Author: Editorial Team

Symphonic metal titans Epica proudly release their explosive new single “Avatar – The Final Incarnation”, a track that deals with the final incarnation (Avatar) to rid the world of unrighteousness and restore truth and purity. The single is accompanied by a stunning visualizer featuring artwork taken directly from the band’s forthcoming Epica Oracle Card Set, launching worldwide on January 7th.

Mark Jansen shares insight into the inspiration behind the track: “In Hindu philosophy, Kalki represents the final avatar who restores balance at the end of the age. That idea of breaking free from cycles—through self-realization, detachment from desires, and inner transformation—resonates deeply with me. ‘Avatar’ channels that journey toward liberation, something both powerful and universal.”

Simone Simons adds: “We absolutely can’t wait to kick off the European tour. Sharing the stage with our incredible fans night after night is the heartbeat of what we do, and this new song will definitely warm you up for the journey we’re about to take together.”

From January till March, Epica will embark on ‘The Arcane Dimensions’ European Tour with Amaranthe and Charlotte Wessels’ The Obsession, that brings three of the genre’s most dynamic forces together for an unforgettable live experience.

But more is more: On January 7th, the band will release the Aspiral Oracle, a beautifully crafted deluxe boxset containing a 12 card oracle deck (one card per song title and one extra artist card called ‘The Map’), a handbook with an in-depth rule-sheet and a stunning incense holder, all designed and sculpted by Hedi Xandt who previously created the artwork for Aspiral. This boxset is a true must have that will give you deeper insights into the meaning of all the Aspiral songs, but can also serve as a tool that can give you guidance in your personal journey.

You can now pre-order it here.

The post EPICA Unveils New Single “Avatar – The Final Incarnation” In Support Of Their Upcoming European Tour appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Drumeo has released a new playthrough spotlighting Mike Portnoy, the longtime drum icon of Dream Theater, offering fans a closer look at one of the band’s most challenging works.

The feature focuses on Octavarium, described as “a 24-minute epic that stands as one of Dream Theater’s most ambitious and unforgettable performances.” Drumeo notes that viewers will see the complete performance before the breakdown of its core elements, including snare-sound changes, metric modulations, unusual time signatures, and what Mike Portnoy considers his favorite Octavarium drum moments.

They add that “if you’ve ever wondered why Octavarium feels untouchable — or how it was even played in the first place — this video gives you a backstage pass.”

The new playthrough aims to give drummers and fans a clearer understanding of the techniques and nuances that make the piece such a standout in Dream Theater’s catalog, while keeping the spotlight firmly on Portnoy’s distinctive style.

The post MIKE PORTNOY Shares “Octavarium” Hidden Secrets In Latest Drumeo Playthrough appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Kreator are gearing up for a long-awaited return to the United States, marking their first full run across the country since 2024. The influential metal band has mapped out a headlining tour that will include appearances at several major festivals, among them Welcome to Rockville, Sonic Temple, and Maryland Deathfest. Their trek begins on May 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and continues through May 23 in Huntington, New York.

Fans will have the option to enhance their experience with VIP packages. An artist pre-sale is scheduled for Thursday, December 11 at 10 a.m. local time, followed by the general on-sale on Friday, December 12 at 10 a.m. local time. Get tickets here.

In a statement, Kreator shared their excitement about the upcoming run: “We are overjoyed to be returning to the US in 2026 to celebrate Krushers Of The World with you. We’ll be bringing Carcass and Cold Steel along with us for a run of headline shows, plus we’ll be making a few festival appearances.”

The band recently released “Satanic Anarchy”, the latest single from their sixteenth album, Krushers Of The World, which arrives January 16 through Nuclear Blast Records.

The track showcases elements that longtime listeners will recognize immediately—rapid-fire thrash guitar work, a hook-driven chorus, and a standout solo, all packed into three and a half minutes.

Before unveiling this single, Kreator paid tribute to Dario Argento’s iconic horror film Suspiria with their track “Tränenpalast” and its accompanying video. Their interest in classic horror continues in the video for “Satanic Anarchy”, which nods to Clive Barker’s Hellraiser (1987). Released a decade after Suspiria, the film is celebrated for redefining modern horror by blending psychological tension with graphic, visceral imagery.

Kreator 2026 USA tour dates:

May 07 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live*
May 08 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville
May 10 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
May 11 – Knoxville, TN – The Mill & Mine
May 12 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
May 14 – Worcester, MA – Palladium
May 15 – McKees Rocks, PA – Roxian Theatre
May 16 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple*
May 18 – Davenport, IA – Capitol Theatre
May 19 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
May 20 – Chicago, IL – Romova Theatre
May 22 – Baltimore, MD – Maryland Deathfest*
May 23 – Huntington, NY – Paramount

*Festival

The post KREATOR Announces “Krushers Of The USA 2026” Tour With CARCASS And COLD STEEL appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Canadian vocalist Alissa White-Gluz has officially launched her long-anticipated solo career with the release of her new single “The Room Where She Died”, now available worldwide through Napalm Records.

For years, White-Gluz has shared original songs and self-directed videos solely with her Patreon supporters. Now she’s bringing this latest creation to a broader audience. Known for commanding some of the biggest stages in death metal and becoming one of the genre’s most recognizable performers, she teamed up once again with Oliver Palotai of power metal group Kamelot, a collaborator she has worked and performed with many times before.

“The Room Where She Died” marks a stylistic shift from what listeners have heard from her in recent years. The track blends her wide vocal range — from clean melodies to harsh growls — with orchestral elements, sharp riffs, and even a touch of jazz. Heavy yet memorable, the song signals a refreshed artistic spark as she steps confidently into her solo era.

White-Gluz described the experience of creating the single, saying: “‘The Room Where She Died’ marks the beginning of a new chapter for me, born from a place of deep creativity and renewed fire. It’s the first step into a world I’ve been building quietly for years, and one of many collaborations I have with Oliver Palotai, my Kamelot bandmate with whom I’ve found a great creative flow.”

She continued, explaining how deeply involved she was in the single’s creative process: “Making this music, writing the video and even painting the single artwork myself has reinvigorated me in ways I didn’t expect, reminding me exactly why I love making art. I have been honing my skills as a performer, vocalist and songwriter over many years now, and I feel like I am finally at a place where I can let my work stand on its own.”

White-Gluz added that she poured “every ounce of passion, pain, and purpose” into the piece and has never felt more inspired. She closed by thanking fans and peers for their overwhelming encouragement: “I hope you can feel that spark too, because this is only the beginning! I’m endlessly grateful for the overwhelming response to “The Room Where She Died”, and the love and encouragement I’ve already received from my peers, fans, and the metal community overall. Thank you!”

The post ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ Shares “The Room Where She Died” From Her Solo Debut Effort appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Stryper frontman Michael Sweet has announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer.

In a Facebook post, the 62-year-old singer explained that a “biopsy that was performed on 11/17 (a nodule in my right thyroid) came back positive. Malignant.”

He added: “I’m scheduled for a CT and an ultrasound next Monday 12/15, and then I’ll be meeting with my doctor/surgeon on 12/22 to figure out a plan moving forward.”

Sweet shared that the specific diagnosis is “papillary thyroid cancer,” and emphasized that “the good news (is) that it’s slow growing and something that my doctor seems very optimistic about.”

He acknowledged that he has recently been “experiencing a few issues vocally and it feels a little more ‘crowded’ in there. Now I understand why.” Sweet apologized for any performances where he wasn’t at full strength but reassured fans that he is “confident that things will get better.”

While reflecting on the situation, he wrote: “Even though it’s concerning to even hear the ‘C’ word (much less be diagnosed with it), I believe that it will be behind me soon enough. I’ll get in and deal with it and heal up and be ready for 2026.”

Despite the diagnosis, Sweet confirmed that Stryper still plans to begin recording their new album on December 28. He explained: “Once we finish tracking, I’ll be undergoing another surgery to remove my right thyroid and the nodule itself.” He also thanked fans for their support and prayers, saying he’s excited to return to the stage. “I love you guys and I can’t wait to see you on the road in 2026.”

Stryper released their 16th studio album, When We Were Kings, in 2024. Their next scheduled performance is set for April 12, 2026, aboard the Monsters of Rock Cruise.

The post MICHAEL SWEET Of STRYPER Shares Cancer Diagnosis appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Alan Parsons — known for his work with The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and later as the creative force behind the Alan Parsons Project — is speaking out after discovering that scammers have been releasing fake music under his name.

Parsons shared the issue publicly, writing that “they’ve been gathering up streams, attention, and possibly even invitations to tea under my name.” He stressed that “these blatant infringements have nothing whatsoever to do with me.”

He went on to emphasize the extent of the impersonation, saying: “I have not released these songs, authorized these songs, hummed these songs, or even accidentally sat on a keyboard and come up with anything resembling these songs.”

The Alan Parsons Project, built around Parsons and Eric Woolfson along with a changing lineup of collaborators, produced seven straight U.S. Top 40 albums starting with the 1976 release Tales of Mystery and Imagination. Four of their records also reached the U.K. Top 40. Their biggest commercial success came in 1982 with the platinum-certified “Eye in the Sky”, which included a title track that climbed into the Billboard Top 5.

Before forming the group, Parsons worked as an engineer or producer on landmark projects including The Beatles’ Abbey Road, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, Paul McCartney’s Red Rose Speedway, the debut album from Ambrosia, and Al Stewart’s Year of the Cat, among many others.

Reflecting on his lifelong career, Parsons wrote (as transcribed by Classic Rock and Culture): “I spent most of my life finding my voice in the music industry – and I’d like to keep it human, thank you very much.” He encouraged listeners to “double-check the source of the music they’re listening to and support real, walking, talking, crumpet-eating artists. We are still here – slightly wrinkled, perhaps, but gloriously human.”

He isn’t the only one dealing with this issue. Other rock artists have discovered songs falsely attributed to them, including Toto, whose guitarist Steve Lukather had to reach out to streaming platforms to have an instrumental titled “Name This Night” removed.

Parsons summed up the situation with frustration and humor: “What a strange time we live in, when an imposter can write a tune, or have a toaster write it for him, slap my name on it as the artist, and then have a faceless algorithm give it life.” While he complimented the efficiency involved, he noted that it is “rather disappointing that scammers are now turning their robotic identities against musicians everywhere.”

Though Spotify has begun removing what it calls “spammy” tracks in a cleanup effort involving as many as 75 million songs, the fake Parsons tracks still slipped through.

Parsons addressed the broader issue, stating: “This sort of thing is happening to a great many artists these days, and the corporate entities that run these online streaming and digital distribution services seem to just be turning a blind eye.” He added that “this tomfoolery doesn’t just confuse listeners, it dilutes the talent of those artists, muddles their identity, and chips away at the integrity that takes years, or in my case, decades, to build.”

He ended his message with a wry note, saying: “I’m not angry; I save that for people who microwave fish at work. I’m just … spectacularly unimpressed.” To the scammers themselves, he offered a pointed sign-off: “I do hope your next software update installs a conscience.”

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Satchvai, the newly formed supergroup featuring guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, has confirmed a 2026 North American tour. They’ll be joined by drummer Kenny Aronoff, bassist Marco Mendoza, and guitarist Pete Thorn for a 40-date spring run titled Surfing With The Hydra. The trek begins April 1 in Seattle and wraps up on May 30 in Vienna, Virginia. Support for the entire tour will come from Animals As Leaders.

A Live Nation pre-sale for most dates opens Thursday, December 11 at 10 a.m. local time for All Access members. The general on-sale follows on Friday, December 12 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.

This marks the first time in nearly five decades of friendship that Satriani and Vai have officially united as a full band. Audiences can anticipate new material from the forthcoming Satchvai album, in addition to live favorites from their long history of collaboration.

Satriani shared his excitement, saying: “The SATCHVAI band rides again! After a fantastic European tour last summer Steve, Kenny, Marco, Pete and I will bring the ‘Surfing With The Hydra‘ tour to the U.S. We can’t wait to play you the new material from our forthcoming Satchvai album along with your favorite songs from our shared catalog. And that’s not all, we’re bringing along the incomparable Animals As Leaders. You do not want to miss this show with this lineup!”

Vai reflected on their recent run as well, adding: “The SATCHVAI band summer Euro tour of 2025 far exceeded anything I could have imagined. Joe and I struck pure jammin’ gold night after night. Being in the same band with Joe, playing songs we actually wrote together on stage, in real time felt like watching a childhood fantasy step out of my teenage brain and stroll onto the stage. And somehow, it was even more rewarding, satisfying, and downright fulfilling than I ever thought possible.”

Satchvai Band 2026 North American Tour Dates with Animals As Leaders:

The post JOE SATRIANI And STEVE VAI Announce 2026 North American SATCHVAI Band Tour appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

The Who frontman Sir Roger Daltrey received his knighthood on Wednesday during a ceremony at Windsor Castle, where The Prince of Wales presented the honor.

At 81, Daltrey — known for classic songs like “My Generation” and “Baba O’Riley” — was named a knight bachelor in The King’s Birthday Honors list in June, recognizing his contributions to music and his extensive charitable work.

Beyond his decades-long influence as a performer, Daltrey has been a dedicated supporter of the Teenage Cancer Trust since 2000. He helped launch and lead the annual concert series at London’s Royal Albert Hall from 2000 through 2025. These events have generated more than £32 million and played a key role in the creation of 28 specialized units within the NHS.

Daltrey has spoken openly about what the recognition means to him. He previously explained that he felt “deeply honored” to be appointed a knight bachelor as part of The King’s Birthday Honors.

He commented: “It’s a wonderful honor for me, and especially for Teenage Cancer Trust. I accept this award not only for myself but on behalf of all the unsung heroes who have given their energy towards making the Teenage Cancer Trust the success it has become.”

He continued by acknowledging those who helped elevate the organization, noting that “the likes of The Who and their fans, Angie Jenkison, Lindsay Hughes, Des Murphy, Rob Ballantine and the late Chris York are some of many who have done so much to elevate the charity, to the point where it now has 28 specialist units in NHS hospitals across the U.K.”

Photos from the ceremony can be viewed on the Daily Mail website.

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Soen has released the evocative third single, “Discordia,” from their forthcoming new studio album, Reliance, set for release on January 16 via Silver Lining Music.

Soen is a band that can tear your flesh apart with sheer power and moments later, balm the pain with beautiful melodies, and the new single “Discordia” is no exception. It takes the listener on a musical exploration, juxtaposing lush somber moments with crushing waves of relentless propulsion.

“‘Discordia’ is the result of us pushing ourselves into different territories both sonically and emotionally,” comments founding member and drummer Martin Lopez. “We experimented with darker textures to capture the descent from self-protection into isolation.”

“The song sits in the tension between wanting connection and building walls to avoid pain. It’s a piece born from vulnerability, and from our willingness to explore the uncomfortable corners of our sound,” furthers vocalist and frontman Joel Ekelöf.

For pre-orders, go here.

With Reliance, their seventh full-length record, the Swedish progressive metal group—led by Joel Ekelöf on vocals and Martin Lopez on drums—continues to explore the emotional and sonic space between light and shadow, intensity and calmness, weight and melody.

At the core of the album lies a sense of honesty, where emotional depth and raw energy coexist without pretense. This dual nature defines Soen’s signature sound: confronting darkness not for drama, but for understanding. That essence is especially vivid on “Mercenary”, a song that captures the burden of inherited violence and the emotional toll of conviction with piercing clarity.

Ekelöf explains: “”Mercenary” is about the violence we inherit, which then sees hatred seeping into lives — and life — which in turn shapes generations.”

Lopez expands on the song’s meaning, adding: “It also addresses betrayal, about how that can see us crowning vultures into kings.”

Ekelöf continues: “At its heart, “Mercenary” speaks to the cost of belief,” while Lopez concludes, “Musically, it carries the essence of Soen — heavy yet melodic and built on power and precision.”

Reliance will be released in multiple formats, including CD, 12-inch vinyl in both black and colored editions, digital platforms, and exclusive direct-to-consumer bundles.

The post SOEN Unleash Music Video For Powerful New Single “Discordia” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Swedish metal titans Amon Amarth will join forces with Dethklok for an extensive co-headliner tour across North America in Spring 2026, with special guests Castle Rat – bringing a night of pure theater and over-the-top heavy metal entertainment.

The run will be the biggest raids of the year with the two titan-sized bands co-billing for the first time. Amon Amarth have honoured the adventurous ethos of their Viking forebears by taking their music anywhere and everywhere, and are regarded as one of metal’s most vital and imperious live acts. Now hot off the back of a busy year across the tumultuous high seas supporting Slayer in the U.K. and their U.S. takeover with Pantera, these upcoming dates see the voracious quintet bringing an all-new theatrical stage production for an extended set.

Amon Amarth declares, “Three bands—one night. The strong will scream. The weak will fall. Limbs will be lost. We will crush skulls beneath our boots and tear the halls down stone by stone. This is not a concert. It is a reckoning. If you survive… perhaps the gods have other plans for you.”

Dethklok celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026, marking two decades since the premiere of Metalocalypse on Adult Swim. As one of the most essential musical multimedia acts ever, Dethklok is both an animated phenomenon and a live metal juggernaut, combining intense musicianship with breakneck cinematic theatricality. Bringing the beloved larger-than-life characters of Dethklok to life once again will be Metalocalypse mastermind Brendon Small on guitar and vocals, legendary extreme metal drummer Gene Hoglan (Death, Dark Angel, Testament), bassist Pete Griffin (Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Zakk Wylde), and guitar shredder Nili Brosh (Danny Elfman).

“We have to celebrate our 20th anniversary,” says Small. “And what a killer way to do it, with Amon Amarth and Castle Rat, who embody theatrical heavy metal.” The tour promises nothing less than total sensory immersion. “We’re going to entertain you as hard as we possibly can with the power of heavy metal in many kinds of ways, and many different iterations – from Viking battleships to Castle Rat to Dethklok with our music and fast-paced, insane animation,” says Small. The balance between brutality, comedy, and surprise defines the Dethklok live experience. “We challenge ourselves to get in as much material without wearing out our welcome,” the frontman explains. “We also get to be funny.”

Fantastical heavy metal band Castle Rat are thrilled to join as special guests each night. The Rat Queen heralds, “On the heels of the Vernal Equinox, our adjacent universes shall align as we bring .•.The Realm.•. of Castle Rat into battle alongside venerable vikings, Amon Amarth, and Metalocalypse metal-masters, Dethklok! Join us, as we seek to expand and defend .•.The Realm.•. from our arch nemesis: Death, Herself – The Rat Reaperess!”

For the newly announced North American dates produced by Live Nation, tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale (details below) beginning Tuesday, December 9 at 10 am local time, followed by Amon Amarth and Dethklok presales at 12 pm local same day. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Friday, December 12, at 10 am local time at this location.

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