Hillbilly Vegas Release New Album “ A La Mode”

Rockers Hillbilly Vegas have released their new album “A La Mode”.  Known for their relatable lyrics and raucous live shows, this latest LP showcases a band firing on all cylinders as their career continues to grow.  The LP was self-produced at their home studio in Oklahoma and is available in digital, CD and Vinyl formats through Quarto Valley Records.

The album focus track is the hard-driving “Miss America”. The song delves into the seeming inevitability of troubles and strife when the fire of wanting someone overcomes rational thought.  The band’s Steve Harris explains “It’s a love song for bad decisions. ‘Miss America’ is what happens when desire wins the argument and reason storms out”.  The song is buoyed by chugging guitars, a thunderous rhythm section, and a sustained keyboard line with an earworm chorus that evokes the Rolling Stones, mixed with a dose of .38 Special for good measure.

The band has signed with renowned booking agency TKO, and dates are being finalized in support of the album release, with a tour starting in August.

About Hillbilly Vegas:

Hillbilly Vegas has been steadily growing an international Fan Base with 7 songs on Billboard’s Rock charts, including the 1st single from the “A La Mode” LP, “I Hope You Know” that reached #12 and “Let It Ride” – which remained on the chart for 13 weeks and reached #10. “Mr. Midnight” was written by and Features Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Paul Rodgers (Bad Company, Free, Queen, The Firm”)

The band has earned a reputation for rousing live shows - bringing a loud, party-like atmosphere that is all-inclusive.  They’ve shown they have a broad appeal across different genres, pleasing crowds while performing shows with rockers Blackberry Smoke, The Kentucky Headhunters, Wolfsbane and Ted Nugent; along with country icons Alabama, Travis Tritt, Blake Shelton, and Wynonna Judd. The band is managed by David Spero (Joe Walsh, Cat Stevens/Yusef Islam, Bad Company).

Hillbilly Vegas is:

Steve Harris - Lead Vocals

Stacy Thornburg - Guitar/Vocals

Geraldo Dominelli - Guitar/Keyboards (former Loverboy/Paul Rodgers)

Todd Ronning - Bass (former Bad Company)

Gunnar Molton (Drums)

Award-Winning Rock Legends The Calling Reschedule Tour Dates New Single “DUST”

Award-winning rock legends The Calling will release their new single titled “DUST,” this July via TLG|ROCK, distributed by Virgin Music Group. Alongside the announcement, the band has also rescheduled select early dates on the “Before The World Turns To Dust Tour,” aligning the run with the upcoming single release.

The band is also celebrating a major milestone, the 25th Anniversary of their mega-hit “Wherever You Will Go,” as well as their multi-platinum breakthrough album Camino Palmero, a record that helped define an era of radio rock and remains a staple of early 2000s alternative culture.

"With our record label pushing back the release of our new single 'Dust', we have decided it's best to move some of our US tour dates to coincide with that release. We're looking so forward to celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the release of 'Wherever You Will Go' and sharing our new music with you all live on tour soon! All the love..." says Alex Band. 

Formed in 1999, The Calling quickly ascended the ranks of radio rock with their distinctive blend of catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Their debut album Camino Palmero sold more than 10 million copies worldwide and went Platinum in the U.S. and 50+ countries, catapulting the teen rockers to international fame with hits like "Wherever You Will Go" and "Adrienne," while touting 7 number one singles worldwide.

After a 20-year hiatus, The Calling returns to the forefront of the music scene, poised to captivate listeners once again. With a renewed sense of purpose and creativity, the band is set to unveil their long-awaited new music, promising a sonic journey that will resonate deeply with both loyal fans and newcomers alike. Driven by the powerful, distinct vocals of Alex Band and the masterful instrumentation of guitarist Daniel Damico and Grammy-nominated bassist Dom Liberati, The Calling's comeback is nothing short of extraordinary. Each note and lyric carry the weight of two decades of growth and experience, resulting in a musical tapestry that is both timeless and contemporary.

AUGUST

Wednesday 8/26/2026 in Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater

Thursday 8/27/2026 in Syracuse, NY @ New York State Fair - Chevy Court (New York State Fair)

Friday 8/28/2026in Warrendale, PA @ Jergel's Rhythm Grille

Saturday 8/29/2026in Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre

SEPTEMBER

Saturday 9/5/2026in Lurin, Peru @ Lurin Live(Vivo x El Rock)

Thursday 9/10/2026 in Fort Lauderdale, FL @ The Parker

Friday 9/11/2026 in Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live Orlando

Saturday 9/12/2026 in Jacksonville, FL @ FIVE

Friday 9/18/2026 in Norwalk, CT @ District Music Hall

Saturday 9/19/2026 in West Springfield, MA @ Court of Honor Stage (The Big E)

Sunday 9/20/2026 in Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live - Music Hall

OCTOBER

Thursday 10/1/2026 in Redding, CA @ Redding Civic

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KHEMMIS REVEAL NEW SINGLE/VIDEO, 'BENEATH THE SCYTHE’

KHEMMIS continue the march toward their towering new self-titled album with the release of ‘Beneath The Scythe,’ the latest single from the Denver heavy metal institution’s massively anticipated fifth full-length, due out June 12th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Following the explosive first single “Invocation of the Dreamer,” ‘Beneath The Scythe’ digs even deeper into the band’s sharpened sense of purpose—melding colossal riffs, soaring melodies, and the unmistakable emotional weight that has defined KHEMMIS for over a decade. Taken from an album that finds the band reconnecting with the pure exhilaration of making heavy music together, the track captures both the darkness and triumphant spirit at the heart of Khemmis.

Commenting on the new single, guitarist/vocalist Ben Hutcherson states:

“‘Beneath the Scythe’ is a track wherein all four of us just it rip. Dueling guitar solos? Check. Ripping drum fills? Check. A beautiful bass solo over a haunting, atmospheric interlude? Check! In some ways, “Scythe” feels like “classic Khemmis,” but we made sure that the song took the listener on a journey unlike anything we’ve done before. As always, this tune is best enjoyed at high volume while holding an ice-cold beverage in a room adorned with posters of Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, and At the Gates (RIP Tompa!).”

Alongside the release of ‘Beneath The Scythe,’ KHEMMIS is also unveiling pre-orders for a new band-exclusive vinyl variant of the new record. Limited to just 400 copies worldwide, the exclusive LP is pressed on transparent magenta vinyl with white splatter and is expected to move quickly—especially following the band’s previous exclusive pressing, which sold out in less than 24 hours. Demand for the new album continues to surge, with the recently announced Decibel exclusive vinyl edition already completely sold out, further proving the overwhelming anticipation surrounding KHEMMIS’ return.

Stream ‘Beneath the Scythe’: https://khemmis.bfan.link/beneath-the-scythe

Pre-Order Khemmis: https://khemmis.bfan.link/khemmis-album

‘BENEATH THE SCYTHE’ MUSIC VIDEO BELOW:

Khemmis—the follow-up to 2021’s acclaimed Deceiver—features eight tracks of unrelenting, monolithic heavy metal adorned by stunning artwork from Christopher Remmers. More than just another chapter, the record represents the band in their truest form: a celebration of heavy music, forged through camaraderie, conviction, and an enduring love of the riff.

Across eleven years, KHEMMIS have become one of modern metal’s most revered names, beginning with their 2015 debut Absolution and continuing through landmark releases like Hunted—named Decibel’s Album Of The Year—Desolation, and Deceiver. But while the band’s legacy is firmly established, Khemmis finds them energized by something more immediate: the joy of simply playing loud, heavy music together.

As Hutcherson explains:

“We decided early in the songwriting process that we wanted to write a tight, high-energy album that retained the essential ‘Khemmis sound’ while also embodying the joy of creating, experiencing, and loving heavy metal. Ours have always been deeply personal songs born from tragedy and sorrow; while the songs on Khemmis are still undeniably dark, they are not mined from our suffering. Instead, this record is a celebration of the music world that has sustained us.”

KHEMMIS will perform a special one-off show with ACID BATH in May before embarking on a headlining tour in early summer with support from NECROFIER and WRETCHED, followed by an excursion with MONOLORD soon after. Tickets and additional tour information are available at khemmisdoom.com/live.

KHEMMIS Tour Dates:

W / ACID BATH & CHAT PILE

May 16 - Oklahoma City, OK - The Criterion

Forsake The Light Headline Tour w / NECROFIER & WRETCHED

June 19 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater

June 20 - Seattle, WA - Substation

June 21 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theater

June 23 - Sacramento, CA - Starlet Room

June 24 - Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone

June 25 - Santa Cruz, CA - Felton Music Hall

June 26 - Los Angeles, CA - Lodge Room

June 27 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick

June 28 - Pioneertown, CA - Pappy & Harriet’s

June 30 - Phoenix, AZ - Nile Theater

July 1 - Cottonwood, AZ - Queen B

July 2 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister

W / MONOLORD

Aug 27 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall

Aug 28 - Louisville, KY - Portal

Aug 29 - Atlanta, GA - Garden Club

Aug 30 - Asheville, NC - Eulogy

Aug 31 - Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern

Sep 2 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts

Sep 3 - Brooklyn, NY - Elsewhere

Sep 5 - Baltimore, MD - Labor Daze

Sep 8 - Columbus, OH - Ace of Cups

Sep 9 - Detroit, MI - Sanctuary

Sep 10 - Indianapolis, IN - Black Circle

TUNGSTEN Announce New Studio Album Ashes, Out October 9 via PERCEPTION, Present New Video Single "Joker"!

Swedish power metal force TUNGSTEN are ready to unleash their fifth studio album Ashes, set for release on October 9 via PERCEPTION - A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, and celebrate the announcement with their brand-new video single “Joker”. The band has further revealed co-headline tour dates with INDUCTION; find all dates listed below!

About the new single, guitarist Nick Johansson remembers; "In 2015 I randomly stumbled across a clip of Franzl Lang. I was seriously impressed by how insanely good he was at yodeling, so I went through a short Franzl phase. Not long after that I was standing by a lake with a perfect echo and decided to try a little yodel myself. It sounded absolutely terrible, of course but, I immediately understood the technique. Since then I’ve only yodeled for fun now and then. Somehow, after almost 10 years of casual nonsense-yodeling, it has quietly improved on its own."

Lead singer Mike Andersson adds; “'Joker' is a real stompy banger! I’ll never forget the reactions from our friends and partners at Reigning Phoenix Music when we played them the demo over dinner in Stuttgart. The excitement around the table was amazing.  

Stream “Joker”: https://tungsten.rpm.link/jokerPR 

Watch the video below:

Following a strong entry into the metal scene with their 2019 debut We Will Rise and a steady rise through albums like Tundra, and Bliss, the band now return with a powerful new chapter. Between touring and live performances throughout 2025, TUNGSTEN focused on writing material for their upcoming album, aiming to create a worthy follow-up to 2024’s The Grand Inferno.

Ashes sees TUNGSTEN continue their crusade, delivering irresistible metal with anthemic choruses and a fresh surge of energy that pushes their signature sound even further. The album captures everything the band stands for: powerful songwriting, massive hooks, and a dynamic mix of melody and heaviness that makes it one of their strongest and most focused releases to date!

Pre-order the album: https://tungsten.rpm.link/ashesPR

About TUNGSTEN

Originally formed in 2016 by drummer Anders Johansson together with his sons Nick and Karl Johansson, TUNGSTEN soon completed their lineup with vocalist Mike Andersson and quickly established themselves as a force in the European metal scene. With a sound rooted in classic heavy metal but sharpened by a contemporary edge, the band has built a reputation for powerful songwriting, a clear identity and relentless forward momentum, earning growing attention well beyond their Scandinavian home base.

The band has toured extensively alongside acts such as BLOODBOUND, FIREWIND, SONATA ARCTICA, and ALL FOR METAL, and appeared at major festivals including Sweden Rock Festival, Leyendas Del Rock, Midalidare Metal Fest and Riverside Rock Fest, continuously building a strong live reputation. In July 2026, TUNGSTEN is confirmed to perform at Germany’s RockHarz Festival, among many more live appearances in support of their much-awaited new albumAshes. Find all upcoming dates HERE.

TUNGSTEN are:
Mike Andersson – Lead Vocals
Karl Johansson – Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
Nick Johansson – Guitar
Anders Johansson – Drums

Pop-Rockers AS IT IS Release New Single "Do You Remember?" + Official Music Video

Today, transatlantic pop-rock quartet AS IT IS proudly releases their new single ‘Do You Remember?,’ the latest track from their forthcoming self-titled album, out on July 17th via FLG.

Speaking on the reflective track, a live favorite in-waiting, frontman Patty Walters shares:

“‘Do You Remember?’ is about the countless nights we’ve spent retelling all our favourite stories from the road, the studio, and everywhere else that music has taken us over the years. When we were on top of the world and when we hit rock bottom, we went through every moment of it together, and the memories and the friendships are something we cherish every day. We wrote the song with Max Helyer (You Me At Six), someone who knew exactly what we wanted to say and capture in a song, both in its lyrics and its heart, and ‘Do You Remember?’ wouldn’t be half the song it is without him.”

Max himself adds:

“Working with the lads was a real pleasure. I remember when Patty and myself spoke about doing something at a Marshall writer camp in early 2025, a couple of months later, we were in his studio together writing this song. We shared stories of being on tour with your brothers and what AS IT IS have been through as a band, and I thought, hey, why don’t you write about that side of it? We wanted it to be a triumphant celebration of where they have been and what they’ve gone through together, but most importantly, coming back and doing it for the right reasons."

Of the accompanying music video, Walters comments:

“It was a blast filming the music video in a living room in Brighton, surrounded by partners, friends, and so many of the fans who have supported this band since the very beginning. We love this song so much, and it’s always special getting to share something unreleased with a handful of people before it officially drops. Once the video was wrapped, we played a headline set for everyone who came down, and it was a show I’ll absolutely remember forever. The band’s first-ever show was in a similar living room, no more than a ten-minute walk away from where we shot the video, and it felt so special to, nearly 14 years later, reconnect with the band’s most humble of beginnings, and to know that the video itself was becoming one of those same stories that inspired us to write this song in the first place."

Watch the Official Video for "Do You Remember?" Below:

It is everything that AS IT IS was, is, and will be, and it means the absolute world to them.

“You can never manufacture genuine connection with people,” Ben remarks. “Just find what is honest to you and honest to your journey, and that’s all any artist has to offer to the world. This is our reality, and reality is looking a bit more positive these days. We’re a band known for four quite depressing albums. But days fluctuate, and things change. That’s mental health. But to be able to look at everything with a different and more positive outlook on the future is all that we wanted to say.”

“This is the spirit and intention of the joy that formed AS IT IS in the first place,” Patty adds. “It is reconnecting with the kids that we were when we started to write songs. And now, we’re showing up with life in our eyes. We can listen to and support each other. This is the most in control and confident the band has been in a long time, but also the most proud. In the past, I had no choice but to be in AS IT IS. This new era of the band is my choice. Our choice. A choice. But in having it back, it means having maybe the biggest piece of myself back, too.”

Pre-Order 'As It Is' HERE

📸: Ashlea Bea

AS IT IS Live:

JUNE

7th - Dordrecht @ Bibelot Poppodium

8th - Hamburg @ Betty

9th - Berlin @ Badehaus

10th - Hradec Králové @ Rock For People

11th - Cologne @ Mtc Club

13th - Donington @ Download Festival

JULY

13th - Bristol @ O2 Academy (W/ Boys Like Girls)

15th - Glasgow @ O2 Academy (W/ Boys Like Girls)

17th - Manchester @ Academy (W/ Boys Like Girls)

18th - London @ O2 Academy Brixton (W/ Boys Like Girls)

19th - Brighton @ Resident Music (In-Store & Signing)

20th - Birmingham @ Hmv (In-Store & Signing)

21st - Bury @ Wax And Beans (In-Store & Signing)

21st - Leeds @ Brudenell Social Club (In-Store & Signing)

22nd - Nottingham @ Rough Trade (In-Store & Signing)

23rd - Kingston @ Upon Thames Circuit

24th - Bristol @ Rough Trade (In-Store & Signing)

25th - Sheffield @ The Arundel Emporium (In-Store & Signing)

25th - Liverpool @ Jacaranda Baltic (In-Store & Signing)

SEPTEMBER

3rd - Torquay @ Burn It Down Festival

AS IT IS are:

Patty Walters - Vocals/Guitar

Benjamin Langford-Biss - Guitar/Vocals

Alistair Testo - Bass

Patrick Foley – Drums

Mawiza Nominated for 2026 Pulsar Award

Mawiza are pounding the drum for indigenous metal in 2026. The modern day Mapuche warriors rang in the year by visiting Gojira frontman Joe Duplantier’s Silver Cord Studio, performing with Mr. Bungle and Avenged Sevenfold, headlining Pumapu Rock Fest and packing the stands in their hometown of Santiago, Chile.

Now, as Mawiza prepare for European festival dates at Midgarsdblot, Hellsinki Metal Festival and Malmö Massacre, the band are proud to announce that their latest album, ÜL, is nominated for a 2026 Pulsar Award (Chilean Grammy) in the category for Best Metal Album. They previously won a Pulsar Award in the same category for their previous album Kollong.

“ÜL has been nominated for the 2026 Pulsar Awards in times where nature and art feel more abandoned every day”, Mawiza vocalist and guitarist Awka says. “Forests disappear, culture becomes weaker and many people forget how to listen to the earth. It feels strange to celebrate art while the spirit of the land is slowly dying. But ÜL was born against this silence. It is a chant to recover energy, to feel united with nature again, to remember where we come from, to hear the birds, the wind, the rivers, the trees. The earth still speaks. And we will keep singing with it”.

ÜL is available now on  Season of Mist.  

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

Lineup
Awka - Lead vocals & rhythm guitar
Karü - Lead guitar & backing vocals
Zewü - Bass & backing vocals
Txalkan - Drums & percussion

Guest musicians
Fabiola Hidalgo (Liquen) contributes vocals to "Wingkawnoam", "Pinhza Ñi pewma", "Ngulutu" and "Mamüll reke"

Joe Duplantier (Gojira) contributes vocals to "Ti Inan Paw-Pawkan"

Recording Studio
Estudio del Sur in Chile

Producer
Pancho Arenas

Sound & Mixing Engineer
Pancho Arenas

Mastering Studio
West West Side Music

Mastering Engineer
Alan Douches

Cover Art
Kata Ulloa

Booking information
Europe: juan@thatmusicagency.com
Rest of the World: unai@cowboymusic.agency

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

Follow Mawiza
Bandcamp: https://mawizakvlt.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mawizakvlt
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mawizakvlt
TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@mawizakvlt
Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/4oJP24bXA2fbdVmNGNmCtt
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mawizakvlt
Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mawiza/165343595

Follow Season Of Mist:
Online: http://www.season-of-mist.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/seasonofmistofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seasonofmistofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeasonofMist

Dominum Present New Single "Doctor Doctor" Plus Official Video

DOMINUM, the rising stars of modern metal, unveil the second track cut from their upcoming full-length Night Is Calling, set for release on July 3 via Napalm Records. The infectious anthem, entitled "Doctor Doctor," is driven by crushing riffs and irresistible hooks, showcasing the band's signature blend of theatrical horror themes and massive sing-along choruses, destined to echo across festival crowds. Following their previously released banger, "The Circus is in Town," the second single, "Doctor Doctor," is served alongside a high-quality official music video, telling the bittersweet story of sickening love. 

With their sophomore studio album, The Dead Don't Die (2024), DOMINUM, led by mastermind and singer Felix Heldt —better known as Dr. Dead— stormed into the top 10 of the German charts. Together with his zombies, Tommy Kemp (guitars), Patient 0 (bass), and Victor Hilltop (drums)—DOMINUM have already taken this undead spectacle to major stages across Europe. Touring alongside icons such as Bruce Dickinson, Avantasia, Battle Beast, and Peyton Parrish, the band has proven its strength both at major festivals and during their own headline shows.

Dr. Dead comments on "Doctor Doctor":
"What if a doctor needs to go to the doctor? When the one who heals everyone else can't heal himself anymore. 'Doctor Doctor' is my confession, wrapped in obsession.
A story about a love that feels like a cure at first… but slowly becomes the disease. My pulse races, the symptoms worsen, and suddenly the medicine stops working. I know it's killing me. But still, I crave another dose. Because some love won't save you. Some love just eats you up alive. And when the fever rises and my heart won't listen to reason, there’s only one question left: Is there anyone left who can save me. Yours, Dr. Dead"

Watch the official music video for "Doctor Doctor" Below:

DOMINUM open the next chapter of their dark, theatrical universe with their new full-length Night Is Calling. With their bombastic sound and outstanding stage presence, the band continues its rapid ascent on the international metal scene, without losing sight of its strengths: theatrical, melodic, and uncompromising modern metal — driven by the dark charisma of Dr. Dead and his zombies. One thing is certain: The Living Dead Squad continues to grow.
 
Night Is Calling is now available for pre-order, with selected formats including the bonus album Live at Wacken 2025.
 
Dr. Dead on Night is Calling:
"They grow up so fast." – Ugh. It makes me sick. And now I feel it myself: My zombies have grown up. Our creation… has grown up too. But unlike the pitiful rest, we don't mourn our childhood. No. We revel in who we are. Being a child, being an adult — what does that even mean? — the world lies at our feet, and we can do whatever we damn well please. Believe me from firsthand experience: An army of zombies makes everything a hell of a lot easier… and way more fun with every bit of trouble getting the punch it deserves. We have the power to reshape our world. And oh, we do. 'Night is Calling' — This is our outlet. Stronger melodies, heavier riffs, sharper, unflinching lyrics — honesty as our deadliest weapon. We are who we are. And you… you're in this whether you like it or not. The undead are on the march, more relentless than ever. Join us – immediately, willingly… or a little later when we come to your neighborhood. Either way… we'll be seeing you — Dr. Dead."

Get your copy of Night is Calling  NOW:

DOMINUM LIVE:
Night is Calling Tour 2026:
With The Night Fright Orchestra:
11/24 — Paris, France — La Machine du Moulin Rouge
11/25 — Frankfurt, Germany — Batschkapp
11/27 — Hamburg, Germany — Grosse Freiheit 36
11/28 — Leipzig, Germany — Hellraiser
12/1 — Budapest, Hungary — Barba Negra
12/2 — Vienna, Austria — Szene
12/4 — Pratteln, Switzerland — Z7
12/5 — Saarbrücken, Germany — Garage
12/6 — Sint-Niklaas, Belgium — De Casino
12/8 — Manchester, UK — O2 Ritz
12/9 — Bristol, UK — Bristol Electric
12/10 — London, UK — Electric Brixton
12/12 — Oberhausen, Germany — Turbinenhalle
12/13 — Utrecht, Netherlands — Tivoli Vredenburg
12/15 — Berlin, Germany — SO36
12/16 — Hanover, Germany — Capitol
12/18 — Stuttgart, Germany — LKA Longhorn
12/19 — Munich, Germany — Backstage
12/20 — Nuremberg, Germany — Hirsch

FESTIVALS:
5/22–5/23 — Cornaux, Switzerland — Corn’Rock Festival
6/5–6/7 — Pilsen, Czech Republic — Metalfest Open Air
7/1–7/4 — Ballenstedt, Germany — Rock Harz Festival
7/3–7/6 — Knislinge, Sweden — Time To Rock
7/13–7/15 — Sulingen, Germany — Reload Festival
7/24–7/25 — Bissingen, Germany — Wisdom Tooth Festival
8/23 — Sankt Goarshausen, Germany — Loreley Freilichtbühne (w/ Judas Priest, Thundermother)

… more to be announced

DOMINUM ARE:
Dr. Dead – Vocals
Patient 0 – Bass
Victor Hilltop – Drums
Tommy Kemp – Guitars

KOE WETZEL DELIVERS THE NIGHT CHAMPION WILDLY AWAITED SIXTH STUDIO ALBUM ARRIVES JUNE 12

Koe Wetzel didn’t have a master plan, beyond play loud, play hard – and hopefully have a place to sleep – when he began chasing music in Texas’s roughest bars and roadhouses, then Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado and beyond. Little more than a decade later, the hard-charging performer/songwriter finds himself as a force for the music industry, even more than the law, to reckon with.
 
After his Gold-certified 9 Lives delivered a five-week No. 1 and the most played song at Country radio in 2025 with “High Road,” Wetzel returns with The Night Champion. Capturing the aftermath of a wild run, it delivers all the signature force, punch and ragged details people expect, tempered by the clarity that comes with surviving it. Set for release June 12 via Columbia Records, the album is available to pre-order / pre-save HERE.

Turning chaos, excess and hard-earned perspective into something built to endure, The Night Champion fuses all that’s happened since Wetzel first hit the road with a van and the drive to see how far he could take it. He didn’t foresee sold-out arenas across the U.S., Europe and Australia, a headlining turn in front of 70,000+ at the Houston Rodeo and award nominations spanning both country and rock; but those things sharpened the contrast between where he started and where he realized he could go.
 
“It’s a continuation of 9 Lives, from that record to now,” Wetzel offers of the follow-up to his globally connecting release. “Really, it’s everything that’s happened – because you don’t go from kids playing for beer to headlining Red Rocks, arenas all over the country, partying and trying to make sense of it all and not shift. My head space is clearer now. I can look back, see how it fits together. It doesn’t make sense, exactly, but it all happened. That search for what it all means keeps bringing me back.”
 
That tension sits at the heart of the new record, moving between hard-edged rock and wide-open, desolate ballads, balancing the chaos that defined his early years with a perspective that only comes from living through it. Feeling like both reckoning and release, the album grounds in the reality of all the things Wetzel’s outlasted. “It’s crazy I’m not in jail or dead as hard as I went these last 15 years,” he marvels. “Right now, I’m the best version of myself I’ve ever been. I survived the night side of me. I’m coming out of it a champion. That’s the essence of the record.”
 
Across The Night Champion, that reality plays out in full. It echoes on the muscular “Time Goes On,” weighing what was, what could’ve been and what’s happened since he was a kid who didn’t know better, shooting out the lights and living a reckless life on the edge. On the jaggedly propulsive “Hurts Like You,” arriving this Friday, May 8, Wetzel offers the raw intensity fans expect, but with a vulnerability and surrender to desires that cut you open.
 
“It’s kind of where I am now: an edgy roughness to all the songs that doesn’t give a fuck, but there’s a tenderness to it, too,” he explains. “Whatever happens, I’m man enough to deal, but the focus and headspace have shifted; I’ve grown up and become okay with looking back.”
 
Written beyond the confines of rigid sessions, leaning into his instincts rather than schedule, The Night Champion reflects his continuing creative growth. “You’ve gotta go in and get the music behind the feeling,” Wetzel explains. “When you force it, people feel it. I know what I want to say now, where the songs should go, and I want them to come from a space, not an appointment.”
 
Whether fans were there from those first nights in Texas, the wake of his indie breakout Noise Complaint or found the music during last year’s radio rush, The Night Champion is built to offer a sense of all the phases as it brings the disparate audiences together. “I’m not torn between the worlds,” Wetzel says of the convergence. “This is where all the fans meet. No matter when they got here, this is that moment.”
 
Pollstar’s “firebrand live sensation” is bringing the new music to fans across the globe with The Night Champion World Tour, his 50+ headlining shows slated for the U.S., Canda and Australia. Shane Smith & The Saints, Ole 60, Wyatt Flores, Corey Kent, Wade Bowen, Bayker Blankenship, Kolby Cooper and Logan Jahnke join as support in varying combinations.
 
For more information, visit KoeWetzelMusic.com. Follow on TikTok @Koe_Wetzel and on Instagram and Facebook@KoeWetzelMusic.

The Night Champion World Tour Dates
Support Details Available via KoeWetzelMusic.com
May 5 | Sydney, N.S.W (Australia) | Enmore Theatre
May 9 | Brisbane, Qld. (Australia) | Fortitude Music Hall
July 8 | Edmonton, Alb. (Canada) | Rogers Place
July 10 | Penticton, B.C. (Canada) | South Okanagan Event Center
July 11 | Abbotsford, B.C. (Canada) | Abbotsford Centre
July 23 | Nampa, Idaho | Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
July 24 | Stateline, Nev. | Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic
July 25 | Las Vegas, Nev. | The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
July 30 | Airway Heights, Wash. | Northern Quest Casino
July 31 | Bend, Ore. | Hayden Homes Amphitheater
Aug. 1 | Tacoma, Wash. | Dune Peninsula
Aug. 6 | Bonner Springs, Kan. | Azura Amphitheater
Aug. 7 | Evansville, Ind. | Ford Center
Aug. 8 | Nashville, Tenn. | Bridgestone Arena
Aug. 12 | New York, N.Y. | Pier 17
Aug. 13 | Reading, Pa. | Santander Arena
Aug. 14 | Gilford, N.H. | BankNH Pavilion
Aug. 19 | Boston, Mass. | Leader Bank Pavilion
Aug. 20 | Washington, D.C. | The Anthem
Aug. 21 | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Petersen Events Center
Aug. 26 | Buffalo, N.Y. | Outer Harbor Live at Terminal B
Aug. 27 | Cleveland, Ohio | Wolstein Center
Aug. 28 | Rochester Hills, Mich. | Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
Sept. 3 | Austin, Texas | Moody Center
Sept. 4 | Baton Rouge, La. | Raising Cane’s River Center
Sept. 5 | Bossier City, La. | Brookshire Grocery Arena
Sept. 10 | Knoxville, Tenn. | Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Sept. 11 | Greensboro, N.C. | First Horizon Coliseum
Sept. 12 | Wilmington, N.C. | Live Oak Bank Pavilion
Sept. 17 | Alpharetta, Ga. | Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
Sept. 18 | Columbia, S.C. | Colonial Life Arena
Sept. 19 | Richmond, Va. | Virginia Credit Union LIVE!
Sept. 24 | Pikeville, Ky. | Appalachian Wireless Arena
Sept. 25 | Huntsville, Ala. | The Orion Amphitheater
Sept. 26 | Brandon, Miss. | Brandon Amphitheater
Sept. 30 | Rogers, Ark. | The Walmart AMP
Oct. 1 | North Little Rock, Ark. | Simmons Bank Arena
Oct. 2 | Tulsa, Okla. | BOK Center
Oct. 3 | Wichita, Kan. | INTRUST Bank Arena
Oct. 8 | Chicago, Ill. | Salt Shed Fairgrounds
Oct. 9 | Fishers, Ind. | Fishers Event Center
Oct. 10 | Milwaukee, Wis. | Fiserv Forum
Oct. 28 | Morrison, Colo. | Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Oct. 30 | Lubbock, Texas | Cook’s Garage
 
Additional Live Shows
May 15 | Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, N.M. | Boots in the Park  
May 30 | Panama City Beach, Fla. | Gulf Coast Jam  
June 12 | Del Mar, Calif. | San Diego County Fair  
June 14 | Santa Rosa, Calif. | Country Summer Music Festival
June 20 | Lewisburg, W.Va. | Wild Trails Festival  
June 27 | Ashland, Neb. | Country Drive Music Festival  
July 3 | Winnipeg, Man. (Canada) | Country Thunder Winnipeg  
July 16 | Eau Claire, Wis. | Country Jam USA  
July 17 | Manchester, Iowa | Delaware County Fair  
Aug. 15 | Montreal, Que. (Canada) | Lasso  
Aug. 22 | Lima, Ohio | Allen County Fair  
Aug. 29 | Lucknow, Ont. (Canada) | Lucknow’s Music in the Fields 
Oct. 16 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Red West Music Festival
Oct. 18 | Tucson, Ariz. | Boots in the Park
Nov. 20 | St. Petersburg, Fla. | St. Pete Country Fest  

The Who Release New Single "You Better You Bet" From Upcoming Album "Live At Eden Project"

Following the reveal of their upcoming live album The Who's Live at Eden Project, earMUSIC is delighted to present the album's second single: "You Better You Bet (Live at Eden Project)," available today as an instant gratification track with all digital pre-orders.
 
To accompany the release, the live performance video premiered today at on the earMUSIC YouTube channel. It's another chance to witness the energy of that unforgettable July 2023 night in Cornwall. Watch it below.

Originally released in 1981, "You Better You Bet" became one of The Who's defining post‑Keith Moon anthems, a song where punchy guitars, unmistakable synth lines, and Pete Townshend's personal lyrics collide with effortless brilliance. More than four decades later, it still remains a fan-favorite, and at the Eden Project, it once again had thousands singing, dancing, and celebrating a band whose music has shaped generations.

Pre-Order Live at Eden Project  HERE

Out on May 29, Live at Eden Project will be released as a 2CD Digipak, a limited 3LP Gatefold edition pressed on recycled vinyl with plastic‑free packaging, a standard 3LP Gatefold, and on all major digital platforms. Every format captures the emotional scope and sonic power of a remarkable night in The Who's recent live history.

Post Black Metal Newcomer BLOOD MOTHER Unleashes Haunting New Single, "The Wound of Heaven"

Rick Giordano, the composer behind THE LION'S DAUGHTER, has re-emerged as BLOOD MOTHER, a devastating new project that combines the post black metal horrors of TLD with haunting, atmospheric soundscapes and Western Americana attitude. Forged in themes of isolation, paranoia, violence and terror, dark and synth-driven ambience coalesces with bouts of chaotic and desperate black metal, while also honing in on the grit and desolation that was no doubt inspired by Giordano’s upbringing in the rugged American heartlands. Combined with the commanding aggression of Giordano's vocal attack, BLOOD MOTHER offers the score to your own personal horror film.

BLOOD MOTHER is now unveiling the haunting second single, "The Wound of Heaven," from its upcoming self-titled studio album, which is due on June 14 independently. The song can be found along with a visualizer below.

Composer Rick Giordano comments, "'The Wound of Heaven' is about finding beauty and comfort in watching a cruel and horrible world being torn apart. The sky splits open and the violent destruction brings only serenity. Or maybe it's just about pussy."

Pre-orders are now live via the official webstore HERE or via Bandcamp HERE.

Giordano is accompanied on this self titled debut album by Erik Ramsier, long time drummer and percussionist for the Lion's Daughter, with artwork by renowned graphic novelist The Salamander King.

Rick Giordano, the composer behind THE LION'S DAUGHTER, is re-emerging as BLOOD MOTHER, a devastating new project that combines the post black metal horrors of TLD with haunting, atmospheric soundscapes and Western Americana attitude. Forged in themes of isolation, paranoia, violence and terror, dark and synth-driven ambience coalesces with bouts of chaotic and desperate black metal, while also honing in on the grit and desolation that was no doubt inspired by Giordano’s upbringing in the rugged American heartlands. Combined with the commanding aggression of Giordano's vocal attack, BLOOD MOTHER offers the score to your own personal horror film.

Accompanied on this self-titled debut album by Erik Ramsier, longtime drummer and percussionist for the Lion's Daughter, with artwork by renowned graphic novelist The Salamander King, BLOOD MOTHER isn’t just a reboot, but rather a reinvention. While it still draws from many of THE LION'S DAUGHTER’s original influences, and therefore, the project also defies generic classification much like its predecessor, BLOOD MOTHER is still a clear evolution from what came before. “After 18 years of releasing music and touring the world, the daughter had to die so that the mother could live,” explains Giordano of the new project.

As a fully independent entity, BLOOD MOTHER has no chains, no bounds, and no master. Self-releasing this project with the help of world renowned independent artist manager Wolf Mountain Productions, Giordano is paving his own path and asserting his dominance over the oppressive music industry. Like a renegade cowboy, he joins the ranks of other modern artists who have abandoned all standards and practices to usher in a new era of artist ownership and DIY supremacy. “I've never been a person that neatly fits in with any group, or made music that neatly fits into any category, so it just makes sense to operate independently,” Giordano explains. “I also look at the current state of the music and most of the bands that are popular now, and think why the fuck would I want anything to do with that?”

Like a ghost riding out from the desert, Blood Mother is here to paint the town a shade of red found only in Hell... before burning it all to the ground.

Lineup:
Rick Giordano: Guitar, bass, synth, vocals

Erik Ramsier: Drums

For Fans Of: Ulver, Darkspace, Blut Aus Nord, Cult of Luna, Sunn O))), Wayfarer

Cover Artist: The Salamander King

Album Credits:

Mixing by Ryan Wasoba

Mastering by Joel Hatstat

Distribution/management: Wolf Mountain Productions

Links:

WEBSTORE

BANDCAMP

INSTAGRAM

YOUTUBE

SPOTIFY

APPLE MUSIC

THEORY OF A DEADMAN and SEVENDUST Join Forces for 36-Date Co-Headline Tour of North America

A tour partnership over two decades in the making, THEORY OF A DEADMAN and SEVENDUST are teaming up for The Dead / Seven Tour. This 36-date co-headline tour promises to be more than just another show. It’s an unforgettable evening comprised of hard rock anthems, raw energy, and decades of fan-favorite hits. Whether you’ve been with them since day one or just found your new favorite track, this tour promises to deliver it all!

The Dead / Seven Tour is scheduled to kick off on August 7th in Duluth, MN, and run through September 29th, where it ends in Bozeman, MT.  Along the way, it will make stops in Fargo, ND (August 11), Detroit, MI (August 23), Atlanta, GA (September 5), Corpus Christi, TX (September 12), and Riverside, CA (September 20) to name a few. 

“We are beyond pumped to hit the road with one of the most beloved rock bands and friends, Sevendust. Playing shows with them going back to 2002, man, this tour is gonna crush! Cannot wait to play some new tracks and some old ones too. Excited for rockers Return to Dust to join us as well,” explains Tyler Connolly of THEORY OF A DEADMAN. 

“Man, hearing Tyler say that takes me back. We’ve been throwing down together for a long time, and it’s always been nothing but love and high energy. Theory of a Deadman always brings it, so we already know this tour is going to be something special. We’re beyond excited to get out there, share the stage again, and give the fans moments you can’t recreate anywhere else. Our friends in Return to Dust will be there too.  Much respect to those guys, and we’re ready to crush this thing together,” adds Lajon Witherspoon of SEVENDUST. 

More information on tickets and individual band VIP packages can be found at https://www.theoryofficial.com and https://sevendust.com.

THE DEAD / SEVEN TOUR 2026

Aug 7 - Duluth, MN @ DECC Arena 

Aug 8 - Rochester, MN @ Mayo Civic Center 

Aug 9 - Omaha, NE @ The Astro Theater 

Aug 11 - Fargo, ND @ Scheels Arena 

Aug 12 — Bismarck, ND @ Bismarck Event Center 

Aug 14 - Aberdeen, SD @ Brown County Fair 

Aug 15 - Morton, MN @ Jackpot Junction Casino (Theory only)

Aug 16 — Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center 

Aug 18 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club

Aug 19 - Decatur, IL @ The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater 

Aug 21 - Gary, IN @ Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana

Aug 22 - Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe

Aug 23 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit

Aug 25 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ MJN Convention Center 

Aug 27 - Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom 

Aug 28 - Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom 

Aug 29 - New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall

Sep 4 - Anderson, SC @ Wendell's Dippin Branch

Sep 5 - Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle 

Sep 6 - Dothan, AL @ The Plant 

Sep 8 - New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore New Orleans 

Sep 9 - Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center

Sep 10 - San Antonio, TX @ Boeing Center at Tech Port 

Sep 12 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street 

Sep 13 - Midland, TX @ Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center

Sep 15 - El Paso, TX @ Abraham Chavez Theatre  

Sep 16 - Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee Theatre

Sep 18 - Las Vegas, NV @ Bel-Aire Backyard at Durango Casino & Resort

Sep 19 - Del Mar, CA @ The Sound at Del Mar

Sep 20 - Riverside, CA @ Riverside Municipal Auditorium 

Sep 22 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Rockwell at the Complex

Sep 23 - Idaho Falls, ID @ Mountain America Center 

Sep 25 - Boise, ID @ Revolution Concert House 

Sep 26 - Umatilla, OR @ Rock The Locks Festival (No Return to Dust)

Sep 28 - Great Falls, MT @ The Newberry 

Sep 29 - Bozeman, MT @ Gallatin County Fairgrounds 

Oct 1 - Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival (No Return to Dust)

THEORY OF A DEADMAN returns with their hard-hitting new single, “Barricade.” Marking a new chapter for the band, comprising Tyler Connolly, Dave Brenner, Dean Back, and Joey Dandeneau, the track delivers their signature mix of gritty riffs, anthemic hooks, and unfiltered lyricism with a renewed sense of urgency.

Driven by a tense, simmering energy, “Barricade” builds from restrained verses into a massive, cathartic chorus, capturing the push-and-pull emotion at the core of the song while maintaining an undeniable arena-ready punch.

Watch the Official Visualizer for "Barricade" below:

Touring in support of their 15th studio album 'ONE,' GRAMMY® Award–nominated metal icons Sevendust prove once again why they remain a vital force nearly three decades into their career. Comprised of Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), Clint Lowery (guitar), John Connolly (guitar), Vince Hornsby (bass), and Morgan Rose (drums), the band once again delivers the signature sound that has earned them both critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal fanbase. Early reviews of 'ONE' make it clear: Sevendust has not lost their edge.

'ONE' is now available via Napalm Records in multiple configurations, including digital downloads now: http://lnk.to/Sevendust-One. 

LIVING WRECKAGE feat. Members of Anthrax and Shadows Fall Release "Righteous Side of Sanity" ​

LIVING WRECKAGE, featuring members of Anthrax and Shadows Fall, have released their crushing new single “Righteous Side Of Sanity.”

“Righteous Side Of Sanity”, the first single from the band to feature vocalist Sage King,  is a fury of a song bringing together classic riffs and modern turmoil, with lyrics that breathe life into the freedoms we seem to have forgotten. It surges forward with an unrelenting intensity, channeling the raw energy of old-school rock and metal while confronting the chaos and contradictions of the present day. The track balances aggression with purpose, its driving instrumentation underscoring a message that feels both urgent and reflective. Every riff and lyric works in tandem to evoke a sense of defiance, reminding listeners of the values and liberties that can too easily fade into the background.

Elevating the song’s impact is its production, handled by Zeuss, whose reputation for crafting powerful, polished records adds another layer of depth to the release. Known for his work with heavyweights like Rob Zombie, Queensrÿche, Shadows Fall, and Hatebreed, Zeuss brings a commanding clarity and weight to the track, ensuring that its message hits as hard sonically as it does thematically. The result is a song that not only demands attention but lingers long after the final note, leaving listeners both energized and introspective.

In addition, the single will be featured on SOUND SYSTEM, from the creators of GUITAR HERO, ROCK BAND, ROCKSMITH, AND MORE beginning October 16, 2026. SOUND SYSTEM is the ultimate music and rhythm gaming experience that honors the magic of the classics while unlocking modern creativity, community and infinite replay. 

STREAM "Righteous Side of Sanity"

https://linktr.ee/livingwreckage

WATCH LIVING WRECKAGE  "Righteous Side of Sanity" Official lyric video below:

Living Wreckage is a fearless collision of hard rock hooks and metal muscle, a band that thrives on straddling the line between two worlds and refusing to pick sides. Founded by guitarist Jon Donais (Anthrax, Shadows Fall), bassist Matt Bachand (Shadows Fall, Act of Defiance), guitarist Matt LeBreton (Downpour), and drummer Jon Morency (Let Us Prey), the group built its foundation on a lifelong passion for the golden age of rock and metal. That love of the classics fuels their fire, but Living Wreckage has always been about bringing that energy into the present with a sound that feels both timeless and cutting edge.

The band’s self-titled debut, produced by Shane Frisby and mixed by Pete Rutcho, landed in 2021 to critical praise and introduced fans to their high-voltage blend of hard rock swagger and metallic bite. Singles like “Endless War” found traction on SiriusXM’s Liquid Metal, while tours with legends such as Overkill, Buckcherry, Prong, and Metal Church proved that Living Wreckage could command any stage they stepped on.

In 2023, the lineup expanded with the addition of vocalist Sage King, whose dynamic range and inventive harmonies opened a new chapter for the band. His presence elevated both the live attack and the studio approach, giving Living Wreckage a tidal wave of layered vocals and new dimensions of melody. With the lineup now complete, the chemistry is undeniable.

Currently working with acclaimed producer Zeuss, the band is taking its time to craft the follow-up album set for release in 2026. Unlike the rushed pace of the debut, the new sessions are deliberate and uncompromising, with every riff, harmony, and lyric scrutinized until it reaches its full potential. Experimenting with darker tunings, intricate vocal layering, and more adventurous songwriting, Living Wreckage is expanding its sound without abandoning its roots. The result is heavier, moodier, and more emotionally resonant, tackling themes of grief, addiction, and betrayal while still keeping the spirit of rock’s cathartic release alive.

At its core, Living Wreckage is about connection. Their music speaks to metal die-hards and rock purists alike, bringing together generations of fans under one roof. Onstage they embody a work hard, play hard mentality, delivering explosive performances that remind audiences why this music matters. Offstage they remain a band of brothers, unified in their goals and driven by the thrill of creation.

Living Wreckage is the bridge, carrying the larger-than-life energy of arena rock into the visceral intensity of modern metal. The party is still raging, but the stakes feel higher, the songs cut deeper, and the sound is stronger than ever.

LIVING WRECKAGE are:
Sage King - Vocals
Jon Donais - Guitars
Matt LeBreton - Guitars
Matt Bachand - Bass
Jon Morency - Drums     

For More Information Please Visit:

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

LEX LEGION – COMPRISED OF KING DIAMOND BAND MEMBERS – UNLEASH NEW SINGLE, "GYPSY TEARS"

Following the explosive debut of their first single, Lex Legion returns with "Gypsy Tears," a haunting and powerful new track that further reveals the depth and identity of this veteran supergroup. 

The single releases today, and its music video can be viewed below:

Featuring members of the classic King Diamond lineup—Mikkey Dee, Andy La Rocque, Pete Blakk, and Hal Patino—alongside vocalist Nils K. Rue (Pagan's Mind), Lex Legion continues to channel decades of heavy metal mastery into something both timeless and fresh. 

Where their debut single "Sleep Eternally" hit with immediate force, "Gypsy Tears" showcases a more atmospheric and dynamic side of the band. 

Built on eerie melodies, driving rhythms, and soaring vocal lines, the track balances mysticism with raw power—shifting between evocative passages and undeniable, headbanging momentum.

Driven by Mikkey Dee's unmistakable groove, layered with intricate twin-guitar work from La Rocque and Blakk, and anchored by Hal Patino's melodic basslines, the song creates a cinematic soundscape that feels both classic and forward-looking. At the center, Rue delivers a commanding vocal performance filled with drama and intensity. 

It’s now time to release our second single; “Gypsy Tears”. Another great song with a lot of fire and bite, this one is a real driving banger! The video, it’s more of a short  movie, does a great job of telling the story in the lyrics. Release is on the 5th of May. Check it out! - Mikkey Dee

At its core, the song is a dark portrait of obsession, told through the eyes of a watcher who cannot let go. The video reimagines this as a timeless story of love and longing that stretches beyond reality itself. Through layered metaphors, the lyrics transform personal conflict into vast, symbolic landscapes—where emotional collapse feels like war-torn ground. - Nils K. Rue

Gypsy Tears is the essence of me, Mikkey, Andy and Hal. With me and Andy trading off solos and the power of Mikkey and Hal’s rhythm section all supporting the powerful vocals of Nils, the song really brings a new dimension to metal in 2026. The video is tasteful, mystical and raw. It’s a piece of art that will leave no one untouched. - Pete Blakk

"Gypsy Tears" is the second single from Lex Legion's upcoming self-titled debut album, set for release on June 12, 2026 via MNRK Music Group. 

The album captures the spirit of classic heavy metal while embracing the experience and chemistry that only decades of musicianship can bring. 

With "Gypsy Tears," Lex Legion continues to build momentum toward one of the most anticipated hard rock/metal debuts of the year. 

"Gypsy Tears" is available now on all major streaming platforms, and can be ordered via this link:

https://lexlegion.ffm.to/lexlegion-album

LEX LEGION LINEUP: 

Nils K. Rue - vocals 

Pete Blakk - guitar 

Andy La Rocque - guitar 

Mikkey Dee - drums 

Hal Patino - bass

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT:

https://lexlegionofficial.com/

The Ghoulstars Conquer Pop Culture Galaxy on “The Dark Overlords of the Universe”

Ghostbustin’ proton streams, blaster-packing astro clones, creatures from a galaxy far, far away, an astro clone army, and a hit song to die for. Meet The Ghoulstars, a fresh - and frightening blast from pop-culture’s past. Since beaming down onto their native haunt of Finland, these horror punks have tantalized crowds and captured the attention of CNN and other international press. Their blockbuster debut album, The Dark Overlords of the Universe, hits shelves on May 15.

Today, The Ghoulstars are beaming with excitement to release the third and final advanced single from The Dark Overlords of the Universe. While a reference to an ‘80s cult classic, the title track is destined for instant world domination with its stellar mash-up of metal and punk.

“The Dark Overlords of the Universe are an evil alien race from the 1986 film Howard the Duck”, The Ghoulstars guitarist Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso says. “The movie bombed at the box office, but I’m glad those many-teethed mutants never left my brain. Not only did they give us the perfect name for our first album, they also spawned the title track, which is probably the catchiest song I’ve ever written.  We are excited to finally unleash it upon the world!”.

Watch the fun and far-out music video for “The Dark Overlords of the Universe”, written and directed by Daddy Ghoul himself, below:

The Dark Overlords of the Universe comes out May 15, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/theghoulstarsdarkoverlords

Despite their ghostly appearance, The Ghoulstars are a collection of real talent. The band features an all-star cast of current and former members of death-doom royalty and Season of Mist labelmates Hooded Menace, stoner rockers Thermate and Finland’s Top Ten charting Kuolemanlaakso.

What bands these ghouls together on “The Dark Overlords of the Universe” is their expansive knowledge of the pop-culture galaxy. With its opening crawl, the music video quickly displays its admiration for George Lucas’ longest-running franchise. Fellow film buffs will marvel over the visual cues to Barbarella, Kill Bill, Sin Cityand the Swedish buddy cop romp Kopps. The song itself is an irresistible crossover. The ingenuous combination of surf beats, heavy riffs and a cameo from Finnish star and Fly-Eyed master Tuple Salmela produces a chorus that shall never ever grow old.            

“The Dark Overlords of the Universe is a love letter to everything that blew our minds as kids”, Laakso says. “The album is loaded with huge riffs, big choruses, surprising curve balls and Easter eggs from old horror, sci-fi and coming-of-age movies. Holding it all together is our sheer joy in watching all the pieces fall into the right place.

The video for “The Dark Overlords of the Universe” was written and directed by Markus “Daddy Ghoul” Laakso.

Additional video credits

Cinematography, editing and VFX by Riku Jokinen

Lighting by Sami Kokkonen

Set design and villain wardrobe by Markus Laakso

Starring
The Ghoulstars feat. Tuple Salmela as the Dark Overlords of the Universe

Miika Kinnunen as the Astro Clone Army
Pasi Kankkunen as the Fly-Eyed Master
Tuple Salmela as the Fly-Eyed Master reincarnated
Toni Hiltunen, Kalle-Pekka Salmela, Sami Kokkonen, Maasu Matilainen and Pasi Kankkunen as the Unfortunate Five

With The Dark Overlords of the Universe, The Ghoulstars direct a monstrously catchy mash-up between metal, punk and B-horror.

Lineup
Markus "Daddy Ghoul" Laakso - Guitars
Toni "Ghoulio" Ronkainen - Drums
Arthur "LL Ghoul A" Thure - Vocals
Markus "Hella Ghoul" Makkonen - Bass

Guest musicians
Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns (...and Oceans, Finntrol) - Backing Growls
Tommi "Tuple" Salmela (Tarot, Raskasta Joulua, Lazy Bones) - Backing Vocals on "The Dark Overlords of the Universe")

Production credits
Produced by Markus Laakso
Guitars recorded by Markus Laakso and Erkka Närhi
Vocals recorded by Markus Laakso and Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns
Drums recorded by Erkka Närhi
Bass recorded by Samu Männikkö and Markus Laakso
Percussion recorded by Markus Laakso
Mixed & Mastered by V. Santura at Woodshed Studio in Germany

Cover art

Niko Anttila

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

Available formats
Digital Download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl Gatefold (Black)
12" Colored Vinyl Gatefold (Yellow, red and white marbled)

Booking info

info@theghoulstars.com

Follow The Ghoulstars
Official website: http://www.theghoulstars.com
Bandcamp: https://theghoulstars.bandcamp.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Pr3ThFZK0tnUDqDSlMuBX

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-ghoulstars/1872811142

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGhoulstars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theghoulstars/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theghoulstars/

Evergrey Unveil Third Single + Video "Leaving The Emptiness"

EVERGREY, Gothenburg's masterminds of melancholia, release another song leading up to their upcoming fifteenth album, Architects Of A New Weave, out June 5 via Napalm Records. The encouraging new single "Leaving The Emptiness" offers a chorus that breaks through like sunlight piercing storm clouds. More than 30 years into their career, EVERGREY reshape their future masterfully, turning their inner fire into something unstoppable.

This is melodic, progressive, dark metal at its most massive and intimate: Dream weavers rising. Architects are stepping up to claim what comes next. The new track comes with an official music video that’s visually underlining its signature character.

Tom S. Englund about the new single "Leaving The Emptiness":
"Our new single is a high-energy firecracker that makes you want to jump—we know, because we just played it in Brazil twice and people were more in the air than on the ground. But don't let the adrenaline fool you. Underneath the surge is something rawer—a song about the moment you stop running from what hurts and finally turn to face it. 'Leaving The Emptiness' hits hard because it earns it. The tension between the euphoric, major-key drive and the weight of the lyrics is completely intentional—we want you to feel joy and ache at the same time, because that's what it actually feels like to face your demons and come out the other side. We also made a video that matches that energy in every way, and we genuinely cannot wait for you to see it. If you've ever stood in a crowd and felt the music pull something out of you that you didn’t know was still there—for us, this is that song."

Watch the official music video for "Leaving The Emptiness" Below:

EVERGREY's new full-length, Architects Of A New Weave, will be released just days before the band takes the stage as special guest to the undisputed kings of heavy metal, Iron Maiden, for two shows on their Run For Your Lives World Tour. 

Tom Englund about Architects Of A New Weave:
"We've literally never had this much trouble picking singles. And honestly? That's the best problem we could possibly have. Every song on this record is fighting to be the one you hear first—because we poured everything into making an album we're flat-out obsessed with. Like always there are no fillers, no compromises, just twelve tracks we're stupidly proud of and will be for the rest of our lives. Pre-order the album now and join the weave!"

Pre-order Architects Of A New Weave HERE.

FREEDOM WORLD CRUSADE — SPECIAL GUEST FOR HAMMERFALL:
9/11 — Atlanta, GA
9/13 — Leesburg, VA
9/15 — New York, NY
9/16 — Worcester, MA
9/18 — Derry, NH
9/19 — Ottawa, ON
9/20 — Montreal, QC
9/22 — Toronto, ON
9/23 — Lakewood, OH
9/24 — Columbus, OH
9/25 — St. Charles, IL
9/26 — Hobart, IN
9/27 — Green Bay, WI
9/29 — Denver, CO
10/1 — Pomona, CA
10/2 — Los Angeles, CA
10/3 — San Juan Capistrano, CA
10/6 — Portland, OR
10/7 — Vancouver, BC
10/8 — Seattle, WA

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

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

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

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

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

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

About DATURA LODGE:

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

Musical inspiration is primarily drawn from legendary progressive rock acts including GENESIS, KING CRIMSON, THE MARS VOLTA, and RUSH. DATURA LODGE strives to inject approachability into their sound while delivering hard-hitting hooks. Taking a bold creative direction, the band incorporates unexpected twists and turns across their tracks.
 
DATURA LODGE's debut self-titled full-length album, Datura Lodge, is set to arrive on October 2, 2026, via ARQUEN Records. 

DATURA LODGE Is:

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

Connect With DATURA LODGE:

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

A Killer's Confession Teams Up With DJ/Producer Zardonic for “In Case of Emergency Remix" ft. J Mann

Alternative/nu-metal force A Killer’s Confession has joined forces with internationally acclaimed producer Zardonic for a high-octane reimagining of “In Case Of Emergency (ft JMANN).” The remix brings Zardonic’s signature aggressive drum & bass sound to the track, bridging the raw intensity of modern metal with the pulse and precision of global bass music.  Watch the visualizer below:

The original track joined A Killer’s Confession vocalist Waylon Reavis with fellow former Mushroomhead vocalist JMann, and was the first single from AKC’s early 2025 album Victim 2. 

For A Killer’s Confession, the remix continues the band’s evolution into hybrid soundscapes that blend industrial textures, electronic elements, and emotionally charged songwriting. The track further expands the sonic universe of their ongoing Victim album trilogy, which explores the psychological tension between morality and darkness.

In addition, A Killer’s Confession sets off on their U.S. Tour with Kottonmouth Kings today.  Full dates are: 

May 5 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater
May 6 - Denver, CO - HQ
May 8  - West Chicago, IL - WC Social Club
May 9 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge
May 10 - Fort Wayne, IN - Century Music Hall
May 11 - Pittsburgh, PA - Crafthouse Stage & Grill
May 12 - Reading, PA - Nightclub Reverb
May 13 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
May 15 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
May 16 - Lansing, MI - Grewal Hall at 224
May 17 - Cadillac, MI - Venue Event Center
May 19 - Philadelphia, PA - Nikki Lopez
May 20 - Towson, MD - The Recher
May 22 - Spartanburg, SC - Ground Zero
May 23 - Knoxville, TN - Open Chord Stage
May 27 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
May 28 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
May 29 - Tulsa, OK - The Vanguard
May 30 Dallas, TX AM/FM Diner
June 1 - Roswell, NM - The Liberty, Inc.
June 2 - Albuquerque, NM - Mesa Theater
June 5 - Chesapeake, OH* - tba
* AKC solo

Connect with:

A Killer’s Confession

Website
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook

Zardonic

Website
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Released via Armalyte Industries

Artist studio photos by Derick Smith
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with The Joy Thieves
Website | Bandcamp | LinkTree | Merch | Facebook | Instagram | BlueSky | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Twitter | Press contact

Keep up with Chris Connelly
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Amazon | Press contact

Keep up with Armalyte Industries
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube 

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter |  Instagram | BlueSky | Threads  | Soundcloud | LinkedIn | Ema il

Maddox Batson Visits Seacrest Studios in Salt Lake City Ahead of 'Live Worldwide Tour' Stop

With his Live Worldwide Tour underway, Warner/Prosper Entertainment’s Maddox Batson visited Seacrest Studios on April 16, 2026. Batson brought acoustic songs to Intermountain Health Primary Children’s Hospital of Salt Lake City in addition to a Q&A session and rounds of mini golf with patients. 
 
Seacrest Studios are fully equipped media studios located directly inside pediatric hospitals. These studios give kids who are receiving medical treatment a fun, creative place to host podcasts, produce videos and interview special guests – all without leaving the hospital.
 
“It was an honor to spend the morning at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. Thank you to the Ryan Seacrest Foundation for giving me the privilege to connect and perform for patients like Piper,” shared Batson. “I was beyond inspired by the determination and joy from the patients, family and entire staff at the hospital. Much appreciation to the child life specialists, doctors and the team at Seacrest for welcoming me.” 
 
“We are always so appreciative to our celebrity partners who are able to come into Seacrest Studios and spend time with patients, with many becoming repeat visitors and friends of RSF,” said Meredith Seacrest Leach, Executive Director & CEO of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. “Maddox has quickly become a friend, and we are so grateful that he has continued to make time to visit as he juggles his busy tour schedule."

Batson and Piper play mini golf at Seacrest Studios at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.

About the Ryan Seacrest Foundation:
The Ryan Seacrest Foundation (RSF) is a nonprofit organization that brings interactive media studios into pediatric hospitals to help patients find joy during treatment. Founded in 2009, RSF has grown into a national network of 14 Seacrest Studios where patients host podcasts, produce video content, and interview celebrity guests while receiving care.

In 2025, RSF delivered 8,406 hours of live programming and helped patients create 265 original shows, reaching approximately 3.1 million patients and family members. Viewed by hospital partners as a core therapeutic tool, Seacrest Studios play a meaningful role in helping children cope with hospitalization and extended medical care. Through its internship program, RSF also supports almost 50 interns a year, providing students with hands-on experience in broadcast production and empowering the next generation of industry professionals. 

RSF currently has Seacrest Studios at hospitals in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, Miami, Memphis, Orange County, Orlando, Queens (NY), Salt Lake City and Washington D.C.

Visit ryanseacrestfoundation.org for more information. New studios are slated to open in New Orleans at Manning Family Children’s Hospital in early 2027 and in Milwaukee at Children’s Wisconsin in 2028. 

MIRANDA LAMBERT GETS COOKING WITH “CRISCO”

Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert launches a bold new chapter on May 15 with the infectious new song, “Crisco,” marking the first release under her newly announced label partnership with MCA. Pre-save / pre-add HERE.
 
Blending classic country soul with a shimmering ‘70s disco glow, “Crisco” delivers a feel-good anthem driven by lush strings, jangly piano keys and an irresistible groove, with Lambert leaning into sonic textures she’s long admired yet never fully explored – until now.
 
“It has so many elements of the country music that I love that I’ve never put on tape,” she shares of the song co-written with Aaron Raitiere, Jesse Frasure and Chill Fellacheck. “There’s a looseness to it, a joy. It feels like dancing in your kitchen with the person you love, spinning old records, not overthinking a thing.”
 
Written with Lambert’s signature playful wink and anchored in vivid, nostalgic imagery, the song nods to timeless classics like “Southern Nights” and “Islands in the Stream,” bridging generations of country music while expanding its boundaries to carve out something entirely fresh. 
 
As Variety declares, Lambert possesses a “groundedness in the classic sounds and attitudes of country music, which is one thing that has helped make her arguably the most valuable figure in the mainstream of the genre since the turn of the century.” With “Crisco,” she further expands her career that has long been defined by authenticity and evolution, opening the door to her next creative phase.

About Miranda Lambert:
Critically acclaimed groundbreaker/songwriter/superstar Miranda Lambert has defined her multifaceted career as an artist, entertainer, entrepreneur, advocate and businesswoman with an unflinching quest for excellence, honesty and conviction. GRAMMY-nominated single “A Song To Sing” with Chris Stapleton arrived recently as the biggest streaming debut of her career, with Rolling Stone praising its “dreamy disco groove and lovestruck devotion.” Her 10th solo studio album, 2024’s GRAMMY-nominated Postcards from Texas, continued her unbroken streak of 10 consecutive Top 10s on the Top Country Albums chart. The most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, including their top honor for Entertainer of the Year, she has also won three GRAMMYs and 14 Country Music Association Awards. A TIME100 honoree and perennial best-of-the-year list maker at the New York Times, TIME, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Stereogum, People and more, NPR has called her “the most riveting country star of her generation.”

Lambert has taken those standards to become a label co-founder, teaming with longtime collaborator Jon Randall to launch their own imprint, Big Loud Texas, in partnership with Big Loud Records. She is also a New York Times bestselling author and the first female restaurateur on Lower Broadway with her Tex-Mex cantina Casa Rosa, while also expanding her creative reach with her Wanda June Home collection as well as Idyllwind, her western clothing, accessories and footwear brand at Boot Barn. Her passion for animals inspired the creation of MuttNation Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit which has raised over $13 million since inception to promote shelter pet adoption, support rescue organizations nationwide, advance spay & neuter and help shelters recover from natural disaster.
 
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