Finnish alt-metal project Relicon is set to make a powerful return with their upcoming EP Ephemeral Triumphs, due for release 29 August 2025 via Wormholedeath.
Ephemeral Triumphs marks the band’s second EP under Wormholedeath, delivering a blend of raw emotion, experimental textures, and unflinching heaviness.
In a statement from the band, they shared, “It’s been a very long road for this project, over 27 years. While there was a hiatus between 2012-2017 for personal reasons, the project has always continued to compose newmusic, evolve, and pursue new things. Even at this moment, the next recording is already taking shape.”
Ephemeral Triumphsfeatures three reimagined tracks originally written between 2005–2012 and one newer piece, “Emergence,” with early demos dating back to 2017. Musically, the EP ventures into more experimental ground, infusing alternative metal roots with moody atmospheres, dynamic shifts, and guest saxophone work from Tommi Palomäki.
The recording process began immediately after the band’s 2024 EP Consequences of Disbelief. Drummer Mikko Kuhno laid the rhythmic foundation, while longtime bassist Tuukka Mauranen—returning after years of collaboration—added low-end power. Antti-Pekka handled the rest of the instrumentation and production, continuing his legacy as the band’s creative core.
Expect a diverse sonic palette: the opening track “Herstory” and instrumental “Demise 2” stay close to Relicon’s traditional alt-metal roots, while “Join the Fray” introduces aggressive fry vocals, and the closing track “Emergence” explores haunting, softer dynamics unlike anything in the band’s catalog.
Founded in 1998 by Antti-Pekka Meronen as a solo project, RELICON has undergone significant evolution over the years. After releasing two demos in 2002 and 2003, the project transformed into a full five-piece band by 2005, followed by the addition of a keyboardist and the release of a fourth demo in 2008. Despite a brief disbandment and a hiatus from 2012 to 2017, RELICON resurfaced in 2024 with the EP “Consequences of Disbelief,” also released via Wormholedeath. The current lineup, featuring drummer Mikko Kuhno and long-time bassist Tuukka Mauranen, has brought new energy to the project, culminating in the release of “Ephemeral Triumphs” in 2025.
On July 5, 2025, Black Sabbath said their final goodbye with the historic “Back To The Beginning”show at Villa Park in Birmingham. But the legendary send-off didn’t just inspire fans around the world – it also sparked the imagination of the creative team at Lego.
The result? A highly detailed miniature version of the concert has now been unveiled at the Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham. The tiny scene includes a full stadium setup, stage, and of course – Lego versions of the band.
Each of the original members –Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward – has been lovingly recreated in Lego form. Ozzy comes with his iconic round sunglasses, while Iommi is on stage, guitar in hand and beard in place. The model is now part of the “Miniland” section, which showcases local landmarks and famous faces from Birmingham – all built in Lego.
Amy Langham, General Manager of the Discovery Centre, shared:
“Black Sabbath are true Birmingham legends, and this felt like the perfect way to honor their final hometown show. Our master builders had a blast bringing Ozzy and the band to life in Lego form, and we hope fans of all ages will enjoy this little tribute.”
Century Media Records is hosting their very own label night featuring SOLSTAFIR, BORKNAGAR, CRYSTAL LAKE, HELLRIPPER and BAEST on Wednesday, August 13th.
Final tickets for this year’s edition of the iconic metal festival in Dinkelsbühl are available here: TICKETS
“Drop Dead, Gorgeous helped perfect a style of post-hardcore that other bands would model themselves after. Where other bands in the scene would regurgitate the same testosterone-tinged bro-rock, Drop Dead, Gorgeous made their mark by putting [emotional] vulnerability into song.” – VICE
After more than 15 years, Denver metalcore pioneers Drop Dead, Gorgeous have officially returned with a brand new single, “Six Feet,” along with the announcement of the return of The Artery Foundation (label)—the original driving force behind the genre. Accompanied by a gripping music video that premiered exclusively on Revolver Magazine, the track marks a powerful new chapter for the band, who reunite with three original members.
“It’s been over 15 years, and ‘Six Feet’ felt like the right way to come back — intense, honest, and unapologetic. We’re not trying to recreate the past, just push things forward in a way that still feels true to who we are,” shares the band.
The return of Drop Dead, Gorgeous is not only a monumental moment for fans, but also for the team behind The Artery Foundation, which helped launch the band’s early career.
“It’s surreal to have Drop Dead, Gorgeous back with us after 20 years,” says Eric Rushing, President of The Artery Foundation. “They were one of Artery’s first big breakthroughs and helped define who we were early on. This reunion isn’t just nostalgic—it’s a full-circle moment that reminds us where we came from and helps usher in the new wave of Artery.”
Oct 2 @ Scout Bar in Houston, TX Oct 3 @ RBC in Dallas, TX Oct 4 @ The Rock Box in San Antonio, TX
They were teenagers from Denver with chaotic angst, huge hooks, breakdowns, and something to say. At the height of the post-hardcore and so-called “emo” explosion of the mid-2000s (which saw My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, and Avenged Sevenfold reach massive heights), Drop Dead, Gorgeous carved out new synth-soaked pathways with unmistakable vocals and unhinged emotion.
Drop Dead, Gorgeous returns in 2025 with their first new music in over a decade. Produced by Elliot Polokoff and mastered by longtime collaborator Kris Crummett (Dance Gavin Dance, Sleeping With Sirens, Get Scared), “Six Feet” recaptures their signature tension—hooky, hostile, and cinematic. The band isn’t trying to relive their past, but they aren’t running from it, either. Drop Dead, Gorgeous may have gone quiet for a time, but their impact never faded. Now, with fresh music and sharpened vision, they’re writing a new chapter—not as nostalgia, but as an experienced and focused continuation of what they started.
Their 2006 full-length debut, In Vogue, a touchstone release for Rise Records, inspired many like-minded kids to form bands with its theatricality and authentic confessional attitude. Singer Daniel “Stills” Stillman gave a literal voice to fans who connected to the band’s combination of bombast and charisma. “We were just these young kids who were thrown into our dream,” remembers bassist Jake Hansen, who notes that drummer Danny Cooper was only 15 years old. “I was the oldest, at just 18.”
“We didn’t know anything about song structure or how a band was supposed to function back then,” says Stills. “We just wrote what felt right, and that honesty ended up being what connected.”
In Vogue didn’t just tap into the moment; it helped define it. “I first heard Drop Dead, Gorgeous on a Rise Records sampler,” Counterparts vocalist Brendan Murphy told VICE in a loving ten-year retrospective. “Seems shortly after that, everyone’s MySpace song was ‘Dressed for Friend Requests.’ Kids ate it up because of the seemingly perfect balance between screaming and catchy choruses.”
Ex-Geffen Records CEO Jordan Schur brought them to Suretone Records, a joint venture with Interscope that became home to Weezer, New Found Glory, The Cure, From First To Last, and the late Chris Cornell. The result was the dark concept album Worse Than a Fairy Tale (2007), produced by nü-metal pioneer Ross Robinson (Korn, Slipknot, At The Drive-In). The band played the Vans Warped Tour the same year, and with The Used and Rise Against on Taste of Chaos in Australia and New Zealand.
Drop Dead, Gorgeous collaborated with producer Matt Goldman (Underoath, Anberlin, Meg & Dia) on The Hot N’ Heavy (2009). With additional production from The Chariot’s Josh Scogin and mixing by Saison guitarist Beau Burchell, The Hot N’ Heavy achieved the band’s biggest chart success while merging the sound of their debut album with more polished aggression and metalcore intensity.
But the whirlwind took its toll. By 2011, the band had quietly disappeared.
Stills and Cooper returned to Rise Records with Bleach Blonde, a band combining pop-rock and alternative elements. As synth duo 888, the pair saw strong streaming success with the title track of their Island Records EP, Critical Mistakes (2016). Sadly, guitarist Kyle Browning passed away in 2021.
“I didn’t think I’d ever want to play in a heavy band again,” Stills says. “But after a while, we had that itch we wanted to scratch. It surprised me how much I missed it.” The core trio of Stills, Cooper, and Hansen reconvened with a string of well-received surprise reunion shows in late 2024 and 2025.
The sonic shadow of Drop Dead, Gorgeous looms large across a slew of successful bands who continued in their wake. With the band fully resurrected, their comeback is about legacy and unfinished business, viewed through the lens of experience and pure intentions. “We just want to do something honest,” Stills reaffirms. “We don’t want to make music that doesn’t feel real to us.”
Drop Dead, Gorgeous are: Daniel “Stills” Stillman – lead vocals, keyboard, programming, additional guitars Jacob Hansen – bass Danny Cooper – drums Jacob Belcher – guitars River Wilde – guitars
With more than two decades performing together, acclaimed rockers ALTER BRIDGE show no signs of slowing down. Known for their memorable riffs, infectious vocal melodies and dueling guitar attack, the quartet comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums have garnered themselves massive critical and fan acclaim around the globe. The band looks to continue that trend when they release their self-titled, eighth studio album next year via Napalm Records. Alter Bridge will be released on January 9, 2026, and first physical formats are now available for pre-order.
Alter Bridge is comprised of 12 all new tracks from the band and features some of their most iconic moments on record. Songs like “Rue The Day,”“Disregarded” and “Scales Are Falling” will fit alongside any of the classic songs from ALTER BRIDGE’s catalog. “Trust In Me” shows Myles and Mark sharing vocal duties as Myles handles the verse duties while Mark takes the chorus. That strategy is flipped on “Tested And Able” as Mark handles the verses and Myles takes on the choruses behind one of the band’s heaviest intros to date, giving way to an unforgettable melody. “Hang By A Thread” is sure to become a show favorite as it hints at some of the most popular songs in the band’s catalog. Album closer “Slave To Master” is an epic track that ALTER BRIDGE has come to be known for and is the longest song the quartet has recorded to date.
The band worked with longtime collaborator and producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette on their eighth album. Alter Bridge was recorded over the course of two months this spring in the legendary 5150 studio in California and Elvis’ recording studio in Florida.
Pre-Order the First Physical Formats of Alter Bridge HERE More Formats Coming Soon!
Alter Bridge track listing: 1) Silent Divide (5:06) 2) Rue The Day (4:46) 3) Power Down (4:08) 4) Trust In Me (4:48) 5) Disregarded (3:55) 6) Tested And Able (4:36) 7) What Lies Within (5:07) 8) Hang By A Thread (4:11) 9) Scales Are Falling (5:54) 10) Playing Aces (4:05) 11) What Are You Waiting For (5:00) 12) Slave To Master (9:03)
To coincide with the announcement of the new album, ALTER BRIDGE will be touring in support of the release. The band is heading out on the What Lies Within Tour. The 31-date tour of Europe will kick off on January 15 in Germany before it wraps on March 5 in Nottingham, UK. Joining the band on the tour will be Daughtry and Sevendust. Public on sale for all shows is July 18. More information on all tickets and VIP packages for the upcoming tour can be found at http://www.alterbridge.com.
European What Lies Within Tour 2026: Jan 15 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – Sporthalle Jan 17 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene Jan 18 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene Jan 20 – STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – Annexet Jan 22 – HELSINKI, FINLAND – Ice Hall Black Box Jan 24 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – KB Hallen Jan 25 – BERLIN, GERMANY – Columbiahalle Jan 27 – GLIWICE, POLAND – Prezero Arena Gliwice Jan 28 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Barba Negra Jan 30 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Gasometer Jan 31 – ZAGREB, CROATIA – Bocarski Dom Feb 02 – ROME, ITALY – Atlantico Feb 03 – BERGAMO, ITALY – ChorusLive Arena Feb 05 – ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – The Hall Feb 06 – LYON, FRANCE – Halle Tony Garnier Feb 08 – BARCELONA, SPAIN – Razzmatazz 1 Feb 10 – LISBON, PORTUGAL – Sagres Campo Pequeno Feb 12 – MADRID, SPAIN – Palacio Vistalegre Feb 13 – BORDEAUX, FRANCE – Arkea Arena Feb 15 – LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG – Rockhal Feb 17 – OBERHAUSEN, GERMANY – Oberhausen Turbinenhalle Feb 18 – PARIS, FRANCE – Zenith Feb 20 – MUNICH, GERMANY – Zenith Feb 22 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Ziggo Dome Feb 23 – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – Ancienne Belgique Feb 25 – NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM – Utilita Arena Feb 26 – MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – AO Arena Feb 28 – DUBLIN, IRELAND – 3Arena Mar 02 – GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM – OVO Hydro Mar 04 – LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – The O2 Mar 05 – NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM – Motorpoint Arena
ALTER BRIDGE will be reuniting for one show in 2025. The band will be doing a rare acoustic show on October 1 in Nashville, TN to support the Tremonti Family Charity Golf Outing. The outing is a benefit started by guitarist Mark Tremonti to support the National Down Syndrome Society – an organization close to Mark after his daughter Stella was born with Down syndrome. The event will raise money for NDSS – an organization that engages grassroots advocates at the federal, state, and local levels and creates resources to support individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and caregivers across the lifespan on topics including education, employment, health and wellness, and aging.
Back in 2004, four lifelong musicians got together down in Florida. Even though they had traveled separate paths, similar lessons learned, wisdom earned, and dues paid united these gentlemen—Myles Kennedy [vocals, guitar], Mark Tremonti [guitar, vocals], Brian Marshall [bass], and Scott Phillips [drums]—as ALTER BRIDGE. Over the ensuing two decades, the band endured countless trials and tribulations, defied every odd, and rose to the head of the pack as a hard rock juggernaut, cementing a singular legacy by selling out arenas, gathering nearly one billion streams, inciting international acclaim, and quietly attracting a diehard audience. Beginning with the Top 5 entry of 2004’s gold certified One Day Remains, the band have scored six consecutive Top 20 debuts on the Billboard 200. Among a myriad of highlights, Guitarist Magazine applauded “Blackbird” for the “Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time,” the ABIII single “Isolation” vaulted to #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, 2013’s Fortress received rare perfect scores from KERRANG! and Total Guitar, and Walk The Sky shook the Top Rock Albums Chart at #1. Beyond packing O2 Arena and Royal Albert Hall, Classic Rock hailed 2022’s Pawns & Kings as “the Rolls-Royce of ALTER BRIDGE records” in a 4.5-out-of-5-star review. Plus, the latter LP garnered praise from American Songwriter, Guitar World, and Loudwire, while Billboard christened them “one of America’s premiere hard rock quartets.” Channeling the same hunger, the band continue to push themselves on their self-titled eighth full-length offering, Alter Bridge [Napalm Records]. It embodies everything they’re known for such as the precise riffs, towering hooks, and solos that practically break guitar strings as they burst through the clouds.
This year the summer ended with … ADEPT! Swedish metalcore powerhouse ADEPT rise again, ushering in a fierce new era with their long-awaited fifth studio album, Blood Covenant, out October 24, 2025 via Napalm Records. Marking a bold new era after nearly a decade of silence, Blood Covenant captures the band at their most intense, dynamic, and emotionally resonant to date across eleven tightly crafted tracks.
Formed in the early 2000s in Trosa, Sweden, ADEPT helped shape the early European metalcore landscape, rising to prominence through passionate songwriting, high-octane shows, and raw emotional energy. Following their fiery comeback at Core Fest 2024 and numerous explosive festival performances, the band now unveils Blood Covenant, redefining their sound with sharpened aggression, cinematic scope, and lyrical depth.
Following “Heaven” and “You”, ADEPT unleash their explosive new single “Ignore The Sun”. The track provides a blistering master class in Gothenburg-style, melodic death metal riffing set against pummeling breakdowns. A mixture of oppressive growls and captivating cleans enhances the catchiness, reminiscent of ADEPT’s early years. “Ignore The Sun” is accompanied by a mesmerizing visualizer, giving fans a taste of the electrifying energy they will let loose all over their upcoming anniversary European tour.
ADEPT about “Ignore The Sun”: “With ‘Ignore the Sun’, we really wanted to capture the full spectrum of what drives us — from relentless, riff-driven speed and that raw Scandinavian metal intensity, to heavy metalcore breakdowns that are made to fuel the pit. But it’s not just about power; there’s also this epic sense of grandeur and a lot of raw emotion behind it. The lyrics are deeply personal and hit hard, designed to connect with listeners on a real level, just like the music.”
Drenched in vivid hues of red, Blood Covenant is a raw, unflinching reflection on scars carried, battles fought, and a hunger for authenticity, in spite of a world so rife with insincerity. Opening with the intense title track “Blood Covenant”, the album sets a brooding tone that echoes through the record. “Heaven”, drags the listener through a guilt ridden storm of thunderous, fast-paced riffs, while the hard-hitting “Define Me” follows with an imposing attitude and snapping aggression, underlining its uncompromising message of self-reclamation. Both tracks are marked by ADEPT’s signature blend of emotional intensity and unrelenting breakdowns. “YOU” dives deep into the emotional wreckage of love lost, with swelling, cathartic guitar leads and honest, bleeding heart lyricism. “Time Is a Destroyer” pulses with urgency and existential dread, unfolding over a haunting acoustic backdrop accented by swelling strings, while “Parting Ways” lean into darker, more cinematic territory, introducing eerie ambient layers and post-metal textures that capture a moment of vulnerability wrapped in restrained heaviness and reflection. “Filthy Tongue” dives headfirst into brooding industrial terrain, fusing harsh textures and hypnotic rhythms into a raw, relentless beast. Tracks like “Ignore the Sun” channels melodic death metal energy, leveraging deliciously melodic shredding to increase the impact of its tectonic breakdowns. “The Rapture of Dust”, the album’s closer, collapses the record into a final, sweeping moment of reflection—crushing and beautiful in equal measure.
Produced by Henrik Udd (Bring Me The Horizon, Architects) together with guitarist Gustav Lithammer and vocalist Robert Ljung at Henrik Udd Recording, the album boasts a sonically expansive and emotionally intimate production. Mixed by Henrik Udd and mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson (Soilwork, Dynazty) at The Panic Room, Blood Covenant wields immense weight and clarity without sacrificing any of its raw energy.
Blood Covenant Tracklisting:
Blood Covenant
Heaven
Define Me
YOU
Parting Ways
Filthy Tongue
Time Is A Destroyer
Battered Skin
No Matter The Years
Ignore The Sun
The Rapture Of Dust
With a legacy spanning two decades, ADEPT are currently crushing stages at massive festivals across Europe like Nova Rock and Summer Breeze Open Air. The Swedish heavyweights indisputably stand at the threshold of their most vital chapter yet. As they prepare to embark on their massive 20-Year Anniversary Tour this winter, Blood Covenant doesn’t just mark a comeback. It redefines the band—scarred but unshaken, and more inspired than ever.
Festivals 2025: 15.08.25 DE – Dinkelsbühl / Summer Breeze Open Air 16.08.25 CH – Cudrefin / Rock The Lakes
20 Year Anniversary EU/UK Tour 2025 27.11.25 DE – Berlin / Astra Kulturhaus 28.11.25 DE – Hamburg / Fabrik 29.11.25 DE – Dresden / Alter Schlachthof 30.11.25 NL – Tilburg / 013 Poppodium 02.12.25 UK – Manchester / Club Academy 03.12.25 UK – London / O2 Academy Islington 04.12.25 FR – Paris / La Maroquinerie 05.12.25 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn 06.12.25 CH – Aarau / KiFF 07.12.25 AT – Vienna / Flex – NEW SHOW 09.12.25 CZ – Prague / MeetFactory 10.12.25 DE – Frankfurt / Zoom 11.12.25 DE – Cologne / Essigfabrik 12.12.25 DE – Münster / Skaters Palace 13.12.25 DE – Saarbrücken / Garage 14.12.25 DE – Munich / Backstage Werk
ADEPT are: Robert Ljung – Vocals Gabriel Hellmark – Drums Filip Brandelius – Bass Gustav Lithammer – Guitar Kasper Larcombe-Tronstad – Guitar
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
