Ian Parry’s Consortium Project VI – the new chapter of the endeavour led by the renowned heavy metal vocalist – unveil today the new single and official video “A Kingdom For Heroes”, ahead of the upcoming album “Legacy Of Empires”, set for release on August 14, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Ian Parry commented: “The track features amazing performances from Stephan Lill on guitar (Vanden Plas) and the mighty Royal Hunt rhythm section / musicians Andreas Passmark (bass) and Allan Sorensen (drums). In the album’s epic fictional concept story, the song illustrates the moment when our ancestors envisaged “A Kingdom For Heroes” and a sanctuary for all peoples. A sacred place where no one shall be forsaken and protected by a guardian who taught his people the wonders of A.I. alien technology and ways to enhance the energy from the heavens and the sun.”
After years of anticipation, Ian Parry proudly returns with “Legacy Of Empires”, the powerful new chapter of the acclaimed Consortium Project series. An ambitious and cinematic work of progressive metal, the album represents a triumphant comeback for one of the genre’s most visionary and concept-driven artists.
Parry stated: “‘Legacy of Empires’ not only celebrates my 45th year as a professional singer-songwriter but also allows me to revisit and finally complete the sixth chapter of the Consortium Project saga. The challenge with every Consortium Project album is to match the quality of the previous releases while bringing something new to the music. I believe “Legacy Of Empires” achieves exactly that.” “Being able to reunite musicians who have been part of the Consortium Project journey for decades, alongside outstanding new collaborators, made this album a very special experience”, he added.
Combining epic storytelling, emotional depth and virtuosic musicianship, “Legacy Of Empires” explores themes of power, legacy, conflict and the rise and fall of civilizations through a rich and dynamic musical landscape. From majestic symphonic passages to crushing progressive metal riffs and soaring melodic arrangements, the album captures the spirit of classic concept albums while pushing the Consortium Project sound into bold new territory.
The record features an exceptional international lineup, including members of Vanden Plas, Kamelot and former members of Pain of Salvation, whose distinctive musical identities contribute to the album’s expansive and dramatic atmosphere. Their performances elevate the project into a truly immersive experience, balancing technical brilliance with raw emotional intensity.
At the center of it all stands Ian Parry, whose unmistakable voice and artistic vision continue to define the Consortium Project legacy. With “Legacy Of Empires”, Parry once again demonstrates his ability to unite world-class musicians under a singular creative direction, delivering an album that is both grandiose in scale and deeply personal in spirit.
“Legacy Of Empires” is destined to resonate with fans of sophisticated, melodic and emotionally heavy music. The album marks an exciting new era for Ian Parry’s Consortium Project, reaffirming its place among the most ambitious projects in the progressive metal scene.
“Legacy Of Empires” Tracklist:
1. The Constellation Of The Stars 2. Legacy Of Empires 3. A Declaration Of Independence 4. Gods From The Heavens Above 5. A Kingdom For Heroes 6. Pyramids Of Power 7. The Secrets Of Creation 8. Awake The Forgotten Souls 9. The Burden Of Truth 10. Nature’s Eyes
Line Up: IAN PARRY – Lead, harmony & choir vocals all songs. Midi synth strings & organ on tracks; 1 & 5. STEPHAN LILL – Rhythm, solo guitars on tracks 1, 3, 4, 5 & 8. Keyboards on tracks; 3,4 & 8. JOHANN CADOT – Rhythm, acoustic guitars & Keyboards on tracks 2, 7 & bonus 11. Backing vocals on tracks; 2,3,4,5,7, 8 & Japanese acoustic bonus track 11. LUCA SELLITTO – Rhythm, acoustic, solo guitar & strings on tracks; 6,9 &10. Backing vocals on tracks; 2,3,4,5,7 & 8. ALLAN SØRENSEN – Drums on all tracks (except track 10). ANDREAS PASSMARK – Bass guitars on tracks; 5 & 6. FRANKY RUMMLER – Bass guitars on tracks; 3,4 & 8.
GUEST MUSICIANS; Bass guitars – JAN BIJLSMA – performs on track 8. KRIS GILDENLÖW – performs on track 2. ROBERT FINAN – performs on track 10. CARMINE VIVO – performs on track 9.
Drums – CASEY GRILLO – performs on track 10.
Keyboards – PETER JAN KLEEVENS – performs Hammond organ on track 6. STEFAN WEISSMULLER – performs piano & strings on track 10.
Guitars – PATRICK RONDAT – performs solo guitar on track 2. MANOLO ARIAS – performs solo guitar on track 7.
Vocals – OMBELINE DUPRAT – Performs choir & harmony vocals on tracks; 2, 4, 5, 7 & Japanese acoustic bonus track 11. BRENDA DAVIS – Performs lead & harmony vocals on track 10.
Having balanced tradition and innovation for over three decades, Taake remains fiercely independent while continually pushing its own creative boundaries. That uncompromising vision finds new expression on the ninth full-length album, En Skog av Nidstang, released on Dark Essence Records on the 31st of July.
Past years of increasing isolation, detached from contemporary trends and largely removed from the influence of other music, the creative drive of songwriter Hoest has only intensified, resulting in four expansive compositions that flow naturally from the inspired mindset behind 2023’s critically acclaimed Et Hav av Avstand.
With the release of En Skog av Nidstang, we are proud to announce TAAKE – En Skog av Nidstang European tour, in collaboration with Massive Music.
03.09.2026 – GER – Berlin – Musikbrauerei 04.09.2026 – CZ – Ostrawa – Barrak Music Hrad 05.09.2026 – SK – Bratislava – Randal 06.09.2026 – AUT – Graz – Explosiv 08.09.2026 – SLO – Kranj – Trainstation Subart 09.09.2026 – ITA – Bologna – Alchemica 10.09.2026 – AUT – Innsbruck – Livestage 11.09.2026 – HOL – Deurne – CCD 12.09.2026 – HOL – Amstelveen – P60 13.09.2026 – BEL – Kotrijk – DVG
Further Taake shows 31.07.2026 – DE – Roitzschjora – Full Rewind Festival 06.08.2026 – SE – Göteborg – Monument 031 07.08.2026 – SE – Stockholm – Kollektivet Livet 08.08.2026 – SE – Sundvall – Club Deströyer 12.08.2026 – NO – Borre – Midgardsblot 21.08.2026 – DE – Eisfeld – Wolfszeit Festival
Following the release of their debut album “Enthroned in Torment” through Lethal Scissor Records this past January, Maltese death metal outfit BOUND TO PREVAIL have unveiled a new lyric video for the album’s title track.
A perfect introduction to the band’s uncompromising approach, “Enthroned in Torment” showcases the razor-sharp songwriting and relentless execution that define the record. Blending technical precision with constant aggression, the track embodies the album’s balance between intricate riffing and punishing rhythms. Drawing from the legacy of classic and early-2000s death metal while delivering a powerful contemporary impact, BOUND TO PREVAIL continue to establish themselves as one of the most promising new names emerging from the European death metal underground.
To celebrate the release of the lyric video, Lethal Scissor Records is also offering the CD edition of “Enthroned in Torment” at 50% off for a limited time, giving death metal fans the perfect opportunity to add one of this year’s strongest debuts to their collection.
With this debut, BOUND TO PREVAIL stake their claim in European death metal, offering a masterful balance of old-school intensity and modern precision that will captivate fans of both eras.
Tracklist:
01. The Nevergod 02. Into the Depths 03. Defier of Empires 04. Consecrated Perdition 05. Atone in Blasphemy 06. Dawn of Emptiness 07. Tomb of the Graveless 08. Enthroned in Torment
BOUND TO PREVAIL’s brand of death metal is influenced by a wide variety of extreme music subgenres, with each band member bringing their own distinct influences to the songwriting process. BOUND TO PREVAIL’s core sound fuses aggressive, frantic, pounding rhythmic passages with instantly recognizable melodic overtones.
Founded in the fall of 2014, the Maltese band hit the ground running and quickly set their sights on staking a claim on the local underground metal scene. Their well-received debut live performance at the Malta Xtreme Metal Assault Festival in the summer of 2016 was quickly followed by a number of shows, including supporting slots for renowned international acts such as Fleshgod Apocalypse, Vader, Entombed A.D., and Mayhem.
In 2017, BOUND TO PREVAIL entered XiR Studio to record their first official EP, “Omen of Iniquity”, before traveling to Sweden to have it mixed and mastered by renowned producer and engineer Ronnie Björnström at Enhanced Audio Productions, known for his work with Aeon and Beheaded. The five tracks on “Omen of Iniquity” perfectly showcase the band’s trademark sound.
BOUND TO PREVAIL performed at the Deathfeast Open Air 10th Anniversary Edition in Andernach, Germany, earning praise for both the EP and their performance alongside legendary acts such as Suffocation, Cryptopsy, and Vital Remains. Further shows that winter included supporting Dutch death metal legends Sinister.
In March 2018, the band joined the Blood Stained Earth Tour, supporting Venom Inc., Suffocation, Nervosa, and Aeternam in Manchester, UK. In May, they performed at the first edition of SinFest alongside Hecate Enthroned, Carach Angren, and Necronomicon. Later that summer, they headlined Malta’s Farsons Beer Festival Rock Stage, becoming the first death metal band to play one of the island’s largest music festivals.
In 2019, BOUND TO PREVAIL represented Malta at the first World Metal Congress in London, an international gathering endorsed by Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath) and featuring speakers and musicians including Barney Greenway (Napalm Death), Kim Kelly (Noisey), Tim Hömann (Wacken Open Air), and Dom Lawson (Metal Hammer). The year concluded with support dates for Suffocation, Belphegor, God Dethroned, and Nordjevel on the Europe Under Black Death Fire tour, as well as performances at the Antitrend and Enter The Eternal Fire festivals in the Czech Republic.
The band performed at the 2022 Obscene Extreme, MetalDays, and Deathfeast Open Air festivals, and at the 2023 editions of Farsons Beer Festival and Malta Death Fest. BOUND TO PREVAIL continue to work on securing additional local and European shows.
In 2024, the band entered SpineSplitter Studio to record, mix, and master their latest album, “Enthroned in Torment”, which was released via Lethal Scissor Records in early 2026.
Album line-up:
Keith Fenech – guitars Kevin Mifsud – bass Alan Briffa – vocals Jean Vella – guitars Mark Farrugia Sant’Angelo – drums
Current band line-up:
Keith Fenech – guitars Kevin Mifsud – bass Alan Briffa – vocals Mark Farrugia Sant’Angelo – drums
Following the release of his latest single “Give Me More”, Norwegian alternative artist STORM now unveils the official music video, filmed during the band’s unforgettable performance at Tons of Rock, Norway’s biggest rock festival.
Rather than creating a traditional performance video, STORM wanted to document the experience exactly as it happened. The result is an honest, high-energy snapshot of one of the biggest moments in the band’s career, capturing not only the intensity on stage, but everything happening around it.
“Playing Tons of Rock was such a huge moment for us that we simply had to capture it. This is hands down my favorite music video I’ve ever made. I wanted something that showed the energy, the chaos and the obsession behind ‘Give Me More’, not just what happens on stage, but everything around it. The people who matter. The moments that hit. The rush of it all.”
The video reflects the same spirit as the single itself. Built around massive hooks, driving guitars and STORM’s unmistakable blend of rock, metalcore, trap and modern alternative music, “Give Me More” is all about surrendering to something you know you probably shouldn’t want, but chasing it anyway.
Instead of polished visuals and carefully staged scenes, the video embraces the unpredictable nature of a live festival performance, allowing the emotion of the moment to take center stage.
“It’s not overproduced. It’s not trying to be something it’s not. It’s raw and honest. I’m so fucking proud of how this video turned out.”
Following the release of his acclaimed debut album Join the Storm, major festival appearances including Download Festival and Tons of Rock, and growing international attention, STORM continues to cement his position as one of Norway’s most exciting new alternative artists.
The “Give Me More” music video captures exactly why.
Celebrated UK Southern-rock four-piece Wood Burnt Red are pleased to announce their debut album Hold On Tight released Friday September 4th. The album features eleven tracks written by the band and produced by Tyler Spicer.
The CD and vinyl edition of the album are available to pre-orderHERE. The digital edition of the album is available to pre-save HERE.
Hold On Tight is the debut album that Wood Burnt Red was born to make. Rooted in country, driven by rock and roll, and forged from the kind of real-life stories that don’t need embellishment — this is eleven tracks of unfiltered truth from one of the UK’s most exciting new bands.
They didn’t set out to make a polished record; they set out to make an honest one. And the difference is everything. From the anthems that’ll have crowds roaring back every word, to the quieter moments that stop you in your tracks, Hold On Tight takes you on a journey through love, loss, resilience, and the moments that define us. It’s an album that sounds like a band firing on all cylinders — loud when it needs to be, vulnerable when it has to be, and utterly themselves from the first note to the last.
Released Friday July 17th, the album features Wood Burnt Red’s new single, “Fire Me Up” – a full-throttle, foot-to-the-floor anthem built for roaring crowds and is available on all streaming platforms HERE.
Fresh from the momentum of their acclaimed single “Simple Place,” Wood Burnt Red are shifting into top gear. “Fire Me Up” is a high-octane burst of southern rock energy — relentless, anthemic, and built to move — with the kind of chorus that pounds in your chest and makes you want to kick off your shoes!
Driving riffs, an unstoppable rhythm, and frontman Tom Franklin’s powerhouse baritone vocals combine to create a track that is as much a statement of intent as it is a stone-cold anthem.
The new single marks a significant milestone for the band — their first co-write with Nashville-based producer Tyler Spicer, the creative force behind “Simple Place.” The collaboration sparked something immediate: the melody arrived instantly, the lyrics followed naturally, and what emerged was one of the most effortless — yet most powerful — songs Wood Burnt Red have ever recorded.
With lyrics such as “fire me up and watch me go / foot to the floor, I’ll keep running on down the road / you can take that to the bank, I’ve got plenty more left in the tank,” make no mistake, “Fire Me Up” is a heat-sensitive track that burns with conviction from the very first note.
“We can’t wait for this track to come out,” says Wood Burnt Red frontman Tom Franklin. “It’s the first song we co-wrote with our incredible producer Tyler Spicer. This collaboration felt like something special from day one. Fire Me Up is a big, heartfelt message to everyone who ever told us we were wasting our time chasing an unrealistic dream. Tyler brought us this idea he had written with us in mind. We instantly loved it, rocked it up, and everything fell into place. The melody and lyrics came naturally. It was one of the easiest songs we have recorded, and we genuinely think it is one of the best.”
“Fire Me Up” is the sound of a band who have found their moment — and they are not slowing down for anyone.
ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. Best Things (3:11) 2. Fire Me Up (3:30) 3. Count My Blessings (4:24) 4. Bartender (3:09) 5. Drifting (3:17) 6. One Chance (3:07) 7. Every Road (3:13) 8. Times A Healer (2:49) 9. Simple Place (3:52) 10. To The Moon (3:33) 11. Where You Are Now (3:39)
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Writers: Wood Burnt Red & Tyler Spicer Producer: Tyler Spicer Mixed By: Todd Peterson Mastered By: Sam Moses
BAND LINE-UP
Tom Franklin – Lead Vocals & Guitar Rob Graney – Lead Guitar Russ Staples – Bass Guitar Ed Baldwin – Drums
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
1. BEST THINGS The album opens with a knowing wink and a wry smile. “Best Things” is a sharp, relatable take on the modern-day paradox of materialism — the pressure to keep up appearances in a world that increasingly equates happiness with possessions we cannot truly afford. With lyrics that cut straight to the bone — “I got a nice home that I don’t own. And a car on the drive that’s not paid for” — the song turns financial reality into an anthem that anyone living on the edge of their means will recognise instantly.
2. FIRE ME UP The album’s lead single and a statement of intent. A full-throttle southern rock anthem co-written with producer Tyler Spicer, “Fire Me Up” arrived almost fully formed — the melody instant, the lyrics natural, the result undeniable. With a chorus that burns with conviction and a message aimed squarely at anyone who’s ever been told their dreams aren’t worth chasing, this is Wood Burnt Red at their most electrifying. “Fire me up and watch me go. Foot to the floor, I’ll keep running on down the road. You can take that to the bank. I’ve got plenty more left in the tank.”
3. COUNT MY BLESSINGS One of the album’s most unflinching tracks. “Count My Blessings” goes straight to the heart of addiction — not the habit itself, but the brutal reality of what comes after. The confusion of getting clean and still not feeling whole. The urges that don’t just disappear. The question that haunts so many in recovery: why don’t I feel fixed? Raw, honest, and utterly without judgement, it’s a song that understands addiction doesn’t end — you just find a better way to carry it.
4. BARTENDER Already a fan favourite, “Bartender” spent eighteen months on Apple Music’s prestigious Today’s Country playlist and racked up over 600,000 streams — and it’s not hard to hear why. A raw, aching plea for relief, it captures that specific kind of hurt that only a barstool and a patient bartender can meet: “I’m in need of something stronger to help me ease the pain. Something that lasts a little longer and helps the memories fade away.” Timeless, universal, and catchy as hell.
5. DRIFTING The most personal song lead singer Tom Franklin has ever written — and perhaps the hardest. “Drifting” explores depression from the perspective of someone who had never truly experienced or understood it until it arrived without warning and carried him to places he never expected to go. Written from the darkest corners of that journey, it is a song for anyone who has ever felt completely alone inside their own head. Difficult to write and difficult to perform, it was impossible to leave off the record — because if it reaches even one person and helps them feel less alone, then every difficult second was worth it.
6. ONE CHANCE Perhaps the most personal song on the album. Tom Franklin first wrote the bones of this chorus back in 2014 — intended as a surprise first dance for himself and his wife Liz, but left unfinished, too close to complete. Years later, it became this: a tender, powerful song about two people shaped by difficult pasts learning to trust again. “One Chance” isn’t just a love song — it’s a promise. That what came before doesn’t have to define what comes next, and that some people are worth breaking down every wall for.
7. EVERY ROAD Some people get under your skin and never leave. “Every Road” captures that feeling with pinpoint precision — the one you love becomes an addiction you can’t shake, and no matter how far you run or how hard you try to clear your head, every road leads straight back to them. Aching guitars and an irresistible melody make this one of the most quietly powerful tracks on the album.
8. TIME’S A HEALER The most satisfying kind of revenge — the kind where you don’t have to lift a finger. “Time’s A Healer” is Wood Burnt Red at their most knowing; a song about watching karma do its work on someone who made all the wrong choices and having the best seat in the house when it does. Equal parts cathartic and celebratory, it’s the track that’ll have crowds grinning from ear to ear.
9. SIMPLE PLACE One of the boldest songs in the Wood Burnt Red catalogue. “Simple Place” is a stark and unflinching reminder that as a society, we’re losing sight of what really matters — humans helping one another, loving thy neighbour. With lyrics that don’t flinch from the darkness around us, it serves as a gentle but urgent wake-up call that love, community, and connection are still within reach. Country music is all about truth — and Wood Burnt Red proves that hasn’t been lost.
10. TO THE MOON A shot of pure adrenaline. “To The Moon” is the album’s rallying cry — a reminder that your moment is yours for the taking if you’re bold enough to reach out and grab it. Euphoric, uplifting, and impossible to sit still to, it’s the kind of song that makes you feel like anything is possible. Take the bull by the horns. The ride starts now.
11. WHERE YOU ARE NOW The album closes on something quietly devastating. Written after Tom watched a close friendship be used, manipulated, and ultimately discarded at the worst possible moment, “Where You Are Now” is a song about the people who pass through our lives — and the mark they leave whether they meant to or not. Each member of the band hears something different in it: betrayal, self-discovery, the natural drift of relationships over time. That’s what makes it the perfect closer. It means something different to everyone who hears it, but it hits everyone the same way.
WOOD BURNT RED – BIOGRAPHY
Wood Burnt Red are a UK-based four-piece making waves with an electrifying blend of southern rock grit and country soul. Lifelong friends turned bandmates, they bring the spirit of brotherhood to songs rooted in raw, honest stories of love, loss, resilience, and the defining moments that shape us.
Fusing rock swagger with country storytelling, their sound is bold and unmistakable: searing guitar riffs, powerful harmonies, and lyrics that cut straight to the core. Their on-stage chemistry is undeniable, forged through decades of friendship and shared history, creating performances that feel as authentic as they are explosive.
With more than half a million Apple Music streams and a coveted spot on Apple’s “Today’s Country” playlist, Wood Burnt Red is building serious momentum. With their debut album Hold On Tight set for release in September 2026, they are ready to deliver everything from whiskey-soaked ballads to foot-stomping anthems made for roaring crowds — songs that resonate as deeply as they energise and uplift your spirits.
Praised by Planet Rock’s Elles Bailey as “the UK’s answer to The Brothers Osborne,” Wood Burnt Red are carving out a distinctive place in the Southern Rock and Modern Country Rock music scene — and they are only just getting started.
Australian rock outfit Jeremy Harry Harris & the Treachery Of Ravens have announced their most ambitious international undertaking to date, confirming a 16-show European tour across July and August 2026.
The Walking With My Darkness European Tour 2026 will take the band through Bulgaria, Romania, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, combining twelve club shows with four confirmed festival appearances. The run begins at Live & Loud in Sofia on 29 July and concludes at Falcon Club in Klatovy on 22 August.
The confirmed festival appearances are Bucovina Motorfest in Suceava, Vagos Metal Festival in Aveiro, Rock Castle Festival in Moravsky Krumlov, and Total Metal Open Air III in Pleven. The routing places the Australian act in front of both dedicated rock club audiences and major European festival crowds across a concentrated four-week campaign.
The tour is built around the band’s concept album Walking With My Darkness, a record shaped by themes of love, loss, grief, denial, resilience, and acceptance. On stage, the material is presented as something larger than a standard rock set, combining direct performance energy with cinematic atmosphere and a strong emotional through-line.
Joining the band on all club dates will be fellow Australian act Ammify, with local and regional artists added throughout the tour. Confirmed support acts include Inner Strive in Sofia, Parking Dog in Varna, Radical25 in Brasov, The Holla Weg in Amiens, Nocturnal Eternity in Bistrita, and Snippy Gun, The Black Vipers, and RockFlow in Budapest.
Event Details:
For European media, promoters, and rock audiences, the tour represents a substantial independent Australian presence across the 2026 summer season. It also reflects the international reach of a project that has built attention through award-winning music videos, visually driven storytelling, and a live show designed to connect beyond language or geography.
The full routing runs from Live & Loud in Sofia on 29 July, Club Smile in Varna on 30 July, Tâmplărie in Brașov on 31 July, Bucovina Motorfest in Suceava on 1 August, Vagos Metal Festival in Aveiro on 5 August, The New Rock Beer in Santander on 8 August, Estudio Groove in Portugalete on 9 August, Sombrero in Amiens on 11 August and Blackbox Kultur Club in Nuremberg on 12 August.
The second half of the tour continues with Rock Castle Festival in Moravský Krumlov on 14 August, Total Metal Open Air III in Pleven on 16 August, SoHo Music Hall in Bistrița on 18 August, Nemesis Art Club in Timișoara on 19 August, S8 Underground in Budapest on 20 August, Unleaded Coffee in Brno on 21 August, and Falcon Club in Klatovy on 22 August.
The scale of the routing reflects a deliberate strategy rather than a loose run of dates. Each club show is being built with local relevance, regional support and a clear identity, while the festival appearances provide broader international visibility and place the band in front of audiences that actively follow heavy, alternative and hard-edged rock music.
For editors, radio producers, bloggers, and local music writers, the tour offers several angles: an Australian independent rock act undertaking a serious European campaign, a concept album moving into the live arena, four confirmed festival appearances, and a run of club shows designed to connect with local scenes rather than simply pass through them.
“Getting a European tour off the ground is never glamorous. It is months of logistics, planning, and problem-solving. The reward is standing in front of new audiences every night and finding out whether the songs connect.” — Jeremy Harry Harris
Check out the live video for “Walking With My Darkness”:
Background
About Jeremy Harry Harris & the Treachery Of Ravens: Australian rock act Jeremy Harry Harris & the Treachery Of Ravens create cinematic, emotionally charged rock built around strong songwriting, visual storytelling and immersive live performance. The band’s concept album Walking With My Darkness explores love, loss, grief, denial and acceptance, while its award-winning music videos have brought the project international recognition across film and music festival circuits.
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
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