Author: Crix

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.
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​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!”

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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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​“By facing it directly, she conquers the thing that had been ruling her,” says Johnny Ray.
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​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.
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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.
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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

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​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.

https://linktr.ee/rioghandarcy

Groove Death Metal Force New Sun Sign With Wormholedeath

Wormholedeath is proud to announce the signing of Italian groove death metal band New Sun and the release of their debut album, Hanged’s Fate, scheduled for 7 August 2026.

Blending crushing groove-laden riffs, extreme metal intensity, and dark atmospheric elements, New Sun emerge with a debut record that explores the struggle between control, self-deception, and personal liberation.

Formed in Northern Italy between Padua and Venice, New Sun emerged from an underground creative process driven by musicians with diverse extreme metal backgrounds. The band quickly evolved from an experimental early lineup into a focused four-piece, refining their identity into a direct, impact-driven sound rooted in groove and death metal, while incorporating elements of thrash, melodic death, black metal, and modern metal influences.

The current lineup features Alexandre “Growler” Piccoli (vocals), Lorenzo “Mr. Gore” Toffano (guitar), Mattia “Basserker” Zanella (bass), and Mattia “Banz” Banzato (drums).

“For many artists, releasing a first album is an achievement in itself. Doing it with a prestigious label, however, has made us realise that we are really only at the beginning of our journey as musicians — and having their support at such a delicate stage makes us incredibly grateful, especially in the sea of competition that surrounds metal bands in our scene.”

At the core of Hanged’s Fate lies a conceptual exploration of control, collapse, and self-awareness. The album follows a psychological descent into uncertainty, where personal limits and internal contradictions come to the surface. Across its runtime, New Sun build a tension between crushing groove death metal weight and bleak, blackened atmospheres, shaping a narrative that offers no easy resolution.

A standout track, “Drag Me Down”, captures the emotional arc of the record, moving from inner collapse to catharsis and renewal, reflecting the album’s central idea: destruction and rebirth are inseparable processes.

With Hanged’s Fate, New Sun position themselves as a new force in modern Italian extreme metal, defined by intensity, purpose, and clarity of vision.

www.instagram.com/newsun_band

www.facebook.com/newsunmetal

newsn.bandcamp.com/track/create-my-empire

Finnish-Mexican melodeath ambassadors Ulthima releases the first single from their upcoming sophomore album

Approach of the long awaited second album release of epic melodeath ambassador Ulthima is being announced with an opening single “White Raven”. From Monterrey Mexico, to Helsinki Finland, the band came to be known in the Finnish metal scene with their Debut album “Symphony of the Night” in 2021, and is set to release their second full album in the autumn of 2026.

“White Raven” explores the journey from fearing death to accepting it as a natural part of existence. Guided by the symbol of the White Raven, the song blends mythological imagery and reflection on mortality, portraying death not as an end, but as a passage into eternity.

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/ulthima-whiteraven

The guitarist and composer Ric tells about the song: “White raven is one of the last songs I wrote for this album. It’s one of those that come out of nowhere with just one small riff and rapidly developed in a full length song. It always felt very organic while it was put together and definitely one of the best ones in the album. 

Lyric wise I wanted a deep topic for it. While it is a bit cliche talking about death and all that, I felt it was a fitting for this song as it is something we can all relate to.

With this album, we set out to sharpen and define our identity as a band. Instead of pursuing a polished, overly perfected production, we embraced a rawer and more organic sound that captures the intensity and spirit of our music. We wanted the album to feel alive—heavy, aggressive, and honest—while preserving the human element that often gets lost in modern productions. The result is our most authentic release to date, a record that reflects who we are as musicians and delivers our vision with power, atmosphere, and conviction.”

Ulthima is a band that originated back in 2010 in Monterrey Mexico, the band went on hiatus until 2018 in Helsinki Finland. Where the band finally consolidated its members and finished their first full length album Symphony of the Night. In mid 2024 the band started the recording of their second full length album Midnight’s Call, which will be released in the fall of 2026.

Ulthima:

Ricardo Escobar: Guitar

Luca Guagneli: Guitar

Antonio Valdés: Bass

Niko Sutinen: Keyboards

Ville Nummisalo: Drums

Tuomas Antila: Vocals

https://ulthima.bandcamp.com/

Finnish progressive melodic death metal band Numento’s new song “One With The Void” is a metaphorical portrayal of a painful death

“One With The Void” is a metaphorical portrayal of a painful death, through which Numento, a Finnish progressive melodeath band, briefly returns to its older musical roots. The story behind the song draws inspiration from a particularly sinister and fascinating natural phenomenon: the fungus Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, better known as the zombie-ant fungus, which infects carpenter ants. The fungus takes complete control of its host, manipulates its behavior, and forces the ant to climb high into vegetation before its inevitable end.

Appropriately for its subject matter, the song moves through agonizingly oppressive atmospheres, twisting in pain before an unavoidable dark death — only for the cycle of infection to start again, over and over. The phenomenon and narrative can also be seen as reflections of human behavioral patterns, particularly in the worlds of crime, manipulation and cults.

Listen to the single on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.):

https://push.fm/fl/numento-onewiththevoid

Musically, the composition combines the trademark contrasts that have become characteristic of Numento: brutality and melancholy intertwined with diverse vocal expressions and memorable guitar melodies. “One With The Void” is part of an upcoming EP scheduled for release later this year.

 

Numento:

Atte Asikainen – Guitar & backing vocals

Katri Hiovain-Asikainen – Vocals & kantele

Johnny Grinds – Bass & backing vocals

Aleksi Vehmassalo – Guitar

Mikko Virtanen – Drums

 

Portuguese Instrumental Titans 7Keys Unleash Epic Video For ‘Gates Of Glory’

Portuguese instrumental metal act 7Keys return with “Gates Of Glory”, single and official music video taken from their forthcoming album “Gæa”, set for worldwide release on July 10, 2026, via Wormholedeath.

‘Gates Of Glory’ maps out a classic heroic journey, charting a protagonist facing down immense adversity and pushing through to the other side.

Without a single lyric, 7Keys brilliantly translate this narrative through pure musical storytelling. The track is structurally split into five distinct movements, each representing a new trial conquered. Listeners will note deliberate, masterful shifts in tone, tempo, and texture, signaling the transition from one epic chapter to the next. It’s a masterclass in modern composition that bridges the gap between classic heavy metal gallop and contemporary progressive aggression.

7Keys was founded by guitarist Márcio Teixeira, whose connection to heavy metal began early. After teaching himself guitar, he later refined his approach under respected guitarist Paulo Barros, sharpening both technique and musical direction.

The project took shape after Teixeira met bassist Igor Rodrigues during a live production in Portugal. The current line-up is completed by Gabriel Pereira on rhythm guitar and Rodrigues on bass, forming a tight unit built around layered arrangements and clear musical intent.

Their upcoming album “Gæa” presents a collection focused on progression, melody, and atmosphere. Each track stands alone, but together they form a cohesive, instrumental narrative. The band keeps things focused: strong composition, deliberate pacing, and emotion carried through sound rather than lyrics.

www.youtube.com/@7Keys_band_official

www.instagram.com/7keys_band_official

www.facebook.com/7keys

“Breathe” In Progressive Collective LUFEH’s New Music Video In Support of Latest Album “Overwhelmed”

Progressive rock fusionists LUFEH have released their brand‑new music video “Breathe”, a vibrant and uplifting track from their newly released album “Overwhelmed,” out now as of May 29th. The song captures the band’s refined balance of technical sophistication and memorable, sing‑along melodies, an evolution that marks a new era for the long‑running musical collective.
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​“Breathe” stands out as one of the album’s most positive and energetic moments. Built on upbeat rhythms and bright melodic hooks, the track delivers a simple but powerful message: slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself amid the chaos of daily life. The band describes it as “a blast to play” and a reminder that sometimes the most important thing we can do is pause and take a breath.

Watch and listen to “Breathe” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0JHbR1hR5A​

Recorded at the legendary Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, “Overwhelmed” represents LUFEH’s most mature and melodic work to date. While the band’s signature progressive complexity remains intact, this album places a stronger emphasis on catchy vocal melodies, memorable choruses, and emotional clarity.
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The album features eight meticulously crafted tracks, designed to blend technical musicianship with accessibility. From the rhythmic intricacy of “Double Dip” to the emotional weight of “Feels Like I’m a Ghost,” the record showcases LUFEH’s ability to merge prog, fusion, metal, and Brazilian influences into a cohesive, modern sound.

A major highlight of the album is the addition of Ginny Luke as the band’s new featured vocalist. An internationally recognized electric violinist and singer, she brings a powerful new dimension to LUFEH’s sound, appearing on multiple tracks and elevating the album’s emotional and melodic impact. Luke has performed with artists such as Foo Fighters, Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg, Miguel, and many others.
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LUFEH is a progressive rock band blending sophisticated, refined, and modern musical elements with deep emotional expression. Founded by drummer Lufeh, the band has evolved through decades of collaboration, friendship, and shared musical history. Guitarist Deio Tambasco and bassist Duca Tambasco, longtime collaborators dating back to their early band Anno Domini, rejoined forces with Lufeh to help shape the group’s current sound, alongside keyboardist/producer Gera Penna.
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Despite living on different continents, drummer Lufeh Batera in Los Angeles and the rest of the band in São Paulo, the group wrote nearly 70% of the new album online, exchanging ideas daily and refining each track collaboratively. Their creative process is built on trust, honesty, and a shared commitment to crafting music that feels both intricate and emotionally resonant.
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Influenced by Dream Theater, Rush, Vola, Tool, and Haken, LUFEH continues to push the boundaries of progressive rock while remaining grounded in melody, storytelling, and musical connection.
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Listen to “Overwhelmed” (released May 29th, 2026) at the following links:

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/album/17TBW46gFIisvVekW4yyOW​

Bandcamp – https://lufehband.bandcamp.com/​

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Track Listing:​
1. He Commands The Sun and The Stars – 4:22
2. Breathe – 4:03
3. Double Dip – 4:39
4. Overwhelmed – 4:30
5. Feels Like I’m A Ghost – 5:43
6. Live The New Today – 4:50
7. War of Emotions – 3:50
8. End of the Tunnel – 4:18

Album and Live Band Line Up:​
Duca Tambasco – bass and backing vocals
Deio Tambasco – guitar and backing vocals
Gera Penna – keyboard and backing vocals
Lufeh Batera – Drums
Ginny Luke – vocals (featuring)

More Info:

​http://www.lufehband.com​

​https://www.facebook.com/lufehband​

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

About:

LUFEH is a progressive rock/metal band blending technical precision with emotional depth and genre‑bending influences. Formed by drummer Lufeh after a long hiatus from music, the band now features guitarist Deio Tambasco, bassist Duca Tambasco, keyboardist/producer Gera Penna, and vocalist/violinist Ginny Luke. Their sound draws inspiration from Dream Theater, Rush, Vola, Tool, Haken, and Brazilian musical traditions.

Album Recording Credits:​
• All songs performed by: Duca Tambasco, Deio Tambasco, Gera Penna, Lufeh Batera, and Ginny Luke
• All songs written by: Duca Tambasco, Deio Tambasco, Gera Penna, and Lufeh Batera
• Produced by: Gera Penna
• Mixed by: Adair Daufembach
• Mastered by: Adair Daufembach
• Album Artwork by: Lufeh Batera

Norwegian metallers Triosphere unveil new video “Oceans Above, Stars Below” from upcoming new album out August 28th

Norwegian heavy metal band Triosphere have unveiled their new single and official video, “Oceans Above, Stars Below”, title track of the upcoming studio album, out August 28, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

The band commented: “We’re proud and happy to release the title track off our upcoming album, “Oceans Above, Stars Below”. It is rich with contrast in emotion and intensity, and perhaps somewhat more complex than some of the other songs on the album. This mirrors the title and lyric which dives into themes of momentous changes, challenges, deception, acknowledging everywhere and everything that you’ve been and finding/discovering new ways forward within it all. We sincerely hope you’ll enjoy the music, and the official video we’ve made for it together with Kinorama Studio!”

Watch the official video for “Oceans Above, Stars Below” HERE

Pre-Order “Oceans Above, Stars Below” HERE

The band commented: “This has been a long, loooong haul! But we are happy and proud to say that we once again feel we’ve made a strong and killer album and thrilled to have teamed up with the great Frontiers Music for bringing this out into the world! It’s a more intense album, both in atmosphere and speed, with hooks and melodies that’s cooler than ever, and we deeply hope and believe the listeners will feel it was well worth the wait!”

“As with our previous album, we knew that we wanted legendary Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios to do the mix of the album. The studio could at that time offer brand new, stellar facilities, so we decided to also record the drums and vocals there together with the excellent engineer/producer Alexander Backlund”, they continued. “This has lifted the audio quality of our albums to a new level, and we’re just so excited to finally share it all with the rest of the world!”

Furthermore, they added: “We’re also thrilled to properly share with you the album cover artwork by Giannis Nakos of Remedy Art Design! We were well familiar with Giannis’ quality-work when we first reached out to him, and based on our discussions around the album title and lyrics, he has created a truly intriguing eye-catcher of an artwork!”

Triosphere’s music moves in between hard rock, power prog and thrash metal, and presents uniquely honest and hard-hitting songs; from the heaviest to the calmest, from intricate to classic, all led by strong melodies and compelling guitarwork.

Triosphere released their debut album “Onwards” on FaceFront Records in 2006/2007. It received rave reviews, and the award “Best Metal Album” from the world’s largest independent music organization JPF’s at their annual JPF Awards in Nashville in 2009.

In 2010, the band signed with AFM Records, who released their sophomore album “The Road Less Travelled” (2010), and “The Heart Of The Matter” (2014). Both albums received huge critical acclaim worldwide and consequently a growing number of listeners.

Throughout the years, the band has had the privilege of touring with some of the truly great names within the rock and metal genre: their first tours in 2006 and 2007 was with W.A.S.P., and in the years to follow they have toured Europe with Arch Enemy, Sonata Artica, Kamelot, Timo Kotipelto, Jorn, Crimson Glory and Sirenia.

They’ve opened for Dio and Nightwish, and played festivals like Wacken Open Air, Progpower USA, 70 000 Tons of Metal, Tons of Rock and Metaldays, to name a few.

The bands’ solid quality both on record and stage have earned them a steadfast audience and listeners around the world, and their long-awaited new album perfectly encapsulates the essence of Triosphere, standing the test of time.

“Oceans Above, Stars Below” Tracklist:

1.    Premonition
2.    Of Tyrants
3.    Oceans Above, Stars Below
4.    Monster’s Ball
5.    Through The Phantom Wall
6.    Shorelines
7.    Lightning In A Bottle
8.    Encore
9.    Embers
10.    Orpheus’ Bane
11.    Cadence Of Chaos
12.    Gjenklang

Line Up:
Ida Haukland – bass and vocals
Marius Bergesen – guitars
Tor Ole Byberg – guitars
Kenneth Tårneby – drums

Follow TRIOSPHERE:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

Kælan Mikla Video interview

Shortly before their performance at the Ankea Festival in Finland, we met Kælan Mikla, the Icelandic trio whose music seamlessly transitions between genres and moods, defying any attempt at easy classification. Emerging from Reykjavik’s underground poetry scene and establishing themselves as one of the most exciting forces in modern darkwave, the band has constructed an entire sonic universe: evocative, atmospheric, and charged with emotion.
In this interview, we retraced their evolution, from their experimental beginnings to the ever-changing identity that defines their work today. They gave us a sneak peek at their upcoming album, reflected on their tour with Ville Valo, and opened up about the realities of life on tour; from caring for their well-being to the rituals that help them find balance before going on stage.
We also talked about what happens once they are on stage and what happens after the show is over.
A rare and intimate glimpse into Kælan Mikla, captured moments before they enchanted the festival crowd.

https://www.instagram.com/kaelanmikla
https://www.facebook.com/Kaelanmikla/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/28meEMqGpDrolyQ9OVoDAH