After a 25-year hiatus, legendary Australian rock ‘n’ roll band Asteroid B-612 make their long-awaited return with their brand new single, ‘Park Bench Gods‘, out April 25 via Golden Robot Records. The track is available for pre-save now on all major streaming platforms.
Lifted from their forthcoming album Roads, Stars, ‘Park Bench Gods‘ is a raucous, full-throttle return to form that captures the essence of what made Asteroid B-612 an underground cult favourite. Recorded in both Australia and Spain throughout 2024, the single is pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll, built to get you moving – whether you’re in the pit or your living room.
The track features the blistering guitar work of band founder, guitarist and songwriter Johnny Casino, alongside the unmistakable raw and soulful vocals of original frontman Grant McIver (from the band’s first three albums). Long-time drummer Ben Fox (a member since 1993) brings his signature locomotive groove, rounding out a rhythm section bolstered by new members Xabi Garre (guitar – Señor No, Roy Loney, Cheetah Chrome) and Juancho Lopez (bass – Paul Collins, Peralta, Kurt Baker Combo).
Emerging from the Australian underground in the early ’90s, Asteroid B-612 became known for their no-compromise approach to rock, blending Detroit punk energy, Aussie pub rock soul, and garage rock grit. From sweaty pub shows across Australia to their cult following in the U.S.A and Europe, the band became a seminal name in underground rock circles, known for their high-octane live performances, explosive guitar work, and raw, heartfelt songwriting.
Now, with ‘Park Bench Gods,’ the band sounds as urgent and vital as ever – ready to reignite dancefloors and dive bars worldwide. Get ready. Hit play. And wear your dancin’ shoes
Charleston, West Virginia metal veterans BYZANTINE will release their long-awaited new full-length, Harbingers, on June 13th via Metal Blade Records.
Produced by Peter Wichers (Soilwork, All That Remains, Nevermore), Harbingers delivers nine tracks totaling forty-five minutes of deep lyrical wisdom alongside equally hefty riffs delivered seamlessly by one of the most commanding and unsung lineups to emerge from the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal movement in the early 2000s. Now a five-piece for the first time ever featuring Ojeda, alongside former guitarist Tony Rohrbough, bassist Ryan Postlethwait, veteran guitarist Brian Henderson, and drummer Matt Bowles, with Harbingers, BYZANTINE offers the crown jewel in their impressive seven-album discography. Notes founding frontman Chris “OJ” Ojeda, “After twenty-five years of riding the struggle bus, we’re ready to show the rock and metal world what we’re truly about.”
The album cover, designed by mixed-media artist Ashley Hoey, beautifully depicts Irene of Athens – the mother of Emperor Constantine and the first female empress of the Byzantine Empire. This focus on a maternal ruler eloquently ties into the album’s title, Harbingers, which means “ones who usher in great change.”
The record’s first single, “Floating Chrysanthema,” envisions a bleak dystopian future where artificial intelligence becomes sentient and overpowers mankind, essentially enslaving us all. “Our bassist Ryan brought this song to the band,” says Ojeda, “and we thought it hit like a sledgehammer making it the perfect introduction to our new music. Peter Wichers had a big hand in helping craft this song into its final iteration.”
Harbingers will be released on CD and digital formats. Find pre-orders at: metalblade.com/byzantine
Harbingers Track Listing: 01. Consequentia 02. A Place We Cannot Go 03. Floating Chrysanthema 04. The Clockmaker’s Intention 05. Riddance 06. Harbinger 07. The Unobtainable Sleep 08. Kobayashi Maru 09. Irene
It has taken years of ups and downs for BYZANTINE to reach the point of creating Harbingers. Discovered early on by Lamb Of God‘s Chris Adler, the band quickly released their debut full-length, The Fundamental Component, in 2004. The record boasted a raw fusion of Bay Area thrash and Southern-tinged groove metal and set the tone for their future sound. Their 2005-released …And They Shall Take Up Serpents offering marked an even more blistering evolution. However, turmoil ultimately led to BYZANTINE‘s breakup, announced just one day after the release of their third album, 2007’s prophetic Oblivion Beckons.
Reforming to release the independent albums Byzantine (2013) and To Release Is To Resolve (2015), the band saw the latter dominate SiriusXM’s Hard Attack Devil’s Dozen for weeks, also earning them the #1 spot on CMJ’s Loud Rock Chart. Notably, BYZANTINE became only the second independent band to achieve this feat following Clutch‘s indie release, Earth Rocker.
In 2017, BYZANTINE made their Metal Blade debut with The Cicada Tree, faultlessly merging multiple genres into their progressive groove sound, a signature blend now synonymous with the band. With Harbingers raising the stakes and a revitalized lineup in place, Ojeda confidently states, “If you’ve slept on BYZANTINE for the past twenty-five years, Harbingers will awaken you.”
BYZANTINE: Chris Ojeda – vocals Brian Henderson – guitar, vocals Tony Rohrbough – guitar Ryan Postlethwait – bass, vocals Matt Bowles – drums
Finnish melodic metal band UNÉN are excited to unveil their new single and accompanying official video, “Forever Winter”, out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
Vocalist Stina Girs commented on the new single by saying: “When the mind sinks into darkness and no light is in sight, the inner landscape can feel like an eternal winter. Also, the loss of a loved one can feel like a desolate midwinter. Forever Winter can be either one for the listener – a personal battle toward brighter days, or a message to a loved one, on the other side”.
Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Unén are a modern melodic metal band, whose music also incorporates elements ranging from progressive to pop, blending intensity with sensitivity in its sound.
Unén was originally founded in late 2021, laying the foundation for the band’s musical style. In 2022, Unén focused on composing and refining production independently, resulting in the release of two self-published tracks. However, after a rollercoaster year, there was a need to change the lineup to accelerate production.
The word “Unén” was derived from the band’s original idea that lyrics would be based on the world of dreams. However, due to lineup changes, this concept took a different direction, but the name remained.
In the beginning of 2023, there was a shift in Unén’s lineup due to the change of lead singer, which notably accelerated all activities. The band members coming together was a series of fortunate coincidences and determined searches, including encounters with old acquaintances. The right people had found each other.
Unén released their first single “Made of Stone (cover)” in May 2023 with the new lead singer, Stina Girs. She became known during the IDOLS competition in 2011 and subsequently released two albums as a solo artist. The original song by Evanescence inspired this evolved lineup of Unén to showcase their unique sound and overall direction. Following this, the band focused solely on creating their own songs.
All members of Unén bring their own expertise and input to the band. Every song created is a sum of its creators, and there is no specific leader. The band members are united by their passion for making music, even though their day jobs are completely different.
Unén signed with Frontiers Music in February 2024, thus enabling the band to achieve the channel they sought to release their music to the world.
Line Up: Stina Girs – vocals Kimmo Pitkänen – guitars Petteri Sinervä – keyboards Harri Moilanen – guitars Tomi Kallava – bass Timo Larjo – drums
The Italian doom metal alchemists in MESSA are pleased to unveil their new video for “Fire On The Roof.” The track comes off the band’s outstanding new album, The Spin, released on April 11th through Metal Blade Records.
MESSA‘s majestic, critically-lauded fourth full-length opus, The Spin takes its listeners on a breathtaking journey across the wide-open skies of their creative imagination and over a compelling landscape of moods, twists, and styles. Based in the band’s eclectic, self-defined “scarlet doom” sound, The Spin rises, falls, broods, bites, comforts, and destroys, all the while resounding with both instinctive magic and obsessive, concerted hard work. After lighting up the underground with a triptych of increasingly distinctive and wondrous records – 2016’s Belfry, 2018’s Feast For Water, and 2022’s Close – with The Spin, MESSA is audibly equipped for the proverbial big leagues.
Metal Injection accurately crowns MESSA “purveyors of the catchiest doom.” Of The Spin, Decibel Magazine champions “… a sweeping statement that draws equally from doom and goth rock, with hefty doses of classic heavy metal and jazz thrown in.” Deaf Forever concurs lauding “their strongest album to date,” that, “definitively establishes MESSA as one of the most exciting and creative bands of the modern era.” Adds Metal Hammer Germany, “Anyone who appreciates the free-spirited combination of an exceptional voice with plenty of quiet moments and some blaring riffs will find MESSA to be the perfect band.”
Comments the band on their “Fire On The Roof” single, “Some have experienced forbidden and impossible love. The curse, the fear, the flames that guide you to hell. Magnetism between two humans is hard to ignore – but what gets in the way with those interactions? This song’s a testament to trusting your own guts and vulnerability.”
Watch MESSA‘s previously released video for “At Races” HERE and “The Dress” HERE.
The Spin was partly recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered by Maurizio “Icio” Baggio and includes synth work by Andrea Mantione (Nuovo Testamento) on “Fire On The Roof” and cover art by Nico Vascellari (Uroboro, 2023. Nero Portoro marble, tire. 57 x 57 x 10 cm).
MESSA has confirmed shows across Europe this Spring including a special performance at this year’s edition of Roadburn where the band will play The Spin live in its stunning entirety.
MESSA Live: 4/15/2025 Feierwerk – Munich, DE 4/16/2025 Gebäude 9 – Cologne, DE 4/18/2025 Roadburn Festival – Tilburg, NL * Performing The Spin live 4/26/2025 Argo16 – Venice, IT 5/09/2025 DesertFest Oslo – Oslo, NO 6/22/2025 Hellfest – Clisson, FR 6/26/2025 Resurrection Festival – Vigo, ES 6/27/2025 Nazca Live – Madrid, ES 6/28/2025 Sala Upload – Barcelona, ES 6/29/2025 Molotov – Marseille, FR 7/11/2025 DC Rojc Open Air – Pula, HR 8/08/2025 Alcatraz – Kortrijk, BE 8/9/2025 Sonic Blast – Moledo, PT 11/8-9/2025 Damnation Festival – Manchester, UK
More on MESSA: MESSA‘s signature sound absorbs influences from jazz and blues, punk and prog, and black metal and dark ambient, but their restless experimentalism has extraordinarily smooth and assured results. The Spin incorporates another new element, interpolating an ’80s goth rock vibe in typically full-blooded fashion. “We don’t like to repeat ourselves and we constantly try to find a new language to express while keeping our identity,” stresses the band. “This time we delved into the decade of the 1980s. We are not part of the ‘dark scene’ in any way. The influence for this record looks back to the early goth rock/dark wave rather than the later emanations of the genre.” In addition to Sisters Of Mercy and Virgin Prunes, the band cites records by Killing Joke, Mercyful Fate, Jimmy Page, Journey, The Sound, Boy Harsher, and Vangelis as impacting significantly upon the creation of The Spin.
Something that seems to get both easier and harder at the same time are Sara’s remarkable vocals. With greater experience of stage and studio, her beguiling pipes continue getting stronger and more versatile; so the singing here is more assertive and confident, but the singer’s concerted push to new heights comes somewhat at the expense of a healthy mental equilibrium. “For this record I gave up parts of my own sanity,” reveals Sara. “I wore myself in so many different ways… You can’t lie when you’re singing. My aim was to record my parts in the most honest way possible. Mix-wise, the vocals are more on the spotlight, in true ’80s fashion. The lyrics touch on multiple topics throughout the record; destroying one’s ego, impossible cursed love, giving up on yourself, others’ expectations, self-sabotage, resurrection. While we were touring the US I reread some books by Cormac McCarthy. It was crucial to pave the way I wanted to express myself. I think the lyrics this time are more ‘straight in your face.’ I used metaphors like I always did, but I wanted to get more verbally naked and raw. I never spoke so clearly in our previous records about insecurity, misery, uneasiness, anguish and distress.”
MESSA: Sara – vocals Marco – guitars/bass Alberto – guitars Rocco – drums
GAMA BOMB have returned at lightning speed with more new music for your unsuspecting ears! With more riffs than they could fit on 2023’s ‘BATS‘, the band were forced to leave some tracks off of their last LP offering. However, the tracks that didn’t make it onto the album were just too good to never see the light of day, which leads us to the release of ‘Necronomicon Automaton‘ this April 18th on Prosthetic Records. Four brand new songs of unapologetic thrash metal, with earworms capable of chewing a hole through your goddamn cranium!
“We approached writing our last album BATS in a very maximalist way: in total we had around 30 demos – some sketches, others fully-worked up – and ended up with a huge shortlist for the album itself. The songs on this EP are those that almost made the album, but were killed off for one reason or another and not fully finished. They kinda sat on a shelf ever since, until we dusted them off and finished the parts that were missing – and we’re pretty pleased with the result! This is the bonus level to BATS: four ripping thrash metal deleted scenes rescued from the cutting room floor. We think it’s got something of its own to say, and we hope our fans will agree. ” – GAMA BOMB
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the band’s mascot Snowy is back from the dead to once again adorn the latest artwork. Creating the visual element of ‘Necronomicon Automaton’, GAMA BOMB were once again able to enlist legendary film poster illustrator Graham Humphreys, whose credits include A Nightmare On Elm Street and The Evil Dead to name just a few. GAMA BOMB are a band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously as individuals, however when it comes down to the finer details of their creative output, the band make sure that what they are putting out is of the highest quality.
“We take our art very seriously, and we’re lucky to have amazing creative partners to help realise it. The EP’s cover is by the legendary Graham Humphreys, artist behind film posters for A Nightmare On Elm Street and The Evil Dead. We were very lucky to get his help – this is the fifth cover Graham has done for the band, something we’re very proud of. The art is based on the title track and is inspired by Victorian spiritualist photography. Our mascot Snowy is ‘materialising’ above the automaton lady. The sepia tone is a bit of a departure for us. Cover design was by Rory McGuigan, who’s been our artistic director since we first started the band. The lettering is based on hand annotations which appear on old 1900s prison photos, mixed with symbols used by the Zodiac Killer to give it an occult look.” – GAMA BOMB
The EP covers a lot of serious subjects, such as the dangers of nunchucks, Victorian robots and scaring your sweet ol’ mum half to death with heavy metal. Delivered with the usual GAMA BOMB flair of catchy choruses, shredding guitar solos and ripping vocals.
EP Credits:
Recorded in Dublin and Newry, Ireland, London, UK and Warsaw, Poland
Produced, mixed and mastered by Domo Dixon
Drums performed by James Stewart, engineered by Paweł ‘Janos’ Grabowski
Cover art by Graham Humphreys
Cover design by Rory McGuigan
With four more songs loaded into their already sizeable musical arsenal, the band will hit the road for a lengthy tour of Ireland (and the UK) to coincide with the EPs release. They will be accompanied by Raised By Owlson all shows.
THU APR 17 – CRAUFURD ARMS, MILTON KEYNES FRI APR 18 – THE JUNCTION, PLYMOUTH SAT APR 19 – 229, LONDON SUN APR 20 – REBELLION, MANCHESTER MON APR 21 – AUDIO, GLASGOW FRI MAY 16 – GRAND SOCIAL, DUBLIN SAT MAY 17 – DOLAN’S, LIMERICK SUN MAY 18 – LIMELIGHT 2, BELFAST FRI OCT 10 – BANNERMANS, EDINBURGH SAT OCT 11 – THE FERRET, PRESTON SUN OCT 12 – WEDGEWOOD ROOMS, PORTSMOUTH FRI OCT 24 – BUNKHOUSE, SWANSEA SAT OCT 25 – OLD COLD STORE, NOTTINGHAM SUN OCT 26 – CLUNY 2, NEWCASTLE
GAMA BOMB are: John ‘J.R.’ Roche – Guitars Joe McGuigan – Bass Chris Williams – Drums Domo Dixon – Guitars Philly Byrne – Vocals
Full throttle from Vancouver to wherever the open road takes them, The Vicious Cycles are BACK with their new LP Get Wrecked on Pirates Press Records!
The album is available for pre-order now on 12” Colored Vinyl. The band revved the engine on the new record at the end of January with the high-octane lead single, “Hold On Tight” and its incredible video. Most recently, they’ve followed that up by running amok in Las Vegas in the video for the album’s second single, “Daddy Was a Gambler.”
“Daddy Was a Gambler” references Vicious Cycles lead singer Billy Bones‘s father – an ex-preacher who regularly hauled his kids to Circus Circus in his ’57 Chevy – and his mother, a nurse and, as Billy puts it, “as close to an actual saint as anyone in the world. The song is an appreciation for the two of them, and how their differences made me who I am.” The single is available on all major streaming platforms.
As for the video, did the garage punkers line up all proper documentation with the locations they shot the video? “They say it’s sometimes better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” says the band. “So we send our most sincere apologies to The Silver Stamp, Dino’s Lounge, Koolsville, The D Hotel & Casino, Plaza Hotel & Casino, and Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino for filming in and around your fine establishments.”
“Daddy Was a Gambler” follows the lead single, “Hold On Tight,” released along with its video at the end of January.
“Hold On Tight,” is about, as Cycles head honcho Billy Bones puts it, “the physical feeling of riding with your favorite person on the back of your motorcycle – easily one of the best feelings a human can have.” So, a classic biker anthem? “But also,” he’s quick to add, “a metaphor for life and relationships. We’re gonna make it.” Waxing philosophical with motorcycles as allegory over chrome-plated punk rock ’n roll? That’s The Vicious Cycles’ songwriting in a nutshell. The single is now available on all major streaming platforms.
Before you even get the shrink wrap off the gatefold jacket of Get Wrecked, you can guess what kind of party you’re in for. “Our pal Shakey Deal is the cover model,” says Cycles head honcho Billy Bones. “A tuff looking scrub on a minibike says a lot about who we are.” And who is that exactly? “We play garage/punk rock and roll songs about motorcycles. We like to have a good time.”
The promise of debauchery carries over into song titles like “Naked On a Beach,” and “On Fire in the Hot Tub.” As rip-roaring, danceable party music goes, it’s second to none, and rest assured there’s plenty of bike-enthusiast inside baseball, but as is the case with “Daddy Was a Gambler” & “Hold On Tight,” the lyrics often go deeper than a superficial glance might indicate.
“Naked On A Beach” sounds like a party, but Billy explains it’s “a critique of capitalism and the tiny lives we’re expected – and sometimes content – to live.” Even the title track, “Get Wrecked,” is more than just a statement of defiance; it’s a message to Billy‘s son about dealing with the conformist naysayers of the world.
Longtime fans & newcomers alike will be stoked for the straightaways, but stick around for the twists and turns, just like any good ride. The band brings in pals on strings & saxophone for a 60s Wall of Sound-inspired production on “Black Boots, Black Leather Jacket,” and try their hands at their first murder ballad on “Pretty Hands.” There’s an instrumental tune (“Blowing Smoke“) and hell, there’s even a deep cut cover of “Trouble Again” – originally performed by Stewart Copeland of The Police – which only the biggest nerds of a certain age will recall as the theme song to the 80s Star Wars animated series Droids!
In the end, no matter the detours, the band – along with Jesse Gander (Territories, Comeback Kid), & Mariessa McLeod at Rain City Recorders – kept their eyes on the prize: sing-along choruses, handclaps, and short songs that get the job done and don’t overstay their welcome. “I didn’t want us to write a record that you could dance to.” quips Billy. “I wanted us to write a record that you couldn’t not dance to.”
Get Wrecked by The Vicious Cycles is available for pre-order on 12″ Bleach Marble Vinyl & 12” Black Ice & Orange Crush Pinwheel Vinyl with Neon Orange Splatter from the Pirates Press Records webstore, and will be available wherever fine gas guzzlin’ punk records are sold on April 25th!
Tracklist: SIDE A 01. I’m Alive 02. Hold On Tight 03. Daddy Was A Gambler 04. M.I.A. 05. Pull Start My Heart 06. Blowin’ Smoke SIDE B 07. Lift As You Climb 08, Naked On A Beach 09. Black Boots, Black Leather Jacket 10. On Fire In the Hot Tub 11. Trouble Again 12. Get Wrecked 13. Pretty Hands 14. Smoke Em If You Got Em
The Vicious Cycles recently opened multiple dates for punk rock legends FEAR, and they are eagerly anticipating their upcoming record release show!
THE VICIOUS CYCLES LIVE:
04/26/2025 – Vancouver, BC – Kingsway Club – Get Wrecked Record Release
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 ) 