Expressions of Interest are now open for the Australian Women in Music New South Wales and Queensland Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program, with an invitation to First Nations, female and gender-diverse artists and music practitioners at all stages of their career, across all areas of industry and all genres of music. The Program is […]Blog
-
Expressions of Interest open for AWMA QLD & NSW Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program
Expressions of Interest are now open for the Australian Women in Music New South Wales and Queensland Regional & Remote Women’s Music Program, with an invitation to First Nations, female and gender-diverse artists and music practitioners at all stages of their career, across all areas of industry and all genres of music. The Program is […] -
Mick McConnell Announces New Album ‘Things Are Looking Up’ & 2026 UK Tour
There comes a point in every great musician’s career where experience, confidence and creativity collide. For Mick McConnell, that moment is happening right now. Already recognised worldwide as the long-serving guitarist with one of the hardest working British bands with millions of record sales behind them, McConnell has quietly spent the last couple of years […]
The post Mick McConnell Announces New Album ‘Things Are Looking Up’ & 2026 UK Tour appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.
-
Ruut – Gravity
Let’s be real for a second: there are many outstanding music releases out there, but only a few -
Onryō UK Turn Resentment Into Metalcore Horror On Debut EP Exit Here
Onryō UK will self-release their five-track debut EP, Exit Here, on 23 October 2026. Drawing on experiences of bullying, distrust and workplace exploitation, the south of England four-piece connect the resentment left by those experiences with the vengeful spirits of Japanese horror.
The songs began taking shape before the band settled on their name and horror aesthetic. Those choices subsequently gave a visual identity to themes already present in the writing.
“The band name and horror theming came a little after writing a few songs,” vocalist James Moffatt told us. “However, it soon became apt as a lot of our songs deal with times where I feel like I’ve been wronged, the resentment that has built as a result of that and the frustration I have for how the world works in general.”
Onryō UK – Exit Here. The EP artwork was created by Ed Moffatt and inspired by the manga Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler. The band describe their music as Metalcore incorporating Nu-Metal, technical and modern Metal elements, with compact, progressive songs that move between Deathcore and nu-Metal vocal styles.
Tongues Of War explores how bullying can leave a lasting distrust of other people and make close relationships difficult. Within that resentment, however, the song finds room for love and trust.
“I’ve found it really hard to enter into a trusting relationship,” Moffatt says. “However, this song has a positive spin in that I have found people I can love and trust.”
Soul Factory directs its anger towards employers who fail to appreciate their workers and companies that accumulate wealth while giving little back to society. Its starting point was Moffatt’s experience of working in retail, where appeals to workplace loyalty could become requests for unpaid labour.
“This was inspired by times when I worked in retail and employers would say ‘we’re like a family here.’ But all that was a way to try and get you to do a bit more work for them for free,” Moffatt says.
The Japanese horror influences extend to the band’s videos. The official video for Exit Here, released on 18 September 2026, takes inspiration from The Grudge, while In Ignorance draws on both The Grudge and The Ring. The latter video is scheduled for release alongside the EP on 23 October.
The EP artwork was created by Ed Moffatt and inspired by the manga Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler.
Exit Here will be self-released digitally on 23 October 2026, available on all major streaming platforms and Bandcamp. You can find Exit Here on Bandcamp.
Onryō UK – Exit Here Tracklisting:
1. Exit Here
2. Monochrome
3. Soul Factory
4. Tongues Of War
5. In Ignorance
About Onryō UK
Onryō UK are a four-piece metal band from the south of England. Their name and visual identity draw on the vengeful spirits of Japanese folklore, connecting horror imagery with songs about resentment, exploitation and defiance.
The band comprise James Moffatt (vocals), formerly the vocalist for Gaia; John Corney (guitars), guitarist for Seething Akira; Dave Rae (bass), who performed as Harper’s live bassist for her Download Festival set; and Tom Way (drums).
The post Onryō UK Turn Resentment Into Metalcore Horror On Debut EP Exit Here first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews. -
A View From The Back Of The Room: Creeper (Misfit Jax)
Creeper, Calva Louise & Starbenders, Tramshed, Cardiff, 08.10.26
The Tramshed a venue near Cardiff City center it has been used for many different types of music and many different artists and bands, it’s even been used for a wedding receptions, raves, sometimes comedy acts or talks but tonight it is for the band from Southampton with their off with their heads tour kicking off in Cardiff to start their UK tour.Before the openers, the inside the stage set alluringly haunting, the audience full of people top and bottom while still people approaching to get a good spot. The crowd looking at their absolute best dress or their most casual, some get their hands on merch, all priced to suit all budgets, and queue when waiting to come here and enjoy a band they are all fond of. Bless their black hearts waiting in the rain and cold of this gig while hoping some people attending don’t loose the face paint they put on to go with the bands motif.The opening band, Starbenders (8) come all the way from across the pond specifically Atlanta, Georgia, Requiem Overture Of O Forutna plays as their intro, lights go black, hype builds up band approaches the stage the look of the band very nostalgic like a band you saw playing in the background of a club scene in an 80s/90s movie, the stage lights move and flash on the band classically with colours changing primarily but to for the mood of the songs.Kimi Shelter looking very Cher’s Witches Of Eastwick meets Hearts Ann Wilson gives her performance in both vocalist and guitarists and uses the stage to her advantage. The songs for example like Tokyo and Summon My Heart, give that hard rock flow and cadence with the music vibe, similar to bands like Joan Jett, Heart, with the rest of the band in the moment with such a dark setting, a win over performance with cheers and applause.Next up Calva Louise (7) who brings a multinational band and focusing more on a gothic/synth John Carpenter esq intro, which is followed by modern synth with narrative heard in the background that for me unfortunately cannot not be made out due to the drums starting off.Calva Louise are a different style, a different type of performance than Starbenders, with metal being main concept with elements of salsa, samba, synth, industrial even edges classical music from hundreds of years ago. It’s music that just wants to pull you in rather than feel the flow, using the keyboard draw in and out when needed in use for the songs and performance and also the music being bilingual tracks bringing power passion and statement while closing and leaving the show with a track of old Latin salsa being played.Now of course the main event, while leading up to the main event, the band put on their fictional radio station and played some 80s hits closing with Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell. Then as the white sheet was up a shadowy figure appears behind it pretending to be a certain figure of censor authority. Saying that the show will now be more PG than what is his known by its reputation. Mistress Of Death aka the Axe Lady of the band, then came out and behind the white sheet and starts chopping, slashing and killing the bossy bureaucrat as the sheet drop reveals Creeper (10).Starting with Blood Magic (It’s A Ritual) the aura, intensity and such passionate enthusiasm make it a must watch fromt he opening moments. Musically the band definitely bring and embrace the gothic element visually. The songs have either or both Master Gould and Mistress Greenwood singing as we enjoy new and old tracks they fill their set with. They put on a theatrical show the stage filled with a throne of skulls, a guillotine, a jet black casket and of course a phone call from Garcia there Vampire Familiar.Between all the theatrics, giving us song’s such as Parasite, Prey For The Night, More Than Death, all to an audience filled with passion and face paint, hanging on every word, when the band stops playing and the audience sing with the band. Behind their facepaint and black hearts Creeper seem completely touched by such support and devotion of the Cardiff crowd making for a thrilling start to their UK tour! -
The Gathering – Release Live Album Celebrating 30th Anniversary Of ‘Mandylion’
The Gathering have just announced Echoes Of Mandylion, a live album celebrating the 30th anniversary of Mandylion. It was recorded during five special shows at Doornroosje in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, from 27–31 August 2025, and it captures the first live performances in eleven years by the original lineup, including vocalist Anneke Van Giersbergen.
Read more… -
METIRIA – Sorrow
Formed in 2024 in Catania, Italy, Metiria blends prog, pop, and modern metal into a powerful, refined sound that combines technical skill and emotional intensity with complex rhythms and sweeping melodies. The band features Aurora Amas on vocals, Samuele Mangiaratti on drums, Lorenzo Ragusa on bass, Angelo Li Rosi on keyboards, and Arturo Caflisch on guitar.
Their song “Sorrow” showcases fantastic, catchy vocal lines delivered with precision, backed by an outstanding band performance. The track is melodic yet punchy, packed with tasty details in every instrument. A quality release, in between a few genres and with a very good production as well.Give it a listen on the Spotify player below and follow Metiria if their sound resonates with you. -
Realigned – Downhill Slide
Realigned formed in 2002 as a relaxed collaboration between childhood friends Ty La Croix (Lead Guitar) and Justin Moore (Drums) in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Their laid-back jam sessions gained new momentum after meeting Brian Eubanks (Rhythm Guitar & Lead Vocals) at a local karaoke bar—a turning point that sparked a strong creative connection. With Josh Duran (Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals) joining the lineup, the band carved out their place in the hard rock scene, marked by distinctive melodies, driving rhythms, and electrifying guitar solos.
I’m really into the riffs and melody of their latest track, Downhill Slide. It blends elements from several genres, with powerful instrumentation and smooth, melodic vocals. The song boasts an incredible solo section alongside a heavy, precise rhythm, making it a thoroughly enjoyable piece that’s brilliantly executed by the band.
https://instagram.com/realigned.band
https://facebook.com/realignedtheband -
CrowsVsRavens – Who We Are
CrowsVsRavens is a progressive metal project that mixes heavy riffs, strong melodies, and plenty of twists along the way. The music takes inspiration from both classic metal and progressive rock, combining complex arrangements with memorable songs that stay with you long after they’ve finished.
The project was created by New Jersey bassist and songwriter Rope Ganjee and works as an international collaboration between musicians from different countries. Over the years, CrowsVsRavens has featured guitarists Rich Grabowsky and Filippo Rosati, drummer Chris Bohm, and vocalists Rob Lundgren, Ged Cartwright, Trever Laake, Elvya Dulcimer, Marko Duplisak, and Berzan Onen. The lineup changes from release to release, helping keep the music fresh and allowing different influences to shape each record.
Fans of Rush, Dream Theater, Queensrÿche, Iron Maiden, and Fates Warning will probably hear some familiar influences, but CrowsVsRavens isn’t interested in copying anyone. The project blends progressive ideas, traditional metal, atmosphere, and emotion into its own distinctive sound.
The debut album, We Shall Have to Learn, introduced the project’s wide-ranging musical style. Within the Depths moved into darker territory with a science-fiction concept running through the album, while Revised Reality saw another leap forward in songwriting and production, earning praise from Prog Magazine. More recently, The Grey continued that progression and was included in Prog Radio’s Top 20 Best Albums of 2025.
“Who We Are” shows a different side of CrowsVsRavens. The song starts with an alternative rock feel, built around catchy vocals, a strong groove, and some excellent bass work. Just when it seems settled, it shifts into a much heavier gear, opening up into driving rhythms and soaring guitar melodies.
It’s the kind of song that keeps surprising the listener without feeling forced. Melodic, powerful, and a little unpredictable, Who We Are highlights the band’s ability to move between styles while still sounding completely like themselves.
https://www.instagram.com/crowsvsravens -
Melancholy and heaviness return on SARLIC BLISS’s second album Melodies of a Dying Dawn
Six compositions spanning more than 45 minutes will form Melodies of a Dying Dawn, the forthcoming second full-length album from Southern German epic doom metal band SARLIC BLISS. Set for release on 27 November 2026, the record follows their 2023 debut, Brægn Hæft, and promises another exploration of dark atmospheres, emotional intensity and melody-driven heaviness. […]
