NILS PATRIK JOHANSSON is set to release his new studio album “War And Peace” on October 10th on Metalville.
The third soloalbum from NPJ is an album for heavy metal lovers and history nerds. Every song is like an adventure in itself and Nils Patrik’s band mate from Lion’s Share, Lars Chriss has made an incredible job as a producer and as the guitarist and bassplayer on the album.
Nils Patrik comments about the album: “I am so proud of this album and the fact that I finally got my Gustav Vasa song out to the world. My fans have been waiting. I’m also proud of Lars for his great work, for my son Fredrik for his amazing drum playing and also for Anuviel for the high quality keyboard arrangements. Also a big thanks to Tommy Denander for his efforts.”
Born in Borlänge, Sweden, the singer has been synonymous with outstanding hard rock / metal albums for over 20 years. Not only with his solo albums, but also as frontman of Astral Doors, Lions Share, Civil War and Wuthering Heights, Nils Patrik Johansson has thrilled fans all over the world time and time again.
TRACK LISTING
Himalaya
Gustav Vasa
Prodigal Son
Stay Behind
Barbarossa
Hungarian Dance
The Great Wall Of China
Two Shots In Sarajevo
LINE UP
Nils Patrik Johansson- Vocals Lars Chriss – Guitars and bass Saecred Spirit Anuviel – Keyboards Fredrik Johansson- Drums
Rockshots Records proudly announces the official release of “Blood Moon Sacrifice”, the debut EP from Finnish-Italian black metal act MARGANTHA, available today on all digital platforms.
Rooted in myth, fear, and ritual, “Blood Moon Sacrifice” is more than just a collection of songs—it’s a narrative journey steeped in dark folklore and haunting atmosphere. The EP unfolds around the legend of a werewolf that terrorizes a secluded hunters’ village beneath a remote mountain range, channeling the emotional tension, primal fear, and descent into hysteria that defines the story.
Each track serves as a chapter in this tale:
“Blood Moon Sacrifice” opens the story with a dark waltz-like cadence, evoking the atmosphere of an ancient forest. During a solitary hunt, the protagonist is bitten, sealing the origin of the curse. Two instrumental interludes—bass and drums—heighten the track’s unsettling tone, making it feel like the soundtrack to a twisted fairy tale.
“Wolves at the Door” marks the creature’s approach to the village. This is no pack—but a lone, primordial predator whose thirst rivals that of many. Opening with a dark yet exotic riff and evolving through a melodic death metal core, the track balances blackened aggression, speed, and melody in a cinematic, dynamic form.
“Miriam and the Endless Night” (feat. Andy LaRocque) shifts perspective. Told through the eyes of a woman trapped in an endless night of terror, the song moves from eerie, unorthodox harmonies into a vortex of riffs and violence. Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) adds his signature touch where bloodlust and survival collide.
“Curse of the Full Moon” concludes the cycle with a hypnotic 6/8 ballad that depicts the protagonist’s full transformation. With elongated tempos, obsessive rhythms, and oppressive harmonies, the track channels the ritualistic core of classic black metal—slow, relentless, and introspective.
Driven by evocative riffs, atmospheric layering, and a primordial vocal delivery, MARGANTHA’s music balances black metal’s raw essence with moments of melody, tension, and dynamic pacing. As the band explains:
“We start from the story. Every riff, every rhythm is designed to serve the narrative. We’re not interested in technical excess—our focus is atmosphere, cohesion, and emotion.”
The entire EP was mixed and mastered by Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) at Sonic Train Studio, giving the record a powerful and precise sound while preserving its shadowy intensity.
Influenced by the cinematic dread of Mgła, the emotional fire of Uada and Gaerea, and the timeless aggression of Venom, Behemoth, and Celtic Frost, MARGANTHA builds a sound that is immersive, urgent, and steeped in meaning.
With “Blood Moon Sacrifice”, MARGANTHA mark their official debut—a work that merges ancient horror with the raw force of contemporary black metal. For fans of narrative-driven metal, hypnotic atmospheres, and unrelenting darkness, this is a first chapter worth embracing.
Finnish melodic metal band Dead End Finland is set to release their sixth studio album later in 2025 via Inverse Records. The fourth single ‘The Reason’ is out today and music video is available below.
The band comments: “The theme of the song is a kind of lyrical portrayal of a mental crisis, involving a sense of being lost, pain, the search for meaning, and a desire to understand one’s own suffering. It digs deep into the self, revealing both human vulnerability and resilience. Even though the feeling is at times one of exhaustion and hopelessness, there is still life and a will to survive.”
Dead End Finland is a melodic metal band from Helsinki founded in 2007. The lineup, which has remained unchanged since the beginning, has enabled the band’s sound to develop into its current rich form. Dead End Finland is difficult to place into any specific genre, and in the songs you can hear tones from classical music to death metal. During the years, the band’s style has become even more bombastic and melodic. The compositions have gained more depth and insight. The upcoming sixth album takes the band in a more modern direction, although Dead End Finland’s recognizable sound and basic elements are still easily heard.
Line-up: Mikko Virtanen – Vocals Santtu Rosén – Guitars & Bass Miska Rajasuo – Drums Jarno Hänninen – Keys
After the chart-smashing success of their latest album, “Bone Collector”, followed by an extensive touring schedule, German iconic heavy metal force Grave Digger returns with a brand new, stand-alone banger that bites hard and howls louder! “Bark to Hell”, the band’s latest single, is a fiery descent into chaos, crowned by the king of torment himself.
Obey the call… or be dragged under, Grave Digger‘s new track is out now on all digital services at this location:https://gravedigger.rpm.link/bthPR
Grave Digger frontman Chris Boltendahl comments: “Hey folks – we’re back! And we’ve brought you our brand-new single: “Bark to Hell”!
For us, this track is the final exclamation mark to close out our celebrated Bone Collector session with a bang. With “Bark to Hell,” we’ve packed in everything that defines Grave Digger – raw energy, dark atmosphere, and no-compromise power.
Hellish guitar riffs, pounding drums, and my unmistakable vocals are driving this beast forward. This one’s a true headbanger – no playlist should be without it!
But let me make one thing clear: this isn’t a farewell. “Bark to Hell” is a triumphant afterburner – dark, loud, and gripping to the very last note. To all our die-hard fans: this one’s for you. Grave Digger still bites – hard.”
This year does not only see German iconic metal institution Grave Digger celebrate its 45th anniversary, but also their 23rd, chart success album “Bone Collector”,released in January 2025 via ROARhere).
Founded in 1980 in Gladbeck, they set out to conquer the world; who would have thought that 45 years later Grave Digger would be one of the most important, consistent and influential metal bands from Germany. With the release of their ground-breaking debut “Heavy Metal Breakdown” in 1984, an unprecedented career began that will find its logical continuation more than four decades later with their latest, new masterpiece “Bone Collector”, an album that seen the band going back to their old school roots. 45 years in this business, and Grave Digger fortunately show no signs of slowing down, as also their new single “Bark to Hell” and busy touring plans prove. Find all upcoming Grave Digger concerts listed below!
July 25th will see German dark and heavy rock force WOLFSKULL release their hotly-anticipated, sophomore studio album, “Midnite Masters“, through Metalapolis Records (SPV). Available on CD, Vinyl and in Digital formats, you can pre-order your favorite choice of format now on: https://wolfskull.spread.link/midnite-masters
Following previously-released, catchy singles,“Jaguarette” and “Holler In The Hollow”, today, WOLFSKULL is presenting a new video clip for their powerful album title track “Midnite Masters”!
“”Midnite Masters” was the spark that lit the fire,” the band comments. “It was one of the first songs we wrote for the new album, and it immediately gave us a sense of the direction the new material would take; everything felt right right from the very beginning. For us, the third single and title track of the new album, MIDNITE MASTERS, is a dark, energetic anthem about love, defiance, and the thrill of escape.”
Just exclusively premiered with Deaf Forever Magazine, you can now watch the clip streaming here:
Founded in April 2018 by guitarist and mastermind Feratu, WOLFSKULL immediately garnered attention in the scene with their debut EP, Hexum, lauded as the “Tip Of The Month” in Rock Hard Magazine and “Heroes Of Tomorrow” in Metal Hammer Germany. The subsequent debut album, Ave Goddess, hit like a thunderclap in December 2022: voted as the “Album Of The Month” in Metal Hammer and Guitar Magazine, they also landed opening slots for Skid Row and an exclusive WDR Rockpalast TV gig as part of the Crossroads Festival series.
In 2025, WOLFSKULL returns louder, detached, and with even more drive. With the arrival of new second guitarist Mike Nero at the beginning of 2024, a noticeable breath of fresh air came into the band, which was directly reflected in the new material. In September 2024, the ten new tracks were recorded at Soundlodge Studio under the direction of Jörg Uken (Anvil, Suicide Angels, Dew Scented, Temple of Dread, among others). Brimming with enthusiasm, power, and catchy melodies, while exuding the raw charm of classic heavy rock, “Midnite Masters” offers everything that defines true heavy rock: driving riffs, powerful and captivating hooks, and a modern, uncompromising sound that hits home. Highly recommended for fans of Volbeat, Unto Others, The Cult, Ghost and Audrey Horne!
The artwork was created by renowned South African artist Simon Berndt / 1Horsetown (Queens Of The Stone Age, Jerry Cantrell, The Sword, Pentagram, Primus, among others) and visually rounds out the overall package. As “Midnite Masters” is a wild ride through dusty deserts, dark alleys, and rebellious motorcycle romance – a tribute to strong female heroes and characters, underdogs, and nighttime adventures. WOLFSKULL are back – and they‘re hungrier than ever!
“Midnite Masters” Tracklist:
Midnite Masters
Son Of Light
Holler In The Hollow
Destyna
Jaguarette
Call Of The Wayward Ones
Mustang Baby
Netherworld In Flames
(I Wish It Could Be) Night All Day
Tyger Of Fate
WOLFSKULL live: 23.7.2025 DE – Impulstreu Mülheim (Exclusive Album Pre-Listening Event!) 25.07.2025 DE – Nord Open Air, Essen (w/ Motorjesus and Crossplane)
WOLFSKULL is: Pete 9 – Vocals Feratu – Guitar Mike Nero – Guitar Drop D. – Bass Styx – Drums
The new SOULBOUND studio album “sYn” will be released on 16 January 2026 by Metalville, The “sYn” tour starts on 26 March 2026.
With “sYn” SOULBOUND present their most uncompromising work to date. The melodic industrial metal band’s fourth studio album strikes a dark, direct tone and remains as catchy as it is uncomfortable. Between brutal self-reckoning, social criticism and sacred exaltation, “sYn” spins a dense thematic thread around the central motif of sin – rethought, interpreted in many different ways and bitterly personal.
Musically, the band remains true to itself: “sYn” combines hard riffs, brute synths, pounding beats and anthemic choruses. Somewhere between NDH, metalcore and electronically distorted world pain. But instead of bold provocation, it’s about attitude. It’s about admitting to being fallible. About contradicting dogmas and wrestling with one’s own precipice.
“If we’re considered sinners, might as well be it with purpose and flair!”, says the band. This is exactly how sYn sounds: raw, honest, angry, but also vulnerable. An album like a mirror that doesn’t embellish, but confronts. No pure accusations, but an outcry. Not enlightenment, but flames in which you stand.
“sYn” was recorded and produced entirely by the band themselves.
TRACK LISTING
1 Abaddon 2 sYn 3 No Kings For Me 4 Cutting Diamonds 5 sYnfluencer 6 Chaos & Amen 7 Dark Throne 8 Neon Battlefield 9 Sacred Skin 10 Not Metal Enough 11 sYnners Crown 12 If U Seek Amy (Bonustrack / Cover) Original by Britney Spears
On 26 March 2026 the sYn Tour starts with 12 shows in Germany and Switzerland.
26.03. DE Hamburg – Knust 27.03. DE Hannover – Musikzentrum 28.03. DE Köln – Luxor 10.04. DE Leipzig – Hellraiser 11.04. DE Berlin – Hole44 17.04. DE München – Backstage Halle 18.04. DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann 24.04. DE Bremen – Tower 25.04. DE Wuppertal – LCB 30.04. DE Saarbrücken – Garage 01.05. CH Münchenstein – Rockfact 02.05. DE Frankfurt – Das Bett
LINE UP Johannes „Johnny“ Stecker – lead vocals, shouting Felix Klemisch – guitars Patrick Winzler – keyboards Jonas Langer – bass Mario Krause – 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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 