Archive for May 9, 2026

SEVEN KINGDOMS Announces 6th Full Length Album Sono Sola ~ Crowdfunding Campaign Launching On May 26th

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on May 9, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Photo Credit Camden Cruz

SEVEN KINGDOMS has announced their 6th full length record Sono Sola. The band will return to their long established crowdfunding model with a plan to release the record in the fall. The crowdfunding campaign will launch on May 26th and run until June 26th. 

Guitarist Camden Cruz shares“We are really excited for this record! We took a lot of new chances on this record and got to spend a lot more time working on it. The record contains the soul of this band. We bring the highest level and heaviest release of our career to you with this album. We worked again with Jim Morris who wrote and produced the record with us. We also worked on the record with Francesco Cavalieri who also helped produce songs with us on this album. Sabrina is at the top of her game and the band is firing on all cylinders. It will be your favorite Seven Kingdoms album. We cannot wait to share this with you!”

Producer Jim Morris comments“This is the most melodic and heaviest Seven Kingdoms record that we have ever done. We got to spend more time than ever working on the music. I am very excited for this new music and I believe it’s going to open a lot of new doors for the band!” 

Sono Sola was recorded at Morrisound Recording in April and May 2026 with Jim Morris (SAVATAGE, WARRANT, DEATH). SEVEN KINGDOMS wrote the record together with Jim Morris, who also produced the record along with co-producer Francesco Cavalieri (WIND ROSE). The album artwork for Sono Sola was done by Bo Bradshaw. The Track listing will be released at the end of the Crowdfunding Campaign along with more news. 

SEVEN KINGDOMS:

Sabrina Cruz – Vocals
Camden Cruz – Guitars
Kevin Byrd – Guitars
Keith Byrd – Drums

Connect With SEVENKINGDOMS:

Apple Musichttps://music.apple.com/ca/artist/seven-kingdoms/269540019

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/SevenKingdomsOfficial

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sevenkingdomsofficial/

Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/0PMYvG0U25tgSi8jQExPAC?si=Zd59_nhbQeKrYGN4dUI7Cg

Tiktokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sevenkingdomsofficial

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@sevenkingdoms

Source: C Squared Music

ATARAXIA Summon Shamanic Spirits of the North in New Single “Alabaster”

Posted in dark ambient music, dark folk, dark wave, Music, music news, neoclassical, news with tags , , , , , , on May 9, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

New album “Sylfaera the Fair” completes the epic trilogy begun with “Pomegranate” and “Centaurea”

New music features glossolalia (invented language) and weaves together elements of nordic, dark and ritual folk

30th studio album to be released on 21 May 2026 via The Circle Music in Digi CD, limited marbled transparent turquoise & black LP and a limited Deluxe Black Box. Pre-orders available

As the release of their landmark 30th studio album draws near, Ataraxia have unveiled the next chapter of their latest odyssey. The new single and video, “Alabaster”, moves away from the Mediterranean rites of the previous single towards the frost-laden peaks of the North. 

Taken from the upcoming album Sylfaera the Fair, the final installment of a trilogy that began with “Pomegranate” and “Centaurea”, “Alabaster” introduces a warrior-shaman into the band’s unfolding mythos. 

Watch the video for “Alabaster”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJgsL7HnOoU

Stream the track

https://thecirclemusic.lnk.to/Alabaster

In the world of “Sylfaera the Fair”, “Alabaster” is a free spirit and a shaman deeply entwined with the wolf species. He roams the snow-capped Northern mountains, a formidable warrior who balances the disciplined grace of martial arts with the raw, savage power of the wilderness.

As a member of the Fellowship of the 9, “Alabaster” embodies the sacred masculine. He is a body-shifter, moving between the forms of man and wolf, his identity defined by the pale hue of his skin and fur. He is the first to arrive at the ritual grounds of Loona under the light of the full moon, acting as the vanguard who opens portals through arcane formulas.

The band comments on the track’s significance: “Alabaster acts as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual. On the night in Loona, he longs to reunite with his group soul, moving not as an individual, but as a single spiritual entity guided by powerful instinct. He knows the shadows, the tracks, and the smells of the wild. He represents that primal, intuitive force that exists within the sacred masculine.”

The track features the evocative vocals of Francesca Nicoli, set against the music that includes bouzouki, electric guitar, and ritualistic programming by Vittorio Vandelli, and keyboards of Giovanni Pagliari. The haunting uilleann pipes of guest musician Gregorio Bellodi further elevate the arrangement. Wampyrion directed the accompanying video. 

Sylfaera the Fair will be available from 21 May 2026 in three distinct physical formats via The Circle Music. Options include a high-quality Digi CD, a Turquoise LP limited to 400 copies, and a Deluxe Black Box embossed in silver, limited to only 100 copies. The box set features exclusive silver vinyl, a “Travelling Stone” ritual artifact, a 16-page booklet, and a personal message from the band. 

PRE-ORDER

https://thecirclemusic.gr/product-category/distributed-stuff/?filter_artist-name=ataraxia&products-per-page=all

DIGITAL PRE-SAVE

https://thecirclemusic.lnk.to/SylfaeraTheFair

Ataraxia previously released the singles “Sylfaera” and “Llawara”.

Sylfaera the Fair – Tracklist: 
1. Alabaster
2. Breanwinn
3. Alqua
4. Sylfaera
5. Silvertine
6. Loona
7. Llawarra
8. Muirreann (CD Bonus Track)
9. Ojos Sagrados
10. Crowea

Ataraxia online:
Websitehttp://www.ataraxia.net/
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/AtaraxiaFB
YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@atarassxia
Spotifyhttps://artists.spotify.com/c/artist/5wRrRxmJnNTnieaNKAzTZI/profile/overview
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/music_from_ataraxia/

The Circle Music online:
Websitehttps://thecirclemusic.gr/ 
Linktreehttps://linktr.ee/thecirclemusic

Source: 3nation

NOVAREIGN New Song “Sun & Moon” Online Now ~ Album Available For Pre-Order

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , on May 9, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

The epic return of Los Angeles progressive power metal group. Two years on from their last single “Ironsides” and eight years after their explosive debut, ‘Legends,’ the LA shred-lords NOVAREIGN return with some new music with a new digital single and their first music video. “Sun & Moon” is filled guitar frenzy, intricate rhythmic complexity and soaring anthemic vocals, and when we say filled we mean it cause this track clocks in over ten minutes.

While online now at all digital streaming and download platforms, make sure and view the band’s performance in all its hairy glory as they work their way through the music’s challenging and eventful passages. 

“SUN & MOON” MUSIC VIDEO: 
https://youtu.be/_MP5e2OWvTg?si=gMIbot4X5C3I6QiR 

This song holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. Musically, it is supposed to be a love letter to all things Heavy Metal that inspired my playing for so many years, while showcasing the bombastic talents of each member of the band in a way that I hope feels old-school and modern at the same time,” explains guitarist Balmore Lemus

Lyrically, it is a message from father to son to hold true to their heart and spirit through the inevitable dark times that life can and will likely present, as well as a reminder that they are a culmination of love, light, and an unbridled fire that is capable of so much more than they could even imagine.

We hope you enjoy the tune as much as we’ve enjoyed playing it live. It’s been a staple in most recent shows for a while now and man does it feel good to have it come to light, finally! Thank you guys for sticking with us this far!

“Along the lines of this good news is that NOVAREIGN have delivered a finished album… finally it’s reality. If you follow the label you’ve noticed for the past few years us tease a new NOVAREIGN album is in the works. We have finished the master and layout delivered and the album is slated for a July 17th release. And we’re starting pre-orders today for what NOVAREIGN have entitled “Shifting The Axis Of The World” at our webstore or Bandcamp.”

NOVAREIGN gained quite a bit of traction with their 2018 album, Legends, which was praised as “a bombastic mix of epic metal” (BraveWords), “an instrumental fireworks show” (Metal Bandcamp) and “one of the most addictive power metal records I’ve heard in a long time” (Two Guys Metal Reviews).

Additionally, the ensuing live shows that followed its release included dates with Michael Schenker, Exmortus, Angra, White Wizzard, Rhapsody Ov Fire, Act of Defiance, Bonded By Blood, GloryHammer, Graveshadow, PowerGlove and Holy Grail, in addition to festivals like Mad With Power, Hyperspace, Ruinfest and Frost And Fire.

In the downtime, NOVAREIGN endured a couple of lineup changes implementing new drummer Ulises Hernandez (ex-Judicator, Anubis), while guitarist Balmore Lemus split his time with Judicator, Lunar and Dire Peril. On and off NOVAREIGN have been writing and recording the follow-up to Legends and after too much time a new effort is on the horizon.

For more information:
www.facebook.com/novareignofficial

www.instagram.com/novareignofficial

www.novareign.bandcamp.com
www.m-theoryaudio.com

ACCURSED – Unleashes New Single “Sever the Horizon” and Begins Recording for Debut Full-Length

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on May 9, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

L-R: Accursed Current Line Up | Rob Casucci (Guitar) | Dave Lee (Guitar) | Will Devereaux (Vocals) | Chris Dwyer (Bass) | Ethan Puetzer (Drums) Photographer Credit – Mia Palazzo

Melodic death metal outfit Accursed has released their powerful new single “Sever the Horizon,” a track that not only expands the band’s sonic identity but also serves as the creative catalyst for their forthcoming debut full‑length album. The LP is currently in pre‑production and scheduled to begin recording this summer, with a release date to be announced.

“Sever the Horizon” marks a pivotal moment for Accursed, musically, lyrically, and creatively. Built on intricate guitar work, shifting dynamics, and a heightened sense of compositional precision, the single represents the band’s most ambitious material to date.

“This single is a step forward for us. It’s more technical, more layered, and more deliberate in its composition. It pushes our sound into new territory while staying true to what defines us, and it really sets the tone for where we’re headed with the album,” says guitarist and primary songwriter Dave Lee.

Though written over a year ago, “Sever the Horizon” became the creative spark that shaped the rest of the album. Lyrically, the track explores the story of Richard “Sky King” Russell and the Horizon Air Incident of August 10, 2018, approached through an interpretive and human‑focused lens.

Rather than recounting events or glorifying actions, the band chose to explore the emotional and psychological space Russell may have occupied in his final moments, capturing the surreal beauty, fear, and uncertainty of a widely discussed tragedy.

“We intentionally avoided direct callouts or any attempt to explain or glorify his actions. The focus is on perspective and human experience. It’s a story that resonated with a lot of people when it happened, and we hope that the song connects similarly, maybe offering listeners something to reflect on and relate to in their own struggles,” adds Dave.

Accursed’s upcoming debut album sits at the intersection of melodic death metal, technical death metal, and deathcore, though the band emphasizes that the record is far more cohesive than a list of influences suggests.

Lyrically, the record will span mythology, historical practices, real‑world trauma, horror‑inspired concepts, and politically charged themes. The planned result is a body of work that is intense, unflinching, and intentional, with each track contributing to a larger sense of narrative tension and thematic purpose.

“Once we finalized ‘Sever the Horizon,’ everything else clicked. The songs that made the cut all share a certain weight and atmosphere; they feel like they belong in the same world,” says Dave.

Recommended for fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, At The Gates, Revocation, Wretched, and Angelmaker, “Sever the Horizon” can be heard at the following links:

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3AP0Geu8hDy6qq4dmIt7Fk

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zae4fiYZL-g

Bandcamp:

https://accursedct.bandcamp.com/track/sever-the-horizon

In additional news, Accursed will be taking the stage next month on June 6th for the Buffalo Gore Fest. Full details at: https://www.facebook.com/events/2486073285145550/

More info: https://linktr.ee/accursedct

About:

Accursed is a Connecticut‑based melodic death metal band formed in 2019. Their sound fuses atmospheric melody, technical aggression, and modern heaviness, resulting in a style that is both familiar and forward‑thinking. Lyrically, the band explores themes of consequence, internal fracture, mythology, trauma, and the quiet violence of everyday existence. With a sharpened lineup and an uncompromising creative vision, Accursed are poised to make a distinct mark on the melodic death metal landscape.

Source: ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS