Finnish band VAAJA have released their second single Abalon on July 17. The music video will follow on July 31. The song is an epic, atmospheric gothic metal track drawing from Finnish mythology and tied to an upcoming original VAAJA dark horror-fantasy novel series.
The single is an explosive track, taking its name from a central character in the upcoming first book: Abalon, the elven ancestor of foxes. The lyrics delve into how Abalon steps in as a surprise ally to turn the tide for the story’s main protagonist, a vulnerable young vampire, and his human friends.
“All songs of Vaaja are designed to carry Finnish mythology with a unique horror-fantasy twist beyond Finland’s borders,” says Malphas Miserable, the lead singer, songwriter and author of VAAJA.
VAAJA is a fully realised concept. Music is the first chapter of a larger dark fantasy universe that spans both the band’s work and forthcoming novels set in the same world. The band and the books are one universe. “I carried the idea of VAAJA for many years, but it was not until 2025 that I started to write the first book. After that, everything happened very fast and effortlessly.“, Malphas Miserable explains.
Sonically, Abalon occupies the space between the emotional depth of Sleep Token, the atmospheric darkness of HIM, and the devotional, theatrical identity of Opeth and Ghost.
Vaaja – Abalon (Single 2026) Cover art by Malphas Miserable
Composed & lyrics by Malphas Miserable -Arranged by Malphas Miserable, Garn Eir, Fenris Fuzz, Vor, Magni -Recorded, Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Malphas Miserable
“We think the category of “Nordic gothic dark metal” fits us the best, but we are very flexible in a wide array of musical genres. However, with VAAJA, we don’t want to restrict ourselves too much musically. Instead, aiming to maintain a playful, even blasphemous spirit-just like the old gods. The old gods are dear to us, and we feel that Finnish mythology is one of the richest yet still most underrepresented mythologies in metal,” the band states.
“Vaaja is not Viking imagery borrowed from our neighbours. It is ours, ancient, magical, and largely unknown to the world – until now.“
The Band: Vocals: Malphas Miserable Guitar: Garn Eir(The Sorcerer) Guitar: Fenris Fuzz (The Berserker) Drums: Magni (The Seer) Bass: Vor (The Warrior)
A warning, a spell, and an act of devotion – the second single from Verbolgen arrives as a short film steeped in folk horror
Dark black metal duo HULDER have released “In Blood and In Earth,” the second single from their forthcoming album Verbolgen, set for release on August 7th, 2026 via 20 Buck Spin (North America) and Season of Mist (Europe). The track is accompanied by an official music video directed by Newfoundland filmmaker Justin Oakey, arriving as the final preview before the full record drops.
Running just over seven minutes, “In Blood and In Earth” is an act of communal rite set in motion by the landscape itself. The track builds from foreboding restraint into sweeping, storm-gathered momentum, as Hulder’s vocals call out an incantation before the full weight of the arrangement bears down. The song frames endurance and bloodshed not as tragedy but as covenant: a pact between flesh and earth that the living inherit from the ancient dead. The band describe it plainly: “This second offering from the forthcoming album stands as a warning and a spell. Speak these words as the land below bellows forewarning… Shall you fall upon your knees?“
Recorded between Elektric City Recording in Portland, Oregon and at various locations by the band, themselves, the album was mixed by Ahti Kortelainen at Tico Tico Studios in Kemi, Finland and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki. It marks Hulder’s third full-length and the first to formally welcome Necreon as co-leader of the project: a status the duo’s creative process has long reflected in practice.
Verbolgen was produced by Hulder, with both drum performances engineered in Portland, Oregon and Norway. Guitars, bass, and vocals were engineered by Necreon, with additional instrumentation engineered by Keld and Hulder. The album was mixed by Ahti Kortelainen at Tico Tico Studios (Kemi, Finland) and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios (Helsinki, Finland). Cover artwork was painted by Morrigan, with logo design by Jannicke Wiese Hansen and photography by Liana Rakijian.
The music video for “In Blood and In Earth” was directed by Justin Oakey and produced by Black River Pictures. Of the project, Oakey says: “I am beyond honoured Hulder trusted me with putting together something for the new album. Inspired by folk horror, it follows a family clinging to an inhospitable landscape and slowly reveals a dark, sinister atmosphere. The colourist of the video Clinton Homuth introduced me to Hulder in 2019 with some of the early demos. The balance between the bucolic and raw sounds felt incredibly original while staying true to the roots. I reached out and we stayed in touch, finding ways to collaborate. It’s inspiring to see the new, creative directions Hulder and Necreon take with each release.“
Verbolgen Track-list:
Drie Raven (Intro) (2:18)
The Crowning (6:28)
Thy Binding Oath (5:38)
Verbolgen (4:01)
…And We Shall Sing (6:01)
In Blood and In Earth (7:09)
Den Nacht Zijn Lied (6:45)
View From Nemeton (5:23)
The Glow of Dawn (4:48)
Full runtime: 48:33
In support of the forthcoming release, HULDER will embark on a North American tour in August with DIMMU BORGIR, HYPOCRISY and SUFFOCATION. Tickets are available at: https://hulder-official.com/pages/shows.
HULDER North American Tour Dates:
Aug 7 – New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square Aug 8 – Worcester, PA @ The Palladium Aug 10 – Toronto, ON @ History Aug 11 – Montreal, QC @ MTELUS Aug 13 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater Aug 14 – Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre Aug 15 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore Aug 18 – Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom Aug 21 – San Francisco, CA @ The Warfield Aug 23 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo
Spanish melodic death metal band BLOODHUNTER have revealed new details on their highly-anticipated studio album, entitled Sons Of The Abandoned, that is set for release on June 12, 2026 via ROAR – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music. Pre-orders have started today.
Accompanying the album announcement, BLOODHUNTER step it up with the release of a music video for their latest single “Threshold Of Hell”, featuring Fernando Ribeiro of Portuguese dark metal legends MOONSPELL! Leaning on crushing riffs, a commanding groove, brutal vocals and a dense, shadowy atmosphere, the track is elevated by Ribeiro’s unmistakable voice, adding depth and gravitas.
Guitarist Dani Arcos comments: “I think it’s the most complete song on the album. We worked really hard on it, both musically and in terms of sound effects, the collaboration with Fernando Ribeiro… and it also has a great groove.”
Vocalist Diva Satanica adds: “It’s an anti-war song that dissects the mysteries of human behaviour and how it seems we didn’t evolve at all, making the same mistakes of the past. We wanted to emphasize this contradiction of being an anti-war song but using the typical sounds in this context, so we created our own military march shaking some spoons inside of a cooking pot (there is even a video of us recording it).”
1. The Devil’s Own 2. The Outspoken 3. Threshold Of Hell 4. Ephemeral Youth 5. Sons Of The Abandoned 6. No One Beats Death 7. Code Aeternam 8. The Path That Never Ends 9. The Night Is Darker Before The Dawn 10. Masters Of Deceive 11. Human Insecticide
Formed in Galicia, Spain, BLOODHUNTER have steadily carved their name into the international extreme metal scene through relentless touring, uncompromising sound and a clear artistic vision. Fronted by Diva Satanica, the band blends extreme metal aggression with melodic depth, groove and narrative ambition, forging a sound that is both ferocious and emotionally charged.
With Sons Of The Abandoned, BLOODHUNTER solidify themselves as a band unafraid to evolve, challenge expectations and expose their own scars. This is not just another extreme metal album, it is a statement of identity, resistance and survival in a world that constantly demands compromise.
Finland’s melodic dark metal masters, SOULFALLEN, return with a second single from their long-awaited upcoming fourth album, set to be released later this year. Flesh Unearthed is the shortest track of the album, representing its faster and more aggressive side.
”Flesh Unearthed, or FU for short, was one of the first songs we composed for the new album. It is a blasting assault that grips its listener from start to finish with its tight riffs and haunting melodies. We can’t wait to unleash this beast live,” accounts vocalist-frontman Kai Leikola.
Following the release of their latest, much-acclaimed EP Celestial in January via Reigning Phoenix Music, Australian-Finnish dark metal outfit THE ETERNAL return with new visuals. Today, the band presents an official lyric video for the haunting track “Casting Down Shadows“.
Driven by melancholic melodies, brooding atmosphere, and the band’s signature blend of doom, gothic, and melodic metal, the song unfolds as a slowburning and emotionally charged journey. The track moves between haunting passages and powerful crescendos, capturing the reflective and cinematic mood that defines Celestial.
Speaking about the song’s lyrical themes, frontman Mark Kelson explains:
“The lyrics of ‘Casting Down Shadows’ evoke a journey through time, turmoil, and self-discovery, framed by imagery of storms, moons, and barren lands. They portray a struggle with loss, broken ties, and hidden desires, yet also a determination to face the tempest and carve a path forward despite fear. The recurring motif of ‘casting down shadows’ suggests confronting darkness while seeking truth and illumination, with the promise of renewal and return echoing throughout. Ultimately, the song captures the tension between despair and resilience, presenting an endless cycle of falling into shadow yet rising again to continue the search for meaning and fire.”
With the new lyric video, THE ETERNAL further highlight the emotional depth and introspective themes that run throughout Celestial, offering fans another way to experience one of the EP’s most evocative tracks. Watch the clip now streaming here:
Following the success of their 2024 album Skinwalker, the band’s new EP Celestial sees THE ETERNAL continue their signature fusion of melancholic atmospheres, doom-laden heaviness, and progressive depth. The progressive gothic metal collective once again delivers an emotive and cinematic journey through sound and spirit, unafraid to embrace both beauty and bleakness while charting new creative horizons.
With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, joined by Niclas Etelävuori (bass, ex-Amorphis/Flat Earth) and Jan Rechberger (drums, Amorphis) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL have solidified themselves as a truly international collaboration. Their music resonates with fans of acts such as KATATONIA, SWALLOW THE SUN, and ANATHEMA – dark yet luminous, heavy yet emotionally transcendent!
Celestial – Track Listing: 1. Absence Of Light 2. Celestial Veil 3. It All Ends 4. Bleeding Into Light 5. Casting Down Shadows 6. Everlasting MMXXVI
Celestial is available digitally and as a limited, eco-friendly recycled vinyl LP edition (exclusively available through the band’s official store and the RPM shop). Order your favorite choice of format at this location: https://theeternal.rpm.link/celestialPR
Italian melancholic dark metal SHORES OF NULL announce their first leg of of 2025 tour dates across Europe that will feature a combination of festival appearances and indoor shows between Italy and Germany.
Shores of Null 2025 Tour Dates: 03/01 • Journey Fest VI @ Spazio Webo – Pesaro w/ Deadly Carnage, Ghostheart Nebula, Built-in Obsolescence Band, Lilinanna 3/14 • Alchemica Music Club – Bologna w/ Deadly Carnage, Built-in Obsolescence Band, Eva Can’t 4/30 • Klubhaus – Saalfeld w/ Décembre Noir, Praise The Plague 5/1 • TBA 5/2 • Walpurgisnacht Vol. IV – Berlin w/ And Oceans, Heretoir, Décembre Noir 5/11 • Isola Rock – Verona w/ Dark Lunacy 6/15 • Arena Alpe Adria – Lignano Sabbiadoro w/ In Flames, Lacuna Coil
In additional news, Shores of Null will be unraveling a live album for May 2025. Entitled “Beauty Over Europe”,the live record features 10 tracks that were recorded during their monumental 2023 European tour with Swallow The Sun, Draconian, and Avatarium. Throughout that tour, Shores of Null performed 35 shows across 18 countries, including Norway, Denmark, Germany, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Hungary, bringing their critically acclaimed albumThe Loss Of Beauty to the stage.
The live recordings, captured in the cities of Leipzig, Munich, Aschaffenburg, Budapest, and Belfast, preserve the raw and emotive energy of their performances. Each track reflects the band’s ability to blend melancholic melodies with crushing heaviness, offering fans a visceral live experience.
“Beauty Over Europe” is both a celebration of the tour and a gift to all fans of the band. Exactly two years after that unforgettable journey, this live albumoffers a chance to relive the emotional intensity and true essence of Shores Of Null’s live performances.
Guitarist Gabriele Giaccari comments:
“This tour was an incredible journey, the longest in our career, and a true milestone for Shores Of Null. As the promotional tour for The Loss Of Beauty, our latest and most acclaimed album to date, it was an honor to bring these songs to life across 35 shows in 18 countries. Sharing the stage with monumental bands like Swallow The Sun and Draconian—huge inspirations for our music—was unforgettable. Despite the melancholy of their sound, they’re some of the most fun and genuine people we’ve met, and by the end of this epic journey, we were proud to call them friends.
We owe special thanks to our incredible crew—Petri, Matti, Mikko, and Tero—who ensured everything ran seamlessly and made this experience unforgettable. To pay homage to this extraordinary chapter, we decided to produce a live album. Recorded during key moments of the tour, it captures the essence of these unforgettable performances and is dedicated to all the people who supported us live and shared these magical moments with us.”
Watch a live video clip from their tour stop in Aschaffenburg, Germany performing “The Last Flower” – https://youtu.be/w-Hq69KG2RM
Setlist: 1. Transitory (Live intro) 2. Destination Woe (Live in Leipzig) 3. Nothing Left To Burn (Live in Leipzig) 4. Quiescent (Live in Munich) 5. The Last Flower (Live in Aschaffenburg) 6. Black Drapes For Tomorrow (Live in Budapest) 7. A Nature in Disguise (Live in Munich) 8. Darkness Won’t Take Me (Live in Belfast) 9. My Darkest Years (Live in Aschaffenburg) 10. Blazing Sunlight (Live Outro)
Live Recording: Matti Kynsijärvi Mixing and Mastering: Marco Mastrobuono at Bloom Recording Studios
The Loss of Beauty is Shores Of Null’s fourth album and follows the acclaimed “Beyond The Shores (On Death And Dying)”, unanimously considered by fans and critics as one of the Doom Metal gems of recent years. The lyrics celebrate beauty in imperfection and transience and are meant to be an invitation to seek beauty in little things, especially those unexpected and ephemeral.
Stylistically, The Loss of Beauty continues along the sulcus set forth by “Quiescence” and “Black Drapes For Tomorrow”, its melancholic dark metal with a wide range of influences, from gothic metal to doom metal and melodic black/death metal, with frequent use of vocal harmonies and deep growls.
The album consists of 13 songs, while the LP version only contains 11, the two extra tracks are bonus tracks that can be found on the CD version as well as on the streaming platforms. Dark and heavy, tinged with feelings of despair and melancholy, The Loss Of Beauty was released on March 24th, 2023, and is recommended for fans of Swallow The Sun, Borknagar, and Paradise Lost.
Hauntologist, a new project established by black metal stalwarts The Fall and Darkside, will release its debut album on 2 February via No Solace on CD and digital formats. To get a taste of the upcoming album, the band has released the first single “Ozymandian”.
Although the material is only about to be released now, the roots of the project go back many years and due to the band members’ busy schedules, they were waiting for the right time to unleash their creativity. The Fall – known for his work with Owls Woods Graves, Over the Voids… and as a live bassist for Mgła – and Darkside – known as the Mgła and Kriegsmaschine drummer – decided to venture further than the typical and conventional boundaries of black metal in their musical exploration.
Over the years, the band has undergone numerous clinical deaths and reanimations but eventually recorded their debut “Hollow” in 2023. Deeply rooted in negative metal music, it leans toward other genres and forms of expression to seek musical analogies of sleepless nights and surreal, anxiety-provoking hallucinations.
“Hollow” could be described as a field recording of a feverish nightmare. Despite its metal foundations, the music on “Hollow” constantly turns into side streets of other, often difficult to term and locate, music genres. It is an album built on the foundation of rubble and debris of visions that developed and died back throughout the years. The documentation of spirit decay and life slipping through the fingers.
Hauntologist – Hollow artwork
“Hollow” – tracklist:
Ozymandian
Golem
Waves of Concrete
Deathdreamer
Hollow
Autonomy
Gardermoen
Car Kruków
Hauntologist are: The Fall – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keys Darkside – Drums
Photo By Stephanie Cabral – Left to Right: Gerry Hirschfeld (Keys) Anthony Crawford (Bass) Joseph Michael (Vocals) Jake Dreyer (Guitar) Chris Tsaganeas (drums)
From: Witherfall newsletter:
Los Angeles-based dark melodic metal outfit Witherfall proudly presents their fourth full-length album “Sounds Of The Forgotten”, out May 31st 2024 via DeathWave Records.
“We found ourselves writing really depressing, melancholy songs about how just disappointed we were with all the work we put into Curse of Autumn and then going through the pandemic,” says frontman/songwriter Joseph Michael. “Before that, we thought nothing was going to stop us. Then, something did. We felt a bit defeated. So, that’s how Sounds Of The Forgotten started. But we got out of that quickly. The songs we ended up writing were empowering. We have songs with negative emotions, but the overarching theme is moving forward and perseverance. That’s the epitome of Sounds Of The Forgotten.”
Witherfall also proudly present their new single “Ceremony Of Fire“.
“Ceremony of Fire is quintessential Witherfall”,comments the band. “This song features elements that are cornerstones of the Witherfall sonic landscape from dark haunting hooks, to eclectic musical twist and turns. For the fans of our debut album Nocturnes And Requiems you will be very pleased with this. The Video is a great representation of the lyrical theme. Filmed in part inside the ritual chamber at The Crooked Path in Burbank California, the video represents the harsh realities of the artists path.”
“Come with me, to a clearing in the field before the dawn. In time you’ll see the light, in a Ceremony Of Fire”
Many factors influenced and inspired Witherfall’s approach to “Sounds Of The Forgotten”. The album color theme conveys another side to Witherfall’s fourth-album distress. Often associated with ambition, power, and regality, the Blake Armstrong (In Flames, Megadeth, Kataklysm, Harry Potter, Wednesday) cover art provides a view into and a visual counter to the music on “Sounds Of The Forgotten”.
The upcoming album “Sounds Of The Forgotten” is available in different vinyl colors: Black (unlimited) Aftermath Twilight Purple (limited edition 250 copies)
Opulent Pearl (limited edition 100 copies
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Witherfall are guitarist/songwriter Jake Dreyer, vocalist/songwriter Joseph Michael, bassist Anthony Crawford, drummer Marco Minnemann (recording only), drummer/percussionist Chris Tsaganeas, and keyboardist Gerry Hirschfeld.
DeathWave Records was created by Witherfall headmen Joseph Michael and Jake Dreyer as a vehicle for their music and other projects. Look for more exciting and trailblazing releases from DeathWave Records in the future.
Thuringian (Germany) doomsters DÉCEMBRENOR release first new single from new album “Your Sunset | My Sunrise”
Against The Daylight is the first single from the new DÉCEMBRENOIR album Your Sunset | My Sunrise, which is set to be released on October 13th via Lifeforce Records.
The lyric video was created by JerkkaPerälä / Soft Neon Audiovisual, who is also responsible for the visual works for his own band ATLASES, also in Lifeforce Records.
As for the direction of their new album, DÉCEMBRE NOIR reveal the following: “Your Sunset | My Sunrise” is the cry for inner peace set to music. A heavy heart full of tears, which threatens to plunge its bearer into the abyss at any moment. Even if this means giving up oneself, in the end only the long-awaited silence counts. It is the escape on the wings of addiction from the battlefield of never-ending depression.
The approach of the band from Thuringia, Germany also reaches deep on their fifth full-time album – both lyrically and musically. This is already known from the previous records “The Renaissance Of Hope” (2020), “Autumn Kings” (2018), “Forsaken Earth” (2016) and “A Discouraged Believer” (2014). DÉCEMBRE NOIR act consistently atmospheric, gloomily tuned and open to interpretation. The underlying thoughts, emotions and intentions of the songs of the quintet are not always clearly determinable. And they don’t have to be. For the nuances and forebodings set to music have a special significance in the German band’s playing.
TRACK LIST:
Dead End: May Against The Daylight Your Sunset | My Sunrise Sentimental Giants Sleepwalker (In Yesterday’s Smoke) Trivial Heart
What once started between doom and death metal, has developed over the years and releases to an independent, organic gloomy sound, which achieves its ominous effect space and its captivating fascination quite independently of liking or style questions. On“Your Sunset | My Sunrise”, produced by HEAVEN SHALL BURN’s Alexander Dietz at his Chemical Burn Studio, DÉCEMBRE NOIR again rely on melancholic as well as melodically addressed pieces that stand completely on their own and therefore captivate because they are presented so heavy, dark and atmospheric.
Witherfall continue their march towards album number 4 with a select appearance opening for the iconic bands Cynic and Atheist! Get your tickets for June 17th at the Teragram ballroom in Los Angeles now before they sell out! Its an early show with Doors open at 6:00 Witherfall on at 6:30 with Cynic closing the night at 8:30.
Valo is the third and final pre-album single from the forthcoming new VORNA album Aamunkoi, and now available on all digital platforms.
“When Arttu (Järvisalo, Lead Guitar) brought the first instrumental demo of this song to the table, and I started to work on the lyrics and vocal arrangements, my initial thoughts were that this sounds like a love song. And that’s not really my expertise. The end result is something that fits into the aforementioned category as well, but it can also be interpreted from a more universal perspective. We may not have the power to take anyone’s pain away or save them, but what we can do, is to try and make each other’s journeys more bearable. That’s what “Valo” (The Light) is all about.”
The music of VORNA, from Tampere, is as melancholic as sublimely gloomy. No wonder that the group has already toured or played shows with Insomnium, Wintersun, Kalmah, Thyrfing and Whispered. The sextet from Finland, active since 2008, enters with a majestic metal sound that also features symphonic and folk accents.
The band’s fourth album stands out for its self-evident, breathing musicality. The lyrics are presented again in the Finnish native language of the musicians and support the mythical character of the tracks. The album title could hardly be more aptly chosen. “Aamunkoi” can be translated as “Aurora”. In literature, this means “The Dawn”. In the far north, where VORNA come from, this is also the name for the phenomenon of the polar lights. In both interpretations darkness and grace play a role. Astonishment and fear are also to be associated. Not everything can be grasped and cleary understood. Much remains in the indefinite and in the intermediate tones. This closes the circle to the melancholic metal of the six Finns and their nature-loving understanding of art.
In comparison with the debut “Ajastaika” (2013), the second album from 2015, “Ei valo minua seuraa”, and the debut on LIFEFORCE RECORDS, “Sateet palata saavat” (2019), VORNA surpass themselves on “Aamunkoi”. All songs sound immensely multifaceted, accentuated and above all atmospheric.
The gloomy emotionality and fine melody lines of the band’s fourth album pull in their spell. The contrasting play between forward attacks and fragile atmosphere, which reaches deep, has lasting effects and impresses.
“Life is finite, unpredictable, and unfair. The album’s main theme is survival in the uncertain world where the lucky ones who get to witness a new day have a chance to strive for a better future – when they still can. Music-wise Aamunkoi is Vorna’s most melodic work to date and we have once again broadened our musical horizon towards new territories on every instrument. “
VORNA live:
06.05.23 FI – Tampere @ Yo-talo 12.05.23 FI – Helsinki @ Kuudes Linja 20./22.07.23 FI – Laukaa @ John Smith Rock Festival 04./05.08.23 FI – Tampere @ SaariHelvetti 10./12.08.23 FI – Kotka @ Dark River Festival
“Bring Out Your Dead“ release in US on April 7th / EU on March 17th via Massacre Records!
Already overwhelmed with emotions and melodies to share, the unexpected pandemic adds a veil of darkness to everyone’s view of the world today. This could not leave ELYSION untouched either, as it influenced their new album when it comes to symbolism and atmosphere used on the record. Taking a few steps back and contemplating everything, it becomes clear that we are miserably failing as humanity.
Their new offering will be available as CD Digipak, a limited LP Vinyl edition and Digital formats. The album title is a metaphor, suggesting that extreme times are requiring extreme measures to get rid of everything rotten inside us and let the healing begin.
Today, the band has shared a video for first single ‘Crossing Over’, as the band reveals: “There was no doubt we’d choose this song to be ELYSION’s very first official video clip ever, as the song represents our distinctive musical identity 100%. “Crossing Over” is a sound statement for our band, one that anyone who has been following us through the years will probably relate to. This song is quite personal too, as it praises the crossover one has to make in order to break away from your personal demons, to prevail over your self-destructive alter ego, and to find hope in life.“
Watch the new ELYSION clip for ‘Crossing Over‘ now streaming HERE:
Despite not being considered a concept album, “Bring Out Your Dead” indicates a crossover from darkness towards light; with “light being our better version, our pure nature, one that hasn’t been poisoned by the corruption of mankind“. The ten new album tracks consist of a lot of different compositions, thus letting many different shades of their musical character show. Apart from ELYSION’s distinctive own identity being prominent throughout the songs, it gave them great excitement to experiment with heavier sounds, a more alternative atmosphere and dynamics that led to an evolved sound compared to their previous releases.
As the first single proves, it’s immediate evident thattheir third studio album seems to be ELYSION‘s most mature and well thought of work so far, which has been continuously created with a lot of love and care. “Bring Out Your Dead“ was recorded and mixed by Mark Adrian, and was mastered by Nasos Nomikos at VU Productions. The pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
ELYSION; Christianna – Vocals Johnny Zero – Guitar Nid – Guitar FXF – Bass Ilias Laitsas – Drums
From all of us at Witherfall to all of you Dark Melodic Music Fans and Friends we wish you a very warm and intoixicated Christmas. (or insternt Holiday of Choice) For now we leave you with a Witherfall Festival Announcment: We are excited to be headlining this years All Things Metal Festival in Fort Worth Texas! Tickets are available Here http://ow.ly/6KlE50Mc6Xy
Witherfall has absolutely nothing to do with this tour cancellation. We found out during rehearsals that the tour had been pulled, one week before the band were set to fly out to pick up our bus. Witherfall had every last production detail on our end completely solidified. Airline tickets, Bus, Trailer, Driver, Tour manager, Shipping of Tour merchandise (which has dates printed on them that no longer exist!!!) Rehearsals, Witherfall Beer at venues and countless other expenses that will not be reimbursed. Needless to say, we are devastated by this news. Each one of the aforementioned pieces took months of planning and every detail was carefully managed making this endeavor very time consuming and VERY expensive.
The reality of the math is Witherfall will need to eat the upfront costs of over $12K not including what our crew, and band members will lose because they turned down other work. None of these expenses will be recouped. We apologize to our fans that has had plans that were affected. We had every intention of bearing the cost to put the band out on the road. Again, we had everything planned and were ready and excited to get to play and meet the fans coming out.
We are extremely upset by this last minute rug pull. Even the best case scenario the band would still be operating at a loss but that is the price of bringing our music to you all. If you’d like to purchase a souvenir of tour and support the band (Tour Funeral Expenses) you can get one of these packages or a shirt here:
Belgian melodic dark metal band FRAGMENTUM has released a brand new track, “Quirigua Successors.” The song is a continuation of the Mayan themes explored in the band’s 2021 release, “Masters of Complexity”.
FRAGMENTUM guitarist/vocalist Jan Bruggeman comments on the single: “Quirigua Successors’ is a song about a Mayan clan that endured, but survived Clash Of The Clans and Feast Of The Flesh, as described in our previous album Masters Of Perplexity. The album ends with ‘Secrets Of The Stones,’ like extinguished Maya settlements do, but the Quirigua people are a strong and smart clan. Will they reveal these secrets and who knows what else the future brings for them?”
FRAGMENTUM is a melodic dark metal band from Lokeren, Belgium founded by Jan Bruggeman and Gunnar Nopens, accompanied on stage by WouterMacaré (drums) and Ozzy Voskuilen (bass). The band has been described as a hybrid of Depeche Mode and In Flames, featuring melodies, synths, and ambient sounds combined with heavy riffs and crushing grooves.
In 2019, FRAGMENTUM released its first full-length album, Pugnacity, which showcased a more straightforward approach than earlier material. The album’s lyrics were focused on personal turmoil and inner struggle.
A concept album, titled “Masters Of Perplexity” was released in 2021. This album explored Mayan history and philosophy, each song a chapter in an elaborate and epic story. After the album’s release, FRAGMENTUM embarked on a short tour across Eastern Europe.
You can experience the band’s most recent creation, a single titled “Quirigua Successors” this summer. The song is a precursor of their next full-length album, coming later this year.
FRAGMENTUM has shared the stage with some of metal’s biggest names, including Children of Bodom, Swallow the Sun, Wolfheart, Soulfly, and Annihilator.
Finnish 1996 founded melancholic metal band DENIGRATE has released their third full length album. Album titled “Blackguard” is doom metal flavored and maybe the darkest album so far by the band.
Since Denigrate was founded, the inevitable vibe of the band was to be dark, melancholy, tormented, observative.
The quantity of albums released is really not the thing in this band. From the first released album in 2003 to the latest 3rd one in 2022 called “Blackguard”, decades has changed and so has the band.
After no more than two albums released, after big-time local momentum with a finnish cover song, after mandatory hiatus, after some line-up changes, Denigrate 2022 is at it’s hardest core.
“Blackguard” takes you deep, slowly, irreparably. It’s the place where all beauty and evil befalls.
DENIGRATE: GalziKallio: Vocals Pekka Pyrhönen: Bass, Seppo Nummela: Guitar TipiToivanen: Drums
WItherfall will be hitting the road this fall with fellow Dark Melodic Metal legends Moonspell and SwallowtheSun! Due to the pandemic and other related issues this will be the first Witherfall tour around last years highly acclaimed “Curse Of Autumn”
Swedish, epically overpowering dark symphonic metal unit ELEINE has joined the Atomic Fire Records roster!
Founded and led by charismatic vocalist Madeleine Liljestam and guitarist/growler RikardEkberg, ELEINE has released three successful, multifaceted albums since 2015, all of which illuminate the remarkably sorted and exquisitely balanced dark mixture the collective is capable of producing. Indeed, the authors push their high-class, intense, cinematic flair to the extreme, manifesting a singular, atmospheric world where dark, thrash, black, and death metal influences collide in a fantastically captivating fashion. The unquestionable originality of ELEINE’s output reveals itself quite effortlessly in every single moment of listening.
“Signing with Atomic Fire Records is a huge step in the right direction for ELEINE,” Liljestam comments. “We’re entering a new era of metal, not only with this new, mighty label but also in a world where we have faced challenges as a music industry alongside our dedicated and loyal fans. Finding a label that agrees that both the physical and digital media world actually work together, and don’t have to exclude each other, made us feel that this is a label that will stay true to metal and at the same time evolve alongside the industry and us as a band.”
Says Atomic Fire CEO, Markus Wosgien, “We are in touch for a few years now and I followed their amazing career almost from the start. Especially after I saw ELEINE live on the Sabaton Open Air in 2018, I knew that this band is truly unique and something really special. I love their strong belief in themselves, their do-it-yourself attitude, and finally, their music. ELEINE is an experience; something intense that you feel and inspires you. On top, they are lovely people with their hearts in the right place.”
2022 will find the band touring alongside Firewind, performing at several festivals, and a tour through Finland before joining their new labelmates Sonata Arctica as special guests on their European acoustic tour.
We feel very confident in this new collaboration and we are very proud,” notes Ekberg, adding, “While we work on our next full-length album, we will keep busy releasing an acoustic spin-off EP all in honor of the upcoming Acoustic Tour as special guests to Sonata Arctica in Fall/Winter of 2022.”
Stay tuned for upcoming ELEINE news and visit the band’s tour page at THIS LOCATION to stay up to date on upcoming live adventures.
The new HANGINGGARDEN EP NeitherMothnorRust was released on Friday and the band have revealed the brand new video for On the Shore of Eternity off the new effort!
Shifting one’s perspective outward far enough, our constant struggle to persist starts to lose it’s meaning – for what are we but a mote of dust, a speck on the celestial canvas, a grain – on the shore of eternity.”
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ON THE SHORE OF ETERNITY HERE:
The output of the Finnish band is as remarkable as their ability to keep progressing creatively. On their newest EP, HANGINGGARDEN remain dedicated to dark, atmospheric music. Once again, they manage to develop a gloomy sound that seems a bit different in the broader picture, but also is differently shaded for their own musical pathway. The breadth of impressions on the listener’s side is as pronounced as the group’s valuable, general sounding arrangements.
With the six tracks of the follow-up to their seventh album “Skeleton Lake” from 2021, HANGINGGARDEN explore the sonic space between sparseness and universal grace. Ethnic and folky accents are used even more naturally. The same goes for the use of electronic elements or beats, piano and the inclusion of Riikka Hatakka‘s vocals respectively clean singinig in general.
On their new EP, HANGINGGARDEN present themselves as sound seekers whose sole concern is to translate emotions and moods into somber music. With this, they succeed impressively, while sadness is omnipresent and tangible.
We are beyond excited about this one guys! April 16th, 2021 we will be headlining Hyperspace MetalFestivalIII in Vancouver. It’s Canada’s premier melodic & power metal festival!
This will be our first ever Canadian date and we are thrilled to be premiering in a new country alongside so many amazing bands!
We will be breaking out a few surprises and once more unveiling our brand of dark melodic metal on the live stage. It feels so good to start to have tour dates coming up where we can share our music with you. April 16th is going to be a special one any way you slice it!
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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