Finnish hardcore legends Äpärät have returned to the release circuit with their new EP, Kun maailma palaa (As the World Burns). Still delivering uncompromising, old-school ’80s hardcore, the band has been enjoying one of the strongest periods of its career in recent years. Their new EP is another example of this, ranking among the finest releases in Äpärät’s catalogue and carrying even more furious energy than the band’s early recordings.
Founded in 1981, Äpärät will celebrate 45 years as a band next year. Over the past decade, they have also toured extensively outside Finland. In addition to several tours of Central Europe, the band has performed in Mexico, the British Isles and the Nordic countries, among others. Early next year, the band will once again head to the UK.
Breaking a six-year recording hiatus, the Kun maailma palaa EP features five tracks. The first three — “Kun maailma palaa”, “N.Y.T.” and “Harhaa” — are new material, while the final two, “Vittuvanhemmat” and “Viina”, are among the very first songs ever written by the band. The newly re-recorded tracks were originally released on Propaganda Records’Hardcore ’83 compilation. Now in his sixties, vocalist Ipe delivers the songs he wrote at the age of 15 with even more ferocity than he did as a teenager.
The Kun maailma palaa EP will also be released as a 10-inch vinyl record. It will be available at gigs and later through record stores.
Äpärät’s debut release was the Häiriköt tulee EP, released in 1986. It took until 2017 for their debut album, Häiriköt tulee II, to see the light of day.
The Kun maailma palaa EP is dedicated to Äpärät’s original, late guitarist Saikki, who was also known as the bassist of Fishfaces, a band formed by Claude following the breakup of Smack.
Europe return with another striking glimpse of their forthcoming studio album Come This Madness, unveiling the anthemic new single ‘Scandinavian Eyes’, which arrives with a melody that gets under your skin almost immediately. Come This Madness is set for release on September 25th via Silver Lining Music. Pre-orders are available now, here.
Built around a driving riff, an unmistakable chorus, soaring vocal lines and arrangements, ‘Scandinavian Eyes’ is the kind of song that feels like a symphony built for the stage. There is an expansive quality to the track, with Europe combining the power and immediacy of rock with the depth of orchestral music.
“This driving riff, orchestral magic, vocal and guitar melodies make this one of my favourite Europe songs in a long time! says Europe’s founding member and frontman Joey Tempest. “A lyric about crossing the line between good and ‘not so good’…. We’re very proud of this track and can’t wait to perform it live!”
The accompanying performance video, directed by Patric Ullaeus, captures Europe firing on all cylinders and showcasing the full force of their live presence. It puts their chemistry, musicianship and sheer energy front and centre, allowing the intensity of ‘Scandinavian Eyes’ to speak for itself.
Europe’s new studio album Come This Madness signals a powerful new chapter for one of rock’s most enduring acts. Across songs like ‘One on One’, ‘The Cult of Ignorance’, and the title track ‘Come This Madness’, the band channel tension, truth, and raw energy into a record that feels both deeply personal and globally resonant.
Watch and listen to Europe’s recently released and celebrated singles ‘The Cult of Ignorance’ and ‘One on One’, here. Videos directed by Patric Ullaeus.
Come This Madness was recorded at RMV Studio, the Stockholm-based recording facility founded by Benny Andersson and Ludvig Andersson. The album features special guests Tobias Forge (Ghost) and Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) on backing vocals and was produced by acclaimed producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein, Pixies, The Cult, Opeth), who became a true creative force throughout the process, deeply embedded in the band’s writing and recording, shaping the album’s sound from the ground up. To bring the project to its final stage and complete their vision, the band turned to one of rock’s most respected recording legends Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Van Halen, Metallica, The Cult, Loverboy) to mix the record.
With Come This Madness, Europe deliver a landmark record that finds them fully realised and present, confronting the realities of the modern world with conviction and creativity. Building on the momentum surrounding the album’s release, the band will also embark on an extensive tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Final Countdown. Kicking off in Glasgow on September 30th, The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour promises to unite the legacy that defined them with the renewed energy, driving them forward today.
Fans are urged to book quickly to avoid disappointment, as many dates are already sold out and only a very limited number of tickets remain for some other shows. For a full list of dates and ticket information, please visit: www.europetheband.com
2026 Dates:
30 Sep – SEC Armadillo, Glasgow (GB)* 2 Oct – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (GB)* – SOLD OUT 3 Oct – Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London (GB)* – VERY LOW TICKETS 5 Oct – Musis Arnhem, Arnhem (NL)* – SOLD OUT 6 Oct – Olympia, Paris (FR)* – SOLD OUT 8 Oct – Poble Espanyol, Barcelona (ES)* 9 Oct – Bilbao Arena Mirabilla, Bilbao (ES)* 10 Oct – La Cubierta, Madrid (ES)* – VERY LOW TICKETS 12 Oct – Salle Métropole, Lausanne (CH)* 13 Oct – Volkshaus, Zürich (CH)* 14 Oct – Alcatraz, Milan (IT)* 16 Oct – Liederhalle, Stuttgart (DE)* – SOLD OUT 17 Oct – Gasometer, Wien (AT)* – SOLD OUT 19 Oct – Admiralspalast Theater, Berlin (DE)* – SOLD OUT 20 Oct – COS Torwar, Warszawa (PL)* 22 Oct – Falkoner, Frederiksberg (DK)* – VERY LOW TICKETS 23 Oct – Film Studios, Gothenburg (SE)* – SOLD OUT 24 Oct – B-K, Stockholm (SE)* – SOLD OUT 26 Oct – Sentrum Scene, Oslo (NO)* – SOLD OUT 15 Nov – Malta Metal Weekend, St. Julians (MT)* 21 Nov – Ostravar Aréna, Ostrava (CZ)* 25 Nov – Aalto Hall @ House of Culture, Helsinki (FI)* 27 Nov – John Smith Rock Frozen Paviljonki, Jyväskylä (FI)* 28 Nov – Unholy Winter Festival Joensuu Areena, Joensuu (FI)*
2027 Dates:
13 Jan – NHK Hall, Tokyo (JP)* 14 Jan – Shi Kokaido, Nagoya (JP)* 15 Jan – Grand Cube, Osaka (JP)*
*The Final Countdown 40th Anniversary Tour
Come This Madness album artwork by Storm Studios (Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Muse).
Come This Madness track listing:
One on One
The Cult of Ignorance
Come This Madness
This Time of Year
In a Different World
Scandinavian Eyes
Takin’ It Back
In the Absence of Grace
The Angels Must Have Flown
The Devil’s Back
Nothing Can Follow This
Come This Madness will be available on vinyl, CD and digital formats. Pre-orders can be placed here
EUROPE are: Joey Tempest – Lead Vocals John Norum – Guitars John Levén – Bass Mic Michaeli – Keyboards Ian Haugland – Drums
Atmospheric doom masters Pantheist have revealed the full details of their highly anticipated new album, ‘Uncanny Times’, set for release on October 30, 2026 via Argonauta Records. The album will be available as a deluxe double vinyl, CD and digital release, marking the band’s next major statement in their ongoing exploration of darkness, transcendence and the human condition.
Alongside the album announcement, Pantheist have unveiled the first track from ‘Uncanny Times’, “The Final Journey”, accompanied by an evocative new lyric video:
According to Pantheist:
“The Final Journey is the track which set the tone of the whole album in motion. I wrote the music 15 years ago and then shelved it straight away in the hope I would find a vocalist who is worthy of singing it at some point in the future. My prayers were heard with Linda joining the band about a decade and a half later (you need to be very patient when you play doom metal). Once the lyric was written after a deep philosophical conversation with my friend Ricardo in Panama, the first and most decisive step towards ‘Uncanny Times’ was made with this huge, epic album opener.”
Built around a composition that had been waiting for its moment for fifteen years, “The Final Journey” became the catalyst for the album that followed. Epic, solemn and deeply atmospheric, the track opens ‘Uncanny Times’ with a sense of scale that perfectly introduces the journey through the record’s six compositions.
‘Uncanny Times’ tracklist:
The Final Journey
Laughing Falcon
Kuebiko
Entropy
Ithaca Out of Sight
Requiem for Your World
With ‘Uncanny Times’, Pantheist continue to push the boundaries of atmospheric and funeral doom, embracing a vast, immersive sound where monumental heaviness meets reflection, melancholy and existential themes.
‘Uncanny Times’ will be released on October 30, 2026 via Argonauta Records on deluxe double vinyl, CD and digital formats.
Wormholedeath is proud to welcome Serbian extreme metal force ALA to its international roster.
The band’s debut album, “The Dragon’s Return”, will be released worldwide on October 23, 2026, marking the arrival of a fearless new act that fuses Black, Thrash, Speed, and Heavy Metal with Dark Ambient and Psychedelic Rock into a dark and uncompromising sonic experience.
To celebrate the signing, ALAhave unveiled the album’s title track, “The Dragon’s Return”, alongside its official lyric video, offering the first glimpse into the band’s intense musical vision.
Founded by Damir Mirojević (Omadan IX / “O.”) during his time with Serbian black metal band KOLAC, ALA was created to bring together the diverse influences that have shaped his musical journey—from the hypnotic atmosphere of 1970s krautrock and psychedelic rock to the raw aggression of black metal. The result is a sound that is both ferocious and immersive, rooted in darkness while refusing stylistic boundaries.
Written throughout 2025, “The Dragon’s Return” introduces ALA with a record that embraces the spirit of classic extreme metal while forging its own identity. Drawing inspiration from legendary acts including Slayer, Motörhead, Mercyful Fate, Sarcófago, Dissection, Nifelheim, Destroyer 666, and Watain, the album combines razor-sharp riffs, relentless speed, memorable hooks, psychedelic guitar textures, and haunting ambient passages into an uncompromising listening experience.
Lyrically, the album explores rebellion, instinct, and transcendence, celebrating those who reject imposed limits in pursuit of their own path. Every song reflects ALA’s commitment to artistic freedom, honesty, and uncompromising expression.
The current lineup features O. (vocals, guitar), M. (guitar), G. (bass), and R. (drums), musicians whose backgrounds include KOLAC, Terrorhammer, Pustoš, Atomski Rat, Chaoist, Egzekutor, and Armburst.
Named after the Serbian word for a mythical serpent-like dragon of immense destructive power, ALA stands ready to carve its place in the international metal underground with a debut that is both savage and atmospheric. Devoratrix Mundi Omega Draconis.
Commenting on the signing, the band said:
“It is with infernal delight that our band ALA is proud to announce that we’ll be signing a record deal with the mighty WormHoleDeath from Italy this year. We’re proud to join the ranks of many great metal bands that are under this label, and we appreciate that WormHoleDeath recognizes us and our material as being competent and worth being represented by them. We look forward to this infernal pact whose fruits will show themselves soon.”
The Wave Is On The Right Side is the first single from the new THE FORESHADOWING album Ozymandias, which is set to be released on November 20th via Lifeforce Records.
The band about the new single:
“The Wave Is on the Right Side” is a provocative track that confronts the growing wave of right-wing nationalist governments pursuing militaristic policies, while also condemning an ineffective and complacent left-wing that has failed to act to prevent the world from becoming an increasingly darker and more hostile place.
Since their formation in 2005, THE FORESHADOWING have stood among the most distinctive voices within the realm of Gothic Metal, Doom Metal, and Dark Metal. The band from Rome quickly made a name for themselves with songs that combine atmospheric depth, melodic elegance, and emotional expression. Their characteristic clean vocals, the cinematic scope of their arrangements, and their refined sense for mood have established THE FORESHADOWING as a constant presence in the international dark‑music scene.
With their new album “Ozymandias”, their second release on LIFEFORCE RECORDS following “New Wave Order” (2024), the Italian ensemble opens an especially impressive new chapter. The nine songs present the band in a state that feels equally matured, focused, and inspired. The melancholic undertone of their music remains, yet THE FORESHADOWING deliberately embrace an empowering, hopeful form of storytelling — one that views inner reflection not as a burden, but as a source of strength.
The metallic weight of their compositions is complemented by warm keyboard and synthesizer layers, atmospheric instrumental passages, and a natural, almost effortless grace. Especially in the stripped‑down moments, the full emotional impact of the vocals unfolds — moments that create goosebumps and linger long after the final note.“Ozymandias”demonstrates how intense and uplifting music at the intersection of Gothic, Doom, and Dark Metal can be.
With this album, THE FORESHADOWING impressively underline their ability to fuse mood, atmosphere, and narrative depth into a captivating whole. “Ozymandias” is an album full of emotion, expressiveness, and artistic maturity. And it is hauntingly beautiful.
Album Mixed and Mastered by Dan Swanö Artwork by Bunker artworks (Katatonia, Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, etc.)
01. The Wave Is On The Right Side 02. Ozymandias 03. Nemo Propheta 04. Hollowing 05. The Red Hour 06. Lupercalia 07. The Day You Never See 08. Waiting For Tomorrow 09. Even If Some Day
Finnish one-man melodic death/black/folk metal band Wooden Shadow is set to release the second album ‘Silverlake’ on November 19th 2026 via Inverse Records. The first single Upward is unleashed today and it continues Wooden Shadow’s journey through melodic and atmospheric metal, blending emotive melodies with heavy riffs.
–Composed & lyrics by Jeremia Ponto –Single cover by Jeremia Ponto
The man behind Wooden Shadow, Jeremia Ponto comments: “Right from the writing stage, I knew this was the track I wanted to showcase from the upcoming album. I’m really excited to hear what people think. I’m happy and pleased that the journey continues.”
The track features a guest lead guitarist known by the stage name “Edge.” The solo section adds an interesting flavor, bridging the gap between blues/rock ‘n’ roll and shredding. Overall, “Upward” is a fine combination of Wooden Shadow’s older and newer material.
Wooden Shadow is a one-man solo project from Ylöjärvi playing melodic metal, which combine genres in places, especially in the case of new material between folk metal and melodic death metal. From 2020 still running Wooden Shadow and Jeremia Ponto, who leads the solo project, plays the instrumentation and sings in his own music. The lyrical theme is about nature, the darkness of the human mind and life/death – thoughts.
Silverlake Track list:
The Dawn
Varjopuun Polkka
Red Oak
Blackened Roses Fall (feat. Jaana Juntunen)
Upward
Overture Of The Cruelty / Murhe (Acoustic Medley)
Shadowdance
The Ancient Forest
Breath Of Backwinter
Muistojen Valssi
–Composed & lyrics by Jeremia Ponto –Album cover by Hannes Vuohijoki
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
