Symphonic metal titans EPICA are excited to announce that their 9th studio album Aspiral will be out on April 11th, via Nuclear Blast Records. The album title is derived from the eponymous bronze sculpture made by Polish sculptor and painter Stanisław Szukalski back in 1965 and stands for renewal and inspiration – keywords that define EPICA in 2025. In Szukalski’s work every detail is a piece of art in its own right, and there’s always more to the story than you initially think. The band saw this as the perfect analogy for the creation of this 9th album: each song stands on its own with a distinctive vibe and meaning, while together they enforce each other into a monumental effort.
The album, featuring stunning cover artwork by Hedi Xandt (Rammstein, Ghost, Parkway Drive), is now available for pre-order in the below mentioned formats. The special editions even include the BluRay and audio recordings of the full monumental “Symphonic Synergy” performance in Amsterdam that the band recorded in 2024 with an orchestra and choir.
Recorded once again at Sandlane Studios and expertly mixed and produced by Joost van den Broek, Aspiral boasts 11 new tracks: 1. Cross the Divide 2. Arcana 3. Darkness Dies in Light – A New Age Dawns Part VII – 4. Obsidian Heart 5. Fight to Survive – The Overview Effect – 6. Metanoia – A New Age Dawns Part VIII – 7. T.I.M.E. 8. Apparition 9. Eye of the Storm 10. The Grand Saga of Existence – A New Age Dawns Part IX – 11. Aspiral
If you want to get another appetizer of the new tracks, you can check out the band’s music video for the up-tempo anthem ‘Cross The Divide,’ directed by Kunststoff: https://epica.fanlink.tv/ctd
One simply couldn’t find better words to describe what 2025 has in store for HELLOWEEN. While the German metal legends are finishing the highly anticipated follow-up to their self-titled no. 1 album, they have launched yet another snippet of their prestigious live album “Live At Budokan.” The classic ‘Future World’ from their genre-defining album “Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Pt. 2” successfully keeps up the memories of this remarkable night the pumpkins experienced at Tokyo‘s Budokan Arena in September 2023.
Singer Michael Kiske comments: “I love the positive message of this song. Our future will be bright, but it won’t fall into our laps. We all have to find our own way to future world. Musically, it’s one of the highlights and guarantees a great atmosphere every night.”
Join the enthusiastic Japanese crowd and enter the ‘Future World’:
“Live At Budokan” has been released worldwide as 2CD set, limited 3LP “deluxe edition” (trifold first pressing), Blu-ray, DVD, but is also available on all major streaming platforms. Purchase/listen: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR
With an extensive world tour coinciding with the forthcoming album release, the ‘Future World’ live video not only is a worthy closer to the recent live campaign but also an exciting warm-up for HELLOWEEN‘s 40th anniversary world tour kicking off on October 17 in Luxembourg. Tickets and dates can be found below; more dates on other continents will be announced soon!
Artwork by Martin Häusler
This release celebrates the grand finale of HELLOWEEN‘s epic world tour from 2022 to 2023. Spanning over 30 countries on three continents, the tour was nothing short of a triumph. Drawing massive crowds and showcasing the band’s undying appeal, the sold-out concert in Tokyo is the crowning glory of the cycle. Known for their explosive stage presence and high-voltage performances, HELLOWEEN‘s shows are fueled by the unique chemistry among the band members. Triple lead-guitar attacks from Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, and Sascha Gerstner alternate with goosebump-inducing duets from vocalists Michael Kiske and Andi Deris, occasionally supported by Kai Hansen, the band’s original singer and third voice. He also takes the spectators on a journey back in time with a medley from the band’s early days, returning to the origins of their sound – HELLOWEEN, the godfathers of melodic speed metal.
Choosing the Nippon Budokan for this live recording was no coincidence. A venue rich in musical history, it has hosted countless legendary concerts and is an accolade for every music group that has played there. HELLOWEEN are the first German band ever to record a live album in the Nippon Budokan, and for the members it was a dream come true.
Lead vocalist Michael Kiske described the show as “surreal, with the electrifying fan energy creating a magical atmosphere.” Bassist Markus Grosskopf spoke of the venue’s profound personal and historical significance, expressing how humbling and inspiring it was to perform in a place that shaped their own musical journeys.
The live recording’s technical brilliance is another highlight. With 29 cameras capturing every nuance, the production team ensured that each moment of the concert is preserved in stunning detail. This attention to detail means the Blu-ray and DVD versions offer an immersive viewing experience, making fans feel like they are right there in the front row.
The setlist of this live album is a treasure trove of surprises, contains the entire 2-hour+ show and offers a fresh experience compared to previous releases like “United Alive” [2019]. This thoughtful song selection honors both the die-hard fans craving something new and the band’s rich musical legacy, showcasing their evolution and expansive repertoire.
This live album is more than just a concert recording; it’s a celebration of HELLOWEEN‘s enduring impact on the metal scene. It promises to bring the magic of an unforgettable performance straight into fans’ homes, offering a piece of music history that embodies the spirit and energy of a legendary band at their peak.
“Live At Budokan” – Track Listing:
01. Orbit 02. Skyfall 03. Eagle Fly Free 04. Mass Pollution 05. Future World 06. Power 07. Save Us 08. Kai’s Medley [Walls Of Jericho, Metal Invaders, Victim Of Fate, Gorgar, Ride The Sky, Heavy Metal Is The Law] 09. Forever And One (Neverland) 10. Best Time 11. Dr. Stein 12. How Many Tears 13. Perfect Gentleman 14. Keeper Of The Seven Keys 15. Drumokan *on Blu-ray/DVD only!* 16. I Want Out
“40 Years Anniversary Tour” – Europe 2025 Very Special Guests: BEAST IN BLACK 17.10.2025 LU Luxembourg – Rockhal 18.10.2025 NL Tilburg – 013 20.10.2025 UK London – Eventim Apollo 22.10.2025 FR Paris – Zénith (Le Villette) 24.10.2025 CZ Prague – O2 Arena 25.10.2025 SK Zvolen – Tiposbet Arena 26.10.2025 HU Budapest – Papp László Sportaréna 28.10.2025 PL Katowice – Spodek 31.10.2025 DE Bochum – RuhrCongress 01.11.2025 DE Hamburg – Barclays Arena 03.11.2025 NO Oslo – Sentrum Scene 04.11.2025 NO Oslo – Sentrum Scene 06.11.2025 FI Helsinki – Helsingin Jäähalli 08.11.2025 SE Gothenburg – Partille Arena 13.11.2025 PT Lisbon – Campo Pequeno 15.11.2025 ES Madrid – La Cubierta de Leganés 19.11.2025 IT Milan – Forum 20.11.2025 CH Zurich – The Hall 22.11.2025 DE Stuttgart – Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
Time To Kill Records is thrilled to announce a landmark partnership with Heavy Music Artwork, the UK-based publishing house renowned for its high-quality art books and unparalleled dedication to the world of metal-inspired art. Heavy Music Artwork has carved a unique niche with their stunning publications, becoming a global favourite among fans and collectors alike. Their portfolio includes SNAKES, an acclaimed magazine celebrating the intersection of music, art, and culture, as well as a newly launched podcast, offering yet another dimension to explore the vibrant world of heavy music.
This partnership represents a pivotal step in promoting and preserving metal culture on an international stage. The first fruit of this collaboration is the much-anticipated reprint ofThe Book of Death by visionary artist Maxime Taccardi.
The Book of Death is a visceral collection of poems, essays, and illustrations created using ink, acrylic, pencil, and, uniquely, the artist’s own blood. Explaining his process, Taccardi shares: “My visions come from my dreams. Most of the time, I try to maintain an open wound between reality and dreams. My blood paintings are symbolically linked to that idea. I cut my wrists and used the brush directly on my wound. It is not intended to shock but is simply a process. I see art as a ritual, a conversation between spirits and my mortal flesh. Plato described art as the manifestation of spirits through artists’ bodies, and that deeply resonates with my work.”
In tandem with the reprint ofThe Book of Death, Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the signing of K.F.R, Maxime Taccardi’s main musical endeavour. Established in 2012, K.F.R translates Taccardi’s nightmarish, blood-soaked artistic visions into sound, merging vile black metal with deeply unsettling dark ambient tones.
The name K.F.R – derived from the Arabic word “Kafir” (“disbeliever”)- also references the word inscribed on the forehead of Dajjal, the antichrist figure in Islamic eschatology. This imbues the project with a profound conceptual depth, reflecting Taccardi’s commitment to exploring the darkest recesses of the human soul.
Since the release of its debut album ANTI in 2014, K.F.R has collaborated with notable figures in the extreme metal scene, including Déhà, Meyhnach (Mütiilation), Vordb (Belketre), and Kvarforth (Shining). Through this work, K.F.R aspires to create a gesamtkunstwerk (a total work of art) in the spirit of Wagner, engaging all the senses to deliver a haunting, all-encompassing experience.
Time To Kill Records is set to re-release K.F.R’s latest album, Pain/Ter, in April, marking the first time the album will be available in physical formats, including CD and vinyl.
Crafted using frequencies designed to evoke anxiety, fear, and distress, Pain/Terrejects anything pleasurable or comforting. For Taccardi, black metal is a raw manifestation of the evil that lies within us all, stripped of compromise or pretense.
This partnership between Time To Kill Records and Heavy Music Artwork underscores their shared commitment to celebrating and amplifying the richness of metal culture through groundbreaking projects that blur the lines between music and art.
HÅLLBAR is a band from Warsaw (Poland), founded in 2023, performing music that is a cross between black metal & melodic death metal with female scream with deathcore vibe.
In the summer of 2024, the Warsowian group recorded tracks and vocals for their debut album at the Okrutnik Studio. Filip “Heinrich” Hałucha from Heinrich House Studio is responsible for the mix and mastering of the release, whose portfolio includes cooperation with bands such as Above Aurora, Azarath, Behemoth, Corruption, Deus Mortem and Three Eyes of the Void. Band logo was designed by Dariusz Barabaś from seeg design (The Materia, Metalowe Zwierzaki, UKĆ), while Bartosz Rybitwa (Metal Mine Festival) done cover artwork and whole layout.
In 2024, Hallbar played many live shows, including three festivals: Metal Mine Festival (winner of the band competition), Festiwal Mocnych Brzmień and Post Mortem Fest.
Long-awaited debut album “Nemesis” was released on January 31, 2025 (CD order) and is available for listening at popular streaming platforms (here).
Gosia (vocal) comments their debut album: “Nemesis is a tale of unprocessed experiences and emotions that, difficult and aggravating at first, eventually teach important lessons – stories of mental illness, codependency, perfectionism, patterns of unreflective behavior and loneliness. Nemesis is about each of us, because we are sometimes our own worst enemies.“
Italian groove metal scene is about to get a jolt of energy as rising stars DOSGAMOS announce their signing with Wormholedeath Records. The band’s highly anticipated second album, “On Day Seven He Regretted,” is set to unleash its sonic fury on March 14, 2025.
“We’re stoked to announce that we’ve signed with Wormholedeath Records, a label with years of experience and an internationally recognized name!” the band exclaimed. “A new chapter begins for us, and we’re ready to bring our music to a larger audience. We can’t wait for everyone to hear our new material—a product of total dedication and relentless effort. We are proud, grateful, and more driven than ever to work harder and push forward. Forge onward. Ever onward.”
Tracklist:
Slay the Mother of All Ignorance
Categorical Reprisal
Death Obeys
Apple of My Eye
Raped Feelingly
I’ve Rehab
On day Seven He Regretted
Indulgence at Stake
Formed in 2018, Dosgamos has been carving out a unique niche in the metal landscape, blending powerful grooves with intricate melodies. The band features Michele Altavilla’s dynamic vocals, along with drummer Gorath (Stormcrow), bassist Giulio Garibaldi, and guitarist Vinnie (Injury). Following the pandemic, they completed their debut album, “Wrapped Renaissance,” which was recorded in late 2021 and released in 2022.
Since then, Dosgamos has been relentlessly promoting their debut with electrifying live performances across East Europe. This includes a successful tour through the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, England, Wales, and Albania. The addition of drummer Elia Dutto and guitarist Alessandro Parola has only strengthened their live presence, culminating in a powerful debut at a festival in Prague.
Their upcoming album, “On Day Seven He Regretted,” promises to be a game-changer. The legendary Ronnie Björnström (Meshuggah, Aeon) mixed and mastered it. This collaboration is set to elevate Dosgamos to new heights, showcasing their evolution as artists and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of groove metal.
The band is also offering fans an exclusive sneak peek of the album with the lyric video for Slay the Mother of All Ignorance, now available here:
Top 1st Row – Ryan Price – Bass, Alex Bosson – Drums * Middle 2nd Row – Connor McCray – Lead Guitar, Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals * Bottom 3rd Row – Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar, Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals, Anthony Stahl – Keyboards
Sacramento, USA’s progressive metal pioneers LUNAR are set to release their most ambitious project to date, “Tempora Mutantur” on January 31, 2025. A meticulously crafted concept album that explores the intricate passages of time, personal transformation, and emotional landscapes, the record represents a milestone in the band’s continuing musical evolution. They comment on the release:
“We’re very excited to present our new album “Tempora Mutantur” to the world! This album is more thematic rather than conceptual like the last album. This album deals with something everyone can relate to and no one can escape: the passing of time. As we get older, our perspective changes, we gain some things, and lose others… sometimes the things and ones we love. And we struggle and fight along the way.”
Lunar hopes that fans will be able to resonate with the album and find some solace in it as it is highly relatable to the theme of time passing. Continued and driven by drummer and primary songwriter Alex Bosson(Helion Prime, Planeswalker) after the passing of co-band founder Ryan Erwin in 2018, the album is the result of a deeply personal and introspective creative process.
The album’s eight tracks weave a complex narrative that explores themes of seasonal change as metaphors for personal growth, mental health, and the passage of time. From the opening track to the three-part title suite that closes the album, Lunar demonstrates its unique ability to transform personal struggles into universal musical statements that resonate with listeners on multiple levels. The album is recommended for fans of Haken, Tool, and Porcupine Tree.
Listen to the album stream premiere of “Tempora Mutantur” via Decibel Magazine HERE.
(Album Artwork by Ed Bosson)
Lunar‘s fresh lineup features guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray (Vis Mystica) along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl plus album guests Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist), and Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse).
A studio project since first conceived in 2014, LUNAR will make its live debut next year at the 2025Hyperspace Metal Festivalin Vancouver, BC, Canada on April 11th. Info here.
LUNAR’s“Tempora Mutantur” will be available from Saibot Reigns Records as of January 31st, 2025.
Track Listing: 1. A Summer To Forget – 6:37 2. Fall Back Into Old Habits – 11:16 ft. guest guitar solo by Wayne Ingram (Wilderun) 3. Seasonal Interlude – 4:47 4. Weakening Winter Touch – 8:46 5. Spring In My Step – 7:26 6. Tempora Mutantur: Part I – Passage of Time – 3:12 ft. guest guitar solo by Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse) 7. Tempora Mutantur: Part II – Broken Pendulum – 3:47 8. Tempora Mutantur: Part III – Watch The Weather Change – 4:51 Album Length: 50:45
Album Credits: Performance and Writing credits – full info HERE. Produced by: Alex Bosson Mixed by: Carlos Alvarez Mastered by: Tony Lindgren
Album Main Lineup: Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar Connor McCray – Lead Guitar Ryan Price – Bass Alex Bosson – Drums Anthony Stahl – Keyboards
Live Lineup: Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals Jordan Price – Guitars Ryan Price – Bass Alex Bosson – Drums
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 ) 