Nashville power trio Lockstep started in 2021, and they quickly figured out an extra-heavy take on shoegaze. The band impressed us with their single “Drag Along” last year, and now they’ve signed to Profound Lore and announced their full-length debut I Know What I Saw. Lockstep recorded their LP in Nashville with producer Zac Montez.…
The post Lockstep Announce Debut Album <em>I Know What I Saw</em>: Hear “Ash In The Water” appeared first on Stereogum.
(Our friend and contributor Ben Manzella caught the Los Angeles stop of the ongoing Decibel Magazine Tour on the night of May 12th and sent in the following thoughts about the performances, along with his own excellent photos. We’re late in posting this, through no fault of Ben’s, due to our editor’s distractions at a […]
The post DECIBEL TOUR 2026: CRYPTOPSY, NECROT, SPIRIT ADRIFT, BLOOD MONOLITH appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.
No word yet on Helmet strapping it on for the tour though.
The post Down, Helmet & Spirit In The Room Set For ‘Strap It Down’ Summer North American Tour appeared first on Theprp.com.
Dan Cummings, frontman of Massachusetts street-punks Already Dead, has started putting out solo, acoustic, working-class folk punk material…and Dying Scene is stoked to get to show you what he’s up to!
This coming Friday, Cummings will release his acoustic cover of “Which Side Are You On?” In keeping with long-running folk traditions, he’s updated the lyrics to be reflective of the current sociopolitical climate. The video was directed and edited by Roberto Terrones Jr of Boston-based Berto Media. Check it out below and check out Dan’s Bandcamp while you’re at it!
Last year, the Harlem rap great turned sports podcaster Cam’ron sued. J. Cole. Cam had appeared on Cole’s 2024 track “Ready ’24,” and he claimed he’d been denied payment. In March, Cole appeared on Cam’s Talk With Flee podcast, and they told the story behind that lawsuit. Cole mentioned that he tried to pay Cam, and Cam said that he did the verse for free in exchange for a podcast interview. Cam sued when he couldn’t get Cole booked on the show, and he said that he did it to get Cole’s attention.
The post Cam’ron Settles Lawsuit With J. Cole, Ignores Verzuz Challenge From Jim Jones appeared first on Stereogum.
Former The Amity Affliction bassist and vocalist Ahren Stringer appeared in Benalla Magistrates Court on May 26, 2026, to face sentencing for a high-speed driving incident that has captivated the Australian metal scene. Pleading guilty to multiple charges, including “driving at a speed dangerous,” Stringer revealed a dramatic life shift since his contentious departure from the band in 2024. While the musician escaped a criminal conviction, the court proceedings shed light on a harrowing family emergency and his surprising new career path serving the Queensland Police.
The court heard details of the incident which took place in the Benalla region last year. Stringer was clocked by highway patrol traveling at a staggering 191 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. Upon being pulled over, the musician reportedly refused to undergo preliminary breath and oral fluid testing, claiming he had “the right to refuse” roadside sobriety checks.
As part of a plea deal, two preliminary charges—exceeding the speed limit by 45 km/h or more and using a vehicle in an unsafe condition—were dropped. Stringer’s defense emphasized that his reckless speed was driven by “extreme emotional distress” after receiving news that his sister had been diagnosed with a possible case of cancer. Stringer was en route to Melbourne to be with his family at the time of the arrest.
Perhaps the most shocking revelation from the May 2026 hearing was Stringer’s current employment. Since his ousting from The Amity Affliction, Stringer has been working as an undertaker for the Queensland Police.
This shift from international metal star to funeral service provider for law enforcement marks a significant pivot for the artist. Stringer’s legal team argued that his new profession has given him a firsthand look at the consequences of road trauma, contributing to his “profound remorse” over the high-speed incident.
The Magistrate ordered Stringer to pay a $1,200 fine. While he escaped a formal conviction, his driver’s license was officially canceled and he remains disqualified from driving.
Musically, Stringer remains active through his 2025 project, Self Checkout, formed alongside Gus Farias (formerly of Volumes). The band serves as a raw creative outlet for both musicians to navigate their well-documented struggles with mental health and addiction—issues that famously played a role in Stringer’s departure from his former band.
What were the final charges Ahren Stringer pled guilty to? Stringer pled guilty to driving at a speed dangerous, refusing a preliminary breath test, and refusing to undergo a preliminary oral fluid test.
What was the sentence handed down by the Benalla Magistrates Court? Stringer was fined $1,200 and had his license canceled and disqualified. He did not receive a criminal conviction.
Is Ahren Stringer still in The Amity Affliction? No. Stringer was removed from the band in 2024 during a North American tour. He is currently focusing on his new band, Self Checkout, and his work as an undertaker.
STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of Ahren Stringer’s court appearance and an update on his new music on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast. Visit LoadedRadio.com or download our free app now.
Former Amity Affliction bassist Ahren Stringer was fined $1,200 and lost his license after pleading guilty to driving 191 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. Stringer, now working as an undertaker for the Queensland Police, cited a family health crisis as the reason for the speed. He remains active with his new band, Self Checkout.
Does Ahren Stringer’s new career as an undertaker suggest he’s finally ready to leave his “rebellious” past behind, or is this just another chapter in a complicated legacy? Let us know in the comments.
The post High-Speed Justice: Former The Amity Affliction Bassist Ahren Stringer Sentenced in Australia appeared first on Loaded Radio.
Melaina Kol, the musical project of Nashville-based Logan Hornyak, is the latest signing to Julia’s War, the fantastic record label run by They Are Gutting A Body Of Water’s Doug Dulgarian. You may have heard Hornyak popping up throughout Teethe’s Magic Of The Sale last year, and in August you’ll hear him on the new…
The post Melaina Kol Announces New Album <em>Okay that’s a great idea because if I do that then</em>: Hear “Lifeheart” appeared first on Stereogum.