CARLY PEARCE TO RELEASE FIFTH STUDIO ALBUM

June 23, 2026

Today, GRAMMY, CMA and ACM-Award winning country star Carly Pearce announces her highly anticipated fifth studio album, Honest Woman, will arrive August 28 via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Pre-order, pre-add, and pre-save the album HERE , including new track “She Don’t” which dropped today alongside the album announcement. Available now on all platforms, the song further highlights Carly’s witty lyricism and love of storytelling with her traditional country sensibilities for a sure-to-be fan favorite. Watch the visualizer Below;

Co-produced by Pearce with longtime collaborator Ben West, Honest Woman sees Pearce embrace every aspect of who she was, is, and will become through narrative-driven lyrics and a sonic return to form. Including features with Riley Green, Dan Tyminski and Molly Tuttle, the album leans into her bluegrass roots and focuses on authentic country craftsmanship. Honest Woman is an ‘honest’ portrayal of life’s journey delivered by a woman who understands that it’s the fullness of time that defines you.

"When I started making Honest Woman, I found myself rediscovering who I am and why I wanted to be a country music singer in the first place,” says Pearce. “This album takes me back to the beginning of my story, where the sounds of classic country and bluegrass music shaped who I am. I’m so proud of this body of work, and I truly feel like it’s my best yet.”

Anticipation was at an all-time high during CMA Fest as the phrase “Honest Woman” was seen in various places around Nashville – from her “Carly’s Closet” charity pop-up that raised $20,000 for the CMA Foundation, to the sidewalks outside her CMA Artist of the Day panel moderated by Hillary Scott of Lady A and performances at Nissan Stadium, Billboard Live at Category 10, SiriusXM’s Music Row Happy Hour and Spotify House – leading Pearce’s fans to speculate if Honest Womanwas the title of her forthcoming album.

In addition to today’s release, “She Don’t,” Pearce’s forthcoming album will include current single and “blockbuster duet” (Billboard) with Riley Green, “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” along with the “delightfully snarky & sassy” (Music Row) “You Can Have Him,” “honest anthem” (Rolling Stone) “Church Girl” and the “unfiltered, introspective” (Billboard) “Dream Come True.” As Pearce is readying Honest Woman, each track continues to define “the tone for her most vulnerable era yet” (The Tennessean).

To support the album, Pearce will be performing special two-night residencies across North America. Kicking off September 10 with two nights in Detroit, Pearce will bring her “Honest Woman: Up Close” live shows presented by Conundrum Wines to intimate venues in Chicago, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Toronto and Boston before concluding with two nights in New York City. Belle Frantz will join Pearce as support.

Tickets will be available starting Tuesday, June 23 at 12pm local time with the Official Carly Pearce Fan Club presale, where members can redeem their code for tickets to the tour. To sign up for the fan club, fans can visit fanclub.carlypearce.com. General tickets will be available for purchase beginning Friday, June 26 at 10am local time.

CARLY PEARCE - “HONEST WOMAN: UP CLOSE” ROUTING
Thursday, September 10 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall*
Friday, September 11 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrew’s Hall*
Wednesday, September 16 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s on Weed*
Thursday, September 17 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s on Weed*
Friday, September 18 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line*
Saturday, September 19 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line*
Sunday, September 27 – Los Angeles, CA – The Troubadour*
Tuesday, September 29 – Los Angeles, CA – GRAMMY Museum
Thursday, October 15 – Toronto, ON – Toronto Opera House*
Friday, October 16 – Toronto, ON – Toronto Opera House*
Sunday, October 18 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair*
Monday, October 19 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair*
Wednesday, October 21 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre*
Thursday, October 22 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre*

*With support from Belle Frantz

Traditional Heavy Metallers THE UNKNOWN Launch Title-Track from Upcoming Album

June 15, 2026

Traditional thrashers THE UNKNOWN proudly share the title-track from their upcoming sophomore album, 'Graveyard of Empires,' set for release on September 4th via Mission 84 Productions. The new single arrives alongside an official lyric video premiering on Metal Insider, available below.

"Graveyard of Empires," the title track and second single from the forthcoming album, is a heavy, groove-laden beast with a haunting Middle Eastern undercurrent that sets it apart from anything in the band's catalog. Lyrically, it's a visceral reckoning with a painful pattern of history: nations swallowed whole by occupation, greed, and endless war before they ever had the chance to become what they were meant to be. The song doesn't mourn conquerors. It mourns potential.

On the new track, guitarist Aamir Syed shares:

"'Graveyard of Empires' is the heart of the record, and I think it earns that title. The song is heavy and relentless, but there is an undercurrent of grief. Musically I was drawing from Ritchie Blackmore and Middle Eastern folk and classical music. That combination gave the riff its character. We looked at history and saw the same pattern over and over: nations, people, potential, all swallowed before they became what they could have been."

Check Out the Lyric Video Premiere for "Graveyard of Empires" Below:

THE UNKNOWN are a U.S.-based heavy metal band forging a powerful blend of traditional metal and thrash. Drawing influence from bands such as Jag Panzer, Manilla Road, Anthrax, and Iron Maiden, their sound combines crushing riffs and driving rhythms with soaring melodies and commanding, emotive vocals.

Their debut album, ‘Vanishing Point,’ released through ZYX/GoldenCore Records, earned strong reviews from metal publications and fans around the world, establishing the band as a rising force in the underground heavy metal scene.

Now, THE UNKNOWN return with their forthcoming album, ‘Graveyard of Empires,’ pushing their sound even further with bigger arrangements, deeper atmosphere, and an even sharper edge. Rooted in the spirit of classic heavy metal while bringing their own modern intensity, the band continues their mission to keep true metal alive while carving out their own path within the genre.

The album's title is a conceptual statement. 'Graveyard of Empires' explores the fall not of nations, but of ideas, the collapse of peace, the erosion of the human spirit, the slow unraveling of everything we build and everything we believe in. From the battlefields of World War II to the death of civilizations that never got the chance to flourish, to the quiet question of what remains of humanity when humanity itself is no longer the only answer...

Featuring cover artwork by Charles Borkowski, 'Graveyard of Empires' arrives September 4, 2026.

About the album, Aamir Syed comments:

"As an album, it isn't about geopolitics, but there is a running theme throughout the stories that we're telling. The empires that fall in this record are ideas, concepts and the slow collapse of peace. The belief that we're building toward something and then it falls part due to greed and corruption. That's what we're mourning."

THE UNKNOWN Live:

September 11th - Hamden, CT @ The Cellar

September 13th - Brooklyn, NY @The Meadows

+ More Dates to Be Announced!

THE UNKNOWN are:

Aamir Syed - Guitars

Matt Fisher - Vocals

Andic Salcedo - Bass

Michael Dale - Guitars

ARISING EMPIRE MEDIA ALERT: Doomcrusher Drops New Song

June 13, 2026

With "Forsaker," Doomcrusher unleash a relentless metalcore assault that cuts straight to the core of betrayal, self-destruction, and personal rebirth. The latest single from the German heavy music supergroup is an uncompromising statement of resilience, transforming inner turmoil and emotional scars into a devastating display of modern Metalcore aggression. Featuring members of renowned German acts Any Given Day, Rage, and Betontod, Doomcrusher combine decades of collective experience with a fresh and uncompromising vision. Since their formation, the band has quickly gained momentum within the heavy music scene, amassing more than 2 million streams across digital platforms and establishing themselves as one of the most promising new forces in modern metalcore.

At its core, "Forsaker" is a song about breaking free. It captures the painful realization that some people, relationships, and even parts of ourselves can become toxic enough to hold us captive. Through brutally honest lyrics, the track explores the feeling of being trapped in an endless cycle of self-doubt, chasing shadows while becoming a slave to your own thoughts. What begins as a desperate search for clarity gradually evolves into a declaration of independence, culminating in the track's defining message: Cutting out everything that stands in the way of growth and survival. Musically, "Forsaker" showcases Doomcrusher at their most explosive. Haunting spoken-word passages create an atmosphere of unease before giving way to savage screams, crushing breakdowns, thunderous drums, and razor-sharp riffing. The band's ability to seamlessly blend raw emotion with technical precision results in a track that is as punishing as it is memorable. Every breakdown lands with devastating impact, while intricate guitar work and dynamic songwriting elevate the song beyond pure aggression. Thematically, "Forsaker" represents the moment of reclaiming control. It is about finding the strength to walk away from manipulation, betrayal, and self-destructive patterns. The song does not offer comfort or easy answers—instead, it embraces confrontation, forcing listeners to face their demons head-on and emerge stronger on the other side.

Doomcrusher continue to push their sound forward while remaining firmly rooted in the intensity and authenticity that define them. With "Forsaker," the band delivers one of its most powerful statements to date: A crushing anthem of liberation, determination, and the courage to become your own savior. For fans of Fit For A King, Currents, August Burns Red, Bleed From Within, and As I Lay Dying, "Forsaker" is a devastating soundtrack for anyone who has ever had to sever toxic ties in order to survive.

THE HOWLERS Wake Up from the American Dream on New Single “L.A. Morning”

June 11, 2026

Following the announcement of their forthcoming sophomore album ‘Heavy,’ London indie rockers THE HOWLERS return with their latest single, “L.A. Morning,” out now via FLG. The track offers another glimpse into the band’s most ambitious chapter yet, ahead of the album’s release on October 9th alongside the announcement of their summer shows alongside Deep Purple and Alice Cooper and their autumn album tour.

A sun-soaked reflection on the myths we grow up believing, “L.A. Morning” explores the idealized image of the American Dream through a distinctly British perspective. Built around themes of ambition, escapism, and disillusionment, the track captures the tension between youthful fantasy and reality, while retaining the sense of wonder that made those dreams so alluring in the first place.

The song arrived unexpectedly during the final stages of recording ‘Heavy.’ Initially never intended for the album, “L.A. Morning” was written and recorded in a matter of hours during the band's final studio session, with THE HOWLERS committing to their first instincts and capturing a spontaneity that would ultimately make it one of the record’s defining moments.

“As kids, we all grew up with the idea of the American Dream, a notion that has been dashed significantly in recent years by world events, but the romanticised idea of Hollywood is something that every child knows and grows up wanting,” says frontman Adam Young. “’L.A. Morning’ is sort of the realization of that. It was never meant to end up on the album, but it came together so naturally that we couldn’t ignore it. Those moments are rare, and they’re what making music is all about.”

Watch the Official Visualizer for "L.A. Morning"

Following a period of transition at the end of 2024, THE HOWLERS entered a new phase, with frontman Adam Young rebuilding the project as a two-piece alongside drummer Toby Richards — a shift that redefined both the band’s sound and creative direction, bringing a renewed sense of focus and identity.

That reset came off the back of a breakthrough year. Their self-funded debut album ‘What You’ve Got To Lose To Win It All’ landed to widespread European acclaim, breaking into the UK Independent Breakers Charts Top 10 while securing multiple positions across independent, vinyl and physical sales charts. Radio support followed from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Radio X and Absolute Radio, alongside international backing and editorial playlisting across Apple Music and Spotify.

That momentum translated directly to the stage. A sold-out 18-date UK headline tour established the band as one of the country’s most exciting live acts, followed by a European run that saw them sell out shows across eight countries — road-testing new material that would ultimately shape what came next.

Where that debut was defined by grief and personal loss, ‘Heavy’ emerges from a very different place. Driven by the tension between desire and consequence, recklessness and reality, it’s an album lit by the pull of the night, the thrill of impulse and the cold clarity that follows.

Written and produced alongside long-time collaborator Chris Ostler (Black Honey), the record deliberately sidesteps traditional studio methods. Instead, it was built remotely — with demos, ideas and reworked compositions exchanged across digital platforms — stripping everything back while pushing each track to its strongest form. Only in the final stages did the band enter rehearsal spaces to capture live drums, grounding its more experimental edges with a raw, physical energy.

Young adds:

“This album is those late night experiences, the after dark conversations, late night phone calls, the seductive nature of impulsiveness that seems so alluring and losing yourself in the addictive nature of recklessness — but it’s also the mirror in the morning, the wake up call, and the harsh reality of knowing those feelings won’t always last. It’s the moment you find yourself again.”

Pre-Order 'Heavy' HERE

For a band that has always worn its honesty as a badge of honour — and built a fiercely loyal following on the back of it — ‘Heavy’ feels like the album THE HOWLERS were always moving towards. With an extensive UK and European headline tour to follow, 2026 is shaping up to be the year they fully arrive.

THE HOWLERS Live:

Summer Tour Dates

6/24 - Monchengladbach @ SparkassenPark (Deep Purple Stadium Tour)

6/27 - Coburg @ HUK Open Air Schlossplatz (Deep Purple Stadium Tour)

6/28 - Ulm @ Wiblington Monastery Courtyard (Deep Purple Stadium Tour)

7/02 - TBC @ TBC (Stadium Tour)

7/03 - TBC @ TBC (Stadium Tour)

7/04 - TBC @ TBC (Stadium Tour)

7/09 - Gelsenkirchen @ Amphitheater (Alice Cooper Stadium Tour)

7/16 - Stratford Upon Avon @ Rother Street Arts House

7/19 - Munich @ Tollwood Festival (Deep Purple Stadium Tour)

7/24 - Croglin @ Gadabout Festival

Instore Tour

10/09 - Nantwich @ Apple Stump

10/09 - Bury @ Wax & Beans

10/10 - Portsmouth @ Pie & Vinyl

10/10 - Kingston @ Banquet Records

10/11 - Chelmsford @ Intense Records (Meadows)

10/11 - Chelmsford @ Intense Records (Viaduct)

10/12 - Bristol @ Rough Trade

10/13 - Oakham @ Rockabuy Records

10/13 - Nottingham @ Rough Trade

10/14 - London @ Rough Trade East

10/15 - Gosport @ A.S.L.O.V

10/15 - Southampton @ Vinilo

10/16 - Oxford @ Truck

10/17 - Liverpool @ Jacaranda Records

10/18 - Glasgow @ Assai

10/18 - Aberdeen @ Assai

10/19 - Edinburgh @ Assai

10/20 - Newcastle @ Beyond

10/20 - Leeds @ Crash

10/21 - Huddersfield @ Vinyl Tap

Album Tour

10/30 - Oslo @ Revolver

10/31 - Trelleborg @ Kulturhuset

11/01 - Copenhagen @ Rust

11/04 - Den Haag @ Paard

11/05 - Amsterdam @ Paradiso

11/06 - Rees @ Haldern Pop

11/07 - Cologne @ Yuca

11/08 - Munich @ Backstage Halle

11/10 - Hamburg @ Betty

11/11 - Berlin @ Urban Spree

11/12 - Poznan @ Klub Pod Minoga

11/13 - Warsaw @ Hybryd

11/14 - Budapest @ Robot

11/15 - Prague @ Cafe V Lese

11/16 - Vienna @ Club Lucia

11/18 - Nova Gorica @ Mostovna

11/20 - Rome @ Wishlist

11/21 - Milan @ Arci Bellezza

11/25 - Paris @ Le Chinois

11/26 - Angouleme @ Tulmulte

11/27 - Bordeaux @ Deus

11/28 - Toulouse @ Labo Des Arts

11/29 - Arthez @ Pingouin Alternatif

3/03 - Edinburgh @ Mash House

3/04 - Newcastle @ The Cluny

3/05 - Manchester @ The Deaf Institute

3/06 - Birmingham @ O2 Institute 3

3/10 - Bristol @ Exchange

3/11 - Southampton @ The Joiners

3/12 - London @ Bush Hall

3/13 - Norwich @ Arts Centre

Hard Rock Supergroup ICONIC Unveils New Track "Take Me To The Place" + Visualizer

June 10, 2026

Today, hard rock supergroup ICONIC - featuring Michael Sweet (guitars), Joel Hoekstra(guitars), Marco Mendoza (bass), Tommy Aldridge (drums), and Nathan James (vocals) – have unveiled their new track, “Take Me To The Place,” ahead of the release of their upcoming sophomore album ‘II,’ set for release on July 31, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Michael Sweet comments on the track:

“'Take Me To The Place' is once again, a song that takes you back to the past. The whole point of this band/album is to remind people of the power of classic rock. Some of the greatest music came out of the 70’s/80’s, and we’re very proud to be able to continue waving that flag and carrying the torch!”

Joel Hoekstra shares:

“It was great fun to riff away to trade leads with Michael Sweet on this one. Nathan James is belting away, and the classic rock vibes are omnipresent. Hopefully you all like it as much as we liked recording it!”

Marco Mendoza also adds:

“Another great song coming from all the talent in this band...Michael and Joel killing it, Nathansounding great and delivering big time...Tommy driving!!!”

Watch the Visualizer for "Take Me To The Place" 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.

Pre-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

MALVADA Shares New Single “Aventura Favorita” Out Now via Frontiers Music Srl

June 9, 2026

Today, women-led, talented Brazilian Rock band MALVADA are pleased to share their new single, “Aventura Favorita,” along with an official visualizer, available now via Frontiers Music Srl.

The band states:

“’Aventura Favorita’ is about finding someone who makes the world seem bigger and somehow still feels like home.”

The rising star of the Brazilian rock scene has a name: MALVADA, and they are ready to take over the world!

Watch the Official Visualizer for "Aventura Favorita" Below:

MALVADA was initially formed in March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. With a rock n' roll style full of personality, the band quickly attracted attention as one of the most promising acts in the Brazilian rock scene.

In January 2021, MALVADA released their first single entitled "Mais Um Gole," which gained greater prominence in the scene. Shortly afterwards, in May of the same year, it was time to release the second single, "Cada Escolha uma Renúncia," which preceded the launch of the band's debut album, 'A Noite Vai Ferver.'

In 2022 and 2023, MALVADA solidified its presence on the national rock panorama, performing more than a hundred shows in several cities in Brazil. The band had the privilege of participating in huge festivals, such as Rock in Rio, Best of Blues and Rock, Angra Fest,and Chama Rock, sharing the stage with renowned national and international rock names, like Pitty, Ira!, Angra, Viper, Edu Falaschi, Matanza, Golpe de Estado, Extreme, and Tom Morello.

In November 2023, MALVADA, composed of Indira Castillo, Bruna Tsuruda, Rafaela Reoliand Juliana Salgado surprised with a big announcement: the band has become the newest signee of the prestigious Italian label Frontiers Records, which has renowned bands in its catalog such as Mr. Big, Asia, Whitesnake, Jeff Scott Soto, among others, promising to take them to a new level, with opportunities to expand their reach and conquer the global market.

Their latest self-titled album, released last June and produced by the Brazilian Grammy-award-winning producer Giu Daga, delivers a powerful and exciting musical experience, featuring tracks in both English and Portuguese, setting the bar for the band to conquer a global audience.

MALVADA recently toured Europe with Michael Schenker, wrapping the tour up last month, and is set to play again at Rock in Rio in September, along with Bring Me The Horizon, Avenged Sevenfold, Bad Omens, and Poppy.

Stream / Listen to "Aventura Favorita" HERE

MALVADA are:

Indira Castillo - Vocals

Bruna Tsuruda - Guitar

Juliana Salgado - Drums

Rafaela Reoli - Bass

Post Black Metal Project BLOOD MOTHER Unleashes Ominous New Single, "Pulled Apart"

June 6, 2026

Rick Giordano, the composer behind THE LION'S DAUGHTER, has re-emerged as BLOOD MOTHER, a devastating new project that combines the post black metal horrors of TLD with haunting, atmospheric soundscapes and Western Americana attitude. Forged in themes of isolation, paranoia, violence and terror, dark and synth-driven ambience coalesces with bouts of chaotic and desperate black metal, while also honing in on the grit and desolation that was no doubt inspired by Giordano’s upbringing in the rugged American heartlands. Combined with the commanding aggression of Giordano's vocal attack, BLOOD MOTHER offers the score to your own personal horror film.

BLOOD MOTHER is now unveiling a lyric video for the ominous new single "Pulled Apart," which is taken from its upcoming self-titled studio album, due on June 19 independently. The song can be found along with a visualizer below.

Composer Rick Giordano comments, "'This song is the album closer because after the devastation and hopelessness you're left with at the end of the song, there's really nowhere else to go. Whether taken as a metaphor for physical or emotional violence, you're pulled apart until there is nothing left. With the added layers of bass guitars and synths, and an altogether different, larger drum set... we wanted to destroy you and your speakers both."

Pre-orders are now live via the official webstore HERE or via Bandcamp HERE.

Giordano is accompanied on this self titled debut album by Erik Ramsier, long time drummer and percussionist for the Lion's Daughter, with artwork by renowned graphic novelist The Salamander King.

Rick Giordano, the composer behind THE LION'S DAUGHTER, is re-emerging as BLOOD MOTHER, a devastating new project that combines the post black metal horrors of TLD with haunting, atmospheric soundscapes and Western Americana attitude. Forged in themes of isolation, paranoia, violence and terror, dark and synth-driven ambience coalesces with bouts of chaotic and desperate black metal, while also honing in on the grit and desolation that was no doubt inspired by Giordano’s upbringing in the rugged American heartlands. Combined with the commanding aggression of Giordano's vocal attack, BLOOD MOTHER offers the score to your own personal horror film.

Accompanied on this self-titled debut album by Erik Ramsier, longtime drummer and percussionist for the Lion's Daughter, with artwork by renowned graphic novelist The Salamander King, BLOOD MOTHER isn’t just a reboot, but rather a reinvention. While it still draws from many of THE LION'S DAUGHTER’s original influences, and therefore, the project also defies generic classification much like its predecessor, BLOOD MOTHER is still a clear evolution from what came before. “After 18 years of releasing music and touring the world, the daughter had to die so that the mother could live,” explains Giordano of the new project.

As a fully independent entity, BLOOD MOTHER has no chains, no bounds, and no master. Self-releasing this project with the help of world renowned independent artist manager Wolf Mountain Productions, Giordano is paving his own path and asserting his dominance over the oppressive music industry. Like a renegade cowboy, he joins the ranks of other modern artists who have abandoned all standards and practices to usher in a new era of artist ownership and DIY supremacy. “I've never been a person that neatly fits in with any group, or made music that neatly fits into any category, so it just makes sense to operate independently,” Giordano explains. “I also look at the current state of the music and most of the bands that are popular now, and think why the fuck would I want anything to do with that?”

Like a ghost riding out from the desert, Blood Mother is here to paint the town a shade of red found only in Hell... before burning it all to the ground.

Lineup:
Rick Giordano: Guitar, bass, synth, vocals

Erik Ramsier: Drums

For Fans Of: Ulver, Darkspace, Blut Aus Nord, Cult of Luna, Sunn O))), Wayfarer

Cover Artist: The Salamander King

Album Credits:

Mixing by Ryan Wasoba

Mastering by Joel Hatstat

Distribution/management: Wolf Mountain Productions

Links:

METALITE Unveil Discovery Album Details and Release New Single “In Case Of Emergency”

May 31, 2026

Swedish melodic metal force METALITE returns with their most ambitious and cinematic chapter yet: Discovery! Set for release on September 25, 2026 via Perception – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, the forthcoming album sees the band pushing their futuristic vision further than ever before. Following the success of their previously released singles “Our Time Has Come” and “Starchild”, METALITE now unveils full details of the new record alongside the release of their brand new single “In Case Of Emergency”.

Driven by powerful melodies, heavy rhythms, pounding guitar riffs and METALITE’s signature fusion of futuristic soundscapes and electrifying metal energy, “In Case Of Emergency” delivers another thrilling glimpse into the sonic universe of Discovery. Accompanied by a brand new visualizer video, the track combines dynamic riffing, cinematic synth layers and the unmistakable vocal performance of Erica Ohlsson into a modern melodic metal anthem packed with energy and emotion.

Guitarist, producer, songwriter and founder Edwin Premberg comments:

“In Case Of Emergency is a true banger driven by a heavy rhythm and crushing chugging guitars. But beneath the intensity, it carries a powerful message about always being there for someone, no matter the time or place. It’s a song that hits hard both musically and emotionally, raw, melodic, and made to be felt.”

Stream “In Case Of Emergency” Below:

Mixed and mastered by acclaimed Danish producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Evergrey, Amaranthe), Discovery pushes METALITE’s futuristic vision further than ever before. Across twelve dynamic tracks, the album explores themes of human evolution, technology, survival, liberation and hope in a universe shaped by digital realities and cosmic exploration in the year of 2058, three years after humanity left a collapsing Earth in search of a new beginning.

Building upon the sonic worlds established on Heroes in Time (2017), Biomechanicals (2019), A Virtual World (2021) and Expedition One (2024), the band once again proves why they are regarded as pioneers of modern sci-fi-inspired melodic metal!

Pre-Order Discovery HERE:
https://metalite.rpm.link/discoveryPR

ABOUT METALITE
Formed in 2015 by guitarist Edwin Premberg and vocalist Emma Bensing, the band quickly gained recognition for its fresh and modern take on melodic metal and their 2017 debut album Heroes in Time set the stage for METALITE’s rise.

In 2019, the band entered a new era with Biomechanicals, marking the debut of vocalist Erica Ohlsson. With an even more refined sound, the album embraced electronic elements and pulsating rhythms, elevating METALITE’s futuristic vision, further solidifying the band’s reputation as innovators in the genre.

Their evolution continued with A Virtual World in 2021, an album that expanded on their sci-fi themes while delivering massive soundscapes and powerful melodies.

With Expedition One (2024), METALITE embarked on their most ambitious project to date. A visionary concept album set in the year 2055, it tells the story of a renegade team searching for a new world, exploring themes of human evolution, technology, and survival.

In 2024, the band welcomed drummer Erik Junttila to the lineup, bringing new energy and power to their sound. His premiere gig with the band took place in Linköping at the beginning of 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in METALITE’s journey. Since then, they completed several tours with bands like PAIN, LEAVES’ EYES and the NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA and played at several festivals, including Sweden Rock and Masters of Rock.

With millions of streams and a growing global fanbase, METALITE continues to redefine the future of melodic metal. Their fusion of cutting-edge sound design, anthemic choruses, and sci-fi-inspired storytelling has set them apart, proving that their journey is far from over. Stay tuned - a new discovery awaits!

More on METALITE:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Spotify

KOE WETZEL RETURNS TO COUNTRY RADIO WITH “HURTS LIKE YOU” AHEAD OF JUNE 12 ALBUM, THE NIGHT CHAMPION

May 26, 2026

Koe Wetzel charges back to Country Radio this week with “Hurts Like You,” the lead single from his highly anticipated sixth studio album, The Night Champion, arriving June 12 via Columbia Records. “Hurts Like You” follows a landmark radio run for Wetzel’s Double-Platinum certified “High Road” featuring Jessie Murph, which spent five consecutive weeks at No. 1 and became the most-played song at Country Radio for all of 2025.

Written by Wetzel alongside Ashley Gorley, Steph Jones, Carrie K and producer Gabe Simon, the jaggedly propulsive “Hurts Like You” offers the raw intensity fans expect, but with a vulnerability and surrender to desires that cut you open.

“‘Hurts Like You’ was one of the first songs that we wrote for the record,” Wetzel recalls. “It’s kind of about a toxic relationship; whenever you get into those situations, you know it’s not good for you, but there’s just something about it that keeps bringing you back. It’s hard to get away from. I feel like a lot of people go through that, so I hope people can relate to the way that we felt about it.”

Critics are already embracing the track’s sharp-edged energy and crossover appeal, with VICE praising the song as “an alt-rock revival… the Texas-born rocker blends Country & Western with post-grunge in a way that scratches so many itches. ‘Hurts Like You’ has grit, but never sacrifices melody. It’s relentlessly catchy, but it still has balls.”

Set for release June 12, The Night Champion captures the aftermath of a wild run, delivering all the signature force, punch and ragged details people expect, tempered by the clarity that comes with surviving it. Turning chaos, excess and hard-earned perspective into something built to endure, The Night Champion fuses all that’s happened since Wetzel first hit the road with a van and the drive to see how far he could take it.

“It’s a continuation of 9 Lives, from that record to now,” Wetzel offers of the follow-up to his globally connecting release. “Really, it’s everything that’s happened – because you don’t go from kids playing for beer to headlining Red Rocks, arenas all over the country, partying and trying to make sense of it all and not shift. My head space is clearer now. I can look back, see how it fits together. It doesn’t make sense, exactly, but it all happened. That search for what it all means keeps bringing me back.”

Whether fans were there from those first nights in Texas, the wake of his indie breakout Noise Complaint or found the music during last year’s radio rush, The Night Champion is built to offer a sense of all the phases as it brings the disparate audiences together. “I’m not torn between the worlds,” Wetzel notes of the convergence. “This is where all the fans meet. No matter when they got here, this is that moment.”

Pollstar’s “firebrand live sensation” is also bringing the new music to fans across the globe with The Night Champion World Tour, having recently wrapped his Australia run with dates across the U.S. and Canada to come. Shane Smith & The Saints, Ole 60, Wyatt Flores, Corey Kent, Wade Bowen, Bayker Blankenship, Kolby Cooper and Logan Jahnke join as support in varying combinations.

For more information and to purchase tickets to all upcoming shows, visit KoeWetzelMusic.com. Follow on TikTok@Koe_Wetzel and on Instagram and Facebook @KoeWetzelMusic.

UK Rocker DAN BYRNE Releases Debut Album 'This Is Where The Show Begins' — Out Now via Frontiers Music Srl

May 24, 2026

Hotly-tipped UK rocker DAN BYRNE has unveiled his anticipated debut album, ‘This Is Where the Show Begins,’ out now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the release, DAN has also unveiled the new track “Pulling Me Under,” alongside an official visualizer, available below.

DAN comments:

"'Pulling Me Under' dives into the darker depths of the album. This is a dark, atmospheric alternative rock track built on tension, emotion, and contrast. It’s haunting and anthemic, with verses that feel suffocatingly close before breaking into a huge chorus that hits like a breath of air after the plunge.

He continues, "The song explores the internal chaos of reaching out for help from the very person who’s dragging you down and the feeling of emotionally drowning when the one you trust most becomes the source of your pain. It’s a confrontation of that paradox: needing saving from the person who’s breaking you.

"It’s about that mental struggle, when you’re asking someone to pull you up, but they’re the reason you’re sinking in the first place. I wanted the music to reflect that push and pull; the verses are tight and claustrophobic, and then the chorus opens up like coming up for air. It’s dark, emotional, and one of the most cinematic moments on the record."

"With its weighty production, layered guitars, and emotional scope, it embodies that recurring theme throughout the record: the beauty and release that come from surviving your own storms," DAN concludes.

Watch the Official Visualizer for "Pulling Me Under" Below:

‘This Is Where The Show Begins,’ DAN’s debut album, is full of joy and confidence. There is swagger alongside sensitivity, a widening musical horizon that feels both fresh and bold. At the center of it all is that voice, as powerful as it is vulnerable, as emotive as it is commanding.

The lead single, “Saviour,” is a perfect opener. It bursts to life with attention-grabbing hard-rock stabs and pile-driving riffs, its verses simmering with quiet drama before exploding into a chorus that promises we are in for one hell of a ride. It struts, it shimmies, and it absolutely rocks. “Light ’em up,” indeed. There is no letup as we are thrown headlong into “She’s the Devil,” DAN delivering a colossal vocal punctuated by gonzo guitar gymnastics, the euphoria here is undeniable.

Elsewhere, we are taken to church with “Praise Hell,” and “Sober” is steeped in regret. We may even get a glimpse of where DAN is headed next with album closer “Home,” a sprawling, shapeshifting piece of alt-rock that never loses its soul. It feels like Glenn Hughes and 30 Seconds to Mars combining their superpowers.

‘This Is Where The Show Begins’ feels like the culmination of an incredible journey so far and the launching point for what comes next. It is a testament to backing yourself, trusting your instincts, and letting ambition, honesty and musical diversity lead the way. This is where it may truly begin for DAN. The exciting question now is where he will take us next.

Order 'This Is Where The Show Begins' HERE

The release follows DAN's triumphant headline tour, with nearly every date sold out. He follows this with an acoustic record store tour. A full list of dates is below.

Dan's Acoustic Record Store Tour

May 22 @ Glasgow Assai Records (Matinee)

May 22 @ Edinburgh Assai Records (Evening)

May 23 @ Newcastle Beyond Vinyl (Matinee)

May 23 @ Bury Wax & Beans (Evening)

May 24 @ Sheffield Arundel Emporium (Matinee)

May 24 @ Oxford Truck (Evening)

May 25 @ Portsmouth Pie & Vinyl (Matinee)

May 25 @ Swansea Derricks (Evening)

May 26 @ London Fighting Cocks (Evening)

May 27 @ Nantwich Applestump Records (Matinee)

May 27 @ Leeds Crash Records (Evening)

May 28 @ Liverpool Jacaranda - full electric show, playing album in full

Dan will also be performing at Steelhouse Festival on July 25th.

DAN BYRNE swept in off the Mersey, announcing himself as a solo artist in 2023 with his debut EP, ‘Beginnings.’ His powerhouse, soul-inflected vocal and deftly-executed, yet hugely accessible songcraft has quickly marked him out as an artist on the rise. Blending contemporary edge with classic influence, BYRNE’s music is powerful, honest, and deeply emotive - widescreen in scope yet intimate at its core. It rocks, without question, but what truly sets him apart is the courage to weave sensitivity and vulnerability through the intensity. This isn’t just rock music - it has the heart and authenticity to connect with an audience beyond any one genre.

In just two years DAN has toured the UK three times, delivered standout performances at multiple festivals and found overwhelming support from Planet Rock - the UK’s leading rock station - where his first four singles amassed an impressive 25 weeks on the playlist. With that foundation firmly in place, BYRNE now turns his focus to the release of his long-awaited debut solo album, marking the next powerful step in his evolution as an artist.

Scottish Alt Rockers THE XCERTS Share New Single "rinse repeat" + Visualizer

May 20, 2026

Today, THE XCERTS share "rinse repeat," the latest single from their forthcoming sixth album‘i think i want to go home now.,’ out on July 10th via FLG.

The track is, by the band's own admission, something of a first: a song that deliberately references their own back catalogue. Drawing a direct line to "crisis in the slow lane" from their 2009 debut ‘In The Cold Wind We Smile,’ "rinse repeat" revisits familiar emotional territory, cancer, heartbreak, helplessness, but refracted through the experience of adulthood and the weight that comes with it.

Speaking about the track, vocalist and guitarist Murray Macleod says:

"This might be the first time we've self-referenced our own material. There are a lot of parallels between our first record and this record, with the heartbreak of a relationship deteriorating and the loss of a parent. We wanted this song to be reminiscent of 'crisis in the slow lane' but from the perspective of adulthood. Sadly cancer was all too prominent in our lives during the writing and recording of this record, and this song is very much about my father's diagnosis at the tail end of 2022 and the helplessness of it all. I also tend to merge different scenes in verses and tie them together with choruses, so verse 2 is also about hopelessness, but in regards to my then partner's struggles."

Watch the Visualizer for "rinse repeat" Below:

It is another unflinching entry in an album that has consistently refused to look away. Where "pretty ugly" arrived as a fuzzed-out blast of anger and "in your eyes" built toward something sweeping and quietly devastating, "rinse repeat" sits somewhere between the two: purposeful, direct, and rooted in the same collaborative instinct that has defined the making of ‘i think i want to go home now.’ throughout.

The album was written by all three members together in a room, something the band had not done since their early records, and that process is audible throughout. Recorded by Larry Hibbitt at Beehive Studios, its ten songs document two years of genuine turbulence, including the passing of bassist Jordan Smith's mother and Macleod's father's cancer diagnosis, processed in real time and in company.

'i think i want to go home now.' arrives July 10th via FLG.

Pre-Order 'i think i want to go home now' HERE

THE XCERTS Live:

June 9th - Stirling - Albert Hall (with Twin Atlantic)

June 10th - Edinburgh - La Belle Angele (with Twin Atlantic)

June 11th - Aberdeen - Beach Ballroom (with Twin Atlantic)

July 11th - 2000 Trees Festival (full album playthrough set)

August 1st - Arbroath Music and Food Festival

THE XCERTS are:

Murray Macleod - vocals and guitar

Jordan Smith - bass

Tom Heron - drums

FIMBUL WINTER Present New Single "Crowned In Ash"

May 17, 2026

Forging a sound that is heavy, melodic and atmospheric, FIMBUL WINTER honor the legacy of their death metal foundations producing music that feels familiar yet is modern in its approach. "Crowned In Ash" is the latest release from FIMBUL WINTER following the 2025 debut EP What Once Was.

With a line-up formed of three previous members of AMON AMARTH, and completed with Clint Williams, FIMBUL WINTER embarks on greater exploration and development of melodic death metal. Drawing from their knowledge and experience in AMON AMARTH, and expanding further their artistic boundaries, FIMBUL WINTER brings power, energy and intensity into all of their sonic offerings.

"Crowned In Ash" emerges from the flames in an enticing soundscape infused with intriguing melodic leads. Driving rhythms take precedence pushing the track's momentum forward while guitar leads continue to entwine across the instrumental layers and Clint Williams' monstrous vocals are unleashed above.

The band states "There was never a question of what we should sound like, we’ve been shaping this sound/genre for decades, this is in our DNA"

An authoritative force prevails across the choruses in "Crowned In Ash". The fast-pace lessens its grip to allow the progressions and vocal performance the space to land with thunderous impact. FIMBUL WINTER ensure the track's main riff remains compelling and constant throughout, while deploying enveloping, shifting dynamics throughout the musical arrangement.

About FIMBUL WINTER:

Comprised of three former members of AMON AMARTH, including founding members Niko Kaukinen and Anders Biazzi, FIMBUL WINTER strive to redefine melodic death metal. Based out of Stockholm, Sweden and Melbourne, Australia, FIMBUL WINTER formed in 2023 building upon their roots and the members' legacies in Swedish death metal.

FIMBUL WINTER's beginnings grew from a spontaneous reunion performing AMON AMARTH's 1994 demo titled The Arrival Of The Fimbul Winter. The instant connection between the musicians ignited a desire to create something new that captured the essence of Swedish death metal in an updated style that is clean and modern without being polished to its detriment. 2025 brought this vision to life with the unveiling of the ensemble's first EP, What Once Was.

The new single release, "Crowned In Ash" marks the band's continuing trajectory. FIMBUL WINTER push their compositional creativity while striving to remain truly authentic to a sound they helped to craft.

FIMBUL WINTER Is:

Niko Kaukinen - Drums
Fredrik Andersson - Guitars
Anders Biazzi - Guitars
Clint Williams - Vocals

Connect With FIMBUL WINTER:

Bandcamp: https://fimbulwinterswe.bandcamp.com/
E-Shop: https://www.visionmerch.com/fimbul-winter/ (US), https://www.cudgel.de/ (EU)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fimbulwinterswe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fimbulwinterswe/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fimbul.winter.sweden
Twitter/X: https://x.com/FimbulWinterSwe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FimbulWinter-Official
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EnoFDhhfqaRU2usjJXJEu?si=rbS4WVOvT-eRjUq3MWnd8w
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/fimbul-winter/1833423705

Canadian Hard Rock Trio VON GROOVE Releases New Album 'Born To Rock' — Out Now via Frontiers Music Srl

May 16, 2026

Hard rockers VON GROOVE are proud to unleash their new album, 'Born To Rock,'out now via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate their first release since 2001, the band also shares the new single "Angela," accompanied by an official visualizer, available to view below.

VON GROOVE triumphantly returns with a jaw-dropping new album that reunites the classic original lineup: Mladen on guitars, Michael Shotton on drums and vocals, and Matthew Gerrard on bass. This isn’t just a comeback, it’s a resurrection!

Marking their first studio release since 2001, the album feels like it was born in the same fire as their legendary 1992 debut. The opening title-track, "Born To Rock," explodes with the same urgency and swagger as their iconic “Once Is Not Enough” — even quoting it with a subtle nod that will send chills down the spine of longtime fans.

True to their roots, VON GROOVE delivers a masterclass in melodic hard rock, with blazing guitars, soaring vocals, and airtight arrangements. The production is punchy and alive, but the soul of the record is pure 90s AOR glory.

Even more exciting? VON GROOVE will be returning to the stage in 2026, bringing their renewed fire and timeless sound back to live audiences for the first time in years.

Order 'Born To Rock' HERE

Founded in 1990, VON GROOVE quickly made their mark on the Melodic Hard Rock scene. Their 1992 self-titled debut, produced by Richie Zito and featuring Deen Castronovo (later of Journey) on session drums, remains a cornerstone of the genre. Over the years, they’ve delivered fan-favorite albums like 'Mission Man' ('Chameleon' in Europe), 'Test of Faith,' and'The Seventh Day.' Despite going on hiatus in 2001, the members stayed active, collaborating with rock legends and contributing to major projects across genres.

After 20+ years, VON GROOVE is making their epic comeback!

VON GROOVE are:

Mladen — Guitars

Michael Shotton — Drums, Vocals

Matthew Gerrard — Bass

Miranda Lambert Slathers “Crisco” – ACM Awards Get Country & Disco’d

May 15, 2026

When it comes to music, Miranda Lambert isn’t playing. The fierce songwriter from Lindale, Texas has always leaned hard into Lone Star traditions, while moving what country music can be forward with a strong set of roots. Leave it to the woman who co-wrote and co-produced Ella Langley’s tsunami of a song “Choosin’ Texas” to return with music that takes a whole new spin on what dance hall cowboys can embrace with a strong sense of retro and a whole lot of fun.

Expanding on “A Song To Sing,” one of her two ACM Music Event of the Year nominations, Lambert takes the Chris Stapleton duet’s roller rink innocence – and deep dives into a pair of distinctive retro dancefloor sounds. Drawing on the good timing two steppery of “Urban Cowboy” and the sleek, disco urbanity of “Saturday Night Fever,” Lambert pioneers of a whole new sound with her first release with MCA, “Crisco.”

Literally, country and disco twisted together by luxurious strings and a melody that twirls around listeners. With lyrics that invoke in a real life way Starland Vocal Band’s “Afternoon Delight,” Glen Campbell’s “Southern Nights” and Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s “Islands in the Stream,” as well as outright name-checking Conway (Twitty), Loretta (Lynn) and the Seventies, one can’t help but feel brighter, lighter and ready to kick up their heels.

“We wanted something that feels familiar but also fresh, which is really hard to do,” Lambert enthuses. “We leaned into all the things I grew up loving about country music – Glen Campbell, Kenny and Dolly; very ’70s and ’80s. It’s a fun mix of all these sides of country music that I’ve never fully explored before, even down to using strings in a bigger way. I almost can’t believe I’ve made this many records without really going there, but it was magical to hear how much strings can transform a song.”

To really bring that recipe home, the song co-written with Aaron Raitiere, Jesse Frasure and Chill Fellacheck boasts a chorus that breaks it down:
        Baby, we’ve been cooking with Crisco
        Ain’t we mixin’ country and disco
        Stir it around, give it a spin
        And it’s a rhinestone world we’re livin’ in…

Further paying homage to the era and the influences, Lambert will debut the ebullient confection at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards this Sunday, May 17, streaming live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET.

Beyond her pair of Music Event nods – the second for “Trailblazer” with Lainey Wilson and Reba McEntire – plus both Song and Visual Media of the Year with Stapleton, Lambert is nominated for Female Artist of the Year and for Song and Single as co-writer and co-producer of Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas.” As a strong advocate for females, new artists and Texas, the 2022 Entertainer of the Year rides into the 2026 ACM Awards strong.

“There’s nothing that makes me happy like music,” Lambert says. “Going to Vegas, nominated with old friends, new friends and on my own, as an artist, but also a producer and writer, that makes me feel like we’re just getting started. With ‘Crisco,’ it’s gonna be a great time seeing where it’s all gonna go.”

Erdve Unleash Reckoning on New Single "Epigrama"

May 13, 2026

Erdve are releasing the title track from their upcoming third album Epigrama. Following previous singles "Nyra" and "Ydos”. “Epigrama” follows the album's arc from grief and moral decay to existential reckoning.

Watch the visualizer for “Epigrama” below:

Epigrama comes out May 29, 2026 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & pre-save

https://orcd.co/erdveepigrama

"Epigrama" articulates the philosophical nucleus of Erdve’s new album. Where "Nyra" traced the suffocating cycle of unresolved grief and "Ydos" charted the corrosive progression of regret into stagnation, the title track turns toward accountability. Every decision, or absence of decision, carries an unavoidable debt. The band’s new single moves through the confines of understanding toward a point where clarity and madness become indistinguishable, framing entropy as a governing moral condition.

ERDVE is a metal band from Vilnius, Lithuania, experimenting with extreme music since 2016.

In 2017, the band signed a record contract with SEASON OF MIST records, who later released their debut album VAITOJIMAS (translated as: Moaning). The album has set a strong foundation for the band to keep pushing the limits of creativity within the framework of heavy, yet atmospheric metal iterations.

Their second album SAVIGAILA (translated as: Self-loathing) was released by Season of Mist in 2021, and has presented a different and more abrasive approach towards composing and storytelling, focusing on the intensity, unpredictability and drama.

The band is known to dive into unexpected ventures by choosing to perform in places that intuitively seem incoherent to the type of music being played or are not considered to be regular venues. First such show took place in the church of St. John's 2019 and another one in Lukiškės Ex-Prison, both in Vilnius, Lithuania.

After the second album, the band took some time to rediscover their relationship with music and identified the elements that would convey their future vision in the most truthful way. This idea is followed by their 2026 release - EPIGRAMA, that delivers a familiar, yet a fundamentally different approach towards experimenting within the confines of heavy music and reflective storytelling. The goal was to craft a meticulous consistency between the music, lyrics and sound production, where every aspect of the song works together to create meaningful impact. This album marks a new beginning for ERDVE, in the process of rediscovery, experimentation and raw expression.

Line-up:

Vaidotas Darulis — Vocals, Guitars

Adomas Varnelis — Guitar

Valdas Voveraitis — Drums

Karolis Urbanavičius — Bass

Production Credits:

Self-produced by Vaidotas Darulis & Adomas Varnelis.
Mixed Vaidotas Darulis & Adomas Varnelis.
Mastered by Vaidotas Darulis.

Cover Art:

Photography by Vaidotas Darulis.

Vainius Česnauskas (https://www.instagram.com/vainius.art/),

Marija Česnauskienė-Dvarionaitė (https://www.instagram.com/maryces.art/).

Pre-order & pre-save

https://orcd.co/erdveepigrama

Follow Erdve:
Bandcamp: https://erdvesom.bandcamp.com/album/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_erdve_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erdvelt/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erdve

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7uctedT9WR5dzqjAOx3jKN

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/erdve/1299788970

Tidal: https://tidal.com/artist/9229661

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/13602259

Hard Rock Supergroup ICONIC Shares New Single "Tears Keep On Falling" + Visualizer

May 12, 2026

Today, hard rock supergroup ICONIC - featuring Michael Sweet (guitars), Joel Hoekstra(guitars), Marco Mendoza (bass), Tommy Aldridge (drums), and Nathan James (vocals) – shares a new single, “Tears Keep On Falling,” taken from their upcoming sophomore album ‘II,’ set for release on for July 31, 2026 via Frontiers Music Srl.

Nathan James comments:

“I loved singing this song in the studio. Such a great chorus and I really hope the listeners enjoy it as much as I do!”

Michael Sweet shares:

"I’m really proud to be a part of such an iconic band, no pun intended! It takes me back to the glory days, when rock ruled radio, and it was topping the charts. We created this album to remind people of those times. Here’s to 'Tears Keep On Falling'!”

At the heart of 'II' 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.

“'Tears Keep On Falling' is a powerful rock ballad; it will get your attention as soon as you hear it, from the first verse. Nathan’s vocals are amazing, and Michael and Joel’s guitars are on fire… Tommy A at the helm driving! Enjoy!” said Marco Mendoza.

Watch the Visualizer for "Tears Keep On Falling" Below:

Joel Hoekstra comments on the new track:

“I hope everyone enjoys 'Tears Keep On Falling.' It was killer to lean into the groove that Tommy Aldridge and Marco Mendoza gave us for this one. It was also great fun to play the harmony lead lines with Michael Sweet and finally to hear Nathan James belt out the vocals like only he can!”

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.

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 into an electrifying power ballad in which melody, atmosphere, and intensity converge 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.

Tommy Aldridge adds:

“Such an honor and a blessing working with Nathan, Marco, Michael, and Joel again. Consummate pros!”

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.

Pre-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

DVRK Release New Single "Misery Repeat"

May 11, 2026

DVRK, are releasing their new single “Misery Repeat”. With this single, the French deathcore band are leveling up alongside their new vocalist Julian Wilt. Following their debut EP Infinite Reminiscence, a new session begins and this one is heavier than the first.

Watch the music video for “Misery Repeat” below:

Stream “Misery Repeat”

https://orcd.co/dvrkmiseryrepeat

DVRK’s debut EP Infinite Reminiscence is available now on Season of Mist.

Order

https://orcd.co/infinitereminiscence

Available Formats:
Digital Download
MCD in Digipak
12" Vinyl Jacket - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Jacket - Crystal Clear w/ White & Black Splatters

"Misery Repeat" opens with a VHS-era recording in Ukrainian confirming that the first session of the DVRK program has been completed, and that what follows will be harder, faster and without mercy.

DVRK do not present themselves as a band so much as a system; a global organisation running its subjects through escalating trials, its reach extending across languages and borders. French, Japanese and other tongues will carry future transmissions, each one pulling the listener deeper into a mythology that has no clear center and no visible end. At its core, beneath the architecture of the program, is something altogether more human: a man consumed by a love that has become indistinguishable from ruin, drinking himself numb, unable to surface. The program frames him. The song does not spare him.

"Misery Repeat" was produced by Fabien Letren and Bastien Deleule and recorded by Bastien Deleule at Nalcon Studio. The song was mixed and mastered by Eloi Nicod at Craftline Studio. The artwork was created by Cédric Faullummel.

The visuals for “Misery Repeat” were created by Ahleesi Mathis / @sinpievisuals.

Don’t miss DVRK when they tour Japan next week with Obscura and Fallujah. The band will also join Obscura next year on a tour of Europe and the UK alongside Pestilence, Cryptic Shift and Thus.

DVRK The Sun Eater 2026 Japan Tour

with Obscura and Fallujah

DVRK is a French five-piece operating at the intersection of deathcore, nu-metal, and electronic bass music. Formed in 2019 as a solo project, the band has since expanded into a full ensemble featuring Julian Wilt on vocals, Bastien Deleule and Gérald Audiard on guitars, Fabien Letren on bass, and Vincent Vidal on drums.

From the outset, DVRK has operated less like a conventional band and more like a system—a constructed world with its own logic, language, and escalating narrative. Each release functions as a transmission, drawing listeners deeper into a mythology that frames the project as a global program running its subjects through increasingly demanding sessions. The debut EP, Infinite Reminiscence, released via Season of Mist, established the framework. "Misery Repeat" marks the beginning of what comes next.

Past collaborations include Conquer Divide, Cove Reber, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, and Hyro the Hero.

Line-up:

Julian Wilt — Vocals

Bastien Deleule — Guitar

Gérald Audiard — Guitar

Fabien Letren — Bass

Vincent Vidal — Drums

Follow DVRK:
Bandcamp: https://dvrk.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearedvrk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearedvrk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wearedvrk
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/weareDVRK
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2veLy5cp8tE2IUS47EwzlB
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/dvrk/1462754288

sace6 Release New Album 'brutalist' And "nepenthe" Official Visualizer via Sumerian Records

May 8, 2026

Genre-blending R&B metal sensation sace6 have today released their eagerly anticipated new album, 'brutalist'(via Sumerian Records). In celebration of the release, the duo shared the official visualizer for "nepenthe" from the full-length. Leading up to today, the band shared tracks "ego", "covet", "allured", and "reverie ft. jxdn" and the accompanying official videos. Speaking about the album release, sace6 commented:

"'brutalist' - our debut album, the sound designed from the most honest and vulnerable parts of our minds, it took a shape of its own to change the way our ears digest music and to reinstate what “pop music” is. yes there was intention and influence, but most importantly there was confidence in our own emotions to display sonically how we truly feel, furthering our statement one song after the other.

'brutalist' is the sonic catharsis of our lives throughout the past year. everything that we have felt, seen, and experienced is lived through every moment, lyric, melody and sustain of this record. as crushing as it is, we offer it to our listeners as a true experience of loss, grief, and redemption in self. we hope that not only do our listeners understand what’s being said, but feel it as deeply as the moment that pain was birthed."

'brutalist' is available now on all streaming platforms at the link here. Watch the official "nepenthe" visualizer below.

Fans now have their chance to see the band on fully sold-out The Pale Moonlight Tour across North America with Dayseeker, Northlane and Wind Walkers. Afterward, the band will kick off their first-ever US headlining tour starting Wednesday, June 10, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, followed by the 'It's Not You, It's Me' tour alongside Chiodos, 156/Silence, and Calva Louise beginning Thursday, July 30, in Denver, Colorado. sace6 will also be performing at all 5 Warped Tour dates and at Louder Than Life on Sunday, September 20 in Louisville, Kentucky. Be sure to get your tickets before they're all gone.

The Pale Moonlight Tour Dates with Dayseeker, Northlane + Wind Walkers:

5/8/2026 - Grand Rapids, MI @ GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Sold Out

5/9/2026 - Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center - Sold Out

5/10/2026 - West Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom - Sold Out

5/12/2026 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom - Sold Out

5/15/2026 - St Louis, MO @ The Pageant - Sold Out

5/16/2026 - Kansas City, MO @ Grinders KC - Sold Out

5/19/2026 - Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre - Sold Out

5/20/2026 - Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre - Sold Out

5/22/2026 - Edmonton, AB @ Midway - Sold Out

5/23/2026 - Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall Concerts - Sold Out

5/25/2026 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom - Sold Out

5/26/2026 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory - Sold Out

5/28/2026 - Wheatland, CA @ Hard Rock Live Sacramento - Sold Out

5/29/2026 - Pomona, CA @ The Fox Theater Pomona - Sold Out

5/30/2026 - San Diego, CA @ SOMA - Sold Out

Warped Tour Dates:

6/12 - 6/13 - Washington, DC @ Warped Tour DC

7/25 - 7/26 - Long Beach, CA @ Warped Tour Long Beach

9/12 - 9/13 - Mexico City, MX @ Warped Tour Mexico City

11/14 - 11/5 - Orlando, FL @ Warped Tour Orlando

Headlining Dates:

6/10/2026 - Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub*

6/11/2026 - New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge*

6/12/2026 - Philadelphia, PA @ MilkBoy*

6/15/2026 - Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor*

6/16/2026 - Atlanta, GA @ Purgatory at The Masquerade*

6/19/2026 - New Kensington, PA @ Preserving Underground*

6/20/2026 - Detroit, MI @ Lager House*

6/21/2026 - Lakewood, OH @ Mahall's*

7/21/2026 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza^

7/22/2026 - Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall^

7/24/2026 - San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall^

7/26/2026 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge^

9/25/2026 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom

It's Not You, It's Me Tour With Chiodos, 156/Silence, + Calva Louise:

7/30/2026 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium

8/1/2026 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex

8/3/2026 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory

8/5/2026 - Bend, OR @ Midtown Ballroom/Domino Room/Annex

8/6/2026 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory - Spokane

8/7/2026 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom

8/9/2026 - Calgary, AB @ The Palace Theatre

8/10/2026 - Edmonton, AB @ Pawn Shop

8/11/2026 - Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre

8/12/2026 - Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre

8/14/2026 - Maplewood, MN @ Myth Live

8/15/2026 - Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center

8/16/2026 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues Chicago

8/19/2026 - Toronto, ON @ The Concert Hall

8/23/2026 - Portland, ME @ State Theatre

8/25/2026 - Providence, RI @ Fete Music Hall

8/26/2026 - Huntington, NY @ The Paramount

8/28/2026 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel

8/29/2026 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

Louder Than Life:

9/20/2026 - Louisville, KY @ Kentucky Expo Center

* Support from John Harvie

^ Support from shyeye

Swedish Melodic Metallers REXORIA Release New Album 'Fallen Dimension' — Out Now via Sound Pollution / Black Lodge Records

May 8, 2026

Today, Swedish royal metal band REXORIA are proud to release their new studio album, 'Fallen Dimension,' out now via Sound Pollution / Black Lodge Records. To celebrate the announcement, the band also share the new single "Metallic Rain," alongside a visualizer.

Grand choruses, captivating lyrics and emotional weight meet raw power and intensity in an album that clearly showcases the band’s evolution and ambition. As the follow-up to the acclaimed ‘Imperial Dawn,’ REXORIA’s fourth album marks the beginning of a new era, where the sound moves between the darkness of war, social reflections, touching ballads and euphoric metal anthems.

Strong tracks such as “Break the Wave,” “Dancing On the Ruins,” and “Metallic Rain”offer melodies that instantly stay with the listener, while the album also features two exclusive duets: Mike Andersson (Tungsten) appears on “Dominion,” and Johnny Gioeli (Axel Rudi Pell / Hardline) guests on “Heart of Sorrow,” adding further dynamics and depth to the overall experience.

Even before its release, ‘Fallen Dimension’ has been praised by reviewers. With comments such as “deliver top-notch power metal. Frontwoman Frida Ohlin’s vocals are impeccable,”and “this is an album that will make the rest of the world take notice,” it is clear that the album has the potential to reach a wide audience within the metal scene.

Check Out the Visualizer for "Metallic Rain" Below:

'Fallen Dimension' is mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Sabaton, Dynazty and others) and delivers eleven strong tracks that combine modern production with REXORIA’s grand identity.

With more than 120 concerts across Europe, appearances at Sweden Rock Festival and millions of streams, REXORIA further strengthens their position as one of Sweden’s most powerful names within modern metal.

With their sights set on reaching even more fans both in Sweden and internationally, the band is now making major plans for upcoming live performances across Europe. With a completely unique image, an original concept and their self-created expression “Royal Metal,” there is no doubt that REXORIA is a name that will generate great interest in the metal world.

Order 'Fallen Dimension' HERE

Post Black Metal Newcomer BLOOD MOTHER Unleashes Haunting New Single, "The Wound of Heaven"

May 5, 2026

BLOOD MOTHER is now unveiling the haunting second single, "The Wound of Heaven," from its upcoming self-titled studio album, which is due on June 14 independently. The song can be found along with a visualizer below.

Composer Rick Giordano comments, "'The Wound of Heaven' is about finding beauty and comfort in watching a cruel and horrible world being torn apart. The sky splits open and the violent destruction brings only serenity. Or maybe it's just about pussy."