Author: Crix

Atmospheric Black/Epic Doom Metal Act Divine Sovereign Unveils Lyric Video for “The Absolution”

Emerging atmospheric black/epic doom metal solo project Divine Sovereign has unleashed the lyric video for “The Absolution”, the latest track from the upcoming album Autaxia Chronicles: Dawn of a New Age, set for release on May 9th via Wormholedeath.

The history of Autaxia is etched with suffering. We prayed to the heavens, but the skies remained silent. We served our masters, though they stripped us of hope. Centuries of torment have taught us a harsh truth: to believe in no one but yourself.

“The Absolution” is the third track from Autaxia Chronicles: Dawn of a New Age and delves into the theme of resistance driven by religious fervor. It tells the tale of a species enslaved for generations, only to rise through the creation of a new faith—a faith that unites them against their oppressors. However, this newfound zeal comes with a stark warning: while fanaticism can unify, it often becomes the first chapter of a new kind of servitude.

Divine Sovereign’s immersive compositions bring this gripping concept to life, fusing atmospheric black metal, epic doom, and blackgaze elements into a cinematic soundscape of despair, rebellion, and awakening.

Founded in 2023 by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Cezary Rochnowski, Divine Sovereign draws inspiration from the likes of Ethereal Shroud, Panopticon, and Atlantean Kodex. The project crafts epic, narrative-driven compositions set in the world of Autaxia, a planet where advanced beings unearth the remnants of a once-thriving civilization. Through intricate songwriting and atmospheric intensity, Divine Sovereign explores the duality of faith—its power to liberate and its potential to enslave.

divinesovereign.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/DivineSovereign

Royal Sorrow, who immediately took to the international stage, releases their single Give In – After the summer festivals, a European tour with Leprous

Royal Sorrow, who will release their debut album next fall and embark on a European tour with Leprous, today releases their third single Give In. Compared to the previously released singles Metrograve and Evergreen, the band puts on an even heavier gear and at the same time flashes the broad spectrum with which the band is able to operate.

“Give In presents the darker side of the band. Our Markus was at VOLA’s gig last year in Vanha and also practiced his growl for it, and that inspired this song. Otherwise, Give In is built on hypnotic and complex guitar riffs, without forgetting the band’s melodic core,” the band analyzes and feels the beat of the song’s low-tuned guitars.

Royal Sorrow characterizes the song as describing anxiety, which takes the form of dark creatures that invade consciousness when a person is at their most vulnerable.

“The song puts into words the feeling of helplessness when in our darkest moments the only option seems to be surrender,” the band, who have previously acknowledged themselves as messengers of hidden emotions, describe.

The band is filming a music video for the song this week, which will be released at the end of the month. The upcoming Give In video is directed by Jaro Koho, who has previously made a fruitful impression with Royal Sorrow.

Royal Sorrow will be seen live for the first time at the upcoming Tuska and then at Kaaos Festival, after which the band will head abroad to perform at the ArtTanGent festival in the UK and Euroblast in Belgium. On October 29th, the band will join Leprous and Gåte on a European tour.

The live dates for Royal Sorrow that have now been announced are:

28/06 – Tuska Festival (FI)
26/07 – Kaaos Festival (FI)
16/08 – ArcTanGent (UK)
26/09 – Euroblast (DE)

Melodies of Atonement Tour:

29/10 – RENNES – L’antipode (FR)
30/10 – BORDEAUX – Le Rocher Palmer (FR)
31/10 – PERPIGNAN – El Mediator (FR)
01/11 – MURCIA – Mamba Club (ES)
02/11 – LISBON – Republica da Musica (PT)
03/11 – PORTO – Hard Club (PT)
05/11 – BARCELONA – Sala Apolo (ES)
06/11 – MONTPELLIER – Rockstore (FR)
07/11 – MILAN – Live Club (IT)
08/11 – FRIBOURG – Fri-Son (CH)
09/11 – MUNICH – Backstage Werk (DE)
10/11 – FRANKFURT – Batschkapp (DE)
11/11 – DORTMUND – FZW (DE)
13/11 – STOCKHOLM – Fallan (SE) without Gåte
14/11 – TRONDHEIM – Havet (NO) without Gåte
15/11 – SKIEN – Ibsenhuset (NO) without Gåte
16/11 – GOTHENBURG – Pustervik (SE)
17/11 – COPENHAGEN – Amager Bio (DK)
18/11 – BERLIN – Kesselhaus (DE)
19/11 – HAMBURG – Docks Club (DE)
20/11 – ANTWERP – Trix (BE)
21/11 – STUTTGART – Im Wizemann (DE)
22/11 – LUXEMBOURG – Rockhal (LU)
23/11 – LILLE – Theatre Bethune (FR)

Royal Sorrow signed an international recording contract with InsideOutMusic, part of Sony Music’s label family, last year, and the band is heading towards international stages together with the British gig sales company Atonal Music Agency. In Finland, the band’s gigs are sold by Nem Agency.

Royal Sorrow is:
Markus Hentunen – Vocals, guitar
Eero Maijala – Bass
Janne Mieskonen – Drums
Juha Rapanen – Guitar

INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

Cannibal Accident pays tribute to a Finnish electro pop cult classic

Finnish deathgrind veterans Cannibal Accident have released a new single ‘Kärpästen juhlat’, a cover track of Mikko Saarela / Organ. The track features guest vocals from HellG ja Starling Nippelsson. 

LISTEN to Kärpästen juhlat on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/cannibal-accident-juhlat

The band comments:
“The song “Kärpästen juhlat” is probably the most famous track from Organ’s Nekrofiilis LP, the first Finnish electro pop album, but was originally released on a solo single by the band’s leader Mikko Saarela in 1981. Somewhere beyond the borders of reason came the idea to pay tribute to his pioneering work with our own version of this cult classic and twisted it into the CA mold – love it or hate it.” 

Earlier this year the band released their fifth studio album Disgust via Inverse Records and it’s available here: https://push.fm/fl/cannibal-accident-disgust

WATCH music videos from the album:
Darken the Attic: https://youtu.be/GSXtaXtBDms
Itseinhon Kusisella Alttarilla (Feat. Nikki666): https://youtu.be/GuPBSDV3Yvo
Viimene Fiitti (feat. ULTI MAKE): https://youtu.be/fXsUjYwPHIk

CD/Vinyl orders from Levykauppa Äx

BIOGRAPHY:
Formed in 2007, Cannibal Accident have released five full-length albums and a number of smaller releases. Old-school grindcore, death metal, hardcore and mosh part(ie)s are combined in brutally cutting, compact songs where speed, heaviness and catchiness are the main denominators.

Cannibal Accident live on stage is a comprehensive psychophysical experience, no holds barred.

Line-up:
Kolkka – guitar
Wilkman – drums
Raisio – low
Kurwa Doktor – high
Jondom – bass & backing howls

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/cannibalaccident
https://www.instagram.com/cannibalaccident
https://cannibalaccident.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/@CannibalAccident

Ikinä Video Interview

Ikinä started out as a pop project and by embracing the darkness and versatility of their two female vocalists, they have reclaimed the throne of Finland’s leading metalcore band. The band, after working with Sakara Records, decided to go independent and released their third self-titled album “IKINÄ” in 2023.
Last month the band released a new single called “Jumalatar” (goddess) which features 16 other female vocalists, the song has generated interest across the country and is already considered an anthem to women in metal. The band is now in the process of creating new music and a new album is expected in early 2026.
We had the chance to meet the two vocalists Katariina Sorsa and Tuuli Paju before their show at Monttu New Level in Pori and talk about Jumalatar, the upcoming album, what it means to be a woman in the metal community and much more.

https://linktr.ee/ikinalink

Unén unveil new video “Forever Winter” out now via Frontiers Music Srl

Finnish melodic metal band Unén are excited to unveil their new single and accompanying official video, “Forever Winter”, out now via Frontiers Music Srl.


Stream “Forever Winter” HERE

Vocalist Stina Girs commented on the new single by saying: “When the mind sinks into darkness and no light is in sight, the inner landscape can feel like an eternal winter. Also, the loss of a loved one can feel like a desolate midwinter. Forever Winter can be either one for the listener – a personal battle toward brighter days, or a message to a loved one, on the other side”.

Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Unén are a modern melodic metal band, whose music also incorporates elements ranging from progressive to pop, blending intensity with sensitivity in its sound.

Unén was originally founded in late 2021, laying the foundation for the band’s musical style. In 2022, Unén focused on composing and refining production independently, resulting in the release of two self-published tracks. However, after a rollercoaster year, there was a need to change the lineup to accelerate production.

The word “Unén” was derived from the band’s original idea that lyrics would be based on the world of dreams. However, due to lineup changes, this concept took a different direction, but the name remained.

In the beginning of 2023, there was a shift in Unén’s lineup due to the change of lead singer, which notably accelerated all activities. The band members coming together was a series of fortunate coincidences and determined searches, including encounters with old acquaintances. The right people had found each other.

Unén released their first single “Made of Stone (cover)” in May 2023 with the new lead singer, Stina Girs. She became known during the IDOLS competition in 2011 and subsequently released two albums as a solo artist. The original song by Evanescence inspired this evolved lineup of Unén to showcase their unique sound and overall direction. Following this, the band focused solely on creating their own songs.

All members of Unén bring their own expertise and input to the band. Every song created is a sum of its creators, and there is no specific leader. The band members are united by their passion for making music, even though their day jobs are completely different.

Unén signed with Frontiers Music in February 2024, thus enabling the band to achieve the channel they sought to release their music to the world.

Line Up:
Stina Girs – vocals
Kimmo Pitkänen – guitars
Petteri Sinervä – keyboards
Harri Moilanen – guitars
Tomi Kallava – bass
Timo Larjo – drums

Follow Unén:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

ABYSMAL RITES Unveil Official Video for “The Secret of Pure Grief”

Finnish heavy sludge force ABYSMAL RITES presents the official music video for their blistering new track, “The Secret of Pure Grief.” This dark and immersive single is taken from the band’s highly anticipated upcoming album, Restoring The Primordial Order, which is set for release on May 9th via Wormholedeath.

The track—a suffocating plunge into despair and existential fury—is accompanied by a visceral visual experience crafted by RAW•ART Creations, amplifying the song’s raw essence and primal intensity.

Pre-save the album here: orcd.co/rtpoalbum

Formed in the Tampere area of Finland, Abysmal Rites are known for their primitive and brutal sound—a unique, heavy sludge approach created using only bass, drums, and vocals. The band’s powerful, minimalistic approach delivers an unmistakable intensity that leaves an impact long after the music stops.

linktr.ee/abysmalritesband
www.instagram.com/abysmalritesband
www.facebook.com/abysmalritesband
abysmalritesband.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/@abysmalritesband8874

Kalmantach Video Interview

Kalmantach is a Finnish band formed in 2008 that play death metal in Finnish with thrash influences, coming from the Pori-Helsinki axis. The band also use acoustic guitar in their songs. After releasing two demos and two EPs, the band had a 10-year break, in 2022 the band came back to the forefront and in 2024 they released an album called “F60.2:Remissio”.
Now the band is working on new music and on the 25th of this month we will have a taste of it with the release of a new single.
We had the chance to meet singer Jonne Saarinen and guitarist Mikko Rintamäki before their show at Monttu New Level in Pori and talk about what happened during the break, their latest album, the next single and much more.

https://www.facebook.com/kalmantach
https://www.instagram.com/kalmantach/

https://music.apple.com/fi/artist/kalmantach/1621766316
https://www.youtube.com/@kalmantach

Ikinä & Kalmantach live at Monttu New Level, Pori (Finland) 5.4.2025

Opening the evening at Monttu New Level in Pori was the progressive death metal band Kalmantach. The band did their come back in 2022 and last year release and EP “F60.2: Remissio”. The band did an impeccable show, which managed to warm up the audience before the main act.
Ikinä, embracing the dark and the versatility of their two vocalists, claims the throne as the leading Finnish-language metalcore band. The band has an incredible energy that captivates the audience live. During the performance of their latest single “Jumalatar” (which was recorded with 16 guest female vocalists) the audience went wild. The band was able to make the audience moshpit, which is often difficult to engage in in Pori.
Here the photos taken by our reporter Cristina Gregori.

HELLFOX Unveils First Single/ Video “Seaweed Braids” Off New Album “The Spectrum of Human Gravity” Out June 2025

Rockshots Records proudly announces the first single and official video from HELLFOX, an all-female band that blends melodic death and alternative metal with a sharp emotional edge. Titled “Seaweed Braids“, the song anticipates their upcoming album “The Spectrum of Human Gravity”, a bold and emotional journey set for release next June. 6th 2025.
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Merging the power of melodic death metal with the versatility of alternative metal, HELLFOX stands out as a rare all-female force in the extreme metal scene. Drawing inspiration from bands like Amorphis, In Flames, and Dark Tranquillity, the band deliberately steers away from symphonic tropes, instead crafting a sound based on heavy riffs, acid and distorted synths, and dual female vocals — one melodic, one growled — to shape a modern and visceral sonic identity.

“Seaweed Braids“ is a melancholic and introspective track that opens the emotional arc of the new album. As the band explains, the song evokes the image of a fragile creature submerged in deep waters — a metaphor for a soul lost in pain and memory. Lyrically, the track reflects on the irreversible moment when we realize what we’ve lost and can only sing a lullaby to the waves.

The upcoming album, “The Spectrum of Human Gravity,” explores human emotions without judgment or analysis, focusing instead on acceptance and the weight each feeling carries depending on personal wounds and life experience. The lyrics touch on heavy yet universal themes — from loneliness and suicide to mental health and identity — always through metaphor and imagery, allowing each listener to find personal meaning in the music.

The band’s name reflects their dual nature: introspective yet fierce, fluid yet grounded. Each member brings a distinct musical background, united by the desire to break boundaries and tell stories that resonate with the rawest corners of the human experience.
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​LISTEN: http://lnk.to/VWMn1P​
​VIDEO: https://youtu.be/IVGYAixzUOU​
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​Due out June 6th, 2025, album pre-orders are now available at the following link: https://bit.ly/3EsNGWd​

To celebrate the release of “The Spectrum of Human Gravity”, HELLFOX will hit the stage with a series of live shows. The first two dates have already been announced, with many more on the way. Stay tuned for a full tour schedule soon to be revealed!
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​07/07/2025 with Broken By The Scream at the Legend Club, Milan, Italy
​18/07/2025 with Genus Ordinis Dei at Have A Drink On Me Day 5 Fest, Brembate di Sopra (Bg) Italy

​

TRACK LISTING:​
1. Nautilus – Seaweed Braids
2. Empty
3. Water On The Ceiling
4. Pareidolia
5. Atlas
6. Six Times Lighter
7. The Centipede
8. The Warrior, The Child, The Healer
9. Voices
​
​Hellfox Line Up:​
Greta Hammonia Antico: vocals
Priscilla Poe Foresti: bass and vocals
Gloria Naflekt Kaps: guitars
Federica Fedi Piscopo: drums
​
​CREDITS:​
Recorded at Eden Studio by Alessio Lucatti
Mixed and Mastered by Domination Studio by Simone Mularoni.
Cover art by Eva Marabotti.

ABOUT:

HELLFOX is an ALL FEMALE alternative metal (alt-metal) band with melodic death tendencies. Despite the four completely different musical backgrounds, we share a common inspiration to Amorphis, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity as far as composition is concerned, while for the choice of sounds it was our intention to move away from the Symphonic, recognizably feminine scenario to include acid and distorted synths so that we could create modern atmospheres that more closely met our tastes and better married the pop timbre of the melodic vocals. The dualism of HELLFOX is not meant to be understood on a conflicting level, it is instead the result of different voices within the human soul, different faces if you will, that mingle and generate the person itself, in its entirety, that although they seem to struggle, they coexist and create harmony and balance. We don’t use masks to conform to a mass, nor do we want to stand out at all costs, we just want to be ourselves in a society where normality is only a surface, the abyss instead is made up of so many facets of personality, both for the group and especially for the individual human being. Ours is a message within everyone’s reach, in which one can recognize oneself: that little voice in the head that either draws you in or drives you away… Because for us, nothing is normal, nothing is different.

More info: https://www.rockshots.eu | https://www.instagram.com/hellfoxofficial | https://www.facebook.com/HellfoxOfficial​

DYING AWKWARD ANGEL Release New Single “Music Kills”

Italian melodic death metal act Dying Awkward Angel unleash their brand-new single “Music Kills”, a powerful mid-tempo composition that highlights the band’s continued evolution while remaining firmly rooted in the legacy of Scandinavian death metal.

Characterized by a raw and uncompromising sound, “Music Kills” draws inspiration from the early ‘90s Swedish scene—specifically, bands such as Dismember and Entombed—and channels the iconic HM-2 guitar tone into a modern, groove-driven framework. The result is a track that is both punishing and memorable, blending brutal riffs, visceral vocals, and an ominous atmosphere.

Lyrically, the song delves into the ambivalent nature of music itself, exploring its potential to both uplift and consume. This thematic depth adds an introspective dimension to the band’s sonic aggression, further establishing their unique voice within the international melodic death metal landscape.

Following their critically praised 2018 full-length “Absence of Light”, “Music Kills” marks a significant step forward for Dying Awkward Angel. While known for their fast-paced and relentless songwriting, the band now embraces a darker, more deliberate approach—one that prioritizes atmosphere and weight without sacrificing intensity.

The release of “Music Kills” also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. In the coming weeks, the band will unveil further details surrounding their upcoming full-length album, which promises to expand on the themes and sonic direction explored in this latest track.

For fans of Dismember, Entombed, At The Gates, and all those drawn to the raw edge of melodic death metal, “Music Kills” stands as a compelling statement of intent.

LISTEN to “Music Kills”:

Digital (Spotify) – http://lnk.to/qtFgi5​

YouTube – https://youtu.be/1JtD-Fhte_w​

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Formed in 1998, Dying Awkward Angel draws inspiration from the ’90s extreme metal scene of Gothenburg, the UK, and the USA, with influences from bands like In Flames, At the Gates, Carcass, Slayer, Death, Pantera, and Metallica. The band’s early releases, “Dying Awkward Angel” and “Ghost at the Spine,” received excellent critical acclaim. After some line-up changes, the band stabilized in 2013 and recorded the full-length album “Waiting for Punishment”.
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In 2015, the EP “Madness Rising” showcased a more mature and modern songwriting mixing old-school brutality with melodic incursions. In 2017, with the addition of Michele Spallieri (Kenos) as the vocalist, the band released the album “Absence Of Light” in 2018 (Extreme Metal Music / Rockshots Records), distributed across Europe, the USA, and Japan. Over the years, the band has shared the stage with renowned names such as Impaled Nazarene, **enos, Decapitated, Necronomicon, Forgotten Tomb, and many others.

Line-up:​
Michele Spallieri: Vocals
Demuro Edoardo: Guitars,
Lorenzo Asselli: Guitars
Luca Pellegrino: Drums
Davide Onida: Bass Guitar

More info: https://www.rockshots.eu | http://www.dyingawkwardangel.com | https://www.instagram.com/dyingawkwardangel_official/​