Finnish Hard & Heavy Force Unleash First Single and Official Music Video Ahead of November Album Release via Astral Haven Records
Joensuu, Finland | Finnish hard and heavy outfit Rhino Proof have officially announced their new studio album, Light, Dark, The End , set for release on November 6, 2026 , via Astral Haven Records .
To celebrate the announcement, the band has unleashed the album’s first single, “Play by the Rules,” accompanied by an official music video. The track offers a hard-hitting introduction to the new album while showcasing the band’s blend of muscular hard rock, heavy metal, memorable melodies, and commanding vocals.
Listen to “Play by the Rules”:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/rhinoproof/play-by-the-rules
Watch the official music video:
Guitarist Rane Riikonen explains the personal inspiration behind “Play by the Rules”:
“When I was writing the song ‘Play by the Rules’, I thought back to my youth and the fact that I used to drink heavily. I often woke up on the floor and generally behaved badly. Fortunately, I realized how foolish I was being and started living sensibly.”
Vocalist Jukka Nummi adds:
“The song ‘Play by the Rules’ is one of my favorites; I use my voice a little rougher on it—or actually, the guys kind of pushed me to do that—and I’m glad they did, because it fits the song’s vibe.”
Light, Dark, The End represents a significant new chapter for Rhino Proof. The album takes shape as a conceptual release built around a four-part storyline , bringing together nine tracks that move through different moods and styles while maintaining a cohesive identity.
Riikonen reflects on the lengthy and sometimes difficult process behind the album:
“Making the new album was a difficult and lengthy process. At times, the work progressed well, but then difficulties began to pile up. Certain things also came to an end, and processing them took time. This entire experience ultimately became the album’s title.”
For Nummi, the finished record represents a diverse but unified collection of songs:
“The new album is truly fantastic overall, and while all the songs are distinct from one another, they still come together to form a cohesive whole. It ranges from heavy, pounding tracks to ballad-like interpretations. I’m proud of this album.”
The vocal recording process also proved to be an especially creative period for the band. Nummi recalls beginning the lead vocal sessions in August of the previous year, with some songs still taking shape:
“A year ago in August, we started recording the lead vocals. Even though half of the songs were completely new to me and we didn’t even have demo versions for all of them, we managed to record everything incredibly quickly, in two days! Creativity was at its peak, and the vocal melodies evolved as we recorded them.”
The album will be released as a Digipak CD and digital release , with pre-orders and pre-saves available now through Astral Haven Records.
Pre-order / Pre-save “Light, Dark, The End”:
Light, Dark, The End Tracklist:
Play by the Rules
Deeper Form of Love
Alone With My Sin
Even Closer
My Life is Fine
Fashion Nonsense (CD Bonus Track)
Strong Enough
Shadows in the Rain
Safe Cracker
All songs were written by Rane Riikonen, with arrangements by Rhino Proof. The album was recorded and mixed by Erkko Joronen and produced by Riikonen and Joronen. Mastering was handled by Jone Väänänen.
The visual identity of the album comes together through cover artwork by V-V Markkanen , CD and booklet artwork by NobotX , and photography by Markus Sotikov .
Light, Dark, The End follows Rhino Proof’s previously released singles “My Life is Fine” and “Deeper Form of Love,” both of which have helped introduce the band’s latest chapter to listeners ahead of the full album.
The release also builds on a growing run of international exposure for Rhino Proof. The band was recently featured in Decibel Magazine Issue #263 as part of a Metal Devastation Radio feature highlighting Rhino Proof alongside Hubris, Abaddon Incarnate, Haze Mage, Binary Order, Far From Refuge, Broken Trinity, and Choke Me.
Check out the Decibel feature:
Rhino Proof originally formed in Joensuu, Finland, in 2016 and quickly established themselves within the European hard rock and metal underground. Their self-titled 2018 debut album earned critical attention across Europe and placed in the Top 5 of Hard Rock Highlights lists in both Italy and Portugal .
Following several lineup changes, Rhino Proof now returns with a solidified lineup and a new album designed to capture the band’s evolution. With Light, Dark, The End , the Finnish outfit delivers a narrative-driven record that moves between crushing heavy tracks, melodic passages, and ballad-like moments while maintaining the raw energy at the heart of their sound.
The band is now preparing to bring Light, Dark, The End to listeners around the world through their partnership with Astral Haven Records.
Riikonen states:
“We are very excited to be working with Astral Haven Records. This partnership will give us the opportunity to reach more listeners from all over the world.”
Rhino Proof
Jukka Nummi – Vocals
Rane Riikonen – Guitar
Erkko Joronen – Guitar
Pasi Nousiainen – Bass
Sami Ratilainen – Drums
Album Credits
All songs written by Rane Riikonen
Arrangements by Rhino Proof
Recorded & mixed by Erkko Joronen
Produced by Rane Riikonen & Erkko Joronen
Mastered by Jone Väänänen
Cover artwork by V-V Markkanen
CD & booklet artwork by NobotX
Band photo by Markus Sotikov
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