Swiss Rockers JACK SLAMER Release New Track ‘The Hour Of The Dragon’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 13, 2026
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Swiss rock band Jack Slamer have previously announced the release of Mask of Broken Glass, which  will be out on November 27th via Radicalis. The band’s second offering, ‘The Hour Of The Dragon’ is now streaming on all digital platforms. 

Pre-orders for the album are now available here: https://www.radicalismusic.com/jackslamer

Listen to ‘Hour Of The Dragon’ here: https://orcd.co/thehourofthedragon

Jack Slamer comment on the song: “A song of glory – one that could only be sung with a sword in hand. ‘The Hour Of The Dragon’ sounds like an 80s fantasy RPG: a classic hero-versus-dragon setting with a twist. Floyd Rose action, and a naturally gated snare reverb, made with a sheet of metal. Our guitarist Omar read The Complete Chronicles of Conan by Robert E. Howard during the recording sessions in France and drew heavily on those stories for the fantasy lyrics of ‘The Hour Of The Dragon’. The title is borrowed directly from one of the stories in that book. The song tells a classic hero-versus-dragon story with a twist: it’s about not fighting your inner demons, but embracing and accepting them. You come out of that process stronger.“

The upcoming album Mask Of Broken Glass weaves tales of fiction and fantasy, carried by vivid imagery throughout. Its metaphors explore the shifting dynamics of friendships and relationships, and the constant struggle to make the right choices in life, sometimes succeeding, sometimes falling short.

For half their lives, five guys from Winterthur have been shaking up the Swiss rock scene under the name Jack Slamer. The band was founded in 2007, when the friends’ instrumental quartet; Adrian Böckli (drums), Cyrill Vollenweider (guitar), Marco Hostettler (guitar) and Hendrik Ruhwinkel (bass) was joined by Florian Ganz (vocals). During their first decade, the band developed its own sound and, across two albums, worked its way up from local heroes to SRF Best Talent. From headline shows at Z7, Salzhaus or the Winterthur Music Weeks to festival appearances at Blue Balls, Heitere or Gampel, they’ve been rocking stages all over the country.

With their third studio album Keep Your Love Loud, they broke into the Top 10 of the Swiss album charts in 2020 and eventually headed out on a tour of Spain. During the pandemic, however, things grew quieter around the band. Things had to be sorted out, new paths taken, and the situation reassessed.

In 2024, the decision was finally made: it’s far too early to retire the gig outfits! The boys from the neighbourhood are back, bringing fresh wind and bursting with energy after a forced break from live shows. From then on, though, in a slightly changed lineup: Cyrill left the band and was replaced by Omar Fra (guitar). With a new guitarist, the band’s groove shifts too: a little less Woodstock, a little more denim & leather. What remains is the goal: rock ’n’ roll; loud, live, and drenched in sweat!

Jack Slamer at their newest: full of energy, in a new formation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Four new songs were produced in the band’s own studio. Even before these singles were unleashed on the public, Jack Slamer had already turned to producing their next full-length album. For that, the quintet holed up in 2025 at the legendary Kerwax Analog Recording Studio in Brittany to capture their new sound straight to tape.

Mask Of Broken Glass is uncompromising, loud, and ready to sweat through every concert shirt. Stay tuned, it’s only rock ’n’ roll, but it feels damn good!

Track-list:
1. The Mask Of Broken Glass
2. Stitch Your Soul
3. Sisters & The Wolves
4. Precious Things
5. Keep Me (Away From My Mind)
6. Sex Glitter Magic Love
7. Waste Of Time
8. Heavy Hearts
9. Echoes In The Storm
10. The Hour Of The Dragon

Jack Slamer live:
November 13, 2026 – Bären, Mönchenbuchsee (CH)
November 14, 2026 – Krempel, Buchs (CH)
January 7, 2027 – Ice Rock Festival (CH)
January 23, 2027 – Salzhaus – Winterthur (CH) / Album release show!

Jack Slamer are:
Florian Ganz – vocals
Marco Hostettler – guitar
Omar Fra – guitar
Hendrik Ruhwinkel – bass
Adrian Böckli – drums

Follow Jack Slamer:
https://jackslamer.com
https://www.instagram.com/jack_slamer
https://www.facebook.com/jackslamerband
https://www.youtube.com/@jackslamerband6946

HIGH PARASITE – Feat. Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride – Launch New Single ‘The Screams That Come’ with Visualizer

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 13, 2026
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HIGH PARASITE, the UK outfit fronted by Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride and more recently Towards The Sinister, proudly release a new stand-alone single, “The Screams That Come,” out now via Spinefarm alongside a visualizer.

Produced by Paradise Lost’s Gregor Mackintosh and mixed by Lawrence Mackrory (Meshuggah, Katatonia, etc.), the track aligns with HIGH PARASITE’s mainstage performance at London Metalfest 2026; the band will appear at the Electric Ballroom in Camden on a bill headlined by Swedish Doom legends Candlemass.

Yesterday, HIGH PARASITE were also visiting Raven Records in Camden, a short walk from the Ballroom, for a signing session.

HIGH PARASITE shares:

“We’ve coined the term ‘Death Pop’ to define our music; we definitely have a strong affinity with all things gothic and dark, but at the same time we’re collectively drawn to strong hooks and melodies, to choruses that stick in the mind. I guess we walk a shadowy, sometimes twisted path between those two worlds; you can hear it on ‘The Screams That Come,’ and even more on the second album. It’s like the vampire’s smile: seemingly welcoming, at least at a distance, but boy, those teeth are razor sharp!”

Since releasing ‘Forever We Burn,’ their debut album, in September 2024, the five-piece have spent a lot of time out on the road in both the UK & Europe, guesting on major tours (Cradle Of Filth, Paradise Lost), appearing at festivals (Bloodstock, Rockstadt, Brutal Assault, Eindhoven Metal Meeting, Furiosfest and many more) and headlining shows of their own.

A Halloween headliner has recently been confirmed for October 31st at the Albany Arcade in Halifax; which is likely to be the last HIGH PARASITE live show of 2026.

In between touring, the band has spent time in the studio working on album number two, scheduled for release early next year. More details and music soon.

HIGH PARASITE are:
Vocals – Aaron Stainthorpe
Bass – Tombs
Rhythm guitar – Sam Hill
Lead guitar – Jonny Hunter
Drums – Dan Brown

XION’s New Album “When Stars Collide” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 13, 2026
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Photo by George Grigoriadis

Swedish metal newcomers XION have released their second album „When Stars Collide“ via Fireflash Records. XION’s fresh blend of speed and thrash metal sounds unique, and you can clearly sense the power, dedication, boundless energy and ambition of this young band.

“When Stars Collide” is available on a CD Jewelcase, phantom purple Vinyl (incl. 4-page insert & signed autograph card), digtal and via Bandcamp with various bundle options, incl. new merchandise. 

Order the album here: https://save-it.cc/fireflash/when-stars-collide
Get the album on CD, Vinyl & exclusive merchandise bundles on Bandcamp: https://ff-xion.bandcamp.com/album/when-stars-collide

The quintet was formed in 2022, when some of the members were still under 18, yet they were already playing with the same precision and energy as more established metal bands. Since then, the band from Falun has taken the world by storm. The combination of the members’ young age and their extremely precise and virtuosic musical skills has made XION one of the most interesting and promising newcomers on the Swedish metal scene in many years.

In January 2024, XION released their debut album “Between Shadows and Gods”, produced by Johan Reivén (RAM, HOSTILIA, among others). They performed as the support act for IN FLAMES and the GENE SIMMONS BAND at the legendary “Dalhalla Arena” and played at several festivals, including “Gefle Metal”, “Sweden Rock Festival” and the “Sabaton Cruise”. Their concerts have been highly praised. Sweden Rock Magazine rated one of their live performances 9/10, and their performance at the “Sweden Rock Festival” itself received a rating of 4/5. In 2023, the band also won the “Imagine Sweden” music competition.

In June 2025, XION released the single “Wasteland of Time”, produced by Jonas Arnberg (METHANE, DEMONICAL, among others), who is also producing the band’s upcoming studio album, “When Stars Collide”. This track also convinced Fireflash Records to offer them a record deal.

“When Stars Collide” takes things a step further and showcases the band at their very best. The entire record is packed with surprises and metal anthems that stick in your memory. “This upcoming album consists of tracks we’ve worked on for a very long time and put a lot of effort into,” reveals the band – and every serious metalhead should definitely check out these young, up-and-coming stars. XION is the future!

XION Is:
Robin Björk – Vocals
Erik Zetterström – Guitars
Liam Rådman – Guitars
Johan Berg – Bass
Algot Brask – Drums

XION online:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/xiontheband
Homepage: http://xiontheband.se/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xiontheband
Instagram: https://instagram.com/xiontheband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOBLLMlawAMG96LTtTRq1CQ
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@xiontheband
X: https://x.com/xiontheband
Bandshop: https://xiontheband.bandcamp.com/

GODSLAVE Release New Single And Lyric Video ‘The Road Not Taken’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 13, 2026
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To mark the release of their new studio album, simply titled “Godslave” (Metalville), GODSLAVE present the lyric video for “The Road Not Taken”.

That was a close call…

A full five years after “Positive Aggressive,” GODSLAVE are finally back with a new studio album—and things could have turned out very differently…

During a difficult period—which the band had already laid bare in their documentary “Hinter der Kulisse”—and through a return to their roots with the tribute album “Champions,” the five German musicians found their way back to each other, both as a band and as individuals.

The result is aptly titled “GODSLAVE.” Never before has an album been the product of such collaborative work, shared discussions, and collective ideas—and you can really hear it!

Even the brutal opener “Reset, Rebuild, Reclaim” makes it unmistakably clear what this is all about: drawing a line under the past, rolling up your sleeves, and fighting your way back step by step. It’s no coincidence that this song, of all things, became one of the hardest-hitting thrash tracks in the band’s history—GODSLAVE still have a lot in store!!

The deeply meaningful lyrics—for which the band is known—also follow this path. They tell of empathy and forgiveness (“Repaid in Kind”), depression (“Square One”), the search for a sense of belonging (“Part of the Pack”), and coping with self-hatred (“And Yet I Stand”). The emotional climax comes from the struggle with the inner fire—torn between a warming source and a destructive force: the yin-yang duo of the death metal-inspired “Let the Fire Come” and the over seven-minute-long closing epic “The Fire That Calls Me,” in which none other than Laura Guldemond of BURNING WITCHES takes on the role of the protective fire.

Musically, the album spans the spectrum from uncompromising thrash to the grand, epic melodies that GODSLAVE have long made their trademark. Above all, however, the album reinforces the band’s commitment to forging their own path: German thrash metal with a positive attitude!

Not because the world needs more anger—but because it can use more hope…

LINE UP
Thommy (Vocals)
Bernie (Guitar)
Manni (Guitar)
Mika (Bass)
Tobi (Drums)

GODSLAVE LINKS
https://godslave.de/
https://www.instagram.com/godslaveband
https://www.facebook.com/godslaveband
https://www.youtube.com/godslaveband
https://www.tiktok.com/@godslaveband
https://music.apple.com/de/artist/godslave/308425806
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/5xLkB61DNBnrx3GmQplSK2

ADRIAN BENEGAS Explores Questions of Consciousness in Introspective New Video Single ‘Growing Hearts’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 13, 2026
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Long before visionary Paraguayan Adrian Benegas became known for his symphonic productions, music had already become the language through which he understood the world. Today, the composer, keyboardist, producer, and solo artist is celebrated for crafting immersive musical landscapes where emotion and imagination collide – blending symphonic metal, power metal, melodic rock, epic orchestrations and deeply introspective storytelling into a body of work that explores the human experience through music.

Throughout his career, Adrian Benegas has collaborated with internationally acclaimed musicians from Avantasia, Rhapsody, Blind Guardian, Primal Fear, Gamma Ray, and many more. His artistic influences reflect the duality between cinematic grandeur and emotional intimacy. Composers such as Luca Turilli, Tuomas Holopainen, Timo Tolkki, Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Chopin, Mozart, and Beethoven all helped shape his musical language, while artists like Enigma and Enya deepened his appreciation for atmosphere, symbolism, and emotional depth. Adrian’s songs explore self-discovery, inner transformation, the light and shadow within us, and humanity’s search for meaning. Inspired by esoteric philosophy and Gnostic symbolism, his lyrics encourage listeners to confront fear, transcend negativity, and discover their own inner strength. Rather than offering answers, Adrian’s music invites reflection: Every composition is another chapter in an ongoing search for meaning that invites listeners to embark on their own journey of introspection, resilience, and transformation.

After multiple singles, two successful full-length albums (“THE REVENANT” in 2019 and “ARCANVM” in 2023), as well as one EP (“DIAMONDS IN THE DARK” in 2021), Adrian Benegas is now revealing his new single “GROWING HEARTS” (out: September 11). The track is more than a melodic metal anthem: It’s a holistic artistic statement on courage and transformation, exploring topics of consciousness, awareness and self-examination. Featuring the powerhouse vocals of Herbie Langhans, Eric Juris on guitars and bass, and legend Sascha Paeth in mix and master, the release is a complete sensory experience. “Beyond the music, I have curated every visual element from the raw, evocative photography to the hand-illustrated, traditionally animated video. In an age of sterile, AI-generated content, I have rejected the easy path. Every frame, shot, and note in this project was crafted by human hands, ensuring that the visual world of ‘GROWING HEARTS’ vibrates with the same authentic passion and soul as the music itself”, Adrian explains.

The team behind “GROWING HEARTS” is:

ADRIAN BENEGAS – Music, Lyrics, Artistic Production, Keyboards
ERIC JURIS – Guitars, Bass
HERBIE LANGHANS – Vocals
SASCHA PAETH – Mix und Master
ARTWORK: Bruno Bogarín Closs
PROMO Photography: Lourdes Galli
VIDEO PRODUCTION: Santiago Bogarín

Adrian Benegas Online: Instagram – Youtube – Twitter X – Spotify – Website

LEACH Unelash New Single & Video ‘Strength To Strength’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 13, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo credit: Cloudberry Photography]

Swedish death metal band LEACH release the second single taken from their upcoming EP PSYCHOSOMATIC (out 9th October 2026). ‘STRENGTH TO STRENGTH’ is a declaration of resilience wrapped in crushing riffs and unrelenting momentum. Blending razor-sharp aggression with towering melodies, the track refuses to glorify suffering. Instead it captures the determination required to outlast it. Every breakdown, every chorus and every crushing riff drives the same message forward: keep moving.

Continuing the emotional narrative of PSYCHOSOMATIC, the song explores the exhausting reality of living with mental illness without pretending recovery is ever linear. Instead, it embraces the idea that survival is found by moving from one moment of strength to the next, refusing to let life’s darkest valleys define the journey. ‘STRENGTH TO STRENGTH’ is about resilience, persistence and the courage to keep taking the next step. Heavy, emotional and relentlessly energetic, it’s a song about surviving without pretending the struggle is over.

LEACH comment:
“There’s a tendency to talk about recovery as if you eventually cross some finish line and leave everything behind. That’s not really the experience. Sometimes you just have to get from one good moment to the next and try not to spend too much time looking down into the valleys in between. That’s what ‘STRENGTH TO STRENGTH’ is about, to jump from peek to peek.”

Pre-Order PSYCHOSOMATIC here

PSYCHOSOMATIC is a four-track concept EP blending modern melodic death metal with hardcore intensity, crushing grooves and razor-sharp riffs. Each song represents a different psychological state of living with mental illness – from the breaking point and resilience to reflection and the endless cycle of intrusive thoughts. Rather than telling a linear story, the EP explores survival through shifting emotional states, balancing relentless aggression with atmosphere, melody and introspection. Heavy, dynamic and emotionally driven,  PSYCHOSOMATIC is the band’s most personal release to date.

SERPENT OF TIME’ confronts the endless cycle of intrusive thoughts, portraying time as both the prison that confines us and the only force capable of eventually setting us free. ‘’N.F.F.N.S.N.C.’, an atmospheric spoken-word reflection that questions identity, depression, medication and what it truly means to heal. Closing the journey, Opening with ‘ONE BEAT FROM CALM, ONE CRACK FROM WIDE’, the EP captures the fragile moment where control begins to slip and the first cracks appear beneath the surface. ‘STRENGTH TO STRENGTH’ follows as an act of resilience – not a victory over darkness, but the determination to keep moving from one moment of strength to the next. At the center lies N.F.F.N.S.N.C.’, an atmospheric spoken-word reflection that questions identity, depression, medication and what it truly means to heal. Closing the journey, ‘SERPENT OF TIME’ confronts the endless cycle of intrusive thoughts, portraying time as both the prison that confines us and the only force capable of eventually setting us free.

Musically, PSYCHOSOMATIC blends modern melodic death metal with hardcore intensity, razor-sharp riffing, dynamic songwriting and crushing grooves, balancing relentless aggression with moments of reflection and vulnerability. Rather than glorifying suffering, the EP seeks to understand it, exploring how people continue to move forward despite carrying invisible battles every single day.

PSYCHOSOMATIC is not a EP about giving up. It is about surviving long enough to find the strength to take the next step – even when the path ahead remains uncertain.

LEACH about their upcoming EP:
“We never wanted PSYCHOSOMATIC to be four songs saying ‘mental illness is dark’ in different ways. Each track is meant to capture a different state of actually living through it. From the moment you crack. The ongoing struggle and questioning of yourself and life choices behind. The search for a final release with the potential of driving you back deeper within it.”

Tracklisting:
1. ONE BEAT FROM CALM, ONE CRACK FROM WIDE 
2. STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
3. N.F.F.N.S.N.C.
4. SERPENT OF TIME

Upcoming live date:
October 10, 2026 – I Scream Metal Fest – Gothenburg, SE – Momentum 031

LEACH are:
Markus Wikander – guitars, vocals
Joachim Dahlström – drums
Robert Karlsson – lead guitar
Tobias Oja – bass

LEACH online:
Bandcamp
Spotify
YouTube 
Instagram
Facebook
Tiktok