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Top 10 BEST Albums Of 2023

This year had a ton of variety and many bands pulled through to give us some great music. This video looks at the Top 10 BEST Albums Of 2023. Watch the video below for a full breakdown of each entry, or scroll below to read an excerpt from the video for each album.

Top 10 BEST Albums Of 2023

Click here for a video on the
Top 5 BEST EPs Of 2023!

10.) Foo Fighters But Here We Are

Probably the most difficult album for Foo Fighters to make turned out to be their best in a decade. But Here We Are, dedicated to Taylor Hawkins and Virginia Grohl, is the cathartic, expressive, and in some ways inspiring album that Foo Fighters had to find out the hard way they were capable of making. 

The title track and “Under You” have those huge sing-along moments but it’s the slower and more sincere moments in “The Glass” and the 10-minute “The Teacher” that add depth and make the tributes feel personal to everyone, even those who never met Taylor Hawkins and Virginia Grohl. The delicate music flow in these tracks truly gives the air of making something unique to their loved ones. 

Foo Fighters “Under You”

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9.) Baroness Stone

The color scheme might be gone but Baroness still has plenty of ideas to work with. STONE is the groove-filled sludge metal excellence John and company have been executing for years, but this time it feels like a new page has turned. This is Baroness unbound from formats and formulas, but instead working with raw creativity. 

The rhythm section is crushing and stands out in the right moments, and the combined guitar work from John and Gina repeatedly stands out. STONE is proof that Baroness knows how to steer their ship into uncharted waters and come out sounding great. 

Baroness “Last Word”

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8.) Dying Wish Symptoms Of Survival

Classify this as deathcore, metalcore, hardcore, a combination, or whatever you want, Dying Wish does it all well. Not only an amazing sophomore release from the Oregon five-piece but an impressive display of range with that vicious attitude. The drumming stands out through the heaviest tracks and Emma Boster proves her singing range in the cleaner moments.

It’s fierce and at times extreme with how intense the volume and anger get, but it’s all times and calculated precisely to make each element of the band stand out. Unrelenting is the best word to describe Symptoms Of Survival. Dying Wish is still an unstoppable force.

Dying Wish “Watch My Promise Die”

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7.) Drain Living Proof

It’s difficult to have joyous fun and a big goofy grin when listening to music that’s heavy and thick like this, but Drain proves it’s possible. Living Proof is not even half an hour but that also adds to the charm of this album because you want to play it all as a relentless rush of symbols and riffs and makes you feel like high-fiving someone as soon as it’s over. 

When you get to “Evil Finds Light” is the point where you need to make sure you aren’t around anything breakable in the house because it’s most likely going to shatter. Drain created a tightly made package that has plenty of full-run time replay value. It’s so much fun, it is almost worth rushing security to get on stage.

Drain “Living Proof”

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6.) Horrendous Ontological Mysterium

Ontological Mysterium, which is fun to say, is filled with transitions, speed changes, genre changes, and jam sessions to the point of losing track of where you are in that crazy Mysterium. It’s proggy and groove-filled and screaming of death and it all just blends smoothly.

As heavy and dark as Horrendous gets, it’s never TOO much to the point of being overwhelmed. Just under 38 minutes and enough time to breathe in between rounds of onslaught. As a result of all that, it’s hard to find ANYTHING similar to what Horrendous can combine in one nine-track album. 

Horrendous “Cult Of Shaad’oah”

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5.) Blondshell Blondshell

Singer-songwriter Sabrina Teitelbaum proves that indie and alternative have a new killer performer with creative songs and catchy lyrics that are as witty as Teitelbaum and Blondshell are great names. Blondshell the album is bluesy and gritty when the moment requires which adds more to Blondshell’s hand.

This self-titled debut packs a lot of talent and style that is lacking in the alternative world, especially when it comes to subject matter. Take topics like toxic relationships and sobriety, and then turn the attitude and volume up at a moment’s notice. The clever writing along with emotional swelling moments become massive. 

Blondshell “Salad”

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4.) Slowdive Everything Is Alive

Describing Slowdive as shoegaze sounds appropriate, but after you experience Everything Is Alive and take everything in, you realize it’s so much more that gazing into space. This album doesn’t allow you to phase out with background music but grabs your attention while pulling you in the music, swaying arms and all. 

Only eight tracks but they all complement each other as well as showcase what Slowdive can create. Everyone contributes from the different vocals to imaginative instrument work and synths. The guitar tones are immaculate, the changing moods all sound natural, and again, you get pulled in from the opening minute when the first lyrics hit. This is distinct shoegaze with layered elements and endless replay value.  

Slowdive “Alife”

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3.) Creeper Sanguivore

Grandiose riff and synth-filled rhythms, all while Will and Hannah sing their hearts out. It’s becoming clear they could just sing Wikipedia entries on the most boring topics ever and they could make it work. There are so many selling points from the singles like “Cry To Heaven” to the huge opening track “Further Than Forever”.

What SHOULD be total cheese ends up being completely engaging. Vampire bites and all. Sanguivore delivered uniquely and it’s incredible to think that Creeper hasn’t tried this approach before as the style fits them like a black leather glove. Creeper continues to impress.

Creeper “Cry To Heaven”

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2.) Sufjan Stevens Javelin

The all-encompassing songwriter who can bring in an orchestra or just use one acoustic proved himself with Javelin. If there was ever an album that sells Sufjan Stevens being around for the long haul, it was this 2023 entry. Stevens continues to prove his music depth as a songwriter. 

Stevens opened himself up a bit on Javelin, letting his personal events take focus which isn’t something he has done lightly in the past, if ever. The intimate expressions in “Will Anybody Ever Love Me” and “S*** Talk” give so much personality and voice that it’s hard not to relate to the emotions and feelings, as well as feel for them. 

Javelin is as heartbreaking as it is triumphant and expressive. The music makes you feel like you are listening to something big in scope and important as a piece of art. This album needs to be heard and respected as such a welcomed album this year. 

Sufjan Stevens “Will Anybody Ever Love Me?”

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1.) Sleep Token Take Me Back To Eden

As divisive an album could be in the heavy music world. Take Me Back To Eden slowly took over much of the music buzz in the beginning of 2023 when singles were being released in pairs. Then when the full album came out in May, Sleep Token became inescapable. You were going to listen to Vessel, and rock, metal, alternative, and everything in between would not be the same. 

Take Me Back To Eden is creative, has hooks, has diversity, has range, memorably distinct tracks, a narrative, and sounds amazing live as well as on record. it checks so many boxes of what people LOOK FOR in a great album. But it’s still massively divisive for many previously listed reasons. Maybe that’s just more proof of Sleep Token’s success. 

Take Me Back To Eden is an album that people can point to that defined music in a positive way for 2023. A band trying something different with multiple genres and making it great. 

Sleep Token “Vore”

HEILUNG Announce First U.S. Ritual of 2024

Experience history on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 when Heilung perform their ritual live in Morrison, Colorado at Red Rocks Amphitheatre .

Pre-sale starts today at 10 a.m. MT. 

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, December 15 at 10 a.m. MT.

Get tickets: https://www.axs.com/events/520401/heilung-tickets

The Nordic collective had a lot to celebrate in 2023. Maria Franz, Chritsopher Juul, Kai Uwe Faust and their band of warriors continued to tour in support of their latest album Drif, which Metal Hammer called “a carefully woven tapestry of ideas” and “a natural evolutionary step for a band who understand the unique power of story and song”.

They performed their spellbinding ritual at European summer festivals before heading across the Atlantic for a successful U.S. tour. 

Last week, people around the globe watched Heilung perform at The Game Awards.

The Nordic collective premiered “Seidh” in front of a star-studded audience at The Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday, December 7. This song will appear on the soundtrack for Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, which is scheduled for release in 2024. Heilung wrote the full soundtrack for the game in collaboration with Ninja Theory.

Since its inception in 2015, the enigmatic ritual collective Heilung has been paving melodic paths to the past with their unique and mystifying sound. Evading all conventional genre tags and the confines of any specific labels, the group aptly self-describes their sound as “amplified history,” emphasizing their ability to connect modern society with the rudiments of humanity’s beginnings through music. Heilung once again journeys back in time with its new chapter, ‘Drif;’ however, unlike previous offerings that centered around prehistoric northern Europe, album number three will explore other great rudimentary civilizations outside of Europe.

“All the songs on ‘Drif’ have their own stories,” adds Heilung throat singer and one of the band’s three composers, Kai Uwe Faust. Each has its place and sense of belonging, with inspiration not only from Northern Europe, but from the ancient great civilizations,” explains the band. “We took the ancient surrounding advanced civilizations in account, because our ancestral Nordic civilizations did not just pop up, exist and disappear in isolation. Already in the Bronze Age, we found silk on German land that was imported already from the far, far East 3000 years ago. From the Viking age, we found beads that were brought there from present-day Syria high up in the Northern mountains.

“Centrally important concepts, still in extensive use today, like the number Zero and all the mathematical universes deriving from it, the use of iron and the general concept of settling all originate from traditional high civilizations outside the north and still fundamentally changing our ancestor’s world.

“With singing these primordial songs we want to give tribute to these cultures, reconnect to the beginnings and remember that we all, from East to West, from past to present, are connected through the exchange of ideas and inspiring each other.”

Meaning “gathering,” ‘Drif’ serves as more than merely a gateway that bridges history with modern day society, but is also a statement of the strength in unity and togetherness, which will come as no surprise to those who have experienced Heilung’s live ritual, in which every ceremony starts with a reminder that “we are all brothers.” “‘Drif’ means ‘gathering,’’ explains Heilung. “A throng of people, a horde, a crowd, a pack. In symbiosis with the album title, ‘Drif’ consists of a flock, a collection, a gathering, a collage of songs, that much like little flames were seeking towards each other, to join, to bond, to create, and be greater together.”

While Heilung features authentic and archaic instrumentation that ranges from rattles and ritual bells to human bones and throat singing, their captivating brand of music is far from primitive. Producer and founding member Christopher Juul implements subtle electronic elements that elevates the musical atmosphere and provides a more in-depth and layered soundscape.

“This album has very clearly dictated its own path. Our attempts to tame it were repeatedly fruitless, and once we came to this realization, the creative flow surged forward with immense force. So much so that sometimes it felt like the songs wrote themselves,” the band adds.

Heilung’s success has been unprecedented, achieving milestones in its few short years of existence that many do not see in a lifetime. The collective already had rapidly been growing a buzz upon the self-release of their first full-length, ‘Ofnir,’ in 2015, but their dizzying upward trajectory really took off from the moment they set foot on the stage at Castlefest in 2017 for the now-legendary debut of their live ritual. Luckily for those who were not fortunate enough to bare witness to this magical event, the full ceremony was captured on film, having since been viewed by tens of millions of fans across the globe.

As Heilung trekked across Europe and brought their mystifying experience to new audiences, talk of this new band and their stunning ceremony made way to Season of Mist label owner Michael Berberian, who quickly offered the band a record contract after seeing their undeniable musical impact for himself.

By 2019, Heilung launched their second full-length record, ‘Futha,’ which contrasted the masculine and battle-heavy themes of their debut with a feminine counterpart that celebrated fertility and female energy. Upon the first week of the record’s release, it graced the Billboard charts with coveted numbers, debuting at #3 on the Heatseekers Charts and #4 on the Billboard World Music Chart, placing on a total of seven Billboard charts while meeting critical-acclaim from the press on a global scale.

Having already made its way around Europe, Heilung announced its first ever North American tour for the start of 2020, which sold out entirely within 72 hours of ticket on-sale. The band later returned to the United States and performed their live ritual for a sold out audience of 10,000 people at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO (USA), further solidifying their early legacy status.

By this time, the band’s music started to appear in places outside the confines of music venues, videos, and vinyl. From hit television series like ‘Game of Thrones’ and ‘Vikings’ to video game giants like ‘Conqueror’s Blade VII: “Wolves of Ragnarök’ and ‘Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II’ to the blockbuster Robert Eggers film ‘The Northman,’ Heilung’s music has risen far above the underground and has transcended into a greater world. Even a global pandemic couldn’t slow down Heilung’s success; it only strengthened them and gave them the gift of time to complete work on album number three, ‘Drif.’

According to Greek philosopher Pythagoras, three is a divine number, signifying harmony, wisdom, and understanding. He also believed it to be the number of time – past, present, future; birth, life, death; beginning, middle, end. Purposefully or not, ‘Drif’ embodies this philosophy, putting forth a divine work of art that ties together the beginning of civilization with the modern world today. Make no mistake, Heilung still does not represent any modern political or religious ideology, but rather delivers a humbling reminder of where we came from. “Remember, we are all brothers. All people, beasts, tree and stone and wind, we all descend from the one great being that was always there, before people lived and named it, before the first seed sprouted.”

Riot Fest Announces 2024 Dates; Pre-Sale Starts 12/14

Riot Fest is announcing 2024 festival dates and a holiday presale on December 14th at noon, while supplies last. In 2024, Riot Fest will be taking place September 20-22, with the powerhouse lineup fans have come to expect. The event moves to the later weekend next year, to alleviate traffic congestion within the Little Village and North Lawndale communities during the celebrations for Mexican Independence Day.

A variety of ticket tiers will be available, from general admission to premium tiers offering VIP dedicated entrances, exclusive lounges featuring plush, shaded seating, complimentary open bars and an array of curated food options, as well as separate cordoned viewing areas at the main stages. Layaway payment plans are available for the budget-minded music fans.
Details can be found at: https://www.tixr.com/groups/riotfest/presale2024

I was able to work Riot Fest 2023 and it was fantastic. I can’t say enough good things about the people who run the event and the attendees that made Riot Fest a great environment last year.

Click here for a recap of Riot Fest 2023!

Riot Fest will be giving away tickets at their first public Christmas office party, Friday, December 15th at Logan Arcade for music lovers who want to gather for some holiday spirit(s). All party goers have to do is beat Riot Mike in a game of his choice! Ticket giveaways will also be happening for Riot Fest app users hourly from noon-5pm on the 14th. Riot Pop! will be giving away tickets at @DrinkRiotPop on Twitter as well.

Riot Fest’s Beyond the Fest community initiative has been hard at work as well on the annual holiday gift program, in partnership with 24th Ward Alderwoman Monique Scott. Riot Fest will be distributing hundreds of toys to students of Sumner Math and Science Community Academy on Dec. 18th and Crown Community Academy of Fine Arts on Dec. 19th. This season, Riot Fest in partnership with Douglass Park Advisory Council is also hosting a coat/warm outerwear drive to help collect coats, hats and gloves for the Douglass Park community.

As longtime festival fans know, Riot Fest is a music festival with a wide variety of pastimes, including a carnival with rides, an arcade, a skateboard ramp, food & artisan vendors and even a wedding chapel.

Tickets: riotfest.tixr.com/presale2024
General Info: RiotFest.org

Creeper Announces US Tour In Spring 2024

CREEPER‘s larger-than-life and darker-than-death new album Sanguivore is out now via Spinefarm. Get it here.And finally, the band will crash American shores for a tour with Black Veil Brides, Dark Divine, and Ghostkid in Spring 2024.

The BLEEDERS TOUR 2024 kicks off on April 25 at the Fillmore in San Francisco, making stops across the U.S. in Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Nashville, and more before wrapping up in Los Angeles at The Belasco on May 25. All dates are below. 

The general on-sale begins Friday, December 15 at 10am local time at this location.

CREEPER ON TOUR:
WITH BLACK VEIL BRIDES, DARK DIVINE, + GHOSTKID:

4/25 — San Francisco, CA — Fillmore
4/27 — Las Vegas, NV — Sick New World
4/28 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Depot
4/29 — Denver, CO — Ogden Theater
4/30 — Kansas City, MO — The Truman
5/2 — Minneapolis, MN — Fillmore
5/3 — Chicago, IL — Concord Music Hall
5/4 — Green Bay, WI — Epic
5/5 — Detroit, MI — Royal Oak Theater
5/7 — Albany, NY — Empire Live
5/8 — Boston, MA — House of Blues Boston
5/9 — Richmond, VA — The National
5/10 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz
5/13 — Atlanta, GA — Buckhead Theater
5/15 — New York, NY — Palladium Times Square
5/16 — Philadelphia, PA — Fillmore
5/18 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works
5/20 — San Antonio, TX — The Aztec Theatre
5/21 — Houston, TX — RISE
5/22 — Dallas, TX — The Factory
5/24 — Tempe, AZ — The Marquee
5/25 — Los Angeles, CA — The Belasco

Follow Creeper:
Website | Facebook | X | Instagram | Youtube

Brand Of Sacrifice Releases New Song “Purge”

Brand of Sacrifice Announce Signing To
NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

Drop Brand New Single “PURGE”
Stream HERE | Watch HERE

Canadian deathcore wrecking crew, BRAND OF SACRIFICE, are ending 2023 with a gargantuan bang as they announce their signing to legendary record label, Nuclear Blast Records. To celebrate this iconic new partnership, the band have released phenomenally heavy new single, “Purge”. The glorious new serving of brutality comes accompanied by a stunning, cinematic music video, the caliber of which has become somewhat for a calling card for the band.

Brand Of Sacrifice “Purge”

Click here for a video on
10 WILD Rock Stories In 2023!

Speaking on the brand new track, BRAND OF SACRIFICE frontman, Kyle Anderson shares

“”Purge,” powerfully delves into the complexities of addiction, weaving a narrative of struggle, but also resilience. It is an ode to personal transformation, showcasing the journey towards becoming one’s best self amidst life’s challenges.”

BRAND OF SACRIFICE dropped their critically acclaimed EP, ‘Between Death & Dreams‘, earlier this year. Spawning a string of huge singles – “Exodus“, “Dynasty“, “Between Death & Dreams” and “Blinded“. Preceding the EP, was their 2021, chart-topping breakthrough album, ‘Lifeblood‘ that appeared in multiple year-end ‘Best of’ lists and lead the charge for the ongoing deathcore revolution that’s been sweeping through the underground over recent years, leading to a meteoric resurgence in the genre’s popularity. For both releases, the band partnered with Blood Blast Distribution, sister company to Nuclear Blast Records, making today’s signing news a natural progression in BRAND OF SACRIFICE epic quest to conquer the world of heavy music. Speaking on their new label deal, Anderson continues

“We’re very excited to be kicking off the new era of Nuclear Blast Records with ‘Purge’! Having worked with Blood Blast for most of our previous releases and campaigns, we’re looking forward to building upon that success within the same powerhouse umbrella”

With a colossal new partnership underway with Nuclear Blast Records, this next chapter of BRAND OF SACRIFICE promises to be even more relentlessly furious, ground-breaking and genre re-defining that what has come before. Keep it locked for more news from the Demon King and his cohorts in 2024.

Social Distortion Announce Co-Headline Tour With Bad Religion

Social Distortion
photo credit Danny Clinch

Southern California punk legends Social Distortion announce an epic co-headlining tour across the US with fellow Epitaph label mates Bad Religion that kicks off in Bakersfield, California on April 9th 2024. With additional support from The Lovebombs, the two iconic bands will join forces to bring their signature sounds and beloved catalogs to stages across the continent, showcasing their enduring legacy and influence on the punk rock movement.  

Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness comments, “It gives me great pleasure to announce that in April we will be going on a nationwide co- headlining tour with our friends in Bad Religion. Yes, we are back in action and can’t wait for this tour!! We did this with them in Australia in 2022 and the shows were amazing!” 

He continues, “We have also decided in celebration of the 40-year anniversary and re-release of ‘Mommy’s Little Monster’ that we will be playing the album in its entirety. This should be a very special tour and we are all looking forward to it.” 

Bad Religion and Social Distortion first played together in 1980,” Bad Religion singer Greg Graffin adds. “Though we evolved in different directions, we both carried the torch of Southern California punk all along the way. Now we’re so excited to be on the same stage again.”  

Formed as rebellious teenage punks in the working-class suburb of Fullerton, California, Social Distortion survived their tumultuous youth to pioneer an undeniably honest and fiery brand of rock ‘n’ roll that would incorporate outlaw country, classic seventies punk and primal blues. Seven studio albums and countless electrifying live shows have earned the band a dedicated worldwide fanbase and catalog of timeless anthems including “Story Of My Life,” ”Ball And Chain,” “Prison Bound” and more. The band’s last release, Hard Times and Nursery Rhymes entered the Billboard 200 at #4 and in 2019 they celebrated 40 years as a band.  

Social Distortion also share rescheduled dates for their previously postponed tour with follow SoCal rockers, The Bellrays. Ness enthuses, “I am also happy to announce the tour with “The Bellrays” from last summer will now be happening in September & October 2024. I’d like thank the fans who bought tickets for their patience while we worked on the rescheduled dates. Words can’t describe how happy I am to be back onstage doing what I love. See you all soon.” 

Artist Pre-sale tickets are live today at 12 noon local time with codes:  BALLANDCHAIN or SUFFER 

The general on-sale will be December 15th10 AM local time. 

All tickets will be available HERE 

SOCIAL DISTORTION TOUR DATES

W/ Bad Religion 

April 9 – Bakersfield, CA – Mechanics Bank Theater 

April 10 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl 

April 11 – San Diego, CA – PETCO Park 

April 13 – Las Vegas, NV – Virgin Hotels Las Vegas – The Theater 

April 14 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheater 

April 16 – Lubbock, TX – Lonestar Amphitheater 

April 18 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 

April 19 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port 

April 20 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Greenway 

April 22 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center 

April 23 – New Orleans, LA – The Filmore Harrah’s New Orleans 

April 26 – St. Augustine, FL – The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre 

April 27 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live 

April 28 – Clearwater, FL – Coachman Park – The Sound 

April 30 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre 

May 1 – North Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery Lawn 

May 3 – Oxon Hill, MD – The Theater at MGM National Harbor 

May 4 – New York, NY – Pier 17 The Rooftop 

May 5 – Philadelphia, PA – The Filmore Philadelphia 

May 7 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway 

May 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE 

May 11 – Detroit, MI – The Masonic Temple Theatre 

May 12 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center 

May 14 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club – Eagles Ballroom 

May 15 – West Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom 

May 17 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater 

May 18 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed – Indoors 

May 19 – Columbus, OH – Historic Crew Stadium 

w/ The Bellrays 

Sept. 13 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox 

Sept. 14 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox 

Sept. 15 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox 

Sept. 18 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom 

Sept. 19 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom 

Sept. 21 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall 

Sept. 22 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall 

Sept. 23 – Calgary, AB – Macewan Hall 

Sept. 25 – Winnipeg, MB – Buron Cummings Theatre 

Oct. 1 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom 

Oct. 2 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom 

Oct. 4 – Guelph, ON – Guelph Concert Theatre 

Oct. 5 – Toronto, ON – History 

Oct. 6 – Montreal, QC – M Telus 

Oct. 8 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall 

Oct. 9 – Hampton Beach, NH – Casino Ballroom 

Oct. 11 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount 

Oct. 12 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater 

Oct. 13 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom 

Oct. 15 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva 

Oct. 16 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte 

Oct. 17 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz 

Oct. 19 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall 

Oct. 20 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom 

Oct. 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Rio Rancho Event Center 

Oct. 23 – Tucson, AZ – Rialto Theatre 

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER 

SUM 41 Announce Heaven :x: Hell for March 2024

SUM 41 Announce Final Double Album
Heaven :x: Hell
Out March 29, 2024 via Rise Records
Pre-Save Now

Release New Single and Music Video
“Rise Up”
Available Now

Sum 41 “Rise Up”

For the final time as a collective, Grammy-nominated band Sum 41 have announced their upcoming double album, Heaven :x: Hell, expected for release on March 29th, 2024 via Rise RecordsHeaven :x: Hell is the most ambitious album from Sum 41 yet – Heaven is 10 tracks of snarling high energy pop punk, while Hell consists of ten heavy metal anthems spiked with fret-burning solos, thrashing riffs, and fist-pumping hooks. The band has been straddling the line of pop-punk and metal for their entire career, and Heaven :x: Hell is a testament to their innovative sound and unmatched skill, proving them as pioneers 27 years after the bands inception.

On the new album, vocalist Deryck Whibley says, “Once I heard the music, I was confident enough to say, ‘This is the record I’d like to go out on.’ We’ve made a double album of pop punk and metal, and it makes sense. It took a long time for us to pave this lane for ourselves, but we did, and it’s unique to us.”

Heaven :x: Hell Tracklist

HEAVEN
1. Waiting On A Twist Of Fate 
2. Landmines
3. I Can’t Wait
4. Time Won’t Wait
5. Future Primitive
6. Dopamine
7. Not Quite Myself
8. Bad Mistake
9. Johnny Libertine
10. Radio Silence

HELL
1. Preparasi A Salire
2. Rise Up
3. Stranger In These Times
4. I Don’t Need Anyone
5. Over The Edge
6. House Of Liars
7. You Wanted War
8. Paint It Black
9. It’s All Me
10. How The End Begins

Alongside the announcement, Sum 41 has released a new single and music video, “Rise Up”. The first offering from the upcoming album’s metal-filled Hell side, “Rise Up” opens with a flurry of guitar riffs and pounding drums fit for a mosh pit straight out of the band’s early years. “Writing ‘Rise Up,’ I felt the way I did when I first got signed,” says Deryck. “I felt the pressure and the need to create something great, but I felt so excited at the same time.”

Rise Up” is available to stream now at https://sum41.lnk.to/RiseUp with an accompanying music video available at https://youtu.be/-tc4i31eWB0

Click here for a video on
10 WILD Rock Stories In 2023!

Previously, Sum 41 shared “Landmines”, from Heaven :x: Hell’s pop-punk Heaven portion. The track, with an anthemic chorus and ground-shaking drunk hits, was released alongside a nostalgic music video. The track gained the attention of notable outlets such as Entertainment Tonight, Consequence, NME, Exclaim!, BrooklynVegan, Alternative Press, KNOTFEST, and countless others.

Earlier this year, Sum 41 announced their breakup after 27 years of making music together – the news was reported on by The New York Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, CNN, Bloomberg, Pitchfork, TODAY, CBS, Billboard, and countless other major news outlets globally. Heaven :x: Hell is aiming for nothing short of greatness, a perfect parting gift from the band to the fans who have supported them endlessly. Deryck spoke about it with GQ, here

I love Sum 41, what we’ve achieved, endured, and stuck together through, which is why I want to call it quits,” Deryck leaves off. “There were so many times we could’ve broken up. For some reason, we kept sticking it out. I’m proud of that. It’s the right time to walk away from it. I’m putting all of my energy into what’s ahead. This is going to be the biggest tour of our lives, and I want to make it the best show we’ve ever done. That’s it.”

Looking back at the band’s storied 27-year career, Sum 41 has firmly cemented their place in rock history with over 15 million records sold worldwide, multiple Billboard Charting releases, a Grammy Award nomination, 2 Juno Awards (7 nominations), a Kerrang! Award in 2002, multiple Alternative Press Music Awards, and countless other accolades.

Top 5 WORST Albums Of 2023

2023 had a lot of stank music.
Which album had the nastiest stank?
This video looks at the Top 5 WORST Albums of 2023. 

Top 5 WORST Albums Of 2023

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10 WILD Rock Stories In 2023 = https://youtu.be/jTYUMw-Yv4g 
Top 5 BEST Rock & Metal EPS In 2023 = https://youtu.be/PEU1CovsKw8 
10 AWFUL Kidz Bop Rock Songs = https://youtu.be/yEFqxiqEoUI 
Regretting The Past | Falling In Reverse – The Drug In Me Is You = https://youtu.be/RIksNwzafAg

It’s the End of the World but It’s a Beautiful Day is the sixth studio album by American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars, released on September 15, 2023, through Concord

The Mockingbird & the Crow is the second studio album by American singer and songwriter Hardy. It was released on January 20, 2023, through Big Loud Records

Lighting Up the Sky is the eighth studio album by American rock band Godsmack. It was released on February 24, 2023, five years after their last studio album When Legends Rise, making it the longest gap between two studio albums by Godsmack. 

Intellectual Property is the fifth studio album by American rock band Waterparks, released on April 14, 2023. It is the band’s first album with the label Fueled by Ramen

Rush! is the third studio album by Italian rock band Måneskin, released on 20 January 2023 through Epic Records.   

Sleep Token Announce Red Rocks Set; Sell Out Radio City

SLEEP TOKEN ANNOUNCE RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE 
PERFORMANCE SET FOR MAY 12, 2024

RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL PERFORMANCE SET FOR MAY 22

SOLD OUT IN 10 MINUTES

Come May 12, we shall gather in Worship at the esteemed Red Rocks Amphitheatre for an exclusive Sleep Token performance.

Those wishing to attend may register their interest at www.teethofgod.com to obtain their unique access code in preparation for the exclusive pre-sale window, which is set for Thursday, December 13 at 10am local time. The regular on-sale is set for Friday, December 11 at 10am local time at this location

Sleep Token released their third studio album, Take Me Back To Eden, via Spinefarm. Listen here

The artist also enjoyed a completely sold-out North American tour this past fall. Last week, the band announced a special performance at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in NYC, set for May 22. The show sold out in 10 minutes. A completely sold-out show at the famed OVO Wembley Arena is set for December 16. Additionally, Revolver is celebrating Sleep Token as its Artist of the Year with a special collector’s edition. Get it here.

Having shot Sleep Token at Blue Ridge Rock Fest, it’s clear the band is making a massive amount of new fans with each live show. Get tickets to any event near you that is possible. It’s worth experiencing Sleep Token live.

The Ohio Hopefuls release new single, “Tiger Pride”

Ohio-based pop-punk/emo band The Ohio Hopefuls have unleashed their newest track, “Tiger Pride”.

A band with roots stemming from two decades ago, high-school friends Cody/Cory Ridenour and Brandon Shepherd reconnected last year to revive The Ohio Hopefuls and give it new life. The result is a pop-punk, emo-adjacent throwback sound that is reminiscent of stalwarts like Hawthorne Heights as much as it can be in the same breath as newcomers such as Driveways.

The band has geared up for lots of new music for a while now with other singles like “Purple People Eater” and “Sidewalk Chalk”, but “Tiger Pride” resembles a more mature, grounded sound featuring power chords, emphatic vocal delivery, and angst-riddled lyricism. With synth and guitar riffs abound, it’s more than a surface-level emo track – this is the work of weathered rockers with newfound ambition. A fresh signing to new label Eleven:Twelve Media, The Ohio Hopefuls, now with vocalist Nick Magoteaux and bassist Colin Parent in tow, are chomping at the bit to release a new album, due out very soon.

Follow The Ohio Hopefuls on Facebook and Spotify!