In a move that has blindsided the alternative metal world, A Perfect Circle has surprise-released a brand new single titled “Starless”. This marks the band’s first new music since 2018’s Eat the Elephant, ending an eight-year silence that had fans wondering if the project would ever return to the studio.
“Starless” arrives just ahead of the band’s highly anticipated 2026 UK and European tour dates. The track is a haunting, atmospheric journey that leans into the ethereal side of the Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howerdel partnership, blending intricate melodic layers with a dark, driving rhythm that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
A Masterclass in Atmosphere
The surprise drop has already sent shockwaves through the community, with many speculating that “Starless” is the precursor to a full-length album. While the band has remained characteristically cryptic about their future plans, the release of such a high-caliber track suggests that the creative spark between Howerdel and Keenan is as potent as ever.
For those who have waited nearly a decade for a new chapter from A Perfect Circle, “Starless” is a reminder of the band’s unique ability to command attention without saying a word. The stars may be dark, but the future of APC has never looked brighter.
Experience the official visualizer for “Starless” above and prepare for the return of one of metal’s most enigmatic forces.
(Before DGR and others around here embarked on two weeks of recent festival activity, he pollinated our archive of drafts with a great many reviews, and today we’ve plucked another one. This time his focus is the latest album from L.A.-based Dawn of Ashes, released in March of this year.) Many, many moons ago – […]
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The song opens with an extremely atmospheric and epic introduction. Chords envelop the listener and herald the verse, which is stripped down to allow the vocals to enter. The vocals possess a theatrical intensity without being overdone. They carry an eerie quality, setting a mysterious tone. As the song progresses into the chorus, it erupts with a more powerful, epic force.
The overall sound is enchanting and intriguing, evoking images of nighttime scenes and carrying a fantasy vibe. This is enhanced by background elements that create a world reminiscent of underground realms. The single features themes that evoke feelings similar to the film “The Matrix.” The artist skillfully constructs intense stories and atmospheres. He tackles uncomfortable subjects and possible future scenarios with a profound and dramatic intensity.
The blend of melodic dark rock embraces listeners like a fog often seen in Carpenter’s horror films. This artist’s vision is expansive, and one can easily imagine his music as the soundtrack for a sci-fi movie like “Bugonia.”
VITA EVANESCENCE – Sound and Atmosphere
The lyrics delve into the unsettling idea of humanity trapped in a simulation controlled by artificial intelligence. Within this world, machines methodically siphon off human life force. The subject matter is not only provocative but also relevant, making the song resonate on multiple levels.
Musically, the work showcases an artistic brilliance that is frankly remarkable. Each component – from the atmospheric chords to the haunting vocals – pulls the listener into a narrative that is both engaging and disturbing. The pitch of the vocals conveys a sense of urgency, urging the audience to reflect on the implications of the themes presented.
Listeners are taken on a journey through the depths of human experience and the conflict between man and machine. The production quality supports the thematic depth, ensuring every note is crisp and every effect adds to the overall mood.
VITA EVANESCENCE – Performance and Production
The bridge allows for a moment of reflection, pulling back on the intensity before launching back into the powerful chorus. This ebb and flow mimics the undulating tension between liberation and entrapment found within the lyrics. It serves as a reminder of the fragility of human existence, especially in a world increasingly dominated by technology.
This release is not just a single; it’s an immersive experience. Each listen unearths new layers and details that captivate the audience’s attention.
This work is an artistic achievement that deserves broad recognition. It balances auditory delight with significant thematic exploration. The engaging structure ensures it leaves a lasting impact. Anyone interested in music that pushes boundaries and explores intricate themes should take the time to appreciate this single.
Boundaries have shared another piece of their upcoming album ‘Yearning: the unbeautiful after’, demonstrating that they still have a knack for penning a stunning melody within the chaos.
Titled ‘Only endless’, it is a seething, emotionally brash and gritty piece of metalcore the way it should be delivered. Spellbinding and shimmering in its own unique manner, with an absolute earworm of a choral hook, it is still devatatingly filthy when the heaviness and darkness is allowed to take over. The band are now three for three with this record, and all signs point towards it being a bit of a classic.
Vocalist Matthew McDougal had this to say about the track, stating,“Much of the record poses questions to listeners, probing if they identify with the sentiment of what’s been said and why they do or don’t.‘Only endless’ doesn’t ask anything of the listener. It describes a feeling. You can take what you will from it.”
Yearning: the unbeautiful after’ will be released on July 17 via Sumerian Records.
Matthew had this to add:
“With the record, we aimed to be uncompromising and really plant our flag. As more time passes, heavy music continues to lose its teeth. This genre is supposed to be threatening; it should have an edge and make you feel something. We tried to create an album with urgency.”
“The title, Yearning, is base level. What do you want from life, relationships, or whatever you spend time on? Time is the only resource with any real value; it’s the only thing you can’t get more of. You should deeply consider anything you choose to spend time on. The subtitle, the unbeautiful after, refers to the eventuality of what you’ve spent your time doing. The main questions are ‘What did you give yourself to? What is important to you? Where did it lead you?’”
And here is previous single ‘Death will follow me’:
British alternative rock four-piece Ruled By Raptors (who we most recently spoke to at Bloodstock last year) have officially announced the upcoming release of their brand-new mini-album, A Shadow That Never Moves, scheduled to land on Friday 2nd October 2026. To mark the announcement, the band has unleashed the record’s explosive first single, “Sleep Dep.,” … Continue reading Ruled By Raptors announce new mini-album ‘A Shadow That Never Moves’ and drop video for “Sleep Dep.”
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