Royal Hunt has released the official lyric video for their new single “Ride into the Sunset”, a cinematic and emotionally charged track taken from the band’s recently released EP “Behind the Curtain”. Originally written as the intended finale for Dystopia, Pt. 2, the song follows a disillusioned character yearning to break free and disappear beyond the horizon, echoing the dramatic closures of classic Western tales. After nearly two years on the shelf, “Ride into the Sunset” now claims its rightful spotlight through a visually striking lyric video that amplifies its themes of escape, resolve and reflection.
Founded in 1989 by keyboardist André Andersen, Royal Hunt is a powerhouse of progressive and symphonic metal, blending the timeless energy of classic rock with intricate, modern arrangements. With over 1.8 million albums sold and extensive tours across the globe, the band continues to shape the sound of European melodic metal.
Royal Hunt continues to make their mark on the global metal scene. Recent highlights include headlining Leyendas del Rock Festival (Spain), Jailbreak Festival (Denmark), Posada Rock (Romania), Epic Festival (Denmark) and their highly successful Japanese tour in 2025.
Band: André Andersen – keyboards, DC Cooper – vocals, Andreas Passmark – bass, Jonas Larsen – guitars, Andreas HABO Johansson – drums
From the ashes of Crown, rises a dark new wave of industrial rock. On Your Inland Empire, the duo of Stéphane Azam and David Husser take the heavy electronics that they first donned on Crown’s last album a step further into a dark night of the soul.
Today, Your Inland Empire are releasing “Edge of Perfection” as the third advanced single off their upcoming debut album. With cutting riffs and breakneck beats, the song blurs the thin line between total destruction and pure bliss.
Your Inland Empire’ self-titled debut album comes out this Friday, November 14, 2025 on Season of Mist.Pre-order & Pre-save: https://orcd.co/yourinlandempireyie
In 2021, Crown’s The End of All Things revealed a striking metamorphosis. The album shifted the duo of Stéphane Azam and David Husser away from their sludge-laden origins into a cinematic fusion of industrial rock, post-metal atmosphere and darkwave sensibility. Its balance of bleakness and accessibility was praised for expanding Crown’s sonic vocabulary, yet the record ultimately stood as both culmination and chrysalis: the closing of one chapter and the quiet emergence of another.
That emergence is now complete. Your Inland Empire opens a new frontier with their upcoming self-titled debut album. A descendant of the same lineage that begot Godflesh, Nine Inch Nails and Neurosis, “Edge of Perfection” walks the tight rope between pain and control. Swept up in the rush of intoxication that can be found in darkness and chaos, the band’s latest single confronts the wreckage of addiction and emotional dependency.
“This song is for the lost, the broken, the ones who became ghosts through this society”, says Azam. “A blade gleaming in the night, where darkness has become the only refuge, where destruction is no longer a threat but a way to survive”.
YOUR INLAND EMPIRE are the renegade torchbearers who forged their legacy as Crown. Ready to ink a new chapter under Season of Mist – a voyage from legacy to evolution, an eternal metamorphosis. Baptized in the crucible of raw sound and industrial angst, Your Inland Empire transmutes the heritage into a daring quest beyond sonic realms once deemed unconquerable.
‘The End of All Things’, Crown’s last album under the moniker was an unexpected twist of what the band is capable of. Dark and moody, bleak and sublime, airy and crushing, mesmerizing and engrossing, bold yet unerring, danceable and suffocating – it was all of this at the same time. Fragile hook lines dancing above the bleak abyss they so magnificently assembled.
From the mechanized heart of Crown, Stéphane Azam and David Husser incubated a revolution, their vision crystallizing amidst rippling waves of eight-string guitars and a digital pulse – the lifeblood of their emerging beast. What began as Azam’s vision, a coalition with Zatokrev’s Frederyk Rotter, evolved with Husser’s induction – a synthesis of production prowess and visionary audacity that propelled Crown’s ‘Natron’ into uncharted territories.
Stéphane recounts, the steel in his voice betraying a relentless surge of creativity and rebellion. Crown was but the cocoon, a chrysalis composed of binary beats and distorted riffs from where Your Inland Empire would emerge, unfurling wings inked with passion and driven by the relentless heartbeats of bass drums galvanizing a new dawn.
It is no surprise that David Husser, one half of Your Inland Empire has a vast selection of experience under his belt. Working as a studio engineer, producer and musician across the globe with class acts such as Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode or Genesis’ original lead singer Peter Gabriel – David brought all that experience to meticulously construct a unique sonic palette. With industrial-drone collective Y Front, who in the 90s toured with Rammstein, Husser gathered the live experience needed to hone his craft to absolute perfection.
Paul Kendall (Mute Records, Nine Inch Nails, Nick Cave), an industry-titan who closely worked with David, explained: “a distorting diamond… we have collaborated on several projects, and I have been amazed by his ability to teach an old dog new tricks. He is simply the best recording engineer I have ever met.”
Stéphane Azam, Your Inland Empire’s other half, is its founding father all the way back in its Crown days. Having worked as live sound engineer for French blackgaze pioneers Alcest and the legendary black metal artist Abbath, Azam brings to Your Inland Empire another side of the music spectrum. With a wide ability to deliver both the most soothing vocals and bottomless shrieks, Azam is the perfect complement to Husser’s dark and brooding soundscapes. The two have been working together for years, and their chemistry is palpable on Your Inland Empire’s debut album.
Creatively, Azam composes every step of the way – crafting songs with a meticulous fury. From structure to guitar licks, basslines to vocal passages – Azam has a vision, and Your Inland Empire is his outlet. Being not only the producer & engineer, Husser crafts Azam’s wildest ideas into refined sonic textures. Together, they’ve crafted the perfect recipe of pure auditory experimentation, intricate songwriting, emotive lyricism and astonishing artistry – constantly pushing boundaries in a multitude of musical styles.
With David Husser (Guitars, Programming, Production) in command of the studio’s helm, and Stéphane Azam (Vocals, Guitars, Composition) orchestrating the chaos into harmony, flanked by Nicolas Uhlen’s (Drums) rhythmic prowess and Marc Strebler’s (Bass) stringed sorcery, the empire is poised for its coronation.
The alchemy of Your Inland Empire is not unlike the world’s relentless cycle – at once introspective yet ever looking outward, “It might be a bit more introspective and then it’s more about internal conflicts…”. This duality breathes life into their music, “The tracks are quite bright, nonetheless, even though the lyrics are really very dark.” It’s introspective – the shadow of our human instincts, our constant inner struggles. An album that is equally as personal for Azam as it is relatable.
A forecast for their impending album resonates with the echoes of an empire’s intimate fears and tenebrous hopes. The intricate fabric of Your Inland Empire waivers, promising a symphony drenched in the sweat of toil and the tears of artistic triumph. The orchestra of creation bellows, addressing the collective’s core, intricately showcasing their unique craftsmanship and unyielding drive.
Line-up David Husser — Guitars, Programming, Production, Experimentation Stephane Azam — Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting, Experimentation Nicolas Uhlen — Drums Marc Strebler — Bass Guitar
Production Credits Recorded & mixed by David Husser at La Grange Studio, France. Mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studio, Porto, Portugal.
Cover Art Design & layout by Jeffrey V. Daniels.
Photography Band photos taken by Jennifer Brachet.
Legendary rock vocalist Graham Bonnet and his own group, the Graham Bonnet Band, are pleased to share their new single and official live video, “Night Games”, taken from the upcoming new live album, “Lost In Hollywood Again”, out on December 12, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Graham said: “Night Games” is one of those songs that brings everybody to their feet within the first three notes. It’s a good old rock ‘n’ roll song and everyone can relate to that!”
On August 29, 2024, the Graham Bonnet Band took the stage of the world-famous Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles for a night that perfectly captured the power, history, and energy of one of rock’s most distinctive voices. Filmed and recorded in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the legendary Sunset Strip venue, “Lost in Hollywood Again” showcases not only Graham’s unparalleled legacy but also the chemistry and fire of his current band.
“Lost in Hollywood Again” is more than a concert – it’s a celebration of Graham Bonnet’s enduring legacy and timeless songs, carried by a legendary voice, elevated by outstanding musicianship, and standing as a testament to the lasting power of hard rock.
The setlist is a journey through Bonnet’s remarkable career, featuring classics from Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, and Alcatrazz, alongside hard-hitting originals from the Graham Bonnet Band catalog. With Graham’s trademark vocals in top form, the performance blends nostalgia with vitality, proving why he remains an enduring force in hard rock.
On this unforgettable night, Graham Bonnet’s iconic vocals were supported by the virtuosic guitar work of Conrado Pesinato, the driving bass of Beth-Ami Heavenstone, the soaring keyboards of Alessandro Bertoni, and the precise, energetic drumming of Francis Cassol. Together, they brought each song to life with intensity and precision, creating a truly memorable live experience.
Graham Bonnet is known for his powerful and versatile voice. He first achieved chart success in 1968 as part of the duo The Marbles, whose single “Only One Woman” reached No. 5 in the UK. Over his long career he has recorded and performed both as a solo artist and as a member of several prominent rock and heavy metal bands, including Rainbow, the Michael Schenker Group (MSG), Alcatrazz, Impellitteri, Blackthorne, and others.
Bonnet’s time with Rainbow was a defining period in his career: he joined in 1979, replacing Ronnie James Dio as vocalist, and contributed to the album “Down To Earth”, which included hits such as “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “All Night Long.” After leaving Rainbow he resumed his solo work, then later joined and formed several bands including MSG and Alcatrazz.
In later years Bonnet continued to release solo albums, formed the Graham Bonnet Band, and also participated in projects like Michael Schenker Fest. He remains active in recording and touring.
“Lost In Hollywood Again” Tracklist:
1. Eyes Of The World 2. All Night Long 3. Love’s No Friend 4. Making Love 5. Since You’Ve Been Gone 6. Keys solo 7. Lazy 8. Imposter 9. S.O.S. 10. Desert Song 11. Drums solo 12. Night Games 13. Into The Night 14. Assault Attack 15. Too Young To Die, Too Drunk To Live 16. Lost In Hollywood
Line Up: Graham Bonnet – Vocals Conrado Pesinato – Guitars Beth-Ami Heavenstone – Bass Alessandro Bertoni – Keyboards Francis Cassol – Drums
As previously announced, Italian atmospheric black metal band SEDNA will release their new album “Sila Nuna” on November 21st, 2025 via Dusktone.
Today, the band unveils the official video for the new single “Torngarsuk”, offering another glimpse into the sonic and thematic depths of the upcoming record. Blending evocative darkness with a rising sense of tension, the track expands on the mythological and introspective world of the record, reaffirming SEDNA’s ability to merge emotional intensity and atmospheric vision into a profound, immersive experience.
Watch the video for “Torngarsuk” below.
The band commented:
“Torngarsuk was the guardian of a secret passage between the world of men and the world of spirits. It was said that somewhere, in the vast frozen lands, there existed a hidden cave, and within it, a lake as dark as night. Only those deemed worthy could see the truth: the lake was not made of water, but was instead a portal to another world.
It is the final single preceding the release of ‘Sila Nuna’, and it tells the story of a shaman who found that portal and, in his pursuit of eternal knowledge, sacrificed his own existence.
‘Sila Nuna’ took around two years to write and record, and ‘Torngarsuk’ was the very first song composed, when everything began. The fact that it now serves as the last single before the album’s release closes a circle marked by upheavals and transformations, through which SednA have grown stronger and remained unyielding in the face of great change. It’s a complex track, full of shifts and transitions, yet one that retains its coherence as the opening chapter of a tome filled with dramatic and heroic tales – both epic and harrowing – that is ‘Sila Nuna’.”
The Cesena-based band, known for its introspective nature and a discography steeped in darkness and intensity, continues to follow a coherent path of growth, distant from trends, deadlines, and external expectations. Since their inception, the group has always taken the necessary time to create music that feels authentic, essential, and deeply lived.
“Sila Nuna” is a compound word of Inuktitut origin meaning “Sky and Earth.” With this new album, SEDNA move away from the mythological and astronomical themes explored in their previous four records to delve into Inuit mythology, narrating myths and legends from the peoples of the ice. From Tulugaq, the Raven god and bringer of light, to Amarok, the shadow wolf who guards the forest, to Torngarsuk, the protector of the spirit realm, passing through Arnajuinnaq, goddess of wind and ice, and finally reaching Sedna, the goddess of the sea.
With this record, the band embraces a more violent and aggressive sound, shortening song lengths to achieve a sharper, more immediate impact on the listener, while still preserving their experimental vein. This approach reaches its peak in the closing track “Sedna”, dedicated to the sea goddess and featuring S. D. Ramirez of PSYCHONAUT 4 and Agnese Alteri as guest vocalists.
The creation of “Sila Nuna” was marked by a long and turbulent process, spanning nearly two years and involving multiple lineup changes due to the accumulated stress of finding the right sound to embody such a complex thematic concept. The band regards this release as a turning point, both professionally and stylistically, aiming for a less instinctive yet more pragmatic, precise, and refined approach – a sign of human and artistic maturity for the project.
The album was recorded by Mirko Abà in Ravenna (guitarist of Stygian and now bassist of SEDNA) and mixed and mastered by Jack Shirley, “Sila Nuna”.
With this work, SEDNA reach a new synthesis of their sonic language. The album reveals a sound that is raw and instinctive yet more self-aware, one that merges the ferocity of black metal and the weight of sludge and post-metal with a refined melodic sensibility. It is an album that feels like both an open wound and a catharsis: visceral, direct, yet contemplative and profoundly human.
While atmospheric black metal remains the most accurate label, to confine SEDNA within a single genre would be limiting. Their music is made of nuances and deviations, a sonic flow that crosses darkness in search of balance between aggression and introspection. “Sila Nuna” stands as the testimony of a fully matured vision, from a band that has learned to turn chaos into form and tension into language.
With this new chapter, SEDNA reaffirm their nature as an ever-evolving entity, capable of introspection and of offering the world music that doesn’t seek answers, but digs deeper questions.
In 2017, Roman Sayenko of Drudkh started a new band built on raw black metal. Now, Windswept are casting a cold spell over a dark moment in Ukrainian history with their new album The Devil’s Vertep.
Today, Windswept are releasing “The Potion” as the second advanced single from their upcoming third full-length. Inspired by The Black Book of Kremenets Castle, the band’s new concept album reconstructs the witch trials in Western Ukraine that took place from 1753 to 1754 across six stark and visceral songs. “The Potion” recounts the confession of Oryshka Lychmanykha, who was accused of brewing a poisonous elixir under the guidance of Berdychiv witches.
Across six harrowing tracks, The Devil’s Vertep traces from accusation and torture to confession and finally, execution. “The Potion” sits and stirs at a pivotal moment: a volatile clash between superstition and hysteria told with jagged tremolo picking, rhythmic convulsions and Sayenko’s piercing vocals. With a cold hard gaze, Windswept transform archival records into unflinching black-metal.
Tracklist:
Infanticide (6:10)
Investigation (7:18)
Torture & Confession (8:38)
The Potion (6:58)
Nest of the Witches (4:57)
Verdicts (7:54) Full runtime: 42:09
WINDSWEPT return with The Devil’s Vertep, a new full-length rooted in historical documentation and stark musical expression. Inspired by The Black Book of Kremenets Castle 1747–1777, the record traces the witch trials of 1753–1754 in Western Ukraine, unfolding as a conceptual narrative across six compositions. Each track immerses listeners in a chilling atmosphere of accusation, confession, and execution, rendered through raw black metal shaped by both immediacy and conviction.
The project was founded in 2016 by Roman Sayenko, best known as the driving force behind Drudkh, alongside two close collaborators. Conceived as a space for spontaneity and instinctive creation, Windswept sought to capture black metal in its most unfiltered form. Sessions were approached with minimal preparation, often recorded in only a matter of days, ensuring the vitality of live performance informed every moment. While echoes of Sayenko’s other work could be felt, Windswept’s essence lay in improvisation and a raw fidelity to the Ukrainian black metal tradition.
Their debut, The Great Cold Steppe (2017), was stark and unforgiving, reflecting the desolate landscape of its title. The record quickly distinguished itself for its icy atmospheres and direct execution, a distillation of black metal at its harshest. This was followed in 2018 by the Visionaire EP on Ván Records, which deepened their exploration of fleeting, improvisatory intensity. A year later, The Onlooker (2019, Season of Mist: Underground Activists) reaffirmed the band’s commitment to spontaneity. It offered a fierce, stripped-down sound that echoed early traditions while maintaining Windswept’s hallmark rawness.
With The Devil’s Vertep, Windswept turn toward historical narrative. Drawing on trial records preserved in the Black Book of Kremenets Castle, the album reconstructs testimonies of women accused of witchcraft, their brutal interrogations, and the violent judgments passed upon them. Each piece is tied to a specific chapter: “Infanticide” opens with the grim discovery of a newborn’s corpse, “Investigation” and “Torture & Confession” trace the harrowing interrogations, while “The Potion,” “Nest of the Witches,” and “Verdicts” reveal the network of accusations and the sentences delivered.
While The Devil’s Vertep marks Windswept’s first venture into Ukrainian demonology and witchcraft, these themes trace back much earlier in Roman Sayenko’s creative path. In the autumn of 1996, Sayenko began developing an unfinished project titled KOZLONOGYI (Goat-Footed): a concept rooted in the same folkloric and mythological territory that would later resurface within The Devil’s Vertep. Although KOZLONOGYI never moved beyond a few rehearsals, its sketches and early riffs became the foundation for Windswept’s latest work. By reviving and re-working these ideas nearly three decades later, Sayenko bridges eras of black metal evolution, imbuing The Devil’s Vertep with a distinctly 1990s sensibility and reverence for the early traditions that shaped his artistic identity.
Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Viter Music with production handled internally, The Devil’s Vertep balances immediacy with conceptual cohesion. Its stark presentation reflects the gravity of the source material, while the cover art by Obsidian Bone situates the work in a visual landscape as unsettling as the music itself. By channelling the voices of the past, Windswept expand their raw black metal vision into a work of historical remembrance, turning archival fragments into a haunting artistic statement.
Line-up: R. — Vocals & Guitars T. — Bass V. — Drums
Production Credits: Recorded at Viter Music. Produced & engineered by R. & V. Mixed & Mastered by V. at Viter Music.
Swedish metalcore outfit Awake The Dreamer have dropped a punishing new single and video. ‘See Through’ delivers everything the band does best- crushing melodies, atmospheric heaviness and a raw emotional punch.
The track features topics of betrayal, loss, and self-realization. The song captures the band’s signature balance of heaviness and heart. Known for their dynamic sound and past tours with Ice Nine Kills and Crystal Lake, Awake The Dreamer continue to define their place in modern melodic metalcore.
Catch the band live: 09.12. Nurenberg (DE), Club Stereo 10.12. Munchen (DE), Backstage Club 11.12 Frankfurt (DE), Ponyhof 12.12. Krefeld (DE), Kulturfabrik
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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
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 