Summer Breeze Open Air drops another bombshell: 13 new bands have been confirmed for 2025! From epic melodies to relentless riffs, these additions make the lineup even more powerful. The newcomers include:
Wardruna, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Sólstafir, Agnostic Front, Borknagar, Coldrain, Suffocation, Harakiri For The Sky, Warmen, Kupfergold, Crystal Lake, Hellripper, and Baest.
So far, 81 out of over 130 bands for this year’s lineup have been announced. You can find the full list of confirmed acts on the official festival poster!
High-energy rock’n’roll royalty,THE HELLACOPTERS, are pleased to present a brand new single from their much anticipated new studio album Overdriver today.
‘(I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory‘ sees the band take on the (post)modern preoccupation with nostalgia.
Forgoing influences like the MC5 or KISS, ‘(I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory‘ nods more to powerpop pioneers THE WHO, THE RASPBERRIES, or even BADFINGER with its major/minor shifts, offering up hidden harmonic treasures while still beating to the ‘Copters’ signature driving pulse.
Like past favourites ‘No Song Unheard‘ or ‘Carry Me Home‘, ‘(I Don’t Wanna Be) Just A Memory‘ reminds us of the band’s unique capacity to temper their furious paced action rock with a songwriting sensibility that transcends their genre.
Play it loud!
Of course there’s also an audio-visual treat in the form of a brand new music video for the track by director Emil Klinta, which includes behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions. You can watch it below.
Please scroll to the bottom for all confirmed live dates for THE HELLACOPTERS.
THE HELLACOPTERS LIVE 2025 31.01. SE Stockholm – Vasateatern – SOLD OUT 01.02. SE Stockholm – Vasateatern – SOLD OUT 02.02. SE Stockholm – Vasateatern 06.02. FI Tampere – Tavara-asema 07.02. FI Helsinki – House of Culture 12.02. NO Oslo – Rockefeller 13.02. SE Gothenburg – Pustervik 14.02. SE Gothenburg – Pustervik 15.02. SE Lund – Mejeriet 14.04. DE Cologne, Carlswerk 15.04. DE Munich – Muffathalle 16.04. DE Frankfurt – Batschkapp 17.04. DE Hamburg – Docks 18.04. DK Copenhagen – Pumpehuset 19.04. SE Helsingborg – The Tivoloi 09.05.-13.05. US Miami,FL – Little Steven’s Underground Garage Cruise 23.05.-25.05. DE Berlin – Desertfest 19.06.-21.06. ES Vitoria-Gasteiz – Azkena Rock Festival 19.06.-22.06. FR Clisson – Hellfest
King Diamond will embark on a major European tour in the summer of 2025, with Myrkur (additonal vocals), Paradise Lost,Angel Witch, and Unto Others joining as special guests. In addition to numerous concert dates, the band will perform at some of the largest festivals across Europe.
The tour kicks off on June 4th at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden, and concludes with a spectacular show at the Helsinki Metal Fest on August 8th.
Following on from the release of their first singles “Treading Water”, “All Changed”, “First Light”, “Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams”, “Hearts and Minds” and “Revolution”, The Nomadic has released two new singles.“The Absolution”and “Marie Antoinette” from their sophomore albumNew Horizons out now all all major platforms!
Singer Songwriter Rob Gaylard relocated home to Sydney Australia in February 2022 after 5 years as a regular feature of the New York City indie rock scene and recorded New Horizons with Dan Frizza in Sydney at Forbes Studios.
“The Absolution is a song about love, loss, forgiveness and recovery.. It is for sure a nod to The Boss himself, aka Bruce Springsteen, and is heavily influenced by my time in Afghanistan, and in particular the mental health issues caused by America’s troop surge in 2009. It was and is a time of great personal loss, and for many Afghan and US families. It is also heavily inspired by the case of Beau Bergdahl who was held captive from 2009-2014,” says Rob Gaylard.
About the new release “Marie Antoinette”, Rob adds, “It’s incredibly exciting to be releasing Marie Antoinette today! It feels like the culmination of a long journey, from the initial conception of the songs to the development and creation of the final product in the studio, mixing and mastering! Combine that with the emotional experience of going through some rough times and coming out the other side to see some New Horizons – overall It’s been a bit of a marathon!”
The Nomadic is the best of Aussie rock talent, with Miles Thomas (Lior, Ronan Keating, Montaigne) on drums, Oliver Thorpe (The Whitlams, Matt Corby, Meg Mac) on guitar, and Brendan Clark (Meg Mac, Montaigne, Jack River) on bass. Dan Frizza as producer lends the kind of magic touch that has seen him enrich the work of the likes of Tones & I, King Princess, and Gurrumul.
Australian guitarist and singer/songwriter Robert Gaylard brings a unique perspective and vision when it comes to creating music. His inspiration and passion for starting The Nomadic began early on as a child after traveling to many countries like Myanmar (formerly Burma), Singapore and the Solomon Islands. His “nomadic” lifestyle continued on into his adulthood when he began to work for the United Nations in various countries such as: Kenya, Somalia, the Sudan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Israel and Palestine. His travels eventually brought him to New York in September of 2012 and motivated him to pursue his songwriting by establishing an indie rock band.
Influenced by artists like Oasis, Radiohead, The Verve, Bruce Springsteen, Phosphorescent, The War on Drugs, Arizona and The 1975, The Nomadic produces a sound genre like no other as alternative rock meets blues with hints of Americana and pop.
Having been originally influenced by numerous cultures and ways of life, The Nomadic promotes and advocates for issues of social action and innovation, human rights, support for minorities, as well as doing the next right thing, including the idea that it is never too late, including for people to follow their dreams and passions.
The Nomadic is: Rob Gaylard/Singer songwriter Dan Frizza/ producer/ keyboards Miles Thomas/ Drums Oli Thorpe/ lead guitar Brendan Clark/ Bass
“This track is one of the songs from the new album that best encapsulates the band’s evolution and journey from its inception to the present day. The lyrics focus on the spirit animal used by the Samnites, in this case represented by the Wolf, which guided them in their quest for new lands. The song represents a fusion of history and mythology. Here, the Wolf is portrayed as a kind of demon leading the Samnite armies to victory under the will and strength of Mamerte (Mars), the god of war, one of the deities worshipped by the Samnites. All the victims claimed by its fangs, followed by the army, serve as an offering to the gods, who in return grant them renewed strength. At the end of the battle, the statue of the goddess Kerres, the deity of birth, rises high, satisfied with the blood sacrifice. She bestows upon the people the gift of life, fertility, abundant harvests, and good omens under the protection of the gods”.
“Samnite Black Metal” delves into the dark and ancestral rites of the Samnites, an ancient warrior people of southern Italy. Each track plunges into a sonic abyss of primal fury, evoking the mysticism and brutality of their rituals tied to the forces of nature.
Its dark and powerful soundscapes embody the courage and rage of a people who fought to their last breath, invoking arcane deities and practicing ancient rites of war and sacrifice.
This is a sonic experience that fuses the brutal ferocity of death metal with the occult atmosphere of black metal. It dissolves the line between life and death, resurrecting the Samnites as lords of a lost world steeped in magic and darkness.
The album’s concept immerses the listener in archaic and forgotten mythologies, exploring themes of ancient mysticism, darkness, and a profound connection with the spirits of nature and malevolent forces. It draws on the Samnites’ war rituals and sacrificial practices performed before battle to secure the favor of the gods. The atmosphere is intense and suffocating, with dark and sinister tones conjuring visions of shadowy forests, crumbling temples, and ancient rites.
Amid sharp guitars and relentless drumming, the call of dark gods resonates. The vocals narrate tales of rituals steeped in blood and fire, worshiping hidden deities nestled in the woods and mountains. The brutal soundscapes—driven by distorted guitars and vocals that alternate between guttural growls and piercing screams—mirror the ferocity of war and the mysticism of magical rites.
Raw, aggressive guitar riffs intertwine with atmospheric passages and evocative sounds. The drums echo like relentless war cries, while the vocals seem to emerge from the depths of shadowy forests and the heart of the mountains.
For fans of: Necrophobic, Unleashed, Naglfar
Tracklist:
1 Ver Sacrum 2 Cutilia (Sacred lake) 3 Hirpus 4 Kerres 5 (Rite of) Caereris Mundus 6 Lex Sacrata 7 Mors Vitam Vicit 8 Samnite Black Metal 9 Outro
The Metal Hall of Fame have announced a partial list of Rockstars that will be Inducted in 2025. Sponsored by Sammy Radio, Ellefson Coffee Co.,Troubadour Amplification, with tastings presented by Ghost Tequila and more to announce!
The Annual Metal Hall of Fame Charity Gala, where Industry Executives and fans alike attend “The Most Important Night In Hard Rock And Heavy Metal.” takes place Wednesday, January 22, 2025 at the Grand Theater in Anaheim, CA.
PRE-PARTY 4:00pm- 6:30PM Anaheim House of Blues
CELEBRITY RED CARPET 7:00PM Grand Theater, Anaheim
INDUCTION CEREMONY 8:00PM Grand Theater, Anaheim
2025 INDUCTEES:
Dimebag Darrell (20th Anniversary of Life Celebration/Induction) [With Surprise Guests]
Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy)
Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (Misfits)
Rikki Rockett (Poison)
KNAC
Burton C. Bell (Fear Factory)
Dangerous Toys
Jeff Young (Megadeth/ Kings of Thrash)
With live performances by Jeff Young, Kill Devil Hill and a special All-Star Jam at the end of the event!
About the Metal Hall of Fame: The Metal Hall of Fame is a non profit organization, dedicated to forever enshrining the iconic musicians and music industry executives responsible for making Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they continue to inspire fans throughout the world, from generation to generation.
Every January, industry executives and fans attend the Metal Hall of Fame Gala (The most Important Night In Hard Rock and Heavy Metal). All proceeds go to bringing free music programs to help special needs children.
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 )