The new SOULBOUND studio album “sYn” will be released on 16 January 2026 by Metalville, The “sYn” tour starts on 26 March 2026.
With “sYn” SOULBOUND present their most uncompromising work to date. The melodic industrial metal band’s fourth studio album strikes a dark, direct tone and remains as catchy as it is uncomfortable. Between brutal self-reckoning, social criticism and sacred exaltation, “sYn” spins a dense thematic thread around the central motif of sin – rethought, interpreted in many different ways and bitterly personal.
Musically, the band remains true to itself: “sYn” combines hard riffs, brute synths, pounding beats and anthemic choruses. Somewhere between NDH, metalcore and electronically distorted world pain. But instead of bold provocation, it’s about attitude. It’s about admitting to being fallible. About contradicting dogmas and wrestling with one’s own precipice.
“If we’re considered sinners, might as well be it with purpose and flair!”, says the band. This is exactly how sYn sounds: raw, honest, angry, but also vulnerable. An album like a mirror that doesn’t embellish, but confronts. No pure accusations, but an outcry. Not enlightenment, but flames in which you stand.
“sYn” was recorded and produced entirely by the band themselves.
TRACK LISTING
1 Abaddon 2 sYn 3 No Kings For Me 4 Cutting Diamonds 5 sYnfluencer 6 Chaos & Amen 7 Dark Throne 8 Neon Battlefield 9 Sacred Skin 10 Not Metal Enough 11 sYnners Crown 12 If U Seek Amy (Bonustrack / Cover) Original by Britney Spears
On 26 March 2026 the sYn Tour starts with 12 shows in Germany and Switzerland.
26.03. DE Hamburg – Knust 27.03. DE Hannover – Musikzentrum 28.03. DE Köln – Luxor 10.04. DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 11.04. DE Berlin – Hole44 17.04. DE München – Backstage Halle 18.04. DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann 24.04. DE Bremen – Tower 25.04. DE Wuppertal – LCB 30.04. DE Saarbrücken – Garage 01.05. CH Münchenstein – Rockfact 02.05. DE Frankfurt – Das Bett
LINE UP Johannes „Johnny“ Stecker – lead vocals, shouting Felix Klemisch – guitars Patrick Winzler – keyboards Jonas Langer – bass Mario Krause – drums
Detroit-based hard rock & metal band WANTED is proud to release their new album ‘Cutting Edge’, out now, released worldwide via acclaimed U.S. hard rock label Eonian Records, available on CD and limited pressing GREEN Vinyl.
Formed in 2021, WANTED set out with a mission: to reignite the loud, melodic fire of the classic metal and hard rock that once dominated the airwaves. Drawing influence from titans like Van Halen, Ratt, and Dokken, WANTED fuses their vintage inspiration with modern energy and youthful intensity.
The lineup features Sterling Primeau (vocals), Alan Mares (lead guitar), Christian Shonts (guitar), Paul Slezak (bass), and Chris Rajt (drums). Now all in their twenties, the band has evolved rapidly since their 2023 release, bringing a sharpened edge and broader sonic palette to ‘Cutting Edge‘. Listeners can expect nods to the precision of’84 Judas Priest, the grit of Armored Saint, the anthemic power of Scorpions, and the finesse of Queensryche, Great White, and Icon. “This album defines our ability to write hard-hitting music with melodic and powerful vocals. We’ve gone through major changes this year, and they’ve pushed us to make our best work yet” said lead guitarist Alan Mares
“Cutting Edge marks, a new beginning for WANTED and sets a new bar for our sound and performance,” added guitarist Christian Shonts. “It’s an honest look at who we are as a band. We’re proud of where we came from, but this album exceeds anything we thought we were capable of. This is a new era for WANTED,” said bassist Paul Slezak. Sterling Primeau, the band’s dynamic frontman, described the project as, “a true testament to the work we’ve put in. Every riff, every harmony, every groove-we poured everything into this, and it shows.” New drummer Chris Rajt reflected, “The timing of me joining the band couldn’t have been better. The recording process was a blast, and you can feel that energy in every track.”
Eonian Records is equally enthusiastic about the release: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to unleash this powerhouse of a band, young, fearless, and armed with chops that’ll melt your speakers,” said Ryan Northrop of Eonian Records. “Their sound hits like a lightning bolt, and we’re proud to bring it to the world.” Stephen Craig added, “This is one of the biggest surprises of the year. The minute I heard the final masters; I had them on repeat. If you love the high-octane metal that ruled the‘80s, think Ratt, Dokken, Van Halen, you’re about to be blown away.”
With ‘Cutting Edge’, WANTED not only pays tribute to their heroes but blazes a trail of their own, breathing new life into a genre that never truly dies. A regional U.S. tour is in the works for late 2025, with more music to follow.
Cutting Edge: Override. Power Wasted Heart Chained To Your Love Armed for Action Take Me Away Feel Your Rhythm Knock It Down Prowl Alive
Summer, the season of love, has finally arrived! Comedy metal band J.B.O. doesn’t need to be asked twice to show their affection. Still riding high on the success of their beer-fuelled single ‘Ka-Fump!’ and inspired by the start of the warm season, the quartet is back today, leaving plenty of… ahem… musical love bites with their new track ‘Bussi’ (Southern German/Austrian slang for ‘Kiss’).
Introduced by a sweet accordion melody, the cozily seeming song starts on a romantic note before Vito, Hannes, Ralph and Wolfram pull out the big NDH guns and enter the second stage of their journey to their forthcoming album “Haus Of The Rising Fun” (January 9, 2026 via PERCEPTION – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music). The single guides all friends of ‘true nonsense,’ who found their way out of the Franconian woods despite endlessly consuming ‘Ka-Fump!,’ straight into the next labyrinth, the world of Bavarian beer tents. Musically flirting with one of the most famous bands of all time, ‘Bussi’ is nothing but an unrivalled minnesong which comes up with select mischievous quotes.
“‘Bussi’ is a pure love song and innocent as its title! That’s why we also wrote guiltless Bavarian lyrics although they’re not completely kosher… Well, Vito is a Bavarian-Franconian crossing anyway. Come on, don’t make a fuss!” add J.B.O. through rose-coloured glasses.
While the four-piece is currently finishing their new record with Christoph Beyerlein and Stephan Ernst (Separate Sound Studio & Streetlife Studios), fans can already grab tickets to join their “Haus Of The Rising Fun” release live celebrations. J.B.O.’s current itinerary can be found below!
29.06.2025 DE Feuchtwangen-Dorfgütingen – Moos MeadoW Festival 02.07.2025 DE Ballenstedt – Rockharz Open Air SOLD OUT 05.07.2025 DE Bad Dürkheim – Rock im Wingert 18.07.2025 DE Wertheim – Burg (“Explizite Lyrik” Show) 19.07.2025 DE Eggebek – Shelter Festival 26.07.2025 DE Obing – Festwoche am See 08.08.2025 DE Zossen – Area 1-1-2 09.08.2025 DE Böbing – OpenAir
10.10.2025 AT Klagenfurt – VZK Veranstaltungszentrum (“Explizite Lyrik” Show) 11.10.2025 AT Wörgl – VZ Komma (“Explizite Lyrik” Show)
24.10.2025 DE Thalmässing – Music-Adventure 25.10.2025 DE Bächingen – 75 Jahre Musikverein “Eintracht” 28./29.11.2025 DE Weißenhäuser Strand/Ostsee – Metal Hammer Paradise
“Tour Of The Rising Fun 2025/2026” Presented by Rock Antenne & Metal Hammer
04.12.2025 CH Rubigen – Mühle Hunziken 05.12.2025 DE Munich – Backstage 27.12.2025 DE Jena – F-Haus 28.12.2025 DE Münster – Sputnikhalle 29.12.2025 DE Würzburg – Posthalle
02.01.2026 DE Nuremberg – Löwensaal 09.01.2026 DE Hamburg – Markthalle 10.01.2026 DE Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle 16.01.2026 DE Hanover – Pavillon 17.01.2026 DE Mutterstadt – Palatinum 23.01.2026 DE Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn 24.01.2026 DE Saarbrücken – Garage 30.01.2026 DE Sondershausen – Stocksen 2.0 31.01.2026 DE Hallstadt – Vamos 06.02.2026 CH Seewen – Gaswerk Eventbar 07.02.2026 DE Gummersbach – Halle 32 13.02.2026 DE Halle – Steintor-Varieté 14.02.2026 DE Regensburg-Obertraubling – Eventhall Airport 20.02.2026 DE Ramstein – Congress Center
07.03.2026 DE Bayreuth – Das Zentrum 13.03.2026 DE Cologne – Carlswerk Victoria 14.03.2026 DE Herford – KulturWerk
Heavy guitars and German lyrics combined with Franconian sense for nonsense don’t work? Way off the mark! Since 1989, J.B.O. have multiply proven that they’re the real masters of comedy metal – over the course of 14 studio albums to be concrete. Additionally awarded with two gold records, the quartet are mostly known for covering hit songs by artists of different genres, giving them a unique twist through re-written lyrics with an extra portion of humour.
Their original tracks shouldn’t remain unnoticed nevertheless since they also popularise with not minor jocular lyrical content. Fan favourites such as ‘Ein guter Tag zum Sterben’ [‘A Good Day To Die’] are classics of the band’s repertoire and vital parts of each and every J.B.O. concert.
From die-hard old-school metalheads to families and kids and fans beyond the hard’n’heavy boundaries: Their wide range of musical inspiration has resulted in an equally varied amount of followers which sees J.B.O. unite all sorts of people under their multicoloured musical roof and especially in front of the stages, making them even more outstanding amidst the heavily crowded world of artists out there.
K.K. Downing, a founding member of Judas Priest and leader of KK’s Priest, has released an updated version of “Never Satisfied” as a tribute to the recent 50th Anniversary of Judas Priest’s debut album, Rocka Rolla.
Originally appearing on the 1974 album Rocka Rolla, and as the B-side single to its title track, “Never Satisfied” was co-written by Downing and Al Atkins—the band’s original lead singer prior to Rob Halford.
Reflecting on the updated version, K.K. shared:
“It’s a real treat and great fun to revisit and record this version of ‘Never Satisfied,’ a song I co-wrote over 50 years ago! I really didn’t overthink it—I just plugged in my guitar drifting back to a time when Metal was an embryo of an idea. I knew the song already sounded great with Rob Halford, but I was especially keen on hearing the mighty Ripper Owens on the vocals.”
K.K. added, “The response to the 50th anniversary of Rocka Rolla has been so well received, I wanted to do a little something to add to the celebration — and I can see “Never Satisfied” becoming a fan favorite at a future KK’s Priest show!”
The new version of “Never Satisfied” is now available for streaming and downloading via Exciter Records, in partnership with K.K.’s label Hellfire Thunderbolt Records.
Exciter Records, owned by publisher Reach Music, recently acquired the masters and publishing rights to both Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny by Judas Priest. A 50th anniversary release of Sad Wings of Destiny in 2026 is currently in production.
Finnish metal band KAKSONEN has released the first single from their upcoming second album, VALO-OLENTO (to be released on October 17th 2025). VASTAVOIMAT (The Counterforces) was a natural choice as the first single of the Valo-olento album. The opening track introduces the concepts and basic settings of the album: the first half of the album ploughs through the darker side of humanity, while the second half sees light and hope in both people and the world. These two eternal forces, yin and yang, everlasting opposites, are bound in an eternal dance in this fierce thrash metal hit.
Valo-olento (Being of Light) is the second album by the metal band Kaksonen (Antti Lähdesmäki – guitar & vocals, Ville Koskivaara – bass & vocals, Tuomo Rinkinen – drums, Miika Vainio – vocals & guitar) hailing from Äänekoski, Central Finland. The eight-track album is musically and thematically a natural follow-up to the 2023 album Universumin kuningas (The Emperor of the Universe). As with the previous album, Inverse Records will also release Valo-olento.
The band comments: “The album results from long-term development. Each track brings a different feel to the album, with a soundscape and overall delivery in vocals and instrumentals that differ from modern metal, as we’ve avoided gimmicks and shortcuts. The dynamism is present throughout, especially in the vocals, which drive the mood and connection. It is an aggressive album that does not hold back any emotions. ”
Track list:
Bring Down The Light
Internal Defeat
Passenger
Abuse
Necessary Evil
Shoot & Forget
Ruoja
Reclaim Chaos
Album cover by Sakari Vinko
INDEMON is a four-piece metal band formed in 2020 in Kerava, Finland. Drawing influences from various subgenres of metal, they blend them uniquely to create a powerful and atmospheric sound. INDEMON’s debut EP Fear of Living was released in 2022, showcasing the band’s ability to create intense and multifaceted metal. The band’s lyrical themes explore fear, self-doubt, and inner struggles, immersing the listener into the music’s emotional world. INDEMON is known for their energetic live performances and distinctive music.
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
