Symphonic death metallers KARU return with the first single from their upcoming album “Perdition“. Out on September 16th, 2025, “Shadow War” sets the tone for the record’s epic narrative and sonic scope.
At nearly ten minutes in length, “Shadow War” embodies the essence of KARU’s sound: brutal, unforgiving riffs and guttural vocals contrasted by sweeping orchestration and haunting melodic passages. The track mirrors the conceptual backbone of “Perdition“, a journey through a folklore-inspired vision of feudal Japan, where villages are razed by demons and survivors confront both despair and resilience.
Musically, the single evolves like a saga. It opens with relentless death metal ferocity, transitions into an atmospheric middle section the band dubs the “Dreamworld,” and culminates in an emotionally charged guitar solo that balances virtuosity with narrative weight. This dynamic structure highlights the trio’s artistic synergy:
Niko Hienonen – vocals, production, orchestrations
Kalle Pöyskö – guitars
Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – guitars
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Hienonen, “Shadow War” captures the next stage of KARU’s evolution after their acclaimed 2024 album “HYDRA”. With “Perdition“, the band pushes further, integrating clean vocals, Japanese voice acting, and even more intricate orchestration to craft an album designed as a seamless cinematic experience.
For fans of Wintersun, Brymir, Whispered, and Nightwish, KARU’s “Shadow War” is both a statement of intent and an invitation into a mythic, immersive world where extreme metal collides with symphonic drama.
To celebrate the release, KARU will also unveil an official lyric video for “Shadow War”, offering fans a visual entry point into the song’s story and atmosphere.
“Perdition”will be released worldwide on November 21st, 2025.
Track Listing: 1. Shores of Mist and Blood 2. Shadow War 3. Alone in the Forest 4. Embers in the Skies 5. Trail of Fire 6. Path of the Unforgiven 7. Perdition
Karu Line Up: Niko Hienonen – Vocals, Production, Orchestrations Kalle Pöyskö – Guitars Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – Guitars
More info: https://www.rockshots.eu https://www.instagram.com/karu_band/ https://www.facebook.com/KARUbandofficial
Finnish neoclassical dark wave outfit KLAShTAL has released the first single from the upcoming KLAShTAL debut album ‘Oblivion Dreams’.
‘Uncharted Cry’ invites the listener to a dark and hypnotic pilgrimage through the storyteller’s oblivious mind. Guided by the meditative pulse and sinister layers of synths, the veil of mystery is slowly lifted and the unsettling truth about the past atrocities is revealed.
Started as an ambient side project, KLAShTAL has now transformed into a serious channel of self-expression for the Finnish musician Jesse Heikkinen (Iterum Nata, The Abbey, ex-Hexvessel). KLAShTAL’s debut album Oblivion Dreams marks a new chapter in Heikkinen’s ever-evolving musical career and pushes his experiments with different genres even further. While dark, dreamlike and meditative, yet comforting and healing, KLAShTAL’s music will take the listener to post-apocalyptic ruins of a lost world where the echoes of mankind have almost completely softened. KLAShTAL’s music pays respect to genres like dungeon synth, dark wave and new age, as well as bands like Dead Can Dance, Forndom and Nox Arcana. All music on Oblivion Dreams is written, played, recorded and produced by Heikkinen, except the Moog synthesizer played by Thomas Cowgill, also known as the neofolk/dark americana artist King Dude.
Oblivion Dreams will be released on November 28 via Inverse Records.
International hard rockers SAINTED SINNERS return with their highly anticipated fifth studio album High On Fire, set for release on November 21, 2025 via ROAR. After almost three years in the making, the band is back with a powerful and diverse collection of songs, true to their motto: The Essence of Rock’n’Roll!
The new record features the stellar line-up of Jack Meile (Tygers Of Pan Tang) on vocals, Frank Pané (Bonfire) on guitar, Ernesto Ghezzi (Gotthard) on keyboards, Samy Saemann (ex-Freedom Call) on bass, and Berci Hirleman on drums. Together they deliver a vibrant journey through 70s- and 80s-inspired heavy rock, full of soul-soaked vocals, groovy Hammond duels, intricate riffs, and a driving rhythm section.
To mark the announcement, SAINTED SINNERS release the first single “World’s on Fire”, accompanied by a brand-new music video premiering today! Frank Pané (guitar) comments:
“World’s on Fire basically wrote itself and that’s always a good sign. While jamming, I came up with this Van Halen-inspired riff and half an hour later the basic arrangement was done and just needed a middle part, which was provided by Ernesto and lend itself to an extended solo. A composition within the composition so to say. A real uplifting fun heavy rock groover but with a more serious lyrical concept.”
Rooted within the sound of the legendary acts of this genre, like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, UFO and others but also with influences from different styles, with their forthcoming offering High On Fire, SAINTED SINNERS once again prove that classic hard rock can feel timeless, energetic, and inspiring for generations to come.
High On Fire delivers a feeling of good time Rock’n’Roll vibes. Let‘s forget and escape from all the bad things in life and enjoy life to the fullest with freedom of expression and a overall positive attitude: „There are too many negative things happening all over the world right now, and you can’t ignore that. However, you always have to stay positive and firmly believe that calmer and better times will come again, and we hope to help our fans stay similarly positive with our music and continue to believe that everything will be okay“, says Pané.
You can also feel that power within the album artwork, created by Frank and Miram Kollbrunner. „For me, it reflects the power we try to convey to the listener with our music. Whether you’re a “saint” or a “sinner,” there’s a little bit of both in everyone. Life is also light and shadow. If you accept that for yourself, it gives you the freedom to enjoy life.”
Brooklyn hardcore legends BIOHAZARD release their explosive new single“Death of Me” from their upcoming album ‘Divided We Fall,’ their first studio release in over a decade, out October 17th via BLKIIBLK. Reuniting the original lineup, the album delivers a blistering statement of unity amid chaos. “Death of Me” arrives alongside a visualizer video, available to watch below.
About the song, Danny Schuler (drums) comments:
“’Death of Me.’ One of my favorites! To me, this song embodies the frustration, miscommunication, and intolerance that we sometimes deal with in our lives. This song is a mid-tempo banger for anyone feeling like life is a never-ending battle against everything and everyone. Never give up!!!”
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Matt Hyde (Slayer, Hatebreed, Deftones), ‘Divided We Fall’ captures BIOHAZARD at their most raw, relentless, and unifying. The album blends the band’s unmistakable fusion of hardcore, metal, and streetwise groove with a sharpened edge for a fractured modern world delivering a powerful reminder of why BIOHAZARD remains one of the most vital and influential bands in heavy music.
Recording sessions took place at Shorefire Recording Studios (Long Branch, NJ) and The Hydeaway (Van Nuys, CA), with engineering by Joseph DeMaio and additional recording from Matt Hyde. Guitar and production tech duties were handled by Phil Caivano.
BIOHAZARD’s upcoming release via BLKIIBLK marks a new chapter in a storied career that began in the late ’80s, one defined by aggressive sound, socially conscious lyrics, and an unwavering commitment to their roots.
‘Divided We Fall’ Track List: 1. F**k the System 2. Forsaken 3. Eyes on Six 4. Death of Me 5. Word to the Wise 6. Fight to be Free 7. War Inside Me 8. S.I.T.F.O.A. 9. Tear Down the Walls 10. I Will Overcome 11. Warriors
In more news, NEW NOISE MAGAZINE’s Issue #78 features NYC/Brooklyn hardcore legends BIOHAZARD on the cover. The band spoke with the magazine about their upcoming album ‘Divided We Fall’ and more. The issue will be available worldwide this September HERE.
BIOHAZARD will be on their “Divided We Fall Tour” this fall with support from Onyx, Bayway, and Swollen Teeth, including a homecoming show at the Warsaw in Brooklyn on October 28th. A full list of dates is below.
BIOHAZARD Live: 10/3: Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving 10/4: Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Annex 10/5: Birmingham, AL @ Furnace Fest 10/7: Dallas, TX @ Ferris Wheeler’s 10/8: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger 10/10: Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater 10/11: Phoenix, AZ @ Van Buren 10/12: Los Angeles, CA @ The Bellwether 10/13: Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre 10/15: Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex 10/16: Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre 10/18: Lawrence, KS @ Liberty Hall 10/19: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 10/21: Chicago, IL @ Concord Music Hall 10/22: Madison, WI @ Majestic Theater 10/23: Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot 10/25: Montreal, QC @ Beanfield Theatre 10/26: Toronto, ON @ Mod Club 10/28: Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw 10/29: Worcester, MA @ Palladium 10/31: Allentown, PA @ Archer Music Hall 11/1: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom 11/3: New Haven, CT @ Toad’s
Musical pioneers in every sense of the word, BIOHAZARD were one of the first bands to seamlessly blend hardcore, heavy metal, punk, and hip hop into an intoxicating genre all their own. After more than a decade away, the Brooklyn, NY band’s OG lineup reunited in 2023 to both fan fervor and critical acclaim, headlining the opening night of the legendary Milwaukee Metal Fest for their first show back. Ghost Cult Magazine said they “explosively unleashed their fury with fortitude and force” with “a superhuman set and an awe-inspiring show.”
The band followed with two sold-out hometown shows in New York City, a late-summer festival run in the UK and Europe, and a fall direct support slot with Megadeth across North America. That was just the start. They returned to Europe and the UK in 2024 for the early summer festival season – including a headlining slot at Download – and made their triumphant return to South America in spring, then returned home to blow out America’s exploding festival circuit.
Their return did more than turn heads; it caused whiplash, and they partnered with BlkIIBlk Records to record and release new music. More incendiary and relentless than ever, the trailblazers have a fresh outlook and revitalized spirit. This is more than a reunion – for Billy Graziadei (vocals/guitar), Bobby Hambel (lead guitar), Danny Schuler (drums), and Evan Seinfeld (vocals/bass), it’s a revitalization and rebirth.
BIOHAZARD are: Billy Graziadei – vocals/guitar Bobby Hambel – lead guitar Danny Schuler – drums Evan Seinfeld – vocals/bass
Finnish black metal band Verilehto is set to release their second album Aarnihauta on November 28th 2025 via Inverse Records. The first single and music video also titled Aarnihauta is unleashed today: https://push.fm/fl/verilehto-aarnihauta
-Composition, arrangement & production: Janne Tuikkala. -Lyrics & arrangement: Janne Partanen. -Arrangement: Markus Räipiö. -Mastering: Petteri Kurki -ISRC: FI3FC2595603 -Artwork by Markus Räipiö
“After joining Verilehto, the first song I took on was Aarnihauta. I immediately knew what kind of playing I wanted for that song and built the bass sound for the album somewhat in the spirit of Testament’s Practice what You Preach album. Aarnihauta song like the whole album, features some playing from me that deviates a bit from the usual black metal style, but it remains to be seen how listeners will receive it. The overall sound is definitely our “style,” meaning rough but beautiful.” Says Markus Räipiö
Track list:
Surutta Tapettu
Nälänhätä
Aarnihauta
Kalman Sotajuokko
Tuhkaverho
Syöjätär
Virvatulet
Artwork by Awinita Alm
The Finnish melodic black metal band Verilehto is back with a new album, Aarnihauta. The album title translates as ‘hidden grave in the forest’, which is a fitting description of the band’s second album.
Verilehto plays Finnish 90s-style black metal, characterised by melodic and aggressive riffs, raw vocals, and an eerie overall tone. The Finnish folklore-inspired lyrics fit well with the band’s versatile riffs, and the songs vary from fast blastbeats to slower storytelling elements.
This album also sees a change in Verilehto’s line-up, with Markus Räppiö from Kaira joining the crew. With Markus on bass, Janne Partanen (Hautajaisyö, Alfa Pentatonik, Marraskuun Lapset, Paavalin Harhat) on vocals, and Janne Tuikkala (Muria & Dawn of Everwinter) on guitars, drums and synth, the band is stronger than ever.
‘Aarnihauta’ sees the band continuing to evolve from their debut album ‘Kuoleman Siipien Havina’ by focusing on their own sound and style. The album is not overly polished, and has a good raw quality to the production, but this is not the main focus. It was recorded by the band themselves in 2024–25.
The album artwork was created by the talented Awinita Alm, and the single artwork was created by the band. The “Aarnihauta” video was filmed in 2024 and edited by Janne Tuikkala and Markus Räppiö.
Line-up: Janne Tuikkala – Guitars, Drums, Synths Janne Partanen – Vocals Markus Räipiö – Bass & Backing Vocals
It’s the kind of pairing you could never have predicted. On the one hand, we have Earth Wind and Fire, a name that needs no introduction, and “September,” a 1978 #1 for the Chicago funkmeisters that seems as beloved today as it was way back then.
And, on the other, we have Eek-A-Mouse… who probably requires no introduction, either. Falling from his upcoming new album, Mouse-Terpieces: The Best of Eek-A-Mouse, “September” is his latest single, and hearing is believing. So here it is….
Always and forever one of the most visually idiosyncratic and vocally distinctive toasters in the entirety of reggae history, the Mighty Mouse has been peppering the dancehalls with his wild, wired and sometimes just plain weird styles and statements for 50 years now… alnd older ears among us doubtless still remember the first time they heard “Creation,” the backing musicians doing their level best to keep up with the schoolboy Eek’s already-revolutionary scat vocals and “singjay” delivery.
Eek-A-Mouse’s earliest singles were released under his birth name Ripton Joseph Hylton; it would be four years before he assumed that new identity (although he had already been using it as the name for his own record label); his first as Eek-A-Mouse, in 1979, became a hit and there was no stopping him after that.
Or since then, either. According to legend, Eek-A-Mouse took his name from a racehorse he once bet on, but it fit him like the most finely-tailored suit… or whatever other eccentric outfit he chose to wear.
Mouse-Terpieces: The Best of Eek-A-Mouse has already pricked up ears around the world via its revolutionary reinvention of Michael Jackson’s killer from Thriller, “Billie Jean.” Or, if you prefer, by his treatment of Guns n’Roses’ “Sweet Child Of Mine.” Or even Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now.”
But the album is brimming with further fresh surprises, as Eek-A-Mouse burrows deep, too, into his own catalog of past masters and draws vital new vivacity from those songs as well – “Noah’s Ark,” the 1980 Junjo Lawes production that introduced him to audiences outside of Jamaica; the following year’s international smash “Wa-Do-Dem”; the mighty “Ganja Smuggling”; the remarkable “Anarexol”….
Oh, and if you thought Jacko, Axl and Earth Wind and Fire were odd company for the Eek to be keeping, wait until you hear what happens when he collides with Whitney Houston’s immortal “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
Mouse-Terpieces: The Best of Eek-A-Mouse is the kind of title you’d normally associate with a greatest hits package, and it is one of those in many ways. But it’s also one of his finest, and fun-est albums ever… one of his own career best, in other words. A mouse-terpiece, then, in every sense of the word.
1. Ganja Smuggling 2. Anarexol 3. Wa-Do-Dem 4. Israelites 5. Roots, Rock, Reggae 6. Sensee Party 7. Long Time Ago 8. Noah’s Ark 9. September 10. Billie Jean 11. I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) 12. I Can See Clearly Now 13. Sweet Child O’ Mine
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
