Over the weekend, our friends to the North got to celebrate the artists that call Canada their home during the annual Juno Awards. Just like our GRAMMYs, the event was chock full of celebrities and famous artists looking to celebrate their achievements. And for the dudes in Despised Icon, their achievements got them the ‘Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year’ award for last year’s Shadow Work.

Despised Icon’s latest album went up against Counterparts’ Heaven Let Them Die, Cryptopsy’s An Insatiable Violence, Silverstein’s Antibloom, and Unreqvited’s A Pathway To The Moon. All albums deserving of recognition, but Shadow Work got the nod in the end.

It’s great to see those guys take home a major dub, as Shadow Work was their first new music since 2019. Has to feel good to come back after several years and land a major award.

As for the ‘Rock Album of the Year’ category, The Beaches’ No Hard Feelings bested Bryan Adams’ Roll With The Punches, grandson’s INERTIA, The Blue Stones’ Metro, The Damn Truth’s self-titled album, and Three Days Grace’s Alienation.

The post Despised Icon Won ‘Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year’ Juno Award for ‘Shadow Work’ appeared first on MetalSucks.

Near Death Experience (NDX) – Flight Review

Near Death Experience (NDX) returns with “Flight” and sets a clear tone from the start.

Flight is Near Death Experience (NDX)’s EP Out Now

Near Death Experience (NDX) Flight reveals a refreshing dive into psychedelic funk fused with vintage soul. The title track opens with layered harmonies that create a rich tapestry reminiscent of 1970s New York nightlife.

The distinctive vocal arrangement employs second voices that hover just beneath the lead, blending seamlessly but occasionally surfacing with gospel flair. This technique shapes a sonic space where every note flutters and resonates, producing a hypnotic effect. The refined harmonies suggest meticulous crafting, displaying a unique musical identity that distinguishes Near Death Experience from typical genre explorations.

Flight merges smooth guitar tones with a subtle wah effect, adding a textured layer that enriches the listening experience. The bass line flows sinuously, driving the track forward without overpowering the mix. Interactions between instruments feel conversational, like musicians engaged in spontaneous dialogue. This dynamic interplay enhances the sense of a live jam session captured with studio precision.

Flight (Return), the EP’s instrumental continuation, is dedicated entirely to the instrumental dialogue established earlier. With vocals removed, guitars and bass accentuate the melodic qualities, allowing listeners to immerse themselves fully in the instrumental landscape. This version unfolds like a vivid soundtrack, drawing attention to every subtle nuance of the arrangement.

The overall sound carries a vintage timbre while remaining fresh and vibrant. This duality reflects a strong understanding of retro influences and contemporary production choices. The production emphasizes clarity and space, giving each instrument room to breathe, which fortifies the overall immersive atmosphere.

Near Death Experience crafts a musical journey that blends the nostalgia of 70s New York funk with modern psychedelic sensibilities. The EP delivers more than a listening experience; it transports you to an elevated realm of soulful grooves and intricate harmonies. Flight serves as an emblem of the band’s creative talent and their ability to balance homage with innovation.

Flight is Near Death Experience (NDX)’s EP Out Now!

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Groovy!

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Near Death Experience (NDX) is a London-based Anglo-Brazilian neo-soul and funk band known for their electrifying live shows and rich, groove-driven sound. Fronted by Ian Whiteling and Jamilla Nunes, the group blends soulful harmonies, psychedelic textures, and infectious rhythms into a style that feels both classic and fresh. Since forming in 2016, NDX has built a strong reputation on the UK live circuit, including appearances at Glastonbury, while consistently releasing music praised for its energy and emotional depth. Their evolving lineup and multicultural influences continue to push their sound forward, delivering vibrant, hook-filled songs that resonate with modern audiences.

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The post Flight is Near Death Experience (NDX)’s EP Out Now appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONJURIST Unleash Debut Album I Am The Earth — A Primal Fusion of Atmosphere, Aggression, and Arcane Themes
Nashville, TN – Rising from the underground with a sound as immersive as it is unrelenting, atmospheric extreme metal project CONJURIST has officially released their debut full-length album, I Am The Earth , on Friday the 13th, March 2026.
Clocking in at just under 40 minutes across 10 tracks, I Am The Earth is a dense and dynamic sonic journey that blurs the lines between melodic death metal, post-black and blackgaze, doom, and hardcore. Written and recorded by Blake Bailey and brought to life through mixing and mastering by Robbie Bingham, the album delivers a carefully crafted balance of technical precision, raw intensity, and haunting atmosphere.
CONJURIST’s music dives deep beyond surface-level aggression, pulling listeners into a conceptual world steeped in mysticism, ancient history, mythology, and existential reflection. Themes of ritual, primal energy, and humanity’s connection to the Earth run throughout the record, giving it both a cerebral and visceral weight.
This vision extends into the band’s visual identity as well. The music video for the track “Solace for the Shaman” features members adorned in animal skull masks, evoking ritualistic imagery and a raw connection to something ancient and otherworldly. It’s not just music, it’s an experience rooted in symbolism and atmosphere.
Sonically, CONJURIST channels a wide range of influences while carving out something distinctly their own. Fans of bands like Gojira , Fallujah , Alcest , Meshuggah , Pallbearer , Converge , and Acid Bath will find familiar elements woven into the project’s expansive sound.
Early reactions are already highlighting the album’s unique identity. Mark’s Metal Minute praised the release, stating:
“This album is heavy, atmospheric, and weird in the best way. Musically it lives somewhere between blackened metal, doom, experimental, and extreme metal. The riffs seem ancient — slow, crushing sections suddenly explode into faster chaos. The theme leans hard into Earth, ritual, and ancient power. It feels primal.”
With I Am The Earth , CONJURIST doesn’t just introduce themselves, they make a statement. This is a band unafraid to push boundaries, blending genres and ideas into something that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.
The album is available now on all major streaming platforms.
For fans of: Atmospheric extremity, conceptual depth, and genre-defying metal that hits as hard as it haunts.
Media Contact: zach@metaldevastationradio.com
Check them out on YouTube and subscribe:


Connect with the band: 
https://conjurist.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566891959330
https://www.instagram.com/conjuristmusic
Contact: Conjuristmusic@gmail.com

Posted on March 30th 2026, 3:18p.m.

Waves of the Echo – Words Review

Waves of the Echo steps into “Words ” with a sound that feels controlled.

Words is Waves of the Echo’s Single Out Now

Words captures a cinematic, nostalgic soundscape. The single opens with a beautiful swirl of keys, immediately evoking a mysterious atmosphere reminiscent of a Dario Argento film.

The drum entry adds a distinct 1980s rock influence, energizing the track. The powerful and steady beat channels vintage rock bands, anchoring the song firmly in that era while maintaining modern clarity. The driving percussion enhances the opening keys, creating a rhythmic foundation that is both nostalgic and fresh.

Waves of the Echo mix dynamics skillfully at minute 2:13. The song noticeably pulls back, stripping away layers to generate space and focus. This reduction creates tension and invites deeper listening before expanding again. Such dynamic control reveals the band’s strong compositional experience and their ability to manipulate sound textures effectively.

Melodia’s melancholic yet intense vibe permeates the song throughout. The melody blends emotional weight with anthemic qualities, recalling the styles of U2 and INXS without imitating them. The vocal line encourages participation, especially during the chorus, which is melodic and accessible enough to prompt a sing-along. This adds an immediate, communal energy to the piece.

A rifled keyboard passage later in the track pushes the arrangement into a dystopian sonic space. This riff rises aggressively, filling the soundscape and creating an almost suffocating atmosphere. The effect contrasts sharply with the earlier sections, showcasing the song’s range and depth with concrete, layered storytelling through music.

The band’s compositional expertise shines clearly in this track. The experience behind the arrangement becomes apparent in the balancing of nostalgia and innovation. The song sounds polished yet emotionally raw, enabling listeners to connect to the music and the mood directly.

Overall, Waves of the Echo deliver a textured, compelling single in Words. The integration of filmic keys, 1980s rock drums, and tight dynamics defines the track. Words reveals a band confident in their identity and craft.

Words is Waves of the Echo’s Single Out Now!

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Intense!

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Helsinki-based indie rock band Waves of the Echo returns after nearly a decade away, reigniting their sound with renewed energy and purpose. Formed through a shared love of Britpop, the band blends echoing guitars, 80s-inspired synths, and melodic hooks into a style that bridges indie rock, shoegaze, and electro influences. Their self-released debut album Fading Daylight, Bright Nights introduced a rich, emotionally driven sound shaped by northern landscapes and the contrast between joy and melancholy. Now, with new material on the horizon, Waves of the Echo continues to explore the lasting impact of human connection through vibrant, atmospheric songwriting.

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The post Words is Waves of the Echo’s Single Out Now appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

Exodus and Slayer guitarist Gary Holt names metal's greatest albums and says his band "crushes" Metallica these days. Continue reading…

Here we go….Down The Road, The Complete Ian Gillan Band Story. A monster eight CD box set comprising of the band’s three studio albums together with some bonus tracks, rarities and live performances from the old Rainbow in London and the Budokan and Hiroshima in Japan. This was Ian’s return to music in the mid-1970s […]

The post The Complete Ian Gillan Band Box Set Review first appeared on New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

It’s almost comforting to learn that Wu-Tang Clan members still sometimes don’t show up for Wu-Tang Clan shows. The chaos of Wu-Tang group performances has been a constant through most of their history, going all the way back to the ’90s. I once caught a European festival set where only four of the ten core members made it to the stage. It was still great! The Wu-Tang members who do show up know how to cover for those absences, sometimes performing deeper cuts and changing up setlists on the fly. Wu-Tang have had a more professional operation lately, but the old chaos came back during their recent Australian tour.

The post Australian Wu-Tang Concertgoers Can Get Refunds Because Four Members Didn’t Show Up appeared first on Stereogum.

The guitarist will be joined by a bunch of fellow legends including Pete Townshend and Billy Gibbons. Continue reading…

The post GODTHRYMM: UK Doom Metal Juggernauts To Unleash Third Album, Projections, On May 29th Via Profound Lore Records; New Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available appeared first on INFRARED MAGAZINE.