Wanikiya Record/Promotion is proud to officially announce the addition of BLACKHEARTS to the label’s roster.
This collaboration was born from a shared desire to give voice to an authentic, powerful, and deeply distinctive project, ready to leave its mark on the new Italian underground rock scene.
Formed in the mountains of Carnia in 2024, Blackhearts are a stoner/punk rock duo made up of Gabriel on drums and backing vocals, and Samanta on lead vocals and bass.
A line-up that may seem minimal at first glance, yet capable of unleashing a massive and visceral sonic impact through distorted bass lines, tight rhythms, and a constant sonic tension, balanced by the strong melodic component of the vocals.
Their style blends the raw energy of stoner rock with the urgency of punk rock, creating a dirty, direct, and recognizable sound able to shift between aggression, introspection, and emotionally intense atmospheres.
In January 2026, the band entered the studio to shape their artistic vision and, after months of work, Lisergicana came to life — the duo’s first official EP, featuring five unreleased tracks.
A work that explores contrasting emotions and deep themes: from the dark and personal introspection of songs such as “Monster”, “Lisergicana”, and “When Sailors Cry”, to the liberating anger and rebellious spirit of “No More Cinderella”, before closing with the lighter, spontaneous, and disillusioned soul of “Just Tonight”.
Wanikiya Record/Promotion will directly oversee the development of the project, working on promotion, international exposure, and the artistic growth of the band through press campaigns, radio promotion, webzines, distribution, and new collaborations.
The arrival of Blackhearts represents another important step in the label’s journey toward supporting genuine and unconventional artists capable of bringing real energy, personality, and artistic truth back to the center of music.
With Lisergicana, Blackhearts are preparing to open their very first true recording chapter.
More easy listening tunes from Finnish sludge metal band Sounds Of Delusion! Now released “Newborn” is a song about the next omnipotent generation. No sense, no facts, no laws of physics. Humanity truly has absolutely no limits!
Sounds Of Delusion started as a solo project by Juuso Raatikainen (Swallow The Sun) has grown recently into a trio. The band will play their first gig this fridat at Kuudes Linja in Helsinki on May 29. The live lineup includes Okko Solanterä (Horizon Ignited, I Am the Night), Antti Karhu (Shining [NO], Post Pulse), Pekka Löhönen, and Juuso Raatikainen. The gig will celebrate the album release of guitarist Karhu’s other band, Post Pulse, and will also feature a performance by Turku-based rock-metal hybrid Sisin.
Belgian cinematic space-art rock project Jesus Cringe has released “Corpus Callosum,” the fourth single from their debut album on Epictronic Records.
“Corpus Callosum” explores the fear of losing sovereignty over one’s own mind. Balancing between agony and ecstasy, the song drifts through fragmented memories, intrusive thoughts, and spiritual surrender, questioning whether identity can survive when the brain itself begins to feel unstable. Drawing its title from the neural bridge connecting the two hemispheres of the brain, the track unfolds like a dialogue between reason and instinct, control and transcendence.
The accompanying lyric visualizer evokes metamorphosis, mirroring the song’s obsession with transformation and psychic mutation. Through organic imagery and recurring symbols — seeds, branches, butterflies, magnetic formations, and shifting landscapes — the visuals suggest a body and mind in the process of becoming something unfamiliar. Rather than illustrating the lyrics literally, the visualizer operates as a fragmented inner world where memories, sensations, and symbols continuously reshape themselves; the empty film itself is an invitation to reflect.
Hypnotic repetitions such as “I’m just another branch on the tree, let the wind seize me” turn Corpus Callosum’s psychological fragility into a ritual of surrender, confronting discomfort not as destruction but as a passage toward change. Suspended between life forces, death, memory, and rebirth, the song captures the terrifying yet strangely liberating moment where the mind loosens its grip on control and allows itself to evolve into the unknown.”
Jesus Cringe is a Belgian cinematic space-art rock project, rebuilt from the foundations of 22 for Silicon Alone. The project is built around philosophical storytelling and strong visual identities, and takes a deliberately unconventional approach to instrumentation — replacing the standard guitar/bass setup with violin and baritone saxophone. The result is a sound that sits outside any obvious genre bracket, drawing from avant-garde rock, pre-rock traditions, and sci-fi cinema.
The project signed to Epictronic Records in early 2023. Their debut album unfolds as a large-scale narrative work — part dystopian fable, part personal confession — and has generated coverage in Metal Shock Finland, Tinnitist, MHF Magazine, Headbangers News, and Prog Rock Journal, alongside airplay on Unsigned Radio UK, WTSQ FM, Nu Rock Radio, Diverse World Music Radio, and Rockers and Other Animals.
Dirty rock n’ roll is alive and kicking, and Blacklist Union is about to light the fuse.
Blacklist Union unleashed their blistering new version of “Jackson,” the legendary June Carter & Johnny Cash classic, featuring none other than rock icon Lorraine Lewis of Femme Fatale. The track is already being hailed as a full-throttle “barn burner” destined to set radio stations ablaze worldwide.
The release arrives with the world premiere of the official music video directed by Paul Crosby (formerly of SALIVA) and produced by Chris Johnson, known for his work with Evanescence, Hans Zimmer, and more.
Blacklist Union stormed the stage at The Viper Room last night for “Tommy London Presents The $5 Rock Show,” delivering what promised to be one of Hollywood’s wildest rock events of the year.
The stacked lineup included:
BLACKLIST UNION
Ten Ton Mojo
Chad Stewart’s Party Ninjas
Honor Among Thieves
Mursic
And in a moment fans won’t forget, Lorraine Lewis herself joined Tony West and Blacklist Union live onstage for a scorching performance of “Jackson.”
Joining Tony West last night are:
Dee Hayes – Rhythm Guitar
Jimi Zolo – Lead Guitar
Nick Mason – Drums
Cordell Crockett – Bass
Jacob Cohan
The event also served as the official launchpad for BLACKLIST UNION’S upcoming European tour this September as direct support for Faster Pussycat — a collision of legendary Hollywood sleaze and a dangerous new generation of dirty rock energy.
Tony West says, “Everything that is happening right now is like walking through the keyhole to my biggest dreams. I’m here to bring the wow factor and the fire to the firefight… so let’s rock this shit.”
Lorraine Lewis adds, “Working with Tony has been icing on the cake for me. Having newly signed with Cleopatra Records, FEMME FATALE is slated to release our full album in August, produced by Steve Brown. The timing couldn’t be more perfect for the FASTER PUSSYCAT / BLACKLIST UNION tour.”
“On tour I’ll be kicking off the night with my own brand of rock n’ roll, but I’m honored and grateful to share the stage with these killer front men — Taime Downe and Tony West. Faster Pussycat is such a legit and iconic Hollywood band, and Blacklist Union is a new breed of dirty Hollywood. Both bands have killer songs and hooks, and to be included with these bad boys… I’m over the moon.”
With Femme Fatale’s upcoming Cleopatra Records release produced by Steve Brown — known for his work with Trixter and Ace Frehley — and Blacklist Union gearing up for a massive European run, all signs point to a breakout moment for both camps.
Hollywood rock n’ roll just found its next anthem.
Keep your eyes locked on BLACKLIST UNION and FEMME FATALE — because this is only the beginning.
Tony West formed Blacklist Union because he wanted to play music that he wanted to hear. They put out the first Blacklist Union record, After the Mourning, in 2006. The band’s name comes from getting the best musicians in town with the worst reputations. With a shamanistic blend of Stone Temple Pilots, Guns N’ Roses, Warrior Soul, The Cult, and Mother Love Bone… Blacklist Union was born.
Blacklist Union have built a reputation on their explosive live shows and unapologetically bold sound. Their previous record, Letters from the Psych Ward, racked up over two million streams, setting the stage for the band’s new album. The band’s latest release was Slay the Dragon that came out in September 2025.
Frontman Tony West, known for his larger-than-life presence, took time out to dive deep into several transformative ayahuasca journeys in the heart of the Amazon, preparing for this next era of music.
As West put it, “Ayahuasca isn’t a drug—it’s powerful spiritual medicine from another realm. It helped me heal in ways I never thought possible, releasing layers of trauma, heartache, and sorrow. I’m not perfect—not Gandhi or anything—but it changed everything. My entire view of myself, love, the world, people, and my children changed because of those experiences.”
West was raised in the Bronx on The Ramones, Bad Brains, and NYHC. Hearing the call of the wild west, he made his way to Los Angeles at 19 years old. West took a break from L.A. to try out Memphis in 1998. While he was there, he attended the first Saliva gig with Paul Crosby on drums. This marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship between Crosby and West, leading to management, song collaborations, and guest video appearances. West collaborated with guitarist Todd Youth (Murphy’s Law /Danzig) and Malfunkshun, which was kept active by Andy Wood’s brother Kevin Wood. Andy Wood is West’s muse, and he was honored to sing in his hero’s band.
Los Angeles–based heavy metal outfit Lightning Strikes have announced an exclusive vinyl release of their acclaimed full-length album The King Is Victorious, released on May 23rd exclusively througheBay.
Due to strong global CD demand, the vinyl pressing will give fans a new way to experience the band’s powerful return, and will be accompanied by an official lyric video for “Voices in My Head,” premiering alongside the release.
Beginning May 23rd, the band’s original 1986 single, featuring “Lottery Tickets” and “Lightning Strikes,” will become available worldwide across all major streaming and digital download platforms. A companion video for “Lottery Tickets” will premiere on YouTube in celebration of the historic release.
The original 1986 recording features: Karpis Maksudian – Drums Harout Khatchoyan – Vocals Levon Zeytounzian – Lead Guitar Cat Tate – Bass John Harjo – Keyboards (Guest Musician)
In addition, the 2016 self-titled debut album, Lightning Strikes, will be released worldwide on all major digital platforms for streaming and purchase.
Featuring: Karpis Maksudian – Drums Rob Math – Lead Guitar Cat Tate – Bass Nando Fernandes – Vocals Derek Sherinian – Keyboards (Guest Musician)
Tracklisting:
1. Fear Of Unknown 2. Voices In My Head 3. Clash Of Battalions 4. The King Is Victorious 5. Aim And Shoot 6. Lucid Dreams 7. New Beginning 8. Masquerade Suite (Instrumental)
Karpis Maksudian shares:
They said heavy metal was just noise.They said the wait was too long.They said the fire fades with time.They were wrong.
This album isn’t just music — it’s years of pressure, pain, growth, and hunger forged into sound. Every riff hits harder. Every drum feels like thunder. Every scream carries everything I’ve been holding back.
This is the heavy metal you’ve been waiting for.Superstar-level heaters. No fillers. No limits.Just raw power.I didn’t come back quietly.I came back louder. Stronger. Hungrier.When this drops, it’s not just an album release — it’s a takeover.
Turn your speakers up.Tell the world heavy metal is alive.And get ready… because once this is out, there’s no turning back.And I also as a producer want to take this moment to speak from the heart.
From the bottom of my soul, thank you to every single person who was part of this powerful journey. This album was built on passion, fire, and brotherhood — and I’m beyond grateful to the warriors who stepped into the storm with me.
A special, thunderous thank you to the legends who played on the title track “The King Is Victorious” without hesitation, without conditions — just pure love for the music and the metal spirit:
Rowan Robertson, Mark Zavon, Craig Goldy, Norifumi Shima, Takehiko “Shake” Kogure, Dario Mollo, Mariano Gardella, Rob Math, Barry Sparks, Derek Sherinian, Michael T. Ross and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.
Your talent, your energy, your riffs, your solos, your power — you helped turn this song into a battlefield anthem. This wasn’t just collaboration… this was unity. This was heavy metal brotherhood at its finest.
The King is Victorious because of all of you.Let the world hear it.
With The King Is Victorious, Lightning Strikes build upon their legacy with a refined, aggressive, and globally influenced heavy metal sound that honors the band’s roots while pushing forward with renewed intensity.
A Japanese edition of The King Is Victorious released via Rubicon Music, featuring a bonus track exclusive to that territory.
The King Is Victorious is available worldwide: SPOTIFY
Physical CD’s can be purchased in America at the following locations:Walmart – Amazon
Originally formed in 1984, Lightning Strikes made history as the first heavy metal band with an all Armenian-American lineup, predating the emergence of System Of A Down by more than a decade. After disbanding, Maksudian revived the Lightning Strikes name more than 25 years later, assembling a new lineup to record the band’s self-titled debut album in 2016.
That release featured Brazilian vocalist Nando Fernandes (Sinistra, Hangar), drummer Rob Math, Derek Sherinian, and legendary former Black Sabbath vocalist Tony Martin, who sang on and penned lyrics for standout tracks “Death Valley” and “301 AD (Sins Of Our Fathers).” Mixed by renowned producer Roy Z, the album was met with strong critical acclaim and peaked at #6 on Japan’s Burrn! Magazine import charts.
Albert Bouchard is best known as a founding member of Blue Öyster Cult. The original lineup sold millions of albums for Columbia Records, with such classic songs as “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” and the number one hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart “Burning for You.” Bouchard contributed to songwriting and lead vocals on some of its greatest songs, such as “Cites on Flame With Rock and Roll.”
Albert Bouchard completed the first Imaginos trilogy and has shepherded the concept of Imaginos through its many incarnations over the years, translating Sandy Pearlman’s feverish visions into sonic resonance and into print form with the release of the Imaginos I graphic novel. Now, he is back with the release of Imaginos II, an immersive interactive graphic novel experience that brings the legend to life like never before. The Imaginos II graphic novel recounts the second third of the Imaginos story as it weaves through the 14 songs from Albert Bouchard’s Imaginos IIBombs Over Germany album. This interactive graphic novel connects you to all 14 songs along with never-before-seen videos and includes a download card for the digital version, so you can immerse yourself in this interactive experience on your computer, phone, or tablet.
Watch the full video for “Three Sisters” featuring Buck Dharma here:
As Bouchard states, “These graphic novels expand on the saga of Imaginos, which is itself an extremely expandable story. The videos expand upon both the comic and the songs, making this the most complete version of the Imaginos story to date.” The song Three Sisters was written during the Fire of Unknown Origin album sessions and was slated for release on a subsequent BOC release. When I approached Buck to contribute to the track, he told me he was delighted because he always loved the song.”
All the Imaginos albums are available now and feature reworks of classic Blue Öyster Cult tracks like “Astronomy,” “E.T.I.,” “Godzilla,” “Cites on Flame With Rock and Roll,” and many more. Order your copy of ReImaginos, Imaginos II – Bombs Over Germany, and Imaginos III – Mutant Reformation and stay tuned for Imaginos IV coming soon.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
