Record label Fifth Island Music and label GAIN have included songs in 5 episodes of the latest HBO Max series Peacemaker season 2 where it’s clear that James Gunn (writer, director, producer) has a penchant for the Scandinavian hard rock sound. GAIN has included the following bands and songs in the series:
Hardcore Superstar – We Don´t Need A Cure / Episode: #202 (August 28th)
Ammotrack – Break it Out / Episode: #203 (September 4th)
HEAT – A Shot at Redemption / Episode: #204 (September 11th)
Hardcore Superstar – Someone Special / Episode: #208 (October 9th)
“It is amazing that our hard rock catalog can be part of and contribute to such a large and extravagant HBO Max series as Peacemaker 2 and what about the scenes the songs are featured in, Absolutely incredible!” – Johan F. Gren (MD, Fifth Island Music/GAIN)
“Sworn” introduces Torch Us as a raw and uncompromising force in the Finnish modern metal scene. Combining old-school death metal vibes with heaviness, aggression, and groove, the track captures both nostalgic and fresh intensity. It’s also the first taste from the band’s upcoming EP “To Non-Existence” to be released in November 27th!
Torch Us is a four-piece metal band from Turku, Finland, founded in 2022. The band blends raw aggression with melodic darkness in a way that leaves a mark on the listener. Their sound moves along the boundary surface of melodic death metal and groove-heavy riffs, flavored with everything that feels old-school, raw, and unapologetically intense.
Cape Town’s doom, atmospheric noise, drone, and sludge post-metal trio P+A+G+E+S emerge from the shadows with the release of their debut single and video Shine On, the first glimpse into their highly anticipated debut album No More Can Be Done (out 25th October), recorded with producer Simon Ratcliffe at Sound and Motion Studios in February 2025.
Carved from the same crushing bedrock as the album, “Shine On” strikes with a different force—driving and deliberate while retaining the band’s signature weight. “We wanted to contrast the album with something a bit more driving, while adhering to the overall weight of the rest of the tracks and to be strong against vile oppression,” explains the band.
Lyrically, the single distils a mantra of resilience: “When the clouds come to cover, let the light shine through.” “The message is simple but powerful,” they add. “It’s about strength in the face of adversity and oppression.”
The accompanying video unfolds as a ritual of fire and transformation—an alchemical act of destruction and regeneration. A paper doll serves as the vessel for change, embodying both fragility and intention. “This ritual is a symbolic metaphor for simple things we can do in reality to break fascist necks—like who you give your money to, as a small example, to challenging bigotry as a bigger one,” says the band.
No More Can Be Done is a stark, slow-burning monolith of existential dread, geopolitical despair, environmental decay, and raw emotional weight—yet it carries a glimmer of perseverance in a collapsing world. Since 2017, drummer Caitlin Mkhasibe, bassist Frank Lunar, and guitarist/vocalist/sound artist helo samo have honed their sound from post-rock/noise roots into a heavier, dissonant, and deliberately crushing territory.
“Grief and the depressing state of the world were big inspirations,” says the band. “We wanted to create something that embodies that state and cast a light on things that are often hard to address—while writing music we would want to hear ourselves.”
The album unfolds like a descent into shadow: chaotic noise mutating into industrial rhythms, fragile symphonics, and suffocating dissonance. Vocals delivering simple, spectral mantras designed to resonate through repetition.
Finnish one-man black metal band Valontuoja is set to unleash the second album ‘Tulesta syntynyt’on November 14th 2025 via Inverse Records. The second single ‘Välikappale’ is unleashed today and it’s available here: https://push.fm/fl/valontuoja-valikappale
The man behind Valontuoja, Jal’zoroth comments the single:
“In the heart of the forest, where the wind speaks only in whispers and the stars vanish from the sky, a predator moves unseen.”Välikappale” is a raw invocation of the hunter spirit a vessel of death, a servant of bloodthirsty gods, cloaked in silence and shadow.
The wolves howl. The earth drinks. Fate is written in blood.”
–Music & Lyrics by Jal’zoroth –ISRC: FI3FC2552505 –Cover art by JTR
Valontuoja, meaning “Bringer of Light” in Finnish, is the one-man black metal entity forged in the icy depths of Helsinki by the Jal’zoroth. Formed in 2024, Valontuoja channels the primordial essence of black metal, weaving a sonic tapestry that is both ferocious and hauntingly melodic. Valontuoja’s soundscape is a maelstrom of raw, unyielding black metal fused with ethereal and melodic elements. Valontuoja conjures an atmosphere that is as brutal as it is beautiful, guiding listeners through the desolate realms of human despair and nature’s unforgiving majesty.
Italian rockers Will O’ Dusk are set to release their latest single, ‘Crossroads’, on September 26th, 2025! The track, complete with a new video, comes ahead of their new album, “The Long Lasting Dusk”, which is set for release on November 28th, 2025, through Diotima Records Music Management Ltd!
Speaking about the new track, the band have said: “”Crossroads,” dives into the burning tension between temptation, emptiness, and the desperate need for connection. Neon lights beckon with false promises, each deal and trade pulling the soul further into loneliness, yet the song refuses to collapse into despair. Its chorus is a cry against isolation — a raw, anthemic plea to not face the weight of existence alone. At once timeless in its imagery and urgent in its delivery, “Crossroads” marks our first step into the world, reflecting on how everyone is born to face solitude while still longing for bonds: how much are you willing to trade not to be alone?”
The band, made up of Riccardo Maria Barchiesi (vocals), Danilo Casali (guitar), Stefano Grossi (bass) and Luca Gambazza (drums), see “The Long Lasting Dusk” as a concept record in which the listener is implored to embrace their personal darkness and light in a voyage of personal discovery and acceptance.
“The album is a journey of awareness, of realizing one’s mistakes and accepting responsibility, culminating in a new love for oneself and those closest to us.” The band states. “To us, love isn’t about eliminating all character flaws, but on the acceptance and coexistence of an individual’s light and shadow, and how presenting only one of those halves dooms the individual to failure.
The journey is metaphorically taken by the listener, who moves from track to track, starting with the record’s darker songs, where destruction prevails over creation. In the second half of the album, the lighter and darker aspects of the album’s themes come together to create new perspectives with brighter tones.”
The first act, “The Descent”, charts a fall: from recognizing pain, to embracing destruction, to trying to connect at a cost, until everything collapses. The only option left is to escape. While the second act, “Resurgence”, begins with an explosion and revelations, reshaping chaos into pathos. From there comes resilience, then light, and finally, acceptance of the hard road — as the curtain closes with an anthem of belonging.
The tracklisting for “The Long Lasting Dusk” is:
Break In Case Of Emergency
Heartbreak Dust
Crossroads
Lucifer’s Tears
White Shadow
Let It All Explode
Take It ‘Til You Make It
Slowmo
Whitehouse Road (Tyler Childers Cover)
Last Drop
As their name insists, dusk is the place where light and shadow coexist, a moment of intimate emotional synthesis, experienced beyond good and evil. Will O’ Dusk play with the inextricable link between the lighter and darker parts of life. Drawing on a heady mix of southern rock and post grunge, to create songs that tell something more with each listen. The result is ten songs of heartfelt hard rock, packed with huge choruses and brimming with energy and emotion. “The Long Lasting Dusk” is fast approaching, and Will O’ Dusk want to remind audiences to embrace the beauty it offers.
In keeping with the spirit of creating unforgettable experiences and exclusive performances, the 2026 edition of 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, will host the first-ever live on-stage performance of VBO. Also known as Vice Business Only, VBO, a turbo-charged fusion of synthwave swagger and heavy rock heat, is a newly formed project from Francesco Cavalieri, best known as the lead vocalist of Italian Power Metal band WIND ROSE, and electronic artist Simone Giusti.
Setting sail in January 2026 from Miami, FL to Nassau, The Bahamas and back, the 4-day floating festival will welcome VBO to its international stage, marking the band’s Official Live Debut alongside 59 other acts from across the global Metal scene.
While details surrounding VBO have been kept intentionally limited, the project signals a new creative direction for Cavalieri, whose work with WIND ROSE has earned him recognition for his powerful vocal presence and theatrical performance style. With VBO, Cavalieri explores new musical territory, offering a sound distinct from his previous work, yet still grounded in the intensity and character-driven storytelling he is known for.
“We are VBO: Vice Business Only. Did you really think you could sail without us? What kind of party would it be without the bad boys? Forget about it…”, said the band. “This is the plan, open your ears: we’re bringing champagne, our passion and our asses to the stage of the most metal cruise in the world: Miami – Nassau. We will be performing two world premiere concerts of our 80’s-flavored synthwave metal, and you will be the first witnesses of our rise to power, right on time to join us. And when we run out of champagne? We’re going back to refill bottles from our friends in Vice City. If you like us, come and you’ll be our guest of honor, you have our word. And for those who don’t like us, we hope they enjoy swimming to Miami. Bring yourself a nice elegant dress… It will serve you in both cases.”
Cavalieri will also perform separately with WIND ROSE, returning to 70000TONS OF METAL 2026 after the band’s well-received previous appearance on the cruise. Fans will have the unique opportunity to see both sides of Cavalieri’s musical identity in one epic setting.
Check out the band’s shoutout video below:
With 51 of 60 bands already announced and ticket sales in full swing, Sailors originating from over 80 Nations around the World should make sure to get ready and not miss the experience of a lifetime onboard this floating festival in the Caribbean – and join The United Nations Of Heavy Metal At Sea.
The currently-announced lineup for the 2026 sailing is:
AMORPHIS ANTHRAX ARKONA BEAST IN BLACK BLOODRED HOURGLASS CEMETERY SKYLINE DARKANE DARK TRANQUILLITY DØDHEIMSGARD DRAGONLAND DUST BOLT ELUVEITIE EREB ALTOR FIREWIND GAMA BOMB GROZA HAGGARD HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY HEATHEN HIRAES HIRAX HOUR OF PENANCE IGNEA ILLDISPOSED ILLUMISHADE IN MOURNING INSOMNIUM IZEGRIM KAMELOT KANONENFIEBER ORDEN OGAN PARADISE LOST PERSEFONE RHAPSODY OF FIRE ROYAL HUNT SATAN SATURNUS SEVEN SPIRES SKELETAL REMAINS SKYCLAD SOEN SOILWORK SUIDAKRA TRIBULATION TÝR VADER VBO VIO-LENCE WIND ROSE WOLF XANDRIA
… And 9 more!
Tickets for the 70000TONS OF METAL 2026 cruise, featuring a lineup of top metal bands and exclusive performances, are available now at: www.70000tons.com
Stay tuned for updates and announcements by checking out 70000tons.com and the @70000tons social media channels.
About 70000TONS OF METAL
70000TONS OF METAL is The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise. With ten consecutive sellouts since the inaugural voyage in 2011, this extraordinary and unique floating festival now sails on board some of the largest luxury passenger vessels in the world. Featuring 60 Heavy Metal bands from around the globe performing across four stages, 70000TONS OF METAL is home to The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to Ever Sail the Open Seas.
Guests can enjoy the Heavy Metal festival experience of a lifetime with all the benefits that a cruise has to offer: complimentary fine dining, bars that never close, 24-hour room service, as well as the ship’s many amenities.
All 60 bands on board play twice – and there are four concert locations on board: A concert hall, the Royal Theater, stands tall with five levels. The Star Lounge offers a more personal and local club-like ambiance. Discover the arena-like vibes at Studio B, the third indoor stage available. Lastly, yet undoubtedly the most remarkable, is the Pool Deck Stage: The World’s Biggest Open Air Stage Structure to Ever Sail the Open Seas. This immense stage is accompanied by bars, pools, and even hot tubs that are integrated into the stage itself, allowing guests to indulge in the unique experience of watching their favorite Metal bands while soaking in a hot tub. This four-day Heavy Metal Music Festival and Caribbean vacation offers 3000 metalheads the amazing opportunity to mingle side-by-side with all of the bands on board. With no VIP areas it truly is like everyone has a backstage pass. Not only do guests have unrestricted festival access to 120+ live performances (all bands play twice), every ticket also includes meet & greets with each band, intimate masterclasses with select musicians, world live premieres and exclusive listening sessions of unreleased material. Guests also have full access to the “Jamming in International Waters All Star Jam” – a one-of-a-kind jam session featuring a host of musical virtuosos performing classic Metal songs together on stage.
Sailors also have the special opportunity to explore a Caribbean dream destination with their favorite band members on an “Artist Escorted Shore Excursion”, another 70000TONS OF METAL exclusive.
For more details about 70000TONS OF METAL 2025, including FAQs, vessel amenities and contact information, please visit 70000tons.com
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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 