Italian-based black/death metal purveyors HIEROPHANT have signed a record deal with Agonia Records for the release of the band’s sixth studio album and successor to “Death Siege” (2022). The as-yet-untitled album is currently in the works and is expected to surface next year.
“We enter a new path into the abyss. A pact has been sealed with Agonia Records,” HIEROPHANT comments. “The next offering is already taking shape, set to emerge in 2026. This marks another step towards the infinite darkness. There is no light ahead. Only the coming ruin. Hail to Chaos.”
Since their last two albums, “Mass Grave” (2016) and “Death Siege” (2022) – both released on Season of Mist – HIEROPHANT have carved their path into the extreme metal underground with a relentless and furious approach. Following the conquest of the most prestigious stages (Hellfest, Party.San, MetalDays), the “Death Siege” ranks pushed the limit to the extreme and ultimately forged the first live album in the band’s career. Recorded at Hellfest in 2023, “Gateway to the Abyss” (released via Dusktone) is the feral representation of what HIEROPHANT‘s music is about: hatred, blood, nihility.
“Now, with eyes set upon our new offering, the path descends even deeper,” the band wraps up.
Upcoming shows: 28.03.2025 @ Witch’s Hollow Festival – Coeuve, Switzerland 05.07.2025 @ Sick Midsummer Festival – Scharnstein, Austria
Swedish melodic hard rockers ART NATION are pleased to share their new single and accompanying video, “Halo”, from their upcoming new studio album, “The Ascendance”, set for release on April 25th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Following the highly acclaimed “Inception”, the new record “The Ascendance” delivers a huge, anthemic, more modern melodic oriented album, powerful and energic.
The new album pushes more the pedal towards a modern heavy sound, without losing the typical Art Nation trademark with memorable melodies. Songs like “Halo”, “Thunderball” or “Unstoppable” are perfect examples of what you can expect from the new album: an undeniably enjoyable sonic delight.
Alexander Strandell expressed his excitement for the release: “It feels amazing to finally share the new album – a true reflection of our journey as a band. Over the years, we’ve explored different sounds, challenged ourselves creatively, and pushed boundaries to find the essence of who we are. Through experimentation and growth, we’ve shaped our identity, and The Ascendance represents the culmination of that process.”
“The album consists of eleven signature Art Nation songs, filled with powerful melodies, unforgettable choruses, intricate musical elements, and, most importantly, pure passion. This record is a testament to everything we’ve worked for, and we can’t wait for you to experience it with us”, he added.
Talking about the new single, he said: “Halo” is the final single before the album release, and it feels amazing to share one of the most epic tracks with a truly catchy chorus. This track is definitely a teaser of what’s to come”.
Hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, Art Nation is the rising force in modern melodic Metal. Founded by Alexander Strandell and Christoffer Borg, the band is gaining acclaim for their astonishing hit-writing potential, their truly captivating sound and dynamic live performances.
With his powerful and emotive vocals, Alexander Strandell has captivated audiences on Sweden’s National TV and radio. A nominee for “Rock Voice of the Year”, his commanding stage presence and vocal mastery set him apart as one of the most dynamic performers in rock today.
A producer and guitarist celebrated for his precision and creativity, Christoffer Borg has worked with iconic names like Amaranthe, Anthrax, and Evergrey. His exceptional skills bring a polished and melodic edge to Art Nation’s signature sound.
Known for his incredible technical prowess and musicality, Richard Svärd has played with a lot of musicians and also toured with thrash legends Death Riders. His deep grooves and intricate bass lines lay the foundation for Art Nation’s unstoppable momentum.
Their debut album “Revolution” in 2015 received great reviews, earning them nominations at the esteemed “Gaffa Awards” in Sweden. In 2016, they penned the official anthem for the “Gothia Cup” soccer tournament, performed live on national TV, and in sold-out stadiums.
After touring excessively in and around their home country, sharing stages with iconic bands like Nightwish, Twisted Sister and Hammerfall, as well as playing all the relevant festivals such as Sweden Rock, Art Nation now seem destined for the break out all over Europe!
Alone by focusing on the Nordic countries, combined with the band’s growing presence on platforms like Spotify, the band is reaching over 1.2 million streams in the past 28 days, bringing the band’s total to over 15 million streams across all tracks.
Art Nation are now gearing up for an exciting new album release in 2025 and, on top of that, for the first time the band is seriously expanding their conquest outside the Nordic borders by teaming up with Decibel Touring for more concert performances throughout the entire European continent and the UK.
Experience the undeniable power of melodic metal with Art Nation – a band destined for nothing less than the top of Modern Metal! Let’s join the Nation!
“The Ascendance” Tracklist:
1. Set Me Free 2. Thunderball 3. Halo 4. Runaways 5. Julia 6. The Last Of Us 7. Lightbringer 8. A New Beginning 9. Unstoppable 10. Rise 11. Fallout
Line Up: Alexander Strandell – Vocals Christoffer Borg – Guitar Richard Svärd – Bass
Set for release on April 25 via Moment of Collapse Records, with “Dirge for the Doomed”, Northern German collective ORACLE HANDS presents a debut album that pushes the boundaries of post-metal while constructing a brutal, atmospheric sound wall. After their promising demo tape in 2023, the band returns with seven intense tracks, firmly establishing themselves in a musical realm influenced by genres such as doom, black, death metal, as well as punk and grindcore.
Recorded at the renowned Tonmeisterei Oldenburg under the direction of Roland Wiegner, the album unfolds a dense, menacing atmosphere carried by driving blast beats, dark melodies, and an unstoppable sound avalanche. Particularly impressive is the balance between raw aggression and melancholic heaviness: relentless riffs and shrill noise passages meet heavy-hearted guitar harmonies, while the bass grinds ominously through the tracks and the versatile drumming continually introduces new dynamics.
The album’s intensity is further reinforced by the haunting, often resigned lyrics, manifested in an interplay of harsh screams and growls. ORACLE HANDS succeeds in avoiding stylistic arbitrariness despite the overwhelming force. Instead, they demonstrate a keen sense of songwriting that oscillates between eruptive energy and atmospheric depth.
With the track “Black Fields”, ORACLE HANDS have unleashed the first intense glimpse from their soon to be released album. The song is accompanied by a video, which you can watch here:
Fans of bands like Rosetta, Oathbreaker, or Hessian will immediately feel at home with “Dirge for the Doomed”. ORACLE HANDS manages to carve out their own voice within the dense post-metal genre and deliver a debut work that demands attention. No enthusiast of intense, emotionally charged metal should miss this album.
Tracklist:
The Order
Nihilistic Rites
Dissonance Of The Tongueless 04. Pulse
Black Fields
Drain The Poison
Into The Abyss
The album will be coming out on April 25 via Moment of Collapse Records and is available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION
“Sing meinen Song” [engl. ‘Sing My Song’]: A hit television show enjoyed by audiences of all ages across German-speaking countries, kicks off its sixth Swiss season today! This show, modelled after the Dutch TV program “Beste Zangers,” features well-known musicians performing each other’s songs in tribute. The new season includes appearances by GOTTHARD’s bassist Marc Lynn on guitar and Nic Maeder on vocals, promising great entertainment for hard rock fans in the upcoming weeks. Produced by 3plus, this season will also introduce ‘Drive My Car,’ a fresh track from GOTTHARD’s soon-to-be-released album “Stereo Crush,” which debuts this Friday, March 21, under Reigning Phoenix Music. True to the show’s concept, this track is a cover of a song originally by THE BEATLES, marking another significant moment in GOTTHARD’s illustrious career.
Lynn comments: “Before we became a part of “Sing meinen Song,” I’d been rather sceptical about such TV shows, but now I have to admit that it was a great experience to exchange with other musicians in such an intimate surrounding. The mutual musical surprises were phenomenal! I was really impressed by the high artistic level and the common respect, and I think that “Sing meinen Song” was a positive surprise for all participants. Thank you for these unforgettable impressions, thank you for having us!”
“Two years ago, we were brainstorming about cover song ideas in the rehearsal room, and someone suggested trying out ‘Drive My Car.’ Since we’re all massive BEATLES fans, we immediately started to jam on this classic, and it instantly felt great, really great. Lucky enough to have our own studio, we went straight into recording, laid it down, and it came out even better than we imagined. But at the time, we didn’t know what to do with it yet. When we started working on “Stereo Crush” last year, we were checking our possible song list, and the song came up again. All of us thought that this would perfectly fit on the album. It was the missing piece,” adds guitarist Freddy Scherer.
“Stereo Crush” can still be pre-ordered in your preferred physical format, and pre-saved on your favourite digital service provider (DSP): https://gotthard.rpm.link/stereocrushPR
Produced, recorded and mixed by long-time producer Charlie Bauerfeind, who’s known for his work with the likes of HELLOWEEN and BLIND GUARDIAN, alongside co-producer and founding member Leo Leoni at Yellowhouse Studio, and mastered by Sascha “Busy” Bühren (TrueBusyness), with artwork once again provided by Thomas Ewerhard (AVANTASIA etc.), “Stereo Crush” promises to set new standards.
Following the album is a massive European tour, including seven dates alongside with special guests Y&T as well as Swiss dates with genre colleagues KROKUS. GOTTHARD’s steadily expanding live itinerary and ticket info can be found below!
GOTTHARD live:
“Stereo Crush” Tour 2025 20.05.2025 IT Milan – Alcatraz (w/ ECLIPSE) 21.05.2025 DE Saarbücken – Garage (w/ ECLIPSE)
Special Guests: Y&T Presented by Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, musix, Rock Antenne, powermetal.de, RPM & Bottom Row
23.05.2025 DE Bochum – RuhrCongress 24.05.2025 DE Geiselwind – Music Hall 25.05.2025 DE Frankfurt – Batschkapp 27.05.2025 DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36 29.05.2025 DE Munich – Circus Krone 30.05.2025 DE Filderstadt – FILharmonie 31.05.2025 AT Telfs – Rathaussaal
11.06.2025 DE Wolfhagen – Stadtpark Teichwiesen (w/ AXXIS) 14.06.2025 ES Zamora – Z! Live Rock 26.06.2025 CH Pully – Live Festival NEW 27.06.2025 CH Basel – Summerstage (w/ KROKUS) 28.06.2025 DE Ehingen – Martkplatz (w/ KROKUS) 20.07.2025 CH Locarno – Moon&Stars (“Steve Lee – The Show”) 22.07.2025 DE Regensburg – Piazza im Gewerbepark 06.08.2025 CH Zofingen – Heitere (w/ Orchestra) 10.08.2025 DE Tettnang – Schlossgarten (w/ KROKUS) 19.12.2025 CH Bern – Festhalle (w/ KROKUS) 20.12.2025 CH Zurich – The Hall (w/ KROKUS)
With 16 number one albums, a Diamond Award for selling over one million units in Switzerland, and multiple platinum records, including their quadruple platinum album “Homerun,” and several double and triple platinum albums, GOTTHARD have an unmatched legacy of successes, rounded off by over 3.5 million units sold worldwide and more than 2,000 live performances. Their tracks like ‘Heaven,’ a platinum single, and seven top 10 singles have cemented the band in the international music scene.
GOTTHARD are: Nic Maeder | vocals Leo Leoni | guitars Freddy Scherer | guitars Marc Lynn | bass Flavio Mezzodi | drums
Alternative dark metal project NULLOR proudly presents the official music video for “Maladjusted,” a standout track from their latest album, Finalform, available now via Wormholedeath.
“Maladjusted” is a visceral anthem that cuts straight to the heart of societal decay. The track explores themes of power, greed, and corruption, painting a stark picture of betrayal and disillusionment. With its dark, brooding energy and thought-provoking lyricism, the song holds a mirror to humanity’s flaws, challenging listeners to confront the uncomfortable truths lurking in the shadows.
Nullor’s bold and unflinching approach makes “Maladjusted” an essential listen for fans of alternative and dark metal. This track isn’t just music—it’s a powerful statement, urging you to reflect, question, and rise above.
Finalform is a raw reflection of Nullor’s musical evolution, born from past disappointments and a resolute DIY spirit. Breaking away from the need for a full band, Nullor embraced the challenge of creating a multi-dimensional music solo. Drawing on influences like Helmet, Meshuggah, The Cure, and Faith No More, the album blends complex polyrhythms with intense grooves for a sound that’s both heavy and unpredictable. Lyrically, Finalform explores personal themes of disaster, resilience, and creative defiance—an unfiltered journey into an artist’s newfound voice.
Prepare for a sonic onslaught as Militia Vox and industrial collective FleischKrieg join forces for ‘Reach,’ a punishing new industrial metal single set for release on April 11th via Golden Robot Records, available for pre-save now.
Featuring the legendary Logan Mader (Machine Head, Soulfly) on guitars, who has produced for metal heavyweights like Gojira, Five Finger Death Punch, and Fear Factory, ‘Reach‘ delivers a crushing mix of industrial soundscapes, cinematic chaos, and bone-rattling riffs.
Militia Vox and FleischKrieg’s collaboration was forged at Wasteland Weekend, the world’s largest post-apocalyptic festival held annually in the Mojave Desert. A staple of the APOC (apocalypse) scene, Militia Vox will return to perform at Wasteland this fall for the 15th anniversary of the Mad Max-inspired event. “This song is a testament to my love for the APOC scene and the community,” says Militia Vox. “We are some of the most die-hard, heavy music lovers on the planet. The commitment to the Wastelander lifestyle, the creativity, and the people are like no other. Wasteland is my happy place. It’s where my music and my fire show make the most sense, and they fully accept my artistry – uncensored.”
Known for her incendiary live performances, Militia Vox has a reputation for pushing boundaries – having been banned from multiple venues, colleges, and events for reasons, such as, “inspiring lewd behavior” and an unauthorized fire performance in a New York City landmark building.FleischKrieg, fresh off a tour supporting Mushroomhead, brings their signature “Neon Babylon” sound to ‘Reach.’ Co-songwriter Richard Cranor describes the track as “an out-of-body experience where you realize you are not at the top of the food chain.”
Militia Vox is also the powerhouse vocalist of the world’s only all-female Judas Priest tribute band, Judas Priestess. Her connection to the Metal God himself, Rob Halford, is solidified with a duet on “Push Comes to Shove” by Bad Penny – making her the only artist to have recorded a song with the legend she tributes. Both Militia Vox and Judas Priestess are signed to Golden Robot Records (Sony/The Orchard).
With its relentless energy, searing vocals, and apocalyptic industrial metal fury, ‘Reach‘ is set to leave a lasting mark on the heavy music landscape.
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
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