Svart Records News

The works of Kansanturvamusiikkikomissio, the predecessor of Radiopuhelimet, reissued on vinyl in September Kansanturvamusiikkikomissio—better known as KTMK—was a hardcore punk band from Oulu, founded in the fall of 1983 by guitarist Jarno Mällinen, drummer Jyrki Raatikainen, bassist Pekka Salonsaari, and vocalist Antti Penttilä. The band managed to only play a handful of shows before their first five songs were released in the fall of 1984 on the praised Finnish Hardcore compilation Yalta Hi-Life, released by Barabbas Records. In the spring of 1985, KTMK released their now-classic album 666, which led to a breakthrough in the Finnish hardcore punk scene, even though the band didn’t really feel they belonged there. The album was the band’s first and ultimately their last, full-length record. Svart is now bringing this Finnish hardcore classic back to the turntables on a limited edition of 666 copies, completed with a insert. The band’s final concert took place at Mimmiteekki in Muhos, Finland on March 1st, 1986. Just a few weeks later, Mällinen, Raatikainen, and Kangas formed Radiopuhelimet, who have also played some concerts consisting entirely of KTMK songs during their career. One of these shows took place on February 18th, 2006, at the Vastavirta club in Tampere, Finland and was later released on DVD that same year under the title Radiopuhelimet Plays Kansanturvamusiikkikomissio.

The works of Kansanturvamusiikkikomissio, the predecessor of Radiopuhelimet, reissued on vinyl in September Kansanturvamusiikkikomissio—better known as KTMK—was a hardcore punk band from Oulu, founded in the fall of 1983 by guitarist Jarno Mällinen, drummer Jyrki Raatikainen, bassist Pekka Salonsaari, and vocalist Antti Penttilä. The band managed to only play a handful of shows before their first five songs were released in the fall of 1984 on the praised Finnish Hardcore compilation Yalta Hi-Life, released by Barabbas Records. After the 1985 debut album 666, internal conflicts within the band began to drive Kansanturvamusiikkikomissio into a dead end, which was resolved by bringing in Jukka Kangas as the second guitarist. Spurred by this renewed enthusiasm, KTMK recorded a six-song EP titled Seitsemäs pasuuna in early 1986 for Dekadenz’s Fuck label, featuring the underground hits Jeesus oli venäläinen kantoraketti and Boogie-mies. Now reissued for the first time ever, the EP includes five KTMK tracks originally released on the Yalta Hi-Life compilation as bonus material. The band’s final concert took place at Mimmiteekki in Muhos, Finland on March 1st, 1986. Just a few weeks later, Mällinen, Raatikainen, and Kangas formed Radiopuhelimet, who have also played some concerts consisting entirely of KTMK songs during their career. One of these shows took place on February 18th, 2006, at the Vastavirta club in Tampere, Finland and was later released on DVD that same year under the title Radiopuhelimet Plays Kansanturvamusiikkikomissio.

CHTHONIC's award-winning 2018 album Battlefields of Asura reissued on vinyl in September via Svart Records CHTHONIC is a Taiwanese metal band formed in Taipei in 1995, with the members nowadays split between Helsinki and Taipei. Their 2018 album Battlefields of Asura is an award-winning release. With this album, CHTHONIC won their second Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards. CHTHONIC's lyrics are inspired by Taiwanese mythology, folk stories, and history, while its music incorporates elements of traditional Taiwanese folk music, enka, and the sorrowful melodies of Taiwanese opera. These are accompanied by traditional instruments such as the hena and koto. Also integral to CHTHONIC's sound are elements of symphonic black metal and melodic death metal, along with intense riffs and solos. Critics have attempted to categorize CHTHONIC as death metal, folk metal, or black metal, but the band has opted for the simpler label of metal. They've performed at many major festivals around the world, including Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic in Japan, Ozzfest in the US, Download in the UK, and Wacken Open Air in Germany, as well as having toured extensively across Europe, North America, and Asia over the years. Prior to this album, CHTHONIC was signed to Spinefarm Records / Universal Music Group, under which they released three albums and toured internationally. After their 2014 European tour, the band decided to slow down, and vocalist Freddy Lim began his political career. He was elected to Taiwan's Parliament in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. During his tenure, he pushed for LGBTQ rights and gender equality, helping Taiwan become the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, along with advocating for Indigenous rights and other human rights issues..

CHTHONIC's award-winning 2018 album Battlefields of Asura reissued on vinyl in September via Svart Records CHTHONIC is a Taiwanese metal band formed in Taipei in 1995, with the members nowadays split between Helsinki and Taipei. Their 2018 album Battlefields of Asura is an award-winning release. With this album, CHTHONIC won their second Golden Melody Awards, Taiwan’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards. CHTHONIC's lyrics are inspired by Taiwanese mythology, folk stories, and history, while its music incorporates elements of traditional Taiwanese folk music, enka, and the sorrowful melodies of Taiwanese opera. These are accompanied by traditional instruments such as the hena and koto. Also integral to CHTHONIC's sound are elements of symphonic black metal and melodic death metal, along with intense riffs and solos. Critics have attempted to categorize CHTHONIC as death metal, folk metal, or black metal, but the band has opted for the simpler label of metal. They've performed at many major festivals around the world, including Fuji Rock and Summer Sonic in Japan, Ozzfest in the US, Download in the UK, and Wacken Open Air in Germany, as well as having toured extensively across Europe, North America, and Asia over the years. Prior to this album, CHTHONIC was signed to Spinefarm Records / Universal Music Group, under which they released three albums and toured internationally. After their 2014 European tour, the band decided to slow down, and vocalist Freddy Lim began his political career. He was elected to Taiwan's Parliament in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. During his tenure, he pushed for LGBTQ rights and gender equality, helping Taiwan become the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage, along with advocating for Indigenous rights and other human rights issues..

Eero Koivistoinen's debut album reissued in July Eero Koivistoinen is a wide-ranging composer and a talented musician – one of the all-time greats of the Finnish jazz. In 1965 Koivistoinen founded a trio that played avant-garde and fusion jazz together with Pekka Sarmanto and Edward Vesala. In 1967–68 he was a member of Blues Section – a group that is regarded as the first progressive rock band in Finland. Valtakunta (“Kingdom”) was originally released in 1968 and is Eero Koivistoinen’s first jazz LP. The songs of the album are based on the lyrics written by Finnish poets Pentti Saarikoski, Tuomas Anhava, Hannu Mäkelä and Jarkko Laine. The vocalists are Eero Raittinen, Seija Simola, Vesa-Matti Loiri and Koivistoinen himself. He also plays the tenor saxophone, piano and vibraphone, and is joined by a vast selection of legendary Finnish musicians, including Seppo "Baron" Paakkunainen, Pekka Sarmanto, Ronnie Österberg, Hasse Walli, Juhani Aaltonen, Antero Jakoila, Kaj Backlund, Esa Pethman, and Reino Laine among many others. All compositions are by Koivistoinen. The album reflects well the forthcoming compositional repertoire of Koivistoinen with its wide style spectrum. Valtakunta was reissued on vinyl in 2016 via Svart and the pressing quickly found a new home on the turntables of record collectors worldwide. After ten years, it's time to bring back this quintessential piece of Finnish psychedelia, avant-garde, free jazz, and progressive rock on wax and CD again.

Finnish Prog legend Wigwam's fourth album Being reissued on vinyl in September Finland´s Wigwam definitely belongs to the honorable circle of the pioneers of early progressive rock. Considered by many as their most ambitious work, Being was originally released in 1974. This reissue contains the album's partially remixed and remastered version from 2001, which the group’s mastermind behind the album concept Jukka Gustavson considers superior compared to the original mix. Being is a progressive rock masterpiece. Dark and satirical lyrics of social and political critique blended with complex jazz-rock, driven by the superb keyboard work by Gustavson who's joined by the band in its prime; Pekka Pohjola, Jim Pembroke, and Ronnie Österberg. Being is cited as one of the best albums from the 1970s Scandinavian Prog scene. Housed in a gatefold sleeve and containing a booklet, Being is out on vinyl and CD on September 11th, 2026.

Finnish Prog legend Wigwam's fourth album Being reissued on vinyl in September Finland´s Wigwam definitely belongs to the honorable circle of the pioneers of early progressive rock. Considered by many as their most ambitious work, Being was originally released in 1974. This reissue contains the album's partially remixed and remastered version from 2001, which the group’s mastermind behind the album concept Jukka Gustavson considers superior compared to the original mix. Being is a progressive rock masterpiece. Dark and satirical lyrics of social and political critique blended with complex jazz-rock, driven by the superb keyboard work by Gustavson who's joined by the band in its prime; Pekka Pohjola, Jim Pembroke, and Ronnie Österberg. Being is cited as one of the best albums from the 1970s Scandinavian Prog scene. Housed in a gatefold sleeve and containing a booklet, Being is out on vinyl and CD on September 11th, 2026.

Jess By The Lake’s fully analog sophomore album out in September Jess By The Lake’s highly anticipated second full-length album, HUMAN, will be released on September 11th via Svart Records. Jasmin Lempinen, the former vocalist of Jess And The Ancient Ones, is now focusing on her solo career and has this to say about the upcoming album. “This album is an analog counterattack and a celebration of live band music. It’s a statement against everything that modern society seems to be churning out from every nook and cranny: disposable, soulless, plastic, mindless output meant to be swallowed without question. The album is a carefully crafted work of art from start to finish and a tribute to both its creators and its listeners. In making it, we’ve strived for the best possible performance and sound quality that we were capable of at the moment of recording. And in that moment, we truly lived and channelled all our energy into it, which we hope will also reach the listeners. It unashamedly pays homage to the past, to the traditions of rock music.” The band began working on the album in 2019, when the first songs were written, and it was recorded live on magnetic tape in the summer of 2023 at the legendary Höyrybaari in Lapinlahti, Finland. The recording was handled by Tommi Saikkonen and the band’s guitarist Sampo Leksis, who also mixed the album. The old railway company’s log warehouse resonated beautifully, and at times the tape also picked up the rumbling of a train on the tracks right behind where the band was playing. However, making the album took time due to changing life circumstances and new additions to the family. Keeping the album entirely analog has also delayed the process

Jess By The Lake’s fully analog sophomore album out in September Jess By The Lake’s highly anticipated second full-length album, HUMAN, will be released on September 11th via Svart Records. Jasmin Lempinen, the former vocalist of Jess And The Ancient Ones, is now focusing on her solo career and has this to say about the upcoming album. “This album is an analog counterattack and a celebration of live band music. It’s a statement against everything that modern society seems to be churning out from every nook and cranny: disposable, soulless, plastic, mindless output meant to be swallowed without question. The album is a carefully crafted work of art from start to finish and a tribute to both its creators and its listeners. In making it, we’ve strived for the best possible performance and sound quality that we were capable of at the moment of recording. And in that moment, we truly lived and channelled all our energy into it, which we hope will also reach the listeners. It unashamedly pays homage to the past, to the traditions of rock music.” The band began working on the album in 2019, when the first songs were written, and it was recorded live on magnetic tape in the summer of 2023 at the legendary Höyrybaari in Lapinlahti, Finland. The recording was handled by Tommi Saikkonen and the band’s guitarist Sampo Leksis, who also mixed the album. The old railway company’s log warehouse resonated beautifully, and at times the tape also picked up the rumbling of a train on the tracks right behind where the band was playing. However, making the album took time due to changing life circumstances and new additions to the family. Keeping the album entirely analog has also delayed the process

Finnish prog-psych masterpiece Harvest Time by Elonkorjuu reissued in September The original pressing of Elonkorjuu's debut album Harvest Time is among the most valuable collector’s items in Finnish rock; its average price in 2026 is over 1200 euros, and even 1500 euros have been paid for a mint copy. Recorded almost entirely live and originally released in 1972, Harvest Time is a best kept secret for many Scandinavian Prog aficionados. Inspired by groups like Cream and Free with a more progressive and free-jam style, Elonkorjuu is one of the few bands that successfully progressed the whole heavy Blues/Psych Rock style in a way that made them unique and ahead of their time. Drawing influences initially from the schools of bands like Sabbath and Colosseum but expanding them with soulful church organ and cutting guitar from bandleader Jukka Syrenius, Harvest Time is entirely worth its reputation as a sought after treasure. A killer album from beginning to end. Heavy guitar work all over with great vocals sung in English, which is rare for a Finnish band of this era. After the sold out 2017 and 2021 reissues by Svart and due to a constant high demand, Harvest Time will be available on wax and CD again in September. If you have a place in your heart for the shadowy and mysterious world of early heavy progressive rock, then it’s probably Harvest Time for you!

Finnish prog-psych masterpiece Harvest Time by Elonkorjuu reissued in September The original pressing of Elonkorjuu's debut album Harvest Time is among the most valuable collector’s items in Finnish rock; its average price in 2026 is over 1200 euros, and even 1500 euros have been paid for a mint copy. Recorded almost entirely live and originally released in 1972, Harvest Time is a best kept secret for many Scandinavian Prog aficionados. Inspired by groups like Cream and Free with a more progressive and free-jam style, Elonkorjuu is one of the few bands that successfully progressed the whole heavy Blues/Psych Rock style in a way that made them unique and ahead of their time. Drawing influences initially from the schools of bands like Sabbath and Colosseum but expanding them with soulful church organ and cutting guitar from bandleader Jukka Syrenius, Harvest Time is entirely worth its reputation as a sought after treasure. A killer album from beginning to end. Heavy guitar work all over with great vocals sung in English, which is rare for a Finnish band of this era. After the sold out 2017 and 2021 reissues by Svart and due to a constant high demand, Harvest Time will be available on wax and CD again in September. If you have a place in your heart for the shadowy and mysterious world of early heavy progressive rock, then it’s probably Harvest Time for you!

celebrating the critically acclaimed 2006 album Noir with its 20th anniversary vinyl reissue released by Svart Records in September. Founded in Kokkola in 2001, but already established in Turku early on, Callisto has been laying low in recent years. However, the band's versatile and nuanced metal achieved international popularity in the early 2000s. Their second full-length album, Noir, released in 2006, is a significant cornerstone of Callisto's career. – Noir is the album we have probably received the most feedback about over the years, the band admits. – People make and send covers of Noir songs to us and the album is usually the first thing that comes up in conversation when you come across people who have some experience, memory or opinion about Callisto's active years. Noir's production and recording process was also difficult in its own way, so it's already a reason to celebrate that it ultimately became an album that strongly defined the band's early years, the band continues. Noir has the menace and progressive edge of doom metal; the album is lively, looks forward darkly, moves from whispers to screams and ends with massive, powerful energy.

Callisto celebrates 20 years of Noir with a vinyl reissue out in September Finnish post-metal outift Callisto are celebrating the critically acclaimed 2006 album Noir with its 20th anniversary vinyl reissue released by Svart Records in September. Founded in Kokkola in 2001, but already established in Turku early on, Callisto has been laying low in recent years. However, the band's versatile and nuanced metal achieved international popularity in the early 2000s. Their second full-length album, Noir, released in 2006, is a significant cornerstone of Callisto's career. – Noir is the album we have probably received the most feedback about over the years, the band admits. – People make and send covers of Noir songs to us and the album is usually the first thing that comes up in conversation when you come across people who have some experience, memory or opinion about Callisto's active years. Noir's production and recording process was also difficult in its own way, so it's already a reason to celebrate that it ultimately became an album that strongly defined the band's early years, the band continues. Noir has the menace and progressive edge of doom metal; the album is lively, looks forward darkly, moves from whispers to screams and ends with massive, powerful energy.

Teksti-TV 666 will release their fourth mini-album as a limited-edition vinyl pressing in August Finland’s hottest indie rock band, Teksti-TV 666, released their new EP 4 digitally on All That Plazz in April. Svart Records, who have previously released the band’s albums and EPs on vinyl, is continuing this tradition with the new mini-album as well. EP 4 marks a small new beginning for this distinctive rock band, currently enjoying a strong cult following internationally. Teksti-TV 666 is known for their raucous krautrock, which has elevated the band to the status of an exceptional act in Finnish indie rock, even on the international scene. The band enjoys a strong and rapidly growing cult following, particularly in Sweden and Denmark. The new EP features four tracks of some of the most interesting Finnish indie rock on the international scene right now. It includes a 10-minute prog jam, a three-minute punk track, more traditional guitar rock, and the track “Fast & Furious,” which hooks listeners with its lighter, airier krautrock vibe.

The Gates of Slumber’s debut album and EP reissued in August Svart Records continue to reissue the works of Indiana’s true doom metal legends The Gates of Slumber by bringing back their debut album The Awakening and early EP Like a Plague Upon the Land in late August 2026. The 2005 EP Like a Plague Upon the Land is a punchy release praised for its authenticity to the genre. Never before released on vinyl, this hard-hitting fan favorite is heavily rooted in 70s rock-influenced doom. Traditional, slow, and heavy in the vein of Reverend Bizarre and Saint Vitus. The Gates of Slumber was formed by Karl Simon in 1998. Various people were in and out of the group between 1998 and 2001, when the Blood Encrusted Deth Axe demo was recorded with Jamie Walters aka Dr. Phibes/Athenar (Boulder, Midnight) on drums and bass. In 2003 Jason McCash took over the bass duties and was a long-time member of the band until his untimely demise in 2014, after which Simon decided it was time to call it quits. That was until 2019 when the renowned metal festival Hell Over Hammaburg wanted to bring the band back on stage to perform at the festival’s 2020 edition. Simon reformed the band with its original member Chuck Brown on drums and Steve Janiak on bass and got back to work, which resulted in the new self-titled album released in 2024 on Svart Records.

The Gates of Slumber’s debut album and EP reissued in August Svart Records continue to reissue the works of Indiana’s true doom metal legends The Gates of Slumber by bringing back their debut album The Awakening and early EP Like a Plague Upon the Land in late August 2026. The 2005 EP Like a Plague Upon the Land is a punchy release praised for its authenticity to the genre. Never before released on vinyl, this hard-hitting fan favorite is heavily rooted in 70s rock-influenced doom. Traditional, slow, and heavy in the vein of Reverend Bizarre and Saint Vitus. The Gates of Slumber was formed by Karl Simon in 1998. Various people were in and out of the group between 1998 and 2001, when the Blood Encrusted Deth Axe demo was recorded with Jamie Walters aka Dr. Phibes/Athenar (Boulder, Midnight) on drums and bass. In 2003 Jason McCash took over the bass duties and was a long-time member of the band until his untimely demise in 2014, after which Simon decided it was time to call it quits. That was until 2019 when the renowned metal festival Hell Over Hammaburg wanted to bring the band back on stage to perform at the festival’s 2020 edition. Simon reformed the band with its original member Chuck Brown on drums and Steve Janiak on bass and got back to work, which resulted in the new self-titled album released in 2024 on Svart Records.

The Gates of Slumber’s debut album and EP reissued in August Svart Records continue to reissue the works of Indiana’s true doom metal legends The Gates of Slumber by bringing back their debut album The Awakening and early EP Like a Plague Upon the Land in late August 2026. Crushing debut The Awakening from 2004 is an album of raw, slow, monolithic traditional doom with a gritty sound. Featuring heavy, battleaxe-in-the-gut riffs and depressing, slow leads, The Awakening is strongly influenced by Pentagram and Candlemass, with Conan-style lyrical themes and Ozzy-like vocals. An essential, cult classic album for the fans of true doom. The Gates of Slumber was formed by Karl Simon in 1998. Various people were in and out of the group between 1998 and 2001, when the Blood Encrusted Deth Axe demo was recorded with Jamie Walters aka Dr. Phibes/Athenar (Boulder, Midnight) on drums and bass. In 2003 Jason McCash took over the bass duties and was a long-time member of the band until his untimely demise in 2014, after which Simon decided it was time to call it quits. That was until 2019 when the renowned metal festival Hell Over Hammaburg wanted to bring the band back on stage to perform at the festival’s 2020 edition. Simon reformed the band with its original member Chuck Brown on drums and Steve Janiak on bass and got back to work, which resulted in the new self-titled album released in 2024 on Svart Records.

The Gates of Slumber’s debut album and EP reissued in August Svart Records continue to reissue the works of Indiana’s true doom metal legends The Gates of Slumber by bringing back their debut album The Awakening and early EP Like a Plague Upon the Land in late August 2026. Crushing debut The Awakening from 2004 is an album of raw, slow, monolithic traditional doom with a gritty sound. Featuring heavy, battleaxe-in-the-gut riffs and depressing, slow leads, The Awakening is strongly influenced by Pentagram and Candlemass, with Conan-style lyrical themes and Ozzy-like vocals. An essential, cult classic album for the fans of true doom. The Gates of Slumber was formed by Karl Simon in 1998. Various people were in and out of the group between 1998 and 2001, when the Blood Encrusted Deth Axe demo was recorded with Jamie Walters aka Dr. Phibes/Athenar (Boulder, Midnight) on drums and bass. In 2003 Jason McCash took over the bass duties and was a long-time member of the band until his untimely demise in 2014, after which Simon decided it was time to call it quits. That was until 2019 when the renowned metal festival Hell Over Hammaburg wanted to bring the band back on stage to perform at the festival’s 2020 edition. Simon reformed the band with its original member Chuck Brown on drums and Steve Janiak on bass and got back to work, which resulted in the new self-titled album released in 2024 on Svart Records.

Eero Koivistoinen's debut album reissued in July Eero Koivistoinen is a wide-ranging composer and a talented musician – one of the all-time greats of the Finnish jazz. In 1965 Koivistoinen founded a trio that played avant-garde and fusion jazz together with Pekka Sarmanto and Edward Vesala. In 1967–68 he was a member of Blues Section – a group that is regarded as the first progressive rock band in Finland. Valtakunta (“Kingdom”) was originally released in 1968 and is Eero Koivistoinen’s first jazz LP. The songs of the album are based on the lyrics written by Finnish poets Pentti Saarikoski, Tuomas Anhava, Hannu Mäkelä and Jarkko Laine. The vocalists are Eero Raittinen, Seija Simola, Vesa-Matti Loiri and Koivistoinen himself. He also plays the tenor saxophone, piano and vibraphone, and is joined by a vast selection of legendary Finnish musicians, including Seppo "Baron" Paakkunainen, Pekka Sarmanto, Ronnie Österberg, Hasse Walli, Juhani Aaltonen, Antero Jakoila, Kaj Backlund, Esa Pethman, and Reino Laine among many others. All compositions are by Koivistoinen. The album reflects well the forthcoming compositional repertoire of Koivistoinen with its wide style spectrum. Valtakunta was reissued on vinyl in 2016 via Svart and the pressing quickly found a new home on the turntables of record collectors worldwide. After ten years, it's time to bring back this quintessential piece of Finnish psychedelia, avant-garde, free jazz, and progressive rock on wax and CD again.

Magyar Posse’s third album Random Avenger out on vinyl for the first time ever in July via Svart Records Looking back, it was the golden age of Magyar Posse. The album Kings of Time had received a tremendous response from both critics and music lovers. The band was touring intensely in Finland and abroad. By now, the band was a well-oiled machine, ready to capture the successor to their celebrated second album. The band decided to follow a different path compared to the creation of Kings of Time: they would record their third album alongside the well-known, slightly eccentric engineer and producer Jani Viitanen. The recognizable Magyar Posse style was present in the pieces of Random Avenger, but something was slightly different. The new music was more rhythm-based, more riff-based and in places more joyous than the dynamic minor key avalanche of Kings of Time. Consciously or unconsciously, the band members saw that they had travelled the Slavic melancholy road as far as possible with the previous album. The success of Kings of Time felt like a positive push, not an extra pressure on their shoulders. It was only natural to strike again while the iron was hot. Many of the pieces had been already developed by the time Kings of Time was released, which eased the production of Random Avenger. After the meticulous but relatively swift mixing and mastering process, the band members were satisfied with the result. The only component that made some of them blush was the cover art – graphic designer Tom Backström had glaringly used photos of empty stages in forgotten community centres and the like. The beauty or the ugliness is once again in the eye of the beholder. Right after its release, Random Avenger got a very positive response, but not as overwhelming as Kings of Time – which was to be expected, as the previous Magyar Posse album had probably been the most universally praised Finnish album of the whole decade. Mikko Elo, musician / journalist, Pori, Finland, March 1st 2026

Magyar Posse’s third album Random Avenger out on vinyl for the first time ever in July via Svart Records Looking back, it was the golden age of Magyar Posse. The album Kings of Time had received a tremendous response from both critics and music lovers. The band was touring intensely in Finland and abroad. By now, the band was a well-oiled machine, ready to capture the successor to their celebrated second album. The band decided to follow a different path compared to the creation of Kings of Time: they would record their third album alongside the well-known, slightly eccentric engineer and producer Jani Viitanen. The recognizable Magyar Posse style was present in the pieces of Random Avenger, but something was slightly different. The new music was more rhythm-based, more riff-based and in places more joyous than the dynamic minor key avalanche of Kings of Time. Consciously or unconsciously, the band members saw that they had travelled the Slavic melancholy road as far as possible with the previous album. The success of Kings of Time felt like a positive push, not an extra pressure on their shoulders. It was only natural to strike again while the iron was hot. Many of the pieces had been already developed by the time Kings of Time was released, which eased the production of Random Avenger. After the meticulous but relatively swift mixing and mastering process, the band members were satisfied with the result. The only component that made some of them blush was the cover art – graphic designer Tom Backström had glaringly used photos of empty stages in forgotten community centres and the like. The beauty or the ugliness is once again in the eye of the beholder. Right after its release, Random Avenger got a very positive response, but not as overwhelming as Kings of Time – which was to be expected, as the previous Magyar Posse album had probably been the most universally praised Finnish album of the whole decade. Mikko Elo, musician / journalist, Pori, Finland, March 1st 2026

HIGH PRIEST OF SATURN's sophomore album 10 year anniversary reissue out in June High Priest of Saturn is a Norwegian slow-burning psychedelic doom band. Their music is a blend of 70s-influenced heavy rock, melodic riffs, Hammond organ, and haunting, ethereal vocals. Drawing influences from bands like Sleep, The Doors, and Deep Purple, High Priest of Saturn have created a ritualistic, trippy, space-influenced sound of their own. Son of Earth and Sky was originally released in 2016 on Svart Records. The album has been sold out for years and remained a fan favorite on digital platforms with millions of streams. Now on its 10-year anniversary we at Svart are proud to bring back the critically acclaimed album to the market on physical formats. Dig in, zone out, and trip on Son of Earth and Sky. Release date June 12th, 2026.

HIGH PRIEST OF SATURN's sophomore album 10 year anniversary reissue out in June High Priest of Saturn is a Norwegian slow-burning psychedelic doom band. Their music is a blend of 70s-influenced heavy rock, melodic riffs, Hammond organ, and haunting, ethereal vocals. Drawing influences from bands like Sleep, The Doors, and Deep Purple, High Priest of Saturn have created a ritualistic, trippy, space-influenced sound of their own. Son of Earth and Sky was originally released in 2016 on Svart Records. The album has been sold out for years and remained a fan favorite on digital platforms with millions of streams. Now on its 10-year anniversary we at Svart are proud to bring back the critically acclaimed album to the market on physical formats. Dig in, zone out, and trip on Son of Earth and Sky. Release date June 12th, 2026.

The Flaming Sideburns' debut album remastered 25th anniversary edition out in June via Svart Records In the beginning of the new Millennium, The Flaming Sideburns were getting ready to record our first proper album. First we rented Ismo Alanko’s old rehearsal room in Otaniemi, Espoo, and turned it into a recording facility. Old analog tape recorders, vintage microphones, a Space Echo unit, and other top equipment were brought in directly from Berlin, Germany by the album’s producer, Jürgen Hendlmeier. As producer Jürgen Hendlmeier recalls the final steps of the sessions: “Fact is, when we mastered the record at Seawolf Studios we had no real idea what to do with this equipment. We just wanted to make it louder and louder – that was all we wanted. We wanted to go to twelve instead of eleven.” When Hallelujah Rock’n’Rollah was first released, it did not sound as “natural” as it had originally been planned to be – but the album was a huge success for the band nevertheless. For this remastered edition, Hendlmeier dug deep enough to finally find the files containing all the original mixes. The album’s producer then remastered the album himself, and the end result is far more convincing. Compared to the original version—which is already very good—the album now feels as if it has been completely remixed for the better. As a bonus, on the original album some of the songs were edited shorter, but now all of them appear in their original length. -Eduardo Martinez

The Flaming Sideburns' debut album remastered 25th anniversary edition out in June via Svart Records In the beginning of the new Millennium, The Flaming Sideburns were getting ready to record our first proper album. First we rented Ismo Alanko’s old rehearsal room in Otaniemi, Espoo, and turned it into a recording facility. Old analog tape recorders, vintage microphones, a Space Echo unit, and other top equipment were brought in directly from Berlin, Germany by the album’s producer, Jürgen Hendlmeier. As producer Jürgen Hendlmeier recalls the final steps of the sessions: “Fact is, when we mastered the record at Seawolf Studios we had no real idea what to do with this equipment. We just wanted to make it louder and louder – that was all we wanted. We wanted to go to twelve instead of eleven.” When Hallelujah Rock’n’Rollah was first released, it did not sound as “natural” as it had originally been planned to be – but the album was a huge success for the band nevertheless. For this remastered edition, Hendlmeier dug deep enough to finally find the files containing all the original mixes. The album’s producer then remastered the album himself, and the end result is far more convincing. Compared to the original version—which is already very good—the album now feels as if it has been completely remixed for the better. As a bonus, on the original album some of the songs were edited shorter, but now all of them appear in their original length. -Eduardo Martinez

TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI’s legendary sophomore album reissued on vinyl Tasavallan Presidentti are one of the most loved Finnish progressive rock bands of all time. Their second album II has become a very hard to find collector’s item, with Svart Records reissuing it officially on vinyl for the first time back in 2014, in close co-operation with the band members. The reissues sold out fast and it’s about time to bring back this timeless classic on vinyl, for the ages. Tasavallan Presidentti was established in 1969 by guitarist Jukka Tolonen and drummer Vesa Aaltonen. Joined by the English-born singer Frank Robson, bassist Måns Groundstroem, and saxophonist-flutist Juhani Aaltonen, who left the band after the release of the first album and was replaced by Eero Pöyry. Their sophomore album that resulted with this new lineup is highly praised for the band’s exceptional instrumental skills, and the album’s mix of harder, jazzier tracks with mellower, flute-infused pieces. II is now presented with new vinyl colours packed in a tip-on sleeve, with an insert featuring photos and interview with Aaltonen, Tolonen, and Robson.

TASAVALLAN PRESIDENTTI’s legendary sophomore album reissued on vinyl Tasavallan Presidentti are one of the most loved Finnish progressive rock bands of all time. Their second album II has become a very hard to find collector’s item, with Svart Records reissuing it officially on vinyl for the first time back in 2014, in close co-operation with the band members. The reissues sold out fast and it’s about time to bring back this timeless classic on vinyl, for the ages. Tasavallan Presidentti was established in 1969 by guitarist Jukka Tolonen and drummer Vesa Aaltonen. Joined by the English-born singer Frank Robson, bassist Måns Groundstroem, and saxophonist-flutist Juhani Aaltonen, who left the band after the release of the first album and was replaced by Eero Pöyry. Their sophomore album that resulted with this new lineup is highly praised for the band’s exceptional instrumental skills, and the album’s mix of harder, jazzier tracks with mellower, flute-infused pieces. II is now presented with new vinyl colours packed in a tip-on sleeve, with an insert featuring photos and interview with Aaltonen, Tolonen, and Robson.

Nashville Pussy’s second album High As Hell reissued on vinyl for the first time via Svart Records Nashville Pussy is an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia formed in 1996. Their blend of southern hard rock with tongue-in-cheek lyrics about all the rock’n’roll clichés have delighted audiences around the world for three decades and the band is still active to this day. Their sophomore album High As Hell was originally released on TVT Records back in 2000 and is now getting its first reissue treatment on vinyl via Svart Records. The album is a raw, high-energy fusion of AC/DC-style hard rock, Motörhead, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, delivering a non-stop, guitar-driven sound with praised guitar work by Ruyter Suys. Nashville Pussy stepped up their game with High As Hell by catchier riffs and solid songwriting, offering a loud, unapologetic, and ferocious 40-minute ride.