Wormholedeath is pleased to announce the signing of Italian instrumental prog metal project Rei Code Zero. The band’s debut album, Chronicles, will be released on July 17, 2026.
Rei Code Zero is the project of Lorenzo Visintin, who wrote the album in 2023, though the concept traces back to 2017 — the year he concluded a four-year run in a tribute band dedicated to the music of the Final Fantasy series. The name was chosen to evoke both a video game title and a computing concept.
Chronicles is an instrumental work rooted in progressive metal, power metal, and the vocabulary of Japanese video gameand film scoring. Dream Theater, Children of Bodom, and composer Nobuo Uematsu are among the reference points. The record doesn’t aim to be nostalgic — it’s less a tribute to classic gaming than an attempt to imagine what a contemporary game soundtrack might sound like if it were also a metal record.
The album was recorded with guitarist Stefano Zamburlini, who handled all guitar parts, and saxophonist Manuel Trabucco. Despite the project’s studio origins, Rei Code Zero is built with live performance in mind.
1. Opening 2. About Those Who Fight 3. Unleash Your Power 4. Dimensional Gates 5. It’s Not Over Yet! 6. Holographic Sky 7. Under The Neon Lights 8. Fire In The Eyes 9. Hanabi Party 10. Goodbye, Satoru!
The first preview from the album, “About Those Who Fight,” is now available as a single &music video, offering an early look at the project’s direction and atmosphere.
Photo by Jonatha Betz Photography — Album Cover Art by Gogo Melone
Where light exists, shadows are never far behind. Joy and sorrow move as one. Inseparable and intertwined, like love and grief echoing through the same fragile heartbeat. It is within this delicate tension that something profoundly human takes shape: The quiet realization that beauty often carries pain, and that loss is, in itself, a reflection of something once deeply cherished. From this space of emotional duality rises Talia Hoit’s most intimate and revealing work to date: her new album“When The Skies Fall”, which will be released on August 28. With her upcoming second full-length, Talia invites listeners into a symphonic metal world where certainty dissolves and the ground beneath begins to shift, where identity, love, and meaning are questioned, broken apart, and carefully rebuilt. This is not just a collection of songs, but a deeply personal passage through moments of collapse and renewal. Are you ready to face the storm, and what waits beyond?
“When The Skies Fall” marks Talia Hoit’s second album as a solo artist. Spanning ten emotionally charged tracks, the album explores themes of existential crisis, longing, transformation, and the enduring weight of human connection. Each song carries fragments of her past, written across different chapters of her life, now reawakened and brought into a new sonic dimension.
At its core, the album remains true to Talia’s origins: piano and voice, raw and unfiltered. She herself describes it as a kind of confessional: “Writing poems or songs was my way of processing life and my emotions and things. A lot of what I have written was not originally intended to be a commercial product, so I guess it really fits under the idea of a ‘piano confessional’.”
These foundations are elevated into vast symphonic metal soundscapes, where sweeping orchestration meets driving guitars and powerful rhythms. This time, however, the balance has shifted. Her personal musical voice takes center stage more than ever, with her piano work and emotional intent guiding each arrangement.
“When The Skies Fall” Tracklist
1. Unwanted 2. Tremble Within 3. Beyond Words 4. Again 5. Prayer for Rain 6. Orion 7. All You Want 8. Refuge 9. Torn 10. Urgency
For those who feel the pull of anticipation, the first glimpse is already close by. Talia’s brand new single”All You Want” (release: June 5) captures one of the album’s most piercing themes: the quiet devastation of trying to become someone else’s ideal, only to lose yourself in the process. It speaks of love distorted by expectation, of longing that can never truly be fulfilled, and of the painful clarity that follows.
With soaring vocals that drift between vulnerability and power, as well as a rich interplay between orchestral and heavy elements, the track offers a haunting introduction to the delicate and unrelenting world of “When The Skies Fall”. For this new chapter, Talia Hoit opens a space where listeners can confront their own. It’s a place where grief reveals the depth of love, endings give shape to beginnings, and even in the darkest moments, something quietly enduring remains.
Talia Hoit, a Colorado native, began her journey in music with classical piano lessons at just five years old – an early foundation that continues to shape her artistry today. She has since evolved into a multifaceted musician, writing her own material, performing as both a singer and keyboardist, and crafting orchestral arrangements within the symphonic metal genre.
Over the years, Talia has built a diverse musical résumé. She spent five years as a keyboardist and songwriter for the band AnaDies and has taken on multiple creative roles as the lead vocalist, orchestrator, and co-writer for the symphonic metal band BEYOND FORGIVENESS, while also contributing as a keyboardist for OB NIXILIS.
Talia began with two independently produced home studio albums: “Fate’s Too Small” (2007) and “A Little Longer” (2012). Even if they were recorded just for personal purposes and not publicly available, these laid the groundwork for her first official release that changed the trajectory of her career. In 2019, she recorded the single “Angel” with producer Jarek Musil, which marked the start of her official solo career. The single has since been remastered and marked a turning point, motivating her to put an even stronger focus on her solo work and to professionally produce and release a larger body of her original songs. This led to the release of two additional singles in 2023: “Abandon” and “Whispers in the Storm”. In 2024, she released her first full-length solo album “Oceans”.
Talia’s music reflects her deep-rooted classical background as well as her years of experience in the industry, resulting in polished, expressive compositions. Her sound resonates strongly with fans of symphonic metal and heavier genres, drawing inspiration from bands like Within Temptation, Nightwish, Evanescence, and Visions of Atlantis.
The Metal Voice recently interview Yes, Asia and The Buggles Keyboardist Geoff Downes. He spoke about his career in The Buggles, Asia and Yes. As well as the new Yes Album AURORA which will be released on June 12 , 2026 via Century Media.
Watch the full interview below.
Excerpt
When asked when YES is planning on retiring
“I ask myself that sometimes. We’re still doing maybe four or five shows a week you know and then we come off the road and then we go straight in the studio and start recording stuff. I think it’s a way of life and I certainly don’t think your age is necessary as long as you’re healthy uh and fit and healthy then I don’t think it’s too much of a challenge to keep it going. “
When asked how he revolutionized the keyboard sound back in the early 80s
“I think we were pretty much ahead of the game in terms of what we were doing because the Buggles was in many ways a very prophetic band. The things that we were doing this whole thing about creating these keyboard orchestras, which was really my fortune. We weren’t pretending to be a band or anything like that. We were just two guys experimenting in the studio, hence the name THE BUGGLES, which is effectively a spoof on The Beatles because we knew we’d never be a band. It was only two guys pretending to make all these sounds. Um, so the actual thing that came across was that it was a group effort, but in fact it was just Trevor and myself creating all these weird weird and wonderful sounds. So I really got into technology and I would get as much as I could. I wanted to make noises like strings and you know woodwinds and flutes and things like that but all created via um uh synthesizers. So uh that I think that was something that really appealed to me. “
When asked If he thought ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ (the song) if it still has meaning today with technology changing the social norms?
“Well that was the whole thing behind it because that had very futuristic lyrics and turned out to be very prophetic. When you take one of the lines from video killed the radio star, ‘they took the credit for your second symphony rewritten by machine with new technology. You’re thinking about AI now and you’re thinking about uh that was that we wrote that song 50 years ago, this sort of this sort of stuff actually happens. We had a lot of fun making these predictions. I think that’s the whole essence of the Buggles and I think that’s one of the things that really captivated Chris (Squire) Steve (Howe) Alan (White) to us because we were going to bring something different to Yes.”
When asked how they joined Yes on the Drama album
“For us it wasn’t that strange that we joined because we were in the next rehearsal room. They were just a three-piece at that time rehearsing Chris Steven Alan. So, Chris came in one day and he said, have you guys got any songs? You know, any material? So, we said, well, we can probably knock up a couple of things. So he said, “Well, why don’t you come in the studio with us and uh set your keyboard up and Trav you set a mic up and see what comes out of it.” And that was really it. We just sort of morphed into Yes at that point. And uh it was uh it was great times. That album stands up as one of my favorite albums I have been involved in. Largely because it was a big turning point for me particularly being a keyboard player in this huge band you know I mean it’s a sort of dream come true.”
When asked about the split with Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman
“I think the band just got to a halt, they didn’t get anywhere (musically). So I think they just disbanded at that point. I think Jon obviously went off to do stuff with Vangelis. Um yeah, Rick obviously carried on with his solo stuff. Uh so there were really the three of them holding the baby as it were. We fitted the bill. I mean, don’t get me wrong, there was a certain amount of resentment from certain areas of the Yes fan base because they saw these two interlopers stepping into this the revered rock band that they’ve been following from the very beginning and, you know, 10 12 years later, uh, these these two pop guys come in and, uh, and start to shake up the, uh, shake up the foundations. Also I think Trevor’s lyrics they were much more uh urban much more technological much more modern and I think that helped propel YES into the 80s for the later period of 90125. We weren’t talking about rivers flowing and all that sort of stuff. We were talking about electricity running through pylons and that kind of thing. “
When asked if the Drama tour was too difficult for Trevor in terms of singing the Jon Anderson Material
” I think it was. I think it was tough cuz I think it did push him to the limit. But I think you know under the circumstances he (Trevor Horn) did a great job and uh obviously much easier to sing the Drama material but you know going to some of the more high pitched Yes stuff that Jon Anderson was so well known for was a challenge. We didn’t actually transpose anything at all. I think he actually found a way of singing it and a way of delivering it. Uh, and as I’ve said before, there’s a lot of underestimation, I think, for how important Chris Squire’s vocals were with John Anderson. So, I think between Trevor and Chris, they managed to pull it off in terms of uh you know, because Chris was there cuz Chris was a very identifiable vocal part of Yes’ um stuff. ‘
Long-awaited – and now finally available again: DORO & Universal release a reissue of “DORO – LIVE”, New editions will be released on July 3 on CD, DVD, and picture vinyl
It was a milestone in DORO’s career! It was considered a cult classic of rock and metal! For a long time, this masterpiece was no longer available—now it’s being reissued! Finally!
On July 3, 2026, “DORO – Live” will be re-released. The long-awaited first live album by the Metal Queen, with which DORO—back then on CD and VHS video cassette—impressively cemented her status as a rock icon for everyone to hear and see.
Originally released in 1993, “Live” captures Doro Pesch at a pivotal point in her career. The audio recordings were made during her “Angels Never Die” tour in the early ’90s and document the extraordinary stage presence with which she established herself early on as one of the most recognizable voices in international heavy metal. The video footage was recorded during electrifying concerts in Hamburg and Cologne and has been meticulously remastered for this DVD re-release.
You can listen to the album here:
DORO first gained international recognition in the 1980s as the frontwoman of Warlock. With albums such as Burning the Witches (1984), Hellbound (1985), True As Steel (1986), and Triumph and Agony (1987), the band reached a global audience. Songs like “All We Are” and “Für Immer” became staples and absolute evergreens in the genre, while Warlock was among the first German metal bands to tour internationally and conquer the U.S. market.
Thanks to her authenticity, stage presence, unique voice, and special connection with her fans, DORO quickly rose to become a defining figure in a male-dominated scene worldwide. In 1986, she was also the first woman to perform on stage at the legendary Monsters of Rock festivals.
Live reflects DORO’s special qualities, combining Warlock classics with early solo material and showcasing the close connection between the artist and her audience.
Throughout her global career, DORO has received numerous awards. In 2022, DORO was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, having previously been awarded an Echo (1994), the Metal Goddess Legend Award in Las Vegas, the Legend Award in England and Germany, the Angel Of Rock Award in England, and many other accolades, as well as being voted “sexiest woman alive.” All of this underscores DORO’s enduring significance for the international rock & metal scene and her undisputed title as the “Metal Queen”!
The new edition of Live will be released on July 3, 2026, on DORO’s own label, Rare Diamonds Productions, as a CD/DVD in a digipack and as a CD in a jewel case.
DORO’s former record label, Universal, will simultaneously release a strictly limited-edition picture vinyl, including liner notes penned by Doro Pesch herself. A portion of the 500 copy run will also include a hand-signed art print by the artist.
The new editions will be available for pre-order starting next week!
Track-Listing:
CD:
01 I Rule The Ruins 02 Hellbound 03 Only You 04 Bad Blood 05 So Alone Together 06 Eye On You 07 Metal Tango 08 Fall For Me Again 09 Für Immer 10 Let’s Rock Forever 11 All We Are 12 Enough For You 13 I Am What I Am 14 Whenever I Think Of You 15 Children Of The Night 16 Burning The Witches 17 Alles ist Gut Playtime: CD: 73:13 Min
DVD:
01 I Rule The Ruins 02 Hellbound 03 Only You 04 Bad Blood 05 So Alone Together 06 Eye On You 07 Metal Tango 08 Fall For Me Again 09 Für Immer 10 Let’s Rock Forever 11 All We Are 12 Enough For You 13 The Fortuneteller 14 I Am What I Am 15 East Meets West 16 Whenever I Think Of You 17 Children Of The Night 18 Burning The Witches 19 Alles ist Gut Playtime: DVD: 90:30 Min
LINKWELLS will release their new single “You Don’t Want Saving” on 19th June, out on Flip Flop Records.
“You Don’t Want Saving” is about trying time and time again to help someone who’s struggling, offering support, patience, and care, only to realise they have no intention of changing.
The song follows the emotional shift from compassion and persistence to frustration and clarity, as the relationship becomes draining and unhealthy. Ultimately, it’s about accepting that you can’t help someone who refuses help, and finding the strength to walk away before they pull you down with them.
Malvern indie-rock outfit Linkwells are making their mark with a soaring, melody driven sound that blends Britpop swagger with modern indie energy. Drawing comparisons to Teenage Fanclub, Oasis, The Verve, Nada Surf and Sugar, the four-piece are earning praise for their songwriting and powerful live performances.
A BBC Introducing featured artist, Linkwells are now on their third release with legendary producer Nick Brine’s Flip Flop Records – renowned for his work with Oasis, The Stone Roses and Bruce Springsteen – the band continue to gain momentum both in the UK and internationally. With listeners across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, Linkwells are steadily building a global audience, fuelled by a string of acclaimed releases and a reputation for high energy live shows.
BBC Introducing – “An incredible band” Odyssey Magazine – “Their music doesn’t feel retro – it feels timeless”
Linkwells are: Keith Forde: Vocals/Guitar Andy D: Bass Guitar Mike Bannister: Guitar Matt Dulson: Drums
“Let the fire rise, you were born for this, stay the course.” – Dez Fafara
The fans and critics have made their voices heard, DEVILDRIVER has leveled it up! In anticipation their rabid new album, Strike and Kill, out July 10 via Napalm Records, the groove metal legends first released the boisterous lead single “Dig Your Own Grave”, cracking over 400k cross platform streams, becoming a mainstay on SXM’s Liquid Metal, and stampeding up the Metal Contraband charts just a month after release.
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll pay close attention to the words on their next bloodthirsty ripper, “Dead in the Water” out today. This single is built upon cataclysmic blast beats and ornately blackened guitarmonies, delivering the good with vibrance and violence. Iconic frontman Dez Fafara’s delivery remains venomous, galvanizing listeners with affirmations of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.
Dez on “Dead in the Water”: “This is one of the most positive songs I’ve ever written lyrically, coming from a very dark time straight into blinding light. I needed to empower others to do the same as I did, and tell them to ‘stay the course,’ life turns around if given the chance to flourish. The vibe musically on this is very old school DEVILDRIVER and the entire band is cracking hard here, if you’re a long time listener you’re gonna love this one! Enjoy!”
Following DEVILDRIVER’s career defining double album Dealing With Demons Vols. 1 & 2—with Vol. 1 sitting at #1 at metal radio for a triumphant 15 weeks, and Vol. 2 celebrated by internationally revered media like Metal Injection, Kerrang!, and Blabbermouth, who lauded “you can’t stop the unstoppable”—the band sets out on a rabid hunt with Strike and Kill, holding the blade to your throat, and serving up that trademark DEVILDRIVER blend of melodeath elegance, blackened atmosphere, tectonic grooves, and Fafara’s iconic visceral delivery.
Wasting no time, the album bursts open with the incendiary “Dig Your Own Grave”, a flurry of assault rifle kicks and crunchy riffs encircle the listener casting them into the waiting abyss before transitioning into “Dead in the Water”, showcasing the vibrant melodeath tapestries of master guitar duo Alex Lee and Gabe Mangold. “Sanctified In Scars” implements industrial pulsating beats and ethereal sonic textures, sanctifying Fafara’s venomous voice with blackened tremolo excellence. The album’s title track “Strike and Kill” is a reconciliation of hardships and lessons learned, built upon the backs of blisteringly technical riffage and dizzyingly swift drumming by Davier Perez. Tracks like “In the Moonlight” and “Never Coming Home” wrap listeners in serenely blissful guitarmonies, elevating the brutality with elegance and emotion. “Ride or Die” unleashes pure metal inertia, pulling listeners in with unrelenting force. Exemplifying their technical edge with tracks like “Headed for the Fall” and “You’re just a Ghost”, the band embraces mindbendingly off-kilter patterns that spin listeners’ heads. “Summoning Shadows” offers the albums longest respite from carnage, with textured acoustic guitars building tension before the band comes crashing back in with triumphant power. “Shut the Silence On” and “Oath of Iron” get super thrashy with their ballsy riffage and blast beats, before “All Bets are Off” brings things to a cataclysmic conclusion.
Strike and Kill Tracklisting: 1 Dig Your Own Grave 2 Dead in the Water 3 Sanctified In Scars 4 Strike and Kill 5 In the Moonlight 6 Ride or Die 7 Headed for the Fall 8 Shut the Silence On 9 Never Coming Home 10 Summoning Shadows 11 You’re just a Ghost 12 Oath of Iron 13 All Bets are Off
DEVILDRIVER On Tour:
8/14/2026 – Observatory North Park – San Diego, CA 8/15/2026 – Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV 8/16/2026 – Marquee – Phoenix, AZ 8/18/2026 – Aztec Theater – San Antonio, TX 8/19/2026 – Come and Take it Live – Austin, TX 8/20/2026 – House of Blues – Houston, TX 8/22/2026 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX 8/23/2026 – Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK 8/25/2026 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL 8/26/2026 – The Rave – Milwaukee, WI 8/29/2026 – Sunshine Studios – Colorado Springs, CO 8/30/2026 – The Depot – Salt Lake City, UT 9/1/2026 – Treefort Music Hall – Boise, ID 9/2/2026 – Club Underground – Reno, NV 9/3/2026 – Goldfield – Sacramento, CA 9/4/2026 – The Ritz – San Jose, CA 9/5/2026 – House of Blues – Anaheim, CA
DEVILDRIVER Are: Dez Fafara – Vocals Davier Ortega Perez – Drums Jon Miller – Bass Alex Lee – Guitar Gabe Mangold – Guitar
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 ) 