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Rock icon Ann Wilson, singer-songwriter and founder of Heart, has announced a special 10-city North American screening tour accompanying her forthcoming authorized feature documentary “In My Voice”.

Each evening will feature a high-definition screening of the documentary followed by a live question-and-answer session with Ann Wilson and director Barbara Hall, offering audiences a rare opportunity to hear firsthand stories from one of rock’s most powerful and enduring voices. Attendees will also have access to exclusive merchandise available only at the screenings.

Told in Ann‘s own words, “In My Voice” traces her extraordinary 75-year journey, from a nomadic childhood to the stages of the world’s biggest arenas, and into a bold new creative chapter. Drawing from an extensive personal archive of home movies, photographs, journals, and never-before-seen footage, the film reveals the deeply personal experiences that shaped Wilson‘s artistry and helped lay the foundation for the rise of Heart. The documentary also features commentary from family members, bandmates, fellow artists, and industry figures who witnessed her singular path.

“This film is my story in my own words, told the way I’ve always wanted to tell it,” says Ann Wilson. “It’s about finding my voice, keeping it alive, and sharing the journey with the people who’ve been part of it all along.”

The documentary is directed by Barbara Hall, a Prime-Time Emmy-nominated producer and director known for her work on immersive music and cultural documentaries. With more than 25 years of experience developing and directing original programming, Hall has built a reputation for uncovering powerful human stories. She is a member of the Producers Guild of America, the Guild of Music Supervisors, and the Documentary Producers Alliance, and was honored with the 2025 Women in Film/Nashville Alice Award Trailblazer Award.

“What an honor to tell the story of one of our greatest rock music voices of all time,” says Hall. “Her voice notwithstanding, her story exceeds a scriptwriter’s imagination, and her courage to share her story is inspiring.”

By interweaving past and present, “In My Voice” explores Wilson‘s life against the backdrop of a changing America, from the Vietnam War era and the rise of MTV to the enduring cultural power of rock and roll. The film reveals not only how Ann Wilson shaped the sound of a generation, but how her voice continues to evolve decades later.

“In My Voice” promises to be a landmark documentary that brings Ann Wilson‘s singular journey to the screen with honesty, power, and, of course, heart.

“In My Voice” Documentary Tour Dates:

05/11 – Seattle, WA – The Neptune
05/12 – Vancouver, BC – Rio Theatre
05/17 – Chicago, IL – City Winery
05/18 – Cleveland, OH – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
05/20 – Nashville, TN – City Winery
05/27 – New York, NY – City Winery
05/29 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Events Center
05/30 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House
06/01 – Boston, MA – City Winery

The post ANN WILSON Announces 10-City Screening and Q&A For Documentary Film “In My Voice” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Following last October’s return with “Black Matter Manifesto”, Samael have revealed another new track, “Hidden Empire”, taken from their upcoming limited 12-inch maxi single vinyl set for release on April 24, 2026 through Napalm Records mailorder and the band’s official shop.

“Hidden Empire” focuses on the unseen systems influencing everyday life, turning that concept into a dense and heavy sound. The track opens with a nod to the band’s earlier style before shifting into a mix of crushing riffs and mechanical rhythm. Alongside “Black Matter Manifesto”, it forms a two-track release that shows Samael continuing to refine their sound while staying grounded in their identity.

Samael comments about the track: “Hidden in plain sight, right in front of us, everywhere and at all times. We no longer see what we are used to seeing, it is our reality, a reality to which we willingly submit in order to lead a painless but meaningless existence.

“Musically, the beginning of the song is somewhat reminiscent of Samael‘s classic track “My Saviour”, but it quickly evolves into something more unusual for the band. It is a heavy song with an industrial touch that maintains high tension from start to finish.”

The new release arrives nine years after Hegemony (2017) and marks the band’s first new material in nearly a decade. The limited vinyl edition of Hidden Empire will include both “Black Matter Manifesto” and “Hidden Empire”, and will be available exclusively through Napalm Records mailorder and Samael’s official store.

Formed in 1987, Samael have played a key role in shaping extreme metal, with releases like Worship Him and Passage helping define their sound. Their mix of black, industrial, and symphonic elements continues to set them apart.

“Black Matter Manifesto” reintroduced Samael with a direct and aggressive approach. With “Hidden Empire”, the band builds on that return, delivering a track driven by weight, repetition, and atmosphere. Together, these songs reinforce Samael’s place in the genre and show their ongoing push to move it forward.

The post SAMAEL Unveils New Single “Hidden Empire” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Power metal operatives Masterplan have shared a brand new single/video, “Through The Storm”. The latter appears on the group’s next full-length effort Metalmorphosis, set to land in stores on June 26, 2026.
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Interview with Ben from Impurist at Raven Records as part of the Dark Clouds Over Camden Festival

April 2026 marks fifty years since Ramones dropped their self-titled debut, a record that helped define what punk rock became. To mark the milestone, a new book titled All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit Of The Ramones digs into the band’s history through firsthand accounts and detailed research.

Written by Jenn L. Beckwith and published by DiWulf Publishing in the U.S. and Earth Island Books in the U.K., the 280-page release looks at the group’s origins, impact, and the mark they left on music and culture.

The story traces back to 1974 in New York City’s Bowery. Four musicians from Forest Hills, Queens—soon to be known as Ramones—played an early show to a nearly empty room, reportedly attended by the bar owner and his dog. From that point, things moved fast. With a unified image, simple but aggressive songs, and constant touring, Ramones built a following that stuck with them for decades and helped push punk into the spotlight.

All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit Of The Ramones leans heavily on that fan connection. It collects photos, stories, artwork, and memories submitted by fans, alongside interviews with people close to the band. It also covers the band’s full history, individual member backgrounds, the roots of rock and roll, and how punk took shape, including what it meant to identify with that scene.

The book is set for a worldwide release on April 23, 2026, lining up with the 50th anniversary of Ramones.

To understand the impact, it helps to look at the landscape at the time. By the early ‘70s, rock had become increasingly elaborate. Yes released Close To The Edge in 1972, Genesis followed with Selling England By The Pound, and Led Zeppelin delivered Houses Of The Holy in 1973. The genre leaned toward complexity and polish.

Meanwhile, in downtown New York, something else was forming. At CBGB’s on August 16, 1974, Ramones played their debut show. The set was loud, fast, and direct. Songs were short, built on a few chords, and played with little concern for precision. That approach cut against what rock had become and set the stage for a shift.

Ramones went on to become one of the most recognizable American punk bands, shaping the sound and attitude of the genre. Their stripped-down style—three chords, direct lyrics, and high energy—came into focus with Ramones in 1976 and carried forward across their career.

Their influence reached far beyond punk. Bands like Black Flag, Nirvana, Metallica, Circle Jerks, White Zombie, Pearl Jam, and Guns N’ Roses all drew from that foundation in different ways. Even Motörhead paid tribute with a song dedicated to them.

Through it all, Ramones stayed consistent. They kept their sound and identity intact, built a lasting connection with fans, and secured their place in music history. Commercial success on a massive scale never came, but their impact has held up across generations.

All Good Cretins Go To Heaven: The Enduring Spirit Of The Ramones is available here.

The post New Book Marks 50 Years of RAMONES Debut and Lasting Influence appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Jinjer have confirmed an extensive touring plan across the North American continent. Booked in June and July, this trek marks the final touring chapter of the Du​é​l album cycle. Crystal Lake and Entheos will serve as support on majority of dates.
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The former Queensryche vocalist has released a track listing for the album. He tells UCR about the legendary saga's next chapter and why he's not doing it with his past bandmates. Continue reading…

Philadelphia black metal duo Antihælix released their debut album, A Serpentine Staircase into Oblivion, last year. Though it fell under the radar for many listeners, it was one of the year’s strongest releases. There’s a new chance to discover Antihælix today, with the premiere of their new music video.

“Snorting the Ashes of Dead Planets” is the third track on A Serpentine Staircase, diving right into the band’s psychedelic, twisting black metal. The accompanying video, filmed and produced by Justin Mahesh Kost, leans into the theatrical and ritualistic side of black metal, accompanied by hallucinogenic visuals. 

“We are proud to bring you our first visual accompaniment for our track, ‘Snorting The Ashes of Dead Planets,’ a celebratory anthem about the embrace of a decaying cosmos,” drummer Omega tells Decibel. “The ethereal realm has been met by the deconstruction of the useless. In a swift breathe they’re all gone. In a swift breathe they’re all consumed.”

You can watch the new video below; A Serpentine Staircase into Oblivion is out digitally and on CD via Putrid Hammer Conspiracies, and on tape via Heelhookvlt.

The post Video Premiere: Antihælix – ‘Snorting the Ashes of Dead Planets’ appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

If you’ve ever had the inclination to turn a metal show into a rave or vice versa, then you may have just stumbled upon the perfect soundtrack for that sort of subversion. Brooklyn-based electronic-infused metal band Trip Villain are gearing up to release their sophomore album Dose in May, so they’ve dropped their new single “Villain Maw” and its accompanying music video, which we’ve got the exclusive right to premiere.

Described as a “teleportational whirlwind of inspiration that sucks the listener into a Bushwick alley for a pop-up rave hosted in the center of a circle pit at 4am on a Tuesday with the cross-pollution of stimulants coalescing in the best way possible,” this track hits on all cylinders.

What’s interesting about this cross-genre track in particular is the fact that it’s a collaborative effort between Vixen Maw and Trip Villain. Featuring Vixen Maw vocalist Jake Cannavale, “Villain Maw” thumps and hits hard all the same. Cannavale said the song will compel you to do some wild shit in the pit.

“‘Villain Maw’ is a collaborative effort by two born and raised New York bands that combines the fury of our city’s metal underbelly with the industrial thump of its’ techno renaissance. The result is absolutely incendiary and will make you want to breakdance in the eye of a circle pit.”

Trip Villain’s Josh Musto, who also directed the music video, explained how this particular track came to be.

“The main riff in ‘Villain Maw’ came out of a jam I had in 2023 with my homies in Vixen Maw. Jon [Ehlers] then added a clubby synthbass line, which is probably my favorite thing he’s ever written. We started opening our shows with this song because those two riffs back-to-back are a perfect encapsulation of the genre-crossover on this album. I knew I needed to get my brother Jacob singing on it, so I sent him the track and a few days later he came in with the whole song written as a frantic back-and-forth duet. I’ve always wanted to use the word ‘abacinate’ in a song, and Jacob finally made it happen – Slayer fans, IYKYK.”adsss

Dose will be released on LP and digital formats on May 8 via Seeing Red Records, but you can preorder your copy today.

TRIP VILLAIN Live:

3/20/2026 TV Eye – Queens, NY w/ MK Ultra
5/15/2026 TV Eye – Queens, NY w/ Rickshaw Billie’s Burger Patrol 

The post Exclusive Premiere: Trip Villain Pay Homage to Early 2000s Industrial Metal with “Villain Maw” appeared first on MetalSucks.

A faithful recreation—limited to only 50 guitars worldwide, each signed by Michael Schenker—modeled after the unforgettable black-and-white Flying V he used to record UFO’s first three albums, influencing countless guitarists across the globe

 

Gibson Custom is proud to announce the release of the Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition, a meticulously crafted recreation of one of the most influential guitars in hard rock and heavy metal history. Known for his work with UFO, Scorpions, and the Michael Schenker Group, Schenker helped define the sound and tone of a generation. Inspired by Michael Schenker’s iconic 1971 Medallion Flying V, originally in Cherry Red, later in black, and ultimately transformed into the unforgettable black-and-white design that became his signature, this limited-edition model captures every detail of the instrument used to record the first three UFO albums. This limited run of 50 guitars, each hand-signed by Schenker himself, is available worldwide at authorized Gibson Custom dealers, Gibson Garage locations, and on www.gibson.com.

 

Few guitars have left a mark on hard rock and heavy metal like Michael Schenker’s iconic 1971 Flying V. Now part of Kirk Hammett’s renowned guitar collection, Gibson Custom created the Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition based on precise 3D scans of the original instrument. This Collector’s Edition features a mahogany body with a partially painted white pickguard, a three-piece mahogany neck with a slim artist profile and volute, and a one-piece rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and cellulose dot inlays. The Flying V headstock continues the signature split-color motif and is fitted with Schaller M6 tuners and a Corian nut. A pair of uncovered T-Top humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets delivers the unmistakable clarity and bite of the era, each wired to its own volume control with a shared tone knob using 500k CTS® potentiometers, along with a Switchcraft® three-way toggle and ¼ inch output jack, rounds out the electronics.

Michael Schenker

Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition

Limited to just 50 pieces worldwide, each guitar is hand-signed by Michael Schenker on the back of the headstock and comes housed in a custom replica flight case adorned with Michael Schenker Group graphics. Also included is a commemorative mahogany display block featuring a #56 Medallion, and a Certificate of Authenticity presented in a matching black-and-white folio. This is a rare opportunity to own a replica of what many consider the most influential Flying V ever made—crafted in honor of one of rock’s most iconic guitarists. Watch/share the new interview with Michael Schenker for the new Gibson Custom 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition HERE.

Click on the above image to play the interview. Check out more photos of the new Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition:

Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition hand-signed by Michael Schenker on the back of the headstock.

Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition

Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition

Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition

Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition

The post Gibson Custom Reveals Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition appeared first on Mayhem Music Magazine.