The GWAR family is coming together to support one of their own. Chuck Varga, known to fans as The Sexecutioner and one of the founding members of GWAR, is currently battling cancer. In response, the band and their extended community have launched a nationwide blood donation campaign in his honor.
Fans are encouraged to find a blood bank near them and either register as donors or give blood in Chuck’s name. As a thank you, participants will receive a free exclusive t shirt designed by Chuck himself.
This campaign gives the GWAR faithful a way to show up in a real and meaningful way, helping save lives while honoring a character and creator who has given so much to the band’s world.
Under the cursed smokestacks of the North Jutland Heath, SPEEDSLUT emerges. Wielding the unbridled fury of the early metal scene, their sonic onslaught is a call to violence.
In a world that craves authenticity, SPEEDSLUT remains unapologetically true to their speed metal roots with the proud announcement of their debut full-length album ‘Cimbrian Rites.’ Driven by the same force that created their previous EP, ‘Ferocity of Steel’, ‘Cimbrian Rites’ stands as SPEEDSLUT’s next great reckoning.
It will be brought upon the world through Listenable Records on June 26, 2026.
The band comments on ‘Cimbrian Rites‘:
“A heavy metal crusade spanning the footsteps of the ancient Cimbrians to the asbestos-swept streets of the industrial North; channeling our blackened speed as we march towards death, glory, and domination.”
From the very beginning, SPEEDSLUT has embraced the ethos of speed, power, and unapologetic defiance, garnering critical acclaim and fervent support from fans and critics alike, recognizing the band’s dedication to their craft, as well as their unrelenting live shows. Their shows are described as intense and continuous, a set built around the doctrine of total sonic supremacy, a loud and direct show of force.
SPEEDSLUT will release their debut digital single “Dark Night Riders“ on May 20th, and can be pre-saved HERE.
The Onslaught Prevails!
‘Cimbrian Rites’ Track List:
1) Pestridden Stallions 2) Asbestos Born Wrath 3) Dark Night Riders 4) Into The Grave 5) No One Escapes Death 6) Stench of Evil 7) Armageddon 8) Whores of Speed 9) Cimbrian Rites
SPEEDSLUT are: Frederik Klitte – Vocals and Rhythm Guitar Tomas Dikinis – Lead Guitar Andreas Reinholt – Bass Malthe Ørvad – Drums
A classic soul, relentless power, a visual world of their own. AVIAN forge Swabian steel: a unique alloy drawn from the soul of traditional Heavy Metal and the relentless power of a modern sound.
Led by the melodic twin blades of their twin guitars and driven by a variable hammering beat ranging from pounding mid-tempo to lightning-fast attacks, the band has found its calling.
After a long history that culminated in a deliberate evolution towards today’s final line-up, AVIAN is ready to complete its legacy.
The line-up – Christian Langhorst (guitar), Johannes Peter (guitar), Christian Kaiser (drums) and Can Şahin (vocals & bass) – delivers energetic, authentic and precise heavy metal that is burning to transform every stage into a storm of pure energy!
The band itself says about the new single: “With ‘Expired’, we wanted to give voice to our anger at the fact that leadership – both political and economic – is all too often characterised by selfishness, coldness and a profit-driven mindset. We were concerned with the feeling that decisions are being made in which power and self-interest are prioritised over people and over what actually needs to be protected. At the same time, we didn’t want it to be a hopeless song. ‘Expired’ is meant to let off steam, give strength and release energy precisely when the state of the world is getting you down.”
AVIAN • CONCERT DATES April 25 • Schützi Open Air • Germany tba – [Dates » ]
LINE-UP Can Sahin • Vocals, Bass Chris Langhorst • Guitars Johannes Peter • Guitars Christian Kaiser • Drums
Following the success of their first Japanese tour in 2024, Australian hard rockers Emergency Rule will return to Japan this June for a six-show run.
The tour begins with three shows in Tokyo alongside Texas heavy psych stoners Duel, before heading west for three headline shows in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto.
Emergency Rule first toured Japan in 2024, quickly building a strong following with their high-energy live shows and riff-driven sound. Their return marks the band’s first international dates since that debut run.
To coincide with the tour announcement, Emergency Rule will also release the first single, ‘Hollow Gold’, from their upcoming sophomore album, ‘Modern Day Villain’, due in early 2027. The new track will give fans the first glimpse of the band’s next chapter and evolving sound.
The tour is presented by Paranormal Activities and Hebi Katana.
Emergency Rule – Japan Tour 2026
June 2 – Koenji Kiraku – Tokyo* June 3 – Wall – Tokyo* June 4 – Moonstep – Tokyo* June 5 – Hokage – Osaka June 6 – DXQ Livehouse – Kobe June 7 – GATTACA – Kyoto *with Due
Further details on the upcoming single and album will be announced soon.
Emerging from the pulsating heart of the Aussie rock scene, Emergency Rule has shattered genre boundaries, forging a unique sound that weaves together rock, stoner, and metal influences into a sonic tapestry of raw power and innovation.
Finnish melodic metal band Blackment is set to release their second studio album on June 12th. The sophomore full length is preceded by two more singles. The first of them “In Motion” is released today, and it’s quite a blast!
“In Motion is a concentrated burst of energy packed into less than three minutes — just enough to make you want to listen to it again. Sometimes the tempo slows down, and other times the choruses really blow up,” the band’s guitarist Allan Välimaa sums up.
–ISRC: FI3FC2655703 —Composition & arrangement: Allan Välimaa –Lyrics: Sami Vuorenheimo –Recording engineer: Harri Petjakko –Mixer: Matias Kupiainen –Mastering Engineer: Mika Jussila –Cover artwork: Vhummel –Blackment-logo: Ania Bodziarczyk
The single also features: Hille Sadehelmi – backing vocals
The melody was found from the depths of Allan’s desk drawer, and it was given a completely new arrangement. Basically it became a completely new song. After being approved by the band it was also turned into a music video that you can watch below.
When the video was being filmed, Allan fell ill with fatigue, a condition that wasn’t diagnosed until later. But for that very reason, getting the video finished was a memorable experience in many ways. Although Allan was also the video’s director, the filming was handled by Hille Sadehelmi, who also shines as a backing vocalist on the track. She also took charge of the camera. It was in other words a true multi-talented session.
“Sure, we left a bunch of gear in the parking lot at the shoot location, but luckily it was still there the next morning. I also got to feature my new favorite guitar from Raato Custom Guitars in the video,” Allan recalls, noting with a twinkle in his eye that this sort of thing is always a big deal for guitar geeks.
Blackment is a melodic metal band that was founded in 2014 at Hyvinkää, Finland. Their debut album “Plains of Oblivion” was released in autumn 2022. The album has gotten airplay in various European countries. In addition, the band was nominated for the newcomer of the year 2022 by Kaaoszine (a Finnish music news website). In 2023-2024 Blackment released three singles “Pariah”, “Ghost in the Machine” and “Freedom Fall”. The band also competed as a semifinalist in the Wacken Metal Battle Finland competition.
Over the years Blackment has developed a recognizable sound and style including catchy melodies, tricky yet punchy guitars, groovy drums and bass, atmospheric synths and a wide range of vocals with unique voice. The six-piece band has been praised for their energetic live shows and they have performed for example at Heavy Metal Heart Festival and at Semifinal club in Helsinki.
Blackment are: Sami Vuorenheimo – vocals Saalas Ruokangas – guitar & backing vocals Allan Välimaa – guitar Väinö Huhtanen – bass & backing vocals Sebastian Nyandoto – keyboards & backing vocals Akseli Aalto – drums
Finnish BloodRedNails is releasing some pure actual ass kicking with their new single and video ‘My Wrath’. The single is previewing the debut album ‘Poems About…” to be released on 8th of May.
Watch the video below –Listen to the single on music services
Turku based BloodRedNails will release their debut album Poems About… on 8th of May 2026 via V.R. Label. The common thread of the album is to combine the songs into a collection of poems. The album’s theme deals with the quirks and tricks of the mind and humanity. The album does not sit directly under any specific genre’s banner. The band describes the album as “nu-melodeath” and its influences can be found in the 00’s, in bands such as Children of Bodom, Lamb of God as well as Slipknot and Korn.
The album was concocted through mental illness and manic compulsion. The music draws on themany faces of mental health problems. Depression emerges in many faceted ways, from dark thoughts to rage caused by introspection and self-hatred and its effects on relationships. Poems About… continues rolling from where the singles Free and Proving Grounds laid their foundation. Even if the album is full of tempo and aggression, there is still plenty of room for catchy hooks and melodies.
The album also includes the charity single Slava Ukrajini dedicated to the civilians suffering from the war in Ukraine. The band is still committed to paying all profits from the song to the Angels of Freedom organisation. The cover art is also by Ukrainian Tony Kei.
The band has been a part of the Turku Rock Academy program. The predecessor singles have been produced by Márk Albert Bertényi and mixed by Jori Saloranta. As the album progressed, the production was done in collaboration with Bertényi and bassist Ian Perring. The rest of the tracks were recorded and mixed by Perring. The whole album has been mastered by Jackson Shuudifonya at Southwest Mastering.
Now released single ‘My Wrath’ is an intensely angry track whose tempo leaves no one cold. After a furious intro, the song balances with grooving drive, rich melodies and a catchy chorus. The lyrics tell of demanding vigilant justice driven by wrath, and the burning urge, born of suffering, to show the world. BloodRedNails is very proud of this whole. ‘My Wrath’ perfectly showcases the band’s capabilities.
Singer-guitarist Tony Ewart comments: The album ‘Poems About…’ depicts extreme emotional states and therefore it is very personal and important to me. It has helped me process many things which is why I hope it would help others as well. Bassist Ian Perring continues: The album was meant as a love letter to our influences in the 00’s. It reflects what we find enjoyable in music on many levels. I wanted to bring out the joy and blistering speed of the playing, while being respectful of the deep emotional and personal layers of the songs.
The band is currently touring Finland on Tours About…-tour.
BloodRedNails is: Tony Ewart – Guitar & Vocals Sebastian Aaltonen – Drums Matti Rundelin – Guitar & Backing vocals Ian Perring – Bass & Backing vocals
Lyrics & Music: Tony Ewart Recorded and mixed by Ian Perring Mastered by Jackson Shuudifonya, Southwest Mastering Catalog nr: VRDIG357 ISRC: FIV2U2600014 Distributor: Playground Music Scandinavia
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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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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 