STRYPER Frontman MICHAEL SWEET Releases New Lyric Video ‘Lord’ from Upcoming Solo Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 17, 2026
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Photo by Pedro Blanco

MICHAEL SWEET, the acclaimed singer-songwriter and frontman for the multi-platinum Christian rock band STRYPER, has just released the new single “Lord” – the second single from his upcoming solo album. His most personal and spiritually resonant solo album yet, The Master Plan is set for release on April 3, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl.

The album is now available for pre-order HERE.

With its heartfelt lyrics and spiritual sincerity, The Master Plan is designed to inspire peace, 
faith and encouragement — music that comforts the weary, uplifts the spirit, and celebrates the profound love at the center of Sweet’s faith journey.

Co-produced by Sweet and Jeff Savage (TobyMac, Jars of Clay, Natalie Imbruglia), this deeply worship inspired record marks a bold departure from his previous solo work — blending heartfelt devotion with fresh musical textures and melodic depth unlike anything he has done before. Sweet’s unmistakable voice leads a tapestry of heartfelt worship, inviting listeners to reflect, celebrate and draw closer to the timeless truths at the heart of his message. With sweeping arrangements and a sincere spiritual core, the album offers both comfort and inspiration for moments of prayer, praise and quiet contemplation.

The new single follows the release of the title track, which first became available in January. Watch the lyric video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYlvxAflcug

Sweet is best known as the frontman for iconic Christian rock back STRYPER. With over 10 million albums sold worldwide, STRYPER is renowned for its distinctive brand of “heavenly metal” and extraordinary crossover success. The group ascended to prominence in the 1980s with Billboard Top 40 hits like “Calling on You,” “Honestly,” and “Always There for You,” and has maintained a global fanbase ever since. STRYPER is the first band to ever have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously with their hits “Free” and “Honestly.” Sweet also has a successful solo career, is a founding member of rock outfit Sweet & Lynch, and he served as the vocalist & guitarist for the legendary classic rock band BOSTON from 2007-2011.

For more information, visit www.MichaelSweet.com.

NOVOMUNDO Share New Single + Video ‘Maitresse La Sirene’ from Upcoming Debut Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 17, 2026
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After unveiling the first previews of their debut album over the past months, NOVOMUNDO now reveal the final chapter before the full release of “The Cursed Cult”, set for March 1st, 2026. The Roman band present “Maitresse La Sirene”, the last single ahead of the album’s release — a track that both encapsulates and expands the artistic vision developed throughout the project’s journey.

With “Maitresse La Sirene”, NOVOMUNDO delve deeper into their distinctive sonic language, preserving the balance between aggression and atmosphere that defines their sound. Massive riffs and driving grooves intertwine with darker, ritualistic passages, while melodic layers and tribal-inspired textures emerge with striking intensity, shaping a track that feels both visceral and immersive. The single marks another step forward in the band’s evolution, highlighting their ability to merge extreme influences with a strong compositional identity and a narrative approach fully aligned with the album’s concept.

As the final preview before release day, “Maitresse La Sirene” sets the stage for “The Cursed Cult”, NOVOMUNDO’s first full-length album — a dark and immersive work inspired by Voodoo culture, exploring its symbols, rituals, and mythology through a contemporary lens.

NOVOMUNDO was born near Rome around 2012 with the idea to blend heavy and groovy music textures alongside various influences, rhythms, and instruments from all over the world. After some line-up changes over the years, the band rewrote and refined some of their previous material, releasing “Echoes of Ego”: four songs focused on mid-paced ferocity and exotic grooves, with themes exploring modern world decay, primeval instincts, and nightmarish visions.

“The Cursed Cult” represents the band’s first full-length effort: a darker and more crushing take on their renewed sound. The album explores Voodoo culture, its symbols and meanings, interpreted through the lens of contemporary life. Fourteen tracks of ferocity and raw energy blend dark ambient passages with a rotten edge, fusing death-groove and 2000s metal influences enriched by modern tones and crust-core elements.

The album is a concept piece centered on Voodoo — its mysteries, rituals, and symbolic icons. Lyrically, it touches on slavery, prejudice, and death as a way to give value to life, among other themes. Across the tracks, listeners are guided through the pantheon of Voodoo deities, called Loa, exploring their stories and traits as metaphors to convey the album’s core messages. The soundscape of NOVOMUNDO evokes emotional instability and a sense of unease, symbolizing the fear stemming from ignorance and unfamiliarity.

Tracklist:

01 Son of Mawu
02 Deathless
03 Erzulie
04 Bokor
05 The Coven
06 Mojo
07 Vodun
08 OSFTG
09 Le Marriage de Brigitte
10 Warlord
11 God’s Violence
12 Maitresse La Sirene
13 Papa Legba
14 Orishas

Line-up:

Valerio Cristiani – Vocals
Carlo Ridolfi – Guitar
Fabio Ciccone – Guitar
Fausto Idini – Drums

https://www.novomundo.it/
https://www.instagram.com/novomundo_13/
https://novomundo13.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NovomundoTribe

VENUS 5 Unveil New Video for Title Track of Upcoming Album “March Of The Venus 5”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 17, 2026
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Photo by Arianna Ceccarelli – Kinorama Studio

International metal group Venus 5 – comprised of Karmen Klinc, Jelena Milovanovic, Tezzi Persson (Hell in the Club), Herma (Sick N’ Beautiful), and Erina Seitllari – are pleased to unveil the new single and official video, “March Of The Venus 5” , title track of their upcoming album, set for release on March 20, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

Pre-Order “March Of The Venus 5” HERE

Venus 5, the all-female European pop-metal sensation – return with a stronger, heavier, and more focused second album. 

Uniting five distinctive voices from across the continent – Karmen Klinc (Slovenia), Jelena Milovanovic (Serbia), Tezzi Persson (Sweden, singer of Hell in the Club), Herma (Italy, singer of Sick N’ Beautiful), and Erina Seitllari (Albania) – the band pushes its sound to new heights, embracing a more traditional metal direction while retaining the massive hooks and glossy production that defined their debut. 

Once again produced by Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere), with songwriting contributions from Jake E. (ex-Amaranthe, Cyhra), the album showcases a more mature, riff-driven approach, rich with symphonic and electronic elements, layered vocal harmonies, and explosive choruses tailor-made for fans of Within Temptation, Amaranthe, and modern European metal.

Erina Seitllari stated: “This album feels like a storm made of fire and velvet! Wild, electric, and impossible to hold. Every track carries that spellbinding feminine force, the kind that rises, glows, and refuses to be tamed”.

“The new Venus 5 album is crafted with all the qualities needed for every listener to discover something that resonates. Within it lie unexpected sonic delights, powerful and surprising, that we cannot wait to unveil and let reach the ears of our audience”, continued Karmen Klinc.

With performances at several major festivals already under their belt, Venus 5 are now gearing up to return to the stage in support of the new album – ready to prove that their power is just as undeniable live as it is in the studio.

“March Of The Venus 5” Tracklist:

1.    March Of The Venus 5    
2.    Like A Witch    
3.    Far Away    
4.    Set Me Free
5.    Stereotypes        
6.    Surrender
7.    Satelite    
8.    Invincible
9.    Winter On My Skin
10.    Take It From The Start
11.    The Other Shore

Line Up:
Karmen Klinc – Vocals
Herma – Vocals
Jelena Milovanovic – Vocals
Tezzi Persson – Vocals
Erina Seitllari – Vocals

Andrea Buratto – Bass
Gabriele Robotti – Guitars
Antonio Agate – Keys
Marco Lazzarini – Drums

Aldo Lonobile – Additional guitars
Serena Torti – Additional Vocals

Follow VENUS 5:
Facebook
Instagram

JON ANDERSON AND THE BAND GEEKS Announce UK/Sweden Tour Dates

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 17, 2026
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JON ANDERSON AND THE BAND GEEKS announce their first ex-U.S tour, consisting of 7 UK shows and 2 shows in Sweden. The UK shows will be JON’s first performances in his home country since a one-show appearance with the Rock Academy in 2023. The tour is billed as “YES Epics, Classics, and More” and will feature songs recorded during JON’s 40 years as the lead vocalist of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees YES. The show will also include songs from his album with THE BAND GEEKS entitled ‘TRUE.’

JON ANDERSON says:

“To be back home in the UK performing YES music with the BAND GEEKS, who are dedicated YES fans, is a dream come true for me. So come and enjoy a great event, never to be forgotten! 
Blessings, Jon”

The New York-based BAND GEEKS came to JON’s attention in 2023 and has led to a partnership that has already completed 3 highly successful U.S. tours with a 4th starting this April.  JON AND THE BAND GEEKS are currently in production for their 2nd album to be released by Frontiers Music Srl.

Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, February 20th.  All dates are below:

Dates for the UK/Sweden Tour:

Sep 15- Birmingham – Symphony Hall
Sep 17- Bath- Forum
Sep 20- London- Palladium
Sep 22- Liverpool- Philharmonic
Sep 26- Manchester- Opera House
Sep 28- Glasgow- Royal Concert Hall
Oct 1- Gateshead- Glasshouse

Oct 3- Stockholm- Cirkus
Oct 5- Malmö- Slagthuset

For more information:
Jon Anderson’s official website HERE
Band Geek official website HERE
Jon Anderson YES Epics and Classics:
Website HERE
Facebook HERE
Twitter – @JonYesEpic
Instagram – @jonandersonyesepicsandclassics
TikTok – @JonAndersonYESEpic
YouTube HERE

THE HELLACOPTERS’ Rarities Compilation “Cream Of The Crap! Volume 3” Out Now & Streaming

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 16, 2026
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Today marks the release of Cream Of The Crap! Collected Non-Album Works • Volume 3,  the newest, long-overdue entry in a series of rarities collections by Swedish high energy rockers THE HELLACOPTERS, combining rare and lesser-known material from a myriad of singles, EPs, and compilation songs. The 24 tracks featured in this set have originally been released between 1998 and 2005, most of them only on vinyl and out-of-print CDs, and include originals like ‘Disappointment Blues’, ‘Freeway To Hell’, ‘Doggone Your Bad-Luck Soul’, ‘Ferrytale‘ and ‘Long Gone Losers’ as well as cover versions of songs by Motörhead, Wilson Pickett, MC5, Smokey Robinson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, The Ramones, The Nomads, Adam West – whose singer Jake Starr penned liner notes for this release – and many, many more. Furthermore, a lot of these songs have never been released digitally. Meticulously compiled by Robert Eriksson, transferred from master tapes and vinyl by Henke Jonsson, and remastered for maximum audio fidelity by Magnus Lindberg, with Cream Of The Crap! Collected Non-Album Works • Volume 3 THE HELLACOPTERS present a stunning collection of incredible, high-octane rock’n’roll on this more than 75 minutes long double vinyl, CD and digital release. Scroll down for the full track list and release formats.

Purchase or stream Cream Of The Crap! Collected Non-Album Works • Volume 3:
https://hellacopters.bfan.link/cotc

A full album stream via Youtube is available here:

CREAM OF THE CRAP! VOLUME 3 – TRACKLIST
RELEASE DATE: 13 February 2026

  1. Long Gone Losers
  2. Pack Of Lies (The Nomads cover)
  3. Her Strut (Bob Seger cover)
  4. Little Miss Sweetness (The Temptations cover)
  5. Oh Yeah Allright!
  6. I Get A Sensation (Adam West cover)
  7. Disappointment Blues
  8. American Ruse (MC5 cover)
  9. Ferrytale (1998 version)
  10. Whole Lot Of Shakin´ In My Heart (Since I Met You) (Smokey Robinson cover)
  11. I’m Eighteen (Alice Cooper cover)
  12. Sent En Lördagkväll (Nationalteatern cover) *
  13. Working For MCA (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
  14. Boney Maronie (Larry Williams cover)
  15. A Man And A Half (Wilson Pickett cover)
  16. 455 SD (Radio Birdman cover)
  17. Freeway To Hell
  18. Get Ready (Smokey Robinson cover)
  19. Doggone Your Badluck Soul
  20. Stab Your Back (Damned cover)
  21. Heaven (Scott Morgan cover)
  22. What´d Ya Do? (Ramones cover)
  23. Speedfreak (Motörhead cover)
  24. Ungrounded Confusion (The Flaming Sideburns cover)

* only available on physical editions

Polish MASS INSANITY Covered Cannibal Corpse’s ‘Butchered by Death’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 16, 2026
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MASS INSANITY is a Polish death metal band working on the Polish metal scene since 2003. They released three studio albums: “The Hypochrist” (2011), “Antihuman” (2015) and “Maveth” (2019). Music group from Chojnice created their version of Cannibal Corpse song which is part of a special compiation.

This cover was recorded for the “Butchered By Death” compilation, a tribute to Cannibal Corpse. The compilation, conceived by Tortured Corpse and scheduled for release at the turn of spring and summer, will feature eighteen covers recorded by eighteen bands.

Song was recorded at Antihuman Studio, and the mix and mastering was done by Michał Grabowski from BlackTeamMedia (Christ Agony, Feto In Fetus, Vader).

COMPILATION TRACKLIST:

01. Avulsed – “Staring Through The Eyes Of The Dead”
02. Vephar – “Hammer Smashed Face”
03. Mastectomy – “Pulverised”
04. Mass Insanity – “An Experiment In Homicide”
05. Uborn Suffer – “Put Them To Death
06. Chainsword – “Death Walking Terror”
07. Kontagion – “Sentenced To Burn”/”Evisceration Plague”
08. Cemetery Rotteness – “Necropedophile”
09. Tortured Corpse – “Butchered By Death”
10. Corpse Throne – “I Cum Blood”
11. Mortis Dei – “A Skull Full Of Maggots”
12. Trauma – “Stripped,Raped and Strangled”
13. Bestial Disgogerment – “Innards Decay”
14. 10 Plagues – “Devoured By Vermin”
15. MorLord – “Gutted”
16. Łukasz “Shadock” Radecki – “Scalding Hails”
17. Funus – “Bloodlands”
18. Putrid Evil – “Fucked With A Knife”

MASS INSANITY LINE-UP:

Wiesław “Viehu” Gruna – guitars
Waldemar “Hektor” Połom – drums
Maciej “Metal” Matejuk – bas
Marcin “Mały” Brzeźnicki – vocal

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