Hailing from Finland and known as messengers of melancholy, Atlas forge a uniquely Northern strain of modern metal where emotion meets cinematic scale. The band will release their third album 'Sunder' on 20th February 2026.

The Finnish five-piece blends ancient echoes and Northern mysticism with a contemporary edge, creating something powerful and memorable. Rooted in melancholic heaviness, the new album is a staggering showcase of who Atlas is today, how they continue to express themselves in unique ways, and how light can be found in deepest darkness.

We spoke to guitarist Tuomas Kurikka about the new album, the creative process, the journey to its release, the expanding world of 'northcore', and so much more.

Find out more here: https://www.atlas-northcore.com/

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Varang Nord is a Pagan Folk/Death Metal band from the shadowy forests of Latgale, Latvia. Since 2014, they have been forging a fierce and unmistakable sound by merging crushing riffs, growling vocals, and epic accordion melodies. Their songs celebrate ancient battles, forgotten rites, and wild northern feasts, carrying the spirit of old gods into the present day.

Their brand-new album, 'Mygla' was released in December 2025. Perfectly capturing how they have become one of the most distinctive voices in the northern pagan metal scene.

In this interview, we spoke to percussionist Nikita Kobcevs about the new album, the ups and downs of the creative journey, the desire to bring their live performance to everyone, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://varangnord.bandcamp.com/

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Uncultivates, the mathy post-hardcore group of riff-totin’ cowboys from Southern (Ireland) Texas, will release their debut album, ‘This Will Become Clear Later, Like The French Revolution’ on February 6th, 2026, via HORSEBOX Records.

It’s a miracle that Uncultivates have sobered up enough to get this release out, but here we are. When whiskey farming isn’t bringing in the coin, and they’ve been able to see through the haze brought upon by strong liquor, they create music. Chaotic music that sits somewhere in the noise, post hardcore, and mathcore genres and is built on the bedrock of fun first.

Don’t take Uncultivates too seriously, they certainly aren’t, but also don’t let yourself believe that these buckaroos aren’t a musically potent force. Trust me, come the end of this album, you’ll be happier than a possum up a trouser leg.

You can read the full review of the album here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-uncultivates-this-will-become-clear-later-like-the-french-revolution-horsebox-records/

We sat down with Uncultivates for the most chaotic, and fun, interview we have ever done. Discussing whiskey farming, the benefits of a good night sleep, exercise regimes, [REDACTED] – we’ve been instructed by their lawyer to remove this bit, and the importance of looking after one’s horse. Also, we occasionally mention the new album, ‘This Will Become Clear Later, Like The French Revolution’.

Find out more here: https://linktr.ee/UNCULTIVATES

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Damien Cain is an Ireland-based independent artist whose music blends melancholic alt-rock, gothic undertones, and a cinematic sense of storytelling. Active since the late 1980s, he first gained underground recognition with his progressive art-rock project Celtic Crypt and later with CAIN – whose 2000 single ‘Age of Darkness’ sold over 250,000 copies and earned the Impala Diamond Award.

Over the years, Cain has collaborated with artists ranging from Sir Christopher Lee to Wayne Hussey (The Mission), and developed a signature sound rooted in emotion, atmosphere and poetic darkness.

Now living in Co. Laois, Ireland, Cain returns with his new album ‘Standarte’, his most personal work to date. Mixed and mastered at Hellfire Studios in Dublin, the record brings together international musicians and explores the line between alt-rock, soft rock, darkwave, and melodic hard rock.

‘Standarte’ marks both a continuation and a rebirth: three decades of stories carried forward into a new era.

We had the pleasure of speaking with Damien about his new album, the creative process behind it, his extensive career, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://www.damiencain.com/

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Interview: It's Time to Thrash - Talking Dead Flesh Rising with Guitarist/Vocalist Rafal of Hellmaze by Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

Groove metal Texans, Upon a Burning Body, are back with their brand-new album, ‘Blood of the Bull’. Released on December 5th, 2025.

On the one hand, Upon a Burning Body keep it really simple here. Delivering a bevy of riff-based groove-infused metal with slamming tendencies. Whereas on the other hand, this is up there as one of their most experimental releases to date. Finding the band exploring metalcore territories and delivering poppier choruses. It’s a fascinating listen, thirty-odd minutes of varied, but familiar, metal that has plenty of banging moments, with just the occasional misstep here and there.

Read the full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-upon-a-burning-body-blood-of-the-bull-self-released/

We spoke to vocalist Danny Leal about the new album and how Upon A Burning Body are in a much better place now they have gone independent. We talk about their evolution, the challenges around touring abroad, and much more.

Find out more here: https://www.uabbtx.com/

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It’s been six long years, but the impossible has happened, Dutch progressive metal innovators Textures are back with ‘Genotype’. Serving as the conceptual counterpart to 2016’s acclaimed Phenotype, the new album arrives January 23rd, 2026, on the band’s new label home, Kscope.

It's all about evolution, which in progressive rock really shouldn’t be that much of a surprise, but the new layers that Textures offer here will divide to some degree. This is the Textures you know, but they’ve grown that bit more and found a array of new soundscapes to explore. Resulting in a dynamic listen that captures the imagination.

Read the full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-textures-genotype-kscope/

We spoke to keyboardist Uri Dijk about the new album, the Textures return, growth from within the band and from a personal perspective, the creative highs and lows, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://texturesband.com/

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Out on January 23rd, 2026, via Mascot Records, ‘The Fallout’ is the new album from the Manchester alt-rock band, The HARA.

The HARA’s ability to fit neatly within the alternative rock scene, while having a wider sound base that draws from varied genres, has always made them special. Yet, there’s an argument that they’ve been missing a little something that could help transform them into giants of the scene. Something that nobody really knew they were missing until now. That something is authenticity.

It does feel like they’ve reached a whole new level here, and all because it has the potential to connect with a broader audience.

Read the full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-the-hara-the-fallout-mascot-records/

We spoke to the band about the new album, digging into the story of its creation and how THE HARA have naturally evolved to find themselves in a more open and honest place.

Find out more here: https://theharaband.com/

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Japanese metalcore force Crystal Lake are back with their seventh studio album, The Weight of Sound, set for release on 23rd January 2026 via Century Media Records.

The Weight of Sound is a strong and confident statement from Crystal Lake. It showcases a band that knows exactly who they are while still finding room to evolve. Across the album, they balance aggression, melody, and variety well. Intelligent guest appearances and sharp, focused songwriting help elevate the tracks. While some moments occasionally feel familiar, particularly within the conventions of metalcore, there are plenty of standout passages of brutality, catchiness, and genuine emotion. All of this is delivered with precision and intent. As a whole, The Weight of Sound stands as one of the most complete and engaging releases in Crystal Lake’s catalogue to date.

Read the full review here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-crystal-lake-the-weight-of-sound-century-media-records/

A little before Christmas last year (2025), we spoke to vocalist John Robert Centorrino. Digging into the detail of the album, his creative experience, the work that has gone into making this version of Crystal Lake a reality, and much more.

Find out more here: https://crystallake-worldwide.com/

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On January 16th, blackened deathcore quintet Ov Sulfur will release their sophomore album, ‘Endless’, via Century Media Records.

Ov Sulfur have evolved beyond the constrictions of deathcore and in doing so, have refreshed the genre itself. All by utilising black metal and melody in clever ways. I’m not saying that Ov Sulfur have changed the deathcore game here, because they haven’t, but they’ve created something that does stand out.

What it also shows is personality and authenticity, and across ten immense efforts, there’s a surprising emotive vein running through the music. There’s also some cinematic flair, dramatic melodies, blackened ferocity, and crushing breakdowns, because this is modern deathcore, none the less.

Read the full review of the album here: https://www.gbhbl.com/album-review-ov-sulfur-endless-century-media-records/

Shortly before Christmas, we spoke to guitarist/vocalist Chase Wilson about the new album and the journey that Ov Sulfur have been on to realise their vision.

Find out more here: https://ovsulfur.fanlink.tv/bio

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