Close Enemies, a powerhouse band featuring legendary musicians Tom Hamilton, multiple Grammy winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, and bassist of the biggest-selling American rock band of all time, Aerosmith, is joined by legendary drummer Tony Brock (The Babys and Rod Stewart), touring veterans Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow and Don Henley) and Trace Foster on guitar, and singer Chasen Hampton, who has been singing professionally since the age of 11, as a member and co-host of the famed 90s Mickey Mouse Club and pop group The Party, proudly announce the release of their debut single “Sound Of A Train”. The band recently signed to TLG|ROCK for management and label services. The forthcoming record will be distributed through Virgin Music Group.
Unlike the name suggests, these five guys are close friends, each with an illustrious musical career. The band is currently on tour in support of their release.
Mark Strigl SiriusXM on air host of Ozzy’s Boneyard states:
“Close Enemies is the real deal—a group of insanely talented musicians including bassist/songwriter Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith. Their new tunes are packed with energy & emotion, and they absolutely blew me away live. This is a band that delivers on every level—don’t miss them!”
Tour Dates
Thursday, January 23, 2025 Daryls House Pawling, NY Saturday, January 25, 2025 Nashville City Winery Nashville, TN Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Chicago City Winery Chicago, IL Wednesday, January 29, 2025 St Lous City Winery St Louis, MO
Hungary’s unstoppable thrash-death force, ATROX TRAUMA, has just dropped the official music video for their latest single, “Emptiness,” taken from their highly anticipated sophomore album Where Death Hunts, due for release via WormHoleDeath Records.
In “Emptiness,” the band takes a brutal yet introspective dive into the emotional void, tackling themes of isolation, despair, and the deep human longing for connection. With a raw and aggressive sound that pushes the limits of thrash and death metal, the track exposes the psychological burden of searching for meaning when faced with life’s stark emptiness.
The band stated: “Hollowness welcomed inside. This emptiness swallowed by. Fulfilling that emptiness. To find myself in you…This is the solution. This is the Way Out. Emptiness is the second video from our album, which will be released on April 17th. A song about emptiness, being lost, giving up, and finding a way out.”
The music video for “Emptiness” was filmed and edited by András Székely, while the album Where Death Hunts was recorded, mixed, and mastered by István Simon at No Silence Studio in Hungary.
Atrox Trauma was founded in 2008 in Hungary. Their goal, according to the music genre, was clear from the beginning: thrash metal with death metal influences. The band recorded 2 EPs during its earlier years besides performing on live gigs. The band’s strength increased in 2019, and they have been spinning at an unstoppable speed since then. It gave a series of concerts in its motherland and countries in the neighborhood. The band creates a huge listener experience with its tight, intense, fast, and face-tearing music.
In 2022 they released their first LP called ‘On The Line Of Nothing And Something’ by the Italian label WormHoleDeath.The listener can experience everything from intense immersion to melodic thrash metal. Four music videos provide visual support for the fan-approachable experience.
By the end of 2024, they took the stage in many countries, performing in tours and festivals, and recorded their second LP ”Where Death Hunts”.
Line up: Imre Török – Vocal, guitar András Székely – Lead guitar Gyula Tábori – Bass guitar Gergely Győri – Drums
Award-winning singer/songwriter Marina V unveils her electrifying new single, “Symphony & Metal”, a powerful anthem blending orchestral grandeur and metal intensity. The track features an all-star lineup, including Bruce Kulick (KISS), David Ellefson (Megadeth), and renowned composer Steve Horner, with Marina’s husband and longtime collaborator Nick Baker on drums.
Marina describes the song as “a reflection of the timeless battle between our inner light and darkness, a message of resilience, and a call to never give up.”
She shares: “We are fragile, vulnerable, and beautiful (symphony) yet extremely adaptable, strong, and tough (metal). This duality resonates deeply with me, especially after experiencing life’s extremes in recent years—becoming a mom, losing my dad during the pandemic, and enduring the devastating effects of the war on my family in Russia and Ukraine. The lyric, ‘It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, it only matters if you get back up,’ has been my daily mantra.”
Marina explains, “When recording ‘Symphony & Metal’, I knew we needed serious bombast and musical wizardry for the epic sound of the song. My co-writer/husband/drummer and I were fortunate to enlist long-time friends and extraordinary musicians Bruce Kulick (Kiss), David Ellefson (Megadeth), and Steve Horner (composer of film and tv, including credits on shows such as Bridgerton, etc).”
Marina V is a Russian-American singer, pianist, and songwriter praised for her “hauntingly beautiful” voice (LA Times). Born in Moscow, she moved to the United States at 15 and has since performed over 1,500 concerts worldwide, sharing stages with artists like Howard Jones, Macy Gray, and Beth Hart.
Marina has self-released several critically acclaimed albums, with her upcoming release, Labyrinthine Rose, set to feature Bruce Kulick and David Ellefson. She has composed songs for films, TV shows, and major brands like PEPSI. She also has written over 150 songs for a popular YouTube channel for kids, KoteKitty, with over a billion views.
Her artistry has earned her numerous awards, including recognition from Sir Bob Geldof in London, and commendations as a cultural ambassador by Senator Bill Bradley. Marina’s loyal fanbase has been integral in sponsoring her albums and tours.
UK’s To Obey A Tyrant have officially signed with Seek and Strike and are set to release their new EP, Frigore Inferni, on 21st February. With their signature blend of crushing heaviness and atmospheric brutality, the band are ready to take listeners on a dark, ferocious journey through the depths of their sound.
In celebration of their signing, To Obey A Tyrant have released their intense first single and video, ‘Obsidian Sol’, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the bands journey. The track offers fans a solid introduction to their forthcoming EP, with accompanying video by Loki Films, taking viewers into a blistering white void.
To Obey A Tyrant states: “We chose ‘Obsidian Sol’ for our main single because we thought it was the perfect balance of brutality and catchiness. Its has some insanely heavy sections, yet the chorus makes you want to sing along. What stands out about us the most is how we mix slams in with symphonic deathcore, so we’re not your typical deathcore band. You don’t really see a lot of bands doing our specific style and we pride ourselves on our brand. The music video complements this with a striking visual concept—set in a harsh, white void, with CGI landscapes appearing throughout, depicting a desolate wasteland under an eclipsed sun, symbolising the ‘Obsidian Sol’.”
Frigore Inferni, translated from Latin as “The Cold of Hell” or “Freezing Hell”, is a harrowing journey into a world consumed by unspeakable torment. As the follow-up to the band’s 2022 full-length Omnimalevolent and 2019 debut Conjuring Damnation, Frigore Inferni marks an evolution in To Obey A Tyrant’s sound, darker, fiercer, and more relentless than ever. The EP tells the story of two nefarious entities who awaken a frozen apocalypse, plunging the Earth into an unrelenting, icy abyss. Each track explores the grotesque atrocities unfolding in this new hell, the dark rulers who command it, and the twisted origin of their infernal reign.
Musically, Frigore Inferni blends black metal intensity and symphonic chaos, with every song layered in eerie, blackened orchestrations that amplify the EP’s hellish atmosphere. For fans of deathcore with a cinematic, orchestral edge, this is the brutal, mind-shattering experience you’ve been waiting for. For longtime fans of To Obey A Tyrant, this will undoubtedly be their favourite release yet; darker, heavier, and more dynamic than anything before. And for newcomers, you’ve arrived at the perfect moment, expect relentless blast beats, bone-crushing kicks, guttural vocals, punishing slams, mind-bending breakdowns, and sinister melodies that will haunt you long after.
Since their inception, To Obey A Tyrant have been on an unstoppable rise, amassing over 1 million streams across all digital platforms worldwide. In just a few short years, they’ve shared the stage with some of the most legendary names in extreme music icons like Decapitated, Chelsea Grin, Aborted, Vulvodynia, Signs Of The Swarm, Within Destruction, Aversions Crown, Fit For An Autopsy, and many more.
As a seasoned touring band, they’ve graced some of the UK’s largest and most prestigious metal festivals, including Bloodstock Open Air and UK Tech-Fest. With each performance solidifying their reputation as an unstoppable force in the deathcore scene. To Obey A Tyrant aren’t just a band; it’s the face of a new wave in deathcore, pushing the genre forward with every brutal riff, guttural scream, and disorienting breakdown.
ARION, hailing from the prolific Finnish metal scene, have just released their latest single ‘Like The Phoenix I Will Rise,’ complete with a music video now available on YouTube. This track, serving as the fourth single from their upcoming album, showcases the band’s commitment to the melodic metal genre.
Set to release their fourth studio album “The Light That Burns The Sky” on February 28, 2025, ARION continue to build on their legacy. The band, initiated by guitarist/songwriter Iivo Kaipainen in 2011, includes notable members such as drummer Topias Kupiainen, brother of STRATOVARIUS guitarist Matias Kupiainen, emphasising the band’s deep roots in Finland’s metal history. The album will be available through Ranka Kustannus in their home country, Avalon Label / Marquee Inc. in Asia, and RPM in all other territories.
“One of my absolute favourites from the new album, ‘Like The Phoenix I Will Rise’ has everything you could expect from ARION: from hard-rocking vocals and technical riffing to epic orchestrations and a fiery guitar solo. The lyrics take the listener through an epic, fantastical journey filled with easter-egg-like references to some of my favourite fantasy franchises. The chorus ties all of these together with its themes of empowerment, fighting for what you love and making your dreams come true. I had an incredibly fun time writing this one! This song was the absolute must-select pick for announcing our signing with Reigning Phoenix Music due to its uplifting spirit and theme of reaching for your dreams and goals along with its title,” states founding member Iivo.
“I’ve already been contributing to ARION’s success story in the past, and seeing our paths cross again makes we even more happy. Their unique blend of melodic metal with a modern twist has it all to win fans of the genre but also beyond the melodic metal boundaries, and with “The Light That Burns The Sky,” another shiny, if not THE shiniest part of their catalogue so far is just about to see the light of day. That’s why I’m immensely positive that this record and their collaboration with us at RPM, who are an extremely motivated team reaching for the throne like the band, will open many new doors to trendsetting opportunities for ARION. Welcome to the family!” adds RPM managing director Jochen Richert.
“The Light That Burns The Sky” is a collaborative production, featuring songs written by Iivo Kaipainen, production and mixing by Matias Kupiainen of STRATOVARIUS with renowned sound engineers Jacob Hansen and Dan Lancaster collaborating on the song ‘Wings Of Twilight.’ The mastering was handled by Ermin Hamidovic of Systematic Productions, and the album boasts vibrant artwork by Giannis Nakos.
Pre-order “The Light That Burns The Sky” [RPM-excl. CD+ticket bundle, digipak-cd, coloured vinyl, digital] or pre-save the album now, here:https://arion.rpm.link/tltbtsPR
“The Light That Burns The Sky” – Track Listing:
01. The Darkest Day 02. The Light That Burns The Sky 03. Like The Phoenix I Will Rise 04. Wings Of Twilight [feat. Melissa Bonny] 05. Burning In The Skies 06. From An Empire To A Fall 07. Wildfire 08. Blasphemous Paradise 09. Black Swan 10. In The Heart Of The Sea 11. Into The Hands Of Fate
In support of the album, ARION will embark on a tour starting next month, including live performances of their new songs. The tour will feature dates alongside Finnish landsmen STRATOVARIUS and SONATA ARCTICA, and a co-headlining stint with German heavy/power metal band BRAINSTORM, supported by Italy’s STRANGER VISION. The full live calendar for ARION can be found below!
“Nordic Power Metal Titans 2025” w/ STRATOVARIUS, SONATA ARCTICA Presented by Radio City & Grey Beard 14.03.2025 FI Kajaani – Kajaanihalli 15.03.2025 FI Oulu – Tullusali *LOW TICKETS* 20.03.2025 FI Jyväskylä – Lutakko *SOLD OUT* 21.03.2025 FI Seinäjoki – Rytmikorjaamo *SOLD OUT* 22.03.2025 FI Kuopio – Sawohouse Underground *LOW TICKETS*
“The Plague That Burns The Sky” ARION + BRAINSTORM Co-Headline Tour 2025 w/ STRANGER VISION Presented by Rock Hard, musix, metal.de, powermetal.de, Decibel-Touring & RPM 27.02.2025 DE Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal 28.02.2025 CH Solothurn – Kulturfabrik Kofmehl 01.03.2025 DE Essen – Turock 02.03.2025 DE Mannheim – 7er Club 03.03.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Halle) 04.03.2025 DE Hamburg – Bahnhof Pauli 05.03.2025 DE Hanover – MusikZentrum 06.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann
“Nordic Power Metal Titans 2025” w/ STRATOVARIUS, SONATA ARCTICA Presented by Radio City & Grey Beard 07.03.2025 FI Tampere – Tavara-asema *SOLD OUT* 08.03.2025 FI Helsinki – Kulttuuritalo *LOW TICKETS*
27. – 29.07.2025 FI Helsinki – Tuska Festival
About ARION
Founded in 2011, ARION first made a significant mark on the metal scene with their debut album “Last Of Us” in 2014. Their sophomore effort, “Life Is Not Beautiful,” featuring the breakthrough single ‘At The Break Of Dawn [feat. Elize Ryd],’ solidified their status and earned them major support slots with Finnish bands like BATTLE BEAST, WINTERSUN, and SONATA ARCTICA.
The release of “Vultures Die Alone” in 2021 during the pandemic propelled their burgeoning career even further, leading to extensive touring in subsequent years. While supporting established metal bands such as GLORYHAMMER and BLOODBOUND, the quintet also performed at a selection of prestigious European festivals and celebrated their US live debut at ProgPower USA in 2022.
With their new album “The Light That Burns The Sky” ready for release and years of touring experience, including many headlining dates in their home country, ARION are poised to extend the reach of their melodic metal legacy worldwide. The group are set to celebrate the album’s launch with a Central European co-headlining tour alongside their label mates BRAINSTORM.
Sacramento, California Niviane, the powerhouse of American power metal is unveiling their latest single “Tomorrow’s a New Day”, accompanied by an official video. Taken from their upcoming album “Queen of Phantoms” —set for release on March 7th, 2025—this track showcases the band’s signature blend of soaring melodies, intense riffs, and emotional depth while exploring a profound and deeply personal theme.
Unlike the other songs on the album, “Tomorrow’s a New Day” was a spontaneous creation that originated during a live-streamed writing session in the midst of the COVID lockdowns. Initially conceived as a demonstration of the band’s songwriting process, the track’s impact was undeniable, leading Niviane to keep it and ultimately include it on the album.
Lyrically, the song delves into mental health struggles, touching on themes of depression, drug abuse, and emotional turmoil. Sung from the perspective of a friend or family member witnessing a loved one spiral downward, the track delivers a powerful and poignant message. As the band explains, “We decided to touch on some deeper subject matter on a few songs for this album, and this track was definitely one of those”.
Musically, the song delivers everything fans of Judas Priest, Queensrÿche, Primal Fear and Nevermore crave—blistering guitars, commanding vocals, and anthemic power metal energy—all wrapped in a poignant and cinematic atmosphere.
With its gripping narrative and powerful composition, “Tomorrow’s a New Day” stands out as one of the most emotionally charged tracks in “Queen of Phantoms”. The official video further amplifies its message, bringing the song’s raw emotions to life.
Tracklist: 1. Queen of Phantoms 2. 12 BC: Legions 3. 12 BC: Germania 4. Beacon In The Darkness 5. Some Wounds… Never Heal 6. All Debts Repaid 7. Tomorrow’s A New Day 8. Event Horizon 9. Our Maze 10. Gunslingers & Graves 11. Under Black Flags
Band line up Aaron Robitsch: Keys & Orchestration Gary Tarplee: Guitars Isaiah AR: Drums Mark Miner: Guitars Norman Skinner: Vocals Tyler Satterlee: Bass
More info: https://www.rockshots.eu https://www.niviane.com/ https://www.facebook.com/nivianemetal/ https://www.instagram.com/nivianemetalofficial/ https://x.com/nivianeofficial
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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
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