Author: Crix

French Modern Progressive Metal 5-piece Dualisis release and stream debut EP ‘Us. Out now on digital tourgh all platforms

Ahead of the release of their debut EP ‘Us’ scheduled this month, French progressive metal act Dualisis brings both previously released singles back into focus “Us” and “The Deep” – revealing them not as isolated tracks, but as interconnected fragments of a larger emotional and sonic narrative.

‘Us ‘is out now. Two singles, heard separately until now — together they form something more considered: a debut record built around contrast, identity and inner conflict.

Moving between atmospheric tension, crushing rhythmic weight and introspective melodic depth, French progressive metal act Dualisis crafts a modern progressive metal sound rooted as much in emotional resonance as in technical precision.

For fans of In This Moment, TesseracT, Katatonia, Soen and The Gathering — and anyone drawn to progressive metal that feels both cinematic and deeply human.

Based in France, Dualisis is a modern progressive metal act combining atmospheric songwriting, dynamic heaviness and cinematic textures.

Drawing influence from progressive metal, alternative metal and post-metal aesthetics, the band develops a sound built around contrast, tension and immersive composition rather than pure technical exhibition.

Following the release of its first singles, Dualisis released its debut EP ‘Us’ lin May 2025.

FAMOUS STRANGERS Unveils Explosive Single “Ghosts of Men”

Canada’s heavy rock force, Famous Strangers, unveils the explosive single “Ghosts of Men” from their long‑awaited self‑titled debut album, co‑produced with Phil Anderson, mixed by Joel Wanasek, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum, set for release on August 21, 2026.

“Ghosts of Men” was originally somewhat written back when Braden, Beej, and Jeff first got together, but put on the back burner. It was then rewritten, including vocals, just three days before entering the studio. The track evolved rapidly into one of the album’s most personal and hard‑hitting tracks.

“Famous Strangers tear down the double standard with ‘Ghosts of Men,’ a track that hits as hard as the conversation it starts. Bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore,” adds Kiernan

The music video takes a wild, tongue‑in‑cheek look at the emotional chaos of being ghosted, an over‑the‑top visual interpretation of the song’s raw vulnerability.

Music Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JllvDWc2AC4​

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/ghosts-of-men​

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The self-titled album marks the band’s first full‑length statement after a run of well‑received singles and videos throughout 2024–2025, including “Deep Star,” “George,” “I’ll See You in the Stars,” and “LSC”. Built on decades of collective experience in the Alberta music scene, Famous Strangers deliver a sound that is unpredictable, moody, haunting, old‑school, and intriguing, a fusion of classic heavy rock energy with modern emotional depth.

Famous Strangers formed organically after years of crossing paths in the Edmonton scene. Guitarist Jeff Kittlitz and drummer Beej had accumulated several original songs over a decade of part-time jamming. Bassist Braden Sustrik and Beej had a history in other past projects, and he was integrated into the jams around 2018. When vocalist Amanda Kiernan joined in 2023, everything clicked instantly.

“The connection was undeniable, the energy and vibe were pure magic. The lyrics poured out of me as if they’d been waiting for this exact moment,” says Kiernan.

The self‑titled debut is built around a central theme: knowing your worth. Drawing from deeply personal experiences, the album explores self‑love, growth, resilience, and the journey of breaking free from what holds you back. Musically, it’s a dynamic ride through heavy grunge‑soaked riffs, explosive high‑energy moments, atmospheric breakdowns, and softer introspective passages. The band pushes genre boundaries, embracing creative freedom and emotional honesty. Tracks range from the empowering opener “Fire Inside”, to the punk‑driven alien‑abduction romp “Far Away from Home”, to the blues‑infused vulnerability of “Rain.”

Recommended for fans of Halestorm, Nothing More, Sevendust, Godsmack, Evanescence, Butcher Babies, and Bad Omens, the self-titled album is available for pre-order / pre-save (Vinyl/Digital) (Out August 21, 2026) – https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/famousstrangers/famous-strangers​

Album artwork and track listing will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Upcoming Show Dates:​
June 27 – Decimate MetalFest – Millet, AB
July 3 – The Slice – Lethbridge, AB
July 4 – The Blox – Calgary, AB
Aug 6 through 20 – Western Canadian Tour
Aug 21 – Album Release Show 1 – Rec Room – Edmonton, AB
Aug 22 – Album Release Show 2 – Temple Starlite – Edmonton, AB

More info:

​https://www.famousstrangersband.com/​

​https://www.facebook.com/FamousStrangersBand/​

​https://www.instagram.com/famousstrangersband​

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About: Famous Strangers is a heavy metal band from Sherwood Park, Alberta. Rooted in the classics and built for today, the band brings together four veterans of the Alberta music scene with over 20 years of collective experience. With four singles, a music video for every release, and a debut album on vinyl dropping in August 2026, Famous Strangers is all raw power, emotional depth, and a sound that refuses to sit still.

epoimóriròmiope Release Unplugged Version of “eclissi”

Italian alternative rock trio epoimóriròmiope have released eclissi (unplugged), an acoustic reworking of the track “eclissi” from their album “ricordi di un tempo mai esistito”, out now via Epictronic Worldwide.

The new version strips the original of its layered production, arriving as a more direct and exposed take on the song. The band approached the arrangement not as a reduction but as a rewrite from scratch — reconsidering what the track needed once the noise was gone.

The band said: “When we first wrote and produced Eclissi, it was a track full of layers, tension, almost ‘noisy,’ even on an emotional level. Taking it acoustic wasn’t simply a matter of stripping it back, but of rethinking it from the ground up. We asked ourselves what would remain once everything unnecessary was removed, and in doing so, we uncovered its most fragile and honest core. This version is more direct, more exposed. Where there was once anger or impact, there is now vulnerability. Certain lines carry a different weight, almost as if the song had grown with us over time. In a sense, this isn’t just a musical reinterpretation, it’s an emotional one too: the same song, seen through different eyes.”

With ricordi di un tempo mai esistito, epoimóriròmiope invite listeners into their world of raw emotion, fragile beauty, and haunting intensity.

Stream ricordi di un tempo mai esistito: orcd.co/rdtme

Emerging in 2021 from Bologna, Italy, epoimóriròmiope fuses Metalcore, EDM, and Alternative Rock into a genre-defying sound. Originally a one-man project, it has evolved in both style and lineup—from the dark trap influences of Vincoli (2021) to the electronic experiments of kabukimono (2023). Singles from these albums remain on YouTube but have been withdrawn from streaming platforms to mark a fresh start with the definitive lineup and sound.

Lyrically, the project has shifted from social observations to exploring the darkest corners of the human soul. The latest album, “ricordi di un tempo mai esistito”, delves into separation, loss, regret, anger, anxiety, and reflections on death and life’s fleeting nature. Its first single, “vertigine”, captures the dizzying weight of absence and memory, offering atmospheric, raw alt-rock where love, identity, and time seem to unravel.

epoimóriròmiope is:

Erik Storari – Vocals, Guitar, Composition, Production
Sara Fioravanti – Bass
Giulio Barranca – Drums

www.youtube.com/@epoimoriromiope
www.instagram.com/epmm_official
www.tiktok.com/@epoimoriromiope

STEFANIA SISTU Releases New Single ‘Surbile’ – Between Rock, Folklore & Inner Darkness

“Surbile”, the new single by STEFANIA SISTU released through Volcano Records, is available today on all digital platforms. Accompanied by an official concept visualizer available on YouTube, the track represents an intense emotional journey suspended between modern rock sounds, dark atmospheres and a strong introspective component. Drawing influences from the melodic pathos of Evanescence, the gothic suggestions of Within Temptation and the emotional depth of Lacuna Coil, Stefania Sistu builds a personal and recognizable sonic identity, capable of alternating fragility and power within an intense and cinematic musical dimension.

“Surbile” develops through a solid yet evocative sound, where guitars and emotional tension accompany a deep and visceral narrative. At the center of the song lies the figure of the “Surbile”, a dark creature from Sardinian folklore, a disturbing and mysterious presence connected to nightmares, ancestral fears and inner shadows. Stefania Sistu transforms this ancient folk symbol into a contemporary metaphor for emotional torment, anguish and the fragilities hidden within the deepest dimension of the human soul. The result is an intense story suspended between myth and introspection, where folklore becomes a tool to explore universal anxieties. Written by Stefania Sistu and composed by Daniele Pireddu, the song focuses on contrasting emotions and the need to confront one’s inner demons, turning music into a space of liberation and self-awareness. The artist’s voice moves through dark and vibrant atmospheres with great personality, delivering an intense and engaging performance.

Listen to “Surbile” on Spotify, Apple Music and all major digital platforms, and watch the official concept visualizer on YouTube, here: https://youtu.be/bBpDx-RmbxU

www.facebook.com/stefania.sistu

Memoira celebrates life and memories with new single – IKIGAI (Memories)

Finnish symphonic metal band Memoira has released a new single IKIGAI (Memories). The release celebrates life and memories and opens the door to a well-known Japanese philosophy of life. Ikigai is a Japanese philosophical concept that refers to something that gives a person a sense of meaning or a reason to live:

– “The song is a kind of ode to life. It encourages us to make the most of life and create memories that will last a lifetime. During the arrangement phase of the song, we were at a song camp together thinking about the lyrics, when our bassist Niko mentioned the term Ikigai. The term resonated with us immediately, because it can be connected to our desire to create music, play and perform. Music is our philosophy of life,” – says the band’s keyboardist Lassi Nuolivaara.

The positive philosophy is also conveyed in the song’s nostalgic home video-like music video, which is compiled from the band’s various travels and live performances:

– “Ikigai also serves as an ode to our amazing fans and supporters, who have been strongly involved both at home, live at gigs and on social media around the world. You are the reason why we make music!” – says the band’s vocalist Krista Astrid Schröter.

Memoira is known for its combination of symphonic metal and strong melodies, where a modern metal sound meets a cinematic and emotional expression. IKIGAI (Memories) continues the band’s line, offering both familiar and new oriental tones to the band’s sound.

Listen to the single on music streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, Tidal etc.): https://push.fm/fl/memoira-ikigai

Watch the music video: https://youtu.be/ewhF7sohZfE

Memoira is a symphonic metal band from Finland formed in 2007. Known for it’s big atmospheric and epic sound, Memoira combines dynamic melodic metal and symphonic ethereal orchestrations into one, consistent flow of storytelling.

On it’s 15- year journey before the latest line-up changes, the band has released three albums and seven singles worldwide.

With the current lineup, which has been active since 2023, and Krista Astrid Schröter as their vocalist, the band has already released three singles (Cryonic Heart 2024, Emerald Eyes 2024 and Dollmaker 2025), each of which has brought the band more listeners and streams. The renewed lineup has also brought a whole new energy to the band’s stage performance and image, which has already been noticed among fans.

MEMOIRA LINE-UP

Krista Astrid Schröter – Vocals

Lassi Nuolivaara – Keyboards & Piano

Serdar Ilter – Guitars

Niko Laaksonen – Bass

Kimmo Puhakka – Drums

https://www.memoiraofficial.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MemoiraOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/memoira_official

https://www.youtube.com/@MemoiraOfficial

https://www.tiktok.com/@memoiraofficial

In This Moment, a band that has already collected over two billion streams, releases a new single, Sleeping With The Enemy

Combining theatrical expression and sharp modern rock, In This Moment release their new single Sleeping With The Enemy with a stunning video.

Led by the charismatic Maria Brink, the band, which has already collected over two billion streams in their career, has also managed to achieve seven gold singles and two platinum singles in the decade, three Billboard 200 Top 25 rankings for their albums and receive a Grammy nomination, so the beginning of the new album era is an exciting moment. One single from the upcoming album, Heretic (feat. Kim Dracula), has already been released.

“Sleeping with the Enemy and our upcoming album are about confronting the darkness — whether it’s inside or outside of us. It’s about looking the darkness in the eye and turning it into power. We’re incredibly excited and ready to show the world what we’ve created,” says Brink.

Founded in 2005, the band has built a loyal fan base under the leadership of Brink, who is known as a “mother figure”. The band also includes founding member and guitarist Chris Howorth, bassist Travis Johnson, guitarist Randy Weitzel and drummer Kent Diimmel. Over the years, they have grown into one of the most influential heavy metal bands of the 2000s. In addition to their sold-out tours, the band has performed in arenas and at numerous festivals from Lollapalooza to Sonic Temple. Along the way, they have collaborated with, among others, Ozzy Osbourne and Kevin Churko, who has worked with Five Finger Death Punch, and in 2020 the band received a Grammy nomination in the category “Best Metal Performance”. The band was also heard on the soundtrack of the film John Wick: Chapter 4.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | SPOTIFY

Black Royale, Themata & Sees live at Mera Klubi, Pori (Finland) 23.5.2026

The last Meara Klubi before the summer took place on May 23, featuring three bands: Black Royale, Themata, and Sees.

Sees opened the night. Rooted in post‑metal, their sound shifts from fierce aggression to the bleak beauty of melancholy. Their performance was intense and immersive, showcasing every shade of their atmospheric style.

Next came Themata, stepping onto the stage for their first live performance ever. Their sound is abrasive, terminal, and downright vile in the best sludge‑metal way. Despite being newcomers as a unit, their tight execution made it obvious that each member brings years of experience.

Closing the night was Black Royale, offering a highly infectious blend of death metal and crushing sludge. With their dark yet epic sound, they captivated the audience and built a powerful atmosphere to end the evening.

Photos by Cristina Gregori below.

VICTORIA K – New single “Oh So Weary”; The First Glimpse From Upcoming Album “The Pleasure Of Sorrow”

Australian gothic/modern metal act Victoria K unveil “Oh So Weary”, the first single taken from the upcoming album “The Pleasure Of Sorrow”.

With “The Pleasure Of Sorrow”, Victoria K moves toward a darker and more intimate sound, combining gothic atmospheres, modern heaviness, haunting melodies, and emotionally driven songwriting. The album expands the band’s sonic identity while exploring themes of grief, mortality, vulnerability, and rebirth.

“Oh So Weary” offers the first glimpse of this new direction through a composition that balances fragility, tension, and crushing dynamics. Layered arrangements, haunting melodies, and a sharp modern production approach – helmed by producer Lee Bradshaw and elevated through Lance Prenc’s mixing and mastering – shape a track that feels both massive and deeply personal. Additional electronic textures and sound design elements further reinforce the song’s contemporary edge and immersive atmosphere.

The single reflects on mortality and on the human body as a temporary shell inhabited by the soul. Recurring references to “home” and “house” symbolise physical existence itself, questioning what may remain once that form disappears.

Rather than relying on traditional genre formulas, Victoria K continues refining a sound built around atmosphere, emotional weight, and contemporary influences. Over the years, the Australian act has developed a distinctive identity within the modern gothic and alternative metal landscape through dynamic songwriting and cinematic storytelling.

Further details regarding “The Pleasure Of Sorrow”, including the album release date, will be revealed in the coming months. Stay tuned!

Listen to “Oh So Weary” here: https://lnk.to/b2R91u​

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmo57RpzXrI​

For fans of: Spiritbox, Evanescence, Lacuna Coil

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VICTORIA K lineup:​
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​Victoria Knight: Vocals
​Charlie Curnow: Extreme Vocals
​James Davies: Drums
​Ethan Collusi: Bass

BIOGRAPHY:

Emerging from the sepulchral mists and haunted landscapes of ancient myth, Victoria K cast a lengthening shadow over Australia and beyond. Leading the Australian Gothic Metal charge with soaring vocals, expansive melodies, and bombastic songwriting that draws on the resonance of the oldest tales and fresh emotion.

Victoria K first came to the notice of listeners with their single “Lacuna,” which was distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Warner Music Group (Australia) and was an early taste of things to come with their debut album, “Essentia“.

Soon after the release of the 2019 single “Lacuna” ahead of the band’s first album, Victoria K were invited to support Swiss Folk Metal legends Eluveitie at Melbourne’s Croxton Bandroom. Though this was Victoria K’s first live outing, they took the crowd by storm and left them chanting for more. This entry into the live scene set the stage for the release of “Essentia” perfectly.

The diversity of music across the “Essentia” album is showcased across the four single/video releases – “Essentia“, “Forsaken“, “The Haunting“, and “Matrix“. While “Forsaken” reaches into the darker corners of Victoria K’s musical palette, “Matrix,” by contrast, is a fast and uplifting song guaranteed to get the blood pumping.

Just as Victoria K was about to play their first headline show, however, the world was plunged into the throes of lockdowns and the now-infamous pandemic. Even in the face of such a challenging time for the music industry, the band remained undeterred and performed a live show streamed directly from the studio, which was later released as the DVD “Essentia – Live Isolation Concert“.

By the time the world opened up again, Victoria K were ravenous for touring and embarked upon an extensive trek across the Great Southern Land that took in capital cities and regional towns alike, from their hometown of Melbourne to Whyalla.

Even as they toured, Victoria K showed no sign of slowing down in their songwriting, and 2023 saw the release of their sophomore album “Kore“. For this release, Knight drew on her own Greek heritage to weave an enchanting interpretation of the story of Persephone, including lyrics and chants sung in Ancient Greek to truly capture the epic tale.

The lineage from such luminaries of Gothic Metal as Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, and Evanescence, as well as Prog/Power acts like Evergrey and Melbourne’s own Teramaze, to Victoria K is clear; however, with their latest release, Victoria K pays tribute to a more surprising inspiration, Madonna. In April 2024, Victoria K released their heavy rendition of the iconic 1998 ballad “Frozen“, running the gamut from heavy riffs to more dulcet moments, giving homage to the soulful and introspective nature of the song.

In addition to Knight’s majestic lead vocals, Victoria K’s current touring line-up includes Charlie Curnow tearing up the stage on harsh vocals, Ethan Colussi holding down the bottom end on bass, and the indomitable percussive machine of James Davies on drums.

Victoria K has amassed over 475,000 streams on Spotify and accumulated over 717,000 views on YouTube, averaging over 90 hours a month of watch time, with Matrix achieving over 150,000 views. They also boast over 6300 Facebook, 4000 Instagram, and 2700 TikTok followers, as well as over 6600 YouTube subscribers and 1000 monthly Spotify listeners primarily in Australia and the US.

With Victoria K leaning into epic and fantastical tales, it’s only fitting that they supported Blind Guardian at the Northcote Theatre on Friday, February 9, 2024, and Katatonia at The Croxton on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

Victoria K’s have recorded their 3rd studio album, “The Pleasure of Sorrow.” The details will be revealed in the coming weeks.

More info:
​https://rockshots.eu/​

​https://www.instagram.com/victoria_k_official/​

​https://www.facebook.com/victoriakofficial/​

Portuguese Instrumental Metal Project 7KEYS Signs With Wormholedeath for Debut Album Gæa

Wormholedeath is thrilled to announce the official signing of 7Keys, the formidable instrumental metal project hailing from Portugal. This exciting new partnership will see the global release of their upcoming studio album, ‘Gæa’.

7Keys build their sound around strong melodic writing, precise musicianship, and a modern heavy metal identity shaped without vocals. The result is music that leans on atmosphere and structure, while still carrying weight and momentum throughout each track. Their style sits in a space that will feel familiar to fans of Trivium, Avenged Sevenfold, and Iron Maiden, while staying firmly rooted in their own instrumental approach.

The project was initiated by guitarist Márcio Teixeira, whose relationship with heavy metal started in early childhood. After picking up the guitar at a young age and developing his skills independently, he later studied under renowned guitarist Paulo Barros, refining both technique and musical direction. During a live music production in Portugal, he met bassist Igor Rodrigues, marking the beginning of what would become 7Keys.

The lineup is completed by Gabriel Pereira on rhythm guitar and Igor Rodrigues on bass, bringing a solid and cohesive foundation to the band’s layered sound.

With “Gæa”, 7Keys present a collection of tracks focused on melody, progression, and emotional weight. Each piece stands on its own, yet contributes to a wider narrative shaped entirely through instrumentation. It’s a record built to engage both technically and emotionally, without relying on vocals to lead the story.

www.youtube.com/@7Keys_band_official
www.instagram.com/7keys_band_official
www.facebook.com/7keys

Legendary heavy metallers Stryper share new lyric video “I’m Alright (I’m Okay)”

Today, STRYPER returns with a powerful new single, ‘I’m Alright (I’m Okay),’ reaffirming why they remain one of the most influential and enduring bands in Christian metal. Decades into their career, the band continues to balance their unmistakable message with a sound that is every bit as commanding, melodic, and relevant as ever.

On the new single, Michael Sweet comments:

“This one is for the old school metal heads. It’s a little 1985 mixed with a little 1991, with a little 2026 sprinkled on top. It has all the qualities that you’ve come to expect from STRYPER, yet it also blends in perfectly with the times we live in. It’s a battle cry to stand strong and persevere no matter what, while believing that you will be alright, you will be okay!”

Watch the Lyric Video for “I’m Alright (I’m Okay)” HERE

Following the release of the new single, STRYPER is excited to be hitting the road beginning on June 5th in Anaheim, CA at the Grove of Anaheim. For a full list of dates, please see below.

STRYPER Live:

June 5th – Anaheim, CA @ Grove of Anaheim
June 6th – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre
June 18th – Decatur, IL @ Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater
June 19th – St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
June 20th – Shipshewana, IN @ Blue Gate Performing Arts Center
July 17th – Arlington, TX @ Arlington Music Hall
July 18th – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
July 19th – San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre
September 19th – Wissen, GER @ Loud and Proud Festival 2026
September 29th – Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
September 30th – Wantagh, NY @ Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall
October 3rd – Harrisburg, PA @ XL Live
October 4th – Warrendale, PA @ Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
October 6th – Marion, IL @ Marion Cultural and Civic Center
October 9th – Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Crystal Grand Music Theatre
October 10th – Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center
October 12th – St. Louis, MO @ The Hawthorn
October 13th – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s
October 15th – Nashville, TN @ The Cannery Mainstage
October 16th – Newton, NC @ Newton Performing Arts Center
October 19th – Jacksonville, FL @ FIVE
October 20th – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
October 22nd – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
October 23rd – Liberty, SC @ Pickens County PAC
October 24th – Hopewell, VA @ Beacon Theatre
October 25th – Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
December 5th – San Juan, PR @ Coca-Cola Music Hall

Stream / Listen to “I’m Alright (I’m Okay)” HERE

STRYPER are:
Michael Sweet – Lead Vocals/Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Robert Sweet – Drums & Percussion
Oz Fox – Vocals/Lead and Rhythm Guitar
Perry Richardson – Vocals/Bass

FOLLOW STRYPER:
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