Italian heavy metal veterans Skanners have announced that their new album will be entitled “Midnight Call”. The record was recorded, mixed and mastered at Black Alley Studio by Francesco Gambarini, known for his work with Chronosfear and Shiver Down.
“Midnight Call” will be released soon via Punishment 18 Records. More details about the release date, tracklist and artwork will be revealed shortly.
Finnish death metal quartet HEKATOXEN have now premiered their debut full-length “Obsidian Majesty” in its entirety through Death Metal Promotion, ahead of its October 2 release on Nuclear Winter Records.
The band follow their 2022 “Utter Darkness” EP with a record steeped in the traditions of their homeland’s nineties death metal, yet shaped around a distinct sense of songwriting and atmosphere. Across eight tracks, HEKATOXEN move between punishing guitar work, muscular rhythms and passages where the tension is allowed to build rather than simply explode, giving the album a strong internal pulse. The result is a collection that feels firmly connected to the Finnish underground while avoiding a purely retrospective approach.
Hailing from Tampere, HEKATOXEN return with a record that tightens every aspect of their sound, delivering a darker, sharper and more determined expression of death metal. “Obsidian Majesty” moves through a landscape of razor-edged riffs, where heaviness never comes at the expense of movement: the songs hit hard, but they also breathe, shift direction and reveal a band with a clear understanding of dynamics.
Rooted in the classic language of Finnish death metal, the album does not rely on mere repetition of familiar formulas. HEKATOXEN take inspiration from the genre’s foundations while shaping those elements into focused compositions built around memorable riffs, strong structures and a tangible sense of purpose. Every track feels designed to stand on its own, equally effective through headphones and on stage.
Avoiding unnecessary complexity, HEKATOXEN embrace the power of well-crafted songwriting: concrete, immediate and uncompromising. “Obsidian Majesty” captures a band refining its identity, balancing old school instincts with a contemporary edge and proving that tradition can still cut deep when handled with conviction.
Tracklist:
01 – Lost Souls Epitome 02 – I Am Them 03 – Spawns Of Darkness 04 – Haunting Ceremony 05 – Domus Vilomaxus 06 – Grave Reveries 07 – At Hellsrivers Pathway 08 – Vanguard The Dark
For fans of: Demigod, Adramelech, early Sentenced, Funebrarum
Line-up:
Jussi – vocals, lead guitar, acoustic guitar, synth Niko – rhythm guitar Risto – bass guitar Vesa – drums
Kill Sound Records, a new record label founded by musician, songwriter and producer Justin McCain, has officially launched in partnership with The Label Group, TLG|ROCK, distributed by Virgin Music Group, bringing McCain’s longtime passion for A&R and artist development to the forefront.
Joining McCain in the launch of Kill Sound Records are partners Zeb Christensen (Screaming for Silence), Aaron Koenig (Devil in the Details) and Sgt. RJ Mitchell USMC. The label’s first two artist signings are MCHNZ and ANNALIESE.
McCain’s path to launching his own label has been shaped by years of experience on both sides of the music industry. As a musician, songwriter and producer, he has been a member of signed bands including Through Fire and Emphatic, experiences that gave him firsthand insight into the workings of the modern music business while allowing him to work alongside some of the industry’s most respected executives and creative professionals.
Those experiences ultimately helped shape a long-standing goal: to create a label focused on identifying artists with potential and giving them the guidance, development and resources needed to build lasting careers.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with some of the most incredibly talented people throughout my journey as a musician, songwriter and producer in the music business,” says Justin McCain, Owner/CEO of Kill Sound Records. “With being in multiple signed bands, including Through Fire and Emphatic, I had the opportunity to learn from some of the most brilliant label executives along the way such as Monte Lipman of Republic Records, Pete Ganbarg of Atlantic Records, Jeff Blue, known for his work with Linkin Park and, of course, one of my biggest inspirations, Ash Avildsen of Sumerian Records.”
“I always knew when the time was right, I was going to focus on my passion for A&R and artist development and start my own record label. After having conversations with my good friend and industry vet Dennis Sanders, owner of The Label Group, he offered me an imprint through TLG|ROCK, distributed by Virgin Music Group. Alongside my partners Zeb Christensen, Aaron Koenig and RJ Mitchell, we’re very excited to announce the launch of Kill Sound Records.”
McCain also credits Dennis Sanders, founder of The Label Group, as an important part of making the vision a reality. Sanders has built TLG into a prominent independent music company.
“Kill Sound Records represents the next chapter of my career,” McCain adds. “I’m incredibly excited to take everything I’ve learned as an artist, songwriter, producer and student of the business and apply it to developing artists. We’re just getting started, and we’re extremely proud to welcome MCHNZ and ANNALIESE as the first two artists on the roster.”
Kill Sound Records’ first two signings, MCHNZ and ANNALIESE, represent the beginning of the label’s artist roster, with additional announcements and new music to follow.
In addition, Justin McCain and partner Aaron Koenig have also opened Kill Sound Studio, a production/songwriting team to record/produce artists signed to the label.
Sweden’s melodic rock veterans Dalton are thrilled to announce their return with the fourth studio album, “Rock Will Never Die”, set for release on December 11, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
To coincide with the announcement, the band shares the first single and official video, “Save A Bullet”, available below.
The band commented: “Dalton is reloading, armed to their teeth with weapons of mass seduction. Locked and loaded. And ready to strike. Out of the trenches and on to the battlefield of rock’n’roll, Dalton’s out for more. So you better save a bullet, ’cause we are. Here is “Save A Bullet”, the first missile, well, single, fired off from the new album “Rock Will Never Die”, coming at you in December. This a bullet with your name on it: powerful, melodic, catchy, hooks to die for and a chorus that grabs you by the throat.”
“Rock Will Never Die” is the highly anticipated return of Dalton, breaking a twelve year absence from the marketplace. It’s the record that perfectly captures the timeless sound that has defined the band for decades.
Vocalist Bosse Lindmark stated: “We were perfectly happy with our place in the AOR history books, but our fans wanted more – much more. When Frontiers came to us with the opportunity to make a new album, it was flattering but also challenging. We had to ask ourselves some tough questions: can we still do it? Do we still have the chops? The answer became “Rock Will Never Die”. We wanted to make something that feels relevant today while still being unmistakably Dalton.”
“This is classic Dalton with heavier guitars – a tougher, more in-your-face sound, but still with the melodies and hooks that have always been such an important part of who we are. Bringing Moltas into the band gave us a huge injection of energy and passion, and the whole band is firing on all eight”, he added. “Forty years after we released ‘Can’t Stop Loving You Now’, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a new Dalton album.”
With the addition of new guitarist Moltas Åhs, the band brings fresh energy to their classic Scandinavian melodic rock style, while Bosse Lindmark’s raspy vocals continue to deliver the emotive power and signature tone that fans have come to love.
Supported the veteran members Anders Lindmark on bass, Mats “Dalton” Dahlberg on drums, and Ola Lindström on keyboards, the album features soaring choruses, driving riffs, and unforgettable melodies, proving that the spirit of Dalton is as vibrant and unrelenting as ever.
“Rock Will Never Die” is both a celebration of the band’s legacy and a bold statement that true rock never fades.
“Rock Will Never Die” Tracklist:
1. Rock Will Never Die 2. Playing With Fire 3. I Wanna Know 4. Save A Bullet 5. Waiting 6. White Lies 7. You 8. You’re Not My Lover 9. Letting Go 10. Way Back Home 11. I Have A Dream
After more than two decades, AbysmalDawn remain one of death metal’s most consistently crushing creative forces. While the Los Angeles natives are working on their upcoming fifth album, next month, the band are hitting the road with Obscura, Thulcandra and Orion Rise on their first-ever tour of Mexico. During this 8-day trek, Abysmal Dawn will perform songs from across their critically-acclaimed discography, including their latest single “Cradle of Affliction”.
As Abysmal Dawn gears up for next month’s Mexico tour, today, drummer James Coppolino is releasing an official playthrough video of “Cradle of Affliction”. With its bone-crushing groove, blinding fills and steady pounding of double bass, the band’s latest single proves why they have such unholy staying power.
Watch Abysmal Dawn’s official drum playthrough for “Cradle of Affliction”:
Abysmal Dawn Beyond the Seventh Sun Mexico 2026 Tour with Obscura, Thulcandra and Orion Rise
October 8 – Morelia @ Salon Arena [TICKETS] October 9 – Leon @ Rockstar Burger [TICKETS] October 10 – Guadalajara @ C3 Stage [TICKETS] October 11 – San Luis Potosi @ Bunker 57 [TICKETS] October 15 – Chihuahua @ Pistoleros Bar [TICKETS] October 16 – Mexico City @ Foro Veintiocho [TICKETS] October 17 – Monterrey @ Terraza Sultan [TICKETS] October 18 – Durango @ Levenda De Analco [TICKETS]
Abysmal Dawn’s latest albumPhylogenesisand their most-recent EPNightmare Frontierare both now available through Season of Mist.
During the height of the worldwide apocalyptic dystopia of 2020, Abysmal Dawn persevered and released one of the greatest albums of their career, Phylogenesis.
In 2022, the technical death metal icons picked up where they left off and unleashed the harrowing four-song Nightmare Frontier. The EP includes an original track, a newly re-recorded version of the 2006 demo “Blacken the Sky”, and two epic cover songs that showcase the band’s musical versatility and limitless talent.
As the completion of their fifth full-length draws near, in October 2026, Abysmal Dawn are embarking on their first tour of Mexico. During this 8-date run with Obscura, Thulcandra and Orion Rise, the band will perform their latest single, “Cradle of Affliction”, live in all its accursed glory.
Lineup Charles Elliott: Guitars, Vocals Eliseo Garcia: Bass, Additional vocals James Coppolino: Drums Vito Petroni: Guitars
Production credits for “Cradle of Affliction” Guitars, bass and vocals recorded at Tastemaker Audio by Charles Elliott (tastemakeraudio.us). Drums recorded at Trench Studios by John Haddad. Produced by Charles Elliott and Abysmal Dawn. Mixed and mastered by Charles Elliott
The hauntingly brilliant multi-instrumentalist Dikajee has previously announced her brand new album The Frame, which will be out on 6th November. Dikajee is now releasing her emotional new offering ‘Friar’s Lantern’, featuring Guillaume Bernard (guitarist KLONE).
A personal comment from Dikajee on the track and video: “This song should probably be called ‘Wondering Light’ because that’s what I’ve meant to describe, but I just loved that word combination. This song is empowering, but at the same time it’s a type of song that you would sing to someone who is dying; you’re gonna be ok, it’s gonna be fine; like a reassurance to make the dying person avoid horror. At the same time I’m picturing some ghosts of dreams that are probably dead somewhere inside you, but if you spend some time with yourself, reach out to your deep spirit, you may find that that kid who dared to dream, to laugh, to fall in love, to say yes to adventures is still there and that it’s never too late to live if you’re alive. I think this song is a sister of the previous track ‘Home of the Wind’.”
Singer-songwriter Dikajee has captivated audiences on stages around the world, sharing lineups with acclaimed artists across the progressive, folk, and metal scenes.
In 2021, Dikajee released her critically acclaimed album Forget~Me~Nots, showcasing an intricate blend of folk, neo-baroque, neoclassical, and progressive rock. The album features guest appearances from Fiona Rüggeberg (flutes, bagpipes; FAUN), Guillaume Bernard (guitars; KLONE), and Artis Orubs (drums; Erik Truffaz), and received widespread praise from music publications across Europe, the UK, and the USA. Her achievements include being voted #1 Best New Artist of the Year in the Prog Readers Poll (2025), #4 Vocalist of the Year in the Prog Readers Poll (2021), while her single ‘Lily Of The Valley’ was featured on The Best of Metal Hammer 2021 compilation.
Her voice is incredibly versatile, allowing her to move effortlessly between genres and styles. From classical operatic vocals to extreme metal and everything in between, Dikajee‘s exceptional range, virtuoso vocal dynamics, and refined technique make her one of those rare singers capable of excelling across an extraordinary breadth of vocal styles. In 2023, the Russian-born artist was granted a UK Global Talent Visa and relocated from Saint Petersburg to the United Kingdom, where she rebuilt her band with a brand-new lineup.
Track-list: 1. The Frame 2. Gunpowder 3. In the Blink of an Eye 4. Home of the Wind 5. Friar’s Lantern 6. Thrown Ashore 7. Imaginary Doctor 8. Travel Through Time (feat. German Vergara) 9. Troin (outro)
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, Dikajee is set to release her second full-length album, The Frame, on 6th November 2026. The album features an international lineup of guest musicians including Jonathan Noyce (Archive, Jethro Tull), Varijashree Venugopal (Snarky Puppy), German Vergara (Aisles), Guillaume Bernard (KLONE), Christian Ayala (Avandra), Vikram Shankar (Pain of Salvation, Charlotte Wessels, Within Temptation, Lux Terminus), and many more.
Both of Dikajee‘s albums showcase her distinctive blend of progressive rock, folk, classical music, and metal, highlighting her adventurous songwriting and fearless musical vision.
Dikajee live: 08/10 – the Piper, st Leonard, solo (supporting John Hackett Band) 09/10 – Ramsgate Music Hall, Ramsgate, solo (supporting John Hackett Band) 10/10 – West Hampstead arts Club, solo (supporting John Hackett Band) 22/11 – The Thames Side Session, Staines, solo 30/11 – London, WaterRats, full band (supporting The Paradox Twin) 04/12 – Manchester, Empty Space, full band (supporting The Paradox Twin)
Dikajee are: Olga Karpova – songwriting, grand piano, keys, arrangements Dmitry Irinovich (studio) – keys, orchestral arrangements, keys Christian Ayala (studio) – guitars, programming Benjamin Baert – drums (studio) Graham Brown – drums (live) Gulia Naumova, Ksenia Sednina – strings, backing vocals Joe Fraser – guitars, vocals Victor Sankov – bass (studio) (tracks 1,3,4,8,9) David Honour – bass, backing vocals (live)
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
