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Finnish Synthwave Metal Project MAGNETAR Release New Single ‘The Fading’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 5, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: MAGNETAR. Leave a comment
Photo by Matti Autio

Finland-based synthwave metal project Magnetar has released its new single, “The Fading,” a modern metal/rock track that combines crushing guitars, cinematic synths and an anthemic chorus with radio-friendly songwriting.

LISTEN to ‘The Fading’ on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/magnetar-the-fading

–Composed by Panu Lehtoniemi, Juha Tretjakov
–Lyrics by Juha Tretjakov
–Arranged, produced, mixed & mastered by Panu Lehtoniemi
–ISRC: QT6EE2685468
–Single cover by Juha Tretjakov

Founded by producer and instrumentalist Panu Lehtoniemi together with vocalist and lyricist Juha Tretjakov (Pressure Points, ex-Vansidian), Magnetar delivers a polished independent production. Every aspect of the release—from songwriting and production to mixing and mastering—was completed in-house.

“The Fading” explores themes of letting go, moving forward and embracing life’s constant change, balancing emotional depth with powerful hooks and modern production.

Fans of Nothing More, Bad Omens and Dayseeker will recognize familiar influences while discovering a fresh Nordic take on modern metal/rock.

BIOGRAPHY:

Formed in Tampere, Finland in 2025, Magnetar is a forward-thinking synthwave metal project driven by producer Panu Lehtoniemi and vocalist Juha Tretjakov. The band explores the intersection of heavy music and retro-futuristic electronic soundscapes, crafting tracks that feel equally at home in alt metal/rock playlists and cinematic digital environments.

With a fully self-produced workflow, Magnetar maintains complete creative control—from composition to final master—resulting in a polished, modern sound that competes with international releases. Their music is characterized by driving rhythms, expansive synth layers, and emotionally charged vocal performances.

Magnetar’s debut release Product Zero marks the beginning of a project focused on consistent output, strong visual identity, and playlist-driven growth in the global alternative and electronic metal scenes.

Line-up:
Juha Tretjakov – Vocals
Panu Lehtoniemi – Guitar, keyboards, bass & drum programming
Olli Tasala (Every Green In May) – Guest guitar solo

Links: https://linktr.ee/Magnetarband_official

GÅTE Release New Single ‘Strandvaskar’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 5, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: GÅTE. Leave a comment
Photography: Ole Ekker

Gåte are one of the most distinct bands to come out of Norway. The band have topped the Norwegian charts, won a Norwegian Grammy and represented Norway in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Now, they are expanding their groundbreaking mix of Nordic folk and modern rock on their upcoming new album Sigil.

Today, Gåte are releasing “Strandvaskar” as the second advanced single from Sigil.  With Hardanger fiddle and mystical electronics, the song pulls from the Norwegian superstition that a body washed ashore must be given a proper burial, lest the sea return to reclaim what it’s lost.  

Sigil comes out September 25 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order: https://orcd.co/gatesigil
Pre-save on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/2kiURuXN7GZ84VD9HDnbsf

Sigil is Gåte’s most ambitious album yet. The album recounts ancient legend and folk narratives to ask what survives once illusion falls away.

“Strandvaskar” names the drowned rather than the finder. The song stages a quiet, unresolved dialogue between the two: a voice with no sound that speaks, eyes that flicker and slowly fill with blue as the sea reclaims its own. The narrator is pulled toward the dead and pulls back, not from horror but fear, letting go rather than being able to hold on.

Tracklist:

  1. Bergteken (04:44)
  2. Oskorsreia (03:08) [WATCH]
  3. Sannsiger (03:43)
  4. Nokon (03:10)
  5. Bòd frå djupet (03:45)
  6. Strandvaskar (03:27)
  7. Songen (03:38)
  8. Aude (03:54)
  9. Mi Jord (03:44)
  10. Jostedalsrypa (03:39)
    Full runtime: 36:53

Gåte’s upcoming fall tour will bring the band to nine cities across Norway, plus one date in Istanbul, Turkey. During this ten date run, they will perform  new songs from Sigil, along with fan favorites from their celebrated discography.

Gåte Concerts 2026

October 23 – Trondheim, Norway @ Havet [TICKETS]
October 30 – Drammen, Norway @ Union [TICKETS]
October 31 – Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene [TICKETS]
November 5 – Haugesund, Norway @ Høvleriet [TICKETS]
November 6 – Stavanger, Norway @ Folken [TICKETS]
November 7 – Bergen, Norway @ Verftet [TICKETS]
November 12 – Skien, Norway @ Parkbiografen [TICKETS]
November 13 – Moss, Norway @ Verket Scene [TICKETS]
November 14 – Hamar, Norway @ Festiviteten [TICKETS]
November 21 – Istanbul, Turkey @ IF Performance [TICKETS]

Rooted in the intersection of Nordic folk tradition and contemporary rock, GÅTE have spent over two decades developing a sound that feels both ancient and fiercely present. Drawing on centuries-old ballads, oral traditions, and traditional vocal forms, the band transform these sources into music that is physical, emotionally direct and unmistakably their own.

Emerging in the early 2000s, GÅTE quickly became one of Norway’s most distinctive bands for their groundbreaking mix of Nordic folk tradition and modern rock. In 2002, their debut album, Jygri, entered at #1 on the Norwegian Albums chart and won them the Spellemann Award (Norwegian Grammy) for Best Newcomer.

“GÅTE have been drawing from traditional music and transforming it with modern means into something new right from their beginning”, Metal Hammer writes.

After two studio albums, three EPs and one live album, GÅTE took a twelve-year hiatus before returning to critical acclaim and sold-out performances with 2017’s Svevn. Following their folk-leaning LP Nord in 2021, the band went on to represent Norway in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with a contemporary re-imagining of “Ulveham”, a traditional Norwegian ballad. In 2025, they toured throughout Europe with Leprous.

Rather than treat tradition as a fixed reference, GÅTE approach it as a living force. Old material is not preserved for its own sake, but reworked and recontextualized, allowing it to resonate with contemporary urgency and relevance.

“Our music comes from a place where tradition is not something fixed, but something alive” the band says. “We draw from old sources because they still speak to us, and because they allow us to express something honest and human today.”

GÅTE have now completed their sixth studio album, which will be released on the band’s new label home Season of Mist. While the band has focused primarily on Norway in the past, signing with the international label reflects both the growing interest they have received from around the world and their desire to reach a wider audience.

During the fall of 2026, GÅTE will perform the album’s lead single “Sannsiger” and other new songs during a headline tour of Norway and one date in Istanbul, Turkey. Their concerts are well-known for being immersive and intense, balancing raw energy with a ritual-like focus that has earned them a glowing and growing reputation beyond the Nordic region.

Line-up:
Gunnhild Sundli — Vocals
Magnus Børmark — Guitars, Nyckelharpa, Sounds, FX, Programming, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Jon Even Schärer — Drums, Percussion, Programming, Mouth Harp, Backing Vocals
Arent Todal — Hardanger Fiddle, Nyckelharpa, Violin, Sounds, Backing Vocals
Mats Paulsen — Bass, Backing Vocals

Production Credits:
Recorded at MagnuStudio; Øra Studio.
Produced by Kristian Fanavoll Tvedt & Magnus Børmark.
Mixed & Mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios.

Guest Musicians:
Kristian Fanavoll Tvedt — Synths, Programming, Sounds, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Maria Franz — Guest Vocals on “Sannsiger”
Olav Luksengård Mjelva — Hardanger Fiddle on “Bergteken”, “Oskorsreia”, “Strandvaskar”, “Songen”, “Aude”
John Stenersen — Hurdy-Gurdy on “Mi Jord”
Knut Anders Vestad — Concert Grand Piano on “Jostedalsrypa”
Marit Aspås — Cello on “Jostedalsrypa”
Sylvelin Sundli — Upright Piano on “Bòd frå djupet”

Cover Art:
Martine Solstad Larsen (Sigil Artist); Martin Kvamme (Cover Art and Design).

Photography:
Ole Ekker

Follow GÅTE:
Official Website: https://www.gåte.com/
Bandcamp: https://gaate.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gaateband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaate_official/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gaateband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/G%C3%A5temusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3YxkGgMvqCQA75aFpy6524
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/g%C3%A5te/73355577
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/16043
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/12122/

VALKYRIE’S FIRE Drop New ‘Cascade’ Music Video & Single

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 5, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: VALKYRIE'S FIRE. Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Synnfox Photography

Rising Nashville symphonic power metal group Valkyrie’s Fire has officially released their captivating new music video for “Cascade,” bringing the majestic transition of the night sky into vivid focus. Directed by the team at ProMotion LLC and shot at Precision Dynamics International in Franklin, Tennessee, the visual spectacle serves as a cinematic vessel for the band’s latest single.

The video highlights the ethereal beauty of the cosmos through a carefully calibrated visual production. This is the second single & music video taken from their upcoming full-length album Out of Darkness which will be released on September 18, 2026 via Eclipse Records.

Lyrically and visually, “Cascade” centers on the simple yet profound act of stargazing on a clear evening, tracking the moment dark skies reveal the timeless brilliance of outer space. Rather than building a complex narrative arc, ProMotion LLC and the band chose a clean, performance-driven concept that allows the cosmic imagery to reflect the mood of the music.

Frontwoman Bettie Floyd emphasizes “the all-black wardrobe serves as a deliberate visual anchor, letting the brilliant hues of the cosmos take center stage without cluttering the screen.” Co-vocalist Adam Sanders notes “the production deliberately offers viewers a serene visual escape from daily noise, encouraging fans to pause and immerse themselves in cosmic splendor alongside the band’s soaring melodies.”

Valkyrie’s Fire, a symphonic power metal sextet from Nashville, TN, is set to redefine the American landscape of the genre with their debut full-length album, Out of Darkness. Scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, through Eclipse Records, the album serves as a sophisticated evolution of the band’s melodic foundations. Produced and engineered by Joey Grimaldi, the record boasts a polished, sonic profile that equals the European giants of the genre. The visual identity of the project is equally prestigious, featuring cover art by the legendary Jan Yrlund, whose portfolio includes iconic designs for Battle Beast, Manowar and Delain. A central pillar of the album is the towering track “Burning Sky”, which features a guest appearance by Mikael Sehlin of Amaranthe. Sehlin, who also lent his expertise to the mastering of the album, provides a gritty vocal contrast to the soaring symphonic arrangements. The song explores the harrowing endurance of the human spirit through historical and biblical lenses. While Burning Sky offers aggressive intensity, “Cascade” invites the listener into a more atmospheric experience. The song depicts the transition from dusk to night, focusing on the clarity of the cosmos as constellations emerge from the gloom. Conversely, “Evermore” takes inspiration from the melancholic works of Edgar Allan Poe. Unlike the traditional gloom associated with The Raven, Valkyrie’s Fire reinterprets the narrative as a journey through grief toward a place of hope. Out of Darkness positions Valkyrie’s Fire as a formidable contemporary to bands like Epica, Within Temptation and Nightwish. By blending the grandiosity of European symphonic metal with the sharp production values of the modern Nashville metal scene, the band has created a debut that feels both timeless and urgent. Out of Darkness by Valkyrie’s Fire will be released on September 18, 2026 via Eclipse Records.

Coverart by Jan Yrlund

Pre-Save or Pre-Order Out of Darkness via Eclipse Records at this location.

Out of Darkness track listing
01.       In Spirit, In Shadow
02.       Evermore
03.       Valkyrie’s Fire
04.       Cascade
05.       Burning Sky (featuring Mikael Sehlin of Amaranthe)
06.       Shattered
07.       I See the Angels Fly
08.       Skylark
09.       Labyrinth
10.       Bone and Thorn
11.       Dark Moon
12.       Nocturne
13.       I Will Rise Again

About Valkyrie’s Fire
Nashville’s Valkyrie’s Fire bridges European grandiosity and American grit into a definitive symphonic power metal sound. Blending dual-vocal harmonies, heavy instrumentation, and orchestral depth, the award-winning band draws comparisons to Nightwish and Epica. Following their debut EP Ascension in 2024 (Eclipse Records), they now drop their 13-track full-length album Out of Darkness, a monumental journey through grief, history, and cosmic beauty. Valkyrie’s Fire is Bettie Floyd (vocals), Adam Sanders (vocals), Joey Grimaldi (guitar), Ryan Metroka (drums), Dave Hale (bass), Salem Belladonna (keys, cello).

STORM FORCE Release Second Single ‘Saviour’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 5, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: STORM FORCE. Leave a comment

Storm Force announce their second single Saviour from their upcoming new album Truth, releasing on September 25th. The entire album is now available for a digital pre-order on Bandcamp. Storm Force has planned a Listening Party on September 23rd on Bandcamp. Two days before the album release everyone around the world can join band members on Bandcamp to listen to the entire album.

Greg Fraser shared his insights into the new single, “Saviour has a bit of history behind it. It was originally recorded on the debut Fraze Gang album, and I sang the original version myself. When I first wrote the song, though, it was actually in a different key. Once I got into the studio, I realized it just wasn’t the right fit for my voice, so I ended up changing the key to make it work.

I’ve always been proud of that song and felt it never really got the exposure it deserved. When Storm Force started putting this album together, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to revisit it and finally record it the way I’d always heard it in my head. We returned it to its original key, and having Pat sing it made all the difference. He absolutely knocked it out of the park, and the whole band brought an incredible energy to the track. What you’re hearing now is the version I imagined from the very beginning, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. We hope everyone enjoys it as much as we enjoyed bringing it to life.”

Eonian Records will be releasing the compact disc for Storm Force’s Truth. Pre-orders for the CD will begin August 25th.

Digital pre-order for the album Truth: https://bravewordsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/truth

RSVP to the free Listening Party: https://bravewordsrecords.bandcamp.com/merch/storm-force-truth-listening-party

Storm Force delivers powerful melodic hard rock fueled by soaring vocals, massive hooks, and the timeless energy of classic arena rock. Founded by guitarist and songwriter Greg Fraser, best known for his work with Canadian hard rock veterans Brighton Rock, the band blends classic influences with a modern edge, creating a sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly current.


The band first made its mark with the release of its debut album, Age Of Fear, in 2020 through Escape Music. The album earned praise from melodic rock fans and media alike, showcasing a powerful mix of driving guitars, memorable choruses, and emotionally charged songwriting.

Now Storm Force returns with its highly anticipated sophomore release, Truth, a ten-song collection that raises the bar in every direction.

Drawing inspiration from Whitesnake, Dokken, Scorpions, and Bon Jovi, Storm Force delivers music built for loud speakers, live stages, and fans who still believe in authentic, guitar-driven rock!

The debut Storm Force album, along with both Fraze Gang albums are now available for a budget friendly download of $5,99 each at bravewordsrecords.bandcamp.com

Track Listing:

  1. Truth
  2. Silver Lining
  3. Saviour
  4. Between The Lines
  5. Anti Social Media
  6. Fire Starter
  7. On With The Show
  8. You’re Never Alone
  9. I Wasn’t Finished Loving You
  10. Karma’s A Bitch

Band Members:

  • Patrick Gagliardi – Lead Vocals
  • Greg Fraser – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
  • Mike Berardelli – Bass Guitar
  • Roger Banks – Drums

Production:

  • Produced and Mixed by Darius Szczepaniak
  • Strada XR Atmos Studio, Mississauga, ON
  • Recorded at Storce Recording, Niagara Falls, ON

Additional Musicians:

  • All keyboards by Mike “Benny” Bedrosian, except on “Between The Lines,” performed by Ray Coburn.
  • Margaret Maria – Cello on “I Wasn’t Finished Loving You”

Songwriting:

  • All songs written by Patrick Gagliardi and Greg Fraser, except “Saviour,” written by Greg Fraser.

About STORM FORCE:

Storm Force is the explosive band that fans of classic hard melodic rock have all been waiting for.

Storm Force is led by Canadian rock legend and Brighton Rock founder, Greg Fraser. Greg has earned 4 Juno nominations with Brighton Rock, as well as a gold album in Canada. Greg is joined by Patrick Gagliardi (Vocals), Roger Banks (Drums), and Mike Berardelli (Bass), Storm Force’s debut album “Age of Fear” is the culmination of three years of passion for music and the hard rock genre.

After Brighton Rock, Greg released two great rock albums with the Fraze Gang to solid reviews. For this project however, he decided to step away from the front man role and search for the right members to create something special. Armed with the great rock riffs and melodies he had written, he decided to focus on finding members that were local to him so they could not just create an album that was recorded in different cities with no cohesiveness, but something that really felt like a band! Greg found one of today’s most powerful and versatile lead vocalists in Patrick Gagliardi (formerly of Surface Tension). Patrick adds his touch to the album as the main lyricist bringing different flavours to each song that range from straight ahead Rock anthems to introspective experiences of the current world we live in. Their debut record was recorded at Hamster Cage Studios and produced by Darius Szczepaniak (Black Crowes, Sum 41, Big Sugar). It combines colossal, crushing melodic rock with hook-laden ballads and massive choruses reminiscent of vintage Cinderella, balanced by classic rock sensibilities of acts like The Who and Van Halen.

The group hails from Niagara Falls, Canada and is rounded out by the blistering one-two punch rhythm section of legendary drummer Roger Banks and sought-after session musician and touring bassist Mike Berardelli.

Links:
https://stormforce.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/officialstormforce
https://x.com/stormforceband
https://youtube.com/@stormforce6368
https://www.instagram.com/stormforceband
https://www.tiktok.com/@stormforceband

STONED JESUS Announce New Album “Songs to Moon”, Lead Single & Video ‘Velvet’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 5, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Stoned Jesus. Leave a comment
Photo by @babbibrun

After 15 years of trailblazing across doom metal, grunge, psychedelic and art rock, no height is too steep a climb for Stoned Jesus. The heavy progressive rockers are reaching a new creative peak with their forthcoming album trilogy. Its opening chapter, Songs to Sun, rose atop best of 2025 lists at Doom Charts, Rock Hard, The Obelisk and other critical institutions. Now, frontman Igor Sydorenko and his two bandmates are cycling into the darkest, most daring and deeply moving territory of their career with Songs to Moon.    

“We started The Songs trilogy last year with Songs to Sun, which is a loud and heavy album that’s big on choruses and meaty riffs” Sydorenko says. “While still heavy and catchy, Songs to Moon follows a similar trajectory to Led Zeppelin III, Opeth’s Damnation or Jar of Flies by Alice In Chains. The songs are recognizably Stoned Jesus, but they are bolder, more haunting and introspective than anything we’ve done before”.

Today, Stoned Jesus are announcing Songs to Moon with a ‘90s-style music video for the album’s lead single. While floating endlessly amidst uncertainty, the doomgaze of “Velvet” hits hard with one of the band’s biggest hooks.

“This song answers the question: What if Nirvana was shoegaze?”, Sydorenko teases.

The video for “Velvet” was created by Mykyta Donets.

Songs to Moon comes out October 16, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order: https://orcd.co/stonedjesussongstomoon
Pre-save on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/3eaQK0xSDe91fH92dLiMel

The Songs trilogy spans all phases of Stoned Jesus. Like dusk, Songs to Moon opens in the shadow of Songs to Sun. Previously released single “Under the Skin” plunged the band into a dark night of the soul with loud and heavy slabs of post-metal.

Songs to Moon discovers a more introspective side to Stoned Jesus, “I’ve noticed that in a lot of our songs, the narrator is either falling or starting to lose the ground under their feet”, Sydorenko says. “When writing ‘Velvet’, I asked myself, what’s next? What do I want to find once I reach the bottom? Or do I just want the fall to go on forever”.

Even on their most melancholic album, Stoned Jesus can’t be confined to just one shade of blue. With its grungy riffs and grainy video treatment, “Velvet” would slide into heavy rotation on MTV’s 120 Minutes. “Where will I end up / I never know”, Sydorenko sings with cool remove. As steadily pounding drums, harsh backing vocals from bassist Andrew Rodin and Sydorenko’s howling guitar solo push the song to the brink, it’s loud and clear that the band are only going up from here.  

Tracklist

  1. Under the Skin (5:29) [WATCH]
  2. Velvet (5:11) [WATCH]
  3. ZYX (5:30)
  4. Syzgy (4:50)
  5. Jackal (6:48)
  6. Window in My Room (8:22)
  7. One More Empty Day (4:41)

Catch Stoned Jesus this summer on the European festival circuit.

August 8 – Rome, Italy @ Roma Stone Fest [TICKETS]
August 20 – La Maroutière, France @ V and B Fest [TICKETS]
August 29 – Teramo, Italy @ Suburbiae Festival [TICKETS]
October 30 – Vallet, France @ WeStill Fest [TICKETS]

Since 2009, Stoned Jesus has served as one of Europe’s leading forces in heavy rock. Igor Sydorenko, a fixture of the Ukrainian underground music scene, started it as a solo project after stumbling upon some heavy and angry riffs that would become the song “Occult.” He fed off his Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin influences and was soon turned onto Electric Wizard and Sleep, two bands who mastered the art of bold, lurching heaviness, thus creating a sonic template to abide by.

The Kyiv-based project was initially dubbed “Stoned Jesus from the Outer Space” but this was soon shortened to the much crisper Stoned Jesus. The name was trimmed down out of necessity — Sydorenko wanted to legitimize the band immediately. “I realized that this may cause some problems,” he told Psychedelic Baby in 2010. “Some people wouldn’t take our music seriously, then. I don’t mind jokes and having fun, but music is always the most serious thing for me.”

Two demos ensued before Stoned Jesus’s debut LP, 2010’s First Communion. Recorded with the first line-up in two hours, First Communion was a promising offering that dove headlong into the world of heavy stoner rock, with three songs going over the 10-minute mark for hypnotic effect. The album eventually saw a proper reissue in 2020, introducing it to a new group of fans. The first change of rhythm section brought Seven Thunders Roar in 2012, which included “I’m the Mountain,” a 13-minute epic that has since become a live staple. The album also introduced a bevy of acoustic guitar and softer vocal approaches from Sydorenko.

The Harvest came next in 2015 with a new drummer, deftly transitioning Stoned Jesus into the new terrain, with more alternative and progressive rock leanings. This is a credit to Sydorenko’s evolving songwriting style and desire to never allow Stoned Jesus to repeat itself. “It works brilliantly for the likes of Motörhead or AC/DC, but we’re not that legendary yet,” he told Outlaws of the Sun in 2015. “So, let’s experiment, shall we? Let’s play with the genres, the sound, the song structures, the melodies, the time signatures — yes, my favorite trick!”

With another change of the drummer, the fourth LP, Pilgrims, arrived in 2018. A bold and experimental record, it showed the growing maturity of both musical and lyrical sides of Igor’s ever-progressing songwriting. After a year-long The Pilgrimage Tour and yet another year on the road celebrating the band’s 10th anniversary with the greatest hits setlist, Stoned Jesus’ original plans were to record its follow-up in 2020. That, of course, was sidelined by the pandemic. The band then entered Spivaki Records in Kharkiv in July 2021 to record nine songs at 75 minutes. Two-thirds of the material was mixed and mastered before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, leaving the final run-time of six songs at 43 minutes.

The result was Father Light, the band’s first for Season of Mist, which caught Stoned Jesus in full bloom. The foundational elements of Stoned Jesus’s sound remained (fuzzed-out rock, driving bass lines and maximum groove), once again augmented by the combination of Sydorenko’s gentle clean vocals and hook-laden chorus choices, along with an array of ornamental guitar melodies. And, in true Stoned Jesus fashion, the journey is often the reward. The cuts on Father Light expand and shift — all the while, the band’s trademark heaviness serves as the guide.

Mother Dark, the gloomier introspective twin of Father Light, while partially recorded was shelved due to Igor’s dissatisfaction with the working dynamics of the latest Stoned Jesus line-up. Dissolving said line-up was a difficult decision to make, but Igor’s relocation to Europe brought a surprising reunion with his old friend Yurii, a talented drummer Igor had known even before writing the first Stoned Jesus song. Adding bassist-vocalist Andrew Rodin to this new line-up solidified its reliability, and after the whole year of relentless 15th Anniversary Tour schedule the reinvigorated Stoned Jesus was more than ready for their next chapter.

Songs to Sun arrived in 2025 as the first album in a forthcoming trilogy that once complete, will stand as the pinnacle of what’s been a decades-long trip for Stoned Jesus. While picking up where Father Light left off, Sydorenko and his new mates nodded to Seven Thunders Roar and The Harvest along the way. But by merging metal’s fiery intensity with mind-melting grooves, nods to vintage prog and their catchiest choruses yet, they brought the many distinct phases of Stoned Jesus to a bright, burning head. The album was named one of the best the year by Doom Charts, Rock Hard, The Obelisk, Weedian, Metal Lair and other outlets.  

Now, just one year later, following a European co-headline tour with Finnish proggers Wheel and a triumphant return to Hellfest, Stoned Jesus are taking a giant leap into the darkest, most daring and deeply moving territory of their career with Songs to Moon.  

“Under The Skin” opens in the large shadows of its predecessor with a loud and heavy slab of post-metal that plunges into darkness like the setting sun. The existential shroud that hung over Songs to Sun continues to weigh on Sydorenko. “Still I’m falling down / From high above”, he sings with cool remove amidst the catchy doomgaze that’s expertly weaved into lead single “Velvet”. Mini-prog-opera “Jackal” features the band at their most theatrical. Smack in the middle of the tracklist (and falling precisely halfway through the entire trilogy), the melancholic “Syzgy” configures one melody from each Songs to…album into their first-ever instrumental track. But even on their darkest and moodiest record, Stoned Jesus can’t be confined to just one shade of blue.

Following in the steps of Led Zeppelin III, Opeth’s Damnation or Alice In Chain’s Jar of Flies, during its final lap, Songs to Moon strips down to acoustic guitar and Sydorenko’s hushed vocals. “And when the sun goes down / It brightens up my mood”. As the dreamy desperation of “Window In My Room” fades beneath the stark reminder of closer “One More Empty Day”, Stoned Jesus return to earth weary but wise beyond their years and ready to explore the next frontier.  

Recording Lineup
Igor Sydorenko – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Andrew Rodin – Bass, Backing Vocals
Yurii Ciel – Drums, Backing Vocals

Live Lineup
Igor Sydorenko – Vocals, Guitar
Andrew Rodin – Bass, Backing Vocals
Ihor Biriuchenko – Drums, Percussion

Production Credits
Producer – Igor Sydorenko
Sound Engineer – Andy Rosczyk
Mixing and Mastering Engineer – Karl Daniel Lidén

Recording Studio
Goblin Sound Studio in Cologne, Germany

Mixing and Mastering Studio
Studio Tri-Lamb, Sweden

Cover Art
Vadym “Karaska” Karasiov

Follow Stoned Jesus
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/stonedjesusband
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/stoned-jesus/396799004
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/23lyMLxYNPS15hpVvFNptR
Instagram: instagram.com/stonedjesusband
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stonedjesusband
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STEVE HACKETT & STEVE ROTHERY Launch Second Single + Video ‘Red Dragon’ from Collaborative Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 5, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Steve Hackett, Steve Rothery. Leave a comment

Two titans of progressive music, Steve Hackett (Genesis) and Steve Rothery (Marillion), come together on ‘The Roaring Waves’ – a striking and deeply atmospheric instrumental album shaped by memory, imagination, and the elemental power of the sea. The record has been much talked about over the years, and it will now finally see the day on August 28th, 2026 via InsideOutMusic. 

Now the duo are pleased to present the video for new single ‘Red Dragon’. Created by Simon Ward, you can watch it now here:

Steve Rothery comments: “Red Dragon shows off the rockier side of our collaboration, it starts with the sound of a hurdy gurdy (an instrument which originated in medieval Europe around the 10th century), followed by a heavy guitar riff by myself and great guitar melodies and sitar guitar by SH.”

Steve Hackett adds: “Red Dragon was the name of the ship that was used by the East India Trading Company in its early years. I used a sitar guitar amongst others to give that authentic Eastern feel…”

Years in the making, The Roaring Waves brings together seven instrumental compositions that move fluidly between the cinematic and the intimate, as Hackett explains, “It’s not the kind of album that guitarists normally make together.”

Written and recorded intermittently over nearly a decade – with sessions at Racket Club and the duo’s home studios – the album emerged from an organic, improvisational process. Jams and shared ideas form the backbone of the music, allowing both players to explore a collaborative dynamic defined by sensitivity and mutual respect.

Throughout ‘The Roaring Waves’, the duo embrace a painterly, almost filmic approach to composition – crafting music that invites listeners to drift, imagine, and immerse themselves. “You’re trying to create an atmosphere… like painting a picture,” says Rothery. “Taking people on a journey.”

Watch the previously released video for ‘The Black Sea’ here: https://youtu.be/OIASJN57KlM

The album is also available to pre-order on several formats, including a Ltd CD+Blu-ray mediabook edition including Dolby Atmos (by Andy Bradfield) & High Resolution Stereo mixes. The album will also be available as a Standard CD & a Gatefold 180g LP, cut at half-speed at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell. All feature artwork and layouts by Simon Ward. Pre-order now here: https://stevehackettsteverothery.lnk.to/TheRoaringWaves-Album 

The full tracklisting is as follows:

  1. The Storm
  2. Sandsend
  3. Red Dragon
  4. The Roaring Waves
  5. K-129
  6. The Black Sea
  7. Pacific Coast Highway

STEVE HACKETT online:
www.hackettsongs.com 
 www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Hackett/123101228589 
www.instagram.com/stevehackettofficial/ 
http://hackettsongs.com/tour.html 
https://bsky.app/profile/stevehacketthq.bsky.social

STEVE ROTHERY online:
https://steverothery.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/therealsteverothery 
https://www.instagram.com/steverotheryonline/ 
https://www.youtube.com/user/steverotheryguitar 

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