‘The White Wolf‘ is the third single from Namazu’s upcoming EP, ICE 800, and it’s nothing short of a blistering love letter to Geralt of Rivia, the iconic Witcher himself. From the first strike of its infectious riff, the track lunges into a frenzy of churning rhythms and explosive vocals, conjuring imagery as brutal and fantastical as its inspiration.
A tempest of metal and mythology, ‘The White Wolf’ is a nod to The Witcher lore, imploring all that listen to become a towering Witcher on a mountain of skulls, hurling boulders and shooting fire from your eyes.
Following the success of their previous singles, Namazu are quickly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with, blending high-octane energy with immersive storytelling. ‘The White Wolf‘ is their most visceral offering yet – a track that bites down and doesn’t let go.
ICE 800 is the upcoming EP by Memphis heshers NAMAZU to be released later this year. Recorded and mixed by Alan Burchum (Deadbird, Korroded, Autolith) and Mastered by Ryan Boesch (Fu Manchu, Whores, Foo Fighters, Norma Jean), the EP is 15 blistering minutes of pure riffage, taking their cues from the three blacks—Black Sabbath, Black Flag, and the Man in Black. NAMAZU deliver five songs of heavy riffs and shout along choruses.
Severin Allgood – Vocals, guitar Samuel Hendricks – Drums Adrian Lewis – Bass Eric Fortenbery – Guitar, backing vocals
STAR CIRCUS release their video for new single ‘Masquerade‘, taken from their new album ‘From The Wreckage‘, out now on Renaissance Records. Buy the album here: https://starcircus.hearnow.com/from-the-wreckage
‘Masquerade‘ is the first Star Circus track that features bassist Sophie stepping up to lead vocal duties, and also her first solo writing effort.
“The masquerade is a metaphor for feeling like you have to hide a part of yourself in order to be accepted. The lyric ideas came from my own experience of spending my youth feeling like I should try to fit in, and never really finding a place where I felt accepted.
The song ends on a more positive note as I did eventually find ‘my people’; my partner Dave and friends on the London rock scene who are unapologetically themselves and encourage me to be the same. I wanted the outro to keep a melancholy and slightly ominous feel as a reminder that life will always inevitably consist of both highs and lows.” – Sophie Aurelia Young
“The sound of Summer ’25? The performance of a lifetime, so far at any rate. The mind boggles as to where their musical odyssey will yet convey them.” – METALTALK
“From The Wreckage is nothing short of a triumph. This album is essential listening. Star Circus have not only avoided the sophomore slump; they’ve raised the bar for themselves and their peers.” – FIREWORKS MAGAZINE
‘From The Wreckage’ sees the band take a huge step forward, pushing boundries and themselves, and the end result is an absolutely storming rocker of an album that’s guaranteed to delight fans and gain many more!
Dave comments on the new album:
“Feeling invigorated following the positive response to our first album and many national tours, we set aside the first half of 2024 to write and record our second album as a band. However, most of last year proved to be a challenging time for us. Cancellations, lineup and management issues plagued us, along with fear and disbelief at the state of the world in general.
As a consequence, ‘From The Wreckage’ is definitely a heavier, darker and more aggressive beast both lyrically and musically than it’s predecessor. On the other hand there’s definitely both light and shade, and a positive outlook depicted in the title; that we’re coming back stronger than ever. First and foremost, we’re really proud of all the songs, but it’s also a landmark in our evolution from our little project into a fully-fledged rock n’ roll animal!”
Star Circus are a London-based rock band led by Dave Winkler and Sophie Aurelia Young, influenced by classic rock artists including Queen, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, Def Leppard and Alice Cooper.
The band was formed in 2019 by frontman Dave, who’s songwriting caught the attention of radio legend Tony Wilson. The pair worked together on creating the debut album ‘Separate Sides’ which Tony produced, and was released in December 2022 to an overwhelmingly positive critical response.
Following the album release and several UK tours supporting a host of international acts, the Star Circus lineup has now become a collaborative band-project, with other musicians contributing to the songwriting. As well as the added influences of other songwriters, the new album also features various accomplished guest guitarists including Tom Draper (ex Carcass, Spirit Adrift) and Ritchie Mohicano (Dobermann), and the notable addition of Sophie’s vocals (including lead vocals on Masquerade). The band also landed a global distribution deal with the Arizona-based record label Renaissance Records. Their sophomore album “From The Wreckage” was released in June 2025 to much critical acclaim. The album will also be available on vinyl in the very near future.
Live shows: 19.07.25 – BLACKPOOL, The Waterloo (Supporting Brave Rival) 20.07.25 – SHEFFIELD, The Greystones (Supporting Brave Rival) 03.10.25 – Cornwall Rocks Festival, Tencreek Holiday Park 11.10.25 – GODALMING, Borough Hall (Supporting Brave Rival) 16.10.25 – NORWICH, The Brickmakers (Supporting Brave Rival) 18.10.25 – ALDERSHOT, The West End Centre (Supporting Brave Rival) 06.11.25 – DERBY, The Flowerpot (Supporting Brave Rival) 14.11.25 – Rockmantic Weekender, Yardbirds Grimsby 07.12.25 – STAINES, Thameside Tap House and Brewery (Supporting Brave Rival) 18.12.25 – LEIGHTON BUZZARD, The Library Theatre (Supporting Brave Rival) 21.12.25 – HASTINGS, The Carlisle (Supporting Brave Rival)
Fresh off a powerful return in 2025, legendary Indigenous rock band Blackfire are back with a no-holds-barred new single, ‘Small Talk’, out now via Golden Robot Records. The track is now available to stream, and marks another standout moment from their upcoming album ‘Solar Eclipse’.
‘Small Talk’ is classic Blackfire – fierce, unapologetic, and driven by purpose. Beneath the gritty guitars and punchy chorus lies a deeper message: the frustration of being ignored, dismissed, or pacified with meaningless chatter. Whether it’s in a personal interaction or a political promise, small talk is what happens when real issues get deflected and truth is avoided. “It’s a song about people not listening – about making up conversations that mean nothing, and avoiding the ones that reveal uncomfortable truths.” the band explains. “For decades, governments have made empty promises to Indigenous communities, and the status quo remains unchanged.”
With its defiant energy, ‘Small Talk’ reinforces Blackfire’s long-standing role as musical truth-tellers. It’s a track that bristles with frustration and strength – not just for the sake of protest, but as a demand for real action. As the saying goes: actions speak louder than words.
With Solar Eclipse on the horizon, and singles like ‘Let’s Not Forget’, ‘Big Billions’, and now ‘Small Talk’, Blackfire are once again giving voice to stories, truths, and resistance – all wrapped in blistering rock and soul. ‘Small Talk’ is out now on all major platforms via Golden Robot Records.
Formed in Melbourne in 1992, Blackfire toured nationally and internationally for over a decade, becoming a powerful voice in both music and Indigenous cultural expression. After a break starting in 1999, the band began reuniting for select shows from 2018 onward. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, original members Selwyn Burns, Grant Hansen, and Brad Brown rekindled the fire – and with it came a revitalized lineup.
Joining the original trio are Radical Son (David Leha) on lead vocals, Peter Moore on drums, Rod Crundwell on keys, and additional members Monica McDonald and Leonie Whyman on backing vocals and percussion. Daniel Jauregui adds power on second lead guitar, giving the group an even fuller, more dynamic sound.
Steve Hackett proudly presents ‘The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall’, a stunning audio/visual document of his show at the iconic London venue in October 2024.. Today sees its official release, and to celebrate, a clip of the track ‘Lilywhite Lilith’ has been launched. Watch it below.
Steve and his live band celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary Genesis concept album ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’, with a selection of his favourite tracks from that album including ‘Fly On A Windshield’ & ‘Lilywhite Lilith’. The live set also includes other Genesis & solo classics, including music from his most recent acclaimed album ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’. This special evening saw the band joined by guests including Ray Wilson, Steve Rothery, Amanda Lehmann & John Hackett.
Steve comments: “I was so happy to revisit the Lamb on tour. The Royal Albert Hall evening was particularly memorable. It is my favourite London venue and the atmosphere there that night was absolutely electric… I was really pleased that everyone in the band and the performing guests pulled it off with flying colours!”
Expertly mixed by Grammy-award winning engineer Chris Lord-Alge, and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, the night was filmed by longtime collaborator Paul M Green, and is presented as Special Edition 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak which includes 5.1 Surround Sound & bonus interview content. The vinyl arrives as a deluxe 4LP 180g boxset, including 12-page LP-size booklet featuring photos from the evening. Order now here: https://stevehackett.lnk.to/TheLambStandsUpLive-Album
The full track-listing is as follows:
People of the Smoke
Circo Inferno
These Passing Clouds
The Devil’s Cathedral
Every Day
Hands Of the Priestess
A Tower Struck Down
Low Notes And High Hopes
Camino Royale
Shadow Of The Hierophant
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Fly On A Windshield
Broadway Melody Of 1974
Hairless Heart
Carpet Crawlers
The Chamber Of 32 Doors
Lilywhite Lilith
The Lamia
It
Dancing With The Moonlit Knight
The Cinema Show
Aisle Of Plenty
Firth Of Fifth
Los Endos
An Interview with Steve Hackett
Steve Hackett & band are currently continuing their Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlight & Solo tour around Europe, before taking it to Japan in July, Italy in September & North America in October & November. For a full list of dates, head to: https://www.hackettsongs.com/tour.html
Earlier this year, Steve Hackett released ‘Live Magic At Trading Boundaries’, featuring live recordings from his annual acoustic shows at Trading Boundaries in the UK. Listen now here: https://stevehackett.lnk.to/LiveMagicAtTradingBoundaries
Swedish band Jord are back with ‘Dimma’, the second single from their fourth studio album Emellan Träden, to be released on 5th September via Hammerheart Records.
Jord create atmospheric black metal infused with blackgaze elements, folk melodies, and scenic soundscapes.
For fans of: Alcest, Enslaved, Falkenbach, Vintersorg
In the fall of 2020, Jörgen “Jurg” Ström (ex-Skineater, ex-Omnicidal, ex-Rimfrost) decided it was time to breathe life into a new musical vision. When walking through the forest, he was struck with inspiration from the beauty of northern nature and the haunting melodies of bands like Alcest, Dissection, and Katatonia. The name Jord emerged organically, and with it, the project’s first songs began to blossom.
Jurg‘s ambitious goal was clear: to create three albums capturing the distinctive sound he envisioned. The debut album Sol materialized rapidly in 2021, and Jord kicked off as a solo endeavour. This pattern continued with Måne in 2022. The following year, Jurg felt his initial approach had reached its limits, and Jord started embracing full studio production on their third album Tundra.
That’s when Sebastian “Hravn” Svedlund (Rimfrost, Omnicidal, Sister Sin) joined the band on guitar, and Stefan “Jansson” Jansson (Omnicidal, ex-Devilicious) claimed the drum throne. Emellan Träden is the second fruit of the trio’s collaborative work.
Tracklist: 1. Stay 2. Hon Kallar 3. King of the Night 4. Dimma 5. Vid Muren 6. Prinsessan och Hästen 7. Den Brandgula Salen 8. The Grave and Chain 9. Bortom Tundran (CD Bonus Track)
Line-up: Jörgen “Jurg” Ström: Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Keyboards Sebastian “Hravn” Svedlund: Guitars Stefan “Jansson” Jansson: Drums
Finnish prog metal veterans Amorphis are back with “Bones”, a powerful next glimpse at their new studio album Borderland, set to drop on September 26, 2025.
Unlike the first single “Light And Shadow,” which leaned more into a hopeful tone,“Bones” dives into darker, heavier territory. Lyrically, the song explores the struggles for survival faced by early Finns, supported by crushing riffs, Eastern-inspired strings, and thick layers of keyboards – creating a sound that’s both intense and atmospheric.
In the chorus, Tomi Joutsen’s clean, emotionally charged vocals cut through the darkness with flashes of light and hope.
Keyboardist Santeri Kallio shares:
“As a starting point, I wanted to prove that even a keyboard player can create an AMORPHIS song which is based on a heavy riff, and to everyone’s surprise, ‘Bones’ turned out to be the heaviest “Borderland” song.”
Whether you want it on vinyl, in an Earbook edition, on CD, or with matching merch – you can now pre-order Borderland in our shop, here.
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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 ) 