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LIGHTNING STRIKES Release “The King Is Victorious” on Vinyl Exclusively Through eBay

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: LIGHTNING STRIKES. Leave a comment

Los Angeles–based heavy metal outfit Lightning Strikes have announced an exclusive vinyl release of their acclaimed full-length album The King Is Victorious, released on May 23rd exclusively through eBay.

Due to strong global CD demand, the vinyl pressing will give fans a new way to experience the band’s powerful return, and will be accompanied by an official lyric video for “Voices in My Head,” premiering alongside the release.

Beginning May 23rd, the band’s original 1986 single, featuring “Lottery Tickets” and “Lightning Strikes,” will become available worldwide across all major streaming and digital download platforms. A companion video for “Lottery Tickets” will premiere on YouTube in celebration of the historic release.

The original 1986 recording features:
Karpis Maksudian – Drums
Harout Khatchoyan – Vocals
Levon Zeytounzian – Lead Guitar
Cat Tate – Bass
John Harjo – Keyboards (Guest Musician)

In addition, the 2016 self-titled debut album, Lightning Strikes, will be released worldwide on all major digital platforms for streaming and purchase.

Featuring:
Karpis Maksudian – Drums
Rob Math – Lead Guitar
Cat Tate – Bass
Nando Fernandes – Vocals
Derek Sherinian – Keyboards (Guest Musician)

Tracklisting:

1. Fear Of Unknown
2. Voices In My Head
3. Clash Of Battalions
4. The King Is Victorious
5. Aim And Shoot
6. Lucid Dreams
7. New Beginning
8. Masquerade Suite (Instrumental)

Karpis Maksudian shares:

They said heavy metal was just noise. They said the wait was too long. They said the fire fades with time. They were wrong.

This album isn’t just music — it’s years of pressure, pain, growth, and hunger forged into sound. Every riff hits harder. Every drum feels like thunder. Every scream carries everything I’ve been holding back.

This is the heavy metal you’ve been waiting for. Superstar-level heaters. No fillers. No limits. Just raw power. I didn’t come back quietly. I came back louder. Stronger. Hungrier. When this drops, it’s not just an album release — it’s a takeover.

Turn your speakers up. Tell the world heavy metal is alive. And get ready… because once this is out, there’s no turning back. And I also as a producer want to take this moment to speak from the heart.

From the bottom of my soul, thank you to every single person who was part of this powerful journey. This album was built on passion, fire, and brotherhood — and I’m beyond grateful to the warriors who stepped into the storm with me.

A special, thunderous thank you to the legends who played on the title track “The King Is Victorious” without hesitation, without conditions — just pure love for the music and the metal spirit:

Rowan Robertson, Mark Zavon, Craig Goldy, Norifumi Shima, Takehiko “Shake” Kogure, Dario Mollo, Mariano Gardella, Rob Math, Barry Sparks, Derek Sherinian, Michael T. Ross and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. 

Your talent, your energy, your riffs, your solos, your power — you helped turn this song into a battlefield anthem. This wasn’t just collaboration… this was unity. This was heavy metal brotherhood at its finest.

The King is Victorious because of all of you. Let the world hear it.

With The King Is Victorious, Lightning Strikes build upon their legacy with a refined, aggressive, and globally influenced heavy metal sound that honors the band’s roots while pushing forward with renewed intensity.

A Japanese edition of The King Is Victorious released via Rubicon Music, featuring a bonus track exclusive to that territory.

The King Is Victorious is available worldwide: SPOTIFY

Physical CD’s can be purchased in America at the following locations: Walmart – Amazon

The Japanese version of the CD with bonus track is at the following locations: Disk Union – CD Japan – HMV – Tower Records

WATCH the video for “Voices in my Head”:

WATCH the video for “Lottery Tickets”:

Originally formed in 1984, Lightning Strikes made history as the first heavy metal band with an all Armenian-American lineup, predating the emergence of System Of A Down by more than a decade. After disbanding, Maksudian revived the Lightning Strikes name more than 25 years later, assembling a new lineup to record the band’s self-titled debut album in 2016.

That release featured Brazilian vocalist Nando Fernandes (Sinistra, Hangar), drummer Rob Math, Derek Sherinian, and legendary former Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin, who sang on and penned lyrics for standout tracks “Death Valley” and “301 AD (Sins Of Our Fathers).” Mixed by renowned producer Roy Z, the album was met with strong critical acclaim and peaked at #6 on Japan’s Burrn! Magazine import charts.

For More Information Please Visit: Facebook – YouTube

ALBERT BOUCHARD to Release Second Interactive Graphic Novel “Imaginos II”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: ALBERT BOUCHARD. Leave a comment

Albert Bouchard is best known as a founding member of Blue Öyster Cult. The original lineup sold millions of albums for Columbia Records, with such classic songs as “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” and the number one hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart “Burning for You.” Bouchard contributed to songwriting and lead vocals on some of its greatest songs, such as “Cites on Flame With Rock and Roll.”

Albert Bouchard completed the first Imaginos trilogy and has shepherded the concept of Imaginos through its many incarnations over the years, translating Sandy Pearlman’s feverish visions into sonic resonance and into print form with the release of the Imaginos I graphic novel. Now, he is back with the release of Imaginos II, an immersive interactive graphic novel experience that brings the legend to life like never before. The Imaginos II graphic novel recounts the second third of the Imaginos story as it weaves through the 14 songs from Albert Bouchard’s Imaginos II Bombs Over Germany album. This interactive graphic novel connects you to all 14 songs along with never-before-seen videos and includes a download card for the digital version, so you can immerse yourself in this interactive experience on your computer, phone, or tablet.

Watch the full video for “Three Sisters” featuring Buck Dharma here:

As Bouchard states, “These graphic novels expand on the saga of Imaginos, which is itself an extremely expandable story. The videos expand upon both the comic and the songs, making this the most complete version of the Imaginos story to date.”  The song Three Sisters was written during the Fire of Unknown Origin album sessions and was slated for release on a subsequent BOC release. When I approached Buck to contribute to the track, he told me he was delighted because he always loved the song.”

All the Imaginos albums are available now and feature reworks of classic Blue Öyster Cult tracks like “Astronomy,” “E.T.I.,” “Godzilla,” “Cites on Flame With Rock and Roll,” and many more. Order your copy of ReImaginos, Imaginos II – Bombs Over Germany, and Imaginos III – Mutant Reformation and stay tuned for Imaginos IV coming soon.

Order here: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/albertbouchard

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:
http://www.albertbouchard.net
http://www.dekoentertainment.com

DODGY to Release New Single ‘Summer Forever’ on 29th May

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: DODGY. Leave a comment

DODGY release new single “Summer Forever”, out 29th May, as Chris Evans names it Virgin Radio Record Of The Week. New album “Hello Beautiful” out now on Flip Flop Records. 

●  Brand new single already a fan favourite and made track of the week on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, Virgin Radio UK
●  Martin Carr (The Boo Radleys) include a ‘darker’ remix of Dodgy’s new single
●  Top music entrepreneur – Alan McGee – is now the band’s new manager
●  Free Peace Sweet 30th autumn anniversary shows now available

Britpop icons Dodgy are set to release their next single from the critically acclaimed album “Hello Beautiful”, alongside recently announced dates for their Free Peace Sweet 30th anniversary tour this autumn.

Described by Chris Evans as “a great, great song”, new single “Summer Forever” was played live twice when the band appeared on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio UK.

Chris Evans said: “Okay you just listened to Dodgy. That is a world exclusive – how good is that song? Oh my gosh! Yeah, days gone by were wonderful, they were wondrous, we will never forget them but these are the future good old days – right here, right now. Dodgy, let’s hear it one more time. What a tune!”
Chris then announced: “I can already declare… that is already next week’s record of the week. There you go, that is brand new. We’re going to play that every day at 8.15am.”

“Summer Forever” will be released on Friday 29 May and is already a fan favourite whenever it has been played during the band’s recent “Hello Beautiful” UK tour. For anyone who grew up during the Britpop era, the new song captures the warm, instantly recognisable harmonies that made Dodgy a defining part of the country’s festival scene, wrapped in a haze of melodic nostalgia.

Singer Nigel Clark said: “We have been overjoyed by the reaction from people following the release of the album, and the new songs have fitted in so perfectly within our family of songs. “Summer Forever” has already gone and taken on a magic of its own.”
“I wrote “Summer Forever” reminiscing about those endless summers when I was a kid, a time filled with optimism and a sense of invincibility. Everyone looks back on happier, safer, warmer times, and that’s completely understandable but we can’t live in the past or wish those days back. We have to keep looking forward. As we say towards the end of the song – ‘Let the Future Shine.’”

In addition to the release of “Summer Forever”, the band will also be including the release of a special remix from Martin Carr (ex- Boo Radleys) that is entitled “What Future?”.

Drummer Mathew Priest said: “We’ve always loved Martin’s work with the Boo Radleys, especially the sonic explorations in Lazarus and the Giant Steps album. We share a publisher and they suggested the remix so we jumped at the chance to see what Martin would do.
“I love how he has offered an alternative idea of perhaps a darker, more pessimistic view. His remix is a half empty glass to the original song which is half full, and we love how he’s come at it from that angle, as it’s totally valid”

Dodgy have enjoyed a spectacular beginning to 2026 following the success of recent singles “It’s Not The End” and comeback track “Hello Beautiful”, which earned the band their first Top 40 chart appearance in more than a decade. The band have also recently welcomed legendary music entrepreneur Alan McGee, the founder of Creation Records and the man who famously signed Oasis, as their new manager.

When asked about the new album, Alan said: “I’ve always loved Nigel Clark’s song writing. It’s exciting to be working alongside the band as they enter a new chapter with “Hello Beautiful”, with these new songs we’re looking forward to seeing Dodgy make a comeback.”

Free Peace Sweet turns 30
Later in 2026, Dodgy will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of their classic album Free Peace Sweet with a series of very special shows featuring special guests The Icicle Works.

Originally released in 1996, Free Peace Sweet delivered some of the band’s biggest songs and remains one of the defining British guitar albums of the era, featuring hits including “Good Enough”, “In A Room”, “If You’re Thinking Of Me” and “Found You”. The anniversary shows promise a full celebration of the album alongside fan favourites from across the catalogue.

FREE PEACE SWEET // 30TH ANNIVERSARY SHOWS
London: Saturday 26 September, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Bristol: Thursday 1 October, O2 Academy
Birmingham: Friday 2 October, O2 Institute
Manchester: Saturday 3 October, O2 Ritz
Liverpool: Friday 9 October, O2 Academy

Tickets for all live shows and for more album info head to: www.dodgyology.com

Still writing their story
Formed in the late 1980s, Dodgy went on to become one of the defining bands of the 90s British guitar boom, releasing five albums, selling more than two million records and landing 12 UK Top 40 singles. Their enduring hit “Good Enough” remains one of the most played songs on British radio of the last three decades.

Still fronted by original members Nigel Clark, Mathew Priest and Andy Miller, the band continue to evolve while retaining the optimism and melodic instinct that first connected them with audiences more than thirty years ago.

With new music arriving, a major UK tour confirmed and anniversary celebrations on the horizon, Dodgy head into 2026 busier – and sounding stronger – than they have in years.

https://artists.landr.com/DodgyINTE
https://www.facebook.com/dodgyuk
https://linktr.ee/dodgyology
https://dodgyology.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dodgyband
https://x.com/dodgyuk

AVATAR Announce “Don’t Go In The Forest” Tour Throughout Europe in Autumn 2026

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Avatar. Leave a comment
(photo credit: Johan Càrlen)

Following a monumental summer that sees AVATAR supporting Metallica on their global juggernaut and lighting up some of Europe’s most iconic festival stages before heading Down Under to Australia, the Swedish theatrical metal titans are ready to end the year on their own terms. AVATAR are thrilled to announce a headline tour across Europe this late Autumn 2026.
 
Lead singer Johannes Eckerström says, “A Europe in November. A Europe in December. Cold, wet and dark. We all know what it’s like, and we know exactly what you’ll need. The first European leg made us feel very lucky to be doing this. This time around, we will do everything within our power to make you feel lucky to participate. We live by but one ethos: Better than ever. I really want to see you, and you really don’t want to miss this.”
 
The tour kicks off on 20th November in Wolverhampton, UK and runs through until 19 December in Wrocław, Poland. The Danish death metal band Neckbreakker will be support on all dates. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, May 26 at 10am local time from here: https://avatarmetal.com

AVATAR – ‘DON’T FO IN THE FOREST’ 2026

20.11.26 – (UK) Wolverhampton, KK’s Steelmill
21.11.26 – (UK) Southampton, O2 Guildhall
22.11.26 – (UK) Cardiff, Depot
24.11.26 – (IE) Dublin, National Stadium
25.11.26 – (UK) Belfast, Limelight
27.11.26 – (UK) Norwich, UEA
28.11.26 – (UK) Newcastle, Northumbria Uni
29.11.26 – (UK) Edinburgh, Corn Exchange
01.12.26 – (NL) Amsterdam, Gashouder
03.12.26 – (DE) Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle – Tickets
05.12.26 – (HU) Budapest, Barba Negra Red
06.12.26 – (CZ) Prague, Sasazu
08.12.26 – (AT) Innsbruck, Musichall – Tickets
09.12.26 – (AT) Linz, Posthof – Tickets
10.12.26 – (DE) Ulm, Roxy – Tickets
11.12.26 – (LU) Esch-Sur-Alzette, Rockhal – Tickets
12.12.26 – (CH) Zürich, Komplex – Tickets
13.12.26 – (DE) Frankfurt, Zoom – Tickets
15.12.26 – (IT) Padova, Hall
16.12.26 – (SI) Ljubljana, Cvetlicarna
17.12.26 – (HR) Zagreb, Boogaloo
18.12.26 – (SK) Bratislava, Majestic Music Club
19.12.26 – (PL) Wrocław, A2

Supporting Metallica – Summer 2026

24.05.26 – (DE) Frankfurt, Deutsche Bank Park
11.06.26 – (HU) Budapest, Puskas Arena
19.06.26 – (IE) Dublin, Aviva Stadium
05.07.26 – (UK) London, London Stadium

Additional festival dates – 2026
07.06.26 – (NO) Trondheim, Trondheim Rocks
20.06.26 – (BE) Dessel, Graspop Metal Meeting
26.06.26 – (NO) Oslo, Tons of Rock
02.07.26 – (DE) Ballenstedt, Rockharz Festival
03.07.26 – (AT) Donauinsel, Donauinselfest
08.08.26 – (PL) Gdańsk, Rockowizna Festival
15.08.26 – (DE) Sullingen, Reload Festival
22.08.26 – (SE) Göteborg, Göteborg Brinner

AVATAR are:
Johannes Eckerström — Vocalist
Jonas Jarlsby — Guitarist
Tim Öhrström — Guitarist
 Henrik Sandelin — Bassist 
John Alfredsson — Drummer

AVATAR online:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

EMBRACE OF SOULS Release New Concept Album “Battle of the Dead” with Visualizer for ‘Eversun’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: EMBRACE OF SOULS. Leave a comment

Embrace Of Souls proudly unveil “The Battle Of The Dead“, the band’s new full-length album and most ambitious work to date, together with the release of the new focus track “Eversun,” further supported by a brand new Official Visualizer. Following the momentum generated by the previously released singles “Desolate Lands” and the album’s title track “The Battle Of The Dead”, the Italian power metal force pushes its artistic vision even further, delivering a record where epic storytelling, symphonic grandeur, and classic European power metal converge into a cohesive and emotionally charged listening experience.

Conceived as an 11-track fantasy concept, “The Battle Of The Dead” unfolds across a medieval world fractured into rival kingdoms where a mysterious plague begins corrupting human souls and slowly drags the continent toward an inevitable war between the living and the dead. Rather than unveiling every detail of the storyline, the band deliberately preserves the narrative’s mystery, inviting listeners to discover its deeper meaning through the interplay between music and lyrics. Themes of power, betrayal, sacrifice, and hope permeate the album, shaping a journey designed to be experienced in its entirety.

Musically, “The Battle Of The Dead” marks a decisive step forward for Embrace Of Souls. Firmly rooted in the legacy of ‘80s and ‘90s heavy and power metal while embracing the epic and symphonic scope of early-2000s European metal, the album delivers a sound that is both commanding and emotionally resonant. Driving guitar work, relentless double-kick rhythms, layered keyboards, and expansive choral arrangements form the backbone of the record, while the dynamic interplay between Giacomo Rossi’s powerful lead vocals and Martina Mazzeo’s operatic performances elevates the material with additional depth, contrast, and theatrical intensity.

Among the album’s standout moments is “Eversun”, the new focus track released alongside the album. Perfectly encapsulating the duality that permeates the entire record, the song balances darkness and melody through a powerful blend of energetic power metal, symphonic textures, and emotionally driven vocal arrangements. Defined by its dynamic pacing, triumphant melodic direction, and dramatic atmosphere, “Eversun” highlights the band’s increasingly mature songwriting approach while preserving the epic spirit that has characterized Embrace Of Souls since its inception.

Founded by drummer and composer Michele Olmi, Embrace Of Souls originally emerged as a studio project created to unite talented Italian musicians under a shared passion for classic heavy and power metal. Over time, the project evolved into a fully established live band, steadily refining its artistic identity while sharing the stage with renowned acts such as Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, and Rhapsody of Fire.

The album also features a special guest appearance by Morby (Domine), further strengthening the connection with the most authentic tradition of Italian power metal.

The record showcases a particularly refined production, enhanced by the mix and mastering handled by Alessio Garavello at Rogue Studios in London, bringing out both the album’s powerful rhythmic impact and its rich melodic and symphonic atmosphere.

With “The Battle Of The Dead“, Embrace Of Souls deliver their strongest and most complete statement to date: a record conceived not merely as a collection of songs but as a fully interconnected musical and narrative experience where epic power metal, symphonic atmospheres, and emotionally charged storytelling merge into a world waiting to be discovered.

Also watch previous videos:

Desolate Lands – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TS0sF6CQ2s​
The Battle Of The Dead – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UivMmjBSIY​

“The Battle Of The Dead” was released on May 22nd, 2026, in digital format and digipak CD edition, and will be available to be ordered at the following links:
​
CD DIGIPAK: https://rockshots.eu/products/embrace-of-souls-the-battle-of-the-dead-cd​
​DIGITAL: https://lnk.to/kwCVof​
​
​OFFICIAL MERCH: https://embraceofsoulsband.bigcartel.com/

RELEASE PARTY: MAY 30th, 2026​
Embrace Of Souls will present The Battle Of The Dead live at La Cripta Club (Cusano Milanino, Italy), alongside Derdian, Drakkar and Axe Blade.

Track Listing:​
1. The Battle Of The Dead
2. Eversun
3. The Plague
4. The Gathering
5. Spine
6. Who Can Save Us
7. Betrayal
8. The Dark Lord
9. The War (feat. Morby)
10. Sacrifice
11. Desolate Lands

Line-up:​
Giacomo Rossi – Vocals
Martina Mazzeo – Vocals
Edward De Rosa – Guitars
Xavier Rota – Bass
Davide Baldelli – Keyboards
Michele Olmi – Drums

More info: ​
​​https://www.rockshots.eu​
​https://www.instagram.com/embraceofsouls/​
​https://www.facebook.com/embraceofsoulsofficial/

WALLS OF BABYLON Unleash New Music Video for ‘Once Again’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: WALLS OF BABYLON. Leave a comment

Walls Of Babylon strike again with a brand-new, intense official music video ‘Once Again’, available from May 22, taken from their latest album Aeons Apart, released by Wanikiya Record/Promotion. A dark, cinematic, and deeply emotional visual work that perfectly accompanies the powerful and tormented soul of the album.

The new video tells the story of a wandering immortal forced to face a devastating choice:
save a life and finally discover his own death, or kill in order to continue his eternal journey.

An intense and symbolic narrative that places the conflict between survival and conscience, selfishness and moral principle, at its core. An impossible decision where every choice inevitably leads to irreversible loss.

“When personal interest clashes with a moral principle, we will never be the same again. Either way, we lose a part of ourselves.”

Through evocative imagery, dark atmospheres, and a strong cinematic imprint, the videoclip amplifies the deepest and most conceptual side of the creative universe of the Walls Of Babylon.

“Aeons Apart”: the new chapter of the Walls Of Babylon

With Aeons Apart, the Walls Of Babylon mark a crucial turning point in their career, opening a powerful, mature, and deeply ambitious new chapter in their musical journey.

A full-volume explosion of sound, successfully crafted to leave a lasting mark through a raw and visceral blend that bursts forward with direct and uncompromising sonic impact.

Aeons Apart flows like a continuous electric discharge: a compact work built on solid riffs, heavy grooves, and an energy that pulses through every track. It is an album that hits both those who live for saturated guitars and distortion, and those ready to be overwhelmed by something authentic and fierce.

Every detail has been carefully shaped to amplify the impact of each song: nothing is left to chance, and the band showcases a clearly defined artistic identity capable of standing out without relying on artificial tricks.

The nine tracks unleash a warm yet granite-solid sound, dense and immersive, where every instrument scratches and makes itself heard with determination. The style is essential, raw, almost ruthless in its simplicity: few frills, plenty of substance.

The title itself evokes temporal distances, inner fractures, eras separating and colliding. It tells the story of a fragmented humanity suspended between memory, awareness, and loss — between what once was and what can never be again.

In a musical landscape often saturated with releases that all sound the same, Aeons Apart arrives like a high-voltage electric shock: a flash tearing through monotony and proving that there is still room for something authentic, dirty, and damn alive.

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