Alternative metal outfit THURIFER has delivered another intense taste of their upcoming new five-track EP, entitled “River Red”, which will be coming out on May 30. Following the release of the first single “Seven”, the band follows up today with a brand new video for the track “Witness”.
THURIFER comments: “We are thrilled for you to ‘Witness’ the second single off our upcoming EP “River Red”! Probably our most diverse song to date. The song is about how easy it is to turn away and not face the horrors of reality.“
The four-piece from Finland is combining heavy, groove-driven riffs with atmospheric melodies and raw intensity. Their music strikes a balance between crushing aggression and haunting harmonies, forging a distinct identity in the modern metal scene with influences from bands like Gojira and Mastodon.
Fronted by singer-guitarist Jukka Salovaara, the band also features lead guitarist Niko Meriläinen, drummer Tommi Hirvonen, and bassist Jukka-Pekka Nissinen. Together, they showcase a powerful range of sounds on their latest five-song EP, delivering both depth and intensity in equal measure.
Tracklist:
Distorted Dream
Seven
The River Red
Witness
Judgement
“River Red” will be coming out on May 30, self released by THURIFER.
THURIFER are: Jukka Salovaara – Vocals/Guitar Niko Meriläinen – Lead guitar Jukka-Pekka Nissinen – Bass Tommi Hirvonen – Drums
Followinga frenetically-acclaimed return to this year’s edition of Roadburn and their recent European tour kick-off, today, Amsterdam prog-psych collective Temple Fang is celebrating the release of their much-awaited, new studio offering, “Lifted from the Wind”, that is out now on Stickman Records!
Forming in 2018, Temple Fang really started hitting their stride in 2019 with, amongst many others, two highly acclaimed Roadburn shows and appearances at many festivals and clubs across Europe. Having no release out yet and thus creating much anticipation to what their recorded output would end up like. With alternating lead vocalists, two wildly harmonizing guitarists, a powerhouse of a rhythm-section, and armed with truly psychedelic compositions fueled by their exposure to South American plant-medicine, the band took the heavy-psych underground by storm and seemed to be gearing up to bottle this magick and commit it to their studio debut. And then 2020 happened.
During the pandemic the band stayed as active as possible, appearing on whatever live-streams they could, resulting in well received appearances on Eurosonic and National Dutch Television, creating even more buzz. A string of seated shows followed, whatever it took to keep playing.
Losing their original drummer, the band continued on with a replacement post-covid, putting out a half live/half studio album (Fang Temple 2021), an EP (Jerusalem/The Bridge 2022), multiple live albums (Live at Merleyn 2020, Live at Freak Valley 2023, Live at Krach am Bach 2024), and playing a seemingly endless string of shows from Oslo to Milan, hitting many festivals in between. Roadburn, Desertfest Berlin, Sonic Blast (twice), Palp and countless others were exposed to the magick of this true free rock n’ roll phenomenon, leaving audiences stunned and clamouring for more.
Fast forward to 2025 as Temple Fang is releasing “Lifted from the Wind” on Stickman Records. A record they themselves consider to be their true debut studio album. On this sprawling double record, released on the only label they would give up their independence for, Temple Fang appears, for the first time in their existence, fully formed.
Fierce and strong, hard rocking yet elegant, with 20min+ psych freakouts and prog ballads side-by-side, Temple Fang truly delivers on the promise they’ve always held, to really stretch the possibilities of what it means to be a rock band in 2025. With spectacular wild-man Daan Wopereis as a full member on the drums, Temple Fang now can deliver on their commitment to really rock, to blow your mind AND tear your heart out. Rock n’ Roll as a means to attaining spiritual freedom. Mind-bending riffs, triple vocal harmonies, dubbed out bass and groovy yet hard hitting drums, ecstatically rocking and truly psychedelic, Temple Fang delivers it all with LOVE. Longform rock for fans of Motorpsycho, The Grateful Dead, Hawkwind and Hendrix!
In support of “Lifted from the Wind”, Temple Fang are currently on an extensive European tour, find all upcoming live dates – with many more to be announced soon – listed below!
For more than 25 years, SACRED STEEL have been offering metalheads worldwide a killer, trend-free alternative to bloated trigger drums, cheesy keyboards and boring cliché sounds that are hyped year after year as “the next big thing in metal”. SACRED STEEL have always remained true to themselves, constantly reinventing their traditional style and releasing some highly acclaimed classics, such as their legendary debut “Reborn In Steel” (1997 as the first German band ever signed to Metal Blade Records), the follow-up “Wargods Of Metal”, or their ground-breaking album: “Slaughter Prophecy”.
Today, the iconic heavy metal force is celebrating the release of their brand new, 10th studio album, entitled “Ritual Supremacy”,at a much-awaited live appearance at Keep It True Festival! Get ready for a new chapter of SACRED STEEL, who are a trademark in our scene: All METAL with attitude, never everybody’s darling – and damn proud of it!
Aptly in style, a new music video for the heavy-as-hell rager and latest album single, “Leather, Spikes and Chains”, is now premiering here:
“This is our tribute to songs like “In Union We Stand” (Overkill) or Metal Church ́s s/t anthem from their debut album, with a fast guitar over a stubborn but easy-going beat”, says the band about “Leather, Spikes and Chains“. “The lyrics deal with a metal biker gang in the style of Mad Max (the movie) or Carnivore ́s post-world-war III (and IV) -scenario. If we would not be a metal band but a biker gang, this would be our club hymn. As so often and as usual, some critics have already slapped us in the face because of the song title – “too clichéd, created with the Manowar text generator” and so on. Anyone who has read and understood the lyrics knows that this is nonsense. And anyone who knows us is well aware that we don’t give a shit anyway. We only do this for ourselves and for the people who are into this stuff. And that’s why we’ve packed a lot of fan footage from all over the world into the video. This is basically our photo collage in video format and our thank you to all supporters to celebrate the release of the album. Have fun!“
SACRED STEEL‘s entirely anthemic, new album marks the first to feature new members Toni Ieva (bass) and Jörn Langenfeld (guitar), who joined the band in 2023. “Ritual Supremacy”is out today on ROAR, and available on CD, Vinyl as well as Digital formats athttps://sacredsteel.rpm.link/ritualbumPR
[Artwork: Andy Pilkington]
“Ritual Supremacy” track listing:
01 – Ritual Supremacy 02 – Leather, Spikes & Chains 03 – The Watcher Infernal 04 – A Shadow In The Bell Tower 05 – Entombed Within The Iron Walls Of Dis 06 – Bedlam Eternal 07 – Demon Witch Possession 08 – Covenant Of Grace 09 – Omen Rider 10 – Let The Blackness Come To Me
Sacred Steel live:
30.04.2025 – Ludwigsburg (GER) – Scala – Album Releaseshow (+ ATTIC + KNIFE + UNDER RUINS) 02.05.2025 – Oldenburg – MTS Records – Album Releaseshow 03.05.2025 – Ochtendung (GER) – A Chance For Metal Festival
SACRED STEEL is: Gerrit P. Mutz – Vocals Jonas Khalil – Guitars Jörn Langenfeld – Guitars Toni Ieva – Bass Mathias Straub – Drums
Kansas City-bred, New Orleans-based musician Samantha Fish – “a genuine force of sonic prowess” (Rolling Stone) and one of the most electrifying guitarists of her generation – has unleashed her new solo album Paper Doll, released today by Rounder Records.
Produced by long-time-collaborator and Detroit garage-rock luminary Bobby Harlow (The Go), Paper Doll finds Fish fiercely channelling her signature “bold and expressive” sound (NPR World Cafe), brimming with self-confidence as she fuses influences from rock, soul, and everything in between. To celebrate the release,
Fish will make her national TV debut performance on The Kelly Clarkson Showtoday, performing “Lose You.” Find your local tune-in time HERE.
Steeped in fiery conviction and hard-won assurance, “Lose You” features a blazing guitar solo, “sizzling slide escapades” (Premier Guitar), and beguiling harmonies. “It’s a song about taking control and calling the shots in a relationship,” says Fish. “It’s my way of saying, ‘I’m on fire and you’re not, so what are you gonna do about it?’”
Dealing in her own unmatched brand of bravado and extraordinary emotionality, on Paper Doll, Fish offers up nine powerhouse songs that hit with a gut-punching force, delivering each with illuminating insight and soul-soothing empathy, all while “stretching idiomatic boundaries” (Nashville Scene). Paper Doll is a raw yet reflective battle cry that perfectly encapsulates its spirit of unapologetic defiance. Fish says on the album title: “It’s about rebelling against other people’s expectations of who you’re supposed to be, which feels pretty relevant for the times we’re living in right now.”
Fish tracked Paper Doll at The Orb in Austin and Savannah Studios in LA in the midst of a gruelling touring schedule, recording with her touring band for the first time: Ron Johnson (bass), Jamie Douglass (drums), and Mickey Finn (keys). It was this environment that helped shape the album’s vivacious but nuanced sound, with its “road-worn chemistry and raw, electric charm” (Blues Rock Review).
Known for her unique blend of rock and soul, expressive guitar playing and anthemic live performances, Fish’s career hit warp speed with the release of her last album, 2023’s Death Wish Blues, which hit #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, earned her a Grammy nomination, and saw her share stages with The Rolling Stones, Jon Spencer, and more.
Paper Doll – Tracklist 1. I’m Done Runnin’ 2. Can Ya Handle The Heat? 3. Lose You 4. Sweet Southern Sounds 5. Off In The Blue 6. Fortune Teller 7. Rusty Razor 8. Paper Doll 9. Don’t Say It
Fish is currently on tour across North America, including dates with Kingfish, plus performances at JazzFest tomorrow and next weekend, and more. For tickets and all upcoming tour dates please see below and visit https://www.samanthafish.com/tour/.
Samantha Fish 2025 Tour Dates 4.30.2025 – Crawfish Fest – New Orleans, LA 5.3.2025 – JazzFest – New Orleans, LA 5.14.2025 – Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX * 5.15.2025 – House of Blues – Houston, TX * 5.16.2025 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX * 5.17.2025 – TempleLive – Fort Smith, AR * 5.18.2025 – Cain’s Ballroom – Tulsa, OK * 5.21.2025 – The Astro – Omaha, NE * 5.22.2025 – Cotillion – Wichita, KS * 5.23.2025 – Gillioz Theater – Springfield, MO * 5.28.2025 – Cheese & Grain – Frome, United Kingdom 5.29.2025 – Red Rooster Festival, Thetford, United Kingdom 5.30.2025 – Arts Club – Liverpool, United Kingdom 5.31.2025 – The Brook – Southampton, United Kingdom 6.1.2025 – Academy 2 – Oxford, United Kingdom 6.5.2025 – Sweden Rock Festival – Solvesborg, Sweden 6.7.2025 – Peer Blues Festival – Peer, Belgium 6.8.2025 – Ribs N Blues Festival – Raalte, The Netherlands 6.9.2025 – Tivoli – Utrecht, The Netherlands 6.10.2025 – Le Trianon – Paris, France 6.11.2025 – Le Transbordeur – Lyon, France 6.13.2025 – Bilbao Arena – Bilbao, Spain 6.14.2025 – Joy Eslava, Madrid, Spain 6.15.2025 – Razmataz 2, Barcelona, Spain 7.12.2025 – Samantha Fish Outlaw Square – Deadwood, SD * * with Kingfish
“The album showcases a masterful command of atmospheric doom, where each track builds upon layers of melancholic intensity.” – Metal Observer
“Opia‘s debut stands as a testament to the evolving nature of doom metal, incorporating gothic elements while staying true to the genre’s roots.” – Metal Temple
“The production quality on ‘I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep’ is particularly noteworthy, creating a perfect balance between crushing heaviness and ethereal atmosphere.” – Heavy Blog Is Heavy
“Hammerheart Records may have found their next breakthrough artist in Opia – ‘I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep’ is a stunning debut that sets a high bar for doom metal releases in 2025.” – Metal Digest
“The album demonstrates remarkable maturity for a debut, particularly in its sophisticated approach to atmosphere and dynamics.” – Metal Underground
Gothic doom metal that straddles the line between atmospheric beauty and crushing heaviness.
Opia are a gothic doom Metal band that straddles the line between atmospheric beauty and crushing heaviness. Formed between the UK and Spain, the band combines the brooding weight of death/doom with haunting, ethereal melodies, creating a sound that is as introspective as it is powerful. I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep, is set for release on 25th April, marking the emergence of a new force within the doom metal scene.
The band’s upcoming debut album, explores themes of mortality, despair, depression and grief. It is a deeply atmospheric record, where slow, crushing tempos intertwine with ethereal melodies to create an experience that lingers long after the music fades. Through its intricate songwriting and evocative mood, Opia’s debut offers a glimpse into the bleakest aspects of the mind, capturing the melancholic beauty in the acceptance of the inevitable.
With I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep, Opia are set to carve a unique place for themselves within the doom metal landscape, offering a fresh yet timeless take on the genre that draws on their shared history within the black metal scene. Their blend of gothic atmosphere and heavy, sorrowful doom promises to leave a lasting mark, one that will resonate with listeners for years to come.
“Until it Goes Away” – a scream of agony from Feversea!
Man was meant to replace God as the universal measure. The events of the 20th and 21st centuries, however, have brutalized the creature once known as Man beyond recognition. There is no going back. We are left with an erased image, a misnomer—a sacred animal wasting away in a profane world. Man is both insufficient and irreplaceable.
“Man Under Erasure”, the debut album from the Oslo-based band Feversea will be released on May the 23rd, and the second song to be unveiled from the album is “Until it Goes Away”, released on April the 25th.
This is what the band has to say about it: The second single from “Man Under Erasure”, “Until It Goes Away”, is a scream of agony. To be an animal is to be in pain. While Man has desperately tried to elevate himself—to escape his base, material, and animalistic existence through language, symbols, technology, and rites—pain ultimately collapses these feeble bulwarks, hurling him back into the confused and lonely state in which he was born. The universe carries no message beyond cold indifference. Built around an angular and dissonant riff, the song occasionally breaks into melodic passages and is the most fast-paced track on the album. This structure ultimately gives way to what can be described as a breakdown before dissolving into a cinematic ending. With perhaps the album’s rawest vocal performance, the voice mirrors the song’s lyrical themes. For us, this is a live favourite, offering a more straightforward and energetic rock ‘n’ roll moment amid the larger, more complex pieces.
Feversea is a post-metal band from Oslo, Norway drawing on influences from black metal, sludge metal and shoegaze. Their music lies in the intersection where the ferocity of black metal meets with ritualistic and ethereal soundscapes. Musically, their debut album “Man Under Erasure” draws from various forms of metal while incorporating influences from neofolk and post-punk. The album is melancholic, despairing, and cathartic. Haunting and melodic while maintaining a strong sense of structure with recognizable riffs—an element often lacking in atmosphere-driven music.
Fluctuating between song and scream, the voice is both from beyond and from below. Lyrically, it is deeply personal but delivered through impersonal images, parables, and riddles—like a spiritualist or Orphic medium carrying messages from beyond. A muffled scream buried under several inches of ice. The album begins in sardonic despair and ends with uneasy, desperate acceptance.
The band’s lineup of Ada Lønne Emberland on vocals, Isak Lønne Emberland on guitars and synthesizers, Alexander Fossen Lange on guitars, Aleksander Johnsen Solberg on bass guitar and Jeremie Malezieux on drums recorded the album at Evil Octopus Studios with Isak Lønne Emberland as producer, mixer and mastering engineer, with cover and sleeve design by Isak Lønne Emberland.
“Man Under Erasure” has the following track list:
Man Under Erasure
Murmur Within the Skull of God
New Creatures Replace Our Names
Decider
Sunkindling
Invocation
Until It Goes Away
Kindred Spirit
“Man Under Erasure” will be available CD, Digital and Transparent Bone White Vinyl LP formats, and can now be pre-ordered at:
“Man Under Erasure” is a musical exploration of this new, uncertain universe, where the last remnants of humanist hopes and dreams have been reduced to embers—barely legible carvings etched into eroding earth. Our trust in ourselves has been misplaced. Everything we ever knew will be erased.
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
Ads
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 ) 