ENERGY SOURCE to Release New EP “New Representation” on January 30th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 14, 2026
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Wanikiya Record/Promotion is proud to announce the release of ENERGY SOURCE’s first official EP, titled “New Representation”, available on all digital platforms starting January 30, 2026.

Formed in 2020 in Rovellasca (Como) and artistically shaped between Como and Brianza, Energy Source represent one of the most authentic and determined acts in the Italian alternative metal scene. New Representation is not just a debut release: it is the artistic manifesto of a band that, over five years of activity, has transformed obstacles, pain, and anger into a powerful sonic identity.

AN EP AS A MANIFESTO, AN EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL JOURNEY
New Representation tells a story of personal and collective evolution, touching on deep and universal themes:

  • the pain of losing a loved one,
  • the inner strength that can be rediscovered in the darkest moments,
  • the anger of regrets and missed choices,
  • and finally, a sharp and direct critique of a society that too often favors the strong at the expense of the weak.

The message is clear, direct, and necessary:
WE JUST NEED REPRESENTATION.

A demand for voice, space, and truth, shouted through sharp riffs, powerful rhythms, and an intense, visceral vocal delivery.

FROM THE SINGLE TO CONSECRATION
The EP represents the natural culmination of a journey that officially began with Energy Source joining the Wanikiya Record roster, announced in 2025 alongside the single “Your Worst Enemy”, released on March 28, 2025.

Recorded thanks to winning the “Alcolicontest” in Erba, Your Worst Enemy marked a decisive turning point for the band, bringing them to the attention of the national and international underground scene. The track explores the theme of inner struggle, reminding us that often our worst enemy is ourselves—perfectly anticipating the themes and attitude that find full expression in New Representation.

A SOUND BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT
Energy Source blend the power of ’80s and ’90s rock and metal with the sonic urgency of contemporary alternative metal and metalcore, creating a modern yet rooted sound capable of speaking to multiple generations of listeners.

The band lineup:
Matteo Passeri – vocals
Christian Clerici – guitar
Davide Romeo – guitar
Alessandro Scisci – bass
Pietro Ciavatta – drums

A tight-knit collective that grew despite an early career marked by the pandemic, turning difficulties into creative fuel.

A NEW ERA WITH WANIKIYA RECORD
With New Representation, Energy Source officially enter a new artistic and professional phase, supported by the production and promotion of Wanikiya Record/Promotion, a label long committed to supporting the most authentic and visionary emerging bands in the rock and metal scene.

This EP is only the beginning of a journey aimed firmly toward an international dimension, with the goal of delivering a strong, real, and necessary message on every stage and in every listen.

METAL ALLEGIANCE Unveil Apocalyptic New Single + Lyric Video ‘Black Horizon’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 14, 2026
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Trailblazing metal collective METAL ALLEGIANCE has returned with their brooding new single, “Black Horizon”. Their first release of original music since 2018, the song features roaring opening riffs from guitarist Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT) and vocalist William DuVall’s (ALICE IN CHAINS) ominous howls, painting an apocalyptic scene. Mark Menghi (KING ULTRAMEGA), who also produced the track, anchors the low end on bass alongside Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER) on drums, keeping the dread looming low in the sky, ready to explode with ferocity at any moment. Systems fail, shadows fall, and the doomed cry for salvation in this desolate world. Gloomy, minimalistic verses bookend thunderous choruses, chronicling a desperate flight for survival.

Listen: https://metalallegiance.rpm.link/blackhorizonPR 

“Who would have thought we’d be here 12 years later with new MA music? Very excited to have one of my favorite vocalists from one of my favorite bands on the first new MA music in 8+ years, which opens up a new era for MA. As the saying goes, you can’t kill what doesn’t die.” – Mark Menghi

“I was pleasantly surprised and absolutely honored to be asked to contribute to this song and I’m very happy with the result.” – William DuVall

“This song is a gift from the ghost of MA past. It’s salvaged from a stockpile of riffs we’d started long ago but never quite finished. Now, in combination with a first time voice for the band – the great William Duvall – we are pleased to announce a brand new track, forged from what once was, here to kick off a new era. Check it out!”  – Alex Skolnick

“After having finished these drum tracks, I’m stoked that they finally get to see the light of day! Thanks to William for finishing it up for us and welcome to the MA family! \m/” – Mike Portnoy

About METAL ALLEGIANCE:

Beginning as a celebration of the metal genre, METAL ALLEGIANCE has forged a legacy all their own while collaborating with metal’s most revered trailblazers. Formed by Mark Menghi (KING ULTRAMEGA) and comprised of core members David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH), Mark Menghi (KING ULTRAMEGA), Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT), and Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER), METAL ALLEGIANCE has released 2 albums of original music and an EP, and regularly performs live with fellow metal titans.

The illustrious supergroup proves that legends never die, and can even reinvent themselves. Having recently signed to Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), METAL ALLEGIANCE continues to carve new paths and make their mark on the modern metal scene.

METAL ALLEGIANCE lineup:
Alex Skolnick – Guitar
Mark Menghi – Bass
Mike Portnoy – Drums
William DuVall – Vocals
Josh Wilbur – Mixing, Mastering on “Black Horizon”

https://www.metalallegiance.com/
https://www.instagram.com/metalallegiance/
https://www.facebook.com/metalallegiancemusic

CRYPTIC SHIFT to Unleash “Overspace & Supertime” Full-Length on February 27th, New Video / Single ‘Hexagonal Eyes (Diverity Trepaphymphaszym)’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 14, 2026
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Photo by Murry Deaves

UK progressive death metal outfit CRYPTIC SHIFT will release their Overspace & Supertime full-length on February 27th through Metal Blade Records.

While not commonly known as an extraterrestrial hotspot, Leeds faced an encounter of another kind in 2015 when vocalist/guitarist Alexander Bradley and drummer Ryan Sheperson set out to accomplish a project embodying their joint passion for the art of science fiction and heavy metal music. With CRYPTIC SHIFT taking form as a crossover between the worlds of technical thrash/death metal and all things sci-fi, the two set out to spread their influence across the UK and soon ventured across the globe.

CRYPTIC SHIFT unveiled their debut full-length, Visitations From Enceladus, in 2020. The offering helped bring the band to the worldwide playing-field, receiving critical acclaim for its adventurous, progressive technical death thrash compositions, a twisted form of extreme metal simply referred to as the “Phenomenal Technological Astrodeath.”

This year’s Overspace & Supertime continues the conceptual and musical themes of their debut and delivers a new standard of technical thrash/death metal showmanship, including returning influences of progressive writing, harmonized with their fantastical storytelling.

“The concept of Overspace & Supertime plays as an alternative reality to the happenings of Visitations From Enceladus, taking our character into new dimensions filled with both greater adventures and more bizarre encounters.” notes drummer Ryan Sheperson. “Whilst the concept themes of our sci-fi tale have grown, so have our efforts in synthesizing it with the ultimate Astrodeath soundscape. The record takes the listener on a deeper journey through the fusion of our influences, with some exciting twists and turns along the way.”

Overspace & Supertime was produced by Jack Helliwell and mastered by Greg Chandler (Esoteric, My Dying Bride) and features the stunning artwork of Jesse Jacobi.

“I was inspired by an image from 40 Days In The Desert by the legendary Moebius,” elaborates Bradley. “The tall, sombre, cloaked figures were a fitting reference for the occurrence of our main character ‘The Recaller’ as she finally encounters ‘The Alien Sorceress.’ Jesse Jacobi is the one behind the phenomenal painting, and he was always the only one who’s style I could imagine it in. I did a lot of research into cloud formations for the lyrics and wanted them featured as the backdrop of the cover art with justice to their splendour. Furthermore, keen eyes will notice the composition rhymes with that of Visitations From Enceladus. Even though both characters are different entities, their paths are severely intertwined.“

Comments Bradley on “Hexagonal Eyes (Diverity Trepaphyphasyzm),” CRYPTIC SHIFT‘s returning single, “The track demonstrates a vicious proficiency never before seen in death and thrash metal: A relentless flow of smart compositional ideas seize your attention in a black hole grip, across our most extreme material yet. ‘Diverity Trepaphyphasyzm’ then describes the first stages of a warped temporal disease as our character returns to the moonbase location from our highly acclaimed debut album. Films like the Star Wars prequels inspire us just as much as our contemporaries in the genre; fans of sci-fi storytelling and ripping technical metal are guaranteed to have a blast with this record.“

Find pre-orders at: metalblade.com/crypticshift

Overspace & Supertime Track Listing:
1. Cryogenically Frozen
2. Stratocumulus Evergaol
3. Hyperspace Topography
4. Hexagonal Eyes (Diverity Trepaphymphasyzm)
5. Overspace & Supertime

Watch CRYPTIC SHIFT‘s video for “Hexagonal Eyes (Diverity Trepaphymphaszym)” (directed by Murry Deaves):

CRYPTIC SHIFT Live:
2/28/2026 Boston Music Rooms – London, UK * Record Release Show
5/21-24/2026 Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, MD

CRYPTIC SHIFT:
Alexander Bradley – vocals, guitars
Joss Farrington – guitars
John Riley – bass
Ryan Sheperson – drums

https://www.facebook.com/crypticshift
https://www.instagram.com/crypticshift.ufo

EIHWAR Deepen Trance on Immersive Upcoming New Album “Hugrheim”, Lead Single + Video ‘Nauðiz’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 14, 2026
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Photo by © Eihwar

Hot off a year of electrifying performances at Wacken Open Air, Midgardsblot and dates with The Hu, Eihwar are back to pull the world deeper into their Viking War Trance.

Today, the cult breakthrough are announcing their highly-anticipated second album with a heart-pounding new video for its official lead single. Channeling the duo’s unique fusion of Nordic folk and sweaty electro-industrial pulse, “Nauðiz” sets the tone for Hugrheim by declaring that transformation is not chosen but endured through trials of strength.

Hugrheim comes out March 13, 2026 on Season of Mist

–Pre-order & pre-save: https://orcd.co/eihwarhugrheimalbum
–Pre-save on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/2BDUUsqBy3TbR6HKaFnLnZ

“Nauðiz” mirrors the narrative arc of Hugrheim, where spiritual collapse is a necessary passage toward renewal. War drums and horns surge beneath trance-like chants, blurring the line between ceremony and combat. The accompanying music video expands this vision through a cinematic, live-action aesthetic inspired by bold, graphic storytelling. Struck down by her most intimate fear, Asrunn confronts annihilation before rising again through the protective magic of Mark. Fire becomes both destroyer and catalyst, sealing “Nauðiz” as a story of sacred trial and rebirth.

Tracklist:

  1. Nauðiz (04:28) [WATCH]
  2. Freyja’s Calling (03:41)
  3. Ein (03:42)
  4. Skuggaríki (04:01)
  5. Hugrheim (03:19)
  6. Ljósgarðr (03:27)
  7. Heill Óðinn (03:36)
  8. The Lake of the Dead (03:39)
  9. Omenotharena (Warrior’s Training) (05:41)
  10. Berserkr (Tim’s Memorial Version) (04:26)
    Full runtime: 40:03

Get ready for the wild electro Nordic folk of EIHWAR! These “Enfants Terribles” aren’t here for solemn atmospheres—their fierce and festive fantasy is made for raging Viking dancefloors. Backed by Season of Mist (home to Heilung and Danheim), Eihwar burst onto YouTube in 2023 and hasn’t slowed down since. With millions of views and festival appearances at Hellfest, Wacken Open Air, and Midgardsblot at the Midgard Viking Center in Norway, they bring a new wave of pagan power shaking across Europe.

This second album from Eihwar describes the world from which these two pagan superheroes originate. It is “Hugrheim,” the 10th hidden world of Yggdrasil in Eihwar’s fantasy mythology. The two musicians explain:

“Over the past few years, our souls have gradually taken over the bodies of two human musicians. Through incarnation, we lost much of our memories. All that remains are images, emotions, and fragments from our previous existence, mixed in with the thoughts and memories of our human hosts. In this new song, we evoke the memories that gradually come back to us: memories of Hugrheim, the tenth world of Yggdrasil, hidden and unknown to men. This world is shaped by the Hugr, the spirit. In this realm dwell the invisible forces of the soul and consciousness. When our vessels perish here and our incarnation ends, we will return to Hugrheim. Still, we hope to remain here as long as possible this time, because nowadays the beer is fucking good, the rockstar life is pretty damn cool, and dental anesthesia actually exists.” — Mark & Asrunn

Line-up:
Asrunn — Vocals, Shamanic Drums
Mark — Vocals, War Drums, Lute, Folk Guitar, Tagelharpa, Percussion & Programming

Production Credits:
Mark & Asrunn of Eihwar — All Production, Mixing & Mastering at Eihwar Studio.

Artwork & Photography:
© Eihwar

Follow Eihwar:
Website: https://www.eihwar.com/
Bandcamp: https://eihwar.bandcamp.com/
BandsInTown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15564238-eihwar
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eihwar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eihwar.music/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eihwar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eihwar.music
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/eihwar/1700795908
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2VFxoCJQPfQauZujESPjQK
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/224131655
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/41105436
Discord Invite: https://www.eihwar.com/

RAIVO JACKSON Blend Blues And Spaghetti Western Vibes on New Single ‘Swimming Under Ice’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 14, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Swimming Under Ice is the third and final single from Raivo Jackson’s debut album Tangled Up in Roots, released on Thursday. The track is one of the album’s most swinging cuts, where the band’s blues-infused groove is given extra color by a spaghetti western–inspired atmosphere.

Swimming Under Ice tells the story of a person who falls in with the wrong crowd and loses their way. It’s a tale about how difficult it can be to find a path back to the surface from deep waters. The song leaves the listener wondering whether a way to safety will ultimately be found or whether the character will remain trapped beneath the ice.

Released on Thursday, January 15, Tangled Up in Roots showcases Raivo Jackson’s versatile and narrative-driven expression, where rhythm and melody go hand in hand with strong, evocative moods.

The album will also be released on vinyl on February 13.

Previously released singles from the upcoming album include Fire Song Revisited and Babes in the Woods.

Stream Swimming Under Ice:
Spotify
Apple Musiikki
Deezer

For more information: Homepage | Facebook | Instagram

Swedish CONFESS to Release New Album “Metalmorphosis” on May 15th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 14, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Mattias Sulander, Reckless media

Sweden’s sleaze/metal stalwarts Confess are back with their fourth studio album, “Metalmorphosis”, set for release on May 15, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

To give a taste of what’s to come, the band unleash today the first single “Wicked Temptations”, along with an official video.

The band commented: “Wicked Temptations” can be described as a classic Confess anthem. It’s a song about releasing the inner animal and just “Go for it!”

Watch the official video for “Wicked Temptations”:

Pre-Order “Metalmorphosis” HERE

Swedish rockers Confess are finally back with their long awaited fourth record, their most ambitious album to date marking a bold evolution in their sound. 

The band described “Metalmorphosis” in the following way: “It’s definitely the ten most well-crafted songs we’ve ever written, both music and lyric wise. It’s fully packed with heavy riffing, big choruses and a whole new level of dynamics. We’ve pushed ourselves harder than ever and it really shows”.

“The album is mixed and mastered by Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse) and he has really taken the band’s sound to a whole new level”, they added.

While staying true to the gritty, hard-hitting energy that has defined the band since their early days in Stockholm, “Metalmorphosis” expands their musical palette with more commercially resonant material, crafting a sound that is both polished and explosively energetic.

Fronted by John Elliot, whose commanding vocals have also been showcased with the legendary Crashdiet, Confess demonstrate a rare balance of raw sleaze-metal grit and melodic sophistication. 

On drums, Samuel Samael drives the rhythm with precision and power, while Ludwig Nordlander and Asser Hakala weave dynamic guitar textures that range from shredding riffs to soaring solos. Bassist Lucky anchors the band with a solid low-end punch, rounding out a lineup that is firing on all cylinders.

Since their formation, Confess have earned a reputation for their relentless commitment to the sleaze/metal aesthetic, infusing their work with memorable hooks, arena-ready choruses, and a devil-may-care attitude. 

With “Metalmorphosis”, the band take this ethos to a new level, delivering songs that are as catchy as they are ferocious, and as bold as they are accessible. It’s a record that will appeal to longtime fans of the band while opening doors to a wider audience, showcasing Confess at their most confident and inspired yet.

 “Metalmorphosis” is not just another entry in the band’s discography – it’s a statement of artistic growth, a powerful celebration of sleaze-metal craftsmanship, and a must-hear for anyone who loves hard-hitting, melodic rock with attitude.

“Metalmorphosis” Tracklist:

1.    Colorvision
2.    The Warriors
3.    Wicked Temptations
4.    Metalmorphosis
5.    Beat Of My Heart
6.    Pursuit Of The Jenny Haniver
7.    The Other Side
8.    Running To My Death
9.    Plague Of Steel
10.    Silvermalen

Line Up:
John Elliot – Vocals
Samuel Samael – Drums
Ludwig Nordlander – Guitars
Asser Hakala – Guitars
Lucky – Bass

Follow CONFESS:
Website
Facebook
Instagram