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Blues rock guitarist Eric Steckel has released the official music video for “Back To Life,” the second single from his forthcoming album Sandstorm.
The new track continues to build anticipation for Sandstorm, which marks Steckel’s latest studio effort and showcases the fiery fretwork and emotive songwriting that have defined his career since his early teens.
“‘Back To Life’ is quite simply my personal tribute to the sacred art form that is music,” says Steckel. “Its restorative powers have guided me and protected me from a very young age and still do to this day. I wanted this song to resonate with anyone who shares in the appreciation of music and the resuscitation it brings us when life has us at the end of our ropes. Sometimes the only thing standing between despair and survival is a ‘melody that finds us in our darkest hour.’”
The video visually underscores that sentiment, capturing Steckel’s passionate performance style while reinforcing the song’s theme of renewal through sound. Known for his high-energy live shows and expressive guitar tone, Steckel channels both intensity and vulnerability on the track.
The post Eric Steckel reveals “Back To Life” appeared first on Blues Rock Review.
Dallas death metal titans blend ferocity, melody, and collaboration for May 8 release via Century Media.
The post FROZEN SOUL Emerge With New Album No Place Of Warmth, New Single Drops Feat. MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE's GERARD WAY appeared first on Metal Injection.
They say it takes a village to raise a kid, but what does it take to help a band reach the heights that Richmond, Virginia’s Lamb Of God have reached? That’s what the band’s latest single “Blunt Force Blues” tackles, as the band look back on their hometown scene and the formative years that shaped who they are today.
With just two weeks left before the release of their forthcoming album Into Oblivion, this is the final pre-release single they’re putting out there and for the band, it could be one of the more personal cuts on the record. Speaking of the track, frontman Randy Blythe reflected on what the band’s early years were like.
“We learned how to play by watching and hanging out with other local dudes. That’s what we aspired to do – keep up with good local bands. They were just as much of an influence on us as any of the bigger bands from different cities.”
Similarly, guitarist Mark Morton said “Blunt Force Blues” is a more focused look into the creative freedom the band’s able to explore 25 years into their career. And it’s all thanks to their time cutting their teeth in Richmond.
“For me, the album is about having the space to breathe creatively and not feeling like we have to keep up with any trend or expectation. It feels nice to be untethered from any agenda beyond rallying around the notion of, ‘Let’s just make music that we think is cool,’ which is really where it all started.”
Into Oblivion will be released on March 13 via Epic Records, but you can preorder your copy today. Lamb of God are also going to be headlining a killer tour with Kublai Khan TX, Fit For An Autopsy, and Sanguisugabogg in the not too distant future. You can check out the full list of tour dates below.
Into Oblivion North American tour dates:
March 17 National Harbor, MD The Theater MGM National Harbor
March 19 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
March 20 Toronto, ON GCT Theatre
March 22 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
March 24 Minneapolis, MN Armory
March 25 Chicago, IL Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
March 27 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
March 28 Salt Lake City, UT The Union Event Center
March 30 Portland, OR Theater of the Clouds
March 31 Seattle, WA WAMU Theater
April 1 Vancouver, BC PNE Forum
April 3 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
April 4 Inglewood, CA YouTube Theater
April 5 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre
April 7 Albuquerque, NM Revel Entertainment Center
April 10 Austin, TX Moody Amphitheater
April 11 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
April 12 Houston, TX 713 Music Hall
April 14 Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium
April 15 Atlanta, GA Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre
April 16 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater
April 18 Reading, PA Santander Arena
April 19 Virginia Beach, VA The Dome
April 21 Buffalo, NY Buffalo RiverWorks
April 23 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount
April 25 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
April 26 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Additional 2026 tour dates:
May 9 Daytona Beach, FL Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival
May 17 Dayton, OH Welcome to Rockville
May 20 San Juan, PR Coliseo de Puerto Rico
July 24 Istanbul, TR Bonus Parkorman
July 25 – 27 Plovdiv, BG Hills of Rock
July 27 – 31 Râşnov, RO Rockstadt Extreme Fest
August 1 Wacken, DE Wacken Open Air
August 3 Leipzig, DE Haus Auensee
August 5 Lisbon, PT Vagos Open Air
August 6 – 9 Kortrijk, BE Alcatraz Open Air
August 7 Walton-on-Trent, UK Bloodstock Open Air
August 11 Copenhagen, DK K.B. Hallen
August 12 – 16 Dinkelsbühl, DE Summer Breeze
August 13 – 15 Sulingen, DE Reload Festival
August 14 – 16 Eindhoven, NL Dynamo Metalfest
October 30 – November 3 Miami, FL Headbangers Boat
The post Lamb Of God Reflect on Their Upbringing in New Single “Blunt Force Blues” appeared first on MetalSucks.
In 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® Inductees, GRAMMY® Award-nominated icons, and RUSH Co-Founders Geddy Lee (bass, keys, vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar, vocals) announced their return to the stage for a very special Fifty Something Tour in Canada, USA and Mexico in 2026 in celebration of RUSH’s music, legacy, and the life of late […]
The post RUSH – First Picture Released And Extra Dates Added appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM!.
Belgian singer Angèle, who performed with Phoenix and Kavinsky at the Paris Olympics Closing Ceremony, has linked up with French electro monoliths Justice for a new song called “What You Want.” I think it’s supposed to be sexy and suspenseful, but it’s sort of mediocre. The bass is fuzzy, and the synths are neon-lit, but…
The post Angèle – “What You Want” (Feat. Justice) appeared first on Stereogum.
Finnish power metal pioneers Sonata Arctica have unleashed a brand-new single titled “Freedom Concept.” The track arrives as a powerful statement in the band’s 30th anniversary year, followed by an extensive touring schedule, and delivers the melodic intensity and energy fans have come to expect.
“Freedom Concept” captures the signature blend of soaring melodies, driving rhythms and emotional depth that has defined Sonata Arctica for three decades. At the same time, the song explores a thoughtful and timely subject: the complex idea of freedom and the responsibility that comes with it.
Frontman Tony Kakko comments: ”Freedom Concept” , a song about understanding and misunderstanding the concept of freedom, often forgetting it comes paired with responsibility, and how what ever values and thoughts you may have are not automatically transferred to your offspring and how in most cases that’s an effin great thing…(breath in) has been sitting on my desk for a while and we figured this kind of melodic power metal blast we’re known of would be a good way to celebrate the 30th anniversary ”tourette” we’ve started at the end of January 2026 WHILST also working on our next studio album. This song’s NOT gonna be on it. So…extra special snack in between meals. Enjoy!”
Stream / Download “Freedom Concept” here.
The post SONATA ARCTICA Stream Brand-New Single “Freedom Concept” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.
Fever Ray’s last record was 2023’s Radical Romantics, which earned our Album Of The Week honor. Now, Karin Dreijer is making their film debut in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s American Gothic romance The Bride! and contributing new songs to the soundtrack. A new four-track EP is out today containing both cinematic and original versions of Fever Ray’s…
The post Fever Ray Makes Film Debut In <em>The Bride!</em>, Shares New Songs From Soundtrack appeared first on Stereogum.
No — both confirmed they have not been invited to participate in the recordings Alex Van Halen is completing from unfinished Eddie-era sessions.
I’ve covered enough Van Halen history to know that nothing involving this band is ever straightforward.
In a new interview with Rock Of Nations With Dave Kinchen And Shane McEachern, both Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony were asked directly whether they’re involved in the album Alex Van Halen is assembling with Steve Lukather.
The answer was blunt.
“No. We haven’t been asked,” Hagar said.
That’s significant.
Alex has been working through incomplete recordings originally intended to become the next Van Halen record before Eddie Van Halen died in 2020. These aren’t scraps. The drums, guitar, and bass were tracked. What’s missing are vocals — and the final structural polish.
If this project sees release, it may represent the last true musical chapter built from Eddie’s hands.
That’s why this matters now.
Hagar didn’t sound angry — but he was clearly disappointed.
He pointed out that Van Halen historically recorded everything. During his first day at 5150 Studios, the band jammed for eight hours. From that session alone came early versions of “Summer Nights,” “Good Enough,” and the beginnings of “Get Up” from the 5150 album.
He says hundreds of hours of material exist featuring himself, Michael Anthony, Eddie, and Alex.
In other words: if Alex wanted to include them, the vault is deep.
But Hagar also acknowledged the obvious.
“It’s an Alex Van Halen project,” he said, suggesting this may not technically be a full Van Halen record — even if it carries that weight.
Still, his words hit.
“We’re still alive. We’re out here doing it.”
That line lingers.
Anthony offered a more reflective take.
Speaking previously to WNCX, he suggested that if the goal is to do this properly, perhaps the album should remain instrumental — a pure tribute to Eddie’s playing.
Adding a new singer, he argued, could complicate things. It turns the project into something else entirely.
That idea carries weight, especially after fans responded strongly to “Unfinished,” the final piece Alex and Eddie wrote together. It had no vocals — and it didn’t need them to resonate.
If you’ve been listening to the Loaded Radio stream lately, you already know how powerful the instrumental side of this band still feels decades later.
There was confusion last year when reports implied Steve Lukather would play guitar on the album.
He shut that down immediately.
“I will NOT EVER play a guitar note on a VH song ever!” Lukather wrote publicly.
Instead, his role is structural. Alex calls him the “connective tissue.” Someone who can help shape, arrange, and refine without replacing Eddie’s presence.
That distinction is critical.
Lukather and Eddie shared a long musical history, including work on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” There’s mutual respect. Trust. History.
This isn’t about imitation. It’s about finishing what was already there.
Originally, Alex hoped Paul Rodgers would step into the role. Rodgers ultimately declined, admitting he couldn’t physically commit.
Alex has made it clear he wants someone from the same era — someone who understands the shared musical experience that shaped Van Halen’s DNA.
He’s not looking for youth. He’s looking for depth.
Robert Plant was mentioned as an ideal possibility, though nothing is confirmed.
The challenge is obvious.
The wrong voice makes this feel like a tribute experiment.
The right voice could make it historic.
That depends on how you define it.
The material was intended for a Van Halen record. Wolfgang Van Halen handles most of the bass. Alex is deeply protective of the quality.
But Sammy and Michael’s absence raises questions about identity.
Is this a band statement?
Or a brother finishing a story?
Legacy is fragile. Especially when it involves one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.
Is Sammy Hagar involved in the new Van Halen album?
No. Hagar confirmed he has not been asked to participate.
Is Michael Anthony contributing to the project?
No. Anthony also confirmed he has not been invited.
Will Steve Lukather play guitar on the album?
No. Lukather clarified he will not play guitar, serving instead in a production and structural role.
Who recorded the bass on the unfinished tracks?
Most of the bass parts were recorded by Wolfgang Van Halen during the original sessions.
Is there a confirmed singer for the album?
No. Alex Van Halen and Lukather are still searching for the right vocalist.
Van Halen formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972 and became one of the most influential hard rock bands of all time. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, the band redefined guitar-driven rock through Eddie Van Halen’s revolutionary playing style.
Eddie passed away on October 6, 2020, at age 65 due to cancer complications. Rolling Stone ranked him No. 8 on its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists.
The post Sammy Hagar And Michael Anthony Shut Out Of Alex Van Halen’s Eddie-Era Album appeared first on Loaded Radio.
Gerard Way has shown off his sensationally savage vocal talents once again, teaming up with death metal greats Frozen Soul on a new track.
The song is titled ‘No Place Of Warmth’, the title track of the band’s newly announced album, and is as dramatic, decadent and desolating as death metal should be. Like a relic pulled from the genre’s crusty roots, but with sensationally bold modern production, it is a sensation slice of evil. And then there is Gerard, who shows off the destructive side of his vocals, delivering a throat-shredding display.
Slotting perfectly into the devastation, it is a devilish cameo from a legend of alternative music, clearly having the time of his life within these castle walls.
Vocalist Chad Green had this to say about the collaboration, explaining, “We met Gerard a couple of years ago and have become friends. I knew he had a love for metal, so I spun the idea to him about singing in a Frozen Soul song, and he was stoked! Gerard is an amazing artist and musician whose creative vision has shaped generations and more to come.”
It’s not the first time that Gerard has let this side of his passions out on a track. He joined forces with Trivium’s Matt Heafy on Ibaraki, his death metal side-project’s debut album. Here is ‘Rōnin’, which also features Ihsahn:
Frozen Soul’s new album ‘No Place Of Warmth’ will be released on May 08 via Century Media Records.
Chad had this to add about what the record represents for the band, stating, “Each song on this record has its own meaning and influences that helped make them what they are, but in their essence are written to give the listener that extra push and power they need to fight those everyday battles. These songs are built to say ‘We won’t be swept away by its winds; we can and we will move forward.”
You can also check out another taste of it in the form of the blink-and-miss-it chaos of ‘Absolute Zero’.
The post Gerard Way Joins Frozen Soul On Crushing New Track ‘No Place Of Warmth’ appeared first on Rock Sound.