Girish And The Chronicles are thrilled to announce the release of their new studio album, “Disintegrate”, out on November 20, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Following from the recent release of the latest single “Generation Coward”, the band now share the title track, along with an official video, available below.
The band commented: “Disintegrate” is about things falling apart, whether it’s relationships, dreams, or just life in general, and trying to keep going when they do. We don’t want to talk too much about what the songs are all about. We’d rather let everyone take their own meaning from them.”
As the title track, “Disintegrate” sits at the heart of the album and offers a glimpse into a different side of Girish and The Chronicles.
Over the last few years, Girish And The Chronicles have evolved from one of India’s best-kept hard rock secrets into a truly international force. Fueled by extensive European touring and a widely acclaimed appearance on the hit American television show “America’s Got Talent”, the band has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its audience far beyond its homeland and earning recognition among rock fans across the globe.
Now, with their highly anticipated new album for Frontiers Records, Girish And The Chronicles take another step forward. While staying true to the melodic hard rock and classic heavy metal foundations that have always shaped their sound, the band has also explored some new territory on “Disintegrate”.
The band commented:
“With this album, we just wanted to play around with the sound a bit. It’s heavier, groovier and darker in places, with some alternative elements coming through, but it still feels like GATC. We didn’t want to overthink it. We just went with what sounded good.
“There are definitely some different sides of us on this record, both musically and lyrically, and we just want our old and new fans to hear it for themselves.”
At the heart of it all is frontman Girish Pradhan, whose unmistakable voice continues to set the band apart. Possessing a rare combination of power, range, grit, and emotion, Girish channels the spirit of the great rock singers of the past while maintaining a personality and charisma that are entirely his own.
This new release captures a band continuing to grow while staying true to the spirit, passion, and songwriting that have defined Girish and The Chronicles from day one.
“Disintegrate” is the sound of Girish And The Chronicles moving forward while remaining true to who they are.
“Disintegrate” Tracklist:
1. Disintegrate 2. Fading Away 3. Mindhole 4. Ricochet Of Hate 5. A New Spark 6. Take Me Home 7. Generation Coward 8. Against Yourself 9. You 10. KAAL
Line Up: Girish Pradhan – Vocals, Rhythm Guitars Yogesh Pradhan – Bass, Keyboards, Production Suraz Sun – Lead Guitars Nagen Nags – Drums
Following the release of “Into The Woods“, Colombian melodic black/death metal outfit ESHTADUR returns with “August’s Burdens“, the second single from their upcoming fifth studio album “In Darkness All Shadows Gone“, scheduled for release on October 2nd, 2026 via Rockshots Records.
While the first single introduced listeners to the beginning of The Crow’s spiritual journey, “August’s Burdens” explores the consequences of that path. The song explores the weight, suffering, and spiritual afflictions carried by the human soul, expanding one of the central themes of the album’s narrative.
The title references the Augustus, a sacred and enlightened spiritual emperor whose wisdom transcends ordinary reality. Ancient traditions speak of the Three August Ones as primordial beings who brought forth sacred knowledge, including the I Ching, acupuncture, and other esoteric sciences. Within the composition, these burdens become both a curse and a path toward transcendence, reflecting the struggle between suffering and spiritual awakening.
Musically, “August’s Burdens” combines heavy riffs, catchy melodies, and a memorable chorus that intertwines vocal and guitar melodies throughout the song. Symphonic arrangements, melodic vocals, and a Tuvan chorus reinforce its shamanic atmosphere, while a guest guitar solo by Christopher Malmström (Darkane) adds another layer to the composition.
The accompanying lyric video offers another glimpse into the conceptual world of “In Darkness All Shadows Gone“, further expanding the narrative introduced with the album’s first single.
Jorg August comments:
“‘August’s Burdens’ represents the moment when knowledge becomes a responsibility. Every step taken by The Crow brings a deeper understanding but also a heavier burden to carry. The song reflects the idea that spiritual growth is inseparable from sacrifice.“
“In Darkness All Shadows Gone” follows a continuous conceptual narrative inspired by mysticism, philosophy, and personal transformation. “August’s Burdens” expands the story introduced by “Into The Woods,” revealing another chapter of the album’s symbolic journey.
The album was produced by Jorg August, who also wrote the music, lyrics, compositions, and orchestral arrangements. The recordings took place at RockStar Studios Colombia, while the orchestra was recorded at Batuta’s Theater in Manizales, Colombia. The album was mixed and mastered by Tomasz “Zed” Zalewski, with additional mixing and mastering by Chris Clancy on “Fire Above Mountain Below” and “Umbra”. The cover artwork was created by Valesia Obscura. For fans of: Septicflesh, Dissection, At The Gates.
Track Listing: 1. Age of Antumbra – 2:00 2. Into The Woods – 4:41 3. Umbra – 6:22 4. August’s Burdens – 4:59 5. Fire Above Mountain Below – 5:08 6. Old Shaman Blind – 5:08 7. Thunderground – 3:40 8. Ruler of the Lake – 5:14 9. A Black Winged Waltz – 9:23 10. Nebulae (Virgo) – 5:09 11. Omen of Millennia – 3:56 12. Soy Real – 5:11
ESHTADUR are: Jorg August – Vocals, guitars Camilo Barbosa – Lead guitars Andres Gonzalez – Bass David Lopez – Drums
Following the international success of his celebrated fourth solo studio album Traces of the Flood (released 15 May 2026 via BFD/The Orchard), South African singer-songwriter Steve Louw returns with a passionate new live recording of the album’s second single, “Across the River (Live in Nashville).”
“Across The River (Live in Nashville)” is available on all streaming platforms HERE.
Watch the official video of “Across The River (Live in Nashville)” on YouTube HERE.
Since its release, Traces of the Floodhas enjoyed widespread critical acclaim from music publications across the UK and US. Traces of the Flood is available on CD, vinyl and digital HERE.
Among its many accolades, Henry Yates at Classic Rock Magazine awarded the album 8/10, describing it as, “one of Louw’s finest albums.”
Other international reviewers have celebrated the album’s evocative songwriting, rich musicianship and signature blend of folk, roots, country rock, blues and Americana. Amit Sharma at Guitarist Magazine, had this to say about Steve – “There’s an honesty to Steve Louw’s music that hits listener’s straight in the heart. On his latest album Traces of the Flood, he mixes elements of folk, country and classic rock using tones that will have just about any fan of guitar music grinning from ear to ear.”
Originally described as a song that encapsulates imagery both intimate and wide open, a narrative that keeps you along for the ride, “Across the River” takes on an entirely new dimension in this live recording, a full-band anthem, where the song captures the emotional breadth that has become a hallmark of Louw’s songwriting.
“It is a song of longing… for release, for freedom, for love and for peace,” Louw shares.
The live performance of “Across the River” becomes far more than a song; it’s an exhilarating cry of joy, transcendence, and redemption, that invites the promise of freedom that lies beyond the river.
“Across the River” is an introspective song which works as a solo acoustic performance or as with this live recording; a full tilt, no holds barred high octane rocking band treatment.
Recorded live at The Analog Room in Nashville on 13th December 2025, the venue is renowned for hosting live sessions by artists including The Black Crowes and Dave Stewart.
The performance took place during Producer Kevin Shirley’s Caveman’s Xmas Bash in 2025, a celebrated event featuring some of Nashville’s finest musicians, including Alyssa Bonagura, Joanne Shaw Taylor and Randy Bachman, amongst others.
The live recording captures Steve Louw and his band at their peak, delivering a performance brimming with energy, passion and musical chemistry.
Joining Louw are Bob Dylan’s guitarists Bob Britt and Doug Lancio, Kevin McKendree (piano), Alison Prestwood (bass), legendary drummer Chad Cromwell (Neil Young & the Bluenotes) and iconic keyboardist Reese Wynans (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Bonamassa), whose contributions elevate the performance into an unforgettable live experience.
Driven by gritty guitars, powerful rhythms and an undeniable sense of emotional release, this version of “Across the River” showcases why Steve Louw continues to earn recognition as one of South Africa’s most accomplished songwriters.
Experience Steve Louw live. Experience “Across the River.”
Listen to “Across The River (Live in Nashville)” on the following streaming platforms: Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Spotify | iTunes
The album Traces of the Flood is available on CD, vinyl & digital HERE
Steve Louw – Biography
Steve Louw (born 16 September 1955) is a South African musician and singer-songwriter who specialises in album rock, blues rock, country rock and Americana music. He was born in The Hague and has been active as a musician since 1981. He was inducted in the South African Rock Hall of Fame in 2003.
Louw, who was born Stephen Geoffrey Louw, learnt to play the guitar after being inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Neil Young, and formed his first band, Atlantic Rose, while in high school in Cape Town in the late 1960s. While a student at Stellenbosch University in the 1970s he became involved in the local music scene, playing his own songs in various line-ups.
His career as a professional musician began in the early 1980s when he formed the band All Night Radio with fellow former Stellenbosch University students Nico Burger (guitar) and Rob Nagel (bass). The group recorded two albums – The Heart’s the Best Part (1984) with US producer John Rollo, and The Killing Floor (1986), on which Louw began a partnership with producer Kevin Shirley that continues to this day.
Louw then formed the band Big Sky and in 1990 released their debut album, Waiting for the Dawn, again produced by Kevin Shirley. The album arrived just as South Africa began moving away from apartheid rule and the group’s music helped soundtrack a decade of positive revolution. The title track is today considered a South African rock classic.
Big Sky released another five albums over the next 15 years: Horizon (1995), Going Down with Mr Green (1997), Best of the Decade (1999), Beyond the Blue (2002) and Trancas Canyon (2008); as well as the concert DVD Heart and Soul, filmed at Cape Town’s Little Theatre in 2008.
Louw and Big Sky achieved considerable success in South Africa with sell-out tours and several major radio hits including “Kathleen”, “Mr Green”, “One Cut With A Knife”, “Strange Room” and “Diamonds and Dirt”. In 1996 the band won the FNB South African Music Award for “Best Pop Music Performance” and “Best Rock Album” for the album Horizon.
In 1998 Big Sky opened for US singer-songwriter Rodriguez on his triumphant debut tour of South Africa, with the musicians in the band also backing the US artist. The tour is chronicled in the 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man.
Louw gained an international profile after he collaborated with Brian May (Queen) and Dave Stewart (the Eurythmics) on the track “Amandla”, recorded for the 46664 Aids awareness project inspired by the work of Nelson Mandela.
In 2021 Louw returned with the album Headlight Dreams, produced by Kevin Shirley, and recorded in Nashville with crack studio musicians and featuring a guest appearance by US guitar legend Joe Bonamassa. The album received critical acclaim and the first single, “Wind in Your Hair”, has become a popular Spotify hit.
Louw released his sophomore solo release Thunder and Rain on November 11, 2022, through BFD. The album was produced by Kevin Shirley and features Joe Bonamassa and Doug Lancio.
On 6 September 2024, Louw released his third solo album Between Time, produced by Kevin Shirley.
On 15 May 2026, Louw released his fourth solo album Traces of the Flood, produced by Kevin Shirley.
Finnish metal band Hav Norn are set to release their second album ‘Laniena Animarum’ on September 18th 2026. The first and only single ‘All The World Around‘ is now available to stream: https://push.fm/fl/hav-norn-all-around-the-world
–Composed & lyrics by Sami Kokko. –ISRC-code: CBF8B2506344 –Single cover by Sami Kokko
Hav Norn’s new single is a hauntingly beautiful and heavy journey into letting go, the raw necessity of moving on, and what might finally be waiting for all of us in the end. It deals with that inescapable truth: life goes on, and we have to keep moving forward.
It touches on shared dreams and relationships that have faded into pitch-black shadows of time. The track wraps itself in deep melancholy, but it still carries a faint spark of hope for new possibilities. It doesn’t hand out neat answers or pre-packaged explanations, it gives the formless space to turn into something you can actually feel and understand.
It’s both a final farewell to the past and an invitation to step into the unknown without useless fear.
Hav Norn’s signature love for contrast really shines here. You get this raw, unpolished form, a deep and heavy sense of existential dread, and ultimately a belief in something better, all colliding in the very same track.
Laniena Animarum Track list: 01. Tears Flow Down To Endless Streams Of Sadness 02. All The World Around 03. Hush Now Sleep 04. Ember 05. Tomorrow Is a Dream 06. Finalize Your Position 07. Yesterday And Tomorrow
–Composed, lyrics, mixed & mastered by Sami Kokko –Album cover by Sami Kokko
BIOGRAPHY:
An absolute sense of freedom, a relentless drive for new melodies, and a push toward the extremes, this is where Hav Norn’s uncompromising metal takes root. While deeply anchored in the metal soil, the core idea is complete genre fluidity. The music is born without rigid boundaries, unforced, and entirely on its own terms.
The story of Hav Norn began in 2025 in Jyväskylä, Finland, when a seasoned musician returned to life after two decades of silence. Raised in the 1970s, his background in bands and sound engineering once led to total burnout, driving everything music-related out of his life for far too long. When the time finally felt right for a comeback, years of pent-up creativity burst open into an unstoppable flow of sound.
Hav Norn is a one-man vision and execution: songwriting, lyrics, arrangements, every single instrument, vocals, mixing, and mastering are all handled by one individual. Working this way grants total creative freedom with zero compromise. Ideas, stories, rhythms, and moods overflow, with any single element serving as the spark for a new track. The creative process is light and adventurous, anything can be tested, but nothing is forced.
Musically and lyrically, Hav Norn spans a vast spectrum. The themes range from love and beauty to the conflicts, destruction, and world weariness born from human stupidity. It isn’t a sermon, but a deeply personal need to channel out the friction of existence, offering listeners a space to feel something real and intense.
Creating new material at a rapid pace, Hav Norn released the eight-track debut album Halcyon in 2025. The July 2026 single “All Around The World” opens the door to the next chapter, proving that the endless hunt for melody, rhythm, and a strong message is running stronger than ever. And it doesn’t stop here.
German hardcore powerhouse HALF ME return with their crushing new single ‘Psalm’, offering another dark and unsettling glimpse into their upcoming album DOGMA, due for release on 23rd October 2026 via Arising Empire.
With the album’s pre-order already underway and its release drawing ever closer, ‘Psalm’ reveals a slower, more brooding side of HALF ME while losing none of the weight and intensity at the core of their sound.
Trading outright chaos for cold introspection, ‘Psalm’ is driven by sparse grooves, sombre melodies and raw vocals that gradually pull the listener deeper into its oppressive atmosphere. Rather than relying on sheer force, the track builds its impact through restraint and tension, allowing every groove and vocal line to carry a sense of unease. It is a colder and more deliberate approach that broadens HALF ME’s sonic palette without abandoning the crushing heaviness that defines the band.
Lyrically, ‘Psalm’ confronts obedience, denial and faith built on fragile foundations. Images of golden gospels and paper prayers expose the emptiness behind systems of belief that demand submission without question, while the recurring “Will we ever learn?” becomes increasingly haunting as the track unfolds. The result is a song that turns HALF ME’s aggression inward, replacing immediate chaos with a lingering sense of dread and sharpening the thematic edge of their songwriting in the process.
That sense of disillusionment connects directly to the wider concept behind DOGMA. The album reflects on a society willingly taking part in its own collapse, exploring how fear, division and manufactured dilemmas keep people occupied with survival while discouraging them from questioning the systems around them. Truth and lies dissolve into blurred lines, creating a state in which obedience becomes normalized and people unknowingly participate in their own downfall.
Rather than pretending to offer solutions, DOGMA begins from the unsettling assumption that the damage may already be irreversible. The record instead asks listeners to look closer, challenge what is presented as absolute truth and expose the structures that thrive on fear and obedience. HALF ME’s upcoming crusades extend that same idea, not as a call to arms, but as an invitation to look behind the dogma.
Since emerging from Germany’s heavy music scene, HALF ME have established themselves as one of the country’s most exciting modern hardcore acts. Following their debut album SOMA, millions of streams and extensive touring across Europe, the band have built a reputation for combining uncompromising heaviness with a willingness to push beyond the conventions of the genre.
With 23rd October moving closer, ‘Psalm’ adds another piece to the increasingly bleak world of DOGMA. Haunting, heavy and deliberately restrained, the single shows a different side of HALF ME and offers another indication of the range and intensity that awaits on the new record.
Track-list: 1. I. Acedia 2. No Oasis 3. Splinter in a Rusted Crown 4. II. Ira 5. Weather Eye 6. Fear Is the New Belief 7. Psalm 8. Hochgeboren 9. Built on Your Blood 10. III. Cholera 11. King 12. Through Prayer 13. IV. Melancholia 14. Coup d’Éta
HALF ME – European Crusade 2026 27.11.2026 | Dynamo | Eindhoven, NL 28.11.2026 | Musikzentrum | Hannover, DE 29.11.2026 I Die Stadtmitte I Karlsruhe, DE 30.11.2026 | Das Bett | Frankfurt am Main, DE 01.12.2026 | Naumanns I Leipzig, DE 02.12.2026 | Weberknecht I Vienna, AT 03.12.2026 | Mechanik I Warsaw, PL 05.12.2026 | Subzero I Prague, CZ 06.12.2026 | Kent Club I Hamburg, DE 08.12.2026 | Backstage By The Mill I Paris, FR 09.12.2026 | Downstairs At The Dome I London, UK 10.12.2026 | Key Club I Leeds, UK 11.12.2026 | Rebellion I Manchester, UK 12.12.2026 | O2 Institute3 I Manchester, UK 13.12.2026 I Gebäude 9 I Cologne, DE 15.12.2026 I Schüür I Luzern, CH 16.12.2026 I Hansa 39 I Munich, DE 17.12.2026 I Skaters Palace Cafe I Münster, DE 18.12.2026 I Mikropol I Berlin, DE 19.12.2026 I Z-Bau I Nürnberg, DE 20.12.2026 I Tower I Bremen, DE
The South German power metal CROM quintet has musically dedicated itself to the far north, making them almost predestined for a deal with a pirate label. The new album will be released in early 2027 on El Puerto Records.
Bandleader and singer Walter Grosse: “We are incredibly happy to have found a capable and, above all, family-oriented label in El Puerto that is supporting us professionally with the release of ‘Back to North’.”
Label boss Bernd Stelzer: “When the pirates of El Puerto Records meet the Vikings of CROM, the result can only be a musical raid of epic proportions! Walter Grosse and his crew stand for power metal that gets right into your bones. In February 2027, we’ll reveal the secret behind their brand-new album. We’re looking forward to this journey north together. Welcome aboard, CROM!”
Biography: CROM was founded in 1997 as a solo project by Walter Grosse, who wanted to emulate his favorite band, Bathory. Early on, the band developed its own style of epic power/Viking metal. CROM quickly set itself apart from the crowd, primarily through its distinctive clean vocals and self-sung choruses, and achieved a high status in the underground scene. As a solo project, CROM released several demos, one EP, and three albums under the sole leadership of Walter Grosse via the label Pure Steel Records. Starting in 2018, Walter turned CROM into a “real” band and, for the first time, brought two musicians—Steve (guitar) and Thomas (drums)—on board as permanent members. Since then, the band has performed many concerts both at home and abroad (Austria, Denmark, France, Greece) and, over the years, established a permanent live lineup with Hans (bass) and Christian (guitar, backing vocals). In 2022 and 2023, they recorded and released the EP “Into the Glory Land” and the album “The Era of Darkness” for the first time as a band. In March 2026, CROM completed the final mix of their new album “Back to North,” which will be released in the first quarter of 2027 on the renowned El Puerto label.
Line-up: Walter – Lead Vocals Steve – Lead Guitar Hans – Bass Christian – Rhythm Guitar & backing vocals Xaver – drums
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 