Norwegian melodic black metal veterans ISKALD return with “Curse of the Mind”, their sixth full-length album and the band’s first-ever concept record, set for release on September 25th through Dusktone.
Following the acclaimed “Innhøstinga” (2018), the new album marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band after signing with Dusktone in early 2026. Available on colored LP, black LP, CD Box and CD, “Curse of the Mind” was recorded during the summer of 2025 at Strand Studio in Beiarn, mixed and mastered by Hallstein Sandvin, and features artwork by SG7 Graphics.
For over two decades, ISKALD have stood among the leading names in Norwegian melodic black metal. Now performing as a five-piece, the band expands its trademark northern sound with its most ambitious and immersive work to date.
Built as a conceptual journey, “Curse of the Mind” unfolds through four interconnected chapters linked by ritualistic invocations, exploring themes of psychological torment, inner conflict, fragile hope and ultimate sacrifice. Framed within a stark, Norse-inspired vision of Helheim, the story is mythological in setting but deeply psychological at its core. Helheim is not merely a place, it is the shape taken by inner darkness. The true battlefield is the mind itself.
The album unfolds in four movements, connected by four ritual Invocations:
I. The Other Realm – The Descent Vast emptiness, fog and isolation.
II. Manifestation of Madness – The Prison Doubt, fragmentation and psychological collapse.
III. A Burden of Hope – The Fragile Light Strength found through accepting the darkness within.
IV. The Sacrifice – The Ritual Before the throne of Hela, suffering becomes meaningful.
Tracklist:
1. Curse of the Mind – Invocation I 2. The Other Realm 3. Curse of the Mind – Invocation II 4. Manifestation of Madness 5. Curse of the Mind – Invocation III 6. A Burden of Hope 7. Curse of the Mind – Final Invocation 8. The Sacrifice
Line-up:
Aage Krekling – Vocals Simon Larsen – Guitars Ben Hansen – Guitars Isak Larsen – Drums Tobias Aubert – Bass
Pre-orders will be announced soon, together with the first audio preview from the album, offering listeners an initial glimpse into the dark and immersive world of “Curse of the Mind”.
ISKALD were formed in 2005 in Sortland, Northern Norway, by Simon Larsen and Aage Krekling, with the ambition of creating a distinctive form of melodic black metal deeply connected to the atmosphere of the Arctic north. After the self-released “Northern Twilight” EP, the band gained international attention with their debut album “Shades of Misery” (2007), establishing themselves as one of the most promising acts in the Norwegian scene.
Throughout their career, ISKALD have developed a sound where cold melodies, aggression and atmospheric depth coexist, drawing inspiration from nature, Norse heritage and existential themes. Their discography includes acclaimed albums such as “Revelations of Reckoning Day” (2008), “The Sun I Carried Alone” (2011), “Nedom og Nord” (2014) and “Innhøstinga” (2018), each marking a further evolution of their artistic vision.
Having performed at festivals including Inferno Festival, Midgardsblot, Hove Festival and by:Larm, and shared stages with major names in extreme metal, ISKALD now enter a new phase with Dusktone. The partnership leads to the release of “Curse of the Mind”, their sixth full-length album and first concept record, arriving in 2026.
The Limit have unveiled the captivating new video for their third single, ‘Sidetracked’, taken from their explosive forthcoming album, Another Drop, released today via Silver Lining Music. Listen and order now at this location.
‘Sidetracked’ is a fast-paced anthem, fueled by relentless drive. Driven by infectious riffs and a powerful rhythm, the track embodies the raw and unmistakable spirit of The Limit: urgent, unfiltered and unapologetically authentic rock ‘n’ roll.
“Yeah! The song ‘Sidetracked’ – I Love the blood thirsty Rock ‘n’ Roll groove and grind of this one!” comments founder, guitarist and primary song-writer Sonny Vincent. “And I absolutely adore the melody Bobby came up with, for the break, where we sing: ‘Vagabonds but never done, play another day in the Sun’. It’s one of my favourite parts of all time (if I must say so myself!) For some reason it hits me everywhere. Check it out and you too will be floored.”
Watch/Listen to ‘Sidetracked’here – video filmed and edited by Bob Sweeney.
To celebrate the release of Another Drop, The Limit take to the stage an exclusive performance at the legendary, sold-out Wacken Open Air festival in Germany on 1st August. For performance times and more information, visit: wacken.com.
In your face, vital and visceral, The Limit are a super-charged collision of hard-edged genres. The new album, Another Drop is a record that doesn’t sit comfortably alongside anything else: it stands apart. It’s a sound that refuses to sit in one lane, connecting just as strongly with punk, hard rock and metal fans alike, tapping into a shared instinct that resonates across scenes and generations. Songs like ‘Another Drop of Blood’ push forward with a confrontational intensity that refuses to let go. There’s sweat, smoke, and grime running through raucous cuts like ‘Tryptophan’, the low-slung drive of ‘Sidetracked’, and the defiant surge of ‘Unchained’. Each track delivered with a clarity of purpose and a refusal to overcomplicate what should hit hard and fast.
Watch/Listen to the band’s recently released singles ‘Part Two, Screw You’ and ‘Another Drop of Blood’here. ‘Part Two, Screw You’ video produced by Sonny Vincent and Alex Schwers; edited by Johannes Fritsche. ‘Another Drop of Blood’ video edited and compiled by Johannes Fritsche.
Another Drop doesn’t just celebrate rock ‘n’ roll, it reasserts its core values. This is music made with integrity, and with a deep-rooted understanding of what gives it life in the first place. In an age of overproduction and imitation, The Limit strip everything back to the essentials and remind you what it feels like when it’s done right.
Another Drop is out now and available on Limited Edition 12” Splattered Vinyl, 12” Black Vinyl, CD Digipak, Digital Download, Streaming and special D2C bundles. Listen and order now at this location.
Another Drop Track Listing:
Another Drop of Blood
Don’t Say Try
Reverb in My Soul
Know Your Indecision
(Just A) Calling Card
Social Eyes
Stalemate
Sidetracked
Part Two, Screw You
Over a Cliff
Cause of Mystery
Fall Down, Get Up
Panzer
Tryptophan
Unchained
The Limit: Sonny Vincent – Guitar, Vocals Bobby Liebling – Vocals Alex Schwers – Drums Hugo Conim – Guitar Dee Dammers – Guitar
With ‘SPIT’, TOK (The Oklahoma Kid) open a new chapter. The arrival of Tobias Rische brings a sharper, more emotional vocal edge that defines their renewed identity.
The track’s raw intensity and themes of broken trust mark the foundation of the band’s rebranding, pushing TOK into a darker, more confrontational space. Paired with a bold early 2000s aesthetic, ‘SPIT’ captures the moment of rupture and reinvention, setting the tonefor the band’s future.
‘Mirror’ by Banks Arcade is a venom charged modern metalcore anthem built on razor edged riffs, dark electronic tension and a volatile hook. The track turns themes of guilt, rage and self destruction into something sleek and explosive, echoing lyrics about ugliness learned, worth stripped away and the urge to burn what broke you.
With millions of streams and a reputation for pushing heavy music forward, Banks Arcade sharpen their identity here, relentless, melodic and impossible to ignore. Banks Arcade recently toured the UK and Europe, including a triumphant performance at 2000trees.
Dragonland has released “Survival of Mankind”, first single taken from the new album “Prophecies” to be released on October 23 by Scarlet Records.
“Prophecies”:
Seventh studio album for the classic Swedish symphonic power metal act;
mixed & mastered by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman (In Flames, Arch Enemy, HammerFall);
artwork by Pedro Sena (Amon Amarth, Kreator);
Dragonland is officially part of the RTN Touring booking roster; Dragonland will tour Europe in November-December 2026 alongside Týr and Twilight Force; 82k followers on Spotify; FFO: Rhapsody Of Fire, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Twilight Force;
“Prophecies” will be released in the following formats:
digipack CD
vinyl LP: 350 marbled blue; 150 transparent blue yellow splatter
digital
artwork by Pedro Sena
“Prophecies” tracklist: 1 The Prophecy Unfolds 2 Rolling Waves 3 Survival of Mankind 4 The Perfumed Jungles of Chrysantion 5 Dragonland 6 Light of the Sunset 7 Glory and Gold 8 Making Darkened Nights So Bright 9 A Distant Memory 10 The Call of the Wild 11 Cries of Anguish 12 Running in the Night (FM-84 cover – CD/digital bonus track)
Listen to the first single here:
“Prophecies” is a hard-hitting and meticulously crafted symphonic power metal journey set to engulf the listener in an ocean of soaring melodies, fast riffing, and epic orchestrations.
The vision for the album was to revisit and re-imagine domains traversed by Dragonland in the past, as well as to explore some compelling new terrain. This record contains it all – epic fantasy stories, gripping ballads and blazingly fast power metal anthems, accompanied by a plethora of diverse lyrical themes.
To bring this ambitious undertaking to life, while retaining their unmistakable signature sound, Dragonland once again worked together with legendary producer Fredrik Nordström of Studio Fredman, and the end result speaks for itself.
Dragonland: Jonas Heidgert – vocals Jesse Lindskog – guitars Elias Holmlid – keyboards Anders Hammer – bass Johan Nunez – drums
Celebrated British guitar phenom, Ben Poole, is pleased to announce the release of his new single “Empty” released on Friday July 31st via Gypsy Soul Records. The single is available on all streaming platforms HERE.
Watch the official “Empty” lyric music video on YouTube HERE.
“Empty” is the second single taken from Poole’s forthcoming album Post-Midnight Behaviour– his first studio album of brand-new material in eight years, following 2018’s critically acclaimed Anytime You Need Me. Rooted in blues rock, the new album also sees Poole explore new musical territory.
Released Friday September 25, 2026, the new album is available to pre-order on CD and vinyl HEREand to pre-save digitally HERE.
“Empty was one of the first songs we wrote for this new album and really helped shape the direction we took going forward with the songs from that point,” says Poole. “I wanted there to be a mix of darkness and light throughout as I’ve always valued dynamics both emotionally and musically in music.”
“I honestly feel this is one of the strongest songs I’ve ever written. We poured so much time, care, and energy into every detail, musically and lyrically, and I can’t wait for people to hear it. I really hope listeners feel the passion behind it and connect with it on a much deeper emotional level.”
Poole also reflects on the writing and recording process of the emotionally compelling new single, “Empty.”
“I’ve always loved that rush you get when a song lifts from minor to major, and it was exciting to really push that idea in ‘Empty.’ The verses sit in this solemn, emotionally heavy E minor sequence before everything opens with a dramatic dynamic and musical shift as that huge E major chord kicks off the chorus.”
“I employed a similar approach on an older song of mine, ‘Hanging in the Balance,’ but this time I wanted to make the lift even more powerful by landing the first note of the vocal melody on a major third. It’s also a thrill to play with that contrast in the guitar solo, and I already know this is going to be one of my favourite moments to perform live on the upcoming album release tour.”
“I used my Gibson Les Paul on most of the rhythm guitars and in the guitar solo. I really love the dynamics you can get with a Les Paul when switching between fingerstyle and with a plectrum. It can be smooth to aggressive depending on the approach and the technique. We used a Volt amplifier on this one, and a key pedal in the solo sound was my Fuzzrite by Mosrite which is an incredible vintage Fuzz pedal from the 1960s.”
Venturing into broader musical landscapes, Ben embraces a more laid-back sound shaped by subtle rock grooves and hooks that flare like shooting stars. Expressive without excess and memorable without distraction, it leaves a deep impression without ever overwhelming the listener. In short, it is the perfect soundtrack for Post-Midnight Behaviour.
“I wanted this album to showcase my evolution as guitarist and singer songwriter,” says Ben.“For several years, I have performed over 150 shows a year across more than 20 countries. My guitar style and technique have developed, my singing voice has matured, and my influences have varied. The new album is a journey that combines Blues, Rock, Soul, Country, and Alternative Rock. I still get to let loose on the guitar, but within a more subdued and reflective manner. Ambiance inspired the name of the album, Post-Midnight Behaviour.”
“I have released a few live albums in recent years. They are much quicker and a time stamp on where you are at that moment. I took my time over the new album so that it would be super-realized in every aspect. My writing team and I really pushed ourselves. We dug deep to make sure the songwriting was of the highest quality, and the arrangements were carefully structured and perfectly executed. My fans are going to really like what we have created. It was well worth the wait!”
TRACK LISTING
1. No Second Chances (5:42) 2. Empty (5:57) 3. Time Has No Mercy (3:36) 4. Living On Repeat (Buried in the Background) (4:13) 5. Summer Haze (4:40) 6. Runaway Souls – featuring Elles Bailey (4:22) 7. Searching (5:30) 8. Nothing To You (3:50) 9. Start Of The End (5:26) 10. Runaway Souls – featuring Elles Bailey (Radio Version) (4:12)
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Produced by Wayne Proctor, Oli Brown and Ben Poole Recorded at House of Tone Mix Suite & Superfly Studios, Nottinghamshire, UK Mixed and mastered by Wayne Proctor at House of Tone Mix Suite, UK “Runaway Souls” (Radio Version) mixed & edited by Ross Hayes-Citrullo at RHC Music, Toronto, Canada All songs co-written by Ben Poole, Oli Brown, Wayne Proctor, and Steve Amadeo
THE MUSICIANS
Ben Poole – Guitars, Vocals Wayne Proctor – Drums Oli Brown – Backing Vocals, Moog Steve Amadeo – Bass Bennett Holland – Hammond Organ, Piano, Wurlitzer, Rhodes Elles Bailey – Guest vocals on “Runaway Souls”
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
1. NO SECOND CHANCES A dark, layered opener that sets the tone for the album. Driven by power chords and raw emotion, it follows a man walking away from a relationship that cannot be saved.
“I’ve tried to understand what you’re searching for. While caught in the battleground of your internal war.”
It builds steadily to one of Ben’s signature guitar solos. 2. EMPTY Subtle and sultry, this groove creates an evocative backdrop for a man confronting emptiness and fading memory. From that sense of helplessness comes a striking chorus.
“Dive into the deep unknown. Here I go again, falling further out of the view. Shadows that I hide within. Here I go again, forever caught in the black and the blue.”
It rises to another of Ben’s melodic, standout guitar solos.
3. TIME HAS NO MERCY Hard-edged and urgent, this track is about seizing the moment, believing in yourself, and proving your worth.
“There’s no need to take the easy way out. Head back into the fire again. Stand tall and kick back. Time has no mercy for you.”
It’s the kind of song made for long overnight drives on empty roads when you’re racing toward whatever waits ahead.
4. LIVING ON REPEAT (BURIED IN THE BACKGROUND) It opens with dark, fuzzy bass and surges forward on jagged, heavy guitar riffs. The song becomes a metaphor for breaking chains, resisting inertia, and forcing a way out.
“I cut and cauterize to see if I can feel this. I’ll count the days till I’m no longer displaced. I don’t want this taking over I’m done drifting.”
Fragmented and unsettling, it rejects a clear verse-chorus structure in favour of a single driving impulse: to escape and survive.
5. SUMMER HAZE With shimmering pop textures and bright, glinting guitars, Summer Haze initially feels light and carefree. But beneath the surface, it tells a wistful story of fleeting love reduced to memory.
“The sun’s gone down, the tide is out. It’s all lost in the summer haze where I once knew you.”
6. RUNAWAY SOULS (FEATURING ELLES BAILEY) Elles Bailey delivers a guest vocal that is the very definition of rock and soul. Over a backdrop of driving guitars and thunderous drums, she sings of leaving it all behind, chasing something greater, and living without regret.
“We won’t be told we’re good for nothing. We’re gonna be long gone. This town won’t swallow us whole. Kick up the dust, we’re runaway souls.”
As ever, Bailey is full of surprises and utterly uncompromising. A phenomenal performance.
7. SEARCHING It’s 4 a.m. and sleep is a distant prospect. Few songs capture those lonely, restless hours better than this melodic, languid, and beautifully understated piece of rock. Beneath its laid-back groove lies an existential reflection on the pull of the past and the uncertainty of the road ahead.
“We’ve been searching for a way out of everything that’s come before. I know we can’t keep holding on to nothing. We have to believe there’s something more.”
At its heart, this is a song about hope and finding the courage to keep moving forward when the destination remains unclear. You may never find exactly what you’re searching for, but you’ll be changed for the better by the journey itself. Thoughtful, poignant, and deeply affecting.
8. NOTHING TO YOU For those about to rock around the clock, we salute you. This irresistible slab of groove-laden rock, driven by a snaking guitar line and an infectious rhythm, is the perfect companion for the small hours when fatigue is setting in but sleep remains out of reach. Yet beneath the swagger lies a tale of longing and frustration; of wanting something that remains stubbornly unattainable.
“Keep refusing, I’m reaching the end here. However I try, can’t keep giving it all when I’m still nothing to you.”
The object of desire may mean nothing to the singer in the end, but this song could mean everything to anyone looking for a soundtrack to those long, lonely hours. Effortlessly cool, relentlessly catchy, and impossible to resist.
9. START OF THE END “Hijacked maniacs, emotional amnesiacs. I see the cracks tearing our lives apart again. It’s time to face whatever we’ve been running from.” A desperate cry from the point of no return. Yet for all its darkness, this is a song of monumental uplift and renewal. Emerging from the wreckage of regret and denial, it embraces the moment when the first light finally breaks after a long night of the soul.
As the sun rises, pure melody and power-anthem guitars provide the perfect accompaniment, transforming despair into defiance and uncertainty into hope. And then comes that chorus—soaring, life-affirming, and utterly irresistible. What a way to greet the solar miracle that has captivated humankind since the dawn of time. Exhilarating, redemptive, and unforgettable.
Barnoldswick, Music and Arts Centre Sunday November 15 Tickets
Leicester, The International Tuesday November 17 Tickets
Camberley, Login Lounge Wednesday November 18 Tickets
Chester, The Live Rooms Thursday November 19 Tickets
Dudley, Lamp Tavern Live Friday November 20 Tickets
Leamington Spa, Temperance Saturday November 21 Tickets
ABOUT BEN POOLEBen Poole is an internationally acclaimed force in blues rock. Recognised by multiple publications as one of the world’s leading blues guitarists, he has been cited by Guitar World alongside artists including Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray and Joe Bonamassa.
He has also been named among the world’s top 15 blues guitarists by Total Guitar and Music Radar.
Ben has appeared on the covers of numerous magazines and earned praise from guitar greats including Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, Richie Kotzen, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Philip Sayce. He is widely regarded as one of the standout artists on the international blues-rock circuit.
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 