melodic heavy metal |

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 28, 2026

NEKOMATA’s New Single “Functional Beauty” Ignites The Band’s “Third Impact” Coming in 2027

NEKOMATA enter a new era in their story with “Third Impact”, a new creative cycle that begins with “Functional Beauty”, the first single leading towards the band’s third chapter expected in 2027.

“Third Impact” builds on the musical identity NEKOMATA have developed across their previous releases while pushing its defining elements further. Modern metal, tightly controlled grooves and a strong melodic drive remain at the core of their sound, now opening towards a broader range of influences rooted in classic heavy metal.

The new chapter also continues the band’s distinctive “concept-non-concept” approach. Rather than following a strict narrative, its songs explore individual ideas and imagery that stand on their own while contributing to a broader thematic framework. Obsession, transformation, and the pursuit of ideals emerge among the themes explored through the cryptic perspective that characterizes NEKOMATA’s writing.

“Functional Beauty” provides the first expression of this direction, examining the obsessive pursuit of beauty, attraction and perfection. At the centre of the song is the image of a modern-day King Midas, consumed by the desire to make everything around him perfect. Instead of achieving the ideal he seeks, that pursuit gradually corrupts him, transforming him into a figure incapable of satisfaction and trapped by his own expectations.

Musically, “Functional Beauty” pushes several recognizable elements of the NEKOMATA sound further. Melody and tightly driven grooves meet heavy galloping passages, an immediate chorus, and a succession of solos and rhythmic breaks blending modern metal with classic heavy metal influences.

“Functional Beauty” is the first step into “Third Impact”, with more music and further details surrounding NEKOMATA’s third chapter to be revealed in the coming months.

Listen to “Functional Beauty”: https://lnk.to/neoB3U

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maSJXtKHJOw

Video Direction, Editing & Post-production: Gabriele Gafo Lei / Groundfloor Studio

For fans of: Monuments, Architects, Fear Factory, Periphery, Protest the Hero

NEKOMATA are:

Andrea Olivieri: Vocals
Andrea Cappellari: Guitars and programming
Filippo Zavattari: Bass and backing vocals
Mirko Fustinoni: Drums

For more info:

https://www.rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/theprojectneko/
https://www.instagram.com/theprojectneko/

BIOGRAPHY:

Nekomata is an Italian metal band… Are you curious to know what they sound like? They call it Power Core – and yeah, it means exactly what it sounds like. Heavy riffs, soaring melodies, metalcore aggression, death metal growls, cinematic electronics, and a bittersweet glam edge that hits you when you least expect it. No genre boxes, no compromises. They released their debut album “…And Then, The Abusement Park Left Town” in October 2022. Their debut album crossed the ocean: in December 2023 it landed in Japan via WARD Records, peaking at #36 on Amazon JP’s bestseller chart. In July 2024, they signed with Rockshots Records for their second album. “Euphoria” hit Japan in November 2024 via Rubicon Records, backed by two live shows in Tokyo before its worldwide release in January 2025. Since then, the band has accumulated more than half a million YouTube views across their official music videos. Two albums in three years, two countries like two sides of the same coin, with a third record already on its way. Just four years into their career, Nekomata is establishing itself as one of the most prolific Italian bands in the heavy and melodic metal scene – and they’re just getting started. Now it’s time for a new chapter… are you ready???

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NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 9, 2026

AFTER INFINITY Shares Uplifting New Single “Infinite Feeling”

New Album “Beyond Eternity” Out October 23rd, 2026 via Rockshots Records

Pre-Order Available Now!

Finnish melodic metal act After Infinity continues the journey toward their upcoming album “Beyond Eternity” with the release of the new single “Infinite Feeling“, accompanied by an official visualizer.

Following the heavy riffs and themes of rebellion explored on the previous single “King With No Crown“, the band now reveals a brighter and more uplifting side of its musical identity. Featuring guest vocalists Nitte Valo (Dreamtale, ex-Battle Beast) and Leonard F. Guillan (ex-King Company), “Infinite Feeling” combines energetic melodies, driving rhythms, and an irresistible synth-driven hook, showcasing another facet of the stylistic diversity that defines “Beyond Eternity“.

Conceived and led by guitarist and songwriter Zsolt Szilagyi, After Infinity‘s sophomore album expands upon the foundations of the band’s 2024 debut, exploring the intersection of power metal, heavy metal and progressive metal while maintaining a strong melodic core. While the album embraces a wide emotional spectrum, “Infinite Feeling” stands as one of its most uplifting moments.

Commenting on the new single, Zsolt Szilagyi states:

“Infinite Feeling is an ode to the eccentric and perhaps neurodivergent artists who aren’t afraid of being 100% who they are. Even if they might have extra struggles in their daily life, they make it up by giving extra deep feelings into their lives and the lives of people around them. It’s a happy and energetic song driven by a synth riff that makes your head bob, like it or not.”

The song celebrates individuality, creativity, and self-expression, paying tribute to those who embrace their uniqueness and transform it into something meaningful. Musically, it balances catchy melodic sensibilities with the layered arrangements and dynamic songwriting that characterize the band’s approach.

With the release date now confirmed for October 23rd, 2026, “Infinite Feeling” offers another glimpse into the diverse musical landscape of “Beyond Eternity“. The album follows closely in the footsteps of the band’s debut, combining heavy riffs, memorable melodies, and rich orchestral arrangements while pushing further into progressive territory. Across its nine tracks and six guest vocalists, the record delivers a constantly evolving listening experience without losing its distinctive identity.

Rather than relying on a fixed vocalist, After Infinity has built the project around a collaborative concept, allowing each song to develop its own character while remaining part of a cohesive artistic vision. This approach once again plays a central role in “Beyond Eternity“, where every guest performer contributes a unique voice and perspective to the album’s narrative.

Produced by Zsolt Szilagyi, with orchestrations by Gideon Ricardo and bass performances by Ville Koskinen, the album combines powerful songwriting with carefully crafted arrangements, balancing immediacy and complexity throughout its running time.

For fans of: Europe, H.E.A.T, Van Halen, Sonata Arctica, Symphony X, Helloween

Listen: https://lnk.to/KuMexr
Official Visualizer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypvYh2xGFpQ

“Beyond Eternity” will be released on October 23rd, 2026, via Rockshots Records.

Pre-Order “Beyond Eternity”:
https://rockshots.eu/products/after-infinity-beyond-infinity-cd

After Infinity Line-up:

Zsolt Szilagyi: Guitars, Synths, Drum Programming, Backing Vocals
Gideon Ricardo: Orchestrations, Synths
Ville Koskinen: Bass

Guest Vocalists:

Paolo Ribaldini (Delain, Leverage, Seraphiel)
Aitor Arrastia (Metal de Facto)
Nitte Valo (Dreamtale, ex-Battle Beast)
Mika Tauriainen (Entwine, Shamrain)
Sara Strömmer (Shereign, ex-Fear of Domination)
Leonard F. Guillan (ex-King Company)

More info: https://www.rockshots.eu | https://www.instagram.com/afterinfinityofficial | https://www.facebook.com/afterinfinityofficial

ABOUT:

After Infinity is a Finnish melodic power and heavy metal project founded in 2022 by guitarist and songwriter Zsolt Szilagyi, known for his work with Dreamtale and Frozen Factory. Built around a flexible and collaborative structure, the band emerged from Szilagyi’s desire to move beyond a purely solo approach and create a dynamic musical environment involving multiple performers.

Rather than relying on a fixed line-up of vocalists, After Infinity developed a distinctive identity by working with a wide range of guest singers, allowing each track to take on its own character while maintaining a cohesive artistic vision.

This approach quickly became a defining element of the project, turning it into a platform where different voices and influences converge.

The band’s sound blends heavy guitar riffs, rich orchestrations, and strong melodic hooks, moving seamlessly between powerful metal compositions and more introspective passages driven by piano and atmospheric textures. Drawing from power metal, heavy metal, and progressive influences, After Infinity aims to deliver a diverse listening experience shaped by contrast, emotion, and compositional depth.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 2024, received positive feedback for its songwriting and musicianship, establishing the project within the contemporary Finnish metal scene. Building on that foundation, the sophomore album “Beyond Eternity” further expands the band’s sonic palette, introducing new guest vocalists and pushing the balance between heaviness, melody, and progressive elements while preserving the core identity that defines After Infinity.

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia

Tag: melodic heavy metal

0 NEKOMATA’s New Single “Functional Beauty” Ignites The Band’s “Third Impact” Coming in 2027

0 AFTER INFINITY Shares Uplifting New Single “Infinite Feeling” From Upcoming Album “Beyond Eternity” Out Fall 2026