Danish Musical Virtuoso NICKLAS SONNE Unveils New Single "Helldivers Anthem" + Lyric Video

Danish musical virtuoso NICKLAS SONNE shares his new single “Helldivers Anthem,” taken from the upcoming studio album 'Electric Dreams,' set for release on June 27th via Frontiers Music Srl. The new single is accompanied by a lyric video, available to view below.

Talking about the new single, NICKLAS SONNE commented:

“From one gamer to another - this is my tribute to the Helldivers. Loud riffs, big explosions, and just the right amount of sarcasm. Freedom never sleeps - and neither do we”.

Describing the album, SONNE added:

“This record is a deeply personal journey back to where it all began for me - to the raw energy and spirit of my earliest musical inspirations. It blends the soul of old school hard rock with the punch and clarity of a modern production, creating a soundscape that feels both nostalgic and new."

Watch the Lyric Video for “Helldivers Anthem"

NICKLAS SONNE is a Danish musician, vocalist, guitarist, and producer known for his powerful presence in progressive and heavy metal. He began his musical journey as a drummer before moving on to guitar and ultimately becoming a singer-songwriter in a variety of metal and hard rock projects—starting with Defecto, one of Denmark’s leading metal bands, formed in 2010.

In addition to Defecto, NICKLAS is part of Aries Descendant alongside Jonah Weingarten(Pyramaze, Catalyst Crime). The dynamic duo released their debut album via Frontiers Music Srl on October 18th, 2024. It’s a groundbreaking project that seamlessly fuses the evocative allure of film music with the raw power of heavy metal, creating an auditory experience that is nothing short of extraordinary.

A multi-instrumentalist from an early age, NICKLAS honed his skills by playing along to Metallica and Dream Theater, later diving into songwriting and production. His talent quickly gained industry attention, leading to collaborations with renowned producers Jan Langhoff(Aqua) and Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica). This pivotal period helped shape his signature sound—progressive metal infused with orchestral and choral elements.

Other bands SONNE has been involved with include Evil Masquerade, Theory, Hank Shermann, One Machine, Waving Memories, Section A, Metallica Jam, Wasted, and Omvendt Korstog. His long career has included international tours in countries such as Japan and support slots for metal heavyweights like Metallica and Rammstein.

With a relentless work ethic and a passion for musical innovation, NICKLAS SONNE continues to push the boundaries of modern metal, cementing his reputation as one of the most dynamic artists in the genre today. His solo album is a collection of songs that showcases the immense talent of this artist—who also handled production duties himself.

Pre-Order 'Electric Dreams' HERE

ARSENIC KITCHEN Unleashes Blazing Hard Rock Cover of PANIC! AT THE DISCO’S “I WRITE SINS NOT TRAGEDIES”

An Explosive Reinvention of a 2000s Classic — Now Louder and Heavier!

ARSENIC KITCHEN'S cover of 'I Write Sins...' by Panic At The Disco provides a new take on a beloved classic. Much of the instrumentation on the track remains true to the original, however the ARSENIC KITCHEN crew has added some of their personal style to the mix along with a fun music video that's sure to get a grin out of watchers. 

LISTEN HERE ON SPOTIFY

ARSENIC KITCHEN is a fusion of early 2000s Alternative and modern Post Hardcore that evokes feelings of nostalgia and heartbreak, anger and excitement, weaved into a theatrical stadium level performance no matter the setting.

From the deserts of Phoenix, Arizona the band stand out as uniquely high energy and meaningful musicians onstage & off. Through the musicality and lyrics of every song, ARSENIC KITCHEN is able to reach and connect with the deepest feelings and emotions of listeners. 

With new songs, videos and shows in the works, the band continues to grow, build connections and make an impact on concert goers and listeners alike. They hope to expand in the coming year, further east with two tours in 2025, 6 new singles, a new EP and more on the horizon! 

Charlie Nieland Unleashes 'Redshift': A Prog-Infused Dreamrock Odyssey previewing new EP

NYC producer indie music veteran Charlie Nieland presents 'Redshift', a welcome dream-pop track that delves into the profound experience of creating your own chosen family, viewed through the lens of cosmic expansion and astrophysical wonder. This is the second taste of his forthcoming 'The Ocean Understands' EP (out June 20).

Nieland’s musical backstory is extensive, having played dream pop with Her Vanished Grace for over 20 years before establishing himself as a solo artist with a mix of nuanced songwriting and sonic exploration, initially releasing 'Ice Age' (2014) and 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016). He is currently half of the literature-inspired songwriting and performing duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang and produces and participates in the podcast 'An Embarrassment of Prog'. 

Along the way, Charlie wrote and produced material with such notable artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Dead Leaf Echo, Blondie and Scissor Sisters. He scored the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (starring Glenn Close), the pilot episode of 'The L Word' on Showtime and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'. Charlie was awarded a Gold record (UK) for his production work on Blondie's 'Greatest Hits Sight & Sound' and achieved a Top 10 Billboard Dance Chart Position with Debbie Harry's single 'Two Times Blue', which he co-wrote and produced.

"Redshift is a slice of dream pop about growing up - as viewed from space. The book STRAY, by Tanya Marquardt, got me thinking about how we choose new families when we're alienated from our birth ones. This coincided with another thing I was reading about Steven Hawking and astrophysics. The song became a little field guide on how to put your own story into a cosmic context," says Charlie Nieland.

"There's an eerie freedom to embracing life when the universe is pulling apart. While in lockdown, I’d made up a modal exercise for the guitar and it was a perfect shimmering fit for this, with Billy Loose’s symphonic drums bringing it all down to earth. More gorgeous art and video clips by Hypnodoll™. 

It's been four years since Nieland released his acclaimed ‘Divisions’ album with its sweeping melodies and restless rhythms. Tastefully blending post punk, dream pop and prog rock, he has been writing, playing and producing music for decades, focused on the atmospheric and the imaginative.

Earlier, Charlie Nieland released the stunning reverb-laced lead track, 'Drown', the video for which was directed by multi-faceted artist Hypnodoll. Inspired by a dystopian vision, this mythical, psychedelic siren song celebrates destruction, exploring a dark, authoritarian past through the jumbled stories of the future. Sifting through present wreckage, 'Drown' searches for grace amidst violent, oceanic forces.

Charlie Nieland says, "With its mind-melting imagery, the video for 'Drown', created by NYC multimedia artist Hypnodoll, is beautiful and deranged. She conjures storytelling just out or rational reach, playing tag with the ancient and futuristic in a way that perfectly compliments the song. Collaborating with her is such a thrill".

As of May 27, 'RedShift' is available from fine digital music platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. 'The Ocean Understands' EP, now available for pre-order directly from the artist, will be released on June 20.

CREDITS 
Music & Lyrics written by Charlie Nieland
Recorded at Saturation Point Studios (Brooklyn, NY)
from January 2023 to April 2025

'Elegy' recorded live at KGB Bar, NYC, October 3rd, 2021
Charlie Nieland - vocals, guitars, basses, piano, keyboards, percussion, G-Force M-TRON Pro IV
Billy Loose - drums

Dan McAssey - guitar on 'Shame'
Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
Cover Art by Hypnodoll
© 2025 Athame Music
'Drown' video directed By Hypnodoll™
Photography by Alice Teeple
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR


Keep up with Charlie Nieland
Website | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Soundcloud | Apple Music | Spotify | Press contact

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ASKA Release the Lyric Video for the Track "From Out Of The Sky"

BraveWords Records is pleased to announce that ASKA have released a video for the track "From Out of the Sky", taken from their latest album "Knight Strike". 

Stream of Purchase "Knight Strike": https://smarturl.it/aska

Watch the video below:

"From Out of the Sky" is a followup song ASKA wrote on one of their favorite topics - Extraterrestrial Alien Invasion.

George Call, from ASKA, "We love Science Fiction as much as we love writing about medieval fantasy and such. On our previous album, "Fire Eater", we had a brief soundscape called "The Last Message". It was a final message left on a beacon in space from a now extinct civilization where our world had once been. This message had been playing in space for practically an eternity before our listeners stumble upon it and hear the tale of humanity's demise. "FOotS" kind of picks up, extrapolates and delves deeper. I think we see it as a kind of sequel of sorts.  Questions are asked; Are they friend or foe? Will you run or will you stand and fight?

As "TLM" was put together by ASKA bassist, Keith Knight, and he was the principal songwriter on "FOotS", we felt it appropriate that he should take the lead vocals on this one. I thought it would be a great surprise for our fans as it's the first time Keith has sang lead vocal on an ASKA song  since our 3rd album, "Nine Tongues"."

Catch ASKA live with BraveWords Records labelmates, Lillian Axe on August 17th at Reno's in (Deep Ellum) Dallas.

http://askahq.com

https://www.facebook.com/askahq

https://www.instagram.com/askahq2024

https://www.tiktok.com/@aska.hq

https://www.youtube.com/@askahq

https://www.bandsintown.com/a/41166
 
About ASKA:
ASKA, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas-based, long-running heavy metal band has, as the title they gave their 3rd international tour can attest, "been there, done that". And how! In 1992, just a short year after the release of the group's self-titled debut album, they began touring the world performing at military bases, embassies and satellite installations around the globe for the U.S. Dept. of Defense/USO entertainment services. For nine years the group maintained a steady course, playing for U.S & foreign military troops in well over 56 countries and territories globally before turning their focus to the civilian world. There, they promptly played festivals around America and Europe and furthered their exposure in no small way. From inception to present, ASKA released seven full length albums on both national and international labels. 

During the process, ASKA's triple-threat frontman/vocalist/guitarist, George Call, came to the attention of cult, US underground metal pioneers, Omen, where he was promptly recruited to take over the lead vocalist slot for three years while still maintaining his role in ASKA. When that association dissolved, George was immediately snatched up by former Atlantic Records/Metal Blade, Midwestern, MTV veterans, Banshee, where he's been front and center on the band's two newest top notch releases. While helming both bands after a fateful meeting at a festival performance with ASKA in Germany, Call, was further enlisted to join U.K. legendary, cult NWOBHM band, Cloven Hoof, where he proceeded to record and release three critically acclaimed, fan-favorite albums. ASKA drummer Danny White joined George on two of these endeavors while the band's long-serving bassist/vocalist, Keith Knight, engineered and recorded a high percentage of George's extra-curricular activity at his Knight Recording Studios, keeping the three working together even when it was outside of the band. 

GWAR & Mischief Toys Unleash Limited-Edition “Minion Gastley” Toy

Mischief Toys and GWAR have formed an unholy alliance that blends heavy metal mayhem with cult collectible culture. At the center of this twisted partnership is Mischief Toys’ beloved hellion, Gastley—now transformed by the Scumdogs into Minion Gastley, a mutated servant oozing with grotesque charm and unmistakable hints of Balsac the Jaws of Deathhimself.

This limited-edition crossover celebrates the fusion of music and mischief, offering fans multiple colorways of Minion Gastley along with matching merch. Whether you’re a designer toy collector, a GWAR maniac, or both, this drop delivers the chaos you crave.

In addition, a special blue-spattered variant—exclusive to GWAR.net—will be limited to just 150 pieces for the most diehard Scumdogs.

In true GWAR fashion, Minion Gastley’s suffering doesn’t end there. The poor beast has been condemned to clean toilets, mop blood, and tend to the wreckage as the band lays waste to the galaxy on tour.

Available Now at MischiefToys.com:

With each purchase, fans will receive one, randomly selected variant:

=> Minion Gastley – Classic "Unscathed" Version (320 pieces) – $55

=> Blacklight-Reactive Green Spatter Gastley (100 pieces) – $55

=> Red Spatter Gastley (50 pieces) – $55

Available for direct purchase:

=> Signed Classic Unscathed Gastley (30 pieces) – $85

(Signed by Blothar, Jizmak Da Gusha, Grodius Maximus, Balsac the Jaws of Death,

Bonesnapper, Sawborg Destructo, and Beefcake the Mighty)

=> Matching Merch: enamel pins, 11x17 blacklight poster, t-shirt, snapback hat, dad hat

Christopher Gast, founder of Mischief Toys comments:

“This collaboration brings together two of the things we love most: GWAR—the most gloriously chaotic band in the universe—and Gastley, our beloved little hellion from the Netherworld. We’re thrilled for fans of both to revel in the madness together.”

About Mischief Toys

Mischief Toys is a leading designer and creator of collectible figures that blend humor, horror, and pop culture. Founded in 2021, the company is best known for its flagship character “Gastley” and a growing lineup of limited-edition releases that spark imagination and fan obsession. For more, visit www.mischieftoys.com.

GWAR's 40th Anniversary Celebration continues this summer with 'The Return of Gor Gor,' the new multimedia release due out on July 25th!

'The Return of Gor Gor' includes three brand-new studio tracks—mixed by Kurt Ballou (Converge)—plus four blistering live recordings from 2024, mixed by Chris Ronan Murphy. The release comes bundled with a 32-page full-color comic, resurrecting the legendary monster Gor Gor in an over-the-top visual bloodbath.

Blothar comments on 'The Return of Gor Gor':

"The last time I saw Gor Gor he was just a wee fart dragon. He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato. I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he’s a 20-foot tall trans-species prostitute working a pickle park. Apparently, he’s all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles as a young Dino-American trying to make his way in a cruel world."

Pre-Order 'The Return of Gor Gor' HERE

The Scumdogs of the Universe are currently rampaging

across North America on their 40th Anniversary tour.

Prepare for carnage, chaos, and a jaw-dropping spectacle of sound and fury.

Buy your tickets HERE.

GWAR Live:

*w/ Toxic Holocaust; AEther Realm; Tracheotomy 

May 20: Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall*

May 21: Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's Live*

May 22: Austin, TX - RADIO/EAST*

GWAR w/Static-X, Dope & A Killers Confession

May 24: Albuquerque NM - Revel Entertainment Center

May 26: Wichita KS - The Cotilion Ballroom

May 27: Des Moines IA - Val Air Ballroom

May 29: St Louis MO - The Pageant

May 30: Minneapolis MN - The Fillmore Minneapolis

May 31: Davenport IA - Capitol Theatre

Jun 1: Grand Rapids MI - GLC Live at 20 Monroe

Jun 3: Indianapolis IN - Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre

Jun 4: Ft Wayne IN - Clyde Theatre

Jun 5: Wheeling WV - Capitol Theater

Jun 7: Wallingford CT - The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theater

Jun 8: Buffalo NY - Buffalo Riverworks

Jun 9: Toronto ON - History

Jun 10: Montreal QC - Mtelus

Jun 11: Hampton NH - Hampton Beach Casino

Jun 12: Allentown, PA - Archer Music Hall

Jun 14: Myrtle Beach SC - House Of Blues

Jun 15: Raleigh NC - The Ritz

Jun 17: Kansas City MO - Grinders

Jun 18: Oklahoma City OK - The Criterion

w/ Eyehategod; AEther Realm; Tracheotomy

Jun 20: Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall

Jun 21: Pelham, TN - The Caverns

Jul 24: Richmond, VA - Allianz Amphitheater

w/Lamb of God, Hatebreed

Oct 5: Sacramento, CA - Aftershock @ Discovery Park

Sainthood Reps Release New Single "Blue Nothing" + Announce Signing to Smartpunk Records -

Smartpunk Records welcomes Sainthood Reps to their label roster and celebrates the announcement with a new single, "Blue Nothing," out now. This is the first taste of more music and announcements from the band coming later this year!

The new track embodies the band's signature blend of heavy grunge and dreamy shoegaze that they have been honing since the late 2000s.

Listen below.

Speaking about the new single, Sainthood Reps vocalist and guitarist Cesco Montesanto shares, "Blue Nothing is kind of the pep talk I would give myself before finally deciding to move on with my life after losing something incredibly dear to me. It's about coming to the realization that the nothingness of what's been left behind is actually a substantial part of who we are, and the path forward isn't to block out the nothingness, but to embrace it. The chorus lyric is “elegize what you’ve lost and you know is gone for good.” If there were ever a "part 2" of this song, it would probably be the elegy itself. 

When it came time to lay down vocals for the bridge, we asked our dear friend Gerry Windus (Stand Still) to take the reins. We never even considered anyone else. Turns out, that was the right move because he smashed that part."

ABOUT SAINTHOOD REPS
Sainthood Reps have been known for their unique blend of grunge, post-hard, and shoegaze since the late 2000’s. After releasing Monoculture in 2011, Headswell in 2013, and a couple of singles here and there, the band spent several years pursuing other projects before eventually regrouping during COVID. Since 2022, the band has been in and out of the studio compiling new music that marks a definitive step forward without straying too far from their signature sound. 

Sainthood Reps consists of Derrick Sherman, Cesco Montesanto, Bradley Cordaro, and Jani Zubkovs, with Chris Smith featuring in live performances.

Psycho-Frame's Debut Album Is Coming + Watch "BLUEPRINTS FOR IDOL GENOCIDE" Video

Six-member wrecking crew PSYCHO-FRAME are thrilled to announce their debut album SALVATION LAUGHS IN THE FACE OF A GRIEVING MOTHER. The album arrives July 25 via SharpTone Records and is available for pre-order here. 

Drawing influence from classic American death metal while channeling a chaotic, present-day urgency, the band's sound is as deliberate and technical as it is aggressive. 

To mark the occasion the band has shared the video for "BLUEPRINTS FOR IDOL GENOCIDE." Watch it below.

The track will grab you by the nape of your neck and throttle you from start to finish with its djent-y, deathcore rhythms and crawled-outta-hell-and-went-back-for-a-visit vocals. 

"It's a song about bad actors in the community," says vocalist Michael Sugars. "I see people moving in weird ways. So, I'll keep my distance and let God sort 'em out while I do my thing."

The album is also a bit of a commentary on society and how one should navigate their place within it.

Guitarist/vocalist Hunter Young comments, "So many people are looking for someone to save them. No one is coming to save you at the end of the day though. That's where SALVATION LAUGHS IN THE FACE OF A GRIEVING MOTHERcomes in. You're on your own."

No truer words!

ABOUT PSYCHO FRAME:
Viscerally technical, and crushingly heavy, PSYCHO-FRAME are comprised of several veterans of metal's various sub-genres with a purpose of creating aggressive and immolating music. What began as a casual collaboration between Hunter Young, of MOODRING, and Michael Sugars, formerly of Vatican, quickly grew into something more serious. Both were getting off tours with their respective bands and playing games together. "The more that happened the more we said, 'Let's make something that we actually want to hear.'" The result was a series of early releases that gained fast traction.

Debut single "24 Hours Left" arrived in April 2023, followed two highly acclaimed EPs — Remote God Seeker in May 2023 and Automatic Death Protocol in December 2023. The "FEED" double single dropped in early 2025, while the band also landed on Revolver's list of "Top 5 Deathcore Bands Right Now." 

PSYCHO-FRAME recorded the new album throughout 2024, with a focus on clarity, heaviness, and a refusal to overcomplicate the message.

The vision is clear: make a record that hits hard and says exactly what it means.

PSYCHO-FRAME ARE:
Michael Sugars — Vocals
Hunter Young — Guitar + Vocals
Aiden 'Dave' Bessent — Guitar 
Jordan Crain — Guitar
Colter Cuthbertson — Vocals
Leo McClain — Drums

…AND OCEANS Premiere 'The Regeneration Itinerary'

Season of Mist is proud to announce the release of the expansive seventh album from …and Oceans. While they’ve always ebbed and flowed between different extremes, The Regeneration Itinerarysurges onto the scene as the symphonic black metal band’s most expansive experiment yet. Both darkly cinematic and shockingly cerebral, the album is a lesson in contrasts - between chaos and order, dissolution and regeneration.  

The Regeneration Itinerary come out  Friday, May 23 on Season of Mist, but you can hear all 10 unpredictable songs today by listening to the full album stream below.

Thirty years into their ebullient career, …and Oceans have now assembled a body of work that absorbs the band’s entire lineage. The Regeneration Itinerary synthesizes the Finnish band’s disparate identities into a two-sided whole. From the trance-inducing intensity of opener and lead single “Inertiae” and maze-like riffs of “Prophetical Mercury Implement” to the sharper death metal edge of “Förnyelse i Tre Akter”, the album is a dance with duality: body and spirit, destruction and rebirth, copper and mercury.

Vocalist Mathias Lillmåns draws inspiration from alchemical symbolism and the interplay between light and shadow. Guitarists Timo Kontio and Teemu Saari, bassist Pyry Hanski, keyboardist Antti Simonen, and drummer Kauko Kuusisalo flesh out his visions with layered textures and a frenetic precision that’s anchored by both the visceral production of Juho Räihä and the finishing touch of Tore Stjerna’s mix and master at Necromorbus Studio.

Rebirth is never static. This itinerary is ever-evolving.

“The Regeneration Itinerary explores the interplay between darkness and light, chaos and order, spiritual and material realms, with each song embodying an experience for the mind and body, navigating a passage to the present moment,” explains Lillmåns.

“The album works like a guide,” he continues. “Teaching us that not everything can be defined as simply being ‘good’ or ‘bad’, ‘light’ or ‘dark’, ‘copper’ or mercury’, underscoring the perpetual dance of dualities in the human experience.”

Line-up:
Mathias Lillmåns - Vocals
Teemu Saari - Guitar
Timo Kontio - Guitar
Pyry Hanski - Bass
Antti Simonen - Keyboards
Kauko Kuusisalo - Drums

Production Credits:
Recorded at Inka Studio / SoundSpiral Audio, Orimattila, Finland.
Producer & Engineered by Juho Räihä.
Mixed & Mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio,  Söderfors, Sweden.

Cover Art:
Adrien Bousson

Biography:
Spencer Grady

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/andoceanstheregenerationitinerary

Follow ...and Oceans:
Bandcamp: https://andoceans.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/andoceans/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andoceans_official/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0rWmH68lIyVOGYhhvayFzu
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/and-oceans/32204550
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/11172
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3565685

MALEVOLENCE - Release Video For New Single 'Salt The Wound'

Steel City Kings MALEVOLENCE have released a new single from their massively anticipated new album, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken, which is set to be released on the 20th June via MLVLTD in partnership with Nuclear Blast Records.

Compared to the punishing previous singles, 'Trenches' and 'If It's All The Same To You' the brand new release 'Salt The Wound' shows a more emotional side of MALEVOLENCE, but that only makes its incredibly heavy chorus stand out even more.

Alex Taylor (vocals) commented:
“'Salt The Wound' is the product of us making a conscious decision to bridge the two faces of Malevolence. On one hand we have the heavy aggressive side, and on the other we have the slower melodic songs, so we wanted a song that could combine the two.
 
The video was entirely shot in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. From the industrial depths of Sheffield, a 900-year-old ruined Abbey, to a perfect sunrise over some of the incredible hills of Derbyshire, there is some incredible scenery in the north of the UK which we sometimes take for granted, so this song felt like the perfect opportunity to show case some of that.
 
From the moment I heard the guitar solo Josh had written for this song, I pictured him on a mountain top doing the solo, so we made it happen, Malev style!”

Pre-order and pre-save Where Only The Truth Is Spoken now at: 
https://malevolence.bfan.link/where-only-the-truth-is-spoken

Stream 'Salt The Wound' at: 
https://malevolence.bfan.link/salt-the-wound

Watch the video for 'Salt The Wound' Below:

SUMMER SLAUGHTER TOUR 2025
w/ HATEBREED, BLEEDING THROUGH ...

08.07. - US - St Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live
09.07. - US - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern
11.07. - US - San Antonio, TX - Vibes Event Center
12.07. - US - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
13.07. - US - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory
15.07. - US - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
16.07. - US - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
17.07. - US - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
19.07. - US - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
20.07. - US - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall
22.07. - US - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall
23.07. - US - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore Charlotte
25.07. - US - Rochester, NY - Water Street Music Hall
26.07. - US - Detroit, MI - Harpos
27.07. - US - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
28.07. - US - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection

ABOUT MALEVOLENCE

MALEVOLENCE have never waited for permission. From the underground to festival main stages, they’ve built their reputation on sheer force of will, crushing live shows, and an unshakable foundation of heavy riffs and harder work. Now, with their fourth studio album Where Only The Truth Is Spoken, Sheffield’s finest step into a new league.

Recorded in California at Dave Grohl’s legendary Studio 606, the album was tracked through the iconic Neve 8078 console, the same desk that captured game-changing records like Nirvana’s Nevermind, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, and Tom Petty’s Wildflowers. For a band that’s always pushed forward without compromise, it was the perfect setting to carve out a record that represents everything MALEVOLENCE stands for. The album marks a new level of songwriting precision without sacrificing the band’s trademark weight. Working alongside Grammy Award-winning producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium), the result is MALEVOLENCE at their most punishing, urgent, and anthemic.

Lyrically, Where Only The Truth Is Spoken reflects the principles that MALEVOLENCE have lived by since day one—honesty, loyalty, and integrity. These are not just themes woven into the album but values the band holds in their personal and professional lives. This record doesn’t deal in facades or empty gestures; it’s an unfiltered expression of the struggles, victories, and unshakable brotherhood that have carried them this far.

Malevolence are:
Alex Taylor | Vocals
Konan Hall | Guitar / Vocals
Josh Baines | Guitar
Wilkie Robinson | Bass
Charlie Thorpe | Drums

PLAIINS Announce Debut Album "Happy Faces" Out 8/15 + Share "Row She Said"

Fiery indie punk band PLAIINS have today announced their upcoming debut album Happy Faces, set for release on August 15 via Long Branch Records. 

PLAIINS have been on a musical rollercoaster since their inception in late 2020. Already having played with the likes of ITCHY, Cold Years, LEAP, Press Club, and many more, the band signed with Long Branch Records of SPV in 2024. The hard-working group has already released over 20 songs to date, regularly hitting the top playlists on Spotify since the beginning, as well as garnering features on BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, KERRANG! chart, and RBB fritz. There's no stopping their momentum as PLAIINS bring a unique blend of British punk, indie, and alt rock, pulling inspiration from the likes of IDLES, Hives, Soft Play, Bad Nerves, The Streets, and Viagra Boys.

"I wanted us to make an album that would stand the test of time, is coherent and characterful, unique and of our own, and would be a great contribution to the wonderful catalog of rock music. I have so much love, reverence, and adoration for the greats and I wanted us to at least be on that level," says singer Chris Reardon.

Along with the album news, the band has also released the new single "Row She Said." 

Stream "Row She Said" here.

"'Row She Said' is a song against right wing nationalism," comments Reardon. "We talked about writing a song like this for a while. I wanted to do it with class and not [write] something lyrically one-dimensional, It had to be done poetically with layers and also [be] open for different interpretations unless you read the lyrics and also knew the context where we were coming from. They're my favorite kind of songs, especially when discussing a topic such as this."

He continues, "There are too many punk songs that tackle this subject too plainly, in my opinion, although that also has its place. But I think we really did it right on this one. 'She' in this context is the country where the protagonist is from and how they feel their country calls them and pushes them to protect their idea of sovereignty. I was writing more from the UK point of view, since it's where I'm from, especially in the wake of Brexit. But we also wrote it from the perspective where the [other] guys are from — Germany — but can apply to any country really."

When it came down to the album, Reardon explains, "We all talked about what we wanted to achieve on the album musically speaking and how we wanted to go into the process. We all reflected on what we felt we do best as a band and how we can really hone those elements in and push them to the limit. We all also wanted to add more indie elements into the music, something we've touched on but we wanted to make that more significant in the album. As well as the Britishness to the sound.

"As the singer, it was quite funny because the guys asked me why don't I sing in my normal English accent? I had never thought about it before. I always had a bit more of an American twang when I sang but that was something we opened up and of course felt very natural! In songs like 'Wooha!' and 'Snvkes.,' we had pushed this more rhythmic 'rap' like vocal style too and that was something we wanted to incorporate more. We really worked the songs and never settled for 'that will do.'

"We wanted the album to be fun and bombastic. To have lyrics that would make you laugh but once you sat down and read them would have much more lyrical depth. This is where the idea of paper bags came around. On the surface, there's a face painted on a paper bag which makes you laugh or takes you back for a moment. But when you take off the mask, there's a person underneath that takes time to know and understand and is more complex. There's an element of characterture, almost cartoonish and over blown in some of the lyrics and vocal delivery. We wanted something visual that represented that too.

"Our producer was Manuel Renner as well as mixing and mastering engineer of Ueberlaerm Studios for the album. We have worked with him since the beginning of the band and he has always been such an incredible collaborator and producer. He really helped us take the songs to the next level. We recorded the drums at Sound Pauli in Hamburg where we are based and Manuel and Tobi Schmidt did a great job. We recorded the guitars, bass, and vocals mostly at Ueberlaerm Studios and bits and pieces at my studio in Hamburg."

PLAIINS ARE:
Chris Reardon — Vocals + Guitars
Timon Lanzinger — Bass
David Suhlrie — Drums
Florian Kaninck — Guitars

Punk Rock & Paintbrushes Continues 2025 Season With Galleries At Camp Punksylvania, Warped Tour,

Punk Rock & Paintbrushes

Continues 2025 Season With

Upcoming Galleries At Summer & Fall Festivals Including

Camp Punksylvania, Warped Tour, The Offspring Tour,

Cali Vibes, Riot Fest, Furnace Fest & More,

Including Autographed Items From Avril Lavigne,

Sublime, Dropkick Murphys, Ziggy Marley & More

Up For Charitable Auctions On-Site

PR&PB’s L.A. Exhibit “Strength: A Celebration of Art Queens”

Is Open For Final Weeks, Closing June 3

Featuring Works From

Lzzy Hale, Chloe Trujillo, Lori Herbst, Natalia Fabia, Lisa Johnson,

Olive, Lulu & Nicole Freese (Daughters and Wife of Josh Freese),

 Harper Grohl (Daughter of Dave Grohl),

Heart Hera (Daughter of James “Munky” Shaffer),

Peribeau Bentley (daughter of Jay Bentley) & More

At Serj Tankian’s Newly-Opened Eye For Sound Gallery

Punk Rock & Paintbrushes is where art and music come together, as the collective presents exhibits at galleries and music festivals around the world, each featuring original artworks from musicians and the music community that showcases creativity in a whole new light. This summer and fall that includes upcoming appearances at:

May 31-June 1 Fiesta Del Sol (San Diego, CA)

June 7-8 Cali Vibes (Long Beach, CA)

June 14-15 Warped Tour (Washington, D.C.)

June 21-22 Point Break Festival (Virginia Beach, VA)

June 20-22 Camp Punksylvania (Gilbert, PA)

July 11-September 7 The Offspring Tour (multiple dates)

July 18-20 Punk in the Park (Denver, CO)

August 8-9 Matt Skiba & Jesse Michaels Gallery Show (New York City, NY)

August 15-17 Rockstar Energy Skate Open (Portland, OR)

September 19-21 Riot Fest (Chicago, IL)

October 3-5 Furnace Fest (Birmingham, AL)

A number of these upcoming events will include a charitable aspect as well, with autographed items from popular musicians available for auction onsite at the following:

• Cali Vibes & Point Break Festival: Autographed Fender guitars from Ziggy Marley, Slightly Stoopid, 311, Dirty Heads, Iration, Pepper and more artists to benefit Ziggy Marley’s U.R.G.E. Foundation enriching the lives of lives of children in Jamaica, Africa, and throughout the world

• Warped Tour: Autographed Gibson guitars from Avril Lavigne, Pennywise, Sublime, All Time Low, Simple Plan, Slaughter To Prevail, Ice Nine Kills and Less Than Jake to benefit the Special Olympics, Rock Against Racism, Living The Dream and F*CK Cancer

• Punk in The Park: Autographed items from Dropkick Murphys, Pennywise, Bad Religion and The Descendents to benefit the Claddagh Fund who works within the Recovery Community in the greater Boston area

“Punk Rock & Paintbrushes looks to spread positivity and make a difference within the music community and beyond by teaming up with bands and brands such as Fender and Gibson to raise funds and awareness for important nonprofits,” says PR&PB founder Emily Nielsen.

Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys adds, "Punk Rock & Paintbrushes represents everything good about this amazing punk rock community we are so lucky to call ourselves a part of.  We are eternally  grateful for all they do to help us help people.  God bless the arts!”

The upcoming festival season follows a successful launch of the brand-new exhibition  “Strength: A Celebration of Art Queens,” held at the newly-opened Eye for Sound Gallery in Los Angeles, owned by Serj Tankian (System of A Down). The exhibition is now entering its final weeks, closing June 3.

It features the works of celebrated artists including Lzzy Hale, Chloe Trujillo, Lori Herbst, Natalia Fabia, photographer Lisa Johnson and the incredible wives and daughters of respected musicians, some as young as five-years-old, showing that creativity truly does run in the family. Other showcasing artists include: Olive & Lulu Freese (daughters of Josh Freese), Harper Grohl (daughter of Dave Grohl), Heart Hera (daughter of James “Munky” Shaffer), Bluma Vie de Salvo (daughter of Mark de Salvo), Peribeau Bentley (daughter of Jay Bentley), Remington & Tigerlily Galindo (daughters of Eden Galindo), Nicole Freese (wife of Josh Freese), Marley Chaney (daughter of Chris Chaney), Stacie Stevenson (wife of Bill Stevenson) and more.

See the recap video of the opening night of “Strength: A Celebration of Art Queens” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duk5TBBtv_s&feature=youtu.be

About Punk Rock & Paintbrushes

Punk Rock & Paintbrushes is a niche and unique art management company as well as art show production brand that creates art shows at galleries and music festivals across the world and works with a variety of non-profits using art as a tool to make a positive impact for all. The roots reach back to 2007 when founder Emily Nielsen asked friend Tim McIlrath (Rise Against) to paint a piece of art with the lyrics to the Rise Against song “Survive” for her after overcoming a battle with cancer. The painting has traveled around the world with Emily and is an everyday reminder that “How we survive is what makes us who we are.” Today, Punk Rock & Paintbrushes manages talented artists across the globe who share their love of music and art, and brings art to collectors and fans from all walks of life. 

Website: www.punkrockart.com

Instagram: @punkrockandpaintbrushes

Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks 2025 Tour Continues as Planned

A false report circulated claiming that JON ANDERSON AND THE BAND GEEKS had canceled the second leg of their 2025 tour. According to Jon Anderson’s manager, Larry Mazer, JON is in good health, and all scheduled dates will proceed as planned.

The 11-show tour commences June 15th at the Warner Theater in Washington, DC, and ends July 13th at The Factory in St. Louis, Missouri. The tour will feature an evening of YESclassics as well as tracks from their critically acclaimed debut album 'TRUE' released August 2024.

Dates for the 2025 Tour:

June 15 - Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre

June 18 - Ocala, FL @ Circle Square Cultural Center

June 20 - Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall

June 23 - Dallas, TX @ Moody Performance Hall

June 25 - Austin, TX @ Paramount

June 27 - San Antonio, TX @ Tobin Center

July 01 - Macon, GA @ Auditorium

July 05 - Farmington, PA - Timber Rock Amphitheatre

July 07 - Ocean City, NJ - Ocean City Music Pier

July 11 - Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music Center

July 13 - St. Louis, MO @ The Factory

Check out the video for the YES classic "Roundabout," taken from the CD/DVD/Blu-ray 'Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks Live - Perpetual Change.'

For more information:

Jon Anderson’s official website HERE

Band Geek official website HERE

Jon Anderson YES Epics and Classics:

Website HERE

Facebook HERE

Twitter – @JonYesEpic

Instagram – @jonandersonyesepicsandclassics

TikTok – @JonAndersonYESEpic

YouTube HERE

Dinosaur Pile-Up Take A Swipe At Freebie Celebrity Culture On New Single "Big Dogs"

Dinosaur Pile-Up have just dropped their latest banger, the gnarly "Big Dogs," taken from their first new album in six years, I've Felt Better, which will be released on August 22 via Mascot Records. 

Listen to the track below. 

Matt Bigland relishes the "power in positivity" of the larger-than-life "Big Dogs" – a gleeful takedown of ass-backwards, celebrity freebie culture where the richest and most successful always "'eat for free' while needy nobodies scrabble for scraps."

"'Big Dogs' is a big dumb song about the fact that when you're rich and famous people give you everything for free — but when you're hustling down at the bottom, nobody gives your broke ass anything. And that doesn't make any sense!!" Bigland says. "It should surely be the other way around!! I love this song because it feels like The Viagra Boys and Pantera fucked, and then Slayer turned up for the solo. It's cool!"

The song features extra vocals from Karen Dió, Larry Hibbitt (Hundred Reasons), and Jaws The Shark. The band has revealed a skit video to accompany it: Matt vs. a big dog —check it out over the DP-U Instagram page here. 

"I got to hang out with a giant Doberman for the day, which was so cool!" he says. "I love big dogs like that. Giving it a stroke was like stroking an actual horse. Then, I got to writhe on the ground for a couple hours with a leaf blower on full power pointed at my head. Which was, y'know… weird."

"Big Dogs" is the third single to be taken from the reinvigorated alt-rock heroes. In April, they dropped the raucous and defiant "My Way" and before that "'Bout to Lose It," which was their first new music since 2019's Celebrity Mansions and it announced their return in a big way. The track is five years of pent-up emotion — hope, despair, resignation, and colossal bravery—let loose into a blistering 3:40 minutes of Dinosaur Pile-Up at their absolute best.

There were six people in the ward the second time that Matt Bigland admitted himself to hospital. Three of them didn't make it out alive. It's easy to recognize why they are tightly coiled and ready to go because overcoming life-threatening illness and finding a fresh perspective on life will do that to you. As so much time has passed since their last studio album.

"People need clarity about what happened," Bigland explained. "It's been so cathartic to lay it out." He began documenting his story on the band's Instagram account in December 2024. You can see it in his own words here: Part 1 | Part 2 |Part 3 | Part 4.

I've Felt Better will be released on August 22 via Mascot Records and will be available in CD, LP and digital formats. Pre-order info here.

GRUESOME Shares New Single "Condemned Identity" + Music Video

GRUESOME returns with 'Silent Echoes,' a ferocious Death Metal onslaught, fueled by progressive, razor sharp musicianship, out June 6, 2025 via Relapse Records! 'Silent Echoes' marks the band’s first new full-length recording in 7 years!

Today, GRUESOME shares the third single from the upcoming album titled "Condemned Identity." The new single is accompanied by a music video, available to view below.

GRUESOME comments on “Condemned Identity”:

“'Condemned Identity' was a no-brainer as the leadoff track for the record, as it comes out of the gate at full-strength, putting all of our cards on the table. I mean, yeah, it’s more articulate and musical than what we’ve done before, but it’s still very much death metal, which I’m very happy about. Even though we’re incorporating more sophisticated stuff, we can still rip your face off.”

Additionally, GRUESOME has begun releasing a new mini-documentary chronicling the making of their forthcoming full-length, 'Silent Echoes.' The band recently sat down with producers Scott Burns and Jarrett Pritchard for in-depth interviews conducted by David Gehlke at New Constellation Studios in Orlando, FL, where GRUESOME bunkered down to record the album. Watch the first part HERE.

Celebrating over a decade as the finest purveyors of old-school Death Metal inspired by the legendary Chuck Schuldiner and the many iterations of Death, the new album sees GRUESOME transition away from the no-frills riff-fests heard on their 'Savage Land' and 'Twisted Prayers' LPs, and shift towards a more musically advanced, nuanced form of extremity. 'Silent Echoes' is the quartet's true “put up or shut-up” moment for one simple reason: It was written and recorded in the spirit of Death’s 1991 progressive death metal masterpiece, 'Human.' 

Watch the Music Video for "Condemned Identity"

The prolonged gestation period between GRUESOME albums was the combination of several factors, yet none more significant than the untimely and unexpected passing of Cynic and Human-era Death drummer Sean Reinert in 2020. Reinert, the best friend and mentor of GRUESOME drummer Gus Rios, was originally slated to produce the album. Instead, Rios, alongside vocalist/guitarist Matt Harvey, lead guitarist Daniel Gonzalez, and bassist Robin Mazen, turned 'Silent Echoes' into a tribute to Reinert, whose influence and presence on 'Silent Echoes' is everywhere.

'Silent Echoes' is GRUESOME’s transmutation into the complex, jazz-influenced fields plouwed on 'Human.' As Harvey states, “there’s less winking at the audience on this one,” which is true: The overtly intentional homages found on the band’s previous two albums have been replaced with fluid, agile drum work from Rios, as well as spiraling, multi-faceted guitar riffing from Harvey and Gonzalez, the latter responsible for the album’s prog-infused leads.

Jarrett Pritchard once again handled the production of 'Silent Echoes.' A veteran of two previous GRUESOME studio albums (and dozens of other respected extreme metal acts), Pritchard’s engineering and technical expertise played a crucial role in enabling 'Silent Echoes' to recapture the feel of early 1990s death metal recorded at Tampa’s famed Morrisound Recording. Not only did Pritchard lean on the advice of Death producer Scott Burns, but Rios also used the same snare drum that Reinert did on Cynic’s 'Focus.' 

At a time when the thirst for all things Chuck Schuldiner remains unquenchable, leave it to four accomplished, true, well-intentioned death metal veterans to help continue the man’s legacy.

Pre-Order 'Silent Echoes' HERE

GRUESOME are:

Daniel Gonzalez- Guitar

Matt Harvey - Guitar/Vocals

Robin Mazen - Bass

Gus Rios - Drums

NEW DOCUMENTARY THE BALLAD OF JUDAS PRIEST IN PRODUCTION FROM SONY MUSIC VISION

Sony Music Vision, in association with Sony Music Entertainment UK and Epic Records, today announced the production of The Ballad of Judas Priest, a new documentary about legendary GRAMMY-winning English heavy metal band Judas Priest and their epic journey to the top of rock and roll.

Co-directed by documentary filmmaker Sam Dunn and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello in his directorial debut, the documentary will celebrate the legendary band’s lasting impact on music and culture with their influence reaching far beyond metal. Featuring unforgettable anthems and pop culture staples like “Breaking the Law” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” The Ballad of Judas Priest will capture the passion, resilience and enduring legacy of a band whose music and story continue to inspire generations.

Rising from humble, working-class roots in Birmingham, UK, to become global rock legends, Judas Priest didn’t just help shape heavy metal culture – they forged it. Widely credited as being one of the pioneers of the Heavy Metal genre in the 1970s, Judas Priest has sold more than 50 million records and released 19 studio albums for their legion of dedicated fans around the world. In 2022, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With their 2024 album “Invincible Shield,” the band became the first heavy metal band to release studio albums 50 years apart. The album drew widespread acclaim, receiving a GRAMMY nomination for Best Metal Performance. This fall, they will be joined by Alice Cooper for a co-headlining tour across 22 North American cities.

Photo Credit: Andy 'Elvis' McGovern

Judas Priest said, “We have lived and breathed metal for over five decades, and finally in this documentary we are summoning our congregation to officially witness our lives uncensored, in a never-before-seen way…the cassock comes off, revealing Priest in all its metal glory!”

“While some may know Judas Priest for their huge hits that have shaped the heavy metal genre, there is so much more to their story,” co-directors Morello and Dunn said. “Tracing their incredible 50-year journey, this film will capture how Judas Priest both defined the sound and look of metal, but also made it a more inclusive place along the way. We are grateful to the band for allowing us such intimate, unfiltered access to their lives and look forward to bringing this film to the metal masses around the world.”

The documentary is a production of Banger Films and directed by Sam Dunn and Tom Morello. Producers include Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn. It is executive produced by Tom Morello, Rick Krim, Sheila Stepanek, and Jayne Andrews. Tom Mackay, Krista Wegener and Abby Davis serve as executive producers for Sony Music Vision. Sylvia Rhone is executive producer for Epic Records. The film is presented and distributed by Sony Music Vision.

ENVELOPE THE SKY Drops Powerful NEW Single “DROWNING” FEATURING AARON NORDSTROM OF GEMINI SYNDROME

A Thunderous Anthem of Struggle and Survival

Prepare to be submerged in a tidal wave of raw emotion and sonic firepower. Rising alt-metal force ENVELOPE THE SKY has just dropped their latest single, "DROWNING," a blistering track that cuts deep into the soul. Amplifying the intensity is a gripping feature from Aaron Nordstrom, lead vocalist of chart-topping industrial-metal heavyweights

Gemini Syndrome.

"DROWNING" is a visceral journey through the chaos of inner conflict — a song that resonates with anyone who's ever fought to stay afloat amidst life's darkest moments. With haunting melodies, seismic riffs, and Nordstrom’s unmistakable voice elevating the chorus to explosive heights, the track captures both the agony of being pulled under and the strength it takes to rise.

"DROWNING" music wise was written during covid when I was at a low point in my life, and it literally encapsulates how I was feeling and that ultimately it just took a really good friend to reach out and ask me how I'm doing.

- Paul Byrne

Jamie's Elsewhere Announce New EP + Share "Traveler" Video

JAMIE'S ELSEWHERE, featuring Of Mice & Men vocalist/bassist Aaron Pauley, along with Matt Scarpelli [guitar], Chance Medeiros [bass], and Mike Spearman [keys] — are thrilled to announce the release of Alchemical, their new, five-song EP arriving June 20 via SharpTone Records. It follows the July 2023-released Paradise EP, which marked the band's first new music in almost a decade. Pre-order Alchemical here.

The band has shared the video for the new single "Traveler."

Watch the frenetic clip (and listen to the equally frenetic song) below 

"We're excited to be sharing Traveler with the world," says Pauley. "From the inception of this project, we set out to make an EP that takes the listener through a familiar and nostalgic JE sound, that introduces new soundscapes and ideas that we've never explored, and that ventures everywhere in between. We want to thank our fans for the many years of support, and we hope you enjoy this EP." 
  
About "Traveler" and the accompanying video, the band says,  "Working with Mike Matsui on the 'Traveler' music video was an incredible experience. His vision, along with his team's professionalism and creativity, truly brought the project to life in a way that exceeded all expectations."

Pauley, however, sums the new material up concisely and with confidence, saying, "Shit's rad, just listen to it."

You'd be wise to heed his command!

Jamie's Elsewhere enter an even more ambitious chapter with Alchemical. The California quartet continues to evolve its signature sound by blending emotionally charged heavy music with cinematic electronics, huge melodies, and signature intensity. This time, they craft a layered concept exploring transformation, identity, and inner alchemy — where personal growth feels as volatile and mystic as ancient science.
 
Since their original emergence in 2005, Jamie's Elsewhere has carved a lasting legacy with fan-favorite releases like Guidebook for Sinners Turned Saints and They Said a Storm Was Coming, touring alongside genre heavyweights such as Motionless In White, Ice Nine Kills, and Memphis May Fire. After a period of dormancy, the band reignited its creative flame during the pandemic, returning in 2023 with Paradise, a conceptual comeback that reintroduced their vision with new fire. Now, Alchemical raises the bar yet again.

Brazilian Prg Metallers JACK THE JOKER Reveal New Single “Sun” + Lyric Video

Progressive Brazilian metallers JACK THE JOKER are pleased to share their new single and accompanying lyric video, “Sun," out now via Frontiers Music Srl.

Notorious for incorporating traditional influences from their local culture, JACK THE JOKERincludes musical styles such as maracatu, forró, baião, and frevo. Their unique sound draws inspiration from the eponymous renowned Brazilian novel and explores the metaphysical backlands, where humanity will prevail against the hostility of nature.  

Commenting on the new single, the band stated:

“'Sun' refers to the vengeful star that both gives life and takes it away: an allusion to an abusive relationship, in which emotional dependencies are fed by crumbs of affection and countered by emotional abuse”.

Watch the Lyric Video for “Sun" Below;

JACK THE JOKER is a modern progressive metal band with a twist, hailing from the Northeast of Brazil. The band consists of Raphael Joer (vocals), Felipe Faco (guitar), Lucas Colares (guitar), Gustavo Pinheiro (bass), and Vicente Ferreira (drums).

Their instrumental arrangements delineate the environment by fusing regional genres with rock and metal to create a landscape that mirrors the themes in the lyrics. This captivating musical odyssey has already garnered a significant amount of buzz in the prog scene through the first two singles released in 2024.

Stream / Listen to "Sun" HERE

JACK THE JOKER are:

Raphael Joer - Vocals

Felipe Facó - Electric/Acoustic Guitars

Lucas Colares - Electric/Acoustic Guitars

Gustavo Pinheiro - Bass Guitars

Vicente Ferreira - Drums and Percussions

Heavy Rock Outfit Wucan Showcase Their Artistic Depth With New Single + Video for "KTNSAX"

Three years after the release of their studio album Heretic Tongue, the German heavy rock outfit Wucan made a strong statement in March 2025 with the single "Irons in the Fire." 

Now the band is following up with the song "KTNSAX," proving their ability to develop artistically.

While "Irons in the Fire" offered a more classic rock energy, "KTNSAX" embarked on a significantly different path. The song turns out to be unexpectedly danceable and, with its straightforward beat, inevitably encourages you to tap along before the powerful, distorted guitar finally paves its energetic way.

Watch the "KTNSAX" video below. 

Stream the single here.

"'Farm some time, watch it grow,' that line came to me on a Monday morning in September 2024, after two weeks bedridden — and harvesting a solid 12 hours of daily screen time on my phone," says singer Francis Tobolsky. "Twelve hours a day in which I believed I was fully up to date: The latest news, trending memes, my friends' daily lunches – and yet completely disconnected from the world around me. The political climate, social media manipulation, filter bubbles, AI – these were things I needed to process.

"At first glance, it all seems so convenient: The library of the world in our hands, the ability to join any conversation, to be the discourse. And yet we hide behind carefully curated images, profiles on platforms, pretending to be someone we're not… and perhaps even falling for the façades and profit-driven illusions of others. In the end, what remains is the paradoxical truth: Blessed are the ignorant."

More info about Wucan's Europe shows here.

WUCAN ARE:
Francis Tobolsky — Vocals, Guitar, Flute, Theremin
Tim George — Guitar, Keyboards
Philip Knöfel — Drums
Alexander Karlisch — Bass

ARISING EMPIRE ALERT: ACCVSED Share New Single + Video

German metalcore outfit ACCVSED have unleashed the punishing title track "Dealers of Doom" from their upcoming debut album of the same name, set for release on August 1 via Arising Empire. The single delivers a crushing mix of relentless riffs, visceral breakdowns, and anthemic vocals — a powerful statement that sets the tone for the full record.

With previous singles like "Day of the Locust," "Avoider," "Never Enough," "Don't Let Me Fall Apart," and "Killer of Minds," ACCVSED have steadily built a reputation as one of Germany's most promising heavy acts. Each release has amplified their momentum, drawing acclaim for their emotionally raw songwriting and explosive live energy.

"Dealers of Doom" cements the band's vision — unfiltered, intense, and unafraid to confront the darkest corners of the human experience. The debut album is poised to make a serious impact.