For the past 15 years, Faber Horbach has traced our connection with the sun through the music of Sowulo, but his upcoming concept album, NIHT, journeys into darkness. Written while grieving the loss of both his father and stepfather, lead single “Āsteorfan” (“To Die”) is a meditation that, while filled with sorrow, finds that death is not a final resting place, but a portal into spiritual awakening.
“Āsteorfan” marks a threshold in NIHT‘s conceptual journey through the subconscious, cycles of decay and spiritual teachings of the Moon. The song is grounded in ancient instrumentation and ritualistic textures. Nyckelharpa and carnyx merge with deep percussion and throat singing, creating a sonic terrain that feels both ancestral and sacred. The minimal yet immersive arrangement evokes the inner descent into silence and stillness, offering a moment of surrender that echoes far beyond the self.
The music video for “Āsteorfan” was filmed and directed by Jasper van Gheluwe. Color grading was done by Micky Huijsmans.
Sowulo is the evocative musical work of Faber Horbach, blending the spiritual philosophy of ancient Northern Europe with the continuous cycles of the universe.
Through the use of a wide array of historical instruments, melancholic melodies, and philosophical lyrics in Anglo-Saxon, Sowulo crafts an immersive sonic landscape that invites listeners to embark on an inner journey.
Weaving together the sounds of instruments like the Carnyx, Nyckelharpa, Celtic Harp, Shaman drums, Blow horns, Irish Bouzouki, Taglharpa, Lyre, Viola and various traditional vocal techniques, Sowulo shapes its distinctive sound.
The name “Sowulo,” meaning “Sun” in Proto-Germanic, reflects the essence of the music. As we circle the sun, we feel the cyclical nature of life: day and night, the four seasons, birth and death, and the eternal dance between decay and renewal.
᛫ ᛇ ᚩ ᚹ ᚢ ᛚ ᚩ ᛫
Line-up: Faber Horbach | Vocals, Throat singing, Nyckelharpa, Carnyx, Irish bouzouki, Percussion, Synths & VST Micky Huijsmans | Vocals Chloe Bakker | Celtic triplett harp Maria Angeles Chaparro Fuentes | Viola Rikke Linssen | Violin Heleen de Jonge | Cello Tessa van Genderen | Carnyx, Bukkehorn, Blowhorns Bart van den Brink | Taglharpa Tim Elfring | Small percussion
Production Credits: Recorded at Lil’ Heaven Studios, Arnhem, The Netherlands Produced by Faber Horbach Recorded by Faver Horbach & Alain Kalender Mixed by Fieke van den Hurk & Marie de Koning at DearWorld Studio and Studio MDK Mastered by Erwin Maas at eMastering
Cover Art: Album & artwork concept | Faber Horbach Line artwork and graphic design development | Micky Huijsmans Graphic design | Travis Smith
Progressive symphonic metal band Scardust are pleased to share their new single “Touch Of Life I – In Your Eyes (Feat. Ross Jennings)”, from their highly anticipated new studio album “Souls”, out July 18th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The single is accompanied by a special live performance video of the full three-part saga “Touch Of Life”, offering fans an exclusive first look at the entire epic suite.
The band commented: “Touch Of Life” is a three-part musical trilogy that retells the story of Pygmalion – with a twist. It serves as an allegory for the life of an artist, or really anyone striving to become a better version of themselves. The song follows the greatest sculptor on Earth, who cannot find a woman he deems beautiful enough to be worthy of his craft – or his love. Eventually, he chooses to sculpt the most beautiful woman his imagination can conjure. He falls in love with his own creation and begs the gods to bring her to life. This is where the original myth ends – but for us, it’s just the beginning”.
“We took the narrative in a new direction. As musical performers, we see ourselves as both the sculptor and the sculpture – constantly shaping ourselves, day by day, in pursuit of unreachable standards”, they continued. “It’s a process full of beauty, but also emotional weight. The full trilogy will be released as a live performance video on YouTube. In addition, the first part will be released as a single from the album”.
“We’re especially excited to share this work with the incredible Ross Jennings (Haken), who performed in the original studio version and also joined us live – the very performance from which this video was recorded and filmed”, Scardust added.
The band commented on the new album by saying: “Souls is a deep personal journey for us, combining everything from intricate progressive elements to sweeping symphonic passages, anthemic choruses and epic choirs. This album is a milestone for the band. It contains the Scardust DNA while experimenting with different writing and composing methods, involving every single musician in the band, resulting in the creation of the next evolution of our sound and pushing the boundaries of what we can express through music.”
“Thematically we’ve explored ideas of memory, belonging, loss, and the desire for connection, weaving in influences from different musical worlds, including orchestral, Mediterranean, and even Celtic sounds”, they added. “Souls is our most ambitious album to date, incorporating Scardust’s signature technical musicianship, and featuring the Hellscore choir and a string quartet throughout the entire album plus guest appearances from some international top tier musicians like Ross Jennings (Haken), Ally Storch (Subway to Sally), a Turkish orchestra and the TLV orchestra. It’s bold, it’s emotional and we hope it resonates deeply wherever it is heard.”
With the release of the band’s first EP, “Shadow” (2015) and the release of their first full length LP. “Sands of Time” (2017) Scardust positioned them as a promising newcomer of the new progressive metal scene. They rapidly rose to the top of the local metal scene, selling out shows and opening for the likes of Symphony X, Therion and Epica and started touring overseas playing festivals and headline shows in Germany, China and the UK as well as continuing to headline shows and festivals at home.
From the beginning the band strove for exceptional artistic and instrumental achievement at the highest level and Noa Gruman’s voice captivates her listeners whether with its gentle purity, operatic power or guttural growls. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, 2020 saw the release of their sophomore album “Strangers” accompanied by seven self-produced music videos. Described by Dead Rhetoric as “captivating from start to finish”, “Strangers” introduced a unique concept album built on complementary song pairs, earning strong critical and fan acclaim.
2022 started on a high note with the visit of folk star Patty Gurdy, who joined Scardust for a live show in Israel and filmed the band’s most viewed video to date, “Concrete Cages”. That summer, the band headlined multiple shows across Europe, performing to packed arenas at Wacken Open Air & Dong Open Air where they earned the praise of Testament’s Steve Di Giorgio who, on hearing the band from backstage, ran out front and watched the entire set ‘mesmerised’.
The year concluded with the release of the dramatic one-shot video “Evolution Of The Disney – But She’s METAL” in which Noa weaves her way through a magical metal arrangement of all the best-known Disney Princess songs.
2023 saw Scardust release “Game Of Now”, a cinematic piece set in a futuristic dystopian live show, play festivals and concerts across Europe and join power metal legends Blind Guardian on tour. The year culminated in the signing of a major multi-album deal with Frontiers Records – heralding the release of the highly anticipated album “Souls”.
December 2024 saw the release of “My Haven” from “Souls”, followed by “RIP”, “Unreachable” and “Dazzling Darkness”. With 2024 being taken up with writing and recording “Souls”, it wasn’t until early 2025 that they were able to announce that Ross Jennings (Haken) was guesting on the album and was to join the band for a headline show resulting in the epic Touch of Life video.
Alongside Scardust’s rise, Noa Gruman’s metal choir, Hellscore, has been gaining significant recognition. Known for their unique a cappella renditions of metal classics, they have collaborated with renowned artists and bands such as Epica, Therion, Amorphis, and Alestorm. Hellscore is also an integral part of Scardust’s sound, performing on all their albums and live shows.
Noa Gruman is also much in demand as a vocalist and the already-impressive list of her recent guest vocal appearances includes albums by Amorphis, Ayreon, Therion, Gloryhammer, Nino Helfrich and Orphaned Land.
If you are looking for the most fresh and innovative progressive album, “Souls” is set to be a milestone for the genre.
“Souls” Tracklist:
1. Long Forgotten Song 2. My Haven 3. RIP 4. Dazzling Darkness 5. Unreachable (feat. TLV Orchestra) 6. End Of The World 7. Searing Echoes (feat. Ally Storch) 8. Touch Of Life I – In Your Eyes (feat. Ross Jennings) 9. Touch Of Life II – Dance Of Creation 10. Touch Of Life III – King Of Insanity (feat. Ross Jennings)
Line Up: Noa Gruman – Vocals Gal Gabriel Israel – Guitar Aaron Friedland – Keyboards Orr Didi – Bass Yoav Weinberg – Drums
American stoner metal stalwarts SOLACE drop the track ‘Man Dog (2025 Remaster)‘ in a radio edit version as the first single taken from the expanded new edition of their debut album “Further” (2000) in celebration of its 25th anniversary.
The enhanced version of the classic “Further” has been scheduled for release on August 22, 2025 via Magnetic Eye Records and is available for pre-order here: http://lnk.spkr.media/solace-further
“The fact that ‘Further’ has made so many fave album lists over the years blows my mind!“, guitarist Tommy Southard writes. “I’m glad some people out there still give a shit! 25 years is a long time. None of the other guys from this recording are in the band anymore, and our original singer has sadly passed, which is hard to accept. Rest in peace, Jay! You really outdid yourself on this thing. Rob is now in doom legends Trouble, and Bill Bixby is out there somewhere. Some of my favorite riffs that I’ve ever written are on this record, and the times with these guys were some of the best of my life. I’m proud and excited to finally re-release this, and I hope you all enjoy returning to this record 25 years later!“
Tracklist:
Man Dog (2025 Remaster)
Black Unholy Ground (2025 Remaster)
Followed (2025 Remaster)
Whistle Pig (2025 Remaster)
Hungry Mother (2025 Remaster)
Angels Dreaming (2025 Remaster)
Suspicious Tower (2025 Remaster)
Heavy Birth/2-Fisted (2025 Remaster)
Another Life
We Bite
On the Hunt
Heavy Birth/2-Fisted (Distanced from Reality version)
Dirt
Funk #49 (Live in Tokyo ’98)
25 years, a quarter of a century, is a very long time in the life of any human being. And maybe even more so, in the lifespan of a recording of music. Yet “Further” by American stoner metal band SOLACE, first released at the turn of the millennium, has stood the test of time. Its tracks feel just as contemporary and relevant as in the year 2000.
A 25th anniversary is a great occasion for an enhanced, extended, and re-mastered edition of a timeless classic, but this much-deserved reissue was already decided upon when original SOLACE singer Jason L. sadly passed away in January 2025. This turns the new edition of “Further” into an unplanned but due tribute to his legacy and everything that Jason brought to the band during his formative years as their tortured and brilliant frontman.
SOLACE are celebrated veterans of the American metal scene. Hailing from Asbury Park, New Jersey at the windswept shore of the Western Atlantic, the band was founded in 1996. Built on a solid foundation of classic metal, early doom and punk ethic, the original four-piece infused a healthy dose of hardcore fury into grooving, grinding sludge.
Three years after the success of “Further” on both sides of the Atlantic, SOLACE returned with the sophomore album “13” (2003) that witnessed the Americans expanding and solidifying their style by highlighting the epic side of their songwriting. In the wake of this album, the band was invited twice to perform at the prestigious Roadburn Festival in 2006 and 2009, which further endeared them to an international audience.
Following a string of singles and EPs, the shoremen returned with the acclaimed third album “A.D.” in 2010. Although this release was again well received, a hiatus followed during which SOLACE implemented changes in their line-up. This manoeuvre got the heavy ship afloat again, and the remarkable full-length number four, “The Brink”, made landfall in 2019. This album has been described as a glorious trek through churning riffage, weighty doom power and drunken sea shanties, while the massive use of NWOBHM dual-guitar attack was also gladly noted.
SOLACE call their amalgamation of doom and heavy metal with hardcore elements dirt metal, while elsewhere it has been somewhat tongue-in-cheekily dubbed shorecore. Others file the New Jersey five-piece under stoner metal – and in truth, all these descriptions fit to an extent.
Raise a glass to Jason’s legacy and enjoy his outstanding performance on SOLACE‘s debut album “Further” that has been diligently and respectfully remastered to shine brighter than ever before!
Recording line-up: Jason – voice, lyrics Tommy Southard – guitars Bill “Bixby” Belford – drums Rob Hultz – bass
Current line-up: Justin Daniels – guitar Justin Goins – keyboard, vocals Tim Schoenleber – drums Mike Sica – bass Tommy Southard – guitar
Produced by Eric Rachel and Solace Recorded by Eric Rachel at Trax East, South River, NJ (US) Mixed by Eric Rachel at Trax East, South River NJ (US) Mastering by Alan Douches at West Westside Music, Hudson Valley, NY (US)
Cover painting: “Midnight Mass 2” by Wes Benscoter Original layout by Frank Bridges 2025 layout by Łukasz Jaszak
Centred on the downfall of Númenor in the Second Age of Tolkien’s legendarium, “Akallabêth“, the monumental new album from US duo ANFAUGLIR, is a cinematic Black Metal epic spanning over three millennia of prosperity, conquest and ruin. Over four vast and dynamic tracks, the band weaves a narrative-driven symphonic tapestry which encompasses immortality, spiritual greed and the slow ebb of hope.
Four days ahead of official release, ANFAUGLIR now unveil the full album stream on DMP‘s YouTube channel. Listen here:
ANFAUGLIR relay the inspirations behind “Akallabêth“:
“With “Akallabêth” we go beyond a simple historical recounting of Tolkien’s tales. We explore the characters, speak their language and muse on the existential questions faced. There’s a depth here that can be missed if you don’t peel back the layers. As for our decision to build the concept around Tolkien’s works, the passion was born upon discovering J.R.R. Tolkien at a young age. It was an instantaneous recognition of creativity and world building that initially drew us into Middle-earth and kept us there ever since. It’s such a diverse world to invest one’s time and thoughts, making it the perfect backdrop to create our epic music in.
Since the second wave, Black Metal has had a rich history of dwelling in the agony and ecstasy. The additional orchestral instrumentation allows us to push those boundaries to great distances. Given the source material we’re working with it feels like the right palette to use in our compositions.“
“Akallabêth” is set for release on June 27th on CD and vinyl – including an exclusive DMP vinyl edition – and will be accompanied by a new t-shirt design by Luciana Nedelea. Pre-orders are possible via the label’s EU, US and Bandcamp shops.
ANFAUGLIR was forged by multi-instrumentalists Lord Bauglir and Griss as an exploration in storytelling through epic symphonic Black Metal. Based upon the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, the duo aims to match the scope and grandeur of the source material with their unique and cinematic compositions, transporting listeners to Middle-earth.
ANFAUGLIR are proud to partner with Debemur Morti Productions to bring their full-length album “Akallabêth“, a deluge of symphonic fury infused with discordant aggression and spellbinding tranquility, to light in 2025.
Shying away from traditional song structures, “Akallabêth” is written and arranged in the vein of a traditional symphony. Themes and melodies develop, recur and transform, entwining delicate motifs of rapture with tragedy, throughout the course of the album’s 4 monumental tracks.
Centering on the downfall of Númenor from the second age of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, death, immortality and spiritual avarice weave the narrative thread creating a tapestry rich in conflict, emotion and sinking hope. From godly gifts to bombastic wars, the album spans more than 3000 years of prosperity, conquest and upheaval.
Hungarian metal band Heartkiller is set to release their debut album ‘Üdv A Világomban (Welcome To My World)’ on August 15th 2025 via Finnish Inverse Records.
The fourth and last single ‘Életre ítélv’ is released today and music video is available below. LISTEN to Életre ítélv on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/heartkiller-eletre
Composed by Kis Sándo
Lyrics by Nagy Gábor “Kenny”
ISRC: FI3FC2587803
Single cover by Szabó Loránd and Szabó-Sztelek Renáta
“Hi Guys! Sometimes you find that the person you trusted, the person you planned your future with, the person you wanted to build a new life with, is not really the person you once fell in love with. You try to compromise and please the other person, but sooner or later you realise that, you are denying yourself if you give in, resulting in a bleak, empty life. Instead, stand up for yourself, end the suffering, accept the pain and then, go on your way with your head held high! One way or another, you have to live. That’s what happened to me a few years ago. That’s what this song is about.” -Nagy Gábor “Kenny”
WATCH ‘Hajsza közben’ music video which is a cover of famous Hungarian rock band Prognózis: https://youtu.be/qn7jABUQXEQ
01 – Intro (Üdv a világomban) 02 – Lépned muszáj (Néha fáj) 03 – Életre ítélve 04 – Haldokló belső, halott szív (Pengékkel ágyba hív) 05 – Félelmeiddel (F.E.A.R.) 06 – A szívnek nincs akadály (Küzdj az álmodért) 07 – Most már elég (Élvezd) 08 – Miért érdemlem? 09 – Üdv a világomban 10 – Hajsza közben (Prognózis Cover)
Album cover by Mihályfi-Tóth Alex
Line-up: Scream, vocals and backing vocals – Nagy Gábor “Kenny” Lead guitar – Kis Sándor Rhythm guitar – Szabó Loránd Bass – Gulybán Márton Drums – Csiszár Gábor
Guest appearances on Hajsza közben:
Vocals and backing vocals – Vörös István
Vocals and backing vocals, solo guitar – Arany Máté (Akela)
Summoning thunderous tribal rhythms and indigenous instruments within the fields of modern metal has earned Mawiza recognition from the Chilean Grammys and respected elders like Mercyful Fate, Mastodon and Slipknot. But this band of modern day warriors are still a force of nature when paired down to their rawest form.
Today, Mawiza are releasing an unplugged version of the latest single off the band’s upcoming third album ÜL. Though stripped bare, “Mamüll Reke” still stands in towering defense of their ancestral land.
“Like other songs from ÜL, ‘Mamüll Reke’ was written in a way that everything could be reduced to melody and kültxung, the Mapuche drum”, says Mawiza’s vocalist and guitarist Awka. “The melody and lyrics are strong enough to guide the song on their own”.
When Mawiza are armed with their electric guitars, “Mamüll Reke” soars above the treetops amidst headbanging riffs and piercing flute. But the unplugged version of the band’s latest single feels just as heavy. Brittle acoustic strums scrape against rattling percussion. As Txalkan steadily pounds away like a procession of mourners, with weary resolve, Awka chants for defending the Mapuche’s land no matter the cost.
“Mamüll reke / Lhalu witxan / Afaflen (Just like the tree / that dies standing / chanting the way cry“, he sings with grim determination. “Lhayaiñ ka (We will die too)“.
“We aim for the unplugged versions of our songs to be even heavier and darker”, Awka says. “Without the distortion and loud drums, the message comes through more clearly. It might even be easier to feel our territory”.
To capture the song’s hard-fought message, Mawiza shot this video close to home. Spread along the outskirts near where the band live in Chile, the Panul Forest is Santiago’s last native forest. “It’s a very special place for us”, remarks Awka. “The forest has no protection against encroaching building projects, but the Machi, who’s the spiritual leader of the area, has always invited us to visit, sing, bring joy and share our newen, which means energy in Mapuzugun”. Stirred by its haunting final verse, “Mamüll reke” calls upon the spirits sleeping amidst the trees to reawaken. “Txüfken mew püruan kuyfi nhewen txepeam (I will dance on the ashes to awaken the ancient forces)”.
“We feel this forest is like ourselves, resisting time and the city’s advances”, Awka concludes. “It was the perfect place to record the unplugged version of ‘Mamüll Reke'”.
The video for the unplugged version of “Mamüll Reke” was directed and edited by Andrés Hetzler (@andreshetzler).
Hear Mawiza perform “Mamüll Reke” and other defiant anthems from ÜL this summer when they tour Europe this summer alongside fellow Chilean metalheads Ater.
Immortal Flame 2025 European Tour more dates to be announced! July 16 – Maribor, Slovenia @ Gustaf Pekarna July 17 – Miskolc, Hungary @ Zugivo July 18 – Deva, Romania @ John’s La Cetate July 19 – Targu Jiu, Romania @ Piano July 20 – Sibiu, Romania @ Rock & Bike July 21 – Timisoara, Romania @ Nemesis July 22 – Brasov, Romania @ La Templarie Pub July 23 – Arad, Romania @ Club Flex July 24 – Budapest, Hungary @ Riff July 25 – Szeged, Hungary @ Varosi Club July 26 – Pecs, Hungary @ Vararok July 27 – Ostrava, Czech Republic @ Barrack July 31 – Pinerolo, Italy @ Spazio Nino August 1 – Barberaz, France @ Brin De Zinc August 2 – Ostend, Belgium @ B52
Can’t wait to chant along to ÜL? Hear the whole album a week before it comes out by RSVPing for the band’s upcoming Bandcamp Listening Party
ÜL Bandcamp Listening Party Thursday, July 10 @ 1 pm Eastern Time – RSVP
Tracklist(English Translation) 1. To Decolonize (3:38) [WATCH] 2. Hummingbird Dream (4:29) 3. Western Storm (3:50) 4. Become a Cougar (5:06) 5. Just Like The Tree (4:24) [WATCH] 6. The War of the Sky (6:13) 7. Dead of the Sun (4:08) 8. Let It Die (3:58) 9. The Last Harp Call (featuring Joe Duplantier from Gojira) (4:42)
ÜL means “chant” in Mapuzugun. The album represents the voice of the land, the origin of feeling, the first call to connect with emotions. It is the materialization of a part of the spirit that, for a few seconds, becomes one with the wind—a force we can hear, resonate, communicate with, and return to. ÜL is Mawiza’s indigenous chant, and like smoke, it rises as a message to the skies.
Like their Mapuche ancestors, Mawiza always look back. ÜL chants to awaken the energies that have fallen asleep in the land, using the power of the great cities to resist the noise of imbalance. In this way, the album becomes another element of nature, a force defending itself, speaking in its own language to keep fighting and condemning those who continue to futilely subjugate their own strength.
With ÜL, Mawiza present themself to the world with a decolonizing and empowering mission. The album proclaims that nature possesses consciousness and spirit. Opening song “Wingkawnoam” emphasizes the importance of indigenous Mapuche thought by following dreams as precise guides for one’s path in life.
“Pinhza ñi pewma” is a dream that Mawiza’s vocalist Awka had during a time when hummingbirds were nowhere to be seen. Their chant was absent and the chilco plant was disappearing. In Awka’s dream, four hummingbirds came to feed on the blood from his fingertips, as if it were nectar flowing from the flowers of the chilco.
ÜL pays tribute to nature and Mawiza’s ancestors. “Ngulutu” recalls ancient battles between the Mapuche and the Spanish in Santiago, Chile. “Mamüll Reke”, “Wenu Weychan”, “Lhan Antü”, and “Kalli Lhayay” are filled with rhythms and sounds reminiscent of the most hermetic rituals of the Mapuche people. They were used by shamans to induce trance and heal the sick, to communicate with and greet the spirits of the mountains.
Closing song “Ti Inan Paw-pawkan” features chants from members of Mawiza’s indigenous community, as well as Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier. It is here, during the album’s finale, that the band stake their claim as both indigenous and urban. The song acknowledges the mission entrusted to Mawiza by Mapuche authorities and by the land itself: to raise awareness about balance on Earth in an empowered way and to call for greater attentiveness to Mapuche territory. Otherwise, the consequences will be dire.
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 ) 