WEDNESDAY 13 Drops Ghoulish Music Video for New Single "In Misery"

Currently hitting venues across North America on his "There's No Such Thing As Monsters" tour celebrating 20 years of Transylvania 90210, world-renowned fearsome frontman WEDNESDAY 13 returns with the second single cut from his new full-length album, Mid Death Crisis, set to drop on April 25 via Napalm Records.

Following acclaimed, ultra-catchy latest single "When The Devil Commands," brand new second single "In Misery" is a spooky rager, scratching the itch of both goth-punk and sleaze metal while deftly ebbing and flowing amid heavy genre influences and an earworm hook!

WEDNESDAY 13 comments about "In Misery":

"There are too many love songs out there about people confessing their love to one another. I wanted to do the exact opposite, and confess the misery of being in a bad relationship. Hopelessly, madly in misery with someone. I see it every day, people miserable together. I see it almost as much as I see people happily together. Some people enjoy misery, and this song is about enjoying that misery as much as someone in love."

Watch the "In Misery" Music Video

After returning in 2022 with his widely-acclaimed full-length album Horrifier (#8 US Top New Artist Albums), as well as several major tours supporting his solo work and celebrated Murderdolls reunion shows, the Duke of Spook is back with Mid Death Crisis! WEDNESDAY 13 dubs the album as a fun, campy, "leave-your-brain-at-the-door" rager and a true return to his hard-rocking roots! Produced by guitarist Alex Kane (Life, Sex & Death, Enuff Z'Nuff, Antiproduct) and mixed by Steve Evetts (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Prong, DevilDriver) the album oozes infectious 80s sleaze metal energy.

Eerie introductory track "There's No Such Thing As Monsters" vibrates with electricity before industrial-tinged "Decease and Desist" kicks in full blast.WEDNESDAY 13's trademark crooning wastes no time entering the fold as he careens through the high-octane horror anthem, before tracks like "Rotting Away" and "Blood Storm" ensnare with metallic goth-punk energy that will have crowds moving wall to wall. Featuring Faster Pussycat's Taime Downe on guest vocals, standout heavy rocker "No Apologies" is a fast-romping exorcism of toxic demons, while the triumphant mini-murder ballad "Decapitation" riles up listeners with a catchy lead riff before making a hard left into a theatrical bridge straight out of a sinister '60s sock hop! Ragers like "In Misery," "Xanaxtasy" and "Sick and Violent" explore various genres of metal, injecting the album with elements of gripping heaviness for any listener, while downtempo stunners "I Hurt You" and "My Funeral" approach a more pensive territory. 

Although its title, Mid Death Crisis, may suggest otherwise, the Duke of Spook shows zero signs of stopping on this refreshingly powerful and multi-faceted entry into the WEDNESDAY 13 hall of horrific history!

Pre-Order Mid Death Crisis here.

The North American "There's No Such Thing As Monsters" tour kicks off Friday, March 14 in Las Vegas, NV. The tour celebrates 20 years of Transylvania 90210and will include a "best of" Murderdolls set! 

See below for all tour dates, including the following UK/EU "Summer Blood Storm" headline run.

WEDNESDAY 13 ON TOUR:
WITH STITCHED UP HEART, DEAD RABBITS, + I YA TOYAH:
3/28—San Antonio, TX—Paper Tiger
3/29—Dallas, TX—Trees
3/30—Houston, TX—Warehouse Live
4/01—Birmingham, AL—Saturn
4/02—Knoxville, TN—Open Chord
4/04—Atlanta, GA—The Loft—Centerstage
4/05—Raleigh, NC—Chapel Of Bones
4/06—Greenville, SC—Radio Room
4/08—Baltimore, MD—Zen West
4/09—Leesburg, VA—Tally Ho
4/10—Sayreville, NJ—Starland Ballroom
4/12—Hampton Beach, NH—Wallys
4/13—Montreal, QC—Foufounes Electrique
4/15—Toronto, ON—Lee's Palace
4/16—Buffalo, NY—Rec Room
4/18—New York, NY—The Gramercy
4/19—Stroudsburg, PA—Sherman Theater
4/20—Lititz, PA—Mickey's Black Box
4/22—Pittsburgh, PA—Crafthouse
4/23—Cleveland, OH—Mercury
4/25—Columbus, OH—The Kings Of Clubs
4/26—Flint, MI—Machine Shop
4/27—Cadillac, MI—Venue Event Center
4/29—Joliet, IL—The Forge
4/30—Madison, WI—The Annex
5/2—Denver, CO—Oriental Theater
5/3—Colorado Springs, CO—Black Sheep

WEDNESDAY 13 IS:
Wednesday 13 — Lead Vocals + Guitar
Jack Tankersley — Guitar
Troy Doebbler — Bass
Mike Dupke — Drums
Ashes — Lead Guitar

Doom Legends CANDLEMASS Reveal Heavy Title Track From New EP "Black Star"

Grammy-nominated doom pioneers CANDLEMASS have unveiled the title track of their upcoming EP, Black Star, out May 9 via Napalm Records! The EP impressively marks the 40th anniversary of the legendary band. 

"Black Star" seamlessly merges haunting melodies with deeply introspective lyrics, brought to life by the inimitable voice of Johan Längqvist. Written by genre-defying mastermind Leif Edling, it delves into themes of existential struggle, temptation, and the allure of darkness — an intense atmosphere imbued with Candlemass' signature sound. The single arrives with a dark, atmospheric music video.

Place your pre-orders on the new EP now and check out the video below!

Candlemass comments, "'Black Star' is the big heavy track. Contains a bit of everything, Melodic verse, monolithic riff, up-tempo Sabbathy mid part, grand ending a la Rainbow!."

Watch the official music video for "Black Star".

Swedish godfathers of epic doom Candlemass honor their 40th anniversary of pioneering the genre with a four-track EP, Black Star. Packed with canyon-deep riffs, the genre-defying band unveils two brand-new songs alongside two cover versions of timeless classics.

Following the title track, the second original song, "Corridors Of Chaos," marks a true old school instrumental containing both classic metal riffing and stunning guitar playing by Lars Johansson, showcasing the band's mastery of dynamics. Adding to this tribute, Candlemass delivers a cover of Black Sabbath's iconic "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath," taking listeners back to 1973. This is followed by their rendition of Pentagram's classic "Forever My Queen," further cementing Candlemass' remarkable contribution to shaping the genre into what it is today.


Black Star will be available in the following formats:
*1LP Gatefold BLACK ORANGE SPLATTER (incl. vinyl booklet (12pp), A3 poster, tote bag) – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive, strictly limited to 400 copies
*1LP Gatefold BLACK
*1CD Digisleeve
*Digital Album

More info about Candlemass on tour in Europe here. 

CANDLEMASS ARE:
Johan Länquist — Vocals
Lars Johansson — Lead Guitar
Mappe Björkman — Rhythm Guitar
Leif Edling — Bass
Janne Lind — Drums

CHANGELING Releases Explosive Title Track from Debut Album

Fretless guitar visionary Tom “Fountainhead” Geldschläger is known for his work in Obscura’s Akróasis era, his live work with Defeated Sanity, Belphegor and many others. Now, he's spearheading his very own project: Changeling.

Together with core band members Morean (Alkaloid, Dark Fortress), Arran McSporran (Virvum, Vipassi) & Mike Heller (ex-Fear Factory, Malignancy), Changeling stands at the forefront of a new era for progressive death metal. Following the release of their debut album’s first two singles - the impossibly heavy "Abyss" and the blistering psychadelic melodies of "Falling in Circles"  - today, they're releasing its reality-warping, seven-minute epic of a title track.
 

Watch the visualizer for "Changeling" below.

Changeling is out April 25th via Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save here

https://orcd.co/changelingchangeling
 

Can't wait for Changeling? Listen to the debut album two weeks before it comes out. Join the Bandcamp Listening Party and chat with Tom Fountainhead while listening to all 10 transformative tracks.

Changeling Bandcamp Listening Party
Thursday, April 10 @ 1 pm Eastern Time 

RSVP
https://changelingofficial.bandcamp.com/ 

The title track serves as the turning point in Changeling's psychedelic narrative. Inspired by Lovecraftian horror, existential philosophy, and the bizarre hallucinations of a consciousness torn apart, its progressive structure mirrors the chaotic beauty of the lyrics, pulling you into an unsettling yet mesmerizing new dimension through the use of microtonal synthesizers, ritualistic vocals, oriental percussion and a full choir.

“Void and vengeance shall beget
A child from below
A changeling of clandestine soul
Comes usurping the holiest of hearts
And no one shall know”

Morean sings as an intricate-but-catchy fusion of progressive death metal, avant-garde jazz, and world music weave into a surreal and immersive tapestry. The dissonant harmonies distort reality, producing an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.

“This song came from a few musical themes that I had written on the oud", Geldschläger explains. "From those few humble notes, it turned into quite the monster - a monster where I think everybody in the core band shines equally. At that point in the album's story, we're beginning to take the frame-work of tech/prog death metal into uncharted territory, so it seemed appropriate to give this song a unique, winding structure where a shorter pumping mid-tempo banger is book-ended by intensely psychedelic blast-beat driven parts that are building towards a quasi-black metal frenzy at the end. It also has some of my favorite Morean lyrics of all time. Not only does he paint a vivid picture of a strange, unfamiliar dimension through his signature wordplay. He also quite literally takes us there in the song's mid-section breakdown, were we envisioned a strange jungle ritual evoking some dark cosmic entity, somewhere between Lovecraft and Peter Jackson's King Kong.

And, as usual, the man took it to another level by adding a multitude of eery, slithering voices, which make the song feel almost like it's breathing. Oh, and this piece also has some of my favorite RIFFS (in capital letters) that I've ever written, as well as some quite extreme guitar shenanigans that I called 'layers of cosmic horror' during production. Get out your best headphones for this one!”

The visualizer for Changeling was created by Martin Matiasovic aka Shaped in Dreams (@martinmatiasovic)

Changeling blends progressive metal, death metal, jazz-fusion, world music and complex orchestration into an hour-long submersion into the subconscious. Players from around the world can follow Tom Fountainhead's lead with a new series of Changeling transcription books. Tom wrote the approx. 500 page guitar transcription book himself, while core bandmate Arran McSporran transcribed the 75 page edition for bass. 

Both the guitar and bass transcription books will come out alongside the album on April 25th. The massive complete transcription book - which includes guitar, bass, drums (transcribed by Fenix Gayed), orchestral arrangements, vocals, lyrics and detailed liner notes from Tom - will come out on May 23rd, the same day as the Dolby Atmos mix of Changeling.

Each transcription book will be available both as a physical book and digitally through Guitar Pro or as a PDF. All physical copies will be personally signed and include a free download of the digital version.

Pre-order: https://changelingmerch.bigcartel.com/

In a significant development in early 2024, Fountainhead, now branded under the name CHANGELING for his new project and album, signed with the label Season of Mist. This venture marks a new chapter in Tom’s career, amplifying his visionary approach to music. Accompanied by an all-star band featuring members from Fear Factory, Alkaloid, and Virvum, the project Changeling showcases a 60-minute concept album that takes all aspects of Tom’s artistry to new heights.

The album, sharing its name with the project, blends progressive metal, death metal, jazz/fusion, and world music, enriched with complex orchestrations by a 50-piece ensemble of guest musicians. It includes the eagerly anticipated “Part 2” to his renowned composition “Weltseele,” an orchestral metal epic from Obscura’s billboard-chart-entering “Akroasis” album, which broadly introduced Fountainhead to the metal community in 2016.

Core Lineup:
Tom Fountainhead (ex-Obscura, Amogh Symphony, Belphegor, Defeated Sanity) - Fretted & fretless electric & acoustic guitars, oud, keyboards, composition and arrangements.
Mike Heller (ex-Fear Factory, Malignancy, Raven) - Drums.
Arran McSporran (Vipassi, Virvum) -  Fretless bass.
Morean (Alkaloid, Dark Fortress) - Lead vocals & lyrics.

Guest Musicians:
Bill Hudson (Trans-siberian Orchestra, Doro, I am Morbid) - Guest guitar solo
Jason Gobel (ex-Cynic, ex-Monstrosity)- Guest guitar solo
Andy Laroque (ex-Death, King Diamond) - Guest guitar solo
Yatziv Caspi (ex-Orphaned Land) - Tabla, hangdrum, dabouka, riq & shakers
Ally Storch (Subway To Sally)- Violins, viola & cello
James Dorton (The Faceless, NeObliviscaris, Black Crown Initate) - Spoken words
Alexander Kerski (Vianova)- Backing & harmony vocals
Matthias Alexander Preisinger - Piano and glockenspiel, violins & viola
Martin Matiasovic - Horns & Wagnerian Tube
Jan Ferdinand - Vibraphone & marimba
Chris Rützel - Flutes
Ivar Ludvig Nitzler - Cello
Shiho Murano - Tuba
Juliane Erding - Wagnerian tube & horn
Eduard Cortez - Wagnerian tube & horn
Tillmann Schulz  - Wagnerian tube & horn
Ava Bonam - Female vocals
Moran Magal - Piano
Cydney McQuillan-Grace, Lauren Gill, Shannon Bedford, Sara Robalo; Tenor and Bari - Ben Francis, John Schaffer,  Alice Williams, Cyd McQuillan-Grace; Alto - Lauren Gill, Sara Robalo; Tenor and Bass - James Schouten & John Schaffer - Choir vocals
Krassimir Jossifov - Trumpet
Brandt Attema - Trombones & bass trombones
Kristian Petkov - Bassoon
Stefan Prost - Church organ
Seonghyeon Park - Clarinet
Arnfried Falk - Oboe
Rouven Haliti - Upright bass
Dalai Cellai - Cello

Recording Studio:
FountainheadHQ, Hellersounds, Saforill, Klanghafen, Landesmusikakademie Berlin, Musikhochschule Carl-Maria-Von-Weber, Muziek Studio Beeld, Sonictrain.

Production Credits:
Produced & Engineered by Tom Fountainhead.
Mixed by Tom Fountainhead at FountainheadHQ.
Mastered by Leon Schmidt at his home studio & FountainheadHQ.

Cover Art:
Aaron Pinto (Gutslit) / KidSquidy
 
Photography:
Alexander Kerski / Comicsans_ultra

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

Follow Fountainhead & Changeling:
Website:http://www.thefountainhead.de
Facebook:http://facebook.com/tomfountainheadgeldschlaeger
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/changeling.official
Bandcamp:https://changelingofficial.bandcamp.com/
YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/fountainheadtv
Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/artist/changeling/294821510
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4MbRUvwQcEBzryOhWMHkvV

Booking Contact:
Tom Fountainhead
thefountainhead@gmx.net

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
2x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear w/ Red Splatters
2x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - White w/ Red Splatters

Archetypes Collide Drop Lyric Video for New Single "The Problem"

Arizona rock band ARCHETYPES COLLIDE — Kyle Pastor (vocals), Brandon Baker and Jared Knister (guitars), Ky Sanders (bass), and Tyler Flamm(drums) — quickly established themselves as a band unafraid to blur the lines between safety and innovation in heavy music. In their songs, soaring vocals, melodies, and heavy grooves swirl with passion and precision. They closed out 2024 by releasing the single "Hollow High." Watch the visualizer here.

They have released the lyric video for the new single "The Problem."

Watch it Below.

On "The Problem," the band has cranked the knobs as far as they can go It's powered by a gnarly riff that comes roaring from the '00s heavy music heyday. But while the song takes inspo from that era, this ain't no retro banger. Archetypes Collide have crafted a contemporary hard rock anthem with furious screams, layered and emotive vocal melodies, and killer, head-nodding choruses. "The Problem" is the logical next step for Archetypes Collide, who are poised to cut their own path in this genre.

"Setting boundaries, putting up walls, cutting off relationships," says Pastor. "It's an unfortunate reality we all have to deal with. But all too often people abuse these habits in the name of 'protecting their peace,' instead of taking responsibility for their actions. I wrote 'The Problem' after having to deal with this head on."

Archetypes Collide are touring the U.S. this spring in support of Fame on Fire and Haloescene. All dates are below.

ARCHETYPES COLLIDE ON TOUR:
WITH FAME ON FIRE + HALOSCENE:
4/1 — Baltimore, MD — Baltimore Soundstage
4/2 — New York, NY — Gramercy Theatre
4/3 — Philadelphia, PA — Brooklyn Bowl
4/5 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium Upstairs
4/6 — Richmond, VA — Amos' Southend
4/7 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade Hell
4/11 — Jacksonville, FL — Jack Rabbits Live
4/12 — Orlando, FL — The Beacham
4/13 — Houston, TX — Scout Bar
4/14 — Dallas, TX — Gas Monkey Bar N Grill
4/18 — Phoenix, AZ — Nile Theater
4/19 — Anaheim, CA — The Parish at House of Blues
4/20 — San Diego, CA — House of Blues
4/22 — Sacramento, CA — Goldfield Trading Post
4/23 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theatre
4/24 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
4/25 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
4/26 — Denver, CO — The Marquis Theater
4/29 — Lawrence, KS — Granada Theatre
5/3 — Omaha, NE — The Waiting Room
5/4 — St. Paul, MN — Amsterdam Bar & Hall
5/5 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
5/8 — Flint, MI — The Machine Shop

ABOUT ARCHETYPES COLLIDE:
ARCHETYPES COLLIDE demand repeated listening, mixing everything from Linkin Park and Bring Me The Horizon to The Chainsmokers, and Stranger Things-style retro synths, into a unique musical identity. A collection of singles and EPs drew a devoted fanbase and the attention of Oshie Bichar, bassist for Beartooth. Bichar enlisted his management, and the pair took Archetypes Collide under their wing. Soon after, SiriusXM's Octane got behind songs like "Your Misery," "Becoming What I Hate," and "Above It All." The band appeared on major festivals like Aftershock, Louder Than Life, and Welcome To Rockville, toured with genre giants The Amity Affliction, and crafted an ambitious self-titled debut album for Fearless Records. Archetypes Collide spent several weeks in the first part of 2022 making their inaugural full-length, with a super team surrounding them to execute their vision. Bichar produced alongside Nick Ingram (Dayseeker, Convictions, Hawthorne Heights) at Capital House Studio in Ohio. Additional production came from Jon Eberhard (Skillet, I Prevail, Until I Wake); The Plot In You frontman Landon Tewers lent a creative hand as well. The resulting album, mixed by Jeff Dunne (Ice Nine Kills, Wage War, Make Them Suffer), captures the vibrant spirit of the 2010s-era Warped Tour with a postmodern edge. It's a diverse but singular mission statement, brimming with authenticity and hope. ARCHETYPES COLLIDE aren't bound by preconceived notions or limitations. As single Kyle Pastor explains simply: "Why not take every shot, in every direction, under the umbrella of hard rock and metal?"

W.A.S.P. Release the Lyric Video for Paint It Black. Announce Sold Out Shows Across Europe

W.A.S.P. announce the release of the lyric video for Paint It Black, taken from the digital release of Bonus Tracks & B-Sides from the W.A.S.P. The 7 Savage boxset.

Watch W.A.S.P. Paint It Black Below.

Purchase or stream the digital release of Bonus Tracks & B-Sides - https://orcd.co/wasp_bonus_listen
 
BraveWords, Sleaze Roxx, Metal Insider and The Metal Voice all picked the W.A.S.P. Album ONE Alive tour as one of the best tours in 2024. W.A.S.P. are bringing the Album ONE Alive tour to South America, Europe and the UK in 2025. Dates and tickets are available at WASPnation.com/tour

About W.A.S.P.
Few Bands in the history of Rock N’ Roll have ever incited the love, the hate, the raw emotional effect this Band has had on the world. From the very beginning, in the small venues of Los Angeles California, and later to the numerous countries worldwide that banned these Winged Assassins from performing live, the Band’s unique style of Shock and Rock caused Religious organizations, Local City Councils, Parliaments, and the Washington D.C. Senate to hold hearings in an effort to bar this group from selling records and trashing stages everywhere they played.

The band’s founding member, frontman Blackie Lawless, has led the group as its lead vocalist and primary songwriter since its beginning. His unique brand of visual, social and political comment took the group to worldwide heights and sold millions of records alongside a legacy of sold out shows across the globe for 4 decades.

https://www.waspnation.com
https://www.facebook.com/W.A.S.P.Nation
https://twitter.com/waspofficial
https://instagram.com/waspnationofficial
https://youtube.com/@WASPNationOfficial
https://www.tiktok.com/@waspnationofficial
https://www.bandsintown.com/a/7553

Chicago's Push Puppets presents 'This Whole Endeavor' + fab video for 'All Together on 3', previewing fourth album

Melodic indie pop-rock outfit Push Puppets presents 'This Whole Endeavor', the second single from their new long-play album 'Tethered Together', as well as a wonderful new video for the cinematic 'All Together On 3', produced by Scott Thiele and Sebastian Gonzales, and edited by Daniele Arcuri. Both sonic gems preview their fourth record, out on May 16 via Flowering Tree Music. 

Based in Chicago, Push Puppets is the creative outlet for singer-songwriter and guitarist Erich Specht. The five-piece creates songs with earworm melodies and shiny production that belie often bittersweet sentiments. Specht (lead vocals, guitar) is joined by a core of Steve Frisbie (backup vocals, guitar), Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums). 

Most songs on this album also involve a string quartet, with a horn section on one. We see the quartet's impeccable performance in the video for 'All Together On 3', with Stephanie “Sly” Young on violin, Katherine Andrick on viola, Molly Rife on cello and Kelly Jozwiak on violin (note: Janis Sakai performs in the audio recording).

Its timeless quality and melancholic reflection take us on a sonic trip that is as stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. A moody and musically progressive song about how we’re stronger when we work together, it builds to a cathartic reprise of live strings and harpsichord with a desperate vocal crying for a helping hand as violins punctuate the lines with elegance.

The latest single This Whole Endeavor', a rocker about a relationship that has ended, draws you in with an instantly memorable piano hook. Describing the ebb and flow of a relationship with flowing lyrics, this is sincere yet engaging, the song's reflective bridge and breakdown followed by a driving finale. With the first verse noting love at first sight at a bar - somewhat foreteling the outcome - the story takes a turn and ends in disarray, the author ultimately wishing it was she with him in bed rather than his dog.

"I get a kick out of referring to love at first sight as ‘a trainwreck just about to happen’.  My Pete Townshend fandom might be apparent in this one between the 70s synth phrases and guitar smacks,” says Erich Specht.  “As much as I hate to admit it, after reflecting on the lyrics, it seems clear that this song is somewhat about the relationship with my ex-wife".

The 'Tethered Together' album is graced with impeccable songwriting that shines with lush harmonies, angular guitars, dramatic keyboards and strings backed by a rhythm section to ensure a continually high groove factor. Erich Specht muses on relationships and loss, as well as the weight and joy of life, in a manner that is poetic and seems effortless, his lyrics fitting to the melody like pieces of a puzzle. Wearing his vulnerabilities like a badge of honor, this music takes us on a journey to unexpected places.  

"This album offers a nod to the artistic excesses of the 70s, whether it's a wall of phased vocals or a moment where guitars and strings rip a quick line together between phrases.  The tracks are widely varied yet cohesive - and within a given song, you're likely to be taken elsewhere" says Erich Specht.

'All Together on 3' and 'The Whole Endeavor' are available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The 'Tethered Together' album, now available for pre-order, will be released digitally and on CD on May 16. Push Puppets will hold their album release show at Robert's Westside in Forest Park, IL on May 30.

'THIS WHOLE ENDEAVOUR' CREDITS
Lyrics and music by Erich Specht (ASCAP)
Produced by Doug McBride and Erich Specht
Mixed and mastered by Doug McBride at Gravity Studios
Erich Specht – Lead vocals and guitars
Kyle Magnusson – Keyboards
John William Lauler – Bass
Greg Essig - Drums
Tommi Zender – Backup vocals and guitar

'ALL TOGETHER ON 3' CREDITS
Erich Specht – Lead vocals, guitars, string arrangements
Steve Frisbie – Backup vocals
Kyle Magnusson – Keyboards
John William Lauler – Bass
Greg Essig - Drums
Stephanie “Sly” Young – Violin
Janis Sakai – Violin (Kelly Jozwiak appears in the video)
Katherine Andrick – Viola
Molly Rife – Cello
Video produced by Scott Thiele & Sebastian Gonzales
Video edited by Daniele Arcuri

Cover artwork by Crow Prints
Released & published by Flowering Tree Music (ASCAP)
Artist studio photos by Gintas Zaranka
Artist live photos by Gabi Bucataru
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR 


Keep up with Push Puppets 
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | BlueSky | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter |Soundcloud | Instagram | Link edIn | Email

BRKN LOVE Release Third Full-Length LP 'The Program' Out NOW via Spinefarm

Today, BRKN LOVE celebrates the release of their third LP 'The Program,' via Spinefarm. The release is heralded by a new single, "Cruel," accompanied by a new music video, available below.



Exuding bravado, mystique, and a whole lot of heart, BRKN LOVE sets the rulebook on fire by plugging in, turning up, and churning out the kind of rock ‘n’ roll that makes you feel a little freer. Their gritty riffs pack enough punch to shake any stage while the grooves quake with just the right amount of hip-swinging gusto. Led by vocalist and guitarist Justin Benlolo, the music drips swagger, soul, and spirit amplified by arena-sized hooks and intriguingly inventive musicality.

About "Cruel," Justin had this to say:

"'Cruel' is one of the most ambitious songs we’ve ever made. We leaned into our R&B influences on this one, breaking free from the boundaries we’d previously set for ourselves. This track marks a new chapter for BRKN LOVE, pushing our sound into brand-new territory. Lyrically, it’s about that moment when you’ve had enough — when someone has mistreated you for too long, and you finally decide to walk away. No second-guessing, no looking back. It is what it is.

"We recorded the song at the legendary Foo Fighters’ Studio 606, capturing the energy and spirit of the greats we’ve always admired. The entire experience brought a new dimension to our sound, and we couldn’t be more excited to share 'Cruel' with the world. Thank you so much and turn it up loud."

Watch the Video for "Cruel"

Stream "Cruel" HERE 

An impromptu 2023 trip to visit a friend in Charleston, SC gave rise to their third studio album, 'The Program.' Justin initially planned on spending a weekend in town. That weekend turned into nine weeks, and he returned to Toronto with the bulk of the album’s material.

“I didn’t have anything else to do, so I brought all of my gear and studio equipment,” he recalls. “I was so inspired by the environment and the friends I made. It’s a big city, but it’s not huge. It’s just beautiful though. The experience inspired the whole record. Instead of being so picturesque and metaphorical, I told stories.”

The album title even referenced the name of the text group for his new friends in Charleston, embedding the experience and the city in the fabric of the music. The vision had already crystallized before he left for Los Angeles where he recorded with longtime producer Anton DeLost (Cleopatrick, The Warning, State Champs, Dead Poet Society). These friends, and a variety of other characters he met, ultimately inspired the concept at the heart of "The Program."

“It was a collective of 10 people I’d never met before, and we kept using the term ‘The Program’ repeatedly like, ‘Let’s go here, because it would be good for The Program’,” he goes on. “It was cool to be surrounded by near-complete strangers, invite them to our place, and play demos. Their opinions were unfiltered and blunt—which was awesome. I was actively searching for inspiration, and I put myself out there in different situations. I was free and unchained to do anything.”

BRKN LOVE fulfilled a clear destiny to be as free as possible on their third full-length LP, 'The Program.'

On the album, BRKN LOVE shares:

"Our new album, 'The Program' started with a completely unplanned trip to Charleston, South Carolina. We had no real agenda, just a need to get away and see where the music would take us. That trip ended up shaping so much of this record, from the name to the overall vibe. More than anything, it helped us break free from the parameters we had set for this band in the past. This time, we just wanted to make the music we love, without overthinking what BRKN LOVEwas supposed to sound like.

You’ll hear elements of funk, disco, pop and R&B in ways we’ve never done before. But at the end of the day, it still sounds like us. The fact that we even get to make a third album is something we don’t take for granted. So many bands don’t get this far, and we’re beyond grateful to still be here, making music that we love. 

Lyrically, this is our most honest and direct record yet. A lot of it is about love and loss. We didn’t want to dress it up or be vague; we just wanted to be straight-up about heartbreak and more importantly, how you move on from it in a positive way.

We made this album with our frequent collaborator, Anton Delost, who absolutely killed it as a producer. A huge part of the sound comes from recording at the legendary Foo Fighters’ Studio 606. Tracking through their iconic Neve console that’s been used on so many classic records. 'The Program' is the record we’ve always wanted to make, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it."

Order 'The Program' HERE

BRKN LOVE emerged with their self-titled debut in 2020. The group quietly generated over a quarter of a billion total streams. They notched a Top 15 entry on Active Rock radio with “Shot Down,” while their cover of “River” by Bishop Briggs hit critical mass. It inspired over 2 billion-plus views on TikTok. It piled up 28 million Spotify streams. 2022’s 'Black Box' only maintained this momentum. “Like A Drug” notched north of 8.5 million Spotify streams, made waves at Active Rock, and emerged as their third Top 5 at Canadian radio.

Ministry Releases First-Ever Music Video For “Everyday Is Halloween”: From “The Squirrely Years Revisited” Album, Out Now Via Cleopatra Records;

For the first time ever, Ministry has an official music video for the eternal hit, “Everyday is Halloween.” Originally released in 1984, Al Jourgensen’s rally cry for the goth community and misunderstood creatures of the night has remained a cult classic over the decades and is finally being given the visual treatment it deserves.

See the video for “Everyday is Halloween” Below.

Says Jourgensen, “I’m amazed and honored that folks are still listening to this song 40 years on. Fly that freak flag proudly.”

“Everyday is Halloween” is one of the cuts on the forthcoming album, The Squirrely Years Revisited, out now via Cleopatra Records that sees Jourgensen making peace with the past. After the incredible reception to Ministry’s With Sympathy and Twitch-heavy set at Cruel World 2024, Jourgensen decided it was time to reexamine his long-dormant synth pop hits and give them a fresh polish 40 years later.

Featuring 9 tracks (3 additional bonus tracks on CD), The Squirrely Years Revisited offers reworked versions of not only “Everyday Is Halloween,” but also “Work For Love,” “I’m Not An Effigy,” and “I’ll Do Anything For You.”

The Squirrely Years Revisited follows the release of Ministry’s 16th studio album in 2024, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, and comes ahead of the final new studio album from Ministry in 2026, a record that has Jourgensen teaming up with Paul Barker once again.

The Squirrely Years Revisited will be available in all formats including digital, CD and 4 different vinyl configurations.

Order Digital copies of the album HERE

Order CD/Vinyl copies of the album HERE

To celebrate the album and the new-old era of Ministry, the band — also including John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Pepe Clarke Magaña (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) —will embark on The Squirrely Years Tour beginning April 29, with a set dominated by Jourgensen’s earliest works. Opening support will come from Ministry’s old-school comrades, including Nitzer Ebb for the first half of the tour, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult for the second half of the tour; and Die Krupps on all dates. Tickets are on sale now at MinistryBand.com.

MINISTRY THE SQUIRRELY YEARS TOUR

Joined By Nitzer Ebb, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Die Krupps

*Nitzer Ebb appearing

+My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult appearing

(Die Krupps appearing on all dates except May 8)

April 2025

29  Phoenix, AZ @ Van Buren*

30  Albuquerque, NM @ Revel*

May 2025

2    Austin, TX @ Emo’s*

3    Houston, TX @ House of Blues*

4    Dallas, TX @ Factory*

6    Atlanta, GA @ The Eastern*

8    Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival

9    Chicago, IL @ Riviera*

10  Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral*

12  Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage*

13  Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall+

14  Boston, MA @ Roadrunner+

16  Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount+

17  Montreal, QC @ MTelus+

18  Toronto, ON @ History+

20  Minneapolis, MN @ Palace+

21  Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre+

23  Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall+

24  Calgary, AB @ Palace Theatre+

26  Vancouver, BC @ Commodore+

28  Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo+

29  Spokane, WA @ Spokane Live Casino+

31  Denver, CO @ Mission Ballroom+

June 2025

1   Salt Lake City, UT @ Union+

3   San Francisco, CA @ Warfield+

4   Los Angeles, CA @ Palladium+

5   Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues+

For tickets and more information, visit www.ministryband.com/tour

ABOUT MINISTRY

Born in 1981 in Chicago, Ministry has been the lifetime passion project of founder Al Jourgensen, considered to be the pioneer of industrial music. In its early days, Ministry was identifiable by its heavy synth-pop material in line with the new sounds and technology that were being developed in the ‘80s. Ministry’s output began with four 12” singles on Wax Trax! Records in 1981 before the first LP With Sympathy in 1983 via Arista Records. As time progressed however, so did Ministry, quickly developing a harsher, and more stylized sound that the band soon became infamous for on seminal albums Twitch (1986), The Land of Rape and Honey (1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), Ministry hit an all-time high in the mainstream musical realm and received its first Grammy nomination. In total, Ministry has been nominated for a Grammy award six times. Eight more albums would follow before an indefinite break in 2013, only to be unearthed again in 2018 with AmeriKKKant, continuing to reflect Jourgensen’s views on the frightening state of society and politics. The 2021 album Moral Hygiene marked a new creative era of Jourgensen and the band. Ministry’s 16th studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, was released March 1, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Find Ministry Online

Website: www.ministryband.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WeAreMinistry

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/WeAreMinistry

Seattle indie rocker AudioGust presents punchy feel-good 'Here We Go Again', heralding new album

Seattle-based indie rock artist AudioGust presents his latest single 'Here We Go Again', the bright and punctuated title track from his forthcoming second album, set for release in late spring. This song kicks things off with an upbeat tribute to the unpredictable nature of creative inspiration.

AudioGust is the solo project of songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Evans, whose journey started in the 1980s as a guitarist and bassist in various bands. After a decades-long detour in the software industry (including 20 years at Microsoft), he has returned to his true passion, writing and recording in his own studio. He has since released over three dozen songs and collaborated with artists worldwide, drawing inspiration from bands such as Green Day, The Police, and Foo Fighters.
 
'Here We Go Again' captures the artist’s late-night encounter with his muse—an unexpected, almost mystical moment when a song begins to take shape in his mind. As dawn approaches, the rush of ideas intensifies, and he scrambles to keep up, fearing that if he lets them slip away, inspiration may stop visiting altogether. With driving energy and vivid storytelling, Evans sets the tone for the album’s exploration of the highs and lows of the creative process.

This 3 a.m. creative encounter and subsequent search for its significance is a story that fits well with AudioGust's menu of hooky anthems for disenchanted optimists. With a sound vortex imbued with 90’s to 2000’s alternative rock, his guitar-driven music brings in a strong, driving rhythm section, big choruses and even bigger bridge sections.

This first offering is an intriguing introduction to AudioGust's new 14-track album. Deeply personal and universally relatable, this is an ode to the highs and lows of creativity, including some of his most popular singles, along with new material. Blending raw energy with introspective storytelling, the album explores the unpredictable nature of inspiration—both the exhilarating moments when it strikes and the emptiness when it fades.
 
AudioGust explains, "This album is split into songs that describe the extremes of the fickle nature of inspiration and songs that have come to me in both of those places". Offering a deep dive into the creative process, this record features six brand-new songs as well as fan-favorite singles, including 'Tomorrow is Mine', a finalist in the 2024 USA Songwriting Contest.
 
With a knack for crafting memorable melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, underscored by upbeat rhythms and evocative guitar arrangements, AudioGust creates music that speaks to the disenchanted and dreamers alike through sonic exploration of the modern human condition. AudioGust released his debut album 'Walk With Me' in 2023, followed by the 'Hope from Darkness' and 'Love and Pain' EPs.

As of March 31, the single 'Here We Go Again' is available from fine music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.  The full album by the same name will be released on May 30.

ALBUM CREDITS
All songs written by Chris Evans
except 'How You Been?' written by Chris Evans & Liz Rodrigues
Recorded, mixed & mastered by AudioGust on Whidbey Island
Performed by AudioGust
Liliana Tani - vocals on 'Dead to Me'
Leslie Irish Evans - announcer's voice on 'Award Show'  
Cover artwork by Chris Evans
Artist photos by Ernie Sapiro
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with AudioGust
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

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Renowned Rock Singer RUSS BALLARD Shares New Single “Courageous” + Video

Renowned rock singer RUSS BALLARD premiers his new single and accompanying video “Courageous,” taken from his upcoming double album 'Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired,' out on April 25, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.

This release is a real treat for all rock fans: the first CD contains new songs, which show once again that the inspiration never left RUSS, while the second CD includes brand new recordings of famous hits either penned or performed by him during the years.

About the new single, RUSS BALLARD says:

"Living in a mad world - aren’t we somehow? In a world where a little girl is a 'mother to her brother for so long.' I had this strong story in my mind one day… A dark one with a good end – 'You have the power to stand strong - Long may you shine on.'"

He also expresses his excitement for the album:

“It’s a buzz releasing a new album. What started as my 'Lockdown-tapes' during the pandemic became an album! During lockdown, my studio was a lifesaver for me, and I found new ways of writing and recording. The result gives the listeners a good insight into this time - have a listen!”

Watch the Video for “Courageous”

RUSS BALLARD is simply one of the most renowned and gifted songwriters in pop and rock music. His music career started when he was only 14 years old and he wrote a tune, which was recorded by The Shadows, appearing on their album 'The Sound Of The Shadows' in 1964.

During the 70’s and 80’s, his songs ruled the airwaves and the list of hits is pretty much endless. From “Since You Been Gone” (Rainbow), “God Gave Rock'n'Roll To You” (Argent and Kiss), “So You Win Again” (Hot Chocolate), “New York Groove” (Hello and Ace Frehley), “You Can Do Magic” (America), “Winning” (Santana) or “I Don’t Believe In Miracles” (Colin Blunstone) – just to name a few – everyone who needed a great song knew that with RUSS BALLARD they could not go wrong.

Numerous records/artists were also produced by him, like Roger Daltrey, America, Elkie Brooks, Skindred or Sada Vidoo. In 1974, he started a solo career (after his stint with the band Argent in early 70’s), which had its highest momentum with the 'S/t' album in 1984 (which included the hit single “Voices”) and the follow up “The Fire Still Burns”.

Since then, BALLARD has released 10 studio albums and is still writing and producing hits. Three songs from his 1984 and 1985 albums were featured in the TV show “Miami Vice” and were extensively played on dance floors around Europe.

 Pre-Order 'Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired' HERE

Female-Led Upon Wings Drop Metalcore Anthem "My Remedy"

Upon Wings are back in full force in 2025, and the female-led band has just released their second single of 2025, "My Remedy," which is a metalcore anthem.
 
On "My Remedy," Upon Wings unleash their heaviest song to date, with hard-hitting breakdowns, loud guitars, and pummeling rhythms backing vocalist Anne Autumn Erickson's angelic, heartfelt vocals. This powerful new song, which is about that one thing in life that gets your through hard times, is available now.

Stream and download the song on all platforms HERE.

Upon Wings were quiet in 2024, but they're enjoying a fantastic 2025.

In January, the band released "Haunting Me," an emotive electronic ballad with  dark beats and production. Meanwhile, their music has been strong on streaming platforms, with their 2022 heavy metal single, "Last Love," garnering more than 26,000 streams on Spotify, and their 2023 single, "Distant Memory," is at nearly 12,000 Spotify streams. Both of those songs feature guitars from Kevin Jardine and pummeling rhythms from Kyng drummer Pepe Clarke Magaña. "Distant Memory" also features a shredding guitar solo from Lita Ford guitarist Patrick Kennison.

Meanwhile, their debut single, "Afterlife" featuring Brett Hestla of Creed and Dark New Day, is also still going strong.

Anne's "Women of Rock and Metal," "Metal and Rock That Slays," and "Fire Tracks" playlists have taken off on Spotify, too.

Find Upon Wings on Spotify HERE and on Apple Music HERE.

Find Anne Autumn Erickson's solo music on Spotify HERE and on Apple Music HERE, and find her work at Audio Ink Radio here.

Manchester's THE SPEED OF SOUND presents 'SS-100-X', a JFK story of intrigue Their 'A Cornucopia' album trilogy, marking their 35-year anniversary, is out now

Iconic Manchester indie rockers The Speed Of Sound present their new single 'SS-100-X', a prime and timely pick from their 'Minerva' album. Titled after the codename for the presidential car that fateful day of JFK's assassination in Dallas, the video for 'SS-100-X' intentionally uses AI-generated images to mix fact with speculation and inference, matching the post-fact world environment of the 21st century.

The band has released their ambitious mega-album trilogy 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty' in multiple formats via Californian cult label Big Stir Records, cementing their mark on the legacy they began in 1989. With music that is idiosyncratic and counter-intuitive, The Speed of Sound is always in search of something new. Creating music with lyrical bite, expanding their foundation of 1960s, punk and new wave influences, their dynamic and stylistic variation crossing borders and pushing boundaries at every opportunity.

"Spreading like a virus, conspiracy theories have gone mainstream and it all seems to have started long ago with the Kennedy assassination. The simple and chaotic explanation of anything is now routinely jettisoned in favour of swirling dark forces and a wilful maliciousness to recognise anything as fact, instead everything is an issue of unshakeable faith in the existence of a sinister deeper plot," says frontman and songwriter John Armstrong.

"The opening lines of the song describe the view from a 5th-floor Portuguese hotel balcony, but due to the absence of a Ground Floor in American buildings, that made it the 6th. So my view of the Lincoln convertible passing along the street below was identical to that Oswald had from the Texas School Book Repository."

This single arrives on the heels of the audio-visual trip that is 'Permafrost' and also 'Eight Fourteen Monday', which narrates a dreary commute to explore themes of isolation, detachment, and the contrast between superficial politeness and genuine emotion, while subtly referencing the devastating historical event of Hiroshima.

With overlapping themes of independence - both culturally and artistically - each disc of the 'A Cornucopia' trilogy has its own vibe and personality: 'Minerva' is belligerence in musical form, 'Victory' is a manifesto of artistic creativity and 'Bounty' represents the fruits of artistic freedom, all taking place far from the grasping tentacles of the ‘music industry’.

'A Cornucopia' began with the band’s own love of the album format and a determination to make long-form music rather than merely produce a conveyor belt of unrelated singles. The interlocking themes of 'A Cornucopia' are deliberately made for album listeners to enjoy, each disc being its own standalone entity while also forming part of the larger whole trinity.

Full of ambition, energy and melodic brilliance, this three-album deluxe edition is available on vinyl and CD. Beginning with the 'Minerva' album, The Speed of Sound shared a rich bouquet of thought-provoking compositions, including the hauntingly spacious 'Trickledown', the stratospherically vast 'The Great Acceleration', the uplifting 'Mind Palace' and 'West Wind', where a recklessly fast rhythm merges with a Wagnerian horn section.

The 'Victory' album then brings 14 fresh and unexpectedly shape-shifting grooves, from the supremely danceable 'Underground', the unabashed sensuality of 'Monsoon', gothic lounge jazz of 'Permafrost', the glam-rocking 'E to F', reckless garage punk punch of 'Go For It', post-nostalgia of 'The Same River' and triumphant shimmering elegance of 'Tranquility Falls' to the strangely linked pairing of 'Apocalypse Acropolis'and 'Apocalypse Metropolis'.

The ’Bounty’ album adds to this with another ten ranging from the crunching garage rock of 'No Kicks' to the haunting floating melody of 'Virtual Reality123', acoustic driven rave-up of 'Replicant' and bouncing energy of 'Artificial Paradise'.

Marking their 35th anniversary, 'A Cornucopia' trilogy follows their 2021 critically acclaimed album 'Museum Of Tomorrow', returning triumphant, defiant and redemptive. Most music is never even recorded, and most recorded music remains unheard. ‘A Cornucopia’ is a celebration of all unheard underground music and the whole counterculture itself - music made for the pleasure of making it.

‘A Cornucopia’ is available everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp, Physically the full trilogy 'A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty' can be ordered on CD and vinyl at www.thespeedofsounduk.com/shop-2

The Speed Of Sound are:
John Armstrong (songwriting, guitars & vox) – John A has developed a vivid style of guitar playing borne of combining rhythm and lead techniques in a flow that pulls the music like a tide steeped in unresolved chords and entrancing vocals.
Ann-Marie Crowley  (vox & guitars) – Ann-Marie hadn’t performed rock based music before joining The Speed Of Sound in 2015 and has vast experience of Irish, folk and also classical operatic singing.
Kevin Roache (bass guitar) – Kevin has performed with John since 1990, he brings a wide understanding of playing differing genre’s including music of Indian origin, he has a highly individual outlook on the bass.
John Broadhurst (drums) – John B joined The Speed Of Sound in 2018. He has a wealth of skills including jazz, pop, rock and blues and has an ability to play with the spaces, the freedom of playing originals is liberating while the fluid and improvisational sections are something he willingly embraces.
Henry Armstrong (keyboards) – With 16 years of studying improvisational music and an intuitive approach, Henry (John's son) joined in 2018, adding a new dimension to the band's sound.

CREDITS
All songs written by John Armstrong
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Vibratone Sound Studio in Manchester by Chris Guest, Adam Crossley & The Speed of Sound
John Armstrong - guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley - vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache - bass guitar
John Broadhurst - drums
Henry Armstrong - keyboards
Bob Dinn - trumpet and flugelhorn
Chris Guest - harmonium, vibraphone, organ, assorted shakers, tambourine.
Band photographs by Shay Rowan
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with The Speed of Sound
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Keep up with Big Stir Records
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Volumes Return With Visualizer for Crushing New Single "Sidewinder"

Los Angeles quartet Volumes — Michael Barr [vocals], Raad Soudani[bass], Myke Terry [vocals], and Nick Ursich [drums] — have just dropped the visualizer for "Sidewinder," their first new track in over two years.

And trust us — it was worth the wait. 

The song is so sonically violent that it's the musical equivalent of the alien bursting from astronaut Kane's chest in the classic horror film Alien. The song is erected on djenty riffs that will loosen your teeth from your gums, industrial crunch, heavy artillery percussion, and the kind of screams that nightmares are made of. So, basically, it's a killer metal track. But the ante has been upped to 11.

Watch the visualizer below.

Volumes also discussed the song in an exclusive interview with Knotfest. Read it here.

"'Sidewinder' is an unapologetic hate letter to a world gone mad, especially the corruption within the music industry," Barr states, sharing insight into the subject matter that's as in your face as the sonics. "It offers an unfiltered perspective on a society in chaos, with no optimism or positivity. It’s a song that captures the feeling of everything unraveling as we know it."

 Volumes have been making a metallic racket since erupting onto the scene in 2010. Armed with a rich catalog spanning three EPs and four full lengths, with over 224 million streams and press praise from Kerrang!, Revolver, New Noise, and more, the band's signature, progressive metalcore style boasts djenty riffs, guttural screams, and crunchy synths. Volumes, who've welcomed singer Michael Barr back into fold twice, have never shied away from experimenting with their dual vocal sound or releasing reimagined and instrumental versions of their songs, demonstrating the depth and breadth of their songwriting prowess. They've hit the road with the likes of Ice Nine Kills, Counterparts, Northlane, Born of Osiris, Dance Gavin Dance, Secrets, and Crown the Empire. Clearly, Volumes cannot be bound by genre parameters and limitations. Now, with "Sidewinder," they are ready for the next era and the Volume(s) is turned all the way up.

UK electronic duo DRAGON WELDING shares 'Hiding Things For Fun', highlighting fourth album 'The Naughty Step'

UK electro noise-pop duo Dragon Welding has revealed a new video for their ruminative 'Hiding Things For Fun', a more downtempo offering from their fourth album 'The Naughty Step' (out now via Dimple Discs) and also happens to be the first record to feature new vocalist Nik Cockshott (formerly of leftfield indie rockers The Spores and The Keatons).

Dragon Welding is an anagram of Andrew Golding, perhaps best known as multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of Essex-based indie noise-pop legends The Wolfhounds. Initially joining Golding for a one-off show in 2023, Cockshott and Golding soon began working together on new material, resulting in the 2024 single 'These Are Dangerous Times', a radical electronic reworking of Dragon Welding's debut release five years prior, essentially marking Dragon Welding's rebirth as a group.

Dragon Welding also recently shared a captivating 'stop-start' animation video for the title track, created by award- winning graphic artist Andy Royston, who also designed the album's cover. They earlier released the high tempo single 'We Dance Among You', following the video for ‘Up And Away’, released as a 3-track single - a clarion call to a dozing generation.

"This song is on one level about losing ideals as we get older. I try not to 'make do' if I can see a way of sticking to the right path. On another level, losing things deliberately is something I am often accused of. The trick in life is to find a partner who is as good at finding things as you are at mislaying them.” He adds that it is also “a Gen X anthem that dreams of being played live to an auditorium full of ghosts, each holding aloft a misplaced cigarette lighter," says Andrew Golding.

"The lyrical theme of the album overall is me trying to deal with problems that I’ve never quite resolved in my mind, while all the time, new problems appear. It’s never ending and I will continue to write songs about it until I stop caring.

After debuting in 2019 with a well-received eclectic eponymous album, Dragon Welding released the all-instrumental 'Lights Behind The Eyes’ (2021) and then ‘Fictionary’ (2023), which featured guest appearances by Anthony Chapman of Collapsed Lung and Alice Golding of The Othyrs.

With a consistent voice, a solid focus on idiosyncratic and, at times, dark electronic backing, augmented by an increasing plethora of obtuse instrumentation, unpretentious ecologically and socially-relevant lyrics, this incarnation of Dragon Welding is ready to present their new material. The new album continues DW's tradition of blending clever guitar with mischievous sonic and rhythmic manipulations.

'The Naughty Step' album is out everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Musicand Bandcamp. Vinyl and CDs are also available from Rough Trade, Amazon and Resident Records.

CREDITS
Music and lyrics - Andrew Golding
Vocals - Nik Cockshott
Guitars and programming – Andrew Golding
Mixed by Ant Chapman and Andrew Golding
Mastered by Ant Chapman
Recorded in London and Manchester 2023-2024
Cover design and videos by Andy Royston
Images by Andy Royston and Helen Golding
Album released via Dimple Discs
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

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Annisokay Share New Single

German metalcore powerhouse Annisokay have returned with their brand-new single "Inner Sanctum," a hard-hitting track that showcases the band's signature blend of crushing heaviness and melodic intensity. The song is taken from their new EP Abyss Pt. II, set for release on April 11 via Arising Empire. Watch the video below.

"Inner Sanctum" dives deep into themes of inner struggle and resilience, delivering powerful vocals, atmospheric soundscapes, and intense breakdowns. Fans can expect Abyss Pt. II to push the boundaries of Annisokay's sound even further, cementing their status as a driving force in the modern metalcore scene.
 

In October, Annisokay will embark on their Abyss Pt. II European Tour, bringing their explosive live show to stages across the continent. The band is also set to perform at some of Europe's biggest festivals, including Wacken, Greenfield Festival, Reload Festival, and Summer Breeze, promising unforgettable performances that fans won't want to miss.
 

Mark your calendars for April 11 and prepare to embrace the abyss — both on record and live on stage!

More info about the Abyss Pt. II European tour dates and festival dates here. 

PRE-ORDER "ABYSS PT. II"

Iodine to Release Bloodhorse's Long-Awaited Sophomore Album "A Malign Star" + Band Shares Title Track

Iodine Recordings is pleased to announce it will release A Malign Star, the long-awaited sophomore LP from Boston's Bloodhorse. The vinyl arrives on May 30. Pre-order it here. 

The record was produced by Alex Garcia-Rivera at Mystic Valley Studios (Vundabar, American Nightmare, 108) and is the long-awaited follow-up to 2009's critically acclaimed Horizoner album, which was released by Translation Loss.

The band is a who's who, featuring members of iconic Massachusetts bands American Nightmare, The Red Chord, and All Pigs Must Die.

A Malign Star is a reckoning — a raw, relentless journey through doubt, defiance, and the eerie spaces in between. From crushing riffs that pay tribute to self-destruction to compositions steeped in imperial dread, each track carves out its own space in the chaos. There's a biting critique of pettiness and alienation, an eerie drift through half-waking nightmares, and a full-throttle push to the brink of speed and control. If you like it fast, dark, and just a little self-aware of its own doom, then you're in the right place.

The band has also shared the title track. Listen below.

"The title is cribbed from a quote from Robespierre describing Paris as being held under a malign star. The idea for this song was to capture a sense of majestic, imperial foreboding," the band says.

Bloodhorse plan to tour in support of the record, as well!

BLOODHORSE ARE:
Alex Garcia-Rivera — Drums
Matt Woods — Bass + Vocals

New PHIL X & THE DRILLS Album 'POW! Right In The Kisser' Out NOW via Frontiers Music Srl

PHIL X & THE DRILLS are proud to unleash their latest album, 'POW! Right In The Kisser' to the world! Alongside the release, out via Frontiers Music Srl, the band is sharing the hot fresh track, "Broken Arrow." A new visualizer for the single is below.

About the "Broken Arrow," PHIL X comments:

"I'm really excited for our fans to witness the growth of the DRILLS. Songs like 'Broken Arrow' add a dimension to my songwriting and my voice. I wrote that song after hearing of Chris Cornell's passing which sparked deep thoughts about challenges and dealing with options. There's a lot of depth on 'POW! Right in the Kisser' and I can't wait for the world to hear it."

About the new album, he adds:

"'POW! Right in the Kisser' was a good ten years in the making. 'Battleship' was tracked in 2014. I just kept writing, and we'd record and then kept the whole 'different drummer on every song' thing going. It became a very special collection of songs & vibes. It's very exciting for me to share something like that with the world." 

Watch the Music Video for "Broken Arrow"

The journey of PHIL X & THE DRILLS is one of relentless passion and perseverance. From their early days stirring up the Hollywood rock scene in 2003, to their breakout EP 'Kick Your Ass in 17 Minutes' (2009), the band has always kept fans hooked with their high-energy sound and jaw-dropping performances. As PHIL X became a YouTube sensation through his work demoing vintage guitars for Fretted Americana, the band’s visibility skyrocketed, eventually evolving into the powerhouse known as PHIL X & THE DRILLS.

Over the years, the band has worked with an incredible roster of guest drummers, including Josh Freese (Sting, Foo Fighters), Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), among others. Their most recent release, 'Stupid Good Lookings Vol. 1', showcased the band’s knack for pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable rock tracks.

In 2024, PHIL X & THE DRILLS hit a new career milestone, opening for Mötley Crüe at Summerfest in Springfield, IL, where their performance left 10,000 fans and industry professionals in awe. Now, with 'POW! Right in the Kisser', they’re set to take the next big step in their musical journey.

Order 'POW! Right In The Kisser' HERE

PHIL X & THE DRILLS:

Phil X - Lead Vocals & Guitars

Daniel Spree - Bass & Background Vocals

Brent Fitz - Drums & Background Vocals

Swedish Supergroup W.E.T. Release New Album ‘Apex’ Out Now Via Frontiers Music Srl

International powerhouse rock group W.E.T. is pleased to release their highly anticipated new studio album, 'Apex,' via Frontiers Music Srl. The focus track, “What Are We Fighting For,” is accompanied by a visualizer, available below.

Vocalist Jeff Scott Soto commented on the focus track:

“What I love about this song and even about the evolvement of W.E.T. is utilizing the fact that we have two lead singers in the band, and this can be exploited as many of my favorite bands in the 70’s - like Queen, Styx, Journey, and Eagles did, adding layers to the songs. On this track, Erik and I trade off on lead vocals for this defining song with a sound that has the true W.E.T. stamp to it."



Watch the Visualizer for "What Are We Fighting For"

The acronym W.E.T. comes from the members’ association with other bands, Robert Säll & Andreas Passmark from Work of Art, Erik Mårtensson & Magnus Henriksson from Eclipse and Jeff Scott Soto from Talisman. And now, for the first time ever, the T is emphasized as Talisman drummer Jamie Borger has joined forces with the band’s original core members.

W.E.T. truly epitomizes what melodic rock has become in the new decade. The key element at the foundation of W.E.T. has always been to create a modern melodic hard rock sound that will drive the genre into the future. Combining powerhouse rhythms and top-notch production (courtesy of Erik Martensson), the music is equally classic and contemporary. 

Although a side project to the members’ original bands, over the course of the band’s existence, W.E.T. have reconvened regularly over the last 15 years to produce four studio albums and a live record.

Starting with a genre-defining self-titled debut, Robert Säll (the “W” from Work of Art), Erik Mårtensson (the “E” from Eclipse), and Jeff Scott Soto (the “T” from Talisman) accepted the daunting task to give that debut a follow-up, 'Rise Up'. After that stellar follow-up, their third opus, 'Earthrage', cemented a legacy of music which will stand the test of time.'Retransmission', their latest album, is nothing else than an absolute milestone, which is well in keeping with the tradition established by the three amazing records that have preceded this one.

Erik Mårtensson says:

“It’s always a challenge to find that sweet spot in our calendars when we are all available, not to mention the fact that Jeff lives in California and the rest of us in Sweden. But I also believe that adds to our ambition once we are able to gather. We are all aware that we don’t get too many shots at this, so when we do we gotta make it count.”

'Apex', the fifth studio album of the melodic supergroup, is a bold statement in the band's confidence that they have delivered their best work to date. Eleven tracks full of big choruses and hooky melodies, all served on a platter of smooth heaviness.

Order 'Apex' HERE

W.E.T. are:

Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals

Erik Mårtensson – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards

Robert Säll – Guitars, Keyboards

Magnus Henriksson – Guitars

Andreas Passmark - Bass

Jamie Borger – Drums

Melodic Hard Rockers ALLIANCE Release New Album ‘Before Our Eyes’ Out Now Via Frontiers Music Srl

Melodic hard rockers ALLIANCE are pleased to announce the release of their highly anticipated new studio album 'Before Our Eyes,' out now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the release of the album, the band has released the focus track, "Too Many People," accompanied by a visualizer available to view below.

About the new track, Robert Berry stated:

“Ah… The world is filled with people’s opinions, but their solutions are unobtainable. The underlying meaning of 'Too Many People' is, serve with care, not words, the circle you can touch.”

Guitarist Gary Pihl added:

“To me, this song is about contrasts. I wanted my guitar solo in the middle to use sounds that were very different. The first part of the solo is a clean, clear sound. For the second half, I plugged my guitar into a 1960s Fuzztone device. Just like the one Keith Richards used on 'Satisfaction'. You could say, one was pretty and one was ugly. That’s what I was going for!”

Watch the Visualizer for “Too Many People”

Renowned melodic hard rock band ALLIANCE, with a nearly thirty-year collaboration, and six highly regarded studio albums, return with their new release, “Before Our Eyes”, their first on the Frontiers label and the first in several years following “Bond Of Union” (1996), “Alliance” (1997), “Missing Piece” (1999), “Destination Known” (2007), “Road To Heaven” (2008) and “Fire And Grace” (2018). 

For the new album, the core of the band remains the same with guitarist Gary Pihl (Boston), drummer Mr. David Lauser (Sammy Hagar) and bassist Robert Berry (3, GTR). After Sammy Hagar stopped his solo career to join Van Halen, his drummer David Lauser and guitarist Gary Pihl still longed for the allusive missing pieces for a new project outside of their main gigs.

Early in 1993, Robert Berry received a call from Lauser. They reached out to keyboardist Alan (Fitz) Fitzgerald (ex-Night Ranger) and gathered at Hagar's studio in Mill Valley to work through songs from their demos. According to a witness, “There was an immediate connection. Everybody in the room could feel it. The vibe was powerful and inspiring”. They immediately recognized the common thread that would feed their creativity.

A signature style was beginning to emerge, and the band was bonding even though they were spread geographically throughout the country, with Pihl in Boston, Fitz based in Texas, Lauserin Southern California, and Berry in the heart of Silicon Valley. 

Over the years and up to today, ALLIANCE continues to solidify and bolster its long-distance collaborations. Though the scheduling remains challenging, their passion and commitment remain energized. Their musical benchmark, perhaps a product of their high-profile roles outside of ALLIANCE, has always been pushed to the highest standard. And it’s clear that they always strive to surpass their previous release. Thus, they have earned a loyal, patient, and growing fan base over the years that is sure to enjoy and embrace the new album “Before Our Eyes.”

The band states about the album:

“We are excited to have a new label and to be working with the team at Frontiers. With 5 albums released over the last 30 years we are feeling even more creative and energized by the possibilities that lie ahead. We are looking forward to reaching a wider audience and are already hard at work on album 7.”

Order 'Before Our Eyes' HERE

ALLIANCE are:

Robert Berry - Bass, Vocals

David Lauser - Drums

Gary Pihl - Guitars

M THE MYTH UNVEILS NYMPHONIC – A BOLD, TRANSCENDENT EP EXPLORING SEXUAL LIBERATION, SELF-DISCOVERY, AND PRIMAL ENERGY

Electro-pop innovator, M the Myth, has officially released their groundbreaking EP, Nymphonic. This collection of six tracks is more than music—it is a statement, a reclamation, and an exploration of desire, expression, and transformation. Nymphonic is the message. It is sexual liberation, physical release, and the unshackling of the body—of being in your skin and reveling in that freedom. The title itself merges two concepts: nympho, a word often used to shame female sexual desire, and phonic, meaning “of sound.” Nymphonic reclaims the

narrative, embodying a primal, boundless energy that pulses through us when we stop resisting who we are.

Each composition within Nymphonic is tied to the ancient forces—earth, air, water, fire, and metal—forces that sustain life, allowing us to create and destroy. The record is a personal narrative of struggle, self-destruction, healing, and ultimate rebirth. Through music, M the Myth has found balance, self-fulfillment, and fearless self-love. The EP features six tracks: “Chew the Wire,” “Forever Falling,” “Pin-up Boy,” “Whiplash,” “Love Nymphonic,” and “Crumble.” Three previously released singles are joined by the three new tracks: “Forever Falling,” “Love Nymphonic,” and “Crumble.”

A bass-heavy, electro-pop experience that oscillates between tension and release, “Forever Falling” feels like freefalling through space. The track samples Sumitra Nanjundun’s 1995 track “Destiny,” layering past and present into a dialogue between fear and freedom. "What if the fall wasn’t something to resist? What if the fall was the flight?" says M the Myth. "This song is about surrender, about letting go of control and embracing the unknown." Produced alongside Niño Neon, “Forever Falling” embodies the expansive sonic landscapes that define Nymphonic—gritty, immersive, and emotionally raw.

Built on a driving house groove and euphoric synth textures, “Love Nymphonic” is the heartbeat of the EP. The track’s infectious energy mirrors the thrill and chaos of unfiltered desire. "This song is about claiming your desires without hesitation or fear—this primal expression of sexual liberation and uninhibited selfhood," M the Myth explains. "It is the essence of this album: electric, ecstatic, and fully alive."

The slow-burning, cinematic closer to the EP, “Crumble” blends retro-futuristic R&B with indie electro-pop. Minimalist verses give way to explosive, synth-driven choruses, symbolizing the collapse of false identities and the rebirth of something real. "It’s about falling apart so you can build something true," says M the Myth. "This track exists in that space between struggle and revelation. In the end, maybe we were never falling—we were being reborn."

The release of Nymphonic aligns with a powerful celestial event: a total lunar eclipse, also known as a Blood Moon. Historically a symbol of reckoning and transformation, the Blood Moon perfectly mirrors the themes of the album—breaking chains, embracing truth, and setting fire to the past to make way for rebirth. "This album isn’t about quiet revelations. It’s about setting fire to what cages us," says M the Myth. "To release Nymphonic under a Blood Moon is to send it into the world as a spell, a charge for freedom."

MORE INFO:

M the Myth is an innovative electro-pop artist dedicated to community leadership and advancing LGBTQIA+ issues. As a co-founder of Blonde Records and Artist Management, M the Myth is committed to expanding opportunities for female-identifying and LGBTQIA+ artists, fostering a more inclusive music industry. Their work has been recognized for its "unabashed hookability," with Music Connection Magazine praising their catchy, impactful songwriting. M’s music video for "Let’s Get Drunk Anyway" captured widespread attention, landing on the front page of LGBTQ Music Charts in 2019.

A passionate advocate for the arts and social change, M the Myth is a graduate of the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGIU). Their non-profit, The Wavy Awards, gained special recognition at CGIU’s annual meeting, leading to a partnership with Chelsea Clinton and the Clinton Foundation. M the Myth’s academic achievements are equally impressive, with a Master of Music in Music Production and a Master of Arts in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music, complemented by their training at the Los Angeles-based production school Icon Collective.

With a unique sound that blends electro-pop with deeply personal, socially conscious themes, M the Myth continues to break boundaries and inspire audiences with their artistry and activism. With a background in music production and songwriting from Berklee College of Music, and a history of accolades including the Stanford Alumni Artist Grant, a performance on Amazon Music's Twitch channel, and their single “Speed of Life” being featured on Billboard’s Queer Necessities playlist in February of 2020, M the Myth is paving the way for a new era of music that challenges norms and inspires listeners to live authentically.