Newly relocated Texas based hard rock/metal band HEAVEN BELOW has released an official video for the single ‘Machine Gun Preacher (Crown of Bullets Version)’ from their forthcoming album ‘Alternate Abductions’. The album serves as a counter part to their 2025 album ‘The Majestic Twelve.’
However, lead vocalist/guitarist Patrick Kennison (LITA FORD/UNION UNDERGROUND) says the album “isn’t actually a remix album, but a true representation of where the band is today.” Guitarist/vocalist Nikki Stringfield (THE IRON MAIDENS) adds that the album “is a true band effort that showcases the new lineup of bassist Eddie Holyfield and drummer Chase Bailey.”
As summer approaches, the band says it will confirm a run of Texas shows to coincide with the release of “Alternate Abductions”.
“Machine Gun Preacher (Crown of Bullets Version)” is available to stream/download now on all platforms: https://lnk.to/MachineGunPreacher
For decades, Flea has wanted to release a trumpet-based jazz record, and now it’s finally happening. Flea’s solo debut Honora comes out on Friday, and he’s already shared the singles “A Plea,” the Thom Yorke collab “Traffic Lights,” and his version of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You.” Last night, Flea was on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show to explain the whole trumpet-album thing and to give a rare non-“Star Spangled Banner” solo performance.
ARMORED SAINT To Release Ninth Studio Album, Emotion Factory Reset, On May 22nd Through Metal Blade Records; “Close To The Bone” Video/Single Now Playing + Preorders Available
American heavy metal icons, ARMORED SAINT, are back with their anticipated new full-length, Emotion Factory Reset, set for release on May 22nd through Metal Blade Records.
Emotion Factory Reset, the lineup’s ninth studio album since 1984’s March Of The Saint, is a resurrection of sorts, a tearing down and a rebuilding in eleven songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. Produced, as were the previous four albums, by bassist Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour), the record finds the quintet challenging themselves. Songs like “Close To The Bone,” “Hit A Moonshot,” and “Every Man-Any Man” have ARMORED SAINT honoring their past as one of the most respected and recognizable bands in heavy music while making forward-thinking music rooted in the present.
“Each ARMORED SAINT record, to me, is like a new skin for the band, a different chapter. I don’t think we’ve ever repeated ourselves,” says Vera. “Every album has been pretty different from the previous one, a snapshot in time. In 2026, Emotion Factory Reset is where our heads are at.”
“When we start coming up with songs, I always say we can do whatever we want,” notes vocalist John Bush. “Use all our influences through the years, diverse music that we listen to and love, and let that seep in and bring something new out of us. It leads to something more adventurous.”
Bush, one of music’s most respected vocalists, operates from a place of passion and presence in the studio and on stage. In fact, about 85% of his vocals from the last three ARMORED SAINT records are taken from the demo sessions, capturing the raw power. While Vera is a granular and detailed writer, like Bush, the bassist says, “I try not to overthink and be right where I’m at that time. I really don’t look over my shoulder much, like, ‘what did I do in the past? What’s going on in the next lane?’ Once the ball starts rolling, I just sit back and let it happen.”
The collaborative nature of Emotion Factory Reset led to the album title, a phrase from guitarist Phil Sandoval. “To me, ‘Emotion Factory Reset’ means to reset yourself back to clarity. Take a pause and breathe before you respond or react. You can’t control outside events, but you can control your mind,” the guitarist says. “How you interpret things is what hurts you, not the event itself.”
His brother, drummer Gonzo notes, “the world is going through a technological upswing/awakening. I look at our planet as the factory and in the most positive way we need to realign, reimagine, reset for our better selves.”
In advance of the record’s release, today the band presents the first single and album opener, “Close To The Bone.” Comments Bush, “The first track on the record sounds like vintage ARMORED SAINT. Yet vintage that comes out in 2026! How did we do that? The title of the record, Emotion Factory Reset appears as the first line of the bridge. Killer riffs, awesome rhythms and attacking vocals gets this train rolling. The title implies the human response to withdraw and keep things to yourself instead of being confrontational; Something I believe we all struggle with as humans. Do you just say, ‘aww, whatever man,’ or do you say, ‘hey, fuck you!’ Depends on the moment, I guess.”
Adds Vera, “Musically, this song was inspired by my love and appreciation for metal that was coming out around the time of the NWOBHM, which is right when ARMORED SAINT was formed. As always, I try to reimagine my early influences by giving them a slight modern twist.”
Guitarist Jeff Duncan agrees, “I like to think that ARMORED SAINT doesn’t keep making the same album over and over. Emotion Factory Reset is another musical chapter for the band. When the five of us play together, we have a special chemistry and our first single ‘Close To The Bone’ demonstrates this perfectly; it’s musically sophisticated but still retains the ARMORED SAINT signature sound.”
This year is going to be a busy one for Fear Factory with worldwide touring. After recent US and Australian/New Zealand tour announcements, the American industrialists have now announced a 34-date ‘Cybernetic Domination European Tour’. Crystal Lake, Hate and The Nocturnal Affair will be joining them on the road. Read more…
Angus McSix – Angus McSix And The All-Seeing Astral Eye (Napalm Records)
The most recent quest for Prince Angus McSix (Thomas Winkler) began after the Hammer Of Glory was destroyed and he took The Sword Of Power and embarked on a battle against Archdemon Seebulon (Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann of Orden Organ), however he was imprisoned in an ice with no memory of who he was before.
So the next chapter of the story now begins with Angus’ brother, Adam McSix (Sam Nyman of Manimal) taking the lead character role, Angus still appears on the opening track, 6666, however from here this is the journey of Adam to save his brother alongside new party member The Dwarf (Jasmin Pabst) who joins on guitar alongside Amazon Thalestris (Thalia Belazecca of Primal Fear), Ork Zero (Gerit Lamm) on drums.
Seeb also plays guitars and produces the record to make sure this conceptual fantasy is as over the top as it can be. Telling a whole new story, the music doesn’t change too much, packing in a lot of grandiose power metal with some thumping electronics (Starlight Stronghold) plenty of tasty guitar/keys playing and massive choruses sung brilliantly by Nyman who slots into the frontman role perfectly with his power and range.
To make this second chapter even more epic they even add a few guests to the record as Rhapsody Of Fire join for Adam McSix, Turmion Kätilöt bring industrial thunder to Techno Men crossing Manowar with Kraftwerk, Dig Down has some AOR choruses aided by acapella act Van Canto while there’s a party atmosphere on The Power Of Metal where Freedom Call join the fun.
And that’s the kicker of this whole thing, Angus McSix And The All-Seeing Astral Eye is just fun, tongue-in-cheek humour, epic compositions and technically gifted performances, the adventure continues and you should join asap. 8/10
Temple Of Void – The Crawl (Relapse Records)
Five albums in and Detroit band Temple Of Void feel like experimenting, not in a way that totally runs away from their uncompromising death-doom assault but by adding elements to make it more experimental and musically mature. It’s something they’ve been doing throughout their existence slowly adding softness to their hardened extremity with synths and melodic passages that are most prominent on album five.
The Crawl is a way for these veterans of the Michigan scene to explore some of their non metal influences as they throw in a lot of grunge and post-punk dull their sledgehammer into a more precise tool. Temple Of Void are guitarist Alex Awn, drummer Jason Pearce, vocalist/guitarist Mike Erdody, and bassist Justin Malek and they tracked The Crawl was tracked in a single week in January, at Kurt Ballou’s GodCity Studio (High On Fire) in Salem, MA. Ballou and engineer Zach Weeks (Deafheaven).
They give the record a spontaneity and rawness, feeling like you’re right their with them as they’re playing as Brad Boatright’s master locks in this rougher hue but allows the non metal moments to breathe too. With lyrics continuing on the theme of fear and psychology from their last album, Temple Of Void can soundtrack epic D&D campaigns with The Crawl, packed with thrills and spills, it’s death-doom brutality they have mastered with invitations from their other musical infatuations. 8/10 The Gems – Year Of The Snake (Napalm Records)
Classic rock trio The Gems take a further step into modernity on their second album Year Of The Snake, moving outside of the AC/DC-like riffs of their debut with second full length Year Of The Snake. Blasting out of your speakers with the title track, it’s another mammoth record of 14 songs and while there are some rare jewels here, but like it’s predecessor there’s still too much of it.
Granted the 14 tracks don’t ease off the accelerator as Mona Lindgren’s guitar/bass riffs peel off against the drumming of Emlee Johansson creating some loud, boisterous noise for singer Guernica Mancini’s huge vocals to croon over, she’s joined by Tommy Johansson of Majestica for an 80’s sounding track, while there’s still a lot of blues, a bit of glam stomping and a ballad or two that are all written for hard rock radio and live stages.
Year Of The Snake is solid second record from The Gems, shaking up their songwriting with a bit more variety and a swagger towards the mainstream, across these 14 songs. 7/10
Night Thieves – Metaxis (Self Released)
London band Night Thieves have been quite rapidly rising through the ranks of the UK scene and this has all been leading to the release of their hotly anticipated debut album Metaxis. It, like their 2024 EP is produced by Romesh Dodangoda, who gives it the huge modern sound he is so renowned for.
So what is Metaxis like? Well I’m glad you asked as Night Thieves managed to capture the current musical Zeitgeist with this debut record, crafting a full length that has musical inspiration from bands such as Bring Me The Horizon, Architects and Spirtbox.
There’s some 90’s alt rock tones on Running (Out Of Time), the atmospheric suite of In Between Pt 1/Pt2, the chorus driven crunch of Mycelia or the introspective balladry of See You On The Other Side which features Jessie Powell of Dream State.
Night Thieves combine heavy djenty grooves from Rick Hunter-Burns (bass) and percussive power from Ryan Delgyn (drums) with pulsating synths and cavernous riffs from Paul Andrew (guitar) and some sneering, gritty vocals for Jess Moyle, a potent cocktail that have been mixed properly to create this debut.
The result is a hooky, style of modern musical alchemy, Night Thieves are a stage honed, confident four-piece with strong creative senses, all of which is on display on Metaxis. 8/10
Australia’s favourite country rockers, The Wolfe Brothers, are heading back out on the road on their “Australian Made National Tour,” ending an 18-month break from touring. This tour follows their marathon 2023-2024 Livin’ The Dream tour, voted Australian Tour Of The Year at the inaugural Countrytown Awards in March 2025.
Despite calling a hiatus on touring at the end of 2024, the Tasmanian based brothers Tom and Nick Wolfe stayed connected with fans throughout 2025 by performing at dozens of festivals around the nation. While delivering blistering, high energy shows to over 100,000 people at the festivals they were also busy writing and recording their latest album.
The new tour celebrates the band’s most recent chapter, culminating in the release of their Australian Made album, which debuted at #1 on the ARIA Australian Album chart and the ARIA Australian Country chart upon its release on August 29, 2025. The success of the album paved the way for The Wolfe Brothers to become the most awarded act at the 2026 Australian Country Music Awards, earning 5 Golden Guitars: Album of the Year, Contemporary Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Collaboration of the Year with Zac and George, and Heritage Song of the Year. These wins lifted their career total to 15 Golden Guitars.
In the 14 years since appearing on Australia’s Got Talent in 2012, The Wolfe Brothers have become the most awarded country rock group in history. The brothers were honoured to receive their induction into the Galaxy of Stars (2024) and the Country Music Hands Of Fame (2026) placing them alongside many of the genre’s most revered artists. Their enduring popularity is further reflected by back-to-back fan-voted wins for Best Group or Duo at the Countrytown Awards in 2025 and 2026.
Tom Wolfe said: “The Australian Made concept really came from looking around at our lives and the people we grew up with. It’s a reflection of where we are from, the stories, the landscapes, the proud communities and the spirit of Australia. We wanted to make a record that felt honest, a record we would be proud of, without overthinking it.”
Nick Wolfe expressed the band’s excitement to be touring again with their new show and new album: “Those couple of hours on stage is where we feel most alive. We don’t take for granted that most people never get to experience playing to a crowd that has lived the songs you have written and sings them back to you. There is no greater feeling”.
The Wolfe Brothers are ready to hit the road and play “live, loud and proud”. This initial announcement includes shows through to the end of August, with more dates to be announced. This tour will continue throughout 2026 and into 2027.
THE WOLFE BROTHERS
AUSTRALIAN MADE NATIONAL TOUR DATES 2026
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Fri 10 Apr – Meatstock Toowoomba, QLD – Festival
Fri 17 Apr – Meatstock Gippsland, VIC – Festival
Sat 2 May – Stomping Groundz Festival, Dapto NSW – Festival
Sat 9 May – Outback Sounds, Mt Isa QLD – Festival
Fri 15 May – Capital Theatre, Bendigo VIC – special guest Taylor Moss
Sat 16 May – Civic Hall, Ballarat VIC – special guest Taylor Moss
Sat 30 May – Alpha Fest, Sandstone Point Hotel, QLD – Festival
Thur 4 June – Emerald Star Hotel, Emerald, QLD – special guest Jake Whittaker
Fr 5 June – Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton QLD – special guest Jake Whittaker
Sat 6 June – Harvey Road Tavern, Gladstone QLD – special guest Jake Whittaker
Sat 13 June – Country Fest, Townsville QLD – Festival
Thur 18 June – Hallam Hotel, VIC – special guest Taylor Moss
Fri 19 June – Gateway Hotel, Geelong VIC – special guest Taylor Moss
Sat 20 June – York On Lilydale, Mt Evelyn VIC – special guest Taylor Moss
Fri 26 June – Hamilton Hotel, Brisbane QLD – special guest Will Day
Sat 27 June – Racehorse Hotel, Ipswich QLD – special guest Will Day
Fri 17 July – C.ex Coffs Harbour NSW – special guest Abbie Ferris
Sat 18 July – Yamba Bowling Club, NSW – special guest Abbie Ferris
Fri 24 July – Evan Theatre, Penrith NSW – special guest Abbie Ferris
Sat 25 July – Harmonie German Club, Canberra ACT – special guest Abbie Ferris
Fri 31 July – The Gov, Adelaide, SA – special guest Taylor Moss
Sat 1 Aug – Barossa Arts Centre, Tanunda SA – special guest Taylor Moss
Fri 7 Aug – Club Forster, NSW – special guest Abbie Ferris
Sat 8 Aug – Panthers Port Macquarie, NSW – special guest Abbie Ferris
Fri 21 Aug – Full Throttle Ranch, Newcastle NSW – special guest Abbie Ferris
Sat 22 Aug – Drifters Wharf, Gosford NSW – special guest Abbie Ferris
Sat 29 Aug – Gympie Muster – Festival
Sun 30 Aug – Gympie Muster – Festival
Collecting the Incendiary’s earliest recordings—split 7” releases, their debut Amongst The Filth EP, and previously unreleased material—this compilation is less
With raw energy and uncompromising attitude, Devil’s Cigarette has quickly become a rising force on Sweden’s rock scene. Their music blends the nerve of classic garage rock with fresh, modern intensity – delivering big choruses, blazing riffs, and irresistible grooves. On stage, they are more than a band: they are an explosive statement. Sweaty, intense, […]
With raw energy and uncompromising attitude, Devil’s Cigarette has quickly become a rising force on Sweden’s rock scene. Their music blends the nerve of classic garage rock with fresh, modern intensity – delivering big choruses, blazing riffs, and irresistible grooves. On stage, they are more than a band: they are an explosive statement. Sweaty, intense, […]