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Ben Righter dives into sun soaked escapism with INTO THE SUN, a breezy feel good track blending Afrobeat grooves, Caribbean rhythms, and smooth R&B touches into a vibrant summer soundtrack. The song radiates warmth and lightness, built for open windows, long drives, and carefree moments where time stretches effortlessly. With a melodic instinct rooted in his early connection to music, Righter keeps things simple and effective, letting rhythm and atmosphere take the lead.

It is an easygoing, uplifting release that invites listeners to relax, move, and fully embrace the moment.

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A warm sunny evening in Toronto brought many people out of hibernation. However, it could have also been for the chance to see a kick ass Metal show. Leather jackets, battle vests and band tees could be seen along the sidewalk of Dundas St. West as Toronto Metal Fans excitedly awaited the doors of The Garrison to open. We were ready to welcome Burning Witches to Toronto for the very first time as the Witchies Over North America tour hit town.

Burning Witches

The Garrison, Toronto – 23 April 2026

Words And Photography: Taylor Cameron

Burning Witches took the stage with an iron fist. Fans filled the room from front to back, ecstatic to see these badass women rock Toronto for the first time.

Laura Guldemond commands the stage with ease. Her fiery passion and powerful voice make her an incredible frontwoman that you cannot take your eyes off of. They kick off the set with the aggressive Soul Eater from their 2025 release, Inquisition. The crowd immediately locked in. 

Gunslingers Courtney Cox and Romana Kalkuhl fill the room with their melodic leads and crunchy rhythm parts. Trading solos effortlessly, their dynamic is visibly strong.

The night stays Metal with tracks such as Dance With The Devil, The Dark Tower and Evil Witch. Bassist Jeanine Grob made things heavy, while drummer Lala Frischknecht held things together and in time, the true backbone of that stage. 

The room may have been small, the stage even smaller, but the quintet put on a show that made the venue feel large. Their love of the craft oozed from the stage, playing each note with precision and pure passion.

This was my third time seeing Burning Witches, and they continue to get better each time. 

Slowing things down with the power ballad Release Me, fans lit up the room with their cellphone lights, bringing a smile to Guldemond’s face. Intense emotion can be heard in her voice as she belts out each word to this compelling track.

Picking things back up, they close out the set with The Witch Of The North and Burning Witches, ending things on an extremely high note. 

Toronto Metalheads are always passionate, and they did not fall short in making sure the band knew how much they appreciated them finally touring in our city.

From start to finish, the night was filled with top-notch musicianship and powerful Metal riffs from all three bands, making it a night that will definitely be remembered. 

Ammo

Local power Metal band Ammo kicked off the night with powerful riffs and screaming vocals. Despite a few technical difficulties, they did not lose their momentum or professionalism.

Smoothly handling the problems without taking attention away from the music, their vintage sound was an instant hit for those seeing them for the first time.

Possessing true elements of the ’80s early Thrash Metal sound that had people holding their horns high in the air in praise, Ammo were the perfect choice to start off the night. 

Thunderor

Next up was another local act, Thunderor, a trio made up of JJ Tartalia on drums, lead vocals and keys, Jonny Nesta on guitar, and Brycen Gunn on bass.

A drummer who handles lead vocals is always impressive to me, and Tatalia did not disappoint. Although playing a kit with high-mounted symbols and having an energetic playing style, his vocal power did not suffer. He made it seem easy, even though I know it’s not.

Nesta and Gunn commanded the front of the stage. It was not hard to tell that these guys enjoy being onstage, as their constant movements and headbanging kept things visually entertaining. However, even the band’s sound alone had the audience hooked.

Melodic but heavy, they blend the likes of Heavy Metal, arena rock and even rock opera into something unique but familiar. They utilise their influences without copying, creating a sound of their own.

They played multiple tracks from their newest album, Bleed For It, which was being released that night at midnight, celebrating the release with a room filled with music fans who gave them their full attention. 

Towards the end of their set, they brought up a female fiddle player, wearing a kilt and all. Blending Metal with a very East Coast Canadian sound may not have been expected, but it was pulled off magnificently.

The fiddle completely complemented Nesta’s electric guitar without overpowering the song. It was utilised brilliantly, adding the perfect, unique element to their set. Thunderor kept the momentum of the night high, setting the crowd up perfectly for Burning Witches. 

The post Burning Witches Cast A Spell Over Toronto On Debut Show first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

Ships Have Sailed return with Exit Wound, a sleek yet introspective cut that glides between shimmering indie pop and thoughtful alt-rock. Built on chimey guitars and crisp, modern synth work, the track feels both nostalgic and forward-facing, mirroring its central tension: truth versus illusion in an age of convenient narratives. Spearheaded by Will Carpenter, the project channels a polished yet emotionally aware sound, where buoyant melodies carry a quietly unsettling message.

Exit Wound lingers, inviting listeners to question the stories we accept and the realities we reshape.

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Rush return to the road in June, with the tour opening on 7 June 2026 in Los Angeles. For a band whose fanbase has followed them through five decades of musical evolution, the announcement sparked something profound. MetalTalk’s Paul Hutchings spoke to fans, tribute artists, event organisers and our own writers to capture what this moment means to those who have lived and breathed Rush for a lifetime. This is their story.

In the world of Rush, tribute bands are generally regarded as a cut above the typical cover group. The Rush fanbase is demanding and not easily impressed, and to recreate the music of the Canadian trio, musicians must be at the top of their game. Rushed is one such band.

Formed over a decade ago, they perform gigs sporadically, but when they do, their shows often stretch to a full three hours. Having seen them several times, they quickly became a must-see, and after a few failed attempts, I finally caught up with guitarist Rob Wilton via Zoom for a conversation about all things Rush.

Rob discussed Rushed’s evolution. “The way the band is now, as a proper three-piece, it’s been about seven years. Andy and I started out, and we had a couple of other musicians who weren’t really into Rush, just helping us out. It didn’t quite work, as you really need to be invested in the music to deliver an authentic tribute.”

Rob shared how he first got into Rush. “I started guitar lessons at around twelve years old, influenced by my older brother, a big rock fan. He began taking bass lessons, and our guitar teacher, also a Rush fan, taught me Rush songs on acoustic guitar, like Red Barchetta.

“I became obsessed, especially with Alex Lifeson’s tone and style. While I enjoy other rock bands like Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden, Rush is my main focus. Sometimes, I learn other songs to challenge my fingers, but it’s Lifeson’s feeling and tone that captivate me.

“I started with acoustic at twelve, lost interest as a teenager, then returned to guitar in my thirties. With modern resources like YouTube and apps, learning was easier. Initially, I was just a bedroom guitarist, playing along to Rush, until the opportunity arose with Andy to form the band. Even now, I still get nervous before every gig.”

Rob recalled watching Rush live and the nerves associated with performing. “I watched Time Stand Still recently, and Neil’s interview struck me. He said he’s always nervous before a show, which keeps you sharp.”

Rob reminisced about his first Rush concert. “I can’t remember exactly how many times I’ve seen them, but my first was the Hold Your Fire Tour, filmed at Birmingham NEC. I attended that gig, and later saw several of their tours, especially in my late twenties and early thirties. I’ve got tickets for their next Manchester show, and I am not missing it.”

Rob was deeply impressed by Rush’s Juno performance. “Some critics said Finding My Way wasn’t a Neil song, so it left Annika less exposed, but I thought she nailed it. The song choice was fitting, and reading the lyrics, Anika played it with the complexity Neil brought to later performances.

“Geddy’s voice sounded better than at the end of their last tour, likely due to vocal training. Alex played with the energy and style reminiscent of the ’70s. It gave me goosebumps.”

Rob described the band’s reaction to Rush’s return. “It was a shock, a real ‘wow’ moment. We looked at Annika’s drumming style and thought it could work. She’s very technical. Mick [Jackson – Bass, vocals and keys] sent us a link, and as an Alex Lifeson devotee, I’d attend regardless, just to see Alex play live again.

“While there are always armchair critics online, the overall reaction was positive within our Rush network. The Manchester gig is expected to be a party with many Midlands fans attending.”

The American tour was announced in two parts, initially, seven cities, then expanding to fifty-six dates. Rob reflected on missing the R40 tour, agreeing with my view that if fans had known it was the last, more would have travelled.

He initially tried for US tickets. “I spoke to my wife about making a holiday of it, but the demand was immense. Tickets were around £900 each, with queues of 80,000 people. I couldn’t justify it. The block on previous tours was Neil’s reluctance, but with Geddy and Alex keen, I was hopeful they’d come to Europe. The UK ticket prices were much more reasonable.”

Rob ended up securing tickets. “I’m in the gods. Binoculars needed! They were about £88 each, similar to the price for previous tours in the UK.”

Many fans shared similar experiences, noting that while the seats might be distant, just being part of the event, enjoying the atmosphere, and socialising with Rush friends will be more than enough.

There is anticipation for the Juno performance and the tour’s arrival in the UK.

Rob is quietly confident following the Juno performance. “No concerns,” he said. “The Juno show was a pleasant surprise, especially Geddy’s voice. He’s tackling material from fifty years ago, bravely without down-tuning. Alex’s playing was energetic and spot on. Drummers may analyse more deeply, but I thought it was fantastic. They added layers of keys and backing vocals to Finding My Way, so I think the upcoming tour will be great.”

Rush fans have to accept that the upcoming shows will not be three-hour sets. Instead, it will be two hours with an intermission. Rob shared his preferences. “I love the early stuff, but also the ’80s synth era. Power Windows and Grace Under Pressure are some of Alex’s most creative works. I expect a broad mix condensed into two hours.

“We always play three hours, and at fifty-two, I’m wrecked by the end. So, a shorter set works well. I hope they play classics like Trees and Xanadu, and perhaps some newer material, but I mostly enjoy the ’70s and ’80s era. Our band focuses on that because Mick can belt out those high notes like Geddy.” 

We also discussed the promised tribute to Neil Peart. “It’ll be a challenge, and many fans will be emotional when Neil’s image appears on screen. We’ve speculated about which songs might be played, but want to just experience it as it comes.

“Watching the Juno performance repeatedly, seeing Neil’s images and Alex and Geddy’s joy on stage, was a moving moment. Rush fans are deeply invested, following the band for years. The tribute will be meaningful, and we’re ready to be wowed by every song.”

Rushed is returning to the road, starting in Birmingham at the Bilsley Rock Club. They’re preparing a 2112 celebration for its 50th anniversary, performing the album as closely as possible to the original.

Rob is relearning Alex Lifeson’s solos and tells me how his playing changed over time. His digital setup allows flexibility in emulating Lifeson’s tones, inspired by Alex’s use of digital gear at the Juno performance, which sounded great.

Rushed has more gigs planned, and I would encourage anyone to keep an eye out for upcoming dates, for this band is a real highlight.

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Rush’s tour opens on 7 June in Los Angeles, where Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will be joined by Anika Nilles on drums and Loren Gold on keyboards. Further articles in this series, including interviews with Rushfest Scotland, tribute band Rushed, and the Something for Nothing Rush Fancast, will follow in the coming month.

To read our Rush At 50 series, click here.

For UK ticket sale information, visit: https://www.aegpresents.co.uk/event/rush.

The post Rushed: Inside The Passion And Precision Of A Top-Tier Rush Tribute first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

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