Category: news

South Wales’ own pop punk powerhouse, Fortune Teller, (who we spoke to a bit over a year ago) have officially unleashed their latest single, “Lucid State”. Following the massive success of their debut EP, Premonitions (which bagged a 9/10 from PowerPlay Magazine and picked up airplay on Kerrang! Radio) the five-piece are back with a … Continue reading Fortune Teller drop stellar new pop punk anthem “Lucid State”

East Coast grindcore kids Escuela Grind have basically had a circle pit version of music chairs going on with their lineup lately, with quite a few of their members shifting to different positions to fill slots. It seems like everyone’s found their true seat though, with the addition of their new drummer Jake Sanders.

With Sanders now behind the kit, former drummer Jesse Fuentes will take one guitar duties, since their current guitarist Tom Sifuentes has left the band again. As a reminder, Sifuentes originally exited the band back in 2024 after speaking up about some concerns he had about his hearing. They’re on good terms, with Escuela Grind hoping to welcome Sifuentes back at some point along with a third guitarist.

Along with announcing the addition of Sanders, Escuela Grind also said they’ve finished recording their next album. They made a post on their socials yesterday (Saturday, April 17), saying:

“The next chapter of Escuela Grind

“It’s time to introduce you all to our new drummer! @jrs.drms blast beats are on another level. We look forward to sharing the stage with him for our upcoming tour in Europe.
We are excited to announce this as our drummer & key songwriter Jesse will be joining Justin & Krissy on guitar duty.

“We appreciated Toms return to guitar over the last year & hope he can join us for third guitar madness in the near future. We have officially wrapped up recordings for the next EG release and we cannot wait for everyone to hear what is coming next!”

Welcome to the family, Jake! Seems like you’ll fit right in.

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The post Escuela Grind Tap Jake Sanders as New Drummer; Finish New Album appeared first on MetalSucks.

(written by Islander) I mentioned yesterday that I had collected 69 new songs or complete releases as a starting point for deciding what to recommend in this weekend’s usual columns. After yesterday’s selections that magic number had diminished, but not enough to make today’s choices any easier. Still, choices must be made. I can’t identify […]

The post SHADES OF BLACK: DUIR, LORN, TYRANNUS, HAJDUK, BANSHEE MOON, LIVIDUS appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

The Strokes had a powerful ending for their Coachella Weekend 2 set last night. On the main stage of the festival — just ahead of headliner Justin Bieber — the band closed with “Oblivius,” a song from 2016 that they hadn’t performed since that year. The screen behind them displayed a video montage accusing the CIA of overthrowing various foreign regimes throughout the past few decades, including Mohammed Mossadegh of Iran, Patrice Lumumba of the Congo, and more. The montage ended with some footage of US attacks on Iran and Israeli attacks on Gaza, particularly pointing out the universities that have been destroyed.

The post The Strokes End Coachella Set With Video Condemning US Actions In Iran And Gaza appeared first on Stereogum.

Hallows Eve’s Tommy Stewart Talks New Music, Old School Roots, and Keeping It Real on The Zach Moonshine Show
The latest episode of The Zach Moonshine Show on Metal Devastation Radio delivered exactly what underground metal fans live for… a raw, unfiltered conversation with a true lifer. Tommy Stewart of Hallows Eve, Black Doomba Records, and Tommy Stewart’s Dyerwulf joined the show for a deep dive into his latest work, his process, and a lifetime in heavy music.
Right out of the gate, the conversation had that classic “figuring out the tech while talking shop” vibe… the kind of real-world chaos that makes live interviews feel alive. From Discord confusion to audio setups running through mixers and compressors, it was a reminder that even seasoned veterans are still navigating the ever-changing digital landscape. No polished corporate nonsense here… just two guys making it work and getting straight to the good stuff.
The Meaning Behind “My Politics Are My Own”

The centerpiece of the discussion was Dyerwulf’s new single, “My Politics Are My Own.” And here’s the kicker… despite the title, it’s not about politics in the way people assume.
Stewart made it clear: the song is about not engaging in the noise. In a world where everyone’s shouting opinions online, he’s choosing the opposite lane. Keep it private. Keep it personal. No flag-waving, no debates, no soapbox.
That message, ironically, stirred up mixed reactions. Some playlists rejected the track purely based on the word “politics” without digging deeper. That says more about the current climate than the song itself. Stewart leaned into it though. If anything, the reaction proved the point.
At its core, the track is about drawing a line. Not taking sides… just stepping out of the circus entirely.
A Raw Recording Process That Hits Hard

If you’re expecting overproduced, polished-to-death modern metal… this ain’t that.
The recording process for the track was as stripped down as it gets. Stewart laid down what was meant to be a scratch bass track… and ended up keeping it. One take. Full force. So aggressive it literally tore up his fingers mid-recording.
From there, drummer Joseph Dingle stepped in and nailed his parts in a single take as well. No endless rehearsals, no overthinking. Just musicians who know their craft showing up ready to deliver.
Even the vocals followed that same instinct-driven approach. Lyrics written on the fly, recorded with minimal passes. Stewart described it like pulling something already written out of the air… one of those rare moments where everything just clicks.
Bass-Driven Doom With a Twist

Dyerwulf continues to carve its own lane with a bass, drums, and vocals setup. No guitars. No filler. Just thick, heavy low-end and rhythm.
To shake things up, Stewart brought in Caleb Riser of Black Moon Cult to handle a lead bass section. That’s right… lead bass. And it works.
Instead of competing for space, the two bass styles complement each other. One holds down the foundation, the other adds texture and chaos on top. It’s unconventional, but that’s the whole point.
Old School Mentality Meets Modern Reality

One thing that stood out through the entire conversation… Stewart doesn’t chase trends. Never has.
He sees his entire career as one long songwriting journey, whether it’s Hallows Eve, Dyerwulf, or anything in between. The names change, the lineup changes, but the core stays the same.
That mindset carries into how he handles business too. Contracts aren’t about control… they’re just agreements. Plans. Clarity. Simple and old-school.
And while the industry keeps evolving with new platforms like Discord, Twitch, and beyond, Stewart approaches it with curiosity instead of resistance. He’s learning, adapting, but not losing himself in the process.
The Atlanta Scene and Those Classic Warehouse Days

The conversation took a nostalgic turn diving into the Atlanta scene. Back in the day, rehearsal spaces were packed with bands who would eventually become major names.
We’re talking about shared walls with bands like Mastodon, The Black Crowes, and Jackyl… all grinding it out in the same buildings, feeding off each other’s energy.
That kind of environment shaped the sound and the attitude. Loud, competitive, and full of personality. If your band was too loud for the room next door… that was a badge of honor.
Vinyl, Collecting, and Letting Go

Like any true lifer, Stewart has a deep connection to vinyl. Not just for listening, but for collecting.
But here’s the twist… he’s also lost massive collections more than once. Walked away from everything during a breakup. Lost another chunk to a flood. And his attitude?
It’s just stuff. You can always get more.
That perspective hits different in a world where people obsess over collecting. For Stewart, the music matters more than the object… even if he still appreciates a rare pressing when it shows up.
Festivals, Label Work, and What’s Next

Outside of recording, Stewart’s staying busy with Black Doomba Records, supporting multiple festivals, and working on upcoming releases… including new material from Megaton Communion.
Dyerwulf’s next full-length is in progress, with a target window somewhere down the line. No rush. The focus is on making it right, not just making it fast.
Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just another interview… it was a snapshot of what it means to stick with metal for the long haul.
No gimmicks. No trend-chasing. Just honesty, experience, and a willingness to keep evolving without losing your roots.
And if there’s one takeaway from the whole thing, it’s this… you don’t have to shout the loudest to be heard. Sometimes the strongest move is stepping back and letting the music speak for itself.
Crank it loud.
Full Track List: 
Battle Of The Bands Top Six Winners:
1 – ANTIPOPE – Doors of the Dead
2 – Severed Sun – Complex
3 – Another Demon – Drawn and Quartered feat. James Murphy (Testament, Death, Obituary)
4 – Weak13 – Me to Be
5 – Mistress – Terrified eyes
6 – Ru_Bass – Time
The Zach Moonshine Intro
7 – Iommi – Who’s Fooling Who – Featuring Ozzy
8 – Rob Zombie – The Black Scorpion
9 – Immolation – Bend Towards The Dark
10 – Phantom – Summoned to Kill
11 – Hallows Eve – Metal Merchants
Tommy Stewart – Interview featuring My Politics Are My Own
12 – Black Moon Cult – At The Mountains of Madness
13 – Burnt Witch – Bastard
14 – IATT – Walk Amongst
15 – Nicarus – Vegan
16 – BRAINMAZE – Nightmare & Reality
17 – Sins of Shadows – Tell Me Why
18 – We All Rise – Crown
19 – MENTAL ANGUISH – The Repugnant Void
20 – Far From Refuge – Circuits II; Timelines

The Interview segment is also available on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and more! 



Super huge shout out to the 206,251 metal maniacs from around the world that tuned in to the live broadcast Friday night!

Check out the music video!

The synth legend also tells UCR about working with Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir. Continue reading…

Dude, just shut up. He may be a talented drummer, but goddamn does System of a Down’s John Dolmayan say some dumbass shit sometimes. I’m not gonna get into all of it here—you can very, very easily look it up for yourself—but he’s basically like a MAGA puppet that’s for whatever reason allowed to walk around on his own. What’s funny about the situation at hand though is he thinks South African actress Charlize Theron is the one who said some dumbass shit when in reality, what was said wasn’t dumb, and Theron wasn’t even the one who said it in the first place.

Dolmayan took to his Instagram a couple days ago to react to a screenshot that claimed Theron said: “What drives me is this: my children are all queer. My Eldest child is non-binary. My son is gay. My youngest child is fluid.” Sweet words, whether they came from Theron or not, right?

Well, Dolmayan decided to take his giant, kick drum blasting foot and shove it up his own ass, because he posted the screenshot to his stories along with the caption:

“This woman should be in an asylum or jail. These children are being mentally abused, statistically impossible!”

Here’s the thing though—while Theron does openly advocate and support trans rights, and she has two adopted children, one of whom is transgender, this quote is misattributed to her. She never said it!

Instead, the words actually came from another actress, Academy Award-winning Marcia Gay Harden. According to People, Harden said the following back in 2023:

“What drives me is — my children are all queer. My eldest child is non-binary. My son is gay. My youngest is fluid. And you know, they are my kids and they teach me every day.”

Whether Charlize said it, or Marcia, the point is it’s not hard to support your children for who they are. Like, it’s really, really not. Maybe John didn’t feel nearly enough of that love growing up and that’s why he’s out here in these streets acting this way now? Something to think about, but put the phone down, John. Put it down, in another room, and go find some compassion.

The post System of a Down’s John Dolmayan Wants Charlize Theron Jailed Over a Quote She Didn’t Even Say appeared first on MetalSucks.

On the evening of 13th April, Glasgow’s intimate club venue Slay played host to a triple bill of black metal mastery. The lineup featured Spain’s Noctem, Britain’s Winterfylleth, and headliner Blackbraid, whose rising profile brought the crowd together for a night that promised fierce energy, sonic depth, and a sense of unity within the genre. … Continue reading Gig Review: Blackbraid / Winterfylleth / Noctem – Slay, Glasgow (13th April 2026)

Justin Bieber’s Coachella Weekend 1 set has been spawning a lot of conversations online. Some people argue that him bringing out a laptop to sing karaoke over his old music videos was lazy; others argue that he’s endured enough in his career and should be able to do whatever the hell he wants. Either way, he switched things up for his Weekend 2 headlining performance last night, bringing out a slew of special guests: Billie Eilish, SZA, Sexyy Red, Big Sean, and Dijon.

The post Justin Bieber Brings Out Billie Eilish, SZA, & More At Coachella appeared first on Stereogum.