Karnivool have premiered a new song titled “Aozora.” This track is from the band’s new album, “In Verses,” which will be released on February 6. Vocalist Ian Kenny commented:
“The whole theme for that song is escaping, or waiting to escape. Trying to find a way to escape yourself. The idea of finding freedom in the blue. Trying to find freedom amongst the complications of just being human. We’re so weird, you know? Trying to understand that at different times along the road, sometimes you end up with more questions than answers.”
“In Verses” Track Listing:
01. “Ghost”
02. “Drone
03. “Aozora”
04. “Animation”
05. “Conversations”
06. “Reanimation”
07. “All It Takes”
08. “Remote Self Control”
09. “Opal”
10. “Salva”
During a recent interview with Billboard, Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron offered an update on the band’s final album with their late frontman Chris Cornell. According to him, the effort is “definitely over halfway done.”
Cameron said the following:
“There’s not a set release date or anything as of yet. There were a couple schools of thought, like, ‘Hey, let’s put out a single.’ I think eventually we decided we want to make sure the whole thing is completed before we start releasing singles. I’m excited for people to hear it.”
He continued:
“We’re definitely over halfway done with it. Kim [Thayil] is in the process of finishing his guitar parts; he wants to make sure they get exactly the way he wants them.”
He also added the following about working on the album without Cornell:
“Emotionally it’s been extreme highs and extreme lows. Hearing [Cornell’s] voice on these powerful hard rock songs is the most empowering thing in the world for me. Then I listen to his voice soloed up when I’m working on stuff, or if Kim or Ben [Shepherd] is working on something, and it all comes back to the fact that he’s not with us and he left us in a way that has so many questions. It’s been gut-wrenching but at the same time very empowering.”
At The Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg has sadly passed away at the age of 52. His death was related to his battle with adenoid cystic carcinoma. The band commented:
“Tomas passed away this morning following complications related to his ongoing cancer treatment. Despite intensive medical efforts, his life could not be saved. Tomas – You were an inspiration to us all. A true friend, both compassionate & sympathetic. You will always be remembered for your generosity and your creative spirit. You will be eternally missed. Forever in our hearts.”
The lineup has been revealed for the 2026 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival. The event, which will take place at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, CA on April 10-12 and April 17-19, will feature several rock artists including: Nine Inch Noize (Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize collaboration), Turnstile, Drain, Suicidal Tendencies, Iggy Pop, Black Flag, Fleshwater, Ceremony, Joyce Manor, Hot Mulligan, and Ecca Vandal. Notably, “The Bunker debut of Radiohead Kid A Mnesia” was also mentioned in the below poster:
Iron Maiden, Architects, Nova Twins, and Wolf Alice have been named as Album Champions for this year’s National Album Day. That UK-based event will take place on October 18 with a theme focusing on British rock. This ranges from punk and metal to alt-pop and hip-hop. The aforementioned champions will assist with promotional efforts.
The involved artists commented:
Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell:
“Albums are so important to us—it’s one of the most romantic parts of being a band. You get to create a little world, a snapshot of time, tell a story, spread a message or none of those things at all. There’s no formula, and that’s why it’s so exciting.”
Nova Twins:
“Listening to a favourite album is a form of escapism. They’re portals to different moments in time, each one marking a significant memory. A single just isn’t enough to capture the full picture.”
Architects’ Sam Carter:
“Albums have always been a big deal for us. Each one takes me right back to the time we recorded it. I hope albums always remain as important to music lovers as they are now.”
Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson:
“Albums matter. The rush of first seeing the vinyl or CD never leaves you. It’s great that fans are coming full circle to enjoy that experience again.”
Iron Maiden’s manager Rod Smallwood added:
“Back in the day, the album did the heavy lifting—it launched tours, marketed the band, and birthed a new Eddie. It was the ultimate connection with fans.”
State Champs have premiered a new video for their latest single “Common Sense.” You can check that out below. The band said the following about the clip:
“We couldn’t wait to share the video for ‘Common Sense.’ This song is deeply personal to us. When we were picking a director, we knew that Lupe could bring the emotions of the song to life in a beautiful way. Go check it out!”
During a recent interview with Sea Of Tranquility, John Bush offered an update on Armored Saint’s new album. According to him, the effort will be released in April 2026.
Bush said the following:
“We’re in the mix mode right now of the new record. That’s gonna come out in April. We’re real excited about it. It’s sounding great. The tunes are awesome.”
He continued when asked about the lengthy wait:
“A little bit was COVID, of course, because that kind of pushed everything back for everybody, but then we went out and toured a lot. So, we were able to do that, and did a couple of more tours, and we were really not planning on it. But getting out there and playing was great. And we actually sold so many records and CDs on the road, it was crazy. We actually re-charted because we sold so many records out there. So, kudos to all the fanbase who bought records and CDs and shirts, of course. But it kind of did push things back a little bit. We don’t work that quick as it is, quite frankly, but I always said it for years: the quality of the tunes is contrary to the amount, because that’s the fact for us. But the new record will be out next year. And I think it’s great. It’s gonna just kind of build on everything we’ve been doing.
We toured a lot. We actually put out four videos on the last record. So we’ve been on the public side maybe more than ever. And really I say this and it’s really kind of the truth is ARMORED SAINT’s probably bigger than we’ve ever been. Maybe there was a stretch in 1984 that we were maybe more popular, but honestly we’re probably bigger than we ever were. So, we’re just riding it. And the new record will be great, and I think people will dig it. And it really kind of shows sophistication in the songwriting, and we really believe in that. We try to kind of bring in all our different influences and styles and use some different instrumentation and take chances with arrangement a little bit. And I’m really proud of it. I think the songwriting is just — yeah, it’s built on everything we’ve done. The origins of the band, our hard rock heavy metal band, but we really kind of feel like we just keep pushing the boundaries. And it’s always gonna sound like SAINT. And this one does too. But I don’t know. That’s my pitch. I mean, of course it comes down to what the fans think.”
He also added the following after the interviewer brought up the consistency in the band’s work:
“When your band’s been around as long as we have, and that goes for all the bands who have a four-decade career, is that usually new music means the opportunity to go take a piss or go get a couple of beers. But I really feel like people really think our last couple records have been great. And I think for us to keep building on that and keep writing new material that sounds very legit, I think is important. And not everybody can say that. Everybody kind of says it, but how much do you really believe it? And I really believe [it in our case]. I mean, again, it comes down to what the press and what the fanbase says, and they’re the ones that make the final decision, really, on it. But at the end of the day, they’ve been saying ARMORED SAINT’s making really great, modern music, so I’m stoked.”
[via Blabbermouth]
Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach has teamed up with Black Feather Design at Nox Of York for a new jewelry line. An official launch event will be held in York, UK on October 10.
The following was said about the event:
“Jesse Leach, lead singer of one of America’s biggest Metalcore bands, Killswitch Engage will be coming to York to officially launch his jewellery line in collaboration with Black Feather Design at Nox of York on Friday 10th October 2025.
The day will start with a ticketed live Q&A, hosted by Kerrang! & Planet Rock’s Steve Beebee at Bedern Hall, On Bartle Garth just off Goodramgate.
This will be a great chance for fans to get an insight into Jesse Leach. There will be the opportunity for fans to ask their own questions at the end.
Jesse will then move onto famed gothic boutique Nox of York (around 100 yards away on Goodramgate) where the official jewellery launch and signing will take place for dedicated fans to come and have a meet & greet with the metal icon.
Hannah from Nox first met Jesse back in 2023 when they headlined Bloodstock Festival, where she frequently works as artist liaison. “To work with Jesse on this collaboration for the last 2 years has been a true honour, his creativity and patience with the process has been incredibly validating and we’re so proud to to have been trusted with such a special piece.”
Jesse Leach commented “I am honoured and stoked to talk about the launch of my first ever signature necklace.”
This event is onsale now at £15 per ticket and will be seated, limited to 50 capacity. Doors open from 10.30am and the event will start at 11am for approximately 1 hour.”
Metal Anarchy 
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