Swedish folk metal pioneers FEJD are proud to release their highly anticipated fifth full-length album, ‘Nifelheim,’ out nowvia Black Lodge / Sound Pollution.
Rooted in medieval-inspired folk traditions and characterized by the prominent use of traditional acoustic instruments, FEJD have spent more than two decades building a devoted fan base across Sweden and beyond. Their music is defined by strong melodies, epic arrangements, and a deep connection to Nordic history, folklore, and mythology.
Watch the Lyric Video for “Nifelheim”:
From the very first note, listeners are drawn into a world of ancient legends, mystical landscapes, and Nordic melancholy. The album masterfully balances tradition and modernity, combining the band’s signature folk instrumentation with powerful metal compositions to create an immersive and unforgettable experience.
With ‘Nifelheim,’ FEJD once again proves why they remain one of the leading names in the international folk metal scene. The album is both a tribute to the Nordic cultural heritage and a powerful statement of the band’s ability to evolve while staying true to its roots.
‘Nifelheim’ is more than just a new album…it is the next chapter in the saga of FEJD.
Indianapolis melodic death-doom outfit MOTHER OF GRAVES has announced the release of their upcoming full-length, entitled “The Light that Keeps Us”, which has been slated for release on October 16th via Profound Lore Records. The first single, “Through the Pale Shade”, has been unveiled today.
Vocalist Brandon Howe comments on “Through the Pale Shade”: “‘Through the Pale Shade’ is a lyrical tale of resilience in a faltering world and letting the hands of beauty be your uplifting guide through the darkest and most desperate pits of the self and soul. Instrumentally, the song bleeds a similar hope and despair within each note. We chose this song as the first single because we feel it thoroughly encapsulates the true and honest nature of our sound. I think from start to finish, it speaks well in terms of our identity that we’ve steadily grown into as a band; coalescing with our personal touches the heavy approach to things and melodies that feel dreamlike without sacrificing the wholeness of the song itself. Thanks for listening, and we hope that it serves you well. The countdown begins as autumn approaches.“
Tracklist:
Wingless Soul (feat. Dan Swanö)
Through the Pale Shade
The Light That Keeps Us
Eventide Angel
The Silent Weight of the Stars
A Moonlit Tryst
The Beggar’s Allegory
The Endless Climb
Following two years of meticulous crafting and the lasting impact left behind by their sophomore offering “The Periapt of Absence” – which claimed the #11 spot on Decibel Magazine’s Top 40 AOTY and tore through countless year-end lists – the death-doom titans return with their most fully realized offering yet. Here, it is evident that MOTHER OF GRAVES have no intention of slowing their evolution into fully realized territory as a quintet. The album is driven by the sharpened songwriting of guitarists Chris Morrison and Ben Sandman, the unrelenting foundation of bassist Corey Clark and drummer Don Curtis, and the expressive, poetic cadence of vocalist/keyboardist Brandon Howe.
Seamlessly forging the aggression and power of death metal with the melancholic and romantic edge of melodic doom, “The Light that Keeps Us” is crushing, hauntingly human, and a true showcase of the band’s authenticity in their expression and care for the genre. Each track serving as a hand to guide the listener through the introspective journey of mortality, sorrow, love and resilience. The band’s dynamic continues to grow under the production of guitarist Ben Sandman, whose work behind the console keeps personal touch prevalent within their music, stripping away the excess and amplifying the things that matter.
At the helm of visual depictions, fine artist Larisa Brechun perfectly captures the weight and depth of the music in her cover painting, providing evocative imagery to accompany the band’s bleak yet uplifting nature. It has become a standard throughout their years to recruit legend Dan Swano for his mastering expertise, but this time a greater gift presented itself as Dan proudly delivered guest vocals on the track “Wingless Soul”. A full circle moment in the band’s existence, as it gives the album that much more of a special and significant engraving within the world of death doom.
With “The Light that Keeps Us”, MOTHER OF GRAVES brings to you 8 tracks of despairing beauty laced in emotion and fierce purpose, marking yet another milestone in their promising career.
The album drops October 16th on Profound Lore Records and is available for pre-order HERE
MOTHER OF GRAVES are: Brandon Howe – Vocals/Keyboard Chris Morrison – Guitar Ben Sandman – Guitar Corey Clark – Bass Don Curtis – Drums
“Heavy Metal made in Germany” has always been a mark of quality and, during the glorious 1980s, with the early works of ACCEPT, RUNNING WILD, GRAVE DIGGER,STORMWITCH, HELLOWEEN and others, not only defined a new genre but also shaped subsequent generations, much like the NWoBHM or traditional US metal.
The band GENERATION STEEL, founded in Wetzlar in 2019 by guitarist Jack the Riffer, follows precisely in this tradition and embodies this inimitable spirit to perfection. With their first two albums, “The Eagle Will Rise” (2021) and “Lionheart” (2023), GENERATION STEEL have got their engine up to operating temperature and are now striking a major blow with their new album “Steelmachine”.
“My aim with this third album was to take things up a notch, develop Generation Steel further and sharpen our profile even more. I think we’ve succeeded,” says the guitar wizard.
Today sees the release of ‘Wings of Fire’, the third single along with a music video.
“‘Wings of Fire’ tells the story of the struggles every person faces within themselves. The battle in the sky symbolises inner conflicts – doubts, fears and the constant struggle between giving up and carrying on,” says Jack the Riffer.
On “Steelmachine”, GENERATION STEEL pull out all the stops, thanks in no small part to their completely revamped line-up. With guitarist and songwriter Thilo Herrmann, who made his debut in 1985 with the FAITHFUL BREATH classic “Skol” and has made heavy metal history over the course of his career with bands such as RISK (“Ratman”), RUNNING WILD (“Black Hand Inn”, “Masquerade”) and GRAVE DIGGER (“Ballads of a Hangman”) – band leader and guitarist Jack the Riffer now has a living legend at his side. “He’s not only an incredibly talented songwriter and guitarist, but also a great bloke,” says Jack, praising his new bandmate.
There’s also been a change behind the mic: from now on, the Swede Mike Stark – who currently also sings for the Argentine band FEANOR and the Swedish group STORMBURNER – is setting the tone. His powerful, dynamic voice gives the new tracks a real stamp of quality. “Mike stands out in particular for his creativity and experience. His intonation is always steady; he reaches very high notes whilst also impressing in the mid-range – that’s exactly how I picture a metal singer,” says Jack, delighted with the Scandinavian frontman.
Bassist Fabian Watermann (MAD MAX) was the last to join the band shortly before recording began, completing the quintet, who are motivated right down to their fingertips. “Fabian recorded the album in no time at all. Alongside Thilo and Mike, he’s another wonderful addition to the band and we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. We all get on very well, both personally and musically. Working on the new album has really brought us closer together. Now we’re rehearsing for the tour, the videos have been shot – it all feels just right.”
“Steelmachine” was brought to life in collaboration with producer Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR), who has previously polished classics by acts ranging from GAMMA RAY,HEADHUNTER and STORMWARRIOR to BLIND GUARDIAN and SAXON.“Piet stands out above all for his knack for optimising songs. He’s provided valuable input in a few places that enhance the song’s dynamics and dramatic structure,” states the band leader, who is highly satisfied with the result. “We’ve matured in terms of song arrangement, and at the same time we’ve managed to preserve our core identity. Thilo and Mike, in particular, have noticeably improved the standard of songwriting.”
Much of the lyrics have very serious underlying themes and a deeper meaning. They address current issues, but do so rather indirectly. “The title track ‘Steelmachine’ refers to current international conflicts. Whilst ‘Witches Cross’ describes the burning of witches in the Middle Ages, it is best understood as a metaphor for exclusion, fear and blind fanaticism. Here, historical events mirror our own times, in which people are still being hastily condemned and publicly pilloried,” explains Jack the Riffer.
Shortly after the album’s release, GENERATION STEEL will be heading out on tour with their metal brothers from MYSTIC PROPHECY and IRON SAVIOR. “We’re absolutely buzzing about it,” he blurts out. “At last we’re hitting the stage with the new line-up and the new songs! I’m particularly looking forward to seeing how we go down with the audience now. My focus will be on the feedback during the live shows and the chats at the merch stand! The setlist is already finalised and is a good mix of tracks from all three albums.”
Anyone who likes traditional German metal will love “Steelmachine”, because the album is exciting and inspiring from start to finish and brims with enthusiasm. Here, five true believers are at work – and that’s infectious. “If we win over our existing fans and attract new ones, we’ll have done everything right,” concludes Jack the Riffer with characteristic modesty.
“Steelmachine” will be released on 16 October by Fireflash Records on CD, LP, in various bundles and digitally.
Following the announcement of their signing with Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records and the release of their first new single “Red River”, Greek heavy psych / stoner rock outfit Paranoid Reverb now unveil the full details of their second full-length album, Red River Black Roots.
The album will be released on September 18, 2026 via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records on CD and digital. Alongside the album announcement, the band also release their second single, “0315”, available now on all major streaming platforms: https://li.sten.to/paranoidreverb_0315
Following their 2020 debut Billion Drops, Red River Black Roots marks a more deliberate and mature phase for Paranoid Reverb. The album expands their heavy psych / stoner rock foundations through denser rhythmic structures, darker tonal shades and atmospheric layers, while retaining the raw, performance-driven energy of their live sound.
Recorded in April 2025 at Shellac Recording Studios in Thessaloniki and completed the following month at producer Paris Parasidis’ studio, the album places dynamics and authenticity at its core. Organic percussion, metallic objects and ambient textures become part of a sound that moves between heavy eruptions and hypnotic passages, creating a distinctly live-oriented feel without sacrificing weight or atmosphere.
Thematically, Red River Black Roots explores pressure, introspection, renewal and the tension between decay and transformation. Its title reflects this journey: the “river” represents a descent into chaos, while the “roots” suggest a return to origin. Together, they form the central metaphor connecting the album’s narrative and sonic progression.
With new vocalist Manos Gotsis and a renewed creative direction, Paranoid Reverb enter this new chapter with their most focused and personal work to date.
Red River Black Roots tracklist
Acantha – 06:19
0315 – 04:30
Da Capo – 06:07
F.U. – 05:01
Red River – 04:51
Come Undone – 06:19
QuickSand – 07:15
Red River Black Roots will be released on September 18, 2026 via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records on CD and digital.
As they continue their aggressive 2026 release cycle, cinematic hard rock outfit Bastion Rose drop their darkest and most politically charged single to date. “Holy Wars,” is a heavy, relentless progressive rock anthem that confronts the rising tide of extremism and blind hatred head-on.
Serving as a visceral centerpiece to the band’s rapidly unfolding Blue Rising era, “Holy Wars” fuses the colossal, cinematic riffing the band is known for with an urgent, unapologetic message. The track takes direct aim at those who use ideology and dogma to justify destruction, warning that “Holy wars won’t make you whole / Holy wars won’t save your soul.”
For frontman Austin Frink, the song is a necessary reaction to a world increasingly fractured by fanaticism.
“We see extremism repeatedly as a political failing; but it is a spiritual sickness,” says Frink. “‘Holy Wars’ is about the people who are willing to burn the world down and call it salvation. It’s about confronting the monsters who use their faith or their faction to justify atrocities. You cannot heal your own brokenness by destroying everything around you.”
Musically, “Holy Wars” is a towering achievement of modern heavy rock architecture. It channels the aggressive, wide-dynamic-range progressive that is signature to the band. Building heavily on the world-class sonic foundation established with three-time Grammy-winning producer David Bottrill (Tool, Godsmack, Mastodon, Muse, Rush) on their previous records, the band’s self-produced new material finds them operating at the absolute peak of their technical and dynamic prowess.
Backed by recent acclaim from Classic Rock Magazine, Metal Hammer, and SPIN, Bastion Rose is translating immense digital leverage into a formidable global footprint ahead of an anticipated 2026 international touring cycle.
Bastion Rose is a cinematic hard rock project based in Bloomington, Indiana. Known for their sophisticated fusion of monumental 70s-era grooves and 2000s era alternative metal intensity, the band has earned international recognition for their high-caliber production and narrative-driven songwriting. Following their David Bottrill-produced debut Traces of Gold, the band is currently unveiling the next chapter of their evolution with the album Blue Rising.
Swedish kings of black metal, DARK FUNERAL, unleash their long awaited new live album, ‘A Beast To Praise,’ out now via Century Media. To celebrate the live release’s street date, the band shares a new live video for “Nail Them To The Cross (Live in Stockholm),” available below.
Recorded at Fållan in Stockholm in 2022, ‘A Beast To Praise’ captures DARK FUNERAL‘s devastating live performance in support of their acclaimed album ‘We Are The Apocalypse.’ Spanning 13 tracks and nearly 70 minutes, the release showcases the band’s relentless stage presence while celebrating an album that entered the charts across Europe upon it’s 2022 release, including #6 in Germany, #13 in Finland, #28 in Switzerland, #29 in Austria, and #31 in Sweden.
DARK FUNERAL’s Lord Ahriman comments on ‘A Beast To Praise’:
“‘A Beast To Praise’ (Live at Fållan, Stockholm) captures a very important moment in the history of DARK FUNERAL — not only the live release ritual for ‘We Are The Apocalypse,’ but also our return to the stage after years of silence during the pandemic. That night at Fållan was intense in every possible way. The energy in the room, the fire, the audience, and the atmosphere all came together into something far beyond an ordinary concert. This release is the immortal document of that night. With the release of this live album and the upcoming European touring cycle in the fall of 2026, we now close the chapter surrounding ‘We Are The Apocalypse.’ At the same time, we are already deeply focused on the next era of DARK FUNERAL and hard at work creating new material for what will become our next studio album, planned for release in 2027. And as one chapter closes, a new one is already taking shape — bigger, darker, and more epic than ever before…”
‘A Beast To Praise’ will be available in the following formats: => Jewelcase CD => Gatefold 2LP on 180g black vinyl (Europe) => Gatefold 2LP on 180g transparent red vinyl (Europe, limited to 400x copies, available from Napalm Records, EMP and all Swedish retailers) => Gatefold 2LP on 140g black vinyl (USA) => Digital Album
DARK FUNERAL will next embark on the massive “In League With Satan” tour across Europe together with Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir in October. All upcoming tour dates currently announced can be found below.
DARK FUNERAL Live:
August 28-30 – Câmpulung, Romania @ Posada Rock August 28-30 – Požega, Serbia @ Hellhammer Festival
“In League With Satan” – European Tour w/ Behemoth & Dimmu Borgir
October 9 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622 October 10 – Zwickau, Germany @ Sparkassen-Arena Zwickau October 11 – Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal October 13 – Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz October 14 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith October 16 – Paris, France @ Zenith October 18 – Den Bosch, The Netherlands @ Mainstage October 20 – Cologne, Germany @ Palladium October 22 – Hamburg, Germany @ Inselpark Arena October 23 – Berlin, Germany @ Columbiahalle October 24 – Brno, Czech Republic @ Hala Vodova October 27 – Helsinki, Finland @ Ice Hall October 29 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Hovet October 30 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ K.B. Hallen
DARK FUNERAL Live 2027
August 21 – Dinkelsbühl, Germany @ Summer Breeze Open Air August 22 – Carhaix, France @ Motocultor Festival
DARK FUNERAL are: Lord Ahriman – Guitars Chaq Mol – Guitars Heljarmadr – Vocals Adra-Melek – Bass Jalomaah – 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 ) 