“Surbile”, the new single by STEFANIA SISTU released through Volcano Records, is available today on all digital platforms. Accompanied by an official concept visualizer available on YouTube, the track represents an intense emotional journey suspended between modern rock sounds, dark atmospheres and a strong introspective component. Drawing influences from the melodic pathos of Evanescence, the gothic suggestions of Within Temptation and the emotional depth of Lacuna Coil, Stefania Sistu builds a personal and recognizable sonic identity, capable of alternating fragility and power within an intense and cinematic musical dimension.
“Surbile” develops through a solid yet evocative sound, where guitars and emotional tension accompany a deep and visceral narrative. At the center of the song lies the figure of the “Surbile”, a dark creature from Sardinian folklore, a disturbing and mysterious presence connected to nightmares, ancestral fears and inner shadows. Stefania Sistu transforms this ancient folk symbol into a contemporary metaphor for emotional torment, anguish and the fragilities hidden within the deepest dimension of the human soul. The result is an intense story suspended between myth and introspection, where folklore becomes a tool to explore universal anxieties. Written by Stefania Sistu and composed by Daniele Pireddu, the song focuses on contrasting emotions and the need to confront one’s inner demons, turning music into a space of liberation and self-awareness. The artist’s voice moves through dark and vibrant atmospheres with great personality, delivering an intense and engaging performance.
Listen to “Surbile” on Spotify, Apple Music and all major digital platforms, and watch the official concept visualizer on YouTube, here:
The Metal Voice’sJimmy Kay spoke in length with documentary “Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer” director Wes Orshoski about the making of the film.
Excerpt
When asked Direct Wes Orshoski about Filming James Hetfield
“ I love Hetfield, I have so much admiration for him. Metallica means so much to me. I was lucky enough to interview Hetfield. He is so impressive, so cool and he is so good at it. And I have such regret because I only had 20 minutes for that interview and he was already cool enough to hold up the records for me (Two Di’anno Maiden Albums). I’m sure I was in the half an hour range (when filming). I was nervous, the interview was more important than anything but I knew that Paul never spoke to Hetfield . There were two bands that were with him (Di’Anno) when he was working out that he listened to. It was Depeche Mode and Metallica. Those were the two bands that he listened to everything I filmed him at physical therapy and I knew he loved them. (During the interview with Hetfield) I was going to call him (Di’Anno), I told Paul to stay around the phone around 3 o’clock, I’m going to call you. Cause I wanted to put Hetfield on the phone with him and I so regret not doing that. “
Cleopatra Entertainment recently announced the theatrical release of the documentary film “Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer” into U.K. cinemas at Birmingham’s Mockingbird Cinema. The film will be released on June 9, 2026 for both the digital and home entertainment DVD/Blu-ray formats.
Featuring appearances by James Hetfield (METALLICA),Gene Simmons (KISS),IRON MAIDEN’s Steve Harris and members of EXODUS, SLAYER, MEGADETH, OVERKILL and SEPULTURA, the film chronicles how two IRON MAIDEN fans encounter Di’Anno at the lowest point of his life and then set out to restore his health and relaunch his career.
Thrash metal powerhouse HAVOK are proud to announce they have officially signed to BLKIIBLK. Bringing in a new era to their prolific career and marking their BLKIIBLK debut, the band shares their new single, “Fifth Generation Warfare,”alongside an official lyric video, available below.
On signing to BLKIIBLK, the band comments:
“We’re excited to sign with a new label that is hungry and eager to make a name for themselves, while still being led by a seasoned veteran. The music we’re releasing with BLKIIBLK is a continuation of HAVOK’s history of fast and tight heavy metal and we can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve been working on.”
On the new single, they add:
“‘Fifth Generation Warfare’ is the first release with our new guitarist, Brett Rechtfertig. The song showcases a wide variety of HAVOK sounds; incorporating guitar harmonies, punk attitude, pummeling drums, bass lines that deviate from the guitar parts, and a message about a gnarly topic, while still leaning into optimism. A lot of HAVOK lyrics discuss negative topics, but we always try to put a positive spin on things.”
Mike Gitter, Global Head of A&R for Frontiers Label Group and BLKIIBLK Label Head, comments on the signing:
“BLKIIBLK is proud to chart a new chapter for thrash metal as an international force with HAVOK. [HAVOK leader] David Sanchez continues to reenergize his music with the ferocity, technicality, and incisive lyrical word-fare that makes HAVOK not just accolytes but masters of their steely game.”
In addition to the new single, HAVOK recently announced tours in the United States, Latin America, and Europe. The carnage will begin with a pair of headline shows kicking off June 1st in Omaha, NE. Two days later on June 3rd in Detroit, MI, HAVOK joins up withKillswitch Engage, Machine Head, and Iron Reagan for a US tour. A complete list of dates can be found below.
HAVOK Live:
w/ Killswitch Engage, Machine Head and Iron Reagan June 1, 2026 – Omaha, NE @ Reverb Lounge* June 2, 2026 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar* June 3, 2026 – Detroit, MI @ Fillmore June 5, 2026 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fillmore June 6, 2026 – Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest June 7, 2026 – South Bend, IN @ Four Winds Field June 9, 2026 – Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz June 11, 2026 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount June 12, 2026 – Boston, MA @ Roadrunner June 13, 2026 – Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center June 14, 2026 – Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819** June 16, 2026 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live June 17, 2026 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle June 19, 2026 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom June 20, 2026 – Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center June 21, 2026 – San Antonio, TX @ Boeing Center at Tech Port June 23, 2026 – Albuquerque, NM @ Revel Entertainment Center June 24, 2026 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee June 25, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium June 26, 2026 – Bakersfield, CA @ Temblor Brewing* June 27, 2026 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield *Havok w/ local support **Havok & Iron Reagan
Latin America 2026 July 2, 2026 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Fu*k Off Room July 3, 2026 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Fu*k Off Room July 4, 2026 – San Salvador, El Salvador @ Simmer Down July 5, 2026 – San José, Costa Rica @ Mercado La California July 9, 2026 – Montevideo, Uruguay @ Sala Live Era July 10, 2026 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ The Roxy Club July 11, 2026 – Santiago, Chile @ Sala RBX July 13, 2026 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Manifesto
w/ Blood Red Throne, Xonor and Eradikated September 10, 2026 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Das Bett September 11, 2026 – Bochum, Germany @ Matrix September 12, 2026 – Eindhoven, Netherlands @ Dynamo September 13, 2026 – Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique September 15, 2026 – Bristol, UK @ The Fleece September 16, 2026 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms September 17, 2026 – Dublin, Ireland @ Whelans September 18, 2026 – Manchester, UK @ Rebellion September 19, 2026 – London, UK @ The Dome September 21, 2026 – Paris, France @ Petit Bain September 22, 2026 – Nantes, France @ Ferrailleur September 23, 2026 – Madrid, Spain @ Revi Live September 24, 2026 – Barcelona, Spain @ Salamandra September 25, 2026 – Lyon, France @ O Totem September 26, 2026 – Aarau, Switzerland @ Kiff September 27, 2026 – Milan, Italy @ Lime Club September 29, 2026 – München, Germany @ Backstage September 30, 2026 – Budapest, Hungary @ Durer Kert October 1, 2026 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Futurum October 2, 2026 – Warsaw, Poland @ Hydrozagadka October 4, 2026 – Berlin, Germany @ SO36 October 5, 2026 – Hamburg, Germany @ Logo October 6, 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Stengade October 7, 2026 – Oslo, Norway @ John Dee October 8, 2026 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Kollektivet Livet October 10, 2026 – Helsinki, Finland @ Ääniwalli
We can only move forward when we understand what came before. HAVOK possess an airtight grasp on the fundamentals of thrash, enabling them to usher the genre into the fire of the future. The Colorado quartet lock and load throat-slicing guitars with breakneck rhythms and venomously vitriolic vocals. After piling up tens of millions of streams and earning acclaim from Metal Hammer, Loudwire, Consequence of Sound, and many more, the band ignited their first independent release, the ‘New Eyes’ EP, in 2024.
HAVOK have never stopped pushing forward without apology. Thus far, they’ve unleashed a series of fan favorite albums, including ‘Burn’ [2009], ‘Time Is Up’ [2011], ‘Unnatural Selection’ [2013], ‘Conformicide’ [2017], and ’V’ [2020]. The latter represented a critical high watermark with Metal Hammer proclaiming, “HAVOK have nailed 21st century thrash.”
Along the way, the group also lit up stages on tour around the world with the likes of Megadeth, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Testament, Killswitch Engage, Exodus, Sepultura, Kreator, Children Of Bodom, and many more.
Kickstarting this next era with worldwide touring and new music coming in 2026, HAVOK has enabled itself to move at a prolific pace. In the end, HAVOK are leveling up and taking thrash with them.
Blackened death metal assault unit HOC EST BELLUM have released “Vomit Black Ecstasy”, the new single taken from the band’s upcoming debut full-length “Filth Majesty”, due out on June 26, 2026 via Time To Kill Records.
With “Vomit Black Ecstasy”, HOC EST BELLUM further unveil the violent and war-driven vision at the core of “Filth Majesty”, delivering a track that strikes with savage intensity and oppressive force. Blending corrosive black metal hostility with the crushing weight of death metal, the band advances like a relentless bombardment, fueled by militant rhythms, feral aggression and a suffocating atmosphere of destruction.
Rejecting the sterile precision of modern production, HOC EST BELLUM embrace a warm, organic sound that feels immediate and physical, closer to the ground, closer to impact. The result is an album that breathes fire and dust, evoking hostile terrains and collapsing frontlines rather than polished surfaces.
There is no room for restraint in “Filth Majesty”. The record advances with militant purpose, channeling pure extremism into a barrage of riffs and percussive artillery. It is an uncompromising statement, where black metal’s venom and death metal’s force converge into a single, destructive campaign.
Tracklist:
1. The Desolator (Intro) / Deify, Degenerate 2. Black Metal Terror 3. Vomit Black Ecstasy 4. Passion of the Antichrist 5. Blood of the VVytches 6. Nightside Necromancy 7. Winds of Decay 8. Serpent of the Black Pit 9. The Goatborn Ones 10. Beast Ejaculate / Spiral of Sodomy (Outro)
Burning with Luciferian hunger and baptized in nuclear horror, HOC EST BELLUM rose from the ashes in 2022. Based between Helsinki and Turku, the power trio unleashes a savage blend of grinding and bestial black/death chaos, channeling a sound that is both primitive and devastatingly direct. Their music thrives on raw aggression and ritualistic intensity, forged in an atmosphere of apocalyptic dread, satanic hostility and visions of mankind’s imminent extinction.
The band’s first release, the aptly titled “Demo 2023”, introduced this extermination squad to the underground with a display of feral brutality and uncompromising violence. The recording quickly established HOC EST BELLUM as a force devoted to the most extreme and unrelenting expressions of black/death metal, delivering warlike hymns steeped in filth, blasphemy and destructive fervor.
The band’s debut full-length will be released by Time To Kill Records in 2026. The album continues on the path of the bestial onslaught paved on the aforementioned demo, while adding to the relentless attack elements of dark atmospheric passages seeping with malevolent and poisonous aura.
Antichrist elitists rise. This is black metal terror.
Line-up:
Devouring Doommouth of Lunar Extinction and Nuclear Propaganda – Black vomit prophecies of homo sapiennihilation & aural low frequency desecration Rituäl Vömitist – Bonegrinding hellsaw sodomy R. Charon – Morningstars of putrefaction & doom ritual chants
Swedish melodic metal force PRIME CREATION presents a music video for their brand new single, “Ashes Of Trust”. The track delivers another intense glimpse into the band’s forthcoming studio album “Souls Of The Fallen”, set for release on June 26, 2026 via ROAR – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music.
With “Ashes Of Trust”, PRIME CREATION dive deep into themes of betrayal, emotional collapse, and inner strength. Combining razor-sharp riffs, soaring melodies, and a dark cinematic atmosphere, the song captures the painful realization of broken trust while transforming anger and loss into determination and resilience.
“This song is about betrayal by someone once trusted and the pain of realizing their true nature,” the band reveals. “It follows the emotional collapse caused by lies, manipulation, and being metaphorically stabbed in the back. As the lyrics progress, the focus shifts from hurt to resilience and confrontation. Ultimately, it’s about reclaiming strength, refusing to back down, and rising from the damage left behind.”
Formed in Sweden in 2015, PRIME CREATION quickly established themselves as a driving force in modern melodic heavy metal. Rising from the ashes of the power metal band Morifade, the group brought together skilled and experienced musicians with a clear vision: combine technical precision with powerful songwriting and a contemporary edge.
Following their self-titled debut in 2016 and the critically acclaimed “Tears Of Rage” (2019), the band continued to evolve, culminating in “Tell Freedom I Said Hello” (2023), which gained strong international attention. Known for their dynamic live presence, PRIME CREATION have toured across Europe and shared stages with acts like Masterplan and appeared at festivals alongside Europe and W.A.S.P.
With “Souls Of The Fallen”, produced by Niels Nielsen (Ghost, In Flames), the band take another decisive step forward, pushing their sound into darker, more progressive territory while staying true to their melodic roots.
Recipients of high praise from NPR, The Needle Drop, Brooklyn Vegan, Decibel and Metal Hammer, Wailin Storms have caught fire since migrating to North Carolina in 2014. Now, the Durham natives are fanning the flames even higher with their upcoming fifth album and first for Season of Mist. On The Arsonist, the band deliver a fiery baptism of Southern gothic rock.
Today, Wailin Storms are premiering a music video for the second advanced single from The Arsonist with CVLT Nation. Howling and haunted, “You Never Answered” is a desperate plea to put down our phones and answer the call of the night.
“This song is about disconnecting from screens and returning to exploration”, Wailin Storms vocalist and guitarist Justin Storms says. “Don’t let your phone lead to your death by taking a selfie on a mountain. Pick up a manual film camera. Take some acid. Pick up a paint brush, cook, listen to a record, walk in nature, be there for the ones you love and find your path in the world without being tethered to technology”.
Watch the music video for “You Never Answered” on CVLT Nation’s website. The video for “You Never Answered” was directed and edited by Thomas Hudson (@thomaswhudson)
July 17 – Durham, NC @ Stanczyk’s [Album Release Show] July 29 – Johnson City, TN @ The Hideaway July 30 – Atlanta, GA @ Star Bar July 31 – Knoxville, TN @ The Pilot Light August 1 – Cincinnati, OH @ Motr August 2 – Youngstown, OH @ Westside Bowl August 3 – Columbus, OH @ Dirty Dungarees August 4 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Government Center August 5 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery August 6 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Gutter August 7 – New Hope, PA @ John and Peter’s August 8 – Richmond, VA @ Cobra Cabana
The Arsonist calls back to Wailin Storms’ past. Recorded by Matt Talbott of Hum in full analog, the album rekindles the band’s roots in raw-to-the-bone blues punk. Like being woken from a bad dream, “You Never Answered” opens with frantic guitars before kicking down the door with a doomy groove.
“So much music is drowning in sterile digital production”, Storms says. “With this album, we recorded everything in analog. We didn’t touch a computer until mixing”.
Inspired by David Lynch and René Magritte, Wailin Storms do throw heavier splashes of surrealism into the fires of The Arsonist. “Climb right out, out of your head, and into the night”, Storms commands amidst howling riffs on “You Never Answered”. But the album is inflamed by real life anxieties. Before it drifts into a smoke-fueled daze, the song’s melody proves so intoxicating that your left with no choice but to follow the band into the dark. “Time to take a bullet that could change your mind”.
“I’ve always been fascinated with fire”, says Storms, who was raised by a church pianist and a Baptist preacher. As a child, growing up in Corpus Christi, Texas, he came dangerously close to accidentally burning his family’s house down. “It speaks to our inherent attraction to danger and annihilation, but also, our hope for transformation”.
Tracklist 1. Dead End (4:48) 2. Heart of Mine (5:13) 3. You Never Answered (4:53) [WATCH] 4. The Arsonist (4:52) [WATCH] 5. Never Rest (4:59) 6. Saved (4:24) 7. Patient Night (3:22) 8. The Wind (6:01) 9. It’s All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be (6:30)
Since migrating to North Carolina’s inland coast circa 2014, Wailin Storms have caught fire with noisy, bluesy explosions of Southern gothic rock. Hot on the heels of critical high praise and thunderous applause from crowds on both sides of the Atlantic, the band’s fifth album and first for Season of Mist fans their flames with reckless abandon. While surrounded by darkness from the outside world, The Arsonist burns with all of our heart’s desires.
“I’ve always been fascinated by fire”, Wailin Storms vocalist and guitarist Justin Storms says before alluding to a time when he came dangerously close to accidentally burning his family’s house down. “It speaks to our inherent attraction to danger and annihilation, but also, our hope for transformation”.
Born the son of a church pianist and Baptist preacher, Justin Storms converted to the church of rock ‘n’ roll after listening to the teachings of his older brother. “He was responsible for getting me into outsider music”. After forming Wailin Storms in his home state of Texas and a pass through New York City, Storms hunkered down in Durham, North Carolina, where he was joined in 2014 by the band’s current drummer Mark Oates (Bats & Mice) and bassist Steve Stanczyk.
Debut full-length One Foot in the Flesh Grave laid a solid foundation for Wailin Storms in 2015 with an East Coast and Midwest tour that led to their first appearance at The Fest. 2017 follow-up Sick City infected more ears with coverage spreading from CVLT Nation to NPR. It was their third album, though, that really opened the floodgates. Rattle was featured by The Needle Drop and named one of the best albums of 2020 by Treble, Riff Magazine, Angry Metal Guy and Machine Music. More attention from Decibel and Metal Hammer came two years later around The Silver Snake Unfolds, which was followed by the arrival of guitarist Ben Melton, as well as shows and tour dates with everyone from City of Caterpillar, pageninetynine and This Will Destroy You to Acid Bath, Eyehategod and Young Widows.
“If Bauhaus, Killing Joke, and Black Sabbath had a child, this would be it”, Metal Injection proclaimed about Wailin Storms.
Brooklyn Vegan concurred. “It’s just loud, heavy, dark rock music, and it’s awesome”.
The Arsonist can be traced back through Wailin Storms’ past. Recorded by Matt Talbott of Hum in full analog, the album rekindles the band’s roots in raw-to-the-bone blues punk as a heated response to today’s vat of overproduced music and AI slop. By experimenting with swoons of Rhodes organ, “Heart of Mine” recalls the Roadhouse from Twin Peaks. “Some of these songs are more primitive and stripped down, harkening back to the four-track recordings that the band started with”, Storms says. “The recordings contain flaws but remain human in all the right ways. They could be a murder ballad or an old folk song that’s sung around the campfire”. Other early influences soak into the songwriting’s weathered fabric: Flannery O’Conner’s grotesque sensibility, Cormac McCarthy’s unflinching fatalism, Old Regular Baptist hymns. With its sideways gust of riffs and moaning chorus, “The Wind” blows loud enough to wake the entire cemetery.
“Because the heart wants what the body wants and the mind wants what the eyes want”, Storms gravely intones. “Won’t you take me through hell”.
Wailin Storms throw heavy splashes of surrealism into the fires of The Arsonist. “Many of the lyrics draw from the same imagery and emotions conjured by David Lynch, especially his film Wild at Heart”,Storms says. “Dead End” opens the album by taking a harrowing turn of its own when the drum’s rattle leads straight into a waking nightmare. “Calm night / Birds keep plucking out our eyes”.
While shrouded by a doomy and dreamy atmosphere, The Arsonist is inflamed by real life anxieties. Taking inspiration from René Magritte, the album’s cover art, which is heavily shadowed except for a tiny house gone up in flames, was painted by Storms himself. “These songs are steeped in the trials and tribulations of everyday life”, he says. The title track is slowly engulfed by love’s eternal flame. “Like the wind controls the sea”, he croons over the gentle sway of his guitar. “You always had a hold on me”. The thunderous climax surges with such feverish intensity that it threatens to send the night of passion up in smoke.
Amidst the wreckage of The Arsonist, Wailin Storms do find a semblance of peace. “It’s All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be” ends the album with a ghostly flicker of gothic romance. “I know a place where we can sit and grow old”, Storms offers with grim assurance. A piano tolls like death’s bell as he glimpses up at a church that resembles a skull. “There’s a sliver of hope in coming to terms with death”, he concludes. “Life is temporary and that’s where its beauty lies”.
On The Arsonist, Wailin Storms deliver a fiery baptism of Southern gothic rock.
Lineup Justin Storms – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar Ben Melton – Lead guitar, backup vocals, Rhodes organ, piano Steve Stanczyk – Bass Mark Oates – Drums
Recording credits Recorded at Earth Analog in May 2025
Production Credits Produced and engineered by Matt Talbott Mixed by Mike Lust at Phantom Manor (“Dead End”, “Heart of Mine”, “You Never Answered”, “The Arsonist”, “Never Rest”, “The Wind”, It’s All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be” Mixed by Dave Downham at Gradwell House (“Saved”, “Patient Night”) Mastered by Dave Downham at Gradwell House
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 