GRIMNER Release Second Single + Video ‘Irrbloss’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 26, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo: Alexandra Petersen

Swedish folk metal force Grimner returns with thunder and fury as they unveil their new single “Irrbloss”, released on Friday April 24 via Despotz Records — the second glimpse of their upcoming fifth full-length album Stormvingar, to be released 4th of September, 2026. 

Irrbloss is a dark tale from the cold marshes of the north, about what may happen to those who lose themselves among the bramble and fog of the fens. Musically it is both folky, dark and dirty in a mix suited for the horror that a meeting with the Will-o-the-wisp can entail.

You do not want to miss this, as it also contains a guest appearance that we’ve been aching to share with all of you. Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns(Finntroll, Dispyt, And Oceans) brings the good stuff with his characteristic voice in the form of both deep growls and enchanting spoken word.

After nearly four years of silence, Grimner returns to the realm of Midgård with renewed strength. With new blood in their ranks and the iconic voice of returning member Marcus Asplund Brattberg, the band conjures the power of a storm-torn ocean, heralding a new chapter in their saga. The upcoming album Stormvingar promises a full folk metal journey inspired by Swedish folklore and Grimner’s own interpretation of Norse mythology. Their sound continues to blend the aggression of old-school melodic death metal with Nordic folk traditions, alongside elements of classic heavy and power metal — a fusion that has become Grimner’s unmistakable trademark.

The album also sees the addition of brothers Anton Elowson and Axel Elowson, who bring fresh energy and musicianship to the band’s evolving sound.

The band comments:

“Our latest album, ‘Stormvingar’, has reignited a flame in us all, burning a path toward the future while at times taking us back to our roots. We are incredibly excited to unleash this beast of a record!” “As always, we have given everything we have to bring this album to life, and working with Ulf Blomberg of HoboRec Studio for the first time, we couldn’t be happier with the result. We feel that we’ve created something truly special!”

Stormvingar was recorded and mixed by Ulf Blomberg at HoboRec Studio and mastered by Gina Wiklund. The album artwork was created by Julien Bauer, with band photography by Alexandra Petersen. 

Pre-order the new album “Stormvingar” in different bundles here: https://despotz.bigcartel.com/artist/grimner

Grimner members:
Ted Sjulmark – Vocals, guitars
Marcus Asplund Brattberg – Vocals, guitars
Axel Elowson – Bass
Johan Rydberg – Flutes and whistles
Kristoffer Kullberg – Keyboards
Anton Elowson – Drums

More from Grimner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grimnerswe/?locale=sv_SE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grimnerband/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/grimnersweofficial
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EzUgwy78fPj2HFx8hSvKR
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/se/artist/grimner/520764691
Bandcamp: https://grimner.bandcamp.com/music

GUS G. Releases Fifth Solo Album “Steel Burner” with Video for ‘Dancing With Death’, Ft. Matt Barlow

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 26, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Akis Douzlatzis

Internationally acclaimed guitarist, composer, and FIREWIND mastermind GUS G. releases his fifth solo album ‘Steel Burner’ today, April 24, 2026. Marking his first solo offering in five years, the record delivers a blistering fusion of modern instrumental metal and carefully curated vocal collaborations with some of heavy music’s most legendary voices.

To herald the album’s arrival, Gus G. has dropped a powerhouse new single and accompanying video for “Dancing With Death,” featuring the unmistakable, commanding vocals of former ICED EARTH and current ASHES OF ARES frontman Matt Barlow. An epic metal track with a contemporary edge, “Dancing With Death” explores the dark, gripping theme of addiction.

The track is also available for streaming from all major platforms now.

Gus himself comments:

“My new solo album has finally arrived and now it’s yours! To celebrate this big day, I wanted to drop yet another new video, this one from my collaboration with the one & only Matt Barlow of Iced Earth & Ashes of Ares fame.

Matt’s vocal style is unique and will definitely remind you of those 90s Iced Earth vibes. But make no mistake – this is a power metal track with today’s energy, aggression and passion, forged in the here and now, and one that hopefully will stand the test of time.  Enjoy!”

Following an intense cycle of post-pandemic touring, ‘Steel Burner’ represents a renewed, razor-sharp creative focus for Gus G.’s solo vision. The album showcases his signature guitar style – combining technical precision, rich melody, and sheer intensity – while expanding its emotional and thematic reach through its high-profile guest vocalists.

Interestingly, the album’s title track served as the catalyst for the entire project. Originally commissioned for a company that manufactures industrial machines used to shape metal, Gus G. drew heavy inspiration from a massive piece of equipment fittingly named “Steel Burner.” The relentless energy of that instrumental track became the foundation for the album’s overall concept and ultimately its title.

While the instrumental cuts on ‘Steel Burner’ highlight Gus G.’s continued evolution as a composer and six-string virtuoso, the vocal tracks stand as defining moments on the record. The album’s lead single, “Nothing Can Break Me,” features Metal Queen Doro Pesch on a soaring anthem focused on inner strength, perseverance, and resilience.

“No One Has To Know,” featuring Dino Jelusick, delivers a punchy, modern hard rock approach that tackles the artificial lives and curated personas plaguing social media.

Additionally, the album features two tracks from Ronnie Romero (RAINBOW), a collaboration that was born directly from Gus G. and Romero’s recent joint world tour, further shaping the album’s dynamic, collaborative direction.

With ‘Steel Burner’, Gus G. delivers a confident, forward-looking statement – an album that honors the roots of heavy metal while boldly embracing modern themes, production, and the power of collaboration.

TRACKLIST ALBUM:

  1. Steel Burner
  2. Nothing Can Break Me (Featuring Doro)
  3. Dancing With Death (Featuring Matt Barlow)
  4. Advent
  5. What If
  6. Frenemy (Featuring Ronnie Romero)
  7. No One Has To Know (Featuring Dino Jelusick)
  8. Confession
  9. My Premonition (Featuring Ronnie Romero)
  10. Closure

LINE-UP ‘STEEL BURNER’:

GUS G.: All guitars, bass, keyboards, drums
DORO PESCH: Vocals on track 2
MATT BARLOW: Vocals on track 3
RONNIE ROMERO: Vocals on tracks 6 and 8
DINO JELUSICK: Vocals on track 7
ANDREA ARCANGELI: Bass on tracks 6 and 8
DENNIS WARD: Bass on track 2

‘Steel Burner’ is available as a tri-fold digipak CD and on high quality gatefold-sleeve vinyl LP (several colour options available) from Metal Department and good distributors starting April 24th 2026.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

FESTIVALS 2026:

24.05 DE – Rock Hard Festival
25.07 PL – Jan Bo Festival
22.08 PL – Sound of The Ages Festival
24.10 JP – Full Metal Japan
15.11 MT – Malta Metal Weekend
Gus G. & Ronnie Romero / Convergence Fest Tour 2026:

25.04.26 RO – Constanta, Rock Halle
03.10.26 NL – Hoogeveen, Het Podium
04.10.26 NL – Uden, De Pul
05.10.26 B – Verviers, spirit of 66
07.10.26 F – Savigny l’Empreinte, Le Temple
08.10.26 F-Angoulins La Rochelle,Le Crossroads
09.10.26 ES – Pamplona, Totem
10.10.26 ES – Seville, Customs
11.10.26 ES – Santiago, Capitol
13.10.26 F – Istres – l’Usine
15.10.26 DE – München, Backstage
16.10.26 DE – Bensheim, Rex
17.10.26 CH – Aarburg – Musigburg
19.10.26 DE – Hamburg, Knust
20.10.26 DE – Berlin, Lido
21.10.26 DE – Augsburg, Spectrum
27.10.26 DE – Aschaffenburg, Colos Saal
28.10.26 DE – Bochum, Zeche
30.10.26 S – Gothenburg, Valand
31.10.26 S – Sövde, Lokstallet
01.11.26 S – Stockholm, Kollektivet Livet

About Gus G.:

Best known as the longtime guitarist for OZZY OSBOURNE and the driving force behind Greek power metal titans FIREWIND, Gus G. has solidified his status as one of the most respected and prolific guitarists in modern heavy metal. With a career spanning decades, his solo work continues to push the boundaries of his instrumental and compositional prowess.

ARTIST WEBSITE: https://www.gusgofficial.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialgusg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gusgofficial
X.com: https://twitter.com/gusgofficial
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/70I9vE7YTwKmelfEplXc5r
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@firetv

BY MILLION WIRES Return After Almost 15 Years with Third Single ‘Glass Houses’ from New EP “Not Over”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 26, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

BY MILLION WIRES is a Polish Tarnów-based band navigating the borders of alternative rock, progressive rock, indie rock, post-rock, and dream pop.
Founded in 2007, the group quickly gained a reputation as one of the most intriguing acts on the Polish independent scene. Following their enthusiastically received debut, “Letters to the Absent” (2012) — which garnered stellar reviews both at home and abroad — the band entered a phase of intense sonic exploration.


Fourteen years after the debut, the Polish band By Million Wires breaks their silence. Their latest release, the EP titled “Not Over“, is a chronicle of the journey the band has taken from dreamlike post-rock to a more mature, alternative form.

“Not Over” is material that was forged in the shadows. Although the first recordings were made several years ago, the band chose to release them only now, feeling that these sounds resonate most fully today. The most significant change is the vocal layer – guitarist Mirek Skrok has taken over frontman duties. His deep, emotional voice perfectly complements the dense guitar textures the band has been known for for years.

Musically, the new record is still the By Million Wires we remember – music full of contrasts, tension-building, and space – but in a more direct and raw version. It’s a record about survival, continuity, and the fact that some stories simply never end.

Today, By Million Wires returns with new energy and the self-produced album stands as a testament to maturity, patience, and an unwavering belief in the power of sound.

Promotion of the material began with the release of three singles: “Over“, “I Know Better“, and “Glass Houses“), while the full album will be available on all streaming services starting May 1st, 2026. Music for EP “Not Over” was recorded at Raven Studio (Merkabah, Disperse)  in Skrzyszow, and was mixed and mastered by Krzysztof Krupa (Acid Drinkers, AnVision). Single & album cover artworks was done by leader of the band, Mirek Skrok.

“Glass Houses” at streaming platforms: Spotify | Tidal | Apple

About the song: “A standout track defined by its sophisticated structure and emotional weight. It pairs delicate, delay-heavy melodies with a raw, driving chorus, leading to a powerful finish of multiple harmonized guitar layers“.

TRACKLIST:

1. Over
2. Glass Gouses
3. I Know Better
4. Lost or Won
5. Runaway

LINE-UP:
Mirek Skrok – vocal, guitar
Dawid Moździerz – guitar
Mateusz Ostafil – bass
Dawid Remian – drums

More info: WWW | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram | LinkTree

NUCLEAR MESSIAH Release All-Star Concept Album “Black Flame” with Music Video for ‘Look At Yourself’, Ft. Chris Poland & Sebastian Bach

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 26, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

In an unprecedented gathering of rock and metal royalty, Cleopatra Records proudly announces the release of “BLACK FLAME”, Nuclear Messiah’s thunderous, all-star concept album.

Built around the visionary guitar mastery of Chris Poland, the legendary former Megadeth guitarist whose emotive phrasing and fusion-driven technique helped redefine modern metal, “BLACK FLAME” is a sonic prophecy uniting 36 of the most iconic musicians in rock and metal history across five decades.

Produced by Brian Perera, Derek Hughes, and Jürgen Engler for Cleopatra Records with a commanding spoken introduction to the album by William Shatner, “BLACK FLAME“ is an apocalyptic, cinematic, sonic album uniting a staggering line-up of 36 of the most iconic musicians in rock and metal history. 

Representing every era of heavy music, and uniting icons from thrash, classic rock, hard rock, and progressive metal, the appearances include:
Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, David Ellefson, Glen Drover, Shawn Drover, Chris Adler (Lamb of God, Megadeth), Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (Guns N’ Roses, Sons of Apollo), Mick Box (Uriah Heep), Joel Hoekstra(Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Night Ranger), Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Beck, Bogert & Appice, King Kobra), Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell), Simon Wright (AC/DC, Dio), Don Airey (Deep Purple, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne), Rick Wakeman (Yes), Jonathan Cain (Journey, The Babys), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo, Black Country Communion), Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Gary Moore, Uriah Heep), Phil Soussan (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Last in Line), Alan Davey (Hawkwind), Vinnie Moore (UFO, Alice Cooper), Joe Bouchard (Blue Öyster Cult), Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth, Yngwie Malmsteen), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen), Sebastian Bach (Skid Row), Andrew Freeman (Last in Line, Lynch Mob), Marc Lopes (Ross the Boss, Metal Church, Let Us Prey), Pat Travers (Pat Travers Band), Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Lords of Black), Arthur Brown (The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Kingdom Come), Lance Lopez (Supersonic Blues Machine, Billy Gibbons), Greg T. Walker (Blackfoot, Lynyrd Skynyrd family), Steve DiGiorgio (Testament, Death, Sadus), Thor (Thor), Fred Aching (Dead Groove, Kings of Thrash, BulletBoys, Powerflo, BillyBio), and Jürgen Engler (Die Krupps).

Watch the video for ‘Look At Yourself‘ here:

This staggering lineup represents every era of heavy music, from Vanilla Fudge to the Kings of Thrash, via Guns N’ Roses, Uriah Heep, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath, UFO, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen, Thor, Testament, Night Ranger, the Michael Schenker Group, Yes and more.
 
Eye-opening covers, too, will be ripping open your ears – Lucifer’s Friend, May Blitz, NWOBHM heroes Holocaust and the immortal Uriah Heep (a killer take on “Look At Yourself”); and, while the remainder of the album is all new material, each song composed by the line-up that performs on it, reflecting, too, upon the history of hard rock, prog and metal – a living timeline of rock and metal, from the pioneers of the past to the trailblazers of today.
 
It’s more than a collaboration. It’s a metal summit, the multi-generational union of the artists who shaped the evolution of heavy music itself.

Track listing:
1. The Prophet Of Fallout feat. Chris Poland & William Shatner
2. Devil Won’t Let Go feat. Chris Poland, Ronnie Romero, Vinnie Moore, Vinny Appice, Don Airey, Steve Di Giorgio
3. Death Or Glory feat. Chris Poland, Thor, Bob Daisley, Glen Drover, Fred Aching
4. Ride The Sky feat. Chris Poland, Arthur Brown, Vinny Appice, Alan Davey
5. Dice And Thunder feat. Chris Poland, Rick Wakeman, Ronnie Romero, Bumblefoot, Steve Di Giorgio, Fred Aching
6. For Mad Men Only feat. Chris Poland, Pat Travers, Joe Lynn Turner, Alan Davey, Shawn Drover
7. Nuclear Messiah feat. Chris Poland, Lance Lopez, Greg Walker, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Vinny Appice, Don Airey
8. Look At Yourself feat. Chris Poland, Sebastian Bach, Derek Sherinian, Bob Daisley, Mick Box, Carmine Appice
9. She’s So Evil feat. Chris Poland, Joel Hoekstra, David Ellefson, Don Airey, Andrew Freeman, Simon Wright
10. Black Flame feat. Chris Poland, Ronnie Romero, Jonathan Cain, Phil Soussan, Glen Drover, Chris Adler
11. Electric Burn feat. Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, Joe Bouchard, Marc Lopes, Chris Adler

More info: https://www.nuclearmessiah.com/

VIO-LENCE Announce Summer 2026 Tour “Eruption of Screams”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 25, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Vio-lence is set to return to the global stage with their Summer 2026 tour, “Eruption of Screams.” Kicking off on July 20 in Gdańsk and July 21 in Warsaw, Poland, opening for Biohazard. As a pioneering Bay Area thrash band that emerged in the late 1980s, Vio-lence built a reputation for their aggressive sound and influential releases, helping define the genre’s intensity and edge. The tour marks another chapter in the band’s legacy as they bring their high-energy performances across Europe, the United Kingdom, Russia and Asia, including a return to Brutal Assault, where they previously performed in 2022.
 
“We’re excited to get back to Europe and the UK, and visit Russia, China, Japan, Taipei and South Korea for the first time.” — Sean Killian
 
The run will include select dates alongside fellow FM Music Management artists, including Armored Saint, Cutthroat, and Angelus Apatrida. Following the European and UK leg, the tour will continue through Russia and multiple stops across Asia, ultimately concluding on August 28 in Seoul, South Korea.
 
The current lineup features founding frontman Sean Killian, guitarists Ira Black (Dio Disciples, Metal Church, Lizzy Borden) and Claudeous Creamer (Possessed), bassist Jeff Salgado (Psychosomatic), and drummer Nick Souza (Hatriot), all of who have been performing with Vio-lence across multiple recent tours.

Vio-lence is set to release new music in 2027.

Tour Dates:
20/07/26 – Gdańsk, PL – B90
21/07/26 – Warsaw, PL – Progresja
24/07/26 – Porto, PT – Hard Club
25/07/26 – Lisbon, PT – República de Música
28/07/26 – Antwerp, BE – Kid’s
29/07/26 – Plymouth, UK – The Depo
30/07/26 – London, UK – The Underworld
31/07/26 – Bridgwater, UK – The Cobblestones
01/08/26 – Preston, UK – Blitz
02/08/26 – Dublin, IE – Grand Social
03/08/26 – Belfast, NI – The Limelight
04/08/26 – Glasgow, UK – Audio
05/08/26 – Cardiff, UK – The Globe
07/08/26 – Jaroměř, CZ – Brutal Assault (Festival)
08/08/26 – Vienna, AT – Viper Room
09/08/26 – Munich, DE – Backstage
12/08/26 – Košice, SK – Colosseum
13/08/26 – Salzburg, AT – Rockhouse
14/08/26 – Zabok, HR – Cuk Regenerator

Russia & Asia:
16/08/26 – Moscow, RU – Pravda Club
17/08/26 – Saint Petersburg, RU – Kosmonavt
20/08/26 – Shanghai – Cave Art Venue
21/08/26 – Wuhan – Three Live
22/08/26 – Tianjin – Liu Li Space
23/08/26 – Taipei – Pipe Live House
24/08/26 – Tokyo – Koenji High
25/08/26 – Tokyo – Koenji High
28/08/26 – Seoul – JS Art Hall

More dates TBA. For more information, visit Vio-lence’s official social media pages: Instagram (@vio_lence_official) and Facebook (Vio-lence).

MIDNIGHT RIDER Unleash Second Single & Video ‘Twice The Pride – Double The Fall’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 25, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

German heavy rock outfit MIDNIGHT RIDER unveil their second single and lyric video “Twice The Pride – Double The Fall”, taken from the upcoming studio album “Limited Infinity”, set for release on June 5th, 2026 (NEW RELEASE DATE!) via Massacre Records.

STREAM THE SINGLE HERE: https://save-it.cc/massacre/twice-the-pride-double-the-fall

Following the previously released first single “The Renegade”, MIDNIGHT RIDER now reveal another powerful facet of the upcoming album with a track that combines classic heavy rock authority with a darker and more socially critical lyrical direction.

With “Twice The Pride – Double The Fall”, the band deliver one of the album’s heaviest and most commanding compositions. Strongly influenced by the spirit of Black Sabbath, the track is built around crushing riffs, deliberate groove and a timeless sense of weight, while maintaining MIDNIGHT RIDER’s unmistakable melodic instinct.

Lyrically, the song confronts modern societal delusion and the dangerous ease with which public opinion can be manipulated through superficial online content. It reflects on how ignorance, misinformation and blind conformity can quietly pave the road toward authoritarianism.

Serving as another glimpse into “Limited Infinity”, the track highlights the album’s balance between classic heavy rock entertainment and thought-provoking substance.

On “Limited Infinity”, MIDNIGHT RIDER continue their dedication to the late ‘70s heavy rock tradition, blending influences such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and other iconic acts of the era with their own distinct identity.

The album also marks an exciting new chapter for the band, featuring Chris Black (High Spirits) on vocals, whose distinctive voice and layered choir arrangements add a fresh dimension to MIDNIGHT RIDER’s sound, alongside Hendrik (drums) and Nik (bass).

Produced and mixed by Christian Benner and Ralf Grett, and mastered by Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony Studio, “Limited Infinity” combines authentic retro spirit with a strong and modern production approach.

With “Twice The Pride – Double The Fall”, MIDNIGHT RIDER prove once again that classic heavy rock can still sound relevant, sharp and full of fire.

MIDNIGHT RIDER are:
Chris Black – vocals
Blumi – guitars
Hendrik – drums
Nik – bass

MIDNIGHT RIDER online:
https://www.facebook.com/midnightrider.officialband
https://www.instagram.com/midnightriderde.official