With the release of their searing new single ‘Hurricane‘ on 24th July, Mason Hill also announce the release of their highly anticipated new album ‘World So Wonderful’ in October. The album was recorded with Dan Weller, and is available for preorder now.
Matthew Ward (bass): “A couple of years ago this album seemed like it would be an impossible task. To be sitting here, finally discussing launching the pre order feels like we just climbed Everest and made it to the top!
This album is the next step in the evolution of Mason Hill, it’s more fierce, more refined, and hungrier than ever. This one is for everyone that kept believing in Mason Hill. I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on it.”
Tom Ward (vocals): “We have poured our heart into this album and we’re all truly elated with the finished product – I feel the exciting synergy that we’ve found in this writing relationship has delivered a new and revitalised Mason Hill.
Whether you’re a long-term fan, or recently converted ,there is honestly something for everyone on this album, with riffs so crunchy you’ll need a neck brace after your first listen.
Coming into this as a newbie, working with Dan Weller was an amazing experience, he really helped me unlock my own style and take a new approach to writing which I’m forever grateful for. This is a dream for me and I’m super proud of the boys and can’t wait to unleash it on the world.“
Mason Hill have been no strangers to adversity over their 10-year existence. They’ve endured false starts, botched record deals and a six-year gap between 2015’s eponymous debut EP and the release of ‘Against The Wall’. Even the latter landed during the height of the Covid pandemic, meaning the band weren’t initially able to tour in support of it. The departure of former singer Scott Taylor at the end of 2023 was just the latest obstacle they had to overcome.
“There have been times over the years when we weren’t even sure we’d be able to keep on being a band,” says James Bird. “Even just before Tom came in, wwere so close to saying, ‘Well, we tried, but let’s call it a day.’ But there’s a stubbornness and determination and passion in us that has kept us going.The new music was obviously still Mason Hill, but we didn’t want it to be a copy of the first album”, he adds. “All the good stuff and the bad stuff, I’m glad it happened in a sense,” adds James. “Because without it we wouldn’t be in this place we’re in right now, talking about new songs, which I couldn’t be more excited about. We’re so ready to get back out there. This is who we are now. This is Mason Hill.”
Live shows: 7 – 9th Aug Firevolt Festival, Stockport 13th Nov Glasgow Barrowlands supporting Skindred
Tom Ward vocals James Bird guitarist Marc Montgomery guitarist Matt Ward bassist Craig McFetridge drums
STORMBRINGER release their new single “Energy”, out now, new album ‘Transcendence‘ is out on 4th September on Attic Records.
“Energy” explores hidden struggles beneath an uplifting exterior, focusing on the importance of recognising internal battles and transforming negative experiences into something constructive.
The band state: “‘Energy’ is one of those songs that people will probably misinterpret at first. The title, the pace, and the intensity of the music can make it seem like it’s about someone who’s vibrant, confident, and full of life. In reality, it’s quite the opposite. The song was inspired by someone going through an extremely difficult period, and much of what I wrote came from witnessing that experience firsthand. It was a deeply distressing situation that affected everyone around it, and the emotional weight of those events stayed with me long after. Out of respect for the people involved, I’ve never gone into the specifics, but the song comes from a very dark and very real place. What interests me most about ‘Energy’ is the contrast between its sound and its meaning. Musically, it’s urgent, driving, and full of momentum, but beneath that is a story about turmoil, vulnerability, and the impact of watching someone struggle. That tension between what you hear and what the song is actually saying is at the heart of what ‘Energy’ means to me.”
Following the journey of their previous albums, Stormbringer continue to evolve with ‘Transcendence’ – a record that explores adversity, resilience, self-acceptance and the complex relationship between personal struggles and the world around us.
Musically, the album represents a further evolution of the band’s signature sound, combining crushing riffs, powerful melodies and emotionally charged performances. Stormbringer continue to embrace their heavy rock foundations while pushing their songwriting into new and more expansive territory.
“Every album captures a moment in time,” explains vocalist Mike Stockley. “Transcendence is about growth through adversity. It’s about recognising and accepting the darkness without allowing it to define you. The album confronts life’s struggles on both a personal and societal level, exploring the challenges we face as individuals while also reflecting on the world around us. These songs aren’t about offering easy answers – they’re about questioning, understanding and ultimately finding the strength to move forward.”
Produced by legendary producer Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, At the Gates, The Wildhearts, The Exploited, Evile, The Haunted, New Model Army, Eradikator, Evil Scarecrow, Raging Speedhorn) and recorded at Parlour Studios in Kettering, Northamptonshire, Stormbringer return with their most ambitious and emotionally profound release to date.
Stormbringer UK Tour Dates: 11th Sept Roadmender, Northampton plus Brightblack, Silence Mutant 12th Sept The Old Wine Vaults plus Brightblack, Silence Mutant 25th Sept The Portland Arms, Cambridge plus Planet Fatale, Brightblack 26th Sept The Carlist, Hastings plus Planet Fatale, Silence Mutant 20th Nov B2, Norwich plus Black Transistor, Planet Fatale, Triggered Velocity 21st Nov Percy’s Rock Café, Whitchurch plus Planet Fatale, local support 27th Nov The Cobblestones, Bridgewater, plus Metallised 28th Nov Bears Cave, Bournemouth plus Brightblack, Silence Mutant As special guests to Viking Skull 29th Nov London, Cart & Horses 7th Dec West End Centre, Aldershot 8th Dec Billy Bootleggers, Nottingham 9th Dec Star And Garter, Manchester 10th Dec Bannermans, Edinburgh 11th Dec The Underground, Bradford
Stormbringer are: Mike Stockley – Vocals Ashley Smith – Guitar Darren Caven-Quantrill – Guitar Barney Byron – Bass Jon Paul Quantrill – Drums
Produced by: Russ Russell Recorded at: Parlour Studios, Kettering, Northamptonshire
CHANGELING, the progressive death metal band led by guitarist Tom “Fountainhead” Geldschläger (ex-Obscura), is releasing a blindfolded guitar playthrough of “World? What World?”. Shot in studio and taken from the band’s debut album, Changeling, the playthrough turns the song into a single uninterrupted performance, with Fountainhead navigating its shifting time signatures and tremolo-picked runs entirely by feel.
Watch the blindfolded guitar playthrough of “World? What World?” on FountainheadTV:
“World? What World?” is one of the most punishing songs on Changeling. Built on 260 bpm blast beats and a brass arrangement scored for an ensemble of Wagnerian tubas, it stages a confrontation with fear and the unconscious mind, Losing the visual reference point of the fretboard turns the new guitar playthrough into a demonstration of muscle memory as much as musicianship, a fitting angle for a song built around the collapse of perceptual certainty.
Changeling moves through four distinct chapters. The album opens in tech-death vocabulary, rooted in Fountainhead’s work on Obscura’s album Akroasis. It closes with “Anathema”, the 16-minute successor to his own “Weltseele.”
Catch Changeling on the band’s first European headline tour this November with Obsidian Tide.
CHANGELING 2026 European Headline TOUR? WHAT TOUR?with Obsidian Tide
Fountainhead, the musical alter-ego of Berlin-based musician Tom Geldschläger, is a celebrated figure across diverse music landscapes. Known for his expansive involvement in the music industry, Tom has contributed to over a hundred releases in capacities ranging from guitarist to mixing/mastering engineer, and occasionally even as an oud-player. He has worked with globally recognized artists such as Obscura, Belphegor, Marco Minnemann, Defeated Sanity, Amogh Symphony, Hannes Grossmann, Voodoogods, Christian Münzner, Nader Sadek and more. Featured in numerous international music magazines, authored several books of non-fiction and musical notation, Tom has also been instrumental in integrating the fretless guitar into extreme metal genres.
Acclaimed as a “modern-day guitar legend,” Tom’s signature playing style and adventurous genre-defying compositions highlight his fearless approach to music. His endorsements include prestigious brands like Aristides Guitars, Elixir Strings, and Bare Knuckle Pickups. Additionally, Tom is a sought-after clinician and speaker, focusing on creativity, music production, and musician’s mental health, remaining at the forefront of spatial and 360-degree audio production.
In a significant development in early 2024, Fountainhead, now branded under the name CHANGELING for his new project and album, signed with the label Season of Mist. This venture marks a new chapter in Tom’s career, amplifying his visionary approach to music. Accompanied by an all-star band featuring members from Fear Factory, Alkaloid, and Virvum, the project CHANGELING showcases a 65-minute concept album that elevates Tom’s artistry.
The album, sharing its name with the project, blends progressive metal, death metal, jazz/fusion, and world music, enriched with complex orchestrations by a 40-piece ensemble of guest musicians. It includes the eagerly anticipated “Part 2” of his renowned composition “Weltseele,” an orchestral metal epic from Obscura’s billboard-chart-entering “Akroasis” album, which broadly introduced Fountainhead to the metal community in 2016.
This year also sees Tom headlining his first-ever solo tour in India, featuring music from CHANGELING and his diverse discography, promising an unparalleled sonic journey for his fans and new listeners alike.
Core Lineup: Tom Fountainhead (ex-Obscura, Amogh Symphony, Belphegor, Defeated Sanity) – Fretted & fretless electric & acoustic guitars, oud, keyboards, composition and arrangements Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy, Raven) – Drums Arran McSporran (Vipassi, Virvum) – Fretless bass Morean (Alkaloid, Dark Fortress) – Lead vocals & lyrics
Guest Musicians: Bill Hudson (Trans-siberian Orchestra, Doro, I am Morbid) – Guest guitar solo Jason Gobel (ex-Cynic, ex-Monstrosity)- Guest guitar solo Andy Laroque (ex-Death, King Diamond) – Guest guitar solo Yatziv Caspi (ex-Orphaned Land) – Tabla, hangdrum, dabouka, riq & shakers Ally Storch (Subway To Sally)- Violins, viola & cello James Dorton (The Faceless, NeObliviscaris, Black Crown Initate) – Spoken words Alexander Kerski (Vianova)- Backing & harmony vocals Matthias Alexander Preisinger – Piano and glockenspiel, violins & viola Martin Matiasovic – Horns & Wagnerian Tube Jan Ferdinand – Vibraphone & marimba Chris Rützel – Flutes Ivar Ludvig Nitzler – Cello Shiho Murano – Tuba Juliane Erding – Wagnerian tube & horn Eduard Cortez – Wagnerian tube & horn Tillmann Schulz – Wagnerian tube & horn Ava Bonam – Female vocals Moran Magal – Piano Cydney McQuillan-Grace, Lauren Gill, Shannon Bedford, Sara Robalo; Tenor and Bari – Ben Francis, John Schaffer, Alice Williams, Cyd McQuillan-Grace; Alto – Lauren Gill, Sara Robalo; Tenor and Bass – James Schouten & John Schaffer – Choir vocals Krassimir Jossifov – Trumpet Brandt Attema – Trombones & bass trombones Kristian Petkov – Bassoon Stefan Prost – Church organ Seonghyeon Park – Clarinet Arnfried Falk – Oboe Rouven Haliti – Upright bass Dalai Cellai – Cello
Production Credits: Produced & Engineered by Tom Fountainhead. Mixed by Tom Fountainhead at FountainheadHQ. Mastered by Leon Schmidt at his home studio & FountainheadHQ.
Women-led, talented Brazilian Rock band Malvada are pleased to share the new single and official visualizer for “Anymore (English version of “Aversa~o”)”, as part of the digital deluxe edition of their self-titled album, originally released in June 2025 and out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
The band commented: “Anymore” is about breaking free from a relationship built on manipulation, greed, and lies. It’s the moment when someone stops seeing the other person through a fantasy, recognizes the truth behind the mask, and decides to close the door on everything that no longer deserves a place in their life. At its core, the song is about liberation, self-awareness, and reclaiming your own strength”.
Order the Digital Deluxe Edition of “Malvada” HERE
The rising star of the Brazilian rock scene has a name: Malvada, and they are ready to take over the world!
Malvada was initially formed in March 2020, during the beginning of the pandemic. With a rock n’ roll style full of personality, the band quickly attracted attention as one of the most promising acts in the Brazilian rock scene.
In January 2021, Malvada released their first single entitled “Mais Um Gole”, which gained greater prominence in the scene. Shortly afterwards, in May of the same year, it was time to release the second single “Cada Escolha uma Renúncia”, which preceded the launch of the band’s debut album, “A Noite Vai Ferver”.
In the years 2022 and 2023, Malvada solidified its presence on the national rock panorama, performing more than a hundred shows in several cities in Brazil. The band had the privilege of participating in huge festivals, such as Rock in Rio, Best of Blues and Rock, Angra Fest and Chama Rock, sharing the stage with renowned national and international rock names, like Pitty, Ira!, Angra, Viper, Edu Falaschi, Matanza, Golpe de Estado, Extreme and Tom Morello.
In November 2023, Malvada, composed of Indira Castillo, Bruna Tsuruda, Rafaela Reoli and Juliana Salgado surprised with a big announcement: the band has become the newest signee of the prestigious Italian label Frontiers Records, which has renowned bands in its catalog such as Mr. Big, Asia, Whitesnake, Jeff Scott Soto, among others, promising to take them to a new level, with opportunities to expand their reach and conquer the global market.
Their latest self-titled album, released last June and produced by the Brazilian Grammy awarded producer Giu Daga, delivers a powerful and exciting musical experience, featuring tracks in both English and Portuguese, setting the bar for the band to conquer a global audience.
Malvada recently toured Europe with Michael Schenker, wrapping the tour up last month, and are set to play again at Rock in Rio in September, along with Bring Me The Horizon, Avenged Sevenfold, Bad Omens and Poppy.
“Malvada” – Digital Deluxe Edition – Tracklisting:
1. Down The Walls 2. Yesterday (My End, My Beginning) 3. Veneno 4. Fear 5. After 6. Como Se Fosse Hoje 7. Bulletproof 8. So Sweet 9. Aversa~O 10. I’m Sorry 11. Dead Like You 12. RNR GRRRL (Bonus track) 13. Aventura Favorita (Bonus track) 14. Anymore (English version of “Aversa~o”) Bonus track
Nonpoint have officially announced their highly anticipated 11th studio album, The Last Word, arriving September 18, 2026, through 361 Degrees Records. To celebrate the announcement, the band has unleashed a double release of their new single, “Red Yeti,” offering fans two distinct versions of the track.
The first version, “Red Yeti,” showcases Nonpoint on their own and is available as an instant gratification track with the album pre-save.
Released simultaneously, “Red Yeti” featuring Skye Sweetnam of Sumo Cyco delivers a collaborative take on the track, bringing Sweetnam’s unmistakable energy and vocal presence into the mix. The two versions offer different perspectives on the same explosive new song while kicking off the next chapter of Nonpoint’s ongoing evolution.
Already making an impact at Active Rock radio, “Is It” was the #1 Most Added track when it came out and has quickly climbed into the Top 50 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart.
Elias explains the concept behind the song “Is It.”
“‘Is It’ is that internal conflict where you question getting too involved? Did I push too hard? Did I ask too much? It’s that feeling of wondering if doing what you thought was right actually meant hurting the people around you.”
The album itself represents far more than another release in the band’s celebrated catalog.
“In a world that sometimes wants to put a timestamp on creativity, The Last Word is our way of saying we’re just getting started. We’re pushing back against expectation and pushing forward into our own next chapter.”
The album artwork carries an equally powerful message. Soriano describes the symbolic pencil featured on the cover as a reflection of both longevity and perseverance.
“This album cover tells a piece of our story. After years of making music, we feel more aligned than ever—musically, visually, and creatively. We’re writing some of the strongest material of our career, our live shows are as powerful as they’ve ever been, and the band feels focused and energized. The pencil on the cover represents what it’s like to be handed one last tool and expected to fit everything you have left to say into it. Not because the ideas are gone, but because longevity often comes with assumptions and limits. The Last Word isn’t about accepting an ending. It’s about challenging that narrative. If this is the pencil we’re being handed, we’re going to use it—and make sure the words written with it still matter.”
Coinciding with the album announcement, Nonpoint has also revealed “The Even More Outta Control Tour,” kicking off July 25, 2026. Renowned for their explosive live performances, the band will be performing brand-new material from The Last Word alongside the fan favorites that have become staples of their live set. The tour offers audiences an early look at what promises to be one of the band’s most dynamic records to date.
For more than two decades, Nonpoint has remained one of hard rock’s most resilient and respected acts, earning millions of streams, multiple charting singles, and a fiercely loyal global fanbase through relentless touring and uncompromising musicianship. The Last Word finds the band firing on all cylinders, proving they have no intention of slowing down.
Further underscoring the band’s momentum, Nonpoint has also joined the roster of artists endorsed by Heavys, the world’s first audio company engineered specifically for rock and heavy music fans. Designed for listeners who treat music as identity—not background noise—Heavys produces premium headphones, earbuds, and audio gear.
The Last Word arrives worldwide on September 18, 2026 via 361 Degrees Records. Fans can also catch Nonpoint on “The Even More Outta Control Tour,” beginning July 25, 2026, as the band ushers in an exciting new chapter.
Painful. Powerful. Unforgettable. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it!
Nonpoint US Tour Dates
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 7/26 Minneapolis, MN Cabooze
Nonpoint Only 7/28 Des Moines, IA Woolys
Nonpoint, Soil, Spineshank, Hed Pe 7/29 Indianapolis, IN Vogue Theater 7/31 District 142 Wyandotte, Mi
Nonpoint, Powerman 5K, Soil and more 8/1 Rock Lansing, Lansing, MI
Nonpoint, Soil, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/2 The Winchester Lakewood, OH 8/4 Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA 8/6 Wallys Hampton Beach, NH 8/7 Empire Live Albany, NY
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/8 Waynesboro, VA The Foundry 8/9 Harrison, OH The Blue Note 8/11 Lexington, KY Manchester Music Hall 8/12 Sauget, IL Pops
Nonpoint only 8/14 Ringle, WI Q&Z Expo Center
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/15 Milwaukee, WI The Rave 8/16 Kansas City, MO RecordBar 8/15 Milwaukee, WI The Rave II 8/16 Kansas City, MO RecordBar
Nonpoint Only 8/18 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/20 Boise ID Shrine Social Club 8/21 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory 8/22 Seattle, WA EL Corazón 8/23 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater 8/24 Roseville, CA Goldfield Trading Post
Nonpoint, Spineshank 8/26 San Jose, CA The Ritz
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/28 Pomona, CA Glasshouse 8/29 Las Vegas 24 Oxford 8/30 Mesa, AZ The Nile 9/1 Lubbock, TX Jake’s 9/3 Austin, TX Come & Take It Live 9/4 Dallas TX Trees
Nonpoint are a veteran South Florida nu‑metal/alternative metal band formed in 1997 by vocalist Elias Soriano and drummer Robb Rivera, known for high‑energy live shows, groove‑driven riffs, and raw, socially charged lyrics. Drawing from alternative metal, hardcore, hip‑hop and Latin‑inflected rhythm, they broke out with early releases like “What A Day” from the album Statement (2000) and quickly became road warriors—appearing on cornerstone festivals such as OZZfest and Rock on the Range and sharing stages with acts including Sevendust, Disturbed and Stone Sour. Their muscular cover of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight,” later featured in the film Miami Vice, helped introduce the band to a wider audience and remains one of their most recognizable recordings.
Throughout the 2000s Nonpoint sharpened their sound on albums including Recoil (2004) and To the Pain (2005), the latter featuring the fan‑favorite anthem “Bullet With a Name,” a live and streaming staple that helped define the band’s place in the modern heavy landscape. That momentum carried into the 2010s with hard‑hitting singles like “Breaking Skin” and “Generation Idiot,” setting the stage for a prolific modern era highlighted by the launch of their own independent label 361 Degrees Records, followed by the Ruthless EP in 2021 and the Heartless EP released in 2023, through which they’ve continued to roll out standout tracks like “Ruthless”, “Paper Tigers” and later the single “A Million Watts.”
With hundreds of thousands of albums sold and a catalog packed with setlist anchors like “Bullet With a Name,” “Ruthless” “What a Day” and “In the Air Tonight,” Nonpoint remain a cornerstone name in heavy music, equally at home in packed clubs and on the biggest festival stages. In recent interviews they’ve spoken openly about this new album pushing toward what they describe as the “most Nonpoint record yet,” featuring the first single “Is It” doubling down on groove, aggression and big‑chorus songwriting that keeps their long‑running fanbase engaged while inviting new listeners into the fold.
Nonpoint is: Elias Soriano (Lead Vocals) Robb Rivera (Drums) Rasheed Thomas (Guitar /Backing Vocals) Adam Woloszyn (Bass) Jason Zeilstra (Lead Guitar)
The Illustrious Swedish extreme metal band MESHUGGAH mark two notable milestones with Destroy Erase Improve: 30th Anniversary Edition and Catch Thirtythree: 20th Anniversary Edition. Released today via Reigning Phoenix Music, MESHUGGAH honor two of their most influential works with these remastered anniversary editions. Both titles are available on vinyl, CD digipack, and digitally, featuring the original album artwork and newly remastered audio.
Alongside the arrival of Destroy Erase Improve: 30th Anniversary Edition, the remastered single “Suffer in Truth” is featured as one of the most revered songs on the track list.
In celebration of Catch Thirtythree: 20th Anniversary Edition, the remastered “Dehumanization” has been unveiled as one of the album’s most momentous offerings.
Originally released in 1995, Destroy Erase Improve marked a decisive turning point not only for MESHUGGAH, but for the future of heavy music itself. The album introduced a sharpened and unmistakable version of the band’s evolving language: machine-like rhythmic precision, dissonant riff architecture, jazz-fusion flashes, and a level of technical control that would become foundational to progressive, extreme, math, and djent-adjacent metal in the decades that followed. Widely regarded as one of the defining metal albums of the 1990s, Destroy Erase Improve remains a blueprint for the sound MESHUGGAH would make entirely their own.
A decade later, MESHUGGAH pushed their vision even further with Catch Thirtythree. Released in 2005, the album stands as one of the band’s most singular statements: a continuous 47-minute composition divided into 13 movements, built around hypnotic repetition, shifting rhythmic illusions, crushing eight-string guitar work, and an atmosphere that remains uniquely immersive within the band’s catalog. Self-produced by MESHUGGAH, Catch Thirtythree also marked the band’s only full-length album built with programmed drums, using Toontrack’s Drumkit From Hell technology as part of its stark, futuristic design.
Both anniversary editions reaffirm the lasting impact of MESHUGGAH’s work across generations of heavy music. From the genre-redefining force of Destroy Erase Improve to the monolithic conceptual scope of Catch Thirtythree, these remastered releases offer longtime followers and new listeners alike the chance to experience two essential chapters in the band’s history with renewed clarity and weight.
About MESHUGGAH:
Formed in Umeå, Sweden in 1987, MESHUGGAH have spent more than three decades redefining the outer limits of heavy music. Known for their groundbreaking use of complex polyrhythms, down-tuned guitars, dissonant atmospheres, and surgically precise execution, the band has become one of the most influential forces in extreme and progressive metal.
Across their catalog, MESHUGGAH have continually pushed their sound forward, from the technical thrash foundations of their earliest work to the genre-altering breakthroughs of Destroy Erase Improve, Chaosphere, Nothing, Catch Thirtythree, obZen, and beyond. Their music has had a profound impact on modern metal, inspiring generations of artists and helping shape the rhythmic vocabulary later associated with the djent movement, while remaining unmistakably singular in vision and execution.
Rather than following trends, MESHUGGAH have built an entire language of their own: mechanical yet human, cerebral yet crushing, and as hypnotic as it is devastating. With a reputation for uncompromising innovation and formidable live performances, MESHUGGAH continue to stand as one of the most original, challenging, and revered bands in heavy music.
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 