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SUNNIVA - Debut Album "Hypostasis" out in September 2025 via Svart Records - First Single revealed
 Turku-based sludge metal force SUNNIVA releases "Mercurial Bloodstreams" – a harrowing new track from their upcoming debut album "Hypostasis" – that challenges the illusions of progress and freedom in the modern age.
Watch the official video for the new single here: https://youtu.be/CdO6rFl0IXM
Through thundering riffs, monolithic rhythms, and guttural howls, "Mercurial Bloodstreams" confronts society’s unrelenting drive for technological advancement – a journey promised as a road to liberation, yet more often entangling humanity in deeper webs of oppression. Sunniva dissects the myth of progress and questions the very nature of freedom itself.
"We are constantly sold the dream of freedom", the band states, "but the reality is only a few understand what true freedom even is – or if it can exist at all."
SUNNIVA was formed in 2016 out of a shared hunger for the raw sonic power of heavy music. The band's name, derived from the Old English Sunngifu, meaning "gift of the sun", hints at the layered darkness and light woven into their sound.
Blurring the lines between death doom, sludge, and post-metal, SUNNIVA summons the same seismic intensity as titans like Amenra, Neurosis and Dark Buddha Rising. Their past releases – "The Holy Mountain" (2017), self-titled EP (2020), and the sprawling single "This Reality Only Speaks In Blood" (2018) – have cemented their reputation for crafting immersive, soul-crushing soundscapes. The band is in its full elements in live shows which you can experience as follows:
29.8. Seinäjoki, Bar15
30.8. Oulu, Tukikohta
18.9. Turku, Nirvana
19.9. Tampere, Maanalainen
20.9. Helsinki, Lepakkomies
"Hypostasis" will be out on September 19th 2025 via Svart Records.
https://www.svartrecords.com / https://www.facebook.com/sunnivadoom
LORD VIGO - New Lyric Video - New Album "Walk The Shadows" via High Roller Records
 German Epic/Doom Metal masters LORD VIGO have revealed another song from their upcoming sixth full-length album "Walk The Shadows", set for release on May 30th 2025 via High Roller Records.
Check out the lyric video for "We Shall Not" here: https://youtu.be/NrehQnvAvs4
"Walk The Shadows" was recorded at Atomic Age Studio, produced / mixed by Vinz Clortho & Lord Vigo and mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony. The front cover artwork was created by Markus Vesper, the back cover by Mirkow Gastow.
Following the highly acclaimed "Danse De Noir" (2020) and "We Shall Overcome" (2022), which formed part one and part two of a trilogy, the new album is not connected to this concept. Drummer, vocalist and keyboard player Vinz Clortho explains: "'Walk The Shadows' stands on its own and is not part of the trilogy. There is no coherent concept this time around, not a specific plot. These are all individual songs. It was quite a change for us after two very elaborate concept albums, and it was fun."
Songs like "Through A Glass Darkly", "Servant Of The Dark" or "The Triumph Of The Killing Heart" evoke some sort of Gothic Horror feel. If you delve into "Walk The Shadows", you will find a pretty eclectic mix of epic metal, gothic rock and post-punk, with traces of Sisters Of Mercy, Fields Of The Nephilim and even The Cure.
Get ready for the most varied LORD VIGO album so far!
Pre-order options: https://www.hrrecords.de/LORD-VIGO +++ https://lordvigo.bandcamp.com/album/walk-the-shadows
Tracklist:
1. A Morbid Realm
2. Walk The Shadows
3. Through A Glass Darkly
4. We Shall Not
5. Killing Hearts And Endless Nights
6. Servant Of The Dark
7. The Triumph Of The Killing Heart
8. El Hakim
https://www.facebook.com/hrrecords +++ https://www.facebook.com/LordVigo666
POWER SURGE - Debut Album "Shadows Warning" out now on FHM Records - New Video Clip
 To celebrate today's official release of their highly acclaimed debut album "Shadows Warning", POWER SURGE have revealed a music video for the title track.
Check out the clip here: https://youtu.be/Vi4CmiScAb8
POWER SURGE is a new hard melodic metal band formed by Croatian singer Roko Nikolic and London based guitarist Srdjan Bilic, their music primarily evoking the late 1980s when bands were taking classic metal origins to the next step - whether ramping up the pace with faster technical riffing, introducing progressive twists, or adding a touch of AOR mystique.
"Shadows Warning" is available now via FHM Records: https://fhmrecords.bigcartel.com
Album cover by Badic Art.
Tracklist:
1. Shadows Warning
2. A Dream Into a Nightmare
3. Breathe New Life
4. With the Dawning
5. No Turning Back
6. Calm Before the Storm
7. Carry On (feat. Dejana and Vlad Claymorean)
8. Last Man Standing
9. Burnout
https://fhmrecords.bigcartel.com +++ https://linktr.ee/powersurgeheavymetal
BALMOG - New Track Premiere - New Album "Laio" via War Anthem Records
 Galician Black Metallers BALMOG have revealed another song from their new album "Laio", coming on May 23rd 2025 through War Anthem Records on CD, LP and in digital versions.
Check out the new single "Mashalam" here: https://youtu.be/Tm-WMhWhkmk
BALMOG's fifth full-length is by far their most ambitious and elaborate record to date. In "Laio" you can feel the beating of a heart spitting blood and a scream from the depths of BALMOG''s soul, the virginity and violence of the first albums with the personality and eclecticism of their later creative period. Join this muscial path that wanders between Pink Floyd, Ved Buens Ende, Bathory and Mayhem!
"Laio" was recorded and mixed at Moontower Studios (Destroyer 666, Teitanblood, Graveyard) by Javier Félez and mastered at Orgone Studios (Hexvessel, Ulver, Paradise Lost) by Jaime Gómez Arellano. The artwork, cover and layout was created by frontman Balc.
Pre-order options: https://war-anthem-records.bandcamp.com/album/laio +++ https://www.cudgel.de
Tracklist:
1. Falling
2. Mud to Gold
3. Tongue in Pieces
4. Like God Who Knows
5. Ortus Umbra
6. Mashalam
7. The Silence of the Trumpets
8. Getsemaní
https://www.war-anthem.de +++ https://www.instagram.com/balmogrevelation
UNDER RUINS - Debut Album "Age Of The Void" out now via FHM Records - New Lyric Video
 "Age Of The Void", the debut album of German Epic Metallers UNDER RUINS, is out now via FHM Records!
To celebrate their release, the band has revealed another lyric video for the track "Crimson Seas of Courage": https://youtu.be/eWyv51D7CSU
UNDER RUINS were founded in 2023 by members of established bands like THEM or LANFEAR to create songs with powerful rhythms, interwoven riffs and soaring melodies with epic choruses. The band shows that it's possible to go back in time without completely ignoring the future.
"Age Of The Void“ was mixed by Alexander Schucker at Recording of Arts Studios and mastered for CD and vinyl by Andy Horn at Final Audio Mastering.
Shop: https://fhmrecords.bigcartel.com
Tracklist:
1. MDCCCXVI
2. Eighteen Hundred and Froze to Death
3. Lost Amidst the Unfathomable Abyss
4. Moonlit Requiem
5. Whispered Curses, Woe Unleashed
6. Crimson Seas of Courage
7. Great Drowning of Men
8. Fanfares
Line-up:
Nuno Miguel de Barros Fernandes - Vocals
Markus Ullrich - Guitars
Achim Rauscher - Guitars
Alexander Palma - Bass
Sascha de Lima Beul - Drums
https://fhmrecords.bigcartel.com +++ https://www.facebook.com/underruins
AZURE EMOTE - New Album "Cryptic Aura" in July 2025 via Testimony Records - Single / Video Clip revealed
 Testimony Records proudly announces the new and fourth overall full-length of AZURE EMOTE, entitled "Cryptic Aura", set for release on July 25th 2025 on CD, LP and in digital formats.
The album was recorded by Ron Vento (Aurora Borealis) at Nightsky Studios, Maryland/USA, mixed by Noah Buchanan (Nunslaughter) at Mercinary Studios, Ohio/USA and mastered by Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) at Sonic Train Studios, Varberg/Sweden.
AZURE EMOTE is an Avantgarde Death Metal band from the U.S. created in 2003 by Mike Hrubovcak, with the help of long-time friend and guitarist Ryan Moll. It was formed as an experimental musical outlet to express personal negativity without the genre limitations often present within Extreme Metal. AZURE EMOTE incorporates a wide variety of instruments and musical styles to give each song its own unique sound, which includes varying elements of Experimental, Industrial, Electronic, Doom, Progressive and Blackened Death Metal.
The new album “Cryptic Aura” is a much darker and heavier offering than the previous albums. It’s misanthropic and disturbing atmospheres can be felt weaving it’s way throughout a skeleton of Progressive Death Metal, all the while engulfed by a firey smoke of dark keyboard effects and foreboding Violins. The cover photo (also created by Hrubovcak) is a returning meditation concept from the previous album, symbolizing the trauma and seismic change that has occurred throughout the last 5 years: Burning the effigy of the past, while embracing the cryptic next chapter.
A video clip for the first single "Feast of Leeches" is avalable here: https://youtu.be/DclbFzcX6z8
Band mastermind and vocalist Mike Hrubovcak states: "’Feast of Leeches’ is a frantic release of anger and madness. For far too long have we suffered the pressure of outside vultures feeding off our personal energies. It's fitting that this video was created by ‘Drain Hope’, because it visually expresses the frustration of being surrounded by leeches and parasites that are sucking on our lifeblood, while leaving us ultimately drained and lethargic. It's like suffocating under dirt but still crawling through the mud in hopes of getting out. We are all waiting to breathe, but always holding our breath, and continually striving to be, while awaiting our death.”
Tracklist:
01. Into Abysmal Oblivion
02. Insomnia Nervosa
03. Aeons Adrift
04. Bleed With The Moon
05. Defiance Infernus
06. Provoking The Obscene
07. Disease Of The Soul
08. Feast Of Leeches
09. Return To The Unknown
10. Writhing Lunacy
Line-up:
Mike Hrubovcak - Vocals & Keyboards (ex Monstrosity)
Ryan Moll - Guitars (Total Fucking Destruction)
Mike Heller - Drums (Malignancy, Raven, ex Fear Factory)
Kelly Conlon - Bass (ex Death, ex Monstrosity)
Pete Johansen - Violins (ex Sirenia)
Anna Murphy - Clean Vocals (ex Eluveitie)
Featuring guest solos by James Murphy, Andy La Rocque and Bob Davodian.
http://lnk.spkr.media/azureemote-crypticaura +++https://www.facebook.com/azureemote
SIJJIN - New Album "Helljjin Combat" out now via Sepulchral Voice Records - Full Album Stream
 The highly acclaimed sophomore full-length of German/Basque Death Metallers SIJJIN, "Helljjin Combat", is officially released today via Sepulchral Voice Records!
You can listen to the entire album at these locations: https://youtu.be/beNUzl_wE0Y +++ https://sijjin.bandcamp.com/album/helljjin-combat
The German/Basque trio has delved into depths absolute, focusing their lens on the most antediluvian variety of Death Metal while bringing up a derivative of evil Thrash with utmost evil intent. "Helljjin Combat" conjures its own life of satanic imagery, diabolical debauchery and biblical fatalism. SIJJIN follow the firm path they once took but permanently turn to the south of heaven.
Recorded live at BlackStorm Studios in Karrantza, Basque Country, the new songs brim over with satanic energy, countless tempo changes, vile twists and turns, a demanding instrumental performance and riffs that drag you directly to the lowest point in hell. On top of that, blessed with abysmal strenght as it seems, Gericke's vocals never sounded as raspy and malevolent as on "Helljjin Combat", or to put it simple, dirty as fuck.
Adorned with an authentic and completely dry 80s analog sounding production, the record takes aim like fallen angels, storming the vaults in high heaven.
In stark contrast to the tracks on "Sumerian Promises", SIJJIN's newer direction focuses on more extensive song structures as practiced by the godfathers of mid 80s Metal insanity, bringing such infamous names as Infernäl Mäjesty, Nasty Savage, Possessed, very early Slayer or Megadeth to mind.
In conclusion while seeking combat in hell, the trio of SIJJIN has once more ultimately testified to be the trident in the left hand of the devil.
Ordering options: https://www.hrrecords.de/SEPULCHRAL-VOICE_1
Tracklist:
1. Fear Not The Tormentor
2. Dakhma Curse
3. Trance Of The Mummified
4. Death Opens The Grave
5. Religious Insanity Denies Slavery
6. Horrific Distortions
7. Five Blades
8. The Southern Temple
http://www.sepulchralvoice.de +++ https://www.instagram.com/sijjin_official
PHANTOM - Full Album Stream "Tyrants of Wrath" - Mexican Speed/Thrash via High Roller Records
High Roller Records have released a full stream of "Tyrants of Wrath", the second full-length of Mexican Speed/Thrashers PHANTOM which will be officially out on April 25th 2025.
You can listen to the entre album here: https://youtu.be/Jxb-QyOUMPg
"Tyrants of Wrath" was recorded and mixed at Nehtron Studios Mexico by the band and Héctor Northen and mastered by Patrick Engel / Temple of Disharmony. The artwork was created by Maegan LeMay.
Their new record marks a tour de force through the genre’s much cherished traditions – think Razor, Dark Angel, Merciless, Living Death and, of course, Slayer for reference – while adding a fresh spin on things, be it in the shape of "Nimbus" – a tribute to PHANTOM’s most old-school influences from cult acts such as Manilla Road, Gotham City and Heavy Load – or regarding the off-kilter structure of "Nazguhl", one of many ventures into the unconventional that surprisingly enough never compromise the Mexicans’ extreme metal outlook.
PHANTOM will tour Europe in September/October 2025 with Brazil’s Evilcult. Watch out!
Ordering options: https://www.hrrecords.de/PHANTOM
Tracklist:
01. Poltergeist
02. The Tower of Seth
03. Violent Invasion
04. Thunderbeast
05. Nimbus
06. Dance of the Spiders
07. Tyrants of Wrath
08. Lost in the Sands
09. Nocturnal Opus 666
10. Nazghul
11. Dark Wings of Death
https://www.hrrecords.de +++ https://linktr.ee/phantomthrash
NIGHTBEARER - New Single / Video available - Third Album "Defiance" coming in June 2025 via Testimony Records
 German Death Metallers NIGHTBEARER have unleashed the second single from their upcoming third full-length "Defiance", set for release on June 13th 2025 through Testimony Records on CD, LP and in digital versions.
A video clip for the title track is available here: https://youtu.be/KrCzFtt9UfA
Vocalist Michael Torka comments: "With the title track, we pay tribute to our musical ancestry from Gothenburg, and we have forged a weapon that is both a fiery call to arms as well as a defiant roar. From its driving verses to the massive, thundering, epic chorus, we venture into new sonic realms. This track is a deadly blade pressed to the tyrant's throat. This is pure death metal, forged by heart and will, and ready to kill!"
A brutal war is raging between the forces of ancient superstition and scientific enlightenment: NIGHTBEARER are leading the charge with their crushing third full-length "Defiance". The German death dealers from the City of Paderborn in Eastern Westphalia have hammered out an album that retains their signature HM-2 chainsaw guitar sound and also maintains their unapologetic love for melodic death metal of the Swedish kind.
"Defiance" also marks another step in the careful but steady evolution of their sound by adding a black passage here and a doom-spiced moment there to their old school sound. The result is an overall much more atmospheric album, which perfectly suits its lyrical concept. The album is directly inspired by the renowned "His Dark Materials" trilogy of books by English author Sir Philip Pullman. The lyrics introduce key characters and events in the plot that revolves on a deeper level of meaning around humanity's emancipation from oppression by religion. NIGHTBEARER defiantly engage with the resistance to bring about Enlightenment 2.0.
Cover artwork by Timon Kokott.
Pre-order options: http://lnk.spkr.media/nightbearer-defiance
Tracklist:
1. Dust
2. His Dark Materials
3. Defiance
4. One Church over All
5. Dying Knows No Bounds
6. Reign Supreme
7. Under the Sun of War
8. Ascension
9. Until We Meet Again
10. Republic of Heaven
https://www.facebook.com/testimonyrecords +++ https://www.facebook.com/nightbearer
JOHAN LANGQUIST THE CASTLE - Debut Solo Album of CANDLEMASS vocalist via I Hate Records in June 2025
 Johan Langquist - Heavy Metal and Doom Metal pioneer with JONAH QUIZZ and CANDLEMASS - has created his own solo-entity in form of JOHAN LANGQUIST THE CASTLE.
Johan has worked together with a wide range of well-known Swedish musicians and the debut album evokes the magic feeling of classic 70s/80s Heavy Metal/Hard Rock/Doom. It comes in the vein of BLACK SABBATH (Tony Martin-era), DIO (solo and with Sabbath), RAINBOW, SAVATAGE with a touch of Doom added for good measure.
I Hate Records proudly announces the physical versions of the self-titled album for June 27th 2025, coming on CD and LP. It was initially released digitally without a label in 2024.
JOHAN LANGQUIST THE CASTLE is not to be seen as a "studio project" - on the contrary a full line-up will soon take shape, and both live-shows and a second album are being worked on. Enter the castle of dreams!
Tracklist:
1. Eye Of Death
2. Castle Of My Dreams
3. Where Are The Heroes
4. Raw Energy
5. Revolution
6. Freedom
7. Bird Of Sadness
Line-up:
Johan Langquist - Vocals
Erik Henriksson - Guitar / Keys (Session)
Fredrik Isaksson - Bass
Stafen Englin - Drums
Emelie Lindquist - Soprano / Backing Vocals
https://ihate.se +++ https://www.instagram.com/JohanLangquisttheCastle
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