With the coronation of Papa V. Perpetua, a new era for Ghostis upon us – and they’re kicking it off with a brand-new album. Skeletá, the band’s sixth studio record, is set to drop on April 25.
Ghost themselves announced the arrival of their new Papa with these cryptic words:
“We would like to inform you that our PERPETUAL state of expectation has dissipated with just a few wisps of smoke. We have learned: Patience is the key to unlocking every door in life. Let us celebrate the coronation of Papa V. Perpetua and the announcement of Ghost’s six-six-sixth psalm, Skeletá.”
To mark the occasion, Ghost have also dropped their first single “Satanized”, which you can listen to right here:
Ghost are hitting the road for a massive world tour this year! The first leg kicks off this spring in Europe, and you can bet they’ll be performing new music. A special highlight? Papa V. Perpetua making his live debut on stage!
Paris’ hottest prospect, alt-rockers Storm Orchestra, have revealed their tender and emotional side on their new single Désolé, which features the Canadian chart-topping sensation JJ Wilde. The song is taken from the trio’s brand-new album ‘Get Better,’ which will be released on 11 April via Mascot Records. You can listen to the track HERE.
French for “sorry”, “Désolé” sees Storm Orchestra deliver a powerful and emotional rock ballad, where the guitar-bass-drums trio is enhanced by a subtle piano and string ensemble, adding emotional depth to the track. For this song, the band invited Canadian artist JJ Wilde, whose intense and nuanced voice contrasts with Max’s, further emphasizing the inner dialogue expressed in the lyrics.
The words are those of peace after a fight, and they express the fear of losing fragile happiness, the search for balance, and the desire to keep love “unscathed” despite the turmoil of anger and quarrels often found in passionate relationships. The chorus openly reveals this remorseful anxiety: “I may not be sorry, face to face, but I’m truly worried, day to day. I wanna be happy, all the way. I fear your smile will die away.” These words capture the struggle to keep a sincere love intact, and “Désolé” becomes a cathartic journey where one confronts fears and flaws to rewrite their story and celebrate the strength of a deep connection.
JJ Wilde has been on an incredible journey since the release of her 2020 JUNO Award Winning “Rock Album of the Year” debut, Ruthless – the first female artist to win it since Alanis Morisette with Jagged Little Pill in 1996. The album has surpassed 36 million streams and she has entered the history books as the first female artist to simultaneously reach number 1 on all three Canadian Rock Charts with her SOCAN Award winning single “The Rush”, holding the #1 spot for 10 weeks. Which was followed up by a further two #1 singles “Best Boy” and “Mercy”.
Talking about the collaboration, the band says, “Max originally wrote this song about his relationship with his girlfriend—who’s actually a huge JJ Wilde fan! Since the lyrics were meant to be a conversation, we thought it would be great to bring in a female voice to make it feel as real and honest as possible. JJ was the perfect choice, not just because love is such a big theme in her music, but also because Max has a personal connection to Canada, with part of his family living there.”
He continues, “We reached out, and she and her team were immediately on board. She even surprised us by rewriting her verse, offering a version with her own lyrics. We loved how natural and heartfelt it felt, so we decided to keep it. It made perfect sense—having her sing words that truly come from her. Everything was done remotely, but we’re really looking forward to meeting her in person—whether it’s in France or Canada!”
They have recently been on tour with Sweden’s finest rock ‘n’ rollers, Royal Republic, on their ‘LoveCop’ European tour in January and February with more shows to come in April and May – Italy, Switzerland and The Netherlands. You can get tickets from HERE. They’ve shone on the festival circuit, captivated crowds on a tour of Germany in September with Lonely Spring, and announced themselves on the big stage when they opened for Black Stone Cherry at L’Olympia, Paris, earlier in November 2024.
Hot property on the French scene, Storm Orchestra operates paradoxically in a space that grapples with opposites to assimilate them into one glorious jewel. Light and dark, euphoria and heaviness, glamour and aggression are all fused with a tantalizing aura. It’s music that is built for stadiums but made to connect with people. It entwines the infectiousness of Nothing But Thieves, the captivating driving force of Royal Blood, and the melodic ambition of Muse
The three Paris natives have been winding their way through and illuminating the belly of the city’s underground over the last few years. The trio of Maxime Goudard (vocals, guitar), Adrien Richard (bass), and Loïc Fouquet (drums) has been the gem in the French alternative scene since the release of their self-titled debut EP in 2020.
In February, they were picked to be part of Amazon’s Ones to Watch for the 2025 Series which saw the band’s image adorn the enormous billboard on Times Square, watching over New Yorkers as they passed. The band delivered a version of Nelly Furtado’s “Maneater” with their own grandiosity sprinkled throughout the track. You can listen to it HERE.
Crush the Mirrors harvests the heavier and darker side of their arsenal, and they are joined by Bertrand Poncet – who also produced the album – from French hardcore-pop-punk crossover heroes Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! who lends his guttural vocals to the anthemic track, whilst the glorious shimmering Bright Soul, Goudard opens up about his fear of letting his dark side take over the person he wants to be.
Driven by their high-intensity live shows, they’ve captured lightning in a bottle and are now selling out clubs across France. Goudard reflects, “We always come to a show with the biggest smile and a crazy load of energy. We want people to get energized, to let off steam, and leave wanting more. We are always exhausted right after the set; if not, it means something went wrong!”
‘Get Better’ touches on societal issues, relationships, and the inner struggles that we all have, along with the dark side of your personality. “For me, it’s all connected,” explains the singer. “Society makes us vulnerable, so we need love to keep us sane. So everything is just a piece of a big puzzle.”
Rarely has the complexities of our struggles that they tackle on ‘Get Better’m been packaged with such a visceral and luscious effect—Storm Orchestra is here to be your new favourite band.
1. Bright Soul 2. Drummer 3. Crush the Mirrors(feat. Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!) 4. Superplayer 5. Cut Loose, Somehow 6. Désolé (feat. JJ Wilde) 7. We Will Be The Last 8. Tear Myself Down 9. This Game 10. Get Back In Time 11. Our Victory 12. Trash The Room
Tour Dates
30 April – Milano, Santeria – ITALY w/Royal Republic 01 May – Bern, Bierhübli – SWITZERLAND w/Royal Republic 02 May – Eindhoven, Effenaar – THE NETHERLANDS w/Royal Republic 28 March – Cergy, Le Douze – FRANCE w/ Ko Ko Mo 23 May – Lesneven, Rock En Stock – FRANCE 5 July – Vibraye, Rocka’Vib festival – FRANCE
Progressive metal phenomenon BLACKLIGHT is set to captivate listeners with the release of their stunning lyric video for “Ghost,” the latest track from their critically acclaimed album, Future Belongs To, out on 21 March 2025, via Wormholedeath.
With “Ghost”, Blacklight conjures a visceral dialogue between regret and rebirth, leaving listeners haunted by the question: Can we ever outrun the ghosts we’ve become?
Future Belongs To continues to showcase BlackLight’s signature sound—an atmospheric and multifaceted mix influenced by progressive metal icons such as Opeth, Rush, Tool, and Riverside. With each track, the band carves out a space for themselves in the progressive metal scene, blending technical mastery with emotive, deeply resonant themes.
Originating from Poland, BlackLight is led by the virtuosic Maciej Majewski (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and joined by Robert Kurzyński (guitar, solo guitar), Tomasz Szydło (bass), and Stanisław Skowroński (drums). Drawing from the atmospheric richness of Dead Can Dance and the progressive complexity of their influences, BlackLight creates a sound that is uniquely their own.
Finnish melodic death metal outfit Re-Armed has sunk its teeth into the iconic EDM hit “What Is Love”, delivering a heavier, hard-hitting version of the classic. The result? A track that drags you straight from the dancefloor into the mosh pit—catchy, yet thunderously crushing.
“This time, we decided to throw a punch with a silk glove on—and spill the drinks all over right after. Initially, we jammed this track at our rehearsal space just for fun, and to our surprise, it actually worked! After the laughter died down, we knew we had to record it—and here we are. The song’s post choruses are once again elevated by a guest appearance from vocalist Mirva Saviniemi. Whether you love it or hate it, we welcome all reactions with open arms!”
Re-Armed’s version injects Haddaway’s classic with a fresh dose of raw power, guaranteed to strike a chord with both nostalgics and metalheads alike.
Top 1st Row – Ryan Price – Bass, Alex Bosson – Drums * Middle 2nd Row – Connor McCray – Lead Guitar, Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals * Bottom 3rd Row – Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar, Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals, Anthony Stahl – Keyboards
Following the recent release of their emotionally charged concept album “Tempora Mutantur” this past January, Sacramento, USA’s progressive metal collective Lunar unveils their lyric video for “A Summer To Forget”. The final visual installment in the album’s narrative arc promises to be a poignant exploration of memory, loss, and the transformative power of musical storytelling, continuing the band’s unique approach to progressive metal as a form of emotional expression. They comment on the track:
“The album starts off with a song that sounds a bit upbeat musically (heavy with the horns) despite a fairly dark lyrical theme: dealing with memories, how we sometimes forget what we wish we wouldn’t and cling on to what we wish we could forget.”
The track represents a powerful entry point into the album’s complex exploration of temporal experiences and personal transformation. “A Summer To Forget” embodies the band’s commitment to creating music that transcends traditional genre limitations, offering listeners a nuanced journey through personal pain and potential healing.
Continued and driven by drummer and primary songwriter Alex Bosson(Helion Prime, Planeswalker) after the passing of co-band founder Ryan Erwin in 2018, “Tempora Mutantur” is the result of a deeply personal and introspective creative process. The video continues the band’s tradition of transforming personal struggles into universal musical experiences, inviting listeners to find their own emotional resonance within the intricate layers of sound and metaphorical storytelling. Fans of Tool, Porcupine Tree and Ayreon should be among the first to check out this track.
Watch and listen to the lyric video for “A Summer To Forget” via its premiere on Prog-Sphere HERE.
Lunar‘s fresh lineup features guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray (Vis Mystica) along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl plus album guests Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist), and Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse).
A studio project since first conceived in 2014, LUNAR will make its live debut next year at the 2025Hyperspace Metal Festivalin Vancouver, BC, Canada on April 11th. Info here.
LUNAR‘s “Tempora Mutantur” was released on January 31, 2025 and is available from Saibot Reigns Records.
Track Listing: 1. A Summer To Forget – 6:37 2. Fall Back Into Old Habits – 11:16 ft. guest guitar solo by Wayne Ingram (Wilderun) 3. Seasonal Interlude – 4:47 4. Weakening Winter Touch – 8:46 5. Spring In My Step – 7:26 6. Tempora Mutantur: Part I – Passage of Time – 3:12 ft. guest guitar solo by Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse) 7. Tempora Mutantur: Part II – Broken Pendulum – 3:47 8. Tempora Mutantur: Part III – Watch The Weather Change – 4:51 Album Length: 50:45
Album Credits: Performance and Writing credits – full info HERE. Produced by: Alex Bosson Mixed by: Carlos Alvarez Mastered by: Tony Lindgren
Album Main Lineup: Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar Connor McCray – Lead Guitar Ryan Price – Bass Alex Bosson – Drums Anthony Stahl – Keyboards
Live Lineup: Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals Jordan Price – Guitars Ryan Price – Bass Alex Bosson – Drums
A new era begins for ENERGY SOURCE! The rising Italian alternative metal band is now officially part of the Wanikiya Record roster and is unveiling their highly anticipated single, “Your Worst Enemy,” available on all digital platforms from March 28, 2025.
Formed in 2020 in Rovellasca (CO), Energy Source are ready to make their mark on the global music scene with a sound that blends the raw power of ’80s and ’90s rock and metal with the modern intensity of alternative metal and metalcore. The band—comprised of guitarist Christian Clerici, vocalist Matteo Passeri, guitarist Davide Romeo, drummer Pietro Ciavatta, and bassist Alessandro Scisci—has captivated audiences with their energy and innovative musical approach.
Despite launching their career during the pandemic, Energy Source quickly gained traction in the underground music scene, culminating in their victory at the Alcolicontest competition in Erba. This triumph granted them the opportunity to record their debut single, “Your Worst Enemy.” Now, with their official entry into the Wanikiya Record roster, the band is ready to embrace a new musical journey and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
“Your Worst Enemy” marks the beginning of this new chapter. Featuring powerful riffs and emotionally charged vocals, the song delves into the idea that, at times, our greatest enemy is ourselves. This track perfectly showcases the band’s signature blend of electrifying energy and modern sound, setting the stage for their domination of the international music scene.
Joining Wanikiya Record is an incredible opportunity for Energy Source to reach an even wider audience and embark on the next phase of their career. With Wanikiya’s production and promotional support, the band’s future shines brighter than ever.
Don’t miss out on “Your Worst Enemy,” available on all digital platforms from March 28, 2025. Join Energy Source on this musical journey that promises to shake the very foundations of contemporary rock and metal!
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 ) 