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The Kiss star has repeatedly expressed his dislike for the Rock Hall's induction of hip-hop legends. Continue reading…

In a new interview with Jonathan Cornell of Immersive Audio Album, Steven Wilson shared a substantial update on the album he is building after The Overview. The short version is that the record is close to done, but the direction is intentionally different from what he released last year.

“Yeah, it’s almost finished, actually. It’s a very strange record. It’s the complete opposite of The Overview, which was a very lush, very big record and also about a very large — well, the largest possible subject matter you can imagine, literally the cosmos as we know it. This is a much more insular record. It’s still very conceptual. It’s still very experimental, and the pieces are — well, it feels like another single piece of music to me, in that sense. But it’s much more angular and experimental in a way that I’m really excited about. And that’s all I can really say at the moment. Very different again,” Wilson described (as transcribed by Blabbermouth).

For listeners in the prog and heavier space who follow Wilson for detail and atmosphere, his comments on production are probably the biggest takeaway. He described a studio approach that stays layered, but leans harder into sound design, mono placement, texture, and contrast rather than pure scale.

“The way I make records is, by definition, pretty layered. I love the possibilities of the studio. I love overdubbing. Now, on this particular new record I’m making, there’s a lot of what I would call sound design elements. Now, that’s not to say they haven’t been on all my records, but let’s just say I’ve taken it to another level on this record. There’s a lot of sound design. There are a lot of sound effects that kind of place you in a particular place and a particular feeling. And there’s a lot of use of lo-fi sounds as well, keeping things sometimes in mono… But I’m making a lot of decisions on this album to keep things very small and mono, but also knowing that those things can be just as impressive in surround because you’ve got something very small and mono. You can place it very discreetly in a particular place in the room,” he explained.

“Sometimes when you have things that have been tracked four or five times, they’re kind of coming from everywhere. But sometimes what’s also nice in spatial audio is having something that’s just mono and being able to place it very, very particularly in a particular place. And that can be just as effective in spatial sound as the big immersive sound. So I’m using a lot of mono reverbs, spring reverbs. It all kind of relates to the concept of the record, which I can’t really talk about at the moment, but keeping things sounding almost old and rusted. And I think those are gonna be really effective in spatial audio, because I’ve got a lot of those kinds of elements. I’m playing a lot of instruments I’ve never played before. I’m playing the drums on some tracks myself. I’m playing violins, oboes, and harmoniums. It’s a very — I don’t wanna say it’s a nostalgic-sounding record, because it isn’t. There’s a lot of use of modern technology, too. But, yeah, it’s gonna be a strange record, and I think it’s gonna be a really interesting — the kind of [Dolby] Atmos mix I’ve never done before, in the sense of all these little details and things that will be very discreetly, particularly placed in a speaker or a position in the room,” Wilson added.

Outside the new studio album, Steven Wilson also launched Headphone Dust, a new platform focused on high-resolution stereo, 5.1, and Atmos/spatial editions of his catalog. The first title there is Impossible Tightrope: Live In Madrid, capturing the final night of the 2025 European leg of The Overview tour as a full two-hour show in Stereo, 5.1, and Atmos, and he confirmed it has no physical edition planned.

Headphone Dust also now carries a new Dolby Atmos mix of The Raven That Refused to Sing, plus high-res versions of The Overview, The Harmony Codex, and more. A new Atmos mix of Hand. Cannot. Erase. is expected “soon.”

The post STEVEN WILSON Talks “Almost Finished” New Album: “It’s A Complete Opposite Of ‘The Overview’, Much More Angular And Experimental” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Every band’s got that one song that just propelled them to their highest heights. Metallica’s got “Enter Sandman”, Black Sabbath had “Iron Man”, and for New York City’s own Prong, it’s definitely “Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck.” So it only makes sense that while promoting an upcoming live album, they would release a live video of that song.

Set for release on March 6 via Steamhammer, Live And Uncleansed is comprised of recordings from seven shows that took place between July and August 2025. Naturally, that means you’re only going to hear the best takes of each song from those shows. Such was the case, naturally, for Prong’s biggest track “Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck,” which was recorded at Wacken Open Air that year.

Looking back on that performance and the accompanying music video posted below, Tommy Victor said it was the perfect way for old and new fans alike to get a feel for what a Prong show is like.

“This live version of ‘Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck’ is raw, high energy, and unpolished. If you want to get exposed to Prong or you want to get a taste of the explosive live show, this song is a must!”

Live And Uncleansed will be released on March 6 via Steamhammer, but you can preorder your copy today. In addition to the upcoming live album release, you can catch their live show for real if you either head over to Europe this March or go to Milwaukee MetalFest. Those dates are listed below and you can get your tickets today.

Prong Live Dates

3/5 Osnabrück, DE Hyde Park
3/6 Cologne, DE Gebäude 9
3/7 Sint-Niklaas, BE De Tijdloze
3/8 Deventer, NL Burgerweeshuis
3/9 Leuven, BE Het Depot
6/6 Milwaukee, WI The Rave / Eagles Club

Live And Uncleansed tracklist

1. Revenge…Best Served Cold
2. Inheritance
3. The Descent
4. One Outnumbered
5. No Question
6. Sublime
7. Not of This Earth
8. Home Rule
9. Ultimate Authority
10. Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck
11. However It May End
12. Out of This Misery (Bonus)
13. Corpus Delicti (Bonus)
14. Whose Fist Is This Anyway? (Bonus)

The post Prong Drop a Live Video of “Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck” Ahead of Live Album Release appeared first on MetalSucks.

Ghost have shared a video for ‘Umbra’, one of the highlights of their latest album ‘Skeletá’, and it is a hot watch.

The track itself embodies everything sensational about the band. Emotional synths, throwback riffs, love-laced lyrics and plenty of cowbell for good measure, it is camp, crazy and catchy as sin. A worthy song to add to their video repertoire.

And the video is as dark and seductive as such a song deserves. Two lovers making their way through a gallery, and eventually into the darkness. Always finding each other, always connected, always dancing. It’s intense, beautiful, and compelling. There’s a sexual energy permeating through it, the sort that has found its way into so much of GHOST’s music over the years, but it has never overflowed in visual form quite like this before.

The clip follows on from the surprise release of the band’s 2018 cover of Pet Shop Boys’ ‘It’s a Sin’, shared as a special little treat last month. Here it is for you to indulge in.

GHOST were winners of the 2025 Rock Sound Visionary Artist Award.

With ‘Skeletá’, Tobias Forge allowed more of his true self to poke through the shiny exterior than ever before, lifting the mask and creating some of his most deeply personal work to date. Combined with a visual aesthetic that was as cinematic and striking as ever, this latest iteration of the Papa cemented their legacy as one of the most interesting and carefully crafted performance artists of our time. Tobias takes us inside their sixth album and the challenges and crucial realisations that came with the making of it.

Get your magazine, posters and exclusive GHOST patch now at SHOP.ROCKSOUND.TV.

The post WATCH: GHOST’s Seductive New Video For ‘Umbra’ appeared first on Rock Sound.

It may be Friday the 13th, but tomorrow marks perhaps an even more important occasion — Valentine’s Day. Surely you didn’t forget, did you? Got your beau their favorite treats? Have you prepared things in the bedroom? Maybe you’re trying to win someone over. If you show half the passion on display in the newly released music video for Ghost‘s “Umbra”, you might just get lucky…

Released moments ago, the new video features a track from Ghost’s incredibly successful album Skeletá. In it, we see a man and a woman gallivanting through a spooky looking locale. Throughout, they dance around and writhe on each other. There’s grabbing and licking and even a couple nose boops for good measure. Sexy.

Directed by Amir Chamdin, the video is apparently telling the age-old tale of two star-crossed lovers seemingly unable to stay away from each other despite the potential harm it would cause to both. Throughout the video, you have some live footage of Ghost while Papa V Perpetua shows up all Queen-like. (You’ll get what I mean when you see the video.)

All in all, it’s been almost a full year since the release of Skeletá and what a huge year for Ghost it’s been. They’re in the middle of a massively successful tour, the album hit number 1 on the Billboard 200, and they’re fresh off a GRAMMY nomination. Things are only looking up from here, much to the chagrin of their haters.

The post Get Your Valentine All Hot and Bothered with Ghost’s Sultry “Umbra” Video appeared first on MetalSucks.

Greetings, Decibel readers!

Man, if 2026 goes at the rate of the last couple weeks, it might be a landmark year for heavy music. I mean, Converge and Mayhem are two top-tier favorite bands of mine, so I’ll never complain about new music from them. Meanwhile, children of the night are spoiled for riches, with Night of the Vampire and Worm both releasing works of bloody romanticism for us to enjoy (alone, by candlelight, brooding). And any death metal that even vaguely recalls Onward to Golgotha is a winner in my book, so Fossilization is a welcome addition to this week’s list.

It may be Friday the 13th, but I’m feeling lucky to listen to the five records below.

—

Converge – Love Is Not Enough

Converge always cuts deep. It’s music that’s sorrowful, furious, hopeful, and triumphant all at once. On Love Is Not Enough, the songs have a very direct, straightforward aspect. The riffs and arrangements feel muscular and groovy, retaining the signature qualities that made the band legends while moving forward on a record that stands on its own. It’s chaos, it’s catharsis, it’s Converge. By the way, the band is featured on the latest edition of the magazine, pick it up to learn more about Love Is Not Enough.

Stream: Apple Music

—

Fossilization – Advent of Wounds

Cavernous death metal that’s positively dripping with devastation. Has similar vibes as bands like Ritual Necromancy and Mortiferum, but creates an atmosphere that’s akin to Spectral Voice or even Ulcerate in the right moments. The band put a variety of influences into this album, and you can tell and appreciate it as you listen. There’s something for every class of dungeon dweller on Advent of Wounds.

Stream: Apple Music

—

Mayhem – Liturgy of Death

2019’s Daemon was Mayhem‘s best album since the legendary early days, as it showed the band deftly applying the varied skills they’d gained since then to conjure the spirits of old once more. I was hopeful they’d continue on that trajectory with Liturgy of Death, and they do not disappoint. This album shows the band perhaps taking a less theatrical approach and relying more power and brute force to paint the stage with blood and carnage. In this way, it stands in line with Mayhem’s recent work while recalling the aural assault of the Maniac-era. The point is, Mayhem has delivered another sonic success with this album. I think “Despair” is my personal favorite so far.

Stream: Apple Music

—

Night of the Vampire – The Enchanting Winds of the Dreamweaving Masquerade

In a just world, this is what bars would play when they host “goth nights.” Oh well, at least we have the record to enjoy on our own time. With Night of the Vampire, you basically have a union of the sad loner trinity of post-punk, darkwave and raw black metal. Kind of like the triptych that adorns the album cover. If you’re the type that doesn’t like those worlds crossing over, lest your chosen art form never move forward or do anything interesting — your loss. Otherwise, if this sounds like a party to you, better grab that eyeliner and close the shades. No smiling allowed!

Stream: Apple Music

—

Worm – Necropalace

And when you’re ready to take said party to the next level of heaviness, put this beast of a record on. It’s been great to witness Worm‘s evolution over time from the death-doom excellence of the early days to this work of gothic heavy black metal mastery. The use of synths here is tasteful and measured while the guitar work is allowed to flourish in all directions, recalling early Cradle of Filth, the violet hues of Dissection and Unanimated, and the towering sorrow of Desire. It’s also incredibly cool they got Marty Friedman to join up on “Witchmoon.” It’s not a collaboration I would have expected but somehow it makes perfect sense! The record smashes styles together in just the right way so that Friedman’s always-brilliant soloing fits like a black velvet glove.

Stream: Apple Music

The post Five For Friday: February 13, 2026 appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Did Down Release A Dr. John Cover For Mardi Gras?

Yes — Down have unveiled their take on “Right Place, Wrong Time” via Nuclear Blast Records.

TL;DR:

Down celebrated Mardi Gras by debuting a cover of Dr. John’s 1973 hit “Right Place, Wrong Time,” complete with a music video directed by Mike Holderbeast. Philip H. Anselmo described the track as one of the earliest songs he ever connected with growing up in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Some covers feel like creative experiments.

Others feel like home.

Down’s Mardi Gras release lands firmly in the second category, with the New Orleans-rooted metal supergroup paying tribute to one of the city’s most distinctive musical voices — Dr. John.

In honor of Mardi Gras, Down have debuted a cover of the 1973 classic “Right Place, Wrong Time,” released via Nuclear Blast Records.

And for Philip H. Anselmo, the connection runs far deeper than a simple reinterpretation.

See Down live — secure your tickets today!

Philip Anselmo: “Dr. John’s Music Was Everywhere”

Anselmo shared: “Dr. John’s ‘Right Place, Wrong Time’ is probably one of the first songs I ever learned or knew of as a kid. We grew up in the French Quarter and Dr. John’s music was everywhere. Recording this song was something that I always wanted to do and I’m happy that I did it with DOWN. The video was an absolute blast to make. Even my mom is in it! Because of her, I know Dr. John’s music very well.”

That’s not promotional language.

That’s memory.

It’s New Orleans not as backdrop, but as bloodstream.

Loaded Radio Recommends – Down on the Bayou: Why NOLA Sludge is the Heaviest Sound on Earth

Why This Song Fits Down’s DNA

“Right Place, Wrong Time” has always carried a groove-heavy swagger — loose, funky, unmistakably steeped in New Orleans rhythm.

Down, despite their crushing sludge-metal reputation, have long leaned into:

• Bluesy undertones
• Southern swing
• Thick, rolling grooves
• A sense of humid atmosphere

This isn’t genre collision.

It’s stylistic lineage.

The band’s weight and Dr. John’s rhythmic elasticity share more common ground than casual listeners might expect.

Mardi Gras And Musical Identity

Mardi Gras isn’t just celebration.

It’s culture.
It’s sound.
It’s history.

Down releasing a Dr. John cover during this season feels less like timing strategy and more like cultural symmetry.

New Orleans has always blurred lines between styles — funk, blues, jazz, rock — and Down’s version of the track feels like a metal band reconnecting with the city’s broader sonic heritage.

The Video: Celebration Over Concept

Directed by Mike Holderbeast, the music video embraces the spirit of the release rather than overcomplicating it.

Anselmo’s mention of his mother appearing in the video adds something rare:

Authenticity without calculation.

It transforms the narrative from:

“Down releases cover”

Into:

“This is personal.”

Check This Out – The World’s #1 Metal City Isn’t What You Think: The Loaded Radio Top 10 Heavy Metal Cities Ranked

More Than Nostalgia

This isn’t a retro novelty.

It’s a reminder that Down’s musical roots were never confined to distortion and heaviness. Beneath the riffs has always lived a distinctly Southern, groove-driven pulse.

Dr. John’s influence isn’t an aesthetic detour.

It’s part of the band’s foundation.

FAQ

What Song Did Down Cover?

Dr. John’s 1973 hit “Right Place, Wrong Time.”

Why Did Down Release The Cover?

To celebrate Mardi Gras and honor New Orleans musical heritage.

Who Directed The Music Video?

Mike Holderbeast.

Did Philip Anselmo Comment On The Release?

Yes — he described the song as one of his earliest musical influences growing up in the French Quarter.

Artist Bio – Down

Down is a New Orleans-born metal supergroup known for blending sludge metal, doom, blues, and Southern groove. Since their formation, the band has cultivated a sound defined by heaviness, feel, and an unmistakable regional identity anchored in New Orleans culture.

The post Down Pay Tribute To Dr. John With Mardi Gras Cover Release appeared first on Loaded Radio.

(written by Islander) On March 13th a new Spanish underground label named Cruel Gates Records will release Fire & Sulfur, a debut album from the Spanish band Exorcised. Born from the ashes of the thrash band Madsher, Exorcised have devoted their hellish energies to the creation of old school death thrash, taking their cues from […]

The post AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: EXORCISED — “HATRED KNIFE” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

The Swedish metal veterans parted ways with Alissa White-Gluz in late 2025. Continue reading…

Based out of Oakland, CA, Baby on a Rampage is a metalcore band formed in early 2022. The band creates a vivid soundscape, where mind bending grooves and soaring riffs surge into violence-inducing breakdowns in an instant. Their politically and emotionally charged lyrics scorch through the music, leading their listeners on a journey of catharsis. The band embraces a restless DIY spirit, and tours have brought them from Vancouver to Texas in support of their 2025 debut album ‘Fall With Disgrace’.

“We are hyped to be working with EMG as we take on bigger tours and work on new music. This is a big step for us and we can’t wait to show you all what’s in store for this year; it’s shaping up to be amazing!”

Baby on a Rampage is Ash Lee, Lyra Renninger, and John Muir, with live guitarist Lucas Garstke. They are in the process of writing their next release, and planning out a full tour of the US this summer.

Baby On A Rampage are a must for fans of acts such as Gojira, Karnivool, Baroness, and Lamb of God

LINKS:

Website: babyonarampage.com

Youtube: youtube.com/@babyonarampage

Instagram: instagram.com/baby_on_a_rampage/

Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/17QixQgBNuX2wTD9IwLkBG