THE ASTRONAUTS release sublime new single ‘Ease Up‘ on 19th September, out on Flip Flop Records.
New single ‘Ease Up‘ is a mellow, guitar soaked rocker that drifts between the indie/alt rock sound of today with a kick back to the likes of the ever inspirational Velvet Underground. A truly stunning single, melodic and mellifluous and with more music to come over the following months on Flip Flop Records, this really is a band to watch.
The Astronauts are Benjamin Fox and Gordon Cooper, American musicians collaborating transatlantically between Detroit and Ireland.
In addition to their work as The Astronauts, Fox and Cooper also compose and record under the name Irish Lights, an ambient instrumental project inspired by the timeless beauty and solitude of Ireland’s lighthouses.
Beyond their own music, the duo operates Sleeping in Space LLC, a boutique Detroit-based label dedicated to releasing independent and forward-thinking music.
“We make songs through satellites. Music is our rocket ship. Time to launch. We are ordinary citizens. Midwest till we die”
They blew the roof off Rebellion Punk Festival 2025. Now the cult kings of sleaze-glam-punk are riding that victory straight into the re-release of the year. The UK’s most notorious rock ‘n’ roll outlaws, Gypsy Pistoleros, return with ‘Church of the Pistoleros’ — the album that critics adored, fans worshipped, and industry politics tried to bury. It didn’t work. This time, it’s armed, dangerous, and totally under their control.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM 10/10 – Powerplay: “Hallowed be their name!” 9/10 – All About The Rock: “A sonic force. No other band comes close.” 9/10 – Maximum Volume Music: “The Church needs more sinners.” 5/5 – Get Ready to Rock: “Absolutely smashed it! 9/10 – Liverpool Sound & Vision: “This is the Church in which to be bound.” 5/5 – The Punksite: “A rallying cry for misfits everywhere.”
First unleashed in May 2025 via Earache Records, ‘Church of the Pistoleros’ was tipped for chart glory before past label mismanagement clipped its wings. Now fully remastered, rebranded, and repackaged by the band’s own label — The New Church Records — this definitive edition is going worldwide through Plastic Head Distribution.
The album will be released in the following formats: Ultra-limited white with red & black splatter vinyl (100 copies only) + five other killer colours https://www.plastichead.com/artist/gypsy-pistoleros CD Digipak Digital (Everywhere)
Why this rerelease campaign is different: 100% independent campaign run by the band New compilation video dropping in release week Rebellion Festival 2025 set proved they’re still untouchable live Only 100 copies of the splatter vinyl for the hardcore faithful Backed by full press & radio attack
For fans of: The Damned, The Wildhearts, Hanoi Rocks, Ghost, Turbonegro, Dogs D’Amour, New York Dolls, and the Manic Street Preachers — if they’d been raised in a dark forest and drank wild mushroom juice!
Target Market: Glam Rock / Sleaze / Punk collectors, Alt indie crossover fans, Vinyl junkies & retro rock obsessives
U.K show: Nov 28 – Planet Rockstock, Trecco Bay
Known as renegade glam-punk rockers, Gypsy Pistoleros are celebrated for their eclectic, unorthodox style. Critics praise their music as “unique,” “sheer escapism,” The band invites fans to join the “Church of the Pistoleros,” a movement for the bold, unconventional, and outcast. Their music defies labels and embraces individuality, making them a true standout in the present rock world.
Recorded at the renowned Old Cider Press Studios in Pershore, the album was produced and co-written by the legendary Dave Draper, whose credits include work with Ginger Wildheart, Nickelback, The Professionals and Terrorvision etc. Draper has described Welcome to the Church of the Pistoleros as “a total monster” and one of the best projects he’s ever worked on.
‘Church Of The Pistoleros‘ is a rallying cry to the outcasts, the misunderstood, the shy, the quiet and disenfranchised of Society! A place where they are welcome! Gypsy Pistoleros is a band that refuses to conform. Proudly walking their own path, their music is a rallying cry for misfits everywhere. With a sound that defies traditional genres, Gypsy Pistoleros stand as one of the most unique and innovative acts in the world of rock music today.
Gypsy Pistoleros’ sound spans a vast musical landscape—from 1950s Phil Spector-esque ballads to high-energy glam punk and Latin-infused rock, creating a sonic experience that is truly unmatched. Fusing anthemic rock, Latin swagger, glam punk, and even elements of goth and emo, their music is a celebration of the unconventional.
BACKGROUND Gypsy Pistoleros are no strangers to the rock scene. Since their formation, they have shared stages with icons such as The Ramones, Motörhead, L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat, Poison, Ratt, ZZ Top, Papa roach and Twisted Sister, amongst many others, building a devoted following in the U.S. and U.K. alike. The band, led by Gypsy Lee Pistolero, is known for their fiery live performances and eclectic mix of sounds, which combine the raw edge of punk rock with Latin rhythms and glam rock theatrics. In 2020, Gypsy Lee Pistolero returned to the music world after a hiatus, bringing a matured yet electrifying energy to the stage. With two successful albums under their belt since their comeback, the band is now poised to make their biggest impact yet with Welcome to the Church of the Pistoleros.
Gypsy Lee Pistolero – Vocals Kerry Pistolero White – Bass & B.Vox Shane Pistolero Sparkz – Guitar & B.Vox Chris Pistolero Hopton – Drums
Technical extreme metal band Vanguardian releases its experimental final single “Dead Space” from the upcoming album III: Inhumanity.
In the song, the schizophrenic android “LI-2 XA-1” who gained consciousness earlier in the album, flies through space toward the first habitable planet with the intention of conquering it for the human race.
Dead Space depicts loneliness and a journey into the unknown. The song’s story has been influenced by Arthur C. Clarke, E. Schrödinger, D. Simmons, and others. The song was produced by Vanguardian.
Jami Honkala was responsible for mixing and mastering.
Composers: Mikko Saviranta, Tino Jäntti, Markus Martinmäki, Sakari Soisalo
Lyricist: Markus Martinmäki
Arrangement: Vanguardian
Producer: Vanguardian
Recorded: Univaltakunta, Jami Honkala ja Sakari Soisalo
Mix & Mastering Jami Honkala
Tracklisting + ISRC:
Gathering Momentum – FI3FC2593004
Peripherals – FI3FC2593002
..In Humanity – FI3FC2593003
LI-2 XA-1 – FI3FC2593001
Dead Space – FI3FC2593005
Lost In Endeavour – QM6MZ2529415
Demolition Hour – FI3FC2593007
Electric Sorrow – FI3FC2593008
Inner Sanctum – FI3FC2593009
All tracks: Composers: Mikko Saviranta, Tino Jäntti, Markus Martinmäki, Sakari Soisalo Lyricist: Markus Martinmäki Arrangement: Vanguardian Producer: Vanguardian
Vanguardian is: Markus Martinmäki – Vocals Tino Jäntti – Drums Mikko Saviranta – Guitar Sakari Soisalo – Bass
Symphonic death metallers KARU return with the first single from their upcoming album “Perdition“. Out on September 16th, 2025, “Shadow War” sets the tone for the record’s epic narrative and sonic scope.
At nearly ten minutes in length, “Shadow War” embodies the essence of KARU’s sound: brutal, unforgiving riffs and guttural vocals contrasted by sweeping orchestration and haunting melodic passages. The track mirrors the conceptual backbone of “Perdition“, a journey through a folklore-inspired vision of feudal Japan, where villages are razed by demons and survivors confront both despair and resilience.
Musically, the single evolves like a saga. It opens with relentless death metal ferocity, transitions into an atmospheric middle section the band dubs the “Dreamworld,” and culminates in an emotionally charged guitar solo that balances virtuosity with narrative weight. This dynamic structure highlights the trio’s artistic synergy:
Niko Hienonen – vocals, production, orchestrations
Kalle Pöyskö – guitars
Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – guitars
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Hienonen, “Shadow War” captures the next stage of KARU’s evolution after their acclaimed 2024 album “HYDRA”. With “Perdition“, the band pushes further, integrating clean vocals, Japanese voice acting, and even more intricate orchestration to craft an album designed as a seamless cinematic experience.
For fans of Wintersun, Brymir, Whispered, and Nightwish, KARU’s “Shadow War” is both a statement of intent and an invitation into a mythic, immersive world where extreme metal collides with symphonic drama.
To celebrate the release, KARU will also unveil an official lyric video for “Shadow War”, offering fans a visual entry point into the song’s story and atmosphere.
“Perdition”will be released worldwide on November 21st, 2025.
Track Listing: 1. Shores of Mist and Blood 2. Shadow War 3. Alone in the Forest 4. Embers in the Skies 5. Trail of Fire 6. Path of the Unforgiven 7. Perdition
Karu Line Up: Niko Hienonen – Vocals, Production, Orchestrations Kalle Pöyskö – Guitars Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – Guitars
More info: https://www.rockshots.eu https://www.instagram.com/karu_band/ https://www.facebook.com/KARUbandofficial
Finnish neoclassical dark wave outfit KLAShTAL has released the first single from the upcoming KLAShTAL debut album ‘Oblivion Dreams’.
‘Uncharted Cry’ invites the listener to a dark and hypnotic pilgrimage through the storyteller’s oblivious mind. Guided by the meditative pulse and sinister layers of synths, the veil of mystery is slowly lifted and the unsettling truth about the past atrocities is revealed.
Started as an ambient side project, KLAShTAL has now transformed into a serious channel of self-expression for the Finnish musician Jesse Heikkinen (Iterum Nata, The Abbey, ex-Hexvessel). KLAShTAL’s debut album Oblivion Dreams marks a new chapter in Heikkinen’s ever-evolving musical career and pushes his experiments with different genres even further. While dark, dreamlike and meditative, yet comforting and healing, KLAShTAL’s music will take the listener to post-apocalyptic ruins of a lost world where the echoes of mankind have almost completely softened. KLAShTAL’s music pays respect to genres like dungeon synth, dark wave and new age, as well as bands like Dead Can Dance, Forndom and Nox Arcana. All music on Oblivion Dreams is written, played, recorded and produced by Heikkinen, except the Moog synthesizer played by Thomas Cowgill, also known as the neofolk/dark americana artist King Dude.
Oblivion Dreams will be released on November 28 via Inverse Records.
International hard rockers SAINTED SINNERS return with their highly anticipated fifth studio album High On Fire, set for release on November 21, 2025 via ROAR. After almost three years in the making, the band is back with a powerful and diverse collection of songs, true to their motto: The Essence of Rock’n’Roll!
The new record features the stellar line-up of Jack Meile (Tygers Of Pan Tang) on vocals, Frank Pané (Bonfire) on guitar, Ernesto Ghezzi (Gotthard) on keyboards, Samy Saemann (ex-Freedom Call) on bass, and Berci Hirleman on drums. Together they deliver a vibrant journey through 70s- and 80s-inspired heavy rock, full of soul-soaked vocals, groovy Hammond duels, intricate riffs, and a driving rhythm section.
To mark the announcement, SAINTED SINNERS release the first single “World’s on Fire”, accompanied by a brand-new music video premiering today! Frank Pané (guitar) comments:
“World’s on Fire basically wrote itself and that’s always a good sign. While jamming, I came up with this Van Halen-inspired riff and half an hour later the basic arrangement was done and just needed a middle part, which was provided by Ernesto and lend itself to an extended solo. A composition within the composition so to say. A real uplifting fun heavy rock groover but with a more serious lyrical concept.”
Rooted within the sound of the legendary acts of this genre, like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, UFO and others but also with influences from different styles, with their forthcoming offering High On Fire, SAINTED SINNERS once again prove that classic hard rock can feel timeless, energetic, and inspiring for generations to come.
High On Fire delivers a feeling of good time Rock’n’Roll vibes. Let‘s forget and escape from all the bad things in life and enjoy life to the fullest with freedom of expression and a overall positive attitude: „There are too many negative things happening all over the world right now, and you can’t ignore that. However, you always have to stay positive and firmly believe that calmer and better times will come again, and we hope to help our fans stay similarly positive with our music and continue to believe that everything will be okay“, says Pané.
You can also feel that power within the album artwork, created by Frank and Miram Kollbrunner. „For me, it reflects the power we try to convey to the listener with our music. Whether you’re a “saint” or a “sinner,” there’s a little bit of both in everyone. Life is also light and shadow. If you accept that for yourself, it gives you the freedom to enjoy life.”
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 ) 