Cleopatra’s own God of Thunder, the mighty Thor, celebrates the upcoming reissue of his 1986 album Recruits Wild In The Streets with what we might call a new old single, as the title track peels off for a single… just as it did 40 years ago.,
“The song was meant to be an anthem of the youth,” says Thor. “Ride the Winds to Fame and Glory. A fist pumping tune that would let you cry out for Freedom and Hope! You could travel the world, it was your oyster.”
More than that, however, “Recruits (Ride Hard, Live Free)” was also a soundtrack highlight for the Silver Award winning movie Recruits, Screwballs director Rafal Zielinski’s riotous comedy starring Doug Annear (As Is, Too Outrageous) and John Canada Terrell (She’s Gotta Have It, Def By Temptation).
And, while it certainly took a leaf out of the Police Academy playbook, the focus was instead on the people who failed academy, but were recruited into the police force regardless. It also boasted one thing that its forebear certainly didn’t have – a guest role for Thor himself.
“I played the part of Thunderhead,” Thor continues. “I created the look of my character from my love for the movie Easy Rider, straggly blonde hair, unshaved stubble, and muscles.” Not exactly the kind of cop you expect to see on the beat!
Recruits was not Thor’s only movie role – you can see and hear him, too, in the Hair Metal meets Satan classic Rock n’ Roll Nightmare, Adam West’s Zombie Nightmare and, just a few years ago, Pact of Vengeance.
Hard-hitting as hell, “Recruits (Ride Hard, Live Free)” also kickstarts Cleopatra’s latest tranche of Thor reissues with electrifying elán, a riff you wish could last forever, and a keyboard that screams “it’s the eighties!” in your ear, even as the band’s relentless stomp remains resolutely timeless.
Releasing on July 17, Recruits Wild In The Streets was Thor’s third album, following up the Canadian and UK platinum selling Only The Strong – a barrage of seething hard rock that includes fan favorites “Ragnarok,” “Warhammer,” “Lady of the Night” and “Long Ride From Hell.”
Further reissues will follow this year, while Thor is also preparing both a career-spanning box set and a new album
As previously announced, Italian death-grind veterans UNDERTAKERS will release their new album “Global Dominion” on July 10, 2026 via Time To Kill Records.
Today the band unveils the album’s title-track, “Global Dominion”, offering another glimpse into the sonic direction explored on the new record. The song stands as one of the album’s key moments, capturing the band’s vision through a balance between the violence of death-grind, the immediacy of hardcore and a more structured and dynamic approach to songwriting.
“Global Dominion” translates into music a reflection on a reality where freedom and identity are constantly being challenged. A track that highlights the multifaceted nature of an album in which the band continues to move between sheer aggression, intensity and a strong critical edge.
“’Global Dominion’ is the album’s core statement; a cold, sharp reflection on control, surveillance, and systemic power. Fusing modern extremity with old-school roots, the track exposes a world where freedom is traded for illusion and order masks domination. Dark, oppressive, and thought-provoking, it stands as both a warning and a call to reclaim identity in a controlled reality”.
Tracklist:
1. Call To Arms (intro) 2. United Front 3. Global Dominion 4. All Out War 5. Plutocracy Era 6. Iron Regime 7. Collapse Protocol 8. Rise of Resistance 9. Just Keep Fighting 10. Bodies’ Supermarket
“Global Dominion” marks the most mature chapter in the band’s history. It is where everything finally locks into place: grindcore violence, hardcore urgency, death metal weight and sharp black metal edges fused into a modern sound that never betrays its old-school DNA. No nostalgia trip, no trend-chasing—just experience, control, and intent.
The record is built on contrast: precision versus chaos, speed versus crushing mid-tempos, modern production versus a raw, uncompromising attitude. Every track serves a purpose, every riff hits with direction. This is a band that knows exactly who it is and has nothing left to prove.
Lyrically and conceptually, the album is both a denunciation and a reflection. “Global Dominion” is the core statement: a ruthless look at power, control, and submission in contemporary society, but also a mirror held up to human nature itself. This is not abstract politics, it’s about systems we live in, benefit from, and are crushed by at the same time.
Tracks like “Rise of the Resistance”, “Collapse Protocol”, and “Iron Regime” define the first impact: rebellion, systemic failure, and enforced order. “Plutocracy Era” sharpens the focus, exposing a world ruled by wealth and influence, while “Just Keep Fighting” stands as a blunt survival mantra. The album closes with “Global Dominion” and “United Front”, tying the narrative together: awareness without illusions, resistance without rhetoric.
This is a heavy record with something to say. Cold, aggressive, and direct. Modern in form, old-school in spirit. No compromises.
Line-up:
Enrico Giannone – Insults Stefano Casanica – Guitar Marco Mastrobuono – bass Giorgio Cifuni – Guitar Alfonso Mocerino – drums
UNDERTAKERS – Hate Since 1991
Formed in late 1991, UNDERTAKERS are among the longest-running and most uncompromising bands of the Italian extreme underground.
Over the decades, they have shared the stage with an insane number of international acts, including Napalm Death, Suffocation, Malevolent Creation, Vader, Cannibal Corpse, Vital Remains, Fuzztones, Sinister, Dog Eat Dog, Krabathor, Disgorge, Pandemia, Ryker’s and many more far too many to list properly.
The band has completed three European tours and appeared multiple times at major festivals such as Brutal Assault and Dynamo Open Air, building a solid reputation as a relentless and unforgiving live act.
Originally rooted in classic death metal, UNDERTAKERS have constantly evolved their sound into a violent and unmistakable mix of grindcore, brutal death metal and hardcore. The result is a raw and aggressive hybrid best described as pure brutal-core.
UNDERTAKERS were personally selected by 99 Posse as representatives of the Italian extreme scene for a BMG-promoted tribute project celebrating ten years of activity of the Neapolitan collective. This collaboration resulted in a grindcore reworking of the iconic track “Ripetutamente”, a crossover experiment that perfectly reflects the band’s anarchic and uncompromising attitude.
Throughout their career, the band has appeared on numerous compilations, released a 7” produced by Kick Promotion, and featured on Rock TV with performances on Database, Sala Prove and Rock TV Tour.
Their discography includes the split “Chaos in Musica” (Massacro Records) and the experimental release “Revision Distortion X-Version” (Nocturnal Music), an electronic reinterpretation of “Vision Distortion Perversion” blending grind, jungle and techno—clear proof that UNDERTAKERS have never played it safe.
In 2020, the band returned with “Dictatorial Democracy”, released on October 30th by Time To Kill Records in three ultra-limited vinyl editions. The album is a brutal summary of the band’s entire career, featuring new and classic tracks alongside two essential covers: “Fascist Pig” (Suicidal Tendencies) and the grind version of “Ripetutamente”.
In 2024, UNDERTAKERS released a split 7” with Plakkaggio, delivering a death metal reinterpretation of the punk classic “Pet Sematary” by the Ramones once again twisting icons into something far more extreme.
“Caught In A Spell” is the latest single from up-and-coming German melancholic heavy metal troupe, THE NIGHT ETERNAL. The track comes off the band’s upcoming Metal Blade debut, Cold Velvet, set to drop on August 21st.
Comments the band, “‘Caught In A Spell’ delivers the perfect heavy metal soundtrack for a night drive. Driven by a hypnotic groove and a powerful sing-along chorus, the song evokes images of endless highways and a restless sense of wanderlust, pulling the listener towards the unknown. Director Robert Piel underlines this atmosphere with a striking video clip, following a Harley-Davidson-riding knight through a cinematic road-movie journey.“
Watch THE NIGHT ETERNAL‘s previously released video for “Where This World Ends” HERE.
Since their foundation in 2018, the quintet has built themselves a serious reputation with their ’70s and ’80s guitar-driven sounds in their very own sinister guise. The band’s previous two full-length, Moonlit Cross (2021) and Fatale (2023), gained applause by fans and critics alike which resulted in successful support tours (Blind Guardian, Michael Schenker Group, Angel Witch, Lucifer) and festival gigs (Wacken, Summer Breeze, Hellfest, Alcatraz) throughout Europe as well as a spot on the infamous Hell’s Heroes fest in Houston, Texas.
With Cold Velvet, the band has ultimately carved out its own subgenre, weaving darkness, dreamlike unease and deep melancholy into a dramatic yet untainted heavy metal rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Recurring trademarks such as hypnotic, ritualistic rhythms, mesmeric guitar riffs and melodies, and irresistibly catchy choruses permeate every track drawing the listener into a trance-like state and unleashing a relentless surge of dark energy and dopamine.
The band was recently featured on the cover of Deaf Forever Magazine. Writes the esteemed publication, “Incredible – where is this band heading next? To the very top, of course. And it would take the devil himself to prevent Cold Velvet from finally catapulting THE NIGHT ETERNAL to the pinnacle of the European scene. Catchier yet even more mystical than before, the German band throws their entire talent into the ring across eight tracks, leaving behind everything else attempting to navigate the dynamic interplay of goth rock, gritty heavy metal, and anthemic hard rock (#1 in Soundcheck).“
Cold Velvet was recorded between May and December 2025 at Church Of Sound Studios in the greater area of Munich, Germany. Production, recording, and mixing duties were handled by Michael Zech – guitarist of black metallers Secrets Of The Moon and a highly respected producer known for his work with Sulphur Aeon, Triptykon, and The Ruins Of Beverast, among others.
Cold Velvet Track Listing: 1. Where This World Ends 2. Eurydice (Don’t Look Back) 3. Caught In A Spell 4. When The Last Candle Dies 5. The Veins Of Time 6. The Watcher Of The Burning Veil 7. Shape Of Sorrow 8. Dance On Crimson Ground
THE NIGHT ETERNAL Live: 7/18/2026 Baden in Blut Festival – Weil am Rhein, DE 8/20/2026 Goldgrube – Kassel, DE * Release Show 8/21/2026 Bambi Galore – Hamburg, DE * Release Show 8/22/2026 Nord Sommerfest – Essen, DE * Release Show 8/27/2026 Drums of War Festival – Barcelona, ES 9/25/2026 Delta Zinnober – Essen, DE
w/ Messa: 10/27/2026 Le Dodu – Marseille, FR 10/28/2026 Sala Salamandra – Barcelona, ES 10/29/2026 Sala Copernico – Madrid, ES 10/30/2026 Antirouille – Montpellier, FR 10/31/2026 Rock Art Festival – Trier, DE * THE NIGHT ETERNAL only 11/01/2026 Petit Bain – Paris, FR 11/03/2026 Cathouse – Glasgow, UK 11/04/2026 Rebellion – Manchester, UK 11/05/2026 Rescue Rooms – Nottingham, UK 11/06/2026 Thekla – Bristol, UK 11/07/2026 The Garage – London, UK 11/09/2026 13 – Tilburg, NL 11/10/2026 Kavka – Antwerp, BE 11/12/2026 Franz Club – Berlin, DE 11/13/2026 Logo – Hamburg, DE 11/14/2026 Rockpalast – Bochum, DE 11/15/2026 Artheater – Cologne, DE 11/17/2026 Das Bett – Frankfurt, DE 11/18/2026 Backstage – Club Munich, DE 11/19/2026 Dynamo – Zurich, CH 11/20/2026 Sunset Bar – Martigny, CH 11/21/2026 Live Club – Trezzo sull’Adda, IT
THE NIGHT ETERNAL: Ricardo Baum – vocals Robert Richter – guitar Henry Käseberg – guitar Aleister Präkelt – drums
BraveWords Records is honored to release Greg Fraser’s instrumental guitar version of “O Canada”. The single can be streamed and purchased on Bandcamp or listened to on YouTube.
Greg Fraser is a founding member of Storm Force who are releasing their second album Truth, on August 14th via BraveWords Records.
“In celebration of Canada Day, I thought it would be fun to record my own instrumental guitar version of “O Canada”.
This is something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time. I’m old enough to remember back in the ’70s, when TV stations would actually sign off for the night. Around 11 or 12 o’clock, the national anthem would play, and after that… pretty much a blank screen.
Someone mentioned that recently, and it brought back a flashback of hearing that traditional version of “O Canada” in my head. It got me thinking — you really don’t hear too many rock versions of our national anthem. So I thought, what the heck, I’m going to give it a shot.
The only thing was, the background arrangement and orchestration felt pretty daunting to me. So I reached out to Storm Force’s touring keyboardist, Mike “Benny” Bedrosian, to see what he could come up with. When he sent me his ideas, I literally got goosebumps. I thought, wow… we might really be onto something here.
We finished the track together with a few tweaks here and there, and then I had Storm Force drummer Roger Banks add some wicked percussion to put the icing on the cake.
Storm Force is the explosive band that fans of classic hard melodic rock have all been waiting for.
Storm Force is led by Canadian rock legend and Brighton Rock founder, Greg Fraser. Greg has earned 4 Juno nominations with Brighton Rock, as well as a gold album in Canada. Greg is joined by Patrick Gagliardi (Vocals), Roger Banks (Drums), and Mike Berardelli (Bass), Storm Force’s debut album “Age of Fear” is the culmination of three years of passion for music and the hard rock genre.
After Brighton Rock, Greg released two great rock albums with the Fraze Gang to solid reviews. For this project however, he decided to step away from the front man role and search for the right members to create something special. Armed with the great rock riffs and melodies he had written, he decided to focus on finding members that were local to him so they could not just create an album that was recorded in different cities with no cohesiveness, but something that really felt like a band! Greg found one of today’s most powerful and versatile lead vocalists in Patrick Gagliardi (formerly of Surface Tension). Patrick adds his touch to the album as the main lyricist bringing different flavours to each song that range from straight ahead Rock anthems to introspective experiences of the current world we live in. Their debut record was recorded at Hamster Cage Studios and produced by Darius Szczepaniak (Black Crowes, Sum 41, Big Sugar). It combines colossal, crushing melodic rock with hook-laden ballads and massive choruses reminiscent of vintage Cinderella, balanced by classic rock sensibilities of acts like The Who and Van Halen.
The group hails from Niagara Falls, Canada and is rounded out by the blistering one-two punch rhythm section of legendary drummer Roger Banks and sought-after session musician and touring bassist Mike Berardelli.
Legendary singer Gary John Barden is excited to announce the release of his new studio album, “Empowered Emotions”, out on September 18, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
To celebrate the announcement, Barden shares the first single and official video, “Hit The Ground Running”, available now.
He commented: “Hit The Ground Running” perfectly captures the energy and spirit of this album. The song started with Michael’s driving, ZZ Top-inspired riff, and from there it took on a life of its own. Lyrically, it was loosely inspired by the film Angel Heart, which has fascinated me for years. It’s got a great groove, a strong hook, and the kind of attitude that makes it impossible not to turn the volume up. I’m thrilled for people to finally hear it.”
Gary John Barden returns with “Empowered Emotions”, a powerful new studio album that reaffirms his unmistakable voice and enduring relevance in melodic hard rock.
Barden stated: “Empowered Emotions” is a very special record for both Michael and me. This album marks 25 years of writing, creating, and sharing music together, and every song carries its own story and meaning. It has truly been a labour of love from start to finish. We’re incredibly grateful to Frontiers Music for their belief in us and for giving us the opportunity to bring this project to life. We can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve created and celebrate this milestone with all the rock fans who have supported us over the years.”
Widely recognized as the legendary singer on the classic early-’80s albums by the Michael Schenker Group (besides working with Praying Mantis, Skatetrooper and Silver, among others), Barden delivers a confident and inspired performance that reconnects with the genre’s golden era while sounding focused and contemporary.
The album was written largely by Barden in close collaboration with German producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Michael Voss, with whom he previously worked in the band Silver – a creative partnership that clearly benefits from shared history and musical chemistry. Together, they crafted a record rooted in classic melodic hard rock, driven by strong riffs, memorable choruses, and a timeless European approach to songwriting.
The lead single “Hit The Ground Running” offers an urgent and biting approach, powered by a driving riff inspired by the George Lynch school of hard rock. Additional highlights include “Maasai Enkai” and the title track “Empowered Emotions”, (with Don Airey on keyboards) which adds a sense of grandeur and atmosphere, as well as the epic “Dark Water”, a dramatic and emotive centerpiece that expands the album’s sonic scope and features a guitar solo by Michael Schenker.
The album is enriched by an impressive roster of more guest musicians, including Brian Tichy, Barry Sparks, Tommy Denander, and others, all contributing to a record that feels both classic and vital.
“Empowered Emotions” is a cohesive, melodic, and powerful statement – an album that celebrates classic hard rock values without sounding nostalgic. With strong songwriting at its core and a commanding vocal performance throughout, it stands as one of Gary John Barden’s most focused and compelling releases to date.
“Empowered Emotions” Tracklist:
1. Barden’s Overture 2. Maasai Enkai 3. Hit The Ground Running 4. Empowered Emotions 5. Burning Wind 6. Dark Water 7. Ride Horsemen Ride 8. This Phoenix’s Gonna Burn Ya 9. Let The Children Play 10. The Ruling Class 11. Walk Away 12. We’ll Meet Again
Line Up: Gary John Barden – Vocals Gereon Homann – Drums Michael Voss – Guitars, Bass, Keys & Backing Vocals
Guests: Michael Schenker – Lead Guitars on “Dark Water” Tommy Denander – Lead Guitars on “Maasai Enkai” Brian Tichy – Drums on “Walk Away” Don Airey – Keyboards on “Empowered Emotions” Barry Sparks – Bass on “Maasai Enkai” Alen Brentini – Lead Guitars on “Ride Horsemen Ride”
The Black Dahlia Murder today announce “Two Decades Of Nocturnal,” a European headline tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their landmark 2007 album Nocturnal. The tour will see the Michigan melodic death metal veterans perform a special set drawing heavily from the landmark album alongside fan favorites spanning their entire catalog, bringing one of extreme metal’s most beloved records back to European stages this winter for a series of headline shows.
Comments vocalist Brian Eschbach: “Super excited to announce this celebration of Nocturnal’s 20th anniversary which we will present across Europe this winter. The set will feature a great deal of material off the band’s third release. Can’t wait to see y’all again“
Released on September 18, 2007 via Metal Blade Records, Nocturnal marked a defining moment in The Black Dahlia Murder‘s career and in American extreme metal at large. Recorded with Eric Rachel at Trax East and mixed by Jason Seucof at Audiohammer, the album debuted at No. 72 on the Billboard 200 and earned the band Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Award for Best Underground Band. With its visceral combination of flesh-searing riffage, mind-bending guitar solos, and disgustingly poetic lyricism, Nocturnal pushed the boundaries of melodic death metal with an intensity and craft that resonated far beyond American shores. It remains, nearly two decades on, widely regarded as the gold standard of modern US melodic death metal and one of the most important extreme metal records of the 21st century.
European metal press recognized Nocturnal‘s significance from the moment of its release. Metal Hammer UK honored the album’s release era by naming the band Best Underground Band at their Golden Gods Awards – a prize The Black Dahlia Murder were too busy touring to collect in person. Kerrang! has consistently cited the record as a cornerstone of modern melodic death metal, while Distorted Sound has described the band as “one of melodeath’s greatest, most consistent bands” – praise rooted firmly in the standard Nocturnal set.
The Black Dahlia Murder have faced extraordinary challenges since Nocturnal‘s release and emerged from each one stronger. The passing of beloved co-founder and vocalist Trevor Strnad in 2022 threatened to end the band entirely, but the remaining members – led by co-founder Brian Eschbach, who stepped into the vocalist role – chose to honor Trevor’s legacy by carrying the band forward. Their tenth studio album, Servitude (Metal Blade Records, September 2024), marked Eschbach’s recorded debut as lead vocalist and lyricist, and was met with near-universal critical acclaim across Europe and beyond.
Kerrang! declared that Eschbach’s vocal performance “fits perfectly,” and that Servitude “faces down existential concerns with determination and defiance. Forged from tragedy and loss, it honours their fallen friend while celebrating the survival of The Black Dahlia Murder as an ongoing entity.” Metal Hammer UK praised the record, writing that the band “skillfully picked up where they left off… deciding to channel and celebrate him instead and the results are glorious.” Distorted Sound noted that “Eschbach is a commanding, venomous presence and never feels like a hollow recreation of Strnad,” reaffirming The Black Dahlia Murder‘s place as “one of melodeath’s greatest, most consistent bands.“
The band’s return to European stages in 2024 – their first since 2019 – saw them perform at some of the continent’s most prestigious festivals, including Download Festival (UK), Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium), Hellfest (France), Wacken Open Air (Germany), Brutal Assault (Czech Republic), Party San Open Air (Germany), Alcatraz Metal Festival (Belgium), and Bloodstock Open Air (England). Fresh from a triumphant Spring Fling 2026 US headline run and an ongoing co-headline North American tour with Arch Enemy,The Black Dahlia Murder arrive in Europe at the peak of their powers – bolstered by the addition of acclaimed guitarist Wes Hauch (Alluvial, ex-The Faceless) as a full member of the lineup.
TOUR DATES: 01/14/2027 Frankfurt, DE – Batschkapp 01/15/2027 Köln, DE – Essigfabrik 01/16/2027 Bochum, DE – Matrix 01/17/2027 Berlin, DE – Columbia Theater 01/18/2027 Hamburg, DE – Grünspan 01/20/2027 Copenhagen, DK – Pumpehuset 01/21/2027 Stockholm, SE – Debaser 01/22/2027 Oslo, NO – John Dee 01/23/2027 Gothenburg, SE – Filmstudion 01/24/2027 Hannover, DE – Faust 01/25/2027 Prague, CZ – Futurum 01/26/2027 Krakow, PL – Kwadrat 01/27/2027 Budapest, HU – Dürer Kert 01/28/2027 Ljubljana, SLO – Kino Siska 01/29/2027 Vienna, AT – Flex Club 01/30/2027 Salzburg, AT – Rock House 01/31/2027 München, DE – Backstage 02/02/2027 Paris, FR – Petit Bain 02/03/2027 Lille/Wasquehal, FR – The Black Lab 02/04/2027 London, UK – The Dome 02/05/2027 Tilburg, NL – O13 Next Stage 02/06/2027 Drachten, NL – Drachten Deathfest 02/08/2027 Nantes, FR – Le Ferrailleur 02/09/2027 Toulouse, FR – Le Rex 02/10/2027 Fribourg, CH – Fri-Son 02/11/2027 Winterthur, CH – Gaswerk 02/12/2027 Audincourt, FR – Le Moloco 02/13/2027 Metz, FR – Haunting The Chapel 02/14/2027 Karlsruhe, DE – Substage
ABOUT THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER: Formed in Waterford, Michigan in 2001, The Black Dahlia Murder are one of the most critically acclaimed and enduring bands in American extreme metal. Signed to Metal Blade Records since their debut full-length Unhallowed (2003), the band has released ten studio albums – eight of which charted on the US Billboard 200, with 2011’s Ritual peaking at No. 31 – and built a fiercely devoted global fanbase through relentless touring and an unwavering commitment to their craft. Multiple Summer Slaughter Tour headlining slots, appearances at Wacken Open Air, Graspop Metal Meeting, Download Festival, Hellfest, Louder Than Life, Ozzfest, and Warped Tour, and recognition including Metal Hammer’s Golden Gods Award for Best Underground Band have marked a career defined by consistency, passion, and artistic growth. Their tenth album, Servitude (September 2024), marks a powerful new era led by co-founder Brian Eschbach, who stepped into the vocalist role following the passing of beloved co-founder Trevor Strnad in 2022. With acclaimed guitarist Wes Hauch now a full member of the lineup, The Black Dahlia Murder continue to build on a legacy that remains as vital and uncompromising as ever.
Current Lineup: Brian Eschbach – vocals Ryan Knight – guitar Wes Hauch – guitar Max Lavelle – bass Alan Cassidy – drums
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
