“Blessed Be He Who Enters” is the latest single from Hellenic black metal troop YOTH IRIA. The track comes by way of the band’s stellar third album, Gone With The Devil, set for worldwide release on May 8th through Metal Blade Records.
YOTH IRIA‘s trajectory has been on a steep ascent since crafty 2021 debut As The Flame Withers and 2024’s hypnotic Blazing Inferno, but there has audibly been a concerted determination to develop and expand in sinister new directions. “The creative workflow was similar to Blazing Inferno, yet we deliberately pushed ourselves to bring new elements into our music. We kept the immediacy of Blazing Inferno, the psychedelia of As The Flame Withers, and all the characteristics people expect from Hellenic black metal, while adding fresh sounds and atmospheres never before heard from YOTH IRIA.”
Predominantly stately tempos ensure the dark riffs, memorable melodies and flamboyant leads have space to breathe their fire, so that the blastbeats, when they come, devastate even more utterly. Flecks of Mediterranean folk and gothic cadences further expand the band’s sonic palate, while there are countless melodies so atavistically simple and primally satisfying they could be a thousand years old.
“YOTH IRIA is not a band bound by strict rules or prohibitions,” the Attica quartet declares. “Black metal is and will always be at the core of our sound, but around it revolves anything that carries the necessary darkness, mystique, and spiritual intensity. Of course, there are elements we would never include – not out of fear or dogma, but because they do not serve the daemon of the band. Our sound must retain melody, simplicity, drama, and a ritualistic character.“
Musically, inspiration is derived from “classic rock, heavy metal, and many extreme bands that we deeply admire,” while lyrical and attitudinal inspiration comes from an even more plentiful source. “Artistically, simply living in today’s world is enough to inspire dark music. We live in a strange, uncertain era – transitional, perhaps – toward something no one can predict if it will be better or worse. That tension alone fuels creativity.”
On “Blessed Be He Who Enters,” the band elaborates, “These lyrics stand for pride and strength in adversity, seeking freedom and higher knowledge. They defy all forms of tyranny – within families, relationships, schools, or any oppressive place. They speak for those who refuse to bow and walk with fire in their spirit. When we shape ourselves, we reshape the world around us.”
Watch the band’s previously released video for “The Blind Eye Of Antichrist” HERE.
There’s a thrilling balance of ancient and modern, good and evil, harmony and dissonance on Gone With The Devil advancing YOTH IRIA as a hungry contender for extreme metal’s big leagues – an ever-improving unit with a glorious future. Appropriately, however, Gone With The Devil is best summed up with a line already coined by the band to describe their ongoing body of work: “Every note tells a story of rebirth, tradition, and the relentless pursuit of musical transcendence.“
The daemonic avatar YOTH IRIA was first explicitly summoned on Rotting Christ‘s legendary debut Thy Mighty Contract in 1993. Bassist/lyricist Jim Mutilator formed that band as Black Church in 1984, before also becoming a founder member of cult Athenian BM heroes Varathron for their first five years. Renewing the otherworldly atmospheres and occult ravishment for a new era, YOTH IRIA functions almost as the third panel in an apocalyptic triptych of Hellenic black metal excellence.
YOTH IRIA: HE – vocals Jim Mutilator – bass Nikolas Perlepe – guitar Naberius – guitar Bill “Vongaar” Stavrianidis – drums
Flying saucers, open graves, mind pollution, mushroom clouds and evil villains with a smile on their face. Meet The Ghoulstars, a fresh – and frightening blast from pop-culture’s past. Since beaming down onto their native haunt of Finland, this White Zombie-loving group of horror punks have captivated press and tantalized crowds without releasing a single bloody track. Until now! On their blockbuster debut album, The Dark Overlords of the Universe, no tome is too sacred for these ghouls to summon back to life!
“Fans of The Misfits, Wednesday 13, and White Zombie should swarm to this like freshly turned corpses sniffing out warm flesh”, Black Angel Promotion writes in an early review of The Dark Overlords of the Universe. “This isn’t Horror Punk done to death. This is Horror Punk resurrected – stitched together, jolted with lightning, and set loose on an unsuspected world”.
Pavillon666howls in agreement. “This is a very strong debut for The Ghoulstars, sure to please fans of Misfits, White Zombie, or Murderdolls. If you enjoy music steeped in pop culture and horror films, grab this album and devour it like the vile creatures you are”.
Today, The Ghoulstars are thrilled to announce the second advance single from The Dark Overlords of the Universe. “Graverobbers from Outer Space” pays faithful homage to Ed Wood’s 1957 cult classic Plan 9 from Outer Space, but the band spin off a few spooky twists of their own.
“‘Graverobbers from Outer Space’ is one of my favorite songs on The Dark Overlords of the Universe”, The Ghoulstars guitarist Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso says. “Horror movies are practically in my blood flow, especially quirky classics like Plan 9 from Outer Space. This song was written as a straightforward pile-driving tribute, though I can’t think of many punk rock songs that have a doomy C-part and güiro”.
Watch the fun and frightful music video for “Graverobbers from Outer Space”:
The video for “Graverobbers from Outer Space” was directed, filmed and edited by Toni Hiltunen.
Additional video credits: An Anti-Teatteri Production Written by Toni Hiltunen and Markus Laakso Set design by Sami Kokkonen Lighting and UFO by Toni Hiltunen Starring Emilia Matilainen, Sami Kokkonen, Kalle-Pekka Salmela & The Ghoulstars
Despite their ghostly appearance, The Ghoulstars are a collection of real talent. The band features an all-star cast of current and former members of death-doom royalty and Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace, stoner rockers Thermate and Finland’s Top Ten charting Kuolemanlaakso.
What bands these ghouls together on “Graverobbers from Outer Space” is their morbid fascination with classic cult cinema. Filmed in grainy black and white after Ed Wood’s own heart, the song’s music video leaps off the screen. Fellow horror aficionados will spot plenty of Easter eggs: Beetlejuice’s threads, the dashing and deadly Vampira, a flying saucer cited from a thinly veiled piece of string. The song’s infectious chorus will have even the crustiest of old metalheads barking at the moon. But it’s the dark and doomy riffs, followed by a mysterious presence of güiro, that add a delightfully unexpected twist to this monstrously catchy mash-up.
“The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to everything that blew our minds as kids”, Laakso says. “The album is loaded with huge riffs, big choruses, surprising curve balls and Easter eggs from old horror, sci-fi and coming-of-age movies. Holding it all together is our sheer joy in watching all the pieces fall into the right place.
Tracklist 1. Too Ghoul for School (3:57) [WATCH] 2. The Dead in Purgatory (4:04) 3. Zombie Apocalypse (2:52) 4. The Dark Overlords of the Universe (3:43) 5. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (3:16) 6. Graverobbers from Outer Space (3:46) 7. The Wolfman (2:48) 8. The Ballad of the Cursed Bandits (2:19) 9. Vampire (2:58) 10. They Dance Upon Our Graves (3:52)
Old crusty metalheads can be stuck in their ways, but The Ghoulstars are a fresh — and frightening — blast from the past. Since invading the land of the living back in 2021, the horror punk supergroup has captivated press and tantalized crowds in their native haunt of Finland without releasing a single bloody track. Until now! Evil mastermind Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso and his fellow pop-culture junkies are raising the cobwebbed curtain from their blockbuster debut album. On The Dark Overlords of the Universe, no tome is too sacred for these ghouls to summon back to life!
“The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to our fifteen-year-old selves”, Laakso says. “It’s crammed with headbanging metal riffs, shout-along punk rock choruses, B-movie easter eggs, ‘80s aesthetics, surprising curveballs and the sheer joy of all the pieces falling into the right places. Move over, Rover, and let the ghouls take over!”.
Despite their ghostly appearance, The Ghoulstars are a collection of real talent. Axeman Laakso and goose-bumping drummer Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen shared a past life together in the Top Ten charting Finnish death-doom band Kuolemanlaakso. Bassist Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen formerly haunted the low end for Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace while moonhowler Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure croons for the stoner rockers Thermate.
Banding The Ghoulstars together is a freaky obsession with the classic metal, punk and movies that blew their minds as kids. The Dark Overlords of the Universe is named after the many-teethed mutants from the 1986 cult classic Howard the Duck. “I grew up during a time when movies in Finland were censored, so my hobby was collecting uncensored VHS tapes of horror and sci-fi movies any way I could”, Laakso reveals. As a young skeleton, he frequently raided European record store crates for The Misfits, Bad Religion and obscure metal finds, though the album’s lead single spun off from his schooling in the U.S. With Mötley Crüe’s pomp and the can’t-do attitude of Twisted Sister roaming its halls, lead single “Too Ghoul for School” is jam-packed with more fun-filled ‘80s antics than Saturday afternoon detention.
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Lost Boys and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off are some of my favorite movies”, Laakso applauds. “I love the cliched characters: the nerds, the jocks, the cool kids and the rebels. They remind me of my junior high school days”.
To bring their ingenious creation to life, The Ghoulstars summoned V. Santura of the mighty Triptykon for the mixing and mastering of The Dark Overlords of the Universe. “Graverobbers from Outer Space” pays homage to Ed Wood’s B-horror classic Plan 9 from Outer Space with a straight-up headbanging chorus, though not many clear-cut punk rippers are enlivened by a doomy C-part and güiro. “That’s one of my favorite moments on the album”, Laakso recalls. The Wolfman, a zombie apocalypse, the brain that wouldn’t die and other cultishly beloved touchstones jump out during the album’s crisp 34-minute runtime. Though the band also enter original plots to horror’s hallowed crypt. Set amidst the cruel unfeeling world of the Wild West, “The Dead in Purgatory” rides a galloping melody after Morricone’s heart into a sunset that’s colored by the fifty shades of Volbeat.
“No spoilers, but all cowboy hats aside, that song deals with feeling hopeless and abandoned by someone close to you who needs but refuses your help”, teases Laakso.
The Ghoulstars may be undead, but there’s nothing pale or lifeless about The Dark Overlords of the Universe. The title track crosses surf beats, heavy riffing and a hair-raising transition into a chorus that’s absolutely to die for. “We can’t wait to unleash this delightful horror upon the world”, Laakso says with an ominous glint in his bloodshot eye. “As V. Santura told me: ‘The record is unique, catchy and a really fun listen’”.
With The Dark Overlords of the Universe, The Ghoulstars direct a monstrously catchy mash-up between metal, punk and B-horror.
Lineup Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso – Guitars Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen – Drums Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure – Vocals Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen – Bass
Guest musicians Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns (…and Oceans, Finntrol) – Backing Growls Tommi “Tuple” Salmela (Tarot, Raskasta Joulua, Lazy Bones) – Backing Vocals on “The Dark Overlords of the Universe”)
Production credits Produced by Markus Laakso Guitars recorded by Markus Laakso and Erkka Närhi Vocals recorded by Markus Laakso and Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns Drums recorded by Erkka Närhi Bass recorded by Samu Männikkö and Markus Laakso Percussion recorded by Markus Laakso Mixed & Mastered by V. Santura at Woodshed Studio in Germany
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the signing of legendary melodic rock duo NELSON to the label’s roster. The band, lead by master songwriting twin brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, will also appear at the upcoming Frontiers Rock Festival on Sunday, May 3, 2026, further strengthening their renewed partnership with the label.
The band commented: “We’re honored to re-join the Frontiers family. Nelson’s now classic “Lightning Strikes Twice” was the first release for Frontiers in America when the label opened up their US office years ago- and as such, we’ve always felt like a valued part of the team. Nelson is and has always been truly unique – and our family at Frontiers has always valued that, as well as our exhaustive process to write, record, and produce world class albums that endure the test of time”.
“We’re honored to reconnect with a roster that celebrates melodic rock music with such passion. We can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on and to deepen our connection with our fans around the world. Be warned: the new Nelson record is amazing”, they added.
Mario de Riso, A&R and Business Affairs VP at Frontiers, added: “It is an absolute thrill to have Nelson back to the Frontiers roster. Matthew and Gunnar have a very special place in the history of melodic rock, and their talent, identity, and consistency as artists continue to shine. Their music represents the kind of quality, emotion, and craftsmanship we deeply believe in. We look forward to sharing this new music with their loyal fans and with a new generation of listeners.”
Matthew and Gunnar Nelson have built a career that truly stands the test of time. Rising to global prominence in the early 1990s with Nelson’s multi-platinum debut “After The Rain”, the twins topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection”, earning a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. With seven Top 40 singles, five #1 MTV videos, over 6.5 million albums sold worldwide, Nelson became a defining force of their time.
Deeply rooted in one of America’s most storied entertainment families, Matthew and Gunnar bring rare perspective to longevity in music. Their grandparents Ozzie and Harriet made television history with “The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet”, while Ozzie also pioneered early music-video concepts long before MTV. Their father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Nelson, sold over 200 million records and helped found the country rock genre. Carrying this legacy forward, the twins have consistently evolved and continue to connect with audiences across generations through authenticity, craftsmanship, and heart.
Beyond music, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson have also become best-selling authors with their book “What Happened To Your Hair?”, adding another dimension to their creative journey.
Today, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson continue to explore fresh creative territory, carrying forward their unmistakable melodic sensibility and soaring sibling harmonies. With a career defined by reinvention and longevity, Nelson remains a vital presence on the rock scene.
The Dreaming Prince marches on! Enigmatic black metal entity LAMP OF MURMUUR is now announcing another headlining trek throughout Europe, this time with support from OUTLAW. The Spiritual Succession Tour will kick off on August 27 in Burglengenfeld (DE) and will dominate Europe until the final stop on September 6 in Namur (BE). The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.
In addition, LAMP OF MURMUUR has joined forces with DÖDSRIT for a co-headlining tour throughout Europe this spring! The Regal Vengeance Tour (Part 1) embarked on its path of destruction starting first from April 3 – 5 and then will resume its onslaught from May 13 – 24. In addition, both bands will be dominating the European festival circuit this year, with more festivals TBA! The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.
Lamp of Murmuur will also be embarking on the To Dream of Rhûn Europe 2026 headliner in EU/UK from April 24 – May 2, with support from Tolkienian black metal masters ONE OF NINE. Tickets can be found HERE.
Lamp of Murmuur will be touring in support of 2025’s critically-acclaimed album, ‘The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy,’ which was release by Wolves of Hades and named among the greatest metal albums of the year by Decibel Magazine (#10), Brooklyn Vegan, Heavy Metal Philosophy (#5), Knotfest, and many more.
The Regal Vengeance Tour (Part 1) (DÖDSRIT and LAMP OF MURMUUR):
13 May: Copenhagen (DK) @ Stengade 14 May: Gothenburg (SE) @ Monument 15 May: Oslo (NO) @ Goldie 16 May: Stockholm (SE) @ Kollektivet Livet 18 May: Turku (FI) @ Nirvana 19 May: Helsinki (FI) @ On The Rocks 20 May: Tallinn (EE) @ Paavli Kultuurivabrik 21 May: Riga (LV) @ Vagonu Hal 22 May: Vilnius (LT) @ nArauti 23 May: Gdańsk (PL) @ Drizzly Grizzly 24 May: Poznań (PL) @ 2Progi
To Dream of Rhûn Europe 2026 (LAMP OF MURMUUR w/ ONE OF NINE)
The Spiritual Succession Tour (LAMP OF MURMUUR w/ OUTLAW)
27 August: Burglengenfeld (DE) @ VAZ 28 August: Linz (AT) @ KAPU 29 August: Ostrava (CZ) @ Barrák Music Club 30 August: Bratislava (SK) @ Pink Whale 31 August: Ilirska Bistrica (SL) @ MKNZ 02 September: Milan (IT) @ Slaughter Club 03 September: Dornbirn (AT) @ Schlachthaus 05 September: Mörlenbach-Weiher (DE) @ Live Music Hall 06 September: Namur (BE) @ The Belvédère
LAMP OF MURMUUR Festival Appearances:
06 June: Kirchdorf (DE) @ BAVARIAN BATTLE OPEN AIR 24 July: Freissenbüttel (DE) BURNING Q FESTIVAL 04 September: Hüttikon (CH) @ MEH SUFF! Open Air 26 September: Dresden (DE) @ Eternum Fest 03 October: Vienna (AT) @ Vienna Metal Meeting 07 November: Manchester (UK) @ DAMNATION FESTIVAL
Few artists in recent memory have swept through the dark underground with the excited fervour that Lamp of Murmuur has achieved since first appearing with a string of demos in 2019.
Despite the project’s quick rise to renown, little is known about the band except that the project hails from Los Angeles, CA, and is led by an enigmatic man known as M.
After the initial onslaught that was ‘Heir of Ecliptical Romanticism,’ it was evident that behind the awe inspiring riffs and classic black metal cold atmosphere hid a completely different beast, one with a particular obsession and sensibility that allowed the project to break through the barrage of raw black metal projects that now flood the internet.
Two more albums came after that initial effort was released (‘Submission and Slavery’ in 2021 and the overwhelmingly acclaimed ‘Saturnian Bloodstorm’ in 2023) that cemented the one-man-band’s status as a spearheading institution in modern Black Metal, delivering albums that constantly bend the rules while also maintaining that rebellious and unapologetic spirit that represents the genre’s tradition so greatly.
In 2025, Lamp of Murmuur unleashed their latest effort: ‘The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy,’ A celebration of M.’s progress as a musician, yet again breaking and bending all preconceptions of how black metal should sound, yet retaining the exquisite songwriting and larger than life head-banging riffs that the project has become known for, attracting and enchanting adepts from all regions of the world.
SHADOWBORNE signed a multialbum deal with Scarlet Records.
The newborn Swedish female-fronted power metal band is expected to release the debut album in June 2026.
Forged in the far North where winter devours the sun and ancient oaths are carved in frostbitten stone, the House of Shadowborne rose from exile and flame. The bloodline was not born into crowns, but into war – tempered by long nights, fallen banners, and a silence older than memory. When kingdoms clashed and dragons once again scarred the skies, the Shadowborne did not bend.
Bound by a creed whispered only within their blackened halls – Born in Shadow, Raised in Flames – they became wardens of the unseen. Around their necks they bear a circle of steel, its lower arc bound in dark leather and carried by braided cord – not ornament, but relic. An unbroken ring passed from oath to oath, from blood to blood, sealing vows that cannot be undone.
Neither saints nor tyrants, they walk the narrow path between ruin and redemption. They kneel before no throne, yet keep faith with something older than kings. And when the long night returns – as it always does – their fire will be the last to fade against the dark.
German metal band MP have officially signed a record deal with Massacre Records, marking a powerful new chapter in the band’s long-standing career.
Hailing from Southwest Germany, MP built their reputation during the 80s through extensive touring and a series of high-profile appearances, including shows alongside acts such as Samson and Girlschool, as well as television features like “Hard ’n’ Heavy”. Their debut album “Bursting Out” (1986) has since achieved cult status within the traditional metal scene.
Following a discography that includes four studio albums and one live release, MP are now set to return with brand new material in autumn 2026 – their first studio album in over two decades.
Rooted in classic heavy metal traditions, the upcoming release promises ten uncompromising tracks driven by authenticity, raw energy and a no-frills approach – staying true to the band’s original spirit while bringing it into a contemporary context.
The band comment: “We are very proud to be working with Massacre Records and to finally bring new music to life after all these years. This album represents everything MP stand for – honest, powerful metal without compromise.”
With founding member Thomas Zeller at the helm, MP reaffirm their dedication to traditional metal values, delivering a sound that rejects trends and focuses on substance, attitude and pure musical energy.
More details about the upcoming album will be revealed soon.
MP line-up: Thomas Zeller – vocals Jürgen Föry – guitars Rainer Jauch – bass Klaus Sperling – drums
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
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