Grymheart has released a video for “The Dark Rider”, brand new stand alone single following the successful release of the 2023 debut album “Hellish Hunt” on Scarlet Records.
Inspired by Irish folklore, “The Dark Rider” tells the story of the Dullahan, an unstoppable force symbolizing Death. It blends fierce melodic death metal with haunting folk melodies to reflect upon the inevitability and mystery of mortality.
The Hungarian band is currently working on the sophomore record to be released in early 2026.
video by Ygor, Krisztina Máte – artwork by Jonathan Lantern
German post-metal act COLTAINE is set to release their new album, ‘Brandung’, on September 5 via Lay Bare Recordings. The album’s first single, “Keep Me Down In The Deep”, is out now, offering a first glimpse into the band’s cinematic sound.
Following the ethereal beauty of their debut, Forgotten Ways, COLTAINE returns with a bold and organic evolution of their signature style. Formed in 2022 amidst the mystic shadows of Germany’s Black Forest, the band continues its journey into fog-drenched realms of atmospheric psychedelia, post-rock melancholy, and blackgaze intensity.
‘Brandung’ is a collection of nine songs that intertwine seamlessly, pulling the listener into the depths of the band’s vision. The album finds COLTAINE swimming in a trance-like state, as droning acoustic guitars gracefully melt into more dynamic electric sections. “Grace” is perhaps the most suitable term to describe the overall sense of soft longing for the unattainable, as Julia Frasch’s vocals paint their way through vast tapestries of sheer melancholia.
Tracklist:
Tiefe Wasser
Memories Of Ice
Keep Me Down In The Deep
Black Coral
Wirbelwind
Above The Burning Sand
Maelstrom
Brandung
Solar Veil
The recently released first single, “Keep Me Down In The Deep”, serves as the perfect introduction to the new record. Vocalist Julia Frasch shares her personal connection to the song: “This song always reminds me that even in moments of complete overwhelm, I don’t lose myself. Even when the world outside feels loud, I know there’s a place of calm deep within me. I often think of the ocean. On the surface, it can be stormy, with waves crashing wildly. But the deeper you dive, the quieter it gets. This image helps me when everything becomes too much..“
“Keep Me Down In The Deep” is accompanied by a music video directed by Daniel Kilgus, which can be viewed below.
‘Brandung’ will be available on September 5 from Lay Bare Recordings and is available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION.
Furthermore, in support of the new album, the band will be hitting the road for their album release tour. All dates are listed below, with tickets available now.
‘Brandung’ Album Release Tour 2025
02/09/2025 DE Mannheim · Alter Open Air 03/09/2025 DE Berlin · Tommy-Haus 04/09/2025 DK Copenhagen · Lygtens Kro 05/09/2025 NO Oslo · Blitz 06/09/2025 SE Gothenburg · The Abyss 07/09/2025 DE Hamburg · Rote Flora 08/09/2025 CZ Prague · Club 007 Strahov 09/09/2025 SK Bratislava · Koncerty na Garážach 10/09/2025 HU Budapest · Gólya 11/09/2025 SI Ljubljana · Klub Gromka 13/09/2025 DE Freiburg · ArTik 26/09/2025 BE Ghent · Kinky Star 27/09/2025 GB London · Lay Bare Fest · Black Heart 23/10/2025 DE Oberhausen · Helvete 24/10/2025 DE Ulm · Hemperium 25/10/2025 DE Karlsruhe · Jubez 08/11/2025 DE Nuremberg · Sonus Obscura Festival 14/11/2025 DE Stuttgart · Juha West 15/11/2025 DE Neunkirchen · Gloomaar Festival
COLTAINE are: Vocals: Julia Frasch Guitar: Moritz Berg Bass: Benedikt Berg Drums: Amin Bouzeghaia
US-based rising instrumental progressive metallers, Sometime In February, recently released their new studio album ‘Where Mountains Hide’ via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music.
Ahead of the band playing their first ever UK/European shows, as well as an appearance at Prog Power Festival USA, they have launched a brand new track titled ‘A Safe Haven’.
Founded by multi-instrumentalists Nicolò and Federico Vese, Italian progressive metal duo ASYMMETRIC UNIVERSE, are set to release their debut album, A Memory And What Came After, via InsideOutMusic, on August 29th, 2025.
Photo: Fernando Zannini — Artwork: Marcelo Tonidandel
Brazilian heavy metallers BLADES OF STEEL have released the single “Riders Of The Night”, featuring NERVOSA vocalist Prika Amaral. Along with the track, the band unveiled a stunning music video, which you can watch below.
The follow-up to their acclaimed self-titled debut album ‘Blades of Steel’ (2025), the single is the first taste of their upcoming second album, scheduled for release next year. Produced by Val Santos (Viper), the track features a fuller, more aggressive sound, with a focus on guitar riffs. Regarding the composition, guitarist Jonas Soares comments:
“My idea for the song “Riders of the Night” was to present a song with a lot of riffs, influenced primarily by bass digger and accept, blending classical music in the bridge notes, along with a more emotional and striking vocal line, culminating in a powerful chorus. The second part of the song features a more 80s thrash metal style inspired by bands like Sodom and Destruction, as well as the overdubbed guitar work, based on one of our main influences, Judas Priest.”
Resurgent from a predominantly male scene, Blades of Steel focuses on female empowerment within traditional metal. The collaboration with Prika Amaral further reinforces the group’s purpose and mission.
Vocalist and founder Yara Haag shares the inspiration for “Riders Of The Night”:
“I wanted to create something from the heart, something that captured Prika’s essence: a free, fearless, biker woman who bravely faces the world to achieve her dreams. This song was born that way—as a tribute. It’s about a shared passion: motorcycles, but above all, it’s a tribute to the woman who has truly represented metal for so many years.”
Prika Amaral showcased her vocal talent for new musical styles: “This participation in this song is very special to me, as I recently became a vocalist. It was an incredible opportunity to create art alongside a friend and talented vocalist, and also to discover a new voice within myself for a different style. Furthermore, the song speaks to one of the things I love most in life: riding motorcycles!”
“Riders Of The Night” also marks a new stage for the band, with the new lineup and the maturation of their sound. “Now we have a better understanding of how we want our compositions to be, what truly represents the band, and what productions we’ll pursue from now on,” said Yara Haag.
BLADES OF STEEL continues working on the new album, promising a faster, more intense sound, but without abandoning its roots in traditional metal. “We want to explore new possibilities without losing what defines our identity as a band,” adds Yara Haag.
Blades of Steel is a Brazilian traditional heavy metal band formed with the purpose of honoring and revitalizing the genre’s roots. Their sound is driven by powerful riffs, powerful melodies, and lyrics that evoke themes of courage, resistance, and freedom. Influenced by classic bands such as Judas Priest, Manowar, Running Wild, Accept, and Saxon, Blades of Steel delivers a sound faithful to the old school while forging a unique identity.
In 2025, the band released their highly anticipated self-titled debut album, ‘Blades of Steel,’ produced, mixed, and mastered by Rafael Augusto Lopes (Crypta). The album was released on all major streaming platforms, as well as on CD and cassette, embracing the aesthetics and experience of classic heavy metal.
The release was praised for its authenticity and power, marking a significant milestone in the band’s journey and solidifying Blades of Steel as a rising force in the Brazilian and South American metal scenes.
The band is currently working on the compositions for their second album, scheduled for release in 2026. One of the highlights of the upcoming album is the bonus track featuring a special guest appearance by Prika Amaral (Nervosa), accompanied by a professional music video. This collaboration marks an important step in expanding the band’s reach to new audiences and markets.
Blades of Steel keeps the flame of true heavy metal alive, combining tradition, power, and professionalism at every stage of their career.
Genre: Heavy Metal Label: Metal Relics Production: Val Santos Recording: Val Santos Mixing and Mastering: Val Santos
Lineup: Yara Haag- Vocals Rafael Romanelli- Guitar Jonas Soares- Guitar Filippe Tonini- Bass Bruno Carbonato- Drums (video)
Following a series of previously-released singles, modern metalcore outfit HUMANKIND drops their first EP via powerhouse label ROAR, led by focus track “lovely”.
“lovely” is a dramatic reinterpretation of Billie Eilish’s global hit featuring ENEMY INSIDE vocalist Nastassja Giulia.The song shifts between fragile intimacy, raw vulnerability, and massive, heavy emotional intensity, transforming a global pop anthem into a cathartic experience that creates a release that lingers long after the last note. The accompanying music video brings both vocalists together on screen, capturing the song’s raw emotion and chemistry in a way that is impossible to ignore. Watch the music video for “lovely” feat. ENEMY INSIDE here:
HUMANKIND states:“From our perspective, “lovely” is an artistic, yet honest and dramatic engagement with mental issues or physical diseases that can’t be healed immediately. Sometimes we have to accept the situations we find ourselves in and learn how to live with them until they eventually improve. The decision to realise the song with two vocalists shows that we’re not alone with our struggles and will find comfort and help if we openly vocalise our issues and find others who are fighting similar fights.”
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Christoph Wieczorek (Sawdust Recordings), the four-track EP underlines HUMANKIND’s abilities to fuse modern metalcore energy with emotional depth, firmly establishing themselves among the new modern wave of forward-thinking post-hardcore and alternative rock music acts.
EP track listing:
lovely
Humans
The Darkness I Own
Fed Up
HumanKind is: Samuel Scholz (Vocals) Maria Kimberly Huehn (Guitar) Simon Keil (Guitar) Dominik “Doemsen” Stotzem (Bass) Silas Schué (Drums)
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
