Two Cleopatra label favorites, Goth pioneers Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel and Stray Cat Slim Jim Phantom (Headcat, 13 Cats, Swing Cats, Voodoo Tones) launch their much-anticipated Hit & Run tour of the United States on April 8.
Eighties hit maker (and Pretty In Pink soundtrack standout) Belouis Some is also on the bill.
Key figures on the 1980s US college/alternative rock scene, Gene Loves Jezebel were responsible for a stream of immortal club and MTV hits, among them “Jealous,” “The Motion of Love,” “Heartache,” “Josephina” and “Desire (Come and Get It).”
This is Gene Loves Jezebel’s first American visit since the release of their acclaimed 2023 album Love Death Sorrow X; 2025 also marks the 40th anniversary of the core trio of Aston, bassist Pete Rizzo and guitarist James Stevenson playing together – in fact, Stevenson’s first tour with the band was the US.
“The tour is definitely something we’re looking forward to celebrating this milestone with,” says Aston. “It’s amazing that we’re still together after all this time!
“We’ve never stopped creating new music together and we are great friends. We’ll be playing so many of the classic GLJ songs of course, along with our personal favorites from the last two albums (Dance Underwater was released in 2017).”
He is also excited about the line-up for the tour. “We played a wonderful show with Belouis Some in London recently. Such a great band and it was a pleasure to share the same stage.”
Aston and Slim Jim go back even further; “I’ll never forget seeing Slim Jim with The Stray Cats at the Venue in Victoria, London, when they first came on the scene, and they were sensational. Jim and his beautiful wife, Jennie Vee are a striking rhythm section and I can’t wait to play these shows with them.”
Slim Jim also has a new Cleopatra release behind him. Issued at the end of February, the tumultuous rockabilly stomp “Livin’ Ain’t Easy” is the first single by Voodoo Tones, a new band formed by Phantom with fellow Headcat alumni Danny B Harvey and Djordje Stijepovoc (Tiger Army), plus CM Wolf of The Delta Bombers.
The Hit & Run tour kicks off in Philadelphia on April 8.
Ahead of the release of their new album Stygian Wavz (March 28th, Kscope), American/Canadian fourpiece Envy Of None have shared a brand-new single today. The second track from the new album, ‘The Story’ holds a special place in each of the band member’s hearts and is brought to life with a stunning new video by Jaden D.
Speaking about the new single and inspiration behind the video, songwriter and vocalist Maiah Wynne shared “I wrote about wanting to be better, to grow, and the sense of desperation that comes with that desire. To me, the song is about the struggle of not being able to break bad cycles. I had been stuck for a very long time and was trying to be better. I think it’s a theme a lot of people can connect with in some way. Whether it’s habits, addiction, self-sabotage, or just unhealthy patterns, we all are trapped by something we are trying to break away from. If I had the power to write my own story, I’d want to be the hero, but so often I am my own villain.”
Envy Of None announced their new album back in January and have so far shared 3 standout singles, ‘Not Dead Yet’, ‘Under The Stars’ and ‘Stygian Waves’. To promote the album, the band recently appeared on Talk Shop Live in the US with host Steve Harkins to discuss the creation of Stygian Wavz, the writing and recording process and plans for the future.
Though they’d never describe themselves as such, Envy Of None are the living, breathing definition of a supergroup. No other band on earth could rightly claim to have Alex Lifeson – one of rock’s most influential visionaries – heading up guitar duties, with Andy Curran of Coney Hatch and Soho 69 overseeing bass/programming as well as producer extraordinaire Alfio Annibalini on keyboards. However, the star in this band could very well be its youngest member – American singer-songwriter Maiah Wynne – whose wonderfully emotive vocals are able to spin the music in new exciting directions that thrill to the core.
On their self-titled debut of 2022, the group were able to prove that they were a lot more than the sum of their parts, with an abundance of panache and finesse poured into a contemporary alt rock sound that was hard to predict and even harder to categorise. This year’s sophomore release, Stygian Wavz, is the sound of a band basking in the radiant glow of creative confidence and coming into their own, staggering the listener with every twist and turn encased within their heady mix of genre-splicing brilliance.
Envy Of None’s new album Stygian Wavz is set for release on March 28th, 2025.
Envy Of None – Stygian Wavz
Not Dead Yet [03:29]
The Story [04:41]
Under The Stars [04:32]
Thrill Of The Chase [03:40]
Handle With Care [04:14]
That Was Then [03:46]
Raindrops [03:33]
New Trip [03:55]
Clouds [04:02]
The End [03:58]
Stygian Waves [03:37]
Stygian Wavz will be released on a selection of formats including colored vinyl, standard black vinyl, CD, Blu-ray, digitally and as a special deluxe edition boxset.
Limited Edition Stygian Wavz Box Set includes CD and Blu-ray (with Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround & Hi-Res Stereo Mixes and 4 promo videos), plus Gatefold Green & Black Marble LP with individual band member prints. Also includes 12-page booklet featuring track-by-track notes from the band and exclusive photography.
In addition to the green & black marble vinyl, contained within 5 randomly packed copies of the box set is a special, super exclusive pressing of the album on galvanized metallic blue vinyl. Similar to a traditional commemorative silver or gold presentation disc, these have been made using a revolutionary new process which not only looks sensational but still plays and adds longevity to the pressing. Outside of LPs for the individual band members, these are the only copies in existence and come packed in poly-lined inner sleeves signed by Alex, Maiah, Andy and Alf.
Stygian Wavz Pink Vinyl Edition: North America Exclusive
Stygian Wavz Blue Vinyl Edition: Kscope Store + Independent Retailers
Stygian Wavz ‘EON Purple’ Vinyl Edition: Envy Of None Store Exclusive
Stygian Wavz Black Vinyl LP Edition, mastered at half-speed
Würzburg, Germany, -based black metal act DAGDRØM has announced the release of their debut full-length record, entitled “Schauder”, set to drop on May 9th. In anticipation of the album, the band has unleashed the first single, “Ascheregen”, today.
“‘Ascheregen’ delves into the album’s core themes: apocalyptic visions, fractured relationships, isolation, and the yearning for redemption“, DAGDRØM states.“Musically, this opener also showcases our experimental, genre-bending sound.”
Tracklist:
Intro
Ascheregen
Purpurne Stadt
Tagtraum
Alle Worte
Atme
Flüsse
Freund
Ära
Kalte Fliesen
Following their 2022 debut EP, “Dagdrøm”, released via Rising Nemesis, which explored the atypical black metal subject of serial killer Edmund Kemper, the band began recording “Schauder” in the latter half of 2024.
DAGDRØM‘s musical influences extend beyond traditional black metal, incorporating elements of hard/deathcore, post-metal, grindcore, and death metal to create an innovative and difficult-to-categorize genre blend. The song material is notably intricate and technically demanding. “Schauder” explores life’s challenging periods, where internal struggles lead to psychological abysses. Themes include loss of reality, blurred lines between dreams and reality, anxiety/panic, relationship issues, the desire for healing, homicidal fantasies, and trauma. The album represents a thematic shift for the band.
“Schauder” features traditional black metal elements combined with diverse influences to create a consistent and high-quality sound. The songs are characterized by contrasting elements: fast blast beats, complex double bass patterns, technical riffs, atypical breakdowns, dynamic quiet passages, choral vocals, varied vocal techniques, and catchy song structures.
The album will be coming out on May 9, self-released by DAGDRØM, and was mixed and mastered by Nikita Kamprad (Der Weg einer Freiheit).
DAGDRØM are: Sebastian – Guitar Max – Vocals Oli – Drums Stefan – Bass Julian – Guitar
On May 16, 2025, powerhouse labelROAR will proudly reissue the first three, iconic records by Swedish thrash and speed metal legends Hexenhaus: “A Tribute To Insanity”(1988), “The Edge Of Eternity”(1990), and “Awakening” (1991)!
Available on CD, colored vinyl and digitally, the physical products will also come with new liner notes and an exclusive history text. All formats got remastered by Ronnie Björnström (Mezzrow a.o.). Find pre-order options listed below!
Depending on the path you chose, one could say that the story of Sweden’s best kept thrash metal secret starts all the way up in the northern parts of Sweden. In a city called Boden to be more precise. That’s where the metal force Maninnya Blade took it’s form during the middle of the 80:s. Their take on speed metal caught the interest of the young guitarist Mickael Vikström, better known as Mike Wead and later on the guitarist in both Mercyful Fate and King Diamond. He would start out as a fan of the band, but it didn’t take long until’ he was their new guitarist and the talk of the town.
“When I joined them they already had four great songs more or less done already. It was; “Requiem”, “The Dead Are Restless”, “Delirious” and “Eaten Alive”,“ Wead reveals. “The style was much heavier than the music we had done before and to mark the fresh start of the band, at least that’s how we saw it, we also decided to change the name from Maninnya to Hexenhaus. The name is German for witch’s house and is a reference to the Malefizhaus in Bamberg, Germany. A frightful place where hundreds of suspected witches were tortured and executed during the early 17:th century.”
To call the material “heavier than before” is an understatement. The music on the four songs that ended up on the today highly sought after demo cassette “Demo 1988” drew its inspiration from bands like Metallica, Slayer and Mercyful Fate. A stellar testimony of what was going around in the early thrash metal scene around that time. The lucky ones that possess the “Demo 1988” cassette got a true gem on their hands.
After signing with Axis Records, the band entered the studio to record their stellar debut album “A Tribute To Insanity”. Half of the album contains the four songs that made up the demo, as well as four more songs that seen the band combine ideas and trading riffs like never heard before on a Swedish metal album. ”A Tribute To Insanity” was originally released on vinyl on the 17th of October 1988. Pre-order the ROAR reissue, a must-have that belongs into every well-sorted speed and thrash metal record collection, now on https://Hexenhaus.rpm.link/tributePR
The follow-up album, “The Edge Of Eternity”, was released on November 1st 1990. To pre-order this reissue from ROAR, visit: https://Hexenhaus.rpm.link/eternityPR
During the same time as “The Edge Of Eternity” was released in the early 90’s, Megadeth released their classic album “Rust In Peace”, Exodus came out with “Impact Is Imminent” and Germany’s Mekong Delta – who also was a big influence on “The Edge Of Eternity” – came out with their most popular album “Dances Of Death (And Other Walking Shadows)”. To say that the thrash scene was looking good is an understatement, it was boiling hot! In the midst of it stood Hexenhaus just waiting for the big breakthrough. “We thought that we would get approached by different management and offered tours that would take us all over Europe but that never happened”, Mike Weadsighs. “We were amateurs when it came to promote ourselves and how could we be anything else? We didn’t know that we needed to do more than creating albums to get a breakthrough!”
When the offers didn’t come as expected Mike and the band started to work on new material. But just like the last time it was with a new line-up who was more than ready to give their all for the band. Besides the broken bones, the blood and the gated reverbs the recordings of “Awakening” went smooth. The album was released in August 1991 and much to the bands dismay nothing happened for them this time either. “Once again we got great reviews from abroad”, Mike recalls. “Big and important magazines like Metal Hammer, Kerrang, Metal Forces and Aardschok gave us fantastic reviews! Even better than the ones we’ve received before, but we just couldn’t break through. We were still stuck in Sweden doing small shows put together by fans.” The band called it a quits in 1992.
Legendary singer Ronnie Romero is thrilled to announce the release of his new album, “Live At Rock Imperium Festival”, set for release on May 23rd, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl.
“Live At Rock Imperium Festival” sees Romero delivering an impressive musical performance in front of a huge passionate audience, in one of the biggest European festivals, the Spanish Rock Imperium Festival, including songs from the first solo and some other highlights like the Dio cover “Rainbow In The Dark”, available now.
Ronnie Romero commented on the new single, by saying: “Rainbow In The Dark is one of those songs we have on the setlist that we really enjoy playing and singing along with every audience! I also want to show appreciation to one of the most important rock singers in history, Ronnie James Dio. This is my humble and respectful tribute to the influence he has always had on my singing and the way to approach life as a musician and rock lover! Long Live Dio!!”
Talking about the album, he added: “I really wanted to have a live album out, to show everybody how much I enjoy playing music and the capabilities of the musicians I have by my side! It is also a step forward in my solo career. And no better place than my beloved Rock Imperium Festival in Spain! Thanks a lot to Frontiers Music, Manu Giménez, Andy C, and my band for making this possible! I hope that everyone will enjoy this performance!”
The tracklist is mostly based on Ronnie’s latest solo album “Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters”, which marks the first time that Romero has been involved with 100% of the songwriting on an album he sings on.
Romero also co-produced the album with Andy C., marking another first for Romero. While these ‘firsts” certainly add to the excitement for the album, it is the songs that truly take center stage. Romero’s voice is completely at home on this diverse, hard rockin’ set which is certainly going to please any fan of his vocal style and his work with his other bands.
Romero’s voice and prolific musical activity have brought him to the forefront of the hard rock/metal scene where he can be seen/heard with Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, The Michael Schenker Group, Lords of Black, The Ferrymen, Sunstorm, and the recently launched Elegant Weapons with Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner. With an impressive discography already under his belt, “Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters” is arguably the crown jewel of Romero’s recorded output thus far.
“Too Many Lies, Too Many Masters” follows Romero’s first two solo albums, both covers albums. 2023’s “Raised On Heavy Radio” saw Romero paying tribute to legendary artists from the metal world like Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept, Metallica, and more. It also featured special guests like Gus G. (Firewind, Ozzy Osbourne), Chris Caffery (Savatage, Spirits of Fire), Roland Grapow (Masterplan, Helloween), and more.
Romero’s first solo album, “Raised On Radio”, featured covers of classics that meant something special to Romero over the years and helped forge this talented singer’s musical style. Songs by legendary acts like Survivor, Bad Company, Foreigner, Queen, Led Zeppelin, and more were given Romero’s talented vocal treatment.
“Live At Rock Imperium Festival” Tracklist:
1. Castaway On The Moon 2. I’ve Been Losing You 3. Chased By Shadows 4. Ferryman 5. Too Many Lies Too Many Masters 6. Crossroad 7. Not Just A Nightmare 8. The Last Ship 9. Vengeance 10. Rainbow In The Dark
Line Up: Ronnie Romero – Vocals Jose Rubio – Guitars Fran Gil Torres – Keyboards Andy C. – Drums Aurelian Dinca – Bass Guitar/Vocals
Czech death metal veterans Pandemia have announced their sixt full length Darkened Devotion, which will be released on 16th May, 2025 via Hammerheart Records. The new single ‘Nightmare Paradox’ is now streaming on all digital platforms.
Following the well-received first single ‘A Sea To Breathe In‘, this new track explores the philosophical concept of finding strength through confronting one’s darkest thoughts. ‘Nightmare Paradox’ specifically deals with insomnia and the strange liminal state between wakefulness and dreaming, where nightmares become tools for developing self-knowledge and resilience rather than sources of fear.
“This song shows the variety of our songwriting, from blast speeds to more groovy style of playing,” explains guitarist Alex. “It was one of the songs written early on and the riffs came out of nowhere during a moment of disturbed sleep at night. There is a strange timing in the opening riff, which was a challenge to lay down properly. It’s one of the parts on the album that sounds straightforward but has some weird measures underneath. Overall, it comes out as one of the hardest-hitting songs on the album, and it is a great tune of which we are super proud!“
Track-list: 1. Depths 2. A Sea to Breathe in 3. The Wretched Dance 4. Nightmare Paradox 5. Heights of Your Fear 6. Catalepsy 7. Sleep Paralysis 8. The Pallor of Detest 9. Blessed, Blessed Oblivion
Czech death metal outfit Pandemia returns with Darkened Devotion, their most mature release yet. Celebrating 30 years of relentless brutality, thier sixth full-length is a masterclass in old-school ferocity, sharpened by modern precision.
Darkened Devotion delivers a barrage of blast beats, crushing riffs, and abyssal growls. Tracks like ‘A Sea to Breathe in’ and ‘Blessed, Blessed Oblivion’ hit with unrelenting force, capturing the raw power that’s defined Pandemia since 1995. Having decimated stages in over 30 countries alongside legends like Death, Morbid Angel, and Vader, Pandemia proves their legacy is forged in sweat, blood, and unyielding devotion to death metal!
Line up: Jirka Krš – Vocals Jaroslav “Jarda” Friedrich – Bass Jakub Bayer – Drums Alex Marek – Guitars
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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
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