 Italian Christian power-prog metal veterans Metatrone announce their fifth studio album “Sangueacqua”, set for release on March 13, 2026 via Rockshots Records. Following a period of silence that deeply challenged the band’s path, “Sangueacqua” emerges not simply as a comeback but as a statement of survival, identity and artistic consolidation. Blending the drive of European power metal with progressive structures and modern rhythmic precision, the album showcases Metatrone at their most focused, aggressive and cohesive. Riffs are tighter and more assertive, grooves more grounded and impactful while melodic lines retain the crystalline character that defines the band’s sound. The production balances analogue warmth with contemporary clarity, pushing the band toward a more direct and powerful sonic identity. The line-up marks a highly anticipated reunion with historic frontman Jo Lombardo returning on lead vocals, alongside founding members Stefano “Ghigas” Calvagno (guitars, bass) and David Brown (keyboards, vocals), joined by drummer Simone Alberti, whose performance combines technical precision with visceral energy. At its core, “Sangueacqua” explores the concept of identity and belonging - artistic, personal and spiritual. The album confronts imitation and conformity in “Facsimile”, reflects on collective oppression in “Stato Infame” and challenges the idolatry of power and wealth in “Fuori dal Tempio”. Spiritual identity remains central, expressed as a call to action as well as a mystical root in “Anima Christi” based on an ancient Latin prayer. The title itself evokes endurance through suffering: blood and water as symbols of struggle, resilience and rebirth. The album artwork, created by Nello Dell’Omo (ArtForMusic Studio) based on a concept by Ghigas and David Brown, visually translates these themes into a powerful and evocative imagery.
Guitarist Stefano “Ghigas” Calvagno comments: “There are very few words that can explain how much I love this album. One of them is ‘resistance.’ There were moments when we thought we had reached our endpoint. But the flame was still burning. ‘Sangueacqua’ is our blood, our life, our legacy.” Keyboardist David Brown adds: “This album is filled with energy and soul. Jo’s return and Simone’s entrance were crucial. It sounds more direct and aggressive, yet completely true to who we are.” Frontman Jo Lombardo states: “I’m excited for this album because I came back to my beloved place, among old friends and with incredible songs to sing. Metal music is still flowing in my veins.” Drummer Simone Alberti concludes: “It’s not a new beginning nor an ending point but a continuous line drawn by passion, blood and sweat. I can’t wait to play this album live.” Produced by the band, recorded and mixed by Luigi Scuderi at DigiVintage Studios (Italy) and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Hansen Studios, Denmark), “Sangueacqua” stands as Metatrone’s most defined and cohesive work to date. “Sangueacqua” will be available in physical format as CD digipak starting March 13th, 2026. The band will present the album live with a special release show on March 15th at the Elements Of Rock Festival (Switzerland). Pre-orders are now available via the Rockshots Records official store https://rockshots.eu/products/metatrone-sangueacqua-cd
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 Promo picture by Janne Pasanen Finnish modern melodic death metal band Volucrine are set to release their fifth album via Inverse Records later in 2026. The first single, 'Golem', is released today, and its music video is available here: https://youtu.be/bb9rVOdwLwo The band's mastermind Jupe Velin comments: "After the great volcano erupted, the world was left barren and empty. The earth was covered in petrified magma and the air was heavy with ash. As if by a miracle, however, something in the grey mist moved. The boulders and cobblestones rattled and grinded as they piled up on top of each other. They climbed towards the sky, slowly twisting into a spine. The wind helped the sand draw its expression, the clay bound its limbs together. Assembled from the fragments of a bygone world, its cold shell began to resemble a human, but one without a purpose. Even though it didn’t know which way to go, two things were certain: It had a melting heart and a burning desire to live. As a composition, 'Golem' was built up from the, perhaps even a little bit folk-inspired, guitar melody heard in the chorus. When you add Volucrine’s typical riff texture and a crushing verse, the result is a surgical strike in song form that can be proudly presented as the first single from the upcoming album. The lyrics are addressed to those who sometimes feel that life takes away more than it gives. I would like to remind them that navigating through a void without a view requires guts and strength of character. Even there, you might find new life." LISTEN to Golem on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/volucrine-golem Composed & lyrics by Jupe Velin ISRC-code: FI3FC2655101 Single cover by Jupe Velin https://www.facebook.com/volucrineband https://www.instagram.com/volucrineofficial https://volucrine.bandcamp.com  Photographer: Tino-Viljami Vanhala Finnish melodic death metal band Superdeathflame returns with melodic metal anthem "Crown Of Stars". The song is about the lone survivor of an intelligent species standing beneath an infinite, starry sky. Clean and growling vocals ride harmonized guitars, driving double‑bass drumming, and a bridge that swells into an anthemic, melodic chorus. This song is about cosmic solitude, defiant resolve, and bittersweet hope. Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon, Bandcamp etc.): https://push.fm/fl/sdf-crownofstars From southern Finland's grey landscapes rises Superdeathflame, the Style-Masters-of-Metal ready to conquer the world with our mature and melodic music that catches the ear. Founded in 2007 and released two full length albums and a batch of singles and EP. Their songs are made for listener, no bullshit. The songs are hard, every piece tells a real story of life. The foundation, the Four Pillars of our Metal are Rock-solid guitar riffs and punchy drumbeats coloured with flowing synths and world class choruses that are infectiously catchy. Superdeathflame is building their music with an increasingly determined focus to make every song sound simple and easy to a listener. Not forgetting multidimensional interpretation in the lyrics, that gives the depth to the songs. https://www.facebook.com/superdeathflame/ https://www.instagram.com/superdeathflame/
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Bruce Dickinson’s third album Skunkworks, BMG Records have released it digitally in a brand new Dolby Atmos version, alongside a Dolby Atmos version of Bruce’s debut solo album, Tattooed Millionaire. These releases follow the critically acclaimed release last year of More Balls To Picasso, the stunning reworking of Bruce Dickinson’s second solo album. Like that record, and the Dolby Atmos version of Bruce’s most recent solo album The Mandrake Project, the new versions of Skunkworks and Tattooed Millionaire have been newly mixed by Brendan Duffey. To listen to both albums, click HERE. Skunkworks is an album that has grown in stature and reverence since its initial release in 1996. Originally produced by Nirvana producer, Jack Endino, it saw Bruce moving into a more experimental and alternative world than his previous solo work, and that of Iron Maiden. Recorded as a band project with a new group of musicians, the album not only channelled elements of grunge but also had progressive and psychedelic influences within it. While fans and critics were divided at the time of its release, it is now considered to be one of Bruce Dickinson’s most intriguing and exciting bodies of work.
Bruce says of the new Dolby Atmos version of Skunkworks, “It will blow your socks off. It’s a record of which I’m immensely proud. In fact, as the years go by I grow more and more proud of everything that happened on that record. In many ways, it was a bit advanced for its time because we were bringing in all kinds of influences that other people in metal were scared of. It’s very emotional and quite dark in places.” Alongside the new version of Skunkworks, which is available now on all streaming platforms, the brand new Dolby Atmos version of Tattooed Millionaire has also been released. That album, Bruce’s solo debut in 1990 and released while he was still in Iron Maiden, showcased a more straightforward hard-rock sound, produced by Chris Tsangarides. It featured four UK Top 40 singles including a cover of the David Bowie composition, ‘All The Young Dudes’, made famous by Mott The Hoople. Bruce comments, “Tattooed Millionaire was kinda the solo album that wasn’t. We had two weeks to write it so myself and Janick Gers just had fun and wrote it round his house. Chris Tsangarides did a great job on the production and now with modern technology we can beef it all up and make it BIG in Atmos world! The album sonically sounds really good.”  Photo Credit: Niklas Karlsson Ahead of their next quest - an extensive tour throughout USA and Canada with support coming from Ov Sulfur and Atlas - Orbit Culture have released a live video for the fan favourite 'The Storm'. The video was filmed by Riivata Visuals and Grimvisions during their highly successful European tour last winter. Watch 'The Storm live' here: https://youtu.be/KQJY-8logFQ The band comment: “This video for 'The Storm' documents our last headline tour. Most of the footage was shot in Gothenburg, close to where we come from. Watching it now brings us back to a night that carried real weight — intense, focused, and honest. It was a defining moment for us, and The Storm reflects that feeling without needing to explain it.” It is another video for their acclaimed album Death Above Life that was released to overwhelmingly positive feedback by fans and media in October of last year. "The album represents change, a new beginning," says guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Niklas Karlsson. "It brings up a lot of good and bad emotions but it’s a big change for the better. It feels like a rebirth." This autumn Orbit Culture will join THE ALLFATHER AWAKENS TOUR across Europe, with Amon Amarth and Soilwork. UK dates: Fri 9th Oct - Manchester, O2 Apollo Sat 10th Oct - London, Eventim Apollo Sun 11th Oct - Wolverhampton, Civic Hall https://www.orbitculture.com/ https://www.facebook.com/OrbitCulture/ https://www.instagram.com/orbitculture twitter.com/orbitculture https://www.youtube.com/user/OrbitCultureOfficial https://www.tiktok.com/@orbitcultureofficial  Germany’s Obey The Kraken are back, dragging listeners into the void with their second EP, "Apocrypha", out 10th April via Seek & Strike. What began as an unplanned follow up to 2025’s "Worship The Sunken God" has evolved into a dark, relentless descent into a world where angels fall and hell rises. First single, 'Betrayer', tears open the gates of Obey The Kraken’s mythic world. It’s deathcore stripped to its rawest elements, riffs that hit like falling iron and production built around weight and impact rather than excess. Commenting on the single, Obey The Kraken said: "'Betrayer' marks the opening chapter of the biblical saga that unfolds throughout our EP. The video is fast paced to match the song’s energy and we made the deliberate decision not to visually portray the story itself, as translating it literally would have been difficult and limiting for us. Instead, we stripped it right back to focus on a classic performance video that emphasizes the intensity and drive of the track.” Apocrypha tells a story in sound, an angel cast from heaven, forging an alliance with hell, returning to challenge the celestial order itself. Every song is a chapter, every breakdown a hammer blow. The EP moves like the story, deliberate and immersive, pulling listeners into Obey The Kraken’s realm where narrative and brutality are inseparable. Nothing is decorative. Nothing is wasted. Every note exists to damage and leave its mark.
The band’s conceptual ambition remains central. Whilst preserving the DNA of their debut, Obey The Kraken push further into uncharted territory. With production carried out entirely in house, leaving the band with full control over how heavy, how clear and how oppressive they needed it to feel. The result is an EP that is heavy and unflinching, a complete assault for fans who crave deathcore that hits as hard thematically as it does musically. Obey The Kraken add, "Apocrypha means a lot to us, especially as we hadn't planned this second EP. After finishing our first EP (Worship The Sunken God) last year things developed naturally and we realized we had more to say within this world and sound. We consciously kept the formula of the first EP intact, so anyone who enjoyed EP1 will feel right at home with EP2. Listening back to the final masters, we’re genuinely happy with how consistent and powerful the release feels as a whole. Everything was designed to feel massive, heavy, and epic, supporting the narrative without overcomplicating the production approach. Lyrics play a central role for us. Our first EP told the complete story of Cthulhu and his resurrection across four songs and we wanted to apply that same conceptual approach again. On Apocrypha, the songs tell the story of an angel who is cast out of heaven, forms an alliance with hell and ultimately seeks to conquer heaven itself. Each track represents a different chapter of that narrative."  Heiden, the Czech progressive black metal band, announce their tenth full-length album, "Cma", set for release on 24 April 2026 via Epidemie Records. Available in digital, CD, and vinyl formats, the album marks a continuation of the journey begun with 2022’s acclaimed "Andzjel". The first single and official music video, “Temnoplodec”, is out now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE0wO5wXZwY Three years after the acclaimed album Andzjel, Heiden return with their tenth full-length release, Cma. The album is a direct continuation of the previous chapter, yet one that dives even deeper into darkness. Once again, Heiden’s music flows through the landscape of the Carpathian Mountains — not as a backdrop, but as an inner terrain where memory, guilt, and fear merge into a single current. Across nine tracks, Cma rises from silence and ashes, from images of remote mountain villages where time has come to a standstill, and from human stories in which borders no longer began in the land itself, but within people. Clean, hypnotic riffs and an urgent vocal delivery create a sense of inescapable tension — like a nocturnal flight through a landscape that no longer offers shelter. Emerging from the black metal underground more than twenty years ago, Heiden have never allowed themselves to be confined by genre boundaries. Their music has always been rooted in place, language, and personal experience, remaining open to experimentation and silence alike. Cma continues this path with unprecedented intensity. This is not an album that offers catharsis, strength, or comfort. It is a record of brooding reflection, heavy sorrow, and quiet dread, born from stories of the borderlands of occupied Czechoslovakia, where humanity slowly eroded under the pressure of fear and hatred. It does not seek to overwhelm the listener — instead, it draws them into a state of melancholy where the past continually resurfaces. Darkness here is not an effect, but an inseparable part of the human condition. Cma stands as the darkest album in Heiden’s history — and one of their most honest.
All songs were originally composed and recorded by Heiden, all lyrics were written by Kverd. Bass parts were composed and recorded by the band’s close friend Murky. All tracks except the bass and key were tracked during spring – beginning of summer 2025 in SHAARK recording studio, engineered by Pavel Hlavica and Petr Nejezchleba. Bass was tracked in Murky’s home studio, keys were recorded in Niche home studio & engineered by Kverd, both during the same period. The album was mixed and mastered by Karl Daniel Lidén in Tri-Lamb studio during July 2025. Album cover photo was arranged and taken by Jan Škop during photo session with Jakub König. For artwork used with kind permission of the author. The band photo was taken by Tom. Ink graphics used on a cover were drawn by Kverd. Design and layout of the cover was made by Kverd. Line-up:
 Italian Thrashers Ural fire the first missile in the form of their new single, unveiling the details of their devastating fourth studio album, “Anthropic Genetic Involution”. The new record will be released on April 23rd through Xtreem Music on CD and across digital platforms, and promises= to take their explosive blend of Old School Thrash and Crossover attitude to a new level of intensity. Listen to the first advance single as a video-clip:
Xtreem Music continues its collaboration with Italian Thrash / Crossover force Ural, one of the most consistent and hard-hitting acts in today’s European old school scene. Formed in Turin in 2010, the band has steadily built its reputation since their self-titled demo (2011) and the “Wasteland” EP (2013), followed by the full-length albums “Party With the Wolves” (2016) and “Just For Fun” (2019), establishing a sharp and aggressive sound deeply rooted in ’80s Thrash with clear Voivod influences. In 2022, Ural released the “Cyber Requiem” EP, produced by Davide “BrutalDave” Billia (Antropofagus, Beheaded, Hour Of Penance) with artwork by Luca SoloMacello. The same team handled their third full-length album, “Psychoverse” (2023), which marked the band’s signing with Xtreem Music for worldwide promotion and distribution. After two years of intense live activity across Italy and Europe, URAL completed their fourth album in 2025, once again produced by Davide Billia. Titled “Anthropic Genetic Involution”, the album is scheduled for release 23rd April 2026 through Xtreem Music.
Delivering razor-sharp, uncompromising Thrash Metal that channels the spirit of the ’80s Bay Area while blending dissonant Voivod-inspired riffs with raw Crossover energy, URAL firmly establish themselves as a powerful force within the New Wave of Old School Thrash Metal. Release date for "While Everything Collapses" will be April 23rd through Xtreem Music on CD & Digital formats. www.facebook.com/uralwolfteam Peruvian Death Metallers Hell Trepanner announce debut album "The Consecration Of Eternal Impurity"11/2/2026  Hell Trepanner’s debut full-length "The Consecration Of Eternal Impurity" will be released on March 20, 2026 by Awakening Records. The album comes out on CD and digital formats. The first single, "Blaspheming in Primordial Tongues," is out now: https://youtu.be/IEJOPlnXN-8 Hell Trepanner come from the southern districts of Lima, Peru, and has been active since 2015. From the beginning, the band has stayed focused on old school death metal without compromise - no stylistic updates, no trend-hopping, no unnecessary polish. Just raw, hostile music built on heaviness, darkness, and blasphemy. The band operates as a trio, and that stripped-down formation shows in the sound. The riffs are thick and ugly, the drums push forward without restraint, and the vocals stay deep and confrontational. Whammy bar abuse, blast-heavy sections, and slower crushing parts are used where they make sense, not as decoration. The record feels aggressive by nature rather than by design. Lyrically and atmospherically, The Consecration of Eternal Impurity revolves around desecration, spiritual decay, death, and inverted ritual. There’s no narrative hand-holding here - the album leans into oppressive moods and ritualistic imagery, treating death metal as something closer to a ceremony than a performance.
The album was recorded at Dragon Verde Studios and mixed and mastered at Sounds of Perseverance Studios, keeping the sound dense and forceful rather than clean. The cover artwork, painted in oil on canvas by Artem Astaroth, fits the album’s tone without drifting into fantasy clichés. Members of Hell Trepanner have been involved in several key projects within the Peruvian underground, including Necrofagore, Evil Priest, Disinter, Ensseminis, Nefasto, Evil Spectrum, and Rito Profanatorio. The band is also known locally for intense live shows that favor pressure and volume over theatrics. The Consecration of Eternal Impurity doesn’t attempt to redefine death metal. It exists to reinforce what the genre already does best - heaviness, darkness, and confrontation - delivered with conviction and no interest in modern polish. Max Necromanza – Vocals / Bass Neil Destructor – Guitars Manolo Agressor – Drums https://www.facebook.com/helltrepannerdeath https://www.instagram.com/helltrepanner.death https://helltrepanner.bandcamp.com https://www.facebook.com/AwakeningRecordsCN/ https://www.instagram.com/awakeningrecordscn/ https://awakeningrecordscn.bandcamp.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeningRecordsCN https://awakeningrecordscn.bigcartel.com/ Italian Folk Metallers Aexylium unveil "Eclissi" lyric video; taken from 'Myth Of Mankind'11/2/2026  Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of the new lyric video for “Eclissi”, taken from "Myth of Mankind", the third full-length album by Italian Folk Metal act Aexylium. The lyric video will premiere today February 11, 2026 on Rockshots Records’ official YouTube channel. “Eclissi” marks a defining moment in Aexylium’s artistic journey. Musically rooted in the band’s unmistakable fusion of modern metal intensity and traditional folk instrumentation, the track stands out as the first song in the band’s career written entirely in Italian, a deliberate and meaningful choice that reinforces its emotional impact and narrative depth. Layered choirs, wide melodic lines and a carefully balanced orchestral framework make “Eclissi” one of the most evocative compositions on "Myth of Mankind" while also enhancing its strong potential in a live setting where audience interaction becomes an integral part of the song’s identity. Commenting on the track, the band explains that “Eclissi fits perfectly with the musical lines of the album and represents a new expressive space for us. Writing in Italian allowed the lyrics to flow more naturally, strengthening the emotional connection between words and music while the choirs make it especially powerful during live performances.” The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Davide Tavecchia at Twilight Studio, ensuring a powerful yet detailed production that highlights both the band’s metallic core and its rich instrumental textures. "Myth of Mankind" represents the most mature and personal chapter in Aexylium’s discography, addressing introspective and abstract themes while consciously stepping beyond genre stereotypes without losing sight of the band’s roots. The lyric video for “Eclissi” offers listeners and media partners a focused insight into one of the album’s most distinctive tracks, highlighting both its linguistic uniqueness and its role within the conceptual and musical framework of "Myth of Mankind". “Myth of Mankind” has been released with artwork created by renowned artist Gustavo Sazes (Arch Enemy, Machine Head, Amaranthe). ORDER & LISTEN to the album "Myth Of Mankind" here: lnk.to/koGz58 Compared to the last studio album, the band has welcomed Alberto Mezzanotte (drums), Luca Perrone (Guitar) and the frontman Sam Biganzoli into its line-up. Aexylium’s partners include Solar Guitars, Footblaster, Liuteria Cocopelli and Firebird Strumenti Musicali. https://www.instagram.com/aexylium_official https://it-it.facebook.com/aexylium Aexylium on Spotify Rockshots.eu |
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