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Four years after the release of Shadowland album, Swedish heavy metal rebellions Wolf revealed that they are now in recording phase of the follow-up.
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The National Weather Service has announced a winter storm warning for the Sierra Nevada, with significant snowfall.

The post Winter Storm Warning Issued for 4 Feet of Snow, 70 mph Winds in Multiple States appeared first on Audio Ink Radio.

To promote their debut record Heaven’s Falling, set to land in stores on June 19th via Scarlet Records, Swedish power metal entity Shadowborne put out a music video for “Heaven’s Falling (Dragons’ Hymn)” single.
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British legends The Damned are delighted to announce the expansion of their ‘Final Damnation 50’ tour. The list of confirmed world tour dates is at your disposal via flyer below.
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“Unchained & Untamed”, the newest preview tune from Iron Kobra‘s upcoming comeback album Eternal Dagger, has surfaced online.
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To say that Taj Mahal is a living legend just doesn’t seem to be enough. If there is anything musically that has been accomplished, he has probably been there and done that at some point in his six-plus-decade career. After more than sixty albums to his credit, countless award nominations and wins, and live appearances and collaborations, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. His brand new album, Time, is set to be released on May 1 and was recorded with his longtime bandmates, The Phantom Blues Band. These are not just good musicians, they are some of the best, and they have played with Taj Mahal for thirty years.

Born Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr. in New York City, he changed his name to Taj Mahal after having dreams while in college of Mahatma Gandhi, India, and themes related to social tolerance. He grew up in a musical family that supported him taking piano, clarinet, trombone, and harmonica lessons. At around age 13 or 14, he began taking guitar lessons from North Carolina bluesman Lynwood Perry, who obviously influenced a whole career of great music.

Taj Mahal’s Time is another jewel in his crown of notable masterpieces. He and The Phantom Blues Band offer up a collection of ten great tracks of blues, reggae, Caribbean, folk, and soul-influenced tunes for this new release. Every music lover will find something on this recording that appeals to them.

Track three, Crazy About a Jukebox, is a fun, danceable tune about a sweetheart who loves a jukebox. You’ll recognize many of the tunes and artists mentioned in this one, and you’ll know exactly what Taj Mahal means when he sings, “She loves that jukebox more than she loves me” and “She’s crazy about a jukebox and I wish she was as crazy over me.” There’s also some great piano and horn work here. My advice is that you better buy your girl a jukebox.

Time is definitely a highlight on this album. It was penned by Bill Withers and recorded as a demo, but never released. It’s a beautiful tune, introduced by acoustic guitar, light percussion, and pretty keyboard work before some nice backing vocals and horns come in, paving the way for a tasteful guitar solo. “Time will see you through,” sings Taj Mahal, and while this is an excellent presentation, it makes me wonder what Bill Withers sounded like singing it.

The sixth song on Time is the Bob Marley-written tune Talkin’ Blues and features a guest appearance by his son, Ziggy Marley. It is definitely a reggae-flavored tune that opens with some really tasteful guitar picking. “Cold ground was my bed last night and rocks were my pillow too.” There are some super backing vocals on this one as well, and the song demonstrates Taj Mahal’s musical versatility.

Sweet Lorene is another dancing song, for sure. “You got me scared, weak and moaning, oh sweet Lorene.” I love the horns in this one. Taj Mahal sings, “When I get you here I’m gonna sock it to you” and “Bring your fine self home.” Get on home, Lorene. There’s somebody there that’s been suffering for five long years, and he’s waiting on you.

Time is a great example of how some things just get better with time, and Taj Mahal, as an artist, is another example because he doesn’t seem to be slowing down. He’s been quoted as saying, “I’ve got tons more stuff to do,” and I believe that. Keb’ Mo’ said this about Taj Mahal: “Taj Mahal has always been one of my favorite artists. His playing was immediately imprinted on my psyche.”

Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ have teamed up and performed together over the past few years, billing themselves as TajMo. You can catch Taj Mahal live throughout July, and you can catch TajMo live in September. If you can’t make it out to one of the live shows, make sure to grab Time or one of Taj Mahal’s (or TajMo’s) other recordings. You won’t be sorry!

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Crazy About A Jukebox
– Time
– Talkin’ Blues
– Sweet Lorene

The Big Hit

– Time

The post Taj Mahal: Time Review appeared first on Blues Rock Review.

The crew behind Novacaine Festival have just pulled the curtain back on the first wave of bands for their 2026 edition, and it looks like they’re well on their way to topping their successful debut. The festival is set to take over The Corporation in Sheffield on Saturday, 28th November 2026, and if the initial … Continue reading As Everything Unfolds and Tropic Gold lead first wave for Novacaine Festival 2026

On 11 April 2026, Mclusky played to a full house at the Black Cat in Washington, DC. Opening the night, Pile kicked things off with explosive energy and kept the momentum straight through to Mclusky’s set. The crowd was loud and sand along.

• Mclusky’s setlist follows:
• Fuck This Band
• Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues
• Without MSG I Am Nothing
• Collagen Rock
• What We’ve Learned
• unpopular parts of a pig
• Whiteliberalonwhiteliberalaction
• Day Of The Deadringers
• as a dad
• way of the exploding dickhead
• You Should Be Ashamed, Seamus
• She Will Only Bring You Happiness
• Icarus Smicarus
• kafka‐esque novelist franz kafka
• Alan Is a Cowboy Killer
• The World Loves Us And Is Our Bitch
• the battle of los angelsea
• Rice Is Nice
• people person
• Chases
• Dethink To Survive
• i know omputer
• Whoyouknow
• To Hell With Good Intentions

• Pile’s setlist follows:
• Texas
• The World is Your Motel
• Deep Clay
• A Loosened Knot
• Prom Song
• Baby Boy
• Born at Night
• Special Snowflakes
• Hairshirt
• #2 Hit Single
• The Soft Hands of Stephen Miller

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Jeff Taylor, vocalist and frontman for Altered Five Blues Band, has died at the age of 64.

According to statements shared by the band and Blind Pig Records, Taylor passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in his sleep on April 30, 2026, at his home in West Allis.

Taylor was a founding member of Altered Five Blues Band, helping launch the Milwaukee-based group in 2002. Across more than two decades, the band released eight albums, performed in 13 countries, and built a loyal following in the United States and abroad.

The band’s most recent release, Hammer & Chisel, arrived in February 2026 and was met with strong praise. Blues Rock Review awarded the album a rare 9.5/10 score, with reviewer Neven Tili writing of Taylor’s vocals, “They are something else – radiating power and soul.” Tili also called the singing a “blues vocals masterclass,” adding that “when those vocals hit, they send shivers down the spine.”

Among Altered Five’s best-known songs are “Great Minds Drink Alike,” “Holler If You Hear Me,” “Charmed & Dangerous,” “Don’t Tell Me I Can’t,” “Right On, Right On,” and “I Got It Good.”

The group also received multiple Blues Music Award nominations. Their 2014 album Cryin’ Mercy was honored by The Blues Foundation as Best Self-Released Album at the International Blues Challenge.

Outside of music, Taylor spent many years in education. He served as principal of West Allis Central High School and previously as principal of West Milwaukee Intermediate School.

Earlier this year, the band traveled to India, returned home for a run of shows, and released Hammer & Chisel.

In a statement, the band said:

“It is with the heaviest hearts that we share the news that our brother, our bandmate, and the voice of Altered Five Blues Band, Jeff Taylor, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in his sleep on April 30, 2026, at his home in West Allis, Wisconsin. He was 64 years old.

There are no words big enough for a man with a voice like Jeff’s—and no words adequate for the hole his passing leaves in all of us. For more than two decades, Jeff was the soul of this band. His warmth, his generosity, his great big heart—those were just as much a part of him as his voice.

Earlier this year, we traveled to India, came home, played some great shows to support our new album, Hammer & Chisel, and Jeff was still doing what he loved most: connecting with people through music.

Downbeat magazine recently wrote that “of all the voices in the modern blues arena, one of the finest belongs to Jeff Taylor.” We always knew that. We just never imagined the day we’d have to say goodbye.

Please keep Jeff’s wife, Kristen, and the entire Taylor family in your thoughts. Funeral arrangements will be announced as information becomes available.

One of Jeff’s favorite songs and one of our last singles was called “I Got It Good.” It feels right to say that about him. He really did.

Rest in peace, JT. Our blues family will never be quite the same.”

The post Acclaimed blues vocalist dies at 64 appeared first on Blues Rock Review.