Lillian Axe has checked in with an update on their long-awaited forthcoming new studio album, which will be released on BraveWords Records in early 2027. The long-running New Orleans, Louisiana-based band, which rose to fame with such albums like ‘Lillian Axe‘, ‘Love + War‘, ‘Poetic Justice‘ and ‘Psychoschizophrenia‘, has also announced that their new bass […]
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Royal Sorrow return with “Covert,” the first single after their acclaimed debut album Innerdeeps (2025). The song is a testament to the band’s unique place in the metal scene. Royal Sorrow has quickly built a reputation of being a voice for introspection and finding solace in the darkness.
“The ashen wings unfold”
The track features Royal Sorrow at their most versatile, and at the heart of what the band’s fans have grown to love. It features an incredible range of vocals and a trademark confluence of groove and harmony.
From dark and heavy, to soaring and epic, the song brings together beauty and fury like never before – pure progressive drama from start to end.
The band explains, “Covert is a meditation on transformation and the will to live on despite hardships. It is a journey of growth through fire. Change is never easy, but sometimes pushing through the pain is necessary to become the most authentic version of yourself.”
Royal Sorrow will be joining Leprous vocalist Einar Solberg on his upcoming European solo tour along with Raphael Weinroth-Browne and Jovian Moons.
TOUR DATES
Sep 5, 2026: On the Rocks — Helsinki, Finland (co-headline w/ Cold Night for Alligators)
Supporting Einar Solberg:
Sep 18, 2026: The Garage — London, UK
Sep 19, 2026: Café de la Danse — Paris, France
Sep 20, 2026: Le Rex — Toulouse, France
Sep 21, 2026: La Rhapsodie — Biarritz, France
Sep 22, 2026: Mouco Hotel — Porto, Portugal
Sep 23, 2026: República da Música — Lisbon, Portugal
Sep 27, 2026: Euroblast Festival — Cologne, Germany
Sep 26, 2026: L’Ampérage — Grenoble, France
Sep 29, 2026: Hype Park — Kraków, Poland
Sep 30, 2026: Lido — Berlin, Germany
Oct 1, 2026: Neue Gebläsehalle — Neunkirchen, Germany
Oct 2, 2026: Werkk Kulturlokal — Baden, Switzerland
Oct 4, 2026: ProgPower Europe — Baarlo, Netherlands
The post Royal Sorrow launch new single “Covert” appeared first on The Prog Report.
Dutch symphonic metallers Epica has announced a U.K.-exclusive show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Oct. 6, 2027, as part of The Symphonic Synergy tour celebrating the band’s 25th anniversary. Tickets go on general sale Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. GMT here.
In 2024, Epica performed four sold-out “The Symphonic Synergy” shows in Amsterdam and Mexico City alongside a full orchestra and choir before 30,000 fans. For this next chapter of their anniversary year, the band will bring the tour to select worldwide venues, with Epica joined by a full orchestra and choir at each date.
With its magnificent Victorian architecture, legendary history and breathtaking setting, the Royal Albert Hall is a fitting backdrop for Epica performing with an orchestra and choir.
Epica stated: “Playing the legendary Royal Albert Hall in London for the first time, surrounded by a full orchestra and choir, will be an absolutely magical experience. Hearing our music come alive in a way it is supposed to sound, on such an iconic stage, will be a moment we’ll remember forever. Come and be a part of it!”
Epica upcoming tour dates:
Formed in the Netherlands in 2002, Epica grabbed the world’s attention with their 2003 debut album The Phantom Agony, striking a balance between sweeping orchestral grandeur and progressive heavy metal grit. Over 25 years, the band has continually refined their signature sound, anchored by Simone Simons’s soaring lead vocals, Mark Jansen’s guttural growls, Isaac Delahaye’s technical riffs, Coen Janssen’s cinematic keyboard arrangements, drummer Ariën Van Weesenbeek’s relentless precision, and bassist Rob Van Der Loo’s authoritative low end.
The post EPICA’s “The Symphonic Synergy Tour” Pairs The Dutch Symphonic Metallers With A Full Orchestra & Choir At Select Worldwide Dates Through 2027 appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.
Is ChatGPT down? Here’s what we know about that status today.
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Welcome to this weeks edition of Devil’s Island! Every week we maroon a band or artist on the island and see what they get up to, how they cope with being all alone on a small island in the middle of the ocean. It’s not your average desert island and we’ll see just how each person copes with the extreme conditions.
This week when we arrived at Devil’s Island we find <band> sat on the beach. The island is far from their home, so how did they end up here and how did they cope with life on Devil’s Island?
Find out now…
Welcome to The Razors’e Edge and our somewhat lovely, warm desert island. Don’t worry about it’s name I’m sure it’s not as bad as that would suggest.
You’re marooned here on this island, but before you ended up shipwrecked you chose one album that you couldn’t live without. Which album did you each chose and why?
Orlando “OD” Draven: Songs of Faith and Devotion by Depeche Mode. It would be the one to keep me going through the rough patches.
Santi Rivillas: Ænima by Tool. If I’m stranded on an island forever, I’ll finally have enough time to learn every single drum part.
Just behind that palm tree is a shack for each of you to sleep in, with enough space for you to put up a poster on the wall of one album cover. What album cover do you each chose and why?
OD: Violator by Depeche Mode.
Santi: Vulgar Display of Power by Pantera. One of the most iconic album covers in metal. I’d never get tired of looking at it.
There’s also a bar on this here island. But alas each of you only get to choose one drink for the entirety of your stay. What’s your tipple of choice?
OD: A White Russian or rum and Coke.
Santi: Sparkling water. If I’m going to be stranded forever, I might as well stay hydrated.
Your suitcases were lost when your ship sank, but you each managed to salvage one item of band merch. What’s the merch and for what band?
OD: I’d save a tank top from our band.
Santi: My drumsticks. They’re technically band merch… and you never know when they’ll come in handy.
You’re sat on the island thinking “I’m stuck here on this island with my bandmates for eternity”… who would you rather have been shipwrecked with?
OD: Santiago.
Santi: Honestly? I think I already got stranded with the right people.
There’s a walkman in your pocket, on the tape inside is the recording of the one live show that stands out for you. It could be any show, from any band, anywhere in the world. What show is on that walkman?
OD: Dead to the World by Marilyn Manson.
Santi: Zeistencroix in Kyiv, 2019. Every band has that one night where everything just clicks… that was ours.
You’re getting desperate, you decide the only course of action is to put a message in a bottle and hope someone finds it. Your message could be to any member of any band, but should be the most suitable for a rescue attempt. Who is it?
OD: David Bowie. He’s pretty much the only artist I can think of who genuinely helped other bands.
Santi: Les Claypool. I have no idea how he’d pull it off, but if anyone could turn a rescue mission into an adventure, it’d be him.
You’ve been stuck here a while and food supplies are running low. There’s only one thing for it… which fellow band member gets sacrificed to help the others survive?
OD: Me.
Santi: I’ll volunteer. As long as the band still has a frontman, they’ll probably be oka
Finally, when the ship sank you each managed to save one person from the wreckage. That person is the one musician that has influenced your career the most, shaped your way of thinking and your outlook on life. Who did you save?
OD: Martin L. Gore.
Santi: OD, without question. His musicianship and the way he approaches music have had a huge impact on me.
For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.
The post DEVIL’S ISLAND featuring Zeistencroix appeared first on The Razor's Edge.
The duo formed by Bárbara Banu and John Saints returns with a new single that delves deeper into their distinctive universe of electronic sounds and dark atmospheres.
BLOOD DESIRE once again opens the doors to their sonic universe with “Don’t Cry”, their new single, released on August 21, 2026. The release marks another step in the duo’s journey and reinforces their commitment to a musical identity built around darkness and electronic sounds.
With John Saints and Bárbara Banu at the helm, BLOOD DESIRE have developed a sound that is difficult to confine to a single genre. Their music combines electronic and industrial elements with synth-pop and post-punk, creating songs in which atmosphere carries as much weight as melody itself.
“Don’t Cry” arrives as a new chapter in this evolution. The single, available on digital platforms, features a production spanning more than four minutes, in which BLOOD DESIRE continue to explore their distinctive balance between melody, electronics and darkness.
The new release becomes part of a journey that over recent years has been marked by a succession of singles and different versions of their own songs, progressively shaping the band’s musical language. Previous releases include tracks such as “La Mort”, “Little Me”, “Hate Me”, “Fil Rouge” and “Darkness Dance”.
With “Don’t Cry”, BLOOD DESIRE once again embraces a form of music that does not seek to escape the shadows, but rather to make them an essential part of their identity.
Following the release of “Don’t Cry”, BLOOD DESIRE will bring their sound back to the stage. Their next show will take place on Saturday, September 26, at Sala Pirandello, where they will share the stage with Denuit, No Entity and Telaraña.
The new single is now available on major digital platforms.
Buy tickets for their next show here.
The post BLOOD DESIRE presents “Don’t Cry”, a new journey into their darkest side first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.
– September 3rd, 2026 –
“Against” Full-Length Nears October 9th Release On Metal Blade Records
Photo by Sanna Bäckström
Watch/stream RAM’s “Night Blade” HERE
Swedish heavy metal squad RAM presents their latest single and video for “Night Blade.” The track appears on their forthcoming new long player, Against, set to drop on October 9th through Metal Blade Records.
Comments vocalist Oscar Carlquist, “The return of the riff! Before writing this song, I had been contemplating about the fact that ’70s and early ’80s metal was a lot more about the riff than what you hear and have heard for a long time. I wanted to bring that back and wrote a typical super simple oldschool riff to carry the song. A perfect song to headbang to.”
Watch RAM‘s “Night Blade” video HERE
Watch RAM‘s previously released video for “Ghost Emperor” HERE
It has been nearly seven years since RAM‘s The Throne Within, an album defined by its spiritual and metaphysical themes. With Against, RAM takes a more grounded approach, focusing on the experience of being pushed beyond reasonable limits and refusing to comply. The album captures that moment of resistance, “that fire of defiance, which ultimately defines its title and message,” as the band collectively states.
Musically, guitarists Harry Granroth and Martin Jonsson continue to favor bridge pickups, maintaining a sharp and aggressive tone. The equipment used on Against reflects a classic approach, contributing to a sound that feels both timeless and direct. Sonically, Against was conceived as a return to classic recording philosophies. Drawing inspiration from the early works of Dio, MSG, and Sweet, the goal was to create an honest and unpolished sound. What you hear is what you get! In a music landscape increasingly divided into countless subgenres, the band positions itself deliberately outside of categorization. The title Against itself reinforces the band’s longstanding identity as nonconformists, viewing heavy metal as a form of sonic rebellion.
One of the most noticeable aspects of the record is its concise songwriting. Where earlier work may have leaned toward complexity, this album embraces clarity and precision. This evolution reflects a broader maturation, with the Swedes recognizing that restraint and focus can be more impactful than technical display.
The album artwork, created by Carlquist himself, also reflects a conscious shift toward simplicity. In contrast to previous covers filled with symbolism, the focus is placed squarely on the band’s iconic ram-horned skull emblem, ensuring that the identity of the band remains unmistakable.
Ultimately, Against stands as a statement of intent, a reaffirmation of identity and purpose. Or, as they put it themselves: “Fear the return of the Heavy Metal Tyranny!“
RAM‘s Against full-length will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
180g Black
Clear Lilac Marbled
Purple Melt (Ltd. 300)
Crystal Clear Blackdust (Ltd. 300)
Silver Black Splatter (Ltd. 250)
Find pre-orders at: metalblade.com/ram
Against Track Listing:
01. Obsession
02. Ghost Emperor
03. One Vs. All
04. Abattoir
05. Out of Control
06. Leaving
07. Against
08. Night Blade
09. Rising Again
10. 1984
11. The Final Hour
In related news, after 17 years as the bassist for RAM, Tobias “Tobbe” Petterson has decided to step down from the band. Petterson has been a pivotal part of both RAM‘s recordings and live shows and his steadfast bass playing and ferocious stage presence will be missed. The band comments, “Petterson will always remain a part of the RAM family and we part as brothers, still united by the power of heavy metal. But the heavy metal tyranny must proceed, new horizons await and these will be shared with our new bass player Desekrator of Voodus and Stormdeath fame. Desekrator has been close to the band for decades and through being a die hard fan he is already well versed with the true spirit of RAM. This combined with his bass skills makes him the perfect replacement for Tobbe. Onward Upon The Black Path!“
Petterson will perform his final show with RAM on October 9th in Gothenburg, the band’s record release show.
RAM Live:
9/12/09/2026 Candelabrum Metalfest – León, MX
10/09/2026 Skjulet – Gothenburg, SE *Record Release Show w/ Portrait
12/04/2026 Spectrum – Murcia, ES
12/05/2026 Peter Rock – Valencia, ES
12/06/2026 Upload – Barcelona, ES
12/07/2026 Urban – Vitoria, ES
3/12-13/2027 Heavy Metal Thunder Fest – Pisek, CZ
5/20-22/2027 Iron Fest – Ohmbachsee, DE
“After all these years, RAM still perfectly embodies what real metal must be; passionate, Luciferian, antagonistic, and musically overpowering. Oscar’s vocals are some of the best in the genre; fearless and full of intent. A heavy metal soundtrack for the twilight of the world.” – Erik Danielsson, Watain
“Just when you thought it was safe to be dead, RAM resurrects you only to kill you again. I have loved this band since the very start, and Against contains some of their strongest material to date, in terms of both lyrics and music. This is thinking man’s metal of the highest order!” – Christian Lindell, Portrait
“There’s only one band in Sweden making classic heavy metal without it sounding like a pastiche or tribute act to the old days. Oscar is Sweden’s best and most charismatic singer and frontman. Why isn’t this one of the leading bands in the genre? Probably because they are completely uncompromising and refuse to bend the knee or kiss the asses required to reach the biggest stages. Against is every bit as good as everything else they’ve done. Elite!” – Sebastian Ramstedt, Necrophobic/Nifelheim
“After seven years, RAM are finally back with another anthem-fueled album. While remaining true to their roots, they are opening their sound and manage to show a few new angles to their classic heavy metal. Can’t wait to bang my head to ‘Night Blade’ at a show of one of the best live bands of our times!” – S. Castevet, Vulture
“Pure heavy metal, raw and unfiltered. Just my cup of tea!” – Niklas Stålvind, Wolf
RAM:
Oscar Carlquist – vocals
Morgan Pettersson – drums
Harry Granroth – guitar
Martin Jonsson – guitar
Tobias Petterson – bass
https://ram-metal.com
https://www.facebook.com/RAMheavymetal
https://www.instagram.com/RAMheavymetal
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If anyone forgets how experimental – and therefore weird – the 1960s were in the pop charts, there’s no need to look further than Excerpt From A Teenage Opera, which reached Number 2 in 1967.
It’s weird enough that it was the story of a local trademan and his passion for serving his village, who’s only truly appreciated after dies at the age of 82, leaving the area’s kids asking, ’Grocer Jack, Grocer Jack, is it true what mummy says, You won’t come back, oh-no-no?‘ Its effect on the careers of Steve Howe and Keith West was even wierder.
The brainchild of producer Mark Wirtz – who wrote the music for what was supposed to be a large-scale rock opera in the style of the era – the song was sung by West, who at the time was pursuing fame with Howe in their band Tomorrow.
“I knew Mark, who came up with the idea,” West told Prog in 2011. “He invited me round to his place one day and played me a lot of the music he was working on. What he needed was for someone to put lyrics to the songs – that just wasn’t his thing.”
So West set about the task; and the first song he finished was Excerpt From A Teenage Opera – often known as Grocer Jack.
“Mark had given me the title of the song, and at the time having eccentric characters at the centre of songs was all the rage,” West recalled. “Maybe it was something to do with the fact that we were in an era when everyone was dropping acid!”
With Howe laying down guitar for the demo tape, West agreed to record guide vocals for an unconfirmed bigger name to do a ‘proper’ job. But that never happened. “The label, EMI, liked what I’d done,” West remembered.
“And as they already had me under contract through Tomorrow, they thought it would be a good thing for me to sing on it. I agreed – it would never amount to much, and certainly wouldn’t interfere with the band. How wrong I was!”
West was on tour with Tomorrow when the label ordered him back home to promote the single, which was starting sell in major quantities. “It just took on a life of its own,” he said. “In Germany it was even bigger than in the UK; it made it to the top of the charts.” He added: “Everywhere I went I was mobbed by girls – I could have gotten used to that lifestyle!”
In 1999 Howe reflected on the dead shopkeeper’s spirit having haunted the final months of their band. “For a while we did well off of Keith’s success – we all went out and we earned much more money than we were doing as Tomorrow,” the guitarist said.
But the fact that they played as a guitar trio was a problem. “We disappointed people by not being the sort of group that featured Keith in the way as might be thought with Grocer Jack.
“In Ireland we played the Tomorrow set with Grocer Jack. That wasn’t enough. They didn’t want Tomorrow – they wanted Keith West and that kind of a singer. So they hurled money at us. It was painful – we got hit!
“That was the effect of trying to be two things at once; trying to be Tomorrow and Keith West and Tomorrow. It didn’t work. Gigs fizzled out and then we were left with not with very much.”
Wirtz – who died in 2020 – meandered elsewhere in the music industry when the Teenage Opera project wilted as the result of second single Sam failing to emulate the success of Excerpt. West followed his own route too, without regrets. “It was a good song, and I loved the experience,” he said.
(written by Islander) The Northern California metal band Amarok have demonstrated towering, far-seeing ambitions since their inception more than 15 years ago. With their self-titled debut EP in 2010 they began identifying their songs with Roman numerals. That EP was also more than 45 minutes long, spread across three songs. After a trio of splits, […]
The post AN NCS PREMIERE: AMAROK (AND ANDREW BLACK) — A REIMAGINING OF “LEGACY” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.