FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RISING ALMA EARNS STRONG METAL HAMMER REVIEW FOR NEW EP “YOUR OWN STORY” Metal Hammer praises the Berlin-based alternative rock and melodic hard rock outfit, calling the EP “worth discovering” and declaring that Rising Alma... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RISING ALMA EARNS STRONG METAL HAMMER REVIEW FOR NEW EP “YOUR OWN STORY” Metal Hammer praises the Berlin-based alternative rock and melodic hard rock outfit, calling the EP “worth discovering” and declaring that Rising Alma is “a band that should be followed closely” Berlin, Germany — September 25, 2026 — Berlin-based alternative rock and melodic hard rock outfit Rising Alma are celebrating a major new piece of international media coverage following a detailed review of their latest EP, Your Own Story, in Metal Hammer. Published by Metal Hammer Spain and written by Marta Grimaldi, the August 16, 2026 feature takes an in-depth look at Rising Alma's five-song EP, released independently on July 24, while examining the band's development from their earlier alternative rock material toward a sound with an increasingly prominent hard rock and guitar-driven edge. The review highlights the band's current lineup featuring Alīse Elme on vocals and keyboards, Maximo Marset on guitar, arrangements and production, and Sebastian Rätz on bass. According to the review, Your Own Story demonstrates how Rising Alma are evolving while maintaining the melodic foundation that has defined their work. The article specifically praises the weight of the guitars, the band's vocal melodies, the use of keyboards to create contrasting passages, and the clear, modern production across the EP. The review takes a closer look at all five tracks, including the title track “Your Own Story,” which opens with what the reviewer describes as one of the EP's strongest riffs. Marset's guitar work receives particular attention, while Elme's clean vocal performance is praised for allowing the vocals and guitars to occupy their own space. “Underneath” is highlighted for its more intimate approach, with keyboards and vocals taking the forefront as Rising Alma explore themes of mourning and finding balance after loss. The review also singles out “Colors Flow All Around Us” for its memorable vocal melody and combination of heavier and more open passages, while “Authenticity” is noted for its darker guitar tone, prominent bass and subtle connection to Elme's Latvian roots. Closing the EP, “Endless” receives attention for its intimate opening, gradual build and the guitar solo from Maximo Marset. The production across the record is also recognized, with the review noting the clarity and definition of the individual instruments. Metal Hammer ultimately concludes that five songs are enough for Your Own Story to leave “a good taste in the mouth and wanting to hear it again,” describing the EP as “worth discovering” and Rising Alma as “a band that should be followed closely.” For an independent band continuing to build its international presence, the feature represents another significant step forward for Rising Alma and their growing catalog. Your Own Story is available now on major streaming platforms. RISING ALMA Alīse Elme – Vocals, KeyboardsMaximo Marset – Guitar, Arrangements, ProductionSebastian Rätz – Bass Listen to “Your Own Story” https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/album/6heEVIIn5XAq4E2N3gZmb6 Read the Metal Hammer Review https://metalhammer.es/rising-alma-your-own-story/ For additional information, interviews, promotional requests, or media inquiries, please contact: zach@metaldevastationradio.com Watch the official video:[jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="-FtPql_sNEg"] Connect: https://linktr.ee/risingalma Contact: contact@risingalma.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE METAL DEVASTATION RADIO AND PR SURPASS 30 MILLION VIEWS Independent Metal Platform Reaches Historic Milestone With More Than 30.2 Million Lifetime Views The milestone is official. Metal Devastation Radio and Metal... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE METAL DEVASTATION RADIO AND PR SURPASS 30 MILLION VIEWS Independent Metal Platform Reaches Historic Milestone With More Than 30.2 Million Lifetime Views The milestone is official. Metal Devastation Radio and Metal Devastation PR have officially surpassed 30 million lifetime views, reaching an incredible 30,234,002 total views following another 305,524 views during August 2026. After closing July at 29,928,478 lifetime views, Metal Devastation crossed the 30 million mark and continued climbing, marking one of the biggest milestones in the platform's history. Built independently from the ground up through a relentless commitment to heavy music, Metal Devastation has spent more than a decade connecting underground artists with listeners, media outlets, labels, promoters, festivals, and metal fans around the world. 30 million views. One independent platform. More than a decade of underground metal. 30 MILLION AND COUNTING August delivered another powerful month of growth for Metal Devastation, adding 305,524 views and bringing the platform's all-time total to: 30,234,002 VIEWS The August numbers also demonstrate just how far the platform's reach continues to expand: 305,524 total views 161,000 active users 160,000 new users 1.1 million tracked events 1.22 million Google Search impressions 11,600 Google Search clicks 30,234,002 lifetime views The growth from July to August pushed Metal Devastation from 29,928,478 views to 30,234,002, adding more than 305,000 views in a single month. But the milestone isn't just about the number of views. It's about the people behind them. 160,000 NEW USERS DISCOVERED METAL DEVASTATION One of the biggest stories behind August's numbers was the platform's continued ability to reach people who were discovering Metal Devastation for the first time. Of the 161,000 active users recorded during August, approximately 160,000 were new users. That means thousands upon thousands of people who had never previously interacted with the platform were discovering Metal Devastation, its artists, its coverage, its radio programming, and its growing collection of underground metal content. Every new visitor represents another opportunity for an artist to be heard. Another band to be discovered. Another song to be played. Another interview to be read. Another metalhead to find something new. SEARCHING FOR METAL Google Search continues to be a major source of discovery for Metal Devastation. During August, the platform generated 1.22 million Google Search impressions, resulting in 11,600 clicks from search results. That means Metal Devastation content continues appearing in front of people actively searching for heavy music, bands, albums, interviews, reviews, news, festivals, and other metal-related content. For independent artists, that visibility matters. A band doesn't necessarily need a massive corporate machine behind it to be discovered. Sometimes it starts with a search. A story. A review. An interview. A premiere. A radio stream. A single click. And then another. 1.1 MILLION EVENTS IN ONE MONTH August also produced more than 1.1 million tracked events across the Metal Devastation platform. Those events represent the constant activity happening across the network, including content views, radio activity, clicks, submissions, artist engagement, and other interactions throughout the platform. Behind every statistic is something happening within the metal community. Someone discovering a band. Someone checking out a release. Someone listening to MDR. Someone reading an interview. Someone sharing an article. Someone finding their next favorite record. That's what the numbers represent. FROM THE UNDERGROUND TO 30 MILLION When Metal Devastation was built, the goal wasn't to create another corporate media machine. It was to create a platform where heavy music could exist on its own terms. Since its founding in 2013, Metal Devastation Radio and Metal Devastation PR have continued building an independent ecosystem centered around underground metal. That includes: Metal Devastation Radio, delivering heavy music and programming to listeners worldwide Metal Devastation PR, providing promotional campaigns and media exposure for independent artists Artist interviews and original programming News, reviews, premieres, and feature coverage Support for independent labels and releases Worldwide media outreach Tennessee Metal Devastation Music Fest Continued partnerships with artists, promoters, labels, DJs, journalists, and metal media The platform has continued growing without losing sight of where it came from. The underground. FROM THE FRONTLINES "Thirty million views is absolutely fucking incredible," says Zach Moonshine. "When we started this, there was no giant corporation behind us, no major investor, and no industry machine pushing this thing forward. It was built because we love heavy music and we believed the underground deserved a platform that would keep showing up." "Looking at that number now, 30,234,002 views, it's hard to put into words. But what really matters to me isn't just the number itself. It's what happened inside that number." "Every one of those views represents somebody discovering something. A band. A song. An album. An interview. A festival. A radio show. Maybe even an artist that somebody had never heard before." "That's the whole reason we do this." BUILT BY THE METAL COMMUNITY Reaching 30 million views isn't something Metal Devastation claims as an achievement belonging to one person. It belongs to the community that continues making the platform possible. To the bands creating the music. To the labels putting out the records. To the promoters putting shows together. To the venues opening their doors. To the festivals bringing people together. To the DJs spinning new music. To the journalists and media outlets covering the scene. To the fans buying records, attending shows, sharing music, and keeping the underground alive. And to every artist who has trusted Metal Devastation Radio and Metal Devastation PR to help spread their music. This milestone belongs to all of them. THE NEXT 30 MILLION STARTS NOW Crossing 30 million views doesn't mean the mission is finished. It means the next chapter has started. Metal Devastation Radio and Metal Devastation PR will continue supporting independent artists, promoting new releases, interviewing musicians, covering the underground scene, delivering heavy music around the clock, supporting live events, and creating opportunities for bands to reach new audiences. The numbers will continue to change. The artists will continue to evolve. The scene will continue to grow. And Metal Devastation will continue doing what it has done since 2013. Showing up. Turning up the volume. And keeping the underground moving. THANK YOU FOR 30 MILLION 30,234,002 views. More than 30 million moments of discovery. More than 30 million connections between music and listeners. More than 30 million reasons to keep pushing forward. To every band, musician, label, promoter, venue, festival organizer, journalist, DJ, media outlet, listener, and fan who has been part of this journey: Thank you. The underground doesn't wait for permission. It builds its own stage. And this stage just crossed 30 million views. About Metal Devastation Radio and PR Founded in 2013, Metal Devastation Radio and Metal Devastation PR are independent platforms dedicated to supporting heavy music and the global underground metal community. Through 24/7 radio programming, promotional campaigns, artist interviews, news coverage, media outreach, festival production, and dedicated support for independent bands and labels, Metal Devastation continues connecting heavy music with audiences around the world. Contact:Zach Moonshinezach@metaldevastationradio.net Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FALSE MESSIAH CONTINUE INTERNATIONAL PRESS RUN WITH STRONG METALLIAN COVERAGE FOR “SEVEN” Mysterious International Metal Project Featured Across Rock Hard Italy, Metalized, and Metallian September 24, 2026 — International... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FALSE MESSIAH CONTINUE INTERNATIONAL PRESS RUN WITH STRONG METALLIAN COVERAGE FOR “SEVEN” Mysterious International Metal Project Featured Across Rock Hard Italy, Metalized, and Metallian September 24, 2026 — International modern symphonic metal project False Messiah continue to build momentum for their debut concept album Seven, with recent coverage appearing across respected metal publications in Europe. The latest comes from French metal magazine Metallian, where Seven receives a 💣💣💣💥½ review from François Alaouret. The review praises the project's seasoned musicianship, heavy and thrash influences, symphonic metal direction, powerful guest appearances from Stéphane Buriez of Loudblast and Craig Cairns of Tailgunner, and "flawless production." False Messiah are also featured in Underground N°30, the underground and extreme metal supplement included with Metallian N°153. The new Metallian coverage follows an extensive Rock Hard Italy feature and interview centered on Seven. Rock Hard explores the project's deliberately concealed identities, its description as a "controlled creative entity," and the dystopian concept behind the album, which examines technology, artificial intelligence, social division, and concentrated power through speculative storytelling. Meanwhile, Metalized awarded Seven an 8/10, with reviewer Kim Vestergaard Nielsen praising its aggressive riffs, powerful production, dark atmosphere, and combination of melodic black metal and brutal death metal. With coverage now spanning multiple European metal publications, False Messiah's Seven continues to introduce its dark, cinematic world to an international audience. “First release for this mysterious entity named False Messiah. What is known about the quartet boils down to the fact that it consists of musicians from France, Canada, Scandinavia, and Latin America. So, as for guessing their identities, you might as well look for a guitar pick on the site of Hellfest, even if a few clues reveal themselves if you dig deep enough. One thing is for sure, the members of False Messiah are more than seasoned, and their inspirations draw as much from heavy and thrash as from more modern styles. Moreover, with their female vocalist, it's symphonic metal that stands out most, even if Stéphane Buriez from Loudblast and Craig Cairns from Tailgunner drop in to deliver a few deep ‘growls.’ In the end, Seven is a sharp and unifying album with flawless production!” - Metallian Grab a copy of the issue here: https://www.magzter.com/FR/METALLIAN-Editions-SARL/METALLIAN/Culture/2477047 Seven is currently available via Semetry Records / Idol. False MessiahSevenSemetry Records / Idol Press & Promotion:Metal Devastation PRMajor Metal Media. Real Coverage. Worldwide Exposure.  Connect:  https://www.facebook.com/share/1BTGhUpDfU/https://www.instagram.com/false.messiah.666 Contact: promotion@semetery.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RHINO PROOF ANNOUNCE NEW STUDIO ALBUM “LIGHT, DARK, THE END” AND RELEASE NEW SINGLE “PLAY BY THE RULES” Finnish Hard & Heavy Force Unleash First Single and Official Music Video Ahead of November Album Release via Astral... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RHINO PROOF ANNOUNCE NEW STUDIO ALBUM “LIGHT, DARK, THE END” AND RELEASE NEW SINGLE “PLAY BY THE RULES” Finnish Hard & Heavy Force Unleash First Single and Official Music Video Ahead of November Album Release via Astral Haven Records Joensuu, Finland | Finnish hard and heavy outfit Rhino Proof have officially announced their new studio album, Light, Dark, The End, set for release on November 6, 2026, via Astral Haven Records. To celebrate the announcement, the band has unleashed the album’s first single, “Play by the Rules,” accompanied by an official music video. The track offers a hard-hitting introduction to the new album while showcasing the band’s blend of muscular hard rock, heavy metal, memorable melodies, and commanding vocals. Listen to “Play by the Rules”:https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/rhinoproof/play-by-the-rules Watch the official music video:[jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="rE5nKAQ3-Lc"] Guitarist Rane Riikonen explains the personal inspiration behind “Play by the Rules”: “When I was writing the song ‘Play by the Rules’, I thought back to my youth and the fact that I used to drink heavily. I often woke up on the floor and generally behaved badly. Fortunately, I realized how foolish I was being and started living sensibly.” Vocalist Jukka Nummi adds: “The song ‘Play by the Rules’ is one of my favorites; I use my voice a little rougher on it—or actually, the guys kind of pushed me to do that—and I’m glad they did, because it fits the song's vibe.” Light, Dark, The End represents a significant new chapter for Rhino Proof. The album takes shape as a conceptual release built around a four-part storyline, bringing together nine tracks that move through different moods and styles while maintaining a cohesive identity. Riikonen reflects on the lengthy and sometimes difficult process behind the album: “Making the new album was a difficult and lengthy process. At times, the work progressed well, but then difficulties began to pile up. Certain things also came to an end, and processing them took time. This entire experience ultimately became the album’s title.” For Nummi, the finished record represents a diverse but unified collection of songs: “The new album is truly fantastic overall, and while all the songs are distinct from one another, they still come together to form a cohesive whole. It ranges from heavy, pounding tracks to ballad-like interpretations. I’m proud of this album.” The vocal recording process also proved to be an especially creative period for the band. Nummi recalls beginning the lead vocal sessions in August of the previous year, with some songs still taking shape: “A year ago in August, we started recording the lead vocals. Even though half of the songs were completely new to me and we didn’t even have demo versions for all of them, we managed to record everything incredibly quickly, in two days! Creativity was at its peak, and the vocal melodies evolved as we recorded them.” The album will be released as a Digipak CD and digital release, with pre-orders and pre-saves available now through Astral Haven Records. Pre-order / Pre-save “Light, Dark, The End”:https://astralhavenrecords.com/cds/rhino-proof-light-dark-the-end-cd/ Light, Dark, The End Tracklist: Play by the Rules Deeper Form of Love Alone With My Sin Even Closer My Life is Fine Fashion Nonsense (CD Bonus Track) Strong Enough Shadows in the Rain Safe Cracker All songs were written by Rane Riikonen, with arrangements by Rhino Proof. The album was recorded and mixed by Erkko Joronen and produced by Riikonen and Joronen. Mastering was handled by Jone Väänänen. The visual identity of the album comes together through cover artwork by V-V Markkanen, CD and booklet artwork by NobotX, and photography by Markus Sotikov. Light, Dark, The End follows Rhino Proof’s previously released singles “My Life is Fine” and “Deeper Form of Love,” both of which have helped introduce the band’s latest chapter to listeners ahead of the full album. The release also builds on a growing run of international exposure for Rhino Proof. The band was recently featured in Decibel Magazine Issue #263 as part of a Metal Devastation Radio feature highlighting Rhino Proof alongside Hubris, Abaddon Incarnate, Haze Mage, Binary Order, Far From Refuge, Broken Trinity, and Choke Me. Check out the Decibel feature:https://metaldevastationradio.com/thebeast/blog/29292/rhino-proof-hubris-abaddon-incarnate-haze-mage-binary-order-far-from-refuge-broken-trinity-choke-me-featured-in-decibel Rhino Proof originally formed in Joensuu, Finland, in 2016 and quickly established themselves within the European hard rock and metal underground. Their self-titled 2018 debut album earned critical attention across Europe and placed in the Top 5 of Hard Rock Highlights lists in both Italy and Portugal. Following several lineup changes, Rhino Proof now returns with a solidified lineup and a new album designed to capture the band's evolution. With Light, Dark, The End, the Finnish outfit delivers a narrative-driven record that moves between crushing heavy tracks, melodic passages, and ballad-like moments while maintaining the raw energy at the heart of their sound. The band is now preparing to bring Light, Dark, The End to listeners around the world through their partnership with Astral Haven Records. Riikonen states: “We are very excited to be working with Astral Haven Records. This partnership will give us the opportunity to reach more listeners from all over the world.” Rhino Proof Jukka Nummi – VocalsRane Riikonen – GuitarErkko Joronen – GuitarPasi Nousiainen – BassSami Ratilainen – Drums Album Credits All songs written by Rane RiikonenArrangements by Rhino ProofRecorded & mixed by Erkko JoronenProduced by Rane Riikonen & Erkko JoronenMastered by Jone VäänänenCover artwork by V-V MarkkanenCD & booklet artwork by NobotXBand photo by Markus Sotikov Connect With Rhino Proof rhinoproof.comwww.facebook.com/rhinoproof  “Play by the Rules” is out now.Rhino Proof’s new album, Light, Dark, The End, arrives November 6, 2026 via Astral Haven Records. Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BLIND ILLUSION TO CELEBRATE NEW LIVE ALBUM WITH SAN FRANCISCO RECORD RELEASE SHOW Progressive Thrash Metal Pioneers Bring STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre Home to the Bay Area on October 16 SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Nearly... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BLIND ILLUSION TO CELEBRATE NEW LIVE ALBUM WITH SAN FRANCISCO RECORD RELEASE SHOW Progressive Thrash Metal Pioneers Bring STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre Home to the Bay Area on October 16 SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Nearly five decades after forming in the Bay Area, progressive thrash metal pioneers Blind Illusion will celebrate the release of their new live album, STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre, with a special record release show on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Neck of the Woods in San Francisco, California. The release-day lineup will feature Blind Illusion, Hemotoxin, and Parabellum, bringing together three bands for an evening of Bay Area metal on the exact day STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre officially arrives through Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest Records. Fans attending the show will have the opportunity to pick up a copy of the new record directly from Blind Illusion, while those outside the San Francisco Bay Area can pre-order their copy through Hectic Records. Pre-order:www.hectic.com/product/blind-illusion-live A LIVE SNAPSHOT OF BLIND ILLUSION'S HISTORY STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre captures Blind Illusion's historic 2025 performance at the UC Theatre in Berkeley, featuring the return of original vocalist David White. The performance took place during a special Bay Area celebration surrounding Exodus' 40th anniversary of Bonded By Blood and the birthday of late Exodus frontman Paul Baloff, with Blind Illusion sharing the stage with Exodus, Death Angel, and Nukem. The performance ultimately became the foundation for the new live album. White's return gives the recording an especially significant connection to Blind Illusion's early history. During a recent appearance on The Zach Moonshine Show, guitarist and band mastermind Mark Biedermann discussed how White's return came about and how the band revisited material from its early years for the reunion performance. But STAGE FLIGHT isn't a studio reconstruction of an old performance. According to Biedermann, the album is a completely live recording with no studio overdubs, captured at the UC Theatre by engineer Ivan Garcia and subsequently mixed by Biedermann with the band's rhythm section. As Biedermann put it: "This, I guarantee you, is 100% live." That old-school approach makes STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre a document of the band exactly where it belongs: onstage. NEARLY FIVE DECADES OF BLIND ILLUSION Formed in 1978, Blind Illusion has spent nearly five decades developing one of the most distinctive sounds in the Bay Area metal underground. Led by Mark Biedermann, the band's history is deeply connected to the development of progressive and technical thrash metal. The band's landmark 1988 debut, The Sane Asylum, featured Biedermann alongside Larry Lalonde, Les Claypool, and Mike Miner, producing a record that would become an important part of the progressive thrash canon. Biedermann's musical history extends well beyond Blind Illusion. His work has intersected with figures including Les Claypool, Kirk Hammett, Cliff Burton, Sandy Pearlman, Joe Satriani, and Robbie Krieger, among many others. During his recent appearance on The Zach Moonshine Show, Biedermann looked back across that history, discussing everything from the formation of Blind Illusion and the making of The Sane Asylum to his early relationship with Les Claypool, his work connected to Blue Öyster Cult's Imaginos, and an unforgettable story involving his longtime friend Cliff Burton.The conversation also made clear that Blind Illusion isn't simply revisiting its past. The band's next studio album, Crushing the Universe, has already been recorded, with former Blind Illusion bassist Tom Gears producing, engineering, and mixing the record. That makes STAGE FLIGHT both a look back at a remarkable chapter of Blind Illusion's history and a bridge toward whatever comes next. FROM THE UC THEATRE TO THE RECORD STORE The timing of the October 16 release is particularly fitting. STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre was born from a performance celebrating the Bay Area metal community and Blind Illusion's own history. Now the finished record returns home to the Bay Area for its official release. Friday, October 16, 2026Neck of the WoodsSan Francisco, California BLIND ILLUSIONHEMOTOXINPARABELLUM Come out, celebrate the release with the band, and get your copy of STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre directly from Blind Illusion. For fans who can't make it to San Francisco, pre-orders are available through Hectic Records: www.hectic.com/product/blind-illusion-live RECENT BLIND ILLUSION HIGHLIGHTS The anticipation surrounding STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre has continued to build in the weeks leading up to its release. Blabbermouth recently featured Blind Illusion's upcoming live album, highlighting the historic 2025 performance, David White's return, and the band's continuing evolution nearly five decades after its formation. BraveWords has also featured Blind Illusion ahead of the release, spotlighting STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC Theatre and the band's unique place within progressive thrash metal. Biedermann also recently joined The Zach Moonshine Show for an extensive conversation covering Blind Illusion's history, The Sane Asylum, David White, Les Claypool, Kirk Hammett, Cliff Burton, Sandy Pearlman, Blue Öyster Cult, Hectic Records, the new STAGE FLIGHT live album, and the band's upcoming Crushing the Universe studio record. STAGE FLIGHT: LIVE AT THE UC THEATRE Artist: Blind IllusionTitle: STAGE FLIGHT: Live At The UC TheatreRelease Type: Live AlbumGenre: Progressive Thrash MetalRelease Date: October 16, 2026Label: Hectic Records / Bleeding Priest RecordsCatalog Number: Hectic 009Format: 12" Vinyl LP, 33 RPMLimited To: 500 CopiesUPC: 810213561508 CURRENT LINEUP Mark Biedermann – Lead Guitar / VocalsMartin Lacour – Lead GuitarAvery Thurman – BassPhil Cosentini – Drums Blind IllusionEstablished 1978Progressive Thrash Metal For Fans Of: Coroner, Watchtower, Exodus, Heathen Check them out on YouTube:  [jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="MaMW_k7Xmy8"] Connect:  https://blindillusion.bandcamp.com/album/stage-flight-live-at-the-uc-theatrehttps://www.instagram.com/blindillusionofficialhttps://www.facebook.com/officialblindillusionhttps://ffm.to/bclink1https://www.hectic.com/product/blind-illusion-live Contact: David HechtHectic Recordsdavid@hectic.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ELEMENT OF FATE RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM “DREAMFALL” OUT NOW Melodic Heavy Metal Duo Unleash a Cinematic Journey of Fantasy, Emotion, and Immersive Storytelling Washington, DC / Portland, OR — Melodic heavy metal duo Element... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ELEMENT OF FATE RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM “DREAMFALL” OUT NOW Melodic Heavy Metal Duo Unleash a Cinematic Journey of Fantasy, Emotion, and Immersive Storytelling Washington, DC / Portland, OR — Melodic heavy metal duo Element of Fate have officially released their highly anticipated debut full-length album, Dreamfall, available now worldwide. Stream and purchase Dreamfall here:https://linktr.ee/element.of.fate Released on July 27, 2026, Dreamfall invites listeners into a cinematic world where heavy metal, fantasy, and storytelling collide. Featuring soaring vocals, intricate instrumentation, and a powerful blend of gothic, symphonic, and progressive metal influences, the album delivers an emotional and immersive listening experience that showcases Element of Fate’s dedication to crafting music that feels both timeless and cinematic. The entire album is also now available to experience as a full-length video stream on YouTube, giving listeners the opportunity to hear Dreamfall from beginning to end while stepping further into the world Element of Fate have created. Full Album Video: [jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="6fGSDTgiuC8"] The album’s release follows the unveiling of the “Fire Bird” lyric video and the dark, captivating visualizer for “Warhorse,” offering fans a deeper look into the world Element of Fate have carefully built around Dreamfall. Watch “Fire Bird” here:[jrEmbed module="jrYouTube" youtube_id="bbQusSIXTPM"] At its core, Dreamfall is more than an album. It is a complete artistic vision combining heavy metal, fantasy, visual storytelling, and a deeply personal creative journey. “Dreamfall is the most personal and ambitious project I’ve ever created as an artist.” — Madame Crol “This project is about transformation, finding light even in darker places.” — Element of Fate “We wanted to create something that feels epic, emotional, and real.” — Element of Fate The creation of Dreamfall has been fueled by a passion for independent artistry and craftsmanship, including a cinematic music video produced entirely in-house by vocalist and visual artist Carol Phillips through her studio, Inlumined Arts. Supporters of the project have also helped bring this vision to life through exclusive rewards and handcrafted collectibles inspired by the album’s mythic themes, including limited bronze key and coin pieces created as collector-grade works of art. Formed between Washington, DC and Portland, Oregon, Element of Fate are carving out a unique space within modern metal by combining classic heavy metal foundations with cinematic arrangements, powerful vocals, and a striking visual identity. With Dreamfall, Element of Fate invite listeners to step into a world created not only to be heard, but experienced. The journey has begun. Dreamfall is out now. Stream Dreamfall, watch the full album on YouTube, follow Element of Fate, and experience the complete artistic vision: https://linktr.ee/element.of.fate   Connect with the band:  https://linktr.ee/element.of.fate Contact: element.of.fate@gmail.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WARPLAN PREPARES TO UNLEASH NEW EP “NOT OF THIS WORLD” IN LATE 2026 Louisville Groove Metal and Hard Rock Project Returns With a Powerful New Chapter Featuring Unreleased Material Co-Written by David “Sailor” Bryant and... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WARPLAN PREPARES TO UNLEASH NEW EP “NOT OF THIS WORLD” IN LATE 2026 Louisville Groove Metal and Hard Rock Project Returns With a Powerful New Chapter Featuring Unreleased Material Co-Written by David “Sailor” Bryant and Days of the New Frontman Travis Meeks LOUISVILLE, KY — Louisville, Kentucky’s independent groove metal and hard rock project Warplan is preparing to return with its highly anticipated follow-up EP, Not of This World, currently in production for a late 2026 release. Driven by the fierce creative vision of vocalist, songwriter, guitarist, and bassist David “Sailor” Bryant, Warplan was created as a vehicle for pushing the boundaries of heavy music while maintaining the grit and attitude of classic metal and hard rock. Bryant brings a deep musical pedigree to the project through his work with regional underground staples including My Own Victim, Surviving Thalia, Scars of Judas, and Sixteen Bones. Warplan officially breached the heavy music scene on Halloween 2023 with its debut studio EP, The Snake-Eye Conspiracy. Produced by Nashville’s Kile Odell and featuring aggressive, driving instrumentation from Jameson Force, the release established Warplan's identity as a force in modern groove metal. The EP featured standout tracks including “Unmerciful,” which included contributions from Bryan Fox, along with “An Act Against Creation” and “Deadman’s Hand.” Now, Warplan is moving into its next chapter with Not of This World. For the upcoming EP, Bryant has expanded Warplan's geographic and creative borders, bringing Netherlands-based guitarist Denise De Haan into the production to inject fresh energy into a profoundly unique collection of songs. At the heart of the new material is an unusual piece of Warplan history. The songs originated during a creative collaboration that began in 2002, when Bryant worked alongside Travis Meeks, the frontman of the multi-platinum rock band Days of the New. The material was originally intended to be released under the name Not of This World, but will now officially become part of Warplan's catalog as the project's follow-up EP. Bryant and Meeks co-wrote the material, creating a collection of songs that has remained unreleased for more than two decades. The recordings are now being revisited, developed, and completed for their long-awaited official unveiling under the Warplan banner. The expanded creative team also includes Louisville's David Kisselbaugh and Corey Ogle, adding further depth to a project that bridges multiple eras and corners of heavy music. Musically, Warplan delivers a crushing, multi-dimensional sonic assault. The project strikes a rare balance between raw aggression and intricate melody, drawing foundational inspiration from heavy metal titans including Pantera, Down, Slayer, Metallica, and System of a Down. Warplan's sound combines classic groove metal arrangements with modern textures and haunting Middle Eastern elements, creating an avant-garde soundscape that remains intensely familiar while pushing into more progressive territory. The upcoming EP features songs including “Banned from the Program,” “Peel Your Face,” and “No Time,” further establishing Warplan's uncompromising approach to heavy music. Production on Not of This World is currently underway, with additional recording and post-production continuing toward a late 2026 release. Production and engineering duties are being handled by David “CT” Carpenter and David “Sailor” Bryant, with post-production mixing to be handled by a Nashville, Tennessee producer to be named at a later date, whose production credits include work with heavy metal acts Fear Factory and Full Devil Jacket. More than two decades after the material was first conceived, Warplan is bringing Not of This World into the present, transforming a long-unreleased chapter of Bryant's musical history into the next official release from the project. Warplan is not looking backward. It is bringing the past forward and turning it into something new. WARPLAN David “Sailor” Bryant – Lead Vocals / Guitar / Bass / CompositionDavid Kisselbaugh – GuitarsDenise De Haan – Guitars, NetherlandsCorey Ogle – DrumsTravis Meeks – Vocals / Guitar / Composition Release: Not of This WorldFormat: EPRelease Date: Late 2026Label: Warplan RecordsManagement: David Bryant Genre: Groove Metal / Hard Rock For Fans Of: Pantera, Down, Slayer, Metallica, System of a Down Connect:  https://linktr.ee/warplan Less

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ASHES REIGN SLOW IT DOWN WITH NEW SINGLE “START OF THE END” Charlottesville Metal Act Unveils a More Melodic and Emotionally Charged Side Ahead of Debut Album Awakening Charlottesville, Virginia | Rising metal act Ashes... More

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ASHES REIGN SLOW IT DOWN WITH NEW SINGLE “START OF THE END” Charlottesville Metal Act Unveils a More Melodic and Emotionally Charged Side Ahead of Debut Album Awakening Charlottesville, Virginia | Rising metal act Ashes Reign have released their latest single, “Start of the End,” offering a slower, more introspective counterpart to the crushing aggression showcased on the band's previously released title track from their upcoming debut album, Awakening, due October 1. Known for combining soaring melodies with crushing riffs, Ashes Reign take a different approach on “Start of the End,” allowing the song to build gradually through extended guitar solos, layered vocals, and a melodic progression that gives its emotional weight room to breathe. While the band's title track delivered an immediate introduction to their heavier side, “Start of the End” explores the uncertainty that can exist beneath moments of happiness, capturing the fear of losing something meaningful even when everything seems to be going right. Frontman Vinny Carrion explains: “This song is anchored in the area between happiness and sadness within our relationships, but ultimately hopeful. Caught in the weight of those intrusive thoughts where we wonder if our current happiness that we have worked so hard to obtain will come to an abrupt end.” That tension between contentment and doubt serves as the emotional foundation of “Start of the End,” giving Ashes Reign an opportunity to showcase another dimension of their songwriting ahead of the full Awakening release. The single also marks a visual departure for the band. Rather than working with their usual illustrator, bassist Ryan Neurauter stepped behind the artwork for “Start of the End,” creating the cover himself and adding another personal element to the release. “Start of the End” was mixed by Chris Dawson and mastered by Mike Kalajian and is available now across all major digital platforms. Listen to “Start of the End” here: https://hypeddit.com/ashesreign/startoftheend Ashes Reign's debut full-length album, Awakening, arrives October 1, 2026. For fans of: Melodic Metal, Modern Metal, Heavy Metal  Follow Ashes Reign https://www.facebook.com/ashesreignbandhttps://www.instagram.com/ashesreignband/https://www.ashesreign.com/ Contact: ashesreignband@gmail.com Less

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PALE HORSEMAN ANNOUNCE NEW FULL-LENGTH ALBUM RUIN OF SOULS Chicago sludge metal veterans descend deeper into darkness with a crushing new album of industrial brutality, bleak melody, and existential dread For Fans Of:... More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PALE HORSEMAN ANNOUNCE NEW FULL-LENGTH ALBUM RUIN OF SOULS Chicago sludge metal veterans descend deeper into darkness with a crushing new album of industrial brutality, bleak melody, and existential dread For Fans Of: Godflesh, Neurosis, Obituary Chicago sludge metal veterans Pale Horseman are preparing to unleash their latest full-length album, Ruin of Souls, a devastating new chapter from a band that has spent more than fifteen years forging an increasingly massive and unsettling sound. With the album's official release date currently TBD, Pale Horseman are working toward a physical vinyl release targeted for December 2026, with further details to be announced. Speaking about the new album, Pale Horseman describe Ruin of Souls as a deeper descent into the darkness that has defined the band's music for more than fifteen years: “On Ruin of Souls, Pale Horseman descend even deeper into the darkness they’ve been cultivating for over fifteen years. Crushing sludge riffs collide with bleak melody, industrial brutality, and an overwhelming sense of dread, creating something that is as hypnotic as it is punishing. This is heavy music stripped down to its most primal and unsettling form—music that doesn’t simply soundtrack the end times, but makes you feel like you’re already living through them.” That description captures the oppressive atmosphere at the heart of Ruin of Souls. Pale Horseman blend crushing sludge riffs with industrial textures, dissonant tension, bleak melody, and cinematic heaviness, creating a sound that feels both brutally physical and psychologically consuming. For Pale Horseman, heaviness has never been limited to sheer volume or distorted guitars. Their music explores psychological ruin, paranormal mystery, mythic violence, existential dread, and the raw burden of human suffering. The result is a sound capable of moving between crushing brutality and strangely haunting beauty without ever losing its sense of menace. Formed in 2010, Pale Horseman have carved out a distinctive place within Chicago's underground metal scene. The band's members bring decades of experience from the city's heavy music community, with roots in acts including Couldron, Maimed, Souls Demise, Doomsday, Making Ghosts, Abortus, Deep Space Pilots, and Johnny Vomit. That history has helped shape Pale Horseman's massive and meticulously constructed approach to sludge metal, combining punishing riffs with an atmosphere that feels expansive, oppressive, and relentlessly dark. The band have also earned a reputation for intense and engulfing live performances. Throughout their career, Pale Horseman have shared stages with Acid King, Earthride, Crowbar, Whores., Bongripper, Coroner, Trouble, Vio-Lence, Karma To Burn, Eyehategod, Church of Misery, and many others, appearing at clubs, DIY spaces, and festival stages throughout the Midwest and beyond. Drawing on the mechanical brutality of Godflesh, the crushing atmospheric weight of Neurosis, and the primal heaviness associated with Obituary, Pale Horseman occupy a space where sludge, industrial metal, and darker strains of extreme metal collide. Ruin of Souls promises to carry that evolution forward, taking the band's established sound into an even darker and more oppressive territory. PALE HORSEMAN Chicago Sludge Metal | Est. 2010 Andre Almaraz - Guitar & VocalsEric Ondo - Guitar & VocalsRich Cygan - BassJason Schryver - Drums Album: Ruin of SoulsFormat: Full-Length AlbumGenre: Sludge MetalRelease Date: TBDVinyl: Targeting December 2026 - Recorded and mixed at Bricktop Recording in Chicago, IL by Pete Grossman- Mastered by Audio Siege Mastering in Portland, OR by Brad Boatright For Fans Of: Godflesh, Neurosis, Obituary Connect:  https://www.facebook.com/PaleHorsemanSludgehttps://www.instagram.com/pale_horseman/https://palehorseman.bandcamp.com/https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BEZtiJJg28KoUkhEveZ7ahttps://music.apple.com/us/artist/pale-horseman/886069680  Less