Dean Muscat Returns to Offbeat, Beheaded Debuts ‘L-Kittieb,’ SoundArt Festival Rolls Out Industry Webinars & New Platform for Malta’s Underground Music Scene launched

Dean Muscat Announces Second 'Lazarène' Gig Following Stellar Launch Performance at Offbeat

photo: David Schembri

Following a well-received performance at Offbeat on May 16th, local musician Dean Muscat has confirmed he will return to the intimate venue for a second show later this month.

Taking to Facebook after the gig, Muscat expressed his gratitude to fans and supporters, writing, “Last Friday’s LAZARENE launch gig at Offbeat was a blast. Thank you to everyone who came out and shared such generous feedback. It truly meant a lot.”

The performance marked the debut of Lazarène, Muscat's latest musical project, which features a collaboration with musician Jimmy Bartolo. The duo’s set received positive reactions from attendees, many of whom praised the show’s emotional resonance and experimental sound.

Encouraged by the enthusiastic response, Muscat announced that a second performance has been scheduled for Friday, 30th May, once again at Offbeat. “Jimmy Bartolo and I will be returning for a second performance... Tickets are €10, and space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot early,” he urged fans.

Listeners can stream Lazarène online here, while tickets for the upcoming show are available through this link.

With demand expected to be high following the success of the first show, fans are advised to secure their places quickly.

SoundArt Festival Malta Launches Interactive Webinar Series with Global Industry Leader

SoundArt Festival Malta team is excited to announce a brand-new initiative: a three-part interactive webinar series designed to educate, inspire, and support professionals in the music and events industry. The sessions will be led by a renowned international expert, with topics shaped directly by participant input.

The series will run on the following dates: 12 July, 2 August, and 13 September, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage with high-level insights and practical guidance over the summer and into early autumn.

“We’re shaping this series with you in mind — and we want to hear from you,” said the SoundArt team in their official announcement. “Think: artist development, tour management, international booking, audience building… whatever helps you grow and thrive in your role!”

Organizers are currently inviting musicians, managers, promoters, and creatives from all corners of the industry to suggest topics they'd most like to explore. This participant-driven approach reflects the festival’s commitment to creating meaningful, responsive learning experiences.

The webinar series is part of SoundArt Festival Malta’s wider mission to support talent development and foster collaboration within both the local and international music scenes.

Further details, including registration information and speaker announcements, will be released soon. For now, the SoundArt team is encouraging the community to get involved and help shape the conversation.

Beheaded Unleashes First Single “L-Kittieb” from Upcoming Album GĦADAM

Maltese death metal giants Beheaded have released the first single from their forthcoming album GĦADAM, due for release on July 25th via Agonia Records. The new track, titled “L-Kittieb,” was officially announced on Thursday, May 22nd, and is now available for viewing as a cinematic music video.

Described by the band as “the most crushing and emotionally charged chapter of GĦADAM,” the single is accompanied by a visually arresting video that delves deep into themes of despair, mortality, and the inescapable nature of fate.

“Our first cinematic music video is a stark visual embodiment of despair and inevitability,” the band stated. “Fejn dak li jingħata l-ħajja jibqa’ jgħix għal dejjem” — a Maltese phrase meaning "Where that which is given life remains living forever."

The music video for “L-Kittieb” can be viewed here, offering fans a haunting preview of what’s to come on GĦADAM — an album that promises to be one of Beheaded’s most ambitious and emotionally resonant works to date.

With their signature blend of brutal soundscapes and evocative lyricism, Beheaded continues to push the boundaries of extreme metal, both musically and thematically. Fans and newcomers alike are eagerly counting down the days until the full release in July.

Shannah Muscat Launches Melomania, a New Platform for Malta’s Underground Music Scene

A fresh voice in local music journalism emerged on Thursday, May 22nd, with the launch of Melomania, a new online platform dedicated to the sounds and stories of Malta’s underground music scene. The project is the brainchild of Shannah Muscat, a student and aspiring music journalist with a passion for amplifying alternative voices.

“I've just launched my long-awaited music journalism project, Melomania,” Muscat announced. “This project means so much to me, and it's taken me a lot of work and confidence to reach this point where I can finally say, it's here.”

The website debuted with an artist interview, cloud rap collective 'sry4.wav' and a personal feature highlighting Muscat’s top five tracks of the month — content she hopes will resonate with fellow music lovers and curious newcomers alike. “For anybody interested in music and the underground sound of Malta, this is for you,” she said. “Find some new favourites and learn something new.”

Muscat describes Melomania as a space for raw and honest storytelling, where she documents “the sounds, stories, and subcultures shaping the island’s alternative scene.” From behind-the-scenes moments to in-depth interviews, the platform aims to spotlight the often-unheard voices of Maltese music.

With Melomania, Muscat is carving out a much-needed space for the island’s underground community — one article at a time. The website is now live at www.melomaniamalta.com.