[Heavy News] Five Diverse Singles: BEAST IN BLACK, AGE OF RUIN, BRIAN CAMPEAU, LENAX and SLUNG!
Welp, missed the mark on Music Mondays news-posting, evidently.
Well, it is hump-day for a lot of you out there. I’d like to ease that whatever-2025-is overarching sensation of dystopia with a nice spread of music singles to nibble on.
Plus, given I’ve had to pull back a bit from posting the last few weeks, there’s now a lotta Heavy News to chop through!
[NB: For those of you new to the site, ‘heavy news’ is more bad pun than anything - we cover primarily heavy/alternative music but are also known for surprises, too! I’ll take sole responsibility for the categories-as-bad-pun titles. That one’s definitely on me.]
While you’re checking this post out, a couple of reminders:
We have a backlog of great content across (but also not limited to) our major themes - the arts, music, hobbies, gaming and mental health/wellbeing. Peep the categories up top! Thanks for joining us to both new and old readers alike. :)
We’ve just posted some killer music content coverage in the form of gig reviews, musician interviews, more Heavy News and other Music Mondays content, too. Suss it, have a gander, a looksee, etc.
This will be the first of a few multiple-artist posts for the week, so keep those eyes and ears peeled!
As Always,
Peace, Love and Grindcore xoxo - Brady.
RECENT SINGLES:
(Album release details also included with most of these, naturally):
i) BEAST IN BLACK and Blizzard Entertainments’ Diablo® Join Forces to release new track 'Enter The Behelit' to mark Berserk Crossover:
28th April 2025 - Today marks the epic convergence of three cultural titans: Diablo®, the critically acclaimed franchise that defined the Action RPG genre; acclaimed manga, Berserk; and Finnish heavy metal band, BEAST IN BLACK, who have collaborated to launch an exclusive track 'Enter The Behelit.' Releasing on limited-edition vinyl and worldwide digital distribution, a music video debuts today as well to mark the unleashing of this unholy event.
The crossover event with Berserk – the beloved, classic manga written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura – will take place in Diablo® IV and its mobile instillation, Diablo Immortal, beginning May 6 and May 1 respectively. Both Diablo and Berserk explore themes of good versus evil against a backdrop of terrifying darkness, making this crossover a perfect match for fans.
The Maxi Single:
The limited-edition maxi-single will feature a brand-new song ‘Enter The Behelit’ from BEAST IN BLACK, inspired by Berserk and produced exclusively for the game, as well as remastered versions of fan favourite tracks ‘Die By The Blade’ from the album From Hell With Love, and ‘The Fifth Angel’ from the band’s debut album, Berserker. With many songs taking inspiration from Berserk story and characters, the Finnish heavy metal band's music often reflects the undercurrents of struggle, fighting against overwhelming odds, and battling inner demons – themes that are prevalent in the games of the Diablo franchise.
Two hundred maxi singles have been lathe cut on black and red marbled vinyl and feature artwork from Diablo IV and Diablo Immortal, all created hand-in-hand with the Diablo art team and the Berserk IP holders. The front of the vinyl hero features from Diablo IV, while the back features key art from Diablo Immortal. The vinyl also includes a turntable zoetrope slipmat, band stickers, behind the scenes negative photos and concept art from the Diablo IV development team behind the Berserk partnership.
"The essence that swells in boundless volumes from the juxtaposition of light and darkness, angels and demons, good and evil, the carnal and the spiritual, is the key that seamlessly binds together the aesthetics and narratives of Diablo, Berserk and Beast In Black’’, said Anton Kabanen, guitarist and songwriter on BEAST IN BLACK.
"To somewhat poetically reflect on this extraordinary yet congruous collaboration I can say it feels almost as if this newborn and destined-to-be trinity has been designed by the God Hand itself. On behalf of Beast In Black’s team I express our sincerest gratitude to the dedicated teams at Blizzard, Berserk and Nuclear Blast. Thank you for making this happen. And finally, my individual acknowledgement and bottomless gratitude goes - as always - to Kentaro Miura’’.
Photo credits: Jarmo Katila, Toni Kilpinen, Dennis Båvenmark
The Music Video
'Enter The Behelit' official music video:
‘Enter The Behelit’ is accompanied by a bespoke video from award winning director, Katri Ilona Koppanen, who also directed the music videos for BEAST IN BLACK tracks: 'Moonlight Rendezvous', 'Hardcore', 'Power Of The Beast' and 'One Night In Tokyo'. The exclusive video features an animated trailer, inspired by Diablo and Berserk and incorporates the band’s love of the manga and gothic art of Diablo, bringing the story of 'Enter The Behelit' to life.
Shot in Helsinki, Finland, the music video will also receive a behind the scenes making of video showcassing the collision of the dark worlds of Diablo x Berserk, with the support of Beast in Black.
Berserk Crossover in Diablo Games
Diablo IV Season 8: Belial’s Return, will launch on 29th April and heralds the return of Belial, one of Diablo’s Great Evils, and marks the continuation of Diablo’s dark storytelling in the form of challenging boss fights and even greater spoils.
For the month of May, Diablo players will have the chance to slaughter demons donning iconic Berserk-themed cosmetics. to date and incredible in-game content.
In Diablo IV, this includes the Berserker armour for the Barbarian, Skull Knight skin for the Necromancer, as well as the “Chimimoryo” as an in-game pet. Additional items can also be earned through gameplay or for purchase in the in-game shop.
In Diablo Immortal, players will be able to gear up in Guts’ Berserker armour or Griffith’s incarnated armour, play alongside a Golem as a familiar, and even face off against iconic characters from the Manga series. The crossover includes a boss fight with Nosferatu Zodd, one of the most formidable foes of the Berserk series, an eclipse inspired Survivor’s Bane mini-game and Griffith and Guts inspired cosmetics for every class of the game.
You can find out more details about Diablo IV: Belial's Return and the Crossover between Diablo and Berserk here: https://www.blizzard.com/en-us/diablo-berserk
ii) Brian Campeau announces new album: Brian Campeau Presents Jo Dellin And The Bone Spurs; releases first single, ‘Ruby’
(Note: Way back in the Before Times, when fellow ISC staffer Hamza and I were working together via a prior music outlet known as Overdrive Music Magazine (sadly now defunct, RIP), Hamza had written an album review for Brian’s 2018 opus Old Dog, New Tricks. You can check out the archival review right here, thanks to our blog-necromancy and with permission from Sebastian Graham - cheers mate!)
Canadian-born, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Brian Campeau returns with Ruby - a country-tinged lament, elevated through lush production and intricate finger-picked guitar.
Single Release: 18 April 2025
Album Release: 27 June 2025
Based in: Melbourne, Australia
For Fans Of: Angel Olsen, Beck, Nick Drake, Jimmie Rodgers and Elana Stone.
Canadian-born, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Brian Campeau returns with his latest record, Brian Campeau Presents Jo Dellin And The Bone Spurs, out 27 June on all major streaming platforms.
Known for reinventing his sound with each release, Brian Campeau builds on a career defined by adventurous songwriting and genre-melding arrangements with his new album. Where 2018’s Old Dog, New Tricks was praised for its lush production, warm optimism and compositional finesse - and 2020’s Ambience Driver offered introspective gems from the cutting room floor - Bone Spurs pushes Campeau’s sound into unchartered territory.
The record’s eclectic palette draws inspiration from country, bluegrass, and even Swiss yodelling, which is woven into Campeau’s signature blend of folk, indie rock, and experimentalism. True to form, the combination is as unexpected as it is compelling.
“This is yet another challenge for me in trying to make music outside of my comfort zone,” explains Campeau. “My music has always been about challenging myself sonically and compositionally-so this fits right in.”
The first single from the release is Ruby (out 18 April) - a lament for a lost lover, built on layered country motifs and impeccable production.
Lyrically, the song is simple - about love potentially found, and definitely lost,” explains Campeau. “Musically, this was an exercise in long-phrase yodelling. At the time of writing, I was used to short country yodelling (think Hank Williams), and this song was a huge stretch for me.”
“I wanted to incorporate this type of yodelling into a much more contemporary sound - rather than something traditional.”
It’s a compelling statement of intent from an artist who continues to defy expectations.
Youtube link (via label Art as Catharsis’ official channel) to latest single, ‘Ruby’:
Reflecting on influences, Brian name checks artists like Angel Olsen, Jimmie Rodgers, Melanie Oesch, and Franzl Lang - as well as few more closer to home.
“Lachlan Mitchell (Laneous) continues to challenge me - even if unintentionally. Same with Elana Stone, who will always be a favourite. And I love Tamara Murphy’s fearless musical approach.”
Lyrically, the album navigates themes of heartbreak, melancholy and resilience, offering listeners a window into a tumultuous chapter of Campeau’s life. As ever, this album is an introspective experience, taking listeners on a journey through the psyche.
“Much of the record reflects a rather hard time in my life. A lot of it is contemplation on people’s actions and approaches to social and romantic life-including my own.”
With lush arrangements, unexpected sonic turns, and contributions from Danny Heifetz, Tamara Murphy, Gideon Preiss and Justin Fermino, Bone Spurs marks another profound chapter for one of Australia’s best loved songwriters.
Brian Campeau's upcoming album Brian Campeau Presents Jo Dellin And The Bone Spurs sees release on 27 June via Art As Catharsis.
The first single from the album, Ruby, is out 18 April.
iii) Metalcore Stalwarts AGE OF RUIN Announce Nothingman Album; Release New Single/Video
Metalcore stalwarts, Age of Ruin, are primed and ready to release new album, Nothingman, on October 17! But first...a new single (and b-side)! ‘Heavy is the Crown’ is the first single from the forthcoming album.
Check out the video for "Heavy is the Crown" at:
"Heavy is the Crown" is streaming at the following locations:
SPOTIFY:
open.spotify.com/track/71EzJfAtbEdopCApjMYb0M
APPLE MUSIC:
FFO: In Flames, Soilwork, Killswitch Engage, and Gojira.
Track Listing:
1. The Fixation
2. Heavy is the Crown
3. Lost in Shadows
4. The Traveler
5. Nothingman
6. An Awakening
7. The Ghosts We Carry
8. Promise Me
9. Bleed for Better Days
10. Lovesong
Credits:
Produced by Mike Schleibaum / The Riff Dojo.
Mixed and mastered by Will Beasley / The Bakery.
Original artwork, Oil on Canvas titled "Forest Mother" by Zack Dunn.
Photo Credit: Jason Worcester
Line-up:
Benjamin Swan - vocals
Daniel Fleming - guitar
Jonathan Clay - guitar
Christopher Fleming - bass
Hendrik Osinga - drums
BIO:
The exact location of the dawn of man has been a constant subject of debate. Some say it was Prometheus delivering fire, some say it was Franklin discovering electricity, most people say it’s when Lars met James…but everyone agrees: those were simply precursors. Throughout the age of enlightenment, the renaissance, the reformation era and beyond, mortals have tried to make sense of mankind's meaning on earth.
Most archaeologists believe that in the late 90's, a surge of lightning fast riffs, guttural screams, devastatingly bass tones, and the relentless pulverizing rhythm of drums unearthed a crucial piece of this puzzle...this ushered in what would be known as The Age of Ruin. Those who heard it, really dug it. But those who dug it found there is much more than the surface layers. Music filled with textures, themes, and tunings that go deeper than a James Cameron film unbound by budgets.
For over 20 years, Age of Ruin has been firing off a relentless string of releases. Even the busiest trash compactors could not keep up with the amount of crushing that Age of Ruin crams into a single album, and this is so…with Nothingman. They have consistently delivered a brutal barrage of the heaviest hits metal has heard. Why stop At the Gates, when you can break down the whole house with your music? Why get Entombed when you can breathe new life into the scene? Why let the years waste away when the Age of Ruin can answer all of these questions?
Age of Ruin has definitely paid their dues, earning every ounce of the heaviest crown one band could carry. Naturally, the tonal tenure of the AoRmy servicemen is not something that can be held onto forever...the constant axe-wielding and riff hurling has required numerous changing of the guard over the years; however, in 2019, the core horsemen of the Age of Ruin (Benjamin Swan, and Daniel and Christopher Fleming) added Jonathan Clay, and Hendrik Osinga to the ranks, forging an amalgamation of devastation which would conjure a collection of songs that few, if any, houses could harness.
Fortunately, under the tutelage and production of Sound-Sensei Mike Schleibaum (Darkest Hour), Age of Ruin would hone their tone in Mike's Riff Dojo, creating an undeniable masterpiece of metal.
AGE OF RUIN - LINKS:
instagram.com/thisistheageofruin
iv) Heavy Alternative Rockers SLUNG Release Final Preview of Debut Album w/ Wistful New Video Single ‘Limassol’.
Brighton quartet Slung have released a final taster of what’s to come with their accomplished debut album In Ways, out this Friday via Fat Dracula/Art as Catharsis.
‘Limassol’ tells the tale of a tragic and existential love story centered around the holiday resort in Cyprus in the 90’s.
It’s exemplary of vocalist Katie Oldham’s ability to weave a narrative full of poeticism and emotion.
Of the track, Katie notes:
“The song and video tell the story of a sickly man, who, whilst reflecting back on his life as he draws close to the end, decides to take a trip back one last time to a holiday resort where he worked one summer when he was young and in love.
There he met a girlfriend who he partied with and had a summer of love, until the end of the season where he bailed out and left her there because he didn’t want to be the one abandoned. He’s lived with that regret ever since, never knowing what happened to his love.
In his final days he decides to make one last trip back there to try and relive the memories. But when he returns, the place is entirely different, and he struggles to hold on to those precious memories that are slipping even further away: ‘All of the rest that’s left in the dust, collects on my hands, what became of us? A face in my head that I don’t recall, do you know what it means? Did it matter at all?”
Watch + share:
Slung - ‘Limassol’ (Official Video)
Debut album In Ways is a collaborative combustion of its members’ experiences, circumstances and supreme musicianship. Their sonic universe - comprising the power of guitarist Ali Johnson’s incendiary riffs, vocalist Katie Oldham’s enviable dynamic and tonal range, bassist Vlad Matveikov’s undulating, yet grounding basslines and drummer Ravi Martin’s expert rhythmic punctuation - is a veritable musical supernova. Influences within the Slung camp are far reaching, with the band’s members referencing artists from Deftones and Baroness, to Wednesday and MJ Lenderman, to Queens of the Stone Age and even a sprinkling of Chappell Roan and Fleetwood Mac.
Initially the brainchild of Vlad, whilst he was living in Brighton, Slung were some time in the making. He tells of randomly meeting Ali at a campground in Australia in 2009, falling in love with Katie during lockdown and hearing a demo of drummer Ravi Martin’s old band in his other role running indie label Small Pond. The kernel of an idea for Slung began to germinate when Vlad’s previous band InTechnicolour disbanded, as he began to formulate new musical ideas, not knowing where they would lead him.
Vlad started out by working with like-minded vocalists such as Ash Tubb (Sugar Horse), Zac Jackson (El Moono), Lucy Sheehan (Projector), Annie Dorret (CLT DRP) and Michael Barton (Sick Joy). Bringing Katie on board as vocalist was its’ own journey.
"First thing you need to know is that Vlad is an absolute machine," she states, matter-of-factly.
He has creativity, passion and drive like nothing else, and an ability to ‘get shit done’ that is second to none. He approached me about two years ago with these demos to see if I wanted to work with him as a vocalist, and maybe try turning them into a band. I *totally* bitched out,” she admits, laughing. “My previous band (Sit Down) had only very recently fallen apart and my confidence was in the gutter - I just didn’t feel ready. But immediately from working with him (on just one track to begin with), I felt incredibly reassured and encouraged by him, and it was such a different songwriting experience than I’d had before. After about a year of convincing and with Vlad having successfully recruited Ali and Ravi, I finally took the plunge and joined.” Having found a musical home that really fits, she now remarks poignantly to the rest of the group and their journey together: “I can’t remember when you all became main characters in my life”.
Singer Katie’s storytelling and the compelling way she brings together personal, lived experience with more abstract, conceptual ideas and characters is evident throughout In Ways. Her inspirations range from sex workers and the power dynamics that come along with that profession (Class A Cherry) to the tragic occurrences of bull fights in Spain (Matador). In Ways also contains some of the contributions from the band’s former collaborators along the way. The melodies for Collider were largely conceived by El Moono’s Zac Jackson, which Katie adapted to fit a new lyrical narrative of a cult who are ruled by a deity they refer to as the ‘ritual prophet’ whom they converse with through the use of psychedelics. Limassol started life with Mykl Barton from Sick Joy while Projector’s Lucy Sheehan worked the initial stages of Come Apart, a track which sounds like it could be the opening theme for a cult TV series like Breaking Bad or True Detective. The lyrics and melodies of Heavy Duty are the result of creativity from both Katie and CLT DRP’s Annie Dorett. It’s an impactful song about generational trauma, the pain of growing up as a young girl and realising you’re being cultivated into a product the world wants to consume. “Men teach you to be quiet and obey from a young age,” explains Katie. “And so often we are raised to be as pretty and helpful as possible to serve men, to be their glamorous trophy, or servant to their every whim. I was exposed to a lot of this ideology as a kid, a lot by how my Father viewed women, and it’s taken me years to deprogram from it. Sometimes I still hear his voice coming out of mine when I react to things, the imprint of his temper flaring up in me.”
Katie communicates that one of her personal missions for the band relates to representation, inclusion, sisterhood and women being a more dominant force in music, whether that’s on stage, behind the scenes or in the crowd. She says “My love for women knows no bounds. Everything I do, I do for the girlies, the women and the female gaze exclusively. (This extends of course to ALL women inclusively, no TERF bullshit here.) There is just an unparalleled magical feeling when you’re around liberated, electrifying women who speak with honesty and clarity and without fear. The world is built to try and make us resent, envy and destroy each other, and I LOVE those moments where we realize we are more alike than what divides us. I want to be around women all the time, to be inspired by them, to connect with them and to share and to bond and unite."
Slung's debut album In Ways will be out May 2, 2025 via Fat Dracula.
Pre-save/ pre-order it right here: https://ffm.bio/slingitbaby
SLUNG - LINKS:
Official: https://slungband.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/s.l.u.n.g
Facebook: https://facebook.com/slungband
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@Slungband
v) USBM Horde, LENAX, Release ‘Throne of the Forsaken’ from Upcoming Album, Infection
Nashville (TN) - U.S. Melodic Black Metal horde, Lenax, have unleashed "Throne of the Forsaken", the third and final single from forthcoming full-length debut album, Infection.
Click to Stream Below!
Bandcamp:
lenaxmetal.bandcamp.com/track/throne-of-the-forsaken
Distrokid:
For fans of Watain, Immortal, and Enslaved, Lenax presents a style of melodic black metal infused with just the right amount of black n roll to land themselves in a rather unique position within the genre. "Throne of the Forsaken" tells a fantasy story of an ancient god-king who awakens back to flesh in order to return to the material world. No messiah, he returns with a heart thirsty for vengeance to bring the earth under his submission.
With lyrical themes based around esotericism, individuality, and cosmic horror, Infection paints either a picture of destruction and horror, or one of death and rebirth, depending on the stance of the listener. Does one succumb to a future of mindlessness in a hive mind apocalypse, or do they break free from the chains that bind us to the material world? Would you meet the dark man at the crossroads to sell your soul, and are you prepared to offer up payment when he comes to call? In all, this is a solid 40 minutes of modern black metal with enough DNA to show the band's roots in the early second wave, while managing to craft something unique in their delivery.
The band proudly returned to work with mix engineer Ilarion Ivanenko, who produced the previous singles in 2024. Mastering was completed by Øystein Brun at Crosound Studios in Norway. With a long history and a solid reputation in extreme music, including his band Borknagar, Øystein brought out the fine tuning needed to make this record shine.
Photo Credit: Draco Bailey
Infection will be released June 25 all digital platforms.
The band will also be launching a Kickstarter campaign to support a future vinyl release in the fall or winter of this year.
Album pre-orders coming soon!
Track Listing:
1 - Worship Hymn
2 - Leeches
3 - Chains
4 - Crossroad Black
5 - Hive Mind Apocalypse
6 - We Are Legion
7 - Plague Bringer
8 - Overdrive
9 - Throne of the Forsaken
Cover art by David DeFigueredo.
Lenax is:
Venomous (Vocals, Guitar)
Mordred (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Bones (Drums)
Additional Musicians:
Hephaestus (Bass)
Maikon (Drums)
BIO:
Lenax are a Nashville-based melodic black metal band that first emerged in November 2022 as the brainchild of guitarist and vocalist Venomous. The project evolved from a solo act into a full-fledged band known by a growing fanbase for their distinct blend of aggressive old-school black metal with esoteric and symphonic elements.
Drawing inspiration from a wide array of black metal bands from established titans to the obscure, the "Big Four" of thrash metal, and even a dash of classic heavy acts like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, Lenax’s signature sound pays homage to their influences while establishing them as pioneers of something new altogether dubbed by Venomous as "cosmic horror fueled nightmares.” — an immersive sonic rumination on rebellion against religion, revenge, and self-realization through occult technology, with a distinct nod to Lovecraftian lore and the impending doom of the Outer Gods.
Since releasing their debut EP Purity in October 2023, Lenax has garnered praise from both domestic and international press, with Rock Hard and Metalized featuring the band and The Metalverse lauding their ability to blend melody with black metal's raw power. Never losing an ounce of momentum, the band’s noses remain firmly on the grindstone as they prepare for a busy year ahead, with the forthcoming release of Infection.
LENAX - LINKS:
Linktree:
Bandcamp:
Facebook:
Instagram:
Tiktok:
Spotify Profile:
Youtube Channel:
There you have it, folks! Between video-game OST metal-redo’s, metal/hardcore, art/psych-pop, an experimental singer-songwriter and some good ol’ fashioned black metal, hopefully there’s something here to your liking!
If not, don’t stress; we have a LOT more single and album releases to discuss here at Inner-Strength Check.
Stay tuned for reviews from myself via the latest albums by Machine Head (US) and India’s Godless, plus more content from the rest of the team!
Peace, Love and Grindcore xoxo - Brady.