„Welcome to the Champions League of Classic Rock.A true masterpiece celebrated by world-class musicians.” – Rock Hard Germany
As one of the most recorded keyboardists of all time, with over 300 albums featuring his unmistakable sound, Don Airey’s skills have been valued by nearly every rock ’n’ roll superstar. The list includes legendary artists and bands such as Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Judas Priest, Gary Moore, Brian May, Jethro Tull, Black Sabbath, and, of course, Deep Purple, the band Don Airey has been a full-time member of for over twenty years. After last year’s success, when Deep Purple secured their fourth consecutive number-one album with ‘=1’ and a subsequent global tour, Don Airey kicks off 2025 with the same energy in his solo work.
Joining Don Airey on the new album is an all-star lineup featuring Carl Sentance (Nazareth) and Mitchell Emms (The Voice UK) on vocals, Deep Purple guitarist Simon McBride, drummer Jon Finnigan, and bassist Dave Marks. Produced in the finest Hard Rock tradition, ‘Pushed to the Edge’ is a raw gem – crafted without tricks or shortcuts, staying true to the pure musicianship of world-class artists.
On March 21st, avant-death metal trio Imperial Triumphant will release their sixth full-length, Goldstar, via Century Media Records. Their most instant and evocative work to-date, Goldstar reins in their musical wanderlust with a newfound focus that the band has only hinted at with past works. Their latest single – “Lexington Delirium” (featuring the ominous spoken vocals of Tomas Haake) – is just one example of this heightened songwriting acumen, clocking in under 5 minutes, while retaining their trademark musical virtuosity in this homage to classic NYC architecture. Watch the video–filmed at the iconic Chrysler Building (a rare opportunity not given to many artists, especially the top floors!) and directed by Brendan McGowan–here:
Imperial Triumphant comments: “Ziggurats rise, skyscrapers weep, & the future is not birthed from the organic but from a cosmic, mechanical womb. It speaks of posterity lost in the congestion of New Culture, a place where Manhattan’s towering ambition conceals impending delirium. The Throne of Bolts becomes both a seat of power and a looming specter, begging for salvation from the soulless surge of progress. We climbed the deco spire of the magnificent Chrysler building in order to bring you a magnanimous visual experience.”
Steve Blanco (Bass, Keyboards) reflects: “Gazing at the building’s stainless steel Egyptian sun rays, I felt a profound connection to something greater, a deep resonance with the universe itself. Sharing that moment with my bandmates Zachary and Kenny and everyone involved made it all the more fabulous.”
With their upcoming release, Goldstar, the masked triumvirate Imperial Triumphant continues their exploration of the urban and arcane. The band has found inspiration in the sound of metal pushed to its darkest extremes, gilded, art deco temples, and looming cityscapes. Recorded in early 2024 with longtime collaborator and producer, Colin Marston (Gorguts, Krallice), as the final project recorded at Marston’s Menegroth Studios in Queens, the album was done in a breakneck five days. “As we recorded the final tracks, the experience felt like the universe was aligning,” the band observes. “Colin, who is basically a fourth member of the band to us, held space for this transformative moment, offering his incredible artistry and expertise, which only deepened the connection we had to the music. The sound that we captured in that sacred space was the crystallization of everything we’ve worked for, and the memories of those sessions will resonate within us for years to come. Music exists as a force beyond the infinite.”
With new single “Lexington Delirium” and the unveiling of Goldstar, the band reflects on what they’ve achieved – and what’s to come: “Imperial Triumphant’s upcoming album is a journey that feels both timeless and otherworldly, and we are beyond excited to share it with the world in 2025. The music we’ve created feels like it was born from a deeper, unseen realm, and we’re truly in love with every part of it. Our new video for ‘Lexington Delirium’ is a perfect reflection of that energy, filmed atop the majestic Chrysler Building. We’ve all admired its art deco beauty for years, and standing on top of such an iconic structure, surrounded by the clouds of Midtown, felt like stepping into a different age—an age of ambition and grandeur. Working with Brendan McGowen was an absolute pleasure, as his vision and creativity are greatly appreciated.”
Goldstaris a long cool drag and as intense an urban fever dream as only Imperial Triumphant can deliver.Stay tuned for more coming soon…
Goldstar track-listing 1. Eye of Mars 2. Gomorrah Nouveaux 3. Lexington Delirium (ft. Tomas Haake) 4. Hotel Sphinx 5. NEWYORKCITY (ft. Yoshiko Ohara) 6. Goldstar 7. Rot Moderne 8. Pleasuredome (ft. Dave Lombardo & Tomas Haake) 9. Industry of Misery
Photo credit: Alex Krauss
Just days before Goldstar‘s release, Imperial Triumphant will join the 2025 Decibel Magazine Tour for an extensive North American run alongside headliners and labelmates Mayhem, plus Mortiis and New Skeletal Faces. Fans can expect a gilded mask-lift when Imperial Triumphant returns to the stage; new masks and an upgraded show will be part of their live experience with Goldstar and beyond.
The Decibel Magazine Tour 2025 dates w/ Mayhem, Mortiis, Imperial Triumphant, New Skeletal Faces Mar 17, 2025: Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Heaven) Mar 18, 2025: Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Mar 19, 2025: Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue Mar 20, 2025: Chicago, IL – House of Blues Mar 22, 2025: Worcester, MA – The Palladium Mar 23, 2025: Reading, PA – Reverb Mar 24, 2025: New York, NY – Irving Plaza Mar 25, 2025: Montreal, QC – Théâtre Beanfield Mar 26, 2025: Toronto, ON – The Concert Hall Mar 27, 2025: Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre Mar 29, 2025: Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue Mar 31, 2025: Denver, CO – Summit Apr 3, 2025: Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre Apr 4, 2025: Edmonton, AB – Union Hall Apr 6, 2025: Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre Apr 7, 2025: Tacoma, WA – Temple Theatre Apr 9, 2025: San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore Apr 10, 2025: Anaheim, CA – House of Blues Apr 11, 2025: Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco Apr 12, 2025: San Diego, CA – House of Blues Apr 13, 2025: Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues Apr 14, 2025: Mesa, AZ – The Nile Apr 16, 2025: Dallas, TX – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall Apr 17, 2025: Austin, TX – Mohawk
Photo Credit: Jens Koch – Digital cover artwork: Maik Weichert
After already releasing ”Keinen Schritt zurück (feat. DONOTS)“ in the end of September of last year HEAVEN SHALL BURN are kicking off the new year with ”Schweineherbst (feat. DŸSE)“. So far the song has only been available as a B-side of the limited ”Keinen Schritt zurück”-7” via the band’s new webstore.
Maik Weichert (guitar) comments: “It is no secret that we love German punk and Slime have always been on top of our list. ‘Schweineherbst” is as up to date as it gets. We are especially proud about Elf himself adding a guitar solo to the song.”
DŸSE add: “We live in a time when it is important to do the right thing ethically and morally, and to demonstrate inspiration and co-operation.
We are a political band and gladly accepted the invitation from HEAVEN SHALL BURN, a band we highly appreciate and with whom we share a history of almost twenty years, to realize a long-planned project. To make music together.
Two bands with a lot of energy and commitment, as a symbiotic wall of sound.
Given the political situation, it was only natural to interpret a political song. With the cover version of the song ‘Schweineherbst’, originally by the legendary Hamburg punk band Slime, who already influenced us in our youth which led us to spray ‘Nazis out’ slogans on the walls of our schools during the so called ‘baseball bat years’, we are releasing a song that is more relevant today than ever.
This collaboration comes with a big sound and a clear message. We are happy that we are making a statement with HEAVEN SHALL BURN and taking a very clear stance with this song: We’re not up for Nazis.’
You can still purchase the 7” via the official brand storehttps://www.endzeit.shop/: 1. black: 100x (sold out) 2. splatter: crystal transparent / black / red: 500x 3. splatter: transparent red / black / white: 500x 4. splatter: transparent green / black / red: 200x (sold out) 5. red: 200x (sold out)
HEAVEN SHALL BURN haven’t released new music since their highly successful last album, ”Of Truth And Sacrifice“, that entered the Official German Album Charts at #1, Austria at #4 and Switzerland at #6 aside from their cover of Trivium’s ”Pillars of Serpents“ in the end of 2022 as well as ”Keinen Schritt zurück (feat. DONOTS)“ and ”Schweineherbst (feat. DŸSE)“.
Watch HEAVEN SHALL BURN live on the following festivals: 06.-08.06.25 (DE) Rock Am Ring – Nuerburg 06.-08.06.25 (DE) Rock Im Park – Nuernberg 06.-08.06.25 (CZ) Metalfest Pilsen – Pilsen 10.06.25 (SLO) Ljubljana – Media Center 11.06.25 (AT) Kufstein – Festung 13.06.25 (CH) Greenfield – Interlaken 14.06.25 (AT) Nova Rock – Nickelsdorf 21.-22.06.25 (DK) Copenhell – Copenhagen 21.-22.06.25 (BE) Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel 26.06.25 (NL) Jera On Air – Ysselsteyn 27.06.25 (DE) Impericon Festival – Leipzig 28.06.25 (DE) Vainstream Rockfest – Muenster 02.-05.07.25 (DE) Rockharz Festival – Ballenstedt
HEAVEN SHALL BURN are: Marcus Bischoff – vocals Maik Weichert – guitar Alexander Dietz – guitar Eric Bischoff – bass Christian Bass – drums
In 2023, after an illustrious cult career spanning more than 20 years, German melodic black metallers DARK FORTRESS came to an end. Now, the band is making one final offering to its fans; ‘Anthems From Beyond The Grave – Live In Europe 2023’ was recording during the band’s final European run, ‘The Cosmic End Tour,’ in 2023. To celebrate today’s release, the band is now sharing the official live video for the song, “The Silver Gate,” which can be found HERE.
“I never thought DARK FORTRESS would have a live album,” says V. Santura (guitars). “The technical situation–we had multi-track recordings of two shows [Rotterdam and Bochum]–allowed for ‘Anthems from Beyond the Grave’ to happen. I didn’t even listen to the recordings for months after the tour. When I finally did, I thought, ‘Holy shit!’ We sounded incredible, and I’m hardly ever happy with our shows. All of our hard work had finally fallen into place on that tour. When Century Media heard it, they said, ‘We’ve gotta release it–it’s too good not to!’ If this is our end and it definitely is, then it’s a fitting end to DARK FORTRESS.”
‘Anthems From Beyond The Grave – Live In Europe 2023’ is out now via Century Media Records and can be ordered HERE.
CD:
Intro
CataWomb
The Silver Gate [WATCH]
Isa
Pulling At Threads [WATCH]
Crimson Tears
Cohorror
Self Mutilation
Chrysalis
Ylem
Insomnia
Evenfall
Baphomet
2LP/Digital Album:
Intro
CataWomb
The Silver Gate
Isa
Pulling At Threads
Crimson Tears
Cohorror
Self Mutilation
Chrysalis
To Harvest The Artefacts Of Mockery
Ylem
Insomnia
Evenfall
Baphomet
Sycamore Trees (Outro)
DARK FORTRESS’ march to the grave was inevitable. The journey from signing with American independent Red Stream Records in 2001 to The Cosmic End Tour (with The Spirit and Asphagor) in 2023 was circuitous, full of highs and lows and rife with raw potential. Ultimately, DARK FORTRESS ended life after releasing their lauded final album, ‘Spectres from the Old World,’ in 2020. By all metrics, self-imposed death is better than zombie-lurching into oblivion.
Many fans didn’t see DARK FORTRESS writing their “early’” epitaph, however. From “Eidolon”’s (2008) acclaimed film noir aesthetic of “Edge of Night” and the breakaway success of “Ylem”’s (2010) video/title track to publications Deaf Forever and Decibel awarding ‘Spectres from the Old World’ (2020) near-perfect scores, the Bavarians appeared invincible. Yet, DARK FORTRESS uncoiled on their terms, leaving their only live album, ‘Anthems from Beyond the Grave,’ as their final offering to the ancient and unspeakable forces of darkness and evil.
DARK FORTRESS 2023 Lineup:
Morean – Lead Vocals V. Santura – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals Asvargr – Guitar Hannes Grossmann – Drums Michael Zech – Bass Linus Klausenitzer – Keyboards
Following their triumphant return with the release of the first single “Oathbreaker” after nine long years since their last album, “Cold Inferno” (2015), Italian melodic death metal titans DISARMONIA MUNDI have unleashed a second crushing track, entitled “Adrift Among Insignificant Strangers”.
Listen to “Adrift Among Insignificant Strangers” HERE
In its almost 7 minutes of duration the song contains all the typical elements of the band’s finest compositions, combining fast and aggressive rhythms with constant melodic openings: the pace remains tight for the entire duration of the piece, highlighting the ability of the band to not get boring even on longer songs, developing the composition into captivating solo parts and massive instrumental moments.
This track also features the collaboration of Björn Strid from Soilwork who shares the vocal parts with Claudio and Ettore: great emphasis is placed on the alternation of voices, first of Claudio and Björn on the extremely aggressive verses and then on those of Björn and Ettore in the more melodic parts of the song such as the bridges and choruses.
The entire song is a clear open love letter for melodic death metal in its purest form without any kind of contamination and demonstrates once again how the band’s musical roots are firmly anchored in that type of sound. The lyrics continue the band’s tradition of focusing on self development in opposition to blindly following what is imposed on the masses and represent an open criticism of the empty and futile modern society populated almost exclusively by meaningless individuals without purpose or personality, despicable mere consumerists without any self-awareness.
“Adrift Among Insignificant Strangers” and “Oathbreaker” serve as the first two harbingers of DISARMONIA MUNDI‘s forthcoming sixth full-length album, offering an intense preview of what is to come. Stay tuned for more news and releases in the weeks ahead!
DISARMONIA MUNDI are: Ettore Rigotti Claudio Ravinale
Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of Highway Queen’s new EP, “Extendead Play”, a fresh chapter in the Finnish rockers’ journey through melodic hard rock and metal-infused soundscapes. The EP will be available on all major platforms as of January 17th, 2025.
“Extendead Play” continues to showcase Highway Queen’s signature style, blending 80s-inspired hard rock with modern melodic elements, powerful riffs, and dynamic rhythms. This new collection of songs dives deeper into the band’s ability to tell stories through music, with lyrics that explore themes of anger, lust, bitterness, and longing. The EP captures the brutality of life, both good and bad. An official music video for the track “Lies” is out today adding a visual dimension to the band’s compelling storytelling.
Since their formation in late 2019, Highway Queen has been a rising force in the melodic hard rock scene. After the successful release of their debut album, “Bitter Soul” in 2022, the band has continued to evolve and refine their sound. The songs on “Extendead Play” like those on “Bitter Soul” were recorded and produced by Aleksanteri Kuosa, who has also worked with bands such as Waltari and Before The Dawn. Their music is recommended for fans of melodic hard rock, heavy rock, and the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM).
With “Extendead Play”Highway Queen reaffirms their position as torchbearers of melodic rock with a modern edge, delivering music that resonates with the heart and soul. Prepare to turn up the volume and join the ride as Highway Queen takes you on another electrifying musical journey.
Track Listing: 1. Lies 2. I Will Take You To Hell 3. Come To Me 4. I’m Calling You
Album Credits: All songs written by – Virpi Kääriäinen: lyrics – Teemu Kääriäinen, Virpi Kääriäinen: music – Arrangements: Teemu Kääriäinen, Virpi Kääriäinen, Aleksanteri Kuosa, Juha Skog & Henri Backman – Produced, engineered & mixed by Aleksanteri Kuosa – Mastering: Svante Forsbäck
Highway Queen are: Virpi Kääriäinen: vocals Teemu Kääriäinen: guitars Juha Skog: bass & backing vocals Henri Backman: 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 ) 