Let us introduce you to a transnational black metal outfit called Eveale, whose members reside on either sides of the Atlantic, and are today premiering the title track from their upcoming debut full-length, Enter the Woodland Realm. The five-minute-plus cut is the perfect entry point for the new endeavor, as it encompasses the wide-ranging influences—from folk to prog to melodic black metal—the band handily incorporates. Eveale are primarily a duo—The North East Wizard Tyrant (The Newt) on guitars and bass and The Monarch of the Hillside (the Moth) on vocals—though they’re aided here on drums by Basher at Things (Bat).
Enter the Woodland Realm was produced and edited by Steve Wiener. Guitars, bass and backing vocals were engineered and recorded by Wiener in New Jersey, while vocals were engineered and recorded by Alex Loach in Hampshire, England, and drums were engineered and recorded by Chris Barber in Sheffield, England. Mixing and mastering was handled by Erik Peabody at Viking Guitar Production. It’s set for release on vinyl, CD, cassette and digitally on May 1 via Hypaethral Records and Fiadh Productions. You can place your preorder here (Hypaethral webshop) or here (Hypaethral Bandcamp) or here (Fiadh Bandcamp).
The band described its latest single as such:
“This being the eponymous song of the album, the aim is to obviously give an overview of the Woodland realm itself, alluding to the fact that it is a safe place but is surrounded by peril and darkness. A sweeping, moody black metal epic with a few momentary flavours of ’70s prog.
It starts with a little bit of scene setting, which then diverts into this amazing, soulful guitar solo from The Newt, with the epic chorus of singing by The Moth. It then diverts into something darker when talking about what lies beyond the borders of the realm, which is the note the album ends on, perhaps giving a glimpse into the direction of a future release? Who knows…”
We know David Eugene Edwards as the mythic, grizzled frontman of the dark, gothic country-rock bands 16 Horespower and Wovenhand. Three years ago, Edwards released Hyacinth, the first album to come out under his own name. Next month, he’ll follow it with a new one called Mercurial Silence. It might be mercurial, but it won’t…
Rock and metal icon Rob Zombie has unveiled the music video for his latest single, “The Black Scorpion,” taken from his acclaimed new album, The Great Satan. Bathed in eerie green light, Zombie and his crew rip through the blistering punk-metal track, which clocks in at under two minutes.
“The Black Scorpion,” along with recent standouts “F.T.W. 84,” “(I’m a) Rock ’N’ Roller,” “Heathen Days,” and “Punks And Demons,” marks Rob Zombie’s returns to the forefront of heavy music, further solidifying his already legendary status.
Across more than four decades, Zombie has cemented himself as a singular cultural force. Fusing avant-garde aesthetics with monstrous, groove-driven rock, his work has consistently defied convention. With The Great Satan, Zombie extends that legacy, delivering one of the boldest and most fully realized records of his career.
Portsmouth Guildhall is the perfect venue for Takedown Festival, and it really defines the meaning of a ‘takeover’ event. The main hall served as the Phil Campbell Kerrang! (PCK) Stage this year, supplemented by two smaller performance areas, one of which—The Total Rock Café Stage (TRC)—is usually the café. The press room was hidden away … Continue reading Festival Review: Takedown 2026 Day 1 – Portsmouth Guildhall (3rd April 2026)
Swedish gothic doom metal entity Draconian reveal their new single, “Misantrophe River”, the second offering cut from their upcoming full-length, In Somnolent Ruin, to be released on May 8 via Napalm Records.
“Misantrophe River” confronts listeners in true Draconian fashion with life’s hardest questions, exploring feelings of alienation when swimming against the stream, and the search for direction in unfamiliar territory.
Ander Jacobsson comments about the new single: “‘Misanthrope River’ was the first song written for this album. The initial idea goes back to the early days of Under a Godless Veil, but it remained dormant until work on this record began. It’s an emotional gothic doom track- fairly minimalist, yet expansive in feel, with subtle touches that hint at post-metal and give the atmosphere a broader sense of depth. There’s a suggestion of something ancient and mysterious running through it. Although interactive, at its core, the song deals with separation and isolation in a world where the larger truth has been kept from you and how those feelings slowly turn into resentment. You’re pushing against the current wading upstream while doubting the way forward. In that struggle you’ll be grasping at straws for any sense of peace while unintentionally shutting out the one closest to you. Shot in the Faroe Islands, the video places its actors within vast, striking landscapes. It was directed by Gaui H., the same director behind “Cold Heavens””.
In Somnolent Ruin promises to be one of the most personal records in Draconian‘s discography, revealed through a dream-like journey across 9 tracks and the poetic lyricism of vocalist AndersJacobsson. The new album also marks the return of long-time vocalist Lisa Johansson — the band’s vocalist for their first five records.
The album captures the essence of a band that no longer needs to prove anything — and yet still does. Active since the mid-1990s and having released their debut album, Where Lovers Mourn, in 2003, Draconian have continuously demonstrated their unmatched ability to craft otherworldly doom melodies and searing heavy instrumentation, complemented by lyrics that read like poetry. Their art cuts deep, compelling listeners to confront their inner demons, wander through the darkest shadows, and even embrace emotional numbness, only to emerge with a sense of inner peace. This album confronts listeners with life’s hardest questions, exploring feelings of alienation and the search for direction in unfamiliar territory.
In Somnolent Ruin will be available in the following formats:
2 CD 36-page Earbook incl. In Somnolent Ruin & Bonus CD with 2 Tracks only available with this format (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
2 LP Gatefold Picture Vinyl incl 24 pages 12″’ booklet (exclusively available via NapalmRecords Europe Mailorder)
2 LP Gatefold Splattered Black Smoke/White Orange Black Vinyl incl 24 pages 12″ booklet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
2 LP Gatefold Gold Vinyl incl lyric sheet (exclusively available via Napalm Records Mailorder)
2-LP Gatefold Black Vinyl incl lyric sheet
1 CD Digipak
Digital Album
Six years have passed since the band released its predecessor, Under a Godless Veil, Draconian‘s most successful record to date. Much has changed since then, yet everything feels familiar: After introducing new guitarist Niklas Nord (Myteri, DeathTrap, The Random Victims) in spring 2022, the band announced the return of vocalist Lisa Johansson, who now once again shares vocal duties with Anders Jacobsson, promising even more enigmatic music to come.
Johansson had been the band’s vocalist for their first five records before leaving Draconian in 2011 for personal reasons. In Somnolent Ruin marks her official comeback, following several live performances at festivals over the past years. The band’s renewed lineup is rounded out by DanielJohansson (Antikult, ex-Wormwood), who joined Draconian as a full member in 2025 following Jerry Torstennson’s departure. Prior to that, Johansson had served as the band’s session drummer since 2019. It’s the first album on which longtime member Daniel Arvidsson can be heard on bass, to which he switched from guitar in 2022.
In Somnolent Ruin’s journey begins with “I Welcome Thy Arrow,” which captivates from the very first seconds through haunting melodies and a vocal interplay that embodies fragility and strength alike. Tracks such as “The Monochrome Blade” and “The Face of God” introduce increased tempo and eruptive vocal dynamics. “Anima” features Swedish artist Daniel Änghede, adding layers of emotional depth and confronting listeners with their darker impulses, capturing the sense of being lost and questioning one’s place in the world. “Asteria Beneath the Tranquil Sea” serves as a transitional interlude between “I Gave You Wings” and “Cold Heavens”, the latter exploring the delicate balance between life and death and not finding relief in any of both, while delivering the album’s most intense vocal performance. “Misanthrope River” opens with an extended instrumental passage and narration by Simon Bibby, slowing the tempo but by no means reducing the emotional weight, reflecting life’s daily struggles and obstacles. The closing track, “Lethe,” references the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology. Those who drank from it would lose all memory. “Oh, shooting star… Drown in me! Drink. Forget. Repeat,” mourns Jacobsson through devilish growls. And yet, In Somnolent Ruin remains a work of art one wishes not to forget — not a single blink of an eye.
proun are an Austin trio who put a dreamy, emo-folk spin on classic alternative rock. The band started as the solo project of singer/guitarist Jamie Weed, and after putting out a couple of EPs in the past few years and welcoming bassist Dante Zatto and drummer/engineer Alex Peterson into the fold, their debut album Maybe…
