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A Perfect Circle have announced a 32-date North American tour for spring 2027 and released a second new single, ‘To Whom It May Concern,’ in the same week their previous one, ‘Starless,’ reached number one at Active Rock radio. The run opens April 13 in Vancouver and closes June 13 in Phoenix, with Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Hollywood Bowl on the routing. Puscifer — Maynard James Keenan’s other band — open all seven Canadian dates plus Detroit, which means Keenan plays two sets a night through April 25, and The Cult support the remaining 25 US shows.

Tickets go on sale Friday, October 2 at 10am local, with the band’s presale opening Wednesday, September 30 at 10am local (password: PERFECT). The new single is streaming now, and the visualizer is embedded below, along with the full date list and every presale window.

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Hear ‘To Whom It May Concern’

I spent a long time on the other side of the Active Rock chart, watching what it takes to get a record to number one there. It’s not a participation trophy. For a band whose last album came out in 2018 to walk in with a first single and take the top spot, and then drop the second one the same week, tells you the label knows exactly what it has. Billy Howerdel called it ‘even sweeter.’ I’d call it a statement.

The Single: ‘To Whom It May Concern’

The new track was written earlier this year and cut at Howerdel’s Lankershim Ranch Studio in Studio City. Howerdel produced. Matty Green — whose credits run through U2, Florence + The Machine and TV On The Radio — mixed it. And Josh Freese, back in the fold, plays drums.

That production credit matters. Howerdel has always been the architect of this band’s sound, and a self-produced APC single with Freese behind the kit is about as close to the Thirteenth Step lineup’s DNA as you can get in 2026.

It follows ‘Starless,’ which arrived earlier this year and has now topped Active Rock. Howerdel: ‘It’s exciting to finally get some new music out into the world, and seeing Starless reach #1 at rock radio this week has made it even sweeter! The outpouring of support is so very much appreciated. To Whom It May Concern is next up! More to come.’

‘More to come’ is doing a lot of work in that sentence. A new album has been confirmed, two singles are out, and a spring tour of this size doesn’t get booked without a record to sell at the merch table.

The Tour: 32 Dates, Two Openers, One Man Playing Twice

Here’s the routing that made me sit up. Puscifer open every Canadian show — Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, two nights in Niagara Falls — and Detroit. That’s seven nights where Maynard James Keenan opens for Maynard James Keenan.

He knows how it sounds. ‘Very much looking forward to pulling double duty through Canada with A Perfect Circle and Puscifer,’ Keenan said. ‘Been way, way too long. New tunes, new dance moves, new hair hats. Figure it out. #figureitout’

From Boston on April 27 through Phoenix on June 13, The Cult take the support slot — Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy opening for a band that formed fifteen years after ‘She Sells Sanctuary’ is a lineup that would have sounded backwards in 1999 and sounds exactly right now.

Red Rocks is May 27. The Hollywood Bowl is June 6. Both are rooms this band has already sold out, and both are on the list of places where an APC show turns into something else.

Every 2027 North American Date

With Puscifer:

• April 13 — Vancouver, BC — Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
• April 15 — Calgary, AB — Scotiabank Saddledome
• April 17 — Edmonton, AB — Rogers Place
• April 19 — Winnipeg, MB — Canada Life Centre
• April 22 — Niagara Falls, ON — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
• April 23 — Niagara Falls, ON — OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino
• April 25 — Detroit, MI — Fox Theatre

With The Cult:

• April 27 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway
• April 28 — Uncasville, CT — Mohegan Sun Arena
• April 30 — Camden, NJ — Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
• May 1 — Newark, NJ — Prudential Center
• May 4 — Charlotte, NC — Truliant Amphitheater
• May 5 — Duluth, GA — Gas South Arena
• May 7 — Houston, TX — The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
• May 8 — Grand Prairie, TX — Texas Trust CU Theatre
• May 15 — Nashville, TN — Bridgestone Arena
• May 17 — St. Louis, MO — Chaifetz Arena
• May 19 — Elizabethtown, KY — Venue TBA (on sale at a later date)
• May 20 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH — Blossom Music Center
• May 22 — Chicago, IL — Wintrust Arena
• May 23 — Shakopee, MN — Mystic Lake Amphitheater
• May 27 — Denver, CO — Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• May 28 — Salt Lake City, UT — Maverik Center
• May 30 — Seattle, WA — Climate Pledge Arena
• June 1 — Portland, OR — Veterans Memorial Coliseum
• June 3 — Reno, NV — Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort
• June 4 — Daly City, CA — Cow Palace Arena
• June 6 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Bowl
• June 8 — Chula Vista, CA — North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
• June 10 — Las Vegas, NV — Fontainebleau Las Vegas
• June 11 — Las Vegas, NV — Fontainebleau Las Vegas
• June 13 — Phoenix, AZ — Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

Tickets And Presales

• A Perfect Circle presale: Wednesday, September 30, 10am local, through Thursday, October 1, 10pm local. Password: PERFECT.
• Local presales: Thursday, October 1, 10am to 10pm local.
• General on-sale: Friday, October 2, 10am local.
• Elizabethtown, KY: on sale at a later date, details to come.

Local time means local time. The Vancouver presale is not the Phoenix presale.

Before Any Of That: The Fall Run

The 2027 dates are the second act. APC and Puscifer are already booked across the rest of 2026, following the European leg: Mexico City on November 25, then São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Santiago, then Australia from December 4 (Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, two Sydney shows — the second already sold out), Auckland on December 13, Tokyo and Osaka, and a closer in Honolulu on December 19. Dave Hill appears on the fall dates.

That’s Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Hawaii in four weeks, then home for the holidays, then thirty-two more in the spring. For a band that spent most of the last decade dormant, it’s the busiest they’ve been since Eat The Elephant.

Why This Is A Bigger Deal Than A Tour Announcement

A Perfect Circle have never been a band that tours for the sake of it. The gaps in their history are long and deliberate — nothing between 2004 and 2010, nothing on record between eMOTIVe and Eat The Elephant. When they move, it’s because there’s something to move for.

Two singles in a year, one of them at number one, a confirmed album, a world tour that runs from Mexico City to the Hollywood Bowl, and Maynard willing to sing two sets a night in April — that isn’t a victory lap. That’s a band with a record they believe in. If you’ve spent any time with the APC catalogue ranked, you know the ceiling on this band is Mer de Noms and Thirteenth Step. For the first time in twenty years, they’re acting like they intend to reach it again.

And for the Tool crowd wondering where this leaves the other band: Maynard has always kept the two on separate tracks, and the Tool discography tends to grow at its own glacial pace regardless. This is an APC year. Take it while it’s here.

TL;DR

• New single ‘To Whom It May Concern’ is out now — produced by Billy Howerdel, mixed by Matty Green, Josh Freese on drums.
• ‘Starless’ has reached #1 at Active Rock radio.
• 32-date North American tour, April 13 (Vancouver) to June 13 (Phoenix). Red Rocks May 27, Hollywood Bowl June 6.
• Puscifer open all Canadian dates plus Detroit (April 13–25). The Cult support April 27 to June 13.
• APC presale Wednesday, Sept 30, 10am local (password PERFECT). General on-sale Friday, Oct 2, 10am local. Elizabethtown, KY on sale later.
• Fall 2026 dates run Mexico City (Nov 25) through Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan to Honolulu (Dec 19), with Puscifer and Dave Hill.

FAQ

Red Rocks or the Bowl — which one are you driving to? And is Maynard doing two sets a night a flex or a warning? Tell us in the comments, and follow Loaded Radio for daily rock and metal news.

The post A Perfect Circle Tour 2027 And A New Single You Can Hear Right Now appeared first on Loaded Radio.

Extending the acoustic anniversary run into 2027

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A museum, a major blood drive and more! Life Burns Faster with Metallica in Sin City starting this October. Continue reading…

We here at Stereogum are big fans of Victoryland, the partnership of singer-songwriter Julian McCamman (ex-Blood) and producer Dan Howard (also of the special new band Billboard Style). Also fans of Victoryland: Dead Oceans, one of the biggest and best labels in indie music, which has just added the band to their roster.

The post Victoryland – “The Ugliest Girl On The Beach” appeared first on Stereogum.

(Andy Synn prepares to worship at the altar of Spirit Possession, whose new album is out on Friday) Allow me to begin this review with a semi-spoiler, if I may? Because, if nothing changes between now and December, there’s a very high likelihood that Spirit Possession‘s third album will be taking one of the highly-coveted slots in this […]

The post SPIRIT POSSESSION – CATHEDRAL SPEECH appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.

Space is very metal. So I’ve always been surprised that it’s a relatively underdeveloped topic across most styles. Bands like Enshine, of course, make it all the rage every now and again, but it’s not something I see often. Orbital Soul System (formerly Orbital Dawn) is working to correct this perspective. The one-man solo project of one U-Gene (Rakoth) from Russia is now releasing its third full-length album, Nightwing. Boasting a tag of blackened progressive death metal and a clear cosmic theme, Orbital Soul System feels like it’s reaching for the stars with its latest—it’s certainly an ambitious moniker for a single artist. They say to shoot for the moon, because even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars. Let’s see where Nightwing lands.

Nightwing lands on the “death” side of its lengthy genre moniker, leaning on heavy riffs and harsh vocals and aiming to be a heavy-hitting cosmic spectacle. Space-themed synths hold up the melodic side, building spacious and appropriately cool atmospheres to give Orbital Soul System a distinct symphonic edge. Songs like “Enclosure” emulate Thy Catafalque, with heavy organ/synth use offsetting blackened death fury, and reaching for epic heights. Other tracks, like “The Wanderer,” take a slower and more deliberate approach, building on leads and melodies to create lengthy, intricate, and more progressive experiences. Throughout, U-Gene’s intentional, annunciated growls and whispered cleans are a frequent companion, but most of Nightwing is a feast for keys and guitars.

The cosmic theme of Nightwing, on the other hand, is a constant companion, so what you think about that theme will strongly impact how you enjoy Orbital Soul System. “The Last One,” for example, is the first break we get from the metal barrage, dialing up elements of electronica and introducing a heavy autotune to distort the lyrics into an alien, computer tongue. It works for the aesthetic, of course, but the delivery is, unsurprisingly, passionless. In truth, the growls have a similar issue—so well enunciated and intentional that they seem to exist more for the storytelling than to impart feeling—but it all “fits” an album of space-themed progressive death metal. “Into the Abyss” treads the line better, but it is interesting to notice that the main theme of the song involves three synth layers (as best as I can tell) and the only one adding melody is the simplest one, a basic-yet-effective tune that acts against the seriousness of the metal to give the song some bounce and character. I like it, but I can’t help but wonder if Orbital Soul System has traded some of its passion for music for its cosmic theme.

While I’m on the fence about the theme, I have a clearer issue with Nightwing that holds me back from really appreciating it, and it lies twofold in the album’s production. For one thing, the drums do not sound good, to the point that I wouldn’t be surprised to learn they aren’t real. They click and tap, but don’t add heft, and this is probably part of the reason I find Nightwing a less-than-impassioned listen. They sound the same in “Savage,” an instrumental, largely electric interlude track, as in the title track, my favorite song on Nightwing, a blackened epic of sweeping proportions, melodic and impressive—but not strong. This then exacerbates my next observation: nearly every song feels at least two minutes too long, including the three-minute opener. Most songs sit in the 7–9-minute range, but I think only one justifies the length (“Enclosure”). There are a ton of ideas in Nightwing, but 59 minutes is a long time for only nine tracks, too many of which spend time setting a mood that’s long been established.

Like Nightwing itself, I want to end this review on a positive note. Closer “42” is one of the best songs Orbital Soul System offers here, with a strong main riff, uplifting swells from the synths, and the album’s only guitar solo, which does a lot to lift the energy of the song. It’s a good indication that Orbital Soul System has a good instinct for its music and theme. For me, however, the choices made after the guitars are put away have made this an album I likely won’t return as often as even I’d like.

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Rating: 2.5/5.0
DR: 5 | Format Reviewed: 319 kb/s mp3
Label: Self release
Websites: orbitalsoulsystem.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/Orbitalsoulsystemofficial
Releases Worldwide: October 1st, 2026

The post Orbital Soul System – Nightwing Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CATHARIA TO UNLEASH NEW SINGLE “WINTER SOLSTICE” AHEAD OF NOVEMBER 2026 ALBUM PORTRAIT OF ANTIQUITY

Melodic black metal force returns with a darker, more expansive sound featuring new permanent vocalist John Harrah and guest vocalist Kassandra Chandler of Divine Martyr

For Fans Of: Dissection, Immortal, Satyricon
CATHARIA is preparing to unleash its new single “Winter Solstice” 10/02/26, offering the first taste of the band’s upcoming full-length album, Portrait of Antiquity , due for release in November 2026.
The new single features John Harrah , Catharia’s new permanent vocalist, alongside special guest vocalist Kassandra Chandler of Divine Martyr , adding another dimension to the band’s evolving sound.
Formed in 2018, Catharia has spent the years since its inception developing a sound rooted in the cold atmosphere and ferocity of black metal while incorporating the crushing weight of death metal and a strong emphasis on melody. With Portrait of Antiquity , the band expands that foundation into a darker, more melodic and symphonic direction.
According to the band:


“More melodic and symphonic then previous releases.”


“Winter Solstice” serves as the first preview of that expanded musical approach, combining Catharia’s established aggression and darkness with a greater emphasis on atmosphere, melody and symphonic elements.
The upcoming album Portrait of Antiquity continues to push the band’s melodic black metal and blackened death metal foundation into broader and more expansive territory. Drawing influence from the atmospheric intensity of classic melodic black metal and the relentless force of blackened death metal, Catharia aims to balance sweeping musical passages with uncompromising heaviness.
Portrait of Antiquity is scheduled for release in November 2026 . While Catharia is currently signed with Rockshots , the album will be released independently.
The album was produced and recorded with Jackson Ward at Strata Recording Studio , bringing a focused production approach to Catharia’s evolving sound.
With the arrival of “Winter Solstice,” Catharia begins the next chapter of its evolution, introducing a new permanent vocalist, welcoming a guest vocalist for the first single, and unveiling the darker and more expansive direction of Portrait of Antiquity .
Portrait of Antiquity

Artist: Catharia
Album: Portrait of Antiquity
First Single: “Winter Solstice”
Format: Full-Length Album
Genre: Melodic Black Metal / Blackened Death Metal
Single Release: October 2nd, 2026
Album Release: November 2026
Release: Independent
Label: Rockshots
Production: Jackson Ward, Strata Recording Studio
Permanent Vocals: John Harrah
Guest Vocals on “Winter Solstice”: Kassandra Chandler, Divine Martyr
For Fans Of: Dissection, Immortal, Satyricon


Connect:
https://catharia.com/
Contact:
Matt Powell
powellmatt52@yahoo.com

The fourth edition of Canadian festival Prepare the Ground is slated for June 4-6 in Toronto, Ontario this year and the initial lineup is looking stacked. Agalloch will play their first Canadian performance in over a decade, joined by the also-reunited Subrosa. Elsewhere, Primitive Man will perform 2025’s Observance in its entirety, Lamp of Murmuur play the country for the first time and KEN mode have a secretive performance listed on the bill.

From the press release, “Prepare the Ground is a three day independent & community based arts and music festival taking over two full blocks of downtown Toronto. Containing an outdoor arts market, four music venues (Trinity St. Paul’s Church, Lee’s Palace, the Cave, Transac) and a dedicated theatre for movie scores amongst so much more. The 2026 festival sold out in advance.”

Three day passes are on sale now.

Full announced lineup (more to come):

Agalloch
Bosse-de-Nage
Dark Castle
Franklin
Junius
KEN mode (performing ???)
Lamp of Murmuur
Malfet
Primitive Man (performing Observance)
Subrosa
Thrä

The post Prepare the Ground Announces Agalloch, SubRosa, Primitive Man and More for Initial 2027 Lineup appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Oh, fuck yeah. I’ve been in something of a low place recently, what with my brief foray into Satanism with the new Archgoat a few weeks ago, and my offputtingly enjoyable experience listening to Anthrax during my last review, so I feel like I need a reset.

Luckily, my editor over at MetalSucks decided to not be an insufferable shit for once in her worthless life, and gave me the green light to introduce a little wholesomeness to you wannabe purveyors of the Dark Arts.

That’s right, motherfucker, get ready to be bukkaked by the Love of Christ.

Here’s my review of the new Stryper, and if you don’t like it you’re more than welcome to get mouthfucked by Lucifer for all eternity. See if I care.

Track 1: Throne of Thorns

I feel bad for being so harsh in that intro. Now, with that being said, will I admit to being wrong? Fuck no.

Track 2: Here in Your Heart

Oh, hell yeah. That opening riff belongs in the goddamn Library of Congress. Speaking of which, this shit needs to be mandatory in public schools, like prayer. I’ll save that soapbox speech for another time, but you know it’s coming.

Track 3: Falling

You know what? Fuck it. They kicked Jesus out of our public schools, and then what happened? Kids are using litterboxes instead of bathrooms, if Fox News is telling the truth, and I’ve never known them to embellish anything or have any sort of agenda. That bullshit wouldn’t be happening if they were playing Stryper during the morning announcements, I’ll tell you that much.

Track 4: I’m Alright (I’m Okay)

I love this and, more importantly, so does God.

Track 5: Waiting For You

This is inspiring me to haul my old Gibson out of storage. I know it drives my old lady Doreen fucking crazy, but see if I give a toss. She can bitch all she wants. It won’t stop me from rockin’.

Track 6: Carry the Flame

Wait, nevermind. She’s in the living room watching Virgin River and I don’t want to bother her.

Track 7: Hollywood

7 tracks in, and these guys haven’t let up one bit. Is Stryper in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or do I need to go off on another Reddit rant? I swear, it hasn’t been the same ever since they let Missy Elliott in.

Track 8: Beautifully Broken

Big surprise: another stellar tune. Praise the Lord!

Track 9: Ashes to Roses

I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say this is the best album any band has ever released, ever.

Track 10: Alone Again

It’s heart-wrenching that there’s only one song after this. They’re really making sure it closes out with a bang, though.

Track 11: Shadowbreaker

Good thing you can’t see my eyes welling with tears over how much of a transformative experience listening to this album has been for me. I’m going right back to Track 1 after I finish this review for you freaks.

There you have it. 5/5, of course. It feels good that I’m finally using my incredible music-reviewing skills to spread the Gospel. Love you, Jesus.

As for the rest of you degenerate fucks, see you next week.

The post DISGRUNTLED DAD REVIEWS With DAVE MUSTCOMPLAIN: STRYPER – THRONE of THORNS appeared first on MetalSucks.

Puscifer and The Cult will support

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