Blog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RHINO PROOF ANNOUNCE NEW STUDIO ALBUM “LIGHT, DARK, THE END” AND RELEASE NEW SINGLE “PLAY BY THE RULES”

Finnish Hard & Heavy Force Unleash First Single and Official Music Video Ahead of November Album Release via Astral Haven Records

Joensuu, Finland | Finnish hard and heavy outfit Rhino Proof have officially announced their new studio album, Light, Dark, The End , set for release on November 6, 2026 , via Astral Haven Records .
To celebrate the announcement, the band has unleashed the album’s first single, “Play by the Rules,” accompanied by an official music video. The track offers a hard-hitting introduction to the new album while showcasing the band’s blend of muscular hard rock, heavy metal, memorable melodies, and commanding vocals.
Listen to “Play by the Rules”:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/rhinoproof/play-by-the-rules
Watch the official music video:

Guitarist Rane Riikonen explains the personal inspiration behind “Play by the Rules”:


“When I was writing the song ‘Play by the Rules’, I thought back to my youth and the fact that I used to drink heavily. I often woke up on the floor and generally behaved badly. Fortunately, I realized how foolish I was being and started living sensibly.”


Vocalist Jukka Nummi adds:


“The song ‘Play by the Rules’ is one of my favorites; I use my voice a little rougher on it—or actually, the guys kind of pushed me to do that—and I’m glad they did, because it fits the song’s vibe.”


Light, Dark, The End represents a significant new chapter for Rhino Proof. The album takes shape as a conceptual release built around a four-part storyline , bringing together nine tracks that move through different moods and styles while maintaining a cohesive identity.
Riikonen reflects on the lengthy and sometimes difficult process behind the album:


“Making the new album was a difficult and lengthy process. At times, the work progressed well, but then difficulties began to pile up. Certain things also came to an end, and processing them took time. This entire experience ultimately became the album’s title.”


For Nummi, the finished record represents a diverse but unified collection of songs:


“The new album is truly fantastic overall, and while all the songs are distinct from one another, they still come together to form a cohesive whole. It ranges from heavy, pounding tracks to ballad-like interpretations. I’m proud of this album.”


The vocal recording process also proved to be an especially creative period for the band. Nummi recalls beginning the lead vocal sessions in August of the previous year, with some songs still taking shape:


“A year ago in August, we started recording the lead vocals. Even though half of the songs were completely new to me and we didn’t even have demo versions for all of them, we managed to record everything incredibly quickly, in two days! Creativity was at its peak, and the vocal melodies evolved as we recorded them.”


The album will be released as a Digipak CD and digital release , with pre-orders and pre-saves available now through Astral Haven Records.
Pre-order / Pre-save “Light, Dark, The End”:
https://astralhavenrecords.com/cds/rhino-proof-light-dark-the-end-cd/
Light, Dark, The End Tracklist:



Play by the Rules
Deeper Form of Love
Alone With My Sin
Even Closer
My Life is Fine
Fashion Nonsense (CD Bonus Track)
Strong Enough
Shadows in the Rain
Safe Cracker

All songs were written by Rane Riikonen, with arrangements by Rhino Proof. The album was recorded and mixed by Erkko Joronen and produced by Riikonen and Joronen. Mastering was handled by Jone Väänänen.
The visual identity of the album comes together through cover artwork by V-V Markkanen , CD and booklet artwork by NobotX , and photography by Markus Sotikov .
Light, Dark, The End follows Rhino Proof’s previously released singles “My Life is Fine” and “Deeper Form of Love,” both of which have helped introduce the band’s latest chapter to listeners ahead of the full album.
The release also builds on a growing run of international exposure for Rhino Proof. The band was recently featured in Decibel Magazine Issue #263 as part of a Metal Devastation Radio feature highlighting Rhino Proof alongside Hubris, Abaddon Incarnate, Haze Mage, Binary Order, Far From Refuge, Broken Trinity, and Choke Me.
Check out the Decibel feature:
https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29292/rhino-proof-hubris-abaddon-incarnate-haze-mage-binary-order-far-from-refuge-broken-trinity-choke-me-featured-in-decibel
Rhino Proof originally formed in Joensuu, Finland, in 2016 and quickly established themselves within the European hard rock and metal underground. Their self-titled 2018 debut album earned critical attention across Europe and placed in the Top 5 of Hard Rock Highlights lists in both Italy and Portugal .
Following several lineup changes, Rhino Proof now returns with a solidified lineup and a new album designed to capture the band’s evolution. With Light, Dark, The End , the Finnish outfit delivers a narrative-driven record that moves between crushing heavy tracks, melodic passages, and ballad-like moments while maintaining the raw energy at the heart of their sound.
The band is now preparing to bring Light, Dark, The End to listeners around the world through their partnership with Astral Haven Records.
Riikonen states:


“We are very excited to be working with Astral Haven Records. This partnership will give us the opportunity to reach more listeners from all over the world.”


Rhino Proof

Jukka Nummi – Vocals
Rane Riikonen – Guitar
Erkko Joronen – Guitar
Pasi Nousiainen – Bass
Sami Ratilainen – Drums
Album Credits

All songs written by Rane Riikonen
Arrangements by Rhino Proof
Recorded & mixed by Erkko Joronen
Produced by Rane Riikonen & Erkko Joronen
Mastered by Jone Väänänen
Cover artwork by V-V Markkanen
CD & booklet artwork by NobotX
Band photo by Markus Sotikov

Connect With Rhino Proof

rhinoproof.com
www.facebook.com/rhinoproof 

“Play by the Rules” is out now.
Rhino Proof’s new album, Light, Dark, The End , arrives November 6, 2026 via Astral Haven Records.

Timothy Showalter makes soulfully scraggly indie rock as Strand Of Oaks, and he seems to have a nice little side hustle adding his own soulfully scraggly presence to various television spinoffs. Back in 2022, Showalter was cast in a recurring role as a character named Hoosier on the Sons Of Anarchy spinoff Mayans M.C. (Showalter really is from Indiana, so the name fit.) Showalter was on 10 episodes of that show. I didn’t watch that show, but I was not surprised to learn, looking it up just now, that his character got murdered. (Sorry not sorry for spoiling the fate of a minor character on Mayans.) Now, he’s doing it again.

The post Strand Of Oaks’ Timothy Showalter Cast In <em>Prison Break</em> Spinoff Following <em>Sons Of Anarchy</em> Spinoff appeared first on Stereogum.

After more than three decades of pushing the boundaries of progressive rock, The Flower Kings return with the new album, HOPE, due out on the 23rd October, 2026 on InsideOutMusic. The follow-up to 2025’s LOVE, stands as both a celebration of their legacy and a bold artistic statement. The album also finds the band returning to the side-long epic, with tracks clocking in at 18 and 28 minutes.

Now the band are pleased to preview one of those mammoth new tracks, with the release of ‘The Gods of Rome, Part 2’. Listen to the track now here:

Roine Stolt comments: “This is one of several parts of an epic piece of music that has been swirling around for some years. I reworked bits and wrote some new lyrics that now have the backdrop of ancient Rome – but act more as a metaphor for modern day powerplay. Every nation and every leader/president want to shine and be remembered as the greatest – expansive dreams often tend to implode however.”

Rather than chasing trends or revisiting past glories, the band has crafted a work that comfortably exists between refined musicianship and fearless ambition.
Founding member Roine Stolt explains, “At a certain point in life – you arrive at a place where outside opinions matter less – and the process gravitates towards making an album that YOU yourself would LOVE but would perhaps normally not be viewed as a commercial attempt at all. We, the band – trust YOU, the audience – to be curious and to trust us that we want to bring you a grand glowing adventure.”

Pre-order & stream the single here: https://theflowerkings.lnk.to/HOPE-Album

HOPE serves as a timely meditation on a turbulent time in the modern world. Without venturing into overt political commentary, its songs reflect on an era often marked by division and diminishing empathy while ultimately offering a message rooted in hope, acting as a roadmap, how to get there and re-ignite love in our hearts and our society.

The album’s compositions come from Stolt and keyboardist Lalle Larsson, with its centerpiece being the nearly 30-minute epic “The Gods of Rome.” Originally conceived from orchestral ideas developed more than a decade ago, the piece took an unexpected creative journey, at one point nearly becoming the musical foundation for another Anderson & Stolt project before ultimately finding its true home with The Flower Kings. Reimagined for the full band, it has evolved into a powerful reflection on contemporary life, using the imagery of ancient Rome to explore enduring themes of power, conflict, and the human cost of ambition.

Joining Stolt and Larsson once again are Hans Fröberg on vocals, Michael Stolt on bass, and Mirko DeMaio on drums. Supported by heartfelt performances from every member of the band, along with a number of special guests, the resulting album unfolds as a rewarding listening experience that reveals new details with each return. Stolt explains, “Like I said 37 years ago – ‘This is the band I will be in for the rest of my days’ – but I wouldn’t dream of us making one of our finest albums ever in 2026!”

HOPE will be available as Ltd.CD + Blu-Ray Digipak, featuring Dolby Atmos & 5.1 Surround Sound mixes by Rich Mouser, a first for the band. The album will also be available as Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 2LP & Digitally.

Tracklisting:
1.World Spinning – The Final Curtain (18:45)
2.In a World of Fools (5:35)
3.Mars & Minerva (4:40)
4.The Gods Of Rome (28:15)

The post The Flower Kings launch new single ‘The Gods Of Rome, Pt. 2’ Second track taken from forthcoming new album ‘HOPE’ appeared first on The Prog Report.

“To sleep: perchance to dream,” Shakespeare famously wrote in Hamlet. Easier said than done for some, however. Portland’s proggy post-metal duo Semuta are grappling with this very topic—insomnia and the active mind—on new full-length, their second, Thoughtless/Dreamless. We’re premiering the sprawling, nearly 10-minute title track here, unfurling its sonic beauty, via a lyric video. The album, crafted by Benjamin Caragol (guitar/bass//vocals) and Ben Stoller (drums/synth), follows up 2024’s Glacial Erratic and is an entrancing collection of dense, diverse tracks filled with quiet-loud dynamics and effortless playing.

Thoughtless/Dreamless was recorded and mixed by Scott Evans (Neurosis, Kowloon Walled City) and mastered by Brad Boatright (Portrayal of Guilt, Torche). It’s set for release on vinyl, cassette and digitally via Accident Prone Records on October 9. Place your preorder here.

Caragol described the origin of the track:

“This song is about insomnia. I often wake up in the middle of the night with my mind racing, and am unable to find my way back to sleep. In those moments all I want is to be thoughtless and dreamless, without all the worries about my little life and the world at large.

“‘Thoughtless/Dreamless’ has the most range of anything we’ve written. It begins with swelling atmosphere, trudges through several mid-tempo moody parts, blasts through a passage of odd times and death metal vocals, and ends in some sludgey and triumphant major chords. The song requires some patience, but it encompasses everything we have done while covering new ground as well.”

The post Track Premiere: Semuta – “Thoughtless/Dreamless” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLIND ILLUSION TO CELEBRATE NEW LIVE ALBUM WITH SAN FRANCISCO RECORD RELEASE SHOW
Progressive Thrash Metal Pioneers Bring STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre Home to the Bay Area on October 16

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Nearly five decades after forming in the Bay Area, progressive thrash metal pioneers Blind Illusion will celebrate the release of their new live album, STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre , with a special record release show on Friday, October 16, 2026 , at Neck of the Woods in San Francisco, California .
The release-day lineup will feature Blind Illusion, Hemotoxin, and Parabellum , bringing together three bands for an evening of Bay Area metal on the exact day STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre officially arrives through Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records .
Fans attending the show will have the opportunity to pick up a copy of the new record directly from Blind Illusion , while those outside the San Francisco Bay Area can pre-order their copy through Hectic Records.
Pre-order:
www.hectic.com/product/blind-illusion-live
A LIVE SNAPSHOT OF BLIND ILLUSION’S HISTORY

STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre captures Blind Illusion’s historic 2025 performance at the UC Theatre in Berkeley , featuring the return of original vocalist David White .
The performance took place during a special Bay Area celebration surrounding Exodus’ 40th anniversary of Bonded By Blood and the birthday of late Exodus frontman Paul Baloff , with Blind Illusion sharing the stage with Exodus, Death Angel, and Nukem . The performance ultimately became the foundation for the new live album.
White’s return gives the recording an especially significant connection to Blind Illusion’s early history. During a recent appearance on The Zach Moonshine Show , guitarist and band mastermind Mark Biedermann discussed how White’s return came about and how the band revisited material from its early years for the reunion performance.
But STAGE FLIGHT isn’t a studio reconstruction of an old performance.
According to Biedermann, the album is a completely live recording with no studio overdubs , captured at the UC Theatre by engineer Ivan Garcia and subsequently mixed by Biedermann with the band’s rhythm section.
As Biedermann put it:


“This, I guarantee you, is 100% live.”


That old-school approach makes STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre a document of the band exactly where it belongs: onstage.
NEARLY FIVE DECADES OF BLIND ILLUSION

Formed in 1978 , Blind Illusion has spent nearly five decades developing one of the most distinctive sounds in the Bay Area metal underground.
Led by Mark Biedermann , the band’s history is deeply connected to the development of progressive and technical thrash metal. The band’s landmark 1988 debut, The Sane Asylum , featured Biedermann alongside Larry Lalonde, Les Claypool, and Mike Miner , producing a record that would become an important part of the progressive thrash canon.
Biedermann’s musical history extends well beyond Blind Illusion. His work has intersected with figures including Les Claypool, Kirk Hammett, Cliff Burton, Sandy Pearlman, Joe Satriani, and Robbie Krieger , among many others.
During his recent appearance on The Zach Moonshine Show , Biedermann looked back across that history, discussing everything from the formation of Blind Illusion and the making of The Sane Asylum to his early relationship with Les Claypool, his work connected to Blue Öyster Cult’s Imaginos , and an unforgettable story involving his longtime friend Cliff Burton.
The conversation also made clear that Blind Illusion isn’t simply revisiting its past.
The band’s next studio album, Crushing the Universe , has already been recorded, with former Blind Illusion bassist Tom Gears producing, engineering, and mixing the record.
That makes STAGE FLIGHT both a look back at a remarkable chapter of Blind Illusion’s history and a bridge toward whatever comes next.
FROM THE UC THEATRE TO THE RECORD STORE

The timing of the October 16 release is particularly fitting.
STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre was born from a performance celebrating the Bay Area metal community and Blind Illusion’s own history. Now the finished record returns home to the Bay Area for its official release.
Friday, October 16, 2026
Neck of the Woods
San Francisco, California
BLIND ILLUSION
HEMOTOXIN
PARABELLUM
Come out, celebrate the release with the band, and get your copy of STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre directly from Blind Illusion .
For fans who can’t make it to San Francisco, pre-orders are available through Hectic Records:
www.hectic.com/product/blind-illusion-live

RECENT BLIND ILLUSION HIGHLIGHTS

The anticipation surrounding STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre has continued to build in the weeks leading up to its release.
Blabbermouth recently featured Blind Illusion’s upcoming live album, highlighting the historic 2025 performance, David White’s return, and the band’s continuing evolution nearly five decades after its formation.
BraveWords has also featured Blind Illusion ahead of the release, spotlighting STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre and the band’s unique place within progressive thrash metal.
Biedermann also recently joined The Zach Moonshine Show for an extensive conversation covering Blind Illusion’s history, The Sane Asylum , David White, Les Claypool, Kirk Hammett, Cliff Burton, Sandy Pearlman, Blue Öyster Cult, Hectic Records, the new STAGE FLIGHT live album, and the band’s upcoming Crushing the Universe studio record.
STAGE FLIGHT: LIVE AT THE UC THEATRE

Artist: Blind Illusion
Title: STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre
Release Type: Live Album
Genre: Progressive Thrash Metal
Release Date: October 16, 2026
Label: Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records
Catalog Number: Hectic 009
Format: 12″ Vinyl LP, 33 RPM
Limited To: 500 Copies
UPC: 810213561508
CURRENT LINEUP

Mark Biedermann – Lead Guitar / Vocals
Martin Lacour – Lead Guitar
Avery Thurman – Bass
Phil Cosentini – Drums
Blind Illusion
Established 1978
Progressive Thrash Metal
For Fans Of: Coroner, Watchtower, Exodus, Heathen
Check them out on YouTube: 


Connect: 
https://blindillusion.bandcamp.com/album/stage-flight-live-at-the-uc-theatre
https://www.instagram.com/blindillusionofficial
https://www.facebook.com/officialblindillusion
https://ffm.to/bclink1
https://www.hectic.com/product/blind-illusion-live
Contact:
David Hecht
Hectic Records
david@hectic.com

He tells UCR how he's bringing the impact of all of the work he's done, from Rage Against the Machine to Bruce Springsteen, together for the first time. Continue reading…

Posted on September 24th 2026, 2:10pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ELEMENT OF FATE RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM “DREAMFALL” OUT NOW
Melodic Heavy Metal Duo Unleash a Cinematic Journey of Fantasy, Emotion, and Immersive Storytelling

Washington, DC / Portland, OR — Melodic heavy metal duo Element of Fate have officially released their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Dreamfall , available now worldwide.
Stream and purchase Dreamfall here:
https://linktr.ee/element.of.fate
Released on July 27, 2026 , Dreamfall invites listeners into a cinematic world where heavy metal, fantasy, and storytelling collide. Featuring soaring vocals, intricate instrumentation, and a powerful blend of gothic, symphonic, and progressive metal influences, the album delivers an emotional and immersive listening experience that showcases Element of Fate’s dedication to crafting music that feels both timeless and cinematic.
The entire album is also now available to experience as a full-length video stream on YouTube , giving listeners the opportunity to hear Dreamfall from beginning to end while stepping further into the world Element of Fate have created.
Full Album Video:

The album’s release follows the unveiling of the “Fire Bird” lyric video and the dark, captivating visualizer for “Warhorse,” offering fans a deeper look into the world Element of Fate have carefully built around Dreamfall .
Watch “Fire Bird” here:

At its core, Dreamfall is more than an album. It is a complete artistic vision combining heavy metal, fantasy, visual storytelling, and a deeply personal creative journey.


“Dreamfall is the most personal and ambitious project I’ve ever created as an artist.”




— Madame Crol




“This project is about transformation, finding light even in darker places.”




— Element of Fate




“We wanted to create something that feels epic, emotional, and real.”




— Element of Fate


The creation of Dreamfall has been fueled by a passion for independent artistry and craftsmanship, including a cinematic music video produced entirely in-house by vocalist and visual artist Carol Phillips through her studio, Inlumined Arts .
Supporters of the project have also helped bring this vision to life through exclusive rewards and handcrafted collectibles inspired by the album’s mythic themes, including limited bronze key and coin pieces created as collector-grade works of art.
Formed between Washington, DC and Portland, Oregon , Element of Fate are carving out a unique space within modern metal by combining classic heavy metal foundations with cinematic arrangements, powerful vocals, and a striking visual identity.
With Dreamfall , Element of Fate invite listeners to step into a world created not only to be heard, but experienced.
The journey has begun.
Dreamfall is out now.
Stream Dreamfall , watch the full album on YouTube, follow Element of Fate, and experience the complete artistic vision:
https://linktr.ee/element.of.fate


  Connect with the band: 
https://linktr.ee/element.of.fate

Contact: element.of.fate@gmail.com

Ben Poole returns with Post-Midnight Behaviour, his first studio album of new material in eight years. Released after 2018’s Anytime You Need Me, the album finds the British guitarist, singer and songwriter revisiting his blues rock roots while exploring a broader range of influences.

Poole has spent much of his career building a name within the blues rock scene developing an extensive international touring career. With more than a decade of albums and live releases behind him, he has also performed extensively across Europe and beyond, establishing himself as a seasoned live performer as well as a respected guitarist.

Post-Midnight Behaviour establishes its broader approach from the opening moments of “No Second Chances.” Built around rugged riffs, the song settles into softer verses where Poole’s voice takes on an almost alternative rock character, giving the track a different kind of catchiness before the heavier chorus arrives. It is a good opener, further elevated by some tasteful lead guitar.

“Empty” follows with a breezier alternative-rock feel and subtle country touches, while another melodic guitar solo adds plenty of character. On the other hand, “Time Has No Mercy” brings back a more traditional blues rock approach, albeit with a pop-punk edge, while its strong chorus gives the song plenty of melodic appeal. The track also features another excellent solo, this time favoring attack over melody.

“Runaway Souls,” featuring Elles Bailey and Oli Brown, is the album’s standout. Its spirited blues rock arrangement combines a great riff, a countrified touch, and stellar vocals. The chorus is particularly effective, and the guitar solo strikes a fine balance between melodic phrasing and sheer fireworks.

“Searching” takes things down a notch with a soulful, late-night atmosphere, sultry vocals, and an elegant, almost jazzy guitar break. It fits the album’s nocturnal character particularly well. “Start Of The End” closes the record with another rocker that has a ballad-like quality, providing a strong finish.

From a technical standpoint, the production is clear and well balanced, retaining plenty of punch without sounding overly polished. Poole and the band deliver confident performances throughout, and the mix does a good job of preserving the character and dynamics of the playing.

Overall, Post-Midnight Behaviour remains firmly rooted in blues rock while moving comfortably between alternative rock, soul, funk and pop, giving the album a varied and engaging character. There is a relaxed confidence to the record that suits its late-night atmosphere, with Poole’s guitar never needing to dominate the mix to make its presence felt. It is a strong return that rewards repeated listens without ever sounding overdone.

The Review 8/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– No Second Chances
– Empty
– Time Has No Mercy
– Searching
– Runaway Souls

The Big Hit

– Runaway Souls

The post Ben Poole: Post Midnight Behaviour Review appeared first on Blues Rock Review.