DREW BALDRIDGE HIGHLIGHTS THE HEART OF “REBEL” WITH NEW ACOUSTIC VERSION

Country star Drew Baldridge releases an acoustic version of his current radio hit “Rebel” via Lyric Ridge Records/Stoney Creek Records. Fans can get it HERE. 

Written by Baldridge and Adam Sanders and produced by Zach Crowell and Nick Schwarz, “Rebel” delivers a powerful message about flipping the traditional idea of rebellion on its head. The song serves as an anthem for standing firm in your convictions, celebrating integrity, faith, and family as the ultimate acts of defiance. With its soaring chorus and driving production, “Rebel” captures the strength it takes to stay true to yourself in a world that often rewards compromise.

“I wrote this song after noticing how often the wrong things get glorified,” said Baldridge. “Doing the right thing can feel rebellious, and I hope fans - and one day my sons - see that being a rebel here is actually a good thing. The song celebrates doing the right thing even when it’s not the ‘cool’ or easy choice.”

Baldridge recently released an acoustic performance video for the track, filmed at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville. The stripped-down rendition highlights the heart and emotion behind the song. Watch Below. 

He will bring his FARM FAITH FAMILY Tour + additional support dates across the country through the end of the year, where fans can catch him performing “Rebel” live. For tour dates and more information, visit DrewBaldridgeMusic.com. 

About Drew Baldridge: 
Baldridge continues to deliver exactly what fans have been asking for: a steady stream of new music rooted in his signature themes of farm, faith, and family. His new release, “Love Needs You,” arrives as a heartfelt summer anthem, ushering in his next chapter. It follows “Deserve Her” and “Get Me Gone” featuring Emily Ann Roberts via Lyric Ridge Records/BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. His current single, “Rebel,” continues to climb the charts following “Tough People,” which became his second consecutive Top 10 hit at country radio.

This new chapter builds on the massive success of Baldridge’s RIAA Platinum-certified breakout “She’s Somebody’s Daughter,” which reached No. 1 on Country Aircheck/Mediabase and No. 3 on Billboard Country Airplay, making him the only self-funded artist to score a No. 1 debut on Mediabase and the highest-charting independent artist in Billboard Country Airplay history. With more than 2 billion streams and impressions to date, the song also earned a spot on NSAI’s “10 Songs I Wish I Would Have Written.”

This year, Baldridge will headline his FARM FAITH FAMILY Tour, bringing his music directly to fans across the country, while also joining Luke Bryan on tour and continuing to perform internationally following recent runs across Australia, the UK, and Europe. He has earned multiple accolades, including CRS New Faces 2025 and MusicRow’s 2025 Independent Artist of the Year.

KEEP UP WITH DREW BALDRIDGE
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

gracie Shares New Single "Hot Air Balloon

Tooth & Nail Records recently welcomed gracie to the roster! She will release her new album Miss Misfortunately on June 26. Pre-order it here. 

She now shares the visualizer for new single "Hot Air Balloon." Watch the visualizer below.

The song boasts a gorgeous and strolling, '50s-style waltz, all wrapped in gracie's shimmering vocals. 

 "'Hot Air Ballon' is my big finale — it's the bow on the present," says gracie. "It's my 'finally happy' song, amidst a sea of depression. I made it out on the other side."

gracie pens songs out of deep necessity. Her music holds the kind of truth usually only reserved for late-night conversations between lifelong friends. No subject is off the table. Instead, songwriting turns the key to unlock her heart, letting unfiltered feelings and raw recollections spill out on tape. She projects these emotions against a backdrop of artful alternative pop spiked with rock grit and indie intentionality. Embracing her most formative inspirations and pulling no punches, gracie steps into who she always endeavored to be as an artist.

"I'm not making music because I want to be successful; I'm making music because I have to," she affirms. "I need to tell an authentic story. Sonically, it's a collection of everything that’s influenced me. I'm ready to express so many thoughts I hadn’t been given permission to express before. The record is about being human, laughing at yourself, telling scary stories, and holding nothing back. It's who I am as an artist."

As a kid, music surrounded gracie. At five-years-old, she regularly performed home concerts for her family. She graduated from listening to Camp Rock and High School Musical to Céline Dion, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston and the likes. Along the way, she honed her voice through vocal lessons and filled journals with original songs. Watching a Taylor Swift thanksgiving special marked a pivotal turning point though. Within 15 minutes afterwards, she had crafted a song "Be Mine"—impressing her parents so much they burned it to CDs and she sold it to family and friends. By middle school, she had found herself on regular writing trips to Los Angeles, gaining invaluable experience. Simultaneously, her palette diversified and she obsessed over favorite bands, including Paramore, My Chemical Romance, Sleeping with Sirens, Pierce the Veil, and State Champs. 

Not long after getting married, the music told her where to go next. She had always wanted to address the aftershocks of a past brutal breakup, but she never had the forum to properly do so until now.

"This breakup was monumental in my life, and I held onto these ideas for years," she admits. "I had gotten with a new team in 2025, and everybody backed my vision. I decided to go back to how I felt and close the chapter of the story."

Throughout 2025, gracie collaborated closely with producer Austin Davis at his Nashville studio. Bonding over a mutual passion for early 2000's rock bands, they built a solid musical foundation and began working on Gracie's forthcoming album together.

Ultimately, though, gracie's songs might just mirror how you feel.

"Music has gotten me out of so many dark places in my life," she states.  "No matter the situation you're in, I hope to give you whatever you need, whether it’s healing, growth, or self-reflection...Maybe you'll see a part of yourself in it and feel less alone."

Out Now From Dead Register!

DEAD REGISTER returns to the place where everything began, reopening a document that never really closed. Fiber (10th Anniversary Deluxe Remaster) arrives on May 22, 2026 via AVR as both excavation and resurrection, a restored transmission from a moment when the band first locked into the sound that would define its gravitational pull for the next decade. The album exists as memory made physical again, preserved with clarity while retaining the suffocating atmosphere and immediacy that made the original recordings feel dangerously alive.

Recorded in 2016 with M. Chvasta, Avril Che, and Chad Williams performing together in near real time, Fiber (10th Anniversary Deluxe Remaster) captures DEAD REGISTER operating on instinct rather than revision. Minimal overdubs, live execution, and a deliberate refusal of excess leave the record breathing heavily in the room with the listener. Every low frequency feels intentional. Every silence carries weight. The remaster sharpens the emotional architecture without polishing away the human strain embedded in the performances.

Across its runtime, Fiber (10th Anniversary Deluxe Remaster) unfolds as a continuous narrative shaped by longing, humor, exhaustion, desire, and survival. Sequenced deliberately from a larger body of material, the album moves like a psychological journey through attachment and decay, ending where it began, suspended between bliss and extinction. The remaster restores the pressure, intimacy, and density that made the original recordings endure.

Ten years later, DEAD REGISTER revisits Fiber (10th Anniversary Deluxe Remaster)with the understanding that certain works refuse to age quietly. The album remains a defining statement of intent, a document of musicians chasing emotional honesty at maximum volume, and a reminder that heaviness can live equally in sound, memory, and human connection.

FOUNDING MEMBER OF BLUE ÖYSTER CULT ALBERT BOUCHARD TO RELEASE SECOND INTERACTIVE GRAPHIC NOVEL

Albert Bouchard is best known as a founding member of Blue Öyster Cult. The original lineup sold millions of albums for Columbia Records, with such classic songs as “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” and the number one hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart “Burning for You.” Bouchard contributed to songwriting and lead vocals on some of its greatest songs, such as “Cites on Flame With Rock and Roll.”

Albert Bouchard completed the first Imaginos trilogy and has shepherded the concept of Imaginos through its many incarnations over the years, translating Sandy Pearlman’s feverish visions into sonic resonance and into print form with the release of the Imaginos I graphic novel. Now, he is back with the release ofImaginos II, an immersive interactive graphic novel experience that brings the legend to life like never before. The Imaginos II graphic novel recounts the second third of the Imaginos story as it weaves through the 14 songs from Albert Bouchard’s Imaginos II Bombs Over Germany album. This interactive graphic novel connects you to all 14 songs along with never-before-seen videos and includes a download card for the digital version, so you can immerse yourself in this interactive experience on your computer, phone, or tablet.

Watch the full video for “Three Sisters” featuring Buck Dharma below:

As Bouchard states, “These graphic novels expand on the saga of Imaginos, which is itself an extremely expandable story. The videos expand upon both the comic and the songs, making this the most complete version of the Imaginos story to date.”  The song Three Sisters was written during the Fire of Unknown Origin album sessions and was slated for release on a subsequent BOC release. When I approached Buck to contribute to the track, he told me he was delighted because he always loved the song.”

All the Imaginos albums are available now and feature reworks of classic Blue Öyster Cult tracks like “Astronomy,” “E.T.I.,” “Godzilla,” “Cites on Flame With Rock and Roll,” and many more. Order your copy of ReImaginos, Imaginos II – Bombs Over Germany, and Imaginos III – Mutant Reformation and stay tuned for Imaginos IV coming soon.

Order here: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/albertbouchard
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: 

www.albertbouchard.net

www.dekoentertainment.com

FRONTIERS RECORDS Release 30th Anniversary Compilation

FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL is proud to announce the release of the ‘XXX Anniversary Compilation,’ a special project celebrating 30 years of passion, creativity, and unforgettable music. The record is out now, and only available on CD, on the label’s webstore.

Order the ‘XXX Anniversary Compilation’ HERE

Starting from an idea of Serafino Perugino, the ‘XXX Anniversary Compilation’ brings together some of the greatest melodies and voices from the world of melodic rock. This special release celebrates the label’s rich legacy by revisiting iconic tracks from the FRONTIERScatalogue, reimagined with dynamic new performances from an extraordinary lineup of guest vocalists.

Each track has been recorded exclusively for this anniversary project and showcases the powerful reinterpretation of beloved FRONTIERS classics through the voices of today’s standout rock artists.

Aldo Lonobile, Head of A&R Europe at FRONTIERS LABEL GROUP and producer of the record, comments:

“Producing the 30th anniversary record for FRONTIERS RECORDS has been both an honor and a responsibility. This label has built a legacy on passion and vision, and, with this album, we wanted to celebrate that history in a meaningful way. Having a mix of established and new generation of FRONTIERS artists reinterpret the iconic tracks that shaped our identity is more than a tribute - it’s a bridge between eras.

“With a tracklist discussed together with the FRONTIERS President Serafino Perugino, this record is a celebration of where we come from, and a powerful statement of where we’re headed”, he continued.

Under the expert production of Lonobile – who also performs part of the guitars on the album - the performances are backed by a stellar lineup of musicians: Alessandro Mammola (guitar), Andrea Arcangeli (bass), Cristian Timpanaro (bass), the keyboards team – Alessio Lucatti& Antonio Agate, Alfonso Mocerino, and Fortunato Grillo on drums, delivering powerful new arrangements that bring renewed energy to these fan-favorite tracks.

‘XXX Anniversary Compilation’ isn’t just a compilation - it’s a tribute to 30 years of rock excellence, a heartfelt thank you to the artists, fans, and collaborators who have been part of the FRONTIERS RECORDS story.

Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or discovering these songs for the first time, this album delivers powerful performances, soaring melodies, and the unmistakable spirit of FRONTIERS.

SCAR OF THE SUN STARTS EUROPEAN TOUR

Greek modern metal force SCAR OF THE SUN are starting their European tour today. Joining Japanese samurai metal pioneers WHISPERED as direct support, SCAR OF THE SUN will also share the stage with TORCHIA and CEREMONY for a relentless run of shows across Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Poland.

Known for their crushing blend of atmospheric heaviness, metalcore intensity, and djent-driven precision, SCAR OF THE SUN continue to push the boundaries of modern metal with a sound that is both cinematic and devastatingly aggressive. Formed in London in the late ‘00s and now based in Athens, Greece, the band has steadily evolved into one of Europe’s most distinctive heavy acts.

The Return of the Shogunate tour will see SCAR OF THE SUN bring their explosive live performance to audiences across ten cities, delivering material from across their acclaimed catalog alongside WHISPERED, TORCHIA, and CEREMONY.

"Return of the Shogunate" European Tour 2026

23.05.2026 - DE - Hamburg - Stellwerk
24.05.2026 - DK - Copenhagen - Stengade
25.05.2026 - DE - Oberhausen - Helvete
26.05.2026 - CH - Aarburg - Musigburg
27.05.2026 - CH - Yverdon - Les Citrons Mosque
28.05.2026 - BE - Kortrijk - Club DVG
29.05.2026 - DE - Leipzig - Hellraiser
30.05.2026 - CZ - Prague - Subzero
31.05.2026 - PL - Krakow - Club Gwarek

Tickets are available HERE. 

About SCAR OF THE SUN

SCAR OF THE SUN is a Modern Metal band from Athens, Greece. Formed in London in the late ‘00s as a Modern Atmospheric Metal outfit, they progressively evolved and distilled their sound into an eclectic mix of Metalcore and Djent.

DIMMU BORGIR - Unleash New Single/Video 'As Seen In The Unseen'

Norwegian extreme metal titans Dimmu Borgir unleash Grand Serpent Rising, their long-awaited new studio album and first full-length release in eight years since Eonian.

Formed in 1993 by guitarist Sven “Silenoz” Kopperud and vocalist Stian “Shagrath” Thoresen during the height of Norway’s second-wave black metal movement, Dimmu Borgirhave never rushed the creative process - and the crushing weight and cinematic scope of Grand Serpent Rising proves the wait was worthwhile.

Recorded in Gothenburg with acclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström - the architect behind landmark Dimmu Borgir albums Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia and Death Cult Armageddon - the new record delivers thirteen punishing yet remarkably diverse tracks that push the band’s symphonic extremity to towering new heights.

To celebrate the release, the band has also unveiled a stunning new cinematic video for the track 'As Seen In The Unseen', further cementing Grand Serpent Rising as one of the year’s most anticipated extreme metal releases.

Watch the video for 'As Seen In The Unseen' below:

Listen to Grand Serpent Rising:
https://dimmuborgir.bfan.link/grandserpentrising

The Grand Serpent Rising North America 2026 tour marks the legendary return of Dimmu Borgir to North American soil for their first headlining trek since 2018, featuring special guests Hypocrisy, Suffocation, and Hulder.

Grand Serpent Rising North America 2026:
07 Aug 2026 New York, NY - The Palladium
08 Aug 2026 Worcester, MA - The Palladium
10 Aug 2026 Toronto, ON - HISTORY
11 Aug 2026 Montreal, QC - M Telus 
13 Aug 2026 Cleveland, OH - The Agora Theatre
14 Aug 2026 Chicago, IL - The Vic
15 Aug 2026 Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore
18 Aug 2026 Denver, CO - The Mission Ballroom
21 Aug 2026 San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
23 Aug 2026 Los Angeles, CA - The Novo

LINE UP:
Shagrath - vocals
Silenoz - guitars
Damage - guitars
Victor - bass
Gerlioz - keyboards
Daray - drums

DIMMU BORGIR ONLINE:
https://facebook.com/dimmuborgir
http://instagram.com/dimmuborgir
https://youtube.com/user/dimmuborgir
https://x.com/dimmuborgir
https://dimmu-borgir.com/

BLACKLIST UNION Ignites Hollywood with the Explosive New Single “JACKSON” FEATURING Lorraine Lewis from Femme Fatale Unveil Official Music Video Today

Dirty rock n’ roll is alive and kicking, and Blacklist Union is about to light the fuse.

Blacklist Union unleashed their blistering new version of “Jackson,” the legendary June Carter & Johnny Cash classic, featuring none other than rock icon Lorraine Lewis of Femme Fatale. The track is already being hailed as a full-throttle “barn burner” destined to set radio stations ablaze worldwide.

The release arrives with the world premiere of the official music video directed by Paul Crosby (formerly of SALIVA) and produced by Chris Johnson, known for his work with Evanescence, Hans Zimmer, and more.

Watch "Jackson" Below:

Hollywood rock n’ roll just found its next anthem.

Keep your eyes locked on BLACKLIST UNION and FEMME FATALE — because this is only the beginning.

For info about Blacklist Union, contact:

Shauna O’Donnell, sobandpromos@gmail.com

For info about Lorraine Lewis, contact:

Mitch Schneider, mschneider@sropr.com

Cupid Theory Welcomes Artist Manager Shelby Short

Cupid Theory, the Los Angeles-based storytelling and artist services company, today announced the addition of Shelby Short to its expanding arsenal of industry professionals. Shelby Short joins as Artist Manager, alongside his roster of Not Enough Space, Pretty Pity, Summer Hoop, and VCTMS.

Shelby Short brings over 15 years of multifaceted music industry experience to Cupid Theory, having built a career spanning live event production, tour management, regional promotions, and artist development. Throughout his career, Shelby Short has taken on touring roles alongside some of the most respected names in heavy music, including The Used, Falling In Reverse, PVRIS, among many others, and is bolstered by his work as a regional promoter operating across Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville markets.

Arriving with momentum behind them, Shelby Short's roster of Not Enough Space, Pretty Pity, Summer Hoop, and VCTMS join Cupid Theory as formidable forces in their respective rights. Not Enough Space surpassed 25 million streams on their debut record within four months and earned multiple festival slots at Louder Than Life, Welcome To Rockville, and Sonic Temple. Pretty Pity hit over 60 shows across a full US run in support of their debut EP, and will be performing at Summer School and Summerfest this year. Summer Hoop closed out 2025 with her highest-streaming song to date and is currently supporting Arankai on a handful of sold out shows. VCTMS hit one million streams in two weeks with the release of their latest EP and are currently direct support on a nearly sold out tour with Jiluka.

Founded by Kyle Hulett in 2021, Cupid Theory has grown into a powerhouse force within the music and entertainment industries, offering services spanning paid social advertising, CRM and e-commerce marketing, digital publicity, music distribution, and artist management. With Shelby Short's addition marking a significant expansion, Cupid Theory's management roster now proudly includes Attack Attack!, Colorblind, Kami Kehoe, Not Enough Space, Pretty Pity, Savage Hands, Summer Hoop, and VCTMS.

For Shelby Short, the move represents a natural next step in a career defined by versatility and a relentless drive to elevate the artists around him. Cupid Theory's newest addition, Shelby Short (Artist Manager) shares his excitement about what lies ahead:

"I’m excited to be a part of expanding an already incredible team at Cupid Theory. Can’t wait to see where our combined knowledge and resources will push the team as we continue to grow together!"

Speaking to the culture that has quietly become one of Cupid Theory's greatest strengths, Kyle Hulett, Founder of Cupid Theory, shares what makes Shelby Short's addition feel like such a defining moment for the company:

"Shelby is cut from the same cloth that all of us at Cupid Theory embody. Self-started empowerment of others, experience in many positions and unyielding dedication to his craft. I am deeply excited to welcome another one of our own to the table."

Shelby Short's appointment reflects Cupid Theory's continued momentum heading into 2026, as the company expands its focus on meaningful artist development and culturally resonant storytelling on a global scale.

LIGHTNING STRIKES Releases The King Is Victorious on Vinyl and Debut a Video for the Track Voices In My Head

The Los Angeles, CA based heavy metal outfit LIGHTNING STRIKES have released their sophomore album ‘The King Is Victorious’. 

Due to strong global CD sales, The King Is Victorious by Lightning Strikes will be released on vinyl on May 23, exclusively through eBay. The release will be accompanied by an official lyric video for “Voices in My Head.”

Beginning May 23, the original 1986 Lightning Strikes single featuring “Lottery Tickets” and “Lightning Strikes” will also become available worldwide across all major digital streaming and download platforms. A companion video for “Lottery Tickets” will premiere on YouTube.

Ebay Site: www.ebay.com/usr/lightningstrikesband

Voices In My Head (Video) Below:

Lottery Tickets (Video): youtu.be/34lQKWhl3lo

The original 1986 recording features:

Karpis Maksudian – Drums
Harout Khatchoyan – Vocals
Levon Zeytounzian – Lead Guitar
Cat Tate – Bass
John Harjo – Keyboards (Guest Musician)

In addition, the 2016 self-titled debut album, Lightning Strikes, will be released worldwide on all major digital platforms for streaming and purchase.

Featuring:
Karpis Maksudian – Drums
Rob Math – Lead Guitar
Cat Tate – Bass
Nando Fernandes – Vocals
Derek Sherinian – Keyboards (Guest Musician)

Stream the album: https://open.spotify.com/album/4De9sAG42xeTYm2Zxz2Hpt?si=JTiH1jZcRd-RRr_-SpRM6w

Originally formed in 1984, LIGHTNING STRIKES were the first metal band to feature an all Armenian-American line-up, well over a decade before the arrival of SYSTEM OF A DOWN. Co-founder Maksudian revived the name with new personnel a quarter century after the initial breakup recording the group's self-titled 2016 full-length debut with Brazilian vocalist Nando Fernandes (SINISTRA, HANGAR), the aforementioned Rob Math and Derek Sherinian, and former BLACK SABBATH vocalist, Tony Martin, who sang on and wrote the lyrics to 'Death Valley' and '301 AD Sins of Our Fathers'. Mixed by Roy Z, the album was well received and peaked on the Japanese Burrn! Magazine import charts at number 6.

Track Listing:

Fear Of Unknown

Voices In My Head

Clash Of Battalions

The King Is Victorious

Aim and Shoot

Lucid Dreams

New Beginning

Masquerade Suite (Instrumental)

Musicians:

Karpis Maksudian - Drums/USA

Shima Norifumi - Lead Guitar/Japan

Barry Sparks - Bass/USA

Mariano Gardella - Vocals/Germany

Derek Sherinian - Keyboards/USA

Producer: Karpis Maksudian

Engineer: Dario Mollo

Links:

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

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

X: x.com/lsrocksofficial

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@lightningstrikesofficial387

Power Metal Warriors WARKINGS Release Cover of "Live is Life" — WATCH + LISTEN

Power metal warriors WARKINGS celebrate their energetic shows with a new single: Their cover of "Live is Life" honors fellow Austrians Opus. Originally released in 1984, the song became an international hit. Similarly, WARKINGS stormed the top 10 of the German and Austrian charts with their latest album, Armageddon, released in the summer of 2025. Now, the quintet turns "Live is Life" into a power metal anthem with a charming '80s vibe — headbanging to this will leave you with a melody stuck in your head.

Of course, WARKINGS are using their new live anthem to expand their legions this summer. Their latest campaign will lead them to various European festival grounds—among them, Copenhell, Alcatraz, and Elbriot. Find the full list of dates below!

The Tribune about "Live is Life":
"When we forged our own WARKINGS version of 'Live is Life,' we never expected it to become such a massive anthem. But once we played it live on tour, our warriors and shield maidens in the crowd sang every word with us—and from that moment, we knew this song had become part of our battle hymn arsenal. The energy and the unity—it was impossible to ignore. This song belongs to our legion as much as to us."

Watch the Official Video for "Live is Life" Below:

Since their formation in 2018, WARKINGS have cemented their place in the power metal scene. They have conquered festival stages, played alongside legends like Powerwolf, Hammerfall, and Subway To Sally, and built a devoted fanbase that has chanted their anthems at Europe's biggest stages, including Wacken Open Air.

The five warriors in WARKINGS have once again taken up their weapons to bring the legends of their past to life with mighty power metal anthems. Each of them carries the memories of great battles within, and now, the time has come to unleash these stories upon the world alongside the indomitable sorceress Morgana le Fay. The band's fifth album, Armageddon, is a journey through some of history's most pivotal conquests—moments where warriors stood firm, empires crumbled, and the world was forever changed.

WARKINGS comment:
"Armageddon is not just the end — it's the moments in history that changed the world forever. This album is a tribute to the warriors and shieldmaidens who faced the battles that shaped their world."

Get Your Copy Of Armageddon NOW!

WARKINGS are:
The Tribune – Vocals
The Crusader – Guitar 
The Viking – Bass
The Spartan – Drums
Morgana le Fay – Vocals

HEY NOW Announces Marketing Team: McGreevy, Kane and Brown

After Closing Out Radio Panel in First Week with “Carry On” 
HEY NOW RECORDS ANNOUNCES MARKETING TEAM
Melissa McGreevy as Sr. Director, Digital Marketing
Samantha Kane as Director, Marketing
Aidan Brown Serves as Digital Marketing Coordinator
“Person-by-person, we are building HEY NOW with intentionality.
We’re trying to create a dream team who super-serves each aspect of our artist needs
…and in this rapidly evolving business, this is a team who understands artists first.”
-- Kris Lamb, HEY NOW President + Co-Founder

Photo Credit: David Bradley , Photo Credit: Zach Wesner  , Photo Courtesy of HEY NOW Records

About HEY NOW Records
HEY NOW is an independent record label founded by Clint Higham, Kenny Chesney, John Esposito and Kris Lamb. With an artist forward focus, the boutique label stresses individuality, development and creating a bridge between people seeking music that reflects their lives and artists seeking to connect from the inside out. Based in Nashville, HEY NOW deploys a team across all disciplines, including a promotion staff who work from passion and super serve the hand selected roster at radio, a streaming and digital marketing team focused on driving discovery and audience growth across platforms, and A&R executives who operate from their strengths and bring a diverse spectrum of musical influence. www.heynowrecords.com

About Melissa McGreevy, Sr. Director/Digital Marketing
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, McGreevy’s digital marketing excellence at the CLEVER Influencer Marketing Agency, where she worked on key campaigns for global brands, including Amazon, Dove and the NFL Shop. Joining Warner Records in 2018, she created and executed data-driven campaigns across social media, fan engagement platforms, and direct email to expand artist connection; GRAMMY winner Ashley McBryde, Country Music Hall of Famer Randy Travis and Academy of Country Music New Female Artist of the Year Avery Anna are all beneficiaries of her work. She has been named a HITS Magazine Noisemaker and selected for MusicRow’s Next Big Thing Class of 2026.
 
About Samantha Kane, Director/Marketing
Kane began her career in 2019 at the Country Music Association. She joined Big Machine Label Group as Promotions Coordinator, rising through the organization to become their Marketing & Events Manager. Her ability to create marketing initiatives and events for the label’s artists attracted the attention of the Opry, who hired the Florida State graduate for their high-profile Artist and Industry Relations Manager role. At the Opry, Kane was tasked with driving and maximizing partnerships and engagement as well as creating new opportunities for the historic institution, its members and artists who play there.
 
About Aidan Brown, Coordinator/Digital Marketing
Aidan is a native of Philadelphia, Pa. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Miami in December 2025 with a degree in Communication Studies and minors in Music Business and Cinematic Arts. Prior to graduation he interned with Big Machine Label Group (in Streaming) and PLAYDATE Management (with an emphasis on digital marketing).

Gridiron Release New "Lights Out" EP Today — LISTEN // Watch Video for Title Track

GRIDIRON — Matthew Karll, vocals; Will Kaelin, guitar and vocals; Xavier Wilson, guitar; Lennon Livesay, bass; and Tyler Mullen, drums — just dropped their new EP, titled LIGHTS OUT, via Blue Grape Music. Listen here.

The four-song EP features two brand new bangers laced with the type of hardcore grooves that Gridiron have steadily built their reputation on, along with two remixes (one done by Jami Morgan and Shade of NOWHERE2RUN) of songs from last year's plate-shifting album Poetry From Pain, which was tipped by Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan, NO ECHO, and more.

Today, they drop the video for the title track, which is tinged with Karll's signature rap-influenced cadence. Watch it below. 

"'Lights Out' is a track about revenge, a track about counting your chickens before they hatch. A song about going out and getting back what's yours," declares Karll.

ABOUT GRIDIRON:
Gridiron, which originally formed as a pandemic project and have since grown into a full-fledged entity, features members of Never Ending Game, Simulakra, and Scarab, and connects the Philadelphia, Delaware, and Michigan areas. Pushing every boundary to a breaking point, Gridiron will go to any extreme and then some. They follow quite possibly the most unpredictable playbook in the game. The band might flood the zone with a corpsepaint-smearing death metal barrage only to double back around for a victory lap narrated by blinged-out and braggadocios bars. Their hybridization of metal, hardcore, and hip-hop wouldn’t be out of place at either OZZfest 1997 or Rolling Loud 2027.

Gridiron were born out of a series of COVID-era marathon Call of Duty sessions, which led to writing and recording together. Their musical pedigree spoke for itself with Will also in Never Ending Game, Xavier in Simulakra, and Tyler and Lennon in Scarab. Given their individual experiences, the guys instantly locked into a creative groove. Following the Loyalty At All Costs EP [2020] and Worldwide Brotherhood EP [2021], they dropped their first full-length, No Good At Goodbyes [2022]. Along the way, they also shared stages with everyone from Missing Link to Trapped Under Ice to Hatebreed.

WANG CHUNG ANNOUNCE 40TH ANNIVERSARY DELUXE EDITION OF TO LIVE AND DIE IN L.A. SOUNDTRACK

Wang Chung are excited to announce the 40th anniversary deluxe edition of their iconic To Live and Die in L.A. soundtrack, arriving July 31, 2026 via Interscope Records.

Originally created at the personal request of legendary director William Friedkin, the soundtrack has become one of the defining musical statements of 1980s cinema and a cult favorite among generations of film and music fans.

Pressed on Opaque Orange “L.A. Sunset” vinyl, the deluxe 2LP edition features newly remastered audio, rare bonus material, extended mixes, and two previously unreleased 1985 demos, “Joy” and “So Cold.” Fans can also look forward to an expanded digital edition of the soundtrack, expected to arrive soon and featuring additional tracks and a few surprises still to be revealed.

The expanded collection also includes “Dance Hall Days” and “Wait” — both featured in the film — with “Dance Hall Days” appearing on the soundtrack for the very first time, alongside the commercial debut of the instrumental “This One’s for You, White Boy.”

“After a number of years searching for the right partner for this project, we are very proud to announce the release of a deluxe, remastered double vinyl 40th anniversary edition of the soundtrack to To Live and Die in L.A. on Interscope Records,” said Jack Hues and Nick Feldman of Wang Chung. “We’re sure the long wait has been worth it and that fans will appreciate this beautifully packaged release.”

Best known worldwide for massive hits including “Everybody Have Fun Tonight,” “Dance Hall Days,” and “Let’s Go,” Wang Chung continue to tour globally and remain one of the most recognizable acts to emerge from the UK New Wave era.

This summer, Wang Chung will also hit the road across North America as part of Howard Jones’ “Things Can Only Get Better Tour” alongside Howard Jones, The English Beat, Modern English, and host Richard Blade.

TOUR DATES

July 19 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort

July 20 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery

July 21 – Paso Robles, CA – Paso Robles Event Center

July 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre

July 24 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre

July 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Resorts World Theatre

July 29 – West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center

July 30 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre

August 1 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s Stir Cove

August 4 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at Moody Theater

August 5 – Grand Prairie, TX – Texas Trust CU Theatre

August 7 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park

August 8 – Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre

August 11 – Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavilion

August 12 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Amphitheater

August 14 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Resort Spa & Casino

August 15 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

August 19 – Boston, MA – Citizens House of Blues

August 20 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

August 21 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

August 23 – Toronto, ON – The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium

To Live and Die in L.A. – 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will be available July 31, 2026. Pre-orders begin May 20 at 9AM PDT.

Register Now! THIRD MAN RELEASE LAB

Releasing music in 2026 can feel harder than ever to navigate...

We want to help. Join us next month for the Third Man Release Lab, an online series in two parts, exploring our creative approach to record releases.

On June 8, we’ll cover distribution, direct-to-fan communication, mail order, and unconventional release strategies. And on June 9, we’ll look at the rollout behind Jack White’s 2024 album, No Name, as a real-world case study.

Whether you’re an artist, independent label, or simply interested in the mechanics of the music industry, this series offers something for everyone interested in how modern release campaigns take shape. And it’s completely free…

Register below for more information and event updates.

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SERPENT LORD Unveils New Single, "A Pagan's Spell"

Solo pagan black metal project SERPENT LORD will be releasing its debut album, 'The Once Forgotten Ways of Old,' on May 29, 2026 via Eisenwald Records. The project is now releasing another haunting new single from the offering, "A Pagan's Spell," which can be found below.

SERPENT LORD first slithered into existence in 2003, emerging as a solitary pagan black metal vessel forged by Jake Superchi (UADA, Ceremonial Castings). Though the project's first true album was recorded in 2005, the work was abruptly shelved and lay dormant for twenty years. Now, in the Year of the Snake, the ancient offering has been reborn and reimagined as 'The Once Forgotten Ways of Old,' preserving every note of its primordial conception.

The album was re-recorded in the cold heart of the Pacific Northwest between 2022 and 2025, engineered and mixed by Jake Superchi, and mastered by Arthur Rizk. The release features new artwork and the original logo created by Kris Verwimp, along with photography by Peter Beste.

Pre-orders are now live via the Obsidian Spells Shop (North America), Eisenwald (EU/UK), and Bandcamp (Worldwide).

Originally formed over two decades ago, SERPENT LORD existed largely in the shadows, issuing only a handful of demos before entering an extended period of dormancy. Yet, the creative force behind the project never faded. Ideas, fragments, and compositions endured across the years, shelved for the right moment, only fully taking shape and being realized in the Year of the Snake, when the vision was finally forged into its definitive form.

Early demo material already hinted at what SERPENT LORD would become: a severe balance between melodic grandeur and unrestrained aggression, with transitions between atmosphere and brutality, produced to enhance rather than obscure its intensity.

Founded by Jake Superchi (known for its creative force in UADA and CEREMONIAL CASTINGS), SERPENT LORD channels the spirit of ’90s pagan black metal. The album stands as a triumphant and immersive work - melodic, fierce, and steeped in ritualistic energy. Expansive riffing, evocative passages, and a dynamic interplay between harsh and atmospheric elements, both timeless and fully awakened.

The album was recorded and mixed by Jake Superchi, and mastered by Arthur Rizk, achieving a sound that retains raw edge while delivering clarity and depth. The cover artwork, created by Kris Verwimp, along with photography by Peter Beste, further underscoring the album’s mythical and arcane atmosphere.

With 'The Once Forgotten Ways of Old,' SERPENT LORD emerges from decades of silence with a work that fulfills the promise of its early recordings; it's an album shaped by time, and driven by an uncompromising vision of black metal.

Lineup:

Jake Superchi - all instruments & vocals

Cover Art & Logo: Kris Verwimp

Mixing & Engineering: Jake Superchi

Mastering: Arthur Rizk

Pre-orders:

https://store.eisenton.de/ (EU/UK)

https://obsidianspells.bigcartel.com/ (North America)

https://serpentlordusa.bandcamp.com/album/the-once-forgotten-ways-of-old (Worldwide)

They Went Ghost Release New Single + Video "Smitten"

Blending progressive rock, reggae grooves, and hip hop energy into a sound entirely their own, They Went Ghost have released their brand new single and music video, “Smitten.”

Serving as a companion piece and prequel to the band’s latest video “Better Off,” “Smitten” captures the emotional rush and uncertainty that comes with falling in love for the first time. The track showcases the band’s signature fusion of atmospheric melodies, rhythmic experimentation, and emotionally driven songwriting.

“We are excited to share Smitten with everyone,” the band shares. “It is a prequel to our latest video Better Off. Smitten is a more positive situation. It’s about a beautiful panic of first love.”

Produced by Joe Johnston at Pus Cavern and brought to life visually by director Brendon Bush, the video highlights the band’s evolving creative vision while expanding the story introduced in “Better Off.”

The current lineup of They Went Ghost seamlessly fuses an inspired blend of progressive rock, reggae, and hip hop influences, capturing the attention of audiences everywhere they perform. Pulling inspiration from artists such as Deftones, Incubus, Minus the Bear, Matisyahu, and Sublime, the band continues carving out a distinct lane with their energetic live performances and skillfully crafted songs.

With “Smitten,” They Went Ghost deliver a vibrant and emotionally charged anthem that balances vulnerability with infectious energy, further solidifying their growing presence in the alternative music scene.

 STREAM "Smitten" HERE

Watch the video for "Smitten" Below:

They Went Ghost are:

Kolby Stancil: Vocals/Guitar 

Araceli Blount: Vocals

Mike Cagley: Guitar 

Dan Cagley: Drums

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Impure Wilhelmina Premiere 'Le Sanglot'

IMPURE WILHELMINA are premiering the full album stream for their new album Le Sanglot. The veteran post-hardcore band’s ninth album arrives as their most radical transformation yet. While they continue to lean heavier on alt. rock melodies, for the first time in their 30-year history, all song are sung in French.

Le Sanglot comes out tomorrow, Friday, May 22 on Season of Mist, but you can hear all 10 vibrant songs today by listening to the full album stream below.

Pre-order & pre-save

https://orcd.co/iwlesanglot

Conceived as the sonic equivalent of weeping, Le sanglot surveys a fractured world with surgical coldness, yet never forecloses on the possibility of grace. Impure Wilhelmina moves between crushing weight and melodic restraint, from the cathartic surge of opening track "Électricité noire" to the fragile radiance of closer "À jamais radieuse," with the French language sharpening both the imagery and the emotional register throughout. The album introduces  the band’s new guitarist Edouard Nicod, whose arrangements broaden the band’s textural scope. It  features a collaboration with French artist Mütterlein on "Train mort" the album’s most abrasive song.

Line-up:

Michael Schindl — Vocals, Guitar

Mario Togni — Drums

Sébastien Dutruel — Bass

Edouard Nicod — Guitar

Marion Leclercq (Mütterlein) — Guest Vocals on “Train mort”

Press kit: https://presskit.season-of-mist.com/Impure_Wilhelmina/
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Follow Impure Wilhelmina:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/impurewilhelmina/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impurewilhelmina/
Bandcamp: https://impurewilhelmina.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/29luUtCyre5DdAujrV8Pob
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/impure-wilhelmina/299336044

Available Formats:
CD Digipak
Digital Download
12” Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
12” Vinyl Gatefold (Transparent Violet)

XCOMM Drop "PIRATES" ft. GHOSTEMANE Ahead of Debut Album Release This Evening

Venice Beach hardcore punk unit XCOMM have released their new single and official music video “PIRATES” ft. GHOSTEMANE today, one final grenade before the arrival of their debut album, Time To Burn, which hits streaming platforms tonight at 9pm PT / 12am ET via Blowed Out Records. Fans can watch the official music video for "PIRATES” ft. GHOSTEMANE which stars XCOMM, Ghostemane and Fletcher Dragge of Pennywise Below and stream the track HERE. Time To Burn will be available on streaming platforms this evening at 9pm PT/12am ET HERE. 

Produced by Ross Robinson, the architect behind era-defining records from Korn, Slipknot, Glassjaw, At The Drive-In, The Cure and more, Time To Burn perfectly crystalizes the essence of XCOMM - young, loud, funny, furious and swinging for the fences. With a level of craft rarely so expertly honed this early in a band’s career, XCOMM have delivered a once-in-a-generation debut that bottles the raw charge of a new wave powered by defiance, authenticity and unbridled talent.

“PIRATES" ft. GHOSTEMANE brings XCOMM’s feral hardcore velocity into direct contact with GHOSTEMANE’s ominously powerful presence. The accompanying video, directed by Darren Craig, also features GHOSTEMANE and Fletcher Dragge of Pennywise, throwing the band’s chaos into a visual world of police chases and ruined suburban picnics. 

Frontman Michael Gatto shares:

“Im so excited for the world to finally hear this record! Every little bit of writing to preproduction to actually being in the studio recording with Ross was amazing. We’ve got a lot of shows and new music to come. This is just the beginning!

Shooting the Pirates music video was great, Darren Craig killed it and Ross chewed up a pickle and spit it all over my shoes for the video - homemade relish. The video captures the intensity that the song was written about. And having Ghostemane feature on the track was mind-blowing.”

Drummer, Revel Ian shares

“Working on this record with Ross Robinson was the most cathartic experience I’ve ever had. There were no limits to what we could be or do. Playing our instruments was like breathing; you didn’t have to think it was just there; it was like an extension of our being. This record is what I’ve always wanted to do my entire life.”

For a band still at the beginning of their story, XCOMM have already ascended with the kind of velocity most new acts spend years trying to manufacture. Their breakout run has included early singles “Fake ID,” “Hot Pursuit / One And Nothing” and “Borrowed Happiness,” with “Fake ID” alone surpassing 2.5 million views across platforms and helping fuel the band’s rapid climb to nearly 90,000 Instagram followers.

That momentum has carried from screens into real rooms. XCOMM have already supported Foo Fighters at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, played The Punk Rock Museum’s 3rd Anniversary Parking Lot Show in Las Vegas, appeared at California Chaos Festival with Militarie Gun, and are set for major upcoming performances at Bumbershoot Festival, supporting Dethklok at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles on May 22 and Observatory North Park in San Diego on May 28, plus appearances at Warped Tour in Washington, D.C. and Long Beach.

Their widening orbit is matched by a startling list of high-profile early supporters, including Mike Patton, Shavo Odadjian of System of a Down, Brann Dailor of Mastodon, Phil Anselmo, Leland Sklar, Dave Lombardo, Roy Mayorga, Jerry Cantrell, Jack Black, Dave Grohl, Keanu Reeves, Toby Morse, Kevin Lyman, Ghostemane, Skrillex, Duff McKagan, Fred Durst, Ben Shepherd, Elle King, Fletcher Dragge of Pennywise, Jakob Nowell, Tony Hawk, The Blood Brothers, Guy Picciotto, Ross Robinson and Sid Wilson.

Robinson first encountered the band in a small club, where their impact was immediate.

“I first saw them at a small club and caught myself laughing out loud as they blasted through their set. For me, that’s an instant “yes”. That youth needed to be captured - raw and fast. Luckily they’re way more cool and talented than I could’ve hoped! “The future is absolutely unlimited for these kids. I can see them inspiring their generation to play music with an unfiltered fire - 100% real instruments with authentic expression of feeling- embracing the imperfection of being a human. An Anti-AI movement.“

This sense of unfiltered youth runs through every corner of Time To Burn. Across eleven tracks, XCOMM turn frustration, boredom, impulse, anger and absurdity into short, sharp shocks of hardcore clarity, simultaneously honoring the hardcore punk lineage that came before them, whilst also adding fresh and invigorating elements pulled from inspirations like David Lynch movies. Songs like their breakout single, “Fake ID” channel the real-life irritation of being turned away from shows for being under 21 into a snotty anthem of refusal, while “Hot Pursuit / One And Nothing” stretches the band’s range from frantic confrontation into darker, more atmospheric pressure.

For Fletcher Dragge, the band’s appeal is direct, immediate and deeply rooted in what punk is supposed to feel like.

“I was immediately caught by the simple but hooky, straightforward, guitar, riff, and ripping drums holding it down! I was sold immediately. Good old school punk rock the way it’s supposed to be written and delivered! Not only are these guys delivering exactly what I love to hear. They’re fucking young as shit.!! Super stoked to see the next generation of punk rock coming to life, the future looks bright and I’m 100% in.

 These kids are earning everything they have achieved, 100 percent on their own. Trust me when I say these kids were born to be punkers.”

XCOMM are Michael Gatto on vocals/guitar, Revel Ian on drums, Adan Escoto on bass and Hunter Grogan on DJ/sampler. Together, they make punk rock that feels visceral before it feels fashionable. No borrowed attitude. Just the sharp, unruly sound of a young band kicking open the door while everyone else is still deciding whether they’re allowed in the room.

ABOUT XCOMM



XCOMM are a ferocious hardcore punk band from Venice Beach, California, fusing old-school intensity with modern chaos, humour and sharp self-awareness. Formed in 2023, the band features Michael Gatto on vocals/guitar, Revel Ian on drums, Adan Escoto on bass and Hunter Grogan on DJ/sampler.

Signed to Blowed Out Records, the label and incubator founded by Ross Robinson, Ghostemane and Bill Armstrong, XCOMM recorded their debut album Time To Burn with Robinson producing. Early singles “Reasons,” “Fake ID,” “Hot Pursuit / One And Nothing,” “Borrowed Happiness” and “PIRATES” ft. GHOSTEMANE introduced a band capable of turning frustration, humour and pressure into precise, pummeling punk songs with teeth.

Since breaking through, XCOMM have supported Foo Fighters at the Kia Forum, been named in the NME 100 of 2026, earned heavy rotation on SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal and Faction Punk, surpassed 2.5 million views across platforms with “Fake ID,” and built a rapidly growing audience ahead of major upcoming appearances including Dethklok support dates, Warped Tour and Bumbershoot Festival.

The future is moving fast. XCOMM are moving faster.

XCOMM are:

Michael Gatto – Vocals/Guitar

Revel Ian – Drums

Adan Escoto – Bass

Hunter Grogan – DJ

FRONTIERS RECORDS Shares New Version of “Weight Of The World” Featuring Karmen Klinc + Official Video

Today, FRONTIERS RECORDS is pleased to share a new rendition of Harem Scarem’s hit “Weight Of The World,” reimagined by Karmen Klinc (Venus 5), along with an official video.

The song is part of the upcoming ‘XXX Anniversary Compilation,’ a special project celebrating 30 years of passion, creativity, and unforgettable music. The record is set for release on May 22, 2026, and will be available only on CD on the label’s webstore.

Karmen Klinc comments:

“I love songs that combine emotions and power. 'Weight Of The World' is definitely one of them. I’m really grateful to FRONTIERS RECORDS for inviting me to be part of this special anniversary release and for giving me the chance to put my own spin on such a great track.”

Watch the Official Video for “Weight Of The World” Bellow:

Starting from an idea of Serafino Perugino, the ‘XXX Anniversary Compilation’ brings together some of the greatest melodies and voices from the world of melodic rock. This special release celebrates the label’s rich legacy by revisiting iconic tracks from the FRONTIERScatalogue, reimagined with dynamic new performances from an extraordinary lineup of guest vocalists.

Each track has been recorded exclusively for this anniversary project and showcases the powerful reinterpretation of beloved FRONTIERS classics through the voices of today’s standout rock artists.

Aldo Lonobile, Head of A&R Europe at FRONTIERS LABEL GROUP and producer of the record, comments:

“Producing the 30th anniversary record for FRONTIERS RECORDS has been both an honor and a responsibility. This label has built a legacy on passion and vision, and, with this album, we wanted to celebrate that history in a meaningful way. Having a mix of established and new generation of FRONTIERS artists reinterpret the iconic tracks that shaped our identity is more than a tribute - it’s a bridge between eras.

“With a tracklist discussed together with the FRONTIERS President Serafino Perugino, this record is a celebration of where we come from, and a powerful statement of where we’re headed”, he continued.

Under the expert production of Lonobile – who also performs part of the guitars on the album - the performances are backed by a stellar lineup of musicians: Alessandro Mammola (guitar), Andrea Arcangeli (bass), Cristian Timpanaro (bass), the keyboards team – Alessio Lucatti& Antonio Agate, Alfonso Mocerino, and Fortunato Grillo on drums, delivering powerful new arrangements that bring renewed energy to these fan-favorite tracks.

‘XXX Anniversary Compilation’ isn’t just a compilation - it’s a tribute to 30 years of rock excellence, a heartfelt thank you to the artists, fans, and collaborators who have been part of the FRONTIERS RECORDS story.

Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or discovering these songs for the first time, this album delivers powerful performances, soaring melodies, and the unmistakable spirit of FRONTIERS.

Pre-Order ‘XXX Anniversary Compilation’ HERE

“Weight Of The World” Line Up:

Karmen Klinc – vocals

Alessandro Mammola – guitar

Andrea Arcangeli – bass

Alessio Lucatti – keyboards

Alfonso Mocerino – drums