VANGUARDIAN’s Debut Album “III: Inhumanity” Offers Raw Extreme Metal on a Broad Scale

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 23, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photographer: Arto Kettunen

Finnish Vanguardian gives their gift to the world of heavy music in the form of their new album III: Inhumanity. The band has drawn inspiration for the album from black metal, prog, rock ‘n’ roll and sludge. The album’s common thread is the story that began with the previous EP, about the dystopian threats of technological development and the significance of human life in a world that is rapidly spiraling out of control.

The lead single, ..In Humanity, encapsulates the band’s vision and the album’s theme. Guitarist Mikko Saviranta talks about the dramatic arc of the album that reflects it:

“..In Humanity was one of the first songs on the album, and with it the dramatic arc of the album began to take shape. With this song you also get a pretty good idea of what Vanguardian has to offer: brutal riffs, good melodies and prog noise!”

Vanguardian recorded their previous II: The Heretic EP at Astia Studio in analog under the direction of producer Anssi Kippo. The band made their new album in complete peace and quiet at Univaltakunta studio in Jyväskylä, where Vanguardian also has its headquarters. The studio environment gave the band the opportunity to develop their own sound and create a completely unique perspective on producing music. The end result is a distinctive and brutal album, where influences from different genres blend together nicely. Jami Honkala was responsible for mixing and mastering.

“We started working on the album right after the previous EP was finished. We put the lessons we learned from Astia studio into practice, and we spent a lot of time in the rehearsal room working on the songs. We made several demos, and we set out to find our own sound with a completely new perspective. We still had a lot to tell about the world where the previous EP had left off, so the lyrics literally started to write themselves. The compositions have a lot of entities built by jamming,” the band comments, and continues: “We think the end result is a good middle finger to the current polished mood. We didn’t remove humanity, but emphasized everything that separates us from computers. We made a sci-fi album as organically and naturally as possible, which in its execution nicely underlines the thematics of the entire album.”

Listen to the album on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/vanguardian-iii-inhumanity

  1. Gathering Momentum – FI3FC2593004
  2. Peripherals – FI3FC2593002
  3. ..In Humanity – FI3FC2593003
  4. LI-2 XA-1 – FI3FC2593001
  5. Dead Space – FI3FC2593005
  6. Lost In Endeavour – QM6MZ2529415
  7. Demolition Hour – FI3FC2593007
  8. Electric Sorrow – FI3FC2593008
  9. Inner Sanctum – FI3FC2593009

All tracks:
Composers: Mikko Saviranta, Tino Jäntti, Markus Martinmäki, Sakari Soisalo
Lyricist: Markus Martinmäki
Arrangement: Vanguardian
Producer: Vanguardian

Rising from the ashes of Inkvisitor in 2019, Vanguardian took collective action as their guiding principle, with the goal of forming a seamlessly functioning machine. The band members’ fusion is visible and palatable in the hard-pedaling groove, dark melodies and wide range of influences. The 2025 Vanguardian is a relentless and awe-inspiring natural whim.

Vanguardian is:
Markus Martinmäki – Vocals
Tino Jäntti – Drums
Mikko Saviranta – Guitar
Sakari Soisalo – Bass

https://www.facebook.com/vanguardianofficial
https://www.instagram.com/vanguardianofficial/
https://www.tiktok.com/@vanguardian.official

ONSETCOLD Returns with New Album “Apocalyptic Sleep”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Extreme metal project Onsetcold is back with a new album, Apocalyptic Sleep, set for release via Wormholedeath.

Onsetcold is the end of the beginning and the beginning of the end; a post‑apocalyptic extreme metal entity built to be the heaviest, most unhinged, and most unpredictable force possible. The name marks a fixed point in time: past the fire, past the point of return, where collapse is inevitable and volatility is the only constant. Across Art Destroyer, Death Blast (2020), and the full‑art detonation Noam Chomsky (2023), Onsetcold has treated albums like weapons tests—each one a different method of breaking the frame. The new record, Apocalyptic Sleep, is the most dangerous yet: ten movements that fuse black‑metal frost, death‑metal violence, symphonic black grandeur, avant‑garde sabotage, and phonk‑lit menace into a single unstable structure. Onsetcold thrives on disorientation: cathedral‑scale orchestration one moment, bass‑heavy cosmic street menace the next, then a sudden collapse into chaos. Apocalyptic Sleep is not a genre. It’s a place.

Apocalyptic Sleep is a chilling descent into themes of pain, survival, and the end of the world. The ten-track album takes listeners through a bleak, beautiful, and inescapable apocalypse. From the opening track, “The Blue Room,” which sets a tone of perpetual suffering, the album weaves a narrative of ancient prophecies, cosmic chaos, and personal damnation. It explores the blurred lines between love and destruction (“Standing in the Rain Beside You”), the slow decay under a dying star (“Under the Nuclear Sun”), and a fatalistic acceptance of ruin (“Sleep Tonight”). The journey intensifies with a demonic waltz with Lucifer himself (“Underworld”) and a violent, cult-like rebellion (“Cult”), before concluding with “Austere.” Ultimately, Apocalyptic Sleep is not a story of hope, but a visceral and honest look at the beauty and terror of a world in its final throes. The album has been mixed and mastered by Dan Mullins(My Dying Bride).

Tracklist:

  1. The Blue Room
  2. The Oracle to Egypt
  3. Hurricane
  4. Standing in the Rain Beside You
  5. Under the Nuclear Sun
  6. Sleep Tonight
  7. Short Circuit
  8. Underworld
  9. Breathing in This Cult
  10. Austere

Watch the official video for “Sleep Tonight”:

Line-up:

Shaq – Music/Vocals
Seiza Friedrich – Vocals

Listen and follow Onsetcold:

www.youtube.com/onsetcold
www.instagram.com/onsetcold
www.facebook.com/onsetcold

KLAShTAL Releases Second Single ‘Remembrance’ from Upcoming Debut Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo: Jutta Koski

Finnish neoclassical dark wave outfit KLAShTAL has released a new single ‘Remembrance’. The opening track from their upcoming debut album marks a start of a sonic journey through destruction, oblivion and eventually, salvation. Remembrance is a song about awakening and ascension – the anabasis of the ghost of the collective memory of an extinct species.

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/klashtal-remembrance

–ISRC: FI3FC2553101
–Composition & Lyrics by Jesse Heikkinen

Started as an ambient side project, KLAShTAL has now transformed into a serious channel of self-expression for the Finnish musician Jesse Heikkinen (Iterum Nata, The Abbey, ex-Hexvessel). KLAShTAL’s debut album Oblivion Dreams marks a new chapter in Heikkinen’s ever-evolving musical career and pushes his experiments with different genres even further. While dark, dreamlike and meditative, yet comforting and healing, KLAShTAL’s music will take the listener to post-apocalyptic ruins of a lost world where the echoes of mankind have almost completely softened. KLAShTAL’s music pays respect to genres like dungeon synth, dark wave and new age, as well as bands like Dead Can Dance, Forndom and Nox Arcana. All music on Oblivion Dreams is written, played, recorded and produced by Heikkinen, except the Moog synthesizer played by Thomas Cowgill, also known as the neofolk/dark americana artist King Dude. 

Oblivion Dreams will be released on November 28 via Inverse Records.

Oblivion Dreams Tracklist / ISRC-codes:

  1. Remembrance – FI3FC2553101
  2. Uncharted – FI3FC2553102
  3. The Way Home – FI3FC2553103
  4. Virgin Feather – FI3FC2553104
  5. The Water Remembers – FI3FC2553105
  6. Moonbow – FI3FC2553106
  7. Destruction – FI3FC2553107

CHARLOTTE WESSELS + VOLA’s Asger Mygind Release New Single + Official Lyric Video ‘Backup Plan’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo credit: Tim Tronckoe]

CHARLOTTE WESSELS’ The Obsession joins forces with VOLA’s Asger Mygind for the haunting new single “Backup Plan”, an intimate duet between life and death. Originally appearing as a bonus track on select vinyl editions of CHARLOTTE’s full-band debut The Obsession (2024), the song now takes center stage as a beautifully crafted collaboration that merges both artists’ distinctive voices in a spellbinding harmony that lingers long after it ends. Following CHARLOTTE and her band’s appearance on VOLA’s Friend of a Phantom Tour in 2024, this release not only reunites the two acts but also marks the first anniversary of The Obsession, a fitting moment to let “Backup Plan” step into the light.
 
“Backup Plan (feat. Asger Mygind/VOLA)” is featured on The Obsession (Deluxe Edition), out digitally this Friday, October 24, 2025 via Napalm Records. The release sets the stage for an exciting year ahead, as CHARLOTTE WESSELS will join Epica and Amaranthe on their extensive Arcane Dimensions Tour across Europe in 2026.

CHARLOTTE WESSELS about “Backup Plan (feat. Asger Mygind/VOLA)”:
“The new single, ‘Backup Plan (feat. Asger Mygind/VOLA)’, is one of those songs that refused to let go. It started as an outtake from the original sessions, but something about it never felt complete, until we toured with VOLA and the missing piece revealed itself. Asger’s voice perfectly brought out the song’s contrast between beauty and darkness. The song presents a conversation between life and the quiet pull of the unknown, a duet with Death, presenting itself not as a villain but as a kind refuge. Working with Asger Mygind brought that concept fully to life; his performance captures the gentleness and gravity I always imagined. this version finally sounds the way it was always meant to.”
 
Asger Mygind adds:
“I needed no time to consider my participation when Charlotte asked if I wanted to be a guest on ‘Backup Plan’. Her sound is immensely distinctive, adventurous and catchy, and I was thrilled diving into the colorful universe she evokes with her songwriting. It was definitely a challenging song to sing, but it was also great fun using my voice in a slightly different way than what I’m used to!”

Pre-Save The Obsession (Deluxe Edition) HERE

The Obsession (Deluxe Edition) tracklisting:    
1.    Chasing Sunsets
2.    Dopamine (feat. Simone Simons)
3.    The Exorcism
4.    Soulstice
5.    The Crying Room
6.    Ode To The West Wind (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)
7.    Serpentine
8.    Praise
9.    All You Are
10.  Vigor And Valor
11.  Breathe; Extended
12.  Soft Revolution (2024)
13.  Backup Plan (feat. Asger Mygind/VOLA)
14.  Dopamine (Dreamscape Version / feat. Simone Simons)
15.  The Crying Room (Live At Dynamo Metalfest)
16.  Soft Revolution (Live At Dynamo Metalfest)
17.  The Exorcism (Live At Dynamo Metalfest)

With thousands of monthly Spotify listeners and a dedicated Patreon community, CHARLOTTE WESSELS already made a strong impression with her acclaimed solo releases Tales From Six Feet Under (2021) and Tales From Six Feet Under Vol. II (2022). With The Obsession (2024), she alongside her band of former DELAIN bandmates Timo Somers (guitars, additional arrangements), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass) and Joey Marin de Boer (drums), plus Nina van Beelen (keys, backing vocals), takes a bold step into the next level of her career, giving powerful performances at major European festivals such as Summer Breeze Open Air, Graspop Metal Meeting, Leyendas del Rock, Hellfest Open Air, Rock Castle, Dynamo Metal Fest and more.

Fittingly, The Obsession (Deluxe Edition), out this Friday, expands the journey with “Backup Plan (feat. Asger Mygind/VOLA)”, three live recordings from Dynamo Metal Fest, an extended version of “Breathe;” and a dreamy reimagining of the previously released single “Dopamine” (feat. Simone Simons/Epica) with new vocal layers and arrangements by Vikram Shankar.

CHARLOTTE WESSELS states:
“It’s wild to think it’s been a year since The Obsession came out, yet this record still has stories to tell, it’s like it’s been quietly evolving alongside us. The digital deluxe edition is our way of giving those stories another breath and expanding the world of the album. It feels like the perfect bridge to what’s coming next: the Arcane Dimensions Tour with Epica and Amaranthe in early 2026, a new adventure where these songs can live, transform, and connect in entirely new ways.”

Get your physical copy of The Obsession NOW

The Obsession tracklisting:
1.    Chasing Sunsets (feat. Simone Simons)
2.    Dopamine
3.    The Exorcism
4.    Soulstice
5.    The Crying Room
6.    Ode To The West Wind (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)
7.    Serpentine
8.    Praise
9.    All You Are
10.  Vigor And Valor
11.  Breathe;
12.  Soft Revolution (2024)

CHARLOTTE WESSELS Live 2026

Supporting Epica & Amaranthe On Their “Arcane Dimensions Tour”
16.01.26 DE – Cologne / Palladium
17.01.26 DE – Munich / Zenith
18.01.26 BE – Brussels / Vorst Nationaal
20.01.26 UK – Bristol / Beacon
21.01.26 UK – Glasgow / Barrowland
23.01.26 UK – Manchester / O2 Apollo
24.01.26 UK – London / Eventim Apollo
25.01.26 FR – Paris / Zenith
27.01.26 CH – Zurich / Halle 622
28.01.26 IT – Milan / Alcatraz
30.01.26 ES – Barcelona / Razzmatazz
31.01.26 ES – Madrid / Sala La Rivera
01.02.26 PT – Lisbon / Coliseu dos Recreios
03.02.26 FR – Toulouse / Le Bikini
04.02.26 FR – Lyon / Radiant-Bellevue
06.02.26 DE – Ludwigsburg / MHP Arena
07.02.26 NL – Amsterdam / Ziggo Dome
06.03.26 DE – Hamburg / Inselpark Arena
07.03.26 DE – Leipzig / Haus Auensee
08.03.26 DE – Berlin / Columbiahalle
10.03.26 DK – Copenhagen / Poolen
11.03.26 SE – Stockholm / Fallan
13.03.26 FI – Oulu / Tapahtumakeskus Tullisali
14.03.26 FI – Helsinki / Black Box
15.03.26 EE – Tallinn / Helitehas
17.03.26 PL – Warsaw / Arena Torwar
18.03.26 AT – Vienna / Gasometer
21.03.26 CZ – Prague / Forum Karlin
22.03.26 DE – Frankfurt / Jahrhunderthalle

CHARLOTTE WESSELS online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
X
NAPALM RECORDS

VERILEHTO Release New Single ‘Virvatulet’ from Upcoming Second Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Verilehto

Finnish black metal band Verilehto is set to release their second album Aarnihauta on November 28th 2025 via Inverse Records. The second single ‘Virvatulet’ is unleashed today and the track can be heard here: https://push.fm/fl/verilehto-virvatulet

“The closing track of the album, Virvatulet, has been one of my favorites from the start. It eases off the gas pedal and gives room for the story. During the making of the album, I read a lot about old Finnish mythology and the lyrics of this song were among the first I wrote for the album. This song really shows the core of Verilehto. Beautifully wandering guitars, cries of pain and a gripping atmosphere. A magnificent conclusion to the album, which is why it was chosen as the second single.” Says vocalist Janne Partanen

–Composition, arrangement & production: Janne Tuikkala.
–Lyrics & arrangement: Janne Partanen.
–Arrangement: Markus Räipiö.
–Mastering: Petteri Kurki
–ISRC: FI3FC2595607
–Artwork by Janne Partanen

LISTEN to the first single Aarnihauta: https://push.fm/fl/verilehto-aarnihauta 

The Finnish melodic black metal band Verilehto is back with a new album, Aarnihauta. The album title translates as ‘hidden grave in the forest’, which is a fitting description of the band’s second album.

Verilehto plays Finnish 90s-style black metal, characterised by melodic and aggressive riffs, raw vocals, and an eerie overall tone. The Finnish folklore-inspired lyrics fit well with the band’s versatile riffs, and the songs vary from fast blastbeats to slower storytelling elements.

This album also sees a change in Verilehto’s line-up, with Markus Räppiö from Kaira joining the crew. With Markus on bass, Janne Partanen (Hautajaisyö, Alfa Pentatonik, Marraskuun Lapset, Paavalin Harhat) on vocals, and Janne Tuikkala (Muria & Dawn of Everwinter) on guitars, drums and synth, the band is stronger than ever.

‘Aarnihauta’ sees the band continuing to evolve from their debut album ‘Kuoleman Siipien Havina’ by focusing on their own sound and style. The album is not overly polished, and has a good raw quality to the production, but this is not the main focus. It was recorded by the band themselves in 2024–25. 

The album artwork was created by the talented Awinita Alm, and the single artwork was created by the band. The “Aarnihauta” video was filmed in 2024 and edited by Janne Tuikkala and Markus Räppiö.

Aarnihauta Track list:

  1. Surutta Tapettu
  2. Nälänhätä
  3. Aarnihauta
  4. Kalman Sotajuokko
  5. Tuhkaverho
  6. Syöjätär
  7. Virvatulet

Artwork by Awinita Alm

Line-up:
Janne Tuikkala – Guitars, Drums, Synths
Janne Partanen – Vocals
Markus Räipiö – Bass & Backing Vocals

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

OATHBOUND Sign Exclusive Worldwide Deal with Eclipse Records, New Full-Length Album “Colors In Grey” Out March 6th 2026

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 22, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Liam Zachry

Eclipse Records is thrilled to announce the signing of an exclusive worldwide deal with OATHBOUND, a Progressive Metalcore band from Seattle (USA) that channels the raw, unfiltered emotion that defines the human condition while crafting sonic soundscapes that are as emotionally resonant as they are sonically powerful. Oathbound just wrapped up production of their new second album entitled Colors In Grey which will be released via Eclipse Records on March 6, 2026. The album was produced by Oathbound, engineered by Taylor Harper & Kalyan Lopez, and mixed & mastered by Aaron Chaparian (As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, Chimaira).

“Signing with Eclipse is the realization of a lifelong dream for me!” says guitarist Taylor Harper. “Since the moment I first laid eyes on an electric guitar, I knew that creating music was my calling. I can’t thank the Eclipse Team enough for trusting us to represent their brand and for welcoming us with open arms! I can’t wait to see where it all goes from here!” Vocalist Chris Fox adds, “I am beyond honored for this opportunity and for the support from such a reputable establishment in the industry. Music is my dream and I’ll make sure to not disappoint. Doing this is my life and I hope to do it until the end!“ Guitarist Viktor Schultz adds “ I’m thrilled about the opportunities that working with Eclipse will provide! It’s a very exciting time for Oathbound and I can’t wait to make the best music we can!” Drummer Travis Morlan continues, “Life is wild. I’m living the dream that I imagined when I was 3 years old and I am honored to sign to Eclipse. It still doesn’t feel real!”

Cover art Credit: Aaron Varshay

This latest full-length from Oathbound, Colors In Grey, is exactly the kind of record the progressive metalcore scene needs right now. It’s a definitive statement that firmly entrenches the band in the upper echelon of the genre. More than a simple collection of songs, this is a rigorous, nine-track emotional excavation. The Seattle outfit has always possessed a gift for channeling raw human experience—confronting themes like trauma, addiction, and heartbreak head-on—but here they successfully forge those dark elements into a work of unexpected, profound catharsis. Slated for release on March 6, 2026, this album is an undeniable, critical pivot point for their career. The sheer sonic ambition is evident from the moment the music hits. Colors In Grey was self-produced, a commitment that highlights the band’s unflinching confidence in their vision. Crucially, that vision was polished by the masterful mixing and mastering of Aaron Chaparian at Iron Audio. Considering his work with acts like As I Lay Dying, Bleeding Through, and Chimaira, you know the commitment to brutal sonic clarity is absolute. Chaparian grants the album a powerful, dynamic space where every crushing riff and intricate, machine-gun rhythm lands with visceral impact. This process ensures the sound avoids the sterile sheen that plagues so much modern heavy music; the soaring clean passages feel wholly earned, and the heaviness is truly immense. We should also note the visual component: Aaron Varshay’s striking artwork perfectly captures the emotional tension and nuance that defines the record’s entire mood. Colors In Grey is far more than a technical blueprint; it is a forceful, profoundly human document that reminds us why metal, at its best, is the ultimate vehicle for spiritual connection and catharsis. This is the sound of a band operating at an undeniable peak. The album & singles feature cover art designed by Aaron Varshay. It is scheduled for release on March 6, 2026.

Pre-Save or Pre-Order Colors In Grey at this location.

Colors In Grey track listing
01. Origins
02. Colors In Grey
03. Set Adrift
04. Misunderstood
05. The Masks We Wear
06. Insomniac
07. Searching For An Answer
08. Hold On
09. False Ideals

Oathbound lineup

Chris Fox (vocals), Taylor Harper (guitar), Viktor Schultz (guitar), Steve Schwarz (bass), Travis Morlan (drums)

For more information about Oathbound and their Colors In Grey album, please visit them on Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or Eclipse Records and follow them on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Tidal now!