Melodic metallers MANTRIC MOMENTUM share their new single and accompanying video “The Highest Mountain”, from the upcoming studio album, “Alienized”, set for release on February 14th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Guitarist Christer Harøy comments on the new release: “On our second album, “Alienized”, we continue to build on the foundation made from the first album: a mix of heavy riffs, twin guitars, melodic vocals and massive choruses”.
About the new single, he says: “We wanted to write an “anthem-esque” song; a driving heavy tune, still very accessible with hooks to sing along to.”
Mantric Momentum is the new melodic the heavy metal group centered around vocalist Terje Harøy (Pyramaze) and multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Christer Harøy (Divided Multitude, Crossnail).
With the debut album “Trial By Fire”, Mantric Momentum raised the interest of the Melodic Metal audience, delivering great songs, amazingly composed and arranged, with a big production. “Alienized” will bring the band to the next level, with an even more bombastic production, handled by Mr. Jacob Hansen and a collection of songs where Terje’s superb singing together with the excellent songwriting skills of Christer make the difference!
The initial idea for Mantric Momentum first saw the day of light in 2011, when Christ Harøy co-wrote a song with Danish producer Jacob Hansen. The project was slow to come to life though, due to Christer’s duties with the bands Divided Multitude, Teodor Tuff, and Crossnail.
Their first single, “Awaiting Tomorrow”, was finally released in 2017 along with the track “Immortal”, with guest appearances from Yannis Papadopoulos (Beast In Black), Truls Haugen (Circus Maximus), Joey Vera (Fates Warning), and Ketil A Jensen.
The single “Temple Of My Fears” followed in 2020, this time with Christer playing all the instruments and featuring Ralf Scheepers on vocals. A third single, “Shattered”, was released in 2021 and featured Netta Laurenne (Smackbound, Laurenne/Louhimo) on vocals.
With these songs out there in the world, Christer got the itch to make a full-length album. For the vocal duties for the album, Christer wanted a full-time singer and permanent member, so he brought in his cousin and great friend, the Norwegian powerhouse Terje Harøy, who fronts Pyramaze. Christer and Terje have been working together on numerous projects and bands, so this was a natural fit.
Once again, stay tuned for a massive dose of melodic heavy metal coming your way soon!
“Alienized” Tracklist:
1. Prelude To Take-Off 2. Resilience 3. Alienized 4. The Highest Mountain 5. The Light 6. Come Undone 7. Time Is My Ally 8. Remember 9. Sirens’ Call 10. A Stronger Stance 11. Barricades
Line Up: Terje Harøy – Vocals Christer Harøy – Guitars, bass and drums
Guest appearances: Frank Nordeng Røe – Drums on track 2 and 11 Jimmy Hedlund – Guitar solo on track 7 and 8 Magnus Karlsson – Orchestration on track 1
Norwegian black metallers SARKOM are pleased to unleash their new single, “Exceed In2 Chaos”. The song comes by way of the band’s ferocious new full-length, set for release on February 21st 2025 via Dusktone. The track is now premiering at Decibel Magazine. Stream it HERE.
Marking two decades of darkness in the underground, SARKOM returns with their highly anticipated fifth album, “Exceed In2 Chaos”! With four critically acclaimed albums and several EPs to their name, this trailblazing band – led by songwriter and vocalist Erik Unsgaard -continues to deliver top-tier Norwegian black metal.
A furious masterpiece, “Exceed In2 Chaos” stands as a seamless follow-up to their 2016 release, “Anti-Cosmic Art”. While many bands adhere strictly to their roots and traditions, SARKOM boldly pushes boundaries, thriving on innovation. The result? A truly unique and intricate album from start to finish.
Building on their legacy, “Exceed In2 Chaos” masterfully blends the glorious traditions of Norwegian black metal with bold new elements. The album explores dissonances, piercing grooves, varied rhythmic structures, and unexpected twists, delivering a rich and dynamic tracklist. Always forward-thinking, SARKOM redefines their sound with this release, proving that their innovative spirit remains as fierce as ever. Each track reflects the band’s commitment to artistic growth, ensuring a listening experience that is both intense and refreshing.
1. Exceed In2 Chaos 2. Enter As Fool, Exit As Beast 3. Prime Time Suicide 4. Spectral Prophet In A Demonized Dream 5. Be[lie]ve 6. Bottomfeeders 7. Chasing Ghosts 8. Commit To Total Genocide (LP exclusive) 9. Nemesis
Credits:
Mixed by Jonas Jönsson at Studio LV5 Mastered by Roger Bergsten at Nevo Studios Photo by Ksenia Astera Hinderson Artwork in collaboration with Cursed Art
Three-headed Danish doom monster KATLA is set to take 2025 by the throat with the release of their unmissable debut album, Scandinavian Pain, out March 21 via Napalm Records. After years of honing their colossal sound and live energy, the band delivers an unrelenting blend of raw emotion, gritty riffs, and subterranean sonic battery. The album not only marks a new chapter for the band, but also reflects their rise to acclaim – from humble beginnings at Copenhell Festival, to becoming a standout act in Denmark’s heavy music underground. Witness this thunderstorm on European stages, when KATLA will support the mighty death metal force 1914 on their extensive tour starting end of February!
Scandinavian Pain also marks the debut of new KATLA bassist and vocalist Theis Thorgersen. His addition not only breathes renewed energy into the band itself, but imbues an evolved sound that is heavier, darker, and sharper than ever before. KATLA’s meaningful yet uninhibited sound and high-energy live performances have positioned them as a force to be reckoned with.
KATLA on “Taurus”: ”This was the first song that we created after the departure of our old bassist. We didn’t have a label or a clear plan of what we wanted to do besides making music. Taurus was our first step into the ‘newer’ sound of KATLA. After making the split ‘Overdoser’ and trying to up the tempo a bit to make it sound tougher and gritter, Taurus came naturally with the arrival of Theis on the bass and vocal parts, and the visions for the debut KATLA album.”
Scandinavian Pain is a cathartic exploration of personal struggles, mental health, and societal critique. Songs like “Dead Lover” and “Grim Jesus” dive deep into themes of overcoming inner darkness and rejecting oppressive systems, showcasing lyrics that resonate with the resilience of the human spirit. “Castle of Purity” is a searing anthem that calls out the abuse and hypocrisy in organized religion – a powerful statement about pushing back against injustice and finding strength in individuality. Produced by Lasse Ballade (known for his work with Solbrud, Alkymist, and Halshug), the record combines visceral sonic landscapes with a deeply personal narrative. Prepare to experience the raw power and unfiltered honesty of KATLA on Scandinavian Pain.
KATLA says about the album: “Scandinavian Pain is an album about the shame of feeling depressed in a country that in many ways seems to be out of any misery or control of others. The inherent feeling of guilt, the despondent thoughts. The weight of cultural Christianity and being part of a system that is destroying both ours and other lives. It’s about watching the newest season of whatever decadent TV show is on while children are being murdered daily. All the songs are different, yet similar. This time, there’s an affirmation for you, who might need it, a story telling, a short grindy track, something with a blast beat, but of course also heavy sludgy doom. Welcome to the house of pain.”
Scandinavian Pain track listing: 1. Don´t Let The Fuckers Get You Down 2. Goblet of Power 3. Dead Lover 4. Eating Grapes With Kevin Sharp 5. Taurus 6. Hunab-Ku 7. White Dagger 8. Grim Jesus 9. Castle of Purity
KATLA on Tour with 1914: 27.02.25 PL – Warsaw / Hydrozagadka 28.02.25 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser 01.03.25 DE – Selb / Rockclub Nordbayern 03.03.25 DE – Munich / Backstage Club 04.03.25 DE – Erfurt / Bandhaus 05.03.25 DE – Frankfurt / Nachtleben 06.03.25 DE – Essen / Don’t Panic 07.03.25 BE – Diest / Hell 08.03.25 BE – Kortrijk / DVG Club 10.03.25 FR – Paris / Petit Bain 11.03.25 NL – Leiden / Nobel 12.03.25 NL – Nijmegen / Doornroosje 13.03.25 DE – Osnabrück / Bastard Club 15.03.25 DK – Albertslund / Forbrændingen 16.03.25 DE – Hamburg / Logo 18.03.25 DE – Berlin / Reset 19.03.25 DE – Dresden / HD 20.03.25 CZ – Prague / Black Pes 21.03.25 SK – Bratislava / Randal 22.03.25 SK – Kosice / Collosseum 23.03.25 PL – Krakow / Hype Park
KATLA is: Rasmus Bang – Drums & Vocals Marc Lennart Christensen – Guitar Theis Stenberg Thorgersen – Bass & Vocals
British blues-rock sensation Joanne Shaw Taylor has announced the upcoming release of her highly anticipated 10th studio album, Black & Gold, arriving June 6th via Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records. Reuniting with iconic producer Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Journey, Joe Bonamassa), the album showcases Taylor’s bold creativity, blending blues-rock with influences from Americana, indie rock, and retro ‘80s pop. Black & Gold offers a captivating mix of heart-wrenching ballads and hard-hitting rock tracks that redefine the boundaries of blues music.
Joanne shares about her latest single “Grayer Shade Of Blue,” “This story is a personal one to me. Since this is my 10th studio album and I’m going into a fresh decade’s worth of recording, I decided I wanted to use some of my writing on this album to put to bed something that has been bothering me. This song is about a close friendship I had for over a decade that ended suddenly. I’ve never known why. The person just stopped communicating with me, which understandably has made me very sad. This song was my attempt to give myself some closure on the situation as evidently, none will; be given to me otherwise. I love how it turned out and I’m very happy now to close that chapter in my life but still be able to cherish memories.”
Discussing the monthly new release strategy, she explains, “This approach allows me a bit more creative freedom compared to releasing a full album and then going quiet for months or even years. With music constantly coming out, I feel a bit less judged; if I want to write a bit more of a pop song, but you know weeks later, there might be a blues song.”
Black & Gold delves into the intricacies of human connection, resilience, and self-discovery, capturing the highs and lows of life with raw authenticity. The album balances deeply personal reflections with universal themes, exploring heartbreak, empowerment, and the bittersweet nature of change. Musically, it pushes the boundaries of blues-rock, blending Taylor’s soulful guitar work and powerhouse vocals with influences ranging from Americana to retro pop. With its rich emotional depth and dynamic soundscapes, Black & Gold is a compelling journey through the complexities of modern life, delivered with the fearless innovation that has become Joanne Shaw Taylor’s hallmark.
Stream “Grayer Shade Of Blue” on all digital platforms HERE
“Grayer Shade Of Blue” follows a string of acclaimed singles Joanne has released over the past year from the upcoming album, including “Who’s Gonna Love Me Now,” a deeply personal exploration of grief and healing, and “I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down,” which channels the frustration and resolve of ending an on-again, off-again relationship dominated by unfulfilled promises. Earlier singles like “All The Things I Said” and her celebrated cover of Sam Sparro’s “Black & Gold” further highlight the album’s dynamic scope, with each track showcasing Joanne’s ability to blend raw emotion with searing guitar work and masterful songwriting.
Joanne’s latest work has solidified her place as one of today’s most innovative voices in blues-rock. Praised by legends like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, and bolstered by Kevin Shirley’s masterful production, Black & Gold is poised to be a career-defining release.
‘Black & Gold’ by Joanne Shaw Taylor 1. Hold Of My Heart 2. All The Things I Said 3. Black & Gold 4. Who’s Gonna Love Me Now? 5. I Gotta Stop Letting You Let Me Down 6. Summer Love 7. Grayer Shade Of Blue 8. Hell Of A Good Time 9. Look What I’ve Become 10. What Are You Gonna Do Now? 11. Love Lives Here
Joanne’s prolific creativity and constant evolution as an artist are a perfect fit for Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records, a label committed to empowering musicians to release music on their own terms. With a wealth of new material and the freedom to collaborate with top-tier producers like Kevin Shirley, Joanne continues to redefine what it means to be a blues-rock artist in today’s music industry. This partnership ensures her dynamic and innovative work reaches fans as it’s meant to be heard—without constraints, with every release building on her remarkable legacy.
Joanne is set to perform on the Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X from March 21-26 2025, a fan-favourite cruise celebrating blues music. Following the cruise, she will embark on her highly anticipated 2025 U.S. Spring Tour, kicking off on March 28 in Portland, ME, and stopping at iconic venues such as Sony Hall in New York City on March 30 and The Hamilton Live in Washington, DC, on April 4. Fans can expect electrifying performances featuring new material from Black & Gold alongside beloved fan favourites.
KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AT SEA March 21-26, 2025 – Miami, FL – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea X
2025 US SPRING TOUR March 28 – Portland, ME – Aura March 29 – Cranston, RI – The Historic Park Theatre & Event Center March 30 – New York, NY – Sony Hall April 1 – Easton, PA – State Theatre April 2 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse April 4 – Washington, DC – The Hamilton Live April 5 – Port Washington, NY – Landmark on Main Street April 6 – Wilmington, DE – The Baby Grand April 8 – Roanoke, VA – Jefferson Center April 9 – Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theater April 11 – Jacksonville, FL – FIVE April 13 – Tampa, FL – Tampa Bay Blues Festival April 14 – Pensacola, FL – Saenger Theatre April 15 – Jackson, MS – Duling Hall April 17 – Cincinnati, OH – Memorial Hall April 18 – Columbus, OH – TempleLive Columbus
High amidst the snowy Norwegian mountains, KEEP OF KALESSIN are hammering away at their upcoming seventh album. As the band prepare to add another fantastical fixture to their treasured discography in 2025, today, they’re polishing off another one of their crown jewels.
After receiving the colossal honor of a Spellemannprisen nomination for another recently reissued album, even battle-vested metalheads who’ve followed them through times of war might’ve wondered if Keep of Kalessin had finally peaked on the field of battle. But with Reptilian, these living legends scaled to truly epic extremes. Not only did the album climb all the way to #2 on the Norwegian album charts. “The Dragontower” crowned Keep of Kalessin as the first extreme metal band to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest.
“At the time, Reptilian was for sure our biggest production”, says Keep of Kalessin’s Arnt Obsidian. “The effort put into this album was intense and there were times I felt I had taken on too much with such a limited budget. Even Daniel Bergstrand freaked out when I gave him 48 tracks of just guitars on some parts using the guitars as a full symphony orchestra. This, plus choirs, keyboards and the rest of the band was almost too much to get any mix that made sense. But we managed to pull it off in the end.
“The album hold some of my personal favorites from our entire catalog in ‘Dragon Iconography’, ‘The Divine Land; and ;Reptilian Majesty;. On the 13 minute closing track, my goal was to take the extreme metal approach to creating epics like ‘Alexander The Great’ and ‘Rime Of The Ancient Mariner’ from Iron Maiden. So I felt really proud when Torgrim Oyre wrote a review in one of the biggest newspapers in Norway that ‘Reptilian Majesty’ was the extreme metal equivalent to heavy metal anthems like Rime Of The Ancient Mariner even without me mentioning it to him! He got it spot on!”
Season of Mist will reissue Reptilian on March 21, 2025.
Keep of Kalessin came up sharing the same rarefied air as Behemoth and Satyricon, but Reptilian shed their traditional black metal influences for more epic extremes. While the title traces back to the band’s mythical origins, opener “Dragon Iconography” slithers from the mist with fire-breathing blasts and slashing riffs that could outslay any modern-day warrior.
“Born of dragons / Fearsome beasts of legends” the band howl while charging into the heat of battle with axes ablaze.
Even amongst their many epic tales, Reptilian still towers above the beasts of extreme metal.
ReptilianTracklist: 1. Dragon Iconography (7:31) 2. The Awakening (8:19) 3. Judgement (5:10) 4. The Dragontower (4:44) 5. Leaving the Mortal Flesh (4:25) 6. Dark as Moonless Night (5:50) 7. The Divine Land (6:48) 8. Reptilian Majesty (14:14)
ColossusTracklist: 1. Origin (2:28) 2. A New Empire’s Birth (5:50) 3. Against the Gods (8:47) 4. The Rising Sign (7:27) 5. Warmonger (5:21) 6. Escape the Union (7:49) 7. The Mark of Power (4:57) 8. Kolossus (7:15) 9. Ascendant (4:31)
As one of the pioneers of Epic Extreme Metal, Norway’s Keep Of Kalessin have collected an impressive number of milestones.
Since forming in 1993, Keep of Kalessin have established a reputation for treasured releases. Their first two albums, Through Times of War (1997) and Agnen: A Journey Through the Dark (1999) paired the band’s sense for melody and virtuoso playing with the harshness traditionally expected from black metal.
After the band’s original lineup split up, founding member and guitarist Arnt Obsidian served as Satyricon’s live guitarist from 2002 until 2007. He played hundreds of shows with the Norwegian black metal legends, including headlining Wacken Open Air in 2004.
It was through this fortuitous partnership that Keep of Kalessin reunited. Obsidian was joined by Frost for the 2003 Reclaim EP, which also features Atilla Csihar from Mayhem. Like all good things, this lineup did come to an end, but the band was far from done.
In fact, Keep of Kalessin came back in a big way during the mid-2000s. Experimenting with piano, keyboards and synthesizers earned the band’s next two albums, Armada (2006) and Kolossus (2008), nominations in the metal category at the Norwegian Grammy Awards.
Then in 2010, Keep of Kalessin shocked the world by becoming the first metal band to compete for Norway’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. Their song “The Dragontower” finished third during the national final. That same year, the band released their fifth album Reptilian, which peaked at #2 on the Norwegian national charts.
After 30 years, Keep of Kalessin have built themselves into an enduring live force. They’ve toured with Satyricon, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Exodus and many other acclaimed acts. After five years of extensive touring, the band put out another impressive album in 2015’s Epistemology.
While Keep of Kalessin soon faced the challenge of replacing their longtime drummer Vyl Larsen, the Internet helped them find an excellent replacement. Wanja Gröger is a long-time fan of the band whose amazing drumming skills are recognized all across the globe thanks to his popular YouTube channel. After an initial tour in 2019, Gröger became a full-time member of the band ahead of their latest album.
Metalheads may have written Keep of Kalessin off after receiving no album from them in eight years, but 2023’s Katharsis was named Album of the Month in Norway’s prestigious Scream Magazine. The band premiered the whole album during a titanic mainstage performance on board 70,000 Tons of Metal.
This year, Keep of Kalessin signed with Season of Mist, who will release the band’s next album in 2025, along with reissues from their back catalogue.
British death metal legends, BENEDICTION, have unveiled the cover of their upcoming new studio album, Ravage Of Empires, which is due to be released on April 4, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records. Ravage Of Empires will be the band’s ninth full length since forming back in 1989 in Birmingham, England.
The year 2020 saw BENEDICTION re-enter the stage with their eighth record, Scriptures,after 12 years without releasing any new music. The album was a huge success and it was praised by fans and critics alike, also due to the return of long-time vocalist Dave Ingram.
Just like its predecessor, Ravage Of Empires wasproduced by Scott Atkins at Grindstone Sudio with cover artwork by Wolven Claw Artist. The album continues BENEDICTION’s flawless discography on Premier League level and promises to become one of 2025’s undisputable old school death metal highlights! Stand by for more infos on the album and the pre-order, which will start soon.
Catch BENEDICTION live on their European release tour in April 2025 with guests Jungle Rot and Master. All confirmed live dates below.
TALES OF THE TRIPLE DEATH… BENEDICTION W/ JUNGLE ROT & MASTER 04.04.25 DE Hamburg Kultur Palast 05.04.25 DE Bad Oeynhausen Druckerei 06.04.25 NL Sittard Volt 07.04.25 BE Kortrijk DVG 08.04.25 LU Esch-Belval Rockhal 09.04.25 DE Mannheim 7er Club 10.04.25 DE Obertraubling Event Hall Airport 11.04.25 DE Geiselwind Eventzentrum Strohofer 12.04.25 AT Salzburg Rockhouse 13.04.25 DE Jena F-Haus 15.04.25 DE Berlin Lido 16.04.25 DE Essen Turock 17.04.25 CH Aarau KIFF
More confirmed dates for 2025: 01.03.25 SE Stockholm Stockholm Extreme 21.05.25 US Brooklyn, NY The Meadows 22.05.25 US Baltimore, MD Maryland Deathfest 21.06.25 PT Beja Nada Fest 25.06.25 CZ Spalene Porici Basinfirefest 26.-27.07.25 ES Cangas De Morrazo Kanekas Metalfest 30.07-02.08.25 DE Wacken Wacken Festival 01.08.25 DE Loebnitz Full Rewind Fest
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 ) 