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BATTLE BEAST’s New Album “Circus Of Doom – Live In Helsinki 2023” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 11, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Battle Beast. Leave a comment

With six records since their formation in 2008, four consecutive number #1 albums, and the strongest line-up the Finnish power/symphonic metal group ever had, it’s about time BATTLE BEAST present a proper live album! With ‘Eden (Live in Helsinki 2023)‘ they celebrate the release of Circus Of Doom – Live in Helsinki 2023, a triumphant display of entertaining and monumental heavy rock. The new live album Circus Of Doom – Live In Helsinki 2023 filmed & recorded at Helsinki Ice Hall in front of 3.000 ecstatic fans will be released on April 11th via Nuclear Blast Records. BATTLE BEAST´s european tour starts with a bang on October 17th with their biggest German headline show to date at Hamburg’s Inselpark Arena, the tour will keep the band on the road until mid-December. To complete the bill with melodic metal superiority, DOMINUM will join the tour as their special guest and Sweden’s rising power metal force MAJESTICA as their opening act. All tourdates are listed below. 

Noora Louhimo quotes excited: ”It was such a special moment to perform our song ”Eden” – the long time favorite of our fans, in Helsinki Ice Hall. The audience got to be part of the song as the heavenly choir and sang with us the whole time. I still get goosebumps while thinking about it. Go check it out and enjoy!”    

Order/Stream Circus Of Doom – Live In Helsinki 2023 here: https://battlebeast.bfan.link/circus-of-doom-live

Watch the new live video for ‘Eden (Live In Helsinki 2023)‘ here:

Tourdates: 
17-Oct-25     Germany, Hamburg – Inselpark Arena
18-Oct-25     Germany, Berlin – Huxleys Neue Welt
19-Oct-25     Netherlands, Den Bosch – The Rock Circus
21-Oct-25     England, Birmingham – O2 Institute
22-Oct-25     England, Manchester – O2 Ritz
23-Oct-25     England, Bristol – O2 Academy
24-Oct-25     England, London – O2 Shepherd´s Bush Empire
25-Oct-25     France, Paris – Elysee Montmartre
26-Oct-25     France, Toulouse – Bikini Toulouse
28-Oct-25     Spain, Madrid – Sala La Riviera
29-Oct-25     Spain, Barcelona – Sala Apolo
30-Oct-25     France, Lyon – Transbordeur
31-Oct-25     Germany, Filderstadt – FILharmonie
01-Nov-25     Germany, Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
02-Nov-25     Belgium, Antwerp – Trix
04-Nov-25     Germany, Hannover – Capitol
05-Nov-25     Denmark, Roskilde – Gimle
06-Nov-25     Sweden, Huskvarna – Folkets Park
07-Nov-25     Sweden, Gothenburg – Trädgårn
08-Nov-25     Sweden, Stockholm – Fryshuset Arenan
09-Nov-25     Norway, Oslo – Rockefeller Music Hall
28-Nov-25     Germany, Leipzig – Felsenkeller – Ballsaal
29-Nov-25     Germany, Nuremberg, Löwensaal
30-Nov-25     Austria, Vienna – Arena Wien
01-Dec-25     Slovakia, Bratislava – Majestic Music Club
02-Dec-25     Hungary, Budapest – Barba Negra Red Stage
03-Dec-25     Slovenia, Ljubljana – Cvetlicarna d.o.o.
05-Dec-25     Germany, Munich – TonHalle
06-Dec-25     Switzerland, Pratteln – Z7 Konzertfabrik
07-Dec-25     Italy, Trezzo sull’Adda – Live Club
09-Dec-25     Switzerland, Lausanne – Metropole
10-Dec-25     Germany, Saarbrücken – Garage
12-Dec-25     Germany, Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle
13-Dec-25     Czech Republic, Zlin – Sports Hall Datart
14-Dec-25     Poland, Warsaw – Progresja

EPICA Celebrate New Album “Aspiral” Release with Video for ‘Fight to Survive – The Overview Effect’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 11, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Epica. Leave a comment

Symphonic metal frontrunners EPICA are thrilled to finally release their brand-new studio album, Aspiral, today. The band invites fans to immerse themselves in the full sonic journey as it is meant to be experienced: from start to finish in one go.

“All of us in the band pushed each other to create the best possible album,” the band shares. “We’ve once again explored new musical and lyrical frontiers, and we hope Aspiral resonates with you as deeply as it does with us. The whole truly is greater than the sum of its parts—this album is meant to be experienced in full.”

Stream or order Aspiral here: https://epica.fanlink.tv/aspiral

In conjunction with the album release, EPICA has unveiled a sci-fi-themed music video for ‘Fight to Survive – The Overview Effect’. The track draws inspiration from the cognitive shift experienced by astronauts after observing Earth from space—a powerful moment of awe, interconnectedness, and a profound appreciation for the planet’s fragility.

“Musically, this song encapsulates the full spectrum of EPICA”, the band explains. “From heavy to soft, uplifting to melancholic—’Fight to Survive’ embodies it all.”

The visually striking video was once again brought to life by Remko Tielemans and produced by Kollektiv Kunststoff, who also directed the band’s previous singles ‘Arcana’ and ‘Cross the Divide’.

With Aspiral now released, EPICA are ready to bring their new music to life on stage. The band will embark on a North American tour next month, kicking off in the United States and Mexico, followed by a summer filled with major European festival appearances. The band will return to Europe in early 2026 for a co-headline tour with labelmates AMARANTHE.

EPICA + AMARANTHE – Arcane Dimensions Tour
With special guest Charlotte Wessels’ The Obsession
16.01.26 – DE, Cologne – Palladium
17.01.26 – DE, Munich – Zenith
18.01.26 – BE, Brussels – Forest National
20.01.26 – UK, Bristol – Bristol Beacon
21.01.26 – UK, Glasgow – Barrowlands
23.01.26 – UK, Manchester – O2 Apollo
24.01.26 – UK, London – Eventim Apollo
25.01.26 – FR, Paris – Le Zenith
27.01.26 – CH, Zurich – Halle 662
28.01.26 – IT, Milan – Alcatraz
30.01.26 – ES, Barcelona – Razzmatazz 1
31.01.26 – ES, Madrid – Sala La Riviera            
01.02.26 – PT, Lisbon – Coliseu dos Recreios
03.02.26 – FR, Toulouse – Bikini Toulouse
04.02.26 – FR, Lyon – Radiant-Bellevue
06.02.26 – DE, Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena
07.02.26 – NL, Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome
06.03.26 – DE, Hamburg – Inselpark Arena     
07.03.26 – DE, Leipzig – Haus Auensee
08.03.26 – DE, Berlin – Columbiahalle
10.03.26 – DK, Copenhagen – Poolen
11.03.26 – SE, Stockholm – Fallan      
13.03.26 – FI, Oulu – Tapahtumakeskus Tullisali
14.03.26 – FI, Helsinki – Black Box
15.03.26 – EE, Tallinn – Helitehas
22.03.26 – DE, Frankfurt am Main – Jahrhunderthalle

LEVERAGE Return with New Studio Album “Gravity”, Out June 20th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 11, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Leverage. Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Johanna Ahonen

Finnish heavy rock juggernauts Leverage are utmost pleased to announce the release of their upcoming new album “Gravity”, out on June 20th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

After their latest single “All Seeing Eye”, they unveil the second single “Shooting Star”, along with an accompanying music video, available now.

Pre-Order “Gravity” HERE

Lead singer Paolo Ribaldini commented on the new single: “Shooting Star stands out as one of the album’s strongest and most surprising tracks, with Tuomas leaving storytelling aside and instead capturing deep emotions through music and lyrics. It feels like something the classic Dio-era Rainbow could have created today. The song also highlights my bandmates’ incredible performances and is set to become a live staple. I’m especially grateful to Marko and Taksu for their passionate work on the music video, which enhances the song’s depth and offers fans an unforgettable experience.”

Guitarist Tuomas Heikkinen added: “Shooting Star got started right after I had a Bigsby vibrato installed on my black Les Paul. I really like that twanging old school tone you get with it, and just started fiddling around basic chords. I really like it, I knew Paolo would nail the vocals exactly like I heard them in my head, and this song very much paved the way for the whole album, I knew we could now achieve sonic textures that were out of reach before”.

Leverage’s future seemed uncertain after the untimely passing of singer’s Kimmo Blom in the summer of 2022. However, founding member and main songwriter Tuomas Heikkinen decided the final hour for the band was not in sight yet. Outstanding singer Paolo Ribaldini (Delain, ex-Skiltron) and violinist Lotta-Maria Heiskanen joined with the precise task to renew and refresh the sound of the band.
 
The resulting album “Gravity”, the band’s sixth full-length in slightly less than twenty years, aptly showcases contemporary heavy rock sound, combining multiple influence from the genre’s golden era with the band’s own unique flair and personality. Plenty of ear-catching melodies delivered skilfully with a pristine top-of-the-line production.
 
Leverage is neither a power metal band, nor an AOR band, nor a nostalgic tribute to the ’80s. Instead of falling into one category, they have bent and redefined genre frontiers, thus developing their own style of heavy rock. The sonic stamp says “Leverage”, and it speaks louder than words.
 
Leverage’s history is carved deep into the DNA of the new album “Gravity”: the grand melodic traditions of the debut “Tides” (2007) and the sophomore “Blind Fire” (2008), the symphonic flair of “Circus Colossus” (2009), and the darker, more mature tones of “Determinus” (2019) and “Above The Beyond” (2021) all find new life here. But “Gravity” doesn’t simply revisit the past—it elevates it.
 
The band’s Mark 3 line-up now includes Tuomas Heikkinen (guitars), Marko Niskala (keyboards), Elias Ojutkangas (drums), Sami Norrbacka (bass), Paolo Ribaldini (vocals) and Lotta-Maria Heiskanen (violin). Watch out for Leverage playing in a town near you!

“Gravity” Tracklist:

1.    Shooting Star
2.    Tales Of The Night
3.    Hellbound Train
4.    Moon Of Madness
5.    Eliza
6.    All Seeing Eye
7.    King Ghidorah
8.    Gravity  

Album Line Up:
Paolo Ribaldini – all vocals
Tuomas Heikkinen – guitars            
Marko Niskala – keyboards
Valtteri Revonkorpi – drums
Sami Norrbacka – bass
Lotta-Maria Heiskanen – violin

Follow LEVERAGE:
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WALTARI Release New Single And Video ‘Higher’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 11, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Waltari. Leave a comment
(photo credit Jarkko Tiitinen)

WALTARI release “Higher”, the next single taken from the upcoming new studio album “Nations’ Neurosis”, released on May 16th on Metalville Records.

Waltari is back with “Higher” – a high-energy fusion of 90s disco vibes, modern house music elements, and crushing heavy guitar riffs! Channeling the spirit of “So Fine”, the track bursts with positive energy, driving us toward a better world. A tribute to old 90s colleagues and the evolution of electronic music, “Higher” blends classic techno influences with heavy rock power. Perfect for playlists like Rock Hard, Electro Metal, All New Rock, All New Metal, New Blood —let’s hit the dance floor and let Global Rock rule!

WALTARI has never been a band to follow the rules. With Nations’ Neurosis, they once again prove that their signature blend of musical freedom, bold experimentation, and unfiltered expression is more relevant than ever.

At the heart of WALTARI’s sonic journey is Kärtsy Hatakka, the band’s mastermind and driving force. Handling lead and backing vocals, bass, programming, keyboards, and percussion, Hatakka faced a personal storm while crafting this album—losing his mother, enduring a painful breakup, and witnessing a world spiraling deeper into chaos and division. The frustration and emotional turmoil of this time seep into every note of Nations’ Neurosis, making it one of WALTARI’s most charged and thought-provoking works to date. The album was recorded in three different Finnish studios and produced by countrymate Aleksanteri Kuosa and WALTARI itself (with exceptions in 2 of the 15 songs).

With a refreshed lineup, including the electrifying talents of guitarist Eero Nykänen and Jakke Setälä, alongside drummer Ville Vehviläinen, WALTARI finds new energy and a revitalized sound. The infusion of these new members has taken the band’s musical ideology to exhilarating heights, delivering an album that is both raw and sophisticated, aggressive yet melodic—a true testament to WALTARI’s spirit of innovation.

From their early days of “feeling so fine” to the present, WALTARI remains committed to diversity and boundless creativity. Nations’ Neurosis is a sonic statement against the world’s increasing obsession with conflict, urging a return to unity, understanding, and artistic liberation. It’s a call to rise from the ashes, to build instead of destroy, and to never turn a blind eye to those in need.

With this release, WALTARI doesn’t just wash its face—it raises its voice against the madness. The same recipe for today’s world leaders, please!

TRACK LISTING

01 Nature Rules
02 Open The Gate
03 Do You Accept
04 Breakfast In Eiffel Tower
05 Diversity
06 Murder Plot
07 Sun
08 Kill For Sport
09 Flowin’
10 Major Mistake
11 Step Back
12 Higher
13 EST
14 7th Heaven
15 Last Chance

LINE UP

Kärtsy Hatakka: Lead + backing Vocals, Bass, Programming, Keyboards and Percussions
Eero Nykänen: Guitars
Jakke Setälä: Guitars
Ville Vehviläinen: Drums

https://www.waltariband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/waltariofficial
https://www.instagram.com/waltariofficial
https://www.youtube.com/@waltariofficial

DISTORTED REFLECTION Recording Second Album with Guest Guitarist JACK STARR

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 11, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Distorted Reflection, Jack Starr. Leave a comment

Distorted Reflection are now recording their second album at Fragile Studio in Athens, Greece. The album will be out early 2026 via German Iron Shield Records and will feature the mighty guitarist Jack Starr as a special guest. The legendary founding member of Virgin Steele who is also widely known from his solo works will perform the solo for the opening song “3000 A.D.”

Jack Starr’s new solo album “Out Of The Darkness Part II” will be released on April 25 via Bravewords Records.

In August 2022, Kostas Sal (ex-Sorrows Path) formed Distorted Reflection. They are totally dedicated to his unique doom vision, but even more heavy.

The famous Tomas Arfert (Candlemass, Krux) created the logo and also took care of all the artwork for the first album of the band. This was titled “Doom Rules Eternally” and was recorded, mixed and mastered at Fragile Studio by Vangelis Yal. The album was released via German Iron Shield Records on February 9, 2024. Although Distorted Reflection kept a low-profile attitude (no lives/signings, no audio/video interviews), the sales and feedback about this album were awesome with great reviews and multiple radio airplay worldwide.

On February 2025, the band entered Fragile Studio again to record the sophomore album. Same about artwork and label, Tomas Arfert and Iron Shield Records will do the work and all together aim for another successful release.

The band will also present again some popular special guest. The mighty guitarist Jack Starr will perform the solo for the opening song “3000 A.D.” of the album  that will be out early 2026…

Doom Rules = D.R.
Distorted Reflection = D.R.
Eternally…

Jack Starr: Guitar Solo on “3000 A.D.”
Kostas Sal: Guitar, Vocals
Vangelis Yal: Bass, Synth, Backing Vocals
Thomas Zen: Drums

https://distortedreflectiondoom.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/distortedreflectiondoom
https://www.youtube.com/@distortedreflectiondoom

LEACH Drop New Single And Video ‘Ominous One’ + Announce First Batch of EU Tour Dates

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 11, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: LEACH. Leave a comment

They’re freaking fast, brutal to the bone, loud as hell and finally back: Almost a year after their successful album New Model Of Disbelief, the four-piece LEACH are striking again with a powerful sonic attack and an energetic music video to go with it.

In Ominous One, the experimental and versatile Swedes present their death-thrashy side and once again bow their heads to the Great Old Ones of the scene, without forgetting to add a good shot of their very own DNA, for which their fans love them so much. Starting out like a black-tinged throwback to good, classic Gothenburg death, Ominous One immediately develops into a genuine socio-cultural pressure relief valve for the paralyzing stress, which a political landscape that yells and rumbles far too loudly is increasingly triggering in more and more people.

LEACH are known for making no secret of their reverence for the sound of our thrashy founding fathers, and openly express this, for instance with regard to the bridge that introduces a shimmering, crisp solo: “When it comes to the stick, it’s strongly Slayer-influenced with the slow pace but signature right hand ride pounding that doubles when the vocals kick in. The chanting here is also reminiscent of Slayer from the Seasons In The Abyss era. A solo that’s just over the top and blends well musically and floats seamlessly into the ending chorus that’s double in length and brings the song to a close.”

All of this is underlined by the little ironic reference to Emma Lazarus’ both immortal and hopeful poem The New Colossus, which opens the chorus, albeit with a typical LEACH spin.

The production of the song is, as you would expect from LEACH by now, not to be taken lightly either – with Christian Silver and Manne Engström from Studiomega in Varberg, where the works of Kreator, Arch Enemy and Soilwork have already been perfectly refined, it’s the same top team behind everything that already helped New Model Of Disbelief to achieve its killer sound.

Ominous One will be available world-wide from April 11th as a single on all digital platforms and is ready for pre-save here: https://orcd.co/ominousone

But that’s not the end of it, because Ominous One is just one of three planned brand new singles, which LEACH want to celebrate their fans with. And because celebrating is best done together, each one comes with a fresh batch of tour dates, starting in Eastern Europe:

APRIL 23rd – GDANSK, Poland – Pub Torpeda
APRIL 24th – CZĘSTOCHOWA, Poland – Muzyczna Meta
APRIL 25th – BUDAPEST, Hungary – Analog Music Hall
APRIL 26th – ZALAU, Romania – Rock’n’Roll Center
APRIL 27th – KRAKOW, Poland – Pub Pod Ziemią – Rock Pub

LEACH are justifiably proud of having the best fans in the world and they tell us why: “We’re so stoked to be hitting the road again and meeting up with friends! This will be a first for us in Hungary and Romania, so we are a bit extra excited for those dates. It was a bit of a struggle to find a date and venue in Budapest, so that was actually a fan reaching out and making all the right connections in order to make it happen. Such an awesome community effort, so well done – thank you so much!”

So it remains exciting to see what’s next for the wild Swedes – more new songs and tour dates can be expected very soon.

About LEACH

With four full-length releases and one EP already under their belts, the guys have certainly established LEACH as a household name in the Scandi music scene. They’ve redefined the internationally cherished Swedish sound by merging elements of the iconic Gothenburg scene with that special aggressiveness of northern hardcore, while mixing in a good measure of old-school Stockholm death. Defining attributes of their work are electrifying and exciting smash songs with groovy twists – picture a blood-thirsty, melody-hungry bastard child of Entombed and Exodus, two of the band’s biggest, long-lasting influences.

With Markus Wikander on vocals and guitars, Robert Karlsson on guitars, Tobias Oja on bass and Joachim Dahlström on drums, they know exactly how to work their blend of styles, and many of the most relevant playlist editors around the world have proven them right numerous times over the years. The vocals bite, the riffs burst to mosh and the melodies open up to passionate, huge life questions. The tense thematic run between revolution, social injustice and inner struggles in the band’s lyrics offers a superbly dynamic pressure vent for piled up emotions of all sorts.

And the Swedes aren’t a slouch in the touring department either: Through their wide-ranging live history, LEACH have shared the stage with prominent bands, such as Unearth, Misery Index, Belphegor and Kampfar.

Visit LEACH online:

http://www.leachswe.com
http://www.facebook.com/leachswe
http://www.instagram.com/leachswe
http://www.youtube.com/leachsweden

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/leach/128634144
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/1Xic5qbqTv8H8v8eE8y7iK
https://www.deezer.com/sv/artist/187116407
https://leachswe.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/leachswe
https://linktr.ee/leachswe

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