Finnish metal act Themata have released their massive new single “Monochrome.” The track continues the uncompromising sonic direction established on last year’s EP “Riven”, while pushing the band’s sound into a more organic and dynamic territory.
On Monochrome, Themata expand their sonic palette without sacrificing the sheer weight that defines their identity. The song delivers an evolving, more natural flow, yet retains the band’s signature colossal sound. In the world of Themata, sound is not just heard—it is felt, surging forward as an irresistible physical force.
Blending towering walls of guitars, a crushing rhythm section, and brutal vocal delivery, Themata have, in a short time, carved out a distinct and recognizable sound. Each element locks tightly into place, forming a dense and cohesive whole that hits with both precision and overwhelming power.
With Monochrome, the band demonstrates their ability to grow artistically while staying true to their core. The result is a track that breathes more freely, yet remains as heavy and imposing as ever — solidifying Themata’s position as a rising force in the heavy music scene.
Themata: Juuso Onerva (Grave With A View) – vocals Ville-Veikko Laaksonen (Atlases / I, Cursed) – guitar Tuomas Kulomaa (Valta) – guitar Oskari Hakala-Rahko (Grave With A View) – Bass Arttu Leppänen (Atlases / I, Cursed) – Drums
The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara (TCOMAS) have released a new single ‘Lucky Ducker’ from their forthcoming album MISANTROPI. Known for their visceral fusion of spoken poetry and heavy metal, the London-duo Daphne Ang and Andrea Papi are set to drop their fourth studio album on July 12, 2026.
Speaking of their blistering new single, ‘Lucky Ducker’, the duo shares:
“In a world that doesn’t say fuck off enough, it is time to say it more. Sooner or later, everyone encounters a ‘Lucky Ducker’ in life. This is our gift to you, a tool to vent when others fail. Featuring a staggering 131 swear words throughout its 247 word-long lyrics, ‘Lucky Ducker’ is definitely Guinness World Records material.”
Following the success of their third album ORIGINS (2024), which broke into the UK Top 100 Albums Chart on Apple Music and garnered six singles with playlist placements across major streaming platforms, TCOMAS’s new album MISANTROPI presents a raw, unfiltered manifesto for those who despise humanity. According to the duo, this album is:
“For humans who hate people.”
True to their roots, the album melds spoken poetry and spoken word over heavy metal riffs, but with a new emphasis on going back to the classic set up of drums, bass, and guitars. There is more singing and melodic vocals, adding a visceral human element to their already intense sound. “MISANTROPI is human made,” the band explains. “It’s played with real instruments, with hands, feet, vocal cords, and human body parts. It’s raw and unfiltered. It is for those who see through the facade and aren’t afraid to admit that they hate what we have become.”
Already making waves, the album’s second single, “The Last Plague” landed on Apple Music’s Breaking Metal and Breaking Hard Rock editorial playlists. The track also charted in eight countries and ten charts on Apple Music, reaching #1 on the Metal chart in Liberia.
Performed, composed and written by Daphne Ang and Andrea Papi of The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara, MISANTROPI was recorded and produced by Andrea Papi at TCOMAS Studio, with mixing and mastering from Marinos Tountas at Ergosphere Studios, and artwork by TCOMAS Studio. The album will be released on 12” Vinyl, with pre-orders available via tcomas.com/misantropi.
Always evolving, MISANTROPI continues The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara’s impressive streak of self-produced efforts, Full Spectrum, Trust No Leaders, Origins, and will be the duo’s fourth self-produced studio album. Since their emergence in early 2020, the London-based duo have cemented their reputation as provocateurs in the heavy music scene. Their innovative blend of heavy metal and poetic storytelling continue to captivate and disturb audiences worldwide.
The Chronicles of Manimal and Samara (TCOMAS) was born in London when Daphne Ang from Singapore and Andrea Papi from Italy joined forces in early 2020. TCOMAS introduced their innovative sound in their first album, Full Spectrum, an eclectic blend of heavy rock and electronic with poetry performance, most notably the single ‘Love in the Time of Pestilence’ which graced several editorial Spotify playlists (Alternative Metal, Progressive Metal). TCOMAS became known for melding heavy music with the elegance of poetry and poignant lyrics on their second album Trust No Leaders, released in July 2022. The record explored the history of metal and its sub-genres, showcasing non-Western musical influences and lyrics inspired by Jungian psychology. All seven singles released from this album entered the Soundcloud charts. The duo returned in 2024 with the release of their third album Originsin November. The albumentered the Apple Music Album Chart Top 100 in the UK. All six singles from this album earned editorial playlist placements on Apple Music and Amazon Music. The single ‘Feed the Beast’, entered the Apple Music Single Charts in Turkey. TCOMAS’s unique approach to combining music and visual storytelling has also garnered attention worldwide. Their self-produced music videos have been screened at numerous prestigious international film festivals around the world, receiving 66 official selections and nominations to date. In 2026, the band are back to release their 4th studio album, MISANTROPI, out June 12th.
Photo: Jarkko ‘Jake’ Ronkainen & Mr. Lordi — Logo: Abstract Chaos
In the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lordi’s historic victory at the Eurovision Song Contest2006, the track is being released on May 15. The release coincides with the eve of a special Lordi Eurovision performance – Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Is this the biggest dance hit of summer 2026? Not necessarily, but at least you have never heard Mr. Lordi sing Europop before! On VELVET OCEAN’s side, vocalist Riitu Ronkainen raises the bar. Beauty and the Beast, double bass drums, and a catchy vocal melody – what could possibly go wrong?
VELVET OCEAN is an alternative metal band from Finland. The band is known for pushing the boundaries of metal by combining heavy music with pop influences, symphonic layers, and cinematic elements. Their goal is to create dynamic compositions that balance delicate atmospheres with heavier, more intense moments.
With two album cycles underway, eight singles already released, and a forthcoming cover EP featuring Mr. Lordi, VELVET OCEAN continues to build a distinctive international identity within the alternative metal scene. [ … learn more here » ]
Additional info: Composer – Martin Bo Erik Erikson Lyricist – Fredrik Johan Ekdahl Lyricist – Martin Bo Erik Erikson
VELVET OCEAN LINE-UP Riitu Ronkainen • Lead vocals, programming Jake Ronkainen • Guitar, Vocals Tuomas Vesa • Bass Jami Alaverronen • Keyboard Arto Alikoski • Cello Markus Määttälä • Drums
Various circumstances led to a lengthy hiatus for the Finnish band. But their love for music remained undiminished, as VELVET OCEAN will soon demonstrate – a new single is set to be released on May 15, featuring none other than Mr. Lordi!
That sounds doubly exciting, since the globally popular monster rockers Lordi are the only Finnish band to date to have won the Eurovision Song Contest! But that’s not all: Lordi will perform as part of a special intermission act at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest final in Vienna on May 16, the day after the release of the new single.
Currently, the talented band from Oulu is also busy finishing their second full-length album. Five singles have already been released from this album: “My Life”, “Rage”, “Take Me Away”, “Forever” and the Muse cover “New Born”.
In addition, VELVET OCEAN is currently recording a special concept EP themed around the 90s, which will feature the upcoming single on its tracklist.
Olympic death metal powerhouse RISE OF KRONOS have officially released their very first live single and official live video for “Know Thyself”, available now on all streaming platforms and YouTube.
Captured during the band’s massive Slaves Of Time album release show on April 18, 2026 at the legendary Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany, the track delivers an uncompromising snapshot of RISE OF KRONOS at full force – raw, aggressive and fueled by pure live energy. The accompanying live video perfectly captures the intensity, chaos and atmosphere of a night that marked an important milestone in the band’s history.
Known as one of Germany’s most iconic live venues and once graced by legendary acts such as METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and AC/DC, the Markthalle in Hamburg provided the perfect setting for RISE OF KRONOS‘ first official live release.
The live single release follows the highly acclaimed new studio album Slaves Of Time, which has received strong praise from fans and media alike for its crushing blend of modern and old-school death metal, relentless intensity and massive production. Continuing the band’s self-proclaimed “Olympic Death Metal” approach, Slaves Of Time pushes the sound of RISE OF KRONOS further into darker, heavier and more atmospheric territory.
Slaves Of Time is available via the official RISE OF KRONOS merch store: riseofkronos.bandcamp.com and on all major streaming platforms.
RISE OF KRONOS will bring their new material to stages in 2026 and 2027, delivering an intense and crushing live experience.
RISE OF KRONOS live: 10.07.2026 DE – Königsee, Metal Underground Resistance Open Air 25.07.2026 DE – Heimburg, Heimburger Metalnacht Festival 31.07.2026 DE – Dortmund, Dortmund Deathfest 03.10.2026 DE – Düsseldorf, Ratinger Hof 15.01.2027 DE – Bremen, Zollkantine 01.04.2027 DE – Stuttgart, Schwarzer Keiler
Legends of modern heavy music, Killswitch Engage return to Australia and New Zealand in 2026, bringing more than two decades of genre-defining metal to the stage with their biggest Antipodean headline shows yet, joined by special guests, British heavyweights, Sylosis.
The Western Massachusetts metallers helped redraw the map for modern metal in the early 2000’s, fusing blistering European‑inspired guitar work, East Coast hardcore energy and emotionally charged, uplifting lyrics into a sound that changed the game for a generation of bands and fans.
Across a landmark career, Killswitch Engage have earned three Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance, multiple gold and platinum records, billions of streams and forged a reputation as one of the most powerful live acts in heavy music. From classic albums like Alive Or Just Breathing, The End of Heartache and As Daylight Dies through to charttopping releases Disarm the Descent, Incarnate and 2019’s Atonement, they’ve consistently raised the bar while packing out venues and festival main stages around the world.
Fresh from celebrating 25 years as a band and the release of their latest album This Consequence, which featured blockbuster single “I Believe,” the biggest radio hit of their career, Killswitch Engage are set to deliver a career‑spanning set for their Australian and New Zealand fans.
Expect a night that runs from era‑defining anthems to new favourites, all delivered with the intensity and heart that has seen them share stages with everyone from Iron Maiden and Slayer to My Chemical Romance, Mastodon, Slipknot and Parkway Drive.
TOUR DATES Saturday, October 31: Powerstation, Auckland Sunday, November 1: Meow Nui, Wellington Tuesday, November 3: Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Friday, November 6: Enmore Theatre, Sydney Saturday, November 7: Waves, Wollongong Tuesday, November 10: Forum, Melbourne Thursday, November 12: Hindley St, Adelaide Saturday, November 14: Metro Fremantle, Perth
Spotify Presale: Tuesday, May 19: 10am AEST (CODE: KSE26) Promoter Presale: Wednesday, May 20: 10am AEST (CODE: KSEAUS) General Onsale: Thursday, May 21: 10am AEST sbmpresents.com/tour/killswitch-engage-2026
Metalcore band Lost In Separation have officially released their self-titled album via SBG Records, delivering a powerful collection of songs that blend crushing heaviness with melodic intensity and deeply personal lyricism.
The album was produced by Jonathan Dolese and Austin Coupe, with mixing and mastering handled by Jon Caywood and Jonathan Dolese.
The band is currently bringing the new album to the stage, touring now with Dropout Kings, giving fans the chance to experience the record’s intensity live.
“The Self-Titled record marks a definitive point of rebirth in our career. We overcame adversity and learned to lean into our strengths. We juxtapose some of the catchiest and most melodic material we’ve ever written with some of the heaviest sounds as well. We stepped out of our comfort zone in one of the most confident and cohesive ways we ever have, and couldn’t be happier with the result,” shares Milad Parsa.
Lost In Separation is a Metalcore Band from Dallas, Tx. Cathartically combining aggression, melody, and emotional storytelling to find silver linings in a world that seems to be falling apart more and more each day.
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 ) 