Photo: Jarkko ‘Jake’ Ronkainen & Mr. Lordi — Logo: Abstract Chaos
In the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lordi’s historic victory at the Eurovision Song Contest2006, the track is being released on May 15. The release coincides with the eve of a special Lordi Eurovision performance – Hard Rock Hallelujah!
Is this the biggest dance hit of summer 2026? Not necessarily, but at least you have never heard Mr. Lordi sing Europop before! On VELVET OCEAN’s side, vocalist Riitu Ronkainen raises the bar. Beauty and the Beast, double bass drums, and a catchy vocal melody – what could possibly go wrong?
VELVET OCEAN is an alternative metal band from Finland. The band is known for pushing the boundaries of metal by combining heavy music with pop influences, symphonic layers, and cinematic elements. Their goal is to create dynamic compositions that balance delicate atmospheres with heavier, more intense moments.
With two album cycles underway, eight singles already released, and a forthcoming cover EP featuring Mr. Lordi, VELVET OCEAN continues to build a distinctive international identity within the alternative metal scene. [ … learn more here » ]
Additional info: Composer – Martin Bo Erik Erikson Lyricist – Fredrik Johan Ekdahl Lyricist – Martin Bo Erik Erikson
VELVET OCEAN LINE-UP Riitu Ronkainen • Lead vocals, programming Jake Ronkainen • Guitar, Vocals Tuomas Vesa • Bass Jami Alaverronen • Keyboard Arto Alikoski • Cello Markus Määttälä • Drums
Various circumstances led to a lengthy hiatus for the Finnish band. But their love for music remained undiminished, as VELVET OCEAN will soon demonstrate – a new single is set to be released on May 15, featuring none other than Mr. Lordi!
That sounds doubly exciting, since the globally popular monster rockers Lordi are the only Finnish band to date to have won the Eurovision Song Contest! But that’s not all: Lordi will perform as part of a special intermission act at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest final in Vienna on May 16, the day after the release of the new single.
Currently, the talented band from Oulu is also busy finishing their second full-length album. Five singles have already been released from this album: “My Life”, “Rage”, “Take Me Away”, “Forever” and the Muse cover “New Born”.
In addition, VELVET OCEAN is currently recording a special concept EP themed around the 90s, which will feature the upcoming single on its tracklist.
Olympic death metal powerhouse RISE OF KRONOS have officially released their very first live single and official live video for “Know Thyself”, available now on all streaming platforms and YouTube.
Captured during the band’s massive Slaves Of Time album release show on April 18, 2026 at the legendary Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany, the track delivers an uncompromising snapshot of RISE OF KRONOS at full force – raw, aggressive and fueled by pure live energy. The accompanying live video perfectly captures the intensity, chaos and atmosphere of a night that marked an important milestone in the band’s history.
Known as one of Germany’s most iconic live venues and once graced by legendary acts such as METALLICA, IRON MAIDEN and AC/DC, the Markthalle in Hamburg provided the perfect setting for RISE OF KRONOS‘ first official live release.
The live single release follows the highly acclaimed new studio album Slaves Of Time, which has received strong praise from fans and media alike for its crushing blend of modern and old-school death metal, relentless intensity and massive production. Continuing the band’s self-proclaimed “Olympic Death Metal” approach, Slaves Of Time pushes the sound of RISE OF KRONOS further into darker, heavier and more atmospheric territory.
Slaves Of Time is available via the official RISE OF KRONOS merch store: riseofkronos.bandcamp.com and on all major streaming platforms.
RISE OF KRONOS will bring their new material to stages in 2026 and 2027, delivering an intense and crushing live experience.
RISE OF KRONOS live: 10.07.2026 DE – Königsee, Metal Underground Resistance Open Air 25.07.2026 DE – Heimburg, Heimburger Metalnacht Festival 31.07.2026 DE – Dortmund, Dortmund Deathfest 03.10.2026 DE – Düsseldorf, Ratinger Hof 15.01.2027 DE – Bremen, Zollkantine 01.04.2027 DE – Stuttgart, Schwarzer Keiler
Legends of modern heavy music, Killswitch Engage return to Australia and New Zealand in 2026, bringing more than two decades of genre-defining metal to the stage with their biggest Antipodean headline shows yet, joined by special guests, British heavyweights, Sylosis.
The Western Massachusetts metallers helped redraw the map for modern metal in the early 2000’s, fusing blistering European‑inspired guitar work, East Coast hardcore energy and emotionally charged, uplifting lyrics into a sound that changed the game for a generation of bands and fans.
Across a landmark career, Killswitch Engage have earned three Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance, multiple gold and platinum records, billions of streams and forged a reputation as one of the most powerful live acts in heavy music. From classic albums like Alive Or Just Breathing, The End of Heartache and As Daylight Dies through to charttopping releases Disarm the Descent, Incarnate and 2019’s Atonement, they’ve consistently raised the bar while packing out venues and festival main stages around the world.
Fresh from celebrating 25 years as a band and the release of their latest album This Consequence, which featured blockbuster single “I Believe,” the biggest radio hit of their career, Killswitch Engage are set to deliver a career‑spanning set for their Australian and New Zealand fans.
Expect a night that runs from era‑defining anthems to new favourites, all delivered with the intensity and heart that has seen them share stages with everyone from Iron Maiden and Slayer to My Chemical Romance, Mastodon, Slipknot and Parkway Drive.
TOUR DATES Saturday, October 31: Powerstation, Auckland Sunday, November 1: Meow Nui, Wellington Tuesday, November 3: Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane Friday, November 6: Enmore Theatre, Sydney Saturday, November 7: Waves, Wollongong Tuesday, November 10: Forum, Melbourne Thursday, November 12: Hindley St, Adelaide Saturday, November 14: Metro Fremantle, Perth
Spotify Presale: Tuesday, May 19: 10am AEST (CODE: KSE26) Promoter Presale: Wednesday, May 20: 10am AEST (CODE: KSEAUS) General Onsale: Thursday, May 21: 10am AEST sbmpresents.com/tour/killswitch-engage-2026
Metalcore band Lost In Separation have officially released their self-titled album via SBG Records, delivering a powerful collection of songs that blend crushing heaviness with melodic intensity and deeply personal lyricism.
The album was produced by Jonathan Dolese and Austin Coupe, with mixing and mastering handled by Jon Caywood and Jonathan Dolese.
The band is currently bringing the new album to the stage, touring now with Dropout Kings, giving fans the chance to experience the record’s intensity live.
“The Self-Titled record marks a definitive point of rebirth in our career. We overcame adversity and learned to lean into our strengths. We juxtapose some of the catchiest and most melodic material we’ve ever written with some of the heaviest sounds as well. We stepped out of our comfort zone in one of the most confident and cohesive ways we ever have, and couldn’t be happier with the result,” shares Milad Parsa.
Lost In Separation is a Metalcore Band from Dallas, Tx. Cathartically combining aggression, melody, and emotional storytelling to find silver linings in a world that seems to be falling apart more and more each day.
21-year-old rock singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Sierra Levesque releases her hard-hitting new single “UNDERMINED”, available now on all streaming platforms. Fueled by aggressive lyrics, powerful guitars, and dynamic vocals, the track delivers a fierce anthem of defiance, exposing deception, and reclaiming power. Alongside the release, Sierra also premiered a high-energy music video showcasing the intensity behind the song.
Written, performed, recorded, and co-produced entirely by Sierra – including vocals, guitar, bass, and drums – “UNDERMINED” highlights this fast-rising artist’s signature blend of raw emotion, modern hard rock energy, and unapologetic intensity. Co-produced, mixed, and mastered with legendary guitarist and producer Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, the single combines gritty riffs, massive hooks, and polished production that bridge classic hard rock influence with Gen Z attitude.
“This is the song to scream along to when you’re angry! I wrote it for anyone who’s ever been lied to, underestimated, or pushed aside, and to remind them they have the strength to rise above it,” says Sierra.
The release follows a major wave of momentum for the Canadian-born artist, including the release of her debut album NEW GENERATION in 2025, more than 3 million Spotify streams, over 400,000 social media followers, and performances at a range of venues across the U.S. and Canada. Known for her energetic solo live performances featuring fully self-produced backing tracks, Sierra continues pushing boundaries as one of modern rock’s most ambitious emerging artists.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Songwriting degree through Berklee College of Music, Sierra is not only mastering her craft, but also inspiring a new generation of music fans through both her sound and story.
Upcoming Tour Date: May 31, 2026 Rock To Cure Parkinson’s Event at The Cat’s Crawl in Hollywood, CA
Born in Pembroke, Ontario, Canada and currently based in Los Angeles, independent artist Sierra Levesque is redefining rock for a new generation. Featured in Guitar World Magazine, recognized by Guitar.com as “Gen Z’s Most Ambitious New Guitarist” and featured among “10 Young Shredders Shaping Rock and Metal Today,” she fuses pop, metal, and hard rock into emotionally charged anthems that are both bold and relateable. Backed by a rapidly growing global fanbase and national media recognition, the Gen Z multi-instrumentalist continues to carve out her place in the future of rock music.
HULDER, the dark black metal outfit from the USA, will release their new album Verbolgen on August 7th, 2026, in a co-release with 20 Buck Spin, who will handle North America exclusively, while Season of Mist will cover the World ex-North America territories. Spanning nine tracks and just over forty-eight minutes, Verbolgen is HULDER‘s most fully realised statement to date, drawing on themes of ancestral memory, natural sovereignty, and ancient ritual across lyrics written in English, Flemish, and Proto-Germanic.
Rooted in the traditions of Scandinavian black metal while reaching toward something more atmospheric and ceremonial, Verbolgen moves between driving, riff-driven passages and slower, more meditative stretches, with acoustic instrumentation and hurdy gurdy woven into the fabric of the record. The multilingual approach to the lyrics is not merely ornamental; it reflects the album’s sustained engagement with the mythological and folkloric traditions of the pre-Christian world, from the Germanic lowlands to the Celtic fringes of northwestern Europe.
The album marks a significant shift in the band’s structure. Long positioned as the solo project of HULDER, “Verbolgen” formally brings Necreon into the fold as a full creative partner, following several releases in which he contributed as a session musician. The record also features contributions from Keld (Majesties, Obsequiae, Celestiial) on hurdy gurdy, electric guitars, and keys, as well as drum performances split between Vapula, the band’s touring drummer, and Vrolok (Aeternus, Gorgoroth). Session flute is performed by Ianuaria.HULDER, the dark black metal outfit from the USA, will release their new album Verbolgen on August 7th, 2026, in a co-release with 20 Buck Spin, who will handle North America exclusively, while Season of Mist will cover the World ex-North America territories. Spanning nine tracks and just over forty-eight minutes, Verbolgen is HULDER‘s most fully realised statement to date, drawing on themes of ancestral memory, natural sovereignty, and ancient ritual across lyrics written in English, Flemish, and Proto-Germanic.
Rooted in the traditions of Scandinavian black metal while reaching toward something more atmospheric and ceremonial, Verbolgen moves between driving, riff-driven passages and slower, more meditative stretches, with acoustic instrumentation and hurdy gurdy woven into the fabric of the record. The multilingual approach to the lyrics is not merely ornamental; it reflects the album’s sustained engagement with the mythological and folkloric traditions of the pre-Christian world, from the Germanic lowlands to the Celtic fringes of northwestern Europe.
The album marks a significant shift in the band’s structure. Long positioned as the solo project of HULDER, “Verbolgen” formally brings Necreon into the fold as a full creative partner, following several releases in which he contributed as a session musician. The record also features contributions from Keld (Majesties, Obsequiae, Celestiial) on hurdy gurdy, electric guitars, and keys, as well as drum performances split between Vapula, the band’s touring drummer, and Vrolok (Aeternus, Gorgoroth). Session flute is performed by Ianuaria.
Tracklist:
Drie Raven (Intro) (2:18)
The Crowning (6:28)
Thy Binding Oath (5:38)
Verbolgen (4:01)
…And We Shall Sing (6:01)
In Blood and In Earth (7:09)
Den Nacht Zijn Lied (6:45)
View From Nemeton (5:23)
The Glow of Dawn (4:48) Full runtime: 48:33
In support of the forthcoming release, HULDER will embark on an extensive European summer tour, taking in headline shows and major festival appearances across Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal and beyond. The run includes stops at Graspop Metal Meeting, Hellfest, Resurrection Fest and more. Full dates below.
HULDER – Europe Summer 2026 Dates:
05 June: Mulfingen, DE @ Boarstream Open Air 06 June: Gdansk, PL @ Mystic Festival 08 June: Berlin, DE @ Mikropol 09 June: Munich, DE @ Backstage Club 11 June: Wiesbaden, DE @ Kesselhaus 12 June: Munster, DE @ Zappenduster Fest 13 June: Nijmegen, NL @ Waalhalla 14 June: Neunkirchen, DE @ Gebläsehalle 17 June: Tilburg, NL @ Lucky Devil 18 June: Haarlem, NL @ Patronaat* 19 June: Dessel, BE @ Graspop Metal Meeting 20 June: Clisson, FR @ Hellfest 21 June: Aarau, CH @ Kiff** 22 June: Milan, IT @ Legend Club** 23 June: Salzburg, AT @ Rockhouse** 24 June: Vienna, AT @ Viper Room** 25 June: Kosice, SK @ Collosseum 26 June: Mártély, HU @ Lowland Festival 27 June: Spalene Porici, CZ @ BasinFireFest 29 June: Chambery, FR @ BrindeZinc 30 June: Marseille, FR @ Le Molotov 03 July: Galicia, ES @ Ressurection Fest 04 July: Lisbon, PT @ RCA Club 08 July: Stuttgart, DE @ JuHa West 09 July: Torgau, DE @ In Flammen Open Air *w/ Oranssi Pazuzu & Sólstafir **w/ Uada
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 