Finnish-Mexican melodeath ambassadors Ulthima is preparing to release their second album later this year. From Monterrey Mexico, to Helsinki Finland, the band came to be known in the Finnish metal scene with their Debut album “Symphony of the Night” in 2021. Now they have released the second single from the upcoming album.
The guitarist and composer Ric tells about the song:“‘Echoes of Silence’ was first composed right after the debut album and even after several reviews and changes it remained stylistically close to the first album. The song is about rejecting the narratives of powerful people, seeing the reality for what it is and learning to live with uncomfortable realities of life. Fast paced riffing, heavy intro and catchy chorus makes this a classic melodeath song.”
Ulthima is a band that originated back in 2010 in Monterrey Mexico, the band went on hiatus until 2018 in Helsinki Finland. Where the band finally consolidated its members and finished their first full length album Symphony of the Night. In mid 2024 the band started the recording of their second full length album Midnight’s Call, which will be released in the fall of 2026.
Ulthima: Ricardo Escobar: Guitar Luca Guagneli: Guitar Antonio Valdés: Bass Niko Sutinen: Keyboards Ville Nummisalo: Drums Tuomas Antila: Vocals
Some songs refuse to stay buried, even after the algorithm has written off the whole genre as half-dead. Salava, a Helsinki and Hämeenlinna based band, releases its comeback single Devil’s Crop on August 27th, 2026 via Inverse Records. On the single, Salava joins forces with brothers Janne and Tommi Saksa of Sancnity, the Hämeenlinna band that pioneered death metal influenced alternative metal in Finland and earned a legendary reputation in the 90s underground before the mainstream even had time to notice.
Devil’s Crop is unashamed heavy rock. Doom-leaning fuzz grinds away underneath, and on top sits a chorus you are not embarrassed to hum in broad daylight. The song tips its hat to the heavy and metal boom that swept over Hämeenlinna and the whole of Finland in the late 80s and early 90s. It does not copy the old sound. It reminds you what kind of heavy music the mainstream has been missing these past few years. The underground, on the other hand, is alive and well. It simply lives where it has always lived: in the shade of the mainstream, in a home of its own.
”Devil’s Crop could easily have been left to gather dust between all our other band projects, but it was simply too good a song for that”, says guitarist Sami Suominen.
–ISRC: FI3FC2603101 –Composers: Jukka Salo & Sami Suominen’ –Lyrics: Jukka Salo
Salava was born in the spring of 2020 as a pressure valve for two men. Gigs were frozen and the entire industry had ground to a halt when Jukka Salo (vocals) and Sami Suominen (guitar) poured the frustration of that pandemic spring into their debut single Remorse (Taulamaa Records). The two had already been welded together in Saarnastuoli and Planeetta 9, whose Luinen syli has quietly grown into a hidden classic of Finnish indie metal. Remorse was picked up by underground media in the United States, Spain and Turkey. Then it went quiet. For six years the duo channelled their energy into other projects, most visibly Boneyard Lily.
Now Salava returns as a four-piece and sounds as if there had never been a break: Suominen grinds dark matter into the riffs from the veins of doom and stoner, Salo rides his exceptionally wide vocal range, Janne Saksa’s lead guitar blazes and Tommi Saksa’s drums carry the whole thing home.
The Jetsetters, the new rock band founded by SiriusXM personality Tommy London and Vixen guitarist Britt Lightning has announced a new partnership with The Label Group, another step forward for the band as they continue to build momentum following the release of their debut single and music video, “Above The Noise.”
“We started The Jetsetters because we wanted to make the kind of rock and roll that made us fall in love with music in the first place,” says London. “There’s an incredible energy around this band, and having The Label Group behind what we’re building makes us even more excited about where this can go.”
The Jetsetters were formed with a simple mission: create loud, hook-driven rock music with attitude, energy and a modern edge. And their name says it all. Musicians coming together with different histories and roads traveled, with one shared destination: to rock stages worldwide.
“The Jetsetters have the songs, the personalities and the chemistry of a band built to connect with rock fans,” says Denny Sanders/CEO of The Label Group. “We’re excited to welcome them to the family and be part of what comes next.”
With The Label Group now part of the team, The Jetsetters are preparing for the next phase of the band, including more new music, videos and live performances. The Jetsetters are ready for takeoff. Buckle up.
Emerging from the intersection of crushing heaviness and bleak, immersive atmosphere, BLOOD OF THE EARTH have announced their new EP, Beneath A Sky That Breaks, due October 23rd. The band have also revealed the record’s new single, “Petrichor,” offering the latest glimpse into the trio’s increasingly expansive sound.
Founded by married musicians Jeff Golden (ex-Crowbar) and Katie Golden (ex-The Convalescence) and rounded out by vocalist J. Costa (Thy Will Be Done), BLOOD OF THE EARTH operate in the darker reaches of sludge, doom and post-metal, where punishing low-end, fractured textures and brooding ambience collide.
That approach comes sharply into focus on “Petrichor.” Built from riffs initially exchanged between Jeff and Katie while the two were living apart, the track steadily transformed as Katie developed its rhythmic framework, keyboards and arrangement before Costa’s vocals and additional layers brought the song into its final form.
Commenting on the new single, Jeff Golden says:
“‘Petrichor’ began with me sending riffs to Katie while she was living in Texas. She built the foundation by programming the drums, adding the keys, and shaping the arrangement into something far beyond the original ideas. Once those elements came together with J’s vocals, Katie’s vocal layers, and the full arrangement, the song evolved into something intense, haunting, and deeply atmospheric. It became a reflection of the emotional weight, contrast, and dynamic range we wanted Blood of the Earth to embody.”
Katie Golden adds:
“When I heard the guitar ideas from Jeff, I knew it needed to be heard as a full song. What hooked me for complementing the guitar part was the haunting melody line that lingered in my mind. Writing music with Blood of the Earth has allowed me to explore more sound textures and create an atmosphere evoking deep emotions. ‘Petrichor’ is a song that elevates the sound of Blood of the Earth to greater heights and deeper depths. It has allowed each individual member to expand their musical prowess and create an evocative atmosphere for the listener to feel and experience.“
Beneath A Sky That Breaks will be independently released, with a digital pre-save and physical pre-orders available now. A limited run of CD copies of Beneath A Sky That Breaks will be available exclusively through Bandcamp. Fans can secure a tangible edition of the release while supplies last, making this limited pressing a must-have for collectors and supporters of the band.
Recorded with acclaimed producer Ryan Boesch (Melvins, Whores), Beneath A Sky That Breaks represents a significant step forward for BLOOD OF THE EARTH. Rather than relying solely on sheer volume and density, the EP finds the band using space, tension and dynamics as weapons of their own. Monolithic riffs give way to unsettling atmospherics, electronics and moments of restraint before erupting again into waves of distortion and visceral heaviness.
Costa’s addition to the lineup has further expanded those possibilities, bringing a commanding human presence to the band’s imposing sonic architecture. His vocals cut through the surrounding noise and dissonance while Katie’s additional vocal layers add another dimension to the record’s atmosphere.
Commenting on his contributions to the band, Costa says:
“Blood of the Earth gives me the opportunity to expand on everything I’ve explored over the years with Thy Will Be Done, while also digging deeper into the diverse influences that have shaped me as a musician. It’s a chance to pay homage to art that has inspired me while creating something that feels completely alive and personal in the present.”
Beneath A Sky That Breaks Track List:
1. Beneath A Sky That Breaks 2. The Constellation 3. Barren Oasis 4. Petrichor 5. Filth Pig (Ministry Cover)
The EP also features guest appearances from Afzaal Nasiruddeen (Crisis, Masters Ashes) and Adam Phillips (ex-Pro-Pain), further broadening the scope of the band’s latest material.
Drawing from the oppressive weight of sludge and doom alongside the widescreen dynamics and experimentation of post-metal and industrial music, BLOOD OF THE EARTH have created a record built around contrast: beauty against decay, restraint against violence, and atmosphere against overwhelming physical force.
With Beneath A Sky That Breaks, the Tampa trio aren’t looking backward or attempting to recreate the sounds of their respective pasts. Instead, they’re carving out something distinctly their own—dense, abrasive and emotionally charged heavy music designed to envelop as much as devastate.
BLOOD OF THE EARTH Tour Dates:
Oct 2 – Wallingford, CT @ Cherry Street Station Oct 3 – Brooklyn, NY @ Lucky 13 Oct 4 – Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East (w/ Heavy Temple & Crystal Spiders) Nov 14 – Tampa, FL @ Tampa Doom & Gloom Fest ( w/ Novembers Doom)
AMON AMARTH return with “Eight Legs of Thunder,” a steamrolling new anthem inspired by Sleipnir, the legendary eight-legged steed of Oden. Driven by a galloping main riff and a powerful, sing-along chorus, the track charges headlong through Norse mythology while its accompanying video transports the tale into an unexpected new world: a gritty, modern American Western of cowboys, pickup trucks and open roads, with the mythical Sleipnir himself emerging in a surreal dream sequence.
Director Dariusz Szermanowicz enthuses, “With ‘Eight Legs Of Thunder’, together with the band, we wanted to break the traditional metal music video mold once again. We fused the raw, dusty vibe of a modern western with the epic, dark mythology of Oden’s eight-legged steed. It’s a high-octane, cinematic ride packed with cowboy tension, raw action, and a touch of dark humor. We didn’t just want to make a music video-we wanted to deliver a visual knockout.”
“Eight Legs of Thunder” is the final preview ahead of their forthcoming album The Allfather Awakens which sees its release October 2 via Metal Blade Records. The ten-song masterwork marks the beginning of a new world and further cements the legacy of the Swedish metal titan’s spectacularly memorable riffs and unflinching melodic aural power.
As with Amon Amarth‘s previous records, Oden, the Norse “all father” who is a deity of war, wisdom, death, magic, and poetry, is the through-line in Amon Amarth‘s lyrics and artwork. Once again, Oden is the band’s inspiration, but The Allfather Awakens is not a concept album, rather a collection of historically inspired epic tales of conflict and sacrifice for a greater good.
“Eight Legs of Thunder” follows the release of Amon Amarth‘s first-ever acoustic excursion “Upphaf” and epic tale of “Gjallarhorn“. Where the stripped-back “Upphaf” carried the solemnity of an oral history whispered under the shadow of the Allfather, “Gjallarhorn” arrived as a furious Amon Amarth classic. To gain wisdom beyond mortal comprehension, Oden made the ultimate sacrifice – gouging out his own eye and casting it into the Well of Wisdom, Mímisbrunnr, in exchange for cosmic insight and foresight that would shape the fate of gods and men alike. Now, Amon Amarth bring that ancient reckoning to life and they are extending Oden’s offer to you. Those who received the eye know what must be done. Those who did not: seek it out. Sacrifice your sight. Gain your foresight.
Amon Amarth took a new songwriting approach for The Allfather Awakens. The album came to life across two recording sessions, months apart, at producer Jacob Hansen’s studio in Denmark. Amon Amarth began writing songs while touring, rather than waiting until they were off the road. The writing and recording process allowed the musicians to intensely focus on each track, resulting in an album where each song was treated as a single. Guitar-wise, Amon Amarth opted for a slightly less modern approach sonically, moving away from 5150 amps and back to Marshalls. The music was written before the lyrics, setting the tone for the words.
The Allfather Awakens is yet another step up, introducing previously untried efforts, an impressive and conscious musical and lyrical feat after three decades of band-dom. This autumn, The Allfather Awakens will take physical form on stage as the band unveils an entirely new production inspired by Oden’s legendary Golden Hall, transforming their iconic concert experience into a living extension of the new album. Amon Amarth perform across the U.K. and Europe. See below for a full list of worldwide dates; visit HERE for tickets and more info.
Artwork by Tom Thiel
The Allfather Awakens Tracklist: 01. Gjallarhorn 02. Eight Legs of Thunder 03. Kvasir’s Blood 04. We Rule the Waves 05. Upphaf 06. Die With a War Cry 07. Raven God 08. The Allfather Awakes 09. Oden’s Hunt 10. Ascending Like an Eagle
Amon Amarth Live Dates: UK: Oct 09: England – Manchester, O2 Apollo Oct 10: England – London, Eventim Apollo Oct 11: England – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall EU: Oct 13: France – Paris, Zenith Oct 14: Luxembourg – Esch sur Alzette, Rockhal Oct 16: Germany – Stuttgart, Schleyer-Halle Oct 17: Germany – Frankfurt, Festhalle Oct 18: Belgium – Antwerp, Lotto Hall Oct 20: Netherlands – Den Bosch, Mainstage Oct 21: Germany – Hamburg, Sporthalle Oct 23: Sweden – Gothenburg, Scandinavium Oct 24: Sweden – Stockholm, Hovet Oct 26: Finland – Helsinki, Ice Hall Oct 27: Estonia – Tallin, Unibet Arena Oct 29: Poland – Gliwice, PreZero Arena Gliwice Oct 30: Germany – Leipzig, Quarterback Immobilien Arena Oct 31: Germany – Oberhausen, Rudolf Weber Arena Nov 02: Hungary – Budapest, Barba Negra Nov 03: Austria – Vienna, Gasometer Nov 04: Germany – Bamberg, Brose Arena Nov 06: Czech Republic – Prague, O2 Universum Nov 07: Germany – Berlin, Velodrom Nov 08: Germany – Munich, Zenith Nov 10: Italy – Milan, Alcatraz Nov 11: Switzerland – Zurich, The Hall Nov 13: Spain – Barcelona, Sant Jordi Club Nov 14: Spain – Madrid, Vistalegre Nov 15: Portugal – Lisbon, Sala Tejo
Amon Amarth Lineup: Johan Hegg – Vocals Olavi Mikkonen – Guitar Johan Söderberg – Guitar Ted Lundström – Bass Jocke Wallgren – Drums
More about Amon Amarth and their cultural influence Over 30 years later, Amon Amarth remains a band of brothers, and that loyalty and unity allow for harmony and a united front that conquers both the stage and record. Frontman Johann Hegg’s powerfully rendered lyrics on The Allfather Awakens‘ on “We Rule The Waves” sum up the band’s unrelenting intent. “From cradle until the grave / As long as the sun sets in the west / We rule the waves / Our restless hearts / Have brought us far / As far as Vinland’s shores / We’ve gone further / Than any man has ever gone before.”
From Amon Amarth‘s 1992 formation in Tumba, Sweden, to the worldwide fame they’ve found in the ensuing years, their lyrical, live and recorded musical legacy speaks for itself. Over the past few years the band have performed globally and alongside legendary acts such as Slayer, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, Pantera in addition to monumental takeovers of Los Angeles’ The Forum and Denver’s historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre to name a few. Across seas, Amon Amarth have headlined multiple major rock and metal fests including an epic performance at Germany’s Wacken in 2024 for 85,000. Elsewhere on UK/European soil, the Viking lords have twice headlined the UK’s storied Bloodstock festival, made four appearances at Download (2008 – 2019), and performed at Summer Breeze eight times (2003 – 2024) – six of them as headliner.
Their rapidly increasing sales and touring numbers, plus pre-release buzz to Amon Amarth‘s 2026 North American tour with Dethklok and Castle Rat, has managed to garner mainstream success without sacrificing either of their constantly evolving creativity or heaviness. Audience demographics run the gamut from pre-teens to 60-somethings, an inclusive metal experience for those who appreciate epic positivity and powerfully inspirational lyrics.
Their cultural influence cannot be overstated. To wit: The Row. The consensus is that the legendary “Viking row” by audience members first began during the 2009 Amon Amarth set at Bloodstock. Fans get on the ground and, in unison, imitate rowing an invisible longship in a powerfully unifying experience. With the 2022 release of the single and video “Put Your Back into the Oar,” Hegg said, “we thought it was a good idea to write a song about The Row! This one is for you, the fans, wherever you are-and may Oden guide you as you row to your destiny in uncharted seas!“
Over the years the phenomenon has spread to other artist’s’ concerts and global events including 2026 World Cup audiences – but thanks to video footage, it’s safe to say Amon Amarth audiences began the now-iconic trend. Last month, Hegg spoke to Norway’s public broadcaster NRK about the The Row‘s origin, read the interview HERE.
A very young band with surprisingly clear ideas about where they want to go. RecUp return with “Miss U”, their new single released today on August 28th via Volcano Records and produced in Los Angeles by Fabrizio Grossi. The band will present the song live on September 18 at Rome’s Traffic Live Club as part of Volcano Rock Night.
Young in age, but decidedly more mature when it comes to music, RecUp release their new single “Miss U” on Friday, August 28, via Volcano Records, marking another important chapter in a journey that began almost for fun and quickly developed into a project with clearly defined ambitions.
Formed in 2021, RecUp have already released the five-track EP UNION, and with “Miss U” they reveal an increasingly distinctive artistic direction. The new single moves within a contemporary pop-rock sound that is immediate yet far from predictable, combining energy, melodic sensitivity and carefully crafted arrangements with songwriting that speaks the language of their generation without relying on established formulas. “Miss U” captures the moment when, after the end of a complicated relationship, there is no choice but to face what has been left behind. The conflict between knowing what we deserve and continuing to feel something entirely different lies at the heart of a song that explores emotional dependence, loneliness and the need to rebuild one’s relationship with oneself. Adding further depth and an international dimension to the project is the production of Fabrizio Grossi, the Italian-American producer, musician and songwriter who has been based in Los Angeles for many years. Throughout his career, Grossi has worked with artists including Steve Vai, Alice Cooper, ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons, Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather, Glenn Hughes, George Clinton, Eric Gales and Leslie West. His career speaks for itself in terms of the experience brought to the production of “Miss U”: a work that enhances RecUp’s still-evolving identity without compromising their freshness, shaping a modern and solid sound that already reaches beyond the boundaries of the emerging scene.
The RecUp will perform “Miss U” live on September 18 at Rome’s Traffic Live Club, one of the capital’s landmark rock venues, as part of Volcano Rock Night, Volcano Records’ own festival showcasing a selection of projects from the new rock scene connected to the label.
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
