Archive for December 27, 2025

POWER PALADIN Unleash First Single & Video “Sword Vigor” From Upcoming Album: Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on December 27, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

Icelandic metal collective POWER PALADIN returns with force, steel and fire as they present their brand-new single “Sword Vigor”, the first taste of their upcoming studio album Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment, due out on March 27, 2026 via ROAR – a division of Reigning Phoenix Music!

“Sword Vigor” delivers classic heavy metal spirit wrapped in epic power metal form, driven by galloping riffs, soaring melodies and a strong sense of heroism. The track continues the band’s fantasy-driven narrative universe and serves as the next chapter in an ongoing saga of trials, destiny and triumph. Fans of GLORYHAMMER, TWILIGHT FORCE, and DRAGONFORCE will feel right at home.

The band comments: “‘Sword Vigor’ is a roaring NWOBHM-inspired power metal anthem, the blazing sequel to the saga begun in Kraven the Hunter. When all hope seems lost for our hero, salvation descends from the heavens: a warrior who has mastered the ancient and furious art of Sword Vigor.”

Accompanying the single is an official music video that captures POWER PALADIN’s love for classic heavy metal, combining a tongue-in-cheek attitude with a straightforward, no-frills approach.

Stream / Download “Sword Vigor”: https://powerpaladin.rpm.link/swordvigorPR

Watch the official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1D4wXxFyE-8

And if you’ve ever wondered how power metal bands come up with these epic lyrics, POWER PALADIN have the answer and it involves a healthy dose of humor. To find out what rhymes with fire – and where hobbits come into play check out the following video the band just posted on their Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSSEYXcjKVU/ 

With their new offering Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment, POWER PALADIN take the next step in their musical journey. The album features eight epic tracks, each unfolding like a chapter in a sweeping saga of power, mystery and adventure. 

Pre-Save / Pre-Order Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment here:
https://powerpaladin.rpm.link/enchantmentPR

Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment Track-list:
1. Sword Vigor
2. Glade Lords Of Athel Loren
3. The Royal Road
4. The Arcane Tower
5. Aegis Of Eternity
6. Camelot Rock City
7. Keeper Of The Crimson Dungeon
8. Valediction

Building on the success of their debut With the Magic of Windfyre Steel, the band delivers a more mature and refined sound while fully retaining the energy and spirit that defined their early days. The album was mixed by Haukur Hannes (AUÐN, DYNFARI) and mastered by Frank de Jong (BLEEDING GODS), resulting in a production that is both powerful and crystal clear.

Once again, POWER PALADIN pay homage to their influences – IRON MAIDEN, DIO and HELLOWEEN – while confidently carving out their own place in the modern power metal landscape. The album artwork, created by James Child (Astral Clock Tower Studios), perfectly captures the adventurous and fantastical essence of the record.

POWER PALADIN:
Atli Guðlaugsson (vocals)
Bjarni Þór Jóhannsson (guitars)
Ingi Þórisson (guitars)
Einar Karl Júlíusson (drums)
Bjarni Egill Ögmundsson (keyboards)
Kristleifur Þorsteinsson (bass)

About POWER PALADIN:
Formed in Iceland, POWER PALADIN emerged from a shared passion for classic heavy metal, soaring melodies and fantasy-driven storytelling. Since their inception, the band has blended the spirit of traditional power metal with the raw edge of NWOBHM influences, forging a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

Their debut album With the Magic of Windfyre Steel quickly established POWER PALADIN as a rising force in the international power metal scene. With Beyond The Reach Of Enchantment, the band further expands their musical and lyrical universe, proving their dedication to epic songwriting, strong hooks and timeless metal values.

More on POWER PALADIN:
Website: https://www.powerpaladin.is/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/powerpaladinice

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerpaladinice/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@powerpaladin

Visit ROAR online:
Homepage: https://www.roar-records.de

Source: C Squared Music

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NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS – Drop New Single “Hungry For Brains,” Teasing the Mayhem of Zombie Blood Nightmare Out February 20, 2026

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on December 27, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

NECRONOMICON EX MORTIS erupt with ferocious precision on their latest single, “Hungry For Brains,” taken from the forthcoming EP Zombie Blood Nightmare, arriving February 20, 2026.

A thrashy, smashy, in-your-face assault, “Hungry For Brains” showcases the band at their most unapologetically feral. Built entirely upon the half/whole diminished scale, the track spirals through symmetrical chaos and delivers a sound as unhinged and ravenous as its subject matter.

Watch “Hungry For Brains HERE: https://youtu.be/3VYo0dMheW0

Fans of technical metal will find plenty to chew on, especially when the track erupts into a blistering guitar solo performed by James Norton, former college roommate of guitarist Mike. His shredding adds an extra layer of necrotic flair.

Lyrically, the song dives headfirst into zombie carnage and grotesque undead imagery, continuing the band’s love for cinematic horror and high-energy gore. “Hungry For Brains” embraces the spirit of classic zombie mayhem and sets the tone for the terror-laced chaos awaiting listeners on Zombie Blood Nightmare.

Zombie Blood Nightmare – Track Listing: 

  1. Left To Die (4:39)
  2. No More Room In Hell (5:19)
  3. Chopped Up and Burned (7:00)
  4. Lumbering, Blood Sucking Freaks (3:42)
  5. Hungry For Brains (4:41)
  6. Démoni (3:15)

Produced, recorded, and mixed by Charlie Waymire at Ultimate Studios and mastered by Ernesto Homeyer, Zombie Blood Nightmare features six tracks of shred-heavy, horror-drenched chaos. Zombie Blood Nightmare arrives February 20, 2026.

Source: C Squared Music

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Pagan Metal Pioneers HELSOTT To Support ARKONA On Upcoming Shows

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news, pagan metal with tags , , , , , , on December 27, 2025 by Metal Odyssey

HELSOTT – American pagan metal band – announce their support slot to Russia’s ARKONA for a string of US shows in February on their North America Paganist Tour.

“We are excited to announce a return to the road with our friends Arkona as part of their Paganist USA conquest, says singer Eric Dow.  “We are really looking forward to delivering our brand of Pagan Metal to some cities that we haven’t played since Covid put the breaks on our U.S. touring momentum.  Get ready for a mix of old songs and some recent bangers from our latest release, ‘Will and the Witch’.  Come out and party with us!” 

While HELSOTT have made a few trips to Europe and Mexico playing festivals and cruises overseas, it’s been some time since HELSOTT played the states and the band is proud to introduce their new line-up to American audiences. Joining the core of singer Eric Dow and guitarist Peter Truax, HELSOTT is now joined by guitarist Zachary Simsay (Mythraeum, Fadrait), bassist Alonzo Larios (Mythraeum), and drummer Alex Simsay (Fadrait).

HELSOTT’s latest, 2022’s ‘Will and the Witch,’ is a concept album exploring a fictional story about how Billy The Kid became the fastest gunfighter in the wild west. The group released a few emphasis tracks and videos from the album including “I’ll Make Ya Famous”, “Independence Night,” featuring guest vocals from Tim “Ripper” Owens (formerly of Judas Priest, Iced Earth and Yngwie Malmsteen), “Babylon: Scarlett’s Saloon”and the title track, “Will and the Witch”.

HELSOTT returned to their musical roots on “Will and The Witch” with heavier thrash overtones and less orchestral work than their prior record, while catching listeners off-guard with new influences befitting of the album’s theme. Thrash metal, power metal, and death metal converged with acoustic campfire segments, Southern banjo and fiddle, and Native American-inspired hand drums and flutes. The end result was a record that is musically ambitious while remaining melodic, heavy, and true to the band’s underlying sound.

Mixed and mastered by J-F Dagenais (Kataklysm, Misery Index, Ex Deo) and featuring artwork by Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Rhapsody, Gamma Ray), along with additional guests including wood wind player Vladimir Reshetnikov (Arkona, Imperial Age), guitarist/bassist Freddie Vidales (Ashes of Ares, Iced Earth), violinist Lethien (Elvenking), guitarist Kevin Storm (Heidevolk, Autumn, Fleetburner), bassist Bjorn Friedrichsen (Withered Moon, Sanguineus) and Whistlin’ Rick Storey. 

Available on CD, a limited-edition gold double vinyl, and digital editions.

Order it or the band’s catalog now on: M-Theory Audio webstore or Bandcamp

Upcoming HELSOTT Live Performances:

2/4 Come and Take It Live – Austin, TX

2/6 Last Exit Live – Phoenix, AZ

2/7 Constellation Room – Santa Ana, CA

2/8 Whisky – W. Hollywood, CA

2/9 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA

2/11 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT

2/12 The Federal – Denver, CO

2/15 – Reggie’s – Chicago w/ Ad Infinitum and Seven Spires

For more information:

www.facebook.com/helsott 

www.instagram.com/helsott 

www.helsott.com 

www.m-theoryaudio.com

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