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AKANTOPHIS Sign with Wormholedeath for “Erneuerung” Reissue

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: AKANTOPHIS. Leave a comment

Wormholedeath is pleased to announce the signing of German black metal band AKANTOPHIS. The label will handle the reissue of the band’s album Erneuerung, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the group.

“AKANTOPHIS are absolutely delighted to announce that we have signed a deal with Wormholedeath,” the band said. “This is a huge step for us as a band – and we can’t wait to share our music with the world. To you, our listeners: thank you for joining us on this journey and for continuing to support us. None of this would be possible without you! Together with Wormholedeath, we look forward to bringing even more energy, even more sound and even more AKANTOPHIS straight to you. This is just the beginning – and we can’t wait to experience this next chapter together with you!“

The album „Erneuerung“ features seven tracks with a total running time of 42 minutes, blending atmospheric intensity and aggression. Recorded live at Liquid Aether Audio and mastered under the direction of Mario Dahmen, the album captures an organic and dynamic feel. The lyrics are primarily in German, adapted to the themes of each track, and presented with more variety than before.

With “Erneuerung,” Akantophis explores a broader sound while staying true to their roots, aiming to connect with a wider audience through this release.

AKANTOPHIS is a German black metal band with a modern, atmospheric, and dissonant sound. Their approach leans progressive, with a dense dystopian atmosphere and touches of death metal, a combination that sits outside any easy genre classification. For them, black metal is less about aggression than about inner transformation and artistic renewal.

Founded in 1998, the band had a stable line-up by mid-2000. A year later, Galaria: Terra@ Exitus put them on the underground map. Live im Klima followed, featuring four live tracks that haven’t been released before. By 2004, they’d gone on hiatus — personal circumstances, and a period spent exploring other projects, including Hidden in the Fog, Throat Cut, and Psykra.

They returned in April 2017 with a slightly altered line-up. Wiederkehr, a 7-inch vinyl, came out in 2018. Exitus XX (MCD, 2020) closed out the band’s earlier chapter and pointed toward what was next. Their current album is the result, and the one they believe can bring them to a wider audience.

The band’s visual identity is reflected in the previously released “Perforation” music video, available online.

Tracklist

  1. Spot
  2. Lobotomie
  3. Perforation
  4. Renewal
  5. Horizont aus Glas
  6. #9010
  7. See Me

Connect with AKANTOPHIS

akantophis.bandcamp.com
www.instagram.com/akantophis
www.facebook.com/akantophis

VISION DIVINE Release New Single ‘A Clockwork Reverie’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Vision Divine. Leave a comment
photo by MIchael Gardenia

Vision Divine has released “A Clockwork Reverie”, second single & titletrack taken from the upcoming EP to be released on May 22 by Scarlet Records.

In a mythical workshop, an old man tends the clocks that govern the universe, ensuring every life follows its path. One day, he finds an hourglass frozen – stopped 18 years ago. Within its glass, echoes of unlived lives and missed encounters shimmer in the sand.

First release following the reunion with Michele Luppi (former Whitesnake backing vocalist and keyboardist) and keyboardist Oleg Smirnoff (Labyrinth, Eldritch); 

produced by Olaf Thorsen & Michele Luppi; mixed by Simone Mularoni & Michele Luppi at Domination Studio (Wind Rose, Twilight Force, Michael Romeo); mastered by Michele Luppi at MiLu’s RockLab II;

cover & artwork by Augusto Silva; 

Vision Divine is officially part of the Dragon Productions booking roster; 

Vision Divine will headline the Warriors Of Steel Festival 2026 (Norway);

FFO: Labyrinth, Queensrÿche, Sanctuary, Savatage, Kamelot;

artowrk by Augusto Silva

“A Clockwork Reverie” tracklist:

1 Sator Rotas
2 A Clockwork Reverie
3 18 (It Feels Like Heaven)
4 Andromeda
5 Identities (2026 version)
6 God Is Dead (2026 version)
7 The 25th Hour (2026 version)

Total running time – 34:02

PRE-ORDER

After the comeback of acclaimed frontman Michele Luppi and keyboard wizard Oleg Smirnoff, this new Vision Divine release marks a return to the iconic sound that made the band a reference point in the progressive and power metal scene, while embracing the modern edge and production of their most recent works.

A powerful blend of melody, technique, and emotion, “A Clockwork Reverie” captures the essence of Vision Divine’s classic identity re-imagined with renewed energy and contemporary attitude.

It’s not just a tribute to their legacy – it’s a bold reaffirmation of who they are today!

Vision Divine are:
Michele Luppi – vocals
Olaf Thorsen – guitar
Oleg Smirnoff – keyboards
Andrea ʻTowerʼ Torricini – bass
Matt Peruzzi – drums

More info: https://www.facebook.com/visiondivineofficial

THE NARRATOR Celebrate Release of New Album “Phosphor” with Music Video for ‘Iron Grip’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: THE NARRATOR. Leave a comment
Credit: Kathi Sterl

Today, modern metalcore wrecking crew THE NARRATOR are thrilled to finally unleash their highly anticipated sophomore album Phosphor, available now for purchase and streaming worldwide.

Serving as the powerful follow-up to their acclaimed debut Lore, the new record delivers ten crushing tracks that channel the emotional weight of a world in crisis into raw intensity and cathartic heaviness. Exploring themes of inner exhaustion, resilience, and the razor-thin line between hope and self-destruction, Phosphor captures THE NARRATOR at their most intense, honest, and uncompromising.

To celebrate the release, the band has also unveiled a brand-new music video for the hulking, groove-laden anthem ‘Iron Grip‘ — a track built for the pit and destined to satisfy breakdown worshippers and fans of modern heavy music alike.

Be sure to follow THE NARRATOR and become part of the story as the band enters an exciting new chapter.

Following several appearances at major summer festivals, THE NARRATOR will hit the road for an extensive EU & UK headline tour, bringing the crushing energy of Phosphor to stages across Europe and the United Kingdom.

PURCHASE OR STREAM PHOSPHOR: https://thenarrator.bfan.link/phosphor

THE NARRATOR
Phosphor
Release Date: May 8th, 2026

01    Phosphor
02    Aurora
03    Modern Age Blasphemy
04    Stasis (feat. Avralize)
05    Pills From The Start
06    Agnosia
07    Two Lives
08    Dissection
09    Iron Grip
10    9010

THE NARRATOR LIVE:

22.-23.05.26  DE  Camping Battleground Open Air
30.05.26    FR    Artificial Waves Festival
13.06.26    NL    Into The Grave Festival
11.07.26    DE    Free For All Festival
12.-15.08.26  DE  Summer Breeze Festival
04.-05.09.26  DE  Pell Mell Festival
24.10.26    DE    Rocken Hilft Festival


EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR 2026
Special Guest: Accvsed

26.09.26   FI   Helsinki, On The Rocks
30.09.26   CH  Aarau, Kiff Aarau
01.10.26   AT  Wien, Flex Café
03.10.26   DE  München, Backstage Club
04.10.26   DE  Stuttgart, Im Wizemann
06.10.26   CZ  Prag, Rock Cafe
07.10.26   DE  Leipzig, WERK 2 – Kulturfabrik Leipzig e.V.
08.10.26   DE  Berlin, Frannz-Club
09.10.26   DE  Hamburg, Bahnhof Pauli
10.10.26   DE  Köln, Club Volta
11.10.26   NL  Haarlem, Patronaat
13.10.26   DE  Wiesbaden, Schlachthof Wiesbaden Kesselhaus
15.10.26   UK  London, The Black Heart
16.10.26   FR  Paris, La Maroquinerie
17.10.26   NL  Tilburg, Little Devil
18.10.26   BE  Antwerp, Kavka Oudaan

TICKETS: https://www.thenarrator.de

About THE NARRATOR:

THE NARRATOR were founded in 2017 in the Ruhr area of Germany and have been captivating audiences with their energetic songwriting and electrifying live performances from the very beginning. After successful tours and festival appearances, THE NARRATOR steadily made a name for themselves in the global metalcore scene.

In September 2024, THE NARRATOR released their highly anticipated debut album Lore – 10 tracks that speak volumes, boasting an impressive 12 million streams across all platforms to this day. Their latest singles, ‘Aurora‘ and ‘Pills From The Start‘ mastered by Ted Jensen (STERLING SOUND – BRING ME THE HORIZON, GREEN DAY, KORN, and many more), proved once again that THE NARRATOR is essential for every modern metal playlist. With their sophomore album ‘Phosphor‘ due out on May 8th and a European headline tour as well as festival appearances later this year, one thing is certain: the best is yet to come!

More info: https://www.thenarrator.de/

HALCYON DAYS Tap into Restless Energy & Internal Chaos on Final Single ‘My Heart Is My Compass’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: HALCYON DAYS. Leave a comment
Photo: Anine Desire

HALCYON DAYS tap into restless energy and internal chaos on “My Heart Is My Compass,” a volatile post-hardcore anthem fueled by speed, anger, and emotional honesty.

The song explores the exhaustion of always saying yes, carrying too much, and slowly drifting away from your own needs. With razor-sharp riffs, relentless drums, and a chorus that hits like a confession, the track captures the moment when pressure becomes unbearable, yet quitting is never truly an option.

Listen to the single here: https://ffm.to/myheartismycompass

“My Heart Is My Compass” showcases the band’s ability to blend hardcore urgency with melodic metalcore sensibility, creating something both aggressive and deeply human. It’s a song that moves fast, hits hard, and leaves a lasting mark.

The single marks the last step toward the release of NOTHING TO NO ONE // SOMETHING TO SOMEONE that release via Indie Recordings on June 5th 2026.

FFO: Architects, Knocked Loose and Counterparts

ABOUT
Halcyon Days have established themselves as one of Norway’s most consistent and compelling metalcore acts.
Known for their immersive live presence, infectious intensity, and explosive energy, the band has earned seven-figure streams, widespread international press, and slots at major European festivals including Summer Breeze Open Air, High Five Summer Fest, Inferno Festival, and Reeperbahn Festival.
Halcyon Days have balanced aggression, melody, and emotion, creating music that is heavy, deeply human, and built to resonate on stage and in headphones alike.
In 2026 Halcyon Days continue to evolve while staying true to their roots, reinforcing their position as one of Norway’s leading modern metalcore bands. 

Halcyon Days is:  
Robbe Madsen – Vocals
André Sørensen – Guitar
Eirik Løvås Bjerke – Drums
Steffen Johansen – Bass

More info: Youtube | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

FRANK JULIAN Releases New Single & Playthrough Video ‘Vecna’ – a Tribute to Stranger Things

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: FRANK JULIAN. Leave a comment

‘Vecna’ is the brand-new single by multi-instrumentalist FRANK JULIAN, available now on all digital platforms via Volcano Records & Promotion.

A versatile musician and composer with a rich and respected discography, Frank Julian blends progressive rock with visionary influences, earning a cult following within the international independent metal scene, alongside significant streaming numbers and a solid artistic career. Vecna marks his first release with the Italian label Volcano Records and fully showcases the strength of a prolific and imaginative creative mind capable of combining sophisticated compositional structures with a powerful emotional connection to listeners who seek high-quality music.

Entirely instrumental, Vecna does not renounce conveying a deep and intense message. Drawing inspiration from the now-iconic universe of Stranger Things, the track depicts an upside-down world where logic and common rules are overturned, and absurdity reigns supreme. Within this apocalyptic and dystopian landscape, Frank Julian delivers a multifaceted and dynamic composition that guides the listener through an immersive journey into the “Upside Down.”

Frank Julian handled the full composition and production of the track, which is also available on YouTube accompanied by a playthrough video:

Further info at
http://www.volcanopromotion.com
http://www.frankjulian.it

XANDRIA Announce New Album “Eclipse”, Out August 7th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Xandria. Leave a comment
[photo credit: Stefan Heilemann/Mirko Witzki]

Chart-topping German symphonic metal icons XANDRIA will release their new studio album, Eclipse, on August 7, 2026, via Napalm Records. The upcoming full-length features eleven tracks that represent the most diverse body of work in the band’s discography so far: every song has its own identity—a journey full of discoveries—yet they all belong to the same world. Classic, ‘80s-inspired metal riffs stand alongside low-tuned modern metal guitars; cinematic orchestral sounds meet Celtic folk influences, and dark electronic elements blend with intimate rock moments, even including a guitar solo that owes more to Pink Floyd than to any metal genre.
 
With “The Shannon’s Home,” XANDRIA unveils the first offering cut from the upcoming record. The song weaves dreamlike melodies, cinematic opulence, and folk elements, all driven by the soaring vocals of Ambre Vourvahis. Both intimate and epic, XANDRIA once again prove that they belong among the leading acts in the scene! “The Shannon’s Home” is now available on all streaming services worldwide and comes with an official music video that can be seen below.
 
Band mastermind Marco Heubaum comments on “The Shannon’s Home”:
“A song like a beautiful, slightly dark fairytale—which makes sense, as it is an analogy of life, pictured as the river Shannon, flowing from its source to the sea. And just one of the many colorful facets of our new album, which will be a journey full of diverse elements and surprises. We felt this song had a mysterious magic that captured our hearts from the very beginning. In fact, it was the first song we wrote for this next voyage of wonders—so we instantly knew this was the first song we wanted you all to hear. For all you wonderful people out there—enjoy!”

Eclipse marks XANDRIA’s most outspoken and cinematic album so far: a dark, colourful, and defiant statement for reason, empathy, and democracy in times when all three are under attack, brought to life by a band fueled with new energy, new ambitions, and a clear artistic direction, aiming higher than ever and not looking back!

Pre-order your version of Eclipse NOW

While The Wonders Still Awaiting (2023) marked the rebirth of XANDRIA with a new line-up—an album that opened the door to a new era—Eclipse goes further. It is more focused and direct, the lyrics are more outspoken, dealing almost entirely with what is happening to our civilization right now. The contrasts are stronger, and the different musical and vocal colours feel even more naturally integrated into the songs. As XANDRIA’s sole composer, Marco Heubaum musically draws inspiration from all aspects of his surroundings: music, stories, and emotions that have shaped him since childhood. It is no secret that film scores have always been another major influence, especially composers like Hans Zimmer and John Williams.

Eclipse tracklisting:

  1. Syzygy
  2. Eclipse
  3. Colours
  4. The Shannon’s Home
  5. The Grand Delusion
  6. Wave of Tanis
  7. Northstar
  8. Masquerade
  9. The Last Generation
  10. The Poetry of the Real World
  11. Lore

As guests, XANDRIA welcomes Subway to Sally’s violinist Ally Storch, who can be heard on “Lore,” while the band’s longtime friend McAlbi is featured on four songs with his Celtic tin and low whistles (“The Shannon’s Home,” “Northstar,” “Masquerade,” and “Lore”). “The Last Generation” features a children’s choir and piano performed by Richard Z. Wang, a Hollywood pianist who has worked at Hans Zimmer’s studio. In addition, the band has once again collaborated with the Sofia Session Orchestra & Choir, known for their work on numerous film and television scores, including His Dark Materials. All songs were orchestrated by two film score composers working in Hollywood: Lukas Geppert, who worked on the scores for Nobody 2 and the latest Final Destination, and Ishaan Tyagi, who has contributed to productions such as Wuthering Heights.

XANDRIA LIVE 2026
 
Eclipse Europe Tour 2026
16.09.26 UK – London / The Dome
17.09.26 UK – Glasgow / Slay
18.09.26 UK – Manchester / Academy
19.09.26 UK – Birmingham / O2
21.09.26 BE – Kortrijk / DVG Club
22.09.26 FR – Paris / Nouveau Casino
23.09.26 FR – Nantes / Le Ferrailleur
24.09.26 ES – Barcelona / Razzmatazz 3
26.09.26 ES – Albacete / Ginetarock
27.09.26 FR – Montpellier / Secret Place
28.09.26 FR – Toulouse / Le Rex
29.09.26 FR – Lyon / Rock’n Eat
30.09.26 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle
01.10.26 HR – Zagreb / Boogaloo Club
02.10.26 IT – Milan / Legend Club
03.10.26 AT – Salzburg / Rockhouse Bar
05.10.26 RO – Cluj-Napoca / FORM Space
06.10.26 RO – Bucharest / Quantic Club
08.10.26 BG – Sofia / Pirotska 5 Event Centre
09.10.26 RS – Belgrade / Zappa Barka
10.10.26 HU – Budapest / Analog Music Hall
12.10.26 DE – Berlin / Lido
13.10.26 PL – Warsaw / Hydrozagadka
14.10.26 PL – Krakow / Zaścianek
15.10.26 CZ – Prague / Distrikt Prague
16.10.26 DE – Dresden / Blauer Salon
18.10.26 DE – Cham / L.A. Live Style Cafe
19.10.26 DE – Frankfurt / Das Bett
20.10.26 CH – Pratteln / Z7
21.10.26 DE – Stuttgart / Im Wizemann Club
22.10.26 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch
23.10.26 DE – Hamburg / Bahnhof Pauli

XANDRIA are:
Marco Heubaum – Guitar, Keys
Ambre Vourvahis – Vocals
Robert Klawonn – Guitar
Dimitrios Gatsios – Drums
 
XANDRIA online:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Napalm Records

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