US Death Metal outfit ARTIFICIAL BRAIN has officially announced its fourth studio album, entitled “Antillia”, which is set for worldwide release on November 13 via Profound Lore Records.
To mark the announcement, the band has unleashed the fierce first track, “Quantum Malignancies”, as the debut single.
Founding member and bassist Samuel Smith comments: “I’m excited to be releasing ‘Quantum Malignancies’ first because I think this song is a good reflection of both the change and continuity in our sound on ‘Antillia’. The track opens with a mess of guttural vocal noise courtesy of Paulo Paguntalan, who has featured on all of our albums, and it contains a characteristically wistful arpeggiated section at its midpoint. Ian’s mix and the contributions of our new members, Mike and Alex, have imbued this material with a new sense of immediacy, though. The frantic energy of this song culminates in dueling guitar solos, which are another key part of this record’s distinct identity.”
Tracklist:
The Wandering Star Prion
Quantum Malignancies
Obsidian Agents
Deciphering the Anachronistic Tongues of the Relic Satellites
Planet Carrion
Against the Furthest Reaches of the Light
Cosmic Death Church
Solar Ark
Antillia (in Chromatic Aberration)
Space and time transform their passengers; all boundaries are permeable. ARTIFICIAL BRAIN wrestles at length with this reality on “Antillia”. It’s nine tales of cosmic woe repeatedly invoking images of invasion and penetration: strange diseases filter down from the sky; pollutants corrupt the water and soil; medical nanobots trigger cancerous plagues; alien subversives undermine terrestrial governments. Again and again, humans are defiled and transformed as they struggle to navigate the sea of stars.
ARTIFICIAL BRAIN itself has been similarly transmuted by their local environment. After a period of operation as a six-person international collective, the band has established a new base of operations in Richmond, Virginia. In doing so, they have absorbed some local contaminants of their own in the form of vocalist Mike Paparo (Inter Arma) and drummer Alex Tomlin (Battlemaster). Rounding out the lineup for the new era of the band are the founding-member core of guitarist Dan Gargiulo and bassist Samuel Smith along with most-recent guitarist Oleg Zalman. Other satellites in the band’s orbit remain familiar, like recurring guest vocalist Paulo Pangutalan (Miasmatic Necrosis) and longtime ally Ian Jacyszyn (Aeviterne), who delivered Antillia’s mix – a marvel of gritty, lived-in detail, as impeccably designed as the bridge of the space freighter Nostromo in Ridley Scott’s Alien.
The core premise of ARTIFICIAL BRAIN’s music remains consistent, too: a grafting of sinuous, futuristic black metal melody onto a dense and imposing death metal skeleton. Antillia brings a new degree of urgency to this distinctive formula. It is their shortest and most aggressive album to date; its blastbeat-laden cacophony is by turns punctuated by riotous solos and shrouded by a nimbus of hazy textures.
Despite its ferocious clamor, Antillia’s primary emotional affect is melancholic, even wistful. A sense of loss and surrender permeates the record, most strikingly articulated by its title track’s ode to a homeworld irretrievably abandoned to the void: “Was it ever real? Was it ever real?” For Artificial Brain, the future has ceased to serve as a repository for optimistic dreams. It is here, now, in all its horror, visiting itself upon our bodies and minds, whether we like it or not.
“Antillia” was recorded/mixed by Ian Jacyszyn (Miasmatic Necrosis, Aeviterne) and mastered by Colin Marston (Krallice, Gorguts. Defeated Sanity etc.). Artwork by Fleshflies.
The album will be out November 13 on Profound Lore Records and is available for pre-order HERE.
ARTIFICIAL BRAIN are:
Mike Paparo – Vocals Dan Gargiulo – Guitars Oleg Zalman – Guitars Samuel Smith – Bass Alex Tomlin – Drums
Following the release of “Decreasing Brightness” in 2024 – an album that should be heralded as one of the genre’s most inspiring underground debuts in recent times – DESTRUCTION OF ORION continued steadfast, with their immutable sophomore album arriving just a year later.
That follow-up album, “States Of Horror”, an immersion into the despair of funeral doom, witnessed the development of the unique DESTRUCTION OF ORION sound whilst continuing an affinity with the tenets of the genre. Originally released in 2025, the album will now be reissued by Aesthetic Death on September 30th, 2026 as a digibook CD edition.
Watch the lyric video of “Melancholy”:
One of the album’s strengths lies in its understanding of the integral elements of funeral doom, something which helps the album flow as a continuous piece and adds to its overall depth and harrowing melancholy. It is an album that feels introspective and contemplative, yet simultaneously crushes with a continual weight of intensity, viewed through a prism of internal despair.
“States Of Horror” explores disturbing themes of mental disorder. A tormented vision, a portrayal of self-hatred, misery, mental anguish and fragmented thoughts.
There are few artists capable of projecting such visceral emotions through music. Each note feels like an outpouring of grief and a catharsis born from suffering. This authenticity is harrowing and stands as the epitome of funeral doom.
Let these tracks take you through a journey of despondency. Where there is no hope. Where the answer is only darkness.
“States Of Horror” can be regarded by fans of the genre as one of the finest funeral doom albums of recent years – a soundtrack for those wishing to explore their own grief and decline.
The album sees multi-instrumentalist Tehina Spasova continue to develop the sound of DESTRUCTION OF ORION, while also hinting at what may be expected from the upcoming third album, “Dimensions Of Chaos”.
“States Of Horror” will be reissued by Aesthetic Death on September 30th, 2026 in digibook CD format.
With their chart-topping debut, TEMIC certainly lived up to the hype, but fans and critics are teeming with anticipation over the first two glimpses at the international prog supergroup’s mighty and magical second album.
“TEMIC are back in full bloom with Ceiba”, Metal Injection declared upon the release of the album’s lead single “Ceased to Be”.
““[…]drips with longing and emotion”, Metal Temple wrote about second single “Broken” in an early 9/10 review of Ceiba.
Today, TEMIC are releasing the third advanced single from Ceiba. While heavy in the wake of loss, “Ashes” opens the album on an uplifting note by finding the strength that resides within the pain.
“Ceiba is a concept album about loss in all its various forms”, TEMIC says. “‘Ashes’ begins the album’s journey shrouded by turmoil and hopelessness. But through that struggle comes the fight for renewal and, ultimately, inner strength”.
The video for “Ashes” was directed and edited by Cesar Mendiburu. It was filmed during TEMIC’s 2026 performance aboard Cruise to the Edge.
Additional video credits Producer – Mountain Head Media Directors of Photography – Linda Alcocer & Dreyken Hinojosa
Hear TEMIC perform “Ashes” and other new songs from Ceibaon their fall headline tour with very special guests and Season of Mist labelmates Kingcrow. TEMIC recently announced five new dates, which will bring the band to Finland and England for the very first time.
TEMIC Autumnal Offerings 2026 European Tour with very special guests Kingcrow
October 15 – Milan, IT @ Slaughter Club [NEW DATE] [TICKETS] October 17 – Toulouse, FR @ Ready For Prog Festival [TICKETS] October 18 – Pratteln, CH @ Z7 [TICKETS] October 19 – Munich, DE @ Backstage [TICKETS] October 20 – Maastricht, NL @ Muziekgieterij [TICKETS] October 21 – Paris, FR @ Backstage By The Mill [TICKETS] October 22 – Rüsselsheim, DE @ Das Rind [TICKETS] October 24 – Toruń, PL @ Art Rock Festival [TICKETS] October 26 – Helsinki, FI @ On The Rocks* [NEW DATE] [TICKETS] October 27 – Tampere, FI @ Olympia*[NEW DATE] [TICKETS] October 29 – Manchester, UK @ Club Academy^[NEW DATE] [TICKETS] October 30 – Hull, UK @ The Welly 2^[NEW DATE] [TICKETS] November 1 – London, UK @ 229^[NEW DATE] [TICKETS] *with support from Joviac ^with support from In Search of Sun
Before they joined forces in 2023, TEMIC had already established themselves as premier players of progressive metal and rock. The group features current and former members of Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, Neal Morse Band, Haken, Shining, Maraton and Big City. Ceiba blossoms with technical flourishes, beginning with two blazing solos on its opening song, “Ashes”, but their new album is grounded in raw emotions. In Mayan culture, the titular tree is considered sacred for its connection between the earth, heaven and the underworld.
“We love how the image of the Ceiba connects to the album’s overarching theme of loss”, TEMIC keyboardist and sound designer Diego Tejeida says.
“Ashes” opens Ceiba like a crack of lightning. Drummer Simen Sandnes and guitarist Eric Gillette rain down thunderous riffs and earthshaking double bass drum. But while the song stands amongst the heaviest on the album, its strength comes from within. By digging deep, vocalist Fredrik Klemp punches into the rousing chorus. “Though I’m broken, my will still remains”. Never ones to be denied, Tejeida and bassist Miguel Pereira break through the dark clouds as if pulling back a veil.
Long before they appeared like a dream come true to prog fans around the world in 2023, already, the members of TEMIC had made a real name for themselves. The international supergroup features current and former members of Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, Neal Morse Band, Haken, Shining and Maraton. Having topped charts in the Netherlands and reaching #15 on the iTunes Worldwide Metal chart, their full-length debut certainly lived up to the hype. But they’ve grown by leaps and bounds on Ceiba, their mighty and magical second album.
“Ceiba is a concept album about loss in all its various forms”, TEMIC says. “While more progressive than our first album, the songs are driven by honesty and emotions. They deal with pain, anger, fear, blame and silence, which are all difficult in their own way but a part of the process to renewing our inner strength”.
The concept behind TEMIC started in 2017, when keyboardist Diego Tejeida and guitarist Eric Gillette were both touring members of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress. After proving to be a quick fit on stage, the two decided to start their own band together. “We wanted to make music that prided itself on emotion, not just because it’s technically difficult to play”, Tejeida says. As for what the band would sound like, combining their love for heavy riffs, heavenly pop hooks and high-energy electronic music into a hard-hitting prog-metal hybrid wasn’t so simple. But after recruiting former soccer prodigy-turned-Zildjian-endorsed drummer Simen Sandnes to go along with Norwegian Idol contestant and powerhouse vocalist Fredrik Klemp, TEMIC put all the pieces together on their very first try.
“[…] a fresh and powerful take on contemporary progressive metal”, Sonic Perspectives wrote in a 8.5/10 review of Terror Management Theory.
ProgRadio agreed. “[…] a band that has the potential to innovate and redefine the boundaries of progressive rock and metal”.
“TEMIC manages to craft a distinct narrative, with the echoes of their musical roots subtly woven into each track”, wrote The Prog Report, who named Terror Management Theory one of the best albums of 2023.
Now, after a co-headline tour of Europe with Rendezvous Point and a splashy appearance aboard Cruise to the Edge, TEMIC are back in full bloom with Ceiba.
Much like Terror Management Theory, the supergroup’s widely-anticipated follow-up centers on mortality. In Mayan culture, the titular tree is considered sacred for its connection to the earth, heaven and the underworld. “We love how the image of the Ceiba connects to the overarching theme of loss”, Tejeida explains. As depicted by the album’s lush cover art, it opens like a crack of lightning. Heavy with loss and without any foreseeable hope on the horizon, “Ashes” rains down one thunderous riff after another, only for the dark clouds to lift like a veil amidst its rousing chorus.
“Though I’m broken, my will still remains”. While digging deep, Klemp never fails to hit the high notes. “Finding strength that resides within the pain”.
Like a root, loss possesses a deep hold over Ceiba. “I have experienced lots of personal losses, along with everyone else”, Tejeida says. “Though we don’t often talk about them with each other, loss is so universal that it will always be a natural part of our lives, like a tree”. Whether it’s the loss of a friendship, a romantic relationship, a loved one or your sense of self, so too does the album take many different forms. “Casting Stone” turns a hopeful relationship contentious with a fiery volley between djent, hard rock and electronics. Meanwhile, fragile ballad “Broken” mourns the end of a codependent relationship while accompanied by little more than ghostly synths.
“Prog can be too concerned with being clever, but ‘Broken’ is just an honest song”, Tejeida says. “The song pretty much has stayed the same since we wrote it: raw and to the point”.
No matter how deep Ceiba digs into philosophical terrain, TEMIC continue to branch out in all directions both literally and figuratively. The album treats loss not as an end but as one more step along life’s path. “Your soul will never die”, assures lead single “Ceased To Be”, which crosses between prog’s technical sorcery and pop’s divine melodies with relative ease thanks to shrewd guidance from the group’s newest member and bassist Miguel Pereira (Withem, Big City). Supported by swaying leads, towering cleans and firm groove, 10-minute closer “As Long As We Last” promises to stay with us long after its final epic solo.
“We wrote this album together with contributions from all five members”, the band says. “We allowed ourselves to explore the songs and really extend ourselves while always keeping the emotions at the front of our minds”.
With Ceiba, TEMIC return with a thunderous ode of prog.
Lineup Fredrik Klemp (Maraton, 22) – Vocals Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress) – Guitars, Backing Vocals Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken) – Keyboards, Sound Design Simen Sandnes (Shining, Arkentype) – Drums Miguel Pereira (Withem, Big City) – Bass
Production credits Drums and lead vocals recorded at Lionheart Studio in Oslo, Norway Lead vocals engineered and produced by Diego Tejeida Mixed by Chris Edrich Mastered by Pierrick Noël at Atelier Mastering
MASSTERON present their debut full-length “Second in the Spheres” in full through a premiere hosted by Black Metal Promotion, ahead of its September 24 release via ATMF.
Coming from the Polish underground, the trio draw on the collision between black and death metal that marked some of the most ferocious records of the late nineties, but approach that vocabulary with the experience of musicians who know exactly how much can be achieved with a well-placed riff. The six compositions were recorded live in the studio, preserving the interaction between guitars, bass and drums rather than smoothing away every rough edge. This gives the album a tangible, almost physical character, while the writing remains carefully arranged, with abrupt turns, shifting rhythms and passages that gain their impact through contrast.
Formed by musicians with years of experience within the Polish underground scene, MASSTERON channel the savage spirit of late-’90s Polish black-death metal while avoiding the temptation of simple nostalgia. Drawing inspiration from the primal intensity of early Azarath, Inquisition and the raw force of Aura Noir, the band looks back to the genre’s foundations with the perspective and awareness of seasoned musicians.
“Second in the Spheres” is not an exercise in recreating the past, but a refined expression of everything that made extreme metal dangerous in the first place. The album consists of six tracks recorded live in the studio, capturing the immediacy and physical impact of the band’s performance without relying on artificial enhancements, excessive editing or programmed perfection.
However, rawness does not mean carelessness. MASSTERON avoid the common trap of mistaking a deliberately rough sound for authenticity. Beneath the hostile atmosphere and old-school spirit lies a meticulous approach to songwriting, where every riff, transition and dynamic shift serves a precise purpose. The result is a record that feels ancient in its attitude but razor-sharp in execution.
Spanning 37 minutes of relentless black metal fury, “Second in the Spheres” delivers a balance between aggression and control, chaos and structure. The album carries the spirit of a bygone era while proving that experience can transform traditional formulas into something immediate, powerful and lethal.
With their debut full-length, MASSTERON present a statement of intent: a tribute to the roots of extreme metal, forged by musicians who understand its history but refuse to remain trapped in it. “Second in the Spheres” is a first strike built on conviction, discipline and an undying devotion to the ancient flame.
The cat is out of the bag: With the release of the new music video for the track “I DESTROYED YOU”, metal band GHØSTKID reveal their new band line-up after the original band members around vocalist Sushi departed in May 2026. Sushi is now joined for GHØSTKID by Ian Duncan on guitar (Caliban), David Friedrich on drums (ex-Electric Callboy), and Axel One on bass (ex-WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER). With the new band line-up and the upcoming third album by the name “FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT”, to be released October 2nd, GHØSTKID do not just return but are meeting their fans for an entirely new era.
Vocalist and founder of GHØSTKID, Sushi, shares about the new band members:
DAVID “David and I share a long musical history. We stood on stage together in Electric Callboy for almost ten years, and I’m beyond happy that he decided to support me with GHØSTKID. This is only the beginning of a new chapter for both of us. I can’t wait to share the stage with him again — he’s someone I’ve always considered not only a close friend, but also an important part of my life.”
IAIN “Iain and I have known each other for many years through his former band, We Butter the Bread with Butter, and now through Caliban. He has been a close friend for a long time and even took part in the songwriting process for the self-titled album. We have never actually played together in a band before, so this will be a new experience for both of us — and one we’re really looking forward to.”
AXEL “Some of you probably know Axel as well from We Butter the Bread with Butter. He’s such a funny guy and has always been nothing but a lovely person, so I can’t wait to hit the road with him. Even though all of us have known each other for many years, playing together in the same band is going to be an interesting journey for all of us.”
Tracklist: THE END IVORY MOTHER DEATH I DESTROYED YOU FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT PURPLE SNAKES GIVE YOUR KIDS A GUN TO PLAY NEON (feat. Maz Univerze) UNCONDITIONALLY LOVELY WHITE RAINBOW
About GHØSTKID
“Retrospectively, it was a very hard time, mentally. But I’m happy to speak openly about it. It was a time with feelings in between completely burning out and ‘everything is incredible’.”
Looking back at the last six years, GHØSTKID has faced immense pressure, both personally and professionally. After a liberating start with his self-titled Century Media debut in 2020, there has never been a moment of silence in Sebastian “Sushi” Biesler’s mind. The following years took his solo project on tours with Bad Omens, Black Veil Brides and Blind Channel, headline tours and performances at festivals like Wacken Open Air and Summer Breeze yet his mind kept playing tricks on him. Success came with doubts and pressure fueled by financial struggles, leadership responsibilities, mental health, and deep self-reflections through turbulent years. “I’ve learned a lot, made just as many mistakes, and truly underestimated what it means to stand on your own feet”, says Sushi who reached a turning point in mid-2026.
After parting ways with his bandmates, he found new people to share his vision of a modern mix between metalcore, nu-metal, alternative rock and now embarks on a new album cycle. Referring to Lewis Carroll‘s children’s novel “Alice in Wonderland” and the computer game “American McGee’s Alice”, “FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT” is a journey through Sushi’s mind and offers unfiltered insights into his deepest thoughts and emotions. “Once you’re going down the rabbit hole, you’ll face many scary, weird, and disturbing things that will make you question your sanity. That’s what this album is all about.”
Once again produced by long-time-collaborator Sky van Hoff, GHØSTKID’s third offering reignites Sushi’s versatile influences and shapes it into a modern sound. “FOLLOW THE WHITE RABBIT” is not just another fictional concept album, but a collection of eleven songs rooted in concrete situations of Sushi’s life. Through turbulent years of doubt and struggle, GHØSTKID has become a vessel. Not only for Sushi, but for a growing community that finds strength and relief in the honesty of his music.
“Without GHØSTKID, the pressure would have been unbearable.”
Japanese superstars MAN WITH A MISSION have released their brand new single ‘The Animals’. It is a raging punk track opening with a punchy bounce reminiscent of the likes of Bad Religion and early Green Day before building into the unmistakable grand anthemic chorus of MAN WITH A MISSION.
The song has been written for Wara nimo Sugaru Kemono tachi (English: BEASTS CLUTCHING AT STRAWS), a Japanese film due for release on September 25th, about a student who finds 100 million yen, setting off a chaotic chain of events involving a cast of colourful characters. It’s a track as fast-paced as the movie itself!
Regarding the single guitarist, vocalist and rapper Jean-Ken Johnny says, “It was truly an honour to be asked to write the theme song for this film. We drew all of our inspiration for ‘The Animals’ directly from its story and characters, and while creating the song, it almost felt as if we were stepping into the role of storytellers ourselves. The film and song explore desire, inner conflict and the razor-thin line between good and evil, and we hope you’ll enjoy the ride together with ‘The Animals’.”
Directed by Takasuke Kato (THINGS.), and featuring a cameo from Oji Suzuka, who stars in Wara nimo Sugaru Kemono tachi, the music video for ‘The Animals’ focuses on the desires and emotions that have historically been thought to lead humans into sin.
Using the “Seven Deadly Sins” as a motif, it uniquely portrays the human desire, conflict, and vulnerability featured in the film. Centred around a performance by the ultimate life forms MAN WITH A MISSION the video unfolds scenes symbolizing the Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Greed, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, and Sloth. Through rapidly changing visual expressions, the hidden desires and madness within humans are brought to light, resulting in a dark, thrilling world that connects seamlessly with Wara nimo Sugaru Kemono tachi.
‘The Animals’ is a song born from the world of the movie, elevated into a unique music visual expression. Be sure to compare the portrayals of Wara nimo Sugaru Kemono tachi across the song, music video, and movie.
The major MAN WITH A MISSION tie-ins to TV and film continue throughout 2026, with forthcoming unreleased song ‘Firestarter’ recently announced as the theme song for the upcoming series of the hit anime The Vermillion Mask which premieres on October 10th.
Regarding ‘Firestarter’ bassist Kamikaze Boy says, “I created ‘Firestarter’ with the idea of making a powerful song that could push these young characters forward on their adventure as they carry the burden of a cruel fate.”
Filled with power, intensity, and a driving sense of momentum, the track captures the energy and force of MAN WITH A MISSION today. The result is a song which propels the characters forward as they face their harsh destinies head-on.
Fans can get an early flavour for ‘Firestarter’ in the new trailer for The Vermillion Maskhere.
The new songs join the recently released ‘ONE’ in offering another taste of an exciting new era for the half-man, half-wolf collective, which is set to further evolve throughout 2026.
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
