On Valentine’s Day, symphonic noir project Belle Morte invited listeners into a world of obsessive devotion with the release of their live acoustic cover of “Kiss Me You Animal,” originally performed by Burn the Ballroom. The acoustic version offers a playful, intimate, and deeply romantic interpretation of the original track.
The band chose the track out of genuine love and admiration for the Burn the Ballroom band. The song echoes the narrative world of Belle Morte’s “Willow”, but seen from the opposite side of the story.
The cover embraces love in its most gothic form: obsessive, intoxicating, and eternal.
Previous videos from “Crime of Passion”: “Lace” Acoustic version: Watch Stream “Crime of Passion”: orcd.co/crimeofpassion
Previous videos from Pearl Hunting: “Jorōgumo” Ft. Hisashi, Reigen Fujii, Souzan Kato: Watch “Willow” Ft. Ruben Monteiro, Emma Spinelli: Watch “Exorcism” Acoustic Version: Watch Pearl Hunting: Watch “Exorcism” Ft. Ulziisaikhan Khoroldamba: Watch “September” Ft. Ruben Monteiro: Watch “Black Waters” Ft. Maulana Malik Ibrahim: Watch “Blame me” Ft. Lernik Khachatrian: Watch
About Belle Morte
Formed in Minsk, BELLE MORTE combines dark symphonic metal with gothic, progressive, and melancholic elements. After their 2018 EP Game On, the band signed with Wormholedeath in 2021 to release Crime of Passion, a conceptual album inspired by John Fowles’s The Collector. Their second album continues this global approach, delivering unique symphonic metal experiences for fans seeking something different.
Over the past few years, the name CONTORTED has been seen on many concert posters around the city of Bergen, both supporting bigger bands or doing their own gigs. With the quality of the digital EPs they’ve done, it was now time to welcome them to the Dark Essence Records roster.
Contorted is a death metal band from Bergen. The band draws from the old school of the genre, delivering riffs that are equally intense and brutal, raw self-production, grotesque melodies, and a violent soundscape. The band aims to explore multiple branches of music, marked by a dynamic sonic palette shaped by black metal’s dark mysticism and atmosphere, death metal’s uncompromising brutality, and the experimental nature of prog rock. This has led Contorted to become an interesting addition to the extreme metal underground.
Formed in 2022, Contorted quickly became a new favourite in the Bergen metal scene. The current lineup consists of Johannes Andreassen (guitars), Kristian Brynjulfsen (vocals, guitar), Mats Hovden (drums) and Vegard Kanestrøm (bass).
Contorted has this to say about signing to Dark Essence Records: We are thrilled to be a part of the roster of Dark Essence Records, and we can’t wait to release our first full length album under their banner. We are very excited to see what this collaboration has in store.
The band is currently working on their debut album, and more info will follow.
California-based melodic punk rock band DARK RIDE unleashed their new single and official video “Coffin”, on February 14th, on Valentine’s Day.
Released on the day traditionally dedicated to love, “Coffin” embraces romance in its most obsessive, eternal and melancholic form. The track is a punk rock anthem about undying love and a passionate yet fading memory, capturing the feeling of devotion that survives time, distance and decay.
“Coffin” was co-written and produced by Randy Moore (Ghost Nameless Ghoul, Bones Shredder), who also performed all guitar and bass duties on the song. His contribution adds a darker, heavier edge to Dark Ride’s melodic punk sound, amplifying both its emotional intensity and cinematic atmosphere.
Inspired by classic Universal Monster films such as “Dracula” and “Bride of Frankenstein”, “Coffin” blends gothic romance and horror imagery with driving punk energy, turning Valentine’s Day into a celebration of love beyond death – intense, nostalgic and unapologetically dark.
The accompanying official video captures the raw energy and intensity of DARK RIDE’s live performances, translating the song’s urgency and emotional drive into a fast-paced, no-frills visual statement.
“Coffin” is taken from DARK RIDE’s upcoming full-length album “Blade Manor”, set for release on March 27th, 2026, on CD Digipak, vinyl LP and digital formats via Massacre Records.
“Blade Manor” represents a bold new chapter for DARK RIDE, blending high-energy melodic punk with horror, fantasy and cinematic storytelling. Across 12 tracks, the album delivers infectious anthems, dark humor and atmospheric elements, drawing inspiration from classic horror films, ‘80s and ‘90s pop culture, and West Coast punk rock, while incorporating subtle metal influences.
Created by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emilio Menze, DARK RIDE have steadily carved out a distinctive identity within the modern punk scene. Beyond his work with Dark Ride, Emilio is widely regarded as one of the most visible and respected figures in the global horror punk community – a scene-builder who has spent years setting up shows, supporting other bands, and helping keep the culture alive both in the U.S. and abroad.
Before forming Dark Ride, Emilio toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe with his previous bands, appearing on bills alongside major genre acts and bringing horror punk to new audiences. His work with Stellar Corpses was particularly influential, earning international attention and positioning him as a recognizable presence within the scene. Emilio also fronted Plan 9, considered the world’s most renowned Misfits tribute act – further cementing his reputation as a charismatic and theatrical performer with deep roots in the genre’s legacy.
For fans outside the horror punk niche, Emilio functions as a rare bridge between underground subculture and broader alternative music, combining a cinematic sensibility with melodic songwriting and an unmistakable visual identity. Comparisons to artists such as AFI, Misfits and Alkaline Trio only touch the surface – his creative voice stands firmly on its own.
Produced by Randy Moore and Olav Tabatabai, with mixing by Olav Tabatabai and mastering by Zack Ohren (Castle Ultimate Productions), “Blade Manor” showcases DARK RIDE at their most focused and ambitious to date. The album also features a range of guest musicians from across the punk, horror-punk and metal scenes, further enriching its dynamic and collaborative spirit.
Following acclaimed performances across the US and Europe, including a debut appearance at Germany’s legendary Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival, DARK RIDE continue to build momentum as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary melodic punk.
Rick Monroe & The Hitmen unleash their brand-new single “Our Love” via Asylum 1212 Records /TLG/Virgin Music Group.
“Our Love,” is a soul-soaked new single that channels the golden era of 1970s country-rock while speaking directly to today’s listeners. Warm harmonies, ringing guitars, and emotionally honest storytelling collide in a song that celebrates a love that bends, bruises, and grows stronger—but never breaks.
With clear echoes of The Eagles and Jackson Browne, “Our Love” feels both familiar and fresh, pairing classic Americana textures with modern polish. Rick Monroe’s unmistakable vocal delivery carries a message of resilience and devotion, making the track a natural fit for fans of Chris Stapleton, Brothers Osborne, and roots-driven country-rock.
Adding to the song’s emotional impact, the official lyric video for “Our Love” was crowd-sourced from friends and fans, featuring candid, real-life photos submitted by the community that has supported Monroe throughout his career. The result is a heartfelt visual companion that mirrors the song’s message—authentic moments of love, connection, and shared history, told through the faces of real people.
Built on soulful guitar lines and a laid-back groove that invites repeat listens, “Our Love” is the kind of song that belongs on long highway drives, sunset playlists, and radio rotations that value craft and connection. The Hitmen’s tight musicianship gives the track a lived-in, road-tested feel that reflects the band’s deep musical chemistry.
“‘Our Love’ is about staying grounded when life pulls you in every direction,” says Monroe. “It’s about choosing love, even when it isn’t perfect—and seeing how fans connected to that message made this release even more meaningful.”
Rick Monroe & The Hitmen have long been known for blending heartland rock, classic country, and Southern soul into a sound that feels timeless rather than trendy. With “Our Love,” they reaffirm their place in the Americana and country-rock landscape—delivering a song, and a visual experience, rooted in honesty, nostalgia, and community.
The official crowd-sourced lyric video can be seen below:
The birth of the Hitmen. For years Rick Monroe has been a solo artist hiring players as needed and doing the Nashville shuffle of interchangeable bands, but during covid everything changed. In 2020, Rick and the band, with Bobby Perkins & Alan Beeler, were set to have an amazing year starting off with a West Coast tour when the world shut down. Instead of everyone going their own way, they all stuck together and started streaming live shows from their basements, garages and living rooms. At the same time Rick and Alan Beeler started a standing Tuesday writing meeting which eventually became the bulk of their current album. Through some mutual friends, Rick met Malcolm Springer and they decided to track a few songs and see how it went. Once in the studio it was obvious that this was quickly becoming more of a band situation and when Malcolm brought Jason Bohl in, the sound finally came together. Rick joked one night about how the band was killing it and bam- someone said “The Hitmen”- and that was that.
Kevin Steele recently announced his first solo album, One Thing Left To Do, that will be released on February 27, 2026, via Steele Records/Amplified Distribution. The second single “There’s A Better Day Comin’” is out now on digital services.
“I’ve had some pretty dark times in my life and I’ve sung about some of them on this album but I’m a survivor and I wanted to end the record on a positive note. “There’s A Better Day Comin’” is a song about hope. No matter who you are or what your life experience is, no matter what you believe in or what your politics or preferences are, just to get out of bed every morning and face the day in this ever increasingly crazy world we live in you’ve got to have a little hope. Some people might think this song has religious overtones or that I’m singing about the hereafter. I’m not. I’m singing about tomorrow, right here. That’s what we’ve got. You’ve got to make the best of this short life we’re given. For me, music has always been my savior. You’ve got to fight to find your light of love and a way to let it shine!” – Kevin Steele
All of these songs showcase Kevin’s masterful songwriting across all the musical styles that have shaped his colorful career, including glam, punk, rock, blues, and even southern gospel. Kevin’s band Roxx Gang were one of America’s great bands and the first rock band signed to Virgin Records in America. Their debut record, the classic “Things You’ve Never Done Before”, sold over 250,000 copies. In a way, they were the bridge between glam and grunge and The Mojo Gurus played a vital role in keeping rock-n-roll alive in “the Tens” working with legendary producers Jack Douglas (John Lennon, Aerosmith, New York Dolls) and Tommy Henricksen (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, The Hollywood Vampires). With One Thing Left To Do, Steele brings his musical journey full circle with a truly remarkable record that you just have to hear.
oining Kevin on this new record is guitar phenom / co producer Billy Summer (Florida, Luxury Mane, The New Brutarians)whose music has been heard on major TV shows and films such as Ted Lasso, The Affair, Harpoon, Life and Beth, Chicago Fire, Property Brothers and many others.The result is one hot slab of Rock ‘n’ Roll revelry covering several genres that showcase a track list of impressive playing and songwriting.
“Billy and I made such a great team. Instant connection of the minds. He knew instinctively where I was going musically with each song before I would even tell him. That’s why they call us the Cosmic Twins”, said Kevin.
The band is an allstar collection of Tampa Bay, Florida musicians playing at the top of their game. They formed an instant camaraderie and the good times had in the recording sessions shine across every track!
Cover Art by Adam Turkel
Kevin Steele – One Thing Left To Do
One Thing Left To Do 2:33
Snake Charmer 3:44
The Bedspring Boogie 2:48
I Know What Yer Up To 2:22
Sad, Sad Song 6:29
The 9 Lives Blues 3:36
Fingers Crossed 5:40
Nobody Tells Me When To Quit (The Na Na Song) 4:25
My Baby Didn’t Come Home Last Night 2:42
There’s A Better Day Comin’ 4:38
Kevin Steele – Lead Vocals, Harmonica Billy Summer – Guitars, Bass, Vocals, Percussion Steve Peake – Keyboards Steven C. Tanner – Drums Rob Pastore – Pedal Steel Guitar Jim Stevens – Bass on “The 9 Lives Blues” Kyle Lovell – Drums on “I Know What Yer Up To” Scott Myers – Trombone, Vocals Adam Turkel – Vocals, Percussion Linda Militello & Zoe Summer – Vocals
All songs written by Kevin Steele – Too Cool Music Publishing – BMI except Sad, Sad Song written by Kevin Steele & Billy Summer Too Cool Music Publishing – BMI & Billy Summer Music – BMI
Recorded at The Ward, St. Petersburg, FL Produced by the Cosmic Twins (Billy Summer & Kevin Steele) Engineered by Billy Summer Mastered by Brian Merrill at Studio B, St. Petersburg, FL
Heilung are known around the world for transcending the boundaries of sound and history. Since forming in 2015, the Nordic collective have made their unmistakable presence felt everywhere from the Billboard charts to Glastonbury, The Game Awards and major Hollywood films. Their performance rituals draw crowds into an intimate, mystical space that threads together earth, fire and incense with throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show and instruments made from human bone.
Today, Heilung are inviting both fans and newcomers to step into their world, where history and spirit converge, by announcing their first-ever podcast. Hosted by founding member, singer and shamanic practitioner Kai Uwe Faust, The Podcast journeys into the lore, traditions and primal forces that shape Heilung and their Amplified History. The first episode is dedicated to “Afladhirhait”, which opens their debut album Ofnir and is featured on their latest live album Lifa Iotungard .
“I’m excited to offer an intimate look at how history, myth and sound merge into what Heilung calls amplified history through this podcast”, Faust says. “Join me during this first episode as I reflect on the songwriting process, mythological roots, historical references, ritual significance and the symbolic world around ‘Alfadhirhaiti’”.
Heilung’s full discography, including Lifa Iotungard, is available now on Season of Mist.Order & Stream: https://orcd.co/lifaiotungard
Tracklist
Opening Ceremony (1:03)
In Maidjan (12:30)
Alfadhirhaiti (7:23)
Krigsgaldr (9:04)
Hakkerskaldyr (3:33)
Svanrand (3:31)
Norupo (5:42)
Othan (10:21)
Traust (9:41) [WATCH]
Elddansurin (7:25)
Hamrer Hippyer (13:32) Total runtime: 83:50
HEILUNG don’t play shows. They perform a ritual. Every performance begins with Kai Uwe Faust leading Christopher Juul, Maria Franz and the rest of the Nordic collective in an ancient prayer. Soon after, the audience is swept into rapture, swayed by incense and throat singing, primordial rhythms, subtle electronic textures, a mesmerizing light show, an army of warriors and bursts of fire.
Since they began in 2015, Heilung have been paving melodic paths to the past with their unique and mystifying sound. Evading all conventional genre tags and the confines of any specific labels, the group aptly self-describes their sound as “amplified history,” emphasizing their ability to connect modern society with the rudiments of humanity’s beginnings through music.
“Our ancestral Nordic civilizations did not just pop up, exist and disappear in isolation”, says Faust, a throat singer and one of Heilung’s three composers. “With singing these primordial songs we want to give tribute to these cultures, reconnect to the beginnings and remember that we all, from East to West, from past to present, are connected through the exchange of ideas and inspiring each other”.
While Heilung features authentic and archaic instrumentation that ranges from rattles and ritual bells to human bones and throat singing, their captivating brand of music is far from primitive. Producer and founding member Christopher Juul implements subtle electronic elements that elevates the musical atmosphere and provides a more in-depth and layered soundscape.
Indeed, Heilung’s success has been unprecedented, achieving milestones in its few short years of existence that many do not see in a lifetime. The collective already had rapidly been growing a buzz upon the self-release of their first full-length Ofnir in 2015, but their dizzying upward trajectory really took off from the moment they set foot on the stage at Castlefest in 2017 for the now-legendary debut of their live ritual. Luckily for those who were not fortunate enough to bare witness to this magical event, the full ceremony was captured on film, having since been viewed by tens of millions of fans across the globe.
As Heilung trekked across Europe and brought their mystifying experience to new audiences, talk of this new band and their stunning ceremony made way to Season of Mist label owner Michael Berberian, who quickly offered the band a record contract after seeing their undeniable musical impact for himself.
By 2019, Heilung launched their second full-length record, Futha, which contrasted the masculine and battle-heavy themes of their debut with a feminine counterpart that celebrated fertility and female energy. Upon the first week of the record’s release, it graced the Billboard charts with coveted numbers, debuting at #3 on the Heatseekers Charts and #4 on the Billboard World Music Chart, placing on a total of seven Billboard charts while meeting critical-acclaim from the press on a global scale.
Their music has even appeared in places that extend far beyond typical concert venues. From hit television series like Game of Thrones and Vikings to video game giants like Conqueror’s Blade VII: “Wolves of Ragnarök and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II to the blockbuster Robert Eggers film The Northman, Heilung’s music has risen far above the underground and has transcended into a greater world. Even a global pandemic couldn’t slow down Heilung’s success; it only strengthened them and gave them the gift of time to complete work on their third album. In English, Drif translates as “Gathering”. The music embodies this philosophy by tying together the beginning of civilization with today’s modern society.
Heilung now perform their rituals all over the world. They sold out their first North American tour in 72 hours. Upon returning to the United States in 2021, they were greeted by another sold-out crowd, this time at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. This performance was released as a live album on vinyl and CD in 2024. A Blu-Ray edition of Lifa Iotungard will follow, along with the release of their 2023 performance at the Apollo Theatre in Hammersmith, London.
In 2025, Heilung embarked on headlining tours of Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Along the way, they cast their spell over more of the world’s biggest stages, including Roskilde Festival, Download Festival and Glastonbury. But no matter where the future takes them, Heilung always begin their performance with a humbling reminder of where we all come from.
“Remember, we are all brothers. All people, beasts, tree and stone and wind, we all descend from the one great being that was always there, before people lived and named it, before the first seed sprouted.”
Line-up: Kai Uwe Faust Christopher Juul Maria Franz
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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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 