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A.A. WILLIAMS Announces New Album “Solstice” + Releases New Single & Video ‘Hold It Together’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: A.A. WILLIAMS. Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Jake Owens

After wrapping up a successful UK and European tour, musician, singer, and songwriter A.A. WILLIAMS, known for her atmospheric, emotionally charged music, returns with her new single ‘Hold It Together’ taken from her newly announced forthcoming album “Solstice”, due for release on 5th June via RPM. Pre-orders for the album open on April 22nd.

‘Hold It Together’ explores the fragile tension between resilience and internal collapse. With her characteristic blend of haunting atmosphere, immersive sound and emotional intensity, the London-based artist captures the experience of carrying deep feeling while presenting calm on the surface.

Speaking about the song, A.A. WILLIAMS explains:
“Silence exists where you long for answers, a bleak fragility that you daren’t disturb. Where beauty stood only the faintest glow remains, afraid of smothering it you shrink into a mould of your own making. Your edges dulled, your features disappearing, you put on that brave face not knowing whether you do it to protect others or yourself. You smile, you carry on, feeling everything, showing nothing.”

The track unfolds with quiet intensity, balancing vulnerability and restraint while drawing listeners into its immersive and emotionally rich soundscape.

“Solstice” finds A.A. WILLIAMS standing at the threshold between shadow and renewal, shaping songs that feel carved from storms and starlight.

Known for her haunting vocals, cinematic dynamics and emotional clarity, Williams expands her sonic world with music that moves like a ritual through shifting seasons. Moments of stark intimacy open into surging crescendos as guitars swell and crash like gathering weather, anchored by a formidable sense of weight and scale. Strings glow with fragile warmth before giving way to waves of heavy distortion and all-encompassing catharsis, while her voice rises from quiet confession to commanding intensity.

Drawn from years of global touring, acclaimed collaborations and boundary-pushing reinterpretations, “Solstice” captures an artist in full command of her craft. The album is intimate yet immense, delicate yet thunderous – guiding listeners through darkness with both vulnerability and force toward a distant, resolute dawn.

See A.A. WILLIAMS performing live:

09/05 – DK Copenhagen, A Colossal Weekend
23/05 – DE Leipzig, Wave Gotik Treffen
03/06 – PL Gdansk, Mystic Festival
06/06 – FI Tampere, Ankea Festival
13/06 – IT Ferrara Summer Fest w/ A Perfect Circle
18/06 – HR Zagreb, SRC Salata w/ A Perfect Circle
23/06 – NL Tilburg, 013 w/ A Perfect Circle
24/06 – NL Amsterdam, AFAS Live w/ A Perfect Circle
07/08 – CZ Jaromer, Brutal Assault
22/08 – UK Bristol, Arctangent Festival
29/08 – NL Maastricht, Pelagic Fest

Live Dates & Tickets: https://www.aawilliamsmusic.com/gigs

About A.A. WILLIAMS

Having made her debut live appearance at the prestigious Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands off the back of a self-titled EP, A.A. WILLIAMS has since toured across the globe with the likes of CULT OF LUNA, EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, RUSSIAN CIRCLES, SLEEP TOKEN and THE SISTERS OF MERCY, as well as establishing herself as a headline artist – including a show at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Hall inside London’s Southbank Centre.

Standout festival appearances have dovetailed with two album releases – 2020’s “Forever Blue” and 2022’s “As The Moon Rests” – both of which received widespread critical acclaim and placed A.A. WILLIAMS at the forefront of a wave of artists taking textured, epic and folk-rooted heavy music into new and progressive directions. A BBC session at the legendary Maida Vale Studios only bolstered her credentials.

Never one to rest on her laurels, she has also released a series of ‘companion pieces’: a collaborative single with Japanese post-rock titans MONO (“Exit In Darkness”); a solo covers collection recorded during 2020’s pandemic lockdown – “Songs From Isolation” – that drew praise from THE CURE’s Robert Smith and SMASHING PUMPKINS’ Billy Corgan; and perhaps most impressively, 2021’s arco, in which the multi-instrumentalist completely reworked her debut EP from rock instrumentation to string ensemble, drawing on her classical training to stunning effect.

Now signed to Reigning Phoenix Music, the singles ‘Just A Shadow’ and ‘Wolves‘ – the first taste of forthcoming album “Solstice”, due 5th June 2026 – have already turned heads, with Rock Sound calling her “one of the most vital voices in modern alternative culture” and Kerrang! declaring her work “typically spell-binding.” 

Find A.A. WILLIAMS online:  Website – Spotify – Apple Music – Bandcamp – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – TikTok

PHANTOMS OF FUTURE Unveil Official Video for ‘Prisoner’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: PHANTOMS OF FUTURE. Leave a comment

German cult rock band PHANTOMS OF FUTURE present the official music video for “Prisoner”, another striking track taken from their latest studio album “Forever Dark”, out now via Massacre Records.

Order the album HERE: https://massacre-records.com/phantoms_of_future_forever_dark_sale/

With “Prisoner”, PHANTOMS OF FUTURE explore one of the album’s most introspective and emotionally charged moments. Driven by atmospheric synth textures, pulsating rhythms and Sir Hannes Smith’s distinctive vocal delivery, the song unfolds as a dark and hypnotic reflection on inner confinement, emotional struggle and the desire to break free from invisible chains.

Musically, “Prisoner” captures the essence of “Forever Dark” – a sound where cinematic electronics intertwine with sharp rock structures and a nocturnal sense of drama. The band once again demonstrates their ability to balance mood, melody and tension, creating a sonic landscape that feels both intimate and expansive.

Released in December via Massacre Records, “Forever Dark” marks the long-awaited return of PHANTOMS OF FUTURE after more than two decades away from the spotlight. The album unfolds across thirteen songs that explore transformation, desire, estrangement and illumination, moving between shadowy atmospheres and luminous emotional peaks.

Recorded and mixed at Soundlodge Studio in Rhauderfehn with producer and engineer Jörg Uken and co-produced by Sir Hannes Smith, the album blends grit and melody with a cinematic sweep, while the band’s distinctive use of electronics and rock instrumentation creates a unique sonic identity.

Across the ’90s, PHANTOMS OF FUTURE built a strong reputation for their immersive, magical-mystical live performances, playing more than 800 concerts and sharing stages with artists such as Iggy Pop, The Stranglers, Sisters Of Mercy, Sex Pistols, Cypress Hill and The Prodigy. Their return with Forever Dark confirms the band not as a nostalgic act, but as a creative force still driven by vision and intensity.

PHANTOMS OF FUTURE live:
09.05.2026 Dortmund – Piano
30.10.2026 Rüsselsheim – Das Rind
31.10.2026 CH Interlaken – Goldener Anker
07.11.2026 Hagen – Pelmke

PHANTOMS OF FUTURE are
Sir Hannes Smith – Vocals, Special Instruments & lyrics
Olaf Oebels – Keys, Loops and Samples
Peter “Pepe” Stein – Bass
Viva – Drums
Anselm Tripptrap – Guitars

PHANTOMS OF FUTURE online: https://www.facebook.com/p/Phantoms-Of-Future-100064817073111/

MOONLIGHT HAZE to Release New EP “Interstellar Madness” on May 22nd

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: MOONLIGHT HAZE. Leave a comment
photo by Beatrice Demori/Oround Media

Moonlight Haze will release the new EP “Interstellar Madness” on May 22 through Scarlet Records.

Moonlight Haze and extraordinary vocalist Chiara Tricarico (Avantasia) brought symphonic power metal to the next level throughout the tracklist of their fifth studio release, indulging in extremely mighty, epic and theatrical moments.

Guided by striking instrumentals parts, catchy and epic melodies, and truly introspective lyrics, the EP once again proves the talent and boldness of the Italian unit.

“Interstellar Madness” is an invitation to take on a journey through cosmic landscapes and beyond, led by a whirlwind of emotions – madness here is to be intended as a deeper and overwhelming way of experiencing reality, investigating and going beyond what lies on the surface of things in order to be able to discover hidden parts of the inner self.

artowrk by Beatrice Demori/Oround Media

“Interstellar Madness”:

  • brand new EP for the Italian symphonic power metal stars;
  • produced by Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Angra, Kamelot, Edguy);
  • mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio (Wind Rose, Vision Divine, Twilight Force);
  • cover & artwork by Beatrice Demori/Oround Studio;

–Moonlight Haze is officially part of the Dragon Productions booking roster;
–Moonlight Haze will perform at Epic Fest 2026 (Denmark);
–over 10 million streams accumulated on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and Amazon Music;
–over 5 million views accumulated on YouTube;
–frontwman Chiara Tricarico is currently one of the live vocalists of Avantasia and was a special guest on the Manowar 2022’s EP “Highlights From The Revenge Of Odysseus”;

FFO: Stratovarius, Avantasia, Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, Angra, Within Temptation;

“Interstellar Madness” tracklist:
1 Moonlight Legion
2 Lost In Moonlit Symphonies
3 We Are Fire
4 Shine
5 Interstellar Madness
6 Interstellar Madness: Finale

Total running time – 21:04

Moonlight Haze:
Chiara Tricarico – vocals
Marco Falanga – guitar
Alberto Melinato – guitar
Alessandro Jacobi – bass
Giulio Capone – drums and keyboards

THUNDER RISING Unveil Epic New Video for ‘Prelude 25’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: THUNDER RISING. Leave a comment

Heavy metal quintet Thunder Rising are back with the official video for “Prelude 25″, the latest visual offering from their critically acclaimed album Horizon Line.

“Prelude 25” is arguably the most progressive moment on Horizon Line — a fully realised instrumental piece that began life as an intro to the following track before evolving into something far more substantial. What emerged is a sweeping, cinematic statement rooted in the pomp rock and progressive tradition of the late 1970s: epic in scope, celebratory in spirit, and grandiose in every sense of the word.

The track’s centrepiece is the interplay between Hammond organ and analogue synthesizers, instruments that carry an almost mythological weight in this genre, conjuring an atmosphere that feels both timeless and larger-than-life. Echoes of Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, and Boston ripple throughout, while a guitar theme adds a contemporary, cinematic dimension reminiscent of Cinematic Orchestra.

Previous videos:
“Master of Destiny”: youtu.be/MNJ8yRlY6PQ
“The Prisoner”: youtu.be/POIgeyGhvY8
“Dreaming Song To You”: youtu.be/DOlOtRM0fcI

“Horizon Line”
Stream “Horizon Line”: open.spotify.com/HorizonLine
CD: www.auralwebstore.com/shop/HorizonLine

THE SOUND: REAL VINTAGE, MODERN CRUSH

Thunder Rising delivers a sound intimate to those who live and die by the sacred riff, having perfectly distilled the rich essence of the late ’70s and ’80s. This isn’t theoretical appreciation; it’s deep-cut knowledge, forged by the band’s history, which includes production work with Italian heavyweights like Firehouse and prog titans Arachnes during that very era. Their signature style, self-dubbed “Real Vintage,” is an expertly crafted fusion of heavy rock power and melodic sophistication that draws equally from the crushing, organ-drenched riffage reminiscent of prime Deep Purple and Rainbow, and the soaring, arena-ready vocal hooks and melodic sensibilities that dominated the era, channeling the spirit of bands like Journey and Boston. Crucially, this authenticity isn’t achieved through cheap digital imitation. Thunder Rising deploys a devastating arsenal of TRUE VINTAGE GEAR—including Hammond organs, classic Fender guitars, and genuine Marshall stacks—all paired with modern, cutting-edge recording techniques. The result is a sound that is both POWERFULLY VINTAGE and CRYSTAL CLEAR, showcasing the band’s deep experience delivered with uncompromising modern clarity.

Follow Thunder Rising:

www.thunder-rising.com
www.facebook.com/thunderrising
www.youtube.com/@Thunderrisingband

DHARMA GUNS Release New Single + Video ‘The Voice of the Underdogs’, Feat. Seven-Year-Old Dharma Girls

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Dharma Guns. Leave a comment

Helsinki-based Dharma Guns’ second album Nightmares and Broken Dreams will be released on Friday, April 24. Leading up to the album, the band today releases the single “The Voice of the Underdogs,” whose video lets the next generation take the spotlight.

The video features Dharma Girls, a band of four seven-year-old girls, who take on the track with an infectious burst of energy – a song firmly rooted in Dharma Guns’ core territory at the heart of Scandinavian action rock.

“On the first album we were wondering about the gaps between generations. Now we recruited the next generation to help spread our message,” explains singer-guitarist Pete.

“The Voice of the Underdogs” carries influences from both The Hellacopters and Detroit’s white panthers MC5.

“This is the final track on the new album and has been one of the key songs of the record since it was written. A epic Green Day-style chorus meets Hellacopters-inspired guitar work and ends with an important reminder in today’s polarized world: Be fucking kind,” Pete describes.

The Voice of the Underdogs single:
Spotify
Apple Music
Deezer
Tidal
Qobuz

If the album has a theme, it is a rather dark one – as the title already suggests. Pete admires musicians such as Jack White, Billie Eilish, and Bruce Springsteen, who dare to speak openly about what they think of the state of the world.

“Rock used to be the voice of the underdogs, then it became mainstream. Nowadays whenever a musician expresses an opinion, someone complains that you should just stick to the music. It’s a ridiculous idea,” Pete says.

“The song title ‘The Voice of the Underdogs’ takes on a whole new meaning when the video features a rock band of little girls. The girls handled their job very professionally – just the right balance of sweetness and chaos to get the video done.”

The upcoming album Nightmares and Broken Dreams has already been teased with the singles “King of Action Rock,” “Devil’s Beat,” and “Scale of the Universe.” Dharma Guns’ debut album Ex-Generation Superstars was released in 2024.

With the new album, the band will embark on a tour that also reaches the United Kingdom.

Dharma Guns Tour 2026:
20.3. Vastavirtaklubi, Tampere (FI)
30.4. On the Rocks, Helsinki (FI) w/ Steve Vincent + Plastic Tears
1.5. Nirvana, Turku (FI) w/ Steve Vincent + DeadCityMonkeys
21.5. Bannerman’s, Edinburgh (UK) w/ Steve Vincent
22.5. Trillians, Newcastle (UK) w/ Steve Vincent
23.5. Giffard Arms, Wolverhampton (UK) w/ Steve Vincent
24.5. Hope & Anchor, London (UK) w/ Steve Vincent
13.6. Lammasrock Festival, Vantaa (FI)

More shows will be announced later.

Dharma Guns online: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

DREAMSPY Releases First Single ‘Neon Dream’ from Upcoming Third Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 12, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: DREAMSPY. Leave a comment
Photo by Richard Forsman

Finnish dark atmospheric rock act DreamSpy has released the first single from an upcoming, third album. The song is called Neon Dream: “synthetic souls with nowhere to go, we’re all just drifting in a neon dream, just flickers lost in a world of steel, we are never seen”.

“The dance of the subconscious and the superego in the world of distortions.”

Listen to the song on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, YouTube Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/dreamspy-neondream

–ISRC: FI3FC2699601
–Composition & lyrics by Anssi Tamminen

DreamSpy is an experimental solo project of vocalist-bassist Anssi Tamminen.  The focal point of the sound is an electric upright bass, coated in distortion and effects, supported by drums – a blend of machine and traditional drum sounds.  Synthesizers occasionally take the spotlight weaving in and out of the sonic landscape. Guitar tracks? There are none. 

Tamminen’s vocal performance ranges from a fragile whisper to a resonant, baritone presence.

https://www.dreamspy.org/
https://www.facebook.com/dreamspyofficial
https://www.instagram.com/dreamspyart/

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