Finnish thrashers Krushor are set to release their debut EP ‘Taste of Hatred’ on January 9th 2026 via Inverse Records. The second single ‘Taste of Hatred’ is unleashed today and it’s available here: https://push.fm/fl/krushor-taste
–Composed by Joni Kärsämä, Juho Mattila, Saku Hirvimäki, Sami Keränen –Lyrics by Ville Lehtoranta –Arranged by Krushor –ISRC: FI3FC2595904
The band comments: “Taste of hatred is about situation where a person takes a stand for someone who’s pushed ’em down long enough to make that person retaliate. What happens, when beaten and oppressed person decides to stand their ground and says they’ve had enough and gives back all they had to endure. What kind is this persons actual hatred if just a taste of it can turn tables and make the one who made them suffer have taste of their own medicine.”
–Composed by Joni Kärsämä, Juho Mattila, Saku Hirvimäki, Sami Keränen –Lyrics by Ville Lehtoranta –Arranged by Krushor –EP cover by Joni Kärsämä
The band found its current identity through shared musical tastes, playing together, and a shared hobby. We are a group of people who enjoy making and playing music that works for all of us. A big part of this is that composing, writing lyrics, and editing songs is open to everyone. All songs and compositions are created by the whole group, not based on one person’s vision or goal.
Our influences definitely come from older metal, but that doesn’t matter, because mixing genres actually adds a lot to our music; there’s no one right way to do things. Krushor’s goal is to make music that sounds good and at the same time talk about the difficult things that are part of life. For many people, music can be therapeutic, and if even one person feels that way about our music, we feel we have succeeded.
Line-up: Ville Lehtoranta – Vocals Joni Kärsämä – Guitar Juho Mattila – Guitar Sami Keränen – Bass Saku Hirvimäki – Drums
London Sessions, the new EP by THE OLD DEAD TREE, is now streaming in full on YouTube, out today Friday, November 28th.
Recorded within the historic walls of Abbey Road Studios, the EP captures four compositions shaped by a pivotal moment in the band’s renewed creative cycle. It pairs two brand-new songs with re-imagined versions of key works from The Perpetual Motion, forging a bridge between past foundations and present evolution.
The invitation to record at Abbey Road arrived in early 2024 and interrupted the writing of their first full-length in seventeen years. Across six focused days in Studios 2 and 3, the band tracked the core of the EP with producer and engineer François-Maxime Boutault, whose detailed approach shaped the contrast-rich character of the material. Feel Alive Again channels an ascent from fragility to grandeur, while Time Has Come navigates shifting moods, alternating between atmospheric passages and pointed metal tension.
London Sessions also features new interpretations of By The Way and What Else Could We’ve Said?, recorded to mark the twentieth anniversary of The Perpetual Motion. The 2025 arrangement of By The Way accentuates its dark, dreamlike qualities, reconnecting with the group’s early doom influences, while the updated version of What Else Could We’ve Said? deepens one of their most emotional narratives. Both benefit from Boutault’s production and Tony Lindgren’s mastering, with added resonance from cellist Raphaël Verguin.
London Sessions reflects the band’s long-standing identity as pioneers of French dark progressive metal. It follows years of separation, reunion, and the steady reawakening of shared creative drive.
Tracklist:
Feel Alive Again (03:43)
Time Has Come (03:49)
By The Way (London Sessions 2025) (04:29)
What Else Could We’ve Said (London Sessions 2025) (05:39) Full runtime: 18:42
Spearheading the French dark prog metal scene for more than 20 years, THE OLD DEAD TREEhave created a unique universe combining extreme music and dark rock-pop, sublimated by Manuel Munoz’s exceptional and versatile vocals.
Just as the band had released their first EP, The Blossom, in 1999, drummer Frédéric Guillemot took his own life. The shock profoundly scarred the other three members of the band, and formed the basis of the concept for their debut album, The Nameless Disease.
Following its release in 2003 on Season Of Mist, the immediate success of this seminal album led the band to hit the road with PARADISE LOST, OPETH and KATATONIA, introducing their music to metalheads across Europe.
Two critically acclaimed albums followed, The Perpetual Motion (2005) and The Water Fields (2007), making THE OLD DEAD TREE a pillar of the French metal scene and a reference point for progressive metal in Europe.
By the end of 2008, just as work had begun on a fourth album, the wear and tear of the necessary personal investment proved too much for some of the band to bear. THE OLD DEAD TREE officially split up in 2009.
Over the following years, the musicians moved apart geographically and became involved in other musical projects (PENUMBRA, ARKAN, OMMATIDIA, LUX INCERTA…), but their solid friendship never wavered.
In 2013, THE OLD DEAD TREE briefly reunited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album The Nameless Disease with a mini European tour that included stops at HELLFEST and MOTOCULTOR.
A few years later, following the Covid 19 crisis and the general questioning that it provoked, the members of the band started considering to reunite for good. After several months of doubt and discussion, the decision is finally taken to write and record a new song.
In the spring of 2023, the popularity of the new single Terrified and the band’s high-profile appearance at HELLFEST paved the way for THE OLD DEAD TREE‘s long-lasting comeback.
By the beginning of 2024, while composing its first album in 17 years, THE OLD DEAD TREEis offered the opportunity to record an EP at the world’s most prestigious music studio: the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London (THE BEATLES, PINK FLOYD, U2, RADIOHEAD…). Right after this unique experience, the band quickly dived back into the writing and recording processes for the album Second Thoughts which was released by the end of 2024.
In the spring 2025, as THE OLD DEAD TREE toured France with KLONE and achieved the production of the 4 tracks recorded in Abbey Road Studios to give birth to the EP London Sessions.
Line-up: Manuel Munoz — Vocals Nicolas Chevrollier — Guitars & Backing Vocals Nicolas Cornolo — Guitars Gilles Moinet — Bass Guitar Raphaël Antheaume — Drums
Recording Studio: Abbey Road Studios, London, United Kingdom.
Production Credits: Produced, engineered & mixed by François-Maxime Boutault at Les Liens du Son. Mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios.
After spending the last few years channelling their explosive energy as co-conspirators with projects like the doom-rave collective JOHN CXNNOR,the synthpunk trio are now back in control of their own realm.
Brace yourself for a tidal wave of aggressive noise rock, an aggressive style of progressive synthpunk from the edge of the abyss. As a part of Denmark’s flourishing underground scene for dark and heavy music, the three-piece present a sonic assault to accompany the inevitable fact: our world is sick and we are all responsible for this.
New single ‘Pale Antics’ dives headfirst into the chaos of self-inflicted loss of control. The track captures the feeling of slipping into a black hole of one’s own making – wavering on the edge between surrender and self-destruction. With their signature blend of abrasive urgency and emotional rawness, HIRAKI turn inner collapse into a furious, cathartic sonic assault. ‘Pale Antics’ features multi-instrumentalist Zeki Jindyl (Narcosatanicos) on EWI (electronic wind instrument), underlining the beautiful madness heard within.
With foam at their mouths, HIRAKI sing, scream, and recite their way through songs about corrupted data and moral decay. Encouraged by boundless acts like Botch,Street Sects, and The Body, HIRAKI were formed in 2016, when the progressive rock band Liserstille went into hibernation. Jon Gotlev and Tue Schmidt Rasmussen then recruited their old friend and collaborator, Tim Frederiksen, to form a noisy trio unlike anything else on the Danish scene at the time.
In May 2017, the band self-released their EP Modern Genes digitally, on cassette, and as vacuum-sealed art prints. Later, it was also issued as a split vinyl with post-hardcore band We Are Among Storms (now EMBLA).
In 2021, the highly acclaimed debut album Stumbling Through The Walls was released through American label Nefarious Industries, which firmly cemented HIRAKI as a vital force within Denmark’s thriving underground scene for dark and heavy music.
In 2022, the songs found new life with ALTERER – Stumbling Through The Walls REWORKED, also released on Nefarious Industries – featuring ten unique reinterpretations by visionary and stylistically diverse artists. Pressed on recycled vinyl and hand-assembled by HIRAKI themselves, all profits were donated to Doctors Without Borders.
HIRAKI have played countless club and festival shows across Denmark, including Ilter Festival in Odense, SPOT Festival in Aarhus, and Store VEGA in Copenhagen during A Colossal Weekend. The band has also supported the American act The Armed in Hamburg and Berlin and toured in Norway.In recent years, HIRAKI have focused heavily on collaborative projects across genres and musical backgrounds – including vocal performances at large-scale shows with the doom-rave collective JOHN CXNNOR at Roskilde Festival and Copenhell, and most recently, a creative partnership with the Danish-Korean indie ensemble Meejah, with new music on the way.
Morten Veland (SIRENIA, MORTEMIA and founder of TRISTANIA) released the fourth Mortemia song from ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’ today. A collection of 12 cover songs featuring different guest singers for each song. This track is a cover version of ‘Paint it Black’ originally recorded by The Rolling Stones, featuring Kristin Starkey on guest vocals. The song is available on all digital platforms as of today the 28th of November 2025.
“I’m proud and honoured to welcome my friend Kristin Starkey as my special guest for ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’. This is the fourth song to be released for this album. I first met Kristin on tour in May last year when Sirenia and Temperance were touring in the UK together. Kristin is an amazing singer with an incredible voice span and diversity, and a true touring warrior that just hits the stage and totally kills it night after night. I’ve had Kristin in mind for a possible collab since we met, and I am very excited that the time now has finally come. The song we have chosen to do together is a cover of The Rolling Stones’ timeless classic ‘Paint it Black’, a song that we both love. Kristin did an absolutely amazing job with this song, really showcasing her diversity as a singer and really putting her signature on the track. Together we have created a really cool version of this timeless classic.I feel truly privileged and thankful to have Kristin on board this project and we both can’t wait to share this song with you all. The song will be available on all digital platforms on Friday the 28th of November 2025”.
Kristin:
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with my friend Morten from Mortemia / Sirenia on ourrendition of the classic Rolling Stones song ‘Paint It Black.’ I’ve always feltthat this song has an inherently gothic energy, and Morten has truly brought thatvision to life. The dark, atmospheric instrumental he created perfectly complementsthe emotional depth of the track, and it was such a joy to experiment with differentvocal techniques and colors to bring that mood to life. I can’t wait for everyoneto hear it!”
After 11 years of silence Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, producer and artist Morten Veland activated his solo project Mortemia during the early stages of the Covid 19 pandemic, this time with a brand new concept consisting of collaborations with multiple guest singers. ‘The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions’ was a series of singles released on a monthly basis, each song featuring a well known and highly profiled guest singer from the metal scene. Following next was ‘The Covid Aftermath Sessions’, yet another album featuring 12 songs with 12 different guest singers. Now Mortemia is ready to endeavor on his third album in the collaboration format entitled ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’, once more the project will feature multiple amazing guest singers. This will be, as the title suggests an album consisting of cover songs solely. All re-arranged and performed in Mortemia’s signature style.
So far the following singers has contributed for his collaborations:
Madeleine Liljestam (Eleine) Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion, Ayreon, MaYaN) Alessia Scolletti (Temperance, ERA) Liv Kristine (Liv Kristine, ex-Theatre of Tragedy, ex-Leaves Eyes) Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum, The Dark Side of the Moon) Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers) Maja Shining (Forever Still) Erica Ohlsson (Metalite) Heidi Parviainen (Dark Sarah, ex Amberian Dawn) Zora Cock (Blackbriar) Linda Toni Grahn (Anima Veil, ex Follow the Cipher) Caterina Nix (Chaos Magic) Federica Lanna (Volturian) Ulli Perhonen (ex-Snow White Blood) Ambre Vourvahis (Xandria) Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie, Illumishade) Lindy-Fay Hella (Wardruna) Margarita Monet (Edge of Paradise) Marina La Torraca (Exit Eden, Phantom Elite) Nicoletta Rosellini (Alterium, Walk in Darkness) Maxi Nil (Jaded Star, ex Visions of Atlantis) Capri (Amberian Dawn) Emma Zoldan (Sirenia) Dianne van Giersbergen (DIANNE, Ex Libris) Chiara Tricarico (Moonlight Haze) Leah (Leah) Kristin Starkey (Temperance, Twilight Force)
‘Lotus (Acoustic Version)’ shows LIV KRISTINE from her most intimate side – completely stripped down and yet haunting. The song originally appeared on the 2014 album ‘Vervain’.
In this new acoustic recording, created during the sessions for the current album ‘Amor Vincit Omnia’, the song unfolds with gentle guitar sounds, delicate piano and Liv’s characteristic, angelic voice. Her voice floats above the arrangement, without any bombastic metal trappings, revealing the pure essence of ‘Lotus’: a musical meditation on fragility, hope and inner strength.
‘No More Lies’ is the brand-new single by Let ShadeS Do, out today on all digital platforms via Volcano Records, and on YouTube with a music video full of dark and esoteric imagery.
Let ShadeS Do is a metal project born from the visionary creativity of guitarist and singer Alex Under (real name Domenico Di Girolamo), who, together with singer and songwriter Candice Hellish (aka Elisa Porcu), started from Italy and had the drive and talent to bring together a team of top-tier artists and professionals from the international scene to create a deep and multi-layered work. No More Lies, the band’s third single released through Volcano Records, features legendary vocalist Zachary “Zak” Stevens, frontman of the iconic Savatage, and showcases a stunning guitar duel between the incredible Neil Zaza and the talented Alex Under. Rounding out the lineup are bassist Oliver Holzwarth (Sieges Even, Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire) and drummer Enrico “Chan Choosy” Cianciusi (Headless, Neil Zaza Band), a rhythm section that brings the song the energy and power it deserves.
The ‘No More Lies’ video continues the storyline introduced in the band’s previous singles, Lost and A New Unworld—the latter featuring a guest appearance by well-known adult film actress Roberta Gemma. The narrative follows mysterious characters in a dystopian world filled with magical and occult elements—yet eerily similar to our own—as they move inevitably toward a final reckoning.
Stream No More Lies now on all major platforms, and watch the video on YouTube:
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