With the release of their new single “Sierra,” out Friday, July 11th via Punkerton Records, folk-punk legends The Dreadnoughts deliver a haunting sea shanty soaked in longing, lore, and a hint of vengeance. The track is the second single from their upcoming full-length album Polka Pit, due out September 19th, and continues their tradition of masterfully blending folk storytelling with riotous punk energy.
“‘Sierra’ combines two of the greatest musical genres: the sea shanty and the murder ballad,” says vocalist Nicholas Smyth. “It’s a tale of a lovesick sailor who makes a very bad decision.”
The song’s rousing chorus and gritty narrative beg for pub-wide singalongs, making “Sierra” an instant classic in the band’s growing catalog of maritime punk anthems.
The Dreadnoughts—now based in New York but with deep roots in Vancouver—have spent nearly two decades fusing sea shanties, polkas, tarantellas, and street punk into their own explosive brand of folk-punk. Their upcoming album Polka Pit is a defiant celebration of resistance, tradition, and chaos—a soundtrack for the end of the world and the beginning of something new.
“Polka Pit is a tribute to the magic of punk rock and the power of traditional polka,” says Smyth.
Known for their electrifying live shows, the band will celebrate the album’s release with a blowout performance at Skully’s Music Diner in Columbus, OH on September 19. Tickets on sale now, here!
UPCOMING SHOWS:
Thu, Jul 24 – Connolly’s – New York, NY (“Sea Shanty Night”)
Thu, Aug 21 – Music Room @ Broken Goblet – Bensalem, PA (w/ Apes Of The State)
Fri, Aug 22 – The Met – Pawtucket, RI (w/ Apes Of The State, Consuelo’s Revenge)
Formed in 2006, The Dreadnoughts have performed in over 30 countries, earned a devoted global following, and released genre-defying albums like Polka’s Not Dead, Foreign Skies, Into the North, and Green Willow. Their high-energy shows and deep respect for traditional music have set them apart as true torchbearers of modern folk-punk.
Catch The Whip, Khroma‘s first single from their fourth album to be released in October 2025 showcases a renewed side to the Helsinki-based alternative/electro-metal band’s sound. Hip hop and drum’n bass influences have been brought to the surface, and electro elements have been added to give a 2020s feel.
Khroma’s sound of low-pitched grooves, cinematic machine elements and vocal performances from soloist Riku Rinta-Seppälä‘s whispering to screaming is still recognisable, but Catch The Whip twists the single knobs with its catchiness.
Formed in 2010, Khroma has released three albums and toured Europe more than 10 times. The band’s fourth self-titled album will be released in October 2025.
Austrian glam metal rockers Mädhouse release their hotly-anticipated, new studio album “Plead The Fifth” via ROAR. Now available on CD, limited Vinyl (incl. signed photocard) and in Digital formats, you can order your favorite choice of format via:https://madhouse.rpm.link/pleadthe5thPR
Formed in 2017 by Mikky Stixx, Mädhouse‘s origins trace back to a spontaneous Hard N’ Heavy show, where 18 rock musicians gathered, leading to the band’s creation. Drawing inspiration from legendary acts like Mötley Crüe, Skid Row, and Ratt, Mädhouse blends the raw energy of classic glam metal with a modern hard rock edge. Their sound is unmistakable—gritty riffs, anthemic choruses, and an unapologetic attitude that demand attention. Since their debut, the band has continuously evolved while staying true to their wild, rebellious spirit.
The band’s first album, “Money Talks Bullshit Walks” (2019), introduced their high-energy style, followed by “Bad Habits” (2021), a more polished and aggressive follow-up. They further refined their sound with “Down ‘N’ Dirty” (2022), and now, their latest release, “Plead The Fifth”, pushes the boundaries even further with heavier riffs, bolder lyrics, and an electrifying presence!
Known for their explosive live performances and larger-than-life stage presence, Mädhouse continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The current line-up features Tommy Lovelace on vocals, Mikky Stixx and Thommy Black on guitars and backing vocals, Rickey Dee on bass, and Bobby B Bastard on drums. Together, they keep the spirit of glam metal alive, delivering high-octane rock that never backs down. With “Plead The Fifth”, they prove once again that glam metal is far from dead — it’s louder, bolder, and wilder than ever. Turn up the volume, join the madness, and let rock ‘n’ roll reign!
“Plead The Fifth” Tracklist:
01 – Midnite Fever 02 – We Run Riot 03 – Bring On The Night 04 – Shotgun Rider 05 – Wicked Hearts 06 – Get A Grip 07 – Live And Tease 08 – It’s A Monster In My Head 09 – I’ll See You In My Dreams 10 – Mad To The Bone 11 – Loveplace 12 – I Die Alone 13 – You Got The Tail Down
MÄDHOUSE is: Tommy Lovelace – Vocals Mikky Stixx – Guitars Thommy Black – Guitars Rickey Dee – Bass Bobby B. Bastard – Drums
Swedish metal quartet Stygian Fair unveil their highly anticipated full-length album, The Hidden Realm, out now on all digital platforms and in physical format as of July 11th via Rockshots Records.
The album kicks off with its powerful title track, blending thrashy riffs with a dark, honest narrative. The journey ahead explores the battle between choice and destiny through 11 tracks that touch on themes of social decay, spiritual unrest, and inner reckoning.
No clicks, no gimmicks, just pure, guitar-driven heavy metal. “The Hidden Realm” is sharper, more melodic, and more direct than their previous release “Aradia”, marking a significant evolution in their sound.
From the haunting “Abide Your Master” to the introspective “All Of Us” and the soaring “Rise from the Shadows,” this album is raw and impactful, delivering an unforgettable experience.
Get ready for real music, made by those who believe in albums that speak, challenge, and endure.
Track Listing: 1. The Hidden Realm 2. Abide Your Master 3. Into The Well 4. Peel The Layers Off 5. What You’re Fighting For 6. All Of Us 7. Dawn 8. Meteor 9. Anthem Of The Lost 10. Rise From The Shadows 11. Ferwor Of Fools
All songs written by Andreas Stoltz, Emil Holmqvist, Per-Olov Jonsson and Anders Hedman.
Produced by Stygian Fair, recorded at Ballerina Studios in Umeå.
Mixed by Marcus Jidell and mastered by CJ Grimmark.
SoCal’s rising reggaecore juggernaut aurorawave has revealed the latest single, “Judge Me,” from their eagerly anticipated sophomore album, Monument, which will be released August 15th with Ineffable Records. The album’s lead track pairs the guest vocals of Aaron Gillespie from Underoath with the band’s mesmerizing amalgam of reggae, alternative rock and metalcore that’s captivating fans around the world.
Commenting on the new track, frontman Nathan Aurora says:
“Judge Me’ is yet another bread and butter aurorawave track. A perfect blend between melodic yet heavy metalcore and reggae-rock energy in a way that feels raw and honest to who we are. Having Aaron on the track is a real honor. He’s been a major influence on me as long as I can remember and to have his voice on this song makes it that much more powerful.“
Aurorawave’s “Judge Me” is the latest in a string of breakout singles, “Tibetan Sky Burial” (Ft. Frankie Palmeri of Emmure), “Throwing Shade” (Ft, Jesse Royal), “Turn The Page,” “Villain” and “Suffocate.” that have propelled the band on a skyrocketing trajectory, as they trailblaze a new, refreshing reggae-rock-metal infusion for a new generation of fans.
Commenting on the upcoming album, frontman Nathan Aurora says:
“I’ve been making music now for 22 years, and throughout my career, there’s only been a few times when I felt like I made a perfect album. This is one of them for sure. I poured every ounce of myself into this album, my struggles, my triumphs, and every single one of my musical inspirations. There’s reggae, – a genre that helped to mold me into who I am today, and the guests within the album that come from the reggae world are my favorites in the game. And of course, there’s metal. The music that was my foundation in the first place. And with the heavy stuff, I really feel like we found our stride on this record. The tones are chunkier, the breakdowns slam harder and the energy is high the whole way through.’ Monument’ is a journey. Not just through different musical landscapes, but through different emotions that I think all humans feel in one way or another: Pain, resentment, joy, hope and freedom. Thanks for listening.“
Monument Tracklist:
1. Judge Me (Ft. Aaron Gillespie / Underoath) 2. Wave Shit 3. Suffocate (Ft. Kumar Fyah) 4. Tibetan Sky Burial (Ft.. Frankie Palmeri / Emmure) 5. Turn The Page 6. Seize The Day (Ft. The Movement) 7. Villain 8. Throwing Shade (Ft. Jesse Royal) 9. Never Gonna Stop Us (Ft. Ekoh) 10. Welcome To Your Nightmare (Ft. Left To Suffer) 11. Keep The Faith
Aurorawave Tour Dates:
SUPPORTING EKOH: July 29 – Mesa, AZ – The Rosetta Room July 31 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th Street – OKC Aug 1 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger Aug 2 – Dallas, TX – Trees Aug 3 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar Aug 5 – Destin, FL – Club LA Aug 7 – Orlando, FL – The Social
SUPPORTING REBELUTION: Oct 9 – Avila Beach, CA – Avila Beach Resort Oct 10 – Avila Beach, CA – Avila Beach Resort Oct 11 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre Oct 16 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl Oct 17 – Irvine, CA – Great Park Live Oct 18 – Irvine, CA – Great Park Live Oct 19 – San Diego, CA – San Diego Bayfest Jan 25, 2026 – Jan 31, 2026 – ShipRocked
Aurorawave is a boundary-pushing rock band recognized for pioneering a distinct sound they term reggaecore — a fusion of heavy guitar-driven intensity and rhythmic influences drawn from reggae. Their music integrates aggressive, groove-oriented arrangements with emotionally charged lyricism, resulting in a style that is both musically intricate and viscerally accessible.
Formed with the intention of absolute authenticity, aurorawave established a clear identity with their self-titled debut album. The project featured notable collaborations with members of The Ghost Inside, Atreyu, and Attila, introducing the band’s hybrid sound to a broad spectrum of alternative and heavy music audiences. Their debut positioned them as emerging voices with the versatility to operate across multiple subcultures within the rock and reggae landscapes.
In 2025, the band unveiled Monument, a decisive step forward in their evolution. The album brings together an eclectic and high-profile group of collaborators, including Aaron Gillespie (Underoath), Frankie Palmeri (Emmure), Left To Suffer, Ekoh, Jesse Royal, The Movement, and Kumar Fyah. Monument expands the band’s sonic framework while retaining the emotional weight and urgency that define their approach. The result is a record that is both thematically cohesive and musically diverse.
Known for their dynamic live performances, aurorawave has developed a reputation for translating studio complexity into high-impact, crowd-responsive sets. Their ability to connect across genre lines has earned them placements on varied lineups and growing support from fans of alternative rock, metalcore, and modern reggae.
aurorawave represents a deliberate convergence of influences — not as an aesthetic novelty, but as a fully realized artistic direction. Their work continues to resonate with audiences seeking depth, intensity, and innovation in contemporary rock.
Sweden’s melodic metallers SOLE SYNDICATE have released the cover/artwork and track list for their fourth album “The Reckoning”, which will be released on September 26, 2025. Ten powerful songs – of which “The Voice Inside” has already been released in advance – were penned by guitarist and mastermind Jonas Månsson. In contrast to the previous albums, “The Reckoning” is heavier and darker and describes the state of the world from the songwriter’s point of view.
More info about the album: Produced by SOLE SYNDICATE and Jakob Herrmann Drums and vocals recorded and produced by Jakob Herrmann at Top Floor Studios Guitars, bass and keys recorded at Syndicate Studios Mixed by Robin Leijon Mastered by Thomas “Plec” Johansson at The Panic Room Cover artwork and layout by Jonas “Urna” Beijer
Tracklist: 01. On The Back Of An Angel 02. The Way That You Are 03. The Voice Inside 04. Rise Like A Phoenix 05. Eye Of The Storm 06. Love Is Only 07. The Mob Rules 08. Valley Of The Kings 09. Heavy Is The Heart 10. Miracle
Sole Syndicate is a metal band from the western parts of Sweden. The band was formed by singer and guitarist Jonas Månsson in 2016 and has released three albums, Garden of Eden (2017), Last Days of Eden (2020) and the critically acclaimed Into the Flames (2022). Sole Syndicate is Jonas Månsson (vocals and guitars), Katja “Cat” Rasila (keyboards and vocals), David “Gus” Gustafsson (bass) and Alfredo “Fred” Souza (drums). The band has a modern sound with a touch of their heroes from the past. The inspiration comes from a variety of bands like Van Halen and Dream Theater to Metallica and Nine Inch Nails. Although the music is hard and heavy, strong melodies are the most important thing for the band.
Line-up: Jonas Månsson – guitars and lead vocals Katja ”Cat” Rasila – keyboards and lead & backing vocals David ”Gus” Gustafsson – bass and backing vocals Alfredo “Fred” Souza – 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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 