FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IN SPITE OF THUNDER UNVEILS “COLLATERAL DAMAGE,” A HAUNTING NEW EP OF SYMPHONIC GOTHIC DOOM AND GOTHIC FOLK
French Gothic Composer and Classically Trained Soprano Cathy Isot Explores Grief, Fear, Consequences, and Lingering Shadows on New Three-Track Release
Release Date: November 6, 2026
Genre: Symphonic Gothic Doom / Gothic Folk
For Fans Of: Theatre of Tragedy, Draconian, Evanescence
French Gothic composer and classically trained soprano Cathy Isot , the creative force behind In Spite of Thunder , will release her new EP “Collateral Damage” on November 6, 2026. Blending delicate piano melodies, haunting vocals, symphonic Gothic doom, and acoustic Gothic folk, the three-track release offers a deeply atmospheric journey through heartbreak, political disillusionment, fear, and grief.
Drawing inspiration from nature, Gothic architecture, and her travels, In Spite of Thunder creates music where classical elegance meets the darker emotional landscapes of Gothic and doom metal. “Collateral Damage” showcases the breadth of Isot’s songwriting, moving between crushing symphonic darkness and intimate acoustic vulnerability.
The EP features two Symphonic Gothic Doom tracks, “Collateral Damage” and “Ancient Wounds,” alongside the acoustic Gothic Folk song “Beyond the Shadows.” Together, the three songs present different sides of Isot’s musical identity while remaining connected by a common thread of emotional intensity.
The title track, “Collateral Damage,” has its origins in an unreleased song from Isot’s former band, Spell of Enchantress. Rather than simply revisiting the past, Isot completely rewrote and re-recorded the piece, with production handled by Sermilion and Kublai Kapsalis . The song’s lyrics deliberately leave room for interpretation, functioning both as a deeply personal breakup song and as a broader statement about political greed and the human consequences of decisions made by those in power.
“Collateral Damage is about being fed up with the greed of politicians not caring about the consequences of their actions on civilians,” explains Isot, while acknowledging that listeners may also interpret the song through the lens of a fractured personal relationship.
“Ancient Wounds” continues the EP’s darker journey through a collaboration between In Spite of Thunder and Kublai Kapsalis. The song examines the way deeply rooted fears can become obstacles, preventing people from moving forward and fully embracing their lives.
The EP closes with “Beyond the Shadows,” an acoustic Gothic Folk reimagining of a Spell of Enchantress single. Stripped back from the heavier material surrounding it, the song explores lingering grief and the emotional weight of what remains after loss. Production for the acoustic version was handled by Daniel Francis .
“Collateral Damage” represents another step forward for an artist whose musical journey has continually crossed the boundaries between Gothic, classical, folk, and metal.
Isot first introduced In Spite of Thunder in 2022 with the Symphonic Metal single “Drama Queen.” She subsequently spent four years performing as the soprano and manager of Gothic Doom band Spell of Enchantress , gaining experience that would ultimately feed into the development of her solo work. Since 2025, she has also released three Gothic Folk singles: “Ships in the Dark,” “The Downward Spiral,” and “Drowning.”
With “Collateral Damage,” In Spite of Thunder brings those various influences together into a release that is both atmospheric and personal, balancing the grandeur of Symphonic Gothic Doom with the fragile intimacy of acoustic songwriting.
For listeners drawn to the dramatic Gothic metal of Theatre of Tragedy, the melancholic doom of Draconian, or the atmospheric accessibility of Evanescence, In Spite of Thunder offers a distinctly personal take on the darker side of music.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Collateral Damage
Vocals: Cathy Isot
Music & Lyrics: Cathy Isot, Sermilion
Production: Sermilion, Kublai Kapsalis
Ancient Wounds
Music, Lyrics & Vocals: Cathy Isot
Production: Kublai Kapsalis
Beyond the Shadows
Vocals: Cathy Isot
Music & Lyrics: Cathy Isot, Sermilion
Production: Daniel Francis
CONNECT WITH IN SPITE OF THUNDER
Pre-Save “Collateral Damage” EP:
https://ffm.to/collateraldamageep
Linktree:
https://linktr.ee/inspiteofthunder
Bandcamp:
https://inspiteofthunder.bandcamp.com/
PRESS CONTACT
Cathy Isot
cathy@inspiteofthunder.com
Blog
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Album Review | ADVERSAM – “Daimon”
General Information
Personnel:
Katharos – voice
Asterion – guitars
Tiorad – guitars
The Cardinal – bass
Essyllt – synthesizers
Summum Algor – drumsRelease Date: March 28, 2025
Record Labels: Masked Dead Records / Sulphur MusicSetting the Scene
Turin-based ADVERSAM have been part of the Italian black metal scene since 1999, and after eleven years of studio silence, they are back with their new album, *Daimon*. The veterans return to the sound that built their name, giving it a fresh chapter with this new record.
First Impression
Right from the first track, Daimon hits hard with fast, aggressive black metal that immediately takes you back to the 90s. But while the album clearly draws from that classic black metal sound, the production is much cleaner, allowing you to hear everything without losing any of the heaviness. It feels old school in the best way, without being stuck in the past.
Similar Sounds
If you’re into any of these artists, this album should be on your radar.
Dark FuneralImmortalAbigorVisual Vibes
Track on Repeat
“Echoes of Pain” feels like walking into your own dark and lonely mind, and staying there. The repeating melody keeps that feeling going, while the short guitar parts add just enough change to keep you hooked. The rhythm keeps pushing forward throughout the song.
In-depth Notes
Musical Shape 🎸
The music on Daimon is fast and aggressive, with relentless drums, deep bass, and those rapid guitar parts. Somehow, even with everything going on, the production keeps it all clear. I also really like how the band uses quiet synths in the background instead of big keyboard parts, which adds to that cold feeling without taking over. The changes in speed and heaviness make the album even more enjoyable.
Vocal Performance 🎤
The vocals have a clear and rough sound that fits the music really well. They stay steady and controlled for most of the album, even when the songs get faster and heavier. There are also moments where the vocals suddenly go lower, adding some extra weight to the faster tracks.
Themes and Concepts 💭
The lyrics on Daimon explore some very dark sides of the human mind, touching on fear, pain, and the thoughts we usually keep to ourselves. There is a constant feeling of darkness in these themes, which goes perfectly with the cold and aggressive music.
Final Verdict
Old school with a modern touch that highlights what we love about black metal. Daimon achieves this through relentless, sharp guitars and vocals that add to its cold and aggressive sound.
Mood Meter
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Intensity
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Melancholy
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Darkness
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Emotional
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Serenity
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Energy
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Romance
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Joyfulness
Perfect For…
Emotional Struggle – escape emotions through some heavy tunes
Sitting in nature – enjoying the birds, trees, and metal
Night Walks – the music drives the thoughts to make the night darker
Long drives – but keep eyes on the roadGet the Album
The post Album Review | ADVERSAM – “Daimon” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.
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ANTANIA Unleash Official Video For “33” Ahead Of The Unholy 33 – @thebeast
ANTANIA Unleash Official Video For “33”
California Experimental Duo Deliver A Dark Collision Of Industrial Black Metal, Electronics And Psychological Horror
California-based experimental extreme metal duo ANTANIA have unveiled the official video for “33,” the first track from their forthcoming album The Unholy 33, arriving digitally October 16, 2026 via Argonauta Records.
Originally premiered by VerdamMnis Magazine on September 10, “33” offers a first glimpse into the twisted sonic world ANTANIA have created, where industrial black metal, electronic experimentation, crushing bass frequencies and sinister sound design collide.
Led by Dr. Luna and Karli Mortem, ANTANIA have developed a sound that deliberately exists outside traditional genre boundaries. Built around synthesizers, distortion, oppressive low frequencies and mechanical rhythms, the duo’s music strips extreme metal down to its most abrasive and atmospheric elements while injecting it with the cold, unsettling character of industrial electronics.
ANTANIA draw inspiration from pioneering and boundary-pushing acts including Dødheimsgard, Mysticum and Thorns, as well as industrial innovators Skinny Puppy and Ministry. Rather than simply combining those influences, the duo uses them as a foundation for something distinctly their own.
The result is an immersive form of extreme music that can feel simultaneously mechanical, hypnotic, violent and deeply unsettling.
With ANTANIA, there are no conventional genre restrictions. The project embraces experimentation and complete artistic freedom, creating an environment where distorted electronics, extreme metal, bass-heavy production and atmospheric sound design can exist as one entity.
That philosophy extends into the lyrical and conceptual world of ANTANIA. The duo explores true crime, psychological horror, violence and the darkest corners of the human condition, using their music as a vehicle to examine the disturbing realities of the world around us.
“33”
The first track from The Unholy 33, “33” immediately establishes ANTANIA’s uncompromising approach. Mechanical rhythms and crushing bass frequencies provide the foundation while distorted electronics and extreme metal textures create an atmosphere that feels less like a conventional song and more like an unsettling sonic ritual.
The accompanying video was directed by Matt Zane, adding a visual dimension to the track’s disturbing atmosphere.
“33” is not designed to fit neatly into a single category. It is industrial. It is extreme. It is electronic. It is black metal. Most importantly, it is unmistakably ANTANIA.
Following the release of “33,” attention now turns toward The Unholy 33, which will introduce listeners to an even deeper exploration of the duo’s experimental and uncompromising artistic vision.
The Unholy 33 will be released digitally on October 16, 2026 via Argonauta Records, with CD and vinyl editions to follow.
ANTANIA is built for listeners willing to step outside the boundaries of conventional extreme music.
WATCH “33” NOW!
The Unholy 33 arrives October 16, 2026 via Argonauta Records.
ABOUT ANTANIA
ANTANIA is a California-based experimental extreme metal duo led by Dr. Luna and Karli Mortem. Drawing from industrial black metal, dark electronics, experimental music and psychological horror, the project exists without conventional genre or creative limitations.
Inspired by artists ranging from Dødheimsgard, Mysticum and Thorns to Skinny Puppy and Ministry, ANTANIA create immersive and unsettling soundscapes centered around synthesizers, distortion, mechanical rhythms and powerful low-end frequencies.
Their work explores the darkest aspects of human nature while embracing absolute artistic freedom and sonic experimentation.
The Unholy 33 arrives October 16, 2026 through Argonauta Records.
ANTANIA have entered the machine.
Photo credit : Anabel DFlux -
Blues Rock Weekly – September 11, 2026
Blues Rock Weekly highlights new music from Eddie 9V and Sonny Landreth, plus Warren Haynes discusses his new symphonic album.
The post Blues Rock Weekly – September 11, 2026 appeared first on Blues Rock Review.
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Bloodstock adds eighteen more bands to 2027 bill as Orbit Culture’s full 2026 set premieres
Bloodstock Open Air has built its reputation on a lineup that refuses to sit still, where sonic variety keeps the Catton Park faithful returning year after year. Today, the festival has unveiled eighteen more bands for the 2027 bill, proving once again that playing it safe is never on the agenda. Taking to the Ronnie … Continue reading Bloodstock adds eighteen more bands to 2027 bill as Orbit Culture’s full 2026 set premieres -
SNĚŤ Release New Album, V bažinách vědomí
Czechia OSDM beasts Sněť have officially unleashed their newest full-length, V bažinách vědomí.
Having annihilated the underground with their 2021 debut LP and kept things flowing with two splits in the interim, this promises to be an excellent slab of old-school death metal.
V bažinách vědomí is out now via Me Saco Un Ojo (vinyl and cassette) and Dark Descent Records (CD and cassette).
Order the album at:
darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com
Stream V bažinách vědomí on Spotify and Apple Music.
Watch the music video for album track “Kladivo ve tmě” at this location.
V bažinách vědomí kicks right in with ominous and eerie atmospherics coupled with some absolutely revolting grooves; it is clear these fiends mean business. It should be abundantly obvious that Sněť have been refining their craft to something precise and lethal.
Keeping those ’90s hallmarks intact while adding subtle touches that show they’ve found their own identity, the album delivers a gruesomeness and discomfort that reflects the band’s evolution without sacrificing any of its punishing intensity.
Sněť:
Krutörr – drums
Hnisatel – guitars
Hrdlořez – bass
Ransolič – guitars
Řád Zdechlin – vocalsConsuming the listener with an eldritch atmosphere while piercing through the fog with pure rancidity, Sněť‘s new album boasts a massive production that crushes with total morbidity. Combining the mulch-like tones of death metal’s golden era with an even warmer, more classic sound creates a devastating mix.
Beyond its grotesque exterior lies a savage and gripping record, balancing memorable hooks with violent, chaotic passages. There is no pretence to Sněť, they simply play death metal the way they want to hear it, and that shines throughout V bažinách vědomí. If you love brutality, grooves, death and riffs, don’t miss this one.
V bažinách vědomí track list:
1) Tíha světů
2) Kladivo ve tmě
3) Natur
4) Ve stínu slunce
5) Apokalyptický smaragd budoucí doby
6) Moskyt
7) Jako každý
8) Nekončící koloběh snění a probouzení
9) Dřevěný kůl
10) Znetvořená panna
V bažinách vědomí was recorded at Golden Hive Studio by Amák Golden, and mixed and mastered by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios. Cover art by Řád Zdechlin (Tomáš Mitura).
www.instagram.com/snet_shitheads
darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com
Source: ClawHammer PR
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Tokyo Darkwavers Sex Virgin Killer Release Shinobu Narita Remix Single for “Lissajous”
No one could heal your sensible heart
Angels above watching over you
I will be here just to see you heal
With your own will
Tokyo’s Sex Virgin Killer have spent their existence treating genre boundaries with roughly the same respect a speeding motorcycle gives a painted line in the road. Punk, Visual-Kei, metal, darkwave: all of it has gone into the engine at one point or another, sometimes colliding violently, sometimes locking together with the ridiculous precision of machinery that probably should have exploded three exits ago. On Lissajous (Shinobu Narita Remix), that long history suddenly opens into something almost impossibly sweet.
Narita, a frequent collaborator whose résumé reaches back to Japanese new wave and techno-pop group Urban Dance and forward through production work with Boris, understands exactly where the song’s bloodstream runs. He takes the original Lissajous and draws its electronic architecture into sharper relief, bringing the melody forward until the track feels enormous without becoming bloated. Synth lines rise with the clean romantic rush of Erasure, while the clipped electronic contours recall early Depeche Mode before stadium dimensions entered the equation.
There is something wonderfully reckless about placing lyrics this bruised inside music this euphoric. The song concerns survival after emotional damage, where scars remain legible even after the body has learned to move again. Broken wings grow back. The moon becomes a guide across distance. Two people separated by whatever catastrophe preceded the song may cross paths again, and connection becomes less a promise than an act of faith repeated until somebody believes it. Sex Virgin Killer understand that recovery can carry its own strange exhilaration; once you have spent enough time staring into the abyss, simply realizing you can still move feels almost indecently luxurious.
Narita exploits that tension beautifully: his electronics give the chorus a soaring physical quality, and the sweetness never turns syrupy because the words beneath it carry too much accumulated damage. There is real pop intelligence at work here, the kind that knows heartbreak becomes more devastating when the synthesizer seems convinced heaven remains within reach.
Narita has taken a beautiful song about learning to fly again and given it considerably more sky.
Coming after Sex Virgin Killer’s sold-out Finnish tour and their latest album, ANGEL, the remix also feels like another marker in a career built around motion. Twenty years into their evolution, they remain willing to push their music toward different rooms without abandoning the personality that got them there.
The KiTalbum edition wisely includes both original versions of Lissajous from the international and Japanese editions of ANGEL, allowing the remix to sit beside its earlier forms. The international album appeared through Germany’s Young & Cold Records on vinyl and digipak CD, while the Japanese edition arrived through the band’s own lilii sound loom on cassette and CD.
Listen to Lissajous (Shinobu Narita Remix) below and order the single here.
Follow Sex Virgin Killer:
The post Tokyo Darkwavers Sex Virgin Killer Release Shinobu Narita Remix Single for “Lissajous” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.
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Author MARTIN POPOFF To Publish “AEROSMITH ’72 – ’82: The Columbia Years” Book
The first decade of Aerosmith’s career is the focus of a new book from Canadian rock writer Martin Popoff, covering the band’s formative years from 1972 through 1982.
The classic lineup of Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton, and Joey Kramer came together in 1972. A year later, Aerosmith released its self-titled debut through Columbia Records, introducing a band that would go on to define a significant part of American hard rock. Among the album’s enduring tracks was “Dream On.”
The albums that followed steadily expanded the band’s reach. Get Your Wings helped establish their sound, while Toys in the Attic and Rocks turned Aerosmith into major rock stars. Songs including “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” and “Back in the Saddle” became staples of the era.
The momentum came with serious problems behind the scenes. Internal tensions and substance abuse took their toll as the 1970s came to a close. By the release of Night in the Ruts in 1979 and Rock in a Hard Place in 1982, the band was dealing with major lineup and personal struggles, leaving its future uncertain.
Popoff’s new book, Aerosmith ’72-’82: The Columbia Years, examines that period through a detailed look at the albums, songs, recording sessions, performances, artwork, production, and lyrics.
“So I’ve finally delivered an Aerosmith book,” comments Canadian author Martin Popoff. “It’s the one people have asked for the most from me that has not yet been fulfilled, until now.”
Popoff further describes the book: “Aerosmith ’72-’82: The Columbia Years is a deep-dive, track-by-track and everything around it of all the albums up to Rock In A Hard Place, with an extensive epilogue to bring us up to date.
It’s my usual format, one album per chapter, with talk about album covers, production, performances, ear candy, lyrics, using a bunch of my own interviews along the way.
It’s 240 pages, 6” x 9” format, there are 108 color pictures and it’s a blue foil-stamped cloth hardcover with a dust jacket.
The book follows Aerosmith from their early days playing high schools and Boston clubs through their rise to arenas and stadiums, while also documenting the physical and psychological pressures that accompanied years of touring and success.
Popoff has written approximately 7,900 record reviews, more than 7,000 of which have appeared in his books. His publishing work includes 75 books covering hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock, and record collecting.
His television and documentary credits include work with Banger Films on the award-winning Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage, as well as the series Metal Evolution and Rock Icons, both produced for VH1 Classic.
Aerosmith ’72-’82: The Columbia Years is available to order here.
The post Author MARTIN POPOFF To Publish “AEROSMITH ’72 – ’82: The Columbia Years” Book appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.
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THE HU Releases Official Music Video For “Warrior Chant” From Latest Album “Hun”
The HU is out with an official video for “Warrior Chant,” the song that arrived back in March as an early preview of the band’s third full-length record, Hun, now available digitally and on CD.
Galaa had this to say about the track: “‘Warrior Chant’ has our signature rhythm that our fans fell in love with, and everyone who will listen and know us will say that it is our song. Our third album has a bit of everything, rhythm-wise, and we see that as progress in expanding the Hunnu Rock genre. This song has the rhythm that is original to us and is rooted in Mongolian culture. Enkush and I focused on horse head fiddle solos by imitating the horse gait, and you will hear the rhythm throughout the song. Of course, Jaya perfected the rhythm by adding the Mongolian wind instrument, Unu did heavy percussion throughout. Mongolian traditional instruments are heavily used in this song, and our die-hard fans are going to love it!”
Hun catches The HU — first flagged by NPR back in 2019 — sounding as confident as they’ve ever been. Across 11 tracks, the band pushes its Hunnu Rock sound further out, staying rooted in Mongolian history and mythology while aiming at something bigger than any one audience. It’s dense, dramatic, and a solid way into the band’s world for anyone just catching on.
“We took our time to do this right, and we’re so glad that we’re almost ready to release what we have worked on these past few years,” the band says. “Now, we are also focusing on the performances and working out a brand-new setlist. We want to play bigger venues so we can do extensive production, and bring in some amazing elements of our culture, and play these ideas to our fans. And, as well as our third album, we have some amazing ideas for another album already!”
Album formats (out now):
- Digital (Worldwide)
- CD (Worldwide)
Album Variants + Box Set (out September 11):
- Standard Vinyl (Worldwide)
- Indie Exclusive Vinyl (Worldwide)
- Band Webstore Exclusive Vinyl (Worldwide)
- Spotify Fans First Exclusive Vinyl (NA)
- Revolver Exclusive Vinyl (NA)
- HMV Exclusive Vinyl (UK)
- FNAC Exclusive Vinyl (FR)
- Amazon Exclusive Vinyl (GSA)
- Napalm Exclusive Boxset (EU/UK)
The post THE HU Releases Official Music Video For “Warrior Chant” From Latest Album “Hun” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.