Italian melodic death metal force New Sun have unveiled their new single and lyric video, “Creating My Empire,” taken from their upcoming debut album Hanged’s Fate, set for release on August 7, 2026, via Wormholedeath Records.
“Creating My Empire” is a statement of resilience and personal transformation, where soaring melodies and crushing riffs accompany a journey through darkness, inner conflict, and rebirth. The empire becomes a metaphor for identity: our convictions can turn into the walls that separate us from the world. It’s the character himself who builds those barriers: with his own beliefs, he raises the “wall of his empire,” cutting ties with everyone and everything to defend what he believes in. In the pursuit of certainty, those walls keep growing higher, and what emerges is loneliness — a self-imposed exile, brick by brick. From there begins the real battle: confronting the prison we’ve built for ourselves, breaking free from our own chains — or our own wall — and rebuilding, step by step, until strength rises from the shadows.
Born in the Italian underground, New Sun delivers a crushing blend of Death, Groove, and Black Metal. Their debut album, Hanged’s Fate, is a heavy journey through the human condition, exploring what happens when control collapses, and the road to rebirth begins. Driven by the standout single “Drag Me Down,” the record is a furious, liberating anthem about hitting rock bottom and breaking your own chains.
Last Friday marked the release of LUCID DREAMING’s new album, “Upon The Barricades.” It tells the story of Germany in the first half of the 19th century.
Songwriter Till Oberboßel: “It’s the story of how we tried to establish a national state after shaking off Napoleon’s yoke, how we started a revolution, and how it all failed.”
The story begins in the year 1815. The Napoleonic Wars are over and Europe’s political and constitutional order needs a new layout. In Vienna, an enormous congress is held and among the many agreements made there, the founding of the German Confederation is most important. A central figure is Austria’s foreign minister Klemens von Metternich who aims to restore an order based on absolute monarchy. In 1819, he uses the murder of conservative dramatist August von Kotzebue as an excuse to introduce the Karlsbad Decrees, draconic laws of censorship, and suppress any nationalist or liberal movements.
The album, produced by Uwe Lulis (Accept), was recorded with an incredible number of guest musicians: Blaze Bayley, Zak Stevens, Harry Conklin, Ralf Scheepers, Piet Sielck, Daniel Heiman, Andreas Geremia, Siegfried Schüßler, Deon van Heerden, Giuseppe Cialone, George Thomaidis, Said Khochsima, HP Piller, Krsto Balic, Rain Irving, Marius Danielsen, Erdmann Görg and Alessio Perardi, a kind of “Who is who” of international metal scene.
True to the motto “More Metal – Less Keyboards,” the theme is, as expected, executed with power and full force: TIME FOR REVOLUTION!
With the release, the spotlight is also on “Black And Red And Gold,” the first “collaboration” between Zak Stevens (SAVATAGE) and Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer)—a song that reminds us what black, red and gold really stand for!
TRACKLIST: 01 – Confederation 02 – Black And Red And Gold 03 – The Springtime Of Peoples 04 – Tyrant In Disguise 05 – Upon The Barricades 06 – Parliament Of Spring 07 – A Courageous Decision 08 – Waves Of The Danube 09 – Farewell (Blum`s Last Letter) 10 – Puppets On Strings
Line-up: Till Oberboßel – Guitars, Bass, Orchestration Alex Holzwarth – Drums
New York hard rockers WHO ON EARTH have unveiled the official music video, directed and edited by Rob “Shottie” Shotwell, for “Good Man Down,” the latest single from their recently released full-length album, It Takes The Village, available now on all streaming platforms.
Following the intensity of previous singles “Vigilance,” “Any Other Way,” and “Shadows,” “Good Man Down” reveals another dimension of WHO ON EARTH’s songwriting. Anchored by memorable hooks, driving guitars, and an uplifting message of perseverance, the track balances the band’s trademark heaviness with an undeniably accessible rock sensibility.
The band comments:
“‘Good Man Down’ gives people yet another side of the band. After the hard driving metal of ‘Vigilance,’ the big-chorus, fist-pumping of ‘Any Other Way,’ and the song from the dark alleyways, ‘Shadows,’ this one drifts more into the rock category: a straightforward head-bopping tune that lifts the spirit and encourages everyone to keep on keepin’ on despite the crap that gets thrown at us on a daily basis.“
The accompanying video captures the song’s energetic spirit while highlighting the chemistry of the band’s current lineup, bringing another standout track from It Takes The Village to life on screen.
Released earlier this year, It Takes The Village further established WHO ON EARTH as one of modern hard rock’s most compelling independent acts. Produced by Mike Orlando (Category 7, Adrenaline Mob), the album showcases a band unafraid to blend classic heavy metal influences with modern hard rock, memorable songwriting, and deeply human themes. Featuring fan favorites including “Vigilance,” “Any Other Way,” “Shadows,” and now “Good Man Down,” the record continues to build momentum as the band reaches new audiences worldwide.
1. Vigilance 2. Any Other Way 3. Shadows 4. Good Man Down 5. Closer 6. Too Close 7. Double or Nothing 8. Monster! 9. Oh, Set Me Free 10. We Don’t Belong Here 11. Ascension 12. The Unbeaten
About WHO ON EARTH:
Who On Earth cut its teeth through relentless gigging across the New York tri-state area, with founding members Coosh and Pete previously tearing up stages as MadHaus. During 2020, the longtime collaborators shifted focus from covers to original material, quickly writing ten songs and entering Sonic Stomp Studio with producer Mike Orlando (Category 7, Adrenaline Mob). Joined by drummer Joe D’Aqui, the group crafted a heavy, story-driven sound rooted in influences like Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Alice in Chains, and Tool. Despite pandemic delays, the sessions yielded their debut full-length album Blame’, released in October 2022.
Following the addition of guitarists Bruce Gatewood and Johnny James Barone, the band gained traction with a heavier reimagining of Toto’s “Hold the Line,” now their most-streamed track. Lineup changes continued with drummer Howie Fallon joining in 2024, bringing renewed chemistry and power, though tragedy struck later that year with the passing of Gatewood. In late 2024, Jimmy Kocha joined, filling the role of co-lead guitarist, solidifying the lineup that is currently in full force today. Honoring his legacy, the band pushed forward, releasing the Smoke & Mirrors EP in March 2025—a sharp, socially reflective six-song release.
2026 marks Who On Earth’s return with their brand new album, It Takes The Village; a 12 track record of pure and relentless rock and metal that reignites the spirit of heavy music.
Lineup: Coosh – Vocals Pete Rizzi – Bass Johnny James Barone – Guitar Jimmy Kocha – Guitar Howie Fallon – Drums
Danielle Nicole is excited to announce her “Fireflies” February 2027 UK Tour. Tickets go on sale at 10am (UK) on Friday July 10th from The Gig Cartel.
The tour will showcase tracks from her new studio album Fireflies released by 40 Below Records on Friday August 28th which is available to pre-save and pre-order HERE.
The 5-date UK tour takes in London, The 100 Club (Feb 17), Manchester, Academy 3 (Feb 18), Glasgow, Oran Mor (Feb 19), Leeds, Brudenell (Feb 20), and Newcastle, Cluny (Feb 21).
The upcoming Fireflies album features the singles “Gaslight” and “Tug of War,” the latter described as a soulful anthem about reclaiming strength in the face of imbalance and emotional exhaustion. “I wrote ‘Tug of War’ for anyone finding themself no longer willing to accept the terms of a one-way relationship,” says Danielle.
Long celebrated for her commanding voice, masterful bass playing, and emotionally fearless songwriting, Danielle Nicole traces the beginning of her musical journey back to a transformative moment in her teenage years: seeing Etta James perform live in Kansas City.
“We had a great blues festival in Kansas City,” Nicole recalls, “and I was able to see Etta James perform. She was fearless. My parents were musicians who played in cover bands, so music was always part of my family — but I didn’t realize I wanted to sing and perform, too, until I heard Etta.”
That reverence for the great soul singers, storytellers, and trailblazers who came before her has fueled a career spanning nearly 25 years, including 10 Blues Music Awards, a Grammy nomination, induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, and the South Canada Blues Hall of Fame, as well as international acclaim as both a songwriter and performer. With Fireflies, Nicole delivers what may be her most personal and musically adventurous statement yet — a raw, deeply felt collection recorded live to analog tape that explores grief, resilience, empowerment, and transformation through a rich blend of blues, soul, R&B, and roots music.
“There’s a lot of soul-driven music here,” she says. “A lot of storytelling. It’s a major step forward in my songwriting.”
Produced by Tony Braunagel and recorded in Nicole’s hometown of Kansas City, Fireflies emerged during a profoundly emotional chapter in her life following the loss of her brother Kris — her lifelong friend, bandmate, and musical collaborator. Though grief initially made it difficult to complete the songs, Nicole found renewed inspiration through collaboration with guitarist Brandon Miller and legendary keyboardist Jim Pugh.
“Every album is an era of your life, where you write about whatever you’re going through,” Nicole explains. “When my brother passed away, I was still writing a lot, but my grief kept me from completing some of these songs. I had to push hard through the mental blocks.”
The resulting album balances vulnerability with strength. Songs like “Soulside” channel heartbreak into perseverance, while “Gaslight” and “Tug Of War” emerge as defiant, empowering declarations of self-worth. Elsewhere, “Take Me Back” reflects on Nicole’s Missouri upbringing and features Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars.
If previous albums like Cry No More and The Love You Bleed showcased the breadth of Nicole’s modern roots sound, Fireflies pushes the envelope even further into classic soul and R&B territory while remaining grounded in the blues tradition that launched her career. The album’s title track reflects on the quiet transition from innocence to adulthood — those fleeting moments when life changes before you even realize it.
Ultimately, Fireflies is both deeply personal and universally resonant: a record that honors loss while searching for light, connection, and what comes next.
Five years after the acclaimed “Paradeigma (Phosphenes of Aphotic Eternity)“, Czech pioneers INFERNO return with a new work of unorthodox, avant-garde Black Metal. The band’s 9th album, “The Anthropic Sophisms (On the Heights of Despair)“, presents four abyssal epics in which subliminal horrors creep and envelop, with hypnotic riffs intertwining to create fields of pressure.
Mixed by Tim De Gieter (AMENRA, TREHA SEKTORI) and mastered by James Plotkin (KHANATE, THOU), this electrifying work now receives a full premiere on DMP’s YouTube channel, eight days before official release.
INFERNO offer ideas for how best to experience “The Anthropic Sophisms“:
“We propose an experiment. Drown yourselves in the sound, feel the vibrations with your bones and guts, sink into and be absorbed by that which cares not about you, yet it can devour you whole. Born out of the loss of paradise, the music gives birth to the symbols of this loss, and for a fleeting moment the ego may be allowed to merge with the universe or at least with the inwardness of your being by destroying everything in the soul, except for the infinite ‘Sehnsucht’ in which pleasure with dread arise and pass.“
To immerse yourself even deeper into INFERNO‘s universe, visual artist Fabio Rincones (SELBST) has created mesmerizing videos for the songs ‘With Raving Mouths They Utter Things Mirthless, Unadorned and Unperfumed‘ and ‘Circulus Vitiosus Deus (The Infinity Ravages All)‘.
“The Anthropic Sophisms” will be released on CD, vinyl and digital on July 17th. A specially designed t-shirt and zip-hoodie accompanies the release. Orders are possible via DMP’s EU, US and Bandcamp shops.
INFERNO are currently confirmed to play the following shows, with more soon to be announced:
05–06.09.2026 – Tynebound Festival, Newcastle upon Tyne (UK) 23–24.10.2026 – Summoning Of Darkness Festival, Stockholm – Slaktkyrkan & Hus7 (SWE) 14–16.01.2027 – Heart Of Winter Festival MMXXVII, Richmond/Virginia (US)
INFERNO came into existence 1995 in the Czech Republic, with first demo offerings “Peklo Na Zemi” (1996) and “Temná Poselství Dávných Předků” (1997) gaining significant acclaim in the Czech scene and beyond, opening many possibilities within the Black Metal underground.
Following a number of successful split releases, in the first decade of the new millennium INFERNO recorded two full-length albums of defiant and warlike Black Metal – “Duch slovanské síly” (2001) and “V návratu pohanství…” (2003) – the raw and ominous “Nikdy nepokřtěni” (2006) and concluded this period of rabid Black Metal traditionalism with “Uctívání temné zuřivosti” (2008) which merged old currents into a more refined offering, aggressive yet triumphantly melodic.
The release of pivotal album “Black Devotion” (2009) reshaped and regenerated the creative forces within the band. INFERNO subsequently entered Necromorbus Studio to create the cacophonic and malevolent “Omniabsence Filled By His Greatness” (2013) another step-up which imbued band-members with the will to transcend their previous self-imposed limitations.
In the following years, INFERNO performed on prominent stages around the world, securing a reputation for being a savage and mystical live act. Dedicated to self-transformation and unconscious dialogue with the great other, the monumental and idiosyncratic “Gnosis Kardias (Of Transcension and Involution)” (2017) helped redefine contemporary Black Metal Art.
In 2021, INFERNO unveiled their most transcendent and dynamic work to-date, “PARADEIGMA (Phosphenes Of Aphotic Eternity)“, through Debemur Morti Productions. In the ensuing years, the band carried this singular vision onto stages across the globe, refining its intensity in the live realm while restlessly shaping new material in parallel. “The Anthropic Sophisms (On the Heights of Despair)” – an electrifying, hypnotic & profound 9th album from these Czech avant-Black Metal voyagers – will be released on 17th June 2026.
EVA UNDER FIRE‘s music is — quite literally — hard rock therapy. As a licensed therapist and powerhouse vocalist/songwriter, Amanda Lyberg blends emotional insight with powerful songwriting and undeniable hooks, delivering lyrics and performances that connect deeply and hit listeners right in the feels.
The Detroit quintet is thrilled to unleash its new album VILLAINOUS via Better Noise Music today, July 10. It’s the follow up to the band’s 2022-released debut, Love, Drugs & Misery. Get it here.
Today, the band is premiering the video for “My Own Name,” which is quite the battle anthem. Watch it here.
“They can call me whatever they want,” Lyberg declares. “I fought my battles and emerged victorious, I reclaimed my own name. I no longer give people a chance and I acknowledge this is a screwed up, unfair world. I will always choose myself.”
Elsewhere, the title track and first radio single, which features In This Moment’s Maria Brink, is Top 10 at radio. Listen to the song here. Watch the video here.
Overall, Villainous feels Eva Under Fire, who’ve been building their reputation brick by brick, melody by melody, lyric by lyric, and show by show, have truly arrived and staked their claim in the hard rock scene.
The album release is only the beginning.
VILLAINOUS TRACK LISTING: “Awakening“ “My Own Name” “Survive My Scars” “Villainous” (Feat. In This Moment’s Maria Brink) “The Words You Say“ “Don’t Say I’m OK” “Hello Hollow” “Dark Soul” “Gasoline” “Murder Scene“ “Safe Word” “Teeth” “A Violent End”
Eva Under Fire will eagerly return to the road later this month and remain their through October, serving as support for Five Finger Death Punch’s 20th Anniversary World Tour 2026.
All forthcoming dates are below, including a handful of headline dates.
EVA UNDER FIRE LIVE: WITH FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH AND CODY JINKS: 7/16 — Lakewood, OH – The Foundry^ 7/17 — Albany, NY — Empire Live^ 7/18 — Hartford, CT — Webster Underground^ 7/20 — Camden, NJ — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion 7/22 — Bangor, ME — Maine Savings Amphitheater 7/23 — Saratoga Springs, NY — Saratoga Performing Arts Center 7/25 — Hershey, PA — Hersheypark Stadium 7/26 — Syracuse, NY — Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview 7/28 — Gilford, NH — BankNH Pavilion 7/30 — Mansfield, MA — Xfinity Center 8/1 — Montreal, QC — Centre Bell 8/2 — Toronto, ON — RBC Amphitheatre 8/4 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell at Jones Beach Theater 8/5 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center 8/7 — Burgettstown, PA — The Pavilion at Star Lake 8/8 — Noblesville, IN — Ruoff Music Center 8/10 — Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center 8/11 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH — Blossom Music Center 8/13 — Milwaukee, WI — American Family Insurance Amphitheater 8/15 — Grand Rapids, MI — Acrisure Amphitheater 8/16 — Clarkston, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre 8/18 — Shakopee, MN — Mystic Lake Amphitheater 8/19 — Tinley Park, IL — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre 8/21 — St. Louis, MO — Hollywood Casino Amphitheater 9/8 — Morrison, CO — Red Rocks Amphitheatre 9/11 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre 9/12 — Ridgefield, WA — Cascades Amphitheater 9/14 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre 9/16 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre 9/18 — Long Beach, CA — Long Beach Amphitheater 9/19 — Las Vegas, NV — Michelob ULTRA Arena 9/22 — Salt Lake City, UT — Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre 9/24 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre* 9/25 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater* 9/27 — Houston, TX — Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion 9/28 — Austin, TX — Germania Insurance Amphitheater 9/30 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena 10/2 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP 10/3 — Kansas City, MO — Morton Amphitheater 10/5 — Biloxi, MS — Mississippi Coast Coliseum 10/7 — Huntsville, AL — Orion Amphitheater 10/8 — Franklin, TN — FirstBank Amphitheater 10/10 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre 10/11 — West Palm Beach, FL — iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre 10/13 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre 10/14 — Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek 10/16 — Charlotte, NC — Truliant Amphitheater 10/17 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach 10/19 — Greenville, SC — Bon Secours Wellness Arena 10/21 — Columbus, OH — Nationwide Arena 10/23 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live ^Headline Shows *No Cody Jinks
For all of EVA UNDER FIRE’s new music, Amanda drew on her career as a licensed therapist to foster open dialogue among the band members, empowering everyone to be heard during the recording. Her work in therapy started in 2018 when she graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and went on to work at a mental health clinic in Detroit, Transcendence Behavioral Health (owned by Dr. Stephanie Williams). That same year, her father passed away due to a fentanyl overdose. Her mother survived the same batch that killed her father and has been sober for the past six years. In addition to her thriving and busy music career, Amanda is currently a practicing psychotherapist specializing in trauma work, grief, loss, and addiction recovery.
Her story turned into a 2023 short film, My Rockstar, which used EVA UNDER FIRE music throughout and has won over 20 awards at several film fests including Orlando Film Fest, Wild Rivers Film Festival, Toronto WILDfilm Festival, and many others.
Lauded as one of SiriusXM’s 2023 “Ones To Watch,” EVA UNDER FIRE released their critically acclaimed debut album, LOVE, DRUGS & MISERY via Better Noise Music in 2022. Its deluxe version includes the Top 20 Active Rock radio-charting single “Unstoppable” featuring country/rock artist Cory Marks. They’ve toured across the globe with acts including Bush, Bad Wolves, Pop Evil, Skillet, and Finger Eleven, while also appearing at some of rock’s biggest festivals including Aftershock, Inkcarceration, and Rock Fest.
EVA UNDER FIRE—who have amassed over 100 million streams and 10 million YouTube views—substantially expanded their fanbase following their featured appearance in the horror-thriller The Retaliators (Better Noise Films) and the inclusion of their single “Blow (Feat. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills)” on the film’s soundtrack. Their single “Heroin(e)” was also featured on the soundtrack for the 2020 film Sno Babies (Better Noise Films), which has over 65M global streams. “Heroin(e)” has a combined total of over six million global streams, while “Blow (Feat. Spencer Charnas of Ice Nine Kills)” has over 41.6M global total streams.
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 