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Waylon Jennings, Lil Wayne and more are among the 2027 class.

The post Linkin Park, The Smashing Pumpkins, Ramones & More To Receive Stars On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame appeared first on Theprp.com.

Watch your two-step.

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That record will feature guest spots from various members of Amorphis and is due out in October.

The post Insomnium Debut “Gleam In The Black” Video From Their New Album “Netherworlds” appeared first on Theprp.com.

A music video for it has just gone up.

The post Allt Launch Final “Ataraxia” Advance Single “Avalon” appeared first on Theprp.com.

While 1977 was the release of one of Hawkwind’s most important albums, ‘Quark, Strangeness and Charm’ (which was actually the first album of theirs I heard), it also saw the band having some issues with more line-up changes, a poor American tour, and Calvert collapsing onstage suffering from mental issues. Hawkwind stopped touring for a while and Calvert was recovering, so Brock’s thoughts turned to having a side project for a while. He had built a relationship with local Devon band Ark, some of whom had played with him and Calvert at the Stonehenge Free Festival the previous year, so not why do something with them again. Brock and Calvert contacted three members of that band, bass guitarist Harvey Bainbridge, drummer Martin Griffin and keyboard player Paul Hayles, and as Sonic Assassins they played Queen’s Hall Barnstaple on 23^rd December 1977. It was recorded for posterity, and three tracks were released in 1981 as the ‘Sonic Assassins’ EP, but it is only now that all still-existing recordings have been made available. Given the importance of both Bainbridge and Griffin in the Hawklords resurrection which led back to Hawkwind, this is a historically important recording indeed.

The sound quality is excellent, and the highlight is undoubtedly one of the finest concert performances of Robert Calvert ever recorded. He may have been led astray at one point by announcing “Master of the Universe” when the band instead went into a lengthy improvised piece,  but Robert was more than up to the task and provided lyrics on the spot for a number to be known as “Over The Top”, which after more than seven minutes finally segued into ‘MOTU’. There are early versions of “Freefall” and “Death Trap” along with classics such as “Golden Void” and “Magnu”, and at no point does this sound like anything apart from a full band which had been rehearsing and recording together for months. It is difficult to comprehend that two musicians had asked three from another band to come and play their music, yet that is exactly what happened.  

Special credit must be given to Ben Wiseman for mixing and mastering this album from the original tapes, as I cannot imagine that was an easy task, but the result is sonically very good indeed and thoroughly enjoyable. This is one of those rare instances when a much sought after recording is definitely worth hearing for its music as well as just the scarcity value, and Hawkwind fans will certainly enjoy playing this. I did.
8/10 Kev Rowland

It seems like an era may be coming to an end. Industrial metal pioneers Ministry have announced Hate to Go (Take Out or Delivery) as what is expected to be their final studio album. The record is scheduled for release on October 30 through Cleopatra Records. At the same time, Al Jourgensen and the band have unveiled… Continue Reading →

I am not quite sure as to whether to view this as a new studio recording or a compilation, or both, as what we have here is a combination of unheard recordings, newly reworked classics and fresh material from the current line-up, and I am not sure exactly who plays on what. I am aware that the vibrant and upbeat “Hurry On Sundown” is the final recording to feature Huw Lloyd- Langton, who left the band in 2002 and died from cancer in 2012, but have no information as to where and when it was recorded.

Hawkwind as a band have probably suffered more than most from having compilations released over which they have had no control, along with many live recordings (some of which have poor sound quality at best), so much so that anyone who says they have a complete collection is either lying or demented, which means that there is always a certain level of trepidation when approaching any of their albums which have been compiled. However, this is a fascinating viewpoint into one particular style of their music, with new songs such as “Four Legs Good, Two Legs Bad” and “There Are Fairies In The Garden” happily sitting alongside reimagined versions of the likes of “The Demented Man” and “Those Days Of The Underground”. The former is one of the highlights on the album, and it is difficult to think that the original take was on ‘Warrior on the Edge of Time’ which is now more than 50 years old. This still has an acoustic guitar at its base, but feels vita and modern.

The album also includes tracks drawn from associated projects, including Dave Brock’s unreleased ‘Dance and Trance’ material (“Land Of Min”, “Out Of Luck”) and Magnus Martin’s “Ocean’s Spiral”, but the absolute highlight is a driving live-in-the-studio take on “PSI Power”, which was originally the opening track on ’25 Years On’ and has long been one of my favourites. Here it is still high energy and clearly demonstrates the current line-up is continuing to add to the legacy, even though David Brock is now 84 years old and still shows no sign at all of slowing down either recording or gigging. This is a set any fan of the band will thoroughly enjoy.
8/10 Kev Rowland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Finnish Melodic Hard Rock/Metal Band PlusMinusZero Releases New Single “Touch” Through Downfall Records

Stream and purchase “Touch” now:
https://downfallrecords.bandcamp.com/album/touch
Helsinki, Finland – Finnish melodic hard rock/metal band PlusMinusZero have released their brand-new single “Touch” today, July 24th, 2026, through Downfall Records . Following the release of their debut single “Wasted” in June, the band continues to introduce their powerful melodic sound built on classic metal influences, memorable songwriting, and decades of musical experience.
“Touch” showcases PlusMinusZero’s signature blend of melodic hard rock and metal, combining powerful guitar-driven arrangements, memorable hooks, and the timeless influence of the classic heavy music that inspired the band’s members for decades.
Although PlusMinusZero is a newly formed band, the musicians behind the name are far from newcomers. Formed in Helsinki in 2025, the group brings together longtime friends who have previously shared albums, tours, radio airplay, and television appearances throughout Finland.
The band’s debut single “Wasted” introduced listeners to their sound, while “Touch” continues the journey with another strong melodic metal track built around experience, passion, and a return to the heavy roots that first brought these musicians together.
Drawing inspiration from legendary acts including Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Dio, Helloween, and Scorpions , while carrying the spirit of Finnish melodic rock and metal influences such as Uniklubi, Happoradio, Negative, Altaria, Sara, and Charon , PlusMinusZero delivers a modern take on classic melodic heavy music.
Since forming in 2025, PlusMinusZero have been independently recording and mixing new material, creating songs that reflect both their musical history and their renewed passion for heavy music.
Lineup:

Pete – Vocals
dr. sundström – Guitar
iledelay – Bass
Janne – Drums
Recording Information:

Recorded by PlusMinusZero
Produced and mixed by dr. sundström
Mastered by C-Nil Studio
About PlusMinusZero:

PlusMinusZero was formed in Helsinki, Finland in 2025 by musicians with a long history in the Finnish rock and metal scene. Before coming together under the PlusMinusZero name, the members were involved in previous projects that produced multiple full-length albums, toured throughout Finland, and gained radio and television exposure.
Driven by a lifelong passion for heavy music, the band returns to the roots of melodic hard rock and metal while creating something fresh for today’s listeners.
Following the release of “Wasted,” PlusMinusZero continue their new chapter with “Touch,” available now through Downfall Records.
For Fans Of:

Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Dio, Helloween, Scorpions, Uniklubi, Happoradio, Negative, Altaria, Sara, Charon


Links:

Stream/Purchase “Touch”:
https://downfallrecords.bandcamp.com/album/touch
Official Website:
https://www.downfallrecords.com
PlusMinusZero Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/plusminuszeromusic/
Downfall Records Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/downfallrecords666
Downfall Records Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/downfallrecords_666/
Contact: mike@downfallrecords.com

It is not unusual for me to do things in a strange manner, so having heard Rob Harrison’s second album I then listened to his debut, and it is only now that I am moving onto the first Z Machine album which was released in 2023 (I hear the second is due soon). What we have here is a Welsh jazz rock/progressive rock quintet featuring Lester Greenhalgh (drums & percussion), Rob Harrison (saxophone, flute), Kristian Rees (bass) and guitarists Gareth Piper and Owen Rosser. The first thing that stands out from their sound is that there are no keyboards (which is not a total surprise in that these guys are so tight they could not fit in another instrument) and that they have far more in common with a “straight” jazz band than rock, but they are very much a rock group.

It is not unusual in jazz for a saxophone to be the main melodic lead working with a very technical rhythm section who do way more than just provide a foundation, but what is unusual here is the use of twin guitarists who can provide beck and call or just crunch the riffs. I think I expected much more in the way of pronk given Rob’s solo releases, and I confess I am having something of a difficulty in deciding if they are  jazz band moving into prog, or the other way around, but what I do know is that it is fascinating and endlessly inventive. I have no idea if this was recorded live in the studio as is the case with many jazz acts, but it would not surprise me at all if it were, as it has that bounce, feel and togetherness which only comes from everyone playing off each other.

The result is something which is far more jazz combining with rock than jazz rock fusion and is quite different from many bands working in their field, so much so that even jazz purists may find this interesting. All I can say is that this a fascinating take on different musical forms and anyone who enjoys discovering those pushing boundaries while somehow also staying listenable the first time around would do well to seek them out.
8/10 Kev Rowland

It’s that time of year again where we talk to as many bands as we can who are raring to blow you away at Catton Park! Plymouth metalcore outfit Carrier will be bringing their raw, aggressive riffs and dark, immersive staging to the Stowford Press New Blood Stage on Friday at Bloodstock 2026. We previously … Continue reading Road To Bloodstock 2026: Carrier