With Halloween season in full swing IZZY REIGN continues the dark path with a bit of light hearted humor in “Spooky Scary Skeletons” originally written by Andrew Gold and released on his 1996 album Halloween Howls: Fun & Scary Music.
With her unique blend of alternative, alt-pop, and chill pop elements, Izzy Reign turns the once-goofy Halloween staple into a dark and atmospheric track filled with eerie undertones and haunting vibes. With synthesizers, deep bass, eerie guitars, and rhythmic drums fused around Izzy Reign’s sultry vocals the cover reimagines the song in a way that’s perfect for the spookiest season, conjuring an ominous, cinematic atmosphere.
“I took one of my all time favorite Halloween songs and wanted to make the spookiest version of it possible,” explains Izzy Reign. “Turning what once was a happy goofy innocent sounding song, into something you would put into a horror movie trailer. I worked at spirit Halloween for 10 years and every year, if you didn’t know, they play almost the exact same playlist, aside from some new additions, And every year, I would get overly excited to start up the store playlist, even before the stores were set up, Just to hear, Spooky scary skeletons, which at the time, was voted by most of my co workers as the most annoying song. hahah! And that never stopped me.”
Bold. Eclectic. Rebellious. Izzy Reign thrives on originality and thinking outside the box. Her music is nothing short of a reflection of this. She grew up singing to Alanis Morissette, Jewel, and Madonna. Inspired by Enter Shikari’s music video “Sorry You Are Not A Winner” and the musical stylings of Imogen Heap, Izzy took the plunge into the industry and played her first live show when she was 15 years old.
Since then she’s taken a deeper dive into production, songwriting and performing, working with a variety of artists that come through the production house she shares with producers Jon Eberhard (I Prevail, Skillet, Sleeping With Sirens) and Nick Matzkows (Wind Walkers, Until I Wake, ENMY, Attack! Attack!). Over the past four years she has released a myriad of covers, originals and music videos on her YouTube channel racking up millions of views. She has received notable attention for her popular The Nightmare Before Christmas cover of “This Is Halloween”, which has over 10 million streams across Spotify and YouTube along with 73,200 videos using the sound on TikTok.
In 2023 Izzy came to the attention of the US-based record label FiXT, through the discovery of her independent release, “Broken By Design”, which showcased a new edge to Izzy’s sound. Signing on for a multi-album deal, Izzy Reign is now set to release her debut album with FiXT in 2025.
Ann Arbor’s hard rock powerhouse, Black Note Graffiti, is back with their highly anticipated album ‘Resist the Divide’, out now. The record dives deep into the raw emotions and struggles of the human experience, blending heavy vocals, driving guitars, and pounding drums to deliver a message of personal transformation, addiction, and inner conflict.
The album kicks off with ‘Place You Lie,’ a gritty exploration of the lingering challenges after overcoming mental health battles. Tracks like ‘The Source’ and ‘Eulogy’ delve into the devastating cycles of addiction and the eerie sensation of saying farewell to past selves. ‘Undertones’ questions societal blindness to real issues, while ‘Drown,’ inspired by a haunting dream, grapples with the struggle of reconnecting with a lost self.
The powerful ‘Alive’ and ‘Elusive’ examine the paradoxes of addiction, balancing the highs of euphoria against the fear of losing control. ‘Black Roses’ and ‘Shade’ explore grief, guilt, and the complex dynamics of love-hate relationships, while ‘Paradox’ paints a vivid picture of the push and pull within these emotional connections. Finally, ‘Sigh to Sight’ serves as a moving conclusion, offering a poignant reflection on grief, loss, and acceptance.
Resist the Divide promises to be a hard-hitting, emotionally charged journey, showcasing Black Note Graffiti’s signature blend of intensity and introspection.
TESTAMENT’s Official Coffee “Brazen” by Concept Cafes is Available in Whole Beans plus Ground to Order: Drip, Coarse, Espresso or Percolator…Get it HERE.
From the same #metalcoffee bean-smiths who partnered with Metal legends like Cannibal Corpse and Max & Iggor Cavalera to raise caffeinated chaos from the graves of the uncaffeinated undead, Concept Cafes’ collab with Metal titans Testament takes you beyond the coffee world of mortals and into the caffeine abyss. Inspired by the legacy catalog of the band, their titanic existential aesthetic, & (most importantly) loyal global diehard fanbase, ‘Brazen’ is any Metalhead’s caffeine dream. The packaging alone looks & feels like a heavyweight contender that could go cloven hoof-to-hoof w/ any iconic LP out there, & what’s inside is nothing short of pure thrashing liquid vinyl @ 220 BPM!
Concept Cafes says “For us…the creative process is probably similar to most bands (and probably takes just as long sometimes, LOL). ‘Brazen’ was a real challenge for everyone, merely because Testament’s creative core is like trying to capture the nucleus of an atom splitting. If you look close enough, you’ll actually see a trilogy going on; kinda like condensing a box set into an EP if you will, and trying not to let it burst at the seams. Yeah, there was a little cinematic influence here with this one LOL. Hey, the BEST compliment we can all get is when a fans asks, ‘Is this the new album coming out…?’”
‘Brazen’ debuted on the Klash of the Titans Tour where it is being exclusively sold in a limited edition collectible art tin.
Testament and Concept Cafes celebrated the release of ‘Brazen’ on October 9th with the band’s first ever ‘Brazen’ Coffee popup at the 8th Wonder of the World, the infamous Heavy Metal headquarters, Duff’s of Brooklyn, as the band enjoyed a rare night off from their Klash of the Titans Tour ! The meet and greet at the world-famous Metalhead destination Duff’s in Brooklyn, NY was packed wall-to-wall and the guys shared both ‘Brazen’ coffee and their new signature Apocalyptic City West Coast IPA beer collab with Modist City Brewing in an intimate meet and greet session. Fans turned out in droves and the band really enjoyed meeting the fans and sipping some freshly brewed ‘Brazen’ beans
Fans were lined up down the block when Testament and Concept Cafes joined up with Park Ave CDs in Orlando, Florida for the second ‘Brazen’ Coffee pop up on October 14th with a meet and greet/signing event where fans were able to buy the collectible, limited edition ‘Brazen’ coffee tin and get them autographed and enjoyed a killer Q&A panel, and bought plenty of the vinyl reissues of the remastered The Legacy and The New Order plus more Testament classics. Testament followed up by an epic show the following night at Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios Orlando.
Photo credit: Stephanie Carbal (except Dovas by Mia Demonz)
If you missed the two epic Testament meet & greet in-stores on this tour where they guys did everything from share a few sips, Q&A panel, vinyl signings, and more ‘Brazen’ tin signings than a crippled wrist could wish for; don’t worry, it’s a fan experience the guys hopefully look forward to the opportunity to bring back on future tours.
Testament shares “These custom signature collectible (12oz) tins will ONLY be available on tour as we raise Cain and reign supreme in the coffee game with ‘Brazen’.
Testament’s OFFICIAL ‘Brazen’ Coffee in a collectible tin was roasted especially fresh right before the kick- off of the Klash of the Titans North American Tour to maximize the most ‘Brazen’ coffee experience ever!
Artwork was designed by Marina Tsareva/ Head Artist & Design @ Concept Cafes
Just like Concept Cafes‘ founding mission statement to always remain 100% artist supportive, as well giving the fans nothing short of the most epic immersive coffee experience possible by never sacrificing on quality, Concept Cafes is also about supporting their own. Head artist and designer for the company, Marina Tsareva has been with them since the very beginning, even before their humbling success working with legends in the Metal world. What most don’t know is, Marina live in the war-torn Ukraine of which is her home; albeit it is also Concept’s mission to be able to bring Marina to the U.S. someday if the war does not end. So, every time a Metalhead purchases a bag of coffee, they can confidently know that part of the proceeds are going to support an incredible talent still living and working every day in a war-ravaged country like Ukraine.
About CONCEPT CAFES:
Everybody remembers that first opening riff, that mid-song breakdown, that blast beat crescendo that turned them on, and tuned them into Metal forever. With our artist partners like Cannibal Corpse, Max & Iggor Cavalera, and Ministry; we’re trying to recapture that moment of Metal possession for the fans by immersing them into a Metal coffee obsession like no other. As lifelong fans ourselves, we’re constantly seeking out the most epic Metal experiences; whether it’s records, live shows, merch, etc., so if we can maybe someday say we were a small part of that collective fan experience, then we’ve done our job. It’s also super important for us to illuminate the fact that these are the artists’ coffee stories, not our own, we’re just the chaotic-evil little elves that help them conjure their visions and forge them into reality for the fans.
We’re not here to snobbishly push conventional coffee culture upon Metalheads either, nor will we ever try to flip a quick gimmick on our Metal brothers & sisters to make a quick buck. We’re humbled literally everyday with this responsibility, and the opportunity to work with Metal legends. This is why we are constantly pushing the boundaries and possibilities, because foremost we believe there is no other comparison to the dedicated devotion metalheads have in keeping Metal music alive and stronger than ever! Metal deserves the absolute best when it comes to coffee!
Reality is coffee culture has become basic cookie-cutter over the past couple of decades; so safe and just a shell of itself which once fueled artists and their music across several generations. We want to revive that creative fire, and as far as playing it safe…it’s metal, motorcycles, & horror…what did you expect?!
Concept Cafes Coffee
LIQUIFY YOUR BRAIN!!! 999 Douglas Ave Suite 1109 Altamonte Springs FL 32714 info@conceptcafes.com http://www.conceptcafes.com @conceptcafescoffee
Back in June, “Rite Here Rite Now” captivated audiences in theaters. The film offered Ghost fans a unique experience, blending insights into Ghost’s mythology with thrilling live performances that left audiences thrilled. Now you have the chance to bring this one-of-a-kind atmosphere into your home – whether for yourself or as the perfect gift for any Ghost fan.
The movie will be released on Blu-Ray, DVD and in 4K on December 6 – and you can pre-order it now!
Need a quick refresher? Watch the trailer for “Rite Here Rite Now” again here:
A Look at the Tracklist for “Rite Here Rite Now”
If you missed it in theaters, here is the full tracklist that brings “Rite Here Rite Now” to life and captures the spirit of Ghost’s band history:
Chapter 1: The Saga Until Now
Chapter 2: Imperium
Chapter 3: Kaisarion
Chapter 4: Rats
Chapter 5: Faith
Chapter 6: Spillways / Papa & Sister Pep Talk
Chapter 7: Cirice / What The Fog
Chapter 8: Absolution
Chapter 9: Ritual / Kevin is Bored
Chapter 10: Call Me Little Sunshine
Chapter 11: Con Clavi Con Dio / Sloppy Slapstick Extra Quick Change / Funiculì, Funiculà
Chapter 12: Watcher In The Sky / Papa In A Box
Chapter 13: If You Have Ghosts (Chamber Version)
Chapter 14: Dominion / Boxer Papa
Chapter 15: Twenties / Quick Change / Summon
Chapter 16: Year Zero
Chapter 17: Spoksonat / Sister Is Sick
Chapter 18: He Is
Chapter 19: Miasma / The Talk
Chapter 20: Mary On A Cross
Chapter 21: Mummy Dust / Blowjobs & New Shoes
Chapter 22: Respite On The Spitalfields / Encore Jacket
Chapter 23: Kiss The Go-Goat
Chapter 24: Dance Macabre
Chapter 25: Square Hammer
Chapter 26: Pro Memoria / Papa In A Balloon
Chapter 27: Credits / The Future Is A Foreign Land
WORLD FIRE BRIGADE has just dropped their latest single, “Shot Down Again,” available now via TLG|ZOID and distributed by Virgin Music Group.
Brett Scallions comments on the single:
“When you have big guitar riffs like in Shot Down, the rest of the song falls into place fairly easily because you are so excited and inspired. The big, sweeping vocal melodies and lyrics fell into place pretty quickly. It was so much fun making a record with two lead singers and finding our parts in the song.”
World Fire Brigade has sold over 10 million records between its members. It all started with the veteran songwriting trio of Brett Scallions (front man of the multi-platinum selling band Fuel), Sean Danielsen (lead singer and guitarist for Smile Empty Soul) and Eddie Wohl (producer/mixer for Anthrax, Ill Nino, Smile Empty Soul, Jesse Malin, Dry Kill Logic, 36 Crazy Fists, and H2O).
The trio began writing & recording songs with the idea of possibly licensing them out or getting them to other artists, but it evolved into much more when the songs began to smolder. It became clear that their powerful material was meant to be performed by Scallions, Danielsen and Wohl themselves. It got to the point where we looked at each other and said, “You know, this is too good to give away,” says Scallions. “We need to do this for ourselves. It’s much heavier than anything I ever did with Fuel. We’re doing a lot of stuff in lower tones which is a first for me.”
Sacramento-based active rock band NERV returns with their highly anticipated new single, “WASTED!”, out now via SBG Records. Following up on their debut, this track continues to showcase Nerv’s powerful sound, blending dynamic guitar riffs and raw, emotive vocals.
With over 40 million streams across platforms and a solid history on SiriusXM Octane, Music Choice, BBC1 Rock, and Spotify Editorial, Nerv has quickly become a force in the rock scene. The band recently completed a tour with Polaris and played major festivals like Louder Than Life and Aftershock.
Fans can catch Nerv live at Dirty Fest on November 16th in Los Angeles, California.
Nerv, is a 4-piece active rock band residing in Sacramento California. The band consists of vocalist Dillon Jones, guitarists Jordan Grokett, Scott Buchanan, and drummer Tyler Clark.
Nerv broke onto the scene in November 2017 with their heavy hitting debut single ‘Enough’. Then in Spring 2018 the band released their highly successful debut EP ‘Bad Habits’, working with producer Erik Ron (I Prevail, Godsmack, Hollywood Undead). In October of 2022, Nerv released their long-awaited debut full length album, ‘We’re All Patients Here’ to great success garnishing 20+ million streams.
Nerv is currently finishing up their upcoming EP with producer Matt Good (Asking Alexandria, Escape the Fate) for a tentative 2025 release.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
