Los Angeles-based atmospheric doomsayers Qaalm will release their new EP, First Light Of The Last Dawn, on 21 June via Hypaethral Records.
The follow-up to the band's critically adored debut, Resilience & Despair, ushers in a new era of Qaalm - introducing influence from black metal and progressive rock and ultimately pushing its new material beyond the boundaries set by its earlier work. Even the production, graced by the skilful engineering of Paul Fig and expert mixing and mastering of Zeuss, two powerhouses who have collectively worked with Slipknot, Hatebreed, and Municipal Waste, displays evolution, elevation, and growth.
Elaborates vocalist/guitarist Henry Derek Elis: "There are elements in First Light Of The Last Dawn that reflect my personal views of death, the afterworld, religion, and reincarnation. It has made me think about my own journey - all the losses and who I would be without having to endure such difficult experiences. My belief is that one must embrace such suffering, in hopes of having some real quality of life. May it remind us that we are not enslaved by our past".
The band has unveiled the title track/lyric video, on which Elis says: "'First Light Of The Last Dawn' is a song that I wrote at the tail end of the writing sessions for the forthcoming second full-length album. As a band, we felt that this one was truly special and that it could potentially stand alone. It's an honest and heartfelt composition that comes from a place of pain and hope. It deals with suicidal ideation, survivor's guilt, grief and redemption far beyond a spiritual nature". Link
Qaalm Live w/ Dead Memory:
01 June, The Naked Lounge - Chico, CA
02 June, Overkill Bar - Tacoma, WA
03 June, High Water Mark - Portland, OR
04 June, Erebus - Kelso, WA
05 June, TBA - Sacramento, CA
06 June, Stay Gold Deli - Oakland, CA
07 June, TBA - San Jose, CA
08 June, Humdinger Brewing - San Luis Obispo, CA
09 June, Jerry's Pizza & Pub - Bakersfield, CA
10 June, Redwood Bar & Grill - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles’ rising darkwave/EBM/synth-pop duo ghostbells end 2025 on a commanding note with the release of their fifth single, "Immortal Lovers" — a slow-burning, heavy, and unmistakably...
Eye Of Melian delve into a metal classic with the third single from their forthcoming full-length, Forest Of Forgetting, set for release on 20 February 2026 through Napalm Records.
Embers Of Dawn share "Static Prayer", a new single that defines the band's industrial metal identity through precision, atmosphere, and thematic weight. The track introduces an original...
German dark electro/cyberpunk force Neuroklast return with a blistering new single and video, "Lilith", marking a dramatic shift in sound and attitude. The track introduces Rage, the...
"The whole thing for us with the lore we have created is inspired by Greek Mythology and the stories of Atlantis." - Phil Primmer
"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
"Goth people want to have fun sometimes too. I guess if your listening time is 99% dark, sad songs or evil black metal songs, sometimes you want 1% joy, and here I come." - Franck Hueso
"When you feel something you need to share, creating songs is the best way to do it. You can reflect on yourself so that you can relax and be relieved of that emotion." - Çağla Güleray
