UK Alt-Punks KID KAPICHI Release New Single "Stainless Steel" + Lyric Video

UK alt-punks KID KAPICHI dawn a new age with the release of their new single “Stainless Steel,” a deeply personal track for frontman Jack Wilson. The new track arrives alongside an official lyric video, available below.

“I wrote the lyrics during a particularly difficult few months last year,” explains Jack. “I realized that I’m not invincible or immune from my own mental health issues, hence ‘I’m not made of stainless steel…’ It came about during one of the darkest periods of my life, and a lot of the songs written around that time feel like a blur or like they were written by someone else. Listening back to them now feels like advice given to me from my past self. It's comforting to know that I got out of that place and am doing better, but it’s also a stark reminder that you aren’t in control of when you may slip again.”

Jack continues, “'Stainless Steel' also felt like a new direction for us; slowing things down and stripping things back after years of sensing that 'more is more'. It finally felt like less could be...”

Watch the Lyric Video for "Stainless Steel"

Produced by Mike Horner & Ben Beetham alongside KID KAPICHI, and mixed by George Perks, “Stainless Steel” is the band’s first single since the departure of longstanding friends and co-conspirators, guitarist Ben Beetham and drummer George MacDonald, marking the turning of a new page.

Since coming together a decade ago in Hastings, UK, KID KAPICHI have always been more brotherhood than band; like-minded musicians bound together by the belief that music and message can happily co-exist, and that being proud of where you’re from should in no way limit your ambition or narrow your view of the world.

New line-up details will be announced shortly.

Stream / Listen to "Stainless Steel" HERE

Meanwhile, KK have confirmed an extensive UK headline tour for October / November 2025. These “up-close & personal” shows will see the new line-up taking to the road for the very first time.

A number of UK festival appearances are also in place for August, preceded by a warm-up headline show in Bristol.

Bambie Thug Returns With New Single "REDRUM" + Signs With Spinefarm Worldwide + Universal Music Publishing Group

Cork-born alt-trailblazer Bambie Thug (they/them/fae) has released their brand-new single "REDRUM," out now via Spinefarm.

Listen to "REDRUM" here or watch below.

Fresh off a massive European arena tour with Babymetal and Poppy, and a sensational debut performance at Glastonbury earlier this year, Bambie Thug returns with a defiant new anthem "REDRUM." Produced by Shaun Lopez (††† & Deftones), "REDRUM" fuses sinister guitar riffs and crashing drums with Bambie's signature screams and politically charged lyrics into a powerful rebel cry. Lyrically locked in on the state of the world, the track is a fearless statement of who Bambie Thug is — an unwavering voice for the queer community and other marginalized groups — and an artist that refuses to be silenced.

On the new single, Bambie Thug said, "'REDRUM' nearly wasn't a thing, because Shaun wasn't going to show me the beat! But when he played it I immediately knew it needed to be mine! I took the instrumental back to my hotel on Sunset Blvd. and spent the night watching news, old protests, and screaming ideas into my headphone mic, probably disturbing the other guests. The next day, Shaun brought Scott Chesak in with us to add the middle section, which I think sounds like armed police banging on their shields. I was using the same old karaoke mic the Beastie Boys used on 'Sabotage' for the vocals! Working with Shaun is amazing, we just get on so well and he's crazy talented. I loved our time together and I’m excited to continue collaborating with him. 

"'REDRUM' is a masterclass, sonically and lyrically. Seeing the reaction it's had live just emphasizes to me how important the song is. It's political, it'a anti-war, it's a 'rebel cry' for the LGBTQIA community and for everyone who is fed up with living in this disconnected world. All I can offer to these turbulent times is my art and hope it wakes people up."

"REDRUM" marks Bambie Thug's first release under their global recording deal with Spinefarm, home to Bullet For My Valentine, Creeper, Dayseeker, and Black Veil Brides.

Talking about the signing, Jonas Nachsin, GM of Spinefarm worldwide said, "We are so excited to welcome Bambie Thug to the Spinefarm family. When we heard that a tarot card reading had resulted in the final decision to join forces with us, we realized that even the spirit world got to weigh in on our new partnership; we then collectively exclaimed 'Crown the Witch' with great exuberant celebration!! We can't wait to see what BT has in store for the world in this and in the coming years."

In addition to signing with Spinefarm, Bambie Thug has also signed with Universal Music Publishing.

UMPG's Claire Walters, A&R Creative Manager added, "We are extremely excited to be working with Bambie, they are an exceptional talent with great artistic vision, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!"

ABOUT BAMBIE THUG:
Cork-born alt disruptor Bambie Thug (they/them/fae) is smashing through gender and socio-political stereotypes to create an era-defining sound that borders on elements of pop, rock, electronic and more. Self-coining the term ‘Ouija-pop’ to describe their sound, Bambie Thug has made serious waves over the last few years with a series of genre-defying singles and a critically acclaimed EP CATHEXIS. Bambie represented Ireland at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with their spellbinding entry "Doomsday Blue," finishing at sixth place — the highest placement for an Irish act in 24 years. Following the contest, "Doomsday Blue" flooded the charts globally, reaching the top 40 in Ireland (#23), Lithuania (#9), Greece (#12), Finland (#40), as well as earning their first UK chart entry at #67. A strikingly visual artist, Bambie’s cinematic videos have seen them transform into a variety of otherworldly characters such as "HIM" from The Powerpuff Girls, a lethal arachnid creature and a vampire bride. No stranger to the big stage, Bambie has played festivals across the world including Glastonbury, Download and Electric Picnic to much critical acclaim. Their show-stopping performances have been described as "a genderqueer, occult-tinged, strikingly theatrical edge” (Evening Standard), and they have received ongoing global support from the likes of NME, Kerrang!, Rolling Stone UK, GAY TIMES, BBC Radio 1, Spotify, Amazon Music and more.

BAMBIE THUG PRONOUNS: THEY/THEM/FAE

Hunter Oliveri Shares Visualizer for New Single "Make U Cry"

Hunter Oliveri, the Gen Alpha talent who has been steadily buzzing and creating a name for himself since his early teen years, will release his debut album TEEN SLUG on September 19 via Spinefarm. Pre-order it here. 

Today, he drops the visualizer for "Make U Cry."

Watch it below. 

The song is, in its simplest form, about the dish best served cold — revenge.

Oliveri, whose early single "Kids" was tipped by Pigeons + Planes, crafts songs that channel the alternative and grunge blueprint of his musical heroes — like Chris Cornell and Soundgarden, Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins — imbued with the playful opaqueness of Kurt Cobain's lyricism and the easy slacker hooks of Weezer. His music speaks to the messiness of growing up. It sounds exactly like that, too. He simply writes what he knows. 
 
There are songs about partying too hard and songs about loving too much; songs about last night's headrush highs and the morning-after's anxious comedown. There are songs for when you seek the comfort of relatability, and there are songs for when you want to simply say "fuck it all." They are the product of the humble authenticity of someone who's grown up in a place no different to a million others the world over. Most have never heard of Paso Robles, CA, and might never again. There's sunshine, strip malls, and vineyards that outnumber venues 10 to 1, where the nearby underground music scene of San Luis Obispo a few miles down the road is more accessible than anything resembling the bright lights of L.A. two hours to the south or San Francisco up north. "It's a boring city, but we make the most of it," Oliveri shrugs. "We'll go skating, or hang out and smoke. And anyway, it's fun to go moshing in someone's basement."
 
It's no surprise, then, that Oliveri is used to creating more interesting scenes than those that existed outside his window. As a kid, he would do so in the stories he dreamt up in his bedroom. "I like writing stories about worlds I'd want to live in," he says, "which made my own world seem so much bigger."
 
Such creativity inevitably morphed into songwriting in his early teenage years — though music had long since embedded itself within him. "I was probably four years old when I first heard 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' around my parents’ house," he recalls of music's omnipresence in his life. "I never knew the name of the song but every time I heard it, I'd be like, shit, it's that song. It would give me this majestic feeling." He laughs that his mom holds a video recording of her son gamely plucking through a rendition of a Metallica song (it was the epic "One") at his Kindergarten graduation performance. His dad — an avid fan of Korn and Tool — meanwhile tells him that his parents met at Woodstock; not the peace-and-love of Woodstock '69, but, more aptly, the confusion-and-chaos of Woodstock '99.
 
A chance meeting at age 14 with a local producer's father while in a coffee shop with his grandpa was the first domino to fall in Oliveri's music story. The rest is a history still to be written. "I've been so incredibly lucky, but I've manifested this, too," he says. "I've always known writing music would be my life. I just had to make it happen. It was hard to find kids around my city that played instruments and wanted to be in a band, but I've been writing songs every day in my bedroom since I was maybe 13 years old. It takes me to a different place."
  
"I want to bring people into my world through my music," he adds. "I want people to feel something when they listen to my music, and to relate to me, and for me to be a friend and an outlet for them."

He's figuring the rest out as he goes... so come along for the ride!

Creeper to Release "Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death" on 10/31 + Band Shares "Blood Magick (It's A Ritual)" Video

The Sanguivore album took Creeper's already larger-than-life ambition to new heights, leading to the most intense critical acclaim of their career and culminating in their first arena headline show at London's OVO Wembley Arena. Historically, the end of one Creeper era sees the band slam the coffin shut as they once again reinvent themselves. But this time, Creeper defy expectations by expanding the previous record's creative universe, returning with Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death on October 31 through Spinefarm.

Creeper further preview the album with the new single "Blood Magick (It's A Ritual)." Built on a classic serrated '80s metal riff, it could well be their most theatrical moment yet. Its killer calling card is its vocal interplay: William Von Ghould's commanding, Germanic intonation enshrouded by the bewitching allure of Hannah Greenwood's backing vocals.

Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death is a thematic sequel rather than a direct continuation of the original story. Like a classic horror anthology it spins a new tale from the same bloodline as the original, this time using its bloodied vampiric heart as the common thread to introduce a brand new narrative. The tale takes us back to the moral hysteria that was the Satanic Panic and its impact upon the world of '80s hard rock and heavy metal. It was a time in which the late Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, and Judas Priest were dogged by court cases. Iron Maiden played deep into America's heartland, while W.A.S.P. and Mötley Crüe inflamed conservative minds with outrageous theatricality and decadence.

William Von Ghould introduces the story, saying,"Beneath the flashing neon of a distant dream, a rock and roll nightmare is coming true. A vampire band rampages across 1980s America, leaving only corpses behind. But on the horizon, a shadow stirs. Part-slasher, part-Satanic Panic nightmare, a new force rises through the mist, ready to hunt the hunter. The Mistress Of Death is a vampire huntress on a path to end this vampire bloodline for good. But can she stake their hearts before the final curtain falls?"

Creeper play the role of the fictional band on a record which is razor sharp with demonic power and devilish black humor. It's a sequel in which the band summon the spirits of rock history, darting between harmonic and dueling guitars from co-founder Ian Miles and new recruit Lawrie Pattison that recall the majesty of Priest and Maiden. They soar through towering hooks that channel the biggest hits of the stadium rock era with their maximalist sound encompassing darkwave synths, art-rock sax, and multi-layered vocal harmonies.

After the frenetic punk thrills of "Headstones" and the video which first introduced Creeper as the fictional band on stage in full theatrical chaos, the new "Blood Magick (It's A Ritual)" visual shifts the focus to the hedonism and evil happening behind the scenes while they're on tour. Directed by Harry Steel, it blends original footage with curated stock to capture the grimy surrealism of Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses and the fever dream energy of Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers.

The result, says William, is "a blood-soaked, sexed up, psychedelic vampire rock fantasy and easily one of the wildest videos we've ever made."

As with the original, Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death was produced by Tom Dalgety (Ghost, Rammstein, Royal Blood).

Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death is available to pre-order HERE.

Physical formats are led by three vinyl products: A Creeper purple vinyl, a mistress purple marble vinyl available through select indie stores, and a blood red marble vinyl in gatefold packaging, which is exclusive to the band's official store.

The Creeper store also offers an exclusive two-tape rave case packaging both Sanguivore and Sanguivore II: Mistress of Death, while a mintpak CD is available through all retailers.

Creeper are set to hit the main stage at Bloodstock on August 9, before they tour the UK as special guest to Ice Nine Kills in December.

Scorpions Release Video for "Blackout (Coming Home Live)"

Let's start with a bit of a history lesson. Or an urban legend.

There was a wild night of partying with members of Def Leppard and Judas Priest — the details of which the SCORPIONS couldn't remember the next day, even with the best will in the world.
 
It was… a total blackout.
 
This merciless moment, which no one who was actually there can remember, laid the musical foundation for one of the SCORPIONS' most triumphant successes — the song "Blackout." 

Fast forward several fruitful decades and that very song is lead single from band's forthcoming Coming Home Live album, which will undoubtedly achieve instantly iconic status.

Listen to "Blackout (Coming Home Live)" here.

Watch the video, which premiered at Wacken Open Air below. 

The live version conveys the power, the virtuosity, and the epic moments of July 5, 2025, when the band performed (and recorded) a magical concert on the stage of the Hanover Stadium to a crowd of 45,000 enthusiastic and adoring fans.
 
While the SCORPIONS have performed countless times in huge stadiums around the world, July 5 marked the first time the legendary rockers performed a stadium concert in Germany and in the hometown of Klaus Meine, Rudolf Schenker, and Matthias Jabs. The occasion? The 60th anniversary of the band.

During this concert, the band bridged the gap between yesterday and tomorrow. "

Scorpions celebrate the biggest home game of their career — a thrilling anniversary concert" stated NDR. Hannoversche Allgemeine newspaper noted, "The Scorpions' stadium concert will be a triumph."

Facts are facts and it was a triumph indeed.
 
Coming Home Live effectively documents six decades of one of the most important international rock bands of their day.

Pre-order it here.

Dead Poet Society Share "Running In Circles (Stripped)"

Los Angeles quartet DEAD POET SOCIETY, who were tipped by The New York Post's Page Six as a band to know, dropped their second album FISSION in 2024 via Spinefarm. It's available here.

Today, they share a stripped down and reimagined, piano-driven version of their hit single "Running In Circles."

Listen to "Running In Circles (Stripped)" below. 

How the song came to be is quite the plot twist involving a fan and social media!

"A little while ago, we came across our longtime fan (and now friend) Marissa's piano cover of 'Running In Circles' on Instagram. Everything about it — the expression, chord changes, and emotion — moved us. We knew right away that we needed to release this version of a song that's so special to us," the band explains. "Shortly after, we decided to fly Marissa out from Texas and have her officially record the version with Jack singing. We couldn’t be more excited about the result."

DPS will hit the road this summer supporting Chevelle and Asking Alexandria. All dates are below.

DEAD POET SOCIETY ON TOUR:
WITH CHEVELLE + ASKING ALEXANDRIA:
8/7 — San Antonio, TX — Boeing Center at Tech Port
8/9 — Durant, OK — Choctaw Casino & Resort Durant — Grand Theater
8/10 — North Kansas City, MO — Harrah's Kansas City — VooDoo Lounge
8/12 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha
8/14 — Indianapolis, IN — Everwise Amphitheater
8/15 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
8/16 — Louisville, KY — Iroquois Amphitheater
8/19 — Sterling Heights, MI — Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
8/20 — Toronto, ON — Great Canadian Toronto — The Theatre
8/21 — Pittsburgh, PA — Stage AE
8/23 — Asbury Park, NJ — Stone Pony Summer Stage
8/24 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway
8/26 — New York, NY — The Rooftop at Pier 17
8/27 — Bethlehem, PA — Wind Creek Bethlehem - Wind Creek Event Center
8/28 — Wallingford, CT — The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre
8/30 — Virginia Beach, VA — The Dome
8/31 — Washington, DC — The Anthem
9/3 — Raleigh, NC — Red Hat Amphitheater
9/4 — Charlotte, NC — Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
9/5 — Simpsonville, SC — CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park
9/7 — Atlanta, GA — Coca-Cola Roxy
9/9 — Nashville, TN — The Pinnacle
9/10 — Cincinnati, OH — PNC Pavilion
9/11 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave/Eagles Club - Eagles Ballroom
9/13 — Maryland Heights, MO — Saint Louis Music Park
9/14 — Oklahoma City, OK — The Criterion
9/16 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
9/17 — Grand Junction, CO — Las Colonias Park Amphitheater
9/18 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel
9/20 — Las Vegas, NV — The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas - The Chelsea
9/21 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre
9/23 — San Diego, CA — Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
9/26 — Hollywood, CA — Hollywood Palladium
9/27 — San Francisco, CA — The Masonic
9/28 — Redding, CA — Redding Civic Auditorium
9/30 — Idaho Falls, ID — Mountain America Center
10/1 — Nampa, ID — Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
10/2 — Airway Heights, WA — Northern Quest Resort & Casino — BECU Live

Black Veil Brides Debut Video for First New Track of 2025 — The Blistering "Hallelujah"

On the heels of a successful tour alongside Baby Metal, Black Veil Brides are back with their first piece of new music since 2024's chart-topping single "Bleeders." The band — comprised of vocalist Andy Biersack, guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx, bassist Lonny Eagleton, and drummer Christian Coma — return to their roots with the aggressive new track "Hallelujah." The Tampa, Florida based choir "One Voice Ensemble" also lent their talents to the recording. The song is being released by their label partners Spinefarm and was produced by Biersack and Pitts. "Hallelujah" is now available via all digital service providers here.

"'Hallelujah' is an important song for us, not only because it is the first track from the new record, but also as a signifier of what's to come for the band. On a narrative level, it represents the themes and ideas I am exploring lyrically on the album. I am fascinated by the current state of discourse and how often we seem to prioritize ideological certainty over the heart and soul of humanity. Over the years, we have developed a tremendous connection with our audience, which is often dismissed or misinterpreted by the 'scene.' We stand at a unique inflection point culturally and I want to be able to speak openly about how much I believe in being true to yourself over the fear of mass hysteria or in-group recriminations," explains Biersack. "When my grandfather's voice spoke to 'the outcasts' in the first moments of our first record in 2010, it was a sincere call to arms for all those who feel different. In many ways this record is the natural evolution of that same idea. This is the heaviest and most vitriolic BVB record by far but more importantly I believe it is the most sincere and honest record we have ever made."

To coincide with the new single, Black Veil Brides are releasing an animated video for "Hallelujah." The video is directed by Marco Pavone (The Black Dahlia Murder, Pink Floyd, Shadow of Intent). The band will continue to release more visual content over the coming months to support the new song. A teaser for the track got fans in a frenzy when it was released last week.

The official music video for "Hallelujah" can be seen below.

The band will also be touring in support of the new single. The song will make its live performance debut at Warped Tour in Long Beach, CA on July 26. Black Veil Brides will also be making appearances at Louder Than Life in Louisville, KY (September 20), Rock The Locks Festival in Umatilla, OR (September 26), and Aftershock Festival (October 5) before heading to South America for six headline shows. The We Missed Ourselves Tour 2025 will also feature Underoath, Silverstein, Senses Fail, and I Set My Friends On Fire. Information on all ticket and VIP packages for Black Veil Brides dates can be found here.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES 2025 TOUR DATES: 
7/26 — Long Beach, CA — Vans Warped Tour
9/20 — Louisville, KY — Louder Than Life 
9/26 — Umatilla, OR — Rock the Locks Festival 
10/5 — Sacramento, CA — Aftershock 
10/25 — Mexico City, MEX — Velodromo Olimpico 
10/28 — Bogota, COL — Chamorro City Hall
10/31 — Santiago, CHL — Teatro Coliseo
11/2 — Sao Paulo, BRZ — Vibra
11/4 — Buenos Aires, ARG — Groove 
11/15 — Orlando, FL — Vans Warped Tour

HIGH PARASITE - Featuring Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride - Releases New Single "Cold" + Music Video

Today, UK outfit HIGH PARASITE, led by Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride, unveil their brand-new single, “Cold.” Though previously unreleased, the track has become a staple of the band’s live set and arrives alongside a music video, available below.

Bassist/Vocalist Tombs comments on the single:

“'Cold' was lyrically inspired by Plato's analogy of the cave, an allegory used to illustrate the relationship between reality and illusion, the journey from ignorance to knowledge. The idea of a person realising too late in life that there is no God, no heaven, no hell, no divine retribution, no absolution, and the panic and anger they would feel when it dawns on them that they are truly alone and can only hold themselves responsible for their actions.”

Watch the Music Video for "Cold"

In addition, “Parasite,” taken from their debut studio album 'Forever We Burn,' has been newly remixed by acclaimed producer Lewis Johns (Employed To Serve, Earthtone9, Loathe). This updated version is now available on all major streaming platforms, having previously only been accessible via YouTube.

Listen to "Parasite (Vampiric Mix)" HERE

Produced by Gregor Mackintosh (Paradise Lost), 'Forever We Burn' was released on September 27th, 2024 via Spinefarm, supported by a series of singles and videos.

Having completed a successful UK tour with Cradle of Filth last year, and more recently a short stint with Unto Others, HIGH PARASITE play a one-off show with Cradle of Filth on July 6th at Epic Studios in Norwich; they then continue their run of European festivals, including first-ever appearances at the UK’s Bloodstock event in August and the Eindhoven Metal Meeting in December.

Additionally, High Parasite are confirmed to join Paradise Lost on their October 2025 UK tour,

HIGH PARASITE are:

Vocals - Aaron Stainthorpe

Bass - Tombs

Rhythm guitar - Sam Hill

Lead guitar - Jonny Hunter

Drums - Dan Brown

Scorpions to Celebrate 60th Anniversary with Hometown Show 7/5 To Be Recorded + Released As Live Album "Coming Home Live"🦂

Throughout their phenomenal career, the Scorpions have played in countless stadiums around the world. 

To mark their 60th anniversary, the band will, for the first time, perform at the stadium in their hometown of Hanover, where it all began. The show is set for July 5, 2025, at the Hanover Stadium Arena/Heinz von Heiden Arena. It's no surprise that the arena sold out 45,000 tickets in mere moments.

"Coming Home" will be the motto of this concert, and Coming Home Live will be the title of the accompanying live album, which will give fans worldwide the opportunity to experience this moment in Hanover. 

Spinefarm/Vertigo/Universal will release this extraordinary concert, featuring all of the band's biggest hits and many musical surprises, as a live album on vinyl and CD on November 14.

Pre-orders are now available here.

Photo Credit: Frank C. Duennhaupt

"Back then, we just wanted to be part of the global rock family — that was our dream," says Rudolf Schenker, the man who founded the band six decades ago. "Since then, we've shared the stage with Aerosmith and KISS, with Metallica, AC/DC, and I don't even remember who else we're fascinated by — to the Berlin Philharmonic."

The band has always felt at home when performing at the world's major arenas. But even more so, over the years, the Scorpions have also influenced generations of rock fans, undoubtedly shaping the style and music of younger artists and fellow legends.

"They are the best thing that could have happened to hard rock or heavy metal," says Jon Bon Jovi about the Scorpions, while Metallica's Kirk Hammettconfesses, "I still remember being so smitten by the cover of Tokyo Tapes. From then on, I was the biggest Scorpions fan and searched everywhere for all possible information about this band."

Members of Smashing Pumpkins, Mötley Crüe, and Green Day, to Guns N' Roses and KISS have all said that the Scorpions' songs had a huge influence on their music. 

The resources of their career years have now become an overflowing treasure trove, bridging the gap from yesterday to tomorrow, from 1965 to the iconic concert in the Hanover Stadium Arena on July 5. The fuel that spurs the Scorpions is the adrenaline that comes with performing live.

 "It's the most important element," says lead singer Klaus Meine. "And the strongest: The Scorpions are a band that, from the very beginning, has seen its place on stage and on some of the biggest stages in the world, in the biggest stadiums and arenas. It was always a challenge to win over fans and play a great show live."

But Scorpions constantly rose to the occasion and surpassed that challenge every time.

Lead guitarist Matthias Jabs says, "I don't like to think about the past. I prefer to think about what we're doing now or will do. And that's why, for me, the stadium concert in Hanover is the most important thing right now."

Lowlives Release Deluxe Version of Latest Album "Freaking Out" Feat. 6 Unreleased Tracks

Raucous rockers LOWLIVES have released a digital deluxe version of their current studio album, Freaking Out, featuring six unreleased songs, including new single "Better Off Alone."

Lowlives drummer Luke Johnson offers: "'Better off Alone' is about relationships where you feel like you're not good enough for the other person. Sometimes, we enter into relationships believing that the key to our own happiness lies in someone else, which is never true. Misery will always find you if haven't done the necessary work on yourself beforehand. And it will take a toll on the relationship — often leading to a lack of trust in the other person. At that point, you're just better off alone."

Watch the lyric video for "Better Off Alone" Below.

ABOUT LOWLIVES:
LOWLIVES isn’t so much about carefully stoking the embers as pouring on gasoline with merry impetuosity. With vocalist Lee Downer and drummer Luke Johnson joined by guitarist Jaxon Moore and bassist Steve Lucarelli, the nascent band was founded on a shared love of '90s alternative and grunge, and a shared desire to make music once more for little more than the love of doing so.  
 
"During my time away from music, someone bought a pair of child’s ear defenders for my wife and I as a present when we announced we were pregnant," Johnson recalls. "I’d put them away in the cupboard, thinking we’d never need them, that I wouldn’t be playing any shows again. But they became this thing that nagged at me, the feeling that my daughter would never know the original me, for whom music was everything. Over time, those feelings came flooding back, as did the hunger, and the innocence. A massive part of me had been missing, and I wanted to get back to doing something pure and for the sheer love of it. That’s what Lowlives is. Whatever happens, happens. Let’s just Thelma And Louise this off a cliff."
 

LOWLIVES ARE:
Lee Downer — Vocals/Guitar
Jaxon Moore — Guitar
Steve Lucarelli — Bass
Luke Johnson — Drums

Hunter Oliveri Announces "Teen Slug" Album + Shares "Lunatics" Video

Hunter Oliveri, the Gen Alpha talent who has been steadily buzzing and creating a name for himself since his early teen years, is thrilled to announce the release of his debut album TEEN SLUG, out August 22 via Spinefarm.

Pre-order it here. 

Oliveri has released the video for new single "Lunatics."

Watch it Below:

The song, which is inspired by '90s era grunge and alt rock, takes a hard look at some major problems felling the world in the current digital day and age, and beyond. It's an incredibly mature point of view from someone who grew up in this era and who is undoubtedly affected by these issues.

 "The song reflects a world grappling with chaos, political unrest, cultural decay, or crises. like climate change or tech overload," Oliveri explains. "'Lunatics' could represent humanity's behavior, like wars, while the 'acid trip' is a distorted reality created by media or technology.  The disillusionment with 'God' or higher powers mirrors a global loss of faith in institutions whether religious, the government, or corporations leaving people to 'fake it' in a world that almost feels like a failed experiment."

A chance meeting at age 14 with a local producer's father while in a coffee shop with his grandpa was the first domino to fall in Oliveri's music story. The rest is a history still to be written. "I've been so incredibly lucky, but I've manifested this, too," he says. "I've always known writing music would be my life. I just had to make it happen. It was hard to find kids around my city that played instruments and wanted to be in a band, but I've been writing songs every day in my bedroom since I was maybe 13 years old. It takes me to a different place."
  
"I want to bring people into my world through my music," he adds. "I want people to feel something when they listen to my music, and to relate to me, and for me to be a friend and an outlet for them."

He's figuring the rest out as he goes... so come along for the ride!

AIRBOURNE Proudly Show Their Colors With New Do-Or-Die Anthem “Gutsy” — Their First New Music In Six Years

The mighty AIRBOURNE are back with “GUTSY,” their first new song in six years. Bristling with attitude and intent, this is AIRBOURNE on steroids — fired up and pissed off, ready to take on the world.

“Get ‘GUTSY,’ I die hard, you can’t stop me once I start…”

For frontman and lead guitarist Joel O’Keeffe, his brother Ryan on drums, longtime bassist Justin Street, and recent recruit Brett Tyrrell on rhythm guitar, "GUTSY" powerfully underlines everything they stand for, a blood-and-sweat commitment to the rock ‘n’ roll cause, and a burning desire to honor the true heroes of the genre.

More than just a title, "GUTSY" is a declaration. A worldview. A line drawn deep in the sand…

“It’s how you live, it’s how you die…”

Frontman/Lead Guitarist Joel O'Keeffe shares:

“When the odds are stacked against you and the battle you’re fighting seems impossible to win; when the vultures are circling and the last chance saloon has firmly bolted its doors; when your plane is hitting the runway on a single engine, and that engine is on fire; and when the things you hold as precious, the things that define you, are being tested at every turn, then the choices available become a lot clearer: fold or fight… call for help or cry for glory… give in or Get 'GUTSY'!”

Produced by Brian Howes, who also worked with the band on 2013’s 'Black Dog Barking,'engineered by Canadian studio legend Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Aerosmith, Rush, Metallica), and mixed by Zakk Cervini (Dayseeker, BMTH, Architects, Machine Gun Kelly), "GUTSY"marks the first new music from the Australian outfit since 2019’s 'Boneshaker.'

From the first ringing guitar chord (and it’s no coincidence it sounds like a bell!), "GUTSY"makes zero apologies for being big, bold, and bombastic. It’s a layered, fully cranked take on signature AIRBOURNE sonics, and packs enough low-end punch to work as a defibrillator in moments of crisis.

For Joel and Ryan, voracious students of hard rock, the mythology, the sacred rites, "GUTSY"stands tall, shoulders back and chest out. It’s a potent call to arms. A rallying cry for fans and band alike.

“We went into this writing and recording session with a clear idea of what we wanted to achieve,” concludes Joel. “It was a question of legacy. Let’s create something that can stand the test of time, both in terms of our own story and the hard rock world in general. Let’s plant our flag as close to the summit as possible, and if we have to make that final part of the ascent without oxygen, so be it. NO turning back. Get 'GUTSY'!!!”

AIRBOURNE are:

Joel O'Keeffe - Frontman/Lead Guitar

Ryan O'Keeffe - Drums

Justin Street - Bass

Brett Tyrrell - Rhythm Guitar

UK Metal Trio URNE Release New Single “Harken The Waves” — A Nine Minute-Plus Epic Ft. Troy Sanders of Mastodon

Beloved by tastemakers and the underground alike, the London-based metal trio URNE has today released a nine-minute-plus undulating epic, “Harken The Waves,” featuring guest vocals from Mastodon’s Troy Sanders. On the track, Sanders and URNE frontman Joe Nally’s voices blend into a powerful duet that crests and crashes like the song itself. The new single comes alongside a music video, available to view below.

Frontman Joe Nally comments on the new single:

“We feel this is one of the best songs we’ve ever written. On top of that, we were lucky enough to have Grammy-winning metal icon Troy Sanders, from the legendary Mastodon, lend his vocal talents. We’ve grown up listening to Troy and watching Troy live, so having someone like him not only appear, but take on such a significant role in the song, elevating it to another level, means a lot.”

Watch the Music Video for "Harken The Waves" Below:

“Harken The Waves” follows URNE’s recently released double A-side: "Throes Of Grief"plus a spectacular cover of Black Sabbath’s “I.”

Watch the Lyric Video for "Throes Of Grief" HERE

Listen / Stream to "I" HERE

Over the course of two studio albums plus a touring schedule taking in key festival appearances, including Download in the UK, URNE continually redefine the world of epic arena metal, showing that heavy music can also be laden with atmosphere and intent.

URNE embark on a headline run across Germany and France this September, in addition to a newly announced headline performance at London’s Camden Assembly. Then, in December, URNE join Orange Goblin as part of the latter’s UK farewell tour.

See the full list of dates below.

URNE Live:

URNE Headline Tour Dates

Sep 13 - London, UK @ Camden Assembly

Sep 15 - Wiesbaden, DE @ Kesselhaus

Sep 16 - Berlin, DE @ Cassiopeia

Sep 19 - Paris, FR @ La Maroquinerie

Sep 20 - Lille, FR @ Le Grand Mix

Sep 22 - Toulouse, FR @ Le Rex

Sep 23 - Lyon, FR @ Transbordeur Club

Tour Dates In Support of Orange Goblin

Dec 10 - Glasgow @ The Garage

Dec 11 - Dublin @ Button Factory

Dec 12 - Wolverhampton @ KK Steel Mills

Dec 13 - Manchester @ Academy 2

Dec 14 - Bristol @ SWX

Dec 16 - Southampton @ The 1865

Dec 17 - London @ Kentish Town

URNE will also appear at several festivals this summer including Hellfest (France) and Rock For People (Czech Republic).

URNE are:

Joe Nally - Vocals/Bass 

Angus Neyra - Lead Guitar 

James Cook - Drums 

Paradise Slaves (Ex-36 Crazyfists, Diecast) Share Video for Cover of "Somebody to Shove"

PARADISE SLAVES, the brand new band featuring former members of 36 CRAZYFISTS and DIECAST, just released their debut album With Hell In His Eyes via Spinefarm. Get it here.

Today, the band has unleashed the studio video for its cover of Soul Asylum's '90s hit "Somebody to Shove." Watch it below.

"This all started the first time we all hung out as a band," guitarist Jon Kita offers. "[Vocalist] Brock [Lindow]  put on 'Somebody to Shove' and pointed out how he always wanted to cover it and we were all surprised that no one had. Over the next few days, we put it on the TouchTunes at every bar we went to and without fail, people would sing along to it regardless of their age. When I got home, I worked out a version of the song in a format and key that fit Brock's range, re-orchestrated things a bit here and there, tracked the guitars, bass, and drums, and sent it to the guys as a surprise."

Kita continues, "After Brock heard it, he booked studio time that week and tracked the vocals. Outside of Ryan re-tracking the drums and us re-amping the guitar and bass at mix time, the version you hear on the album is the version we put together following the very first time we got together in person. It's such an iconic track, tends to get overlooked because of some of Soul Asylum's more popular songs, and it lent itself to a heavier version right out of the gate."

Paradise Slaves put their unique stamp on a grunge x alt classic. It's the reimagining you never expected and will totally fall in love with!

Paradise Slaves will be having a record release party at Gabes 252 in Westfield, Massachusetts on Saturday, June 7. Support will come from Byzantine and Hero and the Horror. Get tickets here.

The Boston-by-way-of-Anchorage quartet cements an uncanny union between aforementioned vocal powerhouse Lindow (36 Crazyfists), solo artist and guitarist Tyler Stroetzel, Kita (Diecast), bassist Brad Horion (Diecast), and drummer Ryan Manning (Pentagram, Blitzkid).  Mutual admiration and respect sparked the initial flame for Paradise Slaves, yet their newly forged friendship lit up their chemistry as brightly as a pyre. That same energy surges through their full-length debut album. As the story goes, Killswitch Engage guitarist Joel Stroetzel shot a text over to Lindow mid-pandemic. As it turned out, his younger brother Tyler was putting together a solo album, Dark Verses, Vol. 1, and wanted Lindow to sing on a track. Right away, the duo hit it off as collaborators and buddies. 
 
Following the first song, they continued to write and record. Given his longstanding friendship with Brock, Kita naturally fit in and joined the fold followed by Horion and Manning. Jamming away, they nodded to formative inspirations such as Soundgarden and Alice In Chains twisted up with just the right amount of hardcore grit and heavy metal eloquence. In between, they performed alongside the likes of Killswitch Engage, Fit For An Autopsy, and more. Eventually, the group congregated at Tin Bridge Studios in Massachusetts in order to record.

Black Map Bring Urgency & Emotion on Hex – Featuring Members of Dredg & Far

Black Map and their new album Hex which is out 5/9 on Spinefarm.

Black Map harnesses pure kinetic force—an emotional and electrified collision of post-hardcore, alt-rock, and hard rock driven by the undeniable chemistry between Ben Flanagan (vocals/bass), Mark Engles (guitar), and Chris Robyn (drums). Their new album Hex (via Spinefarm Records) distills this synergy into their most urgent, immediate, and hook-laden work yet. Produced by Beau Burchell of Saosin, Hex channels personal loss, catharsis, and raw energy into soaring choruses, gut-punch riffs, and tracks that pulse with meaning—whether through the vulnerable weight of “Tethered,” the defiant charge of “Fake Your Own Life,” or the anthemic title track.

With roots in cult-favorite acts like Dredg, Far, and The Trophy Fire, Black Map have spent the last decade building a dedicated following, praised by PROG and Westworld and streamed millions of times. Now, with Hex, they’re opening a bold new chapter.

EMPLOYED TO SERVE Release Fifth Studio Album 'Fallen Star' - Out Now via Spinefarm

Leading lights of British metal, EMPLOYED TO SERVE, arrive in the metal big leagues with ‘Fallen Star,’ their fifth studio album, out now via Spinefarm.

Kerrang! called the album “perfect” and “heroic,” whilst Metal Hammer insists that if ‘Fallen Star’ doesn’t make them “absolutely massive” then “God is dead and Satan is sleeping.”

The album is unleashed alongside a video for “Whose Side Are You On?” ft. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage. 

Vocalist Justine Jones explains the new single:

“'Whose Side Are You On?' is a reminder that sometimes it's healthy to get angry, particularly when you find out someone who you thought had your back would rather see you fail. Anger can give you the drive to make a change and strive to do what's better for your future.”

Sammy Urwin adds:

“We were over the moon when Jesse Leach agreed to guest on our track. We've all been fans of Killswitch Engage for years, so it was incredible to work with him. He was perfect for this song, as musically it sits in the Killswitch style of metal, and Jesse has always been such a positive force in the Metal community.

Watch the Music Video for

“Whose Side Are You On?” Ft. Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage) Below.

Stream “Whose Side Are You On?”Ft. Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage) HERE

Since meeting in their teens on the outskirts of London, vocalist Justine Jones and guitarist / co-vocalist Sammy Urwin have had their sights fixed on the road ahead. At first, it was all about standing with the local scene bands they admired, but before long they were forging a path of their own, lifers with a mission, evolving from the feral mathcore of their early EPs to detonating a full-throttle career high with 2021 album, ‘Conquering’.

And now there’s ‘Fallen Star,’ an 11-track tour-de-force that sees the collective EMPLOYED TO SERVE vision refined to an even sharper degree.



Produced and mixed by Lewis Johns, a longstanding presence behind the desk, it features a number of special guests, including Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach on "Whose Side Are You On?" and Svalbard’s Serena Cherry on "Last Laugh". 

On the album's release, EMPLOYED TO SERVE comments:

“We couldn’t be more excited to release our new album ‘Fallen Star’! In a world that seems hellbent on tearing itself apart, working on this album has been a very welcome distraction for us, and I hope everyone else can find solace in it too. It’s angry, it’s loud, but it also shines a light on the joy you can find in the darkest of spaces. Heavy metal forever.”

Order 'Fallen Star' HERE

A limited run of ‘Fallen Star’ ‘black sunburst’ and ‘orange w/ black splatter’ vinyl is exclusively available HERE.

ETS has played every type of big show imaginable, from Bloodstock through to Glastonburyin the UK and Hellfest, Wacken, and Roskilde across Europe. On their previous album, ‘Conquering,’ they pulverized arenas all over the UK and Europe in support of metal behemoths Gojira.

Finishing off a successful headliner tour of the UK tonight at London Islington Academy, ETSwill further support ‘Fallen Star’ with appearances at a plethora of European summer festivals, including Graspop (Belgium), Jera On Air (The Netherlands) & 2000 Trees (UK), in addition to two July headline shows in Liverpool & Nottingham.

Further big touring news will be revealed very shortly.   

Remaining UK ETS headline shows:

JULY 10 Liverpool @ Rough Trade

JULY 11 Nottingham @ Rescue Rooms

Tickets available HERE

ETS are currently on the cover of Metal Hammer magazine!

EMPLOYED TO SERVE have come, have seen, have conquered, and now reign supreme as one of Britain’s brightest stars, hell bent on forging their legacy of Heavy Metal Unity. Long may it continue. 

EMPLOYED TO SERVE are:

Justine Jones – vocals

Sammy Urwin – guitar/vocals

David Porter – guitar

Nathan Pryor – bass

Casey McHale – drums

Paradise Slaves (Ex-36 Crazyfists, Diecast) Share "Swim North" Lyric Video

PARADISE SLAVES, the brand new band featuring former members of 36 CRAZYFISTS and DIECAST, are inching closer to the May 2 release of their debut album With Hell In His Eyes via Spinefarm. Pre-order it here.

Today, they share the new single "Swim North."

Watch the lyric video below:

The track features guest vocals from Unearth's Trevor Phipps. A pit-splitting breakdown opens up to the sound of Phipps' unmistakable growl. Meanwhile, singer Brock Lindow counters with a melodic lyrical hook: "Swim north to escape / Swim north to erase."
 
"It's hard to escape who you are," Lindow states. "All of the isolation I grew up with in Alaska is bound to make its way into the lyrics. So, it's a song about finding victory through defeats and never giving in."

Paradise Slaves will be having a record release party at Gabes 252 in Westfield, Massachusetts on Saturday, June 7.  Support will come from Byzantine and Hero and the Horror. Get tickets here.

The Boston-by-way-of-Anchorage quartet cements an uncanny union between aforementioned vocal powerhouse Lindow (36 Crazyfists), solo artist and guitarist Tyler Stroetzel, guitarist Jon Kita (Diecast), bassist Brad Horion (Diecast), and drummer Ryan Manning (Pentagram, Blitzkid). 
 
Mutual admiration and respect sparked the initial flame for Paradise Slaves, yet their newly forged friendship lit up their chemistry as brightly as a pyre. That same energy surges through their full-length debut album.
 
As the story goes, Killswitch Engage guitarist Joel Stroetzel shot a text over to Lindow mid-pandemic. As it turned out, his younger brother Tyler was putting together a solo album, Dark Verses, Vol. 1, and wanted Lindow to sing on a track. Right away, the duo hit it off as collaborators and buddies. 

Following the first song, they continued to write and record. Given his longstanding friendship with Brock, Kita naturally fit in and joined the fold followed by Horion and Manning. Jamming away, they nodded to formative inspirations such as Soundgarden and Alice In Chains twisted up with just the right amount of hardcore grit and heavy metal eloquence. In between, they performed alongside the likes of Killswitch Engage, Fit For An Autopsy, and more. Eventually, the group congregated at Tin Bridge Studios in Massachusetts in order to record.

"This band is something I didn't expect," admits Lindow. "After it fell in my lap, I was making new music with new people and we became brothers, and for that, I'm so grateful. When you get a gift like this, you need to put your best foot forward and have some fire. I definitely still have the same fire and love for making music as I always had and it manifests in Paradise Slaves."

ABOUT SPINEFARM:
Spinefarm represents some of the biggest and most important rock acts in the world. Founded in Finland in 1990, the label established itself as an independent powerhouse for successful European metal acts from Nightwish to Children Of Bodom. Acquired by UMG in 2002, Spinefarm Music Group is now home to a host of artists that reach millions of fans across the globe and showcases the very best in rock, punk, and metal. From massive metal names such as Bullet For My Valentine (with over 3 billion streams) to alt-rock legends Killing Joke and the breakout success of cultural phenom Sleep Token, Spinefarm's artists are — and always have been — true leaders in their chosen field. The roster also includes renowned names like Atreyu, Airbourne, Black Veil Brides, and While She Sleeps, as well as fast-rising young artists like Dayseeker, Dead Poet Society, Kid Kapichi, Deadlands, and Creeper. Spinefarm, now flanked by associated SMG labels Candlelight (Emperor, Ihsahn, Urne) and Snakefarm (Marty Stuart, Austin Meade, Mark Morton), has grown from its independent origins into a true global rock powerhouse.

ELECTRIC WIZARD Announces ‘Crystal Meth’ Pressing Of ‘Black Magic Rituals And Perversions Vol. 1' Due Out May 2nd 2025 via Spinefarm/Witchfinder Records

Today, legendary British doom outfit, ELECTRIC WIZARD, announces the release of a special limited edition ‘Crystal Meth’ pressing of their current 2 disc live-to-tape album, ‘Black Magic Rituals and Perversions Vol. 1’ set for release on May 2nd via Spinefarm/Witchfinder Records.

Originally released in December 2024 and recorded into a 16-track tape machine, capturing their essence and their malevolence, 'Black Magic Rituals and Perversions Vol. 1' is as heavy as one would expect from The WIZARD.  

“It's raw as fuck,” boasts Jus. “It’s like a lost ’70s black metal demo rehearsal session or something. It’s raw, nasty, screaming in your face. I always promised ELECTRIC WIZARD was like rats in your face. This is verging on it.”   

Watch the Video for "Black Mass" Below.

As the COVID pandemic took hold in 2020, ELECTRIC WIZARD wondered if they might ever play live again. Out in the wilds of the English Westcountry where singer/guitarist Jus Oborn and guitarist Liz Buckingham live, the band descended into their crypt-like jam space to make a live album like no other.

“We’d been gigging for two years at that point, around America three times, going to Japan and Australia, and we were sounding pretty good by the end of it,” adds Jus. “When the pandemic happened we thought, ‘F**k it, maybe we’ll never play again.’ So we went into the jam room and played the songs to get them on tape to capture how we were playing at the time.” 

Opening with the enormous "Dopethrone", and taking in signature apocalyptic doom staples like "Witchcult Today," "Satanic Rites of Drugula," and the ever-destructive "Funeralopolis," the set here shows how powerful and dominating The Wizard can be.

Jus says he wanted to capture a feeling like that of Motörhead’s classic 'No Sleep 'til Hammersmith' (1981), or the sense from 'KISS’ ALIVE!' (1975) that you were getting a window into something, a world the band created. It’s also, he says, an opportunity for a band as big and cult-like as ELECTRIC WIZARD to bring something from metal’s dirty underbelly into the light, if only to freak out the unprepared. 

“We've always been trying to drag the underground into the overground,” offers Jus. “Rather than pretending to be playing some big stadium, arena show.” 

A soundtrack to the end of the world? Come this way, my fanatics. Electric F**king Wizard awaits… 

Pre-Order the ‘Crystal Meth’ Pressing of ‘Black Magic Rituals And Perversions Vol. 1' HERE

BRKN LOVE Release Third Full-Length LP 'The Program' Out NOW via Spinefarm

Today, BRKN LOVE celebrates the release of their third LP 'The Program,' via Spinefarm. The release is heralded by a new single, "Cruel," accompanied by a new music video, available below.



Exuding bravado, mystique, and a whole lot of heart, BRKN LOVE sets the rulebook on fire by plugging in, turning up, and churning out the kind of rock ‘n’ roll that makes you feel a little freer. Their gritty riffs pack enough punch to shake any stage while the grooves quake with just the right amount of hip-swinging gusto. Led by vocalist and guitarist Justin Benlolo, the music drips swagger, soul, and spirit amplified by arena-sized hooks and intriguingly inventive musicality.

About "Cruel," Justin had this to say:

"'Cruel' is one of the most ambitious songs we’ve ever made. We leaned into our R&B influences on this one, breaking free from the boundaries we’d previously set for ourselves. This track marks a new chapter for BRKN LOVE, pushing our sound into brand-new territory. Lyrically, it’s about that moment when you’ve had enough — when someone has mistreated you for too long, and you finally decide to walk away. No second-guessing, no looking back. It is what it is.

"We recorded the song at the legendary Foo Fighters’ Studio 606, capturing the energy and spirit of the greats we’ve always admired. The entire experience brought a new dimension to our sound, and we couldn’t be more excited to share 'Cruel' with the world. Thank you so much and turn it up loud."

Watch the Video for "Cruel"

Stream "Cruel" HERE 

An impromptu 2023 trip to visit a friend in Charleston, SC gave rise to their third studio album, 'The Program.' Justin initially planned on spending a weekend in town. That weekend turned into nine weeks, and he returned to Toronto with the bulk of the album’s material.

“I didn’t have anything else to do, so I brought all of my gear and studio equipment,” he recalls. “I was so inspired by the environment and the friends I made. It’s a big city, but it’s not huge. It’s just beautiful though. The experience inspired the whole record. Instead of being so picturesque and metaphorical, I told stories.”

The album title even referenced the name of the text group for his new friends in Charleston, embedding the experience and the city in the fabric of the music. The vision had already crystallized before he left for Los Angeles where he recorded with longtime producer Anton DeLost (Cleopatrick, The Warning, State Champs, Dead Poet Society). These friends, and a variety of other characters he met, ultimately inspired the concept at the heart of "The Program."

“It was a collective of 10 people I’d never met before, and we kept using the term ‘The Program’ repeatedly like, ‘Let’s go here, because it would be good for The Program’,” he goes on. “It was cool to be surrounded by near-complete strangers, invite them to our place, and play demos. Their opinions were unfiltered and blunt—which was awesome. I was actively searching for inspiration, and I put myself out there in different situations. I was free and unchained to do anything.”

BRKN LOVE fulfilled a clear destiny to be as free as possible on their third full-length LP, 'The Program.'

On the album, BRKN LOVE shares:

"Our new album, 'The Program' started with a completely unplanned trip to Charleston, South Carolina. We had no real agenda, just a need to get away and see where the music would take us. That trip ended up shaping so much of this record, from the name to the overall vibe. More than anything, it helped us break free from the parameters we had set for this band in the past. This time, we just wanted to make the music we love, without overthinking what BRKN LOVEwas supposed to sound like.

You’ll hear elements of funk, disco, pop and R&B in ways we’ve never done before. But at the end of the day, it still sounds like us. The fact that we even get to make a third album is something we don’t take for granted. So many bands don’t get this far, and we’re beyond grateful to still be here, making music that we love. 

Lyrically, this is our most honest and direct record yet. A lot of it is about love and loss. We didn’t want to dress it up or be vague; we just wanted to be straight-up about heartbreak and more importantly, how you move on from it in a positive way.

We made this album with our frequent collaborator, Anton Delost, who absolutely killed it as a producer. A huge part of the sound comes from recording at the legendary Foo Fighters’ Studio 606. Tracking through their iconic Neve console that’s been used on so many classic records. 'The Program' is the record we’ve always wanted to make, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear it."

Order 'The Program' HERE

BRKN LOVE emerged with their self-titled debut in 2020. The group quietly generated over a quarter of a billion total streams. They notched a Top 15 entry on Active Rock radio with “Shot Down,” while their cover of “River” by Bishop Briggs hit critical mass. It inspired over 2 billion-plus views on TikTok. It piled up 28 million Spotify streams. 2022’s 'Black Box' only maintained this momentum. “Like A Drug” notched north of 8.5 million Spotify streams, made waves at Active Rock, and emerged as their third Top 5 at Canadian radio.

Acclaimed Bay Area Rockers BLACK MAP Share New Single 'Badlands' + Video

Today, multi-genre rockers BLACK MAP share a new single, "Badlands," from their forthcoming album 'Hex,' out May 9th. The album marks their debut for Spinefarm. "Badlands" is accompanied by a new visualizer.

About the single, Ben Flanagan (vocals/bass) comments:

"'Badlands' is a song about ultimately exploring new heights. Moving forward and up. It’s immediate and direct. The spirit of the song reminds me of the music I was listening to when I first picked up a guitar. For me, there is something super cathartic about playing it."

Watch the Video for "Badlands" Below:

At the start of 2024, BLACK MAP retreated to Southern California to record 'Hex' with Saosinguitarist Beau Burchell behind the board as producer. The band embraced a clear, collective vision, shifting from the expansive, ethereal nature of 'Melodoria' to a more urgent and immediate sound.

Vocalist/Bassist Ben Flanagan describes 'Hex' as a body of work with a strong “let’s f*cking go” spirit, while guitarist Mark Engles emphasizes its balance between atmospheric elements and a driving intensity. The album captures the band’s signature style, with Mark’s distinct guitar work ever-present and a renewed focus on immediacy and raw energy.

For Ben, 'Hex' represents the profound impact of music, offering solace and connection. Drummer Chris Robyn adds that the album carries an unstoppable momentum, charging forward with force and intention. Rooted in themes of personal struggle, authenticity, and resilience, 'Hex' stands as BLACK MAP’s most powerful and urgent release yet.

Pre-Order 'Hex' HERE

Having formed in 2014 from the bands Dredg, Far, and The Trophy Fire, BLACK MAP has generated critical acclaim from the press as well as their musician peers.

Pivoting around a nimble balance of post-hardcore, alternative, and hard rock, the trio of vocalist and bassist Ben Flanagan, guitarist Mark Engles, and drummer Chris Robyn convene, congregate, and commune to power up BLACK MAP. Their union teems with emotion and electricity—which the musicians harness to craft immediate and raucous anthems underscored by unpredictable musicality and undeniable hooks.

BLACK MAP are: 

Ben Flanagan - vocals, bass

Mark Engles - guitar

Chris Robyn - drums