California-based melodic punk rock band DARK RIDE celebrate the release of their new full-length album “Blade Manor”, out now via Fiend Force/Massacre Records.
Following the previously released singles and videos “Rewind” and “Coffin”, which introduced the album’s blend of high-energy punk, horror aesthetics and cinematic storytelling, “Blade Manor” is now fully available, marking a bold new chapter for the band.
In addition, the band are currently working on a new official video for the track “Life At The End Of October”, which will be released soon.
Blending infectious melodies, dark humor and atmospheric elements, the album draws inspiration from classic horror films, ‘80s and ‘90s pop culture, and West Coast punk rock, while incorporating subtle metal influences into its dynamic sound.
Created by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emilio Menze, “Blade Manor” showcases DARK RIDE at their most focused and ambitious, combining cinematic vision with sharp songwriting and a distinctive identity within the modern punk scene.
Produced by Randy Moore and Olav Tabatabai, with mixing by Olav Tabatabai and mastering by Zack Ohren (Castle Ultimate Productions), the album delivers a powerful and cohesive sonic experience that bridges underground attitude with broader appeal.
On April 24th, Indonesian Black Metal band PURE WRATH will unleash their fourth album “Bleak Days Ahead“. Building wonderfully upon the panoramic and poignant melodies of 2022’s wounded “Hymn to the Woeful Hearts“, mastermind Ryo and drummer Yurii Ciel (CAILLEACH CALLING, ex-WHITE WARD) have dialled back the cinematics and upped the dynamics – allowing a varied sound palette including organ, mellotron, throat singing, piano and saxophone to express the sadness in high-functioning depression and the suffocating routines of modern life.
To underscore this, PURE WRATH now unveil the album’s second single, ‘Haven of Echoes‘, accompanied by a haunting video:
Forewords sung by Dany Tee (LOS MALES DEL MUNDO, THE LEAVING, ACATHEXIS). Moving images by Jaka Sadewo, Yurii Ciel, Dimas Tirta Arwana, and Januaryo Hardy. Assembled by Dimas Tirta Arwana.
Ryo comments on the song and video:
“I try portray the daily routine in a highly industrialized world, where humans become instruments of production, detached from their own earthly existence. Machine, human, and polluted nature intertwine, forming a symbolic chaos where life slowly dissolves. Even in moments of rest, surrounded by comfort and familiar sounds, there is no true pause, only the quiet weight of a system that consumes you and turns you into part of its output. To visualize this, Yurii and I recorded footage in an unusual way. Jaka captured my face as the message bearer, and everything was later manipulated and seamlessly combined with found footage by Dimas.
This particular song also has an unusual composition for PURE WRATH. I wrote the riffs differently, changed the way I approach certain chords, manufactured noises by scratching guitar strings, and it is probably the slowest song in our catalogue. Crafted during those flawless witching hours, when I ignored my body’s craving for rest. It serves as a perfect opening for the B-side of the album, where the forewords are violently delivered by Dany Tee over the calming ghost notes performed by Yurii. The song then builds into its main character and concludes with a heavy, low, down-below, sludge-like passage.“
For deeper immersion into the spellbinding sonics of PURE WRATH, check out first single ‘Spectral Insomnia‘ – also with an accompanying video – here:
Find all album details for “Bleak Days Ahead” here and follow PURE WRATH on Facebook and Instagram for updates!
“Bleak Days Ahead” will be released on CD and vinyl – including an exclusive DMP vinyl version – alongside an exclusive t-shirt, on April 24th. Pre-orders are possible via DMP’s EU, US and Bandcamp shops.
Indonesian band PURE WRATH began in mid-2014 as the solo primitive Black Metal project of multi-instrumentalist Ryo. In 2016, Ryo began to shift the lyrical and thematic content of PURE WRATH towards his own life and family history. This paradigm-shift resulted in 2017 debut record, “Ascetic Eventide”, released via Indonesian label Hitam Kelam Records andselling out within four months.
Following the debut’s success, Ryo was contacted by Mexican label Throats Productions for the vinyl re-release of “Ascetic Eventide”. Soon after, “Endless Journey”, a split release between PURE WRATH and French symphonic black metal project ONIRISM was issued at the end of 2017.
In mid-2018, Ryo began writing what would become the second PURE WRATH album, “Sempiternal Wisdom”. It was released in October 2018 through Pest Productions in China and Hitam Kelam Records in Indonesia.
In 2019, Ryo readied PURE WRATH for live performances and created new EP “The Forlorn Soldier”. Released in 2020 via new label Debemur Morti Productions, the EP featured Yurii Ciiel (ex-WHITE WARD) as a session drummer and served as a bridge to the next PURE WRATH full-length. “Hymn To The Woeful Hearts”, the band’s critically acclaimed, next-level third album, was unleashed by DMP in February 2022.
After an intense period composing new material and performing select live shows across Asia, PURE WRATH entered the studio in September 2025 to record new album “Bleak Days Ahead”. For the first time, mastermind Ryo and drummer Yurii were able to record together in person in Bekasi, Indonesia. Further heightening anticipation for this new work, in January 2025 PURE WRATH unveiled a standalone digital composition ‘Flowers And Walls’ – a compelling rendition of Wiji Thukul’s poem “Bunga dan Tembok”. “Bleak Days Ahead” will be released on April 24th, 2026.
True Norwegian Stoner Rock trio DRAKEN is ready to release their 3rd album, “Here Be Draken”, on April the 17th.
While we await the upcoming hard hitting masterpiece, we can enjoy the 4th single today which is the song “It Serves You Right”, which can be heard here: https://orcd.co/itservesyouright
Draken’s bassist and vocalist Hallvard Gaardløs has this to say about “It Serves You Right”: It Serves You Right is the fourth and final single from “Here Be Draken”. It is quite short, to-the-point, catchy, and a bit in your face! I wrote the lyrics after a long string of political scandals in Norway. Turns out politicians are just as greedy, corrupt and unscrupulous as everyone else – or maybe just a little bit more. Years of taking advantage of the system, abuse of power, shady connections and flat out corruption suddenly gushed up into the limelight. And all I could think was; “Karma finally catches up to you… it serves you right!”
Formed in 2019 by Even Hermansen (guitar/vocals), Hallvard Gaardløs (bass/vocals) and André Drage (drums), Draken has carved out a fierce sonic identity at the crossroads of heavy rock and metal. Drawing inspiration from bands like High on Fire, Motörhead and Entombed, their sound is defined by down-tuned guitars, massive riffs and raw energy.
Hallvard Gaardløs has this to say about the upcoming album: For a long time, the main theme of “Here Be Draken” alluded me. But the more I think about it, this album is about new beginnings in so many ways. Sonically, it’s a new beginning. After two albums with Vegard Liverød (a true gentleman and legend!), the time was right for a change of scenery. We went for Amper Tone, which, quite conveniently, is just a stone’s throw from where I live. I talked to Kim Lillestøl about engineering, we knew each other from music studies, and we all have heard great things about him the last couple of years. The result… well, hear for yourself!
As mentioned, the upcoming album “Here Be Draken” was recorded at Amper Tone in Oslo and produced by the band together with engineer Kim Lillestøl. With artwork by Per Spjøtvold, the track listing is as follows:
1. The Great Deceiver 2. Jólablót 3. Saturday Night Head Removal Extravaganza 4. Here Be Dragons 5. Crimson Sun 6. It Serves You Right 7. Wrath 8. Shirts of Black (F.O.A.D.) 9. Of Demise and Men 10. Endtyme 11. Shitshow
Their first two albums – Draken (2021) and Book of Black (2023) – were released on Swedish label Majestic Mountain Records and received strong reviews across Norwegian and European press. The upcoming album Here Be Dragons was recorded at Amper Tone in Oslo and produced by the band together with engineer Kim Lillestøl.
Draken has performed across Norway and Sweden and toured central Europe with Spidergawd. With a new label and a new album on the horizon, the band is ready to take things to the next level.
Set for a release on Dark Essence Records on April the 17th, “Here Be Draken” will be available on CD, Limited Edition Cream White Vinyl and digital formats, and can be pre-ordered from:
High energy rock outfit THE CRUEL INTENTIONS released their explosive new single, “Wasteland,” on March 27, 2026. A blistering track born from raw creativity and last-minute studio magic, “Wasteland” captures the band at their most immediate, unfiltered, and emotionally charged.
Written and recorded on the very last day in the studio, “Wasteland” came together in a moment of pure spontaneity. The track also marks a first time songwriting collaboration between Lizzy and longtime friend and producer Erik Mårtensson, resulting in a creative spark that helped shape the song’s distinct edge.
“Wasteland captures the feeling of total burnout in a world that’s lost its way. It’s a raw, sarcastic take on modern chaos, when everything’s falling apart and someone still finds a way to make it all about themselves. Equal parts frustration and dark humor, it’s an anthem for the disillusioned.” – The Cruel Intentions
Reflecting on the songwriting process, Mats adds: “The song ‘Wasteland’ was written and recorded on the last day in the studio. I’ve known Erik for years, but we never wrote any songs together until now, and it was pure excitement. He’s a creative genius!”
The release of “Wasteland” arrives at a time of remarkable momentum for The Cruel Intentions.
Over the past few years, the band has experienced explosive growth fueled by relentless touring, electrifying live performances, and a steady stream of critically acclaimed releases.
The new album “All Hail Hypocrisy” arrives on May 29th via Indie Recordings.
THE CRUEL INTENTIONS: Lizzy DeVine – Vocals & Guitar Kristian Solhaug – Guitar Mats Wernerson- Bass Robin Nilsson – Drums
ABOUT THE CRUEL INTENTIONS The last couple of years have seen explosive growth in The Cruel Intentions’ popularity. Heavy touring, energetic live shows, paired with the release of critically acclaimed music and major placements in popular series, have seen the band grow into a favorite with fans and media alike.
Their rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. With over 13 million Spotify streams, 247K monthly listeners, 413K fans in 173 countries, and 2.2+ million YouTube views, the band’s footprint is unmistakable.
Their songs “Jawbreaker,” “Sick Adrenaline,” “Borderline Crazy,” “Reapercussion,” and “Reckoning” are all heavily featured across seasons 1 and 2 of the HBO/DC Comics hit “Peacemaker”, earning them worldwide exposure and public praise from the show’s director and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, who openly calls The Cruel Intentions one of his favorite bands.
The band’s momentum has taken them across Europe, the UK, Australia, and the US, including major festivals such as Sweden Rock Festival, Tons of Rock, Summer Breeze, Monsters of Rock Cruise (x2) and The Mountain Festival (US). Their name has graced the pages of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Classic Rock Magazine, and countless rock radios and webzines.
South African traditional/stoner doom metal trio Mad God have released their third album, An Age Of Ash, a fully realised concept record that marks the most ambitious and immersive chapter in the band’s decade-long career. Released on 27th March 2026 through Mongrel Records, the album arrives as five tracks of slow, crushing doom built around a sweeping dark fantasy narrative, a significant evolution from everything that came before it.
Formed in 2014 by vocalist and guitarist Tim Harbour and drummer Patrick Stephansen, Mad God built their reputation on bridging classic doom with psychedelic textures. Their earlier releases, A Tale of A Sightless City (2017) and Grotesque and Inexorable (2018), explored themes of cosmic horror and true crime. With the addition of bassist Danny Helsing in 2021, the trio rapidly developed a new creative chemistry and An Age Of Ash is the full expression of what that chemistry has produced.
An Age Of Ash tells the story of a world in collapse. In a war-torn kingdom where humanity has forgotten its ancient evils, darker forces rise unchecked from the shadows. Corrupt leadership, demonic betrayal and the awakening of forgotten gods converge as the balance of existence begins to unravel. At the heart of the record is a young woman’s quest for absolution and a father whose desperate actions send him down a twisted path toward ruin. What unfolds across the album’s five tracks is a bleak, violent fantasy narrative where hope is scarce and survival is never guaranteed.
The album’s story builds directly from the events of the band’s previous single, Left To Rot, which introduced Fadden, a farmer tricked into a demonic pact and set the wider world of the album in motion. An Age Of Ash now delivers the full saga: the rise of the Chosen, the awakening of the Ynyes, and the unravelling of a kingdom that never saw it coming.
Track Listing: 1. Godforsaken (The Pact) 2. Left To Rot 3. An Age Of Ash 4. Chosen 5. The Price
Musically, the record represents a bold expansion of the Mad God sound. The album incorporates odd time signatures, unconventional melodies and progressive arrangements, while never losing the slow, crushing groove at the band’s core. Songs were built organically over several years beginning with early ideas in 2021 and arriving at their final form by mid-2024 often growing from a single riff through extended full-band jam sessions. One track was written entirely by drummer Patrick Stephansen before being expanded collaboratively with the rest of the band.
The band were equally deliberate about how An Age Of Ash was captured. Recorded live at Helsing Studios without a click track, all core instrumentation was performed together in the room including solos, many of which were improvised on the spot. “We wanted something more natural and unified than our previous releases,” the band explain. “We also wanted a more natural-sounding album and opted for a live recording without click, with each song recorded in full in one take.” The result is a record with a raw, kinetic energy that none of their previous releases have matched.
Mixing and mastering were handled by bassist Danny Helsing, who crafted the album’s dense, atmospheric tones while preserving the natural power of the live performances. Recording took place across four to five full-band sessions, with separate vocal sessions to follow.
Continuing their ascent into the vanguard of modern heavy music, cinematic hard rock outfit Bastion Rose has announced the release of their introspective single: “I.” Released on March 27th, the track serves as the next single from the band’s third chapter, Blue Rising.
Following their recent singles, “Dust” and “Bones,” “I” turns the lens inward. The track explores the violent necessity of personal evolution. Driven by a sophisticated rhythmic pulse and soaring, melodic hooks, the song captures the moment a “calloused” spirit finally decides to break.
“The song is a dialogue with the parts of ourselves that prefer to stay as stone because change is terrifying,” says frontman Austin Frink. “We often stay the same because it’s safe, but ‘I’ is about that breaking point—the moment you realize you have to liquefy your old self to break through the stone and finally grow. It’s about moving beyond the ‘commotion inside’ to become something more.”
Blue Rising represents a bold new evolution for the band as Bastion Rose continues to build on the world-class sonic architecture established in their previous works. The band’s debut EP, Fade To Blue, and their powerhouse full-length, Traces of Gold, were both produced by three-time Grammy-winner David Bottrill (Tool, Muse, Rush). That collaboration set a high bar for the band’s technical, progressive arrangements and raw, alternative metal energy—a standard that remains the heartbeat of their new material.
The release of “I” finds Bastion Rose at an all-time high, with over 2 million streams across their catalog and a global YouTube community of 60,000 subscribers. The band is currently striking while the iron is hot, promising a steady stream of music for their rapidly expanding fanbase.
“We have so much music ready to share with the world right now,” Frink adds. “Blue Rising is just the next chapter of a very prolific phase for Bastion Rose. We aren’t interested in slowing down.”
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.
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
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 