Hissy Fit by Makhyli feels like an emotional spillover that refuses to be contained. There is a sharp honesty in the way she delivers each line, balancing vulnerability with a defiant edge that keeps the track from feeling fragile. The production carries a punchy, modern pop energy, but it is her voice that holds everything together, shifting between control and release. You can feel the tension underneath, like emotions rising faster than they can be processed.
It is raw in a very real way, turning inner chaos into something bold, direct, and undeniably human.
Jungle Rot Still Fighting the Fight: Inside the Zach Moonshine Show Interview with Dave Matrise
When Jungle Rot frontman Dave Matrise dialed into The Zach Moonshine Show via Metal Devastation Radio, there was no buildup, no fluff, no industry polish. Just straight talk, the way death metal was built to be. Within seconds, the tone was set.
“ We just got done blasting ‘Apocalyptic Dawn’… that shit’s badass. You guys are killing it, man. ”
That raw energy carried through the entire conversation, as Matrise walked through decades of grind, survival, and staying power in a genre that doesn’t hand out participation trophies.
“We’re still fighting the fight”
For a band now pushing toward their 12th studio album, there’s no talk of slowing down. No nostalgia act. No victory lap.
“ We’re still fighting the fight… now we got album #12 coming out in May… we’re excited as hell. ”
That phrase, “fighting the fight,” came up more than once and not by accident. For Jungle Rot, that’s the mission statement. This isn’t about trends or algorithms. It’s about endurance.
Matrise made it clear that longevity in metal isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about survival.
“ It’s not even about how good the band is anymore… it’s how long you’re in the game… how long you’re in the fight. ”
From 1994 to Now: No Shortcuts, No Sellouts
The roots go back to the mid-90s, when death metal was still carving out its identity in basements, tape trades, and underground scenes.
“ It started in ’94… I joined in ’95… and we’ve been putting out albums ever since. ”
No viral moment. No overnight success. Just decades of consistency.
“ If anybody ain’t heard of us yet… it’s been a long road. ”
And that road took them through label shifts, including a run with Victory Records and now with Unique Leader Records. Different environments, same mindset.
“ We’re kind of the old-school band in a label known for extreme music… but it’s cool. We’re doing our own thing. ”
A Record That Finally Sounds Like Them
The upcoming album Cruel Face Of War isn’t just another release. According to Matrise, it’s the closest the band has ever come to capturing their true identity.
“ I think this is the first album that really captured what we sound like… who we really are live. ”
Forget overproduced triggers and sterile perfection. This one leans into something more honest.
“ It’s more natural… not too clicky… it’s as close as it’s gotten to the way we sound live. ”
That old-school feel isn’t nostalgia. It’s intentional.
“ That’s what we’re going for… that natural sound, like old-school death metal. ”
War, Reality, and the World We’re Living In
If you’ve followed Jungle Rot, you already know the themes. War. Chaos. Real-world brutality. And that hasn’t changed.
“ We always have the war angle… a little bit of politics here and there… ”
The latest single, “Apocalyptic Dawn,” leans hard into that atmosphere.
“ It’s kind of the devastation… the end of everything… and then the dawn is a new beginning. ”
Even the band name itself comes straight from that mindset.
“ It came from a history class… Vietnam… trench foot or jungle rot… I picked jungle rot and that was it. ”
No marketing team. No branding strategy. Just something that stuck and never let go.
The Underground Never Leaves You
Like a lot of lifers, Matrise’s story starts in the underground scene, and it never really ends.
“ Once you find the underground… you always stay in it… it’s such a big part of my life. ”
From early exposure to punk shows in Wisconsin to discovering bands like Slayer, Sodom, and Destruction, the path was set early.
“ I never really left it… I wouldn’t know what else to do. ”
That connection to the underground still fuels everything today.
“ There’s continuously new stuff coming out… it never stops. ”
The Reality of Touring: $35,000 in the Hole Before You Start
For anyone romanticizing life on the road, Matrise dropped a reality check that hits harder than any breakdown.
“ We’ll be $35,000 in the hole before we even start… renting gear, flights, crew… it’s insane. ”
And that’s before a single note is played.
“ You gotta work that back… it’s a stressful business. ”
It also explains why ticket prices are climbing and why bands are forced to make tough calls about where and when to tour.
“ People have no idea what it takes to start a tour. ”
Advice to Bands: Stay Together or Get Left Behind
When asked what it takes to make it, Matrise didn’t sugarcoat anything.
“ Find a handful of guys that share the same passion and stick together… that’s the hardest part. ”
Lineup instability kills more bands than lack of talent.
“ The most successful bands… they don’t lose musicians. ”
And if you’re serious?
“ Give it your all for 5 or 6 years and see where you stand. ”
Gear, Grit, and No Bullshit
True to form, Jungle Rot keeps things simple when it comes to gear.
“ We’re basically a plug-and-play band… noise gate, plug into the head, and go. ”
No overthinking. No endless tweaking. Just tone and execution.
Still Hungry After All These Years
Even after decades in the game, there’s still something driving Matrise forward.
“ I am very grateful to still be here doing this… with so many good bands out there. ”
That gratitude doesn’t soften the edge. It sharpens it.
And when it comes to the future, the band isn’t slowing down. New videos, a European run, and plans for a long-overdue North American tour are already in motion.
Final Words: Turn It Up or Get Out of the Way
The interview closed the same way it started, loud and unapologetic. No corporate sign-off. No polished outro. Just pure metal attitude.
“ Put your speakers in your windows… your front lawns… your neighbor’s driveway… just crank it up. ”
That’s really what it comes down to.
No gimmicks. No shortcuts. No watered-down nonsense.
Just riffs, grit, and a band that’s still out there… fighting the fight.
Track List:
Battle Of The Bands Top Six Winners:
1 – Severed Sun – Complex – (24,614 votes) 2 – LORDS OF SALEM – Supersonic Vampire Pu**y – (12,824 votes) 3 – Krushya – Destructive Alien Tech (Contact) – (9,418 votes) 4 – Mistress – Terrified eyes – (4,312 votes) 5 – Ru_Bass – Time – (2,382 votes) 6 – Annonymal – The Soul Behind the Mask – (1,493 votes)
The Zach Moonshine Intro
7 – Ozzy Osbourne – I Don’t Know/Miracle Man (Live) 8 – Black Label Society – Ozzy’s Song/Lord Humungus
Jungle Rot – Interview featuring: Apocalyptic Dawn/They Gave Their Lives/Strong Shall Survive
9 – Rotting Empire – Images Of War 10 – VITHIAL – Masquerading Deception of Tyranny 11 – FLESH FEAST – Tormented By Incarceration 12 – St October – Burn 13 – The Haunted North – Savage Ghost 14 – Kalmo – Feeding the Worms 15 – Thy Sanatorium – No Flag Left To Burn 16 – Crucial Velocity – Mortal Fallacy 17 – Rhino Proof – Deeper Form Of Love 18 – Binary Order – False Memories 19 – Burnt Witch – Bastard 20 – The Red Mountain – N.I.B./The Devils Whiskey (feat Zach Moonshine) 21 – Brutal Death Fuck – Alcohol
Full show streaming on Mixcloud:
Interview segments available also on YouTube, Spotify and Apple!
Super massive shout out and thanks to the 199,620 metal maniacs from around the world that tuned into the live broadcast Friday night!
The Meaning Behind The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe (Full Explanation)
The Raven meaning by Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most analyzed topics in gothic literature. However, its meaning goes far beyond a simple story of loss. It explores obsession, memory, and the psychological descent into madness.
Understanding the meaning of The Raven requires looking beyond the surface. Poe uses symbolism, repetition, and atmosphere to create a narrative that reflects the human struggle with grief and the inability to let go.
At its core, The Raven is about loss. The narrator mourns Lenore, a lost love who continues to haunt his thoughts. However, the poem quickly shifts from grief into something darker.
The raven itself is not just a bird. It represents the permanence of memory and the inability to escape the past. As a result, the narrator becomes trapped in his own mind.
The Raven Meaning Explained
The word “Nevermore” is repeated throughout the poem, and it carries immense psychological weight. At first, it seems like a simple response. However, it gradually becomes a symbol of despair.
Each repetition reinforces the idea that the narrator will never find peace. He will never see Lenore again. He will never escape his thoughts.
In addition, “Nevermore” reflects how the mind can fixate on a single idea and spiral into obsession.
The Raven as a Symbol
The raven is often associated with death and the unknown. In Poe’s poem, it becomes a symbol of eternal presence. It does not leave and does not change. It simply watches.
This creates a sense of inevitability. The narrator cannot escape the raven, just as he cannot escape his grief.
The Descent Into Madness
As the poem progresses, the narrator’s mental state deteriorates. What begins as curiosity turns into fear, and eventually obsession.
He begins to interpret the raven’s presence as something supernatural. However, the true horror lies within his own mind.
This is what makes The Raven so powerful. It is not about external terror. It is about internal collapse.
Why The Raven Still Resonates Today
The meaning of The Raven remains relevant because it reflects universal emotions. Everyone has experienced loss, memory, and the struggle to move forward.
Poe captures this feeling with precision. As a result, the poem continues to resonate with readers across generations.
The Raven in Gothic Culture
The Raven has become a symbol of gothic identity. Its imagery appears in art, fashion, and design, representing darkness, mystery, and emotional depth.
Leith native Delbhoy Kennedy is a man who clearly isn’t interested in half-measures. He’s just dropped his debut single, “Sky’s The Limit”, through Flip Flop Records, and it’s a proper statement of intent. Kennedy has even coined his own genre for the sound: “Future Nostalgia” – a mix of having the past in his bones … Continue reading Leith’s Delbhoy Kennedy aims high with debut single “Sky’s The Limit”
Last summer the Slovak music festival Rubicon was cancelled on short notice after organizers faced backlash for booking Kanye West as its headliner. In January, the artist now going by Ye issued a contentious apology disavowing his previous alignment with right-wing ideologies and embrace of Nazi rhetoric. He chalked up his abusive and erratic behavior to his bipolar disorder and a previously undiagnosed brain injury, adding that he was now committed to “accountability, treatment, and meaningful change.” Two months later, he dropped his new album BULLY, which is out now.
Singer-songwriter Wes Krux is carved out a unique spot for himself in the worlds of soft rock and indie pop, and he’s just added another layer to that with his latest single, “Logos”. This new track is a natural step forward for the Brazilian-born artist, who has spent years honing his craft as a self-taught … Continue reading Wes Krux explores the inner self with new single “Logos”
In April 1996, Kenny Wayne Shepherd was on tour promoting his debut album Ledbetter Heights, which had been released in September 1995. There was a growing buzz about him in the blues community, and he was often described as a disciple of Stevie Ray Vaughan. He gained national attention when he opened for the Eagles’ “Hell Freezes Over” tour in Austin, Texas. The following concert review and photographs have never been published and are from his performance in Portland, Oregon.
At the time, the 18-year-old guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd was often being compared to Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Kenny finished recording Ledbetter Heights in May 1995, when he was just 17 years old. His reputation as an exceptional guitarist earned him and his band an opening slot on the Eagles’ “Hell Freezes Over” tour at Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. He also toured as the opening act for legendary blues guitarist B.B. King.
Kenny headlined his own tour that year, playing to numerous sold-out crowds. On Friday, April 26, 1996, he performed for a capacity audience at the Roseland Theater in Portland, Oregon. Shepherd and his band played every track from Ledbetter Heights, released on the Giant record label.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd performing the Ledbetter Heights album in 1996 in Portland, Oregon
The entire set was excellent. Kenny delivered extended guitar solos and reworked several songs with fresh variations. Included was the album’s single, “Deja Voodoo,” which was receiving radio airplay at the time. For the finale, he performed Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child (Slight Return).” His performance brought down the house, and any questions about his guitar virtuosity were answered by the end of the night.
The same band that backed him on the album joined him on tour. The lineup included Corey Sterling on vocals, Will Ainsworth on bass, Jimmy Wallace on keyboards, Chris Moore on drums, and Joe Nadeau on rhythm guitar. Without a doubt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd was on the path to becoming a guitar legend.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd performing the Ledbetter Heights album in 1996 in Portland, Oregon
That early momentum now comes full circle, as Shepherd prepares to release a newly recorded 30th anniversary edition of Ledbetter Heights. Set for release on May 8, the project revisits the album that launched his career and arrives alongside a new version of “Deja Voodoo.” Originally released in 1995, the album quickly went Gold and later Platinum, spending 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart while establishing Shepherd as a leading young voice in blues rock.
The anniversary edition features Shepherd re-recording the material with decades of experience behind him. The sessions include longtime collaborator Chris “Whipper” Layton and co-producer Jerry Harrison, with Shepherd also returning to his original 1995 guitar rig. “This is the album that put me on the map, and I still enjoy listening to it because my goal has always been to make music I want to listen to,” Shepherd says. “Unfiltered and straight from the heart.”
2026 Ledbetter Heights 30th Anniversary Tour:
Friday, April 10th – Joe Bonamassa’s Beach Vacation – Miramar Beach, FL Saturday, April 11th – Tampa Bay Blues Festival – St. Petersburg, FL Sunday, April 12th – Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL Tuesday, April 14th – Broward Center @ Au-Rene Theater – Ft. Lauderdale, FL** Wednesday, April 15th – Florida Theatre – Jacksonville, FL** Thursday, April 16th – Charleston Music Hall – Charleston, SC Saturday, April 18th – Hollywood Casino – Charles Town, WV Sunday, April 19th – Palace Theatre – Greensburg, PA Wednesday, April 22nd – Brown County Music Center – Nashville, IN Thursday, April 23rd – Taft Theatre – Cincinnati, OH Friday, April 24th – Hard Rock – Gary, IN Saturday, April 25th – MGM – Northfield, OH Sunday, April 26th – Hollywood Greektown Casino / Music Hall – Detroit, MI Wednesday, April 29th – GLC Live @ 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, MI Thursday, April 30th – Pabst Theatre – Milwaukee, WI Friday, May 1st – Blue Gate PAC – Shipshewana, IN Saturday, May 2nd – Hard Rock – Rockford, IL Sunday, May 3rd – Hoyt Sherman Theatre – Des Moines, IA Tuesday, May 5th – Virginia Theater – Champaign, IL Thursday, May 7th – Uptown Theatre – Kansas City, MO Friday, May 8th – Walker’s Bluff Casino – Carterville, IL Saturday, May 9th – The Factory – St. Louis, MO Saturday, June 13th – Paradise Theater @ Margaritaville Resort Casino – Bossier City, LA Sunday, June 14th – The Buddy Holly Theatre – Lubbock, TX Wednesday, June 17th – Kiva Auditorium – Albuquerque, NM Thursday, June 18th – Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ Friday, June 19th – Celebrity Theatre – Phoenix, AZ Saturday, June 20th – Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts – Cerritos, CA Sunday, June 21st – Oxnard Performing Arts Center – Oxnard, CA Tuesday, June 23rd – California Center for the Arts – Escondido, CA Thursday, June 25th – Capitol Theatre – Salt Lake City, UT Thursday, September 10th – Big Blues Bender – Las Vegas, NV Friday, September 11th – Sunset Center – Carmel, CA Saturday, September 12th – Blue Note Summer Sessions – Napa, CA Sunday, September 13th – Center for the Arts – Grass Valley, CA Tuesday, September 15th – McDonald Theatre – Eugene, OR Wednesday, September 16th – Moore Theatre – Seattle, WA Thursday, September 17th – First Interstate Center for the Arts – Spokane, WA Friday, September 18th – Alberta Bair Theater – Billings, MT
