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These six-string showcases demonstrate the pedal's full potential. Continue reading…

The New York Times has confirmed that Taylor Swift has rented the sports arena for the July 4 weekend, suggesting plans for a days-long celebration.

Album Review: Hawxx – The World Splits Open

Reviewed by Tim Finch

It is often said that in humanity’s worst times, whilst some people rise up and fight others do so in the form of music. Some of the best musical genres we’ve experienced over the years have come from years of political tyranny and oppression of the people.

Today is no different as the US suffers under the rule of Donnie the Dictator, whilst the UK fights battles on two fronts – our current government (with a PM now half out the door) have funded a genocide whilst jailing pensioners for protesting it, and on the other side of Westminster Temu Trump (Farage) licks his lips, spreading division across our land and pocketed millions in “gifts” from his billionaire overlords.

In this oppressive moment in which we live music is yet again the leading light in the fight back, and one of the brightest shining lights in a new movement is that of Hawxx. A stand out performance at last months Uprising Festival whet our whistle, followed by a wonderful chat with the group, so now what does ‘The World Splits Open’ have to offer?

Opening with ‘Resistance is Justified’ the listener is given an idea of what is about to come. A track with a heavy punk aesthetic immediately grabs your attention but it’s the lyrics delivered with venom that resonate; “profit from the mass murder and bombing of an entire population” even more relevant today as the tag line that underscores Kier Starmer’s premiership.

‘Macho Bullshit’ switches things up, less fire and fury and more melodic musically, that is until it really kicks in. The band flex their queer feminist rage in a chorus that is as catchy as it is lyrically poignant.

The album allows the band to build their brand but also spread their wings creatively. ‘We Are Nature’ leans away from the punk undertones into a softer number, yet no less impactful in its delivery. Whilst ‘Arm the Animals’ has a heavier groove and an almost industrial chorus giving latter day Pitchshifter vibes.

In a world where the people have been divided and set against each other, all for political gain, it is the ideal moment for a new movement to arise. On the musical side of the momentum Hawxx lead the way and ‘The World Splits Open’ sees them mark out their territory. Our future is going to be intense and Hawxx will be our soundtrack!

For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.

The post Album Review: Hawxx – The World Splits Open appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

“Respectfully, you’ve been quite naked this era.” So begins a recent Interview feature on LA singer-songwriter Malcolm Todd. Ironically, he is not naked in that interview, but he is on the cover of Do That Again, a shirtless bathtub-and-beer shot that’s lit like the Backrooms. Over the runtime of his album, multiple outfits’ worth of clothing is shed — a tank top, a jean skirt, an unspecified shirt, some unspecified pants. (“I’ve been shirtless my whole life,” he replied to the interviewer.) But it’d be wrong to call Todd’s music or image “sleazy,” no matter how much the album cover resembles a 2000s American Apparel ad. His merch features teddy bears and rubber duckies; his single “Breathe” is set amid a fake slumber party that’s… I mean, it’s less porny than it could have been. His tour and album names speak the brand outright: “Sweet Boy,” “Wholesome Rockstar.”

The post Did We Need A Gen Z Rivers Cuomo? appeared first on Stereogum.

Black Metal Promotion is now hosting the exclusive premiere of “Ultima Requies”, the new album from Italian-Swedish black metal entity FERALIA, set for release on June 26, 2026 via ATMF. The band’s third full-length further expands their distinctive interpretation of the genre, combining raw riffs with a profound sense of introspection. Built around themes of death, memory and ancient symbolism, the […]

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New Jersey native Nicole Atkins has a sound that’s rooted in classic pop music, but it never sounds like pastiche because she brings so much charisma and vitality to it. She knows how to write and deliver a hook, too. Atkins has been putting out records for more than 20 years now, and she has made records with people like Spoon’s Britt Daniel and the late Mark Lanegan. Atkins’ most recent album Memphis Ice came out in 2021. Now, Chris Isaak has signed Atkins to Wicked Game Records, his new imprint on the historic Sun Records label, and she’ll release her new album Drama comes out later this year.

The post Nicole Atkins Announces New Album <em>Drama</em>: Hear “When The Night Falls” appeared first on Stereogum.

Catch them on the road starting in July

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No Clean Singing is now hosting the exclusive premiere of “Filth Majesty”, the debut full-length album from Finland’s HOC EST BELLUM, due out on June 26, 2026 via Time To Kill Records. The record expands the band’s uncompromising approach to black/death metal, combining the harshness of black metal with the physical weight of death metal through a sound that feels immediate, […]

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– June 24th, 2026 –

Photo by Rae Chatten

Stream PSYCROPTIC’s “No Blade Of Grass” HERE

Technical death metal juggernauts PSYCROPTIC present their new single, “No Blade Of Grass.” The track comes off the band’s impending new full-length, and first for Metal Blade Records, The Pulse Of Annihilation, set for release on July 17th.

“This one has a good blend of old-school PSYCROPTIC-style riffage and slightly sludge filled, loosey-goosey sections straight outta the classic death metal era,” remarks guitarist Joe Haley. “The whole thing is brought together with the choral/orchestral chorus. Something for everyone! Going to be a fun one to rip live!“

Bassist Todd Stern agrees, “It’s an unbelievably catchy tune! The main verse is one of my favorite bits on the whole record. Classic riffage, steam rolling the whole song forward with solid momentum all along. Badass.“

Adds vocalist Jason Peppiatt, “I had so much fun with this song as it was the first song that [vocalist Jason] Keyser had written for the band and it was awesome to have someone bring different ideas to the table than what I normally would. Vocally it’s nice and fast and has a real sick flow and groove to vocal parts.”

Watch PSYCROPTIC‘s “No Blade Of Grass” video HERE.

Watch PSYCROPTIC‘s previously released video for first single, “Gathering A Venomous Herd,” HERE.

Across The Pulse of Annihilation, PSYCROPTIC sounds focused, disciplined, and fully aware of their trajectory. Complexity remains foundational, but it is now guided by compositional restraint and veteran confidence. With this release, the band reaffirm their status not merely as technical death metal stalwarts, but as architects actively shaping its future, proving that mastery, sharpened by time, only grows more lethal.

The Pulse Of Annihilation features cover art by Belial Necroarts (Gaerea, In Aeternum) and will be available on digipak CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:

World Ablaze (Tiger’s Eye) – (US)
Sleepy Hollow (Radioactive Dust) – (US)
180g Black – (EU – Ltd. 500)
Barren Waste (Swamp Green Gold Melt) – (EU – Ltd. 250)
Fires Of Time (Gold Black Splatter) – (EU – Ltd. 250)

Find all pre-orders at: metalblade.com/psycroptic

The Pulse Of Annihilation Track Listing:
01. Ashes of a New Dawn
02. Gathering a Venomous Herd
03. A Sword of Me
04. No Time for the Weak
05. Our Pillars Fall
06. Annihilation Pulse
07. No Blade of Grass
08. To Embrace This Curse
09. Forging the Crown

PSYCROPTIC will join labelmates Rivers Of Nihil for a short run of Australian dates this August with support provided by Growth and Slaughtercult. From there, PSYCROPTIC and Rivers Of Nihil will unite with The Zenith Passage (also on Metal Blade) for four shows in Japan. See all confirmed dates below and stay tuned for additional live dates to be announced in the weeks to come.

PSYCROPTIC w/ Rivers Of Nihil, Growth, Slaughtercult:
8/13/2026 Magnet House – Perth, AU
8/14/2026 Lion Arts – Adelaide, AU
8/15/2026 Max Watts – Melbourne, AU
8/21/2026 Manning Bar – Sydney, AU
8/22/2026 Necrosonic Festival – Brisbane, AU

w/ Rivers Of Nihil, The Zenith Passage:
8/24/2026 Socore Factory – Osaka, JP
8/25/2026 3Star Imaike – Nagoya, JP
8/26/2026 Space Odd – Tokyo, JP
8/27/2026 Space Odd – Tokyo, JP

For over two decades, PSYCROPTIC has operated at the vanguard of technical death metal, defined by instrumental precision, structural intelligence and an uncompromising creative ethic. From their Tasmanian origins to commanding stages worldwide, the band have built a reputation on rhythmic complexity, exacting musicianship, and a refusal to plateau.

At the core of this next phase is guitarist and principal songwriter Joe Haley. Over time, Haley’s compositional voice has evolved from pure technical density into something more architecturally deliberate. On The Pulse Of Annihilation, riff construction feels sharper, transitions more fluid, and thematic motifs more intentional. Haley’s writing demonstrates a seasoned understanding of pacing-knowing when to constrict, when to expand, and how to weaponize silence and space within otherwise relentless arrangements. Experience has not diminished intensity; it has refined its delivery.

The record features the dual-vocal assault of Jason Peppiatt and Jason Keyser (Origin), a partnership that debuted on PSYCROPTIC‘s previous full-length, Divine Council. Peppiatt’s commanding growl intertwines with Keyser’s razor-edged articulation, creating a dynamic vocal interplay that adds dimension and contrast to the band’s dense instrumentation. This twofold approach heightens the record’s impact, featuring layered, confrontational elements that remain tightly synced with the band’s intricate foundation.

PSYCROPTIC:
David Haley – drums
Joe Haley – guitars
Todd Stern – bass
Jason Peppiatt – vocals
Jason Keyser – vocals

https://www.psycroptic.com
https://www.facebook.com/psycroptic
https://www.instagram.com/psycroptic_official
https://www.nightshiftmerch.com/collections/psycroptic
https://www.impericon.com/collections/psycroptic

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