Fronted by Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest) and featuring Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG), Dave Rimmer (Uriah Heep), and Christopher Williams (Accept), Elegant Weapons continue to build momentum around their sophomore album Evolution with the release of the lyric video for “Evil Eyes,” a high-impact opener built around a signature Faulkner riff.
Faulkner describes the track as “an obvious choice to open the album. It’s pacey, energetic… and right out of the gate it gives an introduction to what the band’s about.” The new video, directed by Andy Pilkington (Judas Priest, Motorhead, Saxon), who also helmed the clip for “Bridges Burn,” brings the song to life with striking visuals that match its intensity.
HARSH are the new rising stars within the hard rock scene. The band from Paris revives their traditional sound with a modern twist and catchy melodies. Their songs and live shows strike with theatricality, paired with a rare sensitivity that forges a strong bond with the audience. Born from a deep friendship, the band succeeds in the bold challenge of combining musical power with emotional sincerity.
Today, HARSH release their brand new single „Don’t Mess With Me“ from their upcoming new album “Feels”. “This song captures the tension between strength and vulnerability in a passionate relationship. The chorus acts as both a warning and a plea, expressing a fierce, all-or-nothing kind of love that refuses to settle for less. “Don’t Mess With Me” opens with a striking guitar riff that instantly sets a bold, confident tone. We chose to carry that same riff across two contrasting atmospheres in the track, reflecting the duality of the character’s emotions: don’t mess with me… but don’t leave me be”, comments the band.
Stream/Download the SINGLE: https://save-it.cc/fireflash/dont-mess-with-me
“Feels” will be released on a CD, ltd. blue-marbled-opaque VINYL and digital!
Following the success of their debut album “Out Of Control” (2022), and more than 300 shows played, including their tours along with a.o. THE NEW ROSES, ANVIL and CHRIS HOLMES (ex-WASP) across Europe and the UK, the French band is ready to release their second, new album called “Feels”, on July 3rd, 2026 through Fireflash Records (WOLF, FURIES, ROCK JUSTICE a.o.) and will carry their rock into every heart they encounter.
Hannes Braun, lead singer of KISSIN’ DYNAMITE, mixed and mastered the new album. A perfect match. “Working with Hannes Braun is kind of a dream for us. We love Kissin’ Dynamite’s music and sound and Hannes knows exactly how to get the best of each of our tracks. It’s always great and smooth to work with him”, adds Albert (Singer and guitarist). The overall result speaks for itself and gives the listener a good time, which is important nowadays more than ever. “For us, music is about expressing our feelings. It all comes down to creating a strong bond with the listener, on and off stage. This means everything to us.”
The lyrics on “Feels” are generally about life and things the four members experience or go through, about stories they hear and want to share. “We explore a variety of feelings on this album, simple ones such as falling in love or breaking up, but also mixed emotions that are harder to express, and are often disregarded. Here we’re talking about guilt, the need to find your place and your identity, helping someone going through grief, but also what binds us together: friendship.“
The band has huge plans and they have the songs. “Our next goal is to make “Feels” as unforgettable for others as it is for us, and we can’t wait to meet our community around the world.“
HARSH live:
May 16 – L’empreinte – Savigny Le Temps (FR) June 26 – Damfest – Dammartin Sur Tigeaux (FR) July 31 – The Garage – Glasgow (UK) August 1 – The Auld Gambling Hoose – Alloa (UK) August 15 – Savfest – Coalville (UK)
w/ THE NEW ROSES:
November 13 – Rosenhof – Osnabrück (GER) November 14 – Kantine – Köln (GER) November 19 – Colos Saal – Aschaffenburg (GER) November 20 – Z7 – Pratteln (CH) November 21 – Garage – Saarbrücken (GER)
HARSH is: Albert Arnold – Lead vocals & guitar Séverin Piozzoli – Guitar & backing vocals Julien Martin – Bass & backing vocals Léo Löwenthal – Drums & backing vocals
French post-rock collective HANRY have unveiled their third single, ‘Her Crown, Her Empire’, taken fromtheir forthcoming debut album What Came From Silence, set for release on 29th May via Pelagic Records.
Opening with a sense of quiet introspection, ‘Her Crown, Her Empire’ unfolds with a delicate, solemn touch. Subtle textures interlace with precision as motifs ebb and flow, gradually building momentum through shifting dynamics. Each swell feels intentional with layers overlapping and expanding until the track reaches its climactic peaks, moments that land with a tectonic weight, earned through patient development and emotional depth, ultimately resolving into a vast, resonant sense of release.
Formed in 2022, HANRY have quickly developed a reputation for expansive compositions that balance atmosphere with weight. Built around patience, texture and carefully controlled crescendos, their music moves fluidly between fragile ambient passages and towering, emotionally charged climaxes.
Written during a particularly long winter in Brittany, debut album What Came From Silence carries an atmosphere of tension and introspection across its eight immersive tracks.
Across the record, HANRY lean further into the contrast that defines their sound. Clean guitar tones shimmer before dissolving into waves of saturated distortion. Ambient passages slowly evolve into powerful, widescreen moments. Even at their most delicate, there is motion, subtle pulses and shifting textures that push the music forward. When the band unleashes its full force, the sound remains articulate; each instrument retains its identity within the surge.
“Since the beginning of HANRY, cinematic imagery has been at the core of our artistic vision,” the band say. “We often compose from mental images, landscapes or scenes that could almost belong to a film. We wanted the album to feel like a continuous experience, something listeners can fully immerse themselves in and interpret in their own way.”
Initially composed by the core trio of Anthony Leliard (bass/guitar), Marc Mifune (keys) and Jean-Anaël Aubaux (J.A) (guitar), the album was then further developed with the full band in their own studio. With J.A. and drummer ClémentChampigny both working as sound engineers, HANRY produced and mixed the record themselves at DiscoCasino Studio, ensuring complete control over its identity. It was mastered by Chab at Chab Mastering.
‘Phantom Rush’, the closing track on the album features a stunning collaboration with pianist Mariposa, adding an additional layer of depth and emotional intensity to the record.
Artwork was created by French artist Aloïs Lecerf, who describes the piece as reflecting the same tension between stillness and eruption that runs through the record itself.
“It’s balanced between restraint and release. The cover evokes a presence that gradually emerges , something calm, dense, almost motionless, that eventually becomes vast and luminous. It seeks to capture that moment when silence begins to crack. Within a grainy, incandescent landscape, an immobile silhouette slowly fractures, allowing light to emerge.”
The album arrives at a pivotal moment for the band. A recent performance at the renowned Trans Musicales in Rennes was broadcast nationally to thousands, while a live session with KEXP signals growing international momentum.
With What Came From Silence, HANRY deliver a record that feels both expansive and deeply personal, a carefully constructed journey where silence, texture and atmosphere carry as much weight as the crescendos themselves.
Catch the band live at Pelagic Fest in August, with more live dates to be announced soon.
JARED JAMES NICHOLS is proud to announce a series of exclusive record release events in celebration of his upcoming fourth studio album, ‘Louder Than Fate,’ due out June 5, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl. Taking place across May and June, these special appearances will offer fans a unique and intimate experience surrounding the new record.
NICHOLS comments on the new album:
“For this new record, I poured in all my heart & soul & doused it with real live rock n roll. I want to celebrate music played by human beings, and I hope that the rock n roll community will come out and experience that with us at these intimate events in some of our favorite cities in the world.”
Kicking off in his hometown of Nashville with an album listening party and bourbon tasting, the run will feature a variety of one-of-a-kind experiences, including guitar clinics, Q&As, live sets, and many surprises. These limited events offer a rare opportunity to experience ‘Louder Than Fate’ in a truly immersive setting. A full list of dates is as follows:
May 26 – Nashville, TN @ Green Brier Distillery – (Album listening, Documentary Preview, JJN Bourbon tasting) May 29 – Teaneck, NJ @ Debonair Music Hall May 30 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Russo Music – (Gtr Clinic, Album Listening, Documentary Preview, Q&A) June 3 – Sweden Rock Festival June 4 – Berlin, DE @ The N HOW Hotel Gibson Stage – (Album Listening, Documentary Preview) June 6 – London, UK @ The Lexington (SOLD OUT) June 8 – Paris, France @ Kimpton Hotel – (Album Listening, Documentary Preview) June 10 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East June 18 – Hollywood, CA @ The Gibson Showroom – (Album Listening, Doc Preview, Full Performance)
In addition, JARED has partnered with Gibson TV to debut an upcoming documentary chronicling his journey as an artist, set to release on June 18th. “The Long Road” is set to release on June 18th.
Watchthepreview for the documentary:
On his relationship with Gibson, NICHOLS had this to say:
“Gibson is a major part of my musical journey, and they were the first believers in me years ago. They have been following me with a camera over the past 5-6 years, capturing some Hell & Back moments as well as some of the most creative times in my life. I am honored they decided to release my story.”
The new album was produced and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour, Amon Amarth, Skindred, and Steel Panther) with additional production by Roger Alan Nichols (Larkin Poe, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown and Hayley Williams of Paramore), ‘Louder Than Fate‘ balances muscle and melody, combining thunderous riffs, searing solos, and emotionally charged vocals with a modern, punchy production. The songs move effortlessly between hard-hitting rock anthems and more reflective, dynamic moments, showcasing NICHOLS’ ability to fuse classic influences with a contemporary edge. Tracks like “Bending or Breaking” and “Killing Time” expand the sonic palette with subtle keyboards and cinematic string arrangements, adding depth without ever sacrificing power.
Since his breakout debut, JAREDJAMESNICHOLS has built a reputation as one of the most electrifying guitarists and performers of his generation. Known for his unmistakable tone, fearless playing style, and commanding stage presence, he has toured extensively across the US and Europe, sharing stages with some of the biggest names in rock and earning praise from fans and critics alike.
‘Louder Than Fate‘ is not just an album — it’s a declaration. A record that speaks to resilience, conviction, and the unstoppable force of an artist who plays every note as if it truly matters. Loud, honest, and deeply human, this is JAREDJAMESNICHOLS at his absolute best.
Progressive rock wizards, Gandalf’s Fist, are marking the tenth anniversary of their acclaimed triple album rock opera The Clockwork Fable with a limited celebration release campaign featuring exclusive new products, a special discount on the original album, and newly unveiled merchandise for long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Released in 2016, The Clockwork Fable has become a landmark release within the band’s catalogue, praised for its ambitious narrative scope, guest performances, theatrical elements, and expansive progressive rock arrangements. To celebrate the album’s decade milestone, Gandalf’s Fist have launched a dedicated anniversary range featuring new items, pre orders, and limited stock exclusives.
As well a celebratory T-shirt Design, the band have marked the anniversary by offering 10% off the The Clockwork Fable 3-CD digipak, whilst also announcing a brand-new CD release: The Lamplighter Suite, available to pre-order via the Official Gandalf’s Fist website.
The new single, The Lamplighter Suite, is a 44-minute composition presented as a single uninterrupted piece. The track unites four seamlessly interwoven songs, previously released as sixteen individual parts across the band’s 2016 and 2019 Clockwork concept albums. Featuring new instrumentation, improved transitions, sonic refinements, and a meticulously tuned remaster, the Suite represents a definitive presentation of the band’s conceptual centrepiece. The song is set to release 1st June with a professionally manufactured 4 panel CD digipak currently available for pre-order.
Also available is a brand new collector’s item: Full Installation, The Complete Digital Discography “Floppy Disk.”
Having previously released singles on Phonograph Wax Cylinders, Gandalf’s Fist are not adverse to intriguing formats. Full Installation is a unique collectible, designed to resemble a classic 3.5 inch floppy disk. This high quality USB storage drive features a spring-loaded shutter cover which reveals a secret, hidden, removable USB stick. Included is the band’s complete digital discography with over 30 releases in studio CD quality, spanning studio albums, rock operas, original mixes, live bootlegs, EPs and singles. Many of these releases are out of print on CD and unavailable on streaming services. The collection also includes bonus tracks, audio documentaries, album artwork, and digipak booklets as PDFs. The bundle is available at a substantial discount compared to purchasing individually.
All anniversary items are available now in the official Gandalf’s Fist webstore, with limited stock across all products.
Gandalf’s Fist are a progressive rock band known for their theatrical concept albums, rock operas, and detailed world building. Blending cinematic storytelling with classic Prog-Rock and NWOBHM-inspired riffs, the band have developed a devoted fanbase and a catalogue recognised for its ambition, musicianship, and humour.
“And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” (Revelation 8:10-11)
Originally released in 2017 by Dark Descent Records and long sold-out, “Holókauston” is – for now – the crowning achievement of BESTIA ARCANA, the occultist Black Metal outlet for Naas Alcameth (AKHLYS, AORATOS, NIGHTBRINGER) alongside current and ex-members of NIGHTBRINGER.
The successor to 2011’s acclaimed “To Anabainon ek tes Abyssu” is a stark reminder of the labyrinthine depths Alcameth had mined prior to recent achievements with oneiric and nightmarish entity AKHLYS – outlandish, shadow-crafted, compulsive and still vital.
All music composed by Naas Alcameth, all lyrics by Naas Alcameth & Ophis. Mixed and mastered by Dave Otero (AKHLYS, COBALT, KHEMMIS).
In celebration of this heretical and apocalyptic black opera, DMP will reissue “Holókauston” on CD, vinyl – including an exclusive DMP edition – and digital on July 17th. This edition reaffirms the album’s enduring and strikingly prescient cataclysmic stance, as Naas Alcameth reflects:
“When we recorded “Holókauston“, it expressed eschatological vision and apocalyptic dread, reaching toward archetypal depths. Nearly a decade later, we find ourselves in a time of greater uncertainties and eroding paradigms. Its themes feel less like distant myths or parables and more like something fearfully close and inevitable. This re-release reminds us that “Holókauston” was never tied to a single moment but continues to resonate wherever the looming shadow of Armageddon falls.“
Pre-orders for “Holókauston” on CD, vinyl and digital are available via DMP’s EU, US and Bandcamp shops – including a new specially-crafted t-shirt design.
Heretical black opera forged in adverse esoteric and eschatological tradition. A marriage of cacophonous pandaimonic black metal and amorphic ritualistic death ambient. The gnosis of the Old Enemy espoused within the clamor of Apocalyptic Revelation.
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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
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 