Los Angeles hard rock outfit Stitched Up Heart is set to release its next full-length record, Medusa, on June 12 through Judge & Jury Records, the label launched by producer HowardBenson and Three Days Grace drummer Neil Sanderson.
The band has also rolled out a lyric video for the latest single, “Beast”, which features Nonpoint frontman Elias Soriano. The track leans into the group’s established mix of heavy guitar work and hook-driven songwriting, with an added vocal contrast from Soriano.
Founded in 2010 by vocalist Alecia Demner, better known as Mixi, Stitched Up Heart has built its identity around a balance of aggressive instrumentation, strong melodic structure, and lyrics that focus on personal themes.
On the live front, Stitched Up Heart closed out 2025 with a run alongside Eyes Set To Kill, LaurenBabic, and Lylvc. The band returned to touring earlier this spring, joining Sebastian Bach on the road.
Theory Of A Deadman is back with a new single, “Barricade”, signaling a fresh phase for the band while sticking to the elements that built their following. The track leans into their familiar mix of heavy riffs, big hooks, and direct songwriting, but with a sharper edge.
“Barricade” runs on a tense, controlled build before opening into a wide, release-heavy chorus. The contrast between the verses and the payoff keeps the song grounded while still aiming for a live setting.
Frontman Tyler Connolly explains the meaning behind the track: “”Barricade” is about the frustration of a one-sided relationship with someone that just won’t let you in, is non-responsive and makes you want to rip your hair out.
“I loved the idea of using the word ‘barricade’ in a song since we stare at them at every show. It made so much sense.”
The single was produced by Chris Baseford and Tyler Connolly, with mixing handled by Baseford alongside Irene Genova at Lucky Dog Sound. Mastering was done by Ted Jensen at SterlingSound.
Over the years, Theory Of A Deadman has built a reputation for consistency and adaptability, balancing radio-ready songwriting with a more unfiltered tone. “Barricade” continues that trajectory and reinforces that the band is still actively pushing forward.
New tour dates are expected to be revealed in early May. Check for an updated list of events here.
With a catalog that includes tracks like “Santa Monica”, “All Or Nothing”, “Hate My Life”, “Bitch Came Back”, and “Not Meant To Be”, the band has maintained a steady presence on rock radio. They’ve notched twelve Top 10 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, including four No. 1 singles: “Bad Girlfriend”, “Lowlife”, “History Of Violence” and “Rx (Medicate)”. The latter became their biggest hit and earned a nomination for “Rock Song Of The Year” at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Beyond singles, Theory Of A Deadman has secured two Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 and four Top 5 entries on the Canadian Albums chart, along with multiple Juno Award nominations. Coverage from outlets like American Songwriter, Billboard, and Classic Rock magazine has followed their run, reflecting their staying power in modern rock.
San Francisco Bay Area thrash veterans Heathen are continuing their run of deep cuts and archival rediscoveries with a new release tied to their recent signing with Napalm Records. The latest single, “Twist Of Faith”, reaches back to an earlier project and brings it into the band’s current sound.
Originally released in 1992 by Psychosis on the album Lifeforce, the track featured Heathen members Kragen Lum and Jason Mirza. In its updated form, it has been reworked and “HEATHEN-ized,” turning a lesser-known cut from the early ’90s into something aimed at both longtime followers and modern thrash listeners.
Heathen commented on the release: “Let’s keep things rolling with new music for 2026! “Twist Of Faith” is another early 1990s-era song that we gave the Heathen treatment. Demo collectors may have heard the original Psychosis recording of the song (with KragenLum on guitar and JasonMirza on bass), but we’ve added some new elements and taken it to the next level!
“We have another 15 songs in various stages of production right now so enjoy the “Never A God” 12″ maxi single with “Twist Of Faith” and get ready for the new album (and more).”
The band has also released an official video for “Twist Of Faith”, continuing their recent push of revisiting and reshaping material from different points in their history.
Formed in 1984, Heathen came out of the same San Francisco scene that helped define Bay Area thrash. Early records like Breaking The Silence (1987) and Victims Of Deception (1991) remain key releases in West Coast metal. After a period of inactivity, the band returned in 2001 and has continued to evolve since.
Earlier this year, Heathen marked their deal with Napalm Records by releasing another deep-cut reinterpretation, “Never A God”, originally tied to Laughing Dead, a project featuring vocalist David White in the early 1990s.
Alongside bands like Exodus, Testament, Forbidden, Death Angel, and Vio-Lence, Heathen are often recognized as part of the core wave of Bay Area thrash. Despite lineup changes over the decades, the current foundation remains David White on vocals and Kragen Lum on guitar, with Lum also stepping in for Gary Holt in Exodus during periods when Holt has toured with Slayer.
The Gwar camp is rallying around one of its original members. Chuck Varga, known to fans as the Sexecutioner, is currently battling cancer, and in response, the band and its extended circle have launched a nationwide blood donation campaign in his name.
Supporters are being asked to visit a local blood bank and either register or donate blood in Varga’s honor. Those who take part will receive an exclusive T-shirt designed by Varga himself. Donate and get an exclusive t-shirt here.
The effort gives fans a direct way to contribute, tying the band’s long-running imagery of blood and spectacle to something with real-world impact. It also serves as a tribute to someone who played a key role in shaping the identity of Gwar.
As the Sexecutioner, Varga became a central figure in the band’s mythology. His role was described as “making sure the blood goes in all the right places.” Beyond performing, he contributed heavily to the band’s visual side, helping create many of the costumes that defined their stage presence. Reflecting on the physical side of performing, he once said, “I describe it as a full-body stunt mat. It gives me special powers. I have fallen off stage five feet onto a concrete floor and bounced like a Super Ball.”
Varga’s creative background stretches well beyond the stage. He has described himself as one part comic book illustrator, one part special effects designer, and two parts sculptor, all filtered through science fiction and a dark sense of humor. In 1985, he co-founded Slave Pit Studios and helped build Gwar into a theatrical force, contributing to eight major productions, more than 1,000 live shows, and two feature-length films. His work has been summed up as “eye popping, twisted and over the top, way over!”
In 1995, he teamed up with Don Drakulich to launch Hyperreal Productions, focusing on art effects, public sculptures and collectible figures. A few years later, he moved to New York, working in Broadway and film while still making occasional appearances with Gwar. He officially stepped away following the Halloween Scumdog Reunion in 2021.
Outside of music, Varga became involved in the New York art scene, connecting with artists like Joe Coleman and Robert Williams. He also met his wife, Bambi The Mermaid, at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. The two married there in 2017 and later combined their creative worlds, blending his theatrical style with her neo-burlesque performances. He became a regular presence at Coney Island USA, taking on the role of resident Neptune.
Today, Varga continues to work across fine art and underground theater, maintaining the mix of satire, spectacle and handcrafted visuals that defined his years with Gwar.
Now, with the current campaign underway, fans have a chance to give something back. Donate blood, support the cause, and keep the legacy moving forward.
Black Veil Brides have shared the official visualizer for “Revenger”, the latest single from their upcoming album Vindicate, set for release on May 8 through Spinefarm. The track features a guest appearance from Machine Head frontman Robb Flynn and centers on the idea of vengeance viewed through a distorted lens—more fantasy than justice.
On this release, Black Veil Brides—Andy Biersack, Jake Pitts, Jinxx, Lonny Eagleton and Christian Coma—continue to expand their sound while keeping their core identity intact.
Biersack explains the concept behind the track: “I have always been interested in the sort of ethical dilemma that we have culturally of cheering for justice. I thought it would be an interesting exercise to write lyrics from the perspective of someone who is trying to seek out the ultimate form of justice.”
That perspective also influenced the decision to bring in another voice. “Because I was writing from someone else’s voice, this felt like the kind of song that would be best served by having someone else’s voice on the song. So, we brought in Robb Flynn of Machine Head. The reason he came to mind first was of course his voice, tonality and style I thought was perfect for this. He is also someone who was one of the first real defenders of Black Veil Brides. In the early days when we were getting absolutely shit on by every other metal band, Robb Flynn and Machine Head stood up for us and said positive things about us and has maintained that for years and years.”
Biersack adds: “I think it’s one of my favorite songs on the record.”
The “Revenger” concept also extends beyond music. A companion novel titled “Revenger”, written by Biersack and released through Simon & Schuster, is available now.
With Vindicate approaching, Black Veil Brides are building momentum through a series of singles. The record runs from the opening “Invocation To The Muse” to the closing “Eschaton”, covering a wide range of moods and arrangements. Tracks like “Bleeders”, “Hallelujah”, “Certainty” and “Vindicate” point to a band continuing to evolve while holding onto the theatrical edge that has defined their catalog.
Korn have released a new track, “Reward The Scars”, tying it to the upcoming Diablo IV: Lord Of Hatred expansion. The song is available now, with the expansion set to launch across platforms on April 28.
“Reward The Scars” is the first new material from Korn since Requiem arrived in February 2022. The album, produced by Chris Collier alongside the band, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums chart. It moved 23,000 equivalent units in its first tracking week, with 20,000 coming from pure sales. The record also reached No. 2 on both the Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts, and landed at No. 14 on the Billboard 200.
In mid-2021, bassist Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu stepped away from touring, explaining he needed time to “heal” after “falling back” on some of his “bad habits.” Since then, Suicidal Tendencies bassist Roberto “Ra” Díaz has handled bass duties on the road. Even with his absence from live shows over the past five years, Fieldy still performed on Requiem.
Over the course of their career, Korn have sold more than 40 million records worldwide, earned two Grammy Awards, and maintained a steady global touring presence. Their impact across metal, rock and alternative circles remains strong, influencing newer artists while continuing to evolve their own sound.
Their reach goes beyond sales and awards. As The Ringer put it, they are “a genuine movement in a way bands cannot be now,” reflecting how their approach to genre and identity reshaped expectations within heavy music.
Putting together a tribute to Rainbow comes with a built-in advantage: the band’s legacy runs deep, and many of the musicians who shaped it are still active. Cleopatra Records leans into that with Ride The Rainbow – The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, arriving June 19.
The release pulls in a wide cast, including former Rainbow members Bob Daisley, Graham Bonnet, Don Airey, Joe Lynn Turner, Doogie White and Ronnie Romero. It also features Candice Night, known for her work with Blackmore’s Night, and guitarist Steve Morse, who followed Ritchie Blackmore in Deep Purple. As the subtitle puts it, it is “the ultimate tribute to Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow“.
One of the early highlights sees Graham Bonnet, Don Airey and Bob Daisley reconnecting for the first time since the early ’80s to take on “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll”, the title track from Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll, originally released in 1978. While Ronnie James Dio handled vocals on that record, Bonnet and Airey later joined for Down To Earth, and the song stayed in the band’s live set during their era.
The rhythm section on this version adds another layer. Alongside Bob Daisley, drummer Carmine Appice steps in. His connection goes back to Vanilla Fudge, a band that influenced the early direction of Deep Purple. Keyboardist Jon Lord once said after seeing them live in 1967, “We were going to be an English Vanilla Fudge.” Appice, now also known for his work with Cactus, brings that lineage into the track.
“I always liked “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll””, says Carmine Appice. “It had a Cactus boogie, easy for me to play…it kicked ass then and now!”
Guitar duties include Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, who came to Rainbow as a listener first. “I heard the RainbowRising album as a kid and became a lifelong Rainbow fan! It’s a great honor to play on this song and to pay tribute to this historic band.”
Liner notes for Ride The Rainbow – The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow were written by Jason Myers of Icarus Witch, adding context from someone rooted in classic metal revival.
Across the years, Rainbow, led by Ritchie Blackmore, built a catalog that shaped hard rock through the ’70s and ’80s. Tracks like “Stargazer”, “Man On A Silver Mountain”, “All Night Long”, “Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll” and “Since You Been Gone” became staples, both on record and on stage.
The lineup shifted often, but the quality held. Ronnie James Dio and Graham Bonnet handled vocals in different eras, while players like Roger Glover and Cozy Powell helped define the band’s sound across multiple releases.
More recently, Ronnie Romero stepped in as vocalist for a revived version of Rainbow, making his live debut in June 2016 after being chosen by Ritchie Blackmore following his departure from Deep Purple years earlier. That lineup also included Jens Johansson of Stratovarius, drummer David Keith, bassist Bob Nouveau, plus backing vocals from Candice Night and Lady Lynn.
Those 2016 German shows were documented on Memories In Rock – Live In Germany, released later that year in multiple formats, capturing a modern take on a band with a long history.
Pre-order Ride The Rainbow – The Ultimate Tribute To Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbowhere.
American heavy metal mainstays Armored Saint have dropped a new single, “Hit A Moonshot”, pulled from their upcoming album Emotion Factory Reset, set for release on May 22 via Metal Blade Records.
“Hit A Moonshot” stands out as a favorite within the band. The phrase itself comes from baseball, describing a towering home run, and vocalist John Bush draws a clear connection between that imagery and life beyond sports.
“It’s like you knocked something out of the park,” elaborates Bush, “I use a lot of sports analogies because I love sports. Sports IS entertainment… ‘Hit A Moonshot’ is inspired by the people who keep landing on their feet. Like, no matter what the fuck this person does… Some people just get lucky. This applies to anyone. And landing on your feet is commendable. So, I’m busting balls, but I’m also giving accolades. Sometimes people can do that all the way to their grave. Then there are other people who are so good or talented or creative, and they struggle forever. I don’t think life is balanced all the time, and I don’t think it’s fair.”
He also points to the track’s musical makeup: “It has a ferocious riff, cool tempo changes, scorching leads, huge chorus with lots of backing vocals,” he continues. “We love Queen and TheSweet! It’s a cool breakdown with an epic ending. Once again, it sounds just like ArmoredSaint.”
Bassist Joey Vera traces the song’s roots back decades: “The intro riff is an echo of a memory from age 17 when I was in a garage band in Los Angeles. After I came up with this new version, the familiarity of it revealed itself once I stood back and listened. The riff is very different from the original one but there’s no doubt the feel and vibe has stuck with me ever since then. I added a half-time feel to the chorus to steer the arrangement away from predictability. It feels like classic Saint to me.”
Guitarist Jeff Duncan keeps it straightforward in terms of gear and execution: “I think the song defines what ArmoredSaint sounds like now. I used my Les Paul and an EVH amp for the rhythm guitars on everything. My solos were done with a couple different guitars; it’s simple, just good guitars plugged into a good amp and let it rip.”
Emotion Factory Reset, the band’s ninth studio effort since 1984’s March Of The Saint, works as both a reset and a rebuild. Produced by Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston, the album sees Armored Saint pushing themselves while staying rooted in their identity. Tracks like “Close To The Bone”, “Hit A Moonshot” and “Every Man-Any Man” reflect that balance.
“Each ArmoredSaint record, to me, is like a new skin for the band, a different chapter. I don’t think we’ve ever repeated ourselves,” says Joey Vera. “Every album has been pretty different from the previous one, a snapshot in time. In 2026, Emotion Factory Reset is where our heads are at.”
John Bush highlights the band’s open approach when writing: “When we start coming up with songs, I always say we can do whatever we want,” notes Bush. “Use all our influences through the years, diverse music that we listen to and love, and let that seep in and bring something new out of us. It leads to something more adventurous.”
That mindset extends into how vocals are captured. Much of Bush’s recorded work comes straight from early takes, preserving immediacy. Vera approaches writing with a similar instinct: “I try not to overthink and be right where I’m at that time. I really don’t look over my shoulder much, like, ‘what did I do in the past? What’s going on in the next lane?’ Once the ball starts rolling, I just sit back and let it happen.”
The album title itself came from guitarist Phil Sandoval, reflecting a broader theme behind the material: “To me, Emotion Factory Reset means to reset yourself back to clarity. Take a pause and breathe before you respond or react. You can’t control outside events, but you can control your mind,” the guitarist says. “How you interpret things is what hurts you, not the event itself.”
Drummer Gonzo Sandoval connects that idea to a bigger picture: “the world is going through a technological upswing/awakening. I look at our planet as the factory and in the most positive way we need to realign, reimagine, reset for our better selves.”
Ahead of the album’s release, the band also rolled out “Close To The Bone” as an early preview. Bush describes its role clearly: “The first track on the record sounds like vintage ArmoredSaint. Yet vintage that comes out in 2026! How did we do that? The title of the record, Emotion Factory Reset appears as the first line of the bridge. Killer riffs, awesome rhythms and attacking vocals gets this train rolling. The title implies the human response to withdraw and keep things to yourself instead of being confrontational; something I believe we all struggle with as humans. Do you just say, ‘aww, whatever man,’ or do you say, ‘hey, fuck you!’ Depends on the moment I guess.”
Vera adds context on its influences: “Musically, this song was inspired by my love and appreciation for metal that was coming out around the time of the NWOBHM, which is right when ArmoredSaint was formed. As always, I try to reimagine my early influences by giving them a slight modern twist.”
Duncan sees it as a clear statement of where the band stands now: “I like to think that ArmoredSaint doesn’t keep making the same album over and over. Emotion Factory Reset is another musical chapter for the band. When the five of us play together, we have a special chemistry and our first single “Close To The Bone” demonstrates this perfectly; it’s musically sophisticated but still retains the ArmoredSaint signature sound.”
Emotion Factory Reset was recorded across multiple studios, including 606 Studios, Secret Hand Studios, Skullseven Studios, Constantine Studios and Bridge Recording, with engineering handled by Oliver Roman, Bill Metoyer, Joey Vera and Jason Constantine. The cover art was created by DDKing. A special European CD edition will include the bonus track “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison)”, previously available only in digital form.
Norwegian extreme metal titans Dimmu Borgir have officially announced their long-awaited new studio album, Grand Serpent Rising, set for release on May 22 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Returning to the studio in Gothenburg, the band once again joined forces with acclaimed producer Fredrik Nordström, the mastermind behind some of Dimmu Borgir’s most revered works, including Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia and Death Cult Armageddon. The result is a record that captures the band’s signature blend of symphonic grandeur and unrelenting aggression, while pushing their sound into darker, more commanding territory.
Today, Dimmu Borgir unveil the second single from the album: “Ascent”. Striking like lightning across a frozen northern sky, the song is a ferocious statement of intent—aggressive, vicious, and twistedly beautiful. “Ascent” delivers a chilling reminder that Dimmu Borgir remain at the height of their powers, embodying the intensity, menace, and authenticity that have defined their legacy.
The track arrives alongside a visually arresting, “in your face” music video that amplifies the song’s raw energy and atmospheric darkness.
Shagrath comments on the track: “Musically, “Ascent” is more ferocious and direct than the first single, “Ulvgjeld & Blodsødel”. Together, the two tracks showcase the musical scope of the album in a great way. From the outset, we’ve said that Grand Serpent Rising stands as one of our most diverse records to date, and these songs underline exactly that.”
Silenoz adds: “”Ascent” is about the grand serpent rising through your spinal cord. It is not a pretty experience but it is a necessary one – in order to reach higher consciousness and levels of understanding. It’s a voyage of transformation and surrender.
“Only he who knows fear but overcomes it can be fearless; he who sees the abyss with pride. He who sees the abyss with eagle eyes; he who grasps the abyss with eagle claws; he is courageous”.- Nietzsche”
The album comes in following formats:
CD Jewelcase
2LP + 1CD, 24-Page Mediabook, Transparent Green with Black + White Marble Vinyl
2LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
2LP Gatefold Dark Green Vinyl
2LP Gatefold Gold Vinyl (Norway Exclusive)
2LP Gatefold Crystal Clear Vinyl (Sweden Rock Exclusive)
2LP Gatefold Pearl Flip Waterfall Vinyl
2LP Gatefold Gold with Black Marble Vinyl (Revolver Exclusive)
The Grand Serpent Rising North America 2026 tour marks the legendary return of Dimmu Borgir to North American soil for their first headlining trek since 2018, featuring special guests Hypocrisy, Suffocation, and Hulder.
Riding the momentum of the record announcement, Rachel Bolan keeps the energy high and the buzz building with the release of his second single “Anything But You”, giving fans another glimpse of what’s ahead and another hook that sticks!
After four decades as a driving force behind Skid Row, bassist and songwriter Rachel Bolan steps forward with his first solo album under the name Bolan.
Gargoyle of the Garden State is a bold, deeply personal debut rooted in the grit, attitude, and storytelling spirit of his New Jersey upbringing, with “Anything But You” tapping into the raw, melodic edge that runs through the whole record.
Produced by multi-Grammy winner Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Skid Row, Rush, Evanescence, Alice In Chains) The album began as a simple conversation between friends. What started casually quickly evolved into a record that would ultimately define Bolan’s voice as both a songwriter and storyteller.
“Gargoyle of the Garden State is not a project, it is every bit of my soul,” says Bolan. “Like me, it knows when to be serious and also knows where the party is.”
The record delivers several standout moments, including a surprising cover of Oasis‘ “Rock And Roll Star,” reimagined through Bolan’s distinctive lens. Expanding well beyond his role as a bassist, Bolan performs most instruments himself, shaping the record from the ground up. Drawing on influences ranging from Brit Pop and Glam to Punk Rock and New Wave, the album reflects a lifetime immersed in music.
Gargoyle of the Garden State also features an impressive lineup of guests, including Corey Taylor, Danko Jones, Nuno Bettencourt, Damon Johnson, Steve Conte, and fellow Skid Row members Scotti Hill, Dave “Snake” Sabo and Rob Hammersmith.
The album is out on June 12 and will be available as CD Digipak, LP Gatefold, as well as digital and download.
With “Anything But You,” Bolan continues to open the door to his solo world one that feels personal, loud, and undeniably himself.
Pre-order the Gargoyle of the Garden State album here.
