North Carolina progressive alt-metal standouts STELLAR CIRCUITS return with their powerful new single, ‘Spotlight,’ available now via Nuclear Blast Records. Following the acclaimed release of their third full-length album, Phantom :: Phoenix, the band continues to build on their momentum with a track that further showcases their signature fusion of technical precision, cinematic atmosphere, and emotional depth.
‘Spotlight’ builds on the emotional and sonic foundation established on Phantom :: Phoenix, exploring themes of vulnerability, transformation, and self-reflection through soaring melodies, intricate instrumentation, and explosive intensity. The single captures the band’s continued evolution while reinforcing the emotional honesty and atmospheric weight that have defined their sound.
Originally released to critical acclaim, Phantom :: Phoenix marked a bold step forward for STELLAR CIRCUITS blending punishing grooves, expansive soundscapes, and raw lyricism into one of the band’s most fully realized works to date. With ‘Spotlight,’ the band offers another glimpse into the depth and ambition that continue to drive their creative evolution.
Stellar Circuits has rapidly become one of the most compelling voices in modern progressive metal. Following their acclaimed 2023 Nuclear Blast debut, Sight To Sound, the band has continued to push boundaries with a sound that balances crushing heaviness, immersive textures, and deeply personal songwriting. Known for their dynamic live performances, Stellar Circuits have toured extensively alongside acts such as Chevelle and Arch Echo, earning a reputation as one of the genre’s most captivating rising acts.
Wanikiya Record is proud to announce the release of “Nassau”, the brand-new single by JOLLY ROGER’S LEGACY, available on all digital platforms starting May 10th, 2026.
With this track, a new era officially sets sail for the project: a powerful and visionary artistic rebirth inspired by the epic and rebellious imagery of piracy.
“Nassau” is not just a song, but a true journey through time. The single revives the spirit of the legendary 18th-century pirate stronghold, the ultimate symbol of freedom, rebellion, and a life without compromise. A place where rules were rewritten and independence was the only law.
The song transforms this myth into music, pure energy, and sonic identity — as if the voices of the pirates, their fire, and their vision had crossed the centuries to reach us today.
Jolly Roger’s Legacy embrace this legacy and reinterpret it through a modern lens, creating an overwhelming, direct, and adrenaline-fueled sound.
The release of “Nassau” also marks a key moment in the band’s history: their official entry into the Wanikiya Record/Promotion family and the beginning of a new artistic path — more mature, powerful, and ambitious.
After more than ten years of live activity across stages all over Italy and a significant participation in Sanremo Rock, Jolly Roger’s Legacy return with a renewed lineup and an even sharper sonic direction.
Leading the ship is the gritty and charismatic voice of Mr. Joseph K., joined by the explosive and acrobatic guitar work of Mr. Joey, the solid and pulsating bass lines of Antony, and the devastating drumming of Mr. Nicholas — a true rhythmic war machine.
A tight-knit and united crew, ready to conquer new seas and drag listeners into a relentless musical experience.
With “Nassau”, Jolly Roger’s Legacy raise their sails and openly declare their intentions: to unleash a sonic storm upon the contemporary rock scene.
The voyage has begun. And this time, there will be no safe harbors.
From the comedy stage straight into the mosh pit! German comedian and entertainer BÜLENT CEYLAN unleashes his second heavy metal album, B.L.N.T., on September 11, 2026, via Napalm Records. As one of the country’s best-known comedians and entertainers, BÜLENT CEYLAN has been performing on the nation’s biggest stages for over 25 years and holds a very special place in the hearts of his fans, thanks to his humor and down-to-earth manner. Alongside comedy, he is devoted heart and soul to metal, and not just as a fan. Bülent is a metalhead through and through! In 2024, the Mannheim-based artist released his debut album, Ich liebe Menschen(Translation: I Love People), followed by the tour of the same name with his four-piece band. With B.L.N.T., he now cements his place in the ranks of heavy metal!
The recently released single “Diktatürk” (from his comedy show of the same name) already offered a first taste of the new album. Today, “Stumpf ist Trumpf”—the album’s opening track and next big hit—is out! Naturally, it arrives alongside a spectacular official music video.
In collaboration with Christian Neander, Martin Fliegenschmidt and Henning Verlage, twelve songs were created that reflect the artist’s multi-faceted nature. With B.L.N.T., Bülent Ceylan strikes a balance between tongue-in-cheek humor and social commentary, offering listeners both entertainment and meaningful messages alike. For instance, “Fünf vor Zwölf” (Translation: “Five to Twelve”) addresses the urgency of taking a closer look before the final minutes slip away. The closing track, “Am Ende gut,” (Translation: “Everything’s fine in the end”) advocates openness, tolerance, and never giving up hope, no matter how strong the headwind may be, while “Leck mich Tag” (Translation: “Screw You Day”) stands as a blunt statement against those whose opinions really should not be taken seriously. The previously released single “Diktatürk” (his current comedy show goes by the same name) is a hard-hitting industrial track brimming with raw metal energy, while its provocative lyrics showcase Bülent’s razor-sharp insight and willingness to take a stand. On B.L.N.T., no two tracks are alike. Alongside the songs already mentioned, there is the album opener “Stumpf ist Trumpf” (Translation: “Simple is best”) with its ‘just switch off your brain’ attitude, as well as “Lange Haare,” (Engl. Long Hair) where the title says it all. Further highlights come in the form of the two powerful ballads “Wir haben gelebt” (Translation: “We Have Lived”) and “Wolfsherz,” (Translation: “Wolf’s Heart”) which may slow the tempo but not the intensity.
BÜLENT CEYLAN comments: “For me, this album is an absolute dream come true, and I hope metal fans will celebrate it just as much as I do. There’s a lot of Bülent in this album—Bülent the person and Bülent the musician. Thanks as well to Napalm Records for believing in me so strongly and joining me on this journey.”
Following performances at the legendary Wacken Open Air, at the Scorpions’ anniversary concert, and at Metal Holidays, as well as through his collaboration with the German edition of Metal Hammer—at whose 2024 awards ceremony BÜLENT CEYLAN hosted the evening—he once again proves his standing as a serious musician with B.L.N.T.! It has humor, brains, and above all else, one thing in particular: plenty of heavy sounds. An album for heavy metal fans and for all those who share Bülent’s passion, openness, and keen eye for society.
B.L.N.T. Tracklist:
Stumpf ist Trumpf
Fünf vor Zwölf
Wir haben gelebt
Wolfsherz (feat. Doro)
Keiner kommt hier lebend raus
Habt euch endlich alle lieb
Lange Haare
Randale und Radau (feat. Michael Rhein)
Ein Hoch auf die beschissenen Zeiten
Leck mich Tag
Diktatürk
Am Ende gut
BÜLENT CEYLAN LIVE
Clubtour 2026 22.09.26 DE – Mannheim / Capitol 23.09.26 DE – Saarbrücken / Garage 24.09.26 DE – Essen / Weststadthalle 26.09.26 DE – Munich / Backstage 27.09.26 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch 29.09.26 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn 30.09.26 DE – Frankfurt / Batschkapp
Swedish modern rock force SELF DECEPTION unleashes their powerful new single “BREAK!” packed with the band’s signature explosive energy. “BREAK!” arrives only a few days before the release of their brand-new studio album, One Of Us, out May 15, 2026, via Napalm Records.
“BREAK!” features heavy-hitting drums, strong riffs, and electronic influences, all topped with an irresistible sing-along chorus. With previous hits like “Fight Fire With Gasoline” (2022), which has accumulated tens of millions of streams, SELF DECEPTION is set to continue establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the international rock scene with this new offering.
Vocalist Andreas Clark comments on “BREAK!”: “We all know that person. The one who made chaos their comfort, who can’t feel love unless it hurts, ’cause pain’s the only proof it’s real. One side writes poetry, the other lights the pages on fire. Passionate but poisonous, begging for peace while starting wars, addicted to the drama, torn clean down the middle of who they are.”
Known for their fiery fusion of anthemic modern metal and powerful melodic rock, SELF DECEPTION have shared stages with the likes of Electric Callboy, Danko Jones, and Adept since their 2009 debut, while racking up millions of streams and video views. Written on the road during the heaviest touring of SELF DECEPTION’s career so far, One Of Us is a cohesive album full of character, made for the stage – and the pit!
SELF DECEPTION about One Of Us: “One Of Us is our new album, inspired by life on the road and the energy of the live stage. Touring so much has put us in a kind of ‘live bubble’, and that feeling runs through the songwriting. The album revolves around outsidership and the desire to belong. On tour, we meet many lost and lonely people, all seeking a few hours of escape where they can disappear into a rock show. With One Of Us, we want everyone to feel part of something bigger, to feel like one of us.”
From massive pit churners to creative storylines and choruses full of hit potential, the energy on One Of Us is unmatched. The band has a busy festival summer following the album’s release, so fans will get the first chance to experience these new tracks live at several major European rock and metal festivals. With One Of Us,SELF DECEPTION is ready to push contemporary rock to the next level! The album will be available digitally and in several physical formats, with cover artwork created by Alex Tillbrook, who is well known for his work on the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things”, as well as for collaborations with artists such as Metallica, Blink-182, and Sleep Token.
Bone-crushing album-opener and title track “ONE OF US” takes no prisoners, unleashing the heavy modern metal side of the Swedish powerhouse: fusing relentless hardcore energy, in-your-face lyrics, and high-voltage attitude, the track hits with unstoppable force. Following track “TIME’S UP” features an absolute hit chorus, fresh hooks and high-energy instrumentals, while emotional “DON’T B E L O N G” addresses the difficult themes of addiction and mental health battles – the combination of hauntingly beautiful melodies, multifaceted vocal performance and heavy rhythm section carry this sentimental track. Further highlights on SELF DECEPTION’s new 11-track offering include “THE WEDDING” and “BREAK!”, with its heavy-hitting drums, electronic influences and yet another irresistible sing-along chorus. “ENTERTAINED” delivers one of the heaviest breakdowns on the album, before “GODDAMN ME” brings the record to a powerful close.
One Of Ustracklisting:
ONE OF US
TIME’S UP
WAKE UP
DON’T B E L O N G
DEATH OF ME
BREAK!
THE WEDDING
KETAMINE COWBOY
BLAME
ENTERTAINED
GODDAMN ME
SELF DECEPTION Live
Festival Summer 2026 12.06.26 NL – Leeuwarden / Into the Grave Festival 13.06.26 UK – Castle Donington / Download Festival 01.07.26 ES – Viveiro / Resurrection Fest 17.07.26 AT – Leoben / Area 53 Festival 18.07.26 CZ – Vizovice / Masters of Rock 06.08.26 SE – Trosa / Trosa Galejet 07.08.26 SE – Nynäshamn / Nynäs Kalaset 13.08.26 DE – Sulingen / Reload Festival 15.08.26 NL – Eindhoven / Dynamo Metal Fest
Nordic Tour 2026 Joining Amaranthe & Ankor 15.10.26 SE – Huskvarna / Folkets Park 16.10.26 SE – Lund / Mejeriet 17.10.26 SE – Göteborg / Filmstudion 18.10.26 SE – Örebro / Frimis Salonger 20.10.26 SE – Karlstad / Nöjesfabriken 22.10.26 NO – Stavanger / Folken 23.10.26 NO – Bergen / USF Verftet 24.10.26 NO – Trondheim / Havet 25.10.26 NO – Oslo / Sentrum Scene 27.10.26 SE – Falun / Magasinet 28.10.26 SE – Umeå / Väven 30.10.26 FI – Seinäjoki / Rytmikorjaamo 31.10.26 FI – Tampere / Tavara-asema 01.11.26 FI – Jyväskylä / Tanssisali Lutakko 03.11.26 LV – Riga / Spelet 04.11.26 LT – Vilnius / Menu Fabrikas Loftas 06.11.26 FI – Turku / Logomo 07.11.26 FI – Lahti / Metalli Mössö
SELF DECEPTION are: Erik Ingels Graham – Drums Andreas Clark – Vocals Ronny Westphal – Guitar Patrik Carlberg Hallgren – Bass
Funeral doom powerhouse Abysmal Growls Of Despair (AGoD) has released the official lyric video for “Prologue to Agony,” the first glimpse into the crushing weight of their upcoming studio album, Torn, scheduled for release on June 5, 2026.
Prologue to Agony” captures grief in its purest form. It is a nihilistic track that pulls all light into a black hole of despair. Slow and decadent, it drags the listener into a state of helplessness and hopelessness. As pitch black as a soul can become when all hope is lost.
“Prologue to Agony” is a slow, deliberate track built on grief and negation. Moving at the pace of something irreversible, it presses the listener into a state of total desolation, pitch black, unrelenting, without exit. It is an accurate preview of what Torn has to offer.
The upcoming album “Torn” follows the same path. It unfolds with weight and patience, shaping a listening experience that demands full attention. This is not background music. It is immersive, deliberate, and deeply personal. The album lyrics were penned by Jörg Püschmann, with album artwork created by Patrick Corcoran.
Abysmal Growls Of Despair is the main project of Hangsvart, active since 2013. The project blends funeral doom with ritualistic dark ambient and drone, drawing influence from acts such as Funeral Moth, Ataraxie, Comatose Vigil, SUNN O))), and Remembrance. Themes move through ancient spirituality, grief, and altered states of mind. Hangsvart has been open about his long-term struggle with schizophrenia, which has shaped the emotional core of the project since its inception. That honesty defines the sound and direction of Abysmal Growls Of Despair.
Last Friday, “Live To The Slaughter”, the live album by German thrashers DEIMOS’ DAWN, was released. Anyone who still thinks live albums are outdated in 2026 will be proven wrong here, because mix and mastering producer Marc Wüstenhagen managed to capture the sound and atmosphere of the sold-out, sweat-soaked Subkultur in Hannover in an authentic, raw and still powerful way. Thrash metal the way it has to sound live!
As a taster, the band has now released a live clip of the Morgoth classic “Body Count” on YouTube, a song on which Marc Grewe, now frontman of Deimos’ Dawn, originally handled vocals back in the day. The live album is available on all streaming platforms, as well as on CD separately and in various exclusive limited bundles directly from the band. Check it out!
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 