Eight songs you need to hear right now, from Muse, Crown Lands, the Black Keys and more

POISON THE WELL are released PEACE IN PLACE, their first album in 16 years, on March 20 via SharpTone Records. “There’s

Logistics are apparently keeping them from confirming new dates in a bulk announcement. Continue reading…

Blue Medusa, the new band from former Arch Enemy vocalist Alissa White-Gluz, have shared their first piece of music, and it is a total face-ripper.

The band consists of White-Gluz on vocals, joined by guitarists Alyssa Day and Dani Sophia and launched last month. And in ‘Checkmate’, the trio are showing a bit of what we should come to expect from this collaboration.

A gripping, frantic, guttural slice of modern metal battery, it shows off as much sensational riffing as it does beastly vocal gymnastics. Going straight for the jugular and refusing to take the pressure off, it’s a bold statement of intent from a band who have stardom already in their sights.

There are few better first moves they could have made.

Alissa had this to say about the track and where she was pulling inspiration:

“This is a song where everything just clicked. ‘Checkmate’ is an extremely cathartic song for me. It was created in one of those flow states where the lyrics and melodies and rhythms just write themselves and you get the feeling that you’re on to something powerful. It’s probably the heaviest thing I’ve written in terms of lyrics, and probably the lightest of what we have cooking in terms of sound. I wanted to share the intensity of these feelings with fans and give them something to hold on to.”

And she had this to say about the support that the band have already received:

“I’m so happy to see so much support for Blue Medusa already; fans can look forward to more dark, heavy, brutal and haunting music very soon.”

The post Blue Medusa Share Savage Debut Track ‘Checkmate’ appeared first on Rock Sound.

Good Day Noir Family,
Rayka Blake launches “You Made Me Bad” with immediate drive, as drums push forward and a sharp guitar riff sets the pace.

You Made Me Bad is Rayka Blake’s Single Out Now

The instrumental opening does more than establish energy; it builds a foundation that supports the emotional core of the track.

The rhythm section locks in quickly, creating a steady pulse that carries the listener without hesitation.

Blake’s voice enters with warmth and intensity. Her vocal tone carries a natural rock identity, one that feels deeply rooted rather than constructed. Her delivery shows control and intention, allowing each phrase to land with clarity. There is a trace of the 80s in her phrasing, yet it never feels dated. That influence blends into a modern framework that keeps the performance current.

The strength of the track also lies in its structure. The bass line works closely with the drums, forming a tight rhythmic backbone that supports the entire arrangement. The song maintains momentum without becoming repetitive. The distorted guitars create a consistent layer of energy, while their slightly elevated high frequencies add contrast. This choice allows the vocal to rise clearly above the mix, giving the song a defined sonic balance.

The chorus amplifies the track’s emotional impact. It introduces a sense of movement, almost like a journey shaped by memory and reflection. The hook remains accessible, but it carries enough weight to stay with the listener.

Notably, the song addresses personal transformation after emotional wounds. The message encourages forward motion, urging the listener to move beyond the past rather than remain defined by it. On the other hand, the track never becomes overly reflective, maintaining its drive from beginning to end.

Beyond that, “You Made Me Bad” stands out for its balance between energy and emotional clarity. The arrangement stays focused, the performance remains consistent, and the message connects without excess. All beautifully crafted through the skilled production of Pietro Foresti and Luca Urbani.

A strong and engaging release by Rayka Blake.

You Made Me Bad is Rayka Blake’s Single Out Now!

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Resilient!

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Rayka Blake is an Italian rock singer-songwriter with a growing international following, especially in the U.S. Known for her powerful vocals and emotionally driven songwriting, she blends strong guitars with themes of resilience and transformation.

She debuted in 2019 with “Nevermore,” while her 2024 EP Daybreak featured “Born Again,” which passed the first round of GRAMMY® voting. She was also nominated at the FemMetal Awards 2024.

Her latest single, “You Made Me Bad,” is a bold rock track about personal change after emotional wounds, confirming her as a distinctive voice in today’s global music scene.

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Find Rayka Blake Here:

Spotify
Instagram

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Discover New Bands Click Here

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Listen to more tunes on the Noir Playlist.

The post You Made Me Bad is Rayka Blake’s Single Out Now appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.

A few weeks ago — after fellow rock icons like Patti Smith, Billy Corgan, and Nick Cave proclaimed their fanship of Geese — Courtney Love bravely went on the record to say she wasn’t quite yet sold on the Brooklyn band, who made our favorite album of last year. “I’m Geese-curious,” Love said in an Instagram reel. “Do you feel like their team might be, like, elder millennial Brooklyn people? Like, very Girls-y? But who cares. You can’t fake the way he’s singing. I’m trying to get it, and I do, kinda.”

The post Courtney Love Comes Around On Geese Despite Their “Gatekeeping Elder Millennial Troll Fans” appeared first on Stereogum.

New dates follow summer shows with Santana. Continue reading…

Celebrating eight years of showcasing some of the most debaucherous and brutal extreme metal to roll through the state of Florida, Tampa Death Fest returns for two nights of uncompromising extreme metal on September 5th and 6th, at the legendary Brass Mug in Tampa Bay, Florida.

The festival has announced it’s accepting band submissions to fill remaining slots for its 2026 lineup. Bands interested in performing at Tampa Death Fest are encouraged to submit their materials before the April 1st deadline. TDF welcomes extreme-metal acts of all styles and origins, with a commitment to curating a lineup that reflects the genre’s depth, diversity, and global reach.

Bands can apply their EPK at: tampabaymetalscene.booking[@]yahoo.com

Since launching in 2019, Tampa Death Fest has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the underground extreme‑metal community. Rooted in the city widely hailed as the Death Metal Capital of the World, TDF continues to unite bands, fans and local businesses under its guiding mantra: “Strength Through Unity, Unity Through Metal.”

Each year, TDF showcases a diverse roster of international, national, and regional acts, offering a platform for rising underground talent to share the stage with established legends. Past editions of TDF have hosted such notable acts as Satan, Venom, Inc, Ringworm, Diabolic, Leishmaniasis (Colombia), Repulsive Vision (UK), Massacre, Atheist, GraveHuffer, Blasphemation, Carpathian Funeral, Kill The Imposter, Sadistic Vision, Nibiru, Merciless Scum, Quiescent Mantis, MRSA, Pantheon, and more.

With an ever‑growing international presence, Tampa Death Fest continues to strengthen connections across Florida and beyond, fostering a spirit of collaboration and community engagement within the metal scene.

About Tampa Death Fest:​
Founded in 2019, Tampa Death Fest has grown into a premier event within the extreme metal world. The festival’s mission is to uplift artists, unite fans, and celebrate the culture of heavy music through a shared passion for brutality, creativity, and community.

More Info:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577052471967

Source: ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Since dropping debut album I’ll be here last year, Vines, aka composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Cassie Wieland, has dropped a one-off single and a Christmas traditional. Today she’s back with news of a fun project, an EP called Covers I. The tracklist kicks off with “Fourth Of July” from Sufjan Stevens’ Carrie & Lowell and…

The post Vines Covers Frank Ocean, Sufjan Stevens, Wheatus, & Fleetwood Mac On New EP: Hear “Silver Springs” (Feat. Helado Negro) appeared first on Stereogum.

The post Premature Evaluation: Robyn <em>Sexistential</em> appeared first on Stereogum.