Cole Naylor‘s Cruel is a captivating slice of modern indie rock, balancing shimmering melodies with heartfelt songwriting and a polished, cinematic production. The track effortlessly blends emotional weight with an infectious groove, while Naylor’s expressive vocals give every lyric a genuine sense of urgency. Complementing the song is a beautifully crafted visualizer that enhances its reflective atmosphere without overshadowing the music itself. Both intimate and instantly memorable, Cruel is another strong preview of what’s shaping up to be a promising full-length release.
Mastodon returned in June with “Your Ghost Again,” a tribute to their late ex-bandmate Brent Hinds. Hinds, arguably the most visible member of Mastodon over the years, left the band last year, quitecontentiously. Less than half a year later, he died in a motorcycle crash. His bandmates had already carried on without him, but his death recontextualized that effort.
This week’s Tracks Of The Week contest was a titanic North vs South battle, as London’s The Heat Inc took on Macclesfield’s Virginmarys in a rock’n’roll skirmish that to-and-froed, wove, and wavered, and was finally settled in the former’s favour. So congratulations to them.
Congratulations also to Australia’s Airbourne, who repped the Southern Hemisphere and romped satisfactorily into third place. And now, we go again.
Massive Wagons – Story Of My Demise
Flying back into our lives with a box-fresh banger in tow, Massive Wagons make this next chapter of theirs (complete with a new record deal, new European webshop, German dates this autumn and their biggest ever UK headline dates after) look most appetising. Story Of My Demise is one high-octane yet heartfelt lil’ number. Complete with a video in which the band tackle one of those slightly scary military assault courses, under the eagle eye of an actual paratrooper, it sounds and feels like a metaphor for what they do best – facing the odds honestly and turning them into something joyful.
Triggerfinger – Through The Beam
“Amid the relentless flood of material and sensory temptations that compete for our attention, it may take more effort than ever to recognise the beauty already before us,” observes singer Ruben Block, of the inspiration driving this oozingly cool, suave swirl of alternative rock – all mystique, sorrow and slinky bass, set to an enigmatic vocal melody that pulls you in. “Yet there remains a unique pleasure in pursuing even the most frivolous and seemingly pointless gadget, finding joy and satisfaction in the chase itself.”
Kris Barras Band – Monsters We Made
One of those rockers who could literally crush his enemies if he needed to, MMA fighter-turned-blueser-turned-hard rock swashbuckler Kris Barras adds further teeth to these roots on Monsters We Made. Accompanied by a video full of actual hi-spec monsters, it combines the beefiness of his recent records with the blues-infused feeling and melody of his earlier work – not least of all in that gorgeous guitar solo, adding soulfulness and nuance to punchy foundations. Like the sound of that? He’s got an album of the same title coming next month.
Getdown Services – Cha Cha Slide
The rapidly rising Minehead duo’s new single (the latest from their much-tipped album Massive Champion) packs a disarmingly emotional punch for something named after a 2000-era dancefloor hit/enduring wedding playlist staple. Built on gauzy, bouncing synth lines, beats and funny yet tender kitchen-sink tales of insecurity and social awkwardness – with a giant Minion dancing by the sea. Deadpan observation with a warm heart, its lo-fi ingredients add up to something expansive and quietly profound.
Juliet’s Not Dead – Passing Ships
Juliet’s Not Dead look like any other fun, hairsprayed, leather-trousered band you might find at your local tribute night. Don’t be fooled, though; on Passing Ships they make a much bigger and more striking sound. Less throwback sleaze, more stirring, expansive ‘Big Music’ power ballad, its 80s stadium-filler heft gets an extra kick with notes of punky grit. “As a band you come up against so many challenges,” frontman Stevie Stoker says, “and we wanted this album to reflect all of the emotions, difficult decisions, and strong bonds we’ve made over the last couple of years.”
Ferris & Sylvester – Tiny Little Love
On this soft yet mighty ballad from their next album, the British folky americana duo spin a delicate, deeply moving ode to their son – who was born several weeks premature as they embarked on final shows in Nashville. Issy Ferris sings with a magnetic mix of glassy poise, worldly soul and vulnerability (‘Tiny little, terrifying love, we’re gonna be alright,’ she sings, ‘cling on for dear life, my tiny little love’) warmly accented and elevated by Archie Sylvester’s sumptuous guitar lines. Watch out for the aforementioned album, It’s A Joy To Be Alive, coming out in August
Alabama Shakes – I Feel Hope Coming On
Alabama Shakes have had an unusual career timeline, going on a decade-long hiatus after just five years in the business of rock. Now third album I Must Be Dreaming is looming, and new single I Feel Hope Coming is elegance personified, a soulful slice of contemporary cosmic Americana that’s as smooth as it is soulful. “This younger generation makes me feel hopeful because they can see through all the political lies,” says Brittany Howard. “That song’s about holding onto that hope, and refusing to give up.”
Twisted Teens – Florida Water Blues
Sitting somewhere near the centre of an unlikely Replacements/Strokes/Kinks/Canned Heat/Rolling Stones-circa-Sticky Fingers Venn diagram, New Orleans’ duo Twisted Teens’ third album Florida Water Blues is threatening to turn the band into the kind of underground critical darlings who’ll end up in multiple Album Of The Year polls, and we’re thrilled to be clambering aboard the bandwagon. The title track is a ragged chunk of acoustic southern country rock’n’roll, packed with grit, groove and joie de vivre, and everything about it suggests that the fuss is warranted.
Mastodon have announced their first studio album since their split with Brent Hinds and unveiled a new song called 'Snakes for Dinner' with a guest turn by Josh Homme. Continue reading…
This past weekend, Jay-Z returned to the stage for three massive hometown headlining shows at Yankee Stadium. The first night celebrated the 30th anniversary of his landmark debut Reasonable Doubt, and it included guests like Beyoncé, Nas, and Jay’s old mentor Jaz-O, finally squashing a long beef between those two. The second night commemorated the 25th anniversary of Jay’s classic The Blueprint, and it had guests like Slick Rick, Eminem, and Pharrell. Last night, Jay finished out the trilogy. The third “extra innings” show wasn’t tied to any particular album anniversary, and it included a fair amount of vintage New York chaos.
After Nations enter a bold new chapter with Vajra, the band’s first track to feature vocals, and the result is nothing short of compelling. Fusing progressive metal precision, doom-laden heft, and cinematic post-rock expansiveness, the song unfolds like a carefully crafted journey, evolving from hypnotic, meditative passages into towering walls of sound. The dynamic vocal performance moves seamlessly between visceral aggression and ethereal harmonies, adding a powerful emotional dimension to the band’s already immersive sonic palette. Both crushing and transcendent, Vajra marks an ambitious and exhilarating evolution for After Nations.
Chicago, the rock band known for hits like “25 or 6 to 4” and “Saturday in the Park,” are joined by soul legend Al Green in this 1973 performance. Green sings his own hit “Tired of Being Alone,” with Chicago’s horns locking into the pocket behind him.
Black metal often builds its own world from the history, traditions and darker memories of a particular region. The French band Galibot, however, does not draw inspiration from frozen forests, pagan myths or medieval battles, but from the former coal mines of northern France. Their music brings to life the depths of the shafts, the […]
Marshall have revealed the details of a new amp which they have made in collaboration with Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong.
The 1959BJA is a build on the brand’s iconic 1959HW platform, with a custom “Dookie Mod”, which has been inspired by the tone of the band’s 1995 album, built by the band alongside producer Rob Cavallo.
It is also baby blue in colour, which is a tribute to Billie’s first guitar, Blue.
Marshall’s Culture Marketing Director Steph Carter had this to say about the team-up:
“Billie Joe’s guitar sound is instantly recognisable. From the moment you hear those opening chords on Dookie, you know exactly who it is. Working with Billie to create an amp that captures that punch, aggression and clarity was an incredible project for our team.”
Whilst Billie Joe himself had this to add:
“I’m so overjoyed to have my own signature Marshall amp. These amps have been a part of my musical life, from my heroes down to little old me. Turn it the f**k up!!”
The amp will be available to buy from July 21 at www.marshall.com
Coal Chamber drummer Mikey “Bug” Cox has shared an encouraging update after undergoing what’s expected to be his final cancer-related surgery, telling fans the procedure was “a massive success” despite a rough go of it in the immediate aftermath. Cox went into the hospital Friday, July 10, and by the following evening had already posted from recovery — continuing a remarkably public, honest year-plus of sharing a stage-3 cancer battle that started back in April 2025.
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Scott Penfold gives his honest take on today’s episode: why Mikey Cox choosing to document this entire journey publicly, pain and all, matters more than any polished PR statement ever could. Download the free Loaded Radio App on Apple iOS and Google Play to stream it live.
The Final Surgery, In His Own Words
Cox went into Friday’s procedure with characteristic bluntness and gratitude. “BIG DAY!!!” he wrote, explaining that he and his partner were at the hospital for what his medical team hoped would be his final cancer surgery. He reflected on “a long, difficult journey filled with appointments, tests, surgeries, and more uncertainty than I ever imagined,” while thanking his family, doctors, and fans for getting him there.
By Saturday evening, he’d posted again — and this update pulled no punches about what recovery actually looks like. Cox described being in significant pain, with a surgical drain and a cut ab muscle that makes every breath uncomfortable for now. But he was clear about the bottom line: the surgery itself was a success, and he’s now focused on regaining his ability to walk and getting into physical therapy. “I’ll be ready to go full steam in a few months,” he wrote.
A Battle That Started In April 2025
This surgery is the latest chapter in a fight Cox has now spent well over a year navigating largely out of public view. He was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer on April 1, 2025, and only revealed the diagnosis publicly in April of this year, just ahead of Coal Chamber’s set at Las Vegas’ Sick New World festival. He didn’t sugarcoat what the year involved, describing it as “dark” and “scary,” but was equally clear about his mindset throughout: “I didn’t want cancer to define me.”
By that April announcement, Cox was already declaring himself cancer-free after “brutal rounds of radiation, chemotherapy, and eventually surgery.” He turned the moment into something bigger than his own recovery, partnering with the Fxck Cancer charity to auction off a custom drum kit — built with components from ddrum, Scorpion Percussion, TRX Cymbals, and Gator Cases — to fund cancer support and research. In a later interview, Cox got specific about just how brutal the treatment had been: “I did five weeks of radiation, which, by the end of it, was pure hell.”
This latest surgery was scheduled to correct lingering functional issues left behind by that initial round of treatment — the kind of follow-up procedure that often gets lost in “cancer-free” headlines but is very much part of the real recovery process. The timing forced Coal Chamber to withdraw from their planned appearance at this fall’s Louder Than Life festival, a call the band didn’t make lightly. This isn’t the first time Coal Chamber has put a member’s health above the tour schedule — frontman Dez Fafara made the same call for his own health in early 2025.
Fafara has been visibly emotional discussing Cox’s battle in interviews, calling him “a great father, a great husband, a great man.” The two have history going back to when Cox joined Coal Chamber as a teenager, and Fafara has spoken to Loaded Radio directly about the band’s bond in the past. Watching Cox return to the stage at Sick New World this spring was, by Fafara’s own account, one of the more overwhelming moments of his career fronting the band.
Coal Chamber drummer Mikey “Bug” Cox underwent what’s expected to be his final cancer-related surgery on July 10
He says the surgery was “a massive success,” though he’s dealing with real pain and a tough recovery ahead
Cox was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer on April 1, 2025, and declared cancer-free in April 2026
He partnered with the Fxck Cancer charity to auction a custom drum kit for cancer research and support
The surgery’s timing forced Coal Chamber to withdraw from this fall’s Louder Than Life festival
Cox expects to be back on stage with Coal Chamber once recovery and physical therapy are complete
FAQ
Is Mikey Cox’s cancer surgery expected to be his last?
Yes. Cox’s medical team scheduled this procedure hoping it would be his final cancer-related surgery, aimed at correcting lingering issues from his earlier treatment.
What kind of cancer did Mikey Cox have?
Cox was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer on April 1, 2025, and was declared cancer-free in April 2026 after radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
Why did Coal Chamber pull out of Louder Than Life?
The band withdrew from the 2026 festival because Cox’s surgery and recovery timeline made the appearance impossible.
How is Mikey Cox doing after surgery?
Cox says the surgery itself was “a massive success,” though he’s in significant pain during early recovery and expects to need several months of physical therapy before he’s back to full strength.
Wishing Mikey Cox a full and smooth recovery — drop your support for him in the comments. Follow Loaded Radio for daily rock and metal news.
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