Selfmadegod Records is thrilled to announce reissue of two essential releases from Dutch grindcore outfit MY MIND MINE: Between Soothing Consolation and Uncontrollable Madness and Scenes of the Complete Annihilation of This Planet. Both titles will return this August. Full details below. Between Soothing Consolation and Uncontrollable Madness explores a reality suspended between apparent calm and ever-growing chaos. The album’s track titles alone: Shutdown in […]

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Last week, Boy George released “We Will Dance Again,” a reggae song that he made in support of Israel’s campaign of genocide. The song itself denies the term “genocide,” and Boy George claims that he made it with AI. Fucking gross! As you might imagine, the backlash was swift. Boy George was removed from his role in the current London Palladium production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and he says that he fired Tony Pontius, former manager of his Boy George Presents label, after Pontius refused to release the track. Now, Bandcamp has removed “We Will Dance Again.”

The post Bandcamp Removes Boy George’s AI Pro-Israel Reggae Song appeared first on Stereogum.

New York’s legendary underground rock label Tee Pee Records is thrilled to announce the release of ‘In Dreams‘, the highly anticipated sophomore album from Pittsburgh-based quartet Sweat. Following their critically acclaimed 2023 debut ‘Who Do They Think They Are?‘ (review here), Sweat return with renewed swagger, soul, and hard-rocking ambition on latest single ‘Hilary’. Blending […]

The post Swiss American Rock Sensations Sweat Return with New Album + Single appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

Here are the new releases for August 2nd to 8th. Releases reflect proposed North American scheduling, if available.

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Upcoming Metal Releases: 8/2/26 – 8/8/26

Lammoth — Onward | Independent | Blackgaze | United States (Asheville, NC)

Chiptune blackgaze is anachronistic for a Tolkien-themed project, but that also gives Lammoth a singular identity. Their debut full-length Onward is an odd pastiche of indietronica, black metal, and shoegaze wrapped in a finish that’s almost too bright to look at directly. It’d feel perverse and inflammatory if it wasn’t so well-thought-out.

–Colin Dempsey

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Hulder — Verbolgen | 20 Buck Spin | Black Metal | United States (Washington)

Hulder’s third full-length release Verbolgen is their most fleshed-out yet. They’re no longer ostensibly a solo project for Marliese Beeuwsaert as Necreon (Sam Osbourne of Funebrarum) has become a full songwriter. They’ve also recruited Vrolok, Aeternus’ drummer, and Tanner Anderson (of Obsequiae) to beef up their compositions. As you can expect, Hulder now sounds more lively and robust than they ever have.

–Colin Dempsey

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Horrifier — Revelations of Gore | Personal Records | Death Metal | Norway (Oslo)

Any death metal blurb that includes “no gimmicks” usually indicates that the metal in question is sauceless. Horrifier, fortunately, have the sauce and, true to their word, are without gimmicks. The young group’s second record is European death metal personified; cold, bloody, and precise. Horrifier captivate with dynamic tempos and diverse riffs. They prod at how expansive they can be within the confines of OSDM.

–Colin Dempsey

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Spectr3 — A Procession of the Dead | Solistitium Records | Black Metal | Spain (Barcelona)

Traces of Spect3’s home region creep into tracks like “Blood Rituals in the House of the Dead,” perhaps the only strongly identifying feature on the group’s latest album. Still, A Procession of the Dead is crypt-ready black metal with light symphonic elements that’s more than serviceable, though the highlights are the surprising flourishes like the Catalonian guitar on “A Forest in Hell.”

–Colin Dempsey

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Dymna Lotva — Vyraj | Prophecy Productions | Post-Metal + Doom Metal + Black Metal | Poland

My interview with Dymna Lotva from 2023 came after the group was exiled from Belarus, forced to flee to Poland, and following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was not an optimistic chat, nor was their previous record, The Land Under the Black Wings: Blood. Their follow-up, Vyraj, is also gloomy (what else would you expect from Eastern Europeans) but with a gothic tinge. Dymna Lotva inject crooning and electropop into their shifting vision of metal. If their prior album was a war piece, Vyraj is an auteur with a large budget and an unrestricted schedule playing with their toys.

–Colin Dempsey

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Vertiginous — Incessant Affliction | Comatose Music | Brutal Death Metal | Indonesia

Vertiginous’ two members have each been in over a dozen other brutal death metal bands. Incessant Affliction is likely another day in the office for them, then, cranking out what must be a warm-up given how well they balance brutality and fluidity. They’re able to play faster and grosser than they are on this record. Restraint is the siren’s call, however, as Veritiginous chilling out (relatively speaking) makes Incessant Affliction a good on-ramp for brutal death metal newbies.

–Colin Dempsey

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It’s been four years now since Portland, Oregon’s Forsaken Eternity swept us up into the arms of their debut album, the freezing storm of metal that was A Kingdom Of Ice – an album that The Dark Melody described as “brimming with nuances and atmospheres”, while numerous other publications followed with equally fulsome praise. Since the release of A […]

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Guitarist John 5 has announced that his solo band, The Creatures, will feature Wednesday 13 on vocals for the summer/fall 2027 touring season — the first time John 5’s live band has ever included a vocalist. The collaboration, billed as John 5 And The Creatures Featuring Wednesday 13, will span John 5’s musical history, drawing material from his stints with Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Mötley Crüe and David Lee Roth, alongside selections from his solo catalog. The first confirmed show is a slot at Wacken Open Air, the legendary festival held July 28–31, 2027 in Wacken, Germany; more dates will be announced.

John 5 said: “I’ve really missed playing these songs that for years were so much a part of my life. Having such an amazing showman as Wednesday 13 join me will ensure the performances are killer. And to have the first show we announce be the Wacken festival in 2027 is truly awesome.”

Wednesday 13 said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be sharing the stage with John 5. He has been such a staple in the music world and is one of the best, and most respected guitarists out there. John and I have been friends for years and we have toured together with our bands going all the way back to 2010.

“All the projects he’s been involved with over the years, are all of my favorite bands, and have been such an influence on me. To be able to sing some of these songs along with him is really a true honor. I really can’t wait to get out on the road next year.”

John 5 has spent more than 30 years as one of the most in-demand guitarists in hard rock and metal, having shared stages and studios with Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, David Lee Roth, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf and Dolly Parton, among others. He has been a member of Mötley Crüe since 2004 and has released more than a dozen solo albums under his own name. His most recent solo effort, Ghost, arrived in October 2025. 2026 saw John 5 tour with Mötley Crüe as well as undertaking a solo European run spanning the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Wednesday 13 has built a reputation as one of horror rock’s most distinctive voices, earning the nickname “The Duke of Spook” through decades of theatrical performance blending horror imagery with punk rock and metal. He rose to wider recognition through Murderdolls — his project alongside the late Joey Jordison of Slipknot — and through his eponymous solo career.

The post JOHN 5 AND THE CREATURES Featuring WEDNESDAY 13 Announce Summer/Fall 2027 Tour appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

The post Leathers Morning,NOON and night(platano macho) Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

This was the kind of birthday party one could only wish for to mark the 35th anniversary. Once again, the scene’s stars handed the instruments to one another on the stages – figuratively speaking, at least. 85,000 metalheads from all over the world celebrated international bands such as Def Leppard, Judas Priest, Savatage, Hämatom, In […]

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Levinia has had a very busy year, releasing four brand new singles that their fans (me among them) were eager to hear. I spoke with vocalist Kourt Henson about the inspiration behind songs like “Bite” and “The Blank Page,” how fans have responded to the new music, alongside a range of other topics.

Reuel

Hello Kourt! I’m so happy to talk with you! How are you doing?

Kourt Henson

Hey! It’s great to hear from you!

Reuel

I got to learn about many talented bands through working on FemMetal, and you were one of the first and one of my favourites. No question here. Just wanted to say this 😀

Kourt Henson

Oh my gosh, thank you so much! That genuinely means the world to me. FemMetal has been in our corner since day one, and I’ll always be incredibly grateful for all the support you’ve given us. You guys have done so much to champion women in metal and help so many incredible bands get the recognition they deserve. The scene is genuinely stronger because of what you’ve built. I still remember winning two awards for Liberation during the Goddess of Metal Awards in 2018. That was such an honor, and it’s a memory I’ll always cherish. Thank you again for believing in us from the very beginning. It means more than you know.

Reuel

You’re going to make me tear up! Thank you so much for those incredibly kind words.
You’ve recently released three singles, the latest being “Bite”. How are you feeling about the way fans have received this new cycle of releases?

Kourt Henson

Absolutely! I’m feeling really great about how this new cycle of releases has been received. We’ve seen so much more traction than we did with our Liberation EP, and that’s been incredibly encouraging. As an independent band, you always hope your music finds the right audience, so seeing more and more people discovering Levinia has been amazing. What means the most to me, though, is seeing fans who have been with us since the beginning continue to support us while so many new listeners are joining the journey. The response to all three singles has been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s exciting to watch our fanbase continue to grow. It really feels like momentum is building, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who’s listened, shared our music, and believed in what we’re creating.

Reuel

You have one more single set to be released soon, I believe. What can you tell us about the upcoming single?

Kourt Henson

It actually just dropped! It’s called “The Blank Page,” and it’s probably our most personal release yet. The song explores the creative struggle that so many artists face, but it also goes much deeper than that. At its core, it’s about wrestling with self-doubt, feeling like you’re not enough, and battling the pressure to constantly prove yourself. I think those feelings are something almost everyone can relate to, whether you’re an artist or not. We wanted to capture that internal conflict while also creating something powerful and cathartic. Musically, it still has that signature Levinia heaviness, but emotionally, it’s one of our most vulnerable songs. We’re incredibly proud of it, and we’re so excited that it’s finally out for everyone to hear.

Reuel

Are these four singles an appetizer for a bigger release you’re planning for?

Kourt Henson

At the moment, there aren’t any concrete plans for a full-length album. That said… never say never. We’ve really found our creative stride lately, and Alon and I have been writing nonstop. It’s been an incredibly exciting season for us creatively, and ideas just keep flowing. Right now, we’re focused on continuing to release music that we’re genuinely proud of rather than rushing toward an album for the sake of it. But fans definitely won’t have to wait long for new material. We’re constantly writing, experimenting, and pushing ourselves, so I’d definitely say to keep an eye out—there’s a lot more Levinia on the horizon.

Reuel

Definitely keeping an eye! What, would you say, makes Levinia stand out from other bands with similar musical style?

Kourt Henson

That’s always a tough question because there are so many incredible bands in the melodic metal scene. I think what makes Levinia stand out is that we never write music just to fit into a particular subgenre or trend. Every song starts with a story we genuinely want to tell, and the music grows naturally from that.
Lyrically, we explore themes of resilience, inner battles, mythology, literature, and the darker aspects of the human experience. While those themes are deeply personal to us, one of my favorite things about songwriting is that once a song is released, it no longer belongs solely to the writer. Listeners bring their own experiences to the music, and whatever they take away from a song is completely valid. If someone finds a meaning we never intended, that’s part of the beauty of art. Musically, I think our blend of cinematic melodies, aggressive riffs, and dynamic vocals gives us our own identity. I’m classically trained, but I also love the grit, power, and raw emotion that metal allows me to express, so I enjoy living between those two worlds. Alon’s songwriting is also a huge part of our sound. He has an incredible ability to write riffs and orchestrations that are both crushingly heavy and incredibly memorable. More than anything, though, I think what sets us apart is authenticity. We don’t chase trends or try to fit into a formula. We write the music that excites us and tells the stories we want to tell. If those songs connect with people and become part of their own story, that’s the greatest compliment we could ever receive.

Reuel

What musicians can you credit as the ones who inspired you, personally, in your life or career as a musician?

Kourt Henson

Without a doubt, I’d have to credit Lacuna Coil for opening the door to metal for me. I discovered them when I was thirteen years old, and they completely changed the way I looked at music. They introduced me to an entirely new world, and from that point on, I was hooked. Another huge influence was Simone Simons of Epica, but the story behind that is a little more personal. Growing up through the end of high school, I was a competitive vocalist. I always joke that singing was my sport. I competed throughout Southern California in both classical voice and musical theater, and I was fortunate to have a lot of success. Ironically, though, by the time I reached my senior year, I had grown tired of being “the classical singer.” I wanted to belt. I wanted to do Broadway. I wanted to act. Looking back now, I didn’t fully appreciate the years of discipline and training that had shaped my voice or how unique that classical foundation really was. Around that time, my boyfriend made me a mix CD, which definitely dates me! One of the tracks was “The Haunting (Somewhere in Time)” by Kamelot. I remember being completely captivated by Roy Khan’s voice, but it was Simone Simons’ guest vocals that stopped me in my tracks. I had this moment where I thought, “Wait… I can sing classically and still sound like an absolute badass? Sign me up.” That song completely shifted my perspective. Instead of seeing my classical training as something I wanted to leave behind, I suddenly realized it could become one of my greatest strengths. It introduced me to the world of female-fronted symphonic metal, where powerful operatic vocals and crushing guitars could exist together. From there, I dove headfirst into bands like Epica, Nightwish, After Forever, and Within Temptation, and I never looked back. Those artists helped me embrace the voice I already had instead of wishing it were something else. It’s funny how one song can completely change the trajectory of your life. If my ex hadn’t put The Haunting (Somewhere in Time) on that CD, I’m honestly not sure I’d be sitting here doing this interview as the vocalist of Levinia. The rest, as they say, is history.

Reuel

Wow! Thank you for sharing this amazing origin story with us! Quite inspiring!
If the senses of taste and hearing were mixed up together, what food do you imagine Levinia’s music would taste like?

Kourt Henson

Oh, that’s a really cool question! I think Levinia would taste like a poke bowl. There are so many different flavors, textures, and ingredients that come together to create something unique. You have the freshness, the spice, the richness, the crunch, each element has its own personality, but somehow it all works in harmony. I think that’s a pretty good representation of our music. We blend heavy riffs, cinematic orchestrations, melodic vocals, harsh emotions, and storytelling into one experience. On paper, some of those ingredients might seem like they shouldn’t go together, but when they’re balanced well, they create something cohesive and memorable. Plus, no two poke bowls are exactly the same, and I feel the same way about our songs. Each one has its own identity while still feeling unmistakably like Levinia. …Also, thanks a lot, now I’m going to be craving poke for the rest of the day! Haha!

Reuel

So will I! That was good content for a poke ad!
What are your feelings about the way women are represented in music today, and what do you think can be done to promote more inclusivity and support for female musicians?

Kourt Henson

I think we’ve made a lot of progress, and it’s exciting to see more women being recognized across every corner of the music industry, not just as vocalists, but as guitarists, drummers, bassists, producers, songwriters, engineers, and business leaders. There are so many incredibly talented women out there, and it’s inspiring to watch more of them get the opportunities they’ve earned. That said, I think there’s always room for growth. I’d love to see the conversation shift away from simply labeling bands as “female-fronted” and instead focus on the music itself. While I understand why that label exists and the role it’s played in helping listeners discover artists, I think the ultimate goal should be that a great band is simply recognized as a great band. One thing I’ve always appreciated about the metal community is how supportive it can be. Organizations like FemMetal and so many passionate fans have done an incredible job of creating spaces where women in metal can be celebrated and discovered. That kind of support makes a real difference, especially for independent bands. For me, promoting inclusivity starts with opening doors for one another. Invite emerging artists onto shows, collaborate instead of competing, share each other’s music, and celebrate one another’s successes. The more we lift each other up, the stronger the entire scene becomes. At the end of the day, I hope people connect with Levinia because they love the music and the stories we’re telling. If our journey encourages another young woman to pick up a microphone, guitar, or drumsticks and believe there’s a place for her in metal, then that’s something I’ll always be proud of.

Reuel

Well said! Thank you for your time, Kourt! Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Kourt Henson

First, thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me! It genuinely means a lot. Thank you to everyone at FemMetal for everything you’ve done to support not only Levinia, but women in metal as a whole. You’ve created an incredible platform that has introduced fans to so many amazing artists, and we’re honored to be a small part of that community. And to everyone reading this, thank you for listening, sharing our music, coming to shows, and believing in what we’re creating. None of this would be possible without you. If you haven’t heard our latest single, “The Blank Page,” I hope you’ll give it a listen. We have plenty more music on the way, and we can’t wait to share what’s next!!!

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The post Interview | Levinia’s vocalist Kourt Henson: “Every song starts with a story we genuinely want to tell.” first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

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