Arising Empire Singles: blacktoothed, Plume, Of Virtue u.a
Between self-doubt and salvation: blacktoothed release 'TELL ME I’M NOT ALONE'
With 'TELL ME I’M NOT ALONE', Leipzig-based metalcore act blacktoothed dive into the fear of change, the weight of self-doubt and the painful comfort of staying stuck in familiar darkness.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/wBnEgENbUSc
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/blacktoothed
Blending ethereal vocals, restless drum & bass-inspired energy and crushing modern heaviness, the band transform inner turmoil into an emotionally charged anthem that feels both deeply vulnerable and explosively cathartic.
Driven by haunting melodies and an irresistibly massive chorus, the track captures the emotional contradiction of trying to move forward while feeling terrified of what lies ahead. Lyrics like “Every step feels like losing while I’m winning” and “I’m afraid of what I create” reflect the uncertainty of growth and the struggle of leaving old versions of yourself behind. Rather than offering easy answers, blacktoothed channel those emotions into a desperate plea for connection: “Tell me I’m not alone.”
Following tours alongside The Amity Affliction, Emmure and Bad Omens, blacktoothed continue to establish themselves as one of Germany’s most compelling modern heavy acts, combining cinematic atmosphere, raw emotion and crushing intensity into a sound that resonates far beyond genre boundaries.
Catch the band live:
30.07.2026 I Full Rewind Festival I Löbnitz, DE
15.08.2026 I Summer Breeze I Dinkelsbühl, DE
blacktoothed online:
https://www.instagram.com/blacktoothed
Late nights, loud dreams and inner demons: Banks Arcade drop 'ROCKSTAR'
With 'ROCKSTAR', New Zealand heavy genre-blenders Banks Arcade deliver a bold, adrenaline-fueled anthem driven by ambition, obsession and the hunger to rise above the chaos. Fusing crushing metalcore riffs with hip hop swagger, massive hooks and late-night studio energy, the track captures the mindset of chasing greatness while still feeling trapped at the bottom.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/aKaTt6t-rKU
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/banksarcade
Fuelled by distorted visions, inner demons and relentless determination, 'ROCKSTAR' balances raw aggression with undeniable confidence. Between explosive guitars, hard-hitting rhythms and razor-sharp vocal delivery, Banks Arcade channel the emotional high of believing in yourself even when everything around you says otherwise. The massive chorus - “We’re just second place superstars” - turns frustration and burnout into an anthemic rally cry for anyone still fighting to make it out.
Lyrically, the band paint vivid pictures of sleepless nights, creative obsession and refusing to fold under pressure. Lines like “Late night in the studio I’m locked in” and “I’m so up right now / But I’m still at the bottom” perfectly capture the contradiction at the heart of the song: feeling unstoppable while still battling doubt, exhaustion and the fear of never truly arriving.
Since forming in 2017, Banks Arcade have steadily built international momentum through relentless touring across the UK and US, a rapidly growing global fanbase and a sound that seamlessly blends modern heavy music with hip hop, alternative and electronic influences. With 'ROCKSTAR', the band transform raw hunger into an explosive modern anthem built for loud speakers, dark nights and anyone refusing to give up on themselves.
Catch the band live:
June 10, 2026 I Naumanns (Felsenkeller Leipzig) I Leipzig, Germany
June 14, 2026 I Chalk I Brighton, United Kingdom
June 16, 2026 I Proton The Club I Stuttgart, Germany
June 25, 2026 I Musikzentrum I Hannover, Germany
July 10, 2026 I 2000trees Festival I Cheltenham, United Kingdom
Banks Arcade online:
https://www.instagram.com/banksarcade
PLUME Blur The Line Between Salvation And Collapse on 'Angel Engine'
With 'Angel Engine', rising alternative heavy act PLUME dive deep into paranoia, fractured memories and the desperate search for something to hold onto in the middle of emotional collapse. Blending dark emo metalcore with hyperpop tension, trance-like build ups and massive modern production, the track creates a hypnotic atmosphere that feels both haunting and strangely euphoric.
Watch 'Angel Engine' here: https://youtu.be/xFSwSD7s-tg
Driven by eerie imagery and emotionally charged songwriting, 'Angel Engine' explores themes of control, fear and the blurred line between salvation and destruction. Lyrics about watching eyes, shifting realities and fading identity paint the picture of a mind slowly unraveling, while the recurring plea for guidance from angelic figures like Uriel and Cassiel adds an almost spiritual weight to the song’s emotional core. Rather than offering clarity, PLUME embrace the chaos — transforming anxiety and vulnerability into something cinematic, immersive and impossible to look away from.
At the same time, PLUME officially announce their upcoming album Saferooms & Healing Frequencies, set for release on September 25th, 2026. With 'Angel Engine' serving as a powerful glimpse into the record’s emotional and sonic world, the band also launch the album’s pre-order starting now.
Pre-order here: https://arisingempire.com/plume
Catch the band live:
22.05.26 I Umsonst & Draußen Festival I Passau, DE
26.06.26 I Ab Geht Die Lutzi! Festival I Rottershausen, DE
04.07.26 I Fest der Demokratie I Pfaffenhofen, DE
25.07.26 I kultURKNALL Festival I Murnau, DE
01.08.26 I Rock auf der Burg I Königstein
Of Virtue Reckon With The Void On New Track 'What's It Like To Be Happy?'
Michigan metalcore outfit, Of Virtue, are giving voice to one of the quietest, most common struggles in their brand new single, 'What's It Like To Be Happy', out now via Arising Empire. Released in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the track arrives as the third and most intimate chapter in an already commanding 2026, following the explosive reception to previous singles, 'Death Of The Altar' and 'The Art Of Love'.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/kWWX-DFEPfA
Stream here: https://arisingempire.com/ofvirtue
Holding a mirror to the part of depression that is the hardest to admit, Of Virtue tackle articulating the gap between who you are and who you want to be, and how insurmountable that gap can feel on the worst days. Rooted in the debilitating effects of depression and all that follows, "'What's It Like To Be Happy' leans into the disconnect of watching life carry on around you while you stay perfectly, painfully still.
In doing so, the track continues the band's ongoing focus on the emotional and relational toll that addiction, mental health, and the stigma surrounding both leave in their wake. The brand new track, co-written alongside Lee Albrecht (Bilmuri, The Devil Wears Prada, etc) and Evan McKeever (Starset, Koe Wetzel, etc), adds another chapter to the story they began on their 2023 record, OMEN, which has amassed an impressive 65 million streams since its release.
True to the band's unflinching commitment to honesty and their longstanding advocacy for mental health awareness, vocalist Tyler Ennis reflects: "When we were writing this song, the title itself was a question that was asked out loud in a somewhat joking way - but hit me in all the ways I didn't think it could. A lot of the experiences that I’ve had to go through in my adult life flashed through my mind in the blink of an eye. The loss of family members, revolving door toxic relationships, body dysmorphia/health issues were the tip of the iceberg. I was diagnosed with ADHD, my dopamine levels have been nonexistent or been overloaded constantly.
"Imposter syndrome and identity issues have put me in some of the worst depressive states I have ever experienced and there were times where I wondered out loud if this is the way my life would be forever.
In some of my darker moments as well, I turned to the wrong things to try and make myself feel better. Being a people pleaser and putting others before myself, self medication and not holding myself accountable was on full display. Posting only the "happy" moments on social media for validation, looking at other people and wishing I could feel the way that they did - not realizing in real time that a lot of them are also doing the same thing. It creates this weird feedback loop where everyone is pretending for everyone else and no one is truly happy at all."
Catch the band live supporting Unprocessed:
29/09 — Brussels, BE — Botanique
01/10 — Manchester, UK — Academy 3
02/10 — London, UK — Electric Ballroom
03/10 — Paris, FR — Maroquinerie
04/10 — Tilburg, NL — 013 Next Stage
05/10 — Nijmegen, NL — Doornroosje
06/10 — Cologne, DE — Gebaude 9
07/10 — Hamburg, DE — Kent Club
08/10 — Berlin, DE — Hole 44
09/10 — Munich, DE — Strom
10/10 — Frankfurt, DE — Batschkapp
Quelle: Hold Tight