Finnish metal pioneers AMORPHIS have announced the Borderland Tour 2027, a massive European headline run set to bring their signature blend of melodic death metal, progressive textures, and dark Nordic atmosphere across the continent this winter. Joining them as special guests are INSOMNIUM, with support from UNTO OTHERS.
The tour kicks off on January 22 in Hamburg and travels through Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands before concluding in Tilburg on February 14.
Known for their immersive live performances and critically acclaimed catalog, Amorphis continue to push the boundaries of modern metal while honoring the melodic and mythological roots that have defined their career for decades.
To get a glimpse of the powerful and cinematic live experience awaiting fans on the Borderland Tour 2027, watch the official video for The Lantern here:
AMORPHIS are: Tomi Joutsen | vocals Esa Holopainen | guitars Tomi Koivusaari | guitars Olli-Pekka “Oppu” Laine | bass Santeri Kallio | keys Jan Rechberger | drums & percussion
Heavy-hitting metal act 40 Cycle Hum released their new single, “Remember The Days,” via TLG | ZOID and distributed by Virgin Music Group. Today, they unveiled the official music video for the single.
Anchored by vocalist Brandon Mitchell, guitarist Mark Zavon (Kill Devil Hill), bassist Matt Snell (Five Finger Death Punch), and drummer Francis Ruiz (Buckcherry), the band’s lineup delivers a focused, powerful sound built for today’s rock audience.
“‘Remember the Days’ turns back the clock to a simpler time. It hits the rewind button and shines a light on all the good times from back in the day,” says the band.
“Remember The Days” is now available on all major streaming platforms.
In addition, 40 Cycle Hum is set to play at Nashville’s newest rock club, Hit Parader on Saturday June 20th!
“We’ve been looking forward to this for a long time—getting to play our first show together in Nashville feels like a huge milestone for us. There’s something special about bringing our music to this city for the first time, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally experience that energy in person at the new Hit Parader venue on Saturday June 20th!” shares Brandon Mitchell, the band’s vocalist.
“I’ve lived in LA long enough to see bands get razor close to success and barely miss. Usually that’s the end of it, but this story has a different ending. Years later, on the momentum of an unreleased record that somehow withstood the test of time, 40 Cycle Hum will get a second chance. On Saturday, June 20th, Brandon, Francis and I will ride together again. Joined by the incomparable Matt Snell (Five Finger Death Punch, Kill Devil Hill) we will breathe new life into a body of work that we thought was done forever. Join us at Hit Parader Live in Downtown Nashville for our first show as we release demons that have been locked away for years and give birth to a new chapter of 40 Cycle Hum! ” adds Mark Zavon, the band’s guitarist.
A historic name in the most electric part of Nashville, Hit Parader Nashville is bringing rock and roll back to the forefront with a modern, stylish twist.
Located just steps from Broadway on 3rd Avenue, Hit Parader Nashville is a club unlike any other. From after-parties and private, invitation-only events to live shows and excellent food, it’s a home for rock culture in the city. Broadway is world-famous for its honky-tonks — Hit Parader adds a new chapter by giving rock its own stage right alongside them.
With a spacious interior, full bar, and stage built for high-energy nights, this is the perfect place to host events that radiate cool. Whether you’re carrying the night forward or starting something unforgettable, make your way up 3rd Avenue and step into Hit Parader Nashville.
40 Cycle Hum delivers modern hard rock inspired by the golden age of active rock and hard rock, driven by power, precision, and authentic songwriting.
Scheduled to be released this summer, Entertaining Misery is a hard-hitting 12-track album produced by Stevo Bruno (Five Finger Death Punch, Mötley Crüe, Prong) and mastered by the late George Marino (Sterling Sound), featuring artwork by legendary filmmaker Clive Barker (Hellraiser).
Rooted in classic influences and delivered with modern energy, 40 Cycle Hum stands for uncompromising hard rock with clarity of vision and purpose.
US stoner metal outfit HOWLING GIANT from Nashville, Tennessee kicked off their European headliner tour in support of the acclaimed third full-length “Crucible & Ruin“. This heavy road-trip will started at in Norway’s capital at Desertfest Oslo on May 9 and will hit six more countries until the final curtain falls at Freak Valley Festival in Siegen, Germany in June.
HOWLING GIANT commented: “We are excited to partner up with Atonal Music Agency to get back to Europe on the heels of our ‘Crucible & Ruin’ album“, drummer Zach Wheeler wrote. “It has been about two and a half years since our last European tour and we’re quite pleased to perform in a ton of cities where we’ve never played before! Looking forward to see you on the road!“
“Crucible & Ruin” was released on October 31, 2025. Alongside a host of great reviews, the album has scored remarkable top ten positions in the soundchecks of leading German magazines ROCK HARD (4/49) and VISIONS (7/25)!
HOWLING GIANT European Headliner Tour 2026, remaining shows: 11 MAY 2026 Malmö (SE) Plan B 15 MAY 2026 Nottingham (GB) The Mist Rolling Inn 16 MAY 2026 Edinburgh (GB) Bannermans 17 MAY 2026 London (GB) Desertfest London 19 MAY 2026 Coventry (GB) The Tin 20 MAY 2026 Bristol (GB) The Gryphon 21 MAY 2026 Amsterdam (NL) de Tanker 23 MAY 2026 Berlin (DE) Neue Zukunft 24 MAY 2026 Dresden (DE) Gockelscream Fest 27 MAY 2026 Paris (FR) Supersonic Records 28 MAY 2026 Münster (DE) Rare Guitar 29 MAY 2026 Hagen (DE) Werkhof Hohenlimburg 30 MAY 2026 Esbjerg (DK) Fuzztival 31 MAY 2026 Hamburg (DE) Stellwerk 03 JUN 2026 Den Bosch (NL) Willem Twee 04 JUN 2026 Rotterdam (NL) Baroeg 05-07 JUN 2026 Siegen (DE) Freak Valley Festival
HOWLING GIANT take another huge step on their third full-length “Crucible & Ruin”, a collection of sparking ideas, captivating melodies, and heavy riffing close to perfection – quite a feat of on-point songwriting for such a still young band!
This is the band’s first album to feature new fourth member Adrian Lee Zambrano. Although the guitarist and synth player arrived somewhat toward the end of the writing process, he was still able to add his mark with cool textures on the record. The extra guitar certainly adds even more punch to HOWLING GIANT‘s sound, which delivers a slightly more aggressive approach compared with predecessor “Glass Future” (2023).
It also helped the overall feel of “Crucible & Ruin” that this is the band’s first album to be entirely recorded in a proper studio setting as opposed to their home studio, “the bunker”. HOWLING GIANT even leaned into some raw band live takes to capture the emotion in the room.
Lyrically, “Crucible & Ruin” explores the story of the clash of a novice deity against the forces of primordial chaos as an overarching theme that loosely connects the songs. This is also reflected in the album artwork, which was painted by the mother of guitarist and vocalist Tom Polzine, featuring a unique style of alcohol ink on yupo paper.
HOWLING GIANT hail from Nashville, Tennessee, USA, sidestepping the self-proclaimed Music City’s assembly line of modern pop country while taking inspiration from the brilliant songwriters and virtuoso session players that keep the town’s musical legacy burning bright. Fertile ground for a preeminent fuzz-psych power trio, now turned quartet, who consciously live in the pocket of that lineage!
Following a trilogy of EPs, “Howling Giant” (2015), “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 1” (2016), and “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2” (2017), HOWLING GIANT struck a chord with critics and fans on their debut full-length “The Space between Worlds” in 2019. “Glass Future” proved a gargantuan leap for the band that now featured Sebastian Baltes, son of legendary ACCEPT bass master Peter Baltes. Released in 2023, “Glass Future” brought their outstanding musicianship and triple vocal attack fully into stride.
HOWLING GIANT storm forward once more in defiant refusal to remain still. Having grown into a four-piece as well as in their prowess as musicians and songwriters, “Crucible & Ruin” is an album at least as big as their name. Don’t take our word for it, just give it a spin – or two or three…
Line-up Tom Polzine – guitar, vocals Zach Wheeler – drums, vocals Sebastian Baltes – bass, vocals Adrian Lee Zambrano – guitars, synthesizers
Guest musicians Kim Wheeler – additional synths and EWI on ‘The Observatory’ Adam Nohe – additional percussion on ‘Beholder I: Downfall’
Produced by Neil Tuuri, Kim Wheeler, and James Sanderson Engineered by Neil Tuuri at Amish Electric Chair Studios, Athens, OH (US) Additional vocal tracking by Kim Wheeler in Nashville, TN (US) Mixed by Neil Tuuri at Amish Electric Chair Studios, Athens, OH (US) Mastering by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege Mastering, Portland, OR (US)
Artwork by Susan M. Davies Layout by Łukasz Jaszak
US heavy metal veterans AXEMASTER present “Murder Of Crows”, the first single taken from their upcoming studio album “Of Beasts And Plagues”, set for release on June 19 via Cosmic Fire Records.
The track arrives alongside an official music video, offering a first compelling glimpse into the band’s new material. Watch it here:
“Murder Of Crows” showcases AXEMASTER at their darkest and most intense. The song combines heavy riffing with a haunting atmosphere and striking vocal performance, highlighting the dynamic range of the forthcoming album.
“Of the people who have heard the album, many picked ‘Murder’ as their fave. Very creepy, yet powerful, with great vocals!!!!!“, lead guitarist Joe Sims comments.
Vocalist Geoff McGraw adds: “A dark and doomy track much like the Plague Doctors themselves!“
Tracklist: 01. The Plagues Among Us…. 02. Murder of Crows 03. The Dark Side 04. Kissed With a Fist 05. Clinging to Life 06. Terrortory 07. Forsaken II 08. Dealers 09. Danse Macabre 10. Machine 11. Dagon Rising 12. Shadows Cast
For fans of true heavy metal driven by power, determination and heart, “Of Beasts And Plagues” marks a triumphant return. After years of dedicated work, AXEMASTER are ready to unleash a record that captures the essence of their legacy while pushing forward with renewed energy and intensity.
Formed in the 1980s, AXEMASTER emerged during one of heavy metal’s most raw and defining eras. Over the decades, the band built a strong reputation in the underground through numerous releases, earning a loyal international following. Despite lineup changes and shifts within the music industry, AXEMASTER have remained committed to crafting authentic heavy metal filled with character and emotion.
Today, the band continues this legacy with a sound that seamlessly blends classic US metal with elements of thrash and doom. Heavy riffing, driving rhythms, aggressive yet melodic vocals, and a darker, more intense atmosphere define “Of Beasts And Plagues”. The album stands as one of the band’s strongest creative statements to date – firmly rooted in the spirit of 1980s metal, yet refreshed with a modern edge.
With a history spanning over three decades, AXEMASTER have released 11 official records across multiple international labels and have seen their music featured in films, compilations, and countless publications worldwide. Since their return in 2010 under the direction of founding member Joe Sims, the band has continued to evolve while honoring their roots, sharing stages with acts such as Sebastian Bach, Grim Reaper, Halloween, Riot, and more, and appearing at major underground festivals across the US.
With “Of Beasts And Plagues”, AXEMASTER once again prove their enduring relevance and passion – delivering a record that speaks to both longtime fans and a new generation of metal listeners alike.
“Of Beasts And Plagues” will be coming out on June 19 via Cosmic Fire Records and is available for pre-orderHERE
Line-up: Joe Sims – Lead Guitar Jenson Kozar – Bass Adam Windisch – Drums Geoff McGraw – Vocals
Italian post-hardcore force IF I DIE TODAY will release their new album “I Felt Nothing” on June 19, 2026, marking a new chapter for the band after a steady run of increasingly successful releases.
The record arrives as the result of a slow, deliberate maturation process, during which the group has sharpened and fully defined its identity at the crossroads of hardcore, metal and rock’n’roll. The riffs are BIG and unapologetically present, yet the music never falls into uniformity, constantly shifting between tension and release through dynamic rhythmic changes and a strong sense of urgency. The overall mood is both tense and mocking, creating a constant push-and-pull between pressure and a kind of bitter, sideways irony that runs through the album’s atmosphere. On top of this solid instrumental foundation, the vocal work introduces subtle but effective variations in tone and approach, adding extra layers of character without breaking the core intensity.
The result is a complete, fluid, and highly dynamic album that reinforces IF I DIE TODAY’s status as a reliable and distinctive force within the European underground. It also reflects a heightened awareness of songwriting balance, where impact and nuance coexist without compromise, giving the record both immediacy and depth that reward repeated listens.
1. Lungs 2. King 3. End (feat. Mare) 4. Dark 5. Monsters (feat. Alex Rope) 6. Rachel 7. Isolation (feat. Papero Tons) 8. Light 9. Cowards 10. 1984 11. Tar (feat. Santa Infall)
IF I DIE TODAY are an Italian post-hardcore band formed in 2007 in Northern Italy. Their sound is rooted in hardcore punk, enriched with metal and rock’n’roll influences, gradually evolving into a more hybrid and personal style over time.
After their early releases and EPs, the band significantly refined their identity with “Cursed” (2015), where they expanded their sound by blending hardcore, punk, metal, rock’n’roll and stoner elements into a more mature and distinctive formula. This evolution continued with “The Abyss In Silence” (2022), a darker and more aggressive concept album focused on grief and loss, built on epic guitar riffs, tight rhythmic structures and intense vocal delivery.
Renowned for their high-energy and uncompromising live performances, IF I DIE TODAY have toured extensively across Europe and Russia, sharing stages with bands such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, While She Sleeps, Beartooth, The Offspring, and many others, building a solid reputation on the live circuit.
In 2025 they released a live recording from Bloom featuring Helmet. Their upcoming album “I Felt Nothing”, due on June 19, 2026, will be released in co-production with Tifone Crew, Vollmer, Flamesdontjudge, Shove Records, Poison Hearts, Oltraggio Produzioni and Masseria Autogestita. The record was produced and mixed by Dano Battocchio at Deepest Sea Studio, mastered by Will Putney at Graphic Nature Studio, with artwork by Alberto Becherini.
Over nearly two decades, the band has maintained a coherent yet evolving identity, balancing hardcore intensity with a broader and increasingly experimental sonic approach.
For fans of: Converge, Every Time I Die, Zao, Old Man Gloom, The Hope Conspiracy
Line-up:
Marco – Voice Morgan – Guitar Andrea – Bass Marco – Drums
Only a few days remain until Desertfest Berlin kicks off, and the festival has now unveiled its final timetables alongside another round of additions to the already stacked line-up. Newly confirmed acts include Temple Fang, Zig Zags, Earthbong and Karla Kvlt, while the outdoor stage welcomes BLKE, Abanamat, Dirty Mops, Electric Jugs and Menk.
In addition, The Dharma Chain have been moved from Saturday to Friday’s schedule.
At the same time, fans will unfortunately have to miss out on Cardiel, Monsterwatch and Gumm, who are no longer set to appear at this year’s Desertfest Berlin.
[Artwork by Kuba Sokolski Illustration]
The final announcement adds even more weight to a line-up that already ranks among the festival’s strongest in recent memory: YOB, Red Fang, Russian Circles, Hermano feat. John Garcia, The Sword, King Buffalo, Acid King, Truckfighters, Crippled Black Phoenix, Nebula, Earthless, Greenleaf, Rotor, Blackwater Holylight, Zerre, Pelican, High Desert Queen and many more are set to turn this year’s edition into one of the festival’s heaviest and most expansive line-ups to date!
Kicking off the annual riff fest in style, the beloved Desertfest Berlin Warm-Up show returns to Neue Zukunft on May 13. Getting things loud early and heating up the stage ahead of the main event are Desertheads, Solace, Red Mess and Krake.
Desertfest Berlin 2026 takes place from May 14–16, 2026 at Columbiahalle and Columbia Theater. Both the festival and the warm-up show are close to selling out. Remaining tickets are available viadesertfest-tickets.de
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 