The Podcast That Rocked for 5/7/25. Skeletáfrom Ghost hits #1 on Billboard Top 200 Albums, Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox calls out sexism, more.
GHOST First Heavy Band To Hit #1 On Billboard In Years | The Podcast That Rocked on YouTube
The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify
Discussion Topics: -Ghost hits #1 on Billboard Top 200 Albums -History on other rock and metal albums to hit #1 on Billboard Top 200 -Amy Lee and Halsey collaborating –Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox calls out sexism in Metal Scene -TOOL’s Adam Jones plays for WWE’s Penta –Turnstile going above and beyond with music videos -Mudvayne and Static-X celebrate 25th anniversaries with tour -Upcoming albums/tours/more
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WWE’s Penta with Entrance Music by Adam Jones of TOOL
“Ghost grabs the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200 albums chart for the first time, as the Swedish hard rock band’s new studio effort Skeletá debuts atop the tally (dated May 10) with 86,000 equivalent album units earned in the United States in the week ending May 1, according to Luminate. Of the album’s starting sum, 89% was driven by traditional album sales — buoyed by a big vinyl sales figure. Skeletá launches with Ghost’s best week ever by both equivalent album units and traditional album sales.” (Billboard)
As Vessel, II, III, and IV have become a juggernaut in the music world, so has the discussion surrounding them. Whether you enjoy Sleep Token or not, Sleep Token is the most divisive band in metal.
“Sleep Token are an English rock band formed in London in 2016. Its members remain anonymous by wearing masks. After self-releasing their debut EP One in 2016, the band signed with Basick Records and issued a follow-up EP, Two, the next year. The group signed with Spinefarm Records and released their first full-length album Sundowning in 2019, which was followed in 2021 by This Place Will Become Your Tomb. A third album, Take Me Back to Eden, was released in May 2023. A fourth album, Even in Arcadia, is to be released in May 2025, through RCA Records.” (Wikipedia)
On Tuesday, April 28, 2025, fans of the heavy metal band Ice Nine Kills descended upon Richmond, VA to pack into The National. As someone who has grown up around Richmond and has attended many a show at that venue, I have never seen a crowd as large as it was for this show; in fact, I don’t think there was ever a time I saw the line to get in the venue stretch back several blocks like it did for this one.
This particular show was bound to draw a crowd, as it was one of only three like it. The “Pick Your Poison” shows, with the first being Richmond’s, left the setlist up to the discretion of the fans. This show’s setlist was entirely curated by the fans, who were able to vote on which songs they wanted to hear performed live. The other two shows will be in Omaha, NE on May 15 and St. Louis, MO on May 27. This type of show showcased not only the theatrical prowess of the band, but their dedication to the fanbase by granting them the opportunity to select their favorites to hear and see live.
The spine-chilling show opened with “Funeral Derangements,” setting the horrifying mood for the evening. Because the setlist was fan voted, no one knew what songs to expect, so every song played was a surprise. If you’ve never experienced an INK show, it truly is a theatrical performance. From the haunting props and visuals, to the actors that perform on stage with the band, each song is its own separate show. This was not just a concert – it was an immersive horror experience.
This show was truly one-of-a-kind. By allowing the fans to have a hand in deciding the fate of the setlist, the band created what was undoubtedly an unforgettable experience.
Setlist:
Funeral Derangements
The American Nightmare
Thank God It’s Friday
Ex-Mortis
Rainy Day
Stabbing in the Dark
The Shower Scene
The Fastest Way to a Girl’s Heart is Through Her Ribcage
IT Is the End
Walking on Sunshine
Communion of the Cursed
Hip to Be Scared
A Grave Mistake
Wurst Vacation
Meat & Greet
Encore
Welcome to Horrorwood
A Work of Art
Recently, Ice Nine Kills also released “A Work of Art (Live In Australia). Filmed at the band’s recent sold-out show at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, the bloodthirsty video offers a visceral examination of INK’s latest single, which was featured in the No. 1 horror blockbuster Terrifier 3 and has slayed Billboard’s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart for 18 weeks and counting.
Visionary, sci-fi-inspired rock collective STARSET are back with a new song, but it’s not an original new single.
Rather, it’s a cover of an ’80s classic — “Head Over Heels” by English pop rockers Tears for Fears. The track is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and this rendition demonstrates how timeless the songwriting is, as it lends itself to a reworking with STARSET’s unique hard rock flair.
Lauded by Forbes as having “one of the most firmly established brands of any modern rock band,” Columbus, Ohio’s STARSET are creating a true multimedia empire with music at its core. Their hits include RIAA Platinum-selling hit “My Demons” (2012) and RIAA Gold-selling single “It Has Begun” (2014), with others soon to follow. With a staggering 5 billion streams and a rapidly growing rabid global fanbase, 2024 sees STARSET poised to rise as one of rock’s next superstar acts.
“Starset is an American rock band from Columbus, Ohio, formed by Dustin Bates in 2013. They released their debut album, Transmissions, in 2014 and their second album, Vessels, on January 20, 2017. The band has found success in expanding the ideas of their concept albums through social media and YouTube, with the band generating over $230,000 in revenue from views from the latter as of November 2016. Their single “My Demons” had accumulated over 280 million YouTube views in the same time period. Their most commercially successful song, “Monster“, peaked at number 2 on the US BillboardMainstream Rock chart in May 2017. A third studio album, Divisions, was released on September 13, 2019, with their fourth studio album, Horizons, released on October 22, 2021.” (Wikipedia)
Discussion Topics: -Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2025 Inductees and our thoughts -Metallica to drop 30-hour Load –Code Orange on indefinite hiatus -Three Days Grace change all back artwork -Ohana Fest making a peaceful festival legacy -Upcoming tours and albums
“The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will make fans of some long-neglected acts very happy when the class of 2025 is inducted later this year. Among this year’s inductees — announced Sunday night during ABC’s American Idol — are first-time nominees Bad Company, Joe Cocker and Chubby Checker, along with Soundgarden on its third go-round and the White Stripes and Cyndi Lauper, each on their second. The hip-hop duo Outkast fills out the Performers category, also on its first nomination. Longtime slight Warren Zevon — who passed away during 2003 and was nominated just once, in 2023 — will receive one of two Musical Influence Awards, with Salt-N-Pepa receiving the other. Musical Excellence Awards will be presented to Carol Kaye, bassist for Phil Spector’s Wrecking Crew and the late pianist Nicky Hopkins, who both worked with numerous Rock Hall inductees themselves, and to celebrated Philadelphia soul songwriter and producer Thom Bell.” (Ultimate Classic Rock)
The 2025 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees have been announced, and…the Rock Hall did well?! 2025 Inductees: Soundgarden The White Stripes Bad Company Chubby Checker Joe Cocker Cyndi Lauper Outkast What do you think of the 2025 inductee list? … #RockHall#RockHall2025#Soundgarden#WhiteStripes#outkast#Rock
The next chapter of Ghost relishes in the soundtrack of 80’s and classic metal. With comparisons to Yes, Journey, Dokken, and even some Blue Oyster Cult thrown in, Skeletá is much less groove filled rock tracks but instead power ballads for days. The singles, also the first three tracks on the album, are somewhat more tame compared to later in the album when solos and instrumental arrangements come out swinging. Skeletá feels like a dark arena show in 1984 and that vibe holds up until the end, especially with tracks like “Marks Of the Evil One” and “Umbra”. All that said, this album will further divide the metal elitists and Ghost fans. Whatever arguments people say about Ghost not being heavy enough will only be amplified with this album as evidence. Skeletá is a complete album experience, and potentially a great daily soundtrack. I need to study up on my Latin, but I still enjoy what Tobias Forge is creating.
Ghost – Skeletá | Album Review
Ghost “Lachryma”
Ghost “Umbra”
“Skeletá is the sixth studio album by the Swedish rock band Ghost. It was released on 24 April 2025 through Loma Vista Recordings and was preceded by the singles “Satanized”, “Lachryma” and “Peacefield”.” (Wikipedia)
GRAMMY-winning Halestorm today unveiled “Darkness Always Wins,” a slowly-building, cinematic hard rock anthem that marks the band’s first release of 2025. The song, produced by GRAMMY-winning producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Jason Isbell) is the first to be revealed from a new album from Atlantic Records, details of which will be announced soon.
“‘Darkness Always Wins’ is not a song of hope, nor is it a song of despair,” said Halestorm frontwoman Lzzy Hale. “It is reality. History repeating. Evil prevails and the good depart first. But we are not doomed as long as we persist and keep our fires burning. The war may not be won in this lifetime. But our mission is to pass the torch so that those who follow have a light to fight with.”
This summer, Halestorm will travel to Europe to support Iron Maiden followed by a US run supporting Volbeat, but not before a one-night-only performance at Black Sabbath’s last show in Birmingham, England on July 5. See below for a full list of all 2025 dates.
Last month, Lzzy Hale joined Lacuna Coil’s Christina Scabbia and Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante for Spotify’s “Women of Metal Roundtable.” Their conversation is here.
What started as a childhood dream of Lzzy and Arejay Hale, Halestorm has scored seven #1 hits at rock radio, and their music has surpassed one billion streams across platforms worldwide. They’ve received two GRAMMY nominations and won in 2012 for “Love Bites (So Do I)” as Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance. The band has built a reputation for their dominating live performances and has shared the stage with rock icons like Heaven & Hell, Alice Cooper, and Joan Jett.
HALESTORM: ON TOUR 2025
May 27 – June 28: Supporting Iron Maiden (where noted)
July 5: supporting Black Sabbath
July 17 – August 22: Supporting Volbeat (where noted)
MAY
15 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville (festival date)
17 – Ocean City, MD – Boardwalk Rock (festival date)
27 and 28 – Budapest – Sportarena (supporting Iron Maiden)
31 – Prague, Czechia – Letany Airport (supporting Iron Maiden)
JUNE
1 – Bratislava, Slovakia – O’Nepelu Arena (supporting Iron Maiden)
The Podcast That Rocked for 4/23/25. Fyre Fest is changing to a streamed event with streaming service, Ghost cell phone ban causing problems, and more.
The Podcast That Rocked on YouTube
The Podcast That Rocked on YouTube
Discussion Topics: -Fyre Fest streaming service replacing festival -RIP Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, Ozzy Osborne, more) -Ghost cell phone ban is causing more issues than expected -Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2025 Fan Vote results –Riot Fest 2025 goes to punk and pop-punk -A Killer’s Confession has band members leave mid-tour -Upcoming tours, albums, more.
SONG OF THE WEEK Karen Dio “Casual”
Riot Fest 2025 Lineup Announced ft. Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer, WEIRD AL, more
“What if Fyre Festival was a streaming service? That appears to now be the case as Shawn Rech, who co-founded the TruBlue streaming service, has acquired some of the festival’s IP including a pair of trademarks that will allow him to launch a music streaming service utilizing the name. Essentially, the Fyre Festival streaming service doesn’t necessarily impact founder Billy McFarland’s continued attempts to stage a second Fyre Fest. McFarland retains the rights to the festival and is currently looking for a new home to stage the event after its recent postponement.” (Loudwire)
WARGASM Return With Video For Incendiary New Single “Vigilantes”
FIRST-EVER HEADLINE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR SET FOR SEPTEMBER
Riotous and incendiary UK duo WARGASM, who make angry music for sad people, are back and they’ve upped the f**king ante. Today, they drop the video for their new single “Vigilantes,” the first taste of music as an independent entity once again. Get ready for this one to register on the Richter scale.
Wargasm “Vigilantes”
It’s all fists, all fury, complete with synths, rhythmic bounce and groove, and raging riffs. Basically, “Vigilantes” is the sort of signature electro-tinged, metallic anthem that the band is known for crafting. Wargasm haven’t simply been turning heads for years — they have been ripping ’em clean off your neck.
The track will leave you in a heap, gasping for breath, once the final note fades out. And then you’ll get up, hit the replay button, and do it all over again.
“Months and months of turmoil, love, hate, and passion has gone into ‘Vigilantes,'” shares the band. “We have waited so long to release this for you and with it, Wargasm are excited to be an unsigned band again. This is turbulence bottled, shaken, and injected right into your ear drums. Everything about Wargasm is energy. We hope you feel something.”
Yes, that’s correct. Wargasm, who were tipped by NME as “a total riot,” labeled by Everything Is Noise as “brutally efficient at utilizing an array of sounds and tones to build a playground of blood, rust, and debauchery” and hailed by Kerrang! for their “glossy, sexy, action movie kind of violence,” are once again fully independent and they continue to do things THEIR way.
Wargasm — comprised of Sam Matlock and Milkie Way — also announced their first-ever headline tour of the U.S. Tickets go on sale on Friday, April 25 at 10am local time. Get tickets here. Dates are below.
WARGASM ON TOUR: 8/31 — Pryor, OK 9/2 — Denton, TX 9/3 — Austin, TX 9/5 — Mesa, AZ 9/6 — Los Angeles, CA 9/7 — San Francisco, CA 9/9 — Salt Lake City, UT 9/10 — Denver, CO 9/12 — St. Paul, MN 9/13 — Chicago, IL 9/15 — Brooklyn, NY 9/16 — Cambridge, MA 9/17 — Baltimore, MD 9/19 — Toronto, ON 9/20 — Lakewood, OH 9/21 — Louisville, KY
RIOT FEST 2025 Festival turns 20 featuring Green Day, Weezer, Blink-182
What’s my age again? Riot Fest is turning the big 2-0, and to celebrate it’s throwing the biggest party yet, headlined by Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer, Jack White, and a total of over 90 bands performing throughout the festival weekend. “I just wanted to put a show together with all of my favorite bands”, festival founder Michael Petryshyn reminisced before the inaugural Riot Fest back in 2005.
Throughout the next 20 years, the festival has grown to become one of the biggest independent festivals in the country, known for eclectic lineups, high-profile band reunions, full album plays, and even a butter sculpture tribute to John Stamos. Along with headliners Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer, and Jack White, the festival will also include performances by the Sex Pistols (Frank Carter and Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock), Idles, “Weird Al” Yankovic, Alkaline Trio, All Time Low, Knocked Loose, Rilo Kiley, The Beach Boys, Jawbreaker, Dropkick Murphys, Bad Religion, The Pogues, The Hold Steady, The Academy Is…, Cobra Starship, Gym Class Heroes, Texas is the Reason, Dance Hall Crashers, The Front Bottoms, Knuckle Puck, The Wonder Years, James, and many many more.
RIOT FEST 2025 Lineup Announced ft. Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer, More
Born and raised in Chicago, Riot Fest began as a punk rock festival spread across the city’s favorite local venues. Over the years, it’s earned a reputation for reuniting bands that fans had lost hope of ever seeing again, including The Replacements, The Original Misfits, Slayer, Jawbreaker and many more. While the festival remains the centerpiece, the music isn’t limited to one weekend a year. For over two decades, Riot Fest has hosted thousands of shows in independent venues throughout the city, supporting Chicago’s thriving music scene.
“We didn’t plan on making it for twenty years. We planned on making it through one weekend. But here we are – still loud, still weird, still building something bigger than we ever meant to.” ‘Riot Mike’ Petryshyn Riot Fest returns to Chicago’s Douglass Park from September 19-21, its home since 2015. A newly announced long-term agreement with the Chicago Park District ensures the festival will remain a Chicago staple for years to come.
Along with the massive lineup, Riot Fest will also be celebrating 20 Years, 20 Essential Albums. 20 full album playthroughs from 20 bands across the weekend.
WEEZER – THE BLUE ALBUM SEX PISTOLS – NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS… ALKALINE TRIO – MAYBE I’LL CATCH FIRE BAD RELIGION – SUFFER THE POGUES – RUM SODOMY & THE LASH THE HOLD STEADY – SEPARATION SUNDAY THE ACADEMY IS… – ALMOST HERE THE FRONT BOTTOMS – BACK ON TOP KNUCKLE PUCK – COPACETIC THE BOUNCING SOULS – HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION SCREECHING WEASEL– MY BRAIN HURTS HELMET – BETTY PEGBOY – STRONG REACTION THE ATARIS – SO LONG, ASTORIA AGNOSTIC FRONT – VICTIM IN PAIN SMOKING POPES – BORN TO QUIT THE EFFIGIES – FOR EVER GROUNDED SAMIAM – ASTRAY AGENT ORANGE – LIVING IN DARKNESS ZERO BOYS – VICIOUS CIRCLE THE BOUNCING SOULS – HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION SCREECHING WEASEL– MY BRAIN HURTS HELMET – BETTY PEGBOY – STRONG REACTION THE ATARIS – SO LONG, ASTORIA AGNOSTIC FRONT – VICTIM IN PAIN SMOKING POPES – BORN TO QUIT THE EFFIGIES – FOR EVER GROUNDED SAMIAM – ASTRAY AGENT ORANGE – LIVING IN DARKNESS ZERO BOYS – VICIOUS CIRCLE
Tickets for Riot Fest 2025 are On Sale Now, and special 20th Anniversary merch is available here. The surprises aren’t over yet, stay tuned tomorrow at 10am for more announcements coming your way!
FEATURING: GREEN DAY, BLINK-182, WEEZER, JACK WHITE, SEX PISTOLS (FRANK CARTER and STEVE JONES, PAUL COOK, GLEN MATLOCK), IDLES, “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC, ALKALINE TRIO, ALL TIME LOW, RILO KILEY, KNOCKED LOOSE, THE BEACH BOYS, JAWBREAKER, DROPKICK MURPHYS, BAD RELIGION, THE POGUES, THE HOLD STEADY, THE FRONT BOTTOMS, THE ACADEMY IS…, COBRA STARSHIP, GYM CLASS HEROES, TEXAS IS THE REASON, KNUCKLE PUCK, THE WONDER YEARS, JAMES, SPARKS, DANCE HALL CRASHERS, HANSON, THE BOUNCING SOULS, THE DAMNED, INHALER, RICO NASTY, SCREECHING WEASEL, CITIZEN, SENSES FAIL, MICROWAVE, FREE THROW, DEHD, THE LINDA LINDAS, PANCHIKO, BUZZCOCKS, STIFF LITTLE FINGERS, SUPERCHUCK, MILITARIE GUN, THE CRIBS, SHUDDER TO THINK, HELMET, TOUCHÉ AMORÉ, PEGBOY, HONEY REVENGE, MARKY RAMONE, THE ATARIS, CAMPER VAN BEETHOVEN, MARIANAS TRENCH, THE DIDJITS, AGNOSTIC FRONT, THROWN, LAMBRINI GIRLS, OVLOV, SOFT PLAY, SMOKING POPES, PUDDLES PITY PARTY, H2O, JULIA WOLF, VIOLENT VIRA, DELTA SLEEP, MAC SABBATH, CHASE PETRA, WISHY, THE EFFIGIES, HARRISON GORDON, SAMIAM, THE TOSSERS, SHONEN KNIFE, ZERO BOYS, SPEED OF LIGHT, THE PARADOX, THE BARBARIANS OF CALIFORNIA, GIRL IN A COMA, AGENT ORANGE, QUANNNIC, WEAKENED FRIENDS, DUNE RATS, FOOTBALLHEAD, BIG ASS TRUCK IE, CLIFFDIVER, LOVIET, EMO PHILLIPS
