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Kiss founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have opened up, in a cover story for the May 2026 Pollstar Magazine issue, about the band’s next phase, confirming details about a planned avatar-based live experience set to launch in Las Vegas in 2028.

The project marks a major move for the band following their farewell tour, with the show being developed in partnership with Pophouse Entertainment, the Sweden-based company co-founded by Björn Ulvaeus of Abba. The company previously made waves with the Abba Voyage production and is now bringing a similar concept to the U.S. market with Kiss.

Backed by a reported deal exceeding $300 million, Pophouse Entertainment acquired Kiss’s catalog along with rights to their name, imagery, and likeness — including the band’s signature face paint designs. The agreement also covers master recordings and publishing interests, giving the company full scope to build out the upcoming experience.

Speaking to Pollstar, Gene Simmons addressed which version of the band fans can expect to see represented. “It’s going to be the iconic face personas, The Demon, the Starchild, and so on. Who you want to place into that lineup is up to you.”

On the musical side, Paul Stanley confirmed the show will pull from across the band’s history: “We will have all the classics through the years and some surprises.”

Simmons added another layer, saying: “You’re gonna get all that stuff, and also new songs.”

When asked to clarify what that meant, he stated: “Exactly what that means, written by us. We have songs done.”

The concept builds on what fans saw during Kiss’s final show at Madison Square Garden in December 2023, where early versions of the band’s avatars were introduced. Rather than aiming for realism, the digital versions leaned into a stylized approach, presenting the members as larger-than-life figures with exaggerated, comic-inspired traits.

According to Jessica Koravos, CEO of Pophouse Entertainment, what debuted in New York was only a starting point. “What the crowd got to see at MSG was an early prototype of the KISS avatar concept. A lot has evolved since then — both in terms of creative concept for the show and avatar technology. We are now deep in development with a top-flight creative team headed by Thierry Coup — the team was on set last week testing out pyro effects against a new generation of LED screens to make sure we max out the KISS signature flame throwing. The show concept is a crazy 4D roller coaster ride through the hits, the comic book worlds and personas of KISS.”

With this project, Kiss are set to become the first American band to fully transition into a dedicated avatar-driven concert experience, pushing their legacy into a new format while keeping the core elements — spectacle, characters, and catalog — intact.

The post KISS Secures Long-Term Future With Pophouse Entertainment appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

“…I miss those fellows, They are my brothers.”

The post Ville Valo Says He Would Love To Play With HIM Again Someday appeared first on Theprp.com.

Hear from David Bowie, Neko Case, Arthur Russell and more artists inspired by our poetic, mysterious satellite.

Canadian extreme groove metalers Without Mercy have released “Glass,” the second single and visualizer from their upcoming EP Infinite Loss, arriving May 8,th, 2026. “Glass” follows the EP’s first single and music video, “The Saint,” which marked a bold creative departure for the band and signaled a new era of intentional, high‑pressure songwriting. “Glass” began with a single riff written after guitarist DJ Temple witnessed Meshuggah live, a moment […]

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J. Cole has a sort of eccentric tradition. Whenever he releases an album, he likes to sign to a professional basketball team in a foreign country and really, really embarrass himself.

The post J. Cole’s Chinese Basketball Era Ends After Eight Minutes Due To Visa Issues appeared first on Stereogum.

What is the best Mastodon album, and where should a new listener begin their journey? While Crack the Skye (2009) is widely considered the band’s most ambitious magnum opus, the tightly constructed and accessible Leviathan (2004) remains the ideal starting point for anyone looking to understand the “Atlanta Sound” that redefined modern metal.

The Evolution of the Atlanta Giants

Formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2000, Mastodon has spent over two decades defying the gravity of genre. From the swampy, prehistoric riffs of their early days to the cosmic, Grammy-winning heights of their later career, the core lineup of Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, Brann Dailor, and Brent Hinds has created a discography that functions more like a library of heavy mythology than a simple collection of songs.

TL;DR: Why This Ranking Matters

Mastodon’s journey isn’t just about getting “cleaner” or “more melodic”—it’s about an unparalleled artistic expansion. In this definitive Mastodon albums ranked list, we weigh raw aggression against melodic complexity.

• The Insight: We’ve factored in exclusive Loaded Radio interviews (like our 2026 check-in regarding the touring lineup) and weighed the impact of their elemental concept cycle.
• The Verdict: Whether you crave the primal sludge of the early 2000s or the psychedelic prog-rock of the 2010s, this list identifies exactly where each record sits in the metal pantheon.

Fans looking to catch Mastodon live in 2026 can click here for ticketing info.

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The Definitive Mastodon Albums Ranked

8. Remission (2002)

The Vibe: The primal roar before the cosmic voyage. Remission is Mastodon at their most raw and unhinged. It was a brutal statement of intent that set them apart from the NWOAHM (New Wave of American Heavy Metal) pack. While essential for understanding their roots, it lacks the melodic finesse that would eventually define them.

• Key Tracks: “March of the Fire Ants,” “Mother Puncher.”

7. Once More ‘Round the Sun (2014)

The Vibe: Streamlined, rock-oriented, and hook-heavy. This album saw Mastodon embracing more accessible song structures. It’s a solid rock record, but when measured against their sprawling concept efforts, it occasionally feels like a slight step back from their most ambitious peaks.

• Key Tracks: “The Motherload,” “High Road.”

6. Hushed and Grim (2021)

The Vibe: A sprawling, somber double-album of profound loss. Dedicated to their late manager Nick John, this is a massive undertaking. It showcases immense musical prowess and emotional maturity, though its sheer length (86 minutes) can make it a challenging sit-off for casual listeners.

• Key Tracks: “Teardrinker,” “Pain with an Anchor.”

5. The Hunter (2011)

The Vibe: The “anti-concept” record. After the dense Crack the Skye, The Hunter was a deliberate move toward concise songwriting and gut-punching riffs. It proved the band could survive without a 15-minute epic about Rasputin, delivering some of their most hypnotic, bluesy work.

• Key Tracks: “Black Tongue,” “Curl of the Burl.”

4. Blood Mountain (2006)

The Vibe: A perilous, mystical journey through a prog-metal landscape. This is where the band fully embraced their progressive tendencies. Unpredictable and dynamic, Blood Mountain is a masterclass in instrumental prowess. It only sits outside the top three because the remaining albums are simply untouchable.

• Key Tracks: “The Wolf Is Loose,” “Capillarian Crest.”

3. Emperor of Sand (2017)

The Vibe: A triumphant return to the conceptual “Elements.” Blending mid-career accessibility with early-career emotional depth, this album serves as a powerful allegory for battling illness. In our exclusive discussions with Bill Kelliher, he noted that the personal nature of these themes gave the band a renewed sense of purpose.

• Key Tracks: “Sultan’s Curse,” “Steambreather.”

2. Leviathan (2004)

The Vibe: The breakout masterpiece. Based on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, Leviathan is simply iconic. It changed the landscape of modern metal, proving that sludge could be both brutal and deeply intelligent. It features the riff that launched a thousand “air-guitars.”

• Key Tracks: “Blood and Thunder,” “Aqua Dementia.”

1. Crack the Skye (2009)

The Vibe: The undisputed magnum opus. Crack the Skye is a breathtaking fusion of progressive rock, psychedelia, and signature Mastodon heavy. It is a complete, immersive experience that demands to be heard from start to finish. It’s not just their best album; it’s one of the greatest progressive metal records of all time.

• Key Tracks: “Oblivion,” “The Czar.”

Check This Out – 13 Best Doom Metal Bands Ranked—The Heaviest Names That Defined The Genre

The Unstoppable Force: Mastodon’s Enduring Legacy

From the savage attack of Remission to the cosmic introspection of Crack the Skye and the somber beauty of Hushed and Grim, Mastodon has forged a discography that is as diverse as it is consistently brilliant. The artistic contributions of every member—Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, Brann Dailor, and the phenomenal Brent Hinds—have ensured their place as one of the most important metal bands of the 21st century.

The post MASTODON ALBUMS RANKED: From Sludge Roots to Progressive Masterpieces appeared first on Loaded Radio.

“And so it begins…”: Hardcore juggernauts PRO-PAIN share the third single from their upcoming album, Stone Cold Anger, out May 15, 2026 via Napalm Records. “Scorched Earth” sets the tone for the future, accompanied by heavy riffs, catchy guitars, and sing-alongs. A sinister yet fiercely anthemic track, “Scorched Earth” is a pummeling demonstration of power, perfectly fitting for the band’s first album […]

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They’ve also provided an Aussie slang primer in case that title confuses you.

The post King Parrot Release “It’s A Rort” Music Video appeared first on Theprp.com.

The second single from Epigrama traces regret as moral corrosion, where self-doubt hardens into self-destruction “From the very first tortured howl, the raw emotion is engrossing to the point of disbelief.” — Wall of Sound Vilnius-based experimental metal band ERDVE have released “Ydos,” the second single taken from their upcoming album Epigrama, out May 29th, 2026 through Season of […]

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They’ve likened it to a mix of ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ & ‘City Of God’.

The post Soulfly Launch Their New Animated Video For “Favela/Dystopia” appeared first on Theprp.com.