Melbourne’s premier purveyors of crust-infused death metal, Küntsquäd, are back with the release of their shocking new music video, “Piss and Purge.” The track is taken from their critically acclaimed album Satan’s Cock, out now via Wormholedeath.
Piss and Purge is a song … challenging the ideology around the normalisation of humanity’s excesses and its obsessions with disposableconsumerism, which manifests both on a personal and broader level. The visuals particularly highlight the humour around the end results of rockstar like consumption of drugs of choice or other ‘fast’ consumables. The visuals also highlight how this greed manifests more broadly, asking the questions around the disposability of human life through classist warfare, and how the acquisition (consumption) of goods or territory is steadfastly sold as a necessary evil, always resulting in the death or genocide (purging) of human life. In short, it’s a satirical foray into the monstrous absurdity of what this may actually look like through the eyes of a passive observer.
Following their 2022 self-titled debut, which sold out multiple pressings and carved a cult following across the underground, KÜNTSQUÄD (pronounced Kountskard) double down on everything grotesque, unholy, and deliberately absurd. There are no genre walls here—only a relentless descent into sonic madness.
With the album “Satans Cock”, the band delivers a grotesque yet calculated assault—layering blast-beaten fury, apocalyptic riffs, and sneering satire into a weaponized soundscape for the damned.
About KÜNTSQUÄD:
KÜNTSQUÄD (pron. Kountskard) is a crusty death metal band from Melbourne blending guttural vocals, down-tuned riffs, and blackened chaos. Their 2022 self-titled debut on Wormholedeath Records earned global acclaim and sold-out pressings. Raw, extreme, and satirically twisted—this is metal with no genre boundaries.
Hard rockers VON GROOVE are proud to share their new single, “Undefeated,”taken from their upcoming new album ‘Born To Rock,’ set for release on May 15, 2026via Frontiers Music Srl. “Undefeated” marks the third track released from the new album and arrives alongside an official visualizer, available below.
Drummer/vocalist Michael Shotton comments on the new track:
“‘Undefeated’ is the story of relentless persistence. Always rising to the challenge and never giving up. Defeat is not an option. Every day we step into that ring and face the enemy head-on and come out swinging. ‘Undefeated’ rocks as only VON GROOVEcan. WARNING: don’t listen to this while driving on the highway!”
VON GROOVE triumphantly returns with a jaw-dropping new album that reunites the classic original lineup: Mladen on guitars, Michael Shotton on drums and vocals, and Matthew Gerrard on bass. This isn’t just a comeback, it’s a resurrection!
Marking their first studio release since 2001, the album feels like it was born in the same fire as their legendary 1992 debut. The opening title-track, “Born To Rock,” explodes with the same urgency and swagger as their iconic “Once Is Not Enough” — even quoting it with a subtle nod that will send chills down the spine of longtime fans.
True to their roots, VON GROOVE delivers a masterclass in melodic hard rock, with blazing guitars, soaring vocals, and airtight arrangements. The production is punchy and alive, but the soul of the record is pure 90s AOR glory.
Even more exciting? VON GROOVE will be returning to the stage in 2026, bringing their renewed fire and timeless sound back to live audiences for the first time in years.
1. Born To Rock 2. Fearless 3. Champion 4. Adrenaline 5. Angela 6. Undefeated 7. Do It All Over Again 8. Heart Of Forgiveness 9. Dreams 10. Waiting For The Sky To Fall 11. Always Endlessly
Founded in 1990, VON GROOVE quickly made their mark on the Melodic Hard Rock scene. Their 1992 self-titled debut, produced by Richie Zito and featuring Deen Castronovo (later of Journey) on session drums, remains a cornerstone of the genre. Over the years, they’ve delivered fan-favorite albums like ‘Mission Man’ (‘Chameleon’ in Europe), ‘Test of Faith,’ and ‘The Seventh Day.’ Despite going on hiatus in 2001, the members stayed active, collaborating with rock legends and contributing to major projects across genres.
After 20+ years, VON GROOVE is making their epic comeback!
VON GROOVE are: Mladen — Guitars Michael Shotton — Drums, Vocals Matthew Gerrard — Bass
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST have released their live performance video for ‘Limitless’, taken from the band’s latest album “Lead, Love and Gold”, released in 2024 via Lion Music.
The live performance video was recorded during their concert on February 28, 2026, at the auditorium of Magazzini Musicali Merula, one of the largest musical instrument stores in Europe. Mixed by Beppe Geracitano.
The band stated: “No autotune, no samples, and no overdubbing. Just a keyboard backing track. We care about keeping live music as pure and real as possible. Considering how technology is overused in 2026, even on stage, we think it’s important to speak up!”
Watch the video here:
More information: THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – formed in 2009 – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements. With a contemporary and refined sound, the band has built an international following, particularly in Finland, USA, Spain, France, Brazil, Germany, Poland, and Canada.
Their music is born from a balance of emotional impact, technical skill, and production quality. Over the years, they have also connected their image to the world of motorsport and F1, becoming the first rock band to perform on the podium of the Monza Circuit during the awards ceremony of the 2015 Monza Rally Show. Several of their tracks have been used as soundtracks in TV features for programs such as Griglia di Partenza, and on channels like Eurosport or RTBF Belgium.
Their songs have also received international rock radio airplay, being broadcast on various stations in several countries, including the USA, Poland, and France (Virgin Radio France).
Death metal band CARNATION return sharper, heavier, and more focused than ever. Today, they unveil their new single “Kingdom Of Dreams”, alongside a high-impact video, and announce their fourth full-length album, “Symphony In Flesh”, set for release on October 16th, 2026.
“Kingdom Of Dreams” is CARNATION stripped to its essence; razor-sharp riffs, relentless drive, and a suffocating atmosphere. It’s a deliberate return to the band’s core sound, but executed with a new level of precision and control. Every section hits harder, every transition feels intentional; this is the band at their most direct, but also their most refined. Fans of Obituary, Entombed, Bloodbath, Cannibal Corpse etc will not be disappointed.
Visually, the band follows the same philosophy. The video abandons excess in favor of a darker, more deliberate aesthetic: minimal, unsettling, and visually stronger than anything they’ve done before. It’s a clear step forward, it’s more cinematic, more focused, while staying true to the band’s identity.
With “Symphony In Flesh”, CARNATION consciously reconnect with what made them stand out in the first place: tight songwriting, memorable riffs, and uncompromising intensity. At the same time, they elevate every aspect of their craft. The songwriting is more deliberate, the arrangements more dynamic, and the overall flow more cohesive than ever before.
The album doesn’t just revisit their roots, it sharpens them. It combines the raw energy of their early material with the experience and production strength they’ve built over time, resulting in a record that feels both immediate and fully realized.
Lyrically, the album remains vivid and focused. The title track, “Symphony In Flesh”, explores the mind of a serial killer through disturbing, detailed imagery. “Twisted Visions” confronts modern addiction and its psychological grip, while “Legacy of the Forefathers” expands into an ambitious near 12-minute closer, pushing the band’s songwriting further without losing its impact.
“Going into this album, we wanted to reconnect with our roots. Not just musically, but in the way we present the band,” CARNATION states. “At the same time, we pushed ourselves to write tighter, stronger songs and to bring everything – sound and visuals – to a higher level. This is the most complete version of CARNATION so far.”
Tracklist: 01. Blackmouth 02. Flesh-Eating Frenzy 03. Symphony in Flesh 04. Kingdom of Dreams 05. Labyrinth of Silence 06. Towards Death 07. Twisted Visions 08. Boundless Pathways 09. Legacy of the Forefathers
Blending raw aggression with sharper songwriting and a more defined visual identity, “Symphony In Flesh” captures CARNATION at a crucial point: back to their core, but evolved in every direction that matters.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Yarne Heylen at Project Zero Studio / Y-Productions, with album artwork by Peter Sallai, “Symphony In Flesh” will be out on October 16, self-released by the band, and is now available for pre-order HERE
Chilean death metallers ROTTEN TOMB proudly announce the release of their third full-length album, “Vestiges of Tortured Souls”, set for June 6th, 2026 via Nuclear Winter Records. The album will be available on LP, CD, and cassette formats, further cementing the band’s commitment to the underground tradition.
The first single “Mortified” is now streaming HERE.
Formed in 2016 in Iquique, ROTTEN TOMB have steadily risen as one of the most compelling acts within the South American extreme metal scene, blending death metal with doom-laden atmospheres and occult undertones. Following the strong impact of “Visions of a Dismal Fate” (2022) and the equally praised “The Relief of Death” (2024), the band now returns with their most ambitious and fully realized work to date.
“Vestiges of Tortured Souls” stands as one of the most anticipated death metal releases of the year. On this new record, ROTTEN TOMB refine their sonic identity without sacrificing intensity or authenticity. The riffs are sharper and more cohesive, while the melodies take on a more prominent role, painting soundscapes that feel more sorrowful and evocative than ever before.
Without losing any of the crushing heaviness and sense of decay that defined their earlier material, the band now delivers songs with an immediate and lasting impact. Each track strikes a balance between overwhelming force and carefully crafted lead guitar work, resulting in compositions that are both memorable and devastating.
The album channels the oppressive weight of the genre’s darkest pioneers alongside a deeply mournful and introspective atmosphere, while still maintaining a distinct and personal voice. This duality allows ROTTEN TOMB to push their sound forward, achieving a level of songwriting maturity that marks a clear evolution from their previous efforts.
“Vestiges of Tortured Souls” represents a major step forward for ROTTEN TOMB, solidifying their position at the forefront of Chile’s increasingly renowned extreme metal scene and extending their reach far beyond national borders.
For fans of: Incantation, early Paradise Lost, Krypts, Sonne Adam
Tracklist:
01. Horror Manifestations 02. Condemned Reality 03. Lost Memories 04. Waiting, Dying 05. Mortified 06. Mind of Chaos 07. Here Lies Death 08. Ancestral Preservation 09. Human Pyre
Line-up:
Deathbringer – Guitar, vocals C. – Guitar A. Prophaner – Drums Utukku – Bass
More than 20 years removed from where they started, Crippled Black Phoenix are approaching a new threshold with their upcoming new album. Sceaduhelm is the UK macabre rockers’ most inward-looking and grave statement to date. It turns away from collective upheaval to face emotional erosion, fatigue and private collapse.
“Sceaduhelm is a deeply impactful and affecting record that permeates the psyche with its mysterious aura”, Ghost Cult writes in an early 8/10 review. “It is both darkly alluring and strangely uplifting”.
“It’s like a morphine drip”, Metal Epidemicsays in a 5/5 review. “This album is addictive. The more time you spend with it, the more it fuses with your DNA”.
Sceaduhelm was released today on April 17 on Season of Mist, and you can hear all 12 stark and striking songsby listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.
Where previous Crippled Black Phoenix records addressed historical violence and societal fracture, Sceaduhelm moves inward, listening to what accumulates in the aftermath: grief, complicity, damaged intimacy and the weight of endurance. The album unfolds as a unified psychological space rather than a traditional concept record, with slow builds, minimalist repetition, and unresolved tension carrying as much weight as melody. While stemming from founding member Justin Greaves (ex-Electric Wizard, ex-Iron Monkey), vocals are shared between Belinda Kordic (Killing Mood, Stabb), Ryan Patterson (Fotocrime, Coliseum, Mirrorless) and Justin Storms (Wailin Storms), each occupying a distinct but aligned emotional register across the album’s twelve tracks.
Tracklist: 1. One Man Wall of Death (04:14) 2. Ravenettes (04:22) 3. Things Start Falling Apart (05:21) 4. No Epitaph / The Precipice (08:30) 5. The Void (03:49) 6. Hollows End (04:26) 7. Dropout (03:48) 8. Vampire Grave (06:24) 9. Colder and Colder (04:56) 10. Under the Eye (07:07) 11. Tired to the Bone (04:50) 12. Beautiful Destroyer (08:33) Full runtime: 1:06:22
CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX are approaching a new threshold with Sceaduhelm, an album that withdraws from outward spectacle and turns instead toward interior collapse, exhaustion, and moral attrition. Severe, restrained, and emotionally exposed, the record presents itself not as a dramatic statement but as a slow accumulation of unease. Where earlier works often grappled with collective trauma or historical violence, Sceaduhelm listens to what lingers afterward: fatigue, memory, complicity, and the quiet weight of survival. The result is a unified emotional landscape rather than a narrative concept, marked by repetition, patience, and unresolved tension.
Crippled Black Phoenix was formed in 2004 by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Justin Greaves, initially conceived as a fluid musical project rather than a fixed band. Emerging from Greaves’ post-Iron Monkey creative reset, the project was built around collaboration, instability, and a refusal of rigid identity. From the outset, Crippled Black Phoenix positioned itself as a voice for the marginalised and dispossessed, whether human or animal, individual or collective. This ethical undercurrent has remained constant throughout the project’s evolution, shaped in close creative partnership with vocalist and lyricist Belinda Kordic, whose role has extended far beyond performance into the wider artistic and conceptual framework of the band.
The band’s early releases established a reputation for long-form compositions, cinematic pacing, and emotional gravity. Albums such as A Love of Shared Disasters and The Resurrectionists introduced a sound rooted in repetition and slow transformation, drawing as much from post-rock and folk traditions as from metal’s sense of weight and endurance. With I, Vigilante in 2012, Crippled Black Phoenix reached a wider audience, refining their songwriting into more direct structures without abandoning their commitment to atmosphere and tension. The album remains a reference point within their catalogue, both for its accessibility and its bleak emotional clarity.
Subsequent releases resisted consolidation. White Light Generator and Bronze expanded the band’s textural range, incorporating harsher dynamics, sharper political commentary, and a more confrontational production approach. Great Escape functioned as both retrospective and recontextualization, drawing together material from various sessions into a fractured but revealing whole. Throughout this period, the band’s identity remained deliberately unstable, with shifting lineups and an ongoing refusal to settle into a predictable formula.
In 2020, Ellengæst marked another pivot. Built around the use of multiple guest vocalists alongside Kordic, the album explored themes of death, memory, and historical residue, earning recognition for its cohesion and emotional impact. Rather than treating guest contributions as novelty, Crippled Black Phoenix used contrasting voices to deepen the album’s sense of dislocation and grief. The pandemic-era context further sharpened the record’s introspective tone, even as live activity was forced into suspension.
That inward momentum continued with Banefyre, a record concerned explicitly with persecution, inequality, and the violence inflicted on those deemed different by society. Drawing on historical and symbolic imagery, the album balanced outrage with ritual, placing acts of oppression within a broader continuum of human cruelty. Its production embraced rawness and abrasion, reinforcing the band’s long-standing commitment to evolution over repetition. Banefyre reaffirmed Crippled Black Phoenix as a project unwilling to offer comfort or resolution, even as it expanded their sonic and thematic reach.
Sceaduhelm emerges from this lineage as a narrowing of focus rather than a departure. Written primarily between 2023 and 2025, the album developed through uncertainty, self-questioning, and prolonged doubt. The process was deliberately fluid, allowing compositions to remain open and emotionally vulnerable until late in production. Justin Greaves remains the sole composer of the music, with lyrics written after the fact and assigned to voices according to emotional fit rather than hierarchy. Belinda Kordic, Ryan Patterson, and Justin Storms share vocal duties, each occupying a distinct but aligned psychological register.
As with previous releases, Justin Greaves remains the sole composer of the music, each composition emerging from his own emotional and creative impulse. The lyrical dimension is separate and equally personal. The words and themes are written by the vocalists themselves, each lyricist expressing their own feelings, experiences, and perspectives rather than interpreting someone else’s narrative. Belinda Kordic, Ryan Patterson, and Justin Storms each author their own texts, bringing distinct emotional viewpoints into the material.
Lyrically and thematically, Sceaduhelm is preoccupied with exhaustion as a condition rather than a moment, with time framed not as a healer but as an eroding force. Songs address burnout, grief, surveillance, institutional violence, and damaged intimacy, often blurring the line between the personal and the political. Musically, the album favours restraint over release, employing repetition, minimalism, and slow escalation to sustain tension without catharsis. Recorded across multiple locations and mixed with deliberate austerity, the record resists warmth, clarity serving discomfort rather than solace.
Within Crippled Black Phoenix’s wider catalogue, Sceaduhelm does not seek to resolve previous narratives or replicate past high points. Instead, it documents a moment of exposure and endurance, listening closely to what remains when spectacle fades and outrage exhausts itself. It stands as a severe, human record, concerned less with declaration than with persistence, and affirms once more the band’s refusal to stand still, soften its gaze, or offer easy answers.
Line-up: Music – Greaves / Words — Patterson Justin Greaves — Guitars, Drums, Samples Ryan Patterson — Vocals Belinda Kordic — Backing Vocals Wes Wasley — Bass Robin Tow — Percussion Lucy Marshall — Synths
Apparently recorded at various times during 2023 to 2025 at: Chapel Studios, Lincolnshire, UK Engineered by Pieter Rietkerk
Additional sessions at: Kapsylen Studio, Stockholm, Sweden Engineered by Jörgen Jugglo Wall. House Of Foto, Louisville, KY, USA Engineered by Ryan Patterson Mixed by Iver Sandøy at Solslottet Studio, Bergen, Norway. Mastered by Magnus Lindberg, Stockholm, Sweden Additional mixing by Pieter Rietkerk at Chapel Studios Produced by Justin Greaves
Artwork by Erebus Art (Thanasis Stratidakis)
Thank to everyone who helped and supported this venture.
BIG thankye! to Kurt Ballou for his input and work on this album.
All CBP music published by Season Of Mist Publishing.
Lyrics for “No Epitaph, “The Precipice”, “Vampire Grave”, “Beautiful Destroyer” Copyright 2026 Ryan Patterson (BMI)
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 ) 