• British Politician Gets Tricked Into Paying Tribute To The Late Ian Watkins (Ex-Lostprophets)

    British politician Nigel Farage was recently tricked into paying tribute to convicted pedophile Ian Watkins (ex-Lostprophets). That disgraced singer was recently murdered in prison while serving a 29-year sentence with an additional six years on licence for 13 counts of child sex offences.

    The Reform UK leader said the following as part of a £98 Cameo request:

    “This message is to pay tribute to Ian Watkins, a good man, a really good guy who is very much in contact with me. He loved his children and will be sorely, sorely missed by them forever. He will always hold a very special place in everybody’s heart.

    Remember what he always said ‘Mad Lolz’, well, tell ya what, that just about sum up the world doesn’t it?’

    Sorry for your grief but please try and keep some happy memories.”

    The man responsible for the prank, John Smith, told Metro the following:

    “I was inspired by the lads that got him to say “Up the Ra” and wondered if he would go for it.

    Getting the video was simplicity itself, I just asked him to do a video on behalf of a late friend called Ian Watkins and his family.

    I am concerned that he could not see through my frankly paper-thin deception and his willingness to do anything for money without even a rudimentary check.

    If he would do this for a small amount of money, what would he do for paymasters with deeper pockets?

    I hope to show the world that Farage is a man who will do and say anything for whoever is paying him. I suspect he has no actual ideology and will follow the path to power that offers the least resistance.’

    If I could speak directly to him I would ask why he did not do even a rudimentary check? Will he blindly accept what he is told by the Kremlin, the White House or anyone with £70 going spare for a Cameo”

    He also added the following when asked if this makes light of Watkins’ crimes:

    “No, I am worried that Farage’s support of Grok and its ability to generate obscene images of women and children, his giggling at PMQ’s yesterday makes light of these crimes.’

    My favourite part was the fact he knowingly lied saying “Ian” was someone he knew well.

    If he is prepared to lie for relatively paltry sums, what is he prepared to do for larger amounts?

    I asked him to do Watkins infamous “Mega Lolz” catchprase but Farage f***ed it up. Maybe I should ask for a refund?”

    Farage has since responded as well:

    “Thank him for the money. There are lots of Ian Watkins. Tell him to send more. I did alter his request.”

    [via Loudwire]

  • Foreword Premiere “Intimate Torment” Music Video

    Foreword have premiered a new video for their new song “Intimate Torment.” You can check that out below. The track will appear on the band’s new EP, “Exposition,” which will be released on February 20.

    The group commented:

    “This upcoming EP carries a particularly personal weight for us as a band. It represents a moment where we allowed ourselves to fully lean into the sounds, textures and influences that have shaped us over the years, while still pushing our identity forward. A major source of inspiration came from modern gaming soundtracks—most notably titles like DOOM and Cyberpunk 2077—which encouraged us to think more cinematically and atmospherically in our writing.

    For the ‘Intimate Torment,’ video we made a very intentional decision to keep things simple. The idea was to introduce a newer color palette for the band while letting the lyrics do the heavy lifting. Instead of distracting visuals, the focus stayed on the members’ performances and emotion, giving the song space to feel as uncomfortable and raw as it’s meant to be.

    Sonically, listeners can expect a deeper emphasis on synths, more dynamic layering and a wider range of guitar tones and tunings than we’ve explored in the past. Each song dictated its own level of heaviness and tuning, allowing the aggression to feel purposeful rather than uniform. That experimentation helped us better serve the emotional and motivational core of each track.

    Listening back to the final masters, we genuinely feel like we captured exactly what we set out to accomplish. The EP sounds immersive, intentional and honest to where we are creatively right now. It feels like a clear step forward for us—one that expands our sound without losing the intensity and emotion that define who we are.

    This EP represents a natural evolution from our previous releases, both in how we approached writing and how we collaborated in the studio. In the past, we tended to be far more prescriptive—coming in with very specific ideas about individual elements and how they should be executed. For this release, we made a conscious decision to loosen that grip and place a much higher level of trust in our producer.

    While each song still carries its own distinct character and nuance, the EP as a whole feels far more cohesive and intentional. Cory played a major role in helping us achieve that shared sonic identity across the entire project. We brought him a wide range of ambitious and sometimes unconventional ideas (from influences like the video game soundtracks, to varied vocal approaches, to a diverse palette of parts and textures) and he was able to distill all of that into a unified, singular voice.

    His ability to translate our more chaotic and abstract concepts into something focused, impactful and consistent elevated the songs beyond what we feel we could have achieved on our own. The result is an EP that feels more confident, refined, and complete, while still preserving the intensity and creativity that defines us as a band.

    For someone hearing the band for the first time, they can expect a balance of weight and atmosphere. The songs are built on heavy, rhythm-driven foundations, offset by melodic elements, layered synths, and moments of restraint that allow the heavier sections to land with more impact. There’s a strong emphasis on dynamics: letting tension build, release, and evolve rather than relying on constant intensity.

    Stylistically, the band sits closest to modern metalcore acts that blend aggression with mood and accessibility. Influences can be heard from bands that prioritize texture and emotion alongside heaviness, drawing loose parallels to artists such as Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, Spiritbox, and Northlane. Those influences serve more as a reference point than a blueprint, with the focus remaining on developing a sound that feels authentic.

    This EP means a lot to us because it feels real in a way that is sometimes scary. It captures a version of ourselves that is imperfect, searching, and still learning how to communicate honestly, both with each other and with the people listening. If someone connects with this music during a difficult moment in their own life, then the vulnerability it required was worth it.

    Thank you to everyone who gives this EP their time, their attention, and their trust. We do not take that lightly, and we hope these songs meet people wherever they are and remind them they are not alone in what they are feeling.”

  • The Last Ten Seconds Of Life To Release New Album “The Dead Ones” In April

    The Last Ten Seconds Of Life will be releasing a new album, titled “The Dead Ones,” on April 17. A video for the effort’s title track can be found below:

    Guitarist Wyatt McLaughlin had the following to say about the album:

    “Everyone took what we learned from the past two releases and assembled what we thought would bring out the best of us. We examined all of The Last Ten Seconds Of Life‘s past work as well focused on how our fanbase digested and connected with our music. Focusing from the flow of structure all the way to every single word that was used. We have delivered a ten-song thriller that will bellow out through the ages.”

    He also added the following about the title track, which explores “how the actions of humanity can take an individual’s actual innate humanity away”:

    “We all know that feeling. The piercing desire to be able to have one more conversation or final words with a loved one who has passed. ‘The Dead Ones‘ explores this in an illuminated way through the delivery of a sonic séance, where the realization that in becoming a vessel for the dead, darkness and light both demand their due.”

    “The Dead Ones” Track Listing:

    01. “The Dead Ones“
    02. “Make It to Heaven” (feat. David Simonich)
    03. “Rat Trap” (feat. Nate Johnson)
    04. “Freak Reflection“
    05. “1-800-DO YOU WANT TO DIE?“
    06. “Stiletto“
    07. “Stereo“
    08. “Dollar To A Dime” (feat. Alan Grnja)
    09. “Corruption Concerto“
    10. “XXXXXXXXXX” (feat. Storm Strope)

  • Cancer Bats Announce “Birthing The Giant” 20th Anniversary Canadian Tour

    Cancer Bats will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of “Birthing The Giant” on a headlining Canadian tour. Anciients, TEETH, and Chastity will open.

    Tour Dates:

    04/03 St John’s, NL – The Rockhouse
    04/04 Halifax, NS – Marquee Ballroom
    04/05 Moncton, NB – Tide & Boar
    04/07 Quebec City, QC – L’anti
    04/08 Ottawa, ON – Overflow Brewing Co
    04/09 Kingston, ON – The Broom Factory
    04/10 Toronto, ON – The Opera House
    04/11 Sudbury, ON – Headquarters
    04/12 Thunder Bay, ON – Black Pirates Pub
    04/14 Regina, SK – The Exchange
    04/16 Kelowna, BC – Metro Hub
    04/17 Vancouver, BC – The Pearl
    04/18 Victoria, BC – Capital Ballroom
    04/20 Nelson, BC – The Royal
    04/21 Fernie, BC – The Northern
    04/22 Calgary, AB – Dickens
    04/23 Edmonton, AB – Pawn Shop Live (formerly Union)
    04/24 Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar
    04/25 Saskatoon, SK – Coors Event Centre
    05/16 Montreal, QC – Pouzza Fest (Cancer Bats only)

  • Watch GWAR Cover Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club”

    GWAR recently covered Chappell Roan‘s “Pink Pony Club“ as part of The A.V. Club‘s “A.V. Undercover” series. You can see footage of that below:

    The A.V. Club‘s Editor-In-Chief Danette Chavez said the following about choosing the cover:

    “As we put together the song list for A.V. Undercover season 10, we knew this iconic pairing had to happen. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this landmark season of Undercover than seeing GWAR on the stage in their heels hooves, singing ‘Pink Pony Club.’”

    GWAR vocalist Blöthar The Berzerker added:

    “‘Pink Pony Club‘ is about embracing exile from a boring, shitty world and remaking yourself into whatever you want—be who you are, be who you aren’t, piss people off, we don’t care!”

  • Counterparts Featured In New Episode Of Audiotree’s “From Nothing” Series

    Counterparts are featured in the latest episode of Audiotree’s “From Nothing” series. You can check that out below. The episode was recorded during an interview and in-studio performance that took place on October 13, 2025 in Chicago, IL.

  • Disturbed, Limp Bizkit, Bad Omens, Etc. Set For 2026 Inkcarceration Festival

    The lineup has officially been revealed for this year’s Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival. The event will be held at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH on July 17-19 and it will feature the following:

    July 17: Disturbed, Papa Roach, Cypress Hill, Hollywood Undead, Starset, Tech N9ne, Jinjer, Memphis May Fire, Rev Theory, Jutes, Dying Wish, Sanguisugabogg, PeelingFlesh, Point North, Nevertel, DED, If Not For Me, Entheos, Snuffed On Sight, Corpse Pile, Jeffrey Nothing, and Vicar Blood.

    July 18: Bad Omens, Gojira, The Used, Sleeping With Sirens, Poppy, Machine Head, Hatebreed, Sleep Theory, Lacuna Coil, LANDMVRKS, Caskets, Spite, Thousand Below, 156/Silence, Wolves At The Gate, Fox Lake, Earshot, King 810, Guilt Trip, Cane Hill, Heavy//Hitter, ENMY, and Night Rider.

    July 19: Limp Bizkit, A Day To Remember, Motionless In White, Ice Nine Kills, Lorna Shore, Fit For A King, Get Scared, Escape The Fate, Alien Ant Farm, Miss May I, Norma Jean, Silent Planet, Born Of Osiris, Left To Suffer, Archers, Static Dress, Silly Goose, Versus Me, The Crimson Armada, Synestia, Filth, and Killstreak.

  • Static Dress Sign With Sumerian Records, Premiere “Human Props” Music Video

    Static Dress have signed a new deal with Sumerian Records. The band’s first release through the label is a new single titled “Human Props.” You can find a video for that track below. The group commented:

    “Shawn [Keith, Sumerian Records president] and the rest of Sumerian have believed in Static Dress for years completely selflessly. Now, our paths have finally crossed at just the correct time, allowing us to execute this band in the way we always wanted to. No compromises, no forced ideas, no inauthenticities. They run a label like a label should be ran; actual people promoting music for fans, not just a wannabe money printing machine.”

  • All Shall Perish To Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of “The Price Of Existence” During Texas Shows

    All Shall Perish have announced some Texas shows with Bleeding Through, The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, and I Declare War. The concerts will find the band celebrating the 20th anniversary of “The Price Of Existence.” Here’s the dates:

    05/01 Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
    05/02 Corpus Christi, TX – House Of Rock
    05/03 Dallas, TX – Trees (no The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza)

  • Ghost’s Cover Of Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s A Sin” To Receive Digital Release This Week

    Ghost’s cover of Pet Shop Boys’ “It’s A Sin” will be receiving a digital release on January 16. The band confirmed the news in chapter 24 of their ongoing web series. You can check that out below. The song was previously available as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of the band’s 2018 album “Prequelle.“