Tag Archives: Reviews

KISSIN’ DYNAMITE Surprises With Thrilling Music Video for “Queen Of The Night”!

Posted on by
Reply
German stadium rockers KISSIN’ DYNAMITE have unveiled the official music video for their track “Queen of the Night” from their chart-topping album Back With a Bang! This electrifying anthem boasts epic guitar riffs and dynamic rock vocals, delivered in true KISSIN’ DYNAMITE fashion. The accompanying video can be described in three words: sleek, massive, and otherworldly! Drawing inspiration from their highly successful world tour, with shows in Japan, the USA, and Brazil, the five-piece band now presents a visually striking music video of international caliber, featuring stunning nighttime scenes from the streets of Tokyo.
 
Equipped with an authentic 80s stadium rock attitude, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE have performed at countless major festivals internationally, opened for acts such as L.A. rock stars Mötley Crüe and played massive sold-out headline tours. This summer sees KISSIN’ DYNAMITE taking over festival stages again, including highlights such as Summer Breeze Open Air, and in autumn, the band is set to continue their world tour. Watch the music video for “Queen Of The Night” below and don’t miss out on tickets for the upcoming live shows!
 
KISSIN’ DYNAMITE comments:
“Just back from Florida and Brazil, we immediately associate the song ‘Queen Of The Night’ with the incredible impressions of our current world tour. It symbolizes the life, the hustle, the glitter, and the magic we’ve experienced at concerts around the globe. We were especially captivated by the sheer scale of Tokyo. That’s why we were determined to capture scenes at the legendary Shibuya Crossing and downtown for the ‘Queen Of The Night’ music video. But see and hear for yourselves!”
Check Out the Official Music Video for “Queen Of The Night” HERE:

Founded as a teenage school band in 2007, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE has risen to spectacular heights, with multiple top-charting successes. Their latest album, Back With A Bang, marked a historic achievement as the band’s first-ever #1 debut, following the success of their previous studio release, Not The End Of The Road (2022), which soared to #2 on the Official German Album Charts. In addition, their infectious rock anthems have topped the Rock Radio Airplay Charts multiple times, while the band’s most popular music videos have each garnered over a million views, cementing their place as a multi-million-streamed sensation.

Modern Metal Unit TETRARCH Drops New Track “Best Of Luck” Amid Album Release Week

Posted on by
Reply
The wait is almost over! Ahead of tomorrow’s release of their blistering third album, The Ugly Side Of Me, modern metal stars TETRARCH have dropped their fourth and final single, entitled “Best Of Luck”. The standout track showcases the stellar riff artistry of Jackson Guitars’ first ever female signature artist Diamond Rowe.

Diamond Rowe of TETRARCH offers an inside look at the lyricism behind “Best Of Luck”:
“’Best Of Luck’ was such a fun song to write. I think Josh and I got together and wrote this song together in only a few hours and it has ended up being a favorite of those who have heard the album already.

The title of this song has kind of a funny story. I remember when we were younger and just starting out we would get rejection emails left and right from several different people within the industry. A lot of them used to sign their emails ‘Best of Luck’ or ‘Best of Luck in the future’ and it was always funny because clearly they didn’t wish us well at all, haha! Fast forward to now, when we have accomplished so much of what a lot of those people said we never would already, so this is kind of our ‘Best of Luck’ back to them. No hard feelings, just a funny tongue in cheek kind of thing. Maybe it’s us just being the smart asses that we always are.” 
Listen to “Best Of Luck” HERE:

After four years of intensely focused growth, TETRARCH is poised to top the multi-millions of cross-platform streams and views of their addictive singles and high-energy videos, frequent playlisting via Spotify, Apple and others, mainstream top 40 Active Rock radio blitzes, attention from major media like Billboard, Revolver, Alternative Press, Guitar World, Kerrang! and Metal Hammer, and international tours supporting legendary artists Sevendust, Atreyu and beyond.

If there is any question as to whether a band can push the confines of metal and hard rock in to the future, TETRARCH are the answer. Combining energetic modern musical aggression and lyrical honesty with colossal choruses and unforgettable melodies, TETRARCH appeal to fans both in and outside of the metal scene, providing newcomers a gateway into heavy music.

TETRARCH’s Napalm Records debut, Unstable (2021), received massive critical acclaim. Its debut single, “I’m Not Right”, cracked the Mediabase Active Rock Top 30 and has garnered over 15 million combined cross-platform streams to date. Follow up single “You Never Listen” later went on to receive keen support from SiriusXM, HardDrive, Full Metal Jackie and many more of the country’s leading active rock outlets. 

Among its perfectly crafted 10 tracks, new album The Ugly Side Of Me cuts like 90s industrial-injected single “Live Not Fantasize” – which premiered via SiriusXM Liquid Metal upon its release alongside Diamond Rowe’s Jackson Guitars signature launch – thrill with intense electronic flourishes, quick riffage and dynamic, spine-tingling guitar solos. Anthemic second single “Never Again (Parasite)” – featuring the standout vocal debut of Diamond Rowe – carefully balances thick grooves and massive atmosphere with deep-cutting lyricism and the mulit-faceted vocal breadth of frontman Josh Fore. Tracks like album opener “Anything Like Myself” showcase the hypnotizing, crushing metallic brilliance of the band while flirting with Josh Fore’s intense screams and Ruben Limas’ punching drums, while the likes of “Best Of Luck” stand tall with the rhythmic basslines of Ryan “Dooms” Lerner and Rowe’s inventive riff artistry. Profound melodic bangers like “Erase” and “Cold” are injected with intricate guitar solos, while “Headspace” and “The Only Thing I’ve Got” thrust the vital, brooding elements of TETRARCH into the forefront. Each track succeeds with lyrical themes of facing our own darkest criticisms – embracing the healing notion that what we feel others may see as our worst traits actually define the greatest aspects of our individuality.

Featuring needle-sharp production co-produced by Dave Otero, Diamond Rowe and Josh Fore, The Ugly Side Of Me boasts unrelenting brutality, catchiness and songwriting mastery. Metal is practically begging for its next wave of genre frontrunners, and with one listen it’s clear – TETRARCH lead the charge.

The Ugly Side Of Me track listing:
1. Anything Like Myself 
2. Never Again (Parasite)
3. Live Not Fantasize
4. Erase
5. The Only Thing I’ve Got
6. Best Of Luck
7. Crawl
8. Cold
9. Headspace
10. The Ugly Side of Me

DEVINE DEFILEMENT: Icelandic death metal force drops “Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 – The Lord of Flesh” single, new album “Ruthless” out tomorrow

Posted on by
Reply
Icelandic death metal force DEVINE DEFILEMENT return with “Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 – The Lord of Flesh”, a vicious new offering from their forthcoming album “Ruthless”, set for release tomorrow.

Expanding the grisly narrative introduced in Part 1, the track delivers a torrent of churning riffs, guttural vocals, and tightly controlled chaos. Fierce yet calculated, the band’s sound draws on technical precision and thick, menacing grooves to conjure a bleak, flesh-ripping atmosphere that cements their standing as one of the most ruthless acts in today’s extreme metal landscape.

The band commented:“Picking up right where pt. 1 one left off, ‘Anthropophagic Apocalypse pt. 2’ escalates the intensity and ruthlessness of what came before! Hitting like a sledgehammer of barbaric blasting, ravenous riffs, sickening slams and vile vocals, we delve deeper into the lunacy of mankind’s self-annihilation. Join the Lord of Flesh as he invites you into his sadistic creed of perversion and atrocity to play some vicious games”.

Stream “Anthropophagic Apocalypse Pt. 2 – The Lord Of Flesh”:

Time To Kill Records will release “Ruthless” on May 9th, 2025. With this latest offering, the band refines their sonic onslaught, embracing a more compact and percussive approach, crafting tracks where tension remains constant and unrelenting.

Since their eruption onto the Icelandic metal scene in 2016, DEVINE DEFILEMENT has honed their signature sound—a fusion of pummeling grooves, devastating slams, and sheer brutality—into an even more relentless force. “Ruthless” captures this evolution, delivering leaner, sharper compositions that pulse with controlled aggression and unwavering intensity.

Tracklist:

1. Human Sewer
2. Abusement Park
3. Terror Tales
4. Excreted Entity
5. Internal Delusions Of The Torn Mind
6. Pulverised Secretions
7. Anthropophagic Apocalypse pt.1 – Collapse
8. Anthropophagic Apocalypse pt.2 – Lord of Flesh
9. Curbstomp The Predator
10. Draco Dominus
11. Bio-Organic Liquid-Slam
12. Beyond the Veil of Death

Already a dominant presence in the extreme metal underground, DEVINE DEFILEMENT has solidified their reputation through tireless touring across Iceland and Europe, sharing stages with some of the genre’s fiercest acts. Their crushing live performances have left a lasting impact at Eistnaflug, Reykjavík Deathfest, Norðanpaunk, Deathfeast Open Air, and Nice to Eat You, with more festival appearances confirmed for 2025.

BYZANTINE Presents “The Unobtainable Sleep” Single

Posted on by
Reply

“The Unobtainable Sleep” is the latest single from Charleston, West Virginia metal veterans BYZANTINE. The track comes off the band‘s forthcoming new full-length, Harbingers, set for release on June 13th via Metal Blade Records.

“The Unobtainable Sleep” weaves a dark and poetic tale about the pursuit of serenity through death and features guitarist Brian Henderson channeling Jerry Cantrell-style vocal harmonies.
Notes Henderson, “This song title is a dark and poetic definition of death. OJ had a few riffs laying around that were inspired by Extol, Carcass, and Fear Factory, and they fit perfectly together to craft this tune. We specifically wrote an extended solo section to allow our friend from Russia, Andrey Gadzhibalaev, a chance to perform a beautiful guest guitar solo.”

Watch the lyric video for BYZANTINE‘s “The Unobtainable Sleep” HERE:

Produced by Peter Wichers (Soilwork, All That Remains, Nevermore), Harbingers offers nine tracks totaling forty-five minutes of deep lyrical wisdom alongside equally hefty riffs delivered seamlessly by one of the most commanding and unsung lineups to emerge from the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal movement of the early-2000s. Now a five-piece for the first time ever featuring founding frontman Chris “OJ” Ojeda, alongside former guitarist Tony Rohrbough, bassist Ryan Postlethwait, veteran guitarist Brian Henderson, and drummer Matt Bowles, with Harbingers, BYZANTINE is a crown jewel in their impressive seven-album discography.

The album cover, designed by mixed-media artist Ashley Hoey, beautifully depicts Irene of Athens — the mother of Emperor Constantine and the first female empress of the Byzantine Empire. This focus on a maternal ruler eloquently ties into the album‘s title, Harbingers, which means “ones who usher in great change.”

Harbingers will be released on CD and digital formats.

It has taken years of ups and downs for BYZANTINE to reach the point of creating Harbingers. Discovered early on by Lamb Of God‘s Chris Adler, the band quickly released their debut full-length, The Fundamental Component, in 2004. The record boasted a raw fusion of Bay Area thrash and Southern-tinged groove metal and set the tone for their future sound. Their 2005-released …And They Shall Take Up Serpents offering marked an even more blistering evolution. However, turmoil ultimately led to BYZANTINE‘s breakup, announced just one day after the release of their third album, 2007‘s prophetic Oblivion Beckons.

Reforming to release the independent albums Byzantine (2013) and To Release Is To Resolve (2015), the band saw the latter dominate SiriusXM‘s Hard Attack Devil‘s Dozen for weeks, also earning them the #1 spot on CMJ‘s Loud Rock Chart. Notably, BYZANTINE became only the second independent band to achieve this feat following Clutch‘s indie release, Earth Rocker.

In 2017, BYZANTINE made their Metal Blade debut with The Cicada Tree, faultlessly merging multiple genres into their progressive groove sound, a signature blend now synonymous with the band. With Harbingers raising the stakes and a revitalized lineup in place, Ojeda confidently states, “If you‘ve slept on BYZANTINE for the past twenty-five years, Harbingers will awaken you.”

MoldEra Announce New Single “The Dawn” and Reveal Full Album Details for “Colonize”

Posted on by
Reply

Belgian post-sludge outfit MoldEra are proud to unveil their brand new single “The Dawn”, now available on all digital platforms. The song offers a stunning preview of their upcoming second album, “Colonize”, which will be released on June 6, 2025, on CD and digital formats via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records.

After the powerful first single “Falling Through the Ashes”, “The Dawn” delivers another immersive experience, blending thunderous stoner doom riffs with post-metal atmospheres and flashes of ’90s grunge emotion. MoldEra’s sound continues to evolve, combining weight and introspection in equal measure.

Colonize is a six-track concept album written and composed collectively by the band. It fuses classic doom and stoner foundations with progressive dynamics, heavily inspired by artists like Sleep, Yob, Earth, King Buffalo and Isis, while also channeling the raw intensity of Alice in Chains, Deftones and other grunge legends.

Lyrically, the album explores topics such as environmental destruction, industrialized exploitation of nature, criticism of the techno-optimist visions spread by corporate and military power structures, and the resilience of life within collapsing systems. Frontman Florian Zanatta pens lyrics that act as both a warning and a spark of hope for a different future, one where human and non-human life may find a new balance.

The album was recorded live in May 2024 at Koko Studio (Sprimont, Liège, Belgium), and was mixed and mastered in the summer by Laurent Eyen. Known for his work with It It Anita, Pestifer, Gros Coeur, and La Jungle, as well as his live sound engineering for Birds In Row, Eyen captured MoldEra’s dense, organic sound with clarity and raw energy.

UNDECAYED: Decibel Magazine streams “The Descendants of Death” single from Swedish death metal act, “In Death’s Image” debut album out soon

Posted on by
Reply

Swedish death metal juggernaut UNDECAYED return with a brand-new single, “The Descendants of Death”, now streaming exclusively via Decibel Magazine. The track is another unrelenting slab of sonic devastation lifted from the band’s forthcoming debut album “In Death’s Image”, set for release on May 21st, 2025 through Lethal Scissor Records.

Channeling the ferocity of classic ’90s death metal, UNDECAYED deliver a barrage of blast-laden grooves, guttural vocals, and sinister riffing that draws from the genre’s darkest roots while forging their own merciless path forward.

Stream “The Descendants Of Death” HERE.

Likely the first album ever released with the word ‘death’ in the title of every song, “In Death’s Image” takes its thematic obsession to another level: in one track, the word for ‘death’ is even sung in 19 different languages. The album’s lyrics paint a grim and absolute vision of annihilation—”Death” arrives on Earth in a physical form, surpassing any concept of a god, to extinguish all existence. No one and nothing is spared: humans, animals, vegetation, water, air—everything dies. There is NO hope for life.

Tracklist:

1 – The World Shall Know Only Death
2 – Death’s Only Demand
3 – The Descendants Of Death
4 – In Death’s Image
5 – Death Shall Come (Death Shall Prevail)
6 – Death’s Pallid Coat
7 – World At Death’s Door
8 – Entreating Death In Vain
9 – The Greatest Death

All music composed by Mikael Bergman
All lyrics written by Tony Richter
Cover artwork by renowned artist Jon Zig

Biography:

UNDECAYED was formed in August 2008 by Tony Richter (vocals) and Mikael Bergman (guitars) as a result of lineup issues in their respective bands, 9th Plague and Disromance. The two had played together in several bands throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, most notably Gardens of Obscurity and The Darksend. Initially, Richter and Bergman were joined by Disromance drummer Johnny Augustsson. Bassist Christoffer Svensson joined in 2009, and in 2014, drummer Jesper Leidbring replaced Augustsson.

The idea that every song should include the word “death” in its title emerged in 2010, both to emphasize that this was true DEATH metal and because such a concept had never been done before. The demo “The Triumph of Death” was recorded in late 2010 and released in January 2011. It was then decided that no further demos would be released before the debut album.

Over the years, family matters, work commitments, health issues, the loss of two rehearsal spaces, and lineup changes all contributed to periods of forced inactivity and delays. It wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that the band was finally able to complete their album “In Death’s Image”.

DEVS MORTVORVM: Chilean death-doom cult to release “The Oldest Crypt” EP in June

Posted on by
Reply

Chilean death-doom cult DEVS MORTVORVM will unleash their new EP on June 6, 2025 via Apocalyptic Productions, delivering a putrid sermon steeped in the stench of traditional death metal and the mournful crawl of doomed melodies.

The first single “Love for the Dead” is now streaming HERE.

Formed in 2015 by David Briones (guitar) and Claudio Carrasco (vocals), DEVS MORTVORVM emerged with a clear mission: to play Graveyard Doom Death, inspired by legendary acts such as Goatlord, Derketa, early Cathedral and Autopsy. The band is now completed by Andrés Henríquez on drums and Felipe Vuletich on bass, bringing even more weight and rot to their already imposing sound.

This upcoming EP features five tracks—three original compositions, a crushing cover of “Acid Orgy” by U.S. cult legends Goatlord, and a raw live track that captures the band’s visceral stage presence. Every aspect of this release – lyrics, artwork, and music – is a unified expression of DEVS MORTVORVM’s devotion to the morbid spirit of doom-death and necrolatry.

Musically, the EP offers an enticing blend of shadow-drenched, vicious death-doom, where sludgy riffs clash and intertwine with serpentine melodies, creating a dynamic tension that keeps each track unpredictable and alive. It’s a masterclass in sonic decay, where every note drips with the dampness of the tomb.

Tracklist:

01. Orgy in the Graveyard
02. Love for the Dead
03. The Oldest Crypt
04. Acid Orgy (Goatlord cover)
05. Orgy in the Graveyard (live)

Line-up:

David Briones – Guitars
Claudio Carrasco – Vocals
Andrés Henríquez – Drums
Felipe Vuletich – Bass

Recorded between july 2023 and september 2024 at Black Sheep Studios
All Music composed by David Briones except “Acid Orgy” by Goatlord.
Lyrics and vocal lines by Claudio Carrasco except “Acid Orgy” by Goatlord.
Live track recorded at MiBar 20/12/2024
Artwork by Julián Mora.

UNMERCIFUL Launch Newest Single “Miracle in Fire”

Posted on by
Reply

Devouring Darkness out May 23 on Willowtip Records

The third – and potentially most destructive – single off the new album from Topeka, KS-based brutal death metal horde UNMERCIFUL is now streaming.

“Miracle in Fire” is live now at Heavy Blog is Heavy. Check out the exclusive premiere for the song at this location.

Devouring Darkness marks a new era of relentless violence and sonic brutality! With ten tracks of scorching intensity and distorted vengeance, the album is filled with blistering blast beats, intricate kick drum patterns, and destructive riffing.

“Miracle in Fire” will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming services on Friday, May 2. Additional selections from Devouring Darkness are now streaming on all major platforms.

Devouring Darkness is set for release on CD, digital, and vinyl formats on May 23 on Willowtip Records.

Pre-order the album at:

willowtip.com

unmerciful.bandcamp.com

Tracklist:

 1. Miracle in Fire

 2. Unnatural Ferocity

 3. Malice Unbound

 4. Devouring Darkness

 5. Relentless Malevolence

 6. Vomit you out (Origin cover)*

 7. Infernal Conquering

 8. The Reaping

 9. Voracious Lunacy

10. Vengeance Transcending

UNMERCIFUL has announced the first of many live assaults in support of Devouring Darkness. The band will host an album release show on June 20 at Warehouse on Broadway in Kansas City, MO, alongside Torn The Fuck Apart, Garoted, and Hossferatu. Details and tickets are available here.

Devouring Darkness sees the return of longtime member Jeremy Turner to guitar and introduces Josh Riley as the band’s new vocalist, further intensifying the group’s punishing sound.

The album was engineered and produced by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, with mastering handled by the legendary Alan Douches (Cannibal Corpse, Hate Eternal, etc.). Artwork by Santiago Francisco Jaramillo.

UNMERCIFUL is seeking a bassist for live performances and/or a permanent position. Serious inquiries only. Contact the band for details.

Toronto Prog DEREV Shares New Live Video “Cyclone” and Kick Off Cross-Canada Tour Dates For Debut Album “Troubled Mind”

Posted on by
Reply

Getting set to hit the road for their Western Canadian tour (dates listed below) in support release of their first full-length, “Troubled Mind”, Toronto prog rock Derev is sharing their latest live video performing their track “Cyclone”, which was filmed during a hometown album launch show at the Supermarket.

“The Troubled Mind’s release show at the Supermarket was one of the best experiences we’ve had on stage to date. That night was one of those nights when the stars were aligned and everything went as well as we could have hoped. From the energy of the crowd to the impeccable sound and lighting on stage. We wanted to release a video of that night to give people a glimpse of what they can expect coming to see us live. We can’t wait to kick off the tour and bring the whole “Troubled Mind” live experience to our fans out west and all across Canada,” adds the band.

Watch and listen to Derev performing “Cyclone” at Supermarket in Toronto at:

Derev‘s new album “Troubled Mind” is the follow-up to their 2021 debut EP “Leap of Faith,” and takes a deep dive into the intricacies of the human psyche, addressing a spectrum of mental health issues with each track, ranging from temporary mental instability to more severe conditions such as schizophrenia, cognitive immobility (a fixation on the past), and depression stemming from loss.

Offering a diverse range of sounds from mellow, calm tracks to adrenaline-pumping heavy headbangers while maintaining their distinctive progressive rock sound, enriched with Middle Eastern influences. Incorporating more prominent keyboard parts, experimenting with various time signatures, and introducing new instruments such as the Cajon, Darbuka, and electronic elements. This evolution showcases the band’s innovative spirit and commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

The band adds:

“This album is very personal and introspective. It’s full of memorable songs and parts to listen to and digest, both from a musical and lyrical perspective. Every song tackles a different state of mind and takes the listener into their thoughts of a mental state that they can relate to. As this one marks our second official release, we think the fans will be excited about hearing what Derev still has to offer. They’re in for a crazy ride full of energetic ups and heartbreaking downs.”

Derev was conceived after founding member and drummer Michel Karakach, after fleeing the war in the Middle East and finding refuge in Toronto, Canada, reunited with his best friend, guitarist Armando Bablanian, to turn what was once a mere childhood dream into a powerful reality.

Derev‘s dynamic lineup now includes bassist Stan Komarovsky, providing the backbone of Derev‘s sound, and keyboardist Ran Zehavi from the progressive rock band Scalar, adding depth and complexity. 

Leading the live charge is frontman and vocalist Mike Symons, who has replaced previous singer Adel Saflou, whose recorded vocals are featured on “Troubled Mind”.

DEREV – Troubled Mind – Western Canada Tour​
May 2 – Sudbury, ON – The Townhouse w/ Jeidei, Codos
May 3 – Marathon, ON – Biloxys Wings and Things
May 4 – TBA (North Western Ontario)
May 6 – TBA (Manitoba)
May 8 – Regina, SK – Revival Music Room w/ Fame Fatale, 66 Aces
May 9 – Saskatoon, SK – Amigos Cantina w/ Out Of Frequency, 66 Aces
May 10 – Edmonton, AB – Rendezvous Pub w/ Darkened Skies, Silent Script, Misplaced Intentions
May 12 – Grand Forks, BC – 4th St. Studio w/ guests
May 13 – Kamloops, BC – The Blue Grotto w/ Augur, Gregarious
May 14 – Vancouver, BC – The Roxy Cabaret w/ guests
May 16 – Vernon, BC – Longhorn Pub w/ None The Wiser, Scared Soul Empire
May 17 – Cranbrook, BC – The York Public House w/ Phaeton
May 18 – Calgary, AB – Verns w/ Humans As Totems, The Future Relics, Rocky Mountain Maniacs, 13 Strikes
May 20 – Winnipeg, MB – Sidestage w/ Valley Narrow, Sunbreather
May 22 – Thunder Bay, ON – Black Pirates Pub w/ Cycle Of Disobedience, Along The Lines, The Fixer
May 23 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Soo Blaster w/ guests
May 24 – Timmins, ON – Victory Tavern w/ guests

​

LOCUS NOIR SIGN WITH LISTENABLE RECORDS

Posted on by
Reply

Locus Noir is the latest endeavor from singer Ben DMN, best known as the former frontman of the Swiss Industrial/Groove Metal juggernaut Sybreed, and is the result of a deeply personal journey, driven by his aspiration to reconnect with the music that inspired him during his formative years and to rekindle his passion for songwriting and live performances.
 
Drawing inspiration from iconic acts like Type O Negative and Fields of the Nephilim, Locus Noir’s sound radiates a dark and evocative energy. The music also incorporates brooding atmospheres reminiscent of Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride and the raw edge of Gothic Rock, resulting in a cohesive soundscape that offers both a fresh perspective and a timeless interpretation of what Gothic Metal can be.
 
This venture also marks a significant evolution in Ben’s vocal style, as he now fully embraces haunting melodic vocals that merge Peter Murphy’s theatrical flair with a depth reminiscent of Depeche Mode. The lyrics traverse contrasting realms, delving into themes both esoteric and carnal, often laced with irony: love, death, lust, and the bitter taste of parties that linger past dawn. Ultimately, Locus Noir serves as a sincere homage to the Gothic subculture.
 
Ben comments “I am simply thrilled to be working with Listenable Records again. It’s a team I’ve known for a long time and hold in high regard: they played a key role in Sybreed’s career and have always demonstrated a highly collaborative approach, which is in line with my own work ethos and was one of my non-negotiable conditions when I decided to return to music as an active artist. I also know that there is a real cultural affinity that will facilitate our exchanges. So I was very happy when they told me they wanted to sign Locus Noir after I contacted them, and I know I can count on the Listenable Records team, especially since they see as much potential in this new band as I do. This makes me very confident – and as optimistic as one can be when playing this kind of music – about the release of Locus Noir’s debut album, Shadow Sun, and the next steps in this new musical adventure.“
 
Initially conceived as a solo project with contributions from both long-standing and new friends, Locus Noir is poised to evolve into a full-fledged live band, ready to carve out its niche in the Metal landscape.
 
Locus Noir’s debut album’ Shadow Sun’ is due for release in 2026 on Listenable Records.