Lifeforce Records is thrilled to welcome international Melodic Death Metal band TIL THE END to its family!
TIL THE END, formed in 2023, boasts a lineup of battle-tested musicians: Antony Hämäläinen (Nightrage, Armageddon) on vocals, Kostas Sotos (Mystic Prophecy, Crystal Tears) on guitar, Márton Veress (Orgy, Armageddon) on drums, and Nic Svensson (Slaves For Scores) on bass/rhythm guitar.
The band shared their excitement about the signing:
“After three years of dedication and countless late nights in the studio, we’ve found the perfect partners at LifeForce Records. We’re incredibly proud to join the family! Get ready for an exciting new chapter!”
Vocalist Antony Hämäläinen added, “Returning to LifeForce feels like coming home! I’ve always valued the passionate culture Stefan fosters here, and I’m excited to contribute another amazing release to the label’s legacy.”
TIL THE END offers razor-sharp melodies, relentless energy, and a deep understanding of what makes melodic death metal truly captivating. Fans of Slaughter of the Soul-era At the Gates, early In Flames, and modern Arch Enemy will find TIL THE END’s sonic assault incredibly familiar.
The Lifeforce Records debut album is scheduled for release in September 2026, with the first single dropping on June 19th.
In the meantime, please check out the band’s already released singles on your favorite streaming platform or the band’s YouTube channel.
Melodic rock powerhouse Mattador are pleased to unveil their new single and official video, “Levitate”, taken from the upcoming studio album “III”, set for release on June 19, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The band commented: “Levitate” it’s a very special song for us. There’s not much music like this being made these days. It’s got that Rock Anthem quality to it, and it sounds big but at the same time organic. It’s feels like you are in the room with us. We know you are going to enjoy it as much as we did making it. It’s one of those songs that can take you places to “free your spirit” and invites you to rejoice on good times and experiences. We love it and we are proud of it!”
Carlos Benitez said: “We feel that we have a great album packed with amazing songs, from big ballads and acoustic compositions to rock anthems and so much more. It’s an evolution of the band and it has it all. The production is more on the organic side of things, when talking about the sound of the album. We didn’t want it to sound like other productions out there today, and we worked hard to find the right balance to make it sound powerful and current but different from what is considered standard nowadays; and we are pleased with the results”.
“We focused more on the music we wrote for this one. The album was co/produced and mixed by Bob St John, who has worked with Bands like Collective Soul Extreme, Duran Duran, and many others. Newcomer to the band is our bass player and multi-instrumentalist Abraham Millett, who comes from working and touring as a member of Third Eye Blind and many others”, he added. “I play drums, and I also produced the album, while on vocals is original singer Mike Villegas, and on guitar is original member Miguel Rodriguez. Collectively all of the original members have been involved in high-profile gigs/bands and working with international artists and world tours during the band’s hiatus and bring all of that experience and growth to the group’s creative process. With this lineup, we found the right balance that inspired us to make this new album.”
Mattador, the veteran melodic rock band from Puerto Rico, returns with “III” – their powerful new studio album of all-original material. Originally active from 1988 to 1995, the band earned a loyal following thanks to their explosive live shows and a unique blend of hard rock and Latin influences, performing alongside legends like Aerosmith and Iron Maiden and gaining attention across the European rock scene.
Reunited in 2022, the founding members reignited their creative fire, channelling decades of experience into 12 brand-new tracks. From soaring power ballads to riff-heavy anthems and high-octane rockers, “III” captures Mattador’s signature sound with renewed energy and vision.
Co-produced and engineered by Bob St. John (Extreme, Dokken, Collective Soul), the album also marks the beginning of the band’s collaboration with Frontiers Music Srl, poised to bring their music to a global audience.
The current lineup features original members Michael Villegas (vocals), Carlos Benitez (drums, vocals), Miguel “Tito” Rodriguez (guitar, violin), and new member Abraham Millet (bass, keyboards). Together, they forge a unique sound that combines the melodic sensibilities of classic Rock with an undercurrent of Hard Rock with a hint of Prog and a contemporary edge.
Rooted in Puerto Rico and ready for the world stage, Mattador is back – tighter, louder, and more inspired than ever.
“III” Tracklist:
1. Awake 2. Black Water 3. Out For Blood 4. Say You’ll Stay 5. Levitate 6. Crawling 7. Same Kind Of Crazy 8. Falling Backwards 9. Portal 10. Slow Down 11. Moksha 12. No Way Out
Line Up: Carlos Benitez – Drums, Percussion, Background and Lead Vocals Abraham Millett – Bass and Keyboards Miguel Rodriguez – Guitars, Lead Guitar, Violin Mike Villegas – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitars
Finnish extreme metal force Torchia officially unleashes their fourth studio album “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness” today via Rockshots Records, marking the culmination of a campaign that has steadily elevated the band among the most compelling emerging names within the modern European extreme metal landscape.
Following the strong international response to the singles “Stygian Waters”, “Nekromanteion” and “Hellmouth”, the full-length now reveals the complete scope of Torchia’s most ambitious and conceptually cohesive work to date – an album where blackened melodic death metal, gothic horror aesthetics and orchestral grandeur converge into a singular artistic vision.
Hailing from Tampere, Finland, Torchia has spent the last few years refining a distinctive identity rooted in thrash-infused melodic death metal while progressively embracing darker atmospheres, narrative-driven songwriting, and orchestral arrangements. With “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness”, the band fully expands the cursed universe introduced across previous releases, transporting listeners into a grim 19th-century vision populated by occult rituals, infernal imagery, supernatural entities, and gothic horror-inspired storytelling.
Produced and mixed by Janne Saksa and mastered by legendary producer Dan Swanö, the album pushes Torchia toward a broader and more atmospheric sonic dimension without sacrificing the aggressive guitar-driven foundation that has defined the band since its inception. The result is a record that balances memorable hooks, crushing riffs, blackened atmospherics, and technical intensity with remarkable precision.
Tracks such as “Hellmouth”, “The Tiamat Machine” and “Sanguine Masquerade” showcase the band’s evolving songwriting approach, where triumphant lead melodies, dark orchestral passages and relentless extreme metal aggression coexist naturally. Meanwhile, songs like “Black Cat” and “Stygian Waters” reconnect with the rawer spirit of Torchia’s earlier material, creating a dynamic and absorbing listening experience that continuously shifts between violence, atmosphere, and melodic grandeur.
Speaking about the album, the band states:
“On ‘They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness’, the cursed realm of Torchia is more realized than ever before. The strange tales of gothic horror come alive in a shadowed vision of the 19th century.”
And further adds:
“With ‘They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness, ’ we tried to strike a balance between memorable songwriting and technical aggression. On this album, we are introducing a darker and more expansive soundscape to support the vivid storytelling of the lyrics, yet the musical foundation of Torchia remains in the guitar-driven extreme metal our fans know and love.”
Over the course of the campaign, Torchia has demonstrated a clear artistic evolution from the more traditional thrash-oriented roots of their early years toward a darker and more expansive sound, drawing comparisons to acts such as Behemoth, Cradle of Filth, and Children of Bodom.
With “They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness”, Torchia does not simply continue the path opened by “Arcane Magicae” – they consolidate it with greater confidence, stronger songwriting, and a far more cohesive conceptual framework, delivering what stands as the band’s definitive statement to date and one of the most distinctive extreme metal releases to emerge from Finland in recent years.
“They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness” is available now on all digital platforms and physical formats via Rockshots Records.
For fans of Behemoth, Cradle of Filth, and Children of Bodom.
Track Listing: 1. Nekromanteion – 4:23 2. Hellmouth – 4:08 3. Into Hell – 3:38 4. Hellstorm – 3:55 5. Die Amour – 4:12 6. The Tiamat Machine – 5:39 7. Black Cat – 3:19 8. Stygian Waters – 4:05 9. Sanguine Masquerade – 4:46 Album Length: 38:05
Torchia is proud to announce their “They Are Born Under Rules Of The Darkness” European Tour 2026 With the addition of Berlin
Torchia is proud to announce their “They Are Born Under Rules Of The Darkness” European Tour 2026
With the addition of Berlin and Yverdon, the tour schedule is now complete! The cursed voyage begins with the album release weekend in Helsinki and Turku with Bloody Falls as the supporting act! The journey continues through the Baltics with As the Sun Falls The band is honored to join the ’True Finnish Samurai Metal’ warriors Whispered in support of their ’Return of the Shogunate European Tour’ together with Scar Of The Sun and Ceremony!
Remaining shows: 13.5. FI Lahti, Ravintola Torvi * 15.5. LV Liepāja, Fontaine Palace & 16.5. LT Kaunas, Klubas Lemmy & 17.5. LT Vilnius, Paviljonas & 19.5. PL Warsaw, Metal Cave % 22.5. DE Berlin, Die Spirale % 23.5. DE Hamburg, Stellwerk % 24.5. DK Copenhagen, Stengade % 25.5. DE Oberhausen, Helvete % 26.5. CH Aarburg, Musigburg % 27.5. CH Yverdon, Les Citron Masque % 28.5. BE Kortrijk, Club DVG % 29.5. DE Leipzig, Hellraiser % 30.5. CZ Prague, Subzero % 31.5. PL Kraków, Club Gwarek % 13.6. FI Tampere, Kotelo % #Co-headline with Bloody Fall # *Lahti Metal BBQ Club with King Satan &Baltics with As The Sun Falls %Supporting Whispered with Scar of the Sun and Ceremony
Torchia Line-Up: Nox: Vocals Villemorte: Lead guitar, Vocals Henri von Hardy: Guitar Vulkan: Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals Vincent Oscar Mill: Drums
More info: https://www.rockshots.eu/ https://www.instagram.com/curseoftorchia/ https://www.facebook.com/TorchiaOfficial/
Swedish power metal force TUNGSTEN are ready to unleash their fifth studio album “Ashes”, set for release on October 9 via PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, and celebrate the announcement with their brand-new video single “Joker.” The band has further revealed co-headline tour dates with INDUCTION; find all dates listed below!
About the new single, guitarist Nick Johansson remembers; “In 2015 I randomly stumbled across a clip of Franzl Lang. I was seriously impressed by how insanely good he was at yodeling, so I went through a short Franzl phase. Not long after that I was standing by a lake with a perfect echo and decided to try a little yodel myself. It sounded absolutely terrible, of course but, I immediately understood the technique. Since then I’ve only yodeled for fun now and then. Somehow, after almost 10 years of casual nonsense-yodeling, it has quietly improved on its own.”
Lead singer Mike Andersson adds; “Joker” is a real stompy banger! I’ll never forget the reactions from our friends and partners at Reigning Phoenix Music when we played them the demo over dinner in Stuttgart. The excitement around the table was amazing.
Following a strong entry into the metal scene with their 2019 debut “We Will Rise” and a steady rise through albums like“Tundra,” and “Bliss,” the band now return with a powerful new chapter. Between touring and live performances throughout 2025, TUNGSTEN focused on writing material for their upcoming album, aiming to create a worthy follow-up to 2024’s “The Grand Inferno.”
“Ashes” sees TUNGSTEN continue their crusade, delivering irresistible metal with anthemic choruses and a fresh surge of energy that pushes their signature sound even further. The album captures everything the band stands for: powerful songwriting, massive hooks, and a dynamic mix of melody and heaviness that makes it one of their strongest and most focused releases to date!
1. Joker 2. Bite My Tongue 3. Fuego Del Sol 4. Supernova 5. Happy 6. Ted The Exorcist 7. Sunshine Of Fall 8. The North Will Rise (feat. Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica) 9. For Thee 10. Ruin 11. The Forge
About TUNGSTEN
Originally formed in 2016 by drummer Anders Johansson together with his sons Nick and Karl Johansson, TUNGSTEN soon completed their lineup with vocalist Mike Andersson and quickly established themselves as a force in the European metal scene. With a sound rooted in classic heavy metal but sharpened by a contemporary edge, the band has built a reputation for powerful songwriting, a clear identity and relentless forward momentum, earning growing attention well beyond their Scandinavian home base.
The band has toured extensively alongside acts such as Bloodbound, Firewind, Sonata Arctica and All For Metal, and appeared at major festivals including Sweden Rock Festival, Leyendas Del Rock, Midalidare Metal Fest and Riverside Rock Fest, continuously building a strong live reputation. In July 2026, TUNGSTEN is confirmed to perform at Germany’s RockHarz Festival, among many more live appearances in support of their much-awaited new album “Ashes”. Find all upcoming dates HERE.
INDUCTION & TUNGSTEN LIVE – ANTHEMS OF STEEL TOUR 2026:
07.10.26 – DE – Herford @ Kulturwerk 08.10.26 – DE – München @ Backstage 09.10.26 – DE – Leipzig @ Hellraiser 10.10.26 – DE – Passau @ Zauberberg 11.10.26 – DE – Karlsruhe @ Die Stadtmitte 12.10.26 – CH – Aarburg @ Musigburg 13.10.26 – AT – Salzburg @ Rockhouse 14.10.26 – DE – Mörlenbach @ Live Music Hall 15.10.26 – DE – Hamburg @ Bahnhof Pauli 16.10.26 – DE – Lingen @ Alter Schlachthof 17.10.26 – DE – Solingen @ Laut und Hart Festival 18.10.26 – DE – Selb @ Rockclub Bayern
Melancholost is a German occult rock & metal project founded by musician and producer Sven The Axe. Known for his long-standing work as the frontman of the heavy-metal band Solemnity, Sven launched Melancholost as a darker, more atmospheric outlet for his musical and lyrical ideas.
Emerging from the underground German rock and metal scene, Melancholost blends elements of occult rock, gothic atmosphere, and melancholic dark rock, creating a sound that stands apart from Sven’s earlier heavy-metal work. While Solemnity built its reputation on classic heavy metal themes of battle and dark fantasy, Melancholost explores more introspective territory – ritualistic symbolism, mysticism, existential melancholy, and the shadowy aesthetics of occult traditions.
Today, MELANCHOLOST release their new single & video for the song “The Book Of Thoth“.
“Just one more week until my new project, MELANCHOLOST, is unveiled! Here’s a second track from it called “The Book Of Thoth”, inspired by the great Aleister Crowley and his work on the legacy of ancient Egypt. This dark track burrows straight into your brain and you can feel the energy flowing down your spine. Most of you probably only think of magic when you hear Crowley’s name – even black magic – but that’s utter nonsense. Did you know he was a master of yoga and other arts, and that he invented his own tarot deck?”, asks Sven the Axe and explains about the video: “I love the possibilities of creating cool visualisations for songs with the help of AI, as you can turn any story into moving images, no matter how surreal it is. I also love Alex’s organic drums on this track, which are wonderfully pounding and heavy, just like the old Solitude Aeternus days!”
Musically, Melancholost is characterized by haunting melodies, slow-burning guitar riffs, and a brooding vocal style that balances theatrical intensity with introspective melancholy. The project draws inspiration from the darker corners of rock and metal history, combining vintage occult rock moods with modern atmospheric production.
As a creative vehicle, Melancholost allows Sven to take on a broader role beyond performance—handling songwriting, conceptual themes, and artistic direction. The project reflects his long experience within the German underground metal scene while opening a new chapter focused on mood, symbolism, and emotional depth.
Though still relatively obscure, Melancholost represents an evolution of Sven’s artistic identity: a project dedicated to the intersection of dark rock, esoteric imagery, and melancholic atmosphere.
The album was recorded as a trio featuring two close friends on drums and additional keyboards that like to stay anonymous while Sven performed everything else.
It is planned to play several hand selected haunted stage shows if there is request so watch out for a ground breaking stage experience concept to be released.
Tracklist:
I: Alkahest I – The Primal Fire 4:27min II: If This World Would Be Eden 4:20 min III: Liber 777 4:56 min IV: Another Brick On The he Head 5:01 min V: Wolves By Midnight 4:03min VI: Abramelin 5:01 min VII: The Book Of Thoth 4:13 min VIII: The Swan 3:50 min IX: These Bleeding Kisses 4:17 min X: Red Wine & Black Roses 4:36 min XI: The Raven 4:09 min XII: Golden Dawn 5:07 min XIII: Graveyard Of Broken Dreams 3:58 min XIV: Alkahest II – The Hope 4:38 min XV: Frozen In Time 3:54 min
All songs and lyrics written by Sven The Axe
Band: Sven The Axe – vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards Richard The Sword – keyboards, backing vocals Alexander The Shield – drums, backing vocals
on May 8, 2026, RESTLESS SPIRIT released their acclaimed self-titled album, which among more great early reviews, scored #3 in the soundcheck of Metal.de, an 8/10 in Belgian print magazine Rock Tribune, and a strong 9/10 from US based AllFatherMetal.com. You can get the albumatTHIS LOCATION
“Restless Spirit” arrives just ahead of the band’s massive co-headling US-tourwith GOZU that kicks off at the Alchemy in Providence, RI on MAY 12, 2026.
Listen to ‘Restless Spirit’ here:
RESTLESS SPIRIT comment: “This record is the culmination of more than a decade of hard work“, Paul Aloisio states on behalf of the band. “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned out on the road and in the studio and put it towards creating something that means a hell of a lot to us. This is our heaviest, most emotional album to date, and we sincerely hope it resonates with you all. Thanks for sticking around for the ride, and come see us on tour!“
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.
RESTLESS SPIRIT live US 2026 with GOZU 24 MAY 2026 Providence, RI (US) Alchemy 26 MAY 2026 Rochester, NY (US) Photo City 27 MAY 2026 Erie, PA (US) Centennial Hall 29 MAY 2026 Lansing, MI (US) The Green Door 30 MAY 2026 Chicago, IL (US) Reggies Music Joint 31 MAY 2026 Minneapolis, MN (US) 7th St Entry 2 JUN 2026 Kansas City, MO (US) The Record Bar 3 JUN 2026 Denver, CO (US) HQ 4 JUN 2026 Salt Lake City, UT (US) DLC at Quarters Arcade 5 JUN 2026 Boise, ID (US) The Shredder 6 JUN 2026 Seattle, WA (US) The Funhouse 7 JUN 2026 Portland, OR (US) High Water Mark 9 JUN 2026 Sacramento, CA (US) Cafe Colonial 10 JUN 2026 San Luis Obispo, CA (US) Humdinger Brewing 11 JUN 2026 Los Angeles, CA (US) Knucklehead 12 JUN 2026 Sierra Vista, AZ (US) PC’s Lounge 13 JUN 2026 Tucson, AZ (US) The Rock 14 JUN 2026 El Paso, TX (US) Club 101 16 JUN 2026 Austin, TX (US) The Lost Well 17 JUN 2026 New Orleans, LA (US) Siberia 18 JUN 2026 Nashville, TN (US) Eastside Bowl 19 JUN 2026 Atlanta, GA (US) Bogg’s Social & Supply 20 JUN 2026 West Columbia, SC (US) New Brookland Tavern 21 JUN 2026 Raleigh, NC (US) Chapel of Bones 23 JUN 2026 Richmond, VA (US) The Camel 24 JUN 2026 Baltimore, MD (US) Metro Gallery 25 JUN 2026 Brooklyn, NY (US) Gold Sounds 26 JUN 2026 Philadelphia, PA (US) Nikki Lopez 27 JUN 2026 Cambridge , MA(US) Middle East Upstairs
Band: Restless Spirit Album title: Restless Spirit Style: US Heavy Metal Release date: May 8, 2026 Label: Magnetic Eye Records Review impact date: April 6, 2026
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)
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
