Finnish modern melodic death metal band VOLUCRINE are set to release their fifth album via Inverse Records later in 2026. The first single, ‘Golem’, is released today, and its music video is available below.
The band’s mastermind Jupe Velin comments: ” After the great volcano erupted, the world was left barren and empty. The earth was covered in petrified magma and the air was heavy with ash. As if by a miracle, however, something in the gray mist moved. The boulders and cobblestones rattled and grinded as they piled up on top of each other. They climbed towards the sky, slowly twisting into a spine. The wind helped the sand draw its expression, the clay bound its limbs together. Assembled from the fragments of a bygone world, its cold shell began to resemble a human, but one without a purpose. Even though it didn’t know which way to go, two things were certain: It had a melting heart and a burning desire to live.
As a composition, GOLEM was built up from the, perhaps even a little bit folk-inspired, guitar melody heard in the chorus. When you add Volucrine’s typical riff texture and a crushing verse, the result is a surgical strike in song form that can be proudly presented as the first single from the upcoming album. The lyrics are addressed to those who sometimes feel that life takes away more than it gives. I would like to remind them that navigating through a void without a view requires guts and strength of character. Even there, you might find new life.”
–Composed & lyrics by Jupe Velin –ISRC-code: FI3FC2655101 –Single cover by Jupe Velin
VOLUCRINE are a Finnish alternative metal collective, who released their debut album in 2011. Four albums, two EP’s and countless live shows later, the band’s personal style has been honed to its peak, still emphasizing bold testing of boundaries within their genre. The band has a strong focuson their lyrics, which, due to their deeply personal nature, give Volucrine’s music a human voice.
After the ETNA LP (Inverse Records 2024), which garnered a lot of positive attention worldwide, the band is finally ready to present new material from their upcoming album, which will be released in the fall. With the theme of rebirth, we can expect the unexpected from this album as a great circle is closed.
Line-up: Jupe Velin – Vocals Joni Kyynäräinen – Bass Jani Aalto – Drums Marko Orava – Guitar Erik Lindroos – Guitar
ONLY HUMAN are fresh to the prog space. But the Danish upstarts are already on the brink of a major discovery with their debut album. Planned Obsolescence invents an existential form of prog metal that speaks to our not-too-distant dystopia.
“[…] an outstanding progressive album, and in many ways, it might point towards where the genre is headed for the future”, Metal Templewrites in an early 9/10 review of Planned Obsolescence.
Today, ONLY HUMAN are releasing the second advanced single from Planned Obsolescence. “Breach” is pushed past the brink of our existence by despair, but the band’s cutting-edge fusion emerges like a beacon of hope.
“‘This is a brooding song”, the band’s vocalist Patrick Grønbæch Christensen says. “It’s a lament for how we’ve let cynicism take a permanent hold and lead us past the point of no return”.
Watch the lyric video for “Breach”:
The lyric video for “Breach” was created by Tamara Llenas of Aimed & Framed.
Concept albums are standard entries in metal’s archives. But when the five members of ONLY HUMAN came together after connecting online and IRL over everything from The Matrix to Bring Me The Horizon, they wired the band’s framework around one prevailing idea.
“We like a lot of bands that just play rock music, but we wanted ONLY HUMAN to be about something”, says Christensen, who also produced, mixed and mastered Planned Obsolescence. “This album is supposed to wake people up to all the ways technocracy is encroaching on society. We now live in a reality where humans are products to be consumed and disposed of”.
While the first single from Planned Obsolescence cautioned against technology automating our every waking decision, “Breach” raises the alarm to a full-on blast. Scrambled electronics, dissonant guitars and pulse-pounding drums blare over the speakers, warning those asleep at the wheels of society that now is the time to hit eject. “Aimless in the midst of disaster” , Christensen screams in terror, as if preparing for the impact of our inevitable collapse.
“Self-destructive tendencies are a natural force in the world”, Christensen says, “but it’s our own choices and weaknesses that ultimately will them into existence”.
Planned Obsolescence presents a vision for the future that’s far beyond sunshine and rainbows. “Breach” ends the album not on the verge of apocalypse but spiraling into the void amidst soul-crushing riffs. Even the glowing keys appear like a comet bound for Earth. But while fueled by existential dread, ONLY HUMAN arrive as a beacon of hope. “Do you feel what I feel?”. In the age of artificial intelligence, the band’s combination of prog, djent, hard rock and electronics isn’t just meaningful but vital.
Catch ONLY HUMAN live and in the flesh during their upcoming record release show, as well as at Sweden Rock Festival and Naestved Metalfest.
ONLY HUMAN Live in 2026 May 2 – Copenhagen, DK @ Rust (Record Release Show) June 3-6 – Sölvesborg, SE @ Sweden Rock Festival August 27-29 – Næstved, DK @ Næstved Metalfest
Tracklist 1. Drift (4:44) 2. The Sun and the Moon (3:54) 3. Steep Descent (5:56) 4. Death Cult (3:40) 5. Techno Fascist (6:01) 6. Automata (6:12) [WATCH] 7. Aspire (4:22) 8. Breach (5:41) [WATCH]
Full runtime: 40:32
Despite evolving with greater speed and scope than other corners of the metal archives, progressive metal never strays from the cutting edge. ONLY HUMAN are fresh on the scene, having signed with Season of Mist at the beginning of 2026 ahead of an appearance at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival. But the Danish band are already on the brink of a major discovery with their debut album. With Planned Obsolescence, they’ve invented an existential form of prog metal that warns of our not-too-distant dystopia.
“The album is supposed to wake people up to all the ways technocracy is encroaching on society”, says vocalist Patrick Grønbæch Christensen. “Tech companies often design their products to have an expiration date, so that we’re forced to replace them with the newest model. Through our social media and the adoption of influencer culture, we now live in a reality where humans are products to be consumed and disposed of”.
ONLY HUMAN were assembled through online and IRL connections. The band started in 2022 with Christensen on both guitar and vocals and drummer Andreas Pröll. The two were soon joined by bassist Guillaume Blanjean. As their music grew in scope and became more ambitious, they decided to recruit additional guitarists. Martin Hastrup and JaCK Kijne joined in 2024, just as Planned Obsolescence was starting to take shape.
All five members of ONLY HUMAN are brought together by a vast host of shared interests. The band’s name comes from a pivotal scene in The Matrix. Other late ‘90s totems — from drum ‘n’ bass to Linkin Park and Opeth — twisted together with the modern-day influence of TesseracT, Periphery and Bring Me The Horizon to inform their collective DNA. But from the very beginning, they were determined to deviate from the norm.
“We like a lot of bands that just play rock music, but we wanted ONLY HUMAN to be about something”, Christensen says. “We’re interested in creating a musical universe that portrays a future on the brink of collapse”.
Planned Obsolescence reckons with technology’s increasingly hostile takeover. One of the first songs that ONLY HUMAN wrote together, lead single “Automata” expands from a scrolling syncopated rhythms into mainframe-shaking grooves, as the surrounding world narrows in on itself. “We’ve offloaded critical thought”, says Christensen, who also took on all phases of the production process. “We’re not really doing things because we want to do them. It’s because an algorithm has decided that’s what we should do”. Brain rot might be the silent killer for today’s digital age, but the steady intrusion of beats, blips and synthetic patches into the album’s song wiring imitates how corporate greed and invasive technologies fight to control our day-to-day existence. Like a virus, “Techno Fascist” emerges unsuspectingly before it comes crashing down amidst a turbulent stream of low-tuned chugs.
ONLY HUMAN’s vision for the future verges on apocalyptic. “Breach” closes the album by looking past the point of no return. Amidst its crushing despair, even the song’s glowing keys appear like a comet bound for Earth. But while fueled by existential dread, Planned Obsolescence isn’t void of hope. After all, there’s nothing broken, outmoded or dated about this new band. Unlike the attempts of artificial intelligence, their fusion of prog, djent, hard rock and electronic soundscapes is the product of much care and hard work. They had to tinker with several different versions before “Steep Descent” finally reached its climactic bridge. “Cast your flame beyond this bleak reality”, Christensen beckons as dizzying melodies and a stellar guitar solo propel him and his bandmates into the next stratosphere.
“When the world is going badly, the reason is because people gave up”, Christensen concludes. “Things aren’t hopeless. We can absolutely fight back. Hopefully, this album gets people to think about valuing humanity over profit”.
Lineup Patrick Grønbæch Christensen- Vocals Martin Hastrup – Guitars JaCK Kijne – Guitars Andreas Pröll – Drums Guillaume Blanjean – Bass
Recording, Mixing and Mastering Studio Only Human Studio
Production Credits Producer & Sound Engineer – Patrick Grønbæch Christensen Mixing Engineer – Patrick Grønbæch Christensen Mastering Engineer – Patrick Grønbæch Christensen (Digital and CD), Brett Caldas-Lima (Vinyl)
Melodic rockers FRONTLINE are thrilled to announce that their new studio album, “Rebirth”, will be released on May 15, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
To mark the occasion, the band reveal the first track, “Burning Horizon”, along with an official video, available below.
They stated: “Burning Horizon” is the spark that ignited everything. It captures the energy, passion, and determination behind our comeback and shows how the classic Frontline sound translates into today’s world. For us, it’s the sound of moving forward with full force”.
With “Rebirth”, German melodic rock pioneers Frontline return with a powerful and emotional statement, opening a new chapter in a career that has helped define European AOR since the late 1980s.
The band commented on the record, by saying: “Rebirth” truly reflects what this album stands for. After more than 20 years of silence, it’s our resurrection as a band. We wanted to honor our legacy and, most importantly, the fans who kept Frontline alive all these years, while bringing our signature melodies, hooks, and emotions into the present. This album opens a new chapter without forgetting where we come from”.
Founded in Nuremberg in 1989, Frontline quickly established themselves as one of the genre’s leading acts, built around the unmistakable voice of Stephan Kämmerer and a songwriting approach rooted in strong melodies, big hooks and album-oriented vision.
Over the years, Frontline released a string of acclaimed albums including the genre-defining debut “The State Of Rock” (1994), followed by “Two Faced”, “Heroes”, “Right Attitude”, “Against The World”, “The Seventh Sign”, and “Circles”, earning an international reputation as one of Germany’s most respected AOR exports. Their sound blends soaring vocals, melodic guitar work and polished production, inspired by the golden era of late ’80s and early ’90s hard rock, with a distinct European character.
Following the passing of guitarist and songwriter Robby Böbel in 2022, “Rebirth” represents both a tribute to the band’s legacy and a step forward into new creative territory. The album features the original singer Stephan Kämmerer alongside new guitarist and producer Christian Mühlroth, whose fresh energy and musical vision play a key role in shaping this new era of Frontline.
Comprised of 14 brand new AOR tracks, “Rebirth” delivers a direct, no frills melodic rock approach, driven by anthemic, uplifting and sparkling choruses, emotional performances and confident songwriting. The singles “Two Tickets To The Afterglow”, “Burning Horizon” and “After You’re Gone” highlight the band’s ability to balance classic AOR values with renewed intensity and focus.
“Rebirth” is more than a comeback – it is a reaffirmation of Frontline’s identity and a celebration of melody, emotion and the timeless spirit of AOR, reborn for today and ready for the future.
“Rebirth” Tracklist:
1. Burning Horizon 2. Blacktop Parachute 3. After You’re Gone 4. Two Tickets To The Afterglow 5. Boulevard Echo 6. Burning Shadows 7. One Life One Love 8. Stone And Feather 9. Shattered Glass Dreams 10. Heart On The Dashboard 11. Burning The Distance 12. White Line Miracle 13. Back To The Bright 14. Arc Of Lightning
Line Up: Stephan Kämmerer Christian Mühlroth Diego de Sousa Pires Eric Juris Andreas Latzko
German comedian BÜLENT CEYLAN is no longer just a metal fan. After dominating stages across Germany for over 25 years as one of the country’s best-known and most successful comedians, he released his debut album, Ich liebe Menschen (Engl. I Love People), in 2024, followed by a tour of the same name with his four-piece band. Bülent has also thrilled thousands of metalheads at legendary festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Summer Breeze. Following his recent signing with Napalm Records, BÜLENT CEYLAN now presents his eagerly awaited new single, “Diktatürk”.
Introduced by a striking fanfare intro, “Diktatürk” is a hard-hitting industrial track bursting with raw metal energy. Once again, BÜLENT CEYLAN showcases his razor-sharp perception and willingness to take a stand through the song’s provocative lyrics. Welcome to the world of “Diktatürk”!
The Mannheim native wrote his first program in 1998. Since then, his stages have grown (as impressively as his hair), expanding into a wide-ranging and dynamic repertoire. Today, he’s known not just as a comedian, but also as a presenter, author, actor, voice actor – and, of course, a musician. Anchored in German-language industrial metal but embellished with duets ranging from medieval rock stars Saltatio Mortis to living legend Peter Maffay, his first album, Ich liebe Menschen, was released in 2024.
Alongside his signature heavy sound, BÜLENT CEYLAN once again proves his sharp social insight through his lyrics. Ich liebe Menschen boldly takes on issues like online hate and racism with a strong stance. He also takes supporting important charity work seriously, spreading the word and still holding strong to his trademark wit. One thing should be clear to all metalheads moving forward: BÜLENT CEYLAN doesn’t just headbang for laughs – he’s metal to the core!
Swedish rock’n’roll powerhouse THUNDERMOTHER invites us to join one of their energetic live shows once more with a new single from their upcoming live album, Live’n’Alive, coming digitally on April 17, 2026 via Napalm Records. The second single off the thrilling first release with their new label is a new rendition of “Hellevator”. Originally released as a standalone single in 2016, THUNDERMOTHER gave the song some extra power during their show in Huskvarna, Sweden, during the second leg of their “Dirty & Divine Tour” in November of 2025. The concert’s explosive atmosphere can also be witnessed through the accompanying live video filmed during the same show. Additionally, “Dog from Hell – Live in Huskvarna” (Heat Wave, 2020) and “I Left My License in the Future – Live in Copenhagen” (Dirty & Divine, 2025) are also available to stream now.
Filippa Nässil about “Hellevator – Live in Huskvarna”: “I’m going down, down, down below… In the Hellevator you cannot pray… and this would be the perfect elevator song, don’t you think? It’s all about fun, and this song has always been so fun ever since we wrote it, haha. Stream it loud!”
Swedish rock’n’roll powerhouse THUNDERMOTHER is set to unleash a thrilling new live album, Live’n’Alive, out digitally on April 17, 2026 and physically July 10, 2026 via Napalm Records! Founded in 2009 by guitarist Filippa Nässil, the band is well-known for their electrifying rock anthems and relentless touring – some live highlights include supporting the legendary Scorpions both in North America and Europe, playing the KISS Kruise and performing regularly at major festivals such as Wacken Open Air. In 2025, THUNDERMOTHER unleashed their highly acclaimed sixth album, Dirty & Divine – their first with the new lineup consisting of Filippa Nässil, vocalist Linnéa Vikström Egg, returning bass player Majsan Lindberg and drummer Joan Massing – hitting the top 3 on the Official German Rock/Metal Charts. Live’n’Alive was recorded on the European headline tour that followed – this hefty 19-track offering showcases THUNDERMOTHER’s explosive live energy through their 2025 setlist.
With no backing tracks, overdubs or re-recording of instruments, Live’n’Alive makes no compromises. This is THUNDERMOTHER – 100% live, 100% rock’n’roll! Live’n’Alive will be available as a digital album first – stay tuned for physical formats!
Filippa Nässil about Live’n’Alive: “It’s all live. We use no backing tracks like almost every band does today. We have made no overdubs or re-recording of instruments. It’s ALL live and rock’n’roll. Me on guitar, Majsan Lindberg on bass, Joan Massing on drums, and Linnéa Vikström on lead vox and rhythm guitars on some songs. Song order is not compromised, it’s our setlist of 2025, through and through. Hell yeah, this is how it’s done.”
Live’n’Alive cuts through the band’s catalogue, delivering high-energy live versions that encapsulate the band’s true rock’n’roll spirit, from powerful reimaginings of classic THUNDERMOTHER hits to newer tunes. Anthemic opening track “Can you feel it – Live in Cologne” (originally from the newest studio offering) kicks the album right off, followed by equally energetic “Loud and Free – Live in Cologne” (from Black and Gold, 2022 – #6 on the Official German Album Charts!). Further highlights include the groovy “Whatever – Live in Gothenburg” (originally from the 2018 album Thundermother) as well as the catchy “Speaking Of The Devil – Live in Huskvarna” (from the 2025 album). THUNDERMOTHER wraps the album up impactfully with a new version of their biggest hit “Driving In Style – Live in Huskvarna”, originally from the 2020 success record Heat Wave (#6 on the Official German Album Charts).
Live’n’Alive tracklisting:
Can you feel it – Live in Cologne
Loud and Free – Live in Cologne
The Road is Ours – Live in Cologne
So Close – Live in Huskvarna
Bright Eyes – Live in Huskvarna
Take The Power – Live in Copenhagen
Dead Or Alive – Live in Huskvarna
I Don’t know You – Live in Cologne
Sleep – Live in Cologne
I Left My License In The Future – Live in Copenhagen
How do you follow up one of the most electric rock/punk albums of 2025? You don’t just repeat it — you surpass it. You burn it brighter, louder, and more dangerously. GYPSY PISTOLEROS return with “I’m The Prince of the Damned”, the second single from their feral, unapologetic killer new album Dark Faerie Tales.
This isn’t just music — it’s a riot. A feral collision of fur-clad glam, gothic decadence, punk attitude, and sleazy rock ’n’ roll danger, built for outsiders, misfits, romantics, and anyone bored of beige rock. Co-written and produced by the wizard-of-chaos Dave Draper (Michael Monroe, The Wildhearts, Therapy?, Elvana), the track doesn’t recycle rock history — it sets fire to it.
“I’m The Prince of the Damned” is a dark, swaggering hard rock anthem steeped in gothic menace and glam-punk bravado. Massive riffs, venom-laced vocals, and a hook-laden sleazy chorus make it a track designed to dominate specialist rock radio and late-night alternative playlists. Lyrically, it dives into corruption, temptation, and inner demons, with cinematic and theatrical intensity:
“We crown the wrong kings and call it salvation, Follow wolves in borrowed halos straight into damnation. Even when the lies crack, we bow and obey — Sheep to the slaughter, giving our souls away.”
The world’s only Glam Punk Goth ’n’ Roll outlaws return with their most ambitious and eclectic album yet — ‘Dark Faerie Tales’, out April 17th, 2026 on The New Church Records / Plastichead Distribution.
Following the success of Church of the Pistoleros — hailed as one of 2025’s most fearless and eclectic rock albums — the Pistoleros have conjured something even bolder: a dark fairytale for the damned, a love letter to the beautiful and broken, and a twisted hymn for the strange of heart.
Born from the fires of their own mythology, Dark Faerie Tales drifts through haunted woods and neon dreams — where sleaze-drenched punk anthems meet gothic grandeur, and glam swagger burns with outlaw soul. Dark Faerie Tales the full album unfolds like a scorched fairytale: churches burn, saints fall, and survivors mutate into something wild, beautiful, and dangerous.
‘Dark Faerie Tales’Track Listing: Dark Faerie Tales My One Desire, Burn It Up King of Almost Everything She’s Getting Stranger Take My Hand to Nightmare Land Behind The Mask Prince of the Damned Rattling I Whisper Goodbye The Ghost of Baby Strange
Dark Faerie Tales U.K. Tour dates: 11 April – St Austell, The Band Club 16 April – London, The Underworld (SLADY, Continental Lovers, Bai Bang) 17 April – Worcester, The Marrs Bar 18 April – Pontypool, The Dragonffli 22 April – Newcastle, The Cluny 24 April – Dunfermline, The Brasshouse 25 April – Edinburgh, Bannermans 1–2 May – Beltane Gathering Festival, Wales 9 May – No Sleep Till Blackpool Festival @ The Waterloo 10 May – Stoke-on-Trent, Eleven (Matinee Show) 15 May – Nottingham, The Old Cold Store 16 May – Stockport, The Holy Diver 23 May – Breaking Bands Festival, Droitwich
Special Guests: James Kennedy & The Underdogs to support throughout Tour 6–9 August – Rebellion Punk Festival, Blackpool Winter Gardens
Gypsy Pistoleros’ live shows are gothic theatre, glam-punk ritual, and unmissable rock spectacle. From Rebellion to Planet Rockstock, they’re ready for their biggest UK headline run yet.
Expect: • Sleaze-drenched punk anthems & gothic theatrics • For fans of Alice Cooper, YUNGBLUD, GHOST, The Cult, The Damned, Hanoi Rocks, Killing Joke • A wild, theatrical experience — part gothic carnival, part rock ’n’ roll ritual
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
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