Walls of Babylon have released a new music video “Epilogue”, taken from the upcoming album Aeons Apart, available January 9, 2026 via Wanikiya Record/Promotion
Walls of Babylon are ready to unveil their new music video “Epilogue”, to be released on December 15. The video represents the final narrative piece of the highly anticipated album Aeons Apart, officially available from January 9, 2026 through Wanikiya Record/Promotion.
EPILOGUE – The meaning behind the final track
“Epilogue” is not merely the closing track of the album, but the key to understanding the entire narrative journey. In this song, we discover that all the stories told throughout the previous tracks are nothing more than the creations of a lonely writer: an author who, in order to escape a life drained of meaning, found refuge in the worlds he imagined.
In his final act, the writer addresses the characters he created as if they were real. He apologizes to them for dragging them into complex choices, pain, and dangerous adventures… and at the same time, he thanks them. He thanks them on his deathbed for having been by his side at every moment of his inner journey, sharing with him loves, tragedies, fears, values, and those muffled screams against a world that never understood nor accepted him.
“Epilogue” is his final breath: a farewell, a thank you, an artistic testament.
Aeons Apart – A concept album of memory, loss, and rebirth
The new Walls of Babylon album is not simply a collection of songs; it is a tapestry of stories, an emotional journey where each track stands as its own chapter while remaining connected to a greater design.
Thanks to the extraordinary collaboration with Marco Ricco (Icon of Ember) – described by the band as their personal “Paul O’Neill” – the concept and lyrics took shape as a true musical novel, rich in symbolism, emotion, and subtle connections.
TRACKLIST
Silent Guilt Eternal Hunt Tales of Luminescence Ashen Hero Starblight Once Again Lies to Gold Blood for Blood Epilogue
With “Alive or Undead”, POWERWOLF offer another spectacular glimpse into their upcoming live album Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle), out February 27, 2026, via Napalm Records. Originally released on the bombastic Call Of The Wild(2021), the song unfolds its full, overwhelming power in this new live version — an anthemic powerhouse that embodies the inimitable intensity of a POWERWOLF show in its purest form.
Filmed at the completely sold-out Olympiahalle in Munich during the Wolfsnächte Tour 2024, “Alive or Undead” captures the electrifying atmosphere of this very special evening: gigantic energy, opulent dramaturgy, brute force, and a rousing, euphoric interaction with the audience that transforms the song into a powerful, choral stage moment that completely captivates the hall. With this impressive live interpretation, POWERWOLF once again underline that they are an unmatched force!
POWERWOLF on Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle): “We always knew that no words or short recap videos could truly capture what we experienced together during the Wolfsnächte 2024 tour. Every night was its own kind of magic – still, we wanted to find a way to hold on to those memories and share them in the most powerful way possible. That’s why we decided to record the full, massive, sold-out show at the Olympiahalle in Munich – to preserve just a piece of what we all felt on this tour. Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle) is more than a live release. It’s a tribute and manifestation to the moments we created together.”
Get your copy of Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle) HERE
What began as an unconventional project in 2004 has since evolved into one of the most successful metal phenomena worldwide. Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle) documents POWERWOLF’s unrelenting rise to the top, showcasing a performance that goes far beyond a metal concert. From a fire-breathing church organ and thunderous pyro spectacles to dark, operetta-like storytelling and rousing crowd interaction, this show is pure heavy metal theater at its finest. Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle) is an absolute must-have for every music lover. It will be available in multiple formats including Blu-Ray, DVD, CD and Vinyl as well as a Deluxe Boxset, Earbook, Mediabook, and several other Collectors Editions, featuring exclusive bonus content.
On Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle), each song is visually reimagined with a changing digital stage set, timed effects, and theatrical elements: monks with torches, falling snow on a burning piano, and a fiery execution scene that rivals shock rock’s greatest icons. Classics like “Army Of The Night”, “Amen & Attack”, “Armata Strigoi”, and “Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend” come alive in larger-than-life arrangements, while emotional highlights like “Alive or Undead” bring the audience to tears. The interplay between frontman Attila Dorn and organist Falk Maria Schlegel turns every moment into an unforgettable ritual.
Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle) is more than just a celebration of past triumphs – it marks the beginning of a powerful new chapter in the band’s unstoppable journey. POWERWOLF have long transcended genre boundaries – their shows are cult-like celebrations of metal, emotion, and art. With Wildlive (Live at Olympiahalle), they once again prove that what they create is beyond music – it is religion.
POWERWOLF LIVE 2025
With the Summer Of The Wicked tour through Europe and their triumphant return to the USA and Canada just behind them, the wolves are ready to conquer the biggest stages worldwide once again! POWERWOLF will raise the banners high once more and conquer Europe during their Wake Up The Wicked Tour, which includes their first show at the legendary OVO Arena Wembley for an exclusive United Kingdom show – a night destined to go down in metal history! The band is also already confirmed to return to some of the biggest metal festivals: beyond others, POWERWOLF will headline the monumental Wacken Open Air next summer!
Wake Up The Wicked Tour 2026 Very Special Guest HammerFall & Special Guest Wind Rose 19.02.26 DK – Copenhagen / K.B. Hallen 20.02.26 NO – Oslo / Unity Arena 21.02.26 SE – Stockholm / Hovet 23.02.26 FI – Helsinki / Black Box (Ice Hall) 25.02.26 SE – Gothenburg / Scandinavium 27.02.26 DE – Bremen / ÖVB Arena 28.02.26 DE – Dusseldorf / PSD Bank Dome 01.03.26 DE – Nuremberg / Arena Nürnberger Versicherung 03.03.26 DE – Leipzig / Quarterback Immobilien Arena 04.03.26 DE – Neu-Ulm / Ratiopharm Arena 05.03.26 DE – Mannheim / SAP Arena 07.03.26 UK – London / OVO Wembley Arena
Festival Shows 2026 26.06.26 DE – Büren / Büren Open Air 05.07.26 ES – Barcelona / Rock Fest Barcelona 11.07.26 BG – Mogilovo / Midalidare Rock in the Wine Valley 29.07.-01.08.26 DE – Wacken / Wacken Open Air 08.08.26 DE – Hamburg / Elbriot Festival 09.08.26 BE – Kortrijk / Alcatraz Open Air 14.08.26 CZ – Moravsky Krumlov / Rock Castle 16.08.26 CH – Cudrefin / Rock The Lakes 28.08.26 DE – Coburg / HUK Open Air Sommer 29.08.26 DE – St. Goarshausen / Loreley
POWERWOLF are: Attila Dorn – vocals Falk Maria Schlegel – organ Charles Greywolf – guitar Matthew Greywolf – guitar Roel van Helden – drums
Inspired by a famous monologue from legendary 80s blockbuster Blade Runner, TAILGUNNER dive into epic songwriting with the second single from their upcoming album, Midnight Blitz, out on February 6, 2026 via Napalm Records. “Tears In Rain”, named after a phrase the movie’s antagonist, Roy Batty, uses in his last words, showcases TAILGUNNER frontman Craig Cairns’ broad vocal skills and the band’s ability to deliver huge, infectious choruses. No wonder the young British band even got heavy metal legend K. K. Downing himself on board as producer. “Tears In Rain” – contrary to the original movie quote – will definitely not be lost in time!
TAILGUNNER about “Tears In Rain”: “‘Lost in time, like Tears in Rain…’ The most iconic monologue in cinematic history, and one of most legendary on-screen moments of the 80s. ‘Blade Runner’ has been a focal point throughout writing our new album, and none more so than here, on our new single ‘Tears in Rain’. Carrying a chorus for the ages, this is a track we can’t wait to take out on the road and have you sing with us, deep into the night. Made for those moments where the light fades and things get that little more epic, ‘Tears in Rain’ is an all-time anthem, here for the modern day.”
TAILGUNNER unleashes their second album, Midnight Blitz, out February 6, 2026 via Napalm Records. Bursting onto the scene in 2022, their sophomore work draws heavily from classic British Heavy Metal, but just like those influences, the band are determined to push forward. Always crafting their sound and building on what they have, whilst never compromising on what they started with – Pure Heavy Metal. In an astonishingly short time, the emerging British heavy metal talent have found support in the very heroes they follow: after making a strong impression supporting KK’s Priest, legendary guitarist K.K. Downing went on to produce the upcoming album, Midnight Blitz.
Midnight Blitz is classic Heavy Metal without being pastiche. This is a band for the here and now – not just worshipping at the altar, but determined to stand upon it as the Metal Gods of a whole new generation of headbangers. TAILGUNNER prove their skills effortlessly, carving themselves out as Heavy Metal’s future and grabbing the torch from the legends themselves. Catchy hooks, killer riffs, and appealing to every heavy metal fan – join K.K. Downing and discover your new heroes now!
TAILGUNNER about Midnight Blitz: “Like phantoms of the clouds, the Midnight Blitz screams silently through the air. Descending on their prey, a Heavy Metal militia striking at the speed of sound. Only blood can run! Whilst touring our debut album, we were described by one roadie as ‘The bastard child of Maiden & Priest’ and that became the ethos for our new album Midnight Blitz. Just like our fore bearers, we are determined to push forward, always crafting our sound and building on what we have, whilst never compromising on what we started with – Pure Heavy Metal! We are not just worshipping at the altar of those who have gone before, but determined to stand upon it and be the heroes for a whole new generation! We played over 100 shows touring our debut album, sharing the stages with some of the most legendary names in Metal while paying our dues in blood, sweat, tears and endless nights out on the road. Everything we learned is on display here, packed into 10 tracks in what we feel can be a true, essential TAILGUNNER album. Produced by none other than the Metal guitar God K.K. Downing, working closely with K.K. during this entire process has been the ride of a lifetime and you can hear those touches of a bonafide Metal God throughout this album!”
K.K. Downing on TAILGUNNER: “TAILGUNNER is a band we should have seen emerge years ago from the UK. They personify everything that is heavy metal. They are loud and proud, and totally descended from everyone in metal that has gone before – their energy and rawness, together with their brand of metal, incorporates all of the godfathers and much more. Maiden, Priest, Motörhead, Def Leppard – the list is endless. The band has a youthful freshness and a uniqueness that will no doubt elevate them to being a true Metal favourite of the fans.”
The ambitious quintet fires with more precision than ever before on 10 versatile tracks. An air raid siren stands as harbinger of the onslaught from the powerful title track, “Midnight Blitz”, in which blitzkrieg drums and screaming twin lead guitars serve as a powerful sign of what is to come.
“Follow Me In Death” boasts TAILGUNNER’s Maiden-esque approach to grandiose, heavy melodies, while ‘The Lost Boys’-inspired “Dead Until Dark” turns up the 80s vibes full throttle. With “Barren Lands and Seas of Red”, the young British band prove they have epics in their arsenal, continuing to intertwine catchy choruses with manic, thrash tinged riffs before letting audiences catch their breaths during the modern classic ballad “War In Heaven” – goosebumps guaranteed! The following “Blood Sacrifice” ups the tempo significantly and offers numerous opportunities to raise your fist and shout along, while “Night Raids” and “Eye Of The Storm” add triumphant notes, respectively, preparing for the grand finale. The epic, Power Metal feel of “Eulogy” wraps Midnight Blitz up masterfully, shifting from gently orchestrated melodies and memorable vocals before exploding into Speed Metal fireworks.
Midnight Blitz tracklisting:
Midnight Blitz
Tears In Rain
Follow Me In Death
Dead Until Dark
Barren Lands And Seas Of Red
War In Heaven
Blood Sacrifice
Night Raids
Eye Of The Storm
Eulogy
AILGUNNER LIVE 2026
With HAMMERFALL 14.01.26 CH – Pratteln / Konzertfabrik Z7 15.01.26 CH – Lausanne / Les Docks 17.01.26 ES – Barcelona / Razzmatazz 18.01.26 ES – Murcia / Mamba 20.01.26 ES – Sevilla / Custom 21.01.26 PT – Lisbon / Republica Da Musica 22.01.26 PT – Porto / Hard Club 23.01.26 ES – Madrid / La Riviera 24.01.26 ES – Villava / Sala Totem 26.01.26 IT – Milan / Alcatraz
30.01.26 WL – Porthcawl, Wales / Planet Rock Winters End Festival
Tour Support for Fozzy’s “Eyes On You” Tour 06.02.26 EN – Brighton, England / Chalk 07.02.26 EN – Margate, England / Dreamland 08.02.26 EN – Manchester, England / The Ritz 10.02.26 EN – Norwich, England / Epic Studios 11.02.26 EN – Bradford, England / Nightrain 13.02.26 EN – Nottingham, England / Rock City 14.02.26 SC – Glasgow, Scotland / TV Studios 15.02.26 EN – Newcastle, England / Boiler Shop 17.02.26 WL – Cardiff, Wales / Tramshed 18.02.26 EN – Torquay, England / The Foundry 19.02.26 EN – Southampton, England / The 1865 20.02.26 EN – London, England / Electric Ballroom 21.02.26 EN – Wolverhampton, England / KK’s Steel Mill
Summer Festivals 2026 05.06.26 IS – Stykkishólmur / Sátan Festival 06.06.26 SE – Sölvesborg / Sweden Rock Festival 13.06.26 UK – Donington Park / Download Festival 26.06.26 CZ – Spálené Poříčí / Basinfire Fest 27.06.26 DE – Dischingen / Rock Am Härtsfeldsee 04.07.26 DE – Ballenstedt / Rock Harz 07.07.26 NO – Trondheim / Trondheim Rocks Festival 18.07.26 UK – Maidstone / Maid of Stone Festival 06.08.26 ES – Villena / Leyendas Del Rock 08.08.26 BE – Kortrijk / Alcatraz 09.08.26 DE – Geiselwind / Keep It True Legions Festival 15.08.26 NL – Eindhoven / Dynamo Metal Fest 21.08.26 DE – Pellingen / Hells Pells Festival 05.09.26 UK – Coventry / Hella Rock Festival (Coventry Empire)
TAILGUNNER are: Craig Cairns – Vocals Rhea Thompson – Lead Guitar Zach Salvini – Lead Guitar Bones – Bass Guitar Eddie Mariotti – Drums
Songwriter/mastermind Jürgen Walzer has created an extraordinary fantasy saga with the DISPYRIA Saga, story metal of incredible intensity that has few equals. In addition to familiar characters (voiced by Zak Stevens (Savatage), among others), Carolina Padrón (Tribus) enters the DISPYRIA world as a new guest singer:
Jürgen Walzer: “I discovered Carolina Padrón online – and sometimes it’s exactly these moments that change everything. When I first saw one of her Nightwish cover videos on YouTube, I instantly knew: this voice is something special. Carolina is not only an incredibly kind and inspiring person – she has a clear, powerful voice with an emotional range that perfectly matches everything I was looking for in Dispyria. What impressed me even more: Carolina is also an outstanding growl vocalist. I am truly proud to have such an exceptional talent as part of this journey.”
Juergen Walzer comes from Kaiserslautern and is a versatile media designer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and the creative mind behind DISPYRIA. His musical journey began in 1986 with the founding of the band Superior—inspired by greats such as Iron Maiden, Ayreon, and Savatage.
DISPYRIA was launched in 2012 and also marked a personal turning point: Suffering from severe depression, Juergen Walzer found an outlet for his inner pain in music and in the fictional story of Josh Devon. The first two albums in particular are closely interwoven with his own experiences – such as the ballad “Tears of an Angel,” which deals with the loss of a miscarriage.
Tracklist: 01 – After Dawn 02 – I Am Nothing 03 – Master Of Mirrors 04 – The Revelation 05 – Father 06 – David’s Nightmare 07 – The First Of Its Kind 08 – Light Of A Dream 09 – Red Requiem 10 – Twisted World
Cover by Timo Wuerz!
Line-up: Juergen Walzer – Guitars, Bass, Programming Zak Stevens (Lead Vocals on 1, 4, 8) Sabrina Roth (Lead Vocals on 1, 2) Damiano Libianci (Lead Vocals on 2) Carolina Padron (Lead Vocals on 3,6) Carsten “Lizard” Schulz (Lead Vocals on 5, 10) Rob Lundgren (Lead Vocals on 7) Dennis Ohler (Lead Vocals on 9)
Sven Sommer (Fretless Bass) on 2 Markus Pfeffer (Leadguitars on 1, 4, 5, 7) Markus Teske (Synth-Lead on 10)
February 20, 2026 DISPYRIA – The Live Experience! Kammgarn Kaiserslautern
ANDRZEJ CITOWICZ and his wife SHEREEN, performing as CITOVITZ AND THE FIREFLIES OF FEBRUARY, have released “Light Up The World,” the culminating single from an intensive two-month period of Christmas and holiday songwriting. Available now on all major streaming platforms with an official lyric video on YouTube, the track represents both the finale of their seasonal collection and a defining statement about finding light in darkness.
Over the past two months, Citowicz has created a substantial body of Christmas and holiday music—songs that blend hard rock sensibilities with traditional holiday spirit, ranging from full-throttle rock arrangements to intimate, contemplative moments.
“I wrote a lot of Christmas and holiday songs these last two months,” Citowicz explains. “More or less hard rock, but always with that touch of holiday spirit. Some were aggressive, some were tender, but all of them were honest. ‘Light Up The World’ is the one that brings it all together—it’s how we’re choosing to end this musical preparation for Christmas time.”
The creative surge resulted in multiple releases, including the Italian-language duo tracks “Notte Di Stelle” and “Un Altro Domani,” the reimagined “Not So Silent Night” EP featuring instrumentals transformed with vocals, and various standalone holiday compositions. “Light Up The World” arrives as the final piece—the statement that completes the seasonal narrative.
A DUO DEFINED BY SURVIVAL
“Light Up The World” marks another collaboration between Citowicz and his wife Shereen, continuing their journey as a musical duo that began with their first recordings together earlier this year.
“This is another duo with my wife, Shereen, and we are incredibly proud of it,” Citowicz states. “Every song we’ve made together this season has been special, but this one feels like the culmination. It says what we’ve been trying to say all along—that you can be broken and still bring light. That pain doesn’t disqualify you from hope.”
The couple’s collaborative work emerged from profound personal tragedy. Following the loss of their stillborn son Jonasz at 17 weeks—an event that became the central focus of Citowicz’s recent album Living Room Rockstar Part 2—music became their shared language for processing grief and rediscovering joy.
“After Jonasz, everything changed,” Citowicz reflects. “Music had always been my therapy, my language, my way of surviving. But making music with Shereen—discovering her voice, creating these songs together—that became something new. It became our way forward, together.”
THE FIREFLIES OF FEBRUARY CONCEPT
The artist moniker “Citovitz and The Fireflies of February” carries significant meaning, representing those who create light during the darkest seasons.
“Fireflies glow in summer, when everything’s already bright,” Citowicz explains. “But what about February? What about the coldest, darkest months? That’s when light matters most. That’s who we are—people who’ve been through the worst and still choose to glow. Not because we’re healed, not because we’re whole, but because someone else needs that light.”
This philosophy permeates “Light Up The World,” both lyrically and thematically. The song’s cover artwork—a fractured heart glowing red against darkness with fireflies escaping into the night—visualizes the central message: brokenness doesn’t preclude beauty, and wounded people can still illuminate the world for others.
LYRICS THAT CUT TO TRUTH
Shereen Citowicz contributed significantly to the song’s lyrical content, bringing raw honesty about surviving pain while choosing hope.
“Shereen writes with this honesty that destroys me every time,” Citowicz shares. “She wrote lines like ‘Light up the world, even when you’re breaking inside’ and ‘You don’t need to be healed to help heal others.’ That’s not poetry for the sake of poetry—that’s lived experience. That’s what we’ve learned by surviving together.”
The song explores counter-cultural Christmas themes: imperfection, struggle, choosing love despite pain, and the radical idea that broken people have unique capacity to bring comfort to others facing brokenness. “Christmas songs often pretend everything’s fine,” Citowicz notes. “Everyone’s happy, everyone’s whole, everyone’s celebrating. But that’s not real life. Real life is people struggling through December, missing someone they lost, feeling broken during a season that demands joy. We wanted to make a Christmas song for those people—for us.”
MUSICAL APPROACH
Musically, “Light Up The World” balances Citowicz’s hard rock foundations with accessible holiday warmth. The arrangement features his signature guitar work—influenced by formative heroes like Jon Bon Jovi and Desmond Child—combined with contemporary production and the couple’s dual vocal approach.
“I’ve spent these two months exploring what Christmas rock can be,” Citowicz explains. “Some songs leaned heavy, some leaned soft, but all of them kept that rock spirit. ‘Light Up The World’ found the sweet spot—it’s got power, it’s got hooks, it’s got heart. It rocks, but it also comforts. That balance felt right for ending this journey.”
The production, recorded in Citowicz’s home studio in Cairo, Egypt, maintains the intimate quality that has defined his recent work while achieving professional polish suitable for mainstream streaming platforms.
SHEREEN CITOWICZ: DISCOVERING A VOICE
The project continues showcasing Shereen Citowicz’s vocal abilities—a revelation that emerged during the couple’s first musical collaborations this year after 17 years of marriage.
“We’ve been together 17 years, and I never knew she could sing like this,” Citowicz states with evident pride. “These past two months, watching her grow as a vocalist, watching her confidence build—that’s been one of the greatest gifts of this whole creative period. Her voice carries so much emotion, so much authenticity. She’s not trying to sound like anyone else. She’s just Shereen, and that’s exactly what these songs needed.”
Shereen’s contributions extend beyond vocals to co-writing and creative direction, making their duo a genuine partnership rather than a lead artist with featured guest.
PROUD OF THE JOURNEY
As “Light Up The World” releases, Citowicz expresses deep satisfaction with the body of work created during this intensive period.
“We’re proud of this,” he states simply. “Proud of the songs, proud of the work, proud of what we accomplished together. This single ended our musical preparation for Christmas time exactly how we wanted—with a message that matters, with our voices together, with something we believe in.”
He continues: “I never expected to write this many Christmas songs. I never expected to make them with my wife. I never expected any of this. But here we are, and ‘Light Up The World’ feels like the perfect way to complete this chapter. We said what we needed to say. We created what needed to exist.”
BREAKING THE SILENCE
The song’s title carries additional resonance given Citowicz’s earlier release “Not So Silent Night”—both challenging the idea that holidays should be uniformly joyful and quiet.
“These songs aren’t silent,” Citowicz notes. “They’re loud about pain, loud about hope, loud about the messy reality of being human during a season that often demands perfection. ‘Light Up The World’ is us refusing to be silent about what we’ve survived and what we’ve learned. It’s us saying—loudly—that broken people matter, that wounded hearts can still love, that you don’t need to wait until you’re healed to help someone else heal.”
A MESSAGE FOR STRUGGLING LISTENERS
Beyond artistic achievement, “Light Up The World” carries a pastoral message for listeners navigating their own darkness.
“If you’re struggling this Christmas, if you’re broken, if you’re barely holding on—this song is for you,” Citowicz offers. “You don’t need to pretend you’re okay. You don’t need to fake joy. But maybe, just maybe, you can still be a firefly. Maybe your brokenness is exactly what makes your light valuable to someone else who’s struggling. Maybe we light up the world not despite our cracks, but because of them—because the light shines through.”
LOOKING FORWARD
With “Light Up The World” concluding their Christmas collection, the couple now turns attention to future projects, including Citowicz’s ongoing work reimagining instrumental albums from 2012-2023 with vocal arrangements, and continued exploration of their duo dynamic.
“This Christmas season showed us what we’re capable of together,” Citowicz reflects. “We made a lot of music, tried different styles, pushed ourselves. ‘Light Up The World’ is the end of this particular journey, but it’s also the beginning of understanding ourselves as a duo, as creative partners, as two people who can take pain and transform it into something beautiful.” He adds: “The fireflies will keep glowing. Even in February. Especially in February.”
AVAILABILITY
“Light Up The World” is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and all major streaming platforms. The official lyric video is available on Citowicz’s YouTube channel.
SINGLE INFORMATION: Title: “Light Up The World” Artist: Citovitz and The Fireflies of February (Andrzej Citowicz and Shereen Citowicz) Genre: Christmas Rock / Holiday Music Music & Arrangement: Andrzej Citowicz Lyrics: Andrzej Citowicz and Shereen Citowicz Vocals: Andrzej Citowicz and Shereen Citowicz (duo) Production: Andrzej Citowicz Recorded: Home studio, Cairo, Egypt Release Date: December 2025 Available on: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and all major streaming platforms
About Andrzej Citowicz: Andrzej Citowicz is an acclaimed Polish guitarist and songwriter currently based in Cairo, Egypt. As a former recording artist for DownBoys Records, he has built a reputation for emotionally resonant songwriting and distinctive guitar work. His music combines classic rock influences with contemporary production, creating a sound that bridges generational and cultural gaps while maintaining artistic authenticity. His YouTube channel has garnered over 70,000 views from an international audience.
EYE OF MELIAN unveils the second single off their upcoming album Forest Of Forgetting, out on February 20, 2026 via Napalm Records. “Symphonia Arcana” unfolds with mystical emotion, dynamic shifts, and dramatic orchestral beauty that captivates from start to finish. Unlike any other, the enchanting Tolkien-inspired project founded by Delain mastermind Martijn Westerholt blends symphonic, movie score-like grandeur with singer Johanna Kurkela’s angelic vocals, conjuring an otherworldly, fantasy-inspired realm to lose oneself in. Completed by orchestral arranger Mikko P. Mustonen and backing vocalist and lyricist Robin La Joy, “Symphonia Arcana” serves as a mesmerizing, sonic portal to the lush gardens of Lórien.
Robin La Joy about “Symphonia Arcana”: “When I first heard the sweeping symphonic soundscape that is ‘Symphonia Arcana’, it felt as though the music itself was calling me into another world. Its lush, orchestral sound became like a enchanting spell, unfolding into an autumn wood of vibrant, otherworldly color. The lyrics arose from following that call — letting the music, and the longing within it, lead me beyond the veil into mystery and renewal.”
EYE OF MELIAN open the gates to a different world with their new album Forest Of Forgetting, out February 20th, 2026 via Napalm Records. Named after a powerful primordial singing spirit from the world of J. R. R. Tolkien, EYE OF MELIAN draws inspiration from the master of fantasy and expands on his ethereal concept. Created by Delain’s Martijn Westerholt and featuring Auri’s Johanna Kurkela as a lead vocalist, EYE OF MELIAN’s Forest Of Forgetting is a masterclass in symphonic songwriting so whimsical the real world fades away.
With this opulent album, EYE OF MELIAN extends an invitation to faraway lands full of wonder. Forest Of Forgetting unfolds as quite the opposite of its title: utterly unforgettable.
Martijn Westerholt about Forest Of Forgetting: “This album has been a really inspiring process – both for me as a songwriter and in what each of us brought to it. It has a lot of what EYE OF MELIAN is known for: cinematic, score-like arrangements, minor chords, and those epic, mysterious atmospheres. The lyrics tie everything together; they bring out the worlds and stories that the music hints at and make the whole thing feel complete. The collaboration between us on this record felt very natural. We’ve really found our way of working as a team, and I’m proud of what we created together.”
Completing the all-star lineup on their debut with Napalm Records are orchestral arranger Mikko P. Mustonen and backing vocalist and lyricist Robin La Joy, blessing twelve lush compositions with immortal life. Mesmerizing from the first gentle notes of opening track “Of Willows And Shadows”, Forest Of Forgetting weaves otherworldly piano melodies and epic strings around angelic vocals worthy of the powerful Valar themselves. “Child Of Twilight” deepens EYE OF MELIAN’s dreamy and bombastic Hollywood movie score approach, carefully building up an exceptionally enchanting atmosphere that carries on into the equally cinematic “Blackthorn Winter”, ever so elegantly broadening the view into the alluring realms the band is melodizing. “Dawn Of Avatars” features Nightwish multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley on flute and uilleann pipes, as well as hurdy-gurdy songstress Patty Gurdy, before EYE OF MELIAN turns in the direction of heavy metal with a charming rendition of Bruce Dickinson’s anthem “Tears Of The Dragon” (originally released on Balls To Picasso in 1994 after the singer had left Iron Maiden). Forest Of Forgetting also comes with all its tracks as instrumental versions to dwell in the impressive orchestrals alone.
Forest Of Forgetting tracklisting:
Of Willows and Shadows
Symphonia Arcana
Child of Twilight
Elixir of Night (feat. Patty Gurdy and Troy Donockley)
Blackthorn Winter
Lady of Light
Dawn of Avatars (feat. Patty Gurdy and Troy Donockley)
Forest of Forgetting
The Buried Well
The Mirror
Nepenthe
Tears of the Dragon (Bruce Dickinson Cover)
EYE OF MELIAN Live 2026
20.02.26 NL – Zwolle / Hedon – album release show
Forest of Forgetting Over Finland 10.03.26 FI – Kitee / Kiteesali 12.03.26 FI – Espoo / Sellosali 13.03.26 FI – Kouvola / Pato-klubi 18.03.26 FI – Rovaniemi / Korundi 19.03.26 FI – Kuusamo / Kuusamo-talo 20.03.26 FI – Oulu / Kaupunginteatteri 21.03.26 FI – Raahe / Raahesali 24.03.26 FI – Helsinki / Aleksanterin Teatteri 26.03.26 FI – Turku / Turun Linnan Kuninkaansali 27.03.26 FI – Kuopio / Maxim 28.03.26 FI – Tampere / Tuulensuun Palatsi
EYE OF MELIAN are: Martijn Westerholt – Keys and Orchestra arrangements Johanna Kurkela – Vocals and Violin Robin La Joy – Backing Vocals Mikko P Mustonen – Keys and Orchestra arrangements
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