FIREWIND's New Concept Album Will Be 'Very Epic': 'It's Gonna Have New Elements That We Haven't Done Before'
Greek power‑metal outfit Firewind has wrapped up a new concept album featuring returning vocalist Henning Basse, promising “very epic” and unheard‑of elements. The band recently performed with Basse on the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise and is gearing up for a summer European festival run and a brief U.S. supporting tour in fall. Their latest release, 2024’s “Stand United,” showcased nine original tracks and a metal cover of “Talking In Your Sleep.” Firewind also secured a fresh record deal with BLKIIBLK, positioning the group for a global push in 2025.
The Tape Label Report, March 2026
The Tape Label Report spotlights five niche cassette‑focused labels, from Caligari Records’ metal‑centric catalog to Devil Town Tapes’ DIY tape‑only releases, Kankyō Records’ scent‑paired ambient cassettes, and Spain’s lifelong‑run Mascarpone Discos. Caligari began in 2013 with a $400 first run...
Sonya Yoncheva, Jakub Józef Orliński, Nadine Sierra, Sabine Devieilhe, Franco Fagioli, Théo Imart & Catherine Trottmann Lead Opéra Royal Du...
The Opéra Royal du Château de Versailles unveiled its 2026‑27 season, presenting a diverse slate of operas, concerts, and sacred works from October 2026 through July 2027. Star performers such as Sonya Yoncheva, Franco Fagioli, Nadine Sierra, Sabine Devieilhe, and Jakub Józef Orliński headline productions ranging...
Yes, George Strait Actually Wrote New Songs in His Career
George Strait, often labeled a non‑songwriter, actually has a modest catalog of original material spanning his 40‑year career. He wrote solo tracks like “I Can’t See Texas From Here” (1982) and contributed several songs to his 1995 box set. From...
Brooklyn Art Song Society to Open New Voices Festival
The Brooklyn Art Song Society (BASS) will kick off its 2026 New Voices Festival on Sunday, April 12, with the opening concert “Longing I.” The program spotlights contemporary composers from the United Kingdom and features the world premiere of a...
Wexford Opera Festival Announces 75th Anniversary Gala
The Wexford Opera Festival will stage a 75th‑anniversary gala on October 17, 2026 at the O’Reilly Theatre, National Opera House. World‑class soloists Ermonela Jaho, Joseph Calleja, Daniela Barcellona and Giorgi Manoshvili will perform with the National Symphony Orchestra Ireland under Daniele Callegari. The program pairs Puccini and...
Erin Morley & Lawrence Brownlee to Present Golden Age Concert in New York
92NY will present the Golden Age concert starring soprano Erin Morley and tenor Lawrence Brownlee on May 6, 2026 at the Geffen Stage in Kaufmann Concert Hall. Accompanied by pianist Malcolm Martineau, the program spans Rossini, Donizetti, Verdi, Bellini, Delibes and...
Opvs Noir Vol. 3
German gothic‑metal band LORD OF THE LOST has released Opvs Noir Vol. 3, the final installment of a three‑album trilogy launched within a year. The record, rated 8/10, continues the band’s blend of electro‑goth synths and heavy metal, featuring collaborations with...
Willie Nelson & Family Add New Spring Tour Dates
Willie Nelson & Family have added seven spring‑tour dates, extending their Southeast and Texas circuit from May 14‑24. The new leg hits Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina and coincides with the May 29 release of Nelson’s 156th studio album,...
Björk Is Throwing a Rave in Iceland to Mark the Total Solar Eclipse
Icelandic icon Björk is staging a one‑day festival called Echolalia on 12 August in Hafnarfjörður to coincide with the total solar eclipse, which will darken the sky for just over a minute. The event, set in the Víðistaðatún sculpture park, will...
Grateful Shred Announce Fall Tour Dates
Grateful Shred announced a 14‑date Fall Tour kicking off on Oct. 28 at Hartford’s Infinity Music Hall and wrapping on Nov. 14 at Chicago’s Park West. The itinerary moves from the Northeast through Canada, the Midwest, and a concentrated Texas...
Swedish House Mafia Unpack Their Miami Ultra Festival Mega-Set
Swedish House Mafia headlined Ultra Miami with a block‑party mega‑set that swapped DJs every ten minutes, featuring legends like Armand van Helden, Afrojack and rising talent such as MPH. The performance paid tribute to Avicii and highlighted the trio’s desire to collaborate...
Loraine James, Laurel Halo and More Contribute to New Compilation Honouring Women Who Have Shaped Electronic Music
Mercury KX’s new compilation "Pioneers" honors women and gender‑expansive artists who have shaped electronic music. The 11‑track project is split into two releases, with the first part already available and the second slated for 17 April. Contributors such as Loraine James,...
Descent
Immolation’s tenth studio album “Descent” arrives as a 45‑minute onslaught that reaffirms the band’s reputation for relentless death‑metal craftsmanship. Produced by Zack Ohren, the record offers clearer, more powerful production while retaining the brutal riffing and blast‑beat fury fans expect....
Ye, Snoop Dogg, and Other Artists Who’ve Been Denied Entry Into the U.K.
Ye, formerly Kanye West, was denied entry to the United Kingdom by the Home Office, prompting the cancellation of the three‑night Wireless Festival. The decision followed pressure from sponsors such as Pepsi and Diageo, who withdrew support after Ye’s repeated antisemitic...
HardLore Announces Final Projects Featuring BO LUEDERS
The HardLore podcast announced a three‑part series releasing final recordings with co‑host Bo Lueders, who died on April 2. The episodes feature a nearly three‑hour interview conducted in January that the team previously deemed too personal. An emotional statement from the...
Wavy Gravy’s 90th Birthday Bash and Benefit Concert to Feature Cat Power, Steve Earle, Todd Rundgren, Peter Rowan and More
Wavy Gravy will mark his 90th birthday with a benefit concert on May 16 at the Masonic in San Francisco. The star‑studded lineup features Steve Earle, Todd Rundgren, Cat Power, Peter Rowan, Maria Muldaur and others, backed by a seasoned...
BRET MICHAELS 'Strongly' Believes That 2027 Will Be 'A Good Reunion Year For POISON'
Bret Michaels told SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation that Poison aims to launch a reunion tour in 2027, marking the 41st anniversary of their debut album *Look What the Cat Dragged In*. The previously discussed 2026 tour was postponed amid unresolved revenue‑share...
Hopkins Symphony Orchestra Debuts New Piece About Frederick Douglass
The Hopkins Symphony Orchestra will debut the newly commissioned "Douglass Portrait" on April 18, pairing it with Aaron Copland’s historic "Lincoln Portrait." Composed by retired Army captain J. Kimo Williams, the work narrates Frederick Douglass’s life through music and spoken word. Conductor Jed Gaylin...
Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood and The Rajasthan Express Return with New Album
Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood and The Rajasthan Express have announced their new album Ranjha, slated for release on May 8 through World Circuit/BMG. The lead single “Shemesh” drops alongside a video directed by Ian Patrick. Recorded in Greenwood’s Oxfordshire studio...
“Nü Emocore” Band GILT Detail New LP I Saw Myself in the Black Screen
American band GILT announced their new album *I Saw Myself in the Black Screen*, slated for release on June 26 via Smartpunk Records. The record blends nü‑metal, metalcore, post‑hardcore and emo—a sound the group dubs “nü emocore.” The second single,...
With Sebastian Bach On The Mic, Twisted Sister Announces New Tour Dates
Twisted Sister has announced the first leg of its 2026 reunion tour, celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary, with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach stepping in as lead vocalist after Dee Snider’s departure. The initial four shows will take place...
7 No-Skip Hip-Hop and R&B Albums That Are Turning 20 Years Old This Year
2006 marked a watershed moment for hip‑hop and R&B, and seven albums from that year are turning 20. The list includes T.I.’s *King*, Ne‑Yo’s debut *In My Own Words*, Clipse’s *Hell Hath No Fury*, Lupe Fiasco’s *Food & Liquor*, Pharrell’s...
GEDDY LEE & ALEX LIFESON Explain Why They Didn't Hire A Big Name Prog Drummer For Their Reunion
Prog‑rock icons Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have confirmed a 2026‑27 world reunion tour titled “Fifty Something,” the first under the Rush name in 11 years. The 58‑date run kicks off June 7 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles...
Rob Zombie Music Video for “The Black Scorpion” Streaming Online
Rob Zombie has released a new music video for “The Black Scorpion,” the lead single from his February‑released album The Great Satan. The two‑minute, green‑lit visual showcases the shock rocker’s high‑octane performance style and is now streaming online. The drop...
YOB, KHEMMIS, GREENLEAF & More Booked For RippleFest Texas 2026
RippleFest Texas will return September 17‑20, 2026, in Austin, featuring a heavyweight roster anchored by Yob, Khemmis, Greenleaf and Dopethrone. The four‑day event will occupy The Far Out Lounge and Sagebrush, with organizers guaranteeing no overlapping sets so fans can see...
Former Enhypen Member Heeseung Is Rebranding As Evan
Former Enhypen member Heeseung announced his departure from the six‑member group on March 10 and will continue his career under the new stage name Evan. He unveiled the rebrand on a fresh Instagram account, @h_evva_n, featuring stark, minimalist portraits released by...
VANA Releases Crushing New Track ‘In Your Name’
VANA has dropped her first 2026 single, “In Your Name,” a dynamic blend of atmospheric balladry and blistering metalcore. The track follows last year’s hit “Pray,” which has amassed over 3.7 million streams. In a personal statement, VANA ties the song...
MF Doom Explains How the Movie ‘Gladiator’ Helped Him With His Signature Mask in Throwback Interview
MF DOOM’s iconic metal mask traces back to a replica of the helmet from the 2000 film *Gladiator*. A friend acquired the prop, altered it for wearability, and added chrome and a ruby, creating the distinctive look that would define the...
2Slimey Isn’t Here to Be a Meme Artist: ‘I Want a Fucking Grammy’
Oakland‑born rapper 2Slimey is redefining the underground (UG) rap scene with hyper‑distorted, maximalist production that fuses EDM, punk and noise elements. Influenced by Playboi Carti’s *Die Lit* and XXXTentacion, he pushes bass and distortion beyond conventional limits, earning praise from Lil Uzi Vert and...
First Country Splash Comes Ashore In Cabo San Lucas With Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Tucker Wetmore And DIPLO
Country Splash, the first beach‑side country music festival in Cabo San Lucas, will debut September 4‑6 over Labor Day weekend. Headliners include Riley Green, Jon Pardi, Tucker Wetmore and electronic act DIPLO, offering a mix of country and crossover performances. The event is anchored...
Uncut’s Guide to the Best of 2026’s Record Store Day Releases
Uncut has released its annual guide to the most compelling Record Store Day 2026 vinyl offerings, spotlighting a mix of archival releases and fresh collaborations from iconic artists. Highlights include Neil Young’s live “As Time Explodes” from the Love Earth...
Anyma, LISA Combine On Explosive Single ‘Bad Angel’
Italian EDM producer Matteo Milleri, known as Anyma, has dropped the single “Bad Angel” featuring BLACKPINK’s Lisa. The track blends high‑energy EDM, pop‑R&B and digital sound design, and is paired with a striking visual video. It arrives just before Anyma...
Behemoth Covered Bathory’s “The Return of Darkness and Evil” For Mystic Festival’s Anthem
Polish extreme‑metal giants Behemoth released a new single and video covering Bathory’s 1985 classic “The Return of Darkness and Evil,” designating it as the official anthem for Mystic Festival 2026. Frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski explained the song’s personal significance and...
"English People Don't Really Want to Feel that Much." The Curious Tale of Robert Smith's Least Favourite Cure Album, Despite...
The Cure’s twelfth studio effort, simply titled *The Cure*, arrived on 25 June 2004 after the band signed a three‑album deal with ARTISTdirect’s I AM imprint and teamed with producer Ross Robinson. Smith entered the studio with 37 demo tracks, whittling them down...
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Premiere Three New Grateful Dead Originals During Latest Reckoning Tour Stop
On April 7, folk duo Gillian Welch and David Rawlings performed at the Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw, North Carolina, as part of their Acoustic Reckoning Tour. The show featured a setlist drawn heavily from the Grateful Dead’s 1975 acoustic...
ALBUM REVIEW: On ‘Total Dive’ Brown Horse Balance Originality and Derivation
Brown Horse released its third album, Total Dive, building on the momentum of 2024’s Reservoir and 2025’s All the Right Weaknesses. The record features richer, more lush arrangements and showcases Patrick Turner’s increasingly nuanced vocal delivery. Critics highlight the band’s...
Juvenile on the Music That Made Him
Veteran rapper Juvenile recounts his 1999 breakthrough at New York’s iconic Tunnel, where his performance of “Ha” from 400 Degreez silenced a skeptical East‑Coast crowd and cemented his role as a bridge between Southern bounce and mainstream hip‑hop. He reflects on...
XCOMM Announce Debut Album Time to Burn, Produced by Ross Robinson
XCOMM announced their debut album, Time to Burn, slated for release on May 22 via Blowed Out Records. The record was produced by veteran Ross Robinson, whose résumé includes work with Korn and The Cure. Alternative Press is offering an...
Joni Mitchell’s Hejira – a Track-by-Track Guide to the 1976 Classic
Uncut’s track‑by‑track guide revisits Joni Mitchell’s 1976 masterpiece Hejira, pairing each song with commentary from contemporary musicians such as Tamara Lindeman, Weyes Blood’s Natalie Mering, and Allison Russell. The piece highlights the album’s pioneering blend of folk, jazz, and Jaco Pastorius’...
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Cover the Clash’s ‘Clampdown’ for First Time Since 2014
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band surprised fans at the Kia Forum by performing the Clash’s 1979 protest anthem “Clampdown,” their first rendition since a 2014 show. Guitarist Tom Morello rejoined the band, trading lead vocals with Springsteen and...
Who Are the 'Big 4' Of Rock Supergroups?
The article identifies Cream, Crosby Stills & Nash (plus Young), Emerson Lake & Palmer and Bad Company as the definitive “Big 4” rock supergroups, using criteria of prior success, collective achievement and lasting influence. Cream’s 1966 lineup set the template, while CSNY merged folk harmony with arena rock, ELP...
Offset Says Lil TJay Did Not Shoot Him, Claims He Never Gave Statement Naming The Shooter
Offset clarified that Lil Tjay was not the shooter in the South Florida incident and asserted he never provided police with a statement naming any suspect. The altercation at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel left Offset with a leg injury but...
-(16)- Take Out Their Frustrations with Black Flag Cover of “Beat My Head Against The Wall”
California sludge metal band -(16)- is gearing up for the May 1 release of its cover album *Forgeries Vol 1, 1972‑1984*. The group previewed the record with a rendition of Black Flag’s “Beat My Head Against The Wall,” adding to earlier Bee Gees...
Middleman – Following The Ghost
London‑based quartet Middleman has released their debut LP, "Following The Ghost," a nine‑track record that fuses power‑pop vigor with punk’s raw edge. The album builds on the momentum of two acclaimed EPs from 2022 and 2024, channeling influences from Superchunk,...
Pink Floyd Set to Release Rare Extended Version of '70s Favorite
Pink Floyd will issue a new compilation titled *8‑Tracks* on June 5, 2026, featuring seven iconic ’70s songs plus the full‑length version of “Pigs on the Wing” that was previously limited to the original 8‑track tape. The tracks are seamlessly mixed...
Bleachers Release “The Van” In Advance of Upcoming Tour
Bleachers, the Jack Antonoff‑led project, unveiled an extensive North American tour to promote its upcoming album *everyone for ten minutes*, slated for May 22 on Dirty Hit. The itinerary blends arena shows—including a return to New York’s Madison Square Garden—with intimate multi‑night...
Next Wave #1180: Lizzie Reid
Lizzie Reid, a rising Scottish singer‑songwriter, is set to release her third solo EP *Undoing* on April 17, following a debut that earned a Scottish Album of the Year nomination and a follow‑up that drew comparisons to Joni Mitchell. The new...
ALBUM REVIEW: Nashville Rebel Tenille Townes Reboots Her Music on ‘The Acrobat’
Tenille Townes, the Canada‑born Nashville singer‑songwriter, has dropped her fourth album, The Acrobat, as an independent release. After a successful stint with Sony Nashville—including a 2020 debut and ACM New Female Artist of the Year—she chose to produce, mix, and...
Zoh Amba Announces “Eyes Full” And Shares First Single/Video ‘Another Time’
Zoh Amba, the avant‑garde saxophonist turned guitarist, announced the debut album Eyes Full for June 5, accompanied by the first single and video “Another Time.” The record was tracked live at Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville with no overdubs, featuring longtime...