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  • Kirk Monteux Mysoftmusic Total Tranquility Review

    Kirk Monteux Mysoftmusic Total Tranquility Review

    The album opens with “Nebula Voyage,” immersing listeners in an intense atmospheric journey. This piece conveys a sense of universal energy. Ethereal pads and resonant guitars envelop the audience in an ancestral embrace that feels expansive and intimate. One cannot overlook the depth of emotion that pours forth from this opening track.

    Kirk Monteux Mysoftmusic Total Tranquility

    Following is “Flute Ocean Peace.” This composition introduces a soothing melody that caresses the senses. The sound evokes the sensation of ocean breezes on the skin. It feels as if one is drifting into a serene landscape, painted in hues of blue. The gentle flow of the music creates an experience that is therapeutic for your soul.

    “Home At Last,” presents a more ethnic instrumentation. True to its title, this track resembles a return to one’s roots. It carries a pastoral quality that connects listeners with nature. The imagery of a meadow gently swaying in the wind comes to life. The delicate dance of willow branches adds to the serenity of the piece.

    Total Tranquility – Sound and Atmosphere

    One of my favourite tracks is “Moonlight Walk.” This piece encapsulates the feeling of wandering through a forest at night. The soft illumination of the moon guides the way. It possesses an element of mystery that resonates deeply. The emotion conveyed here is haunting and beautiful, creating a sense of reflective solitude.

    The artist showcases a remarkable range of instruments throughout the album. These include analog synthesizers, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, acoustic bass, and numerous others. The variety of sounds employed enriches each piece’s emotional landscape. From the soothing tones of the pandrum to the gentleness of the Native American flute, the artist adjusts sonic textures according to the feelings intended for each song.

    Every track in this album serves as a healing gift for the soul. The next tune, “Faraway,” evokes feelings of calm and nostalgia. It transports listeners to a suspended realm, reminiscent of a mirage in the desert. The emotion captured within fosters deep introspection.

    Total Tranquility – Performance and Production

    Following this is “Cosmic Resonance.” With this piece, one can visualize endless galaxies and fly above unknown planets. The musical arrangement instills a sense of wonder about the vastness that surrounds us. It simultaneously conveys the loneliness experienced within that expanse. The contrasts presented in the composition enhance the feeling of connectivity and isolation.

    The album concludes with “Circle of Life.” This track opens with piano notes expanding and reverberating like drops on a lake. The sound creates infinite ripples that carry the listener away. An angelic voice sings in harmony, elevating the ambient atmosphere. It feels delicate and ethereal, reminiscent of Heraclitus’ philosophy of life’s continuous flow and recreation.

    “Total Tranquility” is a fantastic album with profound emotional depth. Each piece invites the audience into an introspective voyage. It balances serene moments with reflections on vastness and connection to nature. The artist’s skillful use of diverse instruments adds layers to the listening experience. This album is highly recommended for those seeking a peaceful escape through music.



    A Sublime Musical Journey

    🔥 If you love this music: Discover More


    Find Kirk Monteux Mysoftmusic here:
    Spotify | Instagram

    The post Kirk Monteux Mysoftmusic Total Tranquility Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

  • Down Announces North American Headlining Tour Dates

    Down will return to North American stages this Summer for a two-week headlining tour with support provided by Helmet and Spirit In The Room! The Strap It Down tour begins in Atlanta, Georgia on August 15th and closes in Shakopee, Minnesota on September 4th with a special previously announced performance as direct support to Slayer. The journe… Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
  • Tomb Mold Members Announce Debut Math-Rock Album As Daydream Plus

    The Toronto death metal band Tomb Mold has quite a reputation for pushing the boundaries of their genre; their album The Enduring Spirit was one of our favorites of 2023. Even as that band thrives, the members of Tomb Mold have other things going on. Guitarist Derrick Vella makes dreamy, proggy, spaced-out doom as one…

    The post Tomb Mold Members Announce Debut Math-Rock Album As Daydream Plus appeared first on Stereogum.

  • AN NCS ALBUM PREMIERE (AND A REVIEW): CROCELL — “SWARM OF INSECTS”

    (written by Islander) Nearly 20 years into their career, which in the context of metal is akin to a geologic epoch, the Danish band Crocell prove through their latest album that they are at the peak of their powers rather than on a downhill slide. They have used their accumulated experience to create a harrowing […]

    The post AN NCS ALBUM PREMIERE (AND A REVIEW): CROCELL — “SWARM OF INSECTS” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

  • The Gathering arrive in Italy to celebrate the anniversary of “Mandilyon” – live report of their show in Milan

    The long awaited tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Mandylion” finally hit Trezzo Sull’Adda on a hot summery day, in a venue that was packed to the gills with nostalgics of the band’s iconic gothic style. They were not disappointed, as they lived a magical trip down memory lane.

    LIZZARD

    The ones who were lucky enough to attend the supporting act’s set can testify that Lizzard were the perfect choice to warm up the crowd and introduce the dreamy atmosphere that was about to follow. The French trio, featuring the charismatic Mathieu Ricou on vocals and guitars, the energetic Katy Elwell on drums and William Knox on the bass delighted us with a sophisticated alternative rock mixed with progressive elements, achieved through clean, expressive vocals, stratified guitar loops and energetic rhythms. The 45-minutes-long show included songs from the band’s five albums, showcasing the diversity of their songwriting. 

    Setlist:

    1. Black Sheep
    2. Blowdown
    3. Blue Moon
    4. Shift
    5. Unity
    6. Vigilent
    7. The Orbiter
    8. Tear Down The Sky

    THE GATHERING

    After 18 years since talented von Giersbergen left the band, old fans of the Dutch rock band could finally see the original lineup on stage, and with the best possible outcome. The dive into the past began with “Mandylion“, the title track, that quickly merged with the popular “Eléanor“, setting the pace for a glorious show. Graphical, hypnotic videos on the background enriched an immersive experience guided by the singer’s enchanting voice, who didn’t age a bit and sounded even more fresh and captivating on every passage, especially on “Fear of the Sea” and “In Motion #1“. The memorable keyboards by Frank Boeijen, the strong guitar riffs of René Rutten and the solid bass lines performed by Hugo Prinsen Geerligs recreated the perfect 90s doom sound that stands the test of time and that can be enjoyed even by new fans. The second guitarist, Jelmer Wiersma, took part in all “Mandylion’”s tracks and “On Most Surfaces“, “Analog Park” and the beloved “Saturnine” that made up the encore together with “TravelThe star of the whole show was of course Anneke, who was visibly emotional in seeing the crowd happily joining her in singing the airy, melancholic vocal lines, and who jumped and headbang like in the old times, especially on the last songs.

    Listening live to a band that has been around for some decades, two things stand out the most: the authenticity and the genuine interest in experimenting for the sake of art in itself. How many bands can explore multiple universes in a single song like The Gathering, nowadays? Is it just a feeling of us aging Millennials and Gen X music lovers, or a product of how society evolved through consumerism and social media? We will probably never know, but we can always be thankful for the masterpieces from the past that we are still allowed to appreciate, even more when they’re impeccably performed live.

    Setlist:

    1. Mandylion
    2. Eléanor
    3. From the Sea
    4. In Motion #1
    5. On Most Surfaces (Inuït)
    6. Broken Glass
    7. Waking Hour
    8. Probably Built in the Fifties
    9. Analog Park
    10. In Motion #2
    11. Leaves
    12. Sand and Mercury
    13. Strange Machines

    Encore: 

    1. Travel
    2. Saturnine

    The post The Gathering arrive in Italy to celebrate the anniversary of “Mandilyon” – live report of their show in Milan first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

  • A Perfect Circle – “Starless”

    Maynard James Keenan tends to keep all his bands sliding in and out of frame. He released a new Puscifer album this year, occasioning a We’ve Got A File On You interview here at Stereogum. Tool just headlined Sonic Temple last weekend. But until today, we haven’t heard much from A Perfect Circle in recent…

    The post A Perfect Circle – “Starless” appeared first on Stereogum.

  • Ian MacKaye & Henry Rollins Releasing Shelved 1977 Cramps Album Produced By Alex Chilton

    In April 1979, New York punk-scene weirdos the Cramps played at a Washington, DC venue called the LBJ Club, and that must’ve been some show. The Cramps hadn’t released their debut album yet, but they were already pioneering a gothy, theatrical, knowingly kitschy take on rockabilly. The crowd was full of teenagers like young Ian MacKaye and young Henry Garfield, and they were inspired by what they saw. Pretty soon afterwards, MacKaye started his band Teen Idles, and Garfield started his band State Of Alert. Those bands didn’t last long, but then MacKaye formed Minor Threat, while Garfield changed his name to Henry Rollins and became the longest-tenured singer of Black Flag. The DC punk scene evolved a sound that had basically nothing in common with the Cramps, but that show was a major early flashpoint that’s since been acclaimed in about a million scene histories.

    The post Ian MacKaye & Henry Rollins Releasing Shelved 1977 Cramps Album Produced By Alex Chilton appeared first on Stereogum.

  • “Absolutely Chuffed”: Maynard James Keenan and A Perfect Circle Shock Fans with Surprise Single “Starless”

    a-perfect-circle-starless

    STREAM THE METAL BREAKDOWN DAILY BELOW:

    After years of silence, the “supergroup” enigma known as A Perfect Circle has officially re-emerged. Just days before launching their first UK and European tour in nearly a decade, the band has unleashed a haunting new single titled “Starless.” Featuring the powerhouse lineup of Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel, and the return of studio drummer Josh Freese, the track marks a seismic shift in the alternative metal landscape for 2026.

    With Keenan pulling “double duty” alongside Puscifer for a massive global run, the release of “Starless” signals that the wait for new APC material is finally, and spectacularly, over.

    The Birth of ‘Starless’: From Howerdel’s Ranch to Brixton

    Recorded at Billy Howerdel’s Lankershim Ranch Studio in Studio City, “Starless” is the product of a rapid creative burst. While many APC tracks are famously “massaged for years,” Howerdel noted that this particular cut took shape quickly, “as if it had been there all along.”

    The track features a “dream team” of engineering talent:

    • Producer: Billy Howerdel
    • Mixing: Matty Green (U2, TV On The Radio)
    • Drums: Josh Freese (Nine Inch Nails/Foo Fighters)

    Maynard James Keenan, known for his cryptic and often playful media presence, admitted he is “absolutely chuffed” to debut the track live. “Songs always take on an expanded personality once we start playing them live,” Keenan shared, hinting that the versions fans hear at the O2 Academy Brixton next week may differ from the studio recording.

    We Also Recommend – A Perfect Circle Albums Ranked: From Experimental Shadows to Alt-Rock Perfection

    a-perfect-circle-2024

    European/UK Summer Tour: The 8-Year Return

    This summer marks the first time A Perfect Circle has touched down in Europe and the UK since 2018. The tour kicks off with a massive two-night stand in London before hitting major festivals like Hellfest, Rock am Ring, and Copenhell.

    Upcoming UK/European Highlights:

    • June 03 & 04: London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
    • June 06 & 07: Rock Im Park / Rock Am Ring (Germany)
    • June 20: Hellfest (France)
    • July 10: Mad Cool Festival (Spain)

    Double Duty: A Perfect Circle & Puscifer 2026 World Tour

    Following the European run, the momentum doesn’t stop. In a grueling display of vocal endurance, Keenan will perform back-to-back sets with both A Perfect Circle and Puscifer across South America, Australia, Japan, and Hawaii this winter.

    FAQ: A Perfect Circle “Starless” Release

    Who played drums on the new single “Starless”? The legendary Josh Freese handled studio drumming duties. While Freese is currently a member of Nine Inch Nails and Foo Fighters, his history with APC remains a cornerstone of the band’s sound.

    Where can I buy the “Starless” 7-inch vinyl? A limited-edition 7″ pressing of the new single has been launched via Revolver, expected to become an immediate collector’s item.

    Is Maynard James Keenan still in Tool? Yes. Despite his heavy 2026 schedule with A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, Keenan remains the frontman of Tool. This triple-threat activity is a rarity even for his high standards of productivity.

    STAY LOUD: Catch the full breakdown of the “Starless” lyrics and the Brixton opening night setlist on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast. Visit LoadedRadio.com or download our free app now.

    TL;DR:

    A Perfect Circle has released their first new single in years, “Starless,” ahead of their 2026 European tour. The track was produced by Billy Howerdel and features drummer Josh Freese. Maynard James Keenan will perform the track live for the first time in London next week before embarking on a global tour pulling double duty with Puscifer.

    Is “Starless” the lead-in to a full A Perfect Circle album, or is Maynard just teasing us while he balances his Tool and Puscifer empires? Let us know in the comments.

    The post “Absolutely Chuffed”: Maynard James Keenan and A Perfect Circle Shock Fans with Surprise Single “Starless” appeared first on Loaded Radio.

  • KILL FEED 084: John Cooke of NAPALM DEATH Prefers a Solo XP Grind

    The story of this interview, most appropriately, begins during the 2025 U.S. co-headlining tour featuring West Coast wonders the Melvins and U.K. legends Napalm Death. Editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian, after attending the Baltimore stop, sent Decibel’s co-nerds on official business to the Philly date the following night. While not exactly the target audience for our plucky column, our fearless leader clocked that guitarist John Cooke’s wardrobe would be of interest to us. Upon arriving at the venue, Napalm’s tour manager and longtime friend of the magazine was kind enough to set up a brief chat with the six-stringer before doors opened to the show. A short wait later, our man of the hour appeared in a well-worn Time Crisis shirt, immediately cementing his spot as a future guest without uttering a word.

    Fast forward to 2026 and the unexpected collaboration of Napalm Death and the Melvins has manifested in the form of full-length LP Savage Imperial Death March. The album offers both bands the opportunity to push whatever remaining sonic boundaries remain for each other and, more importantly, the chance for us to finally link up with our new Namco-loving pal. Though his appearance in the Kill Feed arcade has been a long time coming—our fateful meeting at Union Transfer in Philadelphia happened over a year ago—the conversation picked up right where it left off without skipping a blastbeat. As Napalm Death is currently ripping through another trek across North America, learn all about Cooke’s adventures retro game hunting in Japan, his love of single-player games, the band’s surprising connections to the gaming world and much more. Who knows—maybe Napalm Death will one day return to our neon lights.

    Savage Imperial Death March is available now via Ipecac Records and can be purchased here.
    Tickets to Napalm Death’s 2026 North American tour can be purchased here.
    Follow Napalm Death on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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    The post KILL FEED 084: John Cooke of NAPALM DEATH Prefers a Solo XP Grind appeared first on Decibel Magazine.