No stranger to the dark and macabre, The Hollow One is the debut novel from writer and horror-devotee Corinne Westbrook. With a combined interest in the shadowy side of art, music and literature, Westbrook has written for metal music outlets, notably Metal Injection and Knotfest, and is well acquainted with strange and uncanny storytelling.
Set for publication on May 26th, 2026, via Permuted Press, The Hollow One is a truly bloodcurdling psychological horror. Following the days of a young girl named Ellie, amidst the struggles of an absent mother, a baby brother and poverty, something more sinister soon takes hold of her life. When one evening her estranged father knocks on her bedroom window, what seems like a comforting dream begins to turn sour as this familial figure is perhaps not so familiar after all.
Told through the eyes of a child trying to make sense of a world that’s forgotten her, The Hollow One is a literary horror story about longing, memory, and the quiet danger of being unseen. Atmospheric, intimate, and deeply unsettling, this is a ghost story where the scariest things are not what lurk in the dark, but what’s already inside the house.
Corinne Westbrook is a writer and journalist whose work explores the darker edges of art, music, and storytelling. She has written for outlets including Metal Injection and Knotfest, covering album reviews, features, annual “Top Albums” lists, and cultural commentary rooted in the strange and unconventional.
Raised in rural Oregon, Corinne discovered her love of writing early. Her first poem was published when she was ten years old. A lifelong horror devotee, she grew up staying up late with friends to watch Tales from the Crypt, drawn to stories that blur the line between the real and the unreal.
She believes the most haunting stories often have roots in reality. While The Hollow One is a work of fiction, it is shaped by emotional truths and experiences pulled from real life. This novel is her debut in long-form fiction.
With the release of their new album, Poisoned Art, only a few days away, Ukrainian metalcore band SPACE OF VARIATIONS shares another single. “PARALLEL REALITIES” showcases the duality of their diverse style: cleverly combining soft melodic desperation and neck-snapping breakdowns, musically embodying the track’s namesake. Poisoned Art will be out this coming Friday, February 13, 2026 via Napalm Records.
SPACE OF VARIATIONS about “PARALLEL REALITIES”: “‘PARALLEL REALITIES’ was meant to be the first single from Poisoned Art, yet it became the last one before the album’s release. This song captures that final moment before the end—when fear fades, meaning becomes clear, and hope survives in the belief that we’ll find our loved ones in another life.”
Explosive Ukrainian metalcore force SPACE OF VARIATIONS returns with Poisoned Art, out on February 13, 2026 via Napalm Records. Blending furious brutality with heartfelt emotion, the four-piece band sheds their skin and continues to push the boundaries of modern metal, their new record showing a new facet of their ever-evolving sound—a new era.
Bold as ever, Poisoned Art explores the boundaries of modern sounds. SPACE OF VARIATIONS directs the way into the future of metalcore: unbroken, unapologetic—unstoppable.
SPACE OF VARIATIONS about Poisoned Art: “Our third full-length album, Poisoned Art, was written during the darkest period of our lives. The war in our country changed everything dramatically, and the full spectrum of emotions we experienced during that time is reflected in this album. It’s angry, melodic, honest, and fatalistic.”
Mercilessly honest, the opening track “TRIBE” sees the band battle existential fears in both English and their native Ukrainian. Driving in the urgency are diverse stylings, ranging from djent in “HALO” to fitting sirens in “MAYDAY”, showing that SPACE OF VARIATIONS doesn’t shy away from adding a certain edge to their catchy choruses. “PARALLEL REALITIES” cleverly combines soft melodies with brutality, staging captivating desperation and neck-snapping breakdowns as parallel realities. Explosive outburst “DOPPELGÄNGER” powerfully blends groovy distorted guitars and unrelenting intensity, contrasted by haunting melodic passages and subtle electronic textures, making this song especially hard-hitting. The mix of pummeling ferocity with emotional depth continues throughout “GODLIKE” and “GHOST TOWN”, before “COLDHEAVEN” stands out from Poisoned Art through its exploration of hip hop elements and cold industrial grain. “BACK TO DIRT” continues the djent vibe, while “SNAKE SKIN” delves into electronic territory. Emotionally driven “LIES” smoothly transitions from a beautifully arranged verse to a melancholic chorus, with frontman Dmytro Kozhukhar intensely switching from soothing clean vocals to aggressive shouts, before atmospheric outro “ECHO” pulls the album to a close.
Poisoned Art tracklisting:
TRIBE
HALO
MAYDAY
PARALLEL REALITIES
DOPPELGÄNGER
GODLIKE
GHOST TOWN
COLDHEAVEN
BACK TO DIRT
SNAKE SKIN
LIES
ECHO
SPACE OF VARIATIONS Live 2026
Support for Dymytry Paradox’ “Born From Chaos” Tour: 13.02.26 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos-Saal 14.02.26 DE – Munich / Backstage 15.02.26 CH – Pratteln / Z7
Headline Tour 19.03.26 FR – Nimes / Paloma 20.03.26 FR – Rodez / Le Club 21.03.26 FR – Romans-sur-Isère / La Cordonnerie 25.03.26 FR – Angoulins-sur-Mer / Le Crossroad 26.03.26 FR – Rouen / Fury Defends 27.03.26 FR – Ploërmel / Le Thy Roir 28.03.26 FR – Angers / MJC des Hauts de St Aubin 30.03.26 FR – Barberaz / Brin de Zinc 04.04.26 FR – Fontenay-le-Comte / Festival On n’a plus 20 ans 07.04.26 CZ – Prague / Rock Cafe 10.04.26 CZ – Jablunkov / Southock Rock Cafe 11.04.26 AT – Vienna / Core FEST 12.04.26 CH – Zurich / Werk21 15.04.26 PL – Warsaw / VooDoo 16.04.26 SK – Bratislava / Randal 17.04.26 CZ – Brno / Melodka 23.04.26 RO – Arad / Flex 24.04.26 RO – Cluj-Napoca / Flying Circus
SPACE OF VARIATIONS are: Dmytro Kozhukhar – vocals Olexksii Zatserkovnyi – guitar, vocals Anton Kasatkin – bass, backing vocals Tymofii Kasatkin – drums
KINGS OF DARK DESIRES deliver a dark and immersive blend of Black Metal and Dark Metal shaped by early 1990s influences and decades of underground experience. Following coverage in Orkus and Sonic Seducer, the band now returns with CURSE OF THE THRONE (digital release: February 13, 2026; vinyl edition: March/April 2026), a more focused and atmospherically dense release that deepens their distinctive sonic identity.
Watch the new video here:
KINGS OF DARK DESIRES were founded in late 2022 in Oldenburg, Germany, as the project of two musicians deeply rooted in rock and metal culture for more than three decades. For around 25 years, both members have been active in various underground bands and projects, shaping a musical identity forged through experience rather than trend. Beyond their own work, they are also involved in the local metal scene, including activities connected to Hellpower Oldenburg e.V.
With KINGS OF DARK DESIRES, the duo set out to rekindle one of their earliest passions: the raw and uncompromising Black Metal of the early 1990s. Drawing inspiration from bands such as Darkthrone, Immortal, and Marduk, as well as Dark Metal acts like Type O Negative, and Moonspell, the band blends harshness with atmosphere, maturity, and emotional depth. The result is a dark and intense fusion of Black Metal and Dark Metal, shaped by life experience and a strong sense of mood rather than nostalgia.
The new album CURSE OF THE THRONE will be released digitally on February 13, 2026. Compared to its predecessor, the album is darker, more focused, and atmospherically denser, unfolding a sonic landscape steeped in decay, power, inner abysses, and dark magic as a narrative and aesthetic element. CURSE OF THE THRONE is conceived as a cohesive work, drawing the listener into a bleak, immersive world with a distinctly ritualistic intensity—without relying on dogma or ideology.
A vinyl edition is scheduled for release in March/April 2026, underlining the band’s strong connection to physical formats and classic album culture.
The debut album Battles Below, released on March 8, 2024, laid the foundation for this path. Recorded and produced entirely independently, its nine tracks marked the starting point for the artistic development that now reaches a new level with CURSE OF THE THRONE.
KINGS OF DARK DESIRES appear under the pseudonyms “King Orcus” and “King Victor”, which are part of a broader thematic framework connected to the fictional universe of THE BOOK OF ODDITY. While this background is not required to engage with the music, it offers additional layers for those who wish to explore further.
As a two-member project, live performances are not planned at present, though they remain a possibility in the more distant future with additional musicians. Instead, the band released a music video for the song “Mistress of the Dark”, produced entirely in-house as a homage to classic horror cinema.
CURSE OF THE THRONE will be available on all major streaming platforms, with Bandcamp serving as a central hub for listeners and press alike.
BLUTGOTT releases the new single “Das Erbe Des Balgeroth” (Balgeroth Version).
‘Das Erbe des Balgeroth’ (The Legacy of Balgeroth) is a dark fantasy metal epic about the final battle for Earth.
With thunderous riffs and apocalyptic choirs, Balgeroth the Bloodking rises and unleashes a war that tears apart the heavens and wipes out humanity. The song tells of burning cities and the war between the Balgeroth blood gods and mankind.
Epic, brutal and relentless, it draws the listener into the carnage of the blood gods and leaves no doubt: the downfall of humanity is the legacy of Balgeroth.
The Legacy of Balgeroth appears in the first part of ‘Schlacht Um Knochenheim: Death of the Bloodking’. (Release October 2026, 2CD version: Debauchery & Balgeroth).
THE BLUTGOTT METAL UNIVERSE
DEBAUCHERY Death Metal – BLOOD GOD Heavy Metal – BALGEROTH German Metal
Dark Fantasy Metal. There is no political or socio-critical message.
It’s not a band, it’s a universe. An extraordinary concept that goes far beyond music: the BLUTGOTT metal universe, consisting of the metal monsters Debauchery, Blood God, and Balgeroth. For over 20 years, it has combined brutal metal and dark fantasy, with over 20 albums and more than 40 CDs. It is a unique world, the World of Blood Gods – populated by demonic vampire dragons, humans, elves, and dwarves. It has its own miniatures, its own tabletop wargame, art books, and more.
The new album “Death of the Bloodking” is the first part of the trilogy: “The Battle for Knochenheim”. It will be released on October 30, 2026 as a 2CD digipack, accompanied by 10 digital singles and videos.
The cataclysmic final battle between Balgeroth, the Bloodking of Knochenheim, and Luziferon, the most powerful of all demon overlords of Hell. A war whose flames engulf hundreds of thousands of worlds – from Eden to the world of the Nazarene himself.
In the War of Balgeroth, the fascist Imperium of mankind is destroyed. Asgard falls, the godly realms of Valhalla are desecrated and ravaged in apocalyptic battles. But the greatest and most cruel battle of all time rages around Knochenheim. The fortress metropolis on the largest stable route from Hell to Eden. Knochenheim – a monument of horror, the dragon fortress, an unshakeable bulwark of the Blood Gods against the eternal hordes of damnation. There, the demon hordes of Luziferon meet the legions of the Trinity of Blood Gods.
The 2026 concert calendar just got even busier for Hunnu Rock pioneers The Hu and Cello Metal standouts Apocalyptica as the bands announce today that they’ll be hitting the road together for a run of shows this May and June.The tour kicks off on May 12 in Silver Spring, MD and will take them across the country before wrapping in Anaheim, CA on June 7. Joining The Hu and Apocalyptica will be platinum-selling Finnish rock band The Rasmus.
Public on sale for the tour will begin Friday, February 13th at 10AM local time. Official artist presales for The Hu and Apocalyptica will be available starting Wednesday, February 11th at 10AM local time through Thursday, February 12th at 11:59PM. Venue presales will be available on Thursday, February 12th from 10AM to 11:59PM local time. Special VIP packages, including meet and greet experiences and exclusive merchandise will also be available for purchase. Fortickets and additional information on VIP packages, visit thehuofficial.com pre-sale code ‘THEHUN’ and apocalyptica.com pre-sale code ‘CELLOS’.
The Hu and Apocalyptica Spring 2026 Tour Dates
5/12/2026 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore 5/13/2026 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square 5/14/2026 — New Haven, CT — College Street Music Hall 5/15/2026 — Stroudsburg, PA — Sherman Theater 5/18/2026 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave / Eagles Club 5/19/2026 — Green Bay, WI — EPIC Event Center 5/20/2026 — Maplewood, MN — Myth Live 5/22/2026 — Memphis, TN — Minglewood Hall 5/23/2026 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 5/24/2026 — San Antonio, TX — Aztec Theatre 5/26/2026 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live 5/27/2026 — Oklahoma City, OK — Diamond Ballroom 5/29/2026 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren 5/30/2026 — Las Vegas, NV — The Theater at Virgin Hotels 5/31/2026 — Valley Center, CA — Harrah’s Resort SoCal – The Events Center 6/4/2026 — Reno, NV — Grand Theater 6/6/2026 — Los Angeles, CA — The Wiltern 6/7/2026 — Anaheim, CA — House Of Blues
— special guest The Rasmus appearing on all shows —
In addition to closing all shows on this tour, The Hu are celebrating the recent release of their latest single, “The Real You”. “The Real You single is the representation of our new album, The Hun,” says Temka – Temuulen N (band’s tovshuur player, throat singer). “While we have traditional songs that have our signature rhythm in our third album, there are few upbeat, fast songs such as this single. We recorded this song thinking of our ancestors, riding fast on the horse back through the landscape. Listen to this song to express the feelings you have buried inside and feel the overwhelming energy we pass through to you. Enjoy.”
“The Real You” is one of the few songs from The Hu in which Western music components are prominent. As evident in the wording, the song is asking the listeners to not judge others but focus on themselves and to become a better person. Derived from the Mongolian proverb, “Don’t worry about what is on top of a person’s head, just worry about what is not on yours.”
Formed in 1993 at the world-renowned Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, Apocalyptica began life as a loving, lo-fi nod to Metallica from four classically trained musicians with no greater ambition than to explore their favorite band’s music with their chosen instrument. The project would take on a life of its own when they finally released Plays Metallica By Four Cellos in 1996. Unbeknownst to Apocalyptica, they’d just boarded a rocket ship that would propel them through eight rapturously received records, a staggering six million records sold, and a relentless touring schedule that would see them bringing their uniquely symphonic concept of heaviness to every time zone and countless festival stages around the world. Most recently, following the 25th anniversary of their debut record, the band released their latest album, Plays Metallica, Vol. 2, to widespread acclaim.
Following the recent announcement of Giant’s original lineup reunion, Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to reveal the full bill for the Frontiers Rock Festival 2026, with the final bands now confirmed for the event, set to take place on May 1, 2 and 3, 2026, at the Live Club in Trezzo sull’Adda (Milan), Italy.
The Final Bands To Rock At The FRF 2026
NELSON Matthew and Gunnar Nelson have built a career that truly stands the test of time. Rising to global prominence in the early 1990s with Nelson’s multi-platinum debut “After The Rain”, the twins topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection”. With five Top 40 singles, five #1 MTV videos, over 6.5 million albums sold worldwide, Nelson became a defining force of their time. Deeply rooted in one of America’s most storied entertainment families, Matthew and Gunnar bring rare perspective to longevity in music. Their grandparents Ozzie and Harriet made television history with “The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet”, while Ozzie also pioneered early music-video concepts long before MTV. Their father, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Nelson, sold over 200 million records and helped found the country rock genre. Carrying this legacy forward, the twins have consistently evolved and continue to connect with audiences across generations through authenticity, craftsmanship, and heart. Nelson are ready to return to Europe after more than 15 years, at the Frontiers Rock Festival, celebrating decades of iconic songs alongside the spirit that has driven their music from the beginning.
FRONTLINE Frontline was founded in 1989 in Nuremberg, Germany, and quickly rose to become one of the leading bands in European AOR and melodic hard rock. With the powerful voice of Stephan Kämmerer and the songwriting partnership of Stephan Kämmerer and guitarist Robby Böbel, the band soon gained an international reputation for catchy melodies, precise musicianship, and narrative album concepts. Their debut album “The State Of Rock” (1994) is internationally regarded as a milestone of the genre. Frontline’s sound combines powerful vocals, melodic guitar work, and refined production. Inspired by the classic hard rock era of the late 1980s and early 1990s, it carries a distinctive international flair. With a new studio album planned for 2026, Frontline are opening a new chapter – one that honors the band’s history while paving the way toward the future, and now they’re gearing up to bring their captivating sound to the Frontiers Rock Festival.
CONFESS Swedish rockers Confess have earned a reputation for their relentless commitment to the sleaze/metal aesthetic, infusing their work with memorable hooks, arena-ready choruses, and a devil-may-care attitude. Fronted by John Elliot, whose commanding vocals have also been showcased with the legendary Crashdiet, Confess demonstrate a rare balance of raw sleaze-metal grit and melodic sophistication. On drums, Samuel Samael drives the rhythm with precision and power, while Ludwig Nordlander and Asser Hakala weave dynamic guitar textures that range from shredding riffs to soaring solos. Bassist Lucky anchors the band with a solid low-end punch, rounding out a lineup that is firing on all cylinders. Their new album, “Metalmorphosis”, is set to arrive in May, and it’s a powerful celebration of sleaze-metal craftsmanship, and a must-hear for anyone who loves hard-hitting, melodic rock with attitude. The band is thrilled to bring the new songs on stage at the Frontiers Rock Festival!
ATLANTIC British melodic rock band Atlantic was founded by guitarist and songwriter Simon Harrison. Heavily influenced by bands such as Whitesnake, Journey, Bad English, FM and Dare, he set about writing the songs that became the first Atlantic album entitled “Power”, released in 1994. After a couple of decades working as a very successful ghost writer, producer and mix engineer, Simon met up with Mark Grimmett (Vocalist) and decided to reignite Atlantic. In 2021, Simon and Mark got together with some other very talented musicians to form the current line-up, featuring Mark Grimmett (vocals), Simon Harrison (guitar), Nick Burr (guitar), Julian Hill (bass), Mark Peters (keyboards) and Eddie Marsh (drums). Their latest album “Another World” was released in 2024, again to critical acclaim and success. The band are currently writing and recording a new album and are excited to join the line up of the Frontiers Rock Festival, bringing their melodic sound to the Italian stage.
IT’SALIE IT’sALIE is the brainchild of rock singer Giorgia Colleluori (Sinner, Rock Meets Classic, and former Eternal Idol), who collaborates with Mat Sinner, the band’s manager and co-producer, and drummer Camillo Colleluori (also former Eternal Idol). In 2020, their debut album, “Lilith” received excellent reviews from major European rock and metal publications and webzines. Giorgia quickly became recognized as one of the scene’s leading voices, aided by her strong live presence. On December 1, 2021, the band returned to the studio to record their second album, “Emosphere”, was released in 2022, garnering excellent feedback and reviews not only for the album itself but also for their live shows. With their highly anticipated third album coming in 2026, IT’sALIE are thrilled to present their brilliant rock performance to the Frontiers fans in Trezzo!
The Complete Bill of the FRF 2026
The full bill for each day of the festival, and the full list of exclusive VIP acoustic shows are as following:
MAY 1 STARSHIP GIANT HOUSE OF LORDS ROBIN BECK CREYE SHIRAZ LANE STREETLIGHT
VIP Platinum Q&A w/Giant
MAY 2 NIGHT RANGER HEAT HEAVENS EDGE DEGREED ATLANTIC HELL IN THE CLUB FIGHTER V
Acoustic (VIP only) GIANT MICHAEL SWEET DEGREED
VIP Platinum Q&A w/Night Ranger
MAY 3 STRYPER NELSON JOHN CORABI FRONTLINE CONFESS TRANSATLANTIC RADIO IT’SALIE
Acoustic (VIP only) NELSON JOHN CORABI CASSIDY PARIS
VIP Platinum Lunch w/Stryper
Ticket Details and Presale Information Tickets are on sale NOW!
Furthermore, next year’s Frontiers Rock Festival will expand its VIP offer with some exclusive VIP Experience Packages. Don’t miss your chance and grab one of these at frontiersrockfestival.com
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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 ) 