A new streaming option built specifically for the metal and hard rock world is now officially live. ROKK, the platform founded by Kamelot drummer Alex Landenburg and Mentalist guitarist Peter Moog, has launched Direct Music Upload — a feature that allows artists to release music straight onto the service without needing labels, distributors, or third-party middlemen.
The goal is simple: make it easier for bands to get their music out while keeping control in their own hands. The upload tool is free to use and is open to any artist who owns the rights to their material.
Direct Music Upload is designed for independent musicians releasing on their own, artists working with aggregators that are not yet connected with ROKK (such as DistroKid or CD Baby), and even newcomers who have never put music on streaming platforms before.
Landenburg, who also plays with Cyhra, explained the motivation behind the move: “It’s hard enough to be an artist today, especially when you’re just starting out. With Direct Music Upload, we wanted to make releasing music simpler and fairer — and show that streaming can work differently, in a way that actually puts artists first.”
ROKK positions itself as a platform built around heavy music culture, describing the service as: “the ultimate streaming platform for all things hard and heavy, with superior sound quality and finally fair compensation for artists at its core.”
The platform has already gained attention for its payout structure and transparency. Unlike many major streaming services, ROKK pays royalties starting from the very first stream, with no minimum play threshold required before an artist begins earning.
Uploading music comes at no cost, and ROKK also does not take a percentage cut from artist payouts, keeping the model focused on supporting musicians rather than squeezing revenue out of them.
Once tracks are live, fans can also back artists directly through ROKK’s Direct Artist Support feature, giving bands another way to connect with listeners beyond standard streaming plays.
Direct Music Upload is now available for all registered ROKK artists, and new artists can access it immediately after signing up.
ROKK is currently available on iOS, Android, and via web access through here across Europe, with expansion into other regions planned down the line.
For bands looking for a heavy-focused alternative with more direct control, this is one platform making a serious push toward an artist-first approach.
