NYHC Crossover Pioneers CRO-MAGS Unleash New Version of 1985 Demo Favorite "Everybody's Gonna Die (2026)"

Today, September 16th, is the 40th anniversary of the iconic CRO-MAGS debut ‘The Age of Quarrel’ and the seminal New York hardcore outfit, fronted by Harley Flanagan, is proudly launching their new version of "Everybody's Gonna Die (2026).” Taken from the 1985 demo, and featured on the upcoming album 'The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel,' the track is a tribute to their unforgettable 1986 debut.

Written by Harley in 1985, "Everybody's Gonna Die" didn't make the final track list for 'The Age of Quarrel,' though it proved to be a demo-era fan favorite. Now, the track reclaims its rightful spot on 'The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel,' alongside an official lyric video.



Watch the Lyric Video for "Everybody's Gonna Die (2026)" Below:

Forty years ago, New York City's CRO-MAGS defined the metal-punk crossover with their landmark 1986 album, ‘The Age of Quarrel.’ The intensity, influence, and groove of that record continue to resonate today, fueled by the band's enduring legacy and hard-earned reputation as one of heavy music's most volatile and influential acts. Led by founding bassist and vocalist Harley Flanagan, who assumed frontman duties beginning with 1989's ‘Best Wishes,’ CRO-MAGS bring ‘The Age of Quarrel’ full circle with a celebration of the album that started it all.

Joining Flanagan are original ‘AOQ’ guitarist Doug Holland and former CRO-MAGS/ Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Rocky George, plus Meg Mills, Zach Blair, and Arthur Rizk for fresh takes on classics including "Hard Times," "World Peace," and "Malfunction," along with the addition of the 1985 demo-era favorite "Everybody's Gonna Die." Flanagan is also joined by current band members Dominic Dibenedetto and Dave Sharpe. Drums on all tracks were handled by drum phenom Greyson Nekrutman. Produced and mixed by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Blood Incantation), ‘40 Years of Quarrel’ not merely revisits a pivotal crossover classic, but pours new fuel on the fire for old devotees and new converts to the CRO-MAGS cause. 

The decision to revisit 'The Age of Quarrel' began during the making of the "Wired for Chaos" documentary. Several songs had to be re-recorded for the film’s soundtrack because the original recordings couldn't be licensed, inspiring Harley Flanagan to re-record the entire album.

The project also provided an opportunity to address the complicated history surrounding the original record. None of the musicians who performed on 'The Age of Quarrel' were ever paid or received an accounting of the album’s sales. For years, Flanagan tried to reunite the original lineup to re-record the album and reclaim the rights to 'The Age of Quarrel' and 'Best Wishes' through the Copyright Reversion Act, but couldn't bring everyone together before that window closed.

For the new recording, Flanagan brought together friends, current bandmates, and musicians from other bands to celebrate an album that has impacted generations of fans. Forty years later, everyone who wrote the songs will finally be paid through ASCAP and BMI, with the remaining proceeds going to charity.

The project is Flanagan’s way of honoring the music, its creators, and the fans who have carried these songs forward for four decades while putting the past behind him. The songs belong to the fans. Love wins. The quarrel is over.

Pre-Order 'The Age of Quarrel: 40 Years of Quarrel' HERE

CRO-MAGS Live:

September 26 — Daytona Beach, FL @ Party Weekend

October 4 — Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival

December 3-5 — Denver, CO @ Decibel Metal & Beer Fest

December 12 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco - For the Children

More Dates TBA!

The history of Harley Flanagan and his band CRO-MAGS is integral not just to the history of hardcore, but to modern metal, rock, and punk itself. With roots stretching from the shadow of Warhol and the Velvets to CBGB’s hardcore matinees and L’Amour Brooklyn thrash-a-thons, all the way through current generations of punk and extreme metal, CRO-MAGS are the connective tissue. Just ask the likes of Dave Grohl, Green Day, and Turnstile. CRO-MAGSstand side by side with Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Metallica as both an influence and a gamechanger.

The brainchild of a 14-year-old Harley Flanagan, CRO-MAGS began in 1981 while Flanaganwas playing drums for The Stimulators. By 1982/83, he had recorded the primal CRO-MAGSdemos — four songs that would become the blueprint for the seminal 1986 release, 'Age of Quarrel.' Initially a solo vision, Flanagan wrote and played all of the music himself. In 1985, alongside guitarist Parris Mayhew, vocalist John Joseph McGowan, and drummer Mackie Jayson, the genre-defining 'Age of Quarrel' demo was recorded. The full-length album followed in 1986, with Doug Holland of Kraut joining on second guitar.

Explosive both on and offstage, CRO-MAGS have had a tumultuous history, to put it mildly. Through multiple lineups, six studio albums beyond the original demos, and more than four decades of worldwide touring, CRO-MAGS remain one of the most iconic bands in American hardcore and metal. 

ERIC CHURCH REFLECTS ON THE MILES THAT MADE HIM IN NEW SONG “ON THE ROAD” OUT NOW

11-time GRAMMY nominee Eric Church has spent the better part of two decades turning the road into both a stage and a source of inspiration. Today, he releases new song “On The Road” via MCA, looking back at the iconic venues he’s played, the legends he’s shared the stage with and the moments that have shaped a life driven by a musical dream – all while proving the man Esquire dubbed “one of the most singular working artists in any genre” still has plenty of miles ahead. Listen BELOW.
 
Written by Church and produced by longtime collaborator Jay Joyce, “On The Road” traces the winding path of Church’s career through the memories that stay with him: playing to 50,000 people beneath the Northern Lights, taking the stage at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks and sharing the stage with artists who helped define the music he came to make, including Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and George Strait.
 
But the road has also carried moments no artist could ever anticipate. In one of the song’s most poignant lines, Church reflects on the Route 91 Harvest Festival tragedy as he sings, “I’ve seen the devil stop a show in Vegas / I’ve seen those angels get their forever wings.” Set alongside memories of career-defining stages and once-in-a-lifetime moments, the lines acknowledge the full weight of a life spent on the road.
 
As an artist who has become a North Star for a generation of musicians coming up behind him, Church turns that idea inward. The people and places that shaped him are now part of the path he’s paved for those following in his footsteps, and “On The Road” considers what it means to spend a life moving forward, knowing that someday the road will belong to someone else.
 
“Lookin’ back you think it’d seem so long, this winding path that I’ve been rollin’ on,” Church sings, before arriving at the song’s ultimate realization: one day he’ll be “just a name on a wall, and some other cowboy will hear the call.”
 
“There’s something about a life on the road where the miles start to blur together, yet the people and the moments never do,” shared Church. “Those are the things you carry with you. You realize how much of who you are was shaped somewhere between one town and the next, and maybe that’s why you never really stop wondering what’s waiting down the road.”
 
From the artists who inspired him to the artists now following his path, “On The Road” captures the continuing cycle of a life in music: the stages changing hands, the songs carrying stories forward and the next generation finding its own reason to answer the call.
 
For more information, visit EricChurch.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter/X @ericchurch and on Instagram@ericchurchmusic. 

Progressive Duo CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE Explore Restraint And Internal Pressure In The New Single, "The Waiting Storm"

In "The Waiting Storm," CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE present an immersive sonic offering representing internal turmoil between patience and appeasing a restless mind. The track lands ahead of their forthcoming album Primordial Reverie Ascendant, out January 8, 2027.

"The song centers on restraint and internal pressure," CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE explain. "This is heard in lines like 'I sit and lie in wait, a tempest ruminating'. As the track progresses, the 'beast' and 'storm' imagery point to something growing beneath the surface. An increasing urgency that can no longer be ignored. What begins as patience shifts toward inevitability.

Outside of the narrative, the lyrics also reflect periods of creative stagnation. Lulls in momentum where progress feels stalled. That tension between inactivity and pressure mirrors the track’s central themes."

Musically, "The Waiting Storm" contains the duo's most straightforward arrangement on Primordial Reverie Ascendant's track list. The song's catchy riffs convey a darker mood throughout the verses accompanied with fierce harsh screams. "The Waiting Storm" emerges into a soaring chorus with memorable lead vocal melody lines. 

Primordial Reverie Ascendant was produced, mixed and mastered by Ryan Koepke at Chromatic Variable Soundworks. The album cover artwork was created by Alex Eckman-Lawn (Original Artwork), with the Ascendant version and single artworks by Ryan Koepke.

About CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE:

CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE began in 2024 by British Columbia-based multi-instrumentalist Ryan Koepke as an instrumental project. Musically, Koepke seeks to produce grand soundscapes through carefully constructed layers of instrumental textures and tones. A key component of CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE is chaos and unpredictability. Emotive storytelling is interwoven through each track's arrangement. 

Following the release of the instrumental album, Primordial Reverie, in 2025, Chad Bernatchez (VOIDCHASER) joined CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE which led to a progression in creative direction to now incorporate clean and harsh vocals. With input from Bernatchez, the new release delves further into CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE's fictional realms bringing a new way of understanding the concepts first glimpsed in Primordial Reverie. 


CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE Is:

Ryan Koepke (Guitar/Bass)
Chad Bernatchez (Vocals/Lyrics)


Connect With CEPHEIDAE VARIABLE:

Official Website: https://cepheidaevariable.com
Bandcamp: https://cepheidaevariable.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cepheidaevariable
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cepheidaevariable_official
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CepheidaeVariable
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DFZHr1N4hUKjmV1mccmdV
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cepheidae-variable/1835047629
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cepheidaevariable

Traditional Heavy Metallers THE UNKNOWN Release New Album 'Graveyard of Empires' Out Now via Mission 84 Productions

Traditional thrashers THE UNKNOWN proudly release their sophomore album, 'Graveyard of Empires,' out now via Mission 84 Productions. Celebrating the launch of the new album, the band also shares their new single, "Land of the Pure," alongside an official lyric video.

The band comments on the new track:

“'Land of the Pure' is loosely inspired by the book 'Train to Pakistan' and the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan, telling its story through the perspective of a small border village made up of people of multiple faiths. At its core, the song is a meditation on the fragility of peace, how quickly neighbors can become divided, and the human cost when that peace begins to collapse."

Musically, the track stands apart through its use of tabla and cello, with the latter performed by Dr. Joe “The Metal Cellist” from Israel. His performance, combined with the tabla and Matt Fisher’s emotional vocal delivery, gives the song a distinctly human character, while the collaboration itself quietly reflects one of the ideas at the heart of the track: that understanding and friendship can create something beautiful in a world where we can so easily be divided.

Watch the Official Lyric Video for "Land of the Pure" Below:

THE UNKNOWN is 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 new 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...

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 apart due to greed and corruption. That's what we're mourning."

Order 'Graveyard of Empires' HERE

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

MAD MAX Celebrate “Stories Of Destiny” Record Release With Brand-New “Dulces Falsos” Music Video

German hard rock titans MAD MAX celebrate the record release of “Stories Of Destiny” with a brand-new music video for “Dulces Falsos.” The song marks a special first in the band’s history: it is the first MAD MAX track ever recorded with Spanish lyrics and presents their classic “Piece Of Candy” in a powerful new version.

With “Dulces Falsos,” MAD MAX pay tribute to their loyal fanbase in Latin America. New lyrics by Andreas Baesler and the Spanish vocals give the song a fresh character while preserving the energy and spirit of the original.

Band mastermind Jürgen Breforth comments:
"Dulces Falsos" is the first song we ever recorded with Spanish lyrics. With this version of our classic "Piece Of Candy" we would like to say a very special thank you to all our fans in Latin America who have always stayed loyal to us and who have helped make the Mad Max comic a great success, especially in Colombia and Mexico.

Andreas Baesler has written a new and very up-to-date set of lyrics. The Spanish vocals give the song even more power, presence and raw energy. Many journalists see in "Dulces Falsos" an attitude and charisma reminiscent of bands such as HEROES DEL SILENCIO for example. That makes us very proud."

Watch the new video clip Below:

Stories Of Destiny finds MAD MAX celebrating 45 years of history while continuing to push forward with new material. Packed with powerful guitar-driven anthems, memorable melodies and timeless hard rock spirit, it combines newly recorded material, long-awaited hidden gems and collaborations with some of the most respected names in the rock and metal world. The album also introduces UK vocalist Alan Clark while welcoming original MAD MAX singer Andreas Baesler as a special guest for his first MAD MAX appearance in 45 years, creating a direct link between the band's earliest days and its present.

Founded in Münster, Germany in 1981 by guitarist, songwriter and bandleader Jürgen Breforth, MAD MAX have remained one of Europe's most enduring melodic hard rock and heavy metal acts for more than four decades. Renowned for their unmistakable guitar-driven sound, strong melodies and classic hard rock attitude, the band have built a loyal international following through countless albums, tours and festival appearances.

Reflecting on an extraordinary career while embracing the future, Stories Of Destiny is built around songs Breforth had the honor to co-write with acclaimed musicians including Sascha Gerstner (Helloween), David Readman (Pink Cream 69), Andreas Broon (The Sisters Of Mercy) and Michael Voss, known from his work with Michael Schenker. Reimagined and newly recorded in unmistakable MAD MAX fashion, the album captures both the band's musical roots and their continued evolution.

The visual world of Stories Of Destiny connects to the MAD MAX comic, created by Mexican comic artist Maestro Arturo Said. The comic tells the story of the band from its founding days in 1981 through the 1980s and up to MAD MAX’s first shows in Colombia in 2023, making the album both a musical and visual celebration of the band’s legacy.
 

Stories Of Destiny is out today via ROAR - A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music. Order your album copy now at this location: https://madmax.rpm.link/storiesPR

Artist Line-Up:
Alan Clark - Vocals
Andreas Baesler - Vocals On "Dulces Falsos" & Duet Vocals On "Piece Of Candy"
Jürgen Breforth - Guitar
Dethy Borchardt - Guitar
Fabian Watermann - Bass
Axel Kruse - Drums


Connect with MAD MAX:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/madmax.legacy.band 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/madmaxgermanycom 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MADMAXLEGACY 
Website | https://madmax-germany.com 

Wage War Announce New Album "LANDFALL" Out 10/9 + Band Shares Title Track

Florida's WAGE WAR — Briton Bond [lead vocals], Cody Quistad [rhythm guitar, clean vocals], Seth Blake [lead guitar], Chris Gaylord [bass], and Stephen Kluesener [drums] — continue to absolutely dominate 2026. After releasing the It Calls Me By Name EP this past spring, the band is now pleased to announce the new album Landfall, out digitally October 9 via Fearless Records. Pre-order it here.

The band has shared the visualizer for the vicious title track. Watch and listen below. 

Opening with a foreboding emergency broadcast-style alarm before erupting in a bludgeoning riff, Wage War continue to indulge their heaviest side with "Landfall." It's a groove-heavy, guitar-forward anthem that sounds like... vengeance. The hellbound screams of Bond are punctuated by Quistad's melodic singing, making it a gloriously unpredictable listen. Wage War are at their heaviest and most melodic — EVER — with this track, as they continue to push their own boundaries. It's Wage War, but bigger, stronger, louder, and as impactful as ever.

"'Landfall' is a song about imminent danger and the realization that we aren't in control," Wage War offer. "Referencing our Florida roots, the hurricane imagery became a way of talking about that feeling of being completely at the mercy of something bigger than yourself. Musically, we wanted the verses to feel heavy and threatening, with the chorus being somber and inevitable."

Wage War will return to U.S. stages for a headline tour this fall, with We Came As Romans, Varials, and Cane Hill as support. The "Emergncy Broadcast" tour kicks off October 25 in San Antonio and runs through Novemebr 27 in Orlando in the band's native Florida. Get tickets here.

WAGE WAR ON TOUR:
WITH WE CAME AS ROMANS, VARIALS, + CANE HILL:
10/25 — San Antonio, TX — The Aztec Theatre
10/26 — Houston, TX — White Oak Music Hall
10/29 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues
10/30 — Tempe, AZ — Marquee Theatre
10/31 — Riverside, CA — Riverside Municipal Auditorium
11/2 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel Entertainment Center
11/3 — Oklahoma City, OK — Diamond Ballroom
11/4 — Kansas City, MO — Uptown Theater
11/6 — Madison, WI — The Sylvee
11/7 — St. Louis, MO — The Pageant
11/8 — Columbus, OH — KEMBA Live!
11/10 — Indianapolis, IN — Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
11/11 — Cincinnati, OH — The Andrew J Brady Music Center
11/13 — Wallingford, CT — The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
11/14 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom
11/16 — Toronto, ON — HISTORY
11/17 — Buffalo, NY — Buffalo RiverWorks
11/18 — Huntington, NY — The Paramount
11/20 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore
11/21 — Philadelphia, PA — Franklin Music Hall
11/22 — Norfolk, VA — The NorVa
11/24 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
11/25 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore
11/27 — Orlando, FL — Hard Rock Live

Swedish Metal Maestros WORMWOOD Unveil Official Music Video for "PURPOSELESS GEOMETRY"

Today, WORMWOOD, one of Sweden’s most distinctive and internationally acclaimed metal bands, proudly unveils the music video for "PURPOSELESS GEOMETRY," the second track taken from the recently released EP ‘Å,’ out now via Black Lodge Records / Sound Pollution. The EP contains two long tracks in classic WORMWOOD fashion, while also introducing new elements that have found their way into the sound as WORMWOOD continues to evolve as a band.

“PURPOSELESS GEOMETRY” portrays Stockholm from the margins of society, a city of buildings, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure created to bring structure and direction to human existence. Yet as the sense of belonging fades, so too does the meaning of the surrounding world. What once symbolized function, progress, and purpose gradually dissolves into empty geometric forms within an environment where the individual has become alienated from both society and themselves.

In the video, the words take center stage, accompanied by slow, almost documentary-like footage captured throughout Stockholm and its outskirts.

The video features previously unreleased handheld footage from the filming of the “YRA | EXTAS” music video, starring actress Astrid Hallén, alongside aerial drone footage shot by Svartna Film. The video also includes a separate acting performance by Crister Claesson.

The result serves as a visual extension of the song’s central theme: humanity placed amid the monumental structures of the modern city, while their original purpose slowly erodes and disappears.

Watch the Official Music Video for "PURPOSELESS GEOMETRY" Below:

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

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

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

Order 'Å' HERE

Produced by Sverker Widgren & Tobias Rydsheim

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

WORMWOOD are:

Nine – Vocals

Tobias Rydsheim – Guitar, Keys, Vocals

Jerry Engström – Guitar

Oskar Tornborg – Bass, Vocals

Simon Samuelsson – Drums

Clutch Release New Single "The Drifter Returns"

Clutch have released their new single, “The Drifter Returns”, accompanied by an official lyric video. Stream the song HERE and watch the lyric video below.

More soon.

Omen//Skye Release New Single + Lyric Video "Vanquish" via Arson Theory

Maryland-based metalcore band Omen//Skye have released their new single and lyric video, “Vanquish,” available via Arson Theory. The track is the latest single from the band’s most recent EP, The Thoughts That Haunt Us, and is available on all major streaming platforms. 

Produced by Drew Licurgo and Six:Eight Audio, “Vanquish” is an emotionally charged track centered on one of life’s darkest battles: finding the strength to keep going when everything feels lost.

The composition for “Vanquish” was largely written by former guitarist Brian Baugus, with chorus lyrics composed by Josh Grzywacz. Vocalist Nick Troisi developed the verse lyrics and overall concept, drawing directly from his own battle with addiction.

At its core, “Vanquish” is about reaching the lowest point imaginable and making the conscious decision to persevere. The song explores the struggle against addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts while ultimately delivering a message of resilience and choosing life.

Troisi shares, “I was down and out, I thought that this was the end. But I picked myself up and started fighting again. It's a conscious choice between life and death, and when it comes for you... DON'T. GIVE. IN.”

Blending cinematic atmosphere, crushing riffs, and emotionally charged melodic hooks, Omen//Skye continue to establish themselves as one of the Mid-Atlantic's most promising heavy acts. Built on the foundation of explosive live performances, the band seamlessly merges the intensity of classic metalcore with the innovation of the genre's modern wave, forging a sound that is both familiar and unmistakably their own.

With its crushing instrumentation and deeply personal message, “Vanquish” captures the moment when surrender and survival stand on opposite sides of a decision. Rather than romanticizing the darkness, Omen//Skye confront it head-on, transforming personal struggle into an anthem for anyone fighting to find their way back.

“Vanquish” is available now on all major streaming platforms via Arson Theory.

STREAM "Vanquish" HERE

WATCH "Vanquish" (Official Lyric Video) Below:

As Omen//Skye continue building momentum, they have become known for delivering high-energy performances that leave a lasting impression. Their growing catalog of releases and relentless drive have earned them support slots alongside artists including If Not For Me, Tallah, Resistor, Yosemite In Black, Waking the Cadaver, The Wise Man's Fear, and Softspoken, positioning the band for continued expansion onto the national touring circuit.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

9/13 - Supporting ENOX @ Metro Gallery in Baltimore, MD

OMEN//SKYE:

Nick Troisi - Lead Vocals

Joshua Grzywacz - Vocals / Rhythm Guitar

Dillon Thatcher - Drums

Dominic Buie - Bass

Introducing Kenny Baquol - Lead Guitar

 For More Information Please Visit:

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

YouTube

Holding Absence Release Album Title Track "Modern Life Is Lonely" And Official Video via Sumerian Records

South Wales trio Holding Absence have released their new single, ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’, the title track for their forthcoming fourth album which is due out on September 18th via new label partner Sumerian Records. 

Speaking of the single, vocalist Lucas Woodland shares, “After the release of our album was pushed back a few weeks, we knew we had to offer something special to our fans to tide them over until the new release day... And what better song to do that than the title track! 

Modern Life Is Lonely - the song - is steeped in Lofi, whilst still being able to juxtapose itself against one of the heaviest moments in our discography. We're hoping this'll get people even more excited for the whole record to drop in just under a month!” 

At a time in society when connection appears to be at its most prominent, yet those within are more stranded than ever before, the art being produced must reflect reality rather than possibility.

For Lucas Woodland, such a call to arms lined up perfectly with the position that he and his band Holding Absence found themselves in. And with their fourth full-length offering, they have made something that speaks directly to the seemingly universal experience of loneliness in 2026. 

Serving as a reference, and in many ways an update on the state of things, to Blur’s 1993 album ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’, ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’ strives to capture the essence of what it means to be in a moment in time that is as complex as it is heart-wrenching captive. An introspective look at the assets and practices that have become part of the external every day, in some cases against our will or under our noses, that perfectly distils how it feels to be so connected yet so desolate. Less timeless and more timely, it is a record that strives to offer up solace as much as document how sensationally bizarre life is right now. 

“This album was really the first time that I thought, ‘Let’s speak about the world that I live in, rather than the world that I am,” Lucascomments. “It’s no longer like a therapy class; a bunch of strangers are no longer turning up to Existentials Anonymous. In theory, everyone knows me now; they’ve heard my journey, but I’m still struggling in this big, bad world. It doesn’t matter how much enlightenment you can find within yourself; the world is still a scary place right now.” 

For Lucas, it really is a shift in perspective, especially considering just how much of himself has been poured into Holding Absence over the last decade. Through the trilogy of albums - 2019’s ‘Holding Absence’, 2021’s ‘The Greatest Mistake Of My Life’ and 2023’s ‘The Noble Art Of Self Destruction’ – they have been able to travel the world, share stages with their heroes, and carve out the sort of legacy that you only get when you tap into a certain strain of emotion. But in bringing the curtain down on that particular chapter, it became imperative to start to channel things from a different source. 

So, instead of pushing these feelings solely through himself, the band set out to craft an individual who could embody these experiences. That is Y4-BBO, as much a mascot for the band as a physical manifestation of the technological confusion that bolsters this era. His existence and presence allow the record to have a dual concept of sorts, with his own story enveloped within these extraordinary songs. Oh, and his helmet, seen on the album’s cover art, was made by the same people who built the Cybermen for Doctor Who, which, in itself, is an incredible dedication to detail. 

Much of that question also extends to how Holding Absence sounds on this record as well. In stepping back and re-evaluating what this band actually is, they saw that it was less about noise and more about language. There is an infinite number of ways that they could be speaking, but, up till now, they hadn’t had the time or space to utilise them. So rather than stepping on the well worn path of yesterday, Lucas – alongside guitarist Scott Carey and bassist Benjamin Elliot – strived to showcase just how vibrant, vast and viscerally otherworldly they could be. 

Pulling influence from the chaotic boldness of hyper-pop and ethereal tranquillity of lo-fi whilst still keeping plenty of post-hardcore grit at their heart, and taking inspiration from other boundary-destroying artists around them such as Julia Wolf and Paledusk, the result is as exploratory as it is emphatic.

Instead of sticking to standard linear songcraft, time was spent chopping up and changing parts of songs, slowing and reverbing as much as speeding up and smashing them together. Soft textures and pattering synths clash gleefully with euphoric bursts of kinetic energy in ways that feel both beautifully familiar and unfathomably fresh. 

With Daniel Braunstein on production duties, serving as the first British band he has worked with, it is a combination of two monikers of the scene doing something completely different to what is expected of them. 

And at a time when alternative music is being consumed and manipulated by technology, remembering what it means to dig deeper into the unknown has never been more crucial. 

“We pushed ourselves in ways that we’d never had before, while maintaining what that language of Holding Absence is. We’ll be introducing people to new sounds, and that’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. But also, I think everything should inspire something, and with this record, as pretty famous victims of what AI is capable of, I wanted to do shit that no AI idiot would ever try and do, or even understand how to do. We’re at a new frontier where things are changing very fast, and we don’t know what this horrible sort of change entails for us. But where we are right now is essentially at a point of instinctive rebellion against that, and I’m intrigued about what comes next with that.” 

And that mindset extended into the lyrical turns that Lucas chose to take as well. In attempting to look beyond what was happening in his head and his heart, he looked up at the skies, at the unequivocal vastness and unlimited potential of space. The stars above our heads are beautiful, yet daunting. The question of whether there is someone or something more than us out there is drenched in as much wonder as it is terror. 

There is a duality to our existence, and the same sense of the pendulum swinging between two very different, but similarly critical, points. We are surrounded by so much hope, but that loneliness is just as close to everything we do, and such a juxtaposition played into the songwriting in a big way. 

In being the longest that the band have worked on a record in their whole career, two and a half years of solid writing, demoing and crafting, it has allowed Lucas the chance to really pinpoint every aspect of what it means to exist at this pivotal moment in history, and then some. 

“Over the last two and a half years, I’ve gone through so much internally in regards to hopelessness, loneliness and fear of failure, and I think this album really is like a resistance to that. There’s an awareness of self in here now. It’s almost cynical, but it is also realistic. I say this every time, but I truly mean it. This album could have just not happened. But I have such a deep yearning for this life and this art form of storytelling that I have to do it. I just can’t not.” 

To be a decade in and still respecting and responding to that desire to keep on searching is something that doesn’t come easy, but it is what makes Holding Absence a band unlike any other. With ‘Modern Life Is Lonely’, they have expanded on everything they once were and done so in a manner that is as undeniable as it is unstoppable. 

“I think that we are now in the arc in our career where we could fall the hell off or we could cling on for dear life, and sort of dwindle and fade away,” Lucas muses in conclusion. “Yet, I think we’ve done neither of those things. I think that we’ve been as rebellious as we’ve been respectful of our band, and we’ve managed to hold that line. I’m not a kid anymore, and I don’t want just to be doing the same stuff over and over again. So, it’s really special to me that we’ve nailed something very unique that is bigger than our band. Bigger than all of us.”

Holding Absence will soon be hitting the road across the US on a co-headlining tour with Arm's Length starting on September 19, with Bloom and House & Home as support. The band will also be performing at Louder Than Life and Aftershock on September 18 and October 1 respectively. For ticket information, please click here.

Upcoming Holding Absence Dates:

09.18 — Louisville, KY — Louder Than Life*

09.19 — St. Louis, MO — The Sovereign

09.20 — Chicago, IL — Riot Fest

09.22 — Grand Rapids, MI — Intersection

09.24 — Minneapolis, MN — Varsity

09.25 — Lawrence, KS — Granada

09.26 — Ft Collins, CO — Washington's

09.27 — Colorado Springs, CO — Black Sheep

09.29 — Las Vegas, NV — Area15

09.30 — Pomona, CA — Glass House

10.01 — Sacramento, CA — Aftershock*

10.02 — Los Angeles, CA — The Regent Theater

10.04 — Albuquerque, NM — Sunshine Theater

10.06 — San Antonio, TX — Paper Tiger

10.07 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live

10.09 — Jacksonville, FL — Five

10.10 — Greensboro, NC — The Pyrle

10.11 — Allentown, PA — Archer Music Hall

10.13 — New York, NY — Irving Plaza

10.14 — Worcester, MA — The Palladium

10.15 — Pittsburgh, PA — Roxian

10.17 — Nashville, TN — Ceremony Fest

*Holding Absence only

HOLDING ABSENCE is: 

Lucas Woodland - Vocals

Scott Carey - Guitar/Vocals

Benjamin Elliott - Bass

THE DAMN TRUTH Releases New Single "Killer Whale" + Official Music Video

Riding the wave of their critically acclaimed, JUNO Award-nominated self-titled album, Canadian rock powerhouse THE DAMN TRUTH is turning up the heat ahead of the worldwide release of ‘The Damn Truth (Deluxe Edition)’ on September 11th with the release of their explosive new single “Killer Whale,” complete with a brand-new music video.

Exploding from the band’s acclaimed self-titled album, “Killer Whale” is a live-wire fan favorite that has become a highlight of THE DAMN TRUTH’s electrifying shows. Produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith), this adrenaline-fuelled rock anthem surges with power, hope, and celebration.

The band comments:

“In true rock n roll fashion, 'Killer Whale' started with a banging guitar riff. Screaming through the vintage amp, we knew we had something special with this song. Bob heard it too when we recorded it in Vancouver at The Warehouse Studios. The song itself is not about heartbreak. It’s about what gets left behind after all the noise has gone."

They continue, “Night after night, all over the world, 'Killer Whale' gets the rock ’n’ roll party started early in the set, lighting the fire that burns through the full 90 minutes of pure rock ’n’ roll that is THE DAMN TRUTH.”

Watch the Music Video for "Killer Whale" Below:

The release of "Killer Whale" offers fans excitement and celebration as one of the standout tracks from the Deluxe Edition album. The new single also coincides with THE DAMN TRUTH’s UK tour, which kicks off with a free acoustic session at The Gibson Garage in London from 2 –2:30 pm on Thursday, August 27th. The Gibson Garage acoustic session is open to the public. Entry is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are advised to show up early on the day to ensure admission to the rare and intimate acoustic performance. Address: 61–62 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8NQ.

Stream / Listen to "Killer Whale" HERE

Originally released in 2025, ‘The Damn Truth’ marked a defining moment in the band's career. Produced by Bob Rock, the self-titled album showcased a band operating at the height of its creative powers, blending timeless rock and roll, blues-infused swagger, powerful songwriting, and the unmistakable voice of frontwoman Lee-la Baum.

Speaking about the album and this next chapter, the band shares:

"When we began writing what would become our self-titled album, 'The Damn Truth,' we knew there was only one way forward: to dig deeper than we’d ever gone before. Not because anyone expected it from us, but because there was a fire burning in this band, a hunger to create something honest, something powerful, something that would move us as much as the records that shaped our lives.

"Bringing Bob Rock into the fold took that vision to another level. There was something truly magical in the air during those sessions, an energy that’s hard to explain and impossible to manufacture. We weren’t just making a record; we were chasing a feeling, capturing moments that felt bigger than ourselves and committing them to tape."

Pre-Order 'The Damn Truth' Deluxe Edition HERE

With another action-packed year ahead, THE DAMN TRUTH are set to keep the momentum roaring with tour dates across the UK, Europe, and Canada, including high-profile special guest appearances on Europe’s The Final Countdown – 40th Anniversary Tour, along with major festival appearances and electrifying headline shows.

2026 TOUR DATES

AUGUST 2026

27 Aug - The Gibson Garage, London, UK (free acoustic session)

28 Aug - The Live Rooms, Chester, UK

29 Aug - Stonedead Festival, Newark, UK

30 Aug - Nightrain, Bradford, UK

SEPTEMBER 2026

1 Sep - The Globe, Cardiff, UK

2 Sep - Cavern, Exeter, UK

3 Sep - The Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes, UK

4 Sep - Bear Cave, Bournemouth, UK

6 Sep - The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool, UK

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN – 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR

Featuring Special Guests: THE DAMN TRUTH

30 September – Glasgow, SEC Armadillo, UK

2 October – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall, UK

3 October – London, Eventim Apollo, UK

5 October – Arnhem, Musis Sacrum, Netherlands

6 October – Paris, L'Olympia, France

8 October – Barcelona, Poble Espanyol, Spain

9 October – Bilbao, Arena Miribilla, Spain

10 October – Madrid, La Cubierta, Spain

12 October – Lausanne, Salle Métropole, Switzerland

13 October – Zurich, Volkshaus, Switzerland

14 October – Milan, Alcatraz, Italy

16 October – Stuttgart, Liederhalle, Germany

17 October – Vienna, Gasometer, Austria

19 October – Berlin, Admiralspalast, Germany

20 October – Warsaw, COS Torwar, Poland

22 October – Frederiksberg, Falconer Salen, Denmark

23 October – Gothenburg, Sweden

24 October – Stockholm, Sweden

26 October – Oslo, Sentrum Scene, Norway

Tickets HERE

Swedish Folk Metallers FEJD Unleash Fifth Full-Length Album 'Nifelheim'

Swedish folk metal pioneers FEJD are proud to release their highly anticipated fifth full-length album, ‘Nifelheim,’ out now via Black Lodge / Sound Pollution.

Rooted in medieval-inspired folk traditions and characterized by the prominent use of traditional acoustic instruments, FEJD have spent more than two decades building a devoted fan base across Sweden and beyond. Their music is defined by strong melodies, epic arrangements, and a deep connection to Nordic history, folklore, and mythology.

Watch the Lyric Video for "Nifelheim" Below:

From the very first note, listeners are drawn into a world of ancient legends, mystical landscapes, and Nordic melancholy. The album masterfully balances tradition and modernity, combining the band's signature folk instrumentation with powerful metal compositions to create an immersive and unforgettable experience.

With ‘Nifelheim,’ FEJD once again proves why they remain one of the leading names in the international folk metal scene. The album is both a tribute to the Nordic cultural heritage and a powerful statement of the band's ability to evolve while staying true to its roots.

‘Nifelheim’ is more than just a new album...it is the next chapter in the saga of FEJD.

Order 'Nifelheim' HERE

FEJD are:

Patrik Rimmerfors: Lead vocals, bouzouki

Niklas Rimmerfors: Moraharpa (keyed fiddle)

Esko Salow: Drums

Lennart Specht: Keyboard

Thomas Antonsson: Bass

Miss May I Share "Death Threat" Video — WATCH // Band Touring This Fall

MISS MAY I — Levi Benton [vocals], Jerod Boyd [drums], Ryan Neff [bass], and Elisha Mullins [guitar ] — will unleash their new album NO PLACE FOR ME on October 2 via Solid State Records. Pre-order it here.

The band delivers the video for "DEATH THREAT." Watch it below.

 The video is also completely DIY endeavor for the band. The concept was conceived by Benton and produced and directed by William Story and the video was shot at the band's own properties and with whatever they could get their hands on!

The song confronts a harsh but necessary reality so many are unwilling to face in order to grow and learn. And it does so with with groove-centric, anthemic energy.

"'Death Threat' is about being held in an emotional chokehold while someone uses your own flaws against you," declares Benton. "Our darker habits deserve to be seen and worked through, not weaponized. The song walks through that worst-case scenario — someone turning your darkness on you — before landing on clarity; finally hearing what needs to be heard and doing what needs to be done."

Regarding the album, the singer reveals it was a truly cathartic process to write and record it, saying, "No Place For Me is everything I've felt for a long time but never had the words for. Writing it taught me who I actually am even when that hurt to look at. It's a full journey: Where it started, what I discovered, and where I am today." These are the tentpole concepts of the album and are why fans are going to connect with it on a level so deep, it touches marrow.

Miss May I have also announced their Fall 2026 tour plans. They will hit the road on the The Perpetual Iron tour, which is a co-headline trek with Born of Osiris. Convictions and Downswing will also appear. All dates are below. Get tickets here.

MISS MAY I ON TOUR:
WITH BORN OF OSIRIS, CONVICTIONS, + DOWNSWING:
11/06 — Pontiac, MI — The Crofoot
11/07 — Pittsburgh, PA — Preserving
11/08 — Asbury Park, NJ — House of Independents
11/10 — Norwalk, CT — District Music Hall
11/11 — Reading, PA — Reverb
11/13 — Greensboro, NC — Hangar 1819
11/15 — Nashville, TN — Eastside Bowl
11/16 — Greenville, SC — The Radio Room
11/18 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground
11/19 — Charleston, SC — Music Farm
11/20 — Tampa, FL — Orpheum
11/21 — West Palm Beach, FL — The Banyan Live
11/22 — Jacksonville, FL — The Albatross
11/24 — Destin, FL — Club LA
11/25 — New Orleans, LA — House of Blues
11/27 — Houston, TX — Warehouse Live Midtown
11/28 — Austin, TX — Come and Take It Live
11/29 — Deep Ellum, TX — Puzzles
11/30 — Odessa, TX — Ector Theater
12/02 — Albuquerque, NM — Sunshine Theater
12/03 — Mesa, AZ — Nile Theater
12/04 — Pomona, CA — The Glass House
12/05 — Fresno, CA — Fulton 55
12/06 — Roseville, CA — Goldfield Trading Post
12/08 — Portland, OR — Hawthorne Theater
12/09 — Seattle, WA — The Crocodile
12/11 — Boise, ID — Shrine Social Club
12/12 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Metro Music Hall
12/13 — Denver, CO — Summit
12/15 — Columbia, MO — The Blue Note
12/17 — Minneapolis, MN — Cabooze
12/18 — West Chicago, IL — WC Social Club
12/19 — Dayton, OH — Relentless Fest

Instead of letting doubts, anxiety, negativity, and intrusive thoughts run wild, Miss May I will catch and turn even the most volatile feelings into airtight anthems. The Ohio-bred quartet ground extreme emotions in a taut framework of technically adroit riffing, hardcore grooves, and unforgettable melodies. The band has expertly honed an uncanny ability to make sense of life on tape. That's why fans worldwide have leaned on the group's music since their emergence in 2007. Following years of grinding, 2012's At Heart marked a breakthrough moment for the group when it bowed at #32 on the Billboard 200. Their impact only expanded with Deathless [2015] and Shadows Inside [2017], which both debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top Independent Albums Chart and Top Rock Albums Chart. In 2022, Curse Of Existence received widespread critical acclaim from the likes of Alternative Presswho raved: "Miss May I have penned one of their strongest records yet." V13 hailed it as "packed full of emotion and heartfelt rage," and Outburn marveled at "their fast, aggressive, thrashy metalcore mixed with powerful lyrics." Along the way, they generated hundreds of millions of streams and toured with everyone from Killswitch Engage and Parkway Drive to Motionless In White. In 2026, the collective continue to strike a deep chord with their eighth full-length offering and Solid State debut LP, No Place For Me.

YELLOWCARD ANNOUNCE DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE EXPANDED ALBUM "BETTER DAYS" (DELUXE EDITION) + SHARE NEW SONG "CALVARY DRIVE"

Celebrating a creative renaissance in 2026, multi-platinum pop-punk royalty Yellowcard brighten up a banner year with the release of their brand new, digital-only Deluxe Edition of Better Days on September 18 via Better Noise. Teasing this expanded version, the group also just served up a new and and previously unreleased song, entitled "Calvary Drive," out now.

Pre-order/Pre-save Better Days (Deluxe Edition) here.

Listen to "Calvary Drive" here. 

Watch the lyric video below.

"Calvary Drive" finds Yellowcard firing on all cylinders yet again. It bursts to life with driving guitars, infectious hooks, and the kind of kinetic energy that's become the band's trademark. It culminates on an anthemic chorus spiked with a sunny melody and showcases every bit of what fans have come to love and expect from the four-piece.

"'Calvary Drive' was the very first demo we worked on with Travis Barker and our friend Nick Long," says singer Ryan Key. "We were just getting a feel for working together over a weekend and had no idea that this idea would be the spark for what became Better Days. It’s fun to listen back now and hear where we started, and how much the sound evolved from there.” 

Barker fondly recalls the experience as “such an easy project and easy group of guys to make music with,” with the whole band fully invested in the process: “Everyone in the band was really active and really a part of everything in the studio.” One song became another, a day became weeks, and before long an entire record had emerged from a collaboration that was never originally intended to go that far. “Next thing you know it was like we’re getting back in the studio and we were scheduling weeks to work with each other and recorded an entire album.” What began as Travis Barker simply jumping in for a day had organically become the album Better Days. And it's that partnership that blossomed into a collaboration with another legacy hitmaker: Avril Lavigne.

"My friend Travis [Barker] called me up to say he was producing the new Yellowcard album and I really liked what I heard," Lavigne shared. "When he played me 'You Broke Me Too,' I liked how it can be an anthem people can relate to when finding hope after a relationship." The pairing felt particularly fitting: a song conceived in the spirit of the huge, emotionally charged ballads that helped define the early 2000s ultimately brought together two artists synonymous with that era, with Barker acting as the bridge between them.

The new material notably lands in the wake of the cross-generational phenomenon "Bedroom Posters" (Feat. Blippi). The reimagined track landed looks from Rock Sound and New Noise Magazine, who applauded how, "This version of the song preserves the original's high-spirit energy and Blippi adds his own distinctive spark to it." "Bedroom Posters" marked their second collab with Blippi following "Go Go Go."

At the top of the year, the band teamed up with Good Charlotte for the first collaborative version of "Bedroom Posters." Popping off as a match made in pop-punk heaven, it tallied 2.6 million Spotify streams and vaulted to #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay Chart. A piece on Consequence applauded how "the song finds Key trading vocals with Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden," while Rolling Stone put it best: "It's the collaboration made in pop-punk dreams."

Two #1 singles coming from the one album, this signals not only a return to form, but a undeniable triumph; a band that still cuts through the noise nearly three decades into their career.

Next up, Yellowcard will canvas North America throughout the rest of August and into September on tour. They make stops at Musikfest 2026, Vans Warped Tour, Oceans Calling Festival, and more. In November, they cross the pond to hit the road in Europe and the UK with Good Charlotte.

YELLOWCARD ON TOUR:
SELECT DATES:
8/22 — Monreal, QC — Vans Warped Tour 2026
9/4 — Clearwater, FL — 97X Next Big Thing Legends
9/6 — Orlando, FL — Eat To The Beat Concert Series
9/7 — Orlando, FL — Eat To The Beat Concert Series
9/25 — Ocean City, MD — Oceans Calling Festival

WITH GOOD CHARLOTTE IN EUROPE + THE UK:
11/8 — Stockholm, Sweden — Hovet
11/11 — Munich, Germany — Zenith
11/13 — Forest, Belgium — Vorst Nationaal/Forest National
11/14 — Dusseldorf, Germany — Mitsubishi Electric Hall
11/16 — Amsterdam, Netherlands — AFAS Live
11/17 — Paris, France — Zenith Paris – La Villette
11/19 — London, UK — The O2
11/20 — Manchester, UK — Co-Op Live

The Drowns "Have a Heart" —WATCH + LISTEN

Seattle punk rockers The Drowns have shared "Have A Heart" from their upcoming full length album Harsh Reality, which releases September 18 via Pirates Press Records.

Watch the video Below.

Harsh Reality features 13 new songs produced by punk rock legend Bill Stevenson (Descendents, Black Flag) at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO. Pre-orders are available from Pirates Press Records, as well as Coretex Records in Europe & Plastic Head Megastore in the UK.

All in all, Harsh Reality, recorded by Stevenson and mixed by Jason Livermore(Teenage Bottlerocket), is an unapologetically political punk record.

Stevenson certainly got the best out of the band's songwriting and playing. Vocalist/guitarist Rev Peters, vocalist/bassist Andy Wylie, and drummer Jake Margolis largely bashed out the tracks themselves, with the exception of additional guitar work on "Vengeance" by Zach Blair (Rise Against, Only Crime, GWAR), and a touch of accordion on "3rd & Pike" courtesy of Matt Hensley (A-100s, Flogging Molly). This collection of 13 new songs fuses everything fans have loved about the band's previous sonic experimentation and focuses it into laser-tight melodic songwriting firmly rooted in punk rock, but with the potential to reach listeners from all walks of life.

It's a record poised to give the band's hard-earned position as a fan-favorite in the global punk scene an even greater trajectory. For a band that has won over fans around the globe, record by record and show by show, it is a big statement, but simply put: Harsh Reality is The Drowns at the top of their game.

Harsh Reality is now available for pre-order the album from the Pirates Press Records webstore on 12" Classic Black Vinyl (/100), 12" Iridescent Green Vinyl (/600), 12" Into the Deep Marble Vinyl (/600), or 12" Halloween Orange Vinyl with Blood Red Ripple (/1400)! 12" Stardust Torrent Vinyl (/100) has already sold out during pre-order. The album is also available on CD.

Along with the album, brand new merch is also available now, including T-shirts, hoodies, hats, enamel pins, and patches!Fans in Europe can order from Coretex Records and get a Coretex Exclusive 12" Metallic Gold Vinyl variant (/100), while Seattle locals can inquire with Georgetown Records about their exclusive 12" Sea Blue Smoke Vinyl variant! Both of these limited edition variants are while supplies last! And finally, fans in the UK can order from Plastic Head Megastore!

VISIT GEORGETOWN RECORDS IN SEATTLE FOR EXCLUSIVE SEA BLUE SMOKE VINYL

PRE-ORDER CORETEX-EXCLUSIVE METALLIC GOLD VINYL [EU]

THE DROWNS ON TOUR:
8/12 — Jena, DE — F-Haus (w/ AGNOSTIC FRONT)
8/14 — Weinheim, DE — Café Central (w/ PULLEY, HORACE PINKER)
8/15 — Volyně, CZ — Summer Punk Party 2026 (w/ H2O)
9/16 — Spokane, WA — The Big Dipper
9/17 — Yakima, WA — Bearded Monkey Music
9/18 — Springfield, OR — Richard E Wildish Community Theater
9/19 — Portland, OR — Dante's
9/20 — Seattle, WA — Clock Out Lounge

WITH MURPHY'S LAW:
10/23 — Hamburg, DE — KaiserKeller/Hamburger Musik Club
10/24 — Essen, DE — Turock
10/25 — Drachten, NL — Poppodium Iduna
10/26 — Kortrijk, BE — De Verlichte Geest
10/28 — Winterthur, CH — Gaswerk
10/29 — Schweinfurt, DE — Kulturhaus Stattbahnhof
10/30 — Wien, AT — Szene Wien
10/31 — Prague, CZ — Rock Café

WITH SHEER TERROR:
11/2 — London, UK — New Cross Inn
11/3 — Huddersfield, UK — The Parish
11/5 — Nuneaton, UK — Queens Hall
11/6 — Newport, UK — The Cab
11/8 — Stockport, UK — Holy Diver
11/9 — Portsmouth, UK — Kola

Zahna Drops Latest Single & Music Video "Love & Loss"

Heavy rock artist Zahna has released her new single “Love & Loss”, taken from her upcoming album Break or Breakthrough, set for release September 4 via XOVR Records, the label founded by Brian “Head” Welch of Korn. Stream “Love & Loss” HERE and watch the accompanying video Below.

Following the spiritual confrontation “Defiler”, the sharpened battle cry of “The Archer” and the hard-won restoration of “Break or Breakthrough”, “Love & Loss” is the fourth single released from her upcoming album and pulls Zahna into one of the album’s most vulnerable spaces. Built on the ache of sudden grief and the exhaustion that follows a year of relentless personal upheaval, the track finds her standing in the wreckage, staring into the void, and asking the questions that faith does not always answer neatly. Written after the sudden passing of Zahna’s father-in-law, the song traces the shockwaves that move through a family after loss, when the foundations shift, certainty starts to fracture, and even survival begins to feel like something that has to be questioned before it can be chosen again.

Speaking on the track, Zahna shares:

“Love & Loss" is a song about being in so much pain you begin to question everything you believe, and start to look outwardly for the answers instead of inwardly. I wrote the song about my Father-in-law who passed away very suddenly. I saw how the fall out of him leaving the earth, shook the foundation for so many of us in the family. That same year, all hell broke loose in so many different ways in my life. I was so tired of fighting in every sense of the word.

“Love & Loss” is a cry for understanding in the midst of hopelessness and grief. It's a song that begs the question if this life is really worth living, and if there could really be a purpose and design in what seems to be random chaos. I guess that what I’ve learned, is that experiencing loss only leaves you behind with one thing, and that is a deeper sense of love, which ironically stings more in the absence of everything else. And when the absence is the void, you still scream out.

The new single deepens the emotional scope of Break or Breakthrough, an album shaped by spiritual warfare, endurance, freedom, grief, reconciliation and the possibility of life after crisis. Across the record, Zahna builds with the intensity of someone treating rock music as a vessel for survival and catharsis, where every heavier moment carries consequence and every melody feels pulled from somewhere deeply vulnerable and authentic.

For Zahna, signing with XOVR Records marks both a milestone and a mission. Having long hoped to work with someone like Brian “Head” Welch, the partnership has given her the space to build an album rooted in trust, detail and purpose. Break or Breakthrough was produced and mixed by Kellen McGregor of Memphis May Fire, with co-writing and associate production from Cory Brunnemann of Through Arteries.

Zahna’s recent momentum has already carried into active rock. Her previous single “Defiler” has been spinning across a growing list of active rock stations across the country including SiriusXM Octane, Music Choice and HardDrive Radio, exploding onto the chart after just a few weeks at the active rock format where it remained for over a month whilst also hitting Top 20 on the SiriusXM Octane chart.

With "Love & Loss" now out in the world and Break or Breakthrough arriving September 4, Zahna continues to reveal an album built not around easy victory, but around the brutal, beautiful work of staying alive, staying honest and finding love still burning in the absence.

ABOUT ZAHNA

Zahna is a heavy rock artist, vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and vocal coach whose music combines hard-hitting rock, metalcore intensity, dark pop atmosphere and deeply personal storytelling. First emerging as the vocalist of alt-rock band ILIA, she launched her solo career with Red For War and later released 2023’s Stronger Than Death, an album shaped by her experience surviving a near-terminal battle with kidney failure.

Her new album, Break or Breakthrough, will be released September 4 via XOVR Records, the label founded by Brian “Head” Welch of Korn. Produced and mixed by Kellen McGregor of Memphis May Fire, with co-writing and associate production from Cory Brunnemann of Through Arteries, the album explores spiritual warfare, endurance, freedom and the possibility of life after crisis.

Zahna has amassed over 20 million streams and continues to build growing support across SiriusXM Octane, Music Choice, HardDrive Radio and active rock radio. Beyond music, she is a vocal coach, a passionate advocate for those living with chronic illness, and an artist whose work pulls from faith, anime, literature, gaming and visual storytelling. Across every chapter,Zahna’s mission remains clear: to create songs with substance, honesty and enough fire to help people keep going.

MAD MAX Share Lyric Video for New Single "Keep You Alive"

Following the previously-released first single "Silver" (listen here), German melodic hard rock veterans MAD MAX have shared a lyric video for "Keep You Alive," offering another preview of their forthcoming studio album, Stories Of Destiny. Due out on September 4 via ROAR – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music, the album finds the band celebrating 45 years of history while continuing to push forward with new material.

Co-written with HELLOWEEN guitarist Sascha Gerstner, "Keep You Alive" serves as the album's second single and showcases the collaboration through MAD MAX's signature blend of powerful riffs, memorable hooks, and timeless, larger-than-life melodic hard rock.

Stream "Keep You Alive": https://madmax.rpm.link/alivePR

The video clip is now available below:

Packed with powerful guitar-driven anthems, memorable melodies and timeless hard rock spirit, Stories Of Destiny combines newly recorded material, long-awaited hidden gems and collaborations with some of the most respected names in the rock and metal world. The album also introduces UK vocalist Alan Clark while welcoming original MAD MAX singer Andreas Baesler as a special guest for his first MAD MAX appearance in 45 years, creating a direct link between the band's earliest days and its present.

Founded in Münster, Germany in 1981 by guitarist, songwriter and bandleader Jürgen Breforth, MAD MAX have remained one of Europe's most enduring melodic hard rock and heavy metal acts for more than four decades. Renowned for their unmistakable guitar-driven sound, strong melodies and classic hard rock attitude, the band have built a loyal international following through countless albums, tours and festival appearances.

Reflecting on an extraordinary career while embracing the future, Stories Of Destiny is built around songs Breforth had the honor to co-write with acclaimed musicians including Sascha Gerstner (Helloween), David Readman (Pink Cream 69), Andreas Broon (The Sisters Of Mercy) and Michael Voss, known from his work with Michael Schenker. Reimagined and newly recorded in unmistakable MAD MAX fashion, the album captures both the band's musical roots and their continued evolution. 

Further highlights include two previously unreleased MAD MAX songs from 1991, "Til' The End Of Time" and "Weapons Of Love", alongside a newly recorded version of "Piece Of Candy", based on the very first guitar riff Breforth ever wrote for the band in 1981. Performed as a duet between Alan Clark and Andreas Baesler, the track symbolizes the connection between MAD MAX's past and present. The Spanish version, "Dulces Falsos", marks the band's first-ever song with Spanish lyrics and pays tribute to their growing fanbase across Latin America.

The visual world of Stories Of Destiny also connects to the MAD MAX comic, created by Mexican comic artist Maestro Arturo Said. The comic tells the story of the band from its founding days in 1981 through the 1980s and up to MAD MAX’s first shows in Colombia in 2023, making the album both a musical and visual celebration of the band’s legacy.
 

Pre-order your album copy now at: https://madmax.rpm.link/storiesPR

Artist Line-Up:
Alan Clark - Vocals
Andreas Baesler - Vocals On "Dulces Falsos" & Duet Vocals On "Piece Of Candy"
Jürgen Breforth - Guitar
Dethy Borchardt - Guitar
Fabian Watermann - Bass
Axel Kruse - Drums

Connect with MAD MAX:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/madmax.legacy.band 
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/madmaxgermanycom 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MADMAXLEGACY 
Website | https://madmax-germany.com 

Aussie Deathcore Titans TO THE GRAVE Launch New Single + Official Video

Today, TO THE GRAVE, the world's preeminent vegan deathcore band, are proud to launch their new track, "TORTURE PORN," the third single taken from their upcoming BLKIIBLK debut album, 'LIBERATION FRONT,' set for release on October 2nd. The new single arrives alongside an official lyric video.

On the new single, vocalist Dane Evans shares:

"'TORTURE PORN' might be the biggest fight riff song we have. Lyrically, I wanted to state as bluntly as possible that we don’t care if you hate us, what we stand for or how we choose to stand for it; TTG hates you too. Enjoy the song. Everyone’s still a murderer."

Watch the Official Lyric Video for "TORTURE PORN" Below:

Since forming in 2010, TO THE GRAVE have become one of Australia's most uncompromising heavy exports, earning acclaim for crushing releases including 'Global Warning,' 'Epilogue,' 'Director's Cuts,' and 2024's 'Everyone's a Murderer.' Armed with a singular mission to confront animal cruelty and environmental destruction through some of modern metal's most punishing deathcore, the Sydney outfit have forged a reputation for pairing unrelenting heaviness with fearless activism. Their live assault has taken them around the globe alongside Lorna Shore, Thy Art Is Murder, Shadow of Intent, Carnifex, Oceano, and more, with Revolver hailing them as "one of the country's heaviest exports" and Distorted Sound calling them "one of the most intense, enthralling bands the genre can offer."

Now, the band returns with 'LIBERATION FRONT,' their fifth album and BLKIIBLK debut, a statement of pure intent. Brutal and uncompromising in both sound and message, TO THE GRAVE transform their death metal-infused assault into a vehicle for activism, raging against animal cruelty and environmental destruction while delivering their most direct and fully realized work to date. From the breakdown-laden opener "MEAT THE HUMANS," 'Liberation Front'marks a ferocious return to the band's deathcore roots. While recent releases leaned further into hardcore, the new album embraces deathcore at its most savage and relentless.

Evans comments about the album:

"'LIBERATION FRONT' was born as a concept on tour last year in Australia after we decided we wanted to make the sequel to 'Director’s Cuts.' What came out was something between that and a more pissed off brother to 'Everyone’s A Murderer.' It’s got so many things I love about the band and a bit of everything pushed to 100 with a really bleak kind of aggression that’s just reaching for your throat the entire time. Very keen to play some of these songs live and it’s an exciting chapter to add.”

Pre-Order 'LIBERATION FRONT' HERE

TO THE GRAVE will be kicking off "The Sawed Off Suffering Tour" with co-headliner Crown Magnetar on September 17th in Chicago. The entire run will be supported by Face Yourselfand on select dates by the likes of I Declare War, Tracheotomy, Backbiter, Squelching and Ameonna (the new band featuring former Chelsea Grin members Alex Koehler, Jake Harmond and Pablo Viveros, making their live debut). For a full list of dates, please see below.

Bassist Matt Clarke exclaims:

“These are the heaviest lineups we’ve ever put together, and we can’t wait for these shows across North America and at home in Aus. For North America, all these bands have a different approach, but the one thing that brings it all together is intensity! We’re stoked to be teaming up with Crown Magnetar for this run, and having Face Yourself on the package just makes it more crushing. We’re very excited that we get to play with OG Chelsea Grin members back on-stage for the first time in Ameonna, and I Declare War hopping on for some shows is awesome! Backbiter, Tracheotomy, and Squelching will all bring their own brands of brutality to the tour. No matter what show you’re hitting, you’re in for a treat.”

TO THE GRAVE Live:

Australia w/ No Cure, Algor Mortis, Bloodmouth

Sept 2 - Perth, AU @ Amplifier Bar *

Sept 3 - Adelaide, AU @ Lion Arts Factory *

Sept 4 - Frankston, AU @ Singing Bird

Sept 5 - Melbourne, AU @ Max Watts

Sept 6 - Canberra, AU @ The Baso ^

Sept 10 - Sydney, AU @ Crowbar

Sept 11 - Newcastle, AU @ Hamilton Station

Sept 12 - Brisbane, AU @ The Triffid

* no Bloodmouth

^ no Algor Mortis

North America w/ Crown Magnetar, Face Yourself

Sept 17 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean *

Sept 18 - Detroit, MI @ Catacombs at The Sanctuary *

Sept 19 - Cleveland, OH @ Mahall’s *

Sept 20 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground *

Sept 22 - Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace *

Sept 23 - Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Électriques *

Sept 24 - Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground *

Sept 25 - Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows *

Sept 26 - Harrisburg, PA @ Capital City Music Hall *

Sept 27 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium *

Sept 28 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery ^

Sept 30 - Asheville, NC @ Revival ^

Oct 1 - Nashville, TN @ The End ^

Oct 2 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Purgatory) ^

Oct 3 - Jacksonville, FL @ The Albatross ^

Oct 4 - West Palm Beach, FL @ The Banyan Live ^ 

Oct 6 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada $

Oct 7 - Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live $

Oct 9 - Mesa, AZ @ Rosetta Room

Oct 10 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex +

Oct 11 - Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post +

Oct 13 - Portland, OR @ The Hawthorne Theatre +

Oct 14 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazon +

Oct 16 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Soundwell ~

Oct 17 - Denver, CO @ HQ ~

* w/ Backbiter

^ w/ Tracheotomy

$ w/ Squelching

+ w/ I Declare War

~ w/ Ameonna

More Dates TBA!

Legendary Hard Rock Icons STRYPER Unveil New Single "Ashes To Roses" + Lyric Video

Today, legendary Christian metal pioneers STRYPER proudly unveil their new single "Ashes To Roses," taken from their upcoming 18th studio album, ‘Throne Of Thorns,’ set for release on September 25th via Frontiers Music Srl. Decades into their journey, STRYPER continue to reaffirm their status as one of the most influential and enduring bands in classic metal, seamlessly blending their signature message with a sound that remains as powerful and relevant as ever. "Ashes to Roses" arrives alongside an official lyric video, available below.

On the new track, Michael Sweet comments:

“'Ashes To Roses' is definitely a little different for us. It’s got a little bit more of a throwback/classic rock vibe yet it’s got everything you would expect from STRYPER. It’s going to appeal all the people out there who have been wanting a good melodic rock ballad from the band. You asked, we listened!”

Watch the Lyric Video for "Ashes To Roses" Below:

‘Throne of Thorns’ showcases the band at the height of their creative powers, delivering a masterclass in songwriting and musicianship. The album is packed with grand, meticulously crafted arrangements, where thunderous rhythms, soaring guitar harmonies, and anthemic choruses come together in a style that is unmistakably STRYPER. Each track is infused with both intensity and melody, capturing the essence of classic metal while pushing their sound forward with renewed energy and purpose.

At the forefront stands the unmistakable voice of Michael Sweet, whose passionate, powerful, and instantly recognizable delivery continues to define the band’s identity. His vocal performance on ‘Throne of Thorns’ is nothing short of extraordinary, effortlessly moving between soaring highs and emotive depth, adding a timeless quality to every song.

Perry Richardson says:

"The best music doesn't come from comfort. It comes from living, struggling, growing, and refusing to quit. I hope these songs find you exactly when you need them."

With ‘Throne Of Thorns,’ STRYPER not only honors their legacy but expands upon it, offering an album that will resonate with longtime fans and newcomers alike. It’s a bold, inspired statement from a band that refuses to stand still—proof that true metal greatness only grows stronger with time.

Guitarist Oz Fox concludes:

"I’m really happy with the final outcome of this record and of the heart that went into it. Michaelcontinues to pour everything he has into the music and the message; Robert brings the power and energy that has always been the pulse of STRYPER; Perry’s musicianship, vocal talents, and dedication are second to none, and I’m grateful to be on this journey with all of them."

Pre-Order 'Throne of Thorns' HERE

Four decades and counting, STRYPER shows no signs of slowing down. The band will be back on the road starting this fall with a full U.S. For a full list of dates, see below.

STRYPER Live:

Sept 19th - Wissen, GER @ Loud and Proud Festival 2026

Sept 29th - Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall

Sept 30th - Wantagh, NY @ Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall

Oct 1st - Newton, NJ @ The Newton Theatre

Oct 3rd - Harrisburg, PA @ XL Live

Oct 4th - Warrendale, PA @ Jergel’s Rhythm Grille

Oct 6th - Marion, IL @ Marion Cultural and Civic Center

October 8th - McHenry, IL @ The Vixen

Oct 9th - Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Crystal Grand Music Theatre

Oct 10th - Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center

Oct 12th - St. Louis, MO @ The Hawthorn

Oct 13th - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s

Oct 15th - Nashville, TN @ The Cannery Mainstage

Oct 16th - Newton, NC @ Newton Performing Arts Center

Oct 17th - Kingsport, TN @ MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center

Oct 19th - Jacksonville, FL @ FIVE

Oct 20th - Orlando, FL @ House of Blues

Oct 22nd - Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage

Oct 23rd - Liberty, SC @ Pickens County PAC

Oct 24th - Hopewell, VA @ Beacon Theatre

Oct 25th - Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater

Dec 5th - San Juan, PR @ Coca-Cola Music Hall

STRYPER are:

Michael Sweet - Lead Vocals/Lead & Rhythm Guitar

Robert Sweet - Drums & Percussion

Oz Fox - Vocals/Lead and Rhythm Guitar

Perry Richardson - Vocals/Bass

Breaking In A Sequence Release New Single "Don't Run" via TLG|ZOID ​

Melodic alternative metal band Breaking In A Sequence released their new single “Don't Run” via TLG|ZOID, distributed by Virgin Music Group. The track serves as the second single from the band’s completed full-length album INANIMATE, due out later this year.

"'Don’t Run' was the first song written with new drummer BC Vaught. We didn’t write anything for the first year and a half after to give us time to meld together. The song carries the NuMetal torch from the early 2000’s with a perfect blend of melody, groove and aggression. It has a rawness that is absent in today’s music," shares the band.

The single was produced by Chris Collier alongside the band and mixed and mastered by Collier as well. The release marks the beginning of a new chapter for BIAS as they build momentum toward the full album launch.

STREAM "Don't Run"

https://tlgent.ffm.to/biasdontrun

WATCH  B I A S - "Don't Run" Official Video Below:

Upcoming Shows:

Sep. 12 @ House of Blues, Parrish Room in Anaheim, CA

Breaking In A Sequence (B I A S) is a melodic alternative metal band based out of Huntington Beach, California.  The band was formed in late 2018 by Joe Taback, Chris Dorame and David Silveria (Korn).  They later recruited Rich Nguyen after a worldwide singer search.  When David retired in 2022, BC Vaught (Hed PE, Breaking Benjamin) stepped in to fill his shoes.  

BIAS are:

Richard Nguyen - Vocals

BC Vaught - Drums

Michael William Martin - Guitar

Joe Taback - Guitar, Backup Vocals

Chris Dorame - Bass