Finnish hard rock band ØUTLINE has released their first EP,“Flee n’ Forget,”featuring five tracks. Reflecting the restless state of mind of young men, the album boldly breaks genre boundaries and gets even the stiffest heads nodding to the rhythm.
ØUTLINE has been building anticipation for the release over the winter with three singles: “Bite the Bullet,”“925,” and “Moonlight,” which have already attracted a solid 6,000 listeners. The raw rock sound, featuring heavy riffs and melodic solos, is definitely not dead. This has been evident at the band’s live shows in Finland, where the reception has been electric.
– Our songs resonate with people who love the electric atmosphere created by live shows and the sense of connection it brings. We feel it’s important to preserve this feeling at a time when music has become a commercial product, the band commented collectively.
Behind the songs are five guys in their twenties: Aaron Hietaniemi (vocals, acoustic guitar), Mikko Häkkinen (guitar), Iiro Palaste (guitar), Eetu Pynnönen (bass), and Oiva Salonen (drums). All tracks were mixed by Sami Niittykoski and mastered by Miro Kiiski. The release was handled by Inverse Records.
– We recommend listening to the EP songs in order. If it evokes positive feelings, share it with your friends too! You can never have too much rock in your life.
Tracklist / ISRC-codes:
Flee ‘n Forget – FI3FC2597701
Bite the Bullet – QT6EB2588451
Winds thrive high – FI3FC2597702
925 – FI3FC2597704
Moonlight – FI3FC2597703
Øutline has performed in its current lineup since 2022. The band has been performing actively across Finland and has released seven singles that have gained traction on Spotify’s rock playlists and local radio stations. After a short break, it’s time once again to release new music and hit the road.
Finnish extreme metal band Saasta has released the final single from their upcoming album “Cesspool” to be released on May 8th. “The Coffin” dives into the rotten core of burning out: self-loathing, feelings of inadequacy, and those deep, unspoken roots that force us to sacrifice everything to achieve nothing. This is not just a song but self-destruction on the altar of ambition.
“We build inhuman altars for ourselves, goals that tear us away from our own flesh and minds. We force ourselves into a mold we cannot fit into. We feed every drop of blood to an illusion we call ambition. When the body breaks down and the mind screams for mercy, we still do not relent. We cling tooth and nail to the lie we have woven ourselves, until it crushes us and sucks the marrow from our bones.”
Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/saasta-coffin – Composition & Lyrics by Janne Hietanen
Musically, “The Coffin” is an atypical track for Saasta thanks to its almost melodic chorus, but the verses and bridge are crafted in the familiar black and death metal aesthetic. The combination of these elements has added a raw, fresh, and addictive track to Saasta’s song arsenal.
The single’s cover art and music video were created in a brutal DIY spirit entirely by Saasta themselves. This marks the band’s seventh music video and continues a series in which Saasta has purposefully built a distinctive, raw, and recognizable visual identity from one opus to the following one. For the band, the visual dimension is not a side note, but a central part of the whole. It is a way to deepen the world created by Saasta and to drive the themes of the songs concretely under the viewer’s skin.
Saasta is an extreme metal band from Kotka, Finland. Formed in 2020 the band combines the mercilessness of black and death metal, with the more subtle nuances of doom. The combination is dark and groovy metal with its own distinctive sound, where strong lyrical expression meets raw energy. Saasta is known for their intense stage presence and uncompromising effort.
“Watch You Fold” is the latest single from UK technical death metal practitioners INGESTED. The track features guest vocals from John Gallagher of Dying Fetus and comes by way of the band’s Denigration full-length, set for release on May 8th via Metal Blade Records.
For nearly two decades, Manchester’s INGESTED has stood as one of the UK’s most uncompromising forces in extreme metal. Champions of a sound that fuses precision brutality with increasingly dynamic songwriting, they’ve evolved from underground slam pioneers into a globally recognized, forward-driving powerhouse. With Denigration, the band begins a bold new chapter, one defined by reinvention, sharpened purpose and the arrival of a new voice at the helm.
At the core of this evolution remain founding members Sean Hynes (guitars, co-vocals) and Lyn Jeffs (drums), the creative backbone whose vision, chemistry, and relentless drive have powered INGESTED since day one. They are joined by guitarist Andrew Virrueta, who also contributes vocals to the album and bassist Thomas O’Malley completing a lineup that delivers the band’s most dynamic and commanding work to date.
In addition to John Gallagher of Dying Fetus, Denigration includes guest appearances by Damonteal Harris of PeelingFlesh on “Merciless Reflection,” Skyler Conder of Cell on “Dragged Apart,” and Kyle Medina of Bodysnatcher on “Dredge The Dark,” further amplifying the record’s scope and intensity.
Comments the band on today’s single, “‘Watch You Fold’ is a character assassination in slow motion. Lyrically, it’s aimed at the kind of smug, greedy parasite who hides behind legacy and respectability while everyone around them suffocates. It’s about institutions and individuals who turned a once-respected space into a ‘fifty-year mockery,’ treating people like expendable fuel while they count the cash. The song is us standing in that claustrophobic room, calling out the lies, and promising that if you come for five of us, you’re actually coming for every single person we stand with.
“The music is a deliberate nod to that mid-2000s Unique Leader school of blasting brutal death metal, fused with Sean’s melodic, brooding sense of atmosphere. It’s technical without showboating, relentless without losing groove, and built around riffs that feel like concrete. Having John Gallagher from Dying Fetus on the track was about closing a circle, his gutturals are instantly recognizable and tie the whole thing back to the era that shaped our sense of heaviness. This is the sound of a once-revered statue being dragged off its plinth and smashed to dust.”
Listen to INGESTED‘s “Watch You Fold” (Feat. John Gallagher of Dying Fetus) HERE.
Produced by Nico Beninato at The Arch Studios in Southport, UK, Denigration captures INGESTED at their sharpest and most forward-thinking. The album’s visual identity is equally striking, featuring artwork by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design, whose detailed, eerie imagery reflects the record’s thematic depth and ferocious tone.
Denigration Track Listing; 01. Dragged Apart (feat. Skyler Conder of Cell) 02. Merciless Reflection (feat. Damonteal Harris of PeelingFlesh) 03. Watch You Fold (feat. John Gallagher of Dying Fetus) 04. Stitch by Stitch 05. We Are All Inherently Evil 06. Dredge the Dark (feat. Kyle Medina of Bodysnatcher) 07. Oaths Betrayed 08. Beaten Beyond the Veil 09. Steel Toe Truth 10. Cold Sun
In conjunction with the release of Denigration, INGESTED will return to the US as part of the Chaos & Carnage Tour alongside Thy Art Is Murder, Carnifex, Bodysnatcher, 200 Stab Wounds, Gates To Hell, and Bodybox. Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
INGESTED: Chaos & Carnage Tour w/ Thy Art Is Murder, Carnifex, Bodysnatcher, 200 Stab Wounds, Gates To Hell, Bodybox: 5/02/2026 The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ 5/03/2026 El Rey Theater – Albuquerque, NM 5/05/2026 Vibes Event Center – San Antonio, TX 5/06/2026 House Of Blues – Houston, TX 5/08/2026 Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN 5/12/2026 The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC 5/13/2026 Nevermore Hall – Baltimore, MD 5/15/2026 Reverb – Reading, PA 5/17/2026 The Brooklyn Monarch – Brooklyn, NY 5/19/2026 Ramova Theatre – Chicago, IL 5/20/2026 Val Air Ballroom – Des Moines, IA 5/22/2026 Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO 5/23/2026 The Rockwell – Salt Lake City, UT 5/24/2026 Treefort Music Hall – Boise, ID 5/26/2026 Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA 5/27/2026 Roseland Theater – Portland, OR 5/29/2026 UC Theatre – Berkeley, CA 5/30/2026 The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA 5/31/2026 House Of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
INGESTED: Sean Hynes: Vocals / Guitar Andrew Virrueta: Vocals / Guitar Thomas O’Malley: Bass Lyn Jeffs: Drums
Portuguese symphonic death metal band GODIVA present “Black Mirror (Live with Orchestra at Vagos Metal Fest)”, the final video of the Hubris era.
Filmed during their monumental performance at Vagos Metal Fest alongside The Purgatory Orchestra, this special performance captures one of the most ambitious moments in the band’s history, merging crushing metal with powerful orchestral arrangements in a dark and cinematic live experience.
The concert served as a special preview of the Hubris album before the pandemic, marking the second show presenting the new material, and becoming a historic milestone for the band.
With this video, Godiva close the visual chapter of Hubris and take the first step toward a new era, with a new album and a new lineup to be revealed soon.
Special thanks to former members Arcelio Sampaio (bass), Eduardo Sinatra (drums) and Pedro Faria (vocals) for their contribution during the Hubris era.
Finnish lap steel guitarist Mika Jaakkola has released a brand-new double single titled “Helping Hand“, created in collaboration with award-winning Weissenborn and lap steel guitarist Thomas Oliver, widely regarded as one of the finest players in the world. Oliver originally joined the project as a producer, but ultimately also became a featured performer on the recording, making this Jaakkola’s first major international release. The double single arrives alongside an official music video for the title track “Helping Hand.”
Behind the release lies a deeply personal story. Nearly two decades ago, Jaakkola lost his ability to play guitar after being diagnosed with focal dystonia, a neurological condition affecting fine motor control. At the time, the hope of returning to music came through slide instruments such as lap steel. During that period, Jaakkola discovered the work of Thomas Oliver while researching and immersing himself in the world of slide guitar.
Jaakkola’s discography already includes collaborations with several prominent Finnish artists, including Marko Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot), Olli Haavisto (J. Karjalainen, Kari Tapio), Janne Haavisto (J. Karjalainen), Timo Kämäräinen (Olavi Uusivirta, Ellips), and Janne Tolsa (Tarot, Turmion Kätilöt). Using his catalogue as a calling card, he reached out to Thomas Oliver with a question: would he consider producing his next release?
“The answer to my humble request was: ‘Would you like to do the recording remotely or come to my studio in Bali?’”, Jaakkola recalls: “My response was obvious and immediate.”
The songs were recorded at Oliver’s studio in Bali, with a clear focus on authenticity: organic production, genuine tone, and a natural dialogue between two guitars.
“Weissenborn players like Thomas Oliver rely on extremely clear articulation and producing a ‘perfect’ sound,” Jaakkola explains. “For me, it was a leap into something new. With focal dystonia in the background, that’s a major challenge. But the acoustic slide guitar tone achieved through this technique is unbelievably beautiful.”
However, the sessions took an unexpected turn when focal dystonia returned at the worst possible moment. A creative solution was found – one that ultimately shaped the identity of the entire release.
Around the fifth studio day, my left hand started cramping so badly that muting the strings became almost impossible. Thomas came up with an idea – he moved his own hand along the fretboard in sync with mine so we could record the parts in real time. For the rest of the sessions there were literally two hands on the guitar neck. That’s where the title Helping Hand came from. We had tons of material to record, but we chose to focus on simple things: the strongest qualities of acoustic slide guitar and the dialogue between two instruments. We succeeded unbelievably well. I’ve never achieved an acoustic guitar sound this good before.”
“This is my first international collaboration and doing it with one of the world’s most respected players of the scene feels unreal. Twenty years ago, after my diagnosis, I thought my career as a musician was over. Back then I listened to Thomas’ music and held on to a small spark of hope that I might one day play slide guitar again. Now the world has turned completely upside down – in the best possible way.”
Norwegian alternative/metal/prog/rockers PIL & BUE have shared a new lyric video for the track ‘Shadowcasters’, taken from their fifth full-length album “You Have Chosen Darkness”, released on February 27th via the band’s own label and Diger Distribution.
Comments Petter: “Shadowcasters is an intens short track about slowing things down. We’re going too fast. It’s not healthy for anyone. I like the contradiction between the topic and the speed”
PIL & BUE (eng: Arrow & Bow). Let’s head north, way above the arctic circle in Norway. Pil & Bue’s album “You Have Chosen Darkness” is set for release on February 27.
The album was recorded at Kysten Studio in Tromsø, together with co-producer, engineer and mixer Ariel Joshua Sivertsen. The album, consisting of seven tracks, is a journey through emotions. It speaks about the times we live in, and a feeling of overwhelmingness.
BIO: Pil & Bue is a two-piece, consisting of Petter Carlsen (the arrow) and Goeran Johansen (the bow).
…a two-piece vastly more than the sum of their parts, their deeply invested fusion of metal and pop-bordering melodic dynamics is given emotional rocketfuel by Petter Carlsen’s unrestrained vocals. Sia fronting Gojira is an approximation, but the result is exhilarating and uncontrived, and resonates on every level”- Jonathan Selzer, Metal Hammer UK .
With subtle, but pronounced references to artists like Metallica, Radiohead, A Perfect Circle, Anathema
In case you missed it: Watch the New Video for the Track “222” HERE!
Quick Facts & Highlights: The album is available on Vinyl, Music Cassette, CD and through digital music platforms.
Recent Success: Their previous album, Special Agents, received a nomination for a Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen) in 2024.
Sound Profile: Described by Metal Hammer UK as “Sia fronting Gojira,” their style blends metal dynamics with pop-bordering melodies, drawing comparisons to Radiohead, Metallica, and Mars Volta.” a two-piece vastly more than the sum of their parts, their deeply invested fusion of metal and pop-bordering melodic dynamics is given emotional rocketfuel by Petter Carlsen’s unrestrained vocals.”
Film Credits: Director Tommy Wirkola has featured the band in major productions, including the “Dead Snow 2” soundtrack and the end credits of the Netflix blockbuster “What Happened to Monday”.
Collaborations: Vocalist Petter Carlsen has performed with Long Distance Calling as lead singer on their album Trips, and appeared on the 2024 Weather Systems album Oceans Without a Shore.
The band has toured with the german post rockers Long Distance Calling, as special guests.
Recently they opened for for the legendary norwefgan alternative rock band Seigmen at Sentrum Scene in Oslo and Støperiet in Tønsberg.
Won a voting contest to play at the largest festival in Norway; Tons of Rock. First up on the last day of the 2024 edition of the festival, in front of 10000 people.
Critically acclaimed for their live performances. Top score at the 2025 edition of Bukta Festival from the newspaper iTromsø.
Will perform at the 2026 edition of ArcTanGent
Tourdates at this point: 06.03 Alta – Iskald Festival 12.03 Tromsø – Blårock Kafé (utsolgt) 14.03 Narvik – Mørkholla (vinterfest uka) 19.03 Oslo – Parkteatret 10.04 Trondheim – Relentlessfest 11.04 Hamar – Sebs Hotel 14.05 Vadsø – Valo Rock (ikke annonsert) 05.06 Halden – Aladdin Scene 06.06 Kristiansund – Kulturfabrikken 27.06 Steinkjerfestivalen 10.07 Kristiansand – Måkeskrik 24.07 Harstad – Rockholm 20.08 Bristol – ArcTanGent 04.09 Bergen – High Voltage Rockfest 05.09 Stavanger – Checkpoint Charlie 25.09 Bodø – Sunus 26.09 Mo i Rana – Bråk / Park 22 06.11 Horten – Artilleriverkstedet 07.11 Lillestrøm – Martins Pub
Credits: Music by Petter Carlsen & Goeran Johansen / Pil & Bue Lyrics by Petter Carlsen Produced by Ariel Joshua Sivertsen & Pil & Bue Recorded at Kysten Studio, Tromsø, Norway, June 2025 Distribution: Diger Distro P&C 2025 Petter Carlsen
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 ) 