No Clean Singing is now hosting the exclusive premiere of “Filth Majesty”, the debut full-length album from Finland’s HOC EST BELLUM, due out on June 26, 2026 via Time To Kill Records.
The record expands the band’s uncompromising approach to black/death metal, combining the harshness of black metal with the physical weight of death metal through a sound that feels immediate, raw and unfiltered. Built on sharp riffs, relentless dynamics and a dark, hostile atmosphere, “Filth Majesty” reflects the band’s fascination with conflict, decay and extreme states of mind, delivering a focused and intense statement that captures the identity HOC EST BELLUM have developed since their formation.
1. The Desolator (Intro) / Deify, Degenerate 2. Black Metal Terror 3. Vomit Black Ecstasy 4. Passion of the Antichrist 5. Blood of the VVytches 6. Nightside Necromancy 7. Winds of Decay 8. Serpent of the Black Pit 9. The Goatborn Ones 10. Beast Ejaculate / Spiral of Sodomy (Outro)
Burning with Luciferian hunger and baptized in nuclear horror, HOC EST BELLUM rose from the ashes in 2022. Based between Helsinki and Turku, the power trio unleashes a savage blend of grinding and bestial black/death chaos, channeling a sound that is both primitive and devastatingly direct. Their music thrives on raw aggression and ritualistic intensity, forged in an atmosphere of apocalyptic dread, satanic hostility and visions of mankind’s imminent extinction.
The band’s first release, the aptly titled “Demo 2023”, introduced this extermination squad to the underground with a display of feral brutality and uncompromising violence. The recording quickly established HOC EST BELLUM as a force devoted to the most extreme and unrelenting expressions of black/death metal, delivering warlike hymns steeped in filth, blasphemy and destructive fervor.
The band’s debut full-length will be released by Time To Kill Records in 2026. The album continues on the path of the bestial onslaught paved on the aforementioned demo, while adding to the relentless attack elements of dark atmospheric passages seeping with malevolent and poisonous aura.
Antichrist elitists rise. This is black metal terror.
Line-up:
Devouring Doommouth of Lunar Extinction and Nuclear Propaganda – Black vomit prophecies of homo sapiennihilation & aural low frequency desecration Rituäl Vömitist – Bonegrinding hellsaw sodomy R. Charon – Morningstars of putrefaction & doom ritual chants
Following the successful release of their debut album Winners Write History in 2024, Swedish female-fronted rock band MARYLANE are set to return with their highly anticipated sophomore album, Seventh Sense, arriving July 17, 2026. Leading the release is the album’s focus track, “SEVEN,” accompanied by an official music video on that same day.
A powerful and emotionally charged anthem, “SEVEN” explores the internal struggle of battling personal demons while searching for peace and clarity. Blending soaring melodies, hard-hitting riffs, and heartfelt lyricism, the track showcases the band’s continued evolution while remaining true to the powerful rock sound that first captured listeners’ attention.
The album was mixed and mastered by renowned producer and guitarist Andy La Rocque at Sonic Train Studios, bringing a polished yet dynamic sonic landscape that perfectly complements MARYLANE’s energetic and emotional approach to modern rock.
Seventh Sense will be available on all major digital streaming platforms beginning July 17, 2026. Please get in touch if you would like to review the record or interview the band.
Once upon a time, nestled in a corner of the bustling city, there existed a magnificent amusement park named Marylane, which was operated by Marymaker the Clown. He was perceived by the public as both terrifying and captivating, and there were rumors that he possessed the ability to attract both light and darkness simultaneously, as if he were a master of duality. During the park’s prime, one could hear the excited cheers of visitors from afar and the sound of carousels roaring under the summer sun. However, as the years went by, fewer and fewer people found the time to visit the amusement park, leaving Marymaker with a deep sense of abandonment.
The very thing that he had once been so passionate about now seemed to wither away and rely solely on artificial respiration. Filled with desperation, Marymaker embarked on a journey to find himself, only to encounter chaos and despair at every turn. One evening, while lost in his own thoughts, Marymaker overheard a group of people gathering on the Tivoli stage to compose music. There was one particular melody that caught his attention, as it exuded both sadness and hope. Intrigued, he felt compelled to venture out and discover the source of this captivating music. Could it be that the songs were about him?
Marylane is a swedish rockband formed in 2023 and draws inspiration from vintage sounds infusing them with a modern intimate touch. With their music they delve into the depths of the human experience exploring the paradoxial and existential questions that haunt our minds. Their sound is a harmonious blend of captivating melodies, groovy rythms, ephic choruses and introspective lyrics.
Munich alternative metal band Antirope has officially unveiled their mesmerizing new music video for the nine-minute epic track “Aurora”, directed by the band’s own guitarist Patrick Fleischer. Pushing past the traditional boundaries of heavy music visuals, Fleischer steers the band away from linear storytelling in favor of an abstract, kaleidoscopic landscape that mirrors the immense emotional weight of the song. The video serves as a brilliant companion piece to the track, capturing a rare blend of discomfort and striking elegance that aligns perfectly with the sonic DNA of the German quartet. This is the fourth music video taken from their full-length album Bring Me to Zero which was recently released on May 1, 2026 via Eclipse Records.
The track is a standout centerpiece from their sophisticated full-length album, Bring Me To Zero, released via Eclipse Records. Recorded live at Lungfull Studios to preserve raw energy, the album positions Antirope alongside contemporaries like Soundgarden, Tool, and Neurosis while establishing an entirely unique sonic territory. Ultimately, the video for Aurora is not merely a promotional tool, but a courageous artistic statement that proves heavy music can be profoundly intimate, deeply unsettling, and breathtakingly beautiful all at once.
Bring Me To Zero marks a significant evolution for the Munich-based band. Overall, the album sounds massive without sacrificing intimacy, letting every riff, breath, and impact land with deliberate weight. Antirope’s sound remains rooted in the primal heaviness of Black Sabbath, the brooding grit of Soundgarden, and the hypnotic sprawl of Neurosis, yet the band never settles for homage. Instead, they carve a distinctly modern identity where dense, down-tuned riffs collide with psychedelic textures, and moments of crushing volume dissolve into eerie calm. Vocalist Slaven Stokic moves effortlessly between raw urgency and haunted restraint, guiding the listener through an album that feels less like a collection of songs and more like a psychological descent. Produced by guitarist Partick Fleischer (Lacrimas Profundere, Darkseed, Alev) at Lungfull Studios, the upcoming album promises a heavier, more hook-driven sound characterized by bold vocal arrangements and an explosive rhythmic backbone. The album contains eleven tracks, including standouts like “Zero,” “Intervention,” “Afterglow,” and a cover of the Cream classic “Sunshine of Your Love.” Bring Me to Zero balances brutality with beauty, never letting one exist without the other. The album artwork, created by the band themselves, mirrors that duality: stark, personal, and uncompromising. Released on May 1, 2026 via Eclipse Records, Bring Me to Zero positions Antirope as a band unafraid to confront collapse head-on while emerging with something strangely luminous in its wake.
Listen to Bring Me to Zero on all platforms via Eclipse Records at this location.
Bring Me To Zero track listing 01. Monolith 02. Unholy 03. Zero 04. Afterglow 05. Life is A Lie 06. Cascades 07. Dry Your Eyes 08. Intervention 09. Sunshine of Your Love (Cream cover) 10. Beyond 11. Aurora
Credit: Antirope
About Antirope: Antirope are an alternative metal band founded in Munich, Germany in 2015, and while their most important influences are Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, and Neurosis, they bring us a new sound that makes the psychedelic cruel and the damned sound heavenly. Antirope is Slaven Stokic (vocals, guitar), Patrick Fleischer (guitar, vocals), Julie Fleischer (bass), Juergen “Bam Bam” Wiehler (drums)
Italian death metal act GORGE announce the release of their debut full-length album “Deeds of Horror”, set to arrive on August 27, 2026 via Time To Kill Records. The band also unveils the first single taken from the record, “Visions Before Dying”, now available on all digital platforms.
“Visions Before Dying” is a relentless death metal assault, driven by blistering speed and suffocating intensity reminiscent of the classic brutality associated with bands like Suffocation and Dying Fetus. The song moves between ferocious blastdriven passages and crushing, cavernous grooves, creating a violent dynamic that feels both chaotic and oppressive. Lyrically, the track explores the mysterious threshold between life and death. Inspired by psychological and metaphysical films such as Altered States and Jacob’s Ladder, the song dives into the unsettling visions and dreamlike experiences that might occur in the final moments before the body gives out. “Visions Before Dying” imagines the mind drifting through fragments of memories, distorted realities, and unknown dimensions, where dreams, hallucinations, and subconscious fears merge into a final sequence of surreal revelations, a descent into the last visions the brain may conjure as consciousness slowly fades into darkness.
Tracklist:
1. Sacred Misconception 2. Visions Before Dying 3. Mortal Decimation (Deeds Of Horror) 4. Interlude 5. Unhinged Punishment (ft. Angel Ochoa) 6. Without Inheritance 7. Fear Of Losing Another Vital Limb 8. Repetition Of The Kill
Formed in 2025 by Edoardo Nicoloso (Fulci, Jorelia, TV-Crimes) and Roberto Sava (Jorelia), GORGE were created with the intent of exploring death metal in its most direct and uncompromising form, drawing inspiration from the raw energy of the genre’s foundational years while developing a personal and dynamic approach.
The band’s approach is rooted in a direct, riff-driven philosophy that draws heavily from the foundational era of Suffocation, Dying Fetus, Gorguts and Malevolent Creation, updated with just the right amount of modern weight without compromising its original identity. GORGE blends death metal with a gritty hardcore sensibility, resulting in a groovy yet ferocious sound that avoids overused slam dynamics in favour of tighter songwriting and internal rhythmic variation. At the centre of everything lies the riff, treated as the primary narrative force across all compositions, supported by a constant attention to structural tension and release.
In tribute to Chris Cornell, KING ULTRAMEGA presents a high octane interpretation of SOUNDGARDEN‘s “Loud Love” joined by Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM) leading on vocals, Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT / METAL ALLEGIANCE) on guitars and drum performance by Dave Krusen (PEARL JAM). KING ULTRAMEGA are raising funds and awareness for MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s nonprofit that provides mental health services, addiction recovery support, and emergency assistance to members of the music community.
“Loud Love” appears on SOUNDGARDEN‘s 1989 full length Louder Than Love and remains a fan favorite that showcases Chris Cornell‘s incredible range. Wanting to honor Cornell and the iconic track, and evoke the spirit of this era, Mark Menghi‘s process for this release saw him take an old school approach in order to achieve the analogue warmth of the original recording.
On the new release, Lzzy Hale shares: “If there was ever a time to be spreading a message of LOUD LOVE, It’s now.”
Produced by Mark Menghi, “Loud Love” was mixed and mastered by Josh Wilbur. The cover artwork design is by Mark Menghi and the accompanying video is by Tom Flynn.
The “Loud Love” Lineup Is:
Vocals: Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM) Guitars: Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT / METAL ALLEGIANCE) Bass: Mark Menghi Drums: Dave Krusen (PEARL JAM)
Lzzy Hale comments on her approach for tackling vocal duties on “Loud Love”, “I don’t think I’ve ever been a good imitator, but I did try to put myself in Chris’ shoes. It’s more about placing yourself inside the song so you can steal its soul. I like to imagine I am the writer and then go about making it my own whilst honoring the original.”
On drawing inspiration from Chris, Hale continues, “I feel like I’m always learning something from Chris. Every few years I’ll discover something deeper in his lyrics, or higher in his range. But there is an authenticity that comes with Chris that can’t be taught or trained for. I believe every word he writes. I’m inspired by his control over his animalistic vocal range, and his poetry, but also how honestly he sings.”
Alex Skolnick explains his process on preserving Kim Thayil’s guitar style, “Kim’s playing has a strong sense of groove as well as a rawness and honesty that was especially refreshing when this song first came out (a time of much overproduction & perfection in hard rock). I tried to strike a good balance between referencing and respecting Kim‘s original parts, while also bringing some of my own flavor and ideas, without getting in the way.”
Skolnick reveals what it was like working with Menghi outside of METAL ALLEGIANCE: “For the most part, Mark and I have recorded originals in Metal Allegiance, songs that started with a blank page. This time we had a solid road map. In the past, once we had drum tracks, it didn’t matter which of us followed up or whether we tracked separately or simultaneously. This time, we were very dependent on capturing a live performance together in the studio, which was a fun challenge. This tune seemed to require the bass and guitar being locked in while going to tape, I think it’s probably true of most of the Soundgarden catalogue.”
Mark Menghi discusses his choice of line-up for “Loud Love”: “I knew I wanted Dave to play drums on this tune from the jump. Who better than the dude that played drums on arguably one of the greatest records of all-time and whom also helped lay the groundwork for the Seattle explosion in the late 80’s/early 90’s? I was already in the studio with my Metal Allegiance bro Alex Skolnick putting this finishing touches on a then new Metal Allegiance tune (which turned out to be Black Horizon) when I asked ‘Hey would you wanna play on this King Ultramega track?’ I just off-the-cuff asked him… what makes it better is I said, “see that old school tape machine over there in the corner? We are going to record our parts together, live, at the same time, the old school way on reel-to-reel!'”
He continues, “The last piece of the ‘Loud Love’ puzzle was the amazing Lzzy Hale. Having her complete the lineup for this tune is truly humbling. If you listen to the OG version of ‘Loud Love’, Chris’ vocals are just absolute insanity and who better than Lzzy to tackle this? Lzzy has complete vocal dominance, carries such a strong presence and quite frankly is one of the best vocalists in modern rock today.”
A key component of this cover is the analogue production. On taking this creative decision Menghi explains, “It was very important to me to keep this particular song as old school as possible. I wanted to catch the warmth, vibe and feel of the original track which meant (to me) recording to tape, in the same room together and live. Imagine that? A world where you record with other humans in the same room and in analog no less! Reel-to-reel tape recording is a lost art form and was very excited to go back to the recording days of the past for this track. Alex and I are no strangers in recording together; but this was the first time we have ever recorded live together, with real amps blasting and the tape machine running. Truly was a special feel, to capture that live energy.”
Dave Krusen of PEARL JAM, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, opens up about revisiting this classic SOUNDGARDEN track. “Seattle was a very turbulent place in the late 80s / early 90s and I think the best thing to come out of it was all the great music. I was a huge Soundgarden fan. I got to meet Chris and Matt when we (Pearl Jam) were working on 10 and they were working on Temple Of the Dog. It was a huge thrill for me. The fact that I was asked to be a part of this King Ultramega record was a huge honor. I was very intimidated to try and tackle the drum parts in ‘Loud Love’, but the guys I was recording with made it no pressure and a lot of fun.”
Krusen shares a personal memory of Chris, “I’ll never forget in 1993 backstage at a Pearl Jam show, Chris came up and said ‘Hey Dave, it’s Chris. Do you remember me?’ every time I talked to him, he was always such a sweet guy to me. I miss him and his music. Plus Matt has always been so gracious and cool to me, letting me share his drum throne, was also a huge honor.”
About KING ULTRAMEGA:
KING ULTRAMEGA is a passion-driven musical project honoring the life, voice, and genius of Chris Cornell, one of the most gifted artists of our time. It launches in conjunction with SOUNDGARDEN’s long-overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
This project did not begin with a single, dramatic moment. Instead, it grew quietly and gradually, an organic result of years of conversations, inspiration, and deep reverence for a musician whose impact remains immeasurable.
“There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project,” says bassist and producer Mark Menghi, the driving force behind KING ULTRAMEGA. “It was a trail of events that led to the formation of KING ULTRAMEGA and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation.”
It started in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, when Menghi recorded a version of “Rusty Cage” with friends. What began as a creative release soon became something larger. With every step forward, the project deepened in meaning and purpose. “I kept crossing the mental roadblock of ‘you are entering uncharted waters, are you sure you wanna do this?'” Menghi reflects. “Chris is one of those dudes if you cover, you better do it justice.”
The decision to continue became clear when SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil joined the project and re-recorded one of his own iconic tracks. “Once Kim got involved and re-recorded one of his own songs, I knew something was brewing,” Menghi says.
Thayil embraced the project wholeheartedly. “I’m super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the KING ULTRAMEGA project,” he says. “I’m equally proud that it celebrates SOUNDGARDEN in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone’s participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation. Thank you Mark Menghi, Charlie Benante and Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).”
For Menghi, this project is as personal as it is musical. “I went through some very difficult times in my life. I should not be here right now, but I am,” he shares. “I like to think my past trials and tribulations helped me understand Chris just a little, hence the formation of KING ULTRAMEGA.”
Song selection was guided by instinct. “My mood. It’s really that simple,” Menghi explains. “‘Rusty Cage’ was recorded simply because it’s one of my favorite songs featured on one of my favorite records.” Other songs came to Menghi during moments of reflection and inspiration. “There is a bunch more in the can right now, all with drums fully recorded, which are currently being worked out for future releases.”
The goal was never to reinvent Cornell’s work. It was about honoring it with the respect it deserves. “It really is only about honoring the legacy of Chris Cornell. Nothing more,” Menghi says. Each musician brought their own voice, but always in service to the song and to Cornell’s memory.
“Each musician has their own individual musical stamp,” Menghi explains. “You hear the absolute best of each one of them. You are talking about musicians who helped invent and shape musical genres and helped define their generations in popular culture, not just music, but society as a whole.”
The cast of collaborators is remarkable. Kim Thayil, Charlie Benante, Joe Satriani, William DuVall, Bill Kelliher, Alissa White-Gluz, Kenny Aronoff, Menghi himself, among many others. The mix of past friendships and new connections created a unique bond among them. “I think back and go ‘did I really ask Joe Satriani to do an instrumental reinterpretation of one of the greatest modern vocal songs ever recorded?’ or ‘what the fuck was I thinking asking the great Kim Thayil to re-record one of his own classic Soundgarden songs?'” Menghi laughs. Yet, no egos entered the room. “Each participating musician saw the vision and understood that this is about honoring the legacy of not only an inspiring musician, but an amazing husband, father and man.”
For Menghi, Cornell’s music has always been a constant presence. “Chris Cornell has been one of only a very small handful of musical constants in my life,” he says. “I never waivered, not once.”
Certain moments in the process were surreal. Recording with Thayil was one of them. “I remember thinking back saying to myself ‘holy fuck, I’m on a SOUNDGARDEN song with Kim Thayil. What planet are we on?'”
Throughout it all, Menghi served as the project’s creative director, always guided by one central question. “How would Chris like this?” Every choice, from guest musicians to mixes to artwork, was measured against that standard. “If there is even a shred of uncertainty at any point in the process, back to the drawing board we go.”
The recordings were completed remotely over several years. The final tracks were mixed with care to ensure a cohesive sound that still captured the raw emotion of the performances.
Hope is the underlying theme that runs through KING ULTRAMEGA. It is an offering to longtime fans and an invitation for younger listeners to discover the timeless brilliance of Cornell’s work. “KU is just a blip in the Chris Cornell universe,” Menghi says. “We are a subtle reminder that Chris was a true musical genius.”
For Menghi and his collaborators, KING ULTRAMEGA is both a deeply personal labor of love and one of the greatest honors of their musical lives. “To be here thirty-plus years later paying tribute to whom I believe was the king of those times is one of the greatest musical honors of my life.”
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts.
BraveWords Records is pleased to announce the signing of COLIN PETERIK. Colin is a “Power Pop” master of hooks and melodies and when you realize that his father is the legendary Jim Peterik, who co-wrote the iconic Rocky III anthem “Eye of the Tiger”, it makes complete sense. Colin is putting the finishing touches on a new album due out later this year, but in the meantime you can check out his latest single “Swans” on Bandcamp.
Colin talks about signing with BraveWords Records, “Giles, Michael, Tim and BraveWords have believed in me since day one, so it was exciting and surreal when they asked me to be on the label. I look forward to doing big things with them, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to join their stacked roster as a recording artist”.
Colin shares the backstory for the songs “Swans”, “My Dad (Jim Peterik) introduced me to Prefab Sprout about 5 years ago. He has showed me so much great music over the years, but this underrated British group must have slipped through the cracks!
Quickly I devoured their entire discography. I was obsessed with the lead singer/songwriter, Paddy McAloon and how he weaved words with melodies like I’ve never heard before.
“Swans” is a beautiful song from their 1997 album “Andromeda Heights”. The protagonist warns his lover that he’s bad news, and there’s still time for her to turn around. Paddy’s silky-smooth vocals express longing; using swans and foxes as metaphors.
I found myself singing it while waiting in a never-ending line at Disney World with my kids, and began working on the track that very night. When we got home, I recorded and finished the track. It was a lot of fun to get into it- I could almost feel the psychic connection with Paddy, singing his lyrics on the mic.
The original version’s production is very minimal, with no percussion, just ethereal keyboards. I decided to take it in a lo-fi hip-hop/jazz direction, which I think fits the mood well. We added some sax, flute, and horns as a finishing touch. I’m very happy with the result, and I hope Paddy has a chance to hear it someday. I’d love to meet him one day.”
“SWANS”
Produced and Performed by Colin Peterik
Lyrics by Paddy McAloon
Video created by Mark Misch
About COLIN PETERIK:
Colin Peterik is a singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Chicago, IL. His songs, including 2022’s “My Secrets” have racked up millions of plays and garnered him a loyal fanbase. His upcoming fourth solo album “That’s Cool (Or I’m Sorry)” expands on his already eclectic catalogue while focussing his sound and craft.
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