When you really think about it, true Halloween anthems are hard to find. There’s “Monster Mash” and Ministry – no-one would argue with those. But too many others slip in by virtue of a suggestive lyric or even an appropriate title… have you ever actually listened to the words to “Don’t Fear The Reaper”? You might as well repurpose the Stones’s “She’s A Rainbow”… “have you seen her dressed in black?”
Enter, then, WARFIELD, the dark wave dynamo fronted by She Wants Revenge’s Justin Warfield, and “Black Halloween.”
It’s a non-album cut, meaning it’s from neither his most recent Death Rock Devotionals Vol 1 EP nor the forthcoming volume two. Rather, it’s a stand-alone seasonal anthem, written for precisely the reasons outlined above,
Justin explains, “For years I’ve dreamed of writing a Halloween song which could not only be the kind of song I wished existed for my own playlists and listening, but so that I could contribute something to the pantheon if you will. Like, why can’t I write an evergreen holiday song for the goths, punks, death rockers, and freaks who live it before and after October?”
It was not easy, he admits, especially as Halloween already seemed to be just around the corner. This year, however, the timing was perfect.
“One day I walked in the studio, picked up a guitar, and immediately started playing. As luck would have it and as sometimes is the case, what came off my fingers straight away felt right.”
Rather than record it in a traditional way, however, “I took to Instagram and went live, writing the song in front of a live audience. At the end I gave away the title, and tucked it away as I got ready for a tour.” (Watch the Instagram sessions here – live session on IG.)
“A few days before the tour, I wrote the chorus, but I still wasn’t happy with the verses. Then, a few hours before I had to leave for the airport for a European tour, I sat down, rewrote the verses, sang them, did a rough mix of the song, sent it off to the label, and to my mixer so he could put the finishing touches on it while I was flying overseas.”
The result, released today on both single and a truly captivating video, s perfection, neither a plea for understanding (“Everyday Is Halloween”) nor a misappropriated title (“There’s a Ghost In My House”); not a realigned movie hit (“Time Warp”) nor a novelty comic cut. Just a joyous, rambunctious and deliriously illustrative celebration of lifestyle, culture and lust – a love song, an overture and a driving, driven dance number which encapsulates everything we love about this one magical night, and then spreads it out across the entire calendar.
“I tasked myself with a heavy lift,” concludes Justin, “to not only write something I loved, but which could stand the test of time, and though it came about in a truly unorthodox manner, and was finished just in the nick of time, I have to say I’m really pleased with how it turned out, and cannot wait for people to hear it and hopefully make it a part of their tradition and lives”.
“Sleep with all the lights on,” sings Justin… and indeed, you should. But only so you can see what you’re doing, while you do it, and who you’re doing it with. Happy Halloween!
For the second single from the companion album “Best of Nine Inch Nails Redux” that will be released parallel to the forthcoming MER Redux Series installment “The Downward Spiral Redux”, sludge metal outfit THOU from Baton Rouge, Louisiana pay an ultra-heavy tribute with their cover of the NIN track ‘Suck‘.
Parallelto the companion album “Best of Nine Inch Nails Redux“, Magnetic Eye Records will release “The Downward Spiral Redux” that contains 14 cover renditions of the original album tracks in sequence, recorded by some of the most compelling artists in hard and heavy music today. Available for pre-orderHERE
Watch the official visualizer for THOU‘s crushing version of the NINE INCH NAILSclassic ‘Suck‘ here:
THOU comment by quotingEmil Cioran: “True confessions are written with tears only“, vocalist Bryan Funck cites an adage of the Romanian philosopher from 1934: “But my tears would drown the world, as my inner fire would reduce it to ashes.“
THOU were formed by guitarists Andy Gibbs and Matthew Thudium together with drummer Terry Gulino and bass player Mitch Wells in 2005. With the exception of the drummer, whose chair is now being occupied by Tyler Coburn and the later addition of KC Stafford as a third guitarist, all original members are still in THOU. Before the release of their debut album, “Tyrant” in 2007, frontman Bryan Funck joined the band and remains at the mic stand to this day. THOU hail from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and it is therefore hardly surprising that their sound has been influenced by NOLA sludge. Elements of doom and stoner metal are also present, while some critics even mention the ‘oppressive atmospherics of black metal’ as part of their sonic foundation. Over the course of the following five albums, THOU have gained an excellent reputation both live and as recording artists, while growing a strong fanbase. Their fourth full-length, “Heathen” (2014), was named “Best Metal Album of 2014” by Pitchfork and at the 2019 edition of Roadburn Festival, the sludge monsters collaborated with Emma Ruth Rundle, which turned into the joined album “May Our Chambers Be Full” (2020). With their latest release, “Umbilical” (2024), THOU again reaped high praise from critics and fans alike.
Tracklist “Best of Nine Inch Nails Redux”
SNAKEMOTHER ‘The Day the World Went Away / Sin’
BLUE HERON ‘Head Like a Hole’
GRAYCON ‘Right Where It Belongs’
THE OCEAN ‘Even Deeper’
EVI VINE ‘This Isn’t the Place’
NONEXISTENT NIGHT ‘The Perfect Drug’
THE MOTH GATHERER ‘The Hand That Feeds’
CHROME GHOST ‘Every Day Is Exactly the Same’
MARISSA NADLER ‘The Great Below’
BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE ‘Over & Out’
THOU ‘Suck’
ORBITER ‘Terrible Lie’
BLEAKHEART ‘Something I Could Never Have’
Enhance your Redux experience of Magnetic Eye Records and friends, who are respectfully paying homage to US-industrial rock legends NINE INCH NAILS and their 1994 milestone album “The Downward Spiral”, with the additional of even more spectacular deep cuts and classics offered on the companion album “Best of Nine Inch Nails Redux”.
At this moment, the world’s reliance on machines, algorithms, and artificial intelligence has never been greater. This makes now the perfect time to reflect on the emergence of a musical force whose blend of mechanized instrumentation and raw emotion was singular and revolutionary.
NINE INCH NAILS were formed in Cleveland, Ohio in 1988. They arrived around the same time as grunge when Generation X was developing an awareness of itself, but while there was cross-appeal, the sound they created was clearly and intentionally something very different.
The skepticism of that era came through in the music, with artists from RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE to NIRVANA pushing back against what were acceptable words and actions in our society, and everything from the ideals of what major musicians should do with their fame to what people and corporations stood for were fair targets.
NINE INCH NAILS were at least twice as cynical as everyone else and reflected the singular, driven musical expression of mastermind Trent Reznor. The music he made as NIN has always ranged from infectious, furious, delicate, and sexual to transgressive, uplifting, cautionary, and hopeless. While Reznor did not always make broad, blunt statements about politics, materialism or repression (though he definitely did at times), there was a consistently restless quality to his music. His frustration at the veneer of normalcy and acceptability that characterized modern popular music was palpable, and he seemed to search endlessly for seams to peel back and rip loose to expose what was underneath.
Of NINE INCH NAILS‘ seminal breakthrough album, Spin magazine respectfully had this to say in 2024: “As The Downward Spiral turns 30 this year, it still stands as an act of artistic transgression against the limits of popular music. Pushing the boundaries of creative censorship, it is still considered Nine Inch Nails’ most daring and uncompromising album.”
Join us in paying homage to one of rock’s most ambitious innovators and angriest Gen X voices railing against the status quo, as we present our latest Redux Series installment “The Downward Spiral Redux”, along with the traditional companion album “Best of Nine Inch Nails Redux”. The two double album collections together comprise 27 re-imagined renditions by some of today’s coolest and heaviest artists taking on NINE INCH NAILS classics and deep cuts.
The Magnetic Eye Redux Series features hand-picked classic albums from across the history of rock and metal re-imagined in their entirety from start to finish. Artists we love from within and outside the heavy rock landscape choose tracks to make their own, bringing these milestone records into the new millennium with crushing heaviness and searing energy. To date, we’ve produced Redux editions of PINK FLOYD’s “The Wall”, HELMET’s “Meantime”, BLACK SABBATH’s “Vol. 4”, JIMI HENDRIX’s “Electric Ladyland”, ALICE IN CHAINS’ “Dirt”, AC/DC’s “Back in Black”, SOUNDGARDEN’s “Superunknown”, JETHRO TULL’s “Aqualung”, and RAMONES’ self-titled debut, which have included artists like RED FANG, THE SWORD, MATT PIKE, PALLBEARER, THE MELVINS, ALL THEM WITCHES, KHEMMIS, ASG, SUPERSUCKERS, ZAKK WYLDE, MARK LANEGAN, VOIVOD, and many more amazing artists.
Join us for our tenth foray into Redux territory as we pay proper respect to the US industrial rock legend NINE INCH NAILS!
Artist: Various Artists Album: Best of Nine Inch Nails Redux Release date: November 28, 2025 Label: Magnetic Eye Records Style: Doom, Stoner Rock & Metal, Psych Rock et al. Review impact date: October 27, 2025
Mastered by Zach Weeks at God City Studios in Salem, Massachusetts (US) Artwork, layout & design by Łukasz Jaszak
Guitar powerhouse JARED JAMES NICHOLS is proud to release his new single, “Ghost,” marking his first new music since recently signing with Frontiers Music Srl. The new track arrives accompanied by an official lyric video, available to view below.
In addition, JARED JAMES NICHOLS will be embarking on his European and UK headline tour starting November 5th in Valencia, Spain, at Loco Club and concluding December 6th in London, UK at The Underworld.
“‘Ghost’ was written with a very good friend of mine, Grammy-winning producer and epic guitarist Tyler Bryant. We have a synergy whenever we get together; it’s infectious, and things happen quickly. Tyler jumped behind the drums, and I started jamming the verse groove with the guitar. Within minutes, we had carved out the entire bones of the song in an old-school way of a jam.
“Lyrically speaking. ‘Ghost’ is something we can all relate to. It’s all about trying to live up to the voices inside your head, staying away from the insecurities and fear we all have running in our minds. It is about facing your fears, accepting the mind wars, and ultimately conquering them.”
He continues, “‘Ghost’ was recorded with super producer Jay Ruston at Dave Grohl’s 606 Studios in Los Angeles, California. Working with Jay is like breathing air; things come out so naturally and fresh. We share a common vision that is always hard to find when working with a producer. We put a lot of trust in each other, which means we care about nothing less than what is best for the song. As a band, our adrenaline was pumping…! Recording this song at such a legendary studio really sparked the fire and energy that you hear in the track.”
Armed with nothing more than his signature Gibson Les Paul, a cranked amp, and a microphone burning hot, JARED JAMES NICHOLS lives the Blues the way it was meant to be lived – tough by design, raw in delivery, and authentic to the core. The Wisconsin-born, Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist unleashes unapologetic rock ’n’ roll, his voice hitting with grit and soul while his fretwork roars with fire and fury.
Celebrated by American Songwriter, Guitar World, and Relix, NICHOLS has already tallied millions of streams and built a devoted following online. Gibson Guitars recognized his impact by naming him one of only four Global Brand Ambassadors worldwide – a rare honor that cements his standing as one of today’s most vital guitar slingers.
Now preparing his fourth – and most defining – album, NICHOLS calls this era “JJN Mach II.” Written and inspired by his post-pandemic touring experiences and new home base in Nashville, the record showcases his growth as a singer and songwriter, while taking his guitar playing to explosive new heights.
NICHOLS’ journey has not been without hardship: cancelled tours, collapsed labels, breakdowns on the road, even a freak accident that left him with 20 screws in his arm. Yet every challenge has only fueled his drive and deepened the legend of his self-proclaimed “Blues Power.”
With Frontiers Music Srl now by his side, JARED JAMES NICHOLS is ready to bring his uncompromising rock ’n’ roll to the world. The time has come for his name to be known in every household where true rock is alive.
JARED JAMES NICHOLS – Tour Dates 2025 Tickets Available HERE
European Headlining Tour: Nov 5 – Valencia, Spain @ Loco Club Nov 6 – Barcelona, Spain @ Sala Razzmatazz 3 Nov 7 – Madrid, Spain @ Teatro Magno Nov 8 – Aiguaviva, Spain @ Ca La Dolo (La Torrentera) Nov 9 – Villava, Spain @ Sala Totem Aretoa Nov 11 – Barberaz, France @ Le Brin de Zinc Nov 12 – Paris, France @ Cafe de la Danse Nov 14 – Hamburg, Germany @ BETTY (ex-headCRASH) Nov 15 – Joldelund, Germany @ Gerd’s Juke Joint Nov 16 – Cologne, Germany @ Yard Club Nov 18 – Ahrensburg, Germany @ Stromarnschule Nov 19 – Milan, Italy @ Legend Club Nov 21 – Meppen, Germany @ Rockpalast Meppen Nov 22 – Hoofddorp, Netherlands @ Cpunt Nov 23 – Dordrecht, Netherlands @ Bibelot Nov 25 – Wattrelos, France @ La Boite à Musique
UK Headlining Tour: Nov 26 – Southampton @ The 1865 Nov 27 – Southend-on-Sea @ Chinnerys Nov 29 – Manchester @ Manchester Academy Nov 30 – Wolverhampton @ KK’s Steel Mill Dec 1 – Bristol @ Thekla Dec 2 – Glasgow @ The Garage Dec 3 — Bradford @ Nightrain Dec 4 – Nottingham @ Rescue Rooms Dec 5 – Brighton @ Volks Dec 6 – London @ The Underworld
In only just over a month, NEREIS, one of the most exciting young bands, which for the rare occasion finds itself at the intersection of bombastic hard rock à la Europe, modern metal, and a touch of prog, will release its new album, “AZURE.” The album title was not chosen at random, but already hints at the underlying concept: the album is dedicated to the eponymous blue band that embraces our earth and enables (not only) us to live the life that we all too often simply take for granted.
NEREIS’ desire to convey a strikingly simple yet poignant message to the world with “AZURE” is evident in many ways, as it resonates from the mood of the individual tracks, jumps quite directly into the prefrontal cortex via the lyrics, and becomes further anchored when viewing the lovingly designed album cover. No matter who we are, where we are, or what we do – if each of us could take a single look at our planet from the outside, with the monster of the unforgiving cosmos breathing down our necks, it would be tantamount to a transformation of human thought and feeling, because our blue ribbon protects us from space, but not from ourselves: “We feel safe at home, take it for granted, and live in our bubble, in our small human dimension, where dealings between humans seem to be the most important thing. If we had the desire and courage to cross that thin layer and look at our world from a more external perspective, we would realize how incredibly lucky we are to be alive, to be protected by a tiny, precious, and rare home surrounded by light-years of darkness, emptiness, and death. We would realize that our human problems and needs, and the differences that divide us, are insignificant. We could feel part of one thing, yes – a rare and incredible reality. Life in the universe.”
Following the first single, “Around the Sun,” which links the cycle of the small Earth ship on its circular orbit around the all-defining sun with our very own rhythm of birth, existence, and eternal farewell, “From Scratch” is now the second taste from space – and it hits like an asteroid shower. Beginning with a dark groove reminiscent of Pantera, the compact piece develops into an atmospherically dense, almost claustrophobic number that opens up widely with the chorus, inviting you to revel in it.
“From Scratch” presents itself as a very down-to-earth song from start to finish, fueled by the stark contrast between the instrumental rawness and the crystal-clear vocals reminiscent of Joey Tempest, while deliberately avoiding any frills – including guitar solos. Its abrupt ending feels somewhat unsatisfying at first, albeit without coming across as off-putting. It creates a feeling of abruptness that instinctively makes you crave a repeat, which is exactly what the song is about, as the band hints: “There are many ways to achieve a goal, but there is one thing they all have in common: failure. Without failure, there is no learning; without learning, there are no new attempts; without new attempts, there are no new results. We are made to be born, to act, to make mistakes, to learn, to start over again and again, and finally to succeed – or never succeed at all. But with one constant: we are born, we live, and we die.”
NEREIS’ new single “From Scratch” is accompanied by a beautifully animated music video that also echoes the theme, elegantly infusing the magic of early science fiction book covers with a psychedelic touch. Curious? Then open your eyes and ears:
Founded in 2007 under the name Black Star in Trento, Italy, NEREIS initially started out as a cover act, touring Italian pubs with hits by greats such as Helloween, Iron Maiden, Saxon, Skid Row, Judas Priest, and Alter Bridge until they had enough original material to release their demo “Burnin’ Game” in 2012, followed by the EP “From the Ashes” (2014). During this time, the band played dozens of shows, e.g. with Chris Slade (ex-AC/DC), Riot V, Royal Hunt, and Arthemis, performed at festivals such as Sun Valley Metal Fest and Rock im Ring, and finally released their successful album “Turning Point” on Eclipse Records in 2018, for the first time under the new name NEREIS. The album was so well received that NEREIS subsequently toured extensively with Three Days Grace and Bullet For My Valentine.
Meanwhile, the band moved from their original guitar-dominated sound towards a concept in which the boundaries between the instrumental layers blur: Sometimes the guitar follows the vocals, sometimes the vocals follow the guitars. Synth inserts form a meta-level that holds everything together atmospherically and makes the music seem like a soundtrack at times, without ever falling into the trap of sounding like a canned orchestra. In a sense, the synths do not play a primarily decorative role here, but one that can best be compared to that of a mediator. Together with the powerful foundation of bass and drums, they mediate between the guitar riffs and the vocals, which are thus able to maintain a state of perfect duality. To this day, bands such as Alter Bridge, Muse, Audioslave, Shinedown, and Europe are among the major influences of the quintet, which, after several lineup changes, consists of Andrea Barchiesi (lead vocals), Mattia Pessina (guitar), Samuel Fabrello (guitar), Michele Gelmi (bass), and Davide Odorizzi (drums).
Lead singer Andrea in particular stands out with his vocal range and professes Joey Tempest (Europe) as his vocal role model – even the water bottle Andrea uses to keep fit during shows belonged to Joey Tempest until a Europe show in 2004, when Andrea caught it after it was thrown into the audience. He has held it in honor ever since. What the singer, who was also active in a Europe cover band he had founded at the time, could not have imagined yet: 20 years later, in September 2024, NEREIS were even able to open a Europe show at the Trentino Music Arena themselves, after being personally selected by their Swedish idols from the participants in the TMA Contest.
With this stable and tour-experienced lineup, the new album is now on the horizon and set for release on NOV 17. It’s named “AZURE,” and NEREIS fans will probably simply remember it as The Blue Album in the band’s distant – and hopefully bright – future.
“AZURE” is all about the cosmos as a calming constant in all life. Again and again, the gaze is directed from outside toward Earth and its narrow, seemingly ephemeral blue ribbon that protects us and allows us to breathe. In the music itself, it is often possible to sense where the inspiration for “AZURE” originated: from the pioneers whom we can only propel away from the planet’s surface with extreme force, freeing them from the clutches of gravity for a brief moment so that they can grant us this view of ourselves in the grand scheme of things.
NEREIS are: Andrea Barchiesi – lead vocals Mattia Pessina – guitar Samuel Fabrello – guitar Michele Gelmi – bass Davide Odorizzi – drums
Following the release of his striking debut album “Consideration” in September, WDNHF, the solo project of HIGH FIGHTER drummer Thomas Wildelau, unveils a brand-new music video for “The Procedure.” The clip, available now on YouTube, continues Wildelau’s artistic vision with haunting imagery and a deeply reflective tone.
The track and its visuals dive deep into questions of existence, meaning, and transformation, carrying forward the project’s darkly reflective atmosphere.
“Who are we? Where are we going? What are we doing?” Wildelau asks. “These questions sound simple, yet they open up abysses. Human beings—thinking, feeling, doubting creatures—are caught between themselves and the world, between the inner and the outer, between meaning and emptiness. A procedure of the individual in the grand scheme of things – that sounds sober, almost technical. But in this sobriety lies a truth: we are part of a process that transcends us.”
With “The Procedure,” WDNHF turns this idea into an audiovisual experience — metaphorical, almost mythical — where the process of being human becomes a ritualistic journey through inner metamorphosis. Watch the new clip now streaming here:
“Consideration” is a work of complete self-creation — written, arranged, performed, recorded, and mixed entirely by Wildelau. The result is a sonic journey that escapes rigid genre borders and opens the door to an entirely different world.
“The origin of ‚Consideration‘ — as with so many of us — goes back to the pandemic and its lockdowns in early 2020, a time that opened the door to other pursuits,“ Wildelau reveals. “During this period, I returned to my family home, partly because my mother, who had lived there for most of her life, suddenly fell seriously ill and passed away a year later.
With plenty of time, a new setting surrounded by nature, countless memories of this place, and a sense of new responsibility, I began making music. I wasn’t following any particular genre, nor did I have the plan of writing a full album. It wasn’t until 2022 that the desire arose to develop my collected ideas into something more complete. At the same time, I set myself the goal of arranging, writing, and recording the entire album on my own. The only exception is the guitar solo on ‚Time Holes‘, which didn’t come from me. Since I never set deadlines for myself, and no one else had expectations of me, the album was allowed to take its time. It simply came into being.
“Consideration” track listing:
Foggy Air
Put Something In Its True Light Pt. 1
Old Knots
Time Holes
Future Sign
Put Something In Its True Light Pt. 2
Autumn Leaves (Leafs)
The Procedure
About WDNHF (pronounced: Weidenhof): Thomas Wildelau discovered his passion for rhythm and music at an early age. He began his musical journey on the drums at the age of six, later playing parade snare in a marching band. Soon after, he took lessons in the fundamentals of organ and piano, before finding his way into the world of guitars through his brother.
In the early 1990s, Wildelau played drums in numerous bands across a wide range of genres – from heavy metal, thrash, and punk rock to soul and funk groups. This stylistic diversity left a lasting mark on his musical horizon.
In the early 2000s, he toured as drummer for Pyogenesis, and from 2010 onward became the drummer for Buffalo Hump. Out of this lineup, and together with musicians from A Million Miles, the band High Fighter was later formed. Heavy music has always been a constant companion and artistic outlet for him.
With his solo project WDNHF (Weidenhof), Wildelau is now exploring new paths. A complete album created entirely on his own – songwriting, arranging, performing, recording, and mixing. His debut album “Consideration” opens up another world, far removed from strict genre boundaries. Perhaps it has become so quiet and playful precisely because Wildelau previously devoted himself almost exclusively to heavier music. But that doesn’t mean WDNHF will always sound this way. The project defines itself as an open-ended musical experiment, refusing to fit into any stylistic box – and may well return in a completely different form in the future.
“Consideration” was created between 2020 and 2024 – a work entirely of his own making, developed over several years. The character of the album is not the result of a deliberate decision for or against a genre, but rather grew organically throughout the creative process.
The music on “Consideration” deliberately avoids easy classification. It resists being pinned down – and that is precisely the point. At present, it lives in a soundscape somewhere between singer-songwriter tradition, ambient rock, pop, and krautrock, interwoven with subtle electronic influences.
Each song follows a feeling, traces a mood, confronts an emotion, or celebrates it – reflecting everything that crosses our path in life. The result is a debut album that owes no allegiance to a fixed genre, but simply exists because it wanted to come into being exactly as it is.
All music and lyrics were written, performed, recorded and mixed by Thomas Wildelau (except the guitar solo on “Time Holes”, performed by Pitti Weidenhof – nullzwomusik.de), with a mastering by Benjamin Kapidzic.
Following the release of their new album “Wild Dogs Unchained”, via Massacre Records, legendary US heavy metal power trio THE RODS unveil the official title track video, “Wild Dogs Unchained.”
The song, written by drummer Carl Canedy, is a fierce anthem about freedom and refusing to be tamed. “This song is about fighting to be free. It pertains to all people. Fight for your freedom,” says guitarist/vocalist David “Rock” Feinstein, echoing the spirit of the track.
The video release marks another highlight in the band’s celebrated career, as “Wild Dogs Unchained” pushes their sound to new heights, re-imagining classics and delivering fresh anthems with more power and soul than ever before.
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
Ads
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 ) 