New Miserable Experience, featuring an all-star cast with members of Rivers of Nihil, Rosetta, ex-Revocation, and Model Prisoner, give us another glimpse of their new record Gild The Lily,coming 23rd January via Pelagic Records.
The band comment: “‘Ataraxia’ started as one of Brody‘s ideas. We all felt it had a Portishead type of vibe that we instantly grabbed on to. As far as the lyrics, when life is falling apart the idea of ‘Ataraxia’ (calmness untroubled by mental or emotional disquiet) sounds very appealing.”
New Miserable Experience area Philadelphia-rooted collective that reshapes heavy-music rigour into expansive, melody-forward songs through alternative synth-rock. What started as a file-trading collaboration between vocalist/bassist David Grossman (ex-Rosetta) and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Mahesh Kost (Model Prisoner)expanded into a full band that now includes Rosetta drummer Bruce “B.J.” McMurtrie Jr., technical-metal bassist Brett Bamberger (ex-Revocation), and guitarist Brody Uttley (Rivers of Nihil).
Each member of New Miserable Experience contributes a distinctive sonic fingerprint. The vocals act as the emotional centre, delivering lines that feel confessional and immediate; synths and guitars are constructed with shimmering arpeggios and decisive motifs; percussion and production choices blend groove and tension within electronic nuance; and bass work often functions as a countermelody, lifting refrains and anchoring transitions. Together the five players emphasise careful craft over spectacle, shaping a song that rewards patient listening.
Across the twelve tightly arranged tracks of 3rd album Gild The Lily, the band pares its palette to essential elements: clear melodies, precise dynamics, and richly textured production. The album trades overt bombast for craft, building emotional weight through small gestures and patient arrangements rather than moments of spectacle.
Elements of Gild the Lily combines alternative synth rock with chorus-tinted guitars, and a rhythm section that alternates between taut propulsion and roomy, reverb-soaked space. Elements of artists as lauded and disparate as Crosses, Ulver, The Black Queen and more combine to irresistible effect.
Tracklisting:
1. Heartsick 2. Ordinary People 3. The Devil We Know 4. In the House of Denial 5. Infinite Sadness 6. Payback From God 7. Yours to Bury 8. Perfect Things 9. Letters to Insomnia 10. Perfect Blue 11. Running the Fear of it Dry 12. Ataraxia
New Miserable Experience are: Josh Kost (multi-instrumentalist) Brody Uttley (guitar) Brett Bamberger (bass) David Grossman (vocals) BJ McMurtrie (drums)
All-star hard rock collective Black Swan – featuring Robin McAuley (McAuley Schenker Group), Reb Beach (Winger, Whitesnake), Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End Machine, ex-Dokken), and Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) – unveil today their new single and official video, “Paralyzed”, title track of the upcoming studio album set for release on February 27, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Robin McAuley commented: “Nowadays it’s difficult not to become submerged in the news and negative comments presented to us through all media sources. That feeling of being numb and unsafe with an overpowering feeling of anxiety. Desperate for change, get back to the good old days when things seemed simpler. Craving to hear something positive and yet helpless and repeatedly overwhelmed by so much negative space, leaving us feeling paralyzed”.
“Paralyzed” is another Robin McAuley story that speaks to that anxiety most of us are feeling about the state of the world right now. It’s scary, overwhelming and seemingly never-ending! We need to find the positive in all the negativity and we need it soon! Plus- it rocks!!!!!”, added Jeff Pilson.
Matt Starr also said: “Paralyzed” kicks ass! This is one of the things that Black Swan does best… Hard driving high energy rock ‘n’ roll with great melodies, tons of hooks, thought provoking timely lyrics and exceptional musicianship. I’m really proud of this track”.
“With Paralyzed I was going for a Black Sabbath “Neon Nights” vibe when I started writing it, and then it blossomed into the title track when Jeff and Robin got their hands on it. It’s a very cool song guitar wise, and I hope we get to play it live one day because it really rocks!”, continued Reb Beach.
McAuley expressed his enthusiasm for the new record, by saying: “Can’t wait for you guys to hear our new record. We feel we’ve taken our songwriting to another level on this one, with amazing guitar riffs that once again show the brilliance that is Reb Beach. Pounding Bass as you’d expect from Jeff, and Matt Starr leaving no doubt about where the thunder comes from. Soaring melodies with strong lyrics are what we do best, combine that with sheer heaviness and we have a record we think you the fans are going to love”. “Black Swan is old school eighties rock that is all about good guitar riffs with badass vocals. No one is better than Robin at singing this kind of music. I think the combination of my riffs and his vocals are what makes the band stand out”, Reb Beach said.
“I think the fans are going to love our new record. It builds on the first two records taking the songwriting, playing and energy to another level. I’m so proud to be part of this great group of musicians and guys”, stated Matt Starr.
Jeff Pilson commented: “We’re all very excited for the release of Black Swan’s Paralyzed and can’t wait for all the fans to hear it. We wanted to come up with a real step forward in melodic heaviness, and I strongly believe we delivered. Enjoy!”
Black Swan are back with their explosive third album, “Paralyzed”. Following the critical acclaim of their previous releases, the supergroup once again delivers a powerful statement in modern hard rock.
With all songs written and composed by McAuley, Pilson, and Beach, and expertly produced by Pilson, “Paralyzed” showcases Black Swan at their peak performance – offering a dynamic mix of towering vocals, razor-sharp riffs, and hook-laden melodies. The band’s chemistry continues to shine, elevating their songwriting and musical delivery to new heights.
Tracked at Pilson’s Los Angeles studio, the album reflects the tight-knit synergy among its members. McAuley’s commanding vocals remain as ageless, while the instrumentalists deliver with precision and fire. Much like its predecessors, the new record is a testament to the individual and collective talents of these seasoned musicians.
“Paralyzed” is fresh, heavy, and melodically rich – a cohesive and compelling album that feels both classic and contemporary. Building upon the blueprint laid by their debut, “Shake The World”, the band expands their sonic universe.
The result is a record that not only meets but surpasses expectations, cementing Black Swan as a formidable force in the modern hard rock scene. Whether you’ve followed these legendary musicians since the heyday of ’80s rock or you’re just now discovering their magic, “Paralyzed” is essential listening – a masterclass in melodic hard rock delivered by artists who continue to defy time and expectations.
The genesis of Black Swan was sparked by a conversation between Jeff Pilson and Frontiers’ President & Head of A&R, Serafino Perugino, who wanted a project that would not only showcase McAuley’s vocal prowess, but have a mighty musical backbone to stand skyscraper tall behind him. Thus, the initial seeds were planted and Pilson ran with it from there.
Black Swan released their debut album, “Shake The World”, on February 14, 2020. A killer slice of melodic hard rock and heavy metal from seasoned players who have gelled musically. Their sophomore album, “Generation Mind”, followed in 2022, a powerful hard rock statement that consolidates the unique sound of the quartet and highlights the talent of each of them.
“Paralyzed” Tracklist:
1. When The Cold Wind Blows 2. Death Of Me 3. Different Kind Of Woman 4. If I Was King 5. Shakedown 6. The Fire And The Flame 7. I’m Ready 8. Paralyzed 9. Carry On 10. Battered And Bruised 11. What The Future Holds
Line Up: Robin McAuley – Lead Vocals Reb Beach – Guitars Jeff Pilson – Bass Matt Starr – Drums
QWÄLEN launch their new single “Kiviä ja Luita”, marking the first taste of the Finnish band’s upcoming third album, “Veri Virtaa Edelleen”, set for release on March 6th, 2026 via Time To Kill Records.
The track captures the band at their most direct and feral, further refining their stark blend of black metal aggression and punk urgency. With its raw drive and uncompromising delivery, “Kiviä ja Luita” highlights a more focused and confident QWÄLEN, while pointing toward an album that sharpens every element of their sound without sacrificing its primal edge.
“‘Kiviä ja luita’ is the definitive track of the new album. Coming into existence as a blaze of creation, the song became a gateway towards expanding what the band can sound like. A testament to the flame within amongst the dying embers of humanity. We will never forget the sound of bone hitting stone. The primal force drives you to leave again and again, but Death always follows. You wait for a return that never comes. All that remains is stones and bones”.
Blood continues to flow. The third statement of QWÄLEN delves into the rottenness of human reality, the abolition of kings and gods, and the bleak, habitual cycle of fraternal violence—concepts that mean nothing to the band, and yet embody everything they express. With the very idea of black metal at its core, QWÄLEN persists in breaking free from the narrow boundaries of the genre. Hail no one but thyself; raise no one on a pedestal but thyself, for borders can only be drawn from within. Gods live only if we allow them. Death becomes the final insult, the ultimate raised middle finger when all is reduced to rocks and bones—the black serpent within, the black flame of rebellion. Hail Satan. Blood continues to flow.
Tracklist:
1. Hunnutettu maa 2. Matala hauta huutaa 3. Kahleet 4. Uusi nahka 5. Kiviä ja luita 6. Pirujen illallinen 7. Veri vastaa 8. Kuolleet jumalat
Formed in 2017, QWÄLEN channels the raw musical backgrounds of its members – active in bands such as Kürøishi, Viimeinen Virhe, Letterbombs and Hoc Est Bellum – into a distinctive interpretation of black metal built on simplicity, rawness, speed and honesty. These foundations shaped their debut, “Unohdan sinut”, which explored self-portrayal, loss, rebuilding, abandonment, misanthropy and Satan. Their second album, “Syvä hiljaisuus”, turned its gaze toward humanity’s sheep-like nature, the inevitability of destruction, the acceptance of flaw and the surrender to greater forces. The new album continues in this vein, embracing the decay of human reality, the fall of kings and gods and the sinister repetition of brotherly violence – motifs that, for QWÄLEN, mean nothing and yet define everything.
As with their previous record, the album was tracked at Waiting Room Recording Studio in Tampere with Mikael Neves, who also handled the mixing. Mastering was completed at Enormous Door by Jack Control, while artwork and layout were created by the always formidable Jussi Pohjanen.
Line-up:
Eetu Viita: Vocals Samuli Similä: Guitar & vocals Antti Kannisto: Guitar & vocals Ville Jylhä: Bass Henri Kaarre: Drums
So far, it’s been a wild ride for five young guys from Rome, Georgia. But, today, The Georgia Thunderbolts are turning down the stage lights on their journey for a while, with their single Overlord.
It’s fitting that their journey comes to a pause with the stadium-shaking final single, Overlord. A marauding three-and-a-half minutes of molten hot grungy riffs, Southern Rock fury, and TJ Lyle’s vocals taking on the ride of its life. Their rootsy influences are saturated in sludgy desert rock with drums straight from the bowels of a volcano and lightning-sharp solos.
It’s the most impassioned we’ve seen vocalist TJ Lyle so far, and talking about the song, he says, “Throughout history, we’ve seen people in power try to achieve their goals, and often it’s done in the wrong way. This song sheds some light on that subject. There is no need to belittle or harm anyone. We were put on this earth to love and support each other as brothers and sisters. Recently, it seems we’ve gone our separate ways from that. Let’s get back to love, respect, and care. Seek humanity, not greed. Seek love, not war. Always seek love.”
The road to being hailed as the new torchbearers of Southern rock hasn’t been as glamorous as you might imagine for The Georgia Thunderbolts. It’s hard graft, and they’ve put in the hard miles, honing their live shows from clubs to theatres and festival stages.
But the realities of touring North America and mainland Europe in 2025 proved overwhelming, both financially and personally. Long travel days, rising costs, and time away from steady work took their toll, compounded by Lyle suffering a mild stroke just before they were due to embark on the band’s first UK tour. While he is fully recovered as of late, at the time his health ultimately had to come first.
When the school friends released their self-titled debut EP on Mascot Records in August 2020, few could have predicted the whirlwind five years that followed. TJ Lyle (vocals), Zach Everett (bass, guitar), Bristol Perry (drums), Riley Couzzourt (guitar), and Logan Tolbert (guitar) quickly found themselves championed by Rolling Stone as proof that “Southern rock continues to thrive in the 21st century,” with Classic Rock magazine declaring the five-piece the genre’s “new heroes.”
The hard touring band crisscrossed their way across the US and toured Europe three times; along the way, playing shows with Black Stone Cherry, Deep Purple, ZZ Top, The Marshall Tucker Band, the Allman Betts Band, Blackberry Smoke, The Outlaws, The Kentucky Headhunters, and more.
Along the way, the band released two further albums on Mascot Records: Can We Get A Witness (2021) and Rise Above It All (2024) – two timeless records blending classic songwriting, heartfelt Americana, and surging, high-octane Southern Rock. They’ve picked up incredible support with global playlisting, SXM, BBC Radio 2, Planet Rock Radio, Rolling Stone, Classic Rock, Paste, Vintage Rock, BraveWords, Loudwire, No Depression, and a whole load more.
Talking about the journey, Riley reflects, “I’ve always said and always will say… ‘if it all ended tomorrow boys we can’t complain one bit.’ We have been blessed beyond measure and have done more and seen more than 90% of your average humans with this band. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with any other four guys in the world.
I, along with the other four guys, am honored to have met many people in the music industry, but Richard (Young) has got to be number one. Meeting Richard was one of my favorite parts of playing music professionally.”
Opening up about the importance of their manager and mentor, he continues, “He did amazing things for us in the industry, but as a person, friend, family member.. I wouldn’t mind sitting around listening to him tell stories and hanging out with him all day. (One of my favorite parts of our journey). My other favorite part of the musical journey was the fans. You meet people far and wide, some that you have similarities and some that you do not. It was always fun just getting out mingling after the shows, and it’s amazing how many down-to-earth people you have out there.
Looking back over the last ten years, Bristol says, “What a ride it’s been! Different countries, different states, and all the fans who have stood by us the whole way! We will never be able to thank them enough for sticking with us. The Strykers are the best!! Touring has its challenges for all of us; the world around you still revolves, and real life and its demands take their toll. We’ve loved every minute being on stage and playing our music for you; we will miss it for sure. Please understand this was a very hard decision for us to take a break from touring. We want to thank all the bands and crews we met that are now our brothers from the road. We appreciate all the help and support from our manager, Richard Young, and our label, Mascot Records. My bandmates and I never knew how this journey would go, and it certainly exceeded the expectations of 5 guys from rural Georgia. We have been blessed. We love you all! ”
As the band takes a hiatus – for now – they part with, “Though our futures may be uncertain, as we know life’s changes can bring. It’s wonderful to see that Mascot Records’ belief in our music is still upheld with the release of our single Overlord. We’d like to express our undying love, appreciation, and affection to all who have ridden along on this wonderful journey. God bless you all. Thanks for the memories.”
The Georgia Thunderbolts take a break, not from a lack of passion, but from the understanding that ambition alone can’t outweigh the importance of family and its responsibilities. But in a short time, they have collected a lifetime of memories and touched a million hearts.
As they step away, and say until we meet again, the world would do well to carry forward The Georgia Thunderbolts’ parting message: “Seek humanity, not greed. Seek love, not war. Always seek love.”
“Only” is a throwback to the timeless soul anthems of the 60’s and 70’s. Featuring Meghan Parnell’s signature smokey vocals and a smooth, slow groove, this losing-of-love song is a heartfelt plea to remain together, while attempting to downplay the pain of breaking up.
The emotional melody, accompanied by the rich background vocals of Joanna Mohammed (Aphrose) and Claire Davis, captures perfectly the feeling of loving more than being loved.
Reminiscent of the classic artists of the genre, “Only” is infused with modern influences such as Adele and Amy Winehouse.
“Only is a simple, yet emotionally powerful tune,” says guitarist and co-writer Dave Barnes. “It shows off a sweet, softer side of Meg’s usual powerhouse vocals.”
The song was recorded at Palace Studios in Toronto, captured and mixed by Patric McGroarty, and mastered by Kristian Montano of Montano Mastering.
“This seven-piece powerhouse outfit proves with this astonishing display of joy, energy and camaraderie that they are without a doubt one of the most exciting bands of the moment.” – Bluestown Music
“A living, breathing testament to what happens when a band catches fire, led by a vocalist who doesn’t just perform but preaches the blues. Bywater Call isn’t following the tradition, they’re pushing it forward one electrical show at a time.” – Blues Matters
Often transcending genres, Bywater Call is known for their dynamic, emotional live shows, featuring powerful vocals and exciting interplay between all band members.
In their August 2024 issue, Classic Rock made Bywater Call’s 2024 album Shepherd their “Blues Album of the Month” and said it was “an inventive and uncommonly catchy record,” and added, “the sense of a band on the brink is unmistakable.” The album won “Top Blues Album of the Year” in the magazine’s year-end round-up.
In early 2025 Bywater Call received a nomination at the UK Blues Awards for “International Act of the Year” for the second year in a row.
The band will be on tour throughout Europe, the USA and Canada in 2026.
Jan 22 | New Orleans, LA | Folk Alliance International Jan 31 | Erin, ON | The Busholme Feb 26 | Burlington, ON | Burlington Performing Arts Centre Mar 20 | Safety Harbor, FL | SHAMc Mar 21 | Boca Raton, FL | Funky Biscuit Mar 25-29 | Miami, FL | Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Apr 2 | Hagerstown, MD | Live at Hub City Vinyl Apr 3 | Tuckerton, NJ | Lizzie Rose Music Room Apr 4 | New York, NY | Iridium Apr 23| Syracuse, NY | 443 Club at the Hosmer Auditorium Apr 25 | Drummondville. QC | Maison des arts Desjardins Drummondville
EUROPE
14-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
26-May | Leiden, Netherlands | Qbus 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
ABOUT BYWATER CALL
Often 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 2024 alone, the band played 140 shows across 10 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.
Rockshots Records is proud to announce the release of “Shadow Spell”, the brand new single by Italian symphonic death metal act NEFASTIS.
“Shadow Spell” marks the opening chapter of “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn“, an ambitious four-act concept album conceived as a continuous and engaging listening experience. The track follows an instrumental introduction and immediately sets the emotional and narrative tone of the record, plunging the listener into a post-apocalyptic scenario shaped by loss, anguish, and spiritual disorientation.
Musically, “Shadow Spell” showcases NEFASTIS evolved identity, blending aggressive death metal foundations with layered orchestral arrangements, progressive structures, and haunting melodic themes. Intense piano passages and sweeping symphonic textures coexist with sharp riffs, dynamic drumming, and commanding vocals, creating a dark yet story-driven atmosphere that unfolds with dramatic tension and depth.
Lyrically, the song portrays the journey of survivors in the aftermath of a nuclear catastrophe, accompanied by restless spirits that haunt the devastated world around them. This dual presence – physical and spectral – becomes a key narrative element, reinforcing the album’s overarching theme of humanity facing extinction, memory, and decay.
Founded in 2008, NEFASTIS debuted in 2014 with the concept album “De Diebus Fastis, Nefastis, Infaustis“, before reshaping their sound into a more expansive and orchestral form of symphonic death metal. With “Shadow Spell”, the band opens a new and decisive chapter, setting the foundations for their most ambitious work to date.
Recommended for fans of Wintersun, Hypocrisy, Fleshgod Apocalypse.
New album “Shadows At The Light Of Dawn” out March 6th, 2026.
Track Listing: 1. Cosmic Silence at the Edge of the New World – 2:50 2. Shadow Spell – 4:30 3. Seduced by the Beauty of the Darkness – 5:05 4. Absence of Illumination – 2:52 5. Tears of the Past – 4:29 6. Vortex of Light – 5:09 7. Lights of Dawn – 3:43 8. Alone Again – 5:57 9. Stardust – 5:05 10. Blackened Vision – 2:45 11. Collapsing Dream – 8:01 12. Flowers Swept Away by the Autumn – 5:33 Album Length: 55:58
Nefastis Line-Up: Simone Colombo: Lead Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitars Andrea Lenzi: Lead & Rhythm Guitars, Acoustic Guitars, Backing Vocals, Orchestrations Fulvio Manganini: Bass Claudio Invidia: Drums
More info: https://rockshots.eu/ https://www.instagram.com/nefastis.italy/ https://www.facebook.com/nefastis.italy
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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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