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  • The Tubs – “Now And Then”

    A new press release today describes the Tubs as a “Celtic jangle boyband.” I love that, and I love them. The new Merge signees have been rolling out new album Hard Life this summer, sharing the advance tracks “Who’s Gonna Love You Now?” and “Stoop To Me.” They’ve got a third preview on deck today, an intensely pulsing new wave guitar banger called “Now And Then.”

    The post The Tubs – “Now And Then” appeared first on Stereogum.

  • Lisa Bouchelle on a Big Tour Mistake and Exercising Her ‘Poetic License’

    Singer-songwriter Lisa Bouchelle recalls winning a talent contest at just four years old, dressed as an American flag at a family campground — a moment that showed music could bring people together. She shares how a friendship with Blues Traveler’s John Popper began, when he worried about her driving solo while opening for the band on her first tour. Bouchelle also talks about why it’s good to set a goal that’s just beyond the horizon.

  • Squirrel Flower – “Cleveland”

    It’s Squirrel Flower Summer. So far the Chicago indie darling has previewed Say A Prayer To The Gods Of Getting Going with “Reelin,” “Not Me,” and “Sick Tooth,” and now she’s sharing a sweeping, sun-drenched shredder called “Cleveland.”

    The post Squirrel Flower – “Cleveland” appeared first on Stereogum.

  • Upcoming Metal Releases: 8/16/26 – 8/22/26

    Here are the new releases for August 16th to 22nd. Releases reflect proposed North American scheduling, if available.


    Upcoming Metal Releases: 8/16/26 – 8/22/26


    Azatoth — Carnal Lust of Blasphemy | Extremely Rotten Productions | Death Metal | Finland (Vantaa)

    Finnish band Azatoth make their full-length debut with Carnal Lust of Blasphemy, a raw and eerie old-school death metal record. Thick, distorted, and low riffs move beneath Joel “Nuclear Lucifer” Das’ deep growls. Juuso “Godvomit” Hämäläinen’s drumming pushes the songs into faster bursts before they drop back into slower sections. “Flooding Human Remains” moves between both sides of that sound, while “Sulfuric Paths to Agony” spends more time in slower passages. The short “Interlude (Awaiting the Oncoming…)” gives the record a brief break before “Blasphemous Flesh” brings the heaviness back. The shifts in pace give the slower riffs more room when they appear. Azatoth cite Finnish death metal, ’90s American death-grind and bestial black metal among their influences, as well as horror films like Hellraiser and The Thing.

    –Lily O’Delia


    …



    Dysthymia — The Morning Darkness | Hypnotic Dirge Records | Depressive Black Metal | United States (Boston, MA)

    Dysthymia’s second album, The Morning Darkness, deals openly with depression and grief, though hopelessness isn’t the whole story. Vocalist and guitarist Grushenka Ødegård moves between harsh screams and subdued clean singing. Long stretches of tremolo guitar give way at times to acoustic guitar and piano. On “We Can Never Go Back,” depression is something to be faced and fought each day. That idea runs throughout the record, even at its bleakest. “To Choose Life is to Choose Grief” puts it plainly: choosing to keep living also means accepting the pain that comes with it. The longer songs make good use of their length, moving between heavier sections and quieter moments. There is still hope here, found in the choice to keep going.

    –Lily O’Delia


    …



    Cobrafuma — Droga Total | Lollypops & Lovers | Thrash Metal | Portgual (Porto)

    The sophomore album from Portuguese metal act Cobrafuma can be described in one word: nonstop. With more booze on their tongues than in their debut, Droga Total (which sounds far less cool when this gringo puts it in Google Translate: Total Drug) is a full-speed headbang straight to the hangover. Beer mugs are for cheers and weapons in this motorcycle dive bar of an album, where ferocity makes you wanna stand on tables, dance, and spit. Thrash, heavy metal, hardcore, and rock gang up for a relentless pace, yelled over by a personified handlebar mustache. Strings ought to snap off their guitars at live performances as the vicious strumming and intense d-beats propel intoxicated mayhem.

    –Aidan Sibley


    …



    Fen — Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth | Prophecy Productions | Black Metal | England (London, England)

    Throughout their career, Fen has evolved in many different and interesting ways. Starting out with mournful and mysterious atmospheric black metal that echoed Agalloch, they’ve added many progressive ideas to their sound over the years. Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth is their eighth album and might be their most ambitious yet. Complex drum patterns underpin powerful and intricate guitar riffs and basslines. They don’t sacrifice their core either: the album still very much invokes the otherworldly landscapes of their home that have inspired them for the last twenty years. The result is a powerful and deeply moving work of art.

    –Kevin Zecchel


    …



    Rapid — Enter the Realm of Fire | Dying Victims Productions | Speed Metal + Black Metal | Finland (Helsinki)

    At one point, Rapid were science-fiction chroniclers. The Finnish band last released music in 2022 that depicted Earth as the victim of an alien invasion through anachronistic speed metal seemingly better suited for witchcraft and demons, but they’re swapping the UFOs for necromancy on their upcoming debut LP. Enter the Realm of Fire files down the black metal and death rock that were formerly core pieces of their sound for a smoother and more focused ‘80s metal delivery. To compound this, vocalist Vincent Revenge now performs more like a soothsayer than a hierophant, singing and enunciating clearly. He sounds more comfortable at the gates of hell than he does covering extraterrestrials, which is a poetic way to represent Rapid’s transformation heading into Enter the Realm of Fire.

    –Colin Dempsey


    …



  • Reviews: TX2, Metasoma, Rot Box, Devilhusk (Matt Bladen)

    TX2 – We’re Going To Hell For This… (Self Released)

    TX2 are “one of the biggest success stories in alternative music in the past year” following how well their debut album has gone down. It was highly critically acclaimed, had them perform at Download Festival, support Black Veil Brides, Beartooth and Ice Nine Kills and heard on BBC Radio 1.

    So to capitalise this they’ve released their new EP, We’re Going To Hell For This which is a five tracker that features some of their most personal material to date, be it singer Evan Thomas’ queerness and religion on Confession, how Evil Is Contagious, on the song of the same name and how we should learn to just give up and not give a crap on Pickup Truck.

    A lot of emotions running through this EP which is why at its heart TX2’s music is strongly inspired by 2000’s emo and nu metal, both Confession and Pickup Truck have some heavy Bizkit vibes while I Know What You Did and The Human Disease drip with angst. The one that does change it up though is Evil Is Contagious where Reel Big Fish up the ska quotient.

    TX2 have a rocket strapped to them and they’ll be headlining bugger venues before you know it but if you’re not a alt metal/emo/nu metal then We’re Going To Hell For This may not hit the spot. 5/10

    Metasoma – Omen (Self Release)

    Omen is the new EP from London made up of veteran Polish and English musicians and playing heavy, aggressive modern groove metal.

    They’ve supported the likes of Sanctuary, Illusion and Vader and even enlisted Filip Halucha, the engineer behind Behemoth and Vader, to helm opener Downfall. The rest of the EP is produced by Dawid Konrad Rydz, both able to capture the melodic power and metallic force of Metasoma.

    Build on personal struggles such as death, toxic relationships, they have formed these songs so they connect with the listener in their own way, creating a catharsis for their own struggles though the radio baiting American metalcore of Downfall, the alt metal of Attic and Shock or the ferocious duo of Omen and Horizon.

    Omen is a brief introduction to Metasoma, groove driven metal quintet who hit hard though heavy riffs and huge choruses. 7/10

    Rot Box – Death Ride (Self Released)

    Rot Box are a NY based three piece thrash metal with members from Tombstoner and Cranial Damage. They play thrash that moves towards the crossover style that’s engrained into the New York scene.

    This is raw, fast and furious thrash metal with a streetwise attitude and a snarling delivery that features some satirical/comedic lyricism that Municipal Waste have become best at but Rot Box definitely throw their hat in the ring with tracks such as Trash Mouth Skuzz Bucket, Crankin Hoons and Gas Station Sushi.

    Now for crossover thrash there’s a lot of technicality to the playing, both guitars in syncopation for the solo sections while the riffs shift often several times within one song, more impressive when you consider most of these songs don’t go past 3 minutes.

    This is blue collar thrash metal where it’s ok that it doesn’t take itself too seriously, jump on this Death Ride with Rot Box. 7/10

    Devilhusk – Goretech Intimidator (Brickeater Collective)

    Another EP this time from Devilhusk who claim that their mission is to create music that “simply does not exist yet.” I mean that nonsense as there probably aren’t any sounds that haven’t yet to be made and Devilhusk definitely play music that will be familiar to anyone who was around in the early to mid 2000’s.

    What were are dealing with a mix of djent, hardcore, dubstep, and D&B, throbbing beats, palm-muted riffs and general intensity that comes through frantic changes of pace. Too frantic in as much that it never clicks the way it should be being too abrasive and trying to throw the kitchen sink at every track.

    Is Goretech Intimidator by Devilhusk, music that does not exist? I mean yeah, if you’ve never heard Slipknot. 5/10

  • Yes, That’s Sky Ferreira As Sky Ferreira In Maddie’s Secret

    Sky Ferreira is an elusive figure, but she has quite a history at the movies. The last time that Ferreira released an actual song, it was 2024, and her track “Leash” appeared on the Babygirl soundtrack. Earlier this year, Ferreira showed up on a different movie soundtrack. She was featured on “Eyes Of The World,” from her former collaborator Charli XCX’s Wuthering Heights album. Shortly afterward, Ferreira accused Charli of recording her old demos without attribution for that LP; Charli’s team claimed that the songs on the album went through a “standard review process.” The latest bit of Sky Ferreira movie news doesn’t have anything to do with her music, though. Instead, she has quietly added another acting credit to her filmography.

    The post Yes, That’s Sky Ferreira As Sky Ferreira In <em>Maddie’s Secret</em> appeared first on Stereogum.

  • Danielle Nicole: Fireflies Review

    I first heard Danielle Nicole when she was part of Trampled Under Foot with her brothers, Kris and Nick Schnebelen. I do remember that I really liked what I heard, and I believed that I would be seeing and hearing much more of them somewhere down the road.

    I am not surprised that Danielle Nicole has evolved into a solo artist who is still thumping that bass and sharing her superb, soulful vocal ability with a large audience of appreciative music lovers. You might say that she was born into music, with her dad being a blues guitarist and her mom a vocalist. She is a multi-award-nominated blues artist who has taken home wins for her bass-playing ability and her recorded music.

    Her newest solo release, her fourth, is Fireflies, and it is scheduled for release on August 28 on Forty Below Records. It was recorded live to analog tape in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, and produced by Tony Braunagel. The musicians who appear with Danielle Nicole on this recording include her husband, Brandon Miller (guitar/vocals); Jim Pugh (keyboards); Tony Braunagel (drums/percussion); Maxayne Lewis and Melodye Perry (background vocals); and a special appearance by Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars (guitar). This album is said to have possibly been shaped and influenced by the passing of Danielle Nicole’s brother, Kris, who died from that terrible disease called cancer in 2022.

    Fireflies is a collection of eleven exceptionally written, arranged, and performed songs that will certainly be embraced by those who already follow and enjoy Danielle Nicole’s music and will surely win over those who are not familiar with her. You are going to hear a little R&B, some rock, a little soul and a good, gracious helping of blues.

    I love when artists make a solid decision about what their opening song will be because it really sets the feel for the whole album. “Radical Love” opens this recording with a splash of guitar, and then it’s off we go to begin the listening journey ahead. This is a Jodi Siefel and Jeff Sibar-written tune, and kudos go out to them for their work on this piece. Danielle Nicole sings, “Radical love is all we need. That’s what’s going to save us; the only weapon that we need.” Witnessing much of what’s going on in our world today, we all could use more “Radical Love.” There’s also a fiery guitar break in this one that seasons the song to near perfection.

    Track two is “Take Me Back,” and if you love some super-fine guitar playing, then you are going to relish the work done on this one. Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) makes a guest appearance on this song and adds some of his own personal touch to this dish. Listen for when Danielle Nicole says, “Alright Luther, take us back.” There is also great keyboard work going on in this cut. Danielle Nicole sings, “drinking muddy water while I’m howling at the moon.” I just can’t get that vision out of my head, and I’m thinking that I might just have to give that a try one of these nights. I wonder what my neighbors will think. I also love the short breaks in this song where the drum keeps the beat going before the other musicians jump back in.

    The fourth track on Fireflies is “Soulside.” I am a sucker for those organ sounds going on, and this R&B-flavored, grooving piece has got it going on. Danielle Nicole sings, “I was looking for someone to show me the way. It’s the soul of your heart that will heal your world.” This sounds so much like a “hurting song” to me, and you can almost feel the pain firsthand while listening.

    You’ll also find some really tasty guitar playing on this one, and it’s a good place to mention what a great job Brandon Miller does throughout the whole album, as well as the great work exhibited by the rest of the band members.

    “Tug Of War” is the ninth song, and if you’re looking for that dancing tune in this mix of tracks, stopping on this one will do the trick. “Ain’t no tug of war; ain’t going back and forth,” Danielle Nicole sings. She doesn’t stop there either, singing, “Thought I’d be on my knees, begging you baby please, please baby don’t you leave. Instead, I took back my key.” I don’t feel any regrets coming from her, either.

    Fireflies is surely another very well-done album overall by Danielle Nicole. Koko Taylor is credited with once saying this about Danielle Nicole: “That girl gets down to the nitty gritty.” I couldn’t say it any better than that myself.

    You can catch Danielle Nicole on YouTube for some of her solo work and her work while with Trampled Under Foot, but you can really do yourself a favor, and do a favor for her and the band, by getting out and catching them live somewhere. They are currently on tour for August and September in the U.S. Check the band’s schedule for details.

    The Review: 9/10

    Can’t Miss Tracks

    – Radical Love
    – Take Me Back
    – Soulside
    – Tug Of War

    The Big Hit

    – Take Me Back

    The post Danielle Nicole: Fireflies Review appeared first on Blues Rock Review.

  • Fontaines D.C. Detail New Album Dopamine Chamber: Hear “Marianne”

    After debuting new songs over the weekend, Fontaines D.C. took to their socials to confirm a new album called Dopamine Chamber is on the way. Now we’ve got some official details and one (1) studio recording. Produced by James Ford, the follow-up to 2024’s Romance will be out in October on XL. Lead single “Marianne” is out now with visuals by music video director Dave Meyers.

    The post Fontaines D.C. Detail New Album <em>Dopamine Chamber</em>: Hear “Marianne” appeared first on Stereogum.

  • Blast Worship: Jig-Ai

    Where they from?
    Prague, Czech Republic. How come when football season finally rolls around, all of a sudden, people wanna do shit on Sundays? You wanted to get married on a Sunday? You had all of March/April, now I have to fantasy-relevant AFC South matchups because you wanted a spooky fucking wedding.

    Why the hype?
    If there is a such thing as a, uh, “tasteful” pornogrind band, these Czech grinders might be it. I’m not gonna be looking up the lyrics any time soon, but there are solid, modern gore riffs to be had here and pterodactyl vocals to go over those sick riffs to make them pop even harder. My favorite moments are when the guitar sort of bows it’s head and we go into bouncy Slipknot mode, gets me every time.

    Latest release?
    Jigoku, out now on Bizarre Leprous Productions. It’s been seven years since the band’s last record, Entrails Tsunami, which happens to be a personal favorite of mine. I happen to think this new one is even better as the songs are more dynamic and memorable. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to Google “Rokorokubi Throat Sutra.”

    The post Blast Worship: Jig-Ai appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

  • Classic Album Review: KORN ‘Follow The Leader’

    Rating: 10 / 10 Stars KORN is: Jonathan Davis – Vocals, BagpipesJames “Munky” Shaffer – GuitarBrian “Head” Welch – GuitarReginald “Fieldy” Arvizu – BassDavid Silveria – Drums REVIEW – By the time KORN released Follow […]

    The post Classic Album Review: KORN ‘Follow The Leader’ appeared first on INFRARED MAGAZINE.