Oslo rock outfit THE DOGS return with their second single of 2026, “Close Is Just Another Name for Nothing”. Following their first release earlier this year, the band continues to lean into their signature mix of sharp-edged attitude, dark humor, and uncomfortable honesty.
We asked Kristopher Schau to say a few words about what the song was about, and unfortunately received only this rather uncooperative response:
“No.”
We then asked him to elaborate on why he didn’t want to say anything about the song’s content, and got this in return:
“Because I’m not a child.”
When asked what that had to do with anything, he dismissed it with:
“A child often thinks it’s strategically smart to over-explain their song in an attempt to get played on P3. Since everyone else is doing it, because they’ve heard it’s good ‘content’ to show they’re in touch with their ‘feelings’ and might therefore be a good interview subject because they’re so ‘human’ and ‘relatable,’ the child feels like they have to do the same. I’m 55 years old, my hearing is going, and I’m at the age where there are always piss stains at the front of my underwear. I don’t want to be on P3, so no.”
Indie would like to apologize for the bad vibes, and has taken steps to ensure a new single will be released in a month to wash away whatever this was.
ABOUT The Dogs are the Oslo-based band where only one member is actually from Oslo.
A punk rock band that believes they play soul and garage rock. In short, a band that has no idea who they are or what they’re doing. This confusion has however resulted in a total of 12 albums, countless Norwegian tours, unusual one-off events such as opening for Bruce Springsteen, and musical contributions to the new Harry Hole series on Netflix. In other words, they are well prepared for the Alzheimer’s they all have coming.
Confusingly enough, all signs are still pointing upward for the “Oslo band” in the autumn of their lives.
THE DOGS: Vocals – Kristopher Schau Guitar – Mads Martinsen Bass – Tommy Reite Drums – Henrik Odde Gustavsen Percussion – Kenneth Simonsen Keys – Stefan Höglin
Finnish hard rock juggernauts SIXGUN RENEGADES return from a hiatus with their 4th album Slave To The Grid, released on Friday April 24th! Shaped by internal challenges within the band, the songwriting process has given birth to an album that promises to be the most personal, bold, and powerful output of the band’s career so far, offering a depth not previously heard from the group.
As longtime bassist Miko Mattila (2013–2025) steps aside, the Helsinki–based Sixgun Renegades introduce a new member with this release: bassist Tuomas “Topo” Koskipää, replacing Mattila. Formed in 2008, the band draws its influences from the cornerstones of stadium rock, with Thin Lizzy, Van Halen, Judas Priest and Dokken at the forefront. Three years of hard work and love for music come together on the upcoming fourth album. The band’s signature sound, soaring vocal melodies, strong riffs, and powerful rhythms are more present than ever, and the songs sound better than they ever have before.
Slave To The Grid is the most diverse and strongest album of our career to date, an album that combines composition and production in a way that we will be proud of for the rest of our lives. However, the making of the album was not without challenges and we also had to make painful
decisions to secure the future continuity of the band. In some ways, this album also feels like a crossroad for us, and the lyrics of the songs on the album deal with the difficulty of letting go and finding your own direction. -Niko Räty
Sixgun Renegades – Slave to the Grid Lyrics: Teemu Räty, Niko Räty Music and arrangement.: Niko Räty, Miko Mattila, Samu Tuomi, Teemu Räty Produced by: Mark Bertényi, Tuomas Riihimäki Recorded by: Tuomas Riihimäki, Teemu Räty Mixed by: Jori Saloranta, V.R. Studio Mastered by: Svante Forsbäck, Chartmakers Kataloginro: VRDIG358 / VRCD044 ISRC: FIV2U2600001-09 Distributor: Playground Music Scandinavia.
ASHES OF PERISHING, a Helsinki-based modern metalcore group released the single “Rapture” along with a music video. The track was released by Inverse Records.
–ISRC-code: FI3FC2600401 –Composed by Valtteri Limnell –Lyrics by Oskar Solja –Mastered by Miro Kiiski –Single cover by Joonas Makkonen
“Rapture is a journey deeper into the Void, devoid of all light and hope.”, says the band.
The band has once again shed its skin and evolved their sound into an even heavier and darker direction.
Ashes of Perishing make their festival debut this summer at Tuska Festival in Helsinki.
BIOGRAPHY: At the end of 2021, a new band emerged in Helsinki, and their name was Ashes of Perishing. With a lineup that brought together the raw energy and creative talents of five musicians, this Finnish quintet quickly set their sights on creating powerful music.
Ashes of Perishing consists of Philipp on bass, Joonas and Valtteri on guitars, Olli on drums and Oskar as the vocalist. Oskar joined the band in the summer of 2024, bringing a fresh dynamic and powerful vocal presence. United by their shared love for heavy, melodic, and emotionally charged music, Ashes of Perishing was ready to carve their path forward in the metal scene.
As they continue their journey, Ashes of Perishing look forward to conquering new stages, sharing their music with a growing fanbase, and leaving impact in the world of metalcore. With their relentless dedication and unwavering passion this band aims to set the world ablaze with their music, leaving nothing but Ashes of Perishing in their wake.
Line-up: Oskar Solja –Vocals Valtteri Limnell – Guitar & Backing Vocals Joonas Makkonen – Guitar & Backing Vocals Philipp Kashin – Bass Olli Laine – Drums
“Battle of the Slams” heats to take place in May and June – Rising extreme metal acts to compete for a slot at Offal Fest 2026, with the winner decided by fan voting
Offal Fest 2026, will no longer take place at The Bread Shed and will be moving to Boundary (part of The Union) in July.
This move, necessitated by internal maintenance requirements at the previously announced location, places the festival in a new home situated just a five-to-ten-minute walk from the original site. The transition to Boundary provides the event with an enhanced environment, a state-of-the-art sound system and a substantial increase in ticket capacity. The organisers, Rancid Offal Promotions, have confirmed that additional tickets are now available for immediate purchase to accommodate the growing demand, as sales for the 2026 edition are currently exceeding all previous projections.
Day splits have also been revealed for all three days: the pre-show, Saturday and Sunday.
Merch Asylum has also been announced as an official sponsor for the 2026 edition. The merchandising company from Wales joins the likes of Signature Brew, New Standard Elite, Brutal Mind, and Morbid Generation Records in supporting the extreme metal fest.
The lead-up to the festival will feature the “Battle of the Slams” showcase series at the Star & Garter, where rising acts compete for the chance to open Offal Fest 2026. Winners are decided entirely by attendee votes. The first heat takes place on 10 May 2026, featuring Vast Slug, War Bastard, Dushman, and Erectomy. This will be followed by a second heat on 6 June 2026, where Combat Evolved, LOKUSTGRIND, 12 Gauge Autopsy, and World War Three will take to the stage. Tickets for the showcase heats can be purchased through the official competition website at https://battleoftheslams.com/.
“Moving Offal Fest 2026 to Boundary ensures we can accommodate more fans while providing the best possible sound and atmosphere,” said organisers Jack, Sam and Jake. “With ticket sales already smashing projections, we are excited to finally share the day splits and kick off the ‘Battle of the Slams’ to see which emerging act will join our massive July lineup. Thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket so far and plans to too. We’re so excited to welcome each and every one of you in a few months’ time!”
Dedicated to the most extreme facets of gore, grind, slam, and brutal death metal, Offal Fest has solidified its status as a vital fixture in the international metal calendar following its sold-out 2025 edition. The 2026 festival, scheduled for 24-26 July at its new Manchester home, Boundary, is headlined by two major UK-exclusive performances from genre pioneers Devourment and Ohio powerhouse Regurgitation, the latter making their debut appearance on UK soil. The comprehensive lineup features a global roster including New York legends Immortal Suffering, Japan’s Butcher ABC, and Korea’s Fecundation, alongside a formidable domestic contingent headlined by the “wobble-box” specialists Crepitation and the official reunion of Infected Disarray. Bolstered by further international talent such as Guttural Slug,Unbirth and Darkall Slaves, Offal Fest 2026 aims to build upon the momentum of previous years, which saw exclusive sets from acts such as Skinless and Wormed, to provide a definitive weekend of brutality for the extreme music community.
Offal Fest is taking place on 24-26 July 2026 at Boundary (part of The Union) in Manchester. Purchase tickets here: https://offal-fest.com/tickets
OFFAL FEST 24-26 July 2025 Boundary 21 Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M15 6AD, UK
Sunday 26 July Regurgitation (UK Exclusive / First UK Show) Lividity Embryectomy Guttural Slug Twitch of the Death Nerve Fecundation Darkall Slaves (UK Exclusive) Laceration Repulsed Lymphoeadema
Pirate Queen, the firstall-female Pirate Metal band from the Bermuda Triangle, releases second single ‘Sailing Around The World”, taken from their upcoming new album to be released 4th of September 2026.
Your favourite pirates have returned. Rising from the mythical floating island of Lyxion in the Bermuda Triangle, Pirate Queen continue their legendary voyage across the seas of heavy metal. Said to be descendants of infamous pirate families, the band claims a history stretching back more than 500 years, having first hoisted their musical sails in 1524.
Two years ago, Pirate Queen burst onto the scene like a restless storm with the release of their debut album Ghosts. Blending cinematic storytelling with thunderous heavy metal, the record introduced listeners to the band’s mysterious world of piracy, myth, and adventure.
Now Pirate Queen return with their brand-new second single Sailing Around The World, the second glimpse of their upcoming second album.
Sailing Around The World is about charismatic, adventurous pirates who manifest freedom, individualism, and rebellion. Pirate Queen glorifies the nature and venerates the past. The beauty of the wild and the need for adventure serve as a rebellion against reason, order, and societal rules. A noble power metal tale of 5 heroines and their adventures who are creating unique memories far away from home.
Prepare for a new Pirate Queen single. Pirate Queen and her crew visited the Land of Angels, anchored on the Island of Silence, sailed Ocean of Mermaid Tears, stayed at the Lands of Jupiter, crossed the Mercury Ocean and reached the Lands Unknown. Be the loyal crew member and join this beautiful voyage.
Beseech unveils their second single End This from their upcoming newalbum, to be released later this year.
Emerging from Borås, Sweden in the early 1990s, Beseech has earned a devoted following as one of Scandinavia’s most evocative gothic metal bands. Blending dark romanticism, doomy atmospheres, and unforgettable melodies, Beseech built a reputation for haunting yet accessible music that resonates with fans of gothic, doom, and melodic metal alike.
The band’s journey began with their 1995 demo Tears, leading to their critically acclaimed debut album …From a Bleeding Heart (1998). They continued to develop their signature sound with Black Emotions (2000) and the beloved Souls Highway (2002), which featured the iconic vocal interplay of Erik Molarin and Lotta Höglin — a duo whose contrasting voices became a defining element of Beseech’s identity. The band’s evolution continued with Drama (2004) and Sunless Days (2005), expanding their sonic palette while maintaining the melancholic beauty fans had come to love.
After years of touring and recording, Beseech disbanded in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of timeless gothic anthems. A decade later, the silence was broken with My Darkness, Darkness (2016) — a powerful testament to the band’s enduring spirit and their ability to craft new stories from the shadows. Now, Beseech rises once more, bringing back Erik and Lotta — the most iconic vocal pairing in the band’s history. Their reunion signals a return to the lush harmonies and dark atmospheres that fans remember, while pushing Beseech’s sound into new, uncharted territory. From mournful ballads to heavy, brooding riffs, Beseech continues to walk the twilight path between beauty and despair.
About their new single the band had this to say:
“With ”End This” Beseech shows that the melodies and atmosphere still is in the center of attention. A song that puts a light on the anxiety of losing what’s important.”
Their new album “Future. Present. Past” is to be released 28th of August, 2026 via Despotz Records.
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 ) 