Cut Wide Open releases their second single of 2024 with a heavy hitting ‘Hair Of The Dog’ via Inverse Records on October 30th. Blending melodic passages and crunchy riffing, the song is band’s one of the heaviest ones to date.
‘Hair of the Dog’ is about waking up to a new day, digging through the stone again and again and walking on a tightrope of self-medication between the good and bad ambience.
The Finnish metalcore quartet has released singles ’Illusions of Dreams’ (2024), ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’ (2021), ‘Go Hard or Go Home’ (2019) as well as their debut album ’Entitled to Gravity’ (2019).
Canadian thrash maniacs MUTANK return with their newest collection of bangers and first taste of new neck-breaking tunes in seven years since releasing their mosh heavy EP “W.H.A.T.S.T.H.A.T.” in 2017 via Boonsdale Records.
Entitled “Think Before You Think” will be released once again on Boonsdale Records on November 29th, 2024, and features ten volcanic thrash tracks to blaze a new path to jackhammer a pure audio assault. Live favourites such as “Running Reds”, “Abortron”, and “Thrash Primordial” are sure to please die-hard fans for easy repeat listens.
Vocalist/bassist Stephen Reynolds comments:
“We want this album to energize people and make them feel the way we do when we listen to some of our favourite artists. This album is the most material we have ever put out! 50 minutes of pure metal across 10 tracks. The songs really picked themselves as we kept writing tracks we really enjoyed playing.”
With a passion for classic thrash and a desire to play radical riffs, MUTANK made a deservedly big splash on the Canadian metal scene with their debut EP “M.E.C.H METAL” and a performance at Wacken Open Air after being declared champions of the 2014 Wacken Metal Battle Canada competition.
With their distinctive sound, the band moved forward in 2017, touring across Canada supporting ANNIHILATOR alongside Australia’s MASON in support of their EP “W.H.A.T.S.T.H.A.T” (Boonsdale Records). Metal Injection also named the band “1 of 8 Hidden Gems in Canadian Metal You Need To Know” (Read here).
2024 will be a tour de force for MUTANK with the launch of “Think Before You Think”. Fans of D.R.I., Suicidal Tendencies, Havok, Megadeth, Overkill, and Exodus are sure to join them in the pit when it releases on November 29th, 2024 on Boonsdale Records.
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Mark Tremonti, who has received support from Creed and Alter Bridge, among others, will release his album “The End Will Show Us How” with his band Tremonti on January 10. The Napalm Records-released album received more samples last week when the quartet released their gritty single “One More Time”, which was released with a lyric video.
Singles “The Mother”, “The Earth and I”, and “Just Too Much” have already been released from the upcoming sixth studio album, the latter of which continues to climb into the Top 35 of the Active Rock chart.
Mark Tremonti explains how the new single “One More Time” was created based on the chorus. After coming up with the opening riff, the entire song found its rhythm effortlessly.
“The song has become one of the heaviest on the whole album. It’s also become one of those songs that sound great live. The themes of the song are based on all the craziness that exists in the world,” Tremonti says, referring to the enormous hatred, violence and even polarized ideologies of this time.
The “End Will Show Us How” album was produced by Tremonti’s longtime friend and collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette, a man Mark has been working with since 2007.
The following songs can be found on The End Will Show Us How:
1. The Mother, The Earth and I
2. One More Time
3. Just Too Much
4. Nails
5. It’s Not Over
6. The End Will Show Us How
7. Tomorrow We Will Fail
8. I’ll Take My Chances
9. The Bottom
10. Live In Fear
11. Now That I’ve Made It
12. All The Wicked Things
Check out the awesome limited vinyl versions, album bundles and pre-order the album here.
With the release of the album, Tremonti will also be heading out on The End Will Show Us How European tour, starting in Hamburg on January 14th.
The dates published so far are:
14.01.25 DE – Hamburg / Gruenspan
16.01.25 SE – Stockholm / Debaser
17.01.25 NO – Oslo / John Dee
19.01.25 DK – Copenhagen / Lille Vega
20.01.25 DE – Berlin / Columbia Theater
21.01.25 CZ – Prague / Palac Akropolis
23.01.25 PL – Krakow / Hype Park
25.01.25 CH – Zurich / Komplex 457
27.01.25 IT – Milan / Magazzini Generali
28.01.25 AT – Vienna / Szene
30.01.25 DE – Munich / Technikum
31.01.25 DE – Frankfurt / Zoom
01.02.25 DE – Cologne / Mensa
02.02.25 NL – Amsterdam / Melkweg
03.02.25 NL – Tilburg / O13
05.02.25 GB – Bristol / O2 Academy
06.02.25 GB – Glasgow / SWG3 Galvanizers 07.02.25 GB – Belfast / Limelight 1 09.02.25 IE – Dublin / Academy
11.02.25 GB – Birmingham / O2 Institute
13/02/25 GB – Manchester O2 Ritz
14.02.25 GB – London / O2 Forum Kentish Town
16.02.25 FR – Paris / Alhambra 17.02.25 BE – Antwerp / Trix
Liva, the pioneering Canadian metal band known for their unique fusion of classical and heavy metal, has released a captivating music video for “Samson & Dalila I”, from their latest album “Ecce Mundus” released on CD in November 2023 and digitally January 2024. The band’s fourth full-length marks Liva‘s triumphant return to its roots, featuring medieval poetry and Latin texts set against a backdrop of majestic orchestral metal. The album explores timeless themes from antiquity, including the glory of Rome, the tale of Samson and Delilah, and enduring human flaws such as greed, corruption, and hypocrisy. Vocalist/guitarist Pier Carlo Liva comments on the single:
“This is the flagship song of the album. This song has all the elements that are to be found in the Liva style. It’s about the old story of Samson & Dalila. To avenge her people, Dalila cuts off Samson’s hair, thus weakening him.”
The “Samson & Dalila I” video is a visual feast that complements the band’s expansive sound, featuring more developed orchestrations and heavier guitar parts than ever before. It offers fans a glimpse into the lyrical experience and otherworldly atmosphere that defines Liva‘s music.
Formed in Sherbrooke, Québec in 1997, Liva has been at the forefront of blending classical music with metal in Canada. The band’s unique sound features extensive sonic explorations, grandiose orchestrations, and powerful vocal performances that transport listeners to another world. They are recommended for fans of Therion, Nightwish, and Leaves’Eyes.
Their latest album “Ecce Mundus” was released on CD on November 17, 2023, and digitally on January 12, 2024, via Stoke Records with distribution by Outside Music (Canada) and Orchard (US).
Super Glue Anxiety is a new Finnish band that performs experimental alternative rock. The music combines different genres such as ska / funk / metal / punk.
Raiding England is loosely based on historical events and Viking attacks on the English coast long ago. The song has furious punk rock sections and verses are also influenced by folk punk. At the end, we move on to the cheerful tunes until the scary Viking horns ends the song.
The band started from Kraapo’s interest in such bands as Mr. Bungle and Madness. Guitarist Räikkönen, on the other hand, is a fan of ska punk bands, so he wanted to join. Both singer Juha Kraapo and guitarist Sami Räikkönen are also known from the band Black Dreams, which plays melancholic metal.
Hellsinki Metal Festival, sold out on Saturdays this summer, reveled the first part of its coverage for 2025. As in the first two years of the event, there will be an interesting cross-section of the peaks of international and Finnish metal – without forgetting surprising names.
The bands announced are Hatebreed, Enslaved, Landmvrks, Kanonenfieber, Candlemass, Moonsorrow, Forbidden, Marduk, Me and That Man, Warmen, Sigh, Kiuas, Party Cannon, GosT and Alfahanne.
Advance tickets for Hellsinki Metal Festival are on sale at Ticketmaster, Tiketti and Lippupiste. Only a limited number of two-day discount tickets available for sale now.
Toni Törrönen, promoter of Hellsinki Metal Festival, says that there is no need to change the proven line. The size of the artist is also not the only factor that decides the choice of bands for the event.
“Artist selections are always based on quality, customer feedback and exclusivity. I have experienced that Hellsinki Metal Festival’s customers appreciate the fact that the program includes bands and special gigs that they might not have expected,” says Toni Törrönen.
As usual, Hellsinki Metal Festival takes place in the area of the Helsinki Ice Hall, where two outdoor stages and the ice rink itself are used by festival visitors. The area of side events and points expanded last year will be developed this year. Toni Törrönen says that the biggest change visible to visitors at Nordis will be related to the size of the outdoor stages.
“Two years of experience has shown that the Helsinki Ice Hall area is overall a good home for the Hellsinki Metal Festival.”
Hellsinki Metal Festival 2025
8.-9.8.2025
Helsingin jäähalli
Hatebreed
Enslaved
Landmvrks
Kanonenfieber
Candlemass
Moonsorrow
Forbidden
Marduk
Me and That Man
Warmen
Sigh
Kiuas
Party Cannon
GosT
Alfahanne
Tickets:
– 2 days regular 179€
– 2 days R.I.P 249€
On October 19th, AvAciA and Palehørse performed at Meara Klubi. We have seen both bands at Mera Klubi before so we knew that the show would be good and we were not wrong.
The opening act was AvAciA, a band from Turku who released their second album, “Minä Minä Minä”, in the spring of 2023, produced by the true legend Janne Joutsenniemi. The band offers technical live performances and is able to engage the audience with their energy and humor. Palehørse took to the stage at Meara Klubi and delighted listeners with their versatile music and the vocal skills of frontman Lassi Mäki-Kala. The band is one of the most exciting acts in the Nordic metal scene, combining extreme technical skills, right-in-your-face attitude, desert-crossing roughness and multiple vocal harmonies in a way that is very hard to categorize but easy to give recognition.
Here some shots taken by Cristina Gregori.
Anima Hereticae is a Finnish Blackened Death Metal band, their debut album “Descended From The Mountains” was released in 2023.
At the end of August the band officially announced Jussi Matilainen (Where’s My Bible) as their new vocalist. Anima Hereticae is currently working on new material that promises to be very interesting.
Our reporter Cristina had the opportunity to sit down with Taneli Jämsä and Jussi Matilainen before their show at MonoMassive in Pori and talk about the changing in the line-up, the debut album, and much more.
Hey guys, how are you doing?
T: We are doing well. It’s a crazy September and it’s very warm here in Finland, not so typical but it is perfect.
Two days ago it was around 27.5 C and people were wearing jackets, What is wrong with them?! But let’s talk about your band, Anima Hereticae; First of all I am curious about the name, why did you choose this name?
T: It is a long story. When we formed the band, me and Ville the former singer were talking about what name would fit us and we came up with this one. The words Anima and Hereticae go well together, it sounds very good in my opinion. This is basically the story of the name.
I was curious because it is Latin, maybe it is unusual for Finnish band to choose Latin words, or I don’t know if there are many bands who are naming themself with Latin words.
Jussi is the new singer…
T: Yes, and today Jussi is for the first time officially the singer of Anima Hereticae on the stage. He did some gigs with us this summer but it was not official yet.
J: Especially in Lahti.
Was it easy to get Jussi in your band? I mean choose a new singer?
T: Yes, because Jussi did some gigs with us before and everyone knows Jussi well. We thought, why don’t we ask Jussi about this first. And Jussi said…
J: And I said okay.
T: And it was very nice. It was also a simple and easy way to move forward on planning the next EP.
So you released your debut album “Descended From The Mountains” last year, in the lyrics you used both English and Finnish…
T: Yes, there is one song in Finnish, but I can’t tell you about them because Ville wrote them.
But now you are working on new music. Are all the songs going to be in English? Half English half Finnish? Or in other languages?
J: I don’t know. I think there will be maybe one song in Finnish or we will combine some different languages. Perhaps. I have thought that maybe there could be some song in old Norse language. But we’ll have to see where it goes.
And musically-wise, is going to be similar to the debut album? Or will it change a little?
T: Maybe we’ll stay in line with the sounds we had in the last album. but nobody can tell, Jussi is the new guy and he can bring new ideas, something special vocal-wise but also with instruments. We will see.
So it is going to be a surprise!
T: But of course we want to maintain our sound, if you listen, you can tell it’s Anima Hereticae. That’s the most important thing.
What kind of music inspires you when you write music?
At the beginning with this band to inspire me was one of my favorites from my childhood/teenage era and it is Cradle of Filth, but also band like Moonsorrow. Our sound gets inspirations from there, songs keep coming and music keep coming.
To mention also Saku Moilanen, who produces great orchestrations and give atmospheres to the songs.
Today you play here in MonoMassive and then you still have few shows, am I right?
T: This one, MonoMassive, is the last show for this year.
Next year we have already booked four or five shows, but they haven’t been released yet. So after this show we will get a lot of time to work on the EP and write new material.
So a lot of work next year. Then some shows and..
T: We are of course trying to do some festivals in Europe and Finland. We also try to book more shows outside of Finland.
Let’s see what happen, I hope you will have a lot of shows in your calendar next year!
T: This year was quite good, we had about 10 shows.
You all play in other bands, how do you manage the time to get all together?
T: We don’t manage. It is like making schedule in the calendar all the time.
It is like a puzzle, let’s put this here and see if it works…
T: Google Calendar is very good in this case.
J: Yes.
It reminds you of what you need to do, where you need to go…
J: Damn, I have a show today. I’m not even close.
It is quite difficult because life is busy, then you add music and it gets even busier. I do not have a band but my calendar is busy, so I understand you.
T: Some days are hard.
How do you prepare before you go on stage?
J: I make myself ready, vocal warming, maybe I need some space of my own to focus on the show, and of course I paint my face and stay focus on what happens next.
T: Relaxing, laying down, having some coffee. I just try to relax, and maybe that’s my perspective.
What happens when the show is over and you get off the stage? What are you doing as first?
J: Take the stuff out from the stage, maybe relax for a couple of minutes, then it’s time to wash out the face, and just chill.
T: It’s like this. Relaxing and talking about the gig.
When you are on stage the heart rate is high and the energy is high. Then you need to calm down.
J: It’s like finishing a heavy workout. After that, you’re like, I don’t do anything anymore.
It’s a great endurance workout. I don’t know if everybody realizes how challenging it is for the body, and also soul, to perform on stage. But it is something that you do because you enjoy it.
J & T: Yes.
We have done with this interview, thank you very much. Would you like to say something to the people that are watching/reading this interview?
J: Stay safe. Horns up. Listen to music and share it!
Beriedir is excited to unveil “Halo”, the first single from their forthcoming third album “Liminal Spaces” set to be released January 2025 via Rockshots Records. Following the success of their 2022 album “AQVA”, this new single marks the beginning of a bold evolution in the band’s sound.
“Halo” invites listeners into a mysterious world where melancholic atmospheres and introspective lyrics blend seamlessly with heavy, progressive metal. The song tells the story of a restless man, lost in a dusty study, surrounded by torn tomes and ancient manuscripts. He ventures deep into the nature of reality, driven by both science and mysticism, trying to grasp the truth just beyond his reach. The track’s intricate and immersive soundscapes set the stage for the themes explored in “Liminal Spaces” – melancholia, longing, and the search for understanding.
The band shares:
“Halo is a song about the feeling of being almost there, yet still just out of reach. It’s the sensation of chasing the truth and losing yourself in the process. This track captures the essence of our new album, both musically and lyrically.”
With “Liminal Spaces”, Beriedir fully embraces a progressive and experimental sound, moving away from their power metal origins. This single will enthrall fans of Pain of Salvation, Leprous, Katatonia, and Gojira, promising a deep and reflective journey. The combination of emotional depth and technical prowess makes “Halo” a standout introduction to this exciting new era for the band.
To accompany the single, Beriedir will also release an official music video for “Halo”, bringing the song’s haunting narrative and atmospheric visuals to life.
Don’t miss the opportunity to dive into this new chapter of Beriedir’s story and prepare yourself to experience the first glimpse to “Liminal Spaces”.
Track Listing:
1. Halo
2. Neon
3. In The Corner Of My Eyes
4. As Tight As Phantoms Hold
5. F.I.V.E.
6. More Than Starlight
7. Burnout
8. Anemoia
9. Massive
10. In The Liminal Space
Beriedir offers a sound that, throughout their discography, spans from progressive power metal—characterized by its signature, neck-breaking choruses—to a contemporary progressive identity, delivering tight rhythms, gargantuan emotional sections, and earth-shattering, surgically precise breakdowns. This powerful musical package is wrapped in introspective themes, melancholic and nostalgic, creating a dark and enveloping aesthetic.
The band originated as a project by frontman Stefano Nüsperli and began their live career in 2015 with the release of their first demo, The Line. From that point on, they have participated in numerous musical events, such as Fosch Fest 2016, and have had the opportunity to share the stage with renowned metal acts like Korpiklaani and Pathfinder.
In 2018, they released their debut full-length album, The Path Beyond the Moon, which allowed them to reach a broader audience. Following the release of their acoustic EP, Lullabies Beyond the Moon (2020), Beriedir signed with Rockshots Records in January 2022 for the release of their second full-length, AQVA, which features Ivan Giannini (Vision Divine, Derdian) as a guest on the track Stormbound. The album received enthusiastic reviews from the press and was warmly welcomed by listeners. As a bonus track, the band released the single Send Me An Angel, a cover of the song by Vision Divine.
Following the album’s release, Beriedir performed several live shows, sharing the stage with prominent bands from both the Italian and international scenes, such as Stratovarius, ELEGY, Moonlight Haze, Trick or Treat, Strana Officina, Derdian, Crying Steel, and others.
After a period focused on live performances and production sessions—including the release of a well-received cover of Lady Gaga’s Bloody Mary in 2023—the band released Elegies From The Lighthouse, an EP featuring acoustic reinterpretations of tracks from AQVA, in September 2024. Shortly thereafter, they announced their third full-length album, Liminal Spaces, scheduled for release in January 2025, once again through Rockshots Records, and preceded by the launch of two singles.
The Finnish metal field gets a great addition this week, when the band Reignited releases their first single. The single “Revolution”, like the entire album to be released next year, was produced by, among others, Tuomas Yli-Jaskari, who worked with Smackbound. On the other hand, the sound world of the song has been completed by perhaps the most legendary duo in the field, Mikko Karmila – Mika Jussila.
Reignited spices up their melodic metal with elements of power metal, and the whole thing inevitably leans towards ear candy. The band’s drummer and Primus motorman Elias Yli-Jaskari, who composed the song, says that the song is the first song he composed entirely.
“You could say that the whole band started from the song’s demo sessions in the summer of 2023. The song is therefore a natural choice for the first single. The song has a strong Finnish vibe of the turn of the 2000s, when melodic metal music was very popular in Finland. The biggest bands of the genre of that time have been the biggest to this day to inspire me” he says.
“Revolution represents for me all those moments when I first heard Stratovarius, Helloween, Sonata Arctica and other well-known representatives of our musical style. Strong melodies and dramatic atmospheres create a contrast that ignites the listener’s most primal emotions” vocalist Aleksi Kärkkäinen continues.
The video for the catchy song was made by Riivata Visuals, who gained worldwide fame, and the video can now be viewed here.
“Riivata’s Patrik Nuorteva is an old acquaintance, so I contacted him and as a result we ended up in an inferno in the middle of the Roihuvuori industrial area,” Elias recalls.
According to the band, Revolution is a great calling card of what’s to come next year, as much as a full-length album. Operating through the Redhouse FMP label, the band is fully heading towards the future.
“The first single opens the gates to Reignited’s music, which is powerful, catchy and melodic. No power metal lover should miss this,” concludes Aleksi.
Line-up:
Aleksi Kärkkäinen | vocals
Jonne Lindqvist | bass
Roni Seppänen | guitar
Elias Yli-Jaskari | drums
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