Epictronic proudly presents the latest audiovisual drop from one of instrumental rock’s most compelling new voices: Jon Harris. The Canadian multi-instrumentalist shares the official playthrough video for “Togetherness”, an explosive track lifted from his debut album, Parallel Heart — out now via Epictronic.
“Togetherness’stands as a reflection on human connection, born from the isolation of the pandemic. At its heart, the song contemplates a simple yet profound question: are we okay, as a humanity?”
Based in Edmonton, Jon Harris is fast becoming a name to watch in the modern rock landscape. Parallel Heart positions him as more than just a guitarist — he’s a fully-fledged sonic architect. The album merges blues-soaked hard rock, vintage synth-pop, and funk-inflected grooves into a cohesive and forward-thinking sound. Think Jeff Beck channeling Prince with a cinematic twist.
Though entirely instrumental, Parallel Heart speaks volumes. The compositions — from the pulsing urgency of “Togetherness” to the retro sparkle of “97BPM” — form a loose narrative about the tension between connection and chaos, between creative drive and real-world demands. Each track offers its own emotional arc, powered by Harris’s multi-instrumental mastery (he handles guitar, drums, bass, piano, and production duties himself).
HOWLING GIANT drop the gloriously catchy ‘Canyons‘ from the cosmic stoner metal trio’s forthcoming album “Crucible & Ruin“. The third full-length by the Nashville, Tennessee band is scheduled for release on October 31, 2025, via Magnetic Eye Records.
HOWLING GIANT comment: “Our new album’s opening track ‘Canyons’ is a fast paced exploration of a planet abandoned by its celestial origin“, guitarist and singer Tom Polzine writes. “To me, this song feels like a transforming adventure unfolding with each riff, from high gain rhythmic passages to the shimmering acoustic outro. We’re so stoked to show you guys this first glimpse of our new record, and ‘Canyons’ is in many ways the perfect gateway to all the ideas and concepts that live within ‘Crucible & Ruin’.”
Tracklist
Canyons
Hunter’s Mark
Archon
Lesser Gods
Beholder I: Downfall
Archivist
Scepter and Scythe
Melchor’s Bones
The Observatory
Beholder II: Labyrinth
HOWLING GIANT take another huge step on their third full-length “Crucible & Ruin”, a collection of sparking ideas, captivating melodies, and heavy riffing close to perfection – quite a feat of on-point songwriting for such a still young band!
This is the band’s first album to feature new fourth member Adrian Lee Zambrano. Although the guitarist and synth player arrived somewhat toward the end of the writing process, he was still able to add his mark with cool textures on the record. The extra guitar certainly adds even more punch to HOWLING GIANT‘s sound, which delivers a slightly more aggressive approach compared with predecessor “Glass Future” (2023).
It also helped the overall feel of “Crucible & Ruin” that this is the band’s first album to be entirely recorded in a proper studio setting as opposed to their home studio, “the bunker”. HOWLING GIANT even leaned into some raw band live takes to capture the emotion in the room.
Lyrically, “Crucible & Ruin” explores the story of the clash of a novice deity against the forces of primordial chaos as an overarching theme that loosely connects the songs. This is also reflected in the album artwork, which was painted by the mother of guitarist and vocalist Tom Polzine, featuring a unique style of alcohol ink on yupo paper.
Line-up Tom Polzine – guitar, vocals Zach Wheeler – drums, vocals Sebastian Baltes – bass, vocals Adrian Lee Zambrano – guitars, synthesizers
Guest musicians Kim Wheeler – additional synths and EWI on ‘The Observatory’ Adam Nohe – additional percussion on ‘Beholder I: Downfall’
Produced by Neil Tuuri, Kim Wheeler, and James Sanderson Engineered by Neil Tuuri at Amish Electric Chair Studios, Athens, OH (US) Additional vocal tracking by Kim Wheeler in Nashville, TN (US) Mixed by Neil Tuuri at Amish Electric Chair Studios, Athens, OH (US) Mastering by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege Mastering, Portland, OR (US)
Artwork by Susan M. Davies Layout by Łukasz Jaszak
HOWLING GIANT hail from Nashville, Tennessee, USA, sidestepping the self-proclaimed Music City’s assembly line of modern pop country while taking inspiration from the brilliant songwriters and virtuoso session players that keep the town’s musical legacy burning bright. Fertile ground for a preeminent fuzz-psych power trio, now turned quartet, who consciously live in the pocket of that lineage!
Following a trilogy of EPs, “Howling Giant” (2015), “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 1” (2016), and “Black Hole Space Wizard: Part 2” (2017), HOWLING GIANT struck a chord with critics and fans on their debut full-length “The Space between Worlds” in 2019. “Glass Future” proved a gargantuan leap for the band that now featured Sebastian Baltes, son of legendary ACCEPT bass master Peter Baltes. Released in 2023, “Glass Future” brought their outstanding musicianship and triple vocal attack fully into stride.
HOWLING GIANT storm forward once more in defiant refusal to remain still. Having grown into a four-piece as well as in their prowess as musicians and songwriters, “Crucible & Ruin” is an album at least as big as their name. Don’t take our word for it, just give it a spin – or two or three…
Live:
With Brujas del Sol & Horseburner 14 AUG 2025 Lexington, KY (US) Al’s Bar 15 AUG 2025 Pittsburgh, PA (US) Squirrel Hill Sports Bar 16 AUG 2025 Columbus, OH (US) Blockout Bash
Festival 30 AUG 2025 Cookeville, TN (US) June Bug Boogie Ranch, Muddy Roots Festival
With Castle Rat 01 OCT 2025 Asheville, NC (US) Eulogy 02 OCT 2025 Raleigh, NC (US) Chapel of Bones 03 OCT 2025 Charlottesville, VA (US) The Southern Cafe and Music Hall
Elettra Storm will release the new album “Evertale” on October 24 through Scarlet Records.
Elettra Storm took the power metal scene by… storm with the flawless 2024’s debut album “Powerlords”. Now they made a huge step forward, though, and the sound of “Evertale” is even more defined and cohesive.
Every band’s member had the chance to get the spotlight with his own style and personality, and the songs are more technical: some carry a proggy flavor, some other bring on the table the fury of speed power metal – but all of them are direct and catchy at the same time, with soaring melodies that will linger in the brain since the first spin and another stellar performance by charismatic frontwoman Crystal Emiliani.
Lyrically-wise, “Evertale” is a chest of wonders – like Micheal Ende’s “Neverending Story”, this record is a thrilling celebration of storytelling: each song tells its own story indeed, and the listener will find the drama of war, the desire for revenge, the journey of a hero, the mysteries of the ancient ones and much more.
Mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio (with vocals tracking by Skystrings Production & drums tracking by Artesonika Studio), and graced by a stunning illustration by Sheila Franco, “Evertale” will be released in the following formats: digipack CD – vinyl LP: 300 transparent red – digital.
“Evertale” tracklist:
1 Endgame 2 The Secrets Of The Universe 3 Hero Among Heroes 4 Blue Phoenix 5 Ride The Rainbow 6 Master Of Fairytales 7 One Last Ray Of Light 8 Judgment Time 9 If The Stars Could Cry
Total running time – 44:59
FFO: Stratovarius, Rhapsody Of Fire, DragonForce, Battle Beast, Frozen Crown
Elettra Storm are: Crystal Emiliani – vocals Francis D. Mary – guitar, vocals Matteo Antoni – guitar Davide Sportiello – keyboards, bass Matteo Norbedo – drums
Photo credit: Matthias Heilmeier – All visual copyrights belong to the respective owners
German old school death metallers CEMETERY have released their intense music video for ‘Grief, Anger And Despair’, taken from the band’s upcoming “Thoughts On Life… And Death” 50-minute concept album.
Front man Dani Zizek reveals: “‘Grief, Anger And Despair‘ is probably the most aggressive track on the album. I wrote it during a time when I was reflecting on state power, injustice, and the loss of control. What happens when justice no longer serves the truth, but political interests? When people who resist simply disappear? I wanted to put that helplessness into sound.
Musically, it’s four and a half minutes of pure rage – frantic drumming, razor-sharp riffs, no breathing space. The video, created by Matthias Heilmeier, captures that exact atmosphere. He managed to translate the bleak and oppressive mood of the song into raw and powerful images – intense, dark, and absolutely uncompromising.”
🎥 🎬 ⚙️ Composition & production: Cemetery
“Thoughts On Life… And Death” TRACKS: 📺 01. Thoughts On Life 02:54 02. Among The Dead 04:24 📺 03. Grief, Anger And Despair 04:23 04. Physical Fear 06:01 05. Nothingness 02:16 06. Lock The Doors To Your Mind 06:00 07. Believe 05:56 08. Truth “A” 06:34 09. Thoughts On Death 11:13
total: 49:41 min.
🎨 Artwork by Silvio Fiorese
With one foot in the realm of death!
The thrilling story is told from the point of view of a protagonist. Let’s just call him “Jim” and as is usual for a concept album, some musical elements are repeated in different variations … [ … learn more here ]
LINE-UP: Dani Zizek • Guitars, Vocals Markus Heilmeier • Guitars Stefan Hendel • Bass Tobias Kasper • Drums
Catalan black metal insurgents Burghâshunveil the lyric video for “El Xarlatà”, the first venom-laced excerpt from their upcoming EP, La tríada dels idiotes, set for release on 29 August 2025.
With “El Xarlatà” the band delivers a blasphemous barrage of raw black metal that confronts Abrahamic delusion head-on, fusing hallucinatory violence with desert-born dread. Sung entirely in Catalan and driven by rusted analog production, the track is a ritualistic act of sonic desecration.
La tríada dels idiotes marks Burghâsh’s first official release under their new moniker—an evolution of Burgûli, the misanthropic force active since 2012. This transition is no reinvention, but a radical intensification: a spiritual autopsy forged in hatred, sharpened by dissonance, and unflinching in its ideological stance.
Following chillingly dark recent single “Walking Wounded” – a track Revolver named one of the best tracks of its release week and “exquisitely funereal” – Cleveland, Ohio doom metal dealers FRAYLE are pleased to reveals details about their upcoming third full length album, entitled Heretics & Lullabies, out in October 10, 2025 via Napalm Records.
FRAYLE has been lauded as one of the fastest-rising, most haunting currently active modern doom metal outfits of late, infusing their sound with eclectic elements and now reinventing their trademark spectral sonic profile. Merging the heaviness of occult-driven doom and blackgaze with frontwoman Gwyn Strang’s distinctively eerie vocal stylings and the crushing guitars of Sean Bilovecky, the band has fully realized their “lullabies of chaos” musical vision with Heretics & Lullabies.
Alongside today’s album announcement, FRAYLE has launched a brand-new cover of Lana Del Rey favorite “Summertime Sadness”. Embers of the original slowly burn through the band’s ethereal, shadowy sonic rework of the hit song, providing a fitting closer to the summer season as autumn looms near.
FRAYLE says about the “Summertime Sadness” cover: “We’ve always been fans of songwriting with notes of melancholy, no matter what the genre. Hearing ‘Summertime Sadness’ for the first time was special. Everything seemed to fall into place for us with little resistance on this song. It was the first rough mix we got back from our producer. He added the pause before the breath leading into the first chorus and upon hearing it, we knew we had something special.”
Following head-turning performances at international festivals such as Damnation, Desertfest, Soul Crusher, Gloomnar, Post Fest and Inkcarceration, FRAYLE vows to enrapture audiences everywhere with Heretics & Lullabies. Recorded by FRAYLE and produced, mixed and mastered by Aaron Chaparian at Iron Audio (Bleeding Through, Harms Way), Heretics & Lullabies is a must-listen for any fan of doom, post-metal or atmosphere-heavy alt-rock, but also a pristinely phantomic journey for any heavy music fan as it maintains its accessible edge throughout.
The album kicks off with first single “Walking Wounded”, a whispering wall-of-sound that crushes with spine-tingling stacks of harmony. The deeply punishing atmosphere continues into second track “Summertime Sadness”, an entirely reworked doom-laden cover of the Lana Del Rey hit. Airy anthem “Boo” injects mid-tempo flavor and multifaceted vocal balance into the album as crushing weight lands alongside each hook, with bending guitar tone and dark, sparkling atmosphere swirling amid pounding percussion. Mid-album cuts such as “Demons” and “Glass Blown Heart” flirt with threateningly macabre lyrical poetry and otherworldly melody, while glacially-paced anthems “Souvenirs Of Your Betrayal” – described as a deeply personal look at the depths of despair after a painful deception – and “Run” double down on the aggressive, suffocatingly beautiful ambience and Gwyn Strang’s shimmering, beckoning vocal timbre. Hair-raising “Hymn For The Living” and standout single “Heretic” inject heavy rock edge and arena-ready drums into the mix, before the album concludes with droning melodic masterpiece “Only Just Once” – an unforgettable closer to this colossal modern doom compendium.
Heretics and hypocrites beware – Heretics & Lullabies will perpetually etch itself into the darkest corners of your psyche, taking deeper hold with each spin.
Heretics & Lullabies track listing: 1. Walking Wounded 2. Summertime Sadness 3. Boo 4. Demons 5. Souvenirs Of Your Betrayal 6. Glass Blown Heart 7. Hymn For The Living 8. Run 9. Heretic 10. Only Just Once
FRAYLE just kicked off their European headline tour – featuring several festival stops at the likes of Brutal Assault, Bloodstock, Summer Breeze and more – yesterday in Katowice, Poland. See below for a full listing of where you can catch FRAYLE on the road!
FRAYLE 2025 PERFORMANCE DATES: European Tour: Aug 6 – Fortress Josefov, CZ – Brutal Assault Aug 8 – Kortrijk, BE – Alcatraz Aug 10 – Derbyshire, UK – Bloodstock Aug 11 – Cologne, DE – Helios37 Aug 12 – Frankfurt, DE – Frankfurt Am Main Aug 13 – Dinkelsbuhl, DE – Summer Breeze Aug 16 – Hamburg, DE – Turmzimmer Aug 27 – Haarlem, NL – Patronaat
USA Dates: Oct 11 – Jackson, TN – Tennessee Metal Devastation Festival
FRAYLE is: Gwyn Strang: Vocals Sean Bilovecky: Guitar
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 ) 