MUSIC EXTREME: 12/17/25

miércoles, 17 de diciembre de 2025

ARCHED FIRE RELEASE NEW SINGLE: "SO FAR"

PRESS RELEASE:

So far, so good… Oh f**k!

Arched Fire is back with a banger! The new single “So Far” reveals a rarely seen side of the Finnish metal band.

LISTEN to 'So Far' single: https://push.fm/fl/arched-fire-so-far

“I went through Kristian’s demo folder and found this gem of a song that had been lying there for a while already”, says Ari Väntänen. “I thought it had a great hook and that it would be cool to release something different for a change. I mean, we aren’t really known for pretty ballads, are we?”

More mournful than pretty, the song weighs on you like a looming storm until it exploding into a thundering middle part followed by cathartic final choruses, a gem of a song indeed.

And the lyrics, you ask, what are they about? This is not a love song, that’s for sure.

“This is a song about the difficulties in communication. It relates to the false consensus effect, individualism, conformism and neurodiversity”, says Kristian Herkman, the man behind the music and the lyrics.

“In some societies you have to be like the others to cope,” the singer elaborates. “Some people are neurotypical and some are not. Sometimes neither have the best social skills.”

There certainly is room for improvement. Maybe emotional intelligence and structured communication should be subjects in school.

“People like different things and usually they like familiar things,” Kristian continues. “People fear uncertainty, so they want to be in control. Money is power and conformity makes the masses easier to control. The more you know, the more you know what there is yet to understand.”

The temporary line-up on “So Far” is Kristian Herkman (vocals, lead guitar, kantele, 12 string acoustic guitar), Ari Väntänen (rhythm guitar), Mika Rytilahti (bass), Miika Niemelä (keyboards) and Fabio Alessandrini (drums).

Arched Fire - So Far (Single 2025)

Music: Ari Väntänen / Kristian Herkman / Mika Rytilahti

Lyrics: Kristian Herkman

ISRC: FI3FC2588202

Cover art by Kristian Herkman

Band logo by Ari-Pekka Lehtisalo

Recorded in Finland & Italy

Mixed and mastered by Marvin T / Tide Studio, London

Line-up:

Kristian Herkman: vocals

Ari Väntänen: guitar

Mika Rytilahti: bass

Miika Niemelä: Keyboards

Fabio Alessandrini: drums

Links:

https://archedfire.com

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialArchedFire

https://www.instagram.com/arched_fire_official

https://archedfire.bandcamp.com

SOUL OF ANUBIS RELEASE "RITUAL"

PRESS RELEASE:

Portuguese power duo SOUL OF ANUBIS will release their new album, "Ritual", on February 20th, 2026 via Time To Kill Records. After more than a decade of intense activity, relentless touring and a steadily growing reputation across Europe, the band returns with a record that captures the full scope of their signature sound.

The first single "Incarnation" is available now:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/3lSpUCfgouQ

Streaming: https://ffm.to/soul-of-anubis-incarnation

The band comments:

“'Incarnation' represents the rebirth into a new cycle to enter the path of peace after the conflicted struggle in life. It is the story of a man who, after his death, gets on the boat to head towards the perfect world and who faces difficult struggles during his crossing. Along the way, he must leave behind oppression, starvation, pain and mind, leading him to immortality".

Formed in 2010 in Northern Portugal, SOUL OF ANUBIS have carved out a distinct place within the European underground thanks to their explosive fusion of thrash, sludge, doom and post-metal. Their sound channels the raw urgency of Mantar, the primal energy of early Mastodon, and the relentless drive of High On Fire and Black Cobra, yet remains unmistakably their own - a visceral blend of aggression and dynamic shifts that refuses to be confined to a single genre.

On stage, the duo are known for their fierce and magnetic performances, delivering an unfiltered surge of heaviness that connects with audiences on a deeply physical level. Over the years, they have performed extensively across Portugal and beyond, building a loyal following through their intensity and authenticity.

The upcoming album promises to push their sonic boundaries even further, expanding upon their trademark blend of massive riffs, dark groove, and emotional gravity, while highlighting a newfound sense of urgency and compositional versatility.

Tracklist:

1. Ritual

2. Mind Crusher (feat Keijo Niinimaa from Rotten Sound)

3. Incarnation

4. Vermin

5. Dead Cult

6. God's Burial

7. Human Torch

8. Unholy Tomb

Preorders:

https://timetokillrecords.com/collections/soul-of-anubis-ritual

https://soulofanubisband.bandcamp.com/album/ritual