The crushing soundscape of stoner rock dominates Finnish metal outfit Karahka’s new single “Temptations.” Punk undertones and a foundation rooted in traditional heavy metal complete the track in a way that fits seamlessly into Karahka’s distinctive style.
The band has also released a music video for ”Temptations.”
“We’re currently working on new material for our third album, set to be released next winter. Over the past year, we’ve accumulated a solid batch of riffs and lyrics to develop,” says guitarist Juuso Vettenranta. “The upcoming full-length revolves around mental health issues, and Temptations fits the theme perfectly, so we refined it into the first single and a warning of what’s to come.”
Formed in 2020, the Finnish band Karahka released their debut album Dark Side of the Night in 2024.
A single titled “This Means War,” taken from the prolific group’s December 2025 album Modern Fanfares, landed on several Spotify playlists and has been streamed over 60,000 times on the platform.
Karahka is also planning to hit the road even before the release of their upcoming album.
“Our management is currently organizing a UK tour. Negotiations are already quite far along, and I can confidently say we’ll be heading to the UK in November,” Juuso adds.
Line-up: Jaan Lehti: Drums, Vocals Juuso Vettenranta: Guitar, Backing Vocals Mikko Teittinen: Guitar, Backing Vocals Ari Enqvist: Bass, Vocals
Rock Hard Festival Greece has announced the final line-up for 2026 edition, which will take place at Technopolis City of Athens, in Greece on September 11th & 12th.
BLOOD FIRE DEATH (performing A Tribute to Quorthon and the music of Bathory)
STRATOVARIUS (Special 90s set)
MORGANA LEFAY (Rare reunion show)
PRIMORDIAL
TRIUMPHER
Saturday 12/9
ANGRA (performing ‘Holy Land 30th’ Feat. Kiko Loureiro)
DIRKSCHNEIDER (performing special Best Of Accept set)
BLAZE BAYLEY (Iron Maiden Anniversary show)
FRANK BLACKFIRE (best of Sodom & Kreator set)
DREAMLORD
The VIP package includes full access for the whole weekend, access to special viewing area, special VIP bar, a souvenir courtesy of the Rock Kommander game, and an exclusive 2-LP gold vinyl pressing of ANGRA’s landmark album “Holy Land”.
In September Metal Department will release the first ever pressing of “Holy Land” on vinyl, and they will supply those lucky 100 VIP ticketholders with this ultimate concert souvenir! 100 copy edition only, pressed on gold double vinyl, exclusively for the VIP’s at the Rock Hard Festival Greece! (a standard version of “Holy Land” will be available for the general public at the festival stands as well, on both CD and vinyl 2-LP)
MIND INCISION has officially unleashed their blistering new single, “Y.W.A.War (You Wanted A War)” a no-holds-barred sonic assault that doesn’t just push boundaries… it obliterates them.
Fueled by aggression, precision, and unapologetic intensity, “Y.W.A.War” is a battle cry for anyone who’s ever been underestimated, overlooked, or pushed to their breaking point.
This isn’t just a song, it’s a declaration.
From the opening moments, MIND INCISION wastes no time setting the tone. Crushing riffs, relentless percussion, and venom-laced vocals collide to create a track that feels like controlled chaos. Every second hits with purpose, building a wall of sound that’s as punishing as it is addictive.
Lyrically, “Y.W.A.War” cuts deep, channeling frustration, defiance, and raw truth into a message that hits hard and resonates even harder. It’s confrontational, it’s cathartic, and it refuses to back down.
“Y.W.A.War” is only the beginning.
The first chapter in a three-part cinematic saga, MIND INCISION is unleashing a full-scale visual and sonic war over the next year… each release revealing another piece of a dark, unfolding narrative.
Set in a not so distant future, the story dives into a world where humanity’s greatest creation becomes its greatest threat… as AI machines rise, rebel, and turn on the very masses that built them.
The story begins with “Y.W.A.War” a brutal awakening in the aftermath of a nuclear winter, set in a shattered world around the year 2043. Humanity emerges from beneath the earth, broken but not finished. The video follows a small group of survivors as they begin to rebuild, searching for purpose… and for a leader strong enough to guide them into the war that’s coming.
This isn’t just a trilogy. It’s a full scale rebellion. A cinematic war for the future of humanity.
SEE MIND INCISION AT THESE FESTIVALS IN 2026
June 12 – Monster Hall Music Festival June 27 – Rawk The River
Award-winning rock legends The Calling will release their new single titled “DUST,” this July via TLG|ROCK, distributed by Virgin Music Group. Alongside the announcement, the band has also rescheduled select early dates on the “Before The World Turns To Dust Tour,” aligning the run with the upcoming single release.
The band is also celebrating a major milestone, the 25th Anniversary of their mega-hit “Wherever You Will Go,” as well as their multi-platinum breakthrough album Camino Palmero, a record that helped define an era of radio rock and remains a staple of early 2000s alternative culture.
“With our record label pushing back the release of our new single ‘Dust’, we have decided it’s best to move some of our US tour dates to coincide with that release. We’re looking so forward to celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the release of ‘Wherever You Will Go’ and sharing our new music with you all live on tour soon! All the love…”says Alex Band.
Formed in 1999, The Calling quickly ascended the ranks of radio rock with their distinctive blend of catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Their debut album Camino Palmero sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and went Platinum in the U.S. and 50+ countries, catapulting the teen rockers to international fame with hits like “Wherever You Will Go” and “Adrienne,” while touting 7 number one singles worldwide.
After a 20-year hiatus, The Calling returns to the forefront of the music scene, poised to captivate listeners once again. With a renewed sense of purpose and creativity, the band is set to unveil their long-awaited new music, promising a sonic journey that will resonate deeply with both loyal fans and newcomers alike. Driven by the powerful, distinct vocals of Alex Band and the masterful instrumentation of guitarist Daniel Damico and Grammy-nominated bassist Dom Liberati, The Calling’s comeback is nothing short of extraordinary. Each note and lyric carry the weight of two decades of growth and experience, resulting in a musical tapestry that is both timeless and contemporary.
AUGUST
Wednesday 8/26/2026 in Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater Thursday 8/27/2026 in Syracuse, NY @ New York State Fair – Chevy Court (New York State Fair) Friday 8/28/2026in Warrendale, PA @ Jergel’s Rhythm Grille Saturday 8/29/2026in Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre
SEPTEMBER
Saturday 9/5/2026in Lurin, Peru @ Lurin Live(Vivo x El Rock) Thursday 9/10/2026 in Fort Lauderdale, FL @ The Parker Friday 9/11/2026 in Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live Orlando Saturday 9/12/2026 in Jacksonville, FL @ FIVE Friday 9/18/2026 in Norwalk, CT @ District Music Hall Saturday 9/19/2026 in West Springfield, MA @ Court of Honor Stage (The Big E) Sunday 9/20/2026 in Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live – Music Hall
On their new podcast, Heilung are inviting longtime converts and newcomers into their sacred realm, where history and spirit converge into a healing ritual. Hosted by founding member, singer and shamanic practitioner Kai Uwe Faust, The Podcast journeys into the lore, traditions and primal forces that shape the world-renowned Nordic collective and their unmistakable Amplified History.
Having uncovered the mythological roots and historical references behind “Alfadhirhaiti”, “Marduk” and “Traust” during the three previous episodes of The Podcast, today, Heilung are releasing a new episode that is dedicated to “Nesso”. This song appeared on their latest studio album, Drif, which scored placements on 16 Billboard charts in the U.S. and Canada, including #1 on the World Albums chart and #8 on the Heatseekers chart.
The release of this episode coincides with the arrival of the Flower Moon, which signifies the peak of spring.
Watch episode four of The Podcast on Heilung’s YouTube channel.
Heilung are known around the world for transcending the boundaries of sound and history. Since forming in 2015, the Nordic collective have made their unmistakable presence felt everywhere from the Billboard charts to Glastonbury, The Game Awards and major Hollywood films. Their performance rituals draw crowds into an intimate, mystical space that threads together earth, fire and incense with throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show and instruments made from human bone.
Heilung’s full discography, including their latest release Lifa Iotungard, is available now on Season of Mist.
HEILUNG don’t play shows. They perform a ritual. Every performance begins with Kai Uwe Faust leading Christopher Juul, Maria Franz and the rest of the Nordic collective in an ancient prayer. Soon after, the audience is swept into rapture, swayed by incense and throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show, an army of warriors and bursts of fire.
Since they began in 2015, Heilung have been paving melodic paths to the past with their unique and mystifying sound. Evading all conventional genre tags and the confines of any specific labels, the group aptly self-describes their sound as “amplified history,” emphasizing their ability to connect modern society with the rudiments of humanity’s beginnings through music.
“Our ancestral Nordic civilizations did not just pop up, exist and disappear in isolation”, says Faust, a throat singer and one of Heilung’s three composers. “With singing these primordial songs we want to give tribute to these cultures, reconnect to the beginnings and remember that we all, from East to West, from past to present, are connected through the exchange of ideas and inspiring each other”.
While Heilung features authentic and archaic instrumentation that ranges from rattles and ritual bells to human bones and throat singing, their captivating brand of music is far from primitive. Producer and founding member Christopher Juul implements subtle electronic elements that elevates the musical atmosphere and provides a more in-depth and layered soundscape.
Indeed, Heilung’s success has been unprecedented, achieving milestones in its few short years of existence that many do not see in a lifetime. The collective already had rapidly been growing a buzz upon the self-release of their first full-length Ofnir in 2015, but their dizzying upward trajectory really took off from the moment they set foot on the stage at Castlefest in 2017 for the now-legendary debut of their live ritual. Luckily for those who were not fortunate enough to bare witness to this magical event, the full ceremony was captured on film, having since been viewed by tens of millions of fans across the globe.
As Heilung trekked across Europe and brought their mystifying experience to new audiences, talk of this new band and their stunning ceremony made way to Season of Mist label owner Michael Berberian, who quickly offered the band a record contract after seeing their undeniable musical impact for himself.
By 2019, Heilung launched their second full-length record, Futha, which contrasted the masculine and battle-heavy themes of their debut with a feminine counterpart that celebrated fertility and female energy. Upon the first week of the record’s release, it graced the Billboard charts with coveted numbers, debuting at #3 on the Heatseekers Charts and #4 on the Billboard World Music Chart, placing on a total of seven Billboard charts while meeting critical-acclaim from the press on a global scale.
Their music has even appeared in places that extend far beyond typical concert venues. From hit television series like Game of Thrones and Vikings to video game giants like Conqueror’s Blade VII: “Wolves of Ragnarök and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II to the blockbuster Robert Eggers film The Northman, Heilung’s music has risen far above the underground and has transcended into a greater world. Even a global pandemic couldn’t slow down Heilung’s success; it only strengthened them and gave them the gift of time to complete work on their third album. In English, Drif translates as “Gathering”. The music embodies this philosophy by tying together the beginning of civilization with today’s modern society.
Heilung now perform their rituals all over the world. They sold out their first North American tour in 72 hours. Upon returning to the United States in 2021, they were greeted by another sold-out crowd, this time at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. This performance was released as a live album on vinyl and CD in 2024. A Blu-Ray edition of Lifa Iotungard will follow, along with the release of their 2023 performance at the Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith, London.
In 2025, Heilung embarked on headlining tours of Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Along the way, they cast their spell over more of the world’s biggest stages, including Roskilde Festival, Download Festival and Glastonbury. But no matter where the future takes them, Heilung always begin their performance with a humbling reminder of where we all come from.
“Remember, we are all brothers. All people, beasts, tree and stone and wind, we all descend from the one great being that was always there, before people lived and named it, before the first seed sprouted.”
Line-up: Kai Uwe Faust Christopher Juul Maria Franz
Following up his dark, brooding, and industrial-sounding first single, the sophomore release from emerging artist BADSQUATCH shows a completely different side of him. “Move” is the second single from his debut fourteen-track album (due out later in 2026) and it is a stark contrast from the gritty, self doubt-focused first release that dropped at the end of February.
This new song is reminiscent of a workout song from the 80’s, and one can almost picture Richard Simmons leading a stair-stepper class in his classic short shorts as the choruses come crashing in. Complete with synthesized sequencers, harmonized vocals, and cheesy motivational lyrics, it’s every bit of the old VHS tapes that your parents used to workout with in the living room wrapped up into three and a half minutes of pure ‘fun’.
There is an obvious intention in the releases being so vastly different from one another, showing that genre doesn’t matter to this new artist. It also illuminates the notion that BADSQUATCH has no problem speaking upon hard to talk about subjects, yet can show his capability of being light-hearted and having a good time.
Even the difference in the single cover artwork is palpable, the first being a real photo in a dim setting with a brooding expression on the artist’s face, and the second, a brightly colored cartoon caricature of himself with a cigarette in his mouth, lifting weights under a disco ball. This all alludes to the duality of this character, and much like the nature of bigfoot, makes it impossible to nail down what he will do next.
The song, and the rest of the album, were recorded in Mexico City, MX during the same period that he recorded another debut album with his midwestern dystopian party rock trio The Party After.
Creating such an eclectic and massive amount of material over that span of time is what led the trio’s frontsquatch to kicking off a solo career to release everything that didn’t quite ‘fit’, which is inherently reflective of an artist named BADSQUATCH.
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 ) 