Progressive Rock Duo DATURA LODGE Release "Mummy", Announce New Album Datura Lodge

May 5, 2026

DATURA LODGE began in early 2026 and is the result of a musical partnership between Nicky B and “W". Based out of Bergen County, New Jersey, USA, the progressive rock duo produce their own distinctive take on the genre, revealed through the first single "Mummy," featuring keyboards by Adam Holzman. The band's debut self-titled album, Datura Lodge, is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026, via ARQUEN Records.

In their upcoming album, DATURA LODGE explores themes of disillusionment and disassociation. From the start, we hear these themes come through in “Mummy.” Lyrically, “Mummy” encapsulates grief and loss of hope for the future in an age when younger generations have been robbed by the greedy and powerful.

The song develops a dreamy atmosphere turned tense, culminating in a display of power heard in an explosive keyboard solo from Adam Holzman. The dynamic segueing of styles and instrumentals across the track showcases the complex layering of DATURA LODGE's compositions.

Datura Lodge was produced by DATURA LODGE and Ben Karas. Tracks 1-5 were recorded at Frightbox Recording in Passaic, NJ, while tracks 6-9 were recorded at Frost Gauntlet Recording in Lyndhurst, NJ, all with engineer Ben Karas who mixed the album. The release was mastered by Andy VanDette at Evolve Mastering. The cover artwork for Datura Lodge was created by Samantha Feyerabend-Muljat.

Across the album, DATURA LODGE is joined by Adam Holzman on keyboards and Russell Holzman performing drums, with Ben Karas lending violin to "Stone".

About DATURA LODGE:

DATURA LODGE is the latest musical endeavor from Nicky B and “W". Based out of Bergen County, New Jersey, USA, the duo has been performing music together since their early teens. From taking to stages locally in cover bands to releasing a video performing “Starless” by KING CRIMSON with John Wetton that amassed over 350,000 views on YouTube, the duo brings an array of experiences into their new project.

Musical inspiration is primarily drawn from legendary progressive rock acts including GENESIS, KING CRIMSON, THE MARS VOLTA, and RUSH. DATURA LODGE strives to inject approachability into their sound while delivering hard-hitting hooks. Taking a bold creative direction, the band incorporates unexpected twists and turns across their tracks.

DATURA LODGE's debut self-titled full-length album, Datura Lodge, is set to arrive on October 2, 2026, via ARQUEN Records.

DATURA LODGE Is:

Nicky B - bass, vocals
“W” - guitar, vocals

Connect With DATURA LODGE:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daturalodge
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daturalodge
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@daturalodge
Twitter/X: https://x.com/daturalodge
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@daturalodge
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daturalodge

The Joy Thieves share 'No Anchor' feat. Chris Connelly, teasing 'Apocalypse Pending' album

May 5, 2026

After Chicago alt-rock outfit The Joy Thieves' boisterous April with the release of ‘The Wrong End of Your Rifle’ and bombastic video from Lumbra Productions, they present the second taste of their full-length album 'Apocalypse Pending', out June 5th via Armalyte Industries. 'No Anchor' doesn’t just make noise, but detonates with intent—leaving scorch marks where complacency used to stand.

‘No Anchor’ examines how increased isolation in our modern world has pushed people towards amorality and an increased sense of hopeless nihilism. Featuring Chris Connelly (Fini Tribe, Revolting Cocks, Ministry, Pigface) on vocals, this song articulates a world slipping free of moral gravity. Longtime mavericks at the edge of collapse, the band captures the zeitgeist with such precision.

While the first track vents our collective fury at a world where corporate giants and billionaires operate with total impunity, this new single shifts the lens toward the resulting decay of the individual, exploring a chilling world where the absence of a moral "anchor" leads to total societal and personal dissolution.

Revolving around musicians-producers Dan Milligan and James Scott (a.k.a. Joy Thieves Productions), The Joy Thieves is a musical supergroup that includes members of Ministry, Stabbing Westward, The Rollins Band, Killing Joke, Pigface, RevCo, PIG, David Bowie, Blue October, Machines of Loving Grace, Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, Naked Raygun, Foetus, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Pegboy, Nitzer Ebb, Die Krupps and more.

“These days, it seems like people are capable of being pushed or tempted to exist in a state where they are alone. No moral compass. No ethics. No empathy. No forgiveness. No anchor. In a society where guilt seems to be gone, people can act however they want,” says Chris Connelly.

Dan Milligan adds, “When I was writing the music for ‘No Anchor,’ I purposefully used ever-changing, off-kilter guitar riffs that seem to stray farther and farther from the song’s key as it progresses. Because the music never truly repeats, or settles down, it creates the sickening sense that everything is unresolved, and it’s only going to get worse."

Since signing with London alternative-industrial label Armalyte Industries in 2018, The Joy Thieves have delivered 11 critically-acclaimed releases. 'Apocalypse Pending' is the newest addition -- produced, engineered and mixed by Joy Thieves Productions at Populist Recording + Mastering.

Joy Thieves Productions crafts their surprisingly cohesive signature sound from the contributions of its ever-growing 80+ roster of members, drawn from a diverse range of genres, including industrial, rock, punk, darkwave, hip hop and experimental music, they produce a sound created by “all of us, and yet, none of us”. Creating a sound all their own, their music is aggressive, yet precise; confrontational, but refined; and harsh, yet melodic.

This new song cycle began with producer-drummer Dan Milligan re-recording iconic hip hop breakbeats with modern drum sounds. ‘The Wrong End of Your Rifle’ began exactly that way -- with a modern re-imagining of the one of the most famous breakbeats of all time (‘Ashley’s Roachclip’ by The Soul Searchers). This formed the basis upon which the entire track was built.

For a band with members all over the world, The Joy Thieves' music feels very Chicago. Anchored by their love of industrial rock, their music immediately outgrows the restrictions of the genre by stretching into the new realms, creating a sound that both honors the past while pushing its evolution into the future.

As of May 5th, 'No Anchor' is available from digital music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where ‘The Wrong End of Your Rifle’ can also be found. The 'Apocalypse Pending' album, now available for pre-order, will be released on June 5th

CREDITS
'No Anchor' written by Chris Connelly & Dan Milligan
'The Wrong End of Your Rifle' written by Chris Connelly, Dan Milligan, Derek Christopher, Dee J Nelson
Produced, engineered & mixed by Joy Thieves Productions
at Populist Recording + Mastering, Wheaton, IL
Mastered by James Scott at Populist Recording + Mastering
Add. production by Derek Christopher (Penfield Studios), Mark Pistel (Room 5 Studios), Jeff Harris (JH Studios), Steven Archer (House of Wolves), Dee J Nelson (DJN Music), Jane Jensen (Autozen Music), DJ Darryl Hell (HellLab Studios)
Art direction by Destiny Justic Scott
Original artwork by Charlie Athanas for Burning City

Released via Armalyte Industries

HEMLOCK Unleashes New Video for “Crooked Smile” Ahead of Pigeonholed Vinyl Re-Release

May 4, 2026

HEMLOCK and Continental Touring are proud to announce the release of a brand-new official video for “Crooked Smile,” arriving just in time for the long-awaited vinyl re-release of their landmark album Pigeonholed available on vinyl for the first time ever in celebration of its 25-year anniversary.

Originally produced in 2001 by Mikey Doling (Snot, Soulfly, Channel Zero) in Malibu, California, “Crooked Smile” has returned with renewed intensity, capturing the raw power and chaos that Hemlock has built their legacy on. To honor the anniversary release, the band made the decision to not only press the album on vinyl for the first time, but to also bring the song to life visually with a new performance-driven video.

Filmed and edited by Gearly Beloved Productions, the “Crooked Smile” video pulls footage from two explosive live performances delivering the kind of unfiltered stage energy Hemlock fans know all too well. It’s loud, real, and unapologetic… a celebration of the scars, the survival, and the crooked grin that comes with it.

“Crooked Smile” is more than a song, it’s a rally cry for the misfits and the battle-tested. It’s about taking what’s broken, what healed wrong, and turning it into something ferociously alive.

STREAM "CROOKED SMILE"

Watch the Official Music Video for “CROOKED SMILE” Below:

With the vinyl release approaching and major tour plans underway, Hemlock is gearing up for a huge year, including U.S. May tour dates followed by a five-week European tour this summer, featuring appearances at major events including:

Till-Fest (Leipzig, Germany) w/ Till Lindemann, Ministry, and more

Sticky Fingers (Marktredwitz, Germany) w/ Tankard, Stick To Your Guns, and more

Additional European dates (23 more shows) will be announced soon.

“CROOKED SMILE” – CREDITS

Written by:
Music: Hemlock
Lyrics: Chad Smith

Video Filmed & Edited by:
Gearly Beloved Productions

Musicians in Video:
Chad Smith – Lead Vocals / Bass Guitar
Brian Smith – Drums
Jerad Johnson – Guitar
Brandon Wiebke – Guitar

Musicians on Record:
Chad Smith – Lead Vocals / Bass Guitar
Brian Smith – Drums
Mike Johns – Guitar
DJ Kinsley – Guitar

PIGEONHOLED (25-Year Anniversary) – ALBUM CREDITS

Produced by Mikey Doling (Snot, Soulfly, Channel Zero)
All songs by Hemlock & Mikey Doling
Engineered by Donat Kazarinof
Executive Producer: Nick Adler for Nova Ent.
Recorded at BU Haven in Malibu, California

HEMLOCK is under New Management with

Pamela Parks of HEADITY MANAGEMENT

headity@gmail.com

For Bookings Please Contact:

CONTINENTAL TOURING

pamela@continentaltouring.us

For More Information Please Visit:

THE ETERNAL Unveil Haunting Animated Video For New Single “Lament For The Hollow” From New Studio Album Obscured Horizons, Arriving On September 18th Via RPM!

May 4, 2026

With the previously-released Celestial EP laying a powerful foundation, Australian/Finnish dark progressive gothic metal collective THE ETERNAL return with a striking new chapter: an animated lyric video for their brand new single “Lament For The Hollow.” The track offers a first glimpse into their upcoming studio album Obscured Horizons, set for release on September 18th via Reigning Phoenix Music!

Following the widespread acclaim of their 2024 full-length Skinwalker and the evocative successor Celestial earlier this year, which was praised by fans and media alike for its melancholic atmospheres, doom-laden heaviness and progressive depth, the band now pushes forward with a composition that feels both expansive and deeply personal. First album single “Lament For The Hollow” opens with a grand, sweeping guitar harmony, unfolding into goosebump-inducing melodies and deeply moving vocals.

The accompanying cinematic animated video mirrors the song’s emotional intensity. Set against a stormy, restless high sea, it visually captures the track’s dark yet captivating atmosphere, both destructive and mesmerizing.

Mark Kelson (vocals, guitars) reveals: “Lament for the Hollow really come from a place of confronting that moment when everything you thought was solid - your identity, your direction - starts to fracture. I was exploring the idea of stripping away illusion, of recognising the voices and influences around you that aren’t real or honest, and having the strength to cut them off. Time is the ultimate truth-teller, eventually everything false gets washed away, whether you’re ready for it or not. The recurring imagery of waves and erasure ties into that cleansing force, but it’s not gentle— it’s destructive, almost violent. ‘Lament For The Hollow’ is about facing fear, selfdoubt, and betrayal, and what happens when people allow themselves to be consumed by emptiness or led astray. It’s both a warning and a kind of catharsis. In a way ‘Lament For The Hollow’ is an anthem for the disenchanted, disillusioned and disenfranchised.”

Stream/Download “Lament For The Hollow”: https://theeternal.rpm.link/lamentPR

Watch the video clip below:

With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, joined by Niclas Etelävuori (bass, ex-AMORPHIS/FLAT EARTH) and Jan Rechberger (drums, AMORPHIS) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL have solidified themselves as a truly international collaboration. Their music resonates with fans of acts such as KATATONIA, SWALLOW THE SUN, and ANATHEMA - dark yet luminous, heavy yet emotionally transcendent!

Further album details and new singles will be unveiled in the weeks ahead. The band's latest EP, Celestial, was released in January through Reigning Phoenix Music and is available digitally and as a limited, eco-friendly recycled vinyl LP edition at: https://theeternal.rpm.link/celestialPR

THE ETERNAL is:
Mark Kelson / Guitar & Vocals
Richie Poate / Guitar
Niclas Etelävuori / Bass
Jan Rechberger / Drums & Percussion

More on THE ETERNAL:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/TheEternal
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theeternalofficial/
X | https://www.twitter.com/theeternalband
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@theeternalofficial
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4vJAnrZbwUesT_FlY03mdw

Mimi Barks Shares "JERICHO" Video — WATCH // U.S. Runs Through This Month

May 4, 2026

Mimi Barks returns with her brand new single and video "Jericho," the second track to be revealed from her upcoming EP Dreamstate of Fear.
Pre-order it here.

Watch the video below.

Following the release of “Dreamstate of Hell,” which opened the door to a darker and more focused new era, "Jericho" pushes her self-defined "DOOM TRAP" sound even further, colliding alternative metal, industrial weight and modern rock with heavy guitars, dynamic vocals, and a huge, hook-led chorus.

At its core, the track is about inner collapse, transformation and the breaking apart of everything false to make space for something new. The video was filmed in Bordeaux and in the heart of Paris by underground director NineNine99 and Phenix Agency, whose work includes visuals tied to Ho99o9, Boys Noize, Kalash and Gambi.

Mimi Barks says, "What looks like collapse is really release, an undoing of everything that was never truly mine. There's no real enemy unless you choose to become one to yourself. The shift happens when the self remembers itself, when the energy turns inward and transforms. The old world dissolves making space for something unknown. That's where freedom begins. What will you choose? Heaven or Hell?"

From the underground worlds of Berlin and London to her current base in Los Angeles, Mimi Barks has built a sound and identity entirely her own. Rooted in the collision of metal, industrial energy, and trap, her music is emotional, heavy, and unfiltered, while her live shows have already taken her to major stages across the UK and Europe. She is currently on her debut U.S. tour with Little Miss Nasty, and this summer will return to Europe for dates with KING 810 and Wargasm, alongside festival appearances at Vainstream and Till Fest, the festival hosted by Till Lindemann of Rammstein.

Dreamstate of Fear will be released on July 24 via her own imprint DEATHKISS Records and is now available to pre-order on limited edition LP, tape and CD. Pre-order it here.

MIMI BARKS ON TOUR:
WITH LITTLE MISS NASTY:
5/7—Phoenix, AZ—The Rosetta Room **
5/8—Los Angeles, CA—Roxy Theater **
5/9—San Francisco, CA—DNA **
5/10—San Diego, CA—Music Box **

EUROPEAN TOUR DATES:
6/7—Paris, FR—Nouveau Casino ++
6/9—Stuttgart, DE—Wizemann ++
6/10—Zurich, CH—Plaza ++
6/11—Milan, IT—Legend Club ++
6/13—Wiesbaden, DE—Schlachthof ++
6/15—Dortmund, DE—FZW ++
6/16—Bremen, DE—Tower ++
6/17—Berlin, DE—Lido ++
6/24—Krakow, PL—Nu_Blood Fest
6/25—Bratislava, SK—Pink Whale
6/26—Nuremberg, DE—Z-Bau
6/27—Münster, DE—Vainstream Festival
6/28—Köln, DE—MTC
6/30—Karlsruhe, DE—Stadtmitte xx
7/1—Munich, DE—Backstage xx
7/2—Salzburg, AT—Rockhouse xx
7/3—Leipzig, DE—Till Fest
9/4—Angers, FR—Omega Sound Festival
9/9—Bournemouth, UK—The Bear Cave #
9/10—Swansea, UK—The Bunkhouse #
9/11—Plymouth, UK—The Junction #
9/12—London, UK—Academy 2 #
9/13—Nottingham, UK—Rough Trade #
9/14—Manchester, UK—Star & Garter #
9/15—Glasgow, UK—Garage Attic #
9/16—Newcastle, UK—Zerox #
9/17—Sheffield, UK—Corporation #
9/18—Milton Keynes, UK—Craufurd Arms #
++ w/ WARGASM
xx w/ KING 810
# w/ SWARM6IX

BLACK SPIKES Release New Single, "Revana"

May 4, 2026

Just back from their tour with INFECTED RAIN, avant-garde quintet BLACK SPIKES release a second single from their upcoming album, Ydos, which will be released on August 28 via Napalm Records. "REVANA" continues the album concept in which every song depicts one of humankind’s vices: A personification of revenge, haunting the Lithuanian breakout band's dark realms with beautiful melodies, "REVANA" adds highly recognizable riffs to the album. Alongside the song, BLACK SPIKES release a cinematic video.

BLACK SPIKES about "REVANA":
"'REVANA' is the name that we've chosen for revenge. Revenge promises closure but often delivers continuation. It keeps the story going instead of ending it. You don't 'get even'—you stay entangled. In the music video, we depict a story inspired by the witch hunts that also reached Lithuania in the 17th century. Women who stood out for their curiosity or who did not easily fit into society were often falsely accused of witchcraft and revenged by death sentence for causing misfortunes in their communities."

Watch the Official Music Video for "REVANA"

Emerging from the shadows are BLACK SPIKES, bringing the darkness right along with them on their new album, Ydos, out August 28. The Lithuanian breakout band's first release with Napalm Records, coming shortly after their nomination at their home country's Grammy-comparable M.A.M.A. Music Awards, deals with the eponymous flaws of humanity, conceptually interwoven with modern progressive metal, serving as a complex mirror for us all.

The depth of its concept is reflected in every note of Ydos, from every heavy riff to every proggy twist. Leaning into electronic music while holding on firmly to their metal roots, the Lithuanian band creates a distinctive sound, alluringly dark and captivatingly heavy. BLACK SPIKES venture into gloominess, filling the void with spine-tingling philosophical thoughts and posing as Janus-faced companions on a fateful journey into the self in which every step should be taken with caution because a trap just might snap…

BLACK SPIKES about Ydos:
"Ydos is a conceptual album — a dark fairytale about human vices. The idea was there from the very beginning and guided the entire songwriting process. Each vice has its own name and story, and many songs will be brought to life through music videos where these vices take shape. It was our first time creating a conceptual album, and we really enjoyed starting with an idea and expressing it through music."

Get Your Copy Of Ydos NOW!

***Photo Credit: Lunaria (Augustina Miknevičiūtė)***

BLACK SPIKES ARE:
Agni — Vocals
Yaga — Guitar, Electronic elements
Mazvis — Guitar
Sime — Bass Guitar
Titas — Drums

The Noise Who Runs counts down to 'Re: GenX' album, previewing 'Just The English Way' & ‘Commercial Road’

May 4, 2026

In the home-stretch towards releasing the new 'Re: GenX' album, alternative-electronic artist The Noise Who Runs shares 'Just The English Way', a sharp, darkly witty slice of alternative electronic commentary on English identity, exposing how politeness and tradition can mask deeper social and political fractures.
It turns cultural understatement into critique, capturing a nation caught between quiet pride, denial, and the pressure for change.

Mixed and mastered by Colin C at The Cell Studio, 'Re: GenX documents a civilization caught in a downward spiral. Framing systemic greed, perpetual warfare, and the erosion of human dignity as the foundational mechanics of a world engineered for its own ruin, this album assesses society fueled by the interests of the elite, leaving behind a singular, urgent uncertainty.

The Noise Who Runs is songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ian Pickering of Sneaker Pimps - also known for his work with Front Line Assembly. Native to Hartlepool in the north-east of England, Pickering co-authored Sneaker Pimps hits 'Spin Spin Sugar', '6 Underground' and 'Tesko Suicide'. After relocating to Lille, France in 2018, he launched this project, debuting the ‘Preteretrospective’ album in 2023, followed by the ‘Come and Join the Beautiful Army’ EP the next year, both receiving rave reviews and airplay in more than 60 countries.

Across the record, exhaustion, outrage, and repetition form a recurring loop. Political failure, cultural denial, and performative morality are examined not as abstract forces, but as habits — things learned, tolerated, and repeated. The album resists slogans and solutions, instead holding up a mirror to complicity, comfort, and collapse. Re: Gen X doesn’t ask to be forgiven; it asks to be examined — and leaves open the question of whether awareness, this time, will finally lead to action.

“Everything after 'Come and Join the Beautiful Army' desperately wanted to be simpler and more direct. All the songs were half-finished demos, and I finally treated myself to a half-decent electric guitar. Just playing along to try it out, the guitar found its way into the songs and gave them a bit of impetus — "I Think I'm a Psychopath and "This Song Sucks" clicked first, then "The Summer Talking" and "Bang Bang" followed naturally. I wanted the whole record to feel more immediate: shorter songs, more traditional shapes, and lyrics that were leaner, more precise, and less overthought," says Ian Pickering.

“It all really took shape lyrically after the summer of 2024 and the riots the summer Starmer came to power, and against the backdrop of a looming Trump 2.0 presidency. I chose to wait and record the vocals back home in Teesside as it felt right to put my voice in the place that made me. I went back to Hartlepool while visiting my mum in January 2025, and that sharpened everything — it felt like watching the consequences arrive years late, but fully formed. You can sense that sharpness in the vocals."

Punk Duo THE MEFFS Reveal New Single "Disorder (Wake Up)" + Official Video

April 30, 2026

Today, Essex-based punk duo THE MEFFS has unveiled their searing new single, “Disorder (Wake Up),” the second glimpse of their second album ‘Business,’ out on September 11th via FLG.

The band comments on the new track:

"We should be angry that we live in a world where people need to seek asylum, not angry at the people seeking asylum. The establishment want to cause division, they want us to argue between ourselves, because it takes eyes off of them. People are fighting for their rights and their lives, they're being displaced, and it's fu*king tragic, yet the narrative is that it's those people's fault that you can't get a job or afford fuel. Wake up. We're not the enemy, and nor are you."

Watch the Video Featuring Frank Turner, Itchy, Bad Cop Bad Cop and Booze & Glory, for "Disorder (Wake Up)"

Despite a whirlwind 2025, which included supports with The Sex Pistols, The Undertones, selling out headline shows across the UK and Europe, Glastonbury, 2000trees, and Download Festival, Lily (guitar and vocals) and Lewis (drums) somehow managed to find the time to write and record 11 tracks of their most politically charged, hard-hitting music to date.

With producer Dan Weller at the helm, 'Business' is a modern punk classic. Fan favourites like "So Modern (Keep Up)" are captured with all the energy and scuzziness from the band's live show, and title track "Business" goes hard, taking aim at the challenges found within today's music industry.

There is no shortage of fast-paced moments; "Love To Lose" is the ideal hype song, while "Fight" crams minutes of energy into one thirty-second burst. Other highlights include "Disorder (Wake Up)" - a commentary on the world as we know it; or "Like Gravity," a journey of self-deprecation. On 'Business,' THE MEFFS prove they are not a band to be pigeonholed.

Since exploding onto the UK scene, THE MEFFS have built up a reputation as purveyors of frantic punk rock and an absolute must-see live sensation. A hugely impressive DIY outfit, they have already supported Alice Cooper, Kings of Leon at BST Hyde Park, Bearded Theory, Beautiful Days festival, and The Damned. The duo are also Music Venue Trust patrons and longtime supporters of grassroots venues.

'Business' will only see the band deliver their values to an ever-increasing circle - an unashamedly powerful record, political and astute, and begging to be played loud.

The new single follows the news of THE MEFFS' support for Joan Jett And The Blackhearts on their first UK headline tour in 16 years. The dates are as follows:

July 2 – Glasgow, O2 Academy

July 4 – Manchester, Academy

July 5 – Leeds, O2 Academy

July 7 – Wolverhampton, University Of Wolverhampton at the Civic Hall

July 8 – London, British Airways ARC

Upcoming 2026 Tour Dates

Headline & Festival Dates:

May 23 - Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg

May 30 - London, GB @ O2 Academy Islington

June 4 - Norwich, GB @ The LCR

June 6 - Manchester, GB @ North West Calling Manchester Academy

June 11 - Southampton, GB @ The Brook

June 13 - Penmarc'h, FR @ God Save The Kouign Stade municipal

July 3 - Arendal, Norway @ LøddePønk Wakestock Festival

July 18 - Bôle, Switzerland @ ParaBôle Festival

July 31 - Hamburg, DE @ Docks Club

Aug 1 - Hannover, DE @ Fährmannsfest

Aug 5 - Blackpool, GB @ Bootleg Social

Aug 11 - Tolmin, Slovenia @ Punk Rock Holiday

Aug 21 - Bodø, Norway @ Parkenfestivalen

Aug 22 - Trondheim, Norway @ Pstereo Festival

Sept 5 - Torquay, GB @ The Foundry Burn It Down

Oct 3 Newcastle upon Tyne, GB @ North East Calling Northumbria University

Oct 10 - La Boissière-de-Montaigu, FR @ Cretin Hop Festival

Oct 16 - Köln, DE @ Live Music Hall

Oct 17 - Masstricht, NL @ Muziekgieterij

Oct 20 - Holmfirth, UK @ The Picturedome

Oct 22 - Belfast, UK @ Mandela Hall

Oct 23 - Dublin, IE @ Vicar Street

Oct 24 - Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom

Oct 29 - York, UK @ York Barbican

Oct 30 - Llandudno, UK @ Venue

Nov 8 - Rostock, DE @ M.A.U.

Nov 19 - Nottingham, UK @ Rock City

Nov 20 - Bristol, UK @ The Prospect Building

THE MEFFS are:

Lily Hopkins (vocals/guitar)

Lewis Copsey (drums/backing vocals)

Rising Insane Announce New Album "DEATHRACE" + Unveil Video for Title Track

April 30, 2026

Following the massive success of their latest single "Good Enough" (Feat. CASKETS), which surpassed 1 million streams in record time, German metalcore outfit Rising Insane are keeping the momentum alive. Today, the band officially announces the brand-new studio album, DEATHRACE, set for release on August 21 via Long Branch Records.

Since their debut, Rising Insane have evolved from a fierce independent quintet into a global heavy-hitter, amassing millions of streams across their previous catalog. Their journey to the top has been defined by elite company, having shared stages with genre icons like Papa Roach, Of Mice & Men, and Stray From the Path, transforming them into an unstoppable live force.

This momentum is now reaching a fever pitch with their upcoming album, DEATHRACE. The record includes the standout track "Good Enough" (Feat. CASKETS), alongside the dark and mature "Error" (Feat. Steven Jones of Bleed From Within). Fans can also look forward to explosive new collaborations on the album with ACCVSED and David Schneider (The Butcher Sisters).

DEATHRACE marks the band's most radical chapter yet, stripping away polished refinement in favor of raw power and primal riffs. It is a limit-breaking statement that finally pushes their sound to the absolute limit — Rising Insane have never stood still, but now they are finally flooring it.

Alongside the album announcement, Rising Insane have also unveiled the high-octane title track. "With DEATHRACE, we realized very early on that we hadn't just written a single for the album, but also the title track," the band shares. "For one thing, the track has that energy we feel when we're on stage celebrating with the crowd. On the other hand, the song describes the state of the world pretty accurately; alongside anger and despair, there's also a call to stick together in these times."

Pre-order the new album + stream the single here.

RISING INSANE ARE:
Aaron Steineker — Vocals
Sven Polizuk — Guitar
Ulf Hedenkamp — Bass
Florian Köchy — Guitar
Robert Kühling — Drums

LAINEY WILSON HEADLINES STAGECOACH

April 29, 2026

6x ACM, 12x CMA and Grammy Award-winner Lainey Wilson headlined Stagecoach this past weekend with an electric set featuring special guests Little Big Town and Riley Green. Of the performance, Billboard praised, “Wilson gave off true headliner energy…[her] vocals were strong and commanding, while her effervescent charisma was on full display,” while the Los Angeles Times called it “a tight, punchy showcase of the riff-heavy country-rock that’s made her one of Nashville’s biggest stars.”

In celebration of the milestone, Wilson will release a new EP, Lainey Wilson (Amazon Music presents: Live from Stagecoach 2026), this Friday, May 1, with six tracks from her set: “Can’t Sit Still,” “Wildflowers and Wild Horses,” “Good Horses,” “Road Runner,” “Things A Man Oughta Know” and “Watermelon Moonshine.” Pre-order/pre-save HERE.

The Stagecoach performance continues a non-stop year for Wilson, who is the subject of a new in-depth Netflix documentary, Lainey Wilson: Keepin’ Country Cool (watch HERE), recently collaborated with Miley Cyrus for a new version of Cyrus’ song, “Younger You,” and is nominated for seven awards at the upcoming ACM Awards: Entertainer of the Year (following two consecutive wins in the category), Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Somewhere Over Laredo,” as artist and songwriter), Single of the Year (“Somewhere Over Laredo”), Music Event of the Year (“Trailblazer” with Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert) and Visual Media of the Year (“Somewhere Over Laredo”).

Wilson recently made her film acting debut in Universal’s adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him, was selected as one of USA Today’s 2026 Women of the Year, featured on the cover of People Magazine and released her new song, “Can’t Sit Still.” Written by Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Aslan Freeman and Dallas Wilson, “Can’t Sit Still” is a snapshot of Wilson’s life as an unstoppable global superstar. Continuing to receive widespread attention, Billboard calls it “a rollicking stomp of a song where the frenetic music perfectly matches the driving lyrics,” while iHeartRadio declares, “[it] captures Wilson’s free-spirited, yet driven and hard-working character.”

“The reigning current standard-bearer for women in country” (Variety), Wilson hosted the 59th CMA Awards (the first solo female host since Reba McEntire in 1991) last fall, where she also won three awards: Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (Whirlwind). She also released the deluxe version of her acclaimed album, Whirlwind, in August, which features five additional tracks, including her #1 single, “Somewhere Over Laredo.”

The Grand Ole Opry member is a prolific, sought-after songwriter, who has scored nine #1 hits including “4x4xU,” “Wildflowers And Wild Horses,” the 3x PLATINUM certified “Watermelon Moonshine” and the 4x PLATINUM Certified “Heart Like A Truck,” in addition to award-winning collaborations with Cole Swindell (“Never Say Never”), Jelly Roll (“Save Me”) and HARDY (“wait in the truck”). Moreover, Wilson has collaborated with artists such as Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton and Post Malone, made her acting debut in Paramount’s hit television series, “Yellowstone,” and recently launched her fifth collection with Wrangler, as well as her own boot (Golden West Boots) and jewelry lines (The Lainey Wilson Jewelry Collection).

LAINEY WILSON CONFIRMED TOUR DATES

May 1—New Orleans, LA—New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
May 23—Nashville, TN—Nissan Stadium*
June 13—Tampa, FL—Raymond James Stadium*
June 20—Charlotte, NC—Bank of America Stadium*
June 28—Calgary, AB—Country Thunder Alberta
July 10—Chicago, IL—Windy City Smokeout
July 12—Craven, SK—Country Thunder Saskatchewan
August 1—Cincinnati, OH—Paycor Stadium*
August 6—Detroit Lakes, MN—WE Fest
August 7—Oshkosh, WI—Xroads41
August 8—Detroit, MI—Ford Field*
August 9—Canton, OH—Concert for Legends
August 12—Sturgis, SD—The Sturgis Buffalo Chip
August 15—Springfield, IL—Illinois State Fair
August 16—Des Moines, IA—Iowa State Fair
August 21—Atlanta, GA—Mercedes-Benz Stadium*
October 2—Ocean City, MD—Country Calling Festival
*with Chris Stapleton

Wailin Storms Announce New Album 'The Arsonist'

April 29, 2026

With their bluesy riffs, swampy rhythms and haunting vocals, Wailin Storms are one of the hottest bands in Southern gothic rock. The Durham, North Carolinians have received high praise from NPR, The Needle Drop, Brooklyn Vegan, Decibel and Metal Hammer. Thunderous applause has greeted them on both sides of The Atlantic during shows and tour dates with everyone from City of Caterpillar and This Will Destroy You to Acid Bath and Eyehategod. Now, with their upcoming fifth album,The Arsonist, the band are fanning their flames with reckless abandon.

Today, Wailin Storms are announcing The Arsonist with a music video for the album’s simmering title track. While slowly engulfed in flames, amidst their new single’s fiery throes of passion, the band howl like the hounds of hell.

“The Arsonist was forged in the fires of our hearts”, Wailin Storms vocalist and guitarist Justin Storms says. “The title track was the initial spark for the album. It’s about the fear of losing the person you love most in life, a love that is so consuming that it takes on many forms: a car crash, a tumultuous sea, vines wrapping around a tree, a house fire”.

Watch the music video for “The Arsonist” Below:

The Arsonist comes out July 10, 2026 on Season of Mist

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/wailinstormsthearsonist

Wailin Storms are igniting the stage this summer with a headline U.S. tour. The band will perform songs off The Arsonist for the first time, along with crowd favorites from across their critically-acclaimed discography.

Wailin Storms 2026 The Arsonist U.S. Tour

July 17 - Durham, NC @ Stanczyk’s [Album Release Show]

July 29 - Johnson City, TN @ The Hideaway

July 30 - Atlanta, GA @ Star Bar

July 31 - Knoxville, TN @ The Pilot Light

August 1 - Cincinnati, OH @ Motr

August 2 - Youngstown, OH @ Westside Bowl

August 3 - Columbus, OH @ Dirty Dungarees

August 4 - Pittsburgh, PA @ The Government Center

August 5 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery

August 6 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Gutter

August 7 - New Hope, PA @ John and Peter’s

Amidst the wreckage of The Arsonist, Wailin Storms do find a semblance of peace. “It’s All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be” ends the album with a ghostly flicker of gothic romance. “I know a place where we can sit and grow old”, Storms offers with grim assurance. A piano tolls like death’s bell as he glimpses up at a church that resembles a skull. “There’s a sliver of hope in coming to terms with death”, he concludes. “Life is temporary and that's where its beauty lies”.

On The Arsonist, Wailin Storms deliver a fiery baptism of Southern gothic rock.

Lineup
Justin Storms - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Ben Melton - Lead guitar, backup vocals, Rhodes organ, piano
Steve Stanczyk - Bass
Mark Oates - Drums

Recording credits
Recorded at Earth Analog in May 2025

Production Credits
Produced and engineered by Matt Talbott
Mixed by Mike Lust at Phantom Manor ("Dead End", "Heart of Mine", "You Never Answered", "The Arsonist", "Never Rest", "The Wind", It's All Dark Now Where Your Eyes Used to Be"
Mixed by Dave Downham at Gradwell House ("Saved", "Patient Night")
Mastered by Dave Downham at Gradwell House

All lyrics written by Justin Storms

Cover art
Justin Storms

Layout and design
Steve Stanczyk

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/wailinstormsthearsonist

Available Formats

Digital Download

CD Digipack

12” Vinyl Gatefold (Black)

12” Vinyl Gatefold (Color)

Follow Wailin Storms
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2e1J5JQpROgSuT7RcsUbZ2
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/wailin-storms/451185826
Bandcamp: https://wailinstorms.bandcamp.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wailinstorms7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wailinstorms/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wailinstorms/?hl=en

Melodic Hard Rock Sensation NESTOR Announce First Live Album "Live At Gothenburg Film Studios" Out 8/14

April 29, 2026

NESTOR are set to present their thrilling live energy on record for the first time with new album Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, out August 14 via Napalm Records! Originally formed back in 1989, the band took the international rock scene by storm with its comeback and first music releases in 2021, unleashing the debut album Kids in a ghost town (earning a Swedish Hard Rock/Metal Grammis nomination!). The following studio album Teenage Rebel (2024) entered several charts internationally (incl. #12 on Official German Album Charts and #19 in Sweden), and the band has gathered millions of streams on several of hits.

On Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, NESTOR showcase their nostalgic, '80s-inspired melodic anthems in a new light — infused with their signature, radiant live presence. The band has won over live audiences around the world, from huge European festivals to the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in the U.S. and headline shows in Japan, and shared stages with legends like KISS and Europe. Now, the band is gearing up to release its first-ever live album. Make sure to pre-order your physical copy, and stay tuned for the first single!

Vocalist Tobias Gustavsson comments:
"When I listen to Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, it becomes clear to me that it shows everything that NESTOR was about, from the beginning. A live performance with all the little quirks and mistakes that makes it human, a thing that I have learned to love even more in an era of AI generated music. Live at Gothenburg Film Studios is less clinical and more of a human experience in comparison to our studio albums and shows a different side of NESTOR. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did recording it up on stage."

Pre-Order Your Copy of Live at Gothenburg Film Studios NOW.

Live at Gothenburg Film Studios treats fans old and new to a hefty selection of live versions of future classics from NESTOR's celebrated catalogue. The band brings the heat with a new rendition of the track "Firesign" (originally from Kids in a ghost town, 2021) – catchy riffs and rhythms carry the heavily 80s-inspired, authentic sound that is topped with impressive rock vocals. The nostalgia-drenched following track "Teenage Rebel" (title track of the latest studio album, 2024) gets audiences singing along without a failure with its irresistible chorus that is accompanied with emotion-loaded melodies and massive riffs. Further highlights of this extensive, 16-track offering include a live rendition of one of the biggest NESTOR hits to date, "On The Run" (also from the praised debut Kids in a ghost town, 2021), featuring epic, AOR-inspired keys and guitars, and another one of the band's possibly catchiest singalong-choruses so far.

This comprehensive live album, available even as a DVD, draws from NESTOR's impressive repertoire of arena-worthy anthems and rock ballads, polished with the very best AOR and classic 80s rock influences. Without a doubt, NESTOR continue their steady mission to restore the glory of rock!

NESTOR ARE:
Tobias Gustavsson — Vocals
Jonny Wemmenstedt — Guitar
Mattias Carlsson — Drums
Marcus Åblad — Bass
Martin Frejinger — Keyboards

CAGE FIGHT Releases New Single "Oxygen" + New Video

April 29, 2026

UK metal band, CAGE FIGHT – fronted by vocal powerhouse Rachel Aspe – have released a new single/video, "Oxygen."

Rachel Aspe explains,

“When your worries occupy all the space in your head, you’re navigating

through fog; every task, every move, feels like a challenge. 'Oxygen' is about a fight against time, when everything becomes overwhelming and suffocating.”

About the video, Aspe adds:

“The mask on the album cover is the radiotherapy mask my grandmother wore every day for her cancer treatment. It was moulded to her, and I'm now wearing it as she lives through me. The process was painful and exhausting. This is a symbol of strength, perseverance, and healing. It represents a cage you fight in, until you shed your skin

and are reborn. The mask also has specific meanings for each song on the album.

"In 'Oxygen', we wanted to portray the feelings of fear, oppression, and anxiety. To be locked in this cage, pushed down by its weight. The mask here is our own mind, and overwhelming thoughts, while seeing time passing by and being powerless.”

Watch the Music Video for "Oxygen" Below:

CAGE FIGHT will release their second studio album, ‘Exuvia,’ on May 1st via Spinefarm.

Recorded by Sam Bloor at Lower Lane Studios and mixed by Jim Pinder (Sleep Token, Malevolence), ‘Exuvia’ retains the raw, old school hardcore heart of CAGE FIGHT – vibrating with meaty grooves, pummelling rhythms, plus a wave of furious anger that feels like a punch to the gut. At the same time, it also explores more multi-layered terrains, atmospheres, and melodies, making CAGE FIGHT sound bigger, tighter, and more epic than ever before.

Throughout the 11 pieces of music, the band proves they aren’t afraid to experiment… and have a bit of fun. A case in point is "Pick Your Fighter," which features Julien Truchan from Benighted on guest vocals, and was inspired by a French pop song – "Et c'est parti…" by Nâdiya – though you’d never guess it from the song’s crushing heaviness.

The rest of the lyrics on ‘Exuvia’ are written by Rachel – the first time she has expressed herself in this way, and the results are deeply personal, taking in anxiety, assault, and having to deal with grief. The expansive final track, "Élégie," is about losing her grandfather, and the regret that can come from things left unsaid.

On "Pig," meanwhile, she calls out the creepy men who send women unsolicited messages online, while the title track was inspired by her grandmother, who is currently battling cancer, and helped Rachel write the song's lyrics.

Pre-Order 'Exuvia' HERE

In celebration of the forthcoming release of 'Exuvia,' CF will host a sold-out album release party on May 1st at legendary London dive bar, Blondie’s.

Radio City Beer Works is also brewing a new batch of “Pick Your Fighter” beer, which will be available on tap at the event.

Since their inception, the band has become known for their visceral, high-energy live performances; already, they’ve toured with acts such as Sepultura and Cromags, supported the likes of Napalm Death and Employed To Serve, and played numerous festivals, including Summer Breeze and Bloodstock.

CAGE FIGHT are:

Rachel Aspe - vocals

James Monteith - guitar

Will Horsman - bass

Nick Plews - drums

Accept Celebrate 50 Years With New Album Via Napalm

April 28, 2026

German heavy metal legends ACCEPT celebrate 50 years of pure power, by bringing together the scene's A-list musicians for a landmark release. Teutonic Titans 1976–2026 stands as a definitive statement of the band's legacy, forged in steel and driven by unmistakable riffs. Arriving September 4, 2026, via Napalm Records, the album delivers some of the most iconic songs ever written in heavy music.

Led by guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, the longtime architect of ACCEPT's sound, the band is joined by a staggering 50 guests across 19 reimagined versions of their biggest tracks. Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 is ACCEPT's most ambitious and star-studded release to date, reaching far beyond their country's borders. Featuring the biggest names in heavy music paying tribute to the German icons, the record cements the band's standing on the global stage. This is more than an album; it is a manifesto of metal! Pre-orders are now available in various exclusive formats.

Wolf Hoffmann about Teutonic Titans 1976-2026:
"There is no better way to celebrate this 50-year anniversary than to have our musical peers, friends, and inspirations come together with us to record these classic ACCEPT songs, which I am honored and proud to share with the World. I hope everyone enjoys this very special record as much as we all enjoyed making it."

Get Your Copy Of Teutonic Titans 1976-2026 NOW!

ACCEPT ARE:
Wolf Hoffmann – Guitar
Mark Tornillo – Vocals
Philip Shouse – Guitar
Christopher Williams – Drums
Martin Motnik – Bass

Portland dreampop outfit Wooden Overcoat shares 'Finally Arrived', previewing debut EP

April 28, 2026

Portland dreampop outfit Wooden Overcoat presents "Finally Arrived", the second taste of the band's debut "Hello Sunbeam" EP, featuring a hypnotic foundation of viscous Gooey guitars and deliberately slow thudding drums, creating a rhythmic trance-like pulse, locking in this dreamy soundscape.

The accompanying video was created by Italian multi-arts visionary Francesca Bonci, well known for her work with The Dandy Warhols, Pete International Airport and Slowdive's Rachel Goswell, LA's Tombstones In Their Eyes, Federale (The Brian Jonestown Massacre's Collin Hegna), post-rock outfit The Quality of Mercury, and iconic British bard Philip Parfitt.

Emerging from a period of digital isolation, 'Finally Arrived' weaves together a tapestry of personal mourning and romantic friction with a critique of the grand fantasies surrounding stardom. At its core, it examines the delicate nature of human connection, lamenting a cultural tendency to view individuals as replaceable assets rather than cherished companions.

Wooden Overcoat is the sonic brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Brant Hajek, having returned to music after a hiatus, recording songs he'd written in his late teens. What started as a practice in self-production transformed into a deep creative obsession with soundscapes and gear. Recording in a rented basement, Hajek built the foundation of the EP through spontaneous experimentation—often veering away from planned sessions to follow sudden bursts of inspiration.

"I wrote "Finally Arrived" when I was thinking a lot about social media, which I was completely off of for many years. Like many songs, it’s actually about multiple things all at once. Some of it reflects my own experience at the time going through grief and relationship issues, and it’s also about the delusions many people have about fame, making it big, becoming larger than life," says Brant Hajek.

"I think the through-line is actually about the fragility of our relationships to others in our lives. I was feeling that many people take others for granted and can sometimes treat people as expendable, which is something I find really sad."

Earlier, Wooden Overcoat shared their shimmering debut "Home", enveloping the senses in a reverb-drenched sanctuary and blending in sun-drenched textures. Between the wash of tape echo and reverb, the track finds a sweet spot where lo-fi garage psych meets 90s shoegaze, all anchored by layered harmonies and an evocatively intimate vocal delivery.

While Wooden Overcoat's lyrics and aesthetics might suggest a certain darkness, they are often rooted in inside jokes and a sense of warmth. You could call it an exercise in productive contradictions. Hajek’s creative process is a deeply personal, layered journey involving mumbled placeholder lyrics and a patient wait for the specific spark that turns an "emotionally restless" melody into a finished piece.

While Hajek performed every instrument on the studio recordings to preserve the project’s intimate DIY spirit, he has since found his tribe, assembling a full live band to translate these compositions to the stage. With Hajek leading on guitar and lead vocals, Wooden Overcoat is rounded out by Dillon Glusker on bass, Mac on guitar, and Brian Levin on drums and backing vocals.

The name Wooden Overcoat—an old Americana euphemism for a coffin—hints at the project’s core philosophy: a playful balance of moody, mystical imagery with light-hearted humor. Hajek’s creative process is personal, the rough versions eventually coalescing into vivid, emotionally resonant themes. In contrast, this music is vibrant, creating a fantastic dreamlike environment for lovers of life.

As of April 28, "Finally Arrived" is available from digital platforms everywhere, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The debut "Hello Sunbeam" EP will be released on May 29. Wooden Overcoat performs next on May 16 at Portland's Midnight PDX & The Six Venue benefit show for the Portland Immigration Rights Coalition, along with Kerosel and Gondos. Then, on May 30, they play at Swan Dive with Jewelry Exchange and Only Only.

CREDITS
Written, recorded, mixed and mastered by Brant Hajek
Performed by Brant Hajek
Recorded in a house in Portland, Oregon
Only humans made this art
Cover art + photo by Brant Hajek
Band photos by Brett Chauncey
Video by Francesca Bonci
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Joan As Police Woman ignites 'Eternal Flame' ahead of 'Real Life Evolution' album

April 28, 2026

Iconic NYC artist Joan As Police Woman presents her new rendition of 'Eternal Flame', the latest offering from her new “Real Life Evolution' album. Comprised of new arrangements of the songs from the original 'Real Life' album, this record will be released on CD, Limited Edition exclusive red marble vinyl and digitally on June 12 via UK independent Reveal Records .

Exactly 20 years since releasing her debut album "Real Life", Joan has reimagined and re-recorded the album in full with guests, including Iggy Pop and Krystle Warren. Twenty years in the making, this record was developed through countless nights on stage, these new arrangements brought to life by the musical brilliance of the players who helped define their sound. Contributors include Will Graefe, Jeremy Gustin, Tony Scherr, Parker Kindred, Danny Blume, Oren Bloedow and Thomas Bartlett.

Joan Wasser, known professionally as Joan As Police Woman since 2004, is a critically acclaimed musician and producer, dubbed “the coolest woman in pop” (The Times) and “one of the 21st century’s best musicians” (The Economist). As a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, her music defies easy categorization, crafting her own sound that blends various genres. She has released ten albums of original material, two cover albums, and an anthology.

Several weeks ago, Joan released Real Life Evolution versions of 'Flushed Chest' and 'The Ride', following the video for 'Anyone'. Accompanied by Will Graefe and Jeremy Gustin, she now unveils the fourth video in the 'The Real Life Anniversary Sessions', recorded at The Owl Music Parlor in Brooklyn by Adam Sachs and filmed by Ehud Lazin. The album version was recorded at Hayyam Studios in Istanbul by Ceylan Akcar and Sinan Sakizli.

Joan explains, “This arrangement grew from a beat Parker Kindred developed nearly a decade ago. It found its current form when Will Graefe crafted a beautiful acoustic guitar part, and the three of us — Will, Jeremy Gustin, and I — played it together every night on tour. I originally wrote it as a gospel song about the impossibility of being someone’s “everything.” Over time, it’s taken on a new meaning too: a reminder not to demand that of myself.”

Joan As Police Woman is a sought-after collaborator who has recorded and/ or performed with hundreds of artists, including Afrobeat legend Tony Allen, Lou Reed, Anohni & The Johnsons, Meshell Ndegeocello, Rufus Wainwright, John Cale, David Byrne, Dave Okumu, Chris Dowd, Lau, Scissor Sisters, Sparklehorse, Beck, Laurie Anderson, Lloyd Cole, Afel Bocoum, Dave Gahan, Tanya Donelly, David Sylvian, Steve Jansen and Damon Albarn (who duetted with Joan on her song 'Get My Bearings' and invited her to feature on the Gorillaz album 'Song Machine'). She also a member of Iggy Pop's touring band (on keys and vocals).

As of April 28, 'Eternal Flame' is available digitally everywhere. Now available for pre-order on Bandcamp, the 'Real Life Evolution' album will be released on June 12 -- on vinyl, CD and digitally.

Later this year, Joan embarks on her Real Life 20th Anniversary Tour, performing the 'Real Life' album as a trio, along with key singles from across her catalogue, fan favourites, deep cuts, reworked covers and a few surprises! Joan next performs a handful of shows in New York City at Joe's Pub. Tickets can be ordered at www.joanaspolicewoman.com/tour or https://linktr.ee/japw.

CREDITS
Lyrics & Music written by Joan Wasser
Published by Fists of Fury (BMI / Domino Publishing)
Produced by Joan Wasser
Mixed by Patrick Dillett at Reservoir Studios
Mastered by Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound
Joan Wasser - vocals
Will Graefe - guitar & vocals
Jeremy Gustin - drums & vocals
Thomas Bartlett - piano & Rhodes bass
Recorded live at The Owl Music Parlor, Brooklyn, NYC
Adam Sachs - audio recording engineer & mixer
Ehud Lazin - videographer
Recorded by Ceylan Akcar & Sinan Sakizli at Hayyam Studios, Istanbul
Assisted by Ilker Cicek and Tolga Kurt
Album cover photo by Judi Rosen
P & (C) 2026 Sweet Police LLC under exclusive licence to Reveal Records
Joan As Police Woman photos by Judi Rosen
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

NEW YORK LIVE DATES
JUNE 20 New York, NY, USA, 7pm - Joe's Pub (SOLD OUT)
JUNE 20 New York, NY, USA, 9pm - Joe's Pub (SOLD OUT)
JUNE 21 New York, NY, USA, 6pm - Joe's Pub

Defiled Turn Heads on New Single “Obsession”

April 28, 2026

Though longtime masters of the vile art known as death metal, Defiled aren’t relics or custodians for the old-school. Since 1992, the living legends have shared the stage with Morbid Angel, Mayhem, Cannibal Corpse and Incantation, but their upcoming ninth album continues to take the genre in dark but unexpected directions. On Altered State, they deliver a dizzying blast of death metal straight from the future.

Today, Defiled are releasing a music video for the second advanced single from Altered State. With its slippery groove, “Obsession” turns more heads than the occult.

“Altered State is an expansion of our last two albums, The Highest Level and Horror Beyond Horror”, Defiled guitarist and founding member Yusuke Sumita says. “It centers on altered states of human consciousness. Each song explores different forms of extreme psychology or mental manipulation”.

“‘Obsession’ delves into the fascinating story of Jack Parsons”, Sumita continues. “He was a pioneer of rocket fuel technology for NASA but also deeply immersed in the occultism of Aleister Crowley. The dramatic and tragic nature of his explosive demise felt deeply metaphorical to me. It compelled me to weave the intensity of his story into the lyrics of this song. I hope you find it a compelling journey!”

Watch the music video for “Obsession” Below:

Altered State comes out June 12, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/defiledalteredstate

The video for “Obsession” was created by Seaside99works.

After hearing them pound out three albums in four years, metalheads would be forgiven for assuming Defiled had reached the highest level, that there were no horrors left for them to reveal. Altered State quickly quiets any further foolish suspicions. “Obsession” locks into a nasty groove, only for Sumita and fellow axesmith Shinichiro Hamada to shred through a labyrinthine of treacherously technical riffs.

“The music on Altered State is a combination of old-school death metal, technical-thrash riffs and the rhythmic changes of progressive rock”, Sumita says.

Defiled are still guided by the underground spirit, but “Obsession” delves deeper into their psychic perception of our warped reality. Bassist Takachika Nakajima and drummer Keisuke Hamada pound out rhythms that are truly twisted. “Obsessed by a dark vision”, Shinichiro Hamada growls. With one final headbanging twist, he and his bandmates descend into psychological hell. “Let the psychic flame burn”.

Altered State isn’t afraid to wind through the darkest and most mysterious corners of our collective consciousness. But listen closely to Defiled and all secrets will be revealed. “Receive the power”, the band command on the album’s title track with a chaos that only they can control.

Lineup
Shinichiro Hamada - Vocals, Guitar
Yusuke Sumita - Guitar
Takachika Nakajima - Bass
Keisuke Hamada - Drums

Production credits
Recorded at Studio Zot in Tokyo, Japan
Producer - Yusuke Sumita
Sound Engineers - Shinichiro Hamada and Keisuke Hamada
Mixing and Mastering Studio - Studio Nest in Chiba, Japan
Mixing and Mastering Engineer - Kenji Kikuchi

Songwriting credits

Music and lyrics by Yusuke Sumita

Cover art
Wes Benscoter

Booking contact
Yusuke Sumita - info@defiled.info

Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/defiledalteredstate

Available formats
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Transparent Yellowish-Green)

Follow Defiled
Website : http://www.defiled.info/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/defiled
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/defiledjapan
Bandcamp : https://defiledjapan.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/defiled
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@defiled
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6KDc0SB4ero6zAgrafjVrt
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/defiled/72867298
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B001GJ407S/defiled

Austrian Death Metallers MONUMENT OF MISANTHROPY Releases New Single "The 1974 PNW Spree" Feat. Gabe Mangold of Enterprise Earth

April 28, 2026

Austria's MONUMENT OF MISANTHROPY are proud to release their new track, "The 1974 PNW Spree" featuring Gabe Mangold of Enterprise Earth, alongside an official lyric video. "The 1974 PNW Spree" marks the lead single from the band's upcoming album,'Washington State Charm,' set for release on June 26th via Listenable Records.

On the new single, the band comments:

"We rolled out 'The 1974 PNW Spree' as the first single because it picks up right where the last record left off — just meaner, tighter, and way more dialed in. Julius brought this one in, and it’s the perfect showcase of how far we’ve pushed ourselves technically over the years."

They continue, "It’s a high-octane ripper that perfectly mirrors the chaos and intensity of the Ted Bundy1974 killing spree — like a sonic gut punch that demands your attention, front and center. On top of that, Gabe Mangold from Enterprise Earth throws down an absolutely unhinged but insanely precise solo that takes it over the edge. Don’t sleep on this one!"

Watch the Lyric Video for "The 1974 PNW Spree" Below:

Originally founded as a solo project by singer Georg Wilfinger (ex-Miasma) in 2010 in Austria, MONUMENT OF MISANTHROPY has released three studio albums, an EP, and a demo up to now. Their previous full-length album, 'Vile Postmortem Irrumatio' was released in August 2024 and drew roaring reviews worldwide.

These relentless purveyors of auditory violence and “Mindhunters” of brutal Death Metal, have crawled back out of the basement with a brand-new full-length slab of extremity entitled 'Washington State Charm.'

The new opus is a wholesome little concept album chronicling the coming-of-age story of a serial killer: the awkward upbringing, the early extracurricular activities, and the grand finale on the electric chair of America’s probably most prolific serial killer, Ted Bundy.

Georg Wilfinger comments:

"While we’ve stayed 100% true to ourselves musically, which means constantly reinventing ourselves, we’re pretty damn sure you’re going to love this new album. We obsessed over every microscopic detail, whether it’s a hidden arpeggio, a lyrical pun, or just another described act of unspeakable horror, and maybe some truths about Ted you might not even have known yet. This isn’t just another death metal record you half-listen to while bench-pressing. It’s an experience. A deep look into a very, very sick human being’s brain."

MONUMENT OF MISANTHROPY's new guest-filled album 'Washington State Charm' is scheduled for a June 26, 2026 release date on Listenable Records.

Pre-Order 'Washington State Charm' HERE

MONUMENT OF MISANTHROPY are:

George “Misanthrope” Wilfinger – vocals

Joe Gatsch – lead guitars

Julius Kössler – lead guitars

Raphael Hendlmayer – bass

Simon Martinsich – drums

CURSED AWAKENING Deliver Thrash And Neoclassical Elements In The New Single "Rest In Chains"

April 27, 2026

Chicago's CURSED AWAKENING have unleashed their latest single offering, "Rest In Chains". Taken from their upcoming concept album Path Of A Soul, which follows a fresh born soul as it navigates its new existence, this track sees the creature distraught at the realization of having damaged its own future.

In "Rest In Chains", having dissociated from the reality of the hellscape in which it inhabits, the protagonist has seen through its delusions and subsequently fallen into destructive tendencies. The creature has begun its dark descent following a path formed of anger and hate.

CURSED AWAKENING power into life with unceasing ferocious heavy thrash riffs. This brutal bombardment aptly mirrors the highly intense narrative focus of the track. Unrelenting in its attack, the heavy rhythms storm ahead before giving way to a slower, more emotional section performed on classical guitar by the band's former guitarist Zayd Acevedo. Segueing into a neoclassical solo, the track then delves once again into the untamed anguish of the chorus arrangement.

About CURSED AWAKENING

Formed in Chicago, Illinois in 2021, CURSED AWAKENING (formerly known as ARRHYTHMIA) delivers a thrashy death metal sound rooted in classic influences such as DEATH, BOLT THROWER, AT THE GATES, SLAYER, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, and SUFFOCATION. Their music combines old school riffing, melodic passages, neoclassical soloing, and introspective lyricism that goes beyond surface level extremity.

After reforming under the CURSED AWAKENING name in early 2026, the band solidified their creative identity and lineup. The current lineup consists of Abraham Verdin on rhythm guitar and lead vocals, Michael Nystrom Bala on lead guitar, Brady Dukart on bass and backing vocals, and Ronnie James Keough on drums.

With 2024 bringing notable live performances in Chicago and beyond, CURSED AWAKENING continues to sharpen their sound and vision. The band's latest release of singles including "Past Newtonium" and "The Rift", alongside the newest "Rest In Chains", are further testament to the band's continuation and escalation, marking a darker and heavier chapter as the band moves toward their upcoming 2026 album.

CURSED AWAKENING is:

Abraham Verdin – Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals
Michael Nystrom Bala – Lead Guitar
Brady Dukart – Bass, Backing Vocals
Ronnie James Keough – Drums

Connect with CURSED AWAKENING:

Official Website: https://cursedawakening.com
Bandcamp: https://cursedawakening.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553444026271
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cursedawakening/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/CursedAwakening
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cursed.awakening
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/cursedawakening
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/cursedawakening
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cursed.awakening?lang=en
Server Invite Link: https://discord.gg/27Vj4xtt

August Burns Red Share "Sonic Salvation" Video

April 27, 2026

Twice Grammy-nominated band August Burns Red — Jake Luhrs (vocals); JB Brubaker (guitar); Brent Rambler (guitar); Dustin Davidson (bass); and Matt Grenier (drums) — will drop their new album SEASON OF SURRENDER, on June 5 via Fearless Records, the label to which they recently returned. Pre-order it here.

They share the video for "Sonic Salvation," featuring Jamie Hails of Polaris. Watch it below:

ABR are currently on a co-headline run with The Amity Affliction. All dates for the Spring Horizons tour are below.

AUGUST BURNS RED + THE AMITY AFFLICTION ON TOUR:
WITH BOUNDARIES + HEAVENSGATE:
4/24 — Phoenix, AZ — The Marquee
4/25 — San Diego, CA — Soma
4/26 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
4/28 — Sacramento, CA — Channel 24
4/29 — Garden City, ID — Revolution Concert House
5/1 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union Event Center
5/2 — Denver, CO — The Fillmore
5/3 — Omaha, NE — The Astro Theater
5/5 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore
5/6 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
5/8 — Chicago, IL — Riviera Theatre
5/9 — Royal Oak, MI — Royal Oak Music Theatre
5/10 — Toronto, ON — History
5/12 — Montreal, QC — Mtelus
5/13 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount
5/15 — Baltimore, MD — Nevermore Hall
5/16 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple**
5/17 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore
*With Dreamwake, no Heavensgate
**Festival Date (ABR + TAA Only)