Tampere-based heavy rock metal band Egokills has finished their new album and the first single Knuckle Choke was released today. The song is the most aggressive and intense release in Egokills’ catalog to date. Riffs are poured down the listener’s throats accompanied by a fast-paced rhythm – not forgetting the blast beats. The song is accompanied by a visualizer.
“Now for once, strangling like you should!”, singer-guitarist and songwriter Janne Selo commented.
Selo decided to finally take up the guitar in Egokills, after having remained solely the singer’s role until now. The band had always wondered why the best guitarist in the lineup didn’t play the guitar.
The album was produced by Juha Nevala, and it was recorded in the old-fashioned way in a real studio with real instruments. The studio was Lammaskallion Audio in Tuusula.
Egokills has a fifteen-year career behind them, three albums and several tours in Europe. The fourth album is ready and will be released later this year. The previous full-length album Egokills was released in 2023.
“Fifteen years of frustration turned into explosive inspiration! Nothing but fuel for the flames,” says drummer Vilho Rajala.
“There’s a new kind of confidence in this thing now. We show our mettle but with a smile on our faces,” adds guitarist Niko Viita-aho.
Egokills have started their new cycle of social media campaigning. There will be a lot of material from the studio, including a making of documentary series, talking heads, training clips and much more. More information about the upcoming album and Egokills’ plans will be announced soon.
The official Egokills store now has a limited edition of the Knuckle Choke shirt, based on Niko Viita-aho’s cover art.
Egokills is:
Janne Selo – vocals
Niko Viita-aho – guitar
Mika Pusa – bass
Vilho Rajala – drums
The Hellsinki Metal Festival, which will be held in Helsinki on August 7–8, has seen a change in the lineup. One of Finland’s rising export hopes, progressive death metal artist Numento (pictured below), will replace the American band Ill Niño, whose performance at the event has been canceled due to conflicts of interest and logistical challenges. In addition, Accept and Black Label Society will change their schedule to Friday night on stage one.
In addition to traditional band instruments, Numento has harnessed our national instrument, the kantele, to new use, and the kantele also freshens up with the distortion on the band’s latest single The Extortionist. You can watch the music video for the song here. Numento won the Finnish Wacken Metal Battle competition last year, and the band’s music has been heard on stage as well as on the Osu! Beatmap gaming platform. The band has released three albums so far, the latest of which, The Antimatter Fantasy (2024), received rave reviews.
This year, the fourth Hellsinki Metal Festival will be accompanied by Fat Lizard’s own Brutal Fu**ing Lager beer, which will be available at the event itself and at selected K-Supermarkets and major rock bars in the Helsinki region on Friday.
This year’s Hellsinki Metal Festival schedule is:
FRIDAY 7.8.
13:00 – doors
HELLSINKI-01
14:15-15:00 – UNLEASHED
16:00-17:00 – CARCASS
18:00-19:00 – BLOODBATH
20:00-21:15 – BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
22:30-00:00 – ACCEPT
All tickets for the festival are now on sale. More information about the different ticket types can be found at the ticket offices.
The ticket prices currently on sale are:
Fri/Sat day ticket: €134.50 + service fee
2-day basic ticket: €199.00 + service fee
2-day RIP ticket: €279.00 + service fee
Tickets are sold by Ticketmaster, Tiketti and Lippu.fi
Brutal Fu**ing Lager is available from 29.5. starting at the following stores and restaurants:
Epictronic is delighted to announce the signing of Happy Sad, the evocative solo project of Japanese multi-instrumentalist and acclaimed sound designer Hiroaki Kusano. The partnership kicks off with the worldwide release of the masterpiece album, The World is Grand When We See, arriving June 11, 2026.
“It all began with a comment from Mr. Carlo of Epictronic on Hiroaki’s music.” Kusano said, “The partnership took shape from a shared vision and a clear understanding of the idea of ‘music that paints the landscapes of the heart.’”
“We are extremely proud and honoured to announce our collaboration with HAPPY SAD, an extraordinarily talented Japanese artist whose vision goes far beyond the boundaries of conventional songwriting. What immediately captured my attention was not only the quality of the music itself, but the depth, sensitivity, and artistic identity behind every composition. HAPPY SAD represents the kind of artist that today has become incredibly rare: authentic, cultured, emotionally honest, and deeply devoted to the creative process in all its forms. His music naturally blends elements of mellow soul, ambient, trip-hop, and cinematic soundscapes into something deeply personal and recognisable. There is a poetic elegance in the way he combines acoustic instrumentation with modern production techniques, creating songs that feel intimate, atmospheric, and timeless at the same time. Beyond his solo work, his impressive career as a sound designer and composer for more than 60 video game productions and multimedia projects demonstrates an exceptional artistic versatility and a truly international level of professionalism. For us, this collaboration is not simply a licensing agreement. It is the meeting of two artistic visions connected by a shared love for emotionally powerful music, sonic exploration, and artistic sincerity. We genuinely believe HAPPY SAD deserves much wider international recognition, and we are incredibly excited to help bring his music to new audiences around the world.” — Carlo Bellotti
The World is Grand When We See brings together a refined selection of recent works, focusing on compositions designed to evoke imagery through sound. The album moves between neoclassical arrangements, ambient layers, lo-fi textures, world music influences, and alternative rock structures, forming a fluid and cinematic listening experience.
At its core, the record reflects a personal journey shaped by contradiction. Hiroaki’s perspective—formed through years of travel across ten countries in search of sound, instruments, and lived experience—embraces both beauty and discomfort in equal measure. The result is a body of work that does not avoid darkness but allows light to break through it.
The album carries a dynamic emotional arc. Initial heaviness gradually gives way to moments of clarity, where softness and warmth emerge like light after rainfall. This contrast becomes a central theme, mirroring the instability and emotional complexity of contemporary life. Rather than following trends, Happy Sad focuses on expression rooted in direct experience and human connection.
The title The World is Grand When We See reflects a simple idea: meaning does not come from second-hand perspective, but from direct observation and lived understanding. The music invites listeners into that process—quiet, reflective, and deeply personal.
Hiroaki is the artist behind the project Happy Sad. He began making music during his student years, recording demos while performing solo acoustic sets and playing in café bars. His influences span soul, British rock, folk, trip hop, neoclassical, world music, film scores, and ambient, alongside a strong connection to literature and the arts. His work balances live instrumentation with programmed elements. To date, Happy Sad has released seven albums and 19 EPs.
Alongside his solo work, Hiroaki is a Sound Designer and Sound Director with around 14 years of experience in the game industry. He has held senior roles at companies including NetEase Games, FunPlus, NHN PlayArt, IGNIS / Studio King Inc., and Noisycroak Inc., contributing to more than 60 projects. His work covers music composition (BGM), sound design, MA, direction, promotional video production, and audio for games, commercials, and short dramas.
In 2013, his track “Everyday” won the domestic DJ category and became a finalist in MTV and Lenovo’s “CO:LAB” contest.
Happy Sad is his personal artistic outlet, developed since his student days. It reflects his inner landscape and explores both beauty and darkness in life, connected to a wider tradition of art and philosophy focused on human experience.
In recent years, he has traveled across ten countries in search of sounds and traditional instruments. Along the way, encounters with displaced people left a strong impression and reinforced his desire to share music that carries shared human emotion.
He views music as a universal language—capable of connecting people in the same way visual art can capture and communicate a single, lasting moment.
More easy listening tunes from Finnish sludge metal band Sounds Of Delusion! Now released “Newborn” is a song about the next omnipotent generation. No sense, no facts, no laws of physics. Humanity truly has absolutely no limits!
Sounds Of Delusion started as a solo project by Juuso Raatikainen (Swallow The Sun) has grown recently into a trio. The band will play their first gig this fridat at Kuudes Linja in Helsinki on May 29. The live lineup includes Okko Solanterä (Horizon Ignited, I Am the Night), Antti Karhu (Shining [NO], Post Pulse), Pekka Löhönen, and Juuso Raatikainen. The gig will celebrate the album release of guitarist Karhu’s other band, Post Pulse, and will also feature a performance by Turku-based rock-metal hybrid Sisin.
Originally founded in Switzerland but soon moved to Finland, melodic death metal band As the Sun Falls released their third album.
Released via Thogonia Records, Songs From The Veil delves into the ancient and mythical shadows of the Nordics, and the thematically coherent work continues the band’s series of acclaimed releases, where dark tones and melancholic melodies even feel comforting.
Songs From The Veil continues where 2024’s Kaamos and the following year’s Pohjoisen Sydän EP left off, taking the chilling melancholy even further. As The Sun Falls’ vast soundscapes inevitably bring to mind cinematic moods, where folklore, nature and the fragility of humanity merge into a seamless whole.
“Rooted deep in Finnish mythology and old beliefs, Songs From The Veil weaves together tales of the soul bird, ancient creation myths, the shadowy realms of the afterlife, and the legendary fire fox, whose burning tail is said to ignite the northern lights in the sky. These mythical tales are combined with stark, nature-inspired imagery: the heavy silence of the night above the earth, the cold brilliance of the winter stars, and one very personal song about grief and the loss of a loved one, anchoring the album’s folklore to a deep human emotion,” the band describes.
The new album was mixed and mastered by Mikael Andersson of Soundport Studio, and the album also features Gogo Melone, who created the Songs From The Veil cover art, and who guest-stars on the album’s focus track, Silent Waters, and the album’s opening track, Daughter of the Air. Joel Notkonen, who has gained inspiration from several Finnish bands, was given a speaking role in the latter song.
Songs From The Vail album features the following songs:
Daughter Of The Air (feat. Gogo Melone & Joel Notkonen)
A Shimmer On The Tides
As Night Devours
A Million Stars Ashine
Below A Pale Tree
9 Days Of Sorrow
Burning Snow
Silent Waters (feat. Gogo Melone)
Blood To The Soil
Soul Bird
As The Sun Falls on:
Joni Hakulinen – vocals
Jani Berney Mikkänen – guitars, clean vocals
Juuso Laitinen – guitars
Anttoni Välimaa – drums
Canadian hard rock band Dali Van Gogh are set to release an electrifying new live album, “Roadkill”, a six-track collection capturing the band at their most visceral across stages in Eastern and Central Canada.
Rolling out in a waterfall release format beginning May 22, Roadkill documents three years of relentless touring, distilling the sweat, grit, and chaos of the band’s live show into a definitive closing statement on their current era.
Tracklist & Release Dates:
Wicked Way (Live at Overtime Sports Bar, Kingston) — May 22
Boneyard (Live at Tide & Boar, Moncton) — June 12
Bury The Lead (Live at The Scotiabank Centre, Halifax) — July 3
Savanna (Live at Bovine Sex Club, Toronto) — July 24
Out For Blood (Live at The House of Targ, Ottawa) — August 14
Little Hell (Live at The Eastlink Centre, Charlottetown) — September 4
Roadkill serves as a deliberate bookend to the band’s breakout chapter, which includes their critically recognized EP “New Blood, Old Wounds” and the single “Wicked Way.” That release cycle saw the band earn two nominations at the East Coast Music Awards in 2023, taking home Loud Recording of the Year. The studio version of “Wicked Way” continues that momentum with a 2026 nomination for Loud Release of the Year.
“This record is DVG in its natural habitat,” shares band frontwoman Rocky Moreau. “No polish, no safety net, just us at our most vulnerable.”
To celebrate the release, Dali Van Gogh will host a one-night-only hometown performance at Monte’s Showbar on May 29, following which they will head out on a full summer of touring in support of the album.
With new material looming in the near future, Roadkill captures a band in motion—looking back only long enough to slam the door behind them.
Dali van Gogh Roadkill Summer Tour dates:
09.06.26 – Brantford, On – Live From The Tour Bus
12.06.26 – Toronto, On – Bmo Field
13.06.26 – Oshawa, On – The Atria Diezel Room
14.06.26 – Penetanguishene, On – Rendezvous Bistro
Averse, who took their first steps as a recording band last year, are heading towards the summer with a new tune. The five-piece, which fuses metalcore, deathcore and progressive metal into their own concoction, now releases their single Servant to None, which introduces the band in its new lineup, with guitarist Roni Kinnunen joining the band.
Averse got the metal media’s ears perked up with last year’s Twisted MindEP, and the band’s vocalist Jonathan Timonen had already gained some momentum with his exceptionally wide vocal range by succeeding in the 13th season of The Voice Of Finland. Servant To None has been meticulously honed, and the final result was shaped by the studio wizard and producer Mikko Herranen, who has also made a name for himself as an artist. At the same time, the band’s own identity has taken a huge leap forward in just a year.
“Servant to None is about a person who stops waiting for salvation and rebuilds themselves on their own terms. The song is not a traditional power song, but a cold and determined description of a person who finds direction in the midst of failures, silence and chaos,” the band says.
The new single is also the first step towards the band’s debut album, which is scheduled for release in spring 2027. The upcoming album will also be produced in collaboration with Mikko Herranen.
Servant To None is released with a video shot in a very colorful environment, in Seinäjoki’s Graffittilandia, to counterbalance the song’s even darker aesthetics and atmosphere. The energetic video, shot and directed by Monarkki Media’s Joona Penttilä, can now be viewed here.
“At the heart of the song is not rebellion against others, but the decision to never kneel before anything again. Servant to None is a declaration of complete independence: if the light goes out, the road will be built in the dark itself.”
Averse is:
Bass: Roope Osmo
Guitar: Roni Kinnunen, Jimi Andström
Drums: Marlon Mäkelä
Vocals: Jonathan Timonen
The Finnish classic Gothenburg-style melodic death metal band Morbid Intent are set to release their debut EP Marionettes later in 2026 via Inverse Records. The first single ‘Ashen Veil’ is out now and it’s accompanied by a music video which can be seen here: https://youtu.be/lAWiPltZJ-M
The band comments: “Ashen Veil explores the distortion of reality and the illusion that wraps itself around the human mind like a veil of ash. The lyrics portray a state where the individual can no longer distinguish truth from falsehood – everything is obscured by manipulation and delusion.
Musically, the track combines crushing riffs, melancholic melodies and an intense atmosphere. The result is a dark yet captivating composition driven by both aggression and mood.
Ashen Veil serves as a gateway into the band’s upcoming Marionettes EP- release, offering a first glimpse into its central theme: the fragility of the human mind and the power of manipulation.”
Morbid Intent is an upcoming melodic death metal act formed in Oulu, Finland. Looking to take the scene by storm, Morbid Intent will release their debut EP “Marionettes” in 2026. The main inspiration for the band is the classic Göteborg-style melodic death metal mixed with a splash of modern extreme metal aggression. Fast blast beats, crushing riffs, and haunting melodies are to be expected.
The band members have experience playing in bands such as Mors Subita, Electric Deathbeat, Swansong, Se, Josta Ei Puhuta.
“Marionettes” will crush you, set you on fire, hit you like a truck, set you on fire again, and leave you wanting for more. This is a band and a debut that you will not want to miss.
Canada’s purveyors of heavy metal Iron Kingdom, are charging forward with the next chapter of their upcoming sixth studio album, “Shadows and Dust,” and unveiling their third single and music video, “Deadhouse Gates”.
“Deadhouse Gates” follows the album’s first two singles, “Defenders” and “Blood and Steel,” continuing to showcase the band’s blend of classic heavy metal power, epic storytelling, and electrifying musicianship.
Bassist Leighton Holmes offers a deep look into the single’s literary inspiration:
“Deadhouse Gates is based on Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. The Deadhouse is a seemingly abandoned house in Malaz City that serves as a conduit to other planes of existence and is used by two mortals to ascend to godhood as rulers of Shadow. The song tells the story of ancient power waiting for those worthy, or crafty, enough to gain entry, but warns of the dangers presented to the unprepared. Straying from the path means an eternity of torment and imprisonment, but the chance for power is enticing. The dead trees scattered across the yard of the house hide those that are unsuccessful in their roots. It is a cautionary tale of reach exceeding grasp as well as an inspirational story of striving towards greatness.”
Frontman Chris Osterman adds:
“This one is just a total rock n’ roll song, some great leads and melodies, and just overall, I think very catchy!”
Watch and listen to the video for “Deadhouse Gates” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBE3s4WRlIw
Add to your Spotify playlist – https://open.spotify.com/track/5YtmnaBqfbJkUBa4s4N42d
“Shadows and Dust” marks a major milestone for Iron Kingdom: their 15th anniversary and their first release under their new label partnership with Steel Shark Records (France), who will offer an exclusive EU edition limited to just 300 double‑CD copies. Disc 1 will contain the full “Shadows and Dust” album, while Disc 2 will feature a “Best Of” collection highlighting tracks from Iron Kingdom’s previous five releases. In addition, the label will introduce a third vinyl colour (100 copies) available only to EU fans. The album arrives June 6, 2026, coinciding with the 82nd anniversary of D‑Day, a symbolic date the band intentionally chose.
Recorded entirely in their newly completed home studio, the album explores themes of mortality, hardship, perseverance, and the search for meaning. Osterman describes the emotional weight behind the record:
“This album plays in quite a dark realm of topics… but I also think that’s exactly what will make this album accessible to people going through tougher times… The music shows hope for a positive way out, and hopefully offers the listener the will to fight on.”
Iron Kingdom will celebrate the album with their biggest hometown headliner yet at Vancouver’s iconic Rickshaw Theatre on June 5, 2026. Info – https://orangetickets.ca/detalles_evento.php?id_evento=2127
“To feel in some way that we have worked our way up to headline a venue of that size is very exciting, and we cannot wait to bring our biggest show yet!”
Following the album’s release, Iron Kingdom will hit the road across Western Canada (dates listed below) with confirmed festival appearances at Armstrong Metal Fest and Loud As Hell Open Air Festival.
True North Strong And Heavy Canadian Tour – Iron Kingdom, W.M.D.
https://www.iron-kingdom.com/tour-dates
June 5 – Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw
July 2 – Nanaimo, BC – The Globe
July 3 – Victoria, BC – Lucky Bar
July 4 – Cumberland, BC – The Waverley
July 5 – Powell River, BC – The Carlson Loft
July 17 – Armstrong, BC – AMF 2026
July 21 – Prince George, BC – Knox Performance Centre
July 23 – Whitehorse, YT – Lefty’s Well
July 24 – Dawson City, YT – The Pit
July 25 – Dawson City, YT – The Pit
July 26 – Whitehorse, YT – The 98 Hotel
July 28 – Yellowknife, NT – The Underground
July 29 – Fort Smith, NT – Dirty O’ Fergie’s
July 30 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite
July 31 – Drumheller, AB – LAH 2026
Aug 1 – Winnipeg, MB – Park Theatre
Aug 2 – Thunder Bay, ON – Bloom Bar + Lounge
Aug 3 – Sudbury, ON – The Lounge 390
Aug 4 – London, ON – Supply & Demand
Aug 5 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwells
Aug 6 – Ottawa, ON – Dominion Tavern
Aug 7 – Toronto, ON – Bovine
Aug 8 – Montréal, QC – Foufounes Électriques
Aug 9 – Sherbrooke, QC – Le Murdoch
Aug 11 – Woodstock, NB – Monteith Manor
Aug 12 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub
Aug 14 – Corner Brook, NL – Retro
Aug 15 – St. John’s, NL – The Rockhouse
Aug 17 – Truro, NS – Marigold Cult. Centre (Lobby)
Aug 18 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti
Aug 19 – Hamilton, ON – Doors Pub
Aug 21 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern
Aug 22 – Calgary, AB – Dicken’s
Aug 23 – Kelowna, BC – Jackknife Brewing
Formed in 2011 in Vancouver, Iron Kingdom carries the flame of classic heavy metal inspired by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, The Scorpions, and Rush. Known for their high‑energy performances, intricate twin‑guitar work, and unwavering DIY ethos, the band has toured extensively across Canada, the USA, Europe, and Brazil, sharing stages with Night Demon, Blaze Bayley, and more.
Their discography includes “Curse of the Voodoo Queen” (2011), “Gates of Eternity” (2013), “Ride for Glory” (2015), “On the Hunt” (2019), and “The Blood of Creation” (2022). “Shadows and Dust” marks the next chapter in their evolution, an album that blends old‑school metal spirit with fresh energy and emotional depth.
Album pre-order (release date June 6th, 2026) available at the following links:
Track Listing:
1. Defenders
2. Eternal Emperor
3. Dreamless Sea
4. Deadhouse Gates
5. Line Of Fire
6. Blood And Steel
7. Shadow Of Time
8. Dark Demands
9. Starlight
10. Sacred Fire
Los Angeles’ THROWN INTO EXILE proudly unleashed their new single, “Behind the Veil,”marking their official BLKIIBLK debut. The new track (which premiered Wednesday on Matt Heafy’s “Chaos Hour” on Sirius XM’s Liquid Metal) showcases the addition of the band’s new singer, Joshua Santos. “Behind the Veil” arrives alongside an official music video, available to view below.
THROWN INTO EXILE comments:
“The addition of Joshua Santos brings a whole new dynamic to THROWN INTO EXILE that showcases a more extreme side to us that has not really been done in the band’s history. This is only a taste of what’s to come from our new album and we can’t wait to play this live in a city near you this year.”
With a career marked by constant change and evolution, THROWN INTO EXILE is a band on the brink. Exhaustive international touring and gigs alongside the likes of Arch Enemy, Orbit Culture, At The Gates, Deathklok, and Black Label Society, as well as US and European festivals including the UK’s Bloodstock, have paved the way.
Now, THROWN INTO EXILE breaks through with the release of their new single and BLKIIBLK debut, “Behind the Veil.” With the addition of 26-year-old vocalist, Josh Santos, the stakes have grown as the band’s new material brings together urgent riffing with underlying melodies that recall both American and European sounds while delivering modern metal with unapologetic intensity.
THROWN INTO EXILE is currently supporting Dethklok ahead of a EU/UK run with Black Label Society. The band will also be supporting Arch Enemy and The Black Dahlia Murder this fall. A full list of dates can be found below.
THROWN INTO EXILE Live:
w/ Dethklok:
5/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Palladium
5/25 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theater
5/26 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
5/28 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park
EU/UK w/ Black Label Society 7/30 – Berlin, DE @ Huxleys Neve Welt
8/01 – Wiesbaden, DE @ Schlachthof
8/04 – Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz
8/09 – Derby, UK @ BLOODSTOCK FESTIVAL
8/11 – Oberhausen, DE @ Turbinehalle
8/14 – Leipzig, DE @ Parkbuhne
w/ Arch Enemy and The Black Dahlia Murder: 10/5 – Riverside, CA @ Municipal Auditorium
10/6 – Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee
10/8 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Rockwell at The Complex
10/9 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore
10/11 – Dallas, TX @ Echo
10/12 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
10/13 – San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre
10/15 – Orlando, FL @ Beacham
10/16 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
10/18 – Tampa, FL @ Jannus
10/20 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Heaven)
10/21 – Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
10/22 – Raleigh, NC @ Ritz
10/24 – New York, NY @ Palladium Times Square
10/25 – Silver Spring, MD @ Fillmore Silver Spring
10/26 – Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
10/28 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium Worcester
10/30 – Quebec City, QC @ Videotron Centre Hall
10/31 – Montreal, QC @ Olympia
11/1 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth
11/3 – Chicago, IL @ Concord Music Hall
11/4 – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
11/5 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora
11/7 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fillmore
11/8 – Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
11/9 – Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre
11/11 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall
11/12 – Edmonton, AB @ Midway
11/14 – Vancouver, BC @ The Key
11/16 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox
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