Southern California metal band Once To Die has unleashed their crushing new single “SON OF THE ANGEL” via Mindful Recordings. Blending punishing heaviness with sharp precision and metalcore intensity, the track is a furious statement piece that continues the band’s rise through the heavy underground.
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Elliot Koenig, “SON OF THE ANGEL” delivers a relentless sonic assault rooted in metal, heavy metal, and metalcore, while channeling the intensity of genre staples like Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, As I Lay Dying, Trivium, At The Gates, Polaris, August Burns Red, Parkway Drive, Architects, Bullet For My Valentine, Miss May I, and Wage War.
Lyrically, the song takes aim at manipulation disguised as salvation.
“’SON OF THE ANGEL’ is a song about false prophets that prey upon people who are looking for hope and find themselves let down by these so-called prophets.”
From the chaotic depths of Southern California, Once To Die was formed in the spirit of introducing powerful yet rupturing experience. Forcing an untainted memorandum that what we face in this life can be conquered against overwhelming odds. The path of conquest we leave in our wake is yet a distinction of the hereafter.
The release of “SON OF THE ANGEL” marks another key step toward the band’s upcoming collection The Conquest: Volume 1, a project fueled by resilience, confrontation, and perseverance.
With their previous track “Endure,” Once To Die began carving the next chapter of their evolution. Now, “SON OF THE ANGEL” intensifies that momentum, raising the stakes and reinforcing the band’s message: the path forward is brutal, but it is survivable.
Japanese horror-inspired USBM outfit SAIDAN will be releasing its highly anticipated fourth LP, ‘FANGDRILLER: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist,’ on June 19 via Avantgarde Music! The band is now unveiling the cinematic new single, “Ethereal Blood,” along with a music video, which can be found at THIS LOCATION.
A prequel to 2023’s ‘Visual Kill,’ ‘FANGDRILLER’ follows The Student (Junko) as she tries to heal her fractured heart. Haunted by wistful solitude, her isolation makes her the perfect victim for a mysterious cult known as Ethereal Blood.
SAIDAN vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Splatterpvnk comments, “‘Ethereal Blood’ is an essential part of the conceptual identity of ‘Fangdriller.’ Whereas many of the other songs on the album use metaphorical imagery to explain where I was emotionally at the time, ‘Ethereal Blood’ is a perverse initiation into something seemingly pure, yet shrouded in violent isolation.”
While lyrically dealing with topics of depression, heartbreak, loss, and loneliness, the album is musically inspired by the lo-fi nature of classic Visual Keiand gothic black metal. Saidan strives to deliver an album that sounds nostalgic for an era of music that doesn’t exist. Blistering solos, deranged vocals, anthemic-riffage, and diabolical drumming are slammed together with doses of modern breakcore and wrapped in a black metal bow, garnering a feeling of familiarity while offering something that’s boldly unique.
Moreover, SAIDAN will be embarking on a U.S. tour in support of prolific atmospheric black metal band Trhä along with Barbelith. The trek will kick off on July 23 in Indianapolis, IN and will lay waste through the East Coast and parts of the midwest until the final stop on August 8 in Charlotte, NC. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.
SAIDAN U.S. Tour Dates (Supporting Trhä w/ Barbelith):
07/23: Indianapolis, IN @ State Street Pub 07/24: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary 07/25: Milwaukee, WI @Club Garabaldi 07/26: Minneapolis, MN @ Zhora Darling 07/27: Des Moines, IA @ Locals 07/28: Kansas City, MO @ Mini Bar 07/29: Tulsa, OK @ Whittier Bar 07/30: Denton, TX @ Dan’s SilverLeaf 07/31: Austin, TX @ The Lost Well 08/01: San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger 08/02: Houston, TX @ Black Magic Social Club 08/03: New Orleans, LA @ Siberia 08/04: Pensacola, FL @ The Handlebar 08/05: Tampa, FL @ Deviant Libation 08/06: Miami, FL @ Churchill’s Pub 08/07: Jacksonville, FL @ The Albatross 08/08: Charlotte, NC @ The Milestone
The cover artwork was created by Seiyak17 and can be found below along with the tracklist.
In the neverending quest of supporting young and boundary-pushing bands from the underground around the world, Avantgarde Music is proud to announce their collaboration with Saidan, a Japanese horror-themed black metal band from Nashville, TN.
Spawning from tragedy in 2020, Saidan rapidly released a string of demos and splits that caused a stir in the underground Black Metal scene. With their anthem-like riffage, violent imagery, deranged vocal delivery, and heavy metal flair, Saidan has risen above their contemporaries and stood out in a bustling USBM scene. In five short years, Saidan has gone on to release three LPs: ‘Jigoku: Spiraling Chasms of the Blackest Hell’ (2021), ‘Onryō II: Her Spirit Eternal’ (2022), and ‘Visual Kill: The Blossoming of Psychotic Depravity’ (2024), all to critical success. The band’s latest offering, ‘FANGDRILLER: Scars Beneath Memory’s Wrist,’ will be arriving on June 19, 2026 exclusively through Avantgarde Music.
‘Fangdriller’ is the fourth studio album born from the minds of multi-instrumentalist Splatterpvnk and drummer Hundosai, a new chapter in the narrative concept that links together all Saidan releases. A prequel to 2023’s ‘Visual Kill,’ ‘FANGDRILLER’ follows The Student (Junko) as she tries to heal her fractured heart. Haunted by wistful solitude, her isolation makes her the perfect victim for a mysterious cult known as Ethereal Blood.
While lyrically dealing with topics of depression, heartbreak, loss, and loneliness, the album is musically inspired by the lo-fi nature of classic Visual Kei and gothic black metal. Saidan strives to deliver an album that sounds nostalgic for an era of music that doesn’t exist. Blistering solos, deranged vocals, anthemic-riffage, and diabolical drumming are slammed together with doses of modern breakcore and wrapped in a black metal bow, garnering a feeling of familiarity while offering something that’s boldly unique.
‘Fangdriller’ was mixed and mastered by Splatterpvnk and once again comes with a cover art by Japanese visual artist Seiyak17.
All songs written and performed by Splatterpvnk & Hundosai All songs mixed and mastered by Splatterpvnk Recorded at The Booth / Glowing Moon Studios (Nashville, TN, USA) Artwork by Seiyak17
For Fans Of: Spectral Wound, X Japan, Cradle Of Filth, Malice Mizer
Nonpoint have announced a new tour in support of their hard-hitting new single “Is It,” that is now available on all major digital streaming platforms. The single was #1 most added last week and is currently in the Top 50 Media Base Charts. Known for their relentless energy, uncompromising sound, and undeniable live presence, the band continues to push forward with new music that captures the raw intensity fans have come to expect.
NONPOINT will be performing new material from their forthcoming album, giving fans an early taste of what’s next from the band while continuing to deliver the sound that has defined their career.
“Is It” serves as the first release from Nonpoint’s upcoming full-length album The Last Word, arriving in late summer 2026. Both the band and 361 Degrees Records are positioning this track as the opening statement of a new era, setting the tone for the album’s themes and energy of the new record.
“In a world that sometimes wants to put a timestamp on creativity, The Last Word is our way of saying we’re just getting started. We’re pushing back against expectation and pushing forward into our own next chapter.”
Elias explains the bold concept behind his design imagery on the cover.
“This album cover tells a piece of our story. After years of making music, we feel more aligned than ever—musically, visually, and creatively. We’re writing some of the strongest material of our career, our live shows are as powerful as they’ve ever been, and the band feels focused and energized. The pencil on the cover represents what it’s like to be handed one last tool and expected to fit everything you have left to say into it. Not because the ideas are gone, but because longevity often comes with assumptions and limits. The Last Word isn’t about accepting an ending. It’s about challenging that narrative. If this is the pencil we’re being handed, we’re going to use it—and make sure the words written with it still matter.”
Painful. Powerful. Unforgettable. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it!
Nonpoint US Tour Dates
Dorothy, Nonpoint, Vrsty 7/23 Menahga, MN
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 7/25 Davenport, IA Capitol Theater 7/26 Minneapolis, MN Cabooze
Nonpoint Only 7/28 Des Moines, IA Woolys
Nonpoint, Soil, Spineshank, Hed Pe 7/29 Indianapolis, IN Vogue Theater 7/31 District 142 Wyandotte, Mi
Nonpoint, Powerman 5K, Soil and more 8/1 Rock Lansing, Lansing, MI
Nonpoint, Soil, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/2 The Winchester Lakewood, OH 8/4 Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA 8/6 Wallys Hampton Beach, NH 8/7 Empire Live Albany, NY
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/8 Waynesboro, VA The Foundry 8/9 Harrison, OH The Blue Note 8/11 Lexington, KY Manchester Music Hall 8/12 Sauget, IL Pops
Nonpoint only 8/14 Ringle, WI Q&Z Expo Center
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/16 Kansas City, MO RecordBar 8/15 Milwaukee, WI The Rave II 8/16 Kansas City, MO RecordBar
Nonpoint Only 8/18 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/20 Boise ID Shrine Social Club 8/21 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory 8/22 Seattle, WA EL Corazón 8/23 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater 8/15 Roseville, CA Goldfield Trading Post
Nonpoint, Spineshank 8/26 San Jose, CA The Ritz
Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe 8/28 Pomona, CA Glasshouse 8/29 Las Vegas 24 Oxford 8/30 Mesa, AZ The Nile 9/1 Lubbock, TX Jake’s 9/3 Austin, TX Come & Take It Live 9/4 Dallas TX Trees
South Florida-based rock band Nonpoint, has been captivating audiences with their energetic sound and passionate performances for over two decades. Formed in 1997, the band has consistently pushed the boundaries of what modern rock can be, combining heavy metal, nu-metal, and hard rock into a unique and powerful musical force. Over the course of their 30-year career, Nonpoint has released several critically acclaimed albums and garnered a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in the industry.
Throughout their career, Nonpoint has been celebrated for their signature sound and powerful lyrics, which often tackle social and political issues. Their hard-hitting sound and emotional live performances have earned them a dedicated fanbase, as well as recognition from the music industry. Nonpoint has received multiple award nominations and has been praised by publications such as Rolling Stone, Revolver, and Alternative Press.
Nonpoint is: Elias Soriano (Lead Vocals) Robb Rivera (Drums) Rasheed Thomas (Guitar /Backing Vocals) Adam Woloszyn (Bass) Jason Zeilstra (Lead Guitar)
Hotly-tipped UK rocker DAN BYRNE has unveiled his anticipated debut album, ‘This Is Where the Show Begins,’ out now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the release, DAN has also unveiled the new track “Pulling Me Under,” alongside an official visualizer, available below.
DAN comments:
“‘Pulling Me Under’ dives into the darker depths of the album. This is a dark, atmospheric alternative rock track built on tension, emotion, and contrast. It’s haunting and anthemic, with verses that feel suffocatingly close before breaking into a huge chorus that hits like a breath of air after the plunge.
He continues, “The song explores the internal chaos of reaching out for help from the very person who’s dragging you down and the feeling of emotionally drowning when the one you trust most becomes the source of your pain. It’s a confrontation of that paradox: needing saving from the person who’s breaking you.
“It’s about that mental struggle, when you’re asking someone to pull you up, but they’re the reason you’re sinking in the first place. I wanted the music to reflect that push and pull; the verses are tight and claustrophobic, and then the chorus opens up like coming up for air. It’s dark, emotional, and one of the most cinematic moments on the record.”
“With its weighty production, layered guitars, and emotional scope, it embodies that recurring theme throughout the record: the beauty and release that come from surviving your own storms,” DAN concludes.
‘This Is Where The Show Begins,’ DAN’s debut album, is full of joy and confidence. There is swagger alongside sensitivity, a widening musical horizon that feels both fresh and bold. At the center of it all is that voice, as powerful as it is vulnerable, as emotive as it is commanding.
The lead single, “Saviour,” is a perfect opener. It bursts to life with attention-grabbing hard-rock stabs and pile-driving riffs, its verses simmering with quiet drama before exploding into a chorus that promises we are in for one hell of a ride. It struts, it shimmies, and it absolutely rocks. “Light ’em up,” indeed. There is no letup as we are thrown headlong into “She’s the Devil,”DAN delivering a colossal vocal punctuated by gonzo guitar gymnastics, the euphoria here is undeniable.
Elsewhere, we are taken to church with “Praise Hell,” and “Sober” is steeped in regret. We may even get a glimpse of where DAN is headed next with album closer “Home,” a sprawling, shapeshifting piece of alt-rock that never loses its soul. It feels like Glenn Hughes and 30 Seconds to Mars combining their superpowers.
‘This Is Where The Show Begins’ feels like the culmination of an incredible journey so far and the launching point for what comes next. It is a testament to backing yourself, trusting your instincts, and letting ambition, honesty and musical diversity lead the way. This is where it may truly begin for DAN. The exciting question now is where he will take us next.
The release follows DAN‘s triumphant headline tour, with nearly every date sold out. He follows this with an acoustic record store tour. A full list of dates is below.
Dan’s Acoustic Record Store Tour, remaining shows:
May 24 @ Sheffield Arundel Emporium (Matinee) May 24 @ Oxford Truck (Evening) May 25 @ Portsmouth Pie & Vinyl (Matinee) May 25 @ Swansea Derricks (Evening) May 26 @ London Fighting Cocks (Evening) May 27 @ Nantwich Applestump Records (Matinee) May 27 @ Leeds Crash Records (Evening)
May 28 @ Liverpool Jacaranda – full electric show, playing album in full
Dan will also be performing at Steelhouse Festival on July 25th.
DAN BYRNE swept in off the Mersey, announcing himself as a solo artist in 2023 with his debut EP, ‘Beginnings.’ His powerhouse, soul-inflected vocal and deftly-executed, yet hugely accessible songcraft has quickly marked him out as an artist on the rise. Blending contemporary edge with classic influence, BYRNE’s music is powerful, honest, and deeply emotive – widescreen in scope yet intimate at its core. It rocks, without question, but what truly sets him apart is the courage to weave sensitivity and vulnerability through the intensity. This isn’t just rock music – it has the heart and authenticity to connect with an audience beyond any one genre.
In just two years DAN has toured the UK three times, delivered standout performances at multiple festivals and found overwhelming support from Planet Rock – the UK’s leading rock station – where his first four singles amassed an impressive 25 weeks on the playlist. With that foundation firmly in place, BYRNE now turns his focus to the release of his long-awaited debut solo album, marking the next powerful step in his evolution as an artist.
Michigan metalcore outfit, Of Virtue, are giving voice to one of the quietest, most common struggles in their brand new single, ‘What’s It Like To Be Happy’, out now via Arising Empire. Released in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the track arrives as the third and most intimate chapter in an already commanding 2026, following the explosive reception to previous singles, ‘Death Of The Altar’ and ‘The Art Of Love’.
Holding a mirror to the part of depression that is the hardest to admit, Of Virtue tackle articulating the gap between who you are and who you want to be, and how insurmountable that gap can feel on the worst days. Rooted in the debilitating effects of depression and all that follows, “‘What’s It Like To Be Happy’ leans into the disconnect of watching life carry on around you while you stay perfectly, painfully still.
In doing so, the track continues the band’s ongoing focus on the emotional and relational toll that addiction, mental health, and the stigma surrounding both leave in their wake. The brand new track, co-written alongside Lee Albrecht (Bilmuri, The Devil Wears Prada, etc) and Evan McKeever (Starset, Koe Wetzel, etc), adds another chapter to the story they began on their 2023 record, OMEN, which has amassed an impressive 65 million streams since its release.
True to the band’s unflinching commitment to honesty and their longstanding advocacy for mental health awareness, vocalist Tyler Ennis reflects: “When we were writing this song, the title itself was a question that was asked out loud in a somewhat joking way – but hit me in all the ways I didn’t think it could. A lot of the experiences that I’ve had to go through in my adult life flashed through my mind in the blink of an eye. The loss of family members, revolving door toxic relationships, body dysmorphia/health issues were the tip of the iceberg. I was diagnosed with ADHD, my dopamine levels have been nonexistent or been overloaded constantly.
“Imposter syndrome and identity issues have put me in some of the worst depressive states I have ever experienced and there were times where I wondered out loud if this is the way my life would be forever. In some of my darker moments as well, I turned to the wrong things to try and make myself feel better. Being a people pleaser and putting others before myself, self medication and not holding myself accountable was on full display. Posting only the “happy” moments on social media for validation, looking at other people and wishing I could feel the way that they did – not realizing in real time that a lot of them are also doing the same thing. It creates this weird feedback loop where everyone is pretending for everyone else and no one is truly happy at all.”
Catch the band live supporting Unprocessed:
29/09 — Brussels, BE — Botanique 01/10 — Manchester, UK — Academy 3 02/10 — London, UK — Electric Ballroom 03/10 — Paris, FR — Maroquinerie 04/10 — Tilburg, NL — 013 Next Stage 05/10 — Nijmegen, NL — Doornroosje 06/10 — Cologne, DE — Gebaude 9 07/10 — Hamburg, DE — Kent Club 08/10 — Berlin, DE — Hole 44 09/10 — Munich, DE — Strom 10/10 — Frankfurt, DE — Batschkapp
With ‘Angel Engine’, rising alternative heavy act PLUME dive deep into paranoia, fractured memories and the desperate search for something to hold onto in the middle of emotional collapse. Blending dark emo metalcore with hyperpop tension, trance-like build ups and massive modern production, the track creates a hypnotic atmosphere that feels both haunting and strangely euphoric.
Driven by eerie imagery and emotionally charged songwriting, ‘Angel Engine’ explores themes of control, fear and the blurred line between salvation and destruction. Lyrics about watching eyes, shifting realities and fading identity paint the picture of a mind slowly unraveling, while the recurring plea for guidance from angelic figures like Uriel and Cassiel adds an almost spiritual weight to the song’s emotional core. Rather than offering clarity, PLUME embrace the chaos — transforming anxiety and vulnerability into something cinematic, immersive and impossible to look away from.
At the same time, PLUME officially announce their upcoming album Saferooms & Healing Frequencies, set for release on September 25th, 2026. With ‘Angel Engine’ serving as a powerful glimpse into the record’s emotional and sonic world, the band also launch the album’s pre-order starting now.
Catch the band live: 26.06.26 I Ab Geht Die Lutzi! Festival I Rottershausen, DE 04.07.26 I Fest der Demokratie I Pfaffenhofen, DE 25.07.26 I kultURKNALL Festival I Murnau, DE 01.08.26 I Rock auf der Burg I Königstein
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 ) 