Matthew Kiichi Heafy, mastermind and frontman of the metal band Trivium (who are currently on their North American Tour with Bullet for My Valentine), unleashed an original 30-minute soundtrack for the crowd-funded slasher comic series True Believers, co-written by New York Times bestselling Bram Stoker Award-winner Stephen Graham Jones (The Only Good Indians, My Heart is a Chainsaw) and Denver Post bestselling writer Joshua Viola (Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, It Came from the Multiplex), with interior artwork by Ben Matsuya.
The blood-soaked series features official cameos from horror and pop culture icons like Jamie Lee Curtis, R. L. Stine, Devon Sawa, GWAR, Matthew Kiichi Heafy, and more. True Believers goes beyond the page, offering fans unique merch like latex masks, prop weapons, and soundtrack editions on vinyl, CD, and cassette, creating an immersive horror experience like no other. The score is available for pre-order from FiXT in partnership with Bit Bot Media, the new multi-media company from Klayton and Josh Viola. The full soundtrack releases on April 24, 2025.
This beast of a score slams together Heafy’s skull-crushing guitar riffs and pummeling intensity with spine-chilling, synth-drenched vibes that scream John Carpenter’s horror legacy, where Halloween meets a mosh pit. This isn’t just a soundtrack, it’s a sonic bloodbath that proves Heafy’s a genre-smashing titan, fusing metal’s raw fury with the twisted pulse of graphic storytelling. The soundtrack’s centerpiece, “Too Far Gone,” highlights Heafy’s intense vocals and guitar prowess, paying homage to classic horror cinema
Matthew Kiichi Heafy is a Japanese-born American musician best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist for heavy metal band Trivium.
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Rock band 616, led by frontman Matthew Lidwin, has just released a powerful new music video for their latest single, “Cinderella Valentine,” filmed live at the iconic Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee—the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll.
The “Cinderella Valentine” video captures the raw energy and vulnerability of a live performance with zero digital polish—just pure analog soul. Shot in the same room where rock was born, the visual immerses fans in a sound that feels both timeless and fresh, blending the grit of classic rock with the haunting romanticism that 616 is known for.
From the age of 14, Matthew Lidwin—the driving force behind 616—has always had a relentless “go get it” attitude. Now 33, he’s taken that energy and built a global fanbase with seven songs hitting #1 on various charts. A true rock ‘n’ roll visionary, Matthew has worked with icons like professional skateboarder and MTV star Bam Margera (Jackass, Viva La Bam, CKY), and even brought in HiM’s legendary drummer, Gas Lipstick, to lay down drums on one of his signature classic rock tracks.
Seven years ago, Matthew signed with the legendary Cleopatra Records. But even with industry success, he wasn’t content with following the trends. He told producer Kyle Perera, “I want to make history. I want to do something different.” That vision led 616 to the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll—Sun Studio in Memphis, TN. In a bold move during the digital age, the band recorded live to tape, just like the legends before them—Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis.
“I wanted to walk in the footsteps of the people who created rock ‘n’ roll,” says Matthew. “To make something that couldn’t be forgotten. Something raw. Real.”
Driven by a deep respect for the past and a fire to stand out in the present, Matthew made sure this project pushed his limits. “I wanted to make myself nervous again. To throw myself into the same shoes as the legends and stand for rock ‘n’ roll—because not many do that anymore. I paid my respects. I always will.”
Now sober and sharper than ever, Matthew is ready to bring 616 into a new era—one with more edge, more energy, and more authenticity. With a new lineup soon to be announced, fresh songs being recorded, and a brand new music video on the way, 616 is set to reignite the fire this spring.
A new full-length vinyl album will be released via Cleopatra Records this summer, delivering the best of Rock, Goth, and Roll. New 616 releases are available now, and the road is calling.
Join the journey. The resurrection of rock ‘n’ roll is here. 616 will see you on stage.
Renowned Finnish violinist, composer, and ethnomusicologist TUOMAS ROUNAKARI was recently interviewed by PoisonedRock TV, where he dives into his musical and spiritual journey — including his powerful collaboration with the legendary composer Yasuharu Takanashi, and much more.
Watch the full interview here:
As previously announced, TUOMAS is thrilled for his exciting new collaboration with YASUHARU TAKANASHI, the legendary composer behind some of the most iconic anime soundtracks. Together, they will embark on a three-show tour in June 2025, bringing fans a unique fusion of cinematic and folk-inspired soundscapes.
The “Far East Groove – Beginning the Quest Tour” will feature music from beloved anime series like Naruto and Fairy Tail, as well as other surprises, performed by an all-star lineup of musicians.
Tuomas Rounakari shares: “Who knows where this groove will take us in the future! Takanashi’s anime music is a perfect match for my style, blending folk elements with cinematic strings. And of course, there will be solo slots where I can shred my violin to pieces!”
June 24 – Helsinki (FI) – On The Rocks June 26 – Cartagena (ES) – Rock Imperium Festival June 28 – Milano (IT) – Legend Club
Stay tuned for more details and let the journey begin!
In another news:
Tuomas has shared on his YouTube channel a new ‘Fjords in Greenland’ -video, filmed from his trip to Nuuk Fjord in 2017. Edited to a Kamass folksong from his first solo album. More info in the video describtion.
“Where I roamed before, the black mountains have eroded. My footsteps, left to my own land, are now growing golden hay. I once had strength, now I haven’t. Before there were many children, now I am the only one left. Where I fished before, there my lakes have been left as well.”
On January 26th 2024, at the Sibeliustalo in Finland, TUOMAS ROUNAKARI and YASUHARU TAKANASHI came together for a groundbreaking concert, ‘Epic East Meets Northern Beasts’. This sold-out event captivated audiences with its breathtaking performances, and the footage is now available for your viewing pleasure.
TUOMAS ROUNAKARI is an internationally acclaimed violinist, composer and ethnomusicologist from Finland. He is a one-man-band blending violin, vocals and stomping with ankle-bells. In his performance he enters various trance-states. In this album he will also be playing a traditional Khanty instrument called Ning-juh.
Tuomas is inspired by different forms of dialogue; man and nature, the seen and the unseen world, ancient and future. His first solo album Shamanviolin was a result of ethnomusicological studies of the earliest 20th century wax-cylinder recordings from Siberia. These studies have also led to many collaborations with indigenous artists. He is one of the few artists who have actually returned their art to native communities for evaluation and development.
Tuomas Rounakari solo performance has been selected to: World Cultures Festival in Hong Kong (2019), Arctic Arts Summit (2019), Nordiskt Ljus Festival in Sweden (2022), Festspillene Helgeland in Norway (2021), Nuuk Nordik Festival in Greenland, Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in Finland (2018, 2013, 2012), Helsingin Juhlaviikot and many others. He has also played the solo performance in several theaters such as Finnish National Theater in Helsinki, Merlin Szinhas Teater in Budapest, AlfredVeDvore in Prague, Ashurst Hall in Flagstaff USA among others.
Photography: Kevin Eisenlord, Anderson Hildebrando
Brazilian brutal death metal veterans OPHIOLATRY have officially signed with Wormholedeath Records and announced the release of their highly anticipated new album “Serpent’s Verdict”, set to drop on June 6, 2025. The band has also released a teaser for the album, giving fans their first glimpse into what promises to be a devastating release in extreme metal. They comment on the brutality:
“The album delves into themes of spiritual revenge, indigenous resistance, and the clash between ancient traditions and imposed beliefs. Inspired by real events in the Amazon, mythology, and existential suffering, the lyrics paint vivid scenes of war, punishment, and transcendence through pain. Each song tells a story, whether it be about warriors resurrected for revenge, the wrath of serpent gods, or the fall of oppressive ideologies. The words are raw, intense, and unrelenting, reflecting the chaotic brutality of the music itself.”
This signing marks a significant milestone for Ophiolatry, whose last full-length album “Transmutation” was released in 2008 through Forces of Satan Records/Regain Records. After a period of careful composition and development, the band returns with renewed purpose and vision, channeling the raw energy that established them as pioneers of South American extreme metal while evolving their distinctive sound. The album represents a departure from the relentless technicality of “Transmutation” while preserving the band’s signature brutality and expanding their sonic palette.
The album functions as a sonic ritual—a brutal, immersive descent into cycles of destruction, revenge, and rebirth. Each track serves as a chapter in this narrative, combining aggressive riffs, guttural vocals, and tribal rhythms inspired by ancient warrior traditions. It is recommended for fans of Morbid Angel, Death, and Deicide.
Just in time for the tour kick-off, Skies Turn Black have dropped their brand new single “Angel”, available now on Spotify and on all major DSP’s. The track showcases the band’s signature blend of soaring melodies, crushing riffs, and cinematic electronic textures, a powerful preview of what fans can expect on stage during the Ascend To The Skies tour.
Whether you’ve been following their rise or are about to catch them live for the first time, “Angel” sets the tone for what promises to be an electrifying run of shows across the UK with Andromedous
The single is available now at: Apple Music | Spotify | & other major stores
Follow Skies Turn Black on Facebook for updated Tour info.
Current Tour Dates: April 10 | Outpost | Liverpool April 12 | Levels | Swindon April 13 | Grand Central | Manchester April 14 | Bannerman’s | Edinburgh April 15 | The Lubber Fiend | Newcastle April 16 | Sidney & Matilda | Sheffield April 17 | The Electric Banana | Weston-Super-Mare April 20 | Lvls | London
Italian death metal entity SONUM are now streaming their upcoming new album, “The Obscure Light Awaits”, in full ahead of its release this Friday via Dusktone. The exclusive premiere is hosted by No Clean Singing, offering listeners an early chance to immerse themselves in the band’s haunting and atmospheric soundscapes. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the album in its entirety before it officially drops.
Following the critical acclaim of their debut, “Visceral Void Entropy” (2022), SONUM delve deeper into the labyrinthine realms of dissonance and atmosphere. “The Obscure Light Awaits” is an ambitious work that simultaneously pushes boundaries and honours the roots of the genre. The album eschews unnecessary complexity in favour of a tight focus on songwriting, weaving together intricate, sibylline passages with a raw, unrelenting power that shows the influence of the pioneering works of old and contemporary death metal legends such as Gorguts, Morbid Angel, Execration and Artificial Brain.
A true testament to SONUM’s evolution, “The Obscure Light Awaits” presents a sonic journey defined by dark, otherworldly textures and relentless energy. The band’s ability to merge atmospheric depth with crushing riffs showcases their commitment to creating music that is both immersive and uncompromising. It’s an exploration of contrasts – between the abstract and the visceral, the chaotic and the structured.
Fans of progressive and atmospheric death metal will find “The Obscure Light Awaits” to be a landmark release that stands tall amidst this year’s most formidable works.
Tracklist:
01. Due To Inner Mess… 02. In This Void We Dwell 03. Famine 04. Trapped In The Labyrinth of Aberration 05. Ad Mortem (Iter Est) 06. Beyond The Gate… 07. The Obscure Light Awaits 08. Nobody Is Innocent 09. Messenger Of Cosmic Dread 10. Deliver Us (Final Trip)
Line-up:
Thomas Girardello – Vocals, Bass Mirko Marchesini – Guitars Francesco Tresca – Drums
All songs produced by SONUM Mixed & Mastered by Luca Dal Lago
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
