Swedish melodic rock band Treat are thrilled to announce the release of their upcoming new studio album, titled “The Wild Card” and set for release on November 21, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
The band offered a taste of the record with their single “Adam & Evil”, released last month, and now share the new track “1985”, along with an accompanying music video.
“The timeline continues, and with this track we wanted to capture what we went through as a band in 1985. A year that changed everything for us, and the spirit of this song tells the whole story”, Treat commented.
Swedish melodic rock pioneers Treat are set to make a bold statement in 2025 with the release of their tenth studio album, “The Wild Card”.
Arriving three years after their critically acclaimed 2022 release “The Endgame”, the album continues the band’s legacy of delivering high-energy melodic hard rock with massive hooks, layered harmonies, and stadium-sized anthems.
Guitarist Anders Wikström discussed about how the album came to life: “I set out to write an album that would be a musical timeline for our whole career and it carries the message in each song both musically and lyrically. It takes the band full circle, something that I actually had in mind with our last album “The Endgame” and have now completed”.
“We made this album for us and the fans, and we became better at what we do together with our producer Peter Månsson. This is the first album we’ve made that actually has a story timeline imbedded, subtle but still there, starting from the early 80s up until now, and every song stands on their own in a collection of the best songs we could muster”, he continued.
Wikström concluded: “I’m really proud of “The Wild card”, it’s the strongest collection of songs we’ve put out since a long time, everybody in the band is really showcasing their best ability on this record and worked really hard to make this very special, to make the band’s legacy memorable”.
Formed in Stockholm in the early 1980s, Treat quickly rose to prominence with their blend of melodic hard rock and AOR, sharing the spotlight with fellow Scandinavian acts like Europe and Pretty Maids.
After a decade of success, lineup changes and industry shifts led to a hiatus in the 1990s – but the band returned stronger than ever with their 2006 reunion, ushering in a new era of creative resurgence and fan devotion across Europe, Japan, and beyond.
“The Wild Card” marks their fifth album since the reunion and solidifies the chemistry of their current, long-standing lineup: Robert Ernlund (vocals), Anders Wikström (guitar), Patrick Appelgren (keyboards), Jamie Borger (drums), and Nalley Pahlsson (bass).
The album is once again produced and mixed by Peter Månsson, whose collaboration with the band continues to deliver the polished, punchy sound fans have come to love.
Armed with fresh energy and an unwavering commitment to their roots, Treat are ready to show the world that “The Wild Card” is anything but a gamble – it’s a winning hand from a band that’s still at the top of their game.
“The Wild Card” Tracklist:
1. Out With A Bang 2. Rodeo 3. 1985 4. Endeavour 5. Hand On Heart 6. Heaven’s Waiting 7. Back To The Future 8. Mad Honey 9. Adam & Evil 10. Your Majesty 11. Night Brigade 12. In The Blink Of An Eye 13. One Minute To Breathe
Line Up: Robert Ernlund – Lead Vocals Anders Wikström – Guitars/Vocals Jamie Borger – Drums Patrick Appelgren – Keyboards/Vocals Nalle Påhlsson – Bass/Vocals
It only made sense for the iconic record label responsible for helping launch some of the world’s most mammoth metal artists and unleashing some of the heaviest riffs and blast beats in the universe, to collab with #metalcoffee disruptors Concept Cafes, who have already partnered with Metal Blade artists such as the legendary Cannibal Corpse to unleash their own beasts of brewdom.
This creatively unique concept itself follows the lineage of the blade, from its infancy in the early 80’s when heavy metal fantasy was a relatively unexplored dominion, all the way through to the present-day Jolly Roger sabers of this modern era of Metalcore & Deathcore. This first installment sips like an issue of Heavy Metal Magazine, as it draws inspiration from the early Metallica monster, a young prodigious Yngwie, D&D, Star Wars, & many others.
The coffee itself is as mythically prophetic as the immersive packaging art, that tastes just as ferociously fervent as the picture painted. You will expect nothing less from the masterful craftsmanship of the forging partner of Concepts: Coterie Coffee Co.
“When the grind of metal meets the grind of beans, you get a brew that’s as bold and unrelenting as the riffs that define us. Our collaboration with Concept Cafes isn’t just about coffee-it’s about forging a new kind of energy for the hardcore listener who needs the perfect blend of caffeine and chaos. Plus, we really, really love coffee in the office so our team couldn’t be happier to release Metal Blade’s first Official Private Label Coffee onto the metal realm with the help of our friends at Concept Cafes.” – The Metal Blade Team
“Actually, in a kinda organic roundabout way, I guess you could say we’ve evolved into kinda a coffee record company ourselves; so it would only make sense the eventuality that we’d collaborate with an actual record co., and whom not better to do so with than the almighty Metal Blade Records. Not only is it extremely important for us to humbly honor the MBR legacy, but it’s always at the forefront for us to help steward this legacy for the next generation(s) as well as bringing new fans to Metal. It’s a bold step for sure (pun intended), but we all agreed, a step in the right direction to broaden the reach of Metal, so enthusiasts can dive headfirst into the rich history and epic discography of this record label pioneer…the Blade is as sharp as ever (so don’t cut yourself…especially on that guillotine)!” – Concept Cafes
Roasted by Coterie Coffee Co. and brought to you by Concept Cafes
Watch this video by Elena Vasilaki for more details:
About Metal Blade Records: Founded upon owner Brian Slagel‘s enduring drive to find great bands and get their music out to as many people as possible, since 1982 Metal Blade has brought wave after wave of powerful, innovative, and often genre-defining music to the ever-hungry metal masses. It is this ethos that has seen Metal Blade build up a stunning and diverse catalog, weather the various storms facing any independent label, and in an age of declining record sales boast the most successful years of its existence as it celebrates its fourth decade.
Metal Blade Records launched Metallica, Slayer, Armored Saint, Fates Warning, GWAR, Cannibal Corpse, Amon Amarth, Whitechapel, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation, and dozens more genre giants, shaping four decades and counting of hard rock, metal, and extreme music culture. Brian Slagel worked as a record store clerk when he founded Metal Blade in 1982, reserving a spot for a young Lars Ulrich on his Metal Massacre compilation series. Metal Blade grew from humble beginnings in Los Angeles to become an international powerhouse, selling millions of albums while remaining fiercely independent. In 2017, Slayer‘s Kerry King inducted the label into the Hall of Heavy Metal History. Slagel’s For the Sake of Heaviness: The History of Metal Blade Records arrived the same year.
In 2022 Metal Blade Records celebrated its 40th Anniversary by way of two live shows in Las Vegas – one featuring Killswitch Engage and another featuring Sacred Reich. In addition to these two packed live shows/parties, the label reissued its first release, the compilation album Metal Massacre, plus specially branded 40th Anniversary small batch vodka and rum, and a West Coast style IPA beer. Brian Slagel also saw the release of his second book, Swing of the Blade: More Stories from Metal Blade Records that was released on May 9th and was met with rave reviews from fans and press alike. One fan on Good Reads called the book “a sentimental journey through Brian’s metal origin-story recollections from his deep and wide perspective as founder of Metal Blade that I enjoyed very much” while MetalTalk.net wrote that “Swing Of The Blade is an endearing, honest, and enjoyable journey into the deeper world of Brian Slagel, the main man behind the legendary Metal Blade Records…this is very much Brian in his own words, recounting tales from the early days of Metal Blade through to a brief post-pandemic epilogue, where he expresses his regret that the book hasn’t coincided with the 40th anniversary of the label.” To round out the celebration, Brian Slagel opened up the label’s collection of heavy metal memorabilia to fans in Las Vegas, NV, marking the opening of the official Metal Blade Records Museum that is open every Saturday.
The celebration rolled over into 2023 and in October AXS TV picked up and premiered the Denise Korycki documentary of Metal Massacre: The Story Behind the Legendary Album. Packed with all-star interviews, rare photos, the film tells the story of the groundbreaking 1982 Metal Massacre vinyl compilation-a sonic celebration of the burgeoning Los Angeles Metal scene, which helped launch the careers of iconic acts Metallica and Ratt, and ultimately led to the birth of the legendary independent record label Metal Blade Records. The film boasts priceless commentary and anecdotes from Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel and his friend and collaborator John Kornarens, two metalheads with a dream who made Metal Massacre a reality; as well as Metallica members Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield; Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy; and Black N’ Blue singer Jamie St. James, among many others.
In 2024, Metal Blade Records and Pantheon Media launched the “100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” Podcast to the excitement of metalheads everywhere. The successful podcast, which is loved by fans, industry, and artists alike, is hosted by Brian Slagel, CEO of Metal Blade Records. Each episode of the series will spotlight one of the most defining songs in metal, blending artist interviews, expert analysis, and behind-the-scenes insights. Listeners are taken on a deep dive into the production, cultural impact, and legacy of each track, with insights from prominent voices like music historian Martin Popoff and producer Jay Ruston.
The podcast features exclusive appearances from musicians who either influenced or were influenced by these legendary tracks, ensuring fans a unique, all-encompassing exploration of metal music. From Metallica and Slayer to Cannibal Corpse and Alice Cooper, “100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” covers the songs that have defined generations, blending narrative storytelling with in-depth analyses. This podcast also serves as a tribute to the fans whose passion fuels the genre and keeps it alive for future generations.
“100 Songs That Define Heavy Metal” is now available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
About Concept Cafes: Everybody remembers that first opening riff, that mid-song breakdown, that blast beat crescendo that turned them on, and tuned them into Metal forever. With our artist partners like Cannibal Corpse, Max & Iggor Cavalera, and Ministry; we’re trying to recapture that moment of Metal possession for the fans by immersing them into a Metal coffee obsession like no other. As lifelong fans ourselves, we’re constantly seeking out the most epic Metal experiences; whether it’s records, live shows, merch, etc., so if we can maybe someday say we were a small part of that collective fan experience, then we’ve done our job. It’s also super important for us to illuminate the fact that these are the artists’ coffee stories, not our own, we’re just the chaotic-evil little elves that help them conjure their visions and forge them into reality for the fans.
We’re not here to snobbishly push conventional coffee culture upon Metalheads either, nor will we ever try to flip a quick gimmick on our Metal brothers & sisters to make a quick buck. We’re humbled literally everyday with this responsibility, and the opportunity to work with Metal legends. This is why we are constantly pushing the boundaries and possibilities, because foremost we believe there is no other comparison to the dedicated devotion metalheads have in keeping Metal music alive and stronger than ever! Metal deserves the absolute best when it comes to coffee! Reality is coffee culture has become basic cookie-cutter over the past couple of decades; so safe and just a shell of itself which once fueled artists and their music across several generations. We want to revive that creative fire, and as far as playing it safe…it’s metal, motorcycles, & horror…what did you expect?!
‘Life On The Moon’, the new single by THE COSMIK DEBRIS BAND, is out today on YouTube and all major digital platforms via Volcano Records & Promotion. The track is a key piece of the concept album Tales From The Moon, an interstellar journey that dives deep into human emotions, following the path of Will Fargo, a protagonist and symbol of a humanity in search of salvation.
In Life On The Moon, the Moon is no longer just a romantic icon or an ideal refuge, but a mirror reflecting inner turmoil. Will, having reached the satellite in search of answers and solutions, discovers instead that perfection is not what will save our planet. The realization that Earth already holds everything it needs becomes the true turning point in the story.
A track that weaves together classic rock, space atmospheres, and progressive sensibility, with echoes of Pink Floyd, Bowie, Queen, and Rush, signed by a visionary band that connects Italy, Ireland, and a touch of the cosmos.
The official lyric video is now available on YouTube:
British rocker Chez Kane is thrilled to announce the release of her new studio album, titled “Reckless”, out on March 27, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
To coincide with the announcement, Chez shares the title track today, along with a music video, available below.
Chez commented: “I’m beyond excited and so proud to share my first single from my upcoming third album with you all. Here it is, the title track… “Reckless”. This is just the opening move… Raw, real, and unapologetically sexy. It’s the first taste of everything we’ve been building. Bigger sounds, bolder vibes, and reckless energy. I can’t wait for you to feel it as much as I do”.
Talking about the record, Chez said: “Finally, I can tell you! The official announcement of my third album “Reckless” is here! My last album, “Powerzone” dropped in 2022, and I’ve grown a lot since then. This time around, I got hands-on and collaborated on some writing. I pushed myself hard to make something that’s bigger, bolder, and yeah… sexy as hell”.
“Massive thank you to Danny Rexon once again for being incredible to work with. Creating this with you was magic”, she added. “I can’t wait for you guys to hear what we’ve made!”
Chez Kane is back with her third studio album, “Reckless” – an explosive blend of arena-ready hooks, slick guitar work, and unapologetic 80s-style swagger. Following the success of her first two records, Chez levels up with a collection that’s bigger in sound, richer in emotion, and packed with pure melodic firepower.
Once again, written and produced by Danny Rexon, frontman of Swedish hard rockers Crazy Lixx, “Reckless” channels the golden age of melodic rock while injecting it with fresh energy and modern production.
The chemistry between Chez and Danny continues to shine, resulting in a record that blends 80s-inspired anthems, infectious hooks, and soaring vocals into a modern rock statement with attitude.
From glam-infused bangers to emotional slow-burners, “Reckless” showcases Chez’s growing confidence and undeniable charisma, proving she’s not just riding the revival wave – she’s leading it.
If you’re craving fist-pumping choruses, soaring vocals, and a no-holds-barred throwback to the glory days of rock, look no further. Chez Kane’s “Reckless” is melodic rock done right – bold, catchy, and undeniably alive.
Turn it up loud. This one’s recklessly unforgettable!
“Reckless” Tracklist:
1. Reckless 2. Personal Rock N’ Roll 3. Night Of Passion 4. Strip Me Down 5. Tongue Of Love 6. Love Tornado 7. Bad Girl 8. Street Survivor 9. Too Dangerous 10. Bodyrock
GOTTHARD literally keep riding the wave of success – and their new single confirms the band’s enduring high impressively! Just days after their latest TV appearance – this time at Germany’s popular Sunday noon program, ZDF’s ‘Rock im Garten’ – the Swiss hard rock icons have released a brand new single called ‘Ride The Wave.’
The track continues the way the group have taken with their 2025 milestone “Stereo Crush” (March 21 via Reigning Phoenix Music), and will surely sweeten the last weeks of the summer – and also above and beyond, of course!
Loosely yet boldly kick-started by massive guitar riffing and drums, the single brings an instant feel-good vision to the listeners’ minds: the sun is burning while you’re cruising through the desert or along the coast in your vintage cabriolet. With ‘Ride The Wave,’GOTTHARD invite you to have the time of your life leaving all negativity behind and build on the life-celebrating momentum they’ve created on “Stereo Crush.” Turn it up!
“‘Ride The Wave’ went through a couple of versions and recording sessions before we finally found the right vibe for the album. It has this raw, old-school rock energy with gritty guitar riffs and a powerhouse vocal performance of Nic Maeder,” adds guitarist Freddy Scherer.
Set to make additional impact, the new song will also be part of GOTTHARD’s upcoming mini album, aptly titled “More Stereo Crush.” Further details as well as pre-order options will be announced later this year with even more new music paving its way. Stay tuned!
With their latest offering “Stereo Crush,”GOTTHARD reached the top of the official album chart for the 17th time (and for the 13th time in a row!) in their home country Switzerland. The band’s Austrian (#7) and German (#11) fan bases also gave them plenty of reason to celebrate. Get & stream “Stereo Crush” here: https://gotthard.rpm.link/stereocrushPR
“Stereo Crush” was produced, recorded and mixed by long-time producer Charlie Bauerfeind, who’s known for his work with the likes of HELLOWEEN and BLIND GUARDIAN, alongside co-producer and founding member Leo Leoni at Yellowhouse Studio. Mastered by Sascha “Busy” Bühren (TrueBusyness), artwork was once again provided by Thomas Ewerhard (AVANTASIA etc.).
With meanwhile 17 number one albums, a Diamond Award for selling over one million units in Switzerland, and multiple platinum records, including their quadruple platinum album “Homerun,” GOTTHARD have an unmatched legacy of successes, rounded off by over 3.5 million units sold worldwide and more than 2,000 live performances. Their tracks like ‘Heaven,’ a platinum single, and seven top 10 singles have cemented the band in the international music scene.
GOTTHARD are: Nic Maeder | vocals Leo Leoni | guitars Freddy Scherer | guitars Marc Lynn | bass Flavio Mezzodi | drums
In 2021, Crown’s The End of All Things revealed a striking metamorphosis. The album shifted the duo of Stéphane Azam and David Husser away from their sludge-laden origins into a cinematic fusion of industrial rock, post-metal atmosphere and darkwave sensibility. Its balance of bleakness and accessibility was praised for expanding Crown’s sonic vocabulary, yet the record ultimately stood as both culmination and chrysalis: the closing of one chapter and the quiet emergence of another.
That emergence is now complete. Rising under the banner of Your Inland Empire, Azam and Husser open a new frontier with their upcoming self-titled debut album. On lead single “There Is No Me”, their vision finds its most unflinching expression yet.
“When writing music and lyrics, I often have very abstract visions — living paintings that I try to transcribe into sound,” Azam explains. “It can be colors, shapes, landscapes, people, all evolving in my imagination like a trance. ‘There Is No Me’ is about the duality we face inside us in a schizophrenic way: how our dark passenger can take control, shaped by trauma, people, or society, leading to a slow mutation into another self.”
Your Inland Empire’ self-titled debut album comes out November 14, 2025 on Season of Mist.Pre-order & Pre-save: https://orcd.co/yourinlandempireyie
“There Is No Me” unfolds as a stark meditation on fractured identity and spiritual possession. The lyrics confront schizophrenia, inner dissolution and the erasure of boundaries between self and other. The refrain “There is no you, there is no me, just another ghost enjoying the dark” captures the song’s nihilistic core, placing the listener in a space where identity dissolves into shadow.
Your Inland Empire thrives on contrasts. Industrial programming and sharp guitar textures underpin a rhythm that veers between dance-driven propulsion and suffocating heaviness. Vocals oscillate from accusatory clarity to raw collapse, embodying the psychological unraveling at the song’s heart. This balance of accessibility and menace makes the single a gateway into the conceptual terrain of the band’s debut: a confrontation with the ‘dark night of the soul’.
“David did an incredible job on the production, experimenting with guitar sequences to create movement and unpredictability” Azam says. “We’re always pushing boundaries, seeking uncommon chemistry with each instrument. That process brings a lot of excitement and unexpected results.”
YOUR INLAND EMPIRE are the renegade torchbearers who forged their legacy as Crown. Ready to ink a new chapter under Season of Mist – a voyage from legacy to evolution, an eternal metamorphosis. Baptized in the crucible of raw sound and industrial angst, Your Inland Empire transmutes the heritage into a daring quest beyond sonic realms once deemed unconquerable.
‘The End of All Things’, Crown’s last album under the moniker was an unexpected twist of what the band is capable of. Dark and moody, bleak and sublime, airy and crushing, mesmerizing and engrossing, bold yet unerring, danceable and suffocating – it was all of this at the same time. Fragile hook lines dancing above the bleak abyss they so magnificently assembled.
From the mechanized heart of Crown, Stéphane Azam and David Husser incubated a revolution, their vision crystallizing amidst rippling waves of eight-string guitars and a digital pulse – the lifeblood of their emerging beast. What began as Azam’s vision, a coalition with Zatokrev’s Frederyk Rotter, evolved with Husser’s induction – a synthesis of production prowess and visionary audacity that propelled Crown’s ‘Natron’ into uncharted territories.
Stéphane recounts, the steel in his voice betraying a relentless surge of creativity and rebellion. Crown was but the cocoon, a chrysalis composed of binary beats and distorted riffs from where Your Inland Empire would emerge, unfurling wings inked with passion and driven by the relentless heartbeats of bass drums galvanizing a new dawn.
It is no surprise that David Husser, one half of Your Inland Empire has a vast selection of experience under his belt. Working as a studio engineer, producer and musician across the globe with class acts such as Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode or Genesis’ original lead singer Peter Gabriel – David brought all that experience to meticulously construct a unique sonic palette. With industrial-drone collective Y Front, who in the 90s toured with Rammstein, Husser gathered the live experience needed to hone his craft to absolute perfection.
Paul Kendall (Mute Records, Nine Inch Nails, Nick Cave), an industry-titan who closely worked with David, explained: “a distorting diamond… we have collaborated on several projects, and I have been amazed by his ability to teach an old dog new tricks. He is simply the best recording engineer I have ever met.”
Stéphane Azam, Your Inland Empire’s other half, is its founding father all the way back in its Crown days. Having worked as live sound engineer for French blackgaze pioneers Alcest and the legendary black metal artist Abbath, Azam brings to Your Inland Empire another side of the music spectrum. With a wide ability to deliver both the most soothing vocals and bottomless shrieks, Azam is the perfect complement to Husser’s dark and brooding soundscapes. The two have been working together for years, and their chemistry is palpable on Your Inland Empire’s debut album.
Creatively, Azam composes every step of the way – crafting songs with a meticulous fury. From structure to guitar licks, basslines to vocal passages – Azam has a vision, and Your Inland Empire is his outlet. Being not only the producer & engineer, Husser crafts Azam’s wildest ideas into refined sonic textures. Together, they’ve crafted the perfect recipe of pure auditory experimentation, intricate songwriting, emotive lyricism and astonishing artistry – constantly pushing boundaries in a multitude of musical styles.
With David Husser (Guitars, Programming, Production) in command of the studio’s helm, and Stéphane Azam (Vocals, Guitars, Composition) orchestrating the chaos into harmony, flanked by Nicolas Uhlen’s (Drums) rhythmic prowess and Marc Strebler’s (Bass) stringed sorcery, the empire is poised for its coronation.
The alchemy of Your Inland Empire is not unlike the world’s relentless cycle – at once introspective yet ever looking outward, “It might be a bit more introspective and then it’s more about internal conflicts…”. This duality breathes life into their music, “The tracks are quite bright, nonetheless, even though the lyrics are really very dark.” It’s introspective – the shadow of our human instincts, our constant inner struggles. An album that is equally as personal for Azam as it is relatable.
A forecast for their impending album resonates with the echoes of an empire’s intimate fears and tenebrous hopes. The intricate fabric of Your Inland Empire waivers, promising a symphony drenched in the sweat of toil and the tears of artistic triumph. The orchestra of creation bellows, addressing the collective’s core, intricately showcasing their unique craftsmanship and unyielding drive.
Line-up David Husser — Guitars, Programming, Production, Experimentation Stephane Azam—Vocals, Guitars, Songwriting, Experimentation Nicolas Uhlen—Drums Marc Strebler — Bass Guitar
Production Credits Recorded & mixed by David Husser at La Grange Studio, France. Mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studio, Porto, Portugal.
Cover Art Design & layout by Jeffrey V. Daniels.
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