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The singer kept his deteriorating health private for several years. Continue reading…

The Melbourne heavy music scene has long been a breeding ground for sonic innovation, but the arrival of ANA marks a sophisticated shift toward what the quintet describes as “couture metal”. This aesthetic evolution prioritizes high-fashion theatricality alongside the punishing precision of symphonic metal.

Today, the band further cements this visual identity with the release of their vibrant new music video for “Shadow of Life,” a standout track from their forthcoming full-length album, Motivated by Death. Directed by the masterful Peter Coulson and filmed at Koukei Studio in Kilsyth South, the video serves as a brilliant collision of nineties nostalgia and modern production. Coulson describes the project as a remake of the nineties aesthetic, allowing the band’s natural charisma to take center stage.

Album Pre-Save / Pre-Order CD Digipak:
https://ffm.to/anamtv

For vocalist Anna Khristenko, the visual direction was a deliberate choice to contrast the song’s heavy themes. While “Shadow of Life” serves as a philosophical reminder to live every day to its fullest, Khristenko wanted the video to remain “danceable and fun.” Drawing inspiration from the iconic leather coats and sunglasses of The Matrix, she opted for a costume that pays homage to her favorite actor, Keanu Reeves.

This is the second single & music video taken from their upcoming full-length album Motivated By Death which will be released on May 29, 2026 via Eclipse Records.

The video captures a band operating as a cohesive unit of “masked super-humans”. For bassist Cody Lamb, the shoot marked his second music video experience with the group, and he credits Coulson with creating a comfortable environment that allowed the band to pour their heart and soul into the performance. Keyboardist Mark Shi, who has previously occupied the director’s chair himself, expressed immense gratitude for being able to step into the action as Coulson’s grand vision came to life.

Guitarist Josh Mak also revealed a special treat for fans… The video features an eye-catching neon green Ormsby GTI Hype Guitar, a custom instrument created specifically for this video, and that a lucky fan will have the chance to win this exact piece of history! Read more about the giveaway contest via this location.

While many symphonic metal acts lean into fantasy tropes, ANA focuses on a sophisticated evolution of the craft. Led by vocalist Anna Khristenko, the band members perform as masked super-humans. This visual identity is captured on the album cover by acclaimed Australian photographer Peter Coulson, bridging the gap between high fashion and the visceral intensity of symphonic metal.

Produced by the creative duo of Josh Mak and Khristenko, the record finds a balance between orchestral grandeur and sonic precision. The heart of the record is found in “Shadow of Life”. Despite the title of the album, the band does not dwell on morbidity. Instead, the song treats death as a vital shadow that gives life its shape. It is a reminder to embrace the impermanence of existence as a catalyst for creativity. This celebration of the present moment elevates the record into a deep exploration of the human condition.

Other standouts from the album include “Hate Me”. The album was produced by Anna Khristenko & Josh Mak, engineered & mixed by Chris Themelco (Eye of the Enemy, Naberus) at Monolith Studios, and mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson (Groove Armada, Soilwork, Mayhem) at The Panicroom Studio. Cover art for the album was shot by Peter Coulson. Motivated By Death by Ana will be released on May 29, 2026 via Eclipse Records.

Pre-Save or Pre-Order Motivated By Death on CD Digipak via Eclipse Records at this location.

Motivated By Death track listing
01. Hate Me
02. Shadow of Life
03. You Loved Me More Than I Love Myself
04. Following the Wind
05. Eyes of A Child
06. Sick Love
07. Papa
08. Aerials (System of A Down cover)

Ana lineup
Anna Khristenko (Vocals), Josh Mak (Guitar), Cody Lamb (Bass), Andres Felipe Martinez Osorio (Drums), Mark Shi (Keys)

The post Symphonic Metal Band ANA Channels The Matrix Chic In Stunning New “Shadow of Life” Music Video & Single appeared first on The Rockpit.

KISS’ farewell tour ended in 2023, but the band still exists as an idea, a reason for people to spend too much of their money. Various current and former KISS members are attempting to sell new records for exorbitant sums — a $1,000 Peter Criss album, a $2 million Vinnie Vincent album. Donald Trump gave the band Kennedy Center Honors last year. The KISS holograms are still in the works, and the band played without makeup at last year’s KISS Kruise: Landlocked In Vegas event. Also, Paul Stanley is presiding over a small, shy child’s “Astronaut In The Ocean” karaoke at a fan convention outside Indianapolis. Obviously.

The post Paul Stanley Got A Little Kid To Do Masked Wolf Karaoke At Indy KISS Fan Expo appeared first on Stereogum.

Shoegaze, indie rock band Downward, have announced their signing to Pure Noise Records. To celebrate this signing, there will

One of the most influential acts in modern metal and hardcore, in 2026 Florida heavyweights POISON THE WELL will head down under this June for their first Australian performances since 2009 performing ‘The Opposite Of December’ in its entirety with Boston chaos merchants HAYWIRE and Melbourne’s IRON MIND.

Today, POISON THE WELL announce the local support acts for each show. Perth’s metalcore outfit END IT ALL will kick off the proceedings with their intensity and breakdown-heavy riffs, while STRESSED, Adelaide’s straight edge hardcore band will show Adelaide hardcore is alive and well. ENDS IN TRAGEDY will bring bring their heavy breakdowns and high-energy in Melbourne while Sydney will showcase veterans of the Australian hardcore scene, PHANTOMS. While Newcastle will see locals CUTTHROAT, Brisbane will showcase WETWORK. 

One of the most influential acts in modern metal and hardcore, in 2026 POISON THE WELL will at long last again be at arm’s length for Aussie fans, heading down under for their Australian headline tour in June. Caustically fluent in flitting between brutality and beauty without breaking a sweat, POISON THE WELL‘s 1999 debut album The Opposite Of December…A Season Of Separation not only introduced the world to a sonic cosmos of gripping yet melodic hardcore; it also influenced the future of heavy music itself, with the genre-defining record claiming spots on Brooklyn Vegan’s “15 ‘90s Metalcore Albums That Still Resonate Today,” KERRANG!’s “21 Best U.S. Metalcore Albums of All Time,” Loudwire’s “25 Best Metalcore Albums of All Time,” and Revolver’s “10 Most Influential Metalcore Albums of All Time”. Currently with five studio albums, countless tours, over 100 million streams, and reuniting after their 2009 hiatus, 2026 is already unfurling a razor-sharp new chapter for POISON THE WELL, with the band now primed to release their first new album in 16 years: Peace In Place, due out March 20.

Announcing Peace In Place along with a propulsive new single Thoroughbreds, POISON THE WELL‘s new era is yet again shaping up to be something both monumental and connective; an album of and for our times, while also channeling the group’s storied journey and narrative into 10 stalwart tracks. Decades into the piece, POISON THE WELL aren’t merely resting on their laurels, instead channeling the spirit of their most celebrated material through a prism of new experience on Peace In Place.

Hailing from Boston, HAYWIRE weld a dizzying blend of guttural hardcore and searing authenticity. Unpredictable, unforgettable and authentically unfiltered, the group forged via Austin Sparkman, member and ex-member of the likes of Buried Dreams, Conservative Military Image, Rude Awakening and more, evolving into one of the most buzzed about groups on the scene. Whether stomping on tracks like LIKE A TRAIN or swaggering with thrash and shifts on GET TO STEPPIN, HAYWIRE‘s frenetic charm never misses. And set to spend February and March touring North America with Dropkick Murphys, and March and April with DRAIN, the band will be arriving in extremely fine form for their first ever Aussie performances this June.

With a global reputation for their live intensity, IRON MIND have previously shared stages with the likes of SPEED, No Warning, Backtrack, Harm’s Way and, as of earlier this year, Turnstile, with TheMusic.com.au praising IRON MIND‘s Melbourne support slot with Turnstile: “the Melbourne boys performed with the confidence of veterans, turning up the dial with punishing, rageful precision”. A band who continue to stand the test of time while also endlessly sharpening their trademark brand of measured chaos, IRON MIND are not to be missed in a live setting.

Be sure to grab your ticket now. This is absolutely not to be missed!

Tickets from destroyalllines.com

The post POISON THE WELL Announce Local Support Acts For Australian Headline Tour appeared first on The Rockpit.

Posted on April 15th 2026, 1:50p.m.

24 years after their start, TERROR still reign as one of the most influential bands in hardcore. TERROR will release their tenth full length record, STILL SUFFER, on April 24th through Flatspot Records. Working with producer (and former guitarist) Todd Jones, the band created ten fast, aggressive, in-your-face tracks that embrace the themes that made TERROR so influential in the first place.

Having already shared the title track “STILL SUFFER” and crushing “DESTRUCTION OF MY SOUL,” today TERROR release third single “FEAR THE PANIC.” The groove-heavy track features an guest vocal delivery from Hot Water Music’s Chuck Ragan and was co-produced by New Found Glory’s Chad Gilbert. The accompanying video, directed by Derek Rathbun, aligns with the song’s lyrics of “put yourself to the test” as the band and Ragan give a high energy performance interwoven with a classic martial arts storyline.

You can stream the track HERE.

TERROR will head out on a North American tour starting April 22nd in Denver, CO with support from Pain of Truth, End It, and Start Today, with additional dates just announced. Festival appearances along the tour include Sick New World, Overcome Fest, Tied Down, and Festival Au Lac. Full dates below and tickets available at sticktight.la.

With the release of STILL SUFFER, it’s clear TERROR has no sign of letting up, continuing to succeed on their mission to deliver hardcore authentic to themselves.

In addition to Jones’ production work, STILL SUFFER was rounded out with engineering and some additional production by Taylor Young at The Pit Recording Studio, mixing by Jon Markson, and mastering by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege, with additional vocal engineering by Jay Zubricky at GCR Audio, and drum engineering at Studio 606 by Taylor Young and Oliver Roman. In addition to Ragan, guest vocals on the album come from Jay Peta of Mindforce on “Beauty in the Losses,” Brody King of God’s Hate and Dan Seely of King Nine on “Deconstruct It.”

Terror is Scott Vogel – vocals, Martin Stewart – guitar, Jordan Posner – guitar, Nicholas Jett – drums, and Christopher Linkovich – bass.

The post TERROR Release New Single & Video ‘FEAR THE PANIC’ Featuring Hot Water Music’s Chuck Ragan appeared first on The Rockpit.

Michigan blues artist Larry McCray has completed recording his first full-length acoustic blues album, marking a new direction in his longtime career. The project was recorded at Pinhead Recorders and produced by Canadian blues artist Colin Linden, who also performs on most of the album’s tracks.

The upcoming release features one traditional song alongside nine original compositions, all co-written by McCray. The sessions included a lineup of notable musicians, including Dave Jacques on bass and George Receli on drums. Additional guest appearances come from Mickey Raphael on harmonica, Ketch Secor on fiddle, Dominic Davis on bass, and Rebecca Lovell on mandolin.

McCray shared his thoughts on completing the project, saying, “I have always wanted to make an acoustic record, but I was never in the right place to make that happen. I truly believe that my friend Colin Linden has brought together the right musicians and the right approach. I think we have a good record here.”

The album currently carries the working title Blue Mary, named after one of the tracks co-written by McCray and his partner Peggy Smith. The song draws on a ghost story narrative set to a country-style waltz arrangement.

Release details for the album are still to be announced as McCray finalizes a record label agreement.

McCray’s latest album, Heartbreak City, recently received two Blues Music Awards nominations, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for “Bye Bye Blues.”

The post Larry McCray records acoustic blues album appeared first on Blues Rock Review.

“The Dead Milkmen proved you could be hilarious, political, weird, and successful without losing your edge. Sonnichsen captures

A niece once pronounced to me that all the great blues musicians are dead. Alvin Youngblood Hart, Guy Davis and Corey Harris show that’s not true, as they are among the best blues masters of my own generation. With Fight On! True Blues Vol. 2, these masters have created an acoustic blues timepiece that is […]