Ren has shared the latest in his long and unique line of collaboration with Chris Webby and JP On Da Track, and it’s yet another curveball.
Titled ‘Madhouse’, is it accompanied by the sort of beat that wouldn’t sound out of place in a Disney film from the 1920s. It has swing, swagger and a timeless quality that perfectly captures a mood. Set against lyrics about reaching breaking point and letting the madness take over, revelling in the chaos and carnage, it’s sensationally catchy and unashamably brash. Another colourful feather in the hat of this project that keeps on offering up new textures, influences and ideals.
Have a listen to it below:
It follows on from the last Inpatient offering, which was ‘Smoking Gun’ and sounds like this:
Welcome to Four Records! Each episode, we feature one guest as they discuss the four records that helped shape them at four different times in their life. This week, we are doing something a little different. Forrest has gathered a round table of past guests to go over their favorite movie soundtrack. Jennie Cotterill (Reckoner, Jennie Bakes), Andy Bechdolt (The Rad Skulls), Jason Stone (Dying Scene Editor) and Forrest talk about the movies themselves and how the music formed them.
CoreLeoni led by Gotthard founding member Leo Leoni, have announced the release of their new studio album Generection, set for release on September 11 via Reigning Phoenix Music. Marking the band’s fourth album since its formation in 2017 and the second featuring vocalist Gent Bushpepa, Generection sees CoreLeoni returning to their roots with their heaviest and hardest-hitting record to… Continue Reading →
Twenty years after its historic Eurovision Song Contest victory, Lordi‘s iconic anthem “Hard Rock Hallelujah” is returning to dancefloors worldwide in explosive fashion. Swedish DJ and producer J.O.X has teamed up with DJ Ganté to transform the legendary 2006 Eurovision-winning track into a peak-time hard dance weapon designed to ignite dancefloors in clubs and parties…. Continue Reading →
What began on July 13, 2001, in Eislingen an der Fils with their very first performance is today one of Germany’s most enduring, successful, and at the same time most likable punk rock institutions. With boundless energy, plenty of humor, and an unmistakable knack for great melodies, Itchy worked their way up from their first… Continue Reading →
In 2004, nu metal was dead and the scene craved something new. Nobody needed seven-string chugging in their lives anymore, giving rise to a generation of balls-out, screaming, technical metal bands like Killswitch Engage and Lamb Of God. It was the perfect context for Blood And Thunder to grab people by the balls.
Mastodon were still cult prospects when they recorded the third single of their second album, but the song quickly propelled them to heavy music’s top tier. With its immediate riffing, roaring yet catchy hook and disorienting music video, it became the Atlantans’ signature track. It also affirmed that what the world wanted from metal had completely changed. To this day, it closes every one of the band’s concerts, and the near-100-million streams it has on Spotify prove its enduring popularity.
The story of the song starts in 2003. Mastodon were signed to Relapse Records and had attracted critical notice with their fire-spewing debut, Remission, the previous year. Drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor had to take a flight from Hawaii to London, and looking for something to ease the impending hours of boredom, he grabbed a copy of Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick from an airport bookshop. By the time he landed, he wanted to centre his band’s next album around it.
“I basically said, ‘Hey, I think it would be cool if we did a concept album loosely based on Moby-Dick,’” Dailor told Metal Hammer in 2024. “‘You guys don’t have to read the book to participate.’ I just thought it would be cool aesthetically, first and foremost.”
The album, later christened Leviathan, would become a concept piece, and Blood And Thunder would be the song that dealt most directly with the source novel. The lyrics assume the perspective of the central character Captain Ahab, expressing his obsession with finding and killing the white whale Moby-Dick. ‘White whale! Holy grail!’ singer/bassist Troy Sanders and guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds cry during the yell-along chorus.
As for the music, like the rest of Leviathan, Mastodon wrote and refined the track on a tour supporting US stoner rock stars Clutch. The band were playing to unfamiliar audiences night in and night out, so they used the shows as an excuse to jam and rehearse as-yet-unreleased songs – no one in the crowd would know! That on-the-road energy fed into the material, with Leviathan still standing as one of Mastodon’s most to-the-point albums, and Blood And Thunder being its most to-the-point song.
Dailor told Knotfest: “When the first riff of Blood And Thunder came together, and we had everybody in the room, we started locking in and playing it. We played it for 100 hours because it was so badass! And it’ll never be heard like that by anybody else.”
The iconic, thudding riff that opens the song was written by Dailor, despite the drummer barely knowing his way around a guitar at the time. Guitarist Bill Kelliher told Guitar World: “[Brann’s] about as good at guitar as I am on drums – which is to say, terrible – but he comes up with a lot of riffs, and puts them into my hands.”
He added: “The thing is, he thinks of rhythms differently than I would. He was playing the beat to it [after explaining the riff], but we kept getting off time. He was like, ‘No, dude, it doesn’t go “ban-na, ban-na, ban-na”, it goes “BANT, ban-na, ban-na”.’ That simple little change… It was like learning new math.”
Mastodon stepped off of their tour bus and immediately went into the studio with producer Matt Bayles. Blood And Thunder’s middle section – ‘Split your lung with blood and thunder! When you see the white whale!’ – was sung by Neil Fallon, the frontman of Clutch. The two bands had just toured together for six weeks, but Mastodon were such fans that they still struggled to find the courage to ask Fallon to appear on the song. They also made accommodations that the singer never even asked for.
“We had two motel rooms at the Extended Stay, two guys to a room,” Dailor told Decibel. “But when Neil came to stay to do his part, we all kind of huddled in one room and let him have one of the rooms to himself. Both rooms were next to each other and you could hear him through the wall saying, ‘Guys, can you come over here?’ A couple of us went over and he was like, ‘You don’t have to do this. Someone can stay in here. I can sleep on the floor or something. It doesn’t matter.’”
Mastodon in 2006. L–R: Brent Hinds (guitars/vocals), Troy Sanders (vocals/bass), Brann Dailor (vocals/drums), Bill Kelliher (guitars). (Image credit: Gie Knaeps/Getty Images)
Leviathan came out in August 2004 and swiftly intensified the critical acclaim surrounding Mastodon. Rave reviews came from every corner of the globe, and from there the floodgates opened. The band got a manager and were added to the bill of a Slayer tour, then they played with Slipknot. Blood And Thunder came out as a single in 2005, accompanied by a fever dream of a music video that depicted the band playing in fezzes in front of a crowd of clowns. Dailor likes clowns; the fezzes, meanwhile, were courtesy of Brent Hinds.
“My grandfather was a Shriner,” thew guitarist told Invisible Oranges. “He drove the go-karts, he wore the fezzes. When I was a kid, we would go watch parades and see him driving the go-kart in the get-up. It was super awesome. He died when I was about seven. That image just stuck with me.”
As unhinged as it may have been, the Blood And Thunder video popped up everywhere, sealing Mastodon’s ascent. Also in 2005, the song appeared in the films The Cave and Alone In The Dark, as well as the videogame Need For Speed: Most Wanted. It was inescapable.
“It was a little bit of a slow burn,” Dailor told Hammer, reflecting on the period between Leviathan’s release and Blood And Thunder blowing up. “It took maybe a year, and then really levelled the band up. A big level-up.”
Blood And Thunder remained omnipotent for the rest of the 2000s, appearing in titles in the Saint’s Row, Rock Band and Guitar Hero franchises. All the while, Mastodon played the song tirelessly on tour (setlist.fm claims that it’s been performed more than 800 times). As the tides of metal turned in the mid-2000s, Blood And Thunder made an indelible mark, and it still packs an all-adrenaline wallop more than 20 years on.
Mastodon’s new single Your Ghost Again is out now.
The Black Dahlia Murder was formed in 2001 in Waterford, Michigan, and is considered one of the most critically acclaimed and consistent bands in American extreme metal. They have been signed to Metal Blade Records since their debut album, Unhallowed (2003). The band has released ten studio albums—eight of which made it onto the US… Continue Reading →
Raycon and JLab both target shoppers who want wireless earbuds without paying flagship prices. Each brand competes in the budget and midrange market, but each one takes a different route.
Raycon leans toward a more feature-heavy experience, with Active Noise Cancellation, Awareness mode, ergonomic designs, stronger water resistance on fitness models, and longer total battery life. JLab focuses more on low pricing, useful sound controls, solid battery life, and simple daily performance.
Key models in this comparison include Raycon Everyday Classic Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds, Raycon Fitness Earbuds, JLab Go Air, and JLab Go Air Pop True Wireless Earbuds.
Let’s talk about it.
Category
Winner
Reason
Sound quality
Tie, depending on preference
Raycon has ANC and stronger bass, while JLab has EQ3 sound modes
Battery life
Raycon
Raycon Everyday offers 32 total hours, while Raycon Fitness reaches up to 56 total hours
Earbud-only battery
JLab
JLab Go Air Pop offers about 9 hours, compared with Raycon Everyday Classic’s 8 hours
Workout use
Raycon
Raycon Fitness has stabilizing fins and IPX7 resistance
Casual activity
JLab
JLab has IPX4 resistance and stays in place during moderate activity
Budget value
JLab
JLab Go Air Pop is listed at $19.99 compared with Raycon Everyday Classic at $79.99
Everyday casual use
JLab
Affordable, simple, colorful, and well-reviewed
Premium features
Raycon
ANC, Awareness mode, quick charging, and Bluetooth multipoint on the Fitness model
Customer rating in listed data
JLab
JLab Go Air Pop has 4.4 stars, while Raycon Everyday Classic has 4.3 stars
Total review count in listed data
JLab
JLab has over 57,300 reviews, while Raycon Everyday Classic has over 30,000 reviews
Brand Overview
Before comparing sound, battery life, and value, it helps to look at what each brand is trying to offer. One brand leans into a more polished feature set, while the other focuses on getting the basics right at a very low price.
That difference shapes the full comparison. Price, fit, sound controls, battery life, and workout durability all feel different once each brand’s core approach is clear.
Raycon
Lifestyle-focused design is a major part of Raycon’s identity. Its earbuds often sit above basic budget models in price, and the brand usually pushes features that make its products feel more premium.
Common features include Active Noise Cancellation, Awareness mode, ergonomic fit, sweat and water resistance, and longer total battery life. That feature set makes Raycon attractive to buyers who want more than simple wireless audio.
Raycon Everyday Classic Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds are listed at $79.99. They offer up to 32 hours of total battery life with the charging case and up to 8 hours per charge. A 10-minute quick charge adds about 1.5 hours of playtime, which is useful for users who often forget to charge their earbuds before leaving home.
Important Raycon Everyday Classic data includes:
Price listed at $79.99
Up to 8 hours per charge
Up to 32 hours total with the case
10-minute quick charge for about 1.5 hours of playback
4.3-star customer rating
More than 30,000 customer reviews
Praise for sound quality and charge retention
Fitness users get a more specialized option with Raycon Fitness Earbuds. They include ANC, Awareness mode, Bluetooth 5.3, IPX7 sweat and water resistance, and up to 56 hours of total battery life with the charging case. Their design also includes stabilizing fins and multiple ear tip sizes, making them better suited for movement and sweat-heavy workouts.
B. JLab
Affordability is where JLab builds much of its reputation. Instead of pushing a higher price with advanced features, JLab gives users practical tools at a much lower cost.
Common features include built-in EQ modes, water resistance, touch controls, compact cases, voice assistant support, and multiple color options. JLab Go Air Pop True Wireless Earbuds are a clear example of that approach.
JLab Go Air Pop is listed at $19.99. For that price, users get about 9 hours of listening time through the earbuds alone and more than 26 hours total with the charging case. That is strong battery life for a product priced at about one-fourth of Raycon Everyday Classic.
Key JLab Go Air Pop data includes:
Price listed at $19.99
About 9 hours of earbud-only battery life
More than 26 hours total with the case
EQ3 sound modes
Touch controls
IPX4 water resistance
Dual microphones
Voice assistant support
More than 57,300 reviews
4.4-star average rating
Customer feedback also helps JLab’s value case. Go Air Pop has a slightly higher customer rating than Raycon Everyday Classic in the listed comparison, with 4.4 stars compared with Raycon’s 4.3 stars. It also has a larger review count, which strengthens its value argument.
Sound Quality Comparison
Both Raycon and JLab earbuds provide impressive sound quality
Audio performance depends on more than loudness or bass. Noise control, EQ options, microphone setup, and tuning all affect how earbuds perform during music, podcasts, calls, workouts, and commuting.
Some buyers will care most about bass and ANC. Others will care more about simple sound adjustment without paying a higher price.
Raycon Sound
A 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range gives Raycon Everyday Classic coverage across standard bass, mids, and treble. That range is common for consumer wireless earbuds, but sound profile and features still shape the experience.
Reviewers praised Raycon Everyday Classic for sound quality and charge retention. Active Noise Cancellation also gives these earbuds an advantage for users who want fewer distractions during commutes, office work, gym sessions, or travel.
Awareness mode adds another useful layer. Instead of blocking out everything, it lets users hear surroundings when needed. That can help during walking, commuting, or working in shared spaces.
Raycon Fitness Earbuds have a bass-forward sound profile. Users can switch among three listening profiles:
Balanced
Bass Sound
Pure Sound
Even with these modes, Raycon Fitness Earbuds keep a strong bass-heavy character. That can work well for gym playlists, running, and high-energy listening. Buyers who prefer cleaner mids, lighter bass, or more detailed vocals may not like that sound as much.
Power, bass, and noise-control features are Raycon’s main sound strengths. Listeners who want a more neutral or detailed sound signature may find the tuning less appealing.
JLab Sound
Sound control is JLab’s best weapon at a low price. Instead of focusing on ANC or Awareness mode, Go Air Pop gives users EQ3 sound settings for very little money.
EQ3 lets users switch among three sound signatures:
Signature
Bass Boost
Balanced
That gives users more control over sound without needing an app or a high price point. Signature mode works for general listening, Bass Boost adds more low-end punch, and Balanced gives a more even sound for casual music, podcasts, and videos.
JLab Go Air Pop also includes two microphones, one in each earbud, to support call clarity. Users praised the earbuds for quick pairing, stable use, and staying in place during moderate activity.
Advanced noise control is not part of the same package here, but sound flexibility is stronger than expected at $19.99. For casual listeners, that may matter more than extra audio processing.
Sound Verdict
Bass lovers and users who want noise control will likely prefer Raycon. Active Noise Cancellation, Awareness mode, and a stronger bass profile give Raycon a more feature-heavy listening experience.
Budget-focused listeners may prefer JLab. EQ3 modes give users simple control over sound, and that makes Go Air Pop more flexible than many low-cost earbuds.
Sound comparison breaks down clearly:
Raycon has the advantage for ANC and Awareness mode
Raycon has stronger bass, especially in the Fitness Earbuds
JLab has better sound customization for the price
JLab gives casual users three EQ modes at $19.99
Raycon feels more feature-heavy, while JLab feels more budget-efficient
For pure value in sound customization, JLab has the edge. For noise-control features and a more premium-style listening experience, Raycon has the edge.
Battery Life Comparison
Raycon earbuds have battery that is hard to compete with
Battery life can decide how convenient earbuds feel after the first week. Long earbud-only life matters during extended listening, while strong case battery life matters for users who do not want to recharge often.
A low price does not always mean weak battery life, and a higher price does not always win every battery category. That makes battery performance one of the more useful parts of this comparison.
Raycon Battery Life
Long total battery life is one of Raycon’s clearest advantages, especially when charging-case performance matters.
Raycon Everyday Classic offers up to 8 hours per charge and up to 32 hours total with the charging case. That is enough for daily commuting, workdays, workouts, and casual listening across several days before the case needs to be recharged.
A 10-minute quick charge adds about 1.5 hours of playback. That feature helps users who need a fast top-up before a walk, commute, gym session, or video call.
Raycon Fitness Earbuds push battery life higher. They offer up to 12 hours with ANC turned off and up to 56 hours total with the charging case. Battery life drops when ANC is on, with estimates putting it at just over half of the ANC-off figure.
Raycon’s key battery strengths include:
8 hours per charge on Everyday Classic
32 hours total on Everyday Classic with case
10-minute quick charge for about 1.5 hours
Up to 12 hours on Fitness Earbuds with ANC off
Up to 56 hours total on Fitness Earbuds with case
Fewer charging breaks are a major selling point here. Fitness Earbuds are especially strong for travelers, gym users, and people who want multiple days of listening between case charges.
JLab Battery Life
Low pricing does not stop JLab Go Air Pop delivering strong battery results. Earbud-only battery life reaches about 9 hours, which beats Raycon Everyday Classic’s 8-hour per-charge figure.
Total battery life with the case reaches more than 26 hours. That is lower than Raycon Everyday Classic’s 32 hours and much lower than Raycon Fitness Earbuds’ 56 hours, but it is still strong for a $19.99 product.
JLab’s battery performance gives it real everyday usefulness. Many low-cost earbuds fail because they feel cheap or need constant charging, but Go Air Pop avoids that problem.
Main JLab battery data includes:
About 9 hours through the earbuds alone
More than 26 hours total with the case
Better earbud-only battery than Raycon Everyday Classic
Lower total case battery than Raycon Everyday Classic and Raycon Fitness
Earbud-only battery life is one of JLab’s best advantages. For users who listen for long stretches in one sitting, Go Air Pop competes well.
Battery Verdict
Total battery life favors Raycon. Everyday Classic reaches up to 32 total hours, while Fitness Earbuds reach up to 56 total hours with the case. That makes Raycon stronger for longer trips, longer workout schedules, and users who do not want to recharge the case often.
Per-charge battery is where JLab keeps the comparison close. Go Air Pop offers about 9 hours through the earbuds alone, beating Raycon Everyday Classic’s 8 hours per charge.
Battery choice depends on how the earbuds will be used:
Pick Raycon for longer total case battery
Pick Raycon Fitness for the strongest total battery figure
Pick JLab for strong earbud-only battery at a low price
Pick JLab for simple daily use without spending much
For maximum total battery life, Raycon wins. For low-cost earbud-only battery performance, JLab is impressive.
Comfort, Fit, and Durability
JLab are very comfortable earbuds, with no real competitor in this segment
Comfort matters most once earbuds move past casual testing and into daily use. A secure fit can make a big difference during walks, commutes, gym sessions, and longer listening periods.
Durability also changes the buying decision. Sweat resistance, water protection, ear tips, stabilizing fins, and touch controls can make one pair feel better suited for active users than another.
Raycon
Everyday use is part of the Raycon Everyday Classic design, with an ergonomic fit meant to stay in place during regular listening. That matters for commuting, walking, work, errands, and general use.
Workout needs are handled more directly by Raycon Fitness Earbuds. Their small in-ear form factor, touch controls, stabilizing fins, and five ear tip sizes give users more ways to get a secure fit.
Raycon Fitness Earbuds include:
Small in-ear design
Touch controls
Three sets of stabilizing fins
Five ear tip sizes
IPX7 sweat and water resistance
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth multipoint support
Stabilizing fins become more useful during sweatier or more intense workouts. That gives Raycon Fitness Earbuds a real advantage for running, gym training, HIIT sessions, and longer active use.
IPX7 resistance also gives Raycon a stronger durability case. It offers better protection against sweat and water exposure than basic IPX4 earbuds.
Bluetooth multipoint adds another convenience feature. Users can connect to two devices at the same time, which is helpful for switching between a phone and laptop.
JLab
Simple comfort is the main idea behind JLab Go Air Pop. Its compact design, multiple color options, touch controls, and IPX4 water resistance make it easy to use day after day.
IPX4 means the earbuds can handle sweat and light activity. They are not as rugged as Raycon Fitness Earbuds, but they are good enough for walking, casual gym use, commuting, housework, and daily listening.
JLab Go Air Pop also supports voice assistants, allowing users to use spoken commands through the earbuds. Touch controls allow music playback and volume changes without reaching for a phone.
Color options include teal, rose, and lilac, giving JLab a more playful style at a low price. Customers also noted that the earbuds stay in place during moderate activity and pair quickly without frequent dropouts.
JLab’s comfort and fit argument is not about serious athletic performance. It is about being light, easy, affordable, and reliable enough for normal use.
Fit and Durability Verdict
Intense workouts favor Raycon Fitness Earbuds. Stabilizing fins, five ear tip sizes, and IPX7 resistance give them a clear edge for sweat-heavy use.
Casual exercise and daily life fit JLab Go Air Pop well. IPX4 water resistance, touch controls, and a secure fit during moderate activity make it practical for ordinary use.
Fit and durability comparison is straightforward:
Raycon wins for intense workouts
Raycon wins for stronger water resistance
Raycon wins for stabilizing fins and more fit options
JLab works well for casual activity
JLab is enough for walking, commuting, light workouts, and daily listening
Raycon has the durability advantage. JLab has enough protection for most users who do not need a dedicated workout earbud.
Closing Thoughts
Raycon gives users more advanced features and stronger total battery performance. ANC, Awareness mode, quick charging, stronger workout durability, and up to 56 total hours on the Fitness Earbuds make Raycon a better pick for users who want more capability.
JLab gives users a better price-to-performance ratio. Go Air Pop costs $19.99, offers about 9 hours of earbud-only battery life, includes EQ3 sound modes, has IPX4 water resistance, and carries a 4.4-star rating with more than 57,300 reviews.
Raycon is stronger for performance-focused buyers. JLab is stronger for budget buyers who still want reliable battery life, sound control, water resistance, and easy everyday use.
