EIHWAR Release New Performance Live Video from 2026 Echos & Merveilles Festival

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by © Eihwar

As they prepare to set sail on their first-ever U.S. tour, today, the viral Viking sensation Eihwar are releasing a new live video. Filmed during the duo’s set at the 2026 Echos & Merveilles Festival in France, the video highlights hits from their hotly-received new album, Hugrheim, with a thrilling performance that sets the dance floor ablaze with shamanic drums, magical chants and powerful electro beats.

Watch Eihwar’s performance at the 2026 Echos & Merveilles Festival:

Eihwar’s performance at the 2026 Echos & Merveilles Festival showcases the new live show that Asrunn and Mark have built for Hugrheim. Created by lighting designer Yann Gaignard, the stage design places the pagan superheroes inside a fantastical post-apocalyptic Viking camp that’s dominated by towering, fluorescent totems. The setlist includes current hits like “Nauðiz” and the title track from their new album, plus the viral smash “Berserkr”, which has 1.6 million views and counting on YouTube.

Hugrheim is out now on Season of Mist. Order & Stream: https://orcd.co/eihwarhugrheimalbum

Tracklist:
1. Nauðiz (04:28)
2. Freyja’s Calling (03:41)
3. Ein (03:42)
4. Skuggaríki (04:01)
5. Hugrheim (03:19)
6. Ljósgarðr (03:27)
7. Heill Óðinn (03:36)
8. The Lake of the Dead (03:39)
9. Omenotharena (Warrior’s Training) (05:41)
10. Berserkr (Tim’s Memorial Version) (04:26)
Full runtime: 40:03

Get tickets for Eihwar’s 2026 U.S. Nordic Ritual Nights Tour: https://www.eihwar.com/

August 28 – New York, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg [TICKETS]
August 29 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair [TICKETS]
August 30 – Washington, DC @ The Recher [TICKETS]
September 1 – Charlotte, NC @ Amos’ Southend [TICKETS]
September 2 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre [TICKETS]
September 4 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall [TICKETS]
September 5 – Dallas, TX @ The Studio at The Bomb Factory [TICKETS]
September 7 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Marquee [TICKETS]
September 8 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre [TICKETS]
September 9 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall [TICKETS]
September 11 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom [TICKETS]
September 12 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos [TICKETS]
September 14 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex [TICKETS]
September 16 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater [TICKETS]
September 18 – St. Louis, MO @ The Hawthorn [TICKETS]
September 19 – Columbus, OH @ A&R Bar [TICKETS]
September 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts [TICKETS]

The enfants terribles of Season of Mist and the pagan scene’s sacrilegious project, Eihwar, is an explosive mix of nordic folk and electro-industrial. Far from the ceremonial seriousness of most neo-viking bands, their wild, cartoonish style remixes Norse mythology with a Mad Max twist.

Last year confirmed that their minimalist electro setup can unleash joyful chaos among big metal festival crowds, with performances at Wacken Open Air, Resurrection Fest and Midgardsblot. Chosen by The Hu as the opening act for their French and German shows, Eihwar is quite a meteor strike for a band founded just two years ago.

“Over the past few years, our souls have gradually taken over the bodies of two human musicians. Through incarnation, we lost much of our memories. All that remains are images, emotions, and fragments from our previous existence, mixed in with the thoughts and memories of our human hosts. In this new song, we evoke the memories that gradually come back to us: memories of Hugrheim, the tenth world of Yggdrasil, hidden and unknown to men. This world is shaped by the Hugr, the spirit. In this realm dwell the invisible forces of the soul and consciousness. When our vessels perish here and our incarnation ends, we will return to Hugrheim. Still, we hope to remain here as long as possible this time, because nowadays the beer is fucking good, the rockstar life is pretty damn cool, and dental anesthesia actually exists.” — Mark & Asrunn

Line-up:
Asrunn — Vocals, Shamanic Drums
Mark — Vocals, War Drums, Folk Guitar, Tagelharpa, Percussion & Programming

Production Credits:
Mark & Asrunn of Eihwar — All Production, Mixing & Mastering at Eihwar Studio.

Artwork & Photography:
© Eihwar

Follow Eihwar:
Website: https://www.eihwar.com/
Bandcamp: https://eihwar.bandcamp.com/
BandsInTown: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/15564238-eihwar
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eihwar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eihwar.music/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eihwar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eihwar.music
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/eihwar/1700795908
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2VFxoCJQPfQauZujESPjQK
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/224131655
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/41105436
Discord Invite: https://www.eihwar.com/

ISSA Returns with New Album “Fire And Ice”, Out August 28th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Alison Martin

AOR sensation Issa, AKA Isabell Øversveen, is excited to announce the release of her new album, “Fire And Ice”, out on August 28, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

The first single and official video, “Pay The Price”, are out now, giving fans a taste of the new record.

Issa commented: “Pay The Price” was one of the first songs we did and stood out to us early. It has everything thrown at it, huge choirs, layers of synths, cool guitars and an interesting story. A special mention to Kris Barras for the cool video!”

Pre-Order “Fire And Ice” HERE

The Norwegian AOR queen Issa returns with “Fire And Ice”, her most exhilarating and cinematic record to date. Every track on the album is penned and produced by the legendary brothers Tom and James Martin, who have crafted a sound that perfectly captures the spirit of 1980s melodic rock while remaining fresh and contemporary.

Issa stated: “I’m really excited for the fans to hear this new album, it could be the most diverse set of songs yet. We have everything from the classic AOR sound of “Pay The Price”, the Jim Steinman inspired “Bullet On The Road” and the synthwave rock feel of “Running From The Night”. I’m confident this one will tick all the boxes. I hope you guys love it as much as me”.

From soaring, emotionally charged ballads to arena-ready rock anthems, “Fire And Ice” showcases Issa’s powerful, unmistakable voice, set against shimmering synths, punchy guitar riffs, and lush, multilayered arrangements that evoke the golden era of AOR. The album balances fire and ice – passion and introspection, intensity and elegance – delivering hooks and choruses that linger long after the music stops.

Issa has etched her name as a leading force in the genre, captivating audiences worldwide with her commanding vocals and enthralling melodies. With this release, Issa reaffirms her status as a central figure in European AOR, offering a record that is both a nostalgic homage to the 80s and a modern melodic rock statement, destined to resonate with longtime fans and new listeners alike.

“Fire And Ice” Tracklist:

1.    The Call Of Love
2.    Stranded
3.    Fire & Ice
4.    Sea Of Desire
5.    All Or Nothing
6.    The Shadow Of Night
7.    Bullet On The Road
8.    Pay The Price
9.    One Step To Paradise
10.    Running From The Night
11.    The Waiting Game

Line Up:
Isabell Oversveen – vocals
Tom Martin – guitar, bass
James Martin – keyboards

Follow ISSA:
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MESSIER 16 Announce New Album “Shouts from the Cliffs of Heterodoxy”, Out October 23rd

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Norwegian progressive metal band MESSIER 16 will release their third full-length album, “Shouts from the Cliffs of Heterodoxy”, on October 23, 2026 via Time To Kill Records.

The first single “Time-Swayed Cities” is now available: https://ffm.to/messier16-time-swayed-cities

“Time-Swayed Cities” explores the experience of temporal displacement, the feeling of existing out of sync with the age surrounding you. Throughout the song, modern cityscapes fracture into visions of forgotten eras, future technologies, horse-drawn carriages, collapsing architecture, and shifting reflections of worlds that no longer, or perhaps never did, exist.
Rather than presenting time as linear, the track portrays it as unstable and hostile: a reality where streets bend, buildings recoil, and entire civilizations seem to flicker in and out of view. The lyrics follow a figure unable to locate “their” time, caught between nostalgia, futurism, and the alienation of contemporary life.

The single continues the band’s fascination with psychological portraiture and unstable perception, with the album itself diving into the realm of delusion-related illnesses and fractured realities.

Tracklist:

1. Nostalgia Theft Reminiscence
2. Blank Absurdist Form
3. Gloom-Chaser
4. Holoparasite
5. Time-Swayed Cities
6. Glittering Afterwaves
7. Perennial Shift I – Moss
8. Perennial Shift II – Evergreen
9. Perennial Shift III – Plietesial
10. Mollusk Herald
11. Dream Heritage Veto
12. Trauma Gift Repression

“Shouts from the Cliffs of Heterodoxy” is an hourlong descent into the fractured landscapes of delusion. On their third full-length album, Messier 16 deliver their most ambitious and cohesive statement yet, a record that inhabits its characters as much as it describes them, drawing the listener into worlds where perception and reality blur beyond recognition.

Rather than presenting a single storyline, the album unfolds as a gallery of portraits, each song a self-contained study of a mind caught in its own distortions. The voices here are contradictory, volatile, and human: a nostalgia that grieves for something that never happened, a city dweller unable to recognise the time they live in, a cynic who tears down without ever building, a figure convinced that change can only be granted by others. Together, they form a mosaic of inner worlds — intimate, strange, and often unsettling.

Musically, the record ranges from the precision and velocity of technical black metal to the earthbound weight of doom, the ethereal scope of post-metal, and the stark beauty of choral arrangements. Every shift in style is in service of the narrative, moving seamlessly from moments of brute force to passages of stillness and introspection. The choral bookends, “Nostalgia Theft Reminiscence” and “Trauma Gift Repression”, frame the chaos between them like hands holding a fragile sphere, offering both a sense of symmetry and the reminder that beauty and disquiet can occupy the same breath.

At its heart, “Shouts from the Cliffs of Heterodoxy” is not a work of answers, but of questions. It resists resolution, allowing its characters to remain ambiguous, neither condemned nor redeemed. In doing so, it invites the listener to stand on the same cliff edge, to hear the shouts carried by the wind, and to decide for themselves whether they are being beckoned forward — or warned to turn back.

Preorder: https://timetokillrecords.com/collections/messier16

Hailing from Oslo, MESSIER 16 have established a distinct identity within contemporary progressive metal through a sound that is intricate, inventive and at times deliberately unconventional, yet always marked by a strong sense of elegance and compositional coherence. Drawing inspiration from artists such as Ihsahn, Enslaved and Devin Townsend, the band embraces a forward-thinking approach where extreme metal serves as the starting point for a broader and highly personal sonic exploration. Heavy rhythmic structures, layered guitar work and sharp dynamic contrasts coexist with atmospheric passages, orchestral textures and emotionally driven songwriting, resulting in a musical language that remains adventurous without ever losing sight of structure and songcraft.

The band consists of Jonas Eide (guitars, composer, lyricist), Sondre M. Svalastog (vocals), Aleksander Ilievski (guitars, producer), Nicolo Cavallaro (bass) and Jonathan Hamre (drums). Through their work, MESSIER 16 have developed a deeply narrative and expressive approach, exploring psychological and emotional themes through a form of portrait-like lyricism focused on the inner lives of individuals and the actions stemming from them.

Their previous albums, “Iota” and “Death Poems”, already showcased the band’s ambition and conceptual depth. While the former dealt with mental health struggles and emotional fragility, the latter drew inspiration from publicly available suicide notes, confronting themes of despair and human vulnerability with striking intensity and sensitivity.

Now preparing to unveil their third full-length album, MESSIER 16 further refine their sonic identity while venturing into new musical and lyrical territory. The upcoming record promises a more mature and expansive vision of the band’s progressive approach, balancing technical sophistication, atmospheric depth and emotional resonance within a highly cohesive framework.

More info: https://linktr.ee/messier16official

METHANE Sign with Fireflash Records, Announce New album “Demolate“ & Upcoming First Single ‘360° of Destruction’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photocredit : Hans Karlin

Born in 2012, METHANE quickly combusted, reverting to the pure, unadulterated thrash metal roots of its founders, Tim Scott (formerly of Death Metal cult act REVENANT, with John McEntee of INCANTATION) and Jimi Mästerbo. A relentless touring machine, METHANE has left a trail of destruction across countless stages in Europe and the U.S. through headline runs, support slots with bands like WHIPLASH, WARBRINGER, NERVOSA, MASSACRE, and festival appearances such as „Sabaton Open Air“, „Speed Metal Party“, „In Flammen“ and others. Their sound is a blistering, high-speed assault designed for the pit.

The crowd yelled, “Play faster!” They did! METHANE is ready to unleash their explosive new album, “Demolate”, which will be released on their new label Fireflash Records (HOLY MOSES, MEZZROW, SAVAGE MANIA a.o.). “We’re fired up to finally join forces with Markus and the Fireflash crew. With his decades of experience in the metal scene, we’re ready to burn shit down together”, says vocalist Tim Scott.

Today, METHANE are proud to announce their first single, which will also be the opening track of the upcoming album, entitled „360° of Destruction“.

„This the first taste of „Demolate“, and it tastes like blood, Thrash and devour”, says Scott.

„360° of Destruction“ will be released on July 3rd. You can pre-save the track here: https://save-it.cc/fireflash/360-of-destruction

Colliding NYHC punk with a blistering Bay Area thrash assault, METHANE delivers a relentless barrage of razor-sharp riffs, thunderous drumming, and commanding vocals that demand your attention. As a fierce contender in the New Wave of Old-School Thrash Metal scene, “Demolate” promises a chaotic journey through apocalyptic themes and raw, beer-fueled madness.

This isn’t just an album; it’s a declaration of war on the mundane. Get ready for a wild ride where intensity reigns and the spirit of thrash explodes in a furious sonic onslaught.

METHANE is:
Tim Scott – Bass and vocals
Jimi Mästerbo – Guitar
Markus Grundström – Guitar
Richard Fredriksson – Drums

METHANE online:
Home: https://methanemetal.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/methaneband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/methanemetal
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIut2PuGrMi3QP-ywnVw-aA
Bandshop: http://methane.bandcamp.com

BraveWords Records Announces Signing of STORM FORCE & Their New Album “Truth”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

BraveWords Records is pleased to announce the signing of Storm Force for the upcoming release of their new album, Truth, later in 2026.

Greg Fraser lead guitarist and founding member: “Storm Force is thrilled to join the BraveWords Records family for the release of our new album, Truth. We’re excited to work with a team that has been such a strong voice in the hard rock and metal community, and we look forward to sharing this next chapter with fans around the world.”

BraveWords Records founder “Metal” Tim Henderson: “The storm keeps building and BraveWords Records is where STORM FORCE has landed for their anxiously awaited second album! Canuck hard rock legend Greg Fraser passionately continues on his melodic heavy rock journey that started with the much-praised BRIGHTON ROCK, by uniting with the powerful forces of singer Patrick Gagliardi, drummer Roger Banks and bassist Mike Berardelli. Together, Storm Force bring years of experience to the mix, while still retaining that voracious hunger of their youth. A new storm is brewing… are you ready to run for cover?”

Storm Force delivers powerful melodic hard rock fueled by soaring vocals, massive hooks, and the timeless energy of classic arena rock. Founded by guitarist and songwriter Greg Fraser, best known for his work with Canadian hard rock veterans Brighton Rock, the band blends classic influences with a modern edge, creating a sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly current.

The band first made its mark with the release of its debut album, Age Of Fear, in 2020 through Escape Music. The album earned praise from melodic rock fans and media alike, showcasing a powerful mix of driving guitars, memorable choruses, and emotionally charged songwriting.

Now Storm Force returns with its highly anticipated sophomore release, Truth, a ten-song collection that raises the bar in every direction.

Drawing inspiration from Whitesnake, Dokken, Scorpions, and Bon Jovi, Storm Force delivers music built for loud speakers, live stages, and fans who still believe in authentic, guitar-driven rock!

Fans will also be excited to hear that the back catalog of Fraze Gang and Storm Force will be available soon on the BraveWords Records Bandcamp at bravewordsrecords.bandcamp.com

About STORM FORCE:

Storm Force is the explosive band that fans of classic hard melodic rock have all been waiting for.

Storm Force is led by Canadian rock legend and Brighton Rock founder, Greg Fraser. Greg has earned 4 Juno nominations with Brighton Rock, as well as a gold album in Canada. Greg is joined by Patrick Gagliardi (Vocals), Roger Banks (Drums), and Mike Berardelli (Bass), Storm Force’s debut album “Age of Fear” is the culmination of three years of passion for music and the hard rock genre.

After Brighton Rock, Greg released two great rock albums with the Fraze Gang to solid reviews. For this project however, he decided to step away from the front man role and search for the right members to create something special. Armed with the great rock riffs and melodies he had written, he decided to focus on finding members that were local to him so they could not just create an album that was recorded in different cities with no cohesiveness, but something that really felt like a band! Greg found one of today’s most powerful and versatile lead vocalists in Patrick Gagliardi (formerly of Surface Tension). Patrick adds his touch to the album as the main lyricist bringing different flavours to each song that range from straight ahead Rock anthems to introspective experiences of the current world we live in. Their debut record was recorded at Hamster Cage Studios and produced by Darius Szczepaniak (Black Crowes, Sum 41, Big Sugar). It combines colossal, crushing melodic rock with hook-laden ballads and massive choruses reminiscent of vintage Cinderella, balanced by classic rock sensibilities of acts like The Who and Van Halen.

The group hails from Niagara Falls, Canada and is rounded out by the blistering one-two punch rhythm section of legendary drummer Roger Banks and sought-after session musician and touring bassist Mike Berardelli.

Links:
https://stormforce.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/officialstormforce
https://x.com/stormforceband
https://youtube.com/@stormforce6368
https://www.instagram.com/stormforceband

STITCHED UP HEART Release New Video Single ‘Medusa’, Feat. Lyric Noel

Posted by tarjavirmakari on June 15, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Michael Levine

A Fierce Anthem of Empowerment and Transformation, “Medusa” Finds Frontwoman Mixi Confronting Betrayal Head-On and Emerging Stronger Than Ever!

 Los Angeles rock band Stitched Up Heart have released their powerful new single “Medusa,” featuring special guest vocalist Lyric Noel, alongside their highly anticipated new album, MEDUSA, available now via Judge & Jury Records.

“‘Medusa’ is about finally flipping the script on something that has tried to curse you. A battle cry for the women who were betrayed and serving justice by venom with a smile,” explains Mixi. “Writing this song felt like clearly recognizing a betrayal, shedding your own skin, and spitting out the venom that was meant to poison you by claiming your power back. It’s the perfect mirror — I’m not the girl getting gaslit and nauseous anymore. I’m the one with the Medusa stare turning problems to stone unapologetically. I’m not asking for permission anymore. I am here — I’m reborn, venomous, and ready.”

The song’s message of rebirth extends throughout the accompanying music video, which was filmed in Dallas, Texas and draws heavily from ancient Greek mythology and imagery. Inspired by the legend of Perseus and Medusa, Stitched Up Heart flips the traditional narrative on its head. Rather than being slain by the Greek hero, the video’s twin Medusas rise up and take control of their fate, ultimately defeating Perseus themselves.

STREAM “MEDUSA”: https://ffm.to/stitchedupheart

The concept originated with Mixi, who envisioned the striking visual of twin Medusas sharing a bathtub as a central image within the video’s dreamlike and mythological world. The video’s themes mirror the song’s message of shedding old skin, embracing transformation, and emerging stronger from betrayal and adversity.

Adding to the experience was a live snake featured in the production. Mixi shared that despite snakes often being portrayed as dangerous or sinister, the animal used on set couldn’t have been more different.

“The snake was actually scared of me,” she recalled. “It had the sweetest soul and wasn’t evil at all like people often portray snakes to be.”

Produced by acclaimed producers Cameron Mizell (Machine Gun Kelly, Sleeping with Sirens) and Evan McKeever (Starset, Miranda Lambert), MEDUSA showcases Stitched Up Heart’s evolution both musically and lyrically, delivering a collection of songs centered around resilience, self-discovery, healing, and personal empowerment.

“The songs were written with the live show in mind,” says Mixi. “We wanted the energy to translate directly to the stage and create moments where people could let loose and embrace their inner crazy.”

While the title track and lead single “Medusa” features a standout guest appearance from Lyric Noel, the album also includes collaborations with an impressive roster of artists, including Lauren Babic, Eyes Set to Kill, Conquer Divide, Butcher Babies, Nonpoint, NOAPOLOGY, Austin John Winkler (The Founder), and Geena Fontanella.

The release marks another major milestone for the band following their 2025 signing with Judge & Jury Records. Since joining the label, Stitched Up Heart have continued their upward trajectory through relentless touring and electrifying live performances. Earlier this year, the band joined rock icon Sebastian Bach on tour before completing an extensive run supporting Infected Rain.

Beyond the stage, Mixi continues to use her platform to advocate for more women in rock and metal while actively volunteering with multiple animal rescue organizations throughout Southern California.

Tracklisting: 

1) LOVE AND DEATH (feat. Austin John Winkler) 
2) SICK SICK SICK (feat. Lauren Babic & Eyes Set To Kill) 
3) GLITCH BITCH (feat. Conquer Divide) 
4) CANNIBAL (feat. Butcher Babies) 
5) MEET ME AFTER LIFE (feat. NOAPOLOGY)
6) MEDUSA (feat. Lyric Noel)
7) BEAST (feat. Nonpoint) 
8) DEAD TO ME (feat. Geena Fontanella)
9) DEVILICIOUS 
10) EX-TERMINATION

Formed in Los Angeles in 2010 by vocalist Alecia “Mixi” Demner, Stitched Up Heart has spent over a decade carving out a fierce, distinct niche in the alternative metal and hard rock landscape. Known for blending heavy, industrial / metalcore riffs with emotional choruses, the band built their reputation on relentless touring and undeniable hits made for the airwaves.

Their label debut on Another Century Records, Never Alone (2016), landed them on the Top 10 Billboard Hard Rock chart, propelled by standout singles like “Finally Free” and “Monster.” They consistently evolved their sound through subsequent records like 2020’s Darkness (featuring Godsmack’s Sully Erna) and 2023’s To the Wolves (featuring Escape The Fate’s Craig Mabbitt), solidifying their status as modern rock mainstays while sharing stages with heavy-hitters like Halestorm, In This Moment, and Godsmack. 

In 2026, Stitched Up Heart began a bold, defining new chapter with their fourth album, MEDUSA, released on Judge & Jury Records. The album is spearheaded by the fierce, internet-culture rock anthem “GLITCH BITCH” featuring Conquer Divide, & the bloodthirsty women-empowering heater “CANNIBAL” featuring Heidi of Butcher Babies. Stitched Up Heart continues to prove that their signature mix of vulnerability and heavy-hitting attitude is sharper and more resilient than ever.  

Judge & Jury is an artist/production team founded by multi-platinum record producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, Skillet, Theory of a Deadman, Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, Flyleaf, Halestorm, In Flames, etc.) & second to none active rock record holder Neil Sanderson (founder/songwriter/drummer of Three Days Grace). Howard and Neil started working together creatively when Howard produced One-X. He continued to work with the band and produced the albums Life Starts Now, Outsider, and EXPLOSIONS. With the combination of Howard’s production and Neil’s songwriting, they now have the most #1 songs at active rock radio in history. Still working with Three Days Grace, they also separately formed the production/artist/songwriting powerhouse known as Judge & Jury. 

For More Information Please Visit: Official Website – Facebook – Instagram – TikTok – YouTube – Spotify – Judge & Jury Records