Swiss black metal act VÍGLJÓS have returned with a ferocious new single, “Claviceps”, offering the first taste of their highly anticipated sophomore album, “Tome II – ignis sacer”. The full-length record is set for release on September 19 via Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions.
VÍGLJÓS sheds light on the track, commenting: “The story of humanity and Claviceps is one of creativity and pain. It reaches back to medieval times and possibly beyond. Various kinds of early psychedelic artists deliberately poisoned themselves with the Claviceps fungus to expand their minds and alter their reality.
On this new record we want to honour the impact that Claviceps, and later LSD had and still has on art, music, society, our self-image and medicine, as well as the terror and depravity it brought upon us.“
Emerging from Basel in 2022, VÍGLJÓS (Old Norse for “the light which is just bright enough to be able to kill a man”) has since solidified its ranks into a potent four-piece, featuring members from both Germany and Switzerland. With their lineup now wielding guitar, drums, mellotron, and vocals, the band recently laid down their second album at Marc Obrist’s (Zeal & Ardor) Hutch Sounds in Oberwil, BL. Obrist’s meticulous work on recording, mixing, and mastering promises a production that will undoubtedly capture the band’s intense vision, complemented by striking artwork from Adrian Smith and layout by Luca Piazzalonga.
While VÍGLJÓS openly acknowledges the profound influence of Norwegian Second Wave Black Metal titans like Darkthroneand Immortal, their sound is far from a mere homage. They skillfully weave the raw, frigid essence of ’90s Black Metal with unexpected layers of synth, intricate tremolo picking, and even light infusions of rock’n’roll riffs and beats. These elements are all underpinned by hauntingly atmospheric mellotron tracks, adding a unique depth to their dark canvas. For those who’ve experienced VÍGLJÓS live, the word is out: expect an “auditive, visual and olfactory experience” that lingers long after the final note.
Thematically, “Tome II – ignis sacer” delves deep into the phenomenon of ergotism – the voluntary or involuntary poisoning by ingesting the claviceps fungus that grows on wheat. This ancient affliction, which fueled historical phases of civil unrest, witch crazes, and societal meltdowns when climate favored its growth on essential food sources, is a central inspiration.
Tracklist:
Sowing
A Seed of Aberration
The Rot
Claviceps
Dellusions of Grandeur
Decadency and Degeneration
Harvest
Fallow – A New Cycle Begins
“Tome II – ignis sacer” will be coming out on September 19 via Les Acteurs de L’Ombre Productions in CD/LP and DIGITAL formatsand is now available for pre-order atTHIS LOCATION
VÍGLJÓS are: J – Drums L – Vocals N – Guitar Mellotron by Aorrta as Guest Musician
Today, SCHATTENMANN are proud to release their new single & music video ‘Kein Kommando’ [engl. ‘No Command’]. Musically metal to the core and tricked out with modern elements, the single is the powerful first preview of their forthcoming album “Endgegner” [engl. “End Boss”], which is due out in early 2026 and will be supported by a massive headline run through their home country.
Frontman Frank adds: “‘Kein Kommando’ is probably the most important song of our career since our debut single to us since it marks the beginning of a new era – we’re entering the musical path into a clear metal direction. The line ‘Heute gibt es keine Regeln, keine Grenzen, kein Gesetz’ [engl. ‘There’s no rules, barriers and law today’] hits the nail right on the head: There was no limits, no borders, no compromises when we decided to open this new chapter. We didn’t care about other people’s thoughts or expectations, and we simply did what we thought was right – musically, optically and authentically.”
To make their loyal fan base grow in even more territories, SCHATTENMANN group have now partnered with PERCEPTION. The latest imprint of Reigning Phoenix Music, a rising metal label with headquarters in Hamberg, Germany as well as Los Angeles, CA, has made it its business to help highly promising acts take the next step and to jointly make the breakthrough with long-ranging success. This is a new union of two parties which seem to be made for each other as PERCEPTION worldwide network of partners and distribution will surely elevate the band to previously unknown heights.
Frank states: “A new way, new music, a new label. We’re very excited to take our next steps alongside PERCEPTION under the roof of Reigning Phoenix Music. This moment isn’t only a musical restart but also a big chance for us to realise our ideas and vision with even more power and clarity. We’re really happy to have a strong team by our side which shares our passion and supports our way in all respects. With PERCEPTION and Reigning Phoenix Music, we’ve found partners who believe in us. This connection inspires and motivates us to make the best out of our music.”
“The facts actually speak for themselves: Within a short period of time, SCHATTENMANN have reached the status of a band the European metal scene can’t be imagined with anymore. We’re equally excited to collaborate with Frank and his band mates since we’re sure that their unique approach is full of endless potential which should finally be directed into the right channels. Let’s not spend any more words, let’s make rhetoric into action. SCHATTENMANN are here to conquer!” comments the PERCEPTION team.
So, are you ready to face the end boss? More details about “Endgegner” as well as album pre-orders will be announced very soon…
“Endgegner” Tour 2026
w/ special guests
12.03.2026 DE Frankfurt – Das Bett 13.03.2026 DE Oberhausen – Kulttempel 14.03.2026 DE Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn 15.03.2026 DE Saarbrücken – Garage 19.03.2026 DE Hamburg – Knust 20.03.2026 DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 21.03.2026 DE Erfurt – From Hell 26.03.2026 DE Munich – Backstage (Halle) 27.03.2026 DE Cologne – Luxor 28.03.2026 DE Hanover – MusikZentrum 04.04.2026 DE Berlin – Hole 44 05.04.2026 DE Magdeburg – Factory
More upcoming SCHATTENMANN live dates:
– 22.08.2026 DE Haddeby – Baltic Open Air
About SCHATTENMANN
Founded in 2016, Nuremberg-based band SCHATTENMANN have entered the metal world by storm! Pinnacling with their top 10 album “Día de muertos” in 2023, the quartet – singer Frank Herzig, guitarist Jan Shook, bass player Luke Shook & drummer Rorschach – paved their way with impactful songwriting but also with energising live shows. A thrilling combination which has resonated with a wide range of range (mostly) European metalheads so far. Sheer metal and continuous touring are the keys of why SCHATTENMANN have become one of the leading German ambassadors in the hard ‘n’ heavy universe within less than 10 years.
SCHATTENMANN are: Frank Herzig | vocals Jan Shook | guitars Luke Shook | bass Rorschach | drums
The heavy metal visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — are thrilled to announce the thoroughly fitting October 31 release of their latest masterwork Don’t Go in the Forest.
The band also shared the video for “Tonight We Must Be Warriors.” Watch it below.
“It has become a necessity to me over the years to be able to answer one question: Why is this important? It can’t be just another album. We need to discover something, try something else. It has to come from the heart. What is being said matters,” says vocalist Eckerström regarding the release of single, “Tonight We Must Be Warriors”. In days of isolation and despair, maybe we need to be reminded that we are not alone? We are one of many. Maybe we also need a reminder that the burden is on our shoulders? To get it done, we need to do the fighting ourselves.”
“In our shared pain, we find solidarity.”
“The secret ingredient is that we still feel like we’re just getting started. “Don’t Go In The Forest” is an album filled to the brim with stuff we’ve never done before. It’s all songs and concepts we haven’t been close to touch until now. The mind is wild and we have lost ourselves in the darkest woods, filled with memories, and fantasies. Forbidden thoughts that must be spoken.” States vocalist Eckerström regarding the upcoming release of Avatar’s album “Don’t Go In The Forest”.
“It would have been impossible to make this album at any other time than now. That’s all we ever wanted, and I think you’ll find it’s all you ever wanted too.”
Did you enter the forest via the new track?
The band announced headline A Night To Be Tour Apart headline tour back in April, now have rebranded the tour as In the Airwaves with fresh new admat announcing additional support Norwegian Feminist Black Metal group Witch Club Satan, as well as Norwegian Death Jazz band Agabas for select dates. Avatar have gone from strength to strength over the past several years. There’s the critically acclaimed, 2023-released album Dance Devil Dance, which included rock radio chart topper “The Dirt I’m Buried In.” There have been scores of sold-out headline shows across the globe and an actual fossil named after them. The list goes on and on.
Avatar have gone from strength to strength over the past several years. There’s the critically acclaimed, 2023-released album Dance Devil Dance, which included their first #1 at Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay, “The Dirt I’m Buried In.” There have been scores of sold-out headline shows across the globe and an actual fossil named after them. The list goes on and on.
But the past is the past and the future is, well, dark in the best possible way and that’s JUST how Avatar like it!
The track listing for Don’t Go in the Forest will be revealed in due course. The band has previously shared “CAPTAIN GOAT” and “In the Airwaves.”
Avatar will spend the foreseeable future (if not forever) on the road — with forthcoming tours supporting Iron Maiden and Metallica, along with the band’s biggest show EVER in Mexico City. See below for a complete rundown of the band’s planned tour activity for the next two years.
Avatar show no signs of pausing to take a breath in their quest for absolute world domination — much less stopping.
2025 MEXICO HEADLINE
Fri, Oct 31, 25 — Mexico City, MX — The Pepsi Center
2026 EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR
Thu, Feb 5, 26 — Stockholm, SE — Fållan Sat, Feb 7, 26 — Helsinki, FI — Kulttuuritalo Mon, Feb 9, 26 — Oslo, NO — Sentrum Scene Tue, Feb 10, 26 — Copenhagen, DK — Vega Wed, Feb 11, 26 — Osnabrück, DE — Die Botschaft Thu, Feb 12, 26 — Brussels, BE — A.B. Sat, Feb 14, 26 — London, UK — Exhibition Sun, Feb 15, 26 — Manchester, UK — Academy Mon, Feb 16, 26 — Glasgow, UK — Barrowland Tue, Feb 17, 26 — Nottingham, UK — Rock City Wed, Feb 18, 26 — Bristol, UK — O2 Academy Fri, Feb 20, 26 — Amsterdam, NL — AFAS Live Sat, Feb 21, 26 — Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU — Rockhal Sun, Feb 22, 26 — Zürich, CH — Komplex Tue, Feb 24, 26 — Barcelona, ES — Razzmatazz Wed, Feb 25, 26 — Madrid, ES — La Riviera Fri, Feb 27, 26 — Lisbon, PT — LAV Sat, Feb 28, 26 — Bilbao, ES — Santana 27 Mon, Mar 2, 26 — Lyon, FR — Le Cube Tue, Mar 3, 26 — Milan, IT — Alcatraz Wed, Mar 4, 26 — Vienna, AT — Gasometer Thu, Mar 5, 26 — Munich, DE — Tonhalle Fri, Mar 6, 26 — Cologne, DE — E-Werk Sat, Mar 7, 26 — Paris, FR — Le Zenith Mon, Mar 9, 26 — Wiesbaden, DE — Schlachthof Tue, Mar 10, 26 — Zlin, CZ — Sports Hall Datart Wed, Mar 11, 26 — Warsaw, PL — Stodola Thu, Mar 12, 26 — Berlin, DE — Columbiahalle Fri, Mar 13, 26 — Hamburg, DE — Docks
SUPPORTING METALLICA — SUMMER 2026
Sun, May 24, 26 — Frankfurt, DE — Deutsche Bank Park Thu, Jun 11, 26 — Budapest, HU — Puskas Arena Fri, Jun 19, 26 — Dublin, IE — Aviva Stadium Sun, Jul 5, 26 — London, UK — London Stadium
2025 U.S.A. HEADLINE
Wed, Nov 5, 25 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren Thu, Nov 6, 25 — San Diego, CA — The Observatory San Diego Fri, Nov 7, 25 — Riverside, CA — Riverside Municipal Auditorium Sat, Nov 8, 25 — Las Vegas, NV — Brooklyn Bowl Mon, Nov 10, 25 — Seattle, WA — Moore Theater Tue, Nov 11, 25 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theatre Wed, Nov 12, 25 — Boise, ID — Revolution Fri, Nov 14, 25 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union Sat, Nov 15, 25 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Mon, Nov 17, 25 — Minneapolis, MN — Fillmore Tue, Nov 18, 25 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee Thu, Nov 20, 25 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore Detroit Fri, Nov 21, 25 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE Sat, Nov 22, 25 — Columbus, OH — KEMBA Live! Sun, Nov 23, 25 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring Tue, Nov 25, 25 — Huntington, NY — Paramount Wed, Nov 26, 25 — Boston, MA — House of Blues Fri, Nov 28, 25 — Allentown, PA — Archer Music Hall Sat, Nov 29, 25 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore Charlotte Sun, Nov 30, 25 — Louisville, KY — Old Forester’s Paristown Hall Tue, Dec 2, 25 — Chicago, IL — Riviera Theater Thu, Dec 4, 25 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works Fri, Dec 5, 25 — St. Louis, MO — The Pageant Sat, Dec 6, 25 — Tulsa, OK — Tulsa Theater Sun, Dec 7, 25 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues
AVATAR ARE: Johannes Eckerström — Vocalist Jonas Jarlsby — Guitarist Tim Öhrström — Guitarist Henrik Sandelin — Bassist John Alfredsson — Drummer
SOLE SYNDICATE release their next single “The Way That You Are” from the new album “The Reckoning” (Release Date Sept. 26, 2025)!
The lyrics of the song are not only very encouraging, but has also been visualized with a very cool video.
“This song is about living your life to the fullest! Don’t let anyone decide how to live or who to love. We have one shot, aim for the bullseye!” Jonas Månsson, Sole Syndicate
Biography: Sole Syndicate is a metal band from the western parts of Sweden. The band was formed by singer and guitarist Jonas Månsson in 2016 and has released three albums, Garden of Eden (2017), Last Days of Eden (2020) and the critically acclaimed Into the Flames (2022). Sole Syndicate is Jonas Månsson (vocals and guitars), Katja “Cat” Rasila (keyboards and vocals), David “Gus” Gustafsson (bass) and Alfredo “Fred” Souza (drums). The band has a modern sound with a touch of their heroes from the past. The inspiration comes from a variety of bands like Van Halen and Dream Theater to Metallica and Nine Inch Nails. Although the music is hard and heavy, strong melodies are the most important thing for the band.
Line-up: Jonas Månsson – guitars and lead vocals Katja ”Cat” Rasila – keyboards and lead & backing vocals David ”Gus” Gustafsson – bass and backing vocals Alfredo “Fred” Souza – drums
Wormholedeath is proud to welcome a bold new force into the fold: Belgium’s electro-fun metal phenomenon BOUM PATAT has officially signed with the label for the worldwide re-release of their debut album “Ma Belgitude”, set to drop on October 31, 2025.
BOUM PATAT is the eccentric, electrifying creation of Olivier Wittenberg, a veteran of the Belgian metal scene known forhis work as drummer and composer with Manic Movement. Having toured across Europe in the 2000s alongside metal giants like Kreator, Moonspell, and Psychotic Waltz, and gracing iconic stages such as Graspop Metal Meeting, Wittenberg now returns with a vengeance — and a sense of humor.
“Ma Belgitude” is a self-produced, genre-defying blast of metal mayhem and Belgian absurdity, combining the brute force of groove and industrial metalwith a delirious mix of old-school electronics — think new beat, techno, and a touch of madness. Olivier wrote, performed, and produced the entire album solo, bringing a raw, unfiltered vision to life with all the power of a full band.
Live, BOUM PATAT transforms into a powerhouse trio, with Laurent Soulasse on bass and Maxime Demulder on drums, amplifying the chaos and charm on stage.
A hybrid of Rammstein’s industrial weight, Machine Head’s aggression, and unapologetically bizarre humor, BOUM PATAT doesn’t just bend genres — it blows them up with pyrotechnic absurdity. “Electro-Fun-Metal” is more than a label; it’s an attitude. It’s metal for those who aren’t afraid to laugh while headbanging — a sonic punchline with real bite.
“This is just the beginning,” says Wittenberg. “Expect more intensity, more contrast, and always, more fun.”
Greek extreme‑metal veterans NIGHTFALL are set to embark on the Morbidfest 2025 EU Tour. Celebrated for forging a “Mediterranean way to black metal”, melding gothic, melodic death, and symphonic black elements, Nightfall return to the stage after the release of their eleventh studio album, Children of Eve.
Their latest opus, Children of Eve, stands as a defining statement in Nightfall’s storied career. Blending raw brutality with gothic atmosphere and intricate composition, the album showcases the band’s evolution into a force of depth, ferocity, and melodic finesse. It is both a testament to their legacy and a bold step into new artistic territory.
Live, Nightfall’s performances continue to impress. During their 2021 Athens show at Gagarin, Rockpages lauded it as “an awesome show, worthy of the expectations of everyone who was that night at Gagarin”. That same dynamic energy is set to return—and intensify—across European venues this autumn.
Morbidfest 2025 EU Tour Dates:
24.11 Warsaw, PL @ Progresja 25.11 Gdansk, PL @ B90 26.11 Coesfeld, DE @ Fabrik 27.11 Copenhagen, DK @ Richter 28.11 Gothenburg, SE @ The Abyss Fest 29.11 Gothenburg, SE @ The Abyss Fest 01.12 Bochum, DE @ Matrix 02.12 Leipzig, DE @ Hellraiser 04.12 Bucharest, RO @ Quantic 05.12 Belgrade, RS @ Zappa Barka 06.12 Kosice, SK @ Colosseum 07.12 Krakow, PL @ Hype Park 09.12 Brno, CZ @ Fleda 10.12 Vienna, AT @ Szene 11.12 Graz, AT @ Explosiv 12.12 Lindau, DE @ Vaudeville 13.12 Eindhoven, NL @ Eindhoven Metal Meeting 14.12 Karlsruhe, DE @ Substage 15.12 Milan, IT @ Magazzini Generali 16.12 Rome, IT @ Orion 17.12 Aarburg, CH @ Musigburg 19.12 Paris, FR @ La Machine du Moulin Rouge
Tickets will be made available at a later date.
Cover Art by Eliran Kantor — Art Concept: Efthimis Karadimas
Tracklist:
I Hate (6:05)
The Cannibal (3:36)
Lurking (4:08)
Inside My Head (4:51)
Seeking Revenge (3:47)
For The Expelled Ones (5:07)
The Traders Of Anathema (3:15)
With Outlandish Desire To Disobey (3:25)
The Makhaira Of The Deceiver (4:21)
Christian Svengali (4:43) Full runtime: 43:22
For more than three decades, NIGHTFALL have stood alongside Rotting Christ and Septicflesh as the pioneering trinity of Greek metal. The legendary Athenian death metal band sound as vengeful as ever. But backed by monumental production and a powerful message, their eleventh studio album stands as their darkest and most epic creation yet. Children of Eve is here to unite blackened souls everywhere.
“I love how this album came out”, Nightfall’s founder Efthimis Karadimas says. “We’re excited to play these songs live. The sound is massive. The choruses are huge. And there’s a message that comes through. It’s an album about how we come through pain, how we live with pain, and how we die in pain”.
A Living Legacy of Greek Metal
Since their formation in 1991, Nightfall have remained a beacon for Greek metal. “Well, here is one of the rare, original bands”, wrote Angry Metal Guy. Like the scorching sun over their homeland, the Athenians rose from the underground alongside Rotting Christ and Septicflesh, though they were the first to sign an international record deal.
“Nightfall proves with “Children of Eve” that they’re fairly considered as one of the pioneers of the Hellenic Metal scene” says Rotting Christ frontman Sakis Tolis. “The fact that they create wonderful albums like this one make them legends that still have things to say! Congratulations for this new creation!”
Over the years, the crew around Efthimis has changed frequently. But while Nightfall did enjoy a short but successful stint with Metal Blade Records in the early 2010s, their strong bond with Holy Records during the ’90s established a deep connection between the Greek and French metal scenes. That legacy continues with the band’s current label Season of Mist.
“Nightfall deserve great credit for persistence and determination”, Blabbermouth wrote upon the eve of At Night We Prey. “For fans of face-ripping gloom, [their] sizeable catalogue remains eminently worthy of exploration”.
Monumental Production
Like their contemporaries, Nightfall weave gothic melodies into blackened death metal. Children of Eve features the most infectious collection of hooks that the band has ever created, though their disdain for the dominance of the Eastern Orthodox Church has only deepened over the years. The ongoing rise across the globe of so-called “holy wars” fueled their latest rebellion.
“Anger was the root”, Efthimis explains about the inspiration behind Children of Eve. The band’s veteran leader commands the stage with cloak and dagger, but the album’s lead single pulls no punches. “I am the son of night, notorious bastard”, he roars as an eerie choir echoes like the call of a siren. As if summoned from Olympus, former Septicflesh drummer Fotis Benardo unleashes his attack like a swarm of venomous arrows.
“Faith is a personal matter”, Efthimis continues, “but it can become a dirty business”.
To amplify their message, Nightfall enhanced the entire production of Children of Eve. Efthimis and Fotis took charge of the production with assistance from Inner Wish guitarist Thimios Krikos. Meanwhile, Jacob Hansen – who worked with Volbeat, Amaranthe and The Black Dahlia Murder – handled the mixing and mastering. For the artwork, the band turned to Eliran Kantor, who’s renowned paintings have graced the covers of albums by Testament, Kreator and Helloween.
A Powerful Message
Look at the tracklist and it’s evident that “I Hate” takes aim at the consistent influence of organized religion. “The Traders of Anathema” raises its axe in honor of Judas Iscariot, featuring two blistering guitar solos from Kostas Kyriakopoulos. However, Children of Eve wouldn’t bear the mark of Nightfall without a deeper message.
“Death’s Spiritual Healing deeply influenced me”, Efthimis says. “At the time, its social message was so advanced for the genre”. While “The Cannibal” bursts with divine tremolo picking, its lyrics explore how religious structures and fanaticism can devour you. “I hold the power / to explain your screams”, Efthimis howls with chilling intensity.
During Nightfall’s most recent hiatus, Efthimis was diagnosed with depression. Now, he wears a black mask to cover half of his face, symbolizing what it’s like to live under the invisible veil of mental illness. “When you have demons in your mind, you’re not always an ideal companion”, he admits. “That stigma can lead to isolation”.
Now, Nightfall are encouraging fellow metalheads to speak up. The band have launched a new initiative called Metal Music Against Depression (MMaD), which is supported by European Alliance Against Depression in Germany. “We can talk about this. We can sing about it. We can build a community that’s based on understanding”, Efthimis says.
With Children of Eve, Nightfall return from the shadows to unite blackened souls everywhere with their darkest and most epic creation yet.
Production Credits: Recorded at Devasoundz Studios, Athens, Greece Produced by Efthimis Karadimas with Fotis Benardo & Thimios Krikos Engineered by Fotis Benardo & Thimios Krikos Mixed & Mastered in Hansen Studios, Denmark by Jacob Hansen
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
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