MANDY MANALA Announce New Album “Something Wicked” + Release New Single & Video ‘Nocturnal Bites’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Finnish dark heavy rock band Mandy Manala have officially announced their sophomore studio album “Something Wicked”, set for release on May 29, 2026 via Argonauta Records. The album will be available in CD, deluxe colored vinyl, and digital formats.

Alongside the announcement, the band has released their brand new single and official music video “Nocturnal Bites”, now streaming online.

Blending dark heavy rock, stoner rock, and occult rock influences, Something Wicked sees Mandy Manala pushing their sound into heavier and more atmospheric territory while maintaining strong melodic hooks and a cinematic approach to songwriting.

Led by the powerful and haunting vocals of Christa Nedergård, the album explores themes of darkness, desire and mysticism, delivering a dynamic mix of crushing riffs, hypnotic grooves, and immersive soundscapes.

Formed in Vaasa, Finland, Mandy Manala continue to establish themselves within the modern heavy rock scene, appealing to fans of Ghost, Lucifer, Chelsea Wolfe and Fleetwood Mac, thanks to their unique balance of heaviness and melody.

The new single “Nocturnal Bites” highlights the band’s evolution, combining driving rhythms, dark atmospheres and a captivating vocal performance that reinforces their growing identity within the genre.

Cover art by Ritva Pääjärvi

“Something Wicked” Tracklist:
01. Bloodred Chapel of Sin
02. Nocturnal Bites
03. Bridges
04. Shoebox
05. Psalm 77:7
06. Underneath The Sea
07. Beneath A Steel Sky
08. The Dark Passenger Pt.2
09. Something Wicked

With Something Wicked, Mandy Manala deliver a darker, heavier, and more refined album, marking a significant step forward in their artistic journey.

The album will be released worldwide on May 29, 2026 via Argonauta Records.

https://www.facebook.com/MandyManala
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

BLACK OAK COUNTY Deliver Their Most Focused, Aggressive & Emotionally Charged Album to Date “Misprint”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Julia Nikiforova, JN Lightning

With “Misprint”, Danish hard rock outfit BLACK OAK COUNTY deliver their most focused, aggressive and emotionally charged album to date. Released on April 10th, 2026 via Mighty Music, the band’s fourth full-length is a confrontational, hook-driven hard rock record shaped by years of personal pressure, unrest, and hard-earned clarity – as well as celebrating some of the band’s greatest professional and personal victories. 

Following the award-winning “III” (2024), “Misprint” finds Black Oak County pushing both ends of their sound – heavier, more melodic, and more direct than ever – without losing the no-nonsense hard rock core that has earned them a strong live reputation across Denmark and beyond. 

The album’s title reflects a central feeling running through the record: the sense of being off, wrong, or out of place, and the damage done when those feelings are left unspoken. While much of “Misprint” carries a dark emotional weight, it’s balanced by moments of resolve, love, defiance and release. This is not a record about wallowing, but about confrontation. 

The first single, “Kill The Pain”, opens the album with its heaviest statement. Driven by crushing riffs, groove-heavy production and an explosive chorus, the song functions as both a wake-up call and a release valve. Lyrically, it confronts the growing division, violence and dehumanisation dominating modern society. At its core, “Kill The Pain” is about facing what’s broken, rather than ignoring it, and choosing action over apathy. Written during a period marked by both global unrest and personal crisis, the song ultimately lands as a call to stand together and fight back against despair – in whatever form it takes. 

“Misprint” was once again co-written, produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Nicklas Sonne (Defecto, Danish Eurovision Preliminaries). The result is a bold, modern hard rock album that blends aggression, melody and layered instrumentation – including subtle synth elements – while keeping the songs immediate, physical and built for the stage. 

Black Oak County have steadily built momentum through relentless touring and releases, earning Årets Single (Single of the Year) for “Save Your Breath” at Den Hårde Tone 2024 and Årets Rock Single (Rock Single of the Year) for “Boom Boom Baby” at the Danish Alternative Music Awards 2025. Known for their high-energy live shows, the band will support “Misprint” with their most ambitious touring cycle yet, including their first full German headline run. 

“Misprint” was released on LP (gatefold, splatter orange vinyl, limited to 500 copies), digipack CD and digital formats on 10.04.2026, via Mighty Music.

Confirmed upcoming live dates:
24.04 – Vesterbro 10, Viborg, DK
25.04 – Generator, Ringkøbing, DK
01.05 – Tobakken, Esbjerg, DK
07.05 – Skråen, Aalborg, DK
08.05 – Bygningen, Vejle, DK
09.05 – Musikhuset Elværket, Holbæk, DK
27.06 – Copenhell, Copenhagen, DK
04.07 – Datscha Open Air, Klr. Wiesental, DE
20.11 – Rockpalast, Bochum, DE
21.11 – Backstage Club, München, DE
23.11 – Mikropol, Berlin, DE
24.11 – MTC • Live Music Club, Köln, DE
25.11 – Goldmarks, Stuttgart, DE
27.11 – Monkeys Music Club, Hamburg, DE

Lineup:
Niels Beier – guitar, vocals
René Kristensen – bass, vocals
Jack Svendsen – guitars
Mike Svendsen – drums

Webshop: https://bit.ly/boc-tgt
Digital: https://bfan.link/boc-mis

Further links:
Tidal
Qobuz
Deezer
Bandcamp
Soundcloud

THE ZAC SCHULZE GANG Announce 2027 UK Headline Tour

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Laurence Harvey

Off the back of their sold-out concert at London’s Islington Garage on Saturday April 11, and winning the “Young Artist of the Year” award for the second year in a row at the UK Blues Awards 2026, Kent blues rock trio The Zac Schulze Gang are pleased to announce their 2027 UK Headline Tour which includes their biggest London concert to date at The Islington Assembly Hall on Saturday February 27th.

Tickets are on sale at alttickets.com, Gigantic.com and The Zac Schulze Gang.

The band are best known for their explosive live shows and their signature blend of 70’s classic blues rock and modern alternative influences. Guitarist Zac Schulze commands the punk intensity of Wilko Johnson, the blues rock finesse of Rory Gallagher, and the adrenaline-pumped rock presence of AC/DC’s Angus Young.

Over the past few years, the Kent-based trio have built a loyal following who are fans of their blistering, raw-to-the-bone live shows. They’ve toured the UK and Europe extensively and have supported the likes of Samantha Fish on several tours. Their explosive sound combines classic British R&B with punk urgency, first-class musicianship, and non-stop onstage excitement.

Released in September 2025, the band’s debut album Straight To Itsays it all. The trio doesn’t mess around with niceties, preferring to play the kind of blues-infused rock’n’roll that grabs you by the throat.

Guitarist Zac Schulze, is a world-class shredder, playing with precision, speed, and passion, but the focus of the trio isn’t just his solos. The Zac Schulze Gang is an undeniable gang, a group unified by a like-minded sensibility that adds an electrifying charge to their rock’n’roll. Zac rides the thunder generated by the rhythm section of his drummer brother Ben Schulze and bassist Ant Greenwell. The trio create a massive roar, without losing sight of what matters most, the songs.

The Zac Schulze Gang’s sound and work ethic harks back to the much-loved live dynamic and relentless touring schedules of 70s icons including Rory Gallagher and Dr Feelgood. Their unique sound also embodies elements of heritage classic rock acts like AC/DC and Thin Lizzy, while giving a nod to contemporary influences like Turnstile, Royal Blood and Queens of the Stone Age.

The Gang have made lasting impressions at festivals including Eric Clapton’s Crossroads, Planet Rock’s Winter End, Fairport’s Cropredy Festival, and the Rory Gallagher Tribute Festival in Ballyshannon where the band first exploded onto the scene.

Zac Schulze won “Emerging Artist of the Year” at the UK Blues Awards 2024 and followed this by winning “Young Artist of the Year” at the UK Blues Awards in 2025 and 2026. With sold-out concerts in the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK, the Zac Schulze Gang are the band to watch.

DHP FAMILY and friends in association with THE MAIN THING presents

THE ZAC SCHULZE GANG FEBRUARY & MARCH 2027 UK TOUR

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
ALTTICKETS.COM, GIGANTIC.COM,
ZACSCHULZEGANG.ROCKS/TOUR

Newcastle, The Cluny
Tuesday 23 February 2027
Tickets: alttickets.com
36 Lime Street, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE1 2PQ
https://thecluny.com

Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms
Wednesday 24 February 2027
Tickets: Gigiantic.com
19a W Register St, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA
www.thevoodoorooms.com

Glasgow, Stereo
Thursday 25 February 2027
Tickets: Gigantic.com
22-28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow, G2 5AR
www.stereocafebar.com  

London, Islington Assembly Hall
Saturday 27 February 2027
Tickets: alttickets.com
Upper St, Islington, London, N1 2UD
https://islingtonassemblyhall.co.uk/

Bristol, Thekla
Sunday 28 February 2027
Tickets: alttickets.com
The Grove, East Mud Dock, Bristol, BS1 4RB
www.theklabristol.co.uk

Cardiff, The Globe
Tuesday 2 March 2027
Tickets: alttickets.com
125 Albany Road, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 3NSA
https://www.globecardiff.co.uk

Southampton, The Joiners
Wednesday 3 March 2027
Tickets: alttickets.com
1 St Mary Street, Southampton, SO14 1NS
https://www.facebook.com/joinerssouthampton/

Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
Thursday 4 March 2027
Tickets: alttickets.com
106 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham, B14 7JZ
https://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2026 UK TOUR

Leeds, The Key Club
Tuesday 10 November 2026
Tickets: alttickets.com
66 Merrion St, Leeds, LS2 8LW
www.thekeyclubleeds.com

Manchester, Night & Day
Wednesday 11 November 2026
Tickets: alttickets.com
26 Oldham St, Manchester, M1 1JN
https://nightnday.org

York Crescent
Thursday 12 November 2026
Tickets: alttickets.com
8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW
https://thecrescentyork.com

Norwich, Waterfront Studio
Friday 13 November 2026
Tickets: alttickets.com
139-141 King St, Norwich, NR1 1QH
https://waterfrontnorwich.webflow.io

Brighton, Hope & Ruin
Saturday 14 November 2026
Tickets: alttickets.com
11-12 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3WA
www.hope.pub

Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
Sunday 15 November 2026
Tickets: alttickets.com
Masonic Place, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5LB
www.rescuerooms.com

More information: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | APPLE | YOUTUBE

BLUTGOTT Release New Single And Video ‘Death Of The Bloodking’ (Debauchery version)

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

BLUTGOTT release the new single “Death Of The Bloodking” (Debauchery version).

DEBAUCHERY “Death Of The Bloodking” – Recorded by the amazing Dennis Ward (Helloween, Krokus, Unisonic). The epic battle of Balgeroth the Bloodking of Knochenheim against the war gods of Valhalla. Brutal dark fantasy metal straight from the underworld.

The artwork for the single was painted by Thomas Gurrath himself.

“Death Of The Bloodking” is the third single from the upcoming BLUTGOTT album.

BLUTGOTT: DEBAUCHERY VS. BALGEROTH
Die Schlacht um Knochenheim Teil 1 – Death of the Bloodking
Release October 2026

THE BLUTGOTT METAL UNIVERSE  

DEBAUCHERY Death Metal – BLOOD GOD Heavy Metal – BALGEROTH German Metal

Dark Fantasy Metal. There is no political or socio-critical message.

It’s not a band, it’s a universe. An extraordinary concept that goes far beyond music: the BLUTGOTT metal universe, consisting of the metal monsters Debauchery, Blood God, and Balgeroth.
For over 20 years, it has combined brutal metal and dark fantasy, with over 20 albums and more than 40 CDs. It is a unique world, the World of Blood Gods – populated by demonic vampire dragons, humans, elves, and dwarves. It has its own miniatures, its own tabletop wargame, art books, and more.

The new album “Death of the Bloodking” is the first part of the trilogy: “The Battle for Knochenheim”. It will be released on October 30, 2026 as a 2CD digipack, accompanied by 10 digital singles and videos.

The cataclysmic final battle between Balgeroth, the Bloodking of Knochenheim, and Luziferon, the most powerful of all demon overlords of Hell. A war whose flames engulf hundreds of thousands of worlds – from Eden to the world of the Nazarene himself.

In the War of Balgeroth, the fascist Imperium of mankind is destroyed. Asgard falls, the godly realms of Valhalla are desecrated and ravaged in apocalyptic battles.
But the greatest and most cruel battle of all time rages around Knochenheim.
The fortress metropolis on the largest stable route from Hell to Eden.
Knochenheim – a monument of horror, the dragon fortress, an unshakeable bulwark of the Blood Gods against the eternal hordes of damnation. There, the demon hordes of Luziferon meet the legions of the Trinity of Blood Gods.

https://www.blutgott.com/
https://www.facebook.com/blutgott666
https://www.instagram.com/blutgott666
https://www.youtube.com/@blutgott666
https://www.tiktok.com/@blutgott666

EDGE OF PARADISE Announce 2026 European & UK Headline Tour + Supporting VISIONS OF ATLANTIS on Select Dates

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Los Angeles cinematic rock band Edge of Paradise have announced Prophecy and the Mind Rebellion tour, spanning across Europe and UK for spring 2026, including select support dates with Visions of Atlantis, as the band brings its immersive futuristic live show back overseas.

Before heading overseas, the band will headline the second day of Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver, Canada on April 17 before launching into a string of dates across Germany, Switzerland, France, and the UK. “We’re incredibly excited to bring Prophecy to Europe for the first time after having such an epic time performing these songs live across North America.” Margarita Monet states.

Known for fusing soaring vocals, thought provoking lyrics, heavy riffs, and electronic futurism, Edge of Paradise continue to expand both their global reach and their multimedia creative universe. Adding to that momentum, the band’s song The Unknown, is featured in the soundtrack to Complete Howard French Course, a film that had its theatrical premiere in Los Angeles and is now continuing through the European film festival circuit.

“We love touring Europe and the UK. The last time we were there we were supporting Symphony X in 2024, and coming back now with our own headlining show is a special milestone for us. We’re also thrilled to kick off the tour with an appearance at Rock In Rautheim in Braunschweig, Germany!” – Margarita Monet.

With Prophecy reaching European stages for the first time, a growing international touring footprint, the upcoming audiobook release of the band’s graphic novel Hologram and Slaves to Forever, and continued expansion into film, Edge of Paradise are entering 2026 with powerful momentum.

In addition to the live performances, Edge of Paradise are offering VIP meet & greet  on select dates, bringing Margarita Monet’s visual art to the forefront. Fans will have access to exclusive collectible items, including VIP laser-engraved metal badges, handmade pieces, and other unique artifacts connected to the band’s expanding sci-fi universe!

For tickets and VIP visit here: https://nationalactsvip.com/edgeofparadise

Fans can watch EDGE OF PARADISE’s latest music video below, along with a tour trailer for the upcoming European and U.K. run.

Latest Music Video “Martyr (Monster)”: https://youtu.be/GtHYeuZpXbA

17.04 – Vancouver – Hyperspace Metal Festival
06.05 – Leipzig – Hellraiser
07.05 – Nuremberg – Hirsch*
08.05 – Braunschweig – Rock in Rautheim
09.05 – Wacken Warm up Show – Landgasthof*
10.05 – Berlin – Spirale
11.05 – Frankfurt – Nachtleben
12.05 – Trier – Forum*
13.05 – Geneva – PTR – L’Usine*
14.05 – Bordeaux – Rocher De Palmer*
16.05 – Montpellier – Rockstore*
18.05 – London – @camdenassembly
19.05 – Plymouth – The Junction
20.05 – Newcastle – @trilliansrocks
22.05 – Essen – Don’t Panic
23.05 – Eisden-Maasmechelen – Ragnarok
24.05 – Düsseldorf – Pitcher
25.05 – Hamburg – Logo
*supporting Visions of Atlantis

Tour Trailer:

OBEY THE KRAKEN Launch Full Scale Assault with New Video Single ‘War Awaits’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

With the world teetering on the brink of collapse, German deathcore force Obey The Kraken return with their aptly titled new single ‘War Awaits’, the third cut from their forthcoming EP Apocrypha, landing this Friday, 10th April via Seek & Strike.

Stream Apocrypha here

Having already ripped through the gates with their opening salvo ‘Betrayer‘, the band unveiled a deeper layer of their shadowy mythology with follow-up single ‘Netherworld‘. Now they escalate the assault with ‘War Awaits’, a full-scale sonic offensive where bombardment level breakdowns, frontline ferocity and scorched earth riffs detonate beneath apocalyptic, otherworldly vocals, advancing like an unstoppable war machine through the wreckage they leave behind.

Emerging from Germany’s increasingly vicious extreme metal underground, Obey The Kraken have quickly built a reputation for deathcore that is as narrative driven as it is punishing. Their new EP Apocrypha continues the band’s fascination with apocalyptic storytelling, a biblical saga of fallen angels, infernal alliances and war against the heavens themselves, with each track acting as another chapter in the descent.

Nothing about this world is subtle. Every riff is a weapon. Every breakdown lands like a hammer blow. And with ‘War Awaits’, Obey The Kraken make it brutally clear that the descent has only just begun.

Commenting on the EP, Obey The Kraken said: “Apocrypha means a lot to us, especially as we hadn’t planned this second EP.  After finishing our first EP (Worship The Sunken God) last year things developed naturally and we realized we had more to say within this world and sound. We consciously kept the formula of the first EP intact, so anyone who enjoyed EP1 will feel right at home with EP2. Listening back to the final masters, we’re genuinely happy with how consistent and powerful the release feels as a whole. Everything was designed to feel massive, heavy, and epic, supporting the narrative without overcomplicating the production approach.

“Lyrics play a central role for us. Our first EP told the complete story of Cthulhu and his resurrection across four songs and we wanted to apply that same conceptual approach again. On Apocrypha, the songs tell the story of an angel who is cast out of heaven, forms an alliance with hell and ultimately seeks to conquer heaven itself. Each track represents a different chapter of that narrative.” 

Apocrypha tells a story in sound, an angel cast from heaven, forging an alliance with hell, returning to challenge the celestial order itself. The EP moves like the story, deliberate and immersive, pulling listeners into Obey The Kraken’s realm where narrative and brutality are inseparable. Nothing is decorative. Nothing is wasted. Every note exists to damage and leave its mark.

Whilst preserving the DNA of their debut, Obey The Kraken push further into uncharted territory.  With production carried out entirely in house, leaving the band with full control over how heavy, how clear and how oppressive they needed it to feel. The result is an EP that is heavy and unflinching, a complete assault for fans who crave deathcore that hits as hard thematically as it does musically. 

Track-list:

1. Betrayer
2. Netherworld
3. War Awaits
4. Bow To Darkness

For more:
Instagram || Spotify