SWEET “The Answer” album will be released on July 10th at Metalville.
Originally released in 1992 under the title ‘A’, a version of the original album expanded to include various bonus tracks, entitled ‘The Answer’, was released three years later.
Andy Scott once again succeeded in putting together a top-class line-up, consisting of Mal McNulty (Slade), Bodo Schopf (Eloy/MSG), Jeff Brown (Wildfire) and Steve Mann (MSG/Lionheart).
With ‘The Answer’, Sweet managed to reinvent themselves without losing sight of their roots. The songs feature timeless hard rock with metal influences, yet always remain unmistakably Sweet.
The album is regarded as a genuine, long-overlooked gem in the band’s discography. Having been available only to collectors for years, ‘The Answer’ is now finally back in stock on CD and vinyl for all fans of this British glam and hard rock legend.
TRACK LISTING
Do As I Say
X-Ray Specs
Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again
Stand Up
Noveau Rock Star
Natural
Mind
Marshall Stack
Red Tape
When Friends Fall Out
Is It True
Dangerous Game
I Don’t Want To Say Goodnight
Crudley Mott
Marshal Stack (Alt Ending)
Do As I Say (Single Mix)
Stand Up (Heavy Rock Version)
LINE UP Mal McNulty – lead vocals and backing vocals Andy Scott – guitars, lead and backing vocals Steve Mann – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals Jeff Brown – bass, backing vocals Bodo Schopf – drums
On Wednesday, May 13th Canadian roots, rock, and soul band Bywater Call are excited to announce the release of their third studio single of 2026, “No One Else”, and the July 29th release of their forthcoming fourth studio album Broken Souvenirs. The album is available to pre-order HERE.
Watch the “No One Else” music video on YouTube HERE.
A sonically bombastic retro soul banger inspired by the Black Puma’s, Baby Huey, Alabama Shakes, and a little Rage Against the Machine, “No One Else” is anchored by infectious rhythm, layered with atmospheric keyboards, and backed by an explosive horn section.
At its core, the song is a rejection letter, repelling the advances of the liars and conmen who seek to control us. The lyrics are steeped in the frustration of someone who has been ripped off, taken advantage of, used, and left for dead.
“This song is a reflection of how, in the current world of manipulation and misinformation, we continue to allow deceitfulness to cause harm,” says Bywater Call’s guitarist Dave Barnes. “In the end, we have the strength within to defeat evil and take back our own power. If we don’t, there is no one else to blame but ourselves.”
“No One Else” is indicative of Bywater Call’s mission to meld old and new sounds and influences, while continuing to carve out a lane of their own. This journey to evolve and experiment as a band, while aiming to deliver the emotion and musical drive that followers have come to love, can be heard throughout the new album Broken Souvenirs.
“No One Else” was recorded at Palace Studios in Toronto, mixed by Patric McGroarty, and mastered by Kristian Montano of Montano Mastering.
The official video for the single was choreographed and directed by Chelsea Preston and filmed by Badee Mirkham. This provocative, visually stunning piece uses fire to represent the evils of our current political and cultural landscape and paper masks to represent how fragile and easily manipulated we all can be if we don’t keep our minds about us.
Broken Souvenirs features a captivating mix of 11 original songs that showcases Bywater Call’s versatility, musicality, and experimentation. It reaches beyond the boundaries of genre and further develops their own unique voice. With influences from Black Pumas, Alabama Shakes, Amy Winehouse, Shakey Graves, Black Crowes and more, the album takes a journey from feelgood retro soul, intimate acoustic, to driving contemporary R&B and back again.
Often transcending genres, Bywater Call is known for their dynamic, emotional live shows, featuring powerful vocals and exciting interplay between all band members. In early 2026 Bywater Call was nominated for the third time by the UK Blues Awards for “International Act of the Year” (they were previously nominated in 2025 and 2024). Classic Rock made Bywater Call’s 2024 studio album Shepherd their “Blues Album of the Month” and said it was “an inventive and uncommonly catchy record. the sense of a band on the brink is unmistakable.” Shepherd was also voted “Top Blues Album of the Year” in Classic Rock’s year-end round-up.
EUROPE 202614-May | Dudenhofen Germany | Kulturverein Dudenhofen 15-May | Rimsting Germany | Feuerwehrhaus 16-May | Affalter Germany | Zur Linde 17-May | Regensburg Germany | VAZ Pfarrheim 19-May | Norderstedt Germany | Music Star 20-May | Bremen Germany | Meisenfrei 21-May | Werchter Belgium | Blue Rooster 22-May | Weert Netherlands | De Bosuil 23-May | Unna Germany | Lindenbrauerei 24-May | Raalte Netherlands | Ribs & Blues Festival 27-May | Verviers Belgium | Spirit of 66 28-May | Krefeld Germany | Kulturrampe 29-May | Haarlem Netherlands | Patronaat 30-May | Tilburg Netherlands | Heyhoef 31-May | Aalten Netherlands| LSA Music 2-Jun | Arnstadt Germany | Kulisse 3-Jun | Aschaffenburg Germany| Colos-Saal 4-Jun | Köln Germany | Die Kantine / Freideck 5-Jun | Luxemburg Luxemburg | Blues Club 6-Jun | Riotord France | Climax Club Legend 7-Jun | Le Thor France | Sonograf 9-Jun | Chambery France | Brin de Zinc 13-Jun | Penmarch France | God Save The Kouign Festival 16-Jun | Tenerife Grand Canaria | Teatro Leal 17-Jun | Las Palmas Grand Canaria | Teatro Guiniguada
U.S. / CANADA 2026Jun-27 | Winter Park, CO | Blues From the Top Jun-30 | Ridgefield, CT | CHIRP 2026 Jul 1 | Londonderry, NH | Concerts on the Common Jul 2 | Saratoga Springs, NY | Parting Glass Jul 3 | Hawley, PA | Harmony in the Woods Jul 7 | Gravenhurst, ON | Peter’s Players Jul 10 | Sarnia, ON | Rustr Jul 11 | Kincardine, ON | Lighthouse Blues Festival Jul 12 | Sherman, NY | Pine Junction * Jul 13 | Warrendale, PA | Jergel’s * Jul 14 | Columbia, MD | Collective Encore Jul 15 | Ardmore, PA | Ardmore Hall * Jul 17 | Moscow, ID | Rendezvous in the Park Jul 18 | Nine Mile Falls, WA | Live at Andres Jul 19 | Winthrop. WA | Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival Jul 25 | Waterville, OH | Blues, Brews & Brats Aug 13 | Saranac Lake, NY | Waterhole Aug 14 | Putney, VT | Bandwagon Series Aug 17 | Lima, NY | Fanatics Aug 28 | Paola, KS | Paola Roots Festival Sep 16 | Fredericton, NB | Harvest Music Festival Sep 25 | Palmer Rapids, ON | Highlands FestivalEU / U.K. 202624-Jan 2027 | Bonn, DE | Harmonie 27-Jan 2027 | Faversham, UK | The Old Brewery Store 28-Jan 2027 | Southampton, UK | The Brook 30-Jan 2027 | Exeter, UK | Phoenix 31-Jan 2027 | Sheffield, UK | Yellow Arch 2-Feb 2027 | York, UK | Crescent 3-Feb 2027 | Glasgow, UK | Oran Mor 4-Feb 2027 | Manchester, UK | Band on the Wall 5-Feb 2027 | London, UK | 100 Club 6-Feb 2027 | Norwich, UK | WaterfrontU.S. 2027Apr 10 | Tampa Bay, FL | Tampa Bay Blues Festival Apr 11 | Miramar Beach, FL | Soundwave Festival
About Bywater CallOften transcending genres, Bywater Call is known for their dynamic, emotional live shows, featuring powerful vocals and exciting interplay between all band members. A powerhouse seven-piece Southern soul, roots rock outfit from Toronto, Canada; the band is comprised of Meghan Parnell (vocals), Dave Barnes (guitar), Bruce McCarthy (drums), Mike Meusel (bass), newest member, Andrew Moljgun (keys), Stephen Dyte (trumpet), and Julian Nalli (tenor sax).
Bywater Call was nominated for the “2025 UK Blues Award” for “International Blues Artist of the Year” for the second consecutive year, alongside artists including Beth Hart and Walter Trout. The band has also received multiple Independent “Blues and Canadian Maple Blues Award” nominations including “Entertainer,” “Electric Act,” and “Best Female Vocalist” at the 2024 Awards Season.
In March, Bywater Call played their second Joe Bonamassa “Keeping the Blues Alive” cruise, featuring headliners Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Larkin Poe. In 2025, they play the Netherland’s BOSPOP Festival alongside the likes of the Black Keys, Warren Haynes Band, Marcus King, and Blackberry Smoke.
The band has opened for Canadian award-winning musicians Whitehorse and Tom Cochrane, and singer Meghan has joined renowned pedal-steel guitarist Robert Randolph on stage at his request.
Their newest studio album Shepherd was selected as the Blues Album of the Year by UK’s Classic Rock Magazine. Band leaders Meghan Parnell and Dave Barnes were featured on the cover of Blues in Britain in January of 2025. Their 2025 live album Sunshine was released in August 2025 to rave reviews.
In 2025, the band played 130 shows across 11 countries. Bywater Call’s music is an exploration of life’s highs and lows. From intimate ballads that lay bare the complexities of human emotion to electrifying anthems that demand to be played at full volume, their catalogue is a journey through human experience, featuring influences from the likes of The Band, The Wood Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Otis Redding, Little Feat, Sly and the Family Stone, and many more.
LEATHERWITCH proudly unleashes their new single, “Heroes And The Dice,” taken from the upcoming debut album, ‘First Spell,’ set for release on May 29th via Listenable Records. The new track arrives alongside an official music video, available to view below.
“Heroes And The Dice” is the second single and music video from LEATHERWITCH’s upcoming ‘First Spell’ studio album. Packed with speed metal riffing, an in-your-face heavy metal atmosphere, and a tribute to D&D, RPG, and board game enthusiasts, the track delivers a full-throttle dose of fantasy-fueled metal. LEATHERWITCH is the new band of Marta Gabriel, the former frontwoman of Crystal Viper, as well as a multi-instrumentalist and respected session musician.
The witch is dead, long live the witch!
After disbanding Crystal Viper, Marta Gabriel – who is also a respected session musician and has toured and recorded with acts such as Vader, Manilla Road, and Metalucifer – strikes back with her new band.
LEATHERWITCH presents a new approach, new attitude, new quality, and new energy.
The debut single “Beast Inside” (Out Now) where fast headbanging rhythms, classic Speed Metal riffing, a pounding rhythm section, shredding guitar solos, and super catchy vocal lines meet a classic gothic horror werewolf tale, revealing what is to be expected from the debut album, ‘First Spell,’ which will be released on May 29th via Listenable Records.
1) Heroes And The Dice 2) Beast Inside 3) Bound By The Night 4) Silver Stallions 5) Living In The Fast Lane 6) The New Beginning 7) Two Tons Of Steel 8) In The Middle Of The Night
Exclusive Bonus Tracks:
Walls Of Jericho / Ride The Sky (Helloween cover) – Only on the CD version
Black Wind, Fire And Steel (Manowar cover) – Only on the Vinyl version
‘First Spell’ Will Be Available in the Following Formats: => Limited Edition De Luxe Blue / Black Vinyl with Exclusive Bonus Track => Limited Edition O Card CD with Exclusive Bonus Track => Comes with Free Postcard, Poster, and Coaster
Acclaimed rockers John Diva & The Rockets Of Love are excited to announce the release of their highly anticipated new album, “Your Favorite Drug”, out October 16, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
To mark the occasion, the band revealed today the explosive first single and official video, “Bigger Than America”, available below.
The band stated: “Shaped by a powerful and irresistible hard rock riff that instantly makes you start nodding your head, everything about this song is BIG. “Bigger Than America” has all the ingredients to become a feel-good rock ’n’ roll summer hit. As the first single from the upcoming album, the outlook couldn’t be better. Turn up your car radio, put your foot on the gas, and the grin will come all by itself. And if you want, feel free to read between the lines.”
John Diva added: “The line “Bigger Than America” came to me sometime in January – that time of year when it’s just cold, miserable, and all your reserves are running low. I held on to the line and paired it with a riff that Snake had originally planned for another song. Our producer Hannes Braun worked with those ideas while being on vacation in Fuerteventura and came back with something that completely blew us away. I could hardly wait to record the song, and it actually exceeded all expectations. Every time I hear this track, I’m grinning from ear to ear.”
John Diva & The Rockets of Love make a triumphant return with their explosive new album “Your Favorite Drug”. Bursting with attitude, swagger, and unapologetic energy, the band delivers a full-throttle hard rock experience that feels both timeless and electrifyingly fresh.
The band commented: “We wanted to achieve absolute focus and intensity – and in the production, working together with Hannes, to be extremely efficient. What sounds like hard work (which it was) – this sharpening of focus – brought us a lot of joy. It can be fun to keep hammering away at a raw diamond until it sparkles and shines. This time, there’s less emphasis on experimentation (like on “American Amadeus” for example) – though the album is still experimental in the sense that everything unnecessary has been stripped away”.
John Diva added: “When I think about making this album, there’s a very personal layer to it. We recorded in southern Germany, where my family is from, and I stayed with relatives during the sessions. It brought back a lot of great memories, so I went into the studio with a double sense of joy – giving everything to the record while reconnecting with my roots”.
“Your Favorite Drug” was a trip in the cleanest sense – we stayed completely sober, but worked in a real frenzy. Writing, recording, and finishing the album happened fast, and by the fourth record you know exactly what you want – and how to get it. There’s a lot of spontaneity in it too: the title track came together in just a few hours, and songs like “Bigger Than America” evolved into something bigger and bolder than we first imagined”, he continued.
Packed with massive hooks, soaring choruses, and razor-sharp riffs, “Your Favorite Drug” showcases the band at the peak of their songwriting power. Standout tracks like “Bigger Than America” and “The Devil’s Got My Back” emerge as true anthems, destined to ignite stages and thrill every hard rock fan with their infectious energy and sing-along choruses.
Produced by Hannes Braun, the album captures a polished yet gritty sound that perfectly amplifies the band’s larger-than-life personality. This is more than a comeback – it’s a statement. John Diva & The Rockets of Love are back, louder, bolder, and more addictive than ever.
One of the best hard rock releases of the year!
“Your Favorite Drug” Tracklist:
1. The Devil’s Got My Back 2. Bigger Than America 3. No Mercy For The Teenage Heart 4. Lamborghina 5. Favorite Drug 6. S.M.I.L.E. 7. Love Is Cold 8. Girls In Overdrive 9. Spectacular 10. Soundtrack Of My Life
Line Up: John Diva Snake Rocket Remmie Martin Marcus Coolman jr. C.J. Stevens
Italian Heavy Metal project Ironwill has unleashed “Changing Myself“, the third and final glimpse into their upcoming studio album, “Reforged Within“, scheduled for global release on May 29th, 2026, via Art Gates Records.
Following the philosophical echoes of “Infinity” and the crushing weight of “Gravity“, Changing Myself arrives as an introspective song of transformation. Driven by soaring guitar work and an immersive atmosphere, the track delves into the delicate threshold between emotional suffering and the necessity of rebirth. Is an acknowledgment that every scar is a vital component of the soul’s evolution.
Accompanying the single is an official live streaming video, captured during a special session dedicated to the presentation of the new album. This raw and authentic performance allows fans to witness the project’s energy in its purest form.
The audio for this session was meticulously recorded and mixed at Black Hole Studio by the skilled Mr. Z, capturing the visceral essence of the song’s struggle and eventual triumph.
Ironwill continues to bridge the gap between heavy rock power and profound human storytelling, setting the ultimate stage for the arrival of “Reforged Within” later this month.
London-based alt-rock band Wildernesses continue their ascent with the release of their powerful new single / video, ‘[dread.]’. The track is taken from their acclaimed debut album Growth which is out now via Floodlit Recordings. Emerging as one of the UK underground’s most compelling new voices, Wildernesses have quickly earned praise for their emotionally devastating blend of post-rock scale, shoegaze haze and intimate storytelling, with recent reviews describing Growth as “one of the most wonderfully understated yet brilliant albums of 2026” and “a captivating listen as beautiful as it is heartbreaking.”
Featuring footage captured across the band’s recent UK album tour, the video for ‘[dread.]’ offers an unfiltered look into life on the road marked by long drives, endless DIY merch preparation, cramped backstage moments and the deep camaraderie formed between band members. As always with Wildernesses, the visuals mirror the song’s emotional core with anxiety hidden beneath every day humour, silence and routine.
Vocalist Phillip Morris comments on the track:“‘[dread.]’ is a song about ‘the dread’ – anxiety, doom, or whatever name you want to give that feeling. The lyrics portray a narrator telling themselves they’re alright and the title’s parentheses are supposed to signify self-minimisation. Self-reflection sits alongside a conversation between two friends remembering drinking tinnies by the River Humber during Hull’s 2007 floods. The narrator reflects that there are worse things happening in the world and that all humans are just getting by – holding aspirations and throwing them away like cans in the mud banks. The song uses flood imagery to mirror men ‘manning up’ and the impact that ignoring emotional responses has over time – the overspill. It’s about striving to accept the feeling, which is an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) technique that I’ve always been bad at utilising myself.”
Drummer Ryan Browne adds: “We put the video for ‘[dread.]’ together using footage collected over nine days on the road playing songs from Growth. Similar to the theme of the song, we all had some anxiety going into the tour – being away from home and living on top of each other naturally brings apprehension. But the reality ended up being something really positive. We genuinely looked after each other and it became a wholesome experience all round. Having a video that captures those moments – the shows, the travel, the work that goes into everything – feels really special.”
Since first emerging with breakthrough singles ‘Four Hour Drive’ and ‘English Darkness’, Wildernesses have steadily built a reputation for crafting expansive, emotionally resonant songs rooted in lived experience. ‘Four Hour Drive’ explored family lineage and inherited memory through the lens of a 1957 photograph of Morris’ father and grandfather, while ‘English Darkness’ confronted mental health with stark vulnerability in a striking visual directed by Stewart Baxter, known for his work with IDLES. Later singles ‘Maintenance’ and ‘Summertime, 1917’ further expanded the band’s cinematic worldbuilding, weaving together themes of ritual, hidden histories and fragile human connection.
Recorded with producer Joe Clayton at NO Studio in Manchester, Growth spans nine immersive tracks balancing shimmering post-rock crescendos, slow-burning alt-rock tension and intimate folk-inspired lyricism. Critics have praised the record’s “settled confidence”, “cinematic quality” and “gargantuan amount of feeling”, with comparisons drawn to acts such as Slowdive, Explosions in the Sky and The National.
With ‘[dread.]’, Wildernesses continue to carve out a space entirely their own, one where memory, grief, humour, anxiety and hope blur together inside towering yet deeply human soundscapes. As their audience continues to grow through word-of-mouth acclaim and emotionally charged live performances, the band are set to bring songs from Growth to audiences across the UK throughout the year, culminating in an appearance at ArcTanGent Festival this August alongside some of the most exciting names in alternative and experimental music. For a band whose music thrives on atmosphere and connection, Wildernesses’ live shows are fast becoming essential viewing. Live dates are listed below.
Catch Wildernesses live:
Jun 26 – The Black Heart, London (with Million Moons/Civil Service) Aug 21- Arctangent Festival Oct 3rd – Crowded Festival, Leicester
WILDERNESSES are:
Phillip Morris – vocals, guitar Sam Howe – guitar Mark Portnoi – bass Ryan Browne – drums
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video