Finnish progressive rock band KING OF SWEDEN released their third full-length album on 29th May 2026. The album is called Interregnum and it is released by Eclipse Music. Interregnum is out both on streaming platforms and as a physical CD which is available for purchase on King of Sweden’s live show’s and through their social media. Following the album release, King of Sweden perform several live shows, beginning in Hard Rock House, Helsinki yesterday on 30.5. and continuing at the Prog for Peart festival in Abingdon, UK on 17.7.
Interregnum consists of 4 songs: Movie Night is an energetic, guitar based progressive rock song, including Influences from old school hard rock bands such as Uriah Heep and Deep Purple as well as early Camel and proto-prog band The Nice. Movie Night is followed by Yes-influenced, peaceful ballad Breath, which deals with the contemporary and transient nature of life. The third song of the album is Father of Soup, a seven-minute-song with an energetic start in 11/8 time signature, influenced by 80’s King Crimson and a ballad ending in the second half of the song. The final song of the album is almost 20-minute-long Recursion, an epic closing track with influences of Rush and Tasavallan Presidentti.
King of Sweden has previously released two full-length albums by international indie label Golden Robot Records in 2021 and 2024. The band’s line-up has changed multiple times since being found in 2019. Therefore, the album name ‘Interregnum’ can be seen as a reference to the turbulent and uncertain times in the midst of ongoing changes and between what has been and what is about to be.
Track listing
Movie Night (9:00)
Breath (4:58)
Father of Soup (7:12)
Recursion (19:36)
Next live shows:
17.7.2026 Prog for Peart, Abingdon, UK
8.8.2026 Kultainen Kulaus, Helsinki, Finland
23.9.2026 Lepakkomies, Helsinki, Finland
King of Sweden are: Sampsa Nelimarkka – guitar, vocals, saxophone Joni Raikaslehto – Bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals Tomi Raikaslehto – keyboards, percussions, guitar, backing vocals Elias Ojutkangas – drums, backing vocals
Guest musician: Jan Tiusanen – flute (on Father of Soup and Recursion)
Swedish melodic metal force METALITE returns with their most ambitious and cinematic chapter yet: Discovery! Set for release on September 25, 2026 via Perception – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, the forthcoming album sees the band pushing their futuristic vision further than ever before. Following the success of their previously released singles “Our Time Has Come” and “Starchild”, METALITE now unveils full details of the new record alongside the release of their brand new single “In Case Of Emergency”.
Driven by powerful melodies, heavy rhythms, pounding guitar riffs and METALITE’s signature fusion of futuristic soundscapes and electrifying metal energy, “In Case Of Emergency” delivers another thrilling glimpse into the sonic universe of Discovery. Accompanied by a brand new visualizer video, the track combines dynamic riffing, cinematic synth layers and the unmistakable vocal performance of Erica Ohlsson into a modern melodic metal anthem packed with energy and emotion.
Guitarist, producer, songwriter and founder Edwin Premberg comments:
“In Case Of Emergency is a true banger driven by a heavy rhythm and crushing chugging guitars. But beneath the intensity, it carries a powerful message about always being there for someone, no matter the time or place. It’s a song that hits hard both musically and emotionally, raw, melodic, and made to be felt.”
Mixed and mastered by acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Evergrey, Amaranthe), Discovery pushes METALITE’s futuristic vision further than ever before. Across twelve dynamic tracks, the album explores themes of human evolution, technology, survival, liberation and hope in a universe shaped by digital realities and cosmic exploration in the year of 2058, three years after humanity left a collapsing Earth in search of a new beginning.
Building upon the sonic worlds established on Heroes in Time (2017), Biomechanicals (2019), A Virtual World (2021) and Expedition One (2024), the band once again proves why they are regarded as pioneers of modern sci-fi-inspired melodic metal!
Founded in 2015 by guitarist Edwin Premberg, METALITE quickly gained recognition with their debut album Heroes in Time, establishing a fresh and modern approach to melodic metal. In 2019, vocalist Erica Ohlsson joined the band for Biomechanicals, helping elevate the group’s futuristic identity through an even more refined blend of electronic textures and melodic power metal. Their evolution continued with A Virtual World and reached new conceptual heights with Expedition One, a visionary sci-fi journey set in the year 2055.
In 2024, drummer Erik Junttila joined METALITE, bringing renewed energy and precision to the band’s explosive live and studio performances. Following his debut live appearance in Linköping in early 2025, the band continued touring extensively alongside acts such as Pain, Leaves’ Eyes, and The Night Flight Orchestra, while also appearing at major festivals including Sweden Rock Festival and Masters of Rock.
With millions of streams worldwide and a rapidly growing international fanbase, METALITE continues redefining the future of melodic metal. Discovery is bold, emotional, futuristic, and unapologetically ambitious — a powerful statement of innovation, exploration, and the limitless possibilities of modern power metal!
METALITE is: Erica Ohlsson – Vocals Edwin Premberg – Guitar / Additional Vocals / Programming Robert Örnesved – Guitar Erik Junttila Johansson – Drums Robert Majd – Bass
Finnish symphonic metal band Memoira has released a new single IKIGAI (Memories). The release celebrates life and memories and opens the door to a well-known Japanese philosophy of life. Ikigai is a Japanese philosophical concept that refers to something that gives a person a sense of meaning or a reason to live:
– “The song is a kind of ode to life. It encourages us to make the most of life and create memories that will last a lifetime. During the arrangement phase of the song, we were at a song camp together thinking about the lyrics, when our bassist Niko mentioned the term Ikigai. The term resonated with us immediately, because it can be connected to our desire to create music, play and perform. Music is our philosophy of life,” – says the band’s keyboardist Lassi Nuolivaara.
The positive philosophy is also conveyed in the song’s nostalgic home video-like music video, which is compiled from the band’s various travels and live performances:
– “Ikigai also serves as an ode to our amazing fans and supporters, who have been strongly involved both at home, live at gigs and on social media around the world. You are the reason why we make music!” – says the band’s vocalist Krista Astrid Schröter.
Memoira is known for its combination of symphonic metal and strong melodies, where a modern metal sound meets a cinematic and emotional expression. IKIGAI (Memories) continues the band’s line, offering both familiar and new oriental tones to the band’s sound.
Listen to the single on music streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal etc.): https://push.fm/fl/memoira-ikigai
–Written/Lyrics/Arranged: Memoira –Release year: 2026 –Drums recorded @ Studio57 by Pasi Kauppinen –Keyboards & Bass recorded @ BeerTeam Studios by Niko Laaksonen & Lassi Nuolivaara –Guitars recorded by Serdar Ilter –Vocals recorded by Jimi Ahola –Mixed @ Teemu Liekkala Audio & Design by Teemu Liekkala –Mastered @ Chartmakers by Svante Forsbäck –Producer: Memoira –Distributor: Distrokid / Memoira
Memoira is a symphonic metal band from Finland formed in 2007. Known for it’s big atmospheric and epic sound, Memoira combines dynamic melodic metal and symphonic ethereal orchestrations into one, consistent flow of storytelling.
On it’s 15- year journey before the latest line-up changes, the band has released three albums and seven singles worldwide.
With the current lineup, which has been active since 2023, and Krista Astrid Schröter as their vocalist, the band has already released three singles (Cryonic Heart 2024, Emerald Eyes 2024 and Dollmaker 2025), each of which has brought the band more listeners and streams. The renewed lineup has also brought a whole new energy to the band’s stage performance and image, which has already been noticed among fans.
MEMOIRA LINE-UP Krista Astrid Schröter – Vocals Lassi Nuolivaara – Keyboards & Piano Serdar Ilter – Guitars Niko Laaksonen – Bass Kimmo Puhakka – Drums
THE CRUEL INTENTIONS are exactly what you want and fully expect them to be: easy-going, fast-paced modern sleaze with gasoline in their veins and zero regard for the brake pedal.
The band was founded back in 2015 and consists of Mats Wernerson, Lizzy DeVine, Kristian Solhaug, and Robin Nilsson. They’re a Swedish/Norwegian, Oslo-based hard rock force, channeling the aesthetics of Guns N’ Roses and Mötley Crüe, injecting it with pop-punk punch and melodic hard-rock swagger bringing the legacy of good old rock ’n’ roll to new generations.
2026 sees the band return with “All Hail Hypocrisy”, a highly anticipated third album showcasing the band’s raw and unfiltered attitude, accompanied by playful riffs, high energy, and a unique style. On “All Hail Hypocrisy”, The Cruel Intentions are truly bringing their A-game, delivering their most hard-hitting, ambitious, and well-written album to date.
“Getting creative with Erik using all sorts of vintage classic amps and playing around with ideas was extremely inspiring and really did make this album feel much more alive and essential in shaping the sound. The songs were recorded old school.” – Kristian Solhaug
Working with someone they both knew and trusted to understand the band’s vision was a major lift for the production of the album.
“Recording with my good friend Erik is the coolest thing ever. Memories of a lifetime. This time he pushed me to the max, making me go crazier than ever on the drums! And I’m grateful for that. Got a good vibe from the first beat. This album is raw, hard, and in your face!” – Robin Nilsson
The band really poured their hearts and souls into the making of All Hail Hypocrisy, serving up unfiltered energy molded into feel-good hard rock.
This time around, the band also chose to focus less on pre-production and more on the production itself, seeking greater creative freedom in the studio during recording. As a result, the songs on All Hail Hypocrisy are harder and faster, while the song structures and details show more complexity and substance than on previous albums.
“This album stands out since it pretty much got formed along the way, where some of the songs changed or got finished in the studio while recording. The song ‘Wasteland’ was written and recorded on the last day in the studio. I’ve known Erik for years, but we never wrote any songs together until now, and it was pure excitement. He’s a creative genius!” Mats Wernerson
The album itself was written between tours. Some ideas made it, some got trashed, but the result is an album that stays true to The Cruel Intentions’ raw and reckless sound, while at the same time showcasing just how much the band has evolved.
“This record’s lyrics are pretty much a reflection of everything I’ve lived in the highs, the lows, the chaos, and the bits of beauty buried in all of it. It’s about chasing dreams, screwing up, getting back up, and still believing in rock ’n’ roll even when the world feels like it’s burning. Every song came from something real. Nights that got too wild, people who pushed too far, and moments where I thought I’d lost it all but somehow kept going. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being alive, loud, and honest.” Lizzy DeVine
Now finally, with the collaboration with Erik (producer/mix /mastering) and a solid team effort, the stage is set for “All Hail Hypocrisy” to be released.
An aggressive melodic bombshell of a rock album!
The band concludes: “We’re extremely happy to have completed an album we are proud of and satisfied with, and are eager to present this to a rock ’n’ roll-starving worldwide audience! So it begins.”
“All Hail Hypocrisy” was released everywhere May 29th 2026.
THE CRUEL INTENTIONS ARE: Lizzy DeVine – Vocals & Guitar Kristian Solhaug – Guitar Mats Wernerson- Bass Robin Nilsson – Drums
ABOUT THE CRUEL INTENTIONS The last couple of years have seen explosive growth in The Cruel Intentions’ popularity. Heavy touring, energetic live shows, paired with the release of critically acclaimed music and major placements in popular series, have seen the band grow into a favorite with fans and media alike.
Their rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. With over 13 million Spotify streams, 247K monthly listeners, 413K fans in 173 countries, and 2.2+ million YouTube views, the band’s footprint is unmistakable.
Their songs “Jawbreaker,” “Sick Adrenaline,” “Borderline Crazy,” “Reapercussion,” and “Reckoning” are all heavily featured across seasons 1 and 2 of the HBO/DC Comics hit “Peacemaker”, earning them worldwide exposure and public praise from the show’s director and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, who openly calls The Cruel Intentions one of his favorite bands.
The band’s momentum has taken them across Europe, the UK, Australia, and the US, including major festivals such as Sweden Rock Festival, Tons of Rock, Summer Breeze, Monsters of Rock Cruise (x2) and The Mountain Festival (US). Their name has graced the pages of Rolling Stone, Billboard, Classic Rock Magazine, and countless rock radios and webzines.
The Dogs return with their new single “Fuck’Em”, an intense, filthy and uncompromising taste of the upcoming album “Trauma Junkie”, set for release on September 18.
With a riff that kicks in doors from the very first second and a sound that refuses to give the listener a moment to breathe, the band continues to cultivate the raw and unfiltered energy that has made them one of Norway’s most notorious live acts.
We’ll let the man behind this furious little monster of a track, Kristopher Schau, explain it himself: “What I like best about this one is definitely the ugly-as-hell main riff at the start and Henrik’s drums. It became so wonderfully uncomfortable and messy right from the first second. No rest. Straight into anxious, high pulse territory. What I absolutely like the least, though, is that it now, obviously, has to be added to the live set for the autumn tour. This is going to mean A LOT of high-frequency screaming for an old geezer! The budget for Dent and Ricola alone is going to destroy the band economy halfway through the tour. And of course, I’m also worried that the chorus lyrics are unfortunately so SoMe-friendly that they’ll end up being used for all kinds of internet bullshit. Other than that, very pleased.”
The album “Trauma Junkie” will be released on September 18.
ABOUT The Dogs are the Oslo-based band where only one member is actually from Oslo. A punk rock band that believes they play soul and garage rock. In short, a band that has no idea who they are or what they’re doing. This confusion has however resulted in a total of 12 albums, countless Norwegian tours, unusual one-off events such as opening for Bruce Springsteen, and musical contributions to the new Harry Hole series on Netflix. In other words, they are well prepared for the Alzheimer’s they all have coming.
Confusingly enough, all signs are still pointing upward for the “Oslo band” in the autumn of their lives.
THE DOGS: Vocals – Kristopher Schau Guitar – Mads Martinsen Bass – Tommy Reite Drums – Henrik Odde Gustavsen Percussion – Kenneth Simonsen Keys – Stefan Höglin
Earlier this year, Christan Carlsson announced that he wanted to step off the blues rock cirkus to focus on other things in life and his other band “The Quill” who just released a new album.
Jerry Prütz comments:
“No drama, no disagreement, no fights led to this decision, instead we are grateful for all the albums, gigs and everything else we have achieved during the time Christan Carlsson has been a part of “Cirkus Prütz” and we wish him luck in the future and with whateverhe takes on. When one door closes, another one opens and we say welcome to Nicolas Vowden as our new singer and harmonica player. Give him love and a warm welcome and a loud HELL YEAH!!!”
Nicolas is the older brother of Chris Vowden, who is the guitarist in the Swedish metal band “Corroded”, and that’s how they got together.
Nicolas says: “It feels almost surreal and very special to be a part of “Cirkus Prütz” today, a band that I actually saw play live in Stockholm in May 2022. My brother Chris wanted me to go with him, our third brother Oliver and a close friend to the gig. In the middle of the concert, Chris leaned towards me and said: “Damn, this is exactly the kind of band you should sing in. This type of music suits you like a glove.” He just captured my own thoughts at the same time. It makes it all both very funny and quite ironic that now, four years later, I actually get to sing in “Cirkus Prütz” — a band that I already thought that night was so damn good and that felt completely right for me.”
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 