Finnish modern metal powerhouse CROWNSHIFT have officially revealed the details of their eagerly awaited second studio album, The Shadows We Buried, set for global release on January 29, 2027. Celebrating the announcement, the quartet has also premiered their thunderous new single, ‘In The Dead Of Night’, accompanied by a striking official music video.
Following the impact of their critically lauded self-titled debut, CROWNSHIFT – comprising seasoned musicians known for their individual histories in iconic acts such as Nightwish, Children Of Bodom, Wintersun, and Finntroll – have quickly elevated themselves from an exciting collaborative project into a dominant standalone force. Extensive international touring, standout festival appearances, European support runs alongside heavy metal royalty like Dirkschneider, and an acclaimed showing on the 2025 edition of the 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise have honed the group into a razor-sharp live unit.
Now, that raw touring kineticism fuels The Shadows We Buried. The forthcoming record represents a natural yet daring evolution of the band’s signature sound, interweaving modern melodic death metal riffs with progressive flourishes, soaring vocal hooks, and dark, cinematic breadth.
The lead single, ‘In The Dead Of Night‘, sets the stage with relentless rhythmic drive and sweeping atmospheres, showcasing the band at their most focused and intense.
CROWNSHIFT The Shadows We Buried Release Date: 29 January 2027 LP | CD | Digital Album
1. The Portal 2. I Will Give You War 3. All Hail The One 4. The Shadows We Buried 5. In The Dead Of Night 6. Gone Before Tomorrow 7. Behold The Crown 8. Fuel My Curse 9. Until The Silence Falls
What started as a long-held vision shared by four friends has quickly grown into one of Finland’s most exciting modern metal acts. Bringing together musicians renowned for their work with Nightwish, Children Of Bodom, Wintersun and Finntroll, CROWNSHIFT has established an unmistakable identity of its own—one built on fearless songwriting, world-class musicianship and a sound that refuses to be confined by genre boundaries.
The band’s self-titled debut album arrived to widespread critical acclaim, earning rave reviews from the international metal press and making an immediate impact on the charts. What followed was an intensive touring cycle that firmly established CROWNSHIFT as a formidable live act. From major Finnish festivals to stages across Europe, including a European tour supporting Dirkschneider (UDO), the band quickly translated its studio ambition into an electrifying live experience. In 2025, CROWNSHIFT also brought its music to the high seas as part of the legendary 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise, performing alongside some of the world’s leading metal artists.
Musically, CROWNSHIFT continues to blur the lines between melodic death metal, modern metal and progressive influences. Crushing riffs meet soaring melodies, technical precision serves memorable songwriting, and cinematic atmospheres seamlessly coexist with relentless heaviness. Every song is driven by the band’s commitment to constant evolution while remaining unmistakably CROWNSHIFT.
Now, the quartet enters its next chapter with its sophomore album, The Shadows We Buried. Building upon the foundation of the acclaimed debut, the new record pushes the band’s sonic identity even further—heavier, more melodic and more dynamic than ever before. It captures a band that has grown through countless miles on the road, relentless creative ambition and an uncompromising desire to keep moving forward.
Having already earned the respect of fans, critics and fellow musicians alike, CROWNSHIFT stands ready to take the next step. The Shadows We Buried is not a reinvention, but the sound of a band fully realizing its vision.
SOULS OF DIOTIMA released their fifth full-length album “Arcade” on October 2nd via Diotima Records, available exclusively on digital platforms! With “Arcade”, Souls of Diotima take their boldest leap yet. The band’s backbone transforms into a highly contemporary Modern Metalcore, enriched with brand-new elements: electronic arpeggiators, analog oscillators, and 80s synth retrowave atmospheres interwoven with devastating breakdowns and seismic rhythm sections.
Metal Shock Finland recently had the pleasure of interviewing the band’s guitarist and co-vocalist, Fabio Puddu. Join the conversation below.
THE SHIFT IN SOUND 1. “Arcade” is described as a historic move from power metal roots to modern metalcore. What made you decide the time had come, and was there a specific moment or song that tipped it? The change happened quite naturally. We felt it was time for a breath of fresh air, a new chapter that could better represent not only our musical identity, but also who we are in our everyday lives. This evolution is reflected not only in the music, but also in our overall image and outfits. We wanted everything to feel more authentic and connected to who we are today. Of course, this doesn’t mean rejecting our past or forgetting the old Souls of Diotima. That period is an important part of our history, and everything we’ve done has helped us become the band we are now.
2. Did you worry about losing longtime fans, or gaining new ones who don’t know your earlier albums? Our longtime fans know how we like to approach music, and we’re confident they’ll understand and appreciate this evolution. We’ve always believed in following our artistic instincts rather than staying within the same boundaries. At the same time, this new direction was also an opportunity to reach a wider audience and connect with people who may not have discovered Souls of Diotima before. For us, it’s about growing, exploring new possibilities, and staying true to who we are as a band.,
3. What did you keep from the power metal years, even if it’s hidden under the downtuned riffs? What has remained is the very soul of our songwriting. The sound has evolved, the riffs have become heavier and the overall approach has changed, but the core of our compositional identity is still there. It’s part of who we are as Souls of Diotima, regardless of the musical direction we explore.
SYNTHS AND THE ARCADE CONCEPT 4. Arpeggiators, analog oscillators, retrowave: who in the band brought the synths in, and what gear or records inspired that sound? The idea of incorporating synths came from Giorgio Pinna, and as a band, we worked together to figure out which sounds would best fit our vision. Many modern metal bands use synths nowadays, but finding the right inspiration for the retrowave element was a different challenge. We wanted to create something that felt fresh and distinctive, combining that retro-inspired atmosphere with modern metal. In the end, we believe this blend has allowed us to bring an original idea to our sound.
5. Neon lights and vintage arcade nostalgia against dark, introspective lyrics: why that contrast? Do you have personal arcade memories? We’re a band made up of members of different ages, but fortunately, we’ve all experienced those nostalgic years of arcade halls and fluorescent neon lights. When we were younger, those places created a kind of magic that has stayed with us over time. Combining that atmosphere with the lyrics turned out to be both unusual and surprisingly natural. Many of the songs deal with deeply personal themes, so the contrast between the colorful, nostalgic aesthetic and the darker emotional side of the music created an interesting balance.
6. If “Arcade” were a game, what would it be, and what’s the final boss? If Arcade were a video game, it would probably be a mix of a classic platform game like Super Mario and a much darker, more atmospheric world. There’s something fascinating about the contrast between the colorful, nostalgic universe of old-school video games and the darker themes explored in our lyrics. As for the final boss, it would probably be something more than just a monster to defeat. It could represent our inner demons, fears, and personal struggles. And unlike in a video game, defeating them isn’t always as simple as reaching the end of a level!
VOCALS AND “CAGE” 7. Fabio’s scream in the verses against Claudia’s melodic choruses is the heart of “Cage”. How do the two of you decide who takes which part? Does it change how you write? In “Cage,” the contrast between the harsh vocals in the verses and Claudia’s melodic choruses became a key element of the song. We usually build the music first and decide how to distribute the vocal parts afterward. We look for the approach that works best for each section, making the most of both vocal styles. This process allows us to create different dynamics and emotional shades, moving between aggression and melody. The voices don’t compete with each other; they complement one another, becoming an essential part of the song’s identity.
8. “Cage” is about being trapped in an inner hell. How personal is it, and how do you handle singing it night after night? “Cage” is a very personal song for me. It explores a darker side of my life that I often struggle to accept and express, even with the people closest to me. Music gave me the opportunity to bring those feelings to the surface. Writing this song wasn’t just a way to release those emotions, but also a way to send a message to anyone who might relate to them: we all have our own inner demons, and even if facing them isn’t easy, we shouldn’t stop trying to fight them. Performing the song live means reliving some of those experiences every night. But there’s also a small sense of happiness in being able to tell that story through music. What once felt difficult to express has become something I can share with others, and that gives the song an even deeper meaning.
9. Why did you pick “Cage” as the manifesto of the album? “Cage” brings together all the elements behind the band’s transformation: heavy riffs, retrowave synths, and melancholic passages. It captures the different sides of our new sound and shows how these elements can coexist and complement each other. Along with other tracks on “Arcade,” it represents the musical identity we want to develop further and carry into our future albums.
WRITING AND PRODUCTION 10. How was the album written and recorded, and what did the modern production change about your process? The album was composed by Giorgio Pinna and me, with the whole band actively involved in developing the arrangements. Everyone contributed to shaping the songs and bringing the ideas to life. The album was recorded at Bohus Studio in Sweden, and the modern production definitely helped us achieve a heavier sound, reinforcing the impact of the riffs while supporting the new direction we wanted to explore with “Arcade.”
11. The tracklist runs from “Warning!” to “Nocturnal Vibe”. How did you plan the album’s arc, and why that closer? We played the songs countless times before entering the studio, but we hadn’t decided on a definitive tracklist yet. We finalized the running order while we were in Sweden, carefully considering how each song would flow into the next. We wanted to create a dynamic listening experience, keeping the album engaging and surprising from the opening track to the very last one. The goal was to make the whole record flow naturally, while giving each song its own space and contributiva to the overall journey of “Arcade.”
12. “Senza Rancore” has an Italian title. How does your Italian identity show up in the music or lyrics? We know that the Italian language is appreciated internationally, and we wanted to preserve a part of our cultural identity by including a song with lyrics in our mother tongue. On our previous album, “Janas,” we incorporated vocals in Sardinian, as it was a concept album dedicated to Sardinia and its culture. With “Senza Rancore,” we wanted to continue expressing our roots in a different way, keeping that connection to our identity while exploring the modern sound of “Arcade.”
THE BAND AND THE BUSINESS 13. You release on your own label, Diotima Records. Why self-release, and what has that meant for creative control? Having our own label, Diotima Records, gives us something invaluable: creative freedom and control over our artistic direction. This is also connected to the message behind “Senza Rancore,” which reflects some of our thoughts on the current music industry and the way it works. We believe that being independent allows us to make decisions based on what we truly believe in as artists, rather than having to compromise our vision. It’s not about being against record labels, but about having the freedom to choose our own path and take responsibility for our decisions. For us, that freedom is priceless.
14. You released three singles before the album, then “Cage” on release day. What did that rollout teach you about reaching listeners today? With “Run Away,” our first single, we announced the release in advance, while the following singles came out without prior notice. We believe that surprise can be a powerful tool in today’s music landscape. Sometimes, an unexpected release can hit like an explosion, catching people off guard and creating an immediate impact. There’s no single formula for reaching listeners, and we like the idea of keeping things unpredictable. Ultimately, it’s about finding different ways to capture people’s attention and letting the music speak for itself.
15. The album is digital-only for now. Is there any chance of vinyl or CD, or is streaming the plan? For now, “Arcade” is available exclusively in digital format. We don’t want to raise expectations or make promises we can’t guarantee, but releasing the album on CD or vinyl is definitely something we’d love to do. We know how special physical releases can be for both bands and fans, so we really hope we’ll have the opportunity to make it happen in the future.
LIVE AND FUTURE 16. You start in March with France, Belgium and the Netherlands. How will you bring the synth layers to the stage, with tracks or live keys? The synth parts will be played through backing tracks, using the same elements recorded for the album. This allows us to preserve the electronic layers and retrowave atmosphere that are such an important part of “Arcade,” while keeping the live performance focused on the band’s instruments and vocals.
17. What’s the first thing you want to hear from a crowd at Le Stock, Club Hell or Popei? More than anything, we’d love to feel a genuine connection with the crowd. Seeing people go wild, sing along to the choruses, and really connect with our music would be amazing. For us, it’s not just about playing the songs live, but about sharing that energy with the audience and feeling that the music means something to them.
18. Any chance of Finland? Do you have a connection to Nordic metal, and how do you see the Finnish scene? We love Northern Europe, and we’d absolutely love to play in Finland as well. Our connection with Nordic metal is reflected in our decision to record several albums in Sweden. It’s not just about the quality of the studios, but also about the atmosphere you experience in the North, which has always fascinated us. On a personal level, Finnish bands have also played an important role in shaping my musical influences. The Nordic metal scene has a character of its own, and being able to experience it firsthand as a band would be something really special.
QUICK-FIRE CLOSERS 19. Favorite retro arcade game? On a personal level, I’d probably say Metal Slug and Super Mario. They’re very different games, but both have that timeless retro charm that makes them unforgettable.
20. One album that changed how you think about metal? Only one? Hahaha, that’s a really difficult question! I’d probably have to mention “Follow the Reaper” by Children of Bodom, which also explains my connection to Finland and its metal scene. But I can’t leave out “The Sound of Perseverance” by Death. Both albums radically changed the way I think about metal, although in very different ways. So, if I really have to choose just one… I’m afraid I’ll have to break the rules a little!
“Arcade” Tracklist: Warning! Revenge Deadline Black Rose Run Away Time is a Flame A Child Senza Rancore Head Up, Guard Up Cage Nocturnal Vibe
Danish hard rock outfit BLACK OAK COUNTY will release the official music video for “Rock’n Roll”, taken from their fourth full-length album “Misprint” (Mighty Music), this Friday. The video will be available on YouTube.
Built entirely from footage of the band’s own concerts, the video drops the viewer into the middle of a Black Oak County show. “Rock’n Roll” is a direct, hook-driven celebration of life on the road, with a chorus made to be shouted back by a crowd. It’s a theme the band know well after years of relentless touring across Denmark and Germany.
“Rock’n Roll” is the second track on “Misprint”, released on April 10th, 2026. The album was co-written, produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Nicklas Sonne (Defecto, Danish Eurovision Preliminaries). It’s a confrontational, hook-driven record that pushes the band both heavier and more melodic than ever, and follows the award-winning “III” (2024). The album was launched with the first single “Kill The Pain”. Where that song faces down a broken world, “Rock’n Roll” is the release valve: pure, unapologetic momentum.
Join the video premiering, one day before its official release, here:
Black Oak County have steadily built their reputation through constant touring and releases. They were named Årets Single at Den Hårde Tone 2024 for “Save Your Breath” and Årets Rock Single at the Danish Alternative Music Awards 2025 for “Boom Boom Baby”. This year, the band also played one of the main stages at Copenhell, Denmark’s biggest metal and rock festival – a lifelong dream come true. For fans of Volbeat, Nickelback and Shinedown, Black Oak County remain one of Denmark’s most dependable live hard rock acts.
Lineup: Niels Beier – guitar, vocals René Kristensen – bass, vocals Jack Svendsen – guitar Mike Svendsen – drums
Nashville’s own CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH are proud to release their new single “Hairy Buffalo,” out now via Frontiers Music Srl. The new track arrives alongside a music video, available to view below.
Cody shares on the new single:
“When I was in college, I was in a fraternity, and we had this chant that went, ‘Fun, fun, fun, the fun has just begun.’ I always thought that would be a really cool way to start a metal song, especially with a heavy breakdown hitting right after it. That was really where the idea for ‘Hairy Buffalo’ was born. From there, it just evolved into writing an entire song about some of my experiences in college. As a songwriter in Nashville, I feel most writers in town fall into this thing where they feel like the lyrics they are writing have to be airtight and make 100% sense to the listener, and understandably so, but after doing that in town for the better part of a decade, I wanted to do something different. None of the lyrics to this song will make any sense to anybody except the guys who actually went through all of that stuff with me back in college. And I kind of like that.”
CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH are redefining what a Nashville band can sound like. Led by singer and songwriter Cody Parks, the group fuses the culture of Southern country with the power and attitude of classic heavy metal—creating a sound they proudly call Country Metal.
What started as a vision for Parks became a full-force band in 2019 when he assembled a group of players who shared the same love for big riffs, high energy, and an unapologetic rock attitude. Drawing inspiration from both country storytelling and hard-hitting metal acts like Metallica, Ratt, and Pantera, CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH deliver music built on crushing guitars, driving rhythms, and hooks that hit just as hard as the breakdowns.
The band’s genre-bending mashup “Thunder Cash ’69,” from their 2023 covers EP ‘Smothered & Covered,’ exploded online and across streaming platforms. The track went on to top the iTunes Rock chart in three countries and reach #2 and #3 on Billboard’s Rock and Hard Rock Digital Song Sales charts, introducing a wide audience to the band’s unique blend of country authenticity and metal intensity. That momentum recently led to the band signing a new record deal with Frontiers Music Srl, setting the stage for the next chapter of Country Metal. In 2026, CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTHbrought their high-voltage live show to audiences across the country as direct support for Steel Panther on the “Twenty Twenty $ex Tour.”
With releases like ‘Country Metal, Vol. 1’ and a reputation for turning every show into a full-throttle party, CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH are proving that country and metal belong on the same stage. Their debut full-length is scheduled for June 2027 on Country Metal Records / Frontiers Music Srl. Crank it up. This is Country Metal.
CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH Lineup: Cody Parks – Vocals Johnny Palmieri – Guitar Alex Walls – Guitar Clay Eubank – Bass Jon Hopkins – Drums
Finnish heavy metal band Crimson Day have released the official music video for “The Outsider,” a track taken from their album Dark Dimension, out now via Wormholedeath.
The most powerful idea in The Outsider is that sometimes, the price of fitting in is losing a part of yourself. The protagonist would rather remain separate than blindly follow the crowd, even though that decision makes life more difficult. The song doesn’t offer a clear resolution in which the outsider finally finds acceptance. Instead, it leaves us with the tension between staying true to yourself and finding a place where you belong. Ultimately, it’s a dark reflection on individuality, social pressure, and the loneliness of feeling fundamentally different from everyone else.
“This song was probably the hardest one to make,” stated the band, “and we ended up rearranging and changing ideas multiple times. Together with our producer Jussi Kulomaa, we eventually found the ideas that best work together and, as a result, we got a great heavy metal song with some alternative elements and a nice groove!”
The video got inspiration from early 2000s digital camera footage because it fits perfectly with the song’s feeling and aesthetic. And on a deeper level, the video’s perspective is from the point of view of The Outsider.”
Founded in 2013 in Tampere, Crimson Day has spent over a decade forging their own lane within the heavy metal landscape, blending the timeless power of classic heavy metal with a broad sweep of genre influences, wrapped in dark intensity, high-octane energy, and sharp, soaring melody.
The band’s story began with a self-titled EP in 2013, followed by their debut full-length Order of the Shadows (2015). They expanded their sonic vision on At the Mountains of Madness (2018) before returning with the bold, self-titled Crimson Day in 2023. A pivotal lineup shift in 2020 introduced new frontwoman Milka Uusitalo, ushering in a reinvigorated era marked by standout singles including “Raising the Fury” and “Black as the Heavens Above,” and bold, genre-defying covers of “Immigrant Song,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” and “Objection (Tango)” that further demonstrated the band’s dynamic range.
Now, with Dark Dimension on the horizon, Crimson Day is stepping into their most ambitious chapter yet.
With over 100 live shows across Finland and Europe, sharing stages with Sonata Arctica, Turmion Kätilöt, Turisas, Reckless Love, and Korpiklaani, and international performances spanning the Baltics, Germany, and Sweden, the band has built a reputation as a formidable live force. Their music has earned global radio airplay, and their YouTube catalog has surpassed 100,000 views.
“Dark Dimension” album is available now via Wormholedeath on all major streaming services HERE, and in CD format HERE.
Crimson Day is: Milka Uusitalo – vocals Ari Balzar – lead guitar Janne Rantanen – guitar/screams Jesse ”Kämy” Kämäräinen – bass Janne Ollikainen – drums/percussions
US-based black metal duo STORMRULER establishes the worldbuilding of their forthcoming album Morning Nautical Twilight in the new single and video offering, “Chapter I. The Sword, The Scepter & The Seal.”Morning Nautical Twilight, will be released on December 4, 2026, via Distortion Music Group (DMG) – Powered by Reigning Phoenix Music.
STORMRULER comments on “Chapter I. The Sword, The Scepter & The Seal”: “The Sword, The Scepter and The Seal is a historical account told to the young wanderer by a scraggly old patron during the prologue of Morning Nautical Twilight. Beginning in the year 1142 F.A. TS3 takes place 2150 years before the rest of the record setting the course for the troubles that will come to haunt Aurelia and to give the listener a brief history on the origins of the Imperial Scepter.
The piece itself weaves in a sonic assault of folk, power, black and death. Equipped with soaring leads, mountainous melodies and a blistering rhythmic attack it takes the listener on a journey through the early ages of Umbria and the forging of the Imperial Scepter in the glowing embers of the Lunar Pyre.”
Set in present-day Aurelia, “Chapter I. The Sword, The Scepter & The Seal” introduces the land, core characters and the overarching story of Morning Nautical Twilight. The abrasive quality of black metal collides with the warmth and emotive tones of folk instruments and bright melodies. STORMRULER entwine light and shade in a compelling sonic display that ignites the grandeur and intensity of the tale that is set to unfold.
About STORMRULER: Born out of St. Louis, MO, the ferocious black metal duo STORMRULER is comprised of guitarist and vocalist Jason Asberry and drummer Jesse Schobel. Captivated by fantasy realms, the band’s imagery and sonic design draw from this theme entwined with historical elements.
The debut album Under The Burning Eclipse emerged in 2021, released via Napalm Records. This full-length was followed in quick succession by the sophomore offering, Sacred Rites & Black Magick, also via Napalm Records in 2022.
In 2026, STORMRULER signed to Distortion Music Group (DMG) – Powered by Reigning Phoenix Music, releasing the standalone single “Dark Age Of Deception.” Plunging into a dark and immersive shroud of atmospheric layers and commanding intensity, “Dark Age Of Deception” signified the beginning of the band’s next incarnation.
With the unveiling of “Chapter II: In The Eye Of Umbria,” STORMRULER’s forthcoming full length Morning Nautical Twilight delves further into epic fantastical realms placing powerful storytelling at the core of their music.
STORMRULER Is: Jason Asberry – vocals, guitars Jesse Schobel – drums
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
