Author: Crix

Finnish Heavy Metal Force Crimson Day Unveil “The Outsider” Music Video

Finnish heavy metal band Crimson Day have released the official music video for “The Outsider,” a track taken from their album Dark Dimension, out now via Wormholedeath.

The most powerful idea in The Outsider is that sometimes, the price of fitting in is losing a part of yourself. The protagonist would rather remain separate than blindly follow the crowd, even though that decision makes life more difficult. The song doesn’t offer a clear resolution in which the outsider finally finds acceptance. Instead, it leaves us with the tension between staying true to yourself and finding a place where you belong. Ultimately, it’s a dark reflection on individuality, social pressure, and the loneliness of feeling fundamentally different from everyone else.

“This song was probably the hardest one to make,” stated the band, “and we ended up rearranging and changing ideas multiple times. Together with our producer Jussi Kulomaa, we eventually found the ideas that best work together and, as a result, we got a great heavy metal song with some alternative elements and a nice groove!”

The video got inspiration from early 2000s digital camera footage because it fits perfectly with the song’s feeling and aesthetic. And on a deeper level, the video’s perspective is from the point of view of The Outsider.”

Founded in 2013 in Tampere, Crimson Day has spent over a decade forging their own lane within the heavy metal landscape, blending the timeless power of classic heavy metal with a broad sweep of genre influences, wrapped in dark intensity, high-octane energy, and sharp, soaring melody.

The band’s story began with a self-titled EP in 2013, followed by their debut full-length Order of the Shadows (2015). They expanded their sonic vision on At the Mountains of Madness (2018) before returning with the bold, self-titled Crimson Day in 2023. A pivotal lineup shift in 2020 introduced new frontwoman Milka Uusitalo, ushering in a reinvigorated era marked by standout singles including “Raising the Fury” and “Black as the Heavens Above,” and bold, genre-defying covers of “Immigrant Song,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” and “Objection (Tango)” that further demonstrated the band’s dynamic range.

Now, with Dark Dimension on the horizon, Crimson Day is stepping into their most ambitious chapter yet.

With over 100 live shows across Finland and Europe, sharing stages with Sonata Arctica, Turmion Kätilöt, Turisas, Reckless Love, and Korpiklaani, and international performances spanning the Baltics, Germany, and Sweden, the band has built a reputation as a formidable live force. Their music has earned global radio airplay, and their YouTube catalog has surpassed 100,000 views.

Crimson Day is:

Milka Uusitalo – vocals
Ari Balzar – lead guitar
Janne Rantanen – guitar/screams
Jesse ”Kämy” Kämäräinen – bass
Janne Ollikainen – drums/percussions

www.crimsonday.com
www.instagram.com/crimsonday_official
www.facebook.com/crimson.day.band
www.tiktok.com/@crimsonday_official
www.youtube.com/@crimsonday_official

Country metallers Cody Parks And The Dirty South share new single “Hairy Buffalo” out now via Frontiers Music Srl

Nashville’s own CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH are proud to release their new single “Hairy Buffalo,” out now via Frontiers Music Srl. The new track arrives alongside a music video, available to view below.

Cody shares on the new single:

“When I was in college, I was in a fraternity, and we had this chant that went, ‘Fun, fun, fun, the fun has just begun.’ I always thought that would be a really cool way to start a metal song, especially with a heavy breakdown hitting right after it. That was really where the idea for ‘Hairy Buffalo’ was born. From there, it just evolved into writing an entire song about some of my experiences in college. As a songwriter in Nashville, I feel most writers in town fall into this thing where they feel like the lyrics they are writing have to be airtight and make 100% sense to the listener, and understandably so, but after doing that in town for the better part of a decade, I wanted to do something different. None of the lyrics to this song will make any sense to anybody except the guys who actually went through all of that stuff with me back in college. And I kind of like that.”

Watch the Music Video for “Hairy Buffalo” HERE

CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH are redefining what a Nashville band can sound like. Led by singer and songwriter Cody Parks, the group fuses the culture of Southern country with the power and attitude of classic heavy metal—creating a sound they proudly call Country Metal.

What started as a vision for Parks became a full-force band in 2019 when he assembled a group of players who shared the same love for big riffs, high energy, and an unapologetic rock attitude. Drawing inspiration from both country storytelling and hard-hitting metal acts like Metallica, Ratt, and Pantera, CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH deliver music built on crushing guitars, driving rhythms, and hooks that hit just as hard as the breakdowns.

The band’s genre-bending mashup “Thunder Cash ’69,” from their 2023 covers EP ‘Smothered & Covered,’ exploded online and across streaming platforms. The track went on to top the iTunes Rock chart in three countries and reach #2 and #3 on Billboard’s Rock and Hard Rock Digital Song Sales charts, introducing a wide audience to the band’s unique blend of country authenticity and metal intensity. That momentum recently led to the band signing a new record deal with Frontiers Music Srl, setting the stage for the next chapter of Country Metal. In 2026, CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTHbrought their high-voltage live show to audiences across the country as direct support for Steel Panther on the “Twenty Twenty $ex Tour.”

With releases like ‘Country Metal, Vol. 1’ and a reputation for turning every show into a full-throttle party, CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH are proving that country and metal belong on the same stage. Their debut full-length is scheduled for June 2027 on Country Metal Records / Frontiers Music Srl. Crank it up. This is Country Metal.

Stream / Listen to “Hairy Buffalo” HERE

CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH Lineup:
Cody Parks – Vocals
Johnny Palmieri – Guitar
Alex Walls – Guitar
Clay Eubank – Bass
Jon Hopkins – Drums

FOLLOW CODY PARKS AND THE DIRTY SOUTH:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

Finnish alternative metallers Stråle announce new studio album “Ephemera” out on February 12

Finnish alternative metal band Stråle are thrilled to announce that their new studio album, “Ephemera”, will be released on February 12, 2027, via Frontiers Music Srl.

Following the release of the single “Out Of The Loop”, now the band unveil a new track, “Chasing Ghosts”, available now along with an official video.

The band described it by saying: “Imagine your mind as a house full of lost things, dark corners and closets you’re afraid to open. Sometimes you have to face what’s inside and explore how you became who you are – just to keep from losing yourself. That’s what this song is about. The video became the perfect companion to the song: the vision grew clearer, and the ghosts came alive.”

Watch the official video for “Chasing Ghosts” HERE

Pre-Order “Ephemera” HERE

Hailing from Helsinki, Finland, Stråle arrive with an album that delivers a modern blend of melodic metal and alternative rock, capturing the essence of contemporary melodic hard rock while forging a distinctive identity of their own.

The band commented: “Ephemera” isn’t a concept album, but somehow many of the songs touch on the same thing: how everything changes and fades, even what feels beautiful and important right now. I only recently discovered the word ‘ephemera’ – things that aren’t meant to last – and fell in love with it. Our cover artist, Costin Chioreanu, did an amazing job of capturing that feeling – painting your life as you go, knowing it will never stay the same.”

Rooted in Nordic melancholy yet driven by a strong sense of forward motion, the band craft a sound that resonates with a new generation of listeners as well as fans of more traditional sounds.

Built on strong hooks and a clear melodic vision, Stråle seamlessly combine heavy riffs, soaring guitar melodies and a versatile, vocal-driven approach that moves between clean, raw and emotionally charged expression. Their music thrives on contrast – darkness and light, tension and release – bridging weight and accessibility without ever losing intensity.

The album benefits from the expert production of Teemu Aalto (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum), whose work enhances both the band’s melodic sensibility and their heavier dynamics, bringing depth, clarity and a modern edge to the overall sound.

Lyrically, Stråle explore themes of survival, relationships and navigating a demanding world, always with an underlying sense of resilience and hope. This record is not just a collection of songs, but a clear statement of intent: a band ready to carve its own space in today’s musical landscape.

With a refined sound shaped through years of growth, collaboration and perseverance, Stråle now stand at the beginning of an exciting new chapter – one that promises to push their vision even further.

“Ephemera” Tracklist:

1.    Sorry To Break The Party
2.    Out Of The Loop
3.    Chasing Ghosts
4.    Fireworks
5.    Scars Of Ages
6.    The Life We’re Made For
7.    Wake Up Call
8.    Love Doesn’t Trend No More
9.    Against The Dark
10.    We Are The Night

Line Up:
András Lehtinen
Daniel Jakobsson
Rasmus Bruun
Sakari Komulainen
Janne Jääskeläinen
Jaakko Suomalainen

Follow STRÅLE:
Website
Facebook
Instagram

BREEDING CHAOS unveil new single “Cradle of New Suns” — first taste of their upcoming album, out December 18 via Great Dane Records

Following the renewed international push around their debut album ‘Distant Planets‘, French modern death metal band BREEDING CHAOS are bringing one of their most overlooked tracks back into the spotlight.

Released as a stand-alone single in Spring 2025, “Legion of the Dead” largely flew under the radar.

It deserved better.

While ‘Distant Planets’ established the band’s identity through massive riffs, controlled dynamics and a sonic concept rooted in astrophysics and interstellar phenomena, “Legion of the Dead” pushes that formula beyond the album.

Dense. Groove-heavy. Atmospheric. Purposeful.

No speed saturation. No genre clichés. No unnecessary excess.

Just modern death metal built around weight, memorable structures and impact.

“Legion of the Dead” stayed under the radar the first time around. It shouldn’t stay there.

Breeding Chaos has forged a sound that sits between the melodic discipline of Dark Tranquillity and In Flames, and the rhythmic precision of Textures — with a darker, more atmospheric backbone drawn from the ambition of Blood Incantation. 

Progressive in structure, uncompromising in heaviness.

With a second album in development and the band actively building its live presence across France and Europe, now is the right moment to get ahead of what they’re becoming.

Red Code Release Lyric Video for Godsmack Cover “I Stand Alone”

Italian metal outfit Red Code have officially unveiled the brand-new lyric video for their high-octane rendition of Godsmack’s classic track, “I Stand Alone.” The song is featured on the band’s latest release, Traces of Unease and Discomfort, Ep. 1, available now worldwide via Wormholedeath.

With their take on “I Stand Alone,” Red Code revisit the Godsmack classic through their own musical identity. Driven by crushing riffs, a strong groove and shifting dynamics, the track stays faithful to the raw power of the original while taking on a different character through Lenina’s distinct vocal identity.

Rather than simply recreating the song, Red Code reshape the anthem through their own heavy and energetic sound, combining the aggression of alternative metal with the band’s powerful, live-oriented approach.

Red Code was formed in Trieste as a live act, founded by vocalist Lenina, drummer Ivo and bassist Andrea Bossi, who later passed away. Lenina and the rest of the group decided to carry on. The sound is built around her vocals and the four instruments, with no backing tracks or studio sequencing live.

Over the years, the band have played small clubs, festivals, and motorcycle rallies, opening for Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil), Exilia, Nicola Manzan (Bologna Violenta), Pierpaolo Capovilla (Il Teatro degli Orrori), Underwaves, Tystnaden, Logical Terror, and Break Me Down. They’ve also been featured on Radio Rai.

“Traces of Unease and Discomfort” is the band’s first studio release after years of live performance. The sound combines the aggression of alternative metal — with reference points like System of a Down and Godsmack — with the structural influence of prog acts like Dream Theater and Fates Warning.

Website: redcode.taplink.ws
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RedCodeBandTrieste
Instagram: www.instagram.com/redcode_band
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@redcode8288

Calgary Stoner Rockers DENIMACHINE Returns with New Single “Filthy Lucre” From Upcoming EP “Perfect Illusion” via Grand Hand Records

AB’s riff-worshipping stoner rock quartet Denimachine return with their long-awaited sophomore EP, “Perfect Illusion”, due out November 27, 2026 via Grand Hand Records. To mark the announcement, the band is now streaming the record’s first single, “Filthy Lucre,” an expansive, groove-heavy journey that highlights Denimachine‘s knack for pushing their riff-laden sound into more psychedelic and adventurous territory.

Available digitally and as part of a special split vinyl release with fellow rockers Riff Ratt, “Perfect Illusion” marks the band’s first new music since their self-titled 2020 EP. The four-track offering captures years of personal and musical growth while preserving the riff-driven foundation that’s become synonymous with Denimachine‘s sound.

Born from a shared desire to create something fresh after years performing in Calgary’s local music scene, Denimachine has steadily evolved from a straightforward riff machine into a more dynamic and exploratory force. The quartet blends classic hard rock swagger with modern stoner rock heft, creating songs equally suited for open highways, dusty garages, and packed festival grounds.

“These four songs are a sonic time capsule of everything we’ve lived through since our debut, and they show exactly how far we’ve evolved as a band. We’ve taken this time to dial in our sound and level up our production, blending heavy grooves with fresh, spacey textures that we can’t wait for everyone to hear,” says the band.

Produced through the band’s fully collaborative writing process, “Perfect Illusion” balances Denimachine‘s trademark heaviness with broader sonic textures, psychedelic atmospheres, and more cohesive songwriting. Produced and mixed by Scott Giffin and mastered by Stuart McKillop at Rain City Recorders, the EP spans the band’s creative timeline, featuring both some of their oldest and newest material, reflecting nearly a decade of growth since the band’s formation in 2017.

Leading the charge is the first single, “Filthy Lucre,” one of the most experimental tracks Denimachine has ever written.

“Get ready to strap in and go to space for the last half of this one. It’s definitely one of the more experimental long-form jams we’ve ever written,” adds the band.

Listen to “Filthy Lucre” at the following links:

Spotify – https://li.sten.to/qt66b2664024​

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kId9ouGNvaw​

​

The remainder of the EP continues the journey through Denimachine‘s evolving sound. Opener “Tornado” has been a staple of the band’s live set for years before finally making its recorded debut, while “Grundy” captures the spontaneous magic of a jam session that quickly took on a life of its own. Meanwhile, “Edgelord” unfolds from a laid-back groove into an ever-changing sonic adventure that underwent numerous transformations before reaching its final form.

Known for their energetic live performances and unmistakable chemistry, Denimachine has spent years refining a recording approach that captures the massive sound and carefree spirit that define their shows. The result is a record designed for repeat listens, whether fans are looking to crank the volume, hit the road, or sink into the band’s thick, fuzz-soaked grooves.

Formed by veterans of Calgary acts Throne of Vengeance, Frankie McQueen, Falcon, and MANcub, Denimachine consists of guitarist/vocalists Trenton Bullard and Scott Charles, bassist Brady Side, and drummer Kevin Ross. What began as a project to entertain fellow vanners at the legendary Vantopia gathering has grown into one of Western Canada’s most recognizable stoner rock outfits.

With “Perfect Illusion,” Denimachine proves that sometimes the best rock and roll comes from friends chasing riffs, sharing beers, and letting the groove do the talking.

Recommended for fans of Queens Of The Stone Age, Black Sabbath, Wolfmother, Graveyard, and TruckFighters, “Perfect Illusion” arrives November 27, 2026, digitally via Grand Hand Records, along with the EP on a Split Vinyl with Riff Ratt.

Show Dates:​
Dec 5 – Calgary, AB – Palomino (EP Release Party) w/ Riff Ratt, Gone Cosmic

Artwork by Paul Hendrik and Trenton Bullard

Track Listing:​
1. Tornado – 4:58
2. Grundy – 3:32
3. Edgelord – 5:33
4. Filthy Lucre – 5:44
Total EP Length: 19:47

Album Band Lineup:​
Scott Charles (Guitar, Vocals)
Trenton Bullard (Guitar, Vocals)
Brady Side (Bass)
Kevin Ross (Drums)
Scott Giffin (Synth)

Live Band Lineup:​
Scott Charles (Guitar, Vocals)
Trenton Bullard (Guitar, Vocals)
Brady Side (Bass)
Kevin Ross (Drums)

More info:

​https://denimachineband.com/​

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

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

Tuska 2027: more bands, performance days announced, and all tickets on sale

Tuska 2027—set to take place during the first weekend of July at Suvilahti in Helsinki and headlined by Judas Priest, Lorna Shore, and Children Of Bodom—is taking a major leap toward next summer. The performance schedule for the artists has now been released, and all ticket categories are available. Furthermore, 14 new acts have been added to a lineup that already carries the sheer weight of a freight train.

International star power, classics, and new talent

New additions to next summer’s program include the American band I Prevail—a leading force in modern metalcore—the Swedish group Orbit Culture, known for their groovy, modern melodic death metal, the Texan metalcore powerhouse Fit For A King, and the English gothic metal pioneers Paradise Lost.

Other acts hailing from England include the cavernously heavy band Conan, the promising death metal outfit Celestial Sanctuary, and the high-octane rockers Split Dogs.

Representing Australia are the rapidly rising hardcore pride Speed, as well as Cenobia, a group shrouded in a veil of masks and mystery.

In addition to Orbit Culture, Sweden is represented by the Stockholm-based street rock band The Baboon Show.

Continuing the Central European metal tradition is the French artist SUN, who delivers catchy choruses alongside unpredictable, organic riff-work. Representing the domestic metal scene are the beloved and award-winning Savonian crew Turmion Kätilöt—who have just released their new full-length album, “Resondance”—the death metal outfit Tukkanuotta (known for haunting the smoking areas of suburban bars), and the modern yet mystical metalcore group Atlas.

Confirmed Tuska 2027 acts by performance day:

Friday, July 2, 2027
Children Of Bodom
Heaven Shall Burn, Stratovarius, Smash Into Pieces
Guilt Trip, Gaerea, Fox Lake, Conan, The Baboon Show, Sinizter

Saturday, July 3, 2027
Judas Priest
I Prevail
Turmion Kätilöt, Danko Jones, Kanonenfieber, Speed ​​
Tukkanuotta, Atlas, Celestial Sanctuary, Green Lung, Avralize, Split Dogs

Sunday, July 4, 2027
Lorna Shore
Orbit Culture, The Devil Wears Prada, Paradise Lost
Fit For A King, Cenobia, SUN

Detailed performance schedules will be announced closer to the festival.
More acts will be announced later.

Tickets:
All ticket categories for Tuska 2027 are now on sale through Tuska’s official ticketing partners, Tiketti and Lippu.fi. More information about tickets.

One-day tickets from €149.00
Two-day tickets from €229.00
Three-day tickets from €259.00

Tuska VIP is now Bodom Lounge x Defender.

VIP – One-day Bodom Lounge x Defender tickets from €249.00
VIP – Three-day Bodom Lounge x Defender tickets from €389.00

The age limit for Tuska is 18.

In partnership with: Karhu and Helsinki

TUSKA July 2–4, 2027
Helsinki, Suvilahti
#TuskaFestival 

Rising Star Essex Is Sharing His New Fixation

The eighties brought us a lot of songs that have been firmly engrained in our brains for 40 years now. But they also gave us a plethora that have been hiding in plain sight all these years, just waiting for someone new to step forward and say – “That’s a hit!”

Well, they don’t come much new-er than Essex, and they don’t feel more hit-like than “Fixation,” a cut from The Second Layer’s 1981 album World Of Rubber, and an early glimpse into the genius of the late Adrian Borland, before The Sound let us in on the secret.

Essex himself is not yet a year into his career, and already he has made an indelible mark on the scene – his debut single, back in February, was a duet with Cherie Currie, “When You’re Young,” and he followed through with another early eighties gem, Killing Jokes immortal “Eighties.”

His own “Rock’n’Roll” was a stunning tribute to the music he loves, and now comes the tightly coiled energy and electricity of “Fixation,” a vivaciously updated post-punk classic backed up by a chilling new video by Vicente Cordero, a darkly-lit Lost Boys vibe that will make an exquisite addition to your Halloween watch party

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/mc809xBSBjQ

Essex’s much-anticipated debut album is already underway, its dark-edged guitars and synths, commanding melodies, and sharp, aggressive bite channeling the raw electricity of the MTV-era ’80s at their peak , even as they charge forward with modern grit and venomous danger.

This is music built on volume, emotion, and conviction, hooks you can shout, grooves you can feel, and an authenticity and presence that refuse to be ignored.

Are you ready to become fixated?  Take one one listen to “Fixation,” and you will be

SINGLE: https://orcd.co/essex_fixation

Anthyr released debut album

Swedish Melodic Death/Black Metal band Anthyr released their debut album «Tidens Famn». The release was recorded, mixed and mastered by Markus Kristiansen Seterlund in “Nordblod Studios”.
Hailing from the cold landscapes of Sweden, Anthyr is a solo metal project forged at the intersection of atmospheric black metal and melodic death metal. Rejecting modern trends, the project builds expansive, immersive compositions anchored by striking melodies, deep atmosphere, and vivid storytelling. Drawing profound inspiration from Scandinavia’s pre-Christian heritage, ancient Norse pantheons, and northern spiritual traditions, Anthyr channels both ferocious aggression and introspective gloom. The result is a captivating sonic journey that explores not merely the darkness itself, but the ancestral forces and forgotten lore that reside within it.

Pretty Addicted Video Interview

Pretty Addicted emerge from the depths of Hell, behold, the children of the Devil. Raised within fundamentalist Christianity and once subjugated to the malevolent god of the Bible, these awakened souls have finally discovered a path toward the liberation and freedom they had never known under the curse of that deity. Through their music, they leave behind an era defined by trauma and spiritual shackles. Following a long period of hibernation, spent forging a new story entirely their own, the band released three singles in 2026 (“Rot,” “Mock,” and “Hysterical”) and is now poised to drop a new album in 2027. On Halloween night, Vicious Precious spoke to The Offering about the band’s history, what the upcoming album will entail, and plans for gigs and festivals. She also opened up about the fear of death, the nature of mortality, the trauma stemming from a childhood in an religious family, and her commitment to supporting women within the metal community.

https://www.facebook.com/prettyaddictedcult/