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On Wednesday, March 4th, Canadian Roots, Rock, and Soul band Bywater Call release of their second studio single of 2026, “How Long”, from their forthcoming fourth studio album, set to come out July 2026 with more details to come soon.

The single is available on all streaming platforms via – https://linktr.ee/bywatercall

“How Long” is slow burn, contemporary soul and R&B inspired song, influenced by the likes of Black Pumas, Brittany Howard (Alabama Shakes) and Amy Winehouse. Lush and deep, with soaring horns, lead synths, raw, exciting vocals and a hypnotic guitar feature, the song is indicative of the band’s mission to meld old and new sounds and influences, while continuing to carve out a lane of their own.

On “How Long,”  Bywater Call evolves and embarks on a experimental journey, while delivering the familiar emotion and musical drive that followers of the band have come to love. Initially restrained and haunting, the song flowers into an intense catharsis.

“How Long is a raw and introspective song that wrestles with guilt, fragility, and the fear of becoming the very thing you never wanted to be,” says lead singer Meghan Parnell. “Lyrically and melodically, we tried to convey the vulnerability and self-reflection of someone living in the fragile space between remorse and repetition.”

The song was recorded at Palace Studios in Toronto, captured and mixed by Patric McGroarty, and mastered by Kristian Montano of Montano Mastering.

Often transcending genres, Bywater Call is known for their dynamic, emotional live shows, featuring powerful vocals and exciting interplay between all band members.

In early 2026 Bywater Call were officially nominated for the UK Blues Award for “International Act of the Year,” having been previously nominated in 2025 and 2024.

In their August 2024 issue, Classic Rock made Bywater Call’s 2024 album Shepherd their “Blues Album of the Month” and said it was “an inventive and uncommonly catchy record,” and added, “the sense of a band on the brink is unmistakable.” The album won “Top Blues Album of the Year” in the magazine’s year-end round-up.

The band will be on tour throughout Europe, the USA and Canada in 2026.

2026 TOUR DATES
**More dates to be announced. More info:
www.bywatercall.com

CANADA and USA

Feb 26 | Burlington, ON | Burlington Performing Arts Centre
Mar 5 | Aurora, IL | The Venue
Mar 6 | Terre Haute, IN | Terre Haute Brewing Co
Mar 7 | Evansville, IN | Mojo’s
Mar 8 | Franklin, TN | Franklin Theatre *supporting Robert Jon & the Wreck
Mar 10 | Chattanooga, TN | The Listening Room
Mar 11 | Charlotte, NC | Middle C
Mar 13 | Greenville, SC | Poe Mill Music
Mar 14 | Atlanta. GA | Smith’s Old Bar
Mar 17 | St Augustine, FL | Café 11
Mar 18 | Cocoa Beach, FL | Heidi’s
Mar 19 | Ft Myers, FL | Buckingham Blues Bar
Mar 20 | Safety Harbor, FL | SHAMc
Mar 21 | Boca Raton, FL | Funky Biscuit
Mar 22 | Orlando, FL | Judson’s Live
Mar 25-29 | Miami, FL | Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea
Apr 1 | Raleigh, NC | Pour House
Apr 2 | Hagerstown, MD | Live at Hub City Vinyl
Apr 3 | Tuckerton, NJ | Lizzie Rose Music Room
Apr 4 | New York, NY | Iridium
Apr 23| Syracuse, NY | 443 Club at the Hosmer Auditorium
Apr 24 | Plattsburgh, NY | Retro Live
Apr 25 | Drummondville. QC | Maison des arts Desjardins Drummondville

EUROPE

14-May | Dudenhofen Germany | Kulturverein Dudenhofen
15-May | Rimsting Germany | Feuerwehrhaus
16-May | Affalter Germany | Zur Linde
17-May | Regensburg Germany | VAZ Pfarrheim
19-May | Norderstedt Germany | Music Star
20-May | Bremen Germany | Meisenfrei
21-May | Werchter Belgium | Blue Rooster
22-May | Weert Netherlands | De Bosuil
23-May | Unna Germany | Lindenbrauerei
24-May | Raalte Netherlands | Ribs & Blues Festival
27-May | Verviers Belgium | Spirit of 66
28-May | Krefeld Germany | Kulturrampe
29-May | Haarlem Netherlands | Patronaat
30-May | Tilburg Netherlands | Heyhoef
31-May | Aalten Netherlands|  LSA Music
2-Jun | Arnstadt Germany | Kulisse
3-Jun | Aschaffenburg Germany| Colos-Saal
4-Jun | Köln Germany | Die Kantine / Freideck
5-Jun | Luxemburg Luxemburg | Blues Club
6-Jun | Riotord France | Climax Club Legend
7-Jun | Le Thor France | Sonograf
9-Jun | Chambery France | Brin de Zinc
13-Jun | Penmarch France | God Save The Kouign Festival
16-Jun | Tenerife Grand Canaria | Teatro Leal
17-Jun | Las Palmas Grand Canaria | Teatro Guiniguada

The post BYWATER CALL Release “How Long” Single And Music Video appeared first on The Rockpit.

I’ll take “Global Notables” for $600, please, Ken—The clue: Country famous for its waffles, chocolate, beer, and castles. The answer—What is Belgium?! Correct! Belgium is also home to some pretty decent black metal bands—Lugubrum, Enthroned, and Wiegedood, to name a few. Here to add another branch to that blackened Belgian family tree is Erbeet Azhak, the side project of one pretty busy Corvus von Burtle—C.V.B.(Cult of Erinyes, Wolvennest, LVTHN, Aerdryk). Erbeet Azhak’s debut album, Only the Vile Will Remain, helmed by his Cult of Erinyes bandmate and all-around metal maestro Déhà at Blackout Studio, promises to stand “as a manifesto in which hatred and chaos coexist under the dominion of a faceless yet resolute entity.” Let’s plant the dark seed of Erbeet Azhak’s Only the Vile Will Remain together and see what slithering roots sprout from within.

Erbeet Azhak’s black metal is desolate and chaotic, but doesn’t stray far from trails travelled by C.V.B.’s other projects. Still, it finds him further flexing his vocal muscles, which are a mix of everyman blackened rasps alongside tonal shouts and growls that sound a lot like F.O.A.D.-era Nocturno Culto. Even as Erbeet Azhak brings C.V.B.’s own guitar and bass talents to bear, guest musicians S. Iblis’s (Possession) lead guitar, Onbra Oscoura’s (Abyssal Vacuum) bass, and Laye’s (Putrid Offal) drumming flesh out a sound palette that explores several black metal styles. Sargeist lurks in the riffs of galloping melodicism present on “The Wings of Liberation,” just as Blut Aus Nord fans can belly up to a bar stocked with blasting beats and decaying dissonance (“Lecherous Angels,” “Death to the Self”).¹ Further examination finds traces of Aosoth in the near blackened war metal of “Only the Vile Will Remain,” while devotees of doomier plods ala late-era Darkthrone should find comfort in the folds of “Erbeet Azhak.” Despite what seems such a mixed bag, Only the Vile Will Remain encases its twists and turns in a production that provides sonic consistency.

Raw but nuanced, Erbeet Azhak packs as many interesting details into Only the Vile Will Remain as Luciana Nedelea did her excellent cover art. I particularly enjoyed the engaging guitar leads that creep amongst the riffs and blast beats of “The Weakness of Our Cycle” as much as I did the intriguing riff patterns and spacy, atmospheric interlude that hijacks “The Inner Circle” around the 2:45 mark, segueing into a really nice melodic guitar solo. Iblis’s performance warrants particular note, as he peppers the whole of Only the Vile Will Remain with lots of satisfying, melodically intricate solo work not present on most black metal of this ilk (“The Wings of Liberation,” “Death to Self”). C.V.B.’s performance on the mic also deserves a nod. While he’s never contributed in this way on any of the other projects he’s involved with, save Aerdryk, his vocals fit what Erbeet Azhak does well and add a layer of gravelly, gothic tension and menace. The vocal cherry on top, however, belongs to Zd from LVTHN, whose inhuman screeches absolutely haunt the back-end passages of “Lecherous Angels.”

While Only the Vile Will Remain isn’t a sprawling, over-bloated behemoth by any means, it could benefit from a little nip and tuck. Erbeet Azkhak traverses the many planes of its black metal existence with relative ease and is most compelling when song lengths provide enough room for all the transitions to develop. Evident even on the albums second shortest song, “The Wings of Liberation,” which transitions from a galloping mid-pace to a blast-furnace passage before moving on toward a guitar solo flowing with melodicism and then back again, all within the span of 4:06. Ironically, this leaves the 3:46’s of the title track stuck in my craw as the album’s most boring; its straight-forward, blast-beat-overloaded war-metal approach sticking out sorely amidst the much more atmospheric fare on display. Cutting this and the mostly superfluous intro would have left Only the Vile Will Remain a more lethal beast.

Erbeet Azhak hasn’t revolutionized the landscape of black metal, neither in Belgium nor in the broader, raw-as-misanthropic scene in which Only the Vile Will Remain operates. Those intrigued by the name drops above should find something of value here. I know I got more than I was expecting. For now, I’d say there’s a fresh sprout on the Belgian black metal family tree with Erbeet Azhak’s name on it; whether that grows into a sturdy branch or not, only time will tell.

Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Amor Fati Productions
Websites: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: March 7th, 2026²

The post Erbeet Azhak – Only the Vile Will Remain Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

Internationally acclaimed guitarist, singer, and songwriter Philip Sayce sets the stage ablaze once again with the announcement of his explosive new live album, Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London. To mark the news of the highly anticipated new live album, Sayce releases the album’s latest single, “Morning Star (Live),” available now on all streaming services alongside an official lyric which fans can watch on YouTube HERE.

Pre-save the full digital album HERE.

Captured during a triumphant run of sold-out performances at the legendary venue The Baked Potato in Los Angeles and a packed, over-capacity show at The Garage in London, Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London documents Sayce at the absolute peak of his powers.

“Morning Star (Live)” follows the release of the album’s first single, “Peace Machine (Live)”, which debuted late last year and is already available on streaming services with an accompanying music video. Together, the two tracks offer a powerful preview of the raw intensity and emotional fire that define the full live album.

A blistering continuation of the Scorched Earth series, Volume 2 delivers the fearless improvisation, volcanic guitar work, and deep emotional charge that have cemented Sayce’s reputation as one of the most revered guitarists of his generation.

The record captures the undeniable chemistry between Sayce and his world-class band: Sam Bolle (bass) and Bryan Head (drums). Together, they unleash a sonic firestorm blending blues grit, psychedelic soul, and high-wire rock ‘n’ roll.

Among the album’s defining moments are explosive renditions of “Once” and “Bitter Monday,” recorded live at The Baked Potato, along with a breathtaking rendition of Jimi Hendrix’s “Spanish Castle Magic,” performed during an unforgettable night at The Garage in London. It’s a fearless, transcendent take that channels and honours the spirit of Jimi Hendrix while unmistakably bearing Sayce’s signature tone and fire.

The album’s sonic depth and clarity are elevated by GRAMMY Award-winning mixing engineer Mark Rains and GRAMMY Award-nominated mastering engineer Brian Lucey, ensuring every surge of the live experience hits with full force.

“These shows were pure electricity,” says Sayce. “There’s something powerful about capturing a moment when the band, the songs, and the audience are completely locked in. LA and London brought that magic. We lit the fuse, and you can feel it.”

Recorded in two of the world’s most iconic live music cities, Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London stands as a definitive testament to Philip Sayce’s standing as a modern torchbearer of blues-rock guitar. From searing solos and soulful vocals to thunderous rhythm section interplay, this is more than a live album; it is an event.

With critics and fans consistently praising Sayce’s incendiary performances and emotional authenticity, Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London arrives as a must-hear release for guitar lovers and live music devotees worldwide.

SCORCHED EARTH: VOLUME 2: LIVE IN LA / LONDON
ALBUM TRACK LISTING

1. One Foot In The Grave (3:19)
2. Once (3:35)
3. Bitter Monday (5:52)
4. Peace Machine (9:30)
5. Lady Love Divine (3:56)
6. 5:55 (1:53)
7. Morning Star (5:07)
8. Spanish Castle Magic (5:07)

May/June 2026 UK Tour

SPECIAL GUESTS:
TOM MORIARTY (ALL DATES) AND
*CHANTEL MCGREGOR (HOLMFIRTH ONLY)

TICKETS: THEGIGCARTEL.COM & PHILIPSAYCE.COM

BRISTOL, THE FLEECE
TUESDAY 19th MAY 2026
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
2 St Thomas St, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6JJ
https://thefleece.co.uk

NOTTINGHAM, RESCUE ROOMS
WEDNESDAY 20th MAY 2026
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
Masonic Pl, Goldsmith St, Nottingham, NG1 5LB
https://www.rescuerooms.com

HOLMFIRTH, PICTUREDROME
FRIDAY 22nd MAY 2026
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
Market Walk, Holmfirth,
West Yorkshire, HD9 7DA
https://www.picturedrome.net

GLASGOW, ST LUKES
SATURDAY 23rd MAY 2026
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
Calton, 17 Bain St, Glasgow, G40 2JZ
www.stlukesglasgow.com

NEWCASTLE, ANARCHY BREW
SUNDAY 24th MAY 2026
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
Benfield Business Park, Unit A1, Benfield Rd,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE6 4NQ
www.anarchybrewco.com

BASINGSTOKE, HAYMARKET
WEDNESDAY 27th MAY 2026
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
Wote St, Basingstoke RG21 7NW
www.anvilarts.org.uk

BURY ST EDMONDS, THE APEX
THURSDAY 28th MAY 2026
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
Charter Square St, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD
www.theapex.co.uk

CHESTER, THE LIVE ROOMS
SATURDAY 30th MAY 2026
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
1 Station Road, Chester, CH1 3DR
www.theliverooms.com

CARDIFF, THE GLOBE
SUNDAY 31st MAY 2026
Tickets: The  Gig Cartel
Facebook | X | Instagram
125 Albany Road, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 3NSA
www.globecardiff.co.uk

LONDON, ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY
WEDNESDAY 3rd JUNE 20206
Tickets: The Gig Cartel
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Upper St, Islington, London, N1 2UD
islingtonassemblyhall.co.uk

The post PHILIP SAYCE Announces New Album “Scorched Earth: Volume 2 Live in LA / London” Ahead Of UK Tour appeared first on The Rockpit.

Australian pop-rock favourite TAXIRIDE ft. Jason Singh will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the landmark album Garage Mahal with a special premiere performance at The Espy, St Kilda on 21 August. The exclusive Melbourne show will feature the album performed in full for
the first time in its entirety, alongside select fan favourites. Featuring original lead vocalist and the albums principal songwriter Jason Singh — whose voice defined the album’s sound — the performance delivers an authentic return to the record that marked a major evolution in the
band’s career.

Released in 2002 following the multi-platinum success of Imaginate, Garage Mahal showcased TAXIRIDE’s signature blend of soaring harmonies, melodic song writing and organic live-band energy, cementing their place within Australia’s pop-rock landscape.

25 years on, TAXIRIDE ft. Jason Singh bring Garage Mahal back to the stage with authenticity, renewed energy and a modern edge — celebrating the fans who have carried the music across generations.

“You don’t protect a legacy by rewriting it — you honour it by performing it,” Jason Singh said.

Set within one of Australia’s most iconic live music rooms, the 21 August Espy performance marks the official launch of the 25 Years of Garage Mahal Tour, with a full national anniversary tour scheduled for 2027.

TAXIRIDE ft. Jason Singh – 25 Years of Garage Mahal
21 August
The Espy, St Kilda
Tickets on sale now: https://shorturl.at/xBKrp

The post TAXIRIDE FT. JASON SINGH Celebrate 25 Years of Garage Mahal With Special Espy Premiere appeared first on The Rockpit.

Album Review: Grail Guard – Still No Future

Reviewed by Rob Barker

I’m excited for this one. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to play with Grail Guard a few times around the UK with my own band, and not only could you not ask for a more top bunch of lads, but good God these guys are a fucking quality band. Classic hardcore punk: irate, angry, aggressive, politically on-point and inspired through and through, and I’m saying this before I’ve even hit play for the first time of Still No Future, released March 6th via TNS Records.

A lot of Grail Guard’s lyrical influence comes from vocalist Riaz’s experiences growing up as a British Muslim, and facing the normalisation of racism and prejudice. I’m not going to paraphrase his experiences for the sake of an article, as nobody can say them better than himself, but you don’t have to be a detective or requiring of a degree literature to unpick the themes and topics of SNF. Recent personal experiences with Nazi punks (who sadly still haven’t entirely fucked off) just makes me adore and love Grail Guard’s unapologetic stance on this all the more, and appreciate its importance and relevance in a world of intolerance and hate.

SNF kicks off with People Just Like You, and we’re straight in. Blistering guitar tones, pounding rhythm and throat-splitting vocals start as Grail Guard mean to go on. Our Streets is next, a re-recording of a classic Grail Guard track, and a contender for both their most memorable and politically brutal song. A fierce account of racial hatred and biographical personal history set to unrepentant OI aggression. Even without the political message, this is a ruthless track; powerful, angry and heavy as you like, a contender to go against the top in the genre.

Similar can be said for the next track, Insomnia. Discharge and Negative Approach vibes are particularly strong in this one, with room left for more intricacy-laden musicianship to occasionally peer through and say hey. Cruel Britannia continues the passionately delivered message in a short sharp blast of a track. Still Fucked Up brings us already to the half-way point of the album, and whilst the genre naturally has a tendency to benefit from shorter tracks, I’m actually a bit sad I’ve already got this far through. Still, no complaints as SFU makes its best effort to destroy my speakers with ear-splitting distorted vocals and a half-time middle section that turns the song into a scream-along anthem.

Following next are Anxieties maintaining the fury from earlier, in both music and topic, with an extremely agreeable chorus, the unrelenting speed of Safe Space almost giving off an almost Bad Brains atmosphere, and Alan, projecting harsh explosions of pure ire. The Rotten is probably the strongest first bar of not only this album but of pretty much anything I’ve heard from a hardcore release in a while and gives off an unmistakeable kinship to Black Flag classics, before the final track, Rats, kicks in. You know this is going to be a good one from the ballsy, unabashed intro, and vocals that kick in with almost a Converge-level of poison and savagery. It’s over almost as soon as it begins, but leaves a permanent mark.

For anybody involved in the UK hardcore scene, the UK DIY scene, the UK scene whatsoever, hell, the punk scene anywhere in the world, Safe Space is essential listening. Grail Guard have worked tirelessly over the past several years to hone their craft, to diligently travel and perform live, to scream their message and to not shy away from its delivery. They play a lot of shows, go see them. They are releasing Still No Future March 6th 2026, go buy it.

For all the latest news, reviews, interviews across the heavy metal spectrum follow THE RAZORS’S EDGE on facebook, twitter and instagram.

The post Album Review: Grail Guard – Still No Future appeared first on The Razor's Edge.

Posted on March 4th 2026, 11:07a.m.