Gothenburg-based alternative metal band DREAM DROP is back with new music. After releasing their third album ACNE SUPERSTAR in late 2023, the band has been working hard on their next project. Now, they’re ready to drop Forgotten, a powerful new single that kicks off an exciting new chapter.
Dream Drop is a band that’s exciting to experience, both live and online. Their explosive stage presence has earned them spots alongside bands like Blood Command, Smash Into Pieces, and STARSET. With a strong online presence and a distinct graphic style, they know how to captivate fans on every platform.
Today, Dream Drop releases their new single It’s Ok—the second track from an upcoming project that introduces a more focused, energized, and evolved Dream Drop. And as if new music wasn’t exciting enough, the band hits the stage in Stockholm tonight, with Malmö and Gothenburg lined up next. Safe to say that the band is stepping into their strongest era yet!
BATTLESNAKE have released a new single ‘Murder Machine’ taken from the upcoming album “Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd”, coming out on June 6th.
Battlesnake quoth once again; “The Exultants demonic hound pigs, their faithful servants built to hunt Jesus Christ. The ‘Machina Mortifero’ in English ‘Murder Machine’, they feed only on bile and human waste. The scent of the Son of Man drives them into insanity and the hunt begins….”
An epic twin harmony guitar attack opens the track before it delves straight into a furious, chugg of a riff that summons something sinister from the deep. The harmonies and old school power continue throughout, dive-bombing into a Motörhead fuelled race to the finish line, spent but ready for more!
Murder Machine is the latest offering from their forthcoming album, Dawn Of The Exultants And The Hunt For The Shepherd, due for release on June 6. Order the album here.
The rising titans of Australian hard rock and pure heavy metal, Battlesnake have quickly ascended from the underground, captivating audiences worldwide with their unique blend of powerful riffs and dynamic songwriting. Channeling the likes of Queen, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath into something familiar yet ground breaking at the same time. Renowned for their high-octane live performances, epic theatrical compositions, and relentless energy, they have firmly established themselves as one of the most exciting acts in contemporary metal.
Their sound has evolved into a mighty force, blending heavy riffs, soaring vocals, and intricate melodies, while keeping the raw, unrelenting energy that defines their live shows.
Their 2020 debut EP, Myths and Legends from Gorbag’s Domainwas followed by their self-titled full-length album in 2023 and 2024’s monstrous, The Rise and Demise of the Motorsteeple, which marked a significant milestone in their career, blending high-octane metal with intricate storytelling. The album’s success propelled Battlesnake into the global spotlight, securing their place as one of the most anticipated bands in the scene.
Motorsteeple’ saw Battlesnake’s momentum explode internationally, particularly across the UK and EU, where their unique sound resonated with fans and critics alike. Their explosive rise overseas was complemented by their collaboration with renowned acts like KISS (on their “End of the World Tour”), The Smashing Pumpkins, and Jane’s Addiction (on the “World Is a Vampire Tour”). The Australian outfit’s electrifying live performances were met with widespread acclaim, leading to sold-out shows and a rapidly growing fan base in these territories.
2025 will see Battlesnake return to the UK and EU for their most ambitious tour yet, bringing their hard-hitting sound to some of the biggest music festivals in the world, including Download Festival (UK), Copenhell (Denmark), Rock for People (Czech Republic), Mad Cool (Spain),
The band have also been confirmed as support for Eagles Of Death Metal on their UK and Netherlands shows!
YEAR OF THE SNAKE TOUR DATES 8 June: Markethalle, Hamburg, DE^^ 10 June: Kesselhaus, Berlin, DE^^ 11 June: Taubchenthal, Leipzig, DE^^ 12 – 13 June: Download, UK 14 June: Rock For People, CZ 16 June: Essigfabrik, Cologne, DE^^ 17 June: Speicher – Husum, DE* 18 June: Copenhell, DK 19 June: Den Atelier, Luxembourg, LU^^ 20 June: Freak Valley, DE 21 June: Pinkpop, Netherlands 1 July: L’Aeronef, Lille, FR+ 3 July: Bootleg Social, Blackpool, UK* 4 July: The Grand Social, Dublin, UK* 7 July: Bodega – Nottingham, UK+ 8 July: Chalk – Brighton, UK+ 9 July: Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff, UK+ 10 July: 2000Trees, UK 11 July: MadCool, ES 15 July: DB’s – Utrecht, NL** 16 July: Altstadt – Eindhoven, NL** 17 July: Zwarte Cross, NL 18 July: Rockland Festival, ES 20 July: Ilosaarirock, FIN 25 July: Rock In Wald, DE 29 July: Free & Easy – Munich, DE 1 August: Open Air Graenichen, CH 3 August: Multitude Festival, UK 5 August: Voodoo Daddy’s, Norwich UK** 6 August: Underworld – London, UK** 8 August: Boomtown, UK 9 August: Rebellion – Manchester, UK** 11 August: Cluny 2, Newcastle UK** 12 August: Hug & Pint – Glasgow, UK 13 August: Lending Room – Leeds, UK 14 August: ArcTanGent, UK 15 August: Hoflärm – Marienthal, DE
+Co Headline with DZ Deathrays *Headline Shows **Support for Eagles Of Death Metal
With each performance ritual, Battlesnake will prove their reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts in modern rock. All hail Battlesnake!
Finnish metal quartet Pohjoisen Soturit have been delivering their own unique twist of heavy-metal for over twenty years, blending thunderous riffs, industrial driving beats and the rumble of death metal vocals, following in the footsteps of Scandinavian giants such as Moonsorrow, Korpiklaani and Finntroll. In the beginning there were two sons; brothers Anssi and Ossi Leinonen, who in 2004 formed the band off the back of their childhood passion for Metallica, Pantera, Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir and Moonsorrow. The bands name was taken from Moonsorrow’s song “Taistelu Pohjolasta”. Immediately in the founding year, bassist Teemu Hynynen joined the ranks, and the first original songs started to emerge, amongst various covers like ‘Smoke on the Water’. Originality was their drive, and covers were just the stepping stone.
The following year in 2005, Riku-Pekka Savolainen joined as second guitarist, and the first demo entitled “Verisuot” was born, recorded at the Lapinlahti, Purkki-Studio. Anssi’s early day vocals delivered a low and monotonous roar, lending more to the sounds and ferocity than the words themselves. The following the demo for “Kertalaaki” was also created. With the first two demos, no one really knew where the bands sound came from, or yet what it was to develop into, stitching together distorted guitars, powerful vocals and the drive of the double bass drum.
In 2005-2006, the bands’ first shows were performed. School parties, bar gigs, any stage they could take to, with their main drawback being that Anssi was the only adult in the whole gang.
In 2008, the debut EP named “Pohjoistuuli” was recorded at Kujalandia studio in Lahti, southern Finland.
During the years of 2009-2013 the crew underwent lineup changes, all the while recording 2011’s ‘Naimahauta’ EP at Make Saaranen‘s studio.
Make Saaranen came to lead guitar and 2016 band released first full album ”Oksat pois ja osa latvuksista…” via Inverse Records.
After few quiet year band activates again 2019. Make Saaranen leaves the band and Juuso Tujunen jumps in with keyboard. 2020 ”Halaus” music video was released and full ”Halaus” album born in 2022. Band played also their first gig outside of Finland at Camden Underworld in London.
2024 There was a five show tour in Bulgaria with Blax and Arallu. Sami Kokkonen leaves and Jussi Ruotsalainen came back as bass player.
2025 New album ”N” is out now. Two singles, ”Kuiskaus” and “Tolokun Musta” were released from the album.
Line-up: Guitar & vocals – Anssi Leinonen Drums – Ossi Leinonen Bass – Jussi Ruotsalainen Guitar – Ville Normi Keyboards – Juuso Tujunen
Following the success of their powerful ANZAC tribute, ‘Let’s Not Forget’, pioneering Indigenous rock band Blackfire return with a bold new track, ‘Big Billions‘, officially out now via Golden Robot Records. The single is available to stream everywhere and continues the band’s trademark blend of social commentary and soulful, rock-infused storytelling.
Lifted from their forthcoming album ‘Solar Eclipse’, ‘Big Billions‘ turns a critical eye to the illusion of wealth and the cost of chasing fortune. With lyrics that speak to rising inequality, mental health struggles, and a growing lack of connection in modern life, the song asks a simple but profound question: What does it really mean to be rich?
Built on a steady groove and layered with emotive vocals, ‘Big Billions’ captures the heart of what makes Blackfire so essential: their ability to mix rhythm and message in a way that resonates deeply. It’s both a wake-up call and an invitation to re-evaluate what really matters in life.
This new single affirms Blackfire‘s role not just as musicians, but as messengers – challenging systems, honouring culture, and inspiring unity.
Formed in Melbourne in 1992, Blackfire toured nationally and internationally for over a decade, becoming a powerful voice in both music and Indigenous cultural expression. After a break starting in 1999, the band began reuniting for select shows from 2018 onward. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, original members Selwyn Burns, Grant Hansen, and Brad Brown rekindled the fire – and with it came a revitalized lineup.
Joining the original trio are Radical Son (David Leha) on lead vocals, Peter Moore on drums, Rod Crundwell on keys, and additional members Monica McDonald and Leonie Whyman on backing vocals and percussion. Daniel Jauregui adds power on second lead guitar, giving the group an even fuller, more dynamic sound.
CALIFORNIA IRISH is the new band featuring The Answer’s Cormac Neeson. The band tips its hat to the wonderfully melodic and free-spirited sound from 60s America, a sound that reaches back into a gentler, more empathetic time, and now releases its second single ‘Live Fast Die Free’, out now.
Cormac states: “This song was inspired by the movie Easy Rider…and even more specifically, the closing scene when Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda get shot off their Harleys by a couple of rednecks. The song tries to tap into some of the hippie ethos that’s captured so beautifully in the movie, themes of freedom, love and living life without regret. It’s also one of those loose, groovy songs that the live analogue recording process suited perfectly. You can really feel the power of the four voices around the one microphone singing our hearts out. It feels raw and soulful in all the right places.”
Summoning the beguiling spirit of Laurel Canyon, employing analogue recording techniques, and recording songs in one or two takes to achieve something with a real human touch, California Irish are a new seven piece group hailing from Belfast that working their own niche within the world of folk and Americana, and everything in between.
This new group showcase a unique sound formed from a combination of players that initially came together briefly to perform a Neil Young-inspired theatre show production called “Re-Harvest”, in which the musicians who now make up California Irish very successfully performed the classic albums ‘Harvest Moon’ and ‘Harvest’ back to back.
The brainchild of the group is lead singer and chief songwriter Cormac Neeson. The band were hand-picked by Neeson based on long standing friendships, as well as experiences with numerous musical projects within the thriving Belfast music scene.
Cormac states his reason for starting the band, and wanting to harness this fabulous sound: “This album is the opposite of boring AI generated no soul perfection. We recorded this album in a room together over four days allowing the music to breathe when it needed to, looking at each other for our cues and feeding off each other’s energy. It felt like a dream…but it’s the most real thing I’ve ever done in music. That Laurel Canyon sound of the late 60s, epitomised by the early Crosby Stills Nash and Young stuff, and the first few Joni Mitchell records, has always felt otherworldly and magical. On our album we’ve tried to access some of that beauty and create our own magic by combining brand new music with an old school recording process.”
The Laurel Canyon influence also extends to the band’s recording technique, adhering rigidly to the analogue 16 track recording method circa 1969; namely recording live straight to tape at the world famous Middle Farm Studios under the watchful eyes and ears of producer Pete Miles. The resulting sound of California Irish flies in the face of modern techniques that often lose the warmth of the original compositions. Instead, the group opted for a one off and unique shared human experience with musicians who feed off each other’s energy, and create compelling four-part vocal blends around one single microphone in a warm alt-folk celebration. The creative process in turn led to an album’s worth of songs titled ‘The Mountains Are My Friends’, out on 27th June..
The band will play their debut live show on 16th May at the Empire in Belfast: “Need some colour in those Cali Irish cheeks?? Well we’ve got some gig news to brighten up your day. On Friday 16th May California Irish will be gracing the legendary boards of the @belfastempire making our Belfast debut and continuing to bring the good vibes to the masses. Ticket link is live, and we are excited!!!” 16th May, Belfast Empire: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/artist/5550354?venueId=459510
Introducing the band: Cormac Neeson (vocals, acoustic guitar, psychedelic cowbell) Susy Coyle (vocals and percussion) Donal Scullion (acoustic, electric guitar, vocals) Chris Kelly (lap steel, mandolin, acoustic, electric guitar, vocals) James Doone (bass) Simon Templeton (piano, hammond, Wurlitzer) Conor McCauley (drums)
Along with the release of their critically acclaimed album ‘Church Of The Pistoleros’, out now, GYPSY PISTOLEROS release a fan-fuelled, tongue-in-cheek, freak-out video for the most gloriously unhinged, unapologetic anthem of the year!
“I’m In Love With Myself!” is a glam-slam-punk battle cry – loud, proud, and drenched in defiant confidence. This isn’t vanity — it’s punk therapy. This is not a cult… it’s a mirror. Look at yourself and fall in love.
“Why wait for validation when you’ve already fallen head over heels… with YOU?”
EARLY REVIEWS ARE OFF THE CHARTS! “The album of 2025 is coming—dare to be different!” – Maximum Volume Music “A sonic force to be reckoned with—relentless riffs, swagger, and raw power. No other band comes close!” – DJ Pixie, All About The Rock (9/10) “Gypsy Pistoleros’ music is mostly unique, occasionally bizarre, and always brilliant. When the album drops, it’s gonna go with a bang!” – Goth Girl Writing “Anthemic rock meets Latin swagger, glam punk, and emo edge—this is a revolution!” – HRH Magazine “Furious riffs, jackhammer beats, and Lee’s maniacal vocals—pure melodic chaos that’s absolutely addictive. A rallying cry for misfits—blazing their own trail.” The Accidental Music Reviewer “A revolutionary sound—this album is an anthem for outsiders, a call to arms for rock ‘n’ roll rebels everywhere.” – Pete, The RingMaster Review “Punky glam magic in every track. ‘Hide Behind a Smile’ is already an all-time classic!” – Bruce Mee, Fireworks Magazine
Known as renegade glam-punk rockers, Gypsy Pistoleros are celebrated for their eclectic, unorthodox style. Critics praise their music as “unique,” “sheer escapism,” The band invites fans to join the “Church of the Pistoleros,” a movement for the bold, unconventional, and outcast. Their music defies labels and embraces individuality, making them a true standout in the present rock world.
Recorded at the renowned Old Cider Press Studios in Pershore, the album was produced and co-written by the legendary Dave Draper, whose credits include work with Ginger Wildheart, Nickelback, The Professionals and Terrorvision etc. Draper has described Welcome to the Church of the Pistoleros as “a total monster” and one of the best projects he’s ever worked on.
The album will be distributed through Earache Records who will distribute both the digital album across all digital platforms and the physical album on CD & Vinyl via HMV & all good Indie Record Stores.
‘Church Of The Pistoleros‘ is a rallying cry to the outcasts, the misunderstood, the shy, the quiet and disenfranchised of Society! A place where they are welcome! Gypsy Pistoleros is a band that refuses to conform. Proudly walking their own path, their music is a rallying cry for misfits everywhere. With a sound that defies traditional genres, Gypsy Pistoleros stand as one of the most unique and innovative acts in the world of rock music today.
Gypsy Pistoleros’ sound spans a vast musical landscape—from 1950s Phil Spector-esque ballads to high-energy glam punk and Latin-infused rock, creating a sonic experience that is truly unmatched. Fusing anthemic rock, Latin swagger, glam punk, and even elements of goth and emo, their music is a celebration of the unconventional.
BACKGROUND Gypsy Pistoleros are no strangers to the rock scene. Since their formation, they have shared stages with icons such as The Ramones, Motörhead, L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat, Poison, Ratt, ZZ Top, Papa roach and Twisted Sister, amongst many others, building a devoted following in the U.S. and U.K. alike. The band, led by Gypsy Lee Pistolero, is known for their fiery live performances and eclectic mix of sounds, which combine the raw edge of punk rock with Latin rhythms and glam rock theatrics. In 2020, Gypsy Lee Pistolero returned to the music world after a hiatus, bringing a matured yet electrifying energy to the stage. With two successful albums under their belt since their comeback, the band is now poised to make their biggest impact yet with Welcome to the Church of the Pistoleros.
Release Date: 02/05/2025 Distributed by: GP Records via Earache Distribution Church of the Pistoleros – GYPSY PISTOLEROS UPC 9360932714682 Catalogue No. EARDD0101063 Cat No / Barcode: •Vinyl: GP002LP | 660111187436 •CD: GP002CD | 660111187382
Welcome to the Church of the Pistoleros – U.K. Tour 2025 To coincide with the album release, Gypsy Pistoleros will embark on their highly anticipated “Welcome to the Church of the Pistoleros” U.K. tour in 2025, joined by special guests The Outlaw Orchestra.
Remaining shows:
4th May – Electric Banana, Weston Super Mare 9th May – Melbourn Rock Club, Cambridge 10th May – The Black Heart, London 16th May – The Castle and Falcon, Birmingham 17th May – The Underground, Bradford 11th July – The Tivoli, Buckley 12th July – The Holy Diver, Stockport 19th July – The Anvil, Bournemout 7th – 10th August 2025 – Rebellion Festival, Winter Gardens, Blackpool
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 ) 