DEATH SS Return with Newly Remastered Edition of “Horror Music”, Out February 20th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 15, 2026
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Lucifer Rising Records is proud to announce the reissue of “Horror Music”, the first volume of the historic anthology by DEATH SS, retracing the seminal early phase of the band’s career.

Originally released in 1996, this landmark double LP marked a crucial turning point in the band’s history. It was the first release born from the strategic collaboration between Steve Sylvester and Vittorio Lombardoni (Self Distribuzione). From that partnership, Lucifer Rising Records was established, launching an artistic and distribution alliance that has successfully continued for over thirty years.

“Horror Music” is far more than a compilation. It stands as a true chronological document covering the period 1977-1996, capturing the evolution of DEATH SS: from the occult and underground atmospheres of their early years to the full compositional maturity achieved in the mid-1990s.

This new edition has been carefully curated to preserve and enhance the refined gothic aesthetic that has always defined the band’s identity. The release features elegant Pantone gold finishes and an 8-page maxi-booklet, including the original band history written by Italian journalist Beppe Riva.

All tracks have been newly remastered from the original source materials, with the aim of refining and enhancing a work created three decades ago, while fully respecting its original sonic identity and restoring greater depth, clarity and overall cohesion to the listening experience.

In perfect alignment with the dark imagery of DEATH SS, “Horror Music” is available now for pre-order here: https://www.deathss.com/horrormusic/horrormusic.html

The album will then be officially released in all physical and online stores worldwide on Friday, February 20, 2026.

DISC 1

Side A
A1 – The Night Of The Witch
A2 – Profanation
A3 – Spiritualist Seance
A4 – Zombie
A5 – Terror

Side B
B1 – Murder Angels
B2 – Vampire
B3 – Horrible Eyes
B4 – Cursed Mama
B5 – Kings Of Evil

DISC 2

Side C
C1 – In The Darkness
C2 – The Mandrake Root
C3 – Where Have You Gone?
C4 – Baphomet
C5 – Inquisitor

Side D
D1 – Heavy Demons
D2 – Black And Violet
D3 – Chains Of Death
D4 – Black Mass

DEATH SS online:
http://www.deathss.com
open.spotify.com/artist/2G6Jj3r7Uux76wZXsykcht
instagram.com/deathssofficial
youtube.com/deathssofficial
x.com/deathssofficial
tiktok.com/@deathssofficial

VICIOUS RAIN Unveil Brand New Single ‘A Spotless Mind’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by metalshockfinland on February 15, 2026
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Swiss metalcore powerhouse Vicious Rain aren’t slowing down — they’re sharpening the blade. With their brand new single ‘A Spotless Mind’, the band unveil another intense chapter of an album cycle that has already seen massive momentum. Watch the visualizer below.

Following the impact of ‘IKIGAI,’ ‘Spitting Blood Again,’ ‘Silent Therapy,’ and ‘Trading Hearts,’ Vicious Rain continue to prove that this era isn’t built on one strong track — it’s a statement of consistency and evolution.

‘A Spotless Mind’ dives deeper into the emotional weight that has defined this cycle so far, but it does so with a new level of urgency. Where previous singles balanced atmosphere and aggression, this one feels more immediate — sharp riffs, soaring tension, and a chorus that lingers long after the final breakdown fades. It’s heavy, but controlled. Emotional, but not fragile. The kind of track that doesn’t just hit — it stays.

All of this leads toward their upcoming full-length release, set to drop on 13th March. If the singles so far are any indication, Vicious Rain aren’t just releasing an album – they’re cementing their place as one of the most compelling forces in modern European metalcore.

‘A Spotless Mind’ is another reminder: this isn’t hype. It’s momentum.

Catch the band live:
13.03.26 – Release Show, Werkk Baden

VENUES Release New Single And Official Video ‘Hollow Walls’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 15, 2026
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After the massive impact of ‘Duality‘ — a single that marked a defining moment in the band’s recent chapter — German metalcore force VENUES now unveil their next strike: ‘Hollow Walls.’

This isn’t just another release. ‘Hollow Walls’ picks up where ‘Duality’ left off. Visually and emotionally. The new music video acts as a direct sequel, continuing the narrative thread and expanding the atmosphere into darker territory. What began as tension now escalates into confrontation. The cracks in the surface are no longer subtle – they’re breaking wide open.

Sonically, VENUES lean further into contrast: fragile moments collide with explosive weight, cinematic tension meets razor-sharp heaviness. ‘Hollow Walls’ feels urgent, restless, and uncomfortably honest – like standing in a room that’s slowly collapsing while you’re still inside it.

If ‘Duality’ was the warning shot, ‘Hollow Walls’ is the fallout.
This isn’t a reset.
It’s the next chapter.

Catch the band live:
06.06. – Holtebüttel Rockt Festival
19.06. – Harleyville Festival
20.06. – Sommer am Kiez
05.07. – Burning Pants Festival
04.09. – Pell Mell Festival

Italian Power Metal Veterans HIGHLORD Welcome New Vocalist Andrea Racco w/ ‘Resurrection’ Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 15, 2026
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Rockshots Records proudly presents “Resurrection”, the new single from Italian power metal veterans Highlord, a track that signals a decisive new compositional chapter in the band’s long-standing career.

“Resurrection” introduces the renewed lineup featuring Andrea Racco (also known for his work with Sound Storm) as the new frontman and immediately establishes a sharper, heavier sonic direction while preserving the unmistakable epic DNA that has defined Highlord for decades.

Thematically, the song captures the fragile equilibrium of modern society, a world suspended between tension and transformation, and translates the urgent need for change into the metaphor of rebirth. “Resurrection” is conceived as a surge of energy breaking through instability: not escapism, but reaction; not nostalgia, but renewal.

Musically, the band embraces a more aggressive and compact approach. The guitar work is tighter and more percussive, built around driving riff structures and dynamic harmonic layering that reinforce the song’s sense of forward momentum. The rhythm section delivers a precise, explosive backbone balancing double-kick propulsion with controlled groove passages that heighten the track’s impact without sacrificing clarity.

Andrea Racco’s performance stands at the center of this evolution. His gritty, powerful vocal delivery, recalling the dramatic intensity associated with classic European power metal, injects a raw, assertive edge into the band’s sound. Yet despite the increased weight and attack, Highlord retain their hallmark melodic sensibility: expansive, emotionally charged choruses open the arrangement into wide harmonic landscapes, ensuring that the song’s epic character remains intact.

Production once again plays a crucial role. “Resurrection” was produced by bassist Massimiliano Flak at Evolution Recording Studios in Turin, resulting in a massive, modern mix that emphasizes punch and definition. The guitars cut with sharp articulation, the low end remains firm and controlled, and the vocal layers sit prominently without overpowering the instrumental interplay. The overall sonic architecture is polished yet forceful – contemporary in impact while rooted in traditional power metal aesthetics.

With “Resurrection”, Highlord does not simply introduce a new lineup; they redefine their expressive coordinates. Heavier, more immediate and rhythmically explosive, yet still melodic and anthemic at heart, the single represents a statement of intent, a rebirth forged in steel, melody and conviction.

DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/rSuR3c

For more info:​
​https://www.rockshots.eu​
​https://www.facebook.com/highlordmetalband​
​https://www.instagram.com/highlorditalia/

TO THE MAX! Release Music Video for ‘Who’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 15, 2026
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Verona-based Action Rock trio TO THE MAX! has released a brand-new music video for the track “Who”, taken from their upcoming sophomore studio album “Two The Max!”, set for release on March 13 via Go Down Records. Directed by Francesco Corso and shot atFucina Culturale Macchiavelli in Verona, Italy, the video captures the band’s dynamic intensity and underlines the edgy, punk-infused spirit of the track.

Watch the video here:

“We really identify with this song – it’s edgy and the most punk-inspired on the album“, TO THE MAX! comments. “It developed spontaneously and keeps the listener engaged through dynamic shifts in atmosphere. The lyrics are open to interpretation, and the music provides the perfect canvas. Our own meaning is that things don’t always require someone else to work out, and that’s the concept behind the music video. At the end, the band performs as a trio, highlighting self-reliance and the energy of playing together with no need for a fourth member“. 

Tracklist:
1. On ‘N’ On
2. Who
3. Apple Bite
4. C’mon (Move It)
5. Dying Inside
6. Sharp Breath
7. Running
8. Sunday Nite
9. Enjoy The Ride
10. Cancel

TO THE MAX! is a high-energy Heavy Rock trio known for blending diverse musical influences with a distinctive, electrifying sound. The band unites Alessandro Marchi (drums, vocals), Nicola Marchi (guitar, vocals), and Mattia Fraccaroli (bass, backing vocals), whose past projects span genres from Thrash and Black Metal to Sleaze Rock, reflecting years of collaboration and stage experience.

Formed in mid-2020 during the global lockdown, the trio reunited with a clear objective: to create music free from external constraints, driven solely by their own vision. Their aim was to craft Heavy Rock songs that explore a wide range of moods and influences, while maintaining a consistent and unmistakable sound.

After less than a year of rehearsals and a home-recorded five-track demo, TO THE MAX! began performing extensively in 2021, playing pubs, live clubs, and festivals. In 2022, they recorded their debut album Midnight Tea, which was self-released on CD and digitally in 2024. The band has since completed several Italian and European mini-tours, appearing at venues such as Bloom (Mezzago, Italy), Le Brin De Zinc (Barberaz, France), Sala Barracudas (Madrid, Spain), and G5(Vienna, Austria), as well as festivals including Rock Camp (Trieste), Metal Machine (Reggio Emilia), and Rock The Station (Austria), sharing stages with both local and international acts.

Songwriting continues to be the driving force behind the band’s evolution, and the new material culminates in their sophomore album “Two The Max!”, scheduled for release via Go Down Records in March 2026.

“Two The Max!” is available for pre-order here: Physical | Digital

Line-up:
Ale | drums, vocals
Nico | guitars, vocals
FRH | bass, backing vocals

For more info visit:
https://www.instagram.com/tothemax_band/
https://www.facebook.com/tothemaxvr
https://www.godownrecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/GoDownRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/godownrecords/

IRON SAVIOR Unleash New Video for A-ha Classic ‘Take On Me’ from Upcoming Cover Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 15, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Hamburg-based power metal veterans IRON SAVIOR have just released a new video clip for their latest single, “Take On Me” – the band’s electrifying metal reworking of the classic A-ha hit. The track is taken from their highly anticipated cover album “Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy”, set to arrive on March 27, 2026 via PERCEPTION – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music!

Following a series of successful singles previewing the album, including their fiery rendition of Irene Cara’s “Fame” and the powerful take on Alphaville’s “Forever Young”, the “Take On Me” video adds a fresh chapter to IRON SAVIOR’s cosmic mission of transforming beloved ’80s pop anthems into full-throttle power metal epics. 

Frontman Piet Sielck reveals: „Take On Me“ for sure is one of the most successful pop songs ever. So in the beginning it was more a „must“ than a „want“… but during the process of transforming it, I started to love this version more and more. Today I am more than happy to have this classic on the album and I‘m proud of the outcome!”

Stream / Download “Take On Me” at: https://ironsavior.rpm.link/takeonmePR

After reigniting their cosmic engines with “Machine World – Reforged” in 2025, IRON SAVIOR embark on their boldest mission yet. With “Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy”, IRON SAVIOR tap into the heart of ’80s pop culture and reforge it with thunderous riffs and soaring vocals, combining nostalgia, passion, and the band’s trademark precision and fire, proving that the past can shine brighter than ever when reforged in metal.

“After the huge success of the 2002 Condition Red bonus track “Crazy” (Seal), which was actually used in a HBO TV show, we have been asked by fans and medias almost constantly to do a complete cover tracks album,” Sielck explains, and adds: “So… two decades later here we are!” quotes frontman Piet Sielck. “AWESOME ANTHEMS continues the transformation from pop-to-metal in Iron Savior style as started with Seal’’s “Crazy” and Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams. We are absolutely proud of the outcome, which never looses the original vibe of the tracks but yet is 100% Iron Savior. Just listen yourself.. I guarantee a lot of smiles while doing so!” 

From the electrifying rush of A-ha’s “Take On Me” and the thunderous drama of Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds” to the cinematic pulse of Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora’s “When The Rain Begins To Fall” and the adrenaline-fueled “Maniac” by Michael Sembello, IRON SAVIOR turn pop classics into heroic, melodic metal anthems. With “Awesome Anthems of the Galaxy”, IRON SAVIOR prove once more that great songs never age – they just get heavier!

Pre-order the album now at: https://ironsavior.rpm.link/awesomeanthemsPR

Album Track Listing:

  1. Fame
  2. All I Need Is A Miracle
  3. When The Rain Begins To Fall
  4. Maniac
  5. Take On Me
  6. Relax
  7. What A Feeling
  8. Against All Odds
  9. Separate Ways
  10. Suburbia
  11. Here Comes The Rain Again
  12. She’s Like The Wind
  13. (I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight
  14. Forever Young
  15. Since You Been Gone
  16. Call Me

About IRON SAVIOR:

Forged in Hamburg’s metal heart, Iron Savior have been delivering their signature brand of powerful, melodic heavy metal for nearly three decades. Led by founder, vocalist, guitarist, and producer Piet Sielck, the band has become a cornerstone of the German power metal scene with their blend of high-octane riffs, anthemic choruses, and sci-fi storytelling.

For More Info Visit: Website | Facebook | Youtube