Finnish melodic death metal heavyweights VOIDFALLEN are celebrating the release of their much-awaited, new studio album “The Rituals of Resilience”, that is out now on Noble Demon! To order your copy, visit: https://music.nobledemon.com/rituals
Originally a two-piece project formed in 2019 by guitarists Tommi Kangaskortet and Henri Vuorenmaa, VOIDFALLEN has since expanded into a full band, bringing their powerful compositions to life on stage. Their debut album, “The Atlas of Spiritual Apocalypse”, released in 2021, established them as a force to be reckoned with in the melodic death metal scene. With “The Rituals of Resilience”, VOIDFALLEN are set to deliver a crushing blow, elevating their sound to new heights.
To experience the intensity of VOIDFALLEN and immerse yourself in their sound, be sure to watch the video for “Pyre Of Vengeance”:
“‘Pyre of Vengeance’ sets a standard for what to expect“, VOIDFALLEN comments. “Its an energic but dynamic song that bows to the early 2000’s finnish melodic death metal while retaining the Voidfallen sound. The song is about resilience and staying true to what you believe is right.“
Tracklist:
Threads of Blood
The Original Wound
Hymn for the Fallen
Starved of Martyrs
Tread With the Ghosts
From the Towers of Ivory
Ritual of Resilience
Pyre of Vengeance
Branding of Souls
The Mourning Shores
Voidfallen are: Lauri Honkola: Vocals Henri Vuorenmaa: Guitars Tommi Kangaskortet: Guitars Lauri Myllylä: Bass Mika Lumijärvi: Drums
In the liminal space where dreams flirt with reality and light dissolves into shadow, ACID MAGUS, Pretoria’s own experimental rock mavericks, emerge with Scatterling Empire, a monumental ode to defiance, culture, and the unrelenting spirit of resistance. Set to release on 21 February 2025 via Mongrel Records, the album is an intricate tapestry of sound, philosophy, and storytelling—a psychedelic journey through the fragmented pieces of history and humanity.
The inspiration for Scatterling Empire is deeply rooted in the complexities of human history, particularly the devastation wrought by colonial conquest. “We all feel oppressed at times. That feeling resonates with the stories of conquest throughout human history,” the band reflects. “Colonialism and its unquenchable thirst to conquer culture and uniqueness has threatened the very fibre of what makes us who we are. These musings quickly led to the beginnings of a fantastical tale suited to a psychedelic doom soundtrack.”
From the thunderous opening riffs to the haunting final notes of “Haven,” the album invites listeners to question, reflect, and imagine a world where culture and identity stand resilient.
The band’s creative process for Scatterling Empire was a collaborative evolution of their signature DIY approach. Guitarist Keenan laid the groundwork with home demos, which were further developed by drummer Jethro and vocalist Rico, each infusing their unique touch. “This time, we took everything into the studio for the first time,” they share. High Seas Studios, under the skilful hands of Jacques Du Plessis, provided the perfect environment to harness Acid Magus’s raw energy while refining it into a sonic masterpiece.
Known for seamlessly blending genres like doom, stoner, psych, punk, and classic rock, Acid Magus pays homage to their heroes—Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Kyuss, and Hendrix—while carving a space all their own. With Scatterling Empire, they expand their sound into “fast, slow, heavy, moving, and massive” territories, creating an album that is both unyielding and introspective.
True to their ethos, Acid Magus leaves the interpretation of Scatterling Empire to its audience. Yet, the underlying message resonates powerfully. “We should meet each other in the middle, cast our differences aside, and attempt to live in peace,” the band explains. But they do not shy away from lamenting the lives and cultures lost to history’s injustices. This duality culminates in “Haven,” a closing track both haunting and profound, embodying the yearning of displaced people for a home that may never be reclaimed.
Heavy, impassioned, and unapologetically authentic, this album is an invitation to question, rebel, and transcend.
Irish hard rock powerhouse XIII Doors are poised to take the rock world by storm with the release of their explosive debut album, ‘Into The Unknown’, out now. Packed with electrifying riffs, anthemic choruses, and raw emotional intensity, the record is set to establish the four-piece as a dominant force in modern rock.
Following the success of their latest single, ‘See How Far You’ve Come’, XIII Doors have been riding a wave of momentum, garnering high praise from industry heavyweights, including Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, who raved: “Wow! XIII Doors are ferocious. Amazing drumming, powerful relentless guitars, and great choruses. Well done lads!”
The guys will also be special guests of legendary guitarist, Michael Schenker’s forthcoming Irish tour in May, billed as “My Years in UFO 1972-1978”. Tickets are now available.
‘Into The Unknown’ showcases XIII Doors’ ability to craft hard-hitting, melodic rock infused with a distinctive identity. Drawing from influences such as Alter Bridge, Tremonti, Alice in Chains, and Stone Temple Pilots, the album masterfully blends powerful riffs with evocative storytelling and soaring vocal performances. The record also subtly nods to founding member DJ O’Sullivan’s deep appreciation for traditional Irish, Arabic, and Hindustani music, further enriching its sonic depth.
From the bone-crushing energy of Unleash The Beast to the introspective and emotionally charged title track Into The Unknown, the album delivers a diverse and dynamic listening experience. Each song weaves together themes of perseverance, redemption, and self-discovery, making Into The Unknown not just an album, but a journey.
Speaking about the record, frontman DJ O’Sullivan reflects: “This album represents everything we’ve been through as a band and as individuals. It’s about facing the unknown with conviction and embracing the road ahead, no matter how uncertain it may seem. Every track tells a story, and we can’t wait for the world to hear it.”
With a reputation for high-energy, adrenaline-fuelled live performances, XIII Doors will be celebrating the release of Into The Unknown with a headline show at Dolan’s in Limerick on February 22nd, marking a pivotal moment in the band’s journey. Fans can also catch them on tour across Ireland and the UK in the lead-up to the album’s release.
Blending razor-sharp musicianship with commanding vocals and undeniable stage presence, XIII Doors is ready to break barriers and make their mark. ‘Into The Unknown’ is not just an album—it’s a battle cry, a testament to resilience, and a bold declaration of the band’s arrival.
TRACKLISTING Unleash The Beast Sorceress of Lies Make a Life Again Lead The Way Face The Truth Into the Unknown See How Far You’ve Come Inside
Upcoming shows: 22nd – Dolan’s – Limerick, IE (Official Album Launch) May 9th – Opium – Dublin *with Michael Schenker May 10th – Mandela Hall – Belfast *with Michael Schenker 28th Feb XIII Doors Live At Campbell’s Bar Derry 19th June The Loverocks Beer and Music Festival, St Leonards Farm, Dorset 29th June Wildfire Festival, Wanlockhead Scotland
Swedish thrash and melodic death metal band VILT strives to take the Scandinavian sound to new heights. Through aggressive riffs, fast drums, and intense vocal performances they have already established a unique signature style. Following the success of their two-track single Adversary in 2022, which led to a performance at In Flames’ Dalhalla Brinner festival, VILT released the EP …To Mourn The Death Of A Stranger in 2024. Now they’re gearing up for their debut album, releasing new single ‘Dealing with the Devil’. A song about facing your problems before they break you.
VILT’s upcoming album is a raw and relentless letter to a fractured past. Between guttural aggression and haunting melodies, the album is a battle cry to the younger self—a figure clinging to borrowed beliefs and fragile personas. Through towering riffs and soul-ripping growls, VILT tears down the illusions of what they once thought defined them. The upcoming album is personal yet universal, a tribute to the limitless potential within us all.
Finnish melodic death metal band Defiled Serenity released their long-awaited debut album Within the Slumber of the Mind on February 21st 2025 via Inverse Records.
Vocalist Paavo Laapotti comments: ”I love melodeath so the songwriting was really easy-going. We worked on this album for a long time, but I’m glad we did. I gathered a bunch of talented people around me for this project and now I just feel very proud of the album and my band mates.”
Album’s lyrical themes revolve around depression, death and my thoughts around these topics. I’ve used a lot of my own experiences in life while writing these lyrics and I feel like it has been some sort of therapy for me. This project is my baby and I want to give it my all.
Nikos from VisionBlack did an amazing job with the cover art I designed with him. He captured just the right feeling to his art what we were looking for.”
”We also got the priviledge to work with Juha Tapio and Sonja Lindberg and they did a phenomenal job.”
Track list:
Alkutaival (feat. Juha Tapio)
Voices from the Void
Exiled to Infinity
Death
Mortal
Within the Slumber of the Mind
Through the Chaos
Your Worst Enemy
Tears of Black
Unfaithful (Rihanna cover) (feat. Karisma)
Recorded & mixed by Lauri Seppälä
Mastered by Juho Räihä / SoundSpiral Audio
Album cover by Nikos Stavridakis / VisionBlack
Defiled Serenity is a melodic death metal band from Loimaa, Finland. It was founded by the vocalist and Before The Dawn frontman Paavo Laapotti in 2021. The band’s music is for the fans of old In Flames, Amorphis, Amon Amarth, Dark Tranquillity etc. Their sound relies heavily on the 90’s melodeath sound, but with modern twists. The songs are filled with low growls, chunky guitars, beautiful melodies and tight rhythm sections.
They released their first stand-alone single ”Voices from the Void” in 2022 and it has reached over 25,000 streams on Spotify alone. Since then, the band has been writing new material and now it’s time to unleash their long-awaited debut album!
Finland’s melancholic goth doomsters HANGING GARDEN share another preview from their upcoming EP “The Unending” – out March 14th on Agonia Records – in the form of a new single and music video, “The Passage”.
It’s available here:
Delving deeper into the rituals, beliefs and existential concepts intrinsic to the nature of humanity and its cultures, HANGING GARDEN continues the thematic continuum of their previous full-length album, “The Garden”. Their latest work, a mini-album bearing the name “The Unending”, is a four song entity, its thematic focal points those of perseverance and the occult, of returning to a harmony with nature and the remorseless forces therein. Once again, an aesthetic interplay between light and darkness, dissonance and harmony, serenity and ferocity, HANGING GARDEN‘s novel musical work seeks to provide the listener with a journey through emotion and spirituality, through their meadows and wastelands, and onwards into the collective soul of humanity.
“The Unending” was produced by Jussi Hämäläinen and Jarno Hänninen and mixed & mastered by Jarno Hänninen at D-studio. The cover art & layout was created by Kalle Pyyhtinen.
Tracklisting: 1. To Seize the Night 2. The Passage 3. Morgan’s Trail 4. The First Sunrise
HAGNING GARDEN was brought to life in 2004 with an early style that encompassed heavy, doom-oriented metal music. Roughly two decades, seven albums and a couple of line-up shuffles later, the Finns shifted to a more melodic, contemporary sound, which is rooted in dark atmosphere, and leans towards open-minded and playful musicality. While still entrenched in metal, HANGING GARDEN possesses a versatile, many-layered style of playing, male & female vocals, and draws influence & inspiration from music and art, far and wide. The group may appeal to fans of Swallow the Sun, Ghost Brigade, October Tide, Katatonia or Type O Negative.
Line-up: Mikko Kolari – guitars Jussi Hämäläinen – guitars, backing vocals Kimmo Tukiainen – guitars Nino Hynninen – synths Jussi Kirves – bass, moog Antti Ruokola – drums, programming Riikka Hatakka – vocals Toni Hatakka – vocals
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 ) 