Blog

Quebec metal/hardcore veterans Hopeless Nation erupt into 2026 with the release of their explosive new single “Disaster”, accompanied by a gripping cinematic music video. The track marks the band’s most intense and precise work to date, blending their hardcore roots with modern metal atmosphere and emotionally charged storytelling. Formed in 1998 and revitalized after a decade-long hiatus, Hopeless Nation has re-emerged […]

Source

It’s been a long time coming, but Swedish rap-metal pioneers Clawfinger have finally broken their nearly two-decade silence. The band has officially released their new album, Before We All Die, via Perception (a division of Reigning Phoenix Music). It marks their first full-length effort since 2007’s Life Will Kill You, and by the sounds of … Continue reading Swedish rap-metal icons Clawfinger return with first album in 19 years – title track video streaming now

Hilary Duff has a new song is called “We Don’t Talk.” And yes, it’s about Haylie Duff.

The post Haylie Duff and Sister Hilary Duff Are Estranged, Singer Confirms appeared first on Audio Ink Radio.

A lot of talk may be going on about Arch Enemy and their new singer Lauren Hart, but their ex-vocalist Alissa White-Gluz still has some shit going of her own. After having recently shared a solo single, she’s been sharing her plans to embark on a run as a solo artist. As it turns out, she’s taken the next step and announced the introduction of the two guitarists that will be in her band: Alyssa Day and Daniella Sophia.

The two guitarists were officially unveiled earlier this week by White-Gluz via social media. For those that don’t know, Alyssa Day has played with Mindscar and Absentia, while Daniella Sophia is a guitar influencer. With their addition, they flesh out a lineup for White-Gluz’s solo effort that should bolster her overarching sound.

During an interview with the German version of Metal Hammer, White-Gluz shared her excitement for both Day and Sophia’s inclusion in her project.

“I am super thrilled to be working alongside two amazingly talented guitarists; Alyssa Day and Dani Sophia. So far the music we are making together is exactly what I have always wanted. I feel like they both have such unique playing styles that complement each other to make our collaborative work super heavy, energetic, catchy and evocative at the same time. I really couldn’t be happier and more honored to be working alongside such talented and inspiring musicians. Fans won’t have to wait long at all to hear and see what we have been up to!”

As White-Gluz said, there’s not a whole lot for us to go off of right now other than her single “The Room Where She Died”, but we should soon hear more about her solo ambitions and what’s coming next.

View this post on Instagram

The post Alissa White-Gluz Introduced Two Guitarists to Her Solo Band appeared first on MetalSucks.

California sludge/crust metal practitioners MORDEO, featuring within its ranks members of Amarok, Aberrance, and Level, will release their ferocious self-titled full-length debut on March 27th through a three-way collaboration with Hypaethral Records, Forever Never Ends Records, and Shove Records. Forged in September 2023, MORDEO came together with a simple goal: to make music that is at once ugly, […]

Source

German blackened death metal outfit Bloodred have officially unleashed their latest slab of heavy, Colours Of Pain, via Massacre Records. To celebrate the release, the band have also shared a lyric video for the album’s opening track, “Ashes”. It’s a blistering start to the record that sets the tone perfectly—relentless drumming, sharp riffs, and a … Continue reading Bloodred unleash new album ‘Colours Of Pain’ and drop “Ashes” lyric video

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Impressive airy soundstage for the price
• Warm, natural timbre with excellent tonal balance
• Lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions
• Solid hybrid driver configuration (1DD + 4BA)
• Generous eartip selection in the box
• Beautiful build quality using CNC aluminum and titanium

Cons

• Stock cable feels noticeably cheap for the asking price
• Requires a DAC or dongle to really shine — doesn't perform well straight from a phone
• Bass, while engaging, could use more texture and depth
• Midrange lacks a bit of refinement compared to pricier competition

Kiwi Ears has quietly built a very respected catalog in the Chi-Fi (Chinese Hi-Fi) IEM space. Founded out of a passion for accessible high-fidelity audio, the brand has delivered hit after hit—from the beloved Cadenza to the timbre-king Orchestra Lite, the KE4, and the Allegro series. What makes Kiwi Ears stand out in an increasingly crowded $100–$200 IEM market is that they consistently bring something unique to the table.

So when the Airoso dropped with a 1DD + 4BA hybrid configuration at $129, people paid attention. The name itself is a clue — "Airoso" is a Spanish word meaning airy — and that's a very deliberate hint at the sonic identity Kiwi Ears was going for here.

What Is the Kiwi Ears Airoso?

The Kiwi Ears Airoso is a five-driver hybrid in-ear monitor priced at about $130 USD. The name itself, "Airoso" is a Spanish word meaning airy—and that's a very deliberate hint at the sonic identity Kiwi Ears was going for here. Kiwi Ears uses one custom dynamic driver and four balanced armature drivers, split across the frequency spectrum to handle bass, highs, and ultra-highs with dedicated hardware crossover technology. It's a smart configuration that, when done right, gives you the best of both worlds.

The question is: did Kiwi Ears pull it off?

Unboxing

What's in the Box?

• 1 x Kiwi Ears Airoso
• 1 x Cable
• 9 x pairs of silicone ear tips (3S/3M/3L)
• 1 x Carrying case

Build Quality & Design

Materials and Construction

The Airoso shell is a mix of 3D-printed resin and CNC-machined aluminum alloy, with a titanium alloy faceplate that gives it a clean, modern look. The black resin inner shell feels smooth against the ear and uses hypoallergenic materials—a thoughtful touch for anyone who's had skin sensitivity issues with cheaper sets.

The build quality, for the price, is quite good. It looks and feels like something that should cost more. It's also quite a bit lighter (airier, even?) than you would expect from looking at it, which is great for comfort.

The stock cable is unfortunately not very good at this price point. It's a basic 4-core copper cable with a 3.5mm TRS termination and 0.78mm 2-pin connectors, and it feels less durable than it should for a $129 IEM. You may want to replace the cable with an affordable 3rd party option like the Tripowin Zonie. Fortunately, Kiwi Ears has taken note of this and improved their stock cables with their more recent IEM releases.

Sound Quality

Bass

The low end on the Airoso is warm, full-bodied, and engaging. The sub-bass extends well—you'll feel that satisfying low-end rumble on bass-heavy tracks without it becoming bloated or overpowering. The mid-bass delivers a natural punch that works well for drums and bass guitar, giving music a lively, energetic presence.

That said, if you're a self-described basshead looking for thunderous, heavily boosted low end, the Airoso might feel a bit restrained. It's more musically organic than being a bass monster. The texture and layering in the bass could also be improved—it's smooth, but not the most technically precise low-end you'll find at this price point.

Mids

This is one of the Airoso's strong suits. The midrange is warm, natural, and forward in a way that makes vocals feel present and powerful. Whether you're listening to jazz, rock, acoustic music, or anything vocal-heavy, there's a lush, organic quality to the mids that's hard not to love.

Treble

The treble is airy and extensive while being non-fatiguing—and that last part is important. A lot of multi-BA hybrid sets in this price range suffer from harsh, sibilant highs that make long listening sessions uncomfortable. The Airoso dodges that problem almost entirely. There's sparkle here without edginess, which is exactly what you want for extended metal, jazz, and classical listening sessions. Treble-sensitive listeners should find this set very comfortable.

Technical Performance

Timbre on the Airoso is excellent. Instruments sound very real, and there's a natural, organic quality to the tone that goes beyond just technically accurate. Acoustic guitars breathe, piano notes decay naturally, and vocals feel lifelike.

The soundstage is the headline feature that this IEM was clearly designed around. For a sub-$150 IEM, the Airoso throws a wide, dome-like stage that creates an immersive, almost out-of-head presentation. It's not perfectly precise in its positioning, and you won't find razor-sharp holographic imaging here—but the sense of space and air in the sound is impressive and immediately noticeable. Imaging is solid, with instruments placed convincingly within the stereo field, though fine positional nuance is somewhat limited compared to more technically oriented IEMs.

The Airoso isn't the most technical IEM, but it takes a very enjoyable focus on creating a lush, atmospheric soundstage that is very smooth and satisfying instead.

---

Comfort & Isolation

Fit & Comfort

This is another area where the Airoso does well. The ergonomic resin shell follows the natural curve of the ear canal, and at only 12 grams per side, it's remarkably light for a 5-driver hybrid. I noticed no pressure or fatigue from the shells during listening.

The 6mm nozzle diameter is mid-sized, so finding the right eartip match is important. The stock tips work fine, but some 3rd party tips like the Divinus Velve,t may slightly improve the seal.

Isolation is decent but not exceptional. The vented shell design (which helps with pressure relief and natural soundstage) does let in some ambient noise. It's fine for everyday commuting or office use, but if you need maximum isolation for loud environments, this might not be your go-to set.

---

Comparisons

Kiwi Ears Airoso vs. Simgot SuperMix 4 (~$109)

The SuperMix 4 is one of the Airoso's most natural competitors. Both are hybrid IEMs in the sub-$130 range with energetic tunings. The SuperMix 4 edges ahead in raw clarity and treble extension, but the Airoso has better timbre, a more organic midrange, and a wider soundstage. If you prefer technical precision, go with SuperMix 4. If you want a more musical, relaxed listen, the Airoso wins.

Kiwi Ears Airoso vs. Kiwi Ears KE4 (~$199)

A natural within-family comparison. The KE4 uses a dual dynamic driver + balanced armature setup and comes in at $70 more. The KE4 offers better detail retrieval, more nuanced micro-dynamics, and slightly sharper imaging. The Airoso is like a "KE4 lite"—sharing similar warm-organic DNA but with less technical ceiling. If budget isn't a concern, the KE4 is the stronger performer. But the Airoso gives you comparable performance for a good bit cheaper.

---

Final Verdict

The Kiwi Ears Airoso is exactly what the best budget hybrid IEMs should be — a set that doesn't try to be everything to everyone, but instead commits fully to a specific sonic identity and nails it. The airy soundstage, warm natural timbre, and comfortable fit make it enjoyable across genres and listening sessions.

It's not a flawless set. The stock cable is disappointing, the bass could use more texture, and you'll want a dongle DAC to get the best out of it. But for $129, the Airoso is a strong contender for one of the most musically satisfying IEMs.

Technical Specifications

• Driver Configuration: 1x Dynamic Driver (LCP + PU composite diaphragm) + 4x Balanced Armature drivers (2x high, 2x ultra-high)
• Impedance: 18Ω
• Sensitivity: 110 dB SPL/mW
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz
• Cable Length: 1.2m (detachable)
• Cable Connector: 0.78mm 2-pin
• Nozzle Diameter: 6mm
• Weight: 12g per earbud

---

Thanks for reading! Check out more audio reviews and join our community of music enthusiasts.

• Read more of the latest rock/metal news here
• Subscribe to our Metal News Email list for weekly updates!
• Join our free 5-day music marketing email course!
• Support The Metalverse and go ad-free.
• Follow us on Social Media | Instagram | Facebook

This is the fourth album from Norwegian solo black metal act Misotheist. Brought to us by the artist behind Diabolus, Mecum Semperterne!, Enevelde, and Kråbøl, De Pinte contains 41 minutes of violent otherworldly black metal. Misotheist carve a space into black metal’s crowded landscape that belongs purely to De Pinte. This is an album that … Continue reading “Misotheist – De Pinte (Review)”

Northern Irish post-atmospheric black metal quartet shares debut album in full ahead of release via These Hands Melt Band to perform launch show at The Voodoo, Belfast on March 7th With their debut full-length “In Perfect Stillness” set to officially arrive this Friday via These Hands Melt, Northern Irish post-atmospheric black metal act Domhain have teamed up with […]

Source

FOUR THIRTY FOUR are back with “Stuck Out,” a high-octane new single that takes aim at thefrustration and fallout of modern-day breakups. Marking the band’s fourth release with producer Kevin McNoldy, the track captures FOUR THIRTY FOUR at their most focused, intense, and emotionally charged. With hard-hitting riffs, driving rhythms, and emotionally charged vocals, the track showcases the band’s signature blend of modern rock intensity and relatable storytelling.

FOUR THIRTY FOUR continues to build momentum within the rock scene by delivering music that connects with fans through authenticity and relentless energy. With “Stuck Out,” FOUR THIRTY FOUR pushes their sound to new heights, combining crushing instrumentation with memorable hooks that are sure to resonate with listeners and ignite live audiences.

Lyrically, “Stuck Out” explores the breakdown of communication—two people talking past each other until there’s no way forward. It’s a breakup song for the present day: honest, loud, and unapologetic.

Fans can expect “Stuck Out” to further cement Four Thirty Four as a band to watch in the modern rock landscape. The single highlights the group’s evolution as songwriters and performers, capturing the urgency and passion that defines their music.

Sonically, FOUR THIRTY FOUR draw comparisons to Velvet Revolver on steroids, blending classicrock attitude with modern urgency and polish. “Stuck Out” is built to catch your ear and yourheart, delivering a hook-heavy rush that resonates long after the final

chorus fades.

The post FOUR THIRTY FOUR Breaks Through the Noise with Explosive New Single “Stuck Out” appeared first on Antihero Magazine.