Transcontinental deathcore collective Face Yourself have unleashed their new EP Martyr via Sumerian Records. Working with renowned producer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, Of Mice & Men, The Devil Wears Prada), Face Yourself has crafted an EP that musically blends bone-crushing breakdowns with hauntingly melodic interludes, reflecting the lyrical themes that flicker over the fragile line between strength and vulnerability. In celebration of the release, the band has shared the official music video for their track ‘Primal’. Leading up to release day, Face Yourself dropped their ferocious lead single ‘Sideration’ and their latest banger, ‘Predatory’. When asked about the news, the band commented:
“We are proud to be releasing ‘Martyr’ alongside the music video for our new single ‘Primal’. ‘Primal’ is about the shift that happens in someone, when they realize they’ve been wronged for so long, and decide to finally stand up for themselves. ‘Martyr’ explores different mental health battles through the struggles, and the strength it takes to heal. This is our first EP with Sumerian Records, and we are excited to be partnering with them for those new songs. We would like to thank Joey Sturgis for also believing in this project and being a part of it.”
Nashville based artist Royale Lynn announces her debut album BLACK MAGIC due for release on June 27 via Epitaph Records. Produced by Jonathan Roach, the record is a raw exploration of Royale’s personal struggles with mental health, woven through a narrative inspired by mythology and fantasy. Drawing from the legend of Pandora’s Box, each song represents an “evil” that escaped Pandora’s box into humanity.
Taking cues from 2000’s hard-rock icons like Evanescence and Flyleaf, Royale shares the lead single ‘GREED’ with bright, piercing vocals that rise over the urgent, thundering instrumentation of the track. Directed by Scott Hansen (A Day To Remember, Sevendust) with dazzling visual effects, the accompanying music video is set in a dark futuristic fantasy world, featuring a leather-clad Royale performing alongside her band with an army of creepy masked figures that represent “greed”.
There is always a deeper meaning to Calva Louise’s output, and ‘Lo Que Vale,’ their new single is no different. Translated into English as ‘What is Worth,’ it delves into the human psyche and our personal perception. The song is taken from their Mascot Records debut, Edge of the Abyss, which is co-produced by Pendulum’s Gareth McGrillen and will be released on 11 July.
Following their European tour with Bloodywood, ‘Lo Que Vale’ drops as a reminder of their sheer scope of ideas that they are able to pack into a single song. A frenetic combination of raging riffs and vocals meet with elegantly dancing keyboard melodies, before being thrown around the room with a formidable force. Like their 2024 single, ‘La Corriente’, it pays homage to singer-guitarist Jess Allinac’s Venezuelan roots, sung in Spanish and is an important part of their identity.
“’Lo Que Vale’ deals with the honest confusion and contradiction of our personal perception: when we think we understand something, we might actually be getting it wrong, and when everything seems upside down, maybe that’s when it is not,” the band explains.
“These honest exchanges in life act as triggers for letting go of the attachments that keep us chained to our mundane delusions. And while looking to break free of the irrelevant and continuous patterns that keep us stuck in one place, confusion builds up to the point of asking oneself if we’re really appreciating what is worth living for.”
Halestorm have unleashed a new song titled ‘Darkness Always Wins.’ The single offers the first taste of the band’s as-yet-untitled new album, set for release later this year.
‘Darkness Always Wins’ features Lzzy Hale’s powerhouse vocals on full display, with the song reminiscent of an ’80s power ballad. In fact, there are lyrical nods to the era (intentional or not), with such lines as “running with the shadows” (Pat Benatar) and “fading into black” (Metallica).
Around the 2:30 mark, things get heavier, as Joe Hottinger’s guitar kicks in, followed by a primal scream from Lzzy shortly thereafter.
“‘Darkness Always Wins’ is not a song of hope, nor is it a song of despair,” stated Lzzy of the single. “It is reality. History repeating. Evil prevails and the good depart first. But we are not doomed as long as we persist and keep our fires burning. The war may not be won in this lifetime. But our mission is to pass the torch so that those who follow have a light to fight with.” [via Consequence]
Dutch symphonic metal band, Blackbriar, announce their brand new album, A Thousand Little Deaths, which will be released on August 22 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Together with this exciting news the band shares their new single, ‘The Fossilized Widow’. The single channels the eerie spirit of the Victorian era, blending the mysticism of Ouija boards with the brooding passion of Wuthering Heights. A journey through dark love, spectral forces, and gothic intrigue.
Zora Cock comments: “‘The Fossilized Widow’ tells the story of a girl frozen in time, desperately holding on to someone she can never let go. She’s slowly descending into madness by all those words left unsaid, all those questions left to be asked. As the years pass, her home has turned into ruins, yet the legend says she still remains, trapped in her sorrow, waiting and watching. They call her The Fossilized Widow.”
Gothenburg’s purveyors of all things catchy (and heavy) Aligned is back with yet another kickass single, this time in the form of ‘Fortress’. The song comes alongside a video directed by Lucas Englund (Parkway Drive, etc.).
“This track is born from the ashes of deep loss and emotional ruin,” wrote Aligned of the single. “It captures the raw experience of wandering through life weighed down by trauma, and the haunting remnants of something once whole. It echoes the inner turmoil of grief, while its soaring melodies fight to rise from the rubble. It’s also about the strength it takes to face brokenness, build again, and finding power in vulnerability.”
Swiss folk metal giants Eluveitie release their triumphant new album Ànv via Nuclear Blast. In celebration of the day, the band have also unveiled the new video for their single ‘Taranoias‘.
Eluveitie commented: “And along comes – on this special day – our brand new single and video clip off ANV: TARANOÍAS! It’s the opening track of the album and pretty much wrapping up the entire essence on which the album is based in one single song! It’s quite a hard and dark track and surely one of these roller-coaster-feeling songs, like “Rebirth” or “Aidus”, for instance. What we’ve tried when writing this track is to create a song that in itself becomes some kind of a dark entity that comes upon you with the first note of it! Enjoy the ride!”
