Epic Storyteller Metal – the music is the image: Germany’s ASH OF ASHES exude a majestic sense of vastness with “All Must Wither”, released on 30 October 2026 via Metalloscope-music. [ … learn more here » ]
Format: Digital+CD+Vinyl
TRACKS 01. The Great Deceiver (05:40) 02. My Old Friend (03:31) 03. King Of The Fallen (03:17) 04. The River (04:39) 05. All Must Wither (04:10) 06. Ash Of Ashes (04:24) 07. The Chronicler (17:21)
total: 43:02 min.
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Markus Skroch @ Kalthallen Studios
Philadelphia post-metal pioneers Rosetta return with their new single, ‘Self-Dealing Position’, offering another glimpse into Temporal Lapse, their forthcoming seventh and final full-length album, set for release on 27th November via Pelagic Records.
Alongside the single, Rosetta have shared the third instalment in their behind-the-scenes video series, offering a deeper look inside the band and the inner workings of their creative world. Exploring the writing and production of Temporal Lapse, the latest short film lifts the lid on the collaborative process, the band’s creative dynamics and the ideas, decisions and relationships that shape their music.
The album’s long-awaited arrival comes after years of upheaval, during which the original concept for Temporal Lapse shifted dramatically. When work began in late 2019, Rosetta initially set out to explore climate change and the grief of watching the natural world disappear. The pandemic brought that process to a halt, and when the band eventually returned to the material, personal loss had changed the perspective entirely.
“In late 2019 when we began working on the songs, we intended to focus on climate change. As we explored that concept, we became interested in the grief / loss dimension of environmental destruction — essentially, the human experience of loss as nature gives way to something else,” comments guitarist, MattWeed. “However, in 2020 the pandemic stopped the whole process cold, and it took years to get started again. In that time, a lot of personal grief and loss happened. I lost my house to a fire in 2022. Eric and I both lost our dads. Ratherthan looking at climate change through the lens of grief and loss, we ended up looking at personal grief and loss through the imagery of climate change and apocalypse.”
That sense of upheaval runs through Temporal Lapse, an album shaped by resilience, grief and the ways people change when confronted with experiences that cannot be undone. Rosetta remain unmistakably themselves, but there is a greater breadth to the band’s sound: heavier passages collide with melodic and textural elements, cleaner vocals sit alongside their trademark intensity, while electronics and increasingly intricate guitar arrangements create new contrasts within the songs. The result is a record that can feel both enormous and deeply intimate. The album was recorded across several years and locations, with its own history becoming intertwined with that of the band. Drums were recorded over a full week in a 1920s stone church sanctuary outside Philadelphia, the same building where Rosetta held their very first rehearsal in June 2003.
“It felt good to come back around and use that building again. We did guitars and bass a month later (August 2024) at the Radar Studio in Connecticut, owned by Will Benoit from Pelagic labelmates SOM. Then there was another long hiatus after the birth of my son. We finally got together to write and record all the vocals in Austin, Texas in December of 2025, which took ten days,” comments Matt Weed.
Elsewhere on Temporal Lapse, ‘The Pale Cast Of Thought’ lands with a sense of desperation and crushing intensity, while ‘Dvora’ builds tension through hypnotic melody, pre-battle percussion and a slow-rising swell of distortion, with Johnny Dang of O’Brother contributing slide guitar, piano and synths. ‘Ribbon Of Dawn’ moves from a raging, thrashing opening into something unexpectedly hopeful before its melodies grow increasingly complex and heavy, charging towards the threshold.
At the heart of the album is a question about what happens to us after loss, whether we emerge from it fundamentally broken or fundamentally changed.
For Rosetta, Temporal Lapse is ultimately both an ending and a reflection on everything that came before it. The band have been clear that this is their final album in their current form, bringing the story of Rosetta to a deliberate close rather than disappearing without resolution.
“This is the final album. We’re not breaking up; there’s always openness to doing interesting things together in the future. But even as far back as 2019, we intended to release one more full length as a capstone, do a ‘victory lap’ tour around the world, and then be done with Rosetta as it existed before,” comments Weed.
With Temporal Lapse, Rosetta leave behind a record that carries the density, volume and scope that have characterised their music for more than twenty years, while embracing space, melody, reflection and vulnerability. It is abrasive and beautiful, turbulent and meditative, a final statement from a band still willing to push against the boundaries of what their music can contain.
Rosetta are: Mike Armine – Vocals, Samples David Grossman – Bass Eric Jernigan – Vocals, Guitar, Bass Bruce McMurtrie – Drums Matt Weed – Guitar, Bass, Producer/Engineer
Discography: The Galilean Satellites (2005) Wake/Lift (2007) The Anaesthete (2013) Quintessential Ephemera (2015) Utopioid (2017) Terra Sola EP (2019) Sower Of Wind EP (2019)
Jonne Järvelä, one of Finland’s most internationally successful metal musicians, will release Harjumaa, the new solo album by his namesake project, on 18 December. Best known as the frontman of Korpiklaani and one of the leading Finnish names in folk metal, Järvelä continues along the musical path explored on his two previous solo albums, Jonne (2014) and Kallohonka (2017).
The album’s title track, Harjumaa, is now available on all major streaming platforms.
“Melancholic yet hopeful, Harjumaa explores the power of nature within us. A person can be like a tree, standing strong on deep roots despite all the hardships they may face. As the chorus says, the sun always emerges from behind the grey clouds – and people, too, can find their feet again,” Jonne Järvelä explains.
Jonne’s songs are often snapshots of a particular moment, and this one is no exception.
“The song started taking shape on an acoustic guitar. When I was thinking about what to write lyrics about, I looked out of the window and saw a ridge covered with pine trees. So I thought I might as well write about that.”
The JONNE line-up also features familiar names from the Finnish music scene. On bass is Kärtsy Hatakka, best known for his work with Waltari, while accordion duties are handled by Sami Perttula, who is also a member of Korpiklaani. On violin is John Ryan, who has featured on Jonne’s previous solo releases and is particularly known as a long-time member of folk metal band Cruachan.
The album also features a number of guest musicians, including Kasper Mårtenson, known for his work with Amorphis, Barren Earth, Mannhai and Turisas, as well as the late Ben Woods, a guitarist renowned for his unique fusion of flamenco and metal.
Currently touring Canada with Korpiklaani, Järvelä will return home ahead of December and the release of his solo album. Harjumaa will be celebrated in advance on 11 December at The Riff in Helsinki, where the album will be played in its entirety at a preview event open to the public. Hosted by Jonne himself, the event starts at 6 pm. Places for the preview are limited.
JONNE line-up: Jonne Järvelä: vocals, guitar, mandolin, dobro, bass, percussion, programming, keyboards Jaana Järvelä: vocals, shaman drum Yoko Perttula: hurdy-gurdy, tin whistle Sami Perttula: accordion Kärtsy Hatakka: vocals, bass John Ryan: violin
Guest musicians: Jesper Anastadiasis: double bass, electric bass Samuli Mikkonen: drums Kasper Mårtenson: piano Riikka Jaakkola: backing vocals Yovan Nagwetch: Indigenous chants and flute Ben Woods (R.I.P.): guitar
Few names are as revered in metalcore as that of dynamic duo of singer Howard Jones and guitarist/producer Adam Dutkiewicz. The anticipation for what this momentous reunion will bring has been mounting ever since the announcement of their new project Burn Eternal.
Today, they have finally revealed that Burn Eternal‘s self-titled debut album will arrive on February 26 via Metal Blade. Pre-order it HERE.
Alongside the news, they share the lyric video for first single “Wounds I’ve Made.”
“‘Wounds I’ve Made’ is about both acknowledging mistakes and regrets of the past, while also constantly evolving and moving forward,” says Jones. “Sometimes change hurts, but it’s necessary for self-growth and to avoid being stuck in the past. Some relationships aren’t meant to be.”
“We are glad to finally release ‘Wounds I’ve Made.’ It’s crazy to think that this was one of the first songs I wrote for this project… six years ago! I really hope you guys dig it,” states Dutkiewicz.
Establishing the blueprint in New England’s burgeoning underground – Jones with Blood Has Been Shed and Dutkiewicz with Aftershock and then the legendary Killswitch Engage – the two would go on to join forces and play key roles in what would become seminal KsE years between 2002 and 2012. Their contributions to the scene – both together and apart – are undeniable. During the Jones fronted-era of KsE, the duo had amassed an impressive resume of awards and accolades together, including the band’s first of several GRAMMY nods for The End of Heartache, which also won best album at the 2004 Metal Hammer Golden God awards, as well as the 2006 platinum-selling As Daylight Dies, which remains the best-selling KsE album to date.
With Burn Eternal, the pair is able to expand its creative chemistry in new ways that sound familiar but wholly fresh at the same time!
BURN ETERNAL TRACK LISTING: 01. Wounds I’ve Made 02. No Escape 03. Blackheart 04. To Bear the Cross 05. Scared of Shadows 06. Bitter Pill 07. Learning to Let Go 08. Born Again 09. Fell Silent
Album art by Travis Smith
Multiple variations of vinyl will be made available worldwide, including TalkShop Live and Metal Injection variations. Fans can find all variations of BURN ETERNAL‘s debut album by territory HERE.
MORE ABOUT BURN ETERNAL: Jones’ departure from Killswitch in 2010 eventually kicked off a prolific journey of musical output from his bands Devil You Know, who won best new band at the 2012 Golden God Awards, Light The Torch, who put forth two critically acclaimed albums with 2018’s Revival and 2021’s You Will Be the Death of Me and SION with YouTube star Jared Dines. His revered vocals have made guest appearances on a wide array of music by Body Count, Crobot, and Dee Snider to name a few.
Meanwhile, Dutkiewicz as remained a Killswitch stalwart for 25+ years as a founding member, producer, prolific writer and of course accomplished guitarist. He has lent his production chops to an impressive list of bands that includes Underoath, Parkway Drive, Shadows Fall, as well as to his own projects Times of Grace and Serpentine Dominion. Now, nearly 14 years later, the dynamic duo returned to the studio and emerged with Burn Eternal‘s debut self-titled record.
As all good things do, the project naturally blossomed amongst dinner with friends. While Killswitch was in the UK supporting Iron Maiden, Jones happened to be in the UK performing and so he and Dutkiewicz decided to sit down and break bread. As the night went on, and the familiar warmth of longtime friendship took hold, Howard asked Adam a simple question, ‘Hey, do you have any riffs for me to sing over?‘
Without any promise of label backing, and fueled by a genuine love of each other’s company, the duo embarked on a grand journey of co-writing and demoing, leading them to numerous recording studios and ultimately tracking what would eventually become Burn Eternal‘s debut LP.
Each time they came together the feeling was familiar yet exciting, Jones describing it as “a longstanding itch, you finally got to scratch,” and adding “it was a fun situation because there weren’t any expectations.” The lack of deadline was freeing, allowing them to explore how their creative dynamic has evolved after so much time apart. “Howard has changed a lot as a person since we last worked together,” starts Adam D, “while writing Burn Eternal he was just like an open book, like, let’s try all these different ideas, it was really refreshing.”
Greek power metal band POWERCROSS have released the official lyric video for “Sign of the Cross”, the opening track of their upcoming album Echoes of Elysium – Part I. The album will be released on 16 January 2027 by Elevate Records, on CD and on all major digital platforms.
“Sign of the Cross” sets the tone for the whole record with the battle-hymn urgency of an opener, driven by crushing riffs, high-octane tempos and soaring melodic harmonies, in the tradition of classic European power metal and with a raw energy that keeps it firmly in the present.
Conceived as the first chapter of a two-part concept, Echoes of Elysium – Part I builds a richly layered world around themes of myth, loss and transcendence. Its eight tracks are each a self-contained statement, yet bound by a shared narrative arc that closes with the introspective sweep of the title track.
POWERCROSS were formed in December 2022 in Athens. Guitarist Spiros Rizos writes all of the band’s compositions and arrangements. The album follows The Lost Empire (2024) and Renaissance (2025), both released by Elevate Records. The current line-up features Veandok (vocals), Spiros Rizos (guitars), Panos Boutidis (bass) and Foivos Andriopoulos (drums).
Finnish melodic death metal band Nemecic, hailing from Jyväskylä, Finland, is releasing the third and final advance single from their upcoming EP. Titled “Petrol and Spark,” the track showcases the band’s more melodic side. The band comments on the song:
“Petrol and Spark is different from what people are used to hearing from us in many ways. If our previous single, ‘Mysterion,’ was perhaps the heaviest song we’ve written to date, this time we’re heading in the opposite direction. By our standards, you could even describe this one as a ballad. Lead vocals are handled by guitarist Tuomo Salonen, whose vocal work could also be heard on our previous full-length album on tracks such as ‘The Crowing of Swans’ and ‘The Chatter of Teeth.’ Vocalist Aki Salonen provides backup with growls and harmonies. The lyrics explore the end of existence and whether it is necessarily a purely negative thing. So, as you can imagine, the mood is as cheerful as ever.”
–FI3FC2655905 –Composition by Tuomo Salonen –Lyrics by Niko Anttila
Aki Suomela, who directed, wrote and filmed the music video, describes how the video came together:
“The idea for the video’s script came about while I was listening to the band’s demos, and this particular song caught my attention. I listened to it over and over again, and images started flashing through my mind, gradually taking shape as a story. The video explores a devastating, paralyzing sense of longing and loss – a feeling that touches almost everyone at some point in their lives. But what happens when longing takes over and you become willing to do anything? The aim was to create a cinematic and visually striking piece that combines powerful emotions, dance, flames and a sense of mythology that blurs the boundaries of reality.”
Biography:
Founded in Heinola in 2005 and now based in Jyväskylä, Finland, Nemecic represents the heavier side of melodic death metal. The band’s music combines relentless double bass drumming, downtuned guitars, guitar solos, and a mix of harsh growls and clean vocals. While difficult to compare directly to any single band, Nemecic’s sound draws influence from acts such as Fear Factory, Lamb of God, Katatonia, and Bolt Thrower.
The lyrics of the band’s newer material offer a critical perspective on contemporary society. Running through the songs is a search for meaning in a world perceived as alienated and devoid of values. Marked by themes of grief, loss, and existential reflection, the material paints a bleak picture of the contradictions inherent in the human condition.
To date, Nemecic has released two full-length albums, The Deathcantation (2017) and The Last Magic in Practice (2021), both of which received positive reviews. Fans of the band’s previous work are unlikely to be disappointed by the upcoming EP, scheduled for release in late 2026.
Nemecic: Aki Salonen – vocals Tuomo Salonen – guitar, vocals Pasi Rajakallio – guitar Emil Borg – bass Niko Anttila – drums
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video