Italian modern metal act Secret Rule presents their new single “In The Silence”, the latest chapter leading up to the release of their upcoming album “X“, out October 24th via Rockshots Records.
Following the impactful “Just a Sacrifice”, the environmental call of “Echoes of the Earth” and the emotional depth of “Silent Pain”, this new single turns inward, exploring the dialogue with our inner self—the quietest voice that often carries the most strength.
Blending cinematic modern metal textures with an unexpected rap section performed by bassist Sofia Basili and enriched by orchestral counterpoints, “In The Silence” weaves together fragility, honesty, and resilience. Angela Di Vincenzo’s heartfelt vocals capture the tension between weakness and inner strength while Andy Menario’s production strikes a balance between heaviness and atmosphere.
Angela comments: “This song is a dialogue with your inner self—the version of you that holds your strength when you’re at your weakest. Writing it was like letting that voice finally speak.”
Sofia adds: “My part is that quiet voice inside, the one that whispers when you’re ready to hear the truth. It’s not about volume, it’s about honesty.”
With “In The Silence”, Secret Rule reaffirms their ability to innovate within modern symphonic metal, offering yet another dimension of their dynamic sound.
Track Listing: 1. The Answer 2. Walking Down The Street 3. In The Silence 4. Echoes of Earth 5. Eternal Symphony 6. Silent Pain 7. Collapse 8. Lost In Paradise 9. Destiny Reloaded 10. Just A Sacrifice 11. The Storm Album Length: 42:30
Secret Rule celebrates 10 years of music with a special 10th Anniversary Tour! Don’t miss the chance to experience their powerful live show across the UK and Europe this fall.
Full Tour Dates: 20 OCT – Glasgow | Ivory Blacks 21 OCT – Edinburgh | Bannerman’s 22 OCT – Manchester | Aatma 23 OCT – Newcastle | Trillians 24 OCT – Birmingham | Asylum 2 25 OCT – London | Cart & Horses 26 OCT – Treforest | The Green Rooms 07 NOV – DE | Mörlenbach | Live Music Hall 08 NOV – BE | Bree | Ragnarok
Following his electrifying and critically acclaimed November 2024 UK tour, guitar marvel and powerhouse vocalist Philip Sayce returns in May/June 2026 for a nationwide UK tour fuelled with a brand-new live release and a forthcoming studio album that promises to raise the bar yet again.
Planet Rock’s48-hour ticket pre-sale starts 10am on Monday22 September via PlanetRock.com. Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Wednesday 24 September from thegigcartel.comand philipsayce.com.
In the lead-up to the tour, Sayce drops a unique live version of his anthemic track “Peace Machine,” recorded at the legendary Baked Potato in Los Angeles. “The message of Peace Machine rings even louder today than when I first recorded it,” says Sayce. “This live take with my band captures the fire, the intensity, and the raw spirit of the song — it sums up so much of what I’m seeing and feeling in the world right now.”
Watch the “Peace Machine Live in L.A. at The Baked Potato” music video below.
But that’s just the start. Sayce is deep in the studio between Toronto and Los Angeles, pushing his craft to new levels with a new album that blends raw intensity and refined soul. It’s the sound of an artist evolving — and hitting his stride like never before. “This album feels like a homecoming and an evolution all at once — it’s full of heart, grit, and everything I’ve lived since my last release,” says Sayce.
Sayce’s special guest on the tour is critically acclaimed British guitarist and singer songwriter Tom Moriarty. “Tom’s music appeals to fans of Ben Harper, Ray Lamontagne and Van Morrison,” says Guitarist magazine.
Sayce is no stranger to guitar accolades. “Philip Sayce stands on the edge of hard rock and psychedelia, slinging guitar riffs past your ears at warped speed,” says Rock and Blues Muse.
Philip’s 2024 studio album The Wolves Are Coming, received high praise from the UK music press, including interviews and album thumbs up reviews in music magazines including Classic Rock, Guitarist, Guitar Interactive, HRH, R’N’R, Blues Matters, and Blues in Britain.
From blistering fretwork to soul-stirring ballads, Sayce’s performances have earned raves from the likes of Blues Matters (“wild, energetic – a full-on experience”) and Raw Ramp (“Philip Sayce creates atmospheres with sonic textures. When the mood takes him, Sayce extends his fingers into the heavens and takes fire from the sun. Oh my!”).
Backed by bassist Sam Bolle and drummer Bryan Head, Sayce will draw from across his celebrated catalogue — The Wolves Are Coming, Spirit Rising, Peace Machine, Influence, Ruby Electric, and Steamroller — alongside material from the forthcoming 2026 album.
A protégé of the late Jeff Healey and a long-time collaborator with Melissa Etheridge, Sayce has shared stages from Montreux Jazz Festival to Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival, leaving audiences stunned and critics scrambling for superlatives. Jon Bon Jovi once summed it up best: “Who the f** is that guitar player? Pretty fabulous, Philip.”
PHILIP SAYCE MAY/JUNE 2026 UK TOUR SPECIAL GUEST: TOM MORIARTY
NEWCASTLE, ANARCHY BREW SUNDAY 24 MAY 2026 Tickets: The Gig Cartel Benfield Business Park, Unit A1, Benfield Rd, Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 4NQ www.anarchybrewco.com/events
ABOUT PHILIP SAYCE Philip Sayce is a modern guitar hero whose sound fuses blistering electric blues, hard rock energy, and soulful psychedelia into a style all his own. Born in Aberystwyth, Wales, raised in Toronto, Canada, and now based in Los Angeles, California, Sayce grew up immersed in his parents’ record collection — Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins, Jeff Healey, Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, The Beatles, and Dire Straits — igniting a passion that would shape his life. By his mid-teens, he was tearing up Toronto’s blues scene, holding down regular slots at legendary Grossman’s Tavern.
His breakthrough came when Canadian guitar icon Jeff Healey invited him to join his band, touring the world and recording Get Me Some and multiple live releases. Sayce toured and recorded with Uncle Kracker before joining Melissa Etheridge’s band from 2004–2009, contributing to three studio albums, two live releases, and the Oscar-winning song “I Need to Wake Up”.
Sayce launched his solo career with Peace Machine (2005/2009), followed by Innerevolution (2010), Ruby Electric (2011), and Steamroller (2012), the latter two produced by GRAMMY Award-winner Dave Cobb. His 2015 Warner Music debut, Influence (also produced by Cobb), further cemented his reputation, with the live album Scorched Earth (2016) and the critically acclaimed Spirit Rising (2020) marking significant milestones in his evolution as an artist. Today, Sayce’s music connects with a global audience, generating over one million Spotify streams every month.
In February 2024, Sayce released The Wolves Are Coming via Atomic Gemini/Forty Below Records to widespread praise. Voted #2 in Classic Rock’s “Blues Album of the Year” in 2024, the record built on the momentum of his sold-out UK tour in late 2023 and a string of acclaimed live performances in 2024. In 2026, he returns to the UK with his most ambitious project yet — an as-yet-untitled studio album recorded between Toronto and Los Angeles, set for release in Spring 2026.
WDNHF, the solo project of High Fighter and ex-Pyogenesis drummer Thomas Wildelau, has officially released its debut album Consideration this past weekend! Alongside the album launch, WDNHF (pronounced: Weidenhof) revealed a brand-new video for the track “To Put Something In Its True Light” — a song driven by hypnotic spheres and atmospheric textures, accompanied by a clip that reflects on the fine line between illumination and deception.
““To Put Something In Its True Light” – a proverb about the power and responsibility of perception. Light can reveal, illuminate, and bring clarity, yet it can also conceal shadows and distort truth,“ Wildelau comments. “When used positively or reflected upon realistically, it allows the true quality of a person or moment to shine through, creating understanding and appreciation. When used negatively, it becomes an illusion, a mirage that deceives the eye. Used negatively, it becomes illusion, a deceptive image that misleads the eye. Between enlightenment and deception, between honesty and manipulation, responsibility resides. Whoever casts something—or themselves—in the right light shapes perception and bears the consequences of that act. Reflecting on self-perception is also always part of successful integration.“
The new video clip for“To Put Something In Its True Light” is 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: 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.
In the winter of 2024, Boston-born, Berlin-based progressive heavy rock band ELDER reconvened in their adopted home city after a much-needed creative break. Following years of relentless touring in the wake of the pandemic, the band found themselves revisiting a long-shelved project: fragments of music written between Omens (2020) and Innate Passage (2022), material that never quite fit either album.
What began as a simple studio session quickly grew into something more expansive. The result is Liminality / Dream State Return, a sprawling 18-minute composition that bridges ELDER’s past and future. Built around stream-of-consciousness lyrics and extended instrumental passages, the piece captures the band in a transitional state, exploring the “in-between” with both intimacy and grandeur.
For the first time, ELDER collaborated with longtime friend and filmmaker Malachi Cull, who created an epic visual accompaniment — a short film as much as a music video — to mirror the track’s hypnotic journey:
ELDER guitarist & vocalist Nick Di Salvo comments:
“After many years of making music together, it’s nice to know that we can still surprise ourselves. When we met in winter of 2024 to start preproduction for the next record, we didn’t expect that we’d actually end up making a new piece of music in the meantime, or rather finishing some business from the past. This track is yet another bridge between worlds for us, a song which wasn’t ripe for the albums during which it was composed, but not fitting in our upcoming album 7 either.”
Although the project was initially conceived as a digital-only release, ELDER soon decided it deserved a physical format. Liminality / Dream State Return will also be released as a 12” vinyl EP via Stickman Records, pressed on 180g translucent coke-bottle green vinyl with an etching on the B-side and packaged with a download card and artwork by Adam Hill. To order your copy, visit the label’s webstore at: https://www.stickman-records.com/shop/elder-liminality-dream-state-return/
This October, ELDER will be joining neo-psychedelic blues rock masters ALL THEM WITCHES on their House of Mirrors Tour, followed by headline shows in Portugal, Spain and France. Find all upcoming shows listed below:
With ALL THEM WITCHES:
06.10.25 Glasgow (UK), The Garage 07.10.25 Manchester (UK), Manchester Academy 2 08.10.25 Leeds (UK), Leeds Beckett Students’ Union 09.10.25 London (UK), O2 Forum Kentish Town 11.10.25 Paris (FR), Le Bataclan 12.10.25 Brussels (BE), Ancienne Belgique 14.10.25 Utrecht (NL), Tivoli/Vredenburg 15.10.25 Tilburg (NL), 013 Poppodium 17.10.25 Copenhagen (DK), Amager Bio 19.10.25 Berlin (DE), Tempodrom 20.10.25 Warsaw (PL), Progresja 21.10.25 Prague (CZ), Roxy 22.10.25 Vienna (AT), Gasometer 23.10.25 Milan (IT), Alcatraz 24.10.25 Berne (CH), Bierhübeli 26.10.25 Barcelona (ES), Razzmatazz 27.10.25 Madrid (ES), La Riviera
Headlining Dates:
28.10.25 Lisbon (PT), RCA Club (Elder only) 29.10.25 Porto (PT), Mouco (Elder only) 30.10.25 Bilbao (ES), D8 Sorkuntza (Elder only) 31.10.25 Toulouse (FR), La Cabane (Elder only) 01.11.25 Vallet (FR), Westhill Festival (Elder only)
Frontiers Music Srl is thrilled to announce the signing of melodic rock powerhouse Mattador to the label’s roster.
To coincide with the announcement, Frontiers is pleased to reveal the reissue of the band’s album “Save Us From Ourselves”, digitally available now on all platforms. Originally released in 1994 by Osama Records and distributed independently in Europe, the record marked a standout moment in the melodic hard rock scene of the early ’90s.
Drummer Carlos Benitez expressed his excitement, by saying: “We’re thrilled to join the Frontiers family and you can expect new music from us soon. We are ready to move forward with this new era, this is one you don’t want to miss! We want to extend our thanks to Mario and everyone at the label for their support and warm welcome to this new partnership”.
“As part of this return, we will also be releasing a special digital reissue of the album that opened doors for us in Europe back in ’94, our classic album, “Save Us From Ourselves”, he added. “Stay tuned! There’s more on the way!”
Mario de Riso, A&R and Business Affairs VP of Frontiers, commented: “It’s awesome to have those guys back in action. In the darkest period for Melodic Rock and Classic Hard Rock, they came out with a fabulous record mixing the pomp approach of Styx and Kansas with the best of the US Metal sound of the late 80’s. If you don’t know Mattador, indulge now in their cult classic “Save Us From Ourselves” and get ready for a threat!”
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Mattador combined the slick, hook-driven sound of bands like Dokken and Firehouse with the more elaborate, symphonic touches reminiscent of Kansas at their heaviest, and cult AOR heroes Prophet. They are known for blending soaring vocals, razor-sharp guitar work, and a rhythm section as tight as it is thunderous.
Now available digitally for the first time, this reissue brings the original release back to life -complete with its soaring vocals, polished guitar work, and unmistakable ‘90s production flair. A hidden gem for fans of high-quality melodic rock, finally back where it belongs.
During their initial run from 1988 to 1995, Mattador built a loyal following on the island and beyond, thanks to their electrifying live shows and emotionally charged songwriting. Their music resonated with fans of both melodic Hard Rock and Latin Rock, creating a cross-cultural bridge that set them apart from their contemporaries and earned them the privilege of working with world-class acts such as Aerosmith and Iron Maiden, among others.
During this run, Mattador also caught the attention of the European rock scene, which led to their feature in various rock music charts and music magazines across Italy, France, Belgium, the UK, and beyond.
After a decades-long hiatus, the original members of Mattador reunited in 2022, reigniting the creative fire that launched them all those years ago. What began as a nostalgic reconnection quickly blossomed into a full-fledged artistic rebirth.
Their triumphant return caught the attention of Frontiers Music, the renowned Italian-based multinational rock label known for its roster of elite melodic and hard rock acts. With their support, Mattador are poised to reach a new generation, while reigniting the passion of long-time fans.
Today, the band’s lineup features original members Michael Villegas on lead vocals, Carlos Benitez on drums, percussion, and vocals, Miguel “Tito” Rodriguez on lead guitar and violin, and the new addition of Abraham Millet on bass and keys. Together, they forge a unique sound that combines the melodic sensibilities of classic Rock with an undercurrent of Hard Rock with a hint of Prog and a Modern Edge.
Today, Mattador stands as a testament to the enduring power of melody, musicianship, and brotherhood. With their roots firmly planted in Puerto Rico and their eyes on the global stage, Mattador is back – and louder, tighter, and more inspired than ever.
“Save Us From Ourselves” Tracklist:
Intro
Fear (HIV)
Lost Souls
If You’re Gone
All Behind Me
Trend
Live Your Life Not Mine
Save Us From Ourselves
I don’t Know Why
Hear Me Calling
Lying Eyes
In And Out Of Trouble
Line Up: Leo Alvarez – Keyboards, Piano, Hammond, Guitar, Bk vocals Carlos Benitez – drums, Lynn Drum machine, percussions, Bk vocals Tony Collazo – Lead, Bk vocals Ruly Kuan – Bass, Bk vocals Miguelangel Rodriguez – Lead, Rhythm guitar, ac guitars, violin, Bk vocals
Berlin, the desert is calling once again! From May 14–16, 2026 at Columbiahalle & Columbia-Theater, DESERTFEST BERLIN will turn the German capital into a heavy riff sanctuary — and the first wave of bands is already shaking the ground. Last Friday‘s kick-off announcement comes loaded with legends, pioneers, and fresh fire:
Russian Circles will crush you with their cinematic post-metal soundscapes, while desert rock legends Hermano return with John Garcia at the helm. Texas riff titans The Sword are back to shake the ground, and the mighty Acid King keep the doom thick and smoky. King Buffalo invite you to drift away on cosmic psych grooves, while fuzzlords Truckfighters bring the Swedish desert storm with their first new album in 10 years. Earthless will melt your mind with endless space jams, and Crippled Black Phoenix deliver apocalyptic rock full of grandeur. Expect instrumental heaviness from Chicago pioneers Pelican, plus wild progressive energy from Mother’s Cake. Adding Texan groove power from High Desert Queen, new wave of Würzburgs thrash metal Zerre, and psych-doom freakouts from Taiwan’s Dope Purple, DESERTFEST BERLIN 2026 already promises to become a riff-heavy ride straight into the void.
And that’s just the beginning. Many more names and special suprises will follow — a storm is brewing over Berlin, and it’s bigger than ever! Tickets are already flying, so grab yours before they vanish in the haze: www.desertfest.de
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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