From the outside, Nuremberg’s metal scene may appear tranquil. But this impression is very deceptive, because what has developed there in the shadow of superlative-ridden Munich is quite simply a hidden Mecca for rockers and metalheads who want to take a break from the sometimes exhausting spiral of louder, harder, faster, bigger. Instead of huge halls full of anonymous crowds, people in the Nuremberg scene like to focus their eyes and ears on what defines rock and metal, even away from high-performance musical sport: the warmth, the soul, the groove and all of this best enjoyed with good friends – in the melodious living room atmosphere of one of the numerous live clubs.
And right from the heart of this bustling yet easy-going grassroots movement of rock bars, music clubs, and bands comes the video single Faraway by STIGMA, announcing the release of their new album Second Chance, scheduled for June 4th.
Founded in 2021 by singer Gerald Zinnegger and guitarist Markus Mantau and quickly joined by René Chlebnitschek on bass and Bernd Paptistella on drums, Stigma’s new album is the logical continuation of a journey that began with the two EPs Last Order (2022) and First Call (2023). Initially still heavily influenced by acts such as Alice Cooper or the later Metallica, the quartet quickly found their own compositional approach: They neither wanted to lay down fashionable accents nor bury what should ultimately matter – the pure song itself – under musical frills and glitter. From the first to the last note, everything compositional is therefore subject to the strict dictation of remaining honest, glare-free, and appropriate to the song without compromising the fun in rock.
Following this premise, Second Chance revolves around the central existential questions of working people at the heart of society in an almost metal-atypical way, proving the meaning of existentialism through simple stories of common life with well-dosed detours into philosophy.
Shouter Gerald, who delivers the lyrics with an intense baritone, sums up the diversity of themes on the new record: “Second Chance is an album about resilience, transformation, and duality. It explores the highs and lows of human experience, relationships and social challenges. The title speaks of the possibility of growing stronger through adversity and complements the trajectory we set out on with our first two EPs.”
With the brand new single Faraway, the first single from Second Chance, the band is also taking a rather unusual route and prefacing the smash hits to come with a calmer, yet impelling track: “Faraway, our lead single, is a powerful yet introspective song deeply rooted in themes of regret, longing, and resilience,” explains Gerald. “The raw, gritty verses reflect the harsh reality of being trapped, while the upbeat, melodic chorus symbolizes hope and liberation.”
Stigma will of course be celebrating the release date for Second Chance on June 4th in style: With a big release party at the Hirsch in Nuremberg. The popular venue, which was recently voted Germany’s best live club by the readers of Rock Hard magazine, will be a hotbed of activity, as celebrated metallers RANDOM will also be there, taking the opportunity to introduce their new guitarist Angelo Schilirò (ex-Kingdom Come).
The new album Second Chance will be out on June 4th via Music Mania Live and is ready for pre-save here: https://stigma.lnk.to/newalbum
Tracklist:
The Signs Glorious Victory Blaze of My Heart Faraway Monster Corrupter Broken Friendship Pirate Foul Play Through the Night World without Hope Your Guide
Stigma live: May 30, 2025 – Rockcafé Brown Sugar – F.A. King (Czech Republic) June 4, 2025 – Release Party – Hirsch Nuremberg (Germany) June 12 – 14, 2025 – Motobrani – Máchovo jezero, 472 01 Doksy (Czech Republic)
Like a smoke signal, over the past decade, Mawiza have risen as a guiding force for indigenous metal. By incorporating native instruments, shamanic chanting and tribal rhythms into their contemporary influences, the band represent both the ancestral and modern sides of Mapuche culture. Their fresh yet timeless take on groove metal has won them a Chilean Grammy along with the respect of scene elders like Mercyful Fate, Mastodon, Slipknot and Joe Duplantier from Gojira, who’s featured on their upcoming new album.
Today, Mawiza are officially announcing their third full-length ÜL by releasing a stunning video for the album’s lead single and opening track. “Wingkawnoam” marches to an industrial beat, but this band of modern-day warriors are guided by the dreams of their indigenous land.
“ÜL means ‘chant'”, Mawiza says. “The album represents the voice of the land, the origin of feeling, the first call to connect with emotions. It is the part of the spirit that, for a few seconds, becomes one with the wind. It’s a force we can hear, resonate, communicate with and return to”.
While they’ve shared the stage with metal’s most influential acts, Mawiza draw from their indigenous roots. Even the lighting strikes of distortion on the lead single from ÜL are conducted through the natural wood of Toki guitars. “Wingkawnoam” marches to an industrial beat, but it’s pounded out on a Mapuche ceremonial drum. “Kultxung is a sacred instrument for Mapuche people”, says drummer Txalkan. “When a shaman plays this drum, they take the energy of the sky and pass it down to the earth”.
ÜL calls for the protection of Mapuche territory. “Milla milla milla rayen Txemfulu pelom lolen püle / Golden flower, You used to grow on the illuminated side of the ravine“, Awka chants in his native language Mapuzungen. Despite developers encroaching on Wallmapu territory, Mawiza continue to honor their ancestor’s unwavering resistance. In English, “Wingkawnoam” means “To Decolonize”. The song’s bounding rhythm mirrors the way a deer dances while eluding its predators.
“When a wemul (deer) is running, it makes a false step to distract what’s chasing it”, Awka says. “We chose a more progressive rhythm for this song as a way to confuse the colonizer”.
Mawiza are a force of nature on ÜL. With sky-scraping riffs and earthshaking grooves, the album’s nine chants awaken the fiery spirits of their homeland. But like their ancestors, the band look to the spirit world for guidance. “Mapuche people believe that dreams are messages from our ancestors”, says Awka. “Wingkawnoam” recounts three separate nocturnal visions – of a mysterious tree, a cemetery-guarding cougar and a bloodthirsty hummingbird – all of which long for reconnection with the natural world.
“Ngillangillatumekeiñ ñi pewmayaetew / We are begging for what was once dreamed“.
The video for “Wingkawnoam” was filmed on location in a Mapuche community outside of Santiago, Chile. “That was really important”, Mawiza says. “We come from the Mapuche, but not enough people recognize that our communities are still very much here”. After a long day on set, the band gathered inside the same ruka that appears on the back cover of ÜL to pray, cook and hear stories from their elders. “It’s important to meet these communities with humility. By not talking a lot and just listening, you’re showing respect. You’re not imposing your own ideas”.
The story captured by the video also comes from the Mapuche. “I read about this Catholic priest in the Pascual Coña, which is a book that compiles the experiences of a Mapuche elder”, Awka remembers. “As a colonizer, the priest was not welcome by the Mapuche and taken prisoner, but members of the community couldn’t agree on his punishment. So his fate was decided by a game of palin”.
In reality, the priest was allowed to go free. But “Wingkawnoam” dares to imagine an alternate ending. Fanned by the flames of the ruka, with one last defiant scream, Mawiza bring his story to a truly headbanging conclusion. Not only does the priest die in the end. The Mapuche steal the colonizer’s power by eating his heart.
“History is normally written by the colonizers”, Mawiza says. “We have to show the indigenous vision”.
Mawiza would like to thank our Mapuche community Ngillatuwe Maipu for welcoming them during the video shoot for “Wingkawnoam”. Their guidance was essential.
The video for “Wingkawnoam” was directed by Andrés Hetzler (@andreshetzler).
“I have been working with Mawiza for several years,” Andrés says. “It’s always an honor to continue our collaboration. Their message deserves a strong and powerful visual.
“For this video, the band wanted to bring the history of the Mapuche people to a new audience. It shows how important political decisions were resolved in Mapuche culture through a game of palin.
“I proposed to integrate the band around the bonfire of a ruka, as a symbol for oral storytelling, as this is where Mapuche people gather to remember their history”.
Additional production credits Producer/Art Director – Unai García Cinematography – Soledad Gatica 1AC – Alejandro Courbis 2AC/Gaffer – Simón Jorquera Focus Puller – Josefina Berenguela 1st Assistant Director – Carlos Elgueta Production Assistant – Beatriz Cañas Photography by Samantha D. Silva & Kata Ulloa Makeup/Styling by Polvimkp
Ñizol Palife – Ricardo Herrera, Kurra Patiru – Rodrigo Rojas Kona – Pablo Ramírez
Pu Palife Gómez Ricardo Herrera Esteban Nahuelcheo Héctor Olivares Mathias Ferreyra Fabían Flores Marcos Soto Diego Díaz Tell Vicente Díaz Tell Pedro Parra
“This was a profound experience”, says photographer Kata Ulloa. “Photographing this video shoot allowed me to reach a place, in a personal way, that I might never have known. I would like to thank the Mapuche community for opening their doors to me, welcoming me so warmly and allowing me to get to know their culture from the inside. I would also like to thank Mawiza for trusting my aesthetic and vision for their album cover. I deeply love the band’s honesty and character, as subtle as it is expansive”.
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) 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.
Warrant was formed in 1984 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, and experienced success from 1989 to 1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. The band first came into the national spotlight with their double platinum debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989) and one of its singles, “Heaven”, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s success continued in the early 1990s with the double platinum album Cherry Pie (1990), which provided the hit song of the same name.
In 1992, Warrant released their third album, the critically acclaimed Dog Eat Dog. The record achieved only moderate commercial success compared with the first two albums but still sold over 500,000 copies reaching Gold status and charting at No. 25 on the US Billboard charts. The band’s fourth album Ultraphobic produced by a returning Beau Hill (Alice Cooper, Ratt, etc…) was released in March 1995 and, featured the singles “Family Picnic”, “Followed” and the ballad “Stronger Now”.
Watch “Family Picnic” here:
Now to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Ultraphobic it has been remastered and will be released on vinyl for the first time, along with an accompanying CD. The vinyl will be 180g available in both Orange Swirl and Black. There will be a limited amount of CD/LP bundles with a signed print by original members Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon while supplies last.
Metal Hall of Fame inductee Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden singer 1994-1999) is featured as special guest vocalist on the new single ‘Atlas (War Between the Gods)’, released 2nd May by Manchester (UK) hard rock / melodic metal band Absolva.
The single is the fourth taken from Absolva’s upcoming album ‘Justice’ which is set for release on 16th May. The band members have worked with Bayley for many years principally as his backing band in the live arena since 2013 and also for studio albums since 2016’s ‘Infinite Entanglement’ trilogy.
Absolva frontman Christopher Appleton says “We’ve talked about asking Blaze to do a guest vocal for us but always wanted to wait until the right song came along. With ‘Atlas…’ as soon as it was written, we knew immediately this was perfect for Blaze. The style, his voice, and the subject matter are all just right and despite knowing him as friend and colleague for so many years, it’s still a genuine honour to have him singing on our album’
There is an accompanying animation music video with ‘Atlas (War Between the Gods)’ which can be seen here.
Other guest vocalists featured on the album are Ronnie Romero (renowned for his work with Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group and Elegant Weapons), Stu Block (formerly of Iced Earth, more recently with Annihilator) and David Marcelis (Lord Volture / Thorium). Each brings a distinctive style which melds beautifully with the trademark Absolva big harmony guitars and infectious choruses. Separate from the ‘Atlas…’ track the album carries a theme based around the blockbuster Western movie ‘Tombstone’.
Absolva have been touring heavily again this year on tours with Blaze Bayley, with Ronnie Romero and also Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons.
Several more shows/festivals are booked for later in the year. Fans can stay updated on the latest news and tour information by visiting the band’s official website www.absolva.com and social media channels.
About Absolva: Absolva is a British hard rock / melodic metal band, formed in 2012 by Christopher Appleton (lead vocals, lead guitar). Known for their powerhouse performances and mesmerising lead guitars, the band has gained a loyal following worldwide, not least by a hungry attitude & commitment to touring. The band has been equally consistent with its recorded output; the upcoming studio release is their seventh & they also have two live albums to their name. Luke Appleton (guitar & backing vocals), Martin Mcnee (drums) and Karl Schramm (bass) who recently left for personal reasons, complete the line-up on the latest album.
The mighty WARKINGS return from Valhalla with fanfares of the apocalypse! With their new single “Genghis Khan”, the warriors unite with German power metal titans Orden Ogan to unleash a thunderous power metal tale inspired by one of history’s most formidable military forces. Fueled by loyalty and discipline, the song brings to life the fearless warriors of Genghis Khan—men who didn’t see themselves as conquerors, but as a brotherhood driven by a singular vision.
With relentless energy and iron resolve, the song storms across the land like a cavalry charge, reshaping the battlefield with every note and leaving only devastation behind. This isn’t just a metal anthem—it’s a call to arms echoing from the steppes of Mongolia to the halls of Valhalla.
The track launch also quickly follows the announcement of the band’s upcoming European co-headline Pirates & Kings tour with label mates Visions of Atlantis! See below for all confirmed tour dates.
Check out the official music video for the second single “Genghis Khan” below, and prepare for war—the horde is coming.
The Tribune comments: “Ride with the horde, gather under the banner of the great Khan — unstoppable, unbreakable, and born for conquest!”
Since their formation in 2018, WARKINGS have cemented their place in the power metal scene. They have conquered festival stages, played alongside legends like Powerwolf, Hammerfall, and Subway To Sally, and built a devoted fanbase that has chanted their anthems at Europe’s biggest stages, including Wacken Open Air.
The five warriors in WARKINGS have once again taken up their weapons to bring the legends of their past to life with mighty power metal anthems. Each of them carries the memories of great battles within, and now, the time has come to unleash these stories upon the world alongside the indomitable sorceress Morgana le Fay.
The band’s fifth album, Armageddon, is a journey through some of history’s most pivotal conquests—moments where warriors stood firm, empires crumbled, and the world was forever changed. From the Viking raid on Lindisfarne in “Armageddon” to the thunderous legacy of “Genghis Khan”, and the tragic fall of the Knights Templar on “Hangman’s Night”, WARKINGS breathe fire into forgotten chapters of the past. The epic finale “Kings of Ragnarök” calls on fans to rise and fight alongside gods in the last battle.
The new album features strong forces – Dominum (“Hangman’s Night”), Orden Ogan (“Genghis Khan”) and Subway to Sally (“Stahl auf Stahl”) lend their weapons to the mighty kings. Adding to the sonic arsenal, Armageddon was produced by Felix Heldt and mixed/mastered by the renowned Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Powerwolf, Amaranthe). The band teamed up with further musicians to write some battle hymns on this album: Eike Freese (Dark Age, Lord of the Lost) lends his power to “Genghis Khan”, Jan S. Mischon (Saltatio Mortis) joins on “Varangoi”, and Ken Kängström (Follow The Cypher, Sabaton) co-wrote “Kingdom Come”.
With Armageddon, WARKINGS prove that history is not only written by rulers and conquerors—it is shaped by those who fought in their name. This album offers a glimpse into the experiences of those who stood at the brink of their own end—their personal Ragnarök, their own Armageddon. Honoring these fearless warriors, WARKINGS deliver yet another epic, destined to triumph in every battle!
WARKINGS comment: “Armageddon is not just the end — it’s the moments in history that changed the world forever. This album is a tribute to the warriors and shieldmaidens who faced the battles that shaped their world.”
Armageddon track listing: 1. To Lindisfarne… 2. Armageddon 3. Genghis Khan (feat. Orden Ogan) 4. Kingdom Come 5. Morgana’s incantation 6. Circle of witches 7. Kings of Ragnarök 8. Call to Arms 9. Troops of immortality 10. Nightfall 11. Hangman’s Night (feat. Dominum) 12. Varangoi 13. Here comes the rain 14. Stahl auf Stahl (feat. Subway to Sally)
Experience WARKINGS Live: 31.05.25 AT – Kufstein / Festung Kufstein 14.06.25 DE – Burg Abenberg / Feuertanz-Festival 19.06.25 BE – Dessel / Graspop Metal Meeting 27.-28.06.25 DE – Härtsfeldsee / Rock am Härtsfeldsee 03.07.25 DE – Ballenstedt / Rockharz 04.07.25 DE – Mühlheim a. d. Ruhr / Castle Rock 05.07.25 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos-Saal + Hammer King (Album Release-Show) 10.-12.07.25 AT – Leoben / Area 53 – Festival 11.07.25 DE – Saarbrücken / Powerwolf SB-Open-Air 12.07.25 DE – Balingen / RV Bang-Festival 13.07.25 CZ – Vizovice / Masters of Rock 24.07.25 DE – Bremen / Seebühne 25.07.25 DE – Burg Creuzburg / Burg Creuzburg 30.07.-02.08.25 DE – Wacken / Wacken 06.-09.08.25 ES – Villena/Alicante / Leyendas del Rock 09.08.25 DE – Aach / Lake Constance / Das grosse Treffen
PIRATES & KINGS TOUR 2026 w/ Visions of Atlantis: 05.02.26 CH – Pratteln / Z7 06.02.26 DE – Saarbrücken / Garage 07.02.26 DE – Oberhausen / Turbinenhalle 08.02.26 DE – Frankfurt / Batschkapp 10.02.26 UK – Manchester / Academy 2 11.02.26 UK – London / O2 Academy Islington 12.02.26 FR – Paris / Elysée Montmartre 13.02.26 NL – Tilburg / 013 Poppodium 14.02.26 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser 15.02.26 DE – Berlin / Columbia Theater 16.02.26 PL – Warsaw / Proxima 18.02.26 CZ – Zlin / Masters of Rock Cafe 19.02.26 DE – Hannover / Capitol 20.02.26 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle 21.02.26 DE – Geiselwind / Musichall 26.02.26 FR – Lyon / La Rayonne 27.02.26 DE – Stuttgart / Im Wizemann Halle 28.02.26 DE – München / Backstage Werk 05.03.26 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra 06.03.26 AT – Wien / SimmCity 07.03.26 AT – Wörgl / Komma
WARKINGS are: Tribune – War Chant Crusader – Steelwing Spartan – War Drums Viking – Battle Axe Morgana le Fay – Unholy Evocations WARKINGS online: Facebook Instagram Website Napalm Records
Argonauta Records is thrilled to announce the release of “Sideral Voivod”, the mind-bending first single from the upcoming album by Italian heavy psych trio Godzilla Was Too Drunk To Destroy Tokyo.
Driven by a fuzz-drenched mix of acid rock and stoner madness, “Sideral Voivod” is a sonic rollercoaster where sludgy riffs, prophetic choruses, and explosive breakdowns collide in an electrifying storm of chaos and groove.
The band states: “All Heil the ‘Sideral Voivod’! A madness fueled odyssey where the good, the bad and the starring are the same being. As landscape for this twisted trip you’ll find fuzzy and crunchy 60s acid rock guitar riffs, stoned obsessive prophetic choruses, gorilla bass sound and unexpected drum fills and breakdowns. Everything is spiced up with more paranoid views.”
Formed in 2022 in Calice Ligure, a small village near Genoa, Godzilla Was Too Drunk To Destroy Tokyo is a total DIY powerhouse. The band is led by frontwoman and drakkar bass destroyer Sara de Luca, known as the Evil Lord, alongside octopus-armed drummer Nicola Viola, and riff-wizard guitar builder Alessandro “Camu” Camurati. Together they have already toured across Europe and Japan, leaving a trail of crushed stages in their wake.
Following the success of their 2023 albums Atomic Spitfire and Evil Lord, the new material promises to take their sound even further into the unknown, a swirling blend of cosmic fury and psych-fueled rebellion.
If you are into heavy riffs, acid-drenched rock, and chaotic sci-fi visions, this is the band you need in your life.
Stay tuned for more news and the full album release coming soon on Argonauta Records.
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 ) 