Post Metal Veterans RISE ABOVE DEAD Join Argonauta Records, New Album “Voidmass” Out This Autumn

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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Milan, Italy based post metal veterans RISE ABOVE DEAD are proud to announce their signing with Argonauta Records and the release of their new full-length album, Voidmass, this Autumn, opening a new chapter in the band’s uncompromising journey through heaviness, atmosphere and dark introspection.

“We’ve always admired Argonauta Records for their dedication to the underground scene and their commitment to heavy, independent music, so we couldn’t be happier to join their roster and begin this new chapter together.”

Born in the depths of Milan’s underground scene, Rise Above Dead began their journey in 2010 with the Human Disintegration EP, establishing a raw and visceral sound shaped by crust and dark hardcore influences. Their evolution continued with the 2012 full length Stellar Filth, before Heavy Gravity in 2015 marked a decisive move into fully instrumental territory and increasingly expansive, cinematic soundscapes.

The band’s artistic evolution reached a major turning point with Ulro in 2020. Inspired by the visionary work of William Blake, the psychedelic concept album explored alienation, society and inner collapse, pushing Rise Above Dead further into immersive and conceptual territory. The album featured artwork by Solo Macello and was mastered by Magnus Lindberg of Cult of Luna.

Following the pandemic and subsequent lineup changes, 2026 marks the return of original vocalist Andrea Rondanini. After years of instrumental exploration, his comeback brings the human voice back to the band’s sound, opening a more intense and vocal driven direction while retaining the atmospheric depth and crushing dynamics that have defined Rise Above Dead over the years.

With a renewed lineup and fresh creative energy, Rise Above Dead are now preparing to unleash Voidmass, a six-track journey through crushing post-metal, cinematic sludge and haunting emotional landscapes. The band will also return to the stage, with a strong focus on live performances and a renewed presence within the European underground.

The new era of Rise Above Dead begins now. More news, including the first single and video coming soon.

For more info:
​https://www.facebook.com/riseabovedead​
​https://www.instagram.com/riseabovedead​
​https://www.argonautarecords.com/

NEKOMATA Release First Single & Video ‘Functional Beauty’ from Upcoming Album “Third Impact”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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NEKOMATA enter a new era in their story with “Third Impact”, a new creative cycle that begins with “Functional Beauty”, the first single leading towards the band’s third chapter expected in 2027.

“Third Impact” builds on the musical identity NEKOMATA have developed across their previous releases while pushing its defining elements further. Modern metal, tightly controlled grooves and a strong melodic drive remain at the core of their sound, now opening towards a broader range of influences rooted in classic heavy metal.

The new chapter also continues the band’s distinctive “concept-non-concept” approach. Rather than following a strict narrative, its songs explore individual ideas and imagery that stand on their own while contributing to a broader thematic framework. Obsession, transformation, and the pursuit of ideals emerge among the themes explored through the cryptic perspective that characterizes NEKOMATA’s writing.

“Functional Beauty” provides the first expression of this direction, examining the obsessive pursuit of beauty, attraction and perfection. At the centre of the song is the image of a modern-day King Midas, consumed by the desire to make everything around him perfect. Instead of achieving the ideal he seeks, that pursuit gradually corrupts him, transforming him into a figure incapable of satisfaction and trapped by his own expectations.

Musically, “Functional Beauty” pushes several recognizable elements of the NEKOMATA sound further. Melody and tightly driven grooves meet heavy galloping passages, an immediate chorus, and a succession of solos and rhythmic breaks blending modern metal with classic heavy metal influences.

“Functional Beauty” is the first step into “Third Impact”, with more music and further details surrounding NEKOMATA’s third chapter to be revealed in the coming months.

Listen to “Functional Beauty”: https://lnk.to/neoB3U

Video Direction, Editing & Post-production: Gabriele Gafo Lei / Groundfloor Studio

For fans of: Monuments, Architects, Fear Factory, Periphery, Protest The Hero

NEKOMATA are:

Andrea Olivieri: Vocals
​Andrea Cappellari: Guitars and programming
​Filippo Zavattari: Bass and backing vocals
​Mirko Fustinoni: Drums

For more info:

​https://www.rockshots.eu​
​https://www.facebook.com/theprojectneko/​
​https://www.instagram.com/theprojectneko/

The Rise of APOCÆLYPSE Begins: Debut Album “Fænix” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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APOCÆLYPSE makes its presence known today with the release of the band’s debut album, FÆNIX. Led by acclaimed guitarist and vocalist Ira Black (Vio-Lence, Lizzy Borden, Metal Church), APOCÆLYPSE marks the highly anticipated album’s arrival with a brand new music video for “FÆNIX…OUT OF FLAMES.”

Stream/Purchase FÆNIX: https://vyd.co/Faenix

““FÆNIX…OUT OF FLAMES” MUSIC VIDEO:

Built around themes of perseverance, rebirth and confronting the forces that threaten to consume us, FÆNIX introduces APOCÆLYPSE with a commanding collision of modern metal muscle, memorable hooks and cinematic ambition. Across the album, the band moves between deeply personal subject matter and a broader examination of an increasingly fractured world, channeling both into songs designed to hit with equal parts weight and purpose.

Mixed and mastered by Chris Collier (Korn, Whitesnake), “FÆNIX…OUT OF FLAMES” provides a fitting centerpiece for the record and its underlying message. Pairing towering riffs and melodic intensity with the album’s recurring ideas of transformation and survival, the track captures the spirit behind FÆNIX: emerging from destruction changed, but stronger.

The album arrives with APOCÆLYPSE already building considerable momentum. Debut single “INTELL-I-GENTS” continues its ascent on the Billboard and Mediabase radio charts, expanding the band’s reach following a breakout introduction that quickly put the new project on the metal world’s radar. Its cinematic music video has also amassed more than 1.4 million views.

Where “INTELL-I-GENTS” confronts the increasingly complicated relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence, follow-up single “BLACK BOX” revealed a far more personal side of Black’s songwriting. The song examines survival, trauma and the process of facing the experiences that shape us rather than keeping them buried.

Together, those songs helped establish the wide emotional and conceptual territory explored throughout FÆNIX. The album combines the experience of veteran musicians with the urgency of a band beginning an entirely new chapter, moving between aggression, melody and atmosphere without losing sight of its central theme: the ability to endure, evolve and rise again.

FÆNIX was spearheaded by Ira Black, whose decades-long career has included work with Vio-Lence, Lizzy Borden and Metal Church among others. The APOCÆLYPSE lineup is completed by Black’s son Ira Black IV on guitar, Matt Snell on bass and Lonny Pasillas on drums.

With FÆNIX now unleashed, APOCÆLYPSE transforms its early momentum into a full-length statement of intent and one rooted in classic heavy metal power while pushing toward something distinctly its own.

FÆNIX Track List: 

1. INTELL-I-GENTS
2. BLACK BOX
3. LOVE TO HATE
4. HATE RESPONSE
5. THE LAMB & THE GOAT
6. THE AMERICAN WAY
7. MIND’S EYE
8. GRAVITY GAME
9. BLACK SUNDAY
10. FÆNIX…OUT OF FLAMES

Follow APOCÆLYPSE: 
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X | Spotify | Apple Music

MALEDICTUS Announce New Single ‘Madam Death’, Debut Album “Lazarvs” Out November 13th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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On September 4th, MALEDICTUS will release their third, new single “Madam Death”, from the upcoming debut album “Lazarvs“, out on November 13th. It is an intensive, emotional and epic metal track, and it will come along with an impressive music video.

Pre-save the track: https://save-it.cc/fireflash/madam-death

MALEDICTUS is a Portuguese metal band formed in Lisbon, bringing together experienced musicians with a shared vision for dark, powerful, and atmospheric heavy music. Built on a foundation of aggressive riffs, haunting melodies, and emotionally driven vocals, the band blends elements of modern heavy metal with darker and more melodic influences.

MALEDICTUS music balances intensity and melody, moving between crushing guitar passages, dynamic rhythms, and dramatic vocal performances. Drawing inspiration from classic and contemporary metal acts, the band aims to create a sound that feels both familiar and distinct, appealing to fans of powerful and atmospheric metal.

Check out their previous single “Silentium”:
Video: https://youtu.be/x3tmG7apk5E
Stream/Download: https://save-it.cc/fireflash/silentium
Get it on Bandcamp: https://ff-maledictus.bandcamp.com/track/silentium

MALEDICTUS is:

  • Rez — vocals
  • Ben Stockwell — guitar
  • Butch Cid — bass
  • Peter Crushes — drums

MALEDICTUS online:

KANT Unleash New Single & Video ‘Avalanche’ from Upcoming Album “Echoes Of Unfortunate Times”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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[photo by Jan Vornholt]

German heavy psychedelic rockers KANT have released their new single “Avalanche”, taken from their upcoming third studio album, Echoes Of Unfortunate Times, set for release on 23 October 2026 via Sound Of Liberation Records.

True to its name, “Avalanche” doesn’t waste any time. Driven by heavy riffs, relentless momentum and a thick wall of fuzz, the single comes crashing in as a sharp and uncompromising piece of heavy psych. By the time you hear the avalanche, it’s already too late: KANT are already burying you beneath a blizzard of fuzz. At the same time, the track points towards a more adventurous side of the band, with their upcoming album pushing further beyond their psychedelic roots.

Stream the song on all major platforms: https://orcd.co/ozappkb

Pre-save Echoes Of Unfortunate Times: https://orcd.co/q2qv8pe
Pre-order the album here: https://shop.soundofliberation.com/collections/kant

With their third album, Echoes Of Unfortunate Times, KANT sound more direct and uncompromising than ever, while at the same time opening their music up to experimentation. Building on their heavy psychedelic foundations, the four-piece ventures further into modern psychedelia, doom and krautrock, creating a record that feels both heavier and more playful than its predecessor.

At its core lies a subject that has become increasingly difficult to ignore: fear of the future. Rather than escaping into nostalgia, KANT channel the uncertainty and unease of the present into eight new songs. Singer and guitarist Marius Seidel calls it “the most honest and emotional album we have written so far.”

Formed in Aschaffenburg, Germany, KANT have developed their own take on heavy psychedelic rock over the past years. Their music draws from the psychedelic and heavy rock sounds of the late ’60s and ’70s while carrying traces of doom, heavy metal and experimental rock. Following 2024’s Paranoia Pilgrimage, the band now takes another step forward, trading some of the occult atmosphere of its predecessor for a more immediate, contemporary and emotionally charged approach.

Echoes Of Unfortunate Times was written and performed by KANT and produced, mixed and mastered by Patrick Stäudle, with artwork by Manuel Wesely.

Echoes Of Unfortunate Times Tracklist
1. Echoes Of Unfortunate Times
2. Black Widow
3. Am I In Trance?
4. Mischief Mountain
5. Avalanche
6. Digital Beam
7. When I Close My Eyes
8. Android Don’t Serve

KANT’s next single will arrive in September. Pre-save it here: https://orcd.co/v5xj7rx 

KANT is:
Marius Seidel – Guitar, Vocals, Flute
Nicolas Jordan – Guitar
Elena Strähle – Bass
Bryan Göbel – Drums

Connect with KANT:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kant_band
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kantband
Bandcamp: https://kantband.bandcamp.com
Website: https://www.kant-band.com

OF VIRTUE Share Vulnerable New Single & Video ‘Flatline’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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Michigan metalcore force Of Virtue return with their deeply personal new single ‘Flatline’, taken from their highly anticipated upcoming album Death Of The Altar, out 2nd October via Arising Empire.

Stream the single and pre-order the album here: https://arisingempire.com/ofvirtue

Following recent single ‘The End’, which received airplay on SiriusXM Octane’s Test Drive, ‘Flatline’ pushes deeper into the themes of mortality, self destruction and personal accountability that run throughout Death Of The Altar. Co-written with Lee Albrecht (Bilmuri, The Devil Wears Prada) and Evan McKeever (Starset, Koe Wetzel), the track channels the frightening realization of knowing that something needs to change while feeling powerless to break destructive patterns.

Musically, ‘Flatline’ captures that tension through Of Virtue’s signature collision of melody and intensity, turning fear and vulnerability into an urgent and deeply human metalcore anthem. At its core lies the realization that sometimes it takes a devastating wake up call to confront your own mortality and finally begin taking responsibility for the life you have.

Speaking about the intensely personal experiences behind ‘Flatline’, co-vocalist Tyler Ennis shares: “‘Flatline’ was originally written in 2022 after my dad had a massive heart attack. Everything about his life changed forever and in a lot of ways, the same happened to me as well. Since 2016, I have been battling some pretty serious gastrointestinal/stomach issues alongside my mental health struggles. I have seen so many doctors and have not actually received a proper diagnosis of what is going on with me. That stress weighs on my mind every single day and when I saw one of the people I care about the most suffer such a traumatic incident, it put my own mortality and fears on full display. There were times where I envisioned seeing my lifeless body because I wasn’t taking proper care of myself. I would spiral out of control, ignore pleas from friends and my own family to change my habits knowing full well that even if they were right, it didn’t change the way I felt inside. I was fully aware of my own self destruction and yet at the same time, I felt powerless to stop any of it. Sometimes, we have to hit rock bottom to realize how special our lives can be. My dad’s heart attack, in a lot of ways, was the wake up call I desperately needed to turn certain things in my life around and be more accountable before it becomes too late to change course. I’m really proud of how this song turned out and being able to speak about this topic was something that was very important to me during this record process. I will always be an advocate of taking care of your physical + mental health and living your life to the fullest. I chose to cope with things that could kill me and I paid a very heavy price. My advice to everyone with health issues is to enjoy the life that you want to live with limitations you set for yourself before your body decides what those limitations are going to be. Happiness comes with a price. I didn’t think that it meant my life.”

Catch the band live:
​15.09.2026 I Roxian Theatre Presented By Citizens I McKees Rocks, PA, US
29.09.2026 I Musical Instruments Museum I Bruxelles, BE
01.10.2026 I Manchester Academy 3 I Manchester, GB
02.10.2026 I Electric Ballroom I Camden, GB
03.10.2026 I Maroquinerie I Paris, FR
04.10.2026 I 013 Next Stage I Tilburg, NL
05.10.2026 I Doornroosje I Nijmegen, NL
06.10.2026 I Gebäude 9 I Cologne, DE
07.10.2026 I Kent Club I Hamburg, DE
08.10.2026 I Hole 44 I Berlin, DE
09.10.2026 I Strom I Munich, DE
10.10.2026 I Batschkapp I Frankfurt Am Main, DE

Of Virtue online:
https://www.instagram.com/ofvirtue.band
https://www.facebook.com/ofvirtue