Volcano Records & Promotion is proud to present ‘Straight Hell’, the new single by LET SHADES DO, available from December 19, 2025, on all digital platforms.
Straight Hell marks the final chapter of the four-part series that accompanied the band’s debut, a powerful and dark sonic journey featuring major names from the international metal scene, where intense lyrics meet razor-sharp riffs. With Straight Hell, the duo led by Alex Under and Candice Hellish draws the listener into a dystopian dimension where pure souls are corrupted by power and salvation seems almost impossible to attain. The track, defined by its dramatic atmosphere and evocative arrangements, features top-tier international musicians, including John Macaluso as special guest on drums, alongside Brooke St. James and Maestro Mistheria. Candice Hellish’s lyrics explore themes of rebellion, despair, and awakening, while Alex Under’s musical composition crafts a sonic fresco of energy, depth, and emotional impact. Recorded at Acme Recording Studio, Straight Hell confirms the project’s unique artistic signature: powerful, narrative-driven, and emotionally compelling metal.
“It seems I have crossed a dimensional gap… in the new unworld, aimlessly lobotomized creatures suffer the tyranny of the Lord, pure and fragile souls, educated by the demons of power, develop disturbed energies… I prayed for a chance, and my salvation hangs in the balance… Am I destined to become one of them?…”
Death/Thrash/Groove/Prog Metal powerhouse Stalwart presents the visualizer video for their devastating track, “Through the Dead Eyes,” a monumental commentary on modern spiritual decay. Stripping away all platitudes, the song plunges listeners into a world of profound disillusionment, where existence is a “way through desert,” and hope has decayed. Driven by crushing riffs and a complex rhythmic core, the track explores the futility of human endeavor, echoing the pain of suppressed anguish and the numbing effect of routine.
About Tempvs Edax Rervm
Stalwart’s Tempvs Edax Rervm delves into the inexorable power of time, exploring themes of fading identity and inevitable decay as “heaven and earth have switched places.” The album distills the band’s essence—groove-driven riffs, intricate rhythms, and atmospheric layers—into a heavier, darker, and more focused continuation of their intense, precise metal sound.
Formed in 1999 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Stalwart has built a reputation in the extreme metal scene with a distinctive blend of death, thrash, groove, and progressive metal — combining crushing riffs, intricate rhythms, and atmospheric layers. Over their career, they’ve released six full-length albums through labels including Fono, Soyuz/MetalAgen, CD-Maximum, Metallism, and PRC Music, with four albums produced by the renowned Wiesławski brothers (Vader, Decapitated, Behemoth) at Hertz Studio, Poland. Stalwart has shared stages with Behemoth, Kataklysm, Vader, Amon Amarth, Primal Fear, Finntroll, and Carnifex, performing across Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Estonia, and Germany.
After a hiatus starting in 2019, the band returns with their seventh album, Tempvs Edax Rervm, out early 2026 via WormHoleDeath Records, promising crushing grooves, complex rhythms, relentless blast beats, and immersive atmospheres — a new chapter in Stalwart’s evolution.
Shortly after completing their SLEEPLESS EMPIRE EU/UK tour, Italian metal icons Lacuna Coil continue their live momentum with the announcement of their SLEEPLESS EMPIRE US tour, which is set to start in March 2026. With this run of dates, the band brings their signature dark atmosphere and the emotional intensity of SLEEPLESS EMPIRE to stages across North America:
Lacuna Coil return to the US with special guests Escape The Fate, as well as VOWWS (3/24 – 4/13) and AXTY (4/15 – 4/29). The tour is set to start in New York on March 24th and concludes in Albany on May 1st.
SLEEPLESS EMPIRE US TOUR 2026
3/24/2026 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theater 3/25/2026 – Worcester, MA – Palladium 3/27/2026 – Cleveland, OH – Globe Iron 3/28/2026 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall 3/29/2026 – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall 3/31/2026 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall 4/2/2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Grand at The Complex 4/3/2026 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall 4/4/2026 – Seattle, WA – The Crocodile 4/5/2026 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Crystal Ballroom 4/7/2026 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore 4/8/2026 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades 4/10/2026 – Los Angeles, CA – The Bellwether 4/11/2026 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues 4/12/2026 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren 4/13/2026 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater 4/15/2026 – Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall 4/16/2026 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater 4/17/2026 – Houston, TX – House Of Blues 4/19/2026 – New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues 4/21/2026 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues 4/22/2026 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room 4/24/2026 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm 4/25/2026 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade 4/26/2026 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground 4/28/2026 – Richmond, VA – The Broadberry 4/29/2026 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live 5/1/2026 – Albany, NY – Empire Live
The announcement comes with a corresponding new official video for “Hosting the Shadow”, that shows Lacuna Coil in full force during their set at Aftershock festival in October 2025. Joining them on stage is Lamb Of God-frontman Randy Blythe, who is featured on the album track.
“Filming the video for Hosting The Shadow at Aftershock, sharing the stage with my family in Lacuna Coil and with Randy Blythe was a truly cathartic experience. Randy is not only an incredible, professional musician, he’s also a precious friend and has added so much to our song. I think the video shows clearly the level of emotion and joy we shared both off and onstage – I used that positive energy to give it my all even though I was performing with a fever, ha ha! Please enjoy the video, I truly hope you like it!” – Cristina Scabbia
The track stands out as one of the most powerful moments on Sleepless Empire, and the video captures the raw energy and uncompromising presence of the band on stage.
SLEEPLESS EMPIRE marks the 10th studio album of Lacuna Coil and was released on Friday, February 14th, 2025, via Century Media Records. It is the first long player release after Comalies XX which came out in 2022. The new album comprises 11 new tracks; and each one is a richly textured soundtrack to a specific time and a place. With SLEEPLESS EMPIRE, that place is dark, cinematic, and unmistakably true to the unique characteristics that have given Lacuna Coil such a celebrated entry in the annals of heavy music.
The Siege Oxygen Scarecrow Gravity I Wish You Were Dead Hosting The Shadow In Nomine Patris Sleepless Empire Sleep Paralysis In The Mean Time Never Dawn
Lacuna Coil are Cristina Scabbia – Vocals Andrea Ferro – Vocals Marco Coti Zelati – Bass, Guitars, Synths Richard Meiz – Drums Daniele Salomone – Guitars
Massacre Records is delighted to announce that ELYSION have officially extended their long-standing agreement with the label, strengthening a partnership that has now spanned nearly two decades. This renewed collaboration marks a major milestone for both the band and the label, and promises even more bold and powerful music for fans worldwide.
Massacre Records’ label manager Thomas Hertler states: “I am very happy and proud that we could agree on a long-term contract extension with our Greek friends of Elysion. The band have started on Massacre Records with their debut back in 2009 and have become an important part of the label for 15 years now. Both label and band are excited about the new agreement and we are looking forward to some phantastic new albums coming from Elysion in the next years. Σας ευχαριστώ για την εμπιστοσύνη σας.”
The band add: “Elysion are proud to confirm the continuation of its collaboration with Massacre records. United by a shared vision and creative drive, the partnership moves forward stronger than ever. With new music on the way and bold plans ahead, the next chapter is already taking shape – louder, sharper, and true to the band’s identity.”
Formed in 2006, ELYSION have steadily carved their name into the European metal landscape with a striking blend of gothic atmosphere, melodic depth, and heartfelt intensity. Over the years, the band – led by the commanding vocals of Christianna alongside the razor-sharp guitars of NiD and Johnny Zero, and the thunderous rhythms of Jannis K – has evolved into one of Greece’s most respected dark rock exports.
Since their debut album Silent Scr3am released in 2009 through Massacre Records, ELYSION have continued to impress both critics and fans alike with their unique sonic identity: a potent fusion of gothic metal emotion and alternative metal energy. Their sophomore release Someplace Better (2014) expanded their sound with cinematic production values, while their latest chapter, Bring Out Your Dead (2023), solidified their reputation as boundary-pushing artists unafraid to dive into bold new emotional terrain.
Massacre Records’ belief in ELYSION’s artistic vision – from their earliest days to their most recent evolution – makes this extension more than a contract: it is a renewed pledge to bring the band’s creativity to an ever-growing international audience.
Stay tuned: the best of ELYSION is still ahead, and together with Massacre Records, the band is ready to unveil their most ambitious chapter yet.
Finnish heavy rock/metal band Rugged Butcher from the Helsinki metropolitan area has released their second single “Lobotomy”. The new track is following the footsteps of the first single, Payback. The song is about being trapped inside your mind and the only way out is lobotomy. Crushing guitar riffs, fast rolling drum beats and haunting vocals, Lobotomy is like a steam roller, cannot be stopped. Once again mixed by Teemu Aalto MusicProductions and mastered by Tony Lindgren from Fascination Street Studios.
–Composition and lyrics by Mikko Aittola & Timo Vilén
RB is a band led by two good friends, Mikko Aittola and Timo Vilén, who have played together in different lineups for over 30 years. Now it’s time to spread Rugged Butcher’s message to the world!
W.E.B.‘s music has earned high praise for its “drama, extremity and bloodthirst in equal parts…energetic and unhinged.” The formidable symphonic extreme metal lineup is best experienced at one of their many crushing live gigs. Enter Darkness Alive, their first-ever live album, recorded in the quartet’s hometown of Athens on September 22nd, 2024.
“We shared the stage that night with Dark Funeral, and since we were making changes within the band, that had us excited. We made the decision to mark this day with a special release, hence our first official live album,”says vocalist/guitarist Sakis Prekas.
Choosing the nine songs for Darkness Alive was simple. “We can tell almost immediately which songs work for a concert and we always keep the audience in mind,” Prekas explains. “We want the people who come to see W.E.B. perform to have a good time, to get our message, to grasp them and make a damn memorable metal show, as it should be.”
Darkness Alive truly captures the band at the top of their game. Standout tracks include “Dragona,” blasting black metal with an epic finale that forever will be a staple in W.E.B.‘s live setlist, “Into Hell Fire We Burn,” which Prekas describes as a, “thunderous marriage of black and heavy metal with a chorus that literally orders you to sing along,” and today’s single, “Dark Web,” an intense melodic death and modern metal onslaught off their 2021 Colosseum LP. ” Dark Web” spits out the way people with power and money treat others: in the most brutal manner.
Watch W.E.B.‘s video for “Dark Web”:
Darkness Alive will be released digitally. Find pre-orders at: metalblade.com/web
Darkness Alive Track Listing: 01. Crimson Dawn (Live) 02. Pentalpha (Live) 03. Dark Web (Live) 04. Into Hell Fire We Burn (Live) 05. Murder Of Crows (Live) 06. Necrology (Live) 07. Morphine for Saints (Live) 08. Dragona (Live) 09. Eligos (Live)
W.E.B. is currently composing material for their next full-length album that will see them hitting the road once again. “It is by far the best material we;ve ever had on a record. I intend to keep the promise to myself regarding W.E.B. that all new material must be better material, otherwise there is no reason to release it,” Prekas concludes. “Stay Dark.“
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
Kimmo Kuusniemi's Ancient Streaming Assembly - 'Perpetuae Memoriae', ft. Tuomas Rounakari + Steve Di Giorgio - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 