Rockshots Records and Lay Of The Autumn are excited to announce the release of their next single, ‘Lost In Your Eyes’ from their highly anticipated album Of Love And Sorrow due out on October 25. This powerful and energetic track blends orchestral and electronic elements, capturing the moment when you look into someone’s eyes and get lost in a universe of stars.

FROZEN CROWN have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘I Am The Wind’, is taken from the Italian power metal band’s new album, War Hearts, out now via Napalm Records. Speaking about the new song, the band shares, “’I Am The Wind’ marks the return of ‘the Tyrant’ and serves as a spiritual successor to our popular song, with Federico once again sharing lead vocalist duties with our frontwoman Jade. Running at a slower speed than the other songs on the album, this track depicts the inexorable march of a threatening army and the relentless fury of elements.” [via Distorted Sound]

Welsh four-piece Dream State have released their new single ‘Bloom’. The track marks the band’s first new music since their EP Still Dreaming, which was self-released earlier this year, and coincides with their UK headline tour. Speaking about the new single, vocalist Jessie Powell says: “We’re all excited to showcase some more new material after ‘Still Dreaming’. This single represents more of our exploration into different genres but still keeping the original Dream State charm alive. “I vividly remember Aled and I jamming the verse riff in an Air BnB somewhere in Germany. It started with rhythmic ideas and I think that stands for a lot of the track with its Drum & Bass and Latin influence too. Aled does his thing and finishes off the demo, then the vocals and drums get developed after. Lyrically, the song is about how much the fans’ support means to us all, but how with each step we take there’s a greater feeling of pressure which can sometimes make it difficult to enjoy the present moment. It’s hard not to look to the next show, tour or studio session and you can quite easily get wrapped up in anticipating what’s next instead of what’s right in front of you.” [via Dork]

Arch Enemy is now streaming the fairly thrashy (and occasionally catchy) new single ‘Liars & Thieves’, which also serves as the closer for their upcoming record Blood Dynasty. Which you’ve already heard if you’ve seen Arch Enemy live lately – they’ve been playing it a bunch. “Our second single from Blood Dynasty is here,” Said Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott. “‘Liars & Thieves’ is a fast, heavy-hitting track, with a melody that’s been getting stuck in people’s heads — don’t say I didn’t warn you! We’ve been playing it live recently, and it’s been an absolute beast in the pit. Now, it’s time to check out the studio cut!” He continues, “The accompanying video has been captured out here on our ongoing European tour by director Jens De Vos, highlighting the passion and metal madness of these amazing shows where fans and band are one!” [via Metal Injection]

Dianne van Giersbergen, former Xandria vocalist, has released a video for her latest single, ‘Flameborn.’ The track is taken from her upcoming album Soulward Bound, which she is releasing under her own name, Dianne. Produced by Joost van den Broek (Powerwolf, Epica, Ayreon), each song on the album features a renowned guest musician. ‘Flameborn’ is a symphonic metal anthem, blending haunting vocals, orchestral melodies, heavy riffing, and double bass. It tells an autobiographical story about restoring a lost friendship, dedicated to Steven Wussow (ex-Xandria), who also plays bass on the track. The song features Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion, Ayreon, MaYaN), whose operatic vocals combine seamlessly with Dianne’s. Dianne comments: “‘Flameborn’ is an autobiographical story about restoring a lost friendship. It’s dedicated to my dear friend and ex Xandria band member, Steven Wussow, who also performs bass guitar on this song. To give ‘Flameborn’ an even deeper meaning, I’ve invited my dear friend and vocalist extraordinaire, Marcela Bovio. The duet that “Flameborn” has become is the seal to our friendship and can only be described as classical vocal firework!” [via Metal Insider]

Wargasm are back with not one but two new songs, ‘Circle Pit’ and ‘Bad Seeds,’ their first releases since this summer’s collaborative single with Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, ‘70% Dead.’ True to form, the new tracks find the U.K. electro-punk duo — comprised to Milkie Way and Sam Matlock — in hyperkinetic, fuck-the-world form. Take in the madness via Wargasm’s new two-song music video, complete with biker gangs and desert-set rock-outs, below. “The world is apathetic and lonely, and music is our coping mechanism,” Way and Matlock commented in a joint statement. “Anger is our energy. ‘Circle Pit’ (a rework of a track our Japanese family might already know) is all about the cycle. You can’t break it, so why be part of it? Get in the pit, come out to the coast have a few laughs. ‘Bad Seed’ on the other hand… that’s for those that choose to make the cycle worse. People who waste time being small and hating when there’s so much to create. We’re going back to the start. There’s an intimate club tour coming up that craved some new riffs.” [via Revolver]

Leeds crosssover thrashers Pest Control turned a lot of heads last year with Don’t Test The Pest, a fiery debut LP that caused one reviewer to claim “not since Power Trip has the marriage of thrash and hardcore been as pertinent as it is here.” Now, the Leeds band is keeping the momentum going with a new EP, Year of the Pest, due next week (10/25) via Quality Control/Triple B. It’s got four songs, two of which are out now, and they’re both rippers. Picking up where the LP left off, it’s got fast punk energy, devil-horn-worthy riffage, and the impassioned screams of vocalist Leah Massey-Hay leading the charge. [via Brooklyn Vegan]

Brighton’s electronic post-hardcore duo fakeyourdeath have today released a brand-new A/B side – the follow up to the pairs debut EP null/void. The A/B side features the vicious new single ‘Hello, I’m Feeling Hostile’ and it’s haunting B-side ‘The Was Actually Quite Murderous’ both of which look towards the pain humans inflict on each other to serve themselves; a subject fakeyourdeath find fascinating but always unsurprising. “‘Hello, I’m Feeling Hostile’ is an important track for me both musically & emotionally”, opens fakeyourdeath vocalist Candi Underwood. “At its core, it’s the outpouring of the grief, anger and disgust you feel when those closest to you betray you. It’s unapologetic, more vulnerable than we’ve gone before and almost cruel at times. It’s ugly but I love it”

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Divide and Dissolve sign to Bella Union and share the brand new single ‘Monolithic’ as their North American tour kicks off. A new album is expected in 2025. “‘Monolithic’ is a prayer for systems of liberation, freedom, Indigenous sovereignty, and for a Black future. This song is hope for the seemingly impossible and for things that have never been seen or experienced in many lifetimes. Where no memories have been created,” says Takiaya Reed. Divide and Dissolve’s music is an acknowledgement of the dispossession that occurs due to colonial violence, it honours ancestors, opposes white supremacy and calls for indigenous sovereignty. Takiaya Reed’s dense sound is overwhelmingly heavy; a dissonant pounding of percussion, guitars, piano, synths and saxophone, interwoven with passages of orchestral beauty that give a feeling of respite.

Ukrainian metal juggernauts JINJER have unleashed their brand new single ‘Rogue’, showing once more their refusal to conform to the musical genre rule book. The song’s accompanying music video can be seen below. ‘Rogue’, featuring the ferocity of vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk combined with a sonic rollercoaster of chugging riffs, pulverizing bass lines and intricate drums, is another raging reminder that JINJER never minces words when it comes to their music and always keeps the pressure on with each new release. JINJER comments on ‘Rogue’: “Our new single ‘Rogue’ is a reaction to many things … it’s brutally honest, it’s in your face and one of the most intense tracks JINJER has ever released. We are so excited about this new track, about the new album and everything that’s on the way.” [via Blabbermouth]

FROZEN CROWN have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘War Hearts’, is the title track from the Italian power metal band’s upcoming new album, which is scheduled to be released in October this year, via Napalm Records. Speaking about the new song, and its accompanying music video, the band shares, “we’re overly excited and proud to introduce our new album’s title track War Hearts and to unveil its official videoclip! ‘War Hearts’ was the first song we wrote for the new album and it’s meant to be a statement about how fast and uncompromising the rest of the album is going to be. It’s also the first song to mark the appearance of our young new guitar player Alessia and her blazing solos. The video is once again settled in Italy, between the windy ruins of the Avigliana Castle, and once again portrays the band in the rawest manner possible, without any kind of post-production or artifice involved.” [via Distorted Sound]

DEFENCES have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘Shadowlight’, is the title track from the Hertfordshire-based alternative metal band’s upcoming new album, which is scheduled to be released in November this year, via Long Branch Records. Speaking about the new song, vocalist Cherry Duesbury says, “this song talks retrospectively about the process of exploring your inner darkness. This involves uncovering discarded, repressed and rejected parts of yourself and shedding a light on them, working through the uncomfortable, painful things we don’t like about ourselves, and our fears. Being conscious of these things leads to acceptance, which leads to self-awareness. This process, known as Shadow Work, is something that has become an important part of my life. As difficult as it is, I frequently find myself facing my darkness and learning to understand it more deeply, or from a different perspective, eventually embracing it as part of me, rather than ignoring it and hoping it goes away. The lyrics for ‘Shadowlight’ were actually written in an attempt at foreshadowing, or manifestation before I’d even begun to do any of the work. It’s an ongoing thing you never really stop doing, a healing journey that lasts a lifetime. I think that’s the vibe you get by the song’s conclusion. I remember being quite nervous about showing these vocals to the guys when I first demoed my ideas, because it felt incredibly raw at the time, almost to the point of being cheesy. To be singing about learning to love all of myself, especially when I hadn’t really yet. Luckily they all loved it, I hope everyone else does too!” [via Distorted Sound]

Symphonic metal outfit AEVUM has joined forces with OCTO CRURA to release their powerful new single, ‘Be a Lady’, now available on all platforms. This dynamic collaboration blends symphonic metal, djent, and industrial metal into a fierce anthem of empowerment. Featuring both clean and growl vocals from three powerful singers, ‘Be a Lady’ challenges societal expectations and rejects conformity, delivering a bold message of self-determination and individuality. The track is a rallying cry for every woman to embrace her identity and shape her own path, celebrating strength and defiance in the face of outdated standards. AEVUM and OCTO CRURA invite listeners to join them in rejecting the pressures to conform and to proudly embrace their own voices. [via Grimm Gent]

Symphonic metal veterans NIGHTWISH have released ‘An Ocean Of Strange Islands’, the third single from their upcoming album, Yesterwynde, due on September 20 via Nuclear Blast. NIGHTWISH keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, who once again composed most of the material, states: “The song ‘An Ocean Of Strange Islands’ gives you sheer heaviness with its massive guitars, epic orchestrations and phenomenal vocals by Floor Jansen. Classic NIGHTWISH at its best! ‘An Ocean Of Strange Islands’ takes us on the ultimate musical island-hopping adventure, reminding the adventurer that happiness is most joyous when shared.” [via Blabbermouth]

While it may not have a date, title or cover art, a new album is on the horizon from Melodic Death Metal orchestra Phoboian (or “Phobic“). Hailing from Turku in Finland, the six piece create music which incorporates classical female vocals into heavy Nordic melancholy having found each other at an Metal show after party in 2017. The first single and music video from the album is one called ‘The Plague’. Guitarist Otso Turunen: “’The Plague’ tells about the extinction of mankind as a result of a deadly pandemic. It brings together medieval religious imagery and a modern scientific dystopia. Despite the macabre theme the song strives for beauty, and isn’t as much a prophecy as a warning” Singer Inka Laitinen: “One of my favorite tracks from the upcoming album is definitely ‘The Plague,’ which harmonies and rhythms create an atmosphere that’s great to rock out to. Together with the guys and Eeva, we’ve crafted a song that truly represents who we are, conveying relevant themes as well. Its energy and guitar riffs showcase our band’s sound at its best. Working together has been inspiring, and I believe listeners will also experience that energy. ‘The Plague’ is a part of our journey and a story we want to share.” [via Metal Noise]

The Other LA, a powerhouse in the Nashville rock scene known for its electrifying performances and gripping lyrics proudly announces the release of their highly anticipated single, ‘Freakshow’ that embodies the raw energy that The Other LA is renowned for. Individuality is championed by frontwoman Aria Fowler as the band continues to push the boundaries of the definition of hard rock. In a period of metamorphosis, this new single is the bridge of what The Other LA is known for, and what is yet to come. This new single showcases a point of view any alt people have faced at one point in time—leering and ogling. Aria reflects, “I don’t express myself for others, I love treating every day as an excuse to look different for my own amusement, but that doesn’t mean I am a novelty.” The Other LA is transitioning into a new definition of what it is to create music, and what creative expression can become. “I want people to feel like they can break the rules with creativity because it seems that right now there is a lack of expression and individuality. Don’t be afraid to stand out,but do it for you and only you.Individuality is all we have,” says Aria. The single explores overcoming adversity, embracing one’s true self, and the highs and lows of being yourself today. [via IMM]

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After the excellent reception of the previous album S.A.V.E., whose lyrics were centered on the deadly sins and theological virtues, the Italian melodic metal band MARBLE returns to the scene with a new, even more, compact and more ambitious album, the third seal of the band from Mortara (North Italy). T.I.M.E. revolves around female characters in the history of Western theatre, marking the time in the stylistic evolution of stage performances, starting with the ancient Greek tragedy of Euripides, passing through the British theatre of William Shakespeare, to the Russian social revolution of Anton Čechov, and on to the modern American theatre of Samuel Beckett. Now, the band presents their first single, ‘Theater Is My Essence’, which is the song that creates the acronym of the album title. It is a very rhythmic song with a heavy guitar sound but with a symphonic and piano arrangement that adds depth to the piece. Eleonora sings about her relationship with the theater, as she has also been an actress for a very long time, how the theater has been her lifeline and escape route and has allowed her to finally be herself wearing the masks of the characters on stage. The growls performed on the track are by guest Clode of the doom metal band Tethra.

FROZEN CROWN have announced a new album! Titled War Hearts, the upcoming album from the Italian power metal band is the follow-up to last year’s Call Of The North, and is scheduled to be released in October this year, via Napalm Records. Alongside the announcement of the new album, FROZEN CROWN have released a new music video for a new song lifted from the upcoming album; ‘Steel And Gold’. Speaking about the new song, and its accompanying music video, the band says, “we’re extremely excited to have the ‘Steel And Gold’ official video finally released via Napalm Records. This is the fulfillment of years of hard work, as well as a fresh start! This video doesn’t deviate from the usual FROZEN CROWN style, it just consolidates it. Very often, our videos have been labeled as ‘just a bunch of people having the time of their lives playing metal in some beautiful scenery… plus a lot of hair’. We must say, we totally agree! This time, though, the beautiful scenery is the gorgeous Castello dei Doria, in Dolceacqua, Liguria, in northwestern Italy, and the ‘bunch of people’ is just one more person on guitar, adding firepower (and hair) to the ensemble. Steel And Gold is a song about loyalty, integrity and self improvement. It’s about remaining true to your ideals and about the search for unattainable perfection.” [via Distorted Sound]

Shamanic UK alternative metal collective CRIMSON VEIL string the bow of anticipation even further. As they barrel toward their debut album Hex, due out on September 20 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), the quartet conjured the fourth single which literally spellbinds fans with its haunting lyrics and music video. ‘Ribbons’ is a song firmly rooted in the shadows that lie at the heart of CRIMSON VEIL, completed by lead singer Mishkin‘s writing about when too many choices in life can actually become restrictions. CRIMSON VEIL explain, “This metaphor is brought to life through a Shibari-themed music video that sees the band tied in different rope positions and suspended, mid-air, in cages. Accompanying this striking scene is a backdrop of dreamy, ethereal metal that drifts from delicate melodies into a heavy crescendo.” [via Heavy Mag]

Nightwish have released new single ‘The Day Of….’ The symphonic and choir-stacked track, out now, is the second taste of the Finnish band’s upcoming album Yesterwynde, which will be released on September 20 via Nuclear Blast.

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Italian dark metallers False Memories will release a new album entitled Hybrid Ego System on June 9 via Frontiers. A first single and video from it for the song ‘Rising Tide’ is available now. Hybrid Ego System is the follow-up to 2021’s The Last Night Of Fall and it sees the band continuing to mine dark and progressive metal territory.

Talia Hoit is an American singer-songwriter from Colorado. She was classically trained at a young age and now she writes songs and various symphonic metal compositions. She has contributed to bands for the last two decades and also has a collection of solo works. Alongside a talented group of producers and musicians, she is bringing more of her most personal and intimate solo songs to life. Her latest piece is ‘Abandon’, in which the listener can immerse themselves in the haunting emotion. She shares her excitement for the video release: “When I wrote this song last year, it was not particularly intended to be something I would release, it was just a moment of vulnerability I had at my piano one day where this song unfolded into existence as I was going through something and had a moment of being emotionally overwhelmed and just started playing the keys and saying the words. It became a beautiful poem about letting go of something that had been really important to me but was dying in my life. I’m really grateful to all the amazing people who have helped me bring this music to life to be able to express my art both musically and visually, and to be able to share it with the world.”

Thrash metal band NERVOSA has released a new song, titled ‘Endless Ambition’. The track is accompanied by a music video and marks a new chapter and milestone in the group’s history, as it shows NERVOSA with a revitalized new lineup. Along with this blistering new offering, the marvelous force has finally lifted the veil on who will take over vocal duties on future releases. From now on, guitarist and founding member Prika Amaral will be the voice of NERVOSA. ‘Endless Ambition’ acts as a first harbinger for everything that is about to come and shows the incredibly powerful attitude and talent of Amaral ruling in this new position. NERVOSA brings another novelty with the addition of the immensely talented and well experienced Michaela Naydenova on drums, Hel Pyre on bass and Helena Kotina on guitars. [via Blabbermouth]

Burning Witches have released a new music video. The new music video, for the track ‘Unleash The Beast,’ is taken from the Swiss heavy metal band’s upcoming new album, The Dark Tower, which is scheduled to be released in May this year. Speaking about the new song and its accompanying music video, the band says, “we are ecstatic to present you our new single Unleash The Beast featuring the skillful Courtney Cox on lead guitar! The frantic track and video got visualized by DREAMFILM FACTORY, who already did an excellent job on our last video. Thanks for the wonderful teamwork and the awesome realization! We hope this powerful new track gets everybody even more excited about the release of album no. 5 on the 5th of May!” [via Distorted Sound]

Hot Milk have announced their debut album, A Call To The Void. The full-length is set for release on August 25 via Music For Nations, with the news arriving alongside lead single ‘Horror Show’. “To those on the outside of the lives that we lead, we may look odd, scary and different, so what?” Han Mee says off the track. “In their eyes we may be damned, lost, rebellious, and less than. This song accepts that difference, embraces it and shoves it back in their faces. Built to be obnoxious and written to be purposely aggressive, Horror show combines our loves of drum n bass n dirty riffs. fuck it, where are who are like it or lump it.” [via Dork]

Milan, Italy-based melodic power metal band Frozen Crown have filmed a music video for the track ‘Fire In The Sky’, which can be viewed below. Frozen Crown issued fourth full-length studio album Call Of The North on March 10, 2022 through Scarlet Records. [via Metal Forces]

Let’s say there’s a new band out on the horizon of modern metal music that doesn’t identify as just a ‘project’ or another ‘supergroup’, let’s say there is a new band that joins forces to embrace years of experience to show the world their passion for heavy music – checking out HOW WE END is a must. Their first video single ‘My Fighting Heart’ is out now and the six friends from Sweden, Spain, Germany and Switzerland are coming at you with a massive sound comprised of different styles including crossover metal, female death growls in combination with catchy clean hook lines and heavy headbanger guitar riffs. [via Metal Planet]

Modern symphonic metal band AD INFINITUM is back to make a stand with their eagerly anticipated third record, Chapter lll – Downfall, out now via Napalm Records. Along with the album release, the four-piece presents the stunning album opener, ‘Eternal Rains,’ as their fifth single off of the new offering. The song is represented by an impressively powerful music video that showcases AD INFINITUM as the energetic entity that they are celebrated as by their devotees. Shimmering ‘Eternal Rains’ proves the modern symphonic metal four-piece to be on top of their game, whirling the genre with their inimitable sound, topped by a breathtaking vocal performance by matchless rising star Melissa Bonny. This exciting ride showcases the massive talent of this uprising outfit, fanning the flames of a bright future! AD INFINITUM on ‘Eternal Rains’: “After the fire, here comes the rain! Today is the day, our third album Chapter III – Downfall is out. We decided to feature one more song with a music video: ‘Eternal Rains.’ ‘Eternal Rains’ is the opening track of this new record and sets the tone with a diverse palette of sounds and energies. Enjoy the new album, happy release day!” [via Outburn]

After a hectic 2022 that saw the band release 6 songs and bring their ferocious live show to packed crowds across the UK, Liquid State are back with their colossal new single, ‘Cynical.’ Produced, mixed and mastered by guitarist, Kray Zellinger-Mundy, ‘Cynical’ pushes the boundaries of the band whilst delving deeper into the mammoth sound that their fast becoming known for. Speaking to the story behind ‘Cynical’, vocalist Keren Ashley states: “Have you ever known someone who just seems so fucking negative regardless of the situation? Someone so dreary and mind-numbingly pessimistic that you can’t help leaving the exchange feeling like every ounce of happiness has been drained out of you. That’s what ‘Cynical’ is about. Sometimes you just have to take a step back and cut ties with the people who aren’t contributing to our lives in an uplifting way. Life’s just too damn short.” [via New Noise]

Greek stoner-rock collective Godsleep share a music video for a new track titled ‘Pots of Hell’, which is taken from the band’s third full-length album Lies To Survive, due out on April 7, via Ouga Booga and the Mighty Oug Records, the label owned by 1000Mods. Produced by Vanilla Films and directed by Valentin Rivera, the video for ‘Pots of Hell’ is now playing at The Obelisk, who had this to say about the new effort “Lies to Survive is a landmark for them in unveiling the scope of their intent as it is today, pairing awareness of that with the knowledge born of experience that not all of their audience is going to be on board for the sundry turns in the material. The album is bolder for that, and its boldness might be the greatest unifier of all.” [via Prog Rock Journal]

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NJ hardcore band Gel formed in 2018, picked up a lot of steam post-lockdown with their 2021 EP Violent Closure, and kept that momentum going with their 2022 split with Cold Brats. Now they’ve finally announced their debut album, Only Constant, due March 31 via Convulse Records. The album was recorded by drummer Zach Miller along with Trish Quigley, and it offers up 10 songs in 16 minutes. Vocalist Sami Kaiser says, “A lot of this record is about trying to live more of a happy and healthy life. I’ve been in recovery for alcoholism for the past couple years and really taking it seriously. I’ve learned a lot about myself and how to address negative feelings, and the album is about trying to let go of those self-destructive tendencies and embrace change.” The first single is ‘Attainable,’ which clocks in at under two minutes and interjects the band’s fast-paced hardcore punk with a danceable post-punk beat and some psychedelic-leaning guitar work. It challenges the boundaries and traditions of hardcore without toning down the band’s attack, and it comes with a cool black-and-white performance video directed and edited by Ian Shelton and Will Acuna. [via Brooklyn Vegan]

Germany’s symphonic metal icons XANDRIA are back with their eagerly-awaited album, The Wonders Still Awaiting out now via Napalm Records. Right from the start, album opener ‘Two Worlds’ takes you on a journey through epic, fantastical soundscapes, as well as imposing arrangements. Lyrically, the band expresses their personal feelings towards the future of humanity, wondering if humanity is on its way towards a dystopian world (especially with the constant environmental destruction) or if it is moving towards a fantastical utopian world? Ambre Vourvahis embraces her magnificent vocal diversity and uses its power to merge the contrasting worlds together in the new breathtaking music video. XANDRIA about the new single ‘Two Worlds’: “We have – perhaps still – the choice between two worlds. A dystopian one if we continue on this way into reversing the progress of civilization and destroying the environment which we are living in. Or a utopian one where we can see the wonders that might be awaiting for mankind’s future. But the bridge between those worlds gets frailer with every second. Musically, this epic and bombastic 7 minute song takes you on a journey through the polarity of the two worlds, showing you the surprises, treasures, and diversity the new album The Wonders Still Awaiting will have in store. This song is almost a little movie on its own with the combination of metal mixed with huge film score orchestration, a 40-piece choir of the Bulgarian National Radio Children´s Choir.” [via Outburn]

Frozen Crown has released the third single taken from the new album Call Of The North, set to be released on March 10 through Scarlet Records. Check out ‘Black Heart’ below.

D.C.-area group VOSH are fronted by former Blacksage singer Josephine Olivia, and their lineup is rounded out by current/former members of Coke Bust, Repulsion and more. This isn’t the members’ first rodeo, and you can hear their experience on the pulsating, steamy, insanely catchy ‘Pray,’ the lead single from their upcoming debut LP, Vessel (out March 3 via Trash Casual), alongside its captivating music video. Musically, ‘Pray’ recalls the classic post-punk sound of bands like Sisters of Mercy and Bauhaus, but with an extra kick in the driving guitars and thumping drums that brings to mind bands like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails. Common reference points, but VOSH know exactly how to make these sonic combinations sound fresh again. “‘Pray’ is a song about undying devotion to a lover,” the band tells. “We wanted to write something heavy, catchy, and driving. Something to dance or fuck to. This was one of the first songs we wrote together and it encapsulates the heart of VOSH: distorted guitars, a cool mix of electronic and live drums, heavy synths, and vocals that are equally commanding and haunting. This is for the warehouse, the club, the stadium.” [via Revolver]

UK Pagan Metal outfit Forlorn have today shared their brand-new single ‘The Weight Of It All’ which is out now via Silent Cult. Forlorn blend folk horror and paganism to carve out their own brand of ‘Midsommar Metal’. The juxtaposition of ethereal vocals and haunting soundscapes with chaotic drums and crushing low-level guitars, paired with Megan’s brutal screams, bring together Forlorn’s unique sound and visual identity. Produced by George Lever (Loathe, Sleep Token, Monuments) ‘The Weight Of It All’ ebbs and flows between sweeping cinematic passages and unrelentingly heavy moments of chaos. Accompanying the new single is a stunning Winter Solstice-inspired music video that shows the conflict between two characters within the same human-vessel; the fragile, ageing Maiden in the white dress and the old, wise and fearsome Crone, in the black crown with her wild eyes. We see the season demonstrated in frozen landscapes, sacred smoke, the wearing of ritual masks and the pounding of the bodhrán. “’The Weight Of It All’ is lyrically centred upon the notion of living a double life; switching between two paradoxical personas that coexist within one fragile lifeform. Instrumentally this song immediately reminded me of a score from a Christopher Nolan film. I felt a strong connection to the iconic vigilante and their opposing personalities. The double-life concept resonates strongly for me, where my day-to-day life is so far removed from who I really am. On a daily basis I wear a metaphorical (and physical) mask, never really allowing anyone to get beneath the surface, until I’m back within the realms of comfort,” says Megan Elliott, vocalist.

Check out our playlist featuring more women in heavy music below!

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