German extreme-metal adventurers Firtan have unleashed their second advance cut, "Ascension", taken from the ensemble's forthcoming fifth full‑length, Helios, slated for release on 2 October via AOP Records.
For more than a decade, Firtan have stood as a formidable presence within the German extreme‑metal landscape, captivating audiences across Europe with their intense, shape‑shifting live performances. In autumn 2026, the outfit will deliver their fifth studio album, premiering the material live throughout their Helios tour (see dates below).
Helios charts the brutal path toward enlightenment — not as escape, but as conquest. Named after the sun itself, the record explores what it means to become the strongest, clearest version of oneself in a world engineered for distraction, erosion, and decay.
Musically, Helios fuses the raw, atmospheric ferocity of black metal with the crushing weight of death metal, mirroring the album's central theme: clarity forged through struggle. The evocative presence of both acoustic and electric violin threads through the compositions with melancholic, experimental tones, adding tension and complexity that elevate the band's intricate riffing and unexpected structural shifts. Additional layers of depth arise from the incorporation of various acoustic instruments, ritualistic chants, and analogue synthesisers, enriching the album's immersive and dynamic sonic architecture. Link
Italian melodic dark/doom metal force Shores Of Null present “Son Of The Tide”, the second glimpse into their forthcoming album Homesick, set for release on 16 October via Dusktone...
Corlyx continue their streak of guitar‑driven singles rooted in 80s and 90s goth subculture with “Your Heart In The Serpent’s Mouth” — a dream‑pop‑meets‑doom‑gothic‑rock piece that...
Peruvian doom metal outfit Illwind today released their debut album, The Unfolding At The End Of Light, on Personal Records. Born beneath Lima's grey skies and persistent sea mist,...
Italian darkwave/post‑punk newcomers The Autumn Aurora unveil their second single, “False Idols”, accompanied by an official music video. The track is taken from the band’s forthcoming...
"It would be an exciting thing to be a part of the fourth The Sisters Of Mercy album. I think my role has changed in the last few years." - Ben Christo
"With Hypocrisy, I'm very "home", but with Pain, it's an adventure, just like going into the jungle only with a knife and no glass of water and trying to survive." - Peter Tägtgren
"This time we're trying not to complicate things too much. We want to have a simple message, but that doesn't mean there will be fewer arrangements or less songwriting..." - Pedro Paixão
"We try to support our army as much as possible since we also have friends on the frontline." - Helle Bohdanova
