Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

KRUSHOR Release Second Single ‘Taste of Hatred’ from Upcoming Eponymous EP

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 28, 2025

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

Photo by Henna Pohjosaho @hennaidakatriinaphoto

Finnish thrashers Krushor are set to release their debut EP ‘Taste of Hatred’ on January 9th 2026 via Inverse Records. The second single ‘Taste of Hatred’ is unleashed today and it’s available here: https://push.fm/fl/krushor-taste

–Composed by Joni Kärsämä, Juho Mattila, Saku Hirvimäki, Sami Keränen
–Lyrics by Ville Lehtoranta
–Arranged by Krushor
–ISRC: FI3FC2595904

The band comments:
“Taste of hatred is about situation where a person takes a stand for someone who’s pushed ’em down long enough to make that person retaliate. What happens, when beaten and oppressed person decides to stand their ground and says they’ve had enough and gives back all they had to endure. What kind is this persons actual hatred if just a taste of it can turn tables and make the one who made them suffer have taste of their own medicine.”

LISTEN to the first single ‘Shockwave’: https://push.fm/fl/krushor-shockwave

Taste of Hatred Track list:

Shockwave
Vortex
Rise Above
Taste of Hatred

–Composed by Joni Kärsämä, Juho Mattila, Saku Hirvimäki, Sami Keränen
–Lyrics by Ville Lehtoranta
–Arranged by Krushor
–EP cover by Joni Kärsämä

The band found its current identity through shared musical tastes, playing together, and a shared hobby. We are a group of people who enjoy making and playing music that works for all of us. A big part of this is that composing, writing lyrics, and editing songs is open to everyone. All songs and compositions are created by the whole group, not based on one person’s vision or goal.

Our influences definitely come from older metal, but that doesn’t matter, because mixing genres actually adds a lot to our music; there’s no one right way to do things. Krushor’s goal is to make music that sounds good and at the same time talk about the difficult things that are part of life. For many people, music can be therapeutic, and if even one person feels that way about our music, we feel we have succeeded.

Line-up:
Ville Lehtoranta – Vocals
Joni Kärsämä – Guitar
Juho Mattila – Guitar
Sami Keränen – Bass
Saku Hirvimäki – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/krushorofficial
https://www.instagram.com/krushor_official
https://krushor.bandcamp.com

ENZO AND THE GLORY ENSEMBLE Sign with Wanikiya Record + Present Animated Musical Film ‘L’Anima Irredenta’ by Enzo Donnarumma

Posted by metalshockfinland on November 28, 2025

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: ENZO AND THE GLORY ENSEMBLE. Leave a comment

Wanikiya Record/Promotion is deeply honored to announce the entry into its roster of an internationally renowned author, musician, and composer: Enzo Donnarumma, mastermind and founder of Enzo And The Glory Ensemble, one of the most unique, spiritual, and innovative projects in today’s global metal scene.

The arrival of Maestro Donnarumma represents not just a step forward for Wanikiya, but a cultural and artistic enrichment of immeasurable value.

THE STORY OF ENZO DONNARUMMA
From theatrical roots to major international collaborations

Born in Gragnano on September 1st, 1977, Enzo Donnarumma faced a difficult adolescence marked by the early loss of both parents. Raised by relatives, he began studying classical piano and guitar, eventually graduating in guitar and paving the way for an extraordinary career filled with artistic experiences.

From a very young age, he distinguished himself as a:

musician
arranger
playwright
director
performer
multi-instrumentalist

His early musical and theatrical works earned him prestigious national awards, including:

Teatroggi 2002 – Best Direction and Best Musical Arrangement with Jesus Christ Superstar (first Italian version)
Stelle del Mediterraneo 2007 – Best Unreleased Song
Ascea Music Lab 2008 – Best Unreleased Song
Maggio Sì’Tu 2009 – Best Direction, Best Music, and Best Leading Actor with Vincimi E Ti Vincerò, a musical on the Passion of Christ

Donnarumma is also renowned for portraying the role of Christ for over thirty years in musicals, theatre productions, city events, and even cinematic contexts.

THE PROG EXPERIENCE AND THE BRIDGE TO THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE

From 2009 to 2014 he was a member of the prog band Members Of God, performing as special guest alongside:

Shadow Gallery
Orphaned Land

Two of the most influential prog/metal acts on the planet.
This experience opened the door to collaborations with leading artists in the international metal scene.

THE BIRTH OF ENZO AND THE GLORY ENSEMBLE
A unique project blending spirituality, epic metal, and global collaboration

In 2014 Enzo Donnarumma founded Enzo And The Glory Ensemble, a revolutionary idea merging:

Christian spirituality
symphonic metal
world music
gospel choral elements
prog and orchestral influences

The project immediately stood out for the exceptional level of its collaborators—18 international artists, including pillars of the world metal scene:

Marty Friedman (Megadeth)
Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, Gamma Ray)
Kobi Farhi (Orphaned Land)
Gary Wehrkamp & Brian Ashland (Shadow Gallery)
Mark Zonder (Fates Warning)
Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai)
Nicholas Leptos (Warlord)
The Congolese afro-gospel choir Weza Moza Gospel Choir

A monumental production, capable of blending metal and sacred music like never before.

THE INTERNATIONAL TRILOGY

Enzo And The Glory Ensemble released three acclaimed concept albums forming the celebrated trilogy:

In The Name Of The Father
In The Name Of The Son
In The Name Of The World Spirit

A trilogy that propelled the project worldwide, receiving outstanding reviews across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and South America.

HIGH-PROFILE GUEST APPEARANCES

Donnarumma has also been invited as a special guest in top-tier international productions, including:

Arrayan Path
Harpazo
Sangreal
Preludio Ancestral

Confirming his role as a respected, sought-after, and globally recognized artist.

A UNIQUE GIFT FOR THE FANS
The animated musical film “L’ANIMA IRREDENTA” is coming

To celebrate this new chapter, Wanikiya Record/Promotion and Enzo And The Glory Ensemble present an unprecedented masterpiece:

“L’Anima Irredenta”, an animated musical film written, composed, illustrated, and directed entirely by Enzo Donnarumma.

A monumental project, fully handmade and conceived as a symphonic metal operetta that merges:

late 19th-century romantic orchestration
heavy, doom, death, and progressive metal
stylistic nods to Mahler, Stravinsky, Schoenberg, Tchaikovsky
theatrical impact oscillating between the grotesque, the tragic, and the symbolic

A production that rejects AI and every form of automation—embracing an artisanal, intentionally imperfect, human, claustrophobic, theatrical, and vivid approach.

ARTISTIC CAST

Voices:
Fabio Bonatti, Enzo Donnarumma, Maria Londino, Mr Jack, Namid, Alessandro Battini, Antonio Lambiase, Anna Cuomo, Simone Alfano, Alfonso Calandra, Nuccia Paolillo, Francesco Pellizzari.

Animated characters:
Fabio Bonatti, Elena Agnello, Enzo Donnarumma, Mr Jack, Namid, Selene Parisi.

Music:
Guitars, piano, and orchestrations: Enzo Donnarumma
Organ: Alessandro Battini
Bass: Aniello Barletta
Drums: Mr Jack

Story, music, lyrics, drawings, frames, direction:
➡️ Enzo Donnarumma

TRACKLIST – “L’Anima Irredenta”

01 Ouverture
02 L’Irredento
03 Il Male
04 Dishonor of Masculinity
05 Dream Me With You
06 Paparino
07 The Condemnations
08 Life
09 Another Being Lives in You
10 That Hell of a Home
11 The Miser Packs His Bags
12 A Big Mistake
13 Holy One, Who Will Bear It
14 Grim Monsters Without Worries
15 You Choose
16 To All the Lunatics on the Planet
17 Pig’s Blood on the Face
18 Never Again the Same
19 The Confession
20 The Redeemed Soul

PLOT

A disturbing journey into the psychological chaos of a deranged character obsessed with voodoo, occultism, and social hatred.
A descent into the abyss of domestic and mental violence, where nothing is certain, no deduction is reliable, and every character carries their own inner instability.

The entire work is sung—one of the first, if not the first, fully theatrical Metal Operas ever conceived.

A blend of tragedy, symbolism, grotesque imagery, and social commentary, offering not answers… but questions.

VISUAL STYLE

The animation is intentionally:

imperfect
puppet-like
frontal
cut-out and pixelated

An aesthetic designed to represent social constraint, manipulation, and unease.

MESSAGE

The film addresses themes such as:

unresolved trauma
psychological and physical violence
manipulation
emotional family inheritance
the search for a word of redemption

The Christian message is not explicit, yet permeates the structure of the work, contrasting destructive lies (“you are mediocre”) with the salvific truth (“you are perfect and unrepeatable”).

CONCLUSION

With immense pride, Wanikiya Record/Promotion announces:

The official entry of Enzo Donnarumma and Enzo And The Glory Ensemble into its roster.
The publication of the animated musical film “L’Anima Irredenta”, a unique and unrepeatable gift to fans around the world.

A new chapter begins.
A monumental artist joins our family.
A vision takes shape — and chooses Wanikiya to be told.

THE OLD DEAD TREE Release “London Sessions” EP YouTube Stream, Out Today

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 28, 2025

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: THE OLD DEAD TREE. Leave a comment

London Sessions, the new EP by THE OLD DEAD TREE, is now streaming in full on YouTube, out today Friday, November 28th.

Recorded within the historic walls of Abbey Road Studios, the EP captures four compositions shaped by a pivotal moment in the band’s renewed creative cycle. It pairs two brand-new songs with re-imagined versions of key works from The Perpetual Motion, forging a bridge between past foundations and present evolution.

Order here: https://orcd.co/todtlondonsessions

The invitation to record at Abbey Road arrived in early 2024 and interrupted the writing of their first full-length in seventeen years. Across six focused days in Studios 2 and 3, the band tracked the core of the EP with producer and engineer François-Maxime Boutault, whose detailed approach shaped the contrast-rich character of the material. Feel Alive Again channels an ascent from fragility to grandeur, while Time Has Come navigates shifting moods, alternating between atmospheric passages and pointed metal tension.

London Sessions also features new interpretations of By The Way and What Else Could We’ve Said?, recorded to mark the twentieth anniversary of The Perpetual Motion. The 2025 arrangement of By The Way accentuates its dark, dreamlike qualities, reconnecting with the group’s early doom influences, while the updated version of What Else Could We’ve Said? deepens one of their most emotional narratives. Both benefit from Boutault’s production and Tony Lindgren’s mastering, with added resonance from cellist Raphaël Verguin.

London Sessions reflects the band’s long-standing identity as pioneers of French dark progressive metal. It follows years of separation, reunion, and the steady reawakening of shared creative drive.

Tracklist:

Feel Alive Again (03:43)
Time Has Come (03:49)
By The Way (London Sessions 2025) (04:29)
What Else Could We’ve Said (London Sessions 2025) (05:39)
Full runtime: 18:42

Spearheading the French dark prog metal scene for more than 20 years, THE OLD DEAD TREEhave created a unique universe combining extreme music and dark rock-pop, sublimated by Manuel Munoz’s exceptional and versatile vocals.

Just as the band had released their first EP, The Blossom, in 1999, drummer Frédéric Guillemot took his own life. The shock profoundly scarred the other three members of the band, and formed the basis of the concept for their debut album, The Nameless Disease.

Following its release in 2003 on Season Of Mist, the immediate success of this seminal album led the band to hit the road with PARADISE LOST, OPETH and KATATONIA, introducing their music to metalheads across Europe.

Two critically acclaimed albums followed, The Perpetual Motion (2005) and The Water Fields (2007), making THE OLD DEAD TREE a pillar of the French metal scene and a reference point for progressive metal in Europe.

By the end of 2008, just as work had begun on a fourth album, the wear and tear of the necessary personal investment proved too much for some of the band to bear. THE OLD DEAD TREE officially split up in 2009.

Over the following years, the musicians moved apart geographically and became involved in other musical projects (PENUMBRA, ARKAN, OMMATIDIA, LUX INCERTA…), but their solid friendship never wavered.

In 2013, THE OLD DEAD TREE briefly reunited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their album The Nameless Disease with a mini European tour that included stops at HELLFEST and MOTOCULTOR.

A few years later, following the Covid 19 crisis and the general questioning that it provoked, the members of the band started considering to reunite for good. After several months of doubt and discussion, the decision is finally taken to write and record a new song.

In the spring of 2023, the popularity of the new single Terrified and the band’s high-profile appearance at HELLFEST paved the way for THE OLD DEAD TREE‘s long-lasting comeback.

By the beginning of 2024, while composing its first album in 17 years, THE OLD DEAD TREEis offered the opportunity to record an EP at the world’s most prestigious music studio: the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London (THE BEATLES, PINK FLOYD, U2, RADIOHEAD…). Right after this unique experience, the band quickly dived back into the writing and recording processes for the album Second Thoughts which was released by the end of 2024.

In the spring 2025, as THE OLD DEAD TREE toured France with KLONE and achieved the production of the 4 tracks recorded in Abbey Road Studios to give birth to the EP London Sessions.

Line-up:
Manuel Munoz — Vocals
Nicolas Chevrollier — Guitars & Backing Vocals
Nicolas Cornolo — Guitars
Gilles Moinet — Bass Guitar
Raphaël Antheaume — Drums

Recording Studio:
Abbey Road Studios, London, United Kingdom.

Production Credits:
Produced, engineered & mixed by François-Maxime Boutault at Les Liens du Son.
Mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios.

Guest Musician:
Raphaël Verguin (Psygnosis) — Cello

Cover Art: Henri Lejeune (exclamations.fr)

Follow The Old Dead Tree: https://linktr.ee/TODT

Danish Synthpunk Trio HIRAKI Sign with Pelagic Records + Release New Single ‘Pale Antics’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 28, 2025

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

Danish trio HIRAKI announce their signing with famed German progressive label Pelagic Records, and release their new single ‘Pale Antics’.

Stream here: https://orcd.co/hiraki-paleantics

After spending the last few years channelling their explosive energy as co-conspirators with projects like the doom-rave collective JOHN CXNNOR, the synthpunk trio are now back in control of their own realm.

Brace yourself for a tidal wave of aggressive noise rock, an aggressive style of progressive synthpunk from the edge of the abyss. As a part of Denmark’s flourishing underground scene for dark and heavy music, the three-piece present a sonic assault to accompany the inevitable fact: our world is sick and we are all responsible for this.

New single ‘Pale Antics’ dives headfirst into the chaos of self-inflicted loss of control. The track captures the feeling of slipping into a black hole of one’s own making – wavering on the edge between surrender and self-destruction. With their signature blend of abrasive urgency and emotional rawness, HIRAKI turn inner collapse into a furious, cathartic sonic assault. ‘Pale Antics’ features multi-instrumentalist Zeki Jindyl (Narcosatanicos) on EWI (electronic wind instrument), underlining the beautiful madness heard within.

With foam at their mouths, HIRAKI sing, scream, and recite their way through songs about corrupted data and moral decay. Encouraged by boundless acts like Botch, Street Sects, and The Body, HIRAKI were formed in 2016, when the progressive rock band Liserstille went into hibernation. Jon Gotlev and Tue Schmidt Rasmussen then recruited their old friend and collaborator, Tim Frederiksen, to form a noisy trio unlike anything else on the Danish scene at the time.

In May 2017, the band self-released their EP Modern Genes digitally, on cassette, and as vacuum-sealed art prints. Later, it was also issued as a split vinyl with post-hardcore band We Are Among Storms (now EMBLA).

In 2021, the highly acclaimed debut album Stumbling Through The Walls was released through American label Nefarious Industries, which firmly cemented HIRAKI as a vital force within Denmark’s thriving underground scene for dark and heavy music.

In 2022, the songs found new life with ALTERER – Stumbling Through The Walls REWORKED, also released on Nefarious Industries – featuring ten unique reinterpretations by visionary and stylistically diverse artists. Pressed on recycled vinyl and hand-assembled by HIRAKI themselves, all profits were donated to Doctors Without Borders.

HIRAKI have played countless club and festival shows across Denmark, including Ilter Festival in Odense, SPOT Festival in Aarhus, and Store VEGA in Copenhagen during A Colossal Weekend. The band has also supported the American act The Armed in Hamburg and Berlin and toured in Norway.In recent years, HIRAKI have focused heavily on collaborative projects across genres and musical backgrounds – including vocal performances at large-scale shows with the doom-rave collective JOHN CXNNOR at Roskilde Festival and Copenhell, and most recently, a creative partnership with the Danish-Korean indie ensemble Meejah, with new music on the way.

For more:
https://www.instagram.com/hirakiband
https://www.facebook.com/HIRAKIband
https://pelagic-records.com

MORTEMIA Release New Song + Video ‘Paint it Black’, Feat. Kristin Starkey

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 28, 2025

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Kristin Starkey, MORTEMIA, Morten Veland. Leave a comment

Photo credits Kristin pic: Erik Enrico Ersson — Morten pic: Patrik Ullaeus

Morten Veland (SIRENIA, MORTEMIA and founder of TRISTANIA) released the fourth Mortemia song from ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’ today. A collection of 12 cover songs featuring different guest singers for each song. This track is a cover version of ‘Paint it Black’ originally recorded by The Rolling Stones, featuring Kristin Starkey on guest vocals. The song is available on all digital platforms as of today the 28th of November 2025.

Song on digital platforms: Paint it Black (feat. Kristin Starkey) by Mortemia – DistroKid

Morten Veland:

“I’m proud and honoured to welcome my friend Kristin Starkey as my special guest for ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’. This is the fourth song to be released for this album. I first met Kristin on tour in May last year when Sirenia and Temperance were touring in the UK together. Kristin is an amazing singer with an incredible voice span and diversity, and a true touring warrior that just hits the stage and totally kills it night after night. I’ve had Kristin in mind for a possible collab since we met, and I am very excited that the time now has finally come. The song we have chosen to do together is a cover of The Rolling Stones’ timeless classic ‘Paint it Black’, a song that we both love. Kristin did an absolutely amazing job with this song, really showcasing her diversity as a singer and really putting her signature on the track. Together we have created a really cool version of this timeless classic. I feel truly privileged and thankful to have Kristin on board this project and we both can’t wait to share this song with you all. The song will be available on all digital platforms on Friday the 28th of November 2025”.

Kristin:

“I’m thrilled to collaborate with my friend Morten from Mortemia / Sirenia on our rendition of the classic Rolling Stones song ‘Paint It Black.’ I’ve always felt that this song has an inherently gothic energy, and Morten has truly brought that vision to life. The dark, atmospheric instrumental he created perfectly complements the emotional depth of the track, and it was such a joy to experiment with different vocal techniques and colors to bring that mood to life. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”

After 11 years of silence Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, producer and artist Morten Veland activated his solo project Mortemia during the early stages of the Covid 19 pandemic, this time with a brand new concept consisting of collaborations with multiple guest singers. ‘The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions’ was a series of singles released on a monthly basis, each song featuring a well known and highly profiled guest singer from the metal scene. Following next was ‘The Covid Aftermath Sessions’, yet another album featuring 12 songs with 12 different guest singers. Now Mortemia is ready to endeavor on his third album in the collaboration format entitled ‘The Cover Collab Sessions’, once more the project will feature multiple amazing guest singers. This will be, as the title suggests an album consisting of cover songs solely. All re-arranged and performed in Mortemia’s signature style.

So far the following singers has contributed for his collaborations:

Madeleine Liljestam (Eleine)
Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion, Ayreon, MaYaN)
Alessia Scolletti (Temperance, ERA)
Liv Kristine (Liv Kristine, ex-Theatre of Tragedy, ex-Leaves Eyes)
Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum, The Dark Side of the Moon)
Brittney Slayes (Unleash the Archers)
Maja Shining (Forever Still)
Erica Ohlsson (Metalite)
Heidi Parviainen (Dark Sarah, ex Amberian Dawn)
Zora Cock (Blackbriar)
Linda Toni Grahn (Anima Veil, ex Follow the Cipher)
Caterina Nix (Chaos Magic)
Federica Lanna (Volturian)
Ulli Perhonen (ex-Snow White Blood)
Ambre Vourvahis (Xandria)
Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie, Illumishade)
Lindy-Fay Hella (Wardruna)
Margarita Monet (Edge of Paradise)
Marina La Torraca (Exit Eden, Phantom Elite)
Nicoletta Rosellini (Alterium, Walk in Darkness)
Maxi Nil (Jaded Star, ex Visions of Atlantis)
Capri (Amberian Dawn)
Emma Zoldan (Sirenia)
Dianne van Giersbergen (DIANNE, Ex Libris)
Chiara Tricarico (Moonlight Haze)
Leah (Leah)
Kristin Starkey (Temperance, Twilight Force)

For more information: Mortemia – Startside | Facebook – Mortemia (@mortemiaofficial) • Instagram-bilder og -videoer – Spotify – Mortemia – ‎Mortemia on Apple Music – Mortemia on Amazon Music – Mortemia (bandcamp.com) – Mortemia – YouTube

LIV KRISTINE Releases New Single And Video ‘Lotus (Acoustic Version)’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 28, 2025

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Liv Kristine. Leave a comment

‘Lotus (Acoustic Version)’ shows LIV KRISTINE from her most intimate side – completely stripped down and yet haunting. The song originally appeared on the 2014 album ‘Vervain’.

In this new acoustic recording, created during the sessions for the current album ‘Amor Vincit Omnia’, the song unfolds with gentle guitar sounds, delicate piano and Liv’s characteristic, angelic voice. Her voice floats above the arrangement, without any bombastic metal trappings, revealing the pure essence of ‘Lotus’: a musical meditation on fragility, hope and inner strength.