Author: Crix

Hellsinki Metal Festival 7-8.8.2026, Helsinki (Finland)

The Hellsinki Metal Festival, which has impressively established itself in just a few years, took place on 7–8 August at the Helsinki Ice Hall, also known as Nordis. Over two days, the event drew 16,000 metalheads from around the world.

In addition to its diverse extreme metal lineup featuring both major acts and rising underground bands, the festival offered visitors a wide ranging side program. Highlights included the Dark Art Gallery exhibition, the Inkferno tattoo booth, live wrestling shows, the playful RIP area complete with a bouncy castle, and numerous companies and communities dedicated to metal culture. This year, Hellsinki Metal Festival also raised funds for Mieli ry, which promotes mental health, and Naisten Linja, an organization supporting women affected by violence.
Across three stages, a total of 32 bands delivered unforgettable performances.

The first day of the Hellsinki Metal Festival delivered a powerful mix of international metal talent and culturally significant highlights.
Finnish melodic death metal band Horizon Ignited opened the festival to an impressive early day crowd. They were followed by Swedish death metal pioneers Unleashed, whose 45 minute set drew heavily on Viking themes and classic Swedish death metal staples like Before the Creation of Time and Death Metal Victory.
On the indoor stage, Wormwood brought atmospheric black metal infused with Nordic melancholy, while genre legends Carcass, on the main stage, delivered a sharp performance widely praised as one of the day’s standouts. Brymir continued with a sweeping blend of symphonic and melodic death metal.
A major emotional highlight came from Ikinä, joined by The Choir of Hecate, bringing a total of 15 women on stage. Their performance included a moment of silence for women victims of violence. Promoter Toni Törrönen noted: “A spectacle like this has never been organized in Finland.”
Supergroup Bloodbath, featuring members of Opeth, Katatonia, and Paradise Lost, performed drenched in fake blood and powered by their signature HM‑2 buzzsaw guitars, with Nick Holmes’ dry humor adding contrast to the brutality.
Black Label Society delivered one of the day’s most anticipated sets, with Zakk Wylde captivating the crowd through blues soaked riffs and his trademark stage presence. From South America, Mawiza offered a ritualistic performance in the endangered Mapuzungun language, standing out as the festival’s most geographically distant act.
Headliners Accept celebrated their upcoming 50th anniversary with classics including Fast as a Shark, Balls to the Wall, and I’m a Rebel.
The night closed with Carpenter Brut, whose neon lit fusion of 1980s electronics, horror aesthetics, and heavy rock energy sent festivalgoers dancing into the late hours.

Day Two opened with a massive cinematic extreme metal set from Assemble the Chariots, followed by Numento, whose progressive aggression and distorted kantele made their performance one of the day’s most distinctive.
Iotunn delivered a sweeping, space themed progressive metal show, while Misþyrming unleashed raw Icelandic ferocity on the main stage. French dark metal act Orly intensified the indoor atmosphere with a macabre, cinematic performance.
British gothic metal pioneers Paradise Lost drew one of the day’s largest crowds with a beautifully somber, career spanning set. Cyan Kicks provided a bold stylistic shift, winning over the audience with high energy pop rock hooks and electronic heaviness.
Swedish power metal band Tungsten brought melodic uplift in a weekend dominated by extreme metal. Triptykon then delivered an exclusive all‑Celtic Frost tribute, attracting purists eager to witness Tom G. Warrior revisit foundational extreme metal material.
Swiss folk metal giants Eluveitie turned the field into a sea of dancing and chanting with their blend of heavy riffs and traditional instruments. A rare collaboration followed as Misþyrming joined Behemoth’s Nergal for a tribute to Sventevith.
Headliners Opeth closed the main stage with a hypnotic, contrast driven performance, while The Kovenant ended the night with a dramatic, futuristic industrial metal finale.

The festival concluded as a clear success, a weekend that delivered exactly what metal fans came for.

Hellsinki Metal Festival also used the occasion to reveal the lineup for this year’s Hellsinki Metal Cruise, which expanded into the festival family for the first time last year. The cruise will sail from Helsinki to Stockholm and back on November 6–8, featuring Samael, Rotting Christ, Groza, Aborym, Deathchain, Moonlight Sorcery, Chamber of Unlight, Waltari (celebrating their 40th anniversary), Cumbeast, Khroma, Baphy, Night Crowned, Rabbit Cult, Totalselfhatred, Paara, and Ashen Tomb.

As the organizers described it: “The cruise is a mini version of the Hellsinki Metal Festival, where this whole tribe is in the same boat. The ship becomes a shared home for everyone—no need to go anywhere else to feel at ease.”

Tickets for the cruise are available at Viking Line.

Looking ahead, Hellsinki Metal Festival 2027 will return to the Helsinki Ice Hall on August 6–7, 2027. A limited number of Patient Zero advance tickets are already on sale.

Here the photogallery by Cristina Gregori.

 

Brymir Video Interview

Brymir stands as Finland’s hidden metal powerhouse, a band whose explosive melodic death metal has been quietly gathering cosmic momentum for two decades. Their journey has been a steady rise, each album a new chapter in an ever‑expanding saga. Now the band prepares to ascend beyond earthly boundaries with What We Leave Behind, their most daring and diverse work yet, out October 2. After igniting the stage at Hellsinki Metal Festival, Viktor and Jarkko sat down with The Offering to discuss the show, the new record, and the future they are ready to claim.

https://www.brymir.com/

Heezer Take Fuzz Rock in Unexpected Directions on New Album Stereolith

Finnish fuzz rock quartet Heezer have released their highly anticipated sophomore album Stereolith. Hailing from Imatra, the four-piece delivers an impressive and versatile collection that brings together the traditions of stoner rock with infectious choruses and memorable melodies. Thick, fuzz-laden tones and driving riffs keep the record firmly rooted in organic rock, while its unexpected melodic elements give the album plenty of character.

On Stereolith, Heezer seamlessly combine the raw energy of desert rock and stoner with the melodic traditions of classic rock. The band’s vocal arrangements are enhanced by backing vocals from Heikki Pöyhiä, while the album closing track “Desert” features soulful saxophone by Aino Heikkonen. Stereolith is available on both CD and vinyl here.

The band approached their second full-length with a considerably more meticulous process than their 2022 debut Sungrinder. Songwriting began immediately after the release of the first album, with a series of singles and the Mushroomhill Boogie Tapes EP (2023) serving as an important stepping stone towards the new record.

“We approached the second album from a completely different starting point than the debut,” explains drummer Ville Häsä. “The band had only been together for a short time when we made the first album, and the songs were mostly composed by jamming together. We even arranged some of them in the studio. We didn’t use a click track, and that sense of freedom and excitement is still very audible on the record.”

With Stereolith, it was time to take things up a few notches, and focus on professional production:

“This time, we wanted to do things properly, with a solid production at a top-level studio and plenty of attention given to pre-production. In fact, we recorded the songs three times: first with Sami and me in my home studio, then with the whole band alongside Kimmo Koskinen, and finally at Petrax Studios with Miitri Aaltonen. By then, the songs were deeply ingrained in us and the arrangements were solid. We had also played dozens of shows together, so the chemistry between us had developed considerably. Still, we wanted to preserve the approach that made the debut feel authentic and energetic, so all the basic tracks were recorded live.”

On Stereolith, Heezer manages to appeal both to underground rock enthusiasts and listeners drawn to strong melodies and memorable hooks. “Stone I Am”, chosen as the album’s lead single, is a prime example of Heezer’s ability to bring seemingly different musical worlds together.

“The riffing in ‘Stone I Am’ was inspired by Down, and the song sat in the vault for quite some time before all the pieces finally fell into place,” says guitarist Ville Räsänen. “Once they did, it became pure Heezer. We made the arrangement more direct in the studio, and Miitri Aaltonen came up with the pulse in the verses, which turbocharged the groove even more!”

Singer-guitarist Sami Kääriäinen says the lyrics grew out of the twists and turns of the human mind:

“The spark for the lyrics came when a friend asked me if I know that feeling when you’re so pissed off that you’re past the point of even raging about it. When the frustration gets so massive that you simply stop caring. And yeah, I’ve been there. There’s a bit of dark humour in it – the idea of being so numb to pain that you can only laugh at it.”

“Stereolith” tracklist:
1.  Horse
2.  This Town
3.  Stone I Am
4.  Let It Burn
5.  Moonshine
6.  Mountain
7.  Crazy
8.  The Van
9.  Desert

With Stereolith, Heezer take the sound and songwriting of their earlier work several steps forward without sacrificing the raw grit that defines the band. The result is an album where fuzz-drenched heaviness, memorable melodies and an unmistakable DIY spirit come together in a surprisingly diverse package.

The band has enjoyed an active summer of live shows, winning over rock audiences both on streaming platforms and on stage.

Heezer line-up:
Sami Kääriäinen – vocals, guitar
Ville Räsänen – guitar
Antti Vesikko – bass
Ville Häsä – drums

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

Blackened Thrashers ETERNAL DRAK Announces Quebec Tour Dates For Sixth Album “The Violence of Time” Out Now

Blackened thrash metal entity Eternal Drak will storm stages across the province of Quebec this fall, announcing a run of regional tour dates in support of their sixth full‑length album, “The Violence of Time,” available now. The tour marks the band’s return to the province with their most aggressive and concept‑driven material to date, bringing their varied‑rhythm, catchy sound and uncompromising intensity directly to Quebec fans.
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Across its ten tracks, the album dismantles the human understanding of past, present, and future. Each song is a violent thesis, a sonic and lyrical strike against the idea that time can be explained, contained, or understood. Instead of offering conclusions, the album explores fragments of realization, exposing how time pressures identity, warps memory, and rewrites causality.
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Musically, the album is built for true old‑school metal devotees: those drawn to the raw spirit of thrash, the darkness of black metal, and the severity of death metal. Eternal Drak merge analog aggression with digital density, resulting in a sound that is varied in rhythm and catchy in impact, sharpened into their most cohesive identity yet.
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Every track begins with a central written idea. Once the concept is defined, Eternal Drak builds the music to reflect the emotion and message of the text. Riffs, rhythms, and structures are crafted to echo the same intention, ensuring that even listeners who perceive the voice as an instrument still feel the weight of the lyrics.

Long‑time listeners can expect emotional continuity, thematic depth, and a sound that finally consolidates the band’s identity after years of evolution.
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Over the years, Eternal Drak have evolved from raw thrash‑and‑black foundations into a dynamic force shaped by death metal, groove, and even Latin folk influences. Their sound has grown alongside the metal scene itself, adapting to new tools and technologies while preserving the intensity and character that define the band.

Recommended for fans of Dimmu Borgir, Watain, Kreator, Motörhead, and Desaster, experience “The Violence of Time” in its entirety at the following links

“The Violence of Time” (released July 17th, 2026) is available at the following links:

Band website – https://eternaldrak.com/the-violence-of-time​

Bandcamp – https://eternaldrak.bandcamp.com/​

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/5wq0pSkPFNlU7BtqE0R5J2​

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DS3ueL-cETg​

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Tour Dates – Eternal Drak​
Sept 4 – Quebec City, QC – Sonum
Oct 17 – Saint-Marie, QC – Bar Café Notre-Dame
Oct 31 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar

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Track Listing:​
1. We Force It To Speak – 5:15
2. The Unborn Paths Rot – 3:51
3. Me Hice Simultaneo – 3:30
4. The Blasphemy of Time – 3:35
5. Chaos Is the Law – 3:34
6. Where Cause Is Buried – 3:55
7. Across the Watching Veils – 3:53
8. Breathing Once Again – 3:45
9. The Cosmos Rejects You – 4:09
10. No Direction Total War – 2:57
Album Length: 38:24

Album Band Line-up:​
Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass
Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar

More info: https://www.eternaldrak.com | https://www.facebook.com/EternalDrak | https://www.instagram.com/eternaldrak​

About:

Eternal Drak is an extreme metal band based in Quebec City, Canada, originally founded in Latin America in the late ’90s. Rooted in a fierce blend of thrash and black metal, the band has continually expanded its sound with elements of death metal, groove, and melodic experimentation. Lyrically, Eternal Drak explores human and cosmic darkness, a theme present across all seven of its official releases. The band is currently signed to the Canadian label FirstWave.

Formed in 1997 by brothers Drakar and Warhammer, later joined by guitarist Reijav, Eternal Drak quickly gained recognition, winning a City TV award for Best Metal Video in the early 2000s. After releasing early EPs and their first full-length, the band went on hiatus in 2007.

In 2020, the members reunited in Quebec to create The Past Is Gone, A New One Is Coming, honoring co‑founder and drummer Eduardo “Warhammer” Martínez. This revival led to a prolific new era, including the albums Drak Metal (2021), Shadow Storm (2022), Imprisoned Souls (2024), and multiple EPs. The lineup later expanded with guitarist Mike Amyot and drummer Patrick Auger.

Today, Eternal Drak (featuring Andres Martinez Torres (Drakar) – Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass, and Michel Amyot – Rhythm Guitar) continues to evolve while staying true to its extreme metal roots, driven by intensity, melody, and a commitment to pushing its sound across continents.

Lugubre Cenacle released new single

Canadian Black Metal/Dark Ambient band Lugubre Cenacle released a new single «Sealed Shell of Existence». The release was recorded by Mickael Goyec and mixed/mastered by Mobo at Conkrete Studio.
Founded in 2006 by French musician Mickael Goyec, Lugubre Cenacle is a solo progressive black metal project now based in Quebec, Canada. Following the 2011 release of debut full-length “Désillusion”, the project entered a refined new era defined by intricate songwriting, atmospheric textures, and emotional depth. Through singles like “Flesh Disguise” and “Sealed Shell of Existence”, Lugubre Cenacle explores existence, perception, and human complexity. Substituting pure aggression for haunting melodies and evolving structures, the music crafts an immersive conceptual journey heading toward a full-length album.

Unleashed Video Interview

For more than 35 years, Unleashed have stood as one of the purest embodiments of Death Metal, widely regarded as founding fathers of the Viking‑Death‑Metal movement. Uncompromising in vision, they have fused the spirit of Viking heritage with the raw grandeur of classic Death Metal, an identity they have carried across fifteen albums, including their latest release, Fire Upon Your Land (2025).
After their performance at Hellsinki Metal Festival, vocalist and bassist Johnny Hedlund spoke with The Offering about the band’s songwriting approach, the challenge of selecting songs for live shows, their upcoming performances, and what fans can expect from Unleashed in the coming years.

https://www.unleashed.se/website/index.php

Finnish Modern Metallers EVENT RELENTLESS Announce New Album, Taking Their Modern Metal Sound Further Than Ever

Finnish modern metal band EVENT RELENTLESS are entering the next chapter of their journey with a new full-length album currently in the works, promising their heaviest and most ambitious material to date.
Formed in 2013, EVENT RELENTLESS have built their reputation through more than 150 live shows across 15 countries, developing an international following along the way. Their music has been described as “hybrid metal” — combining aggressive, hard-hitting guitar riffs with melodic and grandiose choruses designed to stay with the listener long after the song ends.

Following the release of their self-titled EP in 2018 and debut full-length album Circle in 2019, the band continued releasing new material throughout 2020–2025. Now, EVENT RELENTLESS are preparing to take their sound further than ever before with their upcoming album.

A Heavier and More Ambitious EVENT RELENTLESS

Commenting on the new material, band mastermind Juho Raita says:
“We are officially working on our next album, and we are pushing our sound further than ever before.
For this record, we are focusing on heavy, hard-hitting riffs that make you want to move, combined with massive, catchy melodic choruses. That balance between raw energy and strong melodic hooks is at the heart of the new EVENT RELENTLESS sound. We are putting everything we have into these new songs, and we cannot wait for people to hear how the band has evolved. The next chapter starts now.”

The first glimpse of that new chapter has already arrived. EVENT RELENTLESS have recently unveiled three singles from the upcoming album, offering listeners a first taste of the band’s evolving sound.

Stream them on Spotify:
‘The Last Chance’: https://open.spotify.com/track/4dA7I8WQeG0pUxZv3gf3Cc
‘Way to You’: https://open.spotify.com/track/6Ytvx2QHnAnRgUQzfSeaos
‘Closer To The End’: https://open.spotify.com/track/7H080VxYPXuBBnLgmJ9sYs

Together, the three singles offer an early preview of the direction EVENT RELENTLESS are taking with their upcoming album — combining modern metal heaviness and aggressive guitar work with strong melodies and powerful, memorable choruses.

With the new album now taking shape, EVENT RELENTLESS are set to continue developing their distinctive blend of modern heaviness, aggression and melody while opening a new chapter for the band.

Line-up:
Juho Raita
Henri Soisalo

For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/eventrelentlessband
https://www.instagram.com/eventrelentlessofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sZy79rxFucn1QKTnloPy7

Finnish progressive metal band End Of Abyss’s debut album’s second single pulls the listener straight into the depths

Vultures, a massive and explosive track, is the second single from Finnish progressive metal band End of Abyss’s debut album Escape to a New Empire, marking the beginning of the concept record’s storyline. It is a piece whose energetic performance and powerful vocals elevate the epic concept to its full radiance, pulling the listener straight into the depths.

“Vultures explores the many possibilities of musical interpretation. In addition to traditional band instrumentation, the track incorporates industrial‑styled synth textures, and the chorus appears in three distinct variations throughout the journey,” explains composer Petrus Syvänperä.

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

“Again the wide dynamic range in this song really speaks to me. I got to sing both loud and soft, yet always in a way that made sense — with logic, intention, and a clear dramatic arc,” adds vocalist Mikko Herranen.

Vultures opens the door to a narrative world that reveals new nuances with every listen, drawing the audience deeper toward the album’s core.

“The guitar solo section was composed by guitarist Alpo Pöytäkangas. His solo adds a technically complex element to the piece that is typical of progressive metal, giving Alpo the perfect moment to showcase his abilities,” summarizes Petrus Syvänperä.

End Of Abyss began in Jyväskylä, Finland in the early 2000s as Petrus Syvänperä’s one‑man project. The first self‑recorded demo appeared in 2010, slowly planting the idea of creating a full progressive metal album. A key part of the band’s musical evolution was the development of Petrus’s home studio, where years of demos shaped both the band’s sound and the album’s narrative. During this period, the project worked with several artists but did not yet settle on permanent members.

When the debut album entered the production phase in 2024, guitarist Alpo Pöytäkangas joined and contributed also to the songwriting. Shortly after, bassist Janne Koskenkorva became part of the lineup.

The band’s sound took a major leap forward when vocalist Mikko Herranen joined. His strong melodic sense, professional experience, and human‑centered working style helped shape the album’s sweeping, symphonic atmosphere.

In addition to Pöytäkangas and Syvänperä few tracks include solos by Antti Koivistoinen, who was involved also during the demo years, and rhythm guitars by Juha‑Matti “Masa” Berg (Remastered).

https://www.facebook.com/endofabyss

https://www.tiktok.com/@endofabyss

https://www.instagram.com/endofabyssproject/

Canadian Speed Demons TURBO Are Crossing The Atlantic For First “Canadian Invasion Euro Tour” (CZ, SK, HU, PL, DE)

Canadian speed demons TURBO announce they will be trekking across the Atlantic this coming October for their first-ever EU tour. Entitled the “Canadian Invasion Euro Tour”, the quartet will perform dates in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland and Germany (dates listed below).

Since their formation, these Halifax, NS-based nitro rock hellraisers have been road warriors, always on the go across Eastern Canada, from the Maritimes to Quebec and Ontario, and have even toured Mexico, crisscrossing from venue to venue, to house parties, to playing open fields, to a tequila-drenched taco spot, all for the love of the music.

They unleashed their latest album “Broke & Ugly” in July 2024 and are in the works to release their follow-up album later this year in 2026.

Their second full‑length album, “Broke & Ugly,” is a raw, high‑energy snapshot of the band’s real‑life chaos, blending aggressive riffs, tight musicianship, and lyrics fueled by partying, heartbreak, road‑life exhaustion, and unapologetic self‑reflection. Standout tracks range from the heavy, triumphant “Ruthless Forever” to the beer‑soaked anthem “Ignite the Night,” the breakup‑driven “No Savior,” and the punk‑edged “Scorpio Garbage Fire.” The album slows only briefly with “Nothing to Nowhere” before roaring back with the snarky title track and the thrashy tour‑inspired closer “Down in Mexico.” It’s gritty, honest, and unmistakably Turbo.

As they prepare to tour Europe, they are sure to win over fans who enjoy the likes of Motörhead, Mötley Crüe, Municipal Waste, and Airbourne.

“Broke and Ugly”, released on July 12th, 2024, is available at https://turboasfvck.bandcamp.com/​

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/3tz2h7rtkOkwALjh6Okwps​

Music Video – Pissjugs & Rattlesnakes – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCFBh-Na1TE​

Music Video – Broke & Ugly – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eizql0m6sBI​

Music Video – Down In Mexico – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HousH65t8s​

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Canadian Invasion Euro Tour – Turbo w/ Monteith​
22.10 – Hradec, CZ — AC Klub
23.10 – Bratislava, SK — Koncerty na Garážach
24.10 – Louny, CZ — Sféra Louny
25.10 – Bohuslavice, CZ — NOISE Bar
26.10 – Kosice, SK — Collosseum Klub
27.10 – Budapest, HU — S8 Underground
28.10 – Krakow, PL — SNY
29.10 – Prague, CZ — Klub FAMU
30.10 – Nuremberg, DE — Blackbox
31.10 – Hamburg, DE — Stellwerk

Live Lineup:​
Evan Frizzle: Vox, Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Lindsey Dicks: Lead & Rhythm Guitar
Donnie Rootnotes: Bass
Sylvian Coderre: Drums

For more info:
​https://www.facebook.com/TURBOFAF​
​https://www.instagram.com/turboasfvck/​

Alternative Prog Metal Powerhouse Red Code Unveil New Single & Video “Toxic Karma”

Alternative prog metal outfit Red Code have released their powerful new single and official music video, “Toxic Karma,” the latest preview of their forthcoming EP, “Traces of Unease and Discomfort, Pt. 1”, set for release on September 25, 2026, via Epictronic.

“Toxic Karma” explores the destructive cycles we create for ourselves and the difficult process of breaking free from them. The song looks inward, confronting fear, frustration, and the struggle to overcome our own limitations. Driven by raw emotion, crushing riffs, and an intense dynamic, it captures the sound of fighting your own shadows.

The video is one of three chapters in An Archive of Us, a sci-fi/thriller short film that uses a dystopian setting to examine the need for control. The other two chapters are built around the tracks “Quarantine” and “Toxic Karma.” The project was produced by S@NGIORGIO 2020, with technical support from Infinity Digital.

Red Code were 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