Alt-rock icon CHRIS CONNELLY teases 'Bye Bye Johnny Viola' (on JOHN CALE) ahead of new album celebrating LOU REED

October 13, 2026

Iconic Scottish-born Chicago-based artist Chris Connelly will be releasing his new album 'Doo Wop In The Dark: A Portrait of Lou Reed' via Shipwrecked Industries with distribution by Virtual Label. This colossal 21-track offering is a bombastic reflection on artistic inheritance, tracing how Reed’s restless, confrontational sensibility helped shape Connelly’s own creative identity.

Ahead of that, Connelly presents 'Bye Bye Johnny Viola', following the lead tracks 'Nothin' But A Rock Song' and 'House of 70's'. He explains, "'Bye Bye Johnny Viola' is a postmortem on John Cale being fired from the Velvet Underground. Like'House of 70's', the timeline whirls with events of the time: it's 1968, Valerie Solanas has shot Andy Warhol, 'White Light/White Heat' was a sonic hammer on the hippie dream, and Lou sent Sterling Morrison round to John's apartment to fire him."

'Doo Wop In The Dark: A Portrait of Lou Reed' presents a unique mix, including Lou Reed compositions -- spanning his career from the Velvet Underground onwards -- and songs penned by Connelly, detailing the creative and often turbulent path of Reed's life from his teenage years through to his death in 2013.

Moving between tenderness, menace, alienation, decadence and damaged beauty, Reed is treated not simply as an influence to be celebrated, but as a catalyst for an entire way of making music. The result is both deeply personal and deliberately expansive: a record about finding your own voice by wrestling with the voices that came before you, and about how an artist’s work can become part of another's emotional and creative vocabulary.

'Doo Wop In The Dark' echoes Connelly's acclaimed 2022 album 'Eulogy to Christa: A Tribute to the Music & Mystique of Nico' - one of the most unique, tragic and misunderstood female artists in the history of modern music. Similarly, this new album is dedicated to the wildfire, tempestuous spirit of Lewis Allan Reed (a.k.a. Lou Reed), as well as Chris's dear friend Zak Boerger (1973 -2025).

While mostly produced by Connelly and his Sons of the Silent Age bandmate Alan Holden Berliant, four tracks from this album were produced by Chris Bruce (Meshell Ndegeocello, Seal, Aaron Neville, Bob Dylan, The Waterboys, Sheryl Crow). Mixed by Berliant and Bruce from 2023 to 2026, this record was mastered by James Scott at Populist Recording & Mastering.

Connelly shares a story to highlight the meaning of this album to him:
"The kid was out shopping with his mother: a mandated, boring, endless Saturday afternoon. Spring, maybe summer, 1974. Downtown Edinburgh, some department store. On Princes Street, she shopped; he wandered aimlessly from the toys to the records. He was too old for toys, and didn’t really care about records – not yet – but something caught his nine year-old eye: a nightmarish yet beautiful photo of a strange yellow ghost. Not man not woman, all ghost, as yellow as the sodium street light that illuminated the streets there at night. The ghost seemed to be dancing, arms aloft, blurry jewelry, black lips, dead eyes. It was the Rock N Roll animal.

Fast forward to 2026, and 52 years later the same kid is still obsessed with the same photo. The same kid ended up buying the record in the late 70s or early 80s when he was informed by everything that this untamable spirit was every bit the drug dervish, serpent king of NYC, and the encapsulation and custodian of all the real rock myths, along with Iggy, Bowie, and The Dolls."

That kid is Chris Connelly, who now brings us 'Doo Wop In The Dark' -- arguably his finest work to date -- along with supporting videos, select live dates, and sleeve notes by Lou Reed biographer Aidan Levy (author of https://aidan-levy.com/books/).

An alternative music icon, Connelly has been making music for over four decades. Since his days with Fini Tribe, he has consistently pushed the creative envelope through such projects as Ministry, The Revolting Cocks and Pigface, as well as his solo work (with over 20 releases) or the four books he has authored. 2025 brought Fini Tribe's 3-disc anthology "The Sheer Action of Fini Tribe: 1982-1987', preceded by 'The Lives and Loves of the Serial Homesick, Vol. 1', an album dedicated to his beloved Edinburgh and 'The Birthday Poems' featuring Monica Queen (Belle and Sebastian, Thrum).

On October 16th, 'Doo Wop In The Dark' will be released everywhere digitally, including Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon and Bandcamp, where it is also available as a limited edition two-CD set. A selection of tracks is also being made available on vinyl.

ALBUM CREDITS
Chris Connelly - vocals, guitar, harmonium, bass, keyboards, glockenspiel
Chris Bruce - guitar, programming, bass, keyboards, pedal steel guitar
Alan Holden Berliant - guitar, keyboards, bass, programming

Jebin Bruni - additional keyboards on 'Bye Bye Johnny Viola'

Produced by Chris Connelly & Alan Holden Berliant,

except 'Babyface', 'Bye Bye Johnny Viola', 'Doin’ The Things That We Want To' and 'One Too Many Mysteries' produced by Chris Bruce

Mixed by Alan Holden Berliant & Chris Bruce in Chicago & New York (2023-2026)

Mastered by James Scott at Populist Recording & Mastering
Liner notes by Aidan Levy
Cover photography by Derick Smith
Cover layout by Kimberly Blessing
Published by: Sony/ATV Music, Universal Music Group, Sister Ray Enterprises, Concord Music
© and ℗ 2026 Chris Connelly - All rights reserved

Released by Shipwrecked Industries LLC

'Nothin' But A Rock Song' video produced by Iain Mutch a.k.a. Walkerandwilliam
'House of 70's' video produced by Someoddpilot Studios
Directed and edited by Chris Eichenseer
Dancers: Kira Ledholm, Jay Drenkel
Management: Kimberly Blessing at Shipwrecked Industries
Chris Connelly photos by Derick Smith
Publicity by Shauna McLarnon at Shameless Promotion PR

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: New Music From Resolve — WATCH + LISTEN

October 12, 2026

French heavyweights RESOLVE return with their crushing new single "Godtier," offering another glimpse into their recently announced third album, Spread My Ashes Into Space, due January 15 via Arising Empire.

Following the first taste of their next chapter, "Godtier" pushes RESOLVE deeper into the ambitious world surrounding the upcoming record. Ferocious, expansive, and driven by the band’s unmistakable sense of scale, the track captures the collision of intensity, atmosphere and emotion that continues to define their evolving sound.

Speaking of the new single, vocalist Anthony Diliberto shares, "While a lot of the Spread My Ashes Into Space ideas and concepts are about wanting to step back and escape, 'Godtier' could be almost the polar opposite. It's about willingly flying straight into the fire. The lyrics are telling this story of a character steering a spaceship into a dying sun, but the core meaning of this is deeply human. It's about chasing a thrill that you know is eventually going to break you.

"Whether it's the physical and mental toll of what we do, or simply pouring every ounce of yourself into a passion, you’re eventually reminded that pushing yourself to the absolute limit comes with its price. You know the crash that follows the euphoria is going to hurt. But there is an undeniable, almost addictive beauty in experiencing that level of intensity. Instead of fearing the inevitable collapse, this track is about embracing it. It's that moment where you stop fighting the exhaustion, look at the vibrant chaos around you, and decide the rush is simply worth the damage. It's a surrender to the beauty of not always being in control."

With Spread My Ashes Into Space, RESOLVE are setting their sights far beyond the confines of the world around them. The Lyon quartet have always approached heavy music with a widescreen vision, combining punishing riffs, soaring melodies and immersive electronics with influences that stretch well beyond the boundaries of modern metal. On their third full-length, that ambition takes on an almost literal dimension as the band look towards the vastness of space as both an escape and a source of inspiration.

Talking about the forthcoming album, Diliberto shares, "In a world where we value appearances over true worth, where aesthetics have replaced the soul, where numbers outweigh substance, where the façade is so often far removed from the truth, I no longer feel like I belong. Spread My Ashes Into Space is a record born from that suffocating feeling. It is a refusal to pretend anymore.

"Each song is a new destination, a different perspective, an attempt to make sense of a world that grows heavier on my shoulders with each passing day, in a society that has forgotten what truly matters. When my time comes, I dream that my ashes will be scattered among the stars, where perhaps authenticity and a sense of true peace still remain. There has to be something better out there.

"But this record is not just another reflection on the world around us. It is a voyage inward. Some songs unveil my deepest wounds, the scars and traumas that have shaped the way I see life and fueled these reflections. I’m not hiding anymore. Life, in its rawest form, is not all bliss and beauty. It is within this fragile balance between disillusionment and the longing for something beyond that this album finds its truest voice. Spread My Ashes Into Space is more than a title, it is a manifest, an exhale, a final hope that, beyond our self-imposed limits, there may still be a place where beauty, love, and poetry remain."

Over the past decade, RESOLVE have steadily grown into one of the most distinctive names in contemporary heavy music. Emerging from Lyon, France, the four-piece have built a sound that balances sheer force with melody, atmosphere and emotional weight, establishing an identity that reaches far beyond conventional genre boundaries.

Since introducing themselves with debut single "Exposed", the band have taken their music onto increasingly bigger stages, sharing bills with the likes of Architects, Every Time I Die, While She Sleeps, Underoath and ERRA. Their relentless touring has seen them build a formidable live reputation across Europe while also expanding their presence in the United States.

Their previous album, Human, marked another major step forward for the band. Among its standout moments, "Older Days," featuring Paleface Swiss and Ten56, has grown into one of RESOLVE's most successful tracks to date. With tens of millions of streams now accumulated worldwide, the band continue to reach an ever-growing international audience.

Spread My Ashes Into Space now marks the beginning of RESOLVE's most ambitious era yet. Across the record, the band expand every element that has brought them this far, pushing their heaviness, cinematic scope and emotional intensity into new territory while refusing to place limits on where their sound can go next.

RESOLVE ON TOUR:
9/24 — Quebec, CA — Théâtre Capitole
1/20 — Reims, FR — La Cartonnerie
1/21 — Strasbourg, FR — La Laiterie
1/22 — Villeurbanne, FR — Transbordeur
1/23 — Montpellier, FR — Rockstore
1/24 — Limoges, FR — CCM John Lennon
1/26 — Toulouse, FR — Le Metronum
1/27 — Cenon, FR — Le Rocher de Palmer
1/28 — Nantes, FR — Warehouse
1/29 — Wasquehal, FR — The Black Lab
1/30 — Paris, FR — La Cigale

GRAHAM BONNET BAND Returns with New Studio Album “Circuit Breaker” Out March 26, 2027 via Frontiers Music Srl

October 12, 2026

Legendary rock vocalist GRAHAM BONNET and his own group, the GRAHAM BONNET BAND are thrilled to announce the release of their new studio album, 'Circuit Breaker,'out on March 26, 2027, via Frontiers Music Srl.

For the album’s first single, GRAHAM joins forces with none other than Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson on “The Fifth Force Of Nature."

GRAHAM BONNET comments:

“Having Bruce Dickinson perform a duet with us on this album was a thrill; he is an incredible singer and our voices blend together so beautifully. Truly an experience of a lifetime!”

“It was an honour to sing this terrific song with GRAHAM, truly a vocal legend!” adds Bruce Dickinson.

Watch the Official Video for

“The Fifth Force Of Nature (feat. Bruce Dickinson)”

Few voices in rock are as instantly recognizable as GRAHAM BONNET’s. Across a career spanning more than five decades, the legendary vocalist has left his unmistakable mark on some of hard rock’s defining records, from Rainbow’s 'Down To Earth' and Michael Schenker Group’s 'Assault Attack' to his own 'Alcatrazz' and an extensive solo career.

Now, with 'Circuit Breaker', the GRAHAM BONNET BAND delivers a remarkable new album that both celebrates that extraordinary musical legacy and pushes it firmly into the present.

GRAHAM BONNET states:

“I think people will be surprised by the variety of the new album. There are lots of hidden gems in here and something for everyone.”

Built around BONNET's unmistakable voice and an inspired collection of melodic, powerful hard rock songs, 'Circuit Breaker' finds GRAHAM sounding as distinctive and defiant as ever, backed by the formidable line-up of Beth-Ami Heavenstone on bass, Conrado Pesinato on guitar, Shane Gaalaas on drums and Alessandro Bertoni on keyboards.

Executive produced by Beth-Ami Heavenstone and produced by Conrado Pesinato, the album showcases the band's musical chemistry and creative vision, delivering a powerful collection of songs that honours BONNET’s remarkable legacy while looking firmly towards the future. Adding to the album’s impressive musical credentials is an extraordinary cast of special guests.

Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson joins him for the explosive “The Fifth Force Of Nature,”a historic meeting of two of hard rock and heavy metal’s most unmistakable voices. Dickinson also appears alongside GRAHAM in the accompanying music video, making the collaboration an even more unique event.

The album also marks a special reunion with GRAHAM's former Rainbow bandmate and longtime friend Roger Glover, bringing the two musicians together for the first time since Rainbow’s landmark 1979 album 'Down To Earth,' which Glover produced. His distinctive bass playing brings an additional dimension to “Wait For The Day To Break,” reconnecting two musicians whose work together helped shape a defining chapter in hard rock history.

Helloween and Gamma Ray icon Kai Hansen also makes a guest appearance on “The Captain,” while another legendary musician contributes to the album, with further details to be revealed at a later date.

There is another fascinating thread connecting 'Circuit Breaker' to one of the landmark albums of BONNET’s career. Russ Ballard, whose songwriting provided Rainbow and GRAHAM with the immortal “Since You Been Gone” on 1979’s 'Down To Earth,'contributes songs to the new album, reconnecting the two more than four decades later and providing a direct link between an essential chapter of GRAHAM’s past and his music today.

But 'Circuit Breaker' is far more than an exercise in nostalgia. From the immediate punch of “No One Is Talking” and “Feel The Power” to the melodic drive of “Landslide,” the intensity of “Vengeance Is Mine” and the commanding title track, this is an album alive with the combination of melody, muscle and personality that has always set BONNETapart.

Pre-Order ‘Circuit Breaker’ HERE

At an age when most artists would be content to celebrate their past, GRAHAM BONNET continues to add to it; 'Circuit Breaker' is not simply another chapter in the GRAHAM BONNET story. It is the sound of one of rock’s great voices still moving forward - surrounded by a superb band, exceptional songs, and a few legendary friends.

GRAHAM BONNET BAND are:

Graham Bonnet - Vocals

Beth-Ami Heavenstone - Bass guitar

Conrado Pesinato - Lead guitars

Shane Galaas - Drums

Alessandro Bertoni – Keyboards

IAN BLURTON'S FUTURE NOW Release New Single "You Better Get Ready"

October 7, 2026

IAN BLURTON'S FUTURE NOW provides a further taste of the upcoming album with the next single release, "You Better Get Ready." This fiery upbeat track showcases the high-octane side to FUTURE NOW's warm analogue sound, awash with vocal harmonies and driving rhythms. The full length,Imperial Filth, is scheduled for release via Pajama Party on October 23, 2026.

"It's probably our fastest and most thrash oriented song to date." Explains Ian Blurton. "Lyrically it deals with people who have been thrown out onto the streets and into the cracks of society. It's a song about fighting back when You have been pushed into a corner and how a little empathy goes a long way.

This song also includes our second guest of the record (Liam Deak of TUMBLE) laying down some heavy riffing over drummer Glenn Milchem's relentless double kick."

Produced by Daryl Smith and Ian Blurton at Blurton's very own ProGold Studios, Toronto. Imperial Filth was mixed by Daryl Smith at Chemical West and Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. Special guests appearing on Imperial Filth include guitarist Liam Deak of TUMBLE and Lee Rose of ACE OF WANDS performing strings. Cover art for Imperial Filth is by Lydia Sam Planetta and the layout design is by Louis Durand.

Upcoming Canadian Tour Dates:

Sat Oct 24 - Toronto - St Anne's Church
Fri Nov 13 - London - Supply and Demand
Sat Nov 14 - Montreal - Turbo Haus
Fri Nov 20 - Ottawa - House Of Targ
Sat Nov 28 - Sudbury - The Lounge
Sat Dec 5 - Hamilton - The Mule Spinner

About IAN BLURTON'S FUTURE NOW:

FUTURE NOW is the hard-hitting rock project led by Canadian music veteran Ian Blurton. Known for their raw, powerful sound that blends classic rock, metal, and modern influences, FUTURE NOW delivers music that thrives on energy and live performance. With a lineup of seasoned musicians, the band creates guitar-driven anthems that are equal parts heavy and melodic, capturing the essence of rock’s rebellious spirit.

The creative direction of FUTURE NOW is driven by experimentation, "Everyone in this band makes their living in music, but this is a band that is meant to be a total departure from our day jobs. We can do and try pretty much anything we want and explore what is possible in the songwriting department".

The band is preparing to unveil their next full length record, Imperial Filth on October 23, 2026, via label Pajama Party.

IAN BLURTON'S FUTURE NOW is:

Ian Blurton – Guitar/Vocals
Glenn Milchem – Drums/Backup Vocals
Anna Ruddick – Bass
Aaron Goldstein – Guitar

Connect With IAN BLURTON'S FUTURE NOW:

Bandcamp: https://ianblurton.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/ianblurton
YouTube: Ian Blurton's Future Now - Topic - YouTube
Spotify: Ian Blurton's Future Now | Spotify
Apple Music: Ian Blurton's Future Now - Apple Music

VRSTY Share "dear whoever" Video — WATCH // New Album "ícon" Out 10/23

October 3, 2026

New York City-based collective VRSTY (pronounced "Varsity") are known for being fearless when it comes to experimenting with musical boundaries. Effortlessly blurring, blending, and bending the lines between genres, they craft their own unique brand of alt pop, hard rock, and R&B that doesn't have a name but it's DNA-distinct, and distinctly VRSTY.

They will release their new album ícon. It arrives on October 23 via Spinefarm. Pre-order it here.

They drop "dear whoever." Watch the video below.

ABOUT VRSTY:
VRSTY make music as energetic and richly diverse as the city that spawned them. Assembled by band leader Joey Varela, a Puerto Rican singer from New York City raised on R&B, pop, and Spanish music and equally inspired by metallic post-hardcore, VRSTY blend genres with fearless ambition and visceral enthusiasm. A handful of EPs preceded 2020's debut album, Welcome Home, itself followed by a three-part series of sequel EPs solidifying the band's reputation.

VRSTY specialize in what Kerrang! described as "endless grooves and danceable parts, punctuated by breakdowns and completed with dark atmosphere." Meanwhile, "Massive," from 2020's Cloud City EP, remained the Most Played on SiriusXM's Octane for two consecutive weeks. In a 9/10 review, Outburn described Welcome Home as "effortless, fun, and above all genuine." Blabbermouth raved, "While other bands may have introduced the concept of genre-bending, VRSTY have refined it."

Levitate, the band's sophomore set, was powered by spirited conviction and a commitment to follow their muse wherever it leads. Tyler co-produced Levitate with Justin Deblieck (Ice Nine Kills, Motionless In White, Lorna Shore, Fit For A King).

VRSTY have commanded the crowd anytime they perform, connecting with anyone who struggles with feelings of low self-worth, bad relationships, or generally feels like an outsider. It’s a feeling of shared community evident on the band's tours with the likes of 10 Years, Nonpoint, Secrets, and For The Fallen Dreams, among others.

Ultimately, VRSTY aim to encourage, provoke, and inspire listeners in the next era of their career, which starts with icon.

NIGHT COBRA Announces Sophomore Full-Length, Unleashes First Single, "Keepers Of The Cult"

October 3, 2026

Forged in the asphalt-cracked underbelly of Houston, TX, NIGHT COBRA unleashes a blistering, high-octane take on razor-sharp heavy metal. Following their celebrated debut album released in 2022 on High Roller Records the band returns sharper, leaner, and more dangerous than ever with a new union with independent heavy metal purveyor Nameless Graves Records. Mixed by the great Mike Exeter (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, etc.), 'Beware the Dark Future' is due on November 6 with two stunning vinyl variants, CD, and digital formats. The "Keepers of the Cult" are now unleashing the anthemic first single, which can be found below.

'Beware the Dark Future' is now available for pre-order via Nameless Graves for CD HERE and vinyl HERE. The single will be available digitally at a later date.

NIGHT COBRA frontman Christian "Bakka" Larson comments, "As the world crumbles we give you an offering of apocalyptic heavy metal. This album is for those without hope and know that humanity has no future...."

Forged in the asphalt-cracked underbelly of Houston, TX, trad metal revivalists NIGHT COBRA unleashes a blistering, high-octane take on razor-sharp heavy metal designed to blow the future apart. Following their celebrated debut album released in 2022 on High Roller Records the band returns sharper, leaner, and more dangerous than ever with a new union with independent heavy metal purveyor Nameless Graves Records.

Fronted by Christian "Bakka" Larson, the driving force behind Necrofier, veteran of Eternal Champion and Venomous Maximus, and visionary creator/producer of the powerhouse Hell's Heroes festival, Night Cobra carries the torch of true metal pedigree while injecting it with a lethal dose of swagger and attitude that can only come from a band that calls Texas home. The album was mixed by the great Mike Exeter (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne) and also marks appearances from Texas metal masters Dobber Beverly (Necrofier, Insect Warfare, Oceans of Slumber) and Trevi Biles (Venomous Maximus). The album is bolstered by a guest appearance from James Rivera (Helstar, ex-Destiny's End, ex-Vicious Rumors, ex-Malice).

Recording Lineup:

Christian Bakka - Vocals/Synth

Brandon Barger - Guitar

Bill Fool - Guitar

Trevi Biles - Bass

Dobber Beverly - Drums

Live Lineup:

Christian Bakka - Vocals/Synth

Brandon Barger - Guitar

Bill Fool - Guitar

Trevi Biles - Bass

Anthony Vallejo - Drums

Special Guest:

James Rivera (Helstar, ex-Destiny’s End, ex-Vicious Rumors) on "Cry for Blood" and "Starlight"

Album credits:

Recorded at Southwing Audio & Shadow Wind Studios

Mixed by Mike Exeter (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne)

Mastered by Peter Hewitt-Dutton at The Bakery

Layout by Subhuman Being

Cover Artist: Calvin Cushman

Links:

GRAVE DIGGER Release New Single + Lyric Video "The Number"

October 2, 2026

German heavy metal legends GRAVE DIGGER present “The Number”, the new single from their upcoming studio album Faces of Pain, set for release on January 15, 2027 via Reaper Entertainment. With “The Number”, GRAVE DIGGER reveal a particularly intense side of their new album. Musically, the track is built around a powerful, riff-driven mid-tempo foundation, a massive chorus and Chris Boltendahl’s unmistakably rough vocals. Its dark and menacing atmosphere provides the setting for a subject that is particularly close to the GRAVE DIGGER frontman’s heart.

Watch the official lyric video for “The Number” Below:

Chris Boltendahl comments on “The Number”:

“THE NUMBER is far more than just a song – it is a cry against forgetting and a memorial to humanity.

We look back at one of the darkest chapters in history. There was a time when people were stripped of their names, their identities and their dignity. Instead, numbers were burned into their skin. They were no longer seen as human beings, but treated like animals – trapped in an unimaginable system of systematic inhumanity.

When we look at the world today, a justified fear begins to creep in: the fear that these horrific times, in a different form, could one day return. That we might forget where hatred and the dehumanization of others can lead.

This is exactly where THE NUMBER comes in. This song is an unequivocal statement against the horrors of the past. Against what happened and what none of us ever want to experience again. But despite its serious and historical context, the song carries an even more important message: it is a symbol of hope. A sign for peace, for the inviolable dignity of every human being and for a future in which every name matters and every individual is free to be who they are.”

“The Number” offers another taste of Faces of Pain. Following the straightforward old-school approach of their 45th-anniversary album Bone Collector, GRAVE DIGGER continue down this path with a record that sees the band as energetic, uncompromising and diverse as ever.

Razor-sharp riffs, massive choruses and Chris Boltendahl’s unmistakably rough vocals form the backbone of the album. Fast-paced heavy metal bangers such as “Faces of Pain” and “Satan’s Tango” meet riff-driven mid-tempo anthems including “The Number”, “Legends Never Die” and “When The World Is Calling You”, while “Dead Sun” and “Say Hello To The Devil”reveal the band at their heaviest and darkest.

Pre-orders for the new GRAVE DIGGER album are now open. Faces of Pain will be released on January 15, 2027 via Reaper Entertainment and is available in various formats and limited editions.

Pre-order “Faces of Pain” here: https://lnk.to/FacesOfPain

More than 45 years after their formation, GRAVE DIGGER show no signs of slowing down. Faces of Pain is an album packed with energy and classic heavy metal – firmly rooted in the band’s history while looking straight ahead.

The album was produced by Chris Boltendahl at Graveyard Studios in Senden, Germany.

**The cover artwork was created by Uwe Jarling.**

Starting in January 2027, GRAVE DIGGER will also bring the new material to the stage. On the “Legends Never Die Tour”, fans can experience the unbroken live power of this German heavy metal institution.

LEGENDS NEVER DIE TOUR
GRAVE DIGGER
MOTORJESUS
WARWOLF

14.01.2027: Siegburg – Kubana Live Club
15.01.2027: Münster – Sputnikhalle
16.01.2027: Andernach – JUZ Live Club
21.01.2027: Nürnberg – Hirsch
22.01.2027: Memmingen – Kaminwerk
23.01.2027: München – Backstage
24.01.2027: (CH) Pratteln – Z7 Konzertfabrik
28.01.2027: Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal
29.01.2027: Mannheim – Capitol
30.01.2027: Leipzig – Hellraiser
04.02.2027: Berlin – Hole 44
05.02.2027: Hamburg – Markthalle
06.02.2027: Hannover – MusikZentrum
12.02.2027: Markneukirchen – Musikhalle
13.02.2027: Bochum – RuhrCongress

Tickets: https://www.rockworld24.com/smartlinks/rockworld24/grave_digger_live.html

For More Information Please Visit:

TWISTED SISTER ANNOUNCE TOTALLY TWISTED – THE STUDIO ALBUMS 1982–1987

October 2, 2026

BMG, in partnership with Rhino Entertainment, announces the release of Totally Twisted – The Studio Albums 1982–1987, a celebration of one of the most explosive and influential periods in rock history with a collection that brings together Twisted Sister’s classic studio albums from 1982 through 1987.

Available as a 5-color-LP box set and a 5CD box set—Totally Twisted chronicles the era in which Twisted Sister evolved from a New York City club phenomenon into an international heavy metal powerhouse.

The collection features five landmark studio albums:

Under the Blade
You Can’t Stop Rock ’n’ Roll
Stay Hungry
Come Out and Play
Love Is for Suckers

Together, the albums capture the full arc of Twisted Sister’s defining ’80s run and present the complete studio-album story of a band whose music, imagery and larger-than-life personality helped define an era.

The 5-color-LP edition presents each album on its own uniquely colored vinyl, creating a striking collector’s package designed for fans who want to experience these essential recordings in the classic album format.

With its combination of hard-rocking attitude, unforgettable songs and unmistakable visual identity, Totally Twisted – The Studio Albums 1982–1987 is an essential collection for longtime Twisted Sister fans and a definitive introduction for a new generation of rock fans.

PRE-ORDER HERE

About Twisted Sister

Formed in New Jersey in the early 1970s, Twisted Sister emerged as one of heavy metal’s most distinctive and successful bands, combining powerful riffs, anthemic choruses, theatrical imagery and an unmistakable spirit of rebellion.

The band’s best-known lineup—responsible for its first four albums—featured Jay Jay French (guitar), Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda (guitar), Dee Snider (lead vocals), Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (bass) and A.J. Pero (drums). Following the Come Out and Play tour, Pero departed the group and was succeeded by former Good Rats drummer Joey “Seven” Franco, who performed on the band’s 1987 album, Love Is for Suckers.

Twisted Sister achieved international breakthrough success with the release of Stay Hungry in 1984. Certified multi-platinum in the United States, the album produced two of the era’s most enduring rock anthems, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” and “I Wanna Rock,” propelling the band to worldwide prominence.

With their uncompromising sound, iconic music videos and larger-than-life visual identity, Twisted Sister helped define the musical and cultural landscape of 1980s heavy metal. Their enduring catalog and singular approach to performance continue to resonate with generations of rock and metal fans around the world.

BRYMIR Cover Scooter's "How Much Is The Fish" + Video!

September 29, 2026

In the midst of their darkest album to date, Finnish melodic death metallers BRYMIR show their fun side with an unexpected cover. Reworking Scooter's Eurodance classic ''How Much Is The Fish,'' the quartet delivers an additional nod to their stance against ocean pollution, ''Herald of Aegir," from the previous album, Voices In The Sky (2022). Live performances of the song regularly see salmon plushies in the audience, just like live pre-tastes of ''How Much Is The Fish'' over the festival summer have called fans into their very own ''fish pit." BRYMIR certainly know how to hype up their album!

What We Leave Behind releases this Friday, October 2, 2026 via Napalm Records. The band is currently playing release shows in their native Finland and will tour Europe in February and March 2027 — find all dates below.

BRYMIR about "How Much Is The Fish":
''As the album on the whole is definitely the darkest we've done so far, musically and thematically, we wanted to close the album with a bonus song of something defiantly upbeat and silly… And as children of the ever-hopeful golden age of the Eurobeat, we found the perfect song in this classic. When life gives you lemons, transform the juice and keep asking the important questions—like 'How Much is the Fish'? If anybody finds the answer, please contact us immediately.''

Watch the Official Music Video for "HOW MUCH IS THE FISH" BELOW:

Helsinki-based BRYMIR make a strong case for melodic death metal with What We Leave Behind, coming October 2, 2026 via Napalm Records! In a darkening world full of existential dread, the Finnish band — singer Viktor Storm Gullichsen, guitarist Joona Björkroth, bassist Jarkko Niemi, and drummer Patrik Fält — takes a stand with their most sinister album yet. Again heavily influenced by their singer’s main job as a movie sound designer, BRYMIR create vast cinematic soundscapes around their sometimes bleak, sometimes hopeful, but always honest messages.

Strongly tied to current societal developments, BRYMIR deliver an equally raw and fantastical album. Their darkest output yet, the band’s fifth album hits especially hard—and leaves absolutely no open questions behind. As introspective as it is outspoken, What We Leave Behind is an epic plea for humanity.

BRYMIR about What We Leave Behind:
"Since our previous album, the world certainly hasn't gotten any lighter—and as art reflects life, our fifth album, What We Leave Behind, is the darkest creation we've made so far. Both musically as well as thematically… 'What We Leave Behind?' is the core question explored from many perspectives: from personal hopes, dreams, and fears to societal developments to dark sci-fi and existential despair. Join us on this dark emotional journey, at times violent, at times beautiful, and always honest in baring the soul of what is BRYMIR — no compromise, everything raw and real."

Get Your Copy Of What We Leave Behind NOW.

BRYMIR LIVE 2026:
FESTIVALS:
11/6 — Kempele, FI — ZRock Winter Fest

WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND TOUR 2026:
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS HORIZON IGNITED + OMNIVORTEX:
9/18 — Vantaa, FI — Skenesali
9/25 — Seinäjoki, FI — Rytmikorjaamo
9/26 — Oulu, FI — 45 Special
10/2 — Tampere, FI — Olympia
10/3 — Lahti, FI — VNUE
10/8 — Jyväskylä, FI — Lutakko
10/9 — Turku, FI — Apollo
10/16 — Kouvola, FI — House of Rock
10/17 — Kuopio, FI — Circus
10/24 — Vaasa, FI — Fanny
10/30 — Hämeenlinna, FI — Suisto
10/31 — Helsinki, FI — Korjaamo

EUROPEAN SPRING 2027:
2/19 — Copenhagen, Denmark — BETA
2/20 — Oslo, Norway — John Dee
2/21 — Stockholm, Sweden — Kollektivet Livet
2/23 — Hamburg, Germany — Knust
2/24 — Aschaffenburg, Germany — Colos-Saal
2/25 — Berlin, Germany — Bi Nuu
2/26 — Stuttgart, Germany — Proton
2/27 — Pratteln, Switzerland — Z7
2/28 — Munich, Germany — Backstage
3/1 — Leipzig, Germany — Hellraiser
3/2 — Neunkirchen, Germany — S. Reithalle
3/3 — Cologne, Germany — Club Volta
3/4 — Sittard, Netherlands — Volt
3/5 — Utrecht, Netherlands — De Helling
3/6 — Bochum, Germany — Gleis 9

BRYMIR ARE:
Viktor Storm Gullichsen — Vocals
Joona Björkroth — Guitars
Jarkko Niemi — Bass
Patrik Fält — Drums

Glasswaves Share "SCARed" — WATCH + LISTEN

September 28, 2026

Glasswaves, an up 'n' coming, Rochester, New York-based trio that seamlessly blends dark pop, alternative rock, and electronic elements with a heavy and dynamic edge, recently announced their new album while (True). It arrives October 23 via SharpTone Records. Pre-order it here.

The band — Noah Rich [vocals], Owen Miller [guitar], and Brendan Curtis [bass] — shares "SCARed."

Watch the visualizer below.

The track is at once gorgeously creepy and crushing. It will escort you down the darkest hallways of your mind and grab you by the back of the neck with its artful ferocity.

"'SCARed' captures that moment when your thoughts turn to static, and you can't tell what's real, what's memory, or what's just yourself unraveling," explains Noah about the song's inspiration point. "From the moment Owen, our producer, and I got in the room with this song, we knew it was something special."

Regarding the album as a whole, Noah states, "while(True) is our most ambitious and personal release yet. Through the story of a failing medical technology company experimenting with dream manipulation, we explore themes of trauma, addiction, perception, and the unseen forces that shape the way we think. More than anything, this album represents our growth as writers. We challenged ourselves creatively, stopped following expectations, and made the record we truly wanted to make. We can't wait for people to experience the world of while(True) and find their own meaning within it."

In an effort to seemingly better understand and treat trauma, addiction, and obsession, a med-tech company called Liminal-Neuro runs psychological tests on various subjects by administering an experimental drug labeled "Neuro Veil."

When these experiments fail, a radiant ancient female entity known as “The Veil” materializes, embodying the subject’s most intimate desires. This manipulative force brings out the worst in her victims and incites unimaginable horror.

Undeterred by ethics, Liminal-Neuro's lead doctor makes it his mission to find her…

This story could certainly serve as the plotline for an epic sci-fi horror mini-series or even some actual news headline. However, it plays out in captivating fashion on Glasswaves’ full-length debut LP, while(True). The Rochester, NY trio set the narrative's action to a soundtrack electrified by bursts of cathartic metalcore, shockwaves of ethereal hard rock, and spasms of vulnerable dark pop.

Coupled with big screen-worthy storytelling, the collective, which formed in 2023 and steadily built a following through singles, an EP, and touring, instantly strike a chord on multiple levels.

"People will see things happening and choose not to do anything, because it’s easier than taking action,” explains Miller. "Developments like A.I. data centers deplete natural resources, but nobody seems to care. 'The Veil' represents this sort of selfishness. Even though the company Liminal Neuro promises to get rid of your fears and worries and empower you to become the person you want to be, the doctors are merely using everyone just to find 'The Veil.'"

Throughout 2026, the musicians assembled while(True) alongside producer Justin Spaulding, working out of Atlanta and New York as well as via Discord. The group mined a diverse swath of inspirations, spanning The Neighbourhood, Tame Impala, The Plot In You, Sace6, and Bring Me The Horizon.

Ultimately, Glasswaves have crafted a multi-dimensional world without comparison.

Kaitlin Butts Asks "What More Could You Want" Ahead of 'Hello, Honk Tonk' (10/30)

September 26, 2026

Tulsa-born singer/songwriter Kaitlin Butts turns inward with “What More Could You Want,” the latest offering from her upcoming fourth studio album, Hello, Honky Tonk, arriving October 30 via Republic Records. A Broadway-ready piano ballad, the song is an autobiographical sketch of a performer looking at herself in the mirror and asking how much more she has to give.

Listen to “What More Could You Want” Below and pre-save Hello, Honky Tonk HERE.

Where other songs from Hello, Honky Tonk revel in the colorful characters, nightlife and theatrical spectacle of the honky tonk, “What More Could You Want” pulls back the curtain to reveal the person at the center of it all. The result is an intimate meditation on the complicated relationship between performing, seeking approval and wondering whether what you give is ever enough.

“That song feels exactly word for word what I feel like every day,” says Butts. “This tug and pull of loving this and craving this and loving to be on stage, loving every creative moment but also being stressed out wondering, ‘Do you like me? Do I need to be shinier? Do you want more?’”

Written from the perspective of someone who has spent years entertaining others while constantly questioning what they see when the lights go down, “What More Could You Want” offers one of the most exposed moments on Hello, Honky Tonk. The song’s restrained piano and unhurried pace leave plenty of room for Butts’ words to land, trading the larger-than-life spectacle of the honky tonk for a private moment of self-reflection.

Also available today, the music video for “What More Could You Want” directed by Chris Beyrooty. Continuing to find inspiration in the vaudeville vignettes of movie musical Chicago and Disney World’s beloved Country Bear Musical Jamboree, the clip brings the album’s cover to life giving Butts her own Teddi Barra moment.

It was during a recent trip to see the original Jamboree before it was updated, a favorite of hers as a kid, that inspiration struck. “When Teddi Barra came down from the ceiling on her swing, my mom and I just looked at each other and I was like, ‘That is me,’" she says of the cowboy-hatted, feather-boa sporting brown bear who inspired the album’s cover.

While Butts fantasizes about the lives of those who come to her virtual honky tonk, she hopes that fans walk out of it not just knowing her better, but themselves as well.

“All these songs are very deeply personal to me, and I relate to them word for word,” she says. “But my intention is never just to be relatable. I hope people find their own lives within the whole thing.”

Named one of Rolling Stone’s most anticipated albums for 2026, Hello, Honky Tonk is a love letter to the honky tonks and nightlife that have shaped Butts while becoming a huge part of her life on the road. Recorded in Nashville with producer Tofer Brown (Carter Faith, Willow Avalon, Little Big Town), the album brings to life a bar like no other, populated by a cast of characters listeners might recognize from the dance floor, behind the bar or from the corner booth.

The album’s theatrical world was inspired in part by the vaudeville vignettes of Chicago and Disney World’s Country Bear Musical Jamboree. Butts, who began performing in musical theatre as a child, envisioned the album as a place where all of these characters could coexist.

“The thought behind the concept was how in Chicago, the character Roxie Hart is dreaming up what her show would look like and all the people in it,” says Butts. “I picture all of this happening at Skinny Dennis here in Nashville. These are all the different people in the room. There's the bar fight that's happening. There's the bad girl that just got off work. There's me being the entertainer. There are so many people that really love the night life. It’s a connector for people.”

“What More Could You Want” follows Butts’ recent releases “I Wanna Be Bad” and “Never Really Mine.” Together, the songs offer glimpses of the wide-ranging characters, emotions and musical theatricality that await when listeners say Hello, Honky Tonk on Oct. 30.

The album continues the momentum of Butts’ critically acclaimed Roadrunner! in 2024, a bold reimagining inspired by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! that landed on numerous year-end best-of lists.

The new project marks Butts’ first full-length release since signing with Republic Records in October 2025 and follows The Yeehaw Sessions, her fan-favorite EP featuring genre-bending takes on songs including Chappell Roan’s “Red Wine Supernova,” Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle,” The Chicks’ “Sin Wagon” and Don Williams’ “Tulsa Time,” alongside her viral anthem “You Ain’t Gotta Die (To Be Dead To Me),” which has amassed more than 157 million TikTok views and 67 million global streams.

Butts continues to expand her creative footprint both onstage and behind the camera. Earlier this year, she joined Willow Avalon on “Hypothetically Speaking” and its official video, starred in Ella Langley’s music video for the award-winning hit “Choosin’ Texas,” co-directed and wrote the treatment for Flatland Cavalry’s “Unglued” and joined The Band Perry on the reimagining of their hit “You Lie (Forever Version).”

She has also joined Lainey Wilson on her Whirlwind Tour and Ella Langley on The Dandelion Tour, headlined her own sold-out overseas tour with the European Cowgirl Experience and was featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s American Currents exhibition for the second consecutive year. She was also nominated for a 2026 MusicRow Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and was named to both the 2025 Opry NextStage class and the CMT Next Women of Country class.

For the latest news, music and tour dates, visit kaitlinbutts.com and follow @kaitlinbutts on Instagram and Facebookand @kaitlinbuttsmusic on TikTok.

Clutch Announce New Album 'Wasted Lands'; Share Music Video For Title Track

September 26, 2026

Maryland rock institution Clutch have announced their fourteenth studio album, Wasted Lands, set for release on January 22, 2027 via the band’s own Weathermaker Music. An extensive variety of pre-order bundles are available now HERE. The announcement arrives alongside the release of its raucously groovy, riff-driven title track, “Wasted Lands,” and accompanying official music video, available to stream HERE and watch below.

Written and recorded at their longtime Frederick, Maryland base, the Doom Saloon, Wasted Lands reunites Clutchwith producer Machine for the first time since 2015’s Psychic Warfare. The sheer velocity of their creative collaboration can be felt from the first note of the record and is expertly displayed on today’s release title track, “Wasted Lands”. Neil Fallon’s lyrical knack of conjuring characters from a handful of strange, sharply observed details and dropping them into Clutch songs with their own vibrant and storied mythologies has long been a defining characteristic of the Clutch canon. On “Wasted Lands,” he conjures a creature so malign that H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King are invoked only to make clear that even they could not dream it up. Rumor casts it as a government experiment, a heavenly angel or an omen preparing the ground for the end of days. Nobody knows for certain. The locals call it Neil Patrick Fallon. Sharing some thoughts on today’s release, Neil Fallon says

"The inspiration for the lyrics in Wasted Lands came about when it was brought to my attention that someone had been dragging my name on FaceBook (weird, right?). Apparently, I had reneged on a free t-shirt and dinner. I think it was a prize in a pay to play contest. Not to overstate the obvious, but it was a load of horse hockey. Many people tried to explain to this person that it was not me and that they had been hustled. But they simply would not believe it. So I thought, screw it, no half-measures. You want a monster? Let’s give you one."

Beneath Fallon’s lyrical story-craft, Jean-Paul Gaster, Dan Maines and Tim Sult lock into a classic-Clutch, riff-driven groove featuring a very intentional and strategically placed bass-drum hit from Gaster. One he knew would make the live crowd go wild. He shares

“There’s a part where Neil says, ‘Vegetable, mineral, man, or beast.’ And I put a bass drum on, ‘man or beast,’ and Machine thought that was kind of weird. He was like, ‘Man, you’re covering up the vocal!’ And I said, ‘No, that bass drum is gonna make the crowd go nuts, I guarantee it.’ And it does, because there’s nothing more exciting than having a big bass drum slam through a PA, and Neil singing a vocal on top of it. I mean, I get goosebumps from that, you know?”

Across Wasted Lands, Clutch keep their riff-heavy foundations intact while making room for a sharper melodic streak. Tracks including “Colorado Fuel and Iron,” “Stage Fright” and “Loaf and Jug” build their considerable weight around chord progressions as much as individual riffs. “Beware the Fever” brings banjo onto a Clutch record for the first time, using a rough demo played by Fallon and recorded by Gaster during a writing session. Despite several attempts to re-record the performance, nothing quite came close so the original recording is what went on the record.

Fallon’s lyrics open in the rubble of the Georgia Guidestones on “The Drifter Returns” and close beneath an exploding star on “The Message is Clear.” The route between them runs through Colorado’s Highway 50, abandoned company towns, corporate appetites, creature-feature horror and deep space.

Speaking on the announcement of their fourteenth studio album, Clutch share

“Exploded monuments, haunted coal towns, robber barons, time cops, a chestburster, fifteen tons of antimatter and a creature called Neil Patrick Fallon. Wasted Lands came from one clear intention: write a great rock record that will make fans go nuts when they hear these songs live, while leaving enough space in the creative process to follow the unexpected turns that keep Clutch exciting to us and our fans after thirty-five years together.”

Wasted Lands will be released worldwide on January 22, 2027 via Weathermaker Music. To pre-order the album and see all music and apparel products available in the US and additional territories, go to clutchmerch.com

US fans will have the opportunity to experience some of the new material from Wasted Lands for the first time when the band head out on their 16-date US headline tour next month with support from Slomosa and Blood Vulture. The run begins October 16 at The Fillmore Charlotte and closes November 7 at The NorVa in Norfolk, taking Clutchthrough the South, Midwest and Northeast ahead of the album’s January release. Tickets are available from clutchmerch.com

Download Tour Art HERE

CLUTCH US TOUR 2026

WITH SLOMOSA AND BLOOD VULTURE

Fri, Oct 16 | Charlotte, NC | The Fillmore Charlotte

Sat, Oct 17 | North Myrtle Beach, SC | House of Blues

Sun, Oct 18 | Jacksonville, FL | FIVE

Tue, Oct 20 | Tampa, FL | The Ritz Ybor

Thu, Oct 22 | New Orleans, LA | House of Blues

Fri, Oct 23 | Robinsonville, MS | Bluesville at Horseshoe Tunica

Sun, Oct 25 | Fayetteville, AR | Ozark Music Hall

Tue, Oct 27 | West Des Moines, IA | Val Air Ballroom

Wed, Oct 28 | Green Bay, WI | EPIC Event Center *Date changed

Fri, Oct 30 | East Moline, IL | The Rust Belt

Sat, Oct 31 | Cincinnati, OH | The Andrew J Brady Music Center

Sun, Nov 1 | Fort Wayne, IN | The Clyde Theatre

Tue, Nov 3 | South Burlington, VT | Higher Ground

Thu, Nov 5 | Hampton Beach, NH | Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

Fri, Nov 6 | Wilkes-Barre, PA | F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

Sat, Nov 7 | Norfolk, VA | The NorVa

CLUTCH WASTED LANDS AUSTRALIA TOUR 2027

With Special Guests Corrosion of Conformity

Sat, Jan 23 | Perth | Metropolis Fremantle

Mon, Jan 25 | Brisbane | Eatons Hill Hotel

Wed, Jan 27 | Sydney | Enmore Theatre

Fri, Jan 29 | Melbourne | Forum Theatre

Sat, Jan 30 | Adelaide | Froth & Fury Festival

New Jersey's QUIZ SHOW honors old friends & forges new paths on ‘XONO’ EP (Out September 28th)

September 24, 2026

New Jersey-based indie rock trio Quiz Show present their new 'XONO' EP, released via New Jersey's Magic Door Record Label. This three-song collectioncaptures the band at a point of transition, blending noisy, high-energy power-trio rock with a growing acoustic side in their performance.

Quiz Show is made up of Chris Matthews, a founding member of of legendary DC hardcore band Shudder To Think, and bassist Jesse Krakow, together with drummer Joe Billy III, who replaced the original drummer Kevin March (Guided By Voices, The Dambuilders, Shudder To Think).

You could say Quiz Show is a continuation of unfinished business. After a quarter-century break, Chris Matthews picked-up his guitar and again began to write songs, triggered by a chance meeting with his former Shudder To Think bandmate Kevin March. Now both living in Montclair, Kevin and Chris ended up forming Quiz Show with Frank Gibbons on bass.

This EP reflects Quiz Show’s recent evolution, honoring longtime influences and collaborators while pointing toward the band’s next chapter. Once again, Quiz Show worked with award-winning producer Ray Ketchem (Guided By Voices, Luna, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, The Dambuilders), who produced, recorded, mixed and mastered thie EP at Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, NJ.

The title track 'XONO' is about the high hopes of friendship and love, and the difficulties that lie therein, exploring the painful gap between idealized romantic aspirations and the harsh truth that a promising bond is ultimately doomed to fail. Chris Matthews shares, "I really love 'XONO' for being a tight, quick, and complex song. There is some great simplicity and pleasant dissonance in the music. That it tells a story about difficult relationships is something I am proud to have found a way to spell out".

The second track, 'Haircut Sphinx', is a cover of a Guided By Voices song, written by Robert Pollard and recorded for their 'Mirrored Aztec' LP from 2020. .

"We were inspired to record the song to honor the genius of Pollard and his relentlessly amazing songwriting in Guided by Voices, and also to pay homage to our good friend Kevin March, GBV’s drummer on this song and many others," says Chris Matthews.

"We slowed the tempo of the song and added an organ (played by Jesse) to capture a more sludgy feel. We also changed the ending to bring out what seemed to us a really cool musical change with a great vocal line that we thought was worth repeating."

The EP closes with an acoustic version of 'Pom Pom Boy', a first generation Quiz Show song. Chris Matthews explains, "Originally released on our 'Quiz Show' album, we recorded this version to give this song a new life in a different costume." Written by Kevin March and Chris Matthews in Chris’ basement years ago, it captures the spirit of what these two created when they sat down just to play and see what happens. This track highlights the multi-talents of Joe Billy III, whose killer drumming was set aside to showcase his acoustic guitar skills.

Quiz Show makes music still squarely within the punk and alternative rock spectrum with elements of Hüsker Dü, Pixies, Ramones, Fugazi, Sonic Youth, and Girls Against Boys. Blending the melodic hooks and songcraft of alternative pop with the raw energy and noise of punk, their layered guitars, heavy drums, and bass create a dense, dynamic sound that rewards repeated listens.

Their 2023's debut 'Quiz Show' album is an electrifying collection full of protest, friendship and frustration. Their 'Flotsam' EP, released in 2024 and engineered by Ketchem and Brian Robbins (Blondie, Bring Me The Horizon, Papa Roach), explores the shattered, lost stories of people’s lives. Both releases received widespread critical acclaim.

"Our new 'XONO' EP captures the life of Quiz Show over the last year. After a run of EPs as a power trio, schedules and real life made time for the band tight. Nevertheless, we found a way to write, practice, and record 'XONO' and 'Haircut Sphinx'. These songs give the best sense of where we have been trying to go with the band," explains Chris Matthews.

"Joe and Chris are now playing as a duo and will be including an acoustic break in their live sets. The new recording of 'Pom Pom' shows how this will look"

As of September 28, the 'XONO' EP is out everywhere, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Quiz Show perform October 2 at Crossroads in Garwood, NJ, along with The Van Pelt.

Drown In Sulphur Release their New Single + Video "Groan From The IXth Circle"

July 31, 2026

Deathcore force Drown In Sulphur from Italy have released their second single and music video "Groan From The IXth Circle" via Noble Demon! The song is taken off their upcoming EP Strix, due out on September 11th.

Pre-save right here: https://music.nobledemon.com/strix

DROWN IN SULPHUR are the latest addition to the German Metal Record Label and proudly present new music with a fresh band line-up. After they dropped a bomb with the first output "New Moon Rising On Florence" in June, the brand new single cements even clearer where the band is heading towards with their revamped sound. Be prepared since the upcoming digital EP Strix is blending the nostalgic fury of MySpace-era deathcore with grim black metal influences, marking a deliberate shift toward a less symphonic, more hardcore sound.

Watch the video for "Groan From The IXth Circle" and enjoy the single below:

With Strix, Drown In Sulphur delivers a desperate and focused body of work born out of a renewed hunger for reinvention. The upcoming EP leaves behind traditional symphonic tropes to deliver a sound driven by raw energy and complex, occult storytelling—blurring the lines between theological dread and sonic violence.

Formed in Milan, Italy in 2014, Drown In Sulphur quickly shook the underground metal scene, securing millions of streams and views with their explosive early singles "An Epilogue to the Arrogant" and "Blackwind." Through a relentless creative fire and an evolving lineup, the project dropped a string of powerful full-lengths, including Sulphur Cvlt (2021), Dark Secrets Of The Soul (2024), and the rebellious Vengeance (2025).

Now, reinforced by their current definitive lineup, the band enters their most authentic era yet.

Drown In Sulphur is:

Manuel Riboldi – Vocals

Erik Bellan – Rhythm Guitar

Ciprian Grigore – Lead & Rhythm Guitar

Domenico Francesco Tamilia – Drums & Backing Vocals

Strix will be available on Sept. 11 on all major streaming platforms. You can pre-save and pre-order the EP at this location: https://music.nobledemon.com/strix

Stay tuned for tour announcements!

DISTANT Announce New Album "Into Despair" + Drop Video for New Single

July 4, 2026

DISTANT announce their new album Into Despair, and with it, they drop the video for the new single, "All Will Be (N)One" (Feat. Ricky Myers of Suffocation).

"'All Will Be (N)One'" is a bleak, atmospheric track that explores humanity's fear of death and the inevitability of time' collapse," says the band about the song. "Blending crushing riffs with relentless rhythms, the song builds a sense of slow-burning dread before erupting into moments of raw confrontation. Lyrically, it shifts the perspective from resistance to acceptance. The feature from Ricky Myers of Suffocation adds an extra layer of intensity and authority, reinforcing the trac'’s central message: That everything fades, and all will be (n)one."

"All Will Be (N)One" single taken from the upcoming album, Into Despair, which will be released on November 6.

Into Despair is DISTANT's most personal and emotional work to date, exploring real-life struggles, loss, and the shared grief that connects humanity. The album dives deep into the darker corners of the human experience while finding solace in collective understanding. DISTANT elaborate: "Driven by raw honesty and pure emotion, Into Despair is an album born from personal battles and lived experiences. Every song carries pieces of each member's own journey, with moments of pain, reflection, and resilience woven into a deeply intimate body of work. More than just a collection of songs, Into Despair is a cathartic expression of vulnerability and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, grief is something we all share. It stands as the band's most heartfelt and authentic statement yet, transforming personal suffering into something universally resonant."

Check out the punishing video for "All Will Be (N)One" (Feat. Ricky Myers of Suffocation) BELOW.

Pre-order Into Despair HERE.

DISTANT are keeping things busy and their grim, ultra-heavy deathcore on the road. After already touring Europe with Sylosis, they just finished another U.S. run including several shows with In Flames and Thrown. Come January of 2027, you can catch them on the "New World Killer EU/UK 2027" tour with Spite, Emmure, and Mauled.

DISTANT LIVE 2027:
01/23 — Antwerp, BE — Zappa
01/24 — Paris, FR — La Machine du Moulin Rouge
01/26 — London, UK — Electric Brixton
01/27 — Glasgow, UK — Garage
01/28 — Manchester, UK — O2 Ritz
01/29 — Leeds, UK — Stylus
01/30 — Bristol, UK — Electric Bristol
02/01 — Tilburg, NL — 013
02/02 — Hamburg, DE — Gruenspan
02/03 — Hannover, DE — Capitol
02/04 — Leipzig, DE — Felsenkeller
02/05 — Berlin, DE — Columbia Theater
02/06 — Warsaw, PL — Proxima
02/08 — Prague, CZ — Lucerna Music Bar
02/09 — Budapest, HU — Dürer Kert
02/10 — Vienna, AT — Flex
02/11 — Munich, DE — Backstage
02/12 — Milan, IT — Slaughter Club
02/13 — Zürich, CH — Dynamo
02/14 — Cologne, DE — Essigfabrik

Purchase tickets HERE.

DISTANT have become one of the prominent faces of European Deathcore. Melding together brutal death metal, slam, noise and beatdown with a hyper-dissonant orchestra of impending doom, they've come eons since their origins as metalcore obsessed friends in Rotterdam and Bratislava.

V.B.O. Expose The Darker Side Of Modern Society In The New Single "Monsters!"

May 30, 2026

VICE BUSINESS ONLY (V.B.O.) look beyond the glamour and allure of the neon-lights in the new single release, "Monsters!". Beneath the luxury façade, something sinister awaits in V.B.O.'s fusion of retro-futuristic synths and heavy music. Comprised of Francesco Cavalieri (WIND ROSE) and Simone Giusti, a wizard of electronics and groove-laden basslines, Italy's V.B.O. is preparing to unveil the forthcoming full length, Vice Business Only, on July 24, 2026, via Reigning Phoenix Music.

Pre-order Vice Business Only HERE!

"'Monsters' dives into the darker side of modern society, exposing the vices we often choose to ignore or disguise." Reveals frontman Francesco Cavalieri. "In true VBO style, the video transforms these flaws into literal monsters, turning hidden truths into striking visual metaphors. Beneath the neon lights and cinematic aesthetic lies a deeper message; like a reflection of a world that often masks its imperfections behind glamour. Too excessive? No. It’s VBO baby."

V.B.O.'s characteristic catchy hooks and energized electronics are infused with a shadowy touch in "Monsters!". Explosive beats see "Monsters!" spark into life, before heavy rhythmic stabs and melodic guitar riffs emerge beneath an array of warm analogue synth textures. The memorable chorus lyric "we are monsters" injects an anthemic feel while the track's breakdown passage takes a darker turn.

Filmed at Vacuum Club, Milan, V.B.O. lift the veil on the bloodthirsty monsters that hide in plain sight across the electric urban nightlife.

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.

About V.B.O.:

VICE BUSINESS ONLY (V.B.O.) is a musical project founded in 2023 by Francesco Cavalieri, best known as the frontman of the power metal band WIND ROSE, together with electronic music producer Simone Giusti. The project marks a bold artistic shift for Cavalieri, moving from fantasy-driven metal into a modern, urban, and cinematic soundscape.

The band’s lineup is completed by Claudio Falconcini (guitar), Federico Meranda (keyboards), and Angelo Carmignani (drums), combining diverse musical backgrounds into a cohesive identity.

V.B.O. blends retro-futuristic synthwave with rock and metal, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and electrifyingly modern. Inspired by Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Daft Punk, and Justice, the band combines analog-style synths, driving rhythms, and powerful vocals into a polished, immersive experience.

At the core of V.B.O. lies a neon-drenched vision of excess, elegance, and cinematic nightlife—echoing the glamour and danger of cities like Miami. Themes of power, luxury, passion, and excess define the project, presenting the band almost as a stylized gang where image and attitude are as essential as the music.

The band made its live debut in January 2026 at the 70000 Tons of Metal festival in the United States, stepping onto one of the world’s most recognized international stages.

Since its inception, V.B.O. has positioned itself as a distinctive force in contemporary music, merging rock and metal energy with electronic groove and texture. More than a band, Vice Business Only delivers a complete audiovisual experience—a high-stakes journey through a retro-futuristic universe where the rhythm never slows and the attitude is larger than life.

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

Lost In Kyiv Share "Becoming" (Feat. Rebecca Need-Menear of i Häxa, Anavae)

May 25, 2026

French post-metal band Lost In Kyiv have unveiled their new single "Becoming," featuring haunting guest vocals from Rebecca Need-Menear (i Häxa, Anavae). This is the third single released from their new album We're All Going To Be Fine, out June 19 via Pelagic Records.

Watch the video for "Becoming" Below.

Stream and pre-save here.

Tenderness and tension move together as the rising intricacies of electronica and acoustic instrumentation constantly build, support and evolve. Poetry, harmony, heavy peaks and atmospheric passages are sculpted with precision and patience, constantly redefining the energy of the piece whilst keeping the emotional centre, solicitude, a depth of empathetic feeling that permeates "Becoming."

The band comments on the single, "If the album explores the tension between hope and inner collapse, 'Becoming' is the moment the glass shatters and your eyes finally open. It is our most atmospheric and melodic song on the album, elevated by our first-ever collaboration with a female singer. Rebecca Need-Menear perfectly embodies this fragile state between dreaming and living."

Over the course of more than a decade, Lost In Kyiv have refined a sound that fuses cinematic ambition, electronic precision, and visceral live energy into something unmistakably their own. With their new album, We're All Going To Be Fine, they push that identity further than ever; sharpening their production, intensifying their dynamics, and embracing a darker, more immersive sonic architecture.

Lost In Kyiv comment, "We're All Going To Be Fine explores the tension between hope and inner collapse, and how modern life can disconnect us from ourselves and each other. The songs were inspired by personal experiences, societal pressure, and the idea that we often become our own worst enemy. We were also inspired by the work of Carl Gustav Jung (who is the voice at the end of the album), especially his ideas about exploring the human psyche, as well as themes from movies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Melancholia."

Lost in Kyiv's music has always thrived on tension between the organic and the synthetic. On We're All Going To Be Fine, that integration reaches a new level of clarity and depth. The writing and production process was long and exacting, allowing the band to refine every transition and tonal detail. Songs unfold with architectural precision, motifs are introduced subtly before expanding into vast, multi-layered climaxes. Dynamics are handled with patience and control, silence and minimalism are deployed as strategically as explosive crescendos. This careful pacing gives the album a cinematic flow and larger narrative in which struggle and compassion coexist.

Guitars surge and recede in wide, panoramic arcs. At moments they shimmer and support, at others they thrash violently, accumulating layers of distortion and harmonic overtones. Acoustic instrumentation is interwoven with sequenced synth lines, pulsing arpeggiators, and carefully sculpted electronic textures that give the band's sound a sense of forward propulsion.

Lost in Kyiv continue, "We always wanted to write music around strong themes, and for the first time, we decided to focus on something more internal than on previous albums. Our last four albums, except maybe Nuit Noire, were more about broader and more general themes. This time, we wanted to explore the fragility of mental health and the human psyche, the relation we have with ourself."

LOST IN KYIV ARE:
Jean-Christophe Condette — Bass, Synths
Dimitri Denat — Guitars
Maxime Ingrand — Guitars, Synths, Machines, Programming
Jérémie Legrand — Drums, Programming

GREEN LUNG RETURN WITH FOURTH ALBUM, NECROPOLITAN + UNVEIL 'EVIL IN THIS HOUSE'

May 13, 2026

The funeral bell is tolling, the ravens have left the tower - the long-awaited fourth album from the UK’s lords of the riff is finally upon us. Necropolitan will be released on Friday September 11th 2026 by Nuclear Blast Records. A monumental portrait of the power of nature over the dreams and dominion of humankind, Necropolitan is also a grand celebration of the occult lore and heavy music scene of the band’s birthplace, the city of London.

With producer Tom Dalgety (Opeth, Ghost) at the helm, this time handling everything from recording to mixing, the band decamped to Rockfield Studios in January 2026, following in the muddy footprints of some of their key inspirations, from Black Sabbath to Queen to Judas Priest. Sonically, they were set on capturing their megalithic live sound more accurately than ever - stripping back their usual dense, multilayered arrangements to their rawest, leanest form and recording much of the album live to capture their Sabbathian heaviness, frenzied Hammonds and haunting Mellotrons as faithfully as possible.

The result is an album that combines the soaring hookiness of This Heathen Land with an uncompromising rawness and heaviness, and takes the band’s distinctive brand of sonic storytelling to macabre new heights.

If, a year after Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning show and the death of Ozzy Osbourne, you had any doubts about the future of traditional British metal, Necropolitan will lay them to rest. Here is a band taking the torch from the heavy metal godfathers and running with it, bursting with all the musicianship and storytelling flair that has kept the genre’s flame burning for a half-century, and using it to temper a lyrical and sonic world that is entirely their own.

Lead single ‘Evil in this House’ answers the question ‘what would it sound like if a stoner metal band carried out a paranormal investigation?’, complete with a monstrously Sabbathian riff and an ectoplasmic synth solo. An accompanying music video inspired by 70s haunted house movies premieres on YouTube today.

Pre-order Necropolitan here: https://greenlung.bfan.link/necropolitan
Stream lead single ‘Evil in this House’ here: https://greenlung.bfan.link/evil-in-this-house
Watch the video for ‘Evil in this House’ Below:

This Saturday, Green Lung will be headlining the UK’s premier stoner rock, doom, sludge, and psychedelic metal festival Desertfest London. You can also catch them on June 25th at Manchester Academy, with Acid Bath and Conan.

Green Lung: Summer 2026

15 May - UK London, Desertfest London
25 June - UK Manchester, Manchester Academy*

*supporting Acid Bath

A cult band in every sense of the word, Green Lung emerged from London’s heavy rock scene with self-released debut EP Free the Witch (2018).

Drawing on a host of peculiarly British musical influences, from doomy hard rock to pastoral prog and psych to the Hammer Horror theatrics of the NWOBHM, the band have swiftly risen to the forefront of the UK metal scene.

Lyrically celebrating the folklore, myths and legends of Britain, they conjure the wild and witchy spirit of their forebears for a new generation.

Green Lung have released three critically acclaimed albums, Woodland Rites (2019), Black Harvest (2021) and This Heathen Land (2023). They have toured internationally with Clutch, Opeth and Unto Others, and performed on festival stages from Roadburn to Download. Their latest album This Heathen Land landed at #1 on the UK’s Official Rock and Metal Album Chart.

Exploring Birdsong Release Video for New Single "Spy in the House of Love"

May 13, 2026

Progressive alt-pop outfit Exploring Birdsong have today released their new single "Spy In The House Of Love," the latest track taken from their upcoming debut album Every House We Built, out June 26 via Long Branch Records.

Speaking of the track, vocalist Lynsey Ward shares, "I came across the book 'Spy in the House of Love' by accident one day, and immediately felt compelled by how the phrase had organized a lot of messy feelings while being in the throes of a heavy break-up. There is actually very little that the book and our song have in common, but discovering it did catalyze a great deal of focus creatively and personally. Everyone at some stage has felt confused or betrayed in heartbreak, and we are far from the first to write a song about it. It is quite new territory for us, though!"

Stream "Spy In The House Of Love" and pre-order the debut album here.

Watch the video below:

On their debut full-length Every House We Built, Exploring Birdsong step into their most vulnerable and personal chapter yet, shifting from conceptual storytelling to an intimate exploration of human connection.

At its core, the album reflects on relationships in all forms, friendships, family and romance, using the metaphor of houses to explore how bonds are carefully built over time but can fracture just as easily. This idea of fragile architecture runs throughout, with recurring imagery of homes, spaces and foundations giving the record a cohesive emotional thread.

Across the album, the band draw directly from lived experience, moving through themes of anxiety, toxic dynamics, inherited grief, longing and absence, while also capturing moments of warmth, hope and self-realisation. It balances emotional intensity with moments of restraint, shifting between vulnerability, anger and reflection.

Central to the record is the sense that even the strongest connections can reveal hidden cracks, leading to collapse and loss. Yet, it ultimately resists despair. Instead, it closes on a note of renewal, suggesting that despite everything that breaks down, there is still value in building, trusting and starting again.

Every House We Built is a deeply human debut about what we create with others, what we lose, and the quiet resilience it takes to rebuild.

Exploring Birdsong will embark on a headline UK tour this September, playing their biggest headline shows to date. The run of dates will see the band kick things off in Glasgow on September 23, before heading south for shows in London and Bristol and wrapping up the tour with a final date in Manchester on September 26. Get tickets here.

EXPLORING BIRDSONG ON TOUR:
9/23 — Glasgow, Scotland — Classic Grand
9/24 — London, England — Islington Assembly Hall
9/25 — Bristol, England — Strange Brew
9/26 — Manchester, England — Gorilla

EXPLORING BIRDSONG ARE:
Lynsey Ward — Vocals + Piano
Jonny Knight — Bass + Synthesizers
Matt Harrison — Drums + Percussion

DRAKE MILLIGAN ADDS FALL EUROPEAN DATES TO “TUMBLEWEED WORLD TOUR”

March 2, 2026

Critically acclaimed Country artist, Drake Milligan, adds new European dates to his fall schedule on the “Tumbleweed World Tour,” which kicked off in November 2025. These new stops include Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and more. Throughout the year, Milligan will play across Canada, Europe, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. A true entertainer, fans can expect an energetic, one-of-a-kind performance from Milligan and his band. Please visit drakemilligan.com for tickets and more information.

Following the release of his highly anticipated sophomore album, Tumbleweed – listen HERE , Milligan just recently released a brand new duet with the iconic Shania Twain titled “I’ll Be Here With You.” This moving, perfectly harmonious track is part of the full The Gray House (Original Soundtrack From the Amazon Series), which is now available across all streaming platforms following the release of the highly anticipated limited series The Gray House. Listen HERE and watch the official music video Below.

Executive produced by Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary, The Gray House tells the extraordinary true story of four women who operate an Underground Railroad network that evolves into a daring espionage ring, risking everything to help preserve the nation’s future. Music plays a central role in shaping the series’ emotional landscape, amplifying both the intimate and epic scale of the story.

Having been on the road throughout 2025 opening for Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, and Luke Bryan, Milligan is thrilled to be embarking on his own slew of dates including his return across the pond in Paris and Brussels in March, plus C2C Festival stops in Rotterdam, Berlin, London, Glasgow, and Belfast. With the UK being Milligan’s second largest market in 2025, just behind the US, he is thrilled to bring his electric show back to them in 2026. CD/vinyl of Tumbleweed are available for pre-order now and will release on March 13. Pre-orderHERE.

About Drake Milligan

A student of classic Country music with the swagger of early Rock ‘n’ Roll, Drake Milligan is an electrifying entertainer who cites George Strait and Elvis Presley – the King of Country and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll – as musical heroes, and his unique twist of traditional Country has been embraced by fans, peers, and major media including Billboard, PEOPLE, American Songwriter, USA Today, Access Hollywood, and more. In 2022, Milligan burst onto the national music stage with his debut album Dallas/Fort Worth, which topped the iTunes Country and All-Genre charts, landed him at #5 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart, and was later named one of Billboard’s “Best Country Albums of 2022.” The Fort Worth, TX native has since performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach and CMA Music Festival, and recently became the first artist to perform on an F1 racetrack for the inaugural F1 Grid Gigs in Austin, TX. Following his breakout debut, Milligan earned a #1 Canadian Country Radio hit with “Honky Tonkin’ About” (with The Reklaws) and carried that momentum into 2024 with his critically acclaimed EP Jukebox Songs, featuring fan favorite “I Got A Problem.” He also returned to primetime television for America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League before joining Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Luke Bryan, and Blake Shelton on tour. With more than 270 million streams worldwide, Milligan is entering his next chapter with the release of his sophomore album Tumbleweed. The title track has already climbed into the UK Country Radio Top 10 as he kicks off his global “Tumbleweed World Tour.”

KEEP UP WITH DRAKE MILLIGAN
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