Only a few days remain until Desertfest Berlin kicks off, and the festival has now unveiled its final timetables alongside another round of additions to the already stacked line-up. Newly confirmed acts include Temple Fang, Zig Zags, Earthbong and Karla Kvlt, while the outdoor stage welcomes BLKE, Abanamat, Dirty Mops, Electric Jugs and Menk.
In addition, The Dharma Chain have been moved from Saturday to Friday’s schedule.
At the same time, fans will unfortunately have to miss out on Cardiel, Monsterwatch and Gumm, who are no longer set to appear at this year’s Desertfest Berlin.
[Artwork by Kuba Sokolski Illustration]
The final announcement adds even more weight to a line-up that already ranks among the festival’s strongest in recent memory: YOB, Red Fang, Russian Circles, Hermano feat. John Garcia, The Sword, King Buffalo, Acid King, Truckfighters, Crippled Black Phoenix, Nebula, Earthless, Greenleaf, Rotor, Blackwater Holylight, Zerre, Pelican, High Desert Queen and many more are set to turn this year’s edition into one of the festival’s heaviest and most expansive line-ups to date!
Kicking off the annual riff fest in style, the beloved Desertfest Berlin Warm-Up show returns to Neue Zukunft on May 13. Getting things loud early and heating up the stage ahead of the main event are Desertheads, Solace, Red Mess and Krake.
Desertfest Berlin 2026 takes place from May 14–16, 2026 at Columbiahalle and Columbia Theater. Both the festival and the warm-up show are close to selling out. Remaining tickets are available viadesertfest-tickets.de
“Burn the flyers and ignore the news. It’s safer if we stay in tune. It’s our planet, our star.”
Emerging with a message as bold as their sound, NEW-WORLD unveil their latest single, “Our Planet, Our Star,” a track that reaches beyond music and into something far greater, a call to awareness, connection, and responsibility.
Driven by a fusion of soaring melodies, dynamic instrumentation, and heartfelt lyricism, “Our Planet, Our Star” captures the fragile beauty of the world we share while confronting the reality of what’s at stake. The song moves with purpose, building from introspective moments into a powerful, anthemic release that resonates long after the final note.
“Our Planet, Our Star” is about ignoring the elite media. Basically, no matter how bad everyone wants to go to space, the planet is still ours. We listen to people like Elon Musk about how important it is to leave the Earth and colonize outward, yet we ignore our planet and our star. Burn the news, let’s just continue to live our lives (aka the NEW-WORLD) and stay in tune with our soulds. We have to care for the future of the public, not feed into spam news/ focus on what we have here.” – NEW-WORLD
“Our Planet, Our Star” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
We are NEW-WORLD. We are here to stir things up and raise awareness of current day. We are upset at what the world has become and we are on a mission to lead negativity into positivity. Our sound is unique as we are simply speaking our mind through music, not following a template or searching for a specific “sound” or genre. With no limits, our calling is to prove that music is truly a universal language.
As previously announced, CRIPPLE BASTARDS will release their new EP “La tua foto sul marmo” on June 12th, 2026 via F.O.A.D. Records.
The band today presents the first single taken from the release, the title-track “La tua foto sul marmo”, which once again confirms their unmistakable attitude, capable of preserving their grindcore identity while at the same time introducing new elements of structure and dynamism.
Listen to the song HERE– video by Marcello Lega // That’s Motion
While the format might suggest a minor release, “La tua foto sul marmo” stands as a remarkably significant statement from the Italian veterans. Showcasing an impressive range of new facets, the EP delivers fresh and compelling songwriting – no small feat for a band with decades of history behind them.
The name CRIPPLE BASTARDS has always been synonymous with uncompromising hate-fueled grind, yet these new tracks reveal intriguing developments: frequent tempo shifts, dynamic structures and a guitar work that, alongside the expected sonic assault, ventures into more subtle and suspenseful territories. Moments of tension and unpredictability keep the listener constantly on edge, wondering what will come next.
The music was recorded by Stefano Santi at SPVN Studio, while vocals were tracked by Carlo Altobelli at Toxic Basement Studio, with mixing and mastering also handled by Stefano Santi.
“La tua foto sul marmo” ultimately stands as a powerful manifesto of the unrelenting hunger that still drives this legendary band forward.
Tracklist:
01. Il respiro si chiude 02. Scarto del rimorso 03. Vendicativo 04. La tua foto sul marmo 05. L’era della dispersione 06. Ai confini di quel che puoi dire
Formed in March 1988 in Asti, northern Italy, CRIPPLE BASTARDS are one of the longest-running and most respected names in extreme underground music. What began as a raw collaboration between teenage misfits Giulio the Bastard and Alberto the Crippler quickly evolved into something far greater: a project rooted in the legacy of Italian hardcore acts like Negazione, Raw Power and Wretched, but pushed to new extremes through the emerging language of grindcore and noisecore.
After building a fierce reputation through demos, splits, and relentless DIY activity in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the band achieved global cult status, so much so that not knowing them almost feels like having lived under a rock. Their legacy is ultimately defined by a series of uncompromising full-length albums that shaped their identity and influence across decades.
Their debut album “Your Lies in Check” (1996) marked their official arrival on the international stage, followed by the highly acclaimed “Misantropo a senso unico” (2000), which further refined their bleak, nihilistic vision. The final breakthrough came with “Desperately Insensitive” (2003): widely distributed and repeatedly repressed, it became their best-selling record, surpassing 10,000 copies – an exceptional achievement in the grindcore world.
The band continued to evolve with “Variante alla morte” (2008), recorded in Sweden’s famed Studio Fredman, and “Frammenti di vita” (2010), a release that pays tribute to the Italian hardcore roots that inspired them. A major milestone followed with their signing to Relapse Records, which released “Nero in metastasi” (2014), a mature and devastating work that expanded their global reach even further. Their seventh full-length, “La fine cresce da dentro” (2018), confirmed a band still pushing forward creatively after three decades.
Beyond the studio, CRIPPLE BASTARDS have built an unmatched live reputation, playing hundreds of shows worldwide across Europe, the United States, Japan, Brazil, and Australia. They have shared stages with genre-defining acts and have appeared at major underground festivals such as Neurotic Deathfest, Brutal Assault, Obscene Extreme and Maryland Deathfest, among many others, earning the utmost respect from veterans of the extreme music scene.
Today, CRIPPLE BASTARDS are not just an Italian institution but a global cult phenomenon. Their enduring influence, uncompromising visio, and relentless activity have secured them a legendary status that transcends borders. An essential name in grindcore history that continues to inspire new generations worldwide.
“In being a surviving unit like Cripple Bastards for some 35+ odd years, it takes much persistance, perseverance and an undying spirit to wreck yourself, all out with Brutal-Fucking-Grind. Yeah, I said it. I said Brutal, so what. Brutal. That’s the supposed overused adjective that most ‘heavy’ band bios and descriptions overlook nowadays for fear of oversaturation or an unoriginal ‘old school’ repetitiveness. Thats the one word in the dictionary that C.B. should have fucking copywritten a long time ago. It fits them. It defines them. It IS them. Cripple Bastards are indelibly BRUTAL. In all ways; music, violence, artwork, attitude, politics. All born of this represenatitive and passionately destructive word. The mere fact that C.B. even exist confirms they OWN the goddamn word. C.B. are B-R-U-T-A-L. Understand it NOW. “
(Mike IX Williams, EyeHateGod / Arson Anthem / Outlaw Order 00%)
Line-up:
Giulio The Bastard – Vocals Schintu The Wretched – Bass Der Kommissar – Guitar Raphael Saini – Drums
Horror, metal, and caffeine collide as GWAR partners with Concept Cafes Coffee to launch Berserker Mode Cold Brew, an all-new specialty coffee collaboration debuting exclusively at Spooky Empire. This first release in an ongoing series will be available only at the convention, with limited drops scheduled throughout the weekend—one on Friday, two on Saturday, and two on Sunday—giving fans the chance to collect the full set.
Each member of GWAR’s current lineup is represented with their own individually designed 12oz skinny can, making Berserker Mode as much a collectible as it is a beverage. The cold brew itself is crafted from 100% Specialty Grade Java personally selected by the band, their go-to fuel on the road, in the studio, and even at home in Antarctica.
The 12-oz skinny cans come in at just 15 calories, because GWAR cares about your waistline. Made with 100% all natural coffee and, of course, water from the melting polar ice caps of Planet Earth. Berserker Mode is animal-friendly and contains no additives or preservatives, just pure, unfiltered, nerve-rattling energy without the hassle of methamphetamine.
Concept Cafes owner Mike Tonsetic comments:
“Look…I’m just gonna go ahead right now and whistleblow this whole godamn ‘Berserker Mode’ operation, because I just can’t live with myself anymore; I can’t eat, can’t sleep, certainly can’t sh*t anymore ever since I quit drinking it cold turkey. You listening now…I mean, are you really listening…? The secret to Berserker ModeCold Brew coffee, the ONLY reason you can’t ‘just drink one’ is: you ready for this…: we use iceberg water from Antarctica, and not just any ol’ icebergs will work, no-no-no, my friend, the conspiracy digs much deeper than that. Do you know how much crack cocaine it takes to bribe & displace an entire colony of penguins, and that’s just for the ones who file in formation, or as we say, ‘get with the pain plan’. As for the ones who don’t get in line, well…let’s just say I’ve personally witnessed ice fields littered with beak-decapitation; it’s just as if my own hands are covered in flightless bird blood. So the next time you see a beakless penguin aimlessly wandering the streets of Phoenix, look twice, as it’s not just a bad case of syphilis, and think twice before you grab that flashy can out of the 7-11 cooler.”
GWAR will be on-site all weekend as part of the official Spooky Empire guest roster, offering meet-and-greet opportunities and signings, as well as Blothar featuring as a guest barista. Please note that the band will not be making additional appearances or conducting signings at the Concept Cafes booth.
Proceeds from Berserker Mode Cold Brew directly support the artists and their creative endeavors, reinforcing Concept Cafes Coffee’s mission to bring unique, artist-driven products to a broader audience. With strong fan support, the company aims to expand the reach of these collaborations into the mainstream.
For fans of GWAR, horror culture, and premium coffee alike, Berserker Mode is a must-have collectible and a bold new way to fuel the chaos.
Blothar the Guest Barista adds:
“Our new berserker mode cold brew coffee now comes in a can! I’ve done that a few times myself! But that’s a story for another time. We have five new collectible cans, each one featuring a different member of GWAR! These designs will only be available at this year’s Spooky Empire. You know, you’d think they would give me this stuff for free, but I’ve been going through so much of it that I have to pick up shifts as a barista just to cover it! Come see me slinging beans at Spooky Empire!?”
Check out this message from the Berserker Blothar aboutConcept Cafe’s Berserker Mode Cold Brew:
About CONCEPT CAFES:
Everybody remembers that first opening riff, that mid-song breakdown, that blast beat crescendo that turned them on, and tuned them into Metal forever. With our artist partners like Cannibal Corpse, Max & Iggor Cavalera, and Ministry; we’re trying to recapture that moment of Metal possession for the fans by immersing them into a Metal coffee obsession like no other. As lifelong fans ourselves, we’re constantly seeking out the most epic Metal experiences; whether it’s records, live shows, merch, etc., so if we can maybe someday say we were a small part of that collective fan experience, then we’ve done our job. It’s also super important for us to illuminate the fact that these are the artists’ coffee stories, not our own, we’re just the chaotic-evil little elves that help them conjure their visions and forge them into reality for the fans.
We’re not here to snobbishly push conventional coffee culture upon Metalheads either, nor will we ever try to flip a quick gimmick on our Metal brothers & sisters to make a quick buck. We’re humbled literally everyday with this responsibility, and the opportunity to work with Metal legends. This is why we are constantly pushing the boundaries and possibilities, because foremost we believe there is no other comparison to the dedicated devotion metalheads have in keeping Metal music alive and stronger than ever! Metal deserves the absolute best when it comes to coffee!
Reality is coffee culture has become basic cookie-cutter over the past couple of decades; so safe and just a shell of itself which once fueled artists and their music across several generations. We want to revive that creative fire, and as far as playing it safe…it’s metal, motorcycles, & horror…what did you expect?!
Concept Cafes Coffee LIQUIFY YOUR BRAIN!!! 999 Douglas Ave Suite 1109 Altamonte Springs FL 32714 info@conceptcafes.com http://www.conceptcafes.com @conceptcafescoffee
Finnish metal outfit Crimson Day have released the lyric video for their new single “Song of Fire,” the latest track to be unveiled from their highly anticipated fourth album Dark Dimension, due out on May 22nd, 2026, through Wormholedeath.
With “Song of Fire,” Crimson Day channels biblical apocalypse and existential dread, telling the story of a final day where promised salvation never arrives and the world is left to burn. The track is driven by their trademark fast-paced metal, blasting heavy riffs, memorable choruses, the inimitable and powerful voice of Milka Uusitalo, and the kind of relentless energy that has always set the band apart, delivering soaring melodic hooks and a darkly cinematic vision that is entirely their own.
The single joins “False Prophet” and “Hexed” as previews from Dark Dimension, painting a picture of an album that is ambitious, cohesive, and unafraid to push into darker thematic territory. Together, the three singles establish Dark Dimension as a fully realised statement from a band that has been quietly and steadily building toward this moment.
Founded in 2013 in Tampere, Crimson Day has spent over a decade forging their own lane within the heavy metal landscape, blending the timeless power of classic heavy metal with a broad sweep of genre influences, wrapped in dark intensity, high-octane energy, and sharp, soaring melody.
The band’s story began with a self-titled EP in 2013, followed by their debut full-length Order of the Shadows (2015). They expanded their sonic vision on At the Mountains of Madness (2018) before returning with the bold, self-titled Crimson Day in 2023. A pivotal lineup shift in 2020 introduced new frontwoman Milka Uusitalo, ushering in a reinvigorated era marked by standout singles including “Raising the Fury” and “Black as the Heavens Above,” and bold, genre-defying covers of “Immigrant Song,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” and “Objection (Tango)” that further demonstrated the band’s dynamic range.
Now, with Dark Dimension on the horizon, Crimson Day is stepping into their most ambitious chapter yet.
With over 100 live shows across Finland and Europe, sharing stages with Sonata Arctica, Turmion Kätilöt, Turisas, Reckless Love, and Korpiklaani, and international performances spanning the Baltics, Germany, and Sweden, the band has built a reputation as a formidable live force. Their music has earned global radio airplay, and their YouTube catalog has surpassed 100,000 views.
Crimson Day is:
Milka Uusitalo – vocals Ari Balzar – lead guitar Janne Rantanen – guitar/screams Jesse ”Kämy” Kämäräinen – bass Janne Ollikainen – drums/percussions
As the much-anticipated tribute to Richie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Ride The Rainbow – The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, draws closer to its June 19 release date, another taste of the treat to come materializes with this sonics-stuffed reimagining of the first album’s classic “The Temple Of The King.”
Contemplating the full line-up of Ronnie Romero (vocals – Rainbow), Steve Morse (guitar – Deep Purple), Jonathan Cain (keyboards – The Babys, Journey), Simon Wright (drums – Dio, Queensrÿche), Phil Soussan (bass – Wildlife) and Kevin James Morse (guitar), it’s immediately clear that this is no straightforward cover version.
Many fans would agree that Rainbow’s debut LP was also their most imaginative, as Blackmore battled to free himself from the shackles of his last band, armed with a line-up that had no intention, either, of being labeled Purple Part 2. So powerful, in fact, was this particular track that it even titled a recent box set of Rainbow’s own material.
Now, Romero and co lift it even higher than – and, perhaps, even further from – that devastating prototype, a reminder that while critical shorthand insists on referring to Rainbow as a metal band, the music itself was – and remains – an adventure beyond any contemporary musical standards.
“Being part of the Rainbow legacy, and having the opportunity to play this song with Ritchie himself on stage, to record this song it means the world to me,” says Romero. “I would never be grateful enough for the chance of being part of this legendary band, so here is a humble way to pay tribute to one of my favorite songs and my all time favorite band. Hope the people like it the same way I loved it recording it.”
Steve Morse continues, “I remember playing an outdoor festival show featuring Rainbow, with my previous band, The Dregs. I stayed and watched Rainbow and thought that every single song sounded really good! Ritchie had always worked with very good musicians, but his vision of heavy, but melodic, rock really impressed me. I think hearing them sounding so well playing live, really helped to set the bar high for live performance.”
Jonathan Cain, too, has happy memories of the band, and of the man who sang “Temple Of The King” first time around. “When Cleopatra asked me to play on a Rainbow Tribute project, I was excited to add my keyboards to it. Rainbow with Ronnie James Dio were one of the truly melodic and memorable metal bands. I got to party with him towards the end of his touring days after a Sweden Rock Festival. His soaring voice and melodies will be remembered for decades to come.”
Available on CD and brain-melting multi-colored splatter vinyl, Ride The Rainbow itself is an absolutely star-studded journey through the many faces of the Ritchie Blackmore-led legend, with stunning performances from no fewer than six Rainbow alumni – Romero is joined on the album by Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, Joe Lynn Turner and Doogie White! Plus Morse (Blackmore’s successor in Deep Purple), and Ritchie’s Blackmore’s Night partner Candice Night.
As the subtitle says, it truly is “The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow.”
Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll – Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Carmine Appice, Don Airey
Man on the Silver Mountain – Sebastian Bach, Doug Aldrich, Bob Daisley, Carmine Appice, Mick Box, Jonathan Cain
Stargazer – Derek Sherinian, Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Jürgen Engler, Joe Bouchard, Ronnie Romero
Lady of the Lake – Angel
Rainbow Eyes – Mike Tramp
Since You Been Gone – Marty Friedman, Vinny Appice, Graham Bonnet, Jürgen Engler
Kill the King – Rick Wakeman, Bob Daisley, Vinnie Moore, Marc Lopes, Chris Adler
The Temple of the King – Steve Morse, Phil Soussan, Ronnie Romero, Simon Wright, Jonathan Cain, Kevin James Morse
Jealous Lover – George Lynch, Vinny Appice, Andrew Freeman, David Ellefson, Jonathan Cain
I Surrender – Eric Gales, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Phil Soussan, Don Airey, Chris Adler
Catch the Rainbow – Doogie White, Derek Sherinian, Chris Poland, Vinny Appice, Bob Daisley
Street of Dreams – Paul Shortino, Joel Hoekstra, Joe Bouchard, Fred Aching, Jonathan Cain
Stone Cold – Vivian Campbell, Joe Lynn Turner
I Surrender – Marcus Nand, Candice Night
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 