Finnish modern melodic death metal band Volucrine are set to release their fifth album via Inverse Records later in 2026. The first single ‘Golem’ has just been released.
The band’s mastermind Jupe Velin comments: ” After the great volcano erupted, the world was left barren and empty. The earth was covered in petrified magma and the air was heavy with ash. As if by a miracle, however, something in the gray mist moved. The boulders and cobblestones rattled and grinded as they piled up on top of each other. They climbed towards the sky, slowly twisting into a spine. The wind helped the sand draw its expression, the clay bound its limbs together. Assembled from the fragments of a bygone world, its cold shell began to resemble a human, but one without a purpose. Even though it didn’t know which way to go, two things were certain: It had a melting heart and a burning desire to live.
As a composition, GOLEM was built up from the, perhaps even a little bit folk-inspired, guitar melody heard in the chorus. When you add Volucrine’s typical riff texture and a crushing verse, the result is a surgical strike in song form that can be proudly presented as the first single from the upcoming album. The lyrics are addressed to those who sometimes feel that life takes away more than it gives. I would like to remind them that navigating through a void without a view requires guts and strength of character. Even there, you might find new life.”
VOLUCRINE are a Finnish alternative metal collective, who released their debut album in 2011. Four albums, two EP’s and countless live shows later, the band’s personal style has been honed to its peak, still emphasizing bold testing of boundaries within their genre. The band has a strong focuson their lyrics, which, due to their deeply personal nature, give Volucrine’s music a human voice.
After the ETNA LP (Inverse Records 2024), which garnered a lot of positive attention worldwide, the band is finally ready to present new material from their upcoming album, which will be released in the fall. With the theme of rebirth, we can expect the unexpected from this album as a great circle is closed.
Embrace Of Souls have released “Desolate Lands”, the new single and official video taken from their upcoming fantasy concept album “The Battle Of The Dead”, set for release on May 22nd, 2026.
Forged in classic power-metal steel and sharpened with symphonic force, “Desolate Lands” delivers fast, militant rhythms, massive orchestral arrangements, and a relentless melodic drive rooted in the ’80s and ’90s tradition. Dark tonalities and epic tension shape the track, driven by Giacomo Rossi’s commanding vocals and reinforced by Martina Mazzeo’s operatic power – a song of devastation, sacrifice and defiance rising from the ashes of war.
Taken from the upcoming fantasy concept album “The Battle Of The Dead”, the single introduces a world torn apart by a mysterious plague that corrupts the soul, pushing kingdoms toward an inevitable clash between the living and the dead. The album unfolds as a complete narrative experience, exploring themes of power, betrayal, sacrifice, and hope.
Founded by drummer and composer Michele Olmi, Embrace Of Souls began as a studio project aimed at bringing together talented musicians from the Italian metal scene, before evolving into a full band with a strong identity and a collaborative creative approach.
This new chapter is marked by a renewed line-up. Giacomo Rossi steps forward as lead vocalist, delivering a powerful and expressive performance, while Martina Mazzeo’s soprano vocals add a theatrical dimension. Their interplay reinforces the balance between power metal intensity and symphonic elegance, a dualism of light and dark that runs throughout the album.
The songwriting process reflects the same collaborative spirit: initial ideas developed by Michele Olmi are expanded together with the band, with each member contributing to the final shape of the music and the narrative.
The album also features a special guest appearance by Morby (Domine), further strengthening the connection with the classic Italian power metal tradition.
“The Battle Of The Dead” was mixed and mastered by Alessio Garavello at Rogue Studios, London, enhancing the clarity, impact, and cinematic depth of the band’s sound.
As the band states:
“We want The Battle Of The Dead to be a complete listening experience. Each track has its own identity, but everything is connected to the story. We want listeners to dive into the world of the album and discover it step by step.”
For fans of: Rhapsody Of Fire, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish.
Track Listing:
1. The Battle Of The Dead
2. Eversun
3. The Plague
4. The Gathering
5. Spine
6. Who Can Save Us
7. Betrayal
8. The Dark Lord
9. The War (feat. Morby)
10. Sacrifice
11. Desolate Lands
Embrace Of Souls is an Italian power metal band founded by drummer and composer Michele Olmi, conceived with the aim of bringing together talented musicians around a shared vision rooted in collaboration, brotherhood, and a deep passion for classic metal. Initially born as a studio project, the band took shape with the release of their debut album “The Number Of Destiny” in 2021, receiving positive feedback on an international level and notable acclaim in Japan.
Drawing inspiration from ’80s and ’90s heavy and power metal, as well as the epic and symphonic metal of the early 2000s, Embrace Of Souls developed a sound characterized by powerful riffs, epic atmospheres, and strong melodic sensibility. Over time, the project evolved into a full live band, allowing the group to further consolidate its artistic identity and deepen its expressive range.
In 2024, Embrace Of Souls returned with their second full-length album, “Forever Part Of Me,” marking a significant step forward in terms of maturity and songwriting. This phase also introduced important changes within the line-up, bringing renewed energy and a broader musical perspective to the band’s sound.
A key element of this evolution is the current vocal pairing. Giacomo Rossi, already involved in previous releases, now takes on a central role as lead vocalist while Martina Mazzeo, an accomplished soprano vocalist, adds a symphonic and operatic dimension to the band’s music. Together, their voices embody the duality that defines Embrace Of Souls: light and darkness, power and elegance, intensity and emotion.
Having shared the stage with renowned acts such as Domine, Vision Divine, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, and Rhapsody Of Fire, Embrace Of Souls continue to refine their identity while looking toward the future. The band is now working on new material, further developing their epic and narrative-driven approach to solidify their presence on the international power metal scene.
Line-up:
Giacomo Rossi – Vocals
Martina Mazzeo – Vocals
Edward De Rosa – Guitars
Xavier Rota – Bass
Davide Baldelli – Keyboards
Michele Olmi – Drums
Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of “The Human Farm“, the ambitious new sci-fi concept album by progressive metal band Vanderlust, hitting stores worldwide on April 17th, 2025.
To ignite this interstellar journey, the band has unveiled the first single and opening chapter of the album today: “Humanity 2.0 – The Human Farm“.
STREAM “HUMANITY 2.0 – THE HUMAN FARM”: https://lnk.to/iEpgIm
“Humanity 2.0 – The Human Farm” is the symphonic overture that opens the gates to the band’s dystopian universe. More than a standard song, it serves as the narrative prologue, setting the atmosphere for the entire record. The track transports the listener to the year 2500 A.D. Humanity, suffering from poverty and despair, is visited by an ancient alien species known as the Coelacanth. They offer a “perfect life” inside a “Human Farm“: safety, comfort, and care, but at a terrible price -execution at the age of 40. This opening chapter poses the central dilemma of the record: if you were offered a short but perfect life in exchange for your freedom… would you accept?
Arriving April 17th, “The Human Farm” is a metal opera that blends traditional melodic power metal with technical progressive elements and thrash intensity. Inspired by Plato’s Cave allegory and classic sci-fi lore, the album tells the story of Abe and a group of rebels who discover their “perfect life” is a prison and attempt a desperate escape through the cosmos. Musically, the band describes the sound as energetic, refined, and atmospheric.
Drawing inspiration from the melodic grandeur of Angra and Dream Theater, the new material incorporates intricate, sci-fi riffing reminiscent of Vektor and Megadeth. Guitarist Francesco comments on the release: “To me, this album represents the band’s maturation. It is a journey; to fully enjoy it and truly understand its content, it needs to be listened to in its entirety. Just like the story tells, it unfolds as a narrative in which each track follows the previous one with a particular sense of continuity.”
The album features special guest appearances by Martina Barreca (Mess Excess), who provides the growls and operatic vocals representing the alien Coelacanths, and Francesco Londino (S91), who contributes keyboard solos and arrangements.
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM: https://rockshots.eu/products/vanderlust-the-human-farm
Track Listing:
1. Humanity 2.0 – The Human Farm
2. Golden Shackles
3. The Turning Point
4. Connection Failed
5. Viral Escape
6. … Find Them!
7. Battlefield
8. From The Cave – Fuga
9. Drive
10. Reborn … Again
11. Humanity 3.0: The New Canaan
Vanderlust was born from a precise artistic vision: to tell science fiction stories through the language of melodic/progressive metal. What began as an ambitious concept soon evolved into a fully developed identity, where traditional heavy and power metal foundations merge with progressive structures, intricate riffing, and atmospheric textures shaped by a futuristic imagination.
At the creative core stands guitarist Francesco Romeggini, whose compositional direction defines the band’s sonic architecture. His ideas, later refined collectively by the band, result in a dynamic balance between technical detail and emotional depth. The members bring experience from previous acts such as S91, Dreal, and Speed Kills, combining classic metal roots with a forward-looking approach.
Vanderlust’s sound can be described as energetic, refined, and intricate, yet always driven by narrative purpose. Melodic power metal emerges strongly in the vocal phrasing, while progressive elements influence structures and rhythmic patterns rather than sheer song length. Sci-fi atmospheres surface not only through thematic choices but also through electronic layers and occasional orchestral arrangements, reinforcing the cinematic scale of their storytelling without losing the grit of traditional metal.
With “The Human Farm“, the band reaches a clear stage of maturation. Expanding beyond the more traditional framework of their debut, Vanderlust intensifies their progressive edge and strengthens the conceptual dimension of their work. The album unfolds as a cohesive narrative journey, exploring themes of freedom, control, and existential choice delivered through high-energy tracks, dynamic contrasts, and emotionally charged moments.
On stage, the band translates complexity into impact. Rather than focusing solely on instrumental execution, Vanderlust aims for a powerful, engaging live presence, ensuring that the emotional force of their music connects directly with the audience.
Vanderlust stands at the intersection of classic melodic metal and progressive sci-fi – a band committed to building worlds, not just songs.
Line-up:
Ricca “ZP” Morello: Vocals
Francesco “Franz” Romeggini: Guitars, Backing Vocals
David Cantina: Bass
Giacomo Mezzetti: Drums, Backing Vocals
Helsinki’s very own hard rocking quintet Wishing Well have released a brand new “Valley Of Darkness”single off their new“Playing With Fire” album, out 13 March. The song is fast and furious opening track of the new album and a perfect example of classic Wishing Well sound featuring Hammond organ, melodic guitar solos and strong vocals with haunting lyrics. The song is released together with an effective black and white video, that greatly supports the song’s cinematic atmosphere. “Valley Of Darkness” was written by Anssi Korkiakoski, the guitarist of Wishing Well. The song and the album were recorded in Magnusborg studios in Porvoo by Marko Kataja. The music video was filmed and edited by Jussi Koskinen.
“Playing With Fire is Wishing Well’s fifth album on Inverse Records and we’ve had a great journey together for ten years. The band have gotten better and better album by album and the new record is once again a solid proof of their motivation, skills and determination”, says Jaakko Tarvainen, A&R Producer of Inverse Records. “Valley Of Darkness is a song that represents Wishing Well very well and the new album will open many new doors and bring new opportunities and more fans for the band, that’s for sure”, says Tarvainen. “I’m very happy that a band like Wishing Well is in our roster, we keep going full steam ahead together”, he continues.
“Playing With Fire” album will be released on 13 March 2026 and the band will play a record release gig at Semifinal Club in Helsinki on 20 March, supported by Finnish Led Zeppelin tribute band Let’s Eppelin.
Finnish melodic death metal act Obscure Fate is about to release their debut album ‘Shades of a Dying World’on March 27th 2026 via Inverse Records. The third single ‘Valhalla’ is out now and it’s available here: https://push.fm/fl/obscure-fate-valhalla
The band comments: ” The song “Valhalla” has a straightforward theme: the Vikings’ military campaign and the promise of entry into Valhalla. Structurally, it is a conventional song whose catchiness comes from its rhythm and perhaps even its cheerful-sounding melody.“
Obscure Fate was originally formed in 2008 in Paltamo, Finland, as the solo project of guitarist and songwriter Kaleva Kovalainen. In 2009, drummer Jari Keränen and bassist Petri Möttönen joined, giving the songs their first real band form. Shortly after, guitarist Joni Moisanen and vocalist Tapio Möttönen became official members, and together the group arranged dozens of tracks for full band performances. From the very beginning, Tapio handled the lyrics, with Petri contributing to the song Spectral Exile.
The current lineup was completed in 2019 when bassist Antti Möttönen replaced Petri. Musically, Obscure Fate is rooted in traditional melodic death metal, though elements of thrash and classic heavy metal also find their way into the band’s sound. Kaleva’s prolific songwriting provided a strong foundation for the band, while the lyrics explore themes of social criticism, fictional storytelling, and inner struggles.
In 2021, Obscure Fate released their first EP. Recording sessions for their debut full-length album began soon after, but due to various setbacks the process turned into a long and seemingly endless project. Finally, in April 2025, the band reached the final stages of completing the album, marking an important milestone in their journey. The debut album ‘Shades of a Dying World’ is set to be released in March 2026 via Inverse Records.
Line-up: Kaleva Kovalainen, Guitars
Tapio Möttönen, Vocals
Jari Keränen, Drums
Joni Moisanen, Guitars, Backing Vocals
Antti Möttönen, Bass
Toronto’s melodic death-metal force SELIAS has released the official video for “Abducted”, a track from their latest album Killkarma, out now via Wormholedeath Records.
This release carries a deeply personal message for frontman Guilliaume Pascal (G), a committed vegan whose lyrics aim to highlight the cruelty of industrial farming. “Abducted” flips the script with a brutal role reversal — humankind becomes the caged, the tortured, the slaughtered. What emerges is empathy weaponized, sharpened into an uncompromising metal blade.
Formed in 2020 by guitarist Steve Elias, SELIAS fuses aggression with atmosphere, precision, and emotion. Rounded out by Guilliaume Pascal (vocals/keys), Daniel Bouwman (drums), and Jeff Hyde (bass), the band delivers a cinematic metal experience that bridges classic death metal ferocity with modern melodic edge.
Leading the charge of the “hyperrock” movement, Belgian art-rock visionary Jesus Cringe has officially released his latest single and cinematic companion piece, “Disastrology.” Arriving via Epictronic Records, the track serves as a profound meditation on the collapse of the terrestrial and the inevitable migration of the spirit into the void.
The title “DISASTROLOGY” is freely inspired by The Science of Sleep (Michel Gondry) and the hypnotic rhythm of Koyaanisqatsi. The track eschews traditional rock tropes. In a bold architectural move, Jesus Cringe replaces the standard guitar/bass foundation with the haunting interplay of violin and baritone saxophone, creating a soundscape that is as abrasive as it is orchestral.
The accompanying music video is a visual odyssey that mirrors the track’s philosophical weight. It follows a solitary protagonist witnessing the environmental and social collapse of Earth. In a final act of transcendence, the character escapes into the cosmos, where his physical form dissolves into stardust, a striking metaphor for the project’s recurring themes of human consciousness merging with the digital and spiritual infinite.
Since signing with Epictronic in early 2023, Jesus Cringe (the evolution of the acclaimed 22 for Silicon Alone) has garnered international praise from tastemakers including Prog Rock Journal, Metal Shock Finland, and Tinnitist. With “Disastrology,” the project further cements its reputation for delivering “hyperrock”, an immersive experience where avant-garde rock, sci-fi cinema, and sophisticated arrangements collide.
Driven by intense visual worlds and philosophical storytelling, Jesus Cringe is a Belgian cinematic art-rock project. Eschewing traditional rock lineups for violin and baritone saxophone, the project explores altered states of identity in a digitalized world. Following years of underground momentum, the project’s debut album serves as a vast narrative journey, earning airplay on Unsigned Radio UK, WTSQ FM, and Nu Rock Radio.
Rockshots Records proudly presents “Resurrection”, the new single from Italian power metal veterans Highlord, a track that signals a decisive new compositional chapter in the band’s long-standing career.
“Resurrection” introduces the renewed lineup featuring Andrea Racco (also known for his work with Sound Storm) as the new frontman and immediately establishes a sharper, heavier sonic direction while preserving the unmistakable epic DNA that has defined Highlord for decades.
Thematically, the song captures the fragile equilibrium of modern society, a world suspended between tension and transformation, and translates the urgent need for change into the metaphor of rebirth. “Resurrection” is conceived as a surge of energy breaking through instability: not escapism, but reaction; not nostalgia, but renewal.
Musically, the band embraces a more aggressive and compact approach. The guitar work is tighter and more percussive, built around driving riff structures and dynamic harmonic layering that reinforce the song’s sense of forward momentum. The rhythm section delivers a precise, explosive backbone balancing double-kick propulsion with controlled groove passages that heighten the track’s impact without sacrificing clarity.
Andrea Racco’s performance stands at the center of this evolution. His gritty, powerful vocal delivery, recalling the dramatic intensity associated with classic European power metal, injects a raw, assertive edge into the band’s sound. Yet despite the increased weight and attack, Highlord retain their hallmark melodic sensibility: expansive, emotionally charged choruses open the arrangement into wide harmonic landscapes, ensuring that the song’s epic character remains intact.
Production once again plays a crucial role. “Resurrection” was produced by bassist Massimiliano Flak at Evolution Recording Studios in Turin, resulting in a massive, modern mix that emphasizes punch and definition. The guitars cut with sharp articulation, the low end remains firm and controlled, and the vocal layers sit prominently without overpowering the instrumental interplay. The overall sonic architecture is polished yet forceful – contemporary in impact while rooted in traditional power metal aesthetics.
With “Resurrection”, Highlord does not simply introduce a new lineup; they redefine their expressive coordinates. Heavier, more immediate and rhythmically explosive, yet still melodic and anthemic at heart, the single represents a statement of intent, a rebirth forged in steel, melody and conviction.
Volcano Records & Promotion is proud to announce the release on all digital platforms of “Carnivore Carnival”, the debut single by M.A.G.O. (My Absolute Greatest Obsession).
Formed in California in 2025 and currently based in Rome, M.A.G.O. operate within a sonic territory where hard rock, dark metal, and witchy atmospheres coexist in a magnetic and unsettling balance. “Carnivore Carnival” is a direct and hypnotic track, built on crushing riffs and a relentless groove that leads the listener into a ritualistic and primal dimension.
The project originates from the vision of songwriter Fabian Vestod, who handled vocals, guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards, shaping a compact sound with a strong and unmistakable identity. M.A.G.O. draw their roots from influences such as Black Sabbath, Danzig, and Dead Kennedys, reinterpreted through a dark aesthetic inspired by traditional Italian witchcraft—an element that also defines their powerful stage presence and live performance approach.
The band conceives the stage as a ritual space, where music and imagery merge into an intense and immersive experience. “Carnivore Carnival” anticipates the release of “Hail The Dead”, an album recorded at Different Fur Studios in San Francisco, and marks the official beginning of a journey that M.A.G.O. are ready to share with an international audience. The official video for the track is available on YouTube, vividly bringing to life the band’s dark and spellbinding imagery with intensity and symbolic power.
New death doom metal project Resumption from the mind of Wilhelm Lindh (The Gardnerz, ex:Tristitia, ex: Pandemonium, ex: Allamedah) relesed devut single “Don’t Come”. The debut single, “Don’t Come” serves as a defiant anthem against toxic influences from toxic people, exploring the necessity of isolation to preserve one’s sanity.
Resumption bridges the gap between the crushing groove of Bolt Thrower, Broken Hope, Pyrexia, Acheron (US) and the suffocating slow atmosphere of Funeral (Nor). Lyrically Resumption tackles the harrowing realities of mental health and anti-religious sentiment.
Wilhelm Lindh is a Swedish native that has been living in Portugal for many years. After years of playing in blues bands, Wilhelm felt it was time for another dive into the cesspool of dirty Death Doom Metal.
The outcome is a 9 track album called “The Respite” set to be released digitally on the 17th of April. The album is dedicated to Wilhelms Father (R.I.P) who hated Metal music but nevertheless always supported his son’s musical efforts.
Resumption: the action of beginning something again after a pause.
Line-up:
Wilhelm Lindh – all instruments and “vocals” A live line up is in the works.
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