MAUSER is a relatively new act for extreme music maniacs. The band was formed in Kraków, the capital of the Małopolska region, by Krzysztof Leja; however, for the recording of the debut material he invited guest and session musicians.
MAUSER is an uncompromising fusion of extreme metal – aggression, speed, and technical precision with maturity of sound and composition. Music that captures the rawness, anger, and smell of gunpowder, but without artificial glamour. A solid sound, authenticity, and the genocidal atmosphere of war make Mauser stand out where others only pretend to be true power. No posturing – just honest, hard work.
All songs were written by the band’s leader, Krzysztof Leja, who also recorded the bass and guitar parts, including the solos. The vocal parts were performed by Tymon Wiekiera, who is also responsible for the lyrical concept of the release. The drum tracks were recorded by Krzysztof Klingbein (Totenmesse, Belphegor–live, ex-Vader). Piano parts on the track “Prelude of Fear” were performed by Tomasz Kowalczyk. The EP was mixed and mastered by Witold Nowak at Bourbon Ranch Studio, who has previously worked with bands such as Hellhaim, Kira, and Subterfuge. The artwork was created by DK13 Design, known for its cooperation with the Finnish band Horna. The band photo session was carried out by Mariusz Kucik.
Debut EP “Casualties of War” was released on January 31st, 2026 in digital format (link here) & on CD by Hagalaz Label (buy here).
Currently, MAUSER is looking for a musician to complete the band’s line-up and perform live shows (send email to: official.mauser.band@gmail.com).
Below you can stream EP at Youtube. All thanks to Polish Media Promotion.
TRACKLIST:
1. Prelude Of Fear (intro) 2. Tiger I 3. You Can’t Save Me 4. Obscene As A Cancer 5. Ripping Guts 6. Kill or Help Us!
LINEUP: Krzysztof Leja – guitars, solos, backing vocals Guests: Krzysztof Klingbein – drums Dawid Bąk – bass Tymon Wiekiera – lyrics, vocals Tomasz Kowalczyk – piano on “Prelude of Fear”
American heavy metal icons, ARMORED SAINT, are pleased to present their new single, “Hit A Moonshot.” The track comes off the band’s upcoming new full-length, Emotion Factory Reset, set for release on May 22nd through Metal Blade Records.
“Hit A Moonshot” is a band favorite. A “moonshot” is a baseball term referencing a homerun that’s hit at a high angle and distance. An avid sports fan, vocalist John Bush was considering the parallels between sports and entertainment.
“It’s like you knocked something out of the park,” elaborates Bush, “I use a lot of sports analogies because I love sports. Sports IS entertainment…’Hit A Moonshot’ is inspired by the people who keep landing on their feet. Like, no matter what the fuck this person does… Some people just get lucky. This applies to anyone. And landing on your feet is commendable. So, I’m busting balls, but I’m also giving accolades. Sometimes people can do that all the way to their grave. Then there are other people who are so good or talented or creative, and they struggle forever. I don’t think life is balanced all the time, and I don’t think it’s fair.
“It has a ferocious riff, cool tempo changes, scorching leads, huge chorus with lots of backing vocals,” he continues. “We love Queen and The Sweet! It’s a cool breakdown with an epic ending. Once again, it sounds just like ARMORED SAINT.”
Says bassist Joey Vera, “The intro riff is an echo of a memory from age 17 when I was in a garage band in Los Angeles. After I came up with this new version, the familiarity of it revealed itself once I stood back and listened. The riff is very different from the original one but there’s no doubt the feel and vibe has stuck with me ever since then. I added a half-time feel to the chorus to steer the arrangement away from predictability. It feels like Classic SAINT to me.”
“I think the song defines what ARMORED SAINT sounds like now,” adds guitarist Jeff Duncan. “I used my Les Paul and an EVH amp for the rhythm guitars on everything. My solos were done with a couple different guitars; it’s simple, just good guitars plugged into a good amp and let it rip.”
Watch ARMORED SAINT‘s “Hit A Moonshot” video, directed by My Good Eye: Music Visuals:
Watch the band’s previously released video for “Close To The Bone,” directed by My Good Eye: Music Visuals, HERE.
Emotion Factory Reset, ARMORED SAINT‘s ninth studio album since 1984’s March Of The Saint, is a resurrection of sorts, a tearing down and a rebuilding in eleven songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. Produced, as were the previous four albums, by bassist Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour) the record finds the quintet challenging themselves. Songs like “Close To The Bone,” today’s single, “Hit A Moonshot,” and “Every Man-Any Man” have ARMORED SAINT honoring their past as one of the most respected and recognizable bands in heavy music while making forward-thinking music rooted in the present.
“When we start coming up with songs, I always say we can do whatever we want,” vocalist John Bush says. “Use all our influences through the years, diverse music that we listen to and love, and let that seep in and bring something new out of us. It leads to something more adventurous.”
“Each ARMORED SAINT record, to me, is like a new skin for the band, a different chapter. I don’t think we’ve ever repeated ourselves,” says Vera. “Every album has been pretty different from the previous one, a snapshot in time. In 2026, Emotion Factory Reset is where our heads are at.”
Bush, one of music’s most respected vocalists, operates from a place of passion and presence in the studio and on stage. In fact, about 85% of his vocals from the last three ARMORED SAINT records are taken from the demo sessions, capturing the raw power. While Vera is a granular and detailed writer, like Bush, the bassist says, “I try not to overthink and be right where I’m at that time. I really don’t look over my shoulder much, like, ‘what did I do in the past? What’s going on in the next lane?’ Once the ball starts rolling, I just sit back and let it happen.”
The collaborative nature of Emotion Factory Reset led to the album title, a phrase from Phil Sandoval. “To me, ‘Emotion Factory Reset’ means to reset yourself back to clarity. Take a pause and breathe before you respond or react. You can’t control outside events, but you can control your mind,” the guitarist says. “How you interpret things is what hurts you, not the event itself.“
His brother, drummer Gonzo notes, “the world is going through a technological upswing/awakening. I look at our planet as the factory and in the most positive way we need to realign, reimagine, reset for our better selves.”
ARMORED SAINT‘s Emotion Factory Reset was recorded across several studios including 606 Studios, Secret Hand Studios, Skullseven Studios, Constantine Studios, and Bridge Recording, engineered by Oliver Roman, Bill Metoyer, Joey Vera, and Jason Constantine, and features cover art by DDKing.
ARMORED SAINT has confirmed performances spread throughout the Spring and Summer months, as well as a special free listening party on May 21st at Cafe Nord in Essen, Germany where fans can meet the band, hear the new album, and get the CD or vinyl signed (with purchase). The event will be followed by an Emotion Factory Reset record release show at Rock Hard Festival on May 22nd! More dates will be announced in the weeks to come. Stay alert.
ARMORED SAINT Live: 5/17/2026 San Luis Metal Fest – San Luis Potosí, MX 5/21/2026 Cafe Nord — Essen, DE * Free Listening Party * 5/22/2026 Rock Hard Festival – Gelsenkirchen, DE * Record Release Show * 6/06/2026 Milwaukee Metalfest @ The Rave/Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI 7/30/2026 Pumpehuset – Copenhagen, DK w/ Metal Church 7/31/2026 Skogsrojet Festival – Rejmyre, SE 8/01/2026 Pustervik – Gothenburg, SE w/ Testament, Metal Church 8/02/2026 Mejeriet – Lund, SE * w/ Testament, Metal Church 8/05/2026 Brutal Assault – Jaroměř, CZ 8/07/2026 Alcatraz Festival – Dessel, BE 8/08/2026 Poppodium Boerderij – Zoetermeer, NL *ARMORED SAINT headlining show 8/09/2026 Keep It True Legions – Geiselwind, DE 8/11/2026 Progresja – Warsaw, PL w/ Savatage, Nevermore 8/12/2026 Collosseum – Kosice, SK w/ Vio-Lence 8/13/2026 Klub Studio – Krakow, PL w/ Testament, Metal Church 8/29/2026 Stonedead Festival – Newark, UK
ARMORED SAINT: John Bush – Vocals Joey Vera – Bass Jeff Duncan – Guitars Gonzo Sandoval – Drums Phil Sandoval – Guitars
“Smoking Wheels”, the debut album by ROCKLUST, is now available on all digital platforms via Volcano Records & Promotion.
After months of steady growth and increasing attention from industry insiders, the Italian band presents a record that perfectly captures their artistic identity, projecting it with confidence onto the international hard rock scene. “Smoking Wheels” is deeply rooted in classic hard rock, reinterpreted through a modern attitude and a clear vision. With sharp riffs, driving rhythms, and powerful, personality-driven vocals, the album builds a coherent and recognizable sonic journey, evoking the legacy of bands such as Whitesnake, Airbourne, and Scorpions without ever sounding derivative.
The Rocklust project quickly gained attention within the European underground scene thanks to a series of singles that, step by step, showcased the band’s different facets: “Smoking Wheels”, “Wild Crowd”, the power ballad “Child Spirit”, leading up to “Rocklust”, released just a few days ago — a true manifesto track that solidified the band’s position as one of the most exciting emerging acts in the European hard rock landscape. This sequence of releases, supported by tangible media attention and strong traction across platforms, has placed Rocklust increasingly on the radar of industry professionals, building anticipation around a debut that now finally reaches its full expression.
Within “Smoking Wheels”, energy, attitude, and vision coexist: direct and powerful tracks alternate with more expansive and reflective moments, shaping a record that goes beyond a simple collection of songs and becomes a true artistic statement. An album that stands as a solid and self-aware starting point, capable of anticipating even more ambitious developments in the future.
Stream “Smoking Wheels” on Spotify, Apple Music, and all major digital platforms, and watch the lyric video for the latest single “Rocklust” here:
Norwegian extreme metal titans DIMMU BORGIR have officially announced their long-awaited new studio album, Grand Serpent Rising, set for release on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Returning to the studio in Gothenburg, the band once again joined forces with acclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström, the mastermind behind some of DIMMU BORGIR’s most revered works, including Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia and Death Cult Armageddon. The result is a record that captures the band’s signature blend of symphonic grandeur and unrelenting aggression, while pushing their sound into darker, more commanding territory.
Today, DIMMU BORGIR unveil the second single from the album: ‘Ascent’. Striking like lightning across a frozen northern sky, the song is a ferocious statement of intent—aggressive, vicious, and twistedly beautiful. ‘Ascent’ delivers a chilling reminder that DIMMU BORGIR remain at the height of their powers, embodying the intensity, menace, and authenticity that have defined their legacy.
The track arrives alongside a visually arresting, “in your face” music video that amplifies the song’s raw energy and atmospheric darkness.
Shagrath comments on the track: ” Musically, ‘Ascent’ is more ferocious and direct than the first single, ‘Ulvgjeld & Blodsødel.’ Together, the two tracks showcase the musical scope of the album in a great way. From the outset, we’ve said that Grand Serpent Rising stands as one of our most diverse records to date, and these songs underline exactly that.”
Silenoz adds: “ ‘Ascent’ is about the grand serpent rising through your spinal cord. It is not a pretty experience but it is a necessary one – in order to reach higher consciousness and levels of understanding. It’s a voyage of transformation and surrender.
‘Only he who knows fear but overcomes it can be fearless; he who sees the abyss with pride. He who sees the abyss with eagle eyes; he who grasps the abyss with eagle claws; he is courageous.’ – Nietzsche “
The album comes in following formats: CD Jewelcase 2LP + 1CD, 24-Page Mediabook, Transparent Green with Black + White Marble Vinyl 2LP Gatefold Black Vinyl 2LP Gatefold Dark Green Vinyl 2LP Gatefold Gold Vinyl (Norway Exclusive) 2LP Gatefold Crystal Clear Vinyl (Sweden Rock Exclusive) 2LP Gatefold Pearl Flip Waterfall Vinyl 2LP Gatefold Gold with Black Marble Vinyl (Revolver Exclusive)
The Grand Serpent Rising North America 2026 tour marks the legendary return of DIMMU BORGIR to North American soil for their first headlining trek since 2018, featuring special guests Hypocrisy, Suffocation, and Hulder.
Grand Serpent Rising North America 2026:
07 Aug 2026 New York, NY – The Palladium 08 Aug 2026 Worcester, MA – The Palladium 10 Aug 2026 Toronto, ON – HISTORY 11 Aug 2026 Montreal, QC – M Telus 13 Aug 2026 Cleveland, OH – The Agora Theatre 14 Aug 2026 Chicago, IL – The Vic 15 Aug 2026 Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore 18 Aug 2026 Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom 21 Aug 2026 San Francisco, CA – The Warfield 23 Aug 2026 Los Angeles, CA – The Novo
In October 2026, two of the most influential forces in extreme metal join together for a monumental live assault: DIMMU BORGIR and BEHEMOTH will embark on the ‘In League With Satan’ Co-Headline Tour, storming across Europe and the UK. As special guests, the Swedish black metal icons Dark Funeral will add even more ferocity to an already devastating lineup.
TOUR DATES IN LEAGUE WITH SATAN TOUR 2026
09 Oct 2026 – Zurich, Switzerland – Halle 622 10 Oct 2026 – Zwickau, Germany – Sparkassen-Arena Zwickau 11 Oct 2026 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg – Rockhal 13 Oct 2026 – Milan, Italy – Alcatraz 14 Oct 2026 – Munich, Germany – Zenith 16 Oct 2026 – Paris, France – Zenith 17 Oct 2026 London, UK – Brixton Academy 18 Oct 2026 – Den Bosch, Netherlands – Mainstage 20 Oct 2026 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium 22 Oct 2026 – Hamburg, Germany – Inselpark Arena 23 Oct 2026 – Berlin, Germany – Columbiahalle 24 Oct 2026 – Brno, Czech Republic – Hala Vodova 27 Oct 2026 – Helsinki, Finland – Ice Hall 29 Oct 2026 – Stockholm, Sweden – B-K 30 Oct 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark – K.B. Hallen
Prepare for a historic night of Norwegian black metal as DIMMU BORGIR returns to Oslo Spektrum on October 31 for a monumental “Unholy Halloween” event featuring special guests ENSLAVED and SATYRICON.
UNHOLY HALLOWEEN 31 Oct 2026 Oslo, Norway – Oslo Spektrum
LINE UP: Shagrath – vocals Silenoz – guitars Damage – guitars Victor – bass Gerlioz – keyboards Daray – drums
Instrumental folk duo TABERNIS take us on a journey to medieval times once more with “Apes Saltis”, the third single off their alluring debut album, Seasons of the Dark Hive. Crafting captivating tunes from echoes of the past, the ethereal musicians explore age-old heritage with an other-worldly charm. As seductive as honey, “Apes Saltis” reaches out and pulls into the shadows to join TABERNIS’ Dark Hive. Seasons of the Dark Hive will be out this Friday, April 24, 2026 via Napalm Records.
TABERNIS about “Apes Saltis”: “‘Apes Saltis’ is our album closer. It is festive, and the lyrics talk about the Collectio season: the harvest before winter. We prepare before the rest. The harvest is sealed. The Beekeepers fade away, but their song remains. Join the Dark Hive.”
Hear the call: TABERNIS summon the shadows for their debut album, Seasons of the Dark Hive, coming April 24, 2026 via Napalm Records. Born out of a passion for history, the enigmatic folk duo created an immersive sound, with bagpipes and davul bringing medieval times to life. TABERNIS intertwine ancient tradition and dark mysticism, their haunting harmonies gifting melodies to the delicate art of beekeeping. Already having performed at major festivals like Wacken and Summer Breeze Open Air off of their debut EP, Seasons of the Dark Hive will divulge more of the band’s secrets to an ever-growing following.
Crafting captivating tunes from echoes of the past, TABERNIS explore age-old heritage with an almost other-worldly charm. Reaching out into the darkness, the duo arranges an ethereal undertow as seductive as honey. Seasons of the Dark Hive is an intoxicating experience, an alluring journey into the shadows. Amidst the bees, you are never alone. Together, we rise. Welcome to the Dark Hive.
TABERNIS about Seasons of the Dark Hive: “The album Season of the Dark Hive came to life naturally, without ever forcing anything. We let the energies that live within us come out in an authentic way, using the keys we have at our disposal. With the support of Napalm Records, we can deliver quality work and open the world of TABERNIS to humans from all horizons. We drew from cultures and musical styles from all eras, from everything that has inspired us through the ages, while keeping our foundation: drum & bagpipe. This is only the beginning of the story. The energies of the seasons guide our lives and our strength, just as they do on this album.”
Expanding their apiary with fifteen tracks, TABERNIS weave pervasive compositions in sacred tradition. Setting the mood as the first call to the eternal dance is “Sanctus”, a summoning of voices, a rhythmic reminder of the strength in many. Following, the duo offers an array of moody instrumentals, some buoyantly buzzing (“Tenebrae”, “Sylvanot”), some pensively droning (“Noctilis”)—all of them mesmerizing. With “Mel Obscurum (Palästinalied)”, TABERNIS devote themselves to one of the most famous surviving medieval songs. Their rendition of celebrated German poet Walther von der Vogelweide’s 13th-century “Palestine Song” bestows a special historicism upon Seasons of the Dark Hive. “Hive Dance (Bransle du maître de la maison)” stands with similar history, originating from a late medieval French dance tune. The melodies, mainly conducted by only two instruments, are enriched by the subtle presence of a Dark Monk on strings and, on rare occasions, distorted whispers and the soothing humming of bustling bees, consistently conjuring a unique atmosphere. Seasons of the Dark Hive is an apicultural ritual, and TABERNIS take the lead.
Seasons of the Dark Hivetracklisting:
Sanctus
Tenebrae
Noctilis
Mel Obscurum (Palästinalied)
Sylvanot
Verbah Oblitah
Aurora
Florenscentia
Apem Vidi (Ai Vist Lo Lop)
Lupanar Apum
Apiare
Hive Dance (Bransle du maître de la maison)
Meliferum
Calcinae
Apes Saltis
TABERNIS Live 2026
Festivals 23.05.26 DE – Leipzig / Wave-Gotik-Treffen 11.–12.06.26 DE – Kranichfeld / Sternenklang Festival 13.06.26 DE – Holzappel / Mahlstrom Open Air 20.06.26 DE – Merseburg / Schlossfestspiele Merseburg 8.–9.08.26 DE – Hildesheim / M’era Luna 12.09.26 DE – Erfurt / Fantasypark
Bay Area Thrash icons HEATHEN release another deep dive cover of their members’ musical history to celebrate their signing to Napalm Records. The new single, “Twist of Faith”, was originally released by Psychosis in 1992 as the opening track of their album Lifeforce, featuring HEATHEN members Kragen Lum and Jason Mirza. Now that it has been “Heatheniz-ed,” the song comes as a demonstration of power in its own obscure right, for long-term fans and modern thrash enthusiasts alike.
HEATHEN about the cover: “Let’s keep things rolling with new music for 2026! ‘Twist of Faith’ is another early 1990s era song that we gave the HEATHEN treatment. Demo collectors may have heard the original Psychosis recording of the song (with Kragen Lum on guitar and Jason Mirza on bass), but we’ve added some new elements and taken it to the next level! We have another 15 songs in various stages of production right now so enjoy the Never A God 12” Maxi Single with ‘Twist of Faith’ and get ready for the new album (and more).”
HEATHEN emerged from the San Francisco scene in 1984, leading the Bay Area thrash metal scene in their early years. Breaking The Silence (1987) and Victims Of Deception (1991) are staples of West Coast metal. After a few years of hiatus, they returned in 2001, their albums rare, but heavy-hitting – stay tuned! For now, they offer the Never A God maxi single available in exclusive formats listed below. The title track is available now!
HEATHEN about “Never A God”: “We’re going to start this new partnership with Napalm Records off with a bang and give you something new to listen to while we continue to work on the new HEATHEN album. With that in mind, we recorded a couple of classic Bay Area Thrash tracks originally written by other bands that we played with in the early 1990s. The demo collectors out there may have heard these songs before, but they’ll be new to most of you. The first single is ‘Never A God’, originally recorded in demo form (with David White on vocals) by Laughing Dead. So, new record label, new music, new video, 12” Maxi Single pre-order, and a tour with Coroner in North America starting tomorrow. LFG!”
02.05.26 US – Chicago, IL / Reggie’s (Legions of Metal Festival) 04.06.26 PL – Gdańsk / Gdańsk Shipyard (Mystic Festival)
HEATHEN – North American Tour w/Metal Church 17.07.26 US – Derry, NH / Tupelo Music Hall 18.07.26 CA – Montreal, QC / Foufounes Électriques 19.07.26 CA – Quebec City, QC / La Source de la Martinière 21.07.26 CA – Ottawa, ON / Overflow 22.07.26 US – Newton, NJ / The Newton Theater 23.07.26 US – Pittsburgh, PA / The Crafthouse 24.07.26 US – Rochester, NY / Montage Music Hall 25.07.26 US – Reading, PA / Reverb 26.07.26 US – Leesburg, VA / Tally Ho Theater
HEATHEN are: David R. White – Vocals Kragen Lum – Guitars Kyle Edissi – Guitars Jason Mirza – Bass Blake Anderson – 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
