Avatar Announce Spring 2026 Headline Tour

January 15, 2026

The heavy metal visionaries collectively known as AVATAR — vocalist Johannes Eckerström, guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — unleashed their latest masterwork Don't Go in the Forest last year on Halloween — how fitting! Listen and get the album HERE.

Avatar then hit the road for their massive North American headline run.

And that was just the beginning of their Herculean international touring schedule.

Avatar will spend the foreseeable future (if not forever) on the road.

Today, the band announces a Spring 2026 headline tour of North America. It kicks off on April 16 in Sacramento and runs through May 20 in Hampton Beach, NH. It includes stops at Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple.

Fleshgod Apocalypse and Frozen Soul will serve as support.

Regarding their return to the States, Eckerström offers, "USA. It started off innocently enough. Hiking along on a trail. Sunny. Pleasant. Safe. Then night came, and the trail slowly faded. You can't go back, as you don't know where you came from. You don't even dare to turn around, as you can feel someone, or something, watching. What you were, all the way back in the warm embrace of civilization, doesn't matter. Here. it's just you and the trees."

He adds, "We will be seeing you."

Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 16 at 10am local time. Get tickets here.

AVATAR ON TOUR:
"DON’T GO IN THE FOREST '26":
WITH FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE + FROZEN SOUL:
4/16 — Sacramento, CA — Channel 24
4/17 — Los Angeles, CA — Novo
4/19 — Tucson, AZ — Rialto Theater
4/20 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel
4/22 — San Antonio, TX — Aztec
4/23 — Oklahoma City, OK — Criterion
4/25 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha
4/26 — Des Moines, IA — Val Air
4/28 — Lawrence, KS — Liberty Hall
4/29 — Moline, IL — The Rust Belt
4/30 — Grand Rapids, MI — GLC Live at 20 Monroe
5/1 — Milwaukee, WI — Eagles Club Stage
5/2 — Fort Wayne, IN — The Clyde
5/4 — Huntsville, AL — VBC Mars Music Hall
5/5 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle
5/6 — Knoxville, TN — Mill & Mine
5/7 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues
5/9 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville*
5/10 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
5/12 — Richmond, VA — The National
5/13 — Philadelphia, PA — Franklin Music Hall
5/15 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
5/16 — Buffalo, NY — Buffalo Riverworks
5/17 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple Weekend*
5/19 — Wallingford, CT — The Dome
5/20 — Hampton Beach, NH — Hampton Beach Casino
*= Festival

FESTIVAL DATES — 2026:
1/25—1/31 — ShipRocked
3/15 — Mexico City, MX — Vive Latino
5/9 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome to Rockville
5/17 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple
6/7 — Trondheim, NO — Trondheim Rocks
6/20 — Dessel, BE — Graspop Metal Meeting

For centuries the circus would come to town. Now, for the first time in history, the gravitational pull of Avatar is so strong that the town is coming to the circus. A circus deep in the forest. A forbidden place. A taboo you are destined to break.

AVATAR ARE
Johannes Eckerström — Vocalist
Jonas Jarlsby — Guitarist
Tim Öhrström — Guitarist
Henrik Sandelin — Bassist
John Alfredsson — Drummer

Behemoth Announce Spring 2026 Headline North American Tour

January 15, 2026

Kings of extreme metal BEHEMOTH will return to lay waste to American venues this spring.

The band has announced its North American Spring 2026 headline "The Godless IV Tour," kicking off April 14 in San Diego and running through May 21 in Los Angeles. It includes Welcome to Rockville and Sonic Temple festival appearances.

This trek marks the band's first tour of North America in support of the critically acclaimed new opus The Shit Ov God, out now via Nuclear Blast.

Joining Behemoth for this run is a trio of fellow extremists — Deicide, Rotting Christ, and Immolation.

Tickets go on sale on Friday, January 16 at 10am local time. Get tickets and information on VIP packages here.

"We announce this coming campaign alongside Deicide, Rotting Christ, and Immolation — a convergence of legends, a true communion of extreme metal's most resolute forces," the band declares. "This tour is not merely a series of performances; it is a rite, forged in decades of defiance, conviction, and sonic blasphemy. Each band carries its own altar of destruction, its own scripture written in blood, sound, and will. Together, we summon something greater—an unstoppable procession of darkness across the lands. This is the extreme metal underground standing tall, unbroken, and merciless. Prepare yourselves."

Purchase + stream the album The Shit Ov God here.

BEHEMOTH ON TOUR:
WITH DEICIDE, ROTTING CHRIST, + IMMOLATION:
4/14 — San Diego, CA — The Observatory North Park
4/15 — San Francisco, CA — The Regency Ballroom
4/17 — Boise, ID — Knitting Factory
4/18 — Portland, OR — Roseland Theater
4/19 — Seattle, WA — Showbox SoDo
4/21 — Salt Lake City, UT — Union Event Center
4/22 — Denver, Co — The Fillmore
4/24 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
4/25 — Chicago, IL — The Vic Theatre
4/26 — St. Louis, MO — The Pageant
4/28 — Norfolk, VA — The NorVa
4/30 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore^
5/1 — Worcester, MA — Palladium&
5/2 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
5/4 — Buffalo, NY — Buffalo RiverWorks
5/5 — McKees Rocks, PA — The Roxian Theatre
5/7 — Daytona Beach, FL — Welcome To Rockville*
5/9 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore
5/11 — Toronto, ON — HISTORY
5/12 — Montreal, QC — L'Olympia
5/14 — Columbus, OH — Sonic Temple*
5/15 — Nashville, TN — Brooklyn Bowl
5/16 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
5/18 — Dallas, TX — The Bomb Factory
5/20 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
5/21 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium
*Festival Date
^ = No Rotting Christ
& = No Deicide

INFERI Announces New Album, Takes on Battle-jacket Bigfoot in Music Video for First Single, "The Rapture of Dead Light"

January 15, 2026

Extreme death metal masters INFERI will be unleashing its latest studio album, 'Heaven Wept,' on April 10, 2026 via The Artisan Era! To celebrate the forthcoming record, the band is now pleased to share the pummeling first single, "The Rapture of Dead Light," along with a music video!

The clip sees INFERI vocalist Stevie Boiser, guitarist/vocalist Malcolm Pugh, guitarist Sanjay Kumar, and new drummer Nate Bigelow embark on an Indiana Jones style quest for the elusive Bigfoot. Watch the band square off with the battle-jacket wearing and headbanging entity to find out if their intricate riffs are a match for the enigmatic beast below.

INFERI comments, "We’re proud to announce our 2026 release, 'Heaven Wept,' marking the longest gap between albums since our return in 2014.

This album came together under challenging circumstances—after the departure of Mike Low (guitar), we had to completely rewrite material. We then brought Sanjay Kumar (Wormhole / Equipoise) into the fold and the process began anew. With Andrew Kim’s exit to join Brand of Sacrifice, Malcolm stepped in to perform bass duties.

Heaven Wept is also the final album with Spencer Moore (drums) before he moved on to Archspire. We decided to work with Mike Low again for recording, mixing, and mastering. His deep understanding of our approach made him the perfect partner to help us refine our sound with the new lineup.

The result is our most crushing and diverse material yet—an album that pushes INFERI to new extremes while staying true to the melodic and technical foundation we’ve always built upon."

'Heaven Wept' can be pre-order and pre-saved HERE.

In addition, INFERI is now embarking on the "All So Vile" trek through the UK and Europe as support for CRYPTOPSY along with 200Stabwounds and Corpse Pile. The tour kicks off today in Hanover (DE) and will lay waste to the continent until the final stop in Paris (FR) on February 15. The full itinerary can be found below while tickets are available HERE.

In addition, INFERI will be performing at producer Dave Otero's inaugural Flatline Festival, which takes place June 13 - 14 at the Oriental Theater in Denver, CO. More info and passes can be found HERE.

Since the explosive success of Inferi's critically-acclaimed and chart topping 2018 full-length, 'Revenant,' the death metal battalion has continued to relentlessly churn like a raging maelstrom, dominating everything in its wake with the band's melodic and virtuosic approach to the genre. 'Heaven Wept' picks up where 2021's 'Vile Genesis' left off, putting forth the same mind-bending compositions and other-worldly musicianship that has set the band apart from their contemporaries. Inferi has risen to become a dominant force among modern American death metal acts since their reunion in 2011. 'Heaven Wept' is a master class in progressive extremity and is certain to make its mark as one of the greatest death metal offerings of this decade.

Formed in 2006, INFERI is an American technical melodic death metal band forged from the depths of Nashville, Tennessee. After reforming in 2011, INFERI emerged onto the global stage with 'The Path of Apotheosis' in 2014. Followed by the acclaimed 2018 release 'Revenant,' which landed at #26 Hard Rock albums and #28 on the Billboard’s Heatseekers charts, solidifying them as a household name in the underground technical death metal scene. Touring across the world with bands such Rivers of Nihil, Archspire, Shadow of Intent, Cryptopsy, Signs of the Swarm, Brand of Sacrifice, Deicide and Revocation allowed INFERI to continue on their upward trajectory. Creeping their way up the charts, and into the minds of new fans with 'The End of an Era: Rebirth' in 2019, their 'Of Sunless Realms' EP in 2020, and 2021's 'Vile Genesis.' Now in 2026 INFERI stands ready to unleash their most devastating album to date, 'Heaven Wept'.

Recording Lineup:

Stevie Boiser - Vocals

Malcolm Pugh - Guitar, Bass, Orchestration, & Vocals

Sanjay Kumar - Guitar & Orchestration

Spencer Moore - Drums

Live Lineup:

Stevie Boiser - Vocals

Malcolm Pugh - Guitar / Vocals

Sanjay Kumar - Guitar

Nate Bigelow - Drums

Album Credits:

All songs written and performed by Inferi Bass performed by Malcolm Pugh Orchestration and synth arrangements by Malcolm Pugh

Mixed and mastered by Mike Low Drums engineered by Mike Low at Top Track Studios Additional engineering by Erik Johnson Guitar reamping by Phil Pluskota

Cover Artist: Helge C. Balzer

Album formats:

Digital

Vinyl

Pre-orders: https://ffm.to/inferi

Links:

MERCH STORE (USA)

MERCH STORE (EU)

SHEET HAPPENS

Season of Mist Signs Via Doloris

January 15, 2026

Season of Mist is proud to announce the signing of Via Doloris, the singular project of composer and multi-instrumentalist Gildas Le Pape. Conceived in solitude and shaped by discipline, Via Doloris traces a restrained and introspective path through black metal’s formal foundations, guided by melody, atmosphere and emotional clarity.

Via Doloris is rooted in an inward journey rather than orthodoxy. Across carefully structured compositions, Le Pape explores the architecture of the human psyche, moving through despair, inner rupture and fleeting moments of illumination. Melody stands at the center of the music, not as ornament but as its organizing force, leading expansive guitar lines through measured rhythms and subtle harmonic tension. Folk and pagan echoes surface quietly, lending the material a timeless, almost ritual quality without overt gestures or excess.

“I’m hugely excited by the signing with Season of Mist”, says le Pape. “Partnering with a label known for its professionalism and deep industry experience is a huge step forward for Via Doloris. With their support, VD will reach a much wider audience and gain the visibility I feel the project deserves. This is a major milestone in the project’s history, and I can’t wait to share what I've been crafting during the last years. Thanks to the team and everyone who has supported VD so far – this is just the beginning!”

The project’s first full-length work extends this vision into a unified and deliberately paced statement. Moving between languages and emotional registers, it traces a quiet passage through shadow and emergence, shaped by introspection rather than narrative clarity. Crafted in Norway under Le Pape’s sole direction, the material favors tension, texture and inner motion, allowing meaning to surface gradually, without resolution or insistence.

Follow Via Doloris

https://www.facebook.com/viadolorisofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/via.doloris/

Via Doloris is the vision of founder Gildas Le Pape. Through sound, he crafts a world where emotion, discipline, and atmosphere converge — a place to give shape to what cannot be spoken. Rooted in solitude and shaped by the interplay of darkness and beauty, the project confronts the gravity of existence: the quiet burdens we carry, the hidden wounds time buries deep, the road to death. This “Way of Suffering” unfolds as a passage through pain in search of meaning, and the distant, flickering promise of rebirth.

Via Doloris’ musical identity draws from the towering legacy of Nordic metal while forging a distinct path. At its core lies a commitment to detailed guitar work, high-level musicianship, and the art of songcraft. Rather than follow genre trends, Via Doloris returns melody to its rightful place: not as decoration, but as the driving force of the music. These strong, expressive lines guide the compositions with raw clarity, carving out a language that speaks directly to the listener's inner world.

Though the instrumentation nods to black metal’s formal foundations, the project resists confinement. It blends harmonic depth with subtle dissonance, creating tension and richness without sacrificing cohesion. Folk and pagan influences run like ancestral threads through the arrangements, lending them a sacral, mythic quality. The result is a sound built on contrasts: luminous and shadowed, forceful yet introspective, epic yet intimate. Layered into this sonic landscape are lyrics written in French, English, and Norwegian. Each language brings its own weight, rhythm, and tone, unlocking emotional registers that feel both ancient and immediate.

Based in Oslo, Gildas Le Pape first gained attention in 2007 when he joined the legendary Satyricon as a guitarist. Over the next six years, he toured the world and contributed to the band’s recorded legacy, before stepping away to explore a broad range of musical directions. In time, this path led him back to extreme music, this time with a renewed creative vision and sharpened intent. In 2023, he invited his long-time collaborator, Frost — arguably one of the most accomplished drummers in the genre — to join him in bringing the debut release to life.

VICTORIUS raise their banner with new video single “Kingdom Of The Strong”

January 15, 2026

With “Kingdom Of The Strong”, power metal torchbearers VICTORIUS charge forward once again, delivering a blazing high-speed anthem packed with melody, grit, and heroic bombast. Galloping riffs, towering vocals, and relentless momentum make it clear: this is classic VICTORIUS, built for festival stages and fists in the air.

The single paves the way for the band’s upcoming studio album World War Dinosaur, set for release on April 17, 2026 via PERCEPTION - A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music. Visually and lyrically, the new song dives headfirst into the band’s cinematic fantasy universe, where medieval warriors, dinosaurs, and over-the-top battles collide. The video matches the track’s explosive spirit with colorful chaos and unapologetic excess: power metal with a grin and a sword raised high. Sharpen your swords and saddle your dinosaur - you now enter the "Kingdom of the Strong"!

Listen: https://victorius.rpm.link/kingdomPR
Watch the new video clip below:

“With Kingdom of the Strong, we wanted to explore a medieval world – not musically, but thematically," the band comments. "It’s the Middle Ages meeting dinosaurs! The result is a classic VICTORIUS high-speed anthem. We instantly felt how powerful it was, so releasing it as a single was an easy choice. And yes – we’ll play it live so all the noble knights can sing along!”

World War Dinosaur sees VICTORIUS unleash their most powerful and cinematic chapter yet. The holy war between dinosaurs and ninjas enters its next stage - louder, larger, and more explosive than ever before! Across twelve new tracks, forged in cosmic steel and powered by pure imagination, the band invites you into a universe where power metal meets Saturday-morning-cartoon chaos.

“With World War Dinosaur, we went deeper into the theme of the holy dino war and added a stronger military edge," the band adds. “It’s the most epic and hymn-like album we’ve ever written 100% Victorius, but bigger, tighter, and more intense. We’ve never worked this hard on an album before. ‘Only more is more’ and this time, we went all in!”

Pre-Order World War Dinosaur now at: https://victorius.rpm.link/wwdPR

About VICTORIUS:
VICTORIUS deliver the soundtrack for a world that never truly disappeared: A world of Saturday morning cartoons, action figures, and boundless imagination. What started as a childhood dream has long since evolved into its own universe, captivating audiences around the globe.

Germany, Europe, Japan, the USA - VICTORIUS tour across continents, bringing a show to the stage that takes sound, story, and attitude to a new level. Every song is part of a larger story - and you can feel it live: thoughtful show elements, a strong visual style, and a performance that excites rather than just functions. VICTORIUS live means: full energy, no facade. A show that stands out, and stays with you.

With each album, the band refines their very own genre: “Power Metal from Outer Space.” Whether it's cybernetic dinosaurs, galactic ninjas, or magical mammoths, VICTORIUS deliver power metal at maximum intensity - melodic, driving, unstoppable. Their discography reads like a cinematic adventure in multiple parts: from Dinosaur Warfare to Space Ninjas from Hell to The Great Ninja War.

With their upcoming studio album World War Dinosaur (out April 17, 2026), VICTORIUS open the next chapter in their ever-expanding universe. This time, the battlefield spans the entire globe, a full-scale military conflict between cybernetic dinosaurs and spacefaring ninja legions. It’s the most ambitious story the band has ever told: epic, explosive, and unapologetically over the top.

At the same time, the album marks a moment of transformation: a reinvention that is both bold and inevitable. VICTORIUS push their signature "Power Metal from Outer Space" to new heights; more cinematic, more intense, more fearless than ever before. With World War Dinosaur, the band doesn’t just continue their saga: they level up, redefining what power metal can be in sound, scope, and spirit.

VICTORIUS aren’t a retro show, but a nostalgic leap into the future. For everyone who still feels the fire of those old days, when heroes were immortal, adventures limitless, and imagination knew no bounds.

VICTORIUS are:
T-Rex - Vocals
Pteranodon - Drums
Velociraptor - Guitar
Sabre-Toothed Tiger - Guitar
Triceratops - Bass

For More Info Visit:
https://www.victoriusmetal.net
https://www.facebook.com/victoriusmetal
https://www.instagram.com/victorius_metal
https://bio.to/victorius

VICTORIUS on Tour: https://www.victoriusmetal.net/live/

LOST SOCIETY ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM HELL IS A STATE OF MIND AND DROP FIRST SINGLE & VIDEO FOR 'BLOOD DIAMOND'

January 15, 2026

Finland’s forward-thinking metal trailblazers LOST SOCIETY announce their brand-new album Hell Is A State Of Mind, set for release on March 6th, 2026 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Four years after the critically acclaimed If the Sky Came Down, the band returns with their most fearless and defining statement yet—modern metal without equals and without apologies.

For vocalist–guitarist Samy Elbanna, guitarist Arttu Lesonen, bassist Mirko Lehtinen, and drummer Tapani Fagerström, Hell Is A State Of Mind marks a bold step into the metallic territory they were always meant to claim: unrestrained, unmistakable, and unapologetically their own.
Reuniting with trusted collaborator Joonas Parkkonen (producer, co-writer, mixing engineer), the album took a decisive turn when the track 'Blood Diamond' reshaped the creative direction—evolving from a simple melody into cinematic, string-driven grandeur.

The album’s first official single, 'Blood Diamond,' follows last spring’s “early first taste,” 'Dead People Scare Me (But the Living Make Me Sick)', and arrives alongside a raw, high-energy video capturing Lost Society’s untamed stage presence. From the very first notes, Hell Is A State Of Mind makes one thing clear: this is LOST SOCIETY at their most confident, confrontational, and uncompromising.

Frontman Samy Elbanna comments: ”I’m beyond excited to finally be able to announce our upcoming album and the new single off of it! Lost Society sounds HEAVY in the year 2026 - and you are all about to experience it first hand! I loved every moment of writing this album and especially preparing the story that i’m singing to you all - soon it will all be yours.
Pre-order the album and blast out ”Blood Diamond” LOUD until your neighbours can’t take it anymore!”

Check out the video for 'Blood Diamond' below:

Listen to 'Blood Diamond' here: https://lostsociety.bfan.link/blood-diamond

Pre-order Hell Is A State Of Mind: https://lostsociety.bfan.link/hell-is-a-state-of-mind

Kicking off in March 2026, right after the album release, LOST SOCIETY embark on a European tour, hitting cities throughout the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Scandinavia. Fans can expect a high-voltage set packed with fan favourites, ferocious riffs, and the band’s unmistakable adrenaline-charged energy

Ticketlink: https://lostsociety.fi/tour/

Line up:
Samy Elbanna | Vocals, Guitar
Arttu Lesonen | Guitar
Mirko Lehtinen | Bass
Taz Fagerström | Drums

For more information visit:
https://lostsocietyfinland.com
https://www.facebook.com/lostsocietyfinland/
https://twitter.com/LostSocietyFI
https://www.instagram.com/lostsocietyfi/

Pennsylvania Tri-State indie-pop artist Celeste Corsano kicks off 2026 with new 'Space' single

January 15, 2026

Alternative pop artist Celeste Corsano is back to greet 2026 with a new track, called 'Space', a lyrical exploration of the "middle ground", where the ego is surrendered in favor of genuine connection and the sixth in a stellar series released via Montclair, New Jersey-based Magic Door Record Label.

Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Luna, Gramercy Arms) at Magic Door Recording Studio, this song involves contributions by James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale) and David Nagler (Nova Social, Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Yo La Tengo).

As with previous singles, her brother Chris Corsano (Björk, Kim Gordon, Thurston Moore) contributed the cover artwork. The track’s philosophy is mirrored in its sonic architecture with a soundscape where the production allows the arrangement to breathe, much like the negative space in a masterpiece. With a sound that feels open and uncluttered, Corsano offers a fresh perspective on the value of intellectual and emotional openness.

"I love the kind of old Bowie feel of this song which was enhanced by the production with the keyboard effects, James Mastro's electric guitar work and David Nagler's acoustic guitar work," says Celeste Corsano.

Rather than fighting for the last word, 'Space' invites us to leave room for listening and change, viewing vulnerability as a catalyst for deeper relationships. Corsano posits that a gentle approach carries more weight than force, much like a feather outlasting a heavy hand. By letting go of the need to "win," we create a sanctuary for understanding to grow and for the subtle, internal forces of love to take hold.

"I'm a person who may argue a point, but also reserve the right to change my mind mid-debate or after a time and say 'hey you're right' or 'I agree with your outlook.' I dislike having an argument based on the outcome of who will be right... "There in the space where no one wins"...where we can find a common ground and move forward...so much more productive. Take your 'self', your pride, fear, or fear of being wrong out of the argument and we learn so much more about who we are and the other person too and the world. In the space that seems 'empty or non profitable' can be the most useful," says Corsano.

"Visual art often uses negative space and it can be the most impactful within its' composition. Also in the Tao Te Ching, Chapter 23, "The Uses of Not' speaks on 'uselessness' or emptiness; "Hollowed-out clay makes a pot. Where the pot is not is where it is useful". It speaks about the aspects of nothingness, in a pot and says the most useful part of it isn't the sides or the handle etc., but the empty space.... In science, space is thought to be empty or an entity if you read about it."

Based in Milford, Pennsylvania (on the border with New Jersey), Corsano's compositions merge introspective writing with audacious arrangements, employing complex rhythmic structures and a vast emotional spectrum that ranges from ethereal contemplation to unbridled energy. Evoking comparisons to such artists as Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Lene Lovich and Julia Holter, her unique persona shines brightly, establishing Corsano as an artist whose intensity and distinctive timbre are truly mesmerizing.

Corsano blazed through 2025 with a string of diverse singles, the latest being 'Shellfish'. Following her initial offerings 'Nightbird' and 'Sunlight Gazing', her singles 'Stuck' and 'XS' were accompanied by animated videos, created by Brother JT. Her fearless storytelling achieves a deeper, more candid truth through the natural application of asymmetric meters and vocal coloring. With disarming sincerity and vulnerability, her messages also resonate with a collective human experience.

Celeste's artistry is inspired by her brothers - percussionist Chris Corsano and Latin roots musician Tony Corsano. Starting off in NYC's music scene, she was inspired by punk, new wave, poetry and art, not to mention countless studio sessions with ex-husband Brad Morrison (producer and Absolute A-Go-Go Records founder), working with the likes of Phish, the Figgs and Spiral Jetty. Initially performing Celtic and Bluegrass, she eventually began writing music rooted in the alternative music scene.

As of January 15th, 'Space' is available from fine online music platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where all releases from her blossoming discography can also be found.

Geese Live At Third Man Records

January 14, 2026

Third Man Records announces Geese: Live at Third Man Records, a one-of-a-kind live collection recorded direct-to-acetate during the band’s sold-out performance last year at the Blue Room in Nashville. Geese: Live at Third Man Records arrives exclusively on black vinyl via Third Man Records on Friday, February 27; a limited-edition black-and-blue vinyl edition will also be offered exclusively to those lucky enough to have attended the now-historic show. Pre-orders are available now.

On June 11, 2025, just weeks before unveiling their universally acclaimed third studio album, Getting Killed (out now via Partisan Records), Geese took the stage at The Blue Room to debut some of the album's material. The special performance captured the band’s raw intensity and the electricity of a sold-out crowd hanging on every note.

GEESE: LIVE AT THIRD MAN RECORDS

(Third Man Records)

Release Date, Friday, February 27, 2026

PRE-ORDER GEESE LIVE AT THIRD MAN RECORDS

Portland's RAYON captures anxiety's frantic pulse on new 'Running' single & Citroen-laced video

January 14, 2026

Portland alt-rock / post-punk outfit Rayon present their latest single 'Running', a propulsive exploration of the anxiety that comes with watching loved ones struggle with cycles of addiction that they can't shake - and the sound of a tape echo that's about to stop working. Intentionally preserving the noise of pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding to heighten the song’s frantic pace, its sound can be considered a study in tension and tape, the video conveying a sense of lo-fi capers involving a Citroen Wagon.

Found on the flip side of the single 'Shopping / Running' (also available on 7" vinyl via Little Cloud Records), 'Running' is perhaps even more stunning than the whacky A-side 'Shopping', a tongue-in-cheek ode to consumerism and travel, written by someone who happens to travel and consume a bit.

Founded by long-time North Portland resident and Detroit-area native Eric Sabatino, Rayon now also involves members of other notable Portland bands - Sun Atoms, Yuvees, Pastilla and Martha Stax - namely Anna Sabatino, Riley McLaughlin, Eric Rubalcava and Derek Longoria-Gomez.

'Running' is based on a relentless bass and drum groove that lived in Sabatino's head for months before finally taking shape in the studio. To capture the song’s unsettled emotional landscape, the band leaned into the mechanical unpredictability of a dying Dynacord tape echo. By funneling guitars and vocals through the aging machine, they achieved a haunting, warped soundscape where the pitch and speed constantly bend and shift. Feeling as though it is physically straining under its own weight, this song mirrors the very themes of instability it describes.

"'Running' was built around a bass and drum groove I was kicking around in my head for months. The guitars and vocals are the sound of a tape echo called "dynacord" that's barely working, bending and moving the speed and pitch of everything we run through it. Those parts wouldn't have come out like that if I wasn't trying to write a guitar part while plugged into that machine." says Eric Sabatino.

The video for 'Running' offers a gritty, nostalgic look at the band’s world, captured entirely on a vintage Handycam, following the band in their meticulously restored Citroen wagon. Embracing the track's jerky energy, their journey concludes with a grainy, evocative sequence of freeway signs leading into Seattle—a slow-burn outro that grounds the video’s high-energy antics in a sense of place and movement.

"The video was shot on an old handycam camcorder we found in the back of a closet. The battery miraculously held a charge. It came with a tape of someone's school play, which we taped over (sorry to whoever's family that was). It features the Citroen wagon from the 'Shopping' video. I worked on that car for months. So glad it didn't break down during these two long video shoots," says Eric Sabatino.

"We drove around all day picking everyone up at their home, work, local bar, favorite little shop, and went to band practice. We filmed the antics and capers along the way. Sometimes we let friends and strangers hold the camera and film us. I transferred and edited it over 2 late nights, trying to capture as much pause, rewind, and fast-forward noise as I could, timing the cuts to capture the jerky energy of the song. I love the outro and the slow noisy shots of the freeway signs leading to Seattle."

In contrast, the video for 'Shopping' - filmed with their awesomely nostalgic Super 8 video - was born of near-burnout and a revitalizing trip south of the border, showcasing antics in several grocery stores there before eventually being kicked out.

Sabatino broke tradition with this release, deciding to mix the album together with famed recording engineer Larry Crane (Cat Power, Sleater-Kinney, The Decemberists, The Go-Betweens, Elliott Smith, Death Cab for Cutie) at Jackpot Recording and Timothy Stollenwerk (Yo La Tengo, Grouper, Morphine) at Stereophonic Mastering.

The 'Shopping / Running' single is out now, available both digitally and as a limited pressing of 150 blue transparent 7" record and 150 black 7" vinyl. It can be ordered in all formats via Bandcamp, with this snazzy vinyl also available via Little Cloud Records. This is the first in an exciting new series of similar records in the works for Rayon.

CREDITS
All songs written by Eric Sabatino
Recorded by Eric Sabatino in Rayon's garage on 16-track tape
Mixed by Eric Sabatino & Larry Crane at Jackpot! Recording
Mastered by Timothy Stollenwerk at Stereophonic Mastering
Eric Sabatino - guitar, bass & vocals
Eric Rubalcava - drums
Riley McLaughlin - guitar
Anna Sabatino - keys & vocals
Cover photo & layout by Eric Sabatino (photo of lamp lady shot on an Argus C3 with Cinestill 800t)
'Shopping' video shot on film (Super 8 Camera) & edited by Jeff Tuyay
'Running' video filmed on Hi8 handycam by Rayon & friends & edited by Rayon
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

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

Keep up with Little Cloud Records
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Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
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Ponte Del Diavolo Seduce on New Single "Lunga vita alla necrosi"

January 14, 2026

Fresh off of leaving a mark on their fiery debut, Ponte Del Diavolo are fanning the flames with their upcoming second album. Drawing from the dark and dancing depths of the band’s dueling bassists and the raw spirit of their fiery live ritual, De Venom Natura delivers an all the more potent twist of blackened post-punk.

“[…]deliciously diabolical” No Clean Singing wrote in praise of the album’s spirited lead single. “Erba del Diavolo’s dramatically beautiful but spooky singing creates a key contrast as it soars and quavers above the music’s charging pulse”

Today, Ponte Del Diavolo are releasing the third and final advanced single from De Venom Natura. One of the most intoxicating spells on the album, “Lunga vita alla necrosi” is a claustrophobic descent where fascination and repulsion coexist as both seduction and destruction.

Watch the video for “Lunga vita alla necrosi” Below:

De Venom Natura comes out February 13, 2026 via Season of Mist.

Pre-order & pre-save

https://orcd.co/pontedeldiavolovenomnatura

One of the shortest songs that Ponte Del Diavolo has ever written, “Lunga vita alla necrosi” strikes quick. The main riff nods to classic ‘90s black metal amidst amidst the song’s thick post-punk atmosphere. Drawing from both Italian ‘80s hardcore and early 20th-century classics, Erba del Diavolo’s vocals channel dark, compelling sensations.

As the dual bass lines move in deliberate opposition - one distorted and visceral, the other fluid and melodic - a suffocating framework is built that mirrors a mind that’s not searching for an escape but circling into madness.

PONTE DEL DIAVOLO craft a focused blend of doom, black metal, post‐punk, and wave—an aesthetic they call “blackened post‐punk.” Wave‐tinged female vocals anchor the project’s flaming core, supported by an uncommon dual‐bass setup that grounds the rhythmic guitars and a raw, dynamic drum pulse.

The result is an immersive, tension‐driven sound. Following the initial release of three EPs, the band signed to Season of Mist and unveiled their first full-length album, Fire Blades from the Tomb.

After two years on the road - appearing at leading European festivals such as Roadburn and Inferno in support of their debut - Ponte del Diavolo return with “De Venom Natura,” a record that extends and refines their musical boundaries.

Line-up
Erba del Diavolo — Vocals
Khrura Abro — Bass
Kratom — Bass
Nerium — Guitar
Segale Cornuta — Drums

Production Credits
Recorded at The Deepest Sea, Turin, Italy.
Produced & Engineered by Danilo Battocchio.
Mixed by Danilo Battocchio at The Deepest Sea.
Mastered by Magnus Lindberg at Redmount Studios, Stockholm, Sweden.

Guest Musicians
Francesco Bucci
Sergio Bertani
Vittorio Sabelli
Gionata Potenti

Cover Art
Francesco Dossena (https://www.instagram.com/facciobruttefacce/)

Photography
Sergio Bertani

Pre-save & Pre-order

https://orcd.co/pontedeldiavolovenomnatura

Follow Ponte Del Diavolo
Bandcamp: https://pontedeldiavolo666.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PontedelDiavolo/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pontedeldiavoloband/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pontedeldiavolo3847
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4mAfr0B2wgIFbVBUAv9btD/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/ponte-del-diavolo/1639072320
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/179497657
Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/33773763

Mumbai's GUTSLIT Double Down on Brutality with “I, Berzerker”

January 14, 2026

Mumbai, India extreme metal force GUTSLIT return with their blistering new single “I, Berzerker”, marking the band’s first release since 2023’s Carnal and the beginning of a new chapter in their relentless evolution. Released independently, the track showcases a sharpened, ferocious sound that reaffirms GUTSLIT’s position as one of the most uncompromising bands in modern death metal.

“I, Berzerker” is a raw declaration of intent. Written as a defiant response to the notion of mellowing with age, the song captures GUTSLIT at their most primal and focused. Blistering riff work, punishing rhythms, and guttural vocals collide in a tightly constructed assault that balances precision with unrestrained aggression.

The track draws inspiration from the myth of the Berzerker, the warrior consumed by battle rage, and reinterprets it as a metaphor for creative freedom. Lyrically, the song explores instinct, release, and total immersion in the act of creation. Violence and fury become symbols of purpose, expression, and identity.

“I, Berzerker” also marks an important turning point for the band. Now operating as a five piece, GUTSLIT feature the dual guitar lineup of Ishwar Hariharan and Aditya Swaminathan, bringing a renewed melodic edge and dynamic interplay to the band’s signature brutality. The core foundation remains as vicious as ever, with Aditya Barve on vocals, Gurdip Singh Narang on bass, and Aaron Pinto on drums driving the chaos forward.

Produced by GUTSLIT, the single was recorded across Gray Spark Studio for drums and Altar Studio for guitars and bass. Engineering was handled by Saurabh Lodha, with vocals engineered by Ashwin Shriyan. Mixing and mastering were completed by Mendel Bij de Liej of EX-ABORTED, delivering a crushing yet refined sonic impact. The single artwork was created by drummer Aaron Pinto, under his visual alias Kidsquidy.

Listen Below:

About GUTSLIT:

Formed in Mumbai, India in 2007, GUTSLIT are one of the country’s most formidable extreme metal exports. With a history spanning nearly two decades, the band blend brutal death metal and grindcore with elements of thrash and punk, delivering a sound defined by precision, intensity, and relentless aggression. GUTSLIT have toured and performed across 25 countries worldwide, appearing at major festivals including Obscene Extreme, Brutal Assault, PartySan, Summer Breeze, and Deathfeast Open Air, and sharing stages with bands such as DYING FETUS, NILE, BENIGHTED, and ABORTED. Known for their ferocious live performances and global ambition, GUTSLIT continue to push modern death metal forward without compromise.

GUTSLIT is:

Aditya Barve, Vocals
Gurdip Singh Narang, Bass
Aaron Pinto, Drums
Aditya Swaminathan, Guitar
Ishwar Hariharan, Guitar

Connect with GUTSLIT:

Official Website: www.gutslit.com
Bandcamp: https://gutslit.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gutslit
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gutslit
Twitter/X: https://x.com/Gutslitofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCf4jTmO1FqgASkLXhOHgw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1vzb2P3Z1rrXCNXGtWyFkM
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/in/artist/gutslit/696846610

METAL ALLEGIANCE (Alice In Chains, Testament and Dream Theater Members) Unveils Apocalyptic New Single, "Black Horizon"

January 14, 2026

Trailblazing metal collective METAL ALLEGIANCE has returned with their brooding new single, “Black Horizon”. Their first release of original music since 2018, the song features roaring opening riffs from guitarist Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT) and vocalist William DuVall’s (ALICE IN CHAINS) ominous howls, painting an apocalyptic scene. Mark Menghi (KING ULTRAMEGA) on bass and Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER) on drums keep the dread looming low in the sky, ready to explode with ferocity at any moment. Systems fail, shadows fall, and the doomed cry for salvation in this desolate world. Gloomy, minimalistic verses bookend thunderous choruses, chronicling a desperate flight for survival.

Watch the video Below:

Listen: https://metalallegiance.rpm.link/blackhorizonPR

Produced by Mark Menghi.

About METAL ALLEGIANCE:
Beginning as a celebration of the metal genre, METAL ALLEGIANCE has forged a legacy all their own while collaborating with metal's most revered trailblazers. Formed by Mark Menghi (KING ULTRAMEGA) and comprised of core members David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH), Mark Menghi (KING ULTRAMEGA), Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT), and Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER), METAL ALLEGIANCE has released 2 albums of original music and an EP, and regularly performs live with fellow metal titans. The illustrious supergroup proves that legends never die, and can even reinvent themselves. Having recently signed to Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), METAL ALLEGIANCE continues to carve new paths and make their mark on the modern metal scene.

METAL ALLEGIANCE lineup:
Alex Skolnick - Guitar
Mark Menghi - Bass
Mike Portnoy - Drums
William DuVall - Vocals
Josh Wilbur - Mixing, Mastering on “Black Horizon”

https://www.metalallegiance.com/
https://www.instagram.com/metalallegiance/
https://www.facebook.com/metalallegiancemusic

UK Death Metal Outfit UNBURIER Present “Abyssal Uncertainty” From As Time Awaits

January 14, 2026

UNBURIER share “Abyssal Uncertainty,” a defining track from their upcoming EP As Time Awaits. The song represents the band at their most focused and expansive, combining technical ferocity with a darker, more introspective narrative edge.

Beginning with a surge of torrential, arpeggiated dissonance, “Abyssal Uncertainty” immediately establishes its intensity before dropping into rapid, NECROPHAGIST-inspired riffing. Frantic guitars and exacting drumming are bound together by a restless fretless bass, weaving between voices and acting as the connective tissue that gives the chaos clarity. Despite frequent shifts in meter and tempo, the track maintains a consistent feel and raw momentum, reinforcing its oppressive atmosphere.

The song features the standout solo of As Time Awaits, using sheer brutality as propulsion before breaking into a soaring, expressive passage. The contrast highlights both technical command and a playful virtuosity, evoking the confidence of a guitarist operating at full creative freedom.

Lyrically, “Abyssal Uncertainty” is the most ambitious piece on the EP. Drawing influence from existential and cosmic literature, with nods to Albert Camus and H. P. Lovecraft, the track follows a trapped labourer’s descent into madness as he confronts the absurdity of his life and death. The narrative reflects the experience of anyone forced to surrender their nature in service of another’s greed, and the longing for a world where life can be lived on one’s own terms.

The songwriting is concise and deliberate. Every instrument occupies its intended space, supported by production that is polished without excess. Performances are tight, honest, and fully locked in, underscoring the band’s commitment to precision without sacrificing edge.

About UNBURIER:
Hailing from the south of England, UNBURIER stormed onto the death metal scene in the summer of 2022 with their debut EP Twisted Existence. The EP showcased the band's undeniable technical abilities, in addition to their raw and harrowing sound. In 2024, UNBURIER returned with their follow-up EP, Nebulous, on which the band refined their songwriting and technical prowess. On this release, the band ventured even deeper into the realms of their death metal influences, among which they count DEATH, NECROPHAGIST, and REVOCATION.

Having conquered stages alongside the likes of SANGUISUGABOGG, CRYPTA, and PARTY CANNON, as well as making notable appearances at Bloodstock Open Air and Incineration Festival, UNBURIER continues to carve a path alongside giants of the death metal genre. Their upcoming third EP, As Time Awaits, sees UNBURIER blending old- and new-school death metal styles with technicality, hooks, and razor-sharp songwriting. Carrying the torch of the classic death metal sound into a new age, As Time Awaits is certain to enthrall longtime fans of the genre.

UNBURIER lineup:
Ben Champion - Vocals/Guitar
Blake Hibberd - Guitar/Vocals
Stan Mitchell - Bass
Kim Hughes - Drums

HUMANKIND release emotionally charged video single “Desire To Die”!

January 14, 2026

Modern metalcore band HUMANKIND return with their most vulnerable and confronting release to date. Their new video single "Desire To Die" is out now through ROAR - A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, and dives deep into the emotional spaces many struggle to talk about: exhaustion, resignation, and the quiet moments where simply letting go can feel easier than continuing to fight.
Following their recent releases, HUMANKIND push their sound and message further into raw, unfiltered territory. “Desire To Die” balances crushing heaviness with fragile atmosphere, creating a song that feels both overwhelming and painfully intimate. The accompanying video features a performance-driven setup, highlighting the band’s dynamic presence and reinforcing the intensity of the song through a direct visual approach.

Stream / Download “Desire To Die”: https://humankind.rpm.link/desiretodiePR

Watch the video clip premiering below:

Musically, the track captures HUMANKIND at their most intense and honest. Dense guitars, haunting melodies, and an ever-present sense of pressure mirror the emotional weight of the lyrics, making “Desire To Die” less a song for easy consumption and more an invitation to listen, reflect, and feel.

With this release, HUMANKIND continue to establish themselves as a band unafraid to confront uncomfortable truths. “Desire To Die” is not about glorifying despair, but about giving a voice to thoughts that often remain hidden, and opening a conversation that many desperately need.

For More Info Visit:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/HumanKindBandDE
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/humankind_band
TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@humankindband_de
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_0DaiKu5cYlQ2h-s62EYhQ

HumanKind is:
Samuel Scholz (Vocals)
Maria Kimberly Huehn (Guitar)
Simon Keil (Guitar)
Dominik “Doemsen” Stotzem (Bass)
Silas Schué (Drums)

Unverkalt Set Fire to Man's Creation on "Oath Ov Prometheus"

January 14, 2026

While still possessed by a cinematic vision, Unverkalt are throwing back the velvet curtain in favor of the veil. On their upcoming third album and first since signing with Season of Mist, the post-metal luminaries plunge into the darkness that awaits us all. Héréditaire now stands as their heaviest and most heartfelt offering.

“…gothy, doomy, ethereal”, Brooklyn Vegan wrote in describing the album’s lead single “Die Auslöschung”.

Today, Unverkalt are releasing the second advanced single from Héréditaire. While it sets fire to the myth of man’s creation, “Oath Ov Prometheus” is ignited by the band’s newly blackened spark.

“This song reflects on the illusion of greatness, how humanity crowns itself as a god to preserve its place at any cost”, Unverkalt says. “Not all who swear, serve the light. Some carry fire only to burn”.

Watch the video for “Oath Ov Prometheus” Below:

Héréditaire comes out February 27, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order

https://orcd.co/unverkalthereditaire

Pre-save on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/5ndUNl3HyjsagbOuQCrakn?si=QESfESdPQwqHTC5MKNX4Jw

Vocalist Dimitra Kalavrezou remains one of Unverkalt’s unmistakable traits. Her clean singing twists above the band’s fiery new single with all the mystifying beauty of a phoenix from the ashes. But as the first song written for Héréditaire, “Oath Ov Prometheus” reveals a haunting new depth to her voice.

“I encouraged her every day to go further with her vocals.”, Unverkalt’s guitarist and primary composer Themis Ioannou says with an appreciative smile. “But the progression of our music came naturally. We love to experiment with every album. With Héréditaire, we wanted to introduce extreme vocals because they bring out all these heavy feelings. It’s like they’re shaking you awake”.

Héréditaire is a pulse-pounding new direction for Unverkalt. Stoked by blast beats, smoky post-metal atmosphere and headbanging doom, “Oath Ov Prometheus” rages with righteous fury. Where the band’s previous two studio ventures took cues from French painting and European film noir, their upcoming album traces back to mankind’s deepest and darkest origins. With each blackened scream, its new single dismantles the myth of god’s perfect creation.

“‘Oath Ov Prometheus” speaks of the moral collapse of a future set ablaze in a world intoxicated by power”, Kalavrezou says, “where control is placed above all else, no matter the cost”.

“I enjoy discovering new, unique and compelling music in today’s overwhelming world of information, and I believe I truly succeeded with Unverkalt”, says Season of Mist labelmate and Rotting Christ frontman Sakis Tolis, who’s featured on the monolithic “I, The Deceit” from Héréditaire. “This is an exceptional piece of art, worth every minute of listening”.

The video for “Oath Ov Prometheus” was produced by Unverkalt and directed by Themis Ioannou at RAWBITE Studio.

On Héréditaire, Unverkalt lift the veil on our cursed existence with their heaviest and most heartfelt offering.

Recording Lineup:
Dimitra Kalavrezou — Vocals
Themis Ioannou — Guitars, Keys
Eli Mavrychev — Guitars, Vocals
Joscha Hoyer — Bass
Christian Eggers — Drums

Guest Musicians:
Sakis Tolis — Vocals on "I, The Deceit"

Songwriting Credits:
Comped by Themis Ioannou.
Lyrics by Dimitra Kalavrezou & Eli Mavrychev.
Lyrics for "I, The Deceit" by Dimitra Kalavrezou & Joscha Hoyer.

Recording Credits:
Recorded & Engineered by Unverkalt.
Drums Recorded & Engineered by Christian Eggers at Noir Surge Sound, Berlin, Germany.

Production Credits:
Produced by Themis Ioannou.
Vocals produced by Dimitra Kalavrezou & Eli Mavrychev.
Mixed by Joshua Barber.
Mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD Studios, Lübeck, Germany.

Cover Art:
Themis Ioannou

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/unverkalthereditaire

Available Formats:
CD Digipak
2x12" Vinyl Gatefold — Black
2x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold — Black & Gold 'Sunburst'

Follower Unverkalt:
Bandcamp: https://unverkalt.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unverkalt/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unverkalt/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Unverkalt/
Twitter: https://x.com/unverkalt/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@unverkaltofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/55vU7DZVwI4ks0NpfKDAvK/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/unverkalt/1524174404/
Last FM: https://www.last.fm/music/Unverkalt/

XCOMM Release "Fake ID"; New Single & Music Video Out Now Via Blowed Out Records

January 14, 2026

Hardcore punk shouldn’t be polite and Venice Beach outfit XCOMM’s new single “Fake ID” proves exactly that. In a riotous statement that pays no mind to etiquette or decorum, the track and its accompanying music video truly kick in the doors and come out swinging. A short, sharp adrenaline shot about being underage, underestimated, and completely unwilling to wait your turn, "Fake ID" is available on streaming platforms now HERE with the official music video available to view Below.

Written by frontman Michael Gatto after getting rejected from one too many shows for being under 21, “Fake ID” turns frustration into a snotty anthem with a beatdown core.

“Fake ID rips! It’s about getting rejected from shows for being under 21 when all you want to do is check out a band. The video shoot was amazing — it was so funny to walk around town dressed as grandmas for a day. I thought we looked great and I love how the video concludes with us walking into the ocean…”

Today’s release also marks a major career milestone: XCOMM will support the Foo Fighters tonight at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles for a sold-out charity concert benefiting Hope The Mission and Los Angeles Mission, two organizations providing shelter, food, and support for unhoused Angelenos. The show also happens to fall on Dave Grohl’s birthday. Tickets are available HERE.

“Fake ID” is the second single from XCOMM’s upcoming debut album Time To Burn, produced by Ross Robinson (Korn, The Cure, Slipknot, Glassjaw, At The Drive In) and coming soon via Blowed Out Records, the incubator-like brainchild of Robinson, Ghostemane, and Bill Armstrong. The record captures the full-bore chaos that’s already made XCOMM one of the most exciting and talked-about new bands in the realm of heavy music.

XCOMM is Michael Gatto (vocals/guitar), Jay Vargas (guitar), Adan Escoto (bass), Revel Ian (drums), and Hunter Grogan (DJ). They are loud, lethal, and just getting started.

ABOUT XCOMM

XCOMM are a ferocious hardcore punk band from Venice Beach, fusing old-school intensity with a modern sense of chaos and clarity. Formed in 2023, the band features frontman Michael Gatto, guitarist Jay Vargas, bassist Adan Escoto, drummer Revel Ian, and DJ/sampler Hunter Grogan.

Signed to Blowed Out Records, XCOMM recorded their upcoming debut album Time To Burn with the legendary Ross Robinson producing. Their first two singles, “Reasons” and “Fake ID,” showcase their ability to bottle frustration and self-awareness into precise, pummeling anthems. The latter, clocking in at just over two and a half minutes, turns the age restricted show rejection into a skate-punk rampage with a warped sense of humor and a breakdown built to decimate.

XCOMM have already opened for Hatebreed, shared the stage with Down at Milwaukee Metal Fest, landed on LEO Weekly’s “10 Under-the-Radar Acts” at Louder Than Life, and will support the Foo Fighters at the Kia Forum this evening for a sold-out benefit concert in support of Hope The Mission and Los Angeles Mission.

With their debut album slated for release later this year, the band have barely scratched the surface of the unabridged mayhem they are about to unleash. In the band's words "XCOMM are coming for your life"

XCOMM are

Michael Gatto – Vocals/Guitar

Revel Ian – Drums

Adan Escoto – Bass

Jay Vargas – Guitar

Hunter Grogan - DJ

Night Laser Release New Single + Video "Thin Ice" — WATCH // On Tour

January 14, 2026

Hamburg's No. 1 sleaze rockers Night Laser released a visualizer today for the new single "Thin Ice." The song is a bonus track on the digipak version of their current studio album Call Me What You Want.

"'Thin Ice' is your personal stage performance take away menu for your home, car, shower….just anywhere," the band says. "This song, which has proved to be a banger for live shows, deserves to get a new spin in a new coat. Anytime, anywhere! 'Thin Ice' is old-school Night Laser, but in a fresh suit!"

Listen to the song Below.

Call Me What You Want was released on May 24, 2024 worldwide through Steamhammer as CD digipak, LP version, download, and stream HERE.

Jenna Paulette Jumps ‘Back In The Saddle’ with New Tour + Deluxe Album (Arriving 1/30)

January 13, 2026

After learning the ropes of navigating a career and newfound motherhood in 2025, Leo33 rising country artist Jenna Paulette is jumping Back In The Saddle with a 26-date tour in 2026, with more shows to come. To celebrate, Paulette will also release a deluxe version of her sophomore album, Horseback, on January 30. Pre-save Horseback (Deluxe) HERE.

“This tour is appropriately named. At the end of 2025, I finally felt like I was finding my footing again after becoming a mom and getting through the first year of parenthood,” Paulette reflects. “A lot of last year was spent figuring out how to get back in the saddle in every area of my life. I can’t wait to be on the road again and a lot more in 2026. It’s gonna be a ride.”

The Back In The Saddle Tour is underway now, and includes stops at the legendary Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas as well as new cities, including Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Greenville, South Carolina and more. Tickets are available at JennaPaulette.com.

Consisting of 20 tracks, Horseback (Deluxe) contains all 13 tracks off the original album, which was released in 2024, starting with “Wild Is Her Favorite Color,” celebrating the freedom that comes with living authentically, before delving into “3 Kings,” a tip of her hat to the three kings that have influenced her lifestyle, “King George, King Ranch, King James.”

The album intertwines upbeat tracks, including previously released “Outside” and “Run The Damn Ball,” harkening back to the values of grit and hard work that Paulette has come to embody, with empowering “Darlin,’” which signals the redemption of love lost and found again.

Paulette also finds a new spin on tracks in her duets with longtime friends and collaborators on “The Dirt,” “Chasin’ Whiskey” and “The Prophet (Grandaddy’s Song);” featuring John Morgan, Jake Worthington and Ashley McBryde, respectively.

While Paulette took a step back from touring in 2025, her business endeavors continued to expand with the launch of her Sunrise and Sunset Boots collection with Justin Boots, as well as a new Fall collection of her women’s rangewear line with Ely Cattleman, CowboyGirl. To learn more, visit JennaPaulette.com.

Back In The Saddle tour dates:
Jan 24 // New Braunfels, Texas // Gruene Hall *co-headlining with Jesse Raub Jr.
Jan 31 // Tulsa, Okla. // Mercury Lounge
Feb 1 // Kansas City, Mo. // Knuckleheads
Feb 3 // Venice, Neb. // Buck’s Bar and Grill
Feb 4 // Davenport, Iowa // Raccoon Motel
Feb 5 // Yorkville, Ill. // Law Office Pub & Music Hall
Feb 6 // Milwaukee, Wis. // Shank Hall
Feb 7 // Clinton, Wis. // BOXCARS Pub & Grub
Feb 14 // Dunn, N.C. // Bird’s Nest Listening Room
Feb 15 // Greenville, S.C. // Doc’s Tavern
Feb 19-21 // Alpine, Texas // Lonestar Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Feb 26 // Fort Worth, Texas // Rhinestone Saloon
March 7 // Conroe, Texas // Table at Madeley
April 1 // Decatur, Ga. // Eddie’s Attic
April 2 // Nashville, Tenn. // Chief’s on Broadway *co-headline with Sammy Arriaga
April 11-16 // Galveston, Texas // Rock the Coast
April 23 // Corpus Christi, Texas // Brewster Street Icehouse
July 11 // Woodland Park, Colo. // America’s Mountain Festival

About Jenna Paulette:
A CMT Next Women of Country honoree and an Apple Music’s Country Riser, singer-songwriter Jenna Paulette – a cowgirl who came of age amid the gritty realities of ranch life – is part of Nashville’s growing wave of female artists who are rewriting the rules and charting their own paths. Paulette settled in Nashville in 2015, where she struck up a mentorship with Ashley Gorley – a veteran songwriter with 80+ No. 1 tunes under his belt – which ultimately led to her publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music in June 2021. Since collaborating with songwriters Will Bundy, Rhett Akins, and Jessie Jo Dillion, as well as opening for Mason Ramsey, Parmalee, John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker, and most recently Aaron Watson, Paulette has landed brand partnerships with Justin Boots, Boot Barn, Ely Cattleman, and Ranch Water.

With the arrival of her debut album The Girl I Was in 2023, Grammy.com remarked the project as “transformative,” noting it “fuses the sounds of [Shania] Twain and Miranda Lambert, tackling mental health with the somber ‘You Ain’t No Cowboy’ and waxing philosophical on ‘Country In The Girl.’” She continued to spotlight her authentic Western lifestyle with the launch of her Cowboygirl line with Ely Cattleman and performing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo two years in a row. Paulette recently signed with independent label Leo33. Paulette’s sophomore album, Horseback, is available everywhere now as Horseback (Deluxe) arrives January 30, 2026. For more information, visit www.jennapaulette.com.

Poison the Well Announce New Album "Peace In Place" + Share "Thoroughbreds" Video

January 13, 2026

POISON THE WELL released the definitive album The Opposite of December... A Season of Separation in December 1999 and it went on to become a benchmark of the genre that has inspired a generation of bands. The album was chosen as one of the "15 '90s Metalcore Albums That Still Resonate Today" by Brooklyn Vegan; as one of the "21 Best U.S. Metalcore Albums of All Time" by Kerrang!; as one of the "25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time" by Loudwire; and as one of the "Top 60 Best Hard Rock Albums of All Time" by Revolver. Its influence is indisputable.

But the band is not content to rest on the laurels of its past achievements, as mighty as those achievements are.

Today, PTW announce the March 20 release of PEACE IN PLACE, their first album in 16 years. It will arrive via SharpTone Records. Pre-order it here.

They are also sharing the video for "THOROUGHBREDS."

Watch it Below:

The song boasts all the hallmarks fans have come to know, love, and expect from Poison the Well — introspective lyrics, urgent riffing, massive breakdowns that cause tectonic plates to shift, and soaring melodies.

"Joining Poison the Well at 18 and chasing music shaped how I approach life," says singer Jeffrey Moreira. "Coming back 16 years later — unsure if I could still do what I once left behind — only reinforced how strong our bond is and how much this band has given me. I'm grateful to do this again with my friends, and to share a record made with honesty, intention, and connection at its core."

Regarding the new song "THOROUGHBREDS," he says, "Beasts of burden are hard to break—not because they're strong, but because they're stubborn. 'Thoroughbreds' is about realizing that some lifelong bonds don't fail early; they fail after you believed they were there to stay."

As for the album as a complete body of work, the singer shares. "Peace In Place is probably the most pissed record we've ever made. After stepping away from Poison the Well, it felt like all the emotion from that time — frustration, heartache, disappointment — compressed into something heavy and unavoidable. But anger isn't what drives us. Connection is. Sometimes that connection starts in darker places, and having an outlet for those emotions is how we find our way forward. This record lives across that entire spectrum. It’s about turning something negative into something honest, putting it into the world, and realizing that even in anger, we’re still capable of moving forward, relating to each other, and finding some form of peace—if not happiness, then at least a place to stand."

PTW also collaborate with Frank Maddocks (Linking Park, Deftones) on the Peace In Place cover art.

POISON THE WELL ARE:
Jeffrey Moriera — Vocals
Ryan Primack — Guitar
Vadim Taver — Guitar
Christopher Hornbrook — Drums
Noah Harmon — Bass

ABOUT POISON THE WELL:
In the space of barely a breath, Poison the Well pacify fits of jarring brutality with moments of fragile beauty. Their unmistakable melodic hardcore gently dilutes the effects of trauma, betrayal, depression, and loss with hard-won wisdom and diligently earned self-acceptance. For as much force as they commit to the riffs and the breakdowns, there’s an equal amount of naked emotion encoded in their relatable hooks. At this point, they are unassumingly, yet undeniably embedded in the DNA of modern metal and hardcore. Poison The Well’s 1999 debut, The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation has claimed spots on Brooklyn Vegan's 15 '90s Metalcore Albums That Still Resonate Today; KERRANG!'s 21 Best U.S. Metalcore Albums of All Time; Loudwire's 25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time; and Revolver's 10 Most Influential Metalcore Albums of All Time. Stereogumput it best, "The Opposite of December… A Season of Separationinfluenced a whole generation of metalcore bands." Meanwhile, 2003's You Come Before You remains regarded among Metal Hammer's 100 Greatest Metal Albums of the 21st Century and Rock Sound's 250 Greatest Albums of Our Lifetime. Despite going on hiatus following 2009's The Tropic Rot, the group's influence has only expanded over the years (as evidenced by over 100 million streams across their catalog). After touring in 2015 and 2021, they've commemorated milestone birthdays of both You Come Before You and The Opposite of December... with in-demand headline jaunts. Once again, the members felt an intense need to create as a unit. Rallying together, the guys channeled the spirit of their most celebrated material through a prism of new experience on their sixth full-length offering, Peace In Place.

NYC's Charlie Nieland shares 'Today' feat. Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams, Nada Surf) from 'Stories From the Borderlines' album

January 12, 2026

Renowned NYC songwriter-producer Charlie Nieland reveals 'Today', a beautifully optimistic and goosebump-triggering hymn of inspiration, which features the iconic Joe McGinty (The Psychedelic Furs, Ryan Adams, Nada Surf, The Loser's Lounge). This is the serene second-last track on his dazzling new (and now acclaimed) album 'Stories From The Borderlines', a personal exploration of themes such as connection and severance.

With sweeping melodies and restless rhythms, the meticulously crafted songs on this album—a geography of intention—are an act of imaginative resistance, passionately mining for light and truth in a darkening world. This immersive journey deservedly led to him being named Artist of the Year by The Manc Review. This is also one of the most profound albums from Nieland, known for his work producing and writing for such artists as Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie and Scissor Sisters.

"'Today' is a sweeping hymn of loss and acceptance. We’re not wired to practice gratitude. When something comes along and we’re tossed into the dark, we have to choose it. This song was written when I was on the edge of losing someone I love. In that moment, I saw the universe slowly turning and the magic forest of the present moment opened up. I wrote it on keyboards and sang it for a livestream. The absence of knowing what was going to happen drew out my devotion to the burning spark of the present and how, if this was it, that would be ok," says Charlie Nieland.

"I loved the song, but as the rest of the album evolved with elaborate arrangements, I knew that 'Today' needed more than just the stark mellotron sounds I’d chosen as accompaniment. I’d been singing with the NYC performance series "The Loser’s Lounge" and decided that it was time to ask musical director (and former Psychedelic Furs keyboardist) Joe McGinty to add something great. He came through with a gorgeous set of melodies and sounds recorded at his studio."

Apart from vocals and guitar, Charlie Nieland contributes Mellotron violins and flute, e-bow guitar and bass. Joe McGinty plays multiple synths (Freeman String Symphonizer, Moog Muse, Oberheim Xpander, RMI Keyboard Computer, Sequential Pro 3, Therevox ET 5, Waldorf Iridium and Yamaha CP35).

Joe McGinty shares “I was excited to work up an arrangement for Charlie’s excellent song. We have many of the same keyboard heroes, and he referenced a specific Jon Anderson and Vangelis collaboration as inspiration. It was a bit of a tall order, but a good excuse to use some of my favorite keyboard instruments, vintage and new, for this arrangement. It was a delight to work on this song."

The video for 'Today', directed by Alex Dar, is a beautiful visual interpretation that is both devastating and somehow hopeful. Using stop-motion animation, Dar captures the interior of this song so perfectly, sharing the world co-created with Nieland and McGinty.

Previewed by 'The Ocean Understands' EP in early 2025 and several standout singles - the epic 'Win' feat. Staten Island rapper spiritchild and 'Shame' with a firecracker video by NYC artists Hypnodoll and Alice Teeple - the new album presents a visceral blend of post punk, glam, dream pop and progressive rock. With reverence for pioneering synth and guitar-driven music, these cinematic soundscapes and poignant songs also involve drummer Billy Loose and guitarist Dan McAssey.

Nieland's decades-long backstory as a writer, performer and producer is extensive. He 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. He scored the feature film 'The Safety of Objects' (with Glenn Close), Showtime's pilot episode of 'The L Word' and the VH-1documentary 'NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell'.

Nieland's debut solo album 'Ice Age' (2014) was followed by 'Hopeful Monsters' (2016) and ‘Divisions' (2021). After 20 years with Her Vanished Grace, he is half of the literature-inspired duo Lusterlit with Susan Hwang, and produces and co-hosts the podcast 'An Embarrassment of Prog'.

The 'Stories From The Borderlines' album is out now and available everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Nieland performs next in New York City from February 19th to 21st (7 & 9:30pm) at Joe's Pub for 'Loser's Lounge Presents REM Vs. The Replacements', and on April 12th (5pm) at 503 Social Club (Hoboken, NJ), together with Renee Maskin and Karyn Kuhl.

CREDITS
All songs written by Charlie Nieland, except 'Win' (by Charlie Nieland & spiritchild   )
Charlie Nieland - vocals, 6 and 12 string electric and acoustic and e-bow guitars, lap steel guitar, fretted and fretless electric basses, upright piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Korg MS20 analog synth, virtual Mellotrons and string machines, autoharp, glockenspiel, percussion
Billy Loose - drums 
Dan McAssey - guitar on 'Brutalist Monuments' & 'You Fell Down'
spiritchild - Vocals on 'Win'
 Joe McGinty - keyboards on 'Today'
Recorded at home and at Saturation Point Studios in Brooklyn, NY
Produced, recorded, mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
© 2025 Athame Music, xspiritmentaleyez Music (Win)
Album cover art by Hypnodoll™  
Video for 'Today' by Alex Dar
Videos for 'Redshift' and 'Drown' by Hypnodoll™
Video for 'Shame' by Hypnodoll™ and Alice Teeple
Artist photos by Alice Teeple and Bob Krasner
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR