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The 1981 debut that launched a thousand hair metal dreams gets the deluxe treatment with five vinyl records, unreleased demos and a 100-page photo book. Continue reading…

Apple has redesigned so much of everyday life. But one thing that can get overlooked, perhaps because of its big, nasty corporate ways, is its influence on music. For months, I’ve been thinking about Slayyyter’s comments on iPod music. Not only did the technology revolutionize how a generation consumed music, but its marketing played a significant role, too. As Apple evolved our intimate relationship with technology, it also exerted a musical influence. It’s still doing that today.

The post ear Featured In iPhone Duo Commercial appeared first on Stereogum.

Wednesday night, Soundgarden reunited during halftime at the Seahawks’ season opener, playing the New England Patriots, at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. The performance was not aired, but lucky fans at the stadium got to see original members Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, and Matt Cameron take the stage with the Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready, who also performed the game’s national anthem.

The post Soundgarden Reunite For Seahawks Season Opener, Tour Rumored appeared first on Stereogum.

One of the highlights of any AC/DC show is the moment, during their regular grand finale “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)” when they fire off an actual onstage cannon. That’s a glorious piece of simulated destruction, which is so much better than the real kind. Real destruction might force a stadium to cancel an AC/DC show.

The post AC/DC Toronto Show Canceled Due To Rogers Stadium Damage appeared first on Stereogum.

British Royal Mint’s latest addition to collectable range can be admired or actually used. Continue reading…

Soundgarden walked out at halftime of the Seahawks–Patriots game at Lumen Field and played a medley including “Outshined” and “Spoonman,” with Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless on vocals and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on guitar. McCready had already opened the night with the national anthem.

It was a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band playing Chris Cornell’s songs in their own city, nine years after his death, with the woman they chose to sing them. And fans who tuned into NBC specifically to watch it say almost none of it made the broadcast.

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Scott Penfold covers the Soundgarden halftime set on today’s Metal Breakdown Daily — what they played, who joined them, and why the people in that stadium got something everyone at home didn’t. Download the free Loaded Radio App on Apple iOS and Google Play and get it every weekday morning.

What actually happened

Seahawks against the Patriots, season opener, Lumen Field in Seattle.

Mike McCready opened the night with the national anthem — a Pearl Jam guitarist playing the anthem in Seattle, which is about as on-brand as that city gets.

Then at halftime Soundgarden came out with Taylor Momsen on vocals and McCready on guitar, and ran a medley of the songs people came for: “Outshined” and “Spoonman” among them.

Short set. Football halftimes always are.

Why Momsen, and why it matters

She’s not a novelty booking and it’s important to say so, because people who don’t follow this closely will assume she is.

Momsen has performed with Soundgarden several times now. Most recently she filled Chris Cornell’s role at Soundgarden’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction last autumn — the single most significant night in the band’s history since he died, and they handed those songs to her.

There’s history behind it too. The Pretty Reckless opened for Soundgarden on their 2017 tour, which was Cornell’s last.

So when Soundgarden play now, she’s who they call. Not because nobody else could, but because she was there, she knew him, and they trust her with it. Anyone treating her as a stand-in has the relationship backwards.

The broadcast

Here’s where it turns.

Fans who tuned into NBC’s coverage specifically for the halftime performance report that little to no footage of the set was aired. Social media filled with angry comments within minutes and hasn’t stopped since.

I want to be fair about this. A regular-season NFL halftime is not the Super Bowl. NBC has an inventory of ads to run, a studio panel to service and a broadcast to fill. Nobody promised a full set.

But this wasn’t a marching band.

This was a Hall of Fame band, in the city that produced them, performing the songs of a singer they lost, with the person they chose to carry those songs, three weeks after we learned his final recordings are being mixed. That’s a genuine cultural moment and it happened live on network television.

The people in the stadium got all of it. Everyone watching at home got a commercial break.

The NFL spends every season telling you how much it cares about music. Then something legitimately historic breaks out in the middle of one of their own broadcasts and it gets treated as the gap between the ads.

I don’t think that was malice. I think it was worse than malice — I think nobody in the truck understood what they were looking at.

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The album that’s actually coming

The other reason last night mattered, and the reason this band is in the news at all.

Soundgarden’s final studio album — the one featuring Chris Cornell’s last recordings — is in post-production right now. It isn’t a rumour and it isn’t a maybe. What’s holding it is the boring end: label, production and promotion arrangements still being worked out behind the scenes.

Kim Thayil described it last week in terms nobody expected. His line: if you can imagine a lullaby paired with psychedelia, that’s kind of what’s going on there.

A lullaby paired with psychedelia. That is not what anyone was braced for from the last Soundgarden record, and it’s the single most interesting sentence anyone in that band has said in years.

Cornell died in May 2017. Nine years later there’s a finished album with his voice on it waiting on paperwork.

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Where Soundgarden sit now

Worth the context, because this band’s standing has only grown.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last autumn — the induction where Momsen sang. They are one of the four bands that defined what came out of Seattle, and the one that was always heaviest, weirdest and least interested in being accessible.

Their fingerprints are all over what heavy music became in the nineties, and they turn up in every serious conversation about the bands that shaped the genre.

They’re also on one of the best soundtracks ever made. Their exclusive track “Birth Ritual” is on the Singles soundtrack, which sits fourth in our ranking of the best metal movie soundtracks — an album a great many people bought for Alice in Chains’ “Would?” and kept for everything around it.

Nine years without their singer, and they’re still the band an NFL broadcast should have known to stay on.

Watch it here, since NBC didn’t show you

That’s the point of this page. If you sat through a broadcast waiting for it, this is the set.

Taylor Momsen + Soundgarden, + Mike McCready at halftime… only in Seattle do we get football with a side of grunge pic.twitter.com/M3pixXP2lp

— Em (@1ivea1itt1e) September 10, 2026

Halftime with Soundgarden pic.twitter.com/bSXPEJ9LEM

— hikerdevon (@hikerdevon) September 10, 2026

Kicking off the season with a Seattle rock legend. @MikeMcCreadyPJ

: NBC pic.twitter.com/xxedRQoutY

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 10, 2026

TL;DR

• Soundgarden performed at halftime of the Seahawks–Patriots season opener at Lumen Field in Seattle on September 9, 2026.
• Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless sang, with Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready on guitar. McCready also performed the national anthem earlier in the night.
• The medley included “Outshined” and “Spoonman.”
• Fans report NBC aired little to no footage of the set, prompting widespread anger on social media.
• Momsen has performed with Soundgarden several times, most recently filling Chris Cornell’s role at the band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction last autumn. The Pretty Reckless also opened Soundgarden’s 2017 tour.
• Soundgarden’s final album, featuring Cornell’s last recordings, is in post-production, with label, production and promotional arrangements still being finalised.
• Kim Thayil described the record as a lullaby paired with psychedelia.

FAQ

Outshined and Spoonman, in Seattle, with the singer they chose — and a commercial break for everyone at home. Did you catch any of it on the broadcast? Tell me below. And keep it locked on the Loaded Radio stream — follow Loaded Radio for daily rock and metal news.

The post Soundgarden Reunited With Taylor Momsen At Halftime, And NBC Barely Aired It appeared first on Loaded Radio.

In part two of the special extended feature on Saint Etienne and their legacy, Martin Gray continues his look back at the band’s music as they hit the second decade of their existence in the 2000s, focusing on some of the key releases that soundtracked his years during this period.   The onset of the […]

The post 35 Years Of Saint Etienne: Appreciation, Reminiscence and Fond Farewell (Part Two) appeared first on Louder Than War.

Julien Baker appears to be cooking something up. Five and a half years after the release of Little Oblivions, her last solo album, Baker is once again getting active outside the context of her many collaborations. Yesterday, after posting a few cryptic practice-space videos on a new Instagram, Baker announced a last-minute show in the Blue Room, part of Nashville’s Third Man Records headquarters. She played that set last night, and she busted out some new songs.

The post Julien Baker Debuts New Songs At Nashville Popup appeared first on Stereogum.

It is the final day of the open-air festival season and the final date of the All Points East series that has offered its stage to the biggest names spanning genres, from Deftones to Tyler, the Creator, to Lorde. The Summertime staple that takes over London’s Victoria Park has something for everyone. But you know what they say about saving the best till last, as Twenty One Pilots brought the festival to a spectacular close.

Twenty One Pilots

All Points East – 30 August 2026

Words: Matt Pratt

Twenty One Pilots are a band that could have easily failed to make it out of their hometown, let alone achieve global fame. Truly genreless in their approach, the band lives in the spaces between rock, dance, hip-hop and honestly any other genre you can come up with.

With a sound so unfamiliar you can imagine a world where the duo struggled to find their place. But they have instead become the great unifier between factions, with a logo that can be found as prominently on the battle jackets of Metalheads as it is on the phone case of indie kids.

A huge contributor to the fanbase explosion that has seen tonight’s two-piece soar to the top of so many bills is the story they have woven between the songs. The story they have been mapping out for over a decade seemingly culminated in 2025’s album Breech, but rather than settling on the conclusion, it had only exacerbated the next thought: what’s next?

The cult-like fandom has flocked to this particular date, faithful that this evening’s performance, scheduled for an extra 50 minutes beyond the usual tour setlist, will offer the next step in the legend of Clancy and Torchbearer.

half.alive

Twenty One Pilots’ influence will be a recurring theme throughout the proceedings today, but one of the most visible reflections has to be found with half.alive. Mirroring the headliners, the band also consists of only two official members, although that is a recent development following the departure of drummer Brett Kramer, with a sound that doesn’t seem too distant from the imaginations of Tyler and Josh.

Lashings of synth paired with delicate and lively drumbeats don’t obviously sit in any one genre’s walls, but it easily captivates the lunchtime crowd, still buzzing with anticipation. The multi-faceted performers don’t simply rock up and reel through their discography, arriving on stage dressed as though they were keen to beat the weekday morning commute; the only business at play is showmanship.

The brief but lively set was jam-packed with choreographed dance routines paired with their alt-pop sound, which exists somewhere in a space between Twenty One Pilots’ lighter work and bands like Everything Everything. 

Red Leather

When you talk about cult followings these days, the first band that comes to mind may not be Twenty One Pilots. It wasn’t too long ago that the festival circuit had only one name on their lips, Sleep Token. There are plenty of parallels between last year’s Download Festival headliners and the Ohio pair, but it’s where they differ that we find the most interesting phenomenon.

There has been a sharp increase in artists seeking anonymity in their success, no easy task in today’s online obsession age. Whether it’s for personal peace, to add a layer to the lore or for artistic expression, you can’t help but feel a level of intrigue for an artist who lets their music alone speak for them and Red Leather is no exception.

Commanding a respectable crowd beneath the unique X-shaped lighting rig of its namesake stage, the vibrant exhibition of Red Leather’s alt-rock-cum-Americana style is quick to draw plenty of participation and sing-alongs.

Despite the lack of face to connect with, the musician’s personality shines through, telling stories of the demons that he has conquered to be with us today and his joy at what he has achieved by making it to this prized platform.

Headsend 

Another band on a cacophonous warpath to fame are the gnarly and noisy Headsend. Stinging spikes of guitar and distorted vocals lead the way for this angstful four-piece who feel like they could have been ripped right out of the ’90s. It could be argued that Headsend would have been a more fitting inclusion amongst the grittier collective we saw the previous weekend, which Outbreak expertly curated.

In spite of their departure from the bright alternative sound presented elsewhere on site, the young band amass a respectable crowd who bob in unison to the melancholic growl. Though the sound is hitting the spot nicely, as a live performance it does at times feel inconsistent in energy.

There are breakdowns where we see the band spring into action and show a bit of that punk-rock passion but the flame is quelled as they swiftly return to their rigid positions on the stage. There is every reason to believe Headsend can cause a racket in the alternative space, but especially so if they can tap into the passion that genre is built upon.

PVRIS

It’s not overselling it to suggest PVRIS are legends of this scene. Last year’s 2000trees headliners were trailblazers in a wave of female-powered alternative bands in the early 2010s, which added whole new angles to the genre which so many bands who followed have been able to benefit from.

The only surprising thing about PVRIS’s presence on this festival’s lineup is how low on the bill they are. Perfection is not a requirement with live music. A crack in the voice or a misplaced pluck of a guitar string can pleasantly add a bit of personality and authenticity to a show.

With that said, I dare anyone to find fault in PVRIS’ delivery today. Each note and beat placed perfectly, the band show their experience and comfort with effortless command, captivating attention with huge hits like Snakes of Arcane fame. PVRIS need prove nothing, but demonstrate their value on the biggest stages and stake a huge claim for a more prominent role in next year’s festival season.

Artio

Stark contrast to the legends we have just left on the main stage, Artio are still writing their tale. Named in Kerrang’s The Sound Of 2025, the four-piece have become a familiar name across the circuit and today find themselves at their perfect home. After all, there’s no better place to garner support than with fans of the very band that inspired you in the first place.

Maximising the short time they had with us, Artio do not only grace us with their most lively of hits, but even manage to jam in a surprise collab with pop-punk royalty As It Is, and even a cover from the discography of the day’s headliners.

There’s plenty of anticipatory enthusiasm beaming around the park, and there is no better harness for that energy than a rip-roaring warm-up performance, and Artio has absolutely nailed it!

Ren

In a lineup that is heavily weighted toward the alternative rock space, Ren is one of a few artists that dare to offer a different genre. The singer-songwriter and rapper has had a sharp climb into the spotlight over the past few years thanks to his raw and unflinching storytelling.

While many live performances may seem like a compilation of a band’s most popular hits, Ren takes it to the next level with a full-length theatrical performance around his urban playground stage set, inclusive of bespoke cartoon interludes courtesy of the phenomenally talented director and animator, Nikita Kibirev.

Ren’s strongest talent is in his ability to convey emotions. You feel helpless but to empathise with his vivid recounts of his personal struggles and the structures that have failed to support him.

The impact of the set is captured no better than with the vocalist’s delivery of Bittersweet Symphony into the glowing sunset as the hordes of Clikkies belt back the reimagining of the cult hit.

Leaving us with a surprise appearance from CHINCHILLA for their song Chalk Outlines, Ren has doubtlessly opened the door to many rock fans previously unfamiliar with his work, just in time for a new album. 

Twenty One Pilots

Leaping onto stage in a fashion the cult of fans have come to expect, the mammoth East stage offers no concerns of the nerves you would expect from a two-piece trying to fill such a space. The duo has no trouble making the 50,000-strong crowd feel like a cosy basement show, spending plenty of time up close and personal with the fandom that has made this all possible. 

Having already announced that this show would be significantly longer than previous European headline shows, the chatter was loud for what we would be getting tonight, especially with the heavily debated theories of a secret third part album to the finale for the seemingly already concluded story of Clancy and Torchbearer.

Unfortunately, there is little in the way of concrete confirmations for any theories tonight. However, I am sure every moment will be dissected and analysed by the many detectives of the Skeleton Clique around the globe.

What we are offered tonight is a bumper setlist that includes a first-time live play of Robot Voices with guitar support from Emi Grace, and rare performances of songs such as Downstairs, Pet Cheetah and Message Man.

Twenty One Pilots’ greatest strength lies in their ability to toy with your emotions through the medium of contrast. Despite living in a rock space, the band rarely go full leather on noise and tempo, but instead lures you into a sense of calm or playfulness before hitting you with the brick wall of one of Tyler’s screams as you suddenly comprehend the full gravity of the song’s surprisingly devastating lyrics.

The force of this freight train of feelings is undeniable on the battlefield. Whether it is tears, jubilation or both, the only emotion missing from the crowd is indifference.

Though it is no surprise to find the two troublemakers venturing off stage, what is unpredictable is exactly where they are going to show up. Whether at the top of 40 foot of scaffolding, atop a burning car in the middle of the crowd, huddled with a gaggle of Neds in the VIP area or being held up by the lucky few in the very front row, you can be sure to get up close and personal wherever you find your spot at the show.

It was amongst the crowd that they bring the performance to a close, as they usually do, with a rendition of Trees as both drum from the crowd to a procession of smoke and pyro, refusing to go quietly. 

It is hard to say what will be next for Twenty One Pilots. The pair would be well within their rights to take a bit of a break after the last of their massive shows across North and South America, having put their heart and soul into the story so far.

With that said, it is hard to take your eyes off the enormous Ohio show this Autumn. If ever there was a place and time to drop hints of what’s next, it would be there.

So grab your popcorn, Clikkies. There is still plenty of detective work to be done.

The post Twenty One Pilots Unite 50,000 Fans In Spectacular All Points East Finale first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

The Press Release: Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) will celebrate its landmark 30th anniversary with a major winter tour featuring a spectacular, reimagined staging of its treasured tale, “The Ghosts of Christmas … Continue reading Trans-Siberian Orchestra Announces 30th Anniversary Winter Tour →