Hamilton doom band Pale Horse Ritual release their debut full-length album, Diabolic Formation.

Starting out just last year, Pale Horse Ritual immediately put out an EP, Enchantress. It was a sign of things to come. Their music is drenched in 1970s heavy music (Black Sabbath, say), celebrating, or resurrecting, the hoary, seminal power of those dark gods. The band is Paco (bass, vocals), James Matheson (guitar), Will Adams (guitar, vocals), and Jonah Santa-Barbara (drums).

“Deflowered” delivers a cataclysmic opening guitar presence. It is oppressive doom that signals hopelessness as clearly as possible. An amazing COC guitar solo comes early without any vocals and that is a bold and instructive choice, a six-minute instrumental opener. “Wickedness” begins on solemn footing, then presses on to a demonic march. Nicely done. “Holy Lies” carries the weight of that obfuscation on its musical shoulders, lumbering forward and forever in danger of a totter. “Save You,” which I expected to be a ballad just from the title compared to the three songs before it, is a reflective echoey treatment that is on the “Planet Caravan” wavelength. Beautiful.

The back side starts with “Bloody Demon,” a song so fuzzy it might cack your speakers. Ominous vocalizations and an homage to “Electric Funeral” make this one special. The album concludes with two seven-minute gargantuans: “D. E. D.” and “A Beautiful End.” The former recalls the doom we have been experiencing all along, and the latter goes even more diabolical. I love this album – I am going to grab some vinyl before it is all gone. Highly recommended.

Diabolic Formation comes out from Black Throne Productions on Friday, November 28^th. Listen and buy at the links below.

Links.

Pale Horse Ritual website, https://palehorseritual.ca/band/

Bandcamp, https://palehorseritual.bandcamp.com/

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/PaleHorseRitualBand

Black Throne Productions, https://blackthroneproductions.com/en-us

© Wayne Edwards

Edgar Allan Poets recently took part in creating a video trailer promoting the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina.

You may wonder what a band has to do with a sporting event.

Chris Mariotti, the band’s frontman, is originally from Cortina d’Ampezzo. Alongside composing music for Edgar Allan Poets, he is also a filmmaker with a long-standing passion for astronomy and science fiction. This summer, those interests converged into an idea for a short film.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic 1997 film Contact starring Jodie Foster, Chris built the concept around the speed at which sound waves travel through space.

When Milan–Cortina was selected as the host city for the 2026 Winter Olympics back in 2019. Those sound waves began their endless journey outward. By 2025, they would have traveled roughly 64,901,088 km. A tiny leap on a cosmic scale, yet an unfathomably large distance for us.

A small distance for the size of the universe but very large for us.

What if an alien craft intercepted that signal and managed to decode it?
Would these beings be curious and friendly sports enthusiasts… or would their interest in the Olympics hide a darker motivation?

This short film imagines the moment everything begins. The story is only the prologue, with plans already underway to expand the narrative into a full TV series.

The video has as its soundtrack the song The G.O.A.T which you can listen to here: Download It Here

The short movie was directed and edited by Chris Mariotti and the music and sound design were also done by Chris.

A special thanks to all the actors who participated:

Angelo Bigontina
Giovanni Camerini
Laura Callegari
Giorgio Gaspari Làšta
Marta Casera
Laura Fantuzzi
Giovannangelo Mariotti
Adelma Mariotti
Petra Casera
Sebastiano Corsi
Matilda Dave
Alberto Ghedina
Gabriella Tarzi
Mattia Cillis
Mirko Cillis

Content Provided To You By Edgar Allan Poets The Band Inspired By Poe & Hitchcock
Check Their Music here

The post Aliens Will Attend The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics Winter Games appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

– December 1st, 2025 –

North American Tour With Entheos Underway

Photo by Vince Edwards

Progressive death metallers THE ZENITH PASSAGE today present their latest single, “Fleshbound Reliquary.” Mixed and mastered by Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Allegaeon, Archspire, Cephalic Carnage) with artwork by Shindy Reehal (Psycroptic, Lamb Of God, Kreator, Angelmaker), the track serves as the band’s first new output from the band since 2023′s critically adored and chart topping Datalysium full-length as well as the first song drummer Maximillian Sepulveda appears on.

Comments vocalist Derek Rydquist, “‘Fleshbound Reliquary’ depicts a world and existence where resources have been so ravaged that we are forced to look towards ourselves as the means of production for what comes next.”

Adds guitarist Justin McKiney, “Musically, the track features a series of tightly interlocked rhythmic motifs executed with laser precision, all within a traditional song structure. The piece is primarily in 3, culminating in a grand, climactic resolution of the main motif that transitions into a powerful 4 feel for an epic close.”

Watch THE ZENITH PASSAGE‘s video for “Fleshbound Reliquary” HERE.

Stream/purchase the track at: metalblade.com/thezenithpassage

THE ZENITH PASSAGE is currently wrapping up a successful North American tour which began October 30th supporting labelmates Entheos. “We’re honored to be part of Entheos’ first headlining tour,” offers Rydquist, “Our bands go back over twenty years in some form or another – Derek has been playing shows with Entheos drummer Navene [Koperweis] since high school! – and it’s awesome to continue to be part of each other’s success. We’re playing the new song on this run, our brothers in Fallujah are bringing the shred, and our new friends in Tracheotomy are bringing the heavy, so be sure to show up early and get a taste of everything metal can give you in 2025.” See all remaining dates below.

THE ZENITH PASSAGE w/ Entheos, Fallujah, Tracheotomy [remaining dates]:
12/02/2025 Orpheum – Tampa, FL
12/03/2025 Conduit – Orlando, FL
12/04/2025 Masquerade (Purgatory) – Atlanta, GA
12/05/2025 Eulogy – Asheville, NC
12/06/2025 Exit/In – Nashville, TN

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, THE ZENITH PASSAGE features Justin McKinney (ex-The Faceless), Brandon Giffin (ex-The Faceless, Cynic), Derek Rydquist (ex-The Faceless, John Frum), Chistopher Beattie, and Maximillian Sepulveda. Formed in 2012 by McKinney as a small recording project, the band began turning heads after the release of their debut EP, Cosmic Dissonance and ultimately became a full touring outfit.

THE ZENITH PASSAGE:
Justin McKinney – guitars

Christopher Beattie – guitars
Brandon Giffin – bass
Derek Rydquist – vocals
Maximillian Sepulveda – drums

https://www.instagram.com/thezenithpassage
https://www.facebook.com/TheZenithPassage
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheZenithPassage

– December 1st, 2025 –

After 35 years of creativity and Death Metal mayhem – the time has come to bring The Crown‘s journey to an end.

2026 will not only mark our final year of live shows – it will be the final chapter for the band. We want to go out on our own terms, celebrating everything this band has stood for: energy, passion, and the love of extreme music. Most importantly, this farewell is for you – our fans.

Your dedication and loyalty have kept this band alive for over three decades. Every show in 2026 will be our way of saying thank you for all the years of support, the endless energy from the crowds, and for standing with us through every era of The Crown.

Throughout 2026, we’ll perform Farewell shows around the world, meeting fans one last time. Each show will be a tribute to the past, the present, and the unstoppable spirit that’s fueled The Crown since day one. Everything has its time – and this is ours.

Thank you for 35 years of loyalty, chaos, and Metal! Let’s make 2026 the grand finale it deserves!

NO TOMORROW – FAREWELL 2026

The Crown is still available for selected events in 2026.
Booking: Europe/USA/Asia/etc. – Daniel da Silva – daniel@dragon-productions.com
Booking: Scandinavia – Jesper J. Jungermark – jesper@cmg-live.com

Here’s all the current dates:
10/01/26 PT Mangualde – Mangualde Hard Metal Fest
06/03/26 ES Barcelona – Sala Lennon
07/03/26 ES Valencia – Sala Zulu
08/03/26 ES Madrid – Sala Nazca
14/03/26 CH Zürich – Züri Gmätzlets
22/05/26 US Baltimore – Maryland Deathfest
25/07/26 FI Vaasa – Kaaos Festival
15/08/26 IT Francavilla al Mare – Frantic Fest
20/08/26 AT Spital am Semmering – Kaltenbach Open Air
06/11/26 SE Umeå – House Of Metal
21/11/26 SE Linköping – Platens
28/11/26 SE Skövde – Lokstallet
12/12/26 NL Eindhoven – Metal Meeting
18/12/26 SE Stockholm – Kollektivet livet
19/12/26 SE Gothenburg – Valand (FINAL SHOW)

https://www.facebook.com/thecrownofficial
https://www.instagram.com/thecrownband
https://thecrownofficial.bandcamp.com

Buy iTunes Artist Page Artist News

New Album OUTERSTELLAR

OUT FEBRUARY 20

Michael Monroe releases the irresistibly anthemic second single ‘Disconnected’ from forthcoming new studio album Outerstellar, set for release on February 20^th via Silver Lining Music. For pre-orders go to this location.

‘Disconnected’ speaks of something that Michael Monroe feels passionately about: that live music is a rare and vital space for people to find each other in the moment.

“Technology was supposed to bring people closer together, when, in fact, people are more disconnected than ever. They’re looking at their phones and their computers and downloading stuff” comments Michael Monroe. “And, you know, the Internet can’t take away the experience of being at a live show. You’re on stage, and you communicate with the audience who are there, in that moment. That’s where the magic really happens, and absolutely no program or device or computer can reproduce that!”

The new album Outerstellar, is an experience as much as a collection of great songs, a sweet smelling, leathery, glitter-shimmered, sweat-soaked raunch and punch wrapped in one of the great voices in rock ‘n’ roll. The harmonies and vibes roll effortlessly in silk scarves, lounging in leather pants with liquor and a smile on a beat-up sofa in those small AM hours. And the sheer attitude, which screams carefree (not careless!) confidence (not arrogance!), a cocksure sense of self-bathed in the sheer joy of playing real rock ‘n’ roll the right way.

The recently released first video and single, ‘Rockin’ Horse’, is a defiant blast against critics and judges and comes with one of the craziest Michael Monroe videos you’ve ever seen. “I am who I am and I’m not going to edit myself for your benefit,” Michael says unequivocally for anyone who might doubt that fact.

DISCONNECTED Lyrics:

Welcome to the reception

Broadcasting our deceptions

We celebrate it all

We celebrate it all

A technicolour-coated bad dream

Borne out into the slipstream

We celebrate it all

We celebrate the fall

Cause there ain’t no heart in the static age

There ain’t no soul on the empty stage

It ain’t what you expected

We’re all just disconnected

There ain’t no love on a TV screen

There ain’t no match for the gasoline

It ain’t what you expected

We’re all just disconnected

An empty promise of attraction

But no real interaction

We climb and then we fall

We climb and then we fall

A bad feeling incubator

An unreliable narrator

We climb and then we fall

And we celebrate it all

Cause there ain’t no heart in the static age

There ain’t no soul on the empty stage

It ain’t what you expected

We’re all just disconnected

There ain’t no love on a TV screen

There ain’t no match for the gasoline

It ain’t what you expected

We’re all just disconnected

Cold lies in paradise

But that world don’t fit

There’s years and miles in every song

And I’m still not fakin’ it!

Cause there ain’t no heart in the static age

There ain’t no soul on the empty stage

It ain’t what you expected

We’re all just disconnected

There ain’t no love on a TV screen

There ain’t no match for the gasoline

It ain’t what you expected

We’re all just disconnected

The post Michael Monroe Gets ‘Disconnected’ With New Video/ Single appeared first on Mayhem Music Magazine.

“Cold fusion of fury”

Iron Maiden’s 2006 album A Matter Of Life And Death proved that the British metal veterans were still an act to be reckoned with, delivering some of their most vital and creative material for years. No track illustrated this better than album highlight Brighter Than A Thousand Suns. Making great use of a churningly tense and ominous time signature, it’s one of Maiden’s proggiest and heaviest songs. Frontman Bruce Dickinson goes all Van Der Graaf Generator with dark, coded lyrics that depict the dawn of the nuclear age (and the influence is made crystal clear with a lyrical nod to the VDGG track Whatever Would Robert Have Said?) Musically there’s a Rush-like feel with the band twisting and turning through a range of moody, tricky sections. And Dickinson responds to the song’s dynamic shifts with a vocal performance that builds in intensity in a breathtaking and explosive way. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns is a track that is stylistically uncharacteristic for the band but, in terms of theatrics and excitement, has all the spirit of Maiden at their most classic.

Good Day Noir Family,
Scott Swain’s “There’s Something In The Wind” unfolds like a quiet warning whispered through fog, a song shaped by tension, mystery, and an almost cinematic sense of anticipation.

There’s Something In The Wind is Scott Swain’s Single Out Now

The opening atmosphere is built on a subtle, eerie tone that soon gives way to an arpeggio bathed in reverb. This combination creates a hazy environment that feels intimate and distant, as if you’re listening through a veil of drifting smoke.

There is something undeniably evocative in the melodic phrasing, especially in the early moments, which carry faint echoes of Queens of the Stone Age. Swain adopts their hypnotic restraint, yet he channels it through his own introspective voice. The verse maintains a steady, deliberate pulse—cadenced, measured, never hurried—before shifting into a chorus that breaks the expectation completely. This harmonic move reveals the core of the song’s originality. Instead of leaning on repetition, he lets the melody expand, allowing the emotional weight to take shape gradually.

The repeated line “there’s something in the wind” becomes the anchor of the piece. It carries an unease reminiscent of M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Happening,” where a simple phrase grows into a premonition. Swain uses this tension effectively. The song feels like a slow descent into a strange dream where signs are scattered around you, yet nothing is fully explained. Because of this, the track never settles into predictability; it stays suspended in its own dimension.

Furthermore, the arrangement supports this atmosphere beautifully. The guitars drift between clean lines and slightly shadowed textures, while the rhythm section keeps the pulse steady without dominating the mix. Even as the song grows more expansive, it never loses its mysterious stillness.

Additionally, Swain’s vocal delivery adds depth without overwhelming the track. His tone sits comfortably in the mix, guiding the listener through the evolving environment. There is a maturity in the way he approaches each phrase. Instead of dramatic flourishes, he chooses control and subtlety, giving the lyrics the weight they need to sink in.

By the final section, the track feels like a slow spiral into a dream that you can’t quite interpret, yet you want to stay inside. There is tension, but also softness; there is darkness, but also a flicker of light. Swain has created something that feels futuristic and slightly dystopian, but still grounded in human vulnerability.

“There’s Something In The Wind” stands as one of those songs that quietly haunt you long after it ends. It unfolds patiently, rewards attention, and shows a level of compositional vision that sets Scott Swain apart.

There’s Something In The Wind is Scott Swain’s Single Out Now!

Enigmatic!

London-based artist Scott Swain crafts a moody blend of cinematic storytelling and noir-tinged atmosphere in his latest single, There’s Something in the Wind. The track highlights his sharp songwriting and evocative performance, with drums by Jack G Wrench adding to the tension. Drawing inspiration from Queens of the Stone Age, The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, and UNKLE, Swain builds a dark, immersive soundscape that pulls listeners into a world of unease and intrigue.

Find Scott Swain Here:

Spotify
Facebook
Instagram

Discover New Bands Click Here

The post There’s Something In The Wind is Scott Swain’s Single Out Now appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

I know, I know… Coheed and Cambria are famous for their long, hard and intricate tracks, with fast electric guitar and keyboard solos… and after all they’re among the best prog metal acts out there! So I apologise for choosing one of their slow tempo and rather acoustic ballads for my blog, but some of you may know how mellow I can be and – most of all – I like this track so much. Many metal and even more-than-metal bands come up with love songs from time to time and when they do so, they’re so sweet and sappy than yhey make the likes of Barry Manilow or the Carpenters sound harsh. 

As the number suggests, this album is part of a longer SF concept.

This is not the case with “Wake up” here: it surely is a lovely ballad, but it never goes maudlin and everything in it has an edgy side: the vocals, the guitar touch, even the lyrics, so that the listener swings between love and loneliness, hope and fear all along the song. That said, the main virtue of this track obviously is its melody, so lovely and nonetheless never too predictable. What else? Just enjoy.

I know, I know… Coheed and Cambria are famous for their long, hard and intricate tracks, with fast electric guitar and keyboard solos… and after all they’re among the best prog metal acts out there! So I apologise for choosing one of their slow tempo and rather acoustic ballads for my blog, but some of you may know how mellow I can be and – most of all – I like this track so much. Many metal and even more-than-metal bands come up with love songs from time to time and when they do so, they’re so sweet and sappy than yhey make the likes of Barry Manilow or the Carpenters sound harsh. 

As the number suggests, this album is part of a longer SF concept.

This is not the case with “Wake up” here: it surely is a lovely ballad, but it never goes maudlin and everything in it has an edgy side: the vocals, the guitar touch, even the lyrics, so that the listener swings between love and loneliness, hope and fear all along the song. That said, the main virtue of this track obviously is its melody, so lovely and nonetheless never too predictable. What else? Just enjoy.

Good Day Noir Family,
Near Earth Objects return with “I Am the Echo,” a single that unfolds with patience, elegance, and an unmistakable sense of musical identity.

I am the Echo is Near Earth Objects (NEO)’s Single Out Now

The track opens on a beautifully chiming guitar arpeggio, one that instantly hints at the refined sensibilities of classic progressive rock.

There’s a quiet sophistication in the harmony that recalls early Genesis, yet it never drifts into imitation. Instead, it acts as the first step into a song shaped by texture, movement, and emotional depth.

Soon after, the drums introduce a syncopated rhythm that adds tension without overwhelming the arrangement. The beat feels alive, constantly pushing forward while leaving space for the guitar to breathe. Pads shimmer underneath, giving the track an almost otherworldly aura—as if the music exists slightly outside of time. Because of this layered approach, the verse carries a suspended quality, evoking influences such as U2 and Depeche Mode, but always filtered through NEO’s distinct creative lens.

Additionally, the bass line deserves praise. It anchors the entire structure with a warm, steady presence that supports the rhythmic interplay while enhancing the emotional tone. The band clearly understands the power of restraint. Nothing feels crowded, and every instrument has its own lane. Consequently, the track develops a natural flow that invites you in rather than overwhelming you.

The chorus arrives with a shift in momentum. The rhythm opens up, the harmony brightens, and the melody becomes instantly memorable. It’s one of those choruses that invites a quiet sing-along—not because it tries to be grand, but because it settles into your ear with ease. This contrast between verse and chorus adds genuine dynamism to the composition.

However, the true highlight may be the guitar solo. Melodic, echo-laden, and expressive, it channels a spirit reminiscent of Pink Floyd, particularly in the way it bends notes with emotional purpose rather than technical flash. The solo feels like a voice of its own, extending the narrative of the song rather than simply decorating it.

As the track progresses, its structure reveals the maturity of a group with experience and a clear artistic vision. The shifts in rhythm and harmony feel organic and thoughtful. There’s confidence in the writing, and that confidence allows the listener to trust the journey the band lays out.

“I Am the Echo” is a snapshot of a band operating at a high level of compositional clarity. It blends nostalgia and modernity, introspection and drive, softness and urgency. NEO are not merely referencing the greats—they are using those inspirations to craft something that feels distinctly their own.

I am the Echo is Near Earth Objects (NEO)’s Single Out Now!

Resonant!

NEO consists of 4 seasoned musicians who work hard in their spare time to create quality music recorded live in their own studio. NEO no longer perform live, due to their lead singers immutable disability, but this means that all their time is focused on producing music for digital distribution and they have certainly raised the bar extremely high in this respect.

Find Near Earth Objects (NEO) Here:

Spotify
Instagram

Discover New Bands Click Here

The post I am the Echo is Near Earth Objects (NEO)’s Single Out Now appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.