GANDALF’S FIST Celebrate 15 Years of Debut Album “The Master and The Monkey”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2026
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January 2026 marks 15 years since Gandalf’s Fist released their eccentric debut album The Master and The Monkey — the record that first introduced fans to the band’s signature blend of storytelling, quirkiness, and prog-rock adventure.

To commemorate the milestone, the band have announced a special 15th Anniversary Collection, featuring a limited-edition “Brick Red” cassette reissue of the album alongside discounted anniversary editions of the CD Digipak and “Croak of Truth” T-shirt. Each item includes a digital download of the album as a thank-you to long-time listeners who’ve supported the band’s independent journey.

Frontman and guitarist Dean Marsh commented:

“It’s not every day that you decide to release a concept album about a Frog riding around on the head of a monkey hell-bent on world domination – and we can’t quite believe it’s been 15 years since that monumental decision, but this is an ideal time to celebrate our humble beginnings whilst allowing fans to support us in releasing new music this year.”

The band have also hinted that this anniversary may be the first of several special collector’s issues in 2026, with two more albums reaching their own 15-year milestones later this year.

For more information and to view the anniversary collection, visit: https://gandalfsfist.com/cds-and-merch

Gandalf’s Fist are a fully self-funded independent Progressive Rock band from the UK.

Website & Socials:
http://www.gandalfsfist.com
https://www.instagram.com/gandalfsfist
http://www.facebook.com/gandalfsfist

CRYSTAL SUN to Release New Album “The Trace You Left” in Memory of Ale Moz, First Single/Lyric Video ‘Undead Hunters’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2026
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CRYSTAL SUN is the posthumous musical project of Alessandro “Ale” Moz, longtime bassist of the band called Detestor, who passed away prematurely on July 16, 2024. To complete his final work and honor his memory and passion, a group of longtime friends joined forces with numerous guests from the Italian and international metal scene. The result is “The Trace You Left” an album due out January 23, 2026, via Nadir Music. A solidarity album. All proceeds from sales will be donated to AIRC (Italian Association for Cancer Research), making this musical tribute a concrete gesture of support for research.

Tracklist:

  1. Skinwalker (feat. Francesco Paoli from Fleshgod Apocalypse) – Total: 04:53
  2. Kee Wakw (feat. Gabriele from Infection Code – Mauro and Giuseppe from Aydra) – Total: 03:50
  3. Undead Hunters (feat. Steva and Alessio Lucatti from Deathless Legacy) – Total: 03:50
  4. Enters Peoples Bodies – Total: 05:43
  5. In The Morning Dust (feat. Fiore and Dome from Fulci) – Total: 04:13
  6. Like The Plague – Total: 04:13
  7. Flying heads – Total: 03:11
  8. Mystical Spell Mortification – Total: 04:59
  9. A Little Idea (Andy Marchini and Enzo Marrali) – Total: 02:47

Release Date: January 23, 2026.
Label: Nadir Music .
Producers: Produced, mixed and mastered by Tommy Talamanca, Lyrics by Trevor Sadist
Cover Art: Created by Paola Robiolio Bose.
Format: CD / Vinyl
Proceeds: 100% donated to AIRC

Lineup: Ale Moz on bass, Trevor (Sadist) on vocals, Giovanni Durst (Benediction) on drums, Tommy Talamanca (Sadist) on guitars.

Additional Guest Musicians: Francesco Paoli (Fleshgod Apocalypse), Alessio Lucatti (Deathless Legacy), Eleonora Steva Vaiani (Deathless Legacy), Dome (Fulci), Fiore (Fulci), Gabriele Oltracqua (Infection Code), Mauro Pacetti (Aydra), Andy Marchini and Enzo Marsalis

First single: The lyric video for “Undead Hunters” is now available, featuring Trevor and Tommy (Sadist), Giovanni Durst (Benediction), Steva and Alessio Lucatti (Deathless Legacy).

An album to remember. A gesture of support.
Buying “The Trace You Left” means celebrating Ale Moz music and making a concrete contribution to the fight against cancer.

JOHN’S SOUL Releases New Single ‘Open Wound’ with Lyric Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2026
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JOHN’S SOUL has released a new single and lyric video for ‘Open Wound’, now available on all digital platforms. Watch the lyric video below.

“Open Wound” is a weary, worn-out, necessary track.
An unheard monologue, addressed to someone who can hear but is unable to listen. An open emotional wound transformed into music, laying bare the lack of communication and the sense of frustration that comes with it.

With this new single, John’s Soul (Giovanni Barborini) delivers an intense, unfiltered track, capable of translating inner weight into sound and words, maintaining a constant balance between emotional impact and artistic awareness.

JOHN’S SOUL: AN AUTHENTIC IDENTITY

John’s Soul is a project born in 2016 from a spontaneous and deep need for personal expression. An artistic path that took shape naturally, to the point that the project name was officially adopted only later, when its identity was already clearly defined.

At its core lies a multimedia vision, where music, lyrics, and visual imagery interact in sync. The artist’s personal experiences are reworked to create a direct dialogue with the listener, moving between the social sphere and the psychological dimension.

SOUND AND LANGUAGE

The sound of “Open Wound” is rooted in a grunge and punk background, infused with broader influences that help define a raw, direct, and deeply emotional style.

Every sonic element is designed to reinforce the meaning of the lyrics, in a constant dialogue between music and words, where nothing is superfluous.

The vocals—intense and charged with tension—become the main narrative vehicle of the track, conveying all the fragility and urgency of its message.

THE ARTIST

Behind John’s Soul is Giovanni Barborini, an artist engaged in a training path focused on voice care and extreme vocal techniques, elements that strongly influence his expressive approach.

This ongoing research is reflected in sincere songwriting and a conscious vocal performance, capable of supporting complex themes without losing authenticity.

A NECESSARY SONG

“Open Wound” moves through alienation, lack of communication, and emotional fragility, confronting the listener with deeply relevant inner and social dynamics.

It offers no solutions or judgments, but opens a space for listening and reflection, where discomfort becomes a shared language.

JOLLY ROGER Join Wanikiya Record Roster + Release New Video Single ‘Neverland’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2026
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Photo source: Jolly Roger – Facebook Page

The crew lands at Wanikiya and sets sail with the first explosive single of a brand-new era!
The musical storm has officially begun.

After more than ten years of navigating stages all across Italy and the important experience gained at Sanremo Rock, JOLLY ROGER return more determined than ever, with a renewed lineup and a clearly charted course toward more powerful, fresh, and overwhelming sounds.

At the helm is the gritty, charismatic voice of Mr. Joseph K., alongside the unmistakable, acrobatic guitar of Mr. Joey, the solid and incisive bass of Antony, and the thunderous drums of Mr. Nicholas, a true rhythmic war machine.

A tight, united crew, ready to conquer new sonic seas.

A NEW ALLIANCE

From today, the adventure becomes even more epic:
Jolly Roger officially join the Wanikiya Record/Promotion roster.

A collaboration that promises fire, gunpowder, and a whole lot of music, driven by energy, identity, and true independent spirit.

On January 10, 2026, the band finally raised anchor with “Neverland”, the first single of the new Jolly Roger era.

An adrenaline-fueled cover, boldly reimagined with personality and courage, transformed into a blast of pure energy, pirate atmospheres, and rebellious spirit.

A track that looks toward the horizon, calling for escape, adventure, and freedom, dragging the listener into unexplored worlds where the rules are rewritten with riffs and pounding drums.

THE WIND BLOWS STRONG…

The course is set.
The ship is ready to sail.
There is only one destination.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090557477926

MANUEL Sign with Wormholedeath Records, New EP “Parasite” Out 27th February

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 12, 2026
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Wormholedeath Records is proud to announce the signing of the most galvanizing force in modern progressive metal: MANUEL. Led by the visionary guitarist Manuel Urgiles, who fuses virtuosic technicality, infectious Latin rhythms, and an uncompromising socio-political edge, creating a sound that is both raw and utterly essential. Their EP “Parasite” will drop on 27 February 2026, via Wormholedeath.

Pre-save Parasite: orcd.co/parasiteep

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Manuel Urgiles has forged a reputation as one of the most innovative voices in contemporary progressive metal. His band MANUEL merges intricate, virtuosic guitar work with authentic cultural influences, creating a sound that is both visceral and intellectually charged. Grammy Award winner Stacy Parrish calls MANUEL “a true musical revelation, pushing boundaries with genre-defying fusion and emotionally charged, virtuoso guitar performances.”

“Parasite” boldly confronts the oppressive grip of the wealthy elite who manipulate and divide us for their own gain. It exposes how those in power intentionally pit us against one another while continuing to grow richer and more dominant.

“We reject the idea of rulers or masters. Instead, this EP serves as a rallying cry to unite against the true enemies—the corrupt systems and individuals who exploit us. It’s a call to shift our focus toward dismantling their control and building a future rooted in genuine change,” states Manuel. “Parasite” is more than just a title; it’s a reflection of the parasitic forces at work in our society. I’m eager to hear your thoughts—what do you think of this message and direction?”

Featuring collaborations with guest vocalists, “PARASITE” showcases MANUEL’s ability to seamlessly blend crushing progressive metal with Latin percussion, socially conscious lyricism, and genre-defying experimentation. The EP explores themes of immigrant resilience and cultural pride while delivering unrelenting sonic intensity.

MANUEL has already established themselves as a formidable live force, performing at major New England festivals including All Roads and VICES Fest, with a relentless touring schedule across the Northeast. Their high-energy performances have captivated audiences across metal, punk, and alternative scenes alike, proving that authentic artistry transcends genre boundaries.

Tracklist

  1. 25% Gone
  2. Native Temple Feat. Ryan Reeves
  3. Sonido Robado: Crowns of Deception Feat. Ryan Raes
  4. Sueños y Necesidades
  5. Ladrón Feat. Patrice Elizabeth Vigeant
  6. Greed’s Exodus

Get your first taste of “PARASITE” with the lyric video for “Ladrón” featuring Patrice Elizabeth Vigeant:

MANUEL is:
Manuel Urgiles – Lead/Rhythm Guitar
Jason Ingalls – Drums
Thomas Hiscock – Bass Guitar
Ryan Cummings – Rhythm Guitar
DJKTF – Keys/Percussion

CONNECT WITH MANUEL:
Official Website: manuelguitarist.com
Bandcamp: westboundmusic.bandcamp.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/manuelguitarist
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/manuelguitarist
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MANUELGUITARIST

Post-Punkers 30 DENARI Sign with My Kingdom Music for Release of Debut Album “Kindly Plotting For Riot”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on January 11, 2026
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The evocative Post-Punk creature 30 DENARI is proud to announce their signing with My Kingdom Music for the release of their debut album “Kindly Plotting For Riot”, scheduled for late April 2026 on CD and vinyl, while digital distribution will be handled by Canadian label SODEH Records.

The band stated: “We’re thrilled to have found a natural home in My Kingdom Music for our artistic journey. Francesco’s label has always supported bands with bold visions, capable of pushing the boundaries of genres and musical horizons, working with enthusiasm, passion, and professionalism, always valuing research and experimentation in music.
It’s in this space that we feel we can grow, explore, and seek our identity, uncompromisingly bringing our DARK-CORE to as many people as possible”.
 
Created by musicians with years of experience in the Industrial Metal (ENSOPH, AWAKE THE SUN, ISHVARA), the Punk-OI-Anarcho-Punk scene (RAPTUS, CVM, ALIENSURFERS, CANI SCIOLTI), the New Wave movement (PERMANENT, P.G.S.L.), 30 DENARI have created a heterogeneous path that converges in a dynamic and multifaceted sonic identity culminating in this new album which represents a Post-Punk manifesto forged in darkness, to dismantle stylistic boundaries.
 
30 DENARI’s music blends Electro-Industrial with Post-Punk, Dark Wave with Middle Eastern Ethnic nuances. The declared influences are rooted in the foundations of Post-Punk and New Wave (Joy Division, Bauhaus, Killing Joke, Coil, Gary Numan) and into more contemporary visions such as Nine Inch Nails, Editors, and Chelsea Wolfe, but also paying homage to the Italian Punk and Post-Punk scene represented by Negazione, Kina, Franti, Diaframma, Disciplinatha and Limbo / Pankow.
All of this is held together in a constant balance between memory and experimentation.
 
Expect a visceral journey, almost a hypnotic and sharp ritual, capable of combining mechanical impulses and emotional tension.

More info:
MY KINGDOM MUSIC: https://linktr.ee/mykingdommusic
30 DENARI: https://www.facebook.com/30denariband – https://www.instagram.com/30denariband