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THE SPECTRE BENEATH Join Wanikiya Record for Their Fourth Album “The Devil’s Whisper”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 23, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: THE SPECTRE BENEATH. Leave a comment

Wanikiya Record/Promotion is proud to officially announce the addition of UK-based Power/Progressive Metal band THE SPECTRE BENEATH to its roster.

The new partnership will focus on developing a dedicated international PR and promotional campaign for the band’s fourth studio album, The Devil’s Whisper, originally released on July 17th, 2026 on major streaming platforms and physical media.

Based in the United Kingdom, The Spectre Beneath combine the powerful foundations of Power Metal and Progressive Metal with sharp musicianship, melodic intensity, cinematic atmospheres, complex arrangements and a strong narrative identity.

Drawing inspiration from artists including Megadeth, Savatage, Queensrÿche, Kobra Paige and Iron Maiden, the band has developed a sound that pays respect to the classic metal tradition while continuing to explore its own modern and progressive direction.

The Spectre Beneath began as an idea in 2018, when guitarist Pete Worrall and long-time collaborator Katy Lennon began writing material that was more melodic and progressive than Pete’s work with his previous band. The chemistry between the musicians quickly developed into a new project with its own identity.

The band released their debut album, The Downfall of Judith King, in 2019, followed by The New Identity of Sidney Stone in 2020, which was later re-released by WormHoleDeath Records in 2021. Both albums received critical acclaim and established the band’s distinctive approach to Power/Progressive Metal.

In 2023, the band returned with their third album, The Ashen Child.

Now, in 2026, The Spectre Beneath enter their next chapter with The Devil’s Whisper.

Clocking in at 52 minutes and 13 seconds, the album continues elements of the narrative universe established through The Downfall of Judith King and The Ashen Child, while introducing new themes, characters and cinematic influences.

Tracks such as “The Devil’s Whisper” and “Forgiveness” continue the Judith King storyline, while “Sister Hyde” and “The Man Who Could Cheat Death” pay tribute to the world of Hammer Horror. The melancholic pseudo-ballad “White Tulip” draws inspiration from the television series Fringe.

The result is a dark, ambitious and highly individual album that brings together infectious melodies, powerful vocals, grinding guitar riffs, intricate arrangements and twisting solos.

TRACKLIST
Plague (The Black Caress) – 6:05
Sister Hyde – 5:41
Germ – 4:46
White Tulip – 5:51
Conundrum – 6:27
Waiting for Change (Instrumental) – 2:12
The Devil’s Whisper – 6:54
The Man Who Could Cheat Death – 4:26
Forgiveness – 9:51

Total running time: 52:13

CD Bonus Track:
Inferno (End of Days) – 4:46

The album was produced by The Spectre Beneath, recorded at Baron Studios, England, with drums recorded at Core Inside Studio, Greece, and mixed and mastered by Juho Kilponen – Kilproduction Audio.

The current lineup features L.L. – Vocals, Pete Worrall – Guitar/Bass/Backing Vocals, Consta Taylor – Drums and Katy Lennon – Additional Vocals, alongside several guest musicians contributing to the album.

The album also features guest performances from Vini Assis, Alex Gusinsky, Jimmy Konsta, Jeff Teets (Mindmaze), Vicente Ferreira, as well as additional musical contributions from Martin Worrall and Violet Lennon.

A NEW INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

With their addition to the Wanikiya Record/Promotion roster, The Spectre Beneath now begin a new chapter in their international promotional journey.

Wanikiya will work alongside the band to expand the reach of The Devil’s Whisper through international press office services, PR, promotional campaigns, press releases, media outreach, webzines, radio and specialist music channels, with the goal of introducing the project to new audiences around the world.

At the same time, the promotional campaign will preserve the band’s unique artistic identity and the dark, mysterious and deliberately low-profile atmosphere that forms an important part of The Spectre Beneath’s world.

The Devil’s Whisper is available now, originally released on July 17th, 2026.

The collaboration has officially begun.

The whisper has already been heard. Now it is time to make it travel much further.

More info: https://www.facebook.com/TheSpectreBeneath

STEAK Reveal Details of Forthcoming Studio Album, New Single ‘Infinite’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 22, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: STEAK. Leave a comment
[photo credit: Sylvain Golvet]

London progressive stoner rock heavyweights STEAK have revealed the details of their forthcoming self-titled studio album, Steak, set for release on October 9, 2026 through Stickman Records in Europe and Ripple Music in the US. Alongside the album announcement, the band has released its new single “Infinite.” Album pre-orders are available now.

Written and recorded as a five-piece for the first time in the band’s career, Steak marks another bold evolution for a band that has spent more than a decade pushing at the boundaries of desert rock, psychedelia and progressive heaviness. Combining crushing riffs, cinematic atmosphere and the band’s unmistakable melodic edge, the new record sees STEAK moving further into darker and more progressive territories explored on 2022’s acclaimed Acute Mania, while further defining a sound unmistakably its own.

STEAK comments on the new single:
“Infinite is about getting lost in your own head…where thoughts and fears can grow until they feel bigger and more real than everything around you.”

Stream “Infinite”: https://linktr.ee/steak_london

Emerging from the shadows of London’s underground heavy rock scene, STEAK has spent more than a decade carving out a reputation as one of the UK’s most distinctive progressive stoner rock bands. Since forming in 2012, the band has built a loyal international following through relentless touring, acclaimed releases and an ever-evolving sound that fuses desert rock, psychedelia and progressive heaviness.

Following early releases and its debut album Slab City (Napalm Records), STEAK joined Ripple Music for 2017’s No God To Save, taking the band across Europe and North America alongside John Garcia (Kyuss), Monster Magnet, Greenleaf and The Atomic Bitchwax, as well as an appearance at SXSW.

In recent years, STEAK has continued to build momentum with appearances at Freak Valley Festival, Resurrection Fest and multiple editions of Desertfest, alongside UK and European tours with All Them Witches, Elder and Slomosa. From London’s iconic Roundhouse to some of Europe’s biggest heavy music festivals, STEAK has continued to bring its explosive live show to ever-growing audiences. With their signing to Stickman Records and the new full-length on the horizon, STEAK continues its upward trajectory with its most ambitious and expansive work to date, setting the stage for the band’s most exciting chapter yet!

Pre-order Steak: https://www.stickman-records.com/shop/steak-steak/

Steak Tracklist:
1. Cometh
2. Luxury Junk
3. Dust
4. Two By Two
5. Aether
6. Infinite
7. Knucklehead
8. Short Arms

STEAK is:
Kippa – vocals
Reece – lead guitar
Tom – guitar & vocals
Cam – bass
Dean – drums

For More Info Visit:
www.facebook.com/steakbandlondon 
www.instagram.com/steakband 
www.spotify.com/steak 
www.steakmusic.bandcamp.com 
www.stickman-records.com 

Polish Thrashers KOMUTATOR Present New Single ‘Inhuman Resources’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 22, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: KOMUTATOR. Leave a comment

Polish thrash metal band KOMUTATOR are set to release their long-awaited second studio album, “We Don’t Owe You Anything“.

Founded in 2006 by guitarist Michał “Kinder” Kowalski, KOMUTATOR quickly established themselves within the Polish underground metal scene with their debut album “Metal Sadism“. Following years of inactivity, the band now return after a 13-year hiatus, bringing new energy and a renewed creative vision while remaining faithful to their uncompromising approach to heavy music.

Recorded between 2024 and 2026, “We Don’t Owe You Anything” was developed over an extended period, allowing the material to evolve naturally through multiple recording sessions. The album was recorded at Heinrich House Studio and Turnia Studio (Halny), while mixing and mastering duties were handled by Filip Hałucha at Heinrich House Studio (Baalzagoth, Behemoth, Deus Mortem) resulting in a powerful, modern and uncompromising sound.

Musically, the album is KOMUTATOR‘s most diverse work to date, combining relentless thrash metal aggression with moments of melancholy, tension and reflection. The lyrics explore the gradual collapse of humanity, not through apocalyptic destruction, but through the everyday choices that erode values, freedom and human identity.

Lyrically, new album focuses on humanity’s self-inflicted decline. The album examines a world where truth is distorted, freedom becomes illusion, and people are treated as resources rather than individuals. Through its uncompromising perspective, KOMUTATOR encourages listeners to reflect on how much of this downfall is driven by our own decisions.

The album features several guest appearances, including Wojciech Kostrzewa (Asgaard), Szczepan Inglot (Wolfpack Heading Nowhere) and Jacek Hiro (Sceptic).

“We Don’t Owe You Anything” will be released on September 18th, 2026 in digital format and on CD by Polish label Via Nocturna (pre-order).

Commenting on the album, band founder Michał “Kinder” Kowalski states:

“It is our most diverse release to date, moving between relentless aggression and moments of melancholy, tension and reflection. We never tried to force a balance between those extremes, we simply wanted the music to reflect the emotions behind each song. We Don’t Owe You Anything is an honest and uncompromising record. It doesn’t try to provide easy answers. Instead, it invites the listener to face the world as it is and to ask how much of humanity’s decline is the result of our own choices.“

KOMUTATOR presents the lyric video to the new single “Inhuman Resources“, now available on all streaming platforms (pre-save).

Watch the video for the previous single “Let It Bomb“: https://youtu.be/7T4i0xOZvZ8

TRACKLIST:
1. Harbinger          
2. The Doom We Crave          
3. Let It Bomb          
4. Inhuman Resources          
5. Metathesiophobia (instrumental)
6. Watch Beauty Die          
7. Monster          
8. Season of Storms          
9. We Don’t Owe You Anything 

LINE-UP:
Andrzej Halupczok – drums
Michał “Kinder” Kowalski – guitars, vocal (backing)
Jacek Zema – vocal
Maciek Zalsiński – guitars

Guests:
Wojciech Kostrzewa (Asgaard) – samples in song “Metathesiophobia”
Szczepan Inglot (Wolfpack Heading Nowhere) – lyrics in “The Doom We Crave” and “Inhuman”, guest vocal in “Inhuman”
Jacek Hiro (Sceptic) – guest solo in “Watch Beauty Die”

More info: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | TikTok

ZORNHEYM Unveil Third Single ‘The Funeral March’ from Upcoming Studio Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 22, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Zornheym. Leave a comment
Photo by Jens Rydén

Swedish symphonic metal visionaries ZORNHEYM unleash the third single, “The Funeral March”, taken from the band’s upcoming studio album “Descending Into Madness”, set for release on October 2 via Noble Demon.

Inspired by Frédéric Chopin’s legendary ‘Funeral March’, the new track sees ZORNHEYM merging crushing riffs, cinematic orchestration and subtle Scandinavian folk influences into one of the album’s most dramatic and emotionally charged moments.

“‘The Funeral March’ is the perfect marriage between classical music and Zornheym’s cinematic symphonic metal sound,” the band explains. “The choir takes on the role of mourners and pallbearers, lamenting the tragic fate of Dr. Bettelheim’s beloved wife as they accompany her final journey. Lyrically, the song marks the defining moment in Dr. Bettelheim’s descent into madness, as grief, guilt and despair finally consume him.“

Stream the single HERE

With “Descending Into Madness”, ZORNHEYM continue to expand their elaborate narrative universe centered around the infamous Zornheim asylum. Each release adds new layers to a story that blurs the line between horror, history and madness – where it is never entirely clear who the real inmates are.

Formed in Stockholm by multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Zorn (ex-Dark Funeral), ZORNHEYM have built their identity on the fusion of symphonic metal, cinematic orchestration and melodic death metal influences. Their work is further enhanced by visual storytelling, graphic novels and short-film-style music videos, turning each release into a multi-dimensional experience.

Tracklist:
01. Prologue: From the Depths of Sêlasee
02. Deus Rex
03. Somewhere Far Beyond
04. Deep Below
05. Anneliese
06. Alone in the Dark
07. Gallow’s Oak
08. The Funeral March
09. Descending
10. Come Sweet Death
11. The Foreboding (CD Bonus Track)
12. None For All (CD Bonus Track)

“Descending Into Madness” will be coming out on October 2 via Noble Demon and is available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION. The album will be available in a variety of exclusive formats, including colored marbled vinyl, a limited Collector’s Edition CD, a Digipak, and an A5 book.

For more info visit:
https://www.instagram.com/zornheym_official/ 
https://www.facebook.com/zornheym  
https://zornheym.bandcamp.com/ 
https://linktr.ee/nobledemon 

MOB RULES Celebrate Release of New Compilation Album “Stories From The Verdant Vale”, Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 22, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Mob Rules. Leave a comment
[photo: Karsten Koch]

German melodic power metal stalwarts MOB RULES celebrate the release of their new compilation album, Stories From The Verdant Vale, via ROAR – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music. Available now on vinyl and across digital platforms, the release invites fans back into the narrative world of the band’s acclaimed 2025 album, Rise Of The Ruler, while revealing another side of its story.

The material for Stories From The Verdant Vale was written during the final stages of the Rise Of The Ruler sessions and now emerges as a special standalone release. More direct and compact than its predecessor, the record remains unmistakably MOB RULES, combining melodic power metal, atmospheric depth and the compelling storytelling that has long defined the band.

“During the final stages of completing the album, we discussed possible bonus material for the earbook edition with the label,” vocalist Klaus Dirks recently revealed. “We were reluctant to use demo versions or similar material. This motivated us to write a few new songs. We were well aware of what we were getting ourselves into, but we also wanted to challenge ourselves a little.”

Originally conceived in part as exclusive material, the songs are now receiving a full vinyl and digital release following high demand from fans. While Stories From The Verdant Vale expands the concept of Rise Of The Ruler from a different perspective, each track has a character of its own, making it both a natural extension of the album and a powerful release in its own right.

Stories From The Verdant Vale was mixed by Markus Teske, with artwork by Stan W. Decker.

Order Stories From The Verdant Vale at this location: https://mobrules.rpm.link/storiesPR

Tracklist:

Side A:
1. Savage Land Reprise
2. Master Of The Black Crow 
3. Masquerade Ball 
4. Above The Maelstrom 
5. Balance Of Power 

Side B (Bonus Tracks)
6. Celebration Day (2014 Version, feat. Bernhard Weiß)
7. Insurgeria (2014 Version, feat. Udo Dirkschneider)
8. Coast To Coast (2014 Version, feat. Chity Somapala)
9. End Of All Days (2014 Version, feat. Amanda Somerville)
10. Broken 

About MOB RULES

Formed in Northern Germany in the early 1990s, MOB RULES have established themselves as a constant force in melodic power metal. Known for their concept-driven albums, strong melodies and atmospheric depth, the band has built a loyal international following over the decades.

With ten studio albums to date, including the critically acclaimed Rise Of The Ruler, MOB RULES have continuously refined their sound while staying true to their roots. Their blend of classic heavy metal influences and modern production has secured them a lasting place within the genre.

MOB RULES is:
Klaus Dirks – Vocals
Sven Lüdke – Guitar
Florian Dyszbalis – Guitar
Markus Brinkmann – Bass
Jan Christian Halfbrodt – Keys
Sebastian Schmidt – Drums

Connect with MOB RULES:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mobrulesband 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mobrulesband 

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR Turns Nostalgia into Reflection on New Single & Video ‘The Girl That You Loved Before’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 22, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Joanne Shaw Taylor. Leave a comment

British blues-rock artist Joanne Shaw Taylor returns today with “The Girl That You Loved Before,” the latest single from her forthcoming studio album The Trouble With Love, due Friday October 23rd via Journeyman Records. Released alongside a cinematic new official music video, the song finds Joanne looking back on a past relationship through the distance of time, exploring the nostalgia, unanswered questions, and lingering connection between two people who intimately once knew each other.

Moving with an easy, infectious pulse, “The Girl That You Loved Before” pairs Joanne’s expressive vocal performance with a melody that carries an underlying sense of longing. That warmth contrasts with the uncertainty at the heart of the lyrics, building toward a fiery guitar solo that gives the song’s bottled-up emotion somewhere to finally break free.

“This song came from looking back at past relationships and realising how much we change over time,” Joanne shares. “It’s about being remembered for who you were, not necessarily who you are now. I wrote it to explore that nostalgia, that longing, and the bittersweet ache it brings.”

Those feelings come into sharp focus through the song’s central question: “Who am I if I’m just a girl you loved before?” Elsewhere, Joanne wonders how two people who were once deeply connected could eventually become strangers, capturing the disorienting experience of looking back at a relationship and trying to understand where that former version of yourself fits into the person you have become.

The accompanying official video gives the song an appropriately cinematic setting, moving between Joanne performing the track and solitary moments in a dimly lit bar. The imagery complements the song’s reflective mood, creating the feeling of being caught between the present and memories that continue to surface long after a relationship has ended.

“The Girl That You Loved Before” offers another window into The Trouble With Love, Joanne’s highly anticipated studio album produced by Kevin Shirley. Across the record, Joanne dives headfirst into the beautiful chaos of the human heart, blending blues, rock, soul, and Americana while exploring the many forms love takes in our lives: the reckless kind that sweeps you off your feet, the quiet kind that steadies you, the kind that breaks you open, and the kind that puts you back together.

The new single follows a series of releases that have gradually revealed the album’s emotional range. “The Trouble With Love,” featuring Joe Bonamassa, captured the intoxicating push and pull of romance, while “What Good Is My Love?” featuring Orianthi confronted the pain of love that isn’t returned. “Hell Or High Water” delivered a defiant blues-gospel message of resilience, “This Is Who I Am” explored acceptance and self-worth, “Tired Of Being Right” examined the difficult decision to finally leave a relationship behind, and “Bad Boy” ventured into the thrilling and destructive pull of intense, complicated love. With “The Girl That You Loved Before,” Joanne turns her attention toward what remains after love is gone: memory, nostalgia, and the versions of ourselves we leave behind in other people’s lives.

Produced by Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, The Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Joe Bonamassa), The Trouble With Love continues the artistic evolution that has defined Joanne’s recent work. Rather than approaching love from a single perspective, the album moves through longing, heartbreak, desire, resilience, acceptance, and renewal, pairing some of Joanne’s most personal songwriting with the formidable guitar playing that has made her one of contemporary blues-rock’s most acclaimed artists.

The Trouble With Love by Joanne Shaw Taylor


1. The Trouble With Love feat. Joe Bonamassa
2. Hell Or High Water
3. This Is Who I Am
4. Tired Of Being Right
5. Bad Boy
6. What Good Is My Love? feat. Orianthi
7. The Girl That You Loved Before
8. Never Gonna Please ‘Em All
9. You And Me (Rachel’s Song)
10. Death Wish

The release comes as Joanne continues a busy year on the road, with U.S. dates continuing through September before the October 23rd release of The Trouble With Love. She will then launch an extensive Fall U.S. tour beginning October 28th in Albuquerque, with dates across the Southwest, Mountain West, Pacific Northwest, and California. Select shows will feature Bywater Call, followed by a run with Robert Jon & The Wreck. Known for her commanding stage presence, fiery guitar work, and emotionally immersive performances, Joanne continues to bring together new material from The Trouble With Love with fan favorites from across her acclaimed catalogue.

For more info and to purchase tickets, visit http://joanneshawtaylor.com/tour.

2026 U.S. Tour Dates

August 19 – Lexington, MA – Cary Hall
August 20 – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Music Hall Norfolk
August 21 – Buffalo, NY – Electric City
August 22 – Interlochen, MI – Interlochen Center for the Arts
September 10 – Paw Paw, MI – Warner Vineyards
September 11 – Dayton, OH – Levitt Pavilion Dayton
September 12 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom

2026 Fall U.S. Tour

October 28 – Albuquerque, NM – KiMo Theatre *
October 29 – Flagstaff, AZ – Orpheum Theater *
October 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre *
November 1 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre *
November 3 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater *
November 5 – Colorado Springs, CO – Phil Long Music Hall *
November 6 – Ft Collins, CO – Aggie Theatre*
November 7 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater *
November 9 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room **
November 10 – Boise, ID – The Egyptian Theatre **
November 12 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory **
November 13 – Tacoma, WA – Rialto Theater **
November 15 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater **
November 17 – Grass Valley, CA – The Center for the Arts **
November 19 – Napa, CA – Uptown Theatre Napa **
November 20 – Bakersfield, CA – World Records **
November 21 – Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre **

* with Bywater Call
** with Robert Jon & The Wreck

More information: Website | Facebook | Spotify | X | Instagram | YouTube

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