SKULL & CROSSBONES Launch New Single & Video ‘Time Thief’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 24, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Michael Vetter

German heavy/power metal force SKULL & CROSSBONES unveil their brand-new single and video “Time Thief”—a razor-edged anthem about people who steal our time with their behavior. The track expands the album’s core theme of mortality and meaning, arriving ahead of the band’s upcoming full-length “Time”, due November 14, 2025 via Massacre Records.

Driven by militant riffs, towering vocals and a chorus built to roar back from the crowd, “Time Thief” captures the frustration of hours siphoned away by manipulators, energy-vampires and everyday obstructionists—and the cathartic resolve to reclaim what’s left. It stands alongside the record’s deeper reflections on decline (“Labyrinth Of Time”) and renewal (“Eye Of Wisdom”), forming a narrative that cuts across the past, present and future.

STREAM/PURCHASE THE SONG HERE: https://save-it.cc/massacre/time-thief

“Time” marks a strong step forward in both songwriting and production, delivering powerful, melodic, and timeless heavy metal that blends energy with emotion.

The follow-up to their debut was produced by SKULL & CROSSBONES together with Marc Ayerle, who also handled mixing and mastering at KlangMAnufaktur. Cover artwork was created by Michael Vetter, while additional keyboard arrangements on “Thunderstorm” and “The Ocean’s Call” were provided by vocalist Tobias Hübner.

The record is a journey through powerful riffs, anthemic choruses, and lyrical depth – ranging from the mystical (“Eye Of Wisdom”) and the dramatic (“The Price”) to the thunderous and uplifting (“Thunderstorm”) and even playful, with the pirate-inspired closer (“The Ocean’s Call”).

With “Time”, SKULL & CROSSBONES deliver their most mature and focused work to date. Lyrically, the album reflects on the fleeting nature of existence – from stolen hours (“Time Thief”) and human decay (“Labyrinth Of Time”) to rebirth and transcendence (“Eye Of Wisdom”). Musically, the band balance classic heavy/power metal with a modern edge, crafting songs which are as anthemic as they are thought-provoking.

This is not just an album – it’s a journey through past, present, and future, bound together by the unrelenting power of heavy metal.

Track Listing

  1. Echoes Of Eternity
  2. Labyrinth Of Time
  3. Time Thief
  4. The Illusionist
  5. The Price
  6. Thunderstorm
  7. Passing Hours
  8. Eye Of Wisdom
  9. Nocturnal Dreams
  10. The Ocean’s Call

SKULL & CROSSBONES live:
15.11.2025 – DE Dunningen-Lackendorf, Eventlocation Krone
22.11.2025 – DE Freiburg, Artik (w/ Sacred Steel & Portrait)
28.11.2025 – DE Balingen, Sonnenkeller (Release Show)
20.12.2025 – DE Schauenburg, Rittersburg
27.12.2025 – DE Runkel, No Sleep After X-Mas Festival
21.02.2026 – DE Leonberg, Beat Baracke
14.03.2026 – DE Kempten, Cambo Metal (Allgäuhalle)
24/04/2026 DE – Leibertingen-Thalheim – Reuterstüble
25.04.2026 – DE Hochspeyer, Metal Garage
27.06.2026 – DE Weselberg, Sicking High Rock Open Air

SKULL & CROSSBONES are
Tobias Hübner – Vocals
Volker Schmietow – Guitars
Tobias Kipp – Guitars
Jürgen Wannenwetsch – Bass
Bernd Heining – Drums

SKULL & CROSSBONES online:
http://www.skullandcrossbones.de/
https://www.instagram.com/skullandcrossbones_official/
https://www.facebook.com/skullandcrossbones.Band

SBG Records Partners with NASCAR Driver Logan Bearden for NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Slim Jim 200 at Martinsville Speedway

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 24, 2025
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Hard Rock/Metal label SBG Records is proud to announce its partnership with NASCAR Xfinity Series driver and metal fan Logan Bearden, who will compete in Friday (today) night’s NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Slim Jim 200 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Tennessee.

Sacramento-based SBG Records will join Bearden as the primary marketing partner on the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado of Young’s Motorsports.

Texas-based Bearden Automotive will serve as an associate marketing partner.

At SBG Records, hard rock and metal are all about power, passion, and pushing limits – just like NASCAR,” said Shan Dan Horan, owner of SBG Records.

“Teaming up with Logan Bearden for the October 24th CRAFTSMAN Truck series is a natural fit. This partnership brings the raw intensity of the track and the stage together, and we’re ready to turn up the volume on race day.”

SBG Records is an independent rock record label founded by Shan Dan Horan. With a passion for raw, authentic music and a dedication to fostering emerging talent, SBG Records has carved out a unique space in the rock music scene.

The label’s mission is to empower artists, nurture creativity, and bring powerful, genre-defying sounds to the forefront. SBG Records continues to champion bold, innovative rock music that pushes boundaries and connects with listeners on a deeper level.

Whether through gritty, high-energy rock anthems or introspective, melodic masterpieces, SBG Records is committed to supporting artists who stay true to their craft and vision.

SBG Records current roster includes: Drowning Pool, Woe Is Me, Nerv, Archers, Awaken I Am, Sorry X, Jonny Craig, REDDSTAR and A Foreign Affair.

“I’m stoked to have SBG Records on the No. 02 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet this weekend,” said Bearden. “SBG represents some incredible bands. I’m going to have one hell of a playlist this weekend to power us through the race.

“I’m also looking forward to returning to the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and having an opportunity to compete with Young’s Motorsports. I’m hoping we have a respectable performance on Friday night that would continue the momentum for the team heading to the season finale at Phoenix Raceway next weekend.”

The Slim Jim 200 (200 laps | 105.2 miles) is the 24th of 25 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series races on the 2025 schedule. Practice begins on Friday, October 24 at 2:05 p.m. Qualifying immediately follows at 3:10 p.m. The 36-truck field is set to take the green flag later in the day shortly after 6:00 p.m. with live coverage on FS1, the NASCAR Racing Network (Radio), and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. All times are local (Eastern).

Limited Edition t-shirts are available for pre-sale at MerchNow

For More Information Please Visit:

SBG Records: sbgrecords.co  – http://www.instagram.com/sbgrecords.rocks – https://www.tiktok.com/@sbg.records

Logan Bearden: loganbearden.com – https://www.facebook.com/loganbeardenracing – https://x.com/LoganBearden_ – https://www.instagram.com/logan_bearden/

THE HALO EFFECT Unveil Powerful Rendition of Phenomena’s ‘Dance With The Devil’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 24, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo source: https://www.facebook.com/thehaloeffectse

Swedish melodic death metal collective THE HALO EFFECT continue to reveal tracks from their forthcoming cover EP We Are Shadows, out November 21.

Each band member has chosen a personal favorite song to reinterpret, and this time it’s guitarist Niclas Engelin’s turn. His choice: the 1985 classic ‘Dance With The Devil’ by the legendary “supergroup” PHENOMENA, featuring Glenn Hughes, Mel Galley (Whitesnake), and Cozy Powell, among others.

THE HALO EFFECT’s version transforms the iconic track into a crushing, melodic storm — with Mikael Stanne’s ferocious growls and the band’s trademark guitar-driven intensity breathing new life into the timeless song.

Niclas Engelin recalls the song’s lasting impact:
“I got hit by lightning in the 7th grade when I got to borrow the album by Phenomena from my friend Emil Olsen. The song Dance With The Devil struck me hard, and I recorded the whole album on cassette — which I played into dust.”

We Are Shadows will feature unique reinterpretations personally chosen by each member of THE HALO EFFECT, showcasing the diverse influences behind one of Sweden’s most acclaimed modern metal acts.

Pre-order the EP We Are Shadows: https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/waslp

Listen to ‘Dance With The Devil’: https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/dwtdsg

THE HALO EFFECT  will join German metal outfit HEAVEN SHALL BURN along with The Black Dahlia Murder and Frozen Soul on tour early next year. Check out the dates:

27.02.2026       DE         Hamburg – Inselpark Arena 
28.02.2026       DE         Köln – Palladium 
01.03.2026       NL         Tilburg – Poppodium 013
03.03.2026       FR         Villeurbanne – Le Transbordeur
04.03.2026       FR         Paris  – Élysée Montmartre 
05.03.2026       BE         Bruxelles – Ancienne Belgique 
06.03.2026       DE         Stuttgart – Porsche-Arena
07.03.2026       DE         Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
08.03.2026       CH        Zürich – Halle 622
10.03.2026       IT          Trezzo sull’Adda – Live Club 
11.03.2026       LU         Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal Main Hall
13.03.2026       DE         Berlin – Columbiahalle
14.03.2026       DE         Jena – Sparkassen-Arena
15.03.2026       CZ         Brno – Sono Centrum
17.03.2026       HU        Budapest – Barba Negra Csepel
18.03.2026       PL         Kraków – Klub Studio
19.03.2026       AT         Vienna – Gasometer Raiffeisen Halle
20.03.2026       DE         Dresden – Messe Halle 1
21.03.2026       DE         München – Zenith 

STELLAR CIRCUITS Release New Single + Video ‘Bury The Ashes’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 24, 2025
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Prog-Alt-Metal’s rising STELLAR CIRCUITS has released their 3rd and final single, ‘Bury The Ashes,’ from their forthcoming album, Phantom :: Phoenix, that’s out November 14th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commenting on the single, vocalist Ben Beddick says:

“This was my first time doing that type of fast screaming in one of our songs…I really wanted to utilize a more percussive and almost, rapping style vocal during the verse section. I thought it was a nice contrast to other parts of the song. The chorus has a very uplifting and soaring quality to it that I love and I think it serves as a nice release from the tension in those heavier sections. I really think it adds a bit of dynamics to the track as a whole and I’m excited for people to hear it.”

STELLAR CIRCUITS latest single showcases the band’s unique versatility, remarkable songwriting and continued ability to deliver memorable heavy-hitters, as also proven with previous singles ‘I See Your Spirit’ and ‘Corridor.’

Stream ‘Bury The Ashes’: https://sc.bfan.link/bury-the-ashes

Pre-order Phantom :: Phoenix: https://sc.bfan.link/phantom-phoenix

STELLAR CIRCUITS’ follow up to 2023’s acclaimed record Sight To Sound, is a cathartic work of art that explores the trials and tribulations of life and death and the process of healing and perseverance in the face of agony.

Beddick says of the album:

“When we were writing this record, one of the things that kept coming up was the idea of death and rebirth through fire. This idea of killing off the old and dead parts of ourselves in order to give birth to something new and maybe even a truer version of who we all are. Every time we write an album, we go into the process with the idea of getting uncomfortable and exposing a more vulnerable part of ourselves. There also seems to be a constant theme of dealing with loss when we’re in the middle of writing.

Everybody went through different periods of loss and grief during this process and I think that it shows through in the subject matter and the sounds that came out of it. We always want to push ourselves to a new place and build on the foundation that we’ve created over the last few years of being in this band. I think that we’ve been able to achieve that with Phantom :: Phoenix. It’s a representation of that cycle and I hope it can act as a catalyst for growth to those who listen.”

IGNESCENT to Release New Studio Album “Eternal” on March 20th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 24, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Timothy Benson

Female fronted Chicago rockers, Ignescent, are excited to announce the release of their new studio album, “Eternal”, out on March 20, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

To celebrate the announcement, the band share the new single and accompanying official video, “Joker”, available below.

Jennifer Benson commented: “The track is about when the people we love – or thought loved us – hurt and betray us with their words. It’s about the kind of pain that cuts deeper than we expect – when gossip, lies, or broken trust awaken something dark inside. The hurt stirs the Hyde within, and in the aftermath, we’re left feeling like fools forever believing in their love. “I’ll be a joker for you” becomes both a confession and a declaration – a raw acknowledgment of the scars left behind”.

“Driven by haunting vocals and explosive energy, the track dives into the tension between heartbreak and healing – between vengeance and grace. It’s an anthem for anyone who’s been wounded by words yet still chooses to rise”, she continued.

Watch the official video for “Joker”:

Pre-Order “Eternal” HERE

Ignescent, a powerful and dynamic modern metal band from Chicago, fronted by the multi-talented vocalist Jennifer Benson, returns with their brand-new album, “Eternal”.

The band expressed their enthusiasm for the new record, by saying: “We’re beyond excited to announce our brand-new album “Eternal”, dropping March 2026! This one’s a battle cry – for faith, for hope, for forever. What’s eternal cannot be shaken”.

Their latest release showcases a fierce contemporary metal sound reminiscent of Flyleaf, Evanescence, Jinjer, and Skillet – blending raw emotion with driving riffs and soaring melodies.

Over the course of their career, Ignescent has made a notable impact on the rock scene. Their single “Remnant” climbed to #46 on the Billboard Rock Charts, while their debut EP “Electrified” was produced by four-time Dove Award-winning and Grammy-nominated producer Travis Wyrick (10 Years, P.O.D.). The opening track, “Calling Out To You”, co-written with former Skillet guitarist Ben Kasica, also made its way into the Billboard Rock Top 30.

Since 2018, the band has been actively touring across the Midwest, Nashville, and later Europe, following the release of their album “Fight In Me” through Frontiers Records Srl.

But Ignescent is more than just a rock band – they are storytellers with authenticity at their core. Drawing from real-life struggles with anxiety and depression, their lyrics offer a message of hope, resilience, and connection. Their music is grounded in emotion, featuring compelling guitar work, powerful rhythms, and deeply relatable themes.

“Eternal” is produced by Jeremy Valentine (New Years Day) and Brandon Wolfe, and features a collection of modern metal anthems, including “Joker”, “Fearless” – co-written with Sameer Bhattacharya of Flyleaf, and “Chariot Of Fire”, featuring Clint Lowery of Sevendust.

“Eternal” Tracklist:

1.    Joker    
2.    Scream    
3.    Fight For Me    
4.    Fearless    
5.    Shame Shadow    
6.    Our Love Dies    
7.    Light Up The Night    
8.    In The Dark    
9.    Chariot Of Fire    
10.    Eternal

Line Up:
Jennifer Benson – lead vocals
Andre Leon – guitars
Mikey Green – bass guitar
Kohl Coryell – drums

Follow IGNESCENT:
Facebook
Instagram

HÄLLAS Release First Track ‘The Emissary’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 24, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Swedish rock quintet Hällas are proud to share the first single of their fourth full-length Panaroma, which will be released on 30th January, 2026. The new album will be released via their own label Äventyr Records.

Pre-order Panorama here: https://shop.hallasband.com/

“In one way, Panorama sounds familiar: an imaginative hybrid of progressive 70s rock and heavy metal with echoes of both folk and psychedelia, along with conceptual content. In another sense, you have not quite heard a record like this from Hällas before. The self-confidence has never been as evident. Influences from different directions collide, and sometimes clash, contributing to the feeling that the expected instead culminates in wonder at what it is you’re hearing.“

Download/stream ‘The Emissary’ here: https://orcd.co/theemissary

With their new album Panorama, Hällas both consolidates and expands the image of what the band is – but also what rock can be. This time, different perspectives in a scenario are explored regarding whether humanity is capable of understanding a viewpoint other than their own. It reflects our time but is, in typical Hällas fashion, staged in a fictional, distant world.

Hällas have previously announced new Scandinavian and European tour dates in support of the release. A full list of confirmed dates can be found below.

Hällas live
06-02-2026 Korjaamo, Helsinki (FI)
13-02-2026 Rockefeller, Oslo (NO)
20-02-2026 Fållan, Stockholm (SE)
21-02-2026 Filmstudion, Gothenburg (SE)
28-02-2026 Amager Bio, Copenhagen (DK)
11-03-2026 Uebel & Gefaerlich, Hamburg (DK)
13-03-2026 La Machine du Moulin Rouge, Paris (FR) 
15-03-2026 De Helling, Utrecht (NL)
16-03-2026 Junkyard, Dortmund (DE)
17-03-2026 Dynamo, Zürich (CH)
18-03-2026 Hansa39, Munich (DE)
19-03-2026 Arena Wien, Vienna (AT)
21-03-2026 Heimathafen Neukölln, Berlin (DE) 
22-03-2026 Futurum, Prague (CZ)

Tickets on sale here: https://hallasband.com/live

Track list:
1. Above the Continuum
2. Face of an Angel
3. The Emissary
4. Bestiaus
5. At the Summit

Forget about everyday life and step into an adventurous fantasy world – that’s what Hällas wants for their audience to experience. The Swedish quintet craft epic fantasy-themed concept albums filled with adventurous twin guitars, vintage synths, and mystical storytelling, carving out their own genre of adventure rock.

Their upcoming album Panorama is Hällas‘ fourth full length release. While  staying true to their signature sound and lyricism, it may very well be the most varied and complex so far.

Hällas were founded in 2011 and saw their initial breakthrough with their first full length album, Excerpts From A Future Past (2017), and its hit single ‘Star Rider’. Building on their initial success, Hällas released their sophomore album Conundrum in 2020, garnering them a Swedish Grammy nomination. The album trifecta was complete with the release of Isle of Wisdom in 2022, widening their repertoire even further. 

With each release, the band has cultivated a cult following in the modern prog and hard rock scenes around the world. With their cinematic storytelling and timeless sound, Hällas has been touring far and wide-playing sold out shows all over Europe, as well as North and Latin America. Regardless of where, Hällas captures their audience with their own adventure rock universe coming to life on stage. 

With Panorama, the band writes yet another chapter in the story of Hällas. Tread carefully, friends.

Hällas are: 
Tommy Alexandersson: vocals, bass 
Rickard Swahn: guitar 
Marcus Petersson: guitar 
Nicklas Malmqvist: keyboards 
Kasper Eriksson: drums 

Follow Hällas: FACEBOOK · INSTAGRAM · WEBSITE