SOULS OF DIOTIMA mark the beginning of a thrilling new chapter in their musical journey. On June 5th, the band released their brand new single titled “RUN AWAY”, available across all major streaming platforms and on YouTube via Diotima Records.
This powerful new track serves as the perfect lead single for the band’s highly anticipated new studio album, “ARCADE”, which is officially scheduled for release on October 2nd, also via Diotima Records.
From a stylistic point of view, the new single and the upcoming album represent a profound evolution. Souls of Diotima are stepping away from their progressive/power metal roots to embrace a completely fresh sound: a unique and hard-hitting brand of modern metalcore. This bold musical shift, already partially revealed in the captivating structure of “Run Away”, will be fully showcased and experienced throughout the entirety of “ARCADE”.
JARED JAMES NICHOLS is proud to release his fourth studio album, ‘Louder Than Fate,’ out now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the release, JARED also shares the new single, “Way Back,” alongside a video, available to view below.
NICHOLS comments on the new album:
“For this new record, I poured in all my heart & soul & doused it with real live rock n roll. I want to celebrate music played by human beings, and I hope that the rock n roll community will come out and experience that with us at these intimate events in some of our favorite cities in the world.”
The new album was produced and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour, Amon Amarth, Skindred, and Steel Panther) with additional production by Roger Alan Nichols (Larkin Poe, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown and Hayley Williams of Paramore), ‘Louder Than Fate‘ balances muscle and melody, combining thunderous riffs, searing solos, and emotionally charged vocals with a modern, punchy production. The songs move effortlessly between hard-hitting rock anthems and more reflective, dynamic moments, showcasing NICHOLS’ ability to fuse classic influences with a contemporary edge. Tracks like “Bending or Breaking” and “Killing Time” expand the sonic palette with subtle keyboards and cinematic string arrangements, adding depth without ever sacrificing power.
Since his breakout debut, JAREDJAMESNICHOLS has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying guitarists and performers of his generation. Known for his unmistakable tone, fearless playing style, and commanding stage presence, he has toured extensively across the US and Europe, sharing stages with some of the biggest names in rock and earning praise from fans and critics alike.
‘Louder Than Fate‘ is not just an album — it’s a declaration. A record that speaks to resilience, conviction, and the unstoppable force of an artist who plays every note as if it truly matters. Loud, honest, and deeply human, this is JAREDJAMESNICHOLS at his absolute best.
“Killing Time” (acoustic version) Bonus Track Japan “The Death Of Love” (bonus track Digital)
Produced & Mixed by Jay Ruston Except * Produced & Mixed by Roger Alan Nichols
JARED is currently holding exclusive record release events featuring a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences, including guitar clinics, Q&As, live sets, and many surprises. These limited events offer a rare opportunity to experience ‘Louder Than Fate’ in a truly immersive setting. A list of remaining dates, as well as other live dates is as follows:
June 7th – Tower of London, UK @ Rough Trade East London June 10th – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East June 18th – West Hollywood, CA @ The Gibson Guitar Showroom (Album Listening, Doc Preview, Full Performance) June 21st – Bruxelles, BE @ Ancienne Belgique * June 23rd – Berlin, GER @ Uber Eats Music Hall * June 24th – Amersfoort, NL @ Gibson Guitar Showroom June 26th – Paris, FR @ Bataclan * June 29th – Wolverhampton, UK @ Civic Hall * June 30th – Greenwich, UK @ Indigo at the O2 *
*Supporting George Thorogood & The Destroyers
In addition, JARED has partnered with Gibson TV to debut an upcoming documentary, titled “The Long Road,” chronicling his journey as an artist, set to release on June 18th.
On his relationship with Gibson, NICHOLS had this to say:
“Gibson is a major part of my musical journey, and they were the first believers in me years ago. They have been following me with a camera over the past 5-6 years, capturing some Hell & Back moments as well as some of the most creative times in my life. I am honored they decided to release my story.”
Merging groove metal, grunge & industrial project VOICE have released their new single and lyric video ‘Seventy Seven’.
“Seventy Seven” is a shocking and brutal account of the tragedy that unfolded in Norway in 2011. The title refers to the number of victims of the attacks witnessed firsthand by Taracha, who was living in Oslo at the time. The track depicts a city consumed by fire and destruction, offering a dark analysis of the psyche of the attacker, Anders Breivik.
It is a profound study of how a radical, diseased ideology transforms into a bloody and ruthless massacre. Musically, “Seventy Seven” is built on a distinctive mid-tempo groove, interwoven with elements of a delicate, haunting melody.
The song and video for “Seventy Seven” was premiered on 5th of June 2026. Recording & Mix: Jeremiasz Baum / Yew Tree Studio.
Lyric video: Wanderley Perna Cover: Michał Grabowski / Black Team Media
VOICE is a music project created by Daniel “Ludwass” Ludwiczak (LaNinia), who invited outstanding musicians from the Polish metal scene to collaborate.
VOICE: Rafał Taracha – vocal (Tuff Enuff) Daniel „Ludwass” Ludwiczak – guitar (LaNinia) Tomasz „Magik” Osiński – guitar (Sweet Noise) Piotr „Anioł” Wącisz – bass (Corruption, Virgin Snatch) Piotr „Szp AI” Szpalik – drums (The Legacy, The Legend Of Rock Symphonic, Polish Metal Alliance)
Offal Fest has confirmed that Italian horror-infused death metal titans Fulci have been added to the line-up as Sunday co-headliners. They replace Lividity, who have had to cancel their appearance at the 2026 festival due to unavoidable personal reasons. To maintain a packed final day, organisers have also added slamming death metal group Gorge to the Sunday roster.
While Lividity expressed deep regret over missing the July gathering, they intend to make it up to their British fanbase with a future UK visit. Their replacement, Fulci, arrives fresh from a highly successful tour alongside Sanguisugabogg earlier this year, and the trio will close out Sunday night in their signature horrific fashion. Joining them on the upgraded stage is Gorge, whose groove-heavy brutal death metal style earned significant praise during a Manchester appearance this past April alongside Disgracing.
Rancid Offal Promotions, the organisers behind Offal Fest and Goremageddon, have also announced a schedule and lineup alteration for Heat 2 of the Battle of the Slams tournament, which now takes place this Sunday, 7 June 2026, at Junior Jackson’s in Manchester withfree entry.
The adjustment to the Battle of the Slams schedule became necessary following an external venue double booking. Moving Heat 2 back by one day resulted in a revised performance roster for the showcase. This Sunday, the bands Asbestosis, Cerebral Autophagy, World War Three, and Gutspill will perform to secure a spot at Offal Fest. This round is decided completely by audience votes on the night, with only two acts progressing to the final. The organisers have urged the local music community to attend the free gig and support the underground scene. More info about Battle of the Slams: https://battleoftheslams.com/
Dedicated to the most extreme facets of gore, grind, slam, and brutal death metal, Offal Fest has solidified its status as a vital fixture in the international metal calendar following its sold-out 2025 edition. The 2026 festival, scheduled for 24-26 July at its new Manchester home, Boundary, is headlined by two major UK-exclusive performances from genre pioneers Devourment and Ohio powerhouse Regurgitation, the latter making their debut appearance on UK soil. Now, Fulci join Regurgitation as Sunday co-headliner. The comprehensive lineup features a global roster including New York legends Immortal Suffering, Japan’s Butcher ABC, and Korea’s Fecundation, alongside a formidable domestic contingent headlined by the “wobble-box” specialists Crepitation and the official reunion of Infected Disarray. Bolstered by further international talent such as Guttural Slug, Unbirth and Darkall Slaves, Offal Fest 2026 aims to build upon the momentum of previous years, which saw exclusive sets from acts such as Skinless and Wormed, to provide a definitive weekend of brutality for the extreme music community.
Offal Fest is taking place on 24-26 July 2026 at Boundary (part of The Union) in Manchester. Purchase tickets here: https://offal-fest.com/tickets
OFFAL FEST 24-26 July 2025 Boundary 21 Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M15 6AD, UK
Sunday 26 July Regurgitation (UK Exclusive / First UK Show) Fulci Embryectomy Guttural Slug Twitch of the Death Nerve Fecundation Darkall Slaves (UK Exclusive) Laceration Gorge Repulsed Lymphoeadema
Belgian death metal juggernauts CARNATION have unveiled a brand-new guitar playthrough video for their crushing first album single “Kingdom Of Dreams”, offering a closer look at the intricate riff work and razor-sharp musicianship behind one of the tracks from their forthcoming full-length record “Symphony In Flesh”, set for release on October 16th, 2026.
CARNATION about “Kingdom of Dreams”: “Kingdom of Dreams stands out as a very deliberate choice for the first single because it offers a unique perspective on the album. Musically, it’s built around a compelling mid-tempo groove, driven by a memorable main riff that immediately sticks after the first listen. It has a certain weight and catchiness that makes it both accessible and powerful. At the same time, the track showcases a different side of the band’s songwriting. It leans more into atmosphere and dynamics, giving listeners an early glimpse of the album’s depth without revealing everything at once, making it an ideal introduction to the new material.“
Tracklist: 01. Blackmouth 02. Flesh-Eating Frenzy 03. Symphony in Flesh 04. Kingdom of Dreams 05. Labyrinth of Silence 06. Towards Death 07. Twisted Visions 08. Boundless Pathways 09. Legacy of the Forefathers
With their upcoming album “Symphony In Flesh”, CARNATION consciously reconnect with what made them stand out in the first place: tight songwriting, memorable riffs, and uncompromising intensity. At the same time, they elevate every aspect of their craft. The songwriting is more deliberate, the arrangements more dynamic, and the overall flow more cohesive than ever before.
The album doesn’t just revisit their roots, it sharpens them. It combines the raw energy of their early material with the experience and production strength they’ve built over time, resulting in a record that feels both immediate and fully realized.
“Going into this album, we wanted to reconnect with our roots. Not just musically, but in the way we present the band,” CARNATION states. “At the same time, we pushed ourselves to write tighter, stronger songs and to bring everything – sound and visuals – to a higher level. This is the most complete version of CARNATION so far.”
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Yarne Heylen at Project Zero Studio / Y-Productions, with album artwork by Peter Sallai, “Symphony In Flesh” will be out onOctober 16, self-released by the band, and is now available for pre-order HERE
Swedish melodic metal supergroup CYHRA (featuring AMARANTHE Co-Founder Jake E and current THE HALO EFFECT, KAMELOT, THE CROWN, and SUBURBAN TRIBE members) celebrates their 10th anniversary year with their fourth studio album Requiem For A Pipe Dream, released via Reigning Phoenix Music. Alongside the arrival of the full-length, CYHRA present a guitar playthrough video to the high-powered track “Venom In Me”.
“‘Venom In Me’ isn’t just about a person — it’s about anything that slowly poisons you while you’re trying to survive. It could be a relationship, a memory, an addiction, or even your own inner voice. It’s that force that keeps pulling you back into patterns you know aren’t healthy, but feel impossible to escape.
The song explores how some things don’t just hurt you — they embed themselves in you. They shape your reactions, your trust, your sense of self. And over time, you realize the real battle isn’t against something outside… it’s against what it left behind in you.
‘Venom In Me’ is about recognizing that poison — and deciding whether you’re going to let it define you, or cut it out for good.”
Album Tracklist: 1. Bleed With Pride 2. Superman 3. Miss Me When I’m Gone 4. Ghostbound 5. In The Center Of A Miracle 6. Skin From Bones 7. Ghost I’m Meant To Be 8. Mark Of My Sins 9. Venom In Me 10. Box With Spirits
About CYHRA
As they approach their 10th anniversary next year, CYHRA have carved out a notable place in the metal scene since their founding in 2016 by Jake E (AMARANTHE Co-Founder) and Jesper Strömblad (THE HALO EFFECT, formerly IN FLAMES). They were soon joined by drummer Alex Landenburg (KAMELOT, Luca Turilli’s RHAPSODY), guitarist Euge Valovirta (SUBURBAN TRIBE), and bassist Peter Iwers (THE HALO EFFECT, formerly IN FLAMES). Their debut album Letters To Myself” was released in 2017 to glowing reviews, catapulting the group to global stages, crowned with a massive North American tour supporting SABATON and KREATOR.
Following Iwers’ departure, Valovirta also took over bass duties, and the band released their second album No Halos In Hell in 2019, which blended groovy metal with a poppy flair and featured the hit single “Out Of My Life,” amassing about 11 million streams on Spotify. Their success continued with a European tour with BATTLE BEAST, UK dates alongside DELAIN, headline shows in select countries including Finland and Japan, and performances at major festivals like Masters of Rock, Bloodstock Open Air, Sabaton Open Air, and 70,000 Tons of Metal.
In 2020, guitarist Marcus Sunesson (RONNIE ATKINS, THE CROWN) joined, expanding the line-up. The pandemic pause allowed the band to craft their third album The Vertigo Trigger, released in 2023. The album’s tour brought them back to Finland to open for SMASH INTO PIECES and to headline shows in early 2024. CYHRA ended the cycle with a Scandinavian tour with EVERGREY, and leading into 2025 and through to 2026 the band began to introduce the new album with a series of single releases. Requiem For A Pipe Dream is out now via Reigning Phoenix Music.
CYHRA are: Jake E | vocals, keys Euge Valovirta | guitars, bass Jesper Strömblad | bass, guitars Marcus Sunesson | guitars Alex Landenburg | drums
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 