The rhythm-driven German Groove Thrashers SMORRAH are still buzzing from their successful gig at the Rock Hard Festival 2026. For over two decades, that’s been the band’s ‘home’ – and now, at last, they’ve finally taken to the stage themselves.
Yep, and when you give it your absolute all on that stage – performing with mega-authenticity and giga-honesty – you’re bound to earn some well-deserved praise – in this case, from Rock Hard magazine itself:
➤ “Local heroes SMORRAH deliver a perfect opening act. The lads led by singer Marius are hotter than Jens Peters in Mötley Crüe and unleash their mix of thrash, death metal and a pinch of hardcore with full force onto the already packed crowd. The Ruhr Valley band is bolstered by former Kreator bassist Christian ‘Speesy’ Giesler. The veteran performs with a confidence that cannot be learnt, effortlessly elevating the set to another level. Meanwhile, Marius acts as the driving force, screaming his lungs out and relentlessly whipping the crowd into a frenzy.”
The audio production, including the live video clip, was produced entirely by frontman Marius on a DIY basis – so just as much energy and passion went into it as SMORRAH always put in when they take to the stage for their fans, the Necrosouls. [ … learn more here » ]
SMORRAH say: “Get ready for a live recording bursting with energy, captured in all its raw power!”
Artwork: Gelsen Metal Designs
SMORRAH • 2026 Marius Wegener • Vocals Daniel ‘Pumper’ Hartmann • Guitars Christian ‘Speesy’ Giesler • Bass Raphael ‘Rapha’ Swierczynski • Drums
Riding a wave of critical acclaim, UK Southern-rock four-piece Wood Burnt Red make a major statement with the release of their highly anticipated debut album Hold On Tight, released on Friday September 4th. Bursting with country soul, southern rock fire, and the band’s unmistakable grit, the album arrives alongside their brilliant brand-new single “Best Things” and an official music video that captures the song’s sharp wit and infectious energy.
Described as a Southern fried rock and roll stomper with a country edge, the new single takes a tongue-in-cheek swipe at modern-day values, ownership, image, and lifestyle pressure. The single is available on all streaming platforms HERE. Watch the “Best Things” music video HERE.
The album features eleven tracks written by the band and produced by Tyler Spicer. The CD and vinyl edition of the album is available HERE. The digital edition of the album is available HERE.
“Best Things is a feel-good song about being completely skint,” says Wood Burnt Red’s lead singer and guitarist, Tom Franklin. “You’ve got a nice home you don’t own, a car you haven’t paid for, a mortgage you can barely afford and a pension that thinks you’re worthless, but from the outside, you’re absolutely smashing it.”
“It’s our tongue-in-cheek take on keeping up with the Joneses and the ridiculous pressure to have everything, even when you can’t really afford any of it. The reality is everything costs more than it used to, and it feels harder than ever to keep up. They say the best things in life are free… we’re still trying to work out which things they meant.”
“We work ourselves into the ground to buy things we can’t afford, to maintain a lifestyle we’re told we should want. Best Things pokes fun at that — it’s not meant to preach; it’s meant to make you laugh, sing along and maybe feel slightly better when you check your bank balance.”
“We’re constantly told the best things in life are free, but apparently nobody told the mortgage company. Best Things is about having everything you’re supposed to want — the house, the car, the lifestyle — except technically none of it belongs to you.”
Hold On Tight is the debut album Wood Burnt Red were born to make — a thunderous, heartfelt statement from a band hitting full stride. Rooted in country, fuelled by rock and roll, and forged from real-life stories that hit hard because they are true, it delivers eleven tracks of unfiltered emotion, huge hooks, and raw Southern-rock fire from one of the UK’s most exciting new bands.
They did not set out to make something safe or polished; they set out to make something honest, loud, and alive — and that honesty is what makes Hold On Tight hit with such force. From roof-raising anthems built for crowds to roar back every word, to bruised, intimate moments that stop you in your tracks, the album charges through love, loss, resilience, survival, and the turning points that define us. It is the sound of a band firing on all cylinders: explosive when it needs to be, vulnerable when it has to be, and unmistakably Wood Burnt Red from the first ringing guitar chord to the final note.
ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. Best Things (3:11) 2. Fire Me Up (3:30) 3. Count My Blessings (4:24) 4. Bartender (3:09) 5. Drifting (3:17) 6. One Chance (3:07) 7. Every Road (3:13) 8. Time’s A Healer (2:49) 9. Simple Place (3:52) 10. To The Moon (3:33) 11. Where You Are Now (3:39)
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Writers: Wood Burnt Red & Tyler Spicer Producer: Tyler Spicer Mixed By: Todd Peterson Mastered By: Sam Moses
BAND LINE-UP
Tom Franklin – Lead Vocals & Guitar Rob Graney – Lead Guitar Russ Staples – Bass Guitar Ed Baldwin – Drums
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
1. BEST THINGS The album opens with a knowing wink and a wry smile. “Best Things” is a sharp, relatable take on the modern-day paradox of materialism — the pressure to keep up appearances in a world that increasingly equates happiness with possessions we cannot truly afford. With lyrics that cut straight to the bone — “I got a nice home that I don’t own. And a car on the drive that’s not paid for” — the song turns financial reality into an anthem that anyone living on the edge of their means will recognise instantly.
2. FIRE ME UP The album’s lead single and a statement of intent. A full-throttle southern rock anthem co-written with producer Tyler Spicer, “Fire Me Up” arrived almost fully formed — the melody instant, the lyrics natural, the result undeniable. With a chorus that burns with conviction and a message aimed squarely at anyone who’s ever been told their dreams aren’t worth chasing, this is Wood Burnt Red at their most electrifying. “Fire me up and watch me go. Foot to the floor, I’ll keep running on down the road. You can take that to the bank. I’ve got plenty more left in the tank.”
3. COUNT MY BLESSINGS One of the album’s most unflinching tracks. “Count My Blessings” goes straight to the heart of addiction — not the habit itself, but the brutal reality of what comes after. The confusion of getting clean and still not feeling whole. The urges that don’t just disappear. The question that haunts so many in recovery: why don’t I feel fixed? Raw, honest, and utterly without judgement, it’s a song that understands addiction doesn’t end — you just find a better way to carry it.
4. BARTENDER Already a fan favourite, “Bartender” spent eighteen months on Apple Music’s prestigious Today’s Country playlist and racked up over 600,000 streams — and it’s not hard to hear why. A raw, aching plea for relief, it captures that specific kind of hurt that only a barstool and a patient bartender can meet: “I’m in need of something stronger to help me ease the pain. Something that lasts a little longer and helps the memories fade away.” Timeless, universal, and catchy as hell.
5. DRIFTING The most personal song lead singer Tom Franklin has ever written — and perhaps the hardest. “Drifting” explores depression from the perspective of someone who had never truly experienced or understood it until it arrived without warning and carried him to places he never expected to go. Written from the darkest corners of that journey, it is a song for anyone who has ever felt completely alone inside their own head. Difficult to write and difficult to perform, it was impossible to leave off the record — because if it reaches even one person and helps them feel less alone, then every difficult second was worth it.
6. ONE CHANCE Perhaps the most personal song on the album. Tom Franklin first wrote the bones of this chorus back in 2014 — intended as a surprise first dance for himself and his wife Liz, but left unfinished, too close to complete. Years later, it became this: a tender, powerful song about two people shaped by difficult pasts learning to trust again. “One Chance” isn’t just a love song — it’s a promise. That what came before doesn’t have to define what comes next, and that some people are worth breaking down every wall for.
7. EVERY ROAD Some people get under your skin and never leave. “Every Road” captures that feeling with pinpoint precision — the one you love becomes an addiction you can’t shake, and no matter how far you run or how hard you try to clear your head, every road leads straight back to them. Aching guitars and an irresistible melody make this one of the most quietly powerful tracks on the album.
8. TIME’S A HEALER The most satisfying kind of revenge — the kind where you don’t have to lift a finger. “Time’s A Healer” is Wood Burnt Red at their most knowing; a song about watching karma do its work on someone who made all the wrong choices and having the best seat in the house when it does. Equal parts cathartic and celebratory, it’s the track that’ll have crowds grinning from ear to ear.
9. SIMPLE PLACE One of the boldest songs in the Wood Burnt Red catalogue. “Simple Place” is a stark and unflinching reminder that as a society, we’re losing sight of what really matters — humans helping one another, loving thy neighbour. With lyrics that don’t flinch from the darkness around us, it serves as a gentle but urgent wake-up call that love, community, and connection are still within reach. Country music is all about truth — and Wood Burnt Red proves that hasn’t been lost.
10. TO THE MOON A shot of pure adrenaline. “To The Moon” is the album’s rallying cry — a reminder that your moment is yours for the taking if you’re bold enough to reach out and grab it. Euphoric, uplifting, and impossible to sit still to, it’s the kind of song that makes you feel like anything is possible. Take the bull by the horns. The ride starts now.
11. WHERE YOU ARE NOW The album closes on something quietly devastating. Written after Tom watched a close friendship be used, manipulated, and ultimately discarded at the worst possible moment, “Where You Are Now” is a song about the people who pass through our lives — and the mark they leave whether they meant to or not. Each member of the band hears something different in it: betrayal, self-discovery, the natural drift of relationships over time. That’s what makes it the perfect closer. It means something different to everyone who hears it, but it hits everyone the same way.
WOOD BURNT RED – BIOGRAPHY
Wood Burnt Red are a UK-based four-piece blazing a trail with an electrifying fusion of southern rock grit, country soul, and arena-ready swagger. Lifelong friends turned bandmates, they channel decades of brotherhood into songs packed with raw emotion, big-hearted hooks, and real-life stories of love, loss, resilience, and the defining moments that shape us.
Fusing rock swagger with country storytelling, their sound is bold and unmistakable: searing guitar riffs, powerful harmonies, and lyrics that cut straight to the core. Their on-stage chemistry is undeniable, forged through decades of friendship and shared history, creating performances that feel as authentic as they are explosive.
With more than half a million Apple Music streams and a coveted spot on Apple’s “Today’s Country” playlist, Wood Burnt Red is building serious momentum. With their debut album Hold On Tight set for release in September 2026, they are ready to deliver everything from whiskey-soaked ballads to foot-stomping anthems made for roaring crowds — songs that resonate as deeply as they energise and uplift your spirits.
Praised by Planet Rock’s Elles Bailey as “the UK’s answer to Brothers Osborne,” Wood Burnt Red are carving out a distinctive place in the Southern Rock and Modern Country Rock music scene — and they are only just getting started.
Italian/Swedish hard rock/heavy metal band Hell in the Club unleash today their new single and official video, “Call Me At 666”, out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
The band said: “This is a fun rock song. It invites you to let loose, hit the streets and dance, not take yourself too seriously all the time, and occasionally break the mold. It encourages you to live life and not always be a “good” boy or girl – to step out of the house now and then, even with your inner devil in tow. It’s a playful track that harkens back to the band’s roots while reflecting their current maturity – a sort of “Rock Down This Place 2.0”.”
Hell in the Club, a killer hard rock band with a style rooted in the classic ‘80s sound and its own modern identity, were founded by Andrea “Andy” Buratto (Secret Sphere), Dave “Damna” Moras (Elvenking) and Andrea “Picco” Piccardi.
The band has carved out a solid reputation through six acclaimed studio albums, extensive European touring with acts like Crashdïet, Jettblack, and Crucified Barbara, and appearances at major festivals including Sonisphere, Basin Fire Fest, and Heineken Jammin’ Festival.
After signing to Frontiers Records in 2017 and releasing “See You On The Other Side”, Hell in the Club followed with “Hell Of Fame” (2020), the “Kamikaze” EP (2020, celebrating their 10th anniversary), and their sixth album “F.U.B.A.R.” (2022), a straight-up hard rock record hailed as one of their strongest to date.
Following the departure of founding vocalist Dave Moras, the band faced a turning point. Instead of replacing him with a similar voice, bassist Andy proposed a bold shift: introducing a female singer. Enter Terese “Tezzi” Persson (Infinite & Divine, Venus 5), a powerhouse vocalist from Sweden with a voice perfectly suited to the band’s raw, high-energy style. After a single rehearsal, the choice was clear.
In April 2024, Tezzi officially joined the band, debuting with the single Carolina Reaper. Momentum quickly built toward the creation of their seventh album: “Joker In The Pack”, released last November.
“Joker In The Pack” is the first with Tezzi fronting the band – and it captures Hell in the Club at their fiercest. Ten tracks of pure adrenaline, from the fiery opener “The Devil Won’t Forget Me” to the emotional closer “When The Veil Of Night Falls”.
Line Up: Andrea “Andy” Buratto – Bass Terese “Tezzi” Persson – Voice Andrea “Picco” Piccardi – Guitar Marco “Mark” Lazzarini – Drums Follow HELL IN THE CLUB: Website Facebook Instagram
Finnish modern metal outfit BLIND CHANNEL serves up the next musical glimpse of their upcoming studio album, ‘Painstream,’ with their mesmerizing new single “Stars We See,” which transforms an existential crisis into a powerful message of hope, reminding humanity that life’s fleeting nature is what makes it meaningful.
“Stars We See” arrives with a captivating music video made by Riivata Visuals.
The band comments:
“We’re incredibly relieved and grateful to have our band back, and absolutely blown away by the response to the first new releases. ‘Stars We See’ is a sneak peek at the new soundscapes and themes we discovered during our break, and it represents the more hopeful side of the upcoming album. This track will undoubtedly make its way into the setlist of the ‘Painstream Tour,’ kicking off in November. We strongly recommend experiencing this new chapter live. Get your tickets, and we’ll see you out there!”
‘Painstream’ is BLIND CHANNEL’s sixth studio album, which will be out via Century Media on October 30th. The 12 new powerful tracks lead through the pain of growth, sharp self-reflection, and explosive energy.
On ‘Painstream,’ the band comments:
“In a world filled with uncertainty, conflict, and division, pain is one thing all humans share. Rather than separating us, ‘Painstream’ explores the idea that pain can unite us, reminding us of our common humanity. We examine pain from personal, societal, and existential perspectives, while also uncovering something unexpected: hope.”
‘Painstream’ will be available in the following formats: => Ltd. CD Digipak => Ltd. CD Digipak – The 500 Frames Edition (limited edition with 1 of 500 unique Polaroids, shot by the band) => Standard CD Jewelcase (US & Japanese versions) => Black LP => Ltd. Transp. Coke Bottle Green LP => Ltd. Black-White Marbled LP (Exclusively available at blindchannelofficial.com) => Digital Album
In addition to the new single, tickets for BLIND CHANNEL’s extensive ‘Painstream’ European headlining tour in early 2027 are now on sale. Purchase your ticketsHERE.
BLIND CHANNEL Live: 11/14 – Helsinki, Finland @ Helsinki Ice Hall 11/18 – Tokyo, Japan @ Shibuya Club Quattro 11/19 – Osaka, Japan @ Umeda Club Quattro 02/09 – Hamburg, Germany @ Markthalle 02/10 – Berlin, Germany @ Columbia Theater 02/11 – Warsaw, Poland @ Proxima 02/12 – Krakow, Poland @ Kwadrat 02/13 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Rock Cafe 02/14 – Leipzig, Germany @ Felsenkeller 02/16 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage Werk 02/17 – Vienna, Austria @ Simm City 02/18 – Milan, Italy @ Magazzini Generale 02/19 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Dynamo 02/20 – Stuttgart, Germany @ Im Wizemann 02/21 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Batschkapp 02/23 – Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie 02/25 – Bristol, England @ Thekla 02/26 – Wolverhampton, England @ KK’s Steelmill 02/27 – Nottingham, England @ Rescue Rooms 02/28 – Glasgow, England @ Garage 03/02 – Manchester, England @ Club Academy 03/03 – London, England @ Underworld 03/05 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Zappa 03/06 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg 03/07 – Bochum, Germany @ Zeche 03/08 – Cologne, Germany @Live Music Hall
BLIND CHANNEL are: Niko Vilhelm Moilanen – Vocals Joonas Porko – Guitar Olli Matela – Bass Tommi Lalli – Drums Aleksi Kaunisvesi – Synths
DAWN OF DESTINY are releasing “A Different Story,” the first single from their upcoming album *Ashes Over Tomorrow*—the band’s TENTH album! This album will be released on October 30, 2026!
“A Different Story” once again showcases a hallmark of the band that isn’t all that common in power metal: two distinct lead vocalists who are perfectly in sync. Added to this is a sound that at times incorporates symphonic elements.
For over 25 years, DAWN OF DESTINY has been delivering symphonic power metal of the highest caliber! Their upcoming 10th album will be their third under the El Puerto Records label.
Tracklist: 01 Still Here 02 Too Weak 03 Chasing Dreams (feat. Fabio Lione) 04 A Different Story 05 Ashes Over Tomorrow 06 Above The Noise (feat. Ralf Scheepers) 07 Leave Me Now 08 I’ll Find You In Time 09 When The World Ends Quietly 10 Those Moments 11 One Small Lie 12 Death Wears A Human Face (Bonus Track) 13 In Vain (Bonus Track) 14 Let Love Be The Last Light
Live Dates 05.09.2026 Rock Spektakulum Herne (GER) 31.10.2026 Wümmstock, Bad Wünneberg (GER) 07.11.2026 Blood Moon Symphonies, Maintal (GER)
Line-up: Jeanette Scherff: Lead & backing vocals Jens Faber: Lead & backing vocals, Piano Veith Offenbächer: Lead, Rhythm and clean Guitars Dirk Raczkiewicz: Keyboards & Synths Micha Marquardt: Bass Philipp Bock: Drums
A journey beyond the boundaries of rock, blending funk, fusion, folk and polkka. Magnus Rosén and M.R.B. invite listeners to step outside the box and discover a world without musical borders.
Some musicians choose to remain within the boundaries of their genre. Others feel the need to explore what lies beyond them.
Magnus Rosén Band (M.R.B.) clearly belong to the second category.
With “Outside the Rock Box,” the band presents a new instrumental mini-album created as a tribute to the musicians, bands and artists who have inspired a remarkable musical journey over the years — a journey built on freedom, experimentation and an open-minded approach to music.
The title itself perfectly captures the philosophy behind the project:
Why stay inside the frame when you can discover the rest of the world?
“Outside the Rock Box” takes rock as its starting point, but refuses to remain confined to it. The compositions move through funk and fusion, while unexpectedly embracing elements of folk and polkka, creating an original, dynamic and unpredictable musical experience.
This freedom of exploration is what makes the new M.R.B. release particularly intriguing. It is not simply an instrumental record, but a genuine sonic journey where musicianship, groove, improvisation and curiosity come together without boundaries.
At the heart of the project is Magnus Rosén, the internationally renowned Swedish bassist, joined by an outstanding line-up of musicians.
The album features M.R.B. – Magnus Rosén Band:
Magnus Rosén – Bass
Fabio Buitvida – Drums, Production
Raphael Mattos – Guitar
The project is further enriched by two special guests:
George Keczan – Piano, Keyboards
Jonas Hansson – Guitar
The visual identity of the album is complemented by photography from Gabriel Henningson.
BEYOND THE “ROCK BOX”
“Outside the Rock Box” perfectly reflects Magnus Rosén’s artistic attitude: using rock as a starting point while allowing the music to travel somewhere else.
The bass becomes one of the central voices of a musical journey where rhythm, melody and experimentation meet, while guitars, keyboards and drums create a dialogue capable of crossing genres and musical traditions.
The result is a mini-album aimed at lovers of instrumental music, but also at anyone looking for something different from the most predictable musical paths.
There are no rigid boundaries. There is no single direction.
There is always another world to explore.
The international promotion of “Outside the Rock Box” is handled by Wanikiya Record/Promotion, an Italian company specializing in international promotion and communication for rock and metal artists and bands.
Following Magnus Rosén’s addition to its roster for the promotion of his musical activities and solo productions, Wanikiya Record/Promotion continues its collaboration with one of the most recognizable and versatile bass players on the international scene.
The partnership is built around a shared vision: bringing music beyond geographical and stylistic boundaries and connecting artists with media, radio stations, webzines, industry professionals and music fans around the world.
“Outside the Rock Box” is available to order through Sound Pollution.
The mini-album represents another exciting chapter in the artistic journey of Magnus Rosén and M.R.B. — an invitation to leave familiar categories behind and simply let the music lead the way.
As Magnus Rosén reminds us:
“Love, Peace, Understanding.”
And:
“Remember: questions give knowledge.”
“Freedom of expression offers a free world.”
Perhaps this is ultimately what Outside the Rock Box is all about: having the courage to look beyond what we already know.
Step outside the rock box. The rest of the world is waiting.
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
