With ‘Angel Engine’, rising alternative heavy act PLUME dive deep into paranoia, fractured memories and the desperate search for something to hold onto in the middle of emotional collapse. Blending dark emo metalcore with hyperpop tension, trance-like build ups and massive modern production, the track creates a hypnotic atmosphere that feels both haunting and strangely euphoric.
Driven by eerie imagery and emotionally charged songwriting, ‘Angel Engine’ explores themes of control, fear and the blurred line between salvation and destruction. Lyrics about watching eyes, shifting realities and fading identity paint the picture of a mind slowly unraveling, while the recurring plea for guidance from angelic figures like Uriel and Cassiel adds an almost spiritual weight to the song’s emotional core. Rather than offering clarity, PLUME embrace the chaos — transforming anxiety and vulnerability into something cinematic, immersive and impossible to look away from.
At the same time, PLUME officially announce their upcoming album Saferooms & Healing Frequencies, set for release on September 25th, 2026. With ‘Angel Engine’ serving as a powerful glimpse into the record’s emotional and sonic world, the band also launch the album’s pre-order starting now.
Catch the band live: 26.06.26 I Ab Geht Die Lutzi! Festival I Rottershausen, DE 04.07.26 I Fest der Demokratie I Pfaffenhofen, DE 25.07.26 I kultURKNALL Festival I Murnau, DE 01.08.26 I Rock auf der Burg I Königstein
With ‘ROCKSTAR’, New Zealand heavy genre-blenders Banks Arcade deliver a bold, adrenaline-fueled anthem driven by ambition, obsession and the hunger to rise above the chaos. Fusing crushing metalcore riffs with hip hop swagger, massive hooks and late-night studio energy, the track captures the mindset of chasing greatness while still feeling trapped at the bottom.
Fuelled by distorted visions, inner demons and relentless determination, ‘ROCKSTAR’ balances raw aggression with undeniable confidence. Between explosive guitars, hard-hitting rhythms and razor-sharp vocal delivery, Banks Arcade channel the emotional high of believing in yourself even when everything around you says otherwise. The massive chorus – “We’re just second place superstars” – turns frustration and burnout into an anthemic rally cry for anyone still fighting to make it out.
Lyrically, the band paint vivid pictures of sleepless nights, creative obsession and refusing to fold under pressure. Lines like “Late night in the studio I’m locked in” and “I’m so up right now / But I’m still at the bottom” perfectly capture the contradiction at the heart of the song: feeling unstoppable while still battling doubt, exhaustion and the fear of never truly arriving.
Since forming in 2017, Banks Arcade have steadily built international momentum through relentless touring across the UK and US, a rapidly growing global fanbase and a sound that seamlessly blends modern heavy music with hip hop, alternative and electronic influences. With ‘ROCKSTAR’, the band transform raw hunger into an explosive modern anthem built for loud speakers, dark nights and anyone refusing to give up on themselves.
Catch the band live:
June 10, 2026 I Naumanns (Felsenkeller Leipzig) I Leipzig, Germany June 14, 2026 I Chalk I Brighton, United Kingdom June 16, 2026 I Proton The Club I Stuttgart, Germany June 25, 2026 I Musikzentrum I Hannover, Germany July 10, 2026 I 2000trees Festival I Cheltenham, United Kingdom
With ‘TELL ME I’M NOT ALONE’, Leipzig-based metalcore act blacktoothed dive into the fear of change, the weight of self-doubt and the painful comfort of staying stuck in familiar darkness.
Blending ethereal vocals, restless drum & bass-inspired energy and crushing modern heaviness, the band transform inner turmoil into an emotionally charged anthem that feels both deeply vulnerable and explosively cathartic.
Driven by haunting melodies and an irresistibly massive chorus, the track captures the emotional contradiction of trying to move forward while feeling terrified of what lies ahead. Lyrics like “Every step feels like losing while I’m winning” and “I’m afraid of what I create” reflect the uncertainty of growth and the struggle of leaving old versions of yourself behind. Rather than offering easy answers, blacktoothed channel those emotions into a desperate plea for connection: “Tell me I’m not alone.”
Following tours alongside The Amity Affliction, Emmure and Bad Omens, blacktoothed continue to establish themselves as one of Germany’s most compelling modern heavy acts, combining cinematic atmosphere, raw emotion and crushing intensity into a sound that resonates far beyond genre boundaries.
Catch the band live:
30.07.2026 I Full Rewind Festival I Löbnitz, DE 15.08.2026 I Summer Breeze I Dinkelsbühl, DE
Austrian deathcore collective Castiel continue the descent into psychological collapse with new single ‘Act II: A Festering Wound’, the second chapter from their forthcoming EP All Returns to Hollow and Silence, due for release on 24th July via Seek and Strike. Expanding on the conceptual framework introduced in the devastating opening salvo ‘Act I: Defile // Denounce’, the new track explores the slow erosion of identity within a relationship, where silence replaces connection and emotional absence lingers long after physical presence remains.
The band commented: “‘Act II’ focuses heavily on the gradual loss of a person within a relationship. The lyrics describe emotional distance, a sense of speechlessness, and the feeling of watching someone mentally disappear even though they are still physically present. Recurring themes include silence, emptiness, coldness, and the breakdown of a shared reality. The song itself is still somewhat calm in the first half and then becomes faster and more aggressive with the breakdown. This is also shown very well in the video with effects.
“The video itself also has a darker colour palette. We wore black makeup and used “black blood” pills to visually illustrate just how dark this song is. In the video, you see two actors who helped us bring the lyrics to life visually. The setting is a forest, which is usually associated with tranquility; we wanted to use that very contrast to frame the scene.”
All Returns to Hollow and Silence is a genuine step forward for the band. Drawing from a diverse range of influences, Castiel have crafted a sound that is pulled together with purpose. Firmly rooted in deathcore, the EP pushes beyond the genre confines, embracing contrast and atmosphere alongside its more destructive elements.
Speaking on the release, the band said: “This EP is heavier, more brutal but also more emotional than anything we’ve done before as a band. We’ve pushed ourselves creatively while staying true to who we are, this feels like the most complete version of Castiel yet.”
The new EP is built as a continuous story with each track acting as a chapter in a wider narrative. That idea carries through visually too, with every song set to receive its own video.
At its core, All Returns to Hollow and Silence explores the shifting relationship between two central protagonists, tracing a journey shaped by tension, transformation and emotional conflict. Subtle inspiration has been drawn from the lore of World of Warcraft, particularly the arcs of Arthas Menethil and Jaina Proudmoore.
Musically, the release channels the oppressive weight and atmosphere of Black Tongue and Humanity’s Last Breath, while incorporating the raw aggression of Bodysnatcher and The Acacia Strain. The result is a record that moves seamlessly between suffocating heaviness and explosive intensity.
Emerging from Klagenfurt, Austria in 2014, Castiel quickly made their mark with their bleak atmospheres and downtempo heaviness. Early releases including their debut single ‘Human Scum’ and the Exitium EP (2015) set the tone, followed by Blasphemy in 2017, before lineup changes forced the band into a hiatus.
They returned in 2023 with Shadowlands, signalling a clear step up in both sound and ambition. That momentum carried into 2025’s Khaos EP, a darker, more introspective release that pushed further into themes of psychological collapse and existential weight.
Now, with their signing to Seek and Strike, Castiel enter a new chapter. All Returns to Hollow and Silence not only marks their first release under the label, but their most ambitious work to date.
Having already shared stages with the likes of Distant, Carnifex, Born of Osiris and more, the band have built a reputation for intense, no frills live shows. Stay tuned for live dates to follow.
Einherjer release the second single “Dei Så Ser” from their upcoming 10th studio album Lifeblood that is out the 19th of June. The song is a powerful ballad in Norwegian that reflects a Norse way of thinking, where life and death are part of the same cycle. Nothing truly disappears – it continues in the land, in the sea, and in us.
At its core, the song is about inheritance and connection. We are not separate from those who came before us – we are extensions of them. What we are today grows directly from what lies beneath us. There is also a sense that the past is not silent. It burns beneath the surface, alive in memory, instinct, and place. The dead are not gone – they remain present, aware, and even joyful. Founder Frode Glesnes says:
– The song is about the connection between the living and those who came before us, and how that connection is carried by the land itself. The burial mounds are not just remnants of the past – they are watchful presences. Standing on the mound, facing the strait, the narrator feels that boundary between worlds. The water becomes more than a landscape – it is a passage between past and present, life and death. The voices of those who once lived and sailed these shores are still there, not as echoes, but as something alive.
The album Lifeblood will be the 10th studio album and it representsa reflection around belonging, heritage and roots – both as individuals and as a band. After over thirty years of making music, the four-piece look back toward what shaped them and the forces that have followed through all these years.
19.06.2026 – Hellfest, Clisson, FR 29.07 – 01.08.2026 – Wacken Open Air, Wacken, DE 15.08.2026 – Midgardsblot, Borre, NO 20 – 22.08.2026 . Kaltenbach Open Air, AT 29.08.2026 – Månegarm Open Air, Norrtälje, SE 18 – 20.09.2026 – Cosmic Void Festival, London, UK
More dates TBA
Einherjer was forged in 1993, on the western shores of Norway – where the North Sea meets the land, and where the Viking kings once ruled the passage that gave Norway its name. From this inheritance, Einherjer rose. Not as followers of a movement, but as part of its own creation.
In the early years of Norwegian extreme metal in the 90s, Einherjer stood among those who gave voice to a distinctly Norse expression within metal. Their early recordings did not imitate tradition – they helped establish it. What later became known as Viking Metal was not conceived as a genre, but as a natural extension of identity, history, and place and Einherjer became one of its defining forces.
Through classic albums such as Dragons of the North, Odin Owns Ye All and Blot, and later works including Av Oss, For Oss and North Star, both nominated for a Norwegian Grammy, the band has continually evolved without losing its core. Their sound remains unmistakable – resolute, atmospheric, and grounded in the weight of heritage, yet never bound by the past. Their music does not seek to recreate a lost age. It stands as proof that its spirit endures. The same horizon that called the seafarers westward still lies open. The same impulse to create, to endure, and to leave a mark remains unchanged.
For more than three decades, Einherjer has stood as one of the defining voices of Norse heavy metal, and with their 10th album Lifeblood the band prooves why they still are distinct and defining in the genre – not as an echo, but as a presence.
Time has not diminished Einherjer. It has refined them. Hammers raised. Fire alive. Lifeblood unbroken.
Following from an extremely successful 2025 and a very busy 2026, 6x Platinum and 8x Gold-certified, record-breaking Finnish rock outfit The Rasmus are thrilled to announce an extensive headline European and UK tour in 2027, with Skarlett Riot as special guest on all the UK shows.
With a global touring experience spanning decades, the 23-date tour will allow the band to further showcase key tracks from the new record Weirdo, as well as classic hymns and hidden gems taken from their catalogue.
Frontman Lauri Ylönen comments: “‘Weirdo’ album has resonated deeply in our fanbase. It’s about being accepted the way you are. This has also been visible at the live shows as the fans have been dressed up to show their inner weirdos. It’s been a very fun and uniting feeling!” Lauri also adds: “We can’t wait to see all our dear friends who me missed the last time we toured Europe!”
Over the past year and throughout the current one, The Rasmus have brought and will continue to bring their latest record Weirdo on the road, talking their unforgettable stage show to audiences worldwide. Last summer The Rasmus played a charity concert in Ukraine not only as the headliner of the Atlas Festival, but also as the only foreign artist at the event. Over 110,000 people were in attendance, and there was a comprehensive security system and evacuation plan for the audience and performers in just a few minutes if it was necessary. Thankfully the festival went off without any issues and they were able to raise over $2.5 million Ukraine’s air defenses. Here is a short documentary about the experience.
Currently on tour in the US, The Rasmus will come back to the old continent to join the European summer festival circuit, performing at: Nova Rock (AT), Resurrection Fest (ES), Masters Of Rock (CZ) to name a few. Later in 2026 the band will embark on a full South American tour playing iconic venues in 11 cities, including: Bogotá, Panamá, Lima, Santiago, São Paolo and Buenos Aires.
The Rasmus current single “Break These Chains” ft. Niko Vilhelm of Blind Channel, is a toxic love-themed and emotionally gripping track, driven by the band’s signature blend of dark atmospheres and anthemic melodies. Listen to “Break These Chains” HERE and watch the video, directed by Aleksei Kulikov, HERE on the band’s official YouTube page.
“‘Break These Chains’ is about a toxic relationship,” says singer Lauri Ylönen, who digs his teeth into such lethal lyrics as “You made me believe/That true passion makes you bleed/So I stayed too long/To play your twisted games.” Lauri wrote the song with revered hit songwriters/producers Marti Frederiksen and Desmond Child. “It’s about letting go of something that you know is bad for you, but you’re obsessed with.”
EU AND UK NEW DATES
JANUARY 2027 28/01/27 Helitehas, Tallinn -Estonia 29/01/27 Palladium, Riga – Latvia 30/01/27 Loftlas Club, Vilnius – Lithuania FEBRUARY 2027 05/02/27 Barba Negra, Budapest – Hungary 10/02/27 New Age, Treviso – Italy 11/02/27 Muhle Hunziken, Rubigen – Switzerland 12/02/27 La Rayonne, Villeurbanne – France 13/02/27 Le Moloco, Audincourt – France 14/02/27 Alte Feuerwache, Mannheim – Germany 16/02/27 Zakk, Dusseldorf – Germany 19/02/27 Beatpol, Dresden – Germany 20/02/27 Roxy, Ulm – Germany 22/02/27 E-Werk, Erlangen – Germany 23/02/27 Doornroosje, Nijmegen – Netherlands 24/02/27 Blacklab, Lille – France 26/02/27 Epic, Norwich – England * 27/02/27 Oxford Academy, Oxford – England * 28/02/27 Stylus, Leeds – England * MARCH 2027 02/03/27 Northumbria Uni, Newcastle – England * 03/03/27 KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – England * 04/03/27 Electric Bristol, Bristol – England * 05/03/27 Phoenix, Exeter – England * 06/03/27 Chalk, Brighton – England * *Skarlett Riot special guest on UK shows
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 ) 