Today, after more than two decades of silence, VON GROOVE proudly announces their new album ‘Born To Rock,’ set for release on May 15, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the announcement, the band also shares the title track alongside an official music video, available to view below.
On the band’s return, guitarist Mladen expresses:
“It’s been a long time since the three of us made music together, but from the very first chord, the chemistry was undeniable. We poured our heart and soul into these 11 tracks and can’t wait to share them with our fans.” He continues, “’Born To Rock’ celebrates our life long love of making and performing music. When rock n roll gets in your soul it never leaves. It’s a life long addiction.”
VON GROOVE triumphantly returns with a jaw-dropping new album that reunites the classic original lineup: Mladen on guitars, Michael Shotton on drums and vocals, and Matthew Gerrard on bass. This isn’t just a comeback, it’s a resurrection!
Marking their first studio release since 2001, the album feels like it was born in the same fire as their legendary 1992 debut. The opening title-track, “Born To Rock,” explodes with the same urgency and swagger as their iconic “Once Is Not Enough” — even quoting it with a subtle nod that will send chills down the spine of longtime fans.
True to their roots, VON GROOVE delivers a masterclass in melodic hard rock, with blazing guitars, soaring vocals, and airtight arrangements. The production is punchy and alive, but the soul of the record is pure 90s AOR glory.
Even more exciting? VON GROOVE will be returning to the stage in 2026, bringing their renewed fire and timeless sound back to live audiences for the first time in years.
1. Born To Rock 2. Fearless 3. Champion 4. Adrenaline 5. Angela 6. Undefeated 7. Do It All Over Again 8. Heart Of Forgiveness 9. Dreams 10. Waiting For The Sky To Fall 11. Always Endlessly
Founded in 1990, VON GROOVE quickly made their mark on the Melodic Hard Rock scene. Their 1992 self-titled debut, produced by Richie Zito and featuring Deen Castronovo (later of Journey) on session drums, remains a cornerstone of the genre. Over the years, they’ve delivered fan-favorite albums like ‘Mission Man’ (‘Chameleon’ in Europe), ‘Test of Faith,’ and ‘The Seventh Day.’ Despite going on hiatus in 2001, the members stayed active, collaborating with rock legends and contributing to major projects across genres.
After 20+ years, VON GROOVE is making their epic comeback!
VON GROOVE are: Mladen — Guitars Michael Shotton — Drums, Vocals Matthew Gerrard — Bass
From left Ivar Beddari and Emil Kárlsen — Photo by: Ørjan Marakatt Bertelsen
The third single from Kárlsen’s upcoming album is his first collaboration with Ivar Beddari – the powerful work of art “Mátki – Matka – Mäʹtǩǩ – Ferden”. The title means “The Long Journey” in four languages: Northern Sámi, Finnish/Kven, Eastern/Skolt Sámi, and Norwegian, with all four languages sung in a call-and-response storytelling duet. Following the release is a beautiful music video with Emil and Ivar, that can be watched on YouTube.
The song is an homage to both artists’ multicultural backgrounds and thus also a geographical journey through their ancestors’ wandering routes. Starting with Ivar’s grandmother wandering from Karelia toward the northwest, each chorus contains a traditional location yoik that takes us further north and west through the Tornio/Durdnos Valley to the coast on the Norwegian side, before continuing northeast to the final destination of Várjjat/Varenki/Varanger Fjord. Emil explains:
– As today’s streaming platforms have limited options and favor only one language, there was never an option for us to give this song a title in just one language. It has been so inspiring to work with Ivar and to find and use the many historical references and traditional yoiks. Everything is conveyed through a driving soundscape based on traditional folk instruments such as the kantele and jaw harp, allowing the adventurous spirit of the song to emerge through both storytelling and sound.
Emil Kárlsen was born and raised in the multilingual community of Omasvuotna/Omasvunon/Storfjord near the borders between Norway, Sweden and Finland. He infuses his artistic practices with his family’s story and the history of his region.
Ivar Beddari is, like Emil, a borderless soul, hailing from an area where Norway, Finland, and Russia have drawn their national borders. He is a renowned actor, performer, playwright, and artist with Finnish and Sámi heritage.
Songwriter, actor, yoiker, and producer Emil Ráste Karlsen—better known under his artist name Emil Kárlsen—is an indigenous multi-instrumentalist born in 1997, originally from the coastal Northern Sámi community of Omasvuotna/Storfjord. Combining traditional Sámi yoiks with melodic pop songwriting and a strong band foundation, Emil’s music offers a deeply rooted sound that bridges generations and cultures.
At the core of Emil’s artistry lies a powerful intent: to build connections between people, places, and time. After a decade of performing in Norwegian with his award-winning band Resirkulert, Emil made the deliberate choice to write in his mother tongue, Northern Sámi, and to revive the tradition of juoiggan (yoiking) in the coastal Sámi areas—a form of resistance and reclamation of identity through sound.
Emil is also a celebrated actor with the Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš and stars in the acclaimed Disney+ TV series To Cook a Bear. Yet, it is on stage as a musician that Emil feels most at home. Whether performing solo, with his band, or backed by a full orchestra, Emil Kárlsen delivers emotionally charged, magnetic performances that leave a lasting impact. Every concert is a living expression of his culture and charisma—never quite the same, and always unforgettable. Through music and art, Emil Kárlsen expresses gratitude that his culture not only survives but thrives.
RAVEN lead vocalist/bassist John Gallagher has message for all the metalheads…”Hey there!! we’re hungry and itching to get back out on the road after the ‘medical gap year’ of 2025. It’s gonna be a take no prisoners full volume manic affair with Slackjaw out with us on this 2026 US tour!!”
Satellite Touring and GLM Artists are excited to announce RAVEN return to the live stage with an extensive North American tour of 40 shows from March through May this year. Support comes from special guests Slackjaw.
3/18/2026 – Wednesday – Louisville, KY – Goodwood Whiskey Row 3/19/2026 – Thursday – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag 3/20/2026 – Friday – Kansas City, MO – Westport Brewery 3/21/2026 – Saturday – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street Live 3/22/2026 – Sunday – Dallas, TX – RBC 3/24/2026 – Tuesday – El Paso, TX – RockHouse 3/25/2026 – Wednesday – Mesa, AZ – Nile Underground 3/26/2026 – Thursday – Hollywood, CA – The Whisky 3/27/2026 – Friday – San Luis Obispo, CA – Humdinger Brewing 3/28/2026 – Saturday – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge 3/29/2026 – Sunday – Reno, NV – Club Underground 3/31/2026 – Tuesday – Portland, OR – Dante’s 4/1/2026 – Wednesday – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre 4/2/2026 – Thursday – Seattle, WA – Funhouse 4/3/2026 – Friday – Boise, ID – The Shredder 4/4/2026 – Saturday – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon 4/5/2026 – Sunday – Denver, CO – The Federal Theatre 4/7/2026 – Tuesday – Lincoln, NE – 1867 Bar 4/8/2026 – Wednesday – Cudahy, WI – X-Ray Arcade 4/9/2026 – Thursday – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club 4/10/2026 – Friday – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs 4/11/2026 – Saturday – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge 4/12/2026 – Sunday – Hamtramck, MI – Sanctuary 4/14/2026 – Tuesday – New Kensington, PA – Preserving Underground 4/15/2026 – Wednesday – Brooklyn, NY – The Woodshop 4/16/2026 – Thursday – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern 4/17/2026 – Friday – Ottawa, ON – Rainbow Bistro 4/18/2026 – Saturday – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar & Spectacles 4/19/2026 – Sunday – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar 4/21/2026 – Tuesday – Albany, NY – Empire Underground 4/22/2026 – Wednesday – Old Town, ME – The Old Town Theatre 4/23/2026 – Thursday – Manchester, NH – Jewel Music Venue 4/24/2026 – Friday – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz 4/25/2026 – Saturday – Harrisburg, PA – TBA 4/26/2026 – Sunday – Richmond, VA – Ember Music Hall 4/29/2026 – Wednesday – Raleigh, NC – Chapel Of Bones 4/30/2026 – Thursday – Greenville, SC – Radio Room 5/1/2026 – Friday – Nashville, TN – Exit/In 5/2/2026 – Saturday – Atlanta, GA – Boggs Social & Supply 5/3/2026 – Sunday – Bradenton, FL – Oscura
About RAVEN
JOHN GALLAGHER: Lead Vocals, Bass MIKE HELLER: Drums MARK GALLAGHER: Guitar, Vocals
RAVEN are that rare thing in music, true originals – cut these guys with a razor and they will BLEED true heavy metal – a more intense live band does not exist on this planet!
Hailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne in North East England back in 1974 (yes – 46 YEARS ago!!!) the brothers Gallagher cut their teeth playing the pubs & clubs until solidifying their line up in 1980 with drummer Rob Hunter.
The trio went on to release three of the most influential metal albums of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) inspiring every band of that era and beyond. Basically, without Raven you just would not have thrash/speed metal…. after all, the band did give Metallica & Anthrax their first tours!
Following a tumultuous move to the USA, deals with Atlantic Records, indentured servitude and commercialism, Rob left the band in 1987 to be replaced by drummer extraordinaire Joe Hasselvander, who had made his name in cult doom band Pentagram, Savoy Brown and his own solo projects, adding a new dimension to the band.
In 2001, guitarist Mark Gallagher was involved in a near fatal accident – but fought his way back from the brink and the band proved they were stronger than ever! This renewed spirit and attitude was reflected in the title of their 2010 album “WALK THROUGH FIRE” and in the career overview DVD “ROCK UNTIL YOU DROP”.
2014 found the band opening for METALLICA (the band that RAVEN took on their first tour back in 1983) in Sao Paulo in front of 70,000 fans, and completing their finest album to date – ExtermiNation” which was released to universal acclaim from fans & critics alike in 2015!
After a serious heart attack in May 2017 Joe Hasselvander had to unfortunately bow out from the band.
While filling in on a number of shows, drumming phenomenon Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) joined forces with the brothers Gallagher to lay waste to stages throughout the latter half of 2017…The chemistry between the three was undeniable – the addition of his prodigious technique & musicality instantly took the band up to a new level.
Following an insane 3 year blur of world touring the next RAVEN opus, “METAL CITY” was released into a pandemic scourged marketplace in September 2020, garnering both critical & popular acclaim as a game changing release for the band songs like “ Top of the mountain “ and the title track highlighted the deadly combination of the bands increasingly iconic songwriting along with Mike Heller’s nuclear propelled percussion excursions.
During the next few years the band delivered the metal goods across the globe .. themed tours covering their “WIPED OUT” and “ ALL FOR ONE” albums were a big success… the band were called on by old tour mates Metallica to help celebrate the life & legacy of Jon & Marsha Zazula (who managed both bands back in the early 80’s) at a tribute concert at the Hard Rock in Ft Lauderdale FL in November 2022.
Following a change of record label from SPV to Silver Lining in 2023; the band released their most searing album yet, the aptly titled “ ALL HELL’S BREAKING LOOSE” receiving universal acclaim from critics and fans alike. The following tour rolled into 2024, celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary as they toured across the globe from the UK to Europe, North America to South America, Singapore, Australia and Japan!
2025 saw the release of the 8 song EP “ CAN’T TAKE AWAY THE FIRE” raising the bar on metal mayhem one more time as a gift to the fans while the band work on preparing their next magnum opus!
Finnish purveyors of atmospheric heaviness and recent Time To Kill Records signees HARMS will release their second full-length album, “Rebirth of the Cold”, on May 8th 2026.
“‘True Night Falls’ is a presentation of the emptiness one can find in the darkest moments. Crushing parts intertwine with the haunting melodies to form a gripping sense of unyielding loneliness. The song captures the weight of being trapped in one’s own mind, when exhaustion and despair make every thought feel heavy and pointless. It moves through a dark, unending night where nothing offers guidance or comfort, and by the end, a part of oneself feels lost forever”.
With “Rebirth of the Cold”, HARMS move deeper into darkness: heavier, more melodic, and more aggressive than before. The music feels colder and more intense, built around tension and collapse, where moments of bleak beauty are sharpened and the weight of the band’s sound hits harder than ever. At times, their approach can be seen as an ingenious fusion of post-metal expansiveness, blackened contours and a fierce metallic hardcore edge, shaping a sound that is both emotionally immersive and physically punishing. Lyrically, the album continues their exploration of meaninglessness, emptiness, and decay, colored by reflections on time, space, and mortality: a meditation in grief, stripped of comfort and illusion, searching for what remains when nothing holds meaning.
Tracklist:
01.Endlessness 02.Serpentine calling 03.True night falls 04.Flowerless grave 05.A lifetime spent on dying 06.Rupture 07.Essence of sorrow 08.Apollonia 09.Cold aeon of time 10.Reprise
Formed in 2017 in Lappeenranta, Finland, HARMS have forged a distinctive identity rooted in crushing heaviness, atmospheric darkness, and raw emotional intensity. Drawing inspiration from the endless cold and shadow of the north, the five-piece crafts sonic landscapes that shift between overwhelming force and desolate, melodic beauty.
Their debut album, “A Lifetime Spent on Dying” (2021), was met with strong critical acclaim, earning praise from Finnish media as “one of the strongest domestic metal albums of the year” (Kaaoszine) and for its “dark, crushing and impressively multifaceted take on modern metal” (Imperiumi).
With Time To Kill Records now backing their next chapter, HARMS are poised to push their sound further into inevitable ruin, delivering their most immersive and uncompromising work to date with “Rebirth of the Cold”.
Discography:
Eternal Frost Of The Northern Soul, double-single CD, 2018
A Lifetime Spent On Dying, full-length album, 2021
Rupture / Essence of Sorrow, double-single 8″, 2024
Line up: Juho Haikonen – Bass Jussi Loiri – Guitar, synth Viljami Rings – Drums Visa Tuovinen – Guitar, vocals Jussi Tyrisevä – Vocals
Via Doloris is rooted in an inward journey rather than orthodoxy. Conceived in solitude and shaped by discipline, composer and multi-instrumentalist Gildas Le Pape (ex-Satyricon) traces a melodic, atmospheric and introspective path through black metal’s foundations on upcoming debut album Guerre et Paix. He’s joined by Frost, the legendary drummer of Satyricon and 1349, who provides a sense of persistence, grounded and unyielding.
Today, Via Doloris are releasing the second advanced single from Guerre et Paix. Standing among the album’s most luminous moments, “Un Franc Soleil” captures a fleeting sensation of release after prolonged inner unrest. An atmospheric depiction of an illusion glimpsed from afar, the song evokes the distant promise of a life freed from struggle, a vision radiant yet never fully attained.
“Un Franc Soleil” captures Via Doloris at their most expansive and textural. The song unfolds in measured restraint; layered guitars trace gentle melodic figures across a patient rhythmic foundation. Frost’s nuanced drumming anchors the gradual ascent of each chord progression, allowing melody to emerge from distortion and clarity from dissonance. Written in French, the lyrics carry vulnerability and resolve in equal measure, portraying serenity not as certainty, but as something only ever approached.
Within the broader architecture of Guerre et Paix, “Un Franc Soleil” functions as a threshold: a contemplative pause before the album returns to denser and more conflicted terrain.
Tracklist:
Communion (06:29)
Un Franc Soleil (06:58)
Omniprésents (07:26)
For The Glory (07:38)
Ultime Tourment (10:12)
Visdommens Vei I (07:11)
Visdommens Vei II (02:05) Full runtime: 48:01
VIA DOLORIS is the vision of founder Gildas Le Pape. Through sound, he crafts a world where emotion, discipline, and atmosphere converge — a place to give shape to what cannot be spoken. Rooted in solitude and shaped by the interplay of darkness and beauty, the project confronts the gravity of existence: the quiet burdens we carry, the hidden wounds time buries deep, the road to death. This “Way of Suffering” unfolds as a passage through pain in search of meaning, and the distant, flickering promise of rebirth.
Via Doloris’ musical identity draws from the towering legacy of Nordic metal while forging a distinct path. At its core lies a commitment to detailed guitar work, high-level musicianship, and the art of songcraft. Rather than follow genre trends, Via Doloris returns melody to its rightful place: not as decoration, but as the driving force of the music. These strong, expressive lines guide the compositions with raw clarity, carving out a language that speaks directly to the listener’s inner world.
Though the instrumentation nods to black metal’s formal foundations, the project resists confinement. It blends harmonic depth with subtle dissonance, creating tension and richness without sacrificing cohesion. Folk and pagan influences run like ancestral threads through the arrangements, lending them a sacral, mythic quality. The result is a sound built on contrasts: luminous and shadowed, forceful yet introspective, epic yet intimate. Layered into this sonic landscape are lyrics written in French, English, and Norwegian. Each language brings its own weight, rhythm, and tone, unlocking emotional registers that feel both ancient and immediate.
Based in Oslo, Gildas Le Pape first gained attention in 2007 when he joined the legendary Satyricon as a guitarist. Over the next six years, he toured the world and contributed to the band’s recorded legacy, before stepping away to explore a broad range of musical directions. In time, this path led him back to extreme music, this time with a renewed creative vision and sharpened intent. In 2023, he invited his long-time collaborator, Frost — arguably one of the most accomplished drummers in the genre — to join him in bringing the debut release to life.
Line-up: Gildas le Pape — Lead Vocals, Choirs, Guitars, Bass Frost — Session Drums
Production Credits: Drums and vocals recorded at Red Room Studios, Norway. Drums and vocals engineered by Mattis Elvestuen, guitars engineered by Gildas Le Pape & Mattis Elvestuen. Produced by Gildas le Pape. Mixed by Nicolai Codling & Gildas le Pape. Mastered by Magnus Gulbrandsen at Jeløy Sound Mastering.
Italian garage–fuzz–noise duo ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES return with a brand new video for their latest single, “I Am a Cat and I Love My Dog”, offering another glimpse into the raw and instinctive world that has defined the band since its formation in early 2022.
Known for their visceral live presence and stripped-down aesthetic, ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES operate somewhere between primal performance art and unfiltered rock’n’roll energy. On stage, they embody two feral alter egos, channeling a sound rooted in garage rock, punk urgency, and fuzz-drenched minimalism.
The new single, written at the end of 2024 during a car trip, reveals a more reflective side of the duo without abandoning their directness. Beneath its deceptively simple title lies a metaphor about solitude – not as absence, but as necessity. The song celebrates time spent alone as a vital and regenerative space, pushing back against the constant pressure to always be active, productive, or socially present.
For the band, the inspiration is deeply personal. Returning home after tours and walking their dog through the woods becomes a meditative ritual – a reminder that freedom and happiness often exist in life’s most essential gestures. That sense of clarity and stripped-back truth runs through the track, both lyrically and sonically.
The video, shot by Monocromostudio (who also created the cover photo), stays true to the duo’s identity: direct, unembellished, and centered on live performance.
“We started our journey with the Monocromostudio team, who have followed us since day zero, creating our first photos and videos. For the first single of the new album we wanted a clean, essential, professional video able to capture our true essence – playing live, without too many frills, while keeping the irony and chemistry between the two of us. We knew they were the right people to make this happen, and that we would feel completely at ease with them“. ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES
“Working on Animaux Formidables’ music video is like being pulled into chaos that magically finds a perfect order“. Adriana, Monocromostudio
Since recording their debut album “We Are All Animals” live and direct-to-tape with producer Marco Fasolo – released in 2023 via Go Down Records and praised as one of the most compelling releases in the Italian independent scene – ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES have built a reputation as an uncompromising live act. With more than 200 shows across Italy and Europe in just three years, the duo continues to evolve, recently introducing new electronic textures on their January 2025 EP “Call Me Tony”, once again recorded live in analog with no overdubs or post-production fixes.
In 2025, ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES returned to the studio to work on their third album, scheduled for release in 2026. If “I Am a Cat and I Love My Dog” is any indication, the band remain committed to their core philosophy: raw sound, honest impulses, and the courage to embrace simplicity in a world that rarely slows down.
Live:
27 Feb Ex-Fila — Florence 1 Mar Diavolo Rosso — Asti 5 Mar Drunk in Public — Morrovalle 6 Mar Linea Gotica — Matera 7 Mar Auditorium Popolare — Cosenza 8 Mar Scumm — Pescara 2 Apr Vox Club — Jesi 4 Apr Mishima — Terni 12 Apr Ziggy Club — Turin 25 Apr Lzo — Conegliano 14 May Sala Credence — Zaragoza — Spain 15 May Rock Beer The New — Santander — Spain 16 May Le Bus Stop — Ile d’Oleron — France
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 ) 