Opening the evening at Monttu New Level in Pori was the progressive death metal band Kalmantach. The band did their come back in 2022 and last year release and EP “F60.2: Remissio”. The band did an impeccable show, which managed to warm up the audience before the main act. Ikinä, embracing the dark and the versatility of their two vocalists, claims the throne as the leading Finnish-language metalcore band. The band has an incredible energy that captivates the audience live. During the performance of their latest single “Jumalatar” (which was recorded with 16 guest female vocalists) the audience went wild. The band was able to make the audience moshpit, which is often difficult to engage in in Pori.
Here the photos taken by our reporter Cristina Gregori.
Rockshots Records proudly announces the first single and official video from HELLFOX, an all-female band that blends melodic death and alternative metal with a sharp emotional edge. Titled “Seaweed Braids“, the song anticipates their upcoming album “The Spectrum of Human Gravity”, a bold and emotional journey set for release next June. 6th 2025.
Merging the power of melodic death metal with the versatility of alternative metal, HELLFOX stands out as a rare all-female force in the extreme metal scene. Drawing inspiration from bands like Amorphis, In Flames, and Dark Tranquillity, the band deliberately steers away from symphonic tropes, instead crafting a sound based on heavy riffs, acid and distorted synths, and dual female vocals — one melodic, one growled — to shape a modern and visceral sonic identity.
“Seaweed Braids“ is a melancholic and introspective track that opens the emotional arc of the new album. As the band explains, the song evokes the image of a fragile creature submerged in deep waters — a metaphor for a soul lost in pain and memory. Lyrically, the track reflects on the irreversible moment when we realize what we’ve lost and can only sing a lullaby to the waves.
The upcoming album, “The Spectrum of Human Gravity,” explores human emotions without judgment or analysis, focusing instead on acceptance and the weight each feeling carries depending on personal wounds and life experience. The lyrics touch on heavy yet universal themes — from loneliness and suicide to mental health and identity — always through metaphor and imagery, allowing each listener to find personal meaning in the music.
The band’s name reflects their dual nature: introspective yet fierce, fluid yet grounded. Each member brings a distinct musical background, united by the desire to break boundaries and tell stories that resonate with the rawest corners of the human experience.
LISTEN: http://lnk.to/VWMn1P
VIDEO: https://youtu.be/IVGYAixzUOU
Due out June 6th, 2025, album pre-orders are now available at the following link: https://bit.ly/3EsNGWd
To celebrate the release of “The Spectrum of Human Gravity”, HELLFOX will hit the stage with a series of live shows. The first two dates have already been announced, with many more on the way. Stay tuned for a full tour schedule soon to be revealed!
07/07/2025 with Broken By The Scream at the Legend Club, Milan, Italy
18/07/2025 with Genus Ordinis Dei at Have A Drink On Me Day 5 Fest, Brembate di Sopra (Bg) Italy
TRACK LISTING:
1. Nautilus – Seaweed Braids
2. Empty
3. Water On The Ceiling
4. Pareidolia
5. Atlas
6. Six Times Lighter
7. The Centipede
8. The Warrior, The Child, The Healer
9. Voices
Hellfox Line Up:
Greta Hammonia Antico: vocals
Priscilla Poe Foresti: bass and vocals
Gloria Naflekt Kaps: guitars
Federica Fedi Piscopo: drums
CREDITS:
Recorded at Eden Studio by Alessio Lucatti
Mixed and Mastered by Domination Studio by Simone Mularoni.
Cover art by Eva Marabotti.
ABOUT:
HELLFOX is an ALL FEMALE alternative metal (alt-metal) band with melodic death tendencies. Despite the four completely different musical backgrounds, we share a common inspiration to Amorphis, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity as far as composition is concerned, while for the choice of sounds it was our intention to move away from the Symphonic, recognizably feminine scenario to include acid and distorted synths so that we could create modern atmospheres that more closely met our tastes and better married the pop timbre of the melodic vocals. The dualism of HELLFOX is not meant to be understood on a conflicting level, it is instead the result of different voices within the human soul, different faces if you will, that mingle and generate the person itself, in its entirety, that although they seem to struggle, they coexist and create harmony and balance. We don’t use masks to conform to a mass, nor do we want to stand out at all costs, we just want to be ourselves in a society where normality is only a surface, the abyss instead is made up of so many facets of personality, both for the group and especially for the individual human being. Ours is a message within everyone’s reach, in which one can recognize oneself: that little voice in the head that either draws you in or drives you away… Because for us, nothing is normal, nothing is different.
Italian melodic death metal act Dying Awkward Angel unleash their brand-new single “Music Kills”, a powerful mid-tempo composition that highlights the band’s continued evolution while remaining firmly rooted in the legacy of Scandinavian death metal.
Characterized by a raw and uncompromising sound, “Music Kills” draws inspiration from the early ‘90s Swedish scene—specifically, bands such as Dismember and Entombed—and channels the iconic HM-2 guitar tone into a modern, groove-driven framework. The result is a track that is both punishing and memorable, blending brutal riffs, visceral vocals, and an ominous atmosphere.
Lyrically, the song delves into the ambivalent nature of music itself, exploring its potential to both uplift and consume. This thematic depth adds an introspective dimension to the band’s sonic aggression, further establishing their unique voice within the international melodic death metal landscape.
Following their critically praised 2018 full-length “Absence of Light”, “Music Kills” marks a significant step forward for Dying Awkward Angel. While known for their fast-paced and relentless songwriting, the band now embraces a darker, more deliberate approach—one that prioritizes atmosphere and weight without sacrificing intensity.
The release of “Music Kills” also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. In the coming weeks, the band will unveil further details surrounding their upcoming full-length album, which promises to expand on the themes and sonic direction explored in this latest track.
For fans of Dismember, Entombed, At The Gates, and all those drawn to the raw edge of melodic death metal, “Music Kills” stands as a compelling statement of intent.
Formed in 1998, Dying Awkward Angel draws inspiration from the ’90s extreme metal scene of Gothenburg, the UK, and the USA, with influences from bands like In Flames, At the Gates, Carcass, Slayer, Death, Pantera, and Metallica. The band’s early releases, “Dying Awkward Angel” and “Ghost at the Spine,” received excellent critical acclaim. After some line-up changes, the band stabilized in 2013 and recorded the full-length album “Waiting for Punishment”.
In 2015, the EP “Madness Rising” showcased a more mature and modern songwriting mixing old-school brutality with melodic incursions. In 2017, with the addition of Michele Spallieri (Kenos) as the vocalist, the band released the album “Absence Of Light” in 2018 (Extreme Metal Music / Rockshots Records), distributed across Europe, the USA, and Japan. Over the years, the band has shared the stage with renowned names such as Impaled Nazarene, **enos, Decapitated, Necronomicon, Forgotten Tomb, and many others.
Tampere, Finland -based thrash metal act OSIRIS REX – led by US thrasher Superstar Joey Severance – have revealed the first details of their upcoming EP “Arrival Of The New Dawn”:
Out of the ashes of Tornado comes Osiris Rex with their new forthcoming 4 track EP, “Arrival of the New Dawn” featuring three brand new tracks of old school thrash metal mixed with a hint of modern fluences, and a blistering cover of the Donna Summer classic “Hot Stuff”!
“Arrival of the New Dawn” was recorded at Imperial Cassette Recording Facilities Helsinki, Finland and Produced by Ben Varon. Mix and Mastering was done at Mix Studio 1101 in Tampere, Finland by Aleksis Pelli.
Joining Superstar Joey Severance and Henry Steel, (both of whom were in Tornado) are newcomers V. Grave and John Creweholm on guitars respectively.
All rhythm guitars and bass on this EP were performed by Ben Varon. Drums were performed by Oskari Niemi. EP cover art was created by Jana Vé.
EP tracklist:
1. Arrival of the New Dawn
2. The Meek Shall Inherit
3. Lone Wolf Terror
4. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer Cover)
With “Arrival Of The New Dawn”, Osiris Rex are ready to impress long-time fans and new listeners alike.
Band photo credits: Nadja Tonkoshkur
OSIRIS REX is a Finnish thrash metal band featuring former members of TORNADO alongside new talents. Although the name has changed, the core remains the same: high-energy, riff-driven thrash metal with a modern twist.
This release of their debut single, under the name Osiris Rex, marks the start of a new chapter, with the same raw intensity and attitude that made Tornado a household name in underground metal scenes.
Fans of Testament, Megadeth and Exodus will find plenty to love: frenetic aggression, razor-sharp guitars and anthemic choruses built for the mosh pit.
Osiris Rex are:
Superstar Joey Severance – Vocals
Henry Steel – Bass
John Creweholm – Lead Guitar
V. Grave – Lead Guitar
‘Morning Glory’ is the title of the new single by ESCAPE TO THE ROOF, now available on all digital platforms thanks to their ongoing collaboration with Volcano Records & Promotion. With this release, the mysterious Italian band—whose members have chosen to remain anonymous – continues to push the boundaries of progressive rock toward more experimental and evocative territories.
Morning Glory is a deep and symbolic sonic reflection, navigating dreamlike textures and psychological depth. The song explores the contrast between light and darkness as a metaphor for the instinctive and contradictory nature of humanity, delivering a musical journey filled with atmospheric nuances and suspended moods. Accompanied by an official video now available on YouTube, the new single further confirms Escape to the Roof as one of the most intriguing and unclassifiable acts in the Italian alternative scene.
Morning Glory is now streaming on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, and all major digital platforms.
British metal legends Saxon put on a great show at last year’s Hellfest, and now everyone can join in on that amazing night. The band will release the entire show on June 13th as Eagles Over Hellfest, and now we get a taste of what’s to come with the Princess Of The Night video.
“The Hell, Fire and Damnation album and tour and our show at Hellfest 2024 were an incredible package! The band was in their full glory on an unforgettable night with a diamond set list. It’s epic!”, the band’s singer and founding member Biff Byford enthused.
Biff also served as producer on the upcoming live recording, which will feature the band performing a brilliant cross-section of their career, and will feature songs from Strong Arm Of The Law, Power & The Glory, Denim And Leather and Hell, Fire And Damnation.
The upcoming recording, released by Silver Lining Music, is available in various formats, which are available now here.
The band, still touring hard, has announced a huge lineup of shows for this year, which will be updated here at www.saxon747.com.
The dates currently announced are:
APR 25 – Meta Valley, Osaka (Japan)
APR 26 – Unit, Tokyo (Japan)
APR 27 – Shibuya Stream Hall, Tokyo (Japan)
MAY 3 – Bangers Open Air Festival, Sao Paulo (Brazil)
MAY 4 – Mister Rock, Belo Horizonte (Brazil)
MAY 6 – Opinião, Porto Alegre (Brazil)
MAY 8 – Teatro Flores, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
MAY 9 – Complejo Sala, Montevideo (Uruguay)
MAY 11 – The Metal Fest, Santiago (Chile)
JUN 6 – Heavy Weekend, Nancy (France)
JUL 2 – Rockharz Festival, Ballenstadt (Germany)
JUL 12 – Area 53 Festival, Leoben (Austria)
JUL 24 – Lokomotivat, Ekilstuna (Sweden)
JUL 25 – Öland Rock Festival, Borgholm (Sweden)
JUL 26 – Garden, Linköping (Sweden)
JUL 27 – Furuvik, Gävle (Sweden)
AUG 1 – Wacken Open Air, Wacken (Germany)
AUG 9 – Stallörsparken, Ekenäs (Finland)
AUG 16 – Summer Breeze Festival, Dinkelsbühl (Germany)
AUG 29 – Neuborn Open Air, Wörrstadt (Germany)
SEPT 5 – Santana 27, Bilbao (Spain)
SEPT 6 – La Riviera, Madrid (Spain)
SEPT 7 – Razzmatazz, Barcelona (Spain)
SEPT 11 – Zénith, Paris (France)*
SEPT 12 – Zénith, Nantes (France)*
SEPT 13 – Zénith, Toulouse (France)*
NOV 4 – Ulster Hall, Belfast (UK)
NOV 5 – 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin (Ireland )
NOV 7 – O2 Apollo, Manchester (UK)
NOV 8 – Octagon Centre, Sheffield (UK)
NOV 9 – Glasgow Academy (UK)
NOV 11 – O2 City Hall, Newcastle (UK)
NOV 13 – Beacon, Bristol (UK)
NOV 14 – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (UK)
NOV 15 – Hammersmith Apollo, London (UK)
NOV 16 – Great Hall, Cardiff (UK)
NOV 28 – Metal Hammer Paradise, Lübeck (Germany)
*Castles & Eagles show
The Eagles Over Hellfest recording includes the following songs:
1. Hell, Fire and Damnation (Live at Hellfest)
2. Motorcycle Man (Live at Hellfest)
3. Power and the Glory (Live at Hellfest)
4. Madame Guillotine (Live at Hellfest)
5. Heavy Metal Thunder (Live at Hellfest)
6. Dallas 1 PM (Live at Hellfest)
7. The Eagle Has Landed (Live at Hellfest)
8. Strong Arm of the Law (Live at Hellfest)
9. And the Bands Played On (Live at Hellfest)
10. Denim and Leather (Live at Hellfest)
11. Wheels of Steel (Live at Hellfest)
12. 747 (Strangers in the Night) [Live at Hellfest]
13. Crusader (Live at Hellfest)
14. Princess of the Night (Live at Hellfest)
Saxon is:
BIFF BYFORD – Vocals
NIGEL GLOCKLER – Drums
DOUG SCARRATT – Guitar
BRIAN TATLER – Guitar
NIBBS CARTER – Bass
Finnish Phoboian releases their second single “The Fall”. We return to the heavy beauty of operatic metal and grim themes. The apocalyptic disease of “The Plague” is followed by depictions of ecological catastrophe. The band is preparing for their upcoming album in addition to shows.
Guitar player Otso Turunen tells about the song: “”The Fall’ means the autumn of humanity. After releasing a billion years worth of carbon deposits as plastic and greenhouse gases it’s a good time to check out. Only time will tell how things actually turn out. Either way the message of the song is that future generations or evolutions will remember us at least from this monument the size of an asteroid impact.”
Singer Inka Laitinen continues: “The song has a beautiful melody that allows me to use a wider vocal range, making the singing interesting. I really like the atmosphere of the song, which is melancholic and hints at destruction, but in my opinion, the melody still carries a sense of hope.”
Phoboian is a melodic death metal orchestra from Turku, Finland. The band’s music incorporates classical female vocals into heavy nordic melancholy. Phoboian was established in 2017 during an after party to a metal gig, and since has gathered six musicians to its ranks: singers Inka Laitinen and Eeva Korhonen, drummer Kristo Rautavuori, bassist Jonathan Åkerman, and guitarists Olli Kuure and Otso Turunen.
Finnish Cardinal Fleet has released their debut EP “Surfaces”. It’s a diverse and ambitious journey into the soundscapes of heavier music.
The band tells about the EP:
“Surfaces is a five-track collection that explores the diversity and contrasts of heavy music. Each track is its own world – separate yet part of the same whole. The EP takes the listener on a journey through different moods and styles, combining experimentalism and familiar metal music tones in surprising ways.
Although the songs differ in sound and mood, they are united by a cohesive production style and natural riffs. Each track reveals a different surface, yet they all share a unified direction and a deep soundscape.
This EP is for those who seek surprises, depth and new experiences in music. ‘Surfaces’ invites you to explore every layer of it – there is always something new beneath the surface.”
Finnish metal band that rocks, Miss Vain released their second EP ‘Sempiternal Drive’on April 11th 2025 via Inverse Records. To celebrate the EP release, band also unleashed eponymous music video.
“Greetings from Lempäälä!
Miss Vain proudly presents – Sempiternal Drive – EP (2025).
This release offers a natural continuation to our debut- EP Crocus Biflorus (2023). Sempiternal Drive continues the band’s characteristic, versatile line, and the song material once again has a catchy surface for the consumer of many kinds of music. It tumbles, lurches, whispers and growls, without ever sounding anything but Miss Vain!
Three singles have previously been released from the album – Remedy, Now or Neverland and Demon Spawn, which have received such a flattering reception.
In addition to the aforementioned, the EP contains two completely new songs – The Alchemist and the album’s title track – Sempiternal Drive, for which a music video will also be released on YouTube as the very moment as this EP drops loose!
So, dear listener!
Welcome to the world of Miss Vain for a cheerful moment.”
3.5. Emergenza (Tampere final) Olympia, Tampere
14.6. Välibaari, Lempäälä
19.7. Semifinal, Helsinki
26.7. Private event
BIOGRAPHY:
Miss Vain is a five-piece rock band from Tampere, Finland, that drifts in the maelstrom of metal. Their music is a horn-driven energy and catchy melodies with a feathery delicacy.
Miss Vain was formed in 2019 as a two-man studio project. After two lighter pop /rock – songs, we lowered our tune and in the summer of 2021 Miss Vain grew into a real band… Finally.
Miss Vain’s debut – EP Crocus Biflorus, which was fairly noticed, was released in fall 2023 on Inverse Records.
Our mission is to deliver joyful moments with new awesome songs and live shows to all who are willing to be entertained by Miss Vain’s rumbling tunes.
The band provides a track-by-track description of the album:
1. Space Ghost
-Space Ghost is about a wild, psychedelic journey through space and time. The imagery of a “space machine” that “screams like a wolverine” and “rocks your rib cage like a raw beast” sets the tone for an intense, high-energy experience. The song emphasizes a sense of liberation and escape from reality. The mention of passing Mercury and floating in the fifth dimension adds a cosmic, otherworldly element to the journey. The lyrics also touch on themes of time travel, exploration, and the desire for freedom. Overall, the song celebrates the thrill of adventure and the pursuit of an unreal, transcendent reality.
2. Them Zombies
-The lyrics create a chaotic and desperate atmosphere about inner turmoil and the difficulty of maintaining fairness. There are repeated warnings about lies and the need to recognize the truth suggesting a theme of deception and the struggle to see reality clearly. There are references to religion and passivity add a layer of existential questioning, with urging a decision and the pursuit of a prize. Overall, the lyrics explore themes of conflict, deception, and the search for truth amidst chaos.
3. Lunatic
-Lunatic conveys a sense of isolation and struggle in a harsh, unforgiving environment. The song’s main character feels abandoned and left to fend for themselves with a sense of impending doom. But there is resilience in the face of adversity. Overall, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a struggle against overwhelming odds and the search for meaning in a harsh, unforgiving world.
4. Black Flies
-Black Flies is about themes of darkness, fear, and existential exploration. It speaks of being born into overwhelming fear and the inevitability of existence. There is a search for meaning and purpose outside conventional norms. The imagery of a single tear in darkness and the fate of disappearing highlights a sense of sorrow and inevitability. The lyrics also touch on themes of sacrifice and rituals. Mention of black flies and the struggle to escape them adds a sense of entrapment and despair. The lyrics repeatedly call to run away and not look back emphasizing a desire for escape and liberation. Overall, the lyrics explore deep and complex emotions, painting a vivid picture of a journey through darkness and the search for meaning and freedom.
5. Pharaoh’s Cane
-The song title “Pharaoh’s cane” symbolizes a crushing, authoritarian power that inflicts pain and suffering. The lines about cosmic winds and ancient spirits add a mystical element, hinting at forces beyond human control that contribute to the sense of doom. Overall, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a struggle against overwhelming odds and the search for meaning in a harsh, unforgiving world.
6. Savior
-The lyrics capture a sense of emotional turmoil and introspection. They suggest a deep sense of vulnerability and fragmentation. Despite this, there is a paradoxical sense of pleasure in the midst of pain. There’s lines about a savior and selling one’s soul hint at themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and the search for redemption. The repeated questioning about the worth of such sacrifices and the ultimate destination—heaven or hell—adds a layer of existential contemplation. The final lines of the song convey a sense of anger and accusation. Overall, the lyrics explore complex emotions and the human condition in a raw and evocative manner.
7. Pawns Can’t Be Kings
-Pawns is an almost instrumental song. The main theme of the composition is the layered guitar riff that both opens and ends the song. The song gtitle “pawns can’t be kings” is often used metaphorically to convey the idea that those in lower positions or with limited power cannot easily ascend to positions of great authority or influence.
8. Discipline
-The lyrics paint a vivid picture of introspection and self-discovery. The imagery of an “alabaster angel” falling in slow motion suggests a moment of realization or awakening. The dream sequence where the vocalist floats above themselves and locks eyes with their own reflection symbolizes a deeper understanding of their soul’s freedom. The repeated lines about emancipation, discipline, and listening highlight the importance of self-discipline and honest communication in achieving true freedom. The lyrics also touch on themes of disconnecting from societal systems and finding balance within oneself. Overall, the song seems to explore the journey towards personal liberation and inner peace.
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