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THE OCEAN Announce New Album “Solaris” + First Video Single ‘Light Pollution’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 29, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: The Ocean. Leave a comment
Credit: Pelagic Records

A lot of bands wouldn’t have recovered. From 2022 to 2025, post-metal visionaries The Ocean lost two-thirds of their members, with the lineup that made fan-favourite albums Phanerozoic I (2018), Phanerozoic II (2020) and Holocene (2023) stripping itself away. After a victorious final bow at Hellfest last year celebrating this lineup that had lasted for over a decade, only founding guitarist, songwriter and lyricist Robin Staps, longtime bassist Mattias Hägerstrand and new drummer Jordi Farré (also of Crippled Black Phoenix) remained.

Those who stayed could easily have called it quits, but instead, they rebuilt with and re-emerged with Solaris: the most ambitious album of The Ocean’s 25-year career. A near-70-minute journey to the stars and back, it’s based on late Soviet filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky’s masterpiece of the same name.

The first single from this upcoming album, ‘Light Pollution’, begins with familiar synth textures that connect seamlessly to its predecessor, Holocene, before gradually picking up momentum and moving in a different direction. The song culminates in a towering, slow-burning finale of orchestral grandeur, suffocating heaviness, and subdued rhythmic complexity.

Solaris will be released via Pelagic Records on 25th September. Pre-order: https://orcd.co/theocean-solaris

“Orbital motion or particles and grains of sand / is there any meaning in these patterns”, new vocalist Enrico Tiberi sings at the beginning of the song. Orbital motion is not only the gravitationally curved trajectory of a celestial body; in another context — alluding to early scenes in the film Solaris — orbital motion in water refers to the circular or elliptical paths water particles follow as waves pass through, transferring energy without moving the water itself forward.

‘Light Pollution’ explores the pitfalls of 21st-century technology and humanity’s growing obsession with simulated reality. But do the many technological and social advances of recent decades truly represent progress? “We’ve witnessed several communication revolutions throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, but have we actually become any better at communicating?” comments Robin Staps. “Has there really been forward movement, or has the motion been orbital — have we merely been treading water? Light pollution symbolizes the transparency of the postmodern age, permeating everything and everyone. Everything is constantly visible; we’ve lost the darkness to hide in, and with the relentless glare of communication, we’ve also lost our privacy.”

For the music video for ‘Light Pollution’, The Ocean have enlisted the talents of filmmaker Craig Murray (Mogwai, Converge), to create a narrative arc that combines the arrival of new vocalists Lane Shi and Enrico Tiberi with the song’s lyrics. Murray’s attention to detail is a match for The Ocean; his specificity with regards to costume, design and props elevates the visual accompaniment to ‘Light Pollution’ to a cinematic level. 

With their 12th studio album, The Ocean usher in a new era in the band’s 25-year history. Emmanuel Jessua of Hypno5e and Marco Gennaro join on guitar, while vocalists Enrico Tiberi and Lane Shi (Elizabeth Colour Wheel, Otay:Onii) step in to replace Loïc Rossetti.

For the recording of Solaris, the band further expanded its creative circle with contributions from Thorsten Quaeschning of Tangerine Dream on modular synthesizers. Jens Bogren, who previously mixed the band’s landmark albums Pelagial and Phanerozoic I and II, once again handled mixing and mastering.

Solaris is arguably the boldest album to bear The Ocean‘s name so far. It’s musically intrepid, it’s conceptually fascinating and it’s got many vital things to say about the world around us. The band have well and truly resurfaced, and they’ve done so in shimmering form.

Track list:
1. 52°30’11” N, 13°26’12“ E
2. Departure Song
3. Light Pollution
4. Simulacra
5. Belligerence
6. Ultima Esperanza
7. Milk Of My Dreams
8. 51°28’30” S, 73°6’11” W

Line-up:
Robin Staps – guitar, vocals
Mattias Hägerstrand – bass
Jordi Farré – drums, percussion
Enrico Tiberi – vocals, keys
Lane Shi – vocals
Emmanuel Jessua – guitar
Marco Gennaro – guitar

In addition, the following musicians performed on this record:
Thorsten Quaeschning – keys
Orestis Zafiriou – keys
Simen Eifring – trombone
Jiawei Zhang – vibraphone

ATOM LUX Unveils New Single & Video ‘Weirdos From Teegarden B’ from Upcoming EP “Kamikaze Butterfly”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 29, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Atom Lux. Leave a comment

Italian psychedelic rock project Atom Lux continues the journey toward the release of the upcoming EP Kamikaze Butterfly with the release of a brand new single and video, “Weirdos From Teegarden B”, out now via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records.

Driven by a restless psych prog energy that never slows down, “Weirdos From Teegarden B” tells the bizarre story of a gang of alien outcasts arriving from the distant planet Teegarden B. Highly advanced and masters of interstellar travel, these cosmic troublemakers roam the galaxy purely for amusement during their spare time.

Across chaotic space road trips, the extraterrestrial misfits jump from planet to planet looting worlds and abducting unsuspecting victims, including the song’s narrator, who ends up becoming one of their captured “pets.”

Blending surreal storytelling with explosive psychedelic textures, heavy grooves and progressive twists, Atom Lux once again transforms imaginative sci fi themes into an unpredictable sonic experience.

Atom Lux is the solo project of Italian multi instrumentalist Lucio Filizola, whose sound merges psychedelic, garage, stoner and alternative rock influences into a dynamic and constantly evolving musical vision. Originally conceived as a one man studio project, Atom Lux has since expanded into a full live band experience.

With “Weirdos From Teegarden B”, Atom Lux reveals yet another facet of the forthcoming Kamikaze Butterfly EP, whose full details will be announced very soon.

https://www.facebook.com/atomlux.music
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

HÄLLAS Announce New European Tour Supporting OPETH on Selected Dates

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 29, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: HÄLLAS. Leave a comment

After their succesful Spring tour, Swedish rock quintet Hällas are pleased to announce another European tour in support of their recently released fourth full-length album, Panorama. Earth Tongue will join as support on most dates.

In addition, Hällas have confirmed four summer shows supporting prog legends Opeth. A full list of dates is available below.

Tickets are on sale now: https://hallasband.com/live

On stage, the Adventure Rock universe fully comes to life. Tread carefully, friends.

Hällas Europe 2026
+ Earth Tongue02-10    Parkhotel, Dresden (DE)
03-10    Kwadrat, Krakow (PL)
04-10    Niebo, Warsaw (PL)
06-10    Het Paard, Den Haag (NL)
07-10    Doornoosje, Nijmegen (NL)
08-10    Hall of Fame, Tilburg (NL)
09-10    Keep It Low, Munich (DE)
10-10    Schüur, Luzern (CH)
11-10    Club Volta, Köln (DE)
13-10    La Ferrailleur, Nantes (FR)
14-10    Le Rex, Toulouse (FR)
15-10    Le Dodu, Marseille (FR)
16-10    TBA*
17-10    TBA*
18-10    TBA*

*No Earth Tongue

Hällas 2026
+ Opeth
30-07    OLT Rivierenhof, Antwerp (BE)
02-08    Bord Gais Energy Theater, Dublin (IE)
05-08    Tivoli-Vredenburg, Utrecht (NL)
07-08    Amphitheater, Gelsenkirchen (DE) 

Hällas Summer Festivals 2026
06-06    Sweden Rock Festival, Norje (SE)
19-06    Azkena Rock Festival, Vitoria-Gasteiz (ES)
03-07    Golden R Festial, Nea Anchialos (GR)
01-08    Rock Im Wald, Lichtenfels (DE)
30-08    Cosmic Vibration, Sheffield (UK)

For fans of: Rush, Genesis, The Devil’s Blood, Opeth, Ghost, Graveyard
Genre: Adventure Rock

Forget about everyday life and step into an adventurous fantasy world – that’s what Hällas want 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 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.

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.

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 have 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 capture their audience with their own adventure rock universe coming to life on stage. 

With their new album Panorama, Hällas both consolidate and expand 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.

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

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

Follow Hällas: FACEBOOK · INSTAGRAM · WEBSITE

ONSÉGEN ENSEMBLE Release New Single & Video ‘The Word’ from Upcoming Album “A Tale”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 29, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: ONSÉGEN ENSEMBLE. Leave a comment

Karisma Records is proud to announce a new album from Finnish collective ONSÉGEN ENSEMBLE. The band’s fifth album, A Tale, will be released June 26th on vinyl, CD and digital formats, and will be available on all major streaming platforms.
 
With A Tale, the band’s expression becomes more ethereal and profound than before. While Onségen Ensemble operates within a progressive mindset, they deliberately avoid traditional genre boundaries, creating music that moves forward by absorbing influences intuitively, free from stylistic dogma.
 
The band has this to say about A Tale:
On the album A Tale, we felt a strong need to explore something new. As with our previous records, we’ve always introduced new elements along the way — instruments as well as musicians — and this album is no exception.
Vilma’s contribution as a vocalist has influenced our sound far beyond that of a single instrument. In many ways, her presence is defining. We believe this significant shift expands our expression into something broader, richer, and even more nuanced.
The central theme of the album is peace. In many ways, it feels like the only value that still truly holds meaning in today’s world. Peace is diverse, what we dare not be.

The second taste from A Tale is the track The Word, which is released both as a digital single and video on the 28th of May. The song can be heard and seen here: https://orcd.co/the-word

The band has this to say about The Word:
The Word is perhaps more traditional take on OE’s Eastern-Western style. It features strong, expansive melodic lines and a tight, driving rhythm.
 
We’re eagerly looking forward to unleashing this growing psych-disco energy live.
 

Based in the north and shaped by its environment, Onségen Ensemble has built a distinctive identity through constant transformation. Rather than a fixed lineup, the band functions as a living ensemble: a stable core surrounded by ever-changing contributors. Each album introduces new voices, instruments and perspectives, allowing the music to evolve freely and remain open to the unexpected.
 
The album was produced by Niko Lehdontie, known for his work with Oranssi Pazuzu, Kairon; IRSE!, Grave Pleasures and Kaleidobolt. His involvement brings a subtle psychedelic undercurrent to the album, balanced by a strong sense of beauty and restraint.

With artwork by Merja Järvelin, the tracklist for A Tale is:
1. Garden of Celestials
2. To be Led by the Lost
3. A Thought
4. The Word
5. Oldest Father
6. The First Casualty
7. Crystal Water of Spring

A Tale will be released on the 26th of June in CD, Digital and Black and Transparent Rabbit Hole Vinyl formats, and is available to pre-order now from:
Bandcamp: https://onsegenensemble.bandcamp.com/ 
Webshop: https://shop.karismarecords.no/ 

Onségen Ensemble has previously performed across the Nordic countries, including Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Their northern origin is an essential part of their sound: spacious, patient and shaped by distance, silence and landscape. With the new partnership with Karisma Records, the band hopes to bring their music to a wider audience and to expand their live activity in the coming years.

Personnel on A Tale:
Heikki Hallanoro – percussions
Tuuli Jartti – violin
Merja Järvelin – backing vocals, art work
Esa Juujärvi – bass, vocals, recording and co-production
Samuli Lindberg – drums
Joni Mäkelä – guitar
Vilma Pesola – vocals
Mikko Vuorela – flute, harmonica, soundscapes
Jarmo Väärä – trumpet

For more information on Onségen Ensemble, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/onsegenensemble

PSYCROPTIC to Release “The Pulse of Annihilation” Full-Length Album on July 17th , ‘Gathering a Venomous Herd’ Video Single Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 29, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Psycroptic. Leave a comment
Photo by Rae Chatten

For over two decades, PSYCROPTIC has operated at the vanguard of technical death metal, defined by instrumental precision, structural intelligence and an uncompromising creative ethic. From their Tasmanian origins to commanding stages worldwide, the band have built a reputation on rhythmic complexity, exacting musicianship, and a refusal to plateau.

On July 17th, PSYCROPTIC enters a decisive new chapter with The Pulse Of Annihilation, their first full-length release for Metal Blade Records. The partnership marks a strategic alignment between one of extreme metal’s most technically formidable acts and a label whose history is intertwined with the genre’s evolution.

At the core of this next phase is guitarist and principal songwriter Joe Haley. Over time, Haley’s compositional voice has evolved from pure technical density into something more architecturally deliberate. On The Pulse Of Annihilation, riff construction feels sharper, transitions more fluid, and thematic motifs more intentional. Haley’s writing demonstrates a seasoned understanding of pacing-knowing when to constrict, when to expand, and how to weaponize silence and space within otherwise relentless arrangements. Experience has not diminished intensity; it has refined its delivery.

“The Pulse Of Annihilation is the culmination of everything that has come before,” remarks Haley. “We never force anything stylistically and just let the songs manifest of their own accord – maintaining progression while remaining very much PSYCROPTIC. I feel this is our most epic, thrashing, technical while grooviest release yet.”

The record features the dual-vocal assault of Jason Peppiatt and Jason Keyser (Origin), a partnership that debuted on PSYCROPTIC‘s previous full-length, Divine Council. Peppiatt’s commanding growl intertwines with Keyser’s razor-edged articulation, creating a dynamic vocal interplay that adds dimension and contrast to the band’s dense instrumentation. This twofold approach heightens the record’s impact, featuring layered, confrontational elements that remain tightly synced with the band’s intricate foundation.

The album’s first single, “Gathering A Venomous Herd” serves as an immediate declaration of intent.

“This one’s a tricky one and total wrist splitter,” Haley notes, “It’s a mega non-stop riff fest.”

“It’s a knuckle-dragger,” agrees bassist Todd Stern, “I love when we can just cool out at this tempo. All my favorite PSYCROPTIC songs have this kind of ‘bounce’ to them that allows for just endless head-banging and leaves room for massive vocal passages, plus there’s that noodley section in the middle with the guitar ring out… Meathead Monday.”

Stream “Gathering a Venomous Herd” HERE

Produced once again by Haley at his Crawlspace Productions studio, The Pulse Of Annihilation reinforces PSYCROPTIC‘s commitment to sonic autonomy. The production balances clarity and weight. Haley’s brother and co-founder, Dave Haley pounds the drums with surgical precision, bass frequencies anchor the harmonic movement, and guitars cut through with controlled aggression. The mix allows complexity to breathe while preserving crushing force.

The Pulse Of Annihilation features cover art by Belial Necroarts (Gaerea, In Aeternum).

Find all pre-orders at: metalblade.com/psycroptic

The Pulse Of Annihilation Track Listing:
01. Ashes of a New Dawn
02. Gathering a Venomous Herd
03. A Sword of Me
04. No Time for the Weak
05. Our Pillars Fall
06. Annihilation Pulse
07. No Blade of Grass
08. To Embrace This Curse
09. Forging the Crown

PSYCROPTIC will join labelmates Rivers Of Nihil for a short run of Australian dates with support provided by Growth and Slaughtercult. From there, PSYCROPTIC and Rivers Of Nihil will unite with The Zenith Passage (also on Metal Blade) for four shows in Japan. See all confirmed dates below and stay tuned for additional live dates to be announced in the weeks to come.

PSYCROPTIC w/ Rivers Of Nihil, Growth, Slaughtercult:
8/13/2026 Magnet House – Perth, AU
8/14/2026 Lion Arts – Adelaide, AU
8/15/2026 Max Watts – Melbourne, AU
8/21/2026 Manning Bar – Sydney, AU
8/22/2026 Necrosonic Festival – Brisbane, AU
w/ Rivers Of Nihil, The Zenith Passage:
8/24/2026 Socore Factory – Osaka, JP
8/25/2026 3Star Imaike – Nagoya, JP
8/26/2026 Space Odd – Tokyo, JP
8/27/2026 Space Odd – Tokyo, JP

PSYCROPTIC:
David Haley – drums
Joe Haley – guitars
Todd Stern – bass
Jason Peppiatt – vocals
Jason Keyser – vocals

https://www.psycroptic.com
https://www.facebook.com/psycroptic
https://www.instagram.com/psycroptic_official
https://www.nightshiftmerch.com/collections/psycroptic
https://www.impericon.com/collections/psycroptic

MALUMMEH Released New, Long-Awaited Self-Titled EP – 19 Years After Debut Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 29, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: MALUMMEH. Leave a comment
Photo by Jani Snellman

Finnish metal band Malummeh, founded in 2004, have released their new long-awaited EP, simply named ‘Malummeh’ on 28 May 2026 via Inverse Records. It’s been 19 years since the release of their debut album Revival via Spikefarm Records.

LISTEN to Malummeh EP on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/malummeh-ep

The Malummeh EP carries the band’s own name and includes four hidden gems that were left in the drawer more than a decade ago. After a long hiatus, the band members reconnected and came to the conclusion that those old, promising demos simply couldn’t be left unfinished. After extracting their full potential — and in some cases doing major song overhauls — they have now taken shape as the EP you see before you.

This release delivers serious sonic weight, but it has been built as a cohesive front-to-back listening experience, balancing pressure and breathing room in the right proportions. There is no shortage of intensity.

Recording and production were handled by our drummer and studio wizard Valtteri Kallio at Soundwell Studio, where the EP was also recorded and mixed. 

The EP explores big themes, and its lyrics feel more relevant with each passing day. The subject matter strongly reflects the major changes of our time, while still leaving space for the listener’s own interpretation.

With this EP, the band closes one circle and opens a new door. While waiting for what comes next — turn this one up loud.

The band comments the tracks:

Dethroned
“The opening track of the EP was written for an authoritarian leader. The listener can decide who. This two-part composition leads the listener straight into the core of the band’s soundscape — from tense anticipation to relentless crushing force. Even though the song is old, the lyrics are more relevant than ever, and the track stays very close to its original version. It represents the band’s modern take on the best elements of early-2000s metal. Any djent that may appear here is purely coincidental.”

Gone Too Far
“If you follow the news, Gone Too Far might help you put your feelings into words. The song deals with betrayal, oppression, and naivety. The original idea for the track is over 15 years old and was once left unreleased by the band. Now it has gone through a complete overhaul and emerged stronger than ever. Musically, it also breaks new ground for the band, featuring symphonic instruments for the first time. The result is a raw and dramatic outpouring that balances between danger and escalation, forcing deep feelings of melancholy and finality to the surface.”

Misery
“Misery takes the listener on a long journey in a short time. This harmonic, dragging, and structurally unconventional piece wakes the listener from slumber to the middle of devastation. Originally intended as an instrumental intro for the EP, the band later chose a different track order, which opened the door to adding vocals. As a composition, this piece is also very old and it was never part of the band’s live set until now.”

October

“October is a piece larger than its size. The song is a gaslighting war speech delivered by the commander of an invading army to his soldiers just before sending them toward certain doom. Fueled by lies and incitement of hatred, the troops are driven into bloodthirsty frenzy. All of this is backed by merciless riff barrages whose twisted nature perfectly reflects the theme of the song.”

Malummeh Track list:

  1. Dethroned
  2. Gone Too Far
  3. Misery
  4. October

–Recorded & mixed by Valtteri Kallio
–Mastered by Janne Hakanen
–EP cover by Mikael Kiikka

Watch Gone Too Far & Dethroned music videos:
Gone Too Far: https://youtu.be/Qasm5wnHLYI
Dethroned: https://youtu.be/Kf1x1ZvQDUE

BIOGRAPHY:

Malummeh is a metal band founded in 2004 and originating from the Helsinki metropolitan area. The band blends various metal subgenres into an aggressive, melodic, and explosive whole that stands firmly on its own with no apologies. The group was founded by guitarists Mikael Kiikka and Jaakko Eskelinen, with drummer Valtteri Kallio joining at a very early stage. Alongside the original trio, lineup changes eventually led to Jukka Vehkamaa becoming the band’s bassist and Marko Niemistö taking the role of vocalist. During the early 2000s, the band showed promising momentum, culminating in the release of their debut album Revival through Spinefarm (Spikefarm) in November 2007. However, internal dynamics within the band gradually began to fracture, and in 2011 the band disbanded.

The silence lasted until 2022, when old conflicts were laid to rest and the band rediscovered its drive. The idea for restarting initially came from the possibility of releasing older, unfinished songs, but working on those tracks quickly led to writing new material as well. In practice, the band continues from where it left off, but with a more focused approach and without the rigid absolutism that often comes with youth.

In its new era, Malummeh focuses on bringing the strongest elements of early 2000s metal into the present day while leaving behind the most worn-out clichés of that period. This is made possible through complete artistic independence: the band composes, records, and produces its music entirely on its own terms, maintaining a strong emphasis on musicianship and a direct yet emotionally varied style of expression.

The comeback is not built solely on nostalgia. The goal is also to push the band’s sound forward into a more versatile direction while preserving its recognizable core. With new material, Malummeh continues its story after a long hiatus, now with a clearer understanding among its members of what kind of music they want to create and why.

Line-up:
Marko Niemistö – Vocals
Mikael Kiikka – Guitars
Jaakko Eskelinen – Guitars
Valtteri Kallio – Drums
Jukka Vehkamaa – Bass

Jussi Saari – Trumpet on “October”
Aapo Salo – Orchestra on “Gone Too Far”

https://www.facebook.com/malummeh
https://www.instagram.com/malummeh
https://malummeh.bandcamp.com

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