Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

BraveWords Records Seeking Submissions for “KnuckleTracks” Compilation of the Heaviest, Loudest & Most Unrelenting Tracks in Metal Today

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: “KnuckleTracks Volume One”, Bravewords Records. Leave a comment

BraveWords Records is opening the gates!

BraveWords Records are now accepting submissions from bands around the world to be featured on “KnuckleTracks Volume One” — a compilation of the hardest, heaviest, loudest, and most unrelenting tracks in metal today. If you have a great rock song, we want to hear it!

What exactly is KnuckleTracks you ask? It was the name of Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles world famous official CD sampler that came free with every issue of the magazine, when it was launched in February/March 1997 (Issue No. 16).

Almost 30 years later, KnuckleTracks lives again!

“KnuckleTracks helped launch and propel bands to the next level,” BraveWords Founder/CEO “Metal” Tim Henderson remembers fondly. “And here we are doing it again to a new wave of exciting bands that want to be heard around the world!”

And this isn’t for the weak. This is for bands that hit hard, play louder, and refuse to be ignored.

If your track belongs in the pit, we want to hear it.

Submit now and take your shot at standing alongside the next wave of hard and heavy music.

Visit BraveWordsRecords.com and use the Submission form here. Make sure you mention in the notes that you are submitting for KnuckleTracks.

About BraveWords Records:
BraveWords Records has released albums by Crimson Glory, Voices of Extreme, Alcatrazz, Bangalore Choir, Paul Di’Anno’s Warhorse, The Chris Slade Timeline, Rhett Forrester and Rob Robbins, Prophets of Addiction, Jack Starr, ASKA and future releases from Phil Soussan, Lillian Axe and a new Alcatrazz studio album.

There is a serious void which desperately needs to be filled, hard-working and creative bands that have yet to find a partnership and a mutual vision with a professional team. The music-fuelled minds behind BraveWords Records, Brian Adams, Giles Lavery, Tim Henderson and Michael Brandvold, have built the ultimate home for an artist that will take you where you want to be. Collectively, with nearly 100 years of music industry experience under our belts, the BraveWords Records team will take care of all the crucial aspects of your project from global distribution (digital and physical), publicity and media coverage (web, radio, visual), social media blanketing and streaming opportunities (such as Streaming For Vengeance). Where most labels have forgotten the concept of actually marketing a release sensibly, BraveWords Records will construct a viable and comprehensive marketing plan, including visibility at BraveWords.com, which attracts a million visitors monthly. BraveWords Records has all senses on high alert as the music industry continues its never-ending transitioning, so the artist will always be aware of new opportunities to build their brand and strive for world domination. BraveWords will also have a focus on licensing film and TV content, both contemporary and retrospective across many genres. As artists and labels transition to the many new mediums available today for their work, BraveWords intends to stay ahead of the curve in providing and actively seeking opportunities for our roster of clients.

With the rapid spread of the world wide web, BraveWords.com was born in 2000 and quickly became the CNN of heavy metal. With its team of global writers and photographers, the site flourished with 24/7 updated news, features, reviews, audio and video steams.

For nearly 30 years, BraveWords wears their metal heart loudly on their sleeve, as they celebrate the greatest genre of music with the most dedicated and passionate fans on the planet!

http://bravewordsrecords.com
https://bravewordsrecords.bandcamp.com
https://bravewordsrecords.com/merch
https://linktr.ee/bravewordsrecords
http://www.twitter.com/BravewordsRec
https://youtube.com/@BravewordsRecords
https://www.tiktok.com/@bravewordsrecs
https://www.threads.net/@bravewordsrecords
http://bravewords.com

SNAIL Release New Single ‘Red Tent’ – First in a Rolling Series of Digital-Only from Upcoming Vinyl Collection

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2026

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

Seattle heavy-psych/stoner lifers Snail burrowed underground after 2021’s Fractal Altar and came back swinging with 2024’s live document Thou Art There: Live at The Obelisk All-Dayer. Now the trio re-emerges with “Red Tent,” a cold-sweat ripper inspired by John Carpenter’s The Thing, and the opening salvo in a 60s-style singles campaign that culminates in a full vinyl release on Argonauta Records.

“Red Tent” finds Snail leaning hard into the classic metal chassis they rode on 2012’s Terminus: knife-edge riffs, ominous harmonies, and that doom-drunk groove only this band can make swing. Fans who’ve ridden with Snail since their early ’90s origins through Snail (’93), All Channels Are Open (’94), the reunion era of Blood, Terminus, Feral, and Fractal Altar will hear the band’s signature fuzz get meaner, tighter, and freakier.

“Red Tent” is the first of a batch of new studio cuts the band has been quietly tracking since Fractal Altar. Each song will drop digitally as a stand-alone single, bringing maximal riffs with minimal waiting. Then the collected work will be pressed to wax by Argonauta, who also released Fractal Altar and Snail’s 2024 live set. Translation: we’re back to the jukebox era of one killer A-side after another until the platter lands.

Get ‘Red Tent’ here: https://snailhq.bandcamp.com/track/red-tent

Band Quote (Mark Johnson, vocals/guitar)
“We basically disappeared into the ice for a minute while writing, recording, and losing our minds on tones. ‘Red Tent’ is the flare going up. It’s paranoia, it’s body-horror, it’s fuzz that wants to tear through the canvas and eat you. We’re dropping these tracks the way the 60s did it: single, single, single, followed by the tactile vinyl ritual. If Fractal Altar was the ceremony, this is the possession. See you under the black light.”

About Snail
Formed in 1992 and reactivated in 2008, Snail has carved a cult path through psych, doom, and heavy melody. Their most recent releases include the studio album Fractal Altar (Argonauta, 2021) and the digital-only live album Thou Art There: Live at The Obelisk All-Dayer(Argonauta, 2024).

Mark Johnson: vox/guitar
Matt Lynch: bass, keys
Marty Dodson: drums

For Fans of Heavy-tripping doom, desert-fried psychedelia, and classic-metal menace—think the spacefaring heft of Fractal Altar with the blade-edge thrust of Terminus.

https://www.facebook.com/snailhq
https://www.argonautarecords.com/

LUCID DREAMING Unveil Cover & Tracklist of Upcoming New Album “Upon The Barricades”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: LUCID DREAMING. Leave a comment

LUCID DREAMING is breaking new ground with its new album, “Upon The Barricades.” While the first three albums told a fantasy story, Till Oberboßel / Elvenpath now turns to the German Revolution of 1848 as a concept.

“Thematically, it starts with the Congress of Vienna (1815), moves through the Biedermeier and Vormärz periods, but the bulk of the album is set in the revolutionary year of 1848. Why this theme? I find it very fascinating—especially since the question of democracy and the rejection of it is, after all, a timeless one.
And for some reason, to my knowledge, no other band has tackled this subject yet, which was also an important factor for me. As someone who has lived in Frankfurt for many years, I naturally have a personal connection to it—after all, Frankfurt was a key center of the events of 1848, and I’ve been to St. Paul’s Church countless times.
Perhaps the album can help draw a little attention to the fact that there was once a revolution in this country, even if it was ultimately a complete mess.”

One of the highlights is undoubtedly the spectacularly large number of guest vocalists featured—here is the complete tracklist, including the vocalists:

1. Confederation (Blaze Bayley, Ralf Scheepers, Alessio Perardi, Deon van Heerden)
2. Black and Red and Gold (Zak Stevens, Ralf Scheepers, Harry Conklin, Giuseppe Ciapone)
3. The Springtime of Peoples (Zak Stevens, Ralf Scheepers, Harry Conklin, Piet Sielck, Daniel Heiman, Erdmann Görg, Said Khochsima)
4. Tyrant in Disguise (Gerre, Siegfried Schüßler, Giuseppe Ciapone, Erdmann Görg)
5. Upon the Barricades (Daniel Heiman, Gerre, Siegfried Schüßler, Giuseppe Ciapone, Erdmann Görg)
6. Parliament of Spring (Harry Conklin, Piet Sielck, HP Piller)
7. A Courageous Decision (Harry Conklin, Piet Sielck, Daniel Heiman, Giuseppe Ciapone, Erdmann Görg, Said Khochsima)
8. Waves of the Danube (Harry Conklin, Rain Irving, Marius Danielsen, Krsto Balic)
9. Farewell (Blum’s Last Letter) (Harry Conklin)
10. Puppets on Strings (Zak Stevens, Piet Sielck, Daniel Heiman, George Thomaidis, Giuseppe Ciapone, Deon van Heerden)

The album is now available for pre-order: shop.el-puerto-records.com/de/bands/lucid-dreaming/

On June 11, 2026, the lead single “Confederation” will be released, featuring Blaze Bayley (ex-Iron Maiden), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Alessio Perardi (Airborn), and Deon van Heerden (Strident)
PRE-SAVE: save-it.cc/epr/confederation

The album was produced by Uwe Lulis (Accept), and the sensational cover art is by Dusan Markovic. Till Oberboßel himself says: “Somebody actually asked me why I didn’t use AI for the artwork. Dusan Markovic gave a mighty answer.”

TRACKLIST:
01 – Confederation
02 – Black And Red And Gold
03 – The Springtime Of Peoples
04 – Tyrant In Disguise
05 – Upon The Barricades
06 – Parliament Of Spring
07 – A Courageous Decision
08 – Waves Of The Danube
09 – Farewell (Blum`s Last Letter)
10 – Puppets On Strings

Line-up:
Till Oberboßel – Guitars, Bass, Orchestration
Alex Holzwarth – Drums

More Infos:
www.facebook.com/luciddreamingmetal/
linktr.ee/luciddreamingmetal

BLACK VEIL BRIDES Release Music Video for ‘Cut’ (Feat. Lilith Czar)

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2026

Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: BLACK VEIL BRIDES. Leave a comment

With their seventh studio album VINDICATE, released on May 8th, Black Veil Brides are back with the last advance song and music video from the release.

“Cut” featuring Lillith Czar is the latest song (the eighth if you are keeping score) from their Spinefarm debut. The track showcases the epic side of the band with their use of symphonic orchestration, which has become something the fans have come to love about them. The song shows the creative diversity of vocalist Andy Biersack, guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx, bassist Lonny Eagleton, and drummer Christian Coma with a special guest appearance by Biersack’s wife, Lillith Czar (Juliet Simms, Automatic Loveletter), on vocals.

The music video directed by Max Moore (Spiritbox, Motionless In White) is available today. The video is a live-action re-telling of the Tim Burton classic The Corpse Bride” The video shows the band performing as Biersack sews his beloved wife back together. They get to have one last dance together before he loses her forever. The couple wore their actual wedding attire from 10 years ago and even renewed their vows on set.

“‘Cut’ is a song that for me, is one of those songs in your catalog that feels like you were able to achieve exactly what you wanted to achieve when making it,” explains Andy Biersack. “I feel like Lillith’s voice and presence on this song is absolutely perfect. On the lyrical side, just knowing how much the concepts resonate with both me and Lilith makes it all the more special and then to get to shoot this incredible video together it just feels like a career highlight all around. It’s one of my favorite songs we’ve ever done.”

With anticipation building at every turn, Black Veil Brides announced their highly anticipated seventh studio album, Vindicate. The record was released worldwide on May 8 via Spinefarm. From the opening organ introduction and dramatic soliloquy of “Invocation To The Muse” to the emotive finale of “Eschaton,” the band deliver one of the most ambitious chapters of their career. Previously released singles including “Bleeders,” “Hallelujah,” “Certainty” and “Vindicate” and “Revenger” feat. Machine Head have already showcased the band’s continued musical evolution while maintaining the theatrical intensity that has defined their sound. The band recently made headlines when the track “Woe & Pain” from VINDICATE was used in the hype package between Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for Wrestlemania 42. The track “Sorrow” was just seen during the broadcast of UFC Fight Night this past weekend.

The album is now available for order HERE.

Tour Information on tickets and VIP packages can be found HERE.

EPICA Reveal New Live Video ‘Cross The Divide (Live at Ziggo Dome Amsterdam)’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2026

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

Having recently wraped up their colossal Arcane Dimensions Tour with Amaranthe and Charlotte Wessels, symphonic metal titans EPICA have unveiled an exhilarating live version of their track ‘Cross The Divide‘, taken from their critically acclaimed, latest studio record Aspiral.

This action-packed version was recorded early this year at the band’s biggest headline show to date – a sold-out night at Amsterdam’s Ziggo Dome in front of 10,000 fans.

Watch the video for ‘Cross The Divide (Live At Ziggo Dome Amsterdam)‘ here:

EPICA – TOUR DATES

Aspiral tracklisting
01. Cross the Divide
02. Arcana
03. Darkness Dies in Light (A New Age Dawns, Part VII)
04. Obsidian Heart
05. Fight to Survive – The Overview Effect
06. Metanoia (A New Age Dawns, Part VIII)
07. T.I.M.E.
08. Apparition
09. Eye of the Storm
10. The Grand Saga of Existence (A New Age Dawns, Part IX)
11. Aspiral

About EPICA:

The journey of growth follows a spiral, continuously widening and deepening with every cycle.

By sticking to this spiritual principle, symphonic metal innovators EPICA have reinvented themselves on their ninth effort Aspiral, releasing a studio album that shows a band brimming with a newfound joy in their own skin – standing united as a team, where every band member brought inspiration, ideas and years of songwriting experience to the table.

Aspiral bears testimony to this unity, but the band’s steep ascent within the past years was far from coincidental and required lots of hard work and combination of things happening after the release of their latest album Omega in the midst of a raging pandemic. After walking several steps off their usual path with their EP The Alchemy Project which saw them collaborating with artists such as Myrkur, Fleshgod Apocalypse or Uriah Heep, the band played a massive world tour and got invited by a certain band called Metallica for several dates, and played 4 sold out “Symphonic Synergy” shows with a massive orchestra and choir.

After diving deep into hypothetical theories, metaphysical mysticism and themes that were touching the fabric of our existence in the infinity of the universe, EPICA ’s 9th studio effort Aspiral centres on the work of sculptor Stanisław Szukalski. During the first Covid lockdown, bassist Rob van der Loo saw the documentary ‘Struggle – The Life And Lost Art Of Stanislav Szukalski’ and felt so inspired by his work that he wanted to write soundtracks for some of his sculptures, simply because each and every detail in his works are artworks on their own and their stories go very deep. And this is where the path started. Aspiral was born as an instrumental soundtrack to this world, an initially separate project that over time metamorphosed into the new EPICA record.

The title comes from a bronze statue Szukalski did in 1965. If you take a close look, you can see snails rebuilding elements out of the mud in cycles and this eventually leads to civilization and a woman reaching out to the sun. It stands for renewal and inspiration – keywords that define EPICA now.

For more than 20 years now, EPICA have been standing tall. And while already their last efforts clearly showcased their commitment to the game, it is Aspiral that truly distils the very heart of their trademark sound.

AMORPHIS Announce Borderland Tour 2027 Across Europe

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2026

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

Finnish metal pioneers AMORPHIS have announced the Borderland Tour 2027, a massive European headline run set to bring their signature blend of melodic death metal, progressive textures, and dark Nordic atmosphere across the continent this winter. Joining them as special guests are INSOMNIUM, with support from UNTO OTHERS.

The tour kicks off on January 22 in Hamburg and travels through Germany, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands before concluding in Tilburg on February 14.

Known for their immersive live performances and critically acclaimed catalog, Amorphis continue to push the boundaries of modern metal while honoring the melodic and mythological roots that have defined their career for decades.

BORDERLAND TOUR 2027 – DATES

Presented by Cobra Agency and Grey Beard

January 22 – Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36
January 23 – Leipzig – Haus Auensee
January 24 – Berlin – Huxleys Neue Welt
January 25 – Warsaw – Progresja
January 27 – Budapest – Barba Negra
January 28 – Vienna – Arena
January 29 – Munich – Backstage
January 30 – Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
January 31 – Antwerp – Trix
February 2 – Manchester – O2 Ritz
February 3 – London – O2 Forum Kentish Town
February 5 – Stuttgart – Wagenhallen
February 6 – Pratteln – Z7 Konzertfabrik
February 7 – Padova – Hall
February 9 – Barcelona – Sala Apolo
February 10 – Madrid – Sala La Riviera
February 12 – Paris – Elysee Montmartre
February 13 – Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle 2
February 14 – Tilburg – 013

Tickets & Info: https://amorphis.net/tour

To get a glimpse of the powerful and cinematic live experience awaiting fans on the Borderland Tour 2027, watch the official video for The Lantern here:

Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

The Magic Of Metal

BraveWords Records Seeking Submissions for “KnuckleTracks” Compilation of the Heaviest, Loudest & Most Unrelenting Tracks in Metal Today

SNAIL Release New Single ‘Red Tent’ – First in a Rolling Series of Digital-Only from Upcoming Vinyl Collection

LUCID DREAMING Unveil Cover & Tracklist of Upcoming New Album “Upon The Barricades”

BLACK VEIL BRIDES Release Music Video for ‘Cut’ (Feat. Lilith Czar)

EPICA Reveal New Live Video ‘Cross The Divide (Live at Ziggo Dome Amsterdam)’

AMORPHIS Announce Borderland Tour 2027 Across Europe

BORDERLAND TOUR 2027 – DATES

Ads

Metal Shock Finland