Blog

Tomahawk played their first live show in 13 years, teaming up with their 2003 tour partners the Melvins. Continue reading…

VEION is a melodic metal band from Fulda, Germany, combining powerful riffs, emotional vocals, and atmospheric soundscapes. Inspired by real-life experiences, their music explores themes of loss, resilience, memory, and hope while balancing crushing heaviness with memorable melodies. Check out Apart From My Memory below.

Evolema is a Chilean musical project led by Rolo Ulloa, exploring rock and post-grunge sounds with an emotional, direct approach and a strong sense of identity. Its origins date back to the 2000s, but it returns in 2025 in a new phase marked by musical maturity and the need to express experiences, reflections, and an […]

Emerging in 2020 from Austin, TX, United States, Braeker blends rock, metalcore and pop into a genre-defying sound. Braeker is a solo independent music artist originally from Dallas, Texas. Currently living in Austin, Texas, he writes, produces, mixes and masters all the music himself. His new song JSFS is a hard-hitting, angry track about being […]

Dennis Atlas joined Toto in 2024 at the age of 28. He’s made the most of the experience by assembling new solo album Principle, which features s seriously impressive guest list. Atlaes tells Prog what he’s learned since going it entirely alone on his debut record.

At 28 years old, Dennis Atlas became the second keyboardist of Toto in 2024, a role that’s grown since the retirement of Greg Phillinganes. Now the Californian has released his second solo album, Principle, featuring a raft of special guests including Aristocrat Marco Minnemann, Bumblefoot from Sons Of Apollo and Toto alumni Steve Lukather and David Paich.

But those expecting high-energy rock are in for a shock. Prog-friendly keyboards and time signatures find him treading a more emotional path. He tells us he’s always been a progger at heart.

You fell in love with music via the pomp of Queen, Rush, Kansas and Styx. What was it about them?

I have very eclectic taste in music, but all of those bands have real depth. Every time you listen to them you discover something new. That’s what I loved about prog, even before I knew what it was.

Your keyboard solo at Wembley Arena with Toto incorporated segments of songs by ELP. How deep does your connection with progressive rock go?

Extremely deep! Prog was all that I listened to in my most formative years. ELP’s Brain Salad Surgery made me wonder what on earth was going on in the minds of those three guys. I also loved Yes, and later on Dream Theater, Symphony X and Haken.

Who are tour keyboard influences?

Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman, of course; Dennis De Young and Lawrence Gowan of Styx; Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess and Kevin Moore. Diego [Tejeida, ex-Haken] is on a whole other level.

How did you come to join Toto?

I jammed with Ron Thal – Bumblefoot from Guns N’ Roses – and we became friends. One day, right out of the blue, he sent a text saying he’d recommended me to Toto. They needed someone right away. Ron’s text was on a Thursday; on the Saturday or Sunday, after they’d looked at my videos, Steve Lukather called asking, “What are you doing this summer?”

Within four seconds of Principle opener Surprises From Within, we know your album is keys-friendly.

Yeah! It’s the Keith Emerson thing where you hear that heroic synth part and it pulls you in. That’s the intention anyway.

With your solo debut, 2021’s My Magical Wonderland, you performed all the instruments – keys, guitar, bass and drums – as well as singing. This time you have a list of special guests. Is Principle a concerted attempt to commercialise things?

When I made that first album I had a lot to learn on all of those instruments, and when it was finished I said, “OK, I’m never doing that again!” This time I’ve found people who can take it up to a whole other level, leaving me to refine my keyboard skills. Bringing in Marco Minnemann on drums certainly doesn’t suck!

How did you get Marco to appear?

We became friends through the same Queen, Rush and Styx tribute band where I met Bumblefoot. Marco would get up and jam.

Several past and present members of Toto appear on the album, including ‘Luke’ Lukather, current singer Joseph Williams, original keysman David Paich and saxophonist Warren Ham.

It’s definitely a family affair, and there are a few you didn’t mention. Shannon Forest plays drums on six of the album’s songs; his groove provides its backbone. Greg Phillinganes played some additional keyboards, and Steve’s son Trev not only mixed the album but also played some rhythm guitar.

Luke’s contribution to the super-rhythmic Candy On Mars is fascinating.

Luke is so much more than just a shredder. With that song I wanted more of a funky, improvisational thing. I just gave him the drumbeat and asked him to come up with something. At the end he moved the guitar and it collided with a mic stand, so he banked the guitar against it and made it a feature of the song. I don’t even understand how he did that!

Luke said, ‘He sounds like Fergie Frederiksen – let’s add some of those songs’

How was it working with David Paich on the album’s longest song, We Can Be the Future, which closes the record?

Paich is such a hero of mine, but he’s so unassuming. If you ran into him at the grocery store there’s not a chance you’d know that he’s a rock star. We sat at the piano and jammed and he threw out these titbits – some chords and a bunch of organ – that really improved the song, and all the while he made me feel so comfortable.

Are you hoping to do some solo live shows?

That would be the dream of my lifetime. It’s what I had in mind when I composed these songs. I’m very much committed to Toto’s live schedule but it does have some breaks. I’m already putting together some guys in my studio so that we’ll be ready when the time comes.

We know you could front the show because you did a great job of handling those tricky Fergie Frederiksen-voiced songs on material from Toto’s Isolation at Wembley.

It’s my extreme honour to do that. I came aboard to play keys and sing high harmonies, but Luke said, “He sounds like Fergie – let’s add some of those songs.” We’ve been doing two from Isolation, but we’re going to add a third.

Do you consider Principle a prog rock album?

Absolutely. It has everything a prog listener will want. It’s melodic and singable, but it’ll hook you in. It gets deeper and deeper as it goes on, and it ends with We Can Be The Future, which I believe is completely within the realm of Styx, Queen, Gentle Giant and Kansas. Listen to it – it’s undeniably been made by a prog lover.

Principle is on sale now.

Downstater inject Finish Line with everything that makes melodic skate punk so enduring: high-octane energy, soaring hooks, and heartfelt emotion. Buzzsaw guitars, relentless drumming, and driving basslines fuel the track from start to finish, while the passionate vocal delivery adds urgency and sincerity. Drawing inspiration from the golden era of ’90s punk without sounding derivative, the band strikes an ideal balance between speed, melody, and anthemic songwriting. Explosive yet emotionally resonant, Finish Line is an exhilarating reminder that punk rock’s spirit remains very much alive.

Connect:

Instagram

With the temperature gauge on the car saying 41 degrees, as a Brit, we knew that a hard day was to be had, but you can’t really complain when you’re at a festival like Hellfest, especially when the alternative is a 90% chance of rain and vanilla bands at Download. Arriving mid-afternoon, we had a … Continue reading Festival Review: Hellfest 2026 Day 3 – Clisson, France

If you follow Yes with any regularity, you’re well aware of the number of live releases we’ve seen in recent years. Much of it has been part of expanded Yes box sets that have been rolled out. Speculation is high that the next big box will be around Relayer, the 1974 three-song album recorded with keyboardist Patrick Moraz. Before that happens, there’s Live At Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, NJ (6/17/76) to cover the short-lived live era with Moraz.

On June 17, 1976, the Relayer lineup of Moraz, Jon Anderson, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, and Alan White performed at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, NJ. The show was for a live broadcast on New York’s WNEW-FM, widely recorded and issued as a bootleg. All cleaned up and relieved of any post-FM noise, Live At Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, NJ (6/17/76) is the official release of that show. Aside from a few cuts on 1980’s Yesshows, this is the only other live document of the Relayer lineup.

At this point in Yes’ history, the group was massive in the United States, playing stadiums all over the country. The setlist included staples like “Siberian Khatru,” “Long Distance Runaround” and “Roundabout.” What sets it apart from most other Yes live sets are not only two, rarely played songs from Relayer — “Soundchaser” and “The Gates Of Delirium” — but also the inclusion of excerpts from recently released solo albums. Dubbed the “Solo Albums Tour,” this was really the only time when solo efforts were given this much attention. Even a slice of the new guy’s album The Story Of I gets some love. Never mind that Jon Anderson’s captivating bits from Olias Of Sunhillow that follow is yet another one-time twist to the plot.

Playing-wise, the band is on fire. Moraz’s synths sound a little thin on “Siberian Khatru,” while his keyboard work everywhere else is magnificent. He obviously shines on “The Gates Of Delirium,” and also adds a lot more spice to “Ritual” from Tales From Topographic Oceans, the album that drove Moraz’s predecessor Rick Wakeman out of the band. The set ends with the Beatles’ “I’m Down,” a somewhat trivial wink of the eye in light of some of the band’s deepest, proggiest material they ever played. Whether you go with the double CD or triple LP package, Live At Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, NJ (6/17/76) is required listening for anyone seeking remnants from the golden age of 70s progressive rock. Don’t let it get lost in the shuffle.

~ Shawn Perry

Purchase Live At Roosevelt Stadium, Jersey City, NJ (6/17/76)

Their return comes several months after "legal objections from certain members of the original lineup brought the project to an unexpected standstill," the singer's announcement clarifies. Continue reading…

In a brand new Bear McCreary interview on The Loaded Radio Podcast, the Emmy and BAFTA-winning composer behind “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Walking Dead,” “Outlander,” “The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power” and the “God Of War” video games opens up about “The Singularity: Ekleipsis” — his cinematic metal concept album arriving July 31 with a guest roster that reads like a festival poster: Slash and Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, Joe Duplantier of Gojira, Alissa White-Gluz, Patrick Stump, Claudio Sanchez, Steve Vai, Tim Henson, Guthrie Govan, Jens Kidman of MESHUGGAH, Stewart Copeland of The Police and Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Host Scott Penfold sits down with McCreary for a career-spanning conversation you can stream right here.

LISTEN TO THE FULL BEAR McCREARY INTERVIEW NOW:

Stream the complete conversation above, or take it with you — download the free Loaded Radio App on Apple iOS and Google Play and catch every episode of The Loaded Radio Podcast wherever you go.

Who Is Bear McCreary — And Why Metal Fans Should Care

If you’ve watched television, played a blockbuster video game, or been anywhere near a screen in the last two decades, you’ve heard Bear McCreary’s music. A protégé of film scoring legend Elmer Bernstein, McCreary burst onto the scene at just 25 years old scoring the reimagined “Battlestar Galactica” — including the now-legendary reinvention of “All Along The Watchtower” — before going on to win three Emmy Awards and score “The Walking Dead,” “Outlander,” “The Rings Of Power,” “Godzilla: King Of The Monsters” and the modern “God Of War” games.

One of those Emmys came with a twist worthy of its subject: his theme for “Da Vinci’s Demons” is a musical palindrome — it sounds identical played forwards and backwards, a nod to Leonardo’s famous mirror writing. That’s the level of craft McCreary brings to everything he touches — and now he’s pointing all of it directly at heavy metal.

Inside ‘The Singularity: Ekleipsis’

Due July 31 via Sparks & Shadows Records and Mutant, “The Singularity: Ekleipsis” is the follow-up to McCreary’s 2024 concept album “The Singularity,” which featured Serj Tankian, Corey Taylor and Rufus Wainwright. Written primarily with his brother, vocalist and producer Brendan McCreary, the new record takes its title from the ancient Greek word for “abandonment” and continues the saga of a fractured world in turmoil — exploring disillusionment, struggle and perseverance across 15 tracks.

“I need more cinematic metal in my life!” McCreary declared when announcing the record — and the tracklist backs it up. Lead single “Black Box” pairs Joe Duplantier’s unmistakable voice with the Mystery Of The Bulgarian Voices choir, while “Cool Kids” unites Slash, Duff McKagan and Chad Smith on one track. Elsewhere, “Blueshift” stacks Steve Vai and Tim Henson side by side, and “The Elephant’s Foot” hands the mic to Meshuggah’s Jens Kidman.

In the interview, McCreary walks Scott through how these collaborations actually happen — what it’s like directing some of the most recognizable players in rock history, how his film scoring instincts shape a metal record, and why this project has become the most personal music of his career.

Bear McCreary Live In 2026

McCreary is bringing “The Singularity” to the stage this fall with a West Coast North American run kicking off September 8 in Portland and hitting Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, San Diego, Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas — following UK and European dates this summer. If the album’s guest list tells you anything, expect the unexpected in those rooms.

For more of what’s new and heavy right now, check out our roundup of the best new metal songs this week.

Also In This Episode: Remembering Jennifer Finch

This week’s show also includes a tribute to L7 bassist Jennifer Finch, who passed away at 59 following a battle with aggressive brain cancer. Scott reflects on her legacy, the extraordinary outpouring of support from the rock community in her final days, and her request that L7 carry on with their farewell tour — a punk rocker to the very end.

TL;DR

• Composer Bear McCreary joins The Loaded Radio Podcast for a career-spanning interview with host Scott Penfold
• His new cinematic metal album “The Singularity: Ekleipsis” arrives July 31 via Sparks & Shadows Records and Mutant
• Guests include Slash, Duff McKagan, Joe Duplantier, Alissa White-Gluz, Patrick Stump, Claudio Sanchez, Steve Vai, Tim Henson, Guthrie Govan, Jens Kidman, Stewart Copeland and Chad Smith
• McCreary is known for scoring “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Walking Dead,” “Outlander,” “The Rings Of Power” and “God Of War”
• A West Coast tour runs September 8–18, including Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, L.A. and Las Vegas
• The episode also features a tribute to late L7 bassist Jennifer Finch

FAQ

Loved this conversation? Share your favorite Bear McCreary score or song in the comments below, and follow Loaded Radio for daily rock and metal news.

The post Bear McCreary Tells Loaded Radio How He Got Slash, Steve Vai, Gojira’s Joe Duplantier And The Drummer From The Police On One Metal Album appeared first on Loaded Radio.