Fist Evangelist is the fourth single from the Finnish death metal powerhouse Inborn Tendency‘s upcoming debut album.
The fresh track offers a slightly different and groovier sound with hardcore influences. The lyrics deal with a change in conviction, from steadfastness to violence.
The band has previously announced that their debut album will be released sometime in 2025.
Post-rock and metal artist Shuggah emerges from the depths of South Africa’s underground music scene with her debut single and music video, Amas Veritas, the first release from her upcoming conceptual album, Her Chrysalis, out on the May 2nd, via Mongrel Records.
Shuggah’s sound is a unique fusion of aggressive walls of guitars, punchy drums, and dreamlike textures, rooted in her background as a producer and DJ in the underground techno community. Influenced by Russian Circles, Chelsea Wolfe, Psychonaut, and Cult of Luna, she has crafted a dark, etheric, and ritualistic sonic experience that transcends conventional genre boundaries.
“Amas Veritas was inspired by ancient love stories of the Greek gods—tales of tragedy, war, and the fight against death,” says Shuggah. “The title means ‘the truth of love,’ which often inspires chaos and ends unhappily, but the love itself is all-consuming and passionate. There’s always a deep struggle, facing war and even death.”
The single was born from a deeply immersive creative process. “I would sit for hours, experimenting with guitar sounds, using tons of found samples for inspiration,” she explains. “Back then, I was meditating in the bathtub a lot—my house had an enormous reverb, and it felt like floating in an ancient hall while guitars bounced off the walls.” The recording process spanned an extended period, meticulously layering sounds and featuring multiple guitars, including a deeply personal instrument: “I used an axe from my brother after he passed away, called Axecalibar—fitting that the video should feature me wielding a sword.”
The music video for Amas Veritas is equally cinematic and symbolic. Inspired by the gritty, monochrome aesthetics of artists like Amenra and Chelsea Wolfe, Shuggah envisioned a spiritual and battle-like visual. “I wanted the video to feel like an epic battle had taken place—something raw, ritualistic, and deeply personal.” Shot on location at Remhoogte Farm in Riebeek Kasteel, the video captures the vast landscapes and primal energy of the track. “We climbed a mountain and set the earth on fire for the circle shot,” she recalls. “Unfortunately, the wind didn’t allow the flames to hold, but we still captured the essence—fire, smoke, and raw emotion. It felt like a war had gone on within myself. I had the sword on fire too—I felt like a warrior on that mountain.”
The video was directed by Shuggah herself, with aerial cinematography by Werner Botha, whose expertise in film added depth to the visuals. “He was really excited to see the pyro effects and gave amazing advice,” she adds.
Amas Veritas marks the beginning of an era for Shuggah, an artist unafraid to push the boundaries of heavy music and visual storytelling. With Her Chrysalis set to be a deeply spiritual, visceral journey, this debut single is only the first glimpse into the dark and immersive world she has created.
Cape Town-based alternative-psychedelic band Filthy Hippies have made a name for themselves in the South African music scene with their signature shoegaze-infused sound. Since their formation in 2018, they have cemented their reputation as a standout act in the country’s thriving psych scene, sharing stages with notable bands such as Dangerfield and delivering an unforgettable performance at the 2019 Endless Daze Festival.
After a period of evolution and lineup changes, Filthy Hippies are thrilled to announce their latest album, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy. This release marks a significant chapter for the band as they bid farewell to longtime collaborator Mark Van Zyl, who was instrumental in shaping the record before his upcoming move to New Zealand.
“His intense creativity will be sorely missed,” shares frontman Andrew Paine. “But it was awesome to get to go down the rabbit hole one last time with him before he goes.”
‘A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy’ is exactly that—a vibrant yet introspective journey through the highs and lows of life. “It’s just reflections on everyday experiences and emotions,” Paine explains. “A journey through a slightly jaded mind.”
The album embraces a message of presence and acceptance, reminding listeners to cherish fleeting moments. “Enjoy every moment as it happens,” says Paine. “Things fade away far too quickly, and life moves in very definite cycles.”
Filthy Hippies took an organic approach to songwriting, allowing tracks to develop naturally through jam sessions at their home studio, The Sanctuary. “The usual jamming at our home studio, and the songs just fell into place,” Paine states simply.
The recording process was an immersive and intensive experience, with the band diving deep into late-night brainstorming sessions and extended tracking marathons. “Everything was recorded at our home studio, The Sanctuary. Lots of late-night brainstorming and intensely long sessions—it was a lot of fun.”
With a Phil Spector-esque wall of sound blending rich textures, layered harmonies, and deep-rooted pop sensibilities, A Colourful Trip Through Melancholy’ stands as a defining statement from Filthy Hippies.
After releasing their third album in 2024, MILE is back with new music. The band now presents a metal version of Tears for Fears’ ’80s classic ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ – a song whose message feels more relevant than ever, now with a dark and powerful twist!
MILE is a Swedish melodic metal band blending heavy metal and hard rock with powerful riffs and catchy melodies. Their 2015 debut album Lost surpassed 1 million streams in its first year. The 2018 follow-up, The World In Focus, featured the hit Crying in Your Sleep, landing on major playlists. Alongside this, MILE has played festivals alongside legends like Twisted Sister, Alice Cooper, Sabaton, and Hammerfall.
Today, MILE releases a cover of the ’80s classic Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears. In a world where the song’s message feels more relevant than ever, the band gives it a whole new life with their unique interpretation. The band ensures that both the message and the sound will leave a long lasting impact.
THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE ZUGLY have released a new song ‘How to Do Nothing’, the first single from their upcoming album.
The moist and clammy hand of techno-determinism is tightening its grip on the ever-growing horde of mouth-taped, health obsessed and marathon-running middle managers.
Most recently in the form of smart watches offering to analyze stress, activity levels, and productivity.
Indeed, even you performance in bed can now be coached by wristwatches equipped with artificial intelligence. “You can do better,” they tell us. Whilst “Don’t blame it on being born in November,” ticks across the innocent little display.
This is nothing less than a call for rebellion against Silicon Valley’s chokehold on your attention. With Jenny Odell’s “How to Do Nothing” as our manifest, we now seek to tear the whole damn thing apart and grow a new spiritual scrotum—one where productivity is redefined, boredom is encouraged, and doing nothing is the path to salvation.
Finnish old school death metal band Messiah Paratroops, founded in 1989, have finally released their long-awaited debut album ‘Legions of Tomorrow’ on April 4th 2025 via Inverse Records. The album leaves no room for weakness. It features 9 tracks where rapid blast beats, brutal guitar riffs, and furious vocals combine to drag the listener into a raw Death Metal experience.
The first shots of Messiah Paratroops were fired in 1989. Aku and Niku joined the already existing band Necrophiliac. However, we found out that there was a band with the same name in Brazil, so a name change was necessary. The official launch of Messiah Paratroops was carried out by Aku Oksala (vocals), Niku Oksala (bass), Pekka Laasanen (drums), Janne Roima (guitar), and Mikko Vainikainen (guitar). At the time, our music was mostly thrash metal. In 1990, Mikko was replaced by Sami Jämsen on guitar, and in the same year, the first official demo Extreme Pain was released.Before this, we had recorded Rheumatoid (1989), Children of the Corn (1990), and the song Other Side in Studio Sound.
Our first official gig was at Nuorisokeskus 44 in Kuopio in 1990, and after that, more gigs started coming in. One particularly memorable gig was in Sulkava, where we played with Nuxvomica, Astenia, and Alennusmyynti. The gig was unforgettable in many ways, even so that one of our guitarists wasn’t allowed to play because of intoxication. Nevertheless, we managed to finish the show successfully.
The Extreme Pain demo sold well. With more experience gained from gigs and rehearsing in the trenches, we recorded the Lost Soul Domain demo in 1991. It sold out quickly and was well received worldwide. This led to the release of The Past EP through Seraphic Decay Records. Some copies of this rare release can still be found in various parts of the world.
Soon after, Pekka Laasanen left the band after a gig at Desperado Bar, and was replaced by Ilari Jäntti (Barathrum) on drums. In 1992, with this new lineup, we recorded The Other Gods demo. We also performed at Neulamäki Rock and the recycling center alongside Impaled Nazarene, Barathrum, and Mystification. After a few years of performing and creating new material, we recorded the Jesus Christ Cyberseed demo in 1994. This demo deviated slightly from our traditional death metal style, with lyrics focusing more on technology and sci-fi themes. After this, our war machines went silent for nearly two decades…
In 2014, it was time to bring out the war arsenal again and start re-recording our old songs with the following lineup: • Sami Jämsen (guitar) • Janne Roima (guitar) • Tuomo Latvala (drums) • Niku Oksala (bass) • Aku Oksala (vocals)
We recorded The Breeding, Cyberseed, Lost Soul Domain, and To Be Left High and Dry, but these re-recorded versions were never released. This lineup performed two gigs: the first at Old Farts Rock in Henry’s Pub, Kuopio (2014) and the second at Finnish Death Metal Maniacs Festival in Pori (2017).
War takes its toll, and in 2017, the lineup changed once again. Sami, Janne, and Tuomo left the group, and we brought in: • Ville Vesterinen (guitar) • Antti Sinikangas (guitar) • Peachy (drums)
With Ville’s creative input, three new songs were written: • Evil Lives Among Us • Madness Incarnate • Murders of the Lake
Demo versions of these songs were recorded. This lineup managed to play a few gigs before more changes occurred. Ville left the group, and Jani Vartiainen took over on guitar. More new songs started emerging with the debut album in mind. We even managed to get to the studio to record, but the momentum began to fade…
Once again, it was time to open the tent flap and bring in new soldiers. • Pete Airaksinen joined on guitar. • Vilho Kananen joined on drums. • Jari Bäck took over as the main bassist alongside Niku Oksala.
With this lineup, new songs were written, and after years of effort, the recording of our debut album was finally completed at the end of 2023.
Our debut album “Legions of Tomorrow” is released on April 4th 2025 via Inverse Records.
Line-up: Vocals – Aku Oksala Guitars – Pete Airaksinen Guitars – Jani Vartiainen Drums – Vilho Kananen Bass – Jari Bäck
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
