Rise Above Records is proud to announce CATHEDRAL‘s ‘The Guessing Game (Rethink)’ set to release on October 30th.
The album has been completely remixed from the original masters by longtime collaborator Jaime Gomez Arellano. The new mix delivers a more cohesive, stripped-down, raw and powerful sound, incorporating alternate takes and extended versions of songs across five sides of vinyl. This expanded presentation allows the tracks to breathe like never before, giving ‘The Guessing Game’ a revitalized energy that makes it feel almost like a new album.
Marking the announcement, a video for the new version of “Edwige’s Eyes” is out now, available below.
CATHEDRAL’s ninth studio album was originally released by Nuclear Blast in 2010 as a double-disc set and produced by three-time Grammy Award winner Warren Riker (Fugees, Down, M People, Destiny’s Child, COC). Perhaps their most ambitious effort to date, ‘The Guessing Game’ spans a wide range of musical territory, with each song offering a distinct vibe.
‘The Guessing Game’ has been somewhat overlooked in the CATHEDRAL repertoire. While the band was happy with the production, they always felt the original mix was a bit lackluster. Now, with the recording rights having reverted to the band, they decided it was the right time to revisit the masters and bring the album closer to the sound they had originally envisioned.
International powerhouse BEAST IN BLACK have proudly revealed ‘Lost Children’, the breathtaking next track from their highly anticipated upcoming fourth studio album, Fear The Beast.
Arriving just in time to fuel the anticipation for their upcoming gigantic headline tour—which officially kicks off in London on October 26—‘Lost Children’ delivers a sweeping, truly epic power ballad experience. Deepening the band’s long-standing creative love affair with the iconic manga Berserk, the track features a towering vocal performance from frontman Yannis Papadopoulos, who pushes his soaring, dramatic voice to phenomenal new heights.
To visually match the grand scale of the song, the band has once again collaborated with award-winning director Katri Ilona Koppanen to deliver a stunning and cinematic music video that perfectly captures the majestic, emotional weight of the track.
Anton Kabanen explains:”Lost Children Chapter” is one of my absolute favourite parts of Berserk manga, if not my favourite. It had an enormous impact on me when I first read it, some 20 years ago, and ever since I wanted to write songs (or at least one!) about it. I wanted to find my own way to tell this important, tragic and heart-wrenching story, while staying true to its delicate child-like purity and meaningful core.
What makes the story so powerful is its emotional complexity. Children are generally seen as innocent and pure, and in many ways they are also victims of their circumstances. Rosine (girl from the story) is a particularly fascinating example of this contradiction. She becomes the antagonist and commits genuinely terrible acts, yet deep down, she isn’t inherently evil. She’s a vulnerable child who has been pushed into a tragic situation.
When the God Hand (from Berserk) offers someone a way out of unimaginable suffering, it’s difficult to say how most people would respond. You can understand why Rosine makes the choices she does without necessarily being able to forgive what she does.
That’s what makes the story emotionally turbulent. You experience anger, horror, sadness and compassion, sometimes almost simultaneously. By the end, there’s a sense of emotional absolution, because you realise that the character you’ve been fighting against is also a victim herself. It’s not a straightforward story of good versus evil. The emotions are contradictory, and that’s precisely why it’s so deeply moving.
I wish to add that with Katri’s visual and emotional storytelling abilities she created a beautiful, unique, layered and the most soulful Beast In Black music video to date, which connects to a human heart and reminds us how fragile it is, and yet so sincerely hopeful in its innocent core. We all have been children, we all are someone’s children, some of us have children. And we all are drawn to that warm light glowing softly in the window called home.”
BEAST IN BLACK AT FULL METAL HOLIDAY
23.10.2026 ES Mallorca – Pool Stage (Full Metal Holiday)
RESURRECTION TOUR BEAST IN BLACK SONATA ARCTICA FROZEN CROWN
26.10.2026 UK London – O2 Forum Kentish Town 27.10.2026 BE Brüssel – Ancienne Belgique 28.10.2026 NL Tilburg – 013 Poppodium 29.10.2026 DE Leipzig – Haus Auensee 31.10.2026 AT Wien – Gasometer 01.11.2026 HU Budapest – Barba Negra 02.11.2026 CZ Zlín – Sports Hall Datart 03.11.2026 PL Gliwice – PreZero Arena 05.11.2026 DE Berlin – Columbiahalle 06.11.2026 DE Hannover – Swiss Life Hall 07.11.2026 DE Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena 08.11.2026 DE Offenbach – Stadthalle 09.11.2026 FR Paris – L’Olympia 11.11.2026 ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 12.11.2026 ES Madrid – Sala La Riviera 13.11.2026 ES Bilbao – Santana 27 14.11.2026 FR Toulouse – Le Bikini 15.11.2026 FR Lyon – Le Transbordeur 17.11.2026 CH Zürich – Komplex 457 18.11.2026 IT Mailand – Alcatraz 20.11.2026 DE München – Zenith 21.11.2026 LU Esch-sur-Alzette / Luxemburg – Rockhal 22.11.2026 DE Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle 23.11.2026 DE Hamburg – Inselpark Arena 24.11.2026 SE Göteborg – Trädgår’n 25.11.2026 SE Stockholm – Arenan Fryshuset 27.11.2026 FI Joensuu – Unholy Winter Fest* 28.11.2026 FI Jyväskylä – John Smith Frozen* 05.12.2026 FI Helsinki – Ice Hall**
*without Sonata Arctica, Frozen Crown **special guest The 69 Eyes, support Rabbit Cult
It’s kinda cheating, isn’t it – a Fleetwood Mac tribute album that includes a song that wasn’t by Fleetwood Mac in the first place?
But it was written and recorded by a member of Fleetwood Mac, and hey! If you can’t include the solo Stevie Nicks on a heavy metal Mac reworking, then you’re obviously playing by the wrong set of rules.
Besides, when “Edge of 17” first appeared on the radio back in 1981, a lot of people thought it was Fleetwood Mac, a hard rocking follow-up to the multifarious majesty of their last album, Tusk, with Nicks at her magical, mystical best and a guitar line (by Waddy Wachtel) that captivated even the most disinterested listener. Quite frankly, it was brilliant… and that’s why it belongs.
Steel Rumours – The Songs Of Fleetwood Mac Reforged In Metal has already leaked a few captivating singles, so we already know that it’s loaded with some (you could say “most”) of the band’s greatest moments, replayed by a host of metal legends… DORO, Candice Night, Lorraine Lewis, Cherie Currie, Chris Holmes, George Lynch, Vinnie Moore, Ronnie Romero, Joel Hoekstra, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Charlie Parra del Riego and more!
“Edge of 17,” though, demanded something extra special, and it got it. On vocals, Tiffany – yes, best known for her cover of “I Think We’re Alone Now,” a 1987 worldwide chart-topper, but still possessed of a captivating voice that instills a whole new depth to the lyric,
On guitar, Chris Holmes, who could never have dreamed, in the days of W.A.S.P., that he would one day be covering a Stevie Nicks song, but who nails it harder than a ton of tumbling bricks. And, on drums Vinny Appice… ditto a million times. It’s a long way from Black Sabbath to a Tiffany single, but Vinnie makes it sound like a quick hop down the road.
“Edge of 17” itself… well, legend reckons the title came from a conversation Nicks was having with Tom Petty’s wife, about how she and her husband met at the age of 17, Nicks misconstrued Jane Petty’s southern accent, and the rest is history. Maybe the original single did climb no higher than #11 on the Billboard chart (the same position, strangely, as her first songwriting hit, “Rhiannon”). But it not only became a lifelong favorite among Nicks’s fan base, it also spawned a movie, back in 2016. And there’s not many songs that can say that!
As for the rest of Steel Rumours, it’s a no-holds-barred assault that takes us from such primal Peter Green-era classics as “Black Magic Woman” and “The Green Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown),” to “Little Lies” and “Everywhere,” via ““Gypsy,” “Dreams,” the aforementioned “Rhiannon” and more. The result is a breathless journey through the career of one of rock’s most remarkable institutions.
Steel Rumours – The Songs Of Fleetwood Mac Reforged In Metal iwill be released on November 27 on CD and black/clear/white splatter vinyl.
Trailblazing guitarist/vocalist LITA FORD is proud to announce she has officially signed to Frontiers Music Srl! In more exciting news, LITA will be debuting her new single, “Dracula,” on October 27th. The upcoming single was produced by Gary Hoey, mixed by Max Norman, and was performed by LITA, Gary Hoey, and Bobby Rock on drums.
On the signing, LITA shares:
“It’s been a long journey to create this magical dark fairytale album for everyone to enjoy. I needed the perfect team to make that happen and to help give this powerful record a life it deserves. I am so happy to say I have officially sealed the deal with Frontiers Music Srl, as we are thrilled, excited and ready to rise with the 1st new single on OCTOBER 27th, 2026. Good Night. Good Bye..Prepare To Die ‘DRACULA’!! Brace yourself.”
Check out Lita’sFacebookandInstagramfor a sneak preview of “Dracula!”
Jeff Stevenson, GM of Frontiers Label Group, comments:
“We are incredibly proud to welcome LITA FORD to the Frontiers Label Group family. LITA is a true rock icon—an artist whose influence, musicianship, and unmistakable attitude have inspired generations of fans and musicians around the world. Beyond her extraordinary legacy, what excites us most is that LITA continues to look forward creatively. We’re honored that she has chosen Frontiers for this next chapter, and we can’t wait for fans to hear what she has in store.”
About LITA FORD:
LITA FORD began her career in 1976 as the lead guitarist of The Runaways, the groundbreaking all-female rock band behind classics like “Cherry Bomb” and “Queens of Noise.” After the band’s breakup in 1979, FORD forged her own path and quickly established herself as one of the most influential women in hard rock and heavy metal.
FORD launched her solo career in 1983 with ‘Out for Blood,’ followed by ‘Dancin’ on the Edge’ in 1984, which earned her a Grammy nomination and produced the hit “Gotta Let Go.” She reached new heights with her 1988 self-titled album, ‘Lita,’ a multi-platinum success that featured the iconic singles “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever,” her celebrated duet with Ozzy Osbourne. She went on to release ‘Stiletto,’ ‘Dangerous Curves,’ ‘Black,’ and ‘Living Like a Runaway,’ earning additional Grammy nominations along the way.
Over the course of her career, FORD has been recognized with the Guitar Player Lifetime Achievement Award, Guitar Player Certified Legend Award, and induction into the Guitar Player Hall of Fame. In 2017, she was honored as the First Lady of Rock Guitar at the She Rocks Awards. Her influence has also extended beyond music, with appearances in film, television and video games, while her 2016 memoir, “Living Like a Runaway,” became a national bestseller. Her iconic B.C. Rich Warlock guitar was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s permanent collection in 2021.
Belgian metal band EVIL INVADERS announce their fourth studio album, Weaponized Chaos, set to release on February 19, 2027, via Napalm Records! The diversity of the songs and the band’s matured sound serve as an undeniable proof of their potential. EVIL INVADERS stand apart from their generation through exceptional songwriting, relentless live energy and a genuine, uncompromising attitude—all of which is evident on the groovy new single entitled “D.S.S. (Death Strikes Suddenly)” that is out now with an official performance video! High-pitched screams, relentless rhythms and shredding set the scene for the track that showcases EVIL INVADERS‘ unique metal sound that balances between high-speed Thrash and hook-driven Heavy Metal, with the multifaceted vocal performance shining alongside the skillful instrumentation.
EVIL INVADERS on “D.S.S. (Death Strikes Suddenly)”: “A hard hitting thrash anthem that will kick you right in the face. It’ll take you back to the pure roots of thrash metal with a lot of twists and turns. Resulting in a solo battle between Max and Joe before the last chorus kicks in.”
Check Out the Official Performance Video for “D.S.S. (Death Strikes Suddenly)”:
EVIL INVADERS on the new album:
“This is our most versatile album to date, and we couldn’t be more excited for you to hear it!
This album has everything: speed and savage Thrash to crushing grooves, catchy melodic Heavy Metal, progressive twists and atmospheric passages. This album takes you on a ride through different tempos, moods and shades of our sound. No two tracks are quite alike, yet they all belong together.
Choosing the singles was a real challenge because every track brings something different to the table, and we genuinely felt each one was strong enough to stand on its own.
When we finished the mixes, everyone in the band and our close circle had a different favourite track. To us, that says everything about the album: there’s something here for everyone, and we’re curious to see which songs hit you the hardest.
We can’t wait for you to dive in, discover your favourites and let us know which tracks stand out to you!”
Produced once again by Francesco Paoli of Fleshgod Apocalypse, EVIL INVADERS‘ first full-length release since the 2022 offering Shattering Reflection brings together two clearly defined sides of EVIL INVADERS. The Thrash side of Weaponized Chaos delivers the kind of precision, speed and aggression the genre demands. The title track, “Weaponized Chaos”, combines rapid-fire riffing with technically demanding guitar solos from Max Mayhem, while “Dreamstate” attacks from another angle, pairing Senne Jacobs’ hard-hitting drums with dense guitar work and Joe Van Audenhove’s shifting vocals as it examines the pressure, repetition and sensory overload of modern life. But Weaponized Chaos is not a record built around speed alone. EVIL INVADERS give equal weight to the melodic side of Heavy Metal, with strong hooks, dynamic arrangements and songs designed to stick after the riffs stop. “The Wait” slows the pace and opens up a more melodic and emotional side of the band, while “Forever By My Side” strips things back even further. Written as a tribute to former guitarist Sam Lemmens, who sadly passed away recently and who was part of the band from 2011 to 2015, the song replaces the band’s usual attack with a slower, haunting arrangement and deeply personal lyrics. That contrast runs throughout the album. “Bloodstains” draws on horror imagery, “Drenched In Disdain” moves from Joeri Van De Schoot’s atmospheric bass introduction into a heavy track about social isolation, and “Fear” returns to the album’s broader themes of misinformation, anxiety, polarization and hatred. The album begins with the instrumental “The Final Dawn”, setting up the first full-speed assault, and closes with “Lucid Dreaming”. The final track was written by Sam Lemmens in 2014, giving the album a direct connection to EVIL INVADERS‘ past.
Rather than simply recreating the sound of classic metal, EVIL INVADERS take the elements that made Thrash and Heavy Metal so effective; speed, aggression, memorable riffs, melody, dynamics and larger-than-life songwriting, and put them together in their own way. The result is a record that can move from a full-throttle Thrash attack to a melodic Heavy Metal hook without losing its identity!
Weaponized Chaos tracklisting: 1 The Final Dawn 2 Weaponized Chaos 3 Dreamstate 4 Bloodstains 5 The Wait 6 D.S.S. (Death Strikes Suddenly) 7 Drenched In Disdain 8 Fear 9 Forever By My Side 10 Lucid Dreaming
EVIL INVADERS Live 2027
EVIL INVADERS‘ musical approach also carries over to the stage. After years of touring and appearances alongside acts including Dirkschneider and Sepultura, the band returns in 2027 with a renewed live show built around the same contrast as the new album: speed, heaviness, melody and songs made to hit hard in a large room. The big stages are calling.
‘Triple Thrash Alliance’ Tour w/ HEATHEN & Exhorder Special Guest: WARFIELD 25.02.27 DE – Karlsruhe / Substage 26.02.27 DE – Geiselwind / Music Hall 27.02.27 DE – Andernach / Live Club 28.02.27 DE – Lindau / Club Vaudeville 01.03.27 FR – Paris / Petit Bain 02.03.27 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos-Saal 03.03.27 DE – Hamburg / Gruenspan 04.03.27 DK – Roskilde / Gimle 05.03.27 NL – Drachten / Iduna 06.03.27 BE – Antwerp / Trix – EVIL INVADERS Album Release Show 07.03.27 NL – Utrecht / TivoliVredenburg/Pandora 09.03.27 DE – Göttingen / Musa 10.03.27 DE – Berlin / Bi Nuu 11.03.27 PL – Biesko-Biala / Rude Boy Club 12.03.27 CZ – Prague / Futurum 13.03.27 AT – Vienna / Szene 14.03.27 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra Blue Stage 16.03.27 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle 17.03.27 CH – Zurich / Dynamo 18.03.27 AT – Innsbruck / PMK 19.03.27 DE – Bischofswerda / East Club 20.03.27 DE – Bochum / Matrix
‘Double Thrash Alliance’ UK Tour w/ HEATHEN 23.03.27 UK – Bristol / The Fleece 24.03.27 UK – Birmingham / The Castle & Falcon 25.03.27 UK – Glasgow / Audio 26.03.27 UK – Manchester / Academy 3 27.03.27 UK – London / The Underworld
EVIL INVADERS is: Joe Van Audenhove – Vocals & Guitar Max Mayhem – Guitar Joeri Van de Schoot – Bass Senne Jacobs – Drums
For Chinese Mongolian folk metal band NINE TREASURES, touring the United States represents a major milestone in the band’s international journey. The group is bringing its distinctive fusion of traditional Mongolian music and modern heavy metal to American audiences while sharing the stage with two influential names in heavy music, Mushroomhead and Fear Factory.
“We’re very excited and grateful for the opportunity to tour in the United States. It has such a deep rock and metal culture, and many of the bands that inspired us come from there. We’re also honored to share the stage with Mushroomhead and Fear Factory. It means a lot to bring our music and culture to American fans, and we’re looking forward to sharing the energy and spirit of NINE TREASURES with everyone on this tour,” says the band.
Formed in 2011, NINE TREASURES has carved out a distinctive place in the international metal scene by combining the power and intensity of heavy metal with the rich musical traditions of Mongolian culture. Incorporating traditional instruments such as the morin khuur, tovshuur, and yatag, the band creates a sound that bridges ancient musical heritage and contemporary heaviness.
Their latest album, Seeking the Absolute, out now through Metal Blade Records, represents years of musical experimentation, artistic evolution, and philosophical exploration. After writing and discarding approximately 30 songs while searching for the right direction, the band gradually developed a sound that reflects its musical identity and deeper questions about existence, self-awareness, and the search for truth.
Playing 100-plus festival shows and headlining gigs per year in Asia, to audiences of up to 50,000, and with four albums to their name, NINE TREASURES also takes an uncompromising approach to live performance. The band performs without backing tracks or click tracks, embracing the spontaneity, musical interaction, and raw energy that make every show a unique experience. For the group, live music is about more than recreating a studio recording, it’s about genuine emotion and the connection between musicians and audience.
Now, with their first opportunity to tour the United States alongside Mushroomhead and Fear Factory, NINE TREASURES is ready to introduce American audiences to a sound that is as culturally rooted as it is musically powerful. For the band, the tour is more than another series of performances; it’s an opportunity to connect with the American metal community, honor the artists who inspired them, and share the spirit of Mongolian culture through music.
The Soul of a New War Machine Tour w/ Mushroomhead, Fear Factory:
10/20/2026 Keswick Theater – Glenside, PA 10/21/2026 Preserving Underground – Pittsburgh, PA 10/22/2026 The Blue Note – Harrison, OH 10/23/2026 Arcada Theater – St. Charles, IL 10/24/2026 Epic Events Center – Green Bay, WI 10/25/2026 Apollo Theater – Belvidere, IL 10/27/2026 The Art Theatre – Hobart, IN 10/28/2026 Venue Event Center – Cadillac, MI 10/29/2026 Machine Shop – Flint, MI 10/30/2026 The King of Clubs – Columbus, OH 10/31/2026 Agora Theater – Cleveland, OH 11/01/2026 The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN 11/03/2026 Manchester Music Hall – Lexington, KY 11/05/2026 Scout Bar – Houston, TX 11/06/2026 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 11/07/2026 Brewster Icehouse – Corpus Christi, TX 11/08/2026 AM/FM – Dallas, TX 11/10/2026 Pop’s – Sauget, IL 11/11/2026 Basement East – Nashville, TN
WATCH Nine Treasures – Live at Shijiazhuang Youth Music Festival:
WATCH Nine Treasures – Seeking the Absolute (Official Video):
Nine Treasures’ journey is about more than blending Mongolian traditional music with heavy metal. It is a story of searching for identity, overcoming creative uncertainty, and discovering a deeper purpose through music. From the philosophy behind their latest album Seeking the Absolute (released 10/24/25 via Metal Blade Records), to the spontaneity of their live performances, the band invites listeners to connect with the music, explore its meaning, and take something personal away from the experience.
Formed by vocalist/guitarist Askhan in 2010 in the autonomous region of Inner Mongolia in China, NINE TREASURES delivers a unique combination of heavy metal and traditional Mongolian instrumentation, utilizing both conventional vocals and Mongolian throat singing. Guitars, bass, and drums collide with indigenous string instruments including the balalaika and the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), resulting in a sonic kaleidoscope that follows no set template. Playing 100-plus festival shows and headlining gigs per year in Asia, to audiences of up to 50,000, and with four albums to their name, NINE TREASURES are at the top of their proverbial game and ready to conquer North America. Seeking The Absolute is their first record for Metal Blade, and first LP to have a worldwide release.
“On Seeking The Absolute, we tried to capture the things that truly excite us deep inside; those unforgettable moments when your mind swings wide open to infinite possibilities,” says Askhan. “You open a brand-new realm for yourself, unfamiliar, yet incredibly thrilling. At the same time, it’s like an enormous puzzle, and to complete it, you also need calm reflection and meticulous analysis. That’s why we look upon it as ‘seeking the absolute.’”
The band takes its name from a group of objects referenced in ancient Mongolian poems, and in their music, lyrics, and visuals, the band touches on the mythology and fairy tales of their homeland. But the band’s songs contain more universal references, too, explains Askhan, a practicing Buddhist. “Lyrically, [title track] ‘Seeking The Absolute’ for example is about holding onto faith and seeking the ultimate truth of the universe. That’s something I’ve personally been striving for in recent years so in many ways, this song is a message to myself. A kind of self-encouragement. But I also hope it can bring strength to others, too.”
NINE TREASURES moves easily from a straight-up headbanging style to the more atmospheric progressive style. Guitar-wise, Askhan uses a lot of Mongolian playing techniques and songwriting logic into his playing and is excited for the “fresh blood” it adds to the band’s sound. The quintet’s varied approaches and universal messaging will allow them to tour with any musically progressive band, be it Amon Amarth or Tool.
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
