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We’ve covered a number of the bands out there that feature the kids of famous rock stars, but one that’s always kinda stuck out to me was Bastardane. Featuring Metallica frontman James Hetfield’s son Castor on vocals and drums, it’s definitely one of the more interesting bands to look into, given the massive levels of success Papa Het’s experienced. So when the band released a new single earlier today titled “Taciturn & Morose”, you know I had to check it out.

Shared on their social media pages, the track was produced by Gojira frontman Joseph Duplantier. You know, the regular kind of resources a fledgling band totally has access to… Sure, they’ve already got two albums under their belt, but that’s beside the point.

Since the last time we covered Bastardane, the lineup shifted a bit. Vocalist Jake Dallas Benn quit the band last year, with bassist Luca Badan sharing vocal duties with Hetfield and Ethan Sirotzki handling guitar.

As for the single itself, it’s a pretty standard rocker of sorts. You can totally tell Hetfield is his father’s son in terms of vocal delivery. It’s uncanny at times when you hear it. You can also hear Castor Hetfield’s influences in the band’s sound, including bands like Corrosion of Conformity, Tool, and Opeth.

While speaking with Savannah Morning News recently, Castor said he doesn’t mind it when the media mentions his lineage. Which is good because he’s never going to shake that particular shadow, having the frontman of the biggest band on the planet as your dad.

“All of us are our father’s sons, mine just happens to be very successful in the industry that we’re in. It’s not bothersome, but it is a little annoying when people try to compare us, because obviously we’re our own people and he’s his own person. We’re making our own kind of music. Online, when you search our band, my dad’s face is all over the Internet and it’s a little strange for me. We are our own people and want to cut our own path. We’re not trying to ride off of anybody else’s success here.”

You can check out “Taciturn & Morose” for yourself with the clip below. Make a determination for yourself if it’s something you fuck with or if you just care because his dad is James Hetfield. Either way, they’re worth a listen.

The post Bastardane (Featuring James Hetfield’s Son Castor) Release New Single “Taciturn & Morose” appeared first on MetalSucks.

The third single from their first new album since 2016.

The post Truckfighters Streaming New Single “The Gorgon” appeared first on Theprp.com.

Never a band to do things by halves, Muse have officially announced their tenth studio album, The WOW! Signal, by literally launching the news into the atmosphere. Partnering with Sent Into Space, the trio sent a specially designed tablet 33km above the Earth to premiere the music video for their brand-new single, “Be With You”. … Continue reading Muse go interstellar with new album announcement and space launch – new video streaming now

Finnish doomish Heavy Metal band Wizards Of Hazards have released another single “Whatever Lies Behind” accompanied with a music video. The song is the second single  from their upcoming third full length album, that the band has been working with Samuli Rimmi (Dreamferno, Ruoska) at Studio 33, Kuopio Finland. The guitar Wizard Aarne Ylipiha tells about the song: “Whatever Lies Behind is one of the […]

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Australian blackened fantasy metal act Darklore continue expanding their mythic universe with the release of the lyric video for “The Great Elven War,” the towering title track from their latest album. Positioned as the seventh track, the song serves as the narrative and emotional centerpiece of the record, a sweeping chapter in the band’s original lore chronicling one of the most catastrophic conflicts in their fantasy world. Told from the perspective of the Dark Elves, “The Great Elven War” plunges listeners into an ancient and brutal conflict between two rival factions: the noble High Elves and the shadow-dwelling Dark Elves. At the center of the story stands the Dark Elven Queen, ruler of the grim domain known as Bloodthrone. When she is captured by High Elven forces and taken to their gleaming capital of Avaryndel, the act ignites a chain of events that drives both sides toward inevitable war. Refusing to accept defeat, the Dark Elves pursue their queen’s captors across the lands of Elmar, rallying their armies for an all-out assault on the High Elven stronghold. Yet the High Elves make a fatal mistake, they underestimate the true nature of the Dark Elven Queen. As night falls and the moon rises over Avaryndel, her dormant vampiric power awakens, turning the tide of battle into a nightmare for the High Elven forces. What follows is pure carnage. Empowered by darkness and fury, the Queen personally confronts the High Elven King, tearing his head from his shoulders and unleashing a massacre that consumes the once-proud capital. But victory is fleeting. As dawn approaches and the first rays of sunlight break across the battlefield, the Dark Elven forces begin to falter. Surrounded by the remnants of their enemies, the last surviving warriors are denied the mercy of death. Instead, they are banished to the Realm of the Eternal Dark, condemned to an endless exile beyond the mortal world. Yet even in defeat, the story does not end in silence. The song closes with a chilling promise: “We will return.” Blending melodic blackened aggression with sweeping fantasy storytelling and cinematic atmosphere, “The Great Elven War” stands as one of Darklore’s most ambitious compositions to date, a violent chapter in a saga that may only just be beginning. Bio: Decked-out in black leather and face paint, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Darklore had just walked off the set of a fantasy film. Their theatrical set and songs of dark fantasy and epic battles takes you on an adventure through many a mystical and […]

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With an assist from the Enemy Of Boredom Academy.

The post Cage Fight Launch Retro Video Game-Inspired “Pick Your Fighter” Video, Benighted’s Julien Truchan Guests appeared first on Theprp.com.

At the Gates share the emotional journey of finishing their final album before the death of vocalist Tomas Lindberg Continue reading…

Muse share video for new single Be With You and will release The Wow! Signal in June

Why Are Metal Fans More Loyal Than Other Music Fans?

Metal fans are more loyal because the genre operates as identity and community, reinforced by psychological attachment, shared culture, and consistently higher long-term engagement.

TL;DR

• Metal fans show higher repeat listening and long-term retention
• Loyalty is driven by identity, not casual preference
• The genre functions as a global subculture with shared values
• Research links metal fandom to emotional processing and belonging
• Live experiences reinforce long-term connection

Metal doesn’t behave like most genres.

It doesn’t cycle listeners in and out.

It keeps them.

Fans looking for upcoming shows can explore current listings here.

The Data Shows Metal Fans Stay Locked In

Listening patterns consistently show that niche genres with strong identity retain audiences longer.

Analysis tied to Spotify listening behavior shows higher repeat engagement among dedicated genre communities, while reporting from IFPI highlights that identity-driven genres sustain stronger long-term fan retention.

That kind of consistency isn’t accidental.

It’s structural.

Metal Functions As Identity, Not Just Preference

Research in Music Sociology shows that when people connect music to identity, they disengage far less over time.

Metal builds that connection naturally.

It carries its own:

• Visual style
• Language
• Cultural expectations

Once that connection forms, it becomes part of how someone sees themselves.

That doesn’t get dropped easily.

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The Psychological Attachment Is Stronger Than People Think

Research published in Self and Identity links heavy music fandom to identity formation and emotional regulation.

A study from University of Queensland found that extreme music listeners often process negative emotions in a positive, controlled way.

That creates attachment.

Not just interest.

Community Keeps The Connection Active

Metal reinforces itself constantly through shared experience.

Shows, online spaces, and fan culture all feed back into the same loop.

If you’ve spent time around it, you’ve seen how quickly that connection forms between people who’ve never met.

Live Shows Lock It In

Concert research within Social Psychology shows that shared live experiences increase emotional intensity and group cohesion.

Metal amplifies that effect.

The environment is physical, immersive, and collective.

If you’ve been in that room even once, you already know why that connection doesn’t fade.

There’s Less Drift In Metal Than Other Genres

Many genres depend on constant novelty.

Metal doesn’t.

Communities built around identity show lower trend-based disengagement, and that stability carries through across decades of listener behavior.

What’s Riding On That Loyalty

Modern music runs on short attention cycles.

Metal doesn’t need to.

Retention carries more weight than spikes, and this genre has built itself around that from the start.

Why This Matters Right Now

Listener behavior is shifting faster than ever, with most genres seeing shorter engagement windows.

Metal continues to hold attention longer because it was never built for passive listening—it was built for connection, and that model is aging better than almost anything else.

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FAQ

Are Metal Fans More Loyal Than Other Genres?

Yes. Data and research consistently show higher repeat listening and stronger long-term engagement.

Why Do Metal Fans Stay Loyal?

Because the genre connects to identity, community, and emotional experience.

Is There Research Supporting This?

Yes. Studies in psychology and sociology link heavy music fandom to identity formation and emotional processing.

Do Other Genres Have Loyal Fans?

Yes, but fewer operate as full subcultures in the same way metal does.

Why Do Metal Fans Stay For Years?

Because the connection extends beyond music into identity and shared experience.

Heavy Metal Culture Bio

The heavy metal subculture is a global community built around shared identity, values, and musical connection. Its longevity comes from deep fan loyalty, cultural reinforcement, and strong communal experiences.

The post Why Metal Fans Never Leave While Other Genres Lose Them appeared first on Loaded Radio.

It’s already been a decade since their last release, what’s a couple more months?

The post Anthrax Delay Their New Album To A Fall Release appeared first on Theprp.com.