British alt-pop artist SICKY offers mischief and revenge on new ‘Bubblegum Party’ single

September 22, 2026

British alternative artist SICKY unveils his new single 'Bubblegum Party', a playful, infectious slice of indie rock that pairs catchy pop sensibilities with his trademark off-kilter style. Beneath the bubblegum facade lies a gloriously messy breakup party, served with a crooked grin as sweetness meets spite, chaos and a wicked sense of fun.

'Bubblegum Party' offers the first taste of his forthcoming full-length 'Redland' album - his fourth to date. Full of mischief, attitude and a darker sense of humour, here SICKY delivers one of his most fun and irreverent songs to date. 'Redland' is an album about friends lost along the way. It's a good bit darker than its predecessor Troubled Delight.

"Ultimately, 'Bubblegum Party' is a tale of sweet revenge. A public humiliation of someone who absolutely had it coming to them. It's a work of fiction but has a large toe touching reality. We've all met the cocky arrogant lowlife type who tries to control someone they're supposed to be close to. Well, in this song, he gets his comeuppance at our heroine’s birthday party," says Mick Butler.

"The bubblegum reference is effectively a middle finger gesture by the metaphorical blowing of an exploding gum bubble in someone's direction. It's poppy, it's silly and it's just a bit of fun amongst some much darker moments on the 'Redland' album".

SICKY is the solo project of Mick Butler, whose brand of melodic Britpop-infused indie rock spells good news for fans of Beck, Supergrass and early Blur. Originally from the Black Country region of England, he is now based in Shropshire.

While Mick Butler has had his run of playing in bands, ranging from the brass soaked pop of Papa Mantra to the dirty stomp of SUMO, he now derives pleasure from banging out tunes and crafting new material. Literally everything you hear in his music is him squeezing noises out of anything that'll sing.

In 2025, SICKY released his widely acclaimed 'Troubled Delight' album, preceded by his sophomore 'Garbage Town' album in 2022. Prior to that, in 2021, he debuted with 'Bowling Balls', partially inspired by Prince, Bowie and Ray Bradbury's book 'The Martian Chronicles'.

'Bubblegum Party' is now available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where his 'Troubled Delight' album can also be found. The 'Redland' album is out November 20th.

CREDITS
Written by Mick Butler (SICKY)
Recorded, mixed and produced by SICKY in Shropshire
Mastered by Streaky Mastering
Cover artwork by Robin Firth
SICKY photos by Helen Marshall
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

37 years since forming, New York Tri-State rock veterans JACK'S MAZE resurface with ‘Let It Go’

September 22, 2026

Many years since forming in 1989, American rocker outfit Jack's Maze is back with new material. Their new single 'Let It Go' is a driving, dark melodic, emotional progressive rock song that opens the next chapter for a band with a storied history. Originally based in Hightstown, New Jersey, Jack’s Maze originally cut their teeth in the early 90's as a band in the New York tri-state scene after initially launching as Laughing Jack.

Previewing their forthcoming album 'Once In A Blue Moon', set for release in January 2027 via Pennsylvania indie imprint RPM Entertainment, the story behind this record entails a journey 37 years in the making. Jack's Maze is an enduring tale of music, friendship, perseverance, and unfinished dreams, now ready to take their next major leap forward.

"I first came up with the basic music and melody for 'Let It Go' about 15 years ago! I would play it off and on and always singing “…and the music take you/me away, then all questions are answered today…”. However, the rest of the lyrics and music were done recently. The concept is obviously how music can be a remedy for what may troubling you at any given time - it’s an escape and freedom - but, for me at least, sometimes it can be a double-edge sword," says frontman Frank Cinquegrana.

"There is constantly music in my head - just about every waking minute, whether I am proactively humming/singing or playing it in my head on purpose. Half the time I hear it in my head like background music, whether I’m working, eating, having sex or even socially conversing with others! In fact, there is a song playing in my head at the moment I am writing this; and driving me absolutely crazy!!! Music is usually freedom but sometimes it can be chains."

Founded in 1989 as Laughing Jack, the band soon took on the name Jack's Maze and built a solid reputation by playing throughout New York City and surrounding states, drawing from the expansive creativity of progressive rock, the power of classic rock, and diverse influences ranging from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Rush to early Genesis and Mozart.

The original lineup featured Frank Cinquegrana on lead vocals and lyricist, Robin Ross on keyboards and guitars, Scott Cowan on rhythm guitar, Joe Torres on bass, Joe Granowski on drums, and Bill Snyder on lead guitar, Robin also served as the band's composer and a driving creative force behind its music.

By 1993, Jack's Maze completed their debut album 'Lost in the Maze', which was subsequently shelved when life happened and the music went quiet. Despite never receiving an official release at the time, the album remained an important part of the band’s story. That music quietly waited nearly three decades to be discovered when the band reunited in 2022 to bring that unfinished chapter to life.

On the 30th anniversary of the album, Jack’s Maze finally released this record, giving fans the opportunity to hear music that had waited nearly 30 years to be discovered. The powerful track 'Big Machines' emerged as the band’s anthem—a fitting representation of the energy, ambition, and timeless character of their music. Unfortunately, Snyder passed away in 2021, but his playing and contribution to the band's music remain an enduring part of the band's legacy.

After resurfacing from their decades-long hibernation, the band has not been sitting idle - now moving forward with their second album 'Once In a Blue Moon'. Cinquegrana's broad musical perspective and powerful storytelling remain central to the identity of Jack’s Maze. Developing the band's progressive-rock sound and original compositions with Robin Ross, they have been able to continue exploring the many musical influences that define Jack’s Maze through songwriting, recording and collaboration that continues to drive the band's creative vision.

For Robin Ross, the decades in between have been productive, allowing the band to continue making new music following their reunion, taking things to a new level. A multi-faceted musician, songwriter, and producer who has released numerous albums, he has also designed and developed several recording spaces, including Triple R Studios and Sound Complex near NYC.

Now a central figure in the creative pulse of Milford, Pennsylvania, Ross has since grown his current hub, Baa Baa Leaf Music, into a creative sanctuary and production house. It it here where he recorded, mixed and produced this new album, working alongside famed master engineer Jonathan Duckett (Phillip Glass, Kenny G, David Sanborn).

Jack’s Maze is more than a band - it is a story of music, friendship, perseverance, and unfinished dreams finally brought back to life. The band’s journey proves that great music never truly dies out. Driven by an enduring love of music, they continue to celebrate the sound they created decades ago, while keeping the spirit of progressive rock alive for a new generation. The maze may have started in 1989, but their journey is far from over.

On September 22, Jack's Maze releases 'Let It Go' across digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and Bandcamp, where their 'Life In The Maze' album is also available on CD or digital download.

CREDITS
Music by Frank Cinquegrana, Robin Ross, Scott Cowan, Joe Torres
Lyrics by Frank Cinquegrana
Frank Cinquegrana – vocals & drums
Robin Ross – keyboards
Scott Cowan – guitar & background vocals
Joe Torres – bass
Tina Ross – ghost vocals
Recorded at Baa Baa Leaf Studio in Milford, PA
Produced, recorded & mixed by Robin Ross
Supervising engineer Jonathan Duckett
Video produced by Tina Ross
Publishing & booking: RPM Entertainment Enterprises, LLC
Band photos by Tina Ross
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with Jack’s Maze
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Reverbnation | Apple Music | Spotify | Amazon Music | Press contact

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

BEAUTY IN CHAOS & ASHTON NYTE reunite for 'Home' single, marking 8 years since debut

September 22, 2026

Beauty In Chaos reunites with longtime collaborator Ashton Nyte of famed South African goth rockers The Awakening for their new single 'Home' - a intimate, emotionally resonant track that arrives exactly eight years after Nyte first joined the Michael Ciravolo-led project for 'Storm', the debut that introduced BIC to the world. The anniversary makes 'Home' a particularly fitting reunion, bringing Nyte back to the project for a song about love, trust, connection and the feeling of finally finding where you belong.

'Home' is the first taste of the coming album ‘Quiet Place’, BIC's fifth full-length record with 10 tracks on offer. Produced by Grammy-nominated producer Michael Rozon (Ministry, Jarboe, Wayne Hussey, The Melvins), 'Home' will be released on September 28th via LA-based imprint 33.3 Music Collective.

'Home' arrives eight years to the day that Beauty In Chaos' first video and single 'Storm' were first unleashed on an unsuspecting world, introducing their debut album ‘Finding Beauty In Chaos’. Hence, it is fitting that Ashton Nyte should once again contribute lyrics and vocals, against the soundscape written and created by BIC curator Michael Ciravolo and producer Michael Rozon.

“When we started writing music for this album, I wanted to send each artist a bit more open music tracks than in the past, giving them more space to create - with the plan of adding our usual dense textures around and inspired by their words and melody," says Michael Ciravolo.

"When Ashton sent back his vocals for “Home”, I thought it was perfect in its intimacy, and we added very little if anything at all after. It just felt ‘complete’ as it was. It think Michael Rozon and I have learned that sometimes less can be best."

Filmed by Vicente Cordero (Industrialism Films) and Ashton Nyte, who also directed and edited it, the accompanying video features Ashton Nyte (vocals), Michael Ciravolo (guitar) and Tish Ciravolo (bass), Nyte shares, “I think the video captures the beauty and spirt of the song, without any of the ‘goth trappings’ that ruin so many videos that fall may fall into this space”.

“'Home' is essentially a song that celebrates the simple truth that home is indeed where the heart is, as the old expression goes. A shared life is more meaningful than a life lived in solitude when you share it with someone you love and trust," says Ashton Nyte.

“Musically, it is one of my favourite melodies that Michael has ever sent my way. Much like 'Storm', it felt like the song was made for me, and I wrote and recorded the lyrics almost immediately upon hearing the music. Yes, I am home again."

Beauty In Chaos has come a long way since LA-based guitarist Michael Ciravolo(formerly of Human Drama and Gene Loves Jezebel and current President of Schecter Guitars) launched this project in 2018. Over the years, BIC has involved members of The Mission, The Cure, Ministry, Cheap Trick, The Offspring, Gene Loves Jezebel, Marilyn Manson, Human Drama, Bauhaus, Nine Inch Nails, Van Halen, A Flock of Seagulls and dUg Pinnick, ICE-T, Rolan Bolan and Zakk Wylde, among other luminaries.

"'Storm' was so very important to me. It started a lifelong friendship and creative partnership with Ashton, and it also became a seminal part of BIC’s musical journey," says Michael Ciravolo.

"As always, I strive to have our videos completed different from its predecessor. I really loved the style of Ashton’s recent videos. Soft focus, black and white is certainly the ‘polar opposite’ from our 'Get Down Moses' video and felt perfect in its intimate simplicity for 'Home'. I had ultimate confidence in handing the editing keys to Ashton on this one.”

Most recently , Beauty In Chaos released the digital compilation 'Hidden In Plain Sight, 2018-2025', preceded by the double A-side single 'Get Down Moses', immortalized by Johnny Cash, and the much-loved Joe Strummer classic 'God's Gonna Cut You Down'.

'Home' is available everywhere digitally, including Bandcamp and the artist's store, where all past BIC releases can also be found. On September 28th, the 'Quiet Place' album will be available digitally and as a double vinyl release.

LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE Share "Faceless" Video — WATCH

September 21, 2026

The German gothcore band Lacrimas Profundere are releasing the new single "FACELESS" today, including the accompanying video. The song is also featured on the upcoming studio album Lay Me Down O Silent Fear.

Watch the video below.

What could it sound like if BRING ME THE HORIZON were to suddenly cover...QUEEN?

Guitarist Oliver Nikolas Schmid says, "We don't know, but with 'FACELESS,' we at least gave it a try."

He continues, "'FACELESS' was the song I had written as a tribute to 'Unseen' from the last album. But somehow the chorus never really caught fire, and I really annoyed Julian with it, too — until he then sent three fragments that unfortunately had absolutely nothing to do with the actual song. They were simply three ideas he had sung dry. One of the ideas grabbed me immediately upon first hearing it. Large parts of the music and the key had to be completely changed and rewritten around the vocals, but it was magical. You can't plan things like that, they just happen, and that's what I love so much about music and what still keeps it so exciting for me after all these years. If Julian and I should ever part ways, we will certainly still write good music, but this special something will be gone forever. The term 'GOTHCORE' had already been haunting my mind since the descriptions of the last album, such as HIM-meets-Metalcore, and now it was time to create an album that hopefully marks the starting point of this new musical style. 'FACELESS' fits wonderfully with what I envision it to be."

Lay Me Down O Silent Fear will be released on September 25 through Steamhammer worldwide in the following configurations:
CD DigiPak incl. poster
LP, 140 g, white/black splatter vinyl, padded inner sleeve, coloured insert
Limited box set incl. CD Digipak, beanie and chain with pendant
Exclusive CD/LP Bundles with a shirt only at the Steamhammer shop
Download / Streaming

Pre-order link for all configurations is here.

LACRIMAS PROFUNDERE LIVE 2026:
9/25 — Weinheim, Germany — Cafe Central
9/26 — Magdeburg, Germany — Factory
9/30 — Munich, Germany — Backstage
10/2 — Vienna, Austria — Escape
10/23 — Zwickau, Germany — Club Seilerstrasse
10/24 — České Budějovice, Czech Republic — Club Lucerna
11/21 — Stuttgart, Germany — Im Wizemann (With Parasite Inc.)

THE EXILES Release the Music Video for the Single I’M THE ONE As the Debut Single RAINMAKER Lands in the Top 10 at Radio

September 21, 2026

THE EXILES have released the music video for the track ‘I’m The One’ from their album ‘Turning Time”, available now on Bad Reputation Records. You can watch the video below:

The first single “Rainmaker” recently entered the top 10 on 97 Underground radio, debuting at #4.

Lead Guitarist Sean Manning talks about the song “I’m The One”, “I was really into Jimmy’s Outrider solo album when I initially wrote this riff. I love the Telecaster—such a raw and honest guitar. Paul came up with the chorus, which really finishes it off, and I added the heavy Les Paul onto the new track here in Dallas at Empire Studios.

And it sounds like I nicked some early Bernie Marsden rhythm work for the chorus.”

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

The digital album is available on all digital platforms. It can be streamed and purchased now on Bandcamp a https://theexilesuk.bandcamp.com/

First released in a limited capacity in 1996 as SEAN MANNING & PAUL RAFFERTY - 'The Exiles', 'Turning Time' constitutes an extensive re-working of the original 10 songs and adds five previously unheard bonus tracks unearthed by Manning during the process of transferring old reels to digital, including the stirring 'Soul Woman', 'Ain't No Fool', a hypnotic ROLLING STONES-esque number, and 'Soul Has No Home', conjuring shades of early ROD STEWART.

Working at Empire Sound studios in Dallas TX over the course of several months, Manning added guitars and backing vocals to most of the tracks and brought in veteran keyboardist, Jeff Jacobs, whose credits include FOREIGNER and BILLY JOEL, to add Hammond B3 organ, piano. as well as strings to the album's majestic magnum opus, 'Richmond Castle Walk', a not so subtle nod to LED ZEPPELIN.

"I am extremely pleased with how everything turned out", states Manning who produced the project and re-mixed the album, assisted by Empire Sound operator, Alex Gerst. "When we recorded these songs originally, they were just quality demos, but we really didn't get the chance to fully flesh things out the way we would have under different circumstances. I am grateful 'Turning Time' has afforded me the opportunity to return to the studio one more time and create a whole new album in the process."

The Exiles online:

https://www.facebook.com/theexilesuk/

https://www.instagram.com/theexilesuk

TEMIC Rise on Crushing New Single "Ashes"

September 21, 2026

With their chart-topping debut, TEMIC certainly lived up to the hype, but fans and critics are teeming with anticipation over the first two glimpses at the international prog supergroup’s mighty and magical second album.

Today, TEMIC are releasing the third advanced single from Ceiba. While heavy in the wake of loss, “Ashes” opens the album on an uplifting note by finding the strength that resides within the pain.

“Ceiba is a concept album about loss in all its various forms”, TEMIC says. “‘Ashes’ begins the album’s journey shrouded by turmoil and hopelessness. But through that struggle comes the fight for renewal and, ultimately, inner strength”.

Watch the music video for “Ashes” below:

Ceiba comes out October 2, 2026 on Season of Mist

Pre-order

https://orcd.co/temicceiba

Pre-save on Spotify

Ceiba - Upcoming Album by TEMIC | Spotify

Can’t wait for Ceiba? Hear TEMIC’s new album before it comes out by RSVPing to tomorrow’s Bandcamp Listening Party.

TEMIC Ceiba Bandcamp Listening Party

Tuesday, September 22 @ 1:30 pm Eastern Time

RSVP

https://temic.bandcamp.com/live/ceiba-listening-party

Hear TEMIC perform “Ashes” and other new songs from Ceiba on their fall headline tour with very special guests and Season of Mist labelmates Kingcrow. TEMIC recently announced five new dates, which will bring the band to Finland and England for the very first time.

TEMIC Autumnal Offerings 2026 European Tour

with very special guests Kingcrow

October 15 - Milan, IT @ Slaughter Club [NEW DATE] [TICKETS]

October 17 - Toulouse, FR @ Ready For Prog Festival [TICKETS]

October 18 - Pratteln, CH @ Z7 [TICKETS]

October 19 - Munich, DE @ Backstage [TICKETS]

October 20 - Maastricht, NL @ Muziekgieterij [TICKETS]

October 21 - Paris, FR @ Backstage By The Mill [TICKETS]

October 22 - Rüsselsheim, DE @ Das Rind [TICKETS]

October 24 - Toruń, PL @ Rock Art Festival [TICKETS]

October 26 - Helsinki, FI @ On The Rocks* [NEW DATE] [TICKETS]

October 27 - Tampere, FI @ Olympia*[NEW DATE] [TICKETS]

October 29 - Manchester, UK @ Club Academy^[NEW DATE] [TICKETS]

October 30 - Hull, UK @ The Welly 2^[NEW DATE] [TICKETS]

November 1 - London, UK @ 229^[NEW DATE] [TICKETS]

*with support from Joviac

^with support from In Search of Sun

“We wrote this album together with contributions from all five members”, the band says. “We allowed ourselves to explore the songs and really extend ourselves while always keeping the emotions at the front of our minds”.

With Ceiba, TEMIC return with a thunderous ode of prog.

Lineup

Fredrik Klemp (Maraton, 22) - Vocals

Eric Gillette (The Neal Morse Band, Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress) - Guitars, Backing Vocals

Diego Tejeida (Devin Townsend, Mike Portnoy's Shattered Fortress, ex-Haken) - Keyboards, Sound Design

Simen Sandnes (Shining, Arkentype) - Drums

Miguel Pereira (Withem, Big City) - Bass

Production credits

Drums and lead vocals recorded at Lionheart Studio in Oslo, Norway

Lead vocals engineered and produced by Diego Tejeida

Mixed by Chris Edrich

Mastered by Pierrick Noël at Atelier Mastering

Cover artwork

Hicham Hamzi / H-Hich Design

Pre-order

https://orcd.co/temicceiba

Pre-save on Spotify

Ceiba - Upcoming Album by TEMIC | Spotify

Available formats

CD Digipack

2x12” Vinyl Gatefold (Black)

2x12” Vinyl Gatefold (Black and crystal clear mixed with white splatters)

2x12” Vinyl Gatefold (Solid yellow, red and white marbled)

2x12” Vinyl Gatefold (Orange and black marbled)

Follow TEMIC

Official Website: https://temicband.com

Bandcamp: https://temic.bandcamp.com/album/terror-management-theory

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/temic/1695936703

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/21VXRBFEQrR6Xrot1y5t7I

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

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

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaslvfVCVrV4cdARmdiQKGg

ESOTERIK Unleashes Their Heaviest Transmission Yet: "Honesty"

September 21, 2026

Alternative industrial-metal duo ESOTERIK announces the global release of their most aggressive single to date, "Honesty," available now across all major streaming platforms alongside a cinematic, full-production official music video below.

Following the momentum of their recent release "No Absolutes," "Honesty" marks a critical inflection point in the band’s ongoing release cycle. The track steamrolls with a thick, low-tuned wall of guitar grit, driving percussion, and brooding electronic soundscapes that feel less like a traditional arrangement and more like a heavy industrial architecture collapsing in slow motion. The production delivers a punishing, raw weight reminiscent of 90s alternative metal titans, balancing unrelenting sonic aggression with a cinematic, highly calculated atmosphere.

Visually anchored by a unique reimagining of The Hanged Man tarot card, the single’s artwork features a fox bound to a sword by a rope forced to face a serpent. The iconic tarot motif traditionally signifies a forced pause, a total reversal of worldview, and the ultimate act of surrender–themes that directly mirror the track's narrative and visual direction.

The accompanying official music video elevates this lore into a haunting visual reality. Set within a dark, void-like space with shallow water surfaces and surreal underwater cinematography, the visual juxtaposes an abyss of submerged struggle with the act of breaking through to the surface.

"Honesty is not a quality that comes easily / Treachery artificially has altered me," delivers vocalist Allison Eckfeldt, setting a stark commentary on an individual battered and shaped by a hostile world.

Where previous singles explored the frustration of repeating loops and the friction of rigid boundaries, "Honesty" drops the listener straight into the aftermath of the collision. It examines the precise moment the fighting ceases: surrendering to circumstance not out of defeat, but as a liberation from self-imposed restraints. The chorus highlights an exaggerated, haunting internal monologue ("All that you say that I do"), giving voice to an internal critic seeking a standard that can never be reached.

"Musically and lyrically, 'Honesty' is the heaviest territory we’ve stepped into yet," says guitarist and producer Brady Bledsoe. "It hits the exact moment where the pain has burned off and there's nothing left to defend. You stop trying to retrace your steps or fix what’s broken–something shifts in perspective and you start to realize it was never broken."

The single is out now globally via Trisol Music Group, with the official music video streaming on YouTube.

About ESOTERIK:

Based in the U.S., ESOTERIK is an alternative metal/industrial duo comprised of Allison Eckfeldt and Brady Bledsoe. Since 2013, they have blended dark electronic textures with aggressive rock sensibilities. Following years of international touring and chart success in Europe, their highly anticipated new album Nü Skin marks their official transition into the world of metal.

ESOTERIK Is:

Allison Eckfeldt (Vocals)
Brady Bledsoe (Instruments/Vocals)

Connect With ESOTERIK:

Official Website: https://www.esoterikmusic.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kazlovesbats
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esoterik_music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/esoterikmusic

DROP DEAD, GORGEOUS Release "Daggers" EP

September 21, 2026

Drop Dead, Gorgeous have released their new EP, titled Daggers. Listen below.

"This EP feels like the next chapter of Drop Dead, Gorgeous," according to drummer Danny Cooper. "We wanted to push everything that makes our sound unique while exploring new territory: heavier when it needs to be, more dynamic when it calls for it, and more ambitious without losing the chaos and intensity that people know us for. It's a progression, not a reinvention."

Regarding the focus track "Feels Like Forever," singer Danny "Stills" Stillman calls attention to its impact, saying, "It is a deeply personal tribute to our former guitarist Kyle Browning, who passed away too soon. The song reflects on the pain of losing a close friend, the things left unsaid, memories of better times, and the difficult process of accepting a loss that never fully feels real. 'Feels Like Forever' captures the longing to have one more conversation, while confronting the struggle of letting go and finding closure. More than anything, the song is a remembrance of a friend, bandmate, and a chapter of life that will never be forgotten."

The band has booked several tour dates, including a stop at Warped Tour. All dates are below.

DROP DEAD, GORGEOUS LIVE:
10/4 — Sacramento, CA — Aftershock Festival
11/14–15 — Orlando, FL — Vans Warped Tour
12/12 — Denver, CO — Summit Music Hall — InVogue 20-Year Anniversary Show (With Lower Definition + Jamie's Elsewhere)

DD,G emerged in the mid-2000s with an emotionally charged take on post-hardcore that helped define the era. As teenagers from Denver, their 2006 debut In Vogue became a landmark for Rise Records, blending synth-laced breakdowns, theatrical flair, and raw vulnerability. Follow-up albums like Worse Than a Fairy Tale and The Hot N' Heavy cemented their place in the scene, influencing a wave of bands that followed.

The tastemakers at VICE tipped the band as that which helped to "perfect a style of post-hardcore that other bands would model themselves after. Where other bands in the scene would regurgitate the same testosterone-tinged bro-rock, Drop Dead, Gorgeous made their mark by putting [emotional] vulnerability into song."

After a decade-long hiatus, core members Daniel "Stills" Stillman, Danny Cooper, and Jake Hansen returned in 2024 with a string of surprise shows and, in 2025, released their first new music in years with the single "Six Feet." The followup "Burn" continued that momentum. They closed out 2025 with "Sink Your Teeth."

2026 continues a run of renewed activity and excitement.

Luke Haines & Mike Smalle deliver 'The Black Maria, O', latest in Bring Your Own Hammer series

September 21, 2026

Bring Your Own Hammer (BYOH), in partnership with Dimple Discs, presents 'The Black Maria, O', a remarkable new collaboration between acclaimed British music legend Luke Haines (The Auteurs, Baader Meinhof, Black Box Recorder) and Irish musician, songwriter and producer Mike Smalle (Cane141, Augustus & John, B-Movie Lightning).

Accompanied by a superb animated video by visual artist and filmmaker Jules Hackett, the song reaches back to New York in 1887, where an original song of the same name by Irish-American lyricist Edward Harrigan and composer David Braham was performed as part of the musical comedy 'McNooney’s Visit'. Haines and Smalle take this long-forgotten piece of Irish-American musical history and transform it into a striking 21st-century re-interpretation of long-forgotten but superb lyrics, retaining the extraordinary language and atmosphere of Harrigan’s lyric while placing it within a radically contemporary musical setting.

'The Black Maria, O' evokes the criminal underworld of late 19th-century America, with references to the slang term “Black Maria”, used for police wagons, and to the prison on Blackwell Island near to Manhattan. This is a vivid example of the approach at the heart of Bring Your Own Hammer: taking historical sources, forgotten stories and voices from Ireland and the Irish diaspora and reinterpreting them through contemporary music.

A musician, songwriter and author, Luke Haines has recorded music under various names and with various bands.. His books include the bestselling "Bad Vibes – Britpop" and "My Part in Its Downfall". His latest solo album, 'Izzy Wizzy Let's Get Busy', is out now on Cherry Red Records.

Hailing from the west of Ireland, Mike Smalle has, in the past two decades, released a wealth of music under various names, exploring a wide range of styles from ambient and folk to pop, electronic, and experimental music. In 2021, he released the album 'Pagan Pulse' under his ownname. He has also collaborated with Cathal Coughlan, Jah Wobble, Simon Fisher Turner, and Mark Eitzel.

The single is the latest preview of 'From The Tombs', the forthcoming second album in Bring Your Own Hammer’s ambitious Music & History Series following "My Grief on the Sea", a collection of songs about the sea, maritime voyages, and migration to and from Ireland during the 1800s, dedicated to the memory of Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney, Fatima Mansions), one of Ireland’s most revered artists, who was also involved in this project. This barnstorming 21-song double album is a journey through the history of crime, law and order in Ireland and among the Irish Diaspora in the 19th century.

Bring Your Own Hammer is a masterclass in collaborative artistry that unites historical scholarship and contemporary composition. Curated by Dr. Richard Mc Mahon (lecturer in History at MIC, Limerick and currently a visiting fellow at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge), BYOH explores forms of invented history, rooted in historical sources from Ireland and overseas, with support from Dr. Niall Whelehan (senior lecturer at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, who has written widely on the history of modern Ireland and the Irish diaspora with a focus on the 19th century).

Bringing some of Ireland’s and Britain’s finest songwriters together with historians to create new and original song cycles based on historical sources and to interpret song material rooted in the history of 19th-century Ireland and of the Irish Diaspora. Not a band, nor an ensemble or even a collective, Bring Your Own Hammer is a faction - one that is armed with voices and instruments and dedicated to re-interpreting historical material in song form.

Smalle also spearheaded the album's title track 'From The Tombs', honouring its tragic subject matter through the lens of high-calibre, polished indie-pop. He is joined by June Miles-Kingston (Fun Boy Three, The Communards, Everything But the Girl), Bernard Butler (Suede, McAlmont & Butler, The Tears), Fergal Lawler (The Cranberries), Marcus Holdaway (The High Llamas), Ian Catt (Saint Etienne) and Terry Edwards (Madness, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, The Near Jazz Experience).

The most recent release from this landmark record is "Quinn the Adventurer", performed by celebrated Irish songwriter Adrian Crowley, bringing an extraordinary true story from Ireland's past vividly into the present through song.

Other contributors to the album include Sean O’Hagan (Microdisney, Stereolab, High Llamas), Audrey Riley, Cian Nugent, Linda Buckley, Tony Higgins, SJ McArdle, Michael Walsh, Lisa Lambe, Miriam Ingram, Hugh Bunker (Fatima Mansions), Damian O'Neill (The Undertones), Brigid Mae Power, Anne Gilpin (Morton Valence), Lavinia Blackwall (Trembling Bells), Inni-K, NQL. Kelsey Michael, Neil Farrell (Toasted Heretic) and Michael J. Sheehy.

'The Black Maria, O' is available on digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, and Bandcamp. The previous singles can also be found there, along with the 'My Grief On The Sea' album on CD and limited edition vinyl.

MENTAL CRUELTY Descends Into Eternal Winter with New Single “Frost” + Official Video

September 20, 2026

MENTAL CRUELTY descends into eternal winter with their crushing new single “Frost,” taken from their upcoming album, ‘Echoes of a Forlorn Land,’ out on October 23rd via Century Media.

Steeped in bleak imagery and Nordic mythology, “Frost” paints a desolate world swallowed by an endless winter, where darkness, isolation, and the relentless cold slowly erase every trace of hope. Drawing on the imagery of Fimbulvetr – the great winter that precedes Ragnarök in Norse mythology – the track pairs MENTAL CRUELTY’s ferocious heaviness with the dark, atmospheric, and cinematic elements that shape the world of ‘Echoes of a Forlorn Land.’

Produced, mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Kreator, Amon Amarth, Opeth), ‘Echoes of a Forlorn Land’ pushes MENTAL CRUELTY beyond the foundations laid on ‘Zwielicht,’ further expanding their uncompromising blend of extreme metal and dark atmosphere.

This November and December, MENTAL CRUELTY will bring the new album across Europe on their headline tour with Ov Sulfur, Extermination Dismemberment, and more.

Join their text list to stay up to date and be the first to hear about new tour dates and more.

Watch the Official Video for "Frost" Below:

MENTAL CRUELTY comments on the new single:

“‘Frost’ is MENTAL CRUELTY at our most chilling, capturing the desolation of Norse mythology’s Fimbulwinter both lyrically and musically. Its plodding, atmospheric, and mournful tones evoke a slow trudge through ice and snow, stretching on for three long years. Think Rotting Christ meets Wardruna: a song that’s as blackened as it is coated in white snow."

They continue, "The mask was handmade by myself, with a little help from my partner! And you should totally text us, because there MAY be a chance to take it home."

Pre-Order 'Echoes Of A Forlorn Land' HERE

MENTAL CRUELTY will bring ‘Echoes of a Forlorn Land’ across Europe this November and December with a massive 21-date headline run. Ov Sulfur and Extermination Dismemberment join throughout the tour, with Acranius and Sun Eater appearing on select dates.

Get Your Tickets HERE

European Headline Tour

w/ Ov Sulfur, Extermination Dismemberment, Acranius, Sun Eater

27.11🇳🇱Rotterdam @ Baroeg ~

28.11🇩🇪Köln @ Club Volta ~

29.11🇳🇱Nijmegen @ Doornrosje ~

30.11🇬🇧Birmingham @ Asylum ~

02.12🇬🇧Manchester @ Academy 3 ~

03.12🇬🇧London @ Downstairs At The Dome ~

04.12🇫🇷Paris @ Glazart ~

05.12🇧🇪Antwerp @ Zappa ~

06.12🇩🇪Hamburg @ Bahnhof Pauli ^

07.12🇩🇰Copenhagen @ Hotel Cecil ^

08.12🇸🇪Stockholm @ Kollektivet Livet ^

10.12🇫🇮Jyväskylä @ Lutakko ^

11.12🇫🇮Helsinki @ Ääniwalli ^

13.12🇸🇪Gothenburg @ Monument ^

14.12🇩🇪Berlin @ Hole 44 ^

15.12🇨🇿Prague @ Rock Café ^

16.12🇩🇪Frankfurt @ Das Bett ~ ^

17.12🇩🇪München @ Backstage ^

18.12🇨🇭Aarau @ KIFF ^

19.12 🇩🇪Schweinfurt @ Alter Stattbahnhof ^

20.12🇩🇪Karlsruhe @ Substage ^

^ w/ Acranius

~ ⁠w/ Sun Eater

Since forming in 2014, MENTAL CRUELTY have grown from their deathcore roots into an internationally recognized force in extreme metal. Their rise has taken them across Europe and beyond, sharing stages with Lorna Shore, Cradle of Filth, Carnifex, Shadow of Intent, Kanonenfieber, Signs of the Swarm and more. With an expanding global audience and a reputation for powerful live performances, the band continues to cement its place among the leading names of a new generation of extreme metal. With 'Echoes of a Forlorn Land,' MENTAL CRUELTY now takes their next major step, presenting their most expansive and fully realized vision yet.

MENTAL CRUELTY are:

Lukas Nicolai – Vocals

Nahuel Lozano – Guitars, Vocals

Marvin Kessler – Guitars

Jonathan Koltun – Drums

EDDIE SKULLER "House Where Nobody Lives" showcases Tom Waits tribute EP "Blind Love"

September 20, 2026

New Jersey artist Eddie Skuller presents 'House Where Nobody Lives', a standout track from his ‘Blind Love’ EP, which originally appeared on Tom Waits' Grammy-winning album 'Mule Variations', which received the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. This features Eddie’s son Jack Skuller on guitar, Jeremy Chatzky (Springsteen, Steve Earle, Ronnie Spector) on bass, and Nick Kinsey on drums and keyboards.

This four-track homage to Waits’ songwriting 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.

Eddie Skuller’s vocal was recorded completely live to 2-inch tape during the tracking session. Nick Kinsey then worked his studio magic, even incorporating a four-track cassette recorder to capture some otherworldly sounds from his vintage Optigan keyboard.

"One of those beautiful Tom Waits songs I wish I had written, Waits' lyrics express the idea that love is what gives a house true value: "If there's love in a house, it's a palace for sure." The lyrics also suggest the personal emptiness that can follow when we lose sight of what matters most," says Eddie Skuller.

"I've always been intrigued by abandoned homes, wondering about the faded memories and lost stories they once held. I discovered a fascinating video collection of abandoned homes on the "Urban Exploring With Kappy" YouTube channel. Documenting historic abandoned houses, he captures both their exteriors and interiors. He graciously gave me permission to repurpose some of his footage for this new lyric video, which I manipulated to create a more abstract and ethereal backdrop for the video."

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.

Apart from the artists mentioned earlier, this EP also involves Ryder Cooley of Dust Bowl Faeries on accordion. 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.

Eddie Skuller explains, "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. What makes this experience unique for me is that it was recorded live in studio to tape.... The songs became meditative dirges and the lyrics read as pure poetry."

Skuller earlier shared his renditions of ‘Downtown Train’ and ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’, two of 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.

Skuller is also a regular guest vocalist with The Losers Lounge, the acclaimed tribute series curated by The Psychedelic Furs’ Joe McGinty and 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.

The 'Blind Love' EP is out now, available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music and also directly from the artist via Bandcamp.

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

Keep up with Eddie Skuller
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

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

Night Laser Share "19CR490" Video — WATCH

September 20, 2026

Hamburg's No. 1 sleaze rockers Night Laser released a new single and video for the song "19CR490," which appears on their upcoming studio album Rats In The Cradle.

Watch it below.

The band says, "For some people, the devil sits on their shoulder. For others, he controls their mind and their heart. It's up to you who you will be in this world. What sounds like a groove powered carousel ride is a big middle finger to all those people that lost even their last bit of humanity in their lust for power!"

Rats In The Cradle will be released on September 25 through Steamhammer worldwide!

Pre-order it here.

NIGHT LASER ON TOUR:
9/19 — Hamburg, DE — Markthalle (with Hardbone)

SPECIAL GUEST FOR AXEL RUDI PELL:
9/23 — Pratteln, CH — Z7
9/25 — Cologne, DE — Live Music Hall
9/26 — Osnabrück, DE — Hydepark
9/27 — Bochum, DE — Zeche
9/29 — Ulm, DE — Roxy
9/30 — Mannheim, DE — Capitol
10/2 — Gelnhausen, DE — Warehouse Seven
10/3 — Stuttgart, DE — Longhorn
10/4 — Regensburg, DE — Eventhall
10/6 — Vienna, AT — Szene
10/7 — Nürnberg, DE — Hirsch
10/8 — Kortrijk, BE — De Kreun
10/9 — Heerlen, NL — Nieuwe Nor
10/10 — Zoetermeer, NL — Boerderij

HEADLINE SHOW:
12/11 — Oberhausen, DE — Helvete

2027:
1/16 — Braunschweig, DE — KuFa Haus
1/23 — Hameln, DE — Regenbogen
2/6 — Hamburg, DE — Bahnhof Pauli
5/8 — Lübeck, DE — Rider's Cafe

NIGHT LASER ARE:
Ingemar Oswald — Drums
Benno Hankers — Vocals
Rob Hankers — Bass
Felipe Zapata Martinez — Guitars

Extol Drop "Disintegrate" — WATCH + LISTEN

September 20, 2026

Experimental death metal collective EXTOL have released their new single "Disintegrate." The single is now streaming worldwide — listen here.

Watch the visualizer below.

Musically, "Disintegrate" positions itself on the heavier side of things, while still containing the typical Extol cocktail of vocal harmonies, memorable melodies, and a brutal mix of seemingly contradicting elements. Lyrically, the song delves into the heart-wrenching condition dementia, and the surreal path friends and family have to walk while experiencing the inevitable decline in cognitive and physical function of loved ones.

"Disintegrate" was recorded at Hawk Studios, Little Cave Studio and Hrada Creative and mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios.

The track appears on the band's upcoming album AURA OF DECAY, scheduled for release on November 6 via Solid State Records.

Pre-order Aura of Decay here.

ABOUT EXTOL:
Formed in 1993 in Bekkestua, Norway. Extol are an experimental death metal band known for fusing sonic violence with spiritual and philosophical lyrical themes. Drawing inspiration from both technical death metal and, for the genre, more unusual melodic and harmonic composition, the band continues to carve out a unique space in the metal underground.

EXTOL ARE:
Peter Espevoll — vocals
Ole Børud — guitars, vocals and bass
David Husvik — drums and vocals
Christer Espevoll — guitars

A Skylit Drive Return With Video for New Single "Half Hearted" — WATCH // Band Signs With New Label Vaux Records

September 20, 2026

A Skylit Drive proudly announce their signing with Vaux Records, marking an exciting new chapter for the legendary post-hardcore outfit.

The independent label is owned and operated by Craig Ericson, founder of Rise Records, and is quickly establishing itself as a premier home for innovative heavy music.

In conjunction with the announcement, A Skylit Drive release their brand-new single, "Half Hearted." The track serves as the first glimpse into the band's upcoming full-length album, Ashes, currently in production and slated for release in early 2027.

Listen to "Half Hearted" here.

Watch the video below.

"'‘Half Hearted' quickly became a defining song for this album," states the band's Michael Jagmin. "It marked the beginning of working with co-writer and producer Ryan Furlott and opened the door to a side of ourselves musically that we hadn’t explored before. More than anything, writing it was deeply cathartic. It became one of those rare moments where creating music felt less like writing a song and more like confronting something within ourselves—and putting it into words.”

For the new record, the band partnered with the aforementioned Furlott and acclaimed producer/mixer Joey Sturgis, known for his work with Asking Alexandria, Of Mice & Men, and The Devil Wears Prada. Sturgis' unmistakable production style helped shape the sound of modern metalcore throughout the late 2000s and 2010s, making him one of the genre's most sought-after producers. His signature production style has contributed to numerous genre-defining releases and earned multiple RIAA-certified gold records.

"Signing with Vaux Records feels like the perfect next step for us," says A Skylit Drive. "Craig understands our history, our vision, and where we're headed. Half Hearted is the beginning of an exciting new era, and we can't wait for everyone to hear what's coming next."

Vaux Records founder Craig Ericson adds, "A Skylit Drive has built a lasting legacy in the alternative music scene, and we're excited to welcome them to the Vaux Records family. The new material is powerful, authentic, and showcases exactly why this band continues to resonate with fans around the world."

ABOUT A SKYLIT DRIVE:
A Skylit Drive are an American post-hardcore band originally from California. Known for their signature blend of soaring melodies, aggressive instrumentation, and emotionally charged songwriting, the band has remained a respected force within the alternative music scene for nearly two decades. Their catalog includes the fan-favorite albums Wires...and the Concept of Breathing, Adelphia, Identity on Fire, Rise, and ASD. Following their return to active recording and touring, the band continues to build momentum through new music, celebrated live performances, and a renewed creative vision. Their signing to Vaux Records and collaboration with producers Ryan Furlott and Joey Sturgis signals the beginning of their most ambitious chapter yet.

U.D.O. RELEASE NEW SINGLE & VIDEO “I’LL DIE TRYING” AND ANNOUNCE 20TH STUDIO ALBUM VOODOO RANGER

September 20, 2026

2027 marks a unique triple anniversary for Udo Dirkschneider and U.D.O.: Udo turns 75, U.D.O. celebrate 40 years as a band, and Voodoo Ranger marks the release of the German heavy metal institution’s 20th studio album. This very special record release will be celebrated on January 8, 2027 via powerhouse label Reigning Phoenix Music.

U.D.O. now opens this milestone chapter with the first taste of Voodoo Ranger: new single “I’ll Die Trying.” Accompanied by an official music video, the track also marks the launch of the album pre-order.

Watch the official video for “I’ll Die Trying” Below:

Stream “I’ll Die Trying” HERE: https://udo.rpm.link/dietryingPR

Pre-save / Pre-order Voodoo Ranger HERE: https://udo.rpm.link/voodooPR

Rather than launching Voodoo Ranger with an all-out metal attack, U.D.O. introduce the album with one of its most personal moments. “I’ll Die Trying” is a classic U.D.O. ballad about perseverance, self-belief and staying true to your path, carried by the unmistakable voice of Udo Dirkschneider.

The song also became the album’s first single through an unexpected turn of events — a change of plans that, as Udo explains, ultimately felt like the right choice.

Udo Dirkschneider comments:
“‘I’ll Die Trying’ is one of the most personal songs on Voodoo Ranger. It’s about never giving up, believing in yourself and always moving forward, no matter what life throws at you. The last verse especially means a lot to me because it reflects what I’ve experienced on stage for so many years. Every concert is a special moment and as long as people want to hear me sing, I’ll keep giving everything I’ve got. I’ve always believed that a great ballad can be just as powerful as the heaviest metal songs, and throughout my career these songs have become some of the most memorable ones. ‘I’ll Die Trying’ is another one of those songs that comes straight from the heart.

We originally planned to launch Voodoo Ranger with a different song, but after Peter and Alen were injured during one of the recent concerts of the Balls To The Wall – 40th Anniversary Tour, we had to postpone the original video production. Rather than rush things, we decided to let ‘I’ll Die Trying’ lead the way. Looking back, it feels like the right choice. The song captures a side of U.D.O. that has always been important to me. Ballads have been part of my career from the very beginning, and our fans have always embraced them. At the same time, nobody should think this album is getting softer: Voodoo Ranger is packed with classic U.D.O. power and has plenty of surprises waiting.”

And Voodoo Ranger does indeed have more than a few surprises in store.

The album finds U.D.O. as unmistakable as ever with their signature sound firmly intact. Powerful riffs, massive hooks and Udo Dirkschneider’s unique voice meet heavier and darker moments.

The album is only one part of what will make 2027 an exceptional year for Udo Dirkschneider and U.D.O. The band will celebrate four decades of U.D.O. live with the extensive Triple Anniversary Tour 2027, taking the anniversary across Europe and bringing together material from throughout the band’s history.

At the same time, another major chapter in Dirkschneider’s story will be told away from the stage: his official autobiography, created together with Dan Dreyer, will be published in the very same month as Voodoo Ranger.

Album, book and tour therefore meet at a unique point in his career. After more than five decades in heavy metal, Udo Dirkschneider has plenty of history to look back on — but Voodoo Ranger makes one thing equally clear: U.D.O. are still looking ahead.

75 years. 40 years of U.D.O. 20 albums. And the metal heart keeps beating.

Tickets & further information: https://udo-online.de/tourdates.html

Connect with U.D.O.:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/udoonline
Instagram: https://instagram.com/u.d.o._official
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCdqWEuyMXDLBd13Xbgm68Tw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2aWjaq32aRQo58dw0w8NM6
Website: https://udo-online.de

U.D.O. Artist Line-Up:
Udo Dirkschneider – Vocals
Sven Dirkschneider – Drums
Fabian "Dee" Dammers – Guitar
Peter Baltes – Bass
Alen Brentini – Guitar

The Bites Release New Album + Have The Worst Day Ever In New Video For "Hold On"!

September 19, 2026

Los Angeles rock quartet, The Bites, have today released their long awaited, sophomore record, "The Bites" via Earache Records. Pulling grit from garage rock, energy from pop punk, and swagger from blues, the record finds The Bites looking back at how far they've come while barreling straight into what's next. Listen to the full record HERE.

Alongside today's album release, The Bites take us on a chaotic ride with a brand new video for standout track, "Hold On", chronicling one disastrous day where seemingly nothing goes right. The Bites also celebrated the release of their new record with a premiere of the music video for "Hold On" at Universal Studios Hollywood: Citywalk last night, giving fans the first look ahead of the official release. The band will also be performing at Universal Studios Hollywood: Citywalk as a part of their Halloween Horror Nights entertainment series on Saturday, October 24th. In the meantime, watch the new video for "Hold On" below.

The Bites have also just been announced as part of the upcoming video game Stage Tour's setlist - seeing “Do Me a Favor,” their fan-favorite track from debut album "Squeeze", appear alongside the likes of Metallica, Motley Crue and ZZ Top in the game.

Breaking down the chaos of a day-gone-wrong on "Hold On", The Bites share:

"We wanted the ‘Hold On’ video to take the idea of having a really bad day and push it to ridiculous extremes. Just about everything that could go wrong does, and we had a lot of fun with that. But underneath all the chaos, there's a real story about holding on to hope, even as it starts to slip away. The rose starts looking a little worse for wear as the day goes on, too. We took that same approach across this album, getting more honest and personal without losing the fun and energy that's always been part of The Bites. Sometimes you've just gotta laugh at how bad things get, pick yourself up, and keep going.”

On the sound and the story behind their sophomore album, The Bites share:

"We tried several other album titles, but none of them felt right. Squeeze captured a band that was still figuring itself out. By album two, we'd toured together, lived together, written together, and developed a much clearer understanding of who we were.

We got more honest with the lyrics, experimented with new sounds, and pushed ourselves further than ever before. Some songs are more personal, some are louder and more reckless, but they all feel like us.

The self-title wasn't about declaring we'd reached our final form. It was about finally understanding the foundation of the band well enough to put our name on it. The name feels earned, but we're nowhere near done. Now we get to see how far we can take it.”

The Bites first ignited this new era with "Aftertaste", a high-voltage comeback that hinted at what was to come on the new record. Hailed by Classic Rock (UK) as "zingy, catchy rock'n'roll with dirt on its boots and sunny pop rock harmonies fresh off the beach," the track took The Bites to new heights at radio, peaking at #32 on the Mediabase Activator and #33 on the SMR chart, and highlighted their ability to fuse road-worn edge with a breezy, West Coast melodic shine. Watch the official video for "Aftertaste" HERE.

Their debut record, "Squeeze", made an immediate impression, cracking the Top 40 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on the strength of its raw, high-energy rock and roll. Between extended worldwide runs including Sebastian Bach and 69 Eyes and their stretch in the Caribbean for the Monsters of Rock Cruise, their time spent away from home changed them in ways that couldn't help but surface throughout "The Bites".

What's new for The Bites is their willingness to let their walls down while writing about real experiences, wrestle with the state of the world, and trust that the honesty makes for the most powerful rock and roll that they've ever put to tape. The record doesn't abandon what made The Bites compelling across their debut release, it only sharpens it.

Recorded across multiple locations with producer Keith Armstrong (Green Day, Bon Jovi) at the helm, The Bites self-titled new release was partially tracked at the iconic East West Studioin Los Angeles, in the same room where Red Hot Chili Peppers cut some of their greatest work. For a band quickly on the rise, there's something fitting about The Bites laying down tracks in a space steeped in rock and roll history. Adding their own chapter to a legacy that runs deep in those walls, "The Bites" arrives as a record that honors that history while allowing The Bites to carve out a story of their own.

Check out the band’s pre-sale bundles and vinyl variants HERE and be sure to stay tuned for more news from The Bites coming very soon.

THE ETERNAL CELEBRATE RELEASE OF NEW STUDIO ALBUM OBSCURED HORIZONS WITH MUSIC VIDEO FOR "HARMONY BREAKS"

September 19, 2026

Australian/Finnish progressive dark metal masters THE ETERNAL celebrate the release of their new, critically-acclaimed studio album Obscured Horizons via Reigning Phoenix Music, further refining the band’s distinctive musical vision. Coinciding with the album’s arrival, the band has unveiled an official music video for "Harmony Breaks," a deeply introspective track that explores the fragile line between inner balance and fragmentation, reality and illusion.

Speaking about the song, Mark Kelson (guitars/vocals) comments:
"Harmony Breaks is about that internal fracture point, when the balance you’ve been holding onto finally gives way and you’re forced to confront truths you’ve been avoiding. It explores the tension between reality and illusion, where the mind becomes a space of conflict, shaped by past burdens and unresolved thoughts. The idea of chasing ghosts reflects being trapped in what’s already gone, while still searching for clarity or an ‘elusive cure’ that never quite arrives. Even as everything feels like it’s drifting and dissolving, there’s an underlying pull toward understanding, capturing what it means to exist in that fragile space between coherence and fragmentation."

Watch the official video for "Harmony Breaks" Below:

Following the widespread acclaim of their 2024 full-length Skinwalker and the evocative companion EP Celestial, THE ETERNAL return with Obscured Horizons today, an album that stands as both culmination and evolution.

Where Skinwalker was hailed for its emotional weight, cinematic scope and seamless fusion of melancholic atmosphere with crushing heaviness, and Celestial further expanded the band's sonic palette with its introspective depth and dynamic intensity, Obscured Horizons pushes even further into uncharted territory. The album refines THE ETERNAL's signature blend of doom-laden textures, progressive sophistication and haunting melodic resonance, while embracing a broader, more expansive sound that feels both intimate and monumental.

At its core, Obscured Horizons is an exploration of disillusionment, fractured identity and the struggle to reclaim clarity in a world saturated with distortion. The album moves through states of emotional collapse, liminal transition and existential unrest, confronting deception, both external and internal, before emerging into renewal and self-awareness. Rather than surrendering to decay, Obscured Horizons charts a defiant ascent, refusing numbness, rejecting illusion and ultimately reclaiming light from the shadows that threaten to eclipse it.

With Mark Kelson (vocals/guitars) and Richie Poate (guitars) in Melbourne, alongside Niclas Etelävuori (bass; ex-Amorphis/Flat Earth) and Jan Rechberger (drums; Amorphis) in Helsinki, THE ETERNAL remain a truly international collaboration, unified across continents yet bound by a singular artistic vision.

Their sound continues to resonate with listeners drawn to the emotional gravity of dark metal while carving a path distinctly their own. As they enter a new creative chapter with their gaze fixed firmly on the unseen, Obscured Horizons represents a bold statement from a band continuing to evolve while remaining true to its artistic identity.

Order your copy of this must-have gem, one that belongs into every well-sorted dark metal record collection, now at: https://theeternal.rpm.link/horizonsPR

THE ETERNAL Australian Live Dates, with AMORPHIS:
September 23, 2026 The Croxton Bandroom, Thornbury, VIC
September 24, 2026 The Triffid, Newstead, QLD
September 25, 2026 Liberty Hall, Moore Park, NSW
September 26, 2026 The Basement, Belconnen, ACT

THE ETERNAL is:
Mark Kelson / Guitar & Vocals
Richie Poate / Guitar
Niclas Etelävuori / Bass
Jan Rechberger / Drums & Percussion

More on THE ETERNAL:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/TheEternal
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/theeternalofficial/
X | https://www.twitter.com/theeternalband
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@theeternalofficial
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4vJAnrZbwUesT_FlY03mdw

Currents Unveil "Worlds Away" EP + Share "Kill the Ache — Reimagined" — LISTEN

September 19, 2026

Foward-thinking Connecticut quintet CURRENTS — Brian Wille [vocals], Chris Wiseman [guitar], Ryan Castaldi [guitar], Matt Young [drums], and Christian Pulgarin [bass] — are releasing the new EP, WORLDS AWAY, via SharpTone Records. Get it here.

The EP is comprised of reimagined versions of five previously releases songs.

They've shared the visualizer for "Kill the Ache — Reimagined." Watch it below.

"Worlds Away is five stripped down, re-imagined songs from The Way It Endsand The Death We Seek. 'Kill the Ache' hasn't left our live set since it came out six years ago. We've played it all across the world and shared it with so many of you over the years. It felt great to get in the studio and approach this song with all those memories behind it," the band said. "With that said, each song is very special to us. We're happy to present you all with a new way to hear some of our favorites and yours. JD Deblieck helped us take this project to another level and Steve Sopchack delivered some stellar guitar work throughout."

Currents never compromise neither creatively, nor philosophically.

As if controlling chaos by hand, the Connecticut quintet balance an inclination for invention with innate intensity, defying expectations and expanding the scope of heavy music in the process. By following an internal creative compass, the group have continued to tread a singular path without comparison.

"Over the years, we didn't listen to anyone else, we made the choices we wanted to make, and we believed in the people who stood behind us," Wille says. "Each day, it's always just been one foot in front of the other. Since nobody ever thought this would be a viable career option, it's so meaningful that people want music from us."

Long before tallying hundreds of millions of streams and playing to sold-out crowds, the spark behind Currents began to flicker as early as 2011. Wille had joined the fold during 2015, and the band pushed forward with a series of critically acclaimed fan favorite releases such as The Place I Feel Safest [2017], I Let The Devil In EP[2018], The Way It Ends [2020], The Death We Seek [2023], and All That Follows [2025]. Along the way, they shared stages with everyone from Parkway Drive and Beartooth to Ice Nine Kills and Motionless In White to The Plot in You.

CURRENTS ARE:
Brian Wille — Vocals
Chris Wiseman — Guitar
Ryan Castaldi — Guitar
Christian Pulgarin — Bass
Matt Young — Drums

Ministry Warns Of The Robotic Takeover On New Single “Singularity” From Final Album Hate To Go (Take Out Or Delivery) Coming October 30 On Cleopatra Records

September 19, 2026

“Your time on this planet has passed … we are in control,” warns a cyborg in Ministry’s dystopian new single “Singularity.” As new fears of AI dooming humanity have come to the surface in recent days, Al Jourgensen and co. have created a timely new song for the apocalypse.

See the robotic takeover unfurl in the music video directed by Ben Garcia (Rage4Order Designs) in coordination with Al Jourgensen and Joshua Bradford (ex-Revolting Cocks) BELOW.

“Singularity” is the latest taste of Ministry’s final album Hate To Go (Take Out Or Delivery) coming October 30 on Cleopatra Records, following on the heels of earlier singles “Burned Out” and “We Hate.”The album puts an end cap on an incredible 45-year career that has shaped a whole genre of music.

Since 1981, Ministry and Jourgensen have been recognized as pioneers of industrial music with a history built upon 17 studio albums, 8 live releases, 8 side projects, multiple touring campaigns across 5 continents, an autobiography, 2 documentaries, the administration of last rites no less than 3 times, and the countless numbers of devoted acolytes and fans.

But before bidding adieu, creator and music madman Al Jourgensen has a few final things to say about the state of the world, those in charge and how we should all collectively move forward on the final album.

Notably, Hate To Go (Take Out Or Delivery)—Ministry’s 17th release—features one final collaboration with legacy member Paul Barker on the final album track “We’re Still Here,” alongside the handiwork of current Ministry bandmates, guitarists Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto, bassist Paul D’ Amour, sampler/synth player John Bechdel and drummer Pepe Clarke Magaña.

Hate To Go (Take Out Or Delivery) will be available in several formats including vinyl, CD, cassettes and digital, also including several vinyl variants and box sets:

Green & Black Splatter LP
Silver & Black Splatter LP
Coke Bottle Green LP
Box Set: Green Splatter LP, Picture LP, 7-inch, CD
Box Set: Purple Marble LP, Picture LP, 7-inch, CD

Fans can pre-save the digital album HERE and pre-order digital copies HERE, and find a new Ministry merch line HERE.

Ministry will bring tracks from Hate To Go (Take Out Or Delivery) and other classic hits on the road in 2027 with an international goodbye tour. The Goodbye Europe Tour with special guest Die Krupps begins April 2027. It will be followed by a full U.S. run, to be announced. The European tour dates will feature exclusive meet and greet opportunities with Al Jourgensen, also including a photo op, souvenir laminate pass, silk screen poster and final European tour coin. Fans can purchase meet and greets HERE.

In the meantime, Ministry has a few final U.S. tour dates for 2026, including Chicago’s Salt Shed and appearances at Louder Than Life and Sick New World Texas, as well as Australia’s Good Things Festival, with new side dates just announced. Find more info and tickets at MinistryBand.com.

MINISTRY U.S. 2026 DATES

September 20 Louisville, KY @ Louder Than Life

October 3 Chicago, IL @ Salt Shed

October 24 Fort Worth, TX @ Sick New World Texas

MINISTRY AUSTRALIA 2026 DATES

December 4 Melbourne, VIC @ Good Things Festival

December 5 Sydney, NSW @ Good Things Festival

December 6 Brisbane, QLD @ Good Things Festival

December 8, Sydney, NSW @ Liberty Hall*

December 10, Adelaide, SA @ Hindley St Music Hall*

*new date announcement, on sale Friday, September 18

MINISTRY GOODBYE EUROPE 2027 TOUR

April 2 Utrecht, NL @ Ronda

April 3 Saarbrücken, DE @ Garage

April 4 Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique

April 6 Manchester, UK @ O2 Victoria Warehouse

April 7 Dublin, IE @ 3Olympia

April 9 Nottingham, UK @ Rock City

April 10 London, UK @ Troxy

April 12 Paris, FR @ Bataclan

April 14 Madrid, ES @ La Riviera

April 15 Barcelona, ES @ Paral-lel

April 17 Lausanne, CH @ Docks

April 18 Munich, DE @ Tonhalle

April 19 Vienna, AT @ Gasometer

April 21 Prague, CZ @ Forum Karlín

April 22 Warsaw, PL @ Progresja

April 24 Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle

April 25 Hamburg, DE @ Grosse Freiheit 36

April 26 Copenhagen, DK @ Amager Bio

April 27 Oslo, NO @ Rockefeller

April 29 Stockholm, SE @ Fållan

May 1 Helsinki, FI @ House of Culture

Find Ministry Online

Website: www.ministryband.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WeAreMinistry

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/WeAreMinistry

Bull Y Los Búfalos Release New Single + Video "Ghost" via TLG|ROCK, Distributed by Virgin Music Group

September 19, 2026

Bull Y Los Búfalos are turning up the heat with the release of their new single and official music video “Ghost,” available now via TLG|ROCK, distributed by Virgin Music Group. The track marks the first single from the band’s forthcoming album, Full Tank of Courage, due January 2027 on CD, vinyl, and all major streaming platforms.

For the “Ghost” video, Bull Y Los Búfalos went straight to one of cinema’s most iconic locations. The video was filmed primarily at the legendary cemetery in Spain where Sergio Leone’s classic Western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was filmed, giving the visual a sweeping, cinematic atmosphere that perfectly complements the band’s larger-than-life sound.

“Ghost” introduces audiences to the next chapter of Bull Y Los Búfalos, the Nashville-based rock band fronted by Spain-born singer/songwriter Diego “Bull” Avello. Standing 6'6" and bringing a larger-than-life presence both onstage and off, Bull combines the grit and swagger of American rock and roll with the fire and passion of his Spanish roots.

The result is what the band calls “Stubborn Rock.”

Stubborn Rock isn’t a genre. It’s a takeover. Bull Y Los Búfalos aren’t coming. They’re already here and they play to win. Rock and Roll is for the brave.

“Ghost” arrives as Bull Y Los Búfalos enter a major new era. The band recently signed with TLG|ROCK in Nashville, Tennessee, with distribution through Virgin Music Group, and has completed a new album recorded in Nashville. Full Tank of Courage is poised to be the band’s most ambitious and powerful work yet, with additional music and videos set to follow.

But the story behind Bull Y Los Búfalos extends far beyond music.

FROM A SMALL SPAIN MOUNTAIN TOWN TO THE AMERICAN DREAM

Diego “Bull” Avello’s journey from a small mountain town in Spain to the American rock-and-roll scene is the subject of the upcoming music documentary I TOOK THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED.

Filmed across the United States, Mexico, and Spain, the documentary chronicles Bull’s pursuit of the American dream, the challenges encountered along the way, a difficult immigration process, the sacrifices, struggles, friendships, and rock-and-roll lifestyle that shaped his journey.

The film is currently making its way through the 2026 film festival circuit and has already earned four awards, with additional festival submissions underway.

The documentary offers an intimate look at the man behind the towering stage presence and the philosophy that drives Bull Y Los Búfalos: never quit, never compromise, and keep moving forward.

ROCK & ROLL WITH A HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION

Three of the band's songs have been featured on FX Network’s Mayans M.C., the acclaimed Sons of Anarchy spin-off, giving their music exposure to a massive television audience.

The band has also established itself as a formidable live act, performing at NASCAR events in Nashville and Daytona Bike Week, Harley-Davidson events, biker rallies throughout the United States, and even an NBA halftime show for the San Antonio Spurs.

As a heavily supported Gibson artist, Bull Y Los Búfalos shared the bill at NAMM 2020 in Los Angeles with rock legends including Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Slash of Guns N’ Roses, and Don Felder of the Eagles.

Internationally, the band has performed at major biker festivals throughout Latin America, including Mexico, playing for crowds of more than 25,000 people.

Their touring history includes closing out 2022 on the road with Ace Frehley of KISS, followed by 2023 dates with 38 Special and Anthony Gomes. In 2024, the band returned to the Midwest for additional dates with 38 Special as well as Lynch Mob.

ONE-OF-A-KIND ROCK & ROLL

Bull Y Los Búfalos have released three studio albums, multiple EPs and singles, as well as a live album capturing the raw energy of their performances.

In 2019, MXD MAG, one of Texas' leading rock publications, named Bull Y Los Búfalos Best Rock Band in Texas, while Bull was recognized as Best Rock Singer.

As an independent band, Bull Y Los Búfalos have accumulated more than 1 million music video views and 1 million Spotify streams, while their single “DINERO PRIMERO” made an impact at national Active Rock and Alternative radio through the LA Lloyd Rock 30.

Now, with the backing of TLG|ROCK, distribution through Virgin Music Group, strong support from Gibson, a new album, a documentary, and a growing international profile, Bull Y Los Búfalos are ready to take Stubborn Rock to an even bigger audience.

“Ghost” is only the beginning.

Stream "Ghost"

https://tlgent.ffm.to/ghostbullylosbufaols