Ecuadorian progressive metal trio MINIPONY have unveiled “Pachanga”, the first single and official music video taken from their upcoming third studio EP, “Detach”, set for release on July 24 via Subsound Records.
The track showcases the band’s signature blend of powerful organic sonorities and experimental djent-driven textures, while its metaphorical lyrics explore the contradiction between consumption and animal compassion. The result is an intense and emotionally charged composition that perfectly reflects MINIPONY‘s distinctive musical identity.
Musically, “Detach” unfolds as an intense journey through technical metal, mathcore, and djent-driven structures, enriched with Latin-influenced textures and electronic layers. Dense, low-tuned guitars, intricate rhythmic complexity, and visceral guttural vocals combine into a sound that is both physically overwhelming and mentally immersive.
Recorded at Borgo 41 Studio in Lumbisí, Ecuador, by Amadeus Galiano and mixed by Jamie Uertz (known for his work on Gojira’s ‘Magma’), the EP presents MINIPONY in their most defined, honest, and uncompromising form, revealing the band’s true sonic identity with exceptional clarity and power.
“Detach” stands as a sonic evolution; a statement of identity and intent, solidifying MINIPONY’s position as one of the most distinctive and innovative emerging acts in the global heavy music scene.
“Detach” will be out on July 24 via Subsound Records and is available for pre-order via BANDCAMP and HERE
CELTIC HILLS are proud to officially announce the new formation of Celtic Hills — stronger, louder, and more international than ever.
This is not just a line-up change — it’s an evolution. A multinational force forged by different backgrounds, united by the same fire and vision. The international identity of Celtic Hills is now fully sharpened and ready to hit harder than ever. New energy. New blood. Same unstoppable attitude.
For nearly two decades, Edi Žorž has been one of the most respected musicians in the Slovenian heavy metal scene. Renowned for his technical ability, musical versatility and deep respect for classic heavy metal, Žorž has built his career through dedication, consistency and passion rather than seeking the spotlight.
Born on May 26, 1982, in Slovenia, Edi Žorž began his musical journey with Fosgen before becoming guitarist for the thrash metal band Keller from Nova Gorica. He later expanded his musical experience through Shutdown, while also becoming a key member of Madbringer, the tribute band dedicated to the legendary Slovenian heavy metal pioneers Pomaranča.
His long-standing connection with Pomaranča reached a milestone in 2024 when he was invited to perform as surprise guitarist during the band’s 45th anniversary reunion concert at Kino Šiška in Ljubljana. Sharing the stage with founding guitarist Mijo Popovič, Žorž delivered a performance that was widely praised by the Slovenian music press, which described him as the “sixth horseman” of the legendary band.
In 2026, Žorž embarks on a new international adventure by joining the Italian heavy metal band Celtic Hills as lead guitarist. He joins bassist Luca Fumagalli and drummer Luka Stone, whose career includes collaborations with former Europe guitarist Kee Marcello and former Crimson Glory vocalist Wade Black.
For Celtic Hills, the addition of Edi Žorž represents not only the arrival of an outstanding guitarist but also a musician deeply rooted in one of the most important heavy metal traditions of the Balkans. His experience, professionalism and unmistakable playing style will contribute to the band’s next creative chapter.
With this new role, Edi Žorž continues a musical journey built on talent, commitment and respect for heavy metal, strengthening the artistic connection between the Slovenian and Italian metal scenes.
Line-up: Jonathan Vanderbilt – vocals & guitars Luca Fumagalli – bass Luka Stone – drums Edi Zorz – guitars
July 2, 2026, Sharp N’ Loud made their return with the explosive new single “The Band Is At Work,” released through Wanikiya Record/Promotion.
While their previous single, “I Live For Your Love,” showcased the band’s more mature, reflective, and melodic side, “The Band Is At Work” reveals the other side of the coin: a powerful explosion of energy, determination, and pure Hard Rock.
Driven by razor-sharp riffs, an uncompromising attitude, and an explosive sound, Sharp N’ Loud tell the story of a band that continues to challenge itself every single day, working tirelessly for both themselves and their audience. This is more than just a song—it’s a bold statement of intent.“The Band Is At Work” is a promise, a manifesto, and a battle cry:
The band is at work—and they’re determined to keep bringing Rock exactly where it belongs.
Formed in 2024 in the Marche region of Italy, in the province of Macerata, Sharp N’ Loud embody the true spirit of Rock: raw energy, a rebellious attitude, and a sound deeply rooted in the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s. Five old-school rockers ready to set every stage on fire with an authentic and powerful live performance.
Their debut album, “Room2080,” currently in production with Wanikiya Record/Promotion, promises to be far more than just a record. It will be an emotional and sonic journey, blending the timeless appeal of classic Hard Rock with a modern, impactful production.
Adding even more depth to the project is an engaging sci-fi storyline woven throughout the album’s concept, transforming the listening experience into an immersive and cinematic adventure.
Since the very beginning, Sharp N’ Loud have demonstrated both ambition and determination by taking part in important events on the Italian rock scene, including Fatti Scoprire by RockerTV, and by sharing the stage with renowned artists and bands such as Chris Catena’s Rock City Tribe and Lost Reflection, quickly establishing themselves as a powerful live act.
Now, with their official signing to Wanikiya Record/Promotion and the addition of a new member to the lineup, the band is ready to push the accelerator even harder and write the next exciting chapter of their story.
Sharp N’ Loud aren’t simply playing Rock.They’re taking it exactly where it belongs.
Canadian hard rock outfit Dali Van Gogh continue their Roadkill live EP rollout with the release of “Bury The Lead (Live at The Scotiabank Centre, Halifax)”, available now on all digital platforms.
The track follows two earlier Roadkill singles, “Wicked Way (Live at Overtime Sportsbar, Kingston)” and “Boneyard (Live at Tide & Boar, Moncton),” both currently available alongside the new release.
Roadkill is a six-track live album capturing the band across venues in Eastern and Central Canada. The album documents three years of touring and is being released in a waterfall format, with one track dropping every three weeks from May 22 through September 4.
Tracklist & Release Dates:
Wicked Way (Live at Overtime Sports Bar, Kingston) — May 22
Bury The Lead (Live at The Scotiabank Centre, Halifax) — July 3
Savanna (Live at Bovine Sex Club, Toronto) — July 24
Out For Blood (Live at The House of Targ, Ottawa) — August 14
Little Hell (Live at The Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown) — September 4
Roadkill serves as a deliberate bookend to the band’s breakout chapter, which includes their critically recognized EP “New Blood, Old Wounds” and the single “Wicked Way.” That release cycle saw the band earn two nominations at the East Coast Music Awards in 2023, taking home Loud Recording of the Year. The studio version of “Wicked Way” continues that momentum with a 2026 nomination for Loud Release of the Year.
With new material looming in the near future, Roadkill captures a band in motion—looking back only long enough to slam the door behind them.
About Dali Van Gogh
Dali Van Gogh are a Canadian hard rock band known for their high-energy live performances, blending aggressive riffs with anthemic songwriting. With multiple award nominations and a growing national presence, the band continues to carve out their place in Canada’s heavy music landscape.
DIVISION:DARK are celebrating their label debut on Metalville with their new single “Caught In The Loop” – the new studio album “The Eternal Baptism” is due for release on 2 October 2026.
“Caught In The Loop” can be streamed here:
With “The Eternal Baptism”, DIVISION:DARK present their most ambitious work to date. The new studio album consistently builds on the dystopian mythology of this anonymous collective. Following their debut album “Prophecy”, the collective opens a new chapter, blending modern industrial metal, electronic soundscapes and a cinematic atmosphere into an intense concept album.
At the heart of “The Eternal Baptism” lies the idea of a spiritual rebirth of humanity. Embedded within DIVISION:DARK’s futuristic lore, the twelve tracks tell of a world in which emotions, creativity and individuality have been supplanted by technological perfection. The ‘baptism’ of the album’s title symbolises a return to the lost human frequency – a journey through hope, despair, resistance and redemption.
Musically, powerful guitars, modern industrial rhythms, orchestral elements and electronic sound designs merge to create a powerful overall sound. Amidst anthemic choruses, dark soundscapes and atmospheric soundtracks, the band creates a sound that is as emotional as it is monumental. In doing so, DIVISION:DARK remains true to its hallmark: viewing music not merely as entertainment, but as a message, a signal from a possible future.
The mysterious identities of the musicians involved remain hidden. Rather than individual personalities, the focus is on the vision: DIVISION:DARK sees itself as an artistic collective that uses music to tell stories, pose questions and invite its listeners to become part of a larger narrative.
With “The Eternal Baptism”, DIVISION:DARK deliver an epic, emotional and, at the same time, thought-provoking album that blurs the boundaries between metal, industrial, cinematic sound and science fiction lore. A work for all those who seek more in music than mere entertainment – and who are ready to tune into the new frequency.
TRACK LISTING
01. LET ME SHOW MY WORLD 02. FACE THE LIAR 03. BEAUTIFY ME 04. THE CURSE 05. BLACK DOMINION 06. BREAK DOWN 07. WITHIN THIS FAKE 08. AFTERLIFE 09. CAUGHT IN THE LOOP 10. FIELDS OF MIDNIGHT 11. EVE 12. BURN THE TIMELINE
SOLACE released their highly anticipated fifth full-length “Fading Failing Ruin” as scheduled on July 3, 2026, via Magnetic Eye Records. Early reviews such as German Rock Hard (9/10) and Legacy Magazine (13/15) indicate that the Americans can expect a high level of critical acclaim.
SOLACE comment: “The fact that Solace are still here after 30 years makes ‘Fading Failing Ruin’ a real milestone for us, and I’m still in a band that I love with some of my oldest friends“, guitarist Tommy Southard writes. “Timmy our drummer and I started our first band when he was 12 and I was 14! Soon after that, our bass player Mike and I founded a band playing Priest and Kiss covers. It feels kind of wild that we’re still here making music we love all these years later. I couldn’t be more proud of this record and all the massive work that we put into it. Both Justins did an incredible job, and I consider both brothers. It was a labor of love and I hope that translates and people enjoy it as much as we do. Now, I just want this band to continue and make more music before our time runs out.“
Tracklist
Spiral Will
Fettered to a Stone
A God Changes His Plans
Wrath’s Object (The Big Fall)
Culling the Herd
Beyond Below
Malengine (The Scaffold)
Every Day Is a Loaded Gun
Ridden
SOLACE deliver their fifth studio album “Fading Failing Ruin” just in time to celebrate the anniversary of their 30th year as a band. And all the heaviness, experience, and obvious maturity of their songwriting across three decades is perfectly reflected in the seeming ease with which these master craftsmen hammer out one captivating and crushing track after the other.
Revolving around apocalyptic, infernal, and end time themes that easily fit this day and age, “Fading Failing Ruin” nails the current global mood by taking a strong dose of inspiration from the earliest days of metal and blending it with contemporary heaviness.
A direct link goes back to 1996, when SOLACE rose from the ashes of GODSPEED, who made their name on Headbanger’s Ball and Beavis & Butthead, appeared on the “Nativity in Black” tribute backing Bruce Dickinson, and toured with CATHEDRAL and BLACK SABBATH. Emerging at the dawn of the internet and the burgeoning stoner rock scene, SOLACE were driven by hardcore-infused metal, captivating vocals, and a dark doom underbelly.
The New Jersey band hit the scene with their ferocious debut “Further” in 2000. Its tracks remain as contemporary and relevant as in those early days, and an extended and re-mastered 25th anniversary edition became an unplanned but much deserved tribute to brilliant yet tortured original SOLACE vocalist Jason L., who had sadly passed away in January 2025.
SOLACE continued to build on a solid foundation of classic metal, early doom, and punk ethic into which the four-piece infused a healthy dose of hardcore fury and groovy, grinding sludge.
Three years after the worldwide success of “Further”, SOLACE returned with the sophomore album “13” (2003), which highlighted the epic side of their songwriting. In the wake of this album, the band was invited twice to perform at the prestigious Roadburn Festival in 2006 and 2009.
The shoremen returned with their highly praised third album “A.D.” in 2010. Despite the band’s growing acclaim, SOLACE took an informal hiatus to revamp their lineup, returning even stronger with full-length number four, “The Brink”, in 2019.
SOLACE have called their amalgamation of doom and heavy metal with hardcore elements dirt metal, while elsewhere it has been somewhat tongue-in-cheekily dubbed shorecore. Others file the New Jersey five-piece under stoner metal – and in truth, all these descriptions have and still fit the band to an extent.
With “Fading Failing Ruin”, SOLACE erect a new milestone of US heavy metal that respects traditions from both sides of the Atlantic while churning toward a chaotic future. Time to bang those heads!
SOLACE Live Dates 2026 19 SEP 2026 Austin, TX (US) Ripplefest Texas 10 OCT 2026 Youngstown, OH (US) Emissions from the Monolith
Line-up Justin Skyler Daniels – guitar Justin Goins – keyboard, vocals Tim Schoenleber – drums Mike Sica – bass Tommy Southard – guitar
Guest musicians Pelle Andersson (LOWRIDER) – various keyboards Eric Rachel – additional keyboards Duane Hutter – slide guitar
Recording by Eric Rachel at Bulletproof Music Studio, Hazlet, NJ (US) & The Pussycat Club, Milford, NJ (US) Produced by Eric Rachel & Solace Mix & mastering by Eric Rachel at Trax East, South River, NJ (US) Cover art & layout by Paul Vismara
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 ) 