The EP opens with “Romance Novels,” a track that begins with a wraparound keyboard riff. Distorted guitar chords create a dystopian atmosphere. The song then erupts into a relentless rhythm accompanied by a megaphone-like vocal delivery. The lyrics are rapid, evoking a sense of urgency. This song embodies a cyberpunk aesthetic reminiscent of the city depicted in “Blade Runner.”
Following this, “I Want to Believe” maintains the futuristic and dystopian vibes established earlier. This track could easily serve as the perfect soundtrack for a film like “Mad Max.” It features sharp tones infused with electronic elements, yet retains an alternative punk rock essence that makes it unique. The combination of these styles creates an engaging listening experience.
Next up is “Stay Warm,” possibly my favorite on the EP. This song feels like an intense and powerful run, reminiscent of a ride of the Valkyries. A whistling sound echoes throughout the track, which sticks in your head after just 42 seconds. The energy here reaches a peak, exemplifying how effective the band is at building intensity.
Self-Titled EP – Sound and Atmosphere
Following “Stay Warm” is the epic “The Lowest Bar.” This song accentuates the chaotic and fascinating style of the band. The track combines stirring melodies with an unpredictable structure, maintaining the listener’s engagement from beginning to end.
The EP closes with the formidable “In4u.” This track invites the listener to join in on an uninhibited pogo. The energy is contagious, and it’s hard to resist the urge to move. Throughout this EP, the band showcases a clear identity, expressing themselves with remarkable cohesion and strength. Each song flows naturally into the next, creating an overall absorbing experience.
The entire EP is a fantastic demonstration of the band’s versatility. Each track presents a unique sound while maintaining a common thread. The consistent energy and creativity make this self-titled EP a noteworthy addition to the contemporary music scene. With varied influences and an unrepentantly raw sound, this collection of tracks will resonate with fans of diverse genres.
Self-Titled EP – Performance and Production
Listeners can hear hints of punk rock, electronic music, and avant-garde influences. This blend creates a distinctive auditory experience that sets Mental Gymnast apart from their peers.
“Self-Titled EP” offers listeners a thrilling journey through sound. The band’s fearless approach to music is evident in every track. They do not shy away from exploring different sonic landscapes, while still managing to maintain cohesion. This exploration is not only refreshing but also highlights their artistic depth.
Those looking for innovative sounds will find much to enjoy here. As the last notes of “In4u” fade, listeners are left eager for what comes next, having experienced a whirlwind of musical ideas in just a short time.
Turnstile have announced a reimagined version of their 2025 album ‘NEVER ENOUGH’, overflowing with very special guests.
‘NEVER ENOUGH: VERSIONS’ will be released on August 28, and finds the band pulling on all of the different pools they have dipped their toes in over the years.
The album will include new takes on the album’s tracks from the likes of Hayley Williams, Elton John, Angel Du$t, Dying Fetus, Julian Baker, Blood Orange, Four Tet, Slayyyter, Floating Points, Kettama, and many more.
Quite the mad old mix of styles. But Turnstile have always done exactly what they want.
The array of guests is very much in tune with their upcoming US tour, which has some wonderfully suprising supports throughout. Here are the dates and who will be playing where.
SEPTEMBER
09 – MILWAUKEE The Eagles Ballroom (with Texas Is The Reason and Haywire) 11 – DETROIT Russell Industrial Center Lot (with Ceremony, Hitech and King’s Command) 12 – TORONTO Woodbine Park (with Yves Tumor, Saya Gray and Pluto’s Kiss) 14 – PITTSBURGH Stage AE Outdoor (with Thundercat, Angel Du$t and Nourished By Time) 16 – CININATTI The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park (with Porches) 19 – TAMPA England Brothers Park (with Hatebreed and Cold World) 20 – MIAMI Factory Town Infinity Room (with Mall Grab, Cold World and Collateral) 23 – QUEENS Forest Hills Stadium (with Clipse and Julie) 26 – PORTLAND Thompson’s Point (with Yves Tumor and Fiddlehead) 29 – RALEIGH Red Hat Amphitheater (with Yves Tumor, Angel Dust and Agnostic Front)
OCTOBER
03 – OKLAHOMA CITY The Zoo Amphitheatre (with Die Spitz) 06 – LAWRENCE The University of Kansas on the Hill (with Slayyyter and Die Spitz) 07 – ST LOUIS Arsenal BG Ballpark (with Vince Staples and Die Spitz) 14 – VENTURA Ventura County Fairgrounds (with Pennywise and Die Spitz) 15 – LAS VEGAS The Amp at Craig Ranch Regional Park (with Vince Staples, Trash Talk and Febuary) 18 – SANTA ANA Observatory Festival Grounds (with Boy Harsher and Terror)
It has been two decades since Sheryl Crow first serenated Lightning McQueen, Mater, and the other sentient automobiles in the town of Radiator Springs. In the opening scene of the 2006 Pixar motion picture Cars, Owen Wilson’s young hotshot racer Lightning McQueen pulled some reckless moves in his quest for the Piston Cup, and Crow’s song “Real Gone” played over the soundtrack. “Real Gone” hasn’t become as synonymous with the Cars franchise as Rascal Flatts’ take on “Life Is A Highway,” but it’s still shockingly popular. On Spotify, “Real Gone” is now Crow’s third-biggest track, which is truly absurd. Now, after all these years, Sheryl Crow returns to the world of Cars.
Häven, the band featuring singer Gabrielle de Val and guitarist/ producer Tommy Denander has released a single and a video for the track ‘The Light Brigade‘ today on all digital platforms via Pride & Joy Music. The song is taken from the group’s debut album ‘Where Angels Fear To Tread‘ which will be released on […]
New Progressive Rock Album Scheduled for Spring 2027 Release
Melodic Revolution Records is proud to announce the signing of Jef Bek, the acclaimed U.S. progressive rock multi-instrumentalist, composer, academic, and radio host, for the release of his forthcoming album, Gyascutus.
Gyascutus will mark the fourth album of Bek’s career and his first release under the Melodic Revolution Records umbrella. The album is currently targeted for release in spring 2027.
“Jef and I first met over coffee more than a year ago,” says Nick Katona, founder and president of Melodic Revolution Records. “We hit it off immediately and quickly realized that, beyond sharing a good cup of coffee, we had something else in common: we both love to produce and release great music. That first meeting set in motion what has grown into a wonderful musical partnership, and I’m thrilled to welcome Jef to the Melodic Revolution Records family.”
Bek brings a diverse and deeply creative background to his work. As a progressive rock composer and multi-instrumentalist, he has developed a distinctive musical voice shaped by his work across recording, live performance, theater, academia, and radio.
He is particularly recognized for composing and directing original live music for theatrical productions in Chicago and Los Angeles, including collaborations with such notable organizations as Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, and New Crime Productions.
With Gyascutus, Bek continues his exploration of progressive music while bringing together his broad experience as a composer, performer, and musical storyteller. The upcoming album represents a new chapter in his creative journey and the beginning of a new partnership with Melodic Revolution Records.
In a statement from Jef
I’m thrilled to be partnering with Nick Katona and joining the esteemed Melodic Revolution Records family! I grew up loving the great progressive rock bands of the ’70s. As I developed as a musician, composer and performer, I discovered that the music I was writing felt more at home in a theatre than in a bar, and I went on to spend much of my musical career writing and performing music for original theatrical productions.
When I returned to my first musical love and released Distant Starlight in November 2023, I really didn’t know anyone in the prog community. I began forming new friendships through social media, and before long I connected with Nick Katona, who seemed to be a conduit for all this wonderful independent musical energy. I immediately recognized a kindred spirit in Nick. and in his passion for supporting musicians who dare to make music that you didn’t know you would love.
I couldn’t be happier that Gyascutus has found a home at Melodic Revolution Records.
About Jef Bek
Jef Bek is a U.S. progressive rock multi-instrumentalist, composer, academic, and radio host whose work spans music, theater, education, and broadcasting. His career includes composing and directing original music for theatrical productions in both Chicago and Los Angeles, with collaborations including Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Geffen Playhouse, and New Crime Productions.
Gyascutus, Coming Spring 2027
Gyascutus will be Jef Bek’s fourth album and his first release with Melodic Revolution Records. Additional album details, artwork, track information, pre-order opportunities, and release announcements will be revealed as the project moves toward its spring 2027 release.
Previous Releases by Jef Bek: Distant Starlight (2023) CD, Digital Download, Streaming Nosferatu (2001) CD, Cassette, Digital Download, Streaming One F no C (1991) CD, Cassette, Digital Download, Streaming
Creativity is infinite. Music is infinite. Hardcore is infinite. Turnstile is infinite. The ground-breaking, expansive Baltimore band announced an all-star take on their 2025 Grammy Award-winning albumNEVER ENOUGH. It’s not a remix album. It’s not a covers album. Maybe it’s a testament to creativity’s limitlessness. Either way, you will never be able to guess who is on it. It’s the most Turnstile thing ever — an expected unexpected – and it’s out in one week.
Metal Hammer have teamed up with Swedish spooky metal sensations Ghost for a limited edition bundle that you can’t find anywhere else. The bundle features an exclusive Ghost cover variant of the latest issue of Metal Hammer magazine and a special ‘puff print’ Ghost t-shirt.
Inside the magazine, we chat to Ghost leader Tobias Forge about the band’s epic new concert movie 2 Big To Rig, as he reveals the roots of his obsession with film, the food poisoning incident that almost killed off the new movie and some special ambitions he’s yet to fulfil.
Elsewhere inside the Issue, as Motionless In White hit 20, we find out how they’ve evolved from metalcore wannabes to an arena band who are headlining Bloodstock next year; Mastodon open up about the death of guitarist Brent Hinds, just months after he split from the band, and explain why they’re moving forwards with new album Marrow Deep, and a brand new outlook; Five Finger Death Punch’s Zoltan Bathory gets The Hammer Interview treatment; Dave Mustaine revisits his cancer journey in an exclusive interview and an extract from his new book.
There are also brand new interviews with Green Lung, Snot, Sleep Theory, Halestorm, Chad Grey, Godsmack and much more.
If you love this music: 
