Category: news

  • Gig Review: Lzzy + Joe of Halestorm Unplugged Show – Garage, Glasgow (14th June 2026)

    I’ve been asked to ensure that I don’t refer to this as a Halestorm show as it’s specifically only Lzzy + Joe of Halestorm which makes it half a Halestorm. So… Hale? No, that would really only be Lzzy and Arejay. So Storm? Too many letters if we’re being picky. How about we split the … Continue reading Gig Review: Lzzy + Joe of Halestorm Unplugged Show – Garage, Glasgow (14th June 2026)
  • WHITECHAPEL Announces Special 20th Anniversary Headlining Tour This Fall ~ Tickets On Sale Now

    Photo by Alex Morgan

    WHITECHAPEL will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a special North American headlining tour this Fall where they‘ll perform songs from their entire discography! Presented by Live Nation, the trek will commence on November 11th in Atlanta, Georgia and run through December 18th in Pelham, Tennessee. Support will be provided by Chelsea Grin, The Acacia Strain, and Netherwalker.

    Comments WHITECHAPEL guitarist Alex Wade, “We are excited to announce our 20th Anniversary Tour taking place this Fall. We would have never believed we would have made it 20 years after we started this band in 2006, but here we are celebrating it, and we are proud that we are undertaking our largest headline tour to date to commemorate that. Joining us will be our friends who need no introduction, Chelsea Grin and The Acacia Strain, along with deathcore up and comers, Netherwalker. We will be playing songs from our entire discography, no albums left out, so if you want to see us play our longest set in the biggest venues we’ve ever played, get your tickets now and don’t miss out!”

    WHITECHAPEL w/ Chelsea Grin, The Acacia Strain, Netherwalker:
    11/11/2026 Tabernacle – Atlanta, GA
    11/13/2026 House Of Blues – Buena Vista, FL
    11/14/2026 House Of Blues – North Myrtle Beach, SC
    11/16/2026 The Fillmore Charlotte – Charlotte, NC
    11/17/2026 Roxian Theatre Presented by Citizens – Mckees Rocks, PA
    11/19/2026 Nevermore Hall – Baltimore, MD
    11/20/2026 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
    11/21/2026 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
    11/22/2026 MTELUS – Montreal, QC w/ Carcosa **
    11/24/2026 HISTORY – Toronto, ON w/ Carcosa **
    11/25/2026 Royal Oak Music Theatre – Royal Oak, OH
    11/28/2026 Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL
    11/29/2026 The Fillmore – Minneapolis, MN
    12/01/2026 Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
    12/03/2026 The Union Event Center – Salt Lake City, UT
    12/04/2026 Treefort Music Hall – Boise, ID
    12/05/2026 Showbox SoDo – Seattle, WA
    12/07/2026 Channel 24 – Sacramento, CA
    12/08/2026 House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
    12/09/2026 The Van Buren – Phoenix, AZ
    12/11/2026 The Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX
    12/12/2026 Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK
    12/13/2026 House Of Blues – Houston, TX
    12/14/2026 House Of Blues – Dallas, TX
    12/16/2026 The Andrew J. Brady Music Center – Cincinnati, OH
    12/18/2026 The Caverns – Pelham, TN
    ** No Netherwalker

    Hymns In DissonanceWHITECHAPEL’s most recent studio recording released last Spring via Metal Blade Records, finds the band reinventing themselves, going darker, deeper and heavier than ever before.

    Hymns In Dissonance is available now on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.For orders, visit https://lnk.to/HymnsInDissonance. Find merch bundles and band exclusive vinyl at: whitechapel.merchnow.com.

    WHITECHAPEL:
    Phil Bozeman – vocals
    Ben Savage – lead guitar
    Alex Wade – rhythm guitar
    Zach Householder – guitar
    Gabe Crisp – bass
    Brandon Zackey – drums

    https://www.whitechapelband.com

    https://www.instagram.com/whitechapelband

    https://www.facebook.com/whitechapelband

    https://www.metalblade.com

    Source: EARSPLIT PR

  • Jay Saint James She’s The Pope Review

    Jay Saint James She’s The Pope Review

    This song plunges into the essence of its message, bypassing any need for introductions. From the outset, the listener is drawn in by Jay Saint James’s compositional style. The influences of legendary artists like David Bowie are evident, alongside elements that evoke the Beatles. His vocal tone occasionally recalls Robbie Williams, yet Saint James possesses a distinct vision. He skillfully fuses these influences to create something entirely original.

    Jay Saint James She's The Pope

    The song unfolds beautifully as a classic ballad in the UK’s distinctive style, characterized by a vibrant chord progression. The chorus showcases varied dynamics, rhythmically and atmospherically, which underline the artist’s meticulous attention to detail. This is not merely a melody played through an instrument; it is a thoughtful arrangement that invites the listener to explore its depths.

    The narrative conveyed through the lyrics describes a person capable of weathering life’s hardships while maintaining an unwavering smile. Such individuals undoubtedly carry an inner strength, enabling them to confront any adversity with cheerfulness. Inspired by a real person from his life, the song serves as an homage to those who endure the harsh conditions of existence.

    She’s The Pope – Sound and Atmosphere

    Co-produced with Martha McBain, the collaborative effort here enhances the song’s texture. The mix, handled by David Johansson, ensures every note and lyric shines through with clarity. The smooth integration of various musical elements creates an atmosphere that encourages the listener to reflect on the message.

    There is a certain beauty in how this track can elicit strong emotions while remaining accessible. The artist clearly understands the balance between maintaining personal authenticity and reaching out to a broader audience.

    Listeners can find joy in the contrast between the music’s uplifting rhythm and the reflective nature of the lyrics. This dynamic approach ensures the ballad resonates deeply, capturing  joy and introspection. It demonstrates how music can act as a conduit for emotional expression.

    She’s The Pope – Performance and Production

    There is a sense of intricate layering that develops. Each instrument has its role, contributing to a greater cohesive whole that holds the listener’s attention. The craftsmanship involved in creating this piece is evident, and it transcends simple pop conventions.

    In the end, this song allows contemplation while simultaneously encouraging a sense of hope. There is a unique charm in Jay Saint James’s approach, blending recognizable influences while crafting something distinctly his own.

    This single is an ephemeral moment of beauty that can resonate across various audiences. It offers solace and inspiration, a rarity in contemporary music. It is a fine addition to any collection, appealing to those who appreciate depth within their musical selections.



    Refined

    🔥 If you love this music: Discover More


    Find Jay Saint James here:
    Spotify | Instagram

    For fans of:

    David Bowie • The Beatles


    The post Jay Saint James She’s The Pope Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

  • A Perfect Circle Guitarist Confirms New Album Is Officially Underway, Teasing Intense Deadlines with Maynard James Keenan

    a-perfect-circle-starless

    Alternative rock’s most enigmatic, platinum-selling studio partnership is officially firing up its creative engine for a monumental return. Following the shocking, surprise release of their dark and atmospheric new single “Starless” in late May, global music markets instantly began speculating whether a massive long-form project was looming on the horizon. Now, those suspicions have been completely verified by the source.

    Checking directly into Minneapolis’s iconic 93X radio station for an exclusive feature with broadcast host Kevin Kellam, founding guitarist and sonic architect Billy Howerdel blew the lid off A Perfect Circle‘s secret operations—confirming that the direct follow-up to 2018’s Eat The Elephant is actively being written, tracked, and engineered under an intense, fire-lit deadline architecture driven by legendary frontman Maynard James Keenan.

    THE STARLESS STUDIO MATRIX

    • Lead Architect: Billy Howerdel (Guitars, Bass, Production)
    • Mastermind: Maynard James Keenan (Lead Vocals, Lyricism)
    • Engine Room: Josh Freese (Studio & Live Drums)
    • Sonic Mix: Matty Green (U2, Florence + The Machine, TV On The Radio)
    • Base of Operations: Lankershim Ranch Studio (Studio City, CA)

    Tracking on the Highway: Howerdel Balances European Tour Pressures

    The revelation of a new studio effort lands at a highly chaotic time for the alternative rock icons. In early June, A Perfect Circle launched a major, highly anticipated European summer tour block in London. Striking a delicate balance between the grueling exhaustion of international travel and the precise, isolated headspace required for elite songwriting has proven to be an immense challenge for Howerdel.

    “There’s more [music] underway,” Howerdel directly confirmed to 93X. “And in the spirit of soft deadlines, I’m not gonna give you the date, but we’re working toward something… We’re on tour. It’s hard to get solid things done when you’re out here.

    “I sometimes optimistically think that’s gonna happen, and, like today, we’re six shows in, so we’re about two weeks in, and this is the first day I really slept, even though I might not look like it. I just slept, went to the gym, ate a meal, got on with you, and it’s not been like that. So to get real cracking on to the new album, it’s gonna be… I need a couple more of these days to line up over the next tour.”

    🤘 LIVE & LOUD: Stream the World’s Hardest Radio Station 24/7 Below:

    Inside the Chemistry: The Incomparable Work Ethic of Maynard James Keenan

    A major pillar of Howerdel’s confidence in the impending record stems from his legendary, uncompromised creative shorthand with vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Beyond his duties steering A Perfect Circle, Keenan operates as the iconic voice of progressive metal titans Tool and the avant-garde multimedia collective Puscifer.

    Howerdel admitted that his creative velocity reaches an entirely different tier when working alongside Keenan, characterizing the singer as a tenacious visionary who refuses to let studio tracking enter a state of stagnation.

    “I feel more creative with him [than I do with other musicians],” Howerdel confessed. “I mean, you’d have to ask Maynard, but I feel like when it’s time to work, it’s time to work for him… He’s got a great work ethic. I don’t know anyone — I mean, he’s at least in the top three hardest-working people I know that have real vision, conviction, a vision that he’s gonna execute and be tenacious about it. And he’s like that with music. Once the train starts rolling, it, it’s rolling.”

    Addressing how they keep themselves accountable without a major corporate label breathing down their necks, Howerdel explained their unique tactical use of psychological strain: “We’re gonna set soft deadlines, which I guess they can be hard deadlines, but our soft deadlines are pretty intense. They’re meant to be hit.

    “Anything could happen, but when we’re underway, it just feels, like, ‘Okay, we’re moving in the right direction.’ Now, you can’t force the greatest idea to come out, but you can get yourself motivated to go, ‘If I don’t hit this deadline, then bad shit’s gonna happen.’ So it’s a fire lit under your ass.”

    Check This Out – A Perfect Circle Albums Ranked: From Experimental Shadows to Alt-Rock Perfection

    a-perfect-circle-2025

    Physical Media Alert: “Starless” Hits Limited 7-Inch Vinyl

    While the global community tracks the tracking parameters for the full-length record, die-hard collectors can immediately secure an exclusive physical piece of the band’s current history. A limited-edition “Starless” seven-inch vinyl single has officially deployed via Revolver.

    Tracked earlier this year at Howerdel’s private Lankershim Ranch Studio in Studio City, California, the stunning A-side composition features the thunderous drum tracking of long-time collaborator and current Foo Fighters timekeeper Josh Freese, wrapped in a pristine, massive mix delivered by elite engineer Matty Green.

    The physical release boasts an elegant B-side custom etching of the band’s historic crescent emblem alongside a custom 7-inch record adapter, dropping on two highly sought-after aesthetic variants: a sleek silver/black blend, and an eye-catching white with sea blue and black splatter.

    BILLBOARD BLUEPRINTS: THE HISTORIC CATACOMB RUN

    • 2000 – ‘Mer De Noms’ (Debuted at No. 4 | Highest Rock Debut of Its Era)
    • 2003 – ‘Thirteenth Step’ (Debuted at No. 2 | Certified Platinum Landmark)
    • 2004 – ‘eMOTIVe’ (Debuted at No. 2 | Political Cover Masterpiece)
    • 2018 – ‘Eat The Elephant’ (Debuted at No. 3 | Critical Comeback Blueprint)

    FAQ: A Perfect Circle’s 2026 Studio Album Updates

    Is A Perfect Circle releasing a new album?

    Yes. Guitarist and co-founder Billy Howerdel has officially confirmed that a brand-new, full-length studio album is currently underway and actively being written alongside vocalist Maynard James Keenan.

    Who plays drums on the new A Perfect Circle song “Starless”?

    The drum tracking on “Starless” was executed by legendary rock session musician and current Foo Fighters drummer Josh Freese, who has collaborated extensively with APC since their 1999 inception.

    Where can I buy the new A Perfect Circle vinyl?

    The limited-edition “Starless” 7-inch vinyl single, featuring custom color variants and a crescent logo B-side etching, is available for public purchase immediately via the Revolver Magazine official online shop.

    Also – “Absolutely Chuffed”: Maynard James Keenan and A Perfect Circle Shock Fans with Surprise Single “Starless”

    a-perfect-circle-2024

    The Architectural Timing of APC

    When evaluating the operational history of A Perfect Circle, their structural release cadence has always favored meticulous artistic calculation over rapid, assembly-line content creation. Launching in 2000 with the multi-platinum triumph of Mer De Noms, Howerdel and Keenan successfully engineered a distinct alternative rock template that seamlessly married the heavy, syncopated time signatures of progressive metal with pristine, radio-friendly melodic hooks.

    By taking multi-year, strategic hiatuses to allow Keenan to navigate the massive touring engines of TOOL and Puscifer, A Perfect Circle has maintained an incredibly pristine legacy free of creative burnout. Returning to active studio tracking in 2026 ensures that their sound arrives completely revitalized, leveraging decades of mature musical evolution to secure immediate, front-page authority across global streaming registries and chart metrics alike.

    Now that Billy Howerdel has officially verified that the next era of A Perfect Circle is actively charging forward under intense studio deadlines, the floor belongs to the Loaded Radio global assembly. Do you think the dark atmosphere of “Starless” indicates a return to the heavy styling of Thirteenth Step, or are you anticipating a completely new sonic landscape from the duo? Fire off your theories, tracklist predictions, and tour reviews in the comments section below!

    TL;DR

    • The Long-Awaited Sequel: Guitarist and chief songwriter Billy Howerdel has officially confirmed that a brand-new A Perfect Circle full-length studio album is actively underway.
    • The Fire is Lit: Speaking on Minneapolis’s 93X radio station, Howerdel revealed that while they are keeping release dates under wraps, he and vocalist Maynard James Keenan are working under intense, structured “soft deadlines” to execute the tracking.
    • Tracking From the Road: The band is currently six shows into a massive 2026 European summer tour block, with Howerdel using rare days off to piece together the record’s foundational tracking matrices.
    • Physical Media Drop: The news arrives alongside a limited-edition Starless 7-inch vinyl release via Revolver, featuring a custom etching of the band’s iconic crescent logo and legendary timekeeper Josh Freese on drums.

    Never miss an official studio update statement, an exclusive radio translation layout, or breaking alternative rock tour alerts. Download the free Loaded Radio App for [iOS App Store] and [Google Play Store] today to command our live 24/7 high-decibel digital audio stream and catch our Daily Podcast on demand.

    The post A Perfect Circle Guitarist Confirms New Album Is Officially Underway, Teasing Intense Deadlines with Maynard James Keenan appeared first on Loaded Radio.

  • SCATTER – Incinerating Debut EP From Texas/Alaska-Based Thrash Metal Trio, Tech Hell Cyber Thrash, Out Now

    photo by Bartek Krawczyk

    Stream SCATTER’s Tech Hell Cyber Thrash HERE.

    Tech Hell Cyber Thrash, the incinerating debut from Texas and Alaska-based thrash metal trio SCATTER, is out now and can be streamed in its shredding entirety.

    Born out of pandemic hacker movie marathons and late nights soldering together guitar pedal clones, SCATTER is the brainchild of Spenser Hodge and a love letter to 90s cyberpunk and hacker culture. Spenser enlisted Texas guitar wizard Ruben Cantu and longtime Alaskan collaborator Justin Rodda to help realize this vision.

    The first material born of this collaboration now arrives with SCATTER’s debut EP, Tech Hell Cyber Thrash, a ripping and diverse collection of songs that run the gamut from classic death metal brutality to throwback speed metal harmonized leads, wrapped up in a paranoid, bloodsoaked thrash metal treatise on the interconnected hell world we call Earth. Deploying five incinerating tracks in under nineteen minutes, Tech Hell Cyber Thrash was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios in Oakland, California (Autopsy, Vastum, Necrot) and completed with artwork by Matt Stikker (Metallica, Power Trip, Billy Strings).

    Tech Hell Cyber Thrash is out now digitally through SCATTER and on cassette via Immortal Jaw Recordings limited to 50 copies. Unleash hell HERE.

    https://cyberthrash.org

    https://scatterthrash.bandcamp.com

    https://immortaljaw.com

    https://www.instagram.com/immortal_jaw

    Source: EARSPLIT PR

  • Theprp.com Is Finally On Instagram

    The golden eagle has landed.

    The post Theprp.com Is Finally On Instagram appeared first on Theprp.com.

  • INTERVIEW: MONSTR – Jason Singh, Jimi Hocking, Stu Rudd & Pete Drummond Reveal New Album Inspired by MTV Unplugged

    When four of Australia’s most respected rock musicians come together, you know something special is happening.

    The Rockpit sits down with MONSTR members Jason Singh, Jimi Hocking, Stu Rudd and Pete Drummond to discuss the formation of the band, the chemistry that brought them together, and their newly announced Queensland shows.

    MONSTR pays tribute to the iconic MTV Unplugged era, reimagining some of rock’s greatest songs in an intimate acoustic setting while capturing the spirit that made the legendary series such a cultural phenomenon.

    What started as a conversation about the origins of MONSTR and their plans for the road quickly took an unexpected turn when we discovered the band was joining us live from the recording studio, right in the middle of recording an album based on the show itself.

    The result is a fascinating and candid chat that offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into a project that is rapidly gathering momentum. We discuss the creative process behind the recordings, the excitement of bringing these songs to life in a fresh format, what fans can expect from the upcoming Queensland dates, and how four accomplished musicians are forging a unique identity together as MONSTR.

    If you’re a fan of classic MTV Unplugged performances, great Australian musicianship, and timeless songs given a new lease on life, this is an interview you won’t want to miss.

    With special thanks not only to the guys for their time but also to Claire Reynolds for arranging the interview.

    The post INTERVIEW: MONSTR – Jason Singh, Jimi Hocking, Stu Rudd & Pete Drummond Reveal New Album Inspired by MTV Unplugged appeared first on The Rockpit.

  • I Love ROCK ‘N ROLL

    On June 14, 1980 Bill Joel started a six-week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Glass Houses, his second US No.1 album. The album features Joel’s first song to peak at No.1 on Billboard’s Pop Singles chart, ‘It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me.’ His first No. 1 album was 52nd Street. Interestingly, Billy Joel’s 52nd Street was the first CD ever released, by Sony when they released their first CD player in 1982, along with 49 other albums from Sony’s library, including Billy Joel The Stranger, Songs in the Attic, Glass Houses, Turnstiles; Pink Floyd Wish You Were Here, Michael Jackson Off The Wall, Chicago Chicago IX: Chicago’s Greatest Hits, Earth Wind & Fire The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1, Santana Greatest Hits, Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water, and as well as a variety of classical titles from Beethoven to Mozart, Tchaikovsky to Strauss and Vivaldi. 

    So what was so special about 52nd Street? Was it the great collection of songs, including “Big Shot,” “Honesty,” and “My Life”? Was it because it won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Or the too cool album cover photo of Billy holding a trumpet sporting a tailored suit and his Tretorn tennis sneakers? It actually was nothing more than 52nd Street, starting with a number, came first when alphabetized in Sony’s release list.

    Billy’s first number one song “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” provides the theme for today’s playlist, songs with some variation of Rock and Roll in their title. Other alternatives include Rock & Roll and Rock ’N Roll. Only the biggest of music buffs will know the difference, not that it makes a difference.

    Rock & Roll was a product of the early ‘50s, first coined by Cleveland, Ohio DJ Alan Freed. Its musical style is rooted in R&B with influences from gospel, jazz, boogie-woogie, blues, swing, and folk music. The “starting 5” that received significant airplay on the first Top 40 format radio station, KOWH in Omaha, Nebraska were Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, and Fats Domino. While the genre initially more prominently featured piano and saxophone, it quickly transformed to an electric guitar led sound, largely through the efforts of Chuck Berry.

    If the foundational period of Rock & Roll was the ‘50s to mid-60s, the mid-60s to late ‘70s was considered the Golden Age of Rock. The 60s brought Psychedelic Rock, Classic Rock, and the British Invasion, while the ‘70s ushered in Hard Rock, Progressive Rock, Punk Rock, and Heavy Metal. The ‘80s brought Glam Rock, Pop Rock, and New Wave, with the ‘90s brining Alternative Rock and Grunge. The 2000s appears to be revisiting variations of several of the old genres over the years with Garage Rock Revival, Pop-Punk and Indie movements.

    But for me, “I like that old time rock and roll.”

    So Marty McFly epitomizes the evolution of rock over the years in just one performance, transitioning from doo-wop R&B to Chuck Berry’s R&B rock style to ‘80s rock & metal.

    And summarizing my opinion on the matter is Joan Jett

    Even Country Music went to the School of Rock

    Some Rock & Roll song greats include Bob Seger “Old Time Rock & Roll” and “Rock And Roll Never Forgets,” Chuck Berry “Rock And Roll Music,” Joan Jett “I Love Rock ’N Roll,” Huey Lewis “The Heart of Rock And Roll,” The Rolling Stones “It’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll,” Eric Clapton “I’ve Got a Rock ’N’ Roll Heart,” Boston “Rock & Roll Band,” Led Zeppelin “Rock and Roll,” Kiss “Rock And Roll All Nite,” Bad Company “Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy,” John Fogerty “Rock and Roll Girls,” Elton John “Rock And Roll Madonna,” Meat Loaf “Rock And Roll Dreams Come True,” Moody Blues “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band),” The Kinks “A Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy,” Traffic “Rock ’N’ Roll Stew,” and Peter, Paul, and Mary “I Dig Rock and Roll Music,” among others. And that doesn’t even include the Rock & Roll releases by AC/DC and Kiss, who were so prolific they needed their own playlist.

    On to the playlists, to enjoy some songs with Rock & Roll in the title. There are 3 to choose from:

    Rock & Pop Rock & Roll songs:

    Alternative, Punk, Techno & More Rock & Roll songs:

    AC/DC & Kiss Rock & Roll Songs:

    I hope that this music and my blog truly serve as a “revival: a new presentation of something old,” a springboard to return to the music of your youth, or perhaps to find artists you want to discover anew.  Rediscover the passion of music in your life.

    Live in the moment.

    Enjoy the moment.

    Love the moment.

    Listen to the MUSIC!