MY MERRY MACHINE are known for their DIY creativity, especially in their videos. In this respect, the joy of new announcements is correspondingly great. This time, too, you can’t be disappointed.
With “From Another World”, the trio heralds the next chapter in the band’s history in order to attract attention in the run-up to “Rock am Härtsfeldsee”, a festival at which they will be supporting Eisbrecher and Soulfly, among others. And so the new song and video are also dark, extreme and disturbing, but on the other hand made for festivals and mosh pits!
Who is My Merry Machine? My Merry Machine – when even the most courageous visions become reality! And My Merry Machine make sure only My Merry Machine take hold of the reins of their wheel – or better machine – of fortune! Founded with a clear vision of their music and their origins and at the same time equipped with super strong visual images and imaginations combined with the enthralling storytelling metaphoric language of their song lyrics, My Merry Machine invite us on “Total War” to their fascinating world, their very own dream factory, fueled by total dedication and unstoppable creativity! Get ready for a deep-dive with no escape-plan! Get ready for My Merry Machine!
Line-up: Kirsten Zahn-Massing – Vocals Markus Visser – Guitar, Bass Tim Schwarz – Drums
Frontiers Music Srl proudly announces the signing of legendary English rock supergroup Asia, for an exciting new chapter in their celebrated history.
2024 was the Year of the Dragon – and with it came a powerful rebirth: a new Asia lineup featuring founding member, keyboardist Geoffrey Downes, acclaimed drummer Virgil Donati, virtuoso guitarist John Mitchell, and stunning vocal newcomer and bassist Harry Whitley. This new chapter promises to reignite the band’s iconic spirit, stepping into a promising new creative era.
Founder member, songwriter, producer and keyboardist Geoff Downes expressed his excitement for the signing:
“Asia is thrilled to have recently signed a new deal with Frontiers Music Srl. Having been loyally supported by the label throughout the Asia reunion period from 2005-2015, we are now entering an exciting new chapter in the band’s 45-year history with a sequence of live albums, DVDs & a brand new studio album scheduled for a 2026 release. It’s very much a homecoming for the band, and so we are greatly looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership with them in the future. Watch this space!”
Mario de Riso, A&R and Business Affairs VP of Frontiers, commented: “So proud and excited for the label to be able to bring back this iconic band. There was certainly unfinished business to deal with and, thanks to this fabulous new line-up, new music from Asia can now come to fruition. It will be a blast!”
In the Summer of 2023, Geoff Downes spear-headed a memorial concert to remember and celebrate the life of his late, much-loved friend and Asia co-founder member, the great John Wetton. At the concert, he invited rock ‘n roll veteran John Mitchell – who had played with both Wetton and Downes in Icon and in Wetton’s own band – to join him on stage, taking on lead guitar duties. The duo was joined by newcomer Harry Whitley, who Downes had discovered and whose vocal talents so closely resembled that of Wetton’s, it was nothing short of spine-tingling.
In 1982 John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer and Steve Howe became the founding fathers of super group Asia, responsible for a string of multi-million selling albums and chart-topping hits across the globe. Asia’s self-titled1982 debut album was the biggest selling album in the world in that year. The band dominated the airwaves and for many “Heat Of The Moment”, “Only Time Will Tell” and “Sole Survivor”, amongst others, were the soundtrack to their youth.
Another multi-million seller, “Alpha” followed in 1983 and in 1986 “Astra” competed the trio of MTV era hits. Greg Lake briefly joined the band for a Japanese tour where Asia’s show from the fabled Budokan was the first inter-continental simulcast.
In 2006, the founding members reformed Asia and released several new albums before John Wetton’s untimely passing in 2017. Since John’s passing, Geoff and Carl have toured with Sam Coulson, Billy Sherwood, Ron Bumblefoot Thal and Steve Howe guesting.
Busy touring the globe, Carl Palmer is now immersed in a project very dear to his heart, the Return Of Emerson Lake & Palmer, while the legendary Steve Howe remains at the helm of progressive rock legends, Yes. So, Geoff made the decision to take a fresh, new-looking Asia back out on the road, recruiting Mitchell and Whitley as new members and bringing in the drumming excellence of the incomparable Virgil Donati, who had played with Wetton in UK.
Asia has entertained and delighted a multitude of audiences over the last forty years. Some of the world’s greatest musicians have taken up the Asia baton during that time. However, Geoff Downes believes that time is right to bring a fresh, new-looking Asia out into the light.
The Year of the Dragon foretells good fortune, abundance and prosperity. The Dragon blessed 1982, the year Asia was first unleashed into the world – and now the journey has come full circle. Time for the dragon to take flight once more.
Swedish melodic rockers NIGHTHAWK return with their brand-new official video and digital single “Can’t Say Goodbye”, the third taste of their upcoming album “Six Three O”, set for release on August 1st via Mighty Music. The track will be available on all streaming platforms from June 20th, accompanied by an official music video filmed at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales.
With its soaring melodies, heartfelt delivery, and infectious energy, “Can’t Say Goodbye” captures Nighthawk’s unique ability to blend classic rock sensibilities with modern polish. The track was born during the “Six Three O” sessions at Rockfield – the historic site where legendary albums by Queen, Black Sabbath, and Oasis were brought to life.
“I had this demo for quite some time when Björn came by to do the vocals”, guitarist and bandleader Robert Majd reflects about the creative spark behind the song. “He was missing a pre-chorus and came up with a great one. It really elevated the song!”.
Join the premiering here:
Following two acclaimed studio albums and recording sessions in iconic locations like Abbey Road, Nighthawk return in 2025 with a bold new chapter. Their latest album, “Six Three O”, was captured at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales – where classics by Queen and Oasis were once born – and once again brings together a stellar lineup of Swedish rock powerhouses.
Led by Robert Majd (Captain Black Beard, Metalite) on guitars, Nighthawk features Björn Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra) on vocals, John Lönnmyr (The Night Flight Orchestra) on keyboards, Rasmus Ehrnborn (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra) on bass, and Magnus Ulfstedt (Black Paisley) on drums. The album was produced by Sverker Widgren (Portal, October Tide), continuing the trusted collaboration that shaped their previous release “Prowler” (2024).
From the soaring melodies of “Home Tonight” – built around a long-held riff that finally found its moment – to the energetic pulse of “Angel of Mine”, “Six Three O” is an album that combines musical finesse with heartfelt expression. On “Can’t Say Goodbye”, the band’s chemistry shines through as Björn spontaneously crafted a pre-chorus that elevates the track on the spot. Meanwhile, “Too Good for You” delivers a tight, no-frills blast of classic rock’n’roll, driven by fiery performances from all involved.
What started as a creative outlet has grown into a fully realized band, uniting some of Sweden’s finest rock musicians under one banner. After “Midnight Hunter” (2021) and “Prowler” (2024), “Six Three O” cements Nighthawk’s reputation as one of the most compelling melodic rock bands of the moment – honoring the past while forging ahead with passion and power.
“Six Three O” will be released on LP (black vinyl limited to 100 copies, green vinyl limited to 200), CD and digital on 01.08.2025 via Mighty Music.
Lineup: Robert Majd – guitar Björn Strid – vocals John Lönnmyr – keyboards Magnus Ulfstedt – drums Rasmus Ehrnborn – bass
More than three decades removed from their ungentle exhumation from the Canadian underground, Cryptopsy are truly more insatiable than ever. A year after winning a JUNO Award, the band have been reeling off cryptic teasers and blasphemous videos to feed pit-dwelling faithful ahead of their upcoming ninth album. While eerily prescient of our latest unholy obsession, An Insatiable Violence proves once more that Cryptopsy are the most vile band in death metal.
“An Insatiable Violence is as explosive, violent and technical as anything in their catalogue”, Blabbermouth says in a 8.5/10 review. “For fans of ruthless, boundary smashing brutality, this is a gift from the death metal gods”.
“Cryptopsy proves that even after decades of dominance, they remain hungry – hungry to evolve, to experiment, and to push the limits of brutal death metal”, writes Lambgoat in a 8/10 review. “Far from resting on their laurels, the band has crafted an album that feels both contemporary and timeless”.
An Insatiable Violence comes out tomorrow, Friday, June 20, but you can hear all eight brutally technical tracks today by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.
“When writing An Insatiable Violence we focused on creating a far more digestible Cryptopsy record”, the band says. “We did this by adding more groove sections, more melodic moments and allowed the musical passages to breathe a bit more than on our previous releases.
“Whatever we do nowadays, we always take extreme care to honor the band’s legacy. It is extremely important to us. But at the same time, we never want to repeat ourselves. We strive to be loyal to our sound while constantly evolving. It’s a fine balance between up-keeping the legacy and remaining relevant.
“Another huge aspect that we focused on while crafting this record was introducing a sense of dread and malaise to the songs. We wanted people to feel disoriented and dirty after listening to it.
“We are extremely proud of what we have created and can’t wait for everyone to have the chance to experience it!”
An Insatiable Violence Reddit AMA r/Metal Thursday, June 26 @ Noon Eastern Time
A person spends all day building a machine, only for it to torture them through the night. As if that wasn’t twisted enough, they like it. In fact, they like being tortured so much that, come morning, they wake up rejuvenated, eager to tweak the machine until it runs perfectly in their mind.
This is the nocturnal vision that inspired Cryptopsy’s ninth full-length nightmare. “The lyrical concept came from this dream I had”, the band’s vocalist Matt McGachy told Metal Injection. “The human race is the person and the machine is social media”.
An Insatiable Violence mirrors society’s toxic screen fetish. “Dead Eyes Replete” glimpses into the real life horrors of kidfluencing. “Beware the spotlight” McGachy flashes with his signature bat-like shriek just before the band slam into a career-best breakdown. But while painfully pressing, An Insatiable Violence is influenced by the many mutations that have defined the band’s Hall of Fame discography. Inspired by a mukbang gone horribly wrong, ravenous opener “The Nimis Adoration” is a smorgasbord of gut-busting blasts, Christian Donaldson’s fishhook riffs and a heavy helping of headbanging groove.
Cryptopsy recognize that not every brutal technical death metal band sticks around long enough to win a Canadian Grammy 30 years into their career. The cover for An Insatiable Violence was created by the band’s late, great vocalist Martin Lacroix, who would growl with unholy delight over the freshly fetid depths of McGachy’s false chord scream. Another former vocalist returns on “Embrace the Nihility” to stomp out any whispering doubts of his supremacy.
But despite having claimed the crown as the most vile band in death metal on only their second stab in the studio, Cryptopsy are still pushing the limits of extremity on An Insatiable Violence. The album’s lead single bumps and grinds to the oddball bounce of Olivier Pinard’s gruesome bass slaps. And yet, at its core “Until There’s Nothing Left” stakes its claim as Cryptopsy’s biggest earworm. Even Flo Mounier has honed new techniques to keep the blasphemy fresh. “We are always pushing each other”, Mounier said in a separate interview with Metal Injection. “Let’s go for a ride”. For the album’s finishing move, “Malicious Needs” slithers to a crawl before ascending like a bat into a blackened cloud of smoke.
Bow to the new vileness from extreme metal royalty.
Tracklist 1. The Nimis Adoration (4:10) 2. Until There’s Nothing Left (3:59) [WATCH] 3. Dead Eyes Replete (3:57) [WATCH] 4. Fools Last Acclaim (3:26) 5. The Art of Emptiness (4:16) 6. Our Great Deception (4:21) 7. Embrace the Nihility (3:50) 8. Malicious Needs (5:52) [WATCH] Total runtime 32:04
“Martin did None So Live, but he never really got to do a proper album”, Cryptopsy says about the artwork for their new album. “His art is amazing. The two pieces of his that we used for An Insatiable Violence are incredible. His family was super excited about it, too. We are honored to have him be an even bigger part of Cryptopsy’s lore”.
In the wake of spreading bloodshed all over Europe with Decapitated, Cryptopsy are now fiending to feast on the new cuts from An Insatiable Violence with their ravenous fans across the U.S.
This fall, the band are joining brutal technical death metal pharaohs Nile on a 25-date tour of the East Coast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Joining them on this run are The Last Ten Seconds of Life and Cognitive.
“We are so excited to bring An Insatiable Violence to the United States. It’s a pleasure to tour amongst friends and this lineup is incredibly stacked!”, Cryptopsy says. “Our new album was written for a live setting. The songs are more brutal and grooving so that people can really latch on and bang their heads”.
Cryptopsy’s setlist for this tour will pull from the band’s latest albums while mixing in revered classics.
The Underworld Awaits Tour USA 2025 September 12 – Raleigh, NC @ Chapel of Bones [TICKETS] September 13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts [TICKETS] September 14 – Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho [TICKETS] September 16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Monarch [TICKETS] September 17 – Hampton, NH @ Wally’s [TICKETS] September 18 – Hartford, CT @ Webster Hall [TICKETS] September 19 – Lititz, PA @ Mickey’s Black Box [TICKETS] September 20 – Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz [TICKETS] September 21 – Rochester, NY @ Montage Music Hall [TICKETS] September 22 – Cleveland, OH @ Mercury [TICKETS] September 24 – Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary [TICKETS] September 25 – Hobart, IN @ Hobart Art Theatre [TICKETS] September 26 – Madison, WI @ The Annex [TICKETS] September 27 – Minneapolis, MN @ Studio B Skyway [TICKETS] September 28 – Belvidere, IL @ Apollo Theater [TICKETS] September 29 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Bigs Bar [TICKETS] October 1 – Billings, MT @ Pub Station [TICKETS] October 3 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon [TICKETS] October 4 – Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory [TICKETS] October 5 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory [TICKETS] October 6 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge [TICKETS] October 7 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater [TICKETS] October 9 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s* [TICKETS] October 10 – Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s* [TICKETS] October 11 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Annex* [TICKETS] *Nile, Cryptopsy and Cognitive only
Metalheads who are chomping at the bit for An Insatiable Violence can further their appetite by revisiting Cryptopsy’s hallowed catalogue. Since signing with Season of Mist in 2024, the band have reissued their 1993 demo Ungentle Exhumation, revered debut Blasphemy Made Flesh, the widely-worshiped None So Vile, their triumphant self-titled and The Book of Suffering Tome I + II, which is now available for the first time on one combined LP.
More than 30 years into their storied career, Montreal death metal innovators Cryptopsy return with their ninth studio album, An Insatiable Violence, set for release on June 20, 2025 on Season of Mist.
Revered in extreme metal circles for such groundbreaking classics as 1994’s Blasphemy Made Flesh and the 1996 magnum opus None So Vile, Cryptopsy find yet another gear on An Insatiable Violence, which further solidifies the band’s place in the upper echelon of death metal. Coming out of the pandemic, the band dedicated themselves to staying on top of their game more than ever before, with the intention of consistently putting out a new record every two years. That started with 2023’s acclaimed As Gomorrah Burns, and continues 21 months later with An Insatiable Violence.
“We had to write the majority of An Insatiable Violence while on the Death to All tour, which was something we’d never done before”, vocalist Matt McGachy says. “Flo [Mounier, drums] and Chris [Donaldson, guitar] really put their hats on. It was a feat”.
“Ever since COVID our focus is clearer, a lot of work gets done faster, and we push each other to get it done.”, Mounier says.
In addition to featuring some of the fastest passages Cryptopsy has ever recorded – keen listeners will even hear the odd gravity blast from Mounier, a rarity from the virtuoso drummer – the controlled chaos of their signature sound is offset by well-timed passages that ease off the gas pedal enough to allow listeners to come up for some air. That dynamic rage on An Insatiable Violence in turn makes the more aggressive moments hit even harder, which is immediately noticeable on the harrowing “Until There’s Nothing Left” and the chugging closing track “Malicious Needs”. Olivier Pinard anchors “Fools Last Acclaim” with stunning authority (keeping pace with Mounier is an unenviable task) while Donaldson offsets gnarly, atonal riffs with melodic passages throughout the record. “It’s a continuation of As Gomorrah Burns,” McGachy says, “We really wanted to make a groovy record, and we think we’ve done it.”
It seems as though nothing is scarier than real life right now, and An Insatiable Violence is a commentary on today’s society as though filtered through the transgressive, countercultural perspectives of J.G. Ballard and David Cronenberg.
“It all came to me in a dream in August 2023,” elaborates McGachy. “I woke up, I took my phone, and I wrote down the title of the record. It’s about a person that wakes up every day and fixes a machine. Tinkers with it, tries to make it better all day long, sweating in the sun, and then at night, they strap themself into this machine and the machine tortures them, and they love it. Then they wake up the next day and fix it again to make it more efficient, to keep harnessing it, and then just keep doing it over and over again.
While fantastically twisted, An Insatiable Violence mirrors our toxic relationship with social media. “We’re continuously trying to feed this algorithm of the machine while it’s totally tearing us apart socially and psychologically”, McGachy continues. “’The Nimis Adoration’ is about mukbang, these Korean people that eat too much food on the Internet. Piles and piles of food. A poor girl died on a live cam”.
At the center of the album is the mind-boggling percussion skill of Mounier, arguably the most imposing Canadian drummer not named Peart, who dominates such standout tracks as “Dead Eyes Replete”, “Fools Last Acclaim”, and “Embrace the Nihility”. “I look at Flo as an Olympic athlete,” says McGachy. “I want to push this guy to go a lot faster than Cryptopsy’s previous releases. We have so much more to give, and I wanted just drain it all out of him while he’s still at the top of his game, because he is. He’s crushing.”
“I mix up a lot of a physical activity, like resistance training into the drumming,” Mounier says. “I recently developed new techniques that make it easier to go even faster, so I tried to push that on this album. My focus is now more on dynamics and the touch of the snare, a certain snap of the snare, a rim shot on the snare, the toms, a light touch or a hard touch. Live, I can really let go, you know, give the sound guy a hard time,” he adds with a laugh.
For McGachy, who has always boasted a powerful, guttural death growl, the rigors of touring have enabled him to evolve as a vocalist, and he turns in a revelatory performance on An Insatiable Violence. In addition to ear-scraping screams that rival George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, McGachy unleashes the deepest, filthiest death growls of his career. “Gomorrah was the first album that I recorded with my full false chord scream, which is something that I’d only just touched on The Book of Suffering: Tome II in little sections,” he says. “We did at least 140 shows since Gomorrah. I exclusively did my false chords during all the songs that we performed on None So Vile and Blasphemy Made Flesh. And then, when we did go into the studio for An Insatiable Violence, Chris would be like, ‘Deeper, you must go deeper!’”
Another fearsome vocalist from Cryptopsy’s lore pops back into the booth on An Insatiable Violence. “When we were recording the vocals for ‘Embrace the Nihility’, Chris had the idea of ending the song with the same vocal pattern as the end of ‘…and Then It Passes’”, McGachy remembers. “We figured if we were going to rip ourselves off, then we may as well get the real thing. We were honored that Mike DiSalvo accepted. We are all huge fans of Cryptopsy’s DiSalvo era. His vocals on this album are an ultra Easter egg for our fans”.
In addition to the effusive praise As Gomorrah Burns received from within the metal scene, the 2023 album achieved a first for Cryptopsy: earning them their first ever JUNO Award in 2024 for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year. “We had little-to-no expectations of winning” says McGachy. ”We didn’t even go to the ceremonies because we were on tour in Europe with Atheist. On the day we found out that we won, we had a crazy 18-hour drive from Derby to Germany, plus a ferry ride. But we still partied for 48 hours. Flo bought an expensive bottle of champagne”.
Cryptopsy recognize that not every death metal band sticks around long enough to win a Canadian Grammy 30 years into their career. The cover art for An Insatiable Violence was created by the late, great vocalist Martin Lacroix. “The album artwork has got to be one of the most important things to us!”, the band says. “Martin Lacroix was one of our vocalists, one of our great friends and one of the nicest people that anyone could have the privilege to meet. We really wish he was here with us to share this moment. His perfect smile would say it all! Rest in peace brother”.
With Cryptopsy’s latest career renaissance showing no signs of slowing down, the recent accolades are only the beginning. An Insatiable Violence reaches a new peak in a career loaded with them.
Lineup Flo Mounier – Drums Matt McGachy – Vocals Christian Donaldson – Guitar Oli Pinard – Bass
Recording, Mixing & Mastering Studio Christian Donaldson’s Studio
Production, Sound & Mixing Engineer Christian Donaldson
Guest Musicians Mike DiSalvo performs vocals on “Embrace the Nihility”
Swedish death metal pioneers UNLEASHED return with unrelenting force on their blistering new single, “Hold Your Hammers High!”, the second offering from their upcoming 15th studio album, Fire Upon Your Lands, out August 15, 2025 via Napalm Records.
A bludgeoning mid-tempo anthem drenched in Norse power, “Hold Your Hammers High!” channels the fury of Odin through razor-sharp riffs, thunderous grooves, and Johnny Hedlund’s commanding growls. The track’s crushing rhythm and ferocious solos make it a quintessential UNLEASHED track – proving once more why the band remains a cornerstone of the Big Four of Stockholm Death Metal.
Accompanied by a gripping lyric video, “Hold Your Hammers High!” is now available on all major streaming platforms worldwide. With Fire Upon Your Lands, UNLEASHED rise once again as the undisputed guardians of the death metal throne.
UNLEASHED on “Hold Your Hammers High!”: “Although many battles have been won, the hunt for White Christ is far from over. The Son of Thor asks the Warriors of Midgard if they are still with him as the journey now continues home to Svithiod. Years of war and struggle have changed us all. But hope must prevail…Hold You Hammers High!”
From the very first crushing riffs in “Left for Dead”, as the warriors of Midgard deal with the captured son of White Christ, Fire Upon Your Lands plunges listeners into the chaos of battle. Forged in the fire of unrelenting aggression by mastermind and founder Johnny Hedlund, venomous growls and battle cries set the tone for the neck-breaking masterpiece. Roaring riffs and razor-sharp solos unleash a sonic onslaught on “A Toast to the Fallen” while UNLEASHED create a powerful and triumphant tribute to the warriors lost in battle. Meanwhile, “To My Only Son” slows only to strike deeper, it’s haunting melodies and doom-laden atmosphere embodying sorrow and honor in the face of war. In the eclipse they summon the Midgard Warriors with “Hold Your Hammers High!”, an anthemic battle cry that follows the son of Thor into the unknown. Fueled by sheer aggression and grand, warlike melodies, the track stands as a testament to the band’s mastery in crafting Viking battle hymns.
UNLEASHED about the album: “Fire Upon Your Lands is our 15th album in 37 years. It is also a continuation of the storyline from the World of Odalheim, where the Midgard Warriors keep fighting for their way of life against their main enemy “White Christ”. We hope you appreciate this new Blot of 11 songs of pure Viking Death Metal. See you all on the road!”
With production that captures both raw energy and cinematic depth, the new album, Fire Upon Your Lands, proves again that UNLEASHED reign among the masters of death metal. Combining blistering death metal brutality with a timeless heavy metal core, their unrelenting power, storied legacy and unwavering commitment to their craft continue to inspire legions of fans across the world. Prepare for war, raise your hammers and join the battle live!
Fire Upon Your Lands tracklisting: 1. Left For Dead 2. A Toast To The Fallen 3. The Road To Haifa Pier 4. War Comes Again 5. Fire Upon Your Lands 6. Loyal To The End 7. Midjardarhaf 8. Hail The Varangians! 9. To My Only Son 10. Hold Your Hammers High! 11. Unknown Flag
UNLEASHED live 2025: 22.06.2025 FR – Clisson / Hellfest 09.08.2025 CZ – Jaromer / Brutal Assault Festival 15.08.2025 DE – Dinkelsbühl / Summer Breeze Festival 21.08.2025 AT – Spital am Semmering / Kaltenbach Open Air 28.08.2025 – 30.08.2025 DK – Naestved / Naestved Metalfest 06.09.2025 DE – Crispendorf / Break Out Open Air 05.10.2025 US – Chicago / Metal Threat Fest 18.10.25 MX – Monterrey / Cacique Metal Fest 25.10.2025 SE – Stockholm / Kulturhuset Stadsteatern 08.11.2025 DE – Lohr am Main / Chaos Unity Festival
UNLEASHED are: Johnny Hedlund – Bass, Vocals Anders Schultz – Drums Tomas Måsgard – Guitars Fredrik Folkare – Guitars
Finnish symphonic metal band Viimeinen Oodi Vapaudelle (VOV – Final Ode to Freedom) emerges from the frost-laden silence with a powerful new single, Ballade of the Arctic Traveller — a dramatic and atmospheric piece that bridges the ethereal and the elemental.
The single offers a sweeping blend of cinematic soundscapes, operatic vocals, and melodic metal arrangements. The listener will find new nuances on every new playback. The band’s rich musical backgrounds come together to form a cohesive and expressive performance: Karoliina McLoud, a classically trained opera singer, leads the track with haunting clarity and emotional range. The Guitarist Teemu Harjunen delivers both power and finesse through intricate riffwork and layered harmonies. Bassist and Keyboardist Sami Halinen expands the sonic palette with deep bass line and ambient keyboard textures, while drummer Petteri Rosenbom, known from his years in Finnish power metal circles, anchors the journey with precision and depth.
Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/vov-botat
ISRC: FI3FC2590403
Composition & Lyrics by Karoliina McLoud, Teemu Harjunen, Sami Halinen and Petteri Rosenbom
Lyrically, Ballade of the Arctic Traveller is an introspective odyssey through a frozen dreamscape — where time fractures, stars decay, and a soul treads paths carved in ancient ice. The track’s emotional arc mirrors the voyage of a solitary figure navigating through isolation, eternity, and fate. With lines such as “A shadowed march through endless plains / Where space and time shall guide the way,” the song unfolds like a mythic saga about identity, cosmic mystery, and transcendence.
Commenting on the release, guitarist Teemu Harjunen says: “This song is a major step forward for us—not just musically but conceptually. It brings together each member’s strengths in a way that feels true to the band’s identity. It’s icy, vast, but deeply human underneath.”
Viimeinen Oodi Vapaudelle (VOV – Final Ode to Freedom) is a symphonic metal band from Nakkila, Finland, known for blending classical elements with the intensity of modern metal. Their music echoes themes of mythology, emotional depth, and existential landscapes.
Line-up on the single: Vocals: Karoliina McLoud Guitar: Teemu Harjunen Bass & Keyboards: Sami Halinen Drums: Petteri Rosenbom
Production: Mixing: Sami Niittykoski (SN-Audio Production) Mastering: Alho Audio Mastering
Music Video: Filming and editing: Ilari Kangasniemi Drone shots: Mikko Pärkö
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
Ads
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 ) 