Swords, helmets and shields can be heard in the distance once more, as Danish warriors VANIR return with their new album, “Wyrd”. The record revolves around the timeless theme of fate – spun from war, from the choices of humankind, and from the consequences that have shaped our world. As a mirror of our own time, where decisions carry the weight of future destinies, “Wyrd” invites the listener into stories of downfall and triumph, of lives lost and victories won.
The visual core of the album is brought to life by artist David Troest, whose dramatic cover depicts the Winged Hussar, one of history’s most fearsome war machines. The scene is the legendary Battle of Vienna in 1683, where the Polish cavalry forced the Ottoman Empire to retreat, halting its expansion into Europe. This clash of civilizations forms the backdrop for the song “Never Surrender”, told through the eyes of those who defended Vienna from invasion.
But “Wyrd” is more than just a historical album. It is a musical journey into humanity’s struggle with power, destiny, and the eternal conflicts over survival and dominion. Vanir combine melodic death metal with epic storytelling, reminding us of that history always repeats itself, and that the choices we make today hold the seeds of tomorrow’s battles.
The album has been mixed and mastered at Demigod Recordings, ensuring a powerful and razor-sharp sound that does justice to the weight of its themes.
As one of Denmark’s most prominent melodic death metal bands, Vanir has forged its own take on epic for over a decade now, with history-themed melodic death metal, merging crushing riffs with tales of fate, battle, and myth. With “Wyrd”, the collective once again sharpen their steel and march onto the battlefields of history.
“Wyrd” was released on LP, CD and digital formats on 03.04.2026, via Mighty Music.
For fans of Amon Amarth, Wolfheart, Insomnium, Unleashed
Mystic Production, under exclusive license from Nuclear Blast, launches the Classic Blast series with the reissue of MACABRE’s seminal album “Gloom”, now available across multiple formats (CD Jewel Case, Marble Vinyl LP, Splatter Vinyl LP & the band exclusive Transparent Green LP.
Originally released in 1989, “Gloom” stands as one of the most distinctive and influential records to emerge from the early death/grind underground. Blending elements of death metal, grindcore, thrash and hardcore punk, the album delivers a raw, high-velocity attack that helped carve out MACABRE’s unmistakable identity.
Compact, ferocious and relentlessly intense, “Gloom” thrives on sharp, aggressive riffing, breakneck tempos and raw, punk-driven vocals. Its lyrical focus on real-life crimes and serial killers infused with the band’s signature dark humor has become a defining hallmark of MACABRE’s legacy.
Mystic Production reintroduces a true underground classic to a new generation, while offering longtime fans a genre-shaping release.
MACABRE live:
European Killing Spree 2026 03.07 Trutnov, CZ – Obscene Extreme Festival 04.07 Trutnov, CZ – Obscene Extreme Festival 05.07: Krakow, PL -Hype Park 06.07 Warsaw, PL – Hydrozagadka 08.07 Malmö, SWE – Plan B / Malmö 09.07 Fredericia, DK – Metal Magic Festival 10.07 Rotterdam, NL – Baroeg 11.07 Torgau, DE – In Flammen Open Air
Macabre “Gloom” facts
Recorded at Chicago Recording Company June ’89 Engineered by Iain Burgess (Naked Raygun, Big Black, Pegboy, Jawbox, Cerebral Fix)
First two songs were recorded with Tom at CRC early ’88 in a different Chicago Recording Company studio. A three song demo of these songs was created without any packaging with handwritten labels. Tracks: Embalmer, Trampled To Death and Holidays of Horror. These we only sent to people who wrote to the band and various record labels/industry people.
Embalmer About the bizarre world of an embalmer.
Trampled To Death About all the people who died at a Who concert in Cincinnati.
Holidays Of Horror The Christmas classic about Ronald Jean Simmons killed his entire family for the holidays instead of bringing them gifts in the 80’s.
Fritz Haarmann The Butcher Fritz Haarmann was a butcher by trade during the day and butchered humans by night to have fresh meat for making sausages in Germany during the 20’s band got inspiration for movie “The Butcher”.
Evil Ole Soul Acoustic song, the debut of The Macabre Minstrels.
Harvey Glatman (Your Soul Will Forever Rot) Harvey Glatman would pose as a photographer to lure women in his apartment then tie them up, beat and rape them, kill them and dump their bodies in the desert.
McMassacre (James Huberty) James Huberty went to a McDonald’s in San Ysiedro, California near San Diego and near the Mexico border.
David Brom Took An Axe David Brom killed his parents, brother and sister because they wouldn’t let him listen to a Suicidal Tendencies album and other hardcore music.
Cremator About a French doctor who would promise safe passage away from the nazis, bring them to his home where he would kill them in a variety of ways. He would proceed take their jewelry and other belongings, their teeth. He would then cremate their bodies in his secret incinerator within his house.
Nostradamus Acoustic Macabre Minstrels song.
I Need To Kill About Joseph Kellinger who wanted to kill a million people because he would then become God. He ended up killing dozens of people in various ways. He was featured on Geraldo from prison maybe in NY.
Ultra Violent About various ways you can hurt someone.
Rat Man A superhero gone bad.
Hey Laurie Dann One day Laurie Dann decided that she could no longer handle the world and decided to stop by her local grade school in Wilmette, IL. She walked into a classroom where she began to fire shots at everyone within sight. She ended up killing one child, a teacher and wounded several others as well as taking her own life. She was known locally to be mentally ill and dangerous but allowed to live in society.
Patrick Purdy Killed Five And Wounded Thirty From California, Patrick Purdy visited a school yard shortly after the Laurie Dann killings. He proceeded to shoot as many Asian children as possible, thinking he was in Vietnam, before taking his own life.
Exhumer A beautiful little story of how one man made money digging up the graves of wealthy people and taking their jewelry and personal belongings from their graves and sell them to pawn shops.
Dr. Holmes (He Stripped Their Bones) During the late 1800’s Dr. Holmes would lure women to his hundred room black castle on Chicago’s South Side. He was a swindler and a cheat. He started out by taking over the pharmacy where he worked after the family that owned it mysteriously disappeared, he claimed that he bought the business before they left. He turned it into a thriving store selling drugs and elixirs claiming he could cure almost anything. He made so much money that he had a hundred room castle built to live in, complete with false doors and various mysterious rooms. He was known to have several wives all who disappeared. The World’s Fair was closed due to the number of women disappearing.
The Green River Murderer (He’s Still Out There) A man who has murdered over fifty prostitutes from the Seattle area. He began in the late eighties before the killing streak mysteriously ended, no one has ever been charged with these murders.
Funeral Home Nefarious sings this tale about an embalmer who loves his work.
Enigmatic dungeon synth entity WRAITH KNIGHT released his haunting new full length, ‘Of Arcane Magic & Forbidden Knowledge: The Necromantical Passage,’ on April 2, via Out Of Season (USA) and Neuropa Records (Belgium)! WRAITH KNIGHT is streaming the offering in its entirety at THIS LOCATION.
The album can be ordered now in CD format via BANDCAMP or via OUT OF SEASON in the U.S. or via NEUROPA for EU. Cassette and vinyl orders will be available in April.
Additionally, WRAITH KNIGHT will be touring North America in support of MORTIIS + UADA along with Jerome Reuter’s ROME on the upcoming ‘Witches of Dystopia’ tour! MORTIIS. MORTIIS shall be performing songs from his groundbreaking 2001 full-length, ‘The Smell Of Rain,’ along with other volumes of dystopian despair, while UADA will be performing their seminal 2016 debut album ‘Devoid of Light’ in its entirety + a special CERMONIAL CASTINGS 30-year anniversary set featuring WRAITH KNIGHT. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are available HERE.
The album cover art was created by Kris Verwimp.
Tracklist: 1- A Kingdom Is Not Enough (8:30) 2- Rite of Ascension – The Ceremony of Endless Night (4:50) 3- Of Arcane Magic & Forbidden Knowledge (7:32) 4- Eons Beyond Mortal Destruction (1:20) 5- Decrepit Wings & Rotting Bones – The Dracolich (7:56) 6- Only Through The Eyes of Undeath (9:16) 7- Even Death May Die (3:50)
THE WITCHES OF DYSTOPIA TOUR MMXXVI (UADA + MORTIIS w/ Jerome Reuter’s ROME + WRAITH KNIGHT):
04/10/26: Portland, OR @ Dante’s 04/11/26: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw 04/13/26: Calgary, AB @ Dickens 04/14/26: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite 04/16/26: Winnipeg, MB @ Sidestage 04/17/26: Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway at Studio B 04/18/26: Madison, WI @ Annex 04/19/26: Chicago, IL @ Reggies 04/20/26: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary 04/21/26: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle 04/22/26: Covington, KY @ Madison Live 04/23/26: Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground 04/24/26: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace 04/25/26: Montreal, QC @ Cafe Campus 04/26/26: Quebec City, QC @ La Source 04/27/26: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall 04/28/26: Brooklyn, NY @ Meadows 04/29/26: Bensalem, PA @ Broken Goblet 04/30/26: Baltimore, MD @ Metro 05/01/26: Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones 05/02/26: Atlanta, GA @ 529 EAV 05/03/26: Orlando, FL @ Conduit 05/05/26: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live 05/06/26: Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live 05/07/26: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada 05/08/26: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad 05/09/26: Denver, CO @ HQ 05/10/26: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge 05/11/26: Las Vegas, NV @ Swan Dive 05/12/26: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 05/13/26: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo 05/14/26: San Jose, CA @ The Ritz 05/15/26: Eugene, OR @ John Henry’s 05/16/26: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
WRAITH KNIGHT is an epic dungeon synth/ambient fantasy musical project that is masterminded by OldNick/Nick Superchi (Ceremonial Castings, Mysticism Black, The Great Sorcerer, etc.).
Formed in 2022 with the debut release ‘Deep in the Dungeons of the Dragonlord,’ Wraith Knight is known for a heroic, epic high fantasy style that is reminiscent of Frazetta, Tolkien & Robert E. Howard stories.
Lineup: Nick “OldNick” Superchi
For fans of: Summoning, Mortiis, & Tangerine Dream
Cover Artist: Kris Verwimp Mixed & Mastered by Nick Superchi
Rising artist Dream Beard announces the release of his new single “HIGH LIFE,” through Judge & Jury Records, a deeply personal collaboration with the genre-bending group Dropout Kings. The track was produced by Cameron Mizell (Machine Gun Kelly, Sleeping with Sirens), who originally introduced Dream Beard to Judge & Jury Records, founded by Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, POD, Daughtry) and Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace. “Cam has become a key part of our production team, and we are excited about what we’re building together in 2026,” says Benson.
Following the tragic passing of Adam Ramey, Dropout King’s lead vocalist, the loss sent shock waves through fans, collaborators, and the music community at large.
For Dream Beard, the loss hit especially close to home, not only as a fan and collaborator, but as someone who had shared a real moment with Ramey long before this track came to life. Years earlier, Dream Beard was invited by Memphis May Fire to attend ShipRocked. During a day off, he noticed people were smoking cigars and wanted to do the same, so he went on an adventure seeking one out. As he wandered past a row of private villas, he spotted a man sitting on a porch enjoying one. Dream Beard asked where he could find a cigar, and the man invited him into his bungalow to share his own. That man was Adam Ramey. A simple exchange turned into a memorable connection, one that now adds even deeper meaning to “HIGH LIFE.” This is also the first Dropout Kings track to drop since vocalist Adam Ramey’s untimely death last year.
In the wake of that tragedy, Dream Beard reached out to Black Cat Bill, reigniting a creative connection that would ultimately lead to “HIGH LIFE.” What began as an idea quickly evolved into something far more powerful.
Vocalist Dream Beard shares, “Last year, I hit rock bottom. When I started finding hope, I wrote this song as a cry to break the cycle I had found myself in. Once I had the concept of the song, Chango Cam and I got in the studio and it was the fastest song we’ve made. When we were done, we knew it needed more. At the same time, we both said, ‘We need Dropout Kings on this.’ It has that unique trap metal sound that’s so perfectly defined by them. I already had the foundation of the song, but once Black Cat Bill added his voice to it, everything changed. It became something bigger than both of us, it became something honest- that’s when we knew we had a hit!”
He adds, “We all have cycles in our lives we need to break. You can call them generational curses or bad habits, but whatever they are, they keep us from our highest path. This song is about recognizing that and choosing something better.”
That message is rooted in Dream Beard’s real-life journey. Raised in a home impacted by meth addiction, he was kicked out at just 13 years old and forced to survive on his own early in life. After getting sober, he spent years searching for meaning, first becoming a pastor, later exploring Buddhism, before stepping away from organized religion and building his own path. He went on to launch Dream Beard Company, a beard oil brand that grew into an international business with products sold in over 30 countries before closing in the wake of the COVID era. Since then, he has shifted into production work, now developing cutting-edge hologram projects through his latest creative venture.
“HIGH LIFE” represents a small piece of a larger story about conquering hardships and breaking generational curses. It is a heavy-hitting nu-metal banger that combines raw, introspective, passionate rap lyrics with Fever 333 swagger & a reminiscence of Linkin Park’s Hybrid Theory.
Founded by multi-platinum producer Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson (drummer and songwriter of Three Days Grace), Judge & Jury brings decades of success in the rock world, offering extensive promotional, production, and songwriting resources.
Dream Beard is a sonic alchemist from Atlanta, seamlessly blending the raw energy of heavy rock, metal core, and hip hop with the infectious hooks of modern pop. His sound has become synonymous with fearless experimentation, a journey through emotion and genre that pushes boundaries and redefines what music can be. At the core of Dream Beard’s artistry lies a fusion of contrasts: the grit of Korn and Deftones colliding with the melodic vibes of Post Malone and the modern pop frontier. The result is a mix of pulsating rhythms and haunting vocals that pull listeners into a world where intensity meets introspection. Having lived many lives, from pastor to pagan to vapor, Dream Beard embodies transformation itself. Each new chapter adds depth to his evolving identity as a creator, philosopher, and storyteller.
In 2025, Dream Beard signed with Judge & Jury Records, a label founded by legendary producer Howard Benson and Neil Sanderson, drummer and co-founder of Three Days Grace, marking the beginning of a bold new era in his creative evolution. As his catalog grows, one thing remains certain: the world has only begun to glimpse the vision of this modern-day renaissance man.
British melodic rock band Atlantic return today with “What Hurts The Most”, a powerful rendition of the country classic hit, originally recorded by Mark Wills in 2003 and then become famous thanks to Rascal Flatts. The track, along with an official visualizer, is out now via Frontiers Music Srl.
Guitarist Simon Harrison commented: “So looking forward to our first release with Frontiers – “What Hurts The Most”. Frontiers feel like a spiritual home for Atlantic. We are excited to work with them on our new music. I’d just like to say thanks to Mario and everyone at Frontiers for their support and belief in us.”
Atlantic was founded by guitarist and songwriter Simon Harrison. Following on from his bands Stranger and Wisht, Simon wanted to make an album in his favoured AOR/Melodic rock genre.
Heavily influenced by bands such as Whitesnake, Journey, Bad English, FM and Dare, he set about writing the songs that became the first Atlantic album entitled “Power”, released in 1994. It became a niche classic, selling hundreds of thousands of copies.
After a couple of decades working as a very successful ghost writer, producer and mix engineer, Simon met up with Mark Grimmett (Vocalist) and decided to reignite Atlantic.
In 2021, after sketching out the ideas for the new album, Simon and Mark got together with some other very talented musicians to form the current line-up, featuring Mark Grimmett (vocals), Simon Harrison (guitar), Nick Burr (guitar), Julian Hill (bass), Mark Peters (keyboards) and Eddie Marsh (drums).
Their latest album “Another World” was released in 2024, again to critical acclaim and success. With their classic sound, strong melodies and heartfelt songwriting, the band is set to return with new music later this year.
Line Up: Mark Grimmett – Vocals Simon Harrison – Guitars Nick Burr – Lead Guitar Julian Hill – Bass Mark Peters – Keys Eddie Marsh – Drums
Storming ahead into their next chapter, NEVERMORE has solidified their new line-up with their first live show in over fifteen years. The legendary act performed for a sold out IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş audience on April 1 in Istanbul, Turkey, the home country of their new vocalist Berzan Önen and birthplace of bassist Semir Özerkan. An event eagerly awaited by fans was cemented as a night to remember. While honoring the band’s well-established history, NEVERMORE look to the future with a passionate vigor for the next evolution. Following the success of yesterday’s show, NEVERMORE will join JUDAS PRIEST this September for the final seven shows of their Faithkeepers Tour. Tickets available HERE!
Tour Dates: Sept 11 — Bern, Switzerland @ Festhalle Bern Sept 12 — Strasbourg, France @ Zenith Sept 14 — Lyon, France @ LDLC Arena Sept 15 — Bordeaux, France @ Arkea Arena Sept 17 — Paris, France @ Arena Zenith Sept 18 — Brussels, Belgium @ Forest National Sept 21 — London, UK @ Eventim Apollo
Over the summer months, ahead of their run with JUDAS PRIEST, NEVERMORE are set to appear at shows and festivals in Latin America and across Europe. Explore dates and purchase tickets here: https://nevermoreofficial.com/tour.
Apr 24th – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Cariola Apr 26th – São Paulo, Brazil – Bangers Open Air Apr 28th – São Paulo, Brazil – Carioca Club Pinheiros Jul 26th – Plovdiv, Bulgaria – Hills of Rock Jul 28th – Rasnov, Romania – Rockstadt Extreme Festival Jul 30th – Budapest, Hungary – BARBA NEGRA Blue Stage Aug 1st – Wacken, Germany – Wacken Aug 3rd – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 Open Air Aug 5th – Jaromer, Czechia – Brutal Assault Aug 8th – Derbyshire, United Kingdom – Bloodstock Open Air Aug 9th – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz Festival Aug 11th – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja [with SAVATAGE] Aug 12th – Leipzig, Germany – Parkbühne [with SAVATAGE] Aug 13th – Bonn, Germany – KUNST!RASEN [with SAVATAGE] Aug 15th – Carhaix Plouguer, France – Motocultor Festival
An esteemed powerhouse in heavy metal, NEVERMORE recently unveiled their signing to Reigning Phoenix Music and introduced new members Jack Cattoi on guitar, Semir Özerkan on bass, and vocalist Berzan Önen in a documentary directed and produced by Ola Englund. The film provided an enticing insight in the band’s rehearsals, and open discussion by guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams on their decision to bring NEVERMORE back.
About NEVERMORE:
NEVERMORE enters 2026 with purpose, fire, and a clear sense of who they are. Forged in the aftermath of Sanctuary, the band carved out a sound defined by precision musicianship, fearless songwriting, and emotional intensity. From their self-titled debut in 1995 through landmark releases such as Dead Heart in a Dead World and This Godless Endeavor, NEVERMORE built a global following and a reputation as one of modern metal’s most distinctive voices.
Now that legacy moves forward under the leadership of guitarist Jeff Loomis and drummer Van Williams, joined by guitarist Jack Cattoi, bassist Semir Özerkan , and vocalist Berzan Önen. After years apart, the spark that first ignited the band has returned with renewed focus. For Van, the timing feels natural. “It’s been brewing for quite a while and has just started to manifest itself into the now. So what better time is there to kick things off than now?”
New music is already taking shape. Van smiles at the early results. “If the new music had to be described by one word, that would have to be delicious. Because it’s so good it’s gonna leave you hungry for more.” The writing process is unfolding alongside preparations for the stage, with the band focused equally on honoring the catalog and building what comes next.
The addition of Berzan signaled a powerful evolution. Jeff remembers the first time he saw Berzan’s audition video. “He really stood out strong in so many ways upon a first listen. I could really feel the emotion and passion when I heard him sing for the first time. He wasn’t just going through the motions.” The connection was immediate. “I could tell right away that he was a fan of Warrel’s singing just by the way he delivered and said certain words. I was really blown away at first watch.”
The history of NEVERMORE includes an extraordinary lineage of musicians who shaped its evolution. Guitarists Pat O’Brien, Tim Calvert, Steve Smyth, and Chris Broderick each left a distinct imprint on the band’s catalog and live presence. Bassist Jim Sheppard played a central role in shaping the band’s identity during its defining years.
Following the band’s disbandment, Jeff Loomis released the acclaimed solo albums Zero Order Phase and Plains of Oblivion, co founded CONQUERING DYSTOPIA, and spent nearly a decade as a member of ARCH ENEMY, contributing to releases including Will to Power and Deceivers. Van Williams remained active through projects such as ASHES OF ARES and GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS. Warrel Dane continued creating until his passing in 2017, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire musicians and fans worldwide.
As NEVERMORE steps into 2026, the mission is grounded in honesty and intensity. Jeff captures the heart of it. “Van and I are super passionate about the band. What we deliver and bring back to the audience is us wanting to hear those old tracks again just as much as the fans. We obviously want our old fans there every step of the way, but also look forward to meeting a new generation of fans as well.”
Older. Wiser. Still loud.
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Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 