Dawnbreed Records is proud to announce the first ever vinyl release of Dutch black metal band ELFSGEDROCH’s “Voor de Groninger Poorten – Hoogmoed eindigt in As”, arrived on 12” vinyl on June 19th, 2026.
Hailing from the Netherlands, ELFSGEDROCH delivers a deeply atmospheric form of black metal, combining raw intensity with a wide range of nuances, immersive melodies and a strong connection to history, landscape and ancestral themes. Their sound balances darkness and emotion, creating a haunting sonic experience where aggression meets a more evocative and introspective approach.
“Voor de Groninger Poorten – Hoogmoed eindigt in As” is a conceptual journey inspired by the Siege of Groningen in 1672, when the city resisted the invading forces of the bishop of Münster, Bernard von Galen. Through three carefully crafted compositions – “1665 – De Slag bij Jipsinghuizen”, “1672 – De Opmars” and “1672 – Gronings Ontzet” – ELFSGEDROCH transforms this historical episode into a bleak and atmospheric black metal narrative, capturing the violence, pride and tragedy surrounding one of the defining events in the region’s past.
Originally released digitally in 2025, this Dawnbreed Records edition marks the very first appearance of “Voor de Groninger Poorten – Hoogmoed eindigt in As” on vinyl, bringing the EP to life in a format that perfectly suits its immersive and timeless atmosphere.
After years of change, reflection, and rebuilding, South African rock outfit Man As Machine return with their first new music since before the pandemic. Their latest single, The Right Words, marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the band and is the first release featuring their revitalised lineup.
Formed in Gauteng in 2009, Man As Machine quickly established themselves as one of South Africa’s most respected live rock acts, earning a reputation for explosive performances and sharing stages with international artists including Protest The Hero and Dead Letter Circus, while appearing alongside local heavyweights such as Fokofpolisiekar, Prime Circle, Wonderboom, Van Coke Kartel and Zebra & Giraffe. Their acclaimed albums Nothing But A Thing (2011) and Patterns (2015), along with award-winning music videos and appearances at major festivals including OppiKoppi, RamFest and Synergy, cemented their place in the local rock landscape.
Following the departure of two founding members and an extended hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the remaining members faced an uncertain future. Rather than walking away, they chose to channel that uncertainty into new music.
“Lyrically, it took longer to fill the space… two founder members had left the band and I found I had nothing to say. KJ said I should write about that,” explains vocalist and guitarist Rob Visser. “The Right Words became a love song to the band, to the noise, to this group in all its forms, as it was, and as it is now.”
Driven by relentless energy, soaring melodies and unapologetic honesty, The Right Words captures the feeling of searching for hope and purpose when the words don’t come easily but refusing to stop trying.
The track was recorded and mixed by Jacques du Plessis at High Seas Studios and mastered by Rogan Kelsey at Kelsey Mastering. It is the first of several new singles already completed and scheduled for release over the coming months.
Now featuring Rob Visser (vocals/guitar), KJ Forde (drums), Misty Sutherland-Dadds (guitar) and Roushan Lume (bass), Man As Machine continues to deliver the fiery melodies, crushing grooves and hard-hitting rock that have defined them for nearly two decades.
With more music, videos, live shows and festival appearances on the horizon, The Right Words signals not only the return of Man As Machine but the start of an exciting new era.
BLOODSTAIN unleash their new single “Annihilation Line,” taken from their upcoming self-titled album set for release on September 25th via Threeman Recordings / Sound Pollution. The track marks the band’s third release of the year and plays a key role in building momentum toward their debut album.
“Annihilation Line” is another uncompromising, forward driving single with a powerful intro and outro that set the tone and capture the energy of a full blown live show. During last year’s acclaimed performance at Sweden Rock Festival, BLOODSTAIN tested the intro on the crowd — who immediately responded and kept singing even after the band stopped playing, despite never having heard the song before. A clear sign of a hit ready anthem built for the big arenas. Young Swedish hard rock at its finest.
BLOODSTAIN truly shows what hard rock should sound like in 2026: rooted in the classics, but delivered with maximum energy and presence.
With their signature riff discipline and modern live intensity, BLOODSTAIN have quickly established themselves as Sweden’s most explosive new hard rock act. After an impressive year of shows, the band has built a strong reputation that’s now starting to spread beyond Sweden’s borders.
Alx Hell comments:
“This is hard rock in 2026: classically grounded, but delivered with modern precision and total presence. ‘Annihilation Line’ is built to feel just as natural in headphones as it does from the front row.”
“Annihilation Line” is produced by Per Aldeheim, Alex Hellid and BLOODSTAIN.
Joe Bonamassa has officially released The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork, a powerful live album and concert film celebrating the music and enduring legacy of Irish guitar legend Rory Gallagher. Available now via J&R Adventures, the project captures Bonamassa’s sold-out tribute performances in Cork, Ireland, where Gallagher’s influence remains woven into the fabric of the city itself. Alongside the album release, Bonamassa has also unveiled the epic live performance video for the project’s emotional centerpiece, “A Million Miles Away (Live).”
Recorded with the blessing of Gallagher’s family and performed before passionate hometown audiences, The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork documents what many in attendance described as a once-in-a-lifetime musical event. A lifelong admirer of Gallagher, Bonamassa approached the material with deep reverence, bringing together a band capable of honoring the fire, spontaneity, and emotional honesty that defined Gallagher’s work while allowing the performances to breathe with their own energy.
Rory Gallagher remains one of Ireland’s most beloved musical figures, revered worldwide for a style that fused traditional electric blues with hard rock intensity, Celtic influences, and fearless improvisation. His distinctive guitar tone, expressive slide work, and deeply emotional performances inspired generations of players, including Bonamassa himself. Together, the album and film capture both the scale of Gallagher’s influence and the deep personal connection his music continues to inspire among musicians and fans around the world.
At the heart of the release is “A Million Miles Away,” one of Gallagher’s most beloved and emotionally resonant compositions. Originally released on 1973’s Tattoo and a legendary extended rendition on his Irish Tour ‘74, the song captures themes of loneliness, longing, and emotional distance, pairing poetic imagery with one of Gallagher’s most vulnerable vocal performances. Joe’s DVD bonus features include a special interview with Rory’s brother, Donal, who recounts the story behind the song’s creation and visits the dramatic Irish cliffs whose rugged beauty helped inspire its emotional power.
Bonamassa’s interpretation embraces that emotional core. Filmed in front of a packed Cork audience, the performance unfolds with patience and restraint before building into a soaring guitar statement that reflects both Gallagher’s influence and Bonamassa’s own musical voice. The result serves as a fitting centerpiece for a project built on admiration, respect, and a shared love of the blues.
What began as a single tribute concert ultimately grew into a three-night sold-out run in Gallagher’s hometown, with fans traveling from around the world to celebrate the music. The atmosphere throughout the performances was electric, creating what Bonamassa describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of his career.
Early praise has already begun to reflect the significance of the project. Guitarist Magazine praised the release, writing, “Joe does his hero proud…a very fitting affectionate tribute to one of the most notable blues guitarists of our age.” Blues Matters hailed The Spirit Of Rory “one of the finest live albums ever produced,” while Powerplay awarded the project a perfect 10/10, writing that “Bonamassa has captured Gallagher’s genre-defining influence and honored it with flawless perfection.”
Across fourteen carefully selected songs, The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork explores the full breadth of Gallagher’s catalogue, from explosive live staples like “Walk On Hot Coals,” “Bullfrog Blues,” and “Bad Penny” to deeply personal performances including “Tattoo’d Lady” and “I Fall Apart.” The broader setlist was also inspired in part by the spirit of Gallagher’s legendary Irish Tour ‘74 era, which first introduced many listeners, including Bonamassa, to Gallagher’s singular live power.
The project also includes several moments of special historical significance, including Bonamassa’s performance of “As The Crow Flies” on Gallagher’s own 1930 National Triolian resonator guitar, generously loaned by the Cork Public Museum. Additional DVD and Blu-ray bonus features include The Inspiration of Rory, featuring conversations with Brian May and Slash, along with Rory’s Acoustic Guitar and Ballycotton –A Million Miles Away.
In celebration of the album’s release, European fans can now enter a special raffle benefiting the Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation, with the chance to win a one-of-a-kind signed Rory tribute guitar, only available at RAFFALL.
The centerpiece of the raffle is a Classic Series ‘60s Fender Stratocaster™ personally purchased by Bonamassa at Cork’s legendary Crowley’s Music Centre during the 2025 live show celebrations. For Bonamassa, the purchase fulfilled a longtime dream of acquiring a guitar from the same shop where Gallagher himself once bought instruments. The guitar was subsequently signed backstage by Bonamassa, members of the band, Rory Gallagher’s family, producer Kevin Shirley, famed Gallagher bassist Gerry McAvoy and Rory’s own legendary Irish promoter Peter Aiken.
The raffle runs from June 19th through July 20th, with donations supporting KTBA’s ongoing mission of funding music education and assisting musicians in need. The prize package also includes a Joe signed copy of the Red Marble Vinyl, a CD/DVD or CD/Blu-ray package, and a $100 merchandise credit to the Joe Bonamassa online store.
Ultimately, The Spirit Of Rory Live From Cork stands as both a celebration and a thank-you letter – from one guitarist to another, from one generation of blues musicians to the next, and from a devoted fan to an artist whose influence continues to resonate decades after his passing.
As Bonamassa wrote in the project’s liner notes: “What you hear on these recordings is our best effort to pay tribute to Rory Gallagher, a man I never met, but admire so deeply. His music is part of me and I’m grateful that we were able to contribute in some small way to his ongoing legacy.”
CD Track Listing
1. Cradle Rock (Live) 2. Walk On Hot Coals (Live) 3. Tattoo’d Lady (Live) 4. I Wonder Who (Live) 5. Calling Card (Live) 6. Who’s That Coming? (Live) 7. Messin’ With The Kid (Live) 8. Bullfrog Blues (Live) 9. Treat Her Right (Live) 10. Bad Penny (Live) 11. I Fall Apart (Live) 12. A Million Miles Away (Live) 13. As The Crow Flies (Live) 14. Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
DVD / Blu-ray
1. The Spirit Of Rory (Opening Scene) 2. Cradle Rock 3. Walk On Hot Coals 4. Tattoo’d Lady 5. I Wonder Who 6. Calling Card 7. Who’s That Coming? 8. Messin’ With The Kid 9. Band Introductions 10. Bullfrog Blues 11. Treat Her Right 12. Bad Penny 13. I Fall Apart 14. A Million Miles Away 15. As The Crow Flies 16. Back On My Stompin’ Ground 17. Ballycotton (End Credits)
DVD / Blu-ray Bonus Features:
● Ballycotton – A Million Miles Away ● Rory’s Acoustic Guitar ● The Inspiration of Rory (A Conversation with Brian May & Slash)
Vinyl (180 gram Red Marble Double LP)
Side A 1. Cradle Rock (Live) 2. Walk On Hot Coals (Live) 3. Tattoo’d Lady (Live) 4. I Wonder Who (Live) Side B 5. Calling Card (Live) 6. Who’s That Coming? (Live) 7. Messin’ With The Kid (Live) 8. Bullfrog Blues (Live)
Side C 9. Treat Her Right (Live) 10. Bad Penny (Live) 11. I Fall Apart (Live)
Side D 12. A Million Miles Away (Live) 13. As The Crow Flies (Live) 14. Back On My Stompin’ Ground (Live)
U.S. SUMMER TOUR 2026 June 26 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts w/ JJ Grey & Mofro & D.K. Harrell June 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Ocean Casino Resort June 28 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center July 4 – Sioux City, IA – Saturday in the Park July 29 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap w/ Gov’t Mule July 31 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater w/ Gov’t Mule August 1 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule August 3 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent August 5 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater w/ JJ Grey & Mofro August 7 – Selbyville, DE – Freeman Arts Pavilion August 8 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion w/ Gov’t Mule August 9 – Youngstown, OH – The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre w/ Gov’t Mule August 11 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights August 12 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia Festival August 14 – Interlochen, MI – Kresge Auditorium w/ Gov’t Mule August 15 – Welch, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino w/ Gov’t Mule August 16 – Lincoln, NE – Pinewood Bowl Theater w/ Gov’t Mule August 19 – Cheyenne, WY – Cheyenne Civic Center August 20 – Salt Lake City, UT – Eccles Theater August 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Sandia Resort & Casino August 23 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre September 26-27 – Austin, TX – Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival @ Moody Center
EU FALL TOUR 2026 October 21 – Helsinki, FL – Veikkaus Arena October 23 – Stockholm, SE – Stockholm Avicii Arena October 24 – Oslo, NO – Oslo Spektrum October 25 – Gothenburg, SE – Göteborg Partille Arena October 27 – Copenhagen, DK – K.B. Hallen København October 29 – Rostock, DE – Stadthalle Rostock October 30 – Berlin, DE – Uber Arena October 31 – Dortmund, DE – Westfalenhalle November 4 – Milan, IT – Unipol Forum November 6 – Toulouse,FR – Zenith Toulouse Metropole November 7 – Barcelona, ES – Barcelona Sant Jordi Club November 8 – Madrid, ES – Madrid Palacio Vistalegre November 11 – Wroclaw, Poland – Ethno Festival
ABOUT JOE BONAMASSA Blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performing musicians of his generation. A five-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and 15-time Blues Music Award nominee – with four wins – he recently notched his 30th No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart with B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, extending his record for the most No. 1 albums in the chart’s history. With more than 50 releases spanning studio and live recordings, he has built a far-reaching, multi-genre catalogue.
Beyond performing, Bonamassa plays a central role in today’s blues landscape as a producer and curator. Working closely with Josh Smith, he has produced albums for artists including Joanne Shaw Taylor, Marc Broussard, Larry McCray, and Jimmy Hall through his Journeyman and KTBA labels. He also curates and headlines sold-out destination events like Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea and Sound Wave Beach Weekend, while his Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation has funded hundreds of music education projects across the country.
A dedicated student of the instrument, Bonamassa is also known as one of the world’s leading guitar collectors and historians, with a deep connection to the lineage of blues and rock. For more information, visit www.jbonamassa.com.
Swedish kings of black metal, DARK FUNERAL, proudly announce their long-awaited new live album, ‘A Beast To Praise,’ set for worldwide release via Century Media on August 21, 2026.
Recorded at Fållan in Stockholm in 2022, ‘A Beast To Praise’ captures DARK FUNERAL‘s devastating live performance in support of their acclaimed album ‘We Are The Apocalypse.’ Spanning 13 tracks and nearly 70 minutes, the release showcases the band’s relentless stage presence while celebrating an album that entered the charts across Europe upon it’s 2022 release, including #6 in Germany, #13 in Finland, #28 in Switzerland, #29 in Austria, and #31 in Sweden.
The first preview of the upcoming live release arrives today in the form of the single and live video for “The Arrival Of Satan’s Empire,” which can be viewed below.
DARK FUNERAL’s Lord Ahriman comments on ‘A Beast To Praise’:
“‘A Beast To Praise’ (Live at Fållan, Stockholm) captures a very important moment in the history of DARK FUNERAL — not only the live release ritual for ‘We Are The Apocalypse,’ but also our return to the stage after years of silence during the pandemic. That night at Fållan was intense in every possible way. The energy in the room, the fire, the audience and the atmosphere all came together into something far beyond an ordinary concert. This release is the immortal document of that night. With the release of this live album and the upcoming European touring cycle in the fall of 2026, we now close the chapter surrounding ‘We Are The Apocalypse.’ At the same time, we are already deeply focused on the next era of DARK FUNERAL and hard at work creating new material for what will become our next studio album, planned for release in 2027. And as one chapter closes, a new one is already taking shape — bigger, darker and more epic than ever before…”
1- Unchain My Soul 2- The Arrival Of Satan’s Empire 3- My Funeral 4- Leviathan 5- We Are The Apocalypse 6- Open The Gates 7- When I’m Gone 8- Goddess Of Sodomy 9- Vobiscum Satanas 10- Nail Them To The Cross 11- Let The Devil In 12- The Secrets Of The Black Arts 13- Where Shadows Forever Reign
‘A Beast To Praise’ will be available in the following formats: => Jewelcase CD => Gatefold 2LP on 180g black vinyl (Europe) => Gatefold 2LP on 180g transparent red vinyl (Europe, limited to 400x copies, available from Napalm Records, EMP and all Swedish retailers) => Gatefold 2LP on 140g black vinyl (USA) => Digital Album
DARK FUNERAL will next embark on the massive “In League With Satan” tour across Europe together with Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir in October. All upcoming tour dates currently announced can be found below.
DARK FUNERAL Live:
August 6-9 – Schlotheim, Germany @ Party.San Open Air August 28-30 – Câmpulung, Romania @ Posada Rock August 28-30 – Požega, Serbia @ Hellhammer Festival
“In League With Satan” – European Tour w/ Behemoth & Dimmu Borgir
October 9 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622 October 10 – Zwickau, Germany @ Sparkassen-Arena Zwickau October 11 – Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal October 13 – Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz October 14 – Munich, Germany @ Zenith October 16 – Paris, France @ Zenith October 18 – Den Bosch, The Netherlands @ Mainstage October 20 – Cologne, Germany @ Palladium October 22 – Hamburg, Germany @ Inselpark Arena October 23 – Berlin, Germany @ Columbiahalle October 24 – Brno, Czech Republic @ Hala Vodova October 27 – Helsinki, Finland @ Ice Hall October 29 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Hovet October 30 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ K.B. Hallen
Today marks the release of the first new single from TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD, “Prayer”. “The song is a requiem for all the souls we have lost: Friends, companions, partners, and beloved pets. It was written on a dark night following the death of an old friend,” says Schrödey, the band’s founder and guitarist, describing the song’s origins. “Prayer” and the upcoming material was composed by Schrödey, who spent many months giving the songs shape, depth and the finishing touches in his Absurd Studio.
The band’s third new album, which is set to be released in autumn 2026, will feature a mix of reimagined classics from their back catalogue and brand-new material.
With the words, “Temple of the Absurd is alive! It feels right”, the band announced their comeback in February 2026. Shortly afterwards, singer Sabina Classen explained: “Some things simply lie dormant, waiting for the right moment to reawaken. The songs, the friendship, the energy – it all feels incredibly familiar.”
The band owes this comeback to an unplanned moment. During a reading by Sabina Classen and Dr Nico Rose from their joint book, “Laut. Stark. Leben – Zur Hölle mit den Selbstzweifeln” at Full Metal Holidays 2025 in Mallorca, Wacken co-founder Holger Hübner entered the stage and announced to the surprised audience that Sabina had to return to the spotlight. His reasoning was as direct as it was convincing: the chapter on TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD had never really been closed.
What initially seemed like a spur-of-the-moment decision developed over the following months into a plan that eventually became reality: TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD are back!
This extraordinary band consistently defied categorisation, even back in the nineties. With the albums “Absurd” (1995) and “Mother, Creator, God” (1999), the band created their own dark soundscape in which heaviness, atmosphere, melancholy, and madness intermingled. It was a musical alternative to trends and expectations: uncompromising, independent, and unique to this day.
TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD Live: 30 July 2026 – Wacken Open Air 20–27 October 2026 – Full Metal Holiday
TEMPLE OF THE ABSURD are: Sabina Classen – vocals Schrödey – guitar Robert “Ozzy” Frese – guitar Falko Grau – bass Robert Julien Schmidt – drums
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 ) 