Author: Editorial Team

Tom Morello has announced the Power To The People festival, a one-day event focused on music, activism, and community action set for October 3, 2026 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion.

The festival news was revealed while Tom Morello was on tour with Bruce Springsteen, who helped announce the event onstage during a recent show at Nationals Park.

Pre-sale tickets become available Friday, May 29 at 10 a.m. ET, while general ticket sales begin Saturday, May 30 at 10 a.m. ET here.

The lineup includes performances from Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Joan Baez, Brittany Howard, Dropkick Murphys, Jack Black, Serj Tankian, Cypress Hill, Killer Mike, Grandson, The Neighborhood Kids, Taylor Momsen, Matt Cameron, The Linda Lindas, and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. The event will also feature artwork and a DJ set from Shepard Fairey.

Speaking about the event, Tom Morello said: “The Power To The People festival is about freedom, justice, equality, and rock and roll. It’s about the power that everyday human beings have when they come together through music, art, community, and action. We’re honored to bring this incredible lineup to the D.C. area for a day that celebrates the spirit of activism, creativity, and hope.”

Alongside live performances across two stages, the festival will host the Freedom Village area, where attendees can connect with nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, artists, and community partners focused on civic engagement and grassroots activism.

Part of the festival proceeds, including all net proceeds from VIP ticket sales, will go to VoteRiders and HeadCount. HeadCount will also be present at the event, helping fans register to vote and learn more about election participation.

Over the last three decades, Tom Morello has remained heavily involved in political activism and social justice work alongside his music career. Beyond his solo material as The Nightwatchman, he continues to be known for his work with Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave.

Recognized for his innovative guitar style and outspoken political views, Tom Morello has built a career that stretches across music, film, television, activism, and philanthropy while remaining one of rock’s most recognizable guitar players.

The post TOM MORELLO Reveals “Power To The People” Festival With FOO FIGHTERS, SERJ TANKIAN, And More appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Sun Dont Shine — the band featuring Kirk Windstein (guitar/vocals; Crowbar, Down, Kingdom of Sorrow), former Type O Negative members Kenny Hickey (guitar/vocals), Johnny Kelly (drums), and Todd Strange (Crowbar, Down) — has released the official music video for “All You Wasted.” The clip was shot by Mike Holderbeast. The band was formerly known as Eye Am.

“All You Wasted” is taken from Sun Dont Shine‘s debut album, From Birth to Death, which was released April 1 via Corpse Paint Records.

Hickey said: “I don’t want our music to be one-dimensional. I don’t want it to be just dark and doomy or always so heavy. I want it to be both light and dark, dynamic and unpredictable.”

At its core, Sun Dont Shine is about rejecting the overly polished and letting the music speak for itself. With Windstein‘s earth-shaking riffs and Hickey‘s evocative, often ethereal melodies, the band strikes a delicate balance between heavy and haunting. Kelly‘s drumming keeps things tight while Strange‘s bass lines anchor the bottom end. Influences span Black Sabbath to The Beatles.

Regarding the name change from Eye Am to Sun Dont Shine, Hickey told Revolver: “There was another metal band called I Am, and also a rap band called Eyeam, spelled exactly like [us] on Spotify. We tried to trademark the name, but we found out the rapper already owned it. So, we were not able to go forward. But that was just a mock-up name that Andrew came up with, you know what I mean? We didn’t figure we were gonna even be a band. Same thing happened with Type O back in the day. We were called Sub-Zero, but there was another band named Sub-Zero and they threatened [to sue]. We had all gotten the negative tattoos already — you know, ‘Sub-Zero’ — and then history [became] history. It ended up being Type O Negative.”

Under the Eye Am name, the band released singles “Dreams Always Die With The Sun” (June 2023) and “Cryptomnesia” (November 2023) via Corpse Paint Records, both with music videos shot and directed by Holderbeast at OCD Recording and Production. The band’s first single under the Sun Dont Shine name, “The Promise Song,” came out in January 2025. Although an EP called Coming Down was announced in June 2025, the band later chose to focus on recording a full-length album instead.

Hickey and Kelly had previously collaborated in Seventh Void, which released Heaven Is Gone in 2009, and Silvertomb, which issued Edge of Existence in 2019. Original Crowbar bassist Strange returned to the band in 2016 for the touring cycle in support of The Serpent Only Lies before departing once again to focus on his family. Windstein, who also plays in the New Orleans supergroup Down, previously recorded two albums with Hatebreed‘s Jamey Jasta under the Kingdom of Sorrow banner and has issued two solo albums.

The post SUN DONT SHINE, Featuring TYPE O NEGATIVE & CROWBAR Members, Share Music Video For Single “All You Wasted” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

International symphonic metal legends Kamelot — renowned for their infectious melodies, cinematic storytelling, and electrifying live performances — return with their haunting new album Dark Asylum, arriving August 28 via Napalm Records.

Now 14 albums deep into a genre-defining career — including Haven (#1 Billboard Hard Rock), The Shadow Theory (#2 Billboard Hard Rock, #1 Amazon Hard Rock & Metal), and most recently The Awakening (#2 Billboard Hard Rock and Top 10 on the German charts) — the band continues to stand as a commanding force in modern metal after more than three decades.

Set within a shadowed Neo Victorian-era world, Dark Asylum invites listeners beyond the gates of RavenHill Asylum: an imposing institution once built as a grand cathedral, now repurposed into a place where science, faith, and madness uneasily coexist.

 Kamelot founder and guitarist Thomas Youngblood says about the record: “Dark Asylum follows a soul trapped inside a world of masks, fractured memories, and psychological torment, wandering the endless halls of RavenHill in search of truth, identity, and redemption. What begins as a descent into darkness gradually transforms into a journey of awakening, where beneath the fear, illusion, and chaos lies the possibility of healing, hope, and ultimately a path out of the shadows into Sanctuary. The album explores the duality between despair and salvation, blurring the lines between reality and madness through theatrical storytelling, haunting atmospheres, and deeply emotional themes.”

Frontman Tommy Karevik adds, “Dark Asylum invites listeners into the hidden chambers of the human mind. A journey where every door reveals a different story, yet all remain deeply connected. At its core, the album explores the duality of human nature: the constant tension between fear and hope, chaos and stillness, destruction and healing. Dark Asylum reflects the struggle to remain sane within a cold and barren world, while ultimately discovering that salvation is not something found externally, but something that already exists within us all. Through self-exploration, awareness, and inner peace, healing becomes possible. This concept opened the door to a more cinematic and haunting sonic landscape, allowing us to experiment with darker, more eerie musical themes.”

Longtime Kamelot producer Sascha Paeth returns to helm the album, alongside Jacob Hansen, who oversees mixing and mastering. 

Karevik concludes: “The imagery was intentionally painted with delicate strokes, capturing the fine line between beauty and disorder, and the way chaos and tranquility coexist within the same space. The result is an immersive experience that feels both unsettling and deeply human. A descent into darkness that ultimately searches for light.”

Deepening the immersion of RavenHill, Dark Asylum will be released on a plethora of exciting platforms, including standard gold, solid silver, and classic black vinyl editions, certified vinyl with the white label, white splatter, and blood-filled variants, the latter of which are each paired with an official 24-page booklet! Multiple CD digipak available, with the 2-disc version including an instrumental version of the album, alongside cassette and digital options!

Pre-order your Copy of Dark Asylum here.

Kamelot pushes further into cinematic and atmospheric territory on Dark Asylum, diving deeper into theatrical darkness while preserving the signature hooks that define their sound. Candlelight trembles along towering arches and cold stone corridors as you are greeted by familiar spectres: Avantasia mastermind Tobias Sammet, Eluveitie‘s Lea-Sophie Fischer, Visions of Atlantis’s Clémentine Delauney, Decessus frontwoman and current reigning Miss World Chile champion Ignacia Fernández, Rannveig Sif Sigurðardóttir and Sólveig Sara Leupold, and Billy King!

Identity fractures, reality bends, and control slips into unseen hands, guiding its central figure through a descent into psychological darkness that ultimately leads toward transformation… and perhaps sanctuary. From the cinematic sweep of “Ashen World” to the introspective depth of “Sanctuary” and the layered mystique of “Ivy, My Dear,” Dark Asylum unfolds as a fully immersive journey, blending orchestral grandeur, haunting melodies, and theatrical storytelling into one cohesive vision.

Will you find sanctuary? Or will you wander its halls for eternity?

The post Symphonic Metal Legends KAMELOT Unveil Ominous New Album “Dark Asylum” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Moonspell has released the official music video for “Cross Your Heart,” the opening track from the Portuguese dark metal band’s forthcoming studio album, Far From God. The release follows the positive reception of the album’s title track and single, and came in the wake of Moonspell‘s acclaimed live appearance at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen festival. Far From God is due July 3 via Napalm Records.

Where the title track explored tragic vampiric romance, “Cross Your Heart” turns its gaze toward the roads that connect and separate us. Blending the classic atmosphere of the band’s legendary Irreligious era with a modern and sharper edge, the song unfolds as a dark, melancholic anthem. Driven by brooding melodies, grounded riffing and emotional depth, the track pairs Moonspell frontman Fernando Ribeiro‘s unmistakable vocals with a reflection on mortality, memory and life spent in motion.

Ribeiro commented: “Reminiscent of Irreligious with a modern and dark twist, this gothic metal song tells us about the shrines that we can frequently find on the roads of all countries in the world and that are erected as a painful memory to those who departed in car and bike crashes, often too soon, every time too painfully. Like a band who made miles upon miles and a few crashes themselves, we are privileged observers of the daily and nightly life on the roads, the promised cities, the bitter disappointments, the anguish of a portable life. Before such powers we can only cross our heart and hope to live enough before our time does come.”

Born from five years of creative searching, doubt and ultimate rediscovery, Far From God marks a powerful return for the band: darker, sharper and emotionally unfiltered. Rather than bending to modern trends, Moonspell doubles down on identity and substance, presenting a bold statement of gothic metal in its purest form — dark, romantic, dramatic and unapologetically heavy.

The title track “Far From God” sets the tone with burning intensity. A hymn to tragic vampiric love, the song revives the mystique and romantic darkness that once defined the genre, with dense guitars, deep resonant vocals and dramatic dynamic shifts evoking a timeless gothic aesthetic.

Ribeiro previously commented on the title track: “I lost my faith and hope in vampires for quite a few years. They became the clowns of Hollywood, the cheap Halloween shop customs, the old and disgraceful Princes from the East. Until the film director Robert Eggers brought us Nosferatu in 2024 and I was immediately attracted back to that tragic, romantic character who Bram Stoker immortalized in his letters. I wrote ‘Far From God’ in just one breath and it’s our first song about vampiric love in ages. I confess I felt the urge of, together with Moonspell, saving the face of gothic metal which became hostage of semi-tuned operatic female vocalists, simpleton and crunchy guitar riffs; and of lyrical content that would make Dracula impale himself with a stake in his bloodless heart. This song is the essence of this album, its title, its video, its soul. And you can even feel the fire of daylight burning into yours and your lover’s skin.”

Thematically, Far From God moves through Baudelairian love, existential guilt and redemption, with vampires, werewolves and sacred symbolism serving as vehicles for genuine dark emotion: solemn, romantic and unfiltered. The album rejects artificial gloss in favor of fantasy grounded in sincerity.

Ribeiro said of creating the record: “To create Far From God, we had to wait for the muse. Again, she didn’t fail us and revealed herself in the most mysterious and beautiful ways to us. It took us five long years of hit and miss, of despairing to the point of thinking we didn’t have it anymore, and why should we at all create new music? But I’m glad we persisted. Far From God is a true crusade against the decline of the style in the past few years, a darkly crafted statement that Moonspell is here to stay and to claim our throne. No politics, no socials, no intervention, just sickly romantic love, vampires, werewolves so we can all die of beauty, in peace and elegance. Goth bless you.”

Far From God was produced with Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Sólstafir, Ghost), who previously worked with Moonspell on 2021’s Hermitage. The album’s artwork was painted by Eliran Kantor.

The post MOONSPELL Shares Music Video for “Cross Your Heart” From Upcoming Album “Far From God” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Aurora is the third consecutive Yes album produced by Steve Howe — following The Quest and Mirror to the Sky — and it sounds like it. Same lineup, same sonic fingerprint, same songwriting sensibility. Fans who have rejected the band’s current incarnation will find nothing here to change their minds. But for those invested in where Yes has been heading, the record delivers more than it stumbles.

The continuity is remarkable by Yes standards: three albums in a row from essentially the same group of musicians, the only change being Jay Schellen stepping in after the passing of Alan White. Howe‘s production, aided by mixing and mastering engineer Curtis Schwartz, is consistently clear and well-balanced — nothing buried, nothing overwhelming.

The album opens strongly. The title track is symphonic and orchestral — a little Disney-adjacent, but anchored by Howe‘s playing. “Turnaround Situation,” now a single, is a Jon Davison composition with a notable wrinkle: Davison plays keyboards throughout Aurora — piano, synth, organ — making this a shared keyboard record rather than a Geoff Downes solo showcase. The song is hook-laden and layered, with Howe on pedal steel and some properly cosmic lyrics: “a primal voice that speaks so clear / to every heart sincere / guiding every conscience home.” “Love Lies Dreaming,” co-written by Davison and Howe, completes a strong opening three-track run.

The middle of the album experiments. “Ariadne” — co-written by Downes, Davison, and Sherwood — draws on Greek mythology and features the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, one of two tracks to do so. It’s lush and storytelling-driven, reminiscent of “Turn of the Century.” “Outside the Box,” co-written by Sherwood and Howe, is lyric-free, built on layered vocalizations rather than conventional singing — a genuine departure that mostly works. “All Hands on Deck” is a Howe rocker that feels more at home on a solo record. “Emotional Intelligence” carries a worthwhile message with lyrics that could stand to trust the listener a bit more. “Jam Bustin’” is a bonus track — corny, self-aware, skip it if corniness isn’t your thing.

The centerpiece epic, “Counter Movement,” is where the album’s biggest opportunity meets its biggest stumble. The four-part piece has genuine highlights — a third section co-written by Davison, Sherwood, and Schellen that tackles AI with a sharp instrumental jam, Howe trading licks with Downes on synth in a brief but satisfying prog blowout. But the main body hands lead vocals to Howe, and that’s a significant drag. His solo work has shown real vocal growth — Love Is demonstrated he can carry a record — but a Yes epic is a different ask. The repeated lead lines wear thin, a guitar figure uncomfortably close to “Your Move” muddies the waters, and the finale, “Freedom’s Edge,” meanders where it should soar. The epic ends on two Davison a cappella lines that land with a thud.

The closer, “Watching the River Roll,” rescues the finish. Sherwood‘s composition opens with the Portuguese 12-string guitar and builds into one of the album’s warmest moments — Sherwood on clean lead vocals, Davison across a lovely chorus, the whole thing rolling out with ease. Calling it a bonus track is a genuine head-scratcher; it’s among the record’s best.

Schellen is well-served by Howe‘s mix and sounds excellent throughout. Sherwood is the MVP — inventive bass lines, strong backing vocals, carrying the Squire legacy without trying to copy it. Downes is the persistent question mark: capable, but keyboards have receded into the background across all three of these albums, where they once shared the front of the stage with guitars and bass. And Howe — still producing, still playing beautifully, compensating for anything age takes with musicality and taste.

Aurora won’t rewrite Yes history. But as a third chapter in a surprisingly consistent late-career trilogy, it holds up.

The post YES – Aurora (Video Review) appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

ALT HEADLINE: A PERFECT CIRCLE Returns With New Single “Starless” — Written and Recorded Earlier in 2026, Produced by BILLY HOWERDEL, Mixed by MATTY GREEN, JOSH FREESE on Drums

ALT HEADLINE: A PERFECT CIRCLE Drops “Starless” Ahead of European Tour Kick-Off — Limited Seven-Inch Vinyl With Custom Crescent Logo Etching Available Now via Revolver

A Perfect Circle has released “Starless,” a new single from Billy Howerdel and Maynard James Keenan that signals a new dawn for the band, arriving days before their first European tour in eight years.

Keenan said: “Absolutely chuffed to debut this new track on stage in the U.K. Of course I’m excited to release the recordings but our songs always take on an expanded personality once we start playing them live.”

Unmistakably A Perfect Circle, “Starless” moves between muscular, guitar-driven intensity and delicate, intricate passages, with the precision that has long defined the band’s work.

Recorded at Howerdel‘s Lankershim Ranch Studio in Studio City, California, “Starless” was written earlier this year, produced by Howerdel and mixed by Matty Green (U2, Florence + the Machine, TV on the Radio). Longtime collaborator Josh Freese plays drums on the track.

Howerdel said: “Some songs get kicked around and massaged for years. But once in a while, one takes shape quickly, as if it had been there all along.”

A limited-edition “Starless” seven-inch single is also available via Revolver, featuring a custom etching of the band’s crescent logo on the B-side and a custom seven-inch adapter. The vinyl arrives in two variants: silver/black, and white with sea blue and black splatter.

Jehnny Beth, Reclus.É and A.A. Williams open on various dates throughout the European leg. Puscifer appears on all November and December dates. Tickets for all shows except Japan are available here; Japanese tickets go on sale June 13 at 10 a.m. local time.

A Perfect Circle 2026 European and summer tour dates:

• June 3 — O2 Academy Brixton — London (SOLD OUT)
• June 4 — O2 Academy Brixton — London (SOLD OUT)
• June 6 — Rock Im Park — Nürnberg, Germany
• June 7 — Rock Am Ring — Nürburg, Germany
• June 9 — Zenith — Munich, Germany
• June 10 — Torwar — Warsaw, Poland
• June 12 — Nova Rock Festival — Vienna, Austria
• June 13 — Ferrara Summer Festival — Ferrara, Italy
• June 15 — Budapest Park — Budapest, Hungary
• June 16 — SRC Šalata — Zagreb, Croatia
• June 18 — Halle622 — Zurich, Switzerland
• June 20 — Hellfest — Clisson, France
• June 21 — Mitsubishi Hall — Düsseldorf, Germany
• June 23 — Poppodium 013 — Tilburg, Netherlands
• June 24 — AFAS Live — Amsterdam, Netherlands
• June 26 — Copenhell — Copenhagen, Denmark
• June 27 — Tons of Rock — Oslo, Norway
• June 28 — Gröna Lund — Stockholm, Sweden
• July 1 — Zitadelle — Berlin, Germany
• July 2 — Forum Karlín — Prague, Czech Republic
• July 4 — Rockhal — Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
• July 5 — Rock Werchter 2026 — Werchter, Belgium
• July 7 — Zenith Paris — Paris
• July 9 — NOS Alive 2026 — Oeiras, Portugal
• July 10 — Mad Cool Festival — Madrid, Spain

A Perfect Circle and Puscifer November/December 2026 dates:

• Nov. 25 — Estadio Fray Nano — Mexico City, Mexico
• Nov. 28 — Microestadio Argentinos Juniors — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Nov. 29 — Hipódromo de Chile — Santiago, Chile
• Dec. 4 — The Drive — Adelaide, Australia
• Dec. 6 — Rod Laver Arena — Melbourne, Australia
• Dec. 8 — Riverstage — Brisbane, Australia
• Dec. 10 — Carriageworks — Sydney, Australia
• Dec. 11 — TikTok Entertainment Centre — Sydney, Australia
• Dec. 13 — Spark Arena — Auckland, New Zealand
• Dec. 15 — Zepp DiverCity — Tokyo, Japan
• Dec. 17 — Zepp Bayside — Osaka, Japan
• Dec. 19 — Neal S. Blaisdell Arena — Honolulu, Hawaii

A Perfect Circle was formed in 1999 by guitarist Howerdel and vocalist Keenan. The band’s debut album, Mer de Noms (2000), debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and became the highest-charting debut rock album of its time, featuring “Judith,” “3 Libras” and “The Hollow.” Their catalog continued with Thirteenth Step (2003), eMOTIVe (2004) and 2018’s Eat the Elephant, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The band has headlined festivals worldwide and sold out the Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The post A PERFECT CIRCLE Releases New Single “Starless” as Band Prepares to Launch First European Tour in Eight Years appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

After more than four decades of bringing Brazilian heavy music to the world’s biggest stages, Sepultura have officially announced the final show of their career. The historic performance will take place on 7 November 2026 at the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu in São Paulo Brazil, marking the end of one of the most influential journeys in the history of heavy metal worldwide.

The choice of the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu holds special meaning for the band. The venue has been part of Sepultura’s history since the early 1990s, especially because of the iconic concert held at Praça Charles Miller, in front of the stadium, which helped establish the band’s strength in Brazil. Decades later, Sepultura returns to the same place to close its story, where part of that legacy was also built.

More than a farewell concert, the night is being conceived as a grand celebration of Sepultura’s history, bringing together different generations, eras, and artists who have become part of the band’s journey over the past 40 years. The idea is to transform the final show into a unique moment of tribute, connection, and celebration of Brazilian heavy music and its global impact.
Among the international acts already confirmed is Metal Allegiance, featuring some of the most respected musicians in the global metal scene, including Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, Alex Skolnick and Chuck Billy of Testament, Phil Demmel, formerly of Machine Head, Troy Sanders of Mastodon, and bassist/founder Mark Menghi.

The line-up will also feature confirmed appearances by Krisiun, one of the world’s most respected death metal bands, and American thrash metal band Sacred Reich. Additional special guests will be announced soon.

Former members and musicians connected to Sepultura’s history over the decades are also expected to join the celebration, including Jean Dolabella and Jairo Guedz, who were part of the band’s original line-up.

Formed in Belo Horizonte in 1984, Sepultura helped redefine the boundaries of heavy metal and became the most internationally recognised Brazilian rock band of all time. Through landmark albums such as Beneath The Remains, Arise, Chaos A.D., and Roots, the band influenced generations and opened doors for Brazilian heavy music worldwide.

Throughout its career, Sepultura performed at some of the world’s most important festivals, including Rock in Rio, Lollapalooza, Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, and Download Festival, building a legacy that transcends metal and has a permanent place in music history.

Sepultura’s final show at the Mercado Livre Arena Pacaembu promises to be a historic, emotional, and unforgettable night, a farewell befitting the band’s importance to both Brazilian culture and the global heavy metal scene.

The post SEPULTURA Announces Last-Ever Concert For Noviembre 7 In São Paulo appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Down — the heavy metal supergroup featuring vocalist Philip H. Anselmo, guitarists Pepper Keenan and Kirk Windstein, drummer Jimmy Bower, and bassist Pat Bruders — will return to North American stages this summer for the “Strap It Down” headlining tour with support from Helmet and Spirit in the Room.

The trek begins Aug. 15 in Atlanta and closes Sept. 4 in Shakopee, Minn. Artist presales begin May 27 at 12 p.m. ET (password: DOWN2026); general on-sale is May 29 at 10 a.m. local time. Limited Down VIP packages — including soundcheck experience, meet-and-greet, photo opportunity, signed poster, and exclusive merch item — are available at down-nola.com/tour.

The tour also includes slots at the 2026 installment of Zakk Wylde‘s “Berzerkus” festival — featuring Lamb of God, Black Label Society and others — on Aug. 28 in Scranton, Pa., and Aug. 29 in Wantagh, N.Y. The Sept. 4 Shakopee date is a previously announced performance as direct support to Slayer. Helmet and Spirit in the Room do not appear on the Berzerkus Fest or Slayer dates.

Down “Strap It Down” tour dates with Helmet and Spirit in the Room (except where noted):

• 08/15 — The Eastern — Atlanta, Ga.
• 08/16 — Piedmont Hall — Greensboro, N.C.
• 08/19 — House of Blues — Cleveland, Ohio
• 08/20 — Stage AE — Pittsburgh, Pa.
• 08/ 22 — Royal Oak Music Theatre — Royal Oak, Mich.
• 08/23 — HISTORY — Toronto, Ontario
• 08/25 — MTELUS — Montreal, Quebec
• 08/26 — The Palladium — Worcester, Mass.
• 08/28 — The Pavilion at Montage Mountain — Scranton, Pa. (Berzerkus Fest)
• 08/29 — Northwell at Jones Beach Theater — Wantagh, N.Y. (Berzerkus Fest)
• 08/30 — The Fillmore Silver Spring — Silver Spring, Md.
• 09/01 — Bogart’s — Cincinnati, Ohio
• 09/02 — Ramova Theatre — Chicago
• 09/04 — Mystic Lake Amphitheater — Shakopee, Minn. (with Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, Hatebreed)

Additional Down dates:

• 10/03 — Aftershock — Sacramento, Calif.
• 10/24 — Sick New World Texas — Fort Worth, Texas
• 12/05 — Decibel Metal and Beer Fest — Denver

In April 2025, Down signed with Nuclear Blast Records. The label said in a statement: “Nuclear Blast is proud to be in the trenches with NOLA legends Down as their partner in their long overdue return to the metal world. In addition, we are excited to bring some of their key past catalog releases back into the spotlight, especially on the vinyl side.”

The supergroup has not issued any new original material since the Down IV — Part Two EP in May 2014, which debuted at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 with around 10,000 copies sold in its first week. Its predecessor, Down IV Part I — The Purple EP, opened at No. 35 in September 2012. Both EPs were recorded at Nodferatu’s Lair — Anselmo‘s home studio — and produced by Michael Thompson, released via Down Records/ADA Music.

Windstein, a founding member of Down, left the band in 2013 to focus on Crowbar and his family; he was replaced by Bobby Landgraf. Windstein announced his return in 2019, and the band confirmed a series of dates to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their 1995 debut album NOLA — all of which were later canceled or postponed due to the pandemic. In August 2020, Down celebrated the anniversary with a livestreamed event dubbed “The Quarter Century Throwdown.” The band headlined night one of last year’s Milwaukee Metal Fest and completed a Western U.S. tour with Danzig.

The post DOWN Announces North American Headlining Tour Dates appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Bay Area thrash legends Death Angel will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their critically acclaimed eighth studio album, The Evil Divide, with a special vinyl reissue arriving July 24th via Nuclear Blast Records.

Originally released on May 27, 2016, The Evil Divide marked another triumphant chapter in the band’s storied career, capturing the ferocity, precision, and relentless energy that have defined Death Angel for more than four decades. Helmed by renowned producer Jason Suecoff at AudioHammer Studios, the album further cemented the band’s standing among thrash metal’s elite, earning widespread acclaim for its explosive songwriting, technical intensity, and emotionally charged performances.

The 10th anniversary LP edition will feature the bonus track “Wasteland”, Death Angel ’s powerful interpretation of the 1986 song originally performed by The Mission. Previously available only on select limited CD digipak editions outside the United States, the track will now make its vinyl debut while also becoming available for streaming worldwide for the very first time.

Revisit the album by checking out the music video for the single “Lost” and pre-order The Evil Divide (10th Anniversary Edition) here.

The reissue arrives as Death Angel continues celebrating another landmark in their legacy with their ongoing U.S. tour commemorating the 35th anniversary of their landmark 1990 album Act III.

Death Angel is a pioneering American thrash metal band formed in 1982 in Daly City, California, and a vital force in the legendary Bay Area thrash movement. Emerging as teenage prodigies, the band quickly built a reputation for blistering speed, technical precision, fearless songwriting, and ferocious live performances — qualities that continue to define them more than four decades later.

Formed by cousins Rob Cavestany (guitar), Dennis Pepa (bass), and Andy Galeon (drums), alongside vocalist Mark Osegueda and guitarist Gus Pepa, Death Angel cut their teeth in local clubs before exploding onto the international stage with their 1987 debut album The Ultra-Violence, recorded when Galeon was just 14 years old. Its complex arrangements and explosive energy immediately distinguished them within the Bay Area scene. They followed with 1988’s Frolic Through the Park, which featured the breakout single “Bored,” even leading to the band hosting Headbangers Ball. In 1990, their major-label debut, Act III (Geffen Records), revealed a more dynamic and melodic dimension while retaining their thrash intensity.

After reuniting in 2001, Death Angel embarked on a powerful second chapter — one that would become among the strongest stretches of their career. Rather than leaning on nostalgia, they delivered a run of acclaimed releases that fused classic Bay Area aggression with sharpened songwriting and modern production. Beginning with The Art of Dying (2004) and continuing through Killing Season (2008), Relentless Retribution (2010), The Dream Calls for Blood (2013), The Evil Divide (2016), and 2019’s Humanicide, the band refined their attack while expanding their dynamics. Across these albums, intricate riffcraft, blistering tempos, and socially conscious lyricism became hallmarks of their modern era.

In 2025, the band unveiled two standalone singles, marking their first new material in several years and signaling the next phase of their evolution. “Wrath (Bring Fire)” delivered a high-velocity assault rooted firmly in classic Bay Area ferocity, while “Cult of the Used” emerged as a sharp, socially charged anthem driven by precision riffing, thunderous rhythm work, and commanding vocals. Together, the releases reaffirmed Death Angel’s creative momentum and uncompromising intensity.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Act III, Death Angel launched a special anniversary tour performing the album in its entirety. The run combined full-album performances with select classics from across their catalog, offering longtime fans a rare and immersive experience. The Act III Anniversary Tour continues into 2026 and 2027, with additional dates to be announced.

The current lineup — Mark Osegueda on vocals, Rob Cavestany on guitar, Ted Aguilar on guitar, Damien Sisson on bass, and Will Carroll on drums — has remained intact for nearly two decades, forming one of the most stable and formidable configurations in the band’s history. That longevity translates powerfully to the stage, where Death Angel continues to tour extensively across North America, Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia, appearing at major festivals and headlining club and theater dates while maintaining their reputation as one of thrash metal’s most electrifying live acts.

The post DEATH ANGEL Announces 10th-Anniversary Vinyl Reissue Of “The Evil Divide” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen has released the official music video for “The Trace Outlives,” the third single from her upcoming album Frisson Noir, which is due June 12 via earMUSIC. Frisson Noir has been described as “the heaviest record of her career and a powerful statement of identity, strength and belonging.”

Inspired by the Japanese phenomenon of “Johatsu,” people who deliberately disappear from their lives, “The Trace Outlives” tells a story of vanishing without a trace, exploring the emotional weight of leaving one’s identity behind to start anew in anonymity, while reflecting on regret, freedom, and the invisible marks that remain even in absence. Rooted in this concept, the song also incorporates the sound of the shamisen, a traditional Japanese instrument resembling a guitar but with a distinctly more percussive character, brought to life by the young talent Sayo Komada.

Musically, “The Trace Outlives” blends crushing heaviness with sweeping symphonic arrangements and operatic elements, staying true to the signature sound we know and love from Tarja, while elevating it to an entirely new level, making it feel like a bold and refined next chapter of her artistry.

“I was looking for a sound that would take me to Japan and found a beautiful ancient instrument that resembles a guitar, but has a more percussive sound – the shamisen, traditionally used in puppet theaters. I invited the young talent Sayo Komada to blend her art with my song,” Tarja shares.

The official music video, released alongside the single today, brings the song’s atmosphere vividly to life through a cinematic visual language, unfolding like a uniquely crafted love story shaped by tension, longing, and emotional depth. With its carefully developed narrative and striking imagery, it translates the track’s intensity into a powerful on-screen experience, merging performance and storytelling into a compelling and immersive whole.

Following the release, Turunen will embark on the international “Frisson” live tour 2026, launching Sept. 30 in Berlin.

Frisson Noir reflects Tarja‘s ongoing dialogue between cinematic orchestration, classical heritage, and the power and intensity of contemporary metal. The album moves between intimate piano passages, dramatic orchestral textures, and
powerful, guitar-driven moments.

At the center of the soundscape is Tarja‘s distinctive voice, moving effortlessly between fragile emotional expression and operatic power. Around it, orchestral arrangements, choirs, and layered instrumentation create a cinematic world that constantly shifts between darkness and light, exploring deeply human themes such as fear, beauty, nostalgia, resilience, defiance, transformation, identity, disappearance, independence, trust, and perseverance.

Across 10 tracks, Tarja delivers intensity, emotion, and strength, joined by special guest Dani Filth (Cradle of Filth), Apocalyptica, Marko Hietala (ex-Nightwish), and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers). Mixed by GRAMMY-winning producer Neal Avron (Linkin Park, Skillet, Disturbed), the album blends a modern, hard-hitting sound with the dramatic and emotional elements that define Tarja‘s unmistakable metal identity.

The album will be available in retail as CD Digipak, Black 2LP Gatefold and Ltd. Purple 2LP Gatefold. The first pressing of all formats is finished with high-quality copper foil and logo embossing. Further exclusive formats as signed editions and a strictly limited Collectors Box Set (incl. Black 2LP Gatefold (180g) with 24-page vinyl size booklet of illustrations, photographs, and lyrics, CD Digipak with 28-page booklet, Box Set exclusive 7″ vinyl single with “I Don’t Care (Tarja Solo Version)” and “I Don’t Care (Dani Mix)”, four Box Set exclusive animal print postcards, Box Set exclusive DIN A2 Frisson Noir poster, and a fine art print signed by Tarja) will be available in the official album store.

The post TARJA TURUNEN  Shares Music Video For Heavy New Single “The Trace Outlives” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.