AT THE GATES’ New Album “The Ghost Of A Future Dead” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 28, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Swedish melodic death metal pioneers At The Gates released their new studio album “The Ghost of a Future Dead”, worldwide via Century Media Records.

The follow-up to 2021’s wildly adventurous “The Nightmare of Being”, this At The Gates album “The Ghost of a Future Dead” marks a special tribute to frontman Tomas Lindberg, who tragically passed away in September 2025.

“Tomas Lindberg’s last act is one of his finest, as At The Gates show why they were the best ever to do it on incendiary final album.” – 5/5 review / Kerrang! (UK)

“At The Gates’ emotional epitaph to frontman Tomas Lindberg is their greatest triumph in the face of tragedy.” – 9/10 review / Decibel Magazine (USA)

The album can be purchased from this location: https://atthegates.lnk.to/TheGhostofaFutureDeadNE

You can now also check out a new video by longtime At The Gates collaborator Costin Chioreanu for the album song “In Dark Distortion” here:

Metal Blade Records & BraveWords Announce Landmark Partnership to Bring “Metal Mondays” to Global Audience

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 28, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Metal Blade Records and BraveWords today announced a powerful new partnership to bring Metal Mondays, the fast-growing interactive audio trivia experience, to BraveWords.com.

Already building a passionate and competitive player base across iOS and Android, Metal Mondays has quickly established itself as a weekly ritual for metal fans. Now, for the first time, the experience will be fully integrated into one of the world’s leading metal media platforms – dramatically expanding its reach and impact.

The BraveWords rollout began Monday, April 20th, marking a major milestone in the evolution of the platform.

Metal Mondays has proven its staying power, with fans returning week after week to test their knowledge, discover new music, and compete for leaderboard dominance. The move to BraveWords.com represents the next phase – taking an already successful product and placing it directly in front of millions of deeply engaged metal fans.

Players can expect the same addictive format, now more accessible than ever:

• Audio-driven trivia spanning decades of metal
• Competitive gameplay with global leaderboards
• Opportunities to win exclusive prizes
• Deep dives into Metal Blade’s legendary catalog and beyond

What began as a mobile-first experience now evolves into a fully embedded, web-based destination – meeting fans where they already live, read, and breathe metal.

“Metal Mondays has already shown that fans are hungry for new ways to engage with the music beyond streaming,” said Brian Slagel, CEO of Metal Blade Records. “By partnering with BraveWords, we’re amplifying something that’s already working – bringing it to a massive global audience and making it even more accessible.”

“We’re always looking for ways to deepen engagement with our audience,” said Tim Henderson, CEO of BraveWords. “Metal Mondays stood out immediately – it’s proven, it’s sticky, and it taps directly into the competitive spirit of metal fans. Bringing it to BraveWords is a natural and exciting next step.”

The partnership transforms BraveWords.com into more than a destination for news – it becomes an interactive hub where fans can play, compete, and explore.

Metal Mondays encourages players to:

• Rediscover classic tracks and explore deep cuts
• Engage more deeply with artists and the Metal Blade catalog
• Return weekly for new challenges and evolving competition
• Participate in a shared global experience rooted in metal culture

It also creates new opportunities for sponsorship, advertising, and fan engagement through gamified media – an emerging frontier in music and entertainment.

About Metal Blade Records
Founded in 1982 by Brian Slagel, Metal Blade Records is one of the most influential labels in heavy music history. With a legacy spanning over four decades, the label continues to shape the genre through groundbreaking artists, innovation, and a deep connection to the global metal community.

About BraveWords
Founded in 1994, BraveWords is a premier destination for heavy metal news, interviews, and culture. With a global audience of dedicated fans, BraveWords has become a trusted voice and essential platform within the metal ecosystem.

About Metal Mondays
Metal Mondays is a weekly interactive audio trivia game that challenges fans to identify songs, artists, and genres while competing for leaderboard rankings and prizes. Originally launched on iOS and Android, the platform has built a growing and highly engaged player base, combining music discovery with competitive gameplay.

Metal Mondays is developed and powered by Pantheon Media and Spooler Media, leaders in audio innovation and next-generation fan engagement.

DOWN Release Cover of Dr. John’s ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 28, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by MetalDave Media

DOWN’s special cover of Dr. John’s ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’, released in video form for a limited time to celebrate Mardi Gras earlier this year, is currently available on all streaming platforms!

New Orleans native Dr. John was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. His music combined New Orleans blues, jazz, R&B, soul, and funk. ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’ was the first single from Dr. John’s 1973 album, In the Right Place, and became the most popular single of his career. The song has been featured in various films and television shows, including Dazed And Confused and American Horror Story: Coven. DOWN’s cover of ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’ is an homage to Dr. John and his appearances on The Midnight Special TV series, a late night musical variety show that aired from 1972 to 1981.

Stream DOWN’s rendition of Dr. John’s ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’ HERE.​

In related DOWN news, the band will serve as direct support to Slayer on the special 40th anniversary of Reign In Blood show September 4th in Shakopee, Minnesota. Additional support will be provided by Suicidal Tendencies and Hatebreed. In December, DOWN will headline day two (December 5th) of this year’s edition of the Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest Denver. The appearance marks the band’s first Denver appearance in over twelve years! See all confirmed DOWN shows below.

Earlier this month, Nuclear Blast Records announced the release of a remastered edition of Over The Under. Initially released in the autumn of 2007, DOWN’s third studio album was produced by Warren Riker and served as a true moment in time delivering over 60 heartfelt minutes of sonic frustration with songs addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and personal turmoil.

The 2026 edition of Over The Under features remastered audio by Eric Koondel (Soilwork, Cynic, Malevolent Creation, Death) and marks the first time the LP will be officially available in the US market. Additionally, the CD and digital versions include bonus track “Invest In Fear” (the first time the track will be available on a US physical release and on Digital Service Providers worldwide). .

DOWN’s Over The Under remaster will be available on CD, LP, and digital formats on June 19th. Find preordersHERE.

You know it’s DOWN as soon as you hear them. Currently featuring vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower, and bassist Pat Bruders, there’s no mistaking those gargantuan riffs, swamp blues leads, crashing drums, and hypnotic howls for absolutely anybody else under the sun. The band upholds a certain tradition that countless fans celebrate, expanding their own musical mythos as they leave its pillars intact and untouched. With a collective resume encompassing Pantera, Corrosion Of Conformity, Crowbar, and EyeHateGod, the quintet puffed out its first haze of sonic smoke from the belly of gritty old New Orleans on the 1995 platinum-selling classic, NOLA. At that moment, they naturally summoned something akin to a ritual, continually partaking in it with critically revered offerings – Down II: A Bustle In Your Hedgerow in 2002, Down III: Over The Under in 2007, Down IV – Part One in 2012, and Down IV – Part Two in 2014. Their shows built a certain live lore with unforgettable runs alongside Metallica and Heaven & Hell, as well as coveted spots on iconic festivals like Download, Soundwave, Ozzfest, and so many others, forever delivering passionate, powerful, pure heavy music you can feel deep down in your soul.

Stand by for updates on new DOWN music in the months to come. 

DOWN Live 2026:
6/03/2026 Sweden Rock Festival – Norje, SE
6/05/2026 Mystic Fest Poland – Gdańsk, PL
6/21/2026 Hellfest – Clisson, FR
9/04/2026 Mystic Lake Amphitheater – Shakopee, MN w/ Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, Hatebreed [tickets]
10/03/2026 Aftershock – Sacramento, CA
10/24/2026 Sick New World Texas – Fort Worth, TX
12/05/2026 Decibel Metal And Beer Fest – Denver, CO [tickets]

DOWN links
website | facebook | instagram

SEMPER ACERBUS Unleash New Single ‘Omina Sequi’, Feat. JESSE LEACH

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 27, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

SEMPER ACERBUS has officially raised the stakes in the modern metalcore landscape with their latest single, “Omina Sequi.” The track is a high-octane collaboration featuring Jesse Leach, the Grammy-nominated vocalist of Killswitch Engage. This release serves as a definitive statement from the Del Rio, Texas, five-piece, blending their signature “megaton powerhouse” sound with the soaring, emotive delivery that Leach has championed for decades. Produced, mixed, and mastered by Chris Mora (Upon a Burning Body, Kingdom Collapse) at Warhorse Recordings, the single captures a sonic “explosion of heaviness”. Musically, “Omina Sequi” thrives on a scalding guitar duo and a rhythm section that mirrors an emotional schematic gone nuclear. The track’s title, which translates to “Following Omens,” serves as the perfect vessel for the band’s thematic exploration of the psychological spectrum.

Listen to Following Omens at this location.

Vocalist Nelson Acerbus describes the track as a visionary anthem regarding the pursuit of one’s purpose. The lyrics urge listeners to “breach the surface” and “entrust these omens,” casting aside the hesitation that often plagues the human spirit. It is a song about going “full out” on your dreams and recognizing the signals the universe provides. This message of resilience is a hallmark of the band’s songwriting, which frequently navigates the deep fog of despair to find the light of hope.

Semper Acerbus lineup
Nelson Acerbus (vocals), Jaime Vargas (guitar), Chad Ellason (guitar), Sammy Farhat (bass), Tyler Thomas (drums)

For more information about Semper Acerbus and their “Omina Sequi (feat Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage)” metalcore single, please visit them on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Eclipse Records and follow them on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Tidal now!

OUTLIER Release Official Music Video for Latest Single ‘Nightmare’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 27, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Outlier has unveiled the official music video for “Nightmare,” a gripping track that dives headfirst into the emotional wreckage of toxic attachment, self-doubt, and the painful comfort of familiarity. With haunting atmosphere and hard-hitting intensity, “Nightmare” captures the feeling of being trapped in a cycle you know is destroying you—but still can’t walk away from. The track debuted on the front page of Apple Music and was list as a Top Track of the Week on Metal Injection.

Joey Arena shares, “’Nightmare’ lives in that quiet war between what you know you deserve and what you keep crawling back to – where love feels like a wound you refuse to let heal. It’s the echo of self-doubt that makes pain feel familiar, the kind that turns chaos into comfort and affection into addiction. You don’t stay because it’s good – you stay because somewhere deep down, you’ve learned to believe this is all you’re worth… “

In support of the new release, Outlier will be hitting the road with Silent Theory, joining them on tour from April 21st through May 14th. Dates below.

“Nightmare” is available now on all major streaming platforms.

Stream “Nightmare”

Honing in on a modern sound while consistently setting themselves apart from the mainstream, Outlier prides themselves on creating exemplary rock and metal music backed by a rapidly growing fanbase. Outlier has earned millions of on demand streams across DSP platforms as well as more than 6 million views of user generated content on YouTube alone. In addition to their loyal fan base, the band has caught attention through achieving features in major media outlets such as Revolver, Loudwire, Alternative Press, Decibel and ABC News.

Continually hitting the Billboard charts, Outlier has been able to spread their sound nationwide through constant spins on FM radio and months of regular rotation on SiriusXM Octane– launching them into the forefront of their genre. Outlier has had 8 singles featured on SiriusXM Octane; “Who We Are”, “Buried Me Alive”, “Blame The Dead”, “Living Dead”, “Heartless”, “Dead Man Running”, “Warriors” featuring Chris Motionless and “Creature of the Night” winning the hearts of satellite radio listeners across the country and emphasizes the bands ability to stay creative while maintaining an ever-growing fanbase.

For More Information Please Visit: Official Website – Instagram – Facebook – X – YouTube

RAKINUA Announce Debut Album “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother”, Out May 29th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 27, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Dark folk/progressive entity RAKINUA are set to unveil their debut album “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother” on May 29th, 2026 via Dusktone, marking the first chapter of an ambitious artistic vision rooted in myth, ritual and sonic exploration.

The video of the project’s first single, “Shepherd of the Clouds”, is now available HERE.

Emerging from a fertile intersection of sound and storytelling, RAKINUA stand as the convergence of two distinct creative forces: one driven by an insatiable urge toward musical expression, the other endowed with a rare gift for narrative architecture. Together, they have shaped a work that aspires not merely to be heard, but to be inhabited: a threshold into another world, where time dissolves and meaning is carved in ancient symbols.

Inspired by Alpine sacrificial sites that have borne witness to nearly three millennia of ritual practice, “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother” unfolds as a concept album of rare depth and cohesion. Its narrative follows a priestess whose desperate attempts to appease increasingly wrathful gods ultimately condemn her tribe to ruin. This tragedy is revealed through the voice of an oracle, a liminal presence bridging past, present, and future: an eternal witness to a fate that cannot be undone.

Musically, RAKINUA traverse a wide and evocative spectrum. Their sound resonates with the ritualistic pulse of Heilung and Wardruna, the dark introspection of Myrkur, and the progressive depth of Opeth, Porcupine Tree, and Anathema. Yet these references serve only as distant constellations; “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother” charts its own path, guided by an archaic, almost primordial spirit.

The album was produced by Fabio D’Amore (Serenity, Perchta) at Synonym Of Sound, with concept and lyrics crafted by Velis and Madame Noctinebra. Their work draws upon archaeological insight, a refined aesthetic sensibility, and the evocative power of a forgotten tongue intertwined with Raetic symbols. The result is a body of songs that feels both meticulously constructed and organically unearthed.

RAKINUA’s vision extends beyond the recorded form. Their ceremonial live manifestations – ranging from the electrifying Full Electric Tribe Ritual to the intimate Acoustic Tribe Ritual – translate the album’s essence into immersive, communal experiences. Each performance becomes an act of remembrance, a rekindling of something older than language itself.

With “Esi Um Ninu – Heal Us, Mother”, RAKINUA do not simply present a debut; they open a passage. It is an invitation to step into a narrative suspended between epochs, where the echo of forgotten rites still lingers—and where the future, though foreseen, may yet be resisted.

Tracklist:

01. The Prophecy
02. Sacrilege
03. First Vision of the Oracle
04. Goddess of the Night
05. Second Vision of the Oracle
06. Warrior of Light
07. Third Vision of the Oracle
08. Shepherd of the Clouds
09. Fourth Vision of the Oracle
10. Spirits of Waters
11. Fifth Vision of the Oracle
12. Terra
13. Hear Me
14. Last Vision of the Oracle
15. The Old Paths – Sangue
16. Peaceful Night

  • Produced and recorded by Fabio D’Amore, for Synonym Of Sound http://www.synonym-of-sound.art
  • Lead & backing vocals recorded by Fabio Trentini (Guano Apes, Subway To Sally) http://www.fabiotrentini.com
  • Mixed and Mastered by Francesco Marzona (Elisa, Ultimo, Tystnaden) & Fabio D’Amore http://www.francescomarzona.com
  • Drums performed by Niklas Müller (Ad Infinitum), with courtesy of Napalm Records
  • Photography by: Sandra Strele (www.sandrastrele.com), Alexandra Wahl – Oscura Lente Fotografia (www.facebook.com/OscuraLente)
  • Logo and graphic design by Beatrice Demori (www.beatricedemori.com)

RAKINUA is:

Velis: lead vocals, percussions
Madame Noctinebra: narrations, percussions, vocals

The Live Tribe is:

Fabio D’Amore: electric bass, fretless, vocals
Sybell – Cristina Spadotto (Uttern): acoustic & electric guitars, harsh and clean vocals
Anna Eggersberger: harps, vocals
Alessandro Pedretti (Adamantis Guitar Orchestra): acoustic & electric guitars
Gabriele Boz (Sinheresy): drums & percussions

https://www.instagram.com/rakinua.music
https://www.facebook.com/rakinua