AOR sensation Issa, AKA Isabell Øversveen, is excited to announce the release of her new album, “Fire And Ice”, out on August 28, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The first single and official video, “Pay The Price”, are out now, giving fans a taste of the new record.
Issa commented: “Pay The Price” was one of the first songs we did and stood out to us early. It has everything thrown at it, huge choirs, layers of synths, cool guitars and an interesting story. A special mention to Kris Barras for the cool video!”
The Norwegian AOR queen Issa returns with “Fire And Ice”, her most exhilarating and cinematic record to date. Every track on the album is penned and produced by the legendary brothers Tom and James Martin, who have crafted a sound that perfectly captures the spirit of 1980s melodic rock while remaining fresh and contemporary.
Issa stated: “I’m really excited for the fans to hear this new album, it could be the most diverse set of songs yet. We have everything from the classic AOR sound of “Pay The Price”, the Jim Steinman inspired “Bullet On The Road” and the synthwave rock feel of “Running From The Night”. I’m confident this one will tick all the boxes. I hope you guys love it as much as me”.
From soaring, emotionally charged ballads to arena-ready rock anthems, “Fire And Ice” showcases Issa’s powerful, unmistakable voice, set against shimmering synths, punchy guitar riffs, and lush, multilayered arrangements that evoke the golden era of AOR. The album balances fire and ice – passion and introspection, intensity and elegance – delivering hooks and choruses that linger long after the music stops.
Issa has etched her name as a leading force in the genre, captivating audiences worldwide with her commanding vocals and enthralling melodies. With this release, Issa reaffirms her status as a central figure in European AOR, offering a record that is both a nostalgic homage to the 80s and a modern melodic rock statement, destined to resonate with longtime fans and new listeners alike.
“Fire And Ice” Tracklist:
1. The Call Of Love 2. Stranded 3. Fire & Ice 4. Sea Of Desire 5. All Or Nothing 6. The Shadow Of Night 7. Bullet On The Road 8. Pay The Price 9. One Step To Paradise 10. Running From The Night 11. The Waiting Game
Line Up: Isabell Oversveen – vocals Tom Martin – guitar, bass James Martin – keyboards Follow ISSA: Facebook
Norwegian progressive metal band MESSIER 16 will release their third full-length album, “Shouts from the Cliffs of Heterodoxy”, on October 23, 2026 via Time To Kill Records.
“Time-Swayed Cities” explores the experience of temporal displacement, the feeling of existing out of sync with the age surrounding you. Throughout the song, modern cityscapes fracture into visions of forgotten eras, future technologies, horse-drawn carriages, collapsing architecture, and shifting reflections of worlds that no longer, or perhaps never did, exist. Rather than presenting time as linear, the track portrays it as unstable and hostile: a reality where streets bend, buildings recoil, and entire civilizations seem to flicker in and out of view. The lyrics follow a figure unable to locate “their” time, caught between nostalgia, futurism, and the alienation of contemporary life.
The single continues the band’s fascination with psychological portraiture and unstable perception, with the album itself diving into the realm of delusion-related illnesses and fractured realities.
Tracklist:
1. Nostalgia Theft Reminiscence 2. Blank Absurdist Form 3. Gloom-Chaser 4. Holoparasite 5. Time-Swayed Cities 6. Glittering Afterwaves 7. Perennial Shift I – Moss 8. Perennial Shift II – Evergreen 9. Perennial Shift III – Plietesial 10. Mollusk Herald 11. Dream Heritage Veto 12. Trauma Gift Repression
“Shouts from the Cliffs of Heterodoxy” is an hourlong descent into the fractured landscapes of delusion. On their third full-length album, Messier 16 deliver their most ambitious and cohesive statement yet, a record that inhabits its characters as much as it describes them, drawing the listener into worlds where perception and reality blur beyond recognition.
Rather than presenting a single storyline, the album unfolds as a gallery of portraits, each song a self-contained study of a mind caught in its own distortions. The voices here are contradictory, volatile, and human: a nostalgia that grieves for something that never happened, a city dweller unable to recognise the time they live in, a cynic who tears down without ever building, a figure convinced that change can only be granted by others. Together, they form a mosaic of inner worlds — intimate, strange, and often unsettling.
Musically, the record ranges from the precision and velocity of technical black metal to the earthbound weight of doom, the ethereal scope of post-metal, and the stark beauty of choral arrangements. Every shift in style is in service of the narrative, moving seamlessly from moments of brute force to passages of stillness and introspection. The choral bookends, “Nostalgia Theft Reminiscence” and “Trauma Gift Repression”, frame the chaos between them like hands holding a fragile sphere, offering both a sense of symmetry and the reminder that beauty and disquiet can occupy the same breath.
At its heart, “Shouts from the Cliffs of Heterodoxy” is not a work of answers, but of questions. It resists resolution, allowing its characters to remain ambiguous, neither condemned nor redeemed. In doing so, it invites the listener to stand on the same cliff edge, to hear the shouts carried by the wind, and to decide for themselves whether they are being beckoned forward — or warned to turn back.
Hailing from Oslo, MESSIER 16 have established a distinct identity within contemporary progressive metal through a sound that is intricate, inventive and at times deliberately unconventional, yet always marked by a strong sense of elegance and compositional coherence. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Ihsahn, Enslaved and Devin Townsend, the band embraces a forward-thinking approach where extreme metal serves as the starting point for a broader and highly personal sonic exploration. Heavy rhythmic structures, layered guitar work and sharp dynamic contrasts coexist with atmospheric passages, orchestral textures and emotionally driven songwriting, resulting in a musical language that remains adventurous without ever losing sight of structure and songcraft.
The band consists of Jonas Eide (guitars, composer, lyricist), Sondre M. Svalastog (vocals), Aleksander Ilievski (guitars, producer), Nicolo Cavallaro (bass) and Jonathan Hamre (drums). Through their work, MESSIER 16 have developed a deeply narrative and expressive approach, exploring psychological and emotional themes through a form of portrait-like lyricism focused on the inner lives of individuals and the actions stemming from them.
Their previous albums, “Iota” and “Death Poems”, already showcased the band’s ambition and conceptual depth. While the former dealt with mental health struggles and emotional fragility, the latter drew inspiration from publicly available suicide notes, confronting themes of despair and human vulnerability with striking intensity and sensitivity.
Now preparing to unveil their third full-length album, MESSIER 16 further refine their sonic identity while venturing into new musical and lyrical territory. The upcoming record promises a more mature and expansive vision of the band’s progressive approach, balancing technical sophistication, atmospheric depth and emotional resonance within a highly cohesive framework.
Born in 2012, METHANE quickly combusted, reverting to the pure, unadulterated thrash metal roots of its founders, Tim Scott (formerly of Death Metal cult act REVENANT, with John McEntee of INCANTATION) and Jimi Mästerbo. A relentless touring machine, METHANE has left a trail of destruction across countless stages in Europe and the U.S. through headline runs, support slots with bands like WHIPLASH, WARBRINGER, NERVOSA, MASSACRE, and festival appearances such as „Sabaton Open Air“, „Speed Metal Party“, „In Flammen“ and others. Their sound is a blistering, high-speed assault designed for the pit.
The crowd yelled, “Play faster!” They did! METHANE is ready to unleash their explosive new album, “Demolate”, which will be released on their new label Fireflash Records (HOLY MOSES, MEZZROW, SAVAGE MANIA a.o.). “We’re fired up to finally join forces with Markus and the Fireflash crew. With his decades of experience in the metal scene, we’re ready to burn shit down together”, says vocalist Tim Scott.
Today, METHANE are proud to announce their first single, which will also be the opening track of the upcoming album, entitled „360° of Destruction“.
„This the first taste of „Demolate“, and it tastes like blood, Thrash and devour”, says Scott.
Colliding NYHC punk with a blistering Bay Area thrash assault, METHANE delivers a relentless barrage of razor-sharp riffs, thunderous drumming, and commanding vocals that demand your attention. As a fierce contender in the New Wave of Old-School Thrash Metal scene, “Demolate” promises a chaotic journey through apocalyptic themes and raw, beer-fueled madness.
This isn’t just an album; it’s a declaration of war on the mundane. Get ready for a wild ride where intensity reigns and the spirit of thrash explodes in a furious sonic onslaught.
METHANE is: Tim Scott – Bass and vocals Jimi Mästerbo – Guitar Markus Grundström – Guitar Richard Fredriksson – Drums
BraveWords Records is pleased to announce the signing of Storm Force for the upcoming release of their new album, Truth, later in 2026.
Greg Fraser lead guitarist and founding member: “Storm Force is thrilled to join the BraveWords Records family for the release of our new album, Truth. We’re excited to work with a team that has been such a strong voice in the hard rock and metal community, and we look forward to sharing this next chapter with fans around the world.”
BraveWords Records founder “Metal” Tim Henderson: “The storm keeps building and BraveWords Records is where STORM FORCE has landed for their anxiously awaited second album! Canuck hard rock legend Greg Fraser passionately continues on his melodic heavy rock journey that started with the much-praised BRIGHTON ROCK, by uniting with the powerful forces of singer Patrick Gagliardi, drummer Roger Banks and bassist Mike Berardelli. Together, Storm Force bring years of experience to the mix, while still retaining that voracious hunger of their youth. A new storm is brewing… are you ready to run for cover?”
Storm Force delivers powerful melodic hard rock fueled by soaring vocals, massive hooks, and the timeless energy of classic arena rock. Founded by guitarist and songwriter Greg Fraser, best known for his work with Canadian hard rock veterans Brighton Rock, the band blends classic influences with a modern edge, creating a sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly current.
The band first made its mark with the release of its debut album, Age Of Fear, in 2020 through Escape Music. The album earned praise from melodic rock fans and media alike, showcasing a powerful mix of driving guitars, memorable choruses, and emotionally charged songwriting.
Now Storm Force returns with its highly anticipated sophomore release, Truth, a ten-song collection that raises the bar in every direction.
Drawing inspiration from Whitesnake, Dokken, Scorpions, and Bon Jovi, Storm Force delivers music built for loud speakers, live stages, and fans who still believe in authentic, guitar-driven rock!
Fans will also be excited to hear that the back catalog of Fraze Gang and Storm Force will be available soon on the BraveWords Records Bandcamp at bravewordsrecords.bandcamp.com
About STORM FORCE:
Storm Force is the explosive band that fans of classic hard melodic rock have all been waiting for.
Storm Force is led by Canadian rock legend and Brighton Rock founder, Greg Fraser. Greg has earned 4 Juno nominations with Brighton Rock, as well as a gold album in Canada. Greg is joined by Patrick Gagliardi (Vocals), Roger Banks (Drums), and Mike Berardelli (Bass), Storm Force’s debut album “Age of Fear” is the culmination of three years of passion for music and the hard rock genre.
After Brighton Rock, Greg released two great rock albums with the Fraze Gang to solid reviews. For this project however, he decided to step away from the front man role and search for the right members to create something special. Armed with the great rock riffs and melodies he had written, he decided to focus on finding members that were local to him so they could not just create an album that was recorded in different cities with no cohesiveness, but something that really felt like a band! Greg found one of today’s most powerful and versatile lead vocalists in Patrick Gagliardi (formerly of Surface Tension). Patrick adds his touch to the album as the main lyricist bringing different flavours to each song that range from straight ahead Rock anthems to introspective experiences of the current world we live in. Their debut record was recorded at Hamster Cage Studios and produced by Darius Szczepaniak (Black Crowes, Sum 41, Big Sugar). It combines colossal, crushing melodic rock with hook-laden ballads and massive choruses reminiscent of vintage Cinderella, balanced by classic rock sensibilities of acts like The Who and Van Halen.
The group hails from Niagara Falls, Canada and is rounded out by the blistering one-two punch rhythm section of legendary drummer Roger Banks and sought-after session musician and touring bassist Mike Berardelli.
A Fierce Anthem of Empowerment and Transformation, “Medusa” Finds Frontwoman Mixi Confronting Betrayal Head-On and Emerging Stronger Than Ever!
Los Angeles rock band Stitched Up Heart have released their powerful new single “Medusa,” featuring special guest vocalist Lyric Noel, alongside their highly anticipated new album, MEDUSA, available now via Judge & Jury Records.
“‘Medusa’ is about finally flipping the script on something that has tried to curse you. A battle cry for the women who were betrayed and serving justice by venom with a smile,” explains Mixi. “Writing this song felt like clearly recognizing a betrayal, shedding your own skin, and spitting out the venom that was meant to poison you by claiming your power back. It’s the perfect mirror — I’m not the girl getting gaslit and nauseous anymore. I’m the one with the Medusa stare turning problems to stone unapologetically. I’m not asking for permission anymore. I am here — I’m reborn, venomous, and ready.”
The song’s message of rebirth extends throughout the accompanying music video, which was filmed in Dallas, Texas and draws heavily from ancient Greek mythology and imagery. Inspired by the legend of Perseus and Medusa, Stitched Up Heart flips the traditional narrative on its head. Rather than being slain by the Greek hero, the video’s twin Medusas rise up and take control of their fate, ultimately defeating Perseus themselves.
The concept originated with Mixi, who envisioned the striking visual of twin Medusas sharing a bathtub as a central image within the video’s dreamlike and mythological world. The video’s themes mirror the song’s message of shedding old skin, embracing transformation, and emerging stronger from betrayal and adversity.
Adding to the experience was a live snake featured in the production. Mixi shared that despite snakes often being portrayed as dangerous or sinister, the animal used on set couldn’t have been more different.
“The snake was actually scared of me,” she recalled. “It had the sweetest soul and wasn’t evil at all like people often portray snakes to be.”
Produced by acclaimed producers Cameron Mizell(Machine Gun Kelly, Sleeping with Sirens) and Evan McKeever (Starset, Miranda Lambert), MEDUSA showcases Stitched Up Heart’s evolution both musically and lyrically, delivering a collection of songs centered around resilience, self-discovery, healing, and personal empowerment.
“The songs were written with the live show in mind,” says Mixi. “We wanted the energy to translate directly to the stage and create moments where people could let loose and embrace their inner crazy.”
While the title track and lead single “Medusa” features a standout guest appearance from Lyric Noel, the album also includes collaborations with an impressive roster of artists, including Lauren Babic, Eyes Set to Kill, Conquer Divide, Butcher Babies, Nonpoint, NOAPOLOGY, Austin John Winkler (The Founder), and Geena Fontanella.
The release marks another major milestone for the band following their 2025 signing with Judge & Jury Records. Since joining the label, Stitched Up Heart have continued their upward trajectory through relentless touring and electrifying live performances. Earlier this year, the band joined rock icon Sebastian Bach on tour before completing an extensive run supporting Infected Rain.
Beyond the stage, Mixi continues to use her platform to advocate for more women in rock and metal while actively volunteering with multiple animal rescue organizations throughout Southern California.
Tracklisting:
1) LOVE AND DEATH (feat. Austin John Winkler) 2) SICK SICK SICK (feat. Lauren Babic & Eyes Set To Kill) 3) GLITCH BITCH (feat. Conquer Divide) 4) CANNIBAL (feat. Butcher Babies) 5) MEET ME AFTER LIFE (feat. NOAPOLOGY) 6) MEDUSA (feat. Lyric Noel) 7) BEAST (feat. Nonpoint) 8) DEAD TO ME (feat. Geena Fontanella) 9) DEVILICIOUS 10) EX-TERMINATION
Formed in Los Angeles in 2010 by vocalist Alecia “Mixi” Demner, Stitched Up Heart has spent over a decade carving out a fierce, distinct niche in the alternative metal and hard rock landscape. Known for blending heavy, industrial / metalcore riffs with emotional choruses, the band built their reputation on relentless touring and undeniable hits made for the airwaves.
Their label debut on Another Century Records, Never Alone (2016), landed them on the Top 10 Billboard Hard Rock chart, propelled by standout singles like “Finally Free” and “Monster.” They consistently evolved their sound through subsequent records like 2020’s Darkness (featuring Godsmack’s Sully Erna) and 2023’s To the Wolves (featuring Escape The Fate’s Craig Mabbitt), solidifying their status as modern rock mainstays while sharing stages with heavy-hitters like Halestorm, In This Moment, and Godsmack.
In 2026, Stitched Up Heart began a bold, defining new chapter with their fourth album, MEDUSA, released on Judge & Jury Records. The album is spearheaded by the fierce, internet-culture rock anthem “GLITCH BITCH” featuring Conquer Divide, & the bloodthirsty women-empowering heater “CANNIBAL” featuring Heidi of Butcher Babies. Stitched Up Heart continues to prove that their signature mix of vulnerability and heavy-hitting attitude is sharper and more resilient than ever.
Judge & Jury is an artist/production team founded by multi-platinum record producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Skillet, Theory of a Deadman, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Flyleaf, Halestorm, In Flames, etc.) & second to none active rock record holder Neil Sanderson (founder/songwriter/drummer of Three Days Grace). Howard and Neil started working together creatively when Howard produced One-X. He continued to work with the band and produced the albums Life Starts Now, Outsider, and EXPLOSIONS. With the combination of Howard’s production and Neil’s songwriting, they now have the most #1 songs at active rock radio in history. Still working with Three Days Grace, they also separately formed the production/artist/songwriting powerhouse known as Judge & Jury.
US heavy metal veterans AXEMASTER have unveiled “Kissed With A Fist”, the second single taken from their forthcoming studio album “Of Beasts And Plagues”, due out on June 19 via Cosmic Fire Records. Accompanied by a brand-new lyric video, the track delivers another powerful preview of what promises to be one of the band’s strongest releases to date.
Following the dark and ominous atmosphere of the previously released track “Murder Of Crows”, “Kissed With A Fist” showcases a more direct and hard-hitting side of AXEMASTER. Driven by thunderous riffs and infectious hooks, the song perfectly captures the band’s ability to combine classic heavy metal power with memorable songwriting.
Guitarist and founding member Joe Sims reveals that the song has held a special place throughout the album’s creation process: “When I first wrote the music for ‘Kissed With A Fist’, I temporarily named it ‘Signature’ because I thought it could turn out to be the signature song from the new album. It’s heavy, but more straight-forward than a lot of my stuff. Easy to follow, catchy, and a tune that anyone can easily tap their foot or bang their head to!“
Vocalist Geoff McGraw sums it up perfectly:“A headbanger of a song! Aggression and power in one punch!“
Tracklist: 01. The Plagues Among Us…. 02. Murder of Crows 03. The Dark Side 04. Kissed With a Fist 05. Clinging to Life 06. Terrortory 07. Forsaken II 08. Dealers 09. Danse Macabre 10. Machine 11. Dagon Rising 12. Shadows Cast
With “Of Beasts And Plagues”, AXEMASTER continue to build upon a legacy spanning more than three decades. Blending traditional US heavy metal with elements of doom and thrash, the album delivers crushing riffs, commanding vocals and a darker, more aggressive atmosphere while remaining firmly rooted in the band’s classic sound.
Since reforming under the direction of founding guitarist Joe Sims in 2010, AXEMASTER have continued to strengthen their reputation among devoted metal fans worldwide. With eleven official releases, appearances alongside renowned acts such as Sebastian Bach, Grim Reaper, Halloween and Riot, and performances at major underground festivals across the United States, the band remains a respected force within the heavy metal scene.
“Of Beasts And Plagues” will be coming out on June 19 via Cosmic Fire Records and is available for pre-orderHERE
Line-up: Joe Sims – Lead Guitar Jenson Kozar – Bass Adam Windisch – Drums Geoff McGraw – Vocals
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 ) 