By: Philip Sayblack / Phil's Picks

​Winter is the worst time of year.  It is cold.  There is not a lot to do indoors or out, either.  So when it was announced that Megadeth, one of the biggest names in metal, was going to release its new album (sadly the band’s last) this past January, in the heart of winter, it made that worst time of the year more bearable.  That is because it gave audiences a way to pass the time indoors.  As its four current singles – ‘Tipping Point,’ ‘I Don’t Care,’ ‘Let There Be Shred’ and ‘Puppet Paradise’ have already proven, the 41-minute record definitely gives audiences plenty to appreciate.  All making up a large portion of the album’s first half, they are just a snapshot of what the record has to offer audiences.  The record’s second half has its own notable entries, not the least of which being the clearly politically-charged ‘Made To Kill.’  ‘Another Bad Day,’ which opens the record’s second half, does its own share to engage audiences while ‘The Final Note,’ front man and founder Dave Mustaine’s farewell to audiences, also proves a notable addition to the record.  Each song noted does its own share to make this final Megadeth album a presentation worth hearing.  All things considered they make the album maybe not Megadeth’s best album but still a mostly positive addition to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums.
Megadeth, the final album from beloved thrash metal act Megadeth, is a mostly positive final outing for the band.  The record’s appeal has already been shown through the four single that it has produced, all four being from the record’s first half.  It makes one wonder why more of the record’s work was not used to represent the album.  That is because the record’s second half offers its own share of engagement and entertainment.  This is proven in part through the hard hitting, ‘Made to Kill.’  As noted, the song is, lyrically, a clearly politically charged work that comments on the hypocrisy of military campaigns the United States has waged globally and how so many have been waged in the name of Christianity.  Interestingly enough, this is still going on to this very day, as the Pentagon’s current unqualified “leader” has proven.  The message is made crystal clear as Mustaine sings, “Taught to pray/yet made to kill/Life’s a game/Do as thou wilt/Wave the flag/Then torch the town/Come in peace/Then burn it down” in the song’s lead verse and chorus.  The message continues as Mustaine sings in the song’s second verse, “Smoke and fire/Choke the dawn/Every trace of life is gone/Hot sun/The desert war/Blood for gold/And guns will roar/Red skies/Bombs fall/Black smoke/A nation crawls/Fight for crude and oil fields/The mighty fall/And the people kneel.”  This is a clear war protest.  It is nothing new to the rock community, and given everything going on around the world today (as the result of American actions at that) it is as relevant now as any other war protest has been that has come before.
The musical arrangement that accompanies this song’s hard hitting lyrical message brings audiences just as much to appreciate.  This is evidenced in its driving, vintage thrash style approach.  Mustaine’s gritty vocal delivery along with the rapid fire instrumentation makes the song reminiscent of songs that reach far back in Megadeth’s catalog.  For that matter, it resonates comparison to works from the likes of Testament and even vintage Metallica (fittingly).  Keeping that in mind, it is one more example of how much this song adds to the overall body of Megadeth.
‘Another Bad Day,’ which serves as the opener for the album’s second half, is another notable addition to the record.  Mustaine has been quoted as saying of this song that it is about those hard times that we all go through in life.  He said of that note, “Singing about it sometimes makes it a little bit easier for people who are struggling with stuff like this.”  It is true.  Interestingly enough, such a statement makes one think of this almost as a blues type statement, considering that was the very purpose of the blues and to a point still is. 
Keeping that in mind, it makes the somewhat bluesy edge of the song’s musical arrangement make more sense.  This arrangement is a familiar style approach for Megadeth’s established audiences.  It is the kind of semi-mainstream approach that audiences got from an album, such as Risk for the best comparison.  To that end, that familiarity and accessibility works with the song’s lyrical content to make the whole another clear example of how much the album has to offer.
‘The Last Note,’ which unofficially closes the album (ahead of its bonus tracks) is yet one more example of how much the album has to offer audiences.  It is a fitting finale for the presentation.  That is because it is, essentially, Mustain’s goodbye to Megadeth’s fan base.  The melancholy opening bars that gradually give way to the song’s more powerful body sets such an emotional mood as the album closes out.
Lyrically, the song is presented like that fond farewell to fans, with mentions of the final curtain call, being “worn thin” by the road, and not being able to outrun the “spinning hands of time.”  This is Mustaine saying outright that he is just worn down and he knows he cannot keep doing this forever.  The thing is that even with that somber message, he still offers a powerful goodbye through the song’s emotionally powerful musical arrangement.  All things considered here, the song proves to be yet one more example of how much Megadeth has to offer fans as the band’s apparent final farewell.  The term “apparent” is used here as so many bands before this act have claimed to be done only to come back not too long after calling it quits.  When this song and the others examined here are considered alongside the album’s singles and that group with the rest of the record’s entries, the entirety thereof makes the album a mostly successful new offering from Megadeth and a welcome entry in this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums.
Megadeth, the self-titled final album from its namesake band, is a mostly positive presentation from this veteran thrash outfit.  The record offers plenty of familiarity throughout its record both musically and lyrically, as its singles have shown along with the songs examined herein.  When that entirety is considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole therein makes Megadeth maybe not Megadeth’s best work to date but still worth hearing at least once.
Megadeth is available now.  More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: https://megadeth.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/megadeth
Twitter: https://twitter.com/megadeth

By: Philip Sayblack

Master Boot Record will kick off a new North American tour this weekend.
The tour, which is in support of the act’s latest album, Hardwarez, is scheduled to launch Friday in Cambridge, MA and will run through May 30 in Queens, NY. The tour also includes stops in cities, such as Seattle, WA; Raleigh, NC and Denver, CO. The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.
MASTER BOOT RECORD Live:
4/24/2026 Sonia – Cambridge, MA
4/25/2026 Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC
4/27/2026 Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
4/28/2026 Sanctuary – Hamtramck, MI
4/29/2026 The Foundry – Columbus, OH
4/30/2026 Reggies – Chicago, IL
5/01/2026 X-Ray Arcade – Milwaukee, WI
5/02/2026 Zhora Darling – Minneapolis, MN
5/03/2026 Slowdown – Omaha, NE
5/05/2026 HQ – Denver, CO
5/07/2026 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT
5/09/2026 Rickshaw – Vancouver, BC
5/10/2026 Star Theater – Portland, OR
5/12/2026 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
5/14/2026 Café Colonial – Sacramento, CA
5/15/2026 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
5/16/2026 Zebulon – Los Angeles, CA
5/17/2026 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
5/19/2026 The Rosetta Room – Mesa, AZ
5/22/2026 Empire Control Room – Austin, TX
5/23/2026 Siberia – New Orleans, LA
5/24/2026 Garden Club – Atlanta, GA
5/26/2026 Chapel Of Bones – Raleigh, NC
5/27/2026 Richmond Music Hall – Richmond, VA
5/28/2026 Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD
5/29/2026 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA
5/30/2026 TV Eye – Queens, NY
Late this past March, Master Boot Record, which is the brainchild of Victor Love, announced the schedule for a European tour set for this fall. The upcoming tour is scheduled to launch Nov. 5 in Lyon, France and to run through Dec. 12 in Aarau, Switzerland. That tour’s schedule is noted below:
05 Nov – Lyon (FR) – Ô Totem Live
06 Nov – Marseille (FR) – Le Dodu
07 Nov – Barcelona (ES) – Sala Razzmatazz 3
08 Nov – Toulouse (FR) – Le Rex
10 Nov – Paris (FR) – La Machine du Moulin Rouge
11 Nov – London (GB) – The Underworld
12 Nov – Sheffield (GB) – Corporation
13 Nov – Dublin (IE) – The Academy
14 Nov – Glasgow (GB) – Slay
15 Nov – Leeds (GB) – Brudenell Social Club
17 Nov – Brussels (BE) – Museum, Botanique
18 Nov – Amsterdam (NL) – Melkweg
19 Nov – Nijmegen (NL) – Doornroosje
20 Nov – Cologne (DE) – Gebäude 9
21 Nov – Hamburg (DE) – Logo
22 Nov – Copenhagen (DK) – Pumpehuset
24 Nov – Gothenburg (SE) – Monument
25 Nov – Oslo (NO) – John Dee
26 Nov – Stockholm (SE) – Kollektivet Livet
28 Nov – Tampere (FI) – Olympia
29 Nov – Helsinki (FI) – Tavastia
01 Dec – Tallinn (EE) – Rockclub Tapper
02 Dec – Riga (LV) – Melnā Piektdiena
03 Dec – Warsaw (PL) – Hydrozagadka
04 Dec – Berlin (DE) – SO36
05 Dec – Prague (CZ) – Futurum
06 Dec – Munich (DE) – Backstage
07 Dec – Vienna (AT) – Szene
08 Dec – Budapest (HU) – A38
09 Dec – Bratislava (SK) – Randal Club
10 Dec – Ljubljana (SI) – Orto Bar
11 Dec – Lindau (DE) – Club Vaudeville
12 Dec – Aarau (CH) – Kiff Saal
Master Boot Record’s upcoming fall European tour is also in support of Hardwarez. Hardwarez was released in Oct. 2024 via Metal Blade Records. The album is MBR’s third studio recording behind 2022’s Personal Computer and 2020’s Floppy Disk Overdrive.
More information on Master Boot Record’s upcoming tours and most recent album is available along with all of the group’s latest news at:
Website: http://masterbootrecord.bandcamp.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/masterbootrecordmusic
Facebook: Facebook

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By: Philip Sayblack

A new collection of some of Judas Priest’s most well-known songs is coming.
The Best of Judas Priest is scheduled for release June 19 via the band’s label home, Sony Music. The announcement was made Wednesday via a news release. According to the document, the collection (which will be the band’s 14th “hits” collection) will feature 16 of Judas Priest’s most well-known and beloved singles. Additionally, it will be released separately on CD and vinyl.
Among the songs featured in the 16-song collection are works, such as ‘Breaking The Law,’ ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,’ ‘Electric Eye’ ‘Turbo Lover,’ and ‘Pain Killer.’ The collection reaches all the way back to the band’s 1974 album, Rocka Rolla (which was re-issued in late 2024) and all the way up to the band’s most recent studio recording, 2024’s Invincible Shield. Also included is music from albums, such as Sin After Sin, Defenders of the Faith, Firepower, Stained Class, and Killing Machine.
While not covering all of the band’s 19 total albums, it does represent a healthy cross section of the band’s catalog, spanning the band’s catalog. Only seven of the band’s albums are unrepresented here, making the collection still making it a good starting point for audiences who perhaps do not already own the band’s other hits collections.
The recording’s track listing is noted below:
‘THE BEST OF JUDAS PRIEST’ 
TRACKLIST
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ – Screaming for Vengeance (1982)
Lightning Strike – Firepower (2018)
Breaking the Law – British Steel (1980)
Beyond the Realms of Death – Stained Class (1978)
Painkiller – Painkiller (1990)
Hell Bent For Leather – Killing Machine (1978)
Rocka Rolla – Rocka Rolla (1974)
Turbo Lover – Turbo (1986)
Electric Eye – Screaming for Vengeance (1982)
Crown of Horns – Invincible Shield (2024)
Living After Midnight – British Steel (1980)
Nightcrawler – Painkiller (1990)
Heading out to the Highway – Point of Entry (1981)
Better By You, Better Than Me – Stained Class (1978)
The Sentinel – Defenders of the Faith (1984)
Diamonds and Rust – Sin after Sin (1977)
More information on Judas Priest’s forthcoming singles collection is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: http://www.JudasPriest.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfficialJudasPriest
Twitter: http://twitter.com/judaspriest

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By: Philip Sayblack

ZZ Top has added even more dates to its “Big One Tour.”
The band announced Tuesday through a news release, it will return to American shores this summer after finishing the tour’s European leg, which spans June 22-July 25. The new upcoming North American dates, will take the band through the rest of summer, with the first slate of dates kicking off Aug. 4 in Chula Vista, CA and running through Aug. 30 in Kettering, OH. The second slate of dates launches Sept. 1 in East Meadow, NY and runs through Sept. 18 in Wilmington, NC.
The band’s second U.S. run on this tour — its first spanned March 21-May 19 and included dates alongside Dwight Yoakam March 26-May 23 — it will take the band across the West coast and Midwest during the August leg and along the East coast during the September run.
All of ZZ Top’s current and upcoming tour dates are noted below:
ZZ Top/The Big One! Dates 
April 30 – Oxford, AL -Oxford Performing Arts Center
May 1 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort
May 2 -Valdosta, GA – Wild Adventure 
May 5 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
May 14 – Council Bluffs, IA – Harrah’s
May 15 – Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino
May 19 – Greensburg, PA – Palace Theatre
Dos Amigos Tour Date with Dwight Yoakam previously announced
April 23 – Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County Coliseum
April 24 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center Arena
April 25 – Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater
May 7 – Des Moines, IA – Lauridsen Amphitheater
May 8 – Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater
May 9 – El Reno, OK – Lucky Star Amphitheater
May 21 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Coliseum
May 22 – Cary, NC – Koka Booth Amphitheater
May 23 – Huntington, WV – Marshall Health Network Arena
The Big One! Tour/European dates previously announced 
June 22 – Tartu, Estonia
June 23 – Helsinki, Finland
June 26 – Rattvik, Sweden
June 28 – Trondheim, Norway
June 30 – Malmo, Sweden
July 2 – Hamburg, Germany
July 3 – Friedberg, German
July 4 – Waltheim, Germany
July 6 – Pardubice, Czech Republic
July 7 – Poelten, Austria
July 9 – Brussels, Belgium
July 10 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
July 11 – Bospop Festival – Weert. NL
July 13 – Regensburg, Germany
July 14 – Zurich, Switzerland
July 15 – Paris, France
July 16 – Saint Malo Du Bois, France
July 18 – Pamplona, Spain
July 19 – Barcelona, Spain
July 20 – TBA
July 22 – Valencia, Spain
July 23 – Murcia, Spain
July 25 – Cadiz, Spain
Newly announced ZZ Top The Big One! dates
August 
4 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre*
7 – Fresno, CA – Saroyan Theater/Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center****
9 – Modesto, CA – Fruit Yard Amphitheatre*
11 – Redmond, WA – Marymoor Amphitheater*
13 – Central Point, OR – Bi-Mart Amphitheater*
14 – Ridgefield, WA – Harrah’s Stir Cove Ilani Casino
18 – Sandy, UT – Sandy City Amphitheater*
19 – Colorado Springs, CO – Pikes Peak Center For The Performing Arts 
21 – Lynchburg, VA – Lynchburg Amphitheater at Riverfront Park ***
22 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at The Moody Theater
23 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater
29 -Terre Haute, IN – The Mill*****
30 – Kettering, OH – Fraze Pavilion
September
1 – East Meadow, NY – Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre 
5 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion**
6 – Bangor, ME – Maine Savings Amphitheater**
9 – Lynne, MA – Lynne Memorial Auditorium
11 – Solomons, MD – PNC Waterside Pavilion**
12 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena**
13 – Hyannis, MA – Cape Cod Melody Tent
15 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
18 – Wilmington, NC – Greenfield Lake Amphitheatre 
More information on the upcoming tours is available along with all of ZZ Top’s and Dwight Yoakam’s latest news at:
Website: http://www.zztop.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ZZTop
Twitter: http://twitter.com/zztop
Website: https://dwightyoakam.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/dwightyoakam
X: https://x.com/DwightYoakam

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By: Philip Sayblack

Killswitch Engage has added more dates to its upcoming summer tour.
The band announced Tuesday, a new headlining tour across Canada in August. The tour, which will see the band joined by their friends in Machine Head and Malevolence, is scheduled to kick off Aug. 5 in Ottawa, On and to run through Aug. 16 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.
The upcoming headlining run is just one of the new live announcements made Tuesday. The band also announced that it has added new dates in September. The new September dates span Sept. 19-Oct. 1. Machine Head will also join KsE for the North American run along with Rivers of Nihil and Judiciary.
All of Killswitch Engage’s upcoming dates, which begin June 3 in Detroit, MI, are in support of its latest album, This Consequence, which was released in 2025 through Metal Blade Records. All of the band’s upcoming tour dates are noted below. Tickets are available here.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE ON TOUR:
WITH MACHINE HEAD, IRON REAGAN, + HAVOK:
6/3 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore
6/5 — Minneapolis, MN — The Fillmore
6/6 — Milwaukee, WI — Milwaukee Metal Fest*
6/7 — South Bend, IN — Four Winds Field
6/9 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
6/11 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount
6/12 — Boston, MA — Roadrunner
6/13 — Bethlehem, PA — Wind Creek Event Center
6/14 — Washington, DC — DC Warped Tour*
6/16 — Orlando, FL — Hard Rock Live
6/17 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle
6/19 — Dallas, TX — South Side Ballroom
6/20 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center
6/21 — San Antonio, TX — Boeing Center at Tech Port
6/23 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel Entertainment Center
6/24 — Tempe, AZ — The Marquee
6/25 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium
6/27 — San Francisco, CA — Warfield
*KsE Festival Appearance
WITH MACHINE HEAD + MALEVOLENCE:
8/5 — Ottawa, ON — Hard Rock Live
8/7 — Victoriaville, QC — Rock La Cauze*
8/8 — Toronto, ON — QET
8/9 — London, ON — Centennial Hall 
8/11 — Thunder Bay, ON — Community Auditorium 
8/13 — Winnipeg, MB — Burt Block Party*
8/14 — Saskatoon, SK — TCU Place
8/15 — Edmonton, AB — River Cree Entertainment Centre
8/16 — Dawson Creek, BC — Ovintiv Centre
*KsE Festival Appearance
WITH MACHINE HEAD, RIVERS OF NIHIL, + JUDICIARY:
9/19 — Cleveland, OH — Jacobs Pavilion 
9/20 — Louisville, KY — Louder than Life*
9/21 — Moline, IL — The Rust Belt
9/23 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium 
9/24 — Salt Lake, UT — Union
9/25 — Missoula, MT — Kettlehouse Amphitheater 
9/27 — Spokane, WA — Gesa Pavilion 
9/28 — Portland, OR — Roseland
9/29 — Tacoma, WA — Temple Theatre
10/1 — Sacramento, CA — Aftershock*
*KsE Festival Appearance
The band’s upcoming tour will be its second consecutive summer tour in support of This Consequence. The band toured North America in summer 2025 from June 21-July 27. A European tour in support of the album followed from Sept. 29-Dec. 3 with separate legs for each part of the tour.
This Consequence has spawned four singles to date: ‘Forever Aligned,’ ‘I Believe,’ ‘Collusion‘ and ‘Aftermath.’
More information on Killswitch Engage’s upcoming summer tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: http://www.illswitchengage.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/killswitchengage
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kseofficial

Las Vegas, NV -- Rock band, Vampires Everywhere!, are set to release their fiery single, "All My Friends Think I'm Weird" on April 17. Accompanying the track's release comes a brand new music video. 

This song follows swiftly behind the band's newest full-length album, The Devil Made Me Do It. The record features singles such as "Antichrist," "Ghost" and "White Wedding."

"All My Friends Think I'm Weird" showcases a new side to Vampires Everywhere! as the band takes on a unique new spin to their music. The track hones in on sing-along melodies creating a refreshing dynamic for the band. The music video leans into comedic relief and features notable names such as adult film star actress, Madison Morgan and Lifehouse's bassist/vocalist, Bryce Soderberg.


"For as long as I can remember I always wanted to be a vampire! I dreamed of it as a little kid and even started a band based around it! I am a man obsessed with vampire culture and the idea of living forever to experience all that life has to offer. Now, that being said there is also the other side of it; another frame of thought. The people who think I'm absolutely insane for even associating myself with vampire culture and for calling myself a vampire. I wanted to write a song to all those people actively hating on me, the band, and everything I built. However, I didn't want to make it that serious. I'm always serious! But this time I really needed some lighthearted comedy to soften the mood and show people I can smile; I am funny! I can roast myself! That being said, the song and music video came to life"  - Michael Vampire, lead vocalist.

"I am beyond excited to get the opportunity to bring back the album Kiss The Sun Goodbye to the coast it originated from; the West Coast! I never thought in a million years I'd be playing songs I created in my 20's again and touring the album that helped define my career as a touring musician. I am extremely humbled and honored to get this amazing opportunity to see all my fans sing along to this album! I can promise you this tour will be one for the books! See you on the road!" - Michael Vampire, lead vocalist.
Kiss The Sun Goodbye 15th Anniversary Tour Dates:April 15 - Hollywood, CA = The Whisky A Go Go
April 16 - San Diego, CA = The Holding Company 
April 17 - Mesa, AZ = Nile (Underground)
April 19 - Anaheim, CA = House Of Blues (The Parish) 
April 22 - Houston, TX = Scout Bar 
April 23 - Dallas, TX = TX Tea Room 
April 26 - Denver, CO = HQ 
April 29 - Seattle, WA = Funhouse 
April 30 - Portland, OR = Dante's 
May 1 - Sacramento, CA = Old Ironsides 
May 2 - Las Vegas, NV = Fremont Country Club  (VE Only) 

 About Vampires Everywhere!: Forming in Hollywood, CA Vampires Everywhere! came together under the events of immortality, as lead vocalist Michael Vampire found himself in a collision with a drunk driver causing their van to flip resulting in his death in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. “My teeth exploded causing me to choke on my own blood, they revived me from that.” Says Michael reflecting on the accident. “The doctors said somebody was on my shoulder watching over me during this accident. It led me down a darker path, it was the pushing and driving force behind but I wanted to do.” Michael says regarding the band's conception.


This incident intertwined with his love of horror films such as “Bram Stoker's Dracula,” “Fright Night,” and the 1987 cult classic film “The Lost Boys” helped piece the band together. “The name comes from a comic book in “The Lost Boys,” that not many people knew about.” Says Michael on the inspiration behind the name, Vampires Everywhere!. The band mixes worlds of 80’s glam portrayed in Mötley Crüe laced with the new-aged metalcore. They quickly gained notoriety in 2010 with the band’s debut music video “Immortal Love” quickly hitting 1 million views and landed on the iconic MTV Headbangers Ball.


Following the success of “Immortal Love” Vampires Everywhere! joined the Hot Topic Tour in 2010 with Black Veil Brides. The band went on to build an extensive tour history, sharing the stage with artists such as Alesana, Escape The Fate, Falling In Reverse, Motionless In White and more. They were featured on X Japan’s first North American Tour along with playing festivals including  Inkcarceration Fest, Van's Warped Tour, Dark Force Fest, South By SoWhat, HTP Fest and Headlining Rob Zombie’s Great Adventure in Pomona, CA.


The 2021 era of the band has spawned a new generation of Vampires Everywhere! fans. Their cover of "Cry Little Sister," the theme song from the 1987 cult classic film "The Lost Boys" earned a Top 40 spot on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and Mediabase Rock Radio Charts. The song was also featured on the Paramount+ Hit TV Show "Burning Girls" in the UK. “The whole idea of what we’re trying to do is “trying to believe in yourself” and put yourself in a position where you can praise yourself more.” Says Michael explains, “Our music having a darker element to relate to people who may not be happy.” Hear Vampires Everywhere!’s newest single "All My Friends Think I'm Weird" out on April 17.

By: Philip Sayblack

​Hillbilly Vegas has joined forces with Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers for a performance of ‘Mr. Midnight.’
The band is set to release its performance of Rodgers’ song soon. The group premiered the song’s companion video Thursday. The video was shot on a sound stage meant to represent the band in a live setting.
Hillbilly Vegas’ performance of the song, written by Rodgers, is an infectious blues-rock composition.
Rodgers talked about the song and about working with Hillbilly Vegas on the song in a prepared statement.
“I wrote “Mr. Midnight” a few years ago when I was writing songs – that to my surprise  – became an album ‘Midnight Rose’. I had no idea that the songs would become an album.  But when Sun Records said that they would be interested in releasing a Paul Rodgers album you would have to be mad not to accept.  I actually forgot that I had the song and that is why it was not included on the ‘Midnight Rose’ album. Bassist Todd Ronning from my solo band – who later joined Bad Company – played on the demo track for the song and was familiar with it”.
Rodgers added, “The song started with the guitar riff. I had it floating around in my mind, and I built the song around that. When I was looking for lyrics I was inspired by a feline.  Cynthia, my wife, has a number of rescued cats, and there was one black cat in particular named Jasper. His coat was so sleek and black that I nicknamed him Mr. Midnight. You can let your imagination take it from there.  When I heard Hillbilly Vegas’ recording of ‘Mr. Midnight’ – Steve (Harris) did such a great job, I felt they had it well covered.  I did not want to disturb the flow created in their recording, but I had made a promise to the boys in the band – so I sang some lines, and it turned out very well.”
Band member Steve Harris, in his own comments, said the band was excited to work with Rodgers on the song.
“Being part of something like this with Paul, who’s had such an impact on how we all hear rock and roll, was an incredible experience that we still can’t quite believe happened,” said Harris. “His voice, his phrasing and the way he approaches a song…that’s the blueprint.  It raises the bar, but it also reminds you why you started doing this in the first place, because you realize you’re not just making a record, you’re stepping into a lineage that guys like Paul built.”
‘Mr. Midnight’ is the second single from Hillbilly Vega’s forthcoming sophomore album, A La Mode, which is scheduled for release May 8 through Quarto Records. The band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘I Hope You Know‘ and the song’s companion video in February.
More information on Hillbilly Vegas’ new single is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://facebook.com/hillbillyvegasmusic.

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By: Philip Sayblack

​Devildriver will release its latest album this summer.
The band announced Thursday through a news release, it will release its 11th album, Strike and Kill July 10 via Napalm Records. In anticipation of the album’s release the band debuted the record’s lead single, ‘Dig Your Own Grave’ and the song’s companion video Thursday.
Front man Dez Fafara discussed the overall musical and lyrical approach taken to this record, including its new single, in a preapred statement.
“My headspace hasn’t changed, I have not become complacent or soft in my view of the world or in my music,” said Fafara. “Metal is our outlet as listeners and writers, so on this record we focused on ‘getting it all out’ lyrically, and backing those lyrics with savage, relentless music that fuels the heavy California groove like no other. DEVILDRIVER has never sounded like any other band, we do our own thing in our own way, and I’m the most proud of that.
In addressing the song’s lyrical theme, Fafara said, “‘Dig Your Own Grave’ is about how one wrong decision, one wrong move can see your whole world turned upside down, effectively ‘digging’ your own grave… it’s that simple.”
The song’s companion video takes that statement to a literal level after one member of a biker gang is forced to dig his own actual grave following a brawl in a bar. The result therein will be left for audiences to discover for themselves.
In other news, Devildriver has announced a tour in support of its forthcoming album set to launch Aug. 14 in San Diego, CA. The tour, which is scheduled to run through Sept. 5 in Anaheim, CA, will see the band make its way largely through the Midwest, Southwest, and West Coast. No East coast dates are noted on the schedule, which is noted below. Upon a Burning Body and Ov Sulfer will serve as support for the tour.
DEVILDRIVER ON TOUR:
8/14 — San Diego, CA — Observatory North Park
8/15 — Las Vegas, NV — Brooklyn Bowl
8/16 — Phoenix, AZ — Marquee
8/18 — San Antonio, TX — Aztec Theater
8/19 — Austin, TX — Come and Take It Live
8/20 — Houston, TX — House of Blues
8/22 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues
8/23 — Oklahoma City, OK — Diamond Ballroom
8/25 — Chicago, IL — Bottom Lounge
8/26 — Milwaukee, WI — The Rave
8/29 — Colorado Springs, CO — Sunshine Studios
8/30 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot
9/1 — Boise, ID — Treefort Music Hall
9/2 — Reno, NV — Club Underground
9/3 — Sacramento, CA — Goldfield
9/4 — San Jose, CA — The Ritz
9/5 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
Strike and Kill will come more than three years after the release of the band’s then latest album, Dealing With Demons II. That album was released in May 2023, also through Napalm Records.
Strike and Kill will release on a variety of platforms, all of which are noted below along with the album’s track listing.
Strike and Kill Will Be Available in The Following Configurations:
1-CD Digipak
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl SOLID BLUE
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl TRANSLUCENT VERDE – Napalm Records Mailorder Exclusive
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl SPLATTERED (incl. LP-Sized Booklet 24 pages, Certificate, Covercard) – Napalm Records Mailorder Exclusive
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl WHITE LABEL (incl. LP-Sized Booklet 24 pages, Certificate) – Napalm Records Mailorder Exclusive
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl SOLID ORANGE – Indie Merch Exclusive
Digital Album
STRIKE AND KILL TRACK LISTING:
“Dig Your Own Grave”
“Dead in the Water”
“Sanctified In Scars”
“Strike and Kill”
“In the Moonlight”
“Ride or Die”
“Headed for the Fall”
“Shut the Silence On”
“Never Coming Home”
“Summoning Shadows”
“You’re just a Ghost”
“Oath of Iron”
“All Bets are Off”
More information on Devildriver’s new album, single, video, and tour is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: http://www.devildriver.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/devildriver
Twitter: http://twitter.com/devildriver

By: Philip Sayblack

​Phantom will release its latest album this summer.
The band announced Thursday in a news release, it is scheduled to release its third album, Not Midnight Yet June 26 via High Roller Records. In anticipation of the album’s release, the band, Thursday, debuted the album’s second single, ‘Summoned To Kill’ and the song’s companion video. The premiere follows that of the album’s lead single, ‘Dracula’s Curse‘ in March.
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Summoned To Kill’ is a clear departure from that of ‘Dracula’s Curse.’ That is because as with much of the music featured in the band’s 2025 sophomore album, Tyrants of Wrath, the song is pure, old school metal. The familiar influence of Slayer is just as much on display here as is influence of the likes of Exodus. That whole makes the song overall a fully engaging and entertaining new offering from Phantom.
Information regarding the song’s lyrical theme was not provided in the news release announcing the debut of the new single and video. Information was also not provided with the song’s old school style video, either.
Speaking of the video, it is old school in that it features the band on what is meant to look like an old VHS tape being played on an older television. That presentation adds even more to sense of nostalgia that the song is sure to instill in audiences.