Joe Bonamassa has reached another milestone in his career, earning his record-extending 30th No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Albums chart with B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100.
The expansive tribute project honors the life and legacy of the late blues icon B.B. King and was created in celebration of what would have been King’s 100th birthday. After discovering that no major tribute was being planned, Bonamassa took the initiative to curate a large-scale musical tribute that would preserve King’s influence for future generations.
Produced by Bonamassa and Josh Smith, B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 was released as a series of monthly recordings before culminating in a 32-track album on February 6. The project features more than 40 guest artists from across the blues, rock, soul, and R&B worlds.
The album brings together an all-star lineup, including Bonamassa, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Larkin Poe, Eric Gales, Gary Clark Jr., Marcus King, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, Michael McDonald, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Slash, Keb’ Mo’, Warren Haynes, Chaka Khan, Bobby Rush, Dion, Joanne Shaw Taylor, and many more.
While reviewing the album for Blues Rock Review, Bob Liddycoat wrote about B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, “Sometimes, listener expectations and excitement about an album that is predicted to be a must-have classic fall short. Not so here. This album is an absolute future classic and essential in any music lover’s collection. With so many stars and great versions of King classics, each listener will soon highlight their personal favorites.”
In a social media post, Bonamassa said, “Major thanks to all involved and of course to the fans for making BB Kings Blues Summit 100 our 30th # 1 Blues album on the billboard charts. # 10 in actual sales! It was an honor of a lifetime being a part of this project.”
Finnish melodic death metal band Crowen released a new EP ‘Through the Dying Mist’ on February 20th 2026 via Inverse Records. LISTEN to Through the Dying Mist EP on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/crowen-through-ep The Finnish death metal band Crowen’s third EP Through the Dying Mist paints a dark and mysterious journey where death and darkness walk side by side […]
Yesterday, Sylosis released their highly anticipated, career-defining record "The New Flesh" via Nuclear Blast. The album is a towering testament to destructive riffing, incisive melody and refined brute force. The band’s seventh full-length offering is a powerful showcase for the state of Sylosis in 2026: lethal, uncompromising, and avowedly metal… Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
Norwegian metal pioneers, Vreid, has unleashed their new single, "Loving The Dead," featuring Djerv and Jackass icon Chris Pontius, taken from their upcoming album "The Skies Turn Black," set for release on March 6 via Indie Recordings. You can check it out below.
Some collaborations feel inevitable only in hindsight. A chance meeting, a shared … Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
Is a supergroup still a supergroup if the members who made it a supergroup are no longer part of the band? Last Canada’s Wreck-Defy passed through these halls, Steel Druhm was pleasantly surprised by their third LP, Powers That Be. However, the band that Steel reviewed has seen some significant lineup changes since then. Two of the original power players—Aaron Randall (ex-Annihilator) and Alex Marquez (ex-Malevolent Creation)—have departed, replaced with one newbie (David Allan, drums) and one seasoned vet in vocalist Greg Wagner (Wags Metal Inc.). The glue holding Wreck-Defy together is lead guitarist Matt Hanchuck and ex-Testament bassist Greg Christian, and at essence they remain a speedy act with plenty of killer riff acrobatics. Six albums in, Wreck-Defy prove they remain a force in thrash.
Dissecting the Leech sets the thrashy tone with some sweet riffs and thumping blast beats on opener “Under the Sun.” Hanchuck collaborates with a long list of guest guitarists, such as Chris Poland (ex-Megadeth) and Mike Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam), to ensure a never-ending supply of fresh, exciting riffs, solos, and other guitar antics. As in prior outings, Wreck-Defy plays largely in the Testament mold with a few Megadethian flourishes. However, it’s not all pedal to the medal—plenty of songs vary in tempo, like the melodic, mid-paced “Millenial Dystopia” and the near-ballad “The Path.” While retaining their core identity, Wreck-Defy manage a varied sound throughout Dissecting the Leech, with tunes lasting anywhere from the blink-of-an-eye at three-and-a-half minutes (“Do It Again”) to the progressively-paced six-and-a-half minutes of “I Don’t Care.”1 The latter flexes creative songwriting similar to last year’s Helms Deep, with a mid-track portion that unexpectedly rockets off into a shreddy solo that’s absolutely riveting.
While Hanchuck and Christian prove to be the heart, the two new players more than hold their own. Greg Wagner has the grizzled voice of an old soul and brings a level of grit to the music. Yet he’s no one-trick pony, occasionally rising to the falsetto of many power metal vocalists, not to mention taking a few stabs at King Diamond shrieks. His surprise melodic lilt on “Another Day” proves to be one of the record’s highlights.2 David Allan proves to be quite effective behind the kit as well. His opening kicks to “Under the Sun” establish a fiercely energetic tone that resonates throughout much of Dissecting the Leech. Perhaps my favorite moment comes from “The Haunting Past,” a completely bonkers track that sounds like its instruments have gone haywire before delivering a blitzkrieg of thrashy riffs and blast beats powered by Allan’s jaw-dropping performance.
Wreck-Defy power their thrash into social critiques that prove forceful behind their spirited performances. They tackle environmental, political, and generational issues, casting a gloomy pall over modern events. On “Under the Sun,” they lament the degradation of our planet through warfare (“Look at the damage we’ve done”) and warn, “we’ll all die under the sun.” Concern turns towards the younger generations on “Millenial Dystopia,” where Wreck-Defy observes that “there’s no room to grow old,” leading to a “generation of no hope.” All people want, according to “Another Day,” is “air to breathe / just let me live another day.” Considering critiques from Steeland commenters over juvenile lyrics from Powers That Be, Wreck-Defy appear to have matured in their storytelling and thematic content. They offer a coherent narrative, even if it just boils down to “the world is a mess,” and mankind is facing “a dark, dismal future” (“Revolt”), and end on the hopeful message that they’ll “keep on fighting” for what’s right (“Apocalypse of Hope”).
Like Steel before me, I had never heard of Wreck-Defy before taking this promo, and I’m impressed. Dissecting the Leech is proving among the best in a rather good year for thrash so far, though a few things do hold it back. At 48 minutes, it’s a tad long, but considering its progressive leanings and the impressive musicianship, that’s a minor issue. A couple of songs don’t fit in as well as the rest (“Dissecting the Leech,” “The Path”), proving to be weak links amidst a great set. “The Path” is particularly puzzling, appearing to serve as the evening wind-down music to help settle the kids and old-timers for bedtime. But you’d better hurry because the ironically-named finale, “Apocalypse of Hope,” serves a jolt of caffeine to keep the party going. If you like thrash, you’ll have a good time with Dissecting the Leech.
Rating: 3.5/5.0 DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3 Label: Massacre Records Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook Releases Worldwide: February 20th, 2026
I can’t tell you much of anything about The Refraints, a trio out of Bellingham, Washington. But I can tell you this band has made a debut album that’s going to be one of my favorite things released this entire year. If you like catchy-as-hell pop-punk with a bit of a late ’80s/early ’90s indie rock edge and endearingly clever lyrics, Badminton is a must-hear.
The Refraints are Aaron Rayborn on guitar and vocals, Molly Russell on drums and vocals, and Brandon Juntunen on bass. They’ve delivered a 10-song, 23-minute long player that’s just an absolute delight from start to finish. I love that this band writes relatable songs about love and life that are heavy on self-deprecating humor. At times they delve into classic pop-punk themes like high school crushes, unrequited love, and failed relationships. Elsewhere, songs reflect on more varied topics like intentionally alleviating the stress of college by intentionally contracting mono, dealing with an overbearing mother who continually sabotages your love life, attempting to bathe a cat, and savoring that moment when you get home from work and finally get to take off your shoes. This is the kind of album that you’ll want to play on repeat — I played it four times in a row yesterday and could have gone for five if things like eating and personal hygiene hadn’t gotten in the way. Silly-smart songwriting is my jam, and these folks are clearly masters of that. And unlike the typical pop-punk band, this group makes it hard to figure out what their specific influences are. The Refraints have their own sound, and it’s one I very much hope to hear again. This is an A+ debut!
The man is back, and he’s bringing the heat! “Calling Your Bluff” is Brad Marino’s third teaser single from his forthcoming fifth proper studio album, Agent of Chaos. He’s been doling out something for everyone with these singles. “Voodoo” was probably the most straight-up power pop song he’s ever done. “Murder and Violence” was like the Ramones meet the Jesus and Mary Chain (or maybe the other way around). And now “Calling Your Bluff” is nothing more and nothing less than hard-driving, kick-you-in-the-ass rock ‘n’ roll that’ll get your toes tapping into next week. If you loved Marino’s early solo stuff or his later songs with The Connection, this tune will be right up your alley. Bobby Davis and Gene Champagne lay down the rhythm with gusto while Marino wails away on guitar and spits fire. This is classic Brad Marino, and I am here for it! We’ve been waiting more than two years for another Marino solo long player, but all these recent singles have made it clear that our patience will be very much rewarded. Agent of Chaos will be out April 3rd on Spaghetty Town Records, Ghost Highway Recordings, and Beluga Records!
I can’t tell you much of anything about The Refraints, a trio out of Bellingham, Washington. But I can tell you this band has made a debut album that’s going to be one of my favorite things released this entire year. If you like catchy-as-hell pop-punk with a bit of a late ’80s/early ’90s indie rock edge and endearingly clever lyrics, Badminton is a must-hear.
The Refraints are Aaron Rayborn on guitar and vocals, Molly Russell on drums and vocals, and Brandon Juntunen on bass. They’ve delivered a 10-song, 23-minute long player that’s just an absolute delight from start to finish. I love that this band writes relatable songs about love and life that are heavy on self-deprecating humor. At times they delve into classic pop-punk themes like high school crushes, unrequited love, and failed relationships. Elsewhere, songs reflect on more varied topics like intentionally alleviating the stress of college by intentionally contracting mono, dealing with an overbearing mother who continually sabotages your love life, attempting to bathe a cat, and savoring that moment when you get home from work and finally get to take off your shoes. This is the kind of album that you’ll want to play on repeat — I played it four times in a row yesterday and could have gone for five if things like eating and personal hygiene hadn’t gotten in the way. Silly-smart songwriting is my jam, and these folks are clearly masters of that. And unlike the typical pop-punk band, this group makes it hard to figure out what their specific influences are. The Refraints have their own sound, and it’s one I very much hope to hear again. This is an A+ debut!
The man is back, and he’s bringing the heat! “Calling Your Bluff” is Brad Marino’s third teaser single from his forthcoming fifth proper studio album, Agent of Chaos. He’s been doling out something for everyone with these singles. “Voodoo” was probably the most straight-up power pop song he’s ever done. “Murder and Violence” was like the Ramones meet the Jesus and Mary Chain (or maybe the other way around). And now “Calling Your Bluff” is nothing more and nothing less than hard-driving, kick-you-in-the-ass rock ‘n’ roll that’ll get your toes tapping into next week. If you loved Marino’s early solo stuff or his later songs with The Connection, this tune will be right up your alley. Bobby Davis and Gene Champagne lay down the rhythm with gusto while Marino wails away on guitar and spits fire. This is classic Brad Marino, and I am here for it! We’ve been waiting more than two years for another Marino solo long player, but all these recent singles have made it clear that our patience will be very much rewarded. Agent of Chaos will be out April 3rd on Spaghetty Town Records, Ghost Highway Recordings, and Beluga Records!
Is a supergroup still a supergroup if the members who made it a supergroup are no longer part of the band? Last Canada’s Wreck-Defy passed through these halls, 
