Author: Crix

Australia’s GREYSTONE CANYON Unveils Next Single “Stealing Our Freedom” From New Album “Something Borrowed…Something New” Out On December

Australia’s hard rock renegades fire off their most explosive original track, “Stealing Our Freedom”, from their forthcoming album, “Something Borrowed…Something New,” due out December 5th, 2025, from Rockshots Records, marking their most authentic and organic release to date.

“Stealing Our Freedom” is a protest-anthem with teeth: rootsy acoustic intro, a razor-sharp riff that hits like mid-90s Megadeth, and lyrics that call out political distrust, land exploitation and personal liberties slipping away. Recorded fully live at Black Lodge Studio, no click, no edits, no digital makeup, just four guys in a room turning frustration into rock’n’roll fire. Crank it loud!

Listen to “Stealing Our Freedom” at the following links:

YouTube – https://youtu.be/ZXeIGPwWH_k​

Add to your Spotify playlist – https://shorturl.at/ZEJBI​

Produced by the band and engineered by Joel Taylor at Black Lodge Studio (Melbourne), “Something Borrowed…Something New” represents a turning point in Greystone Canyon’s journey. As the title suggests, it’s a hybrid record – a mix of new original songs and hand-picked classics from the bands that shaped their sound, including Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, UFO, and Neil Young. The album bridges past and present, combining heartfelt tributes with fresh, road-worn originals such as “Drives Us,” “Friend of the Fox,” and “Stealing Our Freedom”.

Vocalist/guitarist Darren Cherry comments:

“This is our most honest record so far, real instruments, real performances, all captured live in one room. We wanted to remind listeners of the warmth and punch that only true rock bands can create together. It’s pure, old-school energy, and we had an absolute blast making it.”

Following the success of “Iron & Oak” (2024), which reached #18 on the Australian iTunes Hard Rock chart and earned multiple 10/10 media scores, the band is poised to bring their music to a new global audience with a record that’s equal parts homage and evolution.

Recommended for fans of Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, and ZZ Top, Greystone Canyon‘s new album “Something Borrowed…Something New” is out December 5th, 2025

PRE-ORDER of “Something Borrowed…Something New” – https://rockshots.eu/products/greystone-canyon-something-borrowed-something-new-cd​

Single – Doctor, Doctor (UFO cover) – https://shorturl.at/5UtaO​

Music Video – Suicide (Thin Lizzy cover) – https://youtu.be/VLNaHClXKc0​

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Track Listing:
1. Doctor, Doctor (UFO cover) – 04:16
2. Just Got Paid (ZZ Top cover) – 03:35
3. Drives Us – 05:06
4. Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover) – 02:21
5. Friend of the Fox – 03:57
6. Suicide (Thin Lizzy cover) – 05:14
7. Hey, Hey, My, My (Into the Black) (Neil Young cover) – 03:22
8. AAF – 1:47
9. Stealing Our Freedom – 04:26
Album Length: 33:54

More info: Rockshots.eu | Facebook.com/greystonecanyon | Instagram.com/greystonecanyon_official​

About: Greystone Canyon is an Australian hard rock band formed in Melbourne, known for their timeless blend of classic rock, heavy metal, and blues-infused energy. Their music draws on the spirit of 1970s and 1980s legends such as Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, Ozzy Osbourne, and UFO while infusing modern depth, dynamic arrangements, and heartfelt storytelling.

The band released their debut album “While the Wheels Still Turn” in 2018, earning critical acclaim from both Australian and international press. The record was named “Debut Album of the Year” by Australia’s national TV program The Hard Rock Show, and received outstanding reviews across the board – including 10/10 from Rock ’n’ Load Magazine and 99/100 from The Metal Mag. Supported by multiple singles and videos amassing over 450,000 views, the album firmly established Greystone Canyon as one of Australia’s most promising rock acts.

Their sophomore record, “Iron & Oak”, followed in 2024, entering the Australian iTunes chart at #18 for Hard Rock and #82 across all genres, as well as reaching #1 on CFUR North American college radio. The album was praised by the international rock media, with several 10/10 scores, and produced over 250,000 video views within weeks of release. The band also performed alongside US heavy metal pioneers The Rods, further cementing their reputation for powerful and emotionally charged live shows.

After years of honing their craft and refining their sound, Greystone Canyon return in 2025 with their third full-length album, “Something Borrowed…Something New” – a record that captures the raw, organic essence of a real rock band performing live together. Recorded at Black Lodge Studio in Melbourne with producer and engineer Joel Taylor, the album was tracked entirely live in one room, without click tracks or digital edits. The result is a vibrant, honest, and deeply musical release that mixes brand-new Greystone Canyon originals with hand-picked classic covers from the artists who shaped their identity, including Thin Lizzy, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, UFO, and Neil Young.

Frontman Darren Cherry, who also performed with Paul Di’Anno’s (ex-Iron Maiden) Australian touring band in 2024, leads the lineup featuring Richard Vella (guitars, vocals, keyboards), David Poulter (bass), and Sham Hughes (drums, keyboards, mastering). Together, they embody the spirit of traditional rock music – played with authenticity, precision, and passion.

With “Something Borrowed…Something New“, Greystone Canyon pays tribute to the golden age of rock while reaffirming their identity as a band devoted to tone, feel, fire, honesty, and organic sound. It’s a record that reminds listeners of what real rock ’n’ roll is meant to be — alive, human, and timeless.

CITOWICZ AND THE FIREFLIES OF FEBRUARY Release New Single ‘Letters Never Sent’ – A Pop-Blues Meditation on Unspoken Words & Love Taken for Granted

Andrzej Citowicz has released “Letters Never Sent”, a new lyric video from the critically acclaimed album “Living Room Rockstar Part 2”. The track represents one of the album’s most emotionally vulnerable moments, blending pop-blues sensibilities with the melodic hooks that defined Richie Sambora and Bon Jovi’s greatest work.

FOR A SPECIAL DEAR FRIEND
“I wrote this song for my special dear friend,” Citowicz explains. “If you know, you know. But it’s also for everyone out there who lost their loved ones. For everyone carrying words they never said.”
The song explores a theme that transcends simple categorization: “This isn’t quite a love song. Or maybe it is. Maybe it’s about what we feel when we fear losing someone from our lives. How many words we want to say, how many ‘letters’ we want to send, how we want to be better—but life writes its own scenarios and we take things for granted.”
He continues with characteristic honesty: “Cliché? Maybe. But isn’t it true?”

THE RICHIE SAMBORA INFLUENCE
Musically, “Letters Never Sent” draws deep inspiration from Richie Sambora’s guitar work and compositional approach, filtered through Citowicz’s personal lens of pop-blues and Bon Jovi-style melodic hooks.
“Richie Sambora has been one of my biggest inspirations,” Citowicz shares. “Not just as a guitarist, but as a songwriter who understood how to balance technical skill with raw emotion. The way he could make a guitar cry, the way his solos told stories—that’s what I was chasing with this song.”
The track showcases pop-blues influences married to the hook-driven accessibility that made Bon Jovi’s catalog so enduring. “I wanted something that felt like Sambora’s guitar work meeting a blues-tinged pop sensibility,” Citowicz notes. “Those melodic hooks that Bon Jovi and Sambora perfected—where you hear something once and it stays with you—that was the target.”

ABOUT THE LYRICS: CONFRONTING WHO WE’VE BECOME
Without reproducing the song’s copyrighted lyrics, Citowicz describes the thematic journey: “The first verse is about being too busy being right to see what you’re leaving behind. About holding pride like a shield when love is what you’re failing to feel. It’s about those letters we write in our heads but never send.”
The song’s structure builds dramatically through its verses. “In the second verse, the drama intensifies,” Citowicz explains. “We’re confronted with who we’ve become—looking in the mirror and barely recognizing ourselves. It’s about trading warmth for control, about being too afraid to say ‘I need you’ when it matters most.”
The bridge offers a moment of stripped-back vulnerability before the final chorus lifts with full band arrangement and key change. “That’s where we acknowledge that forgiveness isn’t written in the sky—it’s born in broken men who try,” Citowicz reflects. “It’s about loving someone, just not the right way. And trying to make it right even when it might be too late.”

DAWN RELEASE: BECAUSE DAY IS LOVE
The lyric video’s early morning release carries special significance for the artist.
“The opening riffs were born early one morning a few months ago,” Citowicz reveals. “That’s why I’m releasing this early in the morning—because day is love. There’s something about dawn that represents possibility, renewal, hope. Morning is when we get another chance to say what we didn’t say yesterday.”
This philosophy extends to the video presentation itself. “This lyric video means the world to me,” he states. “It’s being released in two parts. In the second part, the drama builds dramatically as we confront who we’ve become and what we failed to see. I wanted viewers to sit with that progression, to feel the weight of verse two.”

MUSICAL COMPOSITION: POP-BLUES MEETS ARENA ROCK
“Letters Never Sent” represents a departure from some of Living Room Rockstar Part 2’s harder rock moments, embracing instead a pop-blues foundation enhanced with the soaring hooks and melodic guitar work that defined an era.
“The verses have this blues-tinged feel, almost intimate,” Citowicz describes. “But then the pre-chorus and chorus open up with those Sambora-style hooks—melodic, memorable, emotional. It’s pop-blues at its core, but with that arena rock accessibility that makes you want to sing along even when the lyrics are breaking your heart.”
The production, handled by longtime collaborator Patryk Szymański, balances polish with rawness. “Patryk understood we needed to keep the emotion front and center,” Citowicz notes. “His bass work grounds the verses in that blues feel, but then supports the lift when the choruses soar. He helped shape this into something that honors the Sambora/Bon Jovi tradition while remaining personal and honest.”

UNIVERSAL THEMES, PERSONAL TRUTH
While written for a specific friend, “Letters Never Sent” speaks to universal human experiences of regret, unspoken love, and the fear of losing connections we’ve taken for granted.
“Everyone has someone they wish they’d spoken to differently,” Citowicz observes. “Everyone carries words they didn’t say, letters they didn’t send. This song is about that weight. It’s about pride getting in the way of love. It’s about realizing too late—or maybe just in time—that the walls we build to protect ourselves are the same walls that keep love out.”
The song’s relevance extends beyond romantic relationships. “This applies to friendships, to family, to any relationship where fear or pride or just daily life got in the way of expressing what really mattered,” he explains. “My special dear friend knows who they are. But I hope everyone who hears this finds themselves in it somewhere. We’ve all written letters we never sent.”

THE LIVING ROOM ROCKSTAR PART 2 CONTEXT
“Letters Never Sent” appears on Living Room Rockstar Part 2, Citowicz’s tribute album dedicated to his late son, Jonasz. While the album primarily deals with profound grief and loss, “Letters Never Sent” addresses a different kind of loss—the loss that happens when people are still alive but we fail to reach them.
“The album is about many kinds of loss,” Citowicz reflects. “Losing Jonasz is the central story, but it made me hyper-aware of all the other ways we lose people. Sometimes we lose them because we don’t say what needs saying. This song is about that preventable loss—the kind where people are still here, but the connection is dying because of our own failings.”

LYRIC VIDEO: VISUAL STORYTELLING IN TWO PARTS
The accompanying lyric video presents the song’s narrative in two parts, allowing the dramatic build of the second verse to land with full impact.
“Part one establishes the situation—the regret, the unspoken words, the realization that pride has been masquerading as strength,” Citowicz describes. “Part two intensifies everything. We see who we’ve become through the mirror. We acknowledge the control we chose over warmth, the lies we defended that turned to dust.”
The visual presentation emphasizes key phrases that capture the song’s emotional core, creating moments for reflection between verses. “I wanted people to sit with certain lines,” he notes. “To really feel what it means to be ‘too busy being right to see what you’ve left behind.’ To understand what it means to love someone ‘just not the right way.'”

LOOKING FORWARD: HOPE IN BROKENNESS
Despite its themes of regret and unspoken words, “Letters Never Sent” ultimately offers hope through acknowledgment and attempted reconciliation.
“The song doesn’t promise that everything gets fixed,” Citowicz clarifies. “But it shows someone trying. It shows broken men who try to make things right. That’s where hope lives—not in perfect people who never fail, but in imperfect people who acknowledge their failures and keep reaching out anyway.”
He concludes: “If this song makes even one person pick up the phone, send that message, say what they’ve been holding back—then it’s done what I hoped it would do. We all have letters we never sent. Maybe it’s time to send them.”

ABOUT LIVING ROOM ROCKSTAR PART 2
Living Room Rockstar Part 2, released in November 2025, features 13 tracks exploring themes of loss, resilience, love, and the refusal to let pain have the final word. The album is dedicated to Citowicz’s late son, Jonasz, and has received critical acclaim including a 9/10 rating from Metal Impact Radio (US) and worldwide radio play across five stations in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.
Recent milestones include 80,000 YouTube views and 104,800 TikTok views on posts featuring the album’s songs within days of release.

STREAM THE SINGLE: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/112pDW391zrgnQIKBy8D5C
Lyrics video for Letters Never Sent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKxLPFEct3g

CREDITS:
Music, Lyrics, Guitars: Andrzej Citowicz
Bass: Patryk Szymański

“The opening riffs were born early one morning a few months ago. That’s why I’m releasing this early in the morning—because day is love. This song is for my special dear friend, but it’s also for everyone carrying words they never said. We all have letters we never sent. Maybe it’s time to send them.” — Andrzej Citowicz

About Andrzej Citowicz:
Andrzej Citowicz is an acclaimed Polish guitarist and songwriter currently based in Cairo, Egypt. As a former recording artist for DownBoys Records, he has built a reputation for emotionally resonant songwriting and distinctive guitar work. His music combines classic rock influences with contemporary production, creating a sound that bridges generational and cultural gaps while maintaining artistic authenticity. His YouTube channel has garnered over 70,000 views from an international audience.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7aIeg5DyI7xwkYLsBgJNWf
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AndrzejCitowicz
Instagram: https://instagram.com/citovitz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/citovitz/

Belle Morte Unveils New Music Video “Jorōgumo”

Gothic folk metal act BELLE MORTE is proud to announce the release of the official music video for their latest single, “Jorōgumo.” A masterful blend of dark, heavy metal and traditional Japanese music, the track features an extraordinary collaboration with three highly acclaimed Japanese artists: Hisashi (koto, arrangement of Japanese instrument parts), Reigen Fujii (shamisen), and Souzan Kato (shakuhachi).

Inspired by Japanese folklore, Jorōgumo tells the tale of the spider demon who lures her prey with beauty and deception. Featuring traditional instruments such as koto, shamisen, and shakuhachi, arranged and directed by Hisashi, the track fuses gothic and industrial metal with haunting Japanese textures.

This track takes listeners on a journey through twisted forests and shadowy realms, weaving a tale of temptation, entrapment, and dark enchantment.

Music Video Full Credits

VIDEO PRODUCTION Winterlight Studio
DIRECTOR Riccardo Ceppari
ART DIRECTOR & EDITOR Martina Pizzi
DOP Riccardo Ceppari
DOP ASSISTANT Giulio Barnabò
MAKE UP ARTIST Cristina Attanasio
COSTUMES Annamode Costumes
BACKSTAGE Giulio Barnabò
CONCEPT Martina Pizzi, Belle Morte

MINSK TROUPE
CAMERAMAN Artiom Korol
BACKSTAGE Vadim Bloshnianitsa
MAKE UP ARTIST Diana Makovets

Hisashi is a professional koto player and composer based in Japan.
He has built a wealth of experience playing the koto, both in Japan and overseas. His music career has allowed him to work with clients all over the world, including Japan, the U.S., the UK, Canada, Germany, Norway, and Portugal. He has taken part in several recording sessions for music composers, producers, record labels, an award-nominated composer, and a prize-winning composer.
As a composer, he specializes in a mixed style of modern music and traditional Japanese music. He has composed music for singers, dance projects, promotion videos, art projects, etc. In the 2022 Petrichor International Music Competition, he was selected as a semi-finalist.
His music style was established through his own unique music career. He has been familiar with traditional Japanese music since he was born because his mother is a koto teacher. He also started playing the piano when he was 6, and he started playing the drums in a rock band when he was 13. He has been a member of many rock/metal bands as a drummer and composer. He also has a passion for electronic music and experiments with modern sound-making by sampling traditional Japanese instruments.

Website: https://hisashi.site/
X(Twitter): https://twitter.com/hisashi_musi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hisashi_musik
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hisashi_music

Reigen FUJII is a pioneer who established his own shamisen chord theory and adopted new performance techniques to develop innovative approaches to Western music.
In 2012, he won the 5th champion of the national shamisen competition and became the youngest winner ever. He promotes shamisen by holding workshops around the world and has led many students to become prize winners.
Currently, he also often appears on TV shows and radio programs, and
collaborates with various artists.

X: https://x.com/reigen_030
Facebook: https://facebook.com/reigen.fujii

Souzan KATO is a professional shakuhachi player based in Japan. He is a certified master of the Tozanryu Shakuhachi Foundation.
He graduated from the Traditional Japanese Music Course at Nagoya College of Music and completed the master’s program in the Graduate School of Music at the same university.
He was awarded the Gold Prize at the Tozanryu Honkyoku National
Competition in 2015, 2018, and 2021. Also, he received the Minister of Education Award and the Sankei Newspaper Award.
He engages in performance activities both domestically and internationally, including lectures and performances at universities in Asia, Europe, and North
America.

Website: https://katosouzan.com
X(Twitter): https://x.com/souzanKato
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taiki020

The track is taken from the band’s critically acclaimed album “Pearl Hunting”, released via Wormholedeath Records, further cementing Belle Morte’s place among the most captivating voices in modern symphonic metal.

Stream “Pearl Hunting”: orcd.co/pearlhunting

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

IN VIRTUE Unveils Music Video “Karma Loop” ft. Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain) For Release of New Album “Age of Legends”

Rising Los Angeles progressive power metal band In Virtue has unveiled their brand-new music video for “Karma Loop”, the latest single from their highly anticipated album “Age of Legends,” out now. The video marks a powerful introduction to the record’s sweeping concept and emotional depth, while showcasing the band’s unique sound that blends heavy riffs, melodic hooks, and cinematic textures.

The new single “Karma Loop” was the final track written for the album and quickly became a favorite. Featuring guest vocals from Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain), the song is a dialogue between Sisyphus and a guiding figure known as The Catalyst. Together, they explore the idea that punishment is often self-inflicted and that redemption begins with self-worth. Built around a guitar lick Trey originally wrote for a demo years ago, the track evolved through collaboration with former drummer Mazen Ayoub, guitarist Rami Khalaf, and keyboardist Alex Nasla, resulting in one of the album’s most dynamic and emotionally resonant pieces.
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The lyrics even weave in cultural references from the Kingston Trio’s “M.T.A.” to Hunter S. Thompson’s famous line, “Buy the ticket, take the ride”, adding layers of meaning to the song’s exploration of cycles, consequences, and liberation.

Watch “Karma Loop” ft. Charlotte Wessels (ex-Delain) at https://youtu.be/XGuhgWqx7n4​

Digital Single – https://www.submithub.com/link/karma-loop​

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“Age of Legends” is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a fully realized concept album that tells the story of a flawed protagonist inspired by the myth of Sisyphus. Through themes of guilt, redemption, and self-forgiveness, the album mirrors frontman Trey’s own journey of catharsis and transformation.

“This is a day 10+ years in the making, the album that almost wasn’t. Born from pure force of will against all odds, it’s a testament to rebirth and an iron vision. What you’ll hear is a direct feed from my soul,” Trey explains.
​
Musically, the album balances heavy, groove-driven foundations with orchestration and synths that elevate the songs without overshadowing them. Vocals range from soaring cleans to guttural growls, while guitar and keyboard solos punctuate the narrative without overstaying their welcome. It’s a record designed to be experienced in full, an immersive journey best heard start to finish.

The cover art for “Age of Legends” was created by Niklas Sundin (ex-Dark Tranquillity), depicting Sisyphus breaking free from his eternal punishment. The imagery perfectly complements the album’s lyrical themes of release, redemption, and transformation.
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Formed out of a love for power metal but a distaste for its escapist clichés, In Virtue set out to create music that was heavy, fast, catchy, melodic, and groovy, yet grounded in real human experiences. Their sound draws influence from bands like Soilwork, Amaranthe, Shinedown, Symphony X, and Sonata Arctica, while carving out a distinct identity that avoids prefabricated genre formulas.
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Known for their engaging live performances, In Virtue brings audiences into the experience with big harmonies, sing-alongs, and an energy that defies the “arms-crossed” stereotype of metal shows. With members connected to acts like Witherfall and The Mourning, the band continues to evolve, refining their vision into a cohesive and powerful voice in modern metal.
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Fans can expect an emotional deep dive, a rollercoaster of textures and colors, but ultimately a cohesive journey that rewards both casual listeners and those willing to explore its deeper narrative.

“Age of Legends” is available worldwide as of November 21st, 2025, at https://orcd.co/agofle​

Music Video – Gunslingers of the New American Desert – https://youtu.be/eWYl7bdKCxo​

Music Video – Desolation Throne – https://youtu.be/rXv06-7rg2w​

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Track Listing:​
1. Ascent Glorious (00:36)
2. Sisyphus Awakening (4:55)
3. Karma Loop (ft. Charlotte Wessels) (3:35)
4. Push That Rock (2:46)
5. Purgatory (4:39)
6. Exposed (3:27)
7. Scream (3:40)
8. Where The Edges Meet (3:16)
9. Gunslingers of the New American Desert (4:42)
10. Desolation Throne (3:03)
11. Thoughts in Freefall (ft. Dave Davidson of Revocation) (4:10)
12. The River (2:24)
13. Tempus Fugue (ft. Chaney Crabb of Entheos) (8:05)
14. Descent Limitless (1:22)
Album Length: 50:40

About:

Los Angeles, California’s In Virtue is a band forging a new path, abandoning outdated conceptions of what heavy music is to redefine metal for a new era. Although In Virtue was initially formed in 2004 in California’s Bay Area, the band’s rebirth in 2015 is where the real story begins.

That’s when founding guitarist Trey Xavier made the difficult decision to take over lead vocals, move south to LA, and start the band over with a new lineup. This was the catalyst they needed, and the band’s final form took shape. Adding keyboardist Alex Nasla (The Mourning, ex-Witherfall), guitarist Rami Khalaf, and bassist Jamie Hush, their new sound was freed.

“I was tired of other people singing what I was writing,” says Trey (who you may know from his popular YouTube channel). “We had some pretty good singers, but it always felt like a compromise. It was pretty scary – I was 28 and I had never seriously sung before. But all the work I put in paid off, because now I can create my music as I envision it.”

And what a vision it has become – the band’s forthcoming album Age of Legends, due out in 2025, tells a haunting tale of Sisyphean struggle and redemption through a modern lens. This new era of In Virtue brought their first new music, 2019’s single “Purgatory”, which gave the world a brand new sound. Combining elements of power metal, groove, progressive metal, and pop, but somehow sounding like none of the above, “Purgatory” defined the sonic future of the band.

The singles “Where The Edges Meet” and “Scream” followed soon after to expand on the story, each moving the story forward and bringing new life to the characters and their pain.

With way more to come on Age of Legends, In Virtue is looking forward to the next chapter and bringing their story to the world.

 Facebook.com/invirtue | Instagram.com//invirtue​

Firewind Sign New Record Deal With BLKIIBLK Records

BLKIIBLK is thrilled to announce the signing of Greek power metal band Firewind. Led by guitar virtuoso Gus G. (Ozzy Osbourne, Dream Evil), the band have evolved into a powerhouse band with a devoted international fanbase and a string of acclaimed albums.

As the band enter this exciting new era, Firewind also announce major lineup updates. After his departure in late 2019, powerhouse vocalist Henning Basse is officially returning to the band. Basse’s history with the group goes back to 2007, when he first stepped in as a touring vocalist on the Allegiance tour, and later became a defining voice during Firewind’s post-hiatus era from 2016 to 2019, leaving a lasting imprint on the acclaimed album “Immortals”.

At the same time, Firewind announce that Herbie Langhans is stepping down from vocal duties.
“We “borrowed” Herbie from Avantasia for as long as we could, but our schedules and needs kept clashing, with all the increasing touring obligations. We understand Herbie’s situation and we thank him for his time in the band, the awesome music we made together and wish him all the best”, the band commented.

Gus G. expressed his enthusiasm for this new chapter, by saying: “We’re all very excited, as we commence work on the upcoming concept album that will be the biggest and most epic thing we’ve ever done. And for this, we couldn’t have imagined a better label partner other than Frontiers Records new imprint label, BLKIIBLK. We’re honored to be label mates with Metal titans such as Megadeth and Biohazard and we can’t wait to unleash the new music to the world. Please stay tuned for more details on that and we will be seeing you on the road in 2026!”

Aldo Lonobile, Head Of A&R Europe at Frontiers Label Group, added: “We are truly excited and proud to welcome Firewind to BLKIIBLK. Over the years, I’ve crossed paths with Gus G on several occasions, and now we finally have the opportunity to work more closely together. Beyond being one of my favorite guitar players, he is a brilliant songwriter, and Firewind have firmly established themselves as one of the most exciting metal acts in the scene. We can’t wait to be part of the next chapter in their career!”

Blazing a trail across the global metal scene for over two decades, Firewind stand as a pillar of modern melodic power metal. Combining anthemic choruses, dazzling guitar work, and soaring vocals, Firewind bridge the gap between classic heavy metal and modern power metal sensibilities. With influences ranging from Rainbow and Judas Priest to Helloween and Symphony X, their sound is as timeless as it is energetic.

The band’s discography includes standout releases like “Allegiance” (2006), “The Premonition” (2008), and “Immortals” (2017), each demonstrating Firewind’s knack for fusing melody and technical mastery. Their 2020 self-titled album marked a rebirth of sorts – introducing new vocalist Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Sinbreed) and delivering a heavier, more aggressive edge without sacrificing the band’s signature hooks.

At the center of it all is Gus G., whose explosive yet lyrical guitar style has earned him global recognition and endorsements, from playing stadiums with Ozzy Osbourne to headlining clubs with Firewind. Known for his precision, tone, and deep-rooted love for heavy metal, Gus G. is both the heart and architect of Firewind’s sound.

Firewind continue to tour worldwide, captivating audiences with their electrifying live performances and unwavering dedication to the genre. With new material on the horizon and their legacy firmly cemented, Firewind remain a vital force in the metal world – bold, melodic, and unstoppable.

Firewind will head on tour next year, with the following dates already confirmed and more to be announced soon:

FIREWIND Festival dates 2026:

29.01-02.02 US – 70K Tons of Metal Cruise
09.05 DE – Rock in Rautheim
06.06 DE – Hard N Heavy Open Air
13.06 ES – Kabiefest
08.08 BE – Alcatraz Festival
29.08 DK – Næstved Metalfest

ABOUT FRONTIERS LABEL GROUP:
Founded in 1996 by Serafino Perugino in Napoli, Italy, Frontiers initially specialized in distribution of indie Rock labels across the Italian market. The company, however, soon evolved into a leading global rock label, working with such important artists as Megadeth, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Skunk Anansie, Van Zant, Don Felder, Def Leppard, Journey, Yes, Mr Big, Biohazard, Night Ranger, Whitesnake and ELO, while also signing and developing tomorrow’s artists.

Today, the expanded Frontiers Label Group owns and operates the imprints Frontiers Music Srl (Mainstream and Classic Rock), FLG Records (Alternative Music) and BLKIIBLK Records (Metal and Hard Rock) with global digital and physical distribution via The Orchard (Sony Music). The company is headquartered in Italy with additional executive staff in London, NY, Boston, Raleigh, Los Angeles and Nashville. Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob and Averill LLP provides legal representation in the US, with international legal under the direction of Dario De Cicco.

Bloodbound released new album Field Of Swords

The power metal band Bloodbound, founded in Sweden more than two decades ago, has now released a new album. The band’s 11th studio album Field Of Swords continues the story of the band’s previous album Tales Of The North, moving to the Middle Ages, which began after the end of the Viking Age. The album is published by Napalm Records.

The band says that the new album is Bloodbound’s most ambitious and diverse album to date. The production and compositions rely on big melodies and fast-paced songs, as usual. This time, the production is even more polished, the sounds are more modern, and the fast songs have been given a new twist.

“Field Of Swords is a concept album and continues where Tales From The North left off. Musically, we have taken the whole thing in a slightly more modern direction, but all the elements that Bloodbound is known for are included. The album features both aggressive tracks and big epic songs. As a counterbalance, there are slow and impressive compositions, such as The Nine Crusades, on which Unleash The Archers’ Brittney Slayes duets with Patrik. This album contains everything you could want from a power metal album!”, raves keyboardist Fredrik Bergh.

The title track Field Of Swords was released as the top single from the album. The song was released accompanied by a lyric video.

The band’s other founding member, guitarist Tomas Olsson, says:

“Field of Swords deals with the development of medieval warfare and in particular how the combination of iron and coal created a new era in weaponry – and at the same time new types of fighters.”

Track-list:
1. Field of Swords
2. As Empires Fall
3. Defenders of Jerusalem
4. The Code of Warriors
5. Land of the Brave
6. Light the Sky
7. Teutonic Knights
8. Forged in Iron
9. Pain and Glory
10. Born to be King
11. The Nine Crusades (feat. Unleash The Archers)

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MY INNER CHAOS Release Debut Single

‘Leaden Air’, the debut single by MY INNER CHAOS, is out now on all digital platforms via Volcano Records & Promotion.

Though it’s their first release under this moniker, the band is composed of musicians already active within the Italian metal scene. They present a sound that blends industrial and alternative influences, through an intense and visionary track that moves between dark atmospheres, razor-sharp riffs, and a deep, dramatic melodic vein. Leaden Air is a dark reflection on the invisible weight of unspoken emotions, the suffocating grip of anxiety, and the moments when even the air seems to turn to lead. The piercing voice of the brilliant and intriguing Bia Redchaos cuts through a carefully crafted sonic landscape, where echoes of bands like 3Teeth, Delain, and Sick ‘N Beautiful converge in a raw and powerful artistic statement.

The track was recorded in the studio with meticulous attention to detail to enhance its evocative power, and the release is accompanied by striking cover art and a visionary music video.

www.volcanopromotion.com
www.instagram.com/myinnerchaosofficial

Finnish progressive metal band Humming Whale’s debut album is now released

Finnish progressive metal band Humming Whale has released their debut studio album “Chasing Rabbits”!

The band’s guitarist Lassi tells about the album: “We follow a very slow and organic approach to songwriting and playing music. We like to experiment with and nurture our musical ideas until they feel just right. The soundscapes of the album represent our own musical tastes ranging from energetic bass and guitar riffs to atmospheric synthesizer landscapes, and from dissonance to harmony.”

Listen to the album on streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, Amazon etc.): https://push.fm/fl/hummingwhale-chasingrabbits

The story of Humming Whale begun in 2006 in Tampere, Finland. Lassi Paunonen and Ville Kiiveri had already been friends for a long time, and had also been playing together in various bands. Their musical backgrounds steered the new band towards metal, but due to their broad tastes the band was from the beginning open to influences from a wide variety of genres. They especially embraced progressive elements in the form of nonlinear song structures and rhythmic experiments. Over the years, the band absorbed more and more influences from analogue synthesis and acoustic percussions, and their current sound begun to take form.

The band reached its first stable line-up in 2015 with Aki Hahto in vocals and Antti Lumijärvi in drums. The band begun to record its first full album in late 2016 based on the songs they had composed over the years. The recording took place in Lassi’s studio and the band took their time in shaping (and even rewriting) the songs. The process finally resulted in the album Chasing Rabbits, published in November 2025.

At the end of the year 2023 the band also arrived at their current line-up, with Matias Kuure in drums.

Members:
Aki Hahto – Vocals and percussion
Lassi Paunonen – Guitar and synthesizers
Ville Kiiveri – Bass
Matias Kuure – Drums

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https://www.instagram.com/humming_whale_band

https://www.youtube.com/@HummingWhaleBand

https://hummingwhale.bandcamp.com/

Finland’s melodic dark metal masters SOULFALLEN return after 13 years of silence with a new single ’Thousandfold’

Finland’s melodic dark metal masters SOULFALLEN return after 13 years of silence with a new single ’Thousandfold’. The new song is from their long-awaited upcoming fourth album, set to be released next year.

”After so many years we wanted our first single to scream ’we are still very much alive’, so we chose one of the most aggressive songs from the new album. It bears the trademark dark atmosphere and beautiful melodies of SOULFALLEN yet blended this time with some cool new flavours and fierce blastbeats. The song is about overcoming extreme hardships with resilience and it can be seen as a metaphor of the new album, years in the making,” explains vocalist-songwriter Kai Leikola.

Watch the lyric video: https://youtu.be/Kv7upHocmTg

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

After headlining in Romania’s Symphonic Metal Echoes festival last summer, the Finnish dark metallers celebrate the release of their new song with a very special liveshow at the band’s hometown Jyväskylä’s own Ilokivi Venue on Friday November 21st with Slow Fall, Status Abnormis and Valpur.

SOULFALLEN is:

Kai Leikola – vocals
Aapeli Kivimäki – guitars
Jari Kinnunen – guitars
Teemu Vähäkangas – bass
Aaro Lappalainen- drums

Discography:

World Expiration (2007)
Grave New World (2009)
The Promise of Hell (2012)

https://www.soulfallen.com/

https://www.facebook.com/soulfallenofficial

https://www.instagram.com/soulfallen_official/

Greek Death/Thrash Metal Titan CREMATE Unveils Die As You Lived

Greek Death/Thrash Metal powerhouse CREMATE has returned with their fierce new official video, “Die As You Lived.” This track is a high-octane, unforgiving assault of pure thrash and death metal fury, cementing the band’s position as a titan of the Greek metal scene.

“Die As You Lived” is a declaration of death without redemption. It stands as a defiant call for absolute accountability, rejecting illusion and falsehood with unwavering intensity. The track delivers an uncompromising message, confronting the past, calling out hypocrisy, and demanding truth over deception.

Delivered through relentless, pounding thrash riffs and a driving, almost ritualistic rhythm, the single explores profound existential and social undertones. It is a violent, honest farewell to those who lived—and will die—without purpose, urging the listener to confront the lies they have built their lives upon.

Adding a distinctive, haunting layer of darkness to the metallic assault is special guest Charalampos Paritsis AKA Lusty Apricot, whose chilling violin contribution drags the entire track deeper into its thematic abyss.

“Die As You Lived” is featured on CREMATE’s latest EP, Ready To Fight.

Greek Death/Thrash metal band CREMATE was originally formed in Alimos, Athens, in 1991, establishing a raw, aggressive sound influenced by titans like Kreator and Sodom. Their 1993 demo End of Time earned international acclaim, followed by the 1995 7″ EP Enchanting Black Recess, before the band disbanded.

In 2021, founder Christos reignited CREMATE alongside George (Drums) and longtime collaborator Akis Pastras (Guitar). The band revisited their seminal demo, re-envisioning the 90s Death/Thrash fury by infusing dark synthesized atmospheres and new arrangements under a contemporary production lens.

The resulting 4-track EP, Ready To Fight, embodies this powerful rebirth. It features three reworked classics—including “Die as You Lived” enhanced by haunting violin from Lusty Apricot—and the brand-new title track showcasing a solo from Marios Iliopoulos (Nightrage). Recorded and mixed by Akis Pastras and mastered by George Nerantzis (Rotting Christ, Abbath), the EP delivers an uncompromising, dynamic fusion of vintage aggression and modern dark textures.

www.instagram.com/CremateTHEBAND

www.facebook.com/crematetheband

www.youtube.com/@CREMATEtheband