BLACK ROYAL - Finnish Death-Sludge Quartet Return with New Single and Album on M-THEORY AUDIO

Following the release of their critically acclaimed 2022 album Earthbound, Finnish death-sludge powerhouse Black Royal return with their crushing new single, 'Drown the Seaweed', the first taste of their forthcoming album Abyssian, due this October via M-Theory Audio.

Continuing to refine their devastating blend of sludge metal and the icy ferocity of Scandinavian death metal, Black Royal have forged a sound that is both punishing and immersive. Often described as a collision between Crowbar and Entombed, with Behemoth and Mastodon waiting in the wings, the band deliver a sonic assault that balances crushing heaviness with cinematic atmosphere.

Formed in Tampere, Finland in 2013, Black Royal have established themselves as one of Finland's most formidable heavy acts. Following two acclaimed EPs, their 2018 debut Lightbringer earned widespread praise and appeared on numerous year-end lists thanks to its giant riffs and primal groove. Their sophomore album, Firebride (2020), further sharpened the band's identity, combining suffocating heaviness with memorable hooks and dynamic songwriting. With Earthbound (2022), their first release through M-Theory Audio, the band reached new creative heights, delivering a confident record that balanced aggression with melody while showcasing their continued evolution.

Speaking about the new single, the band explain: "‘Drown the Seaweed’ was born from the idea of crafting something ethereal and weightless – a sonic landscape that drifts like morning mist across a quiet summer lake. As the track unfolds, it dives deeper, with the C section and guitar solos pulling the listener beneath the surface into darker, more immersive waters. The result is a beautifully melancholic piece, balancing atmosphere with a memorable, hook-driven chorus that lingers long after the song fades."

Drawing inspiration from the ancient mystery and power of water, the song explores the world beneath the surface. A realm long associated with fear, reverence and unseen forces. Calm seas and violent storms can prove fatal, serving as a reminder that nature demands respect and that those who underestimate its power may face a cruel fate.

Atmospheric, cinematic and steeped in myth, 'Drown the Seaweed' is accompanied by a striking video created by Markus Vähäaho of RAW•ART Creations, featuring actress Julia Koskimies. The track was recorded with producer Arttu Sarvanne at Studio Watercastle, mixed by Jussi Kulomaa at Metal Mixing and mastered by Jaakko Viitalähde at Virtalähde Mastering. Written by Black Royal, the single encapsulates the band's vision, embracing crushing heaviness, evocative melody and immersive atmosphere in equal measure.

With Abyssian set for release this October, Black Royal continues to push deeper into darker, more atmospheric territory while expanding an already formidable sonic palette. 'Drown the Seaweed' offers a powerful first glimpse of the album's scope and ambition, reaffirming the band's position as one of Finland's most compelling and uncompromising heavy acts.

New album Abyssian is out 30th October 2026 on M-Theory​ Audio | Pre-Order

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Web | Instagram

Thanks to Sheltered Life PR for the details.

Vordermann - Feeding On Fireworks (EP Review)

Release Date: August 27th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Feeding On Fireworks - Tracklist

Ego Gland

The Salem Shake

Something Sacred Something Terrible

Members

Alex Bennett - Synths

Peter Hill - Guitars

Matthew Jones - Percussion & Vocals

Philip Malpass - Guitar & Vocals

Joe Palmer - Guitar & Vocals

Review

Feeding On Fireworks is the next exciting chapter from Alt-Rock/Post-Rock/Sludge Rockers Vordermann who released their acclaimed debut EP Feeding On Flowers back in March 2025. Vordermann continue with a similar musical and creative scope outlined on that great release with uplifting Doom-Pop surroundings that once again demonstrates a wealth of musical influences ranging from TORCHE, HUM, MASTODON and THE MELVINS.

The record opens with gloriously uplifting and easy going track Ego Gland which has a soulful Psychedelic Post-Rock energy where the sludgy guitars form a sweet natured drive with superb vocals to match. This is a song that has different areas of HEAVY ROCK forming with Vordermann moving into slightly Ambient based waters with a sudden influx of PELICAN based melodies being played on fthe later stages of the track before returning to the Post-Stoner Rock grooves that are being used for the first time.

Second song The Salem Shake is a slightly different vibe with Vordermann adding a Post-Doom vibe with little traces of Gothic imagery especially with the vocals and eerie synths. You can even detect some classic ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) and King Crimson melodies forming and even the vocals aligning themselves to the arena of Seventies Prog Rock. Though, Vordermann like to tease with audience expectations before laying down their usual blend of fast-paced Sludge/Stoner Metal riffs that have a certain Space Rock momentum to them.

The final track "Something Sacred Something Terrible" opens up with the legendary “Can You See Texas On Your High Horse” speech from the classic TV series - True Detective which sets up the gloomy scene of this track. The song has a stripped back presence with sludgy semi acoustic guitars that offer a despairing style of Americana, Country and Doom-Pop soundscapes which is some of the best music I’ve heard from Vordermann yet. The track is unapologetically solitary before the band explore the finer details of the Sludge, Doom and Stoner Metal landscape that also offer the heaviest, finest and most intense sounds on the whole EP.

Feeding On Fireworks is an excellent and even better follow-up to their stunning debut EP which sees Vordermann mature into better songwriters and storytellers which bodes well for their future releases. I’m hoping their next release is their debut album as this EP is too damn short and I wanted to hear more music from this hugely talented outfit. 

If Vordermann continues with this musical journey and keeps creating superb records as Feeding On Flowers and Feeding On Fireworks then these guys are on the right path for a very distinguished and highly rewarding career within the underground scene and beyond.

Words by Steve Howe

Feeding On Fireworks will be available to buy on digital download from all good digital stockists from August 27th 2026.

Links

Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram | Beacons

Exclusive Album Premiere Of Doom Metallers OBSERVERS New Album THE EMERALD

The Emerald is the second album from Martin Kennedy's instrumental metal project, Observers. The Emerald's instrumental post-metal was inspired by the primeval forests and hidden portals of the cover art by visionary art pioneer Gilbert Williams, one of Kennedy's favourite artists. Once again mixed by Joe Haley of Australia's Psycroptic, the album is equal parts crushing guitars and atmospheric soundscapes, reminiscent of Kennedy's ambient rock project All India Radio.

Observers' debut earned widespread acclaim, including selection on NPR's New Music Friday, a Wild One pick on ABC TV's Rage, and praise from critics around the world. Prog magazine hailed it as a "glorious instrumental reimagining of 2001: A Space Odyssey," while Distorted Sound called it "a sprawling space-metal epic." Steve Kilbey of The Church simply declared it "sounds brilliant," and Sea of Tranquility "Spacey and doomy" 3 stars.

Thanks to the amazing folks over at Good Boy PR you can hear the album in full with this exclusive album premiere.

The Emerald is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

The Headless - Cast Into The Firmament (Single Review)

Release Date: August 11th 2026. Record Label: Self Released. Formats: DD

Cast into the Firmament - Tracklist

Cast Into The Firmament

Members

Andy Lenox — vocals, guitar, keys, production, visuals

Gary Behling — guitar, vocals, keys

Phil Danne — bass

Jay Gauthier — drums, photography, video

Review

Cast Into The Firmament is the latest single from Alt-Metal/Shoegaze Metallers The Headless who make music similar to the likes of HUM, SOM, Failure and Superheaven. However, there’s a lot more depth to The Headless as they channel sounds inspired by Faith No More and Baroness. The music is quite euphoric with a gloomy Grunge and Space Rock aspect emerging when you least expect it.

Joining The Headless on this cosmic journey is Madison McConnell of War on the Horizon fame who provides excellent low-key and emotionally engaging vocals. The Headless have said there’s a hidden easter egg hidden within their music the band are leaving for the listeners to fully decode. Well, I can’t say what the Easter Egg is and that’s perhaps a mystery unsolved by myself though I’m happy to be told what this is. As this gives the song quite a clever and mysterious quality which you don’t really come across.

The Headless transform into Post-Doom explorers on the later stages of the track which feels like HUM jamming with THE CURE. The song is mostly melodic with it’s ethereal Post-Rock sound but when The Headless move over into their aggressive Alt-Metal identity then some heavy grooves are played out of nowhere which has a slight Sludge Rock menace to them.

Cast Into The Firmament is a great track bursting with real progressive ability which fans of the Grunge, Doomgaze and Alt Metal communities will absolutely adore. I’m not sure if The Headless have an EP or full length album being prepped for future release but I’m highly intrigued and slightly a little bit excited on where they go from here.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Italian Stoner Rock Trio HUMULUS unleashes new single "Standing in the Sun" new album “Smuggler’s Cave” out this fall on Ripple Music!

Italian Psychedelic Stoner Rockers HUMULUS share the second track taken from their forthcoming new album "Smuggler's Cave", due out this October 9th on Ripple Music.

Stream new Humulus single Standing in the Sun 

Smuggler’s Cave marks HUMULUS’ fifth LP and their second outing with vocalist/guitarist Thomas Mascheroni. Following 2023's Flowers Of Death, the band spent two years traversing Europe’s stages, and it was in the cracks between tours that the improvisations for this record took root. True to form, the band returned to the rehearsal room for marathon sessions, capturing hours of raw interplay, isolating the sparks and forging new songs from the embers.

On this album, those riffs hit harder and land with greater certainty than before, yet HUMULUS’s sonic hallmark remains intact: a deft pivot from rhythmic, classic stoner crunch into more psychedelic and introspective depths. As always, lyrics arrived after the music, with the title track serving as a thread for the rest of the record, leading the listener through mysterious settings, tales of wizards, cemetery dreams, damned souls and the shade of dark forests. A high-voltage delivery that fills the air with electricity and will compel anyone who worships at the altar of Dozer, Truckfighters, Lowrider, Greenleaf. Don't miss the previous single Rise and Fall!

It will be released on October 9th on LP, CD and digital, with preorders available now from Ripple Music.

New album "Smuggler's Cave" - Out October 9th on Ripple Music (LP/CD/digital)

Humulus is an Italian psych-stoner power trio formed in Brescia, Italy in 2009. Born from the heavy lineage of Kyuss, Karma to Burn and Orange Goblin, they quickly built a reputation across southern Europe with their crushing debut on Go Down Records.

A lineup shift in 2015 flipped the script. New frontman Andrea Bellicini pushed the band into trippier, more dynamic territory through longer songs, richer atmospheres and a sound that outgrew stoner orthodoxy. The years that followed saw Humulus touring non-stop with European festival runs (Freak Valley, Desertfest Belgium, Up In Smoke), and a string of acclaimed LPs that veered from doom-laced riffage to sprawling psychedelic meditation. Another mutation came in late 2022 with the arrival of Thomas Mascheroni, reigniting the band’s chemistry and leading to a fresh creative burst. They hit the road again, sharing stages with heavyweights like Colour Haze and Monkey3, while steadily forging new material.

When founder Giorgio Bonacorsi stepped back in 2026, the remaining core members enlisted Fabio Giacomini to complete the lineup and write their most ambitious work yet, to be released in the fall 2026 on Ripple Music.

Humulus links

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Ripple Music links

Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Thanks to Purple Sage PR for the details.

Italian Heavy Rockers SBARCO Unveil New Single and Video “The Divorce”

Italian heavy rockers SBARCO continue the journey toward their highly anticipated second studio album with the release of their powerful new single and official video, “The Divorce.”
​
Watch the official video below: 

Following the release of “Get to Know Me,” the new track further showcases the band's renewed artistic direction, blending heavy rock intensity with emotionally charged songwriting and the expressive power of their dual vocal approach.
​
“The Divorce” is an intense introspective journey through loss, vulnerability, and rebirth. The song portrays a protagonist facing a profound existential crisis, where every certainty begins to collapse and identity itself seems to dissolve. Images of lost skin and a shattered shield reflect the fragility of confronting pain without defenses, while the narrative gradually evolves into one of transformation and hope.
​
Speaking about the song, the band comments:

​“The Divorce is about finding the strength to rebuild after everything seems lost. From the deepest darkness comes the possibility of change, and faith becomes the force that allows us to trust ourselves, the people we love, and the future. It is ultimately a song about healing, resilience, and embracing a new beginning.”​
​
Currently working on their sophomore album with producer Simone “L'Architetto” Colombo, SBARCO continue to refine a sound that combines crushing heavy rock with deeply personal and introspective storytelling, setting the stage for what promises to be their most mature and compelling work to date.

For more info:

​https://www.facebook.com/sbarcomusic​
​https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.​

The Fierce And The Dead - Regional Theatre (Album Review)

Release Date: September 11th 2026. Record Label: SPM Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Regional Theatre - Tracklist

Loungeside

The 1234

Shake Hands & Exit

Somehow

Hey Nightmare

Superbia

Dream Sequence

Thrash

Hypernormalisation

Signal Bleed

Members

Kevin Feazey: Vocals, Bass, Production

Tom Hunt: Keys, Vocals, Percussion

Matt Stevens: Guitar

Steve Cleaton: Guitar

Stuart Marshall: Drums 

Review

Alternative/Stoner/Prog Metallers The Fierce And The Dead return with their fifth full length album Regional Theatre which takes a different direction compared to their acclaimed 2023 album News From The Invincible World. The record is compounded by a heavy Shoegaze effect which gives the band a whole new level of creativity to go with their already well-known and highly established experimental sound. 

The Fierce And The Dead use their musical influences wisely with sounds reminiscent of the likes of QOTSA, Mastodon, Slowdive, HUM, HELMET, At The Drive-In, Faith No More and Sonic Youth. I would even add MELVINS and BORIS to that impressive list as how the band create different QUIET vs LOUD musical dynamics with the powerful strands of Post-Rock and Shoegaze transforming into a battering ram of Doom/Stoner Metal dimensions.

Regional Theatre does have a theatrical or cinematic aspect to the whole story where the music drastically changes with each individual track. The heartfelt poppier / stadium rock friendly aspects soon give way to a more damaging Grunge, Heavy Psych and Prog Metal dynamic. The Fierce And The Dead are very hard to categorize here and they do remind me of the amazing band CLOAKROOM. As both bands have similar styles of delivering HEAVY MUSIC though multiple different lenses of the ROCK / METAL spectrum.

There’s a wonderful Eighties Rock sound that feels inspired by The Smiths and The Cure but with a subtle Sludgy Rock sound still being heard in the distance. Then the band changed musical direction for an abstract Punk Rock and Grunge sound on the amazing tracks of Somehow and Hey Nightmare being my favourite two tracks on the album.

Regional Theatre is perhaps one the hardest albums I’ve reviewed this year but that’s a great thing as the whole musical journey keeps you on your toes with it’s outlandish and surreal vision fully coming to life on the standout tracks of Loungeside, The 1234, Somehow, Hey Nightmare, Superbia, Hypernormalisation and Signal Bleed. I know that’s almost the entire album listed there but I love those tracks the same as each other.

The melodies are wonderfully subversive and superbly confusing at the same time with a jangled approach still allowing The Fierce And The Dead to show you what FAITH NO MORE, MASTODON and AT THE DRIVE-IN would sound like if they enter the Stoner Rock/Metal underground scene with a dash of TOOL and KING CRIMSON just to fuck things up even further but in a good way. 

The lyrics are slightly fantastical but are the perfect gateway and introduction for casual listeners to find a way into The Fierce And The Dead’s wonderfully inventive world. There’s a great use of SONIC experimentation which brings a fresh perspective to the band’s entire musical output. 

Regional Theatre is an absolute masterclass of warped and passionate heavy music which manages to project almost every genre possible but still being mostly part of the Doom/Stoner Metal scene. Yeah, The Fierce And The Dead are in a league of their own which will no doubt push them onto greater, bigger and better things once more.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to The Fierce And The Dead for the promo.

Regional Theatre is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via SPM Records.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram