ENSIFERUM Announce “Winter Storm Over North America” Headlining Tour This Fall

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 25, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Svetlana Goncharova

Finnish folk metal goliaths ENSIFERUM will return to US and Canadian stages on a two-week headlining tour. The Winter Storm Over North America tour begins with their appearance at this year’s edition of Prog Power USA in Atlanta, Georgia and runs through September 27th in Seattle, Washington. Support will be provided by Firewind.

The band comments, “We are very excited to come back to North America for this tour with Firewind in September. We’ll bring the Winter Storm on the stages, see you guys in the pit!“

Tickets for all shows are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.

ENSIFERUM w/ Firewind:
9/09/2026 Prog Power USA – Atlanta, GA
9/11/2026 Exit/In – Nashville, TN
9/12/2026 Century Music Hall – Fort Wayne, IN
9/13/2026 Thunderbird Music Hall – Pittsburgh, PA
9/14/2026 Sanctuary (600 cap room) – Detroit, MI
9/16/2026 The Roxy @ Mahalls – Cleveland, OH
9/17/2026 Blades of Steel – Madison, WI
9/18/2026 Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA
9/20/2026 Park Theatre – Winnipeg, MB
9/22/2026 Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB
9/23/2026 Arrowhead – Calgary, AB
9/25/2026 Wise Hall – Vancouver, BC
9/26/2026 Hawthorne – Portland, OR
9/27/2026 El Corazon – Seattle, WA

ENSIFERUM will be touring in support of their Winter Storm full-length, out now on Metal Blade Records. A grandiose and heroic offering, Winter Storm centers itself on a fantasy concept narrative penned by bassist Sami Hinkka.

Wrote Blabbermouth upon the record’s release, “Cheerfully proving that folk metal can still take people’s heads off, ENSIFERUM take their role as the subgenre’s chief flag-wavers seriously. Winter Storm is an ice-cold reminder that they still have the power.” Added Metal Injection, “Every once in a while I say something about a record’s cover art telling you what you’re in for. What do you think a record adorned with a sword-wielding, wolf-riding warrior sounds like? ENSIFERUM’s ninth record sounds like that. Equal parts epic and heavy.”

ENSIFERUM‘s Winter Storm was produced by Janne Joutsenniemi, mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren, and includes guest appearances by Lassi Logrén on Nyckelharpa and violin and Mikko Mustonen on orchestration as well as Eleine’s Madeleine Liljestam who provides all vocals on “Scars In My Heart.”

Watch ENSIFERUM‘s previously released videos for “Winter Storm Vigilantes,” “Long Cold Winter Of Sorrow And Strife,” “Fatherland,” and “The Howl,” which, when viewed consecutively, create a short movie, HERE.

Preview/purchase Winter Storm at: metalblade.com/ensiferum

ENSIFERUM:
Petri Lindroos – vocals, guitars
Markus Toivonen – guitars, vocals
Sami Hinkka – bass, vocals
Janne Parviainen – drums
Pekka Montin – keyboards, vocals

https://ensiferum.com
https://www.facebook.com/Ensiferum
https://www.instagram.com/ensiferummetal

DANIELE RINI’s New Concept Album “This Doll Has No Eyes” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 25, 2026
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DANIELE RINI released his new album “This Doll Has No Eyes” on April 22nd, via Wanikiya Record.

It’s not just an album being released.
Today, an experience comes to life.

“This Doll Has No Eyes” is the brand-new, powerful concept album by Daniele Rini (singer of Maysnow):
22 minutes of pure intensity, divided into 7 chapters that merge into a single, gripping sonic narrative.
A dark, visceral journey with no way out.

Blending dark atmospheres, melancholic rock, and a constant cinematic tension, Rini drags the listener into the horror of war…
but does so in the most human way possible: through the eyes of a broken family.
Pain, fear, loss.
Everything transforms into art.

Top-tier production.
The album was created alongside Andrea Pascali at AD Studio, who built a massive sonic structure, crafting synth orchestral arrangements that amplify every emotion to its limit.

Special guests
Adding even more depth to the experience:
Luca Basile – cello
Antonio De Rubertis – piano

This is not just an album.
It’s a story that cuts deep.
It’s a film without images.
It’s a punch to the gut that leaves a mark.
If you’re looking for easy listening, move on.
If you want to truly feel something… press play.

Order:

GWAR Rally Fans to Honor Chuck Varga (aka The Sexecutioner) with Nationwide Blood Donation Campaign

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 25, 2026
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The GWAR family is coming together to support one of their own. Chuck Varga, known to fans as The Sexecutioner and one of the founding members of GWAR, is currently battling cancer. In response, the band and their extended community have launched a nationwide blood donation campaign in his honor.

Fans are encouraged to find a blood bank near them and either register as donors or give blood in Chuck’s name. As a thank you, participants will receive a free exclusive t shirt designed by Chuck himself.

This campaign gives the GWAR faithful a way to show up in a real and meaningful way, helping save lives while honoring a character and creator who has given so much to the band’s world.

Donate and Get an Exclusive T Shirt HERE

Chuck Varga’s work as The Sexecutioner has left a permanent mark on GWAR’s legacy. Now fans have the chance to give something back.

Find a blood bank, take part, and help make a difference.

Give blood. Celebrate The Sexecutioner. Keep the legacy alive.

FOLLOW GWAR: https://gwar.net/

SPEEDSLUT Announce Debut Album “Cimbrian Rites”, Out June 26th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 25, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Under the cursed smokestacks of the North Jutland Heath, SPEEDSLUT emerges. Wielding the unbridled fury of the early metal scene, their sonic onslaught is a call to violence.

In a world that craves authenticity, SPEEDSLUT remains unapologetically true to their speed metal roots with the proud announcement of their debut full-length album ‘Cimbrian Rites.’ Driven by the same force that created their previous EP, ‘Ferocity of Steel’, ‘Cimbrian Rites’ stands as SPEEDSLUT’s next great reckoning.

It will be brought upon the world through Listenable Records on June 26, 2026.

The band comments on ‘Cimbrian Rites‘:

“A heavy metal crusade spanning the footsteps of the ancient Cimbrians to the asbestos-swept streets of the industrial North; channeling our blackened speed as we march towards death, glory, and domination.”

From the very beginning, SPEEDSLUT has embraced the ethos of speed, power, and unapologetic defiance, garnering critical acclaim and fervent support from fans and critics alike, recognizing the band’s dedication to their craft, as well as their unrelenting live shows. Their shows are described as intense and continuous, a set built around the doctrine of total sonic supremacy, a loud and direct show of force.

SPEEDSLUT will release their debut digital single “Dark Night Riders“ on May 20th, and can be pre-saved HERE.

The Onslaught Prevails!

‘Cimbrian Rites’ Track List:

1) Pestridden Stallions
2) Asbestos Born Wrath
3) Dark Night Riders
4) Into The Grave
5) No One Escapes Death
6) Stench of Evil
7) Armageddon
8) Whores of Speed
9) Cimbrian Rites

SPEEDSLUT are:
Frederik Klitte – Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
Tomas Dikinis – Lead Guitar
Andreas Reinholt – Bass
Malthe Ørvad – Drums

More info: https://www.facebook.com/speedslut/

German Heavy Metallers AVIAN Release New Single ‘Expired’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 25, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Avian

A classic soul, relentless power, a visual world of their own.
AVIAN forge Swabian steel: a unique alloy drawn from the soul of traditional Heavy Metal and the relentless power of a modern sound.

Led by the melodic twin blades of their twin guitars and driven by a variable hammering beat ranging from pounding mid-tempo to lightning-fast attacks, the band has found its calling.

After a long history that culminated in a deliberate evolution towards today’s final line-up, AVIAN is ready to complete its legacy.

The line-up – Christian Langhorst (guitar), Johannes Peter (guitar), Christian Kaiser (drums) and Can Şahin (vocals & bass) – delivers energetic, authentic and precise heavy metal that is burning to transform every stage into a storm of pure energy!

Artwork by Avian

FFO: Primal Fear, Megadeth, Rage

Label: Independent

⫸ Order
⫸ Streaming
⫸ Bandcamp

The band itself says about the new single:
“With ‘Expired’, we wanted to give voice to our anger at the fact that leadership – both political and economic – is all too often characterised by selfishness, coldness and a profit-driven mindset.
We were concerned with the feeling that decisions are being made in which power and self-interest are prioritised over people and over what actually needs to be protected.
At the same time, we didn’t want it to be a hopeless song.
‘Expired’ is meant to let off steam, give strength and release energy precisely when the state of the world is getting you down.”

AVIAN • CONCERT DATES
April 25 • Schützi Open Air • Germany
tba – [ Dates » ]

LINE-UP
Can Sahin • Vocals, Bass
Chris Langhorst • Guitars
Johannes Peter • Guitars
Christian Kaiser • Drums

More info: https://www.avianmetal.com/

EMERGENCY RULE Announce Return to Japan in June 2026

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 25, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Following the success of their first Japanese tour in 2024, Australian hard rockers Emergency Rule will return to Japan this June for a six-show run.

The tour begins with three shows in Tokyo alongside Texas heavy psych stoners Duel, before heading west for three headline shows in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto.

Emergency Rule first toured Japan in 2024, quickly building a strong following with their high-energy live shows and riff-driven sound. Their return marks the band’s first international dates since that debut run.

To coincide with the tour announcement, Emergency Rule will also release the first single, ‘Hollow Gold’, from their upcoming sophomore album, ‘Modern Day Villain’, due in early 2027. The new track will give fans the first glimpse of the band’s next chapter and evolving sound.

The tour is presented by Paranormal Activities and Hebi Katana.

Emergency Rule – Japan Tour 2026

June 2 – Koenji Kiraku – Tokyo*
June 3 – Wall – Tokyo*
June 4 – Moonstep – Tokyo*
June 5 – Hokage – Osaka
June 6 – DXQ Livehouse – Kobe
June 7 – GATTACA – Kyoto
*with Due

Further details on the upcoming single and album will be announced soon.

Emerging from the pulsating heart of the Aussie rock scene, Emergency Rule has shattered genre boundaries, forging a unique sound that weaves together rock, stoner, and metal influences into a sonic tapestry of raw power and innovation.

Emergency Rule online:
http://www.youtube.com/@Emergencyrule
http://www.instagram.com/emergency_rule
http://www.facebook.com/EmergencyRule
emergencyrule.bandcamp.com/music
Spotify: tinyurl.com/SpotifyEmergencyRule
Web: emergencyrule.com.au