South UK alternative metal outfit ONE LAST DAY have shared a planetary and anthemic new single titled “Still Breathing“, alongside a biting music video directed by Shaun Hodson (Loki Films). Produced by Meyrick De La Fuente (Exist Immortal, VEXED), “Still Breathing” is an air-tight and deeply emotive foray into alternative metal, with the band touching on its themes and stating:
“”Still Breathing” describes the fearful journey of talking about mental health issues. It centres around the self-doubt of convincing yourself that, if you do speak up, that no one really cares and that all you will hear are empty responses. Continually building yourself a prison of circular destructive thoughts and logic.
Further expanding on its themes, into breaking free of those same vicious patterns, they continue:
“As the song progresses, so does the journey, eventually moving to the realisation that there is a need to break yourself out of this cycle and that the time is now. You will have to push through and be brave; but you’ve come this far, breaking your silence will be the tool to release you from the cycle, and allow you to flourish.”
“Still Breathing“, through this, stands as an anthemic and emotive slice of modern alternative metal, baring its personal themes of personal struggle proudly and without shame, as there is, and always will be, a healthy way out of these darker moments.
The release of “Still Breathing” also follows the recent release of “Protect Me From Myself” in late 2024, as well as an appearance Brighton’s Hammerdown Festival this July. With the promise of more to come in the near future, 2025 is looking to only get bigger for the UK metallers.
Canadian cellist and musical chameleon Raphael Weinroth-Browne returns with ‘Ophidian’, the gripping third single from his upcoming solo album Lifeblood, out 3rd October. A visceral homage to the early 2000s vampire aesthetic, complete with nods to the Queen of the Damned soundtrack, the track entwines Middle Eastern melodies, black metal bowing and nu-metal riffing into a serpentine composition that slithers between the sensual and the savage.
Filmed in Poland’s haunting Temple of Art and Light by visual masterminds Grupa13 (Behemoth, Leprous), the accompanying video captures an inner battle between order and chaos, tradition and rebellion, mirroring Raphael’s own musical transformation as he embraces the unorthodox and the otherworldly.
Raphael comments on the new single: “Over the past four years, my Middle Eastern cello videos on social media have consistently elicited comparisons to the vampire Lestat’s violin solos in the movie Queen of the Damned (2002).
“‘Ophidian’ pays musical homage to this cult classic – particularly its iconic soundtrack – and evokes feelings of nostalgia for early 2000s aesthetics and the vampire genre. Here, Middle Eastern melodies, nu-metal inspired riffs, and black metal tremolo bowing converge in a piece that juxtaposes sensuality and brutality, steeped in the scent of exoticism and otherworldliness.
“A far cry from the traditional cello repertoire, ‘Ophidian’ is a celebration of all that is dark and unholy, hence the title, which refers to the reptilian order of serpents. Unlike the previous video for ‘Possession’, where my audience is the adversary, here I am locked in a duel with myself. My idea was to depict an inner war between the voices telling me to follow a traditional, “acceptable” path, and the dark side that wants to rebel against the status quo and take a more unorthodox direction in life, the road less travelled. In a sense it’s the dilemma of choosing between the angel and the devil on one’s shoulder and ultimately embracing the “devil” and one’s inner chaos as an authentic manifestation of self, instead of trying to suppress it. On a musical level, I interpret this as abandoning one’s classical background and taking an alternative artistic direction.”
Lifeblood is Raphael Weinroth-Browne’s most daring and fully formed solo statement yet, a strikingly personal work that channels both the euphoria of creative flow and the relentless drive of ambition. Fusing the heft of progressive metal with Middle Eastern scales, modern classical finesse and enveloping electronic textures, it captures the raw tension and release at the heart of his musical identity.
Commenting on the album, he adds, “I consider this album to be my most autobiographical work to date. As a metalhead turned full-time professional cellist making original music outside the classical realm, I have taken the road less travelled, nurturing my artistic vision and trusting my intuition even on an unorthodox path. I have forged a unique career and identity around my musical voice and the way it manifests itself through the cello. The defiant, audacious energy of this music represents my inexorable drive to continue pursuing my dream in spite of all obstacles.”
Lifeblood was engineered and co-mixed by Darren McGill at Union Sound Company in Toronto, with a final mix by acclaimed producer Adam Noble (Leprous, Katatonia). The album was then mastered by Robin Schmidt (Placebo, Ben Howard). Adding a visual dimension to the album’s immersive sound, the captivating cover artwork was created by Maldivian artist Maahy, celebrated for her ethereal, nature-inspired aesthetic.
Known for his emotionally charged performances and boundary pushing vision, Raphael Weinroth-Browne has become one of the most innovative cellists of his generation. Merging his roots in progressive metal with a passion for Middle Eastern music, he has forged a singular artistic voice that defies traditional expectations. His cello work can be heard on over 200 studio albums, including Woods of Ypres’ Juno Award-winning W5: Grey Skies & Electric Light and in major film and TV soundtracks. Viral cello covers of Opeth, Katatonia and StevenWilson have earned praise from the artists themselves, while his genre-spanning studio and stage career continues to attract international attention.
Since joining Norwegian progressive rock icons Leprous in 2016, Weinroth-Browne has played over 200 shows worldwide with the band and helped shape the sound of three studio albums. He has shared stages with Evanescence, Apocalyptica, Devin Townsend and performed in front of 40,000 at Hellfest, as well as at prestigious venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall. As a solo artist, he has opened for artists ranging from Polish neoclassical pianist Hania Rani to Nordic folk ensemble SKÁLD and UK legends Soft Machine.
In recent years, Weinroth-Browne has pushed further into experimental performance and contemporary dance. His solo debut Worlds Within (2020), a 40-minute composition built entirely from layered cello, earned critical acclaim for its emotional depth and innovative form. In 2023, he performed the album live with Ottawa Dance Directive to a sold-out audience at Canada’s National Arts Centre. In 2024, he was commissioned by the UK’s James Wilton Dance to compose BACH Reimagined, an 80-minute score that toured leading venues across the UK and Germany in spring 2025. Following this, his recent single ‘Speed of Light‘ continued the forward momentum, merging baroque motifs with crushing distortion and polyrhythmic intensity, earning acclaim for its fearless fusion of past and future. As his creative output grows increasingly multidisciplinary, Weinroth-Browne continues to defy genre boundaries and redefine what the cello can be in the 21st century.
With more on the horizon later this year, Lifeblood stands as a defining chapter in Weinroth-Browne’s uncompromising artistic path, an album that distills passion, pain, discipline and defiance into a sound that feels both timeless and urgent, intellectually rich yet emotionally visceral.
German metalcore outfit ACCVSED unleashed their debut album Dealers of Doom via Arising Empire. To celebrate the album, the band released a video for ‘Senescence’, watch it below.
ACCVSED have been making noise for a while now with singles like ‘Day of the Locust’, ‘Avoider’, ‘Never Enough’, ‘Don’t Let Me Fall Apart’ and ‘Killer of Minds’, gradually building a solid rep as one of the most promising heavy acts coming out of Germany. Each release has only added to their momentum, with fans digging their emotionally raw songwriting and explosive live energy.
Dealers of Doom feels like ACCVSED are laying down their mission statement – unfiltered, intense, and diving headfirst into the darker side of life.
Freshly signed metalcore outfit Lost in Hollywood have released a brand new track and video ‘The Art Of Being Torn Out’. The song is taken from their upcoming second studio album, which will be released later this year via Arising Empire.
Lost in Hollywood started in early 2023 and quickly made a name for themselves in the metalcore scene. Their first album The Beauty of Death was a huge success, with over 1.8 million streams to date.
For the new single, the band worked with none other than Chris Zühlke of label mates Half Me, one of the most exciting new forces in heavy music.
Catch the band live: 21.08. Karlsruhe 22.08. München 23.08. Frankfurt 06.09. Hamburg 29.11. Bremen
Swedish melodic rock powerhouse NIGHTHAWK release “Six Three O”, their most accomplished and dynamic album to date, today via Mighty Music on LP (black and green vinyl), CD, and digital formats.
Following a string of acclaimed releases and studio sessions in iconic locations like Abbey Road, the band took their new material to the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales, the same hallowed ground where Queen and Oasis once recorded. The result is “Six Three O”, an album that blends timeless rock energy with pristine production and heartfelt songwriting.
Led by guitarist Robert Majd (Captain Black Beard, Metalite), Nighthawk once again gathers an elite lineup of Swedish rock talent for this record: vocalist Björn Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra), keyboardist John Lönnmyr (The Night Flight Orchestra), bassist Rasmus Ehrnborn (Soilwork, TNFO) and drummer Magnus Ulfstedt (Black Paisley).
Produced by Sverker Widgren (Portal, October Tide), who also helmed their previous album “Prowler (2023)”, “Six Three O” takes the band’s vision even further, from the soaring hooks of “Home Tonight” to the raw energy of “Angel of Mine”, and the spontaneous magic of “Can’t Say Goodbye”, where Björn Strid delivered a standout pre-chorus on the spot.
Whether it’s the straight-ahead rock’n’roll punch of “Too Good To You” or the refined arrangements that run throughout the record, “Six Three O” marks a band firing on all cylinders – confident, cohesive, and passionate.
What began as a passion project has evolved into one of Sweden’s most exciting rock bands today. With “Six Three O”, Nighthawk honour their classic rock roots while forging their own path into the future.
“Six Three O” is out now on LP (black vinyl limited to 100 copies, green vinyl limited to 200), CD and digital, via Mighty Music. It can be ordered and streamed via this link.
From the frontlines of melodic death metal, EVOCATUS return with their blistering new single, “To Live by the Sword,” featuring Maude Théberge of Sanguine Glacialis — the latest offering from their forthcoming full-length album Inevitable Death, set for release on August 29, 2025via Wormholedeath — a thunderous concept record drenched in fate, warfare, and mortality.
Unrelenting from the very first strike, “To Live by the Sword”dives into the psyche of a warrior king — torn between conquest and guilt, forsaking kin in the name of empire, and ultimately seeking absolution on the battlefield. With razor-edged riffing, dual guitar solos, and a narrative arc that blends glory and grief, this track is a towering monument to the eternal cycle of violence and redemption.
The single is an explosive highlight from Evocatus’s most ambitious release to date — Inevitable Death — a concept album where myth meets metal, channeling the spirit of ancient warfare through modern sonic brutality.
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
