Astral Goat Dominion are pleased to announce their signing with Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records, for the release of their upcoming album.
Formed by Oniric (bass, vocals, synth, rituals) and Khaosfuzz (guitar, vocals), Astral Goat Dominion was conceived as a psych ritual stoner doom project blending heavy, fuzz-laden soundscapes with occult and luciferian atmospheres. Through hypnotic riffs, immersive textures and ritualistic intensity, the duo explores a sonic path where doom, psychedelia and spiritual transcendence converge.
The project first emerged with the release of the debut single “Lucifer (Part I)” on June 6th, 2025, followed by the full-length album Only Lucifer and Fuzz on October 31st, 2025. The record marked the beginning of Astral Goat Dominion’s journey into a world of distortion, trance and esoteric devotion, laying the foundations for what is yet to come.
Now the band is ready to enter a new phase. Astral Goat Dominion comment:
“Exactly one year after the release of our first single, ‘Lucifer (Part I)’, on June 6th, 2025, today, June 6th, 2026, we are truly honored and excited to join the Octopus Rising by Argonauta Records family for the next chapter and upcoming album of Astral Goat Dominion. This collaboration represents an important milestone for us and we are excited to bring our vision of psychedelic ritual stoner doom to the Argonauta family.”
The band’s next album is currently taking shape and will further expand the sonic and spiritual dimensions that define Astral Goat Dominion’s sound.
More details will be unveiled in the coming months, stay tuned for upcoming announcements and new manifestations from Astral Goat Dominion.
Acclaimed Norwegian hard rock unit AUDREY HORNE announce their eighth studio album, Achilles, to be released on September 4, 2026 via Napalm Records! Today, the band has unveiled the first single from the new offering: The high-energy rock’n’roll number “Insanity” arrives with an accompanying music video that fits the track’s wild spirit seamlessly.
AUDREY HORNE‘s prior studio albums Blackout (2018) and Devil’s Bell (2022) received critical praise internationally, and the band was even awarded a Spellemannprisen (Norwegian equivalent to a Grammy) for their 2005 debut album. Having supported legends like AC/DC and Mötley Crüe and played previous international tours, both as headliners and together with bands such as Papa Roach and Backyard Babies, AUDREY HORNE counts as one of Norway’s most interesting rock exports. Make sure to pre-order your copy of Achilles, and check out the intense music video for “Insanity” below!
AUDREY HORNE on “Insanity”: “The first song that was written for the album. It‘s a classic AUDREY HORNE tune that has the energy, the twin guitars, a big chorus and a cool mid-section. The lyrics are inspired by ‘Hallowed be Thy Name’ by Iron Maiden. It is an attempt to say what might have happened prior to the story in that song.”
The new album features 11 multi-faceted tracks, ranging from high-energy heavy rock pieces to more melodic and progressive songs, leaving no questions about the songwriting capabilities of this five-piece, which consists of vocalist Toschie, guitarists Ice Dale (Enslaved) and Thomas Tofthagen, bassist Espen Lien and drummer Kjetil Greve.
Hard-hitting title track “Achilles” kicks the new album right off as roaring guitars meet an impactful rhythm section, all topped with powerfully captivating vocals. The band showcases their more progressive side on the song through creating a strong contrast between different parts, which supports the lyrics that draw from today’s polarized world. More hit material is delivered through songs like “God Damn Beautiful”: This groovy Thin Lizzy -inspired track brings bass player Espen Lien to center stage on lead vocals. Closing track “New Star Falling” wraps the album up beautifully, showcasing the melodic side of AUDREY HORNE‘s sound.
With Achilles, AUDREY HORNE return with an atmospheric heavy rock album that combines classic ‘70s and ‘80s influences with lyrical themes spanning escapism to commentary on the instability of the world we live in. A perfect fit for both rock radio and live stages!
Achilles tracklisting: 1 Achilles 2 In The Eye Of The Hurricane 3 Vampires 4 God Damn Beautiful 5 Pretty Little Lies 6 Prodrome 7 Insanity 8 Hell Is Eternity 9 Six Feet In The Ground 10 Running Through The Night 11 New Star Falling
AUDREY HORNE Live 2026
03.09.26 NO – Oslo / John Dee 04.09.26 NO – Porsgrunn / RIP 05.09.26 NO – Hamar / Festiviteten 19.09.26 NO – Trondheim / Verkstedhallen 08.10.26 DE – Cologne / Gebäude 9 09.10.26 DE – Essen / Turock 10.10.26 DE – Münster / Sputnik Café 11.10.26 DE – Hamburg / Bahnhof Pauli 13.10.26 NL – Leiden / Nobel 14.10.26 NL – Eindhoven / Effenaar 15.10.26 BE – Kortrijk / CVC Club 16.10.26 FR – Paris / Nouveau Casino 17.10.26 FR – Grenoble / L’Austra Rocks 18.10.26 CH – Zurich / Plaza 20.10.26 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle 21.10.26 DE – Bamberg / Live Club 22.10.26 DE – Frankfurt / Das Bett 23.10.26 DE – Dresden / Puschkin Club 24.10.26 DE – Berlin / Hole 44 04.12.26 NO – Kopervik / Ovenpå 05.12.26 NO – Bergen / USF Verftet
Lithuanian progressive metal band BLACK SPIKES lures into the concept of their upcoming album, Ydos (out August 28, 2026 via Napalm Records), with their new single. “MOTINA”, translating to “mother”, is the exposition of the complex storytelling aspect of their Napalm debut: throughout the ten songs of their second album, BLACK SPIKES explore the relationships with the eponymous flaws we all carry within, devoting a song to each of them. Contrasting gentle vocals with a blasting storm, “MOTINA” describes the birth of the vices that the band explores later on. A calming lullaby exploding into growls, thunderous blast beats, and elaborate guitar riffs, “MOTINA” also expands the quintet’s versatile style.
BLACK SPIKES about “MOTINA”: “This is the song where the story of Ydos begins. ‘MOTINA’ tells the tale of the birth of the Vices. Born in a pure and untouched world, they gather strength before setting out to discover humanity—fragile, searching, and eager to believe. Their presence can be felt throughout the album, revealed through sweet whispers that reflect their growing influence as they subtly shape the choices and fate of humankind.”
Emerging from the shadows are BLACK SPIKES, bringing the darkness right along with them on their new album, Ydos, out August 28, 2026. The Lithuanian breakout band’s first release with Napalm Records, coming shortly after their nomination at their home country’s Grammy-comparable M.A.M.A. Music Awards, deals with the eponymous flaws of humanity, conceptually interwoven with modern progressive metal, serving as a complex mirror for us all.
The depth of its concept is reflected in every note of Ydos, from every heavy riff to every proggy twist. Leaning into electronic music while holding on firmly to their metal roots, the Lithuanian band creates a distinctive sound, alluringly dark and captivatingly heavy. BLACK SPIKES venture into gloominess, filling the void with spine-tingling philosophical thoughts and posing as Janus-faced companions on a fateful journey into the self in which every step should be taken with caution because a trap just might snap …
BLACK SPIKES about Ydos: “Ydos is a conceptual album—a dark fairytale about human vices. The idea was there from the very beginning and guided the entire songwriting process. Each vice has its own name and story, and many songs will be brought to life through music videos where these vices take shape. It was our first time creating a conceptual album, and we really enjoyed starting with an idea and expressing it through music.”
Initiating the story of Ydos is the eerie “PASAKA” (engl. fairy tale), an intro setting the mood with menacing ticking sounds growing into orchestrals and singer Agni’s high vocals layered with screams. A calming lullaby exploding into growls, thunderous blast beats, and elaborate guitar riffs, “MOTINA” (engl. mother) describes the birth of humankind’s vices and therefore serves as an exposition for the storytelling aspect. Throughout the ten songs of their second album, BLACK SPIKES explore the relationships with flaws we all carry within, devoting a song to each of them. “MELAS” (engl. lie) introduces trap beats and rap to the mix, all with an approach clearly rooted in modern metal with sophisticated progressive elements. “MARA”, investigating excessive curiosity, beautifully contrasts calmness and calamity, with the quintet allowing their different elements to breathe while still entwisting them persuasively. Following, “ZELVAR”, which features the album’s only English lyrics, and “REVANA” add endearing, highly recognizable riffs to Ydos, further opening the gates to the hauntingly beautiful realms BLACK SPIKES are unfolding as they delve into greed and revenge, respectively, the concepts personified in the form of demons. The raw rage evolves into carefully structured “APATIJA” (engl. apathy), whose futuristic intermezzi make for especially interesting headbanging rhythms throughout which Agni’s voice acts as a gentle guide. “AUREA” continues BLACK SPIKES’ cinematic approach in its depiction of pride, unleashing a storm of rapacious riffs and galloping drums, frequently broken up by halcyon parts, their cleverly placed tranquility conveying comfort in seemingly hopeless hazes. With pressing “SENAS DEMONAS” (engl. old demon), BLACK SPIKES free yet another hellish entity, before “DULKĖS” (engl. dust) picks up on the melodized cinematography, wrapping up this bleak exploration of what it means to be human.
Today, Denver-based symphonic black metal quartet STORMKEEP premieres the music video for “The Black Dragons Of Iswylm” exclusively on METAL INJECTION! The song is the centerpiece single from their highly anticipated sophomore album The Nocturnes Of Iswylm, out this Friday, June 12 via Vesperian GmbH/Metal Blade Records.
Watch “The Black Dragons Of Iswylm” now at Metal InjectionHERE.
A Visual Statement Unlike Anything STORMKEEP Have Done Before
The video marks a watershed moment for the band – not just sonically, but as a visual entity. Directed by Michael Ragen, the award-winning filmmaker and cinematographer behind one of heavy music’s most celebrated recent visual achievements – the stunning 20-minute short film The Stargate for Blood Incantation, for which Ragen served as director, cinematographer, and editor – and known for his work on Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities: The Viewing – the clip for “The Black Dragons Of Iswylm” is nothing short of breathtaking.
Where STORMKEEP have long been recognized for the grandeur of their music, a compelling visual counterpart has been largely absent from their body of work – until now. Ragen brings to the project the same cinematic ambition and meticulous craft that made his collaboration with Blood Incantation a landmark in metal filmmaking: an approach defined by mind-bending imagery, immersive storytelling, and a commitment to creating cohesive, visually distinct worlds. The result is a video that does not merely accompany the music – it gives the world of Iswylm a face, a texture, and a pulse.
Crucially, the band members themselves appear in the video – stepping into the frame as the mythological figures they have always been within the world of Elda. Each member, through their own moniker, becomes a protagonist in the unfolding story of the Seer, integrating the human behind the music into the legend itself. It is a rare kind of artistic commitment: the creators and their creation made inseparable.
This is STORMKEEP stepping fully into the light as a visual force.
The Nocturnes Of Iswylm – Out June 12 via Vesperian GmbH/Metal Blade Records – Get it HERE
The video arrives two days ahead of the album itself, and serves as the ideal entry point into what is, by any measure, the most ambitious record of STORMKEEP‘s career.
Continuing the story first opened on Tales Of Othertime, The Nocturnes Of Iswylm further develops the band’s self-described “black metal symphonia“: a blend of regal, medieval atmosphere, and fantastical storytelling, carried by precise songwriting and a strong sense of place. Yet make no mistake – this is not a sequel in any conservative sense of the word. The band has sacrificed their prancing, dungeon synth-laden, dragon-summoning comfort zone in favor of something more psychologically complex, exploring the inner world of their protagonist, The Seer, and drawing on their deeper goth influences. The album is more dynamic, more melodic, and more subdued than its predecessor – while remaining unmistakably STORMKEEP.
The record was produced by STORMKEEP together with Michael Zech (SECRETS OF THE MOON, DARK FORTRESS, THE RUINS OF BEVERAST) and mastered by Arthur Rizk (BLOOD INCANTATION, POWER TRIP, WORM). The cover artwork was created by Simon Bisley, whose unmistakable visual language adds another striking layer to the world of the album, with additional extensive artwork by Valnoir, known for his work with ULVER, PARADISE LOST, and AMORPHIS.
The Nocturnes Of Iswylm Track Listing: 01. The Taste of Immortal Blood 02. The Black Dragons of Iswylm 03. Saccharine Subjugation 04. Imperious Sanguine Eroticism 05. Echoes in the Vasts of Sequestration 06. Carnal Tapestries of Nailtorn Flesh 07. Ballad of a Fallen Star
The album is available on vinyl in multiple limited variants, including exclusive Europe and North America editions. Get your copy of the album from your local record store, your mailorder company or from the Vesperian webstore/Bandcamp store.
Unén, who released their debut album “Forever Winter” last year, are stepping into a new era with the powerful new single “Dancing In Flames” as the first taste of what’s to come. Fronted by Stina Girs — who first rose to nationwide attention as part of the top five in the Idols competition and revealed her true metal heart upon joining Unén three years ago — the band wanted to launch this new chapter with a true powerhouse track.
“’Dancing In Flames’ radiates confidence. When you’ve believed someone loved you and it turns out to have been a lie, the ground falls from beneath you. But when life hits hard, every scar makes you stronger, and you rise ready for the next battle. Then all you can do is dance in the flames,” says Stina Girs, who wrote the lyrics for the song.
Written collaboratively by the entire band, the track marks a clear step forward from their debut album.
“We wanted to turn things up a notch, and ‘Dancing In Flames’ is the perfect example of that. It showcases many sides of us: rock-driven intensity, rhythmic atmosphere, a catchy chorus, and, as the cherry on top, a truly heavy mid-section complete with growls,” the band explains.
The name “Unén” originally stemmed from the band’s idea that their lyrics would revolve around the world of dreams. While the concept later evolved in another direction, the name remained. In the “Dancing In Flames” music video, directed by Elsa Wellamo, reality is firmly rooted in the here and now.
“With a high-energy song like this, the traditional performance video format really does it justice. As a counterbalance, dancer Laura Zaray brought a beautiful additional visual element to the video,” the band says.
Video Credits: Concept & cinematography: Elsa Wellamo / Elsa Wellamo Arts Editing: Peetu Widestam Hair & makeup: Mira Aalto Assistant: Riku Arolainen Dancer: Laura Zaray
Throughout the coming summer, Unén will focus on preparing their second studio album, while also performing one live show in Helsinki on August 14. See all tour dates here.
Unén is: Stina Girs – vocals Kimmo Pitkänen – guitar Petteri Sinervä – keyboards Harri Moilanen – guitar Tomi Kallava – bass Timo Larjo – drums
With the words “Temple Of The Absurd is alive. And it feels right.”, the band announced their comeback in February 2026. Shortly afterwards, singer Sabina Classen explained: “Some things simply lie dormant, waiting for the right moment to reawaken. The songs, the friendship, the energy – it all feels incredibly familiar.”
The band owes this comeback to a moment that nobody had planned. During a reading by Sabina Classen and Dr Nico Rose from their joint book “Laut.Stark. Leben – To Hell with Self-Doubt” at the Full Metal Holidays 2025 in Mallorca, Wacken co-founder Holger Hübner spontaneously stormed the event and announced to the surprised guests that Sabina had to return to the stage. His reasoning was as direct as it was convincing: the chapter on Temple Of The Absurd had never really been closed.
What initially seemed like a spontaneous inspiration developed over the following months into an idea that eventually became reality: TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD are back.
This extraordinary band, which consistently defied categorisation even back in the nineties. With the albums “Absurd” (1995) and “Mother, Creator, God” (1999), the band created their own dark soundscape, in which heaviness, atmosphere, melancholy and madness intermingled. A musical alternative to trends and expectations – uncompromising, independent and, to this day, unique.
Today, TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD announce the release of their first new single “Prayer”, due out on June 19th, 2026. “‘Prayer’ is a requiem for all the souls we have lost. Friends, companions, partners and our beloved animals. The song was written on a dark night following the death of an old friend,” says guitarist and band founder Schrödey, describing the song’s origins.
The upcoming material was composed by Schrödey, who spent many months giving the songs shape, depth and the finishing touches in his Absurd Studio.
The song as well as the upcoming third studio album, will be released via Fireflash Records, which previously released HOLY MOSES’s last studio album, “Invisible Queen”, and will soon be releasing the live album of their farewell concert in Hamburg.
The new album is set to be released in autumn 2026 and offers a mix of reimagined classics from the band’s back catalogue as well as brand-new material.
The story of TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD began in 1993. In the very year they formed, the band made their live debut at the legendary Dynamo Open Air, sharing the stage with greats such as Gorefest, Trouble and Mercyful Fate.
In 2026, the band will return to the hallowed grounds of the Wacken Open Air for their first reunion show. There, the next chapter of a story that lay dormant for many years but was never truly over will begin.
TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD Live: 30 July 2026 – Wacken Open Air 20–27 October 2026 – Full Metal Holiday
TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD are: Sabina Classen – vocals Schrödey – guitar Robert “Ozzy” Frese – guitar Falko Grau – bass Robert Julien Schmidt – drums
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 ) 