STORMBRINGER Release New Single ‘Dirt And Bone’ with Official Music Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 31, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

New single “Dirt And Bone” is a huge slab of dark introspection, hypnotic and powerful and showcases Stormbringer at their absolute finest. 

Order the single here: https://orcd.co/att015s02

The band comment: “Dirt And Bone” is a dark and moody track. It was originally written for the Blood and Rust album before my departure from the band in 2015. We always loved the original version and felt it would be a shame to leave it locked away.   
Revisiting the lyrics and performing the song again during rehearsals brought back memories of a time when I felt drained and overwhelmed by how I viewed myself and my place in the world. I was clearly not in a good space and needed support and care from friends and loved ones.   
While it pains me now to think about how harshly I treated myself, I can also recognise that period as a dangerous, yet important part of my personal growth. 
“Dirt And Bone” has become something I can measure that journey against, and for that, I’m thankful.”

STORMBRINGER release a brand-new studio album ‘TRANSCENDENCE’ on September 4th via Attic Records.
Preorder the album here: https://linktr.ee/stormbringer

Following the journey of their previous albums, Stormbringer continue to evolve with ‘Transcendence’ – a record that explores adversity, resilience, self-acceptance and the complex relationship between personal struggles and the world around us.

Musically, the album represents a further evolution of the band’s signature sound, combining crushing riffs, powerful melodies and emotionally charged performances. Stormbringer continue to embrace their heavy rock foundations while pushing their songwriting into new and more expansive territory.

“Every album captures a moment in time,” explains vocalist Mike Stockley. “Transcendence is about growth through adversity. It’s about recognising and accepting the darkness without allowing it to define you. The album confronts life’s struggles on both a personal and societal level, exploring the challenges we face as individuals while also reflecting on the world around us. These songs aren’t about offering easy answers – they’re about questioning, understanding and ultimately finding the strength to move forward.”

Produced by legendary producer Russ Russell (Napalm Death, Dimmu Borgir, At the Gates, The Wildhearts, The Exploited, Evile, The Haunted, New Model Army, Eradikator, Evil Scarecrow, Raging Speedhorn) and recorded at Parlour Studios in Kettering, Northamptonshire, Stormbringer return with their most ambitious and emotionally profound release to date.

Stormbringer UK Tour Dates:
11th Sept Roadmender, Northampton plus Brightblack, Silence Mutant
12th Sept The Old Wine Vaults plus Brightblack, Silence Mutant
25th Sept The Portland Arms, Cambridge plus Planet Fatale, Brightblack
26th Sept The Carlist, Hastings plus Planet Fatale, Silence Mutant
20th Nov B2, Norwich plus Black Transistor, Planet Fatale, Triggered Velocity
21st Nov Percy’s Rock Café, Whitchurch plus Planet Fatale, local support
27th Nov The Cobblestones, Bridgewater, plus Metallised
28th Nov Bears Cave, Bournemouth plus Brightblack, Silence Mutant
As special guests to Viking Skull
29th Nov London, Cart & Horses
7th Dec West End Centre, Aldershot
8th Dec Billy Bootleggers, Nottingham
9th Dec Star And Garter, Manchester
10th Dec Bannermans, Edinburgh
11th Dec The Underground, Bradford

Stormbringer are:
Mike Stockley – Vocals
Ashley Smith – Guitar
Darren Caven-Quantrill – Guitar
Barney Byron – Bass
Jon Paul Quantrill – Drums

Produced by: Russ Russell
Recorded at: Parlour Studios, Kettering, Northamptonshire

Album presale: 
https://stormbringer.bigcartel.com/product/transcendence-cd-album
https://orcd.co/att015

https://www.facebook.com/Stormbringerrock/
https://www.youtube.com/@stormbringer3310
https://www.instagram.com/stormbringeruk/
https://x.com/UKSTORMBRINGER
https://www.tiktok.com/@stormbringerofficial
https://stormbringer.bigcartel.com/

JAMES KENNEDY & THE UNDERDOGS Release Video for New Single ‘Shadows’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 31, 2026
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Following the release of their explosive single ‘Revolution’ in June which featured guest vocals from Benji Webbe of Skindred, South Wales based rockers James Kennedy and The Underdogs announce the release of their latest single, ‘Shadows’ is out now on Konic Records.   

Order here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jameskennedyandtheunderdogs/shadows

The song shows the band taking a different direction to the punky / metal energy of the previous two singles and showcases their more melodic, mid-tempo groove side complete with anthemic sing-along chorus and soaring guitar solo from Jack Davies. 

Of the lyrics, James Kennedy says: “The whole album is about rebelling against the evils and injustices of our times but ‘Shadows’ is about rebelling against our enemy within, our own personal, internal demons (in my case, depression and a busted nervous system). And just as we might throw a Molotov Cocktail at tyrants, that same fire within can bring light to the darkest corners of a soul blackened by shadows”

The cover art for ‘Shadows’ is a twist on the famous Amnesty International logo. 

James Kennedy and The Underdogs are an alternative rock / punk band from Newport, South Wales, formed in 2023 by singer, author, podcaster and former Kyshera frontman, James Kennedy. The band includes Jack Davies on guitar, Elliot Blake on bass, and Aggy Nowicka on drums, all former and current members of the bands Kane’d, Catalysts, and Ravenbreed. 

In their mere three years as a band they have already earned a reputation for their anarchic and high-energy live shows, described by the Moshville Times as “pure rock ‘n’ roll energy” and as “Wales’ most vital live act” by Uber Rock. Their first album ‘Make Anger Great Again’ was released via Konic Records, and new album “Rebel” is due for release on the same label.

‘Rebel’ is set for release in November 2026 via Konic Records and will be available on all streaming platforms with vinyl and CD editions available from the band’s online store at: https://jameskennedystuff.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/andtheunderdogs/
https://www.facebook.com/JamesKennedyandTheUnderdogs
https://www.youtube.com/@jameskennedyofficial
https://x.com/jameskennedyuk
https://jameskennedystuff.bandcamp.com/
https://jameskennedyofficial.com

Post Metal Veterans RISE ABOVE DEAD Join Argonauta Records, New Album “Voidmass” Out This Autumn

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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Milan, Italy based post metal veterans RISE ABOVE DEAD are proud to announce their signing with Argonauta Records and the release of their new full-length album, Voidmass, this Autumn, opening a new chapter in the band’s uncompromising journey through heaviness, atmosphere and dark introspection.

“We’ve always admired Argonauta Records for their dedication to the underground scene and their commitment to heavy, independent music, so we couldn’t be happier to join their roster and begin this new chapter together.”

Born in the depths of Milan’s underground scene, Rise Above Dead began their journey in 2010 with the Human Disintegration EP, establishing a raw and visceral sound shaped by crust and dark hardcore influences. Their evolution continued with the 2012 full length Stellar Filth, before Heavy Gravity in 2015 marked a decisive move into fully instrumental territory and increasingly expansive, cinematic soundscapes.

The band’s artistic evolution reached a major turning point with Ulro in 2020. Inspired by the visionary work of William Blake, the psychedelic concept album explored alienation, society and inner collapse, pushing Rise Above Dead further into immersive and conceptual territory. The album featured artwork by Solo Macello and was mastered by Magnus Lindberg of Cult of Luna.

Following the pandemic and subsequent lineup changes, 2026 marks the return of original vocalist Andrea Rondanini. After years of instrumental exploration, his comeback brings the human voice back to the band’s sound, opening a more intense and vocal driven direction while retaining the atmospheric depth and crushing dynamics that have defined Rise Above Dead over the years.

With a renewed lineup and fresh creative energy, Rise Above Dead are now preparing to unleash Voidmass, a six-track journey through crushing post-metal, cinematic sludge and haunting emotional landscapes. The band will also return to the stage, with a strong focus on live performances and a renewed presence within the European underground.

The new era of Rise Above Dead begins now. More news, including the first single and video coming soon.

For more info:
​https://www.facebook.com/riseabovedead​
​https://www.instagram.com/riseabovedead​
​https://www.argonautarecords.com/

NEKOMATA Release First Single & Video ‘Functional Beauty’ from Upcoming Album “Third Impact”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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NEKOMATA enter a new era in their story with “Third Impact”, a new creative cycle that begins with “Functional Beauty”, the first single leading towards the band’s third chapter expected in 2027.

“Third Impact” builds on the musical identity NEKOMATA have developed across their previous releases while pushing its defining elements further. Modern metal, tightly controlled grooves and a strong melodic drive remain at the core of their sound, now opening towards a broader range of influences rooted in classic heavy metal.

The new chapter also continues the band’s distinctive “concept-non-concept” approach. Rather than following a strict narrative, its songs explore individual ideas and imagery that stand on their own while contributing to a broader thematic framework. Obsession, transformation, and the pursuit of ideals emerge among the themes explored through the cryptic perspective that characterizes NEKOMATA’s writing.

“Functional Beauty” provides the first expression of this direction, examining the obsessive pursuit of beauty, attraction and perfection. At the centre of the song is the image of a modern-day King Midas, consumed by the desire to make everything around him perfect. Instead of achieving the ideal he seeks, that pursuit gradually corrupts him, transforming him into a figure incapable of satisfaction and trapped by his own expectations.

Musically, “Functional Beauty” pushes several recognizable elements of the NEKOMATA sound further. Melody and tightly driven grooves meet heavy galloping passages, an immediate chorus, and a succession of solos and rhythmic breaks blending modern metal with classic heavy metal influences.

“Functional Beauty” is the first step into “Third Impact”, with more music and further details surrounding NEKOMATA’s third chapter to be revealed in the coming months.

Listen to “Functional Beauty”: https://lnk.to/neoB3U

Video Direction, Editing & Post-production: Gabriele Gafo Lei / Groundfloor Studio

For fans of: Monuments, Architects, Fear Factory, Periphery, Protest The Hero

NEKOMATA are:

Andrea Olivieri: Vocals
​Andrea Cappellari: Guitars and programming
​Filippo Zavattari: Bass and backing vocals
​Mirko Fustinoni: Drums

For more info:

​https://www.rockshots.eu​
​https://www.facebook.com/theprojectneko/​
​https://www.instagram.com/theprojectneko/

The Rise of APOCÆLYPSE Begins: Debut Album “Fænix” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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APOCÆLYPSE makes its presence known today with the release of the band’s debut album, FÆNIX. Led by acclaimed guitarist and vocalist Ira Black (Vio-Lence, Lizzy Borden, Metal Church), APOCÆLYPSE marks the highly anticipated album’s arrival with a brand new music video for “FÆNIX…OUT OF FLAMES.”

Stream/Purchase FÆNIX: https://vyd.co/Faenix

““FÆNIX…OUT OF FLAMES” MUSIC VIDEO:

Built around themes of perseverance, rebirth and confronting the forces that threaten to consume us, FÆNIX introduces APOCÆLYPSE with a commanding collision of modern metal muscle, memorable hooks and cinematic ambition. Across the album, the band moves between deeply personal subject matter and a broader examination of an increasingly fractured world, channeling both into songs designed to hit with equal parts weight and purpose.

Mixed and mastered by Chris Collier (Korn, Whitesnake), “FÆNIX…OUT OF FLAMES” provides a fitting centerpiece for the record and its underlying message. Pairing towering riffs and melodic intensity with the album’s recurring ideas of transformation and survival, the track captures the spirit behind FÆNIX: emerging from destruction changed, but stronger.

The album arrives with APOCÆLYPSE already building considerable momentum. Debut single “INTELL-I-GENTS” continues its ascent on the Billboard and Mediabase radio charts, expanding the band’s reach following a breakout introduction that quickly put the new project on the metal world’s radar. Its cinematic music video has also amassed more than 1.4 million views.

Where “INTELL-I-GENTS” confronts the increasingly complicated relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence, follow-up single “BLACK BOX” revealed a far more personal side of Black’s songwriting. The song examines survival, trauma and the process of facing the experiences that shape us rather than keeping them buried.

Together, those songs helped establish the wide emotional and conceptual territory explored throughout FÆNIX. The album combines the experience of veteran musicians with the urgency of a band beginning an entirely new chapter, moving between aggression, melody and atmosphere without losing sight of its central theme: the ability to endure, evolve and rise again.

FÆNIX was spearheaded by Ira Black, whose decades-long career has included work with Vio-Lence, Lizzy Borden and Metal Church among others. The APOCÆLYPSE lineup is completed by Black’s son Ira Black IV on guitar, Matt Snell on bass and Lonny Pasillas on drums.

With FÆNIX now unleashed, APOCÆLYPSE transforms its early momentum into a full-length statement of intent and one rooted in classic heavy metal power while pushing toward something distinctly its own.

FÆNIX Track List: 

1. INTELL-I-GENTS
2. BLACK BOX
3. LOVE TO HATE
4. HATE RESPONSE
5. THE LAMB & THE GOAT
6. THE AMERICAN WAY
7. MIND’S EYE
8. GRAVITY GAME
9. BLACK SUNDAY
10. FÆNIX…OUT OF FLAMES

Follow APOCÆLYPSE: 
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | X | Spotify | Apple Music

MALEDICTUS Announce New Single ‘Madam Death’, Debut Album “Lazarvs” Out November 13th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 30, 2026
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On September 4th, MALEDICTUS will release their third, new single “Madam Death”, from the upcoming debut album “Lazarvs“, out on November 13th. It is an intensive, emotional and epic metal track, and it will come along with an impressive music video.

Pre-save the track: https://save-it.cc/fireflash/madam-death

MALEDICTUS is a Portuguese metal band formed in Lisbon, bringing together experienced musicians with a shared vision for dark, powerful, and atmospheric heavy music. Built on a foundation of aggressive riffs, haunting melodies, and emotionally driven vocals, the band blends elements of modern heavy metal with darker and more melodic influences.

MALEDICTUS music balances intensity and melody, moving between crushing guitar passages, dynamic rhythms, and dramatic vocal performances. Drawing inspiration from classic and contemporary metal acts, the band aims to create a sound that feels both familiar and distinct, appealing to fans of powerful and atmospheric metal.

Check out their previous single “Silentium”:
Video: https://youtu.be/x3tmG7apk5E
Stream/Download: https://save-it.cc/fireflash/silentium
Get it on Bandcamp: https://ff-maledictus.bandcamp.com/track/silentium

MALEDICTUS is:

  • Rez — vocals
  • Ben Stockwell — guitar
  • Butch Cid — bass
  • Peter Crushes — drums

MALEDICTUS online: