Category: news
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Alan Williams – Floating On the Dreamline
If Alan Williams’ life-to-date was a Hollywood movie, it would be one of those where it starts at the end. In this case, it’s his combination retirement/record release party later this month. The album is his third solo release, Floating On the Dreamline. The retirement is from being a professor of music at the University […] -
Bloodstock M2TM South Wales Interviews: Risperidrone – East Heat #3 Green Rooms, 06.03.26
Interview With Risperidrone – East Heat #3 Green Rooms, 06.03.26
1. Please introduce yourself for anyone who may not know you. Tell us a little bit more about you as a band.We are Risperidrone, a four-piece from Cardiff and we play doom metal with a touch of groove and a sprinkle of psychedelic/proggy elements. If we can get a few stank faces going in the audience then we know we’ve done our job.
We’ve been playing together for almost 3 years now in our current line up of Giacomo Fiderio on vocals, Wigg Grant on guitar, Tom Kirkby on the drums and Rob Edwards on bass.
2. What made you want to participate in the Metal To The Masses South Wales 2026 campaign? Have you had previous experience? Or is this your first time?
We’ve got a fair bit of experience now with M2TM, and there’s a reason we keep coming back, it’s always great fun and everyone brings their A game! We’ve participated in our current line up in 2024 and 2025, as well as in 2022 with our previous singer, and a couple of us have had some success in other bands, so by this point we’re all pretty familiar with the competition!
3. M2TM is all about supporting your local scene. How important is the local scene to you as a band?
The local scene is really important to us, without it we wouldn’t get to have fun doing what we do! We’ve discovered a lot of incredible bands through being part of the scene, and made a lot of friends too! It’s always been very supportive to us, and M2TM always feels like a big event for the scene so it’s great to take part
4. We have a slightly different set up this year with Heats/Quarters/Semis taking place at Bunkhouse/Green Rooms. Have you played the venue before or is this your first time? Are you excited to get on those stages?
We’re fairly familiar with both of the venues that are involved this year, having played both Green Rooms and Bunkhouse a fair few times over the last couple of years.We’ve not been back to Green Rooms since the new stage has been put in, so we’re excited to get up on there! And Bunkhouse is where we played our very first gig as a band and we always love going back there
5. What are your expectations from being a part of M2TM?
Based on our previous experience with M2TM, we’re expecting that however far we make it, it will be a blast. High energy crowds, elevated performances from all of the bands, and despite the competitive element of the event, we’ve always experienced a really friendly atmosphere that feels more like the local scene coming together to celebrate how much talent there is! We’re hoping to discover some new bands and make some connections that we can hopefully get gigging with in the future!
6. What would getting to our Day Of Wreckoning final and the possibility of playing Bloodstock Festival 2026 mean to you?
It would be absolutely awesome to make it to the Day of Wreckoning, a few of us have been in attendance at the finals for the last few years, and since the Day of Wreckoning has come into being, it’s absolutely elevated the whole feel of the finals, it really feels like a step up and the chance to play on that bigger stage would be awesome!And I think it goes without saying, we would all love to be able to play Bloodstock this year! Most of us have been several times to Bloodstock so we’ve all got a lot of love for it, and Rob, Wigg and Tom are all planning to be there either way, it would be all the sweeter if we were able to play there as well!
7. We encourage all the bands in M2TM to try and check out the other bands, who are you most looking forward to? Who should your fans also try to catch?
We’ve played with Mould a couple of times and they are seriously impressive, especially considering how recently they’ve started playing, they’re like South Wales’ very own Eyehategod! Pvriah are fantastic as well, and Manumit! In our heat as well, we’re excited to see Exaust again, they were awesome at last years M2TM!
8. Tell us in five words why people should come and see your band?
Fuzz, swamp ape, more fuzz -
Band To Watch: Suitor
It’s a wintery Thursday night in Cleveland, Ohio — cold enough that I can see my breath, but not so cold that my nosehairs have stiffened and merged into one. We’re huddled inside a crowded Superelectric Pinball Parlor in Gordon Square. The walls are plastered with local sports pennants and kitschy knickknacks, and someone’s blowing…
The post Band To Watch: Suitor appeared first on Stereogum.
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POISON THE WELL Add Special Guest IRON MIND To Australian Tour 2026
Adding some Aussie hardcore brutality to POISON THE WELL‘s headline run this September, Melbourne’s IRON MIND will join Boston chaos merchants HAYWIRE supporting POISON THE WELL nationally as the Florida heavyweights mark their first Australian performances since 2009.
For almost two decades, IRON MIND have been seething torchbearers for Australian hardcore, releasing their 2009 EP The Sun Has Set before going on to unleash their debut 2011 album Hell Split Wide Open, their 2014 self-titled full-length album and, most recently, their third studio album, 2025’s Test Of The Iron Mind, with Knotfest.com declaring of the latter: “the band has been deliberate with each stomp, each massive swell and riff – this is Iron Mind, chaotic and hungry”.
With a global reputation for their live intensity, IRON MIND have previously shared stages with the likes of SPEED, No Warning, Backtrack, Harm’s Way and, as of earlier this year, Turnstile, with TheMusic.com.au praising IRON MIND‘s Melbourne support slot with Turnstile: “the Melbourne boys performed with the confidence of veterans, turning up the dial with punishing, rageful precision”. A band who continue to stand the test of time while also endlessly sharpening their trademark brand of measured chaos, IRON MIND are not to be missed in a live setting.
One of the most influential acts in modern metal and hardcore, in 2026 POISON THE WELL will at long last again be at arm’s length for Aussie fans, heading down under for their Australian headline tour in June. Caustically fluent in flitting between brutality and beauty without breaking a sweat, POISON THE WELL‘s 1999 debut album The Opposite Of December…A Season Of Separation not only introduced the world to a sonic cosmos of gripping yet melodic hardcore; it also influenced the future of heavy music itself, with the genre-defining record claiming spots on Brooklyn Vegan’s “15 ‘90s Metalcore Albums That Still Resonate Today,” KERRANG!’s “21 Best U.S. Metalcore Albums of All Time,” Loudwire’s “25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time,” and Revolver’s “10 Most Influential Metalcore Albums of All Time”. Currently with five studio albums, countless tours, over 100 million streams, and reuniting after their 2009 hiatus, 2026 is already unfurling a razor-sharp new chapter for POISON THE WELL, with the band now primed to release their first new album in 16 years: Peace In Place, due out March 20.
Announcing Peace In Place along with a propulsive new single Thoroughbreds, POISON THE WELL‘s new era is yet again shaping up to be something both monumental and connective; an album of and for our times, while also channeling the group’s storied journey and narrative into 10 stalwart tracks. Decades into the piece, POISON THE WELL aren’t merely resting on their laurels, instead channeling the spirit of their most celebrated material through a prism of new experience on Peace In Place.
Returning to the opposite side of the world after 16 years of separation, Australian fans can once again revel in the raw, raucous and resplendent stylings of POISON THE WELL this June.
Tickets from destroyalllines.com
The post POISON THE WELL Add Special Guest IRON MIND To Australian Tour 2026 appeared first on The Rockpit.
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10 Essential Blues Rock Albums
Blues rock stands as one of the most powerful and enduring fusions in modern music. By combining the emotional depth of the blues with the force and attitude of rock and roll, the genre produced some of the most electrifying guitar playing ever recorded. From smoky British clubs in the 1960s to arenas across the world, blues rock albums have shaped generations of musicians and listeners.
The albums below represent defining moments in the evolution of blues rock. Some helped launch the genre to global audiences, while others pushed the boundaries of guitar tone, songwriting, and performance. Together, they form a foundation for anyone looking to understand the impact and legacy of blues rock.
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers – Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton
Few albums carry the mythic reputation of Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, often referred to simply as the “Beano Album.” When Eric Clapton joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers in 1965, he brought with him a fiery guitar approach inspired by Chicago blues legends like Freddie King and Otis Rush. The resulting album became one of the earliest cornerstones of British blues rock.
Clapton’s Les Paul through a Marshall amplifier produced a thick, singing tone that changed the sound of rock guitar almost overnight. Tracks such as “Hideaway” and “All Your Love” showcased his explosive phrasing while still remaining deeply rooted in traditional blues forms. His playing had a sense of urgency and precision that immediately separated him from many of his contemporaries.
The album also helped establish the guitar hero concept that would dominate rock music for decades. Fans famously scrawled “Clapton is God” on walls across London during this era, reflecting the seismic impact of his playing. More than half a century later, Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton remains a blueprint for blues based rock guitar.
Freddie King – Getting Ready…
By the early 1970s, Freddie King had already established himself as one of the most influential electric blues guitarists in the world. With Getting Ready…, he delivered one of the most powerful blues rock albums of the era, blending his Texas blues roots with the heavier sound that was emerging in rock music.
Produced by Leon Russell, the album features a stellar group of musicians and a sound that feels both gritty and polished. King’s searing guitar tone cuts through every track, delivering the kind of emotional intensity that helped shape generations of blues rock players. Songs like “Same Old Blues,” “Dust My Broom,” and “Key to the Highway” showcase King’s signature mix of explosive lead playing and soulful phrasing.
King’s influence on blues rock cannot be overstated. Guitarists ranging from Eric Clapton to Stevie Ray Vaughan studied his style closely, and Getting Ready… captures his playing at a particularly inspired moment in his career. The album still stands as a defining bridge between traditional electric blues and the emerging blues rock movement.
Cream – Disraeli Gears
Cream’s Disraeli Gears stands as one of the most innovative albums of the 1960s blues rock explosion. The trio of Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker combined blues traditions with psychedelic experimentation, creating a sound that felt both rooted in tradition and boldly forward looking.
The album produced one of the genre’s most recognizable guitar riffs with “Sunshine of Your Love.” Clapton’s thick tone and melodic soloing helped cement his status as one of the most influential guitarists of the era. Meanwhile, Bruce’s songwriting brought strong melodies and adventurous structures to the band’s music.
Ginger Baker’s drumming also added an entirely new dimension to blues rock. His jazz influenced rhythms allowed Cream to stretch songs into extended improvisations that thrilled live audiences.
While Cream would only last a few years, Disraeli Gears demonstrated how blues rock could evolve into something bold and experimental without losing its soulful core.
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble – Texas Flood
Few debut albums have made an impact as immediate as Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Texas Flood. Released in 1983, the record helped reignite mainstream interest in blues during an era dominated by synthesizers and pop rock.
Vaughan’s playing fused the intensity of Albert King with the swagger of Jimi Hendrix and the groove of Texas blues traditions. Tracks like “Pride and Joy,” “Love Struck Baby,” and the title track introduced audiences to a guitarist whose energy felt almost supernatural.
Beyond the fiery solos, Texas Flood also showcased Vaughan’s ability to reinterpret blues standards with fresh urgency. His version of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” remains one of the most exciting blues recordings of the era.
The album launched Vaughan into international stardom and sparked a blues revival that influenced countless guitarists.
Derek and the Dominos – Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Recorded during a turbulent period in Eric Clapton’s life, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs captured a rare level of emotional intensity. Clapton’s collaboration with Duane Allman proved particularly magical, producing some of the most memorable dual guitar work in rock history.
Allman’s slide guitar blended seamlessly with Clapton’s blues driven phrasing. The result was a deeply expressive album filled with passion and vulnerability. Songs like “Bell Bottom Blues” and “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad?” highlight the band’s ability to combine soulful blues influences with expansive rock arrangements.
The title track “Layla” became one of the most iconic songs in rock history. Its unforgettable riff and dramatic piano coda continue to resonate with listeners decades later.
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs stands as a testament to the emotional power of blues rock.
Joe Bonamassa – Live at the Royal Albert Hall
When Joe Bonamassa stepped onto the stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2009, it marked a career defining moment for the blues rock guitarist. The performance celebrated his rise from prodigy to one of the most respected modern figures in the genre.
Released as Live at the Royal Albert Hall, the recording captures Bonamassa at the height of his powers. Backed by a stellar band and joined by special guest Eric Clapton for “the encore “Further On Up The Road,” the show highlights both Bonamassa’s technical mastery and his deep reverence for blues history.
The album features powerful live renditions of songs like “Just Got Paid,” “Mountain Time,” and “Sloe Gin.” Bonamassa’s guitar tone roars through the legendary venue while his band delivers a tight, dynamic performance that balances power with precision. More than just a live album, Live at the Royal Albert Hall represents a symbolic passing of the torch for modern blues rock.
Gary Moore – Still Got the Blues
Gary Moore had already built a reputation as a formidable rock guitarist when he released Still Got the Blues in 1990. The album marked a return to Moore’s blues roots and quickly became one of the defining blues rock releases of the era.
Moore’s tone on the record is nothing short of breathtaking. His sustain and vibrato give each note a vocal quality that resonates deeply with listeners. The title track remains one of the most emotionally powerful blues rock songs ever recorded.
The album also features guest appearances from blues legends including Albert King and Albert Collins. Their presence added authenticity while highlighting Moore’s deep respect for the musicians who shaped the genre. With Still Got the Blues, Moore proved that blues rock could remain vital and relevant well into the modern era.
ZZ Top – Tres Hombres
ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres captured the gritty swagger of Texas blues rock better than almost any album before or since. Billy Gibbons’ razor sharp guitar tone, Dusty Hill’s thunderous bass, and Frank Beard’s driving rhythms created a sound that was both raw and irresistible.
The album features some of the band’s most beloved songs, including “La Grange,” a track inspired by the legendary Texas brothel known as the Chicken Ranch. Gibbons’ guitar riff on the song has become one of the most recognizable in blues rock history.
Beyond its hits, Tres Hombres is packed with gritty blues grooves and infectious energy. Tracks like “Jesus Just Left Chicago” showcase the band’s deep blues roots while maintaining their unmistakable Texas swagger.
The record helped elevate ZZ Top from regional favorites to international stars and remains a cornerstone of blues rock.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd – Trouble Is…
Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s Trouble Is… became one of the most commercially successful blues rock albums of the modern era. Released in 1997, the record helped bring blues rock to a new generation during a time when the genre rarely received mainstream radio exposure.
Shepherd’s fiery guitar work is front and center throughout the album, blending Texas blues influences with modern rock energy. Tracks like “Blue on Black,” “Slow Ride,” and “Everything Is Broken” showcased his ability to combine powerful riffs with memorable songwriting.
The album also benefited from the soulful voice of vocalist Noah Hunt, whose gritty delivery perfectly complemented Shepherd’s guitar driven sound. Their chemistry helped give the record a distinctive identity within the blues rock landscape.
With multi platinum success and a string of hit singles, Trouble Is… proved that blues rock could still reach massive audiences in the modern era.
Rory Gallagher – Irish Tour ’74
Few live albums capture the raw spirit of blues rock like Rory Gallagher’s Irish Tour ’74. Recorded during a series of concerts across Ireland, the album documents Gallagher performing with relentless passion at the height of his powers.
The performances feel immediate and unfiltered, with Gallagher’s battered Stratocaster delivering blistering tones throughout the record. Tracks like “Cradle Rock,” “Tattoo’d Lady,” and “A Million Miles Away” showcase both his explosive guitar work and his deep emotional connection to the music.
What makes the album especially powerful is the atmosphere. The crowds respond with overwhelming enthusiasm, creating a sense of electricity that runs through every performance.
Irish Tour ’74 stands as one of the greatest live blues rock recordings ever captured and a fitting testament to Gallagher’s legendary stage presence.
The post 10 Essential Blues Rock Albums appeared first on Blues Rock Review.
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5 Other Bizarre Quotes From John Lennon’s ‘Jesus’ Interview
His infamous statement about the Beatles' success wasn't even the strangest thing he said. Continue reading… -
Sydney Based Punk Rock Outfit THIS TIME ONLY Release New Single + Music Video ‘Mick From The Pub’
Sydney based Punk Rock outfit This Time Only have just released their new single and music video called ‘Mick From The Pub’, which premiered exclusively via The AU Review. The band have also announced they will be playing a launch show at Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar) on March 14 to celebrate the release alongside Tallulah.
“Mick From The Pub drew heavily from Matt’s time working in shitty pubs. It’s about those people everyone knows, the pub regular who’s always got something to say, always got a story, and always seems to be there. On the surface Mick’s funny, loud and full of opinions, but the song is really about what’s sitting underneath that. It’s less about taking the piss and more about looking at that kind of character with a bit of empathy.”
This Time Only are built on sweat, grit, and big hooks. Their songs spit with urgency but land with heart — raw guitars and anthemic choruses set against lyrics that swing between scathing social commentary and lived-in Australian storytelling. Think the unfiltered honesty of The Smith Street Band colliding with the drive of The Menzingers and the punch of The Offspring.
For fans of storytelling as loud as the guitars, This Time Only is the sound of growing up, falling apart, and putting it all back together. New single ‘Mick From The Pub’ is available on all major online stores and streaming services.
‘MICK FROM THE PUB’ SINGLE LAUNCH
March 14 – Oxford Art Factory (Gallery Bar), Sydney, NSW
Tickets available at www.moshtix.com.au | 18+ onlyThe post Sydney Based Punk Rock Outfit THIS TIME ONLY Release New Single + Music Video ‘Mick From The Pub’ appeared first on The Rockpit.
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Album Review: Void – Live 1982
Album Review: Void – Live 1982
Reviewed by Dan Barnes
Called “the first Metal Crossover band” (page 167) by Stephen Blush in his authoritative history of the movement, American Hardcore (second edition, Port Townsend: Feral House, 2010), Columbia, MA’s Void burned oh so bright in the fledgling days of USHC. Taking their name from Sabbath’s Into the Void and being a true cultural melting pot of being half-black and half-Filipino, the band’s real problem is that they just couldn’t be pigeon-holed.
In Blush’s book, guitarist Bubba DuPree comments that he even now cannot understand how Void were accepted into the HC scene: “We were so blatantly not part of it” (page 168) he goes on to say. It’s even noted that the release of their album, Poison for Bad Dreams, in 1983 was scuppered when the record company decided they were “too Metal”.
Which leaves Void with only a handful of compilation appearances, a 7” demo and the split album with The Faith – themselves fronted by Alec MacKaye, younger brother of Minor Threat / Fugazi legend, Ian.
Split over two sides of a clear vinyl, Outer Battery Records are set to release these newly rediscovered – and milestone – shows from the band, both from 1982. Side One was recorded on 30 April at Washington DC’s Wilson Center, the scene of an earlier triumph for Void, and just before the release of the split record.
This first show featured four songs that would go on to appear on album, all of which are filled with hardcore fury: Ask Them Why and Ignorant People both feature prominent bass introductions, courtesy of Chris Stover, eventually giving way to Bubba’s frenzied riffing and singer, John Weiffenbach’s madcap vocal performance. Who Are You? is introduced as an “old one” and Think as a “public service announcement” and both are rage-filled blasters.
The accusation that Void at Too Metal can be seen to find traction in the slow building opener, Shade of Grey, with its fat guitars and loose, jamming style, eschewing speed for a darker atmosphere. Spiral Staircase is more than four-minutes in length, unheard of in the USHC scene of the time, and includes Bubba going full-on Guitar God. It’s easy to see why these two tracks didn’t feature on the split.
Side Two comes from DC’s 9:30 Club and was recorded on 5 December 1982. Again, it’s heavily loaded with tracks from the split, including the chugging frenzy of My Rules, and the around one-minute whiplashing Self Defence and Organized Sports; Time to Die opens the second side with some decidedly Metal trills and plenty of cymbal crashes from sticksman Sean Finnegan.
Just seven months later and there’s a noticeable improvement in the delivery, whether that be the venue, the equipment or the band themselves developing, it results in a high energy performance. Explode feels more like an interlude, as does Let’s Party, which demonstrates the proficiency of all musical elements in Void.
Slow Burn is introduced as “a new one” and alternates between flailing guitars and doomy, brooding stomps. Going fully in on the darkness is Blood Lust, with a laidback stoner atmosphere and at nearly four-minutes long, it shows that Sabbath didn’t only influence their choice of name.
Perhaps a footnote in the history of USHC; maybe overlooked in favour of their more illustrious compardres, and possibly Too Metal, but Void Live 1982 is a short peek at one of the scene’s more eclectic participants, who were just too far ahead of their time.
The post Album Review: Void – Live 1982 appeared first on The Razor's Edge.
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MR. BIG Celebrates 30th Anniversary With “Hey Man” First-Time Vinyl Release, New Remaster & More
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, Mr. Big’s fourth studio album, Hey Man, finally makes its long-awaited debut on vinyl for Record Store Day UK and Japan 2026 (April 18th), followed by a new remaster on SACD Hybrid Multi-channel and Double MQA-CD on May 8th.
A landmark release for the band, the album famously dominated the Japan Oricon chart for 16 weeks and remains a fan favorite for its blend of technical prowess and soulful songwriting.
The album features some of the band’s most enduring tracks, including fan-favorites “Take Cover” and “Goin’ Where The Wind Blows.” It stands as a definitive tribute to the incredible musicianship of the band’s classic lineup — Eric Martin, Pat Torpey, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Gilbert — making this a must-have for fans and collectors.
The Double MQA-CD format features an expansive array of additional content. This includes the “I Love You Japan” demo, the first-time release of the final mixes for “Friend of The Working Girl” and “Livin’ Like A Dog,” and a selection of bonus tracks such as “Tears,” “Little Mistake,” “Swingin’ Jam,” and “Shoot The Moon.” Rounding out the bonus material are live versions of “Take Cover,” “Goin’ Where The Wind Blows,” and “I Love You Japan,” alongside exclusive drum-only and minus-drum mixes of “Take Cover.”
The SACD Hybrid Multi-channel format features a brand-new remaster in high-resolution audio and will be released with a new 5.1 mix, housed in a premium super jewel box with a protective outer slipcase.
The 180g One-Step Pressing Deep Cyan Vinyl LP format marks the first time the album is available on vinyl for Record Store Day UK and Japan, and it is limited to 3,000 copies worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates as these landmark anniversary editions arrive. The LP will be available on April 18th, followed by the SACD Hybrid Multi-channel and Double MQA-CD on May 8th.
Note: The Hybrid SACD disc is compatible with all standard CD and SACD players.
The post MR. BIG Celebrates 30th Anniversary With “Hey Man” First-Time Vinyl Release, New Remaster & More appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.
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Metal Injection Unveils Exclusive BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Listening Party Poster!
Metal Injection drops an exclusive, hand-numbered 18” x 24” Black Label Society print — only 100 available.
The post Metal Injection Unveils Exclusive BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Listening Party Poster! appeared first on Metal Injection.
