Southern rock icons VAN ZANT have released a live acoustic performance of “There You Are” (Acoustic) — available everywhere today. The original studio version is featured on their new album, Always Look Up (Frontiers Music SRL), and the new acoustic single and music video follows the release of an official music video for the album track last fall.
The new album is Van Zant’s first studio effort in nearly two decades, and their first foray into Christian music. Released in November 22, 2024, Always Look Up debuted at #1 on the Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart and #3 on the Current Country Albums chart, as well as Top 10 debuts on the Independent Current Albums and Current Rock Albums charts (per Luminate – formerly known as Soundscan).
The Van Zant musical dynasty built its foundation firmly on family. Donnie Van Zant co-founded .38 Special and brother Johnny Van Zant is the current lead vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd after the passing of their brother Ronnie Van Zant, who fronted and co-founded the iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame rock band.
Following on from the release of their earlier singles ‘Chained To You‘ and ‘Turn The Tide‘ late in ’24, STAR CIRCUS continue their campaign this year with the release on 11th April of their stunning new track ‘One Hit Wonder’. This uptempo rocker packs a real punch with riffs and hooks galore, a showcase of the sheer talent this band possesses.
Dave Winkler states on “One Hit Wonder“:
“With everything happening on the news recently, you would be forgiven for thinking the lyrics to ‘One Hit Wonder’ are about any of the world’s most toxic and slimy politicians, or narcissistic celebrities who have been caught abusing their power. I think the aggressively sarcastic tone is relatable that way. In reality, it’s about someone I worked with in the music industry a few years ago.
One Hit Wonder tells a story from the perspective of a ‘hired gun’ who has been used and discarded. The song delves into themes of exploitation and manipulation from an ego-driven individual, hiding behind a saintly, heroic persona, a ‘man of the people’ mask. It’s sad, people turn to musicians, rock stars, popular culture figureheads as an alternative to the political figures who we find dishonest and often unrelatable. I still think there are beautiful artists out there making a difference, but the a**hole this song is about isn’t one of them.”
Star Circus are a London-based rock band led by Dave Winkler and Sophie Aurelia Young, influenced by classic rock artists including Queen, Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, Def Leppard and Alice Cooper.
The band was formed in 2019 by frontman Dave, who’s songwriting caught the attention of radio legend Tony Wilson. The pair worked together on creating the debut album ‘Separate Sides’ which Tony produced, and was released in December 2022 to an overwhelmingly positive critical response.
Following the album release and several UK tours supporting a host of international acts, the Star Circus lineup has now become a collaborative band-project, with other musicians contributing to the songwriting. As well as the added influences of other songwriters, the new album also features various accomplished guest guitarists including Tom Draper (ex Carcass, Spirit Adrift) and Ritchie Mohicano (Dobermann), and the notable addition of Sophie’s vocals (including lead vocals on Masquerade). The band also landed a global distribution deal with the Arizona-based record label Renaissance Records. Their sophomore album “From The Wreckage” is due for release on 13th June 2025, and will be available on all the popular streaming and download platforms, on CD and vinyl. “Possessing an eclectic range of influences stretching from classic hard rock, through AOR, 80s Glam Metal, 90s American power pop… these fuse faultlessly to form a sound that is stacked full of infectious melodies, grandiose vocal and instrumental harmonies plus colossally catchy choruses” – Sophie James, METALTALK
Canadian aggro-metal CHÜZO is unshackling their menacing new video for the track “Brutalator” from their latest EP “M.T.M.D (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay)”released this past October and produced with Kevin Jardine (Slaves On Dope, Uplift Recording Studio).
The song is about the “Brutalor”, a character that comes to each town or village to reclaim social justice to anyone who has been mistreated by greedy and evil parts of humanity.
Guitarist Cristian S explains further:
“The Brutalator” is the opening track of our latest EP, “M.T.M.D.” (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay). This song was a collaboration between Carlos G., Mischa M., and I, Cristian S., the leader and founder of CHÜZO, after spending about a year experimenting with its structure. The arrangement was developed by Carlos and me, but it lacked lyrics for quite some time because I struggled to find the right phrasing and inspiration. After rehearsing the song for a while and having a profound discussion with Mischa about anti-heroes and other tracks in Metal, such as “The Wizard” by Black Sabbath or “Edgecrusher” by Fear Factory, Mischa crafted the lyrics that would become the final version for “Brutalator.” Her lyrics tell the story of an anti-hero betrayed by life and loved ones, discarded and mistreated—a constant victim of societal injustices. Bound by honor and revenge, he trains himself and returns to fulfill the wishes of the unfairly treated, the exploited, and the oppressed of an unjust society, seeking vengeance and enforcing his version of justice against those who instigate injustices against the weak and abused. Her lyrics perfectly complement the song structure, giving birth to our best track. She also created the intro, a beautiful piano arrangement that sets the tone for the song.
Watch and listen to “Brutalator” via its premiere on IDIOTEQ HERE.
CHÜZO‘s new EP “M.T.M.D (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay)” is a three-track record that marks the next chapter and a true representation of what the quartet’s sound is meant to be.
“This new EP was to showcase our new lineup with our newest songs that are truly representative of our musical style, a style that we proudly call ‘Aggro-Metal.’ Very aggressive metal songs that have relatable themes that anyone can listen to and understand. This EP is our audio shotgun blast to the world to pay attention to and to mosh intensively during our live sets,” adds guitarist Cristian S.
CHÜZO‘s new lineup features the ensnaring vocals of Taiwanese Brazilian transplant Mischa M joining local first-generation Chilean Canadian and mastermind Cristian S. along with Carlos G from Venezuela and Alex S from Russia who all have found Montreal, Canada to be their home-to-breed their blender of grindcore, Swedish death metal, thrash, and hardcore punk to transform a sub-genre dubbed ‘Aggro Metal’.
The EP’s lyrics are driven by self-reflection and daily struggles. The inspiration for writing comes from life experiences and trying to live past them, especially the traumatic ones. Using all bad energy from bad experiences to create something positive for yourself and the world. This EP speaksof vengeance and the bad side of dedicating your life to achieving your desired revenge despite your own life and sanity. Brutal Social Justice.
For fans of Sepultura (Cavalera Bros era 84-96), At the Gates, Napalm Death, Slipknot, and Fuck the Facts, “M.T.M.D (Maximum Threshold, Minimum Decay)” was released on November 15, 2024.
Game Over has released “Veil Of Insanity”, second single taken from the new album “Face The End” to be released on April 25 by Scarlet Records.
What if John Carpenter decided to release a movie where insanity speaks and acts from its own point of view? Unlike most songs where a madman shares his perspective and feelings, this time we side with insanity itself: a personification of evil ready to distort, overturn, and shatter his victim’s world.
cover & artwork by Mario López (Skeletal Remains, Toxik, Vulture);
“Face The End” tracklist:
1 The Final Hour 2 Lust For Blood 3 Neck Breaking Dance 4 Grip Of Time 5 Lost In Disgrace 6 Veil Of Insanity 7 Gateway To Infinity 8 Tempesta 9 Crimson Waves 10 Weaving Fate Total running time – 32:38
A new chapter begins for Game Over and their never-ending lust for thrash metal blood: turning into a five-piece act with the entrance of Danny on vocals and Leo on bass, the band aims to take its sound to the next level both in the studio and live.
“Face The End” is an album with a dual soul: a warning about the Western world’s critical state and a call to face challenges that often mark new beginnings.
The Game Over sound has reached new heights with heavier riffs transitioning from blistering fast sections to crushing mid-tempos and catchy breakdowns. Aggressive vocals, anthemic gang choruses, and subtle synths parts create some eerie atmospheres inspired by ’70s and ’80s horror/slasher films, blending sheer intensity with haunting storytelling. This game is not over yet!
Game Over live 2025
18.04 Rome (IT) 08.06 Lions Metal Fest (FR) 13.06 Metalgate Czech Death Fest (CZ) 23.07 Tolminator (SL) 26.07 Burning Q Festival (DE)
Game Over: Danny Schiavina – vocals Luca ʻZeeroʼ Zironi – guitar Alessandro ʻSansoʼ Sansone – guitar Leonardo ʻLeoʼ Molinari – bass Anthony ʻVenderʼ Dantone – drums
KRATON – Luxembourgian Doom Metal band have announced the release of their new single ‘Omega‘, to be out March 28th 2025. The song is taken from their fourth album ‘Monolith‘, which was released November 9th 2024.
Monolithtracklist:
1. Monolith 2. Roaring Silence 3. Embrace the Void 4. The Breath in Our Lungs 5. Take No Comfort; There Is None 6. Apostate 7. Curse This Mortal Coil 8. Omega
Music and lyrics by KRATON. Recorded by Billy Kauffmann and Tom Gatti at Unison Studios. Mixed and mastered by Tom Gatti at Unison Studios.
Metal-Revolution.com: Recommended for fans of Cathedral, Saturnus, Amenra, Thou, Solitude Aeturnus, Burial Clouds and similar ambient death/doom/post-metal acts. Rock Hard Germany: Tip Des Monats ! Bereit für den Abstieg? Deaf Forever: 38 Minuten, wunderbare Schwermut.
KRATON is:
Mike Bertemes (vocals) Jacques Zahlen (guitar) Ken Poiré (guitar) Patrick Kettenmeyer (bass) Véronique Conrardy (drums)
Evolving from death metal roots, Kraton sets out to create a raw and vibrant sound by combining aspects of post and doom metal injected with a dash of ferocity sourced from other extreme metal genres. Lyrical themes are drawn from the bleak corners of the human condition dominated by the arduousness of our shared mortal coil.
Founded in 2011 and hailing from the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, Kraton has shared small and big stages with many local and international bands and is eager to expand further into the Greater Region around Luxembourg and beyond.
Trivia:
The band name is the german geological term for very old elements of the continental crust which are tectonically stable and rooted deep inside of our planet’s outer layer.
Shows 2025:
March 28 @ Hühnermanhattan Klub, Halle (D) w/ Lightless, Yore, Coldspine April 25 @ The Black Cat, Metz (F) w/ Gorgoyl, Coldspine May 24 @ Schungfabrik Tetange (L) w/ Kakumori, GREH, SUBLIND
Get ready to be PANDASTRUCK by Samurai Pizza Cats’ latest metalcore party anthem. High energy paired with a lot of fun, the quartet finds the perfect balance that will get everyone moving. After signing to Century Media Records last month, the band has been teasing their newest work, with “Pandstruck” being one of the lead singles for the band’s upcoming headline tour in May 2025. The single follows on the band’s prior release “Super Zero”.
Samurai Pizza Cats is a German metalcore band formed in 2021 in Castrop-Rauxel. The band consists of vocalist Sebastian Fischer, guitarist Daniel Haniß, bassist Stefan Reufer, and drummer Stefan Buchwald . Their name is a nod to the 1990s anime series of the same name. The band quickly gained a loyal fan base thanks to their energetic live performances and unique sound that blends metalcore, deathcore, and trancecore elements. Samurai Pizza Cats released their debut album, “You’re Hellcome,” in September 2023, and established themselves in the German metalcore scene. The band is signed to Century Media Records since February 2025.
Samurai Pizza Cats are: Sebastian Fischer – Vocals Daniel Haniß – Guitar Stefan Reufer – Bass Stefan Buchwald – Drums
Chief Shock Video
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 ) 