SAASTA Release Second Album “Cesspool” with Music Video for ‘The Plagued’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 9, 2026
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Photographer: Uljas Blind Visions

Finnish extreme metal band Saasta, hailing from Kotka, has released a 12-track album titled “Cesspool”. The new record makes no pretense of being anything other than what it is: rotten, heavy, and merciless. The album is divided into two parts: The Sanctum and The Abyss. The first builds a lie; the second destroys it.

“This isn’t a story of growth. This is a documentary of decay.”

The sound is dynamic, intense, and unsettling—surging straight ahead, at times even painful to listen to. On the vocal side, Leevi Kärsämä uses his entire vocal range, from the lowest growls to piercing screams, which bind Topias Jokipii’s raw guitar sound, Janne Hietanen’s brooding bass, and Jimi Lahtinen’s aggressive drumming into a single cohesive whole. Each song is part of the same pressure that builds and eventually collapses under its own weight. 

Listen to “Cesspool” on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/saasta-cesspool

“When everything is stripped away, all that remains is what can no longer be hidden.”

The album was recorded at Saasta’s home studio in Kotka during 2025. Ben Jones handled the mixing and mastering; his touch can also be heard on Saasta’s previous release, “Black|Death|Doom” (EP, 2023).

The album is accompanied by five music videos, four of which were released before the album’s release. And the final The Plagued is now also released and you can watch it from HERE. All of the videos were produced by Saasta in a raw DIY spirit, with the support of a large group of volunteers.

The album’s release and distribution are handled by the Finnish label Inverse Records.

Track list / ISRC-codes:

  1. The Leeches – FI3FC2654201
  2. The Caricature – FI3FC2654202
  3. The Coffin – FI3FC2654203
  4. The Imposter – FI3FC2654204
  5. The Plagued – FI3FC2654205
  6. The March – FI3FC2654206
  7. The Envy – FI3FC2654207
  8. The Maelstrom – FI3FC2654208
  9. The Woe – FI3FC2654209
  10. The Ironclad – FI3FC2654210
  11. The Entrencher – FI3FC2654211
  12. The Retribution – FI3FC2654212

Focus tracks: 03. The Coffin, 05. The Plagued, 10. The Ironclad

Vocals – Leevi Kärsämä
Guitar – Topias Jokipii
Bass – Janne Hietanen
Drums – Jimi Lahtinen

https://www.saastaofficial.com/
https://www.facebook.com/saastaofficial
https://www.instagram.com/saastaofficial
https://saasta.bandcamp.com/

WE KILL COWBOYS Embrace Transformation on Powerful New Single ‘Year Of The Snake’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 9, 2026
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South African outfit We Kill Cowboys return with Year Of The Snake, a deeply introspective and emotionally charged new single that explores transformation, self-love, and stepping into a higher version of oneself.

Blending hypnotic energy with the band’s signature raw intensity, Year Of The Snake feels both deeply personal and spiritually expansive. The track was born through an organic and collaborative creative process within the band. Guitarist Floris initially brought the core structure of the song to the table before working alongside Andrew to reshape and refine it. From there, the full arrangement evolved naturally in the rehearsal room with the rest of the band.
 
While the instrumental foundation came together collectively, the lyrical process took an unexpectedly intuitive turn, “This song is a spell,” says vocalist, Alex Muller. “The lyrics came through within 35 minutes of sitting down. It was a channel.”

The song’s themes center around unconditional love, trust in oneself, and embracing personal evolution. Year Of The Snake speaks to the idea of breaking free from old patterns and consciously choosing growth, healing, and connection.

Buy/stream the single: https://orcd.co/year_of_the_snake

“This is about choosing love in its highest form,” Alex explains. “Unconditional love for ourselves and then for the world. It’s about truly stepping into a new paradigm and allowing all that goodness in. That all starts with self-love and trust in our higher self.”
 
The track also pushed the band members beyond their usual creative comfort zones, particularly in the songwriting process.
 
“It’s out of my comfort zone to write once a song is in its full form, which is so fitting with what the song’s about,” Says Muller.
 
With its haunting atmosphere, cathartic energy, and deeply reflective message, Year Of The Snake stands as one of We Kill Cowboys’ most spiritually resonant releases to date, a reminder that transformation often begins from within, and that “the power is in the words.”

More info: https://www.facebook.com/wekillcowboys

Greek KOSMOGONIA Share New ‘Oblivion’ Guitar Playthrough Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 9, 2026
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Athens-based folk melodic death metal force Kosmogonia have released the official guitar playthrough video for “Oblivion”, a powerful, emotionally charged track from their sophomore album “Aella”.

Listen to single “Oblivion”: https://lnk.to/qJcMfa4z

Driven by aggressive riffing, melodic lead work, and dark pagan atmospheres, “Oblivion” captures the band’s distinctive fusion of melodic death metal ferocity, symphonic arrangements, and evocative folk elements. The playthrough video offers an up-close look at the intricate guitar interplay and dynamic songwriting that shape Kosmogonia’s sound – balancing mythological grandeur with modern extreme metal intensity.

Formed in Athens in 2015, Kosmogonia have steadily established themselves within the European folk and melodic death metal scene through a sound deeply rooted in ancient mythology, pagan traditions, and epic storytelling. Their second full-length album, “Aella,” received strong praise across Europe and Latin America, earning recognition from Metal Hammer Portugal and expanding the band’s international visibility. Through Rockshots Records, the album now reaches a broader international audience while the band simultaneously works on new material for its next studio chapter.

Set in 350 B.C., “Aella” tells a tragic story of war, destiny, and forbidden emotion following the encounter between the Scythian princess Aella and the Greek mercenary Lykon during a brutal conflict between civilizations. Across the album, Kosmogonia combine dual vocal dynamics, atmospheric flute passages, layered orchestrations, and modern melodic death metal aggression into a powerful and immersive listening experience.

For fans of Eluveitie, Ensiferum, Epica, and Nightwish.

Listen to “Aella”: https://lnk.to/w3NtMoYV​

Music Video – The Oracle – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6eB8tUV3fQ

Kosmogonia Line Up:

Dimitra LeFay: Vocals
Kostas Magalios: Vocals & Guitar
George Kanellopoulos: Guitars
Odysseus Poulos: Keyboards
Kyriakos Konstantinou: Bass Guitars
Alex Papavangelis: Drums
Ismini Vasileiou: Flute

More info: https://rockshots.eu/​
​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kosmogonia_official/​
​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kosmogoniafolk

ERADIKATED’s New Album “Wiring of Violence” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 9, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo: Linda Florin

Friday, May 8, Eradikated released their new full-length album Wiring of Violence, the long-awaited follow-up to their Grammis-nominated (Swedish Grammy’s) debut Descendants from 2023.

The album’s themes revolve around struggle and resistance against the dark forces shaping our time, those driving war, famine, growing social inequality, and accelerating climate change.

Listen to the album here: https://ffm.to/wiringofviolence

All artwork for both the previously released singles and the album itself has been painted using real blood, a striking and uncompromising form of symbolism that visually amplifies the intensity of the music and the unfiltered lyrics.

Artwork: @feliciarosvall — Design: @malteleifsson

Following the release, the band will play a handful of exclusive summer shows before heading out on an extensive European tour this fall as support for Havok (US), alongside Throne of Blood (NO) and Xonor (CH). See tour dates below.

“Wiring of Violence is furious, aggressive and fast, but also heavy and relentless, raw energy channeled into music that highlights the defining issues of our time. The album throws you straight into the frontlines of war. It attacks growing inequality, greedy oil companies, and wannabe dictators. It challenges us musically, and it challenges you to act.”

– Elvin Landaeus Czismadia, vocalist, guitarist and primary lyricist of Eradikated.

Eradikated tour dates 2026 w/ Havok (US), Blood Red Throne (NO) and Xonor (CH):

10 Sep – Das Bett, Frankfurt (DE)
11 Sep – Matrix, Bochum (DE)
12 Sep – Dynamo, Eindhoven (NL)
13 Sep – Botanique, Brussels (BE)
15 Sep – The Fleece, Bristol (UK)
16 Sep – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (UK)
17 Sep – Whelans, Dublin (IE)
18 Sep – Rebellion, Manchester (UK)
19 Sep – The Dome, London (UK)
21 Sep – Petit Bain, Paris (FR)
22 Sep – Ferrailleur, Nantes (FR)
23 Sep – Revi Live, Madrid (ES)
24 Sep – Salamandra, Barcelona (ES)
25 Sep – O Totem, Lyon (FR)
26 Sep – Kiff, Aarau (CH)
27 Sep – Lime Club, Milan (IT)
29 Sep – Backstage, Munich (DE)
30 Sep – Dürer Kert, Budapest (HU)
01 Oct – Futurum, Prague (CZ)
02 Oct – Hydrozagadka, Warsaw (PL)
04 Oct – SO36, Berlin (DE)
05 Oct – Logo, Hamburg (DE)
06 Oct – Stengade, Copenhagen (DK)
07 Oct – John Dee, Oslo (NO)
08 Oct – Kollektivet Livet, Stockholm (SE)
10 Oct – Ääniwalli, Helsinki (FI)

Info and tickets here: https://lnk.to/HAVOK-EUROPE2026

ABOUT:

Eradikated have forged a fierce presence in modern thrash metal with a sound rooted in classic intensity but propelled by a contemporary edge.
Their 2023 debut album Descendants was nominated for a Swedish Grammy for Best Hard Rock/Metal of the Year, placing them alongside major acts in Scandinavia’s metal scene.
Eradikated’s live resume reflects their relentless drive. They’ve supported metal legends like The Haunted on Scandinavian tours, packed shows across Sweden and Norway, and played major festivals including Summer Breeze Open Air (DE), Sweden Rock Festival and by:Larm Black (NO)
Their explosive, no‑frills approach has also earned praise from international promoters, with members of the Download Festival delegation calling them “one of the best thrash bands I’ve seen in years.”

ERADIKATED:
Elvin Landaeus Csizmadia – Vocals / Rhythm Guitar
Ragnar Östberg – Lead Guitar
Erland Östberg- Bass
Calle Frogner Moberg – Drums

FOLLOW ERADIKATED:
FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM / TIKTOK / YOUTUBE

BASTION ROSE Issue a Dystopian Call to Arms with Aggressive New Single ‘Break The Machine’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 9, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Continuing their relentless 2026 release schedule, cinematic hard rock outfit Bastion Rose has announced their most explosive and sonically expansive single yet: “Break The Machine.” Dropping May 8th, the track is a dark, progressive anthem aimed directly at a society standing on the precipice.

As the latest chapter in their upcoming Blue Rising era, “Break The Machine” fuses their signature heavy rock instrumentation with haunting piano and aggressive, dystopian synth textures. The song serves as a rallying cry for a “poisoned youth” to tear down an obsolete world order.

For frontman and songwriter Austin Frink, the track is much more than a sonic evolution—it is a direct response to the current global trajectory.

“The world we are building right now is not the world we want to live in, and it’s certainly not the one we want to create for the future,” says Frink. “We cannot afford to be complacent in the face of this mortal threat. ‘Break The Machine’ is about recognizing the poison that is killing us—whether that’s our systems, our leaders, our media, or our own apathy—and realizing we finally have the tools to dismantle it. We have to become the masters of our own fate before time runs out.”

Building upon the world-class sonic foundation established on their previous records (Traces of Gold and Fade To Blue), produced by the Grammy-winning David Bottrill (TOOL, Muse, Mastodon, Godsmack, Coheed and Cambria, Smashing Pumpkins, Rush), the band’s new material is capturing a passionate global audience.

“Break The Machine” is now available on all major streaming platforms.

About Bastion Rose:

Bastion Rose is a cinematic hard rock project based in Bloomington, Indiana. Known for their sophisticated fusion of monumental 70s-era grooves and 2000s era alternative metal intensity, the band has earned international recognition for their high-caliber production and narrative-driven songwriting. Following their David Bottrill-produced debut Traces of Gold, the band is currently unveiling the next chapter of their evolution with the album Blue Rising.

Follow Bastion Rose

bastionrose.com
facebook.com/bastionrosemusic
instagram/bastionrosemusic
youtube.com/@bastionrosemusic
www.tiktok.com/@bastion.rose
tinyurl.com/SpotifyBastionRose

Argonauta Fest London 2026 Announces Line-Up & Event Details

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 9, 2026
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Argonauta Records is proud to announce the first-ever Argonauta Fest London, landing on June 21st for a night fully dedicated to the power of live heavy music, bringing together a diverse lineup of doom, sludge, stoner and psych-driven bands from across the underground scene.

We are truly excited for this incredible night in London, proudly representing three outstanding artists from the Argonauta Records roster. Each band brings its own unique vision of heaviness, atmosphere and sonic intensity, creating a lineup that fully reflects the spirit of the underground scene we believe in and support every day. Expect massive riffs, immersive soundscapes and a night built for those who live heavy music beyond boundaries”, says Argonauta Records.

Three bands, one stage, total live immersion in heavy music culture:
Borehead (South London instrumental trio) deliver live performances that feel like a total sensory immersion. Massive psych tinged doom, crushing riffs and expansive soundscapes unfold in slow, hypnotic waves, turning every show into a physical and emotional experience built on volume, tension and atmosphere.
For fans of Conan, Sleep, Earth, and Russian Circles. https://www.facebook.com/boreheadofficial

Godzilla Was Too Drunk To Destroy Tokyo (Italy) bring chaotic and unpredictable live energy, where sludge-soaked heaviness collides with fuzzy psychedelia, and stoner grooves in constant mutation. Their shows are loud, unfiltered, and explosive, shifting between crushing weight and warped psychedelic frenzy.
For fans of Melvins, L7, and DIE SPITZ. https://www.facebook.com/godzillawastoodrunktodestroytokyo

Master Charger (UK) unleash a raw and devastating live impact built on fuzz-drenched riffs, blues-heavy doom, and sludge-soaked intensity. Their performances are direct, loud, and gritty, driven by a punk-infused underground spirit and a deep connection to classic heavy tradition.
For fans of Saint Vitus, Motörhead, Celtic Frost, and Trouble. https://www.facebook.com/mastercharger

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1459909652441960