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Discussing everything from Ozzy, Clutch, Weezer and more.

The post Watch: Mastodon Show Off Their Record Store Haul For Amoeba Music’s ‘Whats In My Bag?’ appeared first on Theprp.com.

Richmond rock ‘n’ roller James Goodson is a music publicist and, full disclosure, an occasional show buddy of mine. He’s also the one-man banger factory behind Dazy, a project that has cranked out many, many excellent songs since Goodson started anonymously dropping Bandcamp tracks during the 2020 COVID summer. Back in 2021, a year before he became a Stereogum Artist To Watch, Goodson released MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD: The First 24 Songs, his compilation of Dazy’s first year. Today, he announces plans to follow it with MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD Vol. 2: 24 Songs From 2023-2026, another comp that features a bunch of tracks that we haven’t heard yet.

The post Dazy Announces <em>MAXIMUMBLASTSUPERLOUD Vol. 2</em> Comp With Seven New Songs: Hear “Beat Change” appeared first on Stereogum.

Ella Langley now has the longest-running non-Christmas #1 song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. Last week “Choosin’ Texas,” the crossover country smash from Langley’s Dandelion, spent its 19th week atop the chart, pulling into a tie with Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” for the most weeks at #1. This week, the song spends a record-breaking 20th week at #1, Billboard confirms.

The post Ella Langley Breaks #1 Song Record, Doja Cat Now Knows Who She Is, Drake Remix Appears Imminent appeared first on Stereogum.

It won’t be available for streaming upon release.

The post Exhumed, Nunslaughter, Molder & Traffic Death Team Up For New Split Release appeared first on Theprp.com.

Rooted in Montréal — though often descending in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, and beyond — MUTEK is devoted to sonic and digital creativity. The festival was founded by PhD scholar Alain Mongeau in 2000. He discovered rave culture in the 1990s, inspired by the Interference Festival at Love Parade in Berlin; Sónar in Barcelona; and German duo Sun Electric. “In theory, I should have moved to Europe because it attracted me,” he admits. “I had a kid, so I had to stay.” The decision to remain in Canada has transformed his concept into a six-night electronic cornerstone.

The post A Week At MUTEK Made Montreal Feel Too Good To Be True appeared first on Stereogum.

– August 31st, 2026 –

JARI MÄENPÄÄ RETURNS TO ENSIFERUM FOR LIVE SHOWS – FIRST TIME OUTSIDE FINLAND

For the first time since 2004, founding vocalist and guitarist Jari Mäenpää will reunite with Ensiferum (Markus, Petri, Janne, Sami, and Pekka) for very special live shows – marking his first appearance with the band outside of Finland.

This reunion will celebrate the early era of Ensiferum, focusing on the material that defined the band’s legacy and helped shape the modern folk metal landscape.

Fans will witness Jari performing lead vocals on the songs he originally recorded, in a setlist spanning:
• 1997 Demo Tape
• Ensiferum (2001)
• Iron (2004)
• Dragonheads (2006)
• Victory Songs (2007)

From fan favorites to deeper cuts and rare early tracks, this performance will be a definitive tribute to Ensiferum‘s formative years – and a rare opportunity to see Jari return to the material that first brought him international acclaim.

The band states: “This is more than a show – it’s a return to the roots. To the energy and vision that started it all.“

Jari adds: “I’m excited and honored to be joining Ensiferum for these very special ‘Early Years’ live shows! After more than 20 years, I’ll be performing with Ensiferum again. I can’t wait to sing these classic songs with you all. See you there!“

Whether you have followed Ensiferum since the demo days or discovered them through the legends of Finnish metal, this is a historic reunion that no fan will want to miss.

ABOUT JARI MÄENPÄÄ
Jari Mäenpää is a Finnish multi-instrumentalist, composer, and one of the founding members of Ensiferum. He performed vocals and guitar on the band’s first two studio albums – Ensiferum (2001) and Iron (2004) – before departing to form Wintersun in 2004, a band that would go on to achieve its own cult status in the extreme metal world. His style and songwriting helped define the sound of Scandinavian epic folk metal, blending blistering melodic riffs, heroic storytelling, and deeply rooted Finnish musical traditions into a blueprint that inspired an entire generation of bands.

ABOUT ENSIFERUM
Ensiferum – Latin for “sword bearing” – are one of the most enduring and beloved bands in folk metal. Founded in Helsinki, Finland in 1995 by guitarist Markus Toivonen, the band has spent three decades forging a signature sound that blends ferocious melodic death metal with sweeping folk melodies, heroic battle anthems, and deeply rooted Scandinavian tradition.

After a series of early demos that earned them a deal with Spinefarm Records, Ensiferum released their self-titled debut in 2001 – a record widely regarded as a landmark of the genre. Their sophomore album Iron (2004), recorded at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen with producer Flemming Rasmussen, further cemented their reputation. Following Jari Mäenpää’s departure to form Wintersun, guitarist and vocalist Petri Lindroos stepped into the role, and the band continued to evolve and expand their reach without missing a step.

Across nine studio albums – including Victory Songs (2007), From Afar (2009), Unsung Heroes (2012), One Man Army (2015), Two Paths (2017), Thalassic (2020), and Winter Storm (2024) – Ensiferum have remained one of the genre’s most consistent and passionate acts, headlining major international festivals and touring across the globe. Their catalogue spans Spinefarm Records and Metal Blade Records, and their fanbase spans continents.

Today the band consists of Markus Toivonen (guitars, vocals), Petri Lindroos (vocals, guitars), Sami Hinkka (bass, vocals), Janne Parviainen (drums), and Pekka Montin (keyboards, vocals) – a lineup that continues to carry the Ensiferum torch with fire, pride, and the spirit of warriors.

Watch ENSIFERUM‘s previously released videos for “Winter Storm Vigilantes,” “Long Cold Winter Of Sorrow And Strife,” “Fatherland,” and “The Howl,” which, when viewed consecutively, create a short movie, HERE.

Preview/purchase Winter Storm at: metalblade.com/ensiferum

https://ensiferum.com
https://www.facebook.com/Ensiferum
https://www.instagram.com/ensiferummetal

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Judas Priest singer Rob Halford and bassist Ian Hill have teamed up with Metal Pilgrim‘s Steel Wings Foundation for a new fundraising campaign backing the nonprofit’s work on the ground in Ukraine.

Halford has put up a batch of personal items for fans to win by donating, including bracelets and a cross he’s worn, plus “Faithkeepers” tour picks that come packaged with Icons he placed in himself.

The headline item is a one-of-a-kind bracelet Halford made by hand. Only one exists, and it goes to whoever makes the single largest donation of the campaign.

Every 1 UAH (Ukrainian Hryvnia) given to the fundraiser counts as one entry toward the other prizes. A donation of 100 UAH (roughly $2.25) gets a fan 100 entries; 1,000 UAH (roughly $22.50) gets 1,000. The math scales from there.

Fans can donate and enter here.

Halford and Hill also recorded a video urging the metal community to pitch in, which can be watched below.

This isn’t the first time Judas Priest and the Steel Wings Foundation have worked together. A previous campaign in 2024 pulled in 1,000,000 UAH (about $22,500), with fans that time winning items like a pair of Halford‘s sunglasses and guitar picks that also came with Icons.

The Steel Wings Foundation is a Ukraine-based metal nonprofit started by YouTuber Metal Pilgrim. It works directly on the ground in Ukraine, pulling together the international metal community to raise money and get support to people who need it.

Items up for grabs in the current campaign:

• A one-of-a-kind, handmade bracelet from Rob Halford, guaranteed to the top donor
• Bracelets worn by Rob Halford
• A cross worn by Rob Halford
• “Faithkeepers” tour picks with Icons Halford placed in the packages himself

The post JUDAS PRIEST Returns To Support Steel Wings Foundation With New Ukraine Charity Drive appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Frontiers Music [Release date : 04.09.26] “Seven Spires”, says Sascha Paeth, “are one of the few new real personalities in metal”. And you would need an abundance of personality and indeed, confidence to assemble such a suite of music as … Continue reading →

The post Album review : SEVEN SPIRES – A Fortress Called Home (Master Key Edition / 3CDs) appeared first on Get Ready to ROCK!.

Each of which are in new cities for that reunion trek.

The post Rush Add Four U.S. Dates To Their ‘Fifty Something Tour’ appeared first on Theprp.com.