Following on from the release of their earlier single ‘Ease Up’ late last year, THE ASTRONAUTS gear up for their loved up, fuzzed up new single ‘More Than Friends‘, out on 6th March on Flip Flop Records, with a new album to follow later in ’26.
“‘More Than Friends’ is a song about falling deeply into someone—moving beyond the innocent phase and into something more intense and consuming. It captures that overwhelming moment when emotions hit you all at once, bringing both panic and ecstasy. At its core, it’s a song about young love—the excitement, the uncertainty, and the courage it takes to push past your fears and go after something that truly matters to you. It’s about finding the confidence within yourself to take that leap.”
The Astronauts are Benjamin Fox and Gordon Cooper, American musicians collaborating transatlantically between Detroit and Ireland. In addition to their work as The Astronauts, Fox and Cooper also compose and record under the name Irish Lights, an ambient instrumental project inspired by the timeless beauty and solitude of Ireland’s lighthouses.
Beyond their own music, the duo operates Sleeping in Space LLC, a boutique Detroit-based label dedicated to releasing independent and forward-thinking music.
Finnish power metal pioneers Sonata Arctica have unleashed a brand-new single titled “Freedom Concept.” The track arrives as a powerful statement in the band’s 30th anniversary year, followed by an extensive touring schedule, and delivers the melodic intensity and energy fans have come to expect.
“Freedom Concept” captures the signature blend of soaring melodies, driving rhythms and emotional depth that has defined Sonata Arctica for three decades. At the same time, the song explores a thoughtful and timely subject: the complex idea of freedom and the responsibility that comes with it.
Frontman Tony Kakko comments: ”Freedom Concept” , a song about understanding and misunderstanding the concept of freedom, often forgetting it comes paired with responsibility, and how what ever values and thoughts you may have are not automatically transferred to your offspring and how in most cases that’s an effin great thing…(breath in) has been sitting on my desk for a while and we figured this kind of melodic power metal blast we’re known of would be a good way to celebrate the 30th anniversary ”tourette” we’ve started at the end of January 2026 WHILST also working on our next studio album. This song’s NOT gonna be on it. So…extra special snack in between meals. Enjoy!”
It has been 30 years since Sonata Arctica began their journey as one of the Finnish power metal pioneers. Emerging on the international scene in 1999 with their debut album Ecliptica, the band quickly established themselves as a leading force in melodic metal.
Since then, Sonata Arctica have released 11 studio albums, alongside countless singles, EPs and several live albums. Over the decades, they have toured the world extensively, built a dedicated global fanbase and solidified their reputation as one of the most successful Finnish metal bands of all time.
With “Freedom Concept,” the band once again proves why their sound continues to resonate across generations: melodic, powerful and unmistakably Sonata Arctica!
Sonata Arctica 30th Anniversary Tour: 09.04.2026 (SE) – Johanneshov – Slaktkyrkan 10.04.2026 (SE) – Göteborg – Pustervik 11.04.2026 (DK) – Roskilde – Gimle – Epic Fest 23.04.2026 (IT) – Ciampino – Orion Live Club 24.04.2026 (IT) – Trezzo Sull’adda – Trezzo Sull’adda 12.06.2026 (FI) – Hyvinkää – Hyvinkään Vilatehdas – Hyvinkää Rock 13.06.2026 (FI) – Vaasa – Moottorikatu Vasikiluoto – Lisää Löylyä Festival 18.06.2026 (BE) – Dessel – Graspop Metal Meeting 19.06.2026 (HU) – Székesfehérvár – FEZEN Fesztivál 25.06.2026 (SK) – Snina – Rock Pod Kamenom 03.07.2026 (FI) – Oulu – Rokki Raikaa 09.07.2026 (DE) – Balingen – RV Bang Open Air Festival 10.07.2026 (FI) – Turku – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali 24.07.2026 (FI) – Tampere – Rokki Raikaa 07.08.2026 (FI) – Vantaa – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Vantaa 13.08.2026 (CZ) – Moravsky Krumlov – Rock Castle Open Air 14.08.2026 (FI) – Lahti – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Lahti 28.08.2026 (FI) – Jyväskylä – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Jyväskylä 29.08.2026 (FI) – Valkeakoski – Waltikan Venetsialaiset 09.09.2026 (MX) – Chihuahua – Pistoleros House Of Show 10.09.2026 (MX) – Torreón – Centro de Convenciones de Torreón 11.09.2026 (MX) – Monterrey – Cafe Iguana 12.09.2026 (MX) – Ciudad Obregón – Centro Magno 14.09.2026 (MX) – Ciudad de México – FORO TEAMBRO 16.09.2026 (MX) – Santiago de Querétaro – Foro Arpa 17.09.2026 (MX) – León – Teatro Manuel Doblado 18.09.2026 (MX) – Guadalajara – C3 Stage 20.09.2026 (CR) – Zapote – Pepper Disco Club 22.09.2026 (CO) – Bogotá – Ace Of Spades – Club 23.09.2026 (EC) – Quito – Teatro San Gabriel 24.09.2026 (EC) – Guayaquil – Auditorio Simón Bolivar – MAAC Cine 25.09.2026 (PE) – Lima – Centro de Convenciones Teatro Leguia 27.09.2026 (CL) – Santiago – Teatro Coliseo 29.09.2026 (AR) – Buenos Aires – El Teatro Flores 30.09.2026 (UY) – Montevideo – Live Era 02.10.2026 (BR) – Limeira – Studio Mirage Eventos 03.10.2026 (BR) – São Paulo – Audio 26.10.2026 (UK) – London – O2 Forum Kentish Town – w/ Beast In Black 27.10.2026 (BE) – Bruxelles – Ancienne Belgique – w/ Beast In Black 28.10.2026 (NE) – Tilburg – Poppodium 013 – w/ Beast In Black 29.10.2026 (DE) – Leipzig – Haus Auensee – w/ Beast In Black 31.10.2026 (AT) – Wien – Gasometer – w/ Beast In Black 01.11.2026 (HU) – Budapest – Barba Negra – w/ Beast In Black 02.11.2026 (CZ) – Zlín – NOVESTA SPORT, Ltd., Sports Hall Euronics – w/ Beast In Black 03.11.2026 (PL) – Gliwice – Prezero Arena Gliwice – w/ Beast In Black 05.11.2026 (DE) – Berlin – Columbiahalle – w/ Beast In Black 06.11.2026 (DE) – Hannover – Swiss Life Hall – w/ Beast In Black 07.11.2026 (DE) – Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena – w/ Beast In Black 08.11.2026 (DE) – Offenbach – Stadthalle Offenbach – w/ Beast In Black 09.11.2026 (FR) – Paris – L’Olympia – w/ Beast In Black 11.11.2026 (ES) – Barcelona – Razzmatazz 1 – w/ Beast In Black 12.11.2026 (ES) – Madrid – Sala Riviera – w/ Beast In Black 13.11.2026 (ES) – Bilbao – Sala Santana 27 – w/ Beast In Black 14.11.2026 (FR) – Ramonville-St-Agne – Le Bikini – w/ Beast In Black 15.11.2026 (FR) – Villeurbanne – Transbordeur – w/ Beast In Black 17.11.2026 (CH) – Zürich – Komplex AG – w/ Beast In Black 18.11.2026 (IT) – Milan – Alcatraz – w/ Beast In Black 20.11.2026 (DE) – München – Zenith – w/ Beast In Black 21.11.2026 (LU) – Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal – w/ Beast In Black 22.11.2026 (DE) – Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle – w/ Beast In Black 23.11.2026 (DE) – Hamburg – Inselparkhalle – w/ Beast In Black 24.11.2026 (SE) – Göteborg – Eriksbergshallen – w/ Beast In Black 25.11.2026 (SE) – Stockholm – Fryshuset – w/ Beast In Black
Sonata Arctica is: Tony Kakko (vocals) Elias Viljanen (guitars) Tommy Portimo (drums) Henrik “Henkka” Klingenberg (keyboards) Pasi Kauppinen (bass)
Ruoska, a long-standing Finnish industrial metal band, breaks boundaries with their new album Kade. The album features new musical approach for Ruoska, and some of the songs even strive for a progressive outcome. The band, which has never been a victim of a single music genre, takes things even further this time around.
The production is unmistakably recognizable as Ruoska thanks to Patrik Mennander‘s distinctive voice. The album makes use of Patrik’s versatility as a singer and his wide range of interpretations to a much greater extent than the band’s previous material.
The diversity of the final result was also supported by the fact that the album was worked on in studio conditions from the composition stage to the demos and then to the final touches. The album features the minds and talents of new musical collaborators, such as Krzysztof Dobosiewicz‘s majestic orchestral arrangements.
Although working on the album took considerably longer than planned, the end result is definitely worth all the effort. In Mennander’s opinion, Ruoska finally achieves the level they originally set out to achieve with the Kade album.
“The band’s current lineup makes it possible to realize even ambitious ideas in a way that was previously only a dream. All members have different musical backgrounds, which has contributed to the diversity of the new album.” Patrik Mennader tells.
The album was given its final polish by music producer Janne Saksa, who also breathed new life into previously released singles (e.g., Kade, Silti syntinen). While working on the latter, there were even some hysterically funny moments as Mennander and Saksa debated whether the song should sound more like Scooter or David Guetta.
Ruoska tours this spring around Finland to celebrate the new album.
Hailing from the heart of Finland, the masters of melodic death metal, Noumena, are making their long-awaited return. Their new single, “Kuolemankello” (The Deathwatch Beetle), is an intense, atmospheric, and catchy strike that sets the stage for the band’s upcoming seventh studio album.
After a period of silence dedicated to honing their craft, Noumena has returned with a refined sound that captures the band’s core essence: a unique blend of Northern melancholy and relentless energy. Composer and guitarist Tuukka Tuomela is thrilled with the result:
“It’s a classic Noumena track with catchy melodies, striking riffs, and a hook-filled chorus. Growing into epic proportions, the song is a perfect choice for the first single from our upcoming full-length album.”
“Kuolemankello” continues Noumena’s tradition of powerful storytelling. The track dives deep into 18th-century Finland, specifically the era known as The Great Wrath (isoviha in Finnish) – a brutal period of Russian occupation marked by widespread atrocities and historical suffering. The song’s title refers to the “Deathwatch Beetle,” a wood-boring insect whose ticking sound was historically seen as an omen of impending death. Lyricist Hannu Savolainen sheds light on the dark theme:
“In folklore, the ‘Kuolemankello’ has been seen as an omen of death. In this story, the beetle ticking inside the wooden walls warns of a grim fate. The song is set during the savage era of The Great Wrath in 1700s Finland. However, even in this mournful tale, there is a small glimmer of hope, as is often the case in Noumena’s songs.”
The single offers a first taste of Noumena’s seventh album, scheduled for release in August. The long-standing veterans of the Finnish metal scene prove they are as formidable as ever – the clock is ticking, and Noumena’s time is now.
–ISRC: FIHZP1200039 –Record label: Haunted Zoo –Composers: Tuukka Tuomela, Suvi Uura –Lyrics: Hannu Savolainen –Arrangement: Noumena
Noumena is a Finnish melodic death metal band formed in 1998 in Ähtäri, Finland. Known for combining melancholic melodies, heavy riffs and atmospheric soundscapes, Noumena draws from the Scandinavian death metal tradition while adding touches of Nordic melancholy and emotion.
Over their more than 25-year career, Noumena has released six full-length albums — including Pride/Fall (2002), Absence (2005), Anatomy of Life (2006), Death Walks With Me (2013), Myrrys (2017) and Anima (2020) — steadily evolving their sound while retaining their core identity.
Noumena has over 130 live shows history, the band has toured in Finland, Central Europe, Japan and China. They have shared the stages with acts like Insomnium, Beast in Black, Moonsorrow and many others.
Line-up Antti Haapanen – growls Suvi Uura – vocals Markus Hirvonen – guitars, vocals Ville Lamminaho – guitars, mandolin, vocals Tuukka Tuomela – guitars Hannu Savolainen – bass Ilkka Unnbom – drums
As the curtain falls on an extraordinary career spanning more than four decades, SEPULTURA are preparing to close their final chapter at the end of this year. With over 40 years of band history, 14 gold records, and performances across more than 80 countries, SEPULTURA stand as Brazil’s uncompromising emissary to the global stage and one of today’s most influential metal bands.
Currently bringing their pioneering sound to audiences worldwide on the ‘Celebrating Life Through Death‘ farewell tour, the question has arisen: how should SEPULTURA mark the end of such a monumental journey? The answer came naturally: By capturing a final creative moment and preserving it for posterity.
The result is The Cloud of Unknowing EP, set to be released on April 24th via Nuclear Blast Records.
The Cloud of Unknowing EP is one of SEPULTURA’s most diverse and emotionally resonant releases. Across four tracks, the EP serves as a bittersweet farewell, showcasing the full spectrum of the band’s creativity, reflecting both the ferocity and depth that have defined SEPULTURA’s legacy.
SEPULTURA have released EP track ‘The Place‘, which vocalist Derrick Green sheds some light on:
“This song deals with immigrants who have come to a place seeking refuge and start a new life.
Once assimilated into a false sense of security and relentless propaganda they began to act out against what they hate about themselves. The transition begins to escape from the self hatred and the lashing out against people who believed in the same ideas. I feel the lyrics truly follow the transitions of the song. Starting with disappointment and arriving at anger.”
The Cloud of Unknowing EP will be available in the following formats:
Oxblood
Transparent Petrol (NB exclusive)
Crystal clear (band exclusive)
Transparent red (band exclusive)
All LP variants come with a CD of the EP in a card wallet.
The Cloud of Unknowing EP Tracklisting
01. All Souls Rising 02. Beyond the Dream 03. Sacred Books 04. The Place
Don’t miss the opportunity to see SEPULTURA on their final ever tour! The dates are as follows:
SEPULTURA – CELEBRATING LIFE THROUGH DEATH
20. Mar – AUS – Perth @ Metro City 23. Mar – AUS – Adelaide @ The Gov. 25. Mar – AUS – Melbourne @ Northcote Theatre 26. Mar – AUS – Sydney @ Liberty Hall 27. Mar – AUS – Sydney @ Liberty Hall *SOLD OUT 29. Mar – AUS – Brisbane @ The Tivoli
29. Apr – USA – Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater 01. May – CAN – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS 02. May – CAN – London, ON @ London Music Hall 04. May – USA – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre 05. May – USA – Louisville, KY @Old Forester’s Paristown Hall 06. May – USA – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl 07. May – USA – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 08. May – USA – New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre 10. May – USA – Welcome To Rockville, FL 11. May – USA – Charleston, SC @ Music Farm 12. May – USA – Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall 13. May – USA – Reading, PA @ Reverb 15. May – Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre 16. May – USA – Sonic Temple Festival, OH 17. May – USA – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave 19. May – USA – Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom 21. May – USA – Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre 22. May – USA – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot 23. May – USA – Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club 25. May – USA – Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues 26. May – USA – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park 28. May – USA – Berkeley, CA @ The US Theatre 29. May – USA – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
06. Jun – NL – South Of Heaven 07. Jun – CZ – Metalfest 08. Jun – CR – Zagreb @ Tvornica Kulture 09. Jun – IT – Milan @ Circolo Magnolia 10. Jun – IT – Rome @ Eur social park 12. Jun – CH – Greenfield Festival 13. Jun – AT – Novarock 14. Jun – DE – Würzburg @ Pothalle 17. Jun – DE – Saarbruecken @ Garage 19. Jun – FR – Hellfest 20. Jun – BE – Graspop 21. Jun – PT – Rock in Rio Lisboa 23. Jun – DE – Oberhausen @ Turbinenhalle 24. Jun – DE – Potsdam @ Waschhaus Potsdam 25. Jun – DK – Copenhell 26. Jun – SE – Huskvarna @ Folkets Park 27. Jun – NO – Tons of Rock
30. Jun – GR – Release festival 31. Jul – DE – Wacken Open Air 01. Aug – FI – Helsinki @ Tavastia *SOLD OUT 02. Aug – EE – Tallinn Rock Festival 05. Aug – ES – Leyendas Del Rock 07. Aug – UK – Bloodstock Festival 09. Aug – IE – Dublin @ 3Arena
Children Of Bodom reunited for two special shows in their home country, Finland. The melodic death and power metal band that has been celebrated for decades disbanded in 2019, playing their farewell concert in Helsinki at that time. Last year, the big memorial show was announced in the same city and quickly complemented by a second show on the following day after the first sold out in no time. In 2025, they said:
“We want to celebrate the life’s work of our band and at the same time honor the musical legacy of our friend and bandmate Alex. The concert will take place at the Tavastia Club, a venue that has always been very meaningful to Children Of Bodom – and it also fulfills a long-standing wish from our fans.”
Yesterday, the moment arrived, and the first concert took place as planned under the “A Celebration Of Music” theme. Alexander Kuoppala, Henkka Blacksmith, Janne Warman, and Jaska Raatikainen from the original lineup returned to the stage for two nights, joined by Samy Elbanna fromLost Society.
Here is the full setlist from 26th february concert:
Please note: the setlist may vary from show to show.
Living Dead Beat
Sixpounder
Bodom Beach Terror
Silent Night, Bodom Night
Deadnight Warrior
Towards Dead End
Everytime I Die
Bodom After Midnight
Lake Bodom
Bed of Razors
Needled 24/7
Angels Don’t Kill
Blooddrunk
Warheart
Follow the Reaper
Downfall
Encore:
Are You Dead Yet?
Hate Me!
Hate Crew Deathroll
Encore 2:
In Your Face
Chief Shock Video
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 ) 