Category: news

It’s just weeks until LINKIN PARK – Mike Shinoda, Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, Joe Hahn, Emily Armstrong, and Colin Brittain – grace Australian and New Zealand shores on their highly anticipated From Zero World Tour. Today, the band has confirmed the 2 final special guests for the tour – Polaris for Adelaide on March 12 and […]

Right now, there’s a tour going on that you might not want to miss. Of course, we’re talkin’ about Opeth and Katatonia cutting through the U.S. (and one stop in Canada). Both bands are titans in their own right and now fans of both can get their fill in one night.

Earlier this month, we sent our intrepid photographer Jess Ripper out to the Filmore in Philly to cover that city’s stop in this tour. Of course, what we got back were the stellar shots you can see below.

As always, a big thanks is in order for Jess Ripper, who was at the show to take these great photos. Comment on how good her work is down below. Oh and feel free to follow her on Instagram at @jess1ripper.

You should absolutely check out the photos and consider going to one of the remaining shows. You can get your tickets right here.

Opeth/Katatonia Live Dates

2/10 Detroit, MI Masonic Jack White Theatre
2/11 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
2/12 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
2/14 Dallas, TX The Bomb Factory
2/15 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center
2/16 San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
2/18 Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Center
2/20 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl
2/21 Riverside, CA Riverside Municipal Auditorium
2/22 Sacramento, CA Channel 24
2/24 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
2/25 Vancouver, BC Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre

Opeth

Katatonia

The post Photos: Opeth and Katatonia at The Fillmore in Philadelphia on February 7, 2026 appeared first on MetalSucks.

Pretty at Dawn is a collaboration between Golem Dance Cult and Australian singer (songwriter) Inga Liljestrom and French musician, Jean-Philippe Feiss on cello. It has been engineered by our “modern-day Shaman” Klaus Karloff at WOW studio. The song was born from a bass riff and a specific ambiance, at Dawn in the bush in Australia […]

Knocked Loose shares their new song Hive Mind featuring Denzel Curry. As the preeminent, contemporary heavy band, the new single sees the band bringing Denzel Curry – a noted student of hardcore and metal who made waves with his celebrated cover of Rage Against The Machine’s Bulls On Parade on triple j’s Like A Version […]

Jeffrey Nothing reveals that a lawsuit over unpaid royalties has been resolved with his former band. Continue reading…

Who’s ready for some gruesome death metal? In just two months’ time, North America’s going to be host to a tour of epic levels of brutality, as Cattle Decapitation will head out on their ’30 Years of Inhumanity Tour’.

Set to kick off on April 19 in Anaheim, California and coming to a close on May 22 in Tucson, Arizona, the tour will see Cattle Decap, special guests Brujeria, and supporting acts No Cure and Knoll share the stage across 24 dates. Stops include Reno, Daytona Beach, and St. Louis, to name a few American spots. Hell, Canada’s getting a lengthy run too, with stops in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, and Quebec City.

Tickets and VIP packages will go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. PST. You can check out the full list of dates below.

Cattle Decapitation Tour Dates

04/19 Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues ^
04/20 San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom ^
04/21 Reno, NV @ Cargo Concert Hall ^
04/23 Tacoma, WA @ Airport Tavern Music Hall ^
04/24 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre ^
04/26 Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room
04/27 Calgary, AB @ The Arrowhead
04/28 Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre
05/01 Joliet, IL @ The Forge
05/02 Kitchener, ON @ Dallas Nightclub
05/03 Ottawa, ON @ The Bronson
05/04 Quebec City, QC @ Salle Montaigne
05/06 Reading, PA @ Reverb
05/08 Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome To Rockville
05/10 Destin, FL @ Club LA
05/11 Birmingham, AL @ WORKPLAY
05/12 Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
05/14 Columbus, OH @ Sonic Temple
05/15 Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
05/16 Indianapolis, IN @ Deluxe @ Old National Centre
05/18 St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall
05/19 Lawrence, KS @ The Granada
05/21 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
05/22 Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre

^ No Knoll

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The post Cattle Decapitation Announce ’30 Years of Inhumanity’ Tour appeared first on MetalSucks.

Swedish hard rock trio The Gems are back with new music and momentum, leading into the release of their second full-length album, Year Of The Snake, out March 13.

The band describes their new track “Gravity” as a straight-up throwback anthem with a modern edge: “’Gravity’ is an 80s-inspired rock anthem about chasing your dreams without compromise – with big hooks, soaring vocals and that timeless rock energy. Featuring Tommy Johansson, two powerful voices unite in defiance and freedom.”

With Year Of The Snake, The Gems continue building on the buzz they earned from their debut. Their first single, “Like A Phoenix”, climbed to #2 on the German Rock Radio Airplay Charts, while their 2024 debut album Phoenix helped establish them as one of the more exciting newer names in the scene.

The band also shared what the album represents thematically: “Year Of The Snake is about facing previous hardships in your life, letting go and moving forward to a brighter chapter. It’s packed with strong and empowering themes, just like a snake shedding its skin and now standing strong in its own power!”

They also framed the record as something written with the stage in mind, built for fans who show up loud: “Year Of The Snake is a homage to our fans at our live shows. We wrote the songs envisioning an excited festival crowd; from our loyal diamonds in the front row, knowing all lyrics by heart – to the crazy headbangers in the back.”

Musically, the band leans hard into classic influences while keeping things current: “The album is packed with Van Halen and Europe-inspired hard-hitting grooves and riffs that will take you back to the 80s. Yet, the production is modern and fresh.”

And they made their approach clear in a world that often feels overly manufactured: “In an increasingly artificial world, we want to stay true to our roots – solid musicianship and songwriting from the heart. Our aim is to always create a great sounding album with the live show in mind.”

The band also delivered a statement that sums up their direction going forward: “The future is live and heavy glam rock is here to stay!”

Across 14 tracks, Year Of The Snake keeps the energy moving fast. The album opens with “Walls”, where the message comes through immediately: “The time to change is now!”

The title track follows with a spotlight on frontwoman Guernica Mancini’s vocals, Mona Lindgren’s heavy riffing, and Emlee Johansson’s driving drums.

“Gravity” stands out as a key moment on the record thanks to the added vocal power of Tommy Johansson (from Majestica and formerly of Sabaton), pushing the 80s-inspired sound even further.

Other tracks explore different corners of the band’s style. “Diamond In The Rough” brings a bluesy strength, while “Live And Let Go” aims straight for radio-ready hard rock hooks. Songs like “Clout Chaser” and “Hot Bait” keep things upbeat before the band shifts into the ballad “Forgive And Forget”.

Later cuts like “Go Along To Get Along”, “Math Ain’t Mathing”, “Firebird”, and “Stars” keep the pace strong, with “Buckle Up” and “Happy Water” closing the album with big grooves and a high finish.

In only a few short years, The Gems have moved quickly from new band to serious modern hard rock contender. With Year Of The Snake on the way, they’re clearly aiming to keep heavy glam-inspired rock alive, loud, and built for the stage.

Year Of The Snake can be pre-order here and will be available in the following formats:

• 1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Purple/Black Splatter Deluxe Edition (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive) (strictly limited to 250)
• 1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Deluxe Edition (The Gems store exclusive) (strictly limited to 250)
• 1 LP Gatefold Vinyl Black
• 1 CD Digisleeve
• Digital Album

The post THE GEMS Share New Single “Gravity” From Upcoming Album “Year Of The Snake” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Tonight, Manchester gets a severe case of The Doom. Stygian Bough Volume II is an excellent record that should have had pride of place on last year’s end of year list, (but frustratingly, there always seems to be one that slips through the cracks), so the opportunity to see it played live tonight was too … Continue reading “Stygian Bough (Bell Witch & Aerial Ruin)/40 Watt Sun – Rebellion, Manchester – 09/02/26 (Live Review)”

Robin Trower’s reputation as one of rock’s most expressive guitar voices started back in the ’60s, first with The Paramounts, then with Procol Harum. But his signature mix of blues, funk, and hard rock fully took shape once he launched his solo career.

After leaving Procol Harum, he formed the Robin Trower Band, releasing Twice Removed From Yesterday in 1973. The breakthrough came a year later with Bridge Of Sighs, an album that cemented his standing as a major guitar force and reached No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard chart. Over the next stretch, the band earned four straight gold albums and built a live reputation that still holds weight with rock fans today.

Now, Trower is marking the 50th anniversary of another key release: Live!, arriving April 3 in a newly expanded edition.

Originally released in 1976, Live! was recorded at Stockholm Concert Hall on February 3, 1975, capturing the Robin Trower Band lineup of Robin Trower, James Dewar onbass and vocals, and drummer Bill Lordan at full power. The original vinyl pressing only included seven tracks due to format limits, leaving much of the performance unheard for decades.

This new deluxe extended release finally presents the complete concert, newly remixed and restored from the original multi-track tapes. The 50th Anniversary Edition adds five previously unreleased tracks from the Stockholm show, delivering the full setlist as it was played that night.

The expanded performance includes live versions of staples like “Too Rolling Stoned,” “Bridge of Sighs,” “Day of the Eagle,” “Rock Me Baby,” “Lady Love,” “Alethea,” and more, with upgraded sound that highlights the chemistry between Trower, Dewar, and Lordan — a lineup often regarded as one of the strongest live power trios of the era.

The release will be available on 2CD, 2LP, and digital formats. It includes both the new 2026 remix and the original 1975 mix, giving fans the option to hear the show in multiple versions.

Remixed by Richard Whittaker and approved by Robin Trower himself, the set also features new liner notes by David Sinclair, including interviews with Trower and Bill Lordan, plus rare and previously unseen photos.

Five decades later, Live! still captures the raw intensity that made Robin Trower a defining guitarist for generations of hard rock and blues-rock players — and this anniversary edition finally opens up the full Stockholm night in its clearest form yet.

Pre-order Live! 50 Anniversary Edition here.

The post ROBIN TROWER Expands “Live!” With Full Stockholm Concert For 50th Anniversary Edition appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

The Songwriters Hall Of Fame announced today that John Fogerty will receive the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award in 2026. The honor will be presented during the induction and awards gala on Thursday, June 11, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

The Johnny Mercer Award stands as the highest recognition the organization can give, reserved for previously inducted songwriters whose catalogs have left a lasting mark on music history. Fogerty, inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2005, now joins the select list of artists recognized at this level.

Songwriters Hall Of Fame chairman Nile Rodgers shared a personal statement on Fogerty’s impact: “The first time I heard Creedence Clearwater Revival, I was a mere highschooler. It was also the first time I heard John Fogerty‘s voice, one of the most distinctive ever. To this day I’ve never heard anyone else sound like him. His unique songwriting ability is another quality. He’s one of those rare talents who is unmistakably himself. His style of composition is rock and roll mastery. It’s what I’ve always personally believed in, something I call ‘the art of complex simplicity.’ He’s done what I believe all great songwriters do. He makes us feel. He deserves this award as much as anyone who’s ever received it, or will receive it, in the future. I send my congratulations to John Fogerty.”

Fogerty’s reputation was built through his work as the songwriter, singer, lead guitarist, arranger, and producer for Creedence Clearwater Revival, crafting some of the most recognizable anthems in American rock.

His catalog includes songs like “Proud Mary”, “Fortunate Son”, “Born On The Bayou”, “Bad Moon Rising”, and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain”. Several of these tracks — including “Fortunate Son”, “Bad Moon Rising”, and “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” — have each passed one billion streams, earning Fogerty a place in Spotify’s Billions Club and keeping his music present on charts even decades later.

Beyond Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fogerty built an extensive solo career, releasing 11 studio albums. These include Centerfield, Blue Moon Swamp, The Blue Ridge Rangers, Revival, and The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again.

In 2021, he returned with his first original song in eight years, “Weeping In The Promised Land”, described as a gospel-leaning reflection on the social and political climate.

A major turning point came in 2023, when Fogerty regained the publishing rights to his songs after a fight that stretched over half a century. That victory was celebrated in 2025 with the release of Legacy: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Years, a 20-track collection featuring newly recorded versions of his most iconic material. Produced alongside his son Shane, with executive production by his wife Julie, the album debuted in the top 10 across multiple charts and drew strong praise from major outlets.

Fogerty’s career has already earned him induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, the American Music Honors, and multiple awards from BMI, along with NAMM’s “Music For Life” honor. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame back in 1998.

With the Johnny Mercer Award now ahead, Fogerty’s influence as a songwriter continues to stand as one of rock’s enduring foundations — the kind of legacy that still connects with fans across generations, including those in the hard rock and metal world who grew up on timeless riffs and unforgettable hooks.

The post JOHN FOGERTY Named 2026 “Johnny Mercer Award” Recipient By “Songwriters Hall Of Fame” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.