The release of LAST LEAF DOWN’s new album Weight of Silence coming closer slowly, time for another glimpse from the by their fans long-awaited follow up to their critically acclaimed 2017 album Bright Wide Colder.
In misty forests, washed-out guitars meet pulsating drumming and emotional depth. Shoegaze mixed with dark vibes and a pinch of grunge. Ladies and gentlemen, please listen to Water.
LAST LEAF DOWN, the Swiss alternative and shoegaze band, based between Basel and Solothurn, was founded in 2003 and started their musical journey with a dark doom metal style. A significant turning point in their sound came in late 2007 with the addition of Benjamin Schenk (vocals, guitar and today’s main songwriter), who together with Sascha Jeger (guitar) steered the band towards shoegaze.
In 2014, the band signed a deal with the prestigious label Lifeforce Records and released their debut album “Fake Lights” in November of the same year. This album was praised by critics and described as a journey that takes the listener into a dreamy atmosphere.
Three years later, in March 2017, the second album “Bright Wide Colder” followed, which further established the band in the shoegaze and post-rock scene. In the following years, Last Leaf Down performed at well-known festivals in Germany such as the Wave-Gotik-Treffen, the Gloomar Festival and the Melting Sounds Festival.
After a long break from releases, the band returned in December 2024 with the single ‘Silence’, the first outing from Last Leaf Down’s forthcoming album “Weight of Silence”. This quiet, emotionally charged song reflects the band’s characteristic “dreamy shoegaze from the woods” sound and marks the beginning of a new creative phase. The long dry period was by no means left unused. Songwriter Benjamin Schenk experimented a lot and also consciously allowed new ideas to further advance the band’s specific sound.
With their unique blend of alternative rock, shoegaze and post-rock, as well as their constant passion for music, Last Leaf Down continues on their path with the new album “Weight Of Silence” and prepares to delight their fans with new sounds.
Hailing from the cold shores of Kotka, Finland, Underwater Father emerges as a dark and captivating force in metal. Blending the intensity of death- and black metal with the melancholic melodies traditional of Finnish “melometal”, the band crafts a unique sonic experience that is both haunting and powerful.
“Spiral Through” is the first single from Underwater Father’s upcoming debut EP, “Without Waves,”. This track blends the coldness of black metal with the melodic elements of melodic metal, creating a hauntingly atmospheric yet aggressive soundscape.
The band backgrounds the song: “The song tells the story of a haunting journey of guilt and redemption, as a man is drawn back into the darkest corners of his past. Vivid flashes of violent acts and tragic mistakes bring long-buried demons to the surface, forcing him to confront the weight of his actions. As he navigates between the stillness of the graveyard and the chaos of his haunting memories, anguish and remorse intertwine as the shadows of his past refuse to let go.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The protagonist finds peace and the possibility of a new beginning as he breaks free from the chains of his past.”
Formed in the summer of 2024, Underwater Father was born from the vision of Samu Haatainen (guitars, vocals), who sought to create something darker and more stripped-down compared to their other band, Of Spite. Sharing most of its members with Of Spite, the lineup consists of Antti Lampinen (bass), Jan Lindberg (guitars, backing vocals), and Joonas Nieminen (drums)—a tight-knit unit with a shared passion for pushing metal’s boundaries.
Musically, Underwater Father weaves together the ferocity of black and death metal with the emotional depth of melodic metal. Drawing influences from bands like Mgła, Horna, Uada, Cradle of Filth on the extreme side and Sentenced, Bloodpit, and Somehow Jo! etc. On the melodic spectrum, the band creates music that is both crushing and atmospheric. Lyrically, their songs explore themes of birth, death, karma, and the search for meaning in life’s journey—both the light and the darkness that shape our fate.
Hard Rock ‘n’ Roll duo PERRY & BLACKWELL are back with a bang! Fresh off the release of their self-made and self-recorded debut EP, the long-time collaborators have unleashed a brand-new lyric video for one of the most electrifying tracks on the record.
The song, built around an addictive open-string ascending riff, was originally kicked around by Jake before evolving into the full-throttle, sludgy headbanger it is today. As per their tried-and-true process, Jon and Jake constructed the track’s hard-hitting structure together, ensuring it’s an absolute beast to play live—one that’s sure to get audiences jumping and moshing.
Lyrically, the song is a rebellious anthem against the grind of daily life. It captures the frustration of being trapped in a relentless rat race, surrounded by pettiness and societal expectations. The message? No matter how exhausting or overwhelming it gets, “I ain’t gonna quit!” Through clever wordplay and references to old sayings, Perry & Blackwell channel their frustration into an empowering refusal to succumb to the chaos.
“This track is pure energy,” the duo explains. “It’s about working hand over fist to maintain your sanity, integrity, and morals in a world that constantly tests you. It’s raw, real, and straight to the point.”
The new lyric video brings this defiant spirit to life, amplifying the track’s intensity and delivering a visual punch that matches the music’s unapologetic force. Fans of heavy, sludgy, and riff-driven rock won’t want to miss this one.
Perry & Blackwell’s debut EP is available now on all major streaming platforms, and the lyric video is live on YouTube. Brace yourself for a sonic onslaught—this is rock ‘n’ roll, done their way.
“Black Bell” is the title of the new track available today on all digital platforms via Volcano Records, by the Italian progressive rock band ESCAPE TO THE ROOF, a mysterious project whose members have chosen to remain anonymous.
The track is an eleven-minute suite, monumental and profound, where powerful and heavy sections intertwine with surprising melodic openings, intimate and introspective moments, and intense, pulsating rhythmic shifts. Escape to the Roof have no intention of following the current trend of ever-shorter, disposable songs. Instead, they demand the listener’s full attention, offering in return a sonic journey filled with intricate harmonies and songwriting that feeds the soul craving high-quality music.
“Black Bell” is the first in a series of releases announced in collaboration with Volcano Records and is accompanied on YouTube by an intriguing music video, conceived, designed, and illustrated by the artist Maria Cangemi.
The single is available now on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and all major streaming platforms, while the official video can be watched on YouTube:
Finnish old school death metal band Messiah Paratroops, founded in 1989, is finally set to release their debut album ‘Legions of Tomorrow’ on April 4th 2025 via Inverse Records.
Out of reality is a raging death metal that combines extreme speed with lyrics about extraterrestrial worlds. This death sentence takes the listener deep into the unknown reaches of space.
Mixed and mastered by Jari “Tupi” Tuomainen Cover art by Niko Anttila
BIOGRAPHY: The first shots of Messiah Paratroops were fired in 1989. Aku and Niku joined the already existing band Necrophiliac. However, we found out that there was a band with the same name in Brazil, so a name change was necessary. The official launch of Messiah Paratroops was carried out by Aku Oksala (vocals), Niku Oksala (bass), Pekka Laasanen (drums), Janne Roima (guitar), and Mikko Vainikainen (guitar). At the time, our music was mostly thrash metal. In 1990, Mikko was replaced by Sami Jämsen on guitar, and in the same year, the first official demo Extreme Pain was released.Before this, we had recorded Rheumatoid (1989), Children of the Corn (1990), and the song Other Side in Studio Sound.
Our first official gig was at Nuorisokeskus 44 in Kuopio in 1990, and after that, more gigs started coming in. One particularly memorable gig was in Sulkava, where we played with Nuxvomica, Astenia, and Alennusmyynti. The gig was unforgettable in many ways, even so that one of our guitarists wasn’t allowed to play because of intoxication. Nevertheless, we managed to finish the show successfully.
The Extreme Pain demo sold well. With more experience gained from gigs and rehearsing in the trenches, we recorded the Lost Soul Domain demo in 1991. It sold out quickly and was well received worldwide. This led to the release of The Past EP through Seraphic Decay Records. Some copies of this rare release can still be found in various parts of the world.
Soon after, Pekka Laasanen left the band after a gig at Desperado Bar, and was replaced by Ilari Jäntti (Barathrum) on drums. In 1992, with this new lineup, we recorded The Other Gods demo. We also performed at Neulamäki Rock and the recycling center alongside Impaled Nazarene, Barathrum, and Mystification. After a few years of performing and creating new material, we recorded the Jesus Christ Cyberseed demo in 1994. This demo deviated slightly from our traditional death metal style, with lyrics focusing more on technology and sci-fi themes. After this, our war machines went silent for nearly two decades…
In 2014, it was time to bring out the war arsenal again and start re-recording our old songs with the following lineup: • Sami Jämsen (guitar) • Janne Roima (guitar) • Tuomo Latvala (drums) • Niku Oksala (bass) • Aku Oksala (vocals)
We recorded The Breeding, Cyberseed, Lost Soul Domain, and To Be Left High and Dry, but these re-recorded versions were never released. This lineup performed two gigs: the first at Old Farts Rock in Henry’s Pub, Kuopio (2014) and the second at Finnish Death Metal Maniacs Festival in Pori (2017).
War takes its toll, and in 2017, the lineup changed once again. Sami, Janne, and Tuomo left the group, and we brought in: • Ville Vesterinen (guitar) • Antti Sinikangas (guitar) • Peachy (drums)
With Ville’s creative input, three new songs were written: • Evil Lives Among Us • Madness Incarnate • Murders of the Lake
Demo versions of these songs were recorded. This lineup managed to play a few gigs before more changes occurred. Ville left the group, and Jani Vartiainen took over on guitar. More new songs started emerging with the debut album in mind. We even managed to get to the studio to record, but the momentum began to fade…
Once again, it was time to open the tent flap and bring in new soldiers. • Pete Airaksinen joined on guitar. • Vilho Kananen joined on drums. • Jari Bäck took over as the main bassist alongside Niku Oksala.
With this lineup, new songs were written, and after years of effort, the recording of our debut album was finally completed at the end of 2023.
Our debut album “Legions of Tomorrow” will be released in April 2025.
Line-up: Vocals – Aku Oksala Guitars – Pete Airaksinen Guitars – Jani Vartiainen Drums – Vilho Kananen Bass – Jari Bäck
Canada’s own speed/heavy metal powerhouse BREAKER is set to shake the foundations with the release of their lyric video for “Breaker,” the title track from their upcoming self-titled EP. Set for release on April 4, 2025, via the label Wormholedeath, the Breaker EP promises a relentless onslaught of screaming melodies, thunderous rhythms, and vocals that rip through the stratosphere.
Prepare to be consumed by BREAKER’s furious melodies, high-velocity riffs, and commanding vocal power. The band takes inspiration from classic speed metal while infusing their music with a fresh, untamed energy that sets them apart. This is more than music—it’s a call to arms for lovers of loud, fast, and uncompromising heavy metal.
Formed in 2023 by vocalist Terje Fiskvatn, guitarist Caleb Beal (Villain, Midnight Malice), and drummer Rider Johnson (former Razor), BREAKER quickly crafted their signature sound, blending high-octane metal with fierce energy. The band’s debut EP, Breaker, features tracks like Liberty and Babylon, written by Fiskvatn and expanded with the powerful contributions of Beal and Johnson.
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