13th February 2026:
Featured Up and Coming Artists:
Swedish Rock sensation The Gems return with their second album Year Of The Snake, out on March 13th, 2026. The Swedish trio solidifies their position as a strong player in modern hard rock. Their very first single, “Like A Phoenix”, instantly hit #2 on the German Rock Radio Airplay Charts and they impressed both fans and critics with their debut record Phoenix (2024). With one album under their belt, and numerous electrifying live shows, The Gems quickly established what Year Of The Snakenow effortlessly proves: this is the future of rock! The latest single is 'Firebird'.
Let There Be Rock's Breakthrough Artist of 2025, Dan Byrne swept in off the Mersey, announcing himself as a solo artist in 2023 with his debut EP, Beginnings. His powerhouse, soul-inflected vocal and deftly-executed, yet hugely accessible songcraft has quickly marked him out as an artist on the rise. Blending contemporary edge with classic influence, Byrne’s music is powerful, honest, and deeply emotive - widescreen in scope yet intimate at its core. It rocks, without question, but what truly sets him apart is the courage to weave sensitivity and vulnerability through the intensity
In just two years Dan has toured the UK three times, delivered standout performances at multiple festivals and found overwhelming support from Planet Rock - the UK’s leading rock station - where his first four singles amassed an impressive 25 weeks on the playlist. With that foundation firmly in place, Byrne now turns his focus to the release of his long-awaited debut solo album, marking the next powerful step in his evolution as an artist.
Rising contemporary modern rockers Revenant are excited to release the anthemic, uplifting and sing-along new single ‘I’ll Be There’. Taken from their highly acclaimed EP ‘Black Dogs and Sad Men’, the EP is also combined with their previous release ‘Best Medicine’ in a strictly limited edition to 100 copies coloured vinyl run bearing the moniker ‘Black Dogs and Best Medicine’.
Formed in 2023, the 4-piece from Newbury/Basingstoke UK consisting of Sam Lay (vocals, guitar) Matt Hudson (guitar), Robin Nutley (bass) and Carl Donoghue (drums) bring a huge sound and have had favourable comparisons to rock household names from Chris Cornell and Alter Bridge through to Black Stone Cherry. Their debut EP 'What A Time To Be Alive' was released to critical acclaim in 2024
With the release of their sophomore album, Midnight Blitz, only a few days away, heavy metal band Tailgunner fires on all cylinders once again. “War In Heaven” is a ballad that truly proves their versatility – a powerful statement in the book of heavy metal. This time, producer K.K. Downing is not the only legend that the five-piece from heavy metal’s birthplace could recruit: “War In Heaven” features Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple), who just won a Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his appearance at Black Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning happening, on synths. The feature epically bridges the gap between 80s worship and a youthful, contemporary spirit. Tailgunner are unmatched – Midnight Blitz releases this Friday, February 6 via Napalm Records.
Denmark’s finest AOR export, Boys From Heaven, are pleased to unveil the new single and official video, “I’ll Wait”, taken from their long-awaited third studio album, “The Wanderer”, set for release on May 22, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
“The Wanderer” marks a significant milestone for Boys From Heaven, as their debut release for Frontiers Music. Known for their unique blend of 80s rock nostalgia and fresh, forward-thinking songwriting, the band continues to carve out their own niche - one that evokes the timeless class of Toto, the smooth sophistication of the L.A. soft rock scene, and their own Scandinavian melodic sensibility.
Produced by frontman Chris Catton together with the band, and mixed and mastered by genre heavyweight Erik Martensson (Eclipse, W.E.T.), this new chapter sees Boys From Heaven refining their sound to its purest form.
Spanish melodic hard rock band Xtasy open an exciting new chapter of their career with ‘Too Late’, their brand new single out now on all digital platforms, together with an official lyric video.
‘Too Late’ is the first statement from Xtasy’s forthcoming studio album Phoenix, set for release one 10th April 2026, distributed worldwide by art of melody music/ Burning Minds Music Group. The song perfectly captures the band’s renewed energy and sets the tone for what promises their most focused and ambitious release to date.
Since their emergence from a steel factory in 2018, Australia’s husband & wife led, hard rock powerhouse Avalanche has taken the world by storm. Headlining tours and festivals across Australia, Japan, Taiwan & New Caledonia, and sharing stages with rock titans like Buckcherry, Fozzy, Rose Tattoo, Jesse Hughes(Eagles Of Death Metal), Uli Jon Roth & more — along with winning Australia’s largest live original band competition; Passport To Airlie – Avalanche has solidified their reputation for explosive performances and raw, unfiltered Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Their relentless drive has earned them international acclaim, with 2026 set to be their biggest year yet – releasing their debut album & touring with Airbourne across Europe & UK, followed by Rock The Boat.
Australian Heavy Metal heavy weights Wicked Smile have officially released their brand-new album titled ‘When Night Falls’ Worldwide via No Dust Records (Netherlands).
Wicked Smile claim that this new record was a natural progression for the band, moving in a heavier direction than their highly acclaimed debut “Wait For The Night”, whilst still keeping it true to the Wicked Smile sound with catchy melodic hooks.
Wicked Smile will be launching the new album live on tour, beginning in their Hometown of Melbourne, Australia on the 7th of March at The Northcote Social Club. Followed by a tour of the UK in June 2026, featuring festival and headline dates, with more European dates to be announced.
Nerve Star are a UK based hard rock/heavy metal band which took form in 2021, playing a blend of 70’s hard rock, 80’s heavy metal, NWOBHM and some punk thrown in the mix, with unrelenting riffs, big drums, thumping bass and loud guitars.
Their new release is single Black Ice (A side) / The Harder The Better (B side), out now, new album 'White Hot' set for release 27th February 2026.
Danish metallers Defecto have unleashed a new single, “Heart On Fire (feat. Stig Rossen)”, along with an official video, available below. The track is taken from their latest studio album, “Echoes Of Isolation”, out now via Frontiers Music Srl, and features Danish actor and singer Stig Rossen.
Defecto is a Copenhagen-based metal band formed in 2011 by guitarist/vocalist Nicklas Sonne, guitarist Frederik Møller, and bassist Thomas Bartholin.
Known for their combination of technical precision, melodic strength, and emotional intensity, the band has become one of the most respected names in the modern Danish metal scene.
Swedish rockers Confess are finally back with their long awaited fourth record, their most ambitious album to date marking a bold evolution in their sound.
The band described “Metalmorphosis” in the following way: “It’s definitely the ten most well-crafted songs we’ve ever written, both music and lyric wise. It’s fully packed with heavy riffing, big choruses and a whole new level of dynamics. We’ve pushed ourselves harder than ever and it really shows”.
“The album is mixed and mastered by Erik Mårtensson (Eclipse) and he has really taken the band’s sound to a whole new level”, they added.
While staying true to the gritty, hard-hitting energy that has defined the band since their early days in Stockholm, “Metalmorphosis” expands their musical palette with more commercially resonant material, crafting a sound that is both polished and explosively energetic.
Norwegian`s are really pumping out some quality music in recent years, the guys in Great Tide are another great band. Yes thats right the dungaree wearing quartet from Kristiansand, are back with another fine song from their West Coast meets the Allman Brothers collection, in the form of "Wake Me Up"" out this coming Friday.
News, Music Videos and Gig Announcements:
Dan Byrne UK Tour 2026:
Rising Merseyside rocker Dan Byrne is set to head out on an extensive UK tour in support of his forthcoming album 'This Is Where The Show Begins'.
The dates are as follows for Live... In The Moment Tour:
Mar 21 Wolverhampton KK's Steel Mill
Mar 22 Manchester Deaf Institute
Mar 24 Chester The Live Rooms
Mar 26 Newcastle The Cluny
Mar 27 Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms
Mar 28 Glasgow The Attic
Mar 29 Blackpool Waterloo Music Bar
Apr 01 Sheffield Corporation
Apr 03 Nottingham Bodega
Apr 04 Southampton The Joiners
Apr 05 Bristol Exchange
Apr 10 London The Lower Third
Apr 11 Crumlin The Patriot
