Dive into the shadows with Doctor Love, a swirling descent into emotional chaos, romantic disillusionment, and gothic grandeur. Taken from the band’s latest album Certesia — out now via Wormholedeath — this track balances desire and destruction with haunting intensity.
With lyrics that conjure inner turmoil and spectral love, Blax paints a darkly cinematic world where fire and chaos collide, black souls rise, and salvation comes with a twist.
Founded in March 2020 by Giampaolo Polidoro (vocals) and Marco Fanella (guitar), BLAX emerged as a pandemic-born studio project, debuting with Meravilia (2021), recorded at Ravel 5 Studios. With the addition of Massimiliano Bergo (drums), Giulia Balestrieri (bass), and Emil Dellantonio (guitar), the band officially launched in 2022 under AlphaOmega Management. Following the release of Meravilia, BLAX hit the road in 2023 with a European run that included Masters of Rock (CZ), a tour in Bulgaria with Arallu, and shows across Greece, Italy, and the UK. In 2024, after closing their Meravilia chapter at Rock Castle Festival (CZ), they welcomed new drummer Luca Urbinati (ANON) and turned the page with Certesia—their new chapter of sonic evolution and gothic storytelling.
Hiroe, the new darlings of the American post-rock underground, have revealed their new single ‘Dancing at the End of the World’, taken from their forthcoming debut album, Wield, due 20th June via Pelagic Records.
Both powerfully melodic and heavy, Wield shows the Philadelphia-based quintet mastering their craft, of creating compelling melodies that sound larger than life.
On ‘Dancing at the End of the World’, the group comment: “Though seemingly contrasting, “dancing” and “the end of the world” are brought together to symbolize our shared human capacity to transform pain and vulnerability into something profound and meaningful when facing overwhelming adversity. ‘Dancing at the End of the World’ represents an act of defiant optimism to find hope in the face of hopelessness. It’s a conscious choice to find light in darkness and not be consumed by despair, even when all hope seems lost, even when it feels like the end of the world.”
2022 saw Hiroe burst onto the scene with an explosive debut EP full of soaring anthems and sublime soundscapes. Combining the sonic expansiveness of Deftones with the dynamic heaviness of bands like Isis and Caspian, Hiroe immediately already figured out how to make the most majestic sounding post-rock early in their career. “Our first album, Wrought was a statement of creation,” explains principal songwriter Eric Kusanagi (guitars).
For the recording of Wield, Jill Paslier moved from bass to guitars, with Brian Kong (guitars), Jon Seiler (bass) and Dan Sagherian (drums) joining to complete the lineup. Produced once more by Mario Quintero (Spotlights) Wield capitalises on everything the band learned in the creation of its predecessor, adding to it a new focus on textural intricacies and compositional detail.
“We wanted to show a larger range of musical themes on this record,” continues Eric. “You’ll hear us dive into some synth work, some piano work, some really interesting effects that Mario helped us dial up.” Wield as a resultpacks in a huge range of details, which reveal themselves over repeated listens.
Nevertheless, Wield is still an affair of instant gratification for fans of guitar driven post-rock. From the soaring leads of ‘Tides’ to the epic finale of ‘I’ve Been Waiting For You All My Life’, Hiroe show they’ve upped their game in every department, but especially that which tugs at your heartstrings.
Wield presents the brave new future we all need in these confusing times. A new American frontier on which we can build our wildest dreams and our most daring ambitions.
Hiroe are:
Eric Kusanagi – Guitar Jill Paslier – Guitar Brian Kong – Guitar Jon Seiler – Bass Dan Sagherian – Drums
Iconic U.S. rock band, High on Fire, have announced a European headlining tour in support of their celebrated LP, Cometh the Storm. The GRAMMY Award-winning group will kick off the sixteen-city, nine country tour on 25th October in Maastricht, Netherlands. The tour concludes on 16th November in Istanbul, Turkey and will include high profile appearances as part of the Samhain Festival (NL), Bruges is Doomed (BE), and Damnation Festival (UK). Support to High on Fire on non-festival dates will come from Necrot.
“Europe, take shelter; a storm is coming!,” said the band in statement. “Prepare thy ears! High on Fire draws near.”
Dates: October 25 – Maastricht, NL @ Samhain Festival (w/ Author & Punisher, Conan, more) October 26 – Bruges, BE @ Bruges is Doomed (w/ Conan, more) October 28 – Berlin, DE @ Neue Zukunft * October 29 – Brno CZ @ Kabinet MUZ * October 30 – Vienna, AT @ Arena Wien * October 31 – Munich, DE @ Hansa 39 * November 1 – Milan, IT @ Legend Club * November 2 – Martigny, CH @ Les Caves du Manoir * November 4 – Wiesbaden, DE @ Kesselhaus * November 5 – Essen, DE @ Turock * November 6 – London, UK @ Electric Ballroom + November 8 – Manchester, UK @ Damnation Festival (w/ Deafheaven, The Haunted, more) November 11 – Athens, GR @ Kyttaro Club November 12 – Thessaloniki, GR @ Mylos November 15 – Cankaya/Ankara, TR @ 6:45 KK November 16 – Istanbul, TR @ Blind
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