HAVOK Share New Single ‘The Ultimate Weapon’ with Official Music Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 9, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Carlie Adair

Thrash metal powerhouse HAVOK are proud to share the new single “The Ultimate Weapon,”alongside an official video, available below via BLKIIBLK. 

The band commented:

“We’re excited to debut this new song right before our two headline tours begin.  We’ll be playing “The Ultimate Weapon” live and look forward to hearing crowds shout the choruses with us.  Driving riffs, rock ‘n’ roll attitude, and anti-authoritarian lyrics.  This is what heavy metal is all about.  This is Havok.”

Tomorrow, HAVOK will embark on a tour across Europe and the UK, with Blood Red Throne, Xonor and Eradikated. The band has also recently announced a massive North American headline tour for Fall 2026, joined by Hellripper, Slackjaw and Xoth.

The 26 date run kicks off October 21 at Metro Music Hall in Salt Lake City, UT, before tearing across the United States and concluding with a hometown show at Denver’s Gothic Theatre on November 20. A complete list of dates can be found below.

HAVOK Live:

Europe/UK 2026:

w/ Blood Red Throne, Xonor and Eradikated
September 10, 2026 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Das Bett
September 11, 2026 – Bochum, Germany @ Matrix
September 12, 2026 – Eindhoven, Netherlands @ Dynamo
September 13, 2026 – Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique
September 15, 2026 – Bristol, UK @ The Fleece
September 16, 2026 – Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
September 17, 2026 – Dublin, Ireland @ Whelans
September 18, 2026 – Manchester, UK @ Rebellion
September 19, 2026 – London, UK @ The Dome
September 21, 2026 – Paris, France @ Petit Bain
September 22, 2026 – Nantes, France @ Ferrailleur
September 23, 2026 – Madrid, Spain @ Revi Live
September 24, 2026 – Barcelona, Spain @ Salamandra
September 25, 2026 – Lyon, France @ O Totem
September 26, 2026 – Aarau, Switzerland @ Kiff
September 27, 2026 – Milan, Italy @ Lime Club
September 29, 2026 – München, Germany @ Backstage
September 30, 2026 – Budapest, Hungary @ Durer Kert
October 1, 2026 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Futurum
October 2, 2026 – Warsaw, Poland @ Hydrozagadka
October 4, 2026 – Berlin, Germany @ SO36
October 5, 2026 – Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
October 6, 2026 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Stengade
October 7, 2026 – Oslo, Norway @ John Dee
October 8, 2026 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Kollektivet Livet
October 10, 2026 – Helsinki, Finland @ Ääniwalli

United States Fall 2026:

w/ Hellripper, Slackjaw, Xoth
October 21, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall
October 22, 2026 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club Ballroom
October 23, 2026 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
October 24, 2026 – Portland, OR – Dante’s
October 26, 2026 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post
October 27, 2026 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone Berkeley
October 28, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater
October 29, 2026 – Fresno, CA – Strummer’s
October 30, 2026 – Las Vegas, NV – Backstage Bar & Billiards
October 31, 2026 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater
November 2, 2026 – Dallas, TX – AM/FM
November 3, 2026 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
November 4, 2026 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Midtown
November 6, 2026 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (Hell)
November 7, 2026 – Nashville, TN – Basement East
November 8, 2026 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy
November 9, 2026 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club
November 11, 2026 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
November 12, 2026 – Harrisburg, PA – Capital City Music Hall
November 13, 2026 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
November 14, 2026 – New York, NY – Racket
November 15, 2026 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
November 16, 2026 – Detroit, MI – Catacombs at the Sanctuary
November 18, 2026 – Chicago, IL – Reggies
November 19, 2026 – Kansas City, MO – RecordBar
November 20, 2026 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre

We can only move forward when we understand what came before. HAVOK possess an airtight grasp on the fundamentals of thrash, enabling them to usher the genre into the fire of the future. The Colorado quartet lock and load throat-slicing guitars with breakneck rhythms and venomously vitriolic vocals. After piling up tens of millions of streams and earning acclaim from Metal Hammer, Loudwire, Consequence of Sound, and many more, the band ignited their first independent release, the ‘New Eyes’ EP, in 2024. 

HAVOK have never stopped pushing forward without apology. Thus far, they’ve unleashed a series of fan favorite albums, including ‘Burn’ [2009], ‘Time Is Up’ [2011], ‘Unnatural Selection’ [2013], ‘Conformicide’ [2017], and ’V’ [2020]. The latter represented a critical high watermark with Metal Hammer proclaiming, “HAVOK have nailed 21st century thrash.” 

Along the way, the group also lit up stages on tour around the world with the likes of Megadeth, Anthrax, Suicidal Tendencies, Testament, Killswitch Engage, Exodus, Sepultura, Kreator, Children Of Bodom, and many more.

Kickstarting this next era with worldwide touring and new music coming in 2026, HAVOK has enabled itself to move at a prolific pace. In the end, HAVOK are leveling up and taking thrash with them.

FOLLOW HAVOK:
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Goth Legends ROSETTA STONE Team Up with Thunder Bae for Dramatic Single ‘Incubus Succubus’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 9, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Goth legends Rosetta Stone’s latest album Executing Nostalgia drops on September 25, 10 new recordings that confirm the band’s long-standing status among the greatest goth groups of all time.

Ahead of that, however, their latest single turns back the years to revisit the first wave of goth, back in the 1980s, and a startling cover of X-Mal Deutschland’s “Incubus Succubus” – described by guest vocalist Thunder Bae as “like stepping into a pagan sabbat for a few minutes, embracing temptation, darkness and the parts of yourself you’re usually taught to keep under control.”

She continues, “At first I was intimidated by how unapologetically goth the song is, but the deeper I got into it, the more freedom I found in performing it. I had just finished my debut album A WOMAN, which deals so much with desire, temptation and womanhood. So there was this unexpected connection that made me feel very drawn to the song and excited to become part of its world. Plus i feel such a punk goth energy that i felt very inspired by the song and the process itself.”

SINGLE: https://orcd.co/rosettastonethunderbae_incubussuccubus

“Incubus Succubus” is one of five covers included on Executing Nostalgia, as Stone mailman Porl King explains. “The idea of the album was to revisit the proto-goth sounds through a number of cover versions of the time – the hope being that they would influence the tracks I recorded of my own. I tried to keep a mindset – based on what those early tracks mean to me – but not just those . [There were] many other tracks from that time that I had been listening to prior to recording.”

Interestingly, King admits that the covers – “Incubus Succubus” is joined by “Pagan Love Song” (the Virgin Prunes), “Talk About The Weather” (Red Lorry Yellow Lorry), “Alone” (Colin Newman) and “Moya” (Southern Death Cult) –  were “not necessarily ones I’d have chosen.”  Rather, all were suggested by Cleopatra Records, after King outlined his plans for the album.

Thunder Bae, too, was recommended to him by the label, after King raised concerns about doing voicing “Incubus Succubus” himself. And while she, too, admits “When I first heard the track, I genuinely thought, ‘How am I going to sing this?’” King declares,“I was really impressed with her energy and tone – I think she made the track come to life. Far far better than anything I could have done.”

“It’s such a full-on goth anthem and pretty far outside the universe of my own music,” says Bae. “But that ended up being exactly what made it so much fun.” 

Executing Nostalgia is Rosetta Stone’s fourth album in little over two years, a poised and perfect successor to Under The Weather (2024), the covers collection Nothing Is Sacred (2025) and the same year’s Dose Makes The Poison.  “I seem to go through surges,” says King. “I’ve gone years writing very little – then other times really finding my momentum, I also have a real sense of what interests me musically – something which has eluded me in the past.”

As for the album’s foreboding title, King explains, “‘Execute’ means to implement, but its meaning [has] broadened in the usage ‘executioner,’ which we tend to relate to killing. I found this an interesting wordplay.” 

It’s an appropriate one as well.  Executing Nostalgia not only delves deep into your consciousness, but it also reawakens it, a vibrant minor key clarion call to cut through the endless discordant saxophone solo that so much of modern life now resembles.

“Usually my songs are quite lyrically intense,” says King.  “This time around, I decided to simplify the process and just concentrate mainly on creating repetitive vocal sections. I also wanted ‘one word/phrase’ choruses, something that again relates to early post-punk.”

 In other words… nostalgia has been well and truly executed!

CD/VINYL/CASS: https://cleorecs.com/search?q=rosetta+stone+executing+nostalgia
DIGITAL: https://orcd.co/rosettastone_executingnostalgia

Track listing

1. Shadowban
2. Someone
3. Regression
4. Negative
5. Rejection
6. Incubus Succubus
7. Pagan Love Song
8. Alone
9. Moya
10. Talk About The Weather

GÅTE Release Sweeping New Single & Video ‘Mi Jord’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 9, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by © Ole Ekker

Gåte are one of the most distinct bands to come out of Norway. The band have topped the Norwegian charts, won a Norwegian Grammy and represented Norway in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Now, they are expanding their groundbreaking mix of Nordic folk and modern rock on their upcoming new album Sigil.

Today, Gåte are releasing “Mi Jord” as the third advanced single from Sigil. Norwegian for “My Earth”, the song marks the album’s emotional turning point. Southern, northern, eastern and western currents sweep across land and sea like the final breath of something vast and maternal.

Sigil comes out September 25 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order: https://orcd.co/gatesigil
Pre-save on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/2kiURuXN7GZ84VD9HDnbsf

“Mi Jord” brings Sigil to its culmination. The album’s latest single is the point where its procession through enchantment, hunger and mortality gives way to surrender. There is no judgment, no accusation, no apocalypse, only a quiet departure. Hurdy-gurdy and mandola move against uncompromising guitar and austere electronic texture, holding industrial weight and quiet dignity in the same breath.

Gåte’s upcoming fall tour will bring the band to nine cities across Norway, plus one date in Istanbul, Turkey. During this ten date run, they will perform  new songs from Sigil, along with fan favorites from their celebrated discography.

Gåte Concerts 2026

October 23 – Trondheim, Norway @ Havet [TICKETS]
October 30 – Drammen, Norway @ Union [TICKETS]
October 31 – Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene [TICKETS]
November 5 – Haugesund, Norway @ Høvleriet [TICKETS]
November 6 – Stavanger, Norway @ Folken [TICKETS]
November 7 – Bergen, Norway @ Verftet [TICKETS]
November 12 – Skien, Norway @ Parkbiografen [TICKETS]
November 13 – Moss, Norway @ Verket Scene [TICKETS]
November 14 – Hamar, Norway @ Festiviteten [TICKETS]
November 21 – Istanbul, Turkey @ IF Performance [TICKETS]

Tracklist:

  1. Bergteken (04:44)
  2. Oskorsreia (03:08) [WATCH]
  3. Sannsiger (03:43) [WATCH]
  4. Nokon (03:10)
  5. Bòd frå djupet (03:45)
  6. Strandvaskar (03:27)
  7. Songen (03:38)
  8. Aude (03:54)
  9. Mi Jord (03:44)
  10. Jostedalsrypa (03:39)
    Full runtime: 36:53

Rooted in the intersection of Nordic folk tradition and contemporary rock, GÅTE have spent over two decades developing a sound that feels both ancient and fiercely present. Drawing on centuries-old ballads, oral traditions, and traditional vocal forms, the band transform these sources into music that is physical, emotionally direct and unmistakably their own.

Emerging in the early 2000s, GÅTE quickly became one of Norway’s most distinctive bands for their groundbreaking mix of Nordic folk tradition and modern rock. In 2002, their debut album, Jygri, entered at #1 on the Norwegian Albums chart and won them the Spellemann Award (Norwegian Grammy) for Best Newcomer.

“GÅTE have been drawing from traditional music and transforming it with modern means into something new right from their beginning”, Metal Hammer writes.

After two studio albums, three EPs and one live album, GÅTE took a twelve-year hiatus before returning to critical acclaim and sold-out performances with 2017’s Svevn. Following their folk-leaning LP Nord in 2021, the band went on to represent Norway in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with a contemporary re-imagining of “Ulveham”, a traditional Norwegian ballad. In 2025, they toured throughout Europe with Leprous.

Rather than treat tradition as a fixed reference, GÅTE approach it as a living force. Old material is not preserved for its own sake, but reworked and recontextualized, allowing it to resonate with contemporary urgency and relevance.

“Our music comes from a place where tradition is not something fixed, but something alive” the band says. “We draw from old sources because they still speak to us, and because they allow us to express something honest and human today.”

GÅTE have now completed their sixth studio album, which will be released on the band’s new label home Season of Mist. While the band has focused primarily on Norway in the past, signing with the international label reflects both the growing interest they have received from around the world and their desire to reach a wider audience.

During the fall of 2026, GÅTE will perform the album’s lead single “Sannsiger” and other new songs during a headline tour of Norway and one date in Istanbul, Turkey. Their concerts are well-known for being immersive and intense, balancing raw energy with a ritual-like focus that has earned them a glowing and growing reputation beyond the Nordic region.

Line-up:
Gunnhild Sundli — Vocals
Magnus Børmark — Guitars, Nyckelharpa, Sounds, FX, Programming, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Jon Even Schärer — Drums, Percussion, Programming, Mouth Harp, Backing Vocals
Arent Todal — Hardanger Fiddle, Nyckelharpa, Violin, Sounds, Backing Vocals
Mats Paulsen — Bass, Backing Vocals

Production Credits:
Recorded at MagnuStudio; Øra Studio.

Produced by Kristian Fanavoll Tvedt & Magnus Børmark.
Mixed & Mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios.

Guest Musicians:
Kristian Fanavoll Tvedt — Synths, Programming, Sounds, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Maria Franz — Guest Vocals on “Sannsiger”
Olav Luksengård Mjelva — Hardanger Fiddle on “Bergteken”, “Oskorsreia”, “Strandvaskar”, “Songen”, “Aude”
John Stenersen — Hurdy-Gurdy on “Mi Jord”
Knut Anders Vestad — Concert Grand Piano on “Jostedalsrypa”
Marit Aspås — Cello on “Jostedalsrypa”
Sylvelin Sundli — Upright Piano on “Bòd frå djupet”

Cover Art:
Martine Solstad Larsen (Sigil Artist); Martin Kvamme (Cover Art and Design).

Photography:
Ole Ekker

Follow GÅTE:
Official Website: https://www.gåte.com/
Bandcamp: https://gaate.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gaateband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaate_official/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gaateband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/G%C3%A5temusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YxkGgMvqCQA75aFpy6524
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/g%C3%A5te/73355577
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/16043
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/12122/

BRIAN MAY Adds The Royal Stamp of Approval to WILLIAM SHATNER’s Metal Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 9, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment
photo by Manfred Baumann

Brian May, one of the most highly-regarded and admired guitarists of the past 50+years, is the latest icon to join the army of rock legends accompanying William Shatner on his forthcoming heavy metal album.

​May is, of course, the perfect fit for the project.  Although he is most renowned for his music, he is also Britain’s best known astro-physicist!  

​Fascinated by the study of the stars, May was still a student when he was invited to join the team at the world-famous Jodrell Bank Observatory in England. On this occasion, he refused – he did not want to leave the band he had recently formed with drummer Roger Taylor, known at the time as Smile, but destined one day to become Queen.

​However, he received a PhD in astrophysics in 2007; worked as a Science team collaborator on NASA’s New Horizons Pluto mission; and co-founded the Asteroid Day awareness campaign.  And he has an asteroid named after him, just like William Shatner – Asteroid 52665 Brianmay, meet Asteroid 31556 Shatner.

​Full details of their collaboration have yet to be released, but of course May will be contributing his instantly distinctive guitar sound, and he will also be mixing the track

With Shatner now confirmed to appear at Riotfest in September, work on the new album is continuing apace, with May joining the previously announced Rob Halford (Judas Priest) John Moyer of Disturbed, and Dave Lombardo — the iconic drummer whose work with Slayer helped redefine thrash metal and whose legacy with the Misfits further cemented his place in rock history. 

​Behind the boards, the project is being driven by a heavyweight production team led by Adam Hamilton (L.A. Guns, Brian Jonestown Massacre) and Brian Perera, President of Cleopatra Records, with additional production from Derek Hughes (Nuclear Messiah) Marcus Nand, and Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps.

​With additional guest appearances still under wraps, the album is quickly emerging as a major crossover moment, a part metal event record, part artistic left turn, all created around a cast that spans multiple generations of hard rock and metal excellence

​More details, including the album title, release date, additional featured artists and media opportunities, will be announced soon.

Singer / Guitarist KAI HANSEN Talks New Solo Album & Gives Update on HELLOWEEN’s Next Studio Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 8, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment
Photo by Franz Schepers

Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to Helloween singer /guitarist Kai Hansen about his new Solo album BORN WITH A HAMMER which will be released Sept 18, 2026 via EAR MUSIC

He also gave an update on the upcomiing studio album from HELLOWEEN.

Watch the video interview below.

When asked how his new solo album came to be and the influences

“Things progressed during Corona times. I got bored and there was not much to do. So I sat down in my studio, locked myself up and started songwriting just for me myself and I without any purpose and the outcome was nothing that was  Helloween or GAMMA Ray. I was not in the mood for power metal or stuff like that. So um I just did whatever I felt like and after a while I had a few songs together and uh I was like okay yeah well where’s this going to go? What I’m going to do with it. Um, because it was just for my personal entertainment at first, but then I say, “Okay, this is too too good  to just put on the in the trash can or something like that.” Of course, the  obvious thought was then, okay, let’s put this on a solo album. So, I um called the boys. I was like, are you guys in?  So um we had my basics of the songs and uh then we did a pre-production we added two songs that were left over from the last production . There was you nobody forcing us. Um which was good. So we could just took all the time in the world to just get to the point when this album was finally finished. And um now bam, it’s going to come out in September. I have a lot of influences and  I like Euro Dance if it’s heavy. So you see some influences here, you see some influences there. Reggaie  comes from, me hanging out on a hammock in Thailand, which the atmosphere doesn’t fit doesn’t fit heavy metal. So I listen to Bob Marley. I like it. I love it. Everything I consume in terms of music, I  chew down. I process this and now I spit it out my own way.”

When asked if HELLOWEEN started working on a new Studio album

“Oh, there is a lot of work in progress. There’s actually a lot already in the  in the box. We have already songs that are mixed and  yeah, the album is pretty much pretty much already uh let’s say 80% is done.”

HEAVENS EDGE Share New Single + Video ‘Definite Maybe’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on September 8, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Alex Cihanowic

Today, Philadelphia hard rock legends HEAVENS EDGE proudly share their new single, “Definite Maybe,” taken from their upcoming album, ‘Philadelphia.’ Celebrating the city where their remarkable journey began nearly four decades ago, the album arrives November 13th via Frontiers Music Srl. “Definite Maybe” arrives alongside an official music video, available below. 

On the new single, the band comments:

“Of all the songs we’ve ever recorded, ‘Definite Maybe’ is the best example of the unique and different guitar playing styles between Reggie and Steve. Two separate riffs, melodies and techniques that blend together as one. That blend is something we’e always looked for in all of our songs since day one of the band. This time we have Reggiegrooving on the talk box and Steve going bluesy on the slide to create one layered melody and sound.”

For a band whose story includes major label success, personal tragedy, long periods of silence, and one of hard rock’s most inspiring comebacks, ‘Philadelphia’ represents both a tribute to their roots and a bold statement about their future. Rather than relying on nostalgia, HEAVENS EDGE continue to build on the creative momentum that made ‘Get It Right’ such a surprise critical and fan favorite, delivering another collection of memorable songs packed with hooks, heart, and unmistakable attitude.

Produced by the band with additional production from Jacob Bunton, mixed by Jay Ruston and mastered by Jens Dreesen, ‘Philadelphia’ captures HEAVENS EDGE at their most confident and energized. From the fist-pumping anthem “LFG” to the infectious first video single “What’s He Got” and the irresistible melodic punch of “Definite Maybe,” the album showcases a band firing on all cylinders, combining classic American hard rock swagger with contemporary songwriting and production.

Led by the unmistakable voice of Mark Evans and the stellar guitar work of founding members Reggie Wu and Steve Parry, alongside drummer David Rath and bassist Jaron Gulino, HEAVENS EDGE prove once again that their second act is every bit as compelling as their first.

About the album, HEAVENS EDGE explains:

“This album represents 40 years of our time together as a band. The album has a greater variety of songs than anything we’ve ever done before. This is because we are more comfortable than ever with who we are and what the music means to us. We make music for the love of it, for those who have supported us over the years and for those just discovering us now. It’s never too late.”

Pre-Order ‘Philadelphia’ HERE

‘Philadelphia’ Track List:

1. The Tempest
2. LFG
3. You’re Mine Tonight
4. What’s He Got
5. Definite Maybe
6. Wrong Or Right
7. Why Can’t This Be Love
8. Young Hearts
9. I’ll Be Just Fine (Without You)
10. I Wish You Would
11. No Way Out

Named after the city that shaped them and inspired generations of hard rock fans, ‘Philadelphia’ is more than just a new album—it’s a celebration of resilience, brotherhood, and the enduring power of great songs. If ‘Get It Right’ reintroduced HEAVENS EDGE to the world, ‘Philadelphia’ confirms that the band’s creative renaissance is far from over.

HEAVENS EDGE are:
Mark Evans – Lead Vocal
Reggie Wu – Guitars, Backing Vocals
David Rath – Drums and Percussion
Steve Parry – Guitars and Backing Vocals
Jaron Gulino – Bass Guitar
Additional Vocals: Jacob Bunton

FOLLOW HEAVENS EDGE:
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