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Winterfylleth – The Unyielding Season (Review)
Winterfylleth are a UK black metal band and this is their ninth album. 2024’s The Imperious Horizon feels like it came out yesterday, but here we are again anyway, a brand new Winterfylleth record. Whereas its predecessor was icy, The Unyielding Season is fiery. These well-written songs are very strong. If you had any doubts about the … Continue reading “Winterfylleth – The Unyielding Season (Review)” -
A View From The Back Of The Room: Froglord (Gregg Stockdale)
Froglord, Adfeilion & Grindhorse83, The Bunkhouse, Swansea, 14.03.26
The irony of the fact that Froglord’s first swamp ritual in Swansea takes place on one of the driest days in months wasn’t lost on me. I had actually played a show with them back in 2023 (before they won Metal2TheMasses) and I was a fan ever since. Seeing them in my local venue was an opportunity too good to pass up, so I headed off on my lonesome to witness the spectacle.I didn’t arrive ridiculously early, but when I got to The Bunkhouse, there were only another three people there. It was with a sinking feeling that I began to pray to the Mystic Toad that Froglord’s first trip to Swansea wouldn’t be a bust. Thankfully, as the clock ticked towards 8pm the venue started to fill up.
First up were Grindhorse83. An odd mix of Garage Punk, B-Movie soundtracks and Surf Rock. If you’re a fan of The Cramps, The Mummies or Man Or Astroman, then you’ll be right at home leaping like a loon to these guys. This was, in fact, only the second time I had seen them live, due to their uncanny knack of playing shows on the same night as me. As the saying goes though, better late than never.
Fronted by vocalist Mia Zadora, this rag tag bunch of musical misfits construct songs that are like the walls of Macchu Picchu. Big, odd shaped lumps of stuff that fit so tightly that you can’t get a playing card between them. Whilst this seeming chaos is unfolding, Mia’s vocals switch from chanteuse to operatic to the embodiment of “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”.She prowls the stage and commands the audience with great skill. This is no mean feat, as quite often nowadays the front person in the band seems to rely on phrases that are becoming tropes in the metal scene and are shouted whether there are enough people to “open the fucking pit up” there or not.
The set closer is a song entitled Top Down Hearse, which sees guitarist Michael Hiatt perform a whistle solo that would make Sergio Leone weep with joy. (Editors Note: whistling can only be performed with the cowboy hat) And as they lap up the adoration of the crowd you realise that this is only the first band of the night. Being the opener is the hardest spot on the lineup. You have to get the crowd going, usually just after they have arrived and are still only half a beer deep.Grindhorse83’s sound is so infectious and energetic that they have no difficulty in getting the crowd into the palm of their hand (or, claws I guess, IYKYK).
After the brightly lit, organised chaos of Grindhorse 83, the lights lower, ivy appears to sprout from the very walls and candles cast a mysterious, magical glow…
Next up are last year’s Welsh winners of M2TM South Wales, Adfeilion. Clad in black robes, faces daubed with woad, and with a solitary lantern lighting the way, Adfeilion make their way through the audience and take to the smoke filled stage.Last summer, they really surprised everyone at the competition with their instrumental, folklore tinged pagan prog-folk. The songs themselves provide the soundtrack to a story that is told in-between tracks. This is quite a novel experience, and one that allows you to fully appreciate all facets of the story being told.
They were engaging before when I saw them last year, but now they seem to have developed a harder edge to them since Ben Baljak (from openers Grindhorse83) joined. They can now properly be called a metal band, with the mellow, synth driven folk ambience offset by some genuinely heavy riffing. On the previous times I’ve seen them, I don’t remember synchronised head banging and strobe lighting, but maybe I’m misremembering.
This new aspect doesn’t feel contrived at all. While the guys obviously love the mellower vibes, you can see they really love to get very loud and very heavy. I’m glad to see that they are developing as a band into something genuinely unique.
Finally, accompanied by the incessant piping of frogs, the swamp priests Froglord took to the stage. Immediately you can see why these guys have made a name for themselves in the Stoner/Doom scene, even scoring spots at Bloodstock and Desertfest. Their titanic slab-like riffs sound like glaciers calving into the ocean, and are the perfect counterpoint to vocalist Benjamin Oak’s energetic stage presence. Imagine Rob Zombie fronting Variation On A Theme era OM, and you’ll be somewhere close. Call me lazy with my comparisons if you wish, it is what it is.
After being warmed up with the opening two bands, the crowd were a sea of nodding heads as everyone locked into the riffs. Highlights of the set for me were The Bog, and They Came From Saturn (which closed the set). They are my two favourite Froglord songs, and as I joyously sang along, it was great to see a band new to The Bunkhouse had not only a rammed live room, but that everyone loved them.
I may have been in “a relaxed mood” (I was definitely in “a relaxed mood”), but the lineup segued perfectly from opener to closer. All three bands are well worthy of any and all accolades they receive. The Bunkhouse showed, yet again, why it is such a great venue, and is a real treasure to the Swansea music scene. 10/10 -
Listening Now : Slow Coda – Lukewarm Rhythm
Slow Coda’s Lukewarm Rhythm leans into a subdued, introspective space, pairing understated instrumentation with a quietly heavy emotional core. The track unfolds with a steady, almost detached groove, mirroring its themes of existential unease and loss of control. Vocals sit calmly within the mix, reinforcing a sense of resignation rather than urgency. There’s no dramatic release here—just a slow, deliberate immersion into mood and reflection. Lukewarm Rhythm stands out for its restraint, capturing tension not through intensity, but through its muted, lingering atmosphere.
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Listening Now : Amores Vigilantes – Make Like McQueen
Amores Vigilantes’ Make Like McQueen carries a wide-screen, nostalgic energy, blending jangly indie textures with a hazy, retro atmosphere. Built on ringing guitars and a steady, driving rhythm, the track feels both expansive and rooted, echoing its origins in revived ‘90s recordings. There’s a sense of longing woven into the sound, balanced by anthemic momentum that keeps it moving forward. The production embraces a slightly worn, analog warmth, adding character rather than polish.
Make Like McQueen stands as a reflective yet uplifting piece, bridging past and present with effortless charm.
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Listening Now : JIRI – ClockWork
JIRI’s ClockWork delivers a sleek, nightlife-ready hip-hop cut built on control, rhythm, and quiet tension. The production is smooth and calculated, with a polished beat that mirrors the track’s themes of routine and confidence on autopilot. JIRI’s delivery is composed and assured, gliding over the instrumental with precision while hinting at something more complex beneath the surface. There’s an understated edge throughout, suggesting that not everything is as effortless as it seems.
ClockWork stands as a refined, self-aware track that balances style with subtle depth.
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BLACK VEIL BRIDES Announce Seventh Studio Album ‘VINDICATE’ Out May 8 + Release New Single/Video
L to R: Jinxx (Guitars), Andy Biersack (Vocals), Christian Coma (Drums), Jake Pitts (Guitars), Lonny Eagleton (Bass) – Photo: Jonathan Weiner With anticipation building at every turn, Black Veil Brides have announced their highly anticipated seventh studio album, VINDICATE. The record will be released worldwide on May 8 via Spinefarm.
The album is now available for pre-order here.
From the opening organ introduction and dramatic soliloquy of “Invocation To The Muse” to the emotive finale of “Eschaton,” the band—vocalist Andy Biersack, guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx, bassist Lonny Eagleton, and drummer Christian Coma—deliver one of the most ambitious chapters of their career. Previously released singles including Bleeders, Hallelujah, and Certainty have already showcased the band’s continued musical evolution while maintaining the theatrical intensity that has defined their sound.
“This record is rooted in the feelings of revenge and vindication. These are emotions that can either push us forward or hold us back. There’s a duality to them. They can fuel growth, drive ambition, and help us rise above what’s tried to break us, but they can also become destructive if we let them consume us,” explains Andy Biersack.
Each song explores a different side of that struggle. Sometimes it’s about getting even with someone else, sometimes it’s about confronting ourselves and our past, our pain, or the things that were done to us. At its core, though, this album is about resilience.
It’s for anyone who’s ever had their dreams doubted or their fire challenged by people who couldn’t see their vision. We’re all born with that spark. The world will try to take that away at times, but this record is about holding onto it, fighting back, and turning those struggles into something powerful.”
The latest preview from the album arrives with the release of the title track, Vindicate. Featuring a haunting calliope introduction that erupts into a driving wall of guitars and Biersack’s signature scream, the song captures the dramatic scale and power fans have come to expect from Black Veil Brides. The track is now available across all digital service providers.
In support of the new album, Black Veil Brides will embark on their first North American headline tour of 2026. Support on the tour will come from From Ashes To New, TX2, and As December Falls.
VINDICATE TRACK LISTING:
01. Invocation To The Muse
02. Vindicate
03. Certainty
04. Bleeders
05. Hallelujah
06. Cut
07. Alive
08. Purgatory
09. Revenger
10. Sorrow
11. Grace
12. Ave Maria
13. Woe & Pain
14. EschatonVINDICATE – OUT MAY 8
https://BlackVeilBrides.lnk.to/vindicatepreorderThe post BLACK VEIL BRIDES Announce Seventh Studio Album ‘VINDICATE’ Out May 8 + Release New Single/Video appeared first on The Rockpit.
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Listening Now : Patience Please – Miles Away
Patience Please deliver a vibrant indie pop-rock moment with Miles Away, combining punchy guitar work with an infectious, high-energy flow. The track thrives on its dynamic contrast—bouncy, playful verses leading into a soaring, anthemic chorus that feels built for live settings. Vocals carry a youthful urgency, capturing the excitement and unpredictability of new connections without overthinking it. There’s a polished yet spirited feel throughout, balancing tight songwriting with a sense of spontaneity.
Miles Away stands out as a confident, hook-driven release that channels both charm and momentum.
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YOUNG THE GIANT Releases New Single ‘Bitter Fruit’ & New Album ‘Victory Garden’ Out May 1
Multi-platinum band Young the Giant have released their new single, Bitter Fruit.
Produced by Brendan O’Brien (AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan) and Young the Giant, and written by the band collectively, the anthemic song captures a yearning to reconnect with the wonder of youth — to feel alive, fall in love, and embrace life fully. An official music video for the track featuring never-before-seen studio footage is also out now.
Speaking on the new single, the band shared, “Bitter Fruit is a song about the struggle of being calloused by adulthood with a yearning to see the world fresh, through the eyes of a child: To feel alive and present with wonder and awe. When we wrote the line, ‘I wanna laugh and cry just like a child again,’ our engineer’s kids walked into the studio at that exact moment. It felt strangely fated.”
The release follows the band’s recent single Different Kind Of Love, which debuted as the #1 most-added track at Alternative Radio and #5 at Triple A in its first week — listen here. The track continues to climb at Alternative Radio, currently sitting in the Top 10. Both singles will appear on Young the Giant’s forthcoming sixth studio album Victory Garden, arriving May 1. The project marks the band’s first full-length release since 2022’s American Bollywood.
Last month, Young the Giant announced their forthcoming Victory Garden Tour, kicking off May 24 and running through August 9 across North America. The run of arena and amphitheater shows will feature support from Cold War Kids, almost monday, and KennyHoopla, with Cold War Kids also celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album Robbers & Cowards.
BITTER FRUIT – OUT NOW
https://link.youngthegiant.com/bitterfruit
VICTORY GARDEN – DUE OUT MAY 1
https://link.youngthegiant.com/victorygardenThe post YOUNG THE GIANT Releases New Single ‘Bitter Fruit’ & New Album ‘Victory Garden’ Out May 1 appeared first on The Rockpit.
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Listening Now : The Satisfactory – How To Swim
Canadian rock ‘n’ roll band The Satisfactory’s How To Swim builds from a place of quiet reflection into a full, cathartic indie rock release. Rooted in classic songwriting, the track leans on warm guitars and steady pacing before gradually opening up into something more expansive and anthemic. Vocals carry a sense of vulnerability that grows into determination, mirroring its theme of resilience. The dynamics are key, allowing the emotional payoff to feel earned rather than forced. How To Swim captures that moment of hesitation before diving back in—and the strength it takes to do so.
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Listening Now : Theo Black – Your Love
Theo Black’s Your Love is a high-energy indie rock cut that pairs driving guitars with a sense of emotional urgency. The track moves fast but never loses its melodic grip, balancing punchy rhythms with a reflective core rooted in lost love. Vocals carry a raw, slightly restless edge, giving the song a lived-in feel rather than polished detachment. The shift in the bridge adds a welcome twist, breaking the momentum before launching back in. Your Love captures that fleeting, unresolved feeling with both intensity and immediacy.
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