Bulgarian Pagan Black/Folk Metal band Tsar Stangra has announced a major lineup overhaul and a fresh musical direction. After a decade of resilience and the release of their sophomore album, the lineup shift comes as members’ long-term objectives diverged. Heartfelt thanks were extended to departing members Cindy Tecca, Wayne Barr, Simon Vaillancourt-Girard, Samuel Paré, and Olivier Vaillancourt-Girard for their dedication and vital work on the recent album.
Simultaneously, Tsar Stangra unveils its new lineup featuring Alexandre Guay (also of death metal band “Rite of Decay”) on guitars, Louis-Charles Drolet (also of death metal band “Rite of Decay” and black metal band “Seventh”) on drums, and Francis Wafer on guitars. Having rehearsed together for nearly a year, the new crew already has over thirty minutes of new material written.
Stream and buy their latest album “Hymns of the Broken Worlds”:
Tsar Stangra is a Bulgarian pagan black/folk metal project founded in 2007 in Quebec City, Canada, evolving from a solo vision into a full band in 2014. Blending extreme metal with Bulgarian mythology, the band gained underground recognition through early releases and the debut album «Небесният ковач». Having performed at events like Messe des Morts alongside Graveland, the band recently returned with their ambitious second album, «Hymns of the Broken Worlds», released via GlobMetal Promotions.
The Ocean have revealed a new live in-studio version of new single ‘Belligerence’, the second single from the band’s highly anticipated 12th studio album Solaris.
The band comment: “This was recorded live at a nice local studio, on the day after our first show ever with the new lineup in Rabat, Morocco. ‘Belligerence’ is one of the heavier tracks of the upcoming album, it’s got a nice groove despite the constantly changing meters which makes it really fun to play.”
‘Belligerence’ is a song about the culture of arguing and about the destructive force of contained anger and belligerence as a trait of character, often transfigured as an attribute of reason and a critical mind.”
‘Belligerence’ draws parallels between the cosmic explorations of Tarkovsky’s 1972 film Solaris —the inspiration behind the band’s new album— and the explorative nature of artists and current-day political leaders.
Track list: 1. 52°30’11” N, 13°26’12“ E 2. Departure Song 3. Light Pollution 4. Simulacra 5. Belligerence 6. Ultima Esperanza 7. Milk Of My Dreams 8. 51°28’30” S, 73°6’11” W
Solaris is an album that tells a story of cosmic escapism: a journey on that ship, which is essentially a celestial rescue boat escaping from a metaphorically sinking Mother Earth. The rescue boat can be imagined as a historic naval vessel, and the lyrics and episodes of the album make reference to the real-life explorers of the past who set out to discover (back then) unknown continents and uncharted territories: Da Gama, Magellan, Sir Frances Drake, as well as the Polar explorers Amundsen, Scott, Rasmussen etc.
The stories of these historic journeys all share similar elements: storms, disease, wreckage, power games, personal rivalries, egos, belligerence, mutiny, finally the quest for truth and justice. While most explorers initially had noble motives and were driven by a limitless spirit of exploration and discovery which was stronger than the many hardships suffered along the way, their legacy is often stained with cultural imperialism, genocide and tales of dictatorial leadership.
Far from being a glorification of male, white explorers who sought to colonise unknown worlds, or a romanticization of patriarchal constructs, Solaris draws a line between these extremely driven explorers and present-day political leaders. It poses questions of the shadowy darkness of being a “great” leader, it queries the very notion of a divine calling and the cost of following such an instinctive pull. It also traces the shape of these psychological patterns into the creative world and applies the same lines of enquiry to creative forces. Can exploration be redefined to be conceived as a process of silent observation, documentation and learning, rather than bequeathing our own ideas and values on others?
The album serves as a critique of the underlying motives and psychological dispositions of an explorative mindset and a thirst for power. It is an existential questioning, a probe of reason of the general purpose of technological advance, in the specific light of the destruction of our habitat. It’s a dystopian outlook into a future where Earth has become uninhabitable – not despite, but as a direct consequence of human intelligence, as the foundation of technological advance.
Solaris will be released via Pelagic Records on 25th September.
The Ocean Line-up: Robin Staps – guitar, vocals Mattias Hägerstrand – bass Jordi Farré – drums, percussion Enrico Tiberi – vocals, keys Lane Shi – vocals Emmanuel Jessua – guitar Marco Gennaro – guitar
In addition, the following musicians performed on this record: Thorsten Quaeschning – keys Orestis Zafiriou – keys Simen Eifring – trombone Jiawei Zhang – vibraphone
Genre-defying ambient/folk discovery Happy Sad has released the video for “It’s Raining in Guangzhou,” a track from the album The World Is Grand When We See, out now on Epictronic.
Born from a raw demo captured during Kusano’s time spent living in China, “It’s Raining in Guangzhou” is an exquisite translation of environment into audio. Heavily inspired by the city’s intense subtropical climate, the track beautifully captures the juxtaposition of sudden, torrential downpours against a sprawling urban backdrop.
Musically, Happy Sad leans into an utterly intoxicating, comfortable groove. He effortlessly weaves the dusty, nostalgic textures of lo-fi hip-hop with the rich, fluid chord progressions of neo-soul. The result is a vivid, abstract landscape that places the listener right alongside Kusano as he wanders, isolated yet entirely present, through the neon-lit, rain-soaked streets.
About the Artist: The Architect of Sound
Happy Sad is the solo project of Hiroaki, a Japanese artist and sound professional based in the game industry. He began making music during his student years, playing café bar gigs and recording demos. His influences take in soul, British rock, folk, trip hop, neoclassical, world music, and film scores, alongside a strong connection to literature. His recordings balance live instrumentation with programmed elements. To date, Happy Sad has released seven albums and 19 EPs.
Outside of music, Hiroaki has around 14 years of experience as a Sound Designer and Sound Director in the games industry, having contributed to over 60 projects at companies including NetEase Games, FunPlus, NHN PlayArt, and Noisycroak Inc. His work spans music composition, sound design, audio direction, and promotional video production. In 2013, his track “Everyday” won the domestic DJ category and reached the finals of MTV and Lenovo’s CO:LAB contest.
In recent years, Hiroaki has travelled across ten countries in search of sounds and traditional instruments. Encounters along the way with displaced communities have shaped his approach to music as a form of shared human expression.
The World Is Grand When We See is out now via Epictronic.Stream the album here: orcd.co/twgwws
Preparing to launch a brutal assault for the senses, NYC’s hardcore pioneers AGNOSTIC FRONT will set stages ablaze alongside fierce punk act BÉTON ARMÉ and rising hardcore punk collective RESTRAINING ORDER. This run of show dates across North America kicks off in Pittsburgh, PA, on October 10, 2026.
Vocalist Roger Miret shares: “We are excited to do this quick short run with Baton Armé and Restraining Order to wrap up this years busy World Wide Tour in support of our new record Echoes In Eternity”
Having obliterated stages and festivals around Europe over the summer months, AGNOSTIC FRONT are back on home soil for a short and intense run this fall. The dates see AGNOSTIC FRONT’s unmissable authentic raw aggression unleashed alongside a line up that showcases a hard-hitting sonic display of hardcore punk from around the US.
AGNOSTIC FRONT October Tour Dates With BÉTON ARMÉ And RESTRAINING ORDER
Sat. Oct. 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – The Crafthouse Sun. Oct. 11 – Huntington, WV – West Edge Factory Mon. Oct. 12 – Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups Tue. Oct. 13 – Lakewood, OH – Mahall’s Wed. Oct. 14 – Buffalo, NY – Rec Room Thu. Oct. 15 – Syracuse, NY – The Song & Dance Fri. Oct. 16 – Cheshire, CT – Counterweight Brewing
About AGNOSTIC FRONT: Founded in 1982, AGNOSTIC FRONT stand among the most esteemed pioneers of the hardcore genre. No band comes close in sonic and socio authenticity and sincerity, where the struggles of survival on the streets have quite literally given life to a sound that remains as impactful today as it was over four decades ago. AGNOSTIC FRONT‘s battering, socially critical sounds serve as the foundation of true New York hardcore and helped initiate the emergence of crossover thrash. Following a slew of pummeling offerings, the band, led by the inimitable roar of Roger Miret and Vinnie Stigma’s legendary charismatic guitar playing, continue to showcase unapologetically honest lyrics and signature aggression in Echoes in Eternity.
Extreme metal powerhouse Caelestia has unleashed their grim new music video for the blistering track “Wolves,” a claustrophobic visual masterclass directed and edited by the acclaimed Sergios Vafiadis of Start A Scene Productions. Known for his stellar previous work with legendary metal acts like Rotting Christ, Omen, and Demon, Vafiadis captures the Greek quintet at their absolute sharpest. The production choices lean into a raw, performance-driven approach that isolates the band members within a grim, totalitarian aesthetic. By prioritizing immediate, crushing energy over a bloated narrative, the visual presentation mirrors the band’s shift from symphonic origins to a sleek, guitar-driven brand of deathly aggression. The final cut stands as a testament to the group’s evolving identity as they prepare to dominate the international heavy metal circuit, and it is the second music video from the band’s full length album Revelations In Black, which was recently released on July 24, 2026 via rock and metal record label Eclipse Records.
The conceptual backbone of the video draws deep inspiration from the real-world historical anomalies of 1945 Germany, specifically the covert guerrilla “Werewolves” organization. Caelestia channels this grim historical note through the lens of classic dystopian and totalitarian fiction, channeling the oppressive atmosphere of George Orwell’s seminal novel 1984. Filmed inside a stark, imposing military prison setting, the video relies heavily on tight close-up shots and rapid, jarring edits to cultivate a palpable sense of confinement. Recurring symbolic elements, such as a haunting wolf mask and a flickering 1940s vintage television set complete with eerie visual effects, deepen the overarching sense of historical dread. A cold moonlight blue hue washes over the entire set, while cracked windows and subtle lighting cues positioned between the band and captive prisoners represent a faint glimmer of hope hidden deep within utter despair. “Wolves” serves as the perfect, vicious introduction to their highly anticipated studio chapter, Revelations In Black.
With legendary drummer Marc Reign (formerly of Destruction & Morgoth) anchoring the rhythmic assault alongside the dual guitar precision of Bill Thomas and Andrew Geo, Caelestia operates as a terrifyingly cohesive unit. Vocalist Pantelis “Lordwinter” Daskalelos delivers a punishing vocal performance that matches the intellectual weight of the historical and mythological allegories woven into the song’s framework. Produced by American heavyweight Zack Ohren, the track delivers the pristine sonic clarity required to highlight this sophisticated brutality. As a definitive pillar of the contemporary Greek extreme metal landscape, Caelestia bridges the gap between classic Gothenburg melodic death metal and relentless American aggression.
Album coverart by Elena Vasilaki
Caelestia is back with their latest full-length studio offering, Revelations In Black. Originating from Athens, Greece, the band has undergone a profound sonic transformation that bridges the gap between the melodic Gothenburg sound and the mechanical precision of American death metal. For this ambitious project, the group traveled to Castle Ultimate Studios to work under the direction of acclaimed American producer Zack Ohren (Machine Head, Six Feet Under, Immolation), and the resulting record is a masterclass in modern extreme metal that balances technical accuracy with atmospheric depth. Lyrically, the album explores dark psychological states, gothic literature, and historical narratives. Altogether, the album contains ten brutal tracks, including standouts like “Dead Eternal” “Wolves,” and “Jutland.” With artwork provided by Elena Vasilaki, the visual aesthetic of the album complements the dark mythological and metaphysical allegories found within the music. Revelations In Black is not just a continuation of their previous work; it is a total immersion into a new musical identity. The album was recently released on July 24, 2026 via Eclipse Records.
Get the album Revelations In Black at this location.
Revelations In Black track listing 01. La Morte Amoureuse 02. Buried 03. Jutland 04. Wolves 05. The Slopes of Tenmokuzan 06. Fall of the Demon King 07. Five Unicorns and A Pearl 08. Revelations In Black 09. Reflection of the Beast 10. Dead Eternal
About Caelestia Athens-based CAELESTIA delivers a masterclass in modern extreme metal, cementing their status as a primary force in the Greek music landscape. Evolving from symphonic origins, the band now champions a guitar-driven identity that merges melodic black metal with technical death metal. Fueled by legendary drummer Marc Reign (formerly of Destruction & Morgoth), they achieve a new level of rhythmic complexity and professional excellence. Caelestia is Pantelis “Lordwinter” Daskalelos (vocals & lyrics), Bill (Vassilis) Thomas (guitar & music), Andrew Geo (guitar), Stelios “SD” Tragos (bass), Marc Reign (drums).
Cleopatra Records and Glenn Danzig’s painstaking curation of his vast catalog continues with an ambitious and reverent reissue of Danzig’s unholy 2010 album Deth Red Sabaoth, hitting the shelves on August 21.
Danzig’s ninth studio album overall, and the first since Circle of Snakes back in 2004, Deth Red Sabaoth quickly became the band’s biggest hit since Danzig 4, 16 years previous. In addition, the self-produced set ushered in a whole new take on a familiar audio landscape, a wholly organic sound conjured through Glenn’s newly purchased 1970s Kustom tuck’n’toll bass amps, then blasted his guitar through them.
With Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly and guitarist Tommy Victor his fellow conspirators, Glenn promised, ““You’ll hear real reverb, real tremolo on this album,” and he was right! It was, as metal-archives.com put it, “a glorious return to the bluesy doom-n-gloom that made metal’s man in black the most evil name to enter thy holy household,”
teethofthedivine.com added, “If you missed that slightly bluesy and heavily doomy sound of Lucifuge, you’ll be pleased to hear it return in full force on this record.”
Number 3 on both the US indy and hard rock albums, #35 on the Billboard Top 200, the original Deth Red Sabaoth was released in a couple of different formats – CD box set, limited edition picture disc – sheer manna for the manifold Dazig fans out there… you probably know, after all; how some artists you collect because they’re there. But others, because they stand up and demand you pay attention.
Danzig, needless to say, fall into the latter camp, with collectors now paying up to $50 for copies of the original CD, $150 for the picture disc and $250 for the Deth Red Sabaoth Fanbox. Even Glenn’s own 2022 vinyl reissue fetches north of $100.
This time around, the frenzy is likely to be even more frenetic, as Deth Red Sabaoth is unveiled in no less than seven different physical formats, with packaging worthy of one of Danzig’s darkest, heaviest albums:
CD Black Vinyl Box Set Black Vinyl Cassette Black/Red Haze Vinyl Box Set Black/Red Haze Vinyl Blood Splatter Horror Swirl Vinyl
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
