TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD’s First New Single ‘Prayer’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 22, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Today marks the release of the first new single from TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD, “Prayer”. “The song is a requiem for all the souls we have lost: Friends, companions, partners, and beloved pets. It was written on a dark night following the death of an old friend,” says Schrödey, the band’s founder and guitarist, describing the song’s origins. “Prayer” and the upcoming material was composed by Schrödey, who spent many months giving the songs shape, depth and the finishing touches in his Absurd Studio.

The band’s third new album, which is set to be released in autumn 2026, will feature a mix of reimagined classics from their back catalogue and brand-new material.

With the words, “Temple of the Absurd is alive! It feels right”, the band announced their comeback in February 2026. Shortly afterwards, singer Sabina Classen explained: “Some things simply lie dormant, waiting for the right moment to reawaken. The songs, the friendship, the energy – it all feels incredibly familiar.”

The band owes this comeback to an unplanned moment. During a reading by Sabina Classen and Dr Nico Rose from their joint book, “Laut. Stark. Leben – Zur Hölle mit den Selbstzweifeln” at Full Metal Holidays 2025 in Mallorca, Wacken co-founder Holger Hübner entered the stage and announced to the surprised audience that Sabina had to return to the spotlight. His reasoning was as direct as it was convincing: the chapter on TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD had never really been closed.

What initially seemed like a spur-of-the-moment decision developed over the following months into a plan that eventually became reality: TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD are back!

This extraordinary band consistently defied categorisation, even back in the nineties. With the albums “Absurd” (1995) and “Mother, Creator, God” (1999), the band created their own dark soundscape in which heaviness, atmosphere, melancholy, and madness intermingled. It was a musical alternative to trends and expectations: uncompromising, independent, and unique to this day.

TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD Live:
30 July 2026 – Wacken Open Air
20–27 October 2026 – Full Metal Holiday

TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD are:
Sabina Classen – vocals
Schrödey – guitar
Robert “Ozzy” Frese – guitar
Falko Grau – bass
Robert Julien Schmidt – drums

TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD online:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/temple.of.the.absurd
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/temple_of_the_absurd/

GET THE SHOT Unleash Pure Hardcore Fury on ‘Feed Me To The Pigs’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 22, 2026
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Canadian hardcore heavyweights Get The Shot return with one of their most punishing and emotionally devastating tracks to date: ‘FEED ME TO THE PIGS.’

Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/gettheshot

A relentless collision of self destruction, regret and psychological collapse, the new single sees the Québec City outfit pushing their trademark blend of hardcore, thrash infused aggression and metallic brutality to its absolute breaking point. Fueled by blistering drums, razor sharp riffs and vocals that sound moments away from complete implosion, ‘FEED ME TO THE PIGS’ is a suffocating descent into the darkest corners of the human psyche.

Lyrically, the track confronts the vicious cycle of becoming complicit in your own downfall. Themes of anxiety, insecurity, self sabotage and emotional exhaustion are laid bare with uncompromising honesty. Every crushing breakdown and every desperate scream amplifies the feeling of being trapped inside a mind at war with itself, chasing relief while sinking deeper into the very patterns that caused the pain in the first place.

For more than fifteen years, Get The Shot have established themselves as one of the most respected and explosive forces in modern hardcore. Formed in Québec City in 2009, the band has built its reputation through relentless touring, uncompromising records and an intense live show that has earned them a dedicated global following. With millions of streams across digital platforms and a growing international fanbase, Get The Shot have become one of Canada’s premier hardcore exports.

Over the years, the band has shared stages with genre heavyweights including Lionheart, Comeback Kid, Nasty and DeezNuts while performing at major festivals across Europe and North America. Their crushing fusion of hardcore, thrash metal and metallic aggression has resonated far beyond the underground, earning them a reputation for delivering both uncompromising records and unforgettable live performances.

Known for continuously pushing their sound forward, Get The Shot have evolved across acclaimed releases such as No Peace In Hell, Infinite Punishment and Merciless Destruction. Since joining the Arising Empire roster, the band has expanded its global reach while staying true to the raw intensity, authenticity and conviction that have defined its identity from day one.

‘FEED ME TO THE PIGS’ captures everything that has made Get The Shot a standout name in heavy music. Unfiltered rage, crushing heaviness and a willingness to expose uncomfortable truths collide in a track that feels both devastatingly personal and universally relatable. Beneath its violent exterior lies a portrait of someone trapped in an endless struggle against their own reflection, desperately searching for meaning while spiraling deeper into chaos.

The result is one of the band’s most urgent and emotionally charged songs to date. Every riff cuts deeper, every breakdown lands harder and every vocal line feels like a final cry from the edge. Balancing raw aggression with an undeniable sense of vulnerability, ‘FEED ME TO THE PIGS’ showcases Get The Shot at their most visceral, uncompromising and authentic.

Brutal, cathartic and unapologetically honest, ‘FEED ME TO THE PIGS’ stands as a powerful reminder of why Get The Shot remain one of the leading voices in contemporary hardcore. As the band continues to push its sound forward and reach new audiences worldwide, this latest single proves that their fire burns hotter than ever

Get The Shot online: https://www.instagram.com/gettheshothc

NEOVISE Unveil Debut Single + Video ‘Gravity’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 22, 2026
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Arising Empire proudly welcomes NEOVISE to its growing roster of innovative heavy acts. Emerging from Essen, Germany, the band now unveils their debut single, ‘Gravity’.

Stream ‘Gravity’ here: https://arisingempire.com/neovise

With ‘Gravity’, NEOVISE introduce themselves through a powerful blend of emotional vulnerability, atmospheric electronics, dynamic guitars and an anthemic chorus. The track explores the profound connection between two people, capturing the feeling of finding stability, purpose and strength in someone who becomes the center of your universe.

Built around the idea of surrendering completely to another person while discovering resilience through that devotion, ‘Gravity’ transforms emotional dependence into a source of empowerment. Lyrics such as “You won’t let me break, you won’t let me fall” and “You will pull me back when I hit the wall” paint a vivid picture of being rescued from life’s darkest moments by a force that refuses to let go.

At its core, ‘Gravity’ serves as a metaphor for the one person who keeps everything in orbit — the force that holds a life together when everything else threatens to fall apart. The song’s imagery reaches even deeper with the line “twenty-one grams take a flight”, a deliberate reference to the legendary weight once attributed to the human soul, reinforcing the song’s central question: what does it truly mean to give someone absolutely everything?

While rooted in a real-life story the band has chosen to keep private, ‘Gravity’ remains intentionally open-ended, allowing listeners to connect their own experiences to its themes of devotion, trust and emotional gravity.

Musically, the single showcases NEOVISE‘s signature balance between intimacy and impact. Glowing synth textures intertwine with modern heavy instrumentation, creating a cinematic soundscape that feels both uplifting and deeply personal. The result is a debut that effortlessly bridges electronic atmosphere and raw emotional weight.

Adding another remarkable layer to the release, ‘Gravity’ was written, recorded, produced, mixed and mastered entirely by NEOVISE themselves, demonstrating the band’s complete creative vision from day one.

Speaking about the track, vocalist Daniel explains: “There’s a line about twenty-one grams, the weight people once gave the human soul. That’s the whole song in three words. What does it actually take to give someone absolutely everything?”

Guitarist and producer Simon adds: “We wanted our first song to do everything the band does at once, and ‘Gravity’ was the one. It perfectly captures that space between extremes. It’s intimate, it’s electronic, but at its core, it still carries a massive raw weight.”

With ‘Gravity’, NEOVISE deliver an unforgettable first statement — a debut that feels intimate, cinematic and unmistakably their own, while offering a compelling glimpse into what lies ahead for one of Germany’s most promising new alternative acts.

NEOVISE online: https://www.instagram.com/neoviseofficial

THROWN Release Crushing New Single ‘Rehearsed’ with Official Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 22, 2026
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Photo Credit: Arising Empire

Swedish metalcore powerhouse thrown return with their crushing new single, ‘rehearsed’, a venom fuelled anthem that transforms heartbreak, manipulation, and betrayal into two minutes of pure sonic devastation.

Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/thrown

Driven by furious groove, whiplash inducing tempo shifts, and the band’s trademark blend of nu metal infused heaviness and hardcore aggression, “rehearsed” captures the moment when emotional pain gives way to cold clarity. The track unravels the realization that every apology, every tear, and every attempt at reconciliation was nothing more than a calculated performance. Through savage vocals, relentless riffs, and bone shattering breakdowns, thrown channel the frustration of being deceived into a cathartic explosion of anger and detachment.

Lyrically, ‘rehearsed’ explores the aftermath of emotional manipulation, confronting a toxic relationship with brutal honesty. As the song progresses, vulnerability is replaced by self preservation, culminating in the bitterly triumphant conclusion that the entire act had been carefully rehearsed from the very beginning.

Since emerging from Stockholm, Sweden, thrown have rapidly established themselves as one of modern metal’s most exciting success stories. The band’s debut EP EXTENDED PAIN amassed more than 50 million streams and spent nearly a year in Spotify’s Global Metal Top 200 chart. Their debut album EXCESSIVE GUILT further propelled the quartet onto the international stage, while extensive touring alongside acts such as Knocked Loose, Fit For A King, Counterparts, While She Sleeps, and Wage War has solidified their reputation as one of the most explosive live bands in heavy music today. With more than 1.5 million monthly Spotify listeners and multiple Heavy Music Award wins, including Best Breakthrough Live Artist and Best Breakthrough Album, thrown continue their meteoric rise through the global metal scene.

Sharp, unapologetic, and devastatingly heavy, ‘rehearsed’ showcases thrown at their most focused and ferocious. The single stands as another powerful statement from a band that refuses to slow down and further proves why thrown have become one of the most talked about names in contemporary metalcore.

thrown online: https://www.instagram.com/thrownband

US Heavy Metal Veterans AXEMASTER Release New Album “Of Beasts And Plagues”, Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 22, 2026
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US heavy metal veterans AXEMASTER release their highly anticipated new album “Of Beasts And Plagues” today via Cosmic Fire Records.

For fans of true heavy metal driven by power, determination and heart, “Of Beasts And Plagues” marks a triumphant return. After years of dedicated work, AXEMASTER are ready to unleash a record that captures the essence of their legacy while pushing forward with renewed energy and intensity.

Formed in the 1980s, AXEMASTER emerged during one of heavy metal’s most raw and defining eras. Over the decades, the band built a strong reputation in the underground through numerous releases, earning a loyal international following. Despite lineup changes and shifts within the music industry, AXEMASTER have remained committed to crafting authentic heavy metal filled with character and emotion.

Today, the band continues this legacy with a sound that seamlessly blends classic US metal with elements of thrash and doom. Heavy riffing, driving rhythms, aggressive yet melodic vocals, and a darker, more intense atmosphere define “Of Beasts And Plagues”. The album stands as one of the band’s strongest creative statements to date – firmly rooted in the spirit of 1980s metal, yet refreshed with a modern edge.

With a history spanning over three decades, AXEMASTER have released 11 official records across multiple international labels and have seen their music featured in films, compilations, and countless publications worldwide. Since their return in 2010 under the direction of founding member Joe Sims, the band has continued to evolve while honoring their roots, sharing stages with acts such as Sebastian Bach, Grim Reaper, Halloween, Riot, and more, and appearing at major underground festivals across the US.

Tracklist:
01. The Plagues Among Us…. 
02. Murder of Crows
03. The Dark Side
04. Kissed With a Fist
05. Clinging to Life
06. Terrortory
07. Forsaken II
08. Dealers
09. Danse Macabre
10. Machine
11. Dagon Rising
12. Shadows Cast

With “Of Beasts And Plagues”, AXEMASTER once again prove their enduring relevance and passion – delivering a record that speaks to both longtime fans and a new generation of metal listeners alike.

“Of Beasts And Plagues” is out now via Cosmic Fire Records and is available for purchase HERE

Line-up:
Joe Sims – Lead Guitar
Jenson Kozar – Bass
Adam Windisch – Drums
Geoff McGraw – Vocals

For more info visit:
https://www.instagram.com/axemasterofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570312266756
https://cosmicfirerecords.com

THORBJØRN RISAGER & THE BLACK TORNADO Reveal Live Video for ‘Never Givin’ In’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 21, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Christoffer Askman

The award-winning Nordics Kings of the Blues, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado today release their stunning new album, Live at Cecil Hotel via Provogue/Artone Label Group. Order/Stream HERE.
 
To celebrate the release they have released the video for a hauntingly atmospheric live version of ‘Never Givin’ In.’ At nearly 11-minutes long, a hauntingly sinister intro gives way to a post-apocalyptic Sons of Anarchy soundtrack fed through an Ennio Morricone filter, that tantalises as it drags the crowd along. The goosebump-inducing version was originally seen on 2020s Come On In, which has gone on to become a staple of the band’s live shows.
 
Talking about the release of the album Risager says, “The album really has that killer live energy which is always difficult to create in a studio. When you’re standing in front of such a wonderful crowd in your own hometown, you instinctively give everything you got.”

They have already released a number of sizzling singles from the album such as; ‘Already Gone,’ ‘Said I Was Hurt (Live)’, ‘Hold My Lover Tight (Live)’, ‘I Used To Love You (Live)’ and ‘Come On In (Live)’. 

Set against an Art Deco backdrop of the Hotel Cecil in their hometown of Copenhagen, it perfectly suits the smooth, smoky blues of Denmark’s hardest-working band. The show was recorded at their sold-out performance on 29 November 2025, one of the band’s final shows on their House of Sticks winter tour, and saw the band fully flexing their sophisticated might.
 
The eight-piece band adorned the high stage – Thorbjørn Risager (Vocals, Electric Guitar), Emil Balsgaard (Organ, Keys), Joachim Svensmark (Electric Guitar), Kasper Wagner (Baritone Sax), Hans Nybo (Tenor Sax), Peter W Kehl (Trumpet), Søren Bøjgaard (Bass), and Martin Seidelin (Drums, Percussion) . The curtains are raised. As the lights are dimmed, the band’s neon logo draws your attention. The drape-flanked room catapults you to another place and another time. That’s where the Danish sensations draw you in.
 
Live At Cecil Hotel proves to be a special moment.” A sold-out show still sends a tingling sensation through a band. “It’s humbling. Truly. We’ve built this step by step over many years, often far from home. To see “Sold Out” means people have chosen to spend their evening with us. That’s not something I take lightly,” he says.

Track Listing

  1. Already Gone
  2. Long Time Ago
  3. Said I Was Hurt
  4. House Of Sticks
  5. Insomnia Boogie
  6. Long Forgotten Track
  7. Sin City
  8. Never Givin’ In
  9. Headed For The Stars
  10. Inner Light
  11. I Used To Love You
  12. Come On In
  13. Hold My Lover Tight
  14. Over The Hill
  15. Maybe It’s Alright
  16. Train
  17. All I Want

Tour Dates
Tickets are available HERE
 
Jun 25 – Riverboat Jazzfestival – Silkeborg, Denmark
Jul 4 – Stedli-Blues – Laufen, Switzerland
Jul 10 – JUKS Schenefeld – Schenefeld, Germany
Jul 11 – Blues, Roots & Song Festival – Schneverdingen, Germany
Jul 29 – Vallemaggia Magic Blues – Avegno, Switzerland
Aug 8 – e-Ventschau Festival – Dahlenburg, Germany
*Aug 14 — Den Blå Festival — Ålborg, Denmark (Duo)
Aug 15 – Den Blå Festival – Aalborg, Denmark
Aug 16 – Gemsinghoved Festival – Struer, Denmark
Aug 21 – Flensburger Hofkultur – Flensburg, Germany
Aug 29 – Kristiansand Blues & Rock – Kristiansand, Norway
*Sep 2 — Jazzhus Dexter – Odense, Denmark (Duo)
*Sep 3 – Kulturhuset Brøk – Brønshøj, Denmark (Duo)
*Sep 4 – 28 Live – Roskilde, Denmark (Duo)
*Sep 5 – Cafe Støj – Århus, Denmark (Duo)
*Sep 12 – Kulturloftet – Ebeltoft, Denmark (Duo)
Sep 17 – BW Live – Haslev, Denmark
*Sep 18 – Bluesette – Esbjerg, Denmark (Duo)
*Sep 19 – Industrien – Aarup, Denmark (Duo)
Sep 24 – Festhalle – Dudenhofen, Germany
Sep 25 – Kesselhaus – Berlin, Germany
Sep 26 – Lahnsteiner Bluesfestival – Lahnstein – Germany
*Sep 30 – Ronneby Musikförening – Ronneby, Sweden (Duo)
*Oct 1 – E-Street – Sundsvall, Sweden (Duo)
*Oct 2 – Bryggeriet – Härnösand, Sweden (Duo)
*Oct 3 – Perdido – Örnskjoldsvik, Sweden (Duo)
Oct 9 – Rootsy Live – Falkenberg – Sweden
Oct 10 – Nalen – Stockholm, Sweden
Oct 15 – Color Line Cruise Oslo–Kiel – Norway
Oct 16 – Color Line Cruise Kiel–Oslo – Norway
Oct 17 – Oslo Bluesklub – Oslo, Norway
Oct 23 – Sønderborghus – Sønderborg, Denmark
Oct 29 – Het Bolwerk – Sneek, Netherlands
Oct 30 – Harmonie – Bonn, Germany
Oct 31 – Spirit of 66 – Verviers, Belgium
Nov 7 – Farum Jazzklub – Farum, Denmark
Nov 12 – Metropool – Hengelo, Netherlands
Nov 13 – TBA – Netherlands
Nov 14 – De Bosuil – Amersfoort, Netherlands
Nov 20 – Bygningen – Køge, Denmark
Nov 27 – TBA – Germany
Nov 28 – Lehenbachhalle – Winterbach, Germany
Dec 5 – Amager Bio – Copenhagen, Denmark
Dec 11 – Slagthuset, Malmø – Sweden
Dec 12 – Pustervik – Gothenburg, Sweden

Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado Online 
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