was overwhelming and proved that the band had not lost any ground during its absence. In November 2007, DIE KRUPPS' new album 'Too Much History' was released. The album included re-recordings of the greatest hits from almost every album the band had released in the past, plus several unreleased new tracks, including 'The Great Divide', '5 Millionen' and several collaborations, with Client B from the band CLIENT, and again Douglas McCarthy from NITZER EBB. The end of 2008 saw the release of a remix album of the 1982 album 'Volle Kraft Voraus', entitled 'Volle Kraft Null Acht'. KMFDM, FUNKER VOGT, PROJECT PITCHFORK, LEAETHER STRIP, SPETSNAZ and MODULATE are only a few acts who besides many others contributed to the project. The 2 singles 'Volle Kraft Voraus' and 'Ende Der Träume' topped the German Alternative Charts for weeks. In 2010 the mini-album 'Als Wären Wir Für Immer', consisting of all new material, hit the stores. It also stayed in top positions of the Deutsche Alternative Charts for many weeks, and re-entered during the NITZER EBB/DIE KRUPPS European tour in April of 2011. The tour, which was launched under the motto 'Join In The Rhythm Of Machines', was a huge success. A joint NITZER EBB/DIE KRUPPS EP, consisting of re-worked versions of each band's favorite songs, was sold exclusively at the shows. Those songs were also played live, followed by the definite highlight for many fans, the anthemic 'Machineries Of Joy', which saw both bands perform the song together for the first time. At the end of 2012, the first single from the upcoming album 'The Machinists Of Joy' was released. 'Risikofaktor' made it No.1 in the German DAC Charts again, and stayed in the pole position for a full month. 2013 was to become the year when DIE KRUPPS machinery went back into full swing. The machines were greased, the dust shaken off, the factory gates opened again. After shift operation was restored, the long-awaited new prototype 'The Machinists Of Joy' rolled off the assembly line on 25.10.2013. With this most recent effort DIE KRUPPS seamlessly picked up the streak of their genre-defining releases in the '80s and '90s. DIE KRUPPS still deliver 'Metal MACHINE Music' - heavy, danceable, sometimes epic machine-music, adorned with well-placed guitar attacks and the ever-onward hammering of the 'steel-o-phone', paired with critical contemporary lyrics, setting themselves off from what has become the norm today. Referring to their top-10 Billboard-hit from 1989 'Machineries Of Joy', the album title already hinted at a stronger focus on electronic sounds, rather than guitars, which dominated the current outfit of DIE KRUPPS. Nevertheless, hard guitar riffs were interwoven with the pumping signature sequencers. The album also made it to No.1 in the German DAC Charts, where it was holding the pole position again for several consecutive weeks. The second single of the album 'Schmutzfabrik' peaked at No.2, staying there for 7 weeks. In mid-February 2014, the factory bell rang in the night shift on European stages, to be known as 'THE MACHINISTS OF JOY'-TOUR 2014. 12 dates on which DIE KRUPPS were going to present their first studio album of the new millennium in sweat-inducing manner! On August 28th 2015, DIE KRUPPS returned with their new release 'V - Metal Machine Music'. Back to the distinctly guitar-based sound from the late '90s, the new songs showed a much increased level of aggressiveness! DIE KRUPPS had never before combined such heavy guitars and powerful sequencers. The upcoming shows proved that this direction was well reserved by the audience Europe wide. Alongside mastermind Juergen Engler (vocals, steel-o-phone), the line-up was machinist Ralf Doerper on Korg MS-20 synthesizer, Marcel Zuercher on guitar, with Volker Borchert from former metal band Accuser on drums, and Nils Finkeisen on second guitar. The album 'V' made the official sales chart in Germany and cracked the Top 40! The singles 'Battle Extreme' and 'Kaltes Herz' both made it to No.1 in the German DAC Charts, the latter stayed in the pole position for 6 consecutive weeks! Steel, hard work, muscle strength, sweat, machines ... but also structural change, unemployment, dislocation, xenophobia and anxiety about the future: powerful words that DIE KRUPPS have always used and filled with content, that they attach visions to, that they transform into a solid base for their music - their very own, unique sound that has consistently evolved over the past four decades and that continues to be unmistakable. "Vision 2020 Vision" is their latest masterpiece, a concept album: music, artwork and lyrics are inextricably linked, they fuel and cross-fertilize each other. The world of Engler and Dörper is monochromatic and grim, but the imminent world they see through their lens, ought to, and indeed must, frighten you. In all this, DIE KRUPPS's themes are as topical and relevant as ever: "Extinction Time" and "Vision 2020 Vision" describe our world on the edge of the abyss. Chaos and violence rule the streets, governments are powerless. The great flood will come, wash everything away and leave nothing but darkness. "Alllies" and "Fuck You" are directed overseas; where egoism, borders and ruthlessness are dictated from the very top while Europe looks on passively, turning into a compliant minion. "Human" is a reckoning with the whole human race which has been regressing for several decades. Civilizations increasingly turn into hordes of wild, murderous barbarians. The title song puts in a nutshell where this development is bound to take us: "Violence will soon explode, frustration reaches overload, revolution is imminent, we're in the year of discontent" (quote: "Vision 2020 Vision"). What remains is the hope that Jürgen Engler will be proved wrong in this instance. Die Krupps Website Die Krupps @ Bandcamp Die Krupps @ Facebook Die Krupps @ Instagram Die Krupps @ Spotify Die Krupps @ Threads Die Krupps @ X Die Krupps @ YouTube |
NENA
NENA remains one of the most authentic singers of our time and a significant piece of pop culture made in Germany. Following the overwhelming success of her WIR GEHÖREN ZUSAMMEN tour in 2024, which attracted150,000 visitors across 45 shows in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands, pop icon NENA is now announcing the first open-air dates for 2025.This is fantastic news, as experiencing NENA live is a must! Her energetic stage presence is as distinctive and captivating as her voice. Audiences can look forward to a live show lasting over two hours, featuring hits and gems from NENA's vast repertoire. Music spanning over four decades will be brought to life by her 10-piece band. Each live concert is a unique rock 'n' roll experience filled with emotion and heart. The tour title, WIR GEHÖREN ZUSAMMEN, represents more than just a motto; it embodies the deeply felt and lived sense of connection that makes each concert a heartfelt affair for NENA. NENA states, “It’s a wave of love that builds and grows stronger. I feel this with a new powerful intensity. It comes from us, the people who are here, in front of, behind, and on stage. People who love to spend a wonderful time together. Those who know that music builds bridges. We sing, dance, laugh, and celebrate life. 'We belong together' is a simple message that we carry out into the world together.” With 25 million records sold worldwide, NENA is one of the most successful German artists of all time. Her music has shaped several generations of music fans and continues to represent a way of life that resonates with everyone, somewhere. The current album, “Licht,” is an energetic pop album full of brilliance and the soundtrack for new beginnings. With every note and in every line, “Licht” offers hope, lightness, and depth of heart. Whether it’s folk-inspired acoustic guitar or electronically dancing synthesizer beats, “Licht” inspires us to celebrate life. Nena Website Nena @ Facebook Nena @ Instagram Nena @ TikTok Nena @ YouTube |
GUTALAX
Do you like dancing? In that case gore grind GUTALAX are here for you. Come to have a dance in the moshpit, because this Czech band know very well how to pump it up on the stage.The Shitty River boys will tour South America before our anniversary to improve their movements in the samba rhythm which they will then, in a brownish connection with their disco, release into your bodies. Band members: Martin MATY Matousek - vox Tomas KOJAS Anderle - guitar Petr FREE Svoboda - drums Pavel KEBAB Troup - bass Gutalax @ Bandcamp Gutalax @ Deezer Gutalax @ Facebook Gutalax @ Instagram Gutalax @ Spotify Gutalax @ X Gutalax @ YouTube |
SPASM
The Epoch of Spasm started at the beginning of winter month January in 2000. At that time the band was intended as a side-project of the hordes Psychopathia and Romantic Love, but everything completely changed. When Psychopathia (up to that time a regular and running band) was laid to rest, nothing prevented us from leading the band as a full featured group. Our aim was evident – we wanted to play extreme music with an extraordinary concept. The first line-up was formed with the help of another member of Psychopathia – Mira - guitar, but after a short engagement, the line – up slowly crystallized to the three – members’ band. At that point in time line – up was: Sam – bass grind inferno, Lukáš – drums and cymbals and Máňa- vocals. During the next year, Spasm composed and rehearsed songs for the debut demo CD - “ Spasmatic Secretion”, which was released in May 2001, but it wasn’t released nor spread among audience. Then Spasm made a progression, we tried to form our original style of playing (the band refuses using guitars) and participated in various actions and gigs. In 2004 Spasm experienced the turning point in its career – we recorded a promo CD for an eventual label release, what finally happened.Copremesis prod. released the debut album of Spasm in May 2005. Later on, when ideal and conceptual disputes appeared, Máňa left the band and his post was taken by owner of the releasing label Copremesis- Radim (Copretina). So, the line – up was: Sam – bass guitar, Lukáš – drums and Radim – vocals. After releasing our debut album “Lust For Feculent Orgasm”, the band started playing in different fests and gigs, Obscene extreme 2006 was the most important performance in our career. In next tree years our horde intensively played dozens of shows in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Germany and Austria, we participated in several compilations and we were hardly working on another CD. As a result of our effort, we met with growing warm reception of fans and with growing interest and popularity as well. At the beginning of 2008 Spasm entered the studio to record new material for the second full – length CD. We succeed in realizing it, recorded a big amount of songs, so some of them were put on Split EP with our grinding Slovakian friends Mizar. This Split Ep was released by a friend of our band - Bohdan and his Rarach Katus rec. in March 2008. In October 2008 another glorious period of our history was started, when our second CD called “Paraphilic Elegies“ was released on German label Rotten Roll Rex. after some major technical inconveniences. Firstly, we unobtrusively had a few shows supporting our actual release, but we decided to play intense and maximal shows all around for the next year 2009. Between 2009 - 2010 the band participated in many gigs and festivals throughout Europe (Ukraine, Portugal, The Netherlands) and also in their homeland. Moreover, Spasm filmed their first music video. That was the time for preparing another CD as well. In summer 2011 Spasm released the third full-lenght album "Taboo Tales" and the whole crazy carousel starts up again. In the same year Spasm shot another official video, which awarded amazing 4th place in Czech music survey Břitva in "Video of the year". The year of 2012 brings the first real European tour with friends Gutalax. We played 10 gigs in 10 days in 5 countries. The whole venue was really successful and also the new merchandise has been maximally promoting the band. We appeared on great summer festivals – awesome Obscene Extreme and also Extreme Fest in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Afterwards we played gigs in the Netherlands, Poland or Switzerland and Germany again. In 2013 we experienced playing in Russia for the first time and we took part in some great small Czech festivals like Antitrend Fest and also in famous Rape The Escape Fest in Austria. January 2014 brought us the golden opportunity to play headlining and successful tour which took place in different parts of Mexico. In May we played twice in the Netherlands, two awesome fests like Grindhoven and the biggest European indoor extreme festival Neurotic Death Fest. March 2014 Luke decided to leave the band but promised us that he played all booked gigs. Sam and Radim looked around the scene and after great gig on Brutal Assault they found new drummer Rudy from Slovak republic. After that we fixed new drummer Sam and Rudy Worked on live play list and practise for gigs. 2015 after some rehealsals we entered the studio in April and recorded new CD called PUSSY –DE LUXE- With the new concept of new cd helped us our old friend David and his girlfriend Romca. They found for us pretty model girl Pavla and we made small photosession and we recorded new videoclip. Cd + LP and other merch were out in November under Rotten Roll Rex again. This year we are hard working for promote our new album and spread our beauty bodies… Spasm @ Facebook Spasm @ Instagram Spasm @ Spotify Spasm @ YouTube |
GUINEAPIG
Guineapig is an Italian Goregrind unit formed in 2013, fascinated by splatter movies, medical experiments and rare diseases, fueled by ultra-massive riffs and guttural vocals.Conceived by an idea of guitarist/vocalist Fra, soon after composing 2 demo tracks he involved drummer Cristiano and bassist/vocalist Alessio. Right after the release of their debut album, Gina joins the band as drummer. Their 2014 debut album ‘Bacteria’ was a clear statement, a Goregrind ensemble built to destroy, an operation that led the three-piece to be recognized as one of the most interesting and original names in the over-saturated extreme music world. With this release alone, along with a split with Rompeprop in 2017 – both via Rotten Roll Rex – the band has treaded the stages of some of the most important European festivals around, including Brutal Assault, Party.San and Obscene Extreme, and also shared the Gorecrusher European Tour with fellows Gutalax and Spasm on multiple occasions. Eight long years after ‘Bacteria’, Guineapig finally make their comeback in June 2022 via Spikerot Records with the crisp and blistering sophomore work ‘Parasite’, praised all around the globe by fans and critics alike. An album that redefines the very concept of Goregrind with a cutting-edge and forward-thinking vision, without ever losing sight of the roots, with a songwriting fluctuating between abysmal tunings, Death Metal mid-tempos and ripping breakdowns. Expect nothing but The Heaviest Goregrind. Guineapig Website Guineapig @ Bandcamp Guineapig @ Facebook Guineapig @ Instagram Guineapig @ ReverbNation Guineapig @ Spotify Guineapig @ X Guineapig @ YouTube |
PERTURBATOR
James “Perturbator” Kent has never been one for half measures. From the moment he emerged, he embodied the raw, visceral spirit of a resurrected retro-electronic sound, reconfiguring its codes with the ferocity of a revolutionary. But where others wallowed in the sugar-coated nostalgia of synthwave, Kent obliterated those clichés, leaving a scorched-earth legacy in his wake.Perturbator’s genesis dates back to 2012, when releases like “Night Driving Avenger”, “TERROR 404”, and “I Am the Night”propelled him to the forefront of the retro- electronic scene. Critics eagerly likened him to giants such as John Carpenter, Tangerine Dream, and Goblin, but Kent already had a vision that went beyond easy comparisons. His restless ambition led to a pivotal moment in 2014 with “Dangerous Days”, a magnetic and shadow-drenched masterpiece. By 2016, “The Uncanny Valley” had cemented his status, climbing the Billboard charts while plunging into even darker sonic depths. But for Kent, it still wasn’t enough. In 2017, “New Model” signaled a bold shift. Gone were the pop culture references and neon nostalgia. In their place, Kent channeled the icy austerity of Kraftwerk, the visceral intensity of Nine Inch Nails, and the claustrophobic textures of Lorn, determined to defy the expectations of a fanbase hungry for retro comfort. With “Lustful Sacraments”, Perturbator further solidifies his reputation as a visionary artist, unflinchingly exploring humanity’s inevitable decline. “This album is about bad habits, chronic dissatisfaction, and addiction,” Kent explains. “It’s an overall look at how we, as a species, lean toward self-destruction.” Musically, the album delves into the shadowy aesthetics of the 1980s and 1990s, blending gothic atmospheres with suffocating electronic textures and precision-cut production. After two years of relentless touring across the globe – sharing stages with HEALTH in the U.S. and joining forces with Carpenter Brut in Europe – Perturbator is poised to make 2025 a year to remember. He's joining forces for the first time with the well-known metal label Nuclear Blast Records, and as good news never comes alone, he's also announcing a European headline tour for November 2025, featuring Gost and Kaelan Mikla as support acts. 2025 won’t just be a year where you hear about Perturbator. It will be the year he once again redefines what it means to push the boundaries of music. Perturbator Website Perturbator @ Bandcamp Perturbator @ Facebook Perturbator @ Instagram Perturbator @ Spotify Perturbator @ X |
KÆLAN MIKLA
Kælan Mikla soars through the worlds of legends, fairy tales, magic and mysticism. Extraordinary soundscapes conjured by synths, dreamy vocals, screams and droning bass lines dominate and pull the listener ever deeper into their mythical world.The band, consisting of Sólveig Matthildur, Margrét Rósa, and Laufey Soffía, lets the complex interplay of musical and visual experience play a key role in their stagings, captivating audiences with a unique blend of post-punk, goth, and dream-pop influences, evoking a moody, otherworldly atmosphere inspired by the darkened landscapes of their native Reykjavík. The band first gained attention after winning a poetry slam competition, which led to them transforming their literary explorations into music. Their debut album, "Mánadans" (2014), introduced their signature atmospheric sound, and their subsequent albums, “Kælan Mikla” (2016), "Nótt eftir nótt" (2018), and "Undir Köldum Norðurljósum" (2021), showcased their progression into a darker, more refined sonic space. Kælan Mikla’s ethereal live performances have earned them a dedicated international following, and they have embarked on several major tours with artists such as Ville Valo, Alcest, and Chelsea Wolfe, whose audiences resonated deeply with Kælan Mikla's atmospheric and intense stage presence. Their tour with Ville Valo was particularly significant, as it introduced them to a wider audience of gothic and rock enthusiasts whilst touring with Chelsea Wolfe also aligned them with similarly dark, evocative acts, creating a synergy that made for unforgettable live experiences. A key milestone in their career was the BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale session in 2023, which served to showcase their evocative sound to a broader audience and highlighted their growing international appeal. This milestone underscored their position as a key force in the darkwave movement, bringing Icelandic gothic soundscapes to the global stage. On their upcoming album, the forces of nature will play a key role and the personification of their powers will shine through, “We look at Iceland's nature in the form of female figures who dominate the rugged landscape of lava, fog and cliffs. A powerful feminine energy ties the stories together in a balanced yet provocative way”. The elegant lyricism of their poetry builds mountain peaks shrouded in mist and mystery. Kælan Mikla’s otherworldly force continues to profoundly inspire audiences through a cathartic realm of emotional exploration. Kælan Mikla Website Kælan Mikla @ Bandcamp Kælan Mikla @ Facebook Kælan Mikla @ Instagram Kælan Mikla @ Spotify Kælan Mikla @ X Kælan Mikla @ YouTube |
GOST
Gost exist in the dark crack between black metal and the most shadowy end of electronic music. Since the release of the Radio Macabre EP at the start of 2013, and the remorseless digital nightmare of their Skull debut album six months later, Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and main-brain James Lollar has become an increasingly singular force in music. Far more aggressive and sinister than the synthwave he’s often grouped with, Gost is a harsh and unique digital nightmare that takes the listener right into the heart of the abyss.Now Gost return with their sixth album, and their most exhilarating and dangerous-sounding work to date, Prophecy. It’s a record that perfectly reflects the horror and grim anxieties of a world beset with religious and political overreach, and progress “being rolled back to the fucking 1950s“. “It’s about an imaginative fall of the Western civilization, the biblical end of the world – the rise of Satan and Armageddon,” says James. “In America, there’s been a big rise of scared, reactive Christianity again, and almost like a re-emergence of the Satanic Panic. So it felt like an appropriate time to bring Satan back into things.“ Recorded alone in Texas during a burst of creativity at the end of 2022 (“I can’t put a song down once I start it, I’m too OCD, I have to finish it“), Prophecy is the perfect vessel for such things. Following the experimentation and more melodic touches of 2019′s Valediction, James says it also acts as something of a return to older roots, to recapture the spirit of Gost. “When Valediction came out, COVID hit, and I guess people weren’t so into art while the world was on its knees,” he says. “I also wanted to reconnect with some of my older fans who maybe didn’t feel that album so much. I wanted to go back in time and bring some of the older shit back, some of the older sounds.“ Indeed, on tracks like the industrial scrape of Death In Bloom, the doomy Decadent Decay and Golgotha‘s demonic pulse, it’s clear what he means. Throughout, he welds together elements of pulsing synthwave, the otherworldly nastiness of black metal, and the pound and snarl of Ministry at their most unhinged to create a whole that sounds genuinely dangerous, somewhere between metal and a rave in Hell. “If people listened to my music at a rave they would have a bad fucking trip,” laughs James. “But it’s a fun challenge to try to make metal with digital noises. I love processing on a computer and electronic equipment, and trying to make it sound raw. It’s a unique challenge, because everything in there is clean, and you’re using plug in distortion and things like that. It’s just a whole different realm than using pedals and amps and shit.” For an artist who drinks so heavily from the world of electronic and dance music – albeit at its most extreme edges – James says Gost hasn’t been taken in by that world at all. Instead, he’s built a home in metal, as seen when he was invited to tour with black metal legends Mayhem. “On the Mayhem tour, I ended up one night in a hotel bar talking to [bassist] Necrobutcher. I was thanking them for having me on the tour, and he’s like, ‘That was me, I wanted you on this tour.’ That’s fucking bizarre. But it’s cool, man,” says James. “It’s weird to be accepted by the metal community, it’s humbling, it’s honourable. It’s where I come from.” Whatever you call it, Gost have made something intense, cathartic, creatively rich and not quite like anything else out there. Watch them fulfil their Prophecy… Gost Website Gost @ Facebook Gost @ Instagram |
BATTLE BEAST
Famous for their energetic shows, incredibly catchy choruses and odd sense of humour, Battle Beast are destined for glory. Topping the Finnish charts for the fourth consecutive time and hitting #tt in Germany with their 2022 album “Circus of Doom”, the Helsinki-based sextet is looking and sounding stronger than ever.Ever since winning two major band competitons in 2010, Battle Beast have been busy on the road. Throughout the years, fans around the globe have grown to love the explosive combinating of shredding guitars, symphonic keyboards and the unique voice of frontwoman Noora Louhimo. Battle Beast were awarded the “Metal Album of the Year” award at Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammys) for both “Bringer of Pain” (2017) and “No More Hollywood Endings” (2019). Battle Beast Website Battle Beast @ Deezer Battle Beast @ Facebook Battle Beast @ Instagram Battle Beast @ SoundCloud Battle Beast @ Spotify Battle Beast @ X Battle Beast @ YouTube |
DOMINUM
And just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, it always can. The living dead are ready to emerge. Emerging seemingly out of nowhere, they give us a taste of what we all fear: a redefinition of what it means to be alive. But to be honest, with DOMINUM, that new life has already begun.DOMINUM deliver an epic metal show that takes the living on a journey into a world of the undead. The band combines the energy of metal with the drama and intensity of a horror movie, creating an intense and captivating reality. With songs that tell stories of zombies, survival, and an insatiable hunger for more, they bring their undead characters to life and provide a live experience that couldn't be more alive. Frankenstein is yesterday. Dominum Website Dominum @ Bandcamp Dominum @ Deezer Dominum @ Facebook Dominum @ Instagram Dominum @ Spotify Dominum @ TikTok Dominum @ YouTube |
MAJESTICA
MAJESTICA, the symphonic and power metal band from Sweden, is set to embark on an exciting new journey with their upcoming album Power Train, scheduled for release in February 2025. This spellbinding experience awakens sleeping dreams with powerful riffs and epic choruses in singles such as "Power Train," "Battle Cry," and "A Story in the Night." The enchantment rises like a breath of stars, propelling listeners into the heart of a fairytale world.Back in 2019, MAJESTICA made a significant impact in the metal community with their debut album, Above The Sky. This album showcased their signature blend of soaring melodies and powerful instrumentation, quickly gaining acclaim and amassing over 17 million streams. It established them as prominent players in the power metal scene, setting high expectations for their future work. In 2020 then, the band delighted fans with a unique release: a Christmas musical power metal album titled A Christmas Carol. This project beautifully intertwines the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge with their symphonic power metal style, drawing inspiration from artists like RHAPSODY and film composers such as Alan Silvestri and Danny Elfman. The album not only highlighted their musical versatility but also offered listeners a captivating retelling of the beloved story, complete with orchestral elements and theatrical storytelling. Musically, fans can expect real power metal with an even more symphonic and epic sound in Power Train. Tommy Johansson describes: "You can expect to hear an explosive and very melodic Power Metal album with alot of catchy melodies, epic guitars solos, strong power metal vocals with fast, but also heavy drums!”. The album features ten brand new tracks, which showcase especially musically a natural evolution and growth in style and skill compared to the previous albums, giving their fanbase exactly what MAJESTICA are known for and doing the logical next step in their career. "We’ve taken the melodies and the Power Metal elements from our first album and mixed it with some of the choir and orchestral arrangements from the last one - perfect mix!” adds Tommy. When it came to the process of recording and putting all the pieces together, the band did not change a lot compared to the last projects. Again the music was written, recorded, and produced by MAJESTICA themselves. "Like our previous albums this one is also produced by ourselves, and we recorded most parts in our new place ”Majestic Studios”. For mixing we went back to Jonas Kjellgren as we have been very happy with the sound of ’A Christmas Carol’ and ’Metal United’“ says bassist Chris Davidsson. Regarding the amazing artwork for Power Train, Chris explains: "For the artwork we teamed up with Jan Yrlund / Darkgrove design. It invites you to join this majepic ride of the Power Train, imagine standing there on the platform eagerly waiting, and you hear ”all aboard”!“. With Power Train launching on February 7th 2025, MAJESTICA continues to evolve their sound and connect with their ever-growing fanbase. Fans can catch MAJESTICA on tour in Europe in December 2024, and look forward to appearances at notable festivals in 2025, including Epic Fest, Metalfest and Time to Rock. They will also perform in the USA at 70,000 Tons of Metal and ProgPower, where fans can have legitimate hopes that MAJESTICA will also play a few new tracks live from Power Train. Majestica Website Majestica @ Deezer Majestica @ Facebook Majestica @ Instagram Majestica @ Spotify Majestica @ X Majestica @ YouTube |
