Following the release of their latest full-length, the introspective, uplifting, vital The Awakening (#2 US Current Hard Music Albums, #27 Current Album Sales), and several international tours like their recent Awaken The World tour – which has become the band’s most successful and massive headline run in their 30+ year history – KAMELOT returns with their next enchanting surprise!
Ringing in the new year right, KAMELOT proudly celebrates the 20th anniversary of one of the most renowned albums of their career, The Black Halo. Out on March 14, 2025 via Napalm Records – exactly 20 years after its initial release – the essential new reissue, The Black Halo (20th Anniversary Edition), will be available in several must-have collectible formats. See below!
Formats include a limited edition wooden boxset containing splattered vinyl packaged alongside a special chalice, ring, pendant encased in a velvet bag, 20 page booklet, and most thrilling – a signed card adorned with the autographs of the album’s original songwriters. Limited to just 500 copies worldwide, diehard fans should be sure to add this unique and extremely exclusive product to their finely-curated collections! Additional variants will include a deluxe edition featuring marbled vinyl, a slipmat, a 20 page booklet and record butler, as well as retail black vinyl and digipak CD editions. Both the limited edition wooden boxset and deluxe editions will only be available via Napalm Records webstores. Don’t miss your chance to own this once-in-a-lifetime masterclass opus on limited edition vinyl and a rare autographed item!
Upon its release, Blabbermouth dubbed The Black Halo“stunning”, naming it “one of 2005’s most impressive releases”. Widely considered by fans and critics alike as a shining example of KAMELOT’s finest early-era work, the album features standout guest characterizations by Dimmu Borgir mastermind Shagrath, keymaster Jens Johansson of Stratovarius and many others, and was produced by Sascha Paeth, Miro and KAMELOT
The Black Halo (20th Anniversary Edition) track listing: 1. March Of Mephisto (feat. Shagrath) 2. When The Lights Are Down 3. The Haunting (Somewhere In Time) (feat. Simone Simons) 4. Soul Society 5. Interlude I: Dei Gratia 6. Abandoned (feat. Mari Youngblood) 7. This Pain 8. Moonlight 9. Interlude II: Un Assassino Molto Silenzioso 10. The Black Halo 11. Nothing Ever Dies 12. Memento Mori (feat. Shagrath & Mari Youngblood) 13. Interlude III: Twelve Tolls For New Day 14. Serenade
KAMELOT will appear at festivals in the early half of 2025! See below for currently confirmed dates:
15.02.25 NO – Trondheim / NidaRock Festival 03.05.25 BR – São Paulo / Bangers Open Air Festival
WYTHERSAKE will release the sophomore album “At War With Their Divinity” on March 21st through Scarlet Records.
Merging the elegant sophistication of 90’s Scandinavian death-black metal with the unrelenting intensity of American extremity, and blending intricate melodies with raw ferocious energy, Wythersake crafts the exact sound the underground scene has been craving.
The Washington, D.C. band returns with their highly anticipated new record, delivering 12 punishing tracks of rebellious darkness: this fierce and empowering work encourages listeners to embrace their own path and become the Luciferian light in a world shrouded in ignorance.
With “At War With Their Divinity” Wythersake push the creative boundaries even further and affirm their place as a force of destruction elevating the spirit through chaos and defiance.
artwork by Belial NecroArts
Produced, mixed and mastered by Wythersake at Northlake Studios, and graced by a superb cover artwork courtesy of Belial NecroArts, “At War With Their Divinity” will be released in the following formats: digipack CD, digital
1 Purity Through Non Existence 2 Bloodlet The Lepers Created 3 Dancing Plagues Of Modern Man 4 At War With Their Divinity 5 Devour The Throne Of Grace 6 Gotterdammerung 7 The Autumnal Passing 8 Shrines Of Offal Rise 9 Chimerical God State Worship 10 Agents Of Holy Death 11 Behind Shadows Of Virtue 12 Perverse Christ Aeon
Finnish groove/alternative metal band Exision released the third single ‘Haaksirikko’ from their forthcoming second studio album ‘Uhreina Ajassa’ which is set to be released on February 20th 2025 via Inverse Records.
“As the ship runs aground or the crew is swept overboard by a rogue wave, remember the words of Kari Tapio: “After the storm, there is a calm”. Whether it is a serene summer day or death; silence awaits.”
Uhreina Ajassa -Track list:
Puhdistava Liekki
Älytön Ikiliikkuja
Haaksirikko
Pimeyden Aallot (feat. Sirkku-Sisko Kostamo)
Tähtihenkilö
Persona Non Grata (feat. Jesse Salo)
Impulssi
Uhreina Ajassa
Loputon Meri
Adrenokromi
Ihmisvirhe
Album cover by Mari K. / usva_peikko
Exision is a Groove/Alternative metal band founded in 2017, known for their energetic live shows and colourful social media updates.
The band includes Joonas Kataja, the man of thousand voices and also the main lyricist of the band.
Bassist Jere “AV” Ala-Varvi, a song composing machine and the main song writer who brings in so much new material nearly every week that it has to be poured into other projects as well.
The rhythmical foundation, Tapio Haverinen makes sure that the capturing drum beats keep the crowd going.
The groove continues with the rhythm guitarist Nico Välkkilä‘s iron grip and high-flying lifestyle.
The lead guitarist Jarkko Oksman can also be held responsible for the song writing and composing. He stretches chords placing the cherry on top when putting the songs together.
The songs get their final form and polishing with the teamwork from the entire band by getting flavour from politics, movies and games. The band also doesn’t shy away when it comes to breaking the barriers of different music genres.
Whendarkness descends, NITE flies high with blackened heavy metal.
After venturing through space on their last album, NITE has returned to face the shadowy mythology that lay dormant beneath society’s underbelly. Each of the eight epic battles on Cult of the Serpent Sun tests the band’s mettle. But amidst their new album’s winding perils, NITE emerges triumphant. Lead single “Crow (Fear the Night)” is a rallying cry, calling for fists to rise with power and might.
Watch the classic and cultish video for “Crow (Fear the Night)”:
The video for “Crow (Fear the Night)” was directed by Marcelle Marais (Marcellemarais.com).
Additional credits Produced by TriTonia Films @tritoniafilms & NITE Director of Photography – Jerome Stolly @jeromestolly Grip & Lighting – Jerome Stolly @jeromestolly Colorist – Chris Martin @cmartcolors Production Assistant – Elijah Post @elijahpostdc Properties Assistants – Kent Cates @kent_cates0402 & Miles Miller @milesmillermotors Crow figure performed by Dave Swafford Special thanks to First Church of the Buzzard in Oakland
Ever since they banded together out of San Francisco’s underground in 2018, NITE has carried the torch for Bay Area metal. On Cult of the Serpent Sun, these four heavy metal avengers triple down on their classic arsenal. “Crow (Fear the Night)” swoops into the heat of battle with talons drawn. Like two birds of the same feather, the duel leads of Van Labrakis and Scott Hoffman climb on the back of drummer Patrick Crawford’s foundation-shaking march.
Cult of the Serpent Sun carries a “more-is-more” philosophy, guided by what NITE garnered on the road. Since their last studio stint, the band have stormed the stage at Northwest Terror Fest, toured California with fellow statesmen Persekutor and Haunt and marched across the Southwest on the road to Hell’s Heroes VI.
“Fans really responded to older songs like ‘Acheron’ and ‘Genesis'”, Labrakis says. “Cult of the Serpent Sun has more songs that are fast and upbeat and help lift people’s spirits”.
Cult of the Serpent Sun also sharpens NITE’s signature edges with fresh venom. “We play a traditional style of heavy metal, but the blackened element takes us in a different direction”, Labrakis says. His road-hardened voice strikes fear into the album’s serpentine foes. “Fear the night“, he warns, backed by bassist Avinash Mittur, who wields his bruising Rickenbacker with a spike-gloved fist.
“‘Crow (Fear the Night)’ is a call to those on the edge, a beckoning cry out of the shadows into the light”, says NITE. “The headbanging masses band together under a sinister banner, leaving exile and finding themselves stronger as the cult of the serpent sun rises”.
Cover artist by Adam Vick
Tracklist 1. Cult of the Serpent Sun (4:56) 2. Skull (4:31) 3. Crow (Fear The Night) (4:11) [WATCH] 4. The Mystic (4:55) 5. The Last Blade (4:32) 6. Carry On (4:29) 7. Tarmut (5:14) 8. Winds of Sokar (3:52)
When darkness engulfs the world, NITE sets the sky ablaze with white-hot, blackened heavy metal.
Having journeyed to the stars on their last venture, NITE now faces the abyssal and shadowy mythology that has long laid dormant beneath society. Each of the eight epic battles on Cult of the Serpent Sun tests their mettle. But amidst the album’s blackened perils, the band emerges victorious.
“NITE strives to be a light,” says vocalist and guitarist Van Labrakis. “Cult of the Serpent Sun is about how we persevere in times of immense darkness.”
Ever since banding together in 2018, NITE has carried the torch for Bay Area metal. Darkness Silence Mirror Flame debuted their blackened twist on NWOBHM. “…raucous, Marshall-fueled heavy metal that would be the envy of many a British band in the 1980s,” wrote Invisible Oranges. Follow-up Voices of the Kronian Moon upped the ante with more strutting tempos and windblown shredding, much to Stereogum’s delight. “It’s like speeding down a freeway at night in a Corvette with the top down, but everyone is wearing velvet capes.”
On Cult of the Serpent Sun, NITE wisely triples down on their trusty arsenal. Instead of scaling back, their third album adds more heft to the band’s armor. Labrakis and fellow guitarist Scott Hoffman’s molten leads duel with heightened showmanship. Drummer Patrick Crawford pummels and gallops while Avinash Mittur rattles the chest with his Rickenbacker bass. The title track charges with newfound urgency, slithery and venomous in its attack.
The album’s “more is more” philosophy is guided by what NITE have learned from the road. Since their last studio stint, the band have stormed the stage at Northwest Terror Fest, toured with fellow statesmen Persekutor and Haunt and marched across the Southwest on the road to Hell’s Heroes VI. “Fans really responded to older songs like ‘Acheron’ and ‘Genesis’,” Labrakis says. “Cult of the Serpent Sun has more songs that are fast and upbeat and help lift people’s spirits.” Galvanized by a foundation-shaking groove, “Skull” defiantly crushes. “Crow (Fear the Night)” is a rallying cry, calling for fists to rise with power and might.
NITE’s classic weaponry shows no signs of rust on their third album. “The Last Blade” draws first blood amidst an acoustic flurry before thrusting onto the offensive. “The aim here is not to replicate that era but to explore and evolve,” Labrakis told Decibel when asked about the band’s influences. Cult of the Serpent Sun honors the trailblazing spirits of old by honing what separates this band’s particular alchemy from mere imitation brew. “The Mystic” expands their sonic palette, featuring a slow-burning bass line that stretches time and space into a hypnotic portal. With its whirling and enchanted melody, “Tarmut” glimmers like a desert mirage.
“We play a traditional style of heavy metal, but the blackened element takes us in a different direction,” Labrakis says. His road-hardened voice stands resolute in “Carry On,” denouncing the perils of war. “Dream on and find who you are,” he beckons on the album’s triumphant closer “Winds of Sokar.”
On Cult of the Serpent Sun, NITE guards the altar of blackened heavy metal with sharpened blades and axes raised.
Lineup: Van Labrakis: Guitar / Vocals Scott Hoffman: Guitar Avinash Mittur: Bass Patrick Crawford: Drums
Recording studio 210 Studios San Francisco and The Hoagie Container
Production credits Recorded by Van Labrakis Produced by Van Labrakis and Nite Mixed and mastered by Van Labrakis at 210 Studios San Francisco
AOR/Melodic rockers Streetlight are thrilled to announce the release of their new studio album “Night Vision”, out on March 14th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl. Pre-Order “Night Vision” HERE
To mark the occasion, the band share the new single and accompanying video “Captured In The Night”, out now.
Vocalist Johannes Häger comments on the new album, by saying: “It’s been such a joy for us to record our sophomore album “Night Vision”. One could say that the stakes are higher now compared to the debut “Ignition”, but we felt there are still many untrodden paths for Streetlight, both musically but of course also career wise. We’re still looking back at the AOR heydays, but we’re not going back. The single “Captured In The Night” is a good example of this, we feel. It’s a great blend of Streetlight attitude with Streetlight melodies.”
Streetlight is an AOR/melodic rock band from Jonkoping, Sweden. The band is staying true to the genre, delivering distinctive melodies, punchy choruses and strong hooks, all in the likeness of bands like Journey, Toto and Kansas.
The debut album “Ignition” was released in 2023 by Frontiers Music, digitally and on CD. The music video of their single “Hit The Ground” has got over 140k views on YouTube. Since the release of “Ignition”, Streetlight have gained fans from over the world, and the album reviews have been stellar.
Streetlight is meant to be experienced live, and the band is taking their music on the road, playing both in clubs and on festivals, among others the Swedish AOR festival Malmö Melodic.
The music of Streetlight is melodic and guitar driven, with a sound that reminds you of the times when AOR was at its peak. And Streetlight wants to mediate music that is fun to listen to, as well as fun to play.
The debut album showed the world that Streetlight is a band to reckon with, and with “Night Vision” they continue with their distinctive melodies and punchy choruses. The sound still has elements of the melodic rock heydays, wrapped in their own 2025 twist.
“Night Vision” Tracklist:
Long-Distance Runner
Captured In The Night
Sleep Walk
Learn To Love Again
Late Night Hollywood
Leanna
Straight To Video
Fly With Eagles
Where Did Love Go
End Game
Line Up: Johannes Häger – lead vocals and guitars Filip Stenlund – guitars, backing vocals John Svensson – keys, backing vocals Erik Nilsson – drums, backing vocals Johan Tjernström – bass, backing vocals
Finnish thrash legends, BLOODRIDE, are currently entrenched in the crucible of creation, meticulously molding what is destined to be the next monumental chapter in thrash metal history. Their passion ignites the studio as they channel their raw energy and unrivaled skill into their fifth album, promising an unparalleled auditory assault that will redefine the boundaries of thrash metal.
Studio Confessions from the Heart of the Metal Storm – Guitarist Teemu Vähäkangas Shares Insight:
“Final mixings with magician Jarno Hänninen in D-Studio are pretty much done. With some tracks we even tried some lighter sounds for the guitars, but no worries: this will be Bloodridic mayhem from the start to the very end. Harsh, fast, heavy and brutal. Jarno will also take care of the mastering and we have to say that this cake tastes great already. The process has taken more time as we planned but the most important thing is that we are satisfied with the result. Also at this point, we begin to look ahead to upcoming gigs again. It will be a blast to thrash out these new tunes to the pitting crowd. Thrashing madness continues!!!”
Stay tuned for more updates from the studio as BLOODRIDE continues to craft their next thrash masterpiece.
About BLOODRIDE: Formed in 2000, BLOODRIDE has been a force to be reckoned with in the Finnish thrash metal scene. Their journey began with the EP “Bloodridden Disease” in 2004, leading to their debut full-length album “Crowned In Hell” in 2011. Their latest and fourth album, “Idiocracy,” was unleashed in September 2021 through Great Dane Records. BLOODRIDE’s sonic assault combines old-school thrash metal with dark death metal elements and the raw edge of hardcore, delivering a headbanging, neck-breaking experience. Over the years, they’ve shared stages with legendary acts like Exhumed, Exodus, Nunslaughter, Toxic Holocaust, and Whiplash, consistently delivering an electrifying live performance that’s nothing short of a perfect storm.
BLOODRIDE Lineup:
Jykä Leskinen: Vocals
Esa Pennala: Bass
Simo Partanen: Guitar
Teemu Vähäkangas: Guitar
Petteri Lammassaari: Drums
Discography:
“Idiocracy” – Album, Release Date: 2021-09-17, Label: Great Dane Records
“Planet Alcatraz” – Album, Release Date: 2016-11-25, Label: Inverse Records
“Bloodmachine” – Album, Release Date: 2014-03-14, Label: Violent Journey Records
“Crowned in Hell” – Album, Release Date: 2011-04-16, Label: Violent Journey Records
“Supreme Predator” – Single, Release Date: 2010-04
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 ) 