German hardcore outfit THROATCUT. unleash their devastating new NO KINGS. EP, accompanied by the brand new track ‘BLOOM.’, a merciless collision of suffocating heaviness, feral emotion and uncompromising hardcore aggression.
Built around images of decay, poisoned roots and severing the ties that keep us trapped, ‘BLOOM.’ turns destruction into an act of liberation. The song begins in wasted soil, where roots rot and nothing seems capable of growing, before gradually transforming that desolation into something defiant. Every broken branch, every parasite and every scar becomes part of the ground from which something new can emerge.
Musically, THROATCUT. give that transformation a brutally physical form. Jagged riffs, punishing rhythms and vicious screams create an almost ritualistic atmosphere, while the track repeatedly tightens its grip before erupting into crushing passages designed for absolute chaos. The recurring call to “let the willows bloom” becomes more than a refrain. It is the moment where submission gives way to resistance.
Catch the band live: 31.10.2026 I Corefest 2026 I Göppingen (DE)
German modern metalcore outfit Venues open the door to an entirely new chapter with their brand new single ‘Eden’, a fierce and deeply personal statement of liberation featuring an explosive guest performance from The Oklahoma Kid vocalist Tobias Rische, formerly of Alazka and Novelists.
More than simply a new song, ‘Eden’ represents a breaking point and a rebirth. Built around the refusal to bend, obey or reshape yourself to fit somebody else’s expectations, the track captures the moment when inner conflict finally turns into freedom. Venues leave behind the pressure to constantly become bigger, faster and more successful, choosing instead to reconnect with the instinct and authenticity that made them want to create music in the first place.
Vocalist Lela Gruber explains: “‘Eden’ feels like the starting point of a new chapter for me, one that stands in complete opposition to the idea of ‘bigger, faster, further.’ We’re all caught in this constant competition where success seems to mean pushing yourself to the edge of burnout. I want to step away from that. To stop comparing myself to everyone around me and return to making music that feels authentic — where the music itself is at the centre.“
That philosophy runs through every second of ‘Eden’. Lyrically, the song confronts the exhausting process of twisting yourself into a shape that was never yours, silencing your own emotions and living according to expectations imposed by others. The repeated declaration “I won’t bend for anyone” becomes the song’s central mantra, drawing a clear line between the person you were expected to become and the person you choose to be.
Leipzig-based modern metalcore band blacktoothed return with their devastating new single ‘Porcelain’, taken from their upcoming album Feral Bloom, set for release on 15th January. Delivering a brutally honest exploration of emotional emptiness, toxic dependency and the damage left behind when unresolved wounds begin to define every connection, ‘Porcelain’ offers another powerful glimpse into the darker and more vulnerable world of the upcoming record.
Built around crushing riffs, relentless screams and one of the band’s most commanding choruses to date, ‘Porcelain’ finds blacktoothed confronting the darker side of human attachment. At its core, the song depicts love not as salvation, but as something desperately consumed in an attempt to fill an internal void. “Give me all you got / I need your constant love” immediately establishes a relationship shaped by dependency, with another person reduced to a substitute for everything that has already been lost.
As the track unfolds, that desperation turns inward. Old insecurities, self-deception and destructive habits blur the line between genuine affection and emotional survival. The narrator recognizes the damage being caused, yet remains trapped inside patterns they can barely identify, admitting: “In my mind, I can’t detect my lies.” It is a painfully self-aware portrait of someone searching for connection while simultaneously poisoning it.
Musically, blacktoothed mirror that internal conflict with a collision of raw aggression and striking melody. Punishing guitars and visceral screams give way to a gigantic chorus before the song reaches one of its defining moments: a breathtaking clean vocal duet between Hendrik Rathgeber and guitarist Matti Keitel. Their voices bring an unexpected vulnerability to the track, amplifying the contrast between its violent exterior and deeply fragile emotional core.
Catch the band live: 25.09.2026 I Burnout Festival 2026 I Nienburg/Weser (DE)
Canadian hardcore heavyweights Get The Shot return with a devastating new single ‘Crucifixion Depiction’, a brutal and deeply personal confrontation with loss, failure and the painful death of a dream. The track also marks the launch of the pre-order for the band’s upcoming EP of the same name, set for release on 23rd October.
‘Crucifixion Depiction’ pushes the band’s forward while channeling one of the most difficult experiences we face as human beings: losing something that once gave our lives direction and meaning. Built on crushing riffs, merciless grooves and sheer physical intensity, the song turns grief into something violent, visceral and painfully tangible.
Rather than focusing solely on the death of another person, ‘Crucifixion Depiction’ explores another form of mourning, the moment a future you fought for collapses in front of you and you are forced to grieve the person you thought you would become. Lines such as “I’m losing everything / Is this the end of me?” capture the desperation at the heart of the track, while its imagery grows increasingly brutal as shattered ambition becomes a symbolic execution.
Musically, Get The Shot translate that inner conflict into pure hardcore violence. Punishing rhythms, suffocating heaviness and explosive vocal delivery collide in a track designed to hit with both emotional and physical impact. The stark “Nails. Hammer. Cross.” refrain reduces the song’s central metaphor to three brutal images before its final moments turn sacrifice, self-destruction and liberation against one another.
Catch the band live: 29.10.2026 I La Rayonne (w/ Benighted, Glassbone) I Lyon (FR) 30.10.2026 I L’Alhambra (w/ Benighted, Glassbone) I Paris (FR) 31.10.2026 I Corefest I Göppingen (DE) 01.11.2026 I Kulttempel I Oberhausen (DE) 02.11.2026 I Les 4 Écluses I Dunkerque (FR) 03.11.2026 I Kavka I Antwerpen (BE) 04.11.2026 I Naumanns I Leipzig (DE) 05.11.2026 I Cafe Central I Weinheim (DE) 06.11.2026 I Monkeys I Hamburg (DE) 07.11.2026 I Belvedere I Namur (BE) 08.11.2026 I La Laiterie (w/ Benighted, Glassbone) I Strasbourg (FR) 09.11.2026 I 007 Strahov I Prague (CZ) 10.11.2026 I Cassiopeia I Berlin (DE) 11.11.2026 I 2Progi (w/ Nasty, Crawlspace, Pintglass) I Poznan (PL) 12.11.2026 I Pink Whale I Bratislava (SK) 14.11.2026 I Sunset Bar I Martigny (CH) 15.11.2026 I Ebulition I Bulle (CH)
Progressive symphonic metal band Scardust are thrilled to unveil a powerful rendition of Clean Bandit’s “Symphony”, featuring Mia Asano and Noa Gruman’s Hellscore Choir, out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
The track features acclaimed Los Angeles-based electric violinist Mia Asano, whose genre-defying style fuses classical virtuosity with rock, metal, Celtic and electronic influences. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Asano has built a global following of more than six million across social media, with her viral performances generating over 500 million views.
Her career has included collaborations with artists including Ministry, DragonForce, Lindsey Stirling, Tina Guo and Taylor Davis, as well as a European arena tour with Two Steps From Hell, which began with a performance in front of 75,000 people at Wacken Open Air. A recipient of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Best Violin Performance Award in 2020, Asano brings her unmistakable energy and virtuosity to the new single.
The band commented: “‘Symphony’ by Clean Bandit has always felt like such a beautiful and emotional song, and we immediately felt it had the potential to become something very Scardust – combining prog metal, the Hellscore choir, and Mia’s incredible violin playing. Sharing the adventure of Sabaton’s Legendary tour this last winter with Mia made us want to create something together again, and this song felt like the perfect opportunity.”
“While the original song is a love song, we connected with it from a more bittersweet perspective: that deep longing to belong, to be together with someone, or to be part of something, while feeling that there is a barrier keeping you apart. We wanted that feeling to run through the entire interpretation – from the arrangement and performances to Mia’s breathtaking violin solo, and into the cinematic world of the video and artwork”, they added.
Working with the legendary Joost van den Broek on the production and orchestration was a huge part of bringing this vision to life. It feels like a very natural meeting point between everything we love about Scardust and everything Mia brings as a musician – dramatic, emotional, cinematic, and deeply human.”
Scardust will donate any proceeds from this release to the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research.
With the release of the band’s first EP, “Shadow” (2015) and the release of their first full length LP. “Sands of Time” (2017) Scardust positioned them as a promising newcomer of the new progressive metal scene. They rapidly rose to the top of the local metal scene, selling out shows and opening for the likes of Symphony X, Therion and Epica and started touring overseas playing festivals and headline shows in Germany, China and the UK as well as continuing to headline shows and festivals at home.
From the beginning the band strove for exceptional artistic and instrumental achievement at the highest level and Noa Gruman’s voice captivates her listeners whether with its gentle purity, operatic power or guttural growls. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, 2020 saw the release of their sophomore album “Strangers” accompanied by seven self-produced music videos. Described by Dead Rhetoric as “captivating from start to finish”, “Strangers” introduced a unique concept album built on complementary song pairs, earning strong critical and fan acclaim.
2022 started on a high note with the visit of folk star Patty Gurdy, who joined Scardust for a live show in Israel and filmed the band’s most viewed video to date, “Concrete Cages”. That summer, the band headlined multiple shows across Europe, performing to packed arenas at Wacken Open Air & Dong Open Air where they earned the praise of Testament’s Steve Di Giorgio who, on hearing the band from backstage, ran out front and watched the entire set ‘mesmerised’.
The year concluded with the release of the dramatic one-shot video “Evolution Of The Disney – But She’s METAL” in which Noa weaves her way through a magical metal arrangement of all the best-known Disney Princess songs.
2023 saw Scardust release “Game Of Now”, a cinematic piece set in a futuristic dystopian live show, play festivals and concerts across Europe and join power metal legends Blind Guardian on tour. The year culminated in the signing of a major multi-album deal with Frontiers Records – heralding the release of the highly anticipated album “Souls”.
December 2024 saw the release of “My Haven” from “Souls”, followed by “RIP”, “Unreachable” and “Dazzling Darkness”. With 2024 being taken up with writing and recording “Souls”, it wasn’t until early 2025 that they were able to announce that Ross Jennings (Haken) was guesting on the album and was to join the band for a headline show resulting in the epic Touch of Life video.
Alongside Scardust’s rise, Noa Gruman’s metal choir, Hellscore, has been gaining significant recognition. Known for their unique a cappella renditions of metal classics, they have collaborated with renowned artists and bands such as Epica, Therion, Amorphis, and Alestorm. Hellscore is also an integral part of Scardust’s sound, performing on all their albums and live shows.
Noa Gruman is also much in demand as a vocalist and the already-impressive list of her recent guest vocal appearances includes albums by Amorphis, Ayreon, Therion, Gloryhammer, Nino Helfrich and Orphaned Land.
With the release of their latest album, “Souls”, Scardust have taken another major step forward in their evolution. The album brings together the band’s trademark progressive complexity, symphonic scale, powerful melodies and technical musicianship, while expanding their sound through orchestral, Mediterranean and Celtic influences.
Featuring the Hellscore choir and a string quartet throughout, alongside guest appearances from Ross Jennings (Haken), Ally Storch (Subway to Sally), a Turkish orchestra and the TLV Orchestra, Souls explores themes of memory, belonging, loss and the desire for connection. Bold, emotional and ambitious, the album represents both a culmination of everything Scardust have built so far and the foundation for the next chapter of the band’s sound.
Line Up: Noa Gruman – Vocals Gal Gabriel Israel – Guitar Aaron Friedland – Keyboards Bar Sasson – Bass Yoav Weinberg – Drums
OUTLIER have released their new single and official music video, “Graveyard Masterpiece,” via Oxide Records. The release arrives alongside the announcement that the band will hit the road for an upcoming tour this October with Dark Divine and Fire From The Gods.
“Graveyard Masterpiece” is a deeply personal exploration of the experiences that shape us—love, loss, trauma, failure, and everything we endure along the way. Rather than viewing those experiences as something to escape, Outlier embrace them as the raw materials that ultimately become part of who we are.
Frontman Joey Arena explains:
“’Graveyard Masterpiece’ is about realizing that none of us become who we are untouched. We’re stitched together by love, loss, trauma, failure, and everything we survive along the way. Some pieces heal, some leave scars, but they all become part of us. We don’t always get to choose what life uses to build us, we only get to choose what we become when it’s finished.”
As Outlier continue their work with Oxide Records, the band is pushing forward with some of their most ambitious music to date, further establishing themselves as one of heavy music’s most thought-provoking new voices. Unafraid to challenge expectations, Outlier create music that is as introspective as it is aggressive, confronting the experiences that shape us while questioning what we ultimately choose to become.
Now, Outlier are taking that vision to the road. The band will join Dark Divine and Fire From The Gods for an upcoming tour, giving fans the opportunity to experience “Graveyard Masterpiece” and Outlier’s evolving live show firsthand.
For Outlier, the future isn’t about pretending the scars aren’t there. It’s about turning every scar, every loss, and every piece of the past into something greater.
“Graveyard Masterpiece” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
For more information, music, and upcoming announcements, follow Outlier on social media and streaming services.
Outlier Shows: 10/12 JACKSONVILLE, FL @ JACK RABBITS 10/14 CORPUS CHRISTI, TX @ HOUSE OF ROCK 10/15 HOUSTON, TX @ BAD ASTRONAUT 10/16 SAN ANTONIO, TX @ THE ROCK BOX 10/18 FORT WORTH, TX @ TULIPS FTW 10/20 WICHITA, KS @ WAVE 10/21 SPRINGFIELD, MO @ THE REGENCY LIVE 10/22 INDIANAPOLIS, IN @ HOOSIER DOME 10/25 BUFFALO, NY @ REC ROOM 10/26 GRAND RAPIDS, MI @ THE STATCHE 10/27 CLEVELAND, OH @ MAHALL’S
The name OUTLIER came years before Joey Arena realized he’d been describing himself all along.
As the founder, songwriter, and architect behind OUTLIER, Arena has built one of independent music’s most respected careers. His work has earned millions of streams, regular support from SiriusXM Octane, Billboard and Top 40 success, and recognition from Alternative Press, Revolver, ABC News, and Metal Injection. His songwriting has led to collaborations with Chris Motionless of Motionless In White, JD of Ice Nine Kills, Danny Leal of Upon a Burning Body, Hyro the Hero, Sen Dog of Cypress Hill, and a growing list of artists across modern rock.
Growing up in Rochester, New York, music became somewhere to disappear. Before the national tours and festival stages, Arena spent late nights in a basement bedroom with his guitar amplifier barely turned up, writing while the rest of the house slept. Years on the road brought opportunity, but they also challenged Arena to decide how much of himself he was willing to compromise. By the time Top 40 success arrived, he realized he had stopped writing for himself. OUTLIER grew from that decision.
Working alongside producer Evan McKeever, Arena built the project from the ground up. The first releases arrived independently, and the band’s first show was booked before a permanent lineup existed. Arena’s songwriting draws from lived experience without asking listeners to relive his life, leaving room for them to find pieces of themselves in the songs. That balance between emotional weight and modern heaviness has become one of OUTLIER’s defining characteristics.
Today, OUTLIER enters its next chapter with the clearest reflection yet of the vision Arena set out to build years ago. He has never been interested in staying inside one role. His curiosity extends from songwriting and arrangements to visual concepts, music videos, and the creative direction surrounding every OUTLIER release.
When asked if he could ever imagine creating under another name, Arena doesn’t hesitate. I will never find another band name. This is just who I am.
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
