The single is taken from the band’s EP Transmissions 2.0, a reworking of the band’s lauded 2025 album Transmissions (Pelagic Records).
As the band comment: “With Transmissions we added a heap of synthesisers, cinematic and electronic textures to our sound – so when approaching this EP, it felt natural to give some tracks to artists that could expand on this part of our sound.”
Rather than basic remixes, each guest artist was invited to reconstruct the track entirely. Sitting at the centre of the EP is ‘Home (Redux)’, with Jo Quail.
The band state: “We first discovered Jo’s music at Dunk Festival in 2018. We were literally stopped in our tracks but her performance. Her music (at least to us) feels both organic and futuristic, cello meets live looping – so conceptually as we re-imagined our full band music into a more electronic space we felt she was the natural collaborator.”
As the April 24 release of Nuclear Messiah’s much-anticipated Black Flame concept album draws closer, Cleopatra Records are thrilled to release what even producer Brian Perera describes as “one of the best and most under-rated metal songs of all time”… and all who have heard it agree wholeheartedly.
A deep cut from New Wave of British Heavy Metal heroes Holocaust, “Death Or Glory” … like the remainder of the album … features a dazzling array of all-star musicians to accompany frontman Chris Poland [Megadeth] through the storm.
But with a title like “Death Or Glory,” who more fitting to handle lead vocals than the mighty Thor?
He says, “I had to sing a searing brand of rock on this track as I was amongst strong swords such Chris, Bob Daisley [Ozzy Osbourne], Jurgen Engler [Die Krupps], Glen Drover [Megadeth and Fred Aching [Dead Groove].
“I was psyched, and sang with power and intensity. I was honored to be included on this album along with these great legendary artists.”
Neither is this all you’ll be hearing from Thor over the next few months, as he wraps up his next album… which is also the last one he’ll ever make.. Yep, that’s right. Thor hasn’t just lived the rock ‘n’ roll life — he’s abused his body to keep it like a gladiator: relentless weight training , and pushing through injuries while punishing himself night after night onstage.
And now, it’s caught up with him.
After 40 years and 40 records of bending steel, breaking bones, and driving himself past the limit in the name of rock ‘n’ roll, the wear and tear is real — and Thor is finally stepping away.
But he’s not going quietly.
Over the coming months, he unleashes The Final Battle — and he is resolute. “It is my ultimate and absolutely final album. “It’s Ragnarok!”
There’ll be more details and information coming soon. But don’t fear. As Nuclear Messiah’s “Death Or Glory” proves, the Thunder God’s hammer is still in full flight, the lightning is blinding, the thunder is explosive… and still “Death Or Glory” is only one of its highlights.
How could it be otherwise, with fellow guest vocalists the caliber of Arthur Brown, Sebastian Bach and William Shatner (himself hard at work on his forthcoming metal album for Cleopatra Records!), and a staggering lineup that represents every era of heavy music, from Vanilla Fudge to the Kings of Thrash, via Guns N’Roses, Uriah Heep, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, UFO, Rainbow, Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, King Diamond, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen, Testament, Night Ranger, the Michael Schenker Group, Yes and more.
“This record has so many metal icons playing on it,” says Chris Poland. “It’s really a must for any metal head’s record collection.”
Season of Mist is reissuing Sleep of the Angels, the fifth full-length album by Greek legends Rotting Christ. Originally released in January 1999 on Century Media, the album will now be available on vinyl through the band’s current label home.
Sleep of the Angels represents the furthest point from Rotting Christ’s black metal origins. It is a record defined by melodic weight, brooding atmosphere, and a gloomy romanticism that remains striking in its internal coherence. At its center is the interplay between the heavy guitar work of Sakis Tolis and a constant, gauzy keyboard presence that lends the whole record an almost ecclesiastical quality. The result is the most gothic album in the band’s ever-evolving discography.
Available formats: Black 12″ vinyl in gatefold Gold 12″ vinyl with black splatters in gatefold
Tracklist: 1. Cold Colours (03:36) 2. After Dark I Feel (04:32) 3. Victoriatus (04:02) 4. Der Perfekte Traum (04:28) 5. You My Flesh (04:36) 6. The World Made End (03:00) 7. Sleep the Sleep of Angels (04:35) 8. Delusions (03:37) 9. Imaginary Zone (03:45) 10. Thine Is the Kingdom (04:59) Full runtime: 41:12
Formed in Athens in 1987, Rotting Christ are one of extreme metal’s most enduring and restlessly shape-shifting forces. By the time Sleep of the Angels was recorded in September 1998, Rotting Christ had spent three consecutive albums methodically expanding from the rawness of their early catalogue toward atmosphere, melody and a dark romanticism. The album closed a trilogy begun with Triarchy of the Lost Lovers (1996) and continued through A Dead Poem (1997), before the band pivoted again toward heavier, more industrial-inflected territory on Khronos (2000).
Guest contributors to Sleep of the Angels include Waldemar Sorychta on lead guitar on “Victoriatus” and “You My Flesh,” and vocalist Eddy Kante on the partially German language “Der Perfekte Traum.”
Catch Rotting Christ this month on the band’s tour of North America with Behemoth, Deicide and Immolation.
The Godless IV 2026 North American Tour with Behemoth, Deicide, Rotting Christ + Immolation
April 9 – Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea’s Live* April 10 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall* April 11 – San Antonio, TX @ Vibes Event Center* April 13 – Las Vegas, NV @ Fremont Country Club* April 14 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory Northpark April 15 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom April 17 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory April 18 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater April 19 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SODO April 21 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Union April 22 – Denver, CO @ The Fillmore April 23 – Kansas City, MO @ Warehouse on Broadway** April 24 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave April 25 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic April 26 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant April 27 – Louisville, KY @ Goodwood Whiskey Row* April 28 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa April 30 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore* May 1 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium** May 2 – New York City, NY @ Palladium Times Square May 3 – Albany, NY @ Empire Live* May 4 – Buffalo, NY @ Riverworks May 5 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Roxian May 7 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville** May 9 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore May 11 – Toronto, ON @ History May 12 – Montreal, QC @ Olympia May 14 – Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Afterparty* May 15 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl May 16 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade May 18 – Dallas, TX @ The Factory May 20 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren May 21 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Palladium *Deicide, Rotting Christ + Immolation only **Rotting Christ w/Immolation ***No Rotting Christ ****No Deicide
Rotting Christ Special 1989-1995 set at 2026Maryland Deathfest Friday, May 22 – Market Place/Power Plant Live [Tickets]
Rotting Christ’s latest studio album, Pro Xristou, live album 35 Years of Evil Existence: Live in Lycabettus and newly re-recorded version of Aealo are available now on Season of Mist.
In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: ROTTING CHRIST. Sakis Tholis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,300 concerts around the globe. Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision – an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.
Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embrace refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to push boundaries.
But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any and all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek, English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.
In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offered fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album:
Pro Xristou.
Pro Xristou (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style—melodic, yet harsh at times—reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.
Swedish rockers Degreed have shared a new single, “Holding On To Yesterday”, along with an official video, ahead of the release of their new studio album “Curtain Calls”, out on April 24, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Vocalist Robin Eriksson stated: “This song really shows what Degreed is all about. It has it all. It’s rocking really hard, but at the same time it’s very melodic. It’s really raw, but at the same time it’s polished. It’s straight rock but it’s got progressive touches. Every instrument shows it’s full potential but without taking over. The chorus is maybe the best one we’ve ever written. This song is the Degreed sound! This song is the reason that Degreed could be placed among the big names!”
Talking about the new album, Eriksson stated: “This is truly one of the best albums we’ve ever made. Yes, it’s a cliche. Yes, a lot of bands say that about every new record they make. But I truly believe this is one of our best, if not THE best. I’ve never been as focused while making an album as I’ve been on this one”.
With “Curtain Calls”, Degreed deliver one of the strongest and most focused albums of their career. The band stays fully true to its established sound while refining it with precision: a powerful, contemporary production, technically solid performances, and – most importantly – an outstanding sense of melody and accessibility.
Produced by Mats Eriksson, the album strikes an excellent balance between technical craftsmanship and immediate listener appeal. The songs are energetic and polished, yet always approachable, showcasing a confident songwriting style that blends modern punch with classic melodic hard rock sensibilities.
“Curtain Calls” positions itself as a very competitive release within the current melodic hard rock landscape: consistent, well-produced, and strongly audience-oriented, while fully preserving the band’s identity.
Degreed have been releasing critically acclaimed music since the start of their career with their first album “Life, Love, Loss” in 2010. Over the course of their career, the band has gone from strength to strength with every release, touring and gaining fans all over the world. Their sound mixes classic melodic and hard rock sounds with more contemporary influences, offering the fans a very personal, fresh and exciting mix of great rock music.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band wasn’t able to tour on the heels of the release of the album “Lost Generation” in 2019. The band released the song “The World We Knew”, their musical summation of the year 2020 (the song became “Track of the Week” at Classic Rock Magazine’s website a week after its release) and then in 2021, Degreed began working on what would ultimately become “Are You Ready”, released in 2022.
Degreed released “Public Address” in July 2023, followed by the EP “The Leftovers – Volume I”, in July 2025, diving deep into their vault of unreleased gems.
“Curtain Calls” Tracklist:
1. One Helluva Ride 2. Holding On To Yesterday 3. Believe 4. Guiding Light 5. My Blood 6. Curtain Calls 7. The Rambler 8. Matter Of The Heart 9. Broken Dreams 10. Promise Me
Line Up: Robin Eriksson – Bass/Vocals Mats Eriksson – Drums Mikael Blanc – Keyboards Daniel Johansson – Guitars
SUN DONT SHINE, the heavy metal supergroup featuring members of Type O Negative, Crowbar, Down, and Silvertomb, announces the full physical rollout for their debut full-length album, Birth to Death, out now on Corpse Paint Records and streaming on all major digital platforms. SUN DONT SHINE (formerly EYE AM) unites Kenny Hickey (Type O Negative, Silvertomb), Kirk Windstein (Crowbar, Down), Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Silvertomb), and Todd Strange (Crowbar, Down), channeling decades of hard-earned experience into a sound that is as heavy as it is deeply emotional. Recent singles “In The End” and “Power To Live” showcase their signature blend of crushing riffs, haunting melodies, and dynamic songwriting — offering a powerful preview of what From Birth to Death holds in full.
A standard From Birth to Death CD edition is available now via CorpsePaintRecords.com, giving fans immediate access to a physical configuration on the day of release. Alongside the CD, multiple vinyl variants have gone live at retail through Revolver Magazine, with demand already pushing select colorways to the edge of availability. The initial vinyl run was split between two colorways — 250 blue and 250 gray — all available through Revolver’s online store. Each LP comes packaged with a special bonus: the “Dreams Always Die With The Sun” 4-inch “tiny vinyl,” a unique companion piece created specifically to accompany this first pressing. The blue marble variant has since sold out entirely, and the gray marble variant now has fewer than 100 copies remaining. A 250-copy dark blue marble variant is also available exclusively via Revolver for fans still looking to lock in a copy.
Beyond the core Revolver offerings, the band and label have introduced additional colorways across platforms to give fans multiple ways to own the record. An amber / blue / black variant is available through TalkShopLive, while a purple opaque / black pressing has been reserved as a band-exclusive edition, available directly through SUN DONT SHINE.
Corpse Paint Records has layered in a set of premium direct-to-fan items designed for the most dedicated supporters of the band. Among the most distinctive is a limited run of just 20 autographed skateboard decks, which are moving quickly. Fans can also purchase the CD direct through the label’s storefront, with exclusive T-shirt bundle options available to round out the collection. To bring the Birth to Death rollout into a live, real-time setting, SUN DONT SHINE has partnered with TalkShopLive for a shoppable live event on April 13. Guitarist and vocalist Kenny Hickey will appear as a featured guest, anchoring a session that pairs direct fan engagement with commerce. During the broadcast, fans will have access to the exclusive amber / blue / black vinyl variant as well as a limited allotment of autographed CD copies available for purchase — making it one of the more unique opportunities of the entire campaign.
SUN DONT SHINE has signed a licensing deal with Plastic Head Distribution to bring Birth to Death to physical retailers across the UK and Europe. Editions will move through independent shops and the band and label directly, with specific online outlets to be announced as details are confirmed via the band’s social media channels. Looking further into the album cycle, the band has earmarked 500 additional color variants for future distribution through Symphonic Distribution, ensuring there will be continued options for collectors and international fans as the campaign builds momentum.
SUN DONT SHINE is also planning a series of special tour-only vinyl editions that will be sold exclusively at live shows, entirely separate from any online or retail availability. These road-only pressings are intended to remain in the live setting, reinforcing the band’s commitment to giving fans who experience the music in person something they simply cannot get anywhere else.
In support of the album’s release, REVOLVER releases their digital cover story on the band today with original photo art (included in asset folder). Also, Andrew Spaulding, Founder and Owner of Corpse Paint Records and man who brought SUN DONT SHINE together, recently appeared on the Metal Horror Madman podcast. The conversation covers the full arc of the project — from the initial concept behind the band through the recording of Birth to Death and into the announcement of the label’s partnership with Revolver — offering listeners an in-depth look at the creative and strategic vision that brought this campaign to life.
„Bay Area Thrash Metal – Made in Sweden“, that‘s what MEZZROW stands for. Since their reunion in 2021, the band is celebrating their second birth and second spring in one. With „Summon Thy Demons“ (2023) and „Embrace The Awakening“ (2025), the quintet from Nyköping released two highly recommended records, that continues perfectly what once started with their legendary debut album „Then Came The Killing“ (1990).
Amid Sweden’s thriving “second wave” thrash scene – featuring bands like BLOODSTAIN, METHANE, SAVAGE MANIA, HOSTILIA and veterans like FKÜ,MEZZROW have positioned themselves as enduring and inspiring. They’ve had the privilege of sharing stage with notable bands during these last years such as: EXODUS, DARK TRANQUILITY, ASPHYX, CORONER, MYRKUR, BLOOD RED THRONE, CANDLEMASS and many more. This eventually led up to a signing with WE LIVE AGENCY, a booking agency with a broad network and the future now looks seemingly bright for the Swedish thrash metal force.
Today, MEZZROW have two topics to celebrate. First of all, the members signed a new record deal with their previous partner FIREFLASH RECORDS, which re-started new and independently early 2026. ”It feels like coming home”, says vocalist Uffe Pettersson and continues: „Markus has been our collaboration partner in many ways since we restarted the band more or less. We all feel it was an obvious decision to make, when we heard that he would make Fireflash Records great for a second time!”
To celebrate this, MEZZROW release a brand-new single, entitled ”As The Flames Rise“ today. Guitar player and producer Ronnie Björnström comments: ”This one was written during the „Embrace the Awakening“-sessions and didn’t end up on the album. It has a typical Bay Area old school-vibe with a catchy chorus. The lyrics have a classical horror theme and Clive Barker, foremost, comes to mind as inspiration. Overall, just pure headbanging from start to finish and now it’s time to release this thrasher of a song!”
As of 2026, MEZZROW remain a vital force in global thrash revival!
MEZZROW live: April 17th – OBERHAUSEN (GER) – Thrash Speed Burn Fest May 16th – BORAS (SWE) – Klubb Hades Festival June 13th – VINGAKER (SWE) – Vingåkersvrålet Festival
MEZZROW are: Ulf “Uffe” Pettersson – Vocals Conny Welén – Bass Magnus Söderman – Lead Guitar Ronnie Björnström – Guitar Alvaro “Alvis” Svanerö – Drums
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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 