Category: news
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HOLISSSTIK Releases New Single “Would You Take This Heart”
No matter what shape his muse takes, Tor-Helge Skei remains both one of the most consistent and surprising talents in extreme music. As a founding member of the critically acclaimed Manes and Lethe, the Norwegian multi-instrumentalist and producer has pushed the boundaries of metal and electronic music. Now, with his latest experiment, he’s expanding his […] -
Elanor Moss – “The Way That It Feels”
It was evident from last month’s single “Sarah Waiting In The Car” that Elanor Moss’ debut album The Knife, The Needle would be a beautiful affair, and today we get more proof. “The Way That It Feels” is another angelic ballad from a greatly talented singer-songwriter.
The post Elanor Moss – “The Way That It Feels” appeared first on Stereogum.
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AMON AMARTH – Δημοσίευσαν το πρώτο τους ακουστικό κομμάτι
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Folk Metal Duo FORGOTTEN SHRINE Present Dark Fantasy Single “Dearly Departed”, Announce New Album
Folk metal duo FORGOTTEN SHRINE are preparing to unveil their forthcoming concept album Nox Aeterna. The narrative centers around two guardians who protect an ancient shrine dedicated to art, creativity, and freedom. It is inspired by the need to keep one’s childlike sense of wonder alive; as the darkness dampens the peoples’ spirits, the shrine begins to lose […] -
Amon Amarth Goes Fully Acoustic For The First Time Ever
Amon Amarth just did something they’ve never done in over 30 years of Viking-metal war anthems: they put down the distortion entirely. The Swedish melodic death metal titans released “Upphaf” today, their first-ever fully acoustic song, alongside a campfire-set music video — and it’s being framed as the quiet moment before the fury of their next studio album.
STREAM THE METAL BREAKDOWN DAILY NOW:Scott Penfold breaks down Amon Amarth’s acoustic pivot on today’s Metal Breakdown Daily — on why a band this locked into their sound taking a swing like this actually matters, and what Johan Hegg’s own comparison to Iron Maiden’s evolution says about where the 13th album might be headed. Download the free Loaded Radio App on Apple iOS and Google Play to stream the full breakdown.
What “Upphaf” Actually Sounds Like
“Upphaf” — Old Norse for “beginning” or “origin” — trades Amon Amarth’s usual galloping riffs for acoustic guitars, hand percussion, and Johan Hegg’s gravelly voice carrying what plays like an oral history around a longhouse fire. Grammy-nominated producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Arch Enemy) handled the studio work, and longtime collaborator Pavel Trebukhin directed the accompanying video, continuing a partnership that’s shaped the band’s visuals since “The Great Heathen Army” era.
Bridging To Album 13
The single serves as connective tissue between 2022’s “The Great Heathen Army” and the band’s still-unannounced 13th studio album. Hegg has previously teased a “very diverse” tracklist ahead, drawing a direct comparison to how Iron Maiden evolves without ever stopping sounding like Iron Maiden — a comment that reads differently now that the band has actually shown its hand with something this far outside their established formula.
Check Out – Amon Amarth Albums Ranked: The Bloody Journey From Swedish Underground to Global Viking Domination
The Row: Amon Amarth’s Other Cultural Export
Beyond the music itself, Amon Amarth’s influence has quietly spread well past metal circles. “The Row” — fans dropping to the ground to mime rowing an invisible longship in unison — reportedly began at the band’s 2009 Bloodstock set and has since turned up at other artists’ shows and even 2026 World Cup crowds. It’s a genuinely rare case of a metal fan tradition crossing over into mainstream sports culture, and it says as much about the band’s staying power as any chart placement does.
That staying power shows up in the numbers too: 2022’s The Great Heathen Army topped the US Billboard Hard Rock Albums chart and the Canadian current albums chart, while earlier records like Jomsviking and Berserker hit #1 in Germany. The band is also mid-buildup toward their previously announced “Allfather Awakens” European tour this fall, following their North American co-headline run with Dethklok and Castle Rat.
Recommended – ODIN’S CHOSEN: 13 Best Viking Metal Bands Ranked: The Definitive Pillars of the North
TL;DR
- Amon Amarth released “Upphaf,” their first-ever fully acoustic song, on July 8
- The track bridges 2022’s The Great Heathen Army and an unannounced 13th studio album
- Producer Jacob Hansen and director Pavel Trebukhin, both longtime collaborators, handled the single
- Frontman Johan Hegg has compared the band’s evolution to Iron Maiden’s approach to changing without losing their identity
- The band’s fan-driven “Row” tradition has spread beyond metal shows into events like the 2026 World Cup
FAQ: Amon Amarth’s “Upphaf”
Is “Upphaf” really Amon Amarth’s first acoustic song?
Yes, the band has described it as their first-ever fully acoustic excursion in their more than 30-year history.
What does “Upphaf” mean?
It’s Old Norse for “beginning” or “origin.”
Is Amon Amarth releasing a new album?
A 13th studio album is confirmed to be in the works as the follow-up to 2022’s The Great Heathen Army, though a release date hasn’t been announced.
What is “The Row” in Amon Amarth’s fanbase?
It’s a fan tradition where audience members lie on the ground and mime rowing a longship in unison, reportedly originating at the band’s 2009 Bloodstock performance and later referenced in their own song “Put Your Back Into the Oar.”
For a band this committed to Viking fury, going quiet for three minutes is its own kind of statement. Let us know what you think of the acoustic detour in the comments, and follow Loaded Radio for continuing coverage as the new album takes shape.
The post Amon Amarth Goes Fully Acoustic For The First Time Ever appeared first on Loaded Radio.
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King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Delve Into EDM/Techno With Their 28th Album “Alien Metal”
Welcome to the next level.
The post King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Delve Into EDM/Techno With Their 28th Album “Alien Metal” appeared first on Theprp.com.
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Squirrel Flower – “Not Me” & “Sick Tooth”
Squirrel Flower is a longtime Stereogum favorite, and Ella Williams is arguably only getting better. “Reelin,” the lead single from new album Say A Prayer To The Gods Of Getting Going, was a stunner. Williams has two more impressive previews of the new LP out today.
The post Squirrel Flower – “Not Me” & “Sick Tooth” appeared first on Stereogum.
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FEN premiere new advance track ‘Massif’
FEN present their next advance single ‘Massif‘, which is taken from the East Anglian post-black metal stalwarts’ forthcoming new album, “Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth“, which is chalked up for release on August 21, 2026. The highly dynamic and epic song ‘Massif’ reveals the band’s strong roots in the particularly English brand of black metal as it gradually evolves from evocative, cinematic acoustics into a ferocious beast. Pre-sale […] -
XANDRIA – Το video clip για το νέο τους single “Northstar” μόλις κυκλοφόρησε
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Heavy Metal Pioneers ACCEPT Release Re-recorded Version of “Balls to the Wall” feat. Rob Halford & more + Video!
German heavy metal legends ACCEPT release another single off of their upcoming new album masterpiece, Teutonic Titans 1976-2026, produced, mixed and mastered by the legendary Zeuss. They have teamed up with “Metal God” Rob Halford and guitar icon Matthias Jabs for an explosive new rendition of the genre classic, “Balls to the Wall.” Serving as the second single from their […]