Speed Stroke has released a video for “Glorious Breakdown”, first single taken from the new album “Damage Control” to be released on August 21 by Scarlet Records.
Hitting rock bottom and finally freeing yourself from the shackles of sanity is exactly when the gears of liberation start to turn. Reaching that ultimate breaking point could take the smallest inconvenience, or just another episode of bad luck stalking you. It is that one last drop of gasoline that ignites your inner Destructomania, a chaotic explosion that exorcises all built-up frustrations and finally makes you feel glorious in the wreckage.
video by Filippo Cinotti
“Damage Control”:
Fourth record for the uncompromising Italian hard rock stallions;
mixed and mastered by Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse) at Mass Destruction Production (Eclipse, Sinner, Primal Fear);
featuring Dario Capacci (Trick Or Treat) on drums;
featuring Giorgia Colleluori (Sinner, IT’sALIE) on vocals on “Blessed By Misery”;
cover & artwork by the painting master Claudio Elias Scialabba;
1 Glorious Breakdown 2 Heart Of The City 3 Damage Control 4 State Of Shock 5 Italian Coglione 6 In Flames 7 Blessed By Misery 8 All For The Weak End 9 Walls 10 Chain Reaction
Total running time – 38:29
artwork by Claudio Elias Scialabba
Speed Stroke master the art of hard rock through a personal approach that perfectly blends the Scandinavian sleaze rock modern edge and the glorious legacy of the 80s street metal scene.
Top-notch songwriting, hit after hit, all killers-no fillers: that’s the recipe for a proper collection of hard-hitting and yet melodic tunes.
«Control the damage done to contain it or inflict controlled damage to break the chains of comfortable stasis?»: this is the question “Damage Control” sparks in the listener, delivered through a hurricane of dynamite-like riffs, jaw-breaking solos, and raw screams of rage and liberation.
By both glorifying the panic of the unknown and demonizing the safety of the comfort zone, the new Speed Stroke album presents the ultimate fight-or-flight dilemma, fueling the fire of change.
Speed Stroke: Jack – vocals D.B – guitar Michael – guitar Fungo – bass Maddy – drums
Louisville crossover thrash maniacs BELUSHI SPEED BALL have unleashed the official lyric video for “All Pete’s Exes,” one of the standout tracks from their recently released album, Toxic Waste Was Everywhere In The ’80s. The song features former GWAR guitarist Pete Lee and arrives alongside an ongoing fundraising campaign supporting Lee as he continues his battle for justice and health.
Equal parts lightning-fast crossover thrash and absurd storytelling, “All Pete’s Exes” immortalizes one of the band’s favorite real-life memories: a legendary visit to Pete Lee’s house in Dallas that quickly descended into the kind of surreal chaos only BELUSHI SPEED BALL could turn into a song.
Regarding the video, vocalist Vinny Castellano comments:
“We are so excited to drop our newest lyric video for our latest single, ‘All Pete’s Exes!’ Featuring the man himself, former GWAR Flattus Maximus, Pete Lee on guitar. The song details the legendary time Pete hosted Belushi Speed Ball at his house in Dallas, and had a harem of women cooking us food and pouring drinks for the boys. Featuring artwork by Ariz Fazri depicting the Law, Judge Pete, which coincides with T-shirts featuring the same design available on our Bandcamp. All profit from sales go to helping Pete in his battle for justice and health. The video was phenomenally animated by Andrea Mantelli.“
Released earlier this month, Toxic Waste Was Everywhere In The ’80s finds BELUSHI SPEED BALL continuing to blur the line between blistering crossover thrash, pop culture satire, and complete mayhem. Packed with neck-breaking riffs, tongue-in-cheek humor, and the band’s trademark anything-goes attitude, the album has further cemented their reputation as one of underground metal’s most unpredictable and entertaining acts.
Toxic Waste Was Everywhere In The 80’s Track List:
1. I Ought Not Know 2. How Tough Am I? 3. That’s a Mighty Fine Wayne Gretzky 4. What’s Funnier Than 24? 5. All Pete’s Exes 6. Kellaway’s Wife 7. D.E.N.N.I.S. System 8. It’s a Green Day (You Know… Still Like Stocks) 9. Terminator Lava Factory 10. I’m Not Your Buddy, Guy 11. Belushi Speed Ball 12. Captain Planet Still Can’t Stop Us
About BELUSHI SPEED BALL:
Belushi Speed Ball is a Kentucky-based band founded in 2013 as a studio project amongst friends with a penchant for cliché crossover thrash. Their first live performances came soon after, enthralling a rapidly growing fanbase with a uniquely interactive brand of theatrics and unorthodox approach to releases and merch.
Dubbed “one of the funniest fucking things I have heard this year” by The Needle Drop’s Anthony Fantano, Belushi Speed Ball are inspired by bands from Toxic Holocaust and Anthrax to Gwar and Municipal Waste, to whom they simultaneously play homage and satirize a mean comment from a fan in their song “Ripping off Municipal Waste”, which was voted one of Leo Magazine’s top 20 songs of 2022. With a reputation for both trashing venues and meticulously cleaning them up after each individually themed performance, Belushi Speed Ball are masters of executing the unthinkable. From playing out of a Mad Max-esque moving van and starting Terminator-inspired 300-person Nerf gun fights to releasing entire albums in N64… or Furby… formats, nothing is sacred as they continue evolving as, in the words of Metalsucks, “a freakshow of blistering thrash dedicated to laughing its ass off at blistering thrash.”
Belushi Speed Ball Lineup:
Vinny Castellano – Vocals Brian Desper – Additional Vocals Jamison Land – Guitar Derrek Tipton – Guitar Nathan Roger – Guitar Justin McClure – Bass Ben Cotton Drums
Swiss hard rock veterans Shakra release today their first ever cover song and duet, “Left Outside Alone”, featuring Swiss singer and songrwriter Seraina Telli. The track was originally released by Anastacia in 2004, and it’s the second single taken from the upcoming album, “Just Live Loud!”, out on September 4, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
With “Left Outside Alone”, the emotional intensity of the original meets Shakra’s powerful guitars, energy and unmistakable sound. Combined with Seraina Telli’s expressive vocals, the result is a version that pays tribute to the original while creating a character entirely its own. A bold reinterpretation of a modern classic – heavier, more powerful and unmistakably Shakra.
The band stated: “Over the years, countless songs were discussed as potential cover tracks, but none of them ever felt quite right. At the same time, we had long been talking about recording a duet with a female vocalist. When we toured together with Seraina Telli, it immediately became clear who that voice should be. The fact that both ideas would ultimately come together in the same song wasn’t planned. It happened naturally.”
Shakra return with renewed fire and unstoppable energy on “Just Live Loud!”, their explosive new studio album and the band’s very first release through Frontiers Music Srl. Fuelled by massive riffs, soaring melodies, and the unmistakable chemistry that has defined Shakra for decades, the album captures the spirit of classic European hard rock while pushing the band into a heavier, more modern sonic territory.
Vocalist Mark Fox commented: “Becoming a father has changed the way I look at many things. When I watch my daughter grow, discover the world and face every day with this incredible curiosity, I find myself asking even more consciously what life is really about. For me, the answer can now be summed up in three words: JUST LIVE LOUD! Don’t live halfway, don’t wait forever, don’t hide. I recorded the vocals for this album on my own in my basement. It was a very intense process that strongly confronted me with myself, my self-criticism and my responsibility. At the same time, it showed me that true freedom always comes with responsibility. For me, this tension is exactly what lies at the heart of this album.”
Guitarist Thomas Muster added: “Over the last 30 years, I’ve written many songs for Shakra. Heavier stuff, sometimes even poppier songs, and some really soft tracks. And even though I was ultimately always happy with the albums, I still always had this feeling inside me that musically, there simply had to be a little more. An even better riff, an even better hookline, simply even better songs. With ‘Something You Don’t Understand’ from the Snakes & Ladders album, I had that feeling of the perfect song for the first time”.
“And now comes “Just Live Loud!”, the Shakra album I always wanted to write, but somehow never quite managed to until now. And it comes with 12 great songs! If I could take only one Shakra album to the famous desert island, it would definitely be this one”, he continued.
Produced with a raw yet polished approach, “Just Live Loud!” delivers a powerful mix of thunderous anthems, emotionally charged ballads, and adrenaline-fueled rockers designed for both festival stages and late-night highway drives. From razor-sharp guitar work and pounding rhythms to towering vocal hooks, every track reflects the band’s commitment to authenticity, passion, and pure rock’n’roll attitude.
Lyrically, the album celebrates resilience, freedom, brotherhood, and the determination to live life at full volume – themes that resonate deeply with the band’s own journey through the international hard rock scene. “Just Live Loud!” also marks an exciting new chapter for Shakra, combining the experience and songwriting strength of their legacy years with a fresh creative momentum that feels more vital than ever.
The band proudly stated: “For over 30 years, we have been walking this path with Shakra. We have always worked on ourselves, put many things aside and given everything to push this band forward – without compromise, without a safety net. We have dared, we have taken risks, and we still do. But this very path has also given us our freedom: to find our purpose away from the ordinary, to lose ourselves in it, and to do what we burn for”.
“Just Live Loud!” brings all of that together in one album: origin, attitude, energy and the view ahead. As long as this fire is still burning, we will keep moving, keep daring and keep giving everything. Living louder is hardly possible – JUST LIVE LOUD!”, they added.
With this landmark release, Shakra reaffirm their status as one of Switzerland’s premier hard rock exports and prove that true melodic heavy rock is alive, loud, and ready to conquer a new generation of fans.
“Just Live Loud!” Tracklist:
1. Let The Show Begin 2. Wasteland Warriors 3. Just Live Loud! 4. Left Outside Alone (Feat. Seraina Telli) 5. Demon Of The Night 6. Legends Never Die 7. Lost Generation 8. When We Were Young 9. Another Day In The Universe 10. New Tattoo 11. High Above The Storm 12. Screaming Silence 13. Left Outside Alone (Solo Version)
Line Up: Thom Blunier – Lead Guitars Mark Fox – Vocals Thomas Muster – Guitars Cyril Montavon – Bass Roger Tanner – Drums Follow SHAKRA: Website Facebook Instagram
A new era for Noise in Myself has officially begun.
The Italian-Swiss Alternative Progressive Metal band returns to the scene with a completely renewed lineup and “The Maze”, an intense new single released by Wanikiya Record/Promotion and available on all major digital platforms.
After a period of hiatus and extensive internal restructuring, founder, guitarist, and songwriter Enea Maina rebuilt the project by bringing together highly experienced musicians with diverse artistic backgrounds, creating a lineup that marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band.
The new lineup features:
Enea Maina – Guitar & Songwriting
Arianna Bellinaso (Aexylium) – Vocals
Yuri Bordonali (Ecastor) – Bass
Omar Mariani (former Those Furious Flames) – Drums
“The Maze” represents the first step in this artistic rebirth and addresses one of the deepest and most universal themes of human experience: the labyrinth of the mind.
Through a refined parallel with the Greek myth of Ariadne and Theseus, the song explores the complexity of inner conflicts, emotional sacrifice, feelings of disorientation, and the difficult search for serenity.
The narrative is inspired by the version of the myth in which Ariadne helps Theseus escape the labyrinth using her famous thread, only to be abandoned later on the island of Naxos. From this story emerges a powerful psychological metaphor: the labyrinth becomes the human mind, the Minotaur represents one’s inner demons, and Ariadne’s thread symbolizes the attempt to find a way out of pain and confusion.
The first part of the story highlights the struggle against personal demons and the tendency to sacrifice oneself for people who do not deserve such devotion. This is followed by the desolation of abandonment and the loss of meaning, eventually leading to the true revelation: peace is not found by endlessly fighting one’s demons, but by learning to accept them and live alongside them.
Ariadne’s final ascension alongside Dionysus thus becomes a symbol of reconciliation with one’s true self, spiritual growth, and the achievement of a new level of awareness. The crown that transforms into the constellation Corona Borealis metaphorically represents the enlightenment attained after successfully navigating one’s own personal labyrinth.
Musically, “The Maze” confirms and expands the sonic identity of Noise in Myself: an atmospheric Alternative Progressive Metal sound rich in emotional depth and compositional sophistication, where melodic vocals intertwine with powerful riffs and intricate rhythmic structures.
The influence of bands such as Tool, Leprous, Soen, Anathema, and Porcupine Tree naturally emerges within a musical proposal that maintains a strong personality and a clear artistic vision.
With “The Maze”, Noise in Myself are not simply presenting a new lineup: they are declaring their return—more mature, self-aware, and determined than ever before.
The labyrinth is open. The journey begins again.
BIOGRAPHY
Noise in Myself (NIM) is an Italian-Swiss band born from an idea conceived by Enea Maina, guitarist and songwriter from the Lugano region.
Active since 2020, NIM quickly established its artistic identity with the release of its debut album in 2022, followed by the concept EP “Answers…” in 2023, supporting both releases with an intense live activity.
After several lineup changes and a temporary interruption of activities at the end of 2024, the project was completely revitalized by Enea Maina with a new lineup featuring Arianna Bellinaso (Aexylium), Yuri Bordonali (Ecastor), and Omar Mariani (former Those Furious Flames).
Their sound blends Alternative Metal and Progressive Metal into a modern and emotional mix characterized by evocative atmospheres, melodic research, and introspective lyrics dealing with themes such as self-discovery, absence, personal growth, and the relationship between mythology and human consciousness.
“The Maze” is the first chapter of the new era of Noise in Myself.
Argonauta Records is proud to announce the signing of Austrian progressive heavy psych outfit Mother Morgana to its ever-growing international roster.
Hailing from Graz, Austria, Mother Morgana have steadily carved their own path within the European underground through a captivating blend of progressive rock, psychedelic atmospheres, stoner heaviness and immersive conceptual storytelling. Built around cinematic songwriting, dreamy melodies and thought-provoking lyrical narratives, the band has developed a distinctive identity that continues to evolve with every release.
Formed by musicians with backgrounds spanning jazz, blues, space rock and classic progressive rock, Mother Morgana first introduced their visionary approach with “Endonautica” (2018), a concept album inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s legendary 2001: A Space Odyssey. Their acclaimed sophomore effort “Rise” (2022) saw the band embracing darker and heavier sonic territories, combining crushing stoner rock riffs with heavy psych textures and subtle Middle Eastern influences.
Now, Mother Morgana are preparing to unveil their most ambitious and personal work to date, “Reflections of a Sunken Mind”, scheduled for release in 2026 via Argonauta Records. The album expands the band’s sonic palette through the evocative use of analog synthesizers, vintage-inspired sounds and emotionally charged compositions, while exploring themes of indoctrination, personal freedom and critical thinking in an era marked by misinformation, conflict and social division.
The first glimpse into this new chapter arrives with the brand new single “Janushead”, available now on all digital platforms: https://tidal.com/track/534740409/u
Speaking about the song, the band comments: “Caught between apathy and anxiety, Janushead captures the fragile illusion of personal freedom in a world increasingly troubled by misinformation and war. Driven by a musical style of droning, drum-focused verses that layer a marching war-propaganda vibe, it forces us to realize that sitting on the sidelines won’t protect us and our minds from the rising storm.”
Regarding the signing with Argonauta Records, Mother Morgana states: “We are happy to announce our signing with Argonauta Records. As an independent underground band, finding a label that respects our creative autonomy while supporting us in bringing our new music to light is a massive milestone for us. We are grateful to Gero and the Argonauta team for recognizing the value in what we do and for welcoming us into their roster. We hope to share our sound with a wider audience, and we look forward to a productive road ahead.”
With a sound that effortlessly navigates between expansive progressive landscapes, hypnotic psychedelic passages and crushing heavy rock grooves, Mother Morgana stand ready to reach a broader international audience while remaining faithful to the artistic integrity that has defined their journey from the very beginning.
For fans of progressive rock, heavy psych, stoner rock and concept-driven musical experiences, Mother Morgana represent one of the most exciting acts to watch in 2026.
Mother Morgana are: Katharina Franz • Vocals, Keys, Synth Fabian Gössler • Guitar Jakob Mayer • Bass, Lyrics Stefan Höfler • Drums
Discography: Endonautica (2018) Rise (2022) Reflections of a Sunken Mind (2026)
BraveWords Records is pleased to announce the new Storm Force album Truth, releasing on August 14th. The entire album is now available for a digital pre-order on Bandcamp. Storm Force has planned a Listening Party on August 12th on Bandcamp. Two days before the album release everyone around the world can join band members on Bandcamp to listen to the entire album.
“With Truth, we wanted to take everything we learned from Age of Fear and raise the bar in every area. We pushed ourselves harder as songwriters and musicians, and the result is an album that’s more powerful, more focused, and more dynamic than anything we’ve done before. The addition of drummer Roger Banks brought a new level of energy and intensity to the band, and everyone truly brought their A-game. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created and believe Truth represents the next evolution of Storm Force. Age of Fear introduced Storm Force; Truth defines who we are.”
Storm Force delivers powerful melodic hard rock fueled by soaring vocals, massive hooks, and the timeless energy of classic arena rock. Founded by guitarist and songwriter Greg Fraser, best known for his work with Canadian hard rock veterans Brighton Rock, the band blends classic influences with a modern edge, creating a sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly current.
The band first made its mark with the release of its debut album, Age Of Fear, in 2020 through Escape Music. The album earned praise from melodic rock fans and media alike, showcasing a powerful mix of driving guitars, memorable choruses, and emotionally charged songwriting.
Now Storm Force returns with its highly anticipated sophomore release, Truth, a ten-song collection that raises the bar in every direction.
Drawing inspiration from Whitesnake, Dokken, Scorpions, and Bon Jovi, Storm Force delivers music built for loud speakers, live stages, and fans who still believe in authentic, guitar-driven rock!
The debut Storm Force album, along with both Fraze Gang albums are now available for a budget friendly download of $5,99 each at bravewordsrecords.bandcamp.com
Track Listing:
Truth
Silver Lining
Saviour
Between The Lines
Anti Social Media
Fire Starter
On With The Show
You’re Never Alone
I Wasn’t Finished Loving You
Karma’s A Bitch
Band Members:
Patrick Gagliardi – Lead Vocals
Greg Fraser – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mike Berardelli – Bass Guitar
Roger Banks – Drums
Production:
Produced and Mixed by Darius Szczepaniak
Strada XR Atmos Studio, Mississauga, ON
Recorded at Storce Recording, Niagara Falls, ON
Additional Musicians:
All keyboards by Mike “Benny” Bedrosian, except on “Between The Lines,” performed by Ray Coburn.
Margaret Maria – Cello on “I Wasn’t Finished Loving You”
Songwriting:
All songs written by Patrick Gagliardi and Greg Fraser, except “Saviour,” written by Greg Fraser.
About STORM FORCE:
Storm Force is the explosive band that fans of classic hard melodic rock have all been waiting for.
Storm Force is led by Canadian rock legend and Brighton Rock founder, Greg Fraser. Greg has earned 4 Juno nominations with Brighton Rock, as well as a gold album in Canada. Greg is joined by Patrick Gagliardi (Vocals), Roger Banks (Drums), and Mike Berardelli (Bass), Storm Force’s debut album “Age of Fear” is the culmination of three years of passion for music and the hard rock genre.
After Brighton Rock, Greg released two great rock albums with the Fraze Gang to solid reviews. For this project however, he decided to step away from the front man role and search for the right members to create something special. Armed with the great rock riffs and melodies he had written, he decided to focus on finding members that were local to him so they could not just create an album that was recorded in different cities with no cohesiveness, but something that really felt like a band! Greg found one of today’s most powerful and versatile lead vocalists in Patrick Gagliardi (formerly of Surface Tension). Patrick adds his touch to the album as the main lyricist bringing different flavours to each song that range from straight ahead Rock anthems to introspective experiences of the current world we live in. Their debut record was recorded at Hamster Cage Studios and produced by Darius Szczepaniak (Black Crowes, Sum 41, Big Sugar). It combines colossal, crushing melodic rock with hook-laden ballads and massive choruses reminiscent of vintage Cinderella, balanced by classic rock sensibilities of acts like The Who and Van Halen.
The group hails from Niagara Falls, Canada and is rounded out by the blistering one-two punch rhythm section of legendary drummer Roger Banks and sought-after session musician and touring bassist Mike Berardelli.
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
