This was the kind of birthday party one could only wish for to mark the 35th anniversary. Once again, the scene’s stars handed the instruments to one another on the stages – figuratively speaking, at least. 85,000 metalheads from all over the world celebrated international bands such as Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Savatage, Hämatom, In […]

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Levinia has had a very busy year, releasing four brand new singles that their fans (me among them) were eager to hear. I spoke with vocalist Kourt Henson about the inspiration behind songs like “Bite” and “The Blank Page,” how fans have responded to the new music, alongside a range of other topics.

Reuel

Hello Kourt! I’m so happy to talk with you! How are you doing?

Kourt Henson

Hey! It’s great to hear from you!

Reuel

I got to learn about many talented bands through working on FemMetal, and you were one of the first and one of my favourites. No question here. Just wanted to say this 😀

Kourt Henson

Oh my gosh, thank you so much! That genuinely means the world to me. FemMetal has been in our corner since day one, and I’ll always be incredibly grateful for all the support you’ve given us. You guys have done so much to champion women in metal and help so many incredible bands get the recognition they deserve. The scene is genuinely stronger because of what you’ve built. I still remember winning two awards for Liberation during the Goddess of Metal Awards in 2018. That was such an honor, and it’s a memory I’ll always cherish. Thank you again for believing in us from the very beginning. It means more than you know.

Reuel

You’re going to make me tear up! Thank you so much for those incredibly kind words.
You’ve recently released three singles, the latest being “Bite”. How are you feeling about the way fans have received this new cycle of releases?

Kourt Henson

Absolutely! I’m feeling really great about how this new cycle of releases has been received. We’ve seen so much more traction than we did with our Liberation EP, and that’s been incredibly encouraging. As an independent band, you always hope your music finds the right audience, so seeing more and more people discovering Levinia has been amazing. What means the most to me, though, is seeing fans who have been with us since the beginning continue to support us while so many new listeners are joining the journey. The response to all three singles has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s exciting to watch our fanbase continue to grow. It really feels like momentum is building, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s listened, shared our music, and believed in what we’re creating.

Reuel

You have one more single set to be released soon, I believe. What can you tell us about the upcoming single?

Kourt Henson

It actually just dropped! It’s called “The Blank Page,” and it’s probably our most personal release yet. The song explores the creative struggle that so many artists face, but it also goes much deeper than that. At its core, it’s about wrestling with self-doubt, feeling like you’re not enough, and battling the pressure to constantly prove yourself. I think those feelings are something almost everyone can relate to, whether you’re an artist or not. We wanted to capture that internal conflict while also creating something powerful and cathartic. Musically, it still has that signature Levinia heaviness, but emotionally, it’s one of our most vulnerable songs. We’re incredibly proud of it, and we’re so excited that it’s finally out for everyone to hear.

Reuel

Are these four singles an appetizer for a bigger release you’re planning for?

Kourt Henson

At the moment, there aren’t any concrete plans for a full-length album. That said… never say never. We’ve really found our creative stride lately, and Alon and I have been writing nonstop. It’s been an incredibly exciting season for us creatively, and ideas just keep flowing. Right now, we’re focused on continuing to release music that we’re genuinely proud of rather than rushing toward an album for the sake of it. But fans definitely won’t have to wait long for new material. We’re constantly writing, experimenting, and pushing ourselves, so I’d definitely say to keep an eye out—there’s a lot more Levinia on the horizon.

Reuel

Definitely keeping an eye! What, would you say, makes Levinia stand out from other bands with similar musical style?

Kourt Henson

That’s always a tough question because there are so many incredible bands in the melodic metal scene. I think what makes Levinia stand out is that we never write music just to fit into a particular subgenre or trend. Every song starts with a story we genuinely want to tell, and the music grows naturally from that.
Lyrically, we explore themes of resilience, inner battles, mythology, literature, and the darker aspects of the human experience. While those themes are deeply personal to us, one of my favorite things about songwriting is that once a song is released, it no longer belongs solely to the writer. Listeners bring their own experiences to the music, and whatever they take away from a song is completely valid. If someone finds a meaning we never intended, that’s part of the beauty of art. Musically, I think our blend of cinematic melodies, aggressive riffs, and dynamic vocals gives us our own identity. I’m classically trained, but I also love the grit, power, and raw emotion that metal allows me to express, so I enjoy living between those two worlds. Alon’s songwriting is also a huge part of our sound. He has an incredible ability to write riffs and orchestrations that are both crushingly heavy and incredibly memorable. More than anything, though, I think what sets us apart is authenticity. We don’t chase trends or try to fit into a formula. We write the music that excites us and tells the stories we want to tell. If those songs connect with people and become part of their own story, that’s the greatest compliment we could ever receive.

Reuel

What musicians can you credit as the ones who inspired you, personally, in your life or career as a musician?

Kourt Henson

Without a doubt, I’d have to credit Lacuna Coil for opening the door to metal for me. I discovered them when I was thirteen years old, and they completely changed the way I looked at music. They introduced me to an entirely new world, and from that point on, I was hooked. Another huge influence was Simone Simons of Epica, but the story behind that is a little more personal. Growing up through the end of high school, I was a competitive vocalist. I always joke that singing was my sport. I competed throughout Southern California in both classical voice and musical theater, and I was fortunate to have a lot of success. Ironically, though, by the time I reached my senior year, I had grown tired of being “the classical singer.” I wanted to belt. I wanted to do Broadway. I wanted to act. Looking back now, I didn’t fully appreciate the years of discipline and training that had shaped my voice or how unique that classical foundation really was. Around that time, my boyfriend made me a mix CD, which definitely dates me! One of the tracks was “The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)” by Kamelot. I remember being completely captivated by Roy Khan’s voice, but it was Simone Simons’ guest vocals that stopped me in my tracks. I had this moment where I thought, “Wait… I can sing classically and still sound like an absolute badass? Sign me up.” That song completely shifted my perspective. Instead of seeing my classical training as something I wanted to leave behind, I suddenly realized it could become one of my greatest strengths. It introduced me to the world of female-fronted symphonic metal, where powerful operatic vocals and crushing guitars could exist together. From there, I dove headfirst into bands like Epica, Nightwish, After Forever, and Within Temptation, and I never looked back. Those artists helped me embrace the voice I already had instead of wishing it were something else. It’s funny how one song can completely change the trajectory of your life. If my ex hadn’t put The Haunting (Somewhere in Time) on that CD, I’m honestly not sure I’d be sitting here doing this interview as the vocalist of Levinia. The rest, as they say, is history.

Reuel

Wow! Thank you for sharing this amazing origin story with us! Quite inspiring!
If the senses of taste and hearing were mixed up together, what food do you imagine Levinia’s music would taste like?

Kourt Henson

Oh, that’s a really cool question! I think Levinia would taste like a poke bowl. There are so many different flavors, textures, and ingredients that come together to create something unique. You have the freshness, the spice, the richness, the crunch, each element has its own personality, but somehow it all works in harmony. I think that’s a pretty good representation of our music. We blend heavy riffs, cinematic orchestrations, melodic vocals, harsh emotions, and storytelling into one experience. On paper, some of those ingredients might seem like they shouldn’t go together, but when they’re balanced well, they create something cohesive and memorable. Plus, no two poke bowls are exactly the same, and I feel the same way about our songs. Each one has its own identity while still feeling unmistakably like Levinia. …Also, thanks a lot, now I’m going to be craving poke for the rest of the day! Haha!

Reuel

So will I! That was good content for a poke ad!
What are your feelings about the way women are represented in music today, and what do you think can be done to promote more inclusivity and support for female musicians?

Kourt Henson

I think we’ve made a lot of progress, and it’s exciting to see more women being recognized across every corner of the music industry, not just as vocalists, but as guitarists, drummers, bassists, producers, songwriters, engineers, and business leaders. There are so many incredibly talented women out there, and it’s inspiring to watch more of them get the opportunities they’ve earned. That said, I think there’s always room for growth. I’d love to see the conversation shift away from simply labeling bands as “female-fronted” and instead focus on the music itself. While I understand why that label exists and the role it’s played in helping listeners discover artists, I think the ultimate goal should be that a great band is simply recognized as a great band. One thing I’ve always appreciated about the metal community is how supportive it can be. Organizations like FemMetal and so many passionate fans have done an incredible job of creating spaces where women in metal can be celebrated and discovered. That kind of support makes a real difference, especially for independent bands. For me, promoting inclusivity starts with opening doors for one another. Invite emerging artists onto shows, collaborate instead of competing, share each other’s music, and celebrate one another’s successes. The more we lift each other up, the stronger the entire scene becomes. At the end of the day, I hope people connect with Levinia because they love the music and the stories we’re telling. If our journey encourages another young woman to pick up a microphone, guitar, or drumsticks and believe there’s a place for her in metal, then that’s something I’ll always be proud of.

Reuel

Well said! Thank you for your time, Kourt! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Kourt Henson

First, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me! It genuinely means a lot. Thank you to everyone at FemMetal for everything you’ve done to support not only Levinia, but women in metal as a whole. You’ve created an incredible platform that has introduced fans to so many amazing artists, and we’re honored to be a small part of that community. And to everyone reading this, thank you for listening, sharing our music, coming to shows, and believing in what we’re creating. None of this would be possible without you. If you haven’t heard our latest single, “The Blank Page,” I hope you’ll give it a listen. We have plenty more music on the way, and we can’t wait to share what’s next!!!

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The post Interview | Levinia’s vocalist Kourt Henson: “Every song starts with a story we genuinely want to tell.” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

The post VOVICIO Out Of Cage Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

(Andy Synn has four more recommendations from last month that you may not have checked out yet) They say one of the most important thing an artist has to learn is not just what it put in to their work… but what to leave out. And, let me tell you… I am no artist, so having to leave […]

The post THINGS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED (BUT SHOULDN’T) appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

Sharon Osbourne, widow and longtime manager of Ozzy Osbourne, has confirmed in a new interview with Metal Hammer magazine that Ozzfest will return in 2027, once again launching at Villa Park — the home ground of Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, United Kingdom, and the venue where Ozzy delivered his final performance at the “Back To The Beginning” concert on July 5, 2025. “It’s going to be at Villa Park again,” Sharon said. “Whether it’ll be two nights [in Birmingham], that’s up for the fans to tell me.”

As for which artists may perform at the 2027 edition, Sharon stayed tight-lipped. “Of course we’re speaking to people,” she said. “I can’t let that out yet, but it’ll be soon.” She did offer one hint: she said she wants to “see Rob Halford there” — widely read as pointing toward a Judas Priest appearance.

During a February 2026 episode of “The Osbournes” podcast, Sharon outlined the plan more fully, describing two days at Villa Park followed by a two-day North American run. Her son Jack Osbourne confirmed the two-day Villa Park format and “two days in North America somewhere,” with Sharon adding: “Yeah. And then see how it does. And then if people want it, we’ll be there [in the] following years.” She also noted that while 2027 will not be a traveling festival, there are tentative plans to take Ozzfest on the road in 2028 and beyond if demand is there.

Sharon described what set Ozzfest apart from rival festivals: “It was more fun. When you go to other festivals, everybody’s so uptight. But that was always the thing about our festival. There was never anybody jockeying for position or thought they were better than anyone else. It was a summer camp.”

Ozzfest launched 30 years ago as the first national music festival dedicated to hard rock. The traveling U.S. edition ran from 1996 through 2007 before evolving into a series of one-off events. The 2017 installment merged with Slipknot’s Knotfest for a two-day run that drew over 17,000 concertgoers, with Ozzy headlining.

At an October 2023 taping of “The Osbournes” podcast, Sharon spoke candidly about what made Ozzfest financially unsustainable, pointing to escalating manager demands. She recalled an early edition — the second or third Ozzfest — in which an act refused to take the stage until she agreed to pay them an extra $10,000. When Jack pressed her to name the band, Sharon replied: “Glenn Danzig.” Jack’s response: “Why are you gonna protect that twat?” Sharon said she never paid. “They went on and played, and I went, ‘F**k you. You signed a contract, your agent agreed it, and you’re just gouging.’”

The post SHARON OSBOURNE Says 2027 OZZFEST Will Return to VILLA PARK in Birmingham: “Whether It’ll Be Two Nights, That’s Up for the Fans to Tell Me” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Most of us know James Ellis Ford as the producer of some of the most important UK albums of the past 20 years or so. But when his own life circumstances become extreme enough, like his current battle with acute myeloid leukemia, Ford might make an album of his own. Later this month, Ford will release his second solo LP Lost In Another World. He recorded it entirely by himself in a hospital bed last year, while going through chemotherapy treatments.

The post James Ellis Ford – “The Ever After” appeared first on Stereogum.

The post Earth Left Weird Shit in Outer Space Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

Montreal heavy metal force Wooden returns this summer with “Veil of Mankind,” the first single from the band’s forthcoming EP, to be released at a later date. Being unleashed August 1st, the track marks the most ambitious and extreme chapter in the band’s evolution, a fast, melodic, progressive metal journey inspired by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and shaped […]

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Posted on August 3rd 2026, 4:04pm

This past Saturday, renowned producer Dahi brought his forthcoming project, Black Boy (Alternative), to the stage in Inglewood, California, ahead of its Aug. 28 release. Hosted at sister dreamer, “lauren halsey’s architectural ode to tha surge n splurge of south central los angeles,” the performance featured a lineup of special guests including Childish Gambino, Vince Staples, Ravyn Lenae, Channel Tres, Mez, French Anthony, and Jesse Boykins III.

The post Dahi Brings <em>Black Boy (Alternative)</em> To The Stage With Childish Gambino, Vince Staples, Ravyn Lenae, & More appeared first on Stereogum.