Symphonic Metal Legends KAMELOT Unveil Triumphant New Single "Ashen World"

Recently, international symphonic metal legends KAMELOT announced their haunting new album Dark Asylum, arriving August 28 via Napalm Records. They give fans their first peek into the twisting hallways of RavenHill Asylum with "Ashen World," a triumphant, cinematic, and epic anthem.

From its very first note, "Ashen World" launches with unmistakable KAMELOT grandeur, propelled by founding guitarist Thomas Youngblood's expressive lead work, soaring orchestration, and the rich symphonic arrangements that have become the band's hallmark. The track embodies everything fans have come to love about KAMELOT; cinematic darkness, unforgettable melodies, and a towering anthemic chorus, while introducing fresh textures and unexpected twists that expand the band's sonic landscape.

With countless dynamic shifts, vocalist Tommy Karevik showcases the full breadth of his remarkable range, effortlessly moving from intimate, haunting passages to his signature soaring power. Adding another layer of atmosphere, Decessus frontwoman and reigning Miss Chile Ignacia Fernández makes an ethereal vocal appearance that intertwines beautifully with the song's haunting mood, as "Ashen World" tells the story of a world descending into darkness while never losing sight of hope, resilience, and redemption.

Thomas Youngblood on "Ashen World":
"Ashen World" captures that moment of standing at the crossroads between darkness and hope, where the journey forward begins. It's classic KAMELOT at its core, while opening new doors into the world of Dark Asylum."

Tommy Karevik on "Ashen World":
"It's a deep dive into the topography of the human mind, exploring its valleys, peaks, and the void in between. It's about breaking free from the limiting beliefs that hold us captive and creating a new reality that allow us to expand and realize our full potential."

Pre-Order Your Copy Of Dark Asylum NOW.

Watch the "Ashen World" video below.

Set within a shadowed Neo Victorian-era world, Dark Asylum invites listeners beyond the gates of RavenHill Asylum — an imposing institution once built as a grand cathedral, now repurposed into a place where science, faith, and madness uneasily coexist.

KAMELOT pushes further into cinematic and atmospheric territory on Dark Asylum, diving deeper into theatrical darkness while preserving the signature hooks that define their sound. Candlelight trembles along towering arches and cold stone corridors as you are greeted familiar spectres: Avantasia mastermind Tobias Sammet, Eluveitie's Lea-Sophie Fischer, Visions of Atlantis' Clémentine Delauney, Decessus frontwoman and current reigning Miss World Chile champion Ignacia Fernández, Rannveig Sif Sigurðardóttir and Sólveig Sara Leupold, and Billy King! Identity fractures, reality bends, and control slips into unseen hands, guiding its central figure through a descent into psychological darkness that ultimately leads toward transformation… and perhaps sanctuary. From the cinematic sweep of "Ashen World" to the introspective depth of "Sanctuary," and the layered mystique of "Ivy, My Dear," Dark Asylum unfolds as a fully immersive journey, blending orchestral grandeur, haunting melodies, and theatrical storytelling into one cohesive vision.

Will you find sanctuary?

Or will you wander its halls for eternity?

Always committed to bringing their worlds beyond the studio, KAMELOT will take RavenHill Asylum on the road this fall with the immersive Dark Asylum World Tour, spanning North America and Europe. Once you step inside RavenHill… there is no turning back.

KAMELOT’s Dark Asylum World Tour:
North America Pt. 1:
With Visions of Atlantis + Frozen Crown:

8/28 — Orlando, FL — Hard Rock Live
8/29 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade (Heaven)
8/31 — Dallas, TX — The Studio at the Factory
9/2 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
9/3 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues
9/4 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
9/5 — San Francisco, CA — The Fillmore
9/7 — Vancouver, BC — Vogue Theatre
9/8 — Seattle, WA — Neptune
9/10 — Salt Lake City, UT — Rockwell at The Complex
9/11 — Denver, CO — Summit Music Hall
9/12 — Kansas City, MO — The Truman
9/14 — Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue
9/15 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
9/17 — St. Charles, IL — The Arcada Theatre
9/18 — Cleveland, OH — Globe Iron
9/19 — Toronto, ON — Phoenix Concert Theatre
9/20 — Montreal, QC — MTELUS
9/22 — Quebec City, QC — Theatre Capitole
9/24 — Glenside, PA — Keswick Theatre
9/25 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium
9/26 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
9/27 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring

All Tickets and VIP links for North America are here.

KAMFEST DARK ASYLUM
10/30 — Tilburg, NL — O13 (KAMFEST)
10/31 — Tilburg, NL — O13 (KAMFEST)

EUROPE PT. 1
With Exit Eden + Temperance:

11/1 — London, UK — O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
11/3 — Manchester, UK — O2 Ritz Manchester
11/5 — Oberhausen, DE — Turbinenhalle
11/6 — Pratteln, CH — Z7 Konzertfabrik
11/7 — Lyon, FR — La Rayonne
11/8 — Stuttgart, DE — LKA
11/10 — Krakow, PL — Klub Studio
11/11 — Warsaw, PL — Progresja
11/13 — Zagreb, HR — Boogaloo
11/14 — Budapest, HU — Barba Negra Red Stage
11/15 — Belgrade, RS — Hangar
11/17 — Trezzo sull'Adda, IT — Live Club
11/18 — Padova, IT — Hall
11/20 — Toulouse, FR — Metronum
11/21 — Barcelona, ES — Razzmatazz 1
11/22 — Madrid, ES — Sala La Riviera

All tickets and VIP Links for Europe are here.

More tour dates are coming in 2027.

KAMELOT ARE:
Tommy Karevik — Vocals
Thomas Youngblood — Guitars
Oliver Palotai — Keyboards
Sean Tibbetts — Bass Guitar
Alex Landenburg — Drums

DISTANT Announce New Album "Into Despair" + Drop Video for New Single

DISTANT announce their new album Into Despair, and with it, they drop the video for the new single, "All Will Be (N)One" (Feat. Ricky Myers of Suffocation).

"'All Will Be (N)One'" is a bleak, atmospheric track that explores humanity's fear of death and the inevitability of time' collapse," says the band about the song. "Blending crushing riffs with relentless rhythms, the song builds a sense of slow-burning dread before erupting into moments of raw confrontation. Lyrically, it shifts the perspective from resistance to acceptance. The feature from Ricky Myers of Suffocation adds an extra layer of intensity and authority, reinforcing the trac'’s central message: That everything fades, and all will be (n)one."

"All Will Be (N)One" single taken from the upcoming album, Into Despair, which will be released on November 6.

Into Despair is DISTANT's most personal and emotional work to date, exploring real-life struggles, loss, and the shared grief that connects humanity. The album dives deep into the darker corners of the human experience while finding solace in collective understanding. DISTANT elaborate: "Driven by raw honesty and pure emotion, Into Despair is an album born from personal battles and lived experiences. Every song carries pieces of each member's own journey, with moments of pain, reflection, and resilience woven into a deeply intimate body of work. More than just a collection of songs, Into Despair is a cathartic expression of vulnerability and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, grief is something we all share. It stands as the band's most heartfelt and authentic statement yet, transforming personal suffering into something universally resonant."

Check out the punishing video for "All Will Be (N)One" (Feat. Ricky Myers of Suffocation) BELOW.

Pre-order Into Despair HERE.

DISTANT are keeping things busy and their grim, ultra-heavy deathcore on the road. After already touring Europe with Sylosis, they just finished another U.S. run including several shows with In Flames and Thrown. Come January of 2027, you can catch them on the "New World Killer EU/UK 2027" tour with Spite, Emmure, and Mauled.

DISTANT LIVE 2027:
01/23 — Antwerp, BE — Zappa
01/24 — Paris, FR — La Machine du Moulin Rouge
01/26 — London, UK — Electric Brixton
01/27 — Glasgow, UK — Garage
01/28 — Manchester, UK — O2 Ritz
01/29 — Leeds, UK — Stylus
01/30 — Bristol, UK — Electric Bristol
02/01 — Tilburg, NL — 013
02/02 — Hamburg, DE — Gruenspan
02/03 — Hannover, DE — Capitol
02/04 — Leipzig, DE — Felsenkeller
02/05 — Berlin, DE — Columbia Theater
02/06 — Warsaw, PL — Proxima
02/08 — Prague, CZ — Lucerna Music Bar
02/09 — Budapest, HU — Dürer Kert
02/10 — Vienna, AT — Flex
02/11 — Munich, DE — Backstage
02/12 — Milan, IT — Slaughter Club
02/13 — Zürich, CH — Dynamo
02/14 — Cologne, DE — Essigfabrik

Purchase tickets HERE

DISTANT have become one of the prominent faces of European Deathcore. Melding together brutal death metal, slam, noise and beatdown with a hyper-dissonant orchestra of impending doom, they've come eons since their origins as metalcore obsessed friends in Rotterdam and Bratislava.

Future Palace Drop "Tidal Waves" Video

Germany's FUTURE PALACE will unleash their forthcoming fourth album RESURGENCE on July 31 via Century Media. Pre-order it here

The album is a powerful exploration of isolation, inner conflict, and the struggle to rebuild oneself. Blending post-hardcore intensity with cinematic electronics, soaring melodies, and crushing breakdowns, the Berlin trio dives deep into themes of depression, doubt, and emotional transformation.

Ultimately, Resurgence captures the fragile moment where despair slowly turns into strength — and is proof of the redemptive power of music.

Today, the band shares the video for new single "Tidal Wave," which is Future Palace's version of a rock ballad.

Watch it Below:

Singer Maria Lessing weighs in, saying the song was a watershed moment for her, as she was able to capture the feeling of deep emotional satisfaction that comes from the bond between sisters and how the role of being a big sister has impacted her.

She says, "This is probably the most important song I have ever written. It was extremely hard for me to write and I have failed to write a good song about this very important topic over and over again these past years. To sum it up: This song is about true love and how it feels. It can be very hard to recognize true love, but I personally found it in the role of being a big sister. Being someone who protects, cares, and always finds the time and patience to be there.

"I tried, and still try, my best to keep my younger sister from the pain that I had to go through. Even though we already went through a lot of pain together in our lifes, but it made our bond only stronger. I feel like no one will ever truly understand you like a close sibling does."

"This one started with a request by [drummer] Johannes [Früchtenicht] when he said he wanted a certain kind of ballad," further explains guitarist Manuel Kohlert. "Challenge accepted. The instrumental was actually very easy to write and came naturally. Compared to the rest of the album this track is by far the softest, yet it builds up to a big, still heavy chorus followed by a dreamy acoustic bridge. All in all, this is our rock ballad."

Future Palace will spend the bulk of 2026 touring, with festival appearances and a fall tour on deck. All dates are below, including a return to the U.S. to appear at the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville in September.

FUTURE PALACE ON TOUR:
FESTIVALS + SPECIALS:

7/29–8/1 — Wacken, Germany — Wacken Open Air
8/6 — Dortmund, Germany — Junkyard (w/ The Ghost Inside)
8/7 — Villena, Spain — Leyendas del Rock
8/8 — Cercoux, France — Festival 666
8/12–8/15 — Dinkelsbühl, Germany — Summer Breeze
8/13–8/15 — Sulingen, Germany — Reload Festival
8/16 — Cudrefin, Switzerland — Rock The Lakes
9/20 — Louisville, KY — Louder Than Life
 
DEEP BLUE TOUR 2026:

9/29—Warsaw, Poland—Hydrozagadka =
10/1—Helsinki, Finland—Tavastia = #
10/2—Jyväskylä, Finland—Lutakko = #
10/4—Gothenburg, Sweden—Pustervik = #
10/5—Oslo, Norway—John Dee = #
10/6—Copenhagen, Denmark—Pumpehuset = #
10/8—Hamburg, Germany—Markthalle = #
10/9—Amsterdam, Netherlands—Melkweg = #
10/10—Cologne, Germany—E-Werk = #
10/11—Sint-Niklaas, Belgium—De Casino = #
10/13—Stuttgart, Germany—Im Wizemann = #
10/14—Frankfurt, Germany—Batschkapp = #
10/16—Hanover, Germany—Faust = #
10/17—Berlin, Germany—Festsaal Kreuzberg = #
11/2—Essen, Germany—Zeche Carl €
11/4—London, England—The Garage # %
11/5—Manchester, England—Academy 3 # %
11/6—Glasgow, Scotland—Slay # %
11/7—Leeds, England—Key Club # %
11/9—Paris, France—Backstage by the Mill = #
11/10—Lyon, France—Marché Gare = #
11/12—Milan, Italy—Legend Club = #
11/13—Zurich, Switzerland—Dynamo = #
11/14—Budapest, Hungary—Barba Negra = #
11/16—Vienna, Austria—Arena = #
11/18—Prague, Czech Republic—Rock Café = #
11/19—Munich, Germany—Backstage Werk = #
11/20—Nuremberg, Germany—Z-Bau = #
11/21—Leipzig, Germany—Täubchenthal = #

= Special Guest: As Everything Unfolds (no UK)
# Support: Luna Kills
% Support: Defences (UK only)
€ Support: VINTA (Essen only)

FUTURE PALACE ARE:
Maria Lessing — Vocals
Manuel Kohlert — Guitar
Johannes Früchtenicht — Drums

A Life in Metal, A Future for His Son: Shaun Glass

At Noble Demon, we have always believed that music is ultimately about people. While Shaun Glass's legacy as a guitarist, songwriter, and pioneer of Chicago metal will continue to inspire generations, the greatest legacy he leaves behind is the countless lives he touched with his generosity, kindness, and unwavering belief in others.

The tribute below was written by Troy Dixler on behalf of Shaun's family. We hope you'll take a moment to read it, remember the remarkable man behind the music, and, if you're able, help honor the legacy he cared about most: his son, Maddux.

 

On July 1, 2026, the world lost Shaun Glass, a legendary musician who spent over four decades shaping the Chicago metal scene through Terminal Death, Sindrome, Broken Hope, SOiL, Dirge Within, The Bloodline, and most recently Repentance. He shared stages with some of the biggest names in the genre and left behind music that fans still play on repeat.

But if you ask anyone who actually knew Shaun, the music was never the most impressive thing about him.

Shaun's wealth was never in a bank account, it was in every room he ever walked into. You could know him for five minutes and walk away feeling like you'd known him your whole life. He introduced bands, friends, and strangers to chances they never would have found on their own, not because it benefited him, but because that's just who he was, and he never once asked for anything back. Ask around the metal scene and you won't find one person who claims to be his best friend. You'll find fifty. That's not an exaggeration. That was just Shaun.

On May 31, 2026, Shaun suffered a stroke brought on by undiagnosed high blood pressure. He spent nearly a month in the hospital on life support, surrounded the entire time by people who truly loved him, before passing peacefully on hospice care. Shaun's insurance is pending, and anyone who has ever dealt with a hospital bill knows what even a few days in intensive care can cost. A month on life support has left behind an overwhelming amount of medical debt and final expenses.

 

A fundraiser has been set up for Shaun's family by Troy Dixler. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/a-life-in-metal-a-future-for-his-son-shaun-glass

Every donation goes into the Maddux Glass Irrevocable Trust. Shaun's medical and final expenses are paid from it first, but the heart of this fund is Maddux, giving him the education, stability, and future his father always wanted for him. That future is protected in this trust, permanent, and something no one can ever take from him.

If Shaun ever made you feel like family, connected you to someone, or picked up the phone when you needed him, this is the moment to give back a fraction of what he gave so many of us for free.

Shaun Glass made thousands of people feel like they mattered. Now it's our turn to make sure his son knows he mattered too. 

THE EXILES Team Up With Bad Reputation Records For Reworked & Expanded 30th Anniversary Reissue

Expat classic rockers THE EXILES have joined forces with French label Bad Reputation Records for the release of their album 'Turning Time', which arrives on July 3. 

Purchase the CD: https://badreputation.fr/THE-EXILES-TURNING-TIME

The album's first single, 'Rainmaker', featuring Greg D’Angelo on drums, is streaming on the band’s Bandcamp page at https://theexilesuk.bandcamp.com/track/rainmaker-3

Formed by English guitarist Sean Manning, whose credits include stints with HURRICANE and QUIET RIOT offshoot, LITTLE WOMEN, and fellow Brit Paul Rafferty, the original vocalist for BONHAM, The Exiles were mainstays on the Southern California music scene in the early 1990s writing and recording a wealth of material and performing at venues such as the Troubadour, Whisky a Go Go, FM Station, and Club Lingerie. 

 

After originally moving to Los Angeles, CA to accompany his close friend and newly minted DIO axeman, Rowan Robertson, and intending to study jazz, things changed when Manning was introduced to Rafferty by legendary local music journalist, Jon Sutherland. Discovering their mutual love for British blues rock and bands such as Free, Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, and Faces, the duo quickly formed a strong writing partnership and recruited Hollywood-based English bassist, Paul Andrew Stanley. After briefly utilizing the services of former WHITE LION/CITIES drummer, Greg D'Angelo, the line-up was completed with the addition of Terry Mascall, a young John Bonham-style pounder from Cambridge. 

 

"The Exiles were quintessentially an English band, four English blokes living in Hollywood playing classic rock.... just as Nirvana and grunge hit the scene!", laughs Manning. "Paul and I were writing constantly over the course of the year, often up at Franklin Canyon reservoir, which resulted in all these tunes on the 'Turning Time' album. It's a pretty broad pallete from traditional rock to some soul and blues numbers. Heavy electric to acoustic and mandolin with orchestration. I was and still am a huge admirer of Jimmy Page's use of light and shade in the Zeppelin compositions. That sort of approach was really inspirational to us."

Electrifying Rockers BOMBUS Announce New Album 'No Magic' Set for Release in Early 2027 via Black Lodge Records

Swedish rock band BOMBUS is proud to announce their new album, ‘No Magic,’ set for release in early 2027 via Black Lodge Records.

 

‘No Magic’ is the band's rawest, heaviest and most uncompromising record to date. Stripped of filler, it delivers powerful, hard-hitting rock with maximum impact and zero distractions.

 

The band shares:

“This is us at our most real. No magic, just pure force.”

 

Further details regarding the release date, upcoming singles and touring plans, including the European "No Magic" Album Tour, will be announced soon.

BOMBUS Live:

European “No Magic” Album Tour 2027

Presented by: Rock Hard Magazine & Slam Magazine

March 5th - Hamburg, Germany @ Betty

March 6th - Berlin, Germany @ Mikropol

March 7th - Lichtenfels, Germany @ Paunchy Cats

March 8th - Munich, Germany @ Backstage Club

March 10th - Frankfurt, Germany @ Nachtleben

March 11th - Bochum, Germany @ Die Trompete

March 12th - Heerlen, Netherlands @ Nieuwe Nor

March 13th - Hoogeveen, Netherlands @ Het Podium

March 14th - Osnabrück, Germany @ Hydepark

March 19th - Kopervik, Norway @ Ovenpaa

March 20th - Sandnes, Norway @ Tribute

May 21st - Helsinki, Finland @ On The Rocks

Since forming in 2008, BOMBUS have built a formidable reputation within the Scandinavian rock and metal scene. Following their explosive debut, the band went on to release ‘The Poet and the Parrot’ (2013), ‘Repeat Until Death’ (2016), ‘Vulture Culture’ (2019), and most recently the critically acclaimed ‘Your Blood’ (2024), continuously evolving their sound while staying true to their roots.

DED Release Deluxe Edition of "RESENT" Today + Share "Denouncer"

DED  — Joe Cotela (vocals); Alex Adamcik (guitar); Kyle Koelsch (bass); and Matt Reinhard (drums) — are pleased to release the deluxe version of their September 2025-released album RESENT via UNFD.

Get it here.

RESENT: Deluxe Edition will feature unreleased tracks and demos, adding 11 new tracks to the original 12-track album and offering fans a deeper look into the creative sessions that ultimately shaped RESENT.

Today, they share "DENOUNCER," which premiered at SiriusXM's Octane. 

Listen Below:

The RESENT Deluxe edition expands on the band's third studio album with five additional songs, including the previously released single "Weapon" and the aforementioned "DENOUNCER." It also features three tracks that were strong contenders for the original album but ultimately didn't make the final tracklist, along with six demos ranging from raw early ideas to near-finished recordings.

"We thought it would be cool to put everything out there and give people a look behind the curtain," says frontman Joe Cotela. "These songs and demos were all part of the creative process behind RESENT, and we wanted fans to hear the full picture of what we were working on during that era."

Speaking about "DENOUNCER," Cotela explains, "I've always loved this song. I wanted it on the record, but I think it ended up feeling a little left-of-center compared to the rest of the album. It's not necessarily a strange song, but it has a different energy and perspective that made it stand apart from the other tracks. Looking back, that may be exactly what makes it interesting.

"At its core, the song is about finding your own spiritual power and refusing to hand that power over to people who want to use fear, guilt, or authority to control others. A lot of the inspiration came from seeing evangelists, institutions, politicians, and religious figures use faith as a tool for influence rather than a path to connection. The song isn't about attacking pure religion or telling people what to believe. It's about questioning anyone who claims to speak on behalf of something greater or weaponizing that for gain while using that position to manipulate others.

"For me, spirituality, faith, love, energy, life, death, the essence of being alive—those are deeply personal experiences. No other human being can define my relationship with the universe, with the creator, or with whatever connects us all. I believe people should be encouraged to look deep within themselves, ask questions, and find their own path rather than externally and faithfully following someone else's version of truth. Ultimately, 'DENOUNCER' is a reminder that we should question everything we think we know—not from a place of cynicism, but from a place of curiosity, growth, and personal freedom. Well, maybe a little cynicism."

Overall, the deluxe is a "must-listen" for fans.

DED will hit the road this July on a headline tour with support from Dropout Kings and VRSTY. All dates are below.


DED ON TOUR:
WITH DROPOUT KINGS + VRSTY:

7/11 — Phoenix, AZ — The Rebel Lounge
7/13 — Lubbock, TX — Jake's
7/14 — Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street
7/15 — Lawrence, KS — The Bottleneck
7/17 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration Festival*
7/18 — Cadott, WI — Rock Fest
7/19 — Minneapolis, MN — Studio B
7/20 — Joliet, IL — The Forge
7/21 — Des Moines, IA — XBkx Live
7/22 — Iowa City, IA — Wildwood
7/23 — Madison, WI — The Annex
7/24 — Westland, MI — The Token Lounge
7/25 — Rochester, NY — Montage Music Hall
7/26 — Pittsburgh, PA — The Crafthouse
7/28 — Clifton, NJ — Dingbatz
7/29 — Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
7/30 — Reading, PA — Reverb
8/1 — Lansing, MI — Rock Lansing
8/3 — Sauget, IL — Pop’s Venue
8/4 — Wichita, KS — WAVE
8/6 — Colorado Springs, CO — The Black Sheep
8/7 — Denver, CO — HQ
8/8 — Grand Junction, CO — Mesa Theater
*Festival Date

CARMINE APPICE Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary by Releasing the Song UNITED STATES. Recorded with the Late Rick Derringer

he song UNITED STATES was recorded 5 years ago when Rick Derringer asked me to put drums on it. It sat for 5 years.Then last week I asked his wife Jenda to send me the song to listen to. I remember really liking the song. After hearing it I gave it to Pat Regan to remaster.

Then I asked Dom Esposito if he can put a video together quick to get it out for our country’s 250th anniversary celebration. So we are celebrating Rick Derringer who passed away last year also.

Jenda and I decided to make a video together to celebrate Rick and the 250 years of our country.

God Bless America

-Carmine Appice of Cactus

Carmine Appice and Cactus recently released a new video for the track “Back Door Man”, taken from the new Cactus album “Temple Of Blues II” out now on Cleopatra Records. The track and video feature the amazing talents of Eric Gales and Billy Sheehan, alongside Carmine Appice.

Temple Of Blues II CD/vinyl:

https://cleorecs.com/search?q=cactus+temple+of+blues+ii

Temple Of Blues II digital:

https://orcd.co/cactus_templeofbluesii

Carmine Appice shared his thoughts on on the song and video “Back Door Man” — “Back Door Man” is an old blues classic. This version originally appeared on Howlin’ Wolf’s The Howlin’ Wolf Album (often referred to as his “Electric Album”).

This time, I wanted to make a real blues album for Temple of Blues 2Temple of Blues 1was made up entirely of Cactus songs. I’ve always loved the Howlin’ Wolf album, which also gave Cactus our biggest song, “Evil.” We ended up recording seven songs from that album, and I always thought “Back Door Man” was one of the strongest tracks.


Links to Website and All Socials
CactusRocks.Net
www.facebook.com/cactusrocks/

Ian Munsick Escapes “Cutthroat World” in New Song, Out Now

Wyoming native Ian Munsick is offering up an escape from the “Cutthroat World” with his latest release, available now. Listen BELOW.
 
“Fishing has always found its way into country music, but you’ve never heard a fishing song like this one,” quips Munsick. “‘Cutthroat World’ casts you out into the rivers of the Rockies in escape of the savage, money-driven society so many of us have to deal with during the work week. If you’re like me, the only kind of cutthroat you want to work with is a trout… it’s about time country music had a fly fishing anthem.”
 
“Cutthroat World” was written by Munsick alongside Wynn Varble and Jay Knowles, and offers the latest taste of his first full-length project via WEST TO THE REST RECORDS / Triple Tigers Records, The Mountain Goat, due on August 21, 2026. Spanning 15 tracks, The Mountain Goat was produced by Munsick, Jeremy Spillman and Mike Robinson. Pre-save HERE
 
Additionally, five D2C fan packs are available to pre-order on his online store, including an exclusive autographed zoetrope vinyl. Pre-order HERE.

Along with co-producing the album, Munsick also played an extensive role in the instrumentation heard on the record. In total, Munsick is credited with playing nine different instruments: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, piano, bouzouki and kazoo, as well as lending background vocals and programming.
 
Munsick promises to deliver fans a memorable tour of the west with a series of shows during album release week, as well as the launch of his Schaefer Outfitter clothing line on August 18. As part of “The Road to The Mountain Goat,” Munsick’s official album release show will be held at Deer Valley Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater in Park City, Utah on August 22 as part of the Deer Valley Concert Series. 
 
Founded in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Schaefer Outfitter has spent four decades providing western wear to working cowboys and ranchers. Their collection with Munsick will include custom pearl snap shirts, outerwear, hats and graphic tees designed collaboratively between Munsick and the Schaefer team. Fans can enter to win a signed piece of the collection HERE.
 
Munsick is also partnering with The Landmark Hotel & Casino to open the Ian Munsick Cowboy Bar & Western Grill in August in Deadwood, S.D on September 18. Built between 1894-1920, The Landmark is Deadwood’s largest historic structure at approximately 35,000 square feet. The Ian Munsick Cowboy Bar & Western Grill will reside within over 2,600 square feet of the footprint. The venue will promote and celebrate country and western music with old school country bar decor, along with two performance stages, one indoors and one outdoors.
 
The Road to The Mountain Goat Shows:
Aug 21 || Minden, NV || TJ's Corral Outdoor
Aug 22 || Park City, UT || Deer Valley Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater
Aug 25 || Morrison, CO || Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Aug 28 || Pueblo, CO || Colorado State Fair
Sept 11 || San Angelo, TX || Black Buck Amphitheater 
Sept 12 || Albuquerque, NM | New Mexico State Fair
Sept 18 || Deadwood, SD || Deadwood Jam

About Ian Munsick:
As one of modern country’s few Rocky Mountain artists – and the only one to merge its timeless traditions with an electrifying roots-pop edge – Wyoming native Ian Munsick lives in the wild places few singer-songwriters go. Yet with his fourth album, The Mountain Goat, he climbs farther out on his creative ledge than ever. Marking his first independent album on WEST TO THE REST RECORDS / Triple Tigers Records, Munsick remains as sure footed as his project’s fearless namesake, thriving in the isolation of a Western-flavored modern country frontier. Racking up over one billion career streams with previous albums Coyote CryWhite Buffalo, and Eagle Feather, Munsick has produced one RIAA-Platinum duet “Long Live Cowgirls” (with Cody Johnson) – No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway Hot 30 Countdown – plus two Gold-certified hits: “Long Haul” and “Horses Are Faster.” Spotify, CMT, and the Grand Ole Opry were among those to recognize Munsick’s vision, and concertgoers across the globe have found a Western authenticity that can’t be faked. Munsick made history in 2025, becoming the first Wyoming-born artist to headline Cheyenne Frontier Days – the iconic rodeo known as the “Daddy of ‘Em All” – and with The Mountain Goat, his quest to bring Western mystique to modern fans continues. Fusing genuine tradition with cutting-edge sonics, 15 tracks feature an “earthy” new organic undercurrent, with the multi-instrumental master more connected to his acoustic roots – and more protective of his territory.

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: Ice Sealed Eyes Drop New Release Tape 1: Far Away

Belgian atmospheric metalcore newcomers Ice Sealed Eyes mark the beginning of a new chapter with Tape 1: Far Away, their first release since signing with Arising Empire. More than just a four-song EP, the record unfolds as a carefully crafted emotional narrative, with opening track "Stay Still" seamlessly flowing into "To Realise" and "The Weight Of Loss," forming one continuous musical journey through grief, isolation, betrayal and acceptance.

Built on shimmering ambience, crushing guitars, thunderous drums and soaring, emotionally-charged vocals, Tape 1: Far Away explores the fragile space between holding on and letting go. The EP opens with "Stay Still," where fading hope collides with overwhelming loss. Its lyrics capture two people trapped in separate emotional worlds, each witnessing the other's collapse while remaining unable to bridge the growing distance between them. Themes of fear, longing, and shared suffering are reflected in the band's dynamic songwriting, balancing atmospheric calm with explosive heaviness.

Without pause, "To Realise" transforms the story into an almost hypnotic descent. Repetitive, ritualistic lyrics mirror the feeling of watching someone knowingly walk toward irreversible decisions, emphasizing helplessness as love and despair become inseparable. The tension built throughout the first two chapters finally erupts in "The Weight Of Loss," where grief gives way to confrontation. Haunted by fading memories, broken trust, and self-reflection, the closing chapter refuses empty apologies and instead embraces painful acceptance, bringing the emotional arc to its devastating conclusion.

Although each song stands confidently on its own, together they reveal the full vision behind Tape 1: Far Away: A cinematic listening experience where recurring melodies, evolving dynamics and interconnected themes reward listeners from beginning to end.

Already recognized as one of Belgium's most promising emerging heavy acts, Ice Sealed Eyes have amassed millions of streams worldwide with their independent releases and steadily built an international fanbase. Following the success of their acclaimed debut album ALTAR, the band toured extensively across Europe, delivered a standout performance at Euroblast Festival, and shared stages with renowned acts including Falling In Reverse, Unprocessed, Amenra, Brutus, Resolve, and Hypno5e. Now entering a new era with Arising Empire, Tape 1: Far Awayperfectly captures the band's signature fusion of cinematic atmosphere, crushing heaviness and deeply emotional storytelling. As both an ambitious conceptual release and an impressive introduction to their next chapter, the EP firmly establishes Ice Sealed Eyes as one of the most compelling new voices in modern atmospheric metalcore.​

ICE SEALED EYES LIVE:
09/04 — Troyes, FR — Tramfest(REVNOIR support)
02/04 — Lyon, FR — Club Transbo(REVNOIR support)
02/05 — Strasbourg, FR — La Laiterie(REVNOIR support)
02/06 — Lille, FR — The Black Lab(REVNOIR support)
02/07 — Brussels, BE — Botanique(REVNOIR support)
02/10 — Lorient, FR — Hydrophone(REVNOIR support)
02/11 — Nantes, FR — Le Ferrailleur(REVNOIR support)
02/12 — Bordeaux, FR — Rock School Barbey(REVNOIR support)
02/13 — Toulouse, FR — Le Rex(REVNOIR support)
02/18 — Reims, FR — La Cartonnerie(REVNOIR support)
02/19 — Rouen, FR — Le 106(REVNOIR support)

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: Venues Drop New Release Becoming

VENUES return with "Becoming," an empowering modern metalcore anthem that transforms pain into strength, self-doubt into confidence and personal growth into pure sonic force. Following the emotional depth of Solace and the band's critically acclaimed latest album Transience, the Stuttgart outfit delivers one of its boldest and most uplifting statements to date.

Driven by punchy riffs, explosive rhythms, and a polished, modern production, "Becoming" balances raw intensity with soaring melody. Crushing screams embody the fight against insecurity and the weight of outside expectations, while the anthemic clean vocals erupt into a triumphant declaration of self-worth. Every breakdown and chorus reinforces the song's central message: True strength begins the moment you stop living for others and start believing in yourself.

Inspired by lyrics that tear down "social boundaries" and replace self-doubt with self-acceptance, "Becoming" follows the journey of someone breaking free from toxic influences, refusing to be defined by the past and finally embracing their own value. What begins as a battle against inner demons culminates in an unapologetic celebration of identity, ending with the powerful reminder that everyone deserves to see themselves as the miracle they truly are.

Since signing with Arising Empire, VENUES have established themselves as one of Germany's most compelling modern metalcore acts. Their 2018 debut album Aspire was named Kerrang! Album of the Week, while subsequent releases have continued to showcase the band's fearless evolution through the unmistakable interplay of Lela Gruber's soaring melodies and Robin Baumann's visceral screams. With "Becoming," VENUES once again prove why they remain one of the genre's most dynamic and emotionally resonant forces, seamlessly combining crushing heaviness, irresistible hooks and an empowering message that lingers long after the final note.

VENUES LIVE:
08/03 — Munich, DE — Free + Easy Festival
08/28 — Hilgertshausen-Tandern, DE — Hot Rock Festival 2026
09/04 — Obererbach, DE — Pell-Mell Festival 2026

REVEAL COLLABORATIVE TRACK 'SPIRIT HELPER' FEAT. KEVIN KICKING WOMAN ELDER OF THE BLACKFEET NATION

Today, Norwegian progressive trailblazers Enslaved are honoured to reveal 'Spirit Helper', a unique and deeply powerful collaboration with Kevin Kicking Woman, an Elder of the Blackfeet Nation.

'Spirit Helper' has arisen partly from a relationship with Fire In The Mountains, which takes place each year within the Blackfeet Nation, MontanaEnslaved will be returning to the festival later this month to perform. Ivar Bjørnson from Enslaved and Kevin Kicking Woman explain the concept behind 'Spirit Helper' and the lengthy process behind it.

Listen to 'Spirit Helper' here: https://enslaved.bfan.link/spirit-helper
Watch the video for 'Spirit Helper' Below:

The 'Spirit Helper' artwork was created by Nicholas Rink, who explains the meaning and symbolism behind it:

"I see the light blue wave at the bottom as a representation of the ocean between us, but also the background vibration of existence connecting us all and giving birth to existence, life, and of course the song itself.

The red line I imagine connecting us across the globe, representing our shared humanity and brother/sisterhood - the living breathing life in us all. The yellow spiral represents the song moving amongst all of these things.

The "Stars" were part of Ivar's original conception and I see them come to represent the power and source of the song. The black circle with the lightning bolt represents Kevin's singing and the spiritual power it carries, and the rainbow of triangles is representative of the musicians.

I wanted to include them symbolically and thought the traditional "triangle man" was a cool way. It took me a bit to decide how I wanted to use it but eventually it came to me to pay homage to Dark side of the Moon by Pink Floyd and included the rainbow colors in a unique way.

All of this is on an old map of Norway that my grandma had saved out of an old National Geographic magazine. I like using maps because LAND is so important in shaping us, our humanity, and how we express ourselves." 

Enslaved live in 2026

23-26 Jul 26    US - Montana, Blackfeet Nation @ Fire In The Mountains
18 Sep 26        NO - Sortland @ Sortland Jazzfestival 2026
31 Oct 26         NO - Oslo @ Oslo Spektrum w/ Dimmu Borgir & Satyricon

Tickets available here: Tour - Enslaved

Never faltering, Norway’s iconic Enslaved continue to exist as one of the most original and dependable components in our scene's indestructible backbone. Possessing the reputation as one of the most riveting live acts around, they never fail to offer us talent of the highest calibre, always doing justice to their signature black/progressive sound. Enslaved was formed in 1991 by Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson, releasing their first demo Yggdrasill in the summer of 1992, their legendary mini-album Hordanes Land coming out in 1993, and with their debut full-length Vikingligr Veldi arriving in the spring of 1994.

Enslaved are a band in stellar form - a band at its most existentialist and self-conscious, proud Bergeners bearing the torch of their hometown’s extraordinary musical history. Their most recent material shows Enslaved at their most unleashed and thought-through - a lethal combination unfurling a potential that’s easily rekindling the furor of their early works while dancing gracefully through their most ambitious, most haunting and most musical tunes yet. A contradiction? Life itself is a contradiction. And yet we all live to prove it wrong.

Enslaved are:
Ivar Bjørnson | guitars 
Grutle Kjellson | vocals
Arve 'Ice Dale' Isdal | guitar
Håkon Vinje | keyboards, clean vocals
Iver Sandøy | drums

Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube | Apple Music

PAUL LAINE Announces New Album ‘The Long Road Back’ Out on September 25, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl

Today, renowned Canadian singer PAUL LAINE is thrilled to announce his new studio album, ‘The Long Road Back,’ set for release on September 25, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the announcement, LAINE shares the first single, “Love Me Or Leave Me,” along with an official visualizer.

 

LAINE comments:

I'm so happy to launch a new era in my solo career with my new single 'Love Me Or Leave Me.' I feel like I finally got a chance to pick up where I left off all those years ago, when I finished making 'Stick It In Your Ear.' Come join me on my new musical journey with 'The Long Road Back' album. See y'all out on the Road in 2027.”

Watch the Visualizer for "Love Me Or Leave Me" Below:

A masterclass in melodic rock, PAUL LAINE’s new album delivers soaring hooks, heartfelt ballads, and arena-ready anthems that traverse the full spectrum of the genre. From the driving energy of “Love Me Or Leave Me,” to the intimate vulnerability of “Someday” (co-written with Andrew Oye), every track is meticulously crafted, showcasing LAINE’s signature vocal power and melodic sensibility. “Don’t Let Me Go Tonite” comes alive with a striking video that complements its infectious energy.

 

LAINE states:

 

“Ever since I released my first solo album, I've wondered when I'd finally have the chance to make a follow-up. Life - and music - have a way of taking you places you never expect. Looking back, every chapter of my career has led me down a different road, and each one has shaped me as both a songwriter and a person.”

 

“I've been incredibly fortunate to make records with Danger Danger, Darkhorse, The Defiants, Shugaazer, and Jetset Junkies. Every one of those experiences taught me something and gave me memories I'll always carry with me. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew the road would eventually lead me home - to where it all started. Just a kid with a guitar, trying to make sense of love, life, loss, hope, and everything in between through songs,” he added.

 

"‘The Long Road Back’ is exactly that. It's a musical journey back to my roots, but it's also a reflection of every mile I've travelled to get here. Every song carries a piece of the life I've lived, the people I've met, and the lessons I've learned along the way. In many ways, this record feels like coming full circle. After all these years, I'm grateful to finally share this chapter with everyone who's been waiting for it. I hope these songs find a place in your story, just as they've become part of mine,” LAINE concluded.

 

Joining LAINE in the studio are longtime collaborators Bruno Ravel (his bandmate in The Defiants and also in Danger Danger - bass, producer), Scotty “Hooch” Taylor (drums), Andrew Oye (lead guitar), with production handled by LAINE and Ravel. The album features standout singles like “Love Me Or Leave Me,” the video-driven “Don’t Let Me Go Tonite,”and the heartfelt “Someday.”

 

Musically, the record touches every corner of melodic rock, yet the songs sound like they’re coming from the classic era when Bon Jovi dominated the airwaves - both in LAINE’s soaring vocals and in the anthemic, hook-laden songwriting. This is an album for fans who crave big choruses, passionate performances, and the kind of timeless melodic rock that only PAUL LAINE can deliver.

Pre-Order 'The Long Road Back' HERE

Line Up:

Paul Laine

Bruno Ravel

Scotty “Hooch” Taylor

Andrew Oye

Sleep Theory Release "(E)motional (S)upport (C)are (P)ackage" EP + Cover Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer"

SLEEP THEORY — vocalist Cullen Moore, guitarist Daniel Pruitt, bassist Paolo Vergara, and drummer Ben Pruitt — are continuing their string of unexpected yet perfectly executed pop covers.

The band is thrilled to announce the surprise release of its new covers EP, (E)motional (S)upport (C)are (P)ackage, today via Epitaph. Listen and download here.

Alongside the news, Sleep Theory have also dropped a just-in-time-for-the-holiday video for their take on Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer." Watch it below

It's truly Sleep Theory — and Taylor Swift — like you've never heard them before.

"Cruel Summer" follows Sleep Theory's studio covers of NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye," which is a staple of their live shows, as well as their version of Paramore's "My Heart." 

With catalog streams at 875 million to date on the back of one album and one EP,  Sleep Theory are coming off their third No. 1 at Rock Radio, a Best New Rock Artist win at the iHeart Radio Awards, a sold-out debut European headline tour, and two sold-out North American headline runs. They issued their debut album, Afterglow, produced by David Cowell and mixed by Zakk Cervini (Bring Me The Horizon, Bad Omens, Architects), last spring. 

Upcoming Sleep Theory tour dates and live appearances are below.

SLEEP THEORY ON TOUR: 
U.S. TOUR DATES:
7/18 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration@
7/19 — Tinley Park, IL — Summer of '99 & Beyond Festival@
7/28— Kansas City, MO— The Truman (SOLD OUT) *
7/30— Green Bay, WI— EPIC Event Center*
7/31— Dubuque, IA— Dubuque County Fair Association*
8/1— Omaha, NE— The Admiral Theater*
8/2— Springfield, MO— The Regency Live*
8/21— Montreal, QC— Warped Tour Montreal@
8/22— El Reno, OK— Lucky Star Amphitheater— Rock 100.5FM Kattfest@
9/12-13— Mexico City, MX— Warped Tour Mexico City@
9/20— Louisville, KY— Louder Than Life Festival@
10/4— Sacramento, CA— Aftershock Festival@
10/17— Nashville, TN— Ceremony Festival@
10/24 — Fort Worth, TX — Sick New World@
*Headline Date
@Festival

Nonpoint Announces 11th Studio Album The Last Word Arriving September 18, 2026 Releases Music Video for “Is It”

Nonpoint have officially announced their highly anticipated 11th studio album, The Last Word, arriving September 18, 2026, through 361 Degrees Records. Alongside the announcement, the band has released the official music video for their powerful new single, "Is It," now available below.

 

Fans will be able to secure the album beginning July 2, 2026, when the official pre-save and pre-order campaign launches across all major digital platforms and participating retailers. 

 

Pre-Save here: https://found.ee/nonpoint

Pre-Order Exclusive Limited Edition CD/Vinyl Bundles here:

https://nonpoint.com/

 

Already making an impact at Active Rock radio, "Is It" was the #1 Most Added track when it came out and has quickly climbed into the Top 50 on the Mediabase Active Rock chart.

Music Video Director of Photography and Editor: Drew Johnston.

Elias explains the concept behind the song "Is It."

 

“‘Is It’ is that internal conflict where you question getting too involved? Did I push too hard? Did I ask too much? It’s that feeling of wondering if doing what you thought was right actually meant hurting the people around you.”

 

The album itself represents far more than another release in the band's celebrated catalog.

 

"In a world that sometimes wants to put a timestamp on creativity, The Last Wordis our way of saying we're just getting started. We're pushing back against expectation and pushing forward into our own next chapter."

 

The album artwork carries an equally powerful message. Soriano describes the symbolic pencil featured on the cover as a reflection of both longevity and perseverance.

 

"This album cover tells a piece of our story. After years of making music, we feel more aligned than ever—musically, visually, and creatively. We’re writing some of the strongest material of our career, our live shows are as powerful as they’ve ever been, and the band feels focused and energized. The pencil on the cover represents what it’s like to be handed one last tool and expected to fit everything you have left to say into it. Not because the ideas are gone, but because longevity often comes with assumptions and limits. The Last Word isn’t about accepting an ending. It’s about challenging that narrative. If this is the pencil we’re being handed, we’re going to use it—and make sure the words written with it still matter."

 

Coinciding with the album announcement, Nonpoint has also revealed "The Even More Outta Control Tour," kicking off July 25, 2026. Renowned for their explosive live performances, the band will be performing brand-new material from The Last Word alongside the fan favorites that have become staples of their live set. The tour offers audiences an early look at what promises to be one of the band's most dynamic records to date.

 

For more than two decades, Nonpoint has remained one of hard rock's most resilient and respected acts, earning millions of streams, multiple charting singles, and a fiercely loyal global fanbase through relentless touring and uncompromising musicianship. The Last Word finds the band firing on all cylinders, proving they have no intention of slowing down.

Further underscoring the band's momentum, Nonpoint has also joined the roster of artists endorsed by Heavys, the world's first audio company engineered specifically for rock and heavy music fans. Designed for listeners who treat music as identity—not background noise—Heavys produces premium headphones, earbuds, and audio gear. 

 

Discount code: NONPOINT40 for 40% off their headphones and shells package. https://bit.ly/nonpoint-heavys

 

The Last Word arrives worldwide on September 18, 2026 via 361 Degrees Records. The official music video for "Is It" is streaming now, with the album's pre-save and pre-order campaign launching July 2, 2026. Fans can also catch Nonpoint on "The Even More Outta Control Tour," beginning July 25, 2026, as the band ushers in an exciting new chapter.

Tickets and VIP packages are available at

https://nonpoint.com/pages/tour-dates

Painful. Powerful. Unforgettable. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it!

 

Nonpoint US Tour Dates

 

Dorothy, Nonpoint, Vrsty

7/23 Menahga, MN

 

Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe

7/25 Davenport, IA Capitol Theater 

7/26 Minneapolis, MN  Cabooze 

 

Nonpoint Only 

7/28 Des Moines, IA Woolys 

 

Nonpoint, Soil, Spineshank, Hed Pe

7/29 Indianapolis, IN Vogue Theater

7/31 District 142 Wyandotte, Mi

 

Nonpoint, Powerman 5K, Soil and more 

8/1 Rock Lansing, Lansing, MI

 

Nonpoint, Soil, Spineshank, Hed Pe

8/2 The Winchester Lakewood, OH

8/4 Sherman Theater Stroudsburg, PA

8/6 Wallys Hampton Beach, NH

8/7 Empire Live Albany, NY

 

Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe

8/8 Waynesboro, VA The Foundry

8/9 Harrison, OH The Blue Note 

8/11 Lexington, KY Manchester Music Hall

8/12 Sauget, IL Pops

 

Nonpoint only 

8/14 Ringle, WI Q&Z Expo Center 

 

Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe

8/15 Milwaukee, WI The Rave 

8/16 Kansas City, MO RecordBar 

8/15 Milwaukee, WI The Rave II

8/16 Kansas City, MO RecordBar 

 

Nonpoint Only 

8/18 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep

 

Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe

8/20 Boise ID Shrine Social Club

8/21 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory 

8/22 Seattle, WA EL Corazón 

8/23 Portland, OR Hawthorne Theater

8/24 Roseville, CA Goldfield Trading Post

 

Nonpoint, Spineshank 

8/26 San Jose, CA The Ritz

 

Nonpoint, Spineshank, Hed Pe

8/28 Pomona, CA Glasshouse 

8/29 Las Vegas 24 Oxford

8/30 Mesa, AZ The Nile 

9/1 Lubbock, TX Jake’s 

9/3 Austin, TX Come & Take It Live 

9/4 Dallas TX Trees


Nonpoint is:
Elias Soriano (Lead Vocals)
Robb Rivera (Drums)
Rasheed Thomas (Guitar /Backing Vocals)
Adam Woloszyn (Bass)
Jason Zeilstra (Lead Guitar)

For More Information Please visit:

NONPOINT

Official Website

Facebook

X

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

361 Degrees Records

Australian Hard Rockers AIRBOURNE Release New Single "Kid In A Candy Store"

Today, AIRBOURNE proudly releases their latest single, “Kid In A Candy Store,” taken from their upcoming self-titled album set for release on August 28th via Spinefarm. The new track is produced by Brian Howes (who helmed 2013’s ‘Black Dog Barking’), engineered by Mike Fraser (who worked on 2010’s ‘No Guts. No Glory’ & 2016’s ‘Breakin’ Outta Hell’), mixed by Zakk Cervini (BMTH, Architects, Evanescence) and mastered by the legendary Ted Jensen.

Available since spring 2025, the do-or-die anthem "Gutsy" sent up the flare, signaling that a new album and a fresh chapter for the band were on the horizon. "Christmas Bonus"followed in November, with "Alive After Death (Last Plane Out)" arriving soon after, both the song and its accompanying video serving as spectacular flag-bearers for the 12-track album to come. Now comes "Kid In A Candy Store," cut from the same battle-jacket cloth, a classic rite-of-passage anthem in the tradition of songs like AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie."

Stream / Listen to "Kid In A Candy Store" HERE

When AIRBOURNE – brothers Joel and Ryan O'Keeffe (vocals/guitar and drums, respectively), bassist Justin Street, and guitarist Brett Tyrrell – entered Music Farm Studioin southeastern Australia to record their new album, they effectively drew a line in the Byron Bay sand. The mission was clear: to create not only the greatest body of work in the AIRBOURNE canon ("Real blockbuster sh*t!," to echo their own words), but to scale the highest possible peak – shirtless, naturally, in true AIRBOURNE style – in the name of hard rock; to break new ground, defend the territory won by the heroes who came before them, and strengthen and celebrate the sacred bond with rock fans around the world.

In short, go forth and GET GUTSY!

Ryan shares:

“We said, this is it, let’s make the oracle. And if we’re going to do it, no corner can be cut. Because if you cut a corner, you’re not going to pull it off."

 

He continues, “This record distils everything we stand for into one place. Everything we love. It’s the best album we could possibly have made.”

 

“It’s a rocket that we’ve been building and building, and we’ve filled it with this fuel and we’re ready to light it up and let it go,” exclaims Joel. “Everything we are as a band, our heart and soul, is in this record.”

Made on home soil in the face of tropical storms, dangerous, potentially lethal wild-life and temperamental vintage gear, ‘Airbourne’ is the album, the statement recording, that only one band could have created; for proud sons of Warrnambool, Joel and Ryan, it was all about setting a high bar, then raising it higher, with Bryan Adams and studio maestro ‘Mutt’ Langeadding their multi-platinum songwriting skills to a couple of the tracks.

 

‘Airbourne’Made with passion. Made in Australia. The Great Barrier Riff.

Pre-Order 'Airbourne' HERE

AIRBOURNE Live:

July 2 - Belfort, France @ Eurockéennes

July 3 - Ballenstedt, Germany @ Rockharz Open Air

July 4 - Vienna, Austria @ Donauinselfest

July 7 - Villafranca di Verona, Italy @ Castello Scaligero

July 10 - Weert, Netherlands @ Bospop

July 11 - Knebworth, UK @ Eddfest

July 16 - Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, France @ Guitare En Scene

July 17 - Ambert, France @ World Festival Ambert

July 20 - Carcassonne, France @ Festival De Carcassonne

July 22 - Solothurn, Switzerland @ Kulturfabrik Kofmehl

July 23 - Liège, Belgium @ OM Concerts

July 25 - Sondershausen, Germany @ Bobfest

July 28 - Zagreb, Croatia @ Boogaloo

July 30 - Râșnov, Romania @ Rockstadt Extreme Fest

August 1 - Wacken, Germany @ Wacken Open Air

August 4 - Bratislava, Slovakia @ Tipos Arena

August 7 - Chemnitz, Germany @ Wasserschloss Klaffenbach

August 8 - Poznań, Poland @ Rockowizna Festival

August 10 - Prague, Czech Republic @ Forum Karlín

August 12 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany @ Summer Breeze

August 14 - Sulingen, Germany @ Reload Festival

August 16 - Carhaix-Plouguer, France @ Motocultor Festival

August 18 - Pamplona, Spain @ Navarra Arena

August 20 - Valencia, Spain @ Roig Arena

August 22 - Château-Gontier, France @ V And B Festival

August 26 - Kraków, Poland @ Klub Studio

August 29 - Tallinn, Estonia @ Helitehas

August 31 - Helsinki, Finland @ Allas Sea Pool

September 3 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Tivoli Gröna Lund

September 5 - Oslo, Norway @ High Voltage Live

TEMPERANCE Announce New Album "Arcani" Out 10/16

Italian symphonic power metallers TEMPERANCE reshuffle the pack with their seventh album, Arcani, coming October 16 via Napalm Records. Structured around the divinatory practice of Tarot, each of the new songs follows a different card of the Major Arcana deck. Pouring their passion into 13 spellbinding songs with even catchier symphonic melodies than before, TEMPERANCE's bright future takes shape on Arcani.

Along with the announcement, TEMPERANCE release the first single from the upcoming album. "The Devil: Sin, Sin, Sin" showcases dramatic instrumentation. Focusing on the sinister Devil card, the fifteenth trump of the Major Arcana, it features a dark undertone, in which the catchy chorus and the full vocal power of the melodic metal masters' multiple singers truly shine.

Marco Pastorino about "The Devil: Sin, Sin, Sin":
"We've decided to begin our journey into the world of Arcani with a brand-new metal anthem for our upcoming setlists. 'Sin, Sin, Sin' embodies The Devil card, opening the gates to the world of Tarot within the context of TEMPERANCE. Are you ready to fall into sin?"

Their first trump comes in the shape of "The Fool." Just like the card has uniqueness in Tarot through being unnumbered or assigned 0, Arcani's opening song takes a special role through the lack of a subtitle. Paving the way for the album, TEMPERANCE have their trademark grand sound take shape in uplifting melodies and powerful duet vocals. For "The Magician: Into the Fire," male vocals take the lead, the blazing anthem further unfolding the potential of the magical record. The emotive mid-tempo track "Death: Right Before We Die," introduced by gentle keyboard melodies and fleshed out by impressively high notes, draws from a personal experience the band members shared. "The Tower: Lean Into Fear" takes the form of a hard rock song — an entirely new facet in TEMPERANCE's musical universe. Its Tarot paragon being a symbol of chaos and catastrophe as well as liberation, it is the perfect song for Kristin Starkey to show her roaring versatility. "The Devil: Sin, Sin, Sin" picks up on its predecessor’s dark undertone, using it for a dramatic composition with an incomparably rousing chorus in which the Italian masters of modern melodic metal truly shine. Following, the quintet unveils a quasi-self-titled track with "Temperance: Forgiveness."

TEMPERANCE turn the virtue card into a well-balanced, encouraging song, claiming, "Another day is coming," before presenting theirs with the triumphant "The Chariot: Alla Ricerca dell’America" (Engl. "in search of America"), which adds both Italian lyrics, and a Swedish line honoring Starkey's chosen home, as well as more operatic singing to Arcani. The collectively catchy "Justice: Balance" portrays a similarly victorious sentiment, before the hopeful "The Star: Surrender Control" has TEMPERANCE move back to contrasting their vocalists. Introduced by electronic melodies, "Wheel of Fortune: Come and Call Me" comes in fast and forceful — fierce change once again matching the symbolism behind the eponymous card. Much calmer, "The Moon: The Man of Moonlight" harmonizes hidden danger through enticing instrumentation and strong vocals, before the intense "The Hanged Man: Petrichor" turns from acoustic guitars to heavy extraordinaire, from metal to opera, pulling together the numerous different styles the five-piece is capable of executing without the "pitture infamante's sacrifice. "The World," much like "The Fool," stands out in its title, but also as a song itself: The closing track is an acoustic guitar track with predominantly female vocals, mirroring the Major Arcana's final card in its feeling of success. With it, TEMPERANCE wrap up Arcani with a special feeling of overarching finality while still looking ahead.

TEMPERANCE LIVE 2026:
KAMFEST

10/31 — Tilburg, NL — O13 (KAMELOT, Blackbriar, EXIT EDEN, TEMPERANCE)

Supporting KAMELOT’s Dark Asylum World Tour, Europe Pt. 1 w/ EXIT EDEN

11/01 — London, UK — O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
11/03 — Manchester, UK — O2 Ritz Manchester
11/05 — Oberhausen, DE — Turbinenhalle
11/06 — Pratteln, CH — Z7 Konzertfabrik
11/07 — Lyon, FR — La Rayonne
11/08 — Stuttgart, DE — LKA
11/10 — Krakow, PL — Klub Studio
11/11 — Warsaw, PL — Progresja
11/13 — Zagreb, HR — Boogaloo
11/14 — Budapest, HU — Barba Negra Red Stage
11/15 — Belgrade, RS — Hangar
11/17 — Trezzo sull'Adda, IT — Live Club
11/18 — Padova, IT — Hall
11/20 — Toulouse, FR — Metronum
11/21 — Barcelona, ES — Razzmatazz 1
11/22 — Madrid, ES — Sala La Riviera

TEMPERANCE ARE:
Kristin Starkey — Vocals
Michele Guaitoli — Vocals/Piano
Marco Pastorino — Guitars/Vocals
Luca Negro — Bass Guitar/Vocals
Marco Sacchetto — Drums

SUNSWARM Present New Single "Sour ///", A Visceral Rejection Of Deception And Complicity

Southampton, UK, based industrial post-metal act SUNSWARM present a thematic and stylistic shift in the new single release, "Sour ///". Where previous releases explored the systemic erosion of self-worth, "Sour ///" turns its gaze outward. It is a raw, unsparing response to the lies, performance and rot at the heart of the societal and political structures we live in.

Built around a distorted breakbeat and rhythmic breakdowns, "Sour ///" marks a subtle but significant shift in SUNSWARM's sound. The industrial and post-metal architecture remains intact — crushing, textured, unrelenting — but the technical, rhythmic propulsion cuts through the density with surgical momentum. Deception, predatory behaviour and the hollow weight of broken trust are dissected and discarded. The verdict is simple: "shut your mouth".

On "Sour ///", SUNSWARM share:
"Your choice tastes, to me, sour. It's about the lies people tell — the ones dressed up as strength that are really just weakness in disguise. The eyes give it away every time. They swarm like sharks. This song is about seeing through it, rejecting it, and refusing to swallow it."

"Sour ///" opens with Sludge guitars over a restless, grinding breakbeat establishing an unease that feels both human and mechanical. Vocals arrive with unusual directness, words stripped back to their bluntest form. "Flies in the sunshine. Lies from your mouth." As the track builds, the full weight of SUNSWARM's sonic architecture descends — metallic, relentless, dystopian. The chorus lands like a verdict: "So you can shut your mouth. Yeah, you can shut your mouth."

Throughout their tracks SUNSWARM construct harsh soundscapes utilizing metallic textures, intense rhythms, and black-metal inspired vocal performances. Dystopian and brutalist is the nature of the atmosphere the music evokes. SUNSWARM do not offer escape, but rather explore the darkness in full force through their compositions. 

SUNSWARM's "Sour ///" was produced, mixed and mastered by Wayne Adams and recorded at Bear Bites Horse, London.

About SUNSWARM:

SUNSWARM is led by vocalist and bassist Rich Lee-Davis and vocalist and guitarist Neil Sutton, joined by additional contributors who extend the band’s sonic and visual reach. Together they construct an immersive environment where sound, light, and texture collide. Their creative world is defined by sensory overload, stark monochrome imagery, disorienting strobe work, and the feeling of being enclosed within an atmosphere that is both vast and hostile. Everything they create is intended to overwhelm, to blur the line between performance and encounter.

From their earliest ideas, SUNSWARM have operated from a place of complete self-definition, shaping a language of heaviness that goes beyond impact or aggression. They approach weight and intensity as emotional terrain, a landscape shaped by pressure, absence, and the darker edges of lived experience. 

Emerging from UK South Coast underground scene, SUNSWARM draw influence from the brutal desolation of GODFLESH, the spiritual intensity of AMENRA, the sonic extremity of THE BODY, and the cosmic dread of ORANSSI PAZUZU. Their sound merges industrial noise, post-metal density, and extreme vocal expression into something immersive and deeply physical.

SUNSWARM is: 

Rich Lee-Davis - vocals, bass
Neil Sutton - vocals, guitar
Additional contributors (live and studio) - to be announced

Connect with SUNSWARM:

Website: https://sunswarm.bandcamp.com/
Bandcamp: https://sunswarm.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunswarmband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunswarmband/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SUNSWARM

Emptiness Release New Single “Nowhere Speaks”

Black/death experimental metal band Emptiness are releasing the title track from the band’s upcoming seventh album as its third and final advanced single. While it serves as the album’s conceptual center, “Nowhere Speaks” builds toward an enclosing, unyielding force.

Listen to “Nowhere Speaks” below:

Nowhere Speaks comes out July 17th, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & pre-save

https://orcd.co/emptinessnowherespeaks

Save for vocals, keyboards and additional effects, Nowhere Speaks was played live in the studio, after four years of preparation, rehearsals and tests to ensure the music could be performed with the right weight and intention. This is not a production detail so much as a commitment to a specific kind of tension, the kind that does not survive being assembled in pieces. Emptiness’ previous album, Vide (2021), had no distortion, was sung entirely in French, and existed at the edge of silence; Nowhere Speaks moves in the opposite direction, and does so deliberately, opening exactly where Nothing But The Whole (2014) cut off mid-riff and closing by looping back to that album's opening riff.

The title track opens in unhurried density, a body of sound that grows and presses inward without urgency, The lyrics inhabit the dimension the album describes without mapping it: a mind that twists, a dead world moving alongside something unresolved from the past, and through it all, something vast speaking outward into a landscape of sorrow, addressed to no one in particular. "Nowhere speaks loud thru the wind, in a landscape of sorrow, to a soldier of steel."

Nowhere Speaks is not a return. After the most introverted and isolated record of their career, the band opens outward into density and live intensity. The album, developed over an extended period of time, was composed by Jérémie Bézier and Olivier J.L.W., who oversee its production across both sonic and visual dimensions, bringing the work to completion as a unified whole, committed to tape live in the studio. The structural conceit of opening mid-riff from where Nothing But The Whole ended, and closing with that album's opening riff, is not nostalgia. It is the same logic that has always governed EMPTINESS: the cycle without a fixed point, beginning and ending inside each other, nothing and everything at the same time. The band has spent years demonstrating that they do not move in straight lines. Nowhere Speaks is a continuation from a point the listener was not meant to forget.

Line-up:
Jérémie Bezier — Vocals, Bass
Olivier J.L.W. — Guitars
Simon L. — Guitars
Dea Hydra — Synths
Laye Louhenapessy — Drums

Follow Emptiness:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Emptiness.be
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emptiness.official
Bandcamp: https://emptiness.bandcamp.com/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/Emptiness_band
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5AXPdt3zknCylvlnEi0JFO
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/emptiness/303855225
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/199828
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/4813509

GREG FRASER from STORM FORCE Releases a Guitar Instrumental of “O CANADA”

BraveWords Records is honored to release Greg Fraser’s instrumental guitar version of “O Canada”. The single can be streamed and purchased on Bandcamp or listened to on YouTube.

Greg Fraser is a founding member of Storm Force who are releasing their second album Truth, on August 14th via BraveWords Records.

Stream or Purchase “O Canada” : 

https://bravewordsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/truth

“In celebration of Canada Day, I thought it would be fun to record my own instrumental guitar version of “O Canada”.

This is something I’ve wanted to do for the longest time. I’m old enough to remember back in the ’70s, when TV stations would actually sign off for the night. Around 11 or 12 o’clock, the national anthem would play, and after that… pretty much a blank screen.

Someone mentioned that recently, and it brought back a flashback of hearing that traditional version of “O Canada” in my head. It got me thinking — you really don’t hear too many rock versions of our national anthem. So I thought, what the heck, I’m going to give it a shot.

The only thing was, the background arrangement and orchestration felt pretty daunting to me. So I reached out to Storm Force’s touring keyboardist, Mike “Benny” Bedrosian, to see what he could come up with. When he sent me his ideas, I literally got goosebumps. I thought, wow… we might really be onto something here.

We finished the track together with a few tweaks here and there, and then I had Storm Force drummer Roger Banks add some wicked percussion to put the icing on the cake.

I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out.

Happy Canada Day, everyone. Hope you enjoy it!” - Greg Fraser