HELLOWEEN brought their world tour to a close on Saturday with a wildly acclaimed show at the sold-out Suhai venue in São Paulo.
Under the banner of their “40 Years Anniversary”, this German power metal institution thrilled fans across the globe—from major arenas in Europe, North America, and Asia to Latin America—complemented by appearances at Europe’s most significant summer festivals in 2026.
The tour was far more than just a series of high-energy concerts: HELLOWEEN took fans on a musical journey through 40 years of band history. Featuring a setlist that spanned everything from early, defining tracks and all the fan favorites to brand-new material from their current album *GIANTS & MONSTERS*, the show combined hits from every era, delighting fans across generations.
Visually, too, the show set new benchmarks, elevating the standard of modern metal productions. The elaborate stage show, combined massive screens, spectacular lighting and video effects, pyrotechnics, and a carefully especially crafted production design into a comprehensive audiovisual experience that underscored the music and showcased the band members in impressive fashion.
HELLOWEEN played in sold-out arenas before tens of thousands of fans—including the largest headlining show in the band’s history in Mexico City and the O2 Arena in Prague —and captivated international audiences on major European festival stages. In total, the world tour took the band through 28 countries across three continents, reaching an audience of over one million people.
From the tour’s kickoff in Europe to the final concerts in Latin America, HELLOWEEN’s extraordinary enduring appeal was once again evident: songs like “Eagle Fly Free,” “Future World,” “Dr. Stein,” and “I Want Out” have made history and are essential parts of the metal soundtrack.
The “40 Years Anniversary” tour concludes with the concert in São Paulo. However, HELLOWEEN’s journey is far from over! The story of this exceptional septet is far from fully told, and major festivals for the summer of 2027 are already booked!
First dates and many more to come:
10 JUN — CZ Plzeň, Metalfest 24 JUN — NO Oslo, Tons of Rock 04 JUL — ES Cartagena, Rock Imperium Festival VI 29 JUL — DE Wacken, Wacken Open Air 6 AUG — DE Neu-Ulm, Wiley Sportpark 7 AUG — DE Loreley, Freilichtbühne 22 AUG — FR Carhaix, Motocultor Festival
HELLOWEEN are: Michael Kiske | vocals Andi Deris | vocals Kai Hansen | guitars, vocals Michael Weikath | guitars Sascha Gerstner | guitars Markus Grosskopf | bass Daniel Löble | drums
Nashville-based symphonic power metal force Valkyrie’s Fire has officially released their hauntingly epic new music video for “Evermore,” directed by vocalist Bettie Floyd alongside ProMotion LLC. Serving as the third visual showcase from their brand new full-length album, Out of Darkness (released on September 18, 2026, via Eclipse Records) the track delivers a profound, uplifting spin on Edgar Allan Poe’s legendary poem “The Raven”. Floyd envisioned a visual production that captures the authentic atmosphere of Poe’s 19th-century era, grounding the narrative in a classical aesthetic before launching into an empowering modern metal triumph.
Conceptually, “Evermore” tackles grief, mortality, and survival. While Poe’s original work resigns itself to endless sorrow with the iconic refrain “Nevermore,” Valkyrie’s Fire flips the script to offer a comforting perspective. As bassist Dave Hale notes, “the video interprets the dark, isolation-filled moments everyone faces in life, yet pivots toward a resilient message of healing. Rather than dwelling in permanent desolation, the narrative reminds listeners that the loved ones we lose live on eternally through memory, urging us to honor them by living life to the fullest.” Visually, the video mirrors this emotional evolution through distinct structural settings. The verses unfold in period-accurate surroundings, embodying the somber mood and heavy grief of the poem’s origins. As the music swells into the main chorus, the tone shifts rapidly into a vibrant, uplifting performance that mirrors the newfound strength found in the lyrics. All the while, Adam Sanders’ vocals locks into striking harmonies with his female counterpart Bettie Floyd, driving home a message that brighter days lie ahead.
Valkyrie’s Fire, a symphonic power metal sextet from Nashville, TN, is set to redefine the American landscape of the genre with their debut full-length album, Out of Darkness. Scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, through Eclipse Records, the album serves as a sophisticated evolution of the band’s melodic foundations. Produced and engineered by Joey Grimaldi, the record boasts a polished, sonic profile that equals the European giants of the genre. The visual identity of the project is equally prestigious, featuring cover art by the legendary Jan Yrlund, whose portfolio includes iconic designs for Battle Beast, Manowar and Delain. A central pillar of the album is the towering track “Burning Sky”, which features a guest appearance by Mikael Sehlin of Amaranthe. Sehlin, who also lent his expertise to the mastering of the album, provides a gritty vocal contrast to the soaring symphonic arrangements. The song explores the harrowing endurance of the human spirit through historical and biblical lenses. While Burning Sky offers aggressive intensity, “Cascade” invites the listener into a more atmospheric experience. The song depicts the transition from dusk to night, focusing on the clarity of the cosmos as constellations emerge from the gloom. Conversely, “Evermore” takes inspiration from the melancholic works of Edgar Allan Poe. Unlike the traditional gloom associated with The Raven, Valkyrie’s Fire reinterprets the narrative as a journey through grief toward a place of hope. Out of Darkness positions Valkyrie’s Fire as a formidable contemporary to bands like Epica, Within Temptation and Nightwish. By blending the grandiosity of European symphonic metal with the sharp production values of the modern Nashville metal scene, the band has created a debut that feels both timeless and urgent. Out of Darkness by Valkyrie’s Fire was released on September 18, 2026 via Eclipse Records.
Coverart by Jan Yrlund
Get Out of Darkness via Eclipse Records at this location.
Out of Darkness track listing 01. In Spirit, In Shadow 02. Evermore 03. Valkyrie’s Fire 04. Cascade 05. Burning Sky (featuring Mikael Sehlin of Amaranthe) 06. Shattered 07. I See the Angels Fly 08. Skylark 09. Labyrinth 10. Bone and Thorn 11. Dark Moon 12. Nocturne 13. I Will Rise Again
About Valkyrie’s Fire Nashville’s Valkyrie’s Fire bridges European grandiosity and American grit into a definitive symphonic power metal sound. Blending dual-vocal harmonies, heavy instrumentation, and orchestral depth, the award-winning band draws comparisons to Nightwish and Epica. Following their debut EP Ascension in 2024 (Eclipse Records), they now drop their 13-track full-length album Out of Darkness, a monumental journey through grief, history, and cosmic beauty.
Valkyrie’s Fire is Bettie Floyd (vocals), Adam Sanders (vocals), Joey Grimaldi (guitar), Ryan Metroka (drums), Dave Hale (bass), Salem Belladonna (keys, cello).
XION have entered the official Swedish album charts Sverigetopplistan 3 (!!!) times and entered on postion #3 (Vinyl), #5 (Physical) and #19 (Hard Rock) – this is truely amazing, to see the album right inbetween The Rolling Stones, Sabaton, Metallica and other huge names!
A big thank you to each Swedish metalhead out there supporting physical products, real metal and of course our beloved guys from XION. Thank you to Edel Distribution and our Swedish partner Sound Pollution to make this happen – you all rule!
”A huge, huge thank you – what a feeling! You seem to like „When Stars Collide“, so make sure to catch us playing it live“, comments vocalist Robin Björk.
“When Stars Collide” is available on a CD Jewelcase, phantom purple Vinyl (incl. 4-page insert & signed autograph card), digtal and via Bandcamp with various bundle options, incl. new merchandise.
XION Live: 02/10 Hellraiser Metal Fest – Motala Bomber Bar Motala 03/10 In Rock Discoveries – Skövde In Rock Festival 17/10 Stuck On – Östersund Stuck On – Live 23/10 Backstage Rockbar – Trollhättan Backstage Rockbar 24/10 City Rock – Kungsbacka CityRock
The quintet was formed in 2022, when some of the members were still under 18, yet they were already playing with the same precision and energy as more established metal bands. Since then, the band from Falun has taken the world by storm. The combination of the members’ young age and their extremely precise and virtuosic musical skills has made XION one of the most interesting and promising newcomers on the Swedish metal scene in many years.
In January 2024, XION released their debut album “Between Shadows and Gods”, produced by Johan Reivén (RAM, HOSTILIA, among others). They performed as the support act for IN FLAMES and the GENE SIMMONS BAND at the legendary “Dalhalla Arena” and played at several festivals, including “Gefle Metal”, “Sweden Rock Festival” and the “Sabaton Cruise”. Their concerts have been highly praised. Sweden Rock Magazine rated one of their live performances 9/10, and their performance at the “Sweden Rock Festival” itself received a rating of 4/5. In 2023, the band also won the “Imagine Sweden” music competition.
In June 2025, XION released the single “Wasteland of Time”, produced by Jonas Arnberg (METHANE, DEMONICAL, among others), who is also producing the band’s upcoming studio album, “When Stars Collide”. This track also convinced Fireflash Records to offer them a record deal.
“When Stars Collide” takes things a step further and showcases the band at their very best. The entire record is packed with surprises and metal anthems that stick in your memory. “This upcoming album consists of tracks we’ve worked on for a very long time and put a lot of effort into,” reveals the band – and every serious metalhead should definitely check out these young, up-and-coming stars. XION is the future!
XION Is: Robin Björk – Vocals Erik Zetterström – Guitars Liam Rådman – Guitars Johan Berg – Bass Algot Brask – Drums
AOR/Melodic rockers Streetlight are excited to announce their return with a new studio album, “Shadows In Motion”, set for release on January 22, 2027, via Frontiers Music Srl.
To give fans a taste of the upcoming record, they unleash today the first single and official video, “Rebel Blood”, available below.
Vocalist Johannes Häger described the track by saying: “This is the kind of music you listen to with the top down, cruising along with the sea breeze messing up your hair. “Rebel Blood” is a tribute to an era when the songs were unforgettable and the attitude was unmistakable, and a salute to all the rebels and dreamers who came before us. “To all the ones who held out for love, this song will not fade, it’s in my rebel blood.”
With “Shadows In Motion”, Streetlight deliver the strongest statement of their career to date, building upon the acclaimed foundation established by their first two albums while taking their songwriting, musicianship and emotional depth to an entirely new level.
The band stated: “It has been an incredible privilege for us to have built such a dedicated following in the short time we’ve been around, which makes it more exciting to finally unveil our third album, “Shadows In Motion”. Just like our two previous records, the entire album was recorded and produced in our singer Johannes Häger’s music studio, Loud Noise Studios. Long days and late nights were spent working on every detail, from the perfect snare sound to layered vocal harmonies”.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but above all, a lot of fun. Our hope is that “Shadows In Motion” will resonate with listeners in the same way our previous albums have”, they added. “Just like shadows move with the pull of gravity, we have no intention of slowing down. We are pushing ahead, with soaring six-strings and powerful choruses. “Shadows In motion” is the next step forward.”
Rich in soaring melodies, unforgettable hooks and the timeless elegance that has made the band a favorite among AOR and melodic rock fans worldwide, “Shadows In Motion” is both a natural continuation of Streetlight’s artistic journey and a bold step forward. Combining impeccable musicianship with heartfelt performances and world-class production, the album captures everything that has earned the band such widespread critical acclaim while further refining their unique identity.
From anthemic rockers to deeply evocative melodic moments, the album showcases a band operating at the peak of its creative powers. Confident, mature and utterly captivating, this is the sound of Streetlight fulfilling the promise that fans and critics alike recognized from the very beginning.
For lovers of classic AOR, melodic rock and timeless songwriting, “Shadows In Motion” is destined to become one of the defining releases of the year.
“Shadows In Motion” Tracklist:
1. Rebel Blood 2. Runaway Skies 3. Up From The Ashes 4. Say It Like You Mean It 5. Night After Night 6. Shadowland 7. We Were Just Kids 8. Waiting To Be Found 9. Shattered On The Rock 10. Something In Between
Line Up: Johannes Häger – lead vocals, guitars Filip Stenlund – guitars, backing vocals John Svensson – keyboards, backing vocals Erik Nilsson – drums, saxophone, backing vocals Johan Tjernström – bass, backing vocals
From the battle-scarred strongholds of Portland, OR rises a new force in epic heavy metal: UNCHAINED VENGEANCE. The newcomers are pleased to now make their debut with ‘Unbound and Unforgiving,’ an anthemic offering with epic soundscapes that conjure the feeling of valiantly riding into battle on horseback with sword and mace in hand. To celebrate this forthcoming record, the band is now unleashing the very first single, “The Whisper of Sorrowsbane,” along with a lyric video. The clip can be found via NWOTHM Full Albums at THIS LOCATION.
‘Unbound and Unforgiving’ is due on October 30, 2026 via Nameless Graves Records. It can be pre-ordered now HERE.
The cover artwork was created by Silvana Massa and can be found below along with the tracklist.
Tracklist: 01. Realms of Wonder and Might (01:18) INSTRUMENTAL 02. Enslaved No More (06:15) 03. The Whisper of Sorrowsbane (07:31) [WATCH] 04. Crowned in Crimson Dawn (02:28) INSTRUMENTAL 05. False Knight (06:15) 06. Warrior Heart (05:36) 07. Swords Against Sorcery (01:40) INSTRUMENTAL 08. Only Ruins Remain (07:14) 09. Unchained Vengeance (06:25) 10. The Price of Conquest (01:48) INSTRUMENTAL Full running time: 00:46:30
Album credits: Music recorded at Cirrus Studios, in Portland, Oregon by Nick Wusz Vocals recorded at Perfect Audio, Vancouver, Washington Mixed and Mastered by Pooya Entezari at Perfect Audio Layout by Obscure Visions
From the battle-scarred strongholds of Portland, Oregon rises a new force in Epic Heavy Metal: UNCHAINED VENGEANCE.
Forged by the union of powerhouse vocalist Nick Courtney (former member of Vicious Rumors and the acclaimed Iron Maiden tribute band Fear of the Dark) and multi-instrumentalist Nick Wusz (of Dolven and Travellers Rest), UNCHAINED VENGEANCE arrives with their debut full-length assault, Unbound and Unforgiving.
This is a journey into an age long forgotten—an time where honor outweighs gold, where warriors carve their legends in steel, and where the sword triumphs over sorcery. Across ten triumphant tracks, UNCHAINED VENGEANCE unleashes a relentless barrage of thunderous riffs, soaring vocals, galloping rhythms, and heroic melodies destined to echo across the battlefield.
From the bond between warrior and blade in “The Whisper of Sorrowsbane,” to the condemnation of false champions in “False Knight,” and the bittersweet return to a fallen homeland in “Only Ruins Remain,” Unbound and Unforgiving weaves tales of courage, loss, revenge, and redemption. Majestic acoustic passages and contemplative interludes, masterfully performed by dungeon synth maestro Fen Walker, provide moments of reflection before the next charge into glory.
Adorned with breathtaking cover art by Silvana Massa and a battle-ready logo crafted by Brendan Elliot, this debut stands as a banner for all who still believe in the warrior spirit.
Raise your steel. Break your chains. March into the fire.
The age of UNCHAINED VENGEANCE has begun.
Carved in blood…Forged in fire…Unbound and Unforgiving
Lineup: Nick Courtney – Vocals Nick Wusz – Guitars, bass, drums Interlude Tracks 1,4,7, and 10 by Fen Walker
For fans of: Hammerfall (‘Glory to the Brave’ era), Doomsword, Crescent Shield, and Iron Maiden.
Adrian Utley, one of the musical mavericks behind trip hop giants Portishead, resurfaces today with one of the most audacious projects of his entire career – to reimagine the music of Polish pianist Frèdèric Chopin… without the piano!
“Adrian and Portishead are among my favourite musicians,” enthuses Mariusz. “The sound, the approach to making music, the search for unobvious and lo-fi textures, all of it had an enormous influence on me. His guitar playing is also very close to my own aesthetic. I later discovered that, like Fennesz [another of the album’s guests], he had worked with Mark Linkous in Sparklehorse, one of the bands I have loved most.”
Utley’s career reaches back to stints with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Big John Patton during the 1980s. He co-founded Portishead in 1991, since when he has worked with Marianne Faithfull, Jeff Beck, Will Gregory (Goldfrapp) and many others… including his own Adrian Utley’s Guitar Orchestra.
His film work includes collaborations with Nic Roeg, David Attenborough, Britain’s National Trust and more. Mariusz Szypura’s Chopin Residue, however, offered him – and a clutch of fellow conspirators – a challenge unlike any other.
With its UK premiere set for London’s prestigious Cadogan Hall on September 26, as part of the Polish Jazz Festival, Chopin Residue is on course to become one of the most talked about classical releases of the year.
It is certainly among the most ambitious, as the Polish artist and performer takes nine of his countryman’s best-loved pieces of piano music – and then removes the piano!
The website culture.pl explained “What began as a random observation while working in the studio ended in a monumental, multifaceted undertaking… Mariusz Szypura reaches for the Polish composer’s works to strip them of the pop culture clichés that have accumulated over decades.”
Mariusz himself elaborates, “I rejected the piano immediately. If you’re not a virtuoso, in a country where we have a cult of Chopin’s music, the Chopin Competition, where we can hear the best of the best interpreters of his music live, it would be a mission doomed to failure.
“Anything less than exceptional craftsmanship, in my opinion, sounded like folk music or, at best, a jingle played on PKP Intercity. I decided Chopin didn’t deserve such profanation. I could only approach this material through the prism of my own sensitivity, harmony, and deconstruction.
“So I took the piano out. Not as a provocation, more as a question: if you remove the instrument everyone identifies with this music, what’s actually left? Turns out quite a lot. The harmonic structure is still there, the phrasing, the strange melancholy in the intervals. That’s the residue. The piano was the delivery system, not the content.”
But that’s not all he did! Released today as the latest single from the 2 CD album, “Étude Op. 25 No. 12” takes Szypura’s already-remarkable reimagining of this 189-year-old formal piano study, and delivers it up to Portishead’s Adrian Utley for a thoroughly invigorating remix and make-over.
Mariusz explains, “‘Étude Op. 25 No. 12’ is Adrian’s reconstruction, not my piece with his guitar on top. That is the principle of the whole second disc: nine artists, nine rebuilds, each in their own language.”
With the album’s extraordinary packaging having already received a Bronze A’ Design Award and a Red Dot Award, Chopin Residue is split into two parts, the original “Deconstructions” across one half of the CD and double album packages, and specially commissioned reworkings across the other, with Mariusz continuing, “Practically, it meant giving the material to guitars, drums, theremin, ondes Martenot, electronics, breath.”
To this end, Mariusz invited contributions from Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth), David Pajo (Slint), Joey Waronker (Atoms For Peace, Beck), Gail Ann Dorsey (David Bowie), John McEntire (Tortoise), John Stanier (Battles) and Jim O’Rourke, before passing the tapes over to a host of fellow visionaries – Utley is joined by Fennesz, Christine Ott, Matthew Herbert, Masayoshi Fujita, Sean O’Hagan, Jim O’Rourke, Benoit Pioulard and Abul Mogard.
“I briefed [the artists] on the concept, sent the deconstructions and let them do what they do.” And they did it.”
Even more remarkably, Mariusz intends both discs to be played at once! “They were built to overlap,” he says, while the Blu-ray release goes even further, serving up an utterly captivating immersive version. “This was the real payoff. In stereo you hear an arrangement. In Atmos you’re inside the harmonic space with the piano missing from the middle of it. The absence becomes physical. That’s not a format upgrade, it’s closer to what the piece was always trying to do.”
Chopin Residue will be released on CD and vinyl on October 16. The Blu-ray version is already available.
Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 – Lee Ranaldo, Milosz Pękala, John Stanier
CD DISC TWO / VINYL SIDES THREE AND FOUR
Prelude Op.28 No.22, Matthew Herbert’s Practice Dub
Étude Op. 25 No. 12, Rework by Adrian Utley
Berceuse Op. 57, Rework by Fennesz
Prelude Op. 28 No. 20, Rework by Masayoshi Fujita
Prelude Op. 28 No. 4, Rework by Sean O’Hagan
Prelude Op. 28 No. 2, Rework by Jim O’Rourke
Nocturne Op. 72 No. 1, Rework by Christine Ott
Prelude Op. 28 No. 9, Rework by Benoît Pioulard
Prelude Op. 28 No. 15, Rework by Abul Mogard
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
