With ‘Hazard’, LONG DISTANCE CALLING, release the third single from their upcoming live album ‘Live At Lichtburg’, set for release on December 5, 2025 through earMUSIC.
Originally featured on the band’s acclaimed 2020 album ‘How Do We Want To Live?’, the track is one of their most atmospheric and emotionally gripping compositions. It now returns in a powerful live rendition, recorded during the sold-out February 2024 show at the Lichtburg in Essen – a historic cinema where more than 1,200 fans shared an unforgettable evening with the band.
Following the singles ‘Kamilah’ and ‘Out There’, ‘Hazard’ once again highlights the unique energy of this performance: intense, tension-filled, and driven by the distinctive textures that define the song. In its live version, the track gains additional organic force – a blend of precise musicianship, pulsating grooves, and the unmistakable cinematic sound LONG DISTANCE CALLING are known for.
The accompanying live video captures the special atmosphere of the night: the monumental stage of the Lichtburg, the close connection between band and audience, and the dynamic presence of a song that feels even more immersive live than on the studio recording.
‘Live At Lichtburg’ not only documents the biggest headline concert in LONG DISTANCE CALLING’s career so far, but also marks a new artistic chapter. With reimagined arrangements, orchestral textures, and a commanding live presence, the album captures why the band remains one of Europe’s most compelling forces in progressive and instrumental rock.
The album will be released via earMUSIC on December 5th, 2025, in multiple formats: 2LP Gatefold Heavyweight 180g + Blu-ray and CD + Blu-ray Digipak, combining the full audio and visual experience of this unforgettable night.
Today, hotly-tipped UK rocker Dan Byrne announces his signing with Frontiers, and reveals news of his debut record, This Is Where the Show Begins, which will be released 22nd May.
Dan has also released the first single from the album, the massive ‘Saviour’.
Dan comments: “This album has been a long time coming for me and many of my fans, so I’ve truly poured my heart and soul into it. The journey to get here has been wild a one. Full of moments that shaped me, challenged me, and pushed me further than I ever expected to go as a young lad from Liverpool. I’ve lived with these songs for a little while now and I’m so proud to finally release them into the world. It feels incredible.
“Signing with Frontiers Records has given this whole chapter an energy and excitement I’ve never felt before. In many ways it feels like the stars have aligned at exactly the right moment. I’ve been working so hard behind the scenes and I do feel like I’ve come up with an album that represents me – not just as a musician, but as a person.
“Every track tells a part of the story. Some songs are loud and unapologetic, some are vulnerable and cinematic, but they all come from a very real place.”
Dan’s managers at Steelhouse Live, Max and Mikey, comment: “We’re delighted Dan has found his recording home at Frontiers, a label that’s about to celebrate being at the forefront of rock music for 30 glorious years. We believe it’s passion that drives success and in Frontiers, Dan now has a label team that’s hugely passionate about his music and totally committed to help him deliver his artistic vision.”
“This Is Where The Show Begins” Tracklisting: 1. Saviour 2. She’s The Devil 3. Praise Hell 4. Sober 5. Cherry & Leather 6. Death Of Me 7. Temple 8. Pulling Me Under 9. Hate Me 10. Home
Dan Byrne will be supporting Jared James Nichols on three dates in December, followed by his own headline run in March and April.
Full dates as follows:
Nov 29 Porthcawl Planet Rockstock
Dec 01 Bristol Thekla (supporting Jared James Nichols) Dec 02 Glasgow G2 (supporting Jared James Nichols) Dec 04 Nottingham Rescue Rooms (supporting Jared James Nichols)
Headline tour Mar 21 Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill Mar 22 Manchester Deaf Institute Mar 24 Chester The Live Rooms Mar 26 Newcastle The Cluny Mar 27 Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms Mar 28 Glasgow The Attic Mar 29 Blackpool Waterloo Music Bar Apr 01 Sheffield Corporation Apr 03 Nottingham Bodega Apr 04 Southampton The Joiners Apr 05 Bristol Exchange Apr 10 London The Lower Third Apr 11 Crumlin The Patriot
Jul 25 Ebbw Vale Steelhouse Festival
Dan Byrne swept in off the Mersey, announcing himself as a solo artist in 2023 with his debut EP, Beginnings. His powerhouse, soul-inflected vocal and deftly-executed, yet hugely accessible songcraft has quickly marked him out as an artist on the rise. Blending contemporary edge with classic influence, Byrne’s music is powerful, honest, and deeply emotive – widescreen in scope yet intimate at its core. It rocks, without question, but what truly sets him apart is the courage to weave sensitivity and vulnerability through the intensity. This isn’t just rock music – it has the heart and authenticity to connect with an audience beyond any one genre.
In just two years Dan has toured the UK three times, delivered standout performances at multiple festivals and found overwhelming support from Planet Rock – the UK’s leading rock station – where his first four singles amassed an impressive 25 weeks on the playlist. With that foundation firmly in place, Byrne now turns his focus to the release of his long-awaited debut solo album, marking the next powerful step in his evolution as an artist.
This Is Where The Show Begins – Dan’s debut album – is full of joy and confidence. There’s a swagger alongside the sensitivity, a further broadening of musical scope. But at the centre of it, is that voice – as powerful as it is vulnerable, as emotive as it is strong.
The lead single, ‘Saviour’ – the perfect album opener – bursts to life with attention-grabbing hard-rock stabs and pile-driving riffs. Its verses simmer with drama before the tension breaks in a chorus that makes it clear we’re in for one hell of a ride. It struts, it shimmies and it absolutely rocks. “Light ’em up,” indeed. There’s no let up as we barrel headlong into ‘She’s the Devil’ – Dan weighing in with a colossal vocal punctured by gonzo guitar gymnastics, the sheer euphoria spilling forth here is palpable.
Elsewhere, we’re taken to church with ‘Praise Hell’, and ‘Sober’ is stained with regret. We even perhaps get a glimpse of where Byrne is heading next with album closer ‘Home’ – a sprawling, soaring, shapeshifting piece of alt-rock which essentially is never in danger of losing its soul. It’s what Glenn Hughes and 30 Seconds To Mars might come up if they ever combined their superpowers.
This Is Where The Show Begins is the culmination of what has been an incredible journey so far. It’s a marker for what can happen when you back yourself, a calling card for following your gut. Bursting with ambition, diversity and authenticity, this is where it may truly begin for Dan, the exciting thing for us to ponder is where it should lead to next.
DEOS, the pioneering force of Roman Extreme Metal, has unleashed a new lyric video for their devastating track, “Dura Lex Sed Lex,” a crushing taste of their latest fourth album, Augustus Omnipotens, out on 05 December, 2025 via Wormholedeath.
Translating to “The law is harsh, but it is the law,” “Dura Lex Sed Lex” is a musically ferocious and lyrically precise dive into one of the most brutal chapters of Roman history. The track refers to the Lex Pedia, the law enacted by Octavian (the future Emperor Augustus) to mercilessly punish the conspirators responsible for the assassination of Julius Caesar through death, confiscation of property, and exile.
The Rise of an Empire: Augustus Omnipotens
DEOS’s album, Augustus Omnipotens, is their most ambitious work yet—a conceptual journey chronicling the political and military rise of Octavian as he transformed from Caesar’s avenger into Rome’s first Emperor.
The album tracks pivotal, intense moments, from the forging of alliances and brutal battles to the eventual triumph of the Pax Romana. This narrative is driven by DEOS’s signature Blackened Death Metal, featuring ferocious, driving riffs, thunderous drums, and dark growls that amplify the intensity of war, power, and existential transformation.
Formed in 2014 by Fabio Battistella, Jack Graved, and Loïc Depauwe, DEOS have built a reputation for combining the ferocity of extreme metal with a passion for Ancient Rome that extends through their lyrics, artwork, and stagecraft. Their debut Ghosts of the Empire arrived in 2015, followed by In Nomine Romae in 2017 and extensive touring across France, Switzerland, and beyond. In 2021 they began work on their third record Furor Belli, mastered by J.-F. Dagenais (Kataklysm, Ex Deo) and released in 2022 via Wormholedeath, which led to the North Imperial Tour MMXXII. Over the past years they have continued to spread their vision of Roman metal across Europe, including London’s legendary Cart & Horses.
Now, with Augustus Omnipotens, DEOS take their concept further than ever before. Recorded between autumn 2024 and spring 2025 and once again mastered by Dagenais, the album is both a celebration of Rome’s past and a declaration of the band’s future.
Extreme metal juggernaut NARCOTIC WASTELAND has announced they will be joining the “Praise the Beast North American Tour” with BELPHEGOR, INCANTATION, and HATE for February and March 2026, continuing their relentless assault on stages worldwide. This marks the band’s third major run in less than a year, following the “Annihilation of Wasteland Tour” across the U.S. in September 2025 and their headlining “Annihilation of Europe Tour” in November and December 2025. Fronted by guitarist/vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade (ex-Nile), Narcotic Wasteland has built a reputation for uncompromising brutality, technical precision, and lyrical themes that confront addiction, corruption, and societal decay. Their recent tours have drawn packed venues and critical acclaim, cementing their place as one of the most ferocious acts in modern death metal. “The energy we felt from fans in both North America and Europe has been incredible. We’re coming back harder than ever in 2026. Expect a setlist that spans our catalog, new material, and the kind of intensity that defines Narcotic Wasteland,” says Toler-Wade.
The upcoming tour will see the band storm through major cities across the U.S. and Canada, dates and venues listed below. The tour is a crushing lineup, making this one of the most anticipated metal tours of early 2026.
Tickets for the “Praise the Beast North American Tour” with BELPHEGOR, INCANTATION, HATE, and NARCOTIC WASTELAND are on sale now.
Narcotic Wasteland has carved out its place as a dominant force in the modern metal scene, unleashing a punishing fusion of razor-sharp technicality, feral aggression, and raw intensity. At the helm is guitarist and vocalist Dallas Toler-Wade, celebrated for his tenure with Nile, whose unmatched precision and commanding stage presence drive the band’s sonic assault. Behind the kit, Joseph Howard delivers a relentless barrage of power and accuracy, propelling the band’s crushing rhythms with thunderous authority. His dynamic drumming lays the foundation for the group’s dark and uncompromising atmosphere. Anchoring the low end, Kenji Tsunami injects depth and texture with inventive, hard-hitting bass lines. His formidable musicianship and commanding presence add another layer to the band’s overwhelming wall of sound, amplifying the ferocity of their live performances. Together, Dallas, Joseph, and Kenji form a unit that is both unstoppable and uncompromising, captivating audiences with explosive performances and boundary-pushing compositions. With their collective skill and vision, Narcotic Wasteland stands tall as one of the most formidable powerhouses in extreme music today.
Praise the Beast North American Tour 2026 w/ BELPHEGOR, Incantation, Hate, Narcotic Wasteland Feb-19 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Monarch Feb-20 – Lowell, MA – Taffeta Music Hall Feb-21 – Montreal, QC – Le Studio TD Feb-22 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace Feb-23 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Hall Feb-24 – Joliet, IL – The Forge Feb-26 – Denver, CO – HQ Feb-27 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad Feb-28 – Haltom City, TX – Haltom Theater Mar-1 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar Mar-2 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger Mar-5 – Mesa, AZ – The Rosetta Room Mar-6 – San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick Mar-7 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge Mar-8 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post Mar-9 – Los Angeles, CA – 1720 Mar-10 – Anaheim, CA – The Observatory
Narcotic Wasteland – Annihilation of Europe Headlining Tour, remaining shows: 24.11 – Nottingham, England – Billy Bootleggers 25.11 – Manchester, England – Junior Jackson’s 26.11 – London, England – The Black Heart 27.11 – Newcastle upon Tyne, England – The Lubber Fiend 29.11 – Rennes, France – Ty Anna Tavern 30.11 – Paris, France – Le Zorba 01.12 – Basel, Switzerland – Valhalla Bar 02.12 – San Giovanni Lupatoto, Italy – Damage Inc. 03.12 – Bologna, Italy -Freakout Club 04.12 – Trodica Di Morrovalle, Italy – Drunkin public 05,12 – Pordenone, Italy – Tune Music lab 06.12 – Salzburg, Austria – Rockhouse Bar 07.12 – Graz, Austria – Explosiv 08.12 – Belgrade, Serbia – Bleed to Death Fest 09.12 – Sofia, Bulgaria – Grindhouse 10.12 – Bucharest, Romania – Encore Club 11.12 – Budapest, Hungary – Turbina 12.12 – Olomouc, Czech Republic – Sklub 13.12 – Krakow, Poland – Confession Club 14.12 – Bilbao, Spain – D8 Sorkuntza faktoria 15.12 – Madrid, Spain – Wurlitzer Ballrom 16.12 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala Deskomunal
on Friday, November 21, the new MYSTERY video single, featuring AMARANTHE singer MIKAEL SEHLIN, saw the light of day! MY OWN EYES is a powerful, combative song about self-assertion and clarity. It encourages not being deceived and trusting one’s perception. Overall, the heavy but still very melodic song comes across as a musical manifesto for strength, independence, and the courage to stand up against lies and resistance!
The second single from the upcoming album was produced by Rocky, mixed and mastered by Mikael, who also took the opportunity to play guitar and add his vocals to the song.
Gothic folk metal act BELLE MORTE is proud to announce the release of the official music video for their latest single, “Jorōgumo.” A masterful blend of dark, heavy metal and traditional Japanese music, the track features an extraordinary collaboration with three highly acclaimed Japanese artists: Hisashi (koto, arrangement of Japanese instrument parts), Reigen Fujii (shamisen), and Souzan Kato (shakuhachi).
Inspired by Japanese folklore, Jorōgumo tells the tale of the spider demon who lures her prey with beauty and deception. Featuring traditional instruments such as koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi, arranged and directed by Hisashi, the track fuses gothic and industrial metal with haunting Japanese textures.
This track takes listeners on a journey through twisted forests and shadowy realms, weaving a tale of temptation, entrapment, and dark enchantment.
Music Video Full Credits:
–VIDEO PRODUCTION Winterlight Studio –DIRECTOR Riccardo Ceppari –ART DIRECTOR & EDITOR Martina Pizzi –DOP Riccardo Ceppari –DOP ASSISTANT Giulio Barnabò –MAKE UP ARTIST Cristina Attanasio –COSTUMES Annamode Costumes –BACKSTAGE Giulio Barnabò –CONCEPT Martina Pizzi, Belle Morte
MINSK TROUPE –CAMERAMAN Artiom Korol –BACKSTAGE Vadim Bloshnianitsa –MAKE UP ARTIST Diana Makovets
Hisashi:
Hisashi is a professional koto player and composer based in Japan. He has built a wealth of experience playing the koto, both in Japan and overseas. His music career has allowed him to work with clients all over the world, including Japan, the U.S., the UK, Canada, Germany, Norway, and Portugal. He has taken part in several recording sessions for music composers, producers, record labels, an award-nominated composer, and a prize-winning composer. As a composer, he specializes in a mixed style of modern music and traditional Japanese music. He has composed music for singers, dance projects, promotion videos, art projects, etc. In the 2022 Petrichor International Music Competition, he was selected as a semi-finalist. His music style was established through his own unique music career. He has been familiar with traditional Japanese music since he was born because his mother is a koto teacher. He also started playing the piano when he was 6, and he started playing the drums in a rock band when he was 13. He has been a member of many rock/metal bands as a drummer and composer. He also has a passion for electronic music and experiments with modern sound-making by sampling traditional Japanese instruments.
A pioneer who established his own shamisen chord theory and adopted new performance techniques to develop innovative approaches to Western music. In 2012, he won the 5th champion of the national shamisen competition and became the youngest winner ever. He promotes shamisen by holding workshops around the world and has led many students to become prize winners. Currently, he also often appears on TV shows and radio programs, and collaborates with various artists.
Souzan KATO is a professional shakuhachi player based in Japan. He is a certified master of the Tozanryu Shakuhachi Foundation. He graduated from the Traditional Japanese Music Course at Nagoya College of Music and completed the master’s program in the Graduate School of Music at the same university. He was awarded the Gold Prize at the Tozanryu Honkyoku National Competition in 2015, 2018, and 2021. Also, he received the Minister of Education Award and the Sankei Newspaper Award. He engages in performance activities both domestically and internationally, including lectures and performances at universities in Asia, Europe, and North America.
The track is taken from the band’s critically acclaimed album “Pearl Hunting”, released via Wormholedeath Records, further cementing Belle Morte’s place among the most captivating voices in modern symphonic metal.
Pearl Hunting: Watch, “Exorcism” Ft. Ulziisaikhan Khoroldamba: Watch, “September” Ft. Ruben Monteiro: Watch, “Black Waters” Ft. Maulana Malik Ibrahim: Watch, “Blame me” Ft. Lernik Khachatrian: Watch, “Exorcism” Acoustic version: Watch, “Willow”: Watch
About Belle Morte
Formed in Minsk, BELLE MORTE combines dark symphonic metal with gothic, progressive, and melancholic elements. After their 2018 EP Game On, the band signed with Wormholedeath in 2021 to release Crime of Passion, a conceptual album inspired by John Fowles’s The Collector. Their second album continues this global approach, delivering unique symphonic metal experiences for fans seeking something different.
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 