French Symphonic Metallers HARTLIGHT announce: ”Dear Alchemists ✨ IOSIS is more than an album. It’s a fantasy universe built around a metal opera and an original novel, and we’ve got big plans for it. We’ve decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign on kickstarter to help bring this project to life, and we need your support to make it happen!
The campaign opens on November 1st.We hope you’ll be part of the adventure! 🔥Help us make it happen!”
With IOSIS, French symphonic metal band HARTLIGHT presents its most ambitious project to date: a concept album, created as a Metal Opera in direct resonance with an original dark-fantasy novel. Born from the music, the book expands the album’s narrative into a fully realised universe. Together, these two complementary works, illustrated by William Aubert, offer two distinct paths into the same story.
Beneath an impassable firmament lies Iosis, a world closed in upon itself and watched over by two opposing moons: Albedo the White and Darga the Red. At its heart rise the Crystal City and its mysterious Tower, from which the Cult, the supreme authority, imposes its law. Beyond this stronghold, the peoples of Iosis struggle to survive in a magnificent land, deeply scarred by the corruption rising from the Pit, the world below.
In Vallaris, Lune, a slave, knows nothing yet of the fate that awaits her. When the shadow of the Pit reaches her, a journey begins, one that will lead her into the mysteries of Iosis and forever alter the course of its history …
HARTLIGHT’s IOSIS is a Metal Opera album and a dark fantasy novel with a whole lore and story.
Credits: Singing, Lyrics: Noémie Marie Singing : Noa Gruman Singing, Music, Guitar, Bass, Programming, Musical Production: Adrien Djouadou Guitar: Adrien Guingal Drums: Guillaume Remih Narration : Lucie André Videography by Lahav Levi and Cécile Delpoïo Video Edit by Lahav Levi Mix and Mastered by Flavien Morel
DISCOGRAPHY 2022 • From Midland And Beyond • EP 2023 • Roll The Dice • Single 2024 • As Above, So Below • Full-length 2025 • The Triumph Of Metal • Full-length 2026 • The Golden Egg • Single
SCARDUST, fronted by the superstar vocalist of Sabaton’s ‘Legendary Orchestra’ – NOA GRUMAN, has announced the first group of dates of their ‘SOULS IN THE FLESH’ tour, celebrating the release of their latest album ‘SOULS’.
SCARDUST will be supported on all the European & UK dates by French band HARTLIGHT plus a local band in each city and welcome ROSS JENNINGS as very special guest at the London show.
“Carried by progressive metal, jaw-dropping vocals, and exceptional musicianship, Scardust deliver a powerful live show that shifts between crushing heaviness and anthemic melodies.” TotalRock 2026
A long-awaited return, and the perfect chance to experience the new era of Noa Gruman’s Scardust live.
Souls In The Flesh Tour – Part 1 08/03/2026 Eindhoven Blue Collar Club with Hartlight & Isabeau 10/03/2026 London Underworld with Hartlight & Crimson Veil 12/03/2026 Avignon Rouge Gorge with Hartlight & Parallel Minds 13/03/2026 Frejus Monster’s Art with Hartlight & Ashen Heart 14/03/2026 Lyon Rock n’ Eat with Hartlight & Wedingoth 11/04/2026 Tel Aviv Reading 3
ABOUT SCARDUST: With the release of the band’s first EP, “Shadow” (2015) and the release of their first full length LP. “Sands of Time” (2017) Scardust positioned them as a promising newcomer of the new progressive metal scene. They rapidly rose to the top of the local metal scene, selling out shows and opening for the likes of Symphony X, Therion and Epica and started touring overseas playing festivals and headline shows in Germany, China and the UK as well as continuing to headline shows and festivals at home. From the beginning the band strove for exceptional artistic and instrumental achievement at the highest level and Noa Gruman’s voice captivates her listeners whether with its gentle purity, operatic power or guttural growls. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, 2020 saw the release of their sophomore album “Strangers” 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”. That summer, the band headlined multiple shows across Europe, performing to packed arenas at Wacken Open Air & Dong Open Air where they earned the praise of Testament’s Steve Di Giorgio who, on hearing the band from backstage, ran out front and watched the entire set ‘mesmerised’. The year concluded with the release of the dramatic one-shot video video “Evolution of the Disney – But She’s METAL” in which Noa weaves her way through a magical metaL arrangement of all the best known Disney Princess songs.
2023 saw Scardust release of Game of Now, a cinematic piece set in a futuristic dystopian live show, play festivals and concerts across Europe and join power metal legends Blind Guardian on tour. The year culminated in the signing of a major multi-album deal with Frontiers Records – heralding the release of the highly anticipated album “Souls”. December 2024 saw the release of My Haven from Souls followed by RIP, Unreachable and Dazzling Darkness. With 2024 being taken up with writing and recording Souls it wasn’t until early 2025 that they were able to announce that Ross Jennings (Haken) was guesting on the album and was to join the band for headline show resulting in the epic Touch of Life video. Towards the end of 2025 Noa Gruman was the featured lead singer and conductor of The Legendary Orchestra on Sabaton’s large-scale European arena Legendary Tour, performing re-imaged versions of Sabaton’s music with orchestral and choral arrangements. The band also announced a lineup change with founding member Orr Didi departing and Bar Sasson joining on bass, as Scardust look ahead to an active 2026 with international touring plans. “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.”
HARTLIGHT Hartlight is a French Symphonic Metal band forging music through Alchemy. Each song is a heartfelt journey carved in the poetry of power. Led by Noémie’s intense voice, their music takes listeners through gothic cathedrals, enchanted forests, and vivid landscapes, creating an emotional and cinematic experience. Acclaimed by the press for its refined orchestrations and musicianship, Hartlight performs across Europe, with their albums As Above, So Below (2024) and The Triumph of Metal (2025).
French Symphonic Metallians HARTLIGHT dropped new Music Video, “The City Of Tears”, a song from the new album “The Triumph of Metal”!
HARTLIGHT say about: “‘The City Of Tears’ is an immersion in the ruins of a city nestling atop a cliff, protected by dark woods and downpours. It echoes the inner temple submerged in tears and its capacity to become a refuge built on vulnerability. It reminds us that we can all create our own foundations set in stone and let happy memories flow into our rivers and purify the dirty waters.”
Artistic Direction by Noémie Marie assisted by Adrien Djouadou
The new album title references the Metal musical style in itself as well as the alchemical book of basile valentin: “The triumphal chariot of Antimony”. Antimony is a metalloid stone that is believed to be used in alchemy to produce the philosopher’s stone [ learn more here» ]
French Symphonic Metallers HARTLIGHT have revealed a new single and video for the title track of the upcoming album “The Triumph Of Metal”, set to be released on February 28th.
HARTLIGHT say about: “The song is an epic of courage and hope in the midst of darkness. It draws on the roots of alchemy in its quest to surpass oneself and transmute in order to lighten one’s being, free oneself from burdens and enjoy life with joyful passion. The music video, directed by Yohan Dully and Tiny Gigie, shows the band during an alchemical realization that brings to life the values the song wants to convey.”
• Directed by Yohan Dully and Tinygigie • Artistic Direction by Noémie Marie assisted by Adrien Djouadou • Story, Accessories and Costumes by Noémie Marie • Filmed by Yohan Dully • Edited by Yohan Dully and Tinygigie • Shooting location choice by Guillaume Remih
TRACKS: 📺 01. The Triumph Of Metal 06:19 02. Polymorphia 06:10 03. The Scales Of Rebis 05:41 04. Midnight 06:19 05. The City Of Tears 08:28 06. Mind’s Arboretum 06:10 07. As My Will To Power Is Seen 04:19 08. A Song of Blood and Steel 11:33
total: 54:59 min.
🎨 William Aubert
The new album title references the Metal musical style in itself as well as the alchemical book of basile valentin: “The triumphal chariot of Antimony”. Antimony is a metalloid stone that is believed to be used in alchemy to produce the philosopher’s stone … [ learn more here» ]
French Symphonic Metallers HARTLIGHT drop new Lyric Video ‘And Nature Unfolds Once Again’, taken from their new album “As Above, So Below”, released on March 15th.
HARTLIGHT says bout their newest lyric video: “We as an esoteric Metal band pay homage to nature, which is not just an entity outside human beings, but their very identity. More than ever, the elements of nature can help us reconnect with our inner calm and power. ‘AndNature Unfolds Once Again’ is a call to rediscover the time to marvel at beauty.”
HARTLIGHT: “This album is a concept album about Alchemy, Magic and introspection to reach a better life. The music of the album reach darker and more mystic territories than before and is a much more personal work. HARTLIGHT melts in it Heavy, Progressive, Power, Gothic and Symphonic Metal in very various ambiances. The powerful voice of Noémie expresses enigmatic lyrics with deep meanings. Heavy riffing and solemn orchestrations will make you travel into the depths of esoterism and overall, the work will offer you a journey into the mysteries of the lost art of Alchemy that fascinated many generations before us.” [ learn more here ]
French Symphonic Metallers HARTLIGHT drop 4th Single & Video ‘Bound To Eternity’, taken from their upcoming album “As Above, So Below”.
HARTLIGHT on the new album: “This album is a concept album about Alchemy, Magic and introspection to reach a better life. The music of the album reach darker and more mystic territories than before and is a much more personal work. HARTLIGHT melts in it Heavy, Progressive, Power, Gothic and Symphonic Metal in very various ambiances. The powerful voice of Noémie expresses enigmatic lyrics with deep meanings. Heavy riffing and solemn orchestrations will make you travel into the depths of esoterism and overall, the work will offer you a journey into the mysteries of the lost art of Alchemy that fascinated many generations before us.” [ learn more here ]
HARTLIGHT says about “Bound To Eternity”: “Way Cup, Alchemists! Let yourself be carried away by the compelling atmosphere of the ancient texts and the intoxicating magic they embody. Alchemical transmutation is a precious and timeless philosophy of miraculous self-discovery and triumphant self-realization. We pay homage to this deeply fascinating, historical theme with our song. Musically, ‘Bound To Eternity‘ brings a sense of meditation and melancholy, in accordance to the contemplation the Magnum Opus asks of your inner self and the universe. You will hear classic Heavy Metal melted with symphonic organs and choirs, mysterious melodies and epic guitar solos to figurate those aspects the song is about. The powerful and melodic voice of Noémie Marie will bring you the messages within the song with full musical dedication and sincere interpretation.”
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
