2002 formed Finnish industrial metal band Ruoska, will release their sixth studio album “Kade” February 27th. Now they have released the final single Ikirouta from the upcoming album.
When the mood darkens and despair rears its head, Ikirouta hits you in the face with memories, biting into your bones and core like a freezing winter wind.
Based on audience reactions at recent gigs, Ikirouta proved that there is demand among Ruoska fans for heavy, slow-tempo tracks. The feedback on the song surprised the band members themselves, even though Ikirouta breaks the traditional boundaries of Ruoska.
For the first time, Ruoska combines powerful distorted guitars with stunning orchestral arrangements in a way that reveals new nuances with each listen. Ikirouta keeps its listeners in its strong grip, creating a chilling and gloomy mental landscape that only a Finn can understand.
The band, which hails from Juva, Eastern Finland, and has already racked up nearly 25 million plays on Spotify alone, will also be heading out on an album release tour, which will be starting right after album release.
Ruoska is: Patrik Mennander (Vocals) Samuli Rimmi (Guitar, Backing vocals) Miika Kokkola (Bass, Backing vocals) Teemu Karppinen (Drums)
For years, FROM ASHES TO NEW (@FromAshesToNew) has captured the hearts and minds of music listeners worldwide, making impact with a distinctive amalgam of alt metal combined with songs that bracingly capture their generation’s anxieties. They’re a band that doesn’t run from the darkness but instead embrace it. The Lancaster, PA band’s streaming figures are in the billions, they’ve successfully sold-out tours, and performed alongside some of the biggest names in rock. With their next album REFLECTIONS—out April 17 via Better Noise Music—Danny Case (vocals), Matt Brandyberry (vocals), Lance Dowdle (guitar), Maty Madiro (drums), and Jimmy Bennett (guitar) have created 12 songs that brim with even more confidence and power than before. Today (January 30), they’ve released the album’s third song, the potent “Villain.” Listen to it HERE and watch the video HERE. Pre-order it now HERE.
On “Villain,” rather than singing from the perspective of the person who knows their partner is so bad for them that it’s toxic but they still stick around. Vocalist Matt Brandyberry flips the perspective. Here, he takes the other person’s viewpoint.
“‘Villain’ is a story about the magnetic pull between two people who know better, but dive in anyway,” says Brandyberry. “It’s the moment when desire outweighs consequences, when you choose the chaos you swear you shouldn’t want, and the ‘bad guy’ becomes the one voice you can’t quiet. The song leans into that dark, intoxicating tension where temptation feels like truth, danger feels like comfort, and the line between thrill and destruction disappears. It’s not about saving each other…it’s about surrendering to the part of yourself you pretend doesn’t exist.”
The 12-track REFLECTIONS will mark the follow-up to 2023’s BLACKOUT, which achieved the #1 spot on several iTunes and Spotify Rock and Metal charts across the globe. Two songs from REFLECTIONS were released last year: “New Disease,” an unflinching song about the dangers of trend jumping (listen HERE, watch HERE), followed by the sonically intense and lyrically harrowing “Drag Me” (listen HERE, watch HERE). The latter track is the album’s first song to go to radio and is just getting started on its run up the charts.
By late 2023, FROM ASHES TO NEW was at a creative crossroads. The group wrapped up demos for 16 songs for what was to be its fifth studio album. However, instead of sprinting towards the finish line and completing the record, the band decided to scrap those demo sessions. The process went against everything FROM ASHES TO NEW did before. Usually, they’d have a set number of songs they’d go into the studio with, record those songs, and maybe have one or two left over. Scrapping a session and mainly starting anew (they kept two songs) was liberating.
When FROM ASHES TO NEW scrapped those sessions, the band collectively knew they had to make something that remained true to their traditional sound yet broadened the tent to capture the ears and focus of a fresh audience. In this case, it means furthering the sound into alt-metal.
The band’s previous album, 2023’s BLACKOUT, was a step in getting there and one that the band is proud of. However, this time around, FROM ASHES TO NEW has loftier expectations and goals. “I wanted to take what we are good at and push it even further,” Brandyberry says. “That was the process for this whole record.” As always, the band continues to forge a strong bond with its fans. “I think it’s better to let people know we’re right there with them and feel the same way,” he continues. “Just because we have a cool job doesn’t mean that life isn’t hard.”
REFLECTIONS will be released as seven different configurations: CD, periwinkle vinyl, black/white/orchid vinyl exclusively on the band’s official webstore, urchin vinyl exclusively at various indie record stores nationwide, violet/black wave vinyl exclusively via GimmeMetal.com, silver/black vinyl exclusively via Revolver magazine’s website, and black/white/violet vinyl exclusively via Spotify Fans First.
Here’s the track listing for REFLECTIONS:
Drag Me
Forever
Villain
Die For You
Black Hearts
Upside Down
(Not) Psycho
Parasite
New Disease
Darkside
Falling From Heaven
Your Ghost
Following a successful stint returning to past glories at the Warped Tour in 2025, FROM ASHES TO NEW is ready to unleash REFLECTIONS to the world. They’ll hit the road for a 42-date U.S. tour supporting Black Veil Brides, along with TX2, and As December Falls, starting April 25 in Riverside, CA. Tickets are available HERE.
Apr 25: Riverside, CA @ Municipal Auditorium ^ Apr 26: Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort # Apr 28: Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo # Apr 30: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union ^ May 01: Denver, CO @ Fillmore ^ May 02: Omaha, NE @ ASTRO # May 04: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues ^ May 05: Houston, TX @ House of Blues ^ May 06: San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec ^ May 08: Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle ^ May 11: Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall ^ May 12: Norfolk, VA @ The Norva # May 14: Philadelphia, PA @ Fillmore ^ May 15: Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE # May 17: Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore ^ May 19: Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room ^ May 21: Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore ^ May 22: Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre ^ May 23: Madison, WI @ The Sylvee ^ May 25: Toronto, ON @ History ^ May 26: Montreal, QC @ M-Telus ^ May 28: New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square ^ May 29: Silver Spring, MD @ Fillmore ^ May 30: Worcester, MA @ The Palladium # ^Promoted by Live Nation #Not a Live Nation date
What happens when a reggaeton producer takes on metal?
Nothing Forever answers that question with its debut single and video, “Labyrinth,” released in full exclusively on YouTube—bypassing DSPs entirely and delivering the complete track directly to fans.
“Labyrinth” features two vocal forces from different corners of the metal world: Marcos Leal, best known as the former frontman of Ill Niño and a longtime presence in heavy music, delivers a commanding performance that reflects nu-metal’s evolution through a modern lens.
Joining him is Italy’s rising powerhouse Becko, whose previous work includes collaborations with Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, and who has rapidly built a reputation within the European metal scene for blending modern aggression with melodic control and crossover appeal.
The video was produced and directed by Allister & Becko and was filmed by Alexia G Shot It & Allister.
The project is led by producer Chris Anger, a producer with deep roots in reggaeton and hip-hop and a current focus on metal, with credits including Wyclef Jean, Yandel, members of Korn, the Wu-Tang Clan, and Ill Niño. With Nothing Forever, Anger applies a mixtape mentality, borrowed from hip-hop and underground Latin music, to heavy music, prioritizing impact, ownership, and intention over algorithms.
“Labyrinth” opens Noise-Tape 01 (NT01), the first chapter in a larger body of work released via I Am Loco Music. The project intentionally rejects streaming platforms in favor of direct access, full-context releases, and fan ownership. The project draws inspiration from bootleg CDs, underground mixtapes, and an era when music arrived whole, not diluted.
“The current streaming model is bad for most artists and ultimately bad for listeners too,” says Chris Anger. “Artists are underpaid, and audiences don’t actually own the music—they’re just renting access. “Nothing Forever is my way of challenging that system and creating a model that actually works for artists and fans.”
The full Nothing Forever project expands this vision through collaborations with artists including Jonny Santos of Spineshank, Jahred of (hed) P.E., Jamaican dancehall heavyweight Busy Signal, CHNNR (AJ Channer ex vocalist of Fire From The Gods, and modern Mexican metal pioneers Ladrones—reinforcing the project’s boundary-pushing scope and cross-genre intent.
Sonically, “Labyrinth” is built to hit with force and clarity mixed by Chris Anger, alongside Richard Wicander of Fire From the Gods and mastered by Chris Athens (Metallica, Slipknot, and Soundgarden), adding the final touch to this bomb.
The full Nothing Forever project is slated for mid-2026 and will continue to blur genre lines while challenging long-standing assumptions about how metal is created, released, and consumed.
Hard rock band 12 Stones return with their new single “Golden Child,” marking their first new song in six years through a joint venture between Judge & Jury Records and SV Records. Both 12 Stones and Judge & Jury are credited as primary artists on the release and track level, signaling a collaborative partnership that blends the band’s legacy sound with Judge & Jury’s acclaimed production and creative reach.
Paul McCoy (Lead Vocals) on “Golden Child”: “The song is about realizing that in some relationships people never actually know each other because they were left clinging to a good memory of a better time, to the point that they can’t see the forest for the trees. Sometimes the truth is right in front of us. We just have to open our eyes and take notice of who we’ve become.”
Founded by multi-platinum producer Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson (drummer and songwriter of Three Days Grace), Judge & Jury brings decades of success in the rock world, offering extensive promotional, production, and songwriting resources. Now gearing up for additional releases in 2026, 12 Stones continue to channel the same intensity and passion that launched their career. Fans can expect more new music soon!
In addition, the band has announced tour dates this spring! Dates are listed below.
Paul McCoy is best known for his featured vocals on “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence. He won a Grammy for his performance, and the song has been streamed over one billion times.
12 Stones formed in 2000 in the small town of Mandeville, LA. The original lineup consisted of Paul McCoy (vocals), Eric Weaver (guitar), Aaron Gainer (drums), and Kevin Dorr (bass). The band has released 5 full-length albums and 2 EPs and is currently set to release new music in 2026. 12 Stones takes pride in their live shows, bringing every ounce of their energy to their performances. They have spent the last 2 decades touring with legendary bands such as Creed, 3 Doors Down, Sevendust, and many more. After 25 years of being a band, 12 Stones still has the same fire for music as they did in the beginning. Make sure to catch them on the road and stay tuned for brand-new music.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
1/31 Covington, LA @ Encore 2/25 Atlanta, GA @ 529 (Acoustic) 2/26 Virginia Beach, VA @ Scandals Live (Acoustic) 2/27 Wilmington, NC @ Reggie’s (Acoustic) 2/28 Summerville, SC @ Trolley Pub (Acoustic) 3/1 Gastonia, NC @ The Rooster (Acoustic)
4/17-21 CREED CRUISE
w/ POWERMAN 5000 & MAKES MY BLOOD DANCE 4/30 Dallas, TX @ Trees 5/1 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar 5/3 Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live 5/5 St. Louis, MO @ The Sovereign 5/7 Foxborough, MA @ Six String Grill & Stage 5/8 Millersville, PA @ Phantom Power 5/9 Frenchtown, NJ @ Arties Bar & Grill 5/10 Newark, DE @ Halftime Sports & Music 5/12 Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge 5/13 Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop 5/16 Belvidere, IL @ Apollo Activity Center 5/20 Cadillac, MI @ The Venue Event Center 5/21 Joliet, IL @ The Forge 5/23 Dubuque, IA @ Q Sports Bar
6/6 Hanover, PA @ Rock on the Hill 9/6 Dyersville, IA @ Velocity Festival
“Lost in Translation” is the debut release that has been a long time in the making and will finally see the light of day through Inverse Records. Self-produced by the band, the EP showcases the variety of the band’s expression — from the all-out aggressive thrash of “Uticensis” to the introspective and progressive “Comatose Waltz.” Even while drawing influence from all types of music, “Lost in Translation” manages to make a cohesive statement, held together by an undying love for strong riffs and creative arrangements. The band is unbothered by current trends and will continue to write music the only way they know how — intuitively and for themselves!
Track list:
Tomb Service
Linguicide
The Performer
Uticensis
Comatose Waltz
Cover art by All4band Design
Krateros is an emerging metal band from Helsinki, Finland, founded in 2023 and led by vocalist/guitarist and main songwriter Saku Rekonen. The band’s music combines influences from old-school thrash metal bands such as Annihilator, Exodus, and Megadeth with more contemporary acts like Trivium, Machine Head, and Stam1na — all the while being filtered through a progressive lens.
The band’s first EP, “Lost in Translation,” released through Inverse Records, is a response to a perceived lack of riffs that seems to plague the metal scene of the 2020s.
Milwaukee Metal Festival is now pleased to reveal the final wave of bands, now completing the already stacked lineup! The festival is now announcing MACHINE HEAD, Two Sets from NAPALM DEATH, GENERATION KILL (Feat. Rob Dukes of Exodus), CREEPING DEATH + HEAVY // HITTER!
Fans can get access to the Thursday pre-party on June 4 for FREE with the purchase of a 3-day festival pass to MILWAUKEE METAL FEST. Come see ACID BATH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, OBITUARY, AGALLOCH + many more for the BEST WEEKEND EVER!
The festival will once again return to The Rave/Eagles Club from June 5 – 7, 2026, with the pre-party kicking off on June 4! Three-day passes, two-day passes, single-day tickets, and a limited number of reserved seats are on sale now. For the full lineup, ticket options, and festival updates can be found at THIS LOCATION.
Milwaukee Metal Fest 2026 will once again showcase a wide range of metal styles, including death metal, doom, hardcore, metalcore, thrash, industrial, and underground extremity, with performances spread across multiple stages throughout the venue. In addition to live music, the festival will feature a dedicated floor for merchandise and collectibles, giving fans access to exclusive band merch, vinyl, rare items, and more throughout the weekend.
The final lineup is now as follows:
Friday, June 5:
Acid Bath Obituary Agalloch (Retrospective Set) Iron Reagan Incantation Pallbearer Hirax NunSlaughter Master Polkadot Cadaver Creeping Death Morta Skuld Flesh Parade Dusk Jeffrey Nothing Dawn Of Ouroboros Blood Vulture Cardiac Arrest Thanatotic Desire Eyes of the Living Misery Dirt
Saturday, June 6:
Killswitch Engage Suicidal Tendencies Machine Head Power Trip Agalloch (Ashes Against the Grain Set) Napalm Death After the Burial NAILS Armored Saint Sacred Reich Havok Prong Macabre Weekend Nachos Internal Bleeding Generational Kill Belushi Speed Ball Sworn Enemy Castrator Casket Robbery Human Artifacts Heavy//Hitter Brick by Brick Threnody The Suffering Striking 13
Sunday, June 7:
Ministry Napalm Death John Bush (Celebrating songs of Anthrax 1993-2003) All Shall Perish (Celebrating 20 years of ‘The Price Of Existence’) Cyco Miko Integrity UADA Deadguy Primitive Man Waking The Cadaver Visceral Disgorge The Crosses (Performing Die Kreuzen) Face Yourself Incite 9 Dead Frog Mallet SUREFIRE Lecherous Nocturne Gored Embrace Dead by Wednesday Texas Toast Chainsaw Massacre Trip to the Morgue Dark Horse Prophet
ABOUT MILWAUKEE METAL FEST
Founded in 1987, Milwaukee Metal Fest is one of the longest-running and most influential metal festivals in the United States, with a rich history of showcasing groundbreaking artists across the heavy music spectrum. After establishing itself as a cornerstone of American metal through the late 1980s and 1990s, the festival was revived in 2023 under the direction of Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta, ushering in a new era while honoring its legacy. Today, Milwaukee Metal Fest continues to unite fans and artists for an uncompromising celebration of metal across the iconic stages of The Rave/Eagles Club.
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 ) 