Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

The Magic Of Metal

  • Home
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • CHIEF SHOCK VIDEO
  • Metal Shock Times
  • PARTNERS
  • WhoWeAre
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • MSF STAFF
    • We Recommend…

EXIST IMMORTAL Announce New “Afterglow” EP, Video for Title Track Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Exist Immortal. Leave a comment

UK progressive metal force Exist Immortal return with their long-awaited new EP Afterglow, set for release 11th September via Seek & Strike. Alongside the announcement, the band have unveiled the EP’s title track with a striking new video.

Pre-save Afterglow here: https://open.spotify.com/album/0msR4mo0MeBoU1Qj8XjpKj?si=54698adc37ef4a9e

For Exist Immortal, Afterglow is the beginning of a new chapter for the band. Shaped by upheaval and personal struggles, it’s a record that reflects where they are now, with a renewed sense of purpose moving forward. 

“The opening statement and the most complete thing we’ve made to date,” the band explain of the title track. “It sets the tone for everything the EP is about, facing the wreckage head-on and choosing to rebuild against all odds. If you want to know where we are as a band right now, start here.”

For over a decade, Exist Immortal have established themselves as one of the UK’s most distinctive progressive metal acts, combining crushing metalcore, intricate technicality, soaring melodies and contemporary pop sensibilities into a sound that refuses to sit neatly within genre boundaries. Hailing from the South East of England, the band have continually evolved while retaining a focus on music that hits with equal measures of emotional weight and sheer physical force.

That evolution reaches a new level on Afterglow.  Written during a period of profound upheaval that saw the band navigate a line-up change, personal and health challenges and a period in which their future was genuinely uncertain, the five track EP became an exercise in creative renewal and ultimately, a reaffirmation of why the band exists in the first place.

“Afterglow is the sound of us finding out what this band actually is,” the band explain. “We wrote and rebuilt it through a period of real upheaval, a lineup change, personal challenges, health challenges and a stretch that tested whether we’d keep going at all. Somehow it came out the most assured, most deliberate thing we’ve ever made.”

The resulting record is Exist Immortal at their most focused. Stripping away anything unnecessary, Afterglow is colder, heavier and more deliberate than its predecessors, with sharper songwriting, greater dynamic impact and a newfound confidence running through every moment. Technical precision sits alongside huge melodic hooks and expansive atmosphere, while every riff and arrangement serves a clear purpose.

Away from the studio, Exist Immortal have built a formidable international reputation through relentless touring across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Their explosive live show has seen them perform at Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, MetalDays, Euroblast, Maximum Rock Festival and Complexity Fest, while sharing stages with progressive heavyweights including SikTh, Textures, LANDMVRKS and Cynic. In 2022 they headlined the main stage at UK Tech-Fest, before following it up with sold-out headline tours of Mexico and Japan, further cementing their status as one of the UK’s most exciting modern progressive metal exports.

Now, with a renewed creative vision driving them forward, Exist Immortal are entering their most compelling era yet. Afterglow doesn’t simply mark the band’s next chapter, it redefines who they are, with a sound that leans cold, precise and deliberate, built on taut songwriting, dynamic arrangements and an uncompromising approach that balances technical mastery with memorable hooks and immense weight.

Track-list:

01 – Something, Somewhere
02 – Fail To Find
03 – Afterglow
04 – Stuck In Motion
05 – Shadow Work

For more:
Instagram || Facebook || Spotify 

FUTURE STATIC Announce New Album “Ornaments & Memories”, Out 6th November

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: FUTURE STATIC. Leave a comment

Australian breakthrough heavy act Future Static have announced their new album Ornaments & Memories. The news follows the release of their single of the same name, released last week.

Pre-order the new album here: https://orcd.co/ornamentsandmemories

Vocalist Amariah Cook comments: “I wanted this album to display growth not just as a vocalist and song-writer but also as a human being. Since Liminality was inspired by a stagnant lifestyle, Ornaments & Memories naturally became the musical journey of what it feels like to start setting yourself up for a life worth living – settling into core values and understanding how to handle the ever-growing emotional range that comes with caring more. All of these themes came through better than I could have ever hoped pouring it all into the most dramatic and genre-bending heavy music that my best friends and I could conjure.”

Tracklisting: 

1. Ephemeral
2. There’s Nowhere Else To Go
3. Swing
4. Dream Suite
5. The Picture in You
6. Off The Map
7. Closer Than You Think
8. Ornaments & Memories
9. State of Mind
10. Odyssey
11. Waterworks
12. Subcritical Flow
13. Lux

Watch their recently released video to ‘Ornaments & Memories’ here:

Future Static’s eagerly awaited second album displays a darker and more philosophical side than their debut LP Liminality, exploring internal and external conflict, growth, change and love. Amongst bouncy riffs and soul crushing breakdowns, passionate guitar solos and leads, dramatically stacked vocal parts and frantic drum fills, this album is musically and thematically inspired by the ebbs and flows of living in a rapidly accelerating world.

Melbourne five-piece phenomenon Future Static are carving their position among the one of the most exciting forces in modern metalcore. Following the success of their #1 Australian AIR-charting debut album Liminality (2023), the band have rapidly risen through Australia’s heavy scene and beyond, earning critical acclaim from Kerrang!, Metal Hammer, and Triple J, whilst touring extensively across Australia; including supporting Babymetal, Electric Callboy, Jinjer, Enter Shikari, Don Broco, Lacuna Coil and TesseracT. International touring has included EU/UK headline shows, supporting Ankor and Humanity’s Last Breath, and multiple prestigious European festival appearances; including Sziget (HU), Radar (UK), Reeperbahn (DE) and Euroblast (DE).   

Blending technical precision with melodic chaos, Future Static‘s sound is both striking and emotionally raw – a reflection of personal struggle, resilience, and self-discovery. Led by their breathtaking lead vocal tandem, a magical chemistry of electrifying front-woman Amariah Cook and bassist Kira Neil, and backed by guitarists Ryan Qualizza and Jack Smith, and drummer Jackson Trudel’s intense musicality and blazing fury, Future Static have taken Australia’s live circuit by storm.   

Future Static are:
Amariah Cook – Lead Vocals
Kira Neil – Bass / Vocals
Ryan Qualizza – Guitar
Jack Smith – Guitar
Jackson Trudel – Drums

Follow Future Static:Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | Spotify

NESTOR Release Live Rendition of ‘Teenage Rebel’ with Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: NESTOR. Leave a comment
[Artwork Credit: Andreas “Diaz” Pettersson]

Swedish hard rockers NESTOR are set to release their first ever live album Live at Gothenburg Film Studios this Friday, August 14, 2026 via Napalm Records! Today, the band has revealed the final single with a powerful live version of their celebrated ’80s-inspired anthem “Teenage Rebel”, together with a live video. “Teenage Rebel” was originally released as the title track of the band’s critically acclaimed latest studio album (2024) that received international chart success, including reaching #12 on Official German Album Charts and #19 in Sweden. Drenched in nostalgia, the song features epic riffing, emotion-loaded melodies and a massive chorus that shines even brighter than before on the live version. Watch the captivating live video below, and secure your copy of Live at Gothenburg Film Studios now!

Vocalist Tobias Gustavsson comments:
“‘Teenage Rebel’ is all about lost youth. About being careless. About being fearless and living every day like there’s no tomorrow. We believe that message really shines through in this live performance of the song.”

Originally formed back in 1989, NESTOR took the international rock scene by storm with their comeback and first music releases in 2021, unleashing the debut album Kids in a ghost town (earning a Swedish Hard Rock/Metal Grammis nomination!). Since then, NESTOR has entered several charts internationally (incl. #12 on Official German Album Charts and #19 in Sweden) with the critically acclaimed following album Teenage Rebel (2024) and gathered millions of streams on several of their hits. The band has won over live audiences around the world, from huge European festivals to the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in the US and headline shows in Japan, and shared stages with legends like Kiss and Europe. NESTOR now showcases their nostalgic, 80’s-inspired melodic anthems in a new light—infused with their signature, radiant live presence.

Pre-Order Your Copy of Live at Gothenburg Film Studios NOW

Live at Gothenburg Film Studios treats fans old and new to a hefty selection of live versions of future classics from NESTOR‘s celebrated catalogue. The band brings the heat with a new rendition of their track “Firesign” (originally from Kids in a ghost town, 2021) – catchy riffs and rhythms carry the heavily ’80s-inspired, authentic sound that is topped with impressive rock vocals. Further highlights of this extensive, 16-track offering include a live rendition of one of the biggest NESTOR hits to date, “On The Run” (also from the praised debut Kids in a ghost town, 2021), featuring epic, AOR-inspired keys and guitars, and another one of the band’s possibly catchiest singalong-choruses so far. This comprehensive live album, one format available even with a special Blu-ray, draws from NESTOR‘s impressive repertoire of arena-worthy anthems and rock ballads, polished with the very best AOR and classic ’80s rock influences. Without a doubt, NESTOR continue their steady mission to restore the glory of rock!

Vocalist Tobias Gustavsson comments:
“When I listen to Live at Gothenburg Film Studios it becomes clear to me that it shows everything that NESTOR was about, from the beginning. A live performance with all the little quirks and mistakes that makes it human, a thing that I have learned to love even more in an era of AI generated music. Live at Gothenburg Film Studios is less clinical and more of a human experience in comparison to our studio albums and shows a different side of NESTOR. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did recording it up on stage.”

Live at Gothenburg Film Studios album track listing:
01. Intro
02. We Come Alive
03. Kids In A Ghost Town
04. Stone Cold Eyes
05. Perfect 10
06. The One That Got Away
07. Last To Know
08. Unchain My Heart
09. Signed in blood
10. Victorious
11. Caroline
12. Firesign
13. On The Run
14. Teenage Rebel
15. 1989
16. It Ain’t Me

Live at Gothenburg Film Studios Blu-ray track listing:
01. We Come Alive
02. Kids In A Ghost Town
03. Stone Cold Eyes
04. The One That Got Away
05. Unchain My Heart
06. Signed in blood
07. Victorious
08. Firesign
09. On The Run
10. Teenage Rebel
11. 1989

NESTOR Live 2026

Festivals
15.08.26 SE – Falköping / NestorFest 2026
19. – 22.08.26 DE – Haddeby / Baltic Open Air

NESTOR are:
Tobias Gustavsson – vocals
Jonny Wemmenstedt – guitar
Mattias Carlsson – drums
Marcus Åblad – bass
Martin Frejinger – keyboards

NESTOR online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS

JAMES KENNEDY & THE UNDERDOGS to Release New Single ‘Shadows’ on 28th August

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: JAMES KENNEDY & THE UNDERDOGS. Leave a comment

Following the release of their explosive single ‘Revolution’ in June which featured guest vocals from Benji Webbe of Skindred, South Wales based rockers James Kennedy and The Underdogs announce the release of their latest single, ‘Shadows’ which will be out on August 28th on Konic Records.   

The song shows the band taking a different direction to the punky / metal energy of the previous two singles and showcases their more melodic, mid-tempo groove side complete with anthemic sing-along chorus and soaring guitar solo from Jack Davies.

Of the lyrics, James Kennedy says: “The whole album is about rebelling against the evils and injustices of our times but ‘Shadows’ is about rebelling against our enemy within, our own personal, internal demons (in my case, depression and a busted nervous system). And just as we might throw a Molotov Cocktail at tyrants, that same fire within can bring light to the darkest corners of a soul blackened by shadows”

The cover art for ‘Shadows’ is a twist on the famous Amnesty International logo. 

The song is the 3rd single to be released from the band’s forthcoming new album entitled “Rebel” and it’s available to Pre-Save on Spotify now at: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jameskennedyandtheunderdogs/shadows

‘Shadows’ will be available on all streaming platforms from Friday August 28th 

James Kennedy and The Underdogs are an alternative rock / punk band from Newport, South Wales, formed in 2023 by singer, author, podcaster and former Kyshera frontman, James Kennedy. The band includes Jack Davies on guitar, Elliot Blake on bass, and Aggy Nowicka on drums, all former and current members of the bands Kane’d, Catalysts, and Ravenbreed. 

In their mere three years as a band they have already earned a reputation for their anarchic and high-energy live shows, described by the Moshville Times as “pure rock ‘n’ roll energy” and as “Wales’ most vital live act” by Uber Rock. Their first album ‘Make Anger Great Again’ was released via Konic Records, and new album “Rebel” is due for release on the same label.

‘Rebel’ is set for release in November 2026 via Konic Records and will be available on all streaming platforms with vinyl and CD editions available from the band’s online store at: https://jameskennedystuff.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/andtheunderdogs/
https://www.facebook.com/JamesKennedyandTheUnderdogs
https://www.youtube.com/@jameskennedyofficial
https://x.com/jameskennedyuk
https://jameskennedystuff.bandcamp.com/
https://jameskennedyofficial.com

Guitarist BRAD GILLIS Explains Why He Did Not Perform at Ozzy’s Last Show “Back to the Beginning”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Brad Gillis, The Metal Voice. Leave a comment

The Metal Voice spoke to NIGHT RANGER and former Ozzy Guitarist Brad Gillis about his time with Ozzy and NIGHT RANGER’S new Best of Album that will be released Aug 28, 2026 on Frontiers s.r.l.

Gillis also talked about why he was not present at Ozzy’s last show.

When asked if he was invited to perform at Black Sabbat/ Ozzy Last show, Back to the Beginning?

“I couldn’t go. I was on tour with my band (Night Ranger). I couldn’t put everybody out of work, you know, and everybody wanted you to pay your own way, whatever. But here, I’m paying my own way. I’m on tour. What do I do? Do I cancel the tour and put 15 people out of work, you know? So, I couldn’t do it. I got an email inquiring if I was interested in coming and I thought about it. I would have loved and I thought I can’t do this. I had wanted to but we’re on tour, you know  and the place we were playing the night of the actual show was a big festival. We had 8,000 people there. Um it’s what it was. Um and I would have loved to make make it and  been part of that, but  it’s what it was.

Iconic hard rockers NIGHT RANGER return with ‘Best Of,’ a career-spanning collection that brings their biggest songs to life like never before. Featuring refreshed 2026 remasters of fan favorites such as “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” “Sister Christian,” and “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” the album pairs iconic hits with highlights from the band’s modern era. Packed with soaring melodies, powerhouse performances, and unforgettable hooks, this ‘Best Of’ collection is a testament to a band that continues to thrive decades after its debut.

‘Best Of’ Track List:

  1. Don’t Tell Me You Love Me (2026)
  2. (You Can Still) Rock in America (2026)
  3. Sister Christian (2026)
  4. When You Close Your Eyes (2026)
  5. Four in the Morning (2026)
  6. Breakout
  7. Tomorrow
  8. Growin’ Up in California
  9. Time of Our Lives
  10. High Road
  11. No Time to Lose Ya
  12. Somehow Someway
  13. Truth
  14. Don’t Let Up
  15. Only for You Only
  16. Wasted Time (Sweetwater Studios) (Bonus Track)
  17. Feliz Navidad (Live) (Bonus Track)
  18. Hole In The Sun (Bonus Track Japan)

Pre-Order NIGHT RANGER’s ‘Best of’ Album HERE

RAM to Release “Against” Full-Length Album on October 9th, New Video / Single ‘Ghost Emperor’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: RAM. Leave a comment
Photo by Sanna Bäckström

Swedish heavy metal titans RAM will release their new full-length, titled Against, on October 9th through Metal Blade Records.

It has been nearly seven years since The Throne Within, an album defined by its spiritual and metaphysical themes. With Against, RAM takes a more grounded approach, focusing on the experience of being pushed beyond reasonable limits and refusing to comply. The album captures that moment of resistance “that fire of defiance, which ultimately defines its title and message,” as the band collectively states.

For the production, RAM reunited with their longtime collaborator Johan Reiven, who had previously worked with the band on Lightbringer (2009). Without their own studio – having sold Black Path Studios – the band recorded at Studio Recordia in Varberg, Sweden. “At first, I wasn’t really comfortable not being in my own domain,” admits singer Oscar Carlquist. “But Johan is a far better sound tech than me and he did a wonderful job. We recorded the solos in a cool new way, as we set up two amps, one wet with a lot of effects and one dry with no effects. They were both mic’d up separately and they played into the enormous recording room in Recordia that is 150 square meters, where we placed two room mics (left and right).” The approach resulted in a rich, organic sound that enhanced the album’s overall character.

Musically, both guitarists continue to favor bridge pickups, maintaining a sharp and aggressive tone. The equipment used on Against reflects a classic approach, contributing to a sound that feels both timeless and direct. Sonically, Against was conceived as a return to classic recording philosophies. Drawing inspiration from the early works of Dio, MSG, and Sweet, the goal was to create an honest and unpolished sound. What you hear is what you get! In a music landscape increasingly divided into countless subgenres, the band positions itself deliberately outside of categorization. The title Against itself reinforces the band’s longstanding identity as nonconformists, viewing heavy metal as a form of sonic rebellion.

“We do not give a fuck about all these new strange subgenres popping up. We try to play heavy metal in its purest form. We try to hang on to the center of that energy, and we are completely uninterested in 99% of the metal scene,” asserts Carlquist.

As a precursor to the release, RAM delivers the record’s lead single, “Ghost Emperor” and an accompanying video.

Carlquist comments, “This is the opener of the album, a straightforward classic heavy metal song and pure RAM. Lyrically, it deals with how our power structures exist to conceal the true rulers, the ones we will never see or know, pulling the strings behind the curtain and controlling us all.“

Find pre-orders at: metalblade.com/ram

Against Track Listing:
01. Obsession
02. Ghost Emperor
03. One Vs. All
04. Abattoir
05. Out of Control
06. Leaving
07. Against
08. Night Blade
09. Rising Again
10. 1984
11. The Final Hour

RAM Live:
9/12/09/2026 Candelabrum Metalfest – León, MX
10/09/2026 TBA – Gothenburg, SE *Release Show
12/04/2026 Spectrum – Murcia, ES
12/05/2026 Peter Rock – Valencia, ES
12/06/2026 Upload – Barcelona, ES
12/07/2026 Urban – Vitoria, ES
3/12-13/2027 Heavy Metal Thunder Fest – Pisek, CZ
5/20-22/2027 Iron Fest – Ohmbachsee, DE

RAM:
Oscar Carlquist – vocals
Morgan Pettersson – drums
Harry Granroth – guitar
Martin Jonsson – guitar
Tobias Petterson – bass

https://ram-metal.com
https://www.facebook.com/RAMheavymetal
https://www.instagram.com/RAMheavymetal

Posts navigation

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →
  • 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
  • Ads

  • Metal Shock Finland

    Metal Shock Finland
Website Powered by WordPress.com.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )
    Join 954 other subscribers

    Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.

  • Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )
    View site in Reader
    Manage subscriptionsSign upLog in
    Report this content
    Collapse this bar