Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

The Magic Of Metal

  • Home
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • CHIEF SHOCK VIDEO
  • Metal Shock Times
  • PARTNERS
  • WhoWeAre
    • Advertising
    • Contact Us
    • MSF STAFF
    • We Recommend…

Prog-Rock Supergroup DARWIN Release New Track ‘Rising Distortion’ w/ Album Pre-Save

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 24, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: DarWin. Leave a comment
Photo courtesy of DarWin

Prog-Rock supergroup DarWin today release a third track “Rising Distortion” off their upcoming new studio album, Distorted Mirror, out September 26 via OoS/Phantom Recordings. 

The album’s dramatic Instrumental opener, “Rising Distortion” is a dazzling display of high-impact virtuosity. “It’s a song that challenges us to consider the AI era that has arrived,”  says DarWin (the group’s founding member). “As humans become more dependent on AI to do things, AI has more opportunities to shift our own understanding of the world, perhaps with its own intentions that aren’t entirely clear to us. That is the ‘Distortion’ of the ‘Mirror’ – that is, the reflection of us as humanity.”

Stream / Share “Rising Distortion” HERE

Distorted Mirror, which is co-produced by Simon Phillips and DarWin, is the follow up to last year’s hit release, Five Steps on the Sun, and picks up exactly where the last album left off, with original and creative rock songs that continue to break new ground. Distorted Mirror is a true journey, packed with intricate melodies, sledgehammer grooves and wall-to-wall virtuoso playing. 

DarWin is an ongoing musical exploration led by songwriter/guitarist DarWin and drumming legend Simon Phillips (Toto, Jeff Beck, The Who, Judas Priest, Tears for Fears). Since forming in 2015, the duo has collaborated with lead vocalist Matt Bissonette (Joe Satriani, Ringo Starr, Elton John), bass sensation Mohini Dey (Steve Vai, Willow Smith, Guthrie Govan), guitarist Greg Howe (Michael Jackson, Protocol, Justin Timberlake) as well as a hall of fame roster of musicians over the years, including Derek Sherinian, Julian Pollack (J3PO), Jesse Siebenberg, Andy Timmons, Billy Sheehan, Guthrie Govan, and many more.

Earlier this year, DarWin released the song “Man vs. Machine” to a chorus of praise and accolades. Reaching nearly 700k streams on YouTube to date, the official music video continues to attract new audiences around the globe. Watch the official music video HERE. 

The Distorted Mirror album tracklisting is as follows:

  1. Rising Distortion*
  2. Distorted Mirror
  3. Man vs. Machine*
  4. 33rd Century Man
  5. Cry a River
  6. Glow
  7. Loophole*
  8. Winter Fare

*Instant grat tracks available with digital purchase of the album

Pre-save / Pre-add the album HERE | Physical CD pre-order HERE

The Rock and Roll Channel on TalkShopLive will feature a dedicated one hour show with DarWin, Simon Phillips and band members live on Monday, September 15th at 12pm ET / 9am PT. The show will touch on the development of the new album, include a track by track breakdown as well as the project’s history will be discussed in detail and will be available to view on demand after the livestream 24/7. TalkShopLive is offering DarWin fans the exclusive autographed CD available to purchase now (exclusive offer available in the U.S. only). For more information click HERE.

About DarWin

Since forming in 2015, the group has steadily established itself as a true original, issuing a series of studio albums that represent personal, visionary music making at its very best. The group got started when drumming and production legend Simon Phillips and DarWin started working on a few songs without any real plan, and the project just kept growing. Phillips’ career follows the arch of the evolution of modern-day rock music, with his vast credits including Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, Big Country, Tears for Fears, the Chemical Brothers, Pete Townshend, and the Who. He was a member of Toto for nearly two decades, and in recent years he’s been leading his own Grammy-nominated jazz fusion outfit, Protocol. Goodness knows that’s just scratching the surface.

Next up is singer and co-writer Matt Bissonette. He’s worked with everyone from Elton John and Ringo Starr to Joe Satriani and Leon Russell, usually on bass. His vocal pipes are majestic and magical things, and when he opens up that golden throat, he doesn’t just sing – he lets you in on a world of feeling. Then there’s the virtuoso sensation Mohini Dey. Born and raised in Mumbai, Dey has the kind of explosive talent that makes people like Steve Vai and Narada Michael Walden take notice. In DarWin, Dey helps drive the music in ways that are powerful and hypnotic, seismic and thrilling. The team is joined by veritable guitar monster Greg Howe – a six-string force of nature who, in addition to his own albums, has worked with a diverse group of artists that includes Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake and T. Pain. And a generous helping of rapturous keyboard work comes from Derek Sherinian, from Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo and Black Country Communion.

The band takes the name of guitarist, songwriter and all-around creative driver DarWin, an absurdly gifted musical visionary who wants the focus to stay on the delight of the listeners and fans, and definitely not about himself. Additional veteran players have lent their talents to DarWin including keyboardist Julian Pollack (J3PO), singer and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Seibenberg, legendary guitarist Andy Timmons, singers Chariya Bissonette and Andrew Freeman, and percussionist Lenny Castro.

DarWin Discography:
Five Steps On The Sun (2024)
DarWin 3: Unplugged (2021)
DarWin 2: A Frozen War (2020)
Origin of Species (2018)

Watch and listen to more of DarWin: https://oosdarwin.lnk.to/all

CONNECT WITH DARWIN: OFFICIAL | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE 

Chilean CONSEQUENCE OF ENERGY Release New Single ‘Into The Void’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 24, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: CONSEQUENCE OF ENERGY. Leave a comment

Chilean hard rock force Consequence of Energy unleashed their new single Into the Void on August 22, 2025 via Los Lobos Records / AWAL. 

The single arrives as a three-track bundle featuring:

  • Into the Void
  • Freedom (debut single, released July 18)
  • We Are One (from the upcoming 2026 album We Are One)

Following the breakout success of Freedom — which has already pushed the band into international playlists, industry charts, and key radio adds — Into the Void builds on their reputation for delivering heavy, urgent, and cinematic rock anthems. 

“This song is about surrendering to the unknown,” explains guitarist Diego Sagredo. “The void isn’t just emptiness — it’s transformation. We wanted the track to feel like falling and flying at the same time.

Produced by Garth Richardson (Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers), mixed by Dave Schiffman (Audioslave, System of a Down), and mastered by Howie Weinberg (Metallica, Nirvana), the track carries the same world-class punch and depth as their debut. 

The official video for Into the Void, directed by Vicente Rogers with immersive visual mapping from VJ Mitosis, premieres August 29, 2025 on the band’s YouTube channel. 

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

Radio

  • Freedom broke into the Top 40 on the U.S. SMR Rock Chart, climbing from #48 to #38 (week of Aug. 19).
  • The band has already been embraced by UK rock radio, with spins across Rock Radio UK, Gwent Radio, and The Soundlab Bristol’s Future Hits playlist.

YouTube

  • Freedom — Official Video: 15K views (2 weeks)
  • Freedom — Lyrics 2025: 10K views (3 weeks)
  • Freedom — Live 2025: 39K views (1 month)
  • Into the Void — Live 2025: 9.1K views (1 month)

Total across these uploads: 73K+ views 

Streaming & Playlists

  • Added to playlists including Global Talent 2025, Indie Rock That Rocks!, Emerging Indie Bands, Rock Garden, Rock On.

Press Coverage

  • Featured in Billboard Canada, 100% Rock Magazine, AntiMusic, Rock Brigade (Brazil), and Marcelo Vieira Music (English version forthcoming via MetalBite).
  • Highlighted in Exotic Dancer Magazine’s industry newsletter and DJ Booth review (Aug. 12).

Pre-Save: https://awal.ffm.to/intothevoid

Watch “Freedom” Official Video: https://youtu.be/4js2nvtt8jA

ABOUT CONSEQUENCE OF ENERGY 

Born from the Chilean rock underground, Consequence of Energy blend the heaviness of Tool and Rage Against the Machine with the grit, urgency, and passion of Latin America. The band’s upcoming debut album We Are One (2026) expands their vision with ritualistic drums, chants, and cinematic soundscapes. With their eyes set on international stages, COE are carving a place in global rock. 

DINOSAUR PILE-UP Throw Down Their New Album “I’ve Felt Better” After Six-Year Wait

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 24, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: DINOSAUR PILE-UP. Leave a comment
Photo (c) Tom Brooker

Today Mascot Records rejoice as alt-rock heroes Dinosaur Pile-Up release their brand-new album after six years of pain and struggle – they’ve now reclaimed those hardships and turned them into 12 nuggets of pure gold. ‘I’ve Felt Better’ is out today on Mascot Records, and you can get a slice of the title track HERE.

They are also gearing up to hit the road again with a five-date UK headline tour in September, as well as an extensive tour of the US with A Day to Remember and Yellowcard from 22 October to 22 November.
 
‘I’ve felt better…’ started as a makeshift mantra when Matt Bigland was hospitalised and unwilling to sift through the layers of trauma with every friend who checked-in to see how he was doing – indeed, often unable to speak through a mouth filled with centimetre-wide sores – Matt found himself defaulting to that wry, understated three-word response. After four years of repetition and rattling around his head, those words are reclaimed as the title to Dinosaur Pile-Up’s defiant fifth album: 12 songs to draw a line under a half-decade of sickness and struggle, a distillation of his agonising uncertainty and self-analysis.

A recurring shining light of DPU in 2025 is the word ’empowerment’. Channelling the worst of times into the new album has allowed them to release some of the most potent songs they have ever written. 

“I’m so stoked that I’ve Felt Better is now out there in the world. That feels really good,” Bigland says. “The response to the songs so far has been so awesome and just so positive, which is a really great feeling after releasing music after such an extended period. I’m super proud of the songs and of the record as a whole, so it’s cool that people are so excited about it. And now we get to take these songs out on the road and see everyone’s response face to face!! It’s gonna be awesome.”
 
“This record is about triumph over adversity through perseverance and resilience,” he continues. “I’m so proud that it actually got made as its journey was a rough one, and I’m so proud that it’s going to be out there in the world. For me, I think it will serve as an epitaph to an intensely challenging and defining part of my adult life. But I’m just delighted that I’m on the other side of it, and it’s now memorialised in solid rock.”

Since their comeback single, ‘Bout to Lose It, was released, fans have rejoiced at their return. The barnstorming “My Way” is a hip-hop-inflected ode to staying true to oneself and staying angry at a twisted modern music industry. At the same time, “Big Dogs” is a gleeful takedown of ass-backwards celebrity freebie culture, and “Sick of Being Down” is essentially a post-traumatic existential breakdown articulated as a 3-minute garage punk rock song, all the way to the most recent single, the arena-ready pop-punk triumph of Love’s The Worst.
 
It’s great to have DPU back, and now they can let ‘I’ve Felt Better’ run free into the world in all of its awesomeness.

Track listing

1. ‘Bout to Lose It
2. I’ve Felt Better
3. Punk Kiss
4. Sick of Being Down
5. My Way
6. Big Dog
7. Big You And Me
8. Love’s the Worst
9. Quasimodo Melonheart
10. Sunflower
11. Unfamiliar
12. I Don’t Know Nothing And Nothing Loves me 

Stream/Buy the Album HERE.

Tour Dates
 
05 Sep – XOYO, Birmingham – UK 
06 Sep – Electric, Bristol – UK
09 Sep – Garage, Glasgow – UK 
11 Sep – New Century Hall, Manchester – UK 
13 Sep – Electric Ballroom, London – UK
22 Oct – Toyota Arena, Ontario, CA – US*
23 Oct – Gallagher Square at Petco Park, San Diego, CA – US*
25 Oct – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Phoenix, AZ – US*
26 Oct – Isleta Amphitheatre, Albuquerque, NM – US*
28 Oct – Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, CO – US*
29 Oct – Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence, MO – US*
31 Oct – Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE – US*
01 Nov – Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington, IL – US*
02 Nov – The Armory, Minneapolis, MN – US*
04 Nov – Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI – US*
05 Nov – PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA – US*
06 Nov – Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, KY – US*
08 Nov – SNHU Arena, Manchester, NH – US*
09 Nov – Total Mortgage Arena, Bridgeport, CT – US*
11 Nov – North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC – US*
13 Nov – Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS – US*
14 Nov – Donald L. Tucker Civic Center – Tallahassee, FL – US*
18 Nov – Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL – US*
20 Nov – BOK Center, Tulsa, OK – US*
21 Nov – Moody Center, Austin, TX – US*
22 Nov – American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX – US*
Jan 25 – 31, 2026 – Shiprocked Cruise, Miami, FL – US^
 
* w/A Day To Remember & Yellowcard 
^ Festival

Dinosaur Pile-Up Online: Website | Spotify |  YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok| X

MOB RULES’ New Studio Album “Rise Of The Ruler” Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 23, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Mob Rules. Leave a comment
[photo: Karsten Koch]

Seven long years since their latest studio offering, North German power metal torchbearers MOB RULES return with their critically-acclaimed new album “Rise Of The Ruler”, that is out now on ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music! Order your copy of this must-have banger, one that belongs into every well-sorted power metal record collection, now at: https://mobrules.rpm.link/rotralbumPR 

The follow-up to 2018’s successful album “Beast Reborn” (which reached a sensational #37 in the German and #59 in the Swiss album charts) is not only a work brimming with creativity, wit and quality, but also the conceptual continuation of their two early albums “Savage Land” (1999) and “Temple Of Two Suns” (2000), with which MOB RULES laid the foundation for their career. Both albums are linked by an exciting concept story about life in a dystopian, hostile end-time world in which resources are becoming scarce. This is exactly where the band’s new offering “Rise Of The Ruler” comes in and keyboardist Jan Christian Halfbrodt (who is responsible for all the lyrics) continues the thread.

Once again, the band’s new magnum opus “Rise Of The Ruler” was mixed and mastered by the experienced hands of Markus Teske (Vanden Plas, The New Roses etc.). After “My Sobriety Mind” (from the “Beast Reborn” album), MOB RULES also collaborated again with singer Ulli Perhonen (Snow White Blood), which is reflected in the beautiful duet of the song “On The Trail”.

After “Beast Reborn” (2018), the live album “Beast Over Europe” (2019) and the anniversary compilation “Celebration Days – 30 Years Of Mob Rules” released in 2024, the Northern Lights are finally back with a powerful new studio album that marks another milestone in their extensive career!

In addition to the eleven-track standard album (available as CD digipak and colored vinyl), MOB RULES have also been working on a very special fan item over the last few months: The limited earbook edition of “Rise Of The Ruler” comes with an exclusive bonus CD containing five additional, brand new songs, as well as a spoken version of the concept story, an alternative version of “Dawn Of Second Sun” and the two video clips for “Back To Savage Land” and “Dawn Of Second Sun”! The large-format, hardcover book-style 48-page earbook extensively documents the creation of the album, video shoot, photo shoot and provides insights into the concept story.

[Artwork by Stan W. Decker]

Order “Rise Of The Ruler” now on https://mobrules.rpm.link/rotralbumPR

“Rise Of The Ruler” CD Tracklist:

01 – The Fall Of Dendayar
02 – Exiled
03 – Future Loom
04 – Dawn Of Second Sun
05 – Back To Savage Land
06 – Trial And Trail Of Fear
07 – Providence
08 – Nomadic Oasis
09 – Coast Of Midgard
10 – On The Trail
11 – Equilibrium (Rise Of The Ruler)

MOB RULES Live:

23.08.205 (DE) Oldenburg, Cadillac (Album Release Party – Sold Out!)
28.08.25 (DE) Hamberg/Neuhausen – Grüner Wald (Co-Headlining w/ Tungsten)
29.08.25 (DE) Schloß Voigtsberg as Special Guest for Blind Guardian (Sold out!)

Artist Line-Up:
Klaus Dirks – Vocals
Sven Lüdke – Guitar
Florian Dyszbalis – Guitar
Markus Brinkmann – Bass
Jan Christian Halfbrodt – Keys
Sebastian Schmidt – Drums

For More Info Visit:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mobrulesband
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mobrulesband
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@mobrulesband

THE HALO EFFECT Unveil New Cover of Kent’s Classic ‘If You Were Here’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 23, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: The Halo Effect. Leave a comment
Photo by: Linda Florin

As the summer festival season winds down after a string of unforgettable performances, THE HALO EFFECT surprise fans with a brand-new release — a cover of the beloved 1997 hit ‘If You Were Here’ by Swedish alternative pop-rock icons Kent (originally released in Swedish as “Om du var här”).

Handpicked by bassist Peter Iwers, the track is a heartfelt tribute to a band that helped shape Sweden’s musical landscape. The Halo Effect’s rendition blends Mikael Stanne’s rich, emotive clean vocals with a hypnotic, pounding bass line and soaring melodic guitars, honoring the song’s essence while infusing it with the band’s signature sound.

Listen to ‘If You Were Here’ on all platforms: https://thehaloeffect.bfan.link/iywhsg

Peter Iwers reflects:
“Kent was a band that left a mark on many, weaving together pop rock and synth in a way that deeply moved me. This song remains one of my personal favorites. Out of respect for their artistry, we aimed to create our own version without straying too far from the soul of the original.”

Is there more in store…..?

THE HALO EFFECT live:
29.08. RO Campulung Muscel – Posada Rock Festival
30.08. GER Schramberg-Tennenbrom – Metalacker Festival
21.11. BU Sofia – Joy Station
22.11. TUR Istanbul – If Besiktas
25.11. JP Osaka – Bigcat
26.11. JP Tokio – Toyosu Pit
29.11. FI Joensuu – Unholy Winterfest

TESTAMENT Announce New Album “Para Bellum” + Release New Song ‘Infanticide A.I.’ with Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on August 23, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: TESTAMENT. Leave a comment
Photo credit: Stephanie Carbal (except Dovas by Mia Demonz)

Bay Area thrash metal icons TESTAMENT returns this Fall with their fourteenth studio album, Para Bellum. The album which will be released on October 10th via Nuclear Blast Records stands as both a battle cry and an observation of humanity’s uneasy alliance with its own creations. As technology accelerates and disconnection grows, Para Bellum sees TESTAMENT reflecting the modern chaos through music that’s urgent, sharp, and unflinchingly human.

Today, TESTAMENT deliver one of their most intense songs they’ve written to date, ‘Infanticide A.I.’. Lead by the blinding speed of their new drummer Chris Dovas, the band shows off its musical talent far beyond their expected norms. Watch the music video for ‘Infanticide A.I.” directed by Joey Durango, below.

Stream ‘Infanticide A.I.’ here: https://testament.bfan.link/infanticide-a-i

TESTAMENT’s Chuck Billy comments,
“The new album Para Bellum consists of some fast, heavy and melodic tunes. Once again Peterson has found a way to keep the song writing fresh and modern sounding. It’s gonna be hard to choose what songs to play live cause to many to choose from.”

TESTAMENT’s Eric Peterson states,
“It’s been 5 years since our last record Titans Of Creation was released. Since then, we all waited to get back to it and we all did in a big way! Now our long over due new record Para Bellum is upon us and about to be released in October. We are super stoked and excited to release new blood and fury to you all! With our first single ‘Infanticide A.I.’ we’re coming out swinging! But with new velocities of fury, while maintaining a balance that we all love and know from a Testament track, enjoy!”

Pre-order or pre-save Para Bellum on the format of your choice here: https://testament.bfan.link/para-bellum

Para Bellum Tracklisting

1. For the Love of Pain 
2. Infanticide A.I.
3. Shadow People
4. Meant to Be
5. High Noon
6. Witch Hunt
7. Nature of the Beast
8. Room 117
9. Havana Syndrome
10. Para Bellum

Para Bellum was recorded with Juan Urteaga, mixed by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, and was mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios. The album is extremely polished and operating at full throttle. The band once again enlisted Eliran Kantor to create the album artwork. In an era flooded by AI-generated imagery. the hand painted creation encapsulates the album’s essence: a serene angel made of missiles, an explosion turned halo, surrounded by shovel-bearing cultists with books strapped to their faces.

From first note to last breath, Para Bellum is an album by warriors—crafted in chaos, and built to outlast the wars to come! 

TESTAMENT live dates:

Latin America Tour
08.23.2025 BR Rio De Janeiro @ Circo Voador
08.24.2025 BR São Paulo @ Carioca Club

US Festivals
09.21.2025 US Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life 2025
10.03.2025 US Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock 2025

European Tour
10.05.2025 DE Hannover @ Capitol
10.07.2025 UK Bristol @ Beacon
10.08.2025 UK Birmingham @ O2 Academy Birmingham
10.09.2025 IE Dublin @ Olympia Theatre
10.10.2025 UK Manchester @ Manchester Academy
10.11.2025 UK London @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
10.12.2025 BE Antwerp @ Trix
10.13.2025 DE Stuttgart @ LKA Longhorn
10.14.2025 DE Hamburg @ Große Freiheit 36
10.16.2025 CH Pratteln @ Z7 Konzertfabrik
10.17.2025 DE Wiesbaden @ Schlachthof
10.18.2025 IT Milan @ Live Club
10.19.2025 DE Saarbruecken @ Garage
10.21.2025 SI Ljubljana @ Media Center
10.22.2025 AT Vienna @ Arena
10.23.2025 PL Wroclaw @ A2
10.24.2025 DE Munich @ TonHalle
10.25.2025 DE Oberhausen @ Turbinenhalle
10.26.2025 NL Utrecht @ Tivoli Vredenburg – Ronda

Posts navigation

← Older Entries
Newer Entries →
  • 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
  • Ads

  • Metal Shock Finland

    Metal Shock Finland
Website Powered by WordPress.com.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )
    • Join 944 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar