Think Like A Key 2025 Willing wonder into wanderlust on their sixth platter, American dreamers fall through earth to land in the past and hope the trip will not last. One would think his latter-day dusting-off of THE SHIRTS’ cache … Continue reading
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At first blush, pop music and progressive rock might seem too contradictory to be combined effectively. While the former prioritizes immediate accessibility, the latter prizes unconventional artistic expression. Even so, several Norwegian bands are finding immensely original ways to reconcile these differences. Moron Police and Meer have been showered with heaps of deserved praise by my colleagues, but I discovered my personal favorite of the bunch tucked at the very end of GardensTale’s Top Ten(ish) of 2022 list. Major Parkinson’s Valesa – Chapter I: Velvet Prison quickly became one of my most beloved records of all time with its inimitable charm and wit. All permanent band members have returned for Valesa – Chapter II: Viva the Apocalypse!, which is particularly relieving given vocalist Jon Ivar Kollbotn’s heart attack while performing on stage a few years ago. I’m grateful that the full crew is still here to delight audiences once more.
If there’s anything predictable about Major Parkinson, it’s their unpredictability. While the chimeric fusion of synth-pop and prog rock of Velvet Prison was drenched in 80s nostalgia, Viva the Apocalypse! feels somewhat more modernized. The guitar lines (Øystein Bech-Eriksen and Sondre Skollevoll1) are much more prominent and flashy, with full-on solos in “Showbiz” and “Superdad.” In fact, pretty much everything about Viva the Apocalypse! is flashy. Lars Christian Bjørknes’s2 piano keys that featured prominently in prior albums are mostly replaced by glitzy synths, frequently underscored by blazing trumpets3 and smooth saxophone.4 Brand-new guest vocalist Halie’s husky singing complements Kollbotn’s gravelly yet velvety tones extremely well. His voice has only become richer over time, bathing my ears as if with warm honey.
Major Parkinson has always been defined by duality, but on Viva the Apocalypse! it’s sharper than ever. The first half of the record is full of ridiculously catchy, quirky arrangements and carefree curiosity. There are even sprinklings of funk (“Superdad”) and gospel (“Showbiz”). “Viva the Apocalypse!” is the climax of this feverish party, as trumpets, upbeat electronic tunes, and guitar riffs blast with reckless abandon. But something about all this mirth doesn’t feel quite genuine, and the second half of Viva the Apocalypse! grows more hostile as the mask starts to slip. “Karma Supernova” begins with ominous bass notes that intertwine with guitar and synth lines to signal something sinister approaching, with Sondre Veland’s drumming sporadically becoming frantic as tension builds and releases. His frenzied kitwork and the whirring synth tone at the end of “Maybelline” give the vivid impression that the record is about to self-destruct.
As different as the individual elements are on Viva the Apocalypse!, Major Parkinson again weaves them together into a unified and unique experience. I miss the eccentric interludes from Velvet Prison, but other songwriting tricks have carried over. As before, Viva the Apocalypse! leans on simple recurring lyrics to tie the tracks together with tickling déjà vu. Examples include “The world is on fire, and you look so beautiful” (“Superdad,” Kiss Me Now!”), and “Free drinks for everyone!” (“Showbiz,” “Karma Supernova”). I particularly love the one-two punch of “Superdad” and “Father Superior,” which (as their titles suggest) are deliciously complementary, both musically and lyrically. However, I’m less enthralled by Kollbotn’s unsettling shouting match with returning vocalist Peri Winkle in “Maybelline,” which contrasts starkly with their gentle duet in “Kiss Me Now!” Despite the powerful artistic statement, these closing tracks are more difficult to appreciate musically.
In many ways, Viva the Apocalypse! is Major Parkinson’s most incendiary chapter to date. It’s more technically impressive—the drums and guitars in particular get their chance to shine brightly. Once again, they have cleverly evolved their sound and leveraged a diverse supporting cast to enrich the musical environment. The first half of Viva the Apocalypse! is a fantastic dream from which I don’t want to wake, but the second half is meaner and less emotionally gripping for me. Still, there is something special going on here, just like in Norway’s prog scene as a whole. If the world is on fire, I’m glad that Major Parkinson is around to give us a good time as it goes up in flames.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: PCM
Label: Apollon Records
Websites: majorparkinson.bandcamp.com | majorparkinson.com | facebook.com/majorparkinson
Releases Worldwide: March 13th, 2026
The post Major Parkinson – Valesa – Chapter II: Viva the Apocalypse! Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.
One of the very many (non)pleasures of being in a touring band is having your shit stolen and Soulfly are now down personal and stage equipment.
The post SOULFLY Robbed While On The Road; Personal & Stage Equipment Stolen appeared first on Metal Injection.
Produced and signed by Ross Robinson.
The post Evil Island (The Blood Brothers, Etc.) Sign With Blowed Out Records, Tease “Tiger Baby” appeared first on Theprp.com.
As if I needed another reason to want to live across the pond, but here we are. Thank you Korn, for announcing a slate of European and UK tour dates they’ll be embarking on this fall. Coming along for the ride will be Architects as direct tour support, while Youth Code and Pixel Grip will split the tour with their respective appearances.
This is great to hear, since the band just said they’re “taking some time off” before they start working on their next album, whenever that’s supposed to happen. Korn’s been on a good one for a while now with festival appearances, clothing deals and the like, so the vacation is very clearly well deserved.
Pre-sale for their mailing list members starts tomorrow, March 17, at 8 am GMT. For the rest of us peasants, general sale starts this Friday, March 20, at 8 am GMT.
Korn 2026 European/UK tour dates:
10/18 Stuttgart, DE @ Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle^
10/19 Munich, DE @ Olympiahalle^
10/21 Cologne, DE @ Lanxess Arena^
10/23 Paris, FR @ Accor Arena^
10/26 Leeds, UK @ First Direct Arena^
10/28 Birmingham, UK @ Utilita Arena Birmingham^
10/30 Newcastle, UK @ Utilita Arena Newcastle^
10/31 Manchester, UK @ AO Arena^
11/02 Dublin, IE @ 3Arena^
11/04 London, UK @ The O2^
11/08 Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggo Dome*
11/09 Antwerp, BE @ AFAS Dome*
11/11 Hamburg, DE @ Barclays Arena*
11/13 Hanover, DE @ ZAG Arena*
11/14 Berlin, DE @ Uber Arena*
11/16 Prague, CZ @ O2 Arena Prague*
11/17 Krakow, PL @ Tauron Arena*
11/19 Vienna, AT @ Wiener Stadhalle*
11/21 Milan, IT @ Unipol Forum*
^= with Youth Code
*= with Pixel Grip
The post Korn Announce 2026 European/UK Tour with Architects appeared first on MetalSucks.
Last year, promoter Ignacio Rodriguera, who goes by the name Nacho Corrupted, announced plans for the rescheduled version of CY Fest, a Los Angeles punk festival that was originally supposed to take place in 2025. The 2026 CY Fest, scheduled to come to the Belasco later this month, has a truly impressive lineup, with punk, hardcore, and metal underground legends like the Subhumans, Eyehategod, Pig Destroyer, and Dropdead playing alongside newer bands like Big Boy, Rotting Out, and Mess. But an online feminist group has circulated a number of sexual misconduct allegations against Rodriguera, and some bands have dropped off the CY Fest lineup.
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