Archive for September 17, 2026

THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT: Former Symphony X Bassist’s New Project Drops “Closer To The Sun” Single – Intense Debut Album Nears October 30th Release On Sensory Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal albums, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on September 17, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

photos by Danny Sanchez

Stream THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT’s “Closer To The Sun” HERE.

As THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT, the new venture from former founding Symphony X bassist Thomas Miller, prepares to release its eponymous debut through Sensory Records in October, the label presents the album’s second single, “Closer To The Sun.”

Thomas Miller started his music career in central New Jersey and played in numerous cover and original bands influenced by progressive bands from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1986, he met Michael Romeo, a local progressive and classically influenced guitarist, with whom he then recorded and played in several bands. In 1994, they formed Symphony X and recruited the rest of the band members to complete the lineup and sign with Japanese record label, Zero Records.

After international critical acclaim for their albums Symphony X, Damnation Game, The Divine Wings Of Tragedy, Twilight In Olympus, and A Prelude To The New Millenium, they did various tour dates in Japan, Europe, and NYC. Shortly afterwards, due to personal issues, Thomas stepped away from the band.

Continually writing and recording on various projects and honing his writing skills, Miller collaborated on a recording project with vocalist Hollywood How Portney in 2017, and after interactions with fans over the years and realizing his chemistry with How, he decided to start writing for a new project, which would become THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.

Two former Symphony X bandmates, guitarist Michael Romeo and keyboardist Michael Pinnella, would also lend their talents to the project, and Eric Rachel – producer of Symphony X’s first six albums as well as Black Sabbath, The Black Dahlia Murder and countless others, was enlisted to mix and master the album, which is completed with art and design by Rodrigo Gudiña.

The result is an epic, forty-nine-minute progressive metal opus, inspired by majestic themes and various musical overtones. Fans of Symphony X, Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Redemption, Kamelot, and other grand progressive metal acts should immediately check out THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.

Miller delves, “‘Closer To The Sun’ takes a more progressive direction than the first single, ‘When Darkness Falls.’ This song represents the combination of mythological lyrics, middle eastern tonalities and aggressive guitar and bass rhythms. I also liked the idea of acoustic guitar and violin to add another layer to the musical atmosphere, setting the story line as a buildup to the main rhythmic themes.”

THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT’s “Closer To The Sun” is now playing on Bandcamp HERE and YouTube HERE.

Sensory Records will release Thomas Miller’s Lazarus Effect on CD, LP, and digital platforms on October 30th. Preorders are live at the label webstore HERE and on Bandcamp, the standard audio HERE and the 24-bit hi-res HERE.

Stand by a new video and more on the album to drop over the coming weeks.

https://www.instagram.com/lazaruseffectofficial

Source: EARSPLIT PR

FRONTIERS LABEL GROUP Celebrated Second #1 Album Of 2026 As SHAKRA’s “Just Live Loud!” Debuts At #1 In Switzerland

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , on September 17, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

Latest chart triumph follows Megadeth’s landmark #1 success in the US, Australia and Austria earlier this year

Frontiers Label Group is proud to celebrate another major chart achievement in 2026, as Swiss hard rock veterans Shakra have debuted at #1 on the official Swiss Albums Chart with their new studio album, “Just Live Loud!”.

Released on September 4 via Frontiers Music Srl, “Just Live Loud!” marks Shakra’s first album with the label and has now delivered an outstanding result on home soil, entering Switzerland’s national album chart directly at the top spot.

For the group, the achievement marks the second album to reach #1 on major national charts in 2026, following the extraordinary global success of Megadeth’s self-titled final studio album earlier this year.

Released via Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s BLKIIBLK label, “Megadeth” debuted at #1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 in the United States, the legendary band’s first-ever #1 album in their native country, while also reaching #1 in Australia and Austria. The album additionally secured Top 5 positions across the U.K., Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and New Zealand.

Serafino Perugino, President and CEO of Frontiers Label Group, commented:

“Seeing Shakra reach #1 in Switzerland with their very first album for Frontiers is an incredibly proud moment for all of us. We believed strongly in this album and in the band, so to see ‘Just Live Loud!’ receive this kind of response in their home country is extremely rewarding. Coming after the incredible worldwide chart success of Megadeth earlier this year, this is another very special achievement for our company, in the year in which Frontiers celebrates its 30th anniversary.”

“For three decades, our goal has always been to work with great artists, believe in their music and give them the strongest possible platform to succeed. Whether we are working with one of the most influential bands in the history of metal or with an outstanding European hard rock band like Shakra, that commitment remains the same. I am extremely grateful to the artists who put their trust in us, to our team and partners around the world, and, most importantly, to the fans who continue to support this music”, he added.

Shakra returned with renewed fire on “Just Live Loud!”, an album fuelled by massive riffs, soaring melodies and the unmistakable chemistry that has defined the band for more than three decades. Combining the spirit of classic European hard rock with a heavier and more modern edge, the record represents both a celebration of the band’s history and the beginning of a new chapter. The album’s message is captured in its title: an invitation to live without hesitation, embrace freedom and pursue life with passion and purpose.

“Just Live Loud!” is out now via Frontiers Music Srl.

Tracklist:

  1. Let The Show Begin
  2. Wasteland Warriors
  3. Just Live Loud
  4. Left Outside Alone (Feat. Seraina Telli)
  5. Demon Of The Night
  6. Legends Never Die
  7. Lost Generation
  8. When We Were Young
  9. Another Day In The Universe
  10. New Tattoo
  11. High Above The Storm
  12. Screaming Silence

Bonus Track

  1. Left Outside Alone (Solo Version)

Source: Frontiers Label Group

SINISTER – New Studio Album, Lucid Nightmares, Releases on November 13th

Posted in Death Metal, death metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on September 17, 2026 by Metal Odyssey

From Mystic Production Facebook:

Death metal veterans SINISTER Official return with their fifteenth studio album, “Lucid Nightmares”! Pre-order begins NOW!

It’s an absolute “must have” for all fans of traditional death metal. The album features ten tracks packed with catchy, memorable riffs and an incredibly brutal sound; combined, these elements open a new chapter in band’s career and elevate Sinister to even higher level.

Release date: 13.11.2026

Pre-order exclusively at:

https://sinister-lucidnightmares.com/