Mad About Rock

  Today marks the highly anticipated release of III – Candles & Beginnings, the third studio album from AURI — the visionary musical collaboration of vocalist Johanna Kurkela, Nightwish keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, and multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley. With III – Candles & Beginnings, AURI once again open a portal to an otherworldly soundscape where folk, progressive rock, symphonic textures, world music, pop, and avant-garde elements entwine. At the heart of the album lies Kurkela’s ethereal voice, soaring across lush sonic landscapes crafted by Holopainen’s emotive keyboard playing and Donockley’s eclectic instrumentation. This new release is a tapestry of emotion and imagination, where each track tells its own story — from nostalgic reflections to deeply personal experiences. Coinciding with the album’s release is the launch of the third single, 'Blakey Ridge', accompanied by a brand-new lyric video. Joyful and transportive, the track pays tribute to The Lion I...

  Music has the power to open inner worlds - crafted from voices, sounds, and emotions that resonate deep within the soul. Today, AURI invites listeners into their ethereal soundscape with the release of 'Museum Of Childhood', the second single from their highly anticipated upcoming album, III – Candles & Beginnings, out August 15, 2025. 'Museum Of Childhood' is a vibrantly beautiful composition, stirring emotion and sending shivers down the spine. It is a shining example of AURI’s ability to transport listeners away from the noise of reality into a dreamlike realm of serenity and wonder. Accompanying the single is a stunning music video that immerses viewers in AURI’s enchanted world - where light and shadow dance with emotion and imagination. Open your heart and ears. Let AURI be the beacon of light that guides you through the dreamscape. Johanna Kurkela comments: “As we venture deeper into the enchanting realm of our new album 'Candles & Beginnings', ...

  Introducing "Invincible," the powerful new single from Floor Jansen, lead singer of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. Taken from her debut solo album Paragon (released March 24th) and originally written specifically for the Invictus Games, this uplifting anthem takes on the important topic of PTSD and its effects on not just veterans, but all of us. With 1 in 13 people affected by PTSD in their lifetime, and women being twice as likely to develop it as men, this is a song that will resonate with many. But "Invincible" is more than just a song about a difficult topic. It's a message of hope, of strength, and of resilience. The lyrics, "Out in the rain / Stronger now / Stronger than all of the pain / Broken but beautiful" are a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of coming out stronger. The song encourages the listener to "Master the pain / The cradle of your story / Changed by disdain / ...

  Floor Jansen, best known as the lead vocalist of the Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, announces her highly anticipated debut album, "Paragon", releasing March 24, 2023. This album showcases Jansen's impressive vocal range and powerful voice on a diverse collection of pop-infused tracks and emotional ballads influenced by the sounds of her career. "Paragon" has something for everyone and is a must-listen for fans of Jansen. The album includes the following tracks: My Paragon Daydream Invincible Hope Come Full Circle Storm https://youtu.be/aGqJksbbUoY Me Without You https://youtu.be/RAnIRd39Pr8 The Calm Armoured Wings Fire Jansen said, "Look at me now, I’m already there! To renew yourself and take leaps into the unknown makes you grow. To age is a gift not everyone gets. I am a fortunate woman who got to make an album I never knew I could make. One that even defines me, where I am on my path. I have reached my PARAGON! I am so proud of this work! A...

Recently, Finnish singer/ bassist Marko Hietala released his debut solo album "Pyre Of The Black Heart" via Nuclear Blast. Today, the band are pleased to reveal another live video for the track 'For You', that was recorded during their recent European tour. Watch the live clip 'For You', here: https://youtu.be/XTuVCe_YEUs Get your copy of 'Pyre Of The Black Heart' here: https://nblast.de/MarkoHietala-POTBH Marko Hietala comments: "Hi everyone! What a sorry state we, the civilization on planet Earth, are in. Everyone everywhere feels it this time. For a lot of us, this has already become a personal issue in the worst possible ways. For my part, I’m just grateful that my lady got back to me from the other side of the world in time. There’s a trusted hand to hold in this isolation. I was lucky. Patience, courage, strength & love to all. Marko. And here’s one more live video from Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland. This one’s 'For You...

NIGHTWISH recently announced their new live release 'Decades: Live In Buenos Aires', which is due to be released on December 6th as: BluRay Digibook, 2CD Digipak, BluRay+2CD Earbook, 3LP. Pre-order your copy here: https://nblast.de/Nightwish-LiveInBA Or at the NIGHTWISH webshop: shop.nightwish.com Now NIGHTWISH have released the first single and video for 'Devil And The Deep Dark Ocean'. Watch the live video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t26r_vAYQ0Q Get the song digitally here: https://nblast.de/NightwishDeepDarkOcean 'Decades: Live In Buenos Aires' is the upcoming divine new live release from Finland’s finest - captured by 19 cameras at the Estadio Malvinas in Buenos Aires on Sunday, September 30th 2018, on an extraordinary night in Argentina. NIGHTWISH came out to the rousing ‘End Of All Hope’ and took their bow to the unmatched epic ‘Ghost Love Score’. In between saw a set filled with pure trailblazing Finnish glory - incorporating distinguished ...

NORTHWARD, the hard rock project from masterminds Floor Jansen and Jorn ViggoLofstad, will release its debut self-titled album on October 19th, 2018. After recently releasing their first single 'While Love Died', the duo unleash their second powerful single 'Get What You Give' today, including a lyric video. Watch the video via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q-Tsd8vF94 You can get the single here: http://nblast.de/NWGetWhatYouGive You can also find 'Get What You Give' in Novelties playlists: http://nblast.de/SpotifyNovelties http://nblast.de/AppleMusicNovelties Pre-Safe at Spotify: http://nblast.de/NORTHWARDpreSav In case you missed NORTHWARD's first single, 'While Love Died', check it out here: Watch the video: https://youtu.be/bAiPeSsqD-4 Get the single: http://nblast.de/NWWhileLoveDied Pre-save on Spotify: http://nblast.de/NORTHWARDpreSav The album is now available for pre-order via this link: http://nblast.de/NWNorthwa...

Let's be honest; it doesn't take any overstated words to present this exceptional band to the world, for they are the undisputed pioneers of symphonic metal and the icons of a whole genre. Their virtuosity is consummate perfection, their inspiration lived passion. NIGHTWISH truly understand how to captivate and enchant within seconds. Since the beginning of their career which started on a mild summer night in July 1996, they have been regarded as the epitome of the most demanding, compositional music art and innovative sound ventures. Now it's time to take a look back over the last 20 years of music the band has created. In keeping with their upcoming 2018 world tour, NIGHTWISH will release a carefully curated best of album, entitled Decades, on March 9th via Nuclear Blast. The album brings together both classic hits and personal band favourites on two CDs. The Suomi sound makers have always been recognised for their exciting journey of discovery and as a tribute to ...

Tuomas Holopainen's 3-track demo earned him his first record deal with his freshly founded band NIGHTWISH back in 1996. 20 years later, with over 2,000 shows played and more than 8 million records sold - NIGHTWISH are the biggest European symphonic metal band. Reason enough for Nuclear Blast to celebrate this huge anniversary by releasing a 2CD compilation titled Decades, on March 9th, 2018. The band have released their first trailer, in which mastermind Tuomas Holopainen talks about the songs that made the cut for Decades. Watch the clip here and below: https://youtu.be/CeWMrytEH7I Tuomas comments: "Actually, for me personally, it's not a 'best of' because I think the more correct term would be 'the most essential ones' [...] If a person who has never heard of NIGHTWISH before would like to get an idea of what this band is about and has been about for the past 20 years, he would get the perfect picture on 'Decades'! That was like my ph...

Devilfire Annouce Debut Album Release  It’s said that some of the greatest bands of our time have been forged on the road, Devilfire is no exception… Following 10 days of gigging to 2000 capacity sold out venues as special guests to former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen, DEVILFIRE have forged a fiery path into the European Rock N' Roll road. Returning to the UK to a sold out festival crowd at Hard Rock Hell AOR 2017 was the icing on the cake, and the Birmingham based melodic hard rock outfit are ready to conquer the world with their debut album 'DARK MANOEUVRES' this October. Mixed by acclaimed producer Romesh Dodangoda (Motorhead, Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine) and co-produced by Romesh and Devilfire frontman Alex Cooper (Shy, Quireboys Spike, Ginger) at Long Wave Studios in Cardiff, 'Dark Manoeuvres' is a mammoth 13-track album. Calling on varied influences with a darker melodic sound, this hook laden, riff filled collection of music has been...