The Metal Voice spoke former Megadeth Co-founder and Bassist DAVID ELLEFSON About his upcoming Canadian Tour with Kings of Thrash, Megadeth beginnings and lists his TOP 5 Megadeth Deep cuts.
Toronto The Rockpile May 1 Montreal Piranha Bar May 2 Ottawa The Rainbow Bistro May 3
Swedish heavy metal force TUNGSTEN have unveiled the official music video for their powerful new single “The North Will Rise,” featuring a guest appearance from Tony Kakko of SONATA ARCTICA. Blending epic melodies, thunderous rhythms and soaring vocals, the track showcases the band’s signature mix of classic heavy metal spirit and modern precision.
Driven by an anthemic atmosphere and cinematic intensity, “The North Will Rise” stands as a perfect display of TUNGSTEN’s trademarks: powerful songwriting, massive hooks and a larger-than-life energy that feels tailor-made for festival stages. This track is a toast to the north, an electrifying hymn that captures the icy beauty and resilience of those lands. With Tony Kakko’s contagious melodies and Mike Andersson’s raw power, “The North Will Rise” is destined to be a loud, unifying call for all who love the north!
TUNGSTEN lead singer Mike Andersson says; “It’s such an honor to have Tony onboard on this song. He did a tremendous job. I think our voices fits perfectly together which makes “The North Will Rise” extra special. Lyrically it’s kind of a hymn to our part of the world in the north. We hope the metal community and the fans of Sonata Arctica and of course Tungsten will like this song and crank it LOUD!”
Tony Kakko adds; “Catchy like the cold in January on a viking ship crossing a nordic, half frozen sea! Truly a song to unite the people and friends of the North! Very proud and happy to join my friends in Tungsten singing together with Mike on this amazing new track. The melodies are just contagious……Consider yourself warned!”
Formed by drummer Anders Johansson alongside his sons Karl and Nick, TUNGSTEN have quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about acts in the modern metal scene. With a sound rooted in classic heavy metal but sharpened by a contemporary edge, the band has built a reputation for powerful songwriting, a clear identity and relentless forward momentum, earning growing attention well beyond their Scandinavian home base.
TUNGSTEN made a strong entry into the metal scene in 2019 with the release of their debut album “We Will Rise”. The band quickly built momentum, releasing three further albums over the following years (“Tundra”, “Bliss”, and “The Grand Inferno”).
Originally formed in 2016, TUNGSTEN soon solidified their lineup with the addition of lead vocalist Mike Andersson. Since then, the band has established a strong live reputation, touring extensively across Europe alongside acts such as Bloodbound, Firewind, Sonata Arctica, All For Metal and others.
TUNGSTEN have also appeared at numerous major festivals, including Sweden Rock Festival, Leyendas Del Rock (Spain), Midalidare Metal Fest (Bulgaria), Riverside Rock Fest (Switzerland), among many others. In July 2026, the band is confirmed to perform at Germany’s RockHarz Festival, with additional festival appearances currently in the works. Between touring and live performances, TUNGSTEN focuses on writing material for their upcoming album, aiming to create a powerful follow-up to 2024’s “The Grand Inferno”.
TUNGSTEN are: Mike Andersson – Lead Vocals Karl Johansson – Bass, Keyboards, Vocals Nick Johansson – Guitar Anders Johansson – Drums
Swiss hard rock / heavy metal band THE ORDER present their new single “Empires”, taken from the upcoming studio album of the same name, set to be released on April 24th, 2026via Massacre Records.
With “Empires”, the band deliver a powerful and thought-provoking track that reflects the turbulent times the world is currently facing. Driven by strong riffs, anthemic melodies and the unmistakable voice of frontman Gianni Pontillo, the song addresses the rise and fall of political powers and the destructive consequences of imperial ambitions.
Lyrically, “Empires” explores a world dominated by politicians and imperialist forces who increasingly rely on weapons and confrontation instead of diplomacy. Yet the song carries a message of hope: history has shown that even the mightiest empires eventually collapse, making way for a better future. It is only a matter of time.
The single offers a first glimpse into “Empires”, the band’s long-awaited new album, which marks one of the most mature and cohesive releases in THE ORDER’s career. The record brings together over two decades of musical experience and songwriting evolution, reconnecting with the uncompromising spirit of the band’s debut “Son Of Armageddon”, released in 2006.
Recorded, mixed and mastered by V.O. Pulver at Little Creek Studios in Ormalingen, Switzerland, and produced by V.O. Pulver together with the band, the album combines classic heavy metal power with modern production and a strong lyrical focus on social and political themes.
Formed around charismatic vocalist Gianni Pontillo – who has recently joined legendary rock icons NAZARETH – THE ORDER continue to prove their relevance in today’s heavy music landscape. With “Empires”, the band deliver a record that is both musically powerful and thematically resonant, demonstrating that their sound remains as sharp, urgent and compelling as ever.
“Empires” track listing
Empires
Fight For Your Rights
Warriors
Thieves In The Night
Living For The Nightlife
Wherever I Go
The Last Call
Of Martyrs And Tyrants
The Bonehead’s Back – Promises And Illusions
THE ORDER are: Gianni Pontillo – Vocals Bruno Spring – Guitars Alain Schwaller – Bass Mauro «Tschibu» Casciero – Drums
Berlin-based thrashers DEIMOS’ DAWN (featuring scene veteran Marc Grewe on vocals) will release a hard-hitting live album “Live To The Slaughter” on May 8th! The 13 tracks were recorded at their “God Of Pain” EP release show on October 26th, 2024, which took place as part of Final Cry’s 35th anniversary fest at the sold-out Subkultur in Hanover. The material was mixed and mastered by Marc Wüstenhagen, who managed to capture the great atmosphere of the evening and combine it with a fat yet consistently authentic live sound.
“Live To The Slaughter” will officially be released on all major digital platforms on May 8th, but will already be available on CD for the first time in advance on April 25th at a pre-release show at Mosh im Mai in Kiel! But that’s not all: even before the live record sees the light of day, the band is planning another special surprise by releasing a rather unusual cover song. Stay tuned and keep an eye on the band’s social media channels over the coming weeks!
Finnish melodic death/black metal band Se, Josta Ei Puhuta are set to release their fourth studio album, Syvyyden portit on saatava auki, on 29 May 2026 via Inverse Records. The second single ‘Varis’ is unleashed today and its accompanying music video can be seen below.
The band comments: “Varis is the album’s Book of Revelation, an omen and a warning. This is a song where darkness does not creep in quietly: it is proclaimed. A menacing mid-tempo onslaught pulls the listener deep into language and imagery where hope is not a promise, but a trap. In this world, every sign has already been written, and every step takes you closer to what cannot be undone.
And behold, see those who have strayed twice over. Like darkness itself, where fallen stars go to die.
Varis is not just a song, but a vision: blood-soaked wings, chaos carved from hatred, and a shadow-draped messenger building a ship on the waves without a lighthouse. The atmosphere remains dense and threatening, like a prophecy that no longer whispers, it demands. It does not invite the listener in. It commands.
Varis is cruel and beautiful at the same time: a blessing that feels like a curse. It is a praise of the leper’s beauty, and a hymn to the moment when the world turns against itself. When the sheep are led into a grave already dug, and no one even pretends to know what is right anymore.
Varis is a song where prophecy is born from fire and rage. Not to comfort, but to awaken. The time is near.”
–Composed & lyrics by Samu Männikkö –Mixed & mastered by Tore Stjerna (Necromorbus Studio) –ISRC: FI3FC2654303 –Single cover: Juho-Pekka Lappalainen
Modern metal collective HumanKind have released a deeply emotional piano version of their single “The Darkness I Own,” accompanied by a brand new official video. Stripping the song down to its emotional core, the new rendition highlights the vulnerability and introspective weight behind the original track, offering listeners a more intimate perspective on one of the band’s most powerful songs.
While the original song – released in May 2025 via ROAR here – gained attention for its dynamic blend of heavy modern metal and raw emotional intensity, the piano version reveals another layer of the song’s meaning. With its minimal arrangement and haunting atmosphere, the track places the focus squarely on the lyrics and the emotional journey at the heart of the song, emphasizing themes of inner struggle, self-reflection, and personal growth.
“The Darkness I Own deals with depression and mental issues as a constant companion in life,” says the band about the song. “Sometimes healing is not possible and we have to learn to accept the circumstances we find ourselves in, yet drawing strength from this acceptance and learning to persevere and finally prevail.”
HumanKind are an emerging force in the modern heavy music scene, blending elements of modern metal, alternative and metalcore into a sound that balances intensity and atmosphere. Through emotionally driven songwriting and immersive soundscapes, the band has quickly built a growing and dedicated audience.
Powerful vocals, atmospheric arrangements and a clear artistic vision shape HumanKind’s identity. Their music explores universal themes such as inner conflict, resilience and self-discovery, delivering songs that feel honest, intense and deeply relatable.
HumanKind is: Samuel Scholz (Vocals) Maria Kimberly Huehn (Guitar) Simon Keil (Guitar) Dominik “Doemsen” Stotzem (Bass) Silas Schué (Drums)
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