Author: Crix

SHORES OF NULL “An Easy Way” Prelude to Upcoming Split “Latitudes of Sorrow” with CONVOCATION Out November 2025

Italian doom metal outfit Shores of Null have released their new single “An Easy Way,” a devastatingly poignant track that opens their upcoming split album “Latitudes of Sorrow” with Finnish funeral doom masters Convocation. The split arrives on November 21st via Everlasting Spew Records.
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​“An Easy Way” was chosen for its immediacy and emotional impact, a rare blend of haunting darkness and melodic catchiness. Lyrically, it confronts depression, inner struggle, and the fragile line between perseverance and surrender. It’s a reflection on human frailty, wrapped in a soundscape that’s both oppressive and unforgettable.
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​“It’s the most straightforward track on the split. Catchy, yes, but it leaves very little room for hope,” says the band.
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The split album “Latitudes of Sorrow” is a collaboration born from shared artistic vision. When Everlasting Spew Records approached Shores of Null mid-way through writing their next full-length, the band seized the opportunity to finish and record three exclusive tracks that might have otherwise remained in the shadows. The result is a darker, more hopeless sonic offering, a perfect complement to Convocation’s funeral doom intensity.
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​“Two sides of the same coin. Opposite latitudes, but a shared desire to explore sorrow in all its forms,” the band explains.
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The album’s artwork, created by LL of Convocation, features a spectral figure and an empty chair, a haunting symbol of presence in absence. Musically and lyrically, Latitudes of Sorrow is a journey through grief, solitude, and the inescapable weight of mortality.
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For fans of Katatonia, Paradise Lost, Evoken, and Esoteric, “Latitudes of Sorrow” offers one of the most grievous and heavy splits in recent memory, a sonic reckoning that will finally make all your summers end.
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​“An Easy Way” is streaming now on all major platforms. “Latitudes of Sorrow” drops digitally and on CD and Cassette physical format on November 21st via Everlasting Spew Records. The vinyl edition of the split will be issued in Spring 2026.

Listen to “An Easy Way” at https://youtu.be/uGf-jUJwZDE

Digital single (Spotify) – https://ps.tribly.fm/86aq6de

Album countdown and pre-save: https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/79oGZH6MpwHGsTTmnLKo8D

Pre-Order:

Physical: https://bit.ly/42PbNY8

Digital: https://everlastingspew.bandcamp.com/album/latitudes-of-sorrow

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Track Listing:​
1. Shores Of Null – An Easy Way
2. Shores Of Null – The White Wound
3. Shores Of Null – The Year Without Summer
4. Convocation – Abaddon’s Shadow
5. Convocation – Empty Room
Split Album Length:

For more info: Shoresofnull.com | Facebook.com/shoresofnull | Instagram.com/shoresofnull

About:

Shores of Null stand out from their contemporaries with their ability to blend seemingly disparate elements into their sound, overwhelmingly heavy and soothing at the same time: blackened aggression stands alongside gothic-doom sections without either sounding out of place. Their music can be both melancholic and majestic, made of chorale-like guitar textures across the instrument’s entire range, sustained by a powerful rhythmic section and punctuated by a refined mixture of clean and growled vocals, along with extensive use of pleasing vocal harmonies which have become the band’s trademark through the years.
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The Rome-based metal band has been an unwavering presence within the metal underground since their musical outset in 2013, churning out a series of impressive records: the melodic and somber Quiescence (Candlelight, 2014), the darker and more complex Black Drapes For Tomorrow (Candlelight/Spinefarm, 2017), and the ambitious Beyond The Shores (On Death And Dying) (Spikerot Records, 2020), a 38-minute long doom manifesto that sees guest appearances of the doom-titans Mikko Kotamäki (Swallow The Sun) and Thomas A.G. Jensen (Saturnus), along with the angelic voice of Elisabetta Marchetti (Inno).
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Shores Of Null’s fourth album, The Loss Of Beauty, released in March 2023, was hailed as one of the best albums of the year within the genre. The band supported the release with an extensive EU/UK tour alongside Swallow The Sun, Draconian, and Avatarium, followed by standout performances at major festivals like Hellfest, Rock Imperium, and 70000 Tons Of Metal, among others, further solidifying their status as one of the rising forces in the metal scene.
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In 2025, Shores of Null released Beauty over Europe, a powerful live album capturing the raw energy and emotional depth of their performances across the continent. The release serves as a testament to the band’s commanding stage presence and the resonance of their music with audiences worldwide. Looking ahead, the band is set to unveil Latitudes of Sorrow, a highly anticipated split album with Finnish funeral doom masters Convocation, promising a profound exploration of grief, atmosphere, and sonic weight.

Vanguardian’s debut album III: Inhumanityoffers raw extreme metal on a broad scale

Finnish Vanguardian gives their gift to the world of heavy music in the form of their new album III: Inhumanity. The band has drawn inspiration for the album from black metal, prog, rock ‘n’ roll and sludge. The album’s common thread is the story that began with the previous EP, about the dystopian threats of technological development and the significance of human life in a world that is rapidly spiraling out of control.

The lead single, ..In Humanity, encapsulates the band’s vision and the album’s theme. Guitarist Mikko Saviranta talks about the dramatic arc of the album that reflects it:

“..In Humanity was one of the first songs on the album, and with it the dramatic arc of the album began to take shape. With this song you also get a pretty good idea of what Vanguardian has to offer: brutal riffs, good melodies and prog noise!”

Vanguardian recorded their previous II: The Heretic EP at Astia Studio in analog under the direction of producer Anssi Kippo. The band made their new album in complete peace and quiet at Univaltakunta studio in Jyväskylä, where Vanguardian also has its headquarters. The studio environment gave the band the opportunity to develop their own sound and create a completely unique perspective on producing music. The end result is a distinctive and brutal album, where influences from different genres blend together nicely. Jami Honkala was responsible for mixing and mastering.

“We started working on the album right after the previous EP was finished. We put the lessons we learned from Astia studio into practice, and we spent a lot of time in the rehearsal room working on the songs. We made several demos, and we set out to find our own sound with a completely new perspective. We still had a lot to tell about the world where the previous EP had left off, so the lyrics literally started to write themselves. The compositions have a lot of entities built by jamming,” the band comments, and continues: “We think the end result is a good middle finger to the current polished mood. We didn’t remove humanity, but emphasized everything that separates us from computers. We made a sci-fi album as organically and naturally as possible, which in its execution nicely underlines the thematics of the entire album.”

Listen to the album on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon Music etc.): https://push.fm/fl/vanguardian-iii-inhumanity

Rising from the ashes of Inkvisitor in 2019, Vanguardian took collective action as their guiding principle, with the goal of forming a seamlessly functioning machine. The band members’ fusion is visible and palatable in the hard-pedaling groove, dark melodies and wide range of influences. The 2025 Vanguardian is a relentless and awe-inspiring natural whim.

Vanguardian is:

Markus Martinmäki – Vocals

Tino Jäntti – Drums

Mikko Saviranta – Guitar

Sakari Soisalo – Bass

https://www.facebook.com/vanguardianofficial

https://www.instagram.com/vanguardianofficial/

https://www.tiktok.com/@vanguardian.official

UK Black-Gothic Metal Ensemble Abscence Releases New Lyric Video “Under the Moon’s Glance”

UK-based black-gothic metal ensemble Abscence unveils their latest lyric video for the track “Under the Moon’s Glance”.

In this chapter of Abscence’s dark odyssey, “Under the Moon’s Glance” unravels a tale of longing, blood, and nocturnal reverie. Born from the union of haunting melody and raw intensity, this track dives deep into the romance and ruin of our vampiric lovers.

“Let the moonlight guide you—

and may you never look away.”

The track comes from Enigma, the band’s latest concept album. Across nine epic songs, Enigma tells the tragic story of two vampire women bound by blood, devotion, and betrayal. Drawing from 90s black and gothic metal, the album layers symphonic textures, rich vocal arrangements, and immersive storytelling to create a world that is both timeless and intense.

Stream “Enigma” HERE

Emerging from the UK underground, Abscence channels the raw power and bleak beauty of black metal, blending ferocious riffs with haunting melodies to explore despair, nature, and the shadows of existence. With Enigma, Abscence invites listeners into a world of symphonic blackened art, embracing drama, darkness, and emotional intensity in its purest form.

www.instagram.com/abscenceband

youtube.com/@abscenceband

 

Belle Morte Is Back With The Acoustic Version Of “Exorcism”

BELLE MORTE, one of the rising forces in symphonic female-fronted metal, return with a new acoustic take on their hit single “Exorcism”. Stripping the track down to its raw, emotional core, the video highlights the band’s signature dark atmosphere while offering a fresh perspective on the fan-favorite song.

Known for blending symphonic metal with an array of ethnic instruments from around the world, BELLE MORTE’s Pearl Hunting album features collaborations with artists from over a dozen countries, creating a unique global sound. The acoustic “Exorcism” offers both longtime fans and newcomers a chance to experience the band’s cinematic storytelling in an intimate, stripped-back form.

Stream “Pearl Hunting”: orcd.co/pearlhunting

CD: tinyurl.com/PearlHuntingCD

Formed in Minsk, BELLE MORTE combines dark symphonic metal with gothic, progressive, and melancholic elements. After their 2018 EP Game On, the band signed with Wormholedeath in 2021 to release Crime of Passion, a conceptual album inspired by John Fowles’s The Collector. Their second album continues this global approach, delivering unique symphonic metal experiences for fans seeking something different.

www.facebook.com/bellemortemusic
twitter.com/bellemortemusic
www.instagram.com/bellemorteofficial
www.youtube.com/@bellemortemusic
bellemorte.bandcamp.com
bellemortemusic.com

Spiral Fracture Returns With Second Single & Video “Defiance”

US progressive metal titans Spiral Fracture have released their second single, “Defiance”, accompanied by a striking new video. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming album Grace in Decay, which will be released on January 23, 2026, via Wormholedeath.

A relentless descent into inner chaos and raw resistance, “Defiance” claws through guilt, pain, and spiritual conflict, fusing crushing riffs with a fierce declaration of survival. This is the sound of refusing to kneel, even when the walls close in.

Stream the single here: https://orcd.co/defiancesingle

Pre-save “Grace in Decay”: https://orcd.co/graceindecay

Spiral Fracture is a progressive metal band that bridges the past and future of the genre. Their sound blends thunderous drums, soul-shaking bass, and atmospheric guitar textures with the soaring clarity of a classically trained alto vocalist. Inspired by the Fibonacci spiral, their music mirrors the fractures of modern society through a fusion of prog, rock, death, black, and power metal.
Featuring David Givens (guitar), Brian Fisher (drums), Brian Tanner (bass), and Javier Ramos (vocals), the band creates a precise yet primal sonic tapestry. Now managed by Extreme Management Group, Spiral Fracture is set to expand their reach and connect with listeners worldwide.

https://www.spiralfracturemetal.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@spiralfracture
https://www.facebook.com/spiralfracturemusic
https://www.instagram.com/spiralfracture

KARU Unveils Lyric Video “Alone In The Forest” From New Album “Perdition” On November

Finnish symphonic death metallers KARU unveil their second single, “Alone In The Forest,” taken from the forthcoming concept album “Perdition”. Following the intense and cinematic power of “Shadow War,” this new track offers a deeply emotional journey through themes of loss, isolation, and survival amid the spirits of a mythical Japanese wilderness.

Balancing brutal death metal ferocity with majestic orchestral passages and melancholic melodies, “Alone In The Forest” highlights the essence of KARU’s sound where aggression and beauty coexist in perfect harmony. The song’s evolving dynamics from towering riffs and guttural vocals to ethereal melodic sections capture the spiritual and emotional struggle at the heart of the album’s storyline.

Produced, mixed, and mastered by Niko Hienonen, the track showcases the band’s refined compositional depth, strengthened by the intricate guitar work of Kalle Pöyskö and Toni Tieaho (Crystalic, ex-Mors Principium Est). Visually complemented by artwork from Driope Project, the single continues the narrative thread leading to the album’s climactic title track, “Perdition”.

KARU’s music channels both the unforgiving nature of the North and the mysticism of feudal Japan, merging cold precision with cinematic emotion. The result is a sound as vast and powerful as the landscapes that inspired it.

For fans of: Wintersun, Nightwish, Children of Bodom

Listen to “Alone In The Forest”:

Digital – https://lnk.to/VsIw0G

Lyric Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq1qj6B-ukE

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“Perdition” will be released worldwide on November 21st, 2025.

ALBUM PRE-ORDER – https://rockshots.eu/products/karu-perdition-cd

“Shadow War” – Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/kmaz_NyPDOo

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Track Listing:
​1. Shores of Mist and Blood
2. Shadow War
3. Alone in the Forest
4. Embers in the Skies
5. Trail of Fire
6. Path of the Unforgiven
7. Perdition

Karu Line Up:
​Niko Hienonen – Vocals, Production, Orchestrations
Kalle Pöyskö – Guitars
Toni Tieaho (ex-Mors Principium Est, Crystalic) – Guitars

More info:

https://www.rockshots.eu

https://www.instagram.com/karu_band/

https://www.facebook.com/KARUbandofficial

ABOUT:
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KARU was formed in 2017 by Kalle Pöyskö and Niko Hienonen as a studio project. In 2020, the boys came out with the first EP “KARU,” which paved the way for the future of the band. The EP introduced the driving metal force of the band as well as the beautiful orchestrations that would be more prominent in the band’s future releases. In 2023, KARU was formalized as a proper live band, and two singles were released from the upcoming album. In April 2024, the band’s first full-length concept album, “HYDRA,” was released. The album gathered attention from critics and received critical acclaim for its unique atmosphere and attitude towards conjoining brutal metal and beautiful orchestras.

The band started to work on the next full-length album already before “HYDRA” was released. The concept started as an epic journey through the wilderness of a fantasy-themed Japan, drawing inspiration from the Japanese spiritual world, where all the forests have a spirit of their own. The band finished the album in the summer of 2025, only a year after their last album was released. The band went through some lineup changes, and the newest lineup is the founders Pöyskö and Hienonen, as well as the lead guitarist virtuoso Toni Tieaho (Crystalic, Existence Depraved, ex-Mors Principium Est). With the new lineup, the band’s sound evolved to wholly new levels, and “Perdition” is a testament to the band’s new sound.

With “Perdition,” the band aims to bring their music and energetic live show to new audiences within and outside of their native Finland.

Melodic Death Metal Force IMPERIAL DOMAIN Returns with Ferocious New Single “Retribution”

Swedish melodic death metal veterans Imperial Domain are back with their brand-new single “Retribution”, taken from their upcoming album Portentum, due for release on November 14, 2025, through Wormholedeath.

“Retribution” is Imperial Domain’s furious statement of long-delayed justice. Fueled by sharp riffs and a venomous chorus, the track channels humiliation and betrayal into pure melodic death metal vengeance. It’s a powerful preview of what’s to come on Portentum, an album set to showcase Imperial Domain’s signature blend of aggression, atmosphere, and precision.

Stream the single: orcd.co/retributionsingle

Founded in the mid-90s, Imperial Domain quickly made waves in the Swedish death metal underground with their debut demo The Final Chapter (1995), followed by In the Ashes of the Fallen (1996)—a release that earned them national acclaim. Their full-length debut In the Ashes of the Fallen (1998) on Pulverised Records marked the band as a rising force, followed by the critically acclaimed The Ordeal (2003) via Konqueror Records.

After a brief hiatus and the tragic loss of vocalist Tobias Heideman in 2014, the band reemerged stronger than ever with The Deluge (2016), reaffirming their place in the melodic death metal pantheon. Now, Imperial Domain return with Portentum—an album that’s as uncompromising as it is thought-provoking.

 Line-Up

Peter Laitinen Sundström – Guitar

Philip Borg – Guitar

Andreas Öman – Vocals

Mattias Hansson – Bass

Alvaro Svanerö – Drums

www.instagram.com/imperialdomain

www.facebook.com/imperialdomain.se

www.imperialdomain.se

F:F:F: – Formosa : Finland : Fest brings Taiwan’s top metal names, Lost Society, and Korpiklaani to the same stage

Taiwan’s cultural association (GACC) is hosting an unforgettable night in Helsinki on November 27 to celebrate the metal scenes of Taiwan and Finland in all their diversity. F:F:F: – Formosa : Finland : Fest, held at Tiivistämö, also marks the beginning of a new chapter in cultural diplomacy, as it coincides with the arrival of Taiwan’s new ambassador to Finland – none other than Freddy Lim, a professional politician but also the driving force behind one of Taiwan’s most iconic metal bands, CHTHONIC (picture below).

“I’m absolutely thrilled to return to Finland after more than a decade – this time as Taiwan’s official representative. While Finns may recognize the historical and geopolitical parallels between Finland and Taiwan, through F:F:F: you’ll also see that both our nations are masters at producing quality Metal! Let’s strengthen our diplomacy through music and culture,” says Freddy Lim.

Founded in 1967 and led by the President of Taiwan, the GACC has organized major cultural export projects around the world – from India to the United States – over the past decade. The six-band evening in Helsinki also includes an exclusive reception for media and invited guests, featuring culinary delights by Taiwanese celebrity chef Soac, as well as cutting-edge fashion from designers Jenn Lee and INF (aka Wei Kuo). Their creations, alongside live visuals by VJ Asking Lee, will also feature on stage during the free concert event.

“While F:F:F is focused on music, we’ve fine-tuned every detail to ensure the richness and diversity of Taiwanese culture shines through. We invited two fashion designers to shape the visual identity: JENN LEE, known for her bold and experimental style, and INF, whose work fuses deconstruction with Taiwanese cultural elements. Visual artist BlackZao brings graffiti art to amplify the energy of each performance, and VJ Asking Gee – a veteran of international festivals and electronic music stages – creates a global visual language for the metal performances. F:F:F is not just a concert – it’s a celebration for the ears, eyes, and taste buds, where you can truly experience ‘The Flavor of Taiwan,’” says secretary-general, Lee Hou-ching.

F:F:F is also part of “Taiwan European Culture Connect 2025,” a year-long program launched by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture. So far, the GACC has organized over 70 Taiwanese cultural events across 26 European countries. In Finland, heavy metal serves as a loud and powerful voice for intercultural dialogue. The F:F:F visual identity continues the theme of the colon – a symbol of dialogue, connection, and collaboration.

Under the aurora-lit Nordic skies, the small mountainous island of Taiwan and Finland, the land of a thousand lakes, may be separated by nearly 8,000 kilometers and more than 40 degrees of latitude – yet these two nations are united by a shared belief in democracy, freedom, and human rights – universal values that transcend borders.

“This isn’t just a concert – it’s a new form of cultural export that marks the beginning of deeper exchange. Through music, we share not only melodies but also our shared values of freedom, diversity, and human rights.”

Tickets are now available here:
https://kide.app/events/8a75a8f3-e84f-41be-8383-364a3c869821
Please note: a smart device with internet access is required to claim your ticket. A service fee of max. 0.95€ may apply. Price includes VAT.

“Rising from Peaks. Roaring across Lakes. United on One Stage.”

F:F:F — Formosa : Finland : Fest
Tiivistämö, Helsinki
November 27, 2025 – 6:00 PM
18+ event
LINEUP:
🇫🇮 KORPIKLAANI
🇹🇼 CHTHONIC feat. OLLI VÄNSKÄ 🇫🇮
🇫🇮 LOST SOCIETY
🇹🇼 FLESH JUICER
🇹🇼 CRESCENT LAMENT
🇹🇼 SONIA CALICO

INSTAGRAM | WEBSITE

Khroma’s self-titled fourth full length is their most diverse album ever

The self-titled album by Khroma, their fourth, sees the Helsinki-borne quintet at their most diverse: from straight-up death and groove metal passages to full-fledged grime, electro and trip hop, the band expands the boundaries of their electronic alternative metal. From the turbocharged opener “Abattoir (Chosen)” through the relentless rap skit “NPCs” to the complex, album-closing “Carnivorous”, “Khroma” is a limitlessly heavy album not chasing mundane genre thrills.

Listen to the album on music services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal etc.): https://push.fm/fl/khroma-khroma

Khroma 2025:

Antti Honka: drums, electronics

Maarik Leppä: guitar

Mikko Merilinna: guitar, keys

Riku-Rinta Seppälä: lead vocals, electronics

Teemu Ruokonen: bass, backing vocals

Khroma discography:
“Khroma” (album, 2025, Inverse Records)
“Ex Nihilo” (album, 2021, Inverse Records)
“Stasis” (album, 2016, Inverse Records)
“Collapse” (album, 2014, Inverse Records)
“Chariots” (single, 2012, Inverse Records)
“Khroma” (EP, 2011, self-released)

https://www.facebook.com/khromaband

https://www.instagram.com/khromaband/

https://khromaband.bandcamp.com/

French heavy metal band The Losts released the first single ‘A Dark Place To Hide’ from their forthcoming third studio album ‘Venom Within’

The French dark and melodic heavy metal band The Losts, formed in 2010, are set to release their third studio album. Titled Venom Within, the album will be released via Finnish record label Inverse Records on 19 December 2025.

The first single, ‘A Dark Place to Hide’, is out now and is available on all major streaming platforms: https://push.fm/fl/thelosts-dark

Vocalist/guitarist YGC comments:

“A Dark Place to Hide is the perfect gateway into Venom Within. All the ingredients that define our sound and run through the new album are here: powerful and lyrical heavy metal blended with black and thrash influences. It also marks a crucial step in our concept, picking up the thread from Mystery of Depths, our previous record. The Losts once tried to blend in with mankind, but their hopes were crushed. The question remained: fade away… or take their place? With this track, they step back, watching humanity spiral toward programmed self-destruction. ‘We saw enough’ they proclaim.”

BIOGRAPHY:

THE LOSTS is a Dark & Melodic Heavy Metal band from the North of France, touring since 2010 in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It has shared stages with bands such as SERENITY (Austria), DIRTY SHIRT (Romania), ZORNHEYM (Sweden), LONEWOLF (France), WIZARD (Germany), KING HEAVY (Chile), CAPILLA ARDIENTE (Chile), DRAKKAR (Belgium), FIREFORCE (Belgium), DOOMOCRACY (Greece), LOUDBLAST (France), and many more.

The music of THE LOSTS, always led by a melodic side, reflects the tastes of each member. Thus, Hard, Dark, Black, Doom, Thrash, Oriental, even Rock, enrich the Heavy Metal which represents the roots of the band. The band cites MEGADETH as well as ARCTURUS, MERCYFUL FATE, JINJER, THERION or even IMMORTAL for major influences.

All the lyrics and designs are linked by the same concept: the mythology of the “Losts”, a fictional story and a pretext to portray a satire of our societies. Born from nowhere and driven by a thirst for humanity, these characters draw closer to human civilizations. As their story unfolds through the songs, they embody and then question the essence of human nature, its power, and the meaning of existence.

Formed by DGC (guitars), JCR (drums), YGC (vocals/guitars) and GGV (bass), this line-up released its first self-produced EP, “No God, No Devil”, in 2013. This EP received a warm welcome from the musical media (reviews in Metallian and Rock Hard France for example). In 2016,  its debut full-length album “…Of Shades & Deadlands”  was released in partnership with Ellie Promotion. The artwork was designed by the renowned Stan W. Decker. Thanks to sales and media coverage, the album reached audiences beyond Europe, gaining traction in Asia and South America, with enthusiastic feedback from both the press and fans.

In 2020, during the recording of the second album, GGV left the band. This marked the first lineup change, welcoming PPG on bass — a new member who brought fresh energy and direction to the band. This new formation completed “Mystery Of Depths”, produced by Phil Reinhalter at WaveLight Studio (PUTRID OFFAL, MERCYLESS, NOISE EMISSION CONTROL, HYLDR…) and mastered by Frédéric Motte at Conkrete Studio (LOUDBLAST, ETHS, GOROD, TGOO,…). The cover art was created by American artist Chadwick St John, known for his work with DARKTHRONE. Released in 2021 in collaboration with Ellie Promotion and distributed by Season of Mist, the album received critical acclaim and was included in several “Best of 2021” lists across the international metal press. The band has also appeared on numerous compilations (Howl, Pavillon 666 sampler, Ultraje Portugal sampler, French Metal, etc.).

“Venom Within”, the third album, is once again mixed and mastered by the duo Phil Reinhalter and Frédéric Motte. The 11 new tracks continue the musical exploration that defines THE LOSTS, pushing boundaries while offering a wide playing field where a multitude of vocal “characters” come to life. Released under Inverse Records, the Finnish label that has placed its trust in the band, this new creation is eager to claim its place in today’s musical landscape.