SABOTØR Unleash Final Single ‘Flagget’ from Upcoming Debut Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2026
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Photo by Ellen Dixon

With inspirations from the resistance movement in Norway during the 2nd World War, the young metal band SABOTØR (Saboteur) offers you some hard-hitting and old-school metal.
 
Formed in 2024 by Rasmus Stenstadvolden Strømberg (bass and vocals), Andreas Remmen (guitar) and Mathilde Solemdal (drums), the trio started slamming out epic metal/punk tracks with the inspiration from bands like English Dogs, Brocas Helm and Warfare. All packed in the theme of the Norwegian resistance movement during the 2nd World War, with lyrics in Norwegian.
 
Their debut album, “Første Aksjon”, is set to be released on May the 8th. The album was recorded at Formkraft Produksjoner and the album was mixed by Remi André Nygård (Morax/Inculter).

A third single, “Flagget”, is released yesterday, the 9th of April. You can check out the single here: https://orcd.co/flagget

Sabotør has this to say about the track:
Based on the text with the same name by the Norwegian poet, soldier, and war correspondent Nordahl Grieg, Flagget tells the story of a wartime flight to Norway during WWII. The crew consisted of Norwegian airmen who flew from Britain to the Norwegian coast on a reconnaissance mission, across the North Atlantic. There, Grieg saw his home country with his own eyes for the first time in years. A machine gunner raised a Norwegian flag made of metal out of the plane and waved it over the fjords to greet the people back home and to spread a message of hope and patriotism in a time of tyranny and repression.
 
The riffs are rolled in with barbed wire, and each song delivers dynamite, vandalism, espionage and sabotage!

Release show:
May 1st – Kulturhuset, Bergen (N)

You can pre-order “Første Aksjon” on Limited Edtion black vinyl here:

For more information about Sabotør: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581330192678

Finland’s Ankea Festival Announces Daily Running Order with 21 Artists on Two Open-Air Stages

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2026
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Ankea Festival – Finland’s new summer gathering for alternative rock and progressive metal lovers – has  finalized its line-up and announced the daily running order, with 21 artists taking over two open-air stages on June 5–6, 2026. Located at a former factory site in Tampere, Finland, the festival will feature artists from 10 different countries across Europe and North America. The latest addition is Canadian cello virtuoso Raphael Weinroth-Browne, who will appear as a special guest for American progressive metallers Earthside.

The first act to hit the Main Stage on Friday will be Finnish sludge powerhouse Demonic Death Judge, followed by a rare live show from underground rock pioneers Circle, Ireland’s post-rock export God Is An Astronaut, and capped off with back-to-back sets from Norwegian heavyweights Ihsahn and Leprous. The second stage, located right next to the factory building and fittingly named as Factory Stage, will host the likes of Earthside, Iceland’s Kælan Mikla, and a Finnish debut by French space rockers SLIFT, who will coincidentally release their new album “Fantasia” on the same day. Friday will close with American post-rock legends This Will Destroy You, returning to Finland for the first time in 17 years.

Saturday kicks off with two exciting Finnish acts, Royal Sorrow and Rioghan, and culminates with two legendary names: Swedish icons Katatonia will headline the Main Stage with a special 20th anniversary performance of their 2006 classic “The Great Cold Distance”, while the Factory Stage will be closed by Finland’s cult legend Oranssi Pazuzu, whose hypnotic sound will echo across nearby Lake Näsijärvi until midnight.

Ankea Festival takes pride in creating a carefully curated experience beyond the music. The festival site is built in and around the Hiedanranta street art park, featuring over 200 meters of commissioned and free-to-paint graffiti walls. Surrounded by art and unique industrial vibe, visitors will enjoy a selection of Tampere’s top food trucks, a wine bar, a mocktail bar, and a pop-up bar by internationally renowned cocktail venue Tiima. Festival beer will be provided by CoolHead Brew, one of Finland’s leading craft breweries and current holder of the “Best Beer in Finland” title for their Salmiac Licorice Blackcurrant Sour, which will be available at every bar at Ankea Festival.

Friday, June 5, 2026
Leprous (NO)
Ihsahn (NO)
This Will Destroy You (US)
God Is An Astronaut (IE)
SLIFT (FR)
Kælan Mikla (IS)
Circle (FI)
Earthside (US)
Virta (plays Hurmos) (FI)
Demonic Death Judge (FI)
 
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Katatonia – The Great Cold Distance 20th Anniversary Show (SE)
Oranssi Pazuzu (FI)
Textures (NL)
Green Carnation (NO)
Sylvaine (NO)
A.A. Williams (UK)
Bruce Soord (UK)
Ihlo (UK)
Vermilia (FI)
Rioghan (FI)
Royal Sorrow (FI)

2-day tickets from €169.90 / 1-day tickets from €99.90.
Tickets on sale at: www.ankeafestival.com/tickets

More info: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

ANCIENT CURSE Release New Single ‘Metal Lake’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2026
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A small town in the far north of Germany is poised to make its mark on metal history. That sounds like a familiar success story, but no, we’re not talking about Wacken. In Bremervörde, right on Lake Vörder, a new metal festival is taking place in 100 days featuring e.g. Warlord, Rage, and Victory, as well as ANCIENT CURSE, who have also agreed to compose the festival anthem and release it as a new single today.

Top-notch progressive metal with an anthemic feel!

The song is available for early release exclusively on major digital platforms, including here: 
Metal Lake – Ancient Curse | Save-It

METAL LAKE – The metal open-air festival on the lake stage in Bremervörde, Lower Saxony, July 18, 2026

Current Album (without METAL LAKE!)
Tracklist:
1. Forevermore
2. Ave Maria
3. Isolation
4. Dimension 5
5. Deny and Destroy
6. Tunnel Vision (G-LOC Part 1)
7. In Memoriam
8. Dreams of Lucrecia (G-LOC Part 2)
9. Paranormal Coincidence (G-LOC Part 3)

Biography:
The North Germans have been shining with convincing progressive power metal for almost 40 years. With the premise of “breaking new ground” (literally), the band achieved cult status in Cuba in the mid-nineties and were the first western band since the Beatles to actually tour there with their No.1 hit! Even though the band went noticeably quiet for a while, the new album – their second since 2020 – is even more impressive and multi-layered than its predecessor.
The professional standard also applies to the live performance: whether headlining or supporting (Brainstorm, Rage, Victory, Rough Silk, Tankard and many more), Ancient Curse have always managed to captivate the audience with their energetic live show. They also composed the festival anthem for the upcoming “Metal Lake” metal festival!

Line-up:
Pepe Pierez – Guitars/Vocals
Gunnar Erxleben – Guitars
Matthias Schröder – Drums
Thorsten Penz – Bass

More Info: 
Website:       ancientcurse.de
YouTube:      www.youtube.com/channel/UCGYAYn3kl25GlzJw0iQLXzg
Facebook:    www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063684061715
Instagram:    www.instagram.com/ancientcursehb

PETROLBREATH Release New High-Octane Single ‘C´est La Vie Motherf***er’ + Heading Out on Tour in Balkans This Month

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2026
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Photographer: Noora Oso-Aaltonen

Operating out of the Helsinki area since 2019, Petrolbreath unleash their new single C’EST LA VIE, MOTHERF*ER – a relentless, straight-to-the-point hit that offers no comfort and no excuses.

The track dives into responsibility and consequences: that moment when everything has gone wrong and there’s no one left to blame. No saviors. No excuses. Just your choices – and what comes with them.

“Everyone knows that person. Complains about everything but does nothing. At some point, you hit a wall – and there’s no way around it.” – Petrolbreath

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/petrolbreath-cestlaviemf

–Composition: Ville Panhelainen
–Lyrics: Tuomas Patanen
–Producer: Anssi Kippo

The song was recorded fully analog at Astia Studio under the guidance of producer Anssi Kippo. You can hear it in the result: this is not a polished, clinical production, but a captured moment – alive, breathing, and full of raw energy.

Musically, the track leans on crushing riffs, a groove-driven backbone, and aggressive vocals that don’t ask for permission. The result is chaotic but controlled – like a final warning before the collapse.

The single drops just ahead of the band’s European tour.

Petrolbreath is a Finnish heavy rock/metal trio known for their groove-driven sound, aggressive energy and no-nonsense attitude. 

Blending fully analog magnetic tape production with heavy riffs and a punk-inspired edge, the band delivers music that values raw honesty over polish.

Petrolbreath are steadily building their name in the underground scene, with their sights set on stages across Europe. Band is playing several gigs in the Serbia-Bulgaria-Romania area between 17-25.4.2026 in their Balkan Inferno 2026 Tour.

Petrolbreath is:
Joni “Honi” Aaltonen – bass, vocals
Ville Panhelainen – guitar, backing vocals
Tuomas “Mean Machine” Patanen – drums, backing vocals

https://www.facebook.com/Petrolbreathband
https://www.instagram.com/petrolbreathband/

HALCYON DAYS Push Their Sound to Its Most Extreme Territory Yet with New Single ‘Watch Me Burn’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo: Anine Desire

With “Watch Me Burn,” HALCYON DAYS push their sound to its most extreme territory yet.
The track is a ferocious blend of crushing riffs, punishing breakdowns, and suffocating intensity, a sonic manifestation of inner collapse and the desperate need to become something better.

Listen to the single here: https://ffm.to/watchmeburn

Lyrically, the song confronts self-hatred, guilt, and the feeling of never measuring up.
Rather than offering easy answers, “Watch Me Burn” embraces destruction as a necessary step toward transformation. The band’s trademark balance of heaviness and melody takes a darker, more abrasive form here, aligning with the fast-paced aggression of hardcore while staying grounded in metalcore tradition. It’s confrontational, uncomfortable, and brutally honest.

“Watch Me Burn” stands as a defining moment in the NOTHING TO NO ONE // SOMETHING TO SOMEONE era, a statement of intent from a band that refuses to hold back.

NOTHING TO NO ONE // SOMETHING TO SOMEONE release via Indie Recordings on June 5th 2026

FFO: Architects, Knocked Loose and Counterparts

ABOUT
Since 2016 Halcyon Days have established themselves as one of Norway’s most consistent and compelling metalcore acts.
Known for their immersive live presence, infectious intensity, and explosive energy, the band has earned seven-figure streams, widespread international press, and slots at major European festivals including Summer Breeze Open Air, High Five Summer Fest, Inferno Festival, and Reeperbahn Festival.
Halcyon Days have balanced aggression, melody, and emotion, creating music that is heavy, deeply human, and built to resonate on stage and in headphones alike.
In 2026 Halcyon Days continue to evolve while staying true to their roots, reinforcing their position as one of Norway’s leading modern metalcore bands. 

Halcyon Days is:  
Robbe Madsen – Vocals
André Sørensen – Guitar
Eirik Løvås Bjerke – Drums
Steffen Johansen – Bass

More info: Youtube | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

ACOLYTHUS Release First & Only Single ‘Scholars of Empires Beyond’ from Forthcoming Debut Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 10, 2026
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Photo by Acolythus

Finnish black metal band Acolythus are set to release their debut album ‘Unearthly Kingdoms ‘Neath Lifeless Stars’ on May 8th 2026 via Inverse Records. The first and only single ‘Scholars of Empires Beyond’ is unleashed today and it’s available on all essential streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/acolythus-scholars

The band comments:
“Scholars of Empires Beyond embodies the very elements that inspired the creation of the album and the becoming of Acolythus. Born not only from the members’ passion for black metal but also from a growing distaste for the sterile sound of modern metal production, this record rejects perfection in favor of authenticity. Written in its entirety and recorded within a single month—February 2026—we deliberately constrained the production process to preserve the aggression and the human element behind every take. No edits, no gimmicks, only pure expression. Listeners can expect furious, melodic, and at times unexpected echoes of Finnish old-school black metal!”

–Composed, lyrics and produced by Acolythus
–Mix & Master by Teemu Leskinen
–Single cover art by Matias Stenman

Unearthly Kingdoms ‘Neath Lifeless Stars Track list:

  1. Among Ruins Forlorn
  2. Scholars of Empires Beyond
  3. As the Slaughtered Wizards Reincarnate
  4. Frozen Desolate Warfields
  5. Vacuous Gods of the Abyss
  6. Unearthly Kingdoms ‘Neath Lifeless Stars
  7. In the Fading Light of Burning Cathedrals

–All music written and produced by Acolythus
–Mix & Master by Teemu Leskinen
–Album cover art by Matias Stenman

Acolythus is a project strongly rooted in traditional black metal, boasting straightforward aggression coupled with a recognizable Finnish melodic approach to the genre. Featuring members from Convulse, Sargassus and Jotungrav, the band was born as an outlet for the musicians’ black metal aspirations. After the inspiration struck, ‘Unearthly Kingdoms ‘Neath Lifeless Stars’ was written and recorded in a matter of weeks. The album aims at conveying the aggression and feeling behind the music in its purest form. Hence in Acolythus’ music, the listener will only hear real instruments being played by real people – free of all edits and tricks that dominate the modern metal sound.  Thematically Acolythus centers itself around esoteric and occult knowledge, as well as a somewhat misanthropic and post-apocalyptic focus on humanity. Much of the inspiration from which the music is born out of can be traced to the mystical worldbuilding and wordweaving of bands such as Alghazanth, Immortal and Emperor, to name a few. In short, Acolythus provides the listener with poetic hymns and sermons of woe, accompanied by blazing and ice-cold riffs in the most authentic way black metal should be performed in.

Line-up:
Guitars & Vocals: Angrmáni (Matias Stenman)
Drums: Maleficarum (Matias Rokio)
Bass: Abyssias (Teemu Leskinen)

https://www.facebook.com/Acolythusband
https://www.instagram.com/acolythusband
https://acolythus.bandcamp.com