LOWSUNDAY explore a world of isolation on 'Someone To Talk To' Latest 'Low Sunday Ghost Machine - Black EP' out now

August 26, 2026

US darkwave-shoegaze pioneers Lowsunday present their new single 'Someone to Talk To', exploring the tension between the need for connection and the painful realization that the person we trust may not be who they seem. showcasing their 'Low Sunday Ghost Machine - Black EP'. Wrapped in a shadowy, dreamlike atmosphere, the song turns heartbreak and disillusionment into something strangely serene, creating an intimate portrait of vulnerability, misplaced trust, and difficulty in letting go.

The lyrics follow someone reaching for companionship while becoming caught in a relationship marked by deception, betrayal, and emotional dependence. Its central idea is that loneliness can cloud our judgment, causing us to mistake attention for genuine care and overlook warning signs until the truth becomes impossible to ignore. The repeated declarations of love against accusations of cruelty capture the song’s emotional contradiction: attachment can survive even after trust has been destroyed.

Formed in 1994, Lowsunday (initially as Low Sunday Ghost Machine) emerged as a "retro-futurist" pioneer, blending darkwave and shoegaze long before the genres saw their modern revival. The 'Black EP', recently released via Projekt Records (their label before disbanding decades ago) is their second collection of all-new material released since 1999, previewed by the adrenaline-infused 'You’re So Wired' and darkly fascinating lead track 'This Is Not Heaven'.

"This song goes into darker more abstract places, combining feelings of loneliness that lead to the interaction with a person who walks through life handing out broken hearts as almost a form of exchange. The figurines with the eyeball heads almost suggests being naive - that we sometimes think with our eyes and not our heads - that we can love at face value and totally miss the underlying reality that some people actually don’t want to be loved. That many things aren’t as they appear - as the song suggests “when you said you had my back, it was your first attack” , say Shane Sahene.

"It also suggests that loneliness can lead one to making poor decisions. The irony is, that this song makes us very happy to play. It’s so dark in concept that it emotionally feels like being in a calm ocean at night or walking into a cave.

With a cult reputation for mercurial sounds and blistering guitar work, their legacy was cemented with extended re-releases of their 1996 debut album 'Low Sunday Ghost Machine' and the 1999 masterpiece 'Elesgiem', also through Projekt Records (for these albums' 30th and 25th anniversaries respectively). While their music set the stage for subsequent generations of artists, Lowsunday resurfaced in 2025 after a nearly 25-year hiatus, now a duo made up of original member Shane Sahene (vocals, guitar, synth, bass, drums) and Bobby Spell (bass, guitar, drums).

At the end of 2025, Lowsunday released their ‘Low Sunday Ghost Machine - White EP', which ranked second among Post-Punk.com's Best EPs of 2025, and included the singles 'Love Language', 'Soft Capture' and 'Nevver'. Both a reflection and a resurgence, Lowsunday's two new EPs usher in a welcome return, marked by superb production and a renewed creative clarity, bridging three decades of distinct sonic legacy with balanced doses of escapism, dreamlike sounds, drones and feedback.

Lowsunday’s music combines shimmering, pristine textures with infectious choruses, creating a timeless yet distinctly modern atmosphere. Their sound moves through dark, expansive landscapes, shifting seamlessly between steady rhythms, turbulent feedback, and fragile, dream-pop-inspired moments of haunting yearning.

With a sound defined by atmosphere, precision, and heartfelt shadow and depths, Lowsunday is now asserting their presence with new strength. While the 'White EP'explores light and texture, the 'Black EP' is the darker counterpart and definitive statement. Shadow and intensity, layered guitars, tight rhythms, and austere synths, this new EP' distills the duo's vision into a sharper, more potent form — a bold declaration of their enduring artistic power.

"Jer Herring did a great job tying the music to the visuals. He’s a great creative partner and has a way of drawing on the essence of a song and bonding it with great imagery," says Shane Sahene.

Bobby Spell adds, "This video perfectly captures the delicate coldness, detachment and loneliness of this song. A theme frequently visited by us involves a feeling of isolation which seems to be increasingly common in modern life. The visuals in the video demonstrate this feeling in a variety of scenarios where separation, miscommunication or distance is implied throughout. Our creative partner Jer Herring has once again created a perfect visual counterpart for a Lowsunday song and we’re very proud of it.

The 'Low Sunday Ghost Machine - Black EP' is available on digital platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where the vinyl edition (limited to 200 copies) can also be obtained, along with the limited edition 7" of 'Static / Besides'. Lowsunday also recently released 'She Follows Rain' as part of Cherry Red Records' new 4CD box set 'We Are The Beautiful', among 67 shoegaze tracks released from 1991 to 2011. It's available now via Projekt Records' Bandcamp.

Eddie Skuller releases 'Blind Love' EP: A reverant homage to the songwriting of Tom Waits

August 26, 2026

New Jersey singer-songwriter Eddie Skuller is set to release his ‘Blind Love’ EP, a four-track personal tribute to Waits’ songwriting that revisits a storyteller with a rare ability to capture human character, emotion and melody, as well as his ability to find beauty and humanity in unexpected places.

With a unique vocal style, Skuller brings a raw, analog intimacy to these compositions, exploring the space between homage and reinvention. Performed with reverence, restraint and emotional intelligence, he allows the songs' emotional complexity to emerge, his delivery favoring intimacy over imitation.

Based in Jersey City, Eddie Skuller went to the opposite edge of the state to record this EP - namely, the upstate New York studio The Chicken Shack with producer-proprietor Nick Kinsey, known for his work with Kevin Morby, Waxahatchee and Scott McMickey. Fun fact: Waits himself is said to have made his Mule Variations album in another converted chicken shack on the opposite coast.

Bringing forth sheer raw joy and honed instincts, Skuller is joined on this EP by Ryder Cooley of Dust Bowl Faeries on accordion, Kinsey on drums and keyboards, Jack Skuller on guitars, and Jeremy Chatzky (Springsteen, Steve Earle, Ronnie Spector)on bass.

Centered around narrative and feeling, Skuller's performance reveals layers of tenderness, nostalgia, and quiet hope. Captured without edits or vocal overdubs, the recording preserves the spontaneity of the recording and the imperfections of analog production, the vocals captured live with the band.

"These four songs share a dark melancholy of lost love and desire, but all resolve with a sense of hope for a positive future outcome. That’s what draws me in to these songs and what connects them. In my live show it’s the spirit of hope that people take with them," says Eddie Skuller.

“What makes this experience unique for me is that it was recorded live in studio to tape. I wanted Nick Kinsey to produce because I was familiar with his aesthetic sensibilities and the warmth that analog recording can provide. The songs became meditative dirges and the lyrics read as pure poetry."

Nick Kinsey notes, “Producing a cover of any Tom Waits song is a daunting proposition, but I think we did a great job paying homage to one of America’s musical heroes, while giving it our own authentic touch. Eddie’s vocal performance and approach give an emotional immediacy that’s inarguable.”

Skuller earlier shared fine renditions of ‘Downtown Train’ and ‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’, two of Tom Waits’ most quietly affecting songs, revealing a gentler side of Waits’ catalog, where grit gives way to tenderness and reflection. Blending collage, illustration, photography, typography and animation, the music video is a collaboration with French collective SPX ETC (artists Sandrine Pagnoux and Sophie Etchart), sparked through Sandrine’s Tom Waits editorial for 46pgs magazine.

In addition to his solo work, Skuller is a perennial guest vocalist with The Losers Lounge, the acclaimed tribute series curated by The Psychedelic Furs’ Joe McGintyand regularly held at Joe’s Pub and City Winery in NYC. His live performances have drawn praise for their authenticity, emotional clarity, and musical integrity.

As of August 26th, the 'Blind Love' EP is available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp, where the first two singles can also be found.

CREDITS
Produced & Mixed by Nick Kinsey at the Chicken Shack Studio, New York
Mastered by Christopher Colbert at National Freedom Studio, Oregon
Eddie Skuller - vocals
Jeremy Chatzky - bass
Jack Skuller - guitar
Nick Kinsey - drums, percussion, keyboards
Ryder Cooley - accordion
EP cover photo and design by Eddie Skuller
‘You Can Never Hold Back Spring’ video produced for SPX ETC
by Sophie Etchart & Sandrine Pagnoux
Single cover photo & design by SPX ETC
Original artist photos by Eddie Skuller
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

Eastblood feat. members of JASTA, DEE SNIDER, GENERATION KILL Release New Album 'Burn What's Left'

August 23, 2026

EASTBLOOD has officially arrived with the release of their debut album, Burn What's Left, available now on all major streaming platforms.

Featuring members of JASTA, Dee Snider, Generation Kill, and more, Eastblood is a four-piece metal force built on speed, volume, and zero compromise. Fusing the ferocity of thrash metal with the raw aggression of punk and hardcore, the band delivers ripping riffs, brutal breakdowns, punishing drums, and nonstop shredding across Burn What's Left.

“'Burn What's Left' is a record about anger, exhaustion, betrayal, and the emotional wreckage left behind by narcissism, manipulation, internet culture, and manufactured victimhood,” says Eastblood. “Beneath the aggression is something deeply human: self-doubt, grief, isolation, and the realization that sometimes the only way to move forward is to stop carrying what other people have done to you. We used that message with lyrics and the fastest, grittiest music we could—and this is just the beginning.”

Rather than simply channeling aggression for aggression's sake, Burn What's Left turns frustration, resentment, and emotional fallout into a full-force sonic attack. The album confronts the darker side of modern culture while exploring the personal damage left in its wake and the catharsis that comes from finally letting it go.

Recorded with a relentless intensity from start to finish, Burn What's Left was mixed and mastered by Nick Bellmore, whose production expertise helps give the album its crushing weight and uncompromising edge.

"Eastblood is pure alchemy — speed and intensity colliding with melody and catharsis, without a single compromise. We can’t wait to unleash what we’ve built on the world," says Charlie Bellmore.

No gimmicks. No polish. No compromise. Just pure sonic violence.

Burn What's Left is out now on all major streaming platforms.

STREAM Burn What's Left

https://linktr.ee/eastbloodmusic

Physical Copies of the Album are Available HERE

Eastblood:

Charlie Bellmore - Guitar and Vocals
Nick Petrino - Guitar
Christopher Taylor Beaudette - Bass and Vocals
Rob Youells - Drums

For More Information Please Visit:

MOB RULES Celebrate Release of 'Stories From The Verdant Vale'

August 23, 2026

German melodic power metal stalwarts MOB RULES celebrate the release of their new compilation album, Stories From The Verdant Vale, via ROAR - A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music. Available now on vinyl and across digital platforms, the release invites fans back into the narrative world of the band’s acclaimed 2025 album, Rise Of The Ruler, while revealing another side of its story.

The material for Stories From The Verdant Vale was written during the final stages of the Rise Of The Ruler sessions and now emerges as a special standalone release. More direct and compact than its predecessor, the record remains unmistakably MOB RULES, combining melodic power metal, atmospheric depth and the compelling storytelling that has long defined the band.

“During the final stages of completing the album, we discussed possible bonus material for the earbook edition with the label," vocalist Klaus Dirks recently revealed. "We were reluctant to use demo versions or similar material. This motivated us to write a few new songs. We were well aware of what we were getting ourselves into, but we also wanted to challenge ourselves a little.”

Originally conceived in part as exclusive material, the songs are now receiving a full vinyl and digital release following high demand from fans. While Stories From The Verdant Vale expands the concept of Rise Of The Ruler from a different perspective, each track has a character of its own, making it both a natural extension of the album and a powerful release in its own right.

Stories From The Verdant Vale was mixed by Markus Teske, with artwork by Stan W. Decker.
Order Stories From The Verdant Vale at this location:
https://mobrules.rpm.link/storiesPR

About MOB RULES

Formed in Northern Germany in the early 1990s, MOB RULES have established themselves as a constant force in melodic power metal. Known for their concept-driven albums, strong melodies and atmospheric depth, the band has built a loyal international following over the decades.

With ten studio albums to date, including the critically acclaimed Rise Of The Ruler, MOB RULES have continuously refined their sound while staying true to their roots. Their blend of classic heavy metal influences and modern production has secured them a lasting place within the genre.

MOB RULES is:
Klaus Dirks - Vocals
Sven Lüdke - Guitar
Florian Dyszbalis - Guitar
Markus Brinkmann - Bass
Jan Christian Halfbrodt - Keys
Sebastian Schmidt - Drums

Connect with MOB RULES:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mobrulesband
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mobrulesband

The Barbarians of California Release Sophomore Album "Megatons" + Share "Earthquake" Video

August 23, 2026

The Barbarians Of California, featuring Aaron Bruno of AWOLNATION and Eric Stenman of Tinfed and a noted producer, remain equal opportunity iconoclasts with each new song and video they drop. They issue their slump-avoidant sophomore album MEGATONS . Get it here.

They also share the video for "EARTHQUAKE."

Watch the Barbarians get their "gym bro" on below.

"I feel like we are due for another massive earthquake," says Bruno, with his tongue planted firmly in cheek. "So, I wrote a song about it.. .assuming that California will break off into the ocean and Arizona would then be the new coastline."

Regarding the accompanying video, he says, "I wanted to put the band in a setting you'd never expect to find us in."

Gettin' those gains!

With MEGATONS, The Barbarians of California are unleashing fresh chaos straight from the sun-soaked, teeth-gnashing heart of the Golden State. Blending raw hardcore energy, riffs by the pound, and that signature mix of ferocity and tongue-in-cheek humor, these new songs hit like a caffeine-fueled fever dream. Through and through, the band delivers unapologetic anthems that feel both brutally fun yet dangerously addictive.

"Everyone has heard of the sophomore slump," states Stenman. "Making a second album can be a fraught process full of overthinking and self-doubt. Perhaps, the benefit of us starting this band, at this later point in our lives, relieves some of that pressure. This felt so easy, and is a seamless continuation of whatever we started with the first batch of song — just bigger and better."

The Barbarians aren't slowing down — they're just getting louder, meaner, and more ridiculously entertaining.

TBOC have also confirmed their first set of headline tour dates, alongside shows with Guns N' Roses and festival apperances.

All upcoming and confirmed live shows are below.

THE BARBARIANS OF CALIFORNIA LIVE:
9/6 — Pryor, OK — Rocklahoma Festival^
9/8 — Nashville, TN — Exit In
9/9 — St. Louis, MO — Blueberry Hill Duck Room [LOW TIX]
9/11 — Omaha, NE — Waiting Room
9/12 — Ridgedale, MO — Thunder Ridge Nature Arena*
9/14 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th St. Entry [LOW TIX]
9/15 — Milwaukee, WI — Cactus Club [LOW TIX]
9/17 — Chicago, IL — Cobra Lounge [SOLD OUT]
9/18 — Cleveland, OH — The Foundry [LOW TIX]
9/19 — Louisville, KY — Louder Than Life Festival^
10/23 — Los Angeles, CA — Lodge Room
1/24 — Naples, FL — ShipRocked^
*With Guns N’ Roses
^Festivals

ABOUT THE BARBARIANS OF CALIFORNIA:
The West Coast's contribution to hardcore punk is undeniable. That tradition of aggression, passion, and scrappy melodicism continues with The Barbarians of California, an engaging new manifestation of iconoclastic spirit and true bombast. Born from the shared passion of Aaron Bruno (AWOLNATION) and his longtime engineer Eric Stenman — who cut his teeth in the same Sacramento community that eventually launched diverse and disparate acts like Deftones, Far, Will Haven, Team Sleep, Hella, Dance Gavin Dance, Death Grips, and Trash Talk — the spirit of the underground and the personal catharsis delivered through metallic hardcore never left either of them. So, when Aaron learned that Eric crafted a batch of throwback bangers combining impassioned angst with modern sensibilities, he wanted in immediately. The Barbarians of California was born.

In 2024, the band released their debut album, And Now I'm Just Gnashing My Teeth, and celebrated with a high-energy show at the iconic Troubadour in Los Angeles, cementing their place in the hardcore scene’s next chapter. Since then, they've continued to build momentum with headline shows across LA, a summer 2025 arena tour with Deftones and other festival appearances that brought their explosive live presence to a wider audience. The Barbarians Of California are gearing up in 2026 for the release of their sophomore album MEGATONS.

BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Release New Album 'Pulse/ Line/ Scar', Unveil Video for "Myrkur"

August 23, 2026

Rising alternative metal band Beautiful Skeletons have released their album, Pulse/Line/Scar , via WURMgroup. Produced by legendary heavy music producer Ulrich Wild (Pantera, Static-X, Breaking Benjamin, White Zombie), the album captures a band unafraid to tear everything apart in pursuit of something honest, powerful, and enduring. Coinciding with the album's release, Beautiful Skeletons have also premiered the official music video for "Myrkur," giving fans a powerful visual to one of the album's standout tracks.

More than a collection of songs, Pulse/Line/Scar serves as a deeply personal yet universally relatable body of work, exploring resilience, identity, loss, and the invisible threads that connect every human experience.

The band shares, "Pulse Line Scar is a universal anthology of lived stories, brought together by the thin red pulse line that connects us all, the same line that brings us life and the same line that leaves a permanent impression."

Pulse/Line/Scar showcases a band that has found strength in vulnerability and purpose through perseverance. Every track reflects the tension between chaos and clarity, pain and healing, creating an album that is as emotionally immersive as it is sonically crushing.

With Pulse/Line/Scar, Beautiful Skeletons are poised to establish themselves as one of alternative metal's most compelling emerging acts, delivering an album that doesn't simply ask to be heard, it demands to be felt.

Please get in touch if you would like to interview the band or review the record.

Stream/Buy Pulse/Line/Scar

https://linktr.ee/beautifulskeletonsband

WATCH the Official Music Video for "Myrkur" Below:

The band was formed in 2017 after guitarist Einar posted a Craigslist ad searching for a vocalist. What began as an instinctive collaboration gradually evolved through lineup changes, setbacks, and creative discovery. Over time, the project transformed from an idea into something none of the members were willing to walk away from—a defining commitment that became, in their words, a "do or die decision you can only make once."

That commitment intensified in 2022 when the band received management support and hit the road alongside Yngwie Malmsteen. The experience offered an unfiltered look at the realities of the music industry and solidified their determination to push Beautiful Skeletons beyond potential and into purpose.

Trying to categorize Beautiful Skeletons has never been easy—and they prefer it that way.

Drawing inspiration from Deftones, Alice In Chains, Sevendust, Korn, and Nine Inch Nails, the group seamlessly blends crushing riffs, haunting atmosphere, soaring melodies, and modern heaviness into a sound that refuses to stay confined to one genre.

That fearless approach reached its fullest expression during the recording of Pulse/Line/Scar. Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Ulrich Wild at WURMgroup, every song was challenged, dismantled, and rebuilt until it carried the emotional and sonic weight the band envisioned. The process forced Beautiful Skeletons to confront not only their songwriting but also their identity as musicians, resulting in their most focused and powerful work to date.

Beautiful Skeletons:

Tina Firefly - Vocals

Jason Johnson - Bass

Huwy Williams- Drums

Einar Einarsson- Guitars

For More Information Please Visit:

Ian Munsick’s 4th Studio Album, THE MOUNTAIN GOAT, is Available Now

August 21, 2026

As one of modern country’s few Rocky Mountain artists – and the only one to merge its timeless traditions with an electrifying roots-pop edge – Wyoming native Ian Munsick has taken his music to the wild places few singer-songwriters go. Yet with his fourth album, The Mountain Goat, he climbs farther out on his creative ledge than ever, all to prove Western culture is not a costume.

Listen to The Mountain Goat, available now, HERE.

Marking his first independent album and the start of a new partnership between his own WEST TO THE REST RECORDS / Triple Tigers Records, Munsick remains as sure footed as his project’s fearless namesake, thriving in the isolation of a Western-flavored country pop frontier. But over a series of dizzying vocal peaks, new themes of incomparable beauty and harrowing hardship find the sonic homesteader in close harmony with nature.

“As usual, I just want to make sure the part of the country I come from is accurately portrayed in country music,” he explains. “There’s a lot of country in the Rockies and out West that needs representation, and I truly believe that’s a world where I will never run out of creative ammunition.”

Brought up in the shadow of the Big Horns on a family ranch outside of Sheridan, Wyoming, it’s a world Munsick knows by heart. Singing in the family string band before emerging as a solo artist in 2017, he earned the tongue-in-cheek “Mountain G.O.A.T.” title through hardscrabble success, wielding a tenor vocal as crisp as a mile-high morning.

Racking up over one billion career streams between previous albums Coyote Cry, White Buffalo, and Eagle Feather, Munsick has produced one RIAA-Platinum duet “Long Live Cowgirls” (with Cody Johnson) – which also hit No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway Hot 30 Countdown – plus two Gold-certified hits: “Long Haul” and “Horses Are Faster.” Spotify, CMT, and the Grand Ole Opry were among the taste-making institutions to recognize Munsick’s vision, and concertgoers across the globe found a Western authenticity that can’t be faked – at least, not where Munsick’s from. It allowed him to make history in 2025, becoming the first Wyoming-born artist to headline Cheyenne Frontier Days, the iconic rodeo known around the world as the “Daddy of ‘Em All.”

With The Mountain Goat, his quest to capture the Western mystique and bring it to fans continues. Fusing genuine tradition with cutting-edge sonics, 15 tracks (including two interludes and one reprise) feature an “earthy” new organic undercurrent, with the multi-instrumental master more connected to his acoustic roots – and more protective of his territory. After buying a small ranch near the Wyoming/Montana border, he and wife Caroline welcomed the birth of his second child in 2025 – a daughter named Roan – filling his heart with more songs than ever.

“It’s just about 180 acres of prairie grass by the Big Horn Mountains – a peaceful spot where we can escape the craziness of Nashville,” Munsick explains. “My music is very inspired by the outdoors and the people that work the land, so it’s a great spot to reconnect and remember what my family and I have is real. What the Earth has for us is real. Tapping into those emotions is key.”

Co-writing every new song, Munsick explores the profound perspectives brought into focus by the West’s mythical vistas – and the awe-inspiring experience of fatherhood, falling in love, and finding one’s place in the world. That includes the plucky heartbreak anthem, “Love Is Blind” – a high-flying fiddle-pop jam currently scaling the treacherous slopes of country radio.

Co-produced by Munsick with Mike Robinson and Jeremy Spillman, The Mountain Goat continues to blaze new trails across the country landscape. An avalanche of untamed vocal power and raw, grizzled energy still form the bedrock of his sound, but Munsick’s string-band roots shine alongside a serene sonic charm, both wild and a bit whimsical. To get the effect, he and his team laid the foundation of each track personally.

Munsick played acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, bass, banjo, harmonica – even bouzouki and piano – then a seasoned group of Nashville’s session hands helped finish the songs off. Among them, Ross Holmes’ fiddle was essential to multiple tracks. Justin Schipper added a cinematic pedal steel, and drummer Aaron Sterling gave it all a sense of forward momentum.

That much is clear from the album opening title track. A fiddle sawing banjo stomp with Munsick’s edgy vocal buzz in its full glory, “The Mountain Goat” is both a classic play on words spotlighting his Rocky Mountain credentials, and a tribute to those who resist the flat lands of conformity.

Elsewhere, tracks like the primal, pulse-pounding “Geronimo” take a flying leap off the ledge of love, and the easy trot of “My Montana” gives Big-Sky romance a mood-boosting beat (plus a soaring, free-spirited sound). “I’m a true tenor so there’s no use trying to fit in with the country norm,” Munsick says with a laugh. “Just got to work with the tools God gave me.”

Meanwhile, the overwhelming emotion of becoming a girl-dad surprised Munsick, even as an experienced parent. Tracks like stormy soul ballad “Blue Roan” begin with a tender, Spanish-style guitar, before swelling into a ferocious warning to any future smooth-talking outlaws. It’s joined by the controlled explosive outburst of “World War III.” “I’m a friendly guy, but if you hurt her, I’m going to hunt you down. Those are new emotions for me,” he explains.

Mother nature takes its rightful place in the center of Munsick’s worldview – even when it’s not obvious. With rusty country-rock hooks and a steel-braided drawl, “Cutthroat World” turns an icy trout stream into a restorative getaway. Through the serene prairie pop of “Palomino Eyes,” Munsick’s free-rein falsetto helps frame the stunning beauty he sees in his wife – and the beautiful world she makes possible. On “Winter in Wyoming,” he bids a sub-zero goodbye to a bitter heart.

Munsick takes on the role of a protector on the quiet, soul-and-steel guitar ballad, “Made Me a Man,” then the antidote to heartbreak on the intoxicating, atmospheric rocker, “Medicine Man.” A hand-crafted selection of interludes reference his favorite movie (Legends of the Fall) and an old-timey favorite from his family band (“The Girl I Left Behind”). But it’s not nostalgia Munsick feels for the Western way of life. That, he’s quick to point out, is very much alive.

With the rough-and-ready roadhouse anthem “Earn Your Spurs,” the rancher-turned-Rocky Mountain ambassador sizes up the cosmopolitan cowboys he sees every day. A dusky swirl of baritone guitar and cinematic synth back the message “Anyone can buy the boots, but you gotta earn your spurs.” As The Mountain Goat, it’s both a truth he was born into, and wisdom he’s privileged to share with the world.

“I don’t want to come off as a jerk, but being a cowboy is a lot more than just wearing the hat,” he says. “The main thing is just being able to be real and be who I am. What I want is for people to understand that Western life is not a thing of the past. It’s still here and hopefully it will continue to thrive in the mainstream of country music. And if you know, you know.”

Black Metal Kings DARK FUNERAL Release New Live Album 'A Beast To Praise' — Out Now via Century Media

August 21, 2026

Today, the Swedish kings of black metal, DARK FUNERAL, unleash their long awaited new live album, ‘A Beast To Praise,’ out now via Century Media. To celebrate the live release’s street date, the band shares a new live video for “Nail Them To The Cross (Live in Stockholm),” available below.

Recorded at Fållan in Stockholm in 2022, 'A Beast To Praise' captures DARK FUNERAL's devastating live performance in support of their acclaimed album 'We Are The Apocalypse.'Spanning 13 tracks and nearly 70 minutes, the release showcases the band's relentless stage presence while celebrating an album that entered the charts across Europe upon it's 2022 release, including #6 in Germany, #13 in Finland, #28 in Switzerland, #29 in Austria, and #31 in Sweden.

Watch the Live Video for "Nail Them To The Cross"

DARK FUNERAL’s Lord Ahriman comments on ‘A Beast To Praise’:

“‘A Beast To Praise’ (Live at Fållan, Stockholm) captures a very important moment in the history of DARK FUNERAL — not only the live release ritual for ‘We Are The Apocalypse,’but also our return to the stage after years of silence during the pandemic. That night at Fållanwas intense in every possible way. The energy in the room, the fire, the audience, and the atmosphere all came together into something far beyond an ordinary concert. This release is the immortal document of that night. With the release of this live album and the upcoming European touring cycle in the fall of 2026, we now close the chapter surrounding ‘We Are The Apocalypse.’ At the same time, we are already deeply focused on the next era of DARK FUNERAL and hard at work creating new material for what will become our next studio album, planned for release in 2027. And as one chapter closes, a new one is already taking shape — bigger, darker, and more epic than ever before...”

Order 'A Beast To Praise' HERE

DARK FUNERAL will next embark on the massive “In League With Satan” tour across Europe together with Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir in October. All upcoming tour dates currently announced can be found below.

DARK FUNERAL Live:

August 6-9 - Schlotheim, Germany @ Party.San Open Air

August 28-30 - Câmpulung, Romania @ Posada Rock

August 28-30 - Požega, Serbia @ Hellhammer Festival

"In League With Satan" – European Tour

w/ Behemoth & Dimmu Borgir

October 9 - Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622

October 10 - Zwickau, Germany @ Sparkassen-Arena Zwickau

October 11 - Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal

October 13 - Milan, Italy @ Alcatraz

October 14 - Munich, Germany @ Zenith

October 16 - Paris, France @ Zenith

October 18 - Den Bosch, The Netherlands @ Mainstage

October 20 - Cologne, Germany @ Palladium

October 22 - Hamburg, Germany @ Inselpark Arena

October 23 - Berlin, Germany @ Columbiahalle

October 24 - Brno, Czech Republic @ Hala Vodova

October 27 - Helsinki, Finland @ Ice Hall

October 29 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Hovet

October 30 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ K.B. Hallen

DARK FUNERAL Live 2027

August 21 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany @ Summer Breeze Open Air

August 22 - Carhaix, France @ Motocultor Festival

More info and tickets can be found HERE

Stay alert for more news on DARK FUNERAL and many more shows to be announced soon…

DARK FUNERAL are:

Lord Ahriman – Guitars

Chaq Mol – Guitars

Heljarmadr – Vocals

Adra-Melek – Bass

Jalomaah – Drums

XTC's Colin Moulding presents 'Want It Bad (The Pep Talks and Playing Fields of Old England)'. Watch the video & get the CD via Burning Shed

August 15, 2026

XTC founding member and acclaimed songwriter Colin Moulding is back with 'Want It Bad (The Pep Talks and Playing Fields of Old England)', a three-track CD single that offers another tantalising glimpse into the creative process of one of the UK’s finest songwriters, plus an accompanying video.

Released via Burning Shed and presented in a four-panel digisleeve, the CD features the title track, along with ‘Something About The Boy (James Bond Demo for Female Voice)’ and an exploratory demo of the title track. Moulding continues to explore a distinctly English pop sensibility, showcasing his English pop vision with XTC's trademark qualities of melody, rhythm, variety, and idiosyncratic subject matter, mixed in with nostalgia and a degree of pensiveness.

This is Moulding's second solo release, following 'The Hardest Battle', released several years ago. the video for which focused on George IV and filmed at St Mary’s Uffington and Salisbury Cathedral in cooperation with the Royal Shakespeare Company on wardrobe.

While 'Want It Bad' began as a song of sport and camaraderie, it soon took on a broader meaning. Moulding shares, "Although this song started life as a sporting pep talk, it was clear that it could easy be thought of as a mantra for ones own life ambitions whatever they may be. If you want something in this life you have to really want it. And if you really want it, you’ll get it -- that was my mantra."

The artwork, created by Andrew Swainson, and Androideo video, created by Thomas Walsh, are derived from ‘Les Coureurs’ by Robert Delaunay, whose depiction of runners perfectly captured the spirit Moulding wanted to convey.

"I was scouting around for a cover that would signify human endeavour. I had written 'Want It Bad', which basically amounted to a pep talk by a sporting coach to his team. Football perhaps... something made me think of the runners on the beach in the film “Chariots of Fire", explains Colin Moulding.

"After many permutations, Andrew, my artwork designer, said "What about Delaunay and his runners?" and when he showed me, there was no doubt. So it was derived from “Les Coureurs” by Robert Delaunay, a French painter from the early part of the twentieth century. Check him out!"

This new release also opens a window onto two very different stages of Moulding’s songwriting process ‘Something About The Boy (James Bond Demo for Female Voice)’ reveals a long-held ambition inspired by the James Bond films of Moulding’s childhood.

"I was a big James Bond fan. My father had taken me to see the first three - 'Dr No', 'From Russia with Love', and 'Goldfinger'…..In the 1960’s. I had secretly nursed an ambition that one day John Barry and I would work on a theme together (hey ya got to have dreams kid!). So here then was my idea to put to John Barry. Only trouble was I had to sing it myself to demonstrate the female lead. The key could have been a problem, but it had not occurred to me. I’m still a dreamer even today," shares Colin Moulding.

The third track, ‘Want It Bad (Demo)’, is an even more immediate snapshot of the writing process, with Colin noting, “Quite simply, my working demo knocked out in about an hour with a hand-held 57 microphone, different lyrics, and no bass. This is something for the musos, I guess.”

Founded in 1972, XTC only had their first UK charting single in 1979. Moulding wrote the first three charting singles ('Life Begins at the Hop', 'Making Plans for Nigel' and 'Generals and Majors') and continued with frontman Andy Partridge through the group's dissolution in 2006. In 1984, Moulding also co-founded The Dukes of Stratosphear, anticipating and celebrated by retro-minded movements such as the Paisley Underground.

Decades later, Moulding reunited with original XTC drummer Terry Chambers under the TC&I moniker, releasing two CDs (the 'Great Aspirations' EP and the album 'Naked Flames: Live at Swindon Arts Centre') and playing a series of live shows through a Swindon residency.

A driving force in establishing XTC as one of Britain's most inventive and influential bands, Moulding once again invites listeners behind the curtain -- not simply presenting the finished song, but revealing some of the ideas, experiments and musical possibilities that shaped it along the way.

As of September 18, ‘Want It Bad’ is available on CD exclusively via Burning Shed, where 'The Hardest Battle' can also be obtained, as well as music and merch from TC&I and Colin's other projects.

Ryan Perdz Releases Debut Album 'Can't Cry' And New Music Video For "Blood On My Love" via Big Machine Rock

August 15, 2026

New York singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Perdz has released his debut album 'Can't Cry' via Big Machine Rock. In celebration, Perdz has dropped his latest music video for the track "Blood On My Love" off the full-length. Leading up to today, Perdz shared "Sour", "Heavy Eyes" and most recently, a fresh reimagination of "Time to Pretend". Speaking about the inspiration behind "Blood On My Love", he commented:

"'Blood On My Love' is a song about the consequences of loving the wrong person. You wish it never happened, but all you can do is move on, even if you’re covered in regret.”

Fans will soon have their chance to see Perdz hit the road on the '20 Years Unplugged' tour across the US with labelmate multi-GRAMMY® award-nominated, multi-platinum rock band Daughtry. The run kicks off on Monday, October 12 in Troy, New York, and wraps in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, November 14 (ticket info here). 'Can't Cry' is available now on all streaming platforms at the link here, and watch the official music video for "Blood On My Love" below.

20 Years Unplugged Tour Dates:

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

ABOUT RYAN PERDZ

Ryan Perdz is a 25-year-old singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Buffalo, NY. Raised on his grandparents’ family farm, he began teaching himself guitar at age ten and expanded into bass, violin, and mandolin, developing a hands-on approach to songwriting and arrangement.

Influenced by artists such as Nirvana, Chris Cornell, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Led Zeppelin, Perdz channels the emotional weight of 90s rock through a modern lens, balancing grit with melody. His music often explores isolation, self-doubt, and perseverance, delivered with a clarity that feels lived-in rather than ornamental.

After independently releasing multiple singles and his First Sight EP an racking up tens of millions of views across social media, Perdz cultivated a loyal audience through consistent self-directed output. In 2025, he signed with Big Machine Rock and began recording his debut full-length album. His growing catalogue of original music has generated millions of streams, and his audience continues to expand across digital platforms.

As he prepares to unveil his debut album, Ryan Perdz stands positioned at the forefront of a new generation of rock artists shaped by both digital culture and classic influences.

MARILYN MANSON RELEASES ONE ASSASSINATION UNDER GOD – CHAPTER 2

August 14, 2026

Rock/metal icon MARILYN MANSON has released his highly anticipated new album, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2, available now worldwide via Nuclear Blast Records. To mark the occasion, MANSON has also unveiled the official music video directed by Anthony Silva (@poisonpix) for the album's opening track, ‘Unalive,’ expanding on his signature dark, cinematic vision.

Co-written and co-produced alongside longtime collaborator Tyler Bates, One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 finds MANSON pushing even deeper into the stark, cinematic landscape introduced on its predecessor. Balancing crushing industrial intensity with haunting melody and moments of unsettling beauty, the nine-song collection, including ‘Unalive’ and recent singles ‘Exit Wound’ and ‘Front Toward Enemy,’ stands among his most focused and immersive works to date.

Following today's release, MARILYN MANSON returns to the road next week for a major North American tour, bringing One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 to audiences across the U.S. alongside Rob Zombie before continuing with additional headline performances this fall.

Stream/Purchase One Assassination Under God - Chapter 2: https://mm.bfan.link/oaug-ch-2

‘UNALIVE’ MUSIC VIDEO:

MARILYN MANSON & ROB ZOMBIE Co-Headline Tour Dates w / THE HU & ORGY

Aug 20 - West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre ^+
Aug 21 - Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre ^+
Aug 23 - Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre ^+
Aug 24 - Charlotte, NC @ Truliant Amphitheater ^+
Aug 26 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center ^+
Aug 27 - Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center ^+
Aug 29 - Burgettstown, PA @ The Pavilion at Star Lake ^+
Aug 30 - Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater ^+
Sep 1 - Toronto, ON @ RBC Amphitheatre ^+
Sep 2 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH @ Blossom Music Center ^+
Sep 4 - Clarkston, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre ^+
Sep 5 - Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre ^+
Sep 6 - Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Music Center ^+
Sep 9 - St. Louis, MO @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheater ^+
Sep 10 - Kansas City, MO @ Morton Amphitheater ^+
Sep 12 - Greenwood Village, CO @ Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre *^+
Sep 14 - West Valley City, UT @ Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ^+
Sep 16 - Airway Heights, WA @ BECU Live at Northern Quest +
Sep 17 - Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre ^+
Sep 18 - Ridgefield, WA @ Cascades Amphitheater ^+
Sep 20 - Concord, CA @ Toyota Pavilion at Concord ^+

* Not a Live Nation show
^ With The Hu

+ With Orgy

MARILYN MANSON Headline & Festival Dates

Oct 15 - New Orleans, LA - The Fillmore

Oct 17 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theatre

Oct 18 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theatre

Oct 21 - Austin, TX - Emo’s

Oct 22 - Austin, TX - Emo’s

Oct 24 - Fort Worth, TX - Sick New World Texas

Oct 31 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern (SOLD OUT)

Nov 1 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern (SOLD OUT)

Stream MARILYN MANSON:

Apple Music | Spotify

Follow MARILYN MANSON:

Swedish Metal Maestros WORMWOOD Release New EP ‘Å’ — Out Now via Black Lodge Records / Sound Pollution

August 8, 2026

WORMWOOD, one of Sweden’s most distinctive and internationally acclaimed metal bands, proudly release their new EP ‘Å,’ out now via Black Lodge Records / Sound Pollution. The EP contains two long tracks in classic WORMWOOD fashion, while also introducing new elements that have found their way into the sound as WORMWOOD continue to evolve as a band.

‘Å’ is a concept EP built around an idea that has been growing for some time, but never quite belonged on any previous, or upcoming, full-length album. It is a contemporary portrayal told through two filthy stories, inspired by the more marginalized circles of Stockholm. In other words, this is as raw, real and authentic as we can portray reality through music.

Order 'Å' HERE

With four full-length albums, one EP, a live release, and now the forthcoming ‘Å,’ WORMWOOD have built a catalog that continually evolves while deepening the band’s artistic identity. Their work has received widespread recognition: two nominations for “Rock/Metal of the Year” at P3 Guld, strong placements on the official Swedish charts, and recurring international praise from metal media around the world. WORMWOOD have also appeared on several global “Album of the Year” lists – a testament to their growing influence.

WORMWOOD’s reputation, however, is not confined to the studio. The band has toured extensively across Europe, performed at major festivals, and completed their own headline tours. Their audience continues to grow steadily, particularly in Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where their cinematic music videos and strong digital presence further enhance their visual and musical identity.

WORMWOOD stands as one of the most forward-thinking and compelling bands in Swedish metal. With ‘Å,’ they take another step in their artistic evolution – one that promises to captivate both loyal fans and new listeners around the world.

Watch the Official Music Video for "YRA / EXTAS" Below:

Since their formation in Stockholm in 2014, WORMWOOD have developed a sound that is as unmistakable as it is atmospheric. With their characteristic fusion of extreme metal, Scandinavian melancholy, folk influences, and cinematic storytelling, the band has created a sonic landscape that both moves and mesmerizes. Their music effortlessly shifts between grand, epic scope and brutally grounded intensity – a balance few bands truly master.

WORMWOOD are:

Nine – Vocals

Tobias Rydsheim – Guitar, Keys, Vocals

Jerry Engström – Guitar

Oskar Tornborg – Bass, Vocals

Simon Samuelsson – Drums

I C Red Unleash "Thermal" EP — LISTEN // Band Shares "Killing Me" Video

August 8, 2026

I C RED officially launched in 2026, but the force behind it has been building toward this moment for years. They grew up in the music industry, learning it from the inside, taking hits, sharpening their sound, and earning their instincts the hard way. What started as a tightknit team with a shared history evolved into something heavier, darker, and more intentional. An industrial-leaning rock project built on aggressive energy, cinematic production, and hooks that stick.

Their first breach into the system was "Industry Superstar" hit March 6. It was the opening transmission that marked the start of the rollout and the world of I C RED coming online. The band's bold, high impact, and visually cohesive look blends modern heaviness with electronic textures and a concept driven aesthetic that is as striking as the music itself. In a world where everyone is overstimulated, distracted, and numb, I C RED is here to break the trance and make people feel emotion again

Today, the band shares it debut EP, Thermal. Listen here.

The band also shared the video for "KILLING ME." Watch it Below:

"At a time when everyone is distracted, overstimulated and increasingly numb, the transmissions on THERMAL were designed to cut through the noise.... to wake you up and make you feel your emotions again. If this record makes you feel something, then the transmissions did the job," says the band.

"We've always been drawn to industrial music, but we also love the huge hooks and impact of modern active rock and metal. THERMAL came from wanting to force those two worlds together and create something that feels both mechanical and human."

MORTIIS Announces and Streams Digital EP, "Farewell Romero"

August 5, 2026

Iconic Norwegian artist MORTIIS is now revealing a digital EP today, 'Farewell Romero.' The EP draws its inspiration and namesake from the eponymous song, which was originally featured on his recently released full-length, 'Ghosts of Europa.'

'Farewell Romero' features the original album track and a fascinating new version of this song with renowned French artist Nicolas Horvath. The classical pianist has previously collaborated with ALCEST and is also known for his work with the famous Japanese animation Studio Ghibli, among many other exciting projects. The third track is a new variant (Madrigal version) of the 'Ghosts of Europa' track 'Violent Silence,' featuring former TODESBONDEN vocalist Laurie Ann Haus. The EP can be streamed in its entirety at THIS LOCATION.

MORTIIS comments, "It has always been my nature to experiment and try new ideas, so to some, it's probably not a surprise that I had a couple of variations of some of the songs from 'Ghosts of Europa' sitting around. When I write songs, I tend to try a lot of directions out, and sometimes there are brutal production decisions to be made, such as killing off otherwise great melodies, or entire sections, from songs. This is probably why I have always been pretty open to creating variations of the songs. Sometimes 'killing your darlings' is just too damn painful. Oh, and the artwork for this EP might be my personal favourite from the 'Ghosts of Europa' series."

This EP follows up 'Ghosts of Europa,' which was released on June 26, 2026 via Prophecy Productions, making it MORTIIS' debut to the label! 'Ghosts of Europa' is available as ltd. box set incl. 2CD artbook edition, gatefold LP (excl. handmade sand-filled vinyl), bonus LP, music cassette et al. (50 copies). Ltd. box set incl. 2CD artbook edition, gatefold LP (excl. 'galaxy' metallic vinyl), bonus LP, music cassette et al. (450 copies). As a 60-page hardcover 2CD artbook incl. 8-track bonus CD, ltd. Gatefold marble smoke vinyl LP (300 copies), ltd. Gatefold crystal clear vinyl LP (300 copies), Gatefold black vinyl LP, and Digipak CD Pre-orders are now live HERE.

Mortiis is a pioneering dark ambient and industrial metal artist, widely credited as the founder of the dungeon synth genre, whose work spans from haunting atmospheric soundscapes to abrasive, genre-defying electronic metal. With a legacy stretching over three decades, he remains one of the most influential and enigmatic figures in underground dark music

With Ghosts of Europa, the enigmatic Norwegian artistic entity, known as MORTIIS, presents an album that he views as a creative liberation. During its long and winding creation process such concepts as genre, rules or experimenting with sounds dissolved while simply making music that reflected every conceivable idea on his mind without accepting any limitations became his guiding principle.

Of course, MORTIIS' musical handwriting is ever present. Echoes from the often quite divergent phases of his previous works can be found across Ghosts of Europa. Yet, the creator of musical worlds left hardly a stone not turned in his epic quest for genuinely new ways of expression. As a result, this cinematic and visionary album often feels expansive, strange, and darkly dystopian. In this, Ghosts of Europa reflects its maker's struggles while creating the album – as for him, these tend to come into existence at the cost of friendships and relationships as well as much soul searching.

"Ghosts of Europa" has also been shaped to some extent by the original idea that involved a collaboration of MORTIIS with Stephan Groth from APOPTYGMA BERZERK based on their mutual fascination with the highly influential old German school of electronic music, and particularly TANGERINE DREAM and Klaus Schulze. When this fell apart, MORTIIS decided to continue on his own and a long process of transforming the early recorded materials began.

Relics of this early stage remain in hints of the influences from Berlin as well as a host of guest contributions, but visions of bleak, desolate, and timeless alien landscapes warped and mutated the songs. This carried Ghosts of Europa into spaces where MORTIIS never existed before.

In the beginning of the artistic entity MORTIIS there was black metal. The artist Håvard Ellefsen known as the musical entity MORTIIS started out as a bass player in and during the formation of legendary Norwegian band EMPEROR in 1991 and 1992. After parting ways with these black metal pioneers, MORTIIS embarked on a solo career, the so called Era I From 1993 until 1999, the Norwegian released six full-length albums that were entirely composed on synthesizers and are considered to constitute a fundamental influence on the later Dungeon Synth genre.

In the next decades, MORTIIS evolved and redefined is sound through several eras that embraces experimental & heavy industrial rock, a new wave of gothic & electronic influences, experimental studio works, and back to his roots.

During most of his career MORTIIS has performed with a mask and face prosthetic that turned his stage persona into an otherworldly being. Over the year, his looks have changed and evolved. For a time during 'Era 0', his live concept even abandoned the wearing of the iconic mask. MORTIIS' stage entity has often been compared with a troll – a creature of Nordic folklore, which it was never intended to be according to the artist.

"Ghosts of Europa" is the sonic testimony of an experienced and matured musician, who created what he loves most and does best: electronic rock with stylistic influences from many genres while not being bound by any that creates dark soundscapes, cinematic sonic visions, and a plethora of emotions. Just when you think that you have finally figured "Ghosts of Europa" out, MORTIIS will surprise you with another facet and fresh aspect of his richly detailed masterpiece.

Line-up:

Håvard "Mortiis" Ellefsen – vocals, keyboards, vocoder, bass guitar, programming

Guest musicians

Benedicte Computorgirl (COMPUTORGIRL) – vocals on track 4

Christopher Amott (ARCH ENEMY et al.) – guitar solo on track 7

Christopher Rakkestad (ELVARHØI, BOLVERK) – vocals on track 1-6

Emil Nikolaisen (SERENA MANEESH, BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE et al.) – fuzz & noise guitars & additional FX on track 3 & 4

Iliana Basileios Tsakiraki (ENEMY OF REALITY, SEPTICFLESH et al.) – vocals on tracks 1, 2, & 5

Laurie Ann Haus (BLIZZARD GAMES) – vocals on track 1, 2, 5 & 7

Matthew Setzer (SKINNY PUPPY, LONDON AFTER MDNIGHT) – throat singing on track 7

Michal Kielbasa (BLACK MAGIC RITES et al.) – tubular bell & vibraphone on track 2, tubular bell on track 6 & tabla loops, additional synths & FX on track 7

Sarah Jezebel Deva (THE KOVENANT, CRADLE OF FILTH et al.) – vocals on tracks 1-3, 5 & 6

Thomas Bolverk (RAGNAROK, BOLVERK) – distortion, clean & sampled guitars on track 6

Thorsten Quaeschning (TANGERINE DREAM) – additional synths & sequencers on track 1

Vegard Blomberg (MOCK) – e-bow & guitars on track 2, additional Copicat, Space Echo, fuzz & e-bow guitars) on track 4, Copicat, Space Echo & fuzz guitars on track 4, fuzz guitars on track 6, fuzz & ambient guitars on track & guitars on track 8

Erling Blomberg – additional guitars on track 8

Album Credits:

Recorded (re-recorded, re-animated & eternally tweaked and re-tweaked) at various locations over a thousand sessions during years of misery, poverty, and disdain (2020-2026) in Fredrikstad (NO)

Early vocal recording by co-producer Stephan Groth at Pitch Black Drive, Fredrikstad (NO)

Mix by Sean Beavan at The Grey Room, Crestline, CA (US)

Mastering by Jules Seifert at Epic Audio Media, London (UK)

Cover Artist: Nihil

Layout Creator: Laurent Clément (Dead Seed Productions)

Pre-orders:

https://mortiiswebstore.com/pages/ghosts-of-europa

Available formats:

"Ghosts of Europa" is available as a 60-page hardcover 2CD artbook incl. 8-track bonus CD, ltd. Gatefold XXX vinyl LP, Gatefold black vinyl LP, and Digipak CD.

MORTIIS Links:

SINNER BOOM BANG GOODBYE OUT NOW: SINNER RELEASE FINAL STUDIO ALBUM AND NEW VIDEO FOR “ALL NIGHT LONG”

July 31, 2026

With Boom Bang Goodbye, SINNER release their final studio album today via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). After more than four decades, 19 studio albums and countless live shows, the band led by Mat Sinner bid farewell with a record that distils their entire career into eleven powerful songs. Alongside the album, SINNER have also released a new video for “All Night Long,” arguably the most carefree and life-affirming anthem on the record, featuring Ronnie Romero on vocals.

What began as Mat Sinner’s vision in 1982 evolved over more than four decades into one of the most enduring and influential institutions of the German hard rock and metal scene. From their early classics to the chart success of Brotherhood (#12 in Germany, 2022), SINNER have always remained a band that refused to follow trends, instead forging their own path with passion, integrity and an unwavering love of rock ’n’ roll.

With Boom Bang Goodbye, this journey does not end quietly. Instead, SINNER bow out with an album that once again brings together everything the band have always stood for: soaring melodies, powerful guitars, anthemic choruses and genuine emotion. Produced by Mat Sinner and completed together with Alex Scholpp, the album spans an impressive range from classic hard rock and melodic metal to modern arena anthems.

Opening track “Dreams Can Come True” immediately sets the album’s emotional tone, telling a story of hope, perseverance and the courage to keep believing in your dreams despite every setback. Songs such as “Wait,” “Leave It All Behind” and “Turn The Page” reflect on farewells, the passing of time and inner strength, while “Hellbreaker” and “Under The Moonlight” deliver the riff-driven heaviness that has defined SINNER for decades.

To coincide with the album release, SINNER have also unveiled the video for “All Night Long.” With Ronnie Romero behind the microphone, the song becomes a musical journey back to the golden days of rock ’n’ roll. Memories of sweaty clubs, endless summer nights and unbreakable friendships meet an instantly infectious chorus. The accompanying video captures exactly that spirit, packed with energy, good times and genuine rock ’n’ roll moments. “All Night Long” is the perfect feel-good soundtrack for the summer and, at the same time, one final collective toast to more than forty years of SINNER history. Because even though Boom Bang Goodbye marks the end of a chapter, one thing remains truer than ever: The party goes on.

For this final statement, Mat Sinner has once again assembled an impressive cast of longtime companions and outstanding musicians. Alex Scholpp (guitar) and Moritz Müller (drums) provide the album’s powerful foundation, joined by Jim Müller (KISSIN’ DYNAMITE), Lisa Müller, returning SINNER guitarist Mathias “Don” Dieth, and Magnus Karlsson, who has worked closely with Mat Sinner for many years.

Vocally, Boom Bang Goodbye also becomes an extraordinary meeting of remarkable voices. Ronnie Romero, Michael Bormann, Michael Sadler (SAGA), Björn “Speed” Strid (SOILWORK), Erik Mårtensson (ECLIPSE), Renan Zonta and Sascha Krebs each bring their own distinctive character to the songs, making the album a fitting farewell filled with exceptional vocal performances.

Mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Boom Bang Goodbye combines modern power with the classic SINNER DNA. Every song bears Mat Sinner’s unmistakable signature – as a musician, songwriter and one of the defining figures of the European hard rock and metal scene.

Boom Bang Goodbye is far more than simply the final SINNER album. It is an emotional legacy. A thank-you to the fans. And one last firework display of anthems, memories and passion.

Or, as Mat Sinner himself puts it:
“The last one turns off the lights.”

Boom Bang Goodbye can be ordered or streamed here:
https://sinner.rpm.link/boomPR

Hard Rock Supergroup ICONIC Releases Sophomore Album 'II' — Out Now via Frontiers Music Srl

July 31, 2026

Today, hard rock supergroup ICONIC - featuring Michael Sweet (guitars), Joel Hoekstra(guitars), Marco Mendoza (bass), Tommy Aldridge (drums), and Nathan James (vocals) – proudly releases their sophomore album ‘II,’ out on now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the release, the band also shares the new single, "Heart Of Stone," alongside an official video, available below.

Joel Hoekstra comments on the new single:

“'Heart Of Stone' has a catchy melody delivered beautifully by Nathan James. It was a pleasure to write the riffs for this one, and of course to record them and dig deep for the solo. Hope everyone likes it!”

Michael Sweet adds:

“We couldn’t be more excited to release 'Heart Of Stone.' To be able to create music with such amazing musicians and then know that this music is inspiring people around the world is such a blessing! I hope you enjoy 'Heart Of Stone'!”

“Another great track! This album has got some gems, this one is no exception!! Enjoy rock & roll at its finest!,” continues Marco Mendoza.

Watch the Official Video for "Heart Of Stone" Below:

ICONIC returns with ‘II,’ a second album that doesn’t just continue the band’s journey - it defines it. Where their debut introduced the chemistry between five world-class musicians, II sharpens that vision into a clearer, heavier, and more confident sonic identity, delivering a sound that is more powerful, more direct, and unmistakably rock.

At the heart of the album lies the electrifying guitar partnership of Joel Hoekstra and Michael Sweet, delivering a masterclass in soaring melodies, blazing solos, and muscular riffs that perfectly balance technical brilliance with pure hard-rock attitude. Beneath them, the rhythm section of Tommy Aldridge and Marco Mendoza drives the record with thunderous authority, creating a groove that is both massive and relentless.

The album kicks off with “Cry No More,” a high-octane opener that immediately sets the tone - an energetic slice of hard rock packed with driving riffs, explosive drums, and a chorus built to stick.

On the other side of the emotional spectrum, “Tears Keep On Falling” showcases the band’s dynamic range, unfolding as an electrifying power ballad where melody, atmosphere, and intensity come together in dramatic fashion.

Towering above it all is Nathan James, whose performance on ‘II’ is nothing short of extraordinary - powerful, soulful, and commanding, elevating every track with unmistakable presence.

With bigger riffs, deeper grooves, and a stronger sense of identity, ‘II’ captures ICONIC at full force: a band no longer introducing itself but fully owning its sound.

Order 'II' HERE

Line Up:

Nathan James - Vocals

Michael Sweet - Guitars

Joel Hoekstra - Guitars

Marco Mendoza - Bass

Tommy Aldridge - Drums

Keyboards by Antonio Agate

Backing Vocals by Marco Pastorino

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH RELEASE "LEGACY," THE DEFINING ALBUM OF A 20-YEAR CAREER, + NEW SONG "NAILS IN THE COFFIN" — LISTEN

July 31, 2026

Twenty years and 10 albums into one of the most successful hard rock careers of the modern era, Five Finger Death Punch today released Legacy, the record the band regards as the definitive statement of everything they are. The album arrives on the heels of current single "Eye Of The Storm," delivering the band's 18th No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, extending their own record for the most consecutive No. 1s in the chart's 45-year history. Few bands reach a 20th anniversary. Fewer still reach it at the height of their commercial power.

Revolver praised the track's blend of battering riffs and melody driven by Ivan Moody's introspective vocal performance, while Loudwire called it "a furious opening statement for the new album cycle."

Founding guitarist Zoltan Bathory left no doubt about where Legacy stands in the band's catalog: "This album is our loud and clear answer to the question of whether a band can stay true to the signature sound that has become the soundtrack to millions of fans' daily lives and still write something new and exciting. Legacy is an absolute monster, an unapologetic monument to how far we've come, and a clear signal that we're not even thinking about slowing down. If you asked me to pick the one record that best represents the essence of this band, I would hand you this one."

Alongside the album, the band today unleashes new song "Nails In The Coffin" (listen below). Bathory offered his perspective on the track: "Ivan never defines the meaning of his lyrics. He doesn't want to rob the fans of their own interpretation, so a song means whatever it's supposed to mean to each listener. That's by design, and I love that about him. But to me, 'Nails In The Coffin' is about burying the things that tried to bury us. Every doubt, every prediction that we wouldn't last, every catastrophe that was supposed to be the last nail in our coffin. 20 years later, we are still here and we're the ones holding the hammer."

Five Finger Death Punch are currently on the first leg of the 20th Anniversary World Tour which takes the band all across North America with special guest Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire before hitting arenas in the UK/EU with Lamb Of God and Bleed From Within in early 2027.

The 20th Anniversary World Tour is both a celebration and a statement, honoring the band's journey from their 2005 formation and release of their debut album,The Way Of The Fist, in 2007 to global arena headliners. The tour will showcase material from the new album, alongside classic anthems and #1 hits that defined the past two decades. Produced by Live Nation and sponsored by Punch'd Energy, the 48-city North American tour is currently underway and will wrap up in Bristow, VA at Jiffy Lube Live on October 23.

In addition to celebrating two decades of music, the band is once again using its platform to give back. Long recognized as one of the most charitable bands in rock, Five Finger Death Punch has spent decades giving back to various causes, including U.S. military veterans and first responders and their families. In 2026, the band is continuing that tradition by supporting Team USA and aligning with the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games being held on American soil in Los Angeles in 2028. As part of the tour's commitment to championing America's next generation of athletes, a portion of the ticket sales from the 2026 North American Tour will benefit high-performance programs for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they prepare for international competition.

For more information on Five Finger Death Punch, all 2026 North America + 2027 European tour dates, and VIP offerings, visit fivefingerdeathpunch.com.

The band's previous albums, Best Of – Volume 1 and Best Of – Volume 2 are available HERE and feature newly re-recorded versions of Five Finger Death Punch's biggest hits from the past two decades.

20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR:
N.A. TOUR DATES:
8/1 — Montreal, QC — Centre Bell
8/2 — Toronto, ON — RBC Amphitheatre
8/4 — Wantagh, NY — Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
8/5 — Holmdel, NJ — PNC Bank Arts Center
8/7 — Burgettstown, PA — The Pavilion at Star Lake
8/8 — Noblesville, IN — Ruoff Music Center
8/10 — Cincinnati, OH — Riverbend Music Center
8/11 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH — Blossom Music Center
8/13 — Milwaukee, WI — American Family Insurance Amphitheater
8/15 — Grand Rapids, MI — Acrisure Amphitheater
8/16 — Clarkston, MI — Pine Knob Music Theatre
8/18 — Shakopee, MN — Mystic Lake Amphitheater
8/19 — Tinley Park, IL — Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
8/21 — Saint Louis, MO — Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
9/8 — Morrison, CO — Red Rocks Amphitheatre
9/11 — Auburn, WA — White River Amphitheatre
9/12 — Ridgefield, WA — Cascades Amphitheater
9/14 — Wheatland, CA — Toyota Amphitheatre
9/16 — Mountain View, CA — Shoreline Amphitheatre
9/18 — Long Beach, CA — Long Beach Amphitheater
9/19 — Las Vegas, NV — Michelob ULTRA Arena
9/22 — Salt Lake City, UT — Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
9/24 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre *
9/25 — Albuquerque, NM — Isleta Amphitheater *
9/27 — Houston, TX — Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
9/28 — Austin, TX — Germania Insurance Amphitheater
9/30 — Fort Worth, TX — Dickies Arena
10/2 — Rogers, AR — Walmart AMP
10/3 — Kansas City, MO — Morton Amphitheater
10/5 — Biloxi, MS — Mississippi Coast Coliseum
10/7 — Huntsville, AL — Orion Amphitheater
10/8 — Franklin, TN — FirstBank Amphitheater
10/10 — Tampa, FL — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/11 — West Palm Beach, FL — iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
10/13 — Alpharetta, GA — Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
10/14 — Raleigh, NC — Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
10/16 — Charlotte, NC — Truliant Amphitheater
10/17 — Virginia Beach, VA — Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach
10/19 — Greenville, SC — Bon Secours Wellness Arena
10/21 — Columbus, OH — Nationwide Arena
10/23 — Bristow, VA — Jiffy Lube Live
* Without Cody Jinks

UK + EUROPE:
1/16 — Manchester, UK — AO Arena
1/17 — Glasgow, UK — OVO Hydro Arena
1/19 — Dublin, IE — 3Arena
1/22 — Birmingham, UK — BP Pulse Arena
1/23 — London, UK — O2 Arena
1/26 — Düsseldorf, DE — PSD Arena
1/27 — Hamburg, DE — Barclays Arena
1/29 — Lodz, PL — Atlas Arena
1/31 — Prague, CZ — O2 Arena *^
2/2 — Munich, DE — Olympiahalle
2/4 — Stuttgart, DE — Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
2/7 — Amsterdam, NL — AFAS Arena
2/8 — Brussels, BE — Vorst National
2/10 — Paris, FR — Accor Arena
2/12 — Zürich, CH — Hallenstadion
2/14 — Vienna, AT — Stadthalle
2/16 — Berlin, DE — Uber Arena
2/17 — Copenhagen, DK — Royal Arena *
2/19 — Oslo, NO — Unity Arena
2/20 — Stockholm, SE — Avicii Arena
2/22 — Helsinki, FI — Veikkaus Arena
*Without Lamb Of God | ^ With Dymytry

Gunshine's New Album 'Grand Rising' Out Now! Release Single "Capt'n Save a Hoe"

July 27, 2026

Florida rock band Gunshine have released their new album, Grand Rising, along with the focus track "Capt'n Save A Hoe" via vnclm_ / Create Music Group. With Grand Rising, Gunshine raise the bar yet again in an exciting evolution of the band. The album takes listeners on a dynamic journey filled with genre-bending twists and turns, shifting moods, and unexpected vibes—all while staying true to the core elements that set Gunshine apart. Featuring 13 tracks, each single-worthy in its own right, Grand Rising is poised to become a modern-day rock classic.

"I'm very proud of this record, it's definitely fresh and original. As we continue to put out music, I think our fans and other listeners will see that we are not boxed into one sound or one 'thing'. We love being creative and making true art, just writing whatever comes out. I'm super stoked for everyone to hear this record!" says Austin Ingerman.

He continues, "'Capt'n Save a Hoe' blends rock, hip hop, and funk elements with a groove that sets the tone throughout the track. Lyrically it's a reminder to not get dragged down by a relationship that's no longer serving you. I had fun with the production on this one and added a lot of hip hop inspired layers. The main groove was actually inspired by Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgettin''. I've always liked songs that blend multiple genres and flavors, and we definitely did that on this song."

"We tracked the whole record, (except "Goth Girl" and "Single Looks Good On You"), in Las Vegas with producer/mixer Chris Collier (Korn, Mick Mars, Whitesnake, Lynchmob). I've been working with Chris for about 9 years now. He's incredibly talented, has a great ear, and adds a heavy hitting production value that makes the songs sonically translate very well."

STREAM "Capt'n Save A Hoe" below:

The album is now available on limited edition vinyl and CD here:

https://gunshine.diggers.store/

Gunshine are:

Austin Ingerman: (Guitar, Vocals)
Jordan Benson: (Lead Vocals, Piano)
Jake Tripp: (Bass, Vocals)
Tommy Salzburg: (Drums, Vocals)

MESHUGGAH Release Remastered Anniversary Editions of 'Destroy Erase Improve' and 'Catch Thirtythree'

July 27, 2026

The Illustrious Swedish extreme metal band MESHUGGAH mark two notable milestones with Destroy Erase Improve: 30th Anniversary Edition and Catch Thirtythree: 20th Anniversary Edition. Released via Reigning Phoenix Music, MESHUGGAH honor two of their most influential works with these remastered anniversary editions. Both titles are available on vinyl, CD digipack, and digitally, featuring the original album artwork and newly remastered audio.

Alongside the arrival of Destroy Erase Improve: 30th Anniversary Edition, the remastered single "Suffer in Truth" is featured as one of the most revered songs on the track list.

Listen to "Suffer in Truth" below:

Order the Destroy Erase Improve: 30th Anniversary Edition here: https://meshuggah.rpm.link/destroy30 PR

In celebration of Catch Thirtythree: 20th Anniversary Edition, the remastered "Dehumanization" has been unveiled as one of the album's most momentous offerings.

Listen to "Dehumanization" here: https://meshuggah.rpm.link/dehumanization20PR

Order the Catch Thirtythree: 20th Anniversary Edition here: https://meshuggah.rpm.link/catch20 PR

Originally released in 1995, Destroy Erase Improve marked a decisive turning point not only for MESHUGGAH, but for the future of heavy music itself. The album introduced a sharpened and unmistakable version of the band’s evolving language: machine-like rhythmic precision, dissonant riff architecture, jazz-fusion flashes, and a level of technical control that would become foundational to progressive, extreme, math, and djent-adjacent metal in the decades that followed. Widely regarded as one of the defining metal albums of the 1990s, Destroy Erase Improve remains a blueprint for the sound MESHUGGAH would make entirely their own.

A decade later, MESHUGGAH pushed their vision even further with Catch Thirtythree. Released in 2005, the album stands as one of the band’s most singular statements: a continuous 47-minute composition divided into 13 movements, built around hypnotic repetition, shifting rhythmic illusions, crushing eight-string guitar work, and an atmosphere that remains uniquely immersive within the band’s catalog. Self-produced by MESHUGGAH, Catch Thirtythree also marked the band’s only full-length album built with programmed drums, using Toontrack’s Drumkit From Hell technology as part of its stark, futuristic design.

Both anniversary editions reaffirm the lasting impact of MESHUGGAH’s work across generations of heavy music. From the genre-redefining force of Destroy Erase Improve to the monolithic conceptual scope of Catch Thirtythree, these remastered releases offer longtime followers and new listeners alike the chance to experience two essential chapters in the band’s history with renewed clarity and weight.

Connect with MESHUGGAH:

Website: https://www.meshuggah.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meshuggah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meshuggah
X / Twitter: https://x.com/meshuggah
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meshuggahofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxLbFcGicScOE07gwngd18g
YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/@meshuggah
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ggwAqZD3lyT2sbovlmfQY
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/meshuggah/17304969
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B000QKH3NQ/meshuggah
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/2175
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/artist/3542781
Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/artist/meshuggah

V.B.O. Explore Fast-Paced Love And Neon Lights In "Shadow of Your Kiss", Release Debut Album Vice Business Only

July 27, 2026

Under the neon lights of Miami's streets love burns bright and is fast extinguished in a city that never sleeps. In the new single and video for "Shadow of Your Kiss", V.B.O. expose the light and shade that arises when deep connections are formed and severed in this urban landscape. "Shadow of Your Kiss" arrives alongside V.B.O.'s debut full length Vice Business Only, out now via Reigning Phoenix Music.

"'Shadow of Your Kiss' is the fourth official video by Vice Business Only, telling the story of a love that ignites and fades within the frenzy and chaos of an American metropolis." Explains Francesco Cavalieri..

"The track captures the emotional intensity of a relationship shaped by fast-paced lives, sleepless nights, and moments that burn bright before disappearing. Love is a central element in life, and it holds the same importance in our music. Like all powerful emotions, it carries both passion and pain — leaving behind memories that are beautiful, intense, and impossible to erase. This song is a reflection of that duality: the light and the darkness that every unforgettable connection leaves behind."

Order Vice Business Only HERE!

With eerie bass tones and retro-synth arpeggios, "Shadow of Your Kiss" explores the centrality of love in our lives and the powerful emotions that accompany it. Risers and vocoders enhance the mood as the dynamics ebb and flow across the track. The catchy lead melody hook and vocal lines throughout "Shadow of Your Kiss" inject an anthemic touch that is matched with the electronic textures.

Vice Business Only was recorded at LSD-Studios (Lübeck, Germany), produced, mixed and mastered by Lasse Lammert. Photography is by Onofrio Petronella and Tommaso Barletta, with the album cover artwork design by V.B.O.

V.B.O. Is:

Francesco Cavalieri - Vocals
Simone Giusti - Bass
Claudio Falconcini - Guitar
Federico Meranda - Keys
Angelo Carmignani - Drums

Connect With V.B.O.:

Website: https://www.vbomusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicebusinessonly
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbomusic/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vbomusic