RAVEN Back on Road for 40 Date North American Tour, Starting in March

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

RAVEN lead vocalist/bassist John Gallagher has message for all the metalheads…”Hey there!! we’re hungry and itching to get back out on the road after the ‘medical gap year’ of 2025. It’s gonna be a take no prisoners full volume manic affair with Slackjaw out with us on this 2026 US tour!!”

Satellite Touring and GLM Artists are excited to announce RAVEN return to the live stage with an extensive North American tour of 40 shows from March through May this year. Support comes from special guests Slackjaw.

Ticket info at ravenlunatics.com.

RAVEN Tour Dates

3/18/2026 – Wednesday – Louisville, KY – Goodwood Whiskey Row
3/19/2026 – Thursday – St. Louis, MO – Red Flag
3/20/2026 – Friday – Kansas City, MO – Westport Brewery
3/21/2026 – Saturday – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street Live
3/22/2026 – Sunday – Dallas, TX – RBC
3/24/2026 – Tuesday – El Paso, TX – RockHouse
3/25/2026 – Wednesday – Mesa, AZ – Nile Underground
3/26/2026 – Thursday – Hollywood, CA – The Whisky
3/27/2026 – Friday – San Luis Obispo, CA – Humdinger Brewing
3/28/2026 – Saturday – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge
3/29/2026 – Sunday – Reno, NV – Club Underground
3/31/2026 – Tuesday – Portland, OR – Dante’s
4/1/2026 – Wednesday – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
4/2/2026 – Thursday – Seattle, WA – Funhouse
4/3/2026 – Friday – Boise, ID – The Shredder
4/4/2026 – Saturday – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon
4/5/2026 – Sunday – Denver, CO – The Federal Theatre
4/7/2026 – Tuesday – Lincoln, NE – 1867 Bar
4/8/2026 – Wednesday – Cudahy, WI – X-Ray Arcade
4/9/2026 – Thursday – Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club
4/10/2026 – Friday – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
4/11/2026 – Saturday – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
4/12/2026 – Sunday – Hamtramck, MI – Sanctuary
4/14/2026 – Tuesday – New Kensington, PA – Preserving Underground
4/15/2026 – Wednesday – Brooklyn, NY – The Woodshop
4/16/2026 – Thursday – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
4/17/2026 – Friday – Ottawa, ON – Rainbow Bistro
4/18/2026 – Saturday – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar & Spectacles
4/19/2026 – Sunday – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
4/21/2026 – Tuesday – Albany, NY – Empire Underground
4/22/2026 – Wednesday – Old Town, ME – The Old Town Theatre
4/23/2026 – Thursday – Manchester, NH – Jewel Music Venue
4/24/2026 – Friday – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
4/25/2026 – Saturday – Harrisburg, PA – TBA
4/26/2026 – Sunday – Richmond, VA – Ember Music Hall
4/29/2026 – Wednesday – Raleigh, NC – Chapel Of Bones
4/30/2026 – Thursday – Greenville, SC – Radio Room
5/1/2026 – Friday – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
5/2/2026 – Saturday – Atlanta, GA – Boggs Social & Supply
5/3/2026 – Sunday – Bradenton, FL – Oscura

About RAVEN

JOHN GALLAGHER: Lead Vocals, Bass
MIKE HELLER: Drums
MARK GALLAGHER: Guitar, Vocals

RAVEN are that rare thing in music,  true originals – cut these guys with a razor and they will BLEED true heavy metal – a more intense live band does not exist on this planet!

Hailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne in North East England back in 1974 (yes – 46 YEARS ago!!!) the brothers Gallagher cut their teeth playing the pubs & clubs until solidifying their line up in 1980 with drummer Rob Hunter.

The trio went on to release three of the most influential metal albums of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) inspiring every band of that era and beyond.  Basically,  without Raven you just would not have thrash/speed metal…. after all, the band did give Metallica & Anthrax their first tours!

Following a tumultuous move to the USA, deals with Atlantic Records, indentured servitude and commercialism,  Rob left the band in 1987 to be replaced by drummer extraordinaire Joe Hasselvander, who had made his name in cult doom band Pentagram, Savoy Brown and his own solo projects, adding a new dimension to the band.

In 2001,  guitarist Mark Gallagher was involved in a near fatal accident – but fought his way back from the brink and the band proved they were stronger than ever!  This renewed spirit and attitude was reflected in the title of their 2010 album “WALK THROUGH FIRE” and in the career overview DVD “ROCK UNTIL YOU DROP”.

2014 found the band opening for METALLICA (the band that RAVEN took on their first tour back in 1983) in Sao Paulo in front of 70,000 fans, and completing their finest album to date – ExtermiNation” which was released to universal acclaim from fans & critics alike in 2015!

After a serious heart attack in May 2017 Joe Hasselvander had to unfortunately bow out from the band.

While filling in on a number of shows, drumming phenomenon Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy) joined forces with the brothers Gallagher to lay waste to stages throughout the latter half of 2017…The chemistry between the three was undeniable – the addition of his prodigious technique & musicality instantly took the band up to a new level.

Following an insane 3 year blur of world touring the next RAVEN opus, “METAL CITY” was released into a pandemic scourged marketplace in September 2020, garnering both critical & popular acclaim as a game changing release for the band songs like “ Top of the mountain “ and the title track highlighted the deadly combination of the bands increasingly iconic songwriting along with Mike Heller’s nuclear propelled percussion excursions.

During the next few years the band delivered the metal goods across the globe .. themed tours covering their “WIPED OUT” and “ ALL FOR ONE” albums were a big success… the band were called on by old tour mates Metallica to help celebrate the life & legacy of Jon & Marsha Zazula (who managed both bands back in the early 80’s) at a tribute concert at the Hard Rock in Ft Lauderdale FL in November 2022.

Following a change of record label from SPV to Silver Lining in 2023; the band released their most searing album yet, the aptly titled “ ALL HELL’S BREAKING LOOSE” receiving universal acclaim from critics and fans alike. The following tour rolled into 2024, celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary as they toured across the globe from the UK to Europe, North America to South America, Singapore, Australia and Japan!

2025 saw the release of the 8 song EP “ CAN’T TAKE AWAY THE FIRE” raising the bar on metal mayhem one more time as a gift to the fans while the band work on preparing their next magnum opus!

Links to Website and All Socials
https://ravenlunatics.com/
https://www.facebook.com/ravenbandofficial
https://x.com/official_raven

HARMS to Release Sophomore Album “Rebirth Of The Cold” on May 8th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Finnish purveyors of atmospheric heaviness and recent Time To Kill Records signees HARMS will release their second full-length album, “Rebirth of the Cold”, on May 8th 2026.

The first single “True Night Falls” is now available. Streaming: https://ffm.to/harms-true-night-falls

Commenting on the song, the band explain:

“‘True Night Falls’ is a presentation of the emptiness one can find in the darkest moments. Crushing parts intertwine with the haunting melodies to form a gripping sense of unyielding loneliness. The song captures the weight of being trapped in one’s own mind, when exhaustion and despair make every thought feel heavy and pointless. It moves through a dark, unending night where nothing offers guidance or comfort, and by the end, a part of oneself feels lost forever”.

With “Rebirth of the Cold”, HARMS move deeper into darkness: heavier, more melodic, and more aggressive than before. The music feels colder and more intense, built around tension and collapse, where moments of bleak beauty are sharpened and the weight of the band’s sound hits harder than ever. At times, their approach can be seen as an ingenious fusion of post-metal expansiveness, blackened contours and a fierce metallic hardcore edge, shaping a sound that is both emotionally immersive and physically punishing. Lyrically, the album continues their exploration of meaninglessness, emptiness, and decay, colored by reflections on time, space, and mortality: a meditation in grief, stripped of comfort and illusion, searching for what remains when nothing holds meaning.

Tracklist:

01.Endlessness
02.Serpentine calling
03.True night falls
04.Flowerless grave
05.A lifetime spent on dying
06.Rupture
07.Essence of sorrow
08.Apollonia
09.Cold aeon of time
10.Reprise

Preorders:
–https://timetokillrecords.com/collections/harms
–https://weareharms.bandcamp.com/album/rebirth-of-the-cold

Formed in 2017 in Lappeenranta, Finland, HARMS have forged a distinctive identity rooted in crushing heaviness, atmospheric darkness, and raw emotional intensity. Drawing inspiration from the endless cold and shadow of the north, the five-piece crafts sonic landscapes that shift between overwhelming force and desolate, melodic beauty.

Their debut album, “A Lifetime Spent on Dying” (2021), was met with strong critical acclaim, earning praise from Finnish media as “one of the strongest domestic metal albums of the year” (Kaaoszine) and for its “dark, crushing and impressively multifaceted take on modern metal” (Imperiumi).

With Time To Kill Records now backing their next chapter, HARMS are poised to push their sound further into inevitable ruin, delivering their most immersive and uncompromising work to date with “Rebirth of the Cold”.

Discography:

  • Eternal Frost Of The Northern Soul, double-single CD, 2018
  • A Lifetime Spent On Dying, full-length album, 2021
  • Rupture / Essence of Sorrow, double-single 8″, 2024

Line up:
Juho Haikonen – Bass
Jussi Loiri – Guitar, synth
Viljami Rings – Drums
Visa Tuovinen – Guitar, vocals
Jussi Tyrisevä – Vocals

https://weareharms.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/weareharms/
https://www.facebook.com/weareharms

VIA DOLORIS Releases Luminous New Single ‘Un Franc Soleil’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by © Linnea Syversen

Via Doloris is rooted in an inward journey rather than orthodoxy. Conceived in solitude and shaped by discipline, composer and multi-instrumentalist Gildas Le Pape (ex-Satyricon) traces a melodic, atmospheric and introspective path through black metal’s foundations on upcoming debut album Guerre et Paix. He’s joined by Frost, the legendary drummer of Satyricon and 1349, who provides a sense of persistence, grounded and unyielding.  

Today, Via Doloris are releasing the second advanced single from Guerre et Paix. Standing among the album’s most luminous moments, “Un Franc Soleil” captures a fleeting sensation of release after prolonged inner unrest. An atmospheric depiction of an illusion glimpsed from afar, the song evokes the distant promise of a life freed from struggle, a vision radiant yet never fully attained.

Guerre et Paix comes out March 20 on Season of Mist. Pre-order & Pre-save: https://orcd.co/viadolorisguerreetpaix

“Un Franc Soleil” captures Via Doloris at their most expansive and textural. The song unfolds in measured restraint; layered guitars trace gentle melodic figures across a patient rhythmic foundation.  Frost’s nuanced drumming anchors the gradual ascent of each chord progression, allowing melody to emerge from distortion and clarity from dissonance. Written in French, the lyrics carry vulnerability and resolve in equal measure, portraying serenity not as certainty, but as something only ever approached.

Within the broader architecture of Guerre et Paix, “Un Franc Soleil” functions as a threshold: a contemplative pause before the album returns to denser and more conflicted terrain.

Tracklist:

  1. Communion (06:29)
  2. Un Franc Soleil (06:58)
  3. Omniprésents (07:26)
  4. For The Glory (07:38)
  5. Ultime Tourment (10:12)
  6. Visdommens Vei I (07:11)
  7. Visdommens Vei II (02:05)
    Full runtime: 48:01

VIA DOLORIS is the vision of founder Gildas Le Pape. Through sound, he crafts a world where emotion, discipline, and atmosphere converge — a place to give shape to what cannot be spoken. Rooted in solitude and shaped by the interplay of darkness and beauty, the project confronts the gravity of existence: the quiet burdens we carry, the hidden wounds time buries deep, the road to death. This “Way of Suffering” unfolds as a passage through pain in search of meaning, and the distant, flickering promise of rebirth.

Via Doloris’ musical identity draws from the towering legacy of Nordic metal while forging a distinct path. At its core lies a commitment to detailed guitar work, high-level musicianship, and the art of songcraft. Rather than follow genre trends, Via Doloris returns melody to its rightful place: not as decoration, but as the driving force of the music. These strong, expressive lines guide the compositions with raw clarity, carving out a language that speaks directly to the listener’s inner world.

Though the instrumentation nods to black metal’s formal foundations, the project resists confinement. It blends harmonic depth with subtle dissonance, creating tension and richness without sacrificing cohesion. Folk and pagan influences run like ancestral threads through the arrangements, lending them a sacral, mythic quality. The result is a sound built on contrasts: luminous and shadowed, forceful yet introspective, epic yet intimate. Layered into this sonic landscape are lyrics written in French, English, and Norwegian. Each language brings its own weight, rhythm, and tone, unlocking emotional registers that feel both ancient and immediate.

Based in Oslo, Gildas Le Pape first gained attention in 2007 when he joined the legendary Satyricon as a guitarist. Over the next six years, he toured the world and contributed to the band’s recorded legacy, before stepping away to explore a broad range of musical directions. In time, this path led him back to extreme music, this time with a renewed creative vision and sharpened intent. In 2023, he invited his long-time collaborator, Frost — arguably one of the most accomplished drummers in the genre — to join him in bringing the debut release to life.

Line-up:
Gildas le Pape — Lead Vocals, Choirs, Guitars, Bass
Frost — Session Drums

Production Credits:
Drums and vocals recorded at Red Room Studios, Norway.
Drums and vocals engineered by Mattis Elvestuen, guitars engineered by Gildas Le Pape & Mattis Elvestuen.
Produced by Gildas le Pape.
Mixed by Nicolai Codling & Gildas le Pape.
Mastered by Magnus Gulbrandsen at Jeløy Sound Mastering.

Guest Artist:
Raido (Ferriterium, Heimsgard, Karne) — Guest Vocals on Track 3.

Cover Art:
Artwork by Gildas le Pape.

Photography:
Cover artwork & press photography by Linnea Syversen.

Follow Via Doloris:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viadolorisofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/via.doloris/
Bandcamp: https://viadoloris.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2R3PxQ7zeA3BpPhpI1JlxF
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/via-doloris/1862267909
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/362455292

ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES Release New Video for ‘I Am a Cat and I Love My Dog’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 24, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Italian garage–fuzz–noise duo ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES return with a brand new video for their latest single, “I Am a Cat and I Love My Dog”, offering another glimpse into the raw and instinctive world that has defined the band since its formation in early 2022.

Known for their visceral live presence and stripped-down aesthetic, ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES operate somewhere between primal performance art and unfiltered rock’n’roll energy. On stage, they embody two feral alter egos, channeling a sound rooted in garage rock, punk urgency, and fuzz-drenched minimalism.

The new single, written at the end of 2024 during a car trip, reveals a more reflective side of the duo without abandoning their directness. Beneath its deceptively simple title lies a metaphor about solitude – not as absence, but as necessity. The song celebrates time spent alone as a vital and regenerative space, pushing back against the constant pressure to always be active, productive, or socially present.

For the band, the inspiration is deeply personal. Returning home after tours and walking their dog through the woods becomes a meditative ritual – a reminder that freedom and happiness often exist in life’s most essential gestures. That sense of clarity and stripped-back truth runs through the track, both lyrically and sonically.

The video, shot by Monocromostudio (who also created the cover photo), stays true to the duo’s identity: direct, unembellished, and centered on live performance.

“We started our journey with the Monocromostudio team, who have followed us since day zero, creating our first photos and videos. For the first single of the new album we wanted a clean, essential, professional video able to capture our true essence – playing live, without too many frills, while keeping the irony and chemistry between the two of us. We knew they were the right people to make this happen, and that we would feel completely at ease with them“. ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES

“Working on Animaux Formidables’ music video is like being pulled into chaos that magically finds a perfect order“. Adriana, Monocromostudio

Since recording their debut album “We Are All Animals” live and direct-to-tape with producer Marco Fasolo – released in 2023 via Go Down Records and praised as one of the most compelling releases in the Italian independent scene – ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES have built a reputation as an uncompromising live act. With more than 200 shows across Italy and Europe in just three years, the duo continues to evolve, recently introducing new electronic textures on their January 2025 EP “Call Me Tony”, once again recorded live in analog with no overdubs or post-production fixes.

In 2025, ANIMAUX FORMIDABLES returned to the studio to work on their third album, scheduled for release in 2026. If “I Am a Cat and I Love My Dog” is any indication, the band remain committed to their core philosophy: raw sound, honest impulses, and the courage to embrace simplicity in a world that rarely slows down.

Live:

27 Feb Ex-Fila — Florence
1 Mar Diavolo Rosso — Asti
5 Mar Drunk in Public — Morrovalle
6 Mar Linea Gotica — Matera
7 Mar Auditorium Popolare — Cosenza
8 Mar Scumm — Pescara
2 Apr Vox Club — Jesi
4 Apr Mishima — Terni
12 Apr Ziggy Club — Turin
25 Apr Lzo — Conegliano
14 May Sala Credence — Zaragoza — Spain
15 May Rock Beer The New — Santander — Spain
16 May Le Bus Stop — Ile d’Oleron — France

Line-up:
Vocals & guitar: Mr Formidable
Percussion & synth: Mrs Formidable

For more info visit:
https://www.instagram.com/animaux_formidables/
https://www.facebook.com/animauxformidables
https://www.godownrecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/GoDownRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/godownrecords/

ARCH ENEMY Reveal New Singer, Drop New Single & Video ‘To The Last Breath’ + Announce Intimate European Club Shows

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 23, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
(Photo by Patric Ullaeus)

Swedish extreme metal powerhouse Arch Enemy are charging into a new chapter as they unveil the first new musical piece after their latest album cycle with Blood Dynasty.

The new single “To The Last Breath” is a testament to the band’s legacy, and a step towards a new exciting era of Arch Enemy: “To The Last Breath” comes not only with powerful music but is also the first Arch Enemy song to feature the latest addition to the lineup – new singer Lauren Hart (ex-Once Human).

Michael Amott, guitarist and founder of Arch Enemy, comments:

“Connecting with Lauren has marked an important step in my journey. Working with her was an exceptional experience — her remarkable voice, coupled with her dedication and professionalism, brings a rare level of excellence. I look forward to continuing the collaboration”

While fans and media alike have been rapidly speculating about who might step into the role behind the microphone, the band remained tight-lipped as the anticipation built to a feverous pitch across the metal community. Now, Arch Enemy are back in full force, presenting their ferocious new anthem “To The Last Breath”.

Michael Amott adds:

“Make no mistake – this song is a reckoning. Musically, it’s unapologetically aligned with my original vision for the band — and I believe longtime fans will recognize that immediately. Lyrically, it’s about seeing through deception and dismantling the illusion of control. It captures that moment when you realize you’ve been fed poison — and you choose to fight back. Once that clarity hits, there’s no retreat. It’s do or die.”

With unwavering confidence, Amott asserts:

“Just when you think it’s over, a new beginning rises. Now it’s time to rage with us – to the very last fucking breath!”

To celebrate this new chapter and present their unparalleled and raw band dynamic, Arch Enemy announce an intimate European club show run dubbed “Back To The Root Of All Evil” in Summer 2026. Tickets can be purchased here.

19.Jul.26 – Germany – Berlin – Bi Nuu
21.Jul.26 – Denmark – Copenhagen – Pumpehuset
22.Jul.26 – Sweden – Stockholm – Kollektivet Livet
24.Jul.26 – Finland – Helsinki – Tavastia
25.Jul.26 – Estonia – Tallinn – Helitehas
27.Jul.26 – Poland – Krakow – Hype Park
02.Aug.26 – Germany – Cologne – Club Volta
03.Aug.26 – France – Paris – Maroquinerie
05.Aug.26 – Spain – Vitoria – Jimmy Jazz
09.Aug.26 – Netherlands – Utrecht – Tivoli Pandora
10.Aug.26 – England – London – The Underworld
11.Aug.26 – England – Manchester – Rebellion

ARCH ENEMY Line-up
Lauren Hart – Vocals
Michael Amott – Guitars
Joey Concepcion – Guitars
Sharlee D’Angelo – Bass
Daniel Erlandsson – Drums

ARCH ENEMY online
Website: http://www.archenemy.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/archenemyofficial
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/archenemyofficial
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@archenemyofficial
X: https://x.com/archenemymetal

AT THE GATES to Release “The Ghost of a Future Dead” Album as Special Tribute to Tomas Lindberg + Launch First Single/Video ‘The Fever Mask’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 23, 2026
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Ester Segarra

Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES announce the release of their new album “The Ghost of a Future Dead”, out on April 24th, 2026 via Century Media Records.

The follow-up to 2021’s wildly adventurous “The Nightmare of Being”, this upcoming release marks a special tribute to frontman Tomas Lindberg, who tragically passed away in September 2025.

“The Ghost of a Future Dead” was recorded and mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden, comes with artwork created by Robert Samsonowitz / www.rbrt.org and features the following tracklisting:

At The Gates – “The Ghost of a Future Dead” (42:30)

  1. The Fever Mask (03:12)
  2. The Dissonant Void (02:47)
  3. Det Oerhörda (03:35)
  4. A Ritual of Waste (03:35)
  5. In Dark Distortion (03:50)
  6. Of Interstellar Death (03:45)
  7. Tomb of Heaven (03:53)
  8. Parasitical Hive (04:34)
  9. The Unfathomable (04:07)
  10. The Phantom Gospel (02:44)
  11. Förgängligheten (02:41)
  12. Black Hole Emission (03:39)

At The Gates checked in with the following comment about “The Ghost of a Future Dead”:

“We are proud to finally share some news about our eighth studio album, ‘The Ghost of a Future Dead’. The album will be released on April 24, 2026 – more than two years after it was completed in the studio.

As you all know, Tomas Lindberg passed away last year due to complications from his cancer treatment. Over the past few years, we worked closely with Tomas, discussing and refining every detail to ensure nothing was left to chance.

In accordance with Tomas’ wishes; including the album title, sound mix, track order, artwork, and overall presentation ‘The Ghost of a Future Dead’ remains true to form. It combines the ferocious energy and hard-hitting powerful melodies that is the essence of At The Gates. This album is Tomas’ legacy”.

The album’s powerful opening song “The Fever Mask” is being launched as single today and comes with a heartfelt in memory tribute video to Tomas Lindberg assembled by longtime collaborator Patric Ullaeus / https://www.revolver.se, which can be now seen here:

At The Gates added the following comment about “The Fever Mask”:

“‘The Fever Mask’ was one of the final songs written for the album and quickly stood out as the natural choice for both the opening track and the first single for ‘The Ghost of a Future Dead’. It perfectly captures the essence of At The Gates, blending raw energy, strong melody and beautiful lyrics by Tomas”.

The album’s pre-sale is available at this location: https://atthegates.lnk.to/TheGhostofaFutureDead

At The Gates line-up for “The Ghost of a Future Dead” album:
Adrian Erlandsson – Drums
Jonas Björler – Bass
Tomas Lindberg – Vocals
Anders Björler – Guitars
Martin Larsson – Guitars

At The Gates online:
http://www.atthegates.se
https://www.facebook.com/AtTheGatesOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/atthegates_official
https://atthegates.shop