SARCATOR SIGN WORLDWIDE RECORD DEAL WITH REIGNING PHOENIX MUSIC

Swedish metal force SARCATOR has officially signed a worldwide record deal with Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). The partnership marks a significant new chapter for one of Scandinavia's most exciting rising metal acts as it continues its relentless ascent on the international stage.

 Having built a reputation through three acclaimed studio albums, explosive live performances, and a fearless approach to songwriting, SARCATOR is now preparing the next phase of its evolution together with Reigning Phoenix Music. Further details regarding the band's upcoming fourth studio album will be revealed soon.

 Photo credit: Saga Wagnsgård Djerf

Now entering a new era with Reigning Phoenix Music, SARCATOR is preparing to unveil it's fourth studio album in 2026, reinforcing their position among the leading names of a new wave of Scandinavian extreme metal!


SARCATOR is:
Mateo Tervonen - Guitar / Vocals
Leo Buchalle - Guitar
Jesper Rosén - Drums
 

SARCATOR Live Dates:
17.07.2026 Ponteareas (Spain) - Arcanxo Festival
28.07.2026 Munich (Germany) - Backstage / Free & Easy with Sacred Reich
30.07.2026 Hamburg (Germany) - MS Stubnitz with Sacred Reich
31.07.2026 Berlin (Germany) - Lido with Sacred Reich
06.08.2026 Schlotheim (Germany) - Party.San Festival 
26.09.2026 Emden (Germany) - Coast Rock Festival 
 
And more shows to follow soon…

 

More on SARCATOR:
www.sarcator.com
https://www.facebook.com/sarcatorband | https://www.instagram.com/sarcator/
https://www.tiktok.com/@sarcator

Iconic Hard Rockers NIGHT RANGER Unveil Newly Remastered Single "(You Can Still) Rock in America (2026)" + Visualizer

Today, hard rock legends NIGHT RANGER are proud to unveil their newly remastered version of their 1983 single, "(You Can Still) Rock in America (2026)," taken from their upcoming‘Best Of’ album, set for release on August 28th via Frontiers Music Srl. The new single arrives alongside an official video, available below.

'Best Of' features newly remixed & remastered versions of classic hits spanning NIGHT RANGER’s illustrious career, alongside some standout tracks from the band’s more recent releases. The album will be released on both CD and Vinyl. The double LP is available in 3 different colors: black, gold, & orange splatter.

"The new 'Best Of' is a celebration of not only our classic hits but also what we’ve created over the last 20 years. And we’re just gonna keep cranking it cause we’re having too much fun to stop! So enjoy the ride and see ya on the road!” – Jack Blades

Watch the Visualizer for "(You Can Still) Rock in America (2026)" Below:

Few bands have defined the sound of American melodic rock quite like NIGHT RANGER. From the soaring anthem of “Sister Christian” to the thunderous riffs of “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me," and fan favorites like “You Can Still) Rock in America” this album’s ‘Best Of’ collection captures the very essence of their decades-long career — now refreshed for 2026.

Featuring the classic hits alongside standout tracks from their more recent albums, this compilation spans the full spectrum of NIGHT RANGER’s signature sound: anthemic choruses, blazing guitar solos, and unforgettable melodies. Highlights include the power-pop perfection of “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” the heartfelt balladry of “When You Close Your Eyes,” and the cinematic sweep of “Four in the Morning.”

But the ‘Best Of’ is not just a look back. It also celebrates the band’s creative output over the last 20 years, spotlighting tracks like “Time of Our Lives,” “High Road,” “No Time to Lose,” “Somehow Someway,” and “Truth,” proving that NIGHT RANGER’s energy, songwriting, and musicianship have only grown stronger with time. These songs show that the band continues to innovate while staying true to the melodic rock roots that made them legendary.

The band — Jack Blades (bass and vocals), Kelly Keagy (drums and vocals), Brad Gillis(guitars), Eric Levy (keyboards), and Keri Kelli (guitars) — delivers every track with the energy and precision that have kept NIGHT RANGER at the forefront of rock for more than four decades.

This ‘Best Of” album also features two bonus tracks that make this collection of songs truly special: a fresh take on “Wasted Time” recorded live off the floor at Sweetwater Studios, also accompanied by an exclusive music video, and a festive live performance of “Feliz Navidad” that showcases the band’s playful side.

Perfectly timed ahead of their summer 2026 tour, this ‘Best Of’ album serves as both a definitive introduction for new fans and a must-have collection for longtime followers. Whether revisiting the classics or discovering the new 2026 remasters, NIGHT RANGER’s ‘Best Of’ is a celebration of enduring melodies, electrifying performances, and the unforgettable spirit of one of rock’s most iconic bands.

Pre-Order ‘Best Of’ HERE

NIGHT RANGER Live:

6/19/2026 – Reno, NV @ Silver Legacy Grande Exposition Hall

6/20/2026 – Wheatland, CA @ Hard Rock Live Sacramento

7/2/2026 – Dickinson, ND @ Legacy Square

7/11/2026 – Fort Morgan, CO @ Bobstock Music Festival

7/12/2026 – La Vista, NE @ The Astro Amphitheater

7/14/2026 – Mentor, OH @ Mentor Civic Amphitheater

7/17/2026 Fond Du Lac County Fair

7/18/2026 – St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino

7/24/2026 – Mahnomen, MN @ Shooting Star Casino

7/25/2026 – Bay City, MI @ Veterans Memorial Park

7/26/2026 – Detroit, MI @ Sound Board inside Motorcity Casino Hotel

8/8/2026 – Lincoln City, IN @ Lincoln State Park Amphitheatre

8/14/2026 – Louisville, KY @ The Louisville Palace

8/15/2026 – Gibson City, IL @ Gibson City Summer Bash

9/4/2026 – Du Quoin, IL @ Du Quoin State Fair

9/6/2026 – Essex Junction, VT @ Champlain Valley Expo

11/13/2026 – Las Vegas, NV @ Kiss Kruise Landlocked in Vegas 2026

11/14/2026 Las Vegas, NV @ Kiss Kruise Landlocked in Vegas 2026

11/15/2026 – Las Vegas, NV @ Kiss Kruise Landlocked in Vegas 2026

2/27/2027 – New Orleans, LA @ The 80s Cruise

2/28/2027 – New Orleans, LA @ The 80s Cruise

3/1/2027 – New Orleans, LA @ The 80s Cruise

3/2/2027 – New Orleans, LA @ The 80s Cruise

NIGHT RANGER are:

Jack Blades: lead vocals, bass guitar

Brad Gillis: lead guitars

Kelly Keagy: lead vocals, drums

Keri Kelly: lead guitars

Eric Levy: keyboards

Sleep Theory Share Video for Their Cover of *NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye," A Staple of Their Live Shows

Rare is the band that can go No. 1 at Rock Radio and turn around and cover *NSYNC and make it their own.

But SLEEP THEORY — vocalist Cullen Moore, guitarist Daniel Pruitt, bassistPaolo Vergara, and drummer Ben Pruitt — are hardly any other rock band!

With catalog streams at 875 million to date on the back of one album and one EP, Sleep Theory are here to stay... all the while crooning "Bye Bye Bye."

The breakout four-piece has today dropped the video for its flawlessly executed cover of *NSYNC's beloved, '00s pop classic "Bye Bye Bye."

Watch it Below:

Sleep Theory's version is a fan favorite and a staple of the band's live set. Their re-imagining always has heads nodding and bodies dancing at their shows — ultimately, their take on "Bye Bye Bye" is a sharp showcase for a band with a knack for turning something instantly familiar into something fresh. It proves that big hooks and alt-rock muscle can and do coexist. Sleep Theory have continually defied the boundaries of rock and metal by incorporating R&B and pop chops into their original songs and with their choice of covers.

Sleep Theory are coming off their third No. 1 at Rock Radio, a Best New Rock Artist win at the iHeart Radio Awards, a sold-out debut European headline tour, and two sold-out North American headline runs after issuing their debut album, Afterglow, produced by David Cowell and mixed by Zakk Cervini (Bring Me The Horizon, Bad Omens, Architects), last spring. 

Upcoming Sleep Theory tour dates and live appearances are below.

SLEEP THEORY ON TOUR: 
EUROPEAN SUMMER FESITVALS:
6/18 — Dessel, BE — Graspop Metal Meeting
6/19 — Landgraaf, NL — Pinkpop
6/22 — Barcelona, Spain — Razzmatazz 2
6/26 — Münster, DE — Vainstream Rockfest
6/27 — Leipzig, DE — Impericon Festival

U.S. TOUR DATES:
7/18 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration@
7/19 — Tinley Park, IL — Summer of '99 & Beyond Festival@
7/28— Kansas City, MO— The Truman (SOLD OUT) *
7/30— Green Bay, WI— EPIC Event Center*
7/31— Dubuque, IA— Dubuque County Fair Association*
8/1— Omaha, NE— The Admiral Theater*
8/2— Springfield, MO— The Regency Live*
8/21— Montreal, QC— Warped Tour Montreal@
8/22— El Reno, OK— Lucky Star Amphitheater— Rock 100.5FM Kattfest@
9/12-13— Mexico City, MX— Warped Tour Mexico City@
9/20— Louisville, KY— Louder Than Life Festival@
10/4— Sacramento, CA— Aftershock Festival@
10/17— Nashville, TN— Ceremony Festival@
10/24 — Fort Worth, TX — Sick New World@
*Headline Date
@Festival

Onelinedrawing Announce New Album "RAINBOWMACHINE" Out 9/18 via Iodine + Share "This Is A Warning"

Long before RAINBOWMACHINE was an album, it was a collection of recurring visitors.

A chorus that wouldn't leave. A melody that kept finding its way back. Songs that seemed perfectly content to wait until the right room appeared around them.

Eventually, the room did.

onelinedrawing is thrilled to announce RAINBOWMACHINE, which arrives September 18 via Iodine Recordings. Built from songs written across different eras of Jonah Matranga's life, the record gathers together ideas that lingered for years, melodies that refused to disappear, and collaborations that only made sense once they were already happening. Pre-order the album here. 

Today, onelinedrawing shares the video for the first single "This Is A Warning."

For Matranga, known for his work in Far, New End Original, Gratitude, Camorra, and the ever-evolving world of onelinedrawing, many of these songs have been around for a long time. Not unfinished. Not forgotten. Just somewhere else — waiting.

For example, the chorus melody at the center of the title track had been living in his head for nearly 30 years before finally finding a home. It didn't change much over that time. It simply stayed there until it finally had somewhere to go.

Whereas "This Is A Warning" arrived years ago and felt complete almost immediately, except for one thing: Matranga knew he wasn't going to record it until the band he heard in his head became real.

That band came together slowly but surely.

Rainbowmachine brings together Matranga, bassist Marcos Nava, drummer Paul DeBenedictis, vocalist Nico Magone, and additional contributions from Denver Dalley, Rod Castro, and Jason Kupfer. Some had never met when the process began. Some recorded parts hundreds of miles apart. Again and again, ideas seemed to arrive exactly where they belonged.

"Many of the songs on this album waited for a long time," says Matranga. "I didn't quite know what to do with some of them. I just knew I kept thinking about them. I'd come to accept that the way I heard them in my head wasn't going to be possible without letting other people in."

Across 10 songs, Rainbowmachine moves between anxious haze, towering guitars, bubbling synths, and moments of startling intimacy. The album balances vulnerability, melody, texture, and collaboration without ever losing the human voice at its center.

Produced, recorded, and mixed by Jay Maas (Title Fight, Drug Church, Piebald) and mastered by Dave McNair (Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Patti Smith), RAINBOWMACHINE marks the first rock record from Jonah Matranga in more than 20 years and one of the most collaborative releases of his career.

U.S. touring and festival appearances in support of the album are planned for 2026 and will be announced soon.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES "15 YEARS OF LIVE AT 35" CELEBRATED WITH PLAIN WHITE T'S AT 35,000 FEET

Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is celebrating its signature Live at 35® program that brings live pop-up performances to Customers onboard flights at 35,000 feet. To mark the occasion, the Plain White T's took to the skies and surprised  Southwest® Customers by singing their hit song, "Hey There Delilah," which continues to draw crowds and resurface on TikTok with billions of plays. The Plain White T's were one of the first  artists to perform onboard a Southwest flight when the airline launched the program 15 years ago.

"At Southwest, we're proud to deliver our signature Hospitality in unexpected ways with surprise performances at 35,000 feet," said Sabrina Callahan, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Marketing Officer. "Through Live at 35 and the personality of our incredible Crew, we've created moments that turn flights into lasting memories from the minute our Customers step onboard."

Past Live at 35 performances have featured independent artists and mainstream musicians, and the airline plans to dial up the experiences in the coming months, with more artists performing at new heights. The Plain White T's recent performance included Tom Higgenson as lead singer and guitarist, accompanied by Tim Lopez on lead vocals and guitar, Mike Retondo on backing vocals and bass, and De'Mar Hamilton on percussion.

PHOTO CREDIT: Austin Cieszko (@theonlymang)

"We've played a lot of venues over time, and I speak for all of us when I say there is nothing like hearing a plane full of people singing along with your music at 35,000 feet," said Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T's. "We had the opportunity to perform inflight with Southwest over a decade ago, and while that can feel like it was a million years ago, not much has changed. We loved making history with Southwest and their welcoming team."

Southwest Airlines® is building on 55 years of service with continued, feedback-driven  enhancements aiming to bring more comfort, choice, and signature Hospitality to every flight.  From assigned seating to ongoing investments in the cabin experience, the airline is continuing  to deliver meaningful updates across the entire Customer journey. Currently, Southwest Customers can enjoy fast, free WiFi¹ for Rapid Rewards® members thanks to T-Mobile®, with Starlink set to debut this summer. Starting on Thursday, June 18, the airline is introducing Siete® Mini Grain Free Mexican Wedding Cookies along with Cherry Coke™ Zero Sugar², reflecting Southwest's commitment to listening, evolving, and delivering a consistently enjoyable experience from takeoff to touchdown. To access broadcast-quality footage, high-res images, and photos, visit swamedia.com where you can sign up for ongoing updates from Southwest Airlines.

Motionless In White Share Video for "R.I.P." (Feat. Skylar Grey)

Platinum-selling, Scranton, PA powerhouse MOTIONLESS IN WHITE will release their new album DECADES  July 17 via Roadrunner Records. Pre-order it here.

Today, the band shares thew new song "R.I.P." (Feat. Skylar Grey).

Watch the video Below. 

The video was directed by Jensen Noen, who also lensed the "Werewolf" and "Sign Of Life" videos.

The track evokes the power of a lover's lament inscribed on a headstone. Piano twinkles through the haze of funereal synths, where the dual male-femal vocals entwine on an epic chorus boosted by soaring harmonies. It's everything you want, love, and expect from Motioneless In White.

"Skylar's voice brought it to another level that I never could have achieved on my own," says singer Chris Motionless. "I really love the lyrics for this song. Even though I wrote it through a romantic lens, I love that it can be applied to any moment in your life when you've had a falling out with someone you deeply care about, whether that's a best friend, family member, or romantic partner."

He continues, "The song really hones in on the deafening silence that follows after you've said hurtful things to one another that you wish you could take back. It's meant to capture the tension that exists in that quiet space of separation. You want to apologize and make things right, but you don't know how. You want to tell them you love them more than anything and can't live without them, but there's a lot of pain on both sides that has to be confronted first. All the while, you're left with the crippling uncertainty of whether the relationship can ever recover and move forward, or if it's destined to be laid to rest and gone forever."

Motionless In White have also announced the second leg of The Sweat and Blood Tour. Dayseeker will serve as direct support. The Devil Wears Prada and Dark Divine will also appear. This leg fittingly kicks off the night before Halloween in Worcester and runs through November 20 in Pittsburgh. 

All tickets are available here.

MOTIONLESS IN WHITE ON TOUR:
WITH LORNA SHORE, FIT FOR A KING, + STATIC DRESS:
SUMMER 2026:
7/14 — Bridgeport, CT — Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
7/16 — Gilford, NH — BankNH Pavilion
7/18 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live
7/19 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration*
7/21 — Charlotte, NC — Truliant Amphitheater
7/22 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheater
7/24 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
7/25 — Houston, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
7/26 — Austin, TX — Germania Insurance Amphitheater
7/28 — Albuquerque, NM — First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater
7/29 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
7/31 — Los Angeles, CA — The Kia Forum
8/1 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre
8/4 — Portland, OR — Theater of the Clouds
8/5 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre
8/7 — Sandy, UT — Beddy’s Plaza at America First Field
8/9 — Morrison, CO — Red Rocks Amphitheatre
8/11 — Oklahoma City, OK — Zoo Amphitheatre
8/12 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP
8/14 — Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
8/15 — Sterling Heights, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
*Festival

WITH DAYSEEKER, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, + DARK DIVINE:
FALL 2026:
10/30 — Worcester, MA — DCU Center
10/31 — Philadelphia, PA — Xfinity Mobile Arena
11/3 — Raleigh, NC — Lenovo Center
11/4 — Savannah, GA — VyStar Pavilion
11/5 — Orlando, FL — Kia Center
11/7 — Nashville, TN — The Truth
11/8 — Peoria, IL — Peoria Civic Center Arena
11/10 — Minneapolis, MN — Target Center
11/11 — Omaha, NE — CHI Health Center
11/13 — Milwaukee, WI — Fiserv Forum
11/15 — Albany, NY — MVP Arena
11/18 — Portland, ME — Cross Insurance Arena
11/19 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center
11/20 — Pittsburgh, PA — PPG Paints Arena

Decades features several high-profile and eclectic guest appearances. In addition to Taylor, Sklyar Grey, and Dark Divine's Anthony Martinez also feature on the album. The band recorded Decades in Upstate New York and Los Angeles with co-producers Drew Fulk and Justin "JD" deBlieck and ultimately incorporated their past, present, and future sounds into one cohesive sound. This is Motionless at their very best.

"We were never afraid to take risks," observes Chris. "This band has not only lasted two decades, but we've also outlasted all of the obstacles we've faced. We're still grinding. No matter how far we expand the universe that is Motionless In White, we're going to preserve the heart, soul, and roots of where we came from. We are never going to abandon heartfelt, emotional, and heavy songs. We are never going to abandon what mattered to us the most when we started. We're finding new ways to emphasize those stories with exciting sounds and looks, but the vision is the same. It's always been this grand, dramatic, and theatrical entity. I'm proud we haven't gotten comfortable."

He finishes, "Decades is definitely heavier than some of our past albums. Our current world bred more aggressive energy, anger, and resistance."

WEDNESDAY 13 Unveils Video fo New Single "Look What The Bats Dragged In" (Un-Alive from Pol'and'Rock 2025)

Today, dread rock superstar WEDNESDAY 13 gives us the first taste of his forthcoming triumphant live album, Un-Alive from Pol'and'Rock 2025 out September 25 via Napalm Records. Kicking things off with a particularly raucous live rendition of the Transylvania 90210 classic, "Look What The Bats Dragged In," they sound as incendiary as ever. The roaring crowds are inescapable, as Weds and co. barrel through this high octane ripper with devilish delight. 

WEDNESDAY comments  "Look What The Bats Dragged In":
"Oh my God, look at what the bats dragged in. There's no better way to start a WEDNESDAY 13 show than with this graveyard banger. The Poison parody title is still admired to this day. 'Look What The Bats Dragged In' was the first track from the first WEDNESDAY 13 album, it's fast, furious, and never fails to get the audience in a frenzy. This track sets the pace for the whole live album."

Check Out The Official Music Video for "Look What The Bats Dragged In" Below:

Pre-Order Your Copy of Un-Alive from Pol'and'Rock 2025 HERE.

WEDNESDAY 13 will be touring extensively this summer and fall, first hitting the UK for both the Bloodstock and Firevolt festivals, amongst some local dates. Afterwards, the band returns to North America for the Shocktober Blood tour, joined by Dead on Sunday and Above Snakes, before traveling back across the pond to Europe for the Cursed Blessings co-headliner with The Birthday Massacre. See below for a complete list of dates.

WEDNESDAY 13 ON TOUR:

7/11 — Glendale, AZ — Mad Monster Party 2026

CRUEL SUMMER UK 2026:
8/6 — Southend-on-Sea, UK — Chinnery's
8/7 — Derby, UK — Bloodstock Festival
8/8 — Stockport, UK — Firevolt Festival
8/9 — Newport, UK — Corn Exchange

SHOCKTOBER BLOOR TOUR:
w/ Dead On A Sunday*
* = Dead On A Sunday Not Appearing

9/23 — San Jose, CA — The Ritz*
9/25 — Seattle, WA — El Corazon
9/26 — Portland, OR — Dante’s
9/27 — Boise, ID — Shrine Social Club
9/28 — Salt Lake City, UT — Urban Lounge
9/30 — Las Vegas, NV — Backstage Bar
10/1 — Anaheim, CA — Parish @ House of Blues
10/2 — Pomona, CA — Glass House
10/3 — Fresno, CA — Sanctuary
10/4 — Los Angeles, CA — Teragram Ballroom*
10/5 — Mesa, AZ — Rosetta Room*
10/6 — Albuquerque, NM — Sunshine Theater
10/8 — Lincoln, NE — Bourbon Theater
10/9 — McHenry, IL — The Vixen*
10/10 — Flint, MI — Machine Shop*
10/11 — Lakewood, OH — Mercury Music Lounge*
10/13 — Hamden, CT — Space Ballroom
10/14 — Lowell, MA — Taffeta Music Hall
10/15 — Harrisburg, PA — Capitol City Music Hall
10/16 — Syracuse, NY — The Song & Dance
10/17 — Bensalem, PA — Broken Goblet
10/18 — Clifton, NJ — Dingbatz
10/20 — Leesburg, VA — Tally Ho
10/22 — Raleigh, NC — Chapel of Bones
10/23 — Richmond, VA — Canal Club
10/24 — Columbus, OH — The Kings of Clubs
10/26 — Nashville, TN — Basement East
10/27 — Sauget, IL — Pop’s Nightclub
10/28 — Lawrence, KS — The Bottleneck
10/30 — Colorado Springs, CO — Black Sheep
10/31 — Denver, CO — Marquis Theater*

CURSED BLESSINGS EUROPEAN TOUR:
Co-headliner with The Birthday Massacre
Direct Support from Killus
* = WEDNESDAY 13 Only

11/23 — Prague, CZ — Futurum Prague
11/24 — Leipzig, DE — Conne Island *
11/25 — Cologne, DE — Volta
11/26 — Liège, BE — Reflektor
11/28 — Paris, FR — Chavaux
11/29 — Rotterdam, NL — Baroeg
11/30 — Bochum, DE — Matrix *

12/1 — Hamburg, DE — Knust *
12/2 — Berlin, DE — Lido *
12/4 — Dresden, DE — Beatpol
12/5 — Budapest, HU — Dürer Kert
12/7 — Zurich, CH — Dynamo Saal
12/8 — Munich, DE — Backstage
12/9 — Mannheim, DE — MS Connexion Complex

Hardcore Punk Criminal Enterprise U.S. BASTARDS (Ex-GWAR) Unleash Cover of Judas Priest's "Heading Out to the Highway" + Visualizer

Today, U.S. BASTARDS, spearheaded by Brent Purgason (ex-GWAR), proudly unleash their latest single, a cover of Judas Priest's classic "Heading Out to the Highway," taken from their upcoming new album, 'Negligent Discharge,' due out this Friday, June 19th. The new track arrives alongside a visualizer, available below.

On the new track, Brent shares:

"We are a punk rock band at our core and we wanted to rock one of our favorite songs, by none other than Judas Priest, to show we could do more than simple fast tunes. The song meaning holds true for anyone feeling stuck and dealing with the frustrations of road life while also embracing the adventure and journey that comes with it. Plus, if Rob Halford can listen to it and text me a thumbs up emoji I can die a happy man."

Check Out the Visualizer for "Heading Out to the Highway" Below:

In a world full of pleasantries and kiss-assing, U.S. BASTARDS are neither. A four-piece hardcore punk criminal enterprise from Virginia, the band has re-formed after a chance meeting in county lockup. Brent and Robby knew the four members didn’t land in the same cell for no reason. It was fate calling them back to life on the road; back to sleepless trips, dungeon whips, gas station speed, and canned meat. Doug agreed fate was calling them back to teach the masses what a truly bad time could be. … and Brendan just happened to be in the room.

“I’ve been doing so much hard time lately, it's time to be hard on the road.” – Brent

“...[two middle fingers]...” – Doug

Ran-when-parked, the outlaws took straight to the van to get the message out. After a ten-year hiatus, they have agreed to utilize their newfound freedom from the state to write harder, catchier, faster, harder-er, hell-raising songs glorifying their exploits and shine a light on the gatekeeping tendencies in the music scene that has never accepted them.

When the rest of the world goes quiet, the BASTARDS get loud and angry, blazing across the country with a wall of cranked Marshall stacks. This is the way punk rock should be: loud, unapologetic, pandering to no one, and having no qualms with being the bad guy.

Stream / Listen to "Heading Out to the Highway" HERE

U.S. BASTARDS new album ‘Negligent Discharge’ is set for release June 19th featuring bonus track covers of Judas Priest and Motorhead songs. 13 tracks of hard and fast music that kicks the door off its hinges. Best to listen with a shotgun in one and a 40oz duct taped to the other, these are anthems for the outcasts among the outcasts. Skip work! Give your neighbors kid a cig! This is full throttle, no brakes, speed-rocking crime metal. Full stacks and gun racks packed, these delinquents are coming to your town. Clutch your pearls! U.S. BASTARDS are back.

Pre-Order 'Negligent Discharge' HERE

U.S. BASTARDS Live:

8/14 - Richmond, VA @ Richmond Music Hall w/ X-Cops & Belushi Speed Ball

U.S. BASTARDS are:

Brent Purgason - Guitar & Vocals

Doug Fines - Guitar

Brendan Artz - Bass

Robby Scarce - Drums

STORMHAMMER Release Music Video For New Single "Scars Of The Abyss"

German power metal force STORMHAMMER have released a music video for their brand-new single "Scars Of The Abyss". Combining crushing riffs, soaring melodies and a gripping atmosphere, the track delivers a powerful metal statement that perfectly showcases STORMHAMMER’s unmistakable sound.

Commenting on the song, bassist and backing vocalist Horst Tessmann states:

"Scars Of The Abyss is one of the songs that best reflects the blend of old-school power metal and modern heaviness that defines this album."

Stream the single here: https://stormhammer.rpm.link/scarsPR

With "Scars Of The Abyss", STORMHAMMER unleash another impressive preview of their forthcoming studio album Wrath Of The Hammer, set for release on July 17 via ROAR – A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music. Blending anthemic choruses, dynamic musicianship and emotionally charged songwriting, the band once again demonstrates their ability to merge classic power metal traditions with contemporary heaviness and depth.

Watch the official music video Below:

Following the acclaimed album Seven Seals, STORMHAMMER open a new chapter with Wrath Of The Hammer. The album combines traditional heavy metal roots with thrash-driven guitars, epic melodies and progressive elements while staying true to the band’s unmistakable identity.

“This album feels honest and alive," guitarist Christos Efstathiou states. "We challenged ourselves creatively while staying true to what STORMHAMMER is about. There’s power, emotion and adventure in these songs.”

“Wrath of the Hammer reflects all generations of Heavy Metal," Phil Meyer (guitar, backing vocals) says. "The old school, the melodic, the anthemic and the modern. That’s exactly who STORMHAMMER are as a band today. We didn’t want the album to be purely melodic power metal. STORMHAMMER has always had a more raw side, and we wanted to push that further by bringing in thrash elements, modern metal and even some ’90s punk roots without losing the band’s heavy metal identity.”

Vocalist M.Nox adds: “We went into this album with the idea that we didn’t want to play it safe. We mixed in elements of Thrash, Symphonic and Classic Metal while keeping it true to STORMHAMMER’s Power Metal roots. With this album, you will hear STORMHAMMER in a way you have not heard before.”

Recorded at Mastersound Studio with producer Alexander Krull, the album delivers a massive production, atmospheric arrangements and renewed creative energy throughout, showcasing a band that continues to evolve while remaining a vital force in modern power metal!

Pre-order Wrath Of The Hammer at:

https://stormhammer.rpm.link/wrathalbumPR

STORMHAMMER is:
M.Nox - Vocals
Phil Meyer - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Christos Efstathiou - Guitar
Ashley Guest - Drums
Horst Tessmann - Bass, Backing Vocals


Connect With STORMHAMMER:
Website: https://www.stormhammer.de/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stormhammerband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stormhammer_official/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCse2QaL9LqKOo2DMAEyUBCw
TikTok: tiktok.com/@stormhammer_band

Brand of Sacrifice Return With Explosive Double Single "Seeing Red" & "This Place Wasn't Meant For Us"

Canadian deathcore titans Brand of Sacrifice have returned with a devastating double single, “Seeing Red” and “This Place Wasn’t Meant For Us,” marking the band’s first new music since late 2023 and the opening strike of a major new chapter. Arriving with the scale, precision, and emotional force that have made Brand Of Sacrifice one of heavy music’s most singular modern bands and serious contenders for the modern deathcore crown, the two tracks feel both newly sharpened and deeply connected to the sound, scale, and conviction that the band are known for.

Listen to “Seeing Red” & "This Place Wasn't Meant For Us" HERE

Watch the visualizer for "Seeing Red" Below.

Shop the accompanying "This Place Wasn't Meant For Us" merch capsule HERE

Since their formation in 2018, Brand of Sacrifice have built a world around a lethal combination of force and feeling. Across every era, their sound has carried the feeling of standing at the edge of something enormous, where beauty, violence, grief, and transformation all collide in the same frame. With the two new tracks released today, Brand of Sacrifice reconnect with the atmosphere and emotion of early releases The Interstice, their 2019 debut EP, and their 2021 Billboard-charting, Juno-nominated sophomore album Lifeblood. The result is a continuation of the band’s formative instincts: visceral heaviness, cinematic unease and emotional immediacy, sharpened through the force and command of the band they have become.

“Seeing Red,” sees the band come out swinging with one of their most direct and overwhelmingly brutal tracks to date. Built for devastating impact, the track is arguably one of the heaviest in the band’s catalog but underneath the brutality is something more human. The track speaks to the desperate search for agency when everything feels unstable, turning the guttural chaos of the music into something listeners can connect to on an emotional level.

Its companion, “This Place Wasn’t Meant For Us,” leans into the band’s gift for atmosphere and tension. Hauntingly eerie, cinematic, and slow-burning before the earth finally gives way, the track pulls the listener deeper into the darker, moodier sonic world-building side of Brand of Sacrifice.

Speaking on the new singles, vocalist Kyle Anderson shares:

“Seeing Red” and “This Place Wasn’t Meant For Us” mark an incredible moment for us as our first new material since 2023. While these songs push Brand of Sacrifice forward, they also reconnect with elements of our past, drawing inspiration from the atmosphere and emotion of The Interstice and our sophomore release Lifeblood. We wanted to strip things back and focus on something more visceral, and honest while capturing a sense of nostalgia without simply repeating ourselves. We’re very proud of these tracks and can’t wait for everyone to experience this next chapter with us.”

Today’s new tracks follow the band’s 2023 EP Between Death and Dreams and standalone single “Purge,” which also marked their signing to Nuclear Blast Records after their incendiary independent rise. That chapter expanded Brand of Sacrifice’s emotional and thematic range, with Anderson moving away from the anime themes of previous releases and looking inward to explore the darker trenches of the human condition while the band continued to stretch their sound into increasingly cinematic territory.



With “Seeing Red” and “This Place Wasn’t Meant For Us,” Brand of Sacrifice pull the atmospheric world building and cinematic violence of their formative work into the present with the same level of brutality and a closer examination of the human condition. Every detail feels sharpened by the band they are now: heavier in impact, broader in theme and atmosphere, and more direct in intent. It is the sound of a band stepping into their next chapter with total command of the world they have built.

ONLY ECHOES Announce New Single “So Tightly Bound” from Forthcoming Album Born Adrift

ONLY ECHOES return with “So Tightly Bound,” the latest single from their forthcoming full-length album Born Adrift, due out August 14, 2026 on Braeburn Records.

A cinematic and emotionally charged instrumental piece, “So Tightly Bound” moves with the urgency of a high-stakes escape sequence. Built around an anxious opening act, a climactic surge, and a triumphant final stretch, the track captures a sense of danger without surrendering to despair. There is a sinister undertone woven through its atmosphere, but the song never loses sight of hope.

For ONLY ECHOES, “So Tightly Bound” has held a unique place in the band’s writing process. As an instrumental band, song titles often remain fluid, shifting as compositions evolve through rehearsal, performance, and rewriting. This track, however, has carried the same name from the day it was written.

“This song is the only one that has never gone through a name change,” the band says. “As an instrumental band, we have a lot of freedom to change song titles at any time, and we often do after songs have gone through significant changes through playing and rewriting. This one, however, was called “So Tightly Bound” from the day that it was written. It’s just the right name.”

The band continues: “It does have a bit of a sinister undertone, but it never loses hope. If this was a movie, this song would be the part where our hero is captured and battles his way out to make a daring escape. After the anxious first act and the climactic escape, this song ends very triumphantly and keeps its eyes on the horizon.”

With “So Tightly Bound,” ONLY ECHOES offer a striking preview of Born Adrift, a record shaped by movement, tension, release, and the search for something beyond the present moment.

Born Adrift was produced, engineered, and mixed by guitarist Austin Minney at All Aces Studio, with mastering handled by Brad Smalling at Evergroove. The album artwork features an original 1876 engraving by Gustave Doré, reimagined with color and illustration work by Celeste Hayes (@chayesart). Born Adrift arrives August 14, 2026 via Braeburn Records.

With Born Adrift, ONLY ECHOES continue their mission to push instrumental post-metal forward, carrying the torch for a genre with few modern American bands operating at this intersection of atmosphere, melody, and crushing heaviness.

ONLY ECHOES is:

Austin Minney — Guitar
Dustin Yourishin — Guitar
Ben Rosenberg — Bass
Zach Sirotkin — Drums

Connect with ONLY ECHOES:

Official Website: https://www.onlyechoesmusic.com
Bandcamp: https://onlyechoes.bandcamp.com/album/sunsickness
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onlyechoesdenver
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/only_echoes_denver/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onlyechoesdenver
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3dRWQve9w41F9eUAwlHP4A?si=vjHVbz3VTWy1CapE7sq3og
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/only-echoes/1437048557

Insomnium Release Video for "Shadowlife" From Upcoming Album

"Shadowlife" marks the compelling first glimpse of Finnish melodic death metal visionaries INSOMNIUM's forthcoming album, out in October. Refusing to dwell in familiar territory or rely on well-worn formulas, the band continues to push its sound into new emotional and sonic dimensions — expanding its palette while remaining unmistakably true to its essence. On "Shadowlife," crushing weight meets delicate vulnerability, and darkness and light are woven together in a seamless interplay — a concept brought to life through the visionary artistry of Travis Smith.

Vocalist/bassit Niilo Sevänen says "As a story, 'Shadowlife' can be seen as a thematic gateway to the entire record — an elegy not only for a lost beloved, but also for the fading belief that anything beautiful can remain untouched by time. It is a realization that love, youth, summer, and warmth cannot be preserved forever. Thus, we are left suspended between longing and acceptance, lingering in the liminal spaces of sleep, shadow, and night."

Guitarist and clean vocalist Markus Vanhala adds, "'Shadowlife' opens the dreamy next chapter of INSOMNIUM with a certain self-aware catchiness. I set out to write an obvious hit — perhaps even a so-called 'banger' — to kick things off, but don't worry: The deeper cuts will follow. Album No. 10 is truly a defining milestone for us, so we wanted to honor our history while also introducing some new nuances. Living on the edge."

Check out the video by Coldstore Productions offering a captivating first glimpse into the Netherworlds HERE.

The band has also unveiled an extensive touring schedule—with even more announcements still to come:

INSOMNIUM LIVE:
7/3–7/4 — Colombier-Saugnieu, FR — Plane'R Fest
7/24 — Tampere, FI — Kaaos Festival
7/31 — Râșnov, RO — Rockstadt Extreme Fest
8/5–8/8 — Jaroměř, CZ — Brutal Assault
8/29 — Savonlinna, FI — Olavinlinna (with Amorphis)

SUPPORT: KAUNIS KUOLEMATON:
10/16 — Helsinki, FI — Kulttuuritalo
10/17 — Lahti, FI — Möysä
10/23 — Seinäjoki, FI — Rytmikorjaamo
10/24 — Tampere, FI — Tavara-Asema
10/30 — Joensuu, FI — Kerubi
10/31 — Jyväskylä, FI — Lutakko
11/6 — Kuopio, FI — Circus Live
11/7 — Kotka, FI — Satama Areena

WITH AMORPHIS + UNTO OTHERS:
1/22 — Hamburg, DE — Große Freiheit 36
1/23 — Leipzig, DE — Haus Auensee
1/24 — Berlin, DE — Huxleys Neue Welt
1/25 — Warsaw, PL — Progresja
1/27 — Budapest, HU — Barba Negra
1/28 — Vienna, AT — Arena
1/29 — Munich, DE — Backstage
1/30 — Wiesbaden, DE — Schlachthof
1/31 — Antwerp, BE — Trix
2/2 — Manchester, UK — O2 Ritz
2/3 — London, UK — O2 Forum Kentish Town
2/5 — Stuttgart, DE — Wagenhallen
2/6 — Pratteln, CH — Z7 Konzertfabrik
2/7 — Padova, IT — Hall
2/9 — Barcelona, ES — Sala Apolo
2/10 — Madrid, ES — Sala La Riviera
2/12 — Paris, FR — Élysée Montmartre
2/13 — Oberhausen, DE — Turbinenhalle 2
2/14 — Tilburg, NL — O13

Ever since emerging from the mist-laden town of Joensuu in Karelia, INSOMNIUM have served as a guiding light for those drawn to the shadows. Now, for the tenth time, they lift the curtain on a new chapter — an album steeped in Finnish melancholy, where haunting melodies intertwine with the unrelenting force of ferocious melodic death metal.

JOHN COFFEY Sign To Long Branch Records + Drop "HANG THE CHOIR" Video

Dutch punk and rock 'n' roll powerhouse John Coffey are back with a vengeance. Marking their recent signing to Long Branch Records, the band has dropped the video for the blistering new single 'Hang The Choir." Built to ignite the moshpits, the track is a heavy, relentless anthem that perfectly captures the band's signature brand of unified chaos. But beneath the roaring guitars and explosive energy lies a deeply resonant message of defiance and equality.

"The lyrics of 'Hang The Choir' were written in the wake of the story of Jacky Roozen," comment John Coffey. "An inspiring story of a woman who was prohibited from swimming topless in a public swimming pool after having her breasts removed out of precaution. Basically, a top hurts, so not wearing one makes sense. She stood her ground and spoke up for her right not to be judged, and her story reached the general public, earning her the recognition she deserves and support from countless people. Striving for change and equality can (and usually does) meet severe resistance. Being different is often seen as a threat, with exclusion as the consequence. There are no more supposed witches at the stake. Metalheads are not automatically evil anymore. But there’s always someone who's gonna be picked out as a scapegoat or refused for who they are. Just because the prevailing social norm demands it. Maybe we all know one."

Stream the single here.

Watch the video to "Hang The Choir" Below:

John Coffey built a reputation as one of the most explosive live bands in Europe — even becoming an internet sensation with the legendary "beer catch." From Graspop to Sziget, Wacken to Pinkpop, Vainstream to Jera On Air, 2000trees and Hurricane/ Southside — the Dutch group has played several of the biggest festivals, sold out the Melkweg in Amsterdam, and even launched their own punk rock festival — Coffey Fest — to celebrate community and uncompromising music.

Never shying away from the world around them, John Coffey actively uses their platform to speak out on social justice and political urgency. Armed with new music, a fierce activist ethos, and upcoming European tour dates, the band proves that engagement and heavy rock 'n' roll are a perfect match.

JOHN COFFEY LIVE:
06/18 — Dessel, BE — Graspop Metal Meeting
08/08 — Hamburg, DE — Amplifire Festival
08/13 — Budapest, HU — Sziget Festival
08/14 — Lierop, NL — Nirwana Tuinfeest
09/26 — Solothurn, CH — 25 Jahre Elevenball
10/08 — Utrecht, NL — ACU
10/09 — Utrecht, NL — De Helling
10/10 — Utrecht, NL — DB's
11/13 — Liège, BE — La Zone
11/14 — Sint-Niklaas, BE — De Casino
11/25 — Köln, DE — Luxor
11/27 — Berlin, DE — Hole 44
12/10 — Deventer, NL — Burgerweeshuis
12/11 — Groningen, NL — Vera
12/17 — Rotterdam, NL — Rotown
12/18 — Eindhoven, NL — Dynamo

TICKETS

JOHN COFFEY ARE:
David Achter de Molen — Vocals
Alfred van Luttikhuizen — Guitar, Vocals
Christoffer van Teijlingen — Guitar, Vocals
Richard van Luttikhuizen — Bass, Vocals
Carsten Brunsveld — Drums

Kai Hansen to Release "Born With A Hammer" on 9/18 + Shares "Feeding the Beast" Video

Kai Hansen is one of the defining figures in heavy metal.

As co-founder of Helloween and founder of Gamma Ray, he shaped power metal into a global force and created a sound that continues to drive the genre today.

Now, Hansen returns with Born With A Hammer, his first solo album since Kai Hansen & Friends' XXX – Three Decades In Metal, is set for release on September 18 on earMUSIC.

Raw, energetic, rebellious and unmistakably personal, Born With A Hammer brings together every side of Hansen's musical identity. Across 10 songs, the album moves between powerful heavy metal, punk attitude, hard rock drive, melodic hooks, and pure guitar-driven energy, carried by the songwriting instincts, guitar work, and unmistakable voice that have made Kai Hansen one of metal's most distinctive artists. Written without compromise and fueled by pure passion for heavy music, Born With A Hammer captures Hansen at full creative force: Direct, alive and unmistakably metal.

The album was produced by Eike Freese and recorded with a band that brings both firepower and history to the project. Alongside Freese on guitar, the lineup features Alexander Dietz (Heaven Shall Burn) on guitar and Dan Wilding (Carcass) on drums, who already stood alongside Hansen on XXX – Three Decades In Metal, plus Tim Hansen (Induction) on guitar.

Released today alongside the album announcement, "Feeding The Beast" is the first single and opening track from Born With A Hammer, accompanied by an official music video. Driven by razor-sharp riffs, anthemic melodies, and relentless energy, the song delivers a direct and powerful first taste of the album.

Following the global success of Helloween’s recent reunion era and world tours, Born With A Hammer opens a new chapter for Kai Hansen as a solo artist, bringing that  energy into a record that stands firmly on its own. 
  
Stream "Feeding The Beast" HERE
 
Pre-order Born With A Hammer HERE

ABOUT KAI HANSEN:
Kai Hansen is one of modern heavy metal’s most influential creative forces. As co-founder of Helloween and founder of Gamma Ray, he shaped the sound and spirit of power metal and continues to influence artists and fans worldwide. His work with Helloween has brought him back to the biggest stages around the globe, while Born With A Hammer reveals another side of his creative drive — personal, direct and fully charged.

Blake Pendergrass Named NSAI's 'Songwriter of the Year' Ahead of 9th Annual Awards

Preparations for the 9th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards are underway, and The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) alongside presenting partner City National Bank are thrilled to reveal that No. 1 hit songwriter Blake Pendergrass will be honored at the September 22 Ryman Auditorium celebration. 
 
Pendergrass has earned the honor of NSAI’s 2026 'Songwriter of the Year,' an award given to the Nashville-associated songwriter who achieved the most charting success on the Billboard Airplay chart in the Christian, Country, Mainstream Top 40 and/or Rock genres during the eligible period (May 1, 2025- April 30, 2026). Pendergrass's career has skyrocketed, having earned his first No. 1 in July of 2025 for “Just In Case” (Morgan Wallen) quickly followed by three additional No. 1s within the year, he topped the MusicRow Magazine Top Songwriter Chart for the first time on March 2, 2026, and received his first CMA Triple Play Award on April 13, 2026. Songwriter of the Year is another well-deserved honor recognizing Pendergrass’s immense and ever-growing success. 
 
The night will include performances and stories to recognize his achievement, and he will be honored alongside previously announced honorees Riley Green (Songwriter-Artist of the Year Award), Vince Gill (Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award) and Paul Williams (NSAI President’s Keystone Award). Additional award recipients that will be revealed night-of include the 'Song of the Year' winner(s) and the songwriters for each of the '10 Songs I Wish I'd Written' awards.

On Wednesday, July 15, the first round of performers participating in the event will be revealed, and tickets for the ceremony will go on sale on Friday, July 17 at 10:00 a.m. CT at www.ryman.com. 
 
In addition to the previously mentioned awards, the night will also recognize the 2026 Legendary Song award, honoring a song that is deemed legendary above all others and which has stood the test of time in the designated timeframe. The eligibility period for this year’s award was 1969-1985 and the NSAI Board of Directors carefully selected 10 impactful songs from that time for the pro membership to anonymously vote on to determine the top legendary song.
 
The event is produced each year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. Follow @nsaiofficial / #songwriterawards on Facebook, X, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on all announcements and news.
 
Thank you to our event sponsors: City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb, General Motors, Recording Industry Association of America, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, Jack Daniel's, Recording Academy Songwriters & Composers Wing, SoundExchange, Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, The Mechanical Licensing Collective. 

For more information, please visit nashvillesongwriters.com.

BRUTALLY DELICIOUS DEBUTS “DAWN OF VICTORY” a 22-MINUTE HEAVYMETAL AUDIO DRAMA ​

Brutally Delicious announces the release of its first original heavy metal audio drama, a 22-minute immersive production that merges narrative storytelling with the intensity and atmosphere of extreme metal.

WATCH Vinyl Jumpers EP 003 "Dawn of Victory" Below:

The story follows a group of teenagers who discover a 19th century Victrola containing a hidden Latin incantation. When spoken, the phrase activates the device, transporting them into the world of whatever song is playing. Each track becomes a fully realized environment, where the characters must navigate hostile, shifting realities and survive until the music ends.

Failure is not an option. If the song finishes before they escape, they do not return.

The production features voice performances from members of Cruachan, Melechesh, and Caster Volor, bringing authentic metal presence and vocal intensity directly into the narrative. Each performance helps shape the tone and identity of the worlds the characters are pulled into, blurring the line between soundtrack and story.

Written, recorded, and produced by Bruce Moore of Brutally Delicious, the project draws from metal’s deep thematic roots, mythology, history, and existential tension, while presenting them in a cinematic, story-driven format.

Audio mixing and foley by Annabelle Kyle create a dense, immersive soundscape that places the listener inside the environment, while visuals by Noah Riopel extend the experience beyond audio, offering a surreal and evolving visual counterpart to the narrative.

The result is a hybrid of audio drama and metal experience that pushes beyond traditional genre boundaries.

Mixwave Teams Up With Guitar Phenom Yvette Young For Plug In

MIXWAVE, the boutique plugin company founded in 2021, is known for meticulous, artist-driven re-creations of real hardware developed directly with each artist to capture the exact gear that defines their sound. Previous partnerships include Sleep Token and Spiritbox.

Today, the company is pleased to announce it has partnered with guitar virtuoso Yvette Young for an exclusive plugin.

Young is also a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and visual artist widely regarded as one of the defining guitar voices of her generation. Frontwoman of math rock band Covet. She has developed her signature fingerstyle and two-handed tapping from a classical foundation in piano and violin. She also earned a BFA from UCLA.

Yvette’s plugin is a complete rig with nine of her favorite effects pedals, plus the amp and cab she has used in the studio and on stage for years.'

It also marks the first time a female guitarist has launched her own plugin.

Watch Young's walkthroug here.

See even more here!

Skillet's "Monster" Surpasses 4 Billion Streams Amid Sold-Out European Tour

Multi-platinum rock band SKILLET continue to reach new heights in 2026 as their 6x-platinum anthem "Monster" surpasses 4 billion streams, earns a place in Spotify's Billions Club, and solidifies its status as one of the most-streamed rock songs of all time. The milestone arrives on the heels of the band's completely sold-out European headline tour, which sold 90,000 tickets across 23 cities and brought SKILLET in front of the largest international crowds of their career.

The tour saw sold-out performances throughout Europe, including London, Glasgow, Paris, Munich, Warsaw, Bucharest and Barcelona, while settingticket sales records at key venues including Paris' legendary Zenith. The overwhelming response further underscored SKILLET's global impact and remarkable staying power more than two decades into their career.

At the end of 2025, SKILLET released their first-ever Christmas recording, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," which quickly became a viral success and captured No. 1 on five Billboard charts, introducing the band's music to new audiences while further expanding their worldwide reach.

With more than 23 million albums sold worldwide, more than 12 million monthly Spotify listeners, billions of streams across platforms, and a touring footprint that continues to expand globally, SKILLET remains one of the most successful and enduring rock bands of the modern era.

SEA SLEEPER Unleashes New Single “Lunar Degenerates” from Forthcoming Album Burden of Antlers

Heavy, atmospheric, and built for maximum neck damage, SEA SLEEPER return with their new single, “Lunar Degenerates,” the latest preview of their forthcoming sophomore album, Burden of Antlers, set for release on September 18, 2026.

“Lunar Degenerates” captures the band at their most visceral and dynamic, fusing classic crunchy, bang-your-head riffage with the expansive progressive weight that has become a defining part of SEA SLEEPER’s sound. The track also leans into the band’s long-running Mastodon influence, particularly the Crack the Skye-esque textures that have surfaced across both of their albums.

About SEA SLEEPER:

With a passion for death and post metal, SEA SLEEPER infuse their heavy sound with an array of genre influences to produce something more dynamically extreme. The band formed in 2019 comprised of Jesse Cooley (guitar/lead vocals), Shane Cooley (drums/vocals), and Nick Kessler (bass/vocals), with Tony Spradlin (lead guitar/vocals) subsequently completing the line-up in 2022. 

The debut EP Nihilism was released independently in 2019, followed by their acclaimed debut album Nostophobia. Released in 2021 via Metal Assault Records, Nostophobia garnered notable recognition achieving #10 album of the year for Noob Heavy and #7 spot for album of the year at GBHBL in 2021, as well as seeing the band become a Top Selling Bandcamp artist in the same year.


SEA SLEEPER Is: 

Jesse Cooley (Guitar/Lead Vocals)
Shane Cooley (Drums/Vocals)
Nick Kessler (Bass/Vocals)
Tony Spradlin (Lead Guitar/Vocals)


Connect With SEA SLEEPER:

Official Website: https://seasleeper.bandcamp.com
Bandcamp: https://seasleeper.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seasleeper/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sea_sleeper
Twitter/X: https://x.com/seasleeper
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@seasleeper7557?si=I54GO1VC1ZA5x3Wy
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1MVRa7wGpGY4EqqqEjVpMZ?si=KKq0Xb5_Qf6P_WwMte5EiA
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/sea-sleeper/1384085890
Discord: https://discord.com/channels/947585206213296169/947594689123598396/1481135243078406271

TOUR NEWS: Daughtry Announce 20 Years Unplugged US Tour

Multi-GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum rock band Daughtry have announced their 20 Years Unplugged tour, a special fall run that will bring two decades of songs into intimate theatres and performance spaces across the U.S. Tickets go on general sale Friday, June 19 at 10am local at daughtryofficial.com 

The tour opens October 12 at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, NY and continues through November 14 at Majestic Theatre in Dallas, TX, with stops in Beverly, Uncasville, Atlantic City, Huntington, Las Vegas, Anaheim, San Antonio and more. Support across all shows comes from Buffalo, NY singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Perdz.

Artist presale and VIP packages begin Wednesday, June 17 at 10am local.

Local presales, including promoter, venue and radio presales, run Thursday, June 18 from 10am local.

Tickets go on general sale Friday, June 19 at 10am local.

20 Years Unplugged gives fans the chance to experience Daughtry’s catalogue in a stripped-back acoustic setting, reframing the songs that have soundtracked arenas, rock radio milestones, and some of the most defining moments of the band’s career. The tour will pull the band’s music into a more raw and immediate space, where the weight of a lyric, the scrape of a guitar string, and the quiet before a chorus can hit as hard as the full-band impact.

The announcement follows the release of SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM (DELUXE), the complete edition of Daughtry’s two-part project via Big Machine Rock. The collection brings together SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM (PART ONE) and SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM (PART TWO), along with additional live recordings that capture the force and connection of the band’s latest era. Across tracks including “ARTIFICIAL,” “PIECES,” “THE BOTTOM,” and “ANTIDOTE,” Daughtry continue to channel grief, change, confrontation, and self-reclamation into some of their heaviest and most emotionally direct work to date.

For an artist whose songs have always lived at the intersection of power and vulnerability, 20 Years Unplugged will see Daughtry strip down some of their biggest and most meaningful tracks, distilling them to their purest form and bringing fans closer to the songs, the stories, and the unmistakable voice that have carried the band from one of the biggest rock debuts of the century through two decades of connection, evolution, and success.

Support for the tour will come from up-and-coming alt rock star, Ryan Perdz. The Buffalo, NY singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist recently announced his debut album Can’t Cry, out August 14 via Big Machine Rock, and has been building momentum with the release of “Sour,” “Heavy Eyes,” and his fresh reimagining of MGMT’s “Time to Pretend.” Raised on his grandparents’ family farm and citing rock icons such as Chris Cornell, John Frusciante and Kurt Cobain as some of his biggest influences, Perdz’s unique brand of guitar-driven songwriting brings a raw, melodic voice to a new generation of modern rock.

DAUGHTRY

20 YEARS UNPLUGGED

WITH SUPPORT FROM RYAN PERDZ

October 12 | Troy, NY | Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

October 13 | Beverly, MA | The Cabot

October 15 | Uncasville, CT | Mohegan Sun Arena

October 16 | Waterloo, NY | The Vine Showroom at del Lago Resort & Casino

October 17 | Atlantic City, NJ | Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort

October 20 | Huntington, NY | The Paramount

October 21 | Englewood, NJ | Bergen Performing Arts Center

October 23 | Danville, VA | The Pantheon at Caesars Virginia

October 24 | Florence, KY | Turfway Park Event Center

October 26 | Greensburg, PA | The Palace Theatre

October 27 | Wheeling, WV | Capitol Theatre

October 29 | Nashville, IN | Brown County Music Center

October 31 | Omaha, NE | The Astro Theater

November 1 | Des Moines, IA | Hoyt Sherman Place

November 3 | Kansas City, MO | Uptown Theater

November 4 | Oklahoma City, OK | The Criterion

November 7 | Las Vegas, NV | Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort

November 8 | Napa, CA | Uptown Theatre Napa

November 10 | Anaheim, CA | Grove of Anaheim

November 11 | Tucson, AZ | Fox Tucson Theatre

November 13 | San Antonio, TX | The Aztec Theatre

November 14 | Dallas, TX | Majestic Theatre