Hot on the heels of their explosive summer releases and performances, cinematic hard rock outfit Bastion Rose unveils their most technically ambitious and aggressive track to date: “Waiting.” Available now, the new single is a masterclass in complex, heavy intensity, marking a towering new chapter in the band’s rapidly expanding Blue Rising era.
Drawing undeniable sonic parallels to the intricate, heavy architecture of Tool—a connection made all the more resonant by the band’s previous work with legendary Tool producer David Bottrill on their Traces of Gold and Fade To Blue records—”Waiting” is a sprawling, progressive journey.
The track explores the visceral struggle of self-realization, confronting the internal fires and self-deceptions that keep us trapped.
“’Waiting’ is about that terrifying moment when you finally stop projecting your chaos onto the world and realize the fire is actually raging inside your own head,” says frontman Austin Frink. “It’s about the sheer exhaustion of trying to survive, of ‘bleeding to come alive’ when you feel completely alone. Musically, we needed a sound that was as intense and complex as that internal struggle. This is easily one of the heaviest, most demanding tracks we’ve ever written.”
Bastion Rose are positioning themselves as one of the most formidable emerging acts in heavy music. With recent features in SPIN, Metal Hammer, and Classic Rock Magazine, the band is currently building an undeniable arsenal of material ahead of a highly anticipated 2026 international touring cycle.
Bastion Rose is a cinematic hard rock project based in Bloomington, Indiana. Known for their sophisticated fusion of monumental 70s-era grooves and 2000s era alternative metal intensity, the band has earned international recognition for their high-caliber production and narrative-driven songwriting. Following their David Bottrill-produced debut Traces of Gold, the band is currently unveiling the next chapter of their evolution with the album Blue Rising.
Finnish melodic metal outfit Stormbreaker has stormed back into the spotlight with the release of their powerful new single, “Stormageddon.” The track naturally continues the band’s musical direction established on last year’s Enlightning album, while raising the stakes with an even catchier and more explosive chorus.
Known for their dual-vocalist approach, Stormbreaker has stood out from the very beginning thanks to both their musical ambition and striking visual identity. “Stormageddon” is a prime example of what the band does best: blending infectious melodies, heavy riffs, and epic scale into a cohesive sonic experience that resonates with modern metal fans.
Formed in 2021, the band has been steadily building its distinct sound and identity, maintaining a high standard in both songwriting and live performance. Stormbreaker offers a fresh take on a genre shaped by acts such as Battle Beast, Amaranthe, and Children Of Bodom.
“Stormageddon” serves as a strong continuation of the band’s growing catalog—while also signaling that Stormbreaker’s journey is only just beginning.
Fans can catch Stormbreaker live next at Ilovaarirock Festival in Joensuu, Finland.
Stormbreaker: Anni Kokkonen – Vocals Petri Tarvainen – Vocals Tomi Virtanen – Guiter Anssi Kinnunen – Bass Sami Ratilainen – Drums
Norwegian punk rock band BLOMST release their new single “Ta det som det kommer (når det går)”, ahead of their biggest headline show to date at Rockefeller in Oslo this autumn.
The song explores living with anxiety, both confronting it and avoiding it. It reflects on the everyday decisions shaped by fear, while also celebrating the moments when we find the courage to face it head-on.
A recurring theme throughout the song is resilience. The lyric “Tunga smaker ikke lenger som den gjorde før” (“My tongue no longer tastes the way it used to”) was inspired by a line from Borderlands 4, where a character speaks after being resurrected. For BLOMST, it became a metaphor for getting back up after setbacks and continuing despite uncertainty.
The song began as an idea from guitarist Lasse Febakke Straum and was developed during a period when the band members were juggling parental leave, newborn children, pregnancies and family life. Despite limited preparation time, more than 15 years of playing together helped turn the sessions into what the band describes as one of their most energetic recordings to date.
Recorded between Taakeheimen Studio and Globus Studio, the single was produced with the help of Morten Øby, Preben Sælid and mastering engineer Magnus Guldbrandsen.”Ta det som det kommer (når det går)” is released on June 12.
BLOMST hope the song gives listeners as much energy as it gave them while making it.
Southern California’s favorite sons, the RIAA Platinum Certified band DIRTY HEADS, are pleased to release their ninth full-length album, 7 Seas, today, June 12 via Better Noise Music. Listen to 7 Seashere.
Today, they serve up “2 YOUNG,” which features a duet between singer Duddy and his daughter Sophia Lynn, proving that music is indeed the tie that binds.
“I remember Sophia sitting in a high chair while we were writing ‘Lay Me Down,’ so to now have her featuring on our album is very special. Her voice was meant for this song,” states Duddy.
Sophia Lynn weighs in about the track’s heft, saying, “Getting to work with Dirty Heads was such a full circle moment for me. This track is so meaningful, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it. As someone who’s just stepping into a new chapter of life after graduating high school, these lyrics really resonate with me. Growing up is exciting, but it can also be confusing, overwhelming, and messy. I hope this song reminds people that at whatever stage in life they’re at, it’s okay to not have everything figured out.”
Earlier this week, DIRTY HEADS gave fans a sneak peek of the album with an intimate Q&A and listening party event at the Honda Lounge at the iHeartRadio Studios in L.A. The listening party and Q&A will be available for fans to watch on VEEPS in celebration of the release.
DIRTY HEADS will hit the road this summer for a co-headline trek with 311. They also have headline dates and festival appearances on deck. All forthcoming dates are below.
DIRTY HEADS’ signature brew of sun-kissed reggae, breezy hip-hop, boundary-breaking alternative, and hazy pop is as intoxicating as ever on 7 Seas. Overall, the album represents yet another evolution for the beloved outfit.
Last month, DIRTY HEADS launched a collaboration with 4ocean — a global organization on a mission to end the ocean plastic crisis. Frontman Jared Watson embarked on an excursion alongside the 4ocean team. Together, they picked up trash from the shoreline of Key Largo at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The trash collected on the excursion has been recycled into a Dirty Heads 4ocean bracelet. Fans can help 4ocean pull even more plastic out of the ocean with purchase of the bracelets — either individually or as part of a very special and very limited, premium vinyl edition of the new album, which is now available for pre-order on the band’s store. Get it here.
DIRTY HEADS introduced this era with the title track “Seven Seas.” Beyond clocking 3.1 million total streams to date, it landed looks from Kill The Music, Frontview Magazine, antiMusic, and more, with Daily Reggae dubbing the track as “Song of the Week,” going on to assure, “Things can get rough but this track brings us a sense of calm and belief to stay together and fight through.” The band followed with the upbeat jam “One of Those Days,” which is currently a Top 10 hit at Alternative Radio and closing in on the Top 5. Fueled by optimism for the future, forward-thinking sonic experimentation, and genre-busting bangers without comparison, get ready to set sail into new territory with DIRTY HEADS once more.
Formed in 2000, DIRTY HEADS have built a dedicated global following by seamlessly fusing reggae, hip-hop, alternative rock, and pop. Their reach expanded significantly when the platinum-certified single “Vacation“found renewed popularity through viral culture, introducing the band to a new generation of listeners. The group later earned a No. 1 Alternative Radio hit with “Rescue Me,” further solidifying their place in the genre and scene.
With over 3 billion career streams worldwide and collaborations spanning artists such as Travis Barker, Nick Hexum, Slightly Stooped, ROME, Maroon 5, Slash, and more, DIRTY HEADS continue to evolve — while staying true to the spirit that defines their music.
7 SEAS TRACK LISTING: “Seven Seas“ “Soundboy Killa“ “2 Young” (Feat. Sophia Lynn) “Future Self” “Better“ “BADMAN” (Feat. IRAH) “Stranded” “Come My Way” “Old Beach Town” “One of Those Days“
DIRTY HEADS ON TOUR: 6/13 — Bend, OR — Reggae Rise Up Oregon * 6/19 — Swanzey, NH — Northlands Festival * 6/21 — Virginia Beach, VA — Point Break Festival * 6/25 — Morrison, CO — Red Rocks Amphitheater 6/26 — Dillon, CO — Dillon Amphitheater 6/27 — Albuquerque, NM — Sandia Casino Amphitheater 7/11 — Shakopee, MN — Mystic Lake Amphitheater #^ 7/12 — Chicago, IL — Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island #^ 7/15 — Grantville, PA — Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course #^ 7/16 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell at Jones Beach Theater #^ 7/18 — Atlantic City, NJ — Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort #^ 7/19 — Syracuse, NY — Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview #^ 7/22 — Columbia, MD — Merriweather Post Pavilion #^ 7/23 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center # 7/25 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE Outdoor #^ 7/26 — Toronto, ON — RBC Amphitheatre #^ 7/28 — Grand Rapids, MI — Acrisure Amphitheater #^ 7/30 — Clarkston, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre #^ 7/31 — Thornville, OH — Everwild Music Festival * 8/1 — Nashville, TN — Pinnacle #^ 8/2 — Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park #^ 8/4 — Kansas City, MO — Morton Amphitheater #^ 8/5 — Council Bluffs, IA — Harrah’s Stir Cove #^ 8/7 — Casper, WY — The Gaslight ^ 8/8 — West Valley City, UT — Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre #^ 8/10 — Bonner, MT — Kettlehouse ^ 8/11 — Nampa, ID — Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater #^ 8/12 — Airway Heights, WA — BECU Live at Northern Quest #^ 8/13 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre #^ 8/15 — Concord, CA — Toyota Pavilion at Concord #^ 8/16 — Santa Barbara, CA — Santa Barbara Bowl $^ 8/18 — Long Beach, CA — Long Beach Amphitheater $^ 8/19 — Chula Vista, CA — North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre $^ 8/22 — Austin, TX — Germania Insurance Amphitheater $^ 8/23 — Houston, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion $^ 8/25 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory $^ 8/26 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP $^ 8/28 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre $^ 8/29 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre $^ 8/30 — West Palm Beach, FL — iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre $^
#Ocean Alley $Atmosphere ^ROME *Festival
DIRTY HEADS ARE: Jared Watson — Vocals Dustin “Duddy B” Bushnell — Vocals + Guitar Jon Olazabal — Percussion Matt Ochoa — Drums David Foral — Bass
Prepare for an extraordinary sonic experience with the CD release of Voivod’s The End of Dormancy EP (Turquois color cover), presented by Brutal Planet Records as part of their exclusive Metal Icon Series. Officially licensed from Century Media, this CD brings Voivod’s boundary-pushing, progressive metal and avant-garde sound to a new format, having only been available on vinyl and CD (inverted color scheme). Includes a 6-page insert booklet with artwork and lyrics. Don’t miss your chance to own this groundbreaking CD release and celebrate The End of Dormancy in a bold new way!
Track Listing:
The End of Dormancy (Metal Section) – 8 minutes, studio version
The End of Dormancy (Live at Montreal Jazz Fest 2019) – 9 minutes
The Unknown Knows (Live at Montreal Jazz Fest 2019) – 6 minutes
With nearly 23 minutes of genre-defining music, this EP is a masterpiece of cosmic riffs, complex rhythms, and inventive arrangements that capture Voivod’s unique style. Highlights include the powerful studio version of “The End of Dormancy” and electrifying live renditions from Montreal Jazz Fest 2019, immersing listeners in Voivod’s intense and mind-bending musical exploration.
Today, traditional thrashers THE UNKNOWN proudly share the title-track from their upcoming sophomore album, ‘Graveyard of Empires,’ set for release on September 4th via Mission 84 Productions. The new single arrives alongside an official lyric video premiering on Metal Insider, available below.
“Graveyard of Empires,” the title track and second single from the forthcoming album, is a heavy, groove-laden beast with a haunting Middle Eastern undercurrent that sets it apart from anything in the band’s catalog. Lyrically, it’s a visceral reckoning with a painful pattern of history: nations swallowed whole by occupation, greed, and endless war before they ever had the chance to become what they were meant to be. The song doesn’t mourn conquerors. It mourns potential.
On the new track, guitarist Aamir Syed shares:
“‘Graveyard of Empires’ is the heart of the record, and I think it earns that title. The song is heavy and relentless, but there is an undercurrent of grief. Musically I was drawing from Ritchie Blackmore and Middle Eastern folk and classical music. That combination gave the riff its character. We looked at history and saw the same pattern over and over: nations, people, potential, all swallowed before they became what they could have been.”
Check Out the Lyric Video Premiere for “Graveyard of Empires”on Metal Insider HERE
THE UNKNOWN are a U.S.-based heavy metal band forging a powerful blend of traditional metal and thrash. Drawing influence from bands such as Jag Panzer, Manilla Road, Anthrax, and Iron Maiden, their sound combines crushing riffs and driving rhythms with soaring melodies and commanding, emotive vocals.
Their debut album, ‘Vanishing Point,’ released through ZYX/GoldenCore Records, earned strong reviews from metal publications and fans around the world, establishing the band as a rising force in the underground heavy metal scene.
Now, THE UNKNOWN return with their forthcoming album, ‘Graveyard of Empires,’ pushing their sound even further with bigger arrangements, deeper atmosphere, and an even sharper edge. Rooted in the spirit of classic heavy metal while bringing their own modern intensity, the band continues their mission to keep true metal alive while carving out their own path within the genre.
The album’s title is a conceptual statement. ‘Graveyard of Empires’ explores the fall not of nations, but of ideas, the collapse of peace, the erosion of the human spirit, the slow unraveling of everything we build and everything we believe in. From the battlefields of World War II to the death of civilizations that never got the chance to flourish, to the quiet question of what remains of humanity when humanity itself is no longer the only answer…
Featuring cover artwork by Charles Borkowski, ‘Graveyard of Empires’ arrives September 4, 2026.
About the album, Aamir Syed comments:
“As an album, it isn’t about geopolitics, but there is a running theme throughout the stories that we’re telling. The empires that fall in this record are ideas, concepts and the slow collapse of peace. The belief that we’re building toward something and then it falls part due to greed and corruption. That’s what we’re mourning.”
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 ) 