Melbourne alternative garage rock trio Desert Fire have unleashed their debut single, “R.A.D.I.O.”, out now across all major streaming platforms, marking the band’s first official recorded outing.
Fast, sharp and impossible to ignore, “R.A.D.I.O.” kicks the door in with biting guitars, a relentless rhythm section and a vocal that cuts clean through the noise. Sitting somewhere between garage rock swagger and raw rock’n’roll urgency, it’s a no-nonsense introduction from a band built for volume, sweat and stages that feel too small.
Lyrically, the track leans into ambition, image and expectation, giving the song a tongue in cheek undercurrent beneath its punch. That friction adds weight to a debut that hits hard on first listen but lingers well after. “We wanted our first track to land like a punch but still have something sim mering underneath,” the band says. “R.A.D.I.O. felt like the right place to start – it’s got the energy, the hook and the attitude that define Desert Fire.”
The single was recorded, mixed and produced by Ricki Rae at Lighthill Sound Recording in Riddells Creek, Victoria, mastered by Bill Skibbe at Third Man Mastering in Detroit, and pressed as a limited edition 7” at Third Man Pressing. Featuring guest backing vocals by Jackie Yamada and Ramonda Carrico.
Desert Fire is a Melbourne alt-rock trio featuring Stevie Reds, Roachy and Rachie Reds. Loud, direct and driven by melody, groove and force, “R.A.D.I.O.” serves as the band’s opening shot.
Argonauta Records proudly unveils the first chapter of its brand new “Digital Split Collaborations” series, an initiative created to connect artists from the label’s roster through exclusive releases built around artistic exchange and underground spirit.
Kicking off the series are Italy’s Sonic Wolves and Swedish collective Ockra, joining forces for the release of The Path, a unique digital split EP set available on all major streaming platforms.
Far from being a simple split release, The Path captures two distinct creative visions converging into a single immersive experience shaped by hypnotic atmospheres, expansive songwriting and a shared passion for sonic exploration.
Representing the Italian side of the project, Sonic Wolves deliver four powerful tracks recorded in July 2025 at Trai Studio in Inzago, Italy, with production, mixing and mastering handled by Fabio Intraina. The release includes the multi part epic “The Drowned Phoenix Parts I, II and III” together with the instrumental trip “When Mama Was a Hippie”.
Formed in Alessandria, Italy in 2014, Sonic Wolves features drummer Vita, formerly of Ufomammut, bassist and vocalist Kayt Vigil, known for her work with Pentagram, The Hounds of Hasselvander and …Of The Horizon, alongside guitarist Marco Grassano. On this release, guitars are performed by Alberto Catasso.
Balancing the release with a more introspective and dreamlike approach, Ockra contribute two deeply personal tracks born from sessions that initially remained outside the scope of the band’s latest album. The collaboration ultimately became the catalyst that gave those songs new life and meaning.
The band comments:
“We had these songs, which were kind of special and didn’t fit onto our last album. When we got the chance to make a split EP with Sonic Wolves, we finally got the spirit to put some more love into these songs and we are very happy with the result. It was a great pleasure and privilege to work with other musicians and like minded folks such as Sonic Wolves. Thanks Gero and Argonauta Records for this opportunity. We hope you enjoy this EP. Take care, Erik, Jonas and Alex, OCKRA.”
With the launch of the “Digital Split Collaborations” series, Argonauta Records further reinforces its commitment to fostering meaningful artistic connections between bands from different countries, backgrounds and creative approaches, offering listeners exclusive releases available only in digital format.
This first installment stands as a meeting point between two visionary acts from the Argonauta family, opening the doors to future collaborations still to be unveiled.
Epictronic is delighted to announce the signing of Happy Sad, the evocative solo project of Japanese multi-instrumentalist and acclaimed sound designer Hiroaki Kusano. The partnership kicks off with the worldwide release of the masterpiece album, The World is Grand When We See, arriving June 11, 2026.
“It all began with a comment from Mr. Carlo of Epictronic on Hiroaki’s music.” Kusano said, “The partnership took shape from a shared vision and a clear understanding of the idea of ‘music that paints the landscapes of the heart.’”
“We are extremely proud and honoured to announce our collaboration with HAPPY SAD, an extraordinarily talented Japanese artist whose vision goes far beyond the boundaries of conventional songwriting. What immediately captured my attention was not only the quality of the music itself, but the depth, sensitivity, and artistic identity behind every composition. HAPPY SAD represents the kind of artist that today has become incredibly rare: authentic, cultured, emotionally honest, and deeply devoted to the creative process in all its forms. His music naturally blends elements of mellow soul, ambient, trip-hop, and cinematic soundscapes into something deeply personal and recognisable. There is a poetic elegance in the way he combines acoustic instrumentation with modern production techniques, creating songs that feel intimate, atmospheric, and timeless at the same time. Beyond his solo work, his impressive career as a sound designer and composer for more than 60 video game productions and multimedia projects demonstrates an exceptional artistic versatility and a truly international level of professionalism. For us, this collaboration is not simply a licensing agreement. It is the meeting of two artistic visions connected by a shared love for emotionally powerful music, sonic exploration, and artistic sincerity. We genuinely believe HAPPY SAD deserves much wider international recognition, and we are incredibly excited to help bring his music to new audiences around the world.” — Carlo Bellotti
A Cinematic Journey Through Shadow and Light
The World is Grand When We See brings together a refined selection of recent works, focusing on compositions designed to evoke imagery through sound. The album moves between neoclassical arrangements, ambient layers, lo-fi textures, world music influences, and alternative rock structures, forming a fluid and cinematic listening experience.
At its core, the record reflects a personal journey shaped by contradiction. Hiroaki’s perspective—formed through years of travel across ten countries in search of sound, instruments, and lived experience—embraces both beauty and discomfort in equal measure. The result is a body of work that does not avoid darkness but allows light to break through it.
The album carries a dynamic emotional arc. Initial heaviness gradually gives way to moments of clarity, where softness and warmth emerge like light after rainfall. This contrast becomes a central theme, mirroring the instability and emotional complexity of contemporary life. Rather than following trends, Happy Sad focuses on expression rooted in direct experience and human connection.
The title The World is Grand When We See reflects a simple idea: meaning does not come from second-hand perspective, but from direct observation and lived understanding. The music invites listeners into that process—quiet, reflective, and deeply personal.
About the Artist: The Architect of Sound
Hiroaki is the artist behind the project Happy Sad. He began making music during his student years, recording demos while performing solo acoustic sets and playing in café bars. His influences span soul, British rock, folk, trip hop, neoclassical, world music, film scores, and ambient, alongside a strong connection to literature and the arts. His work balances live instrumentation with programmed elements. To date, Happy Sad has released seven albums and 19 EPs.
Alongside his solo work, Hiroaki is a Sound Designer and Sound Director with around 14 years of experience in the game industry. He has held senior roles at companies including NetEase Games, FunPlus, NHN PlayArt, IGNIS / Studio King Inc., and Noisycroak Inc., contributing to more than 60 projects. His work covers music composition (BGM), sound design, MA, direction, promotional video production, and audio for games, commercials, and short dramas.
In 2013, his track “Everyday” won the domestic DJ category and became a finalist in MTV and Lenovo’s “CO:LAB” contest.
Happy Sad is his personal artistic outlet, developed since his student days. It reflects his inner landscape and explores both beauty and darkness in life, connected to a wider tradition of art and philosophy focused on human experience.
In recent years, he has traveled across ten countries in search of sounds and traditional instruments. Along the way, encounters with displaced people left a strong impression and reinforced his desire to share music that carries shared human emotion.
He views music as a universal language—capable of connecting people in the same way visual art can capture and communicate a single, lasting moment.
Tracklist:
Red Sun, Red Rain Fall on the Ground (2026mix version)
It’s Raining in Guangzhou
Requiem for Dead Flowers
Daily Life (2026mix version)
Lily (2026mix version)
A Waltz for the Fleeting Beauty of Nature
The Flow of Time (2026mix version)
Sunflower (2026mix version)
Changeable (2026mix version)
Floating Mellow (2026mix version)
Confirmation (2026mix version)
Nobody Knows Your Hidden Feelings (2026mix version)
Crown of Flowers (2026mix version)
Watch the stunning video for “Red Sun, Red Rain Fall on the Ground” and step into the world of Happy Sad:
Australian hard rockers Greystone Canyon unleash their explosive take on the legendary Led Zeppelin classic “Immigrant Song”, delivering the iconic anthem with raw power, grit, and unapologetic attitude.
The track is taken from the band’s third full-length album “Something Borrowed…Something New”, a record that perfectly captures the authentic spirit of Greystone Canyon: loud, direct, and fiercely organic. Recorded live in a single room without click tracks, heavy editing or digital manipulation, the album embraces the timeless energy of classic rock records where feel and performance mattered more than sterile perfection.
Rather than reinventing the song, Greystone Canyon chose to honor its primal energy while injecting its own hard-hitting approach into the performance. The result is a version that feels immediate, visceral, and alive, staying true to the essence of the original while carrying the band’s unmistakable personality.
Accompanying the release is a completely handcrafted official video built around a striking claymation concept. Staying consistent with the album’s old-school philosophy, the animation features plasticine characters and construction paper backgrounds, with every frame individually photographed to recreate an epic Viking-inspired journey that perfectly matches the relentless drive of the track.
Claymation characters & animation: Dumindu Mixed & mastered by: Joel Taylor
“Something Borrowed…Something New” combines reimagined classics with brand new original material, creating a record that balances nostalgia, personality, and pure rock energy. It’s an album built on honesty, instinct, and the kind of human performance that modern productions often forget.
For fans of Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, and Thin Lizzy.
“Something Borrowed… Something New” was released on December 5th, 2025, from Rockshots Records and is available on all major streaming platforms and physical formats.
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.
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 