South African alternative rock band Man As Machine return with their new single, “Impossible Sea”, a heartfelt, introspective and ultimately hopeful track that explores growth, self-discovery, change, and the emotional weight of leaving behind the people and places that have shaped us.
The song was born from a very real moment of uncertainty, written while vocalist and guitarist Rob was preparing to leave South Africa for a work contract overseas. The prospect of stepping away from an established life, family, friends, commitments and everything familiar became the emotional catalyst for a song about distance, transformation and finding the courage to forge a new path.
“The notion of leaving one’s life behind, even temporarily, is quite daunting. Your family, your friends, your commitments, your hobbies… Everything stays in one place, while you leave for some driven purpose,” Rob explains.
Using the vastness of space as a metaphor for personal transformation, “Impossible Sea” explores the pull towards something greater while confronting the fear, doubt and loneliness that inevitably come with stepping into the unknown. At its heart, however, the song carries a message of hope that the connections we make remain with us, no matter how far we travel.
Musically, the track draws inspiration from a combination of influences, with the band describing it as “a quarter Incubus, a quarter Blindside, and a half Man As Machine itself just trying to mature.” The result is a confident and controlled evolution of the band’s sound, balancing atmospheric alternative rock with anthemic intensity and emotional depth.
Interestingly, “Impossible Sea” has been a long time coming. The song was originally penned in 2016/2017 and was fleshed out and demoed by Man As Machine’s original lineup, before being put aside and left to gather dust. In 2025, the band revisited the track, reworking and reinvigorating it, with the song continuing to evolve – even undergoing further changes during the recording process.
“Impossible Sea” was recorded at High Seas Studios, engineered and mixed by Jacques Du Plessis, and mastered by Rogan Kelsey at Kelsey Mastering.
Heartfelt, bittersweet, introspective, anthemic and hopeful, “Impossible Sea” marks an exciting new chapter for Man As Machine, with the band promising more new music, video releases, live shows, tours and festival appearances in the months ahead.
Following the release of “Passages”, FANE return with “Dead Shepherd”, the second single taken from their upcoming album Armageddon Scars, due out on August 28 via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records, on CD and digital formats.
Written and recorded during the fall of 2025, Armageddon Scars was conceived as a focused effort to capture FANE’s sound through a raw and unfiltered approach. The album was arranged, recorded, mixed and mastered by Trey Porche at Last Watch Studio, with performances by Porche himself alongside longtime collaborator Ryan Ashmore.
Throughout the recording and mixing process, the band deliberately prioritized committed performances and established tones over studio perfection, allowing each arrangement to develop naturally with only minimal corrective editing. The mastering was completed entirely in-house using exclusively analog equipment, not to reinvent or reshape the material, but to give the record consistency, authority and cohesion while preserving the unique character of every track.
Musically, Armageddon Scars draws from doom, sludge, hardcore, black metal and folklore traditions, stripping those influences down to their most essential elements. Lyrically and emotionally, the album explores themes of endurance, damage and aftermath, standing as a direct document of the band’s lives and reflections at the moment it was created.
Tracklist Flatline (8:44) Dead Shepherd (4:43) Poisoned Crown (4:55) The Mariner (7:50) Passages (7:07)
Armageddon Scars will be released on August 28 via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records on CD and digital formats.
ABYSSUS stand as one of the most significant forces within the Greek Death Metal scene, having forged their path since 2011. Drawing profound inspiration from genre-defining pioneers such as DEATH, OBITUARY and BOLT THROWER, the band preserves the unadulterated spirit of old school death metal while imprinting their own distinct identity.
On October 23rd, ABYSSUS will release their new, third full length album, entitled „The Reign“, a ferocious testament to their artistic evolution. The album encapsulates all the core elements that have defined death metal through the decades: raw aggression, blistering riff-work, and a suffocating, commanding atmosphere. Once again, the visual narrative is entrusted to Andreas Marschall (IN FLAMES, BLIND GUARDIAN, DIMMU BORGIR a.o.), whose artwork enhances the band’s sonic vision with striking intensity.
The album will be released on a CD and limited Vinyl version on purgatory purple. On Bandcamp you will also find various bundles with new merchandise.
Today, ABYSSUS release the first single, entitled „The Meaning Of Pain“. “It was the very first song we composed for the new album, and it naturally became the bridge between our past and our present. It captures the essence of our earlier sound while introducing the new elements that define who we are today“, says Konstantinos Analytis
“As the album’s opening track, we felt it was the perfect choice. Its explosive opening sets the tone from the very first note and draws the listener into the journey that unfolds throughout the record. Lyrically, “The Meaning of Pain” delves into the emotional weight of loss – whether through death or separation – and the scars left by betrayal, regardless of how or where it comes from. Whether inflicted by friends, partners, lovers, or even family, it explores the pain of broken trust and the lasting impact it leaves behind.”
From the very outset, ABYSSUS placed equal emphasis on studio output and live performance. A steady stream of EPs and split releases established their presence within the international Underground metal community. Their debut full-length, „Into the Abyss“ (2015), garnered widespread acclaim and marked a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution – leading to increasingly frequent appearances both in Greece and across Europe, often sharing the stage with renowned acts, like POSSESSED, SINISTER, SUICIDAL ANGELS and ROTTING CHRIST.
With renewed creative vigour and greater maturity, ABYSSUS unveiled their sophomore album „Death Revival“ in 2022 via Transcending Obscurity Records. Adorned with an arresting cover by the legendary Andreas Marschall, the album was met with universal praise, further cementing the band’s reputation for delivering unrelenting, yet masterfully crafted, death metal. More shows with a.o. ASPHYX,TANKARD, GRAVE DIGGER and THE CROWN followed.
Relentlessly evolving, ABYSSUS remain true to their roots while continuing to push the boundaries of the genre. With a prolific discography and an ever-growing presence on the live circuit, they have rightfully earned their place as a formidable name within the global death metal landscape.
ABYSSUS live: 18.10.2026 – Athens (GR) – “Kyttaro Live Stage“ with Pestilence & Dead Congregation
ABYSSUS is: Konstantinos Analytis – Vocals Panagiotis Gkourmpaliotis – Rythm Guitar Konstantinos JaJas – Lead & Rythm Guitars Manolis Skoularakos – Bass George “Hellgrinder” Tsafos – Drums
Guests on “The Reign”: Konstantinos Foukarakis – Lead & Rythm Guitars (Rotting Christ) Fotis Benardo – Drums (Nightfall, ex-Septic Flesh, ex-Nightrage) Chris Zoukas – Bass (Sacral Rage)
Australian/Finnish progressive dark metal collective THE ETERNAL has unveiled a captivating new music video for their latest single, “Colours Fade,” offering another compelling glimpse into their forthcoming studio album, Obscured Horizons, set for release on September 18 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
Blending haunting melodies with emotional depth and cinematic atmosphere, the track further showcases the band’s signature ability to fuse epic heaviness with introspective songwriting. Exploring themes of memory, perception, identity, and the passage of time, “Colours Fade” captures the emotional tension between illusion and reality.
As vocalist Mark Kelson explains, “‘Colours Fade’ is about the shifting nature of perception, how memory, emotion, and time constantly reshape the way we see our lives. For me, it reflects that internal conflict between what we want to believe and what we know to be true. There’s a recurring sense that we construct these emotional ‘masks’ to protect ourselves, but over time they become part of the illusion that holds us back. The imagery of colours fading speaks to that loss of clarity or meaning, where everything starts to feel muted or indistinguishable, yet at the same time those colours don’t disappear completely, they rearrange, suggesting that nothing is ever truly lost, only transformed. ‘Colours Fade’ is about navigating cycles of emotion, of identity, of time and learning to exist within that flux without losing yourself entirely.”
Following the widespread acclaim of their 2024 full-length Skinwalker and the evocative companion EP Celestial, THE ETERNAL return with Obscured Horizons, an album that stands as both culmination and evolution.
Where Skinwalker was hailed for its emotional weight, cinematic scope and seamless fusion of melancholic atmosphere with crushing heaviness, and Celestial further expanded the band’s sonic palette with its introspective depth and dynamic intensity, Obscured Horizons pushes even further into uncharted territory. The album refines THE ETERNAL‘s signature blend of doom-laden textures, progressive sophistication and haunting melodic resonance, while embracing a broader, more expansive sound that feels both intimate and monumental.
At its core, Obscured Horizons is an exploration of disillusionment, fractured identity and the struggle to reclaim clarity in a world saturated with distortion. The album moves through states of emotional collapse, liminal transition and existential unrest, confronting deception, both external and internal, before emerging into renewal and self-awareness. Rather than surrendering to decay, Obscured Horizons charts a defiant ascent, refusing numbness, rejecting illusion and ultimately reclaiming light from the shadows that threaten to eclipse it.
With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, alongside Niclas Etelävuori (bass; ex-Amorphis/Flat Earth) and Jan Rechberger (drums; Amorphis) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL remain a truly international collaboration, unified across continents yet bound by a singular artistic vision.
Their sound continues to resonate with listeners drawn to the emotional gravity of dark metal while carving a path distinctly their own. As they enter a new creative chapter with their gaze fixed firmly on the unseen, Obscured Horizons represents a bold statement from a band continuing to evolve while remaining true to its artistic identity.
Obscured Horizons Tracklist:
Lament For The Hollow
Existing To Expire
Colours Fade
Harmony Breaks
I’ve Seen The Dream
Liminality
Obscured Horizons
Yesterday’s Gone
Awaken
THE ETERNAL Australian Live Dates, with AMORPHIS: September 23, 2026 The Croxton Bandroom, Thornbury, VIC September 24, 2026 The Triffid, Newstead, QLD September 25, 2026 Liberty Hall, Moore Park, NSW September 26, 2026 The Basement, Belconnen, ACT
THE ETERNAL is: Mark Kelson / Guitar & Vocals Richie Poate / Guitar Niclas Etelävuori / Bass Jan Rechberger / Drums & Percussion
Following the overwhelming response to “Guardian Angel”, Greek dark atmospheric metal band ELYSION unveil “Phoenix”, the second single taken from their forthcoming studio album “Identity”, due for release on October 16, 2026 via Massacre Records.
Built upon crushing guitar riffs, cinematic atmospheres and Christianna’s unmistakable vocals, “Phoenix” delivers one of the album’s most powerful moments. Inspired by the mythical bird that rises from its own ashes, the song celebrates resilience, self-growth and the strength to overcome life’s darkest moments.
Vocalist Christianna explains:
“‘Phoenix’ is one of the strongest statements on Identity. The phoenix has always symbolized rebirth, inner strength and the courage to rise again after every fall. That’s exactly what this song is about: refusing to stay down and finding the power within yourself to begin again. And here’s a little secret about ELYSION songs—if you’re searching for the true meaning behind one of our tracks, always listen carefully to the bridge. That’s usually where we hide the key that unlocks every emotion.”
Produced by Fotis Benardo together with ELYSION at Devasoundz Studio, mixed by Benardo and mastered by Nasos Nomikos at VU Productions, “Identity” finds the Greek quartet expanding every aspect of their signature sound while remaining true to the atmospheric darkness and emotional intensity that have earned them an international following. The album artwork was created by Dimitris Tzortzis.
Celebrating twenty years since the band’s formation, “Identity” is both a reflection of ELYSION‘s artistic evolution and a heartfelt tribute to the fans who have supported them throughout their journey. Although not a concept album, its songs are united by themes of identity, resilience, belonging and hope in an increasingly fractured world.
Alongside Christianna, Johnny Zero, Nid and J-Kon, the album features two distinguished guest appearances: Sakis Tolis (Rotting Christ) on “Harvest” and Konstantinos Togas (Nightrage, Herta) on “The Last Ride”.
Track Listing
Do Or Die
Guardian Angel
Dead Loves
The Last Ride
Declaration Of Darkness
Phoenix
Gravity
Harvest
Moment In Time
Broken
Nighttime Whispers
ELYSION are Christianna – Vocals Johnny Zero – Guitars Nid – Guitars J-Kon – Drums
Ahead of the release of his third solo album Empyrean on 11th September, acclaimed Canadian cellist and composer Raphael Weinroth-Browne has unveiled its third single, ‘Evocation’. One of the most innovative voices in contemporary cello, Weinroth-Browne has earned international acclaim for dissolving the boundaries between classical composition, ambient sound design and experimental performance. Built entirely from layered live-looped cello, Empyrean transforms a single instrument into an expansive cinematic orchestra, drawing together echoes of Bach, minimalist composition and modern film scores into music that feels both ancient and strikingly contemporary. ‘Evocation’ captures the heart of the album, marrying Baroque influences with minimalist composition and cinematic atmosphere to create something both timeless and unmistakably contemporary.
Comments Raphael:“‘Evocation’ was originally composed for the contemporary dance production BACH Reimagined with UK-based company James Wilton Dance. Of all of my recent solo work, this track in particular feels like the soundtrack to a film.
“With this solemn and stately piece, I wanted to reframe Baroque music through the lens of a modern composition for live-looped cello. Evocation takes a similar approach to Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi – The Four Seasons. Baroque-inspired melodies are interwoven like intricate threads with a cyclical arpeggio sequence that has as much in common with J. S. Bach’s keyboard preludes as it does with Philip Glass and electronic music, while the echoes of long, resonant bow strokes pierce the ornate texture like rays of light through stained glass windows. This succinct piece is as much an evocation of musical voices of the past as it is a love letter to the cello itself.
“The music video was shot at the gorgeous Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre in my hometown of Ottawa, Canada. This beautiful space will also be the venue for the Empyrean album launch show this fall.”
The origins of forthcoming new album Empyrean itself are as cinematic as the music it contains. In 2024, Weinroth-Browne was commissioned by James Wilton Dance to compose an 80-minute score inspired by the music and legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach. What emerged became BACH Reimagined: a touring multidisciplinary work exploring immortality, artistic transcendence and the pursuit of the sublime through creation.
Rather than simply reinterpret Bach, Weinroth-Browne entered into dialogue with him across centuries. The resulting compositions fuse the purity and mathematical elegance of Baroque counterpoint with distorted textures, electronic ambience and towering rhythmic weight. Tracks such as ‘Speed of Light’ and ‘Dissolution‘ plunge Bach-inspired motifs into vast storms of noise and metallic tension, while the meditative ‘Sanctum‘ evokes Sufi mysticism and devotional stillness.
“At its core,” Weinroth-Browne explains, “Empyrean is about the search for the sublime. As artists, we spend our lives trying to create something that transcends the everyday, if only for a split second, as if to glimpse eternity through a keyhole.”
Captured at Union Sound Company in Toronto immediately following the sessions for 2025’s critically acclaimed Lifeblood, Empyrean finds Weinroth-Browne operating at the peak of his creative powers. The album was recorded and engineered by Darren McGill (Rush, The Dirty Nil), mixed by Adam Noble (Leprous, Katatonia) and mastered by Robin Schmidt (Leprous), resulting in a sound both immense and intimate, every bow stroke preserved with almost tactile immediacy. Artwork comes from London-based printmaker and collage artist Cally Conway, discovered by Weinroth-Browne in Brighton during the BACH tour.
Watch the videos for previous singles ‘Speed of Light‘ and ‘Reflection‘, and discover Raphael’s breathtaking standalone interpretation of Sleep Token’s ‘Fall For Me’ released last month, showcasing yet another side of his remarkable artistry.
The forthcoming release follows a run of widespread critical acclaim. His 2020 debut Worlds Within was praised as “masterful” and “a stunning example of less being more,” while 2025’s Lifeblood saw Raphael further expand his sound into rich cinematic territory, earning praise as “a triumph of vision and virtuosity” and “the most ambitious album of Weinroth-Browne‘s career.”
That same fearless boundary-pushing has made Weinroth-Browne an essential figure within modern progressive music. His cello work can be heard on hundreds of studio albums, including Woods of Ypres’ Juno Award-winning W5: Grey Skies & Electric Light and across many major film and TV soundtracks. Viral interpretations of Opeth, Katatonia and Steven Wilson have drawn direct praise from the artists themselves, further cementing his reputation as a boundaryless interpreter and composer.
Since joining Norwegian prog visionaries Leprous in 2016, he has performed over 200 shows worldwide and contributed to three of their studio albums, helping redefine the role of cello in progressive heavy music. Beyond Leprous, he has shared stages with Evanescence, Apocalyptica and Devin Townsend.
As a solo artist, Weinroth-Browne has become an ambassador for what the cello can be in the 21st century. He has made waves at prestigious festivals such as the Cello Biennale Amsterdam and the International Cello Festival of Canada and has opened for artists ranging from Polish neoclassical pianist Hania Rani to Nordic folk ensemble SKÁLD and Danish prog metal masters VOLA.With a busy year of live performances, including a recent European tour with Earthside and an upcoming run alongside Einar Solberg, Raphael Weinroth-Browne continues to expand the possibilities of the cello. With Empyrean arriving later this year, he further cements his reputation as one of the instrument’s most adventurous and distinctive modern voices.
Catch Raphael Weinroth-Browne live on the following dates:
August 2 – Ottawa Chamberfest @ Club SAW, Ottawa, Canada (solo) August 23 – Ottawa Tennis Club, Ottawa, Canada (solo) September 4 – Convivium, Toronto, Canada (solo) September 18 – The Garage, London, UK (solo and with Einar Solberg) September 19 – Café de la Danse, Paris, France (solo and with Einar Solberg) September 20 – Le Rex, Toulouse, France (solo and with Einar Solberg) September 21 – La Rhapsodie, Biarritz, France (solo and with Einar Solberg) September 22 – Mouco, Porto, Portugal (solo and with EinarSolberg) September 23 – República da Música, Lisbon, Portugal (solo and with Einar Solberg) September 25 – Be Prog! My Friend, Barcelona, Spain (with Einar Solberg) September 26 – L’Ampérage, Grenoble, France (solo and with Einar Solberg) September 27 – Euroblast Festival, Cologne, Germany (with Einar Solberg) September 29 – Hype Park, Kraków, Poland (solo and with Einar Solberg) September 30 – Lido, Berlin, Germany (solo and with Einar Solberg) October 1 – Gebläsehalle, Neunkirchen, Germany (solo and with Einar Solberg) October 2 – Werkk Kulturlokal, Baden, Switzerland (solo and with Einar Solberg) October 4 – ProgPower Europe, Baarlo, Netherlands (with Einar Solberg) October 7 – Queens Hall Arts Centre, Hexham, UK (BACH Reimagined with James Wilton Dance)
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 ) 