SELF DECEPTION Release New Single ‘DON’T B E L O N G’ with Music Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[Photo Credit: Evelina Szczesik]

Sweden’s modern metal frontrunners SELF DECEPTION dropped the new single “DON’T B E L O N G”, ahead of their upcoming Napalm Records debut album One Of Us, out on May 15, 2026. With “DON’T B E L O N G”, SELF DECEPTION showcase their range through a combination of hauntingly beautiful melodies, multifaceted vocal performance, and a heavy rhythm section that drives this sentimental modern rock anthem.
 
The new track delivers a powerful message about breaking cycles, parting ways, and the importance of self-preservation.
 
Vocalist Andreas Clark comments:
”‘DON’T B E L O N G’ is deeply personal, reflecting my battle with addiction and mental health. It’s a reminder of a darkness I never want to revisit. By turning my toughest times into music, I hope to connect with others facing similar struggles and let them know they are not carrying this alone”

Known for their fiery fusion of anthemic modern metal and powerful melodic rock, SELF DECEPTION have shared stages with the likes of Electric Callboy, Danko Jones, and Adept since their 2009 debut, while racking up millions of streams and video views – including their viral 2022 hit, “Fight Fire With Gasoline”, with tens of millions of streams. Written on the road during the heaviest touring of SELF DECEPTION’s career so far, One Of Us is a cohesive album full of character, made for the stage – and the pit!
 
SELF DECEPTION about One Of Us:
“One Of Us is our new album, inspired by life on the road and the energy of the live stage. Touring so much has put us in a kind of ‘live bubble’, and that feeling runs through the songwriting. The album revolves around outsidership and the desire to belong. On tour, we meet many lost and lonely people, all seeking a few hours of escape where they can disappear into a rock show. With One Of Us, we want everyone to feel part of something bigger, to feel like one of us.”

Get your copy of One Of Us NOW

From massive pit churners to creative storylines and choruses full of hit potential, the energy on One Of Us is unmatched. The band has a busy festival summer following the album’s release, so fans will get the first chance to experience these new tracks live at several major European rock and metal festivals. With One Of Us, SELF DECEPTION is ready to push contemporary rock to the next level! The album will be available digitally and in several physical formats, with cover artwork created by Alex Tillbrook, who is well known for his work on the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things”, as well as for collaborations with artists such as Metallica, Blink-182, and Sleep Token.
 
Bone-crushing album-opener and title track “ONE OF US” takes no prisoners, unleashing the heavy modern metal side of the Swedish powerhouse: fusing relentless hardcore energy, in-your-face lyrics, and high-voltage attitude, the track hits with unstoppable force. Following track “TIME’S UP” features an absolute hit chorus, fresh hooks and high-energy instrumentals, while emotional “DON’T B E L O N G” addresses the difficult themes of addiction and mental health battles – the combination of hauntingly beautiful melodies, multifaceted vocal performance and heavy rhythm section carry this sentimental track. Further highlights on SELF DECEPTION’s new 11-track offering include “THE WEDDING” and “BREAK!”, with its heavy-hitting drums, electronic influences and yet another irresistible sing-along chorus. “ENTERTAINED” delivers one of the heaviest breakdowns on the album, before “GODDAMN ME” brings the record to a powerful close.

One Of Ustracklisting:

  1. ONE OF US
  2. TIME’S UP
  3. WAKE UP
  4. DON’T B E L O N G
  5. DEATH OF ME
  6. BREAK!
  7. THE WEDDING
  8. KETAMINE COWBOY
  9. BLAME
  10. ENTERTAINED
  11. GODDAMN ME

SELF DECEPTION Live
 
Festival Summer 2026
02.05.26 NO – Kopervik / Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
04.06.26 SE – Sölvesborg / Sweden Rock Festival
12.06.26 NL – Leeuwarden / Into the Grave Festival
13.06.26 UK – Castle Donington / Download Festival
01.07.26 ES – Viveiro / Resurrection Fest
17.07.26 AT – Leoben / Area 53 Festival
18.07.26 CZ – Vizovice / Masters of Rock
06.08.26 SE – Trosa / Trosa Galejet
07.08.26 SE – Nynäshamn / Nynäs Kalaset
13.08.26 DE – Sulingen / Reload Festival
15.08.26 NL – Eindhoven / Dynamo Metal Fest
 
Nordic Tour 2026
Joining Amaranthe & Ankor
15.10.26 SE – Huskvarna / Folkets Park
16.10.26 SE – Lund / Mejeriet
17.10.26 SE – Göteborg / Filmstudion
18.10.26 SE – Örebro / Frimis Salonger
20.10.26 SE – Karlstad / Nöjesfabriken
22.10.26 NO – Stavanger / Folken
23.10.26 NO – Bergen / USF Verftet
24.10.26 NO – Trondheim / Havet
25.10.26 NO – Oslo / Sentrum Scene
27.10.26 SE – Falun / Magasinet
28.10.26 SE – Umeå / Väven
30.10.26 FI – Seinäjoki / Rytmikorjaamo
31.10.26 FI – Tampere / Tavara-asema
01.11.26 FI – Jyväskylä / Tanssisali Lutakko
03.11.26 LV – Riga / Spelet
04.11.26 LT – Vilnius / Menu Fabrikas Loftas
06.11.26 FI – Turku / Logomo
07.11.26 FI – Lahti / Metalli Mössö

SELF DECEPTION are:          
Erik Ingels Graham – Drums
Andreas Clark – Vocals
Ronny Westphal – Guitar
Patrik Carlberg Hallgren – Bass
 
SELF DECEPTION online:            
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
TIKTOK
WEBSITE
NAPALM RECORDS

JOHNNY KELLY & DAN LORENZO Discuss New Cover Album “Completely Covered In Black”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2026
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Matt Hart dives deep with guitarist Dan Lorenzo and drummer Johnny Kelly in a conversation that pulls no punches and reveals the inner workings of Patriarchs In Black. Watch the video interview below.

This episode explores the creation of their powerful new covers album “Completely Covered In Black” and the bold decisions behind its tracklist. Dan and Johnny break down why they chose to cover the obscure Black Sabbath instrumental “Supertzar” and how they approached reimagining Peter Gabriel’s “Games Without Frontiers” as the only non-metal track in the mix.

The conversation pushes further into the band’s creative process, focusing on their consistent use of a rotating but familiar lineup of vocalists. Dan and Johnny explain how they match each singer to the right track and maintain cohesion across releases. They reflect on their 2025 release “Home” and how it reconnects them with their doom metal roots, drawing influence from their past work while continuing to evolve their sound. Their chemistry stands out as they explain how they manage to release a full-length album nearly every year without sacrificing quality or vision. Matt steers the discussion toward the realities of today’s music industry, and the challenges artists face when trying to build momentum with each new release. Johnny and Dan share their perspective on the financial pressures that come with being in a modern band and what it takes to keep pushing forward. The conversation remains honest and grounded as they examine the shifting landscape of music consumption and what it means for bands trying to stay relevant and sustainable. Johnny also opens up about his latest project Sun Don’t Shine, featuring former Type O Negative guitarist Kenny Hickey and members of Crowbar. The episode closes with a thoughtful look at the legacy of Type O Negative, including the discovery of unreleased material and the possibility of future tribute shows honoring Peter Steele. This is a must-watch episode for fans who want real insight, real stories, and a deeper understanding of the music they love.

Belgian Mathcore Heavyweights BEAR Reveal New Single ‘Metastatic’ with Drum Playthrough Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Credit: Yngwie Vanhoucke

Belgian mathcore heavyweights BEAR today reveal their new single ‘Metastatic’, from their forthcoming EP Anhedonia, which will be released 22nd May via Pelagic Records.

Stream ‘Metastatic’ and preorder Anhedonia here: https://orcd.co/bear-anhedonia

The band state: “‘Metastatic’ is, to us, a quintessential BEAR track. It blends everything the band has been known for up until this point and adds some new elements people might not have heard from us before. As with all the songs on ‘Anhedonia’ – this song was recorded entirely live, with the intention of delivering a more intense, organic sound. 

“It’s also one of the more challenging songs we’ve written together – demanding us to be 100% focused and locked in with each other.”

Watch the ferocious drum playthrough for ‘Metastatic’ performed by Serch Carriere here:

BEAR’s sound is a calculated collision of technical precision and unfiltered aggression — a modern strain of European metal that balances math-inflected complexity with visceral, live-wire intensity. At the core of their identity a combination of brains and brute force.

With Anhedonia, BEAR deliver five songs of pure adrenaline and unfiltered heaviness that capture a band confronting the strange emotional vacuum that can follow trauma. Anhedonia is both a battle cry and a confession; a visceral document of resilience carved from years marked by illness, loss, uncertainty, and hard-won perseverance. 

The EP was recorded live as a full band, with no click track, no studio safety nets, no artificial alignment. What you hear are four musicians locked in, feeding off each other’s raw and volatile energy in real time.

Guitarist James Falck comments: “After writing Vanta which was written during a particularly unpleasant moment in my life (cancer, surgery, treatment, family deaths, breakups), I personally was able to exorcise a lot of demons, and since then a lot of incredible things have happened in my life. Making music has always been a big source of therapy for me, and these songs really represent this state I was in until recently; where I had a lot to be grateful for, but the trauma and pain I had experienced in the years before had created a certain level of numbness, apprehension, and indifference.”

Bassist Dries Verhaert adds: “We indeed approached this project quite differently, both creatively and in the studio. Looking back, I’m proud of what we’ve achieved. Anhedonia is BEAR at our most authentic and vulnerable. If you ever find yourself in the dark, keep pushing. Accept help from those around you, and keep moving forward. This album is proof that even in the toughest times, there’s a way through.”

Tracklisting:

1.    Empty Markers
2.    Lacerate 
3.    The Smile 
4.    Anhedonia 
5.    Metastatic   

BEAR are:

Maarten Albrechts – Vocals
James Falck – Guitar
Dries Verhaert – Bass
Serch Carriere – Drums

BEAR online:
https://www.bearpropaganda.com
https://www.facebook.com/bearpropaganda
https://www.instagram.com/bear.propaganda

Ambient Producer VLMV Reveals New Single + Video ‘I Am An Officer’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2026
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Pete Lambrou, the visionary composer and multi-instrumentalist behind VLMV (pronounced “Alma”), has revealed his new single/video ‘I Am An Officer’.

The single is taken from VLMV’s stunning new album There Will Come Soft Rains (24th April via Pelagic Records)

Stream and pre-save There Will Come Soft Rains here: https://orcd.co/vlmv-tribal

VLMV comments on the new single: “‘I Am An Officer’ is a song in 2 parts. One of regret, and one of thankfulness. It is a funeral march. An ode to contrition. A Lamentation. 

“I wanted to keep the simple piano throughout, delicate and careful, backed with subtle but building textures layered from cello drones re-recorded through various guitar pedals and modular synth.
 

“It features guest vocals from long time collaborator Anja Madhvani, adding texture, light and hope in what I’ve aimed to maintain as a celebration of life.”

There Will Come Soft Rains takes its title from Sara Teasdale’s 1918 poem and Ray Bradbury’s later short story, both of which imagine a world continuing quietly after humanity’s disappearance. Written during a period of deep engagement with climate fiction and ecological thought, There Will Come Soft Rains reflects on humanity’s legacy, its technological ambition, and its uneasy relationship with the natural world. A century on from Teasdale’s poem, the balance of power feels less certain, and Lambrou’s music inhabits that tension with remarkable subtlety.

Lambrou’s singular sonic language sits at the intersection of ambient, post-rock, modern classical, and experimental electronic music, while remaining unmistakably human at its core. There Will Come Soft Rains has a geological sense of time: themes creep, expand, erode, and reform, resisting conventional structures in favour of something more patient and immersive. Lambrou’s unique voice is intimate and fragile, his vocals hover above the instrumentation, a guiding thread through the expansive soundscapes, drawing listeners closer into the emotional core of each piece. 

Formed in early 2015 and fronted by songwriter/producer Pete Lambrou, VLMV released their debut album via Fierce Panda Records in August 2015, receiving critical acclaim. In 2018 VLMV released their follow-up, and subsequently signed to the illustrious Erased Tapes Music Publishing. Hailed as “Breath-taking in its scope and evoking imagery of the vastness of space…a shimmering soundscape of delicate ethereal beauty” by The Independent, the album was nominated for a Prog Award later that year.

After extensive UK and EU touring until 2020, the pandemic saw a gap in the hectic live schedule and Pete began writing what was to become 2022’s Sing With Abandon. VLMV’s third studio album was described by Prog Magazine as “Gently epic…A proper album, then, as best experienced as such” who crowned it one of the ten albums of the year. 

VLMV have toured the UK and mainland Europe multiple times, as the headline act and support with the likes of Mono, And So I Watch You From Afar, Nordic Giants and God Is An Astronaut, and performing as prestigious festivals ArcTanGent, Dunk, Portals and Post In Paris.

As a composer for Erased Tapes Music, Pete’s work has been heard in households all over the world across commercials, film and television, with clients including Ikea, Vice, Hyundai, Rolex, BT Sport, Amazon, The BBC, S-Power and The National Trust. VLMV’s music has also been as far reaching, with high profile spots on Amazon’s The Grand Tour, Santander, The Champions League Final via BT Sport, and even for The University of Zurich.

TRACKLISTING:
1.    Tribal (A Heart, Self-Taught)
2.    We Are All Explorers Now
3.    The Pilot
4.    Bodies Grown, Pt.1
5.    In Absentia 
6.    I Am An Officer 
7.    Philistine! (Reclaim The Sky) 
8.    Bodies Grown, Pt.2 
9.    Somnolence

VLMV online: 
https://vlmv.bandcamp.com
https://www.vlmv.uk
https://www.facebook.com/vlmvmusic

SMOKING SNAKES Announce New Album “All Lights On”, Out July 10th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Liam Espinosa

Swedish sleaze metallers Smoking Snakes are excited to announce the release of their new studio album, “All Lights On”, out on July 10, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

Following the release of the single “Pleasure And Pain”, the band share today a new track, “Broken Heart”, along with an official video. 

The band commented: “Broken Heart” captures the fragile line between despair and rebirth. Through vivid imagery of darkness, desire, and destiny, the song reflects on the scars left behind by love… And the quiet strength it takes to start again. It’s both intimate and explosive, turning vulnerability into power”.

Pre-Order “All Lights On” HERE

Describing the new album, Smoking Snakes stated: “NOTHING STAYS HIDDEN WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON. The shadows run, secrets surface, and every flaw, fear, and fire inside us is exposed. This album is a raw flash of truth, like the blinding light in a horror flick when the killer is revealed, or the stage lights right before the first scream of feedback”.

“There’s no place to hide. No mask to wear. No safe darkness”, they continued. “All Lights On” is where neon nightmares meet rock ‘n’ roll redemption. Electric, intense, and unfiltered, just the way it’s meant to be”.

Hailing from Gothenburg, Smoking Snakes are steadily carving out their place in the sleaze metal scene with a sound that blends attitude, melody, and raw energy. Inspired by the great arena rock bands of the 1980s, their music has evolved beyond its roots to develop a distinct and recognizable identity of its own.

A key part of their identity lies in their strong commitment to live performances. Smoking Snakes are a highly active touring band, hitting the road, playing shows, and building a direct connection with their audience. This dedication to the live circuit has allowed them to grow organically, sharpening their performance skills and expanding their fanbase step by step.

At the same time, the band continues to invest serious effort into their artistic development, working consistently to refine their songwriting and define a clear sonic direction. Their evolution reflects both persistence and a genuine passion for their craft.

Their new album, produced by Jack Stroem, captures this moment of growth perfectly. It delivers a collection of songs that balance grit and melody, showcasing a band that is becoming more confident, focused, and mature without losing its edge.

With a strong work ethic, an increasing presence on stage, and a clear vision for the future, Smoking Snakes prove themselves to be more than just an emerging act – they are a band on a steady rise, and one that fans of sleaze metal should keep a close eye on.

“All Lights On” deliver a band in perfect shape ready to take its place in the sleaze scene.

“All Lights On” Tracklist:

1.    103.1 The Scream – The 80’s Late Night Radio Broadcast
2.    Don’t Touch
3.    Trick Or Treat
4.    All I Need
5.    Look In Your Eyes
6.    Last Man Standing
7.    Screaming For More
8.    Broken Heart
9.    Nasty & Wild
10.    Turn On The Lights
11.    Pleasure & Pain
12.    The Last Nightmare

Line Up:
Brett Martin – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar 
Andy Delarge – Bass, backing vocals 
Mackey Gee – Drums, backing vocals 
Rob Raw – Lead guitar, backing vocals

Follow SMOKING SNAKES:
Facebook
Instagram

US Metal Veterans AXEMASTER Announce New Album “Of Beasts And Plagues”, Out June 19th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 16, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

US heavy metal veterans AXEMASTER return with a powerful new studio album. Titled “Of Beasts And Plagues” the record is set for release on June 19 via Cosmic Fire Records. Alongside the announcement, the band reveals the album artwork and full tracklist.

For fans of true heavy metal driven by power, determination and heart, “Of Beasts And Plagues” marks a triumphant return. After years of dedicated work, AXEMASTER are ready to unleash a record that captures the essence of their legacy while pushing forward with renewed energy and intensity.

Formed in the 1980s, AXEMASTER emerged during one of heavy metal’s most raw and defining eras. Over the decades, the band built a strong reputation in the underground through numerous releases, earning a loyal international following. Despite lineup changes and shifts within the music industry, AXEMASTER have remained committed to crafting authentic heavy metal filled with character and emotion.

Tracklist:
01. The Plagues Among Us…. 
02. Murder of Crows
03. The Dark Side
04. Kissed With a Fist
05. Clinging to Life
06. Terrortory
07. Forsaken II
08. Dealers
09. Danse Macabre
10. Machine
11. Dagon Rising
12. Shadows Cast

Today, the band continues this legacy with a sound that seamlessly blends classic US metal with elements of thrash and doom. Heavy riffing, driving rhythms, aggressive yet melodic vocals, and a darker, more intense atmosphere define “Of Beasts And Plagues”. The album stands as one of the band’s strongest creative statements to date – firmly rooted in the spirit of 1980s metal, yet refreshed with a modern edge.

With a history spanning over three decades, AXEMASTER have released 11 official records across multiple international labels and have seen their music featured in films, compilations, and countless publications worldwide. Since their return in 2010 under the direction of founding member Joe Sims, the band has continued to evolve while honoring their roots, sharing stages with acts such as Sebastian Bach, Grim Reaper, Halloween, Riot, and more, and appearing at major underground festivals across the US.

With “Of Beasts And Plagues”, AXEMASTER once again prove their enduring relevance and passion – delivering a record that speaks to both longtime fans and a new generation of metal listeners alike.

“Of Beasts And Plagues” will be coming out on June 19 via Cosmic Fire Records and is now available for pre-order HERE

Line-up:
Joe Sims – Lead Guitar
Jenson Kozar – Bass
Adam Windisch – Drums
Geoff McGraw – Vocals

For more info visit:
https://www.instagram.com/axemasterofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570312266756
https://cosmicfirerecords.com