Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

LEAVES’ EYES Celebrate Release of New EP “Song Of Darkness” on Tour in Europe & UK

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 8, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: LEAVES’ EYES. Leave a comment

While symphonic Viking metal pioneers LEAVES’ EYES just kicked off their European and UK tour, today the band are celebrating the release of their brand new EP Song Of Darkness, that is out now on Reigning Phoenix Music!

Serving as a powerful foretaste of the band’s upcoming studio album, the critically-acclaimed four-track release once again showcases the signature sound that has defined LEAVES’ EYES for more than two decades: sweeping orchestral arrangements, Nordic mythological storytelling and the striking vocal interplay between the soaring soprano of Elina Siirala and the unmistakable growls of band founder Alexander Krull. Combining cinematic symphonic metal grandeur with Viking metal intensity, Song Of Darkness expands the band’s epic sonic universe while continuing their tradition of blending melody, heaviness and atmosphere.

Recorded at Mastersound Studio under the production of Alexander Krull, the EP captures LEAVES’ EYES at a moment of artistic strength, balancing sweeping symphonic arrangements with an earthy, human pulse. Lyrically, Song Of Darkness travels along the shifting borders between myth, magic, and history. The title track itself draws inspiration from the medieval Icelandic saga of Gisli the Outlaw, leading listeners into a world of murder, intrigue, guilt-ridden dreams, and the hope for redemption.

Each track on the Song Of Darkness EP unfolds like a chapter in a saga, cinematic in scale yet personal in emotion. Elina Siirala’s commanding performance brings the stories to life, illuminating the storm of sound around her, while Krull’s growls ground the music with raw force. Towering choirs and strings rise beside crushing riffs, with folk-inspired melodies weaving through the dark. From the orchestral grandeur of its opening moments to the final echo of its closing refrain, the EP builds an atmosphere defined by tension, release, and the timeless pull of legend.

With its mix of mythic storytelling, emotional depth, and powerful symphonic metal, Song Of Darkness showcases LEAVES’ EYES at full strength. The EP is now available via Reigning Phoenix Music, and in support, the band has just embarked on a series of European and UK dates with special guests Catalyst Crime, and many more shows in 2026 to follow. Find all current and upcoming dates listed below!

Order Song Of Darkness now at this location: https://leaveseyes.rpm.link/sodPR

EP Track Listing:

Song Of Darkness
Hall Of The Brave
Until The Last Day
Roots Eternal

LEAVES’ EYES Live, remaining shows:
08.03.2026 (DE) Karlsruhe, Die Stadtmitte
12.03.2026 (BE) Kortrijk, DVG Club
13.03.2026 (NL) Enschede, Metropool
14.03.2026 (UK) Milton Keynes, The Craufurd Arms
15.03.2026 (UK) London, The Underworld

Tickets: https://www.leaveseyes.de/tour/

About LEAVES’ EYES

For more than two decades, LEAVES’ EYES have forged their own path through the realms of symphonic and Viking metal, uniting mythic storytelling with boundless musical imagination. Founded in 2003 by vocalist and producer Alexander Krull, the band stands as a meeting point between power and poetry. With Finnish soprano Elina Siirala fronting the band since 2016, their sound has evolved into a breathtaking blend of classical precision and visceral energy. Joined by Florian Ewert and Luc Gebhardt on guitars, bassist Dominik Prykiel and drummer Simon Skrlec, LEAVES’ EYES create immersive worlds that bridge ancient history and modern emotion.

Beyond the studio, LEAVES’ EYES remain a band of storytellers who understand that myth lives not only in words, but also in image and experience. Their acclaimed music videos and live productions transport audiences into the heart of their narratives, complete with authentic Viking-era props, handcrafted costumes, and cinematic backdrops. Through their close collaboration with re-enactment groups, the band bridges artistic creation and cultural heritage, keeping history alive in sound and spectacle.

As they step into their third decade, LEAVES’ EYES stand as one of symphonic metal’s most visionary forces. The release of “Song Of Darkness” sets the tone for the next full-length chapter to follow, reaffirming their dedication to musical storytelling that transcends time and trend. It is both a reflection of their journey so far and a signal of what lies ahead: music that burns with purpose, steeped in legend yet alive with modern fire!

LEAVES’ EYES are:
Elina Siirala – Vocals
Alexander Krull – Vocals
Florian Ewert – Guitar
Luc Gebhardt – Guitar
Dominik Prykiel – Bass
Simon Skrlec – Drums

More on LEAVES’ EYES:
Website | https://www.leaveseyes.de
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/leaveseyesofficial/
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/leaveseyesofficial/?hl=en
X | https://x.com/Leaves_Eyes
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@leaveseyes_official
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/user/LeavesEyesOfficial

FROM ASHES REBORN’s New Album “Chasing Utopia” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 8, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: FROM ASHES REBORN. Leave a comment

Photo by From Ashes Reborn — Logo: Oched Artworks

The time has finally come: at the beginning of December last year, after a long hiatus, they announced their return, which was celebrated with the release of their first single, “Chasing Utopia”.

Now, FROM ASHES REBORN are entering the race with their second LP, “Chasing Utopia”, released independently on March 6th !

Between hope and doom, between salvation and deception – “Chasing Utopia” tells of a world that has lost itself. A world in which meaning has become a commodity – and truth a tool of those who know how to sell it …

FFO: Ceremonial Oath, Gates Of Ishtar, Sacramentum

⫸ Order 🛒
⫸ Streaming
⫸ Bandcamp

TRACKS
01. Colossal March 01:10
02. Soulless Legions 03:35
📺 03. In Truth Divided 04:11
04. Summoning The Shadows 05:38
📺 05. Chasing Utopia 05:41
06. Through Darkest Fires 05:18
📺 07. Wraiths Of Memories 06:36
08. One With My Demons 04:59
09. Interlude 00:49
10. Venomous Crown 05:24
11. Too Blind To Speak 06:59
12. Beyond Infinity 05:30
13. Echo Chambers 06:29

total: 01:02:19 min.

FROM ASHES REBORN themselves say about their new work:

“With this album, we challenged ourselves further than ever before—not only in terms of songwriting, but also in terms of production.
For the first time, we recorded, produced, and mixed the entire album ourselves, giving us complete creative control over every detail.
The result is a more mature, atmospheric, and cohesive sound that reflects our evolution as a studio-oriented project.
Musically, the album remains rooted in the Melodic Death Metal tradition we grew up with, but expands its emotional depth and dynamic range.
Thematically, ‘Chasing Utopia’ deals with shared truths, the search for meaning, and the tension between idealism and reality.

This album represents who we are in 2026:
focused, independent, and determined to create honest, melody-oriented extreme metal without compromise.”

LINE-UP
Ronny • Vocals
Dirk • Lead & solo guitar
Sebastian • Rhythm guitar & backing vocals
Thomas • Drums

With their brilliant debut album, FROM ASHES REBORN confidently counted themselves among the most promising new MELODIC DEATH METAL bands from Germany.
Founded in 2017, the talented musicians from Wittlich presented a stunning first work … [ … learn more here » ]

More information: Facebook

RIKET Unleash New Music Video for ‘1948: Att döda ett barn’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 8, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: RIKET. Leave a comment

Sweden’s relentless death metal unit RIKET has released a gripping new music video for “1948: Att döda ett barn”, taken from their forthcoming debut full-length album “2026”, set for release on April 10 via Black Lion Records.

Continuing their uncompromising exploration of Sweden’s darker historical chapters, RIKET once again transform collective memory into crushing death metal. With “1948: Att döda ett barn”, the band dives into a haunting cultural moment that left a deep scar on Swedish society.

The band shares insight into the meaning behind the track: “In 1948, Sweden faced a quiet crisis. Cars were getting faster. Speed limits didn’t exist. And traffic deaths were rising. So the National Society for Road Safety (NTF) made a radical choice: instead of advocating more rules, they turned to fear. They hired one of the darkest writers of the time, Stig Dagerman, and asked him to write a story that would make people slow down. What he delivered was ‘Att döda ett barn (To Kill a Child)’.

A short, devastating tale where a speeding car ends a child’s life. Cold. Inevitable. Unforgettable. The story was printed in a newpaper and later also broadcast as a short story on on national radio. The day after broadcast, many Swedes left their cars at home. Its impact was so strong it bordered on collective trauma. With ‘1948 – Att döda ett barn’, we revisit the story first published in 1948 and the short film that was made in 1953. This is our tribute to the power of storytelling and the effects it can have on the collective memory.“

Tracklist:
01. 1868: Sommar vid Vinterviken
02. 1867: Storsvagåret
03. 1965: Höghus och kultur
04. 1948: Att döda ett barn
05. 1885: Dödsdansen (i månskensnatten)
06. 1897: Mot polen
07. 1991: 2000 år (Saliga äro de tålmodiga)
08. 1937: Lågor vid portarna
09. 2009: Alla ska i jorden (Stefan Sundström cover)

With “2026”, RIKET present nine relentless tracks, each one rooted in catastrophe, blunder and human downfall. The album stands as a fierce exploration of historical undercurrents, delivered with unfiltered aggression and unwavering conviction.

“2026” was recorded and produced by Sverker Widgren at Wing Studios. Haunting artwork crafted by Axel Torvenius. The album drops on April 10 via Black Lion Records and is available for pre-order here: Physical | Digital

RIKET are:
Johan “Flid” Fridell – vocals
Tobias Jakobsson – guitars
Jussi Niiranen – guitars
Micke André – bass and backing vocals
Felix Wahlund – drums

For more info visit:
https://www.facebook.com/riket.official
https://www.instagram.com/riket.official/
https://www.facebook.com/blacklionrecordsswe
https://www.instagram.com/blacklionrecordsswe

UKĆ’s New Studio Album “Anomalie (Upadek Konającego Ćwierćwiecza)” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 8, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: UKĆ. Leave a comment

UKĆ is the original project of Łukasz “Icanraz” Sarnacki, known for his work with Corruption, Devilish Impressions, Virgin Snatch, Hermh, and Christ Agony.
Due to his one-man nature, Łukasz and his music were never meant to leave the confines of a recording studio. Immediately after the album’s release, the first proposals to bring the music to the stage arose, resulting in the completion of a live lineup. The band has performed both in Poland and abroad, and these performances are imbued with a powerful emotional charge woven from the most genuine feelings. UKĆ is metal that isn’t shy about its vulnerability.

After almost three years since the debut album, the time has come for a new release.

All the instruments and vocals for the new album, titled “Anomalie (Upadek Konającego Ćwierćwiecza)“, were recorded by Łukasz “Icanraz” Sarnacki at Hertz Studio in collaboration with Karol Andres (Quo Vadis, Supreme Void). The duo of Łukasz Sarnacki and Wojtek Wiesławski handled the mixes, while Wojtek Wiesławski, who has previously worked with bands such as Behemoth, Decapitated, and Vader, provided the final mastering. The cover art was created by Rafal Kubisiak. The album is released today on March 6, 2026, in digital format and on CD by Via Nocturna (order). The photoshoot was conducted by Magdalena Zagóra.

TRACKLIST:

1. Upadek Konającego Ćwierćwiecza
2. Anomalie
3. Nieobecność
4. Ślepe Uszy
5. Mętne Słońce
6. Czyściec
7. Odmęty
8. W Ciszy

More information: Facebook | Bandcamp | Website

JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR Teams Up with ORIANTHI on Powerful New Single + Video ‘What Good Is My Love?’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 8, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Joanne Shaw Taylor, Orianthi. Leave a comment

Photo credit: John Scott

British blues-rock artist Joanne Shaw Taylor returns today with a stirring new single, “What Good Is My Love?,” featuring acclaimed Australian guitarist and singer-songwriter Orianthi. Out now via Journeyman Records, the emotionally charged track pairs two of modern blues rock’s most formidable guitarists for a dynamic and deeply personal collaboration.

Driven by a slow-burning groove and soaring guitar interplay, “What Good Is My Love?” explores the painful uncertainty that comes when love is no longer reciprocated. Joanne’s soulful vocals, while Orianthi’s stunning guitar solo, carries the weight of the song’s central question, capturing the vulnerability of realizing that even the deepest devotion may not always be enough.

“We’ve probably all been in the position at some point in life when the love we had and give isn’t returned,” Joanne shares. “Whether it’s unrequited or simply fades. I wanted to write a song for those of us who have had to question, “What good is my love if it’s not enough?”

The track unfolds with a simmering intensity before erupting into electrifying guitar exchanges between Joanne and Orianthi, whose fiery playing adds another dimension to the song’s emotional arc. The pairing of their distinct styles creates a striking musical dialogue, blending raw blues grit with soaring melodic leads. Together, they deliver a performance that balances heartbreak with defiant strength, turning personal reflection into an anthemic moment of catharsis.

“What Good Is My Love?” arrives as the latest preview of Joanne’s forthcoming studio album, due out later this year. The single follows the recent release of “Hell Or High Water,” a blues gospel anthem about perseverance and inner struggle, gaining momentum across streaming platforms and radio.

The upcoming album builds on the momentum of Joanne’s critically acclaimed Black & Gold, which drew widespread praise upon its release. Classic Rock Magazine awarded the album a 9/10 rating, while Powerplay Magazine highlighted its “pop appeal and smoothness.” Guitarist Magazine noted that it “reinforces Joanne’s place in the firmament of today’s brightest stars,” and American Blues Scene called it “a deeply personal experience, showcasing the depth of Joanne’s artistry.” Together with the Black & Gold (Deluxe Edition) and a run of acoustic reinterpretations, the album marked a major creative milestone in Joanne’s career.

The new single arrives as Joanne prepares to launch her Spring 2026 U.S. headline tour, bringing her electrifying live show to audiences across the Midwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Florida. The run begins March 18th in Skokie, IL and includes stops in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Florida, culminating with a sold-out appearance at Sound Wave Beach Weekend in Miramar Beach. Known for her commanding stage presence, fiery guitar work, and emotionally immersive performances, Joanne continues to captivate audiences with a set that blends new material with fan favourites from across her catalogue. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.joanneshawtaylor.com/tour.

2026 Spring U.S. Tour

March 18 – Skokie, IL – North Shore Center for the Performing Arts
March 20 – Kent, OH – The Kent Stage
March 21 – Pittsford, NY – Beston Hall
March 22 – Homer, NY – Center for the Arts of Homer
March 24 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel
March 25 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater
March 27 – State College, PA – The State Theatre
March 28 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head On Stage
March 29 – Oakmont, PA – The Oaks Theater
March 31 – Hobart, IN – The Hobart Art Theater
April 2 – Franklin, TN – The Franklin Theatre
April 3 – Greenville, SC – Peace Center
April 4 – Cornelius, NC – Cain Center for the Arts
April 7 – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live
April 9 – West Palm Beach, FL – Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
April 10 – Ponte Vedra, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
April 10-12 – Miramar Beach, FL – Sound Wave Beach Weekend +
+Sold Out

Europe Summer Dates

May 23 Peer, BE Deusterstraat 78
May 24 Schoppingen, DE Schoppingen Blues Festival
May 25 Raalte, NL Ribs & Blues Festival
May 27 Hanover, DE Pavillon
May 28 Nuremberg, DE Lowensaal
May 29 Eindhoven, NL Muziekgebouw Eindhoven

XORSIST Release Second New Track + Video ‘Faceless’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 8, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: XORSIST. Leave a comment

With Aberrations set to land on 24th April through Hammerheart Records, Xorsist are turning up the heat ahead of album three. The band have unveiled ‘Faceless’, the second single from the record, alongside a brand new official music video which is streaming now via the link below.

Pre-order Aberrations here: https://xorsistband.lnk.to/aberrations

Xorsist comment on the track: “Our new single throws you straight into a dual-vocal death metal rampage unlike anything we’ve released before. The track arrives alongside a video worthy of nothing less than the pure carnage of ‘Faceless’. Fast, relentless, and crushingly heavy this shows exactly what you can expect from us. And there’s more where that came from.“

Hailing from the hallowed city that birthed classic death metal acts such as Entombed, Dismember and Unleashed, Stockholm, Sweden’s Xorsist stand firm as torchbearers of the city’s enduring death metal legacy. Since their formation, the band have forged a sound deeply rooted in the raw, uncompromising tradition of old school Swedish death metal while steadily sharpening their own identity within the genre.

Following their self-released debut album Deadly Possession in 2022 and their second full-length At the Somber Steps of Serenity in 2023, Xorsist built a formidable track record that earned them a growing reputation within the Swedish underground and beyond. Founded by Gustav Ryderfelt (vocals and guitar) and later solidified with Birk Castenmalm (vocals and bass) and Alphonse Bouquelon (drums), the band’s core sound balances deep reverence for tradition with a focused drive toward progression.

Now signed to Hammerheart Records, Xorsist prepare to unleash their third album called Aberrations, slated for release in April 2026. While their earlier recordings honored the path that defined the classic Stockholm sound, Aberrations marks a decisive step forward, eclipsing everything that came before it and presenting a clearer, more defined expression of the band’s musical vision. With this new chapter, Xorsist continue to carry the Swedish death metal torch into darker territory!

Track-list:
1. Rest Impending
2. Souls to Mourn
3. Draped in Sorrow’s Cloth…
4. An Elegy Unfolds
5. Of Where I Reside
6. Faceless
7. His Shrouded Gaze
8. …And Aged in Embers
9. Disbelief
10. Memorial Cries

Line up:
Gustav Ryderfelt – Rhythm guitar & lead vocals
Birk Castenmalm – Bass & lead vocals
Pavel Lindegren – Lead guitar & backing vocals
Alphonse Bouquelon – Drums

Follow Xorsist
https://www.facebook.com/Xorsistofficial-61555857207968/
https://www.instagram.com/Xorsistofficial