VLAD IN TEARS to Release New Studio Album “Undead” on December 4th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 18, 2026
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The new VLAD IN TEARS double-album “Undead” will be released on December 4th at Metalville

20 YEARS OF DARK REBIRTH

To celebrate 20 years of VLAD IN TEARS the band proudly presents “Undead”, a powerful double album that honors their past while embracing the future.

CD One is a brand-new studio album, showcasing the band’s bold new direction: darker, more melodic, and more passionate than ever before. Featuring all-new songs, “Undead” captures the essence of who VLAD IN TEARS are today and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

CD Two is a special anniversary bonus collection featuring the band’s most iconic songs from the past, completely re-recorded and rearranged in their new signature style. A fresh interpretation of the songs that shaped the band’s journey, it serves as the ultimate soundtrack to celebrate 20 years of VLAD IN TEARS.

More than a double album, “Undead” is a rebirth—a bridge between where VLAD IN TEARS began and where they are headed next.

“Undead” marks the beginning of a new era: darker, stronger, and more alive than ever.

VLAD IN TEARS ARE UNDEAD

TRACKLISTING

CD1
01. Black Shadows
02. Delusional Shells
03. Dance with Me
04. Domani Chissà
05. Una Distanza Che Non C’è
06. Never Fear the Pain
07. Too Far from Your Light
08. I’m Driving Mad
09. If I Lose You I Lose Myself
10. Lady Night
11. You’re Like a Heavy Rain
12. Sole e Luna
13. The Last to Love Me
14. Within Your Ocean

CD2
01. Woods of Madness
02. See Through the Darkness
03. Dark Theorem
04. As Snow We’d Fall
05. Forbidden Dream
06. You’ll Come Back to Me
07. Circus on the Moon
08. Here Comes the Rain
09. A Song to Say Goodnight
10. Mary
11. Redemption
12. Pretending
13. We’ll Never Die
14. How Do You Know
15. Sorrow
16. Still Here
17. The Devil Won’t Take Me Home
18. Vlad in Tears

LINE UP
CHRISTIAN MICONI – vocals
ALESSIO MICONI – lead guitars
PUNEETE VOHRA – guitars
DARIO MICONI – bass
FRANCESCO COSMA – drums

UNDEAD TOUR
03.12.2026 DE Siegburg Kubana
04.12.2026 DE Krefeld Kufa
09.12.2026 DE München Backstage
10.12.2026 DE Göttingen Exil
11.12.2026 DE Rüsselsheim Das Rind
12.12.2026 DE Osnabrück Bastard Club

LINKS
https://vladintears.com/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588516785593
https://www.instagram.com/vladintearsofficial
https://www.youtube.com/vladintears
https://www.tiktok.com/@vladintears
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/4Bu9ZBaEquzH0a9FagnY4v

MAD PAINTER Return with New Studio Album “Island Poetry”, Out October 9th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 18, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Boston-area rock quintet Mad Painter will release their third studio album, “Island Poetry,” on October 9th, 2026 via Epictronic. The album follows 2023’s “Splashed” and marks the band’s heaviest and most cohesive work to date, with the current lineup writing the bulk of the material specifically for this record.

About the Album

Where “Splashed” drew on a wider vault of older and newer material, “Island Poetry” is more focused, shaped by the current Mad Painter lineup as a unified group effort. The album’s concept centers on the image of island inhabitants gathered around a campfire on a tropical beach under a full moon, chanting and meditating in a shared communal and spiritual ritual. That imagined setting is where the album’s “poetry” originates, echoing the romantic idea of withdrawing from ordinary pressures to create freely — in the spirit of artists such as Kevin Ayers, who retreated to an island to make music at his own pace.

Musically, the album is rooted in 1970s British rock, built around Hammond organ, guitar, bass, drums, and layered vocals. Across its twelve tracks, “Island Poetry” moves through Deep Purple-inspired hard rock, Status Quo-style boogie, Rainbow-esque drama, Queen-like theatricality, Wishbone Ash-style roaming textures, Motörhead-inspired heaviness, Moody Blues / Barclay James Harvest-style art rock, and the space-disco flavor of “Nektarized.” The focus track, “Spin Your Ventilator,” delivers an energetic, unruly, double-entendre-driven hard rock attack in the spirit of Brian Johnson-era AC/DC.

The album was recorded track by track by Tom Hamilton at Lowell Street Sound in Peabody, Massachusetts, where Hamilton also handled production and mixing. The Pro Tools-based sessions were built to achieve a warm, natural, analog-style sound rather than a sterile digital polish. Six of the album’s twelve tracks feature lyrics by writer and music journalist Dmitry M. Epstein, and the record closes with a faithful interpretation of Uriah Heep’s “Circle of Hands” — a fitting finale for a band whose identity is closely tied to Hammond-driven classic rock.

Tracklist:

  1. Debt Collector
  2. Empty Bottles
  3. Spin Your Ventilator
  4. Suit Of Worries
  5. You Dreamed I Was In Love
  6. Nektarized
  7. Shadow of the Words
  8. Two Horsemen
  9. Tommy Lost It All
  10. I Am The King
  11. Stand Your Ground
  12. Circle Of Hands

Get a taste of the heavy, unruly energy of the new album and check out the single & Video “Spin Your Ventilator”.

About Mad Painter

Mad Painter is a Boston-area rock band devoted to the weight, color, and melodic ambition of classic 1970s rock. Led by vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter, and concept creator Alex Gitlin, the group builds its sound around roaring Hammond organ, hard-driving guitar, muscular rhythms, layered vocals, and warm analog-style production.

The band’s music draws heavily from the golden age of British hard rock, progressive rock, glam, boogie, and blues-based album rock, with Deep Purple and Uriah Heep as central reference points — particularly in the use of Hammond organ as a lead instrument rather than background texture. Elements of Rainbow, Queen, Status Quo, Wishbone Ash, Motörhead, Nektar, Moody Blues, Barclay James Harvest, AC/DC, Spooky Tooth, and Atomic Rooster also run through the band’s vocabulary.

The current recorded lineup features Alex Gitlin, drummer Al Hendry, bassist Kenne Highland, guitarist Al Naha, and backing vocalist Julie Gee, with Sharon Crumrine appearing as additional backing vocalist on “Island Poetry.” Together, they make vintage-minded music: dramatic songs, heavy riffs, melodic hooks, and expansive arrangements, played with conviction.

Follow Mad Painter’s musical odyssey:

Website: madpainter.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/madpainter1
X: x.com/painter_mad
Instagram: instagram.com/madpainterband
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@madpainter4010
Spotify

AEGROR Release Cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s Classic ‘Road to Nowhere’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 18, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

German Extreme Metal band AEGROR proudly unveil their interpretation of Ozzy Osbourne’s classic “Road to Nowhere”, available now on all major streaming platforms.

Originally recorded exclusively for ANTICHRIST Magazine’s international compilation A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the track first appeared on Bandcamp and YouTube alongside contributions from artists around the globe, paying homage to one of heavy metal’s greatest icons. Following its successful debut, AEGROR now releases the song worldwide as a standalone digital single.

Rather than recreating the original note for note, AEGROR approached “Road to Nowhere” through the lens of their own musical identity. Atmospheric darkness, crushing riffs and emotional intensity transform the timeless composition into a version that remains respectful to the original while unmistakably carrying the band’s signature sound.

The single was mastered by Nikita Kamprad (Der Weg Einer Freiheit), whose work adds depth, clarity and power to the final production.

The band comments:
“Ozzy Osbourne has inspired generations of musicians, ourselves included. Being invited to contribute to this tribute was both an honour and a responsibility. We wanted to preserve the emotional core of ‘Road to Nowhere’ while translating it into our own musical language. This release is our way of expressing gratitude to one of metal’s most influential voices.”

Following their worldwide signing with EMG, this release marks another milestone in AEGROR’s ongoing evolution. While paying tribute, “Road to Nowhere” also becomes another fragment woven into the band’s ever-growing Plaguebreeder Universe, a familiar shadow cast through a different story.

“Road to Nowhere” by AEGROR is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal, and all major digital streaming platforms.

AEGROR Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aegror

WIZARDS OF HAZARDS’ Third Full-Length Album “Point Of No Return” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 18, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo: Heikki Sulander

Finnish doomish Heavy Metal band Wizards Of Hazards have released their third full length album “Point Of No Return“. The album was recorded, mixed, mastered and produced by Samuli Rimmi (Ruoska, Dreamferno) at Studio33 Kuopio, Finland and released via Inverse Records.

The wizards send their regards from their chambers:

“THE WIZARDS want to thank all you lovely buggers out there who have helped us to get to this point, our friends and families, the people we’ve honoured to tour and to do music with throughout these years and the new faces around the world spreading our wizardry and magic – hats off and a humble bow to you all!!

Curtains will fall after all, No applause, no encore

Thou you would beg, steal or borrow one day there’ll be no tomorrow”

Listen to the album on music streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal yms.): https://push.fm/fl/wizardsofhazards-ponr

Tracklist / ISRC -codes:

  1. Too Late – FI3FC2593701
  2. Whatever Lies Behind – FI3FC2699301
  3. Downfall – FI3FC2699303
  4. Life After Death – FI3FC2699302
  5. Knights Of The Oblivion – FI3FC2699305
  6. Point Of No Return – FI3FC2699306
  7. Say No To Tomorrow – FI3FC2699307
  8. Borrowed Time – FI3FC2699308
  • Focus tracks: 01. Too Late, 02. Whatever Lies Behind & 06. Point Of No Return
  • Composition and lyrics by WIZARDS OF HAZARDS, arrangement by WIZARDS OF HAZARDS & Samuli Rimmi 2025-2026

WIZARDS OF HAZARDS are a heavy metal band from Middle Finland. The Wizards share the same interest for vintage instruments and recordings of the analog aeons, mostly 70’s and 80’s heavy metal. Their fuzzing riffs bow to proto-doom era and lyrics are inspired by bygone times, supernatural phenomenons and old tales & beliefs. After decades of jamming and performing as a trio, they shifted their shapes into a four piece and changed their name to WIZARDS OF HAZARDS.

A debut album END OF TIME came out 2020. Album consists of doomish, heavy riffed songs from the band’s early years, and three of those were pre-released on the BLIND LEADS THE BLIND EP on that same year – both releases came via Inverse Records. Recordings were made on RTM SM900 magnetic tape within two sessions in january and june 2020 under the brilliant guidance of analog wizard Anssi Kippo at Astia-studios, Lappeenranta Finland.

The BLACK WIZARD EP was released on december 2021 by Inverse Records, and it was a hats off to their roots with ep given the band’s former name. Those three, very old songs came from the same session at the Astia-studio november 2021 as all the songs of the second album SUPERNATURAL. Although most of the songs of their second long play were made long ago, the lyrics of the album are unfortunately valid and sadly true today also. The cover art presents stunning sculptures of Vilde Hage Aune, and all the songs were recorded again on magnetic tapes with help of Mr. Kippo in that doomy & riff-based, vintage sounding way of the WIZARDS OF HAZARDS.

After a year long Fuzzmass tour around Finland and Baltics the WIZARDS OF HAZARDS started casting new songs and spells for their third long play POINT OF NO RETURN. This time they joined forces with the gray wizard himself Samuli Rimmi aka the Grimmer (Dreamferno, Ruoska etc.). At around the end of year 2025 the wizard collective gathered around the boiling cauldron of Studio33, Kuopio Finland. Collaboration quickly formed a very tight circle and led them to summon eight new songs. During the mixing period three singles were released which included a beautifully haunting What Ever Lies Behind video directed and filmed by Stacy Picard in the deep forests of Korpilahti. The album itself was released by Inverse Records in august 2026 with cover art presenting authentic live shots by Topias Ruini and Lex Karageorghis of Lexel Photography.

WIZARDS OF HAZARDS is:
Paroni Benedictus III (drums&percussion)
Sir Winston Blackstone (guitars&keyboards)
Master Willman (vocals&guitars&percussion)
Count Ambassodeur (bass&vocals)

Special guest appearances by The Grimmer (additional guitars) and the High Pitch Witch (vocals&flutes)

https://www.facebook.com/wizardsofhazards
https://www.instagram.com/wizardsofhazards/
www.wizardsofhazards.com

THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT (Feat. Josh Rand & Casandra Carson) Unleash Cover of Blondie’s ‘Call Me’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 17, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Ryan Berrier

The L.I.F.E. Project – the dynamic collaboration between guitarist and songwriter Josh Rand (Stone Sour) and powerhouse vocalist Casandra Carson (Paralandra, Casandra’s Crossing) – unleash today a powerful rendition of Blondie’s hit, “Call Me”, out now via Frontiers Music Srl. 

Josh Rand commented: “Back in 2020 I was searching for a female vocalist to front my new project. I was connected with Casandra Carson and asked her what song she’d like to sing for the audition. “Call Me” was her choice so I quickly put it together musically for her to sing to. She crushed it and the rest is history! We never intended to release this track, but we thought it would be cool for you to hear the song that started it all.”

Casandra Carson added: “Call Me” has been one of those staple songs that I’ve been doing live since my first cover band when I was 17. This recording, specifically, was kind of my audition to be in The L.I.F.E. Project. Josh wanted me to pick a song to cover that would be comfortable, and we could use to test out how we would work together, and this felt like the perfect choice. Turns out, I got the job! It’s crazy that it’s coming out of the vault and going public after all these years.”

Stream “Call Me” HERE

Born from a shared musical vision and an undeniable creative chemistry, The L.I.F.E. Project represents a fresh and compelling artistic union. While Rand had long envisioned launching a female-fronted project, it wasn’t until 2020 – when a mutual connection introduced him to Carson – that the idea truly began to take shape. What started as an exploratory collaboration quickly evolved into something far more meaningful, laying the groundwork for a project driven by purpose and artistic synergy.

Musically, The L.I.F.E. Project fuses Rand’s signature heavy riffs and affinity for strong melodic hooks with Carson’s commanding and versatile vocal delivery. Drawing inspiration from classic metal, thrash, and progressive influences, the project channels the raw energy and spirit that first inspired Rand to pick up the guitar, while offering Carson the opportunity to explore new sonic and emotional territories.

Over time, the band has crafted a distinct sound that balances intensity with accessibility, underpinned by a natural creative partnership. Their material reflects a thoughtful and organic development process, allowing ideas to evolve freely and cohesively.

Lyrically, The L.I.F.E. Project sets itself apart by venturing beyond traditional rock themes, embracing broader narratives and concepts. Their songs often draw from history, social issues, and real-world tensions, exploring themes such as empowerment, resistance, and societal challenges. This approach adds depth and substance to their music, complementing its powerful sonic foundation.

Line Up:
Casandra Carson – Vocals 
Josh Rand – Guitar 

Follow THE L.I.F.E. PROJECT:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
X

MASON to Release New Single ‘This Thing Called Love’ (Feat. Steve Overland) on 21st August

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 17, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Mason are now gearing up for the release of their third album “Edge Of Destruction” which is out on 25th September via Eonian Records, and release their first single from this, ‘This Thing Called Love‘, on 22nd August. 

Marcus comments “we were incredibly fortunate to collaborate with legendary vocalist and songwriter Steve Overland (FM, Lonerider, Kings Of Mercia, Overland), who contributed backing vocals to ‘This Thing Called Love.’
He states: “This thing called love was originally written in 1987-1988 by John McAfee. John presented the digitalized original demo to me last year and I immediately was hooked on its memorable and catchy choruses, and distinctive verses. I was sold! Once it was re-recorded, the song missed something special on backups. That is where Steve Overland was brought in who was the perfect complimentary piece to the overall feel and sound of the track.”

Preorder the album here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/mason50/edge-of-destruction

Some artists spend years chasing the sound of their youth. Marcus Mason has spent a lifetime figuring out how to push it forward. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1988, Marcus Mason came of age at a time when the musical landscape was moving rapidly away from the sounds that fascinated him most. While rap, hip-hop, punk, and post-grunge dominated much of the late ’90s and early 2000s, Mason found himself looking backward: to the melodic hard rock, arena-sized choruses and polished AOR of the late ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s. It was not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It was instinct.

Mason’s breakthrough came in 2024 with the release of his debut album, “I Can’t Wait”, through Lions Pride Music. The record introduced a songwriter with an unapologetic affection for classic AOR but enough personality to make the formula his own. Songs including “One Life,” “I Can’t Wait” and “My Desire” emerged as standouts, while the album drew enthusiastic reviews from outlets including Fireworks Magazine, ViriAOR and Rockposer. In Germany, Rock It! reviewer Jörg Bonszkowski ranked “I Can’t Wait” among his Top 10 albums of 2024, placing it at No. 6. For Mason, the debut established the blueprint. The next album would expand it.

In 2025, Mason signed with Eonian Records for sophomore release “Seconds to Impact”, a record that marked a noticeable leap in songwriting, performance, and production. Led by the July 2025 single “All I Ever Wanted,” and followed by “Hard to Tame” and “Waiting for You,” the album broadened Mason’s profile within the international melodic rock and AOR community. “Seconds to Impact” balanced the unmistakable DNA of classic AOR with a more contemporary edge: smooth, melodic hard rock built around muscular guitars, polished keyboards, memorable choruses, and Mason’s clear, melodic vocals. 

Now comes the record designed to push Mason further still. Mason’s third album, “Edge Of Destruction” is not about abandoning what worked. It is about making everything bigger. Across eleven songs and an instrumental, Mason moves confidently between hard-driving melodic rock, mid-tempo AOR and sweeping ballads, with a renewed emphasis on songwriting, arrangements, and production. The hooks remain immediate, but the scope has widened. The guitars are still big. The keyboards still shimmer. The choruses still arrive with the intention of staying in your head long after the record stops spinning.

But by Edge of Destruction, Mason no longer sounds like an artist searching for his identity.
He sounds like one who has found it.

Official Band Page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/mason-band
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ZV8IEyF0o6yDg0e6ZBJjx
Marcus Mason on Facebook: www.facebook.com/marcus.frank.16

Available via Eonian Records and select US and international retail partners:
Eonian Records (US): www.eonianrecords.com 
Australia: www.electricshockmetal.com | www.soundmass.com
Brazil: www.animalrecords.com.br 
France: www.tromhell.com 
Germany: www.prideandjoy.de | www.schmankerl-records.com | www.hrrecords.de | www.underground-power.de
Italy: www.adrenaline.it
Japan: www.diskunion.net | www.metalpesado.com | www.rockstakk.shop-pro.jp | www.hmv.co.jp | www.tower.jp | www.books.rakuten.co.jp | www.rockavenuerecords.com
Netherlands: www.nodustrecords.com | www.sonicrendezvous.com | www.ebay.com/str/metalaorbv 
Norway: www.nordicmission.net
Spain: www.sunrecords.es 
UK: www.replayrecords.co.uk 
US: www.facebook.com/shandismusicandmore | www.animatedinsanityrecords.com