Dave Stimson, co-founder of the pioneering ’80s hardcore punk zine, record label, and distribution company Touch & Go, has died. Stimson reportedly passed away Wednesday. Touch & Go’s Corey Rusk posted the news to the label’s Instagram account today along with a tribute to Stimson:
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3rd July 2026
Support: Knocked Loose, Gojira
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
The Razor’s Edge started out the third Euro leg of Metallic’s M72 tour on the opening night at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. A swelteringly hot weekend kicked off their tour in style. Thus it is fitting that we are back for the closing weekend, two night’s at London’s own Olympic stadium, which will close out all European dates on this album cycle tour.
With the sun still burning high in the sky, not quite as hot as last week’s heat wave, but we’re getting there, it’s up to Knocked Loose to kick things off. Being used to small, sweaty clubs means jumping into a stadium-sized spotlight is never an easy task, but Knocked Loose approached it with the same unrelenting ferocity that’s built their reputation. Their sound is abrasive, punishing, and unapologetically intense and tonight it cut through the vast space with surprising clarity, driven by pummelling drums and razor-sharp riffs. Whilst the stadium capacity is a little sparse as the show kicks off, the band handle it in style and win over a number of unsuspecting new fans along the way.
Much like the opening night of the tour, Gojira’s set is colossal. From the outset we are hit with waves of crushing riffs, thunderous rhythms, and an almost hypnotic precision that filled the stadium with ease. Their sound is precision perfect and Joe Duplantier’s vocals roared with purpose, while the band locked into grooves that were as punishing as they were intricate. This was a performance that demonstrated a band just a few years away from headlining venues of this size in their own right!
Pretty much every night on this tour across Europe has set local attendance records, in Athens the 90,000+ crowd was the biggest the Olympic stadium had ever seen (and dwarfed the crowd size Maiden pulled in the city just a few weeks later… sssh, don’t tell the Iron Maiden fans that). The bands “in the round” set up lends itself to greater capacity on the floor and thus tonight seems to be no different, if an attendance record is not set, I’ll eat my hat. All this just going to prove the demand for Metallica is sky high, more so now than has ever been. Questions abound, how will the set differ from earlier dates? Do Metallica have any surprises in store for opening night in London? We are about to find out.
As the atmosphere builds and smoke billows across the eight huge digital screens the opening notes of ‘Creeping Death’ play out, a blistering number to kick off a frantic night. Following on we have ‘Harvester of Sorrow’ and the rarely played ‘Holier Than Thou’ keeping the energy levels high both on stage and in the crowd. From here ‘Of Wolf And Man’ concludes the opening salvo and a magnificent one it is too.
Next it’s into the newer segment of the set. ‘Lux Æterna’ led into ‘If Darkness Had A Son’ before we get the now traditional Kirk and Rob jam featuring ‘Sex, Drugs and Rock and Rill’ by Ian Dury and the Blockheads.
‘Fade to Black’ led into ‘Cyanide’ in a rare airing for a Death Magnetic track. Whilst the instrumental classic ‘Orion’ brings atmosphere to proceedings, and a tear to eye as James dedicates it to the late Cliff Burton, an image of which adorns his T-shirt this evening.
After the ever popular ‘Nothing Else Matters’ James asks”Do you like heavy?”, which can mean only one thing ‘Sad But True’. The beast from the Black Album rings out across the Olympic Stadium like no other track can.
After another fairly new offering with ‘Hardwired To Self Destruct’ the pyro of ‘Fuel’ kicks in the sky is lit with flame after flame in a song which James quips “is one of the two he likes”. And thus the evening is closed with the classics ‘Seek and Destroy’ and ‘Master of Puppets’.
The fans wait expectantly for an encore that never comes but with the next show less than 48 hours away we have not got long to wait for our next Metallica fix.
The post Live Review: Metallica – London Stadium, Night 1 appeared first on The Razor's Edge.
The song opens with a beautiful strumming of the guitar; a meditative and intense atmosphere surrounds you. This track once again showcases the remarkable songwriting abilities of Jason McKee. His unique approach to writing, complemented by his band, effectively conveys significant emotions. McKee’s delicate and introspective singing reaches deeply into the listener’s soul, enhanced by a subtle microphone effect and reverb that together make his voice distinct and capable of transmitting emotions.
Musically, the song evokes vibes reminiscent of the Eagles, yet McKee’s voice gives this project a unique signature. The musical interludes are particularly commendable, featuring small melodic guitar solos that create a memorable theme. This melodic aspect remains in the listener’s head long after the song has ended. The production quality is excellent, adding to the overall experience of the track.
The song’s theme explores the universal concept of meeting new people and, fundamentally, the search for love. This earnest ballad was inspired by a serendipitous Tinder date at a Mexican restaurant and Arcadia Bar in South Yarra. During this meeting, McKee encountered someone wonderful, but he couldn’t find the necessary spark for something deeper.
Lyrically, the track navigates the intricacies of modern relationships. McKee’s songwriting reflects the nuances of emotional connection and the challenges that often accompany it. The song’s narrative flows smoothly, capturing the essence of realizing that not every encounter is meant to blossom into romance.
The instrumentation plays a crucial role in amplifying the emotional weight of the lyrics. The guitar work is solid, featuring soft strumming patterns that support the vocal lines perfectly. The simplicity of the arrangement allows McKee’s voice to shine, highlighting his lyrical expression and emotional depth.
The song deepens its introspective quality as it explores the inner turmoil of wanting to be more while recognizing the limitations of the situation. McKee skillfully paints a picture of vulnerability and honesty, resonating with anyone who has grappled with unreciprocated feelings. The balance between musicality and lyrical content strikes a profound chord, drawing listeners into the narrative.
Emotional crescendos are strategically placed throughout, capturing moments of hope and resignation. McKee’s voice rises and falls in tandem with the music, perfectly mirroring the sentiments expressed in the lyrics.
The chorus encapsulates the central message of the song with clarity and grace. It acts as a reminder that sometimes it’s essential to acknowledge what we can and cannot give. The heartfelt delivery in this section elevates the track, creating a moment of connection between the artist and the audience.
Reetoxa’s “You Deserve Better Than Me” embraces the reality that love is complex and sometimes unfulfilled. This is not just about a failed romance, but about self-discovery and acceptance. It encourages listeners to confront their feelings and recognize their worth.
The combination of introspective vocals and melodic guitar work creates a resonant piece. This track speaks to everyone who has navigated the delicate dance of love and connection.
Sincere
If you love this music: Discover MoreEagles
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When Julian Casablancas appeared on SubwayTakes back in April, host Kareem Rahma asked the Strokes singer for his most controversial take. Casablancas replied, “American Zionists get the benefits of white privileged people but talk like they are Black people during slavery.” He continued:
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Glass passed away on July 01st following complications from a stroke he suffered at the end of May.
The post Crowdfunding Campaign Launched For Shaun Glass’ Medical Bills And His Son’s Future appeared first on Theprp.com.
“Pop diva Damon Albarn of the novelty cartoon act Gorillaz threw a hissy fit while we played, threatened to storm off stage before finally getting our set shut down because we were ‘too loud’.”
The post Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats Slam Gorillaz’s “Pop Diva” Damon Albarn For Getting Their Rival-Booked ‘Roskilde’ Festival Set Cut Short Last Night appeared first on Theprp.com.