Italian folk-metal band STILEMA are ready to release a new single, “Senza Razza”, coming out on February 21st, via Agoge Records.
Following their first English single, “Pagan Army Unchained”, out in fall 2025, Stilema takes a leap back in time into the heart of Italian history. While the previous track was about a sci-fi rebellion against a futuristic dystopian society, “Senza Razza” is deeply rooted in historical reality: the Partisan Resistance within Rome’s suburban slums during Fascism. It’s a cry in Roman dialect that binds the blood shed in the past with the hunger of redemptions that still burns in some outskirts of the Italian capital today.
Stilema is an Italian band from Rome known for its unique blend of heavy metal, ethnic music (particularly Irish folk), Italian songwriting, anche symphonic soundscapes. In 2017, the band released its EP “Ithaka”, which title-track was inspired by the eponymous poem by Cavafy.
Following the critically acclaimed debut album “Utòpia” – released in 2020 via Hellbones Records and nominated among the best folk metal debuts of the year by several webzine in Europe – in 2021 Stilema was named “Best Celtic Metal Band” by Italian website http://www.musicaceltica.it.
Stilema has performed numerous live shows both in Italy and abroad, including opening for major acts like Nanowar Of Steel.
LINE UP: Gianni Izzo: Main and Backing Vocals Federico Mari: Electric and Acoustic Guitars / Harsh Vocals Francesco “Frenk” Pastore: Bass Guitars / Keys Sergio Lanzalonga: Drums and Percussions Flavia Morra: Violin
Napalm Records heard their call: enigmatic folk duo TABERNIS has signed their first deal with the Austrian record label. Together, they’re summoning the shadows for TABERNIS’ debut album, Seasons of the Dark Hive, coming April 24, 2026. Born out of a passion for history, it introduces an alluring journey, bringing medieval times to life through an immersive sound created with bagpipes and davul. TABERNIS intertwine ancient tradition and dark mysticism, their haunting harmonies gifting melodies to the delicate art of beekeeping. Already having performed at major festivals like Wacken and Summer Breeze Open Air off of their debut EP, Seasons of the Dark Hive will divulge more of the band’s secrets to an ever-growing following. Amidst the bees, you are never alone. Together, we rise. Welcome to the Dark Hive.
TABERNIS about the signing: “The hum crossed the veil. From age to age, carried by breath and memory, the Dark Hive endured. TABERNIS does not follow a path; it resonates. What was once whispered now moves as one again. Recognizing this living ritual, Napalm Records joins the Dark Hive, carrying the hum beyond its origin.”
Napalm Records A&R Nadir Amrioui adds: “Some frequencies are not sought; they find you. When the first pulse of TABERNIS reached us, we recognized more than just music—we found a purpose. Napalm Records does not act as a mere partner but as a sounding board for the Dark Hive and TABERNIS.”
Expanding their apiary with fifteen tracks, TABERNIS weave pervasive compositions in sacred tradition. Setting the mood as the first call to the eternal dance is “Sanctus”, a summoning of voices, a rhythmic reminder of the strength in many. Following, the duo offers an array of moody instrumentals, some buoyantly buzzing (“Tenebrae”, “Sylvanot”), some pensively droning (“Noctilis”)—all of them mesmerizing. With “Mel Obscurum (Palästinalied)”, TABERNIS devote themselves to one of the most famous surviving medieval songs. Their rendition of celebrated German poet Walther von der Vogelweide’s 13th-century “Palestine Song” bestows a special historicism upon Seasons of the Dark Hive. “Hive Dance (Le maître de la maison)” stands with similar history, originating from a late medieval French dance tune. The melodies, mainly conducted by only two instruments, are enriched by the subtle presence of a Dark Monk on strings and, on rare occasions, distorted whispers and the soothing humming of bustling bees, consistently conjuring a unique atmosphere. Seasons of the Dark Hive is an apicultural ritual, and TABERNIS take the lead.
Seasons of the Dark Hivetracklisting:
Sanctus
Tenebrae
Noctilis
Mel Obscurum (Palästinalied)
Sylvanot
Verbah Oblitah
Aurora
Florenscentia
Apem Vidi (Ai Vist Lo Lop)
Lupanar Apum
Apiare
Hive Dance (Bransle du maître de la maison)
Meliferum
Calcinae
Apes Saltis
TABERNIS Live 2026
Festivals 4.04.26 BE – Mons / Trolls & Légendes 23.05.26 DE – Leipzig / Wave-Gotik-Treffen 11.–12.06.26 DE – Kranichfeld / Sternenklang Festival 13.06.26 DE – Holzappel / Mahlstrom Open Air 20.06.26 DE – Merseburg / Schlossfestspiele Merseburg 8.–9.08.26 DE – Hildesheim / M’era Luna 12.09.26 DE – Erfurt / Fantasypark
SACRIVERSUM were formed in 1992 in Łódź (Poland), playing old school death metal with progressive elements and atmospheric sounds, making their complex mixture special and unique. Their debut album „The Shadow Of The Golden Fire“ was released in 1994, at a time when a lot of Death Metal bands started to push their boundaries and became more experimental. Their music was a perfect fit along with legendary bands like PESTILENCE, DEATH, GOREFEST & ATHEIST. And this counts for SACRIVERSUM and their upcoming new album „Before The Birth Of Light“ even more.
„Before The Birth Of Light“ will be released on May 8th, by their new label FIREFLASH RECORDS. With the signing, another circle closes for the band. „For us, signing a contract with Fireflash Records is not only an honor or an undeniable artistic success. It is also a kind of return to the past. At the end oft he 90s and the beginning of the millennium, Sacriversum was fortunate to receive assistance from Markus Wosgien, who was then a promotion specialist at Last Episode/Serenades Records. Two of our albums, the second and third, “Soteria” (1998) and “Beckettia,” (2000) were released on the German market and worldwide by this label. So together we have a history of good, friendly cooperation. Equally important, we trust and respect each other. In the meantime, Markus has gained a wealth of experience in his professional work in the music market. Sacriversum, after 17 years of its hiatus, have returned to the stage, so we are confident that this alliance is bound to work out. We are very happy and excited about the possibility of this collaboration“, explains founding member and vocalist/bass player Remigiusz „Remo“ Mielczarek.
„Sometimes the past catches up with you in a positive way. Those new Sacriversum songs simply blew me away and catapulted me straight back to the 90s. Raw, old-school death metal with those incomparable Hammond organs. Death meets Deep Purple. The album captivated and completely enthralled me from the very first moment, similar to how I felt when I listened to the latest Blood Incantation album. Two bands that are not so far apart and both combine tradition with fiction. You have to hear this death metal gem, immerse yourself in it, and experience it with full concentration“, adds Markus Wosgien from Fireflash Records.
Since 2022, SACRIVERSUM are back and continue, where they ended up with their debut album, with old school death metal and an incredible atmosphere. Guitarist MacKozer is the man who kept the band alive after the time of its coma: he persuaded Remo to revive SACRIVERSUM when an offer came to reissue the band’s first album. MacKozer‘s unique guitar playing can already be heard on the last albums before the band decided to keep stopping and his playing also largely determines the band’s current musical identity. „It’s as if we removed the entire “middle period” from our history, and our new album “Before The Birth Of Light” was released as the second, right after “The Shadow…”. Now we are mature, even older gentlemen, Baran has returned to the band, so we can start again where we left off in 1994.“
Those nine new tracks are possibly the best songs SACRIVERSUM ever composed – once you got into it, they don’t let you go. It is a dark ride into another dimension, another time and another space. You are captured in their own world, in a time before the birth of light.
On February 13th, the first single „Let Us Ride The World” will be released. More news to follow.
SACRIVERSUM – Before the Birth of Light Tour 2026
May, 8th Warszawa (PL), VooDoo Club (w/ Aion, Wieczny Mróz) May, 9th Łódź (PL), Browar Warkot (w( Aion, Wieczny Mróz) May, 15th Bielsko-Biała (PL), Rude Boy (w/ Sadist, Tenebris) May, 16th Tarnów (PL), Przepraszam (w/ Sadist, Tenebris) May 22nd Toruń (PL), Dwa Światy (w/ Corruption, BOCC) May 23rd Białystok (PL), Podlaska Adamczycha (w/ Corruption, BOCC) May 29th Szczecin (PL), Krzywy Gryf (w/ Aion & Guest) May 30th Piła (PL), Yogi Club (w/ Aion & Guest)
SACRIVERSUM is: Remigiusz „Remo” Mielczarek – bass, vocals Krystian „MacKozer” Kozerawski – guitars Olaf “Olafsson” Kozerawski – guitars Krzysztof „Baran” Baranowicz – keyboards Jan „Trocin” Traciński – drums
MEGADETH have good reason to celebrate. The Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum metal titans’ self-titled final studio album—released last week (January 23) to worldwide critical acclaim—has exploded onto the charts at #1 on the Billboard 200 in their native U.S. (highest previous position #2). This debut also marks the band’s 9th Billboard Top 200 album.
The band also claims the top spot in Australia (highest previous position #2) and Austria (highest previous position #8). Other top five spots include #2 in Finland (+ #1 physical), Sweden (+ #1 physical; highest previous position #9), and Belgium (highest previous position: #6); #3 in both the U.K. and Germany (highest previous position: #6); #4 in the Netherlands (highest previous position: #7); and #5 in both Italy (highest previous position: #15) and New Zealand (highest chart position ever). Debuts in additional territories are still being compiled at press time.
“After 40 years of delivering Megadeth music, playing shows around the world, I have nothing but gratitude at this moment. Finding out that our last Megadeth record is also our first #1 only further validates my will to go out on top,” says Dave Mustaine, vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer. “Thank you to my family, Teemu Mantasaari, James LoMenzo, and Dirk Verbueren, and Chris Rakestraw, all our fans for making this possible, without you Megadeth would not be as successful as we are. I’d also like to thank the people behind the scenes, our management, Danny Nozell, Justis Mustaine, and Steve Ross at CTK, and our label BLKIIBLK/Tradecraft.”
“This recording is a labour of love, and I hope you enjoy this as much as we do. See you on tour soon!” – Dave Mustaine
“Absolutely amazing news! Thank you and congrats to our entire extended Megadeth family!” – Teemu Mäntysaari
“I want to sincerely thank all our friends and fans who grabbed a copy, we’re over the moon!” – James LoMenzo
“It feels unbelievable to sit atop the charts with an album that’s uncompromisingly Megadeth. Huge thanks to all of you who support us- you made this happen! See you on tour!” – Dirk Verbeuren
“This moment represents the culmination of the trust Dave and the Megadeth team placed in our label, BLKIIBLK/Frontiers Label Group, to deliver these results,” says Jeff Stevenson, General Manager, Frontiers Label Group. “As our label and its owner, Serafino Perugino, celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, the timing felt right to proudly partner in this next chapter with a band that has shaped music history since its formation in 1983.”
Tom Lipsky, A&R USA, Frontiers Label Group, adds, “This achievement is a testament to the relationship that Dave Mustaine and Megadeth have built with fans over the course of their career.”
“The impact Megadeth has made on music has forever been cemented. And, now with this long overdue #1 all-genre album, the band is going out on top” says Danny Nozell, Megadeth’s manager and Founder/CEO of CTK Enterprises. “I am so proud of Justis Mustaine, Steve Ross, and the entire CTK team, our RESULTS GLOBAL marketing team, SRO PR, and our partners at BLKIIBLK/Frontiers Label Group and The Orchard for bringing this project to life.”
Leading up to the new album (out via DAVE MUSTAINE’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label), MEGADETH—Mustaine, Teemu Mäntysaari (Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars), James LoMenzo (Bass Guitar) and Dirk Verbeuren (Drums)—have released four singles: “Puppet Parade,” “Let There Be Shred!”, “I Don’t Care,” and “Tipping Point.” MEGADETH also announced a very special bonus track from the album: a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning,” which MUSTAINE co-wrote with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich and was the title track from the group’s 1984 album.
Up next for MEGADETH, they’ll kick off their farewell tour in North America with a cross-country headlining tour of Canada launching February 15 in Victoria, BC including stops in Calgary, Winnipeg, and Ottawa before wrapping March 6 in Quebec City, QC.
Following the success of their recent single “Dust,” cinematic hard rock powerhouse Bastion Rose has unleashed their next single, “Bones.” The new single serves as the second offering from their highly anticipated upcoming record, Blue Rising.
“Bones” is a heavy metal anthem defined by its rhythmic, marching intensity and massive, driving riffs. Exploring themes of willpower and the toll of endurance, the track captures a cinematic precision and grit that has quickly become the band’s hallmark.
“There are songs that I have written over the years that have taken control of me. Possessed me. I couldn’t put them down until they were finished. I couldn’t get them out of my mind for more than a minute or two until the full song materialized.” says frontman Austin Frink. “It’s about the grind—something in your bones—tells you that you need to survive. It’s a song to help you keep pushing forward through the rain, even when it feels like there is nothing left to give.”
The release of “Bones” arrives as Bastion Rose continues to dominate the digital rock landscape. Building on the foundation of their debut album Traces of Gold—produced by three-time Grammy-winner David Bottrill (Tool, Godsmack, Rush, Muse)—the band has surpassed 1.5 million streams and built a global community of over 60,000 YouTube subscribers.
Praised by Metal Hammer Magazine as a band with music “for fans of Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, and rock’s darker angels” and dubbed the “new architects of modern heavy rock” by The CHRD Magazine, Bastion Rose is striking while the iron is hot. “Bones” signals a heavier, more aggressive shift in the Blue Rising era, showcasing the band’s ability to balance technical precision with the raw energy of a live performance.
With the backing of a rapidly growing audience and critical acclaim from Metal Hammer and SPIN, Bastion Rose is positioning themselves as an essential voice in the new era of heavy music.
“Bones” is available now on all major streaming platforms, HERE.
Bastion Rose is a cinematic hard rock project based in Bloomington, Indiana. Known for their sophisticated fusion of monumental 70s-era grooves and 2000s era alternative metal intensity, the band has earned international recognition for their high-caliber production and narrative-driven songwriting. Following their David Bottrill-produced debut Traces of Gold, the band is currently unveiling the next chapter of their evolution with the album Blue Rising.
Hot off the heels of the release of their latest single “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is,” critically acclaimed Southern Roots Rock band Robert Jon & The Wreck are pleased to announce the second leg of their 2026 UK Tour. In addition to their April 2026 UK tour dates featuring special guestSam Morrow, the band will return to the UK in June and October to perform more concerts.
Planet Rock will run a48-hour ticket pre-sale for the June and October tour dates from 10am on Wednesday February 4th. Pre-sale tickets available from PlanetRock.com. Password protected: RJTW2026.
New dates include Holmfirth Picturedrome (June 18), Love Rocks Festival (June 19), Cambridge Junction (Oct 2), Nottingham Rock City (Oct 3), Liverpool, O2 Academy 2 (Oct 4), Bristol Trinity (Oct 6) Leeds Project House (Oct 7) and Oxford O2 Academy (Oct 8).
The announcement follows rave reviews of their current studio album Heartbreaks & Last Goodbyes.
Prolific songwriters with a wealth of new material who refuse to be constrained by traditional release strategies, the band’s new partnership with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records affords them the opportunity to work with the world’s top producers and release a steady stream of high-quality singles on an ongoing basis, cutting through the industry chaos and ensuring new music is accessible to their fans.
Hailing from Southern California, Robert Jon & The Wreck take the Southern rock sound from the East Coast and make it their own. Since their inception in 2011, these native Californians featuring Robert Jon Burrison (lead vocals, guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums, background vocals), Henry James Schneekluth (lead guitar, background vocals), Warren Murrel (bass), and recent member, Jake Abernathie (keyboards), have been electrifying audiences all over the world with their soaring guitar leads, rich vocal harmonies, and memorable tunes.
Watch the official music video for their single “Ashes in the Snow” on YouTube HERE.
As Robert Jon & The Wreck prepare to embark on this next chapter with their highly anticipated April 2026 UK tour, fans old and new are invited to join in the celebration of change, rebirth, and the relentless spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. Stay tuned for continued updates.
DHP & Friends in Association with Teenage Head Music & The Main Thing Proudly Present
ROBERT JON & THE WRECKJUNE AND OCTOBER 2026 UK TOUR
NEWCASTLE, WYLAM BREWERY WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 2026 Tickets: alttickets.com Palace of Arts Exhibition Park, Claremont Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4PZ www.wylambrewery.co.uk/events
MANCHESTER, ACADEMY 2 THURSDAY 16 APRIL 2026 Tickets: alttickets.com University of Manchester Students Union Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR www.manchesteracademy.net
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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