JOVIAC Release New Single ‘Canvas’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 11, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Carolin Büttner

Finnish progressive metal band Joviac released the fourth and last single ‘Canvas’ taken from the forthcoming third studio album ‘Autofiction Pt. 1 – Shards’ which is set to be released via Inverse Records on May 16th 2025.

LISTEN to Canvas on Streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/joviac-canvas 

  • Music & lyrics: Viljami Jupiter Wenttola
  • ISRC: FI3FC2550705
  • Single cover by Tuomas Välimaa

There are a plethora of influences in Joviac’s music ranging from the obvious progressive metal examples to arena acts like Toto! Of all the songs on Joviac’s upcoming album, Canvas is definitely the song where all of the wonderfully cheesy, saccharine AOR vibes that frontman/composer Viljami Jupiter Wenttola has absorbed from bands like Toto, Journey and Boston come into play the most. Without forgetting to throw Joviac’s own sound and spice into the mix of course! 

“Canvas is definitely one of those songs where I instantly felt a story in my head take shape and it just pulled me in. There have been countless times where I’ve figuratively (and perhaps literally) bashed my head against a wall for lengthy periods of time when trying to figure out a concept for a song. Canvas was the complete opposite. I remember when I started feeling out the verse parts, this story of a young woman just came to my head. She felt like she was trapped in the small town where she was from. That she was like a bird trapped in a cage, but she had one form of escape. Every time she would paint and let her emotions flow free, her anxieties and that cage would let her go. In the end her canvas shows her a world beyond her cage, and she’s able to leave that town behind.”  –Viljami Jupiter Wenttola

Track list:

  1. Level 1
  2. Haven
  3. B.O.M.B.
  4. Burn
  5. Canvas
  6. Shine
  7. Level 7
  8. Open Eyes And Mind
  9. Once

-All songs and lyrics written by Viljami Jupiter Wenttola
-All songs arranged by Joviac
-Album produced and mixed by Viljami Jupiter Wenttola
-Drum engineering and mix by Rudy Fabritius
-Mastered by Teemu Liekkala
-Cover art by Tuomas Välimaa

Finland is known as the land of metal, but so far has yet to offer the world a breakthrough progressive metal act. Joviac has been working tirelessly since 2017 to change that. With the singular vision of combining the compositional freedom of progressive music, the full range of human emotion, addictive hooks and crafty arrangements, the end result is a versatile and deep marriage of catchy riffs and melodies with a conceptual and thoughtful twist.

Joviac is a seasoned live band with countless shows under its belt and looking to branch out globally in a BIG way.

The band has released two albums to date with the latest full-length
“Here And Now” reaching the #8 spot on the official Finnish charts for physical albums!

Autofiction Pt. 1 – Shards CD Pre-Orders from HERE 

WATCH music video of the first single Shine: https://youtu.be/MphGeT3q9jE
WATCH visualizer video of the second single Burn: https://youtu.be/Zs32jYYY4mM
WATCH music video of the third single B.O.M.B.: https://youtu.be/qt-L6KdMj48

Line-up:

Viljami Jupiter Wenttola – vocals, guitar
Johannes Leipälä – guitar
Tuomas Honkkila – keys
Antti Varjanne – bass
Rudy Fabritius – Drums on album

https://www.facebook.com/JoviacBand
https://www.instagram.com/JoviacBand
http://www.joviac.com
https://joviac.bandcamp.com
https://spoti.fi/2RAh02c

Exclusive Premiere for Finland: PUTERAEON’s Official Video ‘The Land Of Cold Eternal Winter’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 11, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photo by Daniel Sommer

The Antarctic winds howl, carrying echoes of madness – PUTERAEON returns with “The Land Of Cold Eternal Winter”, the second single and video from their upcoming album “Mountains of Madness”. This is Swedish death metal at its most crushing, an epic collision of Bolt Thrower’s relentless weight, Behemoth’s towering ferocity, and Dismember’s razor-sharp intensity.

Drenched in frostbitten horror, the track channels the cosmic dread of H.P. Lovecraft, dragging listeners deep into the unforgiving wastelands of his work “At the Mountains of Madness”. With riffs as glacial as the abyss and an atmosphere thick with impending doom, “The Land Of Cold Eternal Winter” is a merciless descent into the unknown.

Brace yourself for the cold. The madness begins.

Join the premiering here:

Puteraeon returns in 2025 with their fifth full-length album, “Mountains Of Madness”, a relentless dive into the depths of Swedish old-school death metal. Since their formation in 2008, the band – featuring members from Taetre, Reclusion, and Nominon – has consistently refined its sound, pushing further into Lovecraftian horror with each release.

This new album is a natural progression from 2020’s “The Cthulhian Pulse”, both musically and thematically. Closely following the narrative of H.P. Lovecraft’s “At the Mountains of Madness”, the record captures the overwhelming terror and cosmic dread of the novella through unrelenting riffs, crushing heaviness, and an atmosphere of pure, otherworldly horror.

Mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö, the album has already left a lasting impression. Swanö himself had this to say: “I have had the pleasure to work with Puteraeon since 2017 and their releases have always been solid, but the quality of this new album completely took me by surprise. It is just so damn good it’s hard to fathom! It’s like they thought about every little detail on how to make the album brutal as hell, yet memorable and extremely epic. I dare to say this one will go down in the history books as one of the best Swe-Death releases ever”.

With “Mountains of Madness”, Puteraeon invites listeners to step beyond the threshold of sanity and into the desolate, frozen abyss of Lovecraft’s vision. This is Swedish death metal at its most intense, atmospheric, and unforgiving.

Enter the white Aeon-dead world of the furthest south!

“Mountains Of Madness” will be released on LP (black vinyl and white vinyl, both limited to 200 copies), jewelcase CD and digital on 30.05.2025, via Emanzipation Productions. 

Lineup:
Jonas Lindblood – vocals & guitars
Rune Foss – guitars & backing vocals
Daniel Vandija – bass
Anders “Hammer of Gs” Malmström – battery

Single pre-save link: https://bfan.link/the-land-of-cold-eternal-winter

Webshop: https://bit.ly/put-tgt

More information:
https://www.puteraeon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/PUTERAEON
https://www.instagram.com/puteraeon/
https://puteraeon.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EpT14zPWfIVHix0C71mX9
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/puteraeon/944694713
https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCg4KtBrC7HkLFhsSQVqvrXA
https://tidal.com/browse/artist/6287486
https://open.qobuz.com/artist/2129761
https://deezer.page.link/gfmGhdBb5KP3fKgG7

MATTHEW KIICHI HEAFY Releases Original Soundtrack for Comic Series ‘True Believers’ on April 24th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Matthew Kiichi Heafy, mastermind and frontman of the metal band Trivium (who are currently on their North American Tour with Bullet for My Valentine), unleashed an original 30-minute soundtrack for the crowd-funded slasher comic series True Believers, co-written by New York Times bestselling Bram Stoker Award-winner Stephen Graham Jones (The Only Good Indians, My Heart is a Chainsaw) and Denver Post bestselling writer Joshua Viola (Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver, It Came from the Multiplex), with interior artwork by Ben Matsuya.

Purchase/Stream: https://link.fixtmusic.com/TrueBelievers_Score

The blood-soaked series features official cameos from horror and pop culture icons like Jamie Lee Curtis, R. L. Stine, Devon Sawa, GWAR, Matthew Kiichi Heafy, and more. True Believers goes beyond the page, offering fans unique merch like latex masks, prop weapons, and soundtrack editions on vinyl, CD, and cassette, creating an immersive horror experience like no other. The score is available for pre-order from FiXT in partnership with Bit Bot Media, the new multi-media company from Klayton and Josh Viola. The full soundtrack releases on April 24, 2025.

This beast of a score slams together Heafy’s skull-crushing guitar riffs and pummeling intensity with spine-chilling, synth-drenched vibes that scream John Carpenter’s horror legacy, where Halloween meets a mosh pit. This isn’t just a soundtrack, it’s a sonic bloodbath that proves Heafy’s a genre-smashing titan, fusing metal’s raw fury with the twisted pulse of graphic storytelling. The soundtrack’s centerpiece, “Too Far Gone,” highlights Heafy’s intense vocals and guitar prowess, paying homage to classic horror cinema

Matthew Kiichi Heafy is a Japanese-born American musician best known as the guitarist and lead vocalist for heavy metal band Trivium.

For more information on Matthew Kiichi Heafy, be sure to follow him at the links below.

https://www.facebook.com/matthewkheafy
https://x.com/matthewkheafy
https://www.instagram.com/matthewkheafy
https://www.youtube.com/matthewkheafy
https://kiichichaos.com/
SPOTIFY

616 Release Music Video for ‘Cinderella Valentine’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Rock band 616, led by frontman Matthew Lidwin, has just released a powerful new music video for their latest single, “Cinderella Valentine,” filmed live at the iconic Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee—the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll.

The “Cinderella Valentine” video captures the raw energy and vulnerability of a live performance with zero digital polish—just pure analog soul. Shot in the same room where rock was born, the visual immerses fans in a sound that feels both timeless and fresh, blending the grit of classic rock with the haunting romanticism that 616 is known for.

From the age of 14, Matthew Lidwin—the driving force behind 616—has always had a relentless “go get it” attitude. Now 33, he’s taken that energy and built a global fanbase with seven songs hitting #1 on various charts. A true rock ‘n’ roll visionary, Matthew has worked with icons like professional skateboarder and MTV star Bam Margera (Jackass, Viva La Bam, CKY), and even brought in HiM’s legendary drummer, Gas Lipstick, to lay down drums on one of his signature classic rock tracks.

Seven years ago, Matthew signed with the legendary Cleopatra Records. But even with industry success, he wasn’t content with following the trends. He told producer Kyle Perera, “I want to make history. I want to do something different.” That vision led 616 to the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll—Sun Studio in Memphis, TN. In a bold move during the digital age, the band recorded live to tape, just like the legends before them—Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis.

“I wanted to walk in the footsteps of the people who created rock ‘n’ roll,” says Matthew. “To make something that couldn’t be forgotten. Something raw. Real.”

Driven by a deep respect for the past and a fire to stand out in the present, Matthew made sure this project pushed his limits. “I wanted to make myself nervous again. To throw myself into the same shoes as the legends and stand for rock ‘n’ roll—because not many do that anymore. I paid my respects. I always will.”

Now sober and sharper than ever, Matthew is ready to bring 616 into a new era—one with more edge, more energy, and more authenticity. With a new lineup soon to be announced, fresh songs being recorded, and a brand new music video on the way, 616 is set to reignite the fire this spring.

A new full-length vinyl album will be released via Cleopatra Records this summer, delivering the best of Rock, Goth, and Roll. New 616 releases are available now, and the road is calling.

Join the journey. The resurrection of rock ‘n’ roll is here. 616 will see you on stage.

For More Information Please Visit: Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – YouTube

TUOMAS ROUNAKARI Interviewed by PoisonedRock TV, Diving into His Musical And Spiritual Journey – Video Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment
Photo by Markku Kirves

Renowned Finnish violinist, composer, and ethnomusicologist TUOMAS ROUNAKARI was recently interviewed by PoisonedRock TV, where he dives into his musical and spiritual journey — including his powerful collaboration with the legendary composer Yasuharu Takanashi, and much more.

Watch the full interview here:

As previously announced, TUOMAS is thrilled for his exciting new collaboration with YASUHARU TAKANASHI, the legendary composer behind some of the most iconic anime soundtracks. Together, they will embark on a three-show tour in June 2025, bringing fans a unique fusion of cinematic and folk-inspired soundscapes.

The “Far East Groove – Beginning the Quest Tour” will feature music from beloved anime series like Naruto and Fairy Tail, as well as other surprises, performed by an all-star lineup of musicians.

Tuomas Rounakari shares:
“Who knows where this groove will take us in the future! Takanashi’s anime music is a perfect match for my style, blending folk elements with cinematic strings. And of course, there will be solo slots where I can shred my violin to pieces!”

Far East Groove Tour Lineup:

🎹 Yasuharu Takanashi – Keyboards
🎸 Nozomu Wakai – Guitar
🎻 Tuomas Rounakari – Fiddle
🎸 Jesper Anastasiadis – Bass
🥁 Tino Jäntti – Drums

Tour Dates & Venues:

June 24 – Helsinki (FI) – On The Rocks
June 26 – Cartagena (ES) – Rock Imperium Festival
June 28 – Milano (IT) – Legend Club

Stay tuned for more details and let the journey begin!

In another news:

Tuomas has shared on his YouTube channel a new ‘Fjords in Greenland’ -video, filmed from his trip to Nuuk Fjord in 2017. Edited to a Kamass folksong from his first solo album. More info in the video describtion.

“Where I roamed before, the black mountains have eroded. My footsteps, left to my own land, are now growing golden hay. I once had strength, now I haven’t. Before there were many children, now I am the only one left. Where I fished before, there my lakes have been left as well.”

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1VMFG24sWo

++++++

On January 26th 2024, at the Sibeliustalo in Finland, TUOMAS ROUNAKARI and YASUHARU TAKANASHI came together for a groundbreaking concert, ‘Epic East Meets Northern Beasts’. This sold-out event captivated audiences with its breathtaking performances, and the footage is now available for your viewing pleasure.

In case you missed it, dive into this mesmerizing musical journey, with video courtesy of Yasuharu Takanashi: https://www.facebook.com/100005974353144/videos/1142301077141918

The concert featured the lineup of skilled artists:

  • Yasuharu Takanashi – Keyboards and others
  • Tuomas Rounakari (Korpiklaani) – Violin
  • Toni Porthén (ex-Värttinä) – Drums
  • Jesper Anastasiadis (Turisas) – Bass
  • Ossi Maristo (Battle Beast tour member) – Guitar
  • Iivo Kaipainen (Arion) – Guitar

TUOMAS ROUNAKARI released his acclaimed solo album “Bear Awakener” on April 14th 2022!

Buy “Bear Awakener” album at

+++++

TUOMAS ROUNAKARI is an internationally acclaimed violinist, composer and ethnomusicologist from Finland. He is a one-man-band blending violin, vocals and stomping with ankle-bells. In his performance he enters various trance-states. In this album he will also be playing a traditional Khanty instrument called Ning-juh.

Tuomas is inspired by different forms of dialogue; man and nature, the seen and the unseen world, ancient and future. His first solo album Shamanviolin was a result of ethnomusicological studies of the earliest 20th century wax-cylinder recordings from Siberia. These studies have also led to many collaborations with indigenous artists. He is one of the few artists who have actually returned their art to native communities for evaluation and development.

Tuomas Rounakari solo performance has been selected to: World Cultures Festival in Hong Kong (2019), Arctic Arts Summit (2019), Nordiskt Ljus Festival in Sweden (2022), Festspillene Helgeland in Norway (2021), Nuuk Nordik Festival in Greenland, Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in Finland (2018, 2013, 2012), Helsingin Juhlaviikot and many others. He has also played the solo performance in several theaters such as Finnish National Theater in Helsinki, Merlin Szinhas Teater in Budapest, AlfredVeDvore in Prague, Ashurst Hall in Flagstaff USA among others.

Also watch
-Tuomas’ performance video, a throwback to Tokyo 2017, from the materials of ‘Live in Japan’ documentary by Kimmo Kuusniemi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g718diJlW1s
-‘Farewell of Kamas People’ – https://youtu.be/oV16Qipd0MQ
-‘Langetus’ – https://youtu.be/HVsU7PTqqHY

More information at
TUOMAS ROUNAKARI: http://www.rounakari.com | http://www.facebook.com/shamanviolin |https://rounakari.bandcamp.com
MANAGEMENT: https://www.facebook.com/SplitScreenManagement | http://www.splitscreenproduction.com

OPHIOLATRY Sign to Wormholedeath Records for Release of New Album “Serpent’s Verdict”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photography: Kevin Eisenlord, Anderson Hildebrando

Brazilian brutal death metal veterans OPHIOLATRY have officially signed with Wormholedeath Records and announced the release of their highly anticipated new album “Serpent’s Verdict”, set to drop on June 6, 2025. The band has also released a teaser for the album, giving fans their first glimpse into what promises to be a devastating release in extreme metal. They comment on the brutality:

“The album delves into themes of spiritual revenge, indigenous resistance, and the clash between ancient traditions and imposed beliefs. Inspired by real events in the Amazon, mythology, and existential suffering, the lyrics paint vivid scenes of war, punishment, and transcendence through pain. Each song tells a story, whether it be about warriors resurrected for revenge, the wrath of serpent gods, or the fall of oppressive ideologies. The words are raw, intense, and unrelenting, reflecting the chaotic brutality of the music itself.”

This signing marks a significant milestone for Ophiolatry, whose last full-length album “Transmutation” was released in 2008 through Forces of Satan Records/Regain Records. After a period of careful composition and development, the band returns with renewed purpose and vision, channeling the raw energy that established them as pioneers of South American extreme metal while evolving their distinctive sound. The album represents a departure from the relentless technicality of “Transmutation” while preserving the band’s signature brutality and expanding their sonic palette.

The album functions as a sonic ritual—a brutal, immersive descent into cycles of destruction, revenge, and rebirth. Each track serves as a chapter in this narrative, combining aggressive riffs, guttural vocals, and tribal rhythms inspired by ancient warrior traditions. It is recommended for fans of Morbid Angel, Death, and Deicide.

Connect with Ophiolatry:
ophiolatry.com.br
www.instagram.com/ophiolatry
www.youtube.com/@ophiolatryofficial2679
www.facebook.com/ophiolatry