Rarely has an El Puerto Records release caused such euphoria in the music press. From North America to Europe to Australia, the coverage was extensive and there wasn’t a single bad review. This shows how highly honest, authentic hard rock/heavy metal is still regarded, and Jenny Gruber and her boys embody this 100%!
To celebrate the occasion, there’s also a new video ‘Set The World On Fire’.
NOVELTY, the rising band of the Athenian melodic metalcore scene, introduce themselves to the public in their own explosive way through the official video clip of their debut single “Darkest Days”, which was released on January 16.
With this track, they reveal the first chapter of their upcoming album, reminding us that where there is darkness, there is also light; the hope that keeps us alive, whether expressed through a person or through something that helps us escape from the darkest moments. In the short time of their journey, they have shaped a sound that combines dynamically aggressive riffs with intense melodic elements, with explosive energy and dynamism, elements that are reflected both in their music and in their live performances.
For the video clip of “Darkest Days”, the band collaborated with Yannis Nikolopoulos, known for his work with important names in the Greek metal scene, such as Suicidal Angels, Herta, Domination DC and SixForNine, creating a cinematic aesthetic that enhances the emotional charge of the track.
At the same time, Novelty are in the process of producing their first full-length album, which will include nine original tracks and will highlight the evolution and maturation of their sound. “Darkest Days” is the band’s first official step and a strong introduction to what they are preparing for the coming period.
Novelty is a melodic metalcore band based in Athens, Greece.
Formed in 2022, they began creating their own distinctive sound by blending hard, heavy riffs with melodic elements.
The band has performed at several venues, including Kyttaro Stage, Temple Athens, Six D.O.G.S., An Club, Death Disco, Architecture, Piraeus Club, and the Technopolis Stage.
They recently completed their first official video, “Darkest Days,” which was released on January 16th, 2026.
They are currently working on their debut album, which will contain 9 original tracks.
Norwegian melodic metal newcomers HOLLOW PEAK have officially released their debut full-length album “Obsidian Cult”, out today worldwide via Massacre Records on Mediabook CD and digital.
“Obsidian Cult” marks a powerful first full-length statement from the band, combining cinematic atmosphere, melodic intensity and emotional depth into a dark yet uplifting journey. Building on the foundation laid by their 2023 self-released EP, HOLLOW PEAK present a heavier, more refined and conceptually cohesive sound that balances strength, melody and introspection.
Produced by Ragnhild Westgaard and Marius Karlsen, and mixed and mastered by Corey Bergeron, the album explores themes of alienation in the digital age, inner conflict and personal renewal. Each track unfolds as part of a wider narrative, moving between moments of darkness and clarity, tension and release.
The album features the previously released singles “Attack” and “Labyrinth”, which showcased different facets of the band’s sound: from the defiant, battle-driven intensity of “Attack” to the introspective and atmospheric depth of “Labyrinth”.
From the opening track “From Ashes Rises a Crown” to the haunting title track “Obsidian Cult”, the album flows as a unified work, driven by powerful guitar work, dynamic rhythms and commanding vocals, firmly establishing HOLLOW PEAK as one of the most promising new melodic metal acts to emerge from Norway.
Swiss force Vicious Rain unveil ‘Trading Hearts’, their new single that turns emotional conflict into a crushing metalcore statement. This is taken from their album The Anatomy of Surviving, set for release on 13th March 2026 via Arising Empire.
‘Trading Hearts’ lyrics portray a relationship spiraling into warfare, where pride outweighs connection and words become weapons. Driven by heavy verses and a huge, cathartic chorus, the track balances raw aggression with melodic weight. Known for intense live energy and a growing European following, Vicious Rain deliver a hard-hitting anthem that cuts deep and stays honest.
The single follows the massive momentum of previous singles ‘Silent Therapy’, ‘IKIGAI’ and ‘Spitting Blood Again’, which have firmly established the band as one of Europe’s most exciting modern heavy acts.
New album The Anatomy of Surviving promises to be their most personal and dynamic work to date, capturing the struggle, resilience, and emotional weight that define both the band and their growing international fanbase.
After re-emerging at the end of 2025 with her existential and baroque-tinged comeback single “Soak”, multi-disciplinary artist Snovonne “Sno” Drake now unveils her new single and official video “Bright Sides”.
With “Bright Sides”, Sno channels what she describes as “what optimism mixed with rage sounds and looks like” – a sharp, satirical and fiercely honest take on the music industry and the emotional cost of being an autonomous, self-sufficient artist in a hyper-commercialized environment.
The track fuses Sno’s theatrical dark-pop sensibility with biting lyricism, sarcasm and a modern alt-metal backbone, resulting in a sound that is abrasive yet strangely uplifting. The accompanying self-directed video expands this duality through grotesque visual metaphors and a darkly humorous finale.
“This is my interpretation of what optimism mixed with rage sounds and looks like. I wrote it thinking about the music industry and my place in it, and I’m sure I speak for millions of other artists. The level of fraud, incompetency and disrespect for genuine autonomous art is often unbearable, but we have to be creative in order to survive, that’s how we’re wired… it’s not for them, not for you and not for streaming numbers… but for ourselves. So we keep going, always looking for bright sides, in hope to not become completely consumed by bitterness and cynicism.How long can we keep this up? Who knows… but I enjoy my dark-humoured, grotesque resolution at the end of the video.So I guess the bright side here is – you can keep ‘beating’ art up, but it will always stand its ground. Like a massive stubborn unicorn.”
“Bright Sides” was mixed by Simon Johansson at SolnaSound Production in Sweden, with mastering handled by Thomas “Plec” Johansson at The Panic Room Studios. The instrumental sessions – including drums, bass, guitars and vocals – were recorded at SolnaSound Production in Stockholm, reinforcing the track’s tight and modern sonic edge.
The official music video was directed, filmed and edited by Sno herself through Sno Drake Design & Media, expanding the single’s concept into a complete visual narrative.
“Bright Sides” follows “Soak”, Sno’s first new release in seven years – a cinematic and existential piece described as a cathartic purge and a baroque-pop emancipation through self-acceptance.
If “Soak” represented the internal process of rebuilding, “Bright Sides” serves as its external confrontation – aimed at reality, the system, and the absurdity of creative survival.
Together, the two singles mark the opening chapter of a new artistic cycle, with additional releases planned for 2026.
About Snovonne “Sno” Drake
A musician, visual artist, and filmmaker active for nearly two decades, Snovonne’s work has been described as “theatrical dark pop”, “metal cabaret”, or “pop baroque.” Her artistic world merges vulnerability with intensity – a space where visual storytelling completes the message of her music.
Over the past years, she has collaborated on diverse projects, including Inner Fear (with Marthus Skaroupka of Cradle of Filth and Mike Wead of King Diamond), The Designs (electro-metal with Billy T Cooper), and Shadow Architects (with Anders Modd and Simon Johansson).
Her short film COPE [illustrations of the mind] – a dark fantasy psychological piece she wrote, directed, and scored – has won multiple awards at independent film festivals worldwide, including Best Short Film, Best Original Soundtrack, and Best Concept Art.
After living in England, Germany, and the USA, Sno is now based in Italy, continuing to explore the intersection of music, emotion, and visual art.
Forged in the Nordic underground, Doedsvangr have carved a singular path through the black metal landscape since their inception in 2014. Conceived by frontman Doedsadmiral as an outlet for uncompromising brutality and creative vision, the band quickly assembled a formidable lineup, drawing members from the ranks of Nordjevel and other storied acts.
The name Doedsvangr, meaning both “fields of death” and “dead womb”, serves as a fitting harbinger of the band’s sonic and thematic intent; to explore the bleakest corners of existence with unflinching honesty and raw power.
Doedsvangr’s journey began with the critically acclaimed debut Satan Ov Suns (2017), a record that seamlessly fused the atmospheres of Finnish and Norwegian black metal. In 2019, a new line-up was established, ushering in a new era of creative exploration. The following year saw the release of Serpents Ov Old, an album that deepened the band’s reputation for delivering eccentric, visceral black metal. The band’s live presence grew with a powerful release show in Oslo, joined by Blood Red Throne, Svarttjern and appearances at various festivals. In October 2022, the EP Koinonia was unleashed, further cementing their legacy.
Now, in 2026, Doedsvangr enter a new chapter with their third full-length album Within The Flesh, set for release this spring via Soulseller Records. Hailed by Doedsadmiral as their “most bizarre and raw album to date”, Within The Flesh promises a relentless journey. Unusual, eccentric, and uncompromising.
The album’s first single is imminent, more details to follow.
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 ) 