Take a band built on individual award winners, add custom old time Western suits, glorious locations, high spirits, and the kind of old school country wordplay that suggests Willie Nelson, Roger Miller or Shel Silverstein, you get the video for “Goldfish,” the next grat track from Kenny Chesney’s eagerly anticipated Silver Sands Marina. When buzz about the technicolor, high whimsy clip started making the rounds, it wasn’t long until inquiries were made.
With Silver Sands Marina scheduled to drop Sept. 25, a select few outlets got to participate in today’s launch. Beyond CBS’ “Sunday Morning” re-airing Chesney’s profile from Key West, it was featured on NBC’s “TODAY,” “Entertainment Tonight,” and the Wall Street Journal’s brand new “My Two Sentences,” created to be short truth blasts to inspire heading into the weekend.
“Music’s power is that it’s positive energy and joy when you most need it,” the East Tennessee songwriter-superstar shared with the storied business publication. “Songs can change everything.”
“You listen to ‘Goldfish,’ where the guy wants to be all these animals based on their key attribute,” Chesney explains, “and it could almost be a children’s song. The melody is so happy, it bounces along and picks you up with it. But when you get to the chorus and you realize he’s cried a fishbowl of tears, ‘drunk as a skunk, trying to get over you,’ it’s so clever, smart and spinning the pain into a whole other commodity, who wouldn’t love this song?”
Written by double GRAMMY winner Tia Sillers, two-time Juno Award winner Tenille Townes and ACM/CMA Award winner Gordie Sampson, Chesney used lavish Hawaiian steel guitar to set a mood for a song that evokes a different era. Then he headed straight to Maui with Rosie & The Revival to romp through the Rodeo General Store, Mama’s Fish House and along Ku’au Bay.
“When a song has this much fun to every aspect of it, you want to capture the spirit for everyone to see,” Chesney explains. “The band and I had more fun than we can possibly share, whether it was walking on the beach like the Monkees, bringing that giant cardboard cut-out of Flat (Kenny) Greenberg, looking at the night sky, talking about life or just laughing at nothing… That’s the kind of joy I want people to take from this song, whether they’re dating, hating or just fine thank you.”
Add in hula girls, breaking waves, and a straight-to-camera delivery, this is the leader of No Shoes Nation at his freest and most exuberant. Having created some iconic videos – “American Kids,” “When The Sun Goes Down,” “Noise,” “Young” and even “Silver Sands Marina” – both the Shaun Silva-directed “Goldfish” and new track deliver on everything that has made Chesney not just stadium-sized for over two decades, but an artist who represents finding the positivity in every possible situation – even if it’s spinning the circumstances into a philosophical take that makes you smile.
Pre-order, pre-save/pre-add Silver Sands Marina HERE.
Purchase the signed vinyl, CDs and limited vinyl picture discs, or watch Chesney’s first in-depth conversation about Silver Sands Marina on TalkShopLive HERE.
A SHORELINE DREAM's new single 'Legacy' marks 20 years of music, sacrifice & roads traveled
Twenty years after forming, A Shoreline Dream enters its anniversary year with ‘Legacy’, the new single released via Latenight Weeknight Records, which finds the band reflecting on the time, choices, and sacrifices behind one of Colorado’s longest-running independent music projects.
A sludging, bass pumping song that explodes with a huge chorus of cascading guitars and vocals that match that reflection, its shoegaze chant reflects on all the time that has passed. Here, "Legacy, your legacy instead of it" lyrically reflecting the thoughts that which has been sacrificed - so many of the normal everyday life milestones - to instead fine tune the nearly 120 tracks the band has now released throughout their history. A tragic yet rewarding legacy to leave behind.
Formed in 2005 and based in Barnum, Colorado, A Shoreline Dream is a duo of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Ryan Policky and guitarist Erik Jeffries. For just over two decades, Policky and Jeffries have built a catalog approaching 120 released tracks while developing a sound rooted in shoegaze, psychedelia, post-punk, and expansive guitar-driven experimentation.
Approaching the 20th anniversary of their debut album ‘Avoiding the Consequences’,they look at that history from a deeply personal perspective. Years spent writing, recording, producing, and refining A Shoreline Dream's music have often meant choosing the demands of the creative process over many of the conventional milestones of everyday life. The song considers what remains when so much of a life has been devoted to making music, and whether the work itself ultimately becomes the legacy.
The release comes during one of the band's most prolific periods. Rather than treating 2026 as a year of reflection, A Shoreline Dream committed to releasing singles every month, while developing new material towards ‘Waiting’, the band's second full-length album of 2026, which will include nine tracks.
Their current creative roll follows a significant period of collaboration with Ride frontman Mark Gardener. Through A Shoreline Dream's partnership with Shameless Promotion PR, Policky and Gardener connected for a series of recordings that resulted in five co-produced and performed songs, the most recent of these appearing on the album ‘To Where They Have Gone’, released in February.
That relationship is part of A Shoreline Dream's love affair with the UK music community. The band has worked extensively with Ulrich Schnauss and has also collaborated with members of Engineers, Chapterhouse, Rocket Girl Records, and mastering engineer Mark Kramer (Urge Overkill, Bongwater, Shimmy Records).
“2026 has been the year of true sonic inspiration, and the first time I’ve found myself in a constant music writing mode. After working with Mark Gardener, my mind has been humming melodies to me daily," says Ryan Policky.
That renewed creative momentum has also been shaped by the world outside the studio. The response has been to make music that provides an alternative to that noise: music that is melodic, heavy, expansive, and immersive.
“It’s been a brutal human climate, and the distractions are so overwhelming in the media / toxic social media world. I’m f’ing over it. I just want explosive and melodic tunes to distract from this insane world, and these songs are exactly that," says Ryan Policky.
“The tales of dealing with a world in chaos I hope resonate with all those out there looking for new musical vibes and explosive soundscapes. We have come back to the original feeling of A Shoreline Dream creating melodipsych shoegaze to celebrate this massively long journey.”
‘Legacy’ arrives not as a retrospective statement, but as a marker of where A Shoreline Dream stands now. Policky and Jeffries have maintained their creative partnership through changing musical landscapes and an evolving industry. Their response to reaching the 20-year milestone has been to keep creating at an increasingly intense pace.
The result is a band looking back without standing still. ‘Legacy’ acknowledges the cost of the journey while ‘Waiting’ and the continuing 2026 release campaign point firmly toward what comes next.
'Legacy'is now available from digital music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.The band's second album of 2026, ‘Waiting’, will be released on October 16th.
CREDITS
Written & produced by Ryan Policky
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Ryan Policky
Distributed by The Orchard
Copyright Latenight Weeknight Records, LLC
Cover art and photography by Ryan Policky
Publicity by Shauna McLarnon for Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up with A Shoreline Dream
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify| Apple Music | Press contact
Keep up with Latenight Weeknight Records
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Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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THE SYSTEM IS ONLINE: FEAR FACTORY UNLEASHES MACHINE-DRIVEN NEW SINGLE "ROBOTICIST"
For more than three decades, industrial metal pioneers FEAR FACTORY have explored the friction between man and machine, tracing the rise of artificial intelligence and humanity's loss of control over its own creations.
The band launches a bold new era with 'Roboticist.' The latest single, which premiered on Sirius XM Liquid Metal, marks the recording debut of the band's current lineup featuring vocalist Milo Silvestro, drummer Pete Webber, and bassist Tony Campos. Blending crushing mechanical aggression with a haunting, melodic hook, the track explores a dystopian reality where flesh fails and only consciousness endures.
Produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Damien Rainaud, the single arrives alongside a cinematic music video directed by Vincente Cordero and produced by Arion Csihar. System activated: the next chapter of FEAR FACTORY has officially begun.
FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares comments, "The future isn’t coming. It’s already here, ‘Roboticist’ is the next evolution of Fear Factory. Man, Machine and the war for what comes next. I can’t wait for everyone to hear the beginning of a new era of Fear Factory."
Stream 'Roboticist' here: https://fearfactory.bfan.link/roboticist
WATCH: 'Roboticist' music video Below:
Death is no longer the end, it is the next evolution. The machine no longer needs humanity; it inherits the future.
Stand by, critical intel on the upcoming album is imminent. In the meantime, prepare for the live assault. Experience FEAR FACTORY as they tear across Europe and the US on the Cybernetic Domination Tour.
FEAR FACTORY live
European Dates
CYBERNETIC DOMINATION TOUR
With HATE, CRYSTAL LAKE, THE NOCTURNAL AFFAIR
08.30 PO Krakow @ Kwadrat
08.31 PO Warsaw @ Palladium
09.02 LT Vilnius @ Loftas
09.03 LV Riga @ Palladium
09.04 EE Tallinn @ Helitehas
09.05 FI Helsinki @ Apollo
09.06 FI Turku @ Logomo
09.09 DK Copenhagen @ Vega
09.11 BE Ghent @ Vooruit
09.12 NL Rotterdam @ Baroeg Open Air
09.13 NL Nijmegen @ Doornroosje
09.15 DE Köln @ Live Music Hall
09.16 DE Hamburg @ Markthalle
09.17 DE Berlin @ Huxleys
09.18 DE Munich @ Kesselhaus
09.19 LU Esch-sur-Alzette @ Rockhal
09.20 DE Karlsruhe @ Substage
09.21 AT Vienna @ Simm City
09.23 HU Budapest @ Barba Negra
09.24 HR Zagreb @ Boogaloo
09.26 IT Rome @ Orion
09.27 IT Milan @ Metalitalia.com Festival
09.29 FR Paris @ Le Trabendo
10.01 UK Manchester @ O2 Ritz
10.02 UK Nottingham @ Rock City
10.03 UK Buckley @ Tivoli
10.05 IE Dublin @ Academy
10.06 UK Belfast @ Limelight
10.07 UK Glasgow @ SWG3
10.08 UK Bristol @ Prospect
10.09 UK Southampton @1865
10.10 UK London @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
US Dates
Soul Of a New War Machine Tour
With Co-headliners MUSHROOMHEAD
10.13 New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place
10.14 Portland, ME @ Aura
10.15 Hampton Beach, NH @ Wally's
10.16 Harrisburg, PA @ Capitol City Music Hall
10.17 Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
10.18 Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho
10.20 Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theater
10.21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground
10.22 Harrison, OH @ The Blue Note
10.23 St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theater
10.24 Green Bay, WI @ Epic Events Center
10.25 Belvidere, IL @ Apollo Theater
10.27 Hobart, IN @ The Art Theatre
10.28 Cadillac, MI @ Venue Event Center
10.29 Flint, MI @ Machine Shop
10.31 Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater
11.01 Indianapolis, IN @ Vogue Theater
11.03 Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall
11.05 Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
11.06 Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live
11.07 Corpus Christi, TX @ Brewster Ice House
11.08 Dallas, TX @ AM/FM
11.10 Sauget, IL @ Pop's
11.11 Nashville, TN @ Basement East
CYBERNETIC DOMINATION TOUR
With DARKEST HOUR and BROTALITY
11.13 Wichita, KS @ Wave
11.14 Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
11.15 Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
11.17 Billings, MT @ Pub Station
11.18 Great Falls, MT @ The Newberry
11.20 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
11.21 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
11.22 Boise, ID @ Shrine Social Club
11.24 Fresno, CA @ Strummers
11.25 San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues
11.27 Pomona, CA @ The Glasshouse
11.28 Los Angeles, CA @ Whiskey
11.29 Los Angeles, CA @ Whiskey
Tickets for all dates are on sale at Fearfactory.com
Omen//Skye Release New Single + Lyric Video "Vanquish" via Arson Theory
Maryland-based metalcore band Omen//Skye have released their new single and lyric video, “Vanquish,” available via Arson Theory. The track is the latest single from the band’s most recent EP, The Thoughts That Haunt Us, and is available on all major streaming platforms.
Produced by Drew Licurgo and Six:Eight Audio, “Vanquish” is an emotionally charged track centered on one of life’s darkest battles: finding the strength to keep going when everything feels lost.
The composition for “Vanquish” was largely written by former guitarist Brian Baugus, with chorus lyrics composed by Josh Grzywacz. Vocalist Nick Troisi developed the verse lyrics and overall concept, drawing directly from his own battle with addiction.
At its core, “Vanquish” is about reaching the lowest point imaginable and making the conscious decision to persevere. The song explores the struggle against addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts while ultimately delivering a message of resilience and choosing life.
Troisi shares, “I was down and out, I thought that this was the end. But I picked myself up and started fighting again. It's a conscious choice between life and death, and when it comes for you... DON'T. GIVE. IN.”
Blending cinematic atmosphere, crushing riffs, and emotionally charged melodic hooks, Omen//Skye continue to establish themselves as one of the Mid-Atlantic's most promising heavy acts. Built on the foundation of explosive live performances, the band seamlessly merges the intensity of classic metalcore with the innovation of the genre's modern wave, forging a sound that is both familiar and unmistakably their own.
With its crushing instrumentation and deeply personal message, “Vanquish” captures the moment when surrender and survival stand on opposite sides of a decision. Rather than romanticizing the darkness, Omen//Skye confront it head-on, transforming personal struggle into an anthem for anyone fighting to find their way back.
“Vanquish” is available now on all major streaming platforms via Arson Theory.
STREAM "Vanquish" HERE
WATCH "Vanquish" (Official Lyric Video) Below:
As Omen//Skye continue building momentum, they have become known for delivering high-energy performances that leave a lasting impression. Their growing catalog of releases and relentless drive have earned them support slots alongside artists including If Not For Me, Tallah, Resistor, Yosemite In Black, Waking the Cadaver, The Wise Man's Fear, and Softspoken, positioning the band for continued expansion onto the national touring circuit.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
9/13 - Supporting ENOX @ Metro Gallery in Baltimore, MD
OMEN//SKYE:
Nick Troisi - Lead Vocals
Joshua Grzywacz - Vocals / Rhythm Guitar
Dillon Thatcher - Drums
Dominic Buie - Bass
Introducing Kenny Baquol - Lead Guitar
For More Information Please Visit:
LIGATURE MARKS Release New Single And Video, "Weapons"
LIGATURE MARKS presents a brutal new offering in "Weapons." The single release unveils their darker side as it deviates away from the band's typical sound to incorporate elements of deathcore and industrial. "Weapons" provides a first glimpse at LIGATURE MARKS' forthcoming sophomore full-length album which sees the band pushing the boundaries of their sound.
On "Weapons" vocalist Ben Charles shares: "We wanted to make something that felt dangerous, something that was truly evil, from the song itself to the visuals. This one isn't meant to feel like a warm hug, it's meant to make you feel uneasy".
Dissonance bleeds through the track, connecting the sinews of the bloodthirsty verses and anthemic choruses, marking a triumphant debut from Brad Leadham (keyboards, samples). The accompanying music video draws inspiration from the band's passion for the horror genre. Guitarist / Director Karl Whinnery: "I told the band, think serial killer's crawlspace, with a dash of Sicario thrown in."
"Weapons" was recorded at Falcon Recording Studio with producer and mixing engineer Gabe Johnston. The track was mastered by Troy Glessner. Cover artwork is by Benjamin Charles.
About LIGATURE MARKS:
Based out of Portland, Oregon, LIGATURE MARKS formed in 2017 and released their debut album, Set Oceans On Fire, independently in the same year. This notable first instalment led to fast-earned popularity in the Pacific Northwest, and subsequently landed LIGATURE MARKS as direct support for bands such as GOJIRA, FEAR FACTORY, SOULFLY, UNEARTH and SKINLAB.
Consisting of a veritable supergroup of Portland’s biggest bands (VINTERSEA, SYX, INFLICT, PROVEN) vocalist Ben Charles, guitarists Karl and Josh Whinnery, bassist Glen Thonis, and drummer Chris Meskill, LIGATURE MARKS has been building a fierce reputation on the live stage. With the recent addition of keyboardist Brad Leadham, they are gearing towards their sophomore studio album.
Growing beyond the realms of metalcore, LIGATURE MARKS continue to expand their sonic palette. Setting ablaze not only the sea but the land, the band balance melody and viciousness through anthemic tracks as they carve out their unique sound in the modern metal landscape.
LIGATURE MARKS Is:
Ben Charles - vocals
Karl Whinnery - guitar
Josh Whinnery - guitar
Glen Thonis - bass
Brad Leadham - Keyboards, samples
Chris Meskill - drums
Connect with LIGATURE MARKS:
Official Website: www.ligaturemarks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ligaturemarksband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ligaturemarksband/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/07bDJD9kqFd4MEKTqNRWYh
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ligaturemarks
We Came As Romans Unveil "red smoke ○ " Feat. HEAVENSGATE
We Came As Romans have released "red smoke ○," a reimagined version of the track from their 2025 album ALL IS BEAUTIFUL… BECAUSE WE'RE DOOMED, this time featuring HEAVENSGATE.
Watch the visualiser for the new single Below and find the song on streaming platforms HERE
CIRCULARITY will present four brand new songs alongside six rewritten versions of tracks from All Is Beautiful… Because We're Doomed, each reworked in partnership with artists the band has shared stages with across years of touring — including Dayseeker, Bury Tomorrow, Currents, After The Burial, Headwreck, HEAVENSGATE, and Ladrones.
Of the project, We Came As Romans shared:
"ALL IS BEAUTIFUL… BECAUSE WE'RE DOOMED: CIRCULARITY is the culmination of this cycle for WCAR. We are happy to have been able to sit in a place of deep collaboration with so many artists we have toured with over the years & build strong friendships with. The new songs represent a new era for the band as we continue to write & carve out what is next."
Head to circularity.wcar.band to guess which band is on which song & unlock a clip of each when guessed correctly.
ABOUT WE CAME AS ROMANS
We Came As Romans continue to progress and evolve at lightspeed, maintaining a place at the forefront of heavy music and culture. Never content to follow, they seamlessly alchemize crushing groove-driven catharsis, spacey electronics, and arena-size singalongs into a sound that refuses to sit still, effortlessly moving between metal, alternative, metalcore, and rock.
The Michigan-born five-piece - Dave Stephens, Joshua Moore, Lou Cotton, Andy Glass, and David Puckett - first broke through with Tracing Back Roots (2013), which cracked the Billboard 200 Top 10 and hit #1 on both the Independent Albums and Top Hard Rock Albums charts. Their self-titled 2015 album followed, debuting at #11 on the Billboard 200, cementing their status as modern metalcore royalty.
Following the tragic loss of original vocalist Kyle Pavone in 2018, the band has continued to honor his legacy with their 2022 album, Darkbloom, their highest-praised record to date. Kerrang! awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a carrier for a knot of emotion, and a tribute to their friend." It featured career-defining tracks like "Black Hole" (ft. Caleb Shomo), now over 102 million Spotify streams, and "Daggers" (ft. Zero 9:36), which surpassed 32 million streams. Media outlets including Loudwire and Consequence praised the album for its emotional range, sonic heft, and unapologetic vulnerability.
With the release of their 2025 album, ALL IS BEAUTIFUL...BECAUSE WE'RE DOOMED, the band entered their most ambitious chapter yet, now further punctuated by forthcoming release ALL IS BEAUTIFUL...BECAUSE WE'RE DOOMED: CIRCULARITY. Scarred, sharpened, and more fearless than ever, We Came As Romans continue to prove why they have remained one of the most dominant and consistent forces in heavy music.
We Came As Romans Are
Dave Stephens - Vocals
Joshua Moore - Guitar
Lou Cotton - Guitar
Andy Glass - Bass
David Puckett - Drums
Ray Hawthorne Announces New Record + Screams Through Tough Love On New Single!
Pop punk's most lovable liability, Ray Hawthorne, returns today with the announcement of his new record, "Ray Hawthorne Can't Be Trusted" (set for release on October 15) alongside a heart-on-sleeve anthem, "Tough As Nails", about inheritance, masculinity, and the messy ways love gets passed down. Pre-save the upcoming record, "Ray Hawthorne Can't Be Trusted", HERE.
As a grounding moment on "Ray Hawthorne Can't Be Trusted", "Tough As Nails" confronts the space between being taught to be tough and learning that vulnerability can be a strength in its own right. Through a heavy, but heartfelt tribute to the person who raised him, Ray Hawthorne reflects on the strength, sacrifice, and complicated love that shaped him.
Where "Ray Hawthorne Sucks" was earnest and "Ray Hawthorne Isn't Real" was chaotic, "Ray Hawthorne Can't Be Trusted" continues a catalog that treats humor, self-awareness, and self-destruction as adjacent concepts. As a whole, Ray Hawthorne leans into emotional whiplash and damage control on his earlier records, while "Ray Hawthorne Can't Be Trusted" (produced by Pete Zen) is aimed at the part of the cycle where the damage has already become too familiar.
Digging into the heart behind "Tough As Nails", Ray Hawthorne proves he is capable of emotional availability.
As he gears up to release "Ray Hawthorne Can't Be Trusted", Ray Hawthorne is once again sharing how a few bad decisions, too much self-awareness, and an inability to leave well enough alone somehow became a full-length record:
"If you or someone you know has been personally effected by the lyrics of Ray Hawthorne Can’t Be Trusted, don’t @ me. This is the first of my albums that was made intentionally. Prior to this I would release a lot of singles, see what people liked the best, then try to retroactively fit the top performers and some unreleased material into a functional album with coherent themes. NOT THIS TIME MOTHERFUCKERS. THIS IS 13 TRACKS OF UNADULTERATED RAGE MEANT TO RIP YOUR HEART OUT WITH NO REGARD FOR YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY. (I read that in the voice of a monster truck rally commercial by the way.) But on a serious note, it was fun getting together with Pete and really thinking through the album as a whole. How it should ebb and flow, where we should push heavier or pull back, things like that. So I hope that level of cohesion is more present than my previous albums when you listen through the record.”
Renowned for his work in North Kingsley, the acclaimed project alongside Shavo Odadjian of System of a Down, Hawthorne initially captured hearts as the Heartbreak Hero with his inaugural solo release "Heartbreak Feels Good in a Place Like This". Building on his solo work, his debut record "Ray Hawthorne Sucks" further cemented his status as a bold new voice in pop punk, quickly amassing a devoted following and over 20 million streams across all streaming platforms for his magnetic charm and razor-sharp wit.
Blending heartbreak, sarcasm, and just the right amount of emotional stability, Ray Hawthorne leads with a messy kind of hope, turning emotional freefall into something you can scream along to. Where debut album and his firstborn, "Ray Hawthorne Sucks", leaned into an earnest DIY vulnerability, his previous record, "Ray Hawthorne Isn't Real", took a turn and tapped into the restless defiance of a secondborn. The 15 tracks helped embrace the chaos, laugh at the pain, and maybe, just maybe, allow us all to find a little redemption along the way.
Starting from the very real possibility that Ray Hawthorne is just a guy screaming into the ether (and somehow making it sound catchy), his catalog has become a refuge for anyone who's ever felt too loud, too sensitive, or too much. Loud, petty, and deeply cathartic, Ray Hawthorne is proudly one of the most unapologetically honest voices modern pop-punk.
Be sure to stay tuned for more Ray Hawthorne news coming very soon.
ABOUT RAY HAWTHORNE
Do you remember that episode of Degrassi where Ashley really wants Craig to tell her he loves her, but Craig gets all panicked and can’t tell her that he does? It causes so much drama in their relationship. She begins to question her feelings for him and because of that, he becomes seemingly unsure of his feelings for her. So, in an effort to quell the bad vibes, Craig writes a song that includes lyrics IMPLICITLY AND EXPLICITLY stating that he loves her. (Total banger by the way, the only song of his I like better is the one he sings at the battle of the bands after the two inevitably break up, it’s also about Ashley. I believe it’s called ‘What I Know’) Anyway, Craig was only able to admit he loved Ashley in song form, but you as the viewer are left wondering ‘Does he really love her, or was this just his solution to end the drama?’ Or, ’Is this truly the only way he can express himself because he’s kind of nervous about speaking his true feelings outside of the structured environment of a song?’. I tend to believe it’s a mixture of both. So what I’m trying to say is, this collection of songs is kind of like that. I always feel like I have so much to say but often feel a bit too vulnerable when discussing my actual feelings. So for the majority of my life, I’ve just written them into songs instead. These songs can be quite vulnerable even if they seem silly at times. So now you’re left to wonder... am I telling the truth or just trying to get rid of Ashley’s bad vibes?
TURMION KÄTILÖT - UNLEASH FEROCIOUS SECOND SINGLE ‘LUNASTAKAA’
Following the massive wave of anticipation sparked by their recent album announcement and the chaotic first track "Raivotarjonta," Finnish industrial metal pioneers TURMION KÄTILÖT are doubling down. Today, the band strikes again with 'Lunastakaa,' the fiercely energetic second single from their upcoming twelfth studio album, Resodance, arriving globally on October 23, 2026, via Nuclear Blast Records.
Known for blending heavy industrial metal, pulsing electronic music, and wicked dark humor into a genre completely their own, the band continues to push creative boundaries with 'Lunastakaa.' The high-octane track arrives with an epic, visually striking music video that reflects the band's trademark theatrical intensity and unmatched ability to turn extreme metal into a relentless dancefloor party.
Watch the video for 'Lunastakaa' below:
Listen to 'Lunastakaa': https://turmionkatilot.bfan.link/lunastakaa
Pre-order Resodance: https://turmionkatilot.bfan.link/resodance
Composer of the song, RunQ, comments:
"Various demos have usually ended up waiting for the right moment to be released. When I was doing this, I immediately felt that this might not end up on the waiting list, at least not for a very long time ;) "
Shag-U adds:
“I often write songs by looking in the mirror, but with ‘Lunastakaa’, the mirror became a window. The lyrics grew out of news stories about the abuse of power and exploitation, and questions about how deeply a person can be broken and whether there can ever be justice or compensation for what has happened. I love the contrast between the song’s upbeat, energetic feel and the way the lyrics twist that world into something grotesque – that’s one of the things I love most about Turmion Kätilöt. Later, someone also found a more self-ironic interpretation in the lyrics: artists turning themselves into commodities in exchange for money, visibility or approval. That fits this world frighteningly well, too.”
The Ultimate Live Spectacle: Colossal Disco
The strategic release of Resodance serves as the perfect fuel for the band's most massive headlining milestone to date. On October 24, 2026—just one day after the full record drops—TURMION KÄTILÖT will host their monumental "Colossal Disco" event at the legendary Helsinki Ice Hall (Helsingin jäähalli).
Several thousand fans are set to pack the arena, ready to bring the ice-ring to a definitive boil.
Live Dates:
07.08. FI Koria - Koria Roll
14.08. FI Mikkeli - Dinosaurock
15.08. FI Tampere - SaariHelvetti
21.08. FI Joensuu - Unholy Summer Fest
24.10. FI Helsinki - Jäähalli, Colossal Disco
07.11. FI Lahti - XXl Mössö
Line up:
MC Raaka Pee - vocals
Master Bates - bass
Run-Q - keyboard
DQ - drums
Shag-U - vocals
Bobby Undertaker - guitar
social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turmion_katilot_official
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@turmion_katilot
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turmionkatilot/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQtMLgHI32rJZO4ph6YMpbw
APRIL WINE TO JOIN TRIUMPH FOR 2026 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
Two legendary Canadian rock bands will hit the road together this fall, with April Wine opening all 16 announced dates on Triumph’s Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour – Leg 2. The North American run will take April Wine across the United States from November 17 through December 12, 2026, with the band opening all announced shows.
The tour will bring two of Canada’s most celebrated rock bands to cities where they have built legions of fans throughout their careers, including Grand Rapids, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Tickets are now on sale for all shows. For tour dates and tickets, visit aprilwine.ca.
Fans attending the upcoming dates can expect April Wine to deliver the classic songs that have made the band a fixture of North American rock radio for more than five decades, including “Just Between You and Me,” “Sign of the Gypsy Queen,” “Roller,” “I Like To Rock,” “Say Hello,” “Oowatanite,” “Enough Is Enough,” “Rock N Roll Is A Vicious Game” and many more.
And reviews about the previous leg of the tour have been stellar, including the Sleaze Roxx saying, " For me, April Wine‘s set turned out to be a real revelation to find out that I know and like April Wine‘s songs so much." Also, Metal Planet Music adding, "By the time April Wine closed with 'Roller,' the crowd was fully activated. As they took their final bows, they gave the crowd a thumbs-up and said, 'This building sounds incredible tonight'!"
TRIUMPH – THE ROCK & ROLL MACHINE RELOADED TOUR LEG 2 2026 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES WITH SPECIAL GUEST APRIL WINE
November 17 – Grand Rapids, MI | Van Andel Arena
November 18 – Cincinnati, OH | Heritage Bank Center
November 21 – Baltimore, MD | CFG Bank Arena
November 22 – Pittsburgh, PA | Petersen Events Center
November 24 – Green Bay, WI | Resch Center
November 25 – Cleveland, OH | Rocket Arena
November 27 – Fishers, IN | Fishers Event Center
November 28 – Springfield, MO | Great Southern Bank Arena
November 30 – Albuquerque, NM | Rio Rancho Events Center
December 1 – Las Vegas, NV | Fontainebleau Las Vegas
December 2 – Reno, NV | Grand Theatre at The Grand Sierra Resort
December 5 – Portland, OR | Theater of the Clouds
December 6 – Seattle, WA | WAMU Theater
December 8 – Oakland, CA | Oakland Arena
December 10 – Los Angeles, CA | The Kia Forum
December 12 – San Diego, CA | Viejas Arena
FOR MORE INFORMATION, TOUR DATES & TICKETS, VISIT:
aprilwine.ca
Hollow Pact Unleash New Single "Witchking" And Official Music Video via Sumerian Records
Rising hard rock outfit Hollow Pact have today unleashed their latest rager "Witchking" and the official music video. Prior to today, the band dropped "Tear", their first release via their new label home, Sumerian Records. When asked about the inspiration behind "Witchking", the band commented:
"'Witchking' represents that moment when you are watching somebody collect an unwarranted sympathy after they were the cause of another persons suffering and pain. Its about the frustration it feels to witness their dishonest feelings on display as they allow themselves to fall into the hands of a story that no one knows the other side of."
Hollow Pact will be hitting the road this Saturday, August 29 with Royale Lynn, and again starting Thursday, November 19 supporting Of Mice & Men. Stream "Witchking" at the link here, and watch the official music video below.
Tour Dates with Royale Lynn:
8/29 Albuquerque, NM
8/30 Phoeinix, AZ
9/3 Henderson NV
9/5 Denver, CO
Tour Dates with Of Mice & Men:
11/19 Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
11/20 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
11/21 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
BRYMIR Release Second Single, "Tempestbound," + Video!
Finnish melodic death metallers BRYMIR unleash the second track from their upcoming album, What We Leave Behind, coming October 2, 2026 via Napalm Records! "Tempestbound" surges forward with speedy riffs and a wuthering message. The new single wraps the overarching theme of the band’s darkest album to date in a cloak of mythology. No matter the belief system, the Gods are all the same — and none of them is worth dying for at the hands of moribund mankind. Constituting war as the death or progress, "Tempestbound" solidifies BRYMIR's epic plea for humanity.
BRYMIR about "Tempestbound":
“Speed and insanity! Mankind is supposed to be starbound, yet here we are fighting over the same old stupid stuff. Our progress has been immense, technological marvels created, yet we mostly seem to use these to just destroy each other and ourselves—just faster and more completely. Instead of reaching the stars, instead of being starbound, we remain ‘Tempestbound.’”
Watch the Official Music Video for "Tempestbound" Below:
Helsinki-based BRYMIR make a strong case for melodic death metal with What We Leave Behind, coming October 2, 2026 via Napalm Records! In a darkening world full of existential dread, the Finnish band—singer Viktor Storm Gullichsen, guitarist Joona Björkroth, bassist Jarkko Niemi, and drummer Patrik Fält—takes a stand with their most sinister album yet. Again heavily influenced by their singer’s main job as a movie sound designer, BRYMIR create vast cinematic soundscapes around their sometimes bleak, sometimes hopeful, but always honest messages.
Strongly tied to current societal developments, BRYMIR deliver an equally raw and fantastical album. Their darkest output yet, the band’s fifth album hits especially hard—and leaves absolutely no open questions behind. As introspective as it is outspoken, What We Leave Behind is an epic plea for humanity.
BRYMIR about What We Leave Behind:
"Since our previous album, the world certainly hasn't gotten any lighter—and as art reflects life, our fifth album, What We Leave Behind, is the darkest creation we've made so far. Both musically as well as thematically… 'What We Leave Behind?' is the core question explored from many perspectives: from personal hopes, dreams, and fears to societal developments to dark sci-fi and existential despair. Join us on this dark emotional journey, at times violent, at times beautiful, and always honest in baring the soul of what is BRYMIR – no compromise, everything raw and real."
Get Your Copy Of What We Leave Behind NOW.
BRYMIR LIVE 2026:
Festivals:
9/4 — Hüttikon, CH — Meh Suff!
11/6 — Kempele, FI — ZRock Winter Fest
What We Leave Behind Tour 2026:
Special Guests: Horizon Ignited + Omnivortex
9/18 — Vantaa, FI — Skenesali
9/25 — Seinäjoki, FI — Rytmikorjaamo
9/26 — Oulu, FI — 45 Special
10/2 — Tampere, FI — Olympia
10/3 — Lahti, FI — VNUE
10/8 — Jyväskylä, FI — Lutakko
10/9 — Turku, FI — Apollo
10/16 — Kouvola, FI — House of Rock
10/17 — Kuopio, FI — Circus
10/24 — Vaasa, FI — Fanny
10/30 — Hämeenlinna, FI — Suisto
10/31 — Helsinki, FI — Korjaamo
BRYMIR ARE:
Viktor Storm Gullichsen — Vocals
Joona Björkroth — Guitars
Jarkko Niemi — Bass
Patrik Fält — Drums
Guitarist Eric Steckel Shares "Axe to Grind" Video
Internationally acclaimed blues-rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter Eric Steckel has released the video for new single "Axe to Grind" from his new studio album Sandstorm out September 11 via OPEN/SPV Recordings.
"I always had this idea, you know, in the back of my mind of doing a song with this title because it's just a great play on words and you guys know I love my distorted guitars," Steckel shares. "So there's kind of a triple meaning almost, you know, with this. And so this was a cool song to write, a really fun song to record. Hope you guys can relate to it and feel it."
Watch the "Axe to Grind" video below.
Stream the single + pre-order the album here.
In an era where pedalboards, laptops, and samples have become commonplace, American blues rock/metal guitarist and singer Eric Steckel goes against the grain and harkens his listeners back to the days when great guitars were played loudly through great amps. Hailed by many as the top rising star of blues and rock, Steckel delivers a powerhouse performance that has left audiences in 30 countries (and counting) mesmerized.
Steckel has toured worldwide, sharing the billing with Steve Vai, Gregg Allman, Johnny Winter, John Mayall, Ray Charles, Larry Carlton, Robben Ford, and others, and was voted into Total Guitar magazine's list of "The 100 Greatest Blues Guitarists of All Time" and was named one of "10 Future Blues Stars" by Guitar Player.
"My forthcoming new album, Sandstorm is the most fun I've had making a record in my career thus far," comments Steckel. "The incredible vibe in the studio brought forth tons of new and spontaneous material such as the title track 'Sandstorm,' which instantly became my favorite track on this album and a perfect representation of this body of work."
All upcoming tour dates are here and below.
ERIC STECKEL LIVE:
9/10 — Dordrecht, Netherlands — Bibelot
9/13 — Raismes, France — Raismes Fest
9/16 — Haarlem, Netherlands — Patronaat
9/17 — Heerlen, Netherlands — Poppodium Nieuwe Nor
9/20 — Hamburg, Germany — Nochtspeicher
9/21 — Berlin, Germany — Mikropol
9/22 — Hannover, Germany — Lux Club Linden
9/23 — Frankfurt am Main, Germany — Das Bett
9/25 — Pratteln, Switzerland — Konzertfabrik Z7
9/26 — Mannheim, Germany — Guitar Summit
9/27 — Vienna, Austria — Chelsea
9/28 — Milan, Italy — Legend Club
9/29 — Munich, Germany — Backstage
10/2 — Edinburgh, Scotland — Sneaky Pete's
10/3 — Manchester, England — Gullivers
10/4 — Nottingham, England — Rough Trade Nottingham
10/5 — London, England — Colours Hoxton
10/6 — Dublin, Ireland — Whelan's
10/24 — Phoenix, Arizona — The Rhythm Room
FROZEN CROWN Release New Single "Who Wants to Burn in Heaven" + Video!
ITALIAN POWER METAL BAND FROZEN CROWN RELEASE THIRD SINGLE "WHO WANTS TO BURN IN HEAVEN" — WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO BELOW !
NEW, DARKER ALBUM, THE LEGEND OF THE SIX KINGS, RELEASES OCTOBER 2 VIA NAPALM RECORDS — PRE-ORDER NOW!
FROZEN CROWN determine the direction of their new narrative approach with their new single "Who Wants to Burn in Heaven."
"Who wants to burn in Heaven if you can rule forever down in Hell?," the choir-powered, groovy song exclaims, illustrating the Italian band's new-found darkness. A heavy metal riff turns into an epic melody, with a powerful vocal delivery by both Giada "Jade" Etro and Federico Mondelli following. The accompanying album, The Legend of the Six Kings, releases October 2 via Napalm Records.
Giada "Jade" Etro about "Who Wants to Burn in Heaven":
"'Who Wants To Burn In Heaven' is the natural follow-up to 'I Am The Tyrant,' one of our most popular and beloved songs, with its driving martial pace and the singalong emotional chorus. The song is a statement of uniqueness and freedom. Better to stand as a king among outsiders (the misunderstood, the unconventional, the beautifully imperfect) than to beg for a place among those who worship conformity and call it perfection. Their Heaven may look flawless from the outside, but it will punish and make you burn if you try to shine with your own light."
The legend starts: FROZEN CROWN head into their very own age of gold with their new album, The Legend of the Six Kings, coming October 2 via Napalm Records. Taking a more narrative approach than previous releases, their sixth album sends the Italian band on an epic quest. The ten brand-new heavy power metal tracks expand their dynamic repertoire into a slightly darker, but nevertheless illustrious, direction. With lead vocalist Giada "Jade" Etro changing her formerly cheerful approach to claim the sinister titular frozen crown, the band shows its true form with this straightforward punch of a record.
The Legend of the Six Kings has FROZEN CROWN take the throne deserving of their band name. A powerful work of rousing heavy power metal and massive vocal arrangements, the six-piece delivers a glorious performance filled with energetic melodies and catchy choruses. The Legend of the Six Kings matures the band's trademark sound and makes sure that these six kings and queens will remain what the title states: legends. The album is open for pre-order now. This sixth album depicts the strength of our six band members, and our personal idea of Power Metal infused in ten catchy tracks touching the most varied nuances of the genre, from raw and uncompromising Speed Metal, to the sumptuous magniloquence of Symphonic Metal, to the occasional linear chaos of Melodic Death Metal, but always sounding as FROZEN CROWN as ever!"
Get Your Copy Of The Legend of the Six Kings NOW!
FROZEN CROWN LIVE 2026
NORTH AMERICA:
Supporting Kamelot, Special Guest: Visions of Atlantis:
8/28 — Orlando, FL — Hard Rock Live
8/29 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade (Heaven)
8/31 — Dallas, TX — The Studio at the Factory
9/02 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
9/03 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues
9/04 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
9/05 — San Francisco, CA — The Fillmore
9/07 — Vancouver, BC — Vogue Theatre
9/08 — 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
EUROPE:
Supporting Beast in Black, Special Guest: Sonata Arctica:
10/26 — London, UK — O2 Forum Kentish Town
10/27 — Brussels, BE — Ancienne Belgique
10/28 — Tilburg, NL — Poppodium 013
10/29 — Leipzig, DE — Haus Auensee Leipzig
10/31 — Vienna, AT — Gasometer
11/01 — Budapest, HU — Barba Negra
11/02 — Zlin, CZ — Sports Hall Datart
11/03 — Gliwice, PL — Prezero Arena
11/05 — Berlin, DE — Columbiahalle
11/06 — Hanover, DE — Swiss Life Hall
11/07 — Ludwigsburg, DE — MHP Arena
11/08 — Offenbach, DE — Stadthalle
11/09 — Paris, FR — L’Olympia
11/11 — Barcelona, ES — Razzmatazz 1
11/12 — Madrid, ES — Sala La Riviera
11/13 — Bilbao, ES — Santana 27
11/14 — Toulouse, FR — Le Bikini
11/15 — Lyon, FR — Le Transbordeur
11/17 — Zurich, CH — Komplex 457
11/18 — Milan, IT — Alcatraz
11/20 — Munich, DE — Zenith
11/21 — Luxembourg, LU — Rockhal
11/22 — Oberhausen, DE — Turbinenhalle
11/23 — Hamburg, DE — Inselpark
11/24 — Gothenburg, SE — Eriksbergshallen
11/25 — Stockholm, SE — Arenan Fryshuset
FROZEN CROWN ARE:
Giada "Jade" Etro — Lead and Backing Vocals
Federico Mondelli — Lead Guitar, Lead and Backing Vocals
Niso Tomasini — Drums
Francesco Zof — Bass, Backing Vocals
Alessia Lanzone — Lead Guitar
Aleksandra Stamenkovic — Lead Guitar
LOWSUNDAY explore a world of isolation on 'Someone To Talk To' Latest 'Low Sunday Ghost Machine - Black EP' out now
US darkwave-shoegaze pioneers Lowsunday present their new single 'Someone to Talk To', exploring the tension between the need for connection and the painful realization that the person we trust may not be who they seem. showcasing their 'Low Sunday Ghost Machine - Black EP'. Wrapped in a shadowy, dreamlike atmosphere, the song turns heartbreak and disillusionment into something strangely serene, creating an intimate portrait of vulnerability, misplaced trust, and difficulty in letting go.
The lyrics follow someone reaching for companionship while becoming caught in a relationship marked by deception, betrayal, and emotional dependence. Its central idea is that loneliness can cloud our judgment, causing us to mistake attention for genuine care and overlook warning signs until the truth becomes impossible to ignore. The repeated declarations of love against accusations of cruelty capture the song’s emotional contradiction: attachment can survive even after trust has been destroyed.
Formed in 1994, Lowsunday (initially as Low Sunday Ghost Machine) emerged as a "retro-futurist" pioneer, blending darkwave and shoegaze long before the genres saw their modern revival. The 'Black EP', recently released via Projekt Records (their label before disbanding decades ago) is their second collection of all-new material released since 1999, previewed by the adrenaline-infused 'You’re So Wired' and darkly fascinating lead track 'This Is Not Heaven'.
"This song goes into darker more abstract places, combining feelings of loneliness that lead to the interaction with a person who walks through life handing out broken hearts as almost a form of exchange. The figurines with the eyeball heads almost suggests being naive - that we sometimes think with our eyes and not our heads - that we can love at face value and totally miss the underlying reality that some people actually don’t want to be loved. That many things aren’t as they appear - as the song suggests “when you said you had my back, it was your first attack” , say Shane Sahene.
"It also suggests that loneliness can lead one to making poor decisions. The irony is, that this song makes us very happy to play. It’s so dark in concept that it emotionally feels like being in a calm ocean at night or walking into a cave.
With a cult reputation for mercurial sounds and blistering guitar work, their legacy was cemented with extended re-releases of their 1996 debut album 'Low Sunday Ghost Machine' and the 1999 masterpiece 'Elesgiem', also through Projekt Records (for these albums' 30th and 25th anniversaries respectively). While their music set the stage for subsequent generations of artists, Lowsunday resurfaced in 2025 after a nearly 25-year hiatus, now a duo made up of original member Shane Sahene (vocals, guitar, synth, bass, drums) and Bobby Spell (bass, guitar, drums).
At the end of 2025, Lowsunday released their ‘Low Sunday Ghost Machine - White EP', which ranked second among Post-Punk.com's Best EPs of 2025, and included the singles 'Love Language', 'Soft Capture' and 'Nevver'. Both a reflection and a resurgence, Lowsunday's two new EPs usher in a welcome return, marked by superb production and a renewed creative clarity, bridging three decades of distinct sonic legacy with balanced doses of escapism, dreamlike sounds, drones and feedback.
Lowsunday’s music combines shimmering, pristine textures with infectious choruses, creating a timeless yet distinctly modern atmosphere. Their sound moves through dark, expansive landscapes, shifting seamlessly between steady rhythms, turbulent feedback, and fragile, dream-pop-inspired moments of haunting yearning.
With a sound defined by atmosphere, precision, and heartfelt shadow and depths, Lowsunday is now asserting their presence with new strength. While the 'White EP'explores light and texture, the 'Black EP' is the darker counterpart and definitive statement. Shadow and intensity, layered guitars, tight rhythms, and austere synths, this new EP' distills the duo's vision into a sharper, more potent form — a bold declaration of their enduring artistic power.
"Jer Herring did a great job tying the music to the visuals. He’s a great creative partner and has a way of drawing on the essence of a song and bonding it with great imagery," says Shane Sahene.
Bobby Spell adds, "This video perfectly captures the delicate coldness, detachment and loneliness of this song. A theme frequently visited by us involves a feeling of isolation which seems to be increasingly common in modern life. The visuals in the video demonstrate this feeling in a variety of scenarios where separation, miscommunication or distance is implied throughout. Our creative partner Jer Herring has once again created a perfect visual counterpart for a Lowsunday song and we’re very proud of it.
The 'Low Sunday Ghost Machine - Black EP' is available on digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where the vinyl edition (limited to 200 copies) can also be obtained, along with the limited edition 7" of 'Static / Besides'. Lowsunday also recently released 'She Follows Rain' as part of Cherry Red Records' new 4CD box set 'We Are The Beautiful', among 67 shoegaze tracks released from 1991 to 2011. It's available now via Projekt Records' Bandcamp.
CREDITS
Lyrics by Shane Sahene
Music written by Shane Sahene & Bobby Spell
Shane Sahene - vocals, guitar, synth, bass, drums
Bobby Spell - bass, guitar, drums
Recorded, Mixed, Mastered & Produced by Shane Sahene & Bobby Spell
EP cover photo by Jer Herring. Layout by Shane Sahene
Digital Cover edit by Sam Rosenthal
Band photos by Christina Sahene
Videos by Jer Herring
Publicity by Shauna McLarnon for Shameless Promotion PR
Keep up with Lowsunday
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DYSTOPIA AD Announce Forthcoming Album 'Wasteland Empire,' Unveil New Single "Breath of Decay"
Progressive death metal act DYSTOPIA A.D. announce the upcoming studio album Wasteland Empire, alongside the unveiling of the new single "Breath of Decay." Wasteland Empire is scheduled for independent release on January 15, 2027.
With "Breath of Decay" DYSTOPIA A.D. demonstrate their appreciation of genres both within and beyond metal. Musically, "'Breath of Decay' begins with frenetic Latin percussion in a nod to 'Chasin’ the Voodoo' by jazz fusion legend Al Di Meola before making way for dissonant mid-paced black metal riffage accompanied by ferociously snarled vocals," the band explain.
The single conjures imagery of a natural landscape awash with waterways contrasted against a shadowy darkness of negative emotions. "Lyrically, 'Breath of Decay' transports the listener to the backwaters of the Louisiana bayou while exploring themes of guilt, fear, and helplessness, invoking an unshakeable feeling of panic".
Wasteland Empire was produced, mixed and mastered by DYSTOPIA A.D.. Additional percussion on "Breath of Decay" was performed by Gabriel R. The band's logo is by Luciferium War Graphics, with the album cover artwork by Hans Trasid of Dis-Art Design.
About DYSTOPIA A.D.:
Formed in 2018 by Aki Shishido (ASH & ELM, STRAINS OF BELLUM) and Chris Whitby (HELLBORE, BLACK NEGATIVE DOMINATION)., the progressive death metal act from New Jersey, USA, incorporate an array of musical influences notably technical/melodic death metal with elements of progressive rock and power metal. DYSTOPIA A.D. draw inspiration from the likes of SEPULTURA, BLIND GUARDIAN, TESTAMENT, REVOCATION, and SHADOWS FALL. The genre fusion across the band's sound heightens the impact of their music with relentless power and attack, emotion and understanding.
DYSTOPIA A.D.'s first release Designing Ruin arrived in 2018, followed by Rise of the Merciless (2020) and the critically acclaimed Imperial Dawn in 2022. Now moving into their next chapter with the forthcoming full-length, Wasteland Empire,DYSTOPIA A.D. are joined by UK based Charlie Munro (HELLBORE), a longtime friend, collaborator, and producer. Wasteland Empire is set to arrive independently on January 15, 2027.
DYSTOPIA A.D. Is:
Aki Shishido – Lead guitar
Charlie Munro - Lead guitar
Chris Whitby – Vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, bass, keyboards, drum programming
DYSTOPIA A.D. Online:
Bandcamp: https://dystopiaad.bandcamp.com/
E-Shop: https://dystopiaad.bandcamp.com/merch
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DystopiaAD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dystopiaad/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@dystopiaad8476
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6cl9TYbCxaL2O9UcaeHtGY
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/in/artist/dystopia-a-d/1436807145
PLAIINS Step on the Gas With "Cookie Jar"
British x German alt-punks PLAIINS invite us to tear the roof off with their hard-hitting new single "Cookie Jar."
Building on the massive momentum of over 3 million streams and rave reviews from Visions and Kerrang! (who famously dubbed them "cartoonishly gobby"), the track tackles the millennial grind — capturing the frustration of working endlessly only to realize that the promised reward of a secure, comfortable life is out of reach.
Drawing inspiration from Kid Kapichi, Bad Nerves, The Hives, IDLES, and PUP, the song blends a gritty British punk feel in the verses with a swaggering, Kid Kapichi-style groove in the pre-chorus. The chorus hits with full force—massive, anthemic, and built around PUP-inspired vocals, Hives-esque guitars, and roaring gang vocals, all capped off by a guitar solo with a clear nod to My Chemical Romance.
Listen to "Cookie Jar" Below:
Hot on the heels of their highly praised debut album Happy Faces (2025) and their recent teaser "Look Ma, I'm A Don," new single "Cookie Jar" kicks off an exciting new chapter for the band. PLAIINS are set to light up the festival circuit across Europe this summer, followed by a UK run in autumn and a major winter tour through Germany's top cities alongside Smile and Burn and The Pill.
PLAIINS about the new single:
"'Cookie Jar' is written from a millennial perspective about growing up being promised a very specific version of adulthood: Work hard, go to university, get a good job and you'll be rewarded with financial security, a house and a holiday once a year. But the economic landscape changed, the goalposts moved, and yet our generation is still often blamed for being lazy or entitled. The song comes from the frustration of working 60 hours a week and still feeling like it's almost impossible to get ahead. The 'cookie jar' is the modest, normal life we were told hard work would guarantee us."
PLAIINS ARE:
Chris Reardon — Vocals, Guitars
Florian Kaninck — Guitars
Adrian Boog — Bass
Dutch Black Metal Project BLACK DOOR Streams New Album in Full via Lambgoat
Dutch black metal solo artist BLACK DOOR is now streaming its upcoming sophomore full-length, 'In the Shadows of a Funerary Gleam,' in its entirety via Lambgoat! The album can be heard ahead of its official release this Friday, August 28, below.
Pre-orders for 'In the Shadows of a Funerary Gleam' are now live via Wolves of Hades! The USA shop can be found HERE while the EU shop is available HERE.
BLACK DOOR mastermind and multi-instrumentalist Vestibulum comments, "The wait is over. I am elated to share that In the Shadows of a Funerary Gleam is unleashed in its full glory. Ranging from lamenting wails and dissonant discordance to triumphant hymns, the album is bound to stir the senses of those willing to open themselves to it. The journey commences as melancholic, entering the mind of lamented decay, continuing in the slow descent in 'The Stale Humid Mist.' Wrestlings of a troubled soul will be dissected in its spiritual heights, hubris and downfalls, to conclude with the open invitation to the fervour of self-creation in Promethean Fire. From its blessing and curse, we forge desire!"
Following the spectral path unveiled on its debut album, BLACK DOOR returns more fierce and haunting than ever before. 'In the Shadows of a Funerary Gleam,' a work steeped in nocturnal mysticism, sepulchral grandeur, and the lingering echoes of eons.
Following the spectral path unveiled on its debut album, Black Door returns more fierce and
haunting than ever before. 'In the Shadows of a Funerary Gleam,' a work steeped in nocturnal mysticism, sepulchral grandeur, and the lingering echoes of eons.
In the 'Shadows of a Funerary Gleam' delves further into the dimensions between life and death, nostalgia and oblivion. From the spectral procession of it’s haunting introduction to the Promethean revelations that conclude the album, these compositions unfold as chapters of a singular journey through the funerary mist of forgotten kingdoms inhabited by restless specters
Drawing inspiration from the black legions and vampiric romanticism, Black Door refuses to be confined by simple nostalgia. Beneath its veil of blackened melancholy lies a flame that illuminates both as a beacon and warning; a fading light that guides the listener through stale humid mists, crepuscular awakenings, lamentations of dying ages, and confrontations with powers older than mankind itself. Whether invoking liches wrested from mortality, ancient celestial names whispered from the abyss, or the tragic gift of Promethean fire, Black Door weaves together a mythology of spiritual yearning and cosmic resignation.
To be released by Wolves of Hades on August 28 on LP, CD, MC & Digital, 'In the Shadows of a Funerary Gleam' stands as a fully realized expression of the project's evolving vision, one that balances haunting melody, strife, nocturnal atmosphere, and triumphant darkness with a reverence for the mysterious and the eternal.
Lineup:
Vestibulum – All instrumentation & Vocals
Live Lineup:
Vestibulum – Vocals, Guitar
N. – Guitar
M. – Bass
B. or I. - Drums
Album Credits:
All music, lyrics and performance by Vestibulum
Logo by Viral Designs
Mixing, photography and layout design by G.M.
Mastered by William Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios
Cover art by Grave Bastard
USA Pre-Order Link: https://www.usa-wolvesofhades.com/collections/black-door
EU Pre-Order Link: https://www.wolvesofhades.com/collections/black-door
Links:
The cover art was created by Grave Bastard
SINNER Say Thank You With New “Turn The Page” Visualizer Video
More than four decades into their career, SINNER have received an overwhelming response to their final studio album, Boom Bang Goodbye. Now, the band are celebrating that support by unveiling a new lyric video for one of the record’s most emotional tracks, “Turn The Page.”
Since the album’s release, fans from every chapter of the SINNER story have shown their support – from those who have followed the band since the early days to those who discovered them much later. SINNER would like to send a huge thank you to everyone who streamed and bought the album, shared it, recommended it and, above all, played it loud. Thank you for the incredible support!
Before the book closes, however, there is still one more song to share.
Combining classic hard rock with sweeping melodies and a melancholic atmosphere, “Turn The Page” stands among the most melodic and emotional songs on Boom Bang Goodbye. It reflects on the painful end of a relationship, the memories that refuse to disappear and the difficult process of letting go of the past in order to start a new chapter.
The track is brought to life by Michael Sadler (SAGA), whose unmistakable voice adds a distinctive emotional depth to the song. Hearing Sadler’s finished performance was also a particularly moving moment for Mat Sinner. He was blown away by the way Sadler had made the song entirely his own, singing it as though the story were deeply personal to him.
With 19 studio albums and more than four decades behind them, SINNER have brought their remarkable recording career to a fitting conclusion with Boom Bang Goodbye – an album that celebrates the band’s identity without simply dwelling on the past. Its eleven tracks bring together the melodies, powerful guitars and unmistakable rock’n’roll attitude that have defined SINNER since 1982.
Every story eventually comes to its final chapter. But before SINNER turn the page, they are giving their fans one more reason to crank up the volume.
Boom Bang Goodbye can be ordered or streamed here:
https://sinner.rpm.link/boomPR
Eddie Skuller releases 'Blind Love' EP: A reverant homage to the songwriting of Tom Waits
New Jersey singer-songwriter Eddie Skuller is set to release his ‘Blind Love’ EP, a four-track personal tribute to Waits’ songwriting that revisits a storyteller with a rare ability to capture human character, emotion and melody, as well as his ability to find beauty and humanity in unexpected places.
With a unique vocal style, Skuller brings a raw, analog intimacy to these compositions, exploring the space between homage and reinvention. Performed with reverence, restraint and emotional intelligence, he allows the songs' emotional complexity to emerge, his delivery favoring intimacy over imitation.
Based in Jersey City, Eddie Skuller went to the opposite edge of the state to record this EP - namely, the upstate New York studio The Chicken Shack with producer-proprietor Nick Kinsey, known for his work with Kevin Morby, Waxahatchee and Scott McMickey. Fun fact: Waits himself is said to have made his Mule Variations album in another converted chicken shack on the opposite coast.
Bringing forth sheer raw joy and honed instincts, Skuller is joined on this EP by Ryder Cooley of Dust Bowl Faeries on accordion, Kinsey on drums and keyboards, Jack Skuller on guitars, and Jeremy Chatzky (Springsteen, Steve Earle, Ronnie Spector)on bass.
Centered around narrative and feeling, Skuller's performance reveals layers of tenderness, nostalgia, and quiet hope. Captured without edits or vocal overdubs, the recording preserves the spontaneity of the recording and the imperfections of analog production, the vocals captured live with the band.
"These four songs share a dark melancholy of lost love and desire, but all resolve with a sense of hope for a positive future outcome. That’s what draws me in to these songs and what connects them. In my live show it’s the spirit of hope that people take with them," says Eddie Skuller.
“What makes this experience unique for me is that it was recorded live in studio to tape. I wanted Nick Kinsey to produce because I was familiar with his aesthetic sensibilities and the warmth that analog recording can provide. The songs became meditative dirges and the lyrics read as pure poetry."
Nick Kinsey notes, “Producing a cover of any Tom Waits song is a daunting proposition, but I think we did a great job paying homage to one of America’s musical heroes, while giving it our own authentic touch. Eddie’s vocal performance and approach give an emotional immediacy that’s inarguable.”
Skuller earlier shared fine renditions of ‘Downtown Train’ and ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’, two of Tom Waits’ most quietly affecting songs, revealing a gentler side of Waits’ catalog, where grit gives way to tenderness and reflection. Blending collage, illustration, photography, typography and animation, the music video is a collaboration with French collective SPX ETC (artists Sandrine Pagnoux and Sophie Etchart), sparked through Sandrine’s Tom Waits editorial for 46pgs magazine.
In addition to his solo work, Skuller is a perennial guest vocalist with The Losers Lounge, the acclaimed tribute series curated by The Psychedelic Furs’ Joe McGintyand regularly held at Joe’s Pub and City Winery in NYC. His live performances have drawn praise for their authenticity, emotional clarity, and musical integrity.
As of August 26th, the 'Blind Love' EP is available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where the first two singles can also be found.
CREDITS
Produced & Mixed by Nick Kinsey at the Chicken Shack Studio, New York
Mastered by Christopher Colbert at National Freedom Studio, Oregon
Eddie Skuller - vocals
Jeremy Chatzky - bass
Jack Skuller - guitar
Nick Kinsey - drums, percussion, keyboards
Ryder Cooley - accordion
EP cover photo and design by Eddie Skuller
‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’ video produced for SPX ETC
by Sophie Etchart & Sandrine Pagnoux
Single cover photo & design by SPX ETC
Original artist photos by Eddie Skuller
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Holding Absence Release Album Title Track "Modern Life Is Lonely" And Official Video via Sumerian Records
South Wales trio Holding Absence have released their new single, ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’, the title track for their forthcoming fourth album which is due out on September 18th via new label partner Sumerian Records.
Speaking of the single, vocalist Lucas Woodland shares, “After the release of our album was pushed back a few weeks, we knew we had to offer something special to our fans to tide them over until the new release day... And what better song to do that than the title track!
Modern Life Is Lonely - the song - is steeped in Lofi, whilst still being able to juxtapose itself against one of the heaviest moments in our discography. We're hoping this'll get people even more excited for the whole record to drop in just under a month!”
At a time in society when connection appears to be at its most prominent, yet those within are more stranded than ever before, the art being produced must reflect reality rather than possibility.
For Lucas Woodland, such a call to arms lined up perfectly with the position that he and his band Holding Absence found themselves in. And with their fourth full-length offering, they have made something that speaks directly to the seemingly universal experience of loneliness in 2026.
Serving as a reference, and in many ways an update on the state of things, to Blur’s 1993 album ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’, ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’ strives to capture the essence of what it means to be in a moment in time that is as complex as it is heart-wrenching captive. An introspective look at the assets and practices that have become part of the external every day, in some cases against our will or under our noses, that perfectly distils how it feels to be so connected yet so desolate. Less timeless and more timely, it is a record that strives to offer up solace as much as document how sensationally bizarre life is right now.
“This album was really the first time that I thought, ‘Let’s speak about the world that I live in, rather than the world that I am,” Lucascomments. “It’s no longer like a therapy class; a bunch of strangers are no longer turning up to Existentials Anonymous. In theory, everyone knows me now; they’ve heard my journey, but I’m still struggling in this big, bad world. It doesn’t matter how much enlightenment you can find within yourself; the world is still a scary place right now.”
For Lucas, it really is a shift in perspective, especially considering just how much of himself has been poured into Holding Absence over the last decade. Through the trilogy of albums - 2019’s ‘Holding Absence’, 2021’s ‘The Greatest Mistake Of My Life’ and 2023’s ‘The Noble Art Of Self Destruction’ – they have been able to travel the world, share stages with their heroes, and carve out the sort of legacy that you only get when you tap into a certain strain of emotion. But in bringing the curtain down on that particular chapter, it became imperative to start to channel things from a different source.
So, instead of pushing these feelings solely through himself, the band set out to craft an individual who could embody these experiences. That is Y4-BBO, as much a mascot for the band as a physical manifestation of the technological confusion that bolsters this era. His existence and presence allow the record to have a dual concept of sorts, with his own story enveloped within these extraordinary songs. Oh, and his helmet, seen on the album’s cover art, was made by the same people who built the Cybermen for Doctor Who, which, in itself, is an incredible dedication to detail.
Much of that question also extends to how Holding Absence sounds on this record as well. In stepping back and re-evaluating what this band actually is, they saw that it was less about noise and more about language. There is an infinite number of ways that they could be speaking, but, up till now, they hadn’t had the time or space to utilise them. So rather than stepping on the well worn path of yesterday, Lucas – alongside guitarist Scott Carey and bassist Benjamin Elliot – strived to showcase just how vibrant, vast and viscerally otherworldly they could be.
Pulling influence from the chaotic boldness of hyper-pop and ethereal tranquillity of lo-fi whilst still keeping plenty of post-hardcore grit at their heart, and taking inspiration from other boundary-destroying artists around them such as Julia Wolf and Paledusk, the result is as exploratory as it is emphatic.
Instead of sticking to standard linear songcraft, time was spent chopping up and changing parts of songs, slowing and reverbing as much as speeding up and smashing them together. Soft textures and pattering synths clash gleefully with euphoric bursts of kinetic energy in ways that feel both beautifully familiar and unfathomably fresh.
With Daniel Braunstein on production duties, serving as the first British band he has worked with, it is a combination of two monikers of the scene doing something completely different to what is expected of them.
And at a time when alternative music is being consumed and manipulated by technology, remembering what it means to dig deeper into the unknown has never been more crucial.
“We pushed ourselves in ways that we’d never had before, while maintaining what that language of Holding Absence is. We’ll be introducing people to new sounds, and that’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. But also, I think everything should inspire something, and with this record, as pretty famous victims of what AI is capable of, I wanted to do shit that no AI idiot would ever try and do, or even understand how to do. We’re at a new frontier where things are changing very fast, and we don’t know what this horrible sort of change entails for us. But where we are right now is essentially at a point of instinctive rebellion against that, and I’m intrigued about what comes next with that.”
And that mindset extended into the lyrical turns that Lucas chose to take as well. In attempting to look beyond what was happening in his head and his heart, he looked up at the skies, at the unequivocal vastness and unlimited potential of space. The stars above our heads are beautiful, yet daunting. The question of whether there is someone or something more than us out there is drenched in as much wonder as it is terror.
There is a duality to our existence, and the same sense of the pendulum swinging between two very different, but similarly critical, points. We are surrounded by so much hope, but that loneliness is just as close to everything we do, and such a juxtaposition played into the songwriting in a big way.
In being the longest that the band have worked on a record in their whole career, two and a half years of solid writing, demoing and crafting, it has allowed Lucas the chance to really pinpoint every aspect of what it means to exist at this pivotal moment in history, and then some.
“Over the last two and a half years, I’ve gone through so much internally in regards to hopelessness, loneliness and fear of failure, and I think this album really is like a resistance to that. There’s an awareness of self in here now. It’s almost cynical, but it is also realistic. I say this every time, but I truly mean it. This album could have just not happened. But I have such a deep yearning for this life and this art form of storytelling that I have to do it. I just can’t not.”
To be a decade in and still respecting and responding to that desire to keep on searching is something that doesn’t come easy, but it is what makes Holding Absence a band unlike any other. With ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’, they have expanded on everything they once were and done so in a manner that is as undeniable as it is unstoppable.
“I think that we are now in the arc in our career where we could fall the hell off or we could cling on for dear life, and sort of dwindle and fade away,” Lucas muses in conclusion. “Yet, I think we’ve done neither of those things. I think that we’ve been as rebellious as we’ve been respectful of our band, and we’ve managed to hold that line. I’m not a kid anymore, and I don’t want just to be doing the same stuff over and over again. So, it’s really special to me that we’ve nailed something very unique that is bigger than our band. Bigger than all of us.”
Holding Absence will soon be hitting the road across the US on a co-headlining tour with Arm's Length starting on September 19, with Bloom and House & Home as support. The band will also be performing at Louder Than Life and Aftershock on September 18 and October 1 respectively. For ticket information, please click here.
Upcoming Holding Absence Dates:
09.18 — Louisville, KY — Louder Than Life*
09.19 — St. Louis, MO — The Sovereign
09.20 — Chicago, IL — Riot Fest
09.22 — Grand Rapids, MI — Intersection
09.24 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity
09.25 — Lawrence, KS — Granada
09.26 — Ft Collins, CO — Washington's
09.27 — Colorado Springs, CO — Black Sheep
09.29 — Las Vegas, NV — Area15
09.30 — Pomona, CA — Glass House
10.01 — Sacramento, CA — Aftershock*
10.02 — Los Angeles, CA — The Regent Theater
10.04 — Albuquerque, NM — Sunshine Theater
10.06 — San Antonio, TX — Paper Tiger
10.07 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live
10.09 — Jacksonville, FL — Five
10.10 — Greensboro, NC — The Pyrle
10.11 — Allentown, PA — Archer Music Hall
10.13 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza
10.14 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium
10.15 — Pittsburgh, PA — Roxian
10.17 — Nashville, TN — Ceremony Fest
*Holding Absence only
HOLDING ABSENCE is:
Lucas Woodland - Vocals
Scott Carey - Guitar/Vocals
Benjamin Elliott - Bass