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The multi-platinum alternative metal landscape is braced for an seismic structural shift after Bad Wolves officially confirmed a massive, highly anticipated global announcement locked in for Monday, June 29. Following a devastating rolling lineup exodus that completely fractured the previous iteration of the band, founding drummer John Boecklin has successfully rebuilt the group’s infrastructure from the ground up—striking back against a staggering seven-figure buyout bid from ex-frontman Tommy Vext to unleash a fiercely independent, star-studded heavy music reboot.

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Want an immediate, unfiltered industry analysis of the massive Bad Wolves internal power struggle, the secret studio clues linking a internet icon to the microphone, and where the former members have landed? Host Scott Penfold breaks down the entire June 29 disclosure roadmap, investigates the seven-figure legal battle, and analyzes the potential sonic shift of the group on today’s episode of the Metal Breakdown Daily! Catch the full broadcast by streaming directly inside the free Loaded Radio App available on Apple iOS and Google Play.

BAD WOLVES: THE STRUCTURAL ROSTER REBOOT MATRIX

The Seven Figure Rejection: How John Boecklin Saved the Brand

The alternative metal community has spent months tracking the quiet, internal collapse of Bad Wolves. Following the completion of their touring cycles behind their fourth studio outing Die About It, the band was quietly rocked by an extensive wave of personnel departures that ultimately stripped the group of several key members. With the future of the multi-platinum brand hanging in the balance, a massive financial power play took place behind closed corporate doors.

Insiders have revealed that controversial ex-vocalist Tommy Vext actively submitted an aggressive, seven-figure financial bid to buy the legal trademark and naming rights to the Bad Wolves brand outright. Vext, who split from the group under highly publicized legal conditions in January 2021, aimed to reclaim the moniker for his own touring purposes.

However, founding drummer and primary songwriter John Boecklin flatly rejected the millions. Refusing to surrender the identity of the band he co-founded in 2017, Boecklin instead hunkered down inside Los Angeles recording studios to single-handedly construct a brand-new, highly evolved alternative metal blueprint.

From Pop Rock to Progressive Metal: The June 29 Lineup Rumors

On June 22, Bad Wolves broke their long social media silence by deploying a cryptic, high-velocity video teaser that starkly displayed the numbers 06.29. While management has maintained absolute radio silence regarding the specific identities of the incoming musicians, cyber-sleuths and Reddit tracking grids have already piece together a staggering prospective roster.

The most shocking rumor centers around the band’s new lead vocalist. Internet sensation and highly acclaimed alternative pop-rock solo artist Sara “Killboy” Skinner is widely expected to be named the official new frontwoman of Bad Wolves.

The rumor caught serious fire after fans cross-referenced online studio updates. Killboy publicly shared that she had covertly joined a major heavy rock unit, subsequently naming her new pet spider “Wolfie”. Weeks later, the exact matching enclosure for the exotic pet was spotted sitting in the background of a recording studio photograph posted by current Bad Wolves guitarist AJ Rebollo.

Compounding the hype is the rumored involvement of progressive metal titan Javier Reyes, renowned for his intricate, eight-string mastery in the instrumental outfit Animals As Leaders. Should Reyes be confirmed alongside returning guitarist AJ Rebollo—whose status was validated via recent session tracking imagery—the new Bad Wolves will possess an unparalleled level of technical guitar prowess.

Check This Out – Bad Wolves Fans Possibly Uncover The Identity Of The Band’s New Female Vocalist

Scattered Elements: Where the Displaced Members Have Landed

As Boecklin readies the public for the debut of the group’s highly anticipated fifth studio album—which has been deep in active production across all of 2026—the former components of the Bad Wolves machine have rapidly pivoted into new corners of the industry.

Vocalist Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz, who stepped in to front the band following Vext’s 2021 departure, has officially transitioned into a premium live role, landing a highly coveted gig as a touring member for the stadium-level juggernaut Falling In Reverse. Acclaimed guitarist Doc Coyle has fully resurrected his foundational metalcore engine God Forbid while simultaneously pulling double-duty on the road handling touring guitar slots for alternative icons Snot.

Meanwhile, Tommy Vext and former Bad Wolves guitarist Chris Cain have pooled their respective resources to launch a brand-new alternative rock outfit dubbed With A Vengeance. Backed by a high-caliber backing line featuring tech-metal wizard Angel Vivaldi and Chimaira drum powerhouse Austin D’Amond, the group is reportedly preparing to deploy their inaugural debut single, “Shared Light,” this July.

The competitive landscape of alternative metal is heating up to an absolute boiling point, but on June 29, John Boecklin and his newly assembled wolfpack are officially prepared to reclaim their territory.

Also – The Most Influential Women In Modern Metal Right Now (2026 Ranking)

FAQ: Bad Wolves June 29 Lineup & Roster Reveal Details

Who is rumored to be the new singer of Bad Wolves? Viral alternative rock artist Sara “Killboy” Skinner is heavily rumored to be taking over the lead microphone, supported by extensive social media tracking and shared studio photographs.

Did Tommy Vext try to buy back the name Bad Wolves? Yes. Industry sources indicate Tommy Vext submitted an official seven-figure financial bid to purchase the rights to the group, which was flatly denied by founding drummer John Boecklin.

When will the new Bad Wolves music be released? While an exact single drop date has not been formally scheduled, the band’s official announcement on Monday, June 29, is expected to provide the tracking timeline for their fifth studio album.

 

 

 

 

 

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TL;DR

• The Countdown: Bad Wolves has officially locked in a global lineup and creative direction reveal for Monday, June 29. Chaoszine
• The Million-Dollar No: John Boecklin rejected a massive seven-figure bid from ex-vocalist Tommy Vext to buy the rights to the band name. Chaoszine
• The Roster Rumors: Internet pop-rock force Killboy (Sara Skinner) is expected to front the band, with Animals As Leaders’ Javier Reyes rumored on guitar. Chaoszine
• The New Record: A fifth full-length studio album has been quietly tracking behind closed doors all year long.

We Recommend – 13 Metal Songs That Were Banned—And The Real Reasons Still Shock Fans

The corporate bids have failed, the old chapter has been burned to the ground, and a bold new era of progressive alternative metal is creeping out of the California shadows.

What is your honest assessment of this massive creative reboot? Do you think bringing in a female pop-rock force like Killboy combined with the progressive technicality of Javier Reyes will propel Bad Wolves to heights they’ve never seen before, or are you still holding onto the classic sound? Sound off with your tracking thoughts and lineup predictions in the comment section below!

The post Bad Wolves Tease Monumental June 29 Lineup Reveal and Studio Album Milestone Following Multi Million Dollar Rights Battle appeared first on Loaded Radio.

AYDRA, pioneers of Italian technical death metal, are proud to announce that the definitive CD reissue of the legendary album “Icon of Sin” is available from today, June 23rd via Rude Awakening Records. The album is now available in a remastered version, expanded with four exclusive bonus live tracks. Watch the visualizer video of “Lost Time Fury”: https://tinyurl.com/2s46c72e Order “Icon of Sin”: https://rudeawakening-records.blogspot.com/p/distro.html […]

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Besides fronting US prog metal pioneers Fates Warning since 1987, Ray Alder has his fingers in a number of pies, including Engine, Redemption and, most recently, A-Z. As he unveiled a second solo set, II, in 2023, Prog placed a call to the singer’s home in Spain.

After being a ‘band guy’ for so long, how did it feel to release your solo debut, What The Water Wants, in 2019?

I like doing a lot of different things, which is why I’m involved in a few projects. A solo album just seemed like the next step. But if Fates Warning is no longer going to release material then I need an outlet. I don’t want to join another band, so a solo career seems the most logical thing to do.

Hold on a minute – no more Fates Warning?!

Jim [Matheos, guitarist and main songwriter] says he doesn’t want to write any more new music for the band. That could change; I don’t know, you’d have to talk to him. It’s not to say there won’t be any more live shows. The band didn’t break up. It’s just that there won’t be any more new music. And I need an outlet; music has been my life for over 30 years.

What The Water Wants was critically praised. Prog admired its “dramatic shifts in intensity and tone, contrasting elegance and melody with headbanging riffs”, but especially the quality of your vocals.

That sounds like an elegant review, thanks [chuckles]! I turn 56 this year and a lot of singers that use that higher range just tend to lose their voices as they get older. I sing every day for a few hours so maybe that helps. It’s a muscle – you have to work it or it ceases up.

Covid prevented you from touring What The Water Wants. That must have been incredibly frustrating.

It was the same with Fates. We did an album with them [Long Day Good Night] and then the pandemic hit. Every tour around the world was cancelled and the only thing musicians could do was write new music. That was the one benefit out of that whole shitshow.

In an interview with Prog for Long Day Good Night you admitted circumnavigating lockdown in Spain by going to live in the studio…

[Laughs] Yeah, that was illegal! I was evading the long arm of the law. Spain allowed you to move [house] during lockdown so I moved to the studio.

Making this new record must’ve been much less problematic?

It was. I started working on it two years ago but then Mark Zonder [ex-Fates Warning drummer] got a hold of me for A-Z. And then [keyboard wizard] Derek Sherinian called to ask if I’d like to be a part of an all-star thing with him. I kept getting sidetracked.

The timing, with Thomas Waber from InsideOut sending you an email, was pretty spooky…

One morning over coffee I was thinking about how I should get a hold of Thomas and see if he was interested in another solo album from me. I didn’t get around to it, but the very next day he sent me a message. That was really strange but it made me very happy.

From the moment you’re born the hourglass is running out. Looking back you realise that time has really flown by

Second time around you have retained the same cast list – Fates Warning’s touring guitarist Mike Abdow, Lords Of Black guitarist Tony Hernando and drummer Craig Anderson [Ignite, Crescent Shield], with Mike and Tony playing a big part in the writing.

I saw no reason to change anything. My original idea for the first album was to use tons of different musicians but that was such a logistical nightmare it would have taken years. Somebody you wanted was too busy or wanted too much money. So I’m very happy with these guys. I have such an amazing relationship with Mike and together we write these amazing songs.

Stylistically, II follows the sleek sophistication of What The Water Wants, though tracks such as Silence The Enemy and Waiting For Some Sun are slightly heavier.

A bit darker and heavier, yeah. I wanted to do some longer and more complex songs. I think of it as a mix of ‘old’ metal and something new as well. It has some cool detuned stuff. I hope it’s an interesting record.

The song Hands Of Time includes the lyrics: ‘Standing silent, staring at the sky/Never felt so lost as this’ and ‘Sinking deeper into emptiness/There’s no ladder left to climb’. Not exactly cheerful, is it?

Well, I do sing for Fates Warning, don’t forget [laughs]. None of these songs are interrelated – This Silent Shell is about someone that wants to take revenge on another person. I let the music guide me when I write lyrics. I just try to tell a story.

Passengers tackles the issue of old age (‘As the days grow colder and the sunlight dims/It’s hard to not feel older as the winter begins’). Is that something that worries you?

There are a few like that, including Hands Of Time. From the moment you’re born the hourglass is running out. Like I said, I turn 56 this year and looking back you realise that time has really fucking flown by. It seems like only yesterday I was in the studio with Fates recording Perfect Symmetry [in 1989].

Last year you made your solo debut at the ProgPower USA in Atlanta. That must have lit the fire to do more of the same.

That was great. It was such fun to play my new stuff. I didn’t do any Fates songs, though I included some stuff by Engine. It was weird, man. I was really nervous.

Well, you didn’t have your ‘brothers’ beside you.

I’m always okay before going onstage but at ProgPower I was more nervous than I’d ever been in my life. The crowd response was good. I hope I can do more of that. When I made the record I was thinking, “I wanna hear this live.”

The Pineapple Thief has unveiled “Hold The Ashes”, marking the band’s first release through InsideOut Music.

The new track arrives after the completion of recording sessions for the group’s next studio album, which has yet to be officially announced. Alongside the release, The Pineapple Thief is preparing for a series of European festival and headline appearances this summer before heading to North America for a newly announced tour scheduled for late 2026.

A video for “Hold The Ashes” has also been released. Directed by the band’s longtime collaborator Jeremy George of Blacktide Productions, the clip features The Pineapple Thief performing the song at School Farm Studios in the U.K.

Discussing the inspiration behind the track, frontman Bruce Soord said: “One thing is certain, one day we’ll all be ashes. It’s the ‘gift from the gods that comes to us all’. For some reason, when writing this song, I couldn’t stop singing about ‘ashes’ in the context of understanding what life is about. ‘Writhing in constant conflict’. Why? So take these ashes and scatter them far and wide. You know, make the most of it.”

With a catalog that now spans 16 studio albums, The Pineapple Thief has established itself as one of modern progressive rock’s most consistent acts. The current lineup features Bruce Soord on vocals and guitar, Jon Sykes on bass, Steve Kitch on keyboards, and Gavin Harrison on drums.

Founded in 1999 by Bruce Soord, the band has also released six EPs along with multiple live and compilation recordings. Gavin Harrison, known for his work with Porcupine Tree and King Crimson, became a permanent member during the cycle for Dissolution.

The group’s most recent studio effort, It Leads To This, arrived in February 2024 and earned strong chart results, reaching No. 1 on the U.K. Rock Chart and No. 2 on the U.K. Independent Albums Chart.

With a new album completed and fresh music now available, The Pineapple Thief is set to begin its next chapter with “Hold The Ashes” leading the way.

The post THE PINEAPPLE THIEF Releases New Single “Hold The Ashes”, First Track For InsideOut Music appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Posted on June 23rd 2026, 4:24pm

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