After igniting the scene with Embers in 2024, Folkrim reemerge from the Finnish coast with a new offering steeped in myth and malice. Their latest EP, Näkki, named after a haunting creature from Finnish folklore, was born almost by accident: a spontaneous spark that blossomed into something powerful. Since forming in Rauma in 2020, the band has captivated the metal community with their tempestuous blend of folk melodies and uncompromising heaviness. We had the opportunity to delve into their world, retracing the band’s origins, learning more about their music and writing process, and what led to this unexpected new chapter.
Author: Crix
Katatonia Video Interview
Before their performance at the Ankea Festival in Finland, we had the opportunity to meet Niklas Sandin, Sebastian Svalland, and Nico Elgstrand of Katatonia. What was supposed to be a chat about the band’s history turned into an engaging conversation, full of insights, humor, and reflections. From pre-show tension to career milestones, from the stress of touring to celebrating the twentieth anniversary of “The Great Cold Distance,” the band opened up about everything, including their latest album, “Nightmares as Extension of the Waking State,” and the exciting projects that await them after the festival season and their fall tour of Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
Amberian Dawn, stepping into a new era, released their album Temptation’s Gates
Amberian Dawn, one of the pioneers of symphonic metal, has been dropping songs and striking videos from their new album throughout the spring, and now marks the band released their first album with the new singer Nicole Willerton,Temptation’s Gates. As the final preview, the band has released the single Moon, accompanied by a music video directed by Erkki Halkka, pulsing with dark electricity.
The studio album and the previously released singles have been a clear step in a new direction for the band — one that embraces more modern and even rougher elements. According to Tuomas, Nicole’s arrival has truly begun a new era.
“I composed this song just a few weeks after we welcomed our new vocalist into the band. From the very beginning, the track had an unusually dark and haunting atmosphere, and I wanted to preserve that feeling throughout the entire working process. It had also been a long time since I last recorded a guitar solo myself, so returning to that role made the experience even more personal. This song showcases the darker and more spectral side of our new era,” says the band’s primus motor, Tuomas Seppälä.
Nicole Willerton, who has taken a strong role in the lyric writing, describes Moon as a safe haven amid chaos.
“Moon is about finding hope, serenity, and inner peace in a world full of destruction, greed, and suffering. The moon acts as a guiding light and a symbol of beauty, reminding us that even when life feels overwhelming or filled with sorrow, it’s important to appreciate the simple beautiful things in life, like nature and the freedom of the spirit.”
The tracks on Temptation’s Gates:
Temptation’s Gates
The Vision of Dreaming
Moon
Unchained
Eternal Flame
Life is Art
This Night is Waiting for Me
Undying Colours
The Garden
Phantasmagoria
The album is available in various formats, and you can also check all special bundles here.
AMBERIAN DAWN is:
Tuomas Seppälä – keyboards, guitar
Nicole Willerton – vocals
Emil Pohjalainen – guitar
Joonas Pykälä-aho – drums
Jukka Hoffren – bass
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | NAPALM RECORDS
Enemies Everywhere releases the single My Vengeance and announces the debut album
The Helsinki-based deathcore band Enemies Everywhere have released a new single, My Vengeance, and simultaneously announced the release of their debut album. The self‑titled debut will be out on August 28, showcasing the developmental process the band has gone through over the past couple of years.
“The whole band, including everyone behind the scenes, has been waiting for the release of the debut album like the rising moon. The process behind making the album was at the same time challenging but rewarding; painful but cathartic. During the process we learned a lot about each other as people, friends, and band members. The debut album is proof of what the band has grown into over the past years – which is why the only right name for the record is Enemies Everywhere.”
The single My Vengeance points the way toward the upcoming album:
“The album’s third single, My Vengeance, is a testament to Enemies Everywhere’s career and new direction. The song condenses the sound of the previously released singles and the entire album, accompanied by a versatile and heavy arrangement. The sharp‑eared fans may recognize the track from our early‑year live shows, and now we finally get to release My Vengeance for everyone to hear!”
Enemies Everywhere’s summer shows will begin in a few weeks in Lahti, and the autumn album release will be celebrated with a Finland tour announced later.
Newly announced shows:
18.7.2026 – Lahti, Lahti Metal BB
23.7.2026 – Kaaos Fest x Raskas EI Kiusaamiselle!, Vaasa
7.8.2026 – Imatra, Patruunafest
26.9.2026 – Mäikä Klubi, Tapahtumatehdas, Hyvinkää
Enemies Everywhere:
Sasu Mikkola – vocals
Otso Saano – guitar
Ville Vesala – bass
Veikka Laru – drums
French chaotic hardcore/mathcore non-engineers DEAD KIWIS are back and they have a T-Rex. // New album ‘EXTREME METAL’ Out now
The French chaotic hardcore / mathcore non-engineers DEAD KIWIS (featuring member of Buy Jupiter) have just unleashed ‘EXTREME METAL’ via Vollmer Industries: a furious collision of mathcore chaos, hardcore aggression, dark humor and catastrophically questionable life choices.
Built on dissonant riffs, frantic rhythms, angular guitars and explosive energy, ‘EXTREME METAL‘ dives headfirst into themes of depression, grief, isolation, manipulation and disillusionment. Rather than dwelling in melancholy, DEAD KIWIS transform emotional collapse into pure cathartic violence, channeling frustration, anxiety and burnout into an unrelenting sonic assault.
Blending destructive intensity with sarcasm, absurdity and self-awareness, ‘EXTREME METAL’ feels less like a descent into darkness than a high-speed collision between emotional damage, party chaos and complete annihilation.
Born in the Lyon area in 2008, DEAD KIWIS have steadily carved their own path through the French underground by blending hardcore chaos, mathcore precision and rock’n’roll absurdity into something both violent and unmistakably fun.
Originally rooted in punk hardcore, the band took a decisive turn toward a more singular and explosive sound with the release of ‘Karate Karnage’ (2017) and ‘Systematic Homerun’ (2019), embracing the unpredictable energy of chaotic hardcore while injecting razor-sharp riffs, dissonant textures and a heavy dose of offbeat humor.
Somewhere between controlled collapse and total nonsense, DEAD KIWIS deliver a sound built on frantic rhythms, angular guitars, futuristic tones and ferocious vocal performances — balancing technical intensity with a deliberately unhinged approach that refuses to take itself too seriously.
Renowned for their high-energy live shows and irreverent identity, the band has shared stages across France and Europe with acts such as Frontierer, Comeback Kid, A Wilhelm Scream and many others, building a reputation as one of the most entertaining and unpredictable heavy acts emerging from the French scene.
In 2026, DEAD KIWIS return with ‘EXTREME METAL’, their most ambitious and uncompromising record to date — a chaotic, tongue-in-cheek collision between mathcore brutality, hardcore urgency and cinematic stupidity.
ARTEMISIA Released New Video Single ‘Ciò che l’acqua mi ha dato’, Inspired by the Universe of Frida Kahlo
Available now on all digital platforms, “Ciò che l’acqua mi ha dato” is the brand-new single by Italian heavy rock band ARTEMISIA, released by Volcano Records.
With this new track, the long-running Italian band returns to explore intense and profound sonic territories, moving between heavy metal and progressive rock through a distinctive formula that blends power, experimentation, and storytelling. The result is a compelling piece that further strengthens ArtemisiA’s unmistakable artistic identity. Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s 1938 painting of the same name, the single transforms the artwork’s powerful symbolism into music, where water becomes a reflective surface of the unconscious — a vessel of memory, pain, and identity. Much like the Mexican artist’s vision, body and mind merge into a suspended space where obsessions, fragility, and deeper truths emerge. Musically, “Ciò che l’acqua mi ha dato” strikes a balance between heavy-driven power, dark atmospheres, and progressive structures, preserving the evocative intensity that has always been a defining element of ArtemisiA’s songwriting. The track unfolds as an introspective journey, inviting listeners to dive into the unconscious and confront whatever rises back to the surface. Alongside the release, the official music video is now available on YouTube, featuring a combination of live footage and studio sessions that captures the band’s raw energy and artistic essence. The video highlights the intensity, chemistry, and emotional depth that stand at the core of both the song and ArtemisiA’s creative vision.
Founded in 2006 by Vito Flebus and Anna Ballarin, ArtemisiA have built a recognizable identity over the years through dark atmospheres, literary influences, and a powerful live presence. After six albums and important collaborations, including one with Omar Pedrini, the band is currently working on their new full-length album, set for release this September via Volcano Records, with this single serving as a significant preview of what’s to come.
Listen to the song on all digital platforms and watch the official music video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEFnLMeXCI4
Further info at
www.volcanopromotion.com
www.artemisiaband.it
TONIC BREED Unleashes “Name Dealer” EP ft. guests from Whitesnake, Flotsam and Jetsam, Five Finger Death Punch, ex-Lamb of God, ex-Megadeth
Tonic Breed, the long‑running Norwegian thrash and heavy‑metal project led by Patrik K. Svendsen, returns in 2026 with its most ambitious and star‑studded release to date: the new EP “Name Dealer”. Reinvention has always been at the heart of Tonic Breed, and this EP pushes that ethos further than ever, bringing together an elite roster of guest musicians whose contributions elevate each track into its own distinct sonic world.
The EP features performances from Tommy Aldridge (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne), Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans‑Siberian Orchestra), Chris Adler (ex‑Lamb of God, ex‑Megadeth), Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam), Charlie Engen (Five Finger Death Punch, Scale The Summit), and producer/mixer Adrian Bjerketvedt, along mastering by Steve Kitch except for track 3 “Anew” mixed and mastered by Gene “Machine” Freeman, “Name Dealer” stands as Tonic Breed’s most diverse, dynamic, and collaborative work yet.
“Name Dealer is the second EP in the new Tonic Breed format, where guests are invited to perform on the tracks. The first two songs were released last year, and the EP was completed with an additional two songs on June 10th. I’m extremely happy with the quality of the songs and the musicians involved in the process. This EP experiments with everything from the old recipe while adding new layers such as orchestration and different songwriting approaches. The quality of the deliveries from everyone involved is beyond my expectations. Everything from the musical contributions from the guests to the mixing and engineering process in the final stages of the song creation has exceeded what I hoped for,” says Svendesen.
Across its four tracks, the EP showcases the full spectrum of Tonic Breed’s identity: thrash roots, melodic depth, emotional storytelling, and the unmistakable fingerprints of world‑class guest performers.
The EP opens with a track that wastes no time establishing its intensity. Title track “Name Dealer” hits immediately, fast, sharp, and unrelenting, yet anchored by a rare melodic hook in the chorus, something not typically associated with Tonic Breed’s catalogue. The song is elevated by the powerhouse duo of Tommy Aldridge on drums and Joel Hoekstra on guitar, whose performances bring a level of precision and fire that Svendsen describes as exceeding all expectations. Their involvement marks a milestone collaboration for the project, adding both prestige and unmistakable character to the track.
The second track, “Close In,” featuring Charlie Engen on drums, shifts into a more expansive emotional space. Musically, it’s a layered semi‑ballad; clean passages, heavy surges, harmonies, choirs, and orchestration intertwine to create the most dynamic arrangement Svendsen has ever crafted. Lyrically, the song explores the long‑term weight of loss, not just the moment of impact, but the lingering emotional gravity that follows. It’s a deeply personal piece, balancing vulnerability with power.
A high‑octane eruption of riffs and rhythmic force, “Anew” features Chris Adler, whose unmistakable drumming reshaped the song from the ground up. Originally built from a rough demo, the track evolved through collaborative restructuring, with Adler taking the lead in forging a more unique and effective arrangement. For fans of Adler’s signature style, this track delivers in full; Svendsen calls it the most Lamb of God‑esque performance he’s heard from Adler since his time in the band. It’s a rare opportunity to hear Adler’s drumming behind someone else’s riffs, and the result is explosive.
Closing the EP is a pure thrash assault, direct, sharp, and free of filler. “The Die Is Cast” channels the spirit of ’80s thrash while weaving in touches of melody and atmosphere. Lyrically, it paints the image of a once‑mighty war machine lying broken among the wreckage of others like it, its silence heavy with the memory of destruction. The track features Michael Gilbert, whose presence ties the song directly to the era and genre that inspired it. His contribution adds authenticity and weight, making this a standout moment for longtime thrash fans.
Tonic Breed began in 2006 as a four‑piece band from Sarpsborg, Norway, but since 2019 has evolved into a one‑man project driven by Svendsen’s vision and a rotating cast of elite collaborators. Over the years, Tonic Breed has worked with some of metal’s most respected musicians, including Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot), and “Name Dealer” continues that tradition with its most impressive lineup yet.
Listen to “Name Dealer” (released June 10th, 2026) at the following links:
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/1bMoNWS8EiuLAD2NDrurnj
Music Videos:
Name Dealer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etvT8PAeRAU
Close In – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-S1fQgYR0A
Anew – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx-8n9qs5cY
The Die Is Cast – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAC4_K0Sqko
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Track Listing:
1. Name Dealer ft. Tommy Aldridge (drums), Joel Hoekstra (lead guitars) – 3:48
2. Close In ft. Charlie Engen (drums), Adrian Bjerketvedt (guitars and lead guitars) – 5:45
3. Anew – Chris Adler (drums) – 3:31
4. The Die is Cast ft. Michael Gilbert (guitar solo) – 3:31
For more info:
https://tonicbreed.com
https://facebook.com/tonicbreed
https://instagram.com/tonicbreed
About Tonic Breed:
Tonic Breed is a Norwegian thrash and heavy metal one-man music project by Patrik K. Svendsen. Until 2019, Tonic Breed was originally a four-piece band, established in Sarpsborg, Norway, in 2006. As of 2022, Tonic Breed has released three albums and one EP. Today, Tonic Breed is constantly reinventing itself in songwriting and guest collaborations, which already include Chris Adler (Lamb of God), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam) and Charlie Engen (Five Finger Death Punch, Scale The Summit, Idealogy).
Discography:
-2026 – Name Dealer (EP)
– 2026 – Name Dealer (single) (ft. guest drums Tommy Albridge (Whitesnake, Ozzy Osbourne) and guest guitar Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Trans-Siberian Orchestra))
– 2026 – Close In (single) (ft. guest drums Charlie Engen (Five Finger Death Punch, Scale The Summit, Idealogy)
– 2025 – Anew (single) (ft. guest drums Chris Adler (Lamb of God)
– 2025 – The Die Is Cast (single) (ft. guest guitar solo Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam)
– 2025 – The Charge (single w/ Darkroot)
– 2024 – Outsold – LP – 10th Anniversary Edition
– 2022 – Fuel the Fire – EP (ft. guests Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), Bernt Jansen (Artch/Wig Wam), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Martin Skriubakken (Endezzma), Oliver Palotai (Kamelot)
– 2018 – Install Memory – LP
– 2014 – Outsold – LP
– 2010 – On the Brink of Destruction
THE MOURNING Unveils New Members To Lineup Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) and Alon Mei-Tal (Helion Prime, Nili Brosh)
Progressive metal collective The Mourning announces a major evolution in their lineup with the official addition of guitarist Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime, Lunar, Planeswalker) and bassist Alon Mei‑Tal (Helion Prime, Levinia). Their arrival marks a pivotal moment for the band, expanding its sonic depth, technical range, and creative firepower as they enter their next chapter.
Ashcraft expresses his excitement about joining the fold:
“I’m super stoked to be coming on officially with The Mourning. I’ve had the pleasure of working with a few of the members for a while, and everyone has been very welcoming. From a musical side, it’s been fun stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself to explore new avenues. I look forward to future adventures with The Mourning!”
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Mei‑Tal adds:
“It’s official! I’ve been a friend of the band for a couple of years now, helping out on shows, recordings, etc., but I’m very pleased to be one of the gang now. The Mourning is a great group of talented musicians and quality humans. The songs are proggy enough to be interesting, but catchy enough to be fun and memorable, and I can’t wait to join them in bringing listeners more epic tunes and top‑tier performances!”
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With both musicians now fully integrated, The Mourning steps into its most ambitious and musically dynamic era yet.
Alongside the lineup announcement, The Mourning recently unveiled their powerful new single and cinematic music video, “If I Die I Die.” The track introduces the band’s renewed sonic identity, heavier, darker, and more emotionally charged, while showcasing the expanded dual‑vocal dynamic between founding vocalist Johnny Ray and newly joined Brazilian co‑vocalist Nanda Hayek (OverAlive).
Built on the band’s signature blend of cinematic songwriting, progressive metal precision, and layered vocal interplay, the song confronts fear, existential dread, and the psychological exhaustion of living under its weight. Its core declaration, “I’m tired of all this fear, I’m done living in fear”, captures the track’s central theme of liberation through surrender.
Written by Francesco Pinter and Johnny Ray, and produced, mixed, and mastered by Alex Nasla (Edge of Paradise), the single blends intricate progressive elements with a more direct, modern heaviness. The band describes it as “a psychological and spiritual battle,” moving from dread into cathartic release.
The accompanying music video mirrors the emotional arc of the song. A woman is hunted by a mysterious figure of death, terrified at first, then increasingly resolute. She rides her motorcycle toward the confrontation she has avoided, only to discover that death was never the true enemy. Fear was.
“By facing it directly, she conquers the thing that had been ruling her,” says Johnny Ray.
The Mourning’s evolution follows a landmark year for the band. In 2025, they made their live debut aboard 70000 Tons of Metal, where Kerrang! hailed them as an “outrageously talented new prog collective” and praised their 3 a.m. debut as “one of the sets of the weekend.” They later performed at Prog on the Ranch 2025, further solidifying their rising status in the progressive metal world.
With the addition of Nanda Hayek and now Jason Ashcraft and Alon Mei‑Tal, The Mourning enters a new era, one defined by expanded musicianship, deeper emotional storytelling, and a sharpened modern metal edge.
Recommended for fans of Lacuna Coil, Amaranthe, Flyleaf, Disturbed, and Evanescence, watch and listen to the video for “If I Die I Die” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbms_iiHgAM
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/themourning/if-i-die-i-die
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Single and Live Band Lineup:
Nanda Hayek – Female Co-Vocalist
Johnny Ray – Male Co-Vocalist
Alex Nasla – Keyboards
Jason Berlin – Drums
Jason Ashcraft – Guitar
Alon Mei-Tal – Bass
Francesco Pinter – Lead Guitar
For more info: https://www.themourningmusic.com
About: Formed by vocalist and songwriter Johnny Ray, The Mourning was created to transform personal struggle, spiritual searching, and existential weight into emotionally immediate progressive metal. Their music blends soaring dual vocals, intricate musicianship, atmospheric tension, and deeply human lyrical themes. The band’s previous album, “Hush,” established them as a rising force in modern progressive metal, exploring anxiety, trauma, meaning, and inner transformation across its acclaimed tracklist.
Italian HOLE IN THE FRAME Release New Single ‘Human Disease’, Produced Between Italy & United States
Available now on all digital platforms, “Human Disease” is the new single by HOLE IN THE FRAME, released by Volcano Records.
With this new track, the Italian band delivers once again a direct, heavy, and uncompromising sound, further establishing their identity within the crossover groove metal scene. Built on sharp riffs, tight grooves, and a constant tension that recalls influences such as Pantera, Slipknot, and Korn, “Human Disease” stands out as one of the most intense and mature releases in the band’s journey so far. The single offers a raw and disillusioned vision of contemporary society, portraying humanity as a true moral and spiritual disease fueled by selfishness, violence, and indifference. Through images of suffering and loss of control, the song develops a dark yet necessary narrative, calling for collective awareness and the breaking of an increasingly rooted destructive cycle. From a production standpoint, “Human Disease” is the result of an international collaboration bridging Italy and the United States. The artistic production and arrangements were handled by Fabrizio Grossi (Alice Cooper, Slash, Joe Bonamassa), a well-established figure in the international rock scene, while mixing and mastering were completed in Italy. This transatlantic production axis gives the track a modern, powerful, and globally resonant sonic identity. The release is also accompanied by an official music video that intensifies the emotional and symbolic impact of the song: a disturbing and visually powerful representation of the protagonist’s gradual descent into the depths of his own psyche, trapped in an ever-deepening state of isolation and loneliness. An inner journey that translates the song’s sense of confusion, collapse, and alienation into images.
Active since 2015, Hole in the Frame have built a strong reputation over the years thanks to a musical language that blends groove metal, heavy, and thrash with a strong introspective and socially critical attitude. “Human Disease” marks a new chapter in the band’s evolution, reaffirming their mission: to shake consciences and reject all forms of conformity.
Listen to the song on Spotify and watch the official video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkZygSQE6A4
Further Info at
www.volcanopromotion.com
www.facebook.com/holeintheframeband
Rioghan Video Interview
Fresh off the release of their EP Frozen last spring, Finnish band Rioghan, a genre-bending band constantly shifting between alternative metal, progressive rock, and dark pop, delivered one of the most intense and emotionally charged performances at the Ankea festival. On stage, Rioghan Darcy was joined by a dancer who embodied her dark side, a physical manifestation of the darker undercurrent that pervades her music. The result was an intimate and evocative dialogue between light and shadow, which deeply moved those who witnessed the performance.
In our interview, Rioghan Darcy spoke to us about how the Frozen EP marked a turning point in her approach to songwriting, pushing her toward new creative horizons compared to previous releases. She also shared a funny anecdote from behind the scenes of a recent music video. And perhaps the most exciting news of all is that Rioghan revealed that new music is already in the works, hinting at further evolution on the horizon.
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