Kenny Adds SIX Sphere Shows in July; Look for Big Fly-Away Energy

January 20, 2026

When Kenny Chesney decides to do something – whether it’s Heart Life Music, his No. 1 New York Times best-seller, which he called “a love letter to the journey,” or taking No Shoes Nation into a whole new dimension with his groundbreaking Sphere residency – he truly commits to the process, the music, the experience, and especially the fans. Having realized all the opportunities Sphere’s production capabilities offer to deepen how people experience these songs that have defined their lives, he doubled down on playing Sphere in 2026.

“Beyond how different it was, there was all the fun,” offers the 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee. “Seeing all the faces, plus all the crazy things we could do with the sound and visuals, I knew well before we finished, we were coming back and taking all of it even further. With all the work that’s going into changing up over half the show, adding more songs we might not be able to play in stadiums, pulling some surprises, five shows weren’t going to be enough…

“When we were able to make the 4th of July weekend a flyaway, come stay, see Guitars, Tiki Bars and let’s share a whole lotta love, I was very much, ‘Let’s do it.’ So, we did. Like we flashed on the screen at our final show when it said, ‘See you next summer’ – we’re setting up for summer vacation, only the sand isn’t a beach, and you don’t have to drive anywhere!”

For the only country artist on Pollstar’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the 21st Century – landing between Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band and Metallica – creating the ultimate concert experience requires a lot of commitment. Taking Sphere even further means the five previously announced June shows and these six dates will be Chesney’s only headlining concerts this summer.

Calling last year’s residency “a sonic and visual rollercoaster,” USA Today headlined their review “Kenny Chesney delivers a vibrant, visually arresting feast.” While it’s a high bar to cross, it’s everything the songwriter/superstar from East Tennessee lives for. Not only is he thinking about how to make it even more, Chesney’s looking to enrich the feeling of community for the millions of people who’ve lived, loved and built their best times inside his songs.

“This isn’t something you can do every year,” explains Billboard’s No. 1 Country Artist of the 21st Century. “But to be able to put two years together, to take what you know and double down on something so unique? It’s an opportunity for us, No Shoes Nation and even people who just love Sphere shows to experience the joy in a completely different way.”

Beyond Chesney’s high energy shows, this year’s Sphere concerts will include several different ways to experience Kenny culture. Like last year, the free-to-all Guitars, Tiki Bars and a Whole Lotta Love experience will return – in a whole new location – to bring people inside the journey. Beyond that, there are several different packages and opportunities to enjoy; many affording additional time to hang out with fellow citizens of No Shoes Nation beyond the actual concert.

Vibee, the music-led destination experience company, is the official VIP Concert & Hotel Experience Package partner for Chesney’s shows at Sphere. All Concert & Hotel Experience Packages include a choice of ‘The Sandbar’ (floor GA) or premium reserved seating at Sphere, a collectible laminate and lanyard, access to ‘Guitars, Tiki Bars and a Whole Lotta Love – the Kenny Chesney Fan Experience’ pop-up – and a two-night stay at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas – the only resort connected to Sphere. ‘Live Like We Do’ package holders will enjoy additional VIP perks, including priority entry to Sphere, access to exclusive VIP space ‘The VERY Vibe Room’ with a dedicated merch store and special programming, priority access to ‘Guitars, Tiki Bars and a Whole Lotta Love – the Kenny Chesney Fan Experience,’ luxury motorcoach transport to and from the airport, an exclusive Kenny Chesney curated gift bag and more. For guests who do not require accommodation or airport transfer, ‘Roll Like We Do’ VIP Concert Experience Packages will also be available. For more information and access to tickets through Vibee’s packages, please visit kennychesney.vibee.com.

Kenny Chesney Live at Sphere Las Vegas
June 19, 2026
June 20, 2026
June 24, 2026
June 26, 2026
June 27, 2026
July 1, 2026
July 3, 2026
July 4, 2026
July 8, 2026
July 10, 2026
July 11, 2026

UADA Honors New Moon with Haunting Acoustic Version of "The Purging Fire"

January 20, 2026

Enigmatic black metal masters UADA are honoring the first new moon of 2026 with a very special track. The band is now unveiling a haunting neo-folk acoustic version of their seminal song, "The Purging Fire," from the band's critically-acclaimed 2018 full-length, 'Cult of a Dying Sun.' The moving version of the song can now be found along with a music video below.

The video was filmed and edited by Karl Whinnery and directed by Jake Superchi, with Evan Gandy serving as the co-director of photography.

UADA comments, "Following the first New Moon of the year, in the heart of the Wolf Moon cycle, it feels like an exceptional moment to present an unprecedented rendition from the UADA catalog.

"To re-create something in such a radically different and unique way was nothing short of a challenge—a challenge that had been calling for some time. One that demanded to be answered.

"Although the structural foundation of the piece was already in place, the execution itself unfolded as an impromptu session, allowing the natural essence to emerge freely and significantly.

"While we may have had preconceptions about how the musical and vocal interpretation might sound leading up to its (re)creation, everything transformed in the moment of realization, embracing a liberated state of “come what may.”

"Folk music and art have always been a profound influence, and even though this piece was recorded two and a half years ago, the presence of folk elements in our lives and writing feels more prominent today than ever before.

"Though we assume most may not fully grasp our necessity for this adaptation, we hope it will ignite a primal awakening within listeners—to seek the ancient ways and venture into a past that feels increasingly forgotten in the current state of the world."

In addition, UADA has joined forces with industrial metal artist MORTIIS for a very special co-headliner, featuring exclusive anniversary sets and supporting performances by Jerome Reuter’s ROME and WRAITH KNIGHT. UADA will be performing their seminal 2016 debut album 'Devoid of Light' in its entirety + a special CERMONIAL CASTINGS 30-year anniversary set featuring Wraith Knight. In addition, MORTIIS shall be performing songs from his groundbreaking 2001 full-length, 'The Smell Of Rain,' along with other volumes of dystopian despair. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are now available HERE.

Moreover, after much demand from fans, UADA will be returning to Milwaukee Metal Fest for the second time since leaving their mark during the 2024 edition. The festival will take place at The Rave/Eagle's Club from June 4 - 7, with UADA performing on the 7th. More info and tickets can be found HERE.

GET TICKETS HERE

THE WITCHES OF DYSTOPIA TOUR MMXXVI

(UADA + MORTIIS w/ Jerome Reuter’s ROME + WRAITH KNIGHT):

04/10/26: Portland, OR @ Dante's

04/11/26: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw

04/13/26: Calgary, AB @ Dickens

04/14/26: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite

04/16/26: Winnipeg, MB @ Sidestage

04/17/26: Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway at Studio B

04/18/26: Madison, WI @ Annex

04/19/26: Chicago, IL @ Reggies

04/20/26: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary

04/21/26: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle

04/22/26: Covington, KY @ Madison Live

04/23/26: Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground

04/24/26: Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace

04/25/26: Montreal, QC @ Cafe Campus

04/26/26: Quebec City, QC @ La Source

04/27/26: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

04/28/26: Brooklyn, NY @ Meadows

04/29/26: Bensalem, PA @ Broken Goblet

04/30/26: Baltimore, MD @ Metro

05/01/26: Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones

05/02/26: Atlanta, GA @ 529 EAV

05/03/26: Orlando, FL @ Conduit

05/05/26: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live

05/06/26: Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live

05/07/26: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada

05/08/26: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad

05/09/26: Denver, CO @ HQ

05/10/26: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

05/11/26: Las Vegas, NV @ Swan Dive

05/12/26: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick

05/13/26: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo

05/14/26: San Jose, CA @ The Ritz

05/15/26: Eugene, OR @ John Henry's

05/16/26: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon

Additional UADA Tour Dates:

06/07: Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest

Ever since the cloaked Pacific Northwest band appeared on the music radar, UADA has always been electrified by both polar worlds. Their echelon was stark and meaningful. Within the stretch of four albums as well as dense and triumphant live shows across the globe, they have not only spiked the map of extreme metal music but their unrelenting touring schedule and unbridled will to push forward into new horizons has also earned them a reception in all the extremes imaginable, be it worship or spite.

Kindled from Uada's second record, 'Cult of a Dying Sun,' this reimagined torch song wields orchestral grandeur, weaving through the dreamlike forests of inner vision and stirring the primordial cauldron of sonic magick.

Recording lineup:

Jake Superchi - All Vocals, Guitars, and Percussion

Nate Verschoor - Bass

Special Guest:

C.E. Brown - Cello

Engineered and mixed at Obsidian Spells between Summer 2023 and Spring 2024 by Jake Superchi

Mastered by Arthur Rizk

Stream // Download: https://uada.lnk.to/thepurgingfire

Follow/Stream UADA:

Only Human Announce Inventive Debut 'Planned Obsolescence'

January 20, 2026

No matter the day and age, progressive metal never strays from the cutting edge. ONLY HUMAN are fresh on the scene having now signed with Season of Mist. But the Danish upstarts are already on the brink of a major discovery with their inventive debut album. Planned Obsolescence pushes prog metal in a truly forward-thinking direction while warning of our not-too-distant dystopia.

“We wanted ONLY HUMAN to be about something”, says vocalist Patrick Grønbæch Christensen, who also produced, mixed and mastered their debut album. “Planned Obsolescence is supposed to wake people up to all the ways technocracy is encroaching on society. We now live in a reality where humans are products to be consumed and disposed”.

Today, ONLY HUMAN are announcing Planned Obsolescence with a suspenseful video for the album’s lead single. “Automata” transmits a chilling message for the future, but the band’s cutting-edge fusion hits like a deep breath of fresh air.

Watch the video for “Automata” below;

Planned Obsolescence comes out March 27, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/onlyhumanplannedobsolescence

Concept albums are standard procedure for metal, especially when it comes to the prog space. But when the five members of ONLY HUMAN came together via online and IRL connections, they wired the entire band’s framework around one encroaching idea. “Automata” surfs its synthetic grooves with clear command, as if by simply pressing a button. Though beneath its shining surface, the song processes the inherent danger in letting technology determine our individual thought patterns. During the music video, three thrill seekers follow guidance from their smartphone. Good times are had along the way, but tragically, they never stop to question whether it’s leading them to a dead end.

“We’ve offloaded critical thought”, Christensen explains. “We’re not really doing things because we want to do them. It’s because an algorithm has decided that’s what we should do”.

Planned Obsolescence is fueled by existential dread. Like a virus, electronic beats hack into the hard drive of “Automata”, much in the same way that technology continues to creep into our everyday lives. But that doesn’t mean that the album leaves us without hope. There’s nothing broken, outmoded or dated about ONLY HUMAN. When main-frame shaking riffs reduce the song to digital ash, their message rings out loud and clear. “Defy and learn to walk again”.

“When the world is going badly, the reason is because people gave up”, says Christensen. “Things aren’t hopeless. We can absolutely fight back. Hopefully, this album gets people to think about valuing humanity over profit”.

Catch ONLY HUMAN live and in the flesh this year, starting next weekend in Denmark with Svartsot.

The video for “Automata” was directed by muyingo.

Additional video credits

Starring: Ross Mangal Khan, Elyas Ben, Mads Højlund

Producer: Johan Dahlerup

Production Manager: Lou Wroblewski

Editor - Benjamin Giese Binzer

Director of Photography - Tobias Horvath

1st Assistant Camera - Mikke D. Jensen

2nd Assistant Camera - Johan Rostrup

Steadicam Operator - Noah Obel

Gaffer - Leonardo Bosetti

Light Equipment - Malik Thomsen

Sound Recording - Chris Kenter

Sound Design - Guilherme Magrin

Production Design - Martha Wallstrøm

Costume & Makeup Artist - Sofie Bau

PA- Mohammes Hussain

Visual Effects Artist - Marco Vegh

Storyboard Artist - Abu Shukran

Behind the Scenes - Jackson Heeley

ONLY HUMAN’s vision for the future verges on apocalyptic. “Breach” closes the album by looking past the point of no return. Amidst its crushing despair, even the song’s glowing keys appear like a comet bound for Earth. But while fueled by existential dread, Planned Obsolescence isn’t void of hope. After all, there’s nothing broken, outmoded or dated about this new band. Unlike the attempts of artificial intelligence, their fusion of prog, djent, hard rock and electronic soundscapes is the product of much care and hard work. They had to tinker with several different versions before “Steep Descent” finally reached its climactic bridge. "Cast your flame beyond this bleak reality”, Christensen beckons as dizzying melodies and a stellar guitar solo propel him and his bandmates into the next stratosphere.

“When the world is going badly, the reason is because people gave up”, Christensen concludes. “Things aren’t hopeless. We can absolutely fight back. Hopefully, this album gets people to think about valuing humanity over profit”.

Lineup
Patrick Grønbæch Christensen- Vocals
Martin Hastrup - Guitars
JaCK Kijne - Guitars
Andreas Pröll - Drums
Guillaume Blanjean - Bass

Recording, Mixing and Mastering Studio
Only Human Studio

Production Credits
Producer & Sound Engineer - Patrick Grønbæch Christensen
Mixing Engineer - Patrick Grønbæch Christensen
Mastering Engineer - Patrick Grønbæch Christensen (Digital and CD), Brett Caldas-Lima (Vinyl)

Cover Art
Guillaume Blanjean

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/onlyhumanplannedobsolescence

Available Formats
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Jacket (Black)
12" Colored Vinyl (Transparent red with black and white splatters)
12" Colored Vinyl (Transparent red and black marbled)

Follow Only Human
Official Website: https://onlyhuman.band/
Bandcamp: https://onlyhumandk.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlyhumandk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnlyHumanDK
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/dk/artist/only-human/1742337573
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/11Cl9Vdw4xGPUMtcurjgg1
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyhumandk

SEPULTURA | ANNOUNCE THEIR FINAL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH EXODUS, BIOHAZARD & TRIBAL GAZE

January 20, 2026

Legendary metal pioneers SEPULTURA have announced their final 'Celebrating Life Through Death' North American tour, marking the end of an era. After more than 4 decades, 14 gold records, and tours across 80 countries and diverse cultures, SEPULTURA has become one of the most influential metal bands of our time, serving as Brazil's emissary to the rest of the world.

Hailing from Belo Horizonte, the quartet will spread Brazil's colours and rhythms for a final time. This farewell run will feature an explosive lineup, including special guests, Thrash legends EXODUS, hardcore heavyweights BIOHAZARD, and newcomers TRIBAL GAZE, promising a powerful celebration across North America.

Kicking off on April 29 in Montclair, NJ, the 'Celebrating Life Through Death' tour will visit major cities across the U.S. and Canada, including Montreal, Detroit, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles, before concluding on May 29 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. Along the way, Sepultura will also perform at major festivals, including Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple.

Tickets will go on sale on January 23rd at 10:00 local time and VIP packages are on sale now from www.sepultura.com.br/tour

SEPULTURA – Celebrating Life Through Death North American Tour 2026
With EXODUS, BIOHAZARD, TRIBAL GAZE

04.29 US Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater
05.01 CAN Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
05.02 CAN London, ON @ London Music Hall
05.04 US Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
05.05 US Louisville, KY @ Old Forester's Paristown Hall
05.06 US Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
05.07  US Atlanta, GA @ The Masquarade
05.08  US New Orleans, LA @ The Civic Theatre
05.10 US Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome To Rockville*
05.11 US Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
05.12 US Greensboro, NC @ Piedmont Hall
05.13 US Reading, PA @ Reverb
05.15  US Chicago, IL @ Ramova Theatre
05.16  US Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple*
05.17  US Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
05.19  US Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
05.21  US Denver, CO @ The Ogden Theatre
05.22  US Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot
05.23  US Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club
05.25  US Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
05.26  US San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
05.28 US Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre
05.29 US Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
*Festival Date

LORNA SHORE Adds 2026 North American Tour Dates, Kicking Off April 17 With Support From Paleface Swiss & Signs Of The Swarm; Plus, New Single & Video For “In Darkness” Released Today

January 20, 2026

After dominating 2025 with their explosive new album I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me (named one of the best of the year by Kerrang, Metal Hammer and Loudwire), Lorna Shore is ready to do it all over again in 2026 with a massive global tour that kicks off January 23 in Germany and heads into the spring with newly announced dates just added for North America.

Lorna Shore will be joined by Paleface Swiss and Signs Of The Swarm for the North American run, which begins April 17 in Buffalo, NY and runs through May 22 in Montclair, NJ, alongside festival appearances at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival. See the full tour dates below.

Tickets for the North American dates will be available starting with an artist presale beginning Tuesday, January 20 at 9AM ET. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, January 23 at 9AM local time at LiveNation.com. For more info and tickets you can also visit lornashoreband.com.

Alongside today’s tour announcement, Lorna Shore also releases the latest taste of their critically acclaimed new album with the single and video for “In Darkness.” See the music video, directed by David Brodsky for My Good Eye, Below.

Says frontman Will Ramos of the song, “'In Darkness' is about growing up feeling distant from everyone, a song about anxiety and being an outcast (as many of us metal fans grow from). It’s a song about embracing that outlandish and ostracized feeling. Knowing that we have grown in the shadows, the darkness of the world, but accepting that through that darkness we have become.”

I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me, out now via Century Media Records, is Lorna Shore’s fifth album and the first in three years since 2022’s Pain Remains and continues the band’s reputation as one of the most impressive extreme metal acts to emerge in recent memory.

The quintet, also including lead guitarist Adam De Micco, drummer Austin Archey, rhythm guitarist Andrew O'Connor and bassist Michael Yager, have hit the viral Spotify charts, racked up hundreds of millions of streams, embarked on highly successful tours and in the process, galvanized a significant fanbase that hangs onto the band’s quest for stylistic inversion. But by virtue of physical onslaught and wanting to divine truth from their music, Lorna Shore have kept themselves fired up by torching the metal rulebook at every turn, practically demanding that other genres step up their game.

I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me is now available in multiple formats including digital, CD and limited-edition vinyl variants. Fans can stream the album HERE and find their preferred physical and digital retailer HERE. Fans can also shop a merch collection, available HERE.

North American Dates with Paleface Swiss & Signs Of The Swarm

4/17 Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo RiverWorks

4/18 Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe

4/19 Madison, WI @ The Sylvee

4/20 Omaha, NE @ Steelhouse

4/22 Bozeman, MT @ The ELM

4/24 Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Convention Centre

4/25 Calgary, AB @ Grey Eagle Event Centre

4/27 Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre

4/29 Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center

5/1 Waukee, IA @ Vibrant Music Hall

5/2 East Moline, IL @ The Rust Belt

5/3 Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion

5/4 Kansas City, MO @ The Midland Theatre

5/6 Memphis, TN @ Graceland Soundstage

5/7 Dothan, AL @ The Plant

5/8 Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville*

5/9 Birmingham, AL @ Avondale Brewing Company

5/11 Raleigh, NC @ The Ritz

5/12 Myrtle Beach, SC @ House Of Blues

5/14 Gary, IN @ Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana

5/15 Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple*

5/16 Bethlehem, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center

5/18 Virginia Beach, VA @ The Dome

5/20 Syracuse, NY @ Sharkey's Event Center

5/21 Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount

5/22 Montclair, NJ @ The Wellmont Theater

*Festival Dates

Find Lorna Shore Online

Website: www.lornashoreband.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LornaShore/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lornashore/

X: https://x.com/lornashore

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@LornaShore

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lornashoreofficial

Mimi Barks Announces Spring 2026 Tour Dates + New Music Coming Soon

January 20, 2026

MIMI BARKS has built a sound that is entirely her own. Her work is rooted in the collision of metal, industrial energy, and trap. Mimi's roots as a metal-loving artist in the Berlin club scene informed the creation of a genre fusion that is all her own, dubbed "DOOM TRAP." The music is visceral, heavy, and unfiltered, reaching into the dark corners of her psyche that are uncomfortable and turning them into powerful and strange beauty. Her inky and gutsy musical universe will fully enthrall you through her beats, fashion, artwork, ambience, and beyond. Nothing in her catalogue feels polished for comfort. It ebbs and flows with tension, grit, and truth.

Today, she is thrilled to announce that she will be touring the U.S. this spring as part of the DEADDOLLZ TOUR 2026 with Little Miss Nasty and GG Margie. The tour kicks off on April 8 in Salt Lake City and runs through May 10 in San Diego. Get tickets here.

It marks her first time crashing domestic shores.

"This tour announcement feels surreal," the artist states. "My debut appearance in the U.S. has been a long time coming. The flock has been asking for this moment for a minute, and I've been manifesting it long before that. Joining Little Miss Nasty on the DeadDollz Tour 2026 alongside GG Magree is proof that when you stay focused and trust the process, things unfold in their own divine timing."

Barks will also release new music very, very soon! So watch this space for more intel!

MIMI BARKS ON TOUR:
WITH LITTLE MISS NASTY + GG MAGREE:
4/15—Minneapolis, MN—Green Room
4/16—Madison, WI—The Annex
4/17—Detroit, MI—Magic Stick
4/18—Cleveland, OH—Mercury
4/19—Chicago, IL—Bottom Lounge
4/21—Pittsburgh, PA—Craft House
4/22—Philadelphia, PA—Underground Arts
4/23—Richmond, VA—Ember Music Hall
4/24—New York, NY—Racket
4/26—Raleigh, NC—Chapel Of The Bones
4/27—Atlanta, GA—Masquerade
4/28—Ft. Walton Beach, FL—Downtown Music Hall
4/30—Austsin, TX—Come And Take It Live
5/1—Dallas, TX—Trees
5/2—San Antonio, TX—Paper Tiger
5/3—Houston, TX—Warehouse Live
5/5—El Paso, TX—Rock House
5/6—Tucson, AZ—191 Toole
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

ABOUT MIMI BARKS:
Barks' story begins in Germany and takes shape in the underground world of Berlin where she found the freedom to experiment without limits. Berlin gave her the space to explore the extremes of punk, hip hop, techno and metal until her identity as an artist began to form. When she moved to London she found an environment that pushed her even further and from there she started releasing music that quickly caught attention across Europe and the United Kingdom. What followed was a steady rise that placed her on important stages across the continent including Download Festival, Wacken Open Air, Bloodstock, Boomtown, 2000 Trees and more Mimi is known for live performances that feel like emotional exorcisms. Her shows are intense and deeply personal. There is no distance between her and the audience. Every song becomes a release of what she carries inside and every crowd responds to that honesty. Her recordings follow the same path. From her early releases to her full length album This Is Doom Trap she has continued to refine her sound and dig deeper into the emotional weight behind it. Her 2025 cover of "Crawling" by Linkin Park carried that same spirit. She reshaped a song known across generations into something haunting and unmistakably hers. Mimi always moves toward evolution. She never repeats herself and every new project feels like a transformation. After a short break to regroup and rebuild she is preparing for the next part of her story. New music will arrive in early 2026 and it marks the beginning of a new chapter that is heavier, darker and more focused than anything she has released before.

Nailed Shut MA Announce New EP "a promise made, a promise kept" + Tour Dates, + Share "Centipede" Video

January 19, 2026

NAILED SHUT MA consistently bring raw energy and thoughtful disorder to each and every performance, delivering a sonic force that pushes New England's hardcore/deathcore scene to the next level. Forming in 2022, the Boston five-piece — Asher Thomas (vocals), Joel Arnall (guitar/BGV), Mason Roth (guitar/BGV), Owen Chepow (bass), and Jake Thompson (drums) — are pleased to announce the March 5 release of their new EP, titled a promise made, a promise kept. Artwork is pictured above.

Pre-order the EP here.

The vinyl version is also available for pre-order here. It is a citrus-colored variant and limited to 250 copies.

"This EP has been such a long time coming for us, and we couldn't feel more fulfilled," the band says. "With a promise made, a promise kept, we really felt as if we've begun to lean into a signature sound that can only be described as 'an eeriness of self-inflicted violence.' This EP contains intense themes of mental health awareness and personal harm. We've truly poured our all into this record as we take from personal experiences of loss and the departure of self-control. Ultimately, a promise made, a promise kept isn't in any way a pretty listen. But it's here to drown out the dread that may be eating at you and it's here to help in any way it can."

The band has also shared the video for the new single "Centipede." Watch it below:

NAILED SHUT MA ON TOUR:
WITH GODSEYES:
3/5 — Cambridge, MA — The Sinclair*
3/6 — Brooklyn, NY — Wood Shop
3/7 — Binghamton, NY — Bundy Museum and Annex*
3/8 — Cleveland, OH — The Foundry
3/10 — Albany, NY — Empire Underground
3/13 — Pittsburgh, PA — Preserving Underground
3/14 — Washington, DC — DC9
3/15 — Hartford, CT — Webster Underground
*No Godseyes

With punishing unconventional vocals, Asher creates depictions of bodily and psychological horror through lyricism centered around mental health awareness. The rest of the band reflects these themes musically through brutal riffs, tight drum grooves, and a gut-wrenching low end. In 2023, the band released its debut EP Lust in the End, which Idioteq described as "a surreal journey…delving into the darkest corners of the human experience."

Nailed Shut MA have performed in many iconic venues across the northeast as well as 2024's Inkcarceration Festival. Bands they have shared the stage with include All Shall Perish, Peeling Flesh, Power Trip, Kaonashi, End It, Gatecreeper and many more. Their energetic performances are sure to knock the wind out of you. With much more new music and many more shows planned for the coming months, Nailed Shut MA are here to wreak havoc into 2026 and beyond.

Kreator Release Dystopian Video for Title Track of New Album "Krushers of the World" // Album Out Now

January 19, 2026

The wait is finally over!

The mighty KREATOR have unleashed their highly anticipated 16th studio album Krushers Of The World! Featuring 10 hard-hitting anthems, the album enhances the band's unmistakable classic thrash metal sound by boldly embracing modern elements wrapped in an uncompromising, massive production by acclaimed producer Jens Bogren.

Krushers Of The World showcases KREATOR at the peak of their creative force — furious, precise, and more relevant than ever. The album bridges decades of thrash metal legacy with a contemporary edge that pushes the genre forward.

Coinciding with the album release, KREATOR have premiered the official music video for the title track "Krushers Of The World."

Set in a post-apocalyptic Berlin, the video paints a grim yet striking vision of a world on the brink, capturing themes that feel more urgent and topical than ever.

With Krushers Of The World, KREATOR once again prove why they remain one of the most influential and vital forces in metal.

Mille Petrozza comments, "Hordes! Krushers Of The World is yours now! We hope you will enjoy it as much as we do. See you on tour!"

Stream and purchase Krushers Of The World HERE.

Watch the video for "Krushers Of The World" below.

KRUSHERS OF THE USA TOUR 2026
WITH CARCASS + COLD STEEL:
5/7 — Fort Lauderdale, FL — Revolution Live
5/8 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville
5/10 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
5/11 — Knoxville, TN — The Mill & Mine
5/12 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
5/14 — Worcester, MA — Palladium
5/15 — McKees Rocks, PA — Roxian Theatre
5/16 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple
5/18 — Davenport, IA — Capitol Theatre
5/19 — Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue
5/20 — Chicago, IL — Romova Theatre
5/22 — Huntington, NY — Paramount
5/23 — Baltmore, MD — Maryland Deathfest

GET TICKETS HERE.

Anciients Announce Canadian Tour

January 19, 2026

After nearly a decade of soul searching through the Canadian wilderness, Anciients hit the road hard last year. The heavy, heady and heartfelt Canucks capped off an extensive U.S. headlining tour in support of their latest JUNO Award-winning album, Beyond the Reach of the Sun, by winning Metal & Hard Music Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. Now, the band are keeping their momentum rolling with their first set of tours dates for 2026.

Anciients are announcing a Canadian tour with Cancer Bats, who are celebrating 20 years of their debut album Birthing the Giant. During this coast-to-coast run, the band will perform new favorites from Beyond the Reach of the Sun, along with earlier crowd-pleasers from their award-winning discography. Joining Anciients are Ontario’s Teeth (Fort Eerie) and Chastity (Whitby).

“We are very stoked to announce that we’ll be hitting the Canadian highway this spring while supporting our friends in Cancer Bats on their 20th anniversary tour”, Anciients’ frontman Kenny Cook says. “This tour is going to be a ripper”.

Anciients 2026 Coast-to-Coast Canadian Tour

with Cancer Bats, Teeth + Chastity

April 3 - St. John’s, NL @ The Rock House [TICKETS]

April 4 - Halifax, NS @ Marquee Ballroom

April 5 - Moncton, NB @ Tide & Boar [TICKETS]

April 7 - Quebec, QC @ L’Anti Bar & Spectacles [TICKETS]

April 8 - Ottawa, ON @ Overflow Brewing Company [TICKETS]

April 9 - Kingston, ON @ The Broom Factory [TICKETS]

April 10 - Toronto, ON @ The Opera House [TICKETS]

April 11 - Greater Sudbury, ON @ HQ Headquarters [TICKETS]

April 12 - Thunder Bay, ON @ Black Pirates Pub [TICKETS]

April 14 - Regina, SK @ The Exchange [TICKETS]

April 16 - Kelowna, BC @ Metro Hub [TICKETS]

April 17 - Vancouver, BC @ The Pearl [TICKETS]

April 18 - Vancouver, BC @ Capital Ballroom [TICKETS]

April 20 - Nelson, BC @ The Royal [TICKETS]

April 21 - Fernie, BC @ The Northern Bar & Stage [TICKETS]

April 22 - Calgary, AB @ Dickens [TICKETS]

April 23 - Edmonton, AB @ Pawn Shop Live [TICKETS]

April 24 - Reed Deer, AB @ Bo’s Bar & Stage [TICKETS]

April 25 - Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre [TICKETS]

TBD - Winnipeg*

May 16 - Montreal @ Pouzza Fest*

*Cancer Bats only

Anciients’ award-winning discography is available now on Season of Mist.

Order & Stream
https://orcd.co/anciientsbeyondthereachofthesun

IMMOLATION - ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM DESCENT + RELEASE MUSIC VIDEO FOR THE FIRST SINGLE, 'ADVERSARY'

January 19, 2026

New York death metal titans IMMOLATION are charging into 2026 at full throttle with two massive tours and the announcement of their highly anticipated twelfth studio album, Descent, arriving April 10th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Ever since their landmark 1991 debut, Dawn of Possession, the band has set an unwavering standard for innovation, influencing generations of extreme metal worldwide. Their sound remains singular, driven by Bob Vigna’s signature fretwork—a masterclass of soaring leads and haunting, atmospheric dirges.

Experience the first taste of the devastation with their new single "Adversary"—a crushing blend of blast beats, intimidating leads, and cavernous vocals. Defined by merciless percussion, dissonant riffing, and Ross Dolan’s commanding growls, the track is a monumental display of the band's enduring power.

Watch the music video for 'Adversary' directed by the band’s own Bob Vigna, below.

IMMOLATION comments: "We are really excited to release ‘Descent’ this year. The vibe and feel of this new one is almost addictive. We couldn’t be happier with how it came out and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it! This album takes what we’ve done on the last couple of records and truly brings it to a new level. The material stays true to our roots, but also goes into some new territory at times, being somewhat ambitious, but taking nods from even our earliest moments. We always strive to create interesting songs, and I believe we have achieved that on every track here. It’s truly one of the best records we’ve done, with an amazing production, atmosphere and flow. We look forward to playing it all live for you soon! Enjoy the 'Descent'!"

Pre-order | pre-save Descent:
https://immolation.bfan.link/descent

Descent was captured across two locations: Justin Passamonte tracked guitars, bass, and vocals at Jpass Music, while drums were recorded at Mercinary Studios with Noah Buchanan. The production was a collaborative effort between the band and long-time engineer Zack Ohren, who also handled the mixing and mastering. The result is a muscular, high-fidelity production that captures the band’s most fiery and brooding moments with equal clarity. To call Descent "heavy" or "brutal" is an understatement; this is death metal with a unique, elevated voice that stands entirely alone.

Visually, the band has once again tapped Eliran Kantor to craft a haunting cover masterpiece—a true hallmark of the Immolation aesthetic— complemented by Santiago Jaramillo’s (Triple Seis Design) internal booklet illustrations. With this release, IMMOLATION reinforces their status as one of the most enduring and vital forces in the genre.

Following the European tour, IMMOLATION will join headliners and label mates BEHEMOTH on their 'The Godless IV 2026 Tour' with DEICIDE and ROTTING CHRIST.

04.14.2026 US San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
04.15.2026 US San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
04.17.2026 US Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
04.18.2026 CAN Vancouver, BC @ The Vogue Theatre
04.19.2026 US Seattle, WA @ Showbox Sodo
04.21.2026 US Salt Lake City, UT @ Union Event Center
04.22.2026 US Denver, CO @ The Fillmore
04.24.2026 US Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
04.25.2026 US Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre
04.26.2026 US St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
04.28.2026 US Norfolk, VA @ The Norva
04.30.2026 US Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore ~
05.01.2026 US Worcester, MA @ The Palladium ^
05.02.2026 US New York City, NY @ The Palladium
05.04.2026 US Buffalo, NY @ Buffalo Riverworks
05.05.2026 US McKees Rock, PA @ The Roxian
05.09.2026 US Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
05.11.2026. CAN Toronto, ON @ History
05.12.2026 CAN Montreal, QC @ L'Olympia
05.14.2026 US Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple*
05.15.2026 US Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
05.16.2026 US Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
05.18.2026 US Dallas, TX @ The Bomb Factory
05.20.2026 US Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
05.21.2026 US Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
~ - No ROTTING CHRIST
^ - No DEICIDE
* - Festival date

FESTIVAL DATES
07.27-31.2026. RO. Brasov @ Rockstadt Extreme Fest
08.05-08.2026 CZ. Josefov @ Brutal Assault

IMMOLATION is:
Ross Dolan | Bass/Vocals
Robert Vigna | Guitar
Steve Shalaty | Drums
Alex Bouks | Guitar

RED REIGN RELEASE LIVE EP, ANNOUNCE UPCOMING SHOW WITH METAL ALLEGIANCE AT NAMM

January 19, 2026

Red Reign will start the new year off right with two exciting announcements: an upcoming release of a live EP, while fans in the Anaheim, California area will soon get the opportunity to see the band live. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Red Reign will be supporting Metal Allegiance at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California.

"We are beyond excited to be a part of, the Metal Allegiance show," the band said. "Not only do we get to perform in from of great musicians, but it will be our first time Red Reign will be on the west coast. We look forward to bringing our music to new listeners and have the experience of our lives."

Additionally, Red Reign will be attending the 2026 METAL HALL OF FAME at The Roxy in Los Angeles CA on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. But before that, on Friday, January 16, 2026 will see the release of 'Live at Ardmore Music Hall,' which was recorded on April 30, 2025, when Red Reign supported LA Guns. "We wanted to capture our live, energetic, raw sound," the band explained. "In the studio, while recording songs, you feel compelled to make sure the song is perfect in a controlled setting. But live recording gives you a little more freedom to express the songs in a different manner."

Hailing from Virginia, Red Reign comprised of members singer/guitarist Carlton “Bubba” McMichael, guitarist Stevie Shred, bassist Larry Moore, and drummer Sammy Lee. The quartet takes 80’s rock influences but steers them in a more contemporary direction. In 2023, they released their full-length debut 'Don't Look Back,' which can be purchased via this link: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/red-reign

Overseen by Grammy Award-nominated multi-platinum producer David Ivory, the ten-track LP features such standout tracks as “Don’t Look Back” (which features a guest appearance by guitarist George Lynch), “Here I Am,” and “No Peace, No Love.” The band strongly feels that “All types of music lovers can find what they like in each one of our songs.” To check out the group's music video for "Don't Look Back," click below:

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

redreignband.com/
https://linktr.ee/chipsterpr

facebook.com/RedReignBand/

The young Fables- 2026 - New Year, New Tour, New Record

January 19, 2026

We are pretty sure you are absolutely crushing your resolutions right about now and we are cheering you on from the sidelines! For us, 2026 has already come in fast. We kicked things off with a writer's retreat in Sedona, Arizona, navigated a brief health scare with Wes (he is doing well now), and started mapping out what feels like a really meaningful year ahead.

Tomorrow, we step into the studio to begin work on our fifth full length record with multi Grammy nominated engineer, mixer, and producer Bobby Holland. There is nothing quite like hearing songs come alive in a space built purely for creativity. The studio always feels a little more magical, and we are so eager to bring this next chapter to life.

From there, we are heading back to the Northeast for a run of shows we are truly excited about. These nights are already beginning to fill up, and we would love to see you out on the road with us.

Here are some shows in our path:

JAN 28 - NASHVILLE, TN
Bonnie Stewart and Friends
*Special Guest Appearance*
THE BASEMENT EAST
8 PM

TICKETS

FEB 13 - FLOYDS KNOBS, IN
THE WOODS OF LAFAYETTE
presents The Young Fables
6 PM

RSVP - email
bettyannfarmer@att.net

FEB 18 - WEST FALLS CHURCH, VA
THE CLARKE HOUSE
presents The Young Fables
7 PM

RSVP - email

FEB 19 - HAGERSTOWN, MD
LIVE at HUB CITY VINYL
presents The Young Fables
8 PM

TICKETS

SOLD OUT
FEB 20 - ANNAPOLIS, MD
SHC MUSIC TRIBE
presents The Young Fables
7:30 PM

SOLD OUT

LOW TICKET ALERT
FEB 21 - HARRISBURG, PA
MANSION CONCERTS
presents An Evening with The Young Fables
6 PM

TICKETS

VRSTY Share New Single "heartbreak blues"

January 18, 2026

Genre-blending and bending New York City-based collective VRSTY (pronounced "Varsity") have shared their crackling new single "heartbreak blues."

Listen below.

The song features lyrics sung in both English and Spanish. It boasts unforgettable Latin flair, and vocal melodies that soar over a hissing breakdown.

"'heartbreak blues' is probably one of the angriest yet most vulnerable songs I've written," says singer Joey Tyler. "It's essentially about the feeling of being angry over someone you were prepared to give the word to, while still feeling incredibly connected to them. Sometimes, it's harder to cut certain threads in life and I think this song perfectly hit that vibe for me."

He furthers, "Clearly, I've been through that a lot."

The singer also shares how the song also hits on another personal level, saying, "This is the first song where I naturally was like, 'What if this part was in Spanish?,' and it totally works. It was nice to combine my love for heavy music and my love for my culture on this one."

2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for VRSTY, with more new music on the way.

Also, VRSTY will hit the road, supporting Fire From the Gods, later this month. All dates are below.

VRSTY ON TOUR:
WITH FIRE FROM THE GODS:
1/22 — Austin, TX — Come and Take It Live
1/23 — Haltom City, TX — Haltom Theater
1/24 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street
1/25 — Tulsa, OK — The Shrine
1/28 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade (Purgatory)
1/29 — Winter Park, FL — Conduit
1/30 — Jacksonville, FL — Jack Rabbits
1/31 — Columbia, SC — New Brookland Tavern
2/01 — Richmond, VA — Canal Club (Downstairs)
2/03 — Philadelphia, PA — The Foundry at The Fillmore
2/04 — Clifton, NJ — Dingbatz
2/05 — Brooklyn, NY — The Meadows
2/06 — Lowell, MA — Taffeta Music Hall
2/07 — Syracuse, NY — The Song & Dance
2/10 — Pittsburgh, PA — Crafthouse
2/11 — Columbus, OH — King of Clubs
2/12 — Cadillac, MI — Venue Event Center
2/13 — West Chicago, IL — WC Social Club
2/14 — Madison, WI — The Annex
2/15 — Minneapolis, MN — Underground Music Venue
2/17 — Denver, CO — HQ
2/19 — Los Angeles, CA — The Whisky A Go-Go
2/20 — Anaheim, CA — The Parish at House of Blues
2/21 — Las Vegas, NV — The Wall at Area 15

ABOUT VRSTY:
VRSTY (pronounced "Varsity") make music as energetic and richly diverse as the city that spawned them. Assembled by band leader Joey Varela, a Puerto Rican singer from New York City raised on R&B, pop, and Spanish music and equally inspired by metallic post-hardcore, VRSTY blend genres with fearless ambition and visceral enthusiasm. A handful of EPs preceded 2020's debut album, Welcome Home, itself followed by a three-part series of sequel EPs solidifying the band's reputation.

VRSTY specialize in what Kerrang! described as "endless grooves and danceable parts, punctuated by breakdowns and completed with dark atmosphere." Meanwhile, "Massive," from 2020's Cloud City EP, remained the Most Played on SiriusXM's Octane for two consecutive weeks. In a 9/10 review, Outburn described Welcome Home as "effortless, fun, and above all genuine." Blabbermouth raved, "While other bands may have introduced the concept of genre-bending, VRSTY have refined it."

Levitate, the band's sophomore set, was powered by spirited conviction and a commitment to follow their muse wherever it leads. Tyler co-produced Levitate with Justin Deblieck (Ice Nine Kills, Motionless In White, Lorna Shore, Fit For A King).

VRSTY have commanded the crowd anytime they perform, connecting with anyone who struggles with feelings of low self-worth, bad relationships, or generally feels like an outsider. It’s a feeling of shared community evident on the band's tours with the likes of 10 Years, Nonpoint, Secrets, and For The Fallen Dreams, among others.

Ultimately, VRSTY aim to encourage, provoke, and inspire listeners in the next era of their career — with more music on the way in 2026.

Maddox Batson Releases Magnetic “Any Other Night” + OMV

January 18, 2026

Mixing magnetic attraction with a sleek roots-R&B groove, rising country star Maddox Batson begins a new chapter with his first release of 2026, “Any Other Night.”

Dripping in the confident, swaggering passion of youth, “Any Other Night” marks the first in a string of upcoming releases from a skyrocketing talent who has already become the youngest male artist to appear on Billboard’s 21 Under 21.

Co-written by Batson with Jesse Frasure and Jacob Hackworth and produced by Frasure, the track finds the 16-year-old Nashville native ditching his friends and their typical hangouts for something with more meaning – and a love he can’t resist. Featuring a smooth vocal flow, clean guitars and a laid back digital beat, the heart-on-fire fusion of country, pop and R&B becomes a coming-of-age anthem, all about romantic memories in the making.

"I'm so stoked about my new single and the music video for ‘Any Other Night,’” Batson enthuses. “This was an amazing collaboration with some great writers, Jacob Hackworth and Jesse Frasure. Just really good guys, and great Nashville songwriters. We wanted to tap into my age group's normal vibes and what it's like choosing between that and your crush. It has a great feel, and I'm looking forward to the fans’ reaction.”

Fans can stream or download “Any Other Night” here, and check out the captivating official music video featuring Batson fans’ favorite guest star, Embreigh Courtlyn (“Girl In Green”), below, directed by Grant Decyk.

Showing new growth as an artist, “Any Other Night” has attracted massive fan attention as the follow up to Batson’s 2025 EP, First Dance, as well as singles “No More” and “Coincidence.” A TikTok teaser of the track recorded 3.5M views and 202K likes, while an Instagram post generated 1.2M views and 35K likes.

Both show the incredible demand powering Batson’s most ambitious year yet – including more new music to come, his collaboration with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey – the first-ever artist collaboration in the brand’s 150-year history – and his headlining 44-city Maddox Batson Live Worldwide Tour 2026.

Set to kick off February 17 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Live Worldwide Tour 2026 will crisscross the U.S. before heading to Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, on Batson’s first headlining European trek.

Joined by special guests Baylee Lynn, Jenna Davis, Just Jayne and Timmy McKeever on select dates, North American stops will include Atlanta, Georgia; Providence, Rhode Island; Montreal, Quebec; Vancouver, British Columbia; Seattle, Washington; Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona and Arlington, Texas. Tickets for all shows are available now at MaddoxBatson.com.

The new music and headline tour continue a breathtaking ascent for Batson, whose still-young career already counts 105M U.S. on-demand streams, 444M YouTube views and a combined social media following of 5.6M.

After making his Stagecoach festival debut in 2025, Batson wrapped his 29-city I Need A Truck Tour and supported select dates on Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind Tour. He has already caught the attention of Forbes, USA Today, American Songwriter, NBC Nightly News, PEOPLE, This Past Weekend with Theo Von and others, with much more to come.

DRAKE MILLIGAN KICKS OFF 2026 ADDING US AND AUS DATES TO HIS “TUMBLEWEED WORLD TOUR”

January 18, 2026

Critically acclaimed Country artist, Drake Milligan, adds 23 dates to his “Tumbleweed World Tour” across the United States and Australia. On the heels of his highly anticipated sophomore album, Tumbleweed – listen HERE, Milligan will start off the year in Hampton, GA at the Autotrader 400 NASCAR Cup Series followed by stops in Canada, Europe, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. A true entertainer, fans can expect an energetic, one-of-a-kind performance from Milligan and his band. Please visit drakemilligan.com for tickets and more information.

Having been on the road throughout 2025 opening for Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, and Luke Bryan, Milligan is embarking on his own slew of dates including his return across the pond in Paris and Brussels in March, plus C2C Festival stops in Rotterdam, Berlin, London, Glasgow, and Belfast. With the UK being Milligan’s second largest market in 2025, just behind the US, he is thrilled to bring his electric show back to them in 2026.

Produced by Trent Willmon, Tumbleweed includes 14 tracks that perfectly combine traditional Texas country, Western swing, and modern Nashville stylings, while showcasing Milligan’s timeless musicality. The title track hit #8 on the UK Country Radio Airplay chart. CD/vinyl of Tumbleweed are available for pre-order today and will release on March 13. Pre-order HERE.

Check out Milligan’s official performance video of one of his favorites off the album, “Slow Dancing To A Fast Song,” below. Following the success of his “Living Room Sessions” on YouTube, Milligan has introduced “Soundcheck Sessions” to his channel. This series will include weekly performance videos of his soundchecks at various shows.

About Drake Milligan

A student of classic Country music with the swagger of early Rock ‘n’ Roll, Drake Milligan is an electrifying entertainer who cites George Strait and Elvis Presley – the King of Country and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – as musical heroes, and his unique twist of traditional Country has been embraced by fans, peers, and major media including Billboard, PEOPLE, American Songwriter, USA Today, Access Hollywood, and more. In 2022, Milligan burst onto the national music stage with his debut album Dallas/Fort Worth, which topped the iTunes Country and All-Genre charts, landed him at #5 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart, and was later named one of Billboard’s “Best Country Albums of 2022.” The Fort Worth, TX native has since performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach and CMA Music Festival, and recently became the first artist to perform on an F1 racetrack for the inaugural F1 Grid Gigs in Austin, TX. Following his breakout debut, Milligan earned a #1 Canadian Country Radio hit with “Honky Tonkin’ About” (with The Reklaws) and carried that momentum into 2024 with his critically acclaimed EP Jukebox Songs, featuring fan favorite “I Got A Problem.” He also returned to primetime television for America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League before joining Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, and Blake Shelton on tour. With more than 270 million streams worldwide, Milligan is entering his next chapter with the release of his sophomore album Tumbleweed. The title track has already climbed into the UK Country Radio Top 10 as he kicks off his global “Tumbleweed World Tour.”

KEEP UP WITH DRAKE MILLIGAN
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | MUSIC | YOUTUBE TIKTOK | FACEBOOK

BLAKE SHELTON KICKS OFF HIS 2026 RESIDENCY WITH “BLAKE SHELTON: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS” AT THE COLOSSEUM AT CAESARS PALACE

January 18, 2026

With his current single “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’” sitting at No. 1 on the country radio charts, country music superstar Blake Shelton returned to Las Vegas in grand fashion, launching “BLAKE SHELTON: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS” at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Shelton delivered a nearly two-hour, high-energy performance that celebrated his hit-filled career, treating fans to a career-spanning set packed with many of his 31 No. 1 singles, including “Austin,” “Hillbilly Bone,” “God’s Country” and “Pour Me a Drink.” The latter recently earned CMA Musical Event of the Year honors for Shelton and duet partner Post Malone.

“It may be Thursday night but every night is Saturday night in Vegas, so let’s get this one started,” Shelton said. “And if you’re doing Dry January, take the night off. I’m here for you,” he added, raising his cup to the crowd.

Shelton also performed his chart-topping single “Texas,” the debut single from his new album, For Recreational Use Only. The album also features “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’,” along with collaborations that include Gwen Stefani on “Hangin’ On,” Craig Morgan joins for “Heaven Sweet Home” and Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson lends his voice on “Years.”

Shelton closed out the extraordinary night with his signature hit, “God Gave Me You.” “Blake Shelton: Live In Las Vegas” has limited tickets available for the remaining shows, January 18, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30 and 31, and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com/BlakeSheltonVegas.

About Blake Shelton
With 31 No. 1 singles, 52 million singles and 13 million albums sold and nearly 11 billion global streams, Blake Shelton has received numerous awards, including six ACMs, three AMAs, 11 CMAs, 11 CMTs and six People’s Choice, among many others. His debut BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville album, For Recreational Use Only, was released last year, and the 12-track album features his No. 1 Wheelhouse Records single “Texas” and “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’.” The album also includes the poignant “Let Him In Anyway” and songs featuring guest appearances by Gwen Stefani, John Anderson and Craig Morgan.

Shelton wrapped 2025 with The Road, a gritty new CBS series he co-produced alongside Taylor Sheridan, David Glasser, Lee Metzger and headliner Keith Urban. The show follows aspiring artists on a relentless national tour, offering a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the highs, lows and hard truths of chasing a dream from the road. The show airs on Sunday nights on CBS and is available for streaming the following day on Paramount.

He will kick off 2026 with “Blake Shelton: Live In Las Vegas.” He will return to the Colosseum at Caesars Place for his second Las Vegas residency with dates on January 15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30 and 31. The Grand Ole Opry member also remains focused on his Ole Red partnership with Ryman Hospitality, which currently has locations in Tishomingo, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Orlando and, most recently, Las Vegas, featuring a stand-alone venue complete with a rooftop stage and bar on the Las Vegas Strip.

For more information, please visit www.BlakeShelton.com and follow @BlakeShelton.

Kenny's Upping the New Songs for SPHERE 2026 Setlist

January 18, 2026

Having become the first solo artist and country act to create music in a deeper dimension at Vegas’ Sphere, Kenny Chesney came away from his high energy residency with a richer sense of his songs. Maybe it was the immersive visuals or the dialed-in sonics that really teased out the instruments and words. Perhaps it was the looks on the faces of No Shoes Nation as they took in the experience. Or maybe it was just the amount of engagement and singing along from a different place that struck the man sandwiched between Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band and Metallica on Pollstar’s Top 10 Touring Acts of the Millennium.

When it came time to think about his 2026 residency at Sphere, the East Tennessee songwriter and brand new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee realized Sphere’s configuration allowed him to perform songs he couldn’t necessarily do in his massive stadium shows. Even more than the freedom to cull from his massive catalogue of 36 Country Airplay No. 1s and 99 charting singles, he recognized the intimacy the venue’s configuration provided.

“Even though it’s a pretty big room and there are a lot of people in there,” Chesney explains, “with the way it’s constructed, everyone is so close, you can do things that are a lot slower, that really want to be listened to. We pulled out some songs last year we don’t do very often, and people really responded, so when the band and I got back together to start talking about what we might do this year, a lot of songs that we talked about, we haven’t done in a long time.

“We’re having a great time trying things out, finding our way inside them,” he continues. “We’re playing more things right now than we’ll actually be able to do, but I think we’re gonna surprise some people… because some of these songs we’ve never played, and a few we’ve not played in years. But I realized we can give people the space to really listen, and that makes all these songs so much better. I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with 30, 40% new material; maybe more.”

Having planted No Shoes Nation’s flag under a giant technicolor dome last year, the Pollstar Awards Residency of the Year nominated event created new ways for people to experience the songs they’ve lived their lives inside. Whether an immersive “Welcome To The Fishbowl” with its all-consuming social media reality, or the sweeping, night skies over the ocean and tropical coast “One Lonely Island,” Chesney’s shows opened up what these songs contained – and created a space via the Guitars, Tiki Bars and A Whole Lotta Love Experience, pools across Vegas to meet up and beyond, to have a whole different way of coming together.

With Heart Life Music, the book chronicling his journey through music, topping the New York Times Bestseller Hardcover Nonfiction and Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction lists, the time reflecting on the songs that brought him to this moment were very much front and center. As teased in the graphics at the end of his final weekend – “See You Next Summer” – Kenny Chesney’s taking his shake-off-your-troubles songs back to Sphere for one more round of very special shows.

Kenny Chesney Live at Sphere Las Vegas
Tickets on sale now via KennyChesney.com
June 19, 2026
June 20, 2026
June 24, 2026
June 26, 2026
June 27, 2026

Jamey Johnson and Megan Moroney Bring MOJO to Birmingham and Raise $315K for Charities

January 18, 2026

Alabama’s MOJO roared into the new year on Thursday night in Birmingham, Alabama, when Jamey Johnson and Megan Moroney performed an unforgettable one-night-only acoustic show at The Social at the Fennec that raised $315,000 for their respective charities.

The show’s name, MOJO, was derived from a blend of the first two letters of each artist’s last names. “If you like JOMO more, you can say that too!” Moroney told the crowd.

About 260 people gathered on a cold Birmingham night and enjoyed shrimp and grits, mac and cheese bites, prime rib sliders, Fennec chicken sliders, vegetable spring rolls, bang bang shrimp, and cake pops. Those in attendance included Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and his wife, Elee, songwriters Rob Hatch and Jeremy Popoff and several state senators and representatives.

The girls in the crowd sang along with Moroney’s songs, while the men held up their phones to record Johnson. “We don’t really get a lot of little girls at my shows, but we sell a hell of a lot of beer,” Johnson said. Moroney quipped, “We have a lot of little girls, but we don’t sell a lot of beer!”

The event, which was hosted by radio personality Storme Warren of The Big 615, benefitted Jamey and Brittney Johnson’s Give It Away Foundation, which supports charities close to their hearts and those that help communities during times of crisis, as well as The Megan Moroney Foundation, which focuses on combating bullying and promoting mental health awareness.

Auction items included two alligator hunts, which sold for $9,000 each, three hog hunts, which went for a total of $21,000, and a pair of Moroney’s autographed personal boots, which garnered $4,500. A custom hand-tooled saddle by famed leather craftsman Cody Hixon was purchased for $14,000 by Jimmy John’s founder Jimmy John Liautaud, who immediately donated it back to be auctioned again, bringing in another $14,000.

“The Give It Away Foundation exists so that we can help people we see that are in need,” Johnson says, noting that the fund will also create scholarships. “Somebody’s house burns down and we need to find them a hotel to stay in for a few months, or someone has another hardship and they just need a helping hand. The reason for doing this was to raise money for the foundation.”

In addition, the evening celebrated a connection the duo has outside of the music business. Last year, Moroney’s father retired from a Birmingham company called O’Neal Steel, where Johnson worked before finding success in country music. “I worked for O’Neal Steel back in the nineties when I needed a second-shift job. I’ve kept up with the owner, Craft O’Neal, since then. It was a way for Megan and me to give back to Craft and O’Neal Steel as well.” (O’Neal also owns The Fennec, which hosted the event.)

They learned of the connection outside of the Grand Ole Opry, when Moroney’s father told Johnson about their common employer. “When we realized that connection, we thought it would be so fun to go down to Birmingham and do a show together,” Moroney adds. “Here we are!”

Johnson and Moroney have become good friends, sharing the stage at various venues, including the Grand Old Opry. Johnson and Deana Carter issued the official invitation for Moroney to make her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2023. Johnson was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Moroney, inviting her to join his tour in 2022. “She blew us off the stage every night,” he told the crowd.

“Jamey really took a chance on me when he took me out on the road,” said Moroney before sharing, “…it was my band’s and my first tour. We were driving around in a church van and U-Haul. I told Jamey that I really felt like I had made it when the U-Haul tire blew, and instead of waiting on AAA, I said, ‘Put it on the card.’

“This song came out while we were on tour with Jamey,” she said before performing her breakout hit, “Tennessee Orange.” (When the audience cheered, Johnson joked, “Cut that out! This is Roll Tide territory!”)

The show was a wonderful blend of humor and humility, with both songwriters sharing the stories behind their compositions. Johnson opened the show with the Trace Adkins’ hit “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” which Johnson co-wrote with Dallas Davidson and Randy Houser. “This is arguably one of the two worst songs in country music history,” he joked.

Moroney jokingly warned against the mistreatment of songwriters because the creators get the last word as she did in her songs “Sleep on My Side” and “Lucky.” “If you know anything about me, knowing I have questionable taste in men is one of the Top 5 things you know,” said the singer/songwriter, who was accompanied by her band mate, Alex Shernit, on guitar.

“I wrote this song because I have this ex I knew that I should not be answering, so I wrote a song called ‘Lucky.’” (She also performed “Beautiful Things,” “Am I Okay?” and her new song, “Wish I Didn’t,” which was released nationally about four hours later giving the charitable crowd the first live performance of the highly-anticipated release).

Two of the night’s most powerful moments occurred when the two united their voices on Don Williams’ hit “Till the Rivers All Run Dry,” which was co-written by Williams and Wayland Holyfield, and John Prine’s iconic song, “Angel from Montgomery,” which mentions Johnson’s hometown.

Johnson, who also performed “High Cost of Living,” “Women,” and “The Dollar” closed the show with “In Color,” his hit he wrote with Lee Thomas Miller and James Otto that was named Song of the Year by both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. “This song is heartfelt, to say the least. I miss my grandparents all the time, so here is one for the Greatest Generation.”

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support we received,” Brittney Johnson shared. “We were proud to team up with Megan for our first fundraising event and help support her mission of mental health awareness. It was a great night of music and fellowship in support of great causes.”

HELLRIPPER Announces New Album, Launches New Single + Music Video

January 17, 2026

Scotland's ibex-obsessed blackened thrash bastard of Hades, otherwise known as HELLRIPPER, is pleased to announce that his fourth studio album, 'Coronach,' will be released worldwide on March 27, 2026 via Century Media Records, making it his debut to the label! To celebrate this upcoming offering, HELLRIPPER is now debuting a raucous new black thrash anthem, “Hunderprest,” along with a spirited performance video that was filmed at UK’s Damnation Festival 2025 by Sethpicturesmusic and edited by Jake Ten. The clip can be found below.

HELLRIPPER mastermind, guitarist/vocalist and songwriter James McBain comments on the new single,

"'Hunderprest' hits immediately with a chaotic deluge of dissonance, and is what I felt to be the perfect way to open the album — leaving the listener with no time to prepare. Based on the legend of 'Hunderprest,' or 'dog priest' - the vampire of Melrose Abbey. The sinful chaplain inherited his nickname because of his habit of hunting on horseback with his pack of hounds. After his death, legend says he was buried in the graveyard of Melrose Abbey; and because his spirit could not find peace, he would rise from his grave when night fell to harass the villagers and his former mistress to satisfy his bloodthirst. He was eventually defeated when a group of monks from Melrose Abbey exhumed Hunderprest’s blood-soaked body in broad daylight and set it on fire, throwing the ashes into the wind to be sure that the vampire would no longer be able to torment the town.

"Musically, the track primarily takes influence from a mixture of thrash (Kreator, Merciless, Metallica) and black (Watain, Rotting Christ, Tribulation) metal, with a healthy dose of some more 'atmospheric' d-beat elements from the likes of Oathbreaker and Fall of Efrafa.”

He adds about the album, "'Coronach’ is a personal exploration of Scottish Culture — its music, literature, history & folklore. From Pictish mysteries to Victorian Gothic literature, sinister lore, classic Scottish poetry and modern urban tales, the album tells stories of the country throughout the ages. Inspired by anything and everything from Venom and Mercyful Fate, to Watain and Opeth, to Manic Street Preachers, film scores and traditional Scottish music, the album is a good representation of myself all wrapped up in a nice speed metal package! Quite a bit of experimentation went into this album, and I wanted each track to contain something that I had never done previously. Whether it be the inclusion of a different instrument, or how a song begins, I aimed to offer some element of surprise in each track.

"The album, named after the vocal lament traditionally sung at funerals in the Scottish Highlands, encompasses everything the band is about: mixing modern and old-school influences, past and present storytelling, the dark side of Scottish history and my personal interpretation of it. As always, the writing and recording took place in my home studio, with various other people putting their stamp on a few of the tracks. The album was mixed by myself, and was mastered by Damian Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios, and the artwork was done by Adam Burke (Nightjar Illustration). Fàilte gu Alba - Welcome to Scotland!”

'Coronach' can be pre-ordered HERE.

In addition, Hellripper will be embarking on a European headliner with support from Schizophrenia and Sarcator, which will introduce the band’s upcoming studio album release (More details about that soon…!). The full itinerary can be found below while tickets can be found HERE.

Enter the GOAT KVLT HERE.

The brainchild of guitarist/vocalist/solitary force, James McBain, Hellripper has been running like a denim-vested, backpatch-encrusted William Wallace, bravehearting his way through metal's bloodiest battlefields since first coagulating his personal darkness in 2014. Taking armaments from “Kill 'Em All” era Hetfield and “Welcome to Hell” era Mantas, McBain has immersed his fascination with darkness and speed with Scottish history and come with bloody masterpieces like 2023's “Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags” that Metal Injection stated: "Bursts with growth and a mature exploration of darkness and eeriness while maintaining that original high-octane burning”. McBain is presently sharpening his blades and casting new spells that will transmogrify into Hellripper's Century Media debut “Coronach”.

Hellripper Lineup:

James McBain – All Instruments & Vocals

Hellripper live and video performance line-up:

James McBain – Guitar & Vocals

Joseph Quinlan – Guitar

Andy Milburn – Bass

Max Southall – Drums

Album credits:

Recorded and mixed by Hellripper’s James McBain at Coronach Studios in Scotland, UK

Mastered by Damien Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios in the USA.

Cover Artwork: Adam Burke / Nightjar Illustration

Formats:

Jewelcase CD

Digital Album

LP (formats below):

- “Black Cuillin” LP on black vinyl (Unlimited, available in Europe)

- “Wild Thistle” LP on transp. magenta vinyl (Ltd. to 400x copies, available from UK retailers and Hellripper)

- “Saltire” LP on blue vinyl (Ltd. to 300x copies, available from selected German & Austrian retailers and from Hellripper)

- “Highland Mist” LP on grey vinyl (Ltd. to 1000x copies, available from Hellripper)

- “Baobhan Sith” LP on transp. forest green vinyl (Unlimited, available in the USA)

- “Granite City” LP on electric smoke colored vinyl (Ltd. to 500x copies, available in the USA)

- “Bean Nighe” LP on ultra clear vinyl (Ltd. to 300x copies, available in the USA from Hellripper)

Pre-order // pre-save: https://hellripperband.lnk.to/Coronach-AlbumID

Links:

DONT YOU DARE Share "BLACK & BLUE" Video

January 17, 2026

Born from the raw concrete of Sacramento, California, DONT YOU DARE (styled without the apostrophe) are a modern rock duo fusing the intensity of nu-metal and metalcore with raw, unfiltered emotion.

Vocalist Noah Duarte, a poet-turned-frontman, joined forces with guitarist Matt English to create a sound that's both therapeutic and confrontational and the foundation of what would become DONT YOU DARE.

After dropping "S.O.S," their debut single with The Artery Foundation, last year, DYD return with "BLACK & BLUE," a banger that nods to the early '00s style of groove-centric hard rock of Linkin Park and Korn.

Watch the video below.

"'BLACK & BLUE' is about feeling used and drained by someone you love," DYD's Duarte says. "It's about finally accepting that feeling, and how sadness can slowly turn into anger. It was a hard song to write, but a beautiful experience seeing those raw, haunting emotions come to life."

Fans can catch the band live at the following shows.

DONT YOU DARE LIVE:
1/17 — Goldfield Trading Post — Roseville, CA (With Solely Veil)
2/6 — Brick by Brick — San Diego, CA (With Jamie's Elsewhere)
2/7 — The Parish Room House of Blues — Anaheim, CA (With Jamie's Elsewhere)

Expect even more from DONT YOU DARE in the coming weeks.

The Artery Foundation is a familiar name to hard rock fans. In 2025, the brand has rebooted and is a full service company. It's a label, artist management and producer management firm, among other things. During its 2010s heyday, the brand helped author the burgeoning metalcore scene, having been responsible for singing and breaking genre titans.

From the sweaty chaos of basements and VFW halls to the world's biggest festivals, Artery has helped guide talent from local notoriety to global recognition. The list of heavy music cornerstone acts that started with Artery speaks for itself" A Day To Remember, Motionless In White, Dance Gavin Dance, Beartooth, Sleeping With Sirens, The Amity Affliction, Asking Alexandria, The Devil Wears Prada, Our Last Night, Memphis May Fire, Fit For A King, The Plot In You, Attila, Attack Attack!, and more.

In 2010, the company launched Artery Recordings, a label imprint that gave rise to breakout acts like Chelsea Grin and Kublai Khan TX. As Artery continued to expand, founder Eric Rushing concurrently deepened his influence on Sacramento's music and nightlife culture. His handiwork is evident in various live venues, restaurants, and bars.