Niviane, the American power metal force, is proud to unveil their latest single, “12 BC: Legions,” a powerful track that marks the beginning of a bold new chapter for the band. Taken from their highly anticipated third album called “Queen of Phantoms”, the single showcases Niviane’s signature blend of heavy, melodic and dynamic metal. The song transports listeners to the battlefields of Germania in 12 BC, narrating the struggles between the Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes. Written from the perspective of the Roman Empire, “12 BC: Legions” captures the unshakeable confidence of the Romans, whose faith in strength, unity and divine favor leads them to underestimate their enemies. The track’s combination of dramatic storytelling and intense musicality immediately sets it apart as one of the standout pieces on the upcoming album.
With “Queen of Phantoms” the band takes another leap forward, delivering a collection of tracks that are not only heavier and more intricate but also emotionally resonant. This album is the culmination of years of growth and creative exploration, the addition of drummer Isaiah AR and bassist Tyler Satterlee has brought new dynamics and textures to the music elevating the band to a new level.
Musically, “Queen of Phantoms” promises to mesmerize listeners with its masterful blend of light and dark shades, subtle atmospheres and crushing heaviness. The album could be describes as a natural evolution of their sound combining the rawness of “The Druid King” and the polish of “The Ruthless Divine” while injecting it with an even greater sense of purpose and power.
“Queen of Phantoms” is set to release on March 7, 2025, through Rockshots Records, continuing to solidify Niviane’s place in the world of power metal.
Fans of iconic bands like Judas Priest, Queensrÿche, Iced Earth, Nevermore and Primal Fear will find much to love in Niviane’s latest offering.
01. Queen of Phantoms 02. 12 BC: Legions 03. 12 BC: Germania 04. Beacon In The Darkness 05. Some Wounds… Never Heal 06. All Debts Repaid 07. Tomorrow’s A New Day 08. Event Horizon 09. 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
“Preparation to the Ritual,” from Hell:on’s seventh album Shaman, released earlier this May (via Archivist Records), was named “Record of the Month” by Angry Metal Guy, RiffRiot – Metal Music Blog, Metalmatter, The Metal Inspector, mvu.ua, Metal Pilgrim, and others. Earlier this year, their track “When The Wild Wind And The Soul Of Fire Meet” was featured on Metal Hammer’s “The 12 Best New Metal Songs You Need to Hear Right Now” list in March.
“Preparation to The Ritual” is part of a mystical story about a young tribal leader’s transformation into a shaman. It offers a unique blend of death metal with tribal and oriental elements.
Hell:on was formed in early 2005 in Zaporizhzhia, Eastern Ukraine. Hell:on plays death metal with oriental and tribal elements. The band’s lyrics generally deal with mysticism, philosophy, and anti-religion. During the recordings of previous albums, the band has worked with Andreas Kisser, Jeff Waters, Andy LaRocque, and Marek Pajak. In 2019, the band was nominated as the Best Ukrainian Metal Act and has shared the stage with Rotting Christ, Kreator, Marduk, Napalm Death, etc.
US shock rock group Residual Self are back with a brand-new album entitled RESEED. Once again, working with Nick Bellmore at Dexters Lab Recording, the band takes up the mantle of depravity and deplorability with much filled pride.
Residual Self heavily focus on the sin of lust with this album. Especially in the song Magdalene’s Whore House which features guest vocalist Molly Rennick of the band Living Dead Girl. Also featured in this song are moans of pure ecstasy from some prominent 18+ Creators across The United States. Appearing again as well is the DJ Trevor MacLean who was on the band’s debut full length album Revenge. Trevor has added additional beats and sounds to the songs We Can Escape and Soulless Harpy for the new release.
RESEED is an anthem to all deviants and to act as empowerment over the enchanting abilities that can be harnessed through explicit acts. Vulgar and blunt, Rex growls and snarls his way through their hellish endeavors while Josh and David carry you along for the ride with distorted guitars and pounding drums. They are not the type to shy away from length in their songs either, tackling some intricate solos and grooves for extended periods of time which can be heard across the album.
Tracklist: 01. Magdalene’s Whore House (feat. Molly Rennick) | 02. Cannibal Candy | 03. Cuntess | 04. Succubitch | 05. I’m Alright | 06. Miss Madness | 07. Soulless Harpy | 08. Siren | 09. We Can Escape
RESEED | Released December 10th, 2024 via Sliptrick Records
Residual Self are: Rex Mazza – Bass/Vocals | Joshua Spaulding – Guitar | David Sasso – Drums
Finnish groove/alternative metal band Exision released the second single ‘Pimeyden Aallot’ from their forthcoming second studio album ‘Uhreina Ajassa’ which is set to be released on February 20th 2025 via Inverse Records. This single is featuring vocalist Sirkku-Sisko Kostamo.
The band comments: “What does it feel like when something or someone that’s been with you for nearly 20 years suddenly isn’t there anymore?
The track goes through the motions of sorrow, anxiety and longing in the form of music and looks towards a future where one can enjoy the good memories that are left.”
Uhreina Ajassa Track list:
Puhdistava Liekki
Älytön Ikiliikkuja
Haaksirikko
Pimeyden Aallot (feat. Sirkku-Sisko Kostamo)
Tähtihenkilö
Persona Non Grata (feat. Jesse Salo)
Impulssi
Uhreina Ajassa
Loputon Meri
Adrenokromi
Ihmisvirhe
Album cover by Mari K. / usva_peikko
Exision is a Groove/Alternative metal band founded in 2017, known for their energetic live shows and colourful social media updates.
The band includes Joonas Kataja, the man of thousand voices and also the main lyricist of the band.
Bassist Jere “AV” Ala-Varvi, a song composing machine and the main song writer who brings in so much new material nearly every week that it has to be poured into other projects as well.
The rhythmical foundation, Tapio Haverinen makes sure that the capturing drum beats keep the crowd going.
The groove continues with the rhythm guitarist Nico Välkkilä‘s iron grip and high-flying lifestyle.
The lead guitarist Jarkko Oksman can also be held responsible for the song writing and composing. He stretches chords placing the cherry on top when putting the songs together.
The songs get their final form and polishing with the teamwork from the entire band by getting flavour from politics, movies and games. The band also doesn’t shy away when it comes to breaking the barriers of different music genres.
Innovative Mongolian rock group and global phenomenon THE HU will continue to dominate audiences worldwide in 2025 as they today (December 10) announce dates for the European leg of their headlining “Incarnation” World Tour. Set to kick off in early June, the tour will coincide with a series of shows with THE HU supporting Scandinavian folk outfit Heilung on the band’s final tour. THE HU will also appear on several of Europe’s largest heavy music festivals during the run including Hellfest and Graspop Metal Meeting. See full dates listed below. Tickets are on sale this Friday, December 13 via THE HU’s website HERE.
THE HU recently released a ‘hunnu rock’-styled take on Iron Maiden’s classic single “The Trooper.” It was aligned with the start of their North American tour directly supporting the metal legends earlier this fall. Stream the “raucous, adrenaline-fueled” (NME) cover now HERE and watch the music video HERE. “If they had amplification in ‘Game of Thrones,’ there would have been a band like this,’ exclaimed Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (11/8/24). “The Hu is described as folk-metal but they sounded a lot more like Motörhead or Metallica while mixing in traditional string instruments the morin khuur and tovshuur, with throat-singing growls and howls on top.”
THE HU have brought Mongolian music to the forefront with their unique brand of Hunnu Rock which blends traditional Mongolian instrumentation and throat singing with contemporary rock music. With over 830 million all-time streams, 330 million video views, #1 charting albums, multiple sold-out headlining tours, prestigious government honors and awards, collaborations with several of rock’s biggest names, and featured music on video games including EA Games’ Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, THE HU have cemented their status as a global powerhouse.
THE HU TOUR DATES 2025:
6/6 Maastricht, NL – Gashouder ^ 6/7 Stuttgart, DE – LKA Longhorn 6/8 Mannheim, DE – Open Air ^ 6/10 Nancy, FR – L’autre Canal 6/11 Dijon, FR – La Vapeur 6/12 Nuremberg, DE – Z-Bau 6/14 Lingen, DE – EmslandArena ^ 6/15 Braunschweig, DE – Open Air AM Braunschweig 6/17 Dortmund, DE – FZW 6/18 Groningen, NL – De Oosterport 6/20 Clisson, FR – Hellfest # 6/19 – 6/22 Dessel, BE – Graspop # 6/23 Bratislava, SK – Refinery Gallery 6/25 Sofia, BG – Kolodrum Open Air 6/26 Bucharest, RO – Open Air Theatre 6/30 Ljubljana, SI – Kino Siska 7/1 Munich, DE – TollWood ^ 7/2 Dunaujvaros, HU – Rockmaraton Festival # 7/4 Roskilde, DK – Roskilde # 7/5 Königstein, DE – Festung Königstein ^ 7/8 Kiel, DE – Wunderino Arena ^ 7/10 Wroclaw, PL – Hala Stulecia ^ 7/12 Saarbrücken, DE – Garage Open Air ^ 7/13 Vizovice, CZ – Masters of Rock # 7/16 Istanbul, TR – Kucukciftlik Park
As Savage Lands prove on their breathtaking new single, metalheads aren’t ones to back down from a fight. After witnessing how land developers are tearing down Costa Rica’s rain forest, Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and his old guitarist Sylvain Demercastel decided they weren’t going to sit around and rust in peace. In 2022, they started Savage Lands, the music industry’s first artist-run environmental non-profit.
Using the money that’s generated by their music, Savage Lands has preserved 100,000 square feet of Costa Rican rain forest. 100% of the royalties from the organization’s star-studded album, Army of the Trees, support their ongoing preservation projects in Costa Rica and other countries. But as they warn on their crushing new single with Lord Of The Lost and Chloe Trujillo, if we don’t act fast and protect our ecosystems, then pretty soon, we won’t just be out of time. We’ll be out of breath.
Watch the video for “Out of Breath” featuring Lord of the Lost and Chloe Trujillo:
The video for Out of Breath was created by Brewster. Dirk’s drum footage was provided by Drumeo. The live footage of Lord Of The Lost was provided by Lennard Schmitt, while the live footage of Savage Lands was filmed at Hellfest 2024 by Cornoss and Sombrero & Co. – Réal Bui Lê Quang.
Army of the Trees comes out February 15, 2025 on Season of Mist.
Tracklist 1. Black Rock Heart (feat Kai Uwe Faust) (4:36) [WATCH] 2. Ruling Queen (featuring Alissa White-Gluz) (4:31) 3. The Last Howl (featuring John Tardy, Andreas Kisser) (6:04) [WATCH] 4. No Remedy (featuring Maria Franz) (4:27) [WATCH] 5. Out of Breath (featuring Lord Of The Lost) (4:49) [WATCH] 6. Better Man (4:23) 7. Never Be Up (3:42) 8. Army of the Trees (4:26) [WATCH] 9. Visions of Life (4:02) 10. Addicted (4:45)
Savage Lands’ roots run deep. Dirk and Sylvain first met in France during the late ’90s, when they both played in the socially conscious thrash metal band Artsonic. Even when their respective careers diverged, the two remained bonded by their joint passion for savage heavy metal and wildlife preservation. Upon reuniting some 30 years later at LA’s Daufembach Studio, “Out of Breath” was one of the first songs that they wrote for Army of the Trees . The album’s second single is also one of the heaviest, but the knots along its branches help define their organization’s sonic footprint.
Photo by Gornoss
“By nature, Savage Lands isn’t limited to one genre”, Dirk says, “but ‘Out of Breath’ speaks to all our core elements”.
Just take one listen to the chest-pounding double bass kicks on “Out of Breath” and any supporter of heavy metal will know that’s Dirk behind the kit. His swiveling left foot keeps the song firmly in the pocket. But while Sylvaine’s chiseled riffs cut straight to the point, it’s the layers of melodic dissonance that capture the lingering anxieties over the fate of our planet. “I love headbanging to heavy metal”, Sylvain says with a knowing smile, “but I’m also a very nostalgic person. There’s a melancholic atmosphere to this song that reflects how both the Earth and our relationships change as time passes”.
It’s true; not even the most immortal of metal legends could withstand the fall of father time. But through the spirit of collaboration, Savage Lands are helping preserve our future. On the ground, the organization partners with scientists, forest engineers, ecological parks, private businesses and non-profits like the Jane Goodall Institute. They’ve also banded together with movers and shakers from around the metal sphere. Shane Embury (Napalm Death), Billy Graziadei (Biohazard), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and many more familiar faces joined Savage Lands on the main stage at this year’s Hellfest. The world-renowned French festival will donate 1 million Euro to the organization over the next five years.
“Out of Breath” marks the first time that Lord Of The Lost and Savage Lands have appeared together on a record, but the Eurovision darlings are one of the organization’s earliest supporters. “When Sylvain Demercastel and Dirk Verbeuren introduced us to Savage Lands at Hellfest in 2023, we instantly saw the passion and necessity behind this endeavor and were absolutely thrilled by the opportunity”, says Chris Harms and Pi Stoffers from Lord Of The Lost. “Music can not only offer a refuge to every single person on this earth, but it can be used as a sanctuary for the existential nature around us”.
The video tones down the glam and glitter with its dystopian footage, but Harms screams with bloody conviction alongside the explosive wails of Black Bomb A and Savage Lands vocalist Poun. “We loved writing this song, as it was yet again another stylistic facet that we haven’t necessarily touched already”, Lord Of The Lost continues. The song’s bridge craters under the cavernous weight of Harms’ death growls. “We’re left for dead”.
But not all hope is lost. From the ashes of Stoffers’ smoldering solo alights a familiar voice. “Look at the sky“, beckons Chloe Trujillo, who reprises her mystic role from earlier single “Black Rock Heart”. “A place to breath / People and trees“. It’s a chilling reminder of all we stand to lose.
“Our goals are attainable,” Sylvain and Dirk say. “By converting the land that we purchase into nature sanctuaries, Savage Lands will help set a precedent for environmental activism. But we must work together and quickly. Ecosystems are still under attack. If we don’t, then there won’t be any wildlife left to save”.Raise your horns and join the Army of the Trees in support of the metal non-profit.
Just listening to “Out of Breath” helps support Savage Lands. 100% of the song’s royalties fund the musician-run non-profit’s preservation efforts.
The CD Digisleeve for Army of the Trees is made from eco paper, while the LP is pressed on BioVinyl.
Having seen first-hand how deforestation threatens Costa Rica’s rain forest, two angry metalheads are banging their heads together to protect the world’s ecosystem.
“After hearing the chainsaws on a daily basis, we knew it was time to act”, says musician-turned-activist Sylvain Demercastel, “because the buzzing is only getting louder”.
Sylvain founded Savage Lands with his long-time friend and Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren in 2022. Thanks to their music, the 501 (c) (3) non-profit has preserved 100,000 square feet of forest in high-risk areas along the Costa Rican coastline. 100% of the royalties from their first album, Army of the Trees, support their ongoing preservation projects in Costa Rica and other countries.
The roots behind Savage Lands run deep. Dirk and Sylvain first met in France during the late ‘90s, when they both played in the socially conscious thrash metal band Artsonic. But just like a tree, the organization is supported by different types of branches.
“As a non-profit, we depend on the support of other organizations, fellow artists and our listeners”, Dirk says.
In Costa Rica, Savage Lands partners with scientists, forest engineers, ecological parks, private businesses and other non-profits. Their Green Alliance (Alianza Verde) has led to more than 11,000 trees being planted in deforested areas throughout Costa Rica thanks to the help of 1,200 volunteers.
Collaboration also fuels the creative fires of Savage Lands. The core band includes Poun and Etienne Treton from the veteran French metalcore band Black Bomb A, along with Loco Muerte’s Florian Pons. When they planted their ecological flag on Hellfest’s main stage in 2024, movers and shakers from across the metal sphere showed up to support. Not only did the festival leader pledge to donate 1 million Euro to the organizations over the next five years. Daniel de Jongh (Textures), Silje Wergeland (The Gathering), Jesper Liveröd (Nasum), Alejandro Montoya (Cultura tres), Vincent Price (Body Count), Billy Graziadei (Biohazard), Shane Embury (Napalm Death) and Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) all joined for an appropriately bloody and scream-worthy rendition of “Roots”.
“I’m happy to be a part of such a truly important cause”, Embury said after the performance. “We are connected with every living thing on this planet and Savage Lands is helping to preserve nature’s treasures”.
Army of the Trees features even more metallic fire power. Out of the sludgy distortion that spews from “The Last Howl” crawls Obituary’s John Tardy, who pays a fitting tribute to the endangered Howler monkey by unleashing his inner primate with spit-flinging growls. “Black Rock Heart” carves out a wickedly blackened groove, though the song’s aggressive chug is fueled by more spiritual concerns. “We wanted the music to reflect our mounting frustration with the way the real estate heat wave is destroying Costa Rica’s ecosystem”, Sylvain says. “For so long, nature has been trying to warn us that we’re putting our future at risk”. Who else could represent the magical spirit of the forest but visionary artist Chloé Trujillo and Heilung’s chief of ceremonies Kai Uwe Faust.
Heilung are also working with Savage Lands outside of the recording studio. The world-famous Nordic collective donated $1 for every ticket sold during their most-recent U.S. tour to support their Season of Mist labelmates. “Supporting Savage Lands was an easy decision for us”, says Maria Franz, whose soothing high notes grace the melancholic power ballad “No Remedy”.
“That’s another beautiful thing about Savage Lands”, Sylvain says. “As a band, we’re not limited to just one genre. We can adapt to boost the strengths of whomever is joining us”.
Savage Lands’ debut album introduces several new species of metalhead to their ecosystem. Eurovision’s darlings Lord Of The Lost spill their blood and glitter over the spiky riffs that puncture “Out of Breath”. Holding court over lead single “Ruling Queen” with her serpentine cleans and lioness roar is none other than Arch Enemy’s Alissa White-Gluz. “Now is the time to take a stand”, the band roar in a fierce rallying cry during the album’s climactic title track, backed by Julien Truchan from Benighted and other pillars from the French metal community.
“Our goals are attainable,” Sylvain and Dirk say. “By converting the land that we purchase into nature sanctuaries, Savage Lands will help set a precedent for environmental activism. But we must work together and quickly. Ecosystems are still under attack. If we don’t, then there won’t be any wildlife left to save”.
Raise your horns and join the Army of the Trees in support of the metal non-profit.
Special member Dirk Verbeuren (Drums on “Black Rock Heart”, “The Last Howl” and “Out of Breath)
Collaborators Stephane Buriez Ardag Basmadjian HK Nico + James at Vamacara
Guest features Kai Uwe Faust – Vocals (Black Rock Heart) Chloe Trujillo – Vocals (Black Rock Heart, Out of Breath) Alissa White-Gluz – Vocals (Ruling Queen) Kenneth Andrews – Guitar (Ruling Queen) Andreas Kisser – Guitar (The Last Howl) John Tardy – Vocals (The Last Howl) Maria Franz – Vocals (No Remedy) Lord Of The Lost – Vocals, Guitars (Out of Breath)
*Army of Trees features Steeven Corsini (Loco Muerte), Auré Jäger (Akiavel), David & Viber (Sidilarsen), Niko Jones (Tagada Jones), Julien Truchan (Benighted), Stéphane Buriez (Loudblast, Sinsaenum), Nils Courbaron (Bloodorn, Sirenia, DDC) and Aurelien Ouzoulias (The Beat Factory, Mörglbl).
Production Recorded, mixed and mastered by Adair Daufembach at Daufembach Studio in Los Angeles.
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 )