German progressive power metal force ASSIGNMENT present their new single “Angel Of Berlin”, the second preview taken from their upcoming studio album “With The End Comes Silence”, due out on March 20th, 2026 via Massacre Records as Digipak CD, limited 2LP and digital.
Following the unveiling of the album’s opener and first single “Fallen”, which introduced the record’s mood of global unrest and existential tension, “Angel Of Berlin” now expands the album’s narrative arc by returning to one of the band’s recurring conceptual storylines.
Serving as a continuation of themes introduced on the 2013 concept album “Inside Of The Machine” and revisited on “Closing The Circle” (2016) and “Reflections” (2020), “Angel Of Berlin” blends emotive vocal work, atmospheric arrangements and dynamic rhythmic shifts into a cinematic chapter that bridges past and present within ASSIGNMENT’s sonic universe.
The track also features a standout lead guitar performance by Marco Ahrens (Poverty’s No Crime), whose expressive phrasing enhances the song’s dramatic scope and melodic impact.
With “With The End Comes Silence”, ASSIGNMENT refine their songwriting through tighter structures, elevated production values and a heightened focus on emotional storytelling – while preserving the power, thrash and progressive influences that have shaped their sound over the years. The album was mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (DGM) at Domination Studio, bringing clarity, weight and cinematic depth to the band’s most cohesive material to date.
ASSIGNMENT are: Diego Valdez – vocals Goran Panić – guitars Heiko Spaarmann – bass Michael Kolar – drums
Danish metallers Defecto have unleashed a new single, “Heart On Fire (feat. Stig Rossen)”, along with an official video, available below. The track is taken from their latest studio album, “Echoes Of Isolation”, out now via Frontiers Music Srl, and features Danish actor and singer Stig Rossen.
Nicklas Sonne said: “Heart On Fire” hits hard with a melodic, high-energy edge – a song about fighting through the numbness, turning pressure into power, and keeping the fire alive even when it’s burning low”.
Defecto is a Copenhagen-based metal band formed in 2011 by guitarist/vocalist Nicklas Sonne, guitarist Frederik Møller, and bassist Thomas Bartholin.
Known for their combination of technical precision, melodic strength, and emotional intensity, the band has become one of the most respected names in the modern Danish metal scene.
With three studio albums, two EPs, and several acclaimed festival appearances (Copenhell, RockFest Finland) and support slots with Metallica and Rammstein, Defecto has consistently pushed the envelope of progressive and cinematic metal.
Now, Frontiers Records proudly presents “Echoes Of Isolation”, the band’s most personal, intense, and introspective record yet – a concept album exploring the haunting landscape of mental illness and psychological struggles.
Nicklas Sonne stated: “Each song inhabits a different psychological struggle – insomnia, schizophrenia, OCD, PTSD, paranoia, dissociation, trauma – giving voice to the war within. This isn’t just a metal album. It’s a mirror held to the mind”.
“For us, it’s about turning pain into power, and creating something that can connect deeply with anyone who has ever felt broken, isolated, or misunderstood”, he added.
Fans of Metallica, Symphony X or Evergrey will be captivated by the album’s cinematic power and progressive depth, driven by Sonne’s compelling vocals and razor-sharp songwriting.
“Echoes Of Isolation” Tracklist:
1. The Unraveling 2. Eternal Descent 3. Sacred Alignment 4. Eclipsed By The Void 5. Heart On Fire (feat. Stig Rossen) 6. Quantum Abyss 7. Through Cloak And Bones 8. Shattered Reality 9. Echoes Of Isolation
Line Up: Nicklas Sonne – vocals, guitars Frederik Møller – guitars Thomas Bartholin – bass Morten Gade Sørensen – drums
Melodic death-metal act SELIAS has unveiled the official video for “Cautionary Tale”, a track taken from their latest album Killkarma, released via Wormholedeath Records.
Bringing medieval war into a modern metal vision, “Cautionary Tale” delivers a story of clashing steel, betrayal, and the brutal lessons history refuses to let us forget. The track reflects the cyclical nature of conflict — a raven’s call that has echoed across centuries, now given voice through SELIAS’ signature blend of ferocity and melody.
Formed in 2020 by guitarist Steve Elias, SELIAS fuses aggression with atmosphere, precision, and emotion. Rounded out by Guilliaume Pascal (vocals/keys), Daniel Bouwman (drums), and Jeff Hyde (bass), the band delivers a cinematic metal experience that bridges classic death metal ferocity with modern melodic edge.
Evermore will release the new album “Mournbraid” on March 20 through Scarlet Records.
The third record for the Swedish masters of power metal, “Mournbraid” delivers the trademark Evermore sound made of aggressive guitar riffs, soaring epic vocals and unforgettable strong hooks – all amplified by a massive neat production.
Master of ardour and melody perfectly blended together, the Scandinavian trio further refined its pretty unique songwriting and lyrical touch. Each song of the album tells a different story from the perspective of individuals experiencing the diversity of existence’s challenges and feelings of personal struggles.
As always in Evermore’s music, the end goal is to make the listener relate to the music on a very deep personal level.
artowrk by Alvaro Valverde/AV Art Ilustracion
Produced by Marcus “Mackan” Alfsson at MWC Studios, mastered by Svante at Chartmakers West, and illustrated by Alvaro Valverde/AV Art Ilustracion (Elvenking, Unanimated, Verikalpa), “Mournbraid” will be released in the following formats: jewel case CD, vinyl LP (300 marbled red), digital
“Mournbraid” tracklist:
1 The Void 2 Underdark 3 Nightstar Odyssey 4 Titans 5 Oath Of Apathy 6 The Illusionist (Raise The Curtain) 7 Armored Will 8 Ravens At The Gates 9 Mournbraid 10 Old Man’s Tale (bonus track)
Total running time – 50:09
FFO: Avantasia, Edguy, Judas Priest, Helloween, Stratovarius, Nocturnal Rites, Europe
Evermore are: Johan Haraldsson – vocals Johan Karlsson – guitar, bass, piano, orchestrations Andreas Vikland – drums
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
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
Click image to watch the video
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