With just weeks to go until the release of their ferocious new album House Of Cards, Australian heavy icons The Amity Affliction share a fresh teaser of what is to come with the powerful single “Heaven Sent”.
The release of this new track sees The Amity Affliction step further into blistering new territory as songwriters and a creative unit — the single standing as a prime example of the unwavering intensity marking the House Of Cards era.
Following on from singles “Bleed” and “House Of Cards,” the latest from The Amity Affliction take the listener back into a personal memory Joel Birch found himself revisiting during the songwriting process. The impact of trauma experienced as a young person, the way it can shape us in good ways and bad; ultimately, the choices people make in navigating their way through such times in pursuit of peace.
Birch’s songwriting, evidenced right throughout House Of Cards, draws heavily on different moments of struggle and overcoming; “Heaven Sent” focuses on the relationship between himself and his stepfather.
As he explains: “This is one of the darker songs on the album, the first line references one of a handful of memories I have from when I was really young and my stepfather still smoked. He put his cigarette out on my arm at a party and then played it off as an accident. My mother was busy getting drunk and brushed it off and told me to keep it moving, basically. The rest of the song is a snapshot of my home life in some ways and the way the abuse was cyclical in nature and always prefaced by or followed by ‘I love you,’ which obviously creates some strange and unhealthy ways for a young person to understand their relationship to a parent.”
2026 has already proved to be a busy and fruitful one for The Amity Affliction; the preparation of this new album coinciding with an extensive tour of regional Australia, and the development of an international touring schedule that will see the band return to stages across North America, Europe and the UK.
Denver’s colossal heavy metal band, Khemmis, is back with their massively anticipated fifth album, due out June 12th via Nuclear Blast Records. The self-titled record — the follow-up to 2021’s heralded Deceiver — represents Khemmis in their truest form: disciples of the riff. Adorned with artwork from Christopher Remmers and featuring eight tracks of unadulterated, monolithic metal, Khemmis is a celebration of heavy music, bound by the camaraderie and shared passion that was reignited during its recording.
Commenting on the impending album, guitarist/vocalist Ben Hutcherson states: “We decided early in the songwriting process that we wanted to write a tight, high-energy album that retained the essential ‘Khemmis sound’ while also embodying the joy of creating, experiencing, and loving heavy metal. Ours have always been deeply personal songs born from tragedy and sorrow; while the songs on Khemmis are still undeniably dark—I don’t think we’re capable of writing ‘happy’ music nor can we disentangle our music from our own personal experiences—they are not mined from our suffering. Instead, this record is a celebration of the music world that has sustained us, both individually and collectively, and has also gifted us with community and a sense of meaning. In many ways, we have reconnected with the energy and excitement from our earliest days as a band, an unabashed desire to play loud, heavy music. That exuberance is infused with a profound sense of gratitude to be able to create art with each other and to share it with the world.”
To celebrate the album, Khemmis has revealed the album’s lead track and first single, “Invocation of the Dreamer,” which is accompanied by a music video directed by Frank Guerra.
Adding about the new song, Hutcherson says: “We knew that this song had to be the first single in much the same way we knew it had to be the album opener—it is an undeniable ripper. “Invocation of the Dreamer” kicks the front door in, flips over your coffee table, and sets your living room on fire. It has everything you’d expect from a Khemmis song—big riffs, harmonized guitars, infectious vocal melodies—along with a slew of surprises, including blastbeats and a scorching bass break.”
Khemmis is available for pre-order now, including a ‘Deluxe Edition’ of the record offered by the band, which features exclusive extras—a behind-the-scenes photobook, an autographed promo photo, and more—directly from their website.
Khemmis will perform a special one-off show with Acid Bath in May before embarking on a headlining tour in early summer with support from Necrofier and Wretched, followed by an excursion with Monolord soon after. Tickets are available here.
After eleven years of albums and global touring, Colorado’s Khemmis have cemented themselves as pillars of modern heavy metal. Yet as they approach their fifth full-length, the band found something newly vital: the simple joy of creating heavy music together. Formed with no expectations, the group’s longevity has become its foundation, with guitarist/vocalist BenHutcherson describing the band as a rare source of stability and camaraderie. Since their 2015 debut Absolution, followed by the acclaimed Hunted, Desolation, Doomed Heavy Metal MLP, and Deceiver, Khemmis have built a legacy of towering, spiritual doom that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
Despite changes—including members relocating and bassist David Small joining in 2022—the band emerged more focused than ever. Recording again at Flatline Audio in Colorado, the lineup of Hutcherson, Phil Pendergast, Zach Coleman, and Small leaned into renewed trust and chemistry, with distance paradoxically strengthening their bond. The addition of Small invigorated the rhythm section and encouraged experimentation, while the band rediscovered the excitement that defined their early days. That renewed energy fueled a collaborative atmosphere rooted in confidence, inspiration, and the shared thrill of simply playing heavy metal.
The melodic hard rock band Hardline have released the video for the title track “Shout” from their new album out April 17.
Singer Johnny Gioeli says: “‘Shout” as the title of this album is EXACTLY what it is…. The idea that created the title comes from the millions of ideas in my head that simply don’t stop. At times, I want to release them all in one massive scream. Here comes…. ‘SHOUT!’”
Shout will be released on April 17 through Steamhammer worldwide in the following configurations:
CD DigiPak
LP, 140 g, black vinyl, padded inner sleeve, coloured insert
Exclusive CD/LP Bundles with a shirt only at the Steamhammer shop
Yes, who is Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood and Jay Schellen, are proud to announce their 24th studio album Aurora which will be released on the 12th June 2026 via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music.
As Howe explains: “Making this record was joyful, a chance to play, explore and give everything to the music. It’s always been about collaboration, somebody can write a song, but until everybody puts their contribution in it isn’t really a Yes song. We’re not trying to echo the past; we’re carrying the spirit of Yes forward and turning it into something new”.
The band is also launching the first single from the album, and a beautiful animated video for the title track, created by Matt Hutchings (Greg Lake, Oasis, Iron Maiden).
Aurora will be available as a Limited Deluxe 180g Light Green 2LP+2CD+Blu-ray Artbook & Poster, as well as a Ltd Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook, both featuring the stunning artwork of Roger Dean and Freya Dean, as well as a bonus disc of instrumentals, and a blu-ray featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround Sound & 24bit stereo mixes (by Curtis Schwartz). The album is also available as a Gatefold 180g 2LP + LP-booklet, Special Edition CD Digipak & as Digital Album. It can be pre-order now here.
When Yes first began sketching out ideas for what would become Aurora, the process was loose and exploratory. There was no preconceived concept at the start, just a collection of musical fragments that gradually began to find one another and take form. Among these early sketches was a piece titled “Aurora,” and it quickly became clear that the name carried certain gravity. It suggested light, emergence, and a sense of vastness, qualities that resonated deeply with the band. Jon Davison remembers how “the title immediately resonated with Steve Howe and sparked visual inspiration for artist Roger Dean, setting a conceptual tone that would guide the project.”
Work on Aurora began almost as soon as the Classic Tales of Yes tour ended in 2024. The idea of a new album surfaced quickly and with the label’s encouragement, the band had the time to develop material organically. Rather than gathering in a single studio for months, they embraced a modern workflow; ideas were born in home studios, shaped independently, and then woven together through constant collaboration. Downes and Howe often acted as the central creative axis, with Howe, as producer, serving as the point through which all ideas eventually flowed.
Across Aurora, each track carries its own character. Some echo the classic Yes approach, others push into new territory, but together they form a cohesive whole that honors the band’s heritage while embracing forward motion. With their 24th studio album, Yes demonstrate not just longevity, but a sustained curiosity, a desire to keep exploring, keep refining and keep discovering their capacity to create.
Einar Solberg of Leprous is set to release his upcoming second solo album Vox Occulta, on 24th April, 2026. A bold, heavy and symphonic statement, the album was recorded in collaboration with the much-sought-after Norwegian Radio Orchestra.
Today, Einar is pleased to present a new track titled “Vita Fragilis”, a song created alongside the aforementioned orchestra. The video gives a glimpse behind the scenes at the orchestra recording the parts.
Einar comments: “‘Vita Fragilis’ was done together with the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. A cinematic and progressive track with no normal verse/chorus structure, and the longest stretch of harsh vocals I’ve done in a while. Curious how odd time signatures sound with a full symphonic orchestra?”
As well as the beautiful orchestration, Einar is joined by drummer Keli Guðjónsson (Agent Fresco), violinist Chris Baum (Bent Knee), guitarist Pierre Danel (Novelists), bassist JedLingat, as well as guitarists Ben Levin (ex-Bent Knee), and John Browne (Monuments). The album was mixed by Adam Noble (Nothing But Thieves, Biffy Clyro) and co-produced with David Castillo.
The album sees Solberg taking a deeply personal approach, having been an avid fan of classical music and soundtracks for more than 20 years. The lyrics are personal as well, and they make Vox Occulta something of a thematic follow-up to 16. Where Solberg’s solo debut revisited the death of his father and his past struggles with anxiety, this set is a warts’n’all portrait of himself and how he views the world in 2026.
Vox Occulta will be released as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold white/black 2LP & a very limited Gatefold transparent red 2LP, as well as digitally. It can now be pre-order now here.
Official merchandise and special collector’s boxes are available here.
Frontiers Records presents the new single “My Guardian Angel,” a new version of the song originally recorded by Place Vendome in 2009. The band featured Helloween and Unisonic vocalist Michael Kiske, Dennis Ward on bass and production, Kosta Zafiriou on drums, Uwe Reitenauer on guitars, from the band Pink Cream 69, and Gunther Werno on keyboards from the band Vanden Plas.
Featuring Maestrick’s vocalist Fabio Caldeira, the new track is part of the upcoming XXX Anniversary Compilation, a special project celebrating 30 years of passion, creativity, and unforgettable music. The record is set for release on May 22, 2026, and will be available only on CD on the label’s webstore.
Fabio Caldeira comments: “Participating in Frontiers’ 30th anniversary is already something truly special, but being chosen to perform a song originally sung by Michael Kiske – one of my greatest vocal heroes – makes it an even greater honor. I sincerely hope you enjoy it.”
Starting from an idea of Serafino Perugino, the XXX Anniversary Compilation brings together some of the greatest melodies and voices from the world of melodic rock. This special release celebrates the label’s rich legacy by revisiting iconic tracks from the Frontiers catalogue, reimagined with dynamic new performances from an extraordinary lineup of guest vocalists.
Each track has been recorded exclusively for this anniversary project and showcases the powerful reinterpretation of beloved Frontiers classics through the voices of today’s standout rock artists.
Aldo Lonobile, Head of A&R Europe at Frontiers Label Group and producer of the record, comments: “Producing the 30th anniversary record for FrontiersRecords has been both an honor and a responsibility. This label has built a legacy on passion and vision, and, with this album, we wanted to celebrate that history in a meaningful way. Having a mix of established and new generation of Frontiers artists reinterpret the iconic tracks that shaped our identity is more than a tribute – it’s a bridge between eras.
“With a tracklist discussed together with the Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, this record is a celebration of where we come from, and a powerful statement of where we’re headed”, he continued.
Under the expert production of Lonobile – who also performs part of the guitars on the album – the performances are backed by a stellar lineup of musicians: Alessandro Mammola (guitar), Andrea Arcangeli (bass), Cristian Timpanaro (bass), the keyboards team – Alessio Lucatti & Antonio Agate, Alfonso Mocerino, and Fortunato Grillo on drums, delivering powerful new arrangements that bring renewed energy to these fan-favorite tracks.
XXX Anniversary Compilation isn’t just a compilation – it’s a tribute to 30 years of rock excellence, a heartfelt thank you to the artists, fans, and collaborators who have been part of the FrontiersRecords story.
Social Distortion are back with new material, dropping the track “Partners In Crime” as the second preview of their upcoming eighth studio record, Born To Kill. The song follows the release of the album’s title track and gives a clearer sense of what the band has been building toward after a long gap between releases.
Frontman Mike Ness explained the meaning behind the new single, saying, “‘Partners In Crime’ is about finding your voice, especially if you weren’t allowed or if it didn’t matter. And finding comfort in others who share the same sentiment, angst and rage. Strength in unity.”
Set for release on May 8 through Epitaph Records, Born To Kill arrives after a 15-year stretch without a new Social Distortion album. The record brings together 11 tracks rooted in the band’s established mix of grit, melody, and reflection, shaped by decades of experience.
This is also the first album since Ness went through cancer treatment, and that context carries into the tone of the material. The songs lean into a sense of forward motion while staying grounded in the band’s core sound.
The album opens with a clear statement of intent, with references that point back to key influences. Lines across the record nod to Lou Reed (“rock ‘n’ roll animal gonna come your way!”), Iggy Pop and The Stooges (“The agenda is, yeah, to search and destroy”), along with a later reference to David Bowie (“it’s a rock ‘n’ roll suicide”) within “Partners In Crime”. The influences are direct, but they’re folded into the band’s own identity rather than overshadowing it.
Elsewhere, songs like “Tonight” and “The Way Things Were” lean into a more reflective side, echoing the emotional weight found in earlier tracks like “Story Of My Life” from Social Distortion and “I Was Wrong” from White Light, White Heat, White Trash. That thread continues in a line that sums up the band’s long-standing outlook: “I wrote a song with a stolen riff / If you ain’t got a song you ain’t got shit.”
After more than four decades, Social Distortion continue to refine what they do, balancing the raw edge of punk with a sense of perspective that comes from time and experience. Born To Kill looks set to carry that forward without straying from the foundation they built years ago.
Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition has now a new official trailer out via Trafalgar Releasing, offering another look at the upcoming feature-length documentary centered on Iron Maiden.
The film, which documents one of heavy metal’s most enduring careers, is scheduled for a limited theatrical run starting May 7, 2026. It follows the band’s path across five decades, capturing both the scale of their success and the groundwork that built it.
Directed by Malcolm Venville (Churchill At War) and produced by Dominic Freeman (Spirits In The Forest – A Depeche Mode Film), the documentary traces Iron Maiden from their early beginnings through their rise into a global force.
The film also brings in outside perspectives, with appearances from figures like Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich, and Chuck D, all reflecting on the band’s impact across music and culture.
When the project was first previewed in February, artwork by Albert Quirantes gave fans an initial visual identity for the release.
The timing lines up with the band’s current Run For Your Lives world tour, a two-year run that has already included a major hometown show at London Stadium, not far from where the band first took shape.
Formed in 1975 by bassist Steve Harris, Iron Maiden built their reputation steadily, starting with their self-titled debut Iron Maiden in 1980. Over the years, they have released 17 studio albums, along with a large catalog of live releases and singles, moving more than 100 million records worldwide.
Their touring history is just as extensive, with nearly 2,500 shows played across 64 countries. For a stretch of those tours, the band traveled aboard Ed Force One—first a Boeing 757 and later a Boeing 747—flown by vocalist Bruce Dickinson.
Among their recognitions are a Grammy Award and a Brit Award, along with more recent acknowledgment alongside The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd through their own Royal Mail stamp collection.
Outside music, their Trooper Beer brand has passed 40 million pints sold and is now available in 68 countries, with localized versions in markets including the U.S., Germany, and Brazil.
The band marked its 50th anniversary in 2025, celebrating with the ongoing Run For Your Lives tour and additional releases such as their first official hardcover visual history, Infinite Dreams.
Dokken, formed in Los Angeles in 1978, had several hit singles which charted on the Billboard Hot 100, such as “Alone Again”, “In My Dreams”, and “Burning Like a Flame”, and has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. The classic Dokken line-up consisted of founder Don Dokken on vocals, George Lynch on lead guitar, Mick Brown on drums, and Jeff Pilson on bass.
Released in 1999, Erase the Slate marked a fresh chapter for Dokken, introducing Reb Beach (best known for Winger and later Whitesnake) as the band’s lead guitarist. Erase the Slate blends Dokken’s classic melodic metal roots with a more modern, late-’90s hard rock edge. Reb Beach brought a technically sharp yet fluid guitar style that differed from the flashier, more aggressive approach of former guitarist George Lynch. His playing added a polished, groove-oriented feel while still delivering strong solos and riffs.
The album is available through Deko Entertainment for the first time in the United States on 180g vinyl. Completely remastered, repackaged, and limited to only 500 copies of each variation, including a beautiful Green Smoke and classic Black. Erase the Slate includes standout tracks “Erase The Slate”, “Change the World”, as well as a cover of the Harry Nilsson song “One” made popular by Three Dog Night. This is a must-have for any Dokken fan!
Pre-order Erase the Slate while supplies last, shipping in July 2026 at this location.
Swedish progressive metal masterminds Evergrey have shared another single from their new album, Architects Of A New Weave, out June 5, 2026, via Napalm Records.
Full of regret, “The World Is On Fire” stages personal emotions as global pain, the apology reverberating, resonating. Enormous, cinematic melodies pull the listener upward, driven by riffs with genuine weight and bite, while vocals dripping with raw, unflinching truth give voice to a deep, aching sense of longing.
That longing finds its most intimate expression in the dead of night – when you pull your loved one close, just to feel them breathe – and are confronted with a devastating realization: the promise of a safe tomorrow is a lie you can no longer keep.
“The World Is On Fire” comes with an official music video and also marks the official introduction of guitarist Stephen Platt (Scar Symmetry), who had already been touring with Evergreyas a live guitarist in 2025. He now officially joins as a full-time band member.
Evergrey comment: “We played a lot of shows with Stephen Platt already, he’s an incredibly lovely human being on top of being a brilliant guitar player, we couldn’t be happier to have him join us for real!”
Stephen Platt reflects: “I’m so happy to become the new guitarist of Evergrey. I’ve been a fan of the band for a long time now and am extremely honored to have been asked by this group of incredible musicians and people. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds!”
Tom S. Englund about the new single ‘The World Is On Fire’: “‘The World Is On Fire’ was one of those rare songs that reached inside me and articulated feelings I hadn’t even fully recognized yet. Once again, our timing, just as with the song ‘Save Us’ is both haunting and profound. To me, this isn’t just a lament—it’s an uprising. It’s a defiant stand against the forces that thrive on chaos, fear, and silence. They want us scared, quiet, and compliant. But all we want is to raise free-spirited, free-thinking, and independent children who can help build a better world—for us, for them, and for everyone. The devastating lack of compassion and humanity is at the root of everything we see around us. This song isn’t passive acceptance or mere description of our broken reality. It’s us boldly painting a picture of the world we refuse to accept.”
Album Artwork
Architects Of A New Weave, will be released just days before the band takes the stage as special guest to the undisputed kings of heavy metal, Iron Maiden, for two shows on their Run For Your Lives World Tour. This is the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed: A plunge into thinning air, burning worlds, and lingering guilt—only to break free with fierce momentum. The album refuses to wallow. It ascends—fast, heavy, and cinematic. But it refuses to hide in the dark. It rises: Quick, fierce, and utterly transformative.
Dive into Architects Of A New Weave’s standout tracks like “The World is on Fire”, “Leaving The Emptiness”, “Heaven”, and “The Prophecy”, and the breathtaking title anthem “Architects Of The New Weave”. Their choruses break through like sunlight piercing storm clouds: enormous, cinematic melodies that pull you upward, riffs with genuine weight and bite, and vocals dripping with raw, unflinching truth. In one breath, you’re shouldering buried longing; in the next, you’re weightless, fearless, endless. Scars transform into badges of survival, fractures fuel reinvention. In the second half of the album, fellow Gothenburg icon Mikael Stanne (Dark Tranquillity, TheHalo Effect, Grand Cadaver, Cemetery Skyline) joins Tom S. Englund in vocal duties for “A Burning Flame”, the voices of the two scene legends intertwined compellingly. Architects Of A New Weave was produced by Tom S. Englund and Vikram Shankar, with a stellar mix by Adam “Nolly” Getgood.
Among other exclusive formats, Architects Of A New Weave comes with a bonus album, containing bonus tracks “Heights” and “One Heart”, as well as an album mix of the previously released standalone single “Oxygen!” (2025). Additionally, it features a demo version of “Longing”, instrumental tracks of “Leaving The Emptiness”, both new songs, as well as a live version of “Falling From The Sun”, the hit single off the previous record, Theories of Emptiness (2024) and continuation of “Ominous” off of A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament) (2022).
Architects Of A New Weave is available for pre-order here, and will be available in the following formats:
