After several years away from releasing new music, South African melodic hardcore veterans Truth & Its Burden make a powerful return with their brand-new single, Live For Today, out now via Mongrel Records. The track is a fast-paced, uplifting anthem that reaffirms everything the band has stood for since first emerging in 2007.
For nearly two decades, Truth & Its Burden have built a reputation for combining relentless energy with heartfelt melody, earning a devoted following through their passionate live performances and uncompromising approach to melodic hardcore. With influences that will resonate with fans of Stick To Your Guns, The Ghost Inside, Ignite, No Bragging Rights, Comeback Kid and To The Wind, the band’s latest release is both a reminder of their roots and a bold statement of intent for the future.
At its core, Live For Today is built around the philosophy that has driven the band from the very beginning: seize the day. Having started from humble beginnings while always chasing bigger dreams, Truth & Its Burden have consistently pushed themselves beyond their comfort zones, embracing every opportunity life has offered. That spirit is captured in every second of the new single, delivering high-velocity riffs, soaring melodies and an infectious sense of optimism.
Vocalist Ashley De Beer says the song marks an important new chapter for the band.
“It’s been a truly rewarding process working on new music again, considering our last new release was back in 2019. Live For Today confidently conveys what our band stands for, and also carries a new sense of purpose and hope for the future. Clearly, we’re not done yet.”
The single not only celebrates the band’s enduring message of living life to its fullest but also signals that Truth & Its Burden are entering an exciting new era. While many bands fade with time, Live For Today proves that the fire still burns brightly, delivering the same passion and melodic intensity that fans have come to love, while looking confidently toward what’s next.
With Live For Today, Truth & Its Burden remind listeners that every day is an opportunity to move forward, chase dreams and embrace the present, because tomorrow is never guaranteed.
BLOOD WHITE release the new single “Memories”, taken from the upcoming studio album “From Hell” out on August 28 at Metalville.
“Memories” unleashes a wave of melodic death metal that combines raw power with emotional depth: massive walls of guitar, pulsating drums and sweeping melodies create a sound that is both powerful and sublime. Blending Nordic heaviness with modern clarity, the track impressively combines heaviness, atmosphere and intensity.
There are countless young bands that are still searching for their own individual musical identity and a breakthrough image based on their own visionary concept. And then there’s BLOOD WHITE, a band that has already found all these factors. Although the five-piece band has only been together since 2022, their sound is incredibly mature, creative and unique. BLOOD WHITE have developed a refined, distinctive mix of modern metal, rock and hardcore which leaves a lasting impression. Added to that, the band’s incredible stage outfits, highlighted through their glaring red and white ‘corporate identity’, sets the quintet apart from the genre’s standard dull, black style which so many of their contemporaries seem to favour. But most importantly, their debut album, “From Hell”, presents music of a standard rarely found in newcomer acts.
The songs mix raw metal riffs and brutal grooves with catchy choruses which enables listeners who are less into the metal-genre immediate access to their exciting, hellraising music. Listen to tracks such as “All I Said Was A Lie”‚ “Bloodified”, “I Smell Blood” or “From Hell” and watch the videos of “Run Or Die” and “Guns & Fear” which all show BLOOD WHITE’s extensive range of stylistic potential and musical influences. At the same time, the album also provides a number of surprises.
Practically out of nowhere (or rather, out of darkest hell), singer Dr. Zero projects a deep sense of melancholy, grief and anger on “Before I Die”, deliberately leaving a number of questions unanswered. Dr. Zero: “The songsays something about me, and its metaphors express precisely what I want to share with our audience. It’s about love, about its dependence on your own emotions and on what constitutes the bleakness of grief. Thoughts of having nothing left but a refuge, albeit one that makes you slide even deeper into the abyss than you already have.”
“From Hell” and “Fear” strike a similar lyrical note and present demonic verbal exchanges on God and the world, preachers, monsters and demons, as well as the eternal horror of war and devastation leading, ultimately, to the destruction of one’s own soul. Dr. Zero added: “Most ofour songs are about the chasms of the human mind, its capacity for absolute evil, a contradiction to love and compassion. This contraction also resonates in the name “Blood White”, red being a symbol of blood, but also of love, and white stands for innocence and eternity evoking that glistening, bright light that people who have experienced ‘being clinically dead’ talk about.”
The appraisal above says it all! BLOOD WHITE hold everything in their own hands, it’s all there to be seen and heard: the music, the videos, the album sleeve, the photos – the entire band and its image!
BLOOD WHITE are fulfilling the promise of an even more spectacular (metal) future!
TRACK-LISTING 01 – All I Said Was A Lie 02 – Run Or Die 03 – Bloodified 04- I Smell Blood 05 – Guns & Fear 06 – Unholy Water 07 – Fear 08 – Before I Die 09 – Memories 10 – Kill Everyone 11 – Don´t Blame Me 12 – From Hell
LINE-UP Dr. Zero – vocals Mr. Bonesaw – guitar D.C. Spark – guitar Luke Y-Cut – drums Gas Gee – bass
Stefan Lange returns with CALLIDER and his new single, “By The Dawn”, the first new track since the release of their debut album, “Southern Stars”, in 2023.
“It’s a heavy and rather fast melodic death metal track that puts the rhythm guitar work centre stage. A distinctive feature is the use of the Turkish-Ottoman ‘ney’ flute by Munich-based makam flutist Ebed Gümüsel,” explains Stefan Lange, continuing: ‘The song is inspired by the 89th surah of the Qur’an, the holy scripture of Islam. It deals with the contrast between rich and poor, and how this has manifested as corruption and domination throughout human history. In some places, the vocals are in Arabic.”
CALLIDER is: Vocals: Stefan Lange, Florian Stierstorfer, Marc Zeberer, Vanessa Marx Guitars: Ettore Rigotti, Kristopher Karla, Stefan Lange Bass: Ettore Rigotti, Stefan Lange Drums: Dominik Back Keyboards: Ettore Rigotti, Claus Bächer
On their grand and gloomy new album, TodoMal channels grief, anger and hard-won hope through the slow-burning atmosphere of classic doom and dramatic rock.
“Graveyards of Joy finds the band emphasizing or enhancing certain aspects of their sound”, No Clean Singing writes in advanced praise of TodoMal’s new album, “without abandoning any of what made them so good before”.
“If you are a doom metal fan, and like epic melodies that are both bleak and uplifting at the same time, do not miss out on this release”, urges Infernal Masquerade.
Graveyards of Joy is released today, Friday, July 3 on Season of Mist and you can hear all nine doomy and atmospheric songs by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.
Graveyards of Joy is the closing chapter of a trilogy that TodoMal began with Ultracrepidarian (2021) and continued with A Greater Good (2023). Written in solitude following personal tragedy, the album draws on the landscapes and ghost towns of rural eastern Spain, a terrain the band describe as raw, honest and untamed. Vast Hammond organ-driven passages give way to desolate folk; strings with Morriconian openness sit alongside heavy, anchoring riffs. The duo draw on a wide range of reference points, from the orchestral sweep of Vangelis and the warmth of Deep Purple to the dramatic sensibility of Tindersticks and Nick Cave, without losing the solemnity that defines them.
Tracklist:
Mare Ignis (05:14)
Lucid Nightmare (04:31)
Point of Coalescence (05:04)
Misericordiah (02:50)
Unholy (04:22)
Deliverance (07:25)
Humanised Gods (03:54)
For Mercy (03:02)
Graveyards of Joy (06:51) Full runtime: 43:15
TodoMal Graveyards of Joy 2026 European Tour *with Evoken
4 July – Viveiro, ES @ Resurrection Fest 24 July – Tolmin, SI @ Tolminator Fest 30 July – Paris, FR @ Le Klub* 31 July – Rouen, FR @ Fury Defendu* 1 August – Diest, BE @ Club Hell* 2 August – Rotterdam, NL @ Baroeg* 3 August – Hamburg, DE @ MS Stubnitz* 5 August – Berlin, DE @ Neue Zukunft* 6 August – Schlotheim, DE @ Party.San Open Air* 7 August – Karlsruhe, DE @ Die Stadtmitte* 9 August – Dresden, DE @ Chemiefabrik* 10 August – Prague, CZ @ Subzero* 11 August – Bratislava, SK @ Pink Whale 18 September: Barcelona, ES @ Sala Boveda 25 September: Madrid, ES @ Dark Echoes Fest (w/ Draconian, Dødheimsgard) 26 September: Auzas, FR @ L’Homme Sauvage Festival
TodoMal came to life in 2020, conceived by Anglo-Spanish musician and composer Christopher B. Wildman and musician, composer and producer Javier Fernández Milla: two veteran multi-instrumentalists of the Spanish underground scene whose careers span a wide range of projects and styles. A product of pure serendipity, TodoMal represents a deeply personal fusion of the solemnity of traditional doom metal and the expansiveness of space rock, interwoven with nuances of ecclesiastical music, classic hard rock and cinematic soundscapes.
Their debut album, Ultracrepidarian (2021), evokes the placid yet desolate moorlands of their base in northern Alcarria and the region of Matarraña (Teruel), two emblematic landscapes of Spain’s so-called “emptied lands.” With A Greater Good (2023), the duo crafted a collection of what they describe as “dark songs,” evolving into a complex, dense and unclassifiable album that appeared on several year-end lists and sold through its initial pressing. Fuelled by this momentum, they expanded into a five-piece live ensemble, joining forces with Javier Félez (guitar; Teitanblood, Graveyard, Balmog), Javier “Bud” Martínez (drums; Dejadeath, Jade, Ktulu) and Cecilia Tallo (keyboards/vocals; Maud the Moth).
Graveyards of Joy is the third album and the closing chapter of a trilogy. Written in solitude following personal tragedy, it channels grief, anger and hard-won hope into nine tracks of slow-burning, widescreen doom. The music breathes: vast Hammond-driven passages give way to desolate folk, Morricone-like strings open onto dusty cinematic plains, and heavy riffs anchor songs that never lose sight of melody. A DIY record of striking emotional depth and modern, alternative edge.
Recording Line-up: Wildman – Guitars and Vocals Mile – Bass and Vocals Javi – Guitars Bud – Drums Cecilia – Synths and Vocals
Production Credits: Recording Studio: Trinitat-Montseny / 7th Middle Street / Moontower Studios Producer: Javier Fernández Milla / Christopher B. Wildman; assisted by Javier Félez Rodríguez (drums recording and guitar engineering) Mixing: Javier Fernández Milla at Trinitat Montseny Mastering: Jaime López Arellano at Arda Recorders (Portugal)
The song UNITED STATES was recorded 5 years ago when Rick Derringer asked me to put drums on it. It sat for 5 years.Then last week I asked his wife Jenda to send me the song to listen to. I remember really liking the song. After hearing it I gave it to Pat Regan to remaster.
Then I asked Dom Esposito if he can put a video together quick to get it out for our country’s 250th anniversary celebration. So we are celebrating Rick Derringer who passed away last year also.
Jenda and I decided to make a video together to celebrate Rick and the 250 years of our country.
God Bless America
-Carmine Appice of Cactus
Carmine Appice and Cactus recently released a new video for the track “Back Door Man”, taken from the new Cactus album “Temple Of Blues II” out now on Cleopatra Records. The track and video feature the amazing talents of Eric Gales and Billy Sheehan, alongside Carmine Appice.
Carmine Appice shared his thoughts on on the song and video “Back Door Man” — “Back Door Man” is an old blues classic. This version originally appeared on Howlin’ Wolf’s The Howlin’ Wolf Album (often referred to as his “Electric Album”).
This time, I wanted to make a real blues album for Temple of Blues 2. Temple of Blues 1was made up entirely of Cactus songs. I’ve always loved the Howlin’ Wolf album, which also gave Cactus our biggest song, “Evil.” We ended up recording seven songs from that album, and I always thought “Back Door Man” was one of the strongest tracks.
The renowned Canadian singer Paul Laine is thrilled to announce that his new studio album, “The Long Road Back”, will be released on September 25, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The first single, “Love Me Or Leave Me”, along with an official visualizer, are available now.
Laine commented: “I’m so happy to launch a new era in my solo career with my new single “Love Me Or Leave Me”. I feel like I finally got a chance to pick up where I left off all those years ago, when I finished making “Stick It In Your Ear”. Come join me on my new musical journey with “The Long Road Back” album. See y’all out on the Road in 2027.”
A masterclass in melodic rock, Paul Laine’s new album delivers soaring hooks, heartfelt ballads, and arena-ready anthems that traverse the full spectrum of the genre. From the driving energy of “Love Me Or Leave Me”, to the intimate vulnerability of “Someday” (co-written with Andrew Oye), every track is meticulously crafted, showcasing Laine’s signature vocal power and melodic sensibility. “Don’t Let Me Go Tonite” comes alive with a striking video that complements its infectious energy.
Laine stated: “Ever since I released my first solo album, I’ve wondered when I’d finally have the chance to make a follow-up. Life – and music – have a way of taking you places you never expect. Looking back, every chapter of my career has led me down a different road, and each one has shaped me as both a songwriter and a person”.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to make records with Danger Danger, Darkhorse, The Defiants, Shugaazer, and Jetset Junkies. Every one of those experiences taught me something and gave me memories I’ll always carry with me. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew the road would eventually lead me home – to where it all started. Just a kid with a guitar, trying to make sense of love, life, loss, hope, and everything in between through songs”, he added.
“The Long Road Back” is exactly that. It’s a musical journey back to my roots, but it’s also a reflection of every mile I’ve travelled to get here. Every song carries a piece of the life I’ve lived, the people I’ve met, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. In many ways, this record feels like coming full circle. After all these years, I’m grateful to finally share this chapter with everyone who’s been waiting for it. I hope these songs find a place in your story, just as they’ve become part of mine”, Laine concluded.
Joining Laine in the studio are longtime collaborators Bruno Ravel (his bandmate in The Defiants and also in Danger Danger – bass, producer), Scotty “Hooch” Taylor (drums), Andrew Oye (lead guitar), with production handled by Laine and Ravel. The album features standout singles like “Love Me Or Leave Me”, the video-driven “Don’t Let Me Go Tonite”, and the heartfelt “Someday”.
Musically, the record touches every corner of melodic rock, yet the songs sound like they’re coming from the classic era when Bon Jovi dominated the airwaves – both in Laine’s soaring vocals and in the anthemic, hook-laden songwriting. This is an album for fans who crave big choruses, passionate performances, and the kind of timeless melodic rock that only Paul Laine can deliver.
“The Long Road Back” Tracklist:
1. Love Me Or Leave Me 2. Don’t Let Me Go Tonite 3. Someday 4. Come Back To Me 5. Save Me Saturday Night 6. Her Name Is Trouble 7. Heaven And Earth Collide 8. Bad Habit 9. Kiss Me California 10. The Ones That Got Away 11. Now That You Don’t Love Me Anymore
Line Up: Paul Laine Bruno Ravel Scotty “Hooch” Taylor Andrew Oye
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
