Finnish band Scars of Solitude have released the final single from their forthcoming album Under Disheartening Skies, set to be released on October 11th. The slightly progressive title track features catchy melodies, tasteful drumming, and even a jazzy guitar solo. The lyrics address the current state of the world and the loss of hope for a better tomorrow.
The band’s vocalist and guitarist Tuomo Laulainen shares some thoughts on the single and the upcoming album:
“How are we supposed to dream and have hope when the news outlets, social media, and even our dreams are filled with nightmares? We wrote the Under Disheartening Skies album during 2021-2023. We all know the horrors the world has witnessed during this time, and it doesn’t really seem to be getting much better, does it? Well, I won’t need to use much imagination to come up with depressive topics when writing lyrics for the next album—if we ever get to release one.”
Under Disheartening Skies will be released as a limited edition 12” vinyl (200 copies) and a limited edition digipak CD (300 copies). The vinyl edition is made in Finland and will be pressed by the Finnish vinyl pressing company Helsingin Levypuristamo. The album will also be available on all major digital platforms upon its release.
Tracklist: 1 Stone 2 The Arsonist 3 FOMO 4 Luna 5 Under Disheartening Skies 6 Game of Thrones 7 Doors 8 Phantom Pain 9 Even Angels Will Fall 10 Void of Hope
POWERWOLF set another milestone in live music during their headline set at Summer Breeze Festival in Germany 2023, when they became the first band to ever use augmented reality at a live music festival in Europe. As of today, Wednesday, August 28, at 11:45pm CET, the show can be seen live on German and French TV on ARTE. The show is already available on demand in the ARTE Mediathek.
The band’s highly-anticipated North American tour, which marks the live performance premiere of their new #1 charting album, Wake Up The Wicked, kicks off tomorrow in Los Angeles, CA. In addition to the subsequent massive Wolfsnächte 2024 tour through Europe in October and their South American tour in spring 2025, the wolves are confirmed for many more big festivals in premium positions. Even just today, POWERWOLF announced confirmed upcoming performances at huge mainstream rock festivals – the 2025 editions of Rock am Ring and Rock im Park – for the first time ever. The wolves are once again ready to conquer the biggest stages worldwide!
POWERWOLF Live at Summer Breeze 2023 is available HERE
Get Your Version of the #1 Charting New Album, Wake Up The Wicked, HERE – Many Formats are Sold Out Already!
The #1 album Wake Up The Wicked – the highly anticipated successor to the extremely successful previous studio album, Call Of The Wild (2021) – is out just in time for the award-winning band’s full North American tour, starting this month, followed by their biggest European headline tour to date, the Wolfsnächte 2024, as well as the Latin America Crusade 2025. Wake Up The Wicked was once again produced by the outstanding Joost van den Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities and marks a new benchmark and undisputed career highlight for the band. The new album is hard, surprising and full of variety. While staying true to their established, loved sound, POWERWOLF go one step further and showcase a different facet of their deft musical and technical skills.
20 years after their formation in 2004, POWERWOLF are expanding their repertoire with the highest quality and adding many future live hits to their extraordinary discography. Wake Up The Wicked is yet another statement cementing the status of the band as a leading force in the world of heavy metal!
POWERWOLF LIVE 2024
POWERWOLF 2024 North American Tour: w/ Unleash The Archers 08.29.24 US – Los Angeles, CA / The Hollywood Palladium 08.31.24 US – Denver, CO / The Ogden Theatre – SOLD OUT! 09.03.24 US – Chicago, IL / The Riviera Theatre – LOW TICKETS! 09.04.24 US – Cleveland, OH / The Agora Theatre – LOW TICKETS! 09.05.24 US – Silver Spring, MD / The Fillmore 09.07.24 US – Tampa, FL / Jannus Landing – LOW TICKETS! 09.08.24 US – Atlanta, GA / The Masquerade – SOLD OUT! 09.09.24 US – Charlotte, NC / The Fillmore 09.12.24 US – Philadelphia, PA / The Fillmore 09.13.24 US – Worcester, MA / The Palladium – LOW TICKETS! 09.14.24 US – New York City, NY / Brooklyn Paramount 09.15.24 CA – Laval, QC / Place Bell – LOW TICKETS!
POWERWOLF Wolfsnächte 2024: w/ HammerFall, Wind Rose 04.10.24 DE – Hamburg / Barclays Arena – LOW TICKETS! 05.10.24 NL – Amsterdam / AFAS Live – SOLD OUT! 06.10.24 BE – Antwerp / Lotto Arena – LOW TICKETS! 09.10.24 FR – Nantes / Zenith – SELLING FAST 10.10.24 LU – Esch Sur Alzette / Rockhal 11.10.24 DE – Stuttgart / Schleyerhalle – LOW TICKETS! 12.10.24 DE – Frankfurt / Festhalle – LOW TICKETS! 14.10.24 IT – Milan / Alcatraz – LOW TICKETS! 16.10.24 CH – Zurich / The Hall – LOW TICKETS! 17.10.24 FR – Paris / Zenith – SOLD OUT! 18.10.24 DE – Oberhausen / Rudolf Weber Arena – SELLING FAST! 19.10.24 DE – Berlin / Velodrom 21.10.24 PL – Krakow / Tauron Arena 22.10.24 HU – Budapest / MVM Dome 23.10.24 AT – Vienna / Gasometer – SOLD OUT! 25.10.24 DE – Munich / Olympiahalle – LOW TICKETS! 26.10.24 CZ – Prague / Sportovni Hala Fortuna – SELLING FAST!
Latin American Crusade 2025 23.04.25 MX – Mexico City / Auditorio BB 24.04.25 MX – Guadalajara / Guanamor Teatro Estudio 25.04.25 MX – Monterrey / Showcenter 27.04.25 CR – San Jose / Peppers Club 29.04.25 SV – San Salvador / Museo Marte 01.05.25 CO – Bogota / Royal House 05.05.25 CL – Santiago / Teatro Cariola 07.05.25 AG – Buenos Aires / El Teatro Flores
Summer Festivals 2025 06.-08.06.25 DE – Nürburgring / Rock Am Ring 06.-08.06.25 DE – Nürnberg / Rock Im Park 27.-29.06.25 FI – Helsinki / Tuska 05.-07.07.25 DE – Ballenstedt / RockHarz Festival 06.-09.09.25 ES – Villena / Leyendas Del Rock 30.07-04.08.25 RO – Rasnov / Rockstadt Extreme Fest
POWERWOLF are: Attila Dorn – vocals Falk Maria Schlegel – organ Charles Greywolf – guitar Matthew Greywolf – guitar Roel van Helden – drums
Dutch symphonic metal titans, EPICA, are thrilled to announce a special livestream event for one of their highly anticipated “The Symphonic Synergy” shows, set to take place in Amsterdam with a full orchestra and choir. This unique sold out performance, scheduled for September 20th at 20:00 CEST (19:00 LONDON, 15:00 SAO PAULO, 14:00 NEW YORK, 12:00 MEXICO CITY and 11:00 AM LOS ANGELES TIME), will showcase the band’s signature fusion of their greatest hits and secret fan favourites with soaring orchestral arrangements, guest performers and plenty of surprises including new music!
Fans from all around the world who are unable to attend the show in person will now have the opportunity to experience the concert in real time through a professional multicam livestream.
The band comments:
“We’re beyond excited to bring this special show to every Epican anywhere in the world! ‘The Symphonic Synergy’ is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of everything Epica stands for, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone, no matter where they are.”
In recent years, EPICA has captivated their global fanbase with a series of innovative livestreams. These virtual events, such as the boundary-breaking “Ωmega Alive” from the pandemic times, or their epic 20-years-anniversary show from Tilburg, allowed fans to experience their powerful performances and intricate stage production from the comfort of their homes.
Tune in on September 20th from anywhere in the world and watch EPICA’s orchestra show either live or up until 72 hours following the performance.
Tickets and exclusive merchandise from the event are now available at symphonicsynergy.com at early-bird-prices up until September 6th.
to galvanize (verb, [ˈɡæl.və.naɪz]) to cause someone to suddenly take action, especially by shocking or exciting them in some way
The time has come to galvanize! Modern metal force LEAGUE OF DISTORTION make a ferocious statement with their second album, Galvanize, set for release via Napalm Records on October 25, 2024. Two years ago, the band entered the scene with their bombastic self-titled debut album, delivering a fresh sound and unique style that interprets modern metal in a creative way.
This is showcased on their newest single and title track, “Galavanize”, which dropped today to kick start the anticipation! The song features a powerful electronic intro, hard-hitting verses, a catchy chorus and showcases frontwoman Ace’s commanding vocals alongside guitarist Arro’s dynamic riffs.
The band is composed of the aformentioned, talented vocalist Anna “Ace” Brunner (Exit Eden) and exceptional guitarist Jim “Arro” Müller (Kissin’ Dynamite), who succeeds on this album as vocalist as well. Together with the strong and steady beats of drummer Tino “Aeon” Calmbach and edgy rhythm of bassist Felix “Ax” Rehmann, the quartet is ready to add to their wins with their newest onslaught. Their most successful song, “Wolf or Lamb”, reached over 1 million streams, and beyond this, they demonstrated their raging live performance at major festivals like Metalfest, Rock Harz, Baltic Open Air, Castle Rock, as well as an absolute kick-ass show at Summer Breeze in 2023. In addition, they took various stages by storm as support for German stadium rockers Kissin’ Dynamite, metalcore heroes Caliban on their German tour, and the legendary Kamelot on their European tour. Later this year, LEAGUE OF DISTORTION will hit various stages for their very first headline tour in fall and winter, kicking off November 15 in Cologne.
LEAGUE OF DISTORTION on “Galvanize”: “Life has its own inexplicable rules, and it feels like the world is on the verge of destruction. Each individual existence is vested with chains and challenges. Life sometimes seems like a video game – but it’s not, this is real! With the song ‘Galvanize’, we want to encourage everyone to have the audacity to break free from what holds you back. Fight for the right thing, make a change and become the best version of yourself. Don’t let your life pass by. Be brave and take action – now is the time to GALVANIZE.”
Starting off, the brute title track sets the tone for this relentless album, as an electronic intro is followed by a stomping verse. This soon melds with a blasting chorus and catchy melody, as Ace’s forceful vocals unleash her power and incredible skills. Followed by previously released single “My Hate Will Go On”, the intense track is a raw onslaught embodying everything LEAGUE OF DISTORTION stands for – sincerity, honesty and incredible power – topped by hard beats and bludgeoning guitar riffs! Interchanging and irresistible, soft and aggressive vocals fire with emotion, reflecting Ace’s inner “hate” that can no longer be contained. The indisputable center of the music is her voice, as the quartet bleeds the essence of LEAGUE OF DISTORTION into the track – bravely reflecting on the painful, dark parts of life. But instead of falling deeper into despair, the musical force turns darkness into relentless power, taking these obstacles head on.
The band also reflects this energy on tracks like “Chainsaw”, which convinces with a hymn-like chorus. With intense and empowering tracks like the aggressive and forward stomping “My Enemy” and “Suck My Blood”, the band is self-assured with lyrics reflecting toxic relationships and defending against an oppressor. Thematically similar, speeding “The Crown” further impresses with incredible synthesizers evoking invincibility. Another standout track is “In our DNA”, featuring guest genre-mates Cypecore, which addresses the long-standing debate of nature vs. nurture and is underlined by stunning male and female vocal lines. This potent combination can also be found on “Crucify Me”, which bribes with a stomping rhythm. Musically, the band doesn’t shy away from crossing genre-boundaries, proven on tracks like “What’s Wrong With Her?”, which deals with the theme of envy and competitive behavior among women. The song boasts a reggae inspired intro before bursting into an intense modern metal wall of sound with electronic elements and rap-like vocals. Similarly, genre-fusing is “Anti-Hero”, with rap and hip hop-beats in the verses that build up to a hymnic metal chorus.
Galvanize is like a brutal thunderstorm of unbound energy, guiding the listener into eternal darkness while still shining with the bright, lightning-like energy that lies within. The quartet proves they’re a perfect modern metal match, combining creative performance, composition, provocation and pure emotion. It’s clear that this album is only the beginning of an untamable modern metal storm!
LEAGUE OF DISTORTION on Galvanize: “We are excited and euphoric to share this second album with you! Yes, the relentless modern metal storm is raging on. Untamed and rampant we are again, openly and honestly speaking our minds, trying to process what’s going on in this world, sharing very personal topics and lyrics and providing a badass sound-wall. Fearless of crossing lines and musically borders we created an album which has its own personality and sound.”
Galvanize Track Listing: 1. Galvanize 2. My Hate Will Go On 3. Chainsaw 4. Suck My Blood 5. My Enemy 6. What’s Wrong With Her? 7. In Our DNA 8. Crucify Me 9. Anti-Hero 10. The Crown
Experience LEAGUE OF DISTORTION live!
Headliner Tour 15.11.24 DE – Köln / Helios37 16.11.24 DE – Frankfurt / Nachtleben 22.11.24 DE – Stuttgart / Club Zentral 29.11.24 DE – München / Backstage Club 30.11.24 DE – Weinheim / Café Central 05.12.24 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser 06.12.24 DE – Berlin / Cassiopeia 07.12.24 DE – Hamburg / Headcrash
LEAGUE OF DISTORTION are: Anna “Ace” Brunner – Vocals Jim “Arro” Müller – Guitar Felix “Ax” Rehmann – Bass Tino “Aeon” Calmbach – Drums
Arizona death-crusters GO AHEAD AND DIE are proud to announce their newest offering Better Dead Than Mainstream: Live At The Marquee Theater will be released digitally on September 13th via Nuclear Blast Records. The audio from the album was taken from their September 25, 2021 show with SOULFLY as well as INCITE and HEALING MAGIC. The night featured a performance of their debut self-titled album which was released two months prior. The audio for the live album was produced, engineered, and mastered by Arthur Rizk. For the album cover, the band enlisted Costin Chioreanu to create the artwork.
Max Cavalera states, “It’s amazing to me that the lockdown allowed Igor and myself the opportunity to make such a brutal record! That era gave us a clear view of harmful social issues as authoritarian rule was exploding in aggressive ways. This is a true live album, with no overdubs. It’s as brutal as the pandemic!”
Igor Amadeus Cavalera comments, “Playing live with GAAD is an absolute adrenaline rush. You can hear the unchained raw energy through every song on this recording.”
Below is the tracklisting for Better Dead Than Mainstream: Live At The Marquee Theater: 1. Truckload Full of Bodies (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 2. Toxic Freedom (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 3. I.C.E. Cage (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 4. Isolated / Desolated (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 5. Prophet’s Prey (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 6. Punisher (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 7. El Cuco (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 8. G.A.A.D. (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 9. Worth Less Than Piss (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021) 10. (In The) Slaughterline (Live at the Marquee Theater, Tempe, 2021)
GO AHEAD AND DIE unleashed their caustic sophomore album Unhealthy Mechanisms last year via Nuclear Blast Records. A torrential whirlwind born from the livid minds of Igor Amadeus Cavalera (HEALING MAGIC) and Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY). The sophomore album is a fresh dive into the madness of society and the pollution that ravages our minds. Unhealthy Mechanisms was produced by Igor Amadeus Cavalera while John Aquilino handled the recording in his Platinum Underground Studio steeped in the mystic ambiance of the Superstition Mountains’ foothills. The mixing and mastering were once again handled by Arthur Rizk (CAVALERA, SOULFLY, TURNSTILE). For the artwork, the band enlisted Santiago Jaramillo of Triple Seis Design to create the unnerving design that fits with the album title. GO AHEAD AND DIE‘s newest record is a testament to declining mental health around the world, and a reminder that we are not alone in our pain. The mind is lost. The fuse is lit. Time to set everything ablaze.
GO AHEAD AND DIE is: Max Cavalera | Vocals, Guitar Igor Amadeus Cavalera | Vocals, Guitar Johnny Valles | Drums Jackie Cruz | Bass
Eclectic singer-songwriter CHARLOTTE WESSELS (ex-DELAIN) has unveiled her brand-new single entitled “The Crying Room” today, alongside a gripping music video featuring footage from the song’s first ever live performance. “The Crying Room” is the next harbinger of Wessels’ first traditional full-length, full-band solo album, The Obsession, set to be released on September 20, 2024 via Napalm Records. The track unveils another touching facet of this sonic masterpiece, where themes like fear, obsessive thoughts and escapism run rampant on the one hand, whereas there are also songs that offer a more upbeat approach to the subject. “The Crying Room” deals with that fear while a weeping guitar solo draws the listener into darker soundscapes.
On The Obsession, CHARLOTTE WESSELS adds bucketloads of bombast to her genre-bending songwriting, as spellbinding melancholia and dark catchy elements meet progressive and heavier tunes. The storytelling within the songs give the multifaceted album even more depth, making The Obsession an exciting listening experience and Wessels’ most mature solo offering so far.
CHARLOTTE WESSELS on “The Crying Room”: “When we were gearing up for the very first performance under my own name after Covid, my tour manager asked if I wanted my own dressing room. Knowing full well that I’d be an anxious mess, I told her I didn’t need a private room — just somewhere I could have a well-earned meltdown without ruining everyone’s vibe. And that, my friends, is how ‘The Crying Room’ was born. It’s a song about the fear of failure, about needing to catch your breath before diving headfirst into something new. Everyone loves to tell stories about courage and heroism, but let’s be real: I want to hear more stories about people who are absolutely terrified… and do the thing anyway – it’s a central theme on the album, and ‘The Crying Room’ is an invitation to do just that.”
While still writing and producing the first incarnations of her songs in her Six Feet Under basement home studio and sharing them with patrons, now CHARLOTTE WESSELS is taking the songs from her new album The Obsession to the next level with a band of her fellow ex-DELAIN cohorts Timo Somers (guitars, additional arrangements), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass) and Joey Marin de Boer (drums) as well as Sophia Vernikov (piano/hammond), contributing to the new heavier sound. The album also features arrangements by Vikram Shankar (Silent Skies, Pain of Salvation), cello by Elianne Anemaat, was mixed by Guido Aalbers (Muse, Coldplay, The Gathering) and mastered by Andy VanDette (Porcupine Tree, VOLA, Dream Theater).
CHARLOTTE WESSELS about the new album: “On the one hand, this album tells a very personal story – through its unintended theme of fear, obsessive thoughts and the escapes from them – and at the same time it represents the joy of finding the song’s true forms with everyone involved in the making of this record. That’s why I chose The Obsession as a title. It refers to my personal challenges with OCD that inspired many of the songs – but I’ve also started referring to the band as The Obsession – because there were moments in the studio with them that truly reminded me of why I’m obsessed with making music in the first place.”
With thousands of monthly listeners on Spotify and a loyal fan base on Patreon, Charlotte Wessels has already made a mark with her earlier solo endeavors, Tales From Six Feet Under (2021) and Tales From Six Feet Under Vol II(2022). Now, she is taking her career to the next level with The Obsession. These compilations showcased her ability to blend various musical styles and deeply personal lyrics, earning her widespread acclaim. The Obsession is expected to build on this foundation, offering fans an even more immersive and powerful musical experience.
Songs like “The Exorcism”, “The Crying Room” and“Ode To The West Wind” (feat. Alissa White-Gluz/Arch Enemy) lead into darker spheres, whilst a track like “Dopamine” (feat. Simone Simons/Epica) shows a rather optimistic approach. It deals with SSRI-induced numbness, or “Praise” – which sings the gospel of needing external validation in order to feel anything. The reimagining of fan-favorite “Soft Revolution” won’t leave a dry eye in the room, while “Soulstice” and “Serpentine” present an unprecedented dark sensuality. Each song itself functions like an exorcism, an attempt to cast out a little of the fear it deals with.
CHARLOTTE WESSELS about the guests: “I’m extremely grateful and proud to add Simone Simons and Alissa White-Gluz to the line-up of this album. They are creative powerhouses that I have so much love and respect for. Whenever we get to work together is an absolute treat and they really elevated the songs with their performances.”
The Obsession Tracklist: 1. Chasing Sunsets 2. Dopamine 3. The Exorcism 4. Soulstice 5. The Crying Room 6. Ode To The West Wind 7. Serpentine 8. Praise 9. All You Are 10. Vigor And Valor 11. Breathe; 12. Soft Revolution (2024)
CHARLOTTE WESSELS LIVE 2024/25
Supported by her former Delain bandmates, CHARLOTTE WESSELS is set to bring The Obsession to the stage this year. The journey begins with a release show on October 4, 2024 at Utrecht’s TivoliVredenburg, followed by a special guest appearance with label mates Kamelot and Ad Infinitum in Drachten on October 11, 2024. After these shows, Wessels will join VOLA on their Friend of Phantom EU Tour 2024, kicking off on November 1.
Festivals 2025 27.-09.07.25 FI – Helsinki / Tuska 06.-09.08.25 ES – Villena / Leyendas del Rock 15. -17.08.25 NL – Eindhoven / Dynamo Metal Fest More to come…
Friend of a Phantom EU Tour 2024 Supporting VOLA 01.11.24 DK – Århus / Voxhall 02.11.24 SE – Gothenburg / Pustervik 03.11.24 NO – Oslo / Vulkan Arena 08.11.24 SE – Stockholm / Fryshuset Klubben 10.11.24 DE – Berlin / Columbia Theater 11.11.24 PL – Krakow / Hype Park 13.11.24 CZ – Prague / Meetfactory 14.11.24 AT – Vienna / Flex 15.11.24 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle 16.11.24 CH – Zurich / Komplex 17.11.24 IT – Milan / Live Club 19.11.24 DE – Cologne / Kantine 21.11.24 FR – Paris / Petit Bain 22.11.24 UK – London / Heaven 23.11.24 UK – Nottingham / Rescue Rooms 24.11.24 UK – Glasgow / G2 25.11.24 UK – Manchester / Club Academy 26.11.24 UK – Bristol / SWX 27.11.24 LU – Esch-Sur-Alzette / Rockhal 28.11.24 NL – Eindhoven / Effenaar 29.11.24 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle
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 ) 