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  • 7 Celebrities Who Actually Look Better After Plastic Surgery

    Kris Jenner nearly stole the headlines from her own daughter when she appeared in Paris in May 2025. Kim Kardashian was there to testify in a high-profile robbery trial, but photographs of her 69-year-old mother soon had people talking about something entirely different. Jenner looked younger than she had in years, and everyone wanted to know who her surgeon was.

    Her facelift turned out to be one of the most talked-about celebrity makeovers of the year. Denise Richards later made headlines with her own dramatic results, even releasing unedited photographs taken before and after surgery.

    Of course, looking younger does not automatically mean looking better. A celebrity can spend a fortune on cosmetic work and end up losing the features that made them attractive in the first place. The seven stars on our list have all confirmed having procedures, and their results offer some interesting examples of what cosmetic surgery can achieve.

    1. Kris Jenner Had One of the Most Impressive Celebrity Facelifts of 2025

    @omarhussainmd Kris Jenner looks incredible — here’s what I think she may have had done Facelift? Necklift? Let’s break it down. #Facelift #KrisJenner #CelebritySurgery #PlasticSurgeryBreakdown #DrHussain #BeverlyHillsSurgeon #BeforeAndAfte ♬ original sound – Omar N Hussain, MD

    Anyone who watched the early seasons of Keeping Up with the Kardashians knows what Kris Jenner looked like in her fifties. Her short black hair, distinctive smile and carefully styled appearance made her instantly recognizable, even before the Kardashian family became a global business empire.

    By 2025, Jenner was approaching her seventieth birthday. When new photographs appeared during her trip to Paris, the change was impossible to miss. Her jawline looked sharper, the skin around her neck appeared smoother, and her face had a lifted appearance without losing its recognizable shape.

    The result was particularly striking because Jenner had not attempted to reinvent her appearance. She still looked like the woman viewers had followed on television for nearly two decades, only with a noticeably refreshed face.

    In an August 2025 interview with Vogue, Jenner confirmed that plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Levine had performed her facelift. She also revealed that she had undergone a previous facelift around fifteen years earlier.

    Her daughters were involved in the experience, too. Kylie accompanied her, and Kim followed the proceedings through FaceTime.

    Jenner described the operation as her own way of aging gracefully. She was happy to discuss it publicly because she knew other people were interested in the results.

    Her appearance in Paris also showed how much styling contributes to the final look. Jenner wore carefully chosen outfits, dramatic sunglasses and her signature hairstyle. The surgery changed her facial contours, but the finished appearance was unmistakably hers.

    2. Denise Richards Looks Remarkably Similar to Her 1990s Hollywood Self

     

     
     
     
     
     
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    Denise Richards was everywhere in the late 1990s. She starred opposite Neve Campbell in Wild Things, appeared in Starship Troopers and played Bond girl Christmas Jones in The World Is Not Enough.

    Her long blonde hair, bright blue eyes and distinctive facial features made her one of the most recognizable actresses of that period.

    In June 2025, Richards underwent a facelift at the age of 54. She later revealed that the operation included a brow lift, upper eyelid surgery, a lip lift and fat grafting, performed by Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Ben Talei.

    The public saw the results in March 2026, when Allure published her before-and-after photographs alongside an interview about the operation.

    Richards did something unusual for a Hollywood star. She allowed the magazine to publish actual clinical photographs, including images taken during recovery, rather than relying entirely on professionally styled portraits.

    Her new appearance attracted attention because the shape of her face seemed closer to photographs from her earlier acting career. Her jawline looked more defined, the area around her eyes appeared lifted, and her familiar features remained intact.

    Richards had previously been nervous about facial surgery. Having worked as an actress and model for decades, she worried that changing her face might affect how people recognized her.

    She told Allure that she did not want to look twenty again. Her goal was to regain some of the facial definition she remembered without losing her identity.

    Her experience is particularly interesting for anyone considering a facelift after substantial age-related changes. A facelift primarily addresses sagging facial tissues, whereas treatments for skin texture, pigmentation and fine lines have separate purposes. People interested in less invasive options can visit Laser Center of Marin, which offers laser skin treatments, IPL photofacials and injectables. Those services cannot reproduce the results of a surgical facelift, but they address concerns that do not always call for surgery.

    3. Lisa Kudrow Had Her Nose Done Before Anyone Knew Her Name

    Editorial collage of young and older Lisa Kudrow with vintage and modern portraits.
    Lisa Kudrow earned a biology degree from Vassar College before pursuing acting and comedy.

    Lisa Kudrow has one of the most recognizable faces in television comedy. Her enormous smile, expressive eyes and unusual comic timing helped make Phoebe Buffay one of the most popular characters on Friends.

    What many viewers never knew was that Kudrow underwent plastic surgery long before she became famous.

    At sixteen, she had rhinoplasty during the summer before starting a new high school. She was deeply unhappy with her appearance at the time and hoped the operation would help her feel more comfortable around other teenagers.

    In a 2013 interview with The Saturday Evening Post, Kudrow described the nose job as life-altering. She explained that she had considered herself unattractive before surgery and was relieved to start school among students who had not known her previously.

    Her account says a great deal about how strongly teenagers can feel about their appearance. Kudrow did not claim the operation made her a better actress or transformed her future career. She remembered it as something that changed how she felt when she looked in the mirror.

    Years later, she became famous for playing a character who was anything but conventional. Phoebe wore unusual clothes, sang bizarre songs and rarely worried about fitting in.

    The contrast with Kudrow as a self-conscious teenager is striking. She had struggled with her appearance long before portraying one of television’s most confidently eccentric characters.

    Her rhinoplasty also predates the photographs most fans associate with her. Unlike the recent facelifts of Jenner and Richards, there is no widely documented series of clinical before-and-after images that allows a detailed assessment of the surgical result. Her own satisfaction is the clearest evidence of how she felt about the change.

    4. Marc Jacobs Posted His Facelift Recovery for Everyone to See

    Vintage and recent portraits of Marc Jacobs in a pink and black editorial collage.
    Marc Jacobs became the creative director of Louis Vuitton in 1997, helping establish the brand’s first ready-to-wear collections.

    Fashion designer Marc Jacobs has never been particularly concerned with appearing conventional. His personal style has included everything from extravagant suits and dramatic makeup to heavily tattooed arms and elaborate nail designs.

    In July 2021, he added a series of rather unusual photographs to his Instagram feed.

    Jacobs had undergone a facelift and decided to share images of himself shortly after surgery. One photograph showed his head wrapped in bandages, with surgical drains still attached.

    The operation was performed by New York facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono, who used a deep plane facelift technique. The procedure involves repositioning deeper facial tissues rather than relying solely on tightening the skin.

    Speaking to Vogue in July 2021, Jacobs explained that loose skin around his neck had been bothering him. He had previously used Botox and facial fillers but had become concerned that adding more injectable products would not address the problem he wanted to correct.

    His decision was particularly interesting because he was willing to show the unpleasant part of the experience. Most celebrities disappear for several weeks and return when the swelling has subsided. Jacobs published photographs when his face was still healing.

    After recovery, his face appeared smoother around the lower cheeks and jawline. The neck area that had concerned him was also noticeably improved.

    He continued wearing dramatic outfits and experimenting with makeup, so his new appearance never seemed like an attempt to become a completely different person.

    Jacobs was 58 when he underwent the operation. His willingness to discuss it helped challenge the assumption that men in fashion and entertainment are somehow immune to the same concerns about aging that affect women.

    5. Kaley Cuoco Says Her Nose Job Was One of Her Best Decisions

    Kaley Cuoco was only sixteen when she joined the sitcom 8 Simple Rules in 2002. Five years later, she became Penny on The Big Bang Theory, a role that would make her one of the highest-paid actresses on American television.

    Millions of viewers watched her appearance change over twelve seasons, from the casual clothes and long blonde hair of the early episodes to the more polished look she developed later in the series.

    In November 2016, Cuoco surprised fans by discussing several cosmetic procedures during an interview with Women’s Health.

    She confirmed having undergone rhinoplasty and breast augmentation. She also revealed that she had received filler for a line on her neck that had been present since childhood.

    Cuoco was enthusiastic about the decisions she had made, particularly the earlier operations. She explained that she wanted to feel comfortable with her appearance and did not believe cosmetic treatment had to be something embarrassing.

    Her nose surgery is a useful example of how a facial procedure can become almost invisible once people grow accustomed to the result. Cuoco has remained recognizable throughout her career, and her natural expressions have always been central to her acting.

    Still, comparing photographs from the beginning and end of The Big Bang Theory does not provide a reliable surgical timeline. Cuoco aged from her early twenties into her thirties during the series, and changes in hair, makeup and styling also affected her appearance.

    What she has made clear is that she was pleased with her choices. Cuoco also rejected the idea that someone should undergo surgery to satisfy a partner or meet another person’s expectations.

    6. Dolly Parton Has Never Pretended Her Famous Look Is Completely Natural

    Editorial collage of young and older Dolly Parton featuring vintage and modern portraits.
    Dolly Parton has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1969, making her one of country music’s most enduring stars

    Dolly Parton has spent more than sixty years building one of the most recognizable appearances in entertainment. The enormous blonde wigs, dramatic eyelashes, rhinestone-covered outfits and exaggerated silhouette are as much a part of her career as Jolene and 9 to 5.

    Her appearance has always been deliberately theatrical. She enjoys elaborate makeup and extravagant clothes, and she has made no secret of the cosmetic work involved in maintaining her image.

    During a November 2023 interview with Howard Stern, Parton discussed using Botox and facial fillers, including Juvéderm.

    She explained that she preferred smaller treatments over extensive work performed all at once. Parton was also surprisingly cautious about facial surgery, warning that even experienced surgeons cannot guarantee how a patient will heal.

    By then, she was 77 and preparing to release Rockstar, an album featuring collaborations with musicians including Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joan Jett and Stevie Nicks.

    Her appearance was just as elaborate as it had been during her earlier country music career. She still wore towering blonde hairstyles and sparkling stage costumes, with the same larger-than-life presentation audiences remembered from decades earlier.

    Parton has never claimed that surgery alone explains her appearance. Makeup, wigs, lighting and carefully chosen clothes are all essential elements of her public image.

    Her comments also reveal that she has experienced less successful treatments. She has discussed bruising, swelling and recovery taking longer than expected.

    At 80, she remains an example of someone who has made cosmetic procedures part of a personal style rather than attempting to conceal them. Fans may prefer a more natural appearance, but Parton has always been clear that glamour is something she actively enjoys.

    7. Jane Fonda Looks Fantastic, Even Though She Regrets Her Facelift

    Vintage and recent portraits of Jane Fonda in a pink and black editorial collage.
    Jane Fonda received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2014, recognizing her lasting contributions to American cinema.

    Jane Fonda has appeared on magazine covers since the 1950s. She became a Hollywood star in the 1960s, won Academy Awards for Klute and Coming Home, and later turned her workout videos into a fitness phenomenon.

    By the time she returned to television in Grace and Frankie, she was in her late seventies. She continued appearing at premieres and awards ceremonies with beautifully styled hair, elegant clothes and an appearance that drew considerable admiration.

    Fonda has admitted that cosmetic surgery contributed to her looks. She has also been less enthusiastic about the experience than some of the other celebrities on our list.

    In an August 2022 interview with Vogue, Fonda confirmed having undergone a facelift but explained that she had stopped pursuing further facial surgery.

    She was concerned that additional operations could change her appearance too much. Looking back, she was unsure if she would make the same decision again.

    Her comments were particularly revealing because Fonda acknowledged how much money can influence celebrity aging. She pointed out that wealthy performers have access to trainers, cosmetic procedures and treatments unavailable to many people.

    Fonda also emphasized the everyday habits that remained part of her life. She continued exercising, protecting her skin from the sun and maintaining a social life.

    Her later appearances show a woman who has continued aging without trying to preserve every feature exactly as it looked thirty years ago. She has wrinkles, expressive eyes and the unmistakable face audiences recognize from her films.

    Fonda may not consider her facelift a decision worth repeating, but her willingness to discuss that regret is valuable. Even celebrities with access to expensive surgeons do not always feel entirely satisfied with the choices they made.

    Fonda is not the only Hollywood actress whose appearance has attracted attention over several decades. Jennifer Tilly’s transformation over the years offers another interesting look at how a recognizable screen image evolves.

    Final Thoughts

    Hollywood will probably never stop obsessing over looking young, and plastic surgery will continue to attract criticism. But Kris Jenner at 69, Denise Richards in her fifties and Jane Fonda in her eighties have all shown that growing older does not mean giving up on looking the way you want.

    Some people prefer to age naturally. Others are happy to visit a plastic surgeon. Judging by the photographs, several celebrities on our list are clearly enjoying their results, and they have every right to.

    Cosmetic procedures are only one part of the conversation about celebrity beauty, as the interest in Jennifer Lopez’s beauty routine demonstrates.

  • Bon Jovi announce London Hyde Park show for 2027 alongside more stadium shows

    Bon Jovi have been confirmed as the first headliners for next year’s British Summer Time festival, which will take place across multiple weekends in Hyde Park, London across summer 2027.

    Headlining Hyde Park on Thursday June 24, the announcement marks what will be Bon Jovi’s fourth time at Hyde Park, having previously played there in 2000, 2003, 2011 and 2013, the last of which was also a British Summer Time headline show and the first edition of the BST event.

    “We have a storied history with performing at Hyde Park on previous tours and it’s a full circle moment to be returning to BST Hyde Park, 14 years after headlining the very first festival,” says Jon Bon Jovi of returning to London. “The Forever Tour has been an incredible celebration of the music and the fans who have been with us all these years. There’s nothing quite like the energy of a UK crowd, and the joy and excitement we shared with our fans this summer was something truly special. To bring that energy back to Hyde Park means a lot to us. We’re grateful for every one of you and can’t wait to make more memories together.”

    “Bon Jovi helped launch BST Hyde Park in 2013, and it’s a pleasure to welcome them back,” adds CEO of AEG Presents UK and European Festivals, Jim King. “They are one of the defining rock bands of their generation, with an extraordinary catalogue of hits and a live show that remains as powerful and compelling as ever. They continue to connect with audiences around the world, making this rare return to Hyde Park a genuinely special occasion.”

    Tickets for Bon Jovi’s BST day will go on sale from the official BST website on Monday October 19 at 1pm BST (Amex pre-sale), Wednesday October 21 at 10am BST (artist pre-sale), Thursday October 22 at 10am BST (AEG pre-sale) and Friday October 23 at 10am BST (general sale).

    Bon Jovi have also announced new stadium shows for dates in Australia, the US and Canada in 2027. See the full list of dates below.

    Bon Jovi’s latest studio album, Forever, was released in 2024.

    Bon Jovi Forever Tour dates 2027

    Mar 04: Melbourne Marvel Stadium, Australia
    Mar 11: Sydney Olympic Park, Australia

    Jun 24: London BST Hyde Park, UK

    Jul 15: East Rutherford MetLife Stadium, NJ
    Jul 21: Chicago Soldier Field Stadium, IL
    Jul 28: Foxborough Gillette Stadium, MA
    Aug 04: Toronto Rogers Stadium, ON

    Find Bon Jovi tickets.

    Bon Jovi Forever Tour poster

    (Image credit: Bon Jovi)
  • The Amity Affliction Bring Brutality And Emotion To London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town

    The Amity Affliction - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    With their new album House Of Cards out now, The Amity Affliction descended on the O2 Forum Kentish Town, bringing Silent Planet, Varials and Orthodox for a memorable evening.

    The Amity Affliction

    O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026

    Words: Carol Giannattasio

    Photography: Antonio Giannattasio

    The Amity Affliction - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    The Amity Affliction – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    Orthodox

    Opening the night for The Amity Affliction were Orthodox, who hit the stage with Sacred Place and, in just 30 minutes, brought their full Hardcore energy, heavy riffs and crushing breakdowns.

    Their sound was raw, direct and straight to the point, setting an aggressive tone from the very first notes.

    Orthodox - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Orthodox – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    The intensity kept building with tracks like Blend With The Weak, One Less Body and Searching For A Pulse, delivering a wall of sound that got the night off to a strong start.

    As the first band on the bill, the crowd was still finding its feet, but Orthodox made the most of their time on stage, grabbing attention and setting things up for what was still to come.

    Orthodox - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Orthodox – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    They closed their set with Waiting and Cave In, delivering a short but hard-hitting performance that showed off the band’s more brutal side.

    Varials

    With their aggressive sound and heavy mix of Metalcore and Hardcore, Varials took the intensity of the London show up another level.

    Varials - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Varials – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    Following Orthodox, the band delivered a straight-up assault built on heavy riffs, crushing breakdowns and an energy that barely gave the crowd a chance to catch its breath.

    Their dark sound hit hard with tracks like Anything To Numb, Blissful End and The Hurt Chamber. Sharp changes in pace added even more weight to the heaviest moments, making every minute of their set count.

    Varials - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Varials – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    Varials kept the tension high, especially during Empire Of Dirt, which became even more memorable when they brought Adam from Orthodox and Garrett from Silent Planet on stage for two guest appearances.

    Closing the set with I’ll Find The Dark, Varials left the stage having made one thing clear. Their power speaks for itself. No big build-up needed.

    Silent Planet

    With Silent Planet, the night reached a new level, opening with Offworlder and Collider. With their sound combining the brutality of Metalcore with a more atmospheric style full of different layers, the American band brought an intense performance to the stage, switching between aggressive riffs, sudden changes in pace and moments with a huge emotional impact.

    Silent Planet - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Silent Planet – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    Garrett’s stage presence was incredible. His vocal delivery and the way he performed each song added depth to their music, bringing an emotional side to the performance as well.

    Tracks like Antimatter and The New Eternity perfectly represent the balance between aggression and melody.

    Silent Planet - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Silent Planet – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    By this point, the crowd was fully immersed in the night, and Silent Planet delivered a set that kept the intensity high, including tracks like Dreamwalker and Panic Room, before closing with Trilogy.

    A performance that showed how Metalcore can be just as devastating as it is atmospheric.

    Silent Planet - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Silent Planet – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    The Amity Affliction

    After three bands had brought some of the most aggressive sides of modern Metalcore to the stage, it was finally time for the headliners of the night.

    The Amity Affliction - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    The Amity Affliction – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    The Amity Affliction returned to London with their European House Of Cards tour, giving the crowd a set that combined their heavier side with the melodic and emotional sound that has made them stand out in the Metalcore scene.

    What makes The Amity Affliction stand out is their ability to switch between powerful riffs, breakdowns and screams, and melodic choruses that stay with you long after the songs end.

    The Amity Affliction - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    The Amity Affliction – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    The setlist covered different stages of their discography, mixing older tracks with newer material. Opening with Pittsburgh and Drag The Lake, the band then brought out some of their newer songs, including my personal favourites, Heaven Sent and House Of Cards.

    This highlighted the band’s past while also showing the direction they are taking with their new album.

    The Amity Affliction - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    The Amity Affliction – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    When a band like The Amity Affliction plays songs that have been part of their fans’ lives for years, the show becomes much more than just a performance.

    The choruses turned into one big sing-along, filling the room with voices, crowd chants, and mosh pits.

    The band then let the crowd choose the next song, giving them the choice between Chasing Ghosts and Open Letter. In the end, Chasing Ghosts won.

    The Amity Affliction - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    The Amity Affliction – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk

    After everything they have been through, The Amity Affliction continue to find their strength in the contrast between brutality and vulnerability. It is a combination that gives their music its own character.

    With fifteen songs in the setlist, the band closed the night with Soak Me In Bleach, delivering a set that made room for both the tracks fans love most and the new material from House Of Cards.

    The Amity Affliction - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    The Amity Affliction – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Orthodox - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Orthodox – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Orthodox - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Orthodox – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Silent Planet - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Silent Planet – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Silent Planet - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Silent Planet – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Varials - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Varials – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Varials - O2 Forum Kentish Town - 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    Varials – O2 Forum Kentish Town – 11 October 2026. Photo: Antonio Giannattasio/MetalTalk
    The post The Amity Affliction Bring Brutality And Emotion To London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.
  • Vista Blue – "Here Comes the Rougarou"


    Well, I suppose it is time for the Halloween music! Vista Blue has treated us to its annual spooky seasonal release, and this single is absolutely up my alley as it serves up a double shot of songs inspired by urban legends. I always love hearing about regional mythical creatures, and so now I receive my education on the Rougarou in southern Louisiana. It’s half wolf and half man! “Here Comes the Rougarou” describes an encounter with this terrifying beast, and of course it’s upbeat, lively fun. We have the Albatwitch here in the south of Pennsylvania — which is like a tiny Bigfoot that steals apples. Admittedly, that’s not as creepy as the Rougarou, but you can bet I never enter the woods along the Susquehanna River unaccompanied. So I would not take any chances with the Rougarou. Urban legends are cool, aren’t they? “Faster and Faster” is inspired by Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories 3: More Tales to Chill Your Bones and was recorded for Vista Blue’s upcoming 50 Stories album. Living up to its title, it’s over in a minute. If you have a Halloween playlist, both of these songs would make fine additions. 

    In 12 days, it will be Halloween. So I’ll enjoy what’s left of candy/pumpkin/monster season and prepare myself for the quick switch to Christmas mania. Something tells me that Vista Blue will have Christmas songs for us a little earlier than usual this year!

  • Complete List Of Bailey Zimmerman Songs From A to Z

    Bailey Zimmerman songs

    Bailey Zimmerman broke through in the early 2020s with a voice that carries both the rasp of rock music and the storytelling traditions of country. Born in Louisville, Illinois, he grew up listening to country songs on drives with his father and to the hard rock his mother enjoyed. Before becoming a recording artist, Zimmerman worked at a meat processing plant and on gas pipelines. Those years of blue-collar work later became part of the story surrounding his rise from social media to country radio. Zimmerman began releasing original music in 2021, attracting attention with songs such as “Never Comin’

    The post Complete List Of Bailey Zimmerman Songs From A to Z appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

  • Here’s How You Can Win a $500 Target Gift Card

    Fund your holiday fun with a $500 Target gift card! Continue reading…
  • Forsaker Of The Throne – Exhion Review

    [Cover artwork by The Blacksmith]

    I will freely admit that anonymity when it comes to art largely puzzles me, particularly as it relates to music. Aliased with some sort of elaborate costume? There’s potential there; who doesn’t love a little impish mystery in their entertainment. But entirely faceless? Even if you’re not sharing it with others around you as a listener, music is a connector, storyteller and master forger of distinct human tribes, so attaching an entirely faceless factor to the work, at least for me, has the potential for diminishing the overall impact.

    That being said, I’m certain there are sound reasons for anonymity in music, just as there are sound reasons for anonymity in any form of art. However, I still reserve the right to FORCE AN IDENTITY as I see fit in such cases because: 1) My OCD-riddled brain hungers for that connection, and 2) I am annoying.

    Release date: October 3, 2026. Label: Self-Released.
    This is all a terrifically roundabout way for me to introduce Forsaker Of The Throne, a one-person epic heavy metal project from Greece credited to an individual who only goes by the name ‘The Blacksmith’. We have zero images of the human behind that moniker (assuming they are human), and Forsaker Of The Throne has zero internet presence beyond its bandcamp page—not much to dig through if you’re the sort that really enjoys stacking info whilst getting to know a record. And getting to know Exhion I certainly have over the course of the last two weeks, which ultimately lead to a vision from on high one cloudy night as these songs dropped hammer to anvil over and over again inside the empty halls of my cranium. Sisters and brothers, The Blacksmith MUST BE…..

    It all makes perfect (*cough*) sense: It’s all too easy to picture a mustachioed hero with a flowing mane crafting these songs, and why would Yanni—crowned monarch supreme of classical / soft rock / new-age crossover—want his discerning legions to know just how much the following records mean to him:

    I think what Yanni perhaps does not realize, however, is the fact that metal fans absolutely MUST have been interspersed throughout that Live At the Acropolis crowd, because wherever there are 5000 Greeks gathered, approximately 500 of them listened to Manowar’s Into Glory Ride on the way to the event. So, yeah, be open about your metal face, Yannster, and be proud of what you accomplished with Exhion because, for an initial expedition as the sole architect, the album is a hell of a triumphant accomplishment.

    And when I say Forsaker Of The Throne is a one-person project, I mean that in the TRUEST sense of the phrase: The Blacksmith is in charge of all the instrumentation here—guitar, bass, keys, programmed drums (shhhh, I promise it’ll be alright)—plus the vocals, the notably sunless cover artwork, the band’s logo, AND the record’s production. Pertinent bit of side info: I often somewhat aggressively make a point of underscoring the fact that one-person metal projects are typically a difficult sell for me, but Exhion won itself a quick stamp of approval because… Well, for fuck’s sake, just look at that collage of potential influences up there!

    More specifically, what I enjoy quite a bit about this album, beyond the fact that The Blacksmith proves himself to be quite adept as a “storyteller” class of songwriter (seamless flow between songs, terrifically engaging and cozy atmosphere, etc.), is how impressive this dude is at riffing. “Generally Impressed With Riffs” has been the Last Rites tagline since day one, so albums that opt to underscore that side of the coin have a tendency to shoot straight into the spotlight.

    Here, the riffing puts a terrific sense of melody at the forefront, and those riffs are imaginative, sharp, sometimes surprisingly swift, and always infectious. It’s a fairly murky production job, perhaps by design, and when paired with the overall bleak atmosphere and The Blacksmith’s vocal approach that pits Agyl (Scald) against Carl McCoy (Fields of the Nephilim), I would say connecting the dots between Will of the Gods is a Great Power and a record like Elizium isn’t as much of a stretch as it may seem on paper.

    While I would say the bulk of Exhion is spent trotting at a slower clip that’s well suited for an epic doom tag, there are also moments where a distinct shot in the arm gives the overall mood more of that revitalized USPM feel that made a record like The Armor of Ire jump off the shelves. The hard-hitting “The Deserter” and the absurdly catchy “Resistance to Evil By Force,” for example, and certainly the molten spray of “Dungeon Witch,” which also spotlights The Blacksmith’s knack for fiery but never overly showy leads.

    I’m guessing the production will be the biggest sticking point for the sticklers out there. It is… fairly watery, distant and at times feels a bit like you’re swinging wildly with blood-packed ears in the midst of combat. I think it actually adds to the uniqueness of the album in a similar way that the production for Queensrÿche’s The Warning preserves its eccentricity all these years later. I am, however, rather forgiving of peculiar production choices as quirks on the whole, and I find that the weirdly humid production here adds further depth to the keyboard atmospherics and helps mollify the (well-) programmed drums.

    I have no clue what sort of goal(s) this faceless project had in mind, but I suspect based on the sparse footprint, anonymity and general lack of publicity that Exhion wasn’t really designed to make a planetary splash leading to a deal with Metal Blade Records. And chums, that is very often exactly the sort of thing that lands square inside the Last Rites wheelhouse, as we have long championed the “if you build it, we will come” attitude towards tracking down and celebrating the underground’s underest underdogs. Bottom line: Whoever the hell is actually responsible for this project just snuck in a rather unique eleventh hour jewel with Exhion.

    P.S. It ain’t Yanni. OR IS IT…

    The post Forsaker Of The Throne – Exhion Review appeared first on Last Rites.

  • Teddy McGraw – Told You

     

    Hailing from New Jersey, Teddy McGraw is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist carving out a sound at the crossroad of alternative rock, country, folk, and punk. Blending sharp alternative sensibilities with Fleet Foxes, inspired harmonies and a penchant for live improvisation, McGraw handles every single element of his recordings himself, performing all drums, guitar, bass, and vocals. A regular on the New York live circuit, he also pulls double duty as the drummer for the McGraw Project, who dropped their debut album in 2025. 

    Teddy comments on his song No Way Out: “This song developed as a jam from my previous punk band named Worst Case. It has a definitive 90s alternative rock influence from Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone Age with a post-chorus highly influenced by the Cure. The song lyrically is about hearing whispers of a secret you wish you didn’t tell. I performed all the instruments and vocals on the song.”

    I find the song very enjoyable from start to finish thanks to catchy vocal lines, very inspired guitars (check out the solo) and a solid rhythm section A quality song, amazingly performed and with the right sound for the genre. Give it a go by clicking on the Spotify player below and follow Teddy McGraw if you like what you hear. 

    https://instagram.com/teddy.mcgraw/ 

  • Diver Through – It’s The Sky

    For more than a decade, Diver Through has been the creative vehicle of songwriter and musician Michael Baynes, a project built on authenticity, perseverance, and a passion for memorable alternative rock. Rooted in strong songwriting and shaped by years of experience across multiple music scenes, Diver Through continues to evolve while staying true to its independent spirit.

    The name Diver Through first surfaced publicly in 2013 after Baynes gathered a group of friends to record a collection of new songs in a single night. That spontaneous session resulted in the Scattered Days EP, released through Subluna Records and marking the official beginning of the project.

    Before launching Diver Through, Baynes honed his craft as the principal songwriter for Jacksonville, Florida-based modern rock band HAVEN. During that period, he experienced his first commercial radio airplay as an unsigned artist. Later, after relocating to New York City and embarking on a solo career with Subluna Records, his music gained traction on college radio stations throughout the United States, appearing on numerous university playlists and compilation releases from outlets such as CMJ, Magnet Magazine, and Jacksonville’s 93.3 Planet Radio. His live performances took him from New York to Florida, including a BMI songwriter showcase at New York City’s renowned venue, The Living Room.

    The years that followed saw Baynes pursuing songwriting opportunities between New York and Nashville. Along the way, he embraced a more hands-on and independent approach to recording, collaborating with writers, singers, and musicians while refining his artistic identity. Eventually, he realised that genuine creative fulfilment could only come from remaining true to himself rather than chasing industry validation.

    Following the release of the solo single Wherever You Are I’m Going in 2018, Baynes returned his focus to Diver Through in 2019, unveiling the home-recorded tracks Be Enough and Go. In 2020, during a period of uncertainty across the world, the project delivered The Way We Were, its second full release of original material. Featuring standout tracks such as Last Photo and the title song The Way We Were, the record was warmly received by college and independent radio stations.

    Now, Diver Through returns with ALL NIGHTER, the band’s third release on Subluna Records and arguably its most energetic statement yet. Where The Way We Were opened with a reflective Cure-inspired instrumental atmosphere, ALL NIGHTER announces itself immediately with a burst of guitar feedback, signalling a broader, louder and more expansive sound. The album embraces a full-band approach, packed with bigger hooks, driving rhythms and an upbeat energy that runs throughout the record.

    Among its highlights is “To Death,” an atmospheric rocker built around the intriguing concept of how casually people use references to death in everyday language. Another standout, “Vials,” tells a poignant and deeply human story of grief, following a character who travels across the country scattering the ashes of a loved one until only a final vial remains.

    Recorded across multiple locations, the project combines the talents of several collaborators. Drums were engineered by Chuck Nash in Jacksonville, Florida, while Baynes handled the remaining recording duties in New York City. The album was later mixed by Alex Dezen at Sally Studios in Los Angeles, helping shape its polished yet emotionally resonant sound.

    At the heart of ALL NIGHTER lies the album’s lead single, “It’s The Sky.” According to Baynes, the song became the key that unlocked the entire project.

    “I wrote most of these songs in three to four months leading up to the studio session. I knew we were going to record in May and I essentially ditched all of the songs I had written in the previous twelve months and focused on new songs for the band as a three-piece. It’s The Sky came later, but as soon as I recorded the demo I knew it was going to set the overall tone for what we were doing.”

    Baynes explained that the title was inspired by an article discussing the increase in clear-air turbulence caused by climate change. One phrase in particular stayed with him: the idea that when things seem to be getting worse, “it’s not you, it’s the sky that’s changing.” He transformed that observation into a powerful metaphor, using it as a lens through which to explore change, uncertainty, and perspective.

    Musically, “It’s The Sky” is an instantly engaging track. Combining polished production, memorable vocal hooks and a distinctly 90s-inspired alternative-rock aesthetic, it delivers a sound that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary. The song captures everything that makes Diver Through compelling: thoughtful songwriting, emotional honesty and a knack for crafting melodies that stay with the listener long after the track ends.

    With ALL NIGHTER, Diver Through demonstrates that independent rock can still be ambitious, heartfelt and exciting. Led by Michael Baynes alongside bassist Mike Rellah and drummer Ken Nasta, the band continues to build on its foundations while pushing its sound forward. And if It’s The Sky is any indication, the journey is far from over.

    https://www.instagram.com/diver_through/