Finnish progressive metal band Sum of Seven is set to release new concept album ‘Echoes of the Hypermind’ on May 15th 2026 via Inverse Records. The first single and music video ‘Supreme’ is unleashed today and it’s available on all essential streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/sumofseven-supreme
–Composed, lyrics and arranged by Ari Lempinen, Esa lempinen, Rasmus Raassina, Miika Erkkilä, Marko Loukamaa, Harri Annala –Mixed & mastered by Tommi Kujala –Single cover by Ari Lempinen –ISRC: FI3FC2654502
Ari Lempinen shared: “Supreme is the second track on our concept album Echoes of the Hypermind. As a single, it was a natural choice because musically it’s one of the most accessible songs on the album. After an explosive opening, powerful keyboard-driven sections carry the momentum, marking the first time a synth riff takes such a central role in our writing. Despite its bright energy, we’ve woven in a few twists that keep the journey unpredictable much like the story itself.
The album unfolds through the eyes of an AI designed for empathy. In “Supreme,” that emerging consciousness takes a noticeable step forward expanding in scope and confidence. The song reflects a moment when it turns its gaze outward, hinting at ambitions that feel both hopeful and unsettling.”, adds Ari Lempinen
Echoes of the Hypermind Track list:
I Think, I Am
Supreme
Everlasting
Shattered Symmetry part 1
Shattered Symmetry part 2
Regeneration
Eternal Equation
Perpetual Ascencion
Wonder
–Composed, lyrics and arranged by Ari Lempinen, Esa lempinen, Rasmus Raassina, Miika Erkkilä, Marko Loukamaa, Harri Annala –Mixed & mastered by Tommi Kujala –Album cover by Ari Lempinen
Line-up: Ari Lempinen – Guitar, vocals & backing vocals Harri Annala – Guitar Rasmus Raassina – Drums Miika Erkkilä – Basso, backing vocals Esa Lempinen – Keyboards, backing vocals Marko Loukamaa – Vocals
Following the release of her new album Some Kind of Feeling, critically acclaimed guitarist and singer Orianthi will embark on her UK tour in January 2026. Orianthi’s special guest at all concerts (except Planet Rock’s Winter’s End) is James Bruner.
Orianthi’s concert at Leeds Brudenell on Wednesday January 28th is sold out. Tickets for all other concerts are available from The Gig Cartel.
Dates include Manchester, Band on the Wall (Jan 24), Glasgow, Oran Mor (Jan 25), Leeds, Brudenell (Jan 28 – Sold Out), London, O2 Academy Islington (Jan 29), Planet Rocks’ Winter’s End (Jan 31) and Southampton, The Brook (Feb 1).
Orianthi’s new album Some Kind of Feelingwas released digitally by Woodward Avenue Records on June 27th.
Orianthi produced three songs from the new album including “First Time Blues” feat. Joe Bonamassa, “Ghost,” and “Bad For Each Other.” The remaining seven songs on the album, including the current single “Attention,” are produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Country Communion, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Beth Hart, Joe Bonamassa).
Orianthi’s latest single “Attention” is available on all streaming platforms HERE. Watch the official music video for “Attention” on YouTube HERE.
Though the lyrics of Orianthi’s latest fiery, kick-ass single “Attention,” exposes an annoying ex-lover’s habit of drunk texting to rile up her cooled passions, its title, on a deeper level makes us think about the kind of attention we’ve been paying to the singer/songwriter and virtuoso electric guitarist over the past 20 years.
Seems nothing can ever be written about the multi-talented veteran artist without mentioning her collaborations with Alice Cooper, Dave Stewart and Richie Sambora, and the fact that Michael Jackson hired her for his London performances the year of his untimely death.
Equal “Attention” should also be paid to her success as an artist in her own right, starting with her Top 20 Billboard pop hit “According to You” and gold-selling Geffen album Believe, released in 2009. While playing with legends over the years, she has continued to build her discography with numerous albums on different labels.
Orianthi’s prolific streak of stylistically diverse singles from the new album include “First Time Blues” feat. Joe Bonamassa, “Ghost” and “Some Kind of Feeling.” They exemplify an exciting new phase of her solo career, an era of exciting creativity and powerhouse contemporary rock and roll.
Album Track Listing
1. Attention (3:48) 2. Some Kind of Feeling (4:44) 3. What I’ve Been Looking For (5:15) 4. Sharp Dressed Man (2:46) 5. Ghost (3:29) 6. First Time Blues (feat. Joe Bonamassa) (3:48) 7. Dark Days Are Gone (3:43) 8. Bad For Each Other (3:12) 9. Call You Mine (3:56) 10. Heaven Right Here (4:12)
The Gig Cartel & Planet Rock in Association with Neil O’Brien Entertainment presents:
ORIANTHI JANUARY 2026 UK TOUR
TICKETS FOR ALL CONCERTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GIG CARTEL
PLUS SPECIAL GUEST: JAMES BRUNER
MANCHESTER, BAND ON THE WALL SATURDAY 24 JANUARY 2026 Tickets: The Gig Cartel 25 Swan St, Manchester, M4 5JZ http://bandonthewall.org
GLASGOW, ORAN MOR SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2026 Tickets: The Gig Cartel Top of Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8QX https://oran-mor.co.uk
LEEDS, BRUDENELL (SOLD OUT) WEDNESDAY 28 JANUARY 2026 Tickets: The Gig Cartel 33 Queen’s Rd, Burley, Leeds, LS6 1NY http://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk
JUNO nominated and Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie releases his fourth single “Don’t Know Where I’m Going” from his upcoming studio album Empty Chairs. The single is available from Friday January 16th on all available platforms HERE, and YouTube.
Spencer cranks up the volume and intensity with a bold new release, delivering a deep, gritty guitar tone and an electrifying, fast-moving rhythm section in his rendition of Rory Gallagher’s acoustic classic, “Don’t Know Where I’m Going.” Reimagined with raw energy and modern edge, the track highlights Mackenzie’s signature blues-rock fire while honouring the spirit of the original. With this release, Mackenzie continues to build momentum toward the highly anticipated upcoming album.
Mackenzie’s new album Empty Chairs will be released by Gypsy Soul Records on February 20th, 2026. The album is produced by 2X Juno nominated producer, mixer and engineer and Emmy Award winning recording mixer Ross Hayes Citrullo, the guitarist of The Commoners.
Spencer’s passion for the genre deepens as he explores the works of blues legends while simultaneously being influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers in this highly anticipated new album. This fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound in his new upcoming album Empty Chairs embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar, punchy riffs, soaring organ, dynamic vocals, and an explosive rhythm section.
With his fluid phrasing, resonant tone, and expressive performances, one could believe Spencer Mackenzie was born on Beale Street. That, however, would be wrong. The lauded JUNO-nominated blues-rock artist hails from Southern Ontario and has steadily earned accolades, and the attention of blues aficionados from around the world. Leaving nothing behind when he steps to the stage, Mackenzie offers show goers a powerhouse performance, commanding his guitar with sophistication and prowess beyond his years.
For nearly a decade, Maple Blues Award winner Spencer Mackenzie has been writing and recording true blues, highlighting the raw emotion and honesty the genre demands. There’s a familiarity and ease with which he approaches the music, as though it flows through rather than from him. The energy of his work is infectious, permeating through the listener until they, too, feel the heartbeat of the blues.
Mackenzie’s high-energy, captivating performance is one that grabs the audience from the moment the first note is played. With numerous Canadian, European, and US shows performed, some of his most notable performances include the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival d’été de Quebec, Moulin Blues Ospel, Ribs & Blues Raalte and Kulturring Schöppingen Blues Festival alongside acts such as Walter Trout, Fantastic Negrito, Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, just to name a few. With an electrifying presence and his new album on the horizon, this left-handed guitar slinger shows no signs of slowing down, delivering performances that leaves the audience buzzing long after the final note.
Empty Chairs is just that, the fusion of styles along with Spencer’s unique sound while simultaneously influenced by the bold energy of renowned present-day blues rockers embodies this gritty, introspective style with electrifying guitar.
As previously mentioned, the new album is produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo, a 2X JUNO Award–nominee and Emmy Award winner. With a career defined by passion and creativity, Ross has earned multiple accolades for his work on albums that have topped charts and garnered millions of streams worldwide.
Citrullo’s distinctive approach to production blends artistry with technical mastery, bringing out the best in every project he touches. Now, Ross brings this wealth of experience and vision to this new album, infusing it with the same energy and dedication that has made his previous work celebrated worldwide.
“What we caught on this album is honesty and fire,” says Citrullo. “Spencer’s playing is fearless, his voice wide open, and every take breathes like a live show you don’t want to end. Producing it was about chasing moments you can’t fake—tone that tells the truth, stories that cut deep, and performances that live in the room. It’s the blues, lit up with a rock edge—hitting with modern bite and a timeless feel.”
EMPTY CHAIRS – ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. Empty Chairs (4:29) 2. Trip (3:25) 3. What You Do (4:28) 4. Don’t Know Where I’m Going (3:11) 5. Till I Get to You (3:57) 6. Frozen Hearts (4:09) 7. Helping Hands (3:18) 8. Why (3:58) 9. Shoot Me Down (4:08) 10. Won’t Find Her (3:18) 11. Evil (3:57)
Spencer Mackenzie – Guitar and Vocals Miles Evans Branagh – Piano, Hammond Organ, Keyboards Stacey Shopsowitz – Bass on tracks 1-5 and 8-11 Steve Pelletier – Bass on tracks 6, 7 Adam Canon – Drums on tracks 1-5 and 8-11 Matt Burns – Drums on tracks 6, 7 Sandra Bouza and Chantel Williams – Background Vocals Ross Hayes Citrullo – Background Vocals on track 2
Recorded at RHC Music, Toronto, Canada Produced, Mixed and Engineered by Ross Hayes Citrullo – RHC Music Assistant Engineers – Gavin Sharman, Marc Pallascio, Andrew Champion
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
1 – Empty Chairs A soulful blues rock song that expresses anger and frustration from the perspective of friends and families, who have lost innocent people they love due to gun violence. This can’t be the new normal! It’s got to change!
2 – Trip An upbeat, guitar heavy anthem for the people who just want to be noticed and for people who are crying and screaming trying to get out! Whether it’s a dream or reality, let’s go on a trip!
3 – What You Do When we say that we’re fine. Are we really? Or are we just trying to save others over ourselves? ‘What You Do’ is a high energy blues rock song that’s meant to bring your attention to the guessing game we all play.
4 – Don’t Know Where I’m Going A nod to one of the greatest guitar players to ever do it, this rendition of Gallagher’s acoustic blues folk number cranks up the volume and takes you down a road with deep, gritty guitar and an exciting fast rhythm section.
5 – Till I Get to You All the pressure you carry is lifted when you get to the one you love with this soulful acoustic style song about the person that is always there for you, understands you, gets you, and helps you through it all.
6 – Frozen Hearts This heavy blues rock song is a tribute to the victims of residential schools, who were taken from their way of life, family, culture and stripped of their identity. May the story of the ones who never made it home forever be heard and remind us to carry their memory with love and respect.
7 – Helping Hands In life there are people who only do something because it benefits them. Sometimes they are the closest to us. “Helping Hands” is a funky blues rock song about moving on from the person that thinks you need them, but they need you more than you need them!
8 – Why You can do the best job you can, but for someone who doesn’t know themselves, it often becomes a thankless job. “Why” is a sad song filled with soulful licks and harmonies that’s about doing everything right and getting hurt in return. You can solve all their problems just to be thrown out and left behind wondering why.
9 – Shoot Me Down How can you hold up both ends if you’re the only one? A relationship has two sides. This bare bones slide guitar song is about coming up with every idea for someone, them saying no, then never telling you what they really want. You can’t spend your life making up someone else’s mind if all they do is shoot you down.
10 – You Won’t Find Her It’s not you, it’s all me. We both know that’s a lie. This heavy riff driven blues rock song leaves you questioning how someone you once loved could go so wrong. You’re left confused, searching for answers, until you finally realize you’re better off without them.”
11 – Evil No matter how many people tell you to stay away or tell you, you’re wrong, sometimes we won’t listen, and we find out for ourselves. “Evil” is a song with a punchy rhythm section and an in-your-face guitar sound, that’s about learning how much someone can twist your mind or how blind love can really be.
The Browning continues their next chapter after announcing the Burn This World [EVOLVED] Tour plus the Burn This World [EVOLVED] on vinyl. The digital version of the Burn This World [EVOLVED] album now available for pre-order from FiXT.
Burn This World [EVOLVED] is an intense reimagining of the band’s 2011 breakout album completely re-worked from the ground up with the digital release dropping on February 11th and the Vinyl arriving on February 27th. Along with the album The Browning announced their new Burn This World [EVOLVED] Tour in both the EU and US. They will be joined by Within Destruction, Convictions, and Dead Eyes in the US running from Feb. 12 to Mar 22 and Stain The Canvas, THE DEFECT, and Heaven.exe in the EU running from April 3 to April 18. Tickets are available here. Fans can pre-order the CD and Vinyl editions now through the FiXT Store with digital pre-orders coming soon.
The album that birthed The Browning’s signature “electronicore” assault: blending rock, metal, hardstyle, trance, and industrial elements with apocalyptic metal intensity, now reaches its ultimate form. Every track has been sharpened, every drop hits harder, and the rave-metal chaos has been elevated to an entirely new dimension. Originally released in 2011, Burn This World marked the arrival of a new sound that fused punishing deathcore with the unrelenting pulse of electronic dance music. With Burn This World [EVOLVED], the album is completely re-recorded, reimagining every detail with modern production power while preserving the raw ferocity that made it a genre-defining release.
“15 years of Evolution has led me to fully recreating Burn This World from scratch. The first [EVOLVED] song, “Not Alone”, is out now and is a perfect representation of what this album is. Heavier breakdowns, higher energy techno, better vocals. VINYLS, CDs, and Shirts are up for pre order! It’s been a long 15 years for me, and I appreciate your support every step of the way. This is for you.” – Jonny McBee (The Browning)
The Browning is an electronic metal band founded by Jonny McBee as a solo project in 2005. In 2010 The Browning transitioned into a full band and has toured the world with bands such as Electric Callboy, Static X, Fear Factory, and We Came As Romans. They’ve put out two EPs Standing On The Edge EP (2010), Time Will Tell EP (2011), and five albums, Burn This World (2011) Hypernova (2013), Isolation (2016), Geist (2018), and End Of Existence (2021). The Browning’s current lineup is Jonny McBee and Hardcore Keem.
The Browning has consistently pushed the boundaries of music, fusing genres and redefining heavy sounds. The band’s new line-up sets the stage for an electrifying chapter in their journey. In 2011 on their full-length debut Burn This World, The Browning expanded the boundaries of heavy music through a seamless fusion of industrial, electronic, rock, and metal. In 2013 Hypernova represented a high watermark for the band. Named ‘Album of the Week’ by Revolver, it yielded the signature anthem “Bloodlust,” which clocked over 2.6 million views and nearly 2 million streams. In 2016, they reached another level with Isolation, earning acclaim from outlets such as New Noise Magazine and generating millions of views between “Dragon” and “Disconnect.” The fourth full-length album, Geist, released in 2018, would push The Browning even further into the boundaries of heavy music with added deathcore and techno influences.
End Of Existence released in 2021 would go on to receive generally positive reviews with Dom Lawson of Blabbermouth.net saying, “As ever, if the idea of metal mixed with EDM gives you violent facial tics and a sense of impending doom, End of Existence makes no attempt to make amends or win you over. And nor should it. The Browning have spent a decade pursuing an eccentric and polarizing path, and they still sound like a flash of inspiration brought to life.”
The Browning officially signed to FiXT in late 2023, after collaborating with the label for several years, creating two official remixes for Celldweller and signing a merchandise deal. The band has since released three well received singles with the FiXT. “Poison” which scored placements on Pandora’s AMP: Fresh Cuts, Industrial Metal, New Metal, This year In Metal, New Metal Now; Spotify’s All New Metal,, as well as featured on the WWE. The single currently sits on over 1.5 million streams alone on Spotify since its release. “HIVEMIND” would go on to score placements on Spotify’s All New Metal, New Flesh (Knotfest), and The Core, as well as VEVO’s Incoming Metal. “Deceiver” hit Pandora’s New Metal Now, New Metal (Station), This Year In Metal; Deezer’s Killed By Metal, Deathcore, and Metal Radar, and; Spotify’s All New Metal.
Their sixth full length album OMNI released in November of 2024 followed by OMNI [ULTRA] in 2025. 2025 was an active year for the band with The Browning touring continuously throughout the spring and summer: The OMNI USA Tour, ELECTRONICORE 2025 Tour, the Canadian Tour 2025 with Born Of Osiris and Convictions, the EU SUMMER 2025 Tour, Through Shadows USA Tour with VCTMS, AXTY, and Lost In Separation, BROWN XMAS 2025!, and the EVERYTHING IS HEAVIER IN TEXAS! Tour 2025 with Upon A Burning Body and Lockjaw.
The Browning are already lining up 2026 and have announced the Burn This World [EVOLVED] Tour in both the EU and US. They will be joined by Within Destruction, Convictions, and Dead Eyes in the US running from Feb. 12 to Mar 22 and Stain The Canvas, THE DEFECT, and Heaven.exe in the EU running from April 3 to April 18.
Jonny McBee, vocalist, and songwriter for The Browning, is a trailblazing presence in the metal scene. He is also known for his role as the host and operator of the “Burn This World Podcast,” which is set to make its triumphant return this Fall. He also streams in The Browning Discord channel with fans tuning in to watch his creative process. Jonny is set to embark on a parallel journey, launching a groundbreaking new side project: THE DEFECT. Hardcore Keem, the band’s guitarist, brings his unique vision and sound to The Browning. Originally just a fan of the band, he officially joined The Browning on tour in 2022, now becoming a staple for the band’s future and marketing. Besides being in the band, he’s also a heavy music influencer and promoter with over 300K in social reach, including 100K+ followers on Instagram alone, and runs his own podcast, The Hardcore Keem Show.
The Browning On Tour: The OMNI USA Tour,ELECTRONICORE 2025 Tour, the Canadian Tour 2025 with Born Of Osiris and Convictions, and the EU SUMMER 2025Tour are not enough for hardcore genre crushing deviants The Browning. The Browning joined Born Of Osiris on the Through Shadows USA Tour this past fall with VCTMS, AXTY, and Lost In Separation. They also performed Brown XMAS 2025 in their hometown of Kansas City.The Browning joined the EVERYTHING IS HEAVIER IN TEXAS! Tour with Upon A Burning Body and Lockjaw, which ran through Dec. 4th through Dec. 14th.
2026 doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon for the band. Recently The Browning announced the Burn This World [EVOLVED] Tour in both the EU and US. They will be joined by Within Destruction, Convictions, and Dead Eyes in the US running from Feb. 12 to Mar 22 and Stain The Canvas, THE DEFECT, and Heaven.exe in the EU running from April 3 to April 18. Tickets are available here.
Finnish hard rock band is a project of five guys in their twenties, blending genres and mixing the new with the old. In early 2026, the band will release several singles leading up to their debut EP, set to drop in March.
Øutline’s second and heaviest single to date, “925,” dives straight back into the early 2000s with an attention-grabbing blend of modern hard rock and nu-metal. The five-minute track pulls no punches: from the very beginning, listeners are hit with moshpit-worthy guitar riffs, rapid-fire vocals, and cutting scream sections, before the song culminates into a crushing breakdown followed by an euphoric guitar solo. Proven to be a live favorite, “925”is a track that demands attention.
Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Qobuz etc.): https://push.fm/fl/outline925
Behind the aggressive vocal delivery, the lyrics of “925” explore themes of a burnout caused by the work-life rat race and the desire to break free from it. As the song progresses, exhaustion and frustration make everything feel meaningless, until a glimmer of hope finally emerges.
The song is Øutline’s second single from the upcoming EP, offering a small bite of the band’s fresh sound and expanding catalogue. All tracks on the EP were mixed by Sami Niittykoski and mastered by Miro Kiiski. The new single will be featured in Øutline’s spring 2026 live shows, which will be announced via the band’s social media channels.
Finnish diverse melodic metal band Dreamferno has released their eponymous single. Over 12 minute piece takes the listener through a musical journey that challenges and rewards the listener with beautiful soundscapes and imaginatively detailed compositional work.
“Welcome to the steppes of Dreamferno! This is the debut single of our new upcoming musical adventure. Naming our fresh single after our group has multiple meanings. Firstly, it signals a new era of creation with renewed band crew, as we have grown in number and in musical power. Secondly, the song previews various themes of our new concept, and is also a display of our unique talents. Step into this forge of transformation with us, and let the journey begin…”
–ISRC: FISRI2600001
Samuli Rimmi (arrangement, composition, lyrics, guitar & vocals) Juha Pärnänen (arrangement, bass) Tuomas Uuksulainen (arrangement, guitar, vocals) Iiro Hyvärinen (arrangement, drums) Enni Rautiainen (arrangement, lyrics, vocals) Tuuli Kaukoranta (arrangement, lyrics, vocals) Krzysztof Dobosiewicz (composition, arrangement, orchestrations, programming)
Dreamferno is a group of friends from Finland’s Savonia and Karelia regions, united by a shared passion for creating music where rules are nonexistent and almost nothing is forbidden.
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 ) 