Experimental multifaceted artist Otay:onii has announced the release of her new album Love is in the Sh*t, set for release on 8th May 2026 via Pelagic Records. She has also unveiled the first single / video from the album, ‘No Talent’.
Otay:onii’s music unfolds like a living organism – restless, curious, and constantly re-shaping itself. Her sound is driven by her enchanting voice that serves as texture, rhythm, and raw material, moving between breath, chant, incantation, and fractured lyricism. From the beginning of her work Otay:Onii has treated sound as a physical substance, sculpting it with an experimental instinct that resists genre boundaries.
Otay:onii comments on the meaning behind the new single: “”Talent” is the familiarity and passion for a certainty, and the courage to break it upon dire straits, and the determination to receive and give love after shattering to none. Many times we have lost ourselves, however each one of us has a “Shělìzǐ舍利子”(dragon ball) inside, it never left us, we have to hold it close while navigating all excruciation.”
Otay:onii’s new album Love is in the Sh*t is a deeply intimate album that reaches a striking balance between control and chaos. Harnessing her ability to move from serenity to madness, Love is in the Sh*t is an exploration in representing trialing conscious states. Drawing-in and challenging the listener, the songs play with comfort and discomfort, deliciously crafting the sonic arc of the story so that intention is undeniably felt.
Otay:onii comments on the album: “This album speaks to what we cannot escape – the noise, the weight, the mess from the world, from others, from our own minds and bodies, what is damaged is damaged, we cannot change that one bit. Yet within the agony, here comes our process to restore, and hold on to something. The burden becomes alchemy: transformed into passion, into what makes us feel alive, and living. By choosing what ignites us, we do not lose ourselves – and from that grounding, we are able to give more of ourselves to others.”
Track list: 1. Have You Ever 2. Love From Survivors 3. World Class Citizen 4. No Talent 5. The Plaice 6. Underdog Bark 7. Tears Won’t Tell
Otay:onii (Lane Shi) is a multifaceted artist originally from Haining, China. Her artistic practice spans across music, performance, installation, and film composition.
Performance works such as Unwrap! at the Ming Contemporary Art Museum exemplify her innovative concept of “bio instruments.” She has performed at Harvard University and at prestigious international festivals including SXSW, Roadburn Festival, CTM Festival, Fusion Festival, Creepy Teepee, Le Guess Who?, Fekete Zaj Festival, and Full of Lava Festival.
Otay:onii has joined the opera performance ‘Sancta’ by Florentina Holzinger and was selected as a featured artist by the SHAPE+ Platform for 2024 – 25. Her work moves fluidly between humour and the poignant realities of contemporary zero-generation immigrants, offering rooted Eastern perspectives to Western audiences in an effort to bridge cultural divides.
Her acclaimed albums — NAG (2018), MíngMíng ٥٥ (2021), Dream Hacker (2023) and True Faith Ain’t Blind (2024) — defy conventional structures, foregrounding philosophies drawn from lived experience.
She describes her process as: “Solving a puzzle with another puzzle — one that cannot be seen or touched, only felt.”
Otay’s work has received recognition and accolades, including the bronze prize for “Best Female Vocalist” from Global Music Awards, and “Best Sound” from the Audiovisual Arts Industrial Incubator Awards.
Otay:onii is: Lane Shi – all lyrics, composition and performance
“Evil teachers, a pet werewolf, cutting class for joyrides in the Cadillac that once belonged to late, great Children of Bodom vocalist and guitarist Alexi “Wildchild” Laiho. Meet The Ghoulstars, a fresh – and frightening – blast from the past. Since rising from beyond the pop-culture graveyard in 2021, this skeletal group of horror punks have captivated press and tantalized crowds in their native haunt of Finland without releasing a single bloody track. Until now!
Today, The Ghoulstars are delighted to announce their blockbuster debut album. The Dark Overlords of the Universe conjures a monstrously catchy mash-up of headbanging heavy metal, fist-pumping punk rock and cult classics. Lead single “Too Ghoul for School” is jam-packed with more antics and attitude than Saturday afternoon detention.
“The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to everything that blew our minds as kids”, The Ghoulstars mastermind Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso says. “The album is loaded with huge riffs, big choruses, surprising curve balls and Easter eggs from old horror, sci-fi and coming-of-age movies. Holding it all together is our sheer joy in watching all the pieces fall into the right place”.
Watch the fun and freaky retro video for “Too Ghoul For School”:
Despite their ghostly appearance, The Ghoulstars are a collection of real talent. The band features an all-star cast of current and former members of death-doom royalty and Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace, stoner rockers Thermate and Finland’s Top Ten charting Kuolemanlaakso.
What bands these ghouls together on “Too Ghoul for School” is their straight A acumen for all things ‘80s. Like a crossover TV episode, the song mashes together horror and punk into a Super 8mm high school romp. From the high-risers at the back of the classroom, drummer Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen pounds his desk with surf beats. Axeman Laakso impresses the ghoulies with his collection of spooky tremolos and righteous riffs. Markus “Hella houl” Makkonen causes a scene with rough and rowdy bass lines, freeing rebel yeller Arthur “LL Ghoul A” to slip out back. “Don’t give me sass, I’ve got the gas”, Thure howls as the band punch into a chorus that will have nerds, jocks and principals all raising horns.
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Lost Boys and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off are some of my favorite movies”, Laakso grins. “I love the cliched characters: the nerds, the jocks, the cool kids and rebels. They remind me of my junior high school days”.
While spun off from Laakso’s real-life schooling, “Too Ghoul for School” recalls the records and VHS tapes that The Ghoulstars hoarded as young skeletons. Mötley Crüe’s pomp, the can’t-do attitude of Twisted Sister and nods to ‘80s coming-of-age comedies all haunt its hallowed grounds. Though whipping around in Alexi Laiho’s Cadillac was beyond the band’s wildest dreams.
“There’s a collector nearby who’s come to possess Alexi’s Cadillac. He let The Ghoulstars borrow it for some after school fun. It was a blast”, Laakso remembers. “We can’t wait to unleash The Dark Overlords of the Universe upon the world. As my long-time collaborator and the album’s producer V. Santura told me: ‘The record is unique, catchy and a really fun listen’”.
The video for “Too Ghoul for School” was directed, filmed and edited by Sam Jamsen.
Additional video credits –Written by Sam Jamsen & Markus Laakso –Production assistants: Roope Paaskoski & Kalle Ovaskainen Principal: Timo Kokko –Teacher: Ninnu Huikko –Hypewolf: Mikko Matilainen
Extras: Hilda Hyvönen, Simo Tolvanen, Iida Korhonen, Wicktoria Polock, Nestori Hirvonen, Teemu Savonlahti, Teemu Holopainen, Veerti Saastamoinen, Kalle Ovaskainen, Anni Valokorpi, Pauliina Heikkinen, Kira Kylävainio, Tinja Korhonen, Katariina Laukkanen, Mila Fichtchenko.
The Ghoulstars would like to give a special thanks to Ingmanedu and Kuopion klassillinen lukio for the opportunity to film the video on their premises.
Tracklist 1. Too Ghoul for School (3:57) [WATCH] 2. The Dead in Purgatory (4:04) 3. Zombie Apocalypse (2:52) 4. The Dark Overlords of the Universe (3:43) 5. The Brain That Wouldn’t Die (3:16) 6. Graverobbers from Outer Space (3:46) 7. The Wolfman (2:48) 8. The Ballad of the Cursed Bandits (2:19) 9. Vampire (2:58) 10. They Dance Upon Our Graves (3:52)
Old crusty metalheads can be stuck in their ways, but The Ghoulstars are a fresh — and frightening — blast from the past. Since invading the land of the living back in 2021, the horror punk supergroup has captivated press and tantalized crowds in their native haunt of Finland without releasing a single bloody track. Until now! Evil mastermind Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso and his fellow pop-culture junkies are raising the cobwebbed curtain from their blockbuster debut album. On The Dark Overlords of the Universe, no tome is too sacred for these ghouls to summon back to life!
“The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to our fifteen-year-old selves”, Laakso says. “It’s crammed with headbanging metal riffs, shout-along punk rock choruses, B-movie easter eggs, ‘80s aesthetics, surprising curveballs and the sheer joy of all the pieces falling into the right places. Move over, Rover, and let the ghouls take over!”.
Despite their ghostly appearance, The Ghoulstars are a collection of real talent. Axeman Laakso and goose-bumping drummer Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen shared a past life together in the Top Ten charting Finnish death-doom band Kuolemanlaakso. Bassist Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen formerly haunted the low end for Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace while moonhowler Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure croons for the stoner rockers Thermate.
Banding The Ghoulstars together is a freaky obsession with the classic metal, punk and movies that blew their minds as kids. The Dark Overlords of the Universe is named after the many-teethed mutants from the 1986 cult classic Howard the Duck. “I grew up during a time when movies in Finland were censored, so my hobby was collecting uncensored VHS tapes of horror and sci-fi movies any way I could”, Laakso reveals. As a young skeleton, he frequently raided European record store crates for The Misfits, Bad Religion and obscure metal finds, though the album’s lead single spun off from his schooling in the U.S. With Mötley Crüe’s pomp and the can’t-do attitude of Twisted Sister roaming its halls, lead single “Too Ghoul for School” is jam-packed with more fun-filled ‘80s antics than Saturday afternoon detention.
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Lost Boys and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off are some of my favorite movies”, Laakso applauds. “I love the cliched characters: the nerds, the jocks, the cool kids and the rebels. They remind me of my junior high school days”.
To bring their ingenious creation to life, The Ghoulstars summoned V. Santura of the mighty Triptykon for the mixing and mastering of The Dark Overlords of the Universe. “Graverobbers from Outer Space” pays homage to Ed Wood’s B-horror classic Plan 9 from Outer Space with a straight-up headbanging chorus, though not many clear-cut punk rippers are enlivened by a doomy C-part and güiro. “That’s one of my favorite moments on the album”, Laakso recalls. The Wolfman, a zombie apocalypse, the brain that wouldn’t die and other cultishly beloved touchstones jump out during the album’s crisp 34-minute runtime. Though the band also enter original plots to horror’s hallowed crypt. Set amidst the cruel unfeeling world of the Wild West, “The Dead in Purgatory” rides a galloping melody after Morricone’s heart into a sunset that’s colored by the fifty shades of Volbeat.
“No spoilers, but all cowboy hats aside, that song deals with feeling hopeless and abandoned by someone close to you who needs but refuses your help”, teases Laakso.
The Ghoulstars may be undead, but there’s nothing pale or lifeless about The Dark Overlords of the Universe. The title track crosses surf beats, heavy riffing and a hair-raising transition into a chorus that’s absolutely to die for. “We can’t wait to unleash this delightful horror upon the world”, Laakso says with an ominous glint in his bloodshot eye. “As V. Santura told me: ‘The record is unique, catchy and a really fun listen’”.
With The Dark Overlords of the Universe, The Ghoulstars direct a monstrously catchy mash-up between metal, punk and B-horror.
Lineup Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso – Guitars Toni “Ghoulio” Ronkainen – Drums Arthur “LL Ghoul A” Thure – Vocals Markus “Hella Ghoul” Makkonen – Bass
Guest musicians Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns (…and Oceans, Finntrol) – Backing Growls Tommi “Tuple” Salmela (Tarot, Raskasta Joulua, Lazy Bones) – Backing Vocals on “The Dark Overlords of the Universe”)
Production credits Produced by Markus Laakso Guitars recorded by Markus Laakso and Erkka Närhi Vocals recorded by Markus Laakso and Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns Drums recorded by Erkka Närhi Bass recorded by Samu Männikkö and Markus Laakso Percussion recorded by Markus Laakso Mixed & Mastered by V. Santura at Woodshed Studio in Germany
PIL & BUE‘s (eng: Arrow & Bow) new album “You Have Chosen Darkness” was released on February 27 on Vinyl, Music Cassette, CD and through digital music platforms.
The album was recorded at Kysten Studio in Tromsø, together with co-producer, engineer and mixer Ariel Joshua Sivertsen. The album, consisting of seven tracks, is a journey through emotions. It speaks about the times we live in, and a feeling of overwhelmingness.
BIO: Pil & Bue is a two-piece, consisting of Petter Carlsen (the arrow) and Goeran Johansen (the bow).
Watch their latest video for the Track “222” via THIS LINK.Check out the VISIONS Premiere AT THIS LOCATION. In case you missed it: LISTEN TO the First Stunning Single “Giving in” Everywhere via THIS LINK
Credits: Music by Petter Carlsen & Goeran Johansen / Pil & Bue Lyrics by Petter Carlsen Produced by Ariel Joshua Sivertsen & Pil & Bue Recorded at Kysten Studio, Tromsø, Norway, June 2025 Distribution: Diger Distro P&C 2025 Petter Carlsen
Tourdates at this point: 06.03 Alta – Iskald Festival 12.03 Tromsø – Blårock Kafé (utsolgt) 14.03 Narvik – Mørkholla (vinterfest uka) 19.03 Oslo – Parkteatret 10.04 Trondheim – Relentlessfest 11.04 Hamar – Sebs Hotel 14.05 Vadsø – Valo Rock (ikke annonsert) 05.06 Halden – Aladdin Scene 06.06 Kristiansund – Kulturfabrikken 27.06 Steinkjerfestivalen 10.07 Kristiansand – Måkeskrik 24.07 Harstad – Rockholm 20.08 Bristol – ArcTanGent 04.09 Bergen – High Voltage Rockfest
Wormholedeath Records welcomes Zornhau for the release of the project’s self-titled debut album, a single, uninterrupted work built as a passage through darkness and inner fire.
Conceived as one continuous movement, Zornhau rejects fragmentation. The album unfolds without pause, drawing the listener into a sustained descent that demands focus and endurance. It is not a collection of tracks, but a complete ritual. Each movement dissolves into the next, collapsing boundaries and summoning a stark, primal atmosphere.
Zornhau is the vision of Hvitramn, who handles all instruments and vocals. The project centers on immersion and transformation rather than narrative structure. The music moves with intent, guided by atmosphere and tension. It invites presence. And it requires submission. This is a voyage inward.
With its signing to Wormholedeath, Zornhau steps into a wider international arena while maintaining a clear artistic direction. The debut stands as a statement of identity — uncompromising, cohesive, and fully committed to its form.
PURE WRATH were formed 2014 in West Java, Indonesia as the anguished, atmospheric and affecting Black Metal project of multi-instrumentalist Januaryo Hardy.
Year-on-year the raw, visceral and tangible have seeped further into the band’s music, culminating in fourth full-length “Bleak Days Ahead“, recorded together in Bekasi with drummer Yurii Ciel (ex-WHITE WARD) for the first time. The result is a stridently modern and characteristically emotive record exploring the despair of living under uncertain conditions in dismal industrialised environments.
Tracklist:
01. Bleak Days Ahead, Pt. I 02. Bleak Days Ahead, Pt. II 03. Haven of Echoes 04. Spectral Insomnia 05. Opaque Mist
Mastermind Ryo had this to say regarding “Bleak Days Ahead“:
“Four years. I hadn’t planned for it to take this long, but the songwriting became very difficult due to my drained energy from daily life matters and the lack of inspiring input from what I would call the dark times we are currently living in. In the end, every hour of phone calls with Yurii, not only as fellow musicians but also as best friends, was truly meaningful in shaping this album, both musically and philosophically. This time, I am deeply grateful that we were able to share the same air, laughter, and voices in the same studio while recording the album together.“
PURE WRATH offer ‘Spectral Insomnia‘ as an intense first impression of the new album – atmospheric Black Metal collides with raw emotional force, as panoramic melodies rise over a relentless rhythmic attack. Check out the song and video via DMP’s YouTube channel and via Bandcamp.
Moving images captured by Kareem Nararya and Januaryo Hardy. Manipulated and assembled by Dimas Tirta Arwana.
Ryo comments:
“Apart from how important the entire album is, ‘Spectral Insomnia‘ has always given the most straightforward answers to my personal questions about the album itself. I feel that this song connects deeply with me and with Yurii after we have listened to the album so many times. The lyrics are as meaningful as the others, since they are all connected to each other. Perhaps this song, in particular, carries the essence of everything we do on the album.
I chose to shape the video as a short film drawn from the album’s lyrics, rather than a conventional performance over playback. The lyrics carry the core of the album, and the message deserves to be delivered in full through the medium we consume most intimately, audio-image intertwined. In today’s music zeitgeist, I tried to step away from what the “big brother” dictates as the visual standard of music presentation. I have felt a deep connection to the work of Peter Tscherkassky, whose approach to film has quietly influenced my own way of seeing. To realize this vision, I was fortunate to borrow the free times of the talented Kareem Nararya and Dimas Tirta Arwana, whose sensitivity and skill helped transform my ideas into something distressing and beautiful at the same time.“
“Bleak Days Ahead” will be released on CD and vinyl (including an exclusive DMP vinyl version), alongside an exclusive t-shirt, on April 24th. Pre-orders are possible via DMP’s EU, US and Bandcamp shops.
Indonesian band PURE WRATH began in mid-2014 as the solo primitive Black Metal project of multi-instrumentalist Ryo. In 2016, Ryo began to shift the lyrical and thematic content of PURE WRATH towards his own life and family history. This paradigm-shift resulted in 2017 debut record, “Ascetic Eventide“, released via Indonesian label Hitam Kelam Records andselling out within four months.
Following the debut’s success, Ryo was contacted by Mexican label Throats Productions for the vinyl re-release of “Ascetic Eventide“. Soon after, “Endless Journey“, a split release between PURE WRATH and French symphonic black metal project ONIRISM was issued at the end of 2017.
In mid-2018, Ryo began writing what would become the second PURE WRATH album, “Sempiternal Wisdom“. It was released in October 2018 through Pest Productions in China and Hitam Kelam Records in Indonesia.
In 2019, Ryo readied PURE WRATH for live performances and created new EP “The Forlorn Soldier“. Released in 2020 via new label Debemur Morti Productions, the EP featured Yurii Ciiel (ex-WHITE WARD) as a session drummer and served as a bridge to the next PURE WRATH full-length. “Hymn To The Woeful Hearts“, the band’s critically acclaimed, next-level third album, was unleashed by DMP in February 2022.
After an intense period composing new material and performing select live shows across Asia, PURE WRATH entered the studio in September 2025 to record new album “Bleak Days Ahead“. For the first time, mastermind Ryo and drummer Yurii were able to record together in person in Bekasi, Indonesia. Further heightening anticipation for this new work, in January 2025 PURE WRATH unveiled a standalone digital composition ‘Flowers And Walls‘ – a compelling rendition of Wiji Thukul‘s poem “Bunga dan Tembok“. “Bleak Days Ahead” will be released on April 24th, 2026.
Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice sat down with Voivod’s singer Denis ‘Snake’ Belanger and his partner and Artist Christine Mcdonald at BBAM Gallery in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on March 1, 2026.
Watch the full interview below.
The discussion revolved around Christine’s art and her stage 4 Cancer struggle and how the band and the fans started a Go fund me to assist with their expenses.
Also mentioned in the conversation was former Voivod Eric Forest (E-force) recent stage 3 cancer struggle and fans rallying for him.
Voivod Singer Snake also was asked if there were any updates about the upcoming Symphonic Voivod album, Snake said ‘It was complicated but it’s going to come out on June 5th (2026) There would be some singles coming out before that, but uh it’s coming out this year on June 5th. And it sounds great.”
He continued,” Francis (Perron Producer) captured the band but the orchestra was complicated to mix. I heard the last version (mix) and it was like, wow, it’s really trippy. You almost forget that there is an orchestra behind you. It feels natural. It’s a perfect blend. Voivod at its best. People said they’ve never experienced such a thing, with the combination of the music and imagery. For me I didn’t see it. I was like so concentrated on doing the right thing. You know it was stressful. No time to F**K up. Usually when you go on stage, ok I missed that part.” Doing this you couldn’t make errors. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Seriously, It was a challenge but I want to do it again and uh we’re going to do it again.”
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 ) 