Category: news

Melbourne extremists Melting have released their second EP.

Recorded in Sydney and stripped back to expose their sheer power, A Pathetic Excuse for A Life is out today, streaming everywhere via Greyscale.

You took my hand and took my pain
This kind of chance, it has no name
Into the night
The shadows become truth 

Corlyx’s Sweeter Than Blood, the first single from the band’s forthcoming twelve-track record, takes vampire romance seriously, though not so seriously that one cannot hear a faint bat-wing rustle of theatrical pleasure. The song lives in the Gothic bargain between appetite and devotion, where the lover may be rescuer, risk, or both. Its title suggests intimacy as a force stronger than hunger, which is a useful proposition for anyone trying to date a mysterious count from the ‘Old Country.’ Guitars cut cleanly through the mix, the drums give the track a firmer physical spine, and Caitlin Stokes sings as though desire has led her into a room where every promise arrives with paperwork and possibly a puncture wound.

The release marks another turn in Corlyx’s ongoing transformation. What began as a darkwave duo has grown through a post-punk trio phase into a full-band lineup, now sharpened by the arrival of British drummer Flow Toulman. The result, by the band’s own account, leans toward an alternative rock-meets-classic 80s post-punk synthesis, with goth and deathrock moving to the forefront, while the electronic club DNA remains alive beneath the surface. One can hear kinship with Strange Boutique, The March Violets, Octavian Winters, Feyleux, and Anne Bennett, though Corlyx’s current approach has more bite than polish. There are fangs in the catchy-as-hell hook, but thankfully, no one is making a meal of it.

“This song was inspired by Dracula’s deep enchantment for his beloved Mina, how his love was sweeter than his bloodlust,” says Stokes. “I drew parallels from this idea with my own life experiences in having walls up, guarding my heart, and finally meeting the person who showed me what love could be.”

Sweeter Than Blood follows a nocturnal encounter in which love feels restorative and suspect at once. A cold pull leads the speaker away from ordinary daylight and toward someone who can remove pain, offer protection, and possibly open a wound of another kind. Romance is a threshold: one person stepping toward another while still remembering what abandonment taught them. The heart may be guarded, but the lock has begun to crumble into love dust.

Stokes has also framed Corlyx’s new material as part of a broader return to instruments, bodies, and visible musicianship. “Bands more than ever now need to separate from machines, the listener needs to know right away that a human musician(S) made the song,” Stokes insists. “Just another puzzle piece that pushed us in this direction, but in a subconscious way, it certainly wasn’t deliberate when we started making this next record. It just sort of turned out this way naturally.”

Brandon Ashley describes the shift in similarly practical terms. “We started writing the demos for our next album by having our new drummer track first, this brought a lot new energy, and the guitar sounds we normally use needed more variety,” he explains. “We still have all our classic post-punk sounds, some of them being very unique to us, but as the songs developed we realised things were sounding altogether more Rock.”

The video, directed and edited by Stokes, extends that transformation into image. She also handled the set design and band styling, hand-making many parts of the outfits, with Jason Kahl partially shooting the clip. In it, Stokes appears in a striking white vampire cape, wandering through halls with goblets, severe glances, and ceremonial poise. Around the band performance, the imagery suggests old blood, guarded hearts, and the glamour of surrender. Corlyx enters its next era with a song that treats love as fever, a bargain, and a cure…with just enough fang to leave an imprint in the skin.

Watch the video for Sweeter Than Blood below:

Listen to Sweeter Than Blood below and order the single here.

Follow Corlyx:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Spotify
• TikTok

The post “Into the Night” — Goth Rockers Corlyx Sing of Dracula-inspired Romance in Video for “Sweeter Than Blood” appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

LEVITATION will return to Austin, Texas, this September with another four-day run of psych, post-punk, darkwave, punk, metal, indie rock, and electronic music spread across the city’s Red River District, East Side venues, and beyond.

The 2026 edition is set for Sept. 10 through 13, with more than 20 shows already announced and 4-day passes and single-show tickets on sale now through Levitation.fm/tix.

This year’s lineup includes Bikini Kill, Molchat Doma, Angine de Poitrine, American Football, The Garden, Die Spitz, Peter Hook & The Light, Smerz, Arlo Parks, Cabaret Voltaire, Acopia, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Man or Astro-Man?, Los Thuthanaka, Elder, Monolord, Friko, Automatic, Sweeping Promises, DITZ, Nitzer Ebb, Tanukichan, Gibby Haynes, Melt-Banana, Pearl & The Oysters, ALI, Primitive Ring, Earth Tongue, and more.

Radio/East will serve as the festival’s central hub this year, with an expanded two-stage layout, while LEVITATION’s late-night and club shows will continue across Austin at Stubb’s, Mohawk, Elysium, 29th St. Ballroom, The 13th Floor, and Central Presbyterian Church.

For the post-punk and darkwave faithful, Saturday is the obvious centerpiece: Molchat Doma tops a Radio/East bill featuring Cabaret Voltaire, Peter Hook & The Light, Automatic, DITZ, Novulent, and I Speak Machine. That same night, Nitzer Ebb headlines Elysium with SINE and Curse Mackey.

Thursday night brings Buzz Kull, Max Fry and Kontravoid to Elysium, while Friday’s Radio/East bill pairs Bikini Kill with Die Spitz, Gibby Haynes’ Butthole Surfers Mania, Sweeping Promises, Melt-Banana and Powerplant. Sunday’s Radio/East show still has a mystery headliner listed as “?????” alongside Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Elder, Primitive Ring, Messa, and Earth Tongue.

Additional artists, DJs, and visual artists are still to be announced.

See the full schedule below.

LEVITATION 2026 Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 10

American Football, Tanukichan, Nine Perfect Lives
Stubb’s

Smerz, Mietze Conte, Acopia
Radio/East

Arlo Parks
Mohawk

Gurriers, Radium Dolls
29th St. Ballroom

Buzz Kull, Max Fry, Kontravoid
Elysium

Friday, Sept. 11

Bikini Kill, Die Spitz, Gibby Haynes: Butthole Surfers Mania, Sweeping Promises, Melt-Banana, Powerplant
Radio/East

The Garden, and more
Stubb’s

Temples, Friko, Poppy Jean Crawford, Villagerrr
Mohawk

Evening Elephants, Jackson Marshall
29th St. Ballroom

Los Thuthanaka, and more
Elysium

El Ten Eleven, and more
The 13th Floor

Saturday, Sept. 12

Molchat Doma, Cabaret Voltaire, Peter Hook & The Light, Automatic, DITZ, Novulent, I Speak Machine
Radio/East

Angine de Poitrine, Man or Astro-Man?
Stubb’s

Monolord, REZN
Mohawk

Takuya Nakamura, and more
29th St. Ballroom

Nitzer Ebb, SINE, Curse Mackey
Elysium

Croz Boyce — Avey Tare & Geologist of Animal Collective
Central Presbyterian Church

ALI, Pearl & The Oysters
The 13th Floor

Sunday, Sept. 13

Secret headliner TBA, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Elder, Primitive Ring, Messa, Earth Tongue
Radio/East

Rehash, Makeout Reef
Mohawk

Lunar Vacation, Closebye
29th St. Ballroom

Iguana Death Cult, and more
The 13th Floor

Founded in 2008 as Austin Psych Fest by members of The Black Angels and friends, LEVITATION has grown from a psych-rock gathering into one of the country’s most reliable showcases for underground and independent music. The festival was later renamed in honor of Austin psych-rock pioneers The 13th Floor Elevators, who reunited at LEVITATION in 2015 for the band’s 50th anniversary.

The festival has since expanded far beyond its original psych-rock roots, pulling in dream pop, punk, metal, darkwave, electronic music and experimental sounds while keeping the immersive light shows, visuals, vintage gear and blown-out amps at the center of the experience.

Tickets are on sale now at Levitation.fm/tix.

Follow Levitation:

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

The post Levitation 2026 Lineup Announced With Bikini Kill, Molchat Doma, Peter Hook & The Light, Nitzer Ebb, Cabaret Voltaire, Automatic, Buzz Kull, Kontravoid, and More! appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

Members of Comeback Kid, Hot Water Music and Cancer Bats guest on the record.

The post Dead Tired (Alexisonfire) Premiere “Edge Of Entropy” From Their New Album “Hornets Of Fall” appeared first on Theprp.com.

Fifty years on from the release of one of Australian rock’s most iconic anthems, The Angels continue to prove why their legacy remains as powerful as ever. From the unforgettable chant of “No way, get fucked, fuck off!” echoing through pubs and arenas across the country, to a catalogue that helped shape the sound of Australian hard rock, the band’s influence stretches across generations.

In this special conversation, we catch up with founding guitarist John Brewster as the band celebrates the 50th anniversary of their debut single “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again.” John reflects on the song’s incredible journey, the passion and drive that still fuels him after five decades, and what continues to make performing live so rewarding. We also dive into the future of The Angels and the exciting evolution of the band with younger blood carrying the torch, including John’s son Sam Brewster and dynamic frontman Nick Norton. With one foot firmly planted in rock history and the other charging confidently into the future, The Angels remain a band built on passion, energy and an unwavering love of live music.

Apologies for the occasional drop in sound but technical issues & connectivity problems decided to rear there ugly heads!

The post INTERVIEW: THE ANGELS’ JOHN BREWSTER on 50 Years of “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again” appeared first on The Rockpit.

A former member has returned for now.

The post Fallujah Clarify Scott Carstairs’ Absence From Their Spring Tour, Reveal Live Fill-In appeared first on Theprp.com.

General Information

Personnel:

Anna Hristenko – vocals
Josh Mak – guitar
Cody Lamb – bass
Mark Shi – keys
Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio – drums

Release Date: May 29, 2026
Producer: Chris Themelco
Label: Eclipse Records

Setting the Scene

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Ana is a symphonic metal band making their official introduction with their debut album, Motivated By Death. The record drops on May 29, 2026, via Eclipse Records.

First Impression

Motivated By Death thrives on sharp contrasts. The record is built on a restless energy, constantly switching up the tempo, the weight of the riffs, and the instrumentation within the tracks themselves. By moving seamlessly from fast, heavy assaults straight into slower, atmospheric stretches, these constant shifts keep the album entirely unpredictable from start to finish.

Similar Sounds

If you’re into any of these artists, this album should be on your radar.

Within TemptationBeyond the BlackLacuna Coil

Visual Vibes

The cover shows the band dressed in black leather and goth outfits against a plain white background. It is a simple, high-contrast image that serves well to introduce the band on their debut.

Track on Repeat

“Shadow of Life”

“Shadow of Life” is a fast and heavy track driven by a highly melodic, beautiful hook.

In-depth Notes

Musical Shape 🎸

Motivated By Death builds its musical depth on heavy foundations and sharp guitar work. Tracks like “Hate Me” and “Following the Wind” mix aggressive playing with strong melodies. The guitars drive the heavy feel on songs like “Eyes of A Child,” while a wide variety of extra instrumental sounds are layered into the tracks.

Vocal Performance 🎤

Anna Khristenko’s outstanding vocal performance anchors the record. Her atmospheric delivery cuts straight through heavy tracks like “Hate Me,” while slower moments like “Sick Love” highlight her raw vocal quality.

Production Quality 🎧

The production is sharp, catching every shift without muddying the sound. It balances the heavy instruments and layered sounds, making sure the riffs hit hard while keeping the quiet moments perfectly clear.

Themes and Concepts 💭

The core concepts confront grim realities like mortality, unresolved grief, and toxic relationships. These struggles serve as a foundation for a broader message of fierce independence and aggressive defiance. Ultimately, the overarching theme focuses on pushing through deep trauma to find self-reliance and small slivers of hope in bleak situations.

Final Verdict

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Motivated By Death is a heavy, unpredictable record that relies on aggressive instrumentation to turn grim realities into an act of pure defiance.

Mood Meter

%

Intensity

%

Melancholy

%

Darkness

%

Emotional

%

Serenity

%

Energy

%

Romance

%

Joyfulness

Perfect For…

Working out – sitting in nature, with your thoughts
Driving – but keep your eyes on the road
Working – When a co-worker comes to your desk to show you photos of his kids, turn the VOLUME UP.
Working on Arts – inspirational melodies

Get the Album

Eclipse Records

The post Album Review | Ana – “Motivated By Death” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

Fragmentation, Iron Front & Soledad will also play select shows.

The post Corpse Pile Announce Summer U.S. Tour With Vomit Forth, Agonize, Etc. appeared first on Theprp.com.

Just in time for the World Cup, 4AD has teamed up with New York football-inspired apparel brand Fullkitwnkrs for a new merchandise capsule that reimagines some of the label’s best-known artists and albums through the language of football shirts, supporter scarves, and terrace culture.

Full Kit is an independent, self-funded NYC brand founded in 2020, producing football apparel and campaigns for artists. The company has since worked as kitmen for Future Islands, Mount Kimbie, The National, Oneohtrix Point Never, King Krule, and others.

The Complicated Opposition collection is available now through the 4AD web store and Bandcamp, with sales running from May 28 through June 8. The capsule features three main pieces: the Cocteau Twins Heaven or Las Vegas Scotland Jersey, the Scott Walker Bish Bosch USA Jersey, and the Colourbox x Air Miami Scarf, which ties into 4AD’s new Complicated Opposition double A-side single, released May 22.

The Cocteau Twins jersey draws from the colour palette and visual language of the band’s 1990 album Heaven or Las Vegas, while also nodding to the group’s origins in Grangemouth and Scotland’s first World Cup trip in 28 years. The shirt recasts Scottish national team imagery with details pulled from the album’s artwork, including a custom tartan pattern based on the record’s colors and a woven badge featuring the Cocteau Twins’ Lily Dancer logo.

The Scott Walker jersey takes its cues from the Ohio-born artist’s final-era work on Bish Bosch, reworking American soccer design with stark graphics and unusual detailing that mirrors the album’s severe, operatic approach.

Rounding out the capsule is the Colourbox x Air Miami Scarf, a double-sided supporter-style scarf connecting two World Cup-themed tracks from the new Complicated Opposition single: Air Miami’s World Cup Fever and Colourbox’s The Official Colourbox World Cup Theme. The scarf also references the single artwork designed by Chris Bigg, featuring photography by The Douglas Brothers. The scarf will not be sold separately. Instead, it will be produced as a one-of-one item and awarded at random to one customer who purchases a shirt.

As part of the campaign, 4AD will also make a donation to War Child, supporting the organization’s work with children affected by war through education, protection, and advocacy.

The 4AD x Full Kit Complicated Opposition capsule is available now through June 8.

Shop the collection here.

Follow Full Kit:

• Instagram
• Website

The post 4AD and FULL KIT Announce World Cup Merch Collab Featuring Cocteau Twins, Scott Walker, Colourbox, and Air Miami! appeared first on Post-Punk.com.

They’re bringing more pain in August.

The post AXTY’s “Nothing But Pain” Music Video Now Streaming appeared first on Theprp.com.