SARCATOR Shred with Two New Guitar Play-Throughs, Kick Off EU Tour + Festival Run

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 9, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Christoffer Hovhag

Swedish trash metal newcomers SARCATOR are now unleashing two freshly recorded guitar playthroughs for “The Deep Ends” as well as “Burning Choir,” which are both taken from the band’s recently released third studio album, ‘Swarming Angels and Flies.’ Both played by guitarist Mateo Tervonen and recorded at Studio-MT in Sweden, the playthroughs showcase the guitarist’s strong technicality and the band’s talent for both shredding and songwriting.  

The playthrough for “The Deep Ends” can be found HERE.

Watch the playthrough for “Burning Choir” HERE.

‘Swarming Angels & Flies’ was released in January 2025 via Century Media Records and can be streamed, ordered, and downloaded HERE.

In addition, SARCATOR will be conquering Europe on an extensive run of live performances started yesterday, May 8, where they will first support 1349 on their “The Wolf & The King Eastern European Tour,” alongside The Ruins Of Beverast and label-mates Vitriol. Additionally, the thrashers have various festivals lined up for 2025 across Europe, starting in June. The quartet will also be supporting Yoth Iria during their shows in Germany and Poland. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.

More shows TBA soon… stay tuned!

Sarcator – Live 2025, remaining shows:

09.05. Bratislava (SK), Randal + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
10.05. Zagreb (HR), Boogaloo + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
11.05. Belgrade (RS), Dorcol Platz + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
12.05. Thessaloniki (GR), Principal Theatre + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
13.05. Athens (GR), Fuzz Live Music Club + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
15.05. Istanbul (TR), IF Besiktas Performance Hall + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
16.05. Sofia (BG), Old Skulls + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
17.05. Bucharest (RO), Quantic + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
18.05. Cluj-Napoca (RO), Form Space + 1349, The Ruins Of Beverast & Vitriol
04.06. Sölvesborg (SE), Sweden Rock Festival
06.06. Essen (DE), Battle Cry Festival
07.06. Hauptmannsgrün (DE), Chronical Moshers Open Air
20.06. Copenhagen (DK), Copenhell Festival
27.06. Uppsala (SE), Parksnäckan + Dark Angel, Eternal Evil & Bloodstain
26.07. Freissenbüttel (DE), Burning Q Festival
27.07. Weinheim (DE), Cafe Central + Midnight & Yoth Iria
28.07. Berlin (DE), Lido + Midnight, Yoth Iria & Bloodfang
29.07. Warsaw (PL), VooDoo + Yoth Iria
30.07. Poznan (PL), Pod Minoga + Yoth Iria
31.07. Leipzig (DE), Hellraiser + Yoth Iria
28.08. Copenhagen (DK), Stengade
30.08. Roosendaal (NL), Roosendaal Open Air
05-07.09. Baltic Sea, Close-Up Cruise Festival
19.09. Schrobenhausen (DE), Metal im Woid Festival
20.09. Hamm (DE), Ragers Elite Festival

And more shows to be announced soon…

Tracklist:

  1. Burning Choir [WATCH]
  2. Comet of End Times [WATCH]
  3. Swarming Angels & Flies [WATCH]
  4. The Deep Ends [WATCH]
  5. Where the Void Begins [LISTEN]
  6. The Undercurrent
  7. Closure
  8. Unto Sepulchres
  9. Dogfight (cover – originally by Anti Cimex)*
  10. The Black Vomit (cover – originally by Sarcófago*
  11. Torture (cover – originally by Sadus)*
    *Bonus track on Ltd. CD Jewelcase in O-Card only

At a juvenile age of 14-20, Sarcator released their first demo tape, “Visions of Purgatory”, via the American label Redefining Darkness Records in 2019. Just two years later the quadrumvirate got nominated for best rock/metal album for the Swedish music award P3 Guld with their 2020’s self-titled debut release for the same label. After releasing their 2nd album, “Alkahest”, via Black Lion Records in 2022, Sarcator finally got a proper chance to play live, captivating crowds with their intense, blackened live shows.

With their current line-up fully committed to the band despite their young age (all members are between 19 and 25) it was time for them to record their third album, which still features previous guitarist Emil Eriksson. Shortly after signing a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records and heading out on a debut European tour supporting Hellripper and Cloak, Sarcator will be releasing ‘Swarming Angels & Flies’ on January 17, 2025.

This album marks the most intense, brutal and rawest creation yet for the band. It is a remarkably mature and sophisticated piece of work, from mercurial musicians who are only in their early 20’s, and still at the beginning of their creative journey. Across eight, grotesque and utterly venomous tracks, Sarcator have deftly blended the wide-eyed extremity of their debut album with the inspirational musicality of their second record “Alkahest”, while playing everything with more intensity than ever before. Both deliriously melodic and mercilessly brutal: “Swarming Angels & Flies” is the most dangerously potent record the Swedens have made to date. 

Sarcator explains about the record and its creation process, “We wanted to highlight the most aggressive and extreme parts of us, but we still wanted to work with dynamics, so you still have elements of classic rock and post-punk, which we started experimenting with on the last record. There is no question that it’s our most intense, brutal, and rawest creation yet – It’s not really a genre album and we like to keep it that way.”

With plenty of live activity in support of the upcoming album, Sarcator are already at the forefront of an emergent, highly determined new generation of Scandinavian extreme metal bands and ready to take the rest of the world by storm soon too.

Lineup:
Mateo Tervonen – Vocals, Guitar
Felix Lindkvist – Bass
Leo Buchalle – Guitar
Jesper Rosén – Drums

More info: FACEBOOK – INSTAGRAM – WEB SHOP – BANDCAMP – SPOTIFY – APPLE MUSIC – YOUTUBE

SCARDUST to Release New Studio Album “Souls” on July 18th, ‘Dazzling Darkness’ Single & Video Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 9, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo Credit: Lahav Levi

Progressive symphonic metal band Scardust are thrilled to announce the release of their anticipated new studio album “Souls”, out on July 18th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

Pre-Order “Souls” HERE

The band also share the new single and accompanying official video, “Dazzling Darkness”, watch below.

The band commented on the new album by saying: “Souls is a deep personal journey for us, combining everything from intricate progressive elements to sweeping symphonic passages, anthemic choruses and epic choirs. This album is a milestone for the band. It contains the Scardust DNA while experimenting with different writing and composing methods, involving every single musician in the band, resulting in the creation of the next evolution of our sound and pushing the boundaries of what we can express through music.”

“Thematically we’ve explored ideas of memory, belonging, loss, and the desire for connection, weaving in influences from different musical worlds, including orchestral, Mediterranean, and even Celtic sounds”, they added. “Souls is our most ambitious album to date, incorporating Scardust’s signature technical musicianship, and featuring the Hellscore choir and a string quartet throughout the entire album plus guest appearances from some international top tier musicians like Ross Jennings (Haken), Ally Storch (Subway to Sally), a Turkish orchestra and the TLV orchestra. It’s bold, it’s emotional and we hope it resonates deeply wherever it is heard.”

Scardust’s early years saw their debut EP, Shadow (2015), position them as a promising newcomer, while their first full-length LP, Sands of Time (2017), cemented them as one of the leading progressive metal bands in Israel. Scardust rapidly rose to the top of the local metal scene, selling out shows and opening for the likes of Symphony X, Therion, and Epica. They soon expanded their reach, touring overseas and playing festivals and headline shows in Germany, China, and the UK, while continuing to dominate stages at home.

Despite the challenges of Covid-19, 2020 saw the release of their sophomore album Strangers through M-Theory Audio, accompanied by seven self-produced music videos. Described by Dead Rhetoric as “captivating from start to finish,” Strangers introduced a unique concept album built on complementary song pairs, earning strong critical and fan acclaim.

2022 started on a high note with the visit of folk star Patty Gurdy, who joined Scardust for a live show in Israel and filmed the band’s most viewed video to date, Concrete Cages. The song, featuring a duet between Noa and Patty, tells a tale of mankind’s loss of connection with nature – culminating in a shocking twist.

That summer, the band headlined multiple shows across Europe, performing to packed arenas at Wacken Open Air and Dong Open Air. Testament’s Steve Di Giorgio, upon hearing the band from backstage, ran out front and watched the entire set, later describing himself as “mesmerized.” The year ended with the release of the dramatic one-shot video Evolution of the Disney Princess – But She’s METAL, where Noa weaves through a high-energy metal arrangement of beloved Disney Princess songs in just three and a half minutes.

2023 saw the release of Game of Now, a cinematic piece set in a futuristic dystopian live show. Scardust played festivals and concerts across Europe, spent two weeks on tour with power metal legends Blind Guardian, and signed a major multi-album deal with Frontiers Records – marking a significant milestone in their career.

Following an extended period of recording, the end of 2024 brought the release of My Haven, a powerful music video exploring the concept of finding a safe space. Shortly after, they unveiled RIP, a haunting track accompanied by a visually striking video centered around the enigmatic figure of Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Scardust continued working with filmmaker Lahav Levi, whose creative vision has played a key role in bringing their music to life on screen.

Alongside Scardust’s rise, Noa Gruman’s metal choir, Hellscore, has been gaining significant recognition. Known for their unique a cappella renditions of metal classics, they have collaborated with renowned artists and bands such as Epica, Therion, Amorphis, and Alestorm. Hellscore is also an integral part of Scardust’s sound, performing on all their albums and live shows.

Noa Gruman is also much in demand as a vocalist and the already-impressive list of her recent guest vocal appearances includes albums by Amorphis, Ayreon, Therion, Gloryhammer, Nino Helfrich and Orphaned Land.

If you are looking for the most fresh and innovative progressive album, “Souls” is set to be a milestone for the genre.

“Souls” Tracklist:

1.    Long Forgotten Song
2.    My Haven
3.    RIP
4.    Dazzling Darkness
5.    Unreachable (feat. TLV Orchestra)
6.    End Of The World
7.    Searing Echoes (feat. Ally Storch)
8.    Touch Of Life I – In Your Eyes (feat. Ross Jennings)
9.    Touch Of Life II – Dance Of Creation
10.    Touch Of Life III – King Of Insanity (feat. Ross Jennings)

Line Up:
Noa Gruman – Vocals
Gal Gabriel Israel – Guitar
Aaron Friedland – Keyboards
Orr Didi – Bass
Yoav Weinberg – Drums

Follow SCARDUST:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Website

Ex Singer Matt Barlow: “Jon Shaffer Has Given Us His Blessing To Perform The Dark Saga, We Are Celebrating The Music”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

The Metal Voice recently spoke to former Iced Earth and Ashes of Ares Singer Matt Barlow about the bands upcoming Euro Tour celebrating 30 years of the Iced Earth’s classic Album ‘The Dark Saga’.

Barlow also talked about the upcoming Ashes of Ares new studio album that will be released in the summer of 2025.

When asked if his announcements to go out and perform Iced Earth’s ‘The Dark Saga’ in its entirety, with Ashes of Ares in Europe caused any backlash from Jon Shaffer’s involvement of Jan 6
“We don’t live in a tube of silence here. I think at the end of the day it’s the music and I hope that everybody’s respectful because I’m going to celebrate Jon (Shaffer) and what he’s done .You know (Jon) he’s written some F- amazing music and I’ve been fortunate to be a part of that. So outside of that I’m not going to get political with anything. We’re just talking strictly about music and it’s for the love of the music and I hope that everybody understands that. If Jon wants to tour again and play this music again I wholeheartedly look forward to that. If that’s a possibility. We’re just going to go out there and celebrate this music that is very special for a lot of people. We’ve been given the blessing to do so by Jon. So that’s super important to us as well.”

When asked if he would rejoin Iced Earth
” Well it’s not on the table. Something like that would be entirely up to Jon, that’s Jon’s band 100%. So that would be something that Jon would have to decide. Whether I would be a part of it or not either way but whether Iced Earth goes out and does it I look forward to that. Whether it would be me involved with it or some somebody else if that were to happen and I can’t speak to it.”
 

When asked if there is a new Ashes of Ares studio album coming out
“We got a new record coming out called New Messiahs. I think there’s some really really good music in this record, we’ve been sitting on it for a while. As far as the release times, we got pushed back a little bit but the record has been in the can for about a year.We’ve been sitting on it for a while and it’s really tough man. It’s really tough to sit on music that you’re really excited about people hearing. It’ll be out this summer 2025. We’re getting ready to release some promotional videos and stuff like that too. So that’s that’s coming. It’s amazing.”

REFUSAL Drop New Single ‘Congregation of the Eyeless’ from Upcoming Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Finnish death metal act REFUSAL have unleashed a brand-new single, “Congregation of the Eyeless”, offering a new glimpse into their upcoming third album “Venomous Human Concept”, due out on June 6th 2025 via Time To Kill Records.

The track showcases the band’s trademark blend of grind-infused death metal and hardcore aggression, combining groove-laden riffs with unrelenting intensity and surgical precision. With this latest offering, REFUSAL continue to push their sound forward, delivering a brutal yet meticulously crafted assault that underscores their status as one of Finland’s most ferocious underground forces.

Streaming: https://ffm.to/refusal-congregation-of-the-eyeless

“‘Congregation of the Eyeless’ is the ninth song on the album. The song was heavily influenced by Deicide. Heavy blastbeats and catchy riffs dominate this song. Lyrically the song delves into the selfish nature of people, and their lack of bravery to step up when they witness coercion and foul play”.

Tracklist:

​1. Scholar of Perversion
2. Venomous Human Concept
3. The Grip Tightens
4. Insatiable God
5. War of Nothing
6. Dehumanize
7. We Are the Undead
8. Sleeping Leviathan
9. Congregation of the Eyeless
10. Eternal Refrain

Preorders:

REFUSAL is a Finnish death metal band formed in Helsinki, Finland, in early 2008. Over its 17-year history, the band has evolved its sound, incorporating grindcore elements into its death metal foundation. In its early years, REFUSAL released seven demos, paving the way for their debut album. In 2016, the band unleashed “We Rot Within”, marking their first full-length record. Following its release, the band toured extensively across Finland and embarked on a brief European tour.

In 2019, REFUSAL released their second album, “Epitome of Void”, followed by an extensive European tour, during which they performed in nine countries.

Their latest release has been in development since the release of their second album. After enduring the pandemic years and undergoing line-up changes, REFUSAL is now set to return with their evolved sonic chaos on “Venomous Human Concept”.

For fans of: Napalm Death, Misery Index, Entombed, Rotten Sound

Line-up:

Juhani Paasipohja – Vocals
Tero Pirhonen – Guitars
Kalle Kuosmanen – Guitars
Timo Pirhonen – Backing vocals and bass
Aleksi Roitto – Drums

https://www.refusalband.com/
https://refusal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/refusal.band
https://www.facebook.com/refusalband

TRICK OR TREAT Release New Video ‘Craven Road’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
photo by Cristian Daolio

Trick Or Treat has released a video for “Craven Road”, taken from the new album “Ghosted” released on April 25 by Scarlet Records.

Grab your popcorn… and your holy water: “Craven Road” is the third and last installment of the “Ghosted” horror trilogy (after “Ghosted”, the single, and “Dance With The Dancing Clown”) – creepier, crazier, and more Trick Or Treat-ish than ever!

video by Domenico Guidetti

“Ghosted”:

  • brand new studio album for the Italian happy metal champions of the world;
  • eleven compelling fun songs infused with smart references to the horror, video game and comics culture;
  • featuring the special guests vocalists Chris Bowes (Alestorm) & Adrienne Cowan (Avantasia, Seven Spires);
  • produced by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio;
  • cover artwork by Alessandro “Alle” Conti (Trick Or Treat & Twilight Force singer; former Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody singer);
  • Trick Or Treat is officially part of the Rock The Nation booking roster;
  • FFO: Helloween, Sonata Arctica, DragonForce, Twilight Force, Avenged Sevenfold;

“Ghosted” tracklist:
1 Lost In The Haunted House (intro)
2 Craven Road
3 Bloodmoon (ft. Adrienne Cowan)
4 Ghosted
5 Dance With The Dancing Clown
6 Polybius
7 Evil Dead Never Sleeps
8 Return To Monkey Island (ft. Chris Bowes)
9 Make A Difference
10 The 13th
11 Bitter Dreams

Total running time – 46:00

artwork by Alle Conti

“Ghosted” is the album that definitely marks the new Trick Or Treat course, where the classic power happy metal mixes with terrifying and yet funny horror atmospheres.

The Italian band put in music some of the most famous horror movie franchise such as “Evil Dead Never Sleeps” (“Army Of Darkness”), “Bitter Dreams” (“A Nightmare On Elm Street”) or “The 13th” (“Friday The 13th”), and paid heartfelt homage to the world of comics (“Craven Road”, Dylan Dog) and video game (“Return To Monkey Island”) that shaped their imaginary too.

With a little help from a couple of famous international friends, Trick Or Treat delivered just another irresistible collection of wicked, catchy and energetic metal tunes!

TRICK OR TREAT:
Alle Conti – vocals
Guido Benedetti – guitar
Luca Venturelli – guitar
Leone Villani Conti – bass
Dario Capacci – drums

TETRARCH Drop New Track ‘Best Of Luck’, New Album “The Ugly Side Of Me” Out Tomorrow

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 8, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo credit: Guillermo Briceno]

The wait is almost over! Ahead of tomorrow’s release of their blistering third album, The Ugly Side Of Me, modern metal stars TETRARCH have dropped their fourth and final single, entitled “Best OfLuck”. The standout track showcases the stellar riff artistry of Jackson Guitars’ first ever female signature artist Diamond Rowe.

Diamond Rowe of TETRARCH offers an inside look at the lyricism behind “Best Of Luck”:
“’Best Of Luck’ was such a fun song to write. I think Josh and I got together and wrote this song together in only a few hours and it has ended up being a favorite of those who have heard the album already.

The title of this song has kind of a funny story. I remember when we were younger and just starting out we would get rejection emails left and right from several different people within the industry. A lot of them used to sign their emails ‘Best of Luck’ or ‘Best of Luck in the future’ and it was always funny because clearly they didn’t wish us well at all, haha! Fast forward to now, when we have accomplished so much of what a lot of those people said we never would already, so this is kind of our ‘Best of Luck’ back to them. No hard feelings, just a funny tongue in cheek kind of thing. Maybe it’s us just being the smart asses that we always are.” 

After four years of intensely focused growth, TETRARCH is poised to top the multi-millions of cross-platform streams and views of their addictive singles and high-energy videos, frequent playlisting via Spotify, Apple and others, mainstream top 40 Active Rock radio blitzes, attention from major media like Billboard, Revolver, Alternative Press, Guitar World, Kerrang! and Metal Hammer, and international tours supporting legendary artists Sevendust, Atreyu and beyond.

If there is any question as to whether a band can push the confines of metal and hard rock in to the future, TETRARCH are the answer. Combining energetic modern musical aggression and lyrical honesty with colossal choruses and unforgettable melodies, TETRARCH appeal to fans both in and outside of the metal scene, providing newcomers a gateway into heavy music.

TETRARCH’s Napalm Records debut, Unstable (2021), received massive critical acclaim. Its debut single, “I’m Not Right”, cracked the Mediabase Active Rock Top 30 and has garnered over 15 million combined cross-platform streams to date. Follow up single “You Never Listen” later went on to receive keen support from SiriusXM, HardDrive, Full Metal Jackie and many more of the country’s leading active rock outlets. 

Order The Ugly Side Of Me HERE

Among its perfectly crafted 10 tracks, new album The Ugly Side Of Me cuts like 90s industrial-injected single “Live Not Fantasize” – which premiered via SiriusXM Liquid Metal upon its release alongside Diamond Rowe’s Jackson Guitars signature launch – thrill with intense electronic flourishes, quick riffage and dynamic, spine-tingling guitar solos. Anthemic second single “Never Again (Parasite)” – featuring the standout vocal debut of Diamond Rowe – carefully balances thick grooves and massive atmosphere with deep-cutting lyricism and the mulit-faceted vocal breadth of frontman Josh Fore. Tracks like album opener “Anything Like Myself” showcase the hypnotizing, crushing metallic brilliance of the band while flirting with Josh Fore’s intense screams and Ruben Limas’ punching drums, while the likes of “Best Of Luck” stand tall with the rhythmic basslines of Ryan “Dooms” Lerner and Rowe’s inventive riff artistry. Profound melodic bangers like “Erase” and “Cold” are injected with intricate guitar solos, while “Headspace” and “The Only Thing I’ve Got” thrust the vital, brooding elements of TETRARCH into the forefront. Each track succeeds with lyrical themes of facing our own darkest criticisms – embracing the healing notion that what we feel others may see as our worst traits actually define the greatest aspects of our individuality.

Featuring needle-sharp production co-produced by Dave Otero, Diamond Rowe and Josh Fore, The Ugly Side Of Me boasts unrelenting brutality, catchiness and songwriting mastery. Metal is practically begging for its next wave of genre frontrunners, and with one listen it’s clear – TETRARCH lead the charge.

The Ugly Side Of Me track listing:
1. Anything Like Myself 
2. Never Again (Parasite)
3. Live Not Fantasize
4. Erase
5. The Only Thing I’ve Got
6. Best Of Luck
7. Crawl
8. Cold
9. Headspace
10. The Ugly Side of Me

EUROPEAN HEADLINE TOUR DATES:
16.06.25 DE – Leipzig / Moritzbastei
17.06.25 DE – Berlin / Privatclub
18.06.25 DE – Hannover / Café Clocksee
19.06.25 DE – Ratingen / Manege
20.06.25 DK – Copenhagen / Copenhell
22.06.25 NL – Utrecht / De Helling
24.06.25 BE – Ghent / Vierde Zaal
25.06.25 UK – Birmingham / The Flapper
26.06.25 UK – London / Camden Assembly
28.06.25 ES – Viviero / Resurrection Fest
29.06.25 CH – Geneva / Undertown
02.07.25 HU – Dunaujvaros / Rockmaraton
03.07.25 AT – Vienna / Flex
05.07.25 CZ – Velke Mezirici / Fajt Fest

TETRARCH is:
Josh Fore – vocals/guitar
Diamond Rowe – lead guitar
Ryan “Dooms” Lerner – bass
Ruben Limas – drums
 
TETRARCH online:
INSTAGRAM
TIKTOK
FACEBOOK
X
NAPALM RECORDS