Blackbriar are proud to release their wistful new single, ‘A Last Sigh Of Bliss‘, alongside a video. The song details a tragic romance between someone living, and someone deceased.
Vocalist Zora Cock comments: “As the scent of honeysuckle drifts into your bedroom window on a warm summer’s night, this song intoxicates you into a fever dream. Like a bee drowning in honey, you know you’ll die, and yet, you ache for nothing more. It’s a sultry, seductive, and euphoric song with heavy guitars and a chorus that makes you want to run barefoot through a moonlit field in a lace gown.”
Across October and November you can see Blackbriar performing some of their new songs live at their headline tour across Europe. All dates are listed below.
BLACKBRIAR A THOUSAND LITTLE DEATHS HEADLINE TOUR 2025 Special guests Forever Still
Oct. 23 – Tilburg, NL Oct. 24 – Utrecht, NL Oct. 25 – Osnabruck, DE Oct. 26 – Kortrijk, BE Oct. 28 – London, UK Oct. 29 – Paris, FR Oct. 30 – Lyon, FR Oct. 31 – Portugalete, ES Nov. 1 – Barcelona, ES Nov. 2 – Toulouse, FR Nov. 4 – Aarau, CH Nov. 5 – Milan, IT Nov. 7 – Wien, AT Nov. 8 – Leipzig, DE Nov. 9 – Warsaw, PL Nov. 11 – Berlin, DE Nov. 12 – Copenhagen, DK Nov. 13 – Hamburg, DE Nov. 14 – Cologne, DE Nov. 15 – Enschede, NL Nov. 29 – Istanbul, TR ** ** Blackbriar only
Symphonic metal powerhouse Beyond Forgiveness released their highly anticipated new album Cold As Winter’s Ice on July 18, 2025. The album dives deeper into the wilderness of the human experience, pushing the boundaries of symphonic metal even further.
The band shares, “Our new album Cold As Winter’s Ice is our most intense album yet. We went deep into themes of emotions dealing with memories, death, love, sorrow, broken promises, and even trying to make sense of things that are completely incomprehensible. And we are bringing even more of our signature “beautality” sound, with the tension and contrast of the brutal metal music and heavy vocals with the orchestration and clean singing. We hope you will enjoy our brutal symphonic journey through a metaphorical wilderness of the heart and mind.”
Alongside the album release, the band has unveiled the music video for the powerful single “Remembering,” a cinematic journey through grief, memory, and catharsis. Where light and darkness interweave, where brutal death metal and angelic classical voices coexist on the same plane, and a story land of myth and legend transport you away into a realm of symphonic beautality, you will encounter the band Beyond Forgiveness.
In addition, the band will be performing at the SouthWest Power Fest on Sept 20 in El Paso, TX USA.
Beyond Forgiveness is: Vocals/Orchestration: Talia Hoit Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals: Greg Witwer Drums: Sean Rogers
With additional performances on the album: Rhythm Guitar/Vocals: Richard Marcus Bass: Jim Lasselle Flute: Ann Vest
The U.S. based band emerged in 2014 as a studio project formed by death metal guitarists Greg Witwer and Richard Marcus. Eventually the band solidified its lineup collaborating with classical vocalist and orchestrator Talia Hoit, drummer Sean Rogers, and bassist Jim Lasselle, combining contrasting musical styles into an epic adventure of symphonic metal.
In 2016, the band released an EP, The Ferryman’s Shore. The release was embraced by the underground symphonic metal scene with rave reviews, and the band’s signature sound was dubbed “beautality”. The band followed with touring in Europe and two additional full length albums, The Great Wall in 2017, and Live to Tell the Story in 2019, each becoming more symphonically charged. With lyrics ranging from emotional turmoil to Tolkien-esque fantasy, the music explores the paradoxes of a wide range of human experience and musical style. Incorporating extreme metal elements, as well as classical composition, the band continues to push boundaries to create art as a metaphor of life.
Alt-Rockers, The Intemperate Sons, have released the second track, “Mystic Visions,” from their upcoming third studio album, Ephemera, set for release in winter 2025. Under the guidance of their longtime producer Amir Derakh, this track elevates their song production to new heights, diving into a world where reactions and outrage are programmed. Yet, the song offers an escape—hop on and take the ride with us!
The Intemperate Sons release all their music through the Frame|Work record label at the direction of Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck. All Intemperate Sons’ tracks are mixed by Amir Derakh at Synthicide in Long Beach, CA. All mastering is done by Mike Marsh Mastering in the U.K.
In the sweltering Dallas summer of 2019, before the onset of a global pandemic, The Intemperate Sons were born from blood, grit, and a shared obsession with the ghosts of alternative rock’s golden age. The Watson family—Keith on drums, Jake on guitars, and Max on vocals, guitars, and keys—joined forces with longtime friend and bassist Mark Marks to create a sound that’s equal parts searing riffs, haunting harmonies, and unapologetic soul. Think Alice in Chains’ brooding intensity, Stone Temple Pilots’ swagger, and R.E.M.’s poetic undercurrent, all filtered through a ‘70s rock haze that refuses to play it safe.
This isn’t just a band; it’s a family affair, where the unspoken bond between father and sons fuels every chord and lyric. Keith, a Dallas stage veteran, pens lyrics that cut deep—tales of regret, resilience, and the chaos of the human condition. Jake’s guitar lines, sharp yet soulful, weave narratives of their own, while Max’s voice carries the weight of a 25-year-old who’s lived a lifetime in his head. Mark, the groove-obsessed bassist, ties it all together.
The Intemperate Sons hit the ground running, catching the ear of rock heavyweights Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh (Orgy, Dead By Sunrise, Julien-K), who signed them to their Frame|Work label in 2021. Even a global pandemic couldn’t derail their momentum—holed up in The Kitchen Recording Studios, they crafted their debut album, The Color Within (2022), with tracks like “Dust to Dust” and “Running Man” that pulse with raw emotion and retro grit. Collaborations with legends like Tony Franklin (Whitesnake, The Firm) on singles like “Running Man” and “Dust to Dust” and Derakh’s production on singles like “Game of Keep Away” and “Dark Day’s Night” featured on their second and highly successful album, Dark Day’s Night (2024) pushed their sound further, blending post-grunge edge with folk and hard rock undercurrents.
For fans of alternative rock, this band is a throwback and a revelation—a reminder of why you fell in love with the genre’s raw honesty and a promise that its spirit still burns. The Intemperate Sons aren’t chasing trends; they’re carving their own path, one riff, one lyric, one night at a time.performing tracks that scratch deep into the backbone of the human experience. There is no shortage of darkness in their writing style which has a retro vibe with many guitar driven tracks stacked on top of a groovy rhythm section. The heavier style fits perfectly with the two and three-part vocal harmonies that are a huge part of their overall sound. It has been said that musicians that are related form unique sounds and communicate on a frequency only they can understand. This frequency has become engrained in their songwriting, arrangements, guitar melodies and vocal harmonies. The band has been compared to Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, and even R.E.M.
The Intemperate Sons Show Dates: Thu July 31 @ Hurricane Alley Live in Bossier City, LA Fri August 8 @ Underdog Restaurant & Sports Club in Dallas, TX w/ Gypsy-Blue, Raid Sat Sept 6 @ Mystical Market in McKinney, TX Sun Sept 28 @ Red River Revel Music Festival 2025 in Shreveport, LA Fri Oct 17 @ Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, CA w/ Julien K, for all the emptiness, Our Frankenstein, Skyplant, Vanta After Dark
The Intemperate Sons are: Max Watson (vocals, backing vocals, guitars, keys, bass) Jake Watson (guitars, bass and backing vocals) Keith Watson (drums, backing vocals) Mark Marks (bass)
Iranian thall act Redvi unleashes the turmoils of war from a personal perspective with its new single “Arson”. The crushing new song is meant to reflect the experience of war from a raw and personal perspective. “Arson” reveals the personal experience of Iranians during a time of distress and ambiguity.
To put it bluntly, at a time of extreme uncertainty, Redvi wrote the song while literal missiles were exploding offer their heads at a time of extreme uncertainty.
The band elaborates; “Arson is one of our darkest tracks yet.
It’s built around the feeling of drowning in chaos when nothing makes sense, and you have to fight just to hold onto who you are. The lyrics dig into the collapse of identity and reality, blending flesh, code, and fire. It’s about facing the storm without a guide, and becoming something stronger through destruction.”
“Arson” is constructed around heavy, cold, and violent riffs complemented with low-tuned riffs, distorted synth textures, and a breakdown that’s meant to hit as hard as literal missiles exploding over one’s head. Redvi took inspiration from Thall and Deathcore but tried to push it in its own direction. To express the personal perspective of warfare the band put a specific emphasis on atmosphere and tension during the songwriting process. Redvi continues, “We wrote Arson during a time when everything felt like it was burning, both around us and inside us. This track is about that feeling. When there’s nothing left—you become the flame.”
Redvi bio: Esoteric djent riffs combined with haunting melodies, Iranian band Redvi is on a mission to showcase a distinctive take on “thall.” The group emerged from a fascination with djent, particularly the intense and atmospheric strain known as “thall” music. Redvi crafts a sound rich with dissonant, groovy riffs that evoke an immersive tension and an aura of unsettling mystery. Lyrically, the band delves into themes that resonate deeply, from the fear of the unknown and cosmic horror to the trials of human self-awareness. These themes are explored with a haunting poignancy, inviting listeners to question their identity and grapple with existential dread. For fans of complex soundscapes and thought-provoking lyrics, Redvi offers a captivating journey into the realms of darkness and introspection. The band consists of guitarist Haman “Cultist H” and Drummer Farid “Cultist F”. Redvi has yet to announce the rest of its new lineup and is planning to announce its newest additions for future releases.
Emerging alternative rock band SOLELY VEIL have unveiled their new single “Darker”, along with a music video, released exclusively through The Artery Foundation.
The band shares, “Every note in ‘Darker’ moves with intention, layered, melodic, and driven by emotion. It’s the next big step in telling our story.”
With this release, Solely Veil takes another significant step forward, building momentum with support from The Artery Foundation, whose roster includes some of the biggest names in heavy music. “Darker” is now available on all major streaming platforms, and the official video can be viewed on YouTube via The Artery Foundation channel.
Solely Veil is a rising alternative rock band from Sacramento, CA, known for their emotionally charged and introspective music. Blending various musical styles, they create a dynamic sound that resonates deeply with listeners. Their singles, “Traditions”, “Hollow Heart of Mine,” reflect the band’s ability to explore themes of self-reflection, personal struggle, and raw emotion. With a focus on honest storytelling, Solely Veil is quickly establishing themselves as a band to watch, captivating fans with their powerful lyrics and evocative soundscapes.
The band’s catalog continues to gain momentum, with over 770,000 total streams across Spotify and YouTube. Their breakout single “Fragments” has amassed 129k+ Spotify streams and 43k YouTube views, totaling over 172,000 streams. Meanwhile, “Traditions” has surpassed 121k+ Spotify and 48k YouTube streams (169,000+ total), and “Unravel” has reached 117,000+ streams (55k+ Spotify, 62k+ YouTube). The fan-favorite “Hollow Heart of Mine” sits at 172k+ Spotify streams and 140k YouTube views.
Solely Veil are: Allen Wheeler – Vocals Elliot Polokoff – Guitar Matt Scarpelli – Guitar Nay Nalupta – Drums
In a landmark collaboration to support the mental health and well-being of music creators, Reigning Phoenix Music and MusiCares have teamed up to spotlight KING ULTRAMEGA, a bold new tribute project honoring the legacy of Chris Cornell.
KING ULTRAMEGA debuts today with a powerful reimagining of Soundgarden’s ‘Rusty Cage’, released via Reigning Phoenix Music.
KING ULTRAMEGA is an all-star collective featuring original members of ALICE IN CHAINS, ANTHRAX, MASTODON and SOUNDGARDEN, alongside legendary artists from the hard rock and metal worlds. With each single release KING ULTRAMEGA will feature different musicians that aim to celebrate Cornell’s musical genius while raising critical funds and awareness for MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s nonprofit providing mental health, addiction recovery, and emergency services to those in the music community.
“Chris Cornell’s voice and presence meant so much to so many, including all of us at MusiCares. He and his loved ones have long championed the importance of our work, and it’s deeply meaningful to see his legacy continue through a project that brings connection, awareness, and hope to the music community.” – Theresa Wolters, Interim Executive Director and VP of Health & Human Services, MusiCares
The lineup for “Rusty Cage” includes: William DuVall (ALICE IN CHAINS) – Vocals Bill Kelliher (MASTODON) – Guitars Mark Menghi (METAL ALLEGIANCE) – Bass Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX, PANTERA) – Drums
DuVall approaches Cornell’s towering vocal legacy with reverence and restraint. “I just leaned into my love for the song and my immense respect for Chris,” he says. “Since the instrumental track Bill, Charlie, and Mark sent hewed so closely to the original, I thought it best for me to stay in that ballpark as well. Again, my reason for participating was simply taking on an interesting challenge when so much of the world was shut down. I had no thoughts or ambitions for this beyond our posting it on social media five years ago. But if this release can help further the good work done by MusiCares, then I’m all for it.”
Kelliher faithfully channels the song’s jagged, shifting riffs, while Menghi injects a dose of low-end swagger, including a bold bass-wah section in the song’s doom-laden second half. Benante captures Matt Cameron’s explosive style with precision and feel, staying true to the song’s “tight but loose” groove.
KING ULTRAMEGA is more than a tribute, it’s a movement. The collective will continue releasing new interpretations of Cornell’s work across SOUNDGARDEN, AUDIOSLAVE, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, and his solo career, each track featuring rotating guest musicians and collaborators. Proceeds from every release will benefit MusiCares.
About KING ULTRAMEGA:
KING ULTRAMEGA is a passion-driven musical project honoring the life, voice, and genius of Chris Cornell, one of the most gifted artists of our time. It launches in conjunction with SOUNDGARDEN’s long-overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This project did not begin with a single, dramatic moment. Instead, it grew quietly and gradually, an organic result of years of conversations, inspiration, and deep reverence for a musician whose impact remains immeasurable.
“There is not a singular moment in time that led to this project,” says bassist and producer Mark Menghi, the driving force behind KING ULTRAMEGA. “It was a trail of events that led to the formation of KING ULTRAMEGA and the evolving creation to pay tribute to the voice of a generation.”
It started in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, when Menghi recorded a version of “Rusty Cage” with friends. What began as a creative release soon became something larger. With every step forward, the project deepened in meaning and purpose. “I kept crossing the mental roadblock of ‘you are entering uncharted waters, are you sure you wanna do this?'” Menghi reflects. “Chris is one of those dudes if you cover, you better do it justice.”
The decision to continue became clear when SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil joined the project and re-recorded one of his own iconic tracks. “Once Kim got involved and re-recorded one of his own songs, I knew something was brewing,” Menghi says. Thayil embraced the project wholeheartedly. “I’m super honored to record alongside all the amazing musicians appearing on the KING ULTRAMEGA project,” he says. “I’m equally proud that it celebrates SOUNDGARDEN in this tribute to the songwriting of Chris. Ultra-admirably, everyone’s participation is supporting the work of the MusiCares Foundation. Thank you Mark Menghi, Charlie Benante and Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).”
For Menghi, this project is as personal as it is musical. “I went through some very difficult times in my life. I should not be here right now, but I am,” he shares. “I like to think my past trials and tribulations helped me understand Chris just a little, hence the formation of KING ULTRAMEGA.”
Song selection was guided by instinct. “My mood. It’s really that simple,” Menghi explains. “‘Rusty Cage’ was recorded simply because it’s one of my favorite songs featured on one of my favorite records.” Other songs came to Menghi during moments of reflection and inspiration. “There is a bunch more in the can right now, all with drums fully recorded, which are currently being worked out for future releases.”
The goal was never to reinvent Cornell’s work. It was about honoring it with the respect it deserves. “It really is only about honoring the legacy of Chris Cornell. Nothing more,” Menghi says. Each musician brought their own voice, but always in service to the song and to Cornell’s memory.
“Each musician has their own individual musical stamp,” Menghi explains. “You hear the absolute best of each one of them. You are talking about musicians who helped invent and shape musical genres and helped define their generations in popular culture, not just music, but society as a whole.”
The cast of collaborators is remarkable. Kim Thayil, Charlie Benante, Joe Satriani, William DuVall, Bill Kelliher, Alissa White-Gluz, Kenny Aronoff, Menghi himself, among many others. The mix of past friendships and new connections created a unique bond among them. “I think back and go ‘did I really ask Joe Satriani to do an instrumental reinterpretation of one of the greatest modern vocal songs ever recorded?’ or ‘what the fuck was I thinking asking the great Kim Thayil to re-record one of his own classic Soundgarden songs?'” Menghi laughs. Yet, no egos entered the room. “Each participating musician saw the vision and understood that this is about honoring the legacy of not only an inspiring musician, but an amazing husband, father and man.”
For Menghi, Cornell’s music has always been a constant presence. “Chris Cornell has been one of only a very small handful of musical constants in my life,” he says. “I never waivered, not once.”
Certain moments in the process were surreal. Recording with Thayil was one of them. “I remember thinking back saying to myself ‘holy fuck, I’m on a SOUNDGARDEN song with Kim Thayil. What planet are we on?'”
Throughout it all, Menghi served as the project’s creative director, always guided by one central question. “How would Chris like this?” Every choice, from guest musicians to mixes to artwork, was measured against that standard. “If there is even a shred of uncertainty at any point in the process, back to the drawing board we go.”
The recordings were completed remotely over several years. The final tracks were mixed with care to ensure a cohesive sound that still captured the raw emotion of the performances.
Hope is the underlying theme that runs through KING ULTRAMEGA. It is an offering to longtime fans and an invitation for younger listeners to discover the timeless brilliance of Cornell’s work. “KU is just a blip in the Chris Cornell universe,” Menghi says. “We are a subtle reminder that Chris was a true musical genius.” For Menghi and his collaborators, KING ULTRAMEGA is both a deeply personal labor of love and one of the greatest honors of their musical lives. “To be here thirty-plus years later paying tribute to whom I believe was the king of those times is one of the greatest musical honors of my life.”
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 