“…On the last couple of records, he kind of checked out. And trying to get him engaged was a little bit difficult, just to stay in the room while we’re writing.”
Marking 35 years since its original impact on the heavy metal landscape, the seminal Seattle-based technical thrashers, FORCED ENTRY, are pleased to announce the definitive reissue of their cult-classic masterpiece, As Above, So Below. In partnership with M-Theory Audio, this long-awaited celebration and sought-after classic will make its vinyl debut, as well as a Digipak edition CD, available July 31, 2026.
“Can’t thank the guys at M-Theory enough for getting our best work back out on CD and Vinyl! 35yrs later, this record still thrashes the SHIT outta ya! Crack a beer and listen up!” – Tony Benjamins (vocals, bass)
Formed in the late 1980s, FORCED ENTRY carved out a unique space within the burgeoning Seattle metal scene, blending blistering thrash speed with complex, progressive song structures. As Above, So Below remains a high-water mark for the band, celebrated by fans and critics alike for its aggressive intensity, musicianship, groove and technicality.
The anniversary reissue ensures that a new generation of metalheads and long-time devotees can experience the record in prestige formats. Fans can secure their copies now via the M-Theory Audio webstore www.m-theoryaudio.com/store or the Forced Entry Bandcamp page. (Items will ship from US or Europe based upon your location).
Microcosm Splatter Vinyl: first time on vinyl, pressed to just 300 copies.
Sludge Green Vinyl: Exclusive mail-order only variant restricted to 100 copies.
Digipak CD: includes booklet
As Above, So Below features freshened up and expanded layouts by Marc Lopes, including a new interview with vocalist/bassist Tony Benjamins and extra pics and flyers. The original album was produced by Tom Soares (Demolition Hammer, Cro-Mags, Meliah Rage) and engineered by Jamie Locke (Obituary, Prong, Leeway) with artwork by Sean Wyett (Exodus, Cyclone Temple, Devastation). The album featured two music videos – “Macrocosm, Microcosm” and “Never a Know, But The No.”
About Forced Entry:
FORCED ENTRY is a technical thrash metal band hailing from Seattle, Washington, known for their influential role in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s underground scene. The trio of Tony Benjamins on bass, Brad Hull (later of the reformed Sanctuary) on guitar and Colin Mattson on drums built a reputation for themselves within their regional scene through pounding live work and via the worldwide underground and fanzine circuit with the release of 3 classic demo tapes (which M-Theory will compile and release in early 2027).
Signed to Combat Records, FORCED ENTRY released two albums – 1989’s Uncertain Future and 1991’s As Above, So Below and toured with bands like Sacred Reich, Coroner, Atrophy, and Obituary. Their music is characterized by blistering riffs, complex arrangements, and an unrelenting, aggressive energy that helped define the “Seattle sound” of the era, along with scene mates Bitter End and Panic.
If you follow the Americana music genre, in all its facets, it’s not long before you become a fan of one or more regional bands. It’s not that they don’t have fans around the country or internationally, but rather they’ve found a community, their community, that supports them financially and emotionally. Even without new music […]
Last month, Austin’s proun announced their debut album Maybe Luck and released the compelling lead single “Miracles.” The indie rock band is back today with another arresting track that leans into a sweeping, emo-folk sound, and it’s called “Coloring Pages.” “‘Coloring Pages’ is one of the most collaborative parts of the record,” says leader Jamie…
Chilean death metallers ROTTEN TOMB present today their new single “Here Lies Death”, with the exclusive premiere hosted by Mystification Zine. The track offers a new glimpse into the band’s upcoming third full-length album Vestiges of Tortured Souls, due for release on June 6th, 2026 via Nuclear Winter Records, available on LP, CD and cassette.
“Here Lies Death” showcases a more refined and focused evolution of the band’s sound, while preserving the raw intensity and underground conviction that have defined their identity. The single highlights a clearer songwriting approach and a sharpened sonic vision, pointing toward what is described as the band’s most mature and complete statement to date.
Formed in 2016 in Iquique, ROTTEN TOMB have steadily risen as one of the most compelling acts within the South American extreme metal scene, blending death metal with doom-laden atmospheres and occult undertones. Following the strong impact of Visions of a Dismal Fate (2022) and the equally praised The Relief of Death (2024), the band now returns with their most ambitious and fully realized work to date.
Vestiges of Tortured Souls stands as one of the most anticipated death metal releases of the year. On this new record, ROTTEN TOMB refine their sonic identity without sacrificing intensity or authenticity. The riffs are sharper and more cohesive, while the melodies take on a more prominent role, painting soundscapes that feel more sorrowful and evocative than ever before.
Without losing any of the crushing heaviness and sense of decay that defined their earlier material, the band now delivers songs with an immediate and lasting impact. Each track strikes a balance between overwhelming force and carefully crafted lead guitar work, resulting in compositions that are both memorable and devastating.
The album channels the oppressive weight of the genre’s darkest pioneers alongside a deeply mournful and introspective atmosphere, while still maintaining a distinct and personal voice. This duality allows ROTTEN TOMB to push their sound forward, achieving a level of songwriting maturity that marks a clear evolution from their previous efforts.
Vestiges of Tortured Souls represents a major step forward for ROTTEN TOMB, solidifying their position at the forefront of Chile’s increasingly renowned extreme metal scene and extending their reach far beyond national borders.
For fans of: Incantation, early Paradise Lost, Krypts, Sonne Adam.
Track-list:
Horror Manifestations
Condemned Reality
Lost Memories
Waiting, Dying
Mortified
Mind of Chaos
Here Lies Death
Ancestral Preservation
Human Pyre
Line-up:
Deathbringer – Guitar, vocals C. – Guitar A. Prophaner – Drums Utukku – Bass
In an exclusive bombshell interview, symphonic metal icon Tarja Turunen has finally addressed the burning question regarding a full-length collaborative album with her former Nightwish bandmate, Marko Hietala. While the duo is currently dominating global stages on their “Living The Dream Together Tour,” Tarja’s cryptic “you never know” response to future studio plans has sent shockwaves through the metal community.
From sustaining a “broken back muscle” during their viral “Phantom of the Opera” reunion to secret sessions for her upcoming June 2026 solo record, Frisson Noir, the Finnish soprano is finally detailing the “healed” friendship that is rewriting symphonic metal history.
The “Broken Back” Incident: The Cost of an Emotional Reunion
The most staggering revelation from the below video clip involves the duo’s initial on-stage reunion. Tarja confesses that the sheer emotional and physical pressure of performing “The Phantom of the Opera” with Marko for the first time in 18 years resulted in a legitimate medical emergency.
“I broke my back muscle… because who is standing next to me is Marko Hietala,” Tarja revealed. She explained that the high-stakes performance, which left fans “weeping and screaming,” required such immense vocal support that she sustained the injury while hitting the song’s demanding finale. Despite the pain, she described the moment as “insanely beautiful,” marking the definitive end of their decades-long estrangement.
“You Never Know”: Teasing the Collaboration of the Decade
When asked directly about a full-length collaboration album, Tarja didn’t shut the door. “We are very much teasing you… we haven’t really thought about it [yet],” she admitted, before adding the phrase that has fueled a thousand theories: “But you never know”.
The groundwork for a future project is already laid through their current “tit-for-tat” creative exchange:
“Left On Mars”: Tarja provided soaring vocals for this lead single on Marko’s latest album, Roses From The Deep.
“Leap of Faith”: In a reciprocal move, Marko recorded both vocals and bass for this “epic” standout track on Tarja’s upcoming June 12, 2026, metal album Frisson Noir.
“Our Story”: Tarja noted that writing their new duet felt like a “different beginning” because the song was specifically engineered to capture their shared history and vocal chemistry.
A Friendship Healed by Music
This 2026 resurgence isn’t just about business; it’s about closure. Tarja emphasized that both she and Marko have “healed” independently before reuniting, making their current work more authentic than ever. “What is better than making music together and sealing that friendship we have today than music,” she stated, confirming that the duo is in constant contact outside of their touring schedule.
Is there a Tarja and Marko Hietala full album coming soon?
While Tarja says they are “teasing” the idea and “you never know,” no full-length collaborative studio album is currently confirmed for release.
What is Tarja Turunen’s new 2026 album called?
Tarja is set to release her “heaviest album ever,” titled Frisson Noir, on June 12, 2026.
Does Marko Hietala play on Tarja’s new album?
Yes, Marko contributes both vocals and bass to the track “Leap of Faith” on Frisson Noir.
Band Bio: Tarja Turunen
Tarja Turunen is a world-renowned Finnish soprano and the original voice of symphonic metal giants Nightwish. Since launching her solo career in 2005, she has released multiple chart-topping metal and classical albums. Her 2026 release, Frisson Noir, marks her sixth heavy metal studio effort and features high-profile collaborations with Marko Hietala, Dani Filth, and Chad Smith.
Tarja Turunen has teased a “you never know” future for a full album with Marko Hietala, while revealing she sustained a broken back muscle during their emotional “Phantom of the Opera” reunion.
Billie Eilish has been promoting her new 3D concert film and starting lots of discourse. First there was vegan discourse (a classic), and now we’re back to the evergreen subject of phones at concerts, which is also topical considering Phoebe Bridgers’ current no-phones shows.