Rockshots Records and Secret Rule are thrilled to announce the release of the band’s brand new single called “Just A Sacrifice” available on all digital platforms starting today, May 2nd, 2025, and accompanied by a music video. The track offers the first glimpse into the band’s highly anticipated tenth studio album, due for release later this year.
“Just A Sacrifice” is a powerful anthem about the cost of staying true to oneself in a world that demands conformity. Blending heavy guitars, intense vocals, and a bold, wide-open chorus, the song captures both the emotional toll and the inner strength that come with resisting societal pressure.
“This song is about the price we pay for thinking freely, speaking our truth, and refusing to follow the crowd,” the band comments. “It’s deeply personal but also a quiet political statement.”
In recent weeks, Secret Rule completed an intense 15-date European tour alongside Temperance and Induction, showcasing their renewed energy and connection with audiences across the continent. The band is now preparing to take part in prestigious summer festivals including Masters of Rock (Czech Republic), Rock Imperium Festival (Spain), and Laurus Nobilis (Portugal).
Entering 2025 with a refreshed lineup and a renewed artistic vision, Secret Rule is ready to push their sound even further. The upcoming album promises a dynamic and immersive experience fusing the cinematic edge of Within Temptation’s recent work with the raw energy of Falling In Reverse.
“Just A Sacrifice” marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Secret Rule, one built on resilience, individuality, and a sound more powerful than ever.
On August 22nd, Pittsburgh titans Signs Of The Swarm will release their sixth full-length, To Rid Myself of Truth, via Century Media Records. Reunited with producer Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Mental Cruelty, Varials, King 810), the group continues molting their slamming deathcore exoskeleton, revealing a band now as indebted to Meshuggah, Gojira and Fear Factory as any of the deathcore bands they grew up on—now peers. For a first preview of To Rid Myself of Truth, the new single “HELLMUSTFEARME” can be streamed now here; watch the video below.
Bobby Crow (Drums) comments: “‘HELLMUSTFEARME’ is a nod to our roots: all gas, no brakes from start-to-finish. I wanted to channel the albums that drew me into deathcore, such as ‘The Cleansing’ by Suicide Silence and ‘Hellbound’ by Fit for an Autopsy and add our SOTS flavor. As soon as we finished this demo, we knew we wanted it to be the first thing everyone heard from the album that became ‘To Rid Myself of Truth’.”
David Simonich (Vocals) adds: “‘HELLMUSTFEARME’ started from a little joke I had with a friend about how many times I tried killing myself—and failed, obviously. Assuming Hell were real, I would definitely be going there, but they don’t want me there. It’s kind of a ‘chicken or the egg’ situation; do they not want me there because I can’t die and what that suggests, or can I not die because they won’t let me know—and why is that if it wasn’t preceded by my being unkillable?
“The song is about the lowest of the low. Not even the most depraved place for the heathens of all heathens wants me? So they keep me contained in another Hell, Earth.
“Yet, I overcome. I hope that shines through and the listener feels powerful when they are jamming this defiant and deadly song. I’m trying to turn my negative experiences into something positive.”
After writing breakout 5th LP Amongst the Low & Empty (2023) almost entirely in-studio, Signs Of The Swarm geared up to do it again on To Rid Myself of Truth. This stint’s 7-week lead time—PLUS the in-studio time—was a veritable vacation for the band, with the addition of guitarist/backing vocalist Carl Schulz adding a whole other set of riffing hands (and vocal chords) to the band. It was plenty of time for the now-quartet, rounded out by bassist Michael Cassese, to craft metal exactly as they think it should sound: MORE. PISSED. And it is. Musically the album’s edges are far more serrated than their last’s flirtations with djenty bounce. Read the full bio for To Rid Myself of Truthhere.
Fear & Judgement feat. Jack Murray (156/Silence) and Johnny Crowder (Prison, ex-Dark Sermon)
Creator
Album artwork by: Stripes Arts
After To Rid Myself of Truth‘s release, Signs Of The Swarm will headline a North American tour this fall with support from Mental Cruelty, ten56., Carcosa and Face Yourself. See below for all dates, plus pre-sale and on-sale info:
–May 2 – Signs Of The Swarm pre-sale: https://signsoftheswarm.com/ –May 5 – Promoter Pre-Sale –May 6 – Spotify Pre-Sale –May 7 – Bands In Town Pre-Sale –May 8 – Public On-Sale at 10 AM local time
Signs Of The Swarm tour dates w/ Mental Cruelty, ten56., Carcosa, Face Yourself
Oct. 2, 2025 – Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Fairmount Oct. 3, 2025 – Toronto, ON @ Axis Club Oct. 4, 2025 – Ferndale, MI @ The Loving Touch Oct. 5, 2025 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies Oct. 7, 2025 – St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar Oct. 8, 2025 – Davenport, IA @ Capitol Theatre Oct. 9, 2025 – Wichita, KS @ WAVE (Indoor) Oct. 10, 2025 – Denver, CO @ HQ Oct. 11, 2025 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell Oct. 12, 2025 – Boise, ID @ The Shredder Oct. 14, 2025 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon Oct. 15, 2025 – Portland, OR @ Dante’s Oct. 16, 2025 – Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post Oct. 17, 2025 – Fresno, CA @ Full Circle Brewery Oct. 18, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom Oct. 19, 2025 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater Oct. 21, 2025 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live Oct. 22, 2025 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater * Oct. 23, 2025 – Little Rock, AR @ Revolution Music Room Oct. 24, 2025 – Nashville, TN @ EXIT/IN Oct. 25, 2025 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage (The Loft) Oct. 26, 2025 – Orlando, FL @ Conduit * Oct. 28, 2025 – Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern Oct. 29, 2025 – Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819 Oct. 30, 2025 – Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage Oct. 31, 2025 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Nov. 1, 2025 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows * Nov. 2, 2025 – Worcester @ The Palladium
*=No Face Yourself
Signs Of The Swarm line-up: Bobby Crow – Drums David Simonich – Vocals Carl Schulz – Guitars Michael Cassese – Bass
After releasing a first single, “My Revocation of Compliance”, in early April HEAVEN SHALL BURN are dropping another new song and video taken from their upcoming album, “Heimat”. “Confounder” is their anthem celebrating self-empowerment, self-reliance and autonomous thinking, but ultimately advocating community, supporting and uplifting each other. Watch the emotional video below.
The band comments: “Like an invisible force, the current conditions in our societies deform and mistreat every individual. Pressure to consume, fear campaigns, and pseudo-debates scream at us from all media and numb values important for community and democracy, such as tolerance, solidarity, and autonomous thinking. Standing up against this and setting a positive example that deviates from the madness of everyday life within one’s own bubble with a clear stance is what we want to promote with this song and the accompanying video. Be the disruptive factor, be the ‘Confounder’!”
“Heimat” = German for “home / homeland / native land” – a term that merely refers to a relationship between people and spaces but has nevertheless always been highly emotionally charged. Often misused, it sometimes causes discomfort, lively discussions and battles over interpretation. Maik Weichert (guitar) comments: “’Heimat’ is not meant as the narrow-minded end point in the sense it has been used by agitators and populists, but the starting point for observations and perspectives. The album is about a much wider sense of the term ‘Heimat’: the homelands for many different people and also about the spiritual home, something that shapes and determines our thoughts and actions.”
HEAVEN SHALL BURN took their time with the follow-up to “Of Truth And Sacrifice”, which reached number 1 in the Official German Album Charts in 2020. “Heimat” was produced at the band’s own studio, The Dude Ranch, which is run by guitarist Alexander Dietz. Like in the past, Danish producer Tue Madsen took care of the mixing and mastering.
The Thuringians enlisted the renowned artist Eliran Kantor for the artwork, who previously crafted the artwork for “Of Truth And Sacrifice”. The centrepiece of the impressive triptych is a rearing stag – in its roaring variant a classic motif of wildlife painting, the epitome of kitsch and trivial art from the 19th and 20th centuries and interpreted by some as a symbol of patriarchy and capitalist competition, but here placed as a vital allegory of resistance amid an apocalyptic scene. He is flanked by a hunting lynx and a watchful owl, which complete the highly symbolic artwork concept as further elements of the triptych. As with “Of Truth And Sacrifice”, HEAVEN SHALL BURN worked together with composer, producer and director Sven Helbig and conductor Wilhelm Keitel, this time supported by the Mondëna Quartet and the Ukrainian Sophia Chamber Choir.
Artwork by Eliran Kantor
“Heimat” will be released on 27 June 2025 by their long-standing label partner Century Media Records in the following formats:
06-08.06.25 (DE) Rock Am Ring – Nuerburg 06-08.06.25 (DE) Rock Im Park – Nuernberg 06-08.06.25 (CZ) Metalfest Pilsen – Pilsen 10.06.25 (SLO) Ljubljana – Media Center 11.06.25 (AT) Kufstein – Festung 13.06.25 (CH) Greenfield – Interlaken 14.06.25 (AT) Nova Rock – Nickelsdorf 21.06.25 (DK) Copenhell – Copenhagen 22.06.25 (BE) Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel 26.06.25 (NL) Jera On Air – Ysselsteyn 27.06.25 (DE) Impericon Festival – Leipzig 28.06.25 (DE) Vainstream Rockfest – Muenster 03.07.25 (DE) Rockharz Festival – Ballenstedt
HEAVEN SHALL BURN are: Marcus Bischoff – Vocals Maik Weichert – Guitar Alexander Dietz – Guitar Eric Bischoff – Bass Christian Bass – Drums
Thrash legends DEATH ANGEL are back with their first new music in 6 years! In anticipation for their upcoming summer Summer of Wrath European Tour, the band has released a brand new song called ‘Wrath (Bring Fire).’ The blistering new track and visualizer (created by Tamara Lienas of Aimed & Framed) are streaming now on all digital services!
Commenting on the new track vocalist Mark Osegueda says:
“‘Wrath(Bring Fire)’ is the first Death Angel song featuring the whole band to be released since our 2019 Grammy nominated album Humanicide. This song was however written during the pandemic. I wrote the lyrics and melody to this song in January of 2021. During that time I was, as all of us were, stuck at home lost, angry and very confused. I was also watching way more television than I usually had. One genre being medieval/fantasy shows which were kind of new to me as an adult. Yet! Were very popular during that time. Which makes sense in retrospect. We all needed some new forms of escapism from the worldwide Hell that we were all going through..That being said..It was partially what inspired these lyrics. An ancient/medieval fantasy end of the world war meets my actual approach in disputes..That can unfortunately, for all involved, turn very ugly if I’m pushed to a certain level or place when I feel I’m being wronged! And.. As always for me.. Pen doesn’t hit the paper until I hear the music and that paints a picture and inspires a vision that ends up being my lyrics. And the music Rob wrote for this and the fantasy/medieval based shows I was watching at that time and the personal hell that I was going through, figuring out who the hell I was during that awful time in our collective history and marrying that with my true personal aggressions and fury that I still fight with to this very day when I feel I’ve been wronged inspired this song! And it does still happen to me and I’m sure all of us. It definitely still happens to me to this very day! Sometimes it still does by those that are supposed to be closest to me that think they must be more clever than me. When in actuality…They are just deceitful and so easily read. Well..For those of you who can relate to this subject. Which I assume is most of us! This song is for you! Because if you are foolish enough to try to take advantage of me once or continually..To quote Al Capone: ’Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. I am kind to everyone, but when someone is unkind to me, weakness is not what you are going to remember about me.’
June 6 – Gelsenkirchen, DE – Rock Hard Festival June 7 – Gdansk, PL – Mystic Festival June 8 – Plzen, CZ – Metalfest Open Air June 10 – Milano, IT – Live Club June 11 – Rome, IT – Eur Social Park June 12 – Zürich, CH – Dynamo June 14 – Leeuwarden, NL – Into The Grave Festival June 16 – Dover, UK – The Booking Hall June 17 – London, UK – Electric Brixton June 19 – Dessel, BE – Graspop Metal Meeting June 20 – Stuttgart, DE – LKA Longhorn June 21 – Friedrichshafen, DE – Kulturhaus Caserne June 23 – Villeurbanne, FR – Transbordeur June 24 – Toulouse, FR – Le Rex de Toulouse June 26 – Viveiro, ES – Resurrection Fest June 27 – Lisboa, PT – Evil Live Festival June 29 – Cartagena, ES – Rock Imperium Festival 2025 Oct 2 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock 2025
NAILED TO OBSCURITY are excited to reveal the name and release date of their fifth studio album, Generation Of The Void, which will be out on September 5th, 2025 via Nuclear Blast Records. Alongside the announcement of the pre-order, a music video for the new single ‘Overcast‘ has been unveiled.
NAILED TO OBSCURITY commented: “We are beyond excited to finally share this with all of you. Generation Of The Void marks a new era for Nailed To Obscurity — heavier, darker, more dynamic than anything we’ve ever done before. This album is the result of years of evolution, and it’s our most atmospheric and intense journey yet, pushing every boundary we’ve ever set for ourselves.”
“‘Overcast‘ captures the bleakness of a world in ruins — a driving, post-apocalyptic anthem with a haunting melody and an eruption of raw, relentless energy. It’s a song about finding the strength to move on when everything familiar has turned to dust. We can’t wait to play this one live on our upcoming headline tour this fall!“
With Generation Of The Void, NAILED TO OBSCURITY have crafted their most mature and expansive album to date. The album reflects the turmoil of the post-pandemic era, the shadows of war in Europe, and the relentless changes affecting all of humanity. Beyond its political and social commentary, the album also dives deep into personal struggles, confronting themes of dark emotions, depression, and fear. Every note, every lyric carries the weight of uncertainty and disillusionment, while no one knows what one will find within the void or beyond.
The production quality on Generation Of The Void marks a significant step up, pushing NAILED TO OBSCURITY‘s sound to an entirely new level. This album also introduces a new dimension to the band’s sonic identity, featuring an unprecedented balance between their signature crushing growls and a greater emphasis on clean vocals. While clean singing has always been part of their sound, Generation Of The Void takes it further—some songs feature only clean vocals, others are dominated by growls, and most strike a dynamic balance between the two.
Recorded between 2021 and 2024, the album sees the band reaching new creative depths. Guitars, bass, and drums were laid down at Woodshed Studios in Landshut, Germany, while vocals were recorded by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark. Additional elements, such as synths and extra guitar layers, were produced by Lamberti himself at the band’s headquarters in East Frisia. Production duties were shared between V. Santura, Jacob Hansen, and Lamberti, with Hansen handling the final mix and master, ensuring a sound that is both expansive and intimate.
The album’s artwork and layout were crafted by renowned artist Giannis Nakos, visually embodying the record’s dark and introspective themes.
NAILED TO OBSCURITY will embark on their first extensive European headline tour in autumn 2025, with guests YOTH IRIA (GR) and OAK, ASH & THORN (US). This tour will be a celebration of the band’s 20th anniversary, which is due this year.
NAILED TO OBSCURITY – EUROPEAN TOUR 2025 W/ GUESTS: YOTH IRIA + OAK, ASH & THORN 11.09.2025 GR KYTTARO Athens * 12.09.2025 GR Eightball Club Thessaloniki * 14.09.2025 TR IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş ** 19.11.2025 DE Club Puschkin Dresden 20.11.2025 DE 7er Club Mannheim 21.11.2025 CH Werkk Kulturlokal Baden 22.11.2025 IT Alchemica Club Bologna 23.11.2025 IT Slaughter Club Milan 24.11.2025 DE Backstage Munich 25.11.2025 DE Schwarzer Keiler Stuttgart 26.11.2025 FR Backstage By The Mill Paris 27.11.2025 NL Muziekgieterij Maastricht 28.11.2025 DE Kubana Siegburg 29.11.2025 DE Kulturwerk Herford 30.11.2025 DE Urban Spree Berlin 01.12.2025 DK Stengade Copenhagen 02.12.2025 SE Kollektivet Livet Stockholm 03.12.2025 SE Fängelset Gothenburg 04.12.2025 DE Logo Hamburg 05.12.2025 DE Turock Essen 06.12.2025 DE Live Music Center Emden
Iconic guitarist and founding member of Firewind, Gus G., has shared a playthrough video for a new, epic track taken off his solo affair! “Advent” is now streaming below. Gus reveals:
“Advent is synonym for arrival. It’s a fitting title not only because it’s my first solo release in 4 years, but because it’s a piece of music about the journey of life and its mysteries. We are all voyagers in this world and we go through phases, ups and downs as well as new beginnings.”
He adds: “I came up with most of the parts a couple of years back and recently came across this unfinished demo. I wanted to make a modern melodic track that had a groove that moves you and I used a 7 string guitar for the riffs. The verse starts with a tribal like beat and a melody that gradually build up to an upbeat chorus that has a contrast between melodic arpeggios and low tuned rhythm tones.
The bridge section riff is where my old school Sabbath roots come out, but played on a 7 string guitar for extra heaviness. Then comes the solo part which has the feeling of agony and exploration and builds up tension with a marching beat and fast cascading runs before the final resolution of the last chorus. You have finally arrived.
Let “Advent” take you on this musical journey. Sit back, crank it up and enjoy!”
Gus G. conquered global stages as Ozzy Osbourne‘s guitarist from 2009 to 2017, contributing to the Grammy nominated album “Scream” (2010). As the founder of the melodic power metal band Firewind, he boasts two decades of success, ten studio albums and countless tours. A celebrated solo artist, Gus has released acclaimed albums like “I Am the Fire” (2014) and “Brand New Revolution” (2015), with his latest release “Quantum Leap” (2021).
Being a sought after player, Gus has appeared as a guest on other artists albums including Bruce Dickinson, Arch Enemy, Doro Pesch, In This Moment, etc.
Gus has also left his mark in the music world by collaborating with premier companies to release his signature gear. This includes Jackson guitars, Blackstar amps, Seymour Duncan, Randall to name a few. In 2020 he launched his own guitar pickup company, Blackfire Pickups.
He has appeared on the cover of every major guitar magazine publication (Guitar World, Young Guitar, Total Guitar, etc.) and accolades include the Golden God “Best Shredder” and German Metal Hammer magazine’s God of Riffs awards among others. In a world where only the best come out on top, Gus G. is one of the most respected and renowned rock metal guitarists of our time.
Stay tuned for many more new tunes by Gus G. to be revealed in the weeks ahead!
FIREWIND @ Festivals 2025
06.06 🇺🇸 Madison, WI – Mad With Power 05.07 🇸🇪 Time To Rock 18.07 🇩🇪 Klosterhof Open Air 19.07 🇮🇹 Luppolo in Rock 30.08 🇬🇷 Rethymno Rocks
12.06 🇩🇪 Iron Fest 01.08 🇸🇪 Skogsrojet 02.08 🇨🇿 Ostrava v Plamenech 08.08 🇩🇪 Krawall o’ Rock 13.09 🇬🇷 Rock Hard Festival Greece (Gus G & Friends special set)
GUS G. & RONNIE ROMERO // Convergence European Tour 2025
10.10.25 🇪🇸 Santander, Escenario 11.10.25. 🇪🇸 Madrid, El Sol 12.10.25 🇪🇸 Zaragoza, Sala Lopez 13.10.25. 🇪🇸 Barcelona, Wolf 14.10.25 🇪🇸 Mallorca, Full Metal Holiday 17.10.25 🇮🇹 Rome, Crossroads 18.10.25 🇮🇹 Bologna, Alchemica 19.10.25 🇮🇹 Bergamo, Druso 21.10.25 🇩🇪 Nürnberg, Hirsch 22.10.25 🇩🇪 Bensheim, Rex 24.10.25 🇩🇪 Hamburg, Bahnhof Pauli 25.10.25 🇩🇪 Isernhagen, Bluesgarage 26.10.25 🇩🇪 Leipzig, Hellraiser 27.10.25 🇩🇪 Augsburg, Spektrum 28.10.25 🇩🇪 Munich, Backstage 29.10.25 🇩🇪 Aschaffenburg, ColosSaal 30.10.25 🇩🇪 Bielefeld, Lokschuppen 31.10.25 🇳🇱 Oss, Groene Engel 01.11.25 🇳🇱 Amersfoort, Fluor 02.11.25 🇳🇱 Drachten, Iduna 04.11.25 🇵🇱 Warsaw, Hybrydy
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 ) 