I’ve been waiting quite a while for new music from Drab Majesty and now it’s here!! Today it was announced that Drab Majesty’s new album, An Object In Motion will arrive on August 25th via Dais Records. The first song released “Vanity” is a hauntingly beautiful track that also features guest vocals by Slowdive’s Rachel Goswell. The song has a definite Cure vibe to it while the poetic nature of the lyrics guide the music in a dreamy way. The upcoming 4 song mini-album is not just the next album for this band, it’s more of an evolutionary process that is just about to bloom.
On July 7, 2023 the mighty Will Haven will unleash their long awaited new album, VII (pre-orders available HERE). I personally am quite stoked on there being a new Will Haven album. Their last opus, Muerte was top notch and showed that there is still much more in the tank. They have now released two singles “Wings Of Mariposa” and the latest offering “5 Of Fire” and oh boy is it a scorcher for damn sure. Guitarist Jeff Irwin said of the track ” ‘5 Of Fire‘ is to me the blueprint for this record; it’s heavy, chaotic, with different moods and tempo changes. We wanted to challenge ourselves by writing live in real time, and this song was the one to set that off. I love how it came out and I find myself going back and listening to it over and over again. I still find something new every time I listen.” Based on that little description, I’m even more excited to hear what lies ahead on the 10 songs that will be on the new record. I’ve always felt like Will Haven never got the due they deserved. Their 2001 album, Carpe Diem is still one of the gems of the time as well as their entire catalog. You can catch Will Haven live at this years Furnace Fest in September as well as at The Knitting Factory in North Hollywood on August 30 with Arc Angles, Stronger Than Machines, Cycotic Youth and more. And don’t forget to blast the ever living hell out of “5 Of Fire!!!!”
It’s finally here!!! New Mutoid Man!!! Today the band released the first single “Call Of The Void” from their upcoming new album, Mutants which will be out July 28, 2023 via Sargent House! This first single is a total ripper! This album also marks the first album with new bassist Jeff Matz from High On Fire joining Stephen Brodsky and Ben Koller. I’ve been a fan of this band for some time and each album is sublimely divine! The video for “Call Of The Void” was created by the fine folks over at Two Minutes To Late Night and it’s the perfect companion piece not just for this but in general as they have captured the humor that runs rampant throughout the members of the band. July 28 can’t come soon enough!
The ever radtastic The Ocean are roaring back with a new album, Holocene. This new album finds the band putting together a finishing chapter on their paleontology album series while adding new elements but, still keeping with their brand of epic heaviness. Already two songs have been released from this grand album, “Parabiosis” and the more Radiohead tinged “Sea Of Reeds.” Throughout the years, The Ocean has developed a sound that while heavy, it’s more than just a band being “Heavy.” There is a deeper thought provoking aspect to the music as well as the lyrics. One of the things that makes The Ocean who they are is their ability to evolve within the songs and the subtle moments they add that make things more captivating and intriguing to the listener. In a day and age when the single song is ruling, The Ocean is making a statement with this album!
Emma Ruth Rundle has long been a favorite of mine. I’ll never forget the first time I heard that voice and the chills I got from what she was singing. From her time in Red Sparrows and Marriages, the collaboration with Thou and then to her solo work, there is no stopping this talent. I do remember when it all came to make sense to me and that was around the time of her album, On Dark Horses which features one of my all time favorite Emma songs (as well as my daughter’s) “Darkhorse.” Hearing that album and song was what did it for me. Fast forward to now and Emma is readying a new live release from the Roadburn Festival where she performed songs from her latest and breathtaking new album, Engine Of Hell. The first song being shared from the release (which is out on July 7th) is the ever cutting (pun totally intended), “Razor’s Edge.” This version of the song will give you chills in the best way possible along with all the feels in the right places. Speaking of the album, Rundle says; “Roadburn has been such an important place for me and my evolution as an artist. The opportunity to perform ‘Engine of Hell’ in full there in 2022 was the end of something… and the beginning of this whole new chapter in my life and art. I really do feel free in so many ways. I wanted to commemorate and honor the experience by making my ‘Live at Roadburn’ album my first self release in 13 years. I will always treasure the Roadburn community” This release is definitely one of those that makes the songs come to life even more and it hits a bit differently as the raw factor is very prevalent throughout.
Emma Ruth Rundle- Razor’s Edge (Live At Roadburn 2022):
Every year there are always a handful of albums I eager anticipate. One of the albums I am most eager to be released this year is the Solace EP from the wonderful, Iress. From the first moment I heard this band, I knew I was in for something special. When you listen to Iress, there is this vibe that overtakes you it becomes something more. Their first single off this EP “Ricochet” has been in constant rotation for me and now their newest release “Blush” is right up there as well. Both songs are astonishing and hypnotic. The way these songs hit at the right moments draws you in and never lets go. I love when I hear a band that has all the right pieces and the end result is something that is not only powerful but, it connects on a whole other level. Iress is a band that is not only great for now but, for the future, as I can tell that their evolution as a band is only going to get bigger and better from here.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard Rancid. I was about 10 years old and I heard a song on the radio that was called “Salvation” off their second album (which is quite underrated in their catalog) and I was hooked. Then a year later it all made even more sense when they released their now classic …And Out Come The Wolves. From that point I was completely enthralled. For many years, I’ve always had an affinity for this band. They are one of the most consistent and pack the same raw energy since their founding back in 1991. Now, in 2023 Rancid are about to release their 10th studio album, Tomorrow Never Comes (out June 2nd). The first single “Tomorrow Never Comes” is Rancid at it’s classic best. It’s punk as it always is and then some. Their sound and style is still true to them as it has ever been and I for one am pretty stoked that Rancid is still here kicking ass and taking names! June 2nd can’t come soon enough! Looking forward to the upcoming tour as well!
What do you get when you mix 3 parts Every Time I Die (Jordan Buckley, Stephen Miccihe, Clayton “Goose” Holyoak) 1 part Fit For An Autopsy/END (Will Putney), and 1 part Dillinger Escape Plan (Greg Puciato)? Well, you get one hell of a new band called Better Lovers! Today, they have debuted their first single “30 Under 13” off their upcoming debut album (release date TBA). The song is an absolute sonic assault of uncompromising and blistering proportions. I personally am extremely stoked on this. An album and tour will be coming soon. In the meantime, I’m gonna be here enjoying the hell out of this song!
Punk music has had many ups and downs over the years. At some point it got highjacked by all these pop loving wannabe bands that made it watered down and took away all the elements that made the genre great. Thankfully there are still bands and labels out there that champion the genre the right way and make it dangerous and fun again. One of my favorite independent labels, Dune Altar, has been a huge champion of countless genres that I love and with this new release by The Lungs, both the band and label should be pretty damn stoked about how killer this new single “Sacred Stains” is. Speaking on the song bassist/vocalist Billy Goldstein said “Sacred Stains’ is a quick blast on the dichotomy of the belief of God’s plan v. Satan’s hand. Is a brain tumor part of God’s scheme? Does Satan wave his claw and impart metastases? Or is it all just inconsequential — insignificant in any way. And then you die.” Now that’s pretty thought provoking for a song that is a blast of only a little over a minute. The Lungs are also not just your everyday punk band. They have an added element of post-hardcore that takes the songs to new heights by having the right balance of melody and aggression. I like to think of The Lungs as a garage punk rock band that has a love for all sorts of different genres and styles and they have subtly sprinkled bits of those into their sound to develop a style that is true to the genre while also evolves themselves as players and artists. Their new EP, Vein will be out May 19, 2023 via Dune Altar. So make sure you pick up a copy!
Well this is awesome! For the longest time I’ve been hoping for an Operation Ivy reunion and though that hasn’t come to fruition just yet, this new band I will gladly accept in the mean time. Tim Armstrong (Operation Ivy, Rancid, Transplants), Jesse Michaels (Operation Ivy), Joey Castillo (Circle Jerks, The Bronx) and bassist Spencer Pollard (Trash Talk) have unveiled their new project BAD OPTIX and released their debut single “Raid.” The sound of this single features a classic Jamaican influenced ska contrasted with a vocal approach aligned with the brute force of punk for a vibe that’s updated but not completely disconnected from early ska legacy.
Officially forming in March of 2021, the ska-punk pioneers of Armstrong and Michaels, have over 35 years of history together. Even with the gap between Op Ivy to now, Michaels says, “our creative connection seems to be stronger than ever and all the music we loved back then, we still love.” The idea to form a band came organically one day when Jesse and Tim met up purely with the intent to reconnect. Of course the topic of music came up and when Armstrong started to play some of his new tracks, Michaels was immediately inspired and sparking ideas for vocals. He explains, “As soon as we started writing together, we found that we had the same collaborative energy that we had in the past, so it was natural and fun just to keep going.” Tim also adds, “It came back, just like that. Like when we were kids. There is a special chemistry between us and I don’t take it for granted.”
Now this isn’t Operation Ivy or is it pretending to be. Instead this is something a little different with a vibe that I have a feeling once there are shows, the intensity will be ever growing and bombastic. But my fingers are still crossed hoping for that OP IVY Reunion!
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