CALLIDER release their new album ‘The Explorer’, a sonic expedition that blends melodic death metal with literary depth and cultural reflection.
To celebrate the album release, CALLIDER reveal a new video for the song “One Note”.
“The arrangement starts with a long horn section intro which we split off into the separate track „Stars, Wind and Sails (Embarking of the Hōkūleʻa)“. The core of the song are classic melodic death metal riffs and melodies, culminating in an almost singalong chorus by the end of the song. Unconventional for this genre is also the occasional usage of horns during the song”, adds Stefan Lange.
Following the successful debut ‘Southern Stars’ (2023), Lange takes things a step further: rather than science fiction or Viking clichés, the focus here is on the search for universal values – a tribute to forgotten cultures, historical narratives and the question of what holds humanity together.
Musically, Lange breaks with genre conventions: wind instruments, oriental sounds (Makam music) and acoustic ballads meet classic metal riffs and varied vocals. The result is an accessible yet complex sound that delights even non-metal fans. The lyrics are political, philosophical and poetic – ranging from the unity of humanity (‘One Note’) to a critique of social division.
The artwork (a Polynesian catamaran following the stars) symbolises humanity’s journey: we navigate through crises – but what are our guiding stars? Humanity, solidarity, moral principles. ‘The Explorer’ is not an album to listen to in passing, but an invitation to reflect.
CALLIDER is: Vocals: Stefan Lange, Florian Stierstorfer, Marc Zeberer, Vanessa Marx Guitars: Ettore Rigotti, Kristopher Karla, Stefan Lange Bass: Ettore Rigotti, Stefan Lange Drums: Dominik Back Keyboards: Ettore Rigotti, Claus Bächer
British blues-rock guitarist and singer-songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor releases her new studio album The Trouble With Love today, October 23rd, via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Produced by longtime collaborator Kevin Shirley (The Black Crowes, Journey, Aerosmith), the 10-track collection finds Joanne exploring the beautiful chaos of the human heart, examining love in all its forms through some of her most personal and emotionally direct songwriting to date.
Blending blues, rock, soul, and Americana, the album features collaborations with Joe Bonamassa and Orianthi, while showcasing Joanne’s continued evolution as a guitarist, vocalist, and storyteller.
Arriving alongside the album is the new single “Never Gonna Please ‘Em All,” a spirited, unapologetic declaration of independence and self-acceptance. While much of The Trouble With Love explores the relationships that shape us, the new track turns that perspective inward, confronting the pressure to meet other people’s expectations and the realisation that trying to satisfy everyone often comes at the expense of being yourself.
Expanding her songwriting prowess, “Never Gonna Please ‘Em All” takes aim at the constant demands and contradictions placed on women, from being told to smile and speak less to feeling pressured to make themselves smaller or more agreeable. Rather than giving in, Joanne embraces the freedom of accepting that some people will never be satisfied, delivering the song’s central message with conviction and a healthy dose of defiance.
That attitude comes through in lyrics like “I turned my heartbreak / Into a work of art,” a line that connects the song’s message directly to Joanne’s life as a songwriter. Having spent years transforming personal experiences into music, she turns the frustration of being judged and misunderstood into a celebration of individuality. The repeated refrain, “Ain’t never gonna please ’em all,” becomes a statement of hard-earned confidence, reflecting an artist increasingly comfortable following her own instincts rather than anyone else’s expectations.
At the heart of The Trouble With Love is Joanne’s willingness to examine relationships from different perspectives, without trying to offer easy answers. The album’s title track, “The Trouble With Love,” featuring Joe Bonamassa, captures the intoxicating highs and lows of romance, with Joanne previously describing it as an attempt to document love’s addictive nature and the complications that come with it. “What Good Is My Love?” featuring Orianthi explores the pain of loving someone who cannot return that affection, bringing together two acclaimed guitarists for an emotionally charged collaboration.
“Hell Or High Water” channels perseverance and self-belief through a blues-gospel arrangement, while Joanne’s reinterpretation of Celeste’s “This Is Who I Am” offers a moving reflection on acceptance and embracing one’s identity. “Tired Of Being Right” examines the difficult realisation that someone you love may never change, and “Bad Boy” ventures into the dangerous attraction of relationships that can be thrilling and destructive at the same time. “The Girl That You Loved Before” looks back on a past relationship through the lens of memory and personal growth, exploring the bittersweet experience of being remembered for someone you no longer are.
One of the album’s most intimate moments comes with “You And Me (Rachel’s Song),” written as a tribute to Joanne’s best friend. Rather than romantic love, the song celebrates enduring friendship, shared memories, and the reassurance of having someone who remains a constant through life’s changes. Its inclusion broadens the album’s central theme, showing how the relationships that sustain us can be every bit as meaningful as those that challenge us.
Together, these songs create a record that moves between vulnerability and defiance, tenderness and frustration, heartbreak and hope. Throughout, Joanne’s unmistakable guitar playing remains central to the music, but her songwriting increasingly takes the lead, with Kevin Shirley’s production allowing each track to develop its own character. The result is an album that reflects both the musical range Joanne has developed over nearly two decades of recording and the personal experiences that continue to shape her work.
The Trouble With Love has already earned enthusiastic praise from critics, further cementing Joanne’s standing as one of contemporary blues-rock’s leading voices. Blues Matters hailed the album as “blues rock with plenty of bite, balancing restraint and full-throttle guitar fire,” while R’N’R Magazine awarded it four stars, declaring, “These days, Joanne Shaw Taylor has nothing left to prove… she is a major blues rock figure.” Music News called the record “top class and a highlight of the year,” and Fireworks praised it as “another extremely strong effort from the guitarist” with “all the tools to win her a whole bunch of new” fans.
Discovered at just 16 by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, who invited her to tour internationally, Joanne has grown into one of contemporary blues-rock’s most accomplished artists. Her expressive guitar playing and soulful vocals have earned praise from musicians including Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox, Jimmy Cliff, and Joe Bonamassa, while her catalogue includes multiple No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Blues Albums chart. With The Trouble With Love, Joanne continues to build on that foundation, bringing together the guitar-driven intensity that first established her reputation and the increasingly personal songwriting that has become central to her artistry.
The album’s release arrives just days before Joanne launches her Fall 2026 U.S. Tour, beginning October 28th in Albuquerque, NM. The extensive run will take her through the Southwest, Mountain West, Pacific Northwest, and California, with Canadian blues-rock band Bywater Call joining her for the opening dates, followed by a series of shows with Robert Jon & The Wreck. Known for her commanding stage presence, searing guitar work, and emotionally charged performances, Joanne will bring material from The Trouble With Love to audiences alongside fan favourites from across her catalog. The tour concludes November 21st at the Golden State Theatre in Monterey, CA. For more information and tickets, visit joanneshawtaylor.com/tour.
THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE – TRACKLISTING
1. The Trouble With Love feat. Joe Bonamassa 2. Hell Or High Water 3. This Is Who I Am 4. Tired Of Being Right 5. Bad Boy 6. What Good Is My Love? feat. Orianthi 7. The Girl That You Loved Before 8. Never Gonna Please ‘Em All 9. You And Me (Rachel’s Song) 10. Death Wish
October 28 – Albuquerque, NM – KiMo Theatre * October 29 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater * October 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre * November 1 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre * November 3 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater * November 5 – Colorado Springs, CO – Phil Long Music Hall * November 6 – Fort Collins, CO – Aggie Theater* November 7 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater * November 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room ** November 10 – Boise, ID – The Egyptian Theatre ** November 12 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory ** November 13 – Tacoma, WA – Rialto Theater ** November 15 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater ** November 17 – Grass Valley, CA – The Center for the Arts ** November 19 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre Napa ** November 20 – Bakersfield, CA – World Records ** November 21 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre **
* with Bywater Call ** with Robert Jon & The Wreck
A Senbla Presentation by arrangement with Neil O’Brien Entertainment presents:
Thrash metal pioneers FORBIDDEN proudly launch their new track, “Single Point Failure,” taken from their new self-titled album. Marking the band’s first full-length release since 2010, the album is available now via BLKIIBLK. The new track arrives alongside a visualizer, available below.
On “Single Point Failure,” guitarist Craig Locicero explains:
“‘Single Point Failure’ is a fast paced bashing thrasher about the inevitable reality of an EMP looming over our planet. Musically, it hits more like the ‘Twisted Into Form’ era with the syncopated, melodic riffs intertwining while the instruments are tuned to standard E, like the first 2 albums were. Norman’s vocals soar over the top with urgency as Matt and Chris pound out with speed and precision. Jeremy and I play epic and lyrical solos that rip from the speakers the way they’re intended to be.
The subject : At some stage in our near future the sun will deliver enough potent solar flares to fry most of the Earth’s electronics in the blink of an eye. This is called an Electro Magnetic Pulse aka : EMP. What would follow an EMP would be nothing short of complete panic, chaos & likely violent uprisings throughout the world.
No electronics for months, possibly years would be a complete reset of society as we know it. No phones, internet or resources controlled by technology based operations would lead to social unrest like the world has never seen on such a scale. Not to mention the failure of all of the nuclear power plants due to no mechanisms to cool their core’s.
‘Single Point Failure’ feels frantic and befitting of the subject matter while being a fun and turbulent ride.”
FORBIDDEN’s legacy is one of being the youngest, hungriest and most ambitious of the Bay Area brethren that has launched metal paradigm-shifters from Metallica to Machine Head. With a reconstituted lineup, guitarist Craig Locicero and bassist Matt Camacho, have crafted an hour-plus masterpiece of thrashy predilection, emotive musical movements, and prog-scraping sonic ambitions. From the intensity of opening track, “Single Point Failure” to the philosophical shades of the 9-minute closer, “Flower of Life,” this is FORBIDDEN not merely stretching beyond the steely foundations of 1988’s classic ‘Forbidden Evil’ or the quantum leap of 1990’s ‘Twisted Into Form,’ but the sound of a band with a new sense of scope and purpose. Produced by Locicero, Kontos& Zach Ohren (Machine Head), ‘Forbidden’ isn’t merely a revival for quintet, but full-blown reinvigoration and purgative endpoint for this Bay Area metal institution.
Locicero comments on the album:
“Making ‘Forbidden’ felt more like an odyssey than a typical recording process. We set out to create a record that reminds people why they fell in love with thrash and heavy metal in the first place, embracing raw energy, melody, and the imperfections that give heavy music its character. Every member brought their best, and having Brann Dailor (Mastodon) join us on ‘Sycophantasy’ was an incredible addition. ‘Forbidden’ is five lifetimes of experience forged into one piece of metallic art.”
1. Single Point Failure 2. Burning The Lungs of Earth 3. Divided By Zero 4. DCLXVI 5. Psyclops 6. Jisei 7. Mutually Assured Dysfunction 8. Sycophantasy 9. The Burden 10. Sol Grave 11. Flower of Life (Chaos By Design)
FORBIDDEN is excited to be hitting the road in support of their self-titled album on a run of headlining tour dates supported by Heathen and Void.
FORBIDDEN Live, remaining shows:
10/25 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge 10/26 – Denver, CO @ Federal Theatre 10/28 – Iowa City, IA @ Gabes 10/29 – Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club 10/30 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies 10/31 – Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge 11/01 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground 11/02 – Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho Theater 11/04 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium (Upstairs) 11/05 – Brooklyn, NY @ TBD 11/07 – Albany, NY @ Empire Underground 11/08 – Lititz, PA @ Mickey’s Black Box 11/09 – Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819 11/10 – Greenville, SC @ Radio Room 11/12 – Orlando, FL @ Conduit 11/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Altar) 11/15 – Destin, FL @ Club LA 11/17 – Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live 11/18 – Dallas, TX @ Trees 11/20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad 11/21 – Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress 11/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom
About FORBIDDEN: Formed in 1985 in Fremont, California as Forbidden Evil, FORBIDDEN quickly became one of the defining bands of the Bay Area thrash metal movement alongside the genre’s biggest names. Following lineup changes that solidified the classic lineup featuring vocalist Russ Anderson, guitarists Craig Locicero and Glen Alvelais, bassist Matt Camacho and drummer Paul Bostaph, the band released their landmark 1988 debut ‘Forbidden Evil’ before shortening their name to FORBIDDEN. Acclaimed follow-up albums ‘Twisted Into Form’ (1990), ‘Distortion’ (1994), and ‘Green’ (1997) showcased the band’s technical precision, melodic songwriting, and Anderson’s unmistakable vocals, while extensive tours with acts including Sacred Reich, Exodus, Death Angel, Testament, and Malevolent Creation helped cement their reputation as one of thrash’s most respected acts. After disbanding in 1997, FORBIDDEN reunited in 2008, released the acclaimed comeback album ‘Omega Wave’ in 2010, and toured internationally before going on hiatus once again in 2012.
FORBIDDEN returned in 2023 with founding guitarist Craig Locicero joined by longtime members Matt Camacho and Steve Smyth, alongside vocalist Norman Skinner and drummer Chris Kontos. The revitalized lineup made its live debut at Belgium’s Alcatraz Metal Festival before returning home for sold-out Bay Area performances supporting Death Angel’s annual Christmas shows. Focused on creating new music, the band entered a new creative era in 2025 with the release of its first new song in 15 years, “Divided By Zero,” with more new material set to follow in 2026 as FORBIDDENcontinues writing the next chapter of its legendary career.
FORBIDDEN are: Norman Skinner – Vocals Craig Locicero – Guitar Matt Camacho – Bass Chris Kontos – Drums Jeremy Von Epp – Guitar
The hauntingly brilliant multi-instrumentalist Dikajee has previously announced her brand new album The Frame, which will be out on 6th November. Dikajee is now releasing her new single ‘Travel Through Time’.
A personal comment from Dikajee on the track and video: “’Travel Through Time’ is another song where I try to express how death and grief work. It closes the album by bringing back riffs and lines from the first track, marking the end of the journey. The song captures that strange feeling of loss: it’s like stepping off a train platform while the person you love remains on board, knowing you’ll never see or speak to them again. Every conversation and every shared moment now belongs to the past, and no new memories will be made. It also deals with the funeral itself and carries a few references to David Lynch. At the very end, a choir of my listeners and friends sings two lines that reveal the album’s title: “Death is framing, framing everything”.”
Singer-songwriter Dikajee has captivated audiences on stages around the world, sharing lineups with acclaimed artists across the progressive, folk, and metal scenes.
In 2021, Dikajee released her critically acclaimed album Forget~Me~Nots, showcasing an intricate blend of folk, neo-baroque, neoclassical, and progressive rock. The album features guest appearances from Fiona Rüggeberg (flutes, bagpipes; FAUN), Guillaume Bernard (guitars; KLONE), and Artis Orubs (drums; Erik Truffaz), and received widespread praise from music publications across Europe, the UK, and the USA. Her achievements include being voted #1 Best New Artist of the Year in the Prog Readers Poll (2025), #4 Vocalist of the Year in the Prog Readers Poll (2021), while her single ‘Lily Of The Valley’ was featured on The Best of Metal Hammer 2021 compilation.
Her voice is incredibly versatile, allowing her to move effortlessly between genres and styles. From classical operatic vocals to extreme metal and everything in between, Dikajee‘s exceptional range, virtuoso vocal dynamics, and refined technique make her one of those rare singers capable of excelling across an extraordinary breadth of vocal styles. In 2023, the Russian-born artist was granted a UK Global Talent Visa and relocated from Saint Petersburg to the United Kingdom, where she rebuilt her band with a brand-new lineup.
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, Dikajee is set to release her second full-length album, The Frame, on 6th November 2026. The album features an international lineup of guest musicians including Jonathan Noyce (Archive, Jethro Tull), Varijashree Venugopal (Snarky Puppy), German Vergara (Aisles), Guillaume Bernard (KLONE), Christian Ayala (Avandra), Vikram Shankar (Pain of Salvation, Charlotte Wessels, Within Temptation, Lux Terminus), and many more.
Both of Dikajee‘s albums showcase her distinctive blend of progressive rock, folk, classical music, and metal, highlighting her adventurous songwriting and fearless musical vision.
Dikajee live: 22/11 – The Thames Side Session, Staines, solo 30/11 – London, WaterRats, full band (supporting The Paradox Twin) 04/12 – Manchester, Empty Space, full band (supporting The Paradox Twin)
Dikajee are: Olga Karpova – songwriting, grand piano, keys, arrangements Dmitry Irinovich (studio) – keys, orchestral arrangements, keys Christian Ayala (studio) – guitars, programming Benjamin Baert – drums (studio) Graham Brown – drums (live) Gulia Naumova, Ksenia Sednina – strings, backing vocals Joe Fraser – guitars, vocals Victor Sankov – bass (studio) (tracks 1,3,4,8,9) David Honour – bass, backing vocals (live)
Portuguese Black metal act SIGILO has released its debut full-length, “Gloria ad Inferi”, which is out today via Alma Mater Records.
The album is out now on all major streaming platforms and you can listen HERE
Formed from the ashes of Mournkind in 2019, SIGILO represents the culmination of over a decade of solitary creation and refinement by its sole creator. Following the release of the split “Sermão” with Luxúria de Lillith, SIGILO now presents its most uncompromising work to date – a fierce declaration forged in shadow and devotion to the black flame.
“Gloria ad Inferi” is out now via Alma Mater Records. Physical formats can be purchased HERE, while the digital release is available at THIS LOCATION.
Tracklist: 01. Black Spell of Death Chaos and Destruction 02. Preliminary Invocation 03. Somber Prayer For the Ostracized 04. Universal Gathering Chantic 05. The Lurking Evil 06. Everything Satan 07. As Cosmic Forces Rise 08. Gloria Ad Inferi 09. Engodo 10. Cavernous Black Spell of Death Chaos and Destruction 11. Cavernous Universal Gathering Chantic
After years of silence and dedication, Ováte return from the abyss with their new offering Rúin, forged by Aindiachaí (Gorgoroth) on guitars/bass and Brodd (ex-Taake) on drums. Eight years have passed since the band’s self-titled debut, and Rúin now reopen the wound; deeper, colder, and more deliberate. The new album will be out on 6th November via Soulseller Records.
In celebration, Ováte have released the second track, ‘Slangen’, which is now streaming below.
Rúin is here. Not to be understood, but to be endured, an arcane, insidiously pernicious incursion beyond the veil.
A defining hallmark of Ováte’s sound remains intact: once again, every track is a collaboration with a different guest vocalist, turning the album into a shifting procession of voices and maledictions. Each performance adds a new layer to the record’s blackened craft, while the core duo keeps the blade steady. Sharp riffs, ritualistic momentum, and a trance-like pull that feels both predatory and strangely ceremonial.
On Rúin, Ováte list an exceptional cast from the Norwegian and wider extreme metal underground: Spellgoth (Horna), H’grimmr (Helheim), Thomas S. Øvstedal (Cor Scorpii), Sanrabb (Gehenna), Ødemark (The Last Eon / The Third Attempt) and Hoest (Taake). The result is a record that moves with relentless intent, yet rich in atmosphere, with each track carrying its own curse.
Tracklist: 1.Kutsumus (feat. Spellgoth) 2.Risset testament (feat. H’ grimmr) 3.Omveltning (feat. Thomas S. Øvstedal) 4.Livsblot (feat. Sanrabb / Ødemark) 5.El clam del foc (feat. Ødemark) 6.Slangen (feat. Hoest)
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
