MIKE TRAMP Shares New Lyric Video for "Lonely Nights"

Esteemed rock vocalist and guitarist MIKE TRAMP shares a new lyric video for the track "Lonely Nights," the stellar single from his latest album - 'Songs Of White Lion – Vol. II' which is out now via Frontiers Music Srl. The album's ten tracks are a set of re-imagined select cuts from his former band, White Lion.

About the album, MIKE TRAMP shared this:

"Would Leonardo Da Vinci have re-painted Mona Lisa, if he had gotten a second chance? That, we will never know, but I can say for sure, that I am beyond thrilled to have gotten a second chance to re-record and sing the songs I wrote between 1983 and 1990. Today I have such a better understanding of how I want to express the songs in my voice than I had when I was in my 20’s, it’s just a fact, and I’ve grabbed the chance. 'Songs Of White Lion' is a whole new chapter, matter of fact it is current."

Check Out the Lyric Video for "Lonely Nights" below:

MIKE TRAMP came to prominence in the music world with White Lion, who formed in 1983. After signing to Atlantic Records, the band enjoyed great success with their second album 'Pride' in 1987, which included the hits "Wait" and "When the Children Cry". The band's third album, 'Big Game' (1991), and fourth album, 'Mane Attraction' (1992) continued the band's winning streak, but ultimately WHITE LION disbanded in 1992.

After WHITE LION, TRAMP formed the hard rock band Freak Of Nature, who had a decidedly darker and harder vibe than White Lion. Freak Of Nature would release three studio albums before disbanding in 1996. In 1998, Tramp kicked off his solo career with the album, 'Capricorn'; in 2002, his second solo album 'Recovering The Wasted Years' was released. TRAMP would then take a break from his solo career from 2004-2008 to tour and record under the name Mike Tramp's White Lion and eventually under the name White Lion, releasing the album 'Return Of The Pride' in 2008.

Since 2009, TRAMP has been writing and recording as a solo artist releasing nine studio albums, including his most recent, 2022's 'For Første Gang.' He has also been a consistent presence on the road, both as an acoustic solo artist and with a backing band, with no plans of slowing down anytime soon.

Order 'Songs of White Lion — Vol. 2' HERE

Volbeat Announce New Album "God Of Angels Trust" + Drop Video for "By a Monster's Hand"

VOLBEAT — Michael Poulsen (vocals, guitar), and Jon Larsen (drums), and Kaspar Boye Larsen (bass) — are thrilled to announce their ninth album God Of Angels Trust. This album arrives on June 6 via longtime label Republic/Universal. Pre-order it here.

The album will coincide with plenty of summer touring on the band's "Greatest Of All Tours Worldwide" with further dates and details below.

Today, the band shares the first taste of new music via the video for the first single "By a Monster's Hand." The song is a mid-paced riff-fest with no concessions to standard meter, juxtaposing pummeling rhythms with point-counterpoint hooks.

Watch the video, which splices footage of Volbeat in their most natural state of performing, all the while following an ominously unsettling and familiar face, here.

The video was produced by Ghost Atomic and directed by Adam Rothlein, the same team that lensed videos for prior Volbeat hits "Shotgun Blues," "Die To Live," and "Leviathan."

With God Of Angels Trust, The Danish band — which has scored ten #1 songs on the Billboard Mainstream Rock airplay chart, the most ever for a band based outside North America — has thrown caution to the wind, ignored comfort zones, and paid little heed to traditional songwriting in the search for something more immediate and surprising.  

The end result will thrill Volbeat's dedicated legion of fans.
 
"In the past, I've taken a long time to write and obsessed over so many elements of the songs before finishing them," says Poulsen. "This time, I wanted to make a Volbeat record without thinking too much about it. Instead of following any kind of structure I said, 'Okay, there are no rules. I can do anything I want. I can start with a chorus or do songs that are just a bunch of verses stacked on top of each other. Anything goes.' That was freeing for me and made it exciting to write this album."
  
Poulsen's excitement to thwart convention is palpable throughout God Of Angels Trust, a punchy, crunchy album that's undeniably Volbeat, yet marches to a fresh new metallic and melodic energy. 

Poulsen started working on songs for the follow-up to 2021's Servant of the Mind in the summer of 2024. Volbeat was taking a year-long break from touring to give Michael a chance to recover from throat surgery and to tour with his death metal band, Asinhell. Driven equally by his excitement to record a new Volbeat album and by his determination not to follow convention, Poulsen worked on songs for a mere three weeks with bandmates drummer Jon Larsen and bassist Kaspar Boye Larsen. Amazingly, they worked on a new song at every rehearsal. Three weeks into the process, Volbeat had arranged half of God Of Angels Trust. That's when Poulsen decided that having no rules meant he could follow his muse wherever it took him, and he veered off on a different path. He and the band still wrote and rehearsed two songs a week, but they started composing more familiar rock songs that drew from traditional elements. 
  
The band entered the studio with their longtime producer Jacob Hansen in the fall of 2024. As with the songwriting, Poulsen wanted to work quickly and rely on instinct, so they just plugged in and started to play. To keep the music sounding urgent and immediate, Volbeat recorded live in the studio, playing as few takes as possible before moving from one song to the next. 
 
When it came time to add lead guitar, there was no question that Volbeat would tap Flemming C. Lund, who currently tours with the band and worked with Michael in Asinhell. A mere 13 days after they started working with Hansen, Volbeat were finished.   
  
As impressive as it is that Volbeat wrote and recorded an entire album in about five weeks, what's more incredible is that God Of Angels Trust sounds as fleshed out, eclectic, and fulfilling as albums that have taken 10 times longer (or more) to create. In the end, creating such a strong album so quickly was a tremendous challenge that demanded Zen-like calm, a joy for exploration, maximal creativity, and razor-sharp concentration to pull off. 
  
"In some ways, it feels like we've come full circle,” Poulsen explains. "If you start drawing a circle over an extended period of time, eventually you've going to get back where you started, and that's how I feel now. I've dealt with medical operations, lineup changes, and all these things, and now it feels like a rebirth. It doesn't feel like we're doing our ninth studio album, it feels like we're on our first album again and there's something really refreshing about that."

Volbeat will return to the road on the "Greatest Of All Tours Worldwide," beginning in June and running throughout 2025. The tour begins in June with a co-headline Canadian run with Three Days Grace and special guests Wage War, which will be followed by headline treks in the U.S. with special guests Halestorm and The Ghost Inside, and Europe and the UK with special guests Bush and Gel. All dates are below.

Fans who pre-order the album from volbeat.dk or Universal Music Group up through 5pm local time on Sunday, March 9 will receive a code to access tickets before anyone else starting Monday, March 10 at 10am local time. Regular on-sales begin Friday, March 14 at 10am local time.

The band's official D2C store is here.

2025 US HEADLINE:
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS HALESTORM + THE GHOST INSIDE:
7/17 — Denver, CO — Ball Arena
7/19 — Salt Lake City, UT — Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
7/21 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre
7/22 — Ridgefield, WA — Cascades Amphitheater
7/24 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre
7/25 — Inglewood, CA — Kia Forum
7/26 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
7/28 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
7/29 — Houston, TX — 713 Music Hall
7/31 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP
8/2 — Franklin, TN — FirstBank Amphitheater
8/3 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
8/4 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
8/6 — Charlotte, NC — PNC Music Pavilion
8/7 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live
8/9 — Camden, NJ — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
8/10 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
8/12 — Bangor, ME — Maine Savings Amphitheater
8/13 — Gilford, NH — BankNH Pavilion
8/14 — Mansfield, MA — Xfinity Center
8/16 — Hershey, PA — Giant Center
8/17 — Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center
8/19 — Clarkston, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre
8/21 — Noblesville, IN — Ruoff Music Center
8/22 — Tinley Park, IL — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre

Evidence of a Struggle explores timely controversy on 'Give Us A Kiss' single, teasing sophomore album

Chicago alternative rock outfit Evidence of a Struggle presents their controversial new single 'Give Me A Kiss', the second offering from their eponymous sophomore album, out May 9 via The Glue Factory and The Orchard, following the lead track 'Eddy Derecho'.

Centred around the musings of multi-instrumentalist W P C Simmons V a.k.a. Rev. Billy Simmons,  Evidence of a Struggle has grown since releasing their 2023 eponymous album to also involve Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey, of1000faces, Garbage, Filter) on drums, synths and bass, and John Airo, who provides visual art for the projects. The new album is a lyrical departure from Evidence of a Struggle's 2023 debut instrumental album.

With recording, mixing and final production by Sanford Parker (Voivod, Russian Circles, Yob, Eyehategod, Wovenhand, Darkthrone), this album sees notable contributions by bassist Alan Berliant (Chris Connelly, Mavis Staples, Saint Asonia)and Solomon Walker (Liz Phair, Bryan Adams, Morrissey) with Grammy-nominated sound engineer Chris Gelin (Smashing Pumpkins, Trent Reznor, RZA, Tom Morello, Korn) handling post-production and mastering.

“‘Give is a Kiss’ is about incentivized control by media, government, religion, business, pharma, banking and mass media, who are not so subtly subduing us all with hollow psychological, monetary and chemical rewards to make us weak, malleable, dependent and wanting more just like that first kiss,” says Rev. Billy Simmons.

“We wanted to utilize some of the benefits (or curses as some would argue) of AI-assisted generative imagery. This is a different looking glass into everything affecting us, traveling within the same currents as the other songs or videos are flowing in regards to religion, money, war, inequity, inequality, pain, suffering, anger and, at the end of it all, hope. Still, it speaks through several differently-focused lenses, using this increasingly controversial technology. Maybe it can help everyone else look at themselves a little differently and avoid becoming part of the problem. Welcome to the uncanny valley. Give us a Kiss.”

Known for creating lush, cinematic, beautiful and sometimes chaotic compositions, Evidence of a Struggle spent most of 2024 weaving a dense tapestry of sonic, musical, lyrical and "visual observations” of what’s happening in our world now, in the past and what may happen in the future. Rooted within the chaos of our world, it is a loud and thoughtful sonic exploration of our unique ability as a species to harm, destroy, thoughtlessly marginalize, and discard with reckless disregard for anyone or anything outside of our immediate orbit.

"The video was created by Rev. Billy using a combination of analog and text-to-video AI generations. Over 100 generative video assets were edited using Final Cut Pro to make the final product. Each AI video I generated took 1 to 5 minutes, depending on bandwidth at The Glue factory. Not every text prompt resulted in a “good” video. For every single “good” 10-40 second generated video there were probably 3 To 5 that weren’t “good”. That’s a lot of time," says Rev. Billy Simmons.

"It’s not the most efficient way to create a video, but I’m really happy about the uncanny valley it allows me to explore. Each attempt to describe the angles, lighting, motion, and nuances that I want to AI encourages me to critique how I approach lyrics for new songs and how I can be more succinct and descriptive as a songwriter and storyteller. This video contains many hidden and easy-to-miss surprises. Happy hunting."

Transforming into a musical chameleon at night, Rev. Billy's day to day entails running Rev. Billy's Chop Shop, a salon with a creative space that regularly showcases artists' work (declared by Chicago Reader as the city's best gallery). The forthcoming 'Eddy Derecho' album is a lyrical departure from Evidence of a Struggle's debut instrumental album.

Rev. Billy previously collaborated with notable artists, such as RCA artist Ké, Urge Overkill, Touch and Go, and major labels like BMG and Universal. In 2020, he returned to music in the midst of lockdown boredom, allowing him a continued creative outlet. Playing every instrument and recording his debut album at The Glue Factorystudio, he then joined forces with Sanford Parker.

As of March 5, 'Give Us A Kiss' is available from fine digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp.  The full album will be released on vinyl, CD and digitally on May 9.

SINGLE CREDITS
All music written by William P C Simmons V (aka Rev. Billy)
William P C Simmons V - Vocals, Guitar, Synth
Matt Walker - Drums, Synth
Alan Berliant - Bass guitar
Recorded at The Glue Factory, Ming Music Studios, and Hypercube
Mixed & produced by Sanford Parker at Hypercube
Mastered by Chris Gelin at Opus Audio Labs.
Cover art and animations for Eddy Derecho by John Airo
Loveless Publishing ASCAP
'Eddy Derecho' video & cover artwork by John Airo
'Give Us A Kiss' cover artwork by Rev. Billy Simmons
Artist photos by Jeremy Glickstein
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Keep up with Evidence of a Struggle
Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | BlueSky | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

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

Cryptopsy Reissuing 'None So Vile'

They made blasphemy sound fresh on their debut, but for their follow-up, Cryptopsy claimed the crown as the most vile band in all of death metal.

None So Vile established death metal as a truly vulgar art form. With each slurp from his chalice, Lord Worm smears the line between what's sacred and profane until it's dead and dripping. Lead guitarist Jon Levasseur shouldered more of the songwriting duties while seamlessly shredding between gut-slitting chugs, blistering technical riffage and orgiastic solos, though Cryptopsy still followed the textbook drumming of Flo Mounier. Trampled underfoot by a relentless piling-on of blast beats and oddly-timed bursts of double bass, "Graves of the Fathers" quickly cemented itself as a sacred rite amongst circle pits.

"In writing None So Vile, the idea was to create something heavier, faster and more technical than Blasphemy Made Flesh", Flo says. "We were growing as musicians and so was our love for extreme music! At no point in time had we ever thought it would turn out to be one of the essential albums in death metal history. We are very happy that our fans did!"

Season of Mist is reissuing None So Vile on May 9, 2025. 

Listen Below.

Pre-order
https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/CryptopsyReissues

Cryptopsy would win a JUNO after continuing to push the limits of extremity for the next three decades. Still, while only the band's second album, None So Vile is worshiped by gatekeepers and fresh heshers to the underground. “You won’t find a more deserving album to be the first-ever Canadian entry into the Decibel Hall of Fame”, the magazine wrote about None So Vile, which they named the tenth best death metal album of all time.

On None So Vile, Cryptopsy claimed their crown as the most vile band in all of death metal.  

Though now revered as the most vile band in death metal, before Ungentle Exhumation, Cryptopsy were still just a whisper among the Canadian underground.

After settling on a new name and several lineup changes, Cryptopsy recorded their first demo as a five-piece in 1993. While the band would go on to re-record most of these songs for their blasphemous full-length debut, Ungentle Exhumation already bore their unmistakable mark on death metal. “Gravaged: A Cryptopsy” is split open by the hair-raising screech and brutal barks of Lord Worm, while Flo Mounier flogs closer “Mutant Christ” with unhinged technical precision.

“Ungentle Exhumation was the first release in the band’s transition from Necrosis to Cryptopsy”, says drummer Flo Mounier. “It’s more death-metal type music. The songs have more blasts, more chunky grooves, and were recorded on good old analog, in one room, with all the musicians together!”

Season of Mist is reissuing Ungentle Exhumation on April 11, 2025. 

Pre-order
https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/CryptopsyReissues

STARSET Share "dark things" Video

Visionary, sci-fi-inspired rock collective STARSET have shared the new single "dark things,"  a haunting descent into obsession and self-destruction. With shadowy melodies and hypnotic intensity, the track pulls listeners into a world where devotion turns dangerous and darkness takes hold. Lines like "Mayday, we've been sinkin' here slowly / Turning into something unholy" build a cinematic tension that is both mesmerizing and menacing.

As the chorus warns,"When you search the dark, you get dark things," STARSET deliver an immersive, spine-chilling anthem that lingers long after the final note.

Watch the video below:

"dark things" follows 2024-released tracks  "TOKSIK," "BRAVE NEW WORLD," and "DEGENERATE." 

Lauded by Forbes as having "one of the most firmly established brands of any modern rock band," Columbus, Ohio's STARSET are creating a true multimedia empire with music at its core. Their hits include RIAA Platinum-selling hit "My Demons" (2012) and RIAA Gold-selling single "It Has Begun" (2014), with others soon to follow. With a staggering 5 billion streams and a rapidly growing rabid global fanbase, 2024 sees STARSET poised to rise as one of rock's next superstar acts.

THIS GIFT IS A CURSE Premiere New Album

Over the past 16 years, This Gift Is A Curse have pushed the edges of underground metal to violent extremes. The Swedes' new album extends their blackened reign of sludgy terror. With Heir, there's no escaping the blinding punishment that's handed down by their cold, hard fist.

Heir comes out tomorrow, March 7 on Season of Mist. But you can hear all 10 dark and ascendant tracks today by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel.

Listen to Heir Below:

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


This Gift Is A Curse are blessed with an unholy triple attack. Heir wields the transcendent ferocity of black metal, sludgy doom and the crushing weight of hardcore. Hammering blast beats and a swarm of needling tremolo picks tear through lead single "Kingdom" like the hounds of hell. "I made a secret door into your eyes", a possessed Jonas Holmberg chants alongside Livmødr's bewitching queen Laura Morgan.  

On Heir, This Gift Is A Curse reign where other swinelords fear to tread.

THIS GIFT IS A CURSE defies the transient trends of music, instead choosing to carve its path with the bones of the fallen. Their forthcoming album, 'HEIR,' is a relentless pursuit of the extreme, a mosaic of human suffering and the dark beauty that lies within. As the album prepares to sear its mark upon the world, one thing is clear: There will be no heirs to the throne of darkness that THIS GIFT IS A CURSE occupies. The crown is theirs alone, forged in the fires of creation and destruction, a beacon for those who dare to walk the shadows.

Line-up:
Jonas A. Holmberg - Vocals
Patrik Andersson - Guitars, Vocals
David Deravian - Guitars
Lars Gunnarsson - Bass
Christian Augustin - Drums

Recording Studio:
The Overlook Studio, Gävle, Sweden

Production Credits:
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by William Blackmon at The Overlook Studio.
Mastered by Magnus Lindberg at Redmount Studios, Stockholm, Sweden.
Guitars recorded at Laard studios and House of Inge Studio. Engineered by Daniel Noring and TGIAC.
Bass recorded at Cold Barn with the help of Daniel Noring.
Vocals recorded at Cold Barn by TGIAC.

Guest Musicians:
Laura Morgan (of Livmødr) - Vocals on Kingdom (Track 1), Old Space (Track 9) & Ascension (Track 10).

Cover Art:
Jonas A. Holmberg / House of No Light .317 (Instagram)

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

Follow This Gift Is A Curse:
Bandcamp: http://thisgiftisacurse.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thisgiftisacurse
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisgiftisacurse/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7MoipbqoshfYNfckhzRtYC
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/this-gift-is-a-curse/405256386
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/1005843
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3813169

BENEDICTION - Release Video For New Single 'Crawling Over Corpses'

British death metal legends, BENEDICTION, have released yet another single from their upcoming new studio album, Ravage Of Empires, which is due to be released on April 4, 2025, via Nuclear Blast Records.

'Crawling Over Corpses' is a ferocious up-tempo banger, which transports the band's old school roots into the here and now while destroying everything that stands in its way. Dave Ingram's primal growls have never sounded more vicious, and the rhythm section fires on all cylinders with a barrage of riffs and massive breakdowns. Alongside the single, another fiercely entertaining music video has been released, which you can watch below.

Ravage Of Empires is available for pre-order on CD, LP and as digital album. 

PRE-ORDER/PRE-SAVE RAVAGE OF EMPIRES:
https://benediction.bfan.link/ravage-of-empires

STREAM 'CRAWLING OVER CORPSES':
https://benediction.bfan.link/crawling-over-corpses

WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR 'CRAWLING OVER CORPSES' BELOW:

ABOUT BENEDICTION

“Sometimes They Come Back” is not just the title of a horror movie based on a macabre tale by Stephen King, it is also a summary of what happened to UK death metal veterans BENEDICTION, yet you might like to add a “better than ever before”. While never officially disbanded, 2020’s Scriptures, the group’s eighth studio album achieved what is usually not an easy feat. It connected well with classics like Transcend the Rubicon (1993) and its immediate and memorable songwriting, the heavy-as-a-brick Grind Bastard (1998), and also saw legendary vocalist Dave Ingram return with his merciless roar and knack for morbid, twisted lyrics. After two albums with Dave Hunt on vocals, Scriptures was BENEDICTION’s first record in over a decade impressing with aggressive up-tempo attacks like ‘Iterations of I’ and ‘Rabid Carnality’ or the neck-breaking mid-tempo barrage of ‘Stormcrow’, songs that became live staples alongside ‘evergreens’ such as ‘I Bow to None’, ‘Magnificat’, ‘Subconscious Terror’ or ‘Vision in the Shroud’ in no time. With Scriptures, BENEDICTION even almost cracked Germany’s top ten by entering at a phenomenal #11 of the Official German Charts showing that the death metal veterans founded 1989 in Birmingham, England, offered an extremely well received sonic catharsis when due to the pandemic, people were locked down and pissed off.

With their brilliant new record Ravage Of Empires in tow, founding members and guitarists Darren Brookes and Peter Rew, longtime vocalist Dave Ingram, drummer Giovanni Durst, and Nik Sampson (bass) will travel far and wide once more. Already confirmed are the Tales of the Triple Death Tour with Jungle Rot and Master kicking off on album release date as well as confirmed appearances at Wacken Open Air and Maryland Deathfest. More to be announced soon!

Catch BENEDICTION live on their European release tour in April 2025 with guests Jungle Rot and Master.

TICKETS HERE: https://www.we-live.agency/shows 

More confirmed dates for 2025:

    21.05.25 US Brooklyn, NY The Meadows

22.05.25 US Baltimore, MDMaryland Deathfest

BRKN LOVE Release New Single "Diamonds"

Modern Canadian rockers BRKN LOVE are pleased to share a new single, "Diamonds"

from their forthcoming full-length album, 'The Program,' due out March 28th via Spinefarm.

About "Diamonds," Justin had this to say:

"I like to think it strikes a perfect balance between our classic sound and the soul and R&B influences we’ve been experimenting with on this record.

"'Diamonds' is the result of truly honing in on what we do best, defining the sound we’ve been searching for all these years. Lyrically, the song explores the idea that we all have greatness inside of us, but more often than not, we’re the ones standing in our own way. At the end of the day, real change comes from within—no one else can make it happen for you."

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.

Stream "Diamonds" 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.'

“In the past, I put parameters on what BRKN LOVE is supposed to be,” Justin mentions. “I’ve been hesitant to put out certain songs because I was unsure if they were us. I’m older and wiser. I have more experience doing this. I know if I’m singing and writing a song, it’s going to be BRKN LOVE. I’m the filter the music passes through.”

Pre-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.

Reece Young Shares "broken glass" (Feat. Downswing)

Rising star Reece Young, who released the HERE EP last year via UNFD, is storming into the new year with the first taste of new music in the form of a ferocious, arena-sized new track. 

 Young has just shared the visualizer for "broken glass." The track features Albany hardcore band Downswing. Yes, it slays from top to bottom.
 
But don't just take our word for it. Watch and listen below. 

"broken glass" is pumped full of crunchy, gnarly synths, death howls, and memorable melodies.

"The entire theme of this upcoming batch of songs encompasses my personal struggle with constant comparison," muses Young. "In today's social media-centered society, it is impossible to not compare yourself to others. I'm often sitting there wondering, 'Why them?' when I see someone thriving at something I'm trying to achieve myself. 'broken glass' is my message to those at the top."

And what a message it is! It certainly lets the listener know that Reece Young did not come to play. He came to stay.

New Jersey born and raised, Reece Young emerged and gained traction via his self-released early music. He lays it all out there has put all the adversity he's faced, his personal struggles, his frustration, into a vulnerable and universally authentic sound. Young, now Nashville-based, is "one of us" — a music obsessive who has channeled his passion for the scene and his favorite artists into making his own and getting onto the stage himself. With a modus operandi of sharing tales of facing adversity, overcoming personal struggles, by tying open-vein vulnerability and authenticity to gargantuan choruses, the time is now for Reece Young to set about joining the big leagues and emulating what his heroes have done before him. 

Chicago's Push Puppets presents 'This Whole Endeavor', previewing their fourth album

Melodic indie pop-rock outfit Push Puppets presents 'This Whole Endeavor', the second single from their new long-play album 'Tethered Together', set to release 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 band creates songs with earworm melodies and shiny production that belie the often bittersweet sentiments in the songwriting.

'This Whole Endeavor', a rocker about a relationship that has ended, draws you in with an instantly memorable piano hook. This song describes the ebb and flow of a relationship in a flowing lyric style that comes across as sincere yet engaging.  After a reflective bridge and breakdown, the song powers on with a driving finale.

The first verse tells of love at first sight at a bar in a way that foretells that the relationship is doomed. The story takes a turn in the second verse where "things realigned as fate changed her mind and departed / Leaving behind a vapor trail across the auburn sky."  The dynamic halftime bridge confirms that the relationship ended "in disarray", and the final verse, inspired by his bed-hogging basset hound, finds Specht in bed with his dog and wishing she was with him.

"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".

Push Puppets is fronted by Specht on lead vocals and guitar, and rounded out by Kyle Magnusson (keyboards), John William Lauler (bass) and Greg Essig (drums), as well as Tommi Zender (backup vocals and guitar) for this track.  On this particular album, they are joined with a string quartet on most songs and a horn section on one.

This beauty arrives on the trail of the cinematic 'All Together On 3' with its timeless quality, tinged with a touch of melancholic reflection, taking 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.

Their fourth album, 'Tethered Together' 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.

Frontman 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.

The first single 'All Together On 3' put listeners on notice that this album will be pushing musical boundaries.  This second single, 'This Whole Endeavor', assures that the album will rock.

'The Whole Endeavor' is 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.

SINGLE 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
Album 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 
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WITHIN DESTRUCTION Drop New Single/Music Video 'INCOMPLETE'

Slovenia’s most awesomely audacious, genre defying metal pioneers, Within Destruction have dropped brand new single 'INCOMPLETE' today. The track is the fourth single taken from the band's upcoming album ‘ANIMETAL,’ set for release on April 11th, 2025, via Sumerian Records. Listen to the new track HERE and watch the accompanying video Below. Pre-orders for 'ANIMETAL' are available now HERE.

Speaking on their latest release, Within Destruction share:

"The song’s animated video delves into the heartbreaking journey of losing someone deeply cherished and the emotional turmoil that follows. It begins with a raw expression of grief and loss of purpose in one’s life, consequently, the protagonist's color palette is darker in the intro. As the song unfolds, it moves through various stages of mourning—loneliness, longing, sadness and the haunting feeling of absence i.e. feeling in-complete. There are also moments of reflection, where the protagonist recalls fond memories, trying to hold on to the love that once was, but slowly realizing that they must let go in order to move on. The video also touches on the feelings of helplessness, questioning if there was more that could have been done. As the song progresses, a sense of acceptance begins to emerge. The protagonist starts to understand that healing isn't linear, and that while the pain may never completely fade, it's possible to find peace in the midst of loss. The song closes on a bittersweet note, suggesting that while the person may no longer be physically present, their memory will continue to live on, offering a sense of solace. The protagonist's color palette becomes vibrant towards the outro, suggesting a sense of resolve to their former "in-complete" self.

While the lyrics and video depict the loss of a loved one, they are also meant to be interpreted in a more general sense: "To truly live is to embrace the full spectrum of life, knowing that even pain has its place in shaping who we are and without sadness, joy loses its depth and without hardship, triumph feels hollow."

Building on the momentum of their previous singles - "CYBER GIRL", “DEMON CHILD” and “KANASHIBARI,” Within Destruction’s fifth studio album, 'ANIMETAL' pushes their sonic experimentation to new heights. Combining their trademark brutality with anime-inspired electronic flourishes, the album reflects their fearless creativity and relentless drive to challenge genre boundaries. Pre-order merch bundles, including Within Destruction instant cup noodles, are available now HERE

Within Destruction kicked off their 2025 with a bang. The band hit the road in the US in January for their Super Sugoi Headline dates.They then joined Born of Osiris for their US run. Now, the band set their sites on Australia and Asia as they gear up for their spring tour across both continents to celebrate the release of ‘ANIMETAL.’ Tickets and further information are available HERE.

About Within Destruction

Within Destruction are an innovative metal group from Slovenia. They have been disrupting the deathcore and metalcore scenes since their formation in 2010. Known for their intense sound, the band uniquely incorporates electronic elements and anime samples into their music, adding layers of unpredictability that have captivated fans worldwide. They gained international recognition with their 2016 album 'VOID,' and their irreverent approach to metal, which has built a dedicated global following.

Their third album, 'DEATHWISH,' which was mixed and mastered by Will Putney, further solidified their reputation. Featuring fan-favorite tracks like "Human Defect" and the title track, leading to their first European headliner tour, as well as a breakthrough in the U.S. market. In 2020, they took a bold step with 'YOKAI,' an album that divided fans by blending metalcore with electronic and trap influences, all while integrating anime-inspired themes.

Continuing to push boundaries, the band released 'LOTUS' in 2022, leaning further into metalcore and embracing clean vocals, which sparked both outrage and admiration among listeners. Known for their ambitious live performances and relentless dedication, Within Destruction remains a force in modern metal, constantly evolving and challenging genre norms. With ‘ANIMETAL,’ they’re poised to deliver their boldest statement yet. 

Kittie, The Pretty Wild & Diamante Collaborate To Cover "The Unforgiven" For The Queen Of The Ring Official Soundtrack

The countdown is on for the theatrical and official soundtrack release of Queen Of The Ring, arriving in theaters and streaming platforms this Friday, March 7, 2025. In anticipation for the big day, Sumerian Records is pleased to release an emotionally gripping cover of Metallica's "The Unforgiven" by Kittie, The Pretty Wild, and Diamante from the soundtrack for the hotly-anticipated biopic. Queen Of The Ring chronicles the trailblazing journey of wrestling icon Mildred Burke, written and directed by Ash Avildsen and starring Emily Bett Rickards.

The track is available for streaming at the link HERE, and pre-order tickets to see 'Queen of The Ring' and celebrate International Women's Month when it opens in theaters HERE.

‘Queen of the Ring,’ written and directed by Ash Avildsen, brings to life the untold story of wrestling legend Mildred Burke, who shattered barriers in the 1930s–1950s to become the first million-dollar female athlete and headline arenas over male competitors in a time when women’s wrestling was outright banned across much of the U.S. 

The film stars Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow) in a career-defining role as Burke, alongside a stellar cast featuring Josh Lucas, Walton Goggins, Gavin Casalegno, Tyler Posey, and Deborah Ann Woll, with pro wrestling stars Kamille, Toni Storm, Trinity Fatu, and Jim Cornette making appearances. 

With its March 7th release strategically set during for the weekend of International Women's Day, the film is an ode to inspirational, trailblazing women who defied the odds and forever changed their industries. Watch the official trailer for 'Queen of The Ring' HERE or below and pre-order your tickets to see if it in theaters HERE.

About Ash Avildsen and Sumerian

Ash Avildsen grew up in a single-parent household, never having met his father but knowing who he was and having his last name. He chose to pursue music first as an artist, touring in a band and teaching himself the business through a DIY lifestyle. Using all the knowledge he learned from the road, he started his own record label. Sumerian Records has now become one of the top independents in the world for rock and alternative music, with several Grammy nominations and record-setting Billboard chart metrics for the hard-rock genre. Sumerian Records recently celebrated a historic achievement with the first Grammy nomination in the history of the Recording Academy for a solo female artist in the “Best Metal Performance” category, featuring avant-garde singer Poppy.

Avildsen’s first feature film, American Satan, won several awards on the festival circuit before being distributed by Miramax. The film had a theatrical release and was subsequently picked up by Showtime, where it developed a growing cult following. Avildsen expanded on this success by writing and directing the limited series spin-off, "Paradise City ".

The Intemperate Sons Release Single "Dumb" (Live) via FRAME|WORK ​  

The Intemperate Sons bring a raw, electrifying edge to Nirvana's "Dumb" with their latest live recording from the iconic Whisky A Go Go in November 2024. This is the second track off their Live EP scheduled for release in the spring of this year. This version transforms the original's contemplative mood into a powerful, heavy sound that resonates with the spirit of rock at its most unbridled. It’s a testament to the unquestioned influence of Nirvana through the lens of today's alternative rock sound


STREAM "Dumb":

https://onerpm.link/127172572341


The Intemperate Sons release all their music through the Frame|Work record label at the direction of Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck. All Intemperate Sons’ tracks are mixed by Amir Derakh at Synthicidein Long Beach, CA.  All mastering is done by Mike Marsh Mastering in the U.K.

WATCH "Dumb" (Live) - A Nirvana Cover by The Intemperate Sons:

The band's latest album Dark Day's Night is available HERE

 

The Intemperate Sons emerged onto the rock scene in the summer of 2019 in Dallas, TX, to bring their distinct sound to the genre. A deep love for music brought family members Keith Watson (drums), Jake Watson (guitars) and Max Watson (vocals, guitars, keys) together along with close friend Mark Marks, who provides the groove on bass to unite everything together. The band's sound has been described as a 90's alternative style that is obsessed with the 70's.

Keith is well acquainted with entertaining massive crowds of concert goers and has played with many successful bands in Dallas, such as Gun Hill, Natural Born Thrillers and Agents of Solace, on top of opening for Lynch Mob, Joe Lynn Turner and Sponge. He is the primary lyricist for the band and has written the music for some of their most successful songs, including “Dust to Dust,” “The Color Within,” and “Unrealized.”

 

Multi-talented and gifted with the ability to play various instruments, Max is also the lead vocalist of the group. Along with being musically dexterous, he has also collaborated with Keith to write lyrics on the released songs “Going Crazy” and “Way Back When.” In the studio, Max usually surmounts expectations and goes above and beyond to prepare prior to a session with his own vocal harmonies.

Jake is the song architect of the Sons and extremely instrumental in the crafting of the music. His inventive ways of bringing lyrics to life in clever ways are unprecedented and fascinating to see in the studio setting. He is a prolific writer of music as well and is credited with helping create the songs “What’s Done is Done,” “Remission,” “Way Back When” and “Wading in the Gray.” Both Max and he play lead guitar on many of the songs as well. The other members of the band fondly refer to him as the “art director” since he enjoys taking charge in those areas for the group.

 

Prolific and unifying, Mark is an accomplished bass player and well known in Dallas. He was in the regionally successful band, Haggard, and had opened for Sebastian Bach of Skid Row. His input in song writing has been invaluable to the process of creating captivating melodies.

 

Despite the pandemic putting a pause on many major events, The Intemperate Sons lived up to their name and let nothing hold them back from making music. Constantly hard at work in the studio, they have collaborated with Amir Derakh (Julien-K, Dead by Sunrise, Orgy, Rough Cutt) and Ryan Shuck (Julien-K, Adema, Dead by Sunrise, Orgy). Both have lent their musical talents to various songs and ultimately have brought the Sons on to their label, Frame|Work. This led the band to also recently join the management roster at The Label Group. Ryan worked with Amir to produce the band’s upcoming track, “Game of Keep Away,”and has had a huge impact on the group. He’s been especially influential on Max’s vocal melodies and delivery. Amir also plays guitar on this latest ballad and has been mixing all of the band’s music as well as performing on multiple songs.

 

Another notable collaboration has been with Tony Franklin (The Firm, Roy Harper, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Whitesnake), primarily on the first album, The Color Within. He has been a valuable friend of the band and has played bass on some of their best tracks from that album, including “Running Man,” “Dust to Dust” and “The Color Within.”

 

The Intemperate Sons’ take on alternative rock is a dark and powerful concoction of hard rock mixed with folk and grunge concepts. The band has earned a serious reputation for writing and performing tracks that scratch deep into the backbone of the human experience. There is no shortage of darkness in their writing style, which has a retro vibe with many guitar-driven tracks stacked on top of a groovy rhythm section. The heavier style fits perfectly with the two and three-part vocal harmonies that are a huge part of their overall sound. It has been said that musicians that are related form unique sounds and communicate at a frequency only they can understand. This frequency has become engrained in their songwriting, arrangements, guitar melodies and vocal harmonies. The band has been compared to Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots and even R.E.M.

The Intemperate Sons Show Dates:

 

Fri March 14 @ Fitzgerald's Bar & Live Music Venue in San Antonio, TX

Sat March 29 @ Mystical Market in McKinney, TX

Fri July 11 @ Deep Ellum Art Company in Dallas, TX

Thu July 31 @ Hurricane Alley Live in Bossier City, LA

For More Information Please Visit:

The Intemperate Sons

Official Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Spotify

Merch Store

FRAME|WORK

FRAME|WORK Website

FRAME|WORK Instagram

Rotting Christ Release New Live Medley

ROTTING CHRIST have stood the test of time. Over the past 35 years, Sakis Tolis, his brother Themis and their brothers-in-arms have risen from Greece's blackened catacombs to become one of metal's most reliable forces.

Backed by a legacy that has both defined and defied black metal, last year, the Greek legends carved out a new set of dark, melodic scriptures with fresh rebellion on the unbreakable Pro Xristou. 

"...this is the most arena-worthy Rotting Christ have been in some time", No Clean Singing wrote about their latest album.  

Now, as they continue to tour the world, Rotting Christ are celebrating 35 years of evil existence with a new live album. This two-hour set was recorded at the Lycabettus Hill Theater in the band's hometown of Athens. Like a pantheon, it spans the band's entire career, from the chiseled monuments of their modern Hellenic period to their early evil classics, including "Sorrowful Farewell" and "Among Two Storms", the mighty one-two punch from 1997's gothic triumph A Dead Poem. 

Watch Rotting Christ perform "Sorrowful Farewell" and "Among Two Storms" Live in Lycabettus.

35 Years of Evil Existence - Live in Lycabettus comes out April 4th on Season of Mist.
 

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

The formidable bond between brothers Sakis and Themis Tolis is not only felt across their unholy discography but also live and in the flesh. Having played more than a hundred shows all across the world in 2024, Rotting Christ continue to keep the true metal spirit alive time and time again.    

Later this spring, Rotting Christ are blessing Europe on The Unholy Trinity Tour with Behemoth and Satyricon. Then this summer, the band will return stateside for an exclusive performance at Milwaukee Metalfest.

Rotting Christ @ Milwaukee Metal Fest
Friday, May 16 - Milwaukee, Wi @ The Rave/Eagles Club [TICKETS]

Line-up:
Sakis Tolis - Guitar, Vocals
Themis Tolis - Drums
Kostas "Spades" Heliotis - Bass
Kostis Fouk - Guitar

Biography:
Sébastien J. Gamez

Follow Rotting Christ:
Official Website: https://www.rotting-christ.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rottingchristofficial/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rottingchristofficial/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/athanatoieste
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RottingChristOfficia
Bandcamp: https://rottingchristofficial.bandcamp.com/
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/artist/rotting-christ/id28441629
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FhkwcO8Jd7BRWdllBpXBJ

FALLUJAH TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM, 'XENOTAPH,' ON JUNE 13TH

Masters of progressive death metal FALLUJAH will make their anticipated return this spring with the release of their 6th album, Xenotaph, due out June 13th from Nuclear Blast Records. Picking up where they left off with 2022’s critically heralded Empyrean, the band expands the depth and breadth of their dexterous, aggressive sound while exploring extraterrestrial realms on an epic sci-fi journey through space and time.

Commenting on the impending record release, vocalist Kyle Schaefer states:

“We are excited to finally reveal Fallujah’s new album Xenotaph, marking the sixth chapter in our discography. This is our most ambitious record yet, and is certainly the band’s most technical, dynamic and progressive material to date. The music carried out by these eight tracks is matched with an equally ambitious concept, a lyrical story that traverses unfolding layers of time and reality in an otherworldly, post-death realm of existence. 

 

Xenotaph is also our most collaborative album, with broad input from the current lineup leading us to expand the scope of our songwriting while simultaneously highlighting the true potential of everyone involved. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming this bold new stage of the band’s evolution.”

Today, FALLUJAH reveals the album’s stunning cover by Peter Mohrbacher, tracklist and release date as well as the first single, ‘Kaleidoscopic Waves,’ that’s accompanied by the music video below.

Adding about the new song, Schaefer says:

“We knew ‘Kaleidoscopic Waves’ would be the perfect track to usher in this new era of Fallujah. It unmistakably showcases the soaring atmospheres and remarkable technicality the band is already known for, but with a new level of melodic depth and an invigorating desire to push beyond the boundaries of our previous work. It’s hard to fully encapsulate the vast scope of our new album with a single song, but ‘Kaleidoscopic Waves’ is a great place to start.”

Pre-order Xenotaph: https://fallujah.bfan.link/xenotaph

Stream ‘Kaleidoscopic Waves’: https://fallujah.bfan.link/kaleidoscopic-waves

About FALLUJAH:

Prog death-metal outfit FALLUJAH expand horizons and solidify their position as one of America’s most exciting acts on their new album, Xenotaph, through Nuclear Blast. The quintet’s confidence in the lineup that made their previous album, Empyrean (2022), such a resounding success—earning high marks from Metal Injection, New Noise, and Guitar World—has been reconfigured slightly, with guitarist Sam Mooradian (INHALE EXISTENCE, SAM MOORADIAN) and drummer Kevin Alexander (DISEMBODIED TYRANT, BROUGHT BY PAIN) bringing their jaw-dropping musical proficiency to the fold, as vocalist Kyle Schaefer, guitarist Scott Carstairs, and bassist Evan Brewer enter a new chapter with FALLUJAH. Moored by singles ‘Kaleidoscopic Waves,’ ‘Labyrinth of Stone,’ and ‘Step Through the Portal and Breathe,’ Xenotaph is FALLUJAH personified, reinvigorated, and re-imagined.

Xenotaph was produced by FALLUJAH, engineered by Dave Otero (CATTLE DECAPITATION, ARCHSPIRE) and Mike Low (VITRIOL, ABORTED) at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado and Top Track Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Otero also mixed and mastered Xenotaph. The main goal was elevation, building upon yet soaring upward from Empyrean, one of the group’s strongest productions to date. The team focused the separation of FALLUJAH’s breakneck pace, meticulous songcraft, euphonious leads, and unrivaled intensity, creating an experience pulls the listener into Xenotaph’s high-caliber music and concept.

Beyond releasing Xenotaph to an anticipating fanbase, FALLUJAH take aim at the road, drawing upon the success of their Empyrean runs. Indeed, attendees to the group’s live performances have witnessed some of Xenotaph’s songs already, namely the shimmery prog-bounce and inner world horror of ‘The Obsidian Architect.’ FALLUJAH are in a perpetual state of evolution, and Xenotaph demonstrates the group’s hard-won, if profound journey. For there is no reverse—only forward progress, and the path ahead is illuminating before them. Step through the portal if you dare…

Kyle Schaefer | Vocals, Programming
Scott Carstairs | Guitars
Sam Mooradian | Guitar
Evan Brewer | Bass
Kevin Alexander | Drums

Follow FALLUJAH:

Linktree | Facebook | Instagram | X | Youtube | Patreon

Progressive Metallers MAESTRICK Announce New Studio Album 'Espresso Della Vita: Lunare' Out on May 2, 2025 via Frontiers Music Srl

Brazilian progressive metallers MAESTRICK are thrilled to announce the release of their upcoming new studio album, 'Espresso Della Vita: Lunare' out on May 2, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl. The new single and accompanying lyric video, “Agbara”, featuring Caligula’s Horse vocalist Jim Grey, are available now.

Vocalist Fábio Caldeira described the new song:

“'Agbara' is a fusion of diverse musical influences, blending Afro-Brazilian rhythms like Maracatu and Samba with their unique metal style. Inspired by artists like Hermeto Pascoaland Sérgio Mendes, the song embodies artistic plurality and cultural unity. Featuring Jim Greyof Caligula’s Horse singing in both English and Portuguese, along with the all-female Maracatu group Movimento Baque Mulher, 'Agbara' represents strength and power through the union of different cultures, languages, and musical styles”.

About the collaboration with Jim Grey, he added:

“Jim's dedication and respect for our work was incredible. From the beginning, he was interested in all aspects of the song, the meaning of the lyrics, and even sang in Portuguese. The results exceeded any expectations we could have had!”

Caldeira also commented on the new record:

“Thirteen years ago, we began what would become 'Espresso Della Vita,' a project that would tell the story of a one-day train journey as a metaphor for our journey in life. It was divided into two albums: Solare (daytime) and Lunare (nighttime). Partnering up with Frontiers for the release of Lunare is unprecedented to us”.

“'Lunare' is our most ambitious, grandiose work and the ultimate representation of our vision as artists to date. We are storytellers, musical illustrators of scenes, landscapes, and feelings. We could not be prouder and more excited for what this journey will bring!”, he continued.

Watch the Lyric Video for “Agbara (feat. Jim Grey)” Below:

With their new album 'Espresso Della Vita: Lunare,' MAESTRICK aims to redefine the Progressive metal boundaries. The number of high-quality arrangements, musical abilities, and influences that the band infused in the new album created the most fresh and exciting album of the genre in years.

With a malicious, dark, heavy, and sarcastic approach, MAESTRICK delivers adult themes like addictions, racial prejudice, abuse, the holocaust, and much more. It is a very emotional album, with deep reflections about what really matters in our journey/life. Thus, in the last song, the aged character gets off the train, and his name, Dante, is revealed.

The explanation for his name is that, just like the Italian writer Dante Alighieri, who went from hell to paradise, all of us, sometimes in the same day, go from paradise to purgatory, to hell. So, at the end of the day/life, we are all “Dantes” in some way, and it’s the reason why each album has an Italian title and is divided into three movements.

Pre-Order 'Espresso Della Vita: Lunare' HERE

Founded in São José do Rio Preto/SP by three friends, MAESTRICK has been active since 2006 and brings in sound elements of rock and progressive heavy metal, Brazilian regional music, world music, and classical music.

The band has released two albums in Brazil, Europe, the United States, and Japan, and are recognized for drinking from different artistic aspects - cinema, plastic arts, visual arts, and literature – for their compositions, which results in a unique and, according to specialized critics, innovative style.

Not surprisingly, MAESTRICK captivates movie fans, notably those of Tim Burton, George Méliès, Guillermo del Toro, and Christopher Nolan. In music, it attracts listeners of both modern rock/metal, such as Muse, and also of more niche styles within metal, such as Dream Theater, Haken, Jinjer, Spirit Box, and classics like Queen, Yes, and Gentle Giant.

Their songs address complex everyday themes of human nature. The album 'Espresso Della Vita: Solare,' from 2018, was rated by BURRN!, one of the most respected music publications in the world, with a score of 86/100 – quite high for the publication's standard. Solare's success led to a tour of Europe with nine shows in Switzerland, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

MAESTRICK are:

Fábio Caldeira - Lead Vocal/Piano, Synths and Orchestrations

Guilherme Carvalho - Guitars/Vocal

Renato “Montanha” Somera - Bass/Vocal

Heitor Matos - Drums and Percussion/Vocal

Official Nick Menza Documentary 'This Was My Life' Announce Second Screening Date in New Jersey! ​ 

BayView Entertainment, in partnership with Ellefson Films and Screaming Butterfly Entertainment, have announced a second event for the Nick Menza documentary, This Was My Life, Nick Menza's Metal Memories With Megadeth And Beyond. This special event will be held on Thursday, April 17th, at Hawthorne Theatre , located at 300 Lafayette Ave, Hawthorne, NJ 07506. Members of the cast and crew will be in attendance for a Q&A session after the screening of the film. 

 

Tickets for the event may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/this-was-my-life-east-coast-premiere-hawthorne-theatre-tickets-1255857727269

 

The film is an in-depth exploration of the life of Nick Menza, the former drummer of Megadeth, and one of the greatest thrash metal drummers of all time. It is a collection of stories from his childhood all the way through to the end of his life, recounted by those who knew him best. The documentary, authorized by the Menza family, will be the first to memorialize the drummer's legacy.

 

WATCH the trailer:

For more information on the event please visit:

http://www.thiswasmylifefilm.com/

H.E.A.T Release Video for "Bad Time for Love"

After the announcement of their brand new studio album Welcome to the Future, hard rock sensation H.E.A.T continues to ignite 2025 with the release of their second single "Bad Time for Love."

Following the success of their first single "Disaster" — a mainstay on rock radio since its release — the band now unleashes this new anthem that pulses with the raw intensity of love on the edge. Listen here.

The song is accompanied by a high-energy music video, directed by the renowned Patric Ullaeus (Europe, Arch Enemy, Children of Bodom, and many more), promising another visual rock feast.

The new album Welcome to the Future is a dynamic, melodic, and powerfully anthemic ride — one that Powerplay Magazine hails as: "(…) not only H.E.A.T’s best album to date but one to raise the bar for their peers. This album will certainly be recognised as an AOR classic and is sure to be a contender for album of the year."

Welcome to the Future is set for release on April 25 via earMUSIC, is now available for pre-order and will be released in multiple formats: CD jewel case, black vinyl, limited-edition neon orange vinyl, and digital.

Fresh off the success of the first leg of their 2025 tour, which spanned the UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark, H.E.A.T are preparing to bring their stunning live performances to fans across the globe. Their upcoming tour dates include stops in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Spain, Bulgaria, and Germany.

Your Spirit Dies drops new single featuring Zao’s Dan Weyandt

“Serpentine” is the latest single from South Carolina metal/hardcore outfit YOUR SPIRIT DIES. The track comes by way of the band’s crushing My Gnawing Pains Will Never Rest debut, set for release on May 2nd via MNRK Heavy and features a guest appearance by vocalist Dan Weyandt of Zao.


Comments vocalist Brandon Byars, “‘Serpentine’ ended up being one of the last tracks we put together for the record. We were running two writing stations simultaneously — [guitarist] Tyler [Dorman] was writing these fast, aggressive d-beat riffs while [guitarist] Holden [Hall] brought some ideas that he had written previously. From there, we all dug in with [producer] Greg [Thomas ] to refine it further. I think the song really captures the essence of the album, showcasing a lot of the sounds that define it.

“Lyrically, it's something everyone can relate to. Almost everyone has had to deal with someone who’s got narcissistic tendencies, and, in some cases, you've had to walk away — whether it’s a relationship, friendship, or otherwise. I think the lyrics illustrate the sense of catharsis you get from finally ‘cutting the cord’ with those kinds of people.”


On having Weyandt on the track, Byars further shares, “It’s been awesome getting to know Dan over the last few years. Considering our name literally came from a Zao song, we thought our full circle moment was getting to tour with them, but to have his voice and face featured in a piece of our art is somehow even bigger than that. He did an amazing job and I think it elevates the song even further for it. A huge gratitude goes to him.”