Portrayal Of Guilt have just released two more new singles, Object Of Pain and Death From Above.
This double-whammy comes a couple of weeks on from Ecstasy and Human Terror – all four of which are taken from the band’s forthcoming album …Beginning Of The End, which is due out on April 24 via Run For Cover.
Per a press release, the full record “embraces both the groove and avant-garde, revisiting the raw, teeth-gnashing intensity of their previous work”.
Check out Object Of Pain and Death From Above below:
Triumph and tragedy are inevitably never far away from one another. The 6th November 2024 will always be remembered as a dark, dark day in the blues-rock world when Catfish’s wonderfully gifted frontman Matt Long lost his 18-month battle with bowel cancer at just 29 years young.
But both throughout Long’s valiant struggle and in the aftermath of his untimely death has been the most glorious outpouring of love, respect, and magnanimity shown by the blues community. From benefit concerts, raising funds for private treatment, and being a pillar of support for Long’s family, it was truly special seeing so many musicians rally round Matt, as he courageously tried to overcome the grave injustice of being dealt life’s cruelest hand.
This 16-track double album came about following an idea from a musician friend, Dudley Ross, who asked Matt’s hero Joe Bonamassa if he’d mind playing on one of Matt’s songs. When the genre’s torchbearer accepted the offer, the project ascended at pace, as Fiona approached the artists who knew, admired, and had supported Long throughout his ordeal. The likes of Elles Bailey, The Cinelli Brothers, When Rivers Meet, Brave Rival, Blue Nation, Sean Webster, Dom Martin, and Chantel McGregor soon penned their name to this poignant project.
What’s particularly uplifting about this LP is that Long himself is very much present, with his original vocals and guitar parts appearing on several tracks. Opening with the hard-hitting, blues-rock swagger of “Broken Man”, there’s real joy hearing Matt’s earthy, growling pipes alongside Bonamassa’s classy contribution. While Catfish were known for being a rockin’ powerhouse blues band, this album also explores Matt’s other musical craving — hard rock and metal. This heavier edge was heard with his side hustle Matt Long and The Revenant Ones, which comes alive in the very next track “Have My Say.” Delivered with high-octane aplomb by the Zac Schulze Gang, it rocks over and under the floorboards.
There’s a shift in mood when Bailey joins forces with the Cinelli Bros on the feel-good swing of “Better Days.” Bouncy and catchy, it’s a lovely, sunshine-filled arrangement.
The album’s empyrean moment “Archangel” is a beautiful piece of music written by Long about the passing of his grandmother. Matt’s friend Alice Armstrong (who also designed this album’s sleeve) soars on this heart-wrenching number with raw emotion and breathtaking control. The kind that can turn the most hardened face into a blubbery mess.
Elsewhere, the ever-resilient Walter Trout lends his guitar prowess to the slow, moving blues of “All I Ask Of You,” with Long’s original vocal another powerful reminder of how deep he dug into his soul. Brave Rival makes an appearance on “Up In Smoke.” Lindsey Bonnick’s voice is truly magnificent on this dark yet pulsating anthem, almost matched by the on-fire, riff-driven guitar of Ed Clarke.
As you listen to this record, two things really gaze in the stars. Matt Long was an incredibly versatile talent, able to switch masterfully between the blues-rooted sound of Catfish to heavy rock, bordering on metal at times.
Secondly, it illustrates the genuine affection and respect this community had for the man, reinforcing the healing power of music, and even more deeply, the blues.
Gone far too soon, but Matt’s name and this recording deserve to live long in the memory.
(This is Daniel Barkasi’s review of a new album by the Scottish band Hellripper that’s set for release on March 27th by Century Media Records.) The story of Hellripper is quite a humble one, and the project’s meteoric rise in the metal scene has been exciting to witness. The brainchild of sole songwriter and multi-instrumentalist […]
The Parkway Drive singer emotionally addressed the recent court case surrounding a past associate's involvement in a sexual assault on a minor. Continue reading…
Sea.Hear.Now, the music and surf festival, returns to Asbury Park, New Jersey this September. Mumford & Sons and the Strokes will headline across the fest’s two nights, with additional performances from the Offspring, Chaka Khan, the War On Drugs, Goo Goo Dolls, Fontaines D.C., Moby, Shaggy, Pixies, Kim Fordon, Ziggy Marley, the All-American Rejects, Men At Work, and more. There’ll also be a surfing contest throughout the weekend.
We named Nashville singer-songwriter Brennan Wedl an Artist To Watch two years ago, and ANTI- Records agrees. Wedl has become the latest member of the indie label’s illustrious roster. The connection comes as no surprise given that Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield has been hyping Wedl up for years, and her sister/bandmate Allison does A&R for ANTI-.…
This June, darkwave/dungeon synth artist Mortiis will release their new album Ghosts of Europa. And as a result of that upcoming release, he dropped a trippy as hell single in the form of the album’s title track.
Now, I know this isn’t typically the sort of thing we’d feature on here, but hear me out. Though it’s more synthy than metal, Mortiis is a pretty important figure, having played bass and written written lyrics for Emperor. As such, Mortiis spoke of the track and how it came to be.
“This song has tried many shapes and forms, until it finally sort of found itself. I never thought that it would end up this way. Strange, mysterious, and choral. It started out as a simple thing, a different song, with a different title, which got slowly de-constructed and altered.
“This did not happen due to dissatisfaction with the original, but because layers of new ideas appeared. As excited as I am about this new ‘entity’ and the way it shaped up, the title, that has already been in existence for years, feels slightly, and sadly, prophetic – although that was never my intention.”
Ghosts of Europa will be released on June 26, with various versions available at launch. You can pre-order your copy today.
THE WITCHES OF DYSTOPIA TOUR MMXXVI
04/10/26: Portland, OR @ Dante’s 04/11/26: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw 04/13/26: Calgary, AB @ Dickens 04/14/26: Edmonton, AB @ Starlite 04/16/26: Winnipeg, MB @ Sidestage 04/17/26: Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway at Studio B 04/18/26: Madison, WI @ Annex 04/19/26: Chicago, IL @ Reggies 04/20/26: Detroit, MI @ Sanctuary 04/21/26: Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle 04/22/26: Covington, KY @ Madison Live 04/23/26: Pittsburgh, PA @ Preserving Underground 04/24/26: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace 04/25/26: Montreal, QC @ Cafe Campus 04/26/26: Quebec City, QC @ La Source 04/27/26: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall 04/28/26: Brooklyn, NY @ Meadows 04/29/26: Bensalem, PA @ Broken Goblet 04/30/26: Baltimore, MD @ Metro 05/01/26: Raleigh, NC @ Chapel Of Bones 05/02/26: Atlanta, GA @ 529 EAV 05/03/26: Orlando, FL @ Conduit 05/05/26: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live 05/06/26: Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live 05/07/26: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada 05/08/26: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad 05/09/26: Denver, CO @ HQ 05/10/26: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge 05/11/26: Las Vegas, NV @ Swan Dive 05/12/26: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 05/13/26: Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo 05/14/26: San Jose, CA @ The Ritz 05/15/26: Eugene, OR @ John Henry’s 05/16/26: Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
Slash, Duff McKagan, Steven Adler, and Gilby Clarke reunited for a one-off performance honoring Jennifer Perry at the Troubadour.
TL;DR:
Guns N’ Roses members past and present shared the stage for a rare performance of “It’s So Easy” at the Troubadour, honoring industry figure Jennifer Perry. The moment wasn’t about a reunion tour—it was about legacy, history, and the people behind the scenes who made it all happen.
This Was The Kind Of Moment You Don’t Plan For
There was no buildup to this.
No teaser, no rollout, no hint that anything like this was about to happen. And that’s exactly why it landed the way it did.
For a few minutes, you had different eras of Guns N’ Roses history standing on the same stage—not as part of a tour, not as a statement, but because the moment called for it.
In an era where most reunions feel calculated, this one wasn’t.
There was no tour announcement attached to it, no press cycle, no strategy. Just a genuine moment tied to something real—and that’s exactly why it stood out.
The Story Behind The Night
The performance took place at the Troubadour in West Hollywood during the “Rock For Jennifer – Loud And Legendary” event, honoring Jennifer Perry.
Jennifer Perry wasn’t the name on the marquee—but she helped put the names there.
She worked as a house agent at the Troubadour during the 1980s, helping bring in artists who would go on to define rock and metal. Later, she became a major force behind the scenes—supporting early Guns N’ Roses shows, working with bands like Poison and Warrant, promoting Metallica, and contributing to Ozzfest tours.
That kind of influence doesn’t show up in headlines—but it shapes entire careers.
The Lineup That Turned Heads
A Snapshot Of Guns N’ Roses History
On stage, you had:
Slash
Duff McKagan
Steven Adler
Gilby Clarke
Taime Downe
Together, they played “It’s So Easy”—a track that still carries the raw DNA of early Guns N’ Roses.
It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t rehearsed to perfection.
It felt like something pulled straight out of another era.
And Yeah—People Noticed
Because this isn’t a lineup you casually see anymore.
Different eras of the band rarely overlap like this, even in controlled situations—let alone something as stripped down as a tribute event.
And that raises the question—if this group can still share a stage like this, what’s actually stopping more from happening?
The History That Still Follows Them
Steven Adler’s Almost-Reunion Still Lingers
Adler’s connection to Guns N’ Roses has always felt unfinished.
He appeared during select dates on the “Not In This Lifetime” tour, but never returned in a full-time capacity—even though expectations were there before injuries changed those plans.
That “almost” still hangs over moments like this.
Gilby Clarke’s Missed Window
Clarke’s situation adds another layer.
He was invited to appear during the reunion run—but timing got in the way, and the opportunity never came back around.
Now, years later, he ends up back on stage anyway.
The current Guns N’ Roses lineup still features Axl Rose, Slash, and Duff McKagan—but the rest has shifted.
Drummer Isaac Carpenter stepped in during 2025, replacing longtime member Frank Ferrer, marking another evolution in the band’s ongoing story.
Which makes moments like this even more interesting.
Because they remind you that there isn’t just one version of Guns N’ Roses—there are several, all existing at once depending on when you started paying attention.
Why This Moment Lands
This wasn’t about business.
It wasn’t about contracts or announcements.
It was about showing up.
For a few minutes, you had players from different chapters of Guns N’ Roses history sharing the same stage—not because they had to, but because they wanted to be there for someone who helped make it all possible.
And sometimes, that says more than any official reunion ever could.
So here’s the real question—are moments like this enough, or do they just remind fans how much unfinished history is still sitting there?
FAQ
Who Performed At Rock For Jennifer?
Slash, Duff McKagan, Steven Adler, Gilby Clarke, and Taime Downe performed together at the Troubadour.
What Song Did They Play?
They performed the Guns N’ Roses classic “It’s So Easy.”
Who Was Jennifer Perry?
Jennifer Perry was a key behind-the-scenes figure who helped support and promote major rock and metal acts throughout her career.
Is Guns N’ Roses Reuniting Again?
No—this was a one-off tribute performance, not an official reunion.
Band Bio: Guns N’ Roses
Guns N’ Roses formed in Los Angeles in 1985 and became one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Known for their explosive chemistry and era-defining albums like Appetite For Destruction, the band’s legacy continues across multiple lineups and decades.
Industrial metal trailblazers Fear Factory have officially confirmed their return to the UK and Ireland this October as part of their massive “Cybernetic Domination Tour.” While initial whispers suggested a much smaller run, the band has now unveiled a comprehensive nine-date routing that covers everything from Glasgow to Southampton, including much-anticipated stops in Belfast and … Continue reading Fear Factory announce full UK and Ireland tour for “Cybernetic Domination”
