DEATHLESS LEGACY will release the new album “Damnatio Aeterna” on March 7 through Scarlet Records.
The band shared the following official statement to introduce the concept behind this work:
Ocasione Iubilaei Ecclesiae Catholicae MMXXV in opere novo “Damnatio Aeterna” conceptus erit album cum historia connotationibus valde anticlericis et satanicis. Narratio satirica ubi daemon Malchrum nomine in munere infernali elaboratus est ad trahendas animas aliquorum praelatorum summorum ad infernum anno iubilaeo MDCCCLXXXVI.
(On the occasion of the 2025 Catholic Church’s Jubilee, “Damnatio Aeterna” will be a concept album featuring a story with strong anticlerical and satanic connotations. It is a satirical tale in which a demon named Malchrum is tasked with an infernal mission to drag to hell the souls of certain high-ranking prelates during the Jubilee year of 1886.)
A dark and provocative journey faithful to the band’s horror metal signature style and filled with an atmosphere of mystery that grows progressively heavier as the story unfolds, the 7th Deathless Legacy studio album will delve into sophisticated themes and explore the true nature of evil.
Deathless Legacy: Steva – vocals Sgt. Bones – guitar Alex van Eden – keyboards Deadwood Nick – bass Frater Orion – drums The Red Witch – performances
Swedish death metallers DISRUPTED have delivered another intense taste of their highly-anticipated new full-length record, entitled “Stinking Death”, which will be out on January 24 via Trust No One Recordings.
Following the release of the first single “Coffin Breath”, the band follows up today with a brand new video for the album’s opening track “Choke On The Cross”.
Speaking about the track, guitarist Tomas Liljekvist reveals: “Some years ago, maybe 7-8 years, my friend Jonas Renkse (Katatonia, Bloodbath) played me a short tune he made just for fun, and it had a great riff that I was instantly hooked on. Then when I started writing songs for the new Disrupted album I came to think of that particular riff and how it would be great to build a song around it. So I asked Jonas if it was ok to take that riff and turn it into a song that would be part of our new album and he said it was totally fine. Once again I turned to my garage one night with only that riff to start with and a couple of hours later the whole song was written.“
With their upcoming album “Stinking Death”, DISRUPTED continue to showcase their signature HM-2-infused Death Metal style, paying homage to the classic sound of the genre with gut-ripping riffs and skull-crushing heaviness. Founded in 2012 by Mikael Hanni and Thomas Liljekvist, the band quickly gained recognition with their debut EP, “Heavy Death”, in 2014, followed by the acclaimed full-length album “Morbid Death” in 2015. Amidst the challenges brought forth by a global pandemic, DISRUPTED persevered and returned with the critically acclaimed sophomore album “Pure Death” (2020). Now the band strikes again with their highly anticipated third album, “Stinking Death”, on January 24, 2025. With the addition of former KatatoniadrummerDaniel Liljekvist and their unwavering dedication to their craft, DISRUPTED is poised to deliver an album that will undoubtedly captivate fans of the death metal genre.
Irish metal pioneers Celtic Legacy have returned with their highly anticipated new single, ‘The Crow‘, marking their first release in over ten years, with the promise of more music to follow.
Inspired by the cult classic 1994 film, ‘The Crow,’ starring Brandon Lee, the single pays homage to the movie’s themes, but also contains what the band describes as, “a personal message dedicated to an ex-member of the band”.
The lyrics and musical arrangement capture the dark, brooding energy of the film while delivering a trademark Celtic Legacy punch. To accompany the single, the band has unveiled a striking animated music video, entirely conceptualised and created by the band, immersing viewers in a hauntingly beautiful visual journey that reflects the iconic story’s gothic atmosphere.
The new single signals Celtic Legacy’s return and although only meant to be a recording project, single John Bonham reveals how the new material came to be; “Dave (Morrissey, Keyboards/guitar) got in touch with me with a few recording ideas and was not intending to return to the stage anytime soon. Everything just started coming together really natural and with the return of Dave Boylan (Bass), myself and Dave (Morrissey), new members, Fuzzy (guitars) and Dave Shorten (Drums) just completed the missing pieces of what we needed to move forward”.
Celtic Legacy’s journey has been one of endurance and evolution. Since their founding in 1997, the band has navigated lineup changes, industry challenges, and a prolonged hiatus. ‘The Crow‘ symbolises their creative resurgence, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in their career.
The single and animated music video for ‘The Crow‘ are now available on all major streaming platforms and YouTube. Fans can expect announcements soon about upcoming performances and future projects as Celtic Legacy takes flight once more.
Celtic Legacy are: Dave Morrissey – Guitars/Keyboards Dave Boylan – Bass John Bonham – Vocals Fuzzy – Guitars Dave Shorten – Drums
Norwegian collective WARDRUNA present the title track of upcoming album ‘Birna’, accompanied by a music video. ‘Birna’ –the she-bear in Old Norse – is a work of art dedicated to the warden of the forest, nature’s caretaker. The release is set for January 24, 2025 via Sony Music and By Norse Music.
Through Wardruna’s signature soundscape, this heavy, progressive song shows the valuable connection between humans and the natural world. Main composer Einar Selvik comments: “The song illustrates a dialogue between man and bear, exemplifying the various traits and abilities we humans have sought to borrow from these significant totemic animals throughout history.”
The bear frequently figures in the oldest myths of mankind in the northern hemisphere, and many indigenous people still regard this animal as a totem, honouring it with rites and songs.
Although the bear from the very beginning has constituted a threat to our own lives and those of our livestock, humans have always identified with the bear in various ways. If you skin the animal, its body underneath the fur strongly resembles that of man, which may be a reason that as legend has it, the bear in fact originated from humans, and for thousands of years we have strived for its strength and wit. In some cultures, “treading the path of the bear” means pursuing what you’re truly meant to do in life.
“The bear doesn’t need my help or any human traditional ornamentation to be its own powerful self. It is quite the opposite if one looks to past bear-traditions worth remembering. We learn, we dream of borrowing its traits and abilities. We fear, revere, and try to walk alongside but on separate paths. Respectfully, claim space and give space. However inconvenient it may be, further taming of the wild can never be the fruitful way forward. For me, it profoundly felt like the right time to give voice to the Birna, mother and shepherd of the vanishing woods,” Selvik concludes.
The music video for “Birna” was filmed in Rondane National Park in Norway and directed by Wardruna´s longtime collaborator Tuukka Koski, produced by Breakfast Helsinki and Ragnarok Film.
Birna was written and recorded between 2021 and 2024.
Music by Einar Selvik and Lindy-Fay Hella. Lyrics by Einar Selvik.
Birna is performed by Einar Selvik, Lindy-Fay Hella, Eilif Gundersen, HC Dalgaard, Sondre Veland, John Stenersen, Arne Sandvoll.
The album features guest appearances by: Koret Artemis (Choir), Jonna Jinton (vocals and field recordings), Hans Fredrik Jacobsen (willow-bark flute), Kenneth Lien (Jaw-harp), Iver Sandøy (backing vocals).
Mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios.
Cover photo by Tuukka Koski. Cover artwork by Øivind A. Myksvoll
Photography by Morten Munthe Biography by Oda Malmin Proofreading by Lauren Barley
On January 24, Wardruna will release the Blu-Ray and DVD ‘Live at the Acropolis’, alongside the new album. The show was recorded at the world heritage site Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Acropolis, Athens. Spanning over two hours, the concert features outstanding live performances of songs from the group’s discography, such as Helvegen, Kvitravn, Heimta Thurs and Lyfjaberg (that will be featured on the new album Birna).
Wardruna live in 2025
Australia & New Zealand 2025: 23 Jan – Melbourne – Palais Theatre 25 Jan – Sydney – Enmore Theatre 27 Jan – Brisbane – Fortitude Music Hall 30 Jan – Auckland – Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre
UK & Ireland 2025: With special guest: Jo Quail 17 Mar – Liverpool –Philharmonic 18 Mar – Birmingham – Symphony Hall 19 Mar – London – Royal Albert Hall 21 Mar – Bristol – Beacon – SELLING FAST 22 Mar – York – Barbican – SOLD OUT 23 Mar – Dublin – Olympia Theatre 25 Mar – Glasgow – SEC Armadillo
Norway 2025: 26 Apr – Oslo – Operaen – SOLD OUT 27 Apr – Oslo – Operaen – SOLD OUT 29 Apr – Trondheim – Olavshallen 02 May – Kristiansand – Kilden 03 May – Stavanger – Konserthuset 04 May – Bergen – Grieghallen – SOLD OUT
Europe & United States 2025: 07 June – Reyjavik – Harpa 25 – 27 July – Fire In The Mountains – United States 30 Jul – 03 Aug – Rasnov – Rockstadt Extreme Fest
Progressive metal band VIRTUAL SYMMETRY has released their new album, “Veils Of Illumination”. Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (DGM) the 8-track album features beautiful melodies, chasing rhythms, epic solos and a 20-minute suite.
The album is now available for purchase, along with exclusive merchandise, on their official website: www.virtualsymmetry.com
The track listing reads as follows:
1. Heart’s Resonance 2. Canvas of Souls 3. Blades of Inner Battles 4. The Quest Within 5. Echoes of Silence 6. Whispers of the Ancients 7. Altar of the Self 8. Eightfold Path
VIRTUAL SYMMETRY gave audiences a preview of the album during their European tour with Evergrey and Klogr last November, performing the first two tracks live.
VIRTUAL SYMMETRY is an Italian-Swiss progressive metal band founded in 2009 with influences ranging from classical music to contemporary metal and a style characterized by epic suites, rich in cinematic elements and a balance between melody and technique, that lead listeners through a dynamic and emotional journey in each track.
VIRTUAL SYMMETRY are: Marco Pastorino – Vocals Valerio Æsir Villa – Guitars Ruben Paganelli – Keyboards Alessandro Poppale – Bass Andrea Gianangeli – Drums
Hunted Dreams, from Finnish death metal project Magnadur, is the story of a how human mind normally leaves many promises as empty promises and those dreams will never come thru!
This is part of new more melodic but still brutal Magnadur and showcases even an deeper storytelling capacity from Tomi Perrakoski and his skills with mixing many genres.
The track is taken from Magnadur forthcoming album, Beautiful Nightmare, set for release via Sliptrick Records in 2025.
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
