“Ascension” somehow fulfills what “Obsidian” might have lacked; it’s another worthy entry in the band’s growing discography and redefines the modern gothic doom metal that is on par with other veterans like My Dying Bride. Out via Nuclear Blast Records since yesterday, September 19th.

Who says festival season ends with summer? In Finland, the dark months come alive with music: experience the true punk spirit at HKI SKEPU FEST (starting tonight), get in touch with your ancestors and nature at Pakanafestarit, discover new talent at Lost In Music, embrace the shadows at Hellsinki Industrial Festival, sail into chaos with the Hellsinki Metal Cruise, sink into sorrow at Melancholy Mass Festivals, and feel the fire indoors at John Smith Rock Frozen. When the nights are long, Finland turns the volume up.

Impact

Friday night at Black Hawk MC’s Choppershow weekend in Belgium was all about live music, and especially local bands with Poseydon, popular cover band Impact, and most of all Hexa Mera hitting the stage with a farewell show. Their powerful set hit especially hard, knowing the band is stepping away after 15 years: a bittersweet but fitting send-off for a group that’s been so important to our scene and community.

Last week, Finnish modern melodic metal band Northern Genocide introduced their new vocalist Joni Parkkinen and released the new track ‘Roviolla’, their take on a track from the legendary Finnish pop rock band Gimmel! And they’re working on a new album to be released in 2026!

Headlining Tuska 2026 will be Bring Me The Horizon and Bad Omens, backed by a diverse first wave including The Plot In You, Blood Incantation, Queensrÿche, Kublai Khan TX, Malevolence, Soilwork, Rivers of Nihil, Ensiferum, Bloodred Hourglass, Majestica, Melrose Avenue, The Callous Daoboys and Neckbreakker!

We’re already getting excited for another memorable weekend of metal and alternative music in Helsinki! 3-day tickets are already available right now.

Which band are you looking forward to the most? Or still wishing for? Let us know in the comments!

TLMNTR

The final day of Tolminator brought madness till the end. Mordkaul, Brutal Sphincter, Milking the Goatmachine & TLMNTR, captured by our photographer Tom!

Milking the Goatmachine

The final day of Tolminator hit hard! From Milking the Goatmachine and Psycroptic to Hellripper, D.R.I., Oranssi Pazuzu and Ministry, the Tolminator Stage went out with a bang!

Kataklysm

Day 3 at Tolminator brought doom, punk, and death metal mayhem with Ahab, Clockwork Psycho & Kataklysm, all captured by our resident photographer Tom!

Ohio’s brutalists Sanguisugabogg are back and more putrid than ever and recently shared the NSFW video for the single ‘Repulsive Demise’, another track from their upcoming album ‘Hideous Aftermath’, out next month via Century Media!

Cro-Mags

Day 2 at Tolminator was pure chaos and contrast! From Fulci and Midnight to Cro-Mags, Villagers of Ioannina City, and Cradle of Filth, our intern photographer Nox caught it all on the main stage!