Swedish progressive metal masters SEVENTH WONDER are thrilled to announce their return with a new single, “Eternal Flame”, a revisited version of John Norum’s hit, out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
The song marks an exciting new chapter in the band’s journey, featuring their new lead vocalist Mattias Olofsson (Grand).
Bassist Andreas Blomqvist commented: “Seventh Wonder is finally back with a new voice on the microphone. Those who have known us through the years know that we work slowly and, in order to avoid delaying the album, we opted for a cover song to introduce Mattias to the world”.
“John Norum and Marcel Jacob, who wrote and play on the original track from 1987, have been very important in shaping the origins of Seventh Wonder and we though a little modified version of this 80s rocker would be a fun way to say “Hello, World!”, he continued. “We hope you like it and, while you give this track a few spins, we’ll head back to the studio to wrap up the new album!”
Seventh Wonder are excited to announce the recording of their first studio album since the departure of previous singer Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), showcasing Mattias Olofsson on the microphone.
Blomqvist said: “We really took our time in finding a new singer and, while the rest of the band remains unchanged and therefore also much of the songwriting, we are excited to go to new places where haven’t ventured before as Mattias will put his mark on the band’s sound. Super excited for 2026!”
Seventh Wonder was formed in 2000 by bass player Andreas Blomqvist, guitarist Johan Liefvendahl and drummer Johnny Sandin after their previous band fell apart and quickly recruited keyboard player Andreas “Kyrt” Söderin in late 2000.
Lion Music signed the band in 2004, and this collaboration spawned the first release of Seventh Wonder and ‘Become’ saw the light of day in June 2005. The band and their singer at the time, Andi, decided to part ways shortly after the recording process had ended, and Tommy Karevik (ex: Vindictiv and later Kamelot) joined the band in 2005.
Three studio albums were recorded (“Waiting In The Wings” in 2006, “Mercy Falls” in 2008 and “The Great Escape” in 2010) with this set-up, widely lauded as the peak of progressive metal at that time.
After The Gret Escape founding member Johnny Sandin left the band and Stefan Norgren (ex: Lion’s Share) joined for the double live album “Welcome To Atlanta” (2016), this line-up also released “Tiara” (2018) and “The Testament” (2022). Tommy left the band after The Testament tour concluded and once again the search for a new singer began.
Now, with Mattias Olofsson joining the band, Seventh Wonder are currently working on completing what will be the band’s seventh studio album.
Line Up: Andreas Blomqvist Johan Liefvendahl Andreas Söderin Stefan Norgren Mattias Olofsson
In keeping with black metal’s fiercely individual spirit, Bizarrekult began its journey in Norway as a lone wolf. Much like the previous two retreats into the studio from lone mastermind Roman V., his upcoming third album emerged slowly and painstakingly from a deeply personal crisis. But the post-black metal luminary continues to expand his tortured vision by not breaking so much as bending with the genre’s storied traditions. On Alt Som Finnes, he confronts all there is with devastating clarity.
Today, Bizarrekult is releasing the third and final advanced single from Alt Som Finnes (All There Is). Caught between blistering rage and shadowy despair, “Avmakt” (Powerlessness) fights for control against the powers that be.
“ This song deals with feeling like you have no control”, Roman says. “We carry on as bystanders, powerless over the direction of our lives”.
Can’t wait to hear Alt Som Finnes? RSVP for this week’s Bandcamp Listening Party and hear all eight absorbing songs before the album comes out.
Alt Som FinnesBandcamp Listening PartyonThursday, February 5 @ 1:30 pm Eastern Time – RSVP
On the previous twosingles from Alt Som Finnes, for the first time, Roman was accompanied by guest vocalists in Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez (Dødheimsgard) and Lina R. (Predatory Void, Cross Bringer). But “Avmakt” leaves him no choice but to fend for himself. His wounded howl doesn’t fill but tear through the void of existence, greeted by riffs that flash nothing but cruel indifference.
While Bizarrekult preserves the manic energy of old-school black metal, Alt Som Finnes strips away all our defenses with more post-metal ambience. A hypnotic pounding of drums takes hold beneath the swarm of “Avmakt”, though only for a brief yet terrifying moment. As if dropped from the sky by some terrible unseen force, the shards of melody fall then fade like the last glimmer of hope.
“I was not ready for all this”, Roman says about Alt Som Finnes. “None of us are, when the time comes. But at the end of this journey, it seems to have all been worth it. The music gave me hints as to where to go and what can be”.
Tracklist
1. Hun (02:58) 2. Blikket Hennes (06:18) [WATCH] 3. Avmakt (06:10) [LISTEN] 4. Håp (06:22) 5. Drøm (04:42) [WATCH] 6. Verdens Verste (04:22) 7. Aversjon (05:24) 8. Tomhet (06:27) Full runtime: 42:45
Picture the ocean from inside the eye of a storm. Each rising wave presents its own unique threat, churned by the changing of the tides. But no matter how far you sink below the surface, all there is to see is one continuous expanse of water. This is the tortured yet piercingly clear headspace from which post-black metal curio Bizarrekult slowly and painstakingly emerged with its absorbing third album Alt Som Finnes.
“I was not ready for all of this”, says Bizarrekult’s sole mastermind Roman V. “None of us are, when the time comes. But at the end of this journey, it seems to have all been worth it. The music gave me hints as to where to go and what can be”.
In keeping with black metal’s fiercely individual spirit, Roman began his life as Bizarrekult as a lone wolf. The one-man project started in 2006 as a musical accompaniment to the poetic verses he’d written since childhood. However, it’s official recorded debut didn’t come until fifteen years later, after he moved from Siberia to Norway. Living closer to the genre’s birthplace inspired him to bend but not break with tradition. Bizarrekult can be as cold and raw as early Darkthrone, as eerily melodic as Enslaved, or as blistering in its beauty as Borknagar.
“Norway has become my second home”, Roman says upon reflection. “The years that led to the revitalization of Bizarrekult were spent reflecting on myself and reuniting with the things that are important – art and creativity”.
On Bizarrekult’s first album, Roman looked back on his childhood and family life while also examining his changing relationship with the world at large. Released in 2021, Vi Overlevde (We Survived) was perceived as a beacon of hope amidst the second trying year of the pandemic. Charting near the top of Sweden’s biggest newspaper’s year-end list attracted the attention of Season of Mist, who released 2023’s more expansive follow-up Den Tapte Krigen (The Lost War) to further critical acclaim.
“…as Bizarrekult matures, so does its songwriting” wrote Angry Metal Guy. “The result is an album that flows like a stream through a dark forest”.
Alt Som Finnes (All There Is) maintains the classic energy of the old school. “Drøm” seeks to escape into the comfort of dreams, chased by frantic riffs and hallucinatory screams. “It’s in our dreams that we can finally relax from everything that happens during the daytime”, Roman says. “You can grasp at who you actually are, the meaning of yourself”. While Bizarrekult remains rooted in Norwegian black metal, the album strips away all defenses while adding more post-metal ambience. “Verdens verste” rails against consumerism with blistering grooves, while “Avmakt” surges and seethes in a fight for control before losing power amidst melodies that fall then fade like dying pinpricks of light.
As with Bizarrekult’s two previous retreats into the studio, Alt Som Finnes emerged from a deeply personal crisis. Only this time, Roman is not alone in confronting all there is. He’s joined in his struggle by guest vocalists from Predatory Void, MØL and Dødheimsgard. Behind a steady pounding of double bass, lead single “Blikket Hennes” buzzes with the all-consuming darkness of a guilty conscience, only for Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez to enlighten with soothing cleans.
“I wrote to Yusaf not about music, but life and its difficulties”, Roman says. “It became a connection”.
No one emerges unscathed from Alt Som Finnes. But while riddled with regrets, album closer “Tomhet” breaks new ground as the first Bizarrekult song sung in English. “Am I alone like this? No, we are many”. It’s a damning realization, but also a call for all of us to become something greater.
Line-up Roman V. — Vocals Ignat P. — Guitars & Bass Alexander P. — Drums
Production Credits Recorded at Seaside Room. Produced, mixed & mastered by Miguel Tereso at Demigod Recordings, Portugal.
Guest Musicians Yusaf “Vicotnik” Parvez (Dødheimsgard) — Vocals on “Blikket Hennes” Lina (Predatory Void / Cross Bringer) — Vocals on “Drøm” (Recorded by Tim De Gieter) Kim Song Sternkopf (Møl) — Vocals on “Tomhet”
West Coast based glam, punk ‘n’ rollers PROPHETS OF ADDICTION have released the new music video for the track “Slippin’ Away” from their latest album “Face the Music” through BraveWords Records. Watch the video below.
Speaking about the new single “Slippin’ Away” lead singer Lesli Sanders said, “This is one of the most important songs that I have ever written lyrically. This is a tribute to my dad, as I was by his side for the last year of his life every day as he battled cancer.”
As for 2026 the vinyl of “Face the Music” has just been released on German Label Night of the Vinyl Dead. Links to purchase vinyl:
Face the Music track listing: 1 – Flavor of the Danger 2 – Let’s Get High 3 – Slippin’ Away 4 – Walk the World 5 – Maggie May 6 – Superhero 7 – I Want You to Know 8 – Hollywood 9 – Wasted Tears 10 – Last One in the Bar 11 – Take Me to Your Leader
THE PLAYERS Lesli Sanders: Lead Vocals, Guitars Phil Soussan: Bass, Piano, Mandolin,Percussion, Backing Vocals Wayne Stokely: Drums,Backing Vocals Tchad Drats: Guitar, Ebow, Backing Vocals G.G. Guitar, Backing Vocals Terry Bratsch, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Steel, Backing Vocals
WARRANT was formed in 1984 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, and experienced success from 1989 to 1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. The band first came into the national spotlight with their double platinum debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989) and one of its singles, “Heaven”, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s success continued in the early 1990s with the double platinum album Cherry Pie (1990), which provided the hit song of the same name.
In 1992, Warrant released their third album, the critically acclaimed Dog Eat Dog. The record achieved only moderate commercial success compared with the first two albums but still sold over 500,000 copies reaching Gold status and charting at No. 25 on the US Billboard charts. The band’s fourth album Ultraphobic produced by a returning Beau Hill (Alice Cooper, Ratt, etc…) was released in March 1995 and featured “Family Picnic”.
Now to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of their fifth album which was released in October of 1996 and the last with Jani Lane. Belly To Belly Vol. 1 has been remastered and repackaged and is available for the first time on vinyl along with an accompanying CD. As founding member Erik Turner looks back, “Belly to Belly shows Warrant holding onto our melodic musical identity while exploring a heavier, alternative sound. We had a blast writing, recording and self-producing the album at Jerry Dixon’s Dreamstate recording studio in Van Nuys, California. If you are a fan of Warrant & early 90’s style hard rock, you will probably love listening to this rare gem.”
It will be out in April, and the vinyl will be 180g in both Splatter and Black. There will be a limited amount of CD/LP bundles with a signed print by original members Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon while supplies last.
Tracklist: In the End (There’s Nothing) Feels Good Letter to a Friend A.Y.M. (Angry Young Man) Indian Giver Falling Down Interlude # 1 Solid All 4 U Coffee House Interlude # 2 Vertigo Room With a View Nobody Else
The new album by southern German melodic death metal band MISSION IN BLACK will be released on April 24.
The quintet’s third album is entitled “Divinity Of Lies.” Like its predecessor, “Profit Reigns Supreme,” this album was once again mixed and mastered by Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann (Orden Ogan), with artwork by Simon Bossert (www.bossert-medien.com also known for his work with Powerwolf, Keep Of Kalessin, Night In Gales, and many more).
When asked about the new album, drummer and founding member Andy Black waxes lyrical and at the same time points out the differences from the previous album: “Our last album and the title ‘Profit Reigns Supreme’ was very concrete and ‘in your face’! As a fan, it left you almost no room for interpretation and was also associated by the public with obvious criticism of capitalism (quite rightly so—THAT was also the intention!). Björn Gooßes created sensational artwork for it, which visually reinforced the theme extremely well.”
The new title should allow for significantly more room for interpretation. “Lying” as such has accompanied human history since time immemorial and will always be inextricably linked to our species: Whether in a religious-biblical context (Adam & Eve, Cain & Abel, Judas, etc.), Norse mythology (Loki), Greek mythology (Hermes), or medieval motifs (masks of shame, etc.).
The “lie,” its constant presence and deliberate use, continues to exist in modern times: In today’s context, for example, one need only look at politics and/or “social media”: people lie and deceive, and it seems as if this is not only socially accepted but even desired: at least, the critical outcry, if there ever was one, quickly subsides with every scandal, no matter how big. Corruption, lies, and deception have been commonplace in politics long before Trump, Scholz, Spahn, Weidel, and Co. Most wars begin with a lie to find a reason to start killing. The list of topics and associations is almost endless!
The “lie” in all its facets has now gained social acceptance, and it seems completely legitimate to use it deliberately, for example, to gain some kind of personal advantage or to deceive others. It is becoming more and more desirable and is thus becoming “divine.” The diverse topics are omnipresent and transferable to (almost) all eras and topics – THE DIVINITY OF LIES”
“DIVINITY OF LIES” will be available on CD and vinyl. There will also be a limited edition collector’s box set of the album, following the rapid sell-out of the box set for the previous album.
Tracklist: 01 – Pulse of the Awakening 02 – Rise 03 – Something to die for 04 – Divinity of Lies 05 – Burn with me 06 – World of Demise 07 – Fighter 08 – Liquid Fire 09 – As Mountains High And Oceans Deep 10 – Embers
MISSION IN BLACK – live 28.02.2026 Lindenkeller – Unterhaus, Freising, Germany 29.03.2026 Dead Man´s Hand Festival Bochum, Germany 10.04.2026 Sonnenkeller Balingen. Live Club Balingen, Germany 24.04.2026 Album Release Show Waldbronn, Germany 11.07.2026 RV Bang 2026 Balingen, Germany 28.08.2026 Stellvris & Mission In Black Selb, Germany 05.09.2026 R:O:A Rügkamp Open Air (Privatveranstaltung) Rügkamp, Germany
Biography: MISSION IN BLACK is a German five-piece melodic death metal band from Baden Württemberg that has been consistently forging its own path since 2010. Their sound combines metallic aggression with epic depth, blending melodic death metal with thrash influences into a powerful and energetic whole. Founded by Andy Flache (drums), Daniel Tschoepe (guitar), Martin Grimm and Hannes Jäger, the band released their first demo Black Infect in 2011, quickly earning stage time with bands such as Brainstorm and Mystic Prophecy. With their debut album Anthems Of A Dying Breed (2018, El Puerto Records), MISSION IN BLACK established themselves as a formidable live act. Their second album, Profit Reigns Supreme (2018), produced by Sebastian „Seeb“ Levermann (Orden Ogan, Rhapsody Of Fire, Brainstorm), confirmed this status and receiving strong response through ist accompanying music videos. Between 2023 and 2025, the band appeared at numerous renowned festivals, including Rage Against Racism, Area 53, Easter Cross Festival, Castle Rock Festival and Metalacker Festival. International performances in Belgium, Hungary and the Czech Republic, as well as support shows for Nightrage and Rage on the A New World Rising Tour, underlined their growing international presence. Beyond the stage, the band actively engaged in social causes: since 2024, MISSION IN BLACK have been official ambassadors of the Captain Paul Foundation Germany e.V., regularly supporting charity events. In April 2026, MISSION IN BLACK will release their third studio album Divinity Of Lies (24.04.2026), once again mixed and mastered by Sebastian „Seeb“ Levermann. A major live highlight in 2026 will be their performance at the RVBang Festival in Balingen alongside Michael Schenker, Sonata Arctica and Tankard. MISSION IN BLACK thus stands for modern melodic death metal – without compromises, committed and always moving in one direction: forward.
Line-up: Andy „Black“ Flache – drums Eddie Stübner – guitars Steffi Stuber – vocals Daniel Tschoepe – guitars Simon Schorp – bass
Italian folk-metal band STILEMA are ready to release a new single, “Senza Razza”, coming out on February 21st, via Agoge Records.
Following their first English single, “Pagan Army Unchained”, out in fall 2025, Stilema takes a leap back in time into the heart of Italian history. While the previous track was about a sci-fi rebellion against a futuristic dystopian society, “Senza Razza” is deeply rooted in historical reality: the Partisan Resistance within Rome’s suburban slums during Fascism. It’s a cry in Roman dialect that binds the blood shed in the past with the hunger of redemptions that still burns in some outskirts of the Italian capital today.
Stilema is an Italian band from Rome known for its unique blend of heavy metal, ethnic music (particularly Irish folk), Italian songwriting, anche symphonic soundscapes. In 2017, the band released its EP “Ithaka”, which title-track was inspired by the eponymous poem by Cavafy.
Following the critically acclaimed debut album “Utòpia” – released in 2020 via Hellbones Records and nominated among the best folk metal debuts of the year by several webzine in Europe – in 2021 Stilema was named “Best Celtic Metal Band” by Italian website http://www.musicaceltica.it.
Stilema has performed numerous live shows both in Italy and abroad, including opening for major acts like Nanowar Of Steel.
LINE UP: Gianni Izzo: Main and Backing Vocals Federico Mari: Electric and Acoustic Guitars / Harsh Vocals Francesco “Frenk” Pastore: Bass Guitars / Keys Sergio Lanzalonga: Drums and Percussions Flavia Morra: Violin
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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 ) 