CROWN THE BEAST go all out with unrelenting force on their new single and official video “Judgement” – a blistering statement of intent and the first glimpse into their upcoming EP of the same name.
“Judgement” is a hateful last look upon mankind before the end of the world”, the band comments. “Mankind must pay for their sins as the angels of death begin the extermination of humanity. A fast and aggressive track that shows exactly what Crown The Beast do best: groove-laden and hard hitting death metal!”
With this track, the Danish band sharpen their apocalyptic vision and further refine their groove-driven take on modern death metal, infused with old-school intensity. Self-recorded and brought to life through a crushing mix and master handled by Horde Echo Sound Production, “Judgement” delivers an aggressive, end-of-days soundscape that pulls listeners deep into the band’s dark universe.
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The forthcoming “Judgement” EP will expand on this destructive energy, showcasing a heavier, more immersive chapter in Crown The Beast’s evolution. The end is coming. And Crown The Beast is the soundtrack.
Lineup: Søren Rønnebech Grønning – guitars Jason Campbell – vocals Jens Moseholm – bass Simon Skyrme – guitars Lars Von Løvendal – guitars Mikkel Øllgaard Bjelke Laursen – drums
Danish hard rock band BLACK OAK COUNTY step into a different kind of intensity on their new single and official video, “Starlight”. Taken from the upcoming album “Misprint” (out April 10, 2026), the song is a warm, heart-on-sleeve ballad about the quiet cost of life on the road – and the people you keep thinking about when the show is over.
Where “Misprint” is the band’s heaviest and most aggressive album to date, “Starlight” acts as its emotional core and a necessary pause: a reminder that behind the riffs and adrenaline there’s still real life waiting at home. Written from the shared perspective of the band, the lyrics were sparked by singer and guitarist Niels Beier, as guitarist Jack Svendsen joined his brother and bandmate, drummer Mike Svendsen, as well as singer and bassist René Kristensen, and became a father – a story about the familiar heartbreak of telling your kids you’ll be gone, while promising you’ll be back before they know it.
Built around a strong melodic theme, a hook-driven chorus and a cinematic arrangement, “Starlight” carries everything a great rock ballad needs – right down to subtle details like chimes, layered slide-guitars, and a soaring solo that leans into classic storytelling rather than flash. It’s a love song, a lullaby, and a reminder: stay strong, hold on a little longer, we’re coming home soon.
The track was once again produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Nicklas Sonne (Defecto, Aries Descendant), who helped elevate the band’s composition into one of Black Oak County’s biggest and most emotional moments to date.
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With “Misprint”, Danish hard rock outfit Black Oak County deliver their most focused, aggressive and emotionally charged album to date. Releasing April 10th, 2026 via Mighty Music, the band’s fourth full-length is a confrontational, hook-driven hard rock record shaped by years of personal pressure, unrest, and hard-earned clarity – as well as celebrating some of the band’s greatest professional and personal victories.
Following the award-winning “III” (2024), “Misprint” finds Black Oak County pushing both ends of their sound – heavier, more melodic, and more direct than ever – without losing the no-nonsense hard rock core that has earned them a strong live reputation across Denmark and beyond.
The album’s title reflects a central feeling running through the record: the sense of being off, wrong, or out of place, and the damage done when those feelings are left unspoken. While much of “Misprint” carries a dark emotional weight, it’s balanced by moments of resolve, love, defiance and release. This is not a record about wallowing, but about confrontation.
The first single, “Kill The Pain”, opens the album with its heaviest statement. Driven by crushing riffs, groove-heavy production and an explosive chorus, the song functions as both a wake-up call and a release valve. Lyrically, it confronts the growing division, violence and dehumanisation dominating modern society. At its core, “Kill The Pain” is about facing what’s broken, rather than ignoring it, and choosing action over apathy. Written during a period marked by both global unrest and personal crisis, the song ultimately lands as a call to stand together and fight back against despair – in whatever form it takes.
“Misprint” was once again co-written, produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Nicklas Sonne (Defecto, Danish Eurovision Preliminaries). The result is a bold, modern hard rock album that blends aggression, melody and layered instrumentation – including subtle synth elements – while keeping the songs immediate, physical and built for the stage.
Black Oak County have steadily built momentum through relentless touring and releases, earning Årets Single (Single of the Year) for “Save Your Breath” at Den Hårde Tone 2024 and Årets Rock Single (Rock Single of the Year) for “Boom Boom Baby” at the Danish Alternative Music Awards 2025. Known for their high-energy live shows, the band will support “Misprint” with their most ambitious touring cycle yet, including their first full German headline run.
“Misprint” will be released on LP (gatefold, splatter orange vinyl, limited to 500 copies), digipack CD and digital formats on 10.04.2026, via Mighty Music.
Lineup: Niels Beier – guitar, vocals René Kristensen – bass, vocals Jack Svendsen – guitar Mike Svendsen – drums
Connecticut-based noise rock henchmen INTERCOURSE present their official cover of ‘Violet’ by Hole. The new single follows the release of their scathing fourth LP, How I Fell In Love With The Void, last year, via Brutal Panda Records.
‘Violet’ was recorded during the How I Fell In Love With The Void sessions with Chris Teti (The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die).
The news follows the announcement of INTERCOURSE‘s UK tour, where they’ll be supporting sludge legends Eyehategod alongside Rwake.
Dates:
7/11 MANCHESTER UK DAMNATION FESTIVAL 8/11 SOUTHAMPTON UK THE 1865 9/11 LONDON UK THE SCALA 11/11 BRISTOL UK STRANGE BREW 12/11 LEEDS UK BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB 13/11 NOTTINGHAM UK RESCUE ROOMS 14/11 NEWCASTLE UK DIGITAL
“I have no life. I don’t fucking do anything else. I don’t have any hobbies. I don’t play video games. I don’t do fantasy football. I’m just obsessed with making music and writing.”
That’s INTERCOURSE vocalist Tarek Ahmed explaining how the acclaimed Connecticut noise rock band has averaged a release per year since forming in 2013. From their self-titled debut and 2018’s Everything’s Pornography When You’ve Got an Imagination to 2023’s Halo Castration Institute and last year’s Egyptian Democracy EP, INTERCOURSE have kicked against the pricks, power brokers and pissants who make America “great” while tempering their outlook with a self-deprecating look inward.
INTERCOURSE’s How I Fell In Love With The Void delivers ten searing new tracks that merge elements of metallic hardcore into an antagonistic foundation of corrosive noise rock. The album was recorded by ChrisTeti (The World Is A Beautiful Place And I Am No Longer Afraid To Die) at Silver Bullet Studios in Burlington, Connecticut. It was mastered by George Richter (Thy Will Be Done) and mixed by Chris Teti and Greg Thomas. The photograph on the album cover was shot by Sherilyn Furneaux (Portrayal Of Guilt) and features exotic dancer Clementine.Ahmed and his bandmates – guitarist Sean Prior, drummer Caleb Porter and bassist Pete Stroczkowski – spent more time and money on their fourth full-length than any of their previous releases. “Usually we record in a basement home studio, or they’re done super quickly,”Ahmed says. “This time, we figured it was a really good investment to book a full week of studio time and challenge ourselves to write better songs.”
In fact, Ahmed ended up rewriting his lyrics three times. “I f*cking wrote my ass off, and then I do this thing about two months out where I’m like, ‘Everything I wrote sucks, so I’m going to rewrite all the lyrics.’ Then a month before recording, my wife and I decided to split, so I tried to punch up the lyrics and make them funnier by throwing some divorce stuff in there. But I think I made it more depressing.”
Marital bliss aside, the lyrical themes on How I Fell in Love with the Void aren’t dissimilar from those on INTERCOURSE’s 2016 EP, Pissing Into the Abyss, which features a cover illustration of a woman f*cking a giant insect while an alien watches. “On the new record, there’s definitely a lot of talking about the void and that emptiness that a lot of us try to fill with food, booze or sex,”Ahmed explains. “Pissing Into the Abyss was about being so comfortable with the void that you’ll just piss there. Unfortunately, I’m super acquainted with it. But once you realize that nothing will ever fill the void, it will no longer rule over you.”
Ultimately, How I Fell in Love with the Void is about being on the outside looking in. “We’re music for weirdos and freaks,” Ahmed says. “I grew up as the only Egyptian kid in a little white town. I’m an outsider, and we make music for outsiders. Every time we play a faraway place that we haven’t been to before, there’s always one person there that has followed us for years and is there specifically for us. They are always the weirdest person in the room, and I love that. Those are my people.”
INTERCOURSE formed in 2013 and have been annoying ever since. With the lofty (or pointless, depending on who you ask) goal of ditching the pretension of noise rock and fusing it with the immediacy of hardcore, they’ve managed a release a year since 2014. 2023’s Halo Castration Institute helped the band reach a new level of notoriety with positive reviews across the board. With the release of a last year’s EP Egyptian Democracy, and now How I Fell In Love With The Void the band is sure to become the high watermark for annoying adults who dress like they’re 17 and simply will not quit.
INTERCOURSE have played sold-out shows with the likes of Chat Pile, Deadguy, The Red Chord and The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die. The quartet have been featured on notable websites Decibel, Lambgoat, New Noise Magazine and were recently featured on The Needle Drop’s top 15 EPs of 2024.
How I Fell In Love With The Void is out now.
INTERCOURSE are: Tarek Ahmed – Vocals Caleb Porter – Drums Sean Prior – Guitar Pete Stroczkowski – Bass
“Max Avoidance is my psychedelic, glitchy, dark yet hopeful electronic pop project. ‘Easy’ is my 4th release. It’s about being stuck in a place where you feel like everyone gets it – except you…”
“Just ‘cause it looks easy doesn’t mean it is”
Recorded and produced at home in Islington Mixing and further production by Nick Brine (Oasis, Stone Roses, Stereophonics) at his studios in Spain and Wales
In just under a month, on 10 April 2026, OPVS NOIR Vol. 3, the final part of LORD OF THE LOST’s OPVS NOIR album trilogy, will be released. Today, the Hamburg-based band presents another preview in the form of their new single, “My Funeral,” which, as usual, cannot be pigeonholed into any genre and embodies the authenticity for which LORD OF THE LOST are appreciated by fans and beyond. The lyrics declare black to be the “happy colour” with a dose of irony and define pink as the new colour of mourning, which is visually underlined by the accompanying music video.
With nearly half a million listeners on Spotify, their appearance at the Eurovision final in 2023, followed by a number-one album and international tours with Iron Maiden, LORD OF THE LOST are proving themselves to be one of the most exciting and successful acts on the scene right now. OPVS NOIR Vol. 3 represents the creative peak of a band whose repertoire leaves no room for stagnation. The year started with shows in the USA, Canada, and Australia, and now continues with the upcoming headline tour across Europe. The tour kicks off on Thursday, 12 March, in Oslo, Norway.
Chris Harms on “My Funeral”: “The message of the song – that black is our ‘happy colour’ and that I want my funeral guests to adhere to the ‘dress code: pink’ – is actually no joke. It’s a shame that when I eventually kick the bucket, I’ll only be able to attend this pink funeral service lifelessly.”
LORD OF THE LOST bring their ambitious album trilogy to a brilliant finale with OPVS NOIR Vol. 3. A direct continuation of OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, which were both unveiled in 2025, it gloriously expands on the genre-defying band’s opus. The most out of the box of the three, the third and final part of their latest journey has the six-piece end this chapter of their career on a fulminant high note, intertwining heavy guitars and dark electronica with compassionate messages and cinematic orchestrals.
OPVS NOIR Vol. 3 continues to walk LORD OF THE LOST’s unpredictable journey without settling for the familiar. Rounding off an impressive trilogy, this record takes you by the hand and guides you along your darkest paths.
Get your copy of OPVS NOIR Vol. 3 NOW –first formats are already sold out!
Following the captivating BLOOD & GLITTER, which brought them to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and a #1 chart entry in their native Germany to go along with it, LORD OF THE LOST once again demonstrate their unmatched diversity on OPVS NOIR Vol. 3. Initiated by beautiful cello melodies, “Kill The Lights” is an overture like no other, setting a dark mood, but also unafraid to switch it up to make room for catchy and reassuring “I’m A Diamond”. Stomping “I Hate People” invites horror punk icon WEDNESDAY 13 to an industrial duet about equality, after which gentle “The Shadows Within” hits twice as hard with its symphonic arrangement. Next, Chris Harms and parting KISSIN’ DYNAMITE frontman Hannes Braun deliver “La Vie Est Hell”, before going back to “Square One”. “When Did The Love Break?” is a heartfelt song of lost love – the addition of whimsical vocals by Ambre Vourvahis of XANDRIA drives the emotions of this universal topic right home. After “Your Love Is Colder Than Death”, LORD OF THE LOST team up with Damien Edwards of British glam rock band CATS IN SPACE for the captivating duet “Take Me Far Away”, before the album closes with a ballad, “The Days Of Our Lives” – the sweeping track simultaneously being the closest LORD OF THE LOST have ever been to a cinematic soundtrack. The happy ending is skipped, almost making it sound like a goodbye…
OPVS NOIR Vol. 3: the trilogy is finally concluded.
OPVS NOIR Vol. 3 tracklisting:
Kill The Lights
I’m A Diamond (feat. Saltatio Mortis)
My Funeral
I Hate People (feat. Wednesday 13)
The Shadows Within
La Vie Est Hell (feat. Kissin’ Dynamite)
Square One
When Did The Love Break? (feat. Xandria)
Your Love Is Colder Than Death
Take Me Far Away (feat. Cats In Space)
The Days Of Our Lives
LORD OF THE LOST Live 2026
TOVR NOIR 2026 w/ AD INFINITUM [∞], DOGMA [†] & LEAGUE OF DISTORTION [x] 12.03.26 NO – Oslo / John Dee [∞] 13.03.26 SE – Gothenburg / Filmstudion [∞] 14.03.26 SE – Stockholm / Kollektivet Livet [∞] 16.03.26 FI – Tampere / Tavara-asema [∞] 17.03.26 FI – Helsinki / Tavastia [∞] 19.03.26 EE – Tallinn / Helitehas [∞] 20.03.26 LT – Vilnius / Loftas [∞] 21.03.26 PL – Warsaw / Klub Progresja [∞] 22.03.26 PL – Kraków / Klub Studio [∞] 24.03.26 AT – Vienna / Simm City [∞] 25.03.26 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra [∞] 27.03.26 GR – Athens / Gagarin 205 [∞] 28.03.26 BG – Sofia / Joy Station Club [∞] 29.03.26 RO – Bucharest / Quantic [∞] 09.04.26 NL – Amsterdam / Melkweg [†] [X] 10.04.26 FR – Paris / Elysee Montmartre [†] [X] 11.04.26 FR – La Roche-sur-Yon / Quai M [†] [X] 12.04.26 FR – Toulouse / Le Metronum [†] [X] 14.04.26 ES – Madrid / But [†] [X] 15.04.26 ES – Barcelona / Salamandra [†] [X] 17.04.26 FR – Lyon / La Rayonne [†] [X] 18.04.26 BE – Bomal-sur-Ourthe / Durbuy Rock [†] [X] 24.04.26 DE – Thallichtenberg / Hexentanz [†] [X] 25.04.26 CH – Pratteln / Z7 [†] [X] 26.04.26 IT – Milan / Alcatraz [†] [X] 06.05.26 CZ – Prague / Roxy [†] [X] 07.05.26 DE – Herford / KulturWerk [†] [X] 08.05.26 DE – Cologne / Carlswerk Victoria [†] [X] 09.05.26 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn [†] [X] 16.08.26 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos Saal
Festivals 2026: 22.-23.05.26 DE – Eichstätt / Open Air am Berg 03.-04.07.26 DE – Mülheim an der Ruhr / Castle Rock 13.-16.08.26 FR – Carhaix-Plouguer / Motocultor Festival 21.08.26 DE – Oelde / Oelde Open Air
LORDFEST 2026: w/ NACHTBLUT, NOTHGARD, WISBORG & VELVET RUSH 18.&19.12.26 DE – Hamburg / Große Freiheit 36
LORD OF THE LOST sind: Chris Harms – Gesang, Gitarre Pi Stoffers – Gitarre Benjamin „Benji“ Mundigler – Gitarre, Synths Klaas Helmecke – Bass Gerrit Heinemann – Piano, Synths, Percussion Niklas Kahl – Schlagzeug
RESTLESS SPIRIT deliver their raw and authentic brand of heaviness with the music video ‘Red in Tooth and Claw‘ as the next advance single from their forthcoming self-titled album. “Restless Spirit” is scheduled for release on May 8, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records and is available for pre-order atTHIS LOCATION
RESTLESS SPIRIT comment: “The track ‘Red in Tooth and Claw’ is one of the more straightforward songs that we’ve ever done“, vocalist and guitarist Paul Aloisio explains on behalf of the band. “We set out to create a solid rock tune with a heavy groove as the foundation and think that mission was accomplished. The lyrics of ‘Red in Tooth and Claw’ deal with the violence and cruelty that are seemingly inherent to the human condition, and simply ask what you choose to do about that fact. Ultimately, it’s is a choice that can only be made by the individual.”
Tracklist 1. The Burning Need 2. Hallowed 3. Red in Tooth and Claw 4. Desire Lines 5. Desolation’s Wake 6. Ember 7. Time and Distance 8. Phantom Pain
With their self-titled full-length, RESTLESS SPIRIT have reached a point in their career where the band of friends from Long Island, New York knows exactly who they are and where they stand. As the eight tracks on “Restless Spirit” are the most distilled version of what the trio is about, they saw no need for further explanation in the title.
So, what are RESTLESS SPIRIT about? Pure metal, no more, no less. Born from the steel mills of Birmingham this musical style has deep English working class roots that the East Coast outfit translates into an American sonic slang with elements from desert and stoner metal and even the occasional progressive flourish. As a result, they seamlessly merge classic heavy solos with roaring guitars and a pinch of psychedelic fuzz.
RESTLESS SPIRIT also share a down to earth outlook with the British pioneers that values honesty and a no-nonsense approach to songwriting and lyrics. “Restless Spirit” mainly deals with the idea of perseverance through hardship, of pushing through and starting over when everything seems bleak. This makes the album a companion piece to its predecessor “Afterimage”, which revolved around descending into and giving in to growing despair.
RESTLESS SPIRIT grew out of childhood friendship. Frontman Paul Aloisio and bass player Marc Morello first met back in the summer before Kindergarten and grew up discovering music together. Influenced by such greats as BLACK SABBATH, TYPE O NEGATIVE, and THE SWORD, RESTLESS SPIRIT officially started out in 2019 when their album debut “Lord of the New Depression” was released. At the time, their sound fit equally well into the stoner, doom, and sludge moulds. On the following “Blood of the Old Gods” (2021), the three-piece evolved stylistically into a more varied, melodic approach with added complexities.
With the stated mission of never wanting to sound exactly like before, RESTLESS SPIRIT resorted to shorter, sharpened shocks that hit straight home on their acclaimed third album, “Afterimage”, in 2024. This album was driven by tragedy and personal loss with singer and guitarist Paul Aloisio putting his heart and soul into it.
In hindsight, the massive punch to the gut delivered by “Afterimage” set the trio onto a course that led directly to “Restless Spirit”. Trimming away all sonic fat, focusing on the essentials, and refining their sound and songwriting down to its heaviest core has yielded a record that promises to be timeless.
RESTLESS SPIRIT are throwing out a rescue rope to all headbangers and particularly those dealing with all the cruelty that life can bring. “Restless Spirit” is a call to persevere in the face of others not understanding or even outright rejection. This album is about living on one’s own terms, which was and is the essence of metal.
Line-up Paul Aloisio – guitar, vocals Jon Gusman – drums Marc Morello – bass
Recorded by John Forrestal at The Animal Farm, New Jersey (US) Mixed by John Forrestal at The Animal Farm, New Jersey (US) Mastering by Jon Markson at The Animal Farm, New Jersey (US)
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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 