The original Queens of Metal, Kittie have announced an exclusive run of North American headline dates today. The long-awaited shows will see the band perform in 5 cities across the US and Canada this July and August, giving fans a very special and rare chance to see the band play a full headline set that will include their recently released singles “We Are Shadows” and “Eyes Wide Open” as well as classic hits and some deep cuts not played live since the band’s early days.
Speaking on today’s announcement, Kittie share
“We are absolutely thrilled to be headlining a handful of exclusive shows this summer in support of our forthcoming album. Expect a celebration of new and old material alike, spanning our 25 year career thus far. We are looking forward to playing some set list staples and bringing back some songs that we haven’t played live in decades!Although limited, look for more shows to be announced at a later date. We’ve missed you and we can’t wait to see you again!”
Each show will feature a different supporting line-up (full details below), ensuring a unique experience for Kittie fans in each city. Pre-sale tickets will be available starting at 10am local on Thursday, April 25th (for access codes be sure to follow Kittie on socials) with general on-sale beginning at 10am local on Friday, April 26th from kittie.net
EXCLUSIVE HEADLINE SHOWS
July 12th – Toronto, ON – History w/ Vile Creature
July 19th – New York, NY – Palladium Times Square w/ Unearth, Within The Ruins and Stabbing
August 2nd – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade w/ Upon A Burning Body
August 4th – Dallas, TX – The Studio at The Factory w/ Upon A Burning Body
August 23rd – Chicago, IL – Concord Music Hall w/ VCTMS and Conquer Divide
UPCOMING FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
April 27th – Las Vegas, NV – Sick New World
May 10th – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville
May 18th – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple
July 6th – Quebec City, QC – Festival d’Été de Québec
August 24th – Jackson, MI – Havoc Festival
Kittie sent the internet ablaze earlier this year when they announced their return with brand new music, their first in 13 years, in the form of blistering single, “Eyes Wide Open“. They followed up with a second new single, “We Are Shadows” last month. With upcoming festival performances, the newly announced headline dates and much more to come from the band, the new era of Kittie is well and truly underway. Stay tuned for more on Kittie’s global metal domination coming soon!
OPETH is pleased to announce their return to North America! The Swedish prog legends will be embarking on a headlining run starting in Milwaukee on October 11 and will trek through the continent until the final stop in San Francisco, CA on October 31. Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Friday, April 26 @ 10:00 A.M. local time. Tickets can be found HERE.
For fans who cannot wait for the ticket launch, various pre-sales via Spotify, Knotfest, and Blabbermouth are starting today, April 24 @ 2:00 P.M. EDT!
The Podcast That Rocked for 4/23/24. Talk on 2024 Rock Hall inductees, Slipknot returning with new drummer, Bring Me The Horizon VS TikTok, and more.
The Podcast That Rocked on YouTube
The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify
Discussion Topics: -2024 Rock Hall Inductees -Slipknot returning with new drummer and performing club show -Sick New World 2024 -Megadeth, Mudvayne, and All That Remains announce US Tour -Creed Summer Of ‘99 Cruise was a success -Bring Me The Horizon VS Christian TikToker
” The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction class is a star-studded lineup featuring legendary artists across multiple genres. Heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness,” is finally being recognized for his groundbreaking solo career after his induction with Black Sabbath in 2006. Pop diva Cher, known for her powerful vocals and flamboyant style, is also among the first-time nominees.
“Guitar virtuoso Peter Frampton, whose seminal live album “Frampton Comes Alive!” propelled him to stardom, is a long-overdue inductee alongside rock band Foreigner, known for hits like “Juke Box Hero” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” The Dave Matthews Band, pioneers of the jam band scene, are being honored for their unique sound and dedicated fanbase. Other notable inductees include hip-hop legends A Tribe Called Quest, R&B powerhouse Mary J. Blige, and funk/disco icons Kool & the Gang. This diverse class showcases the Rock Hall’s commitment to recognizing artists across genres who have significantly impacted music history.” (Perplexity)
Everclear, one of the leading alternative rock bands to emerge from the ‘90s led by vocalist, guitarist and founder Art Alexakis, has announced a fall headlining tour featuring special guests Marcy Playground and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack. The 30+ date outing launches September 13th in San Francisco and will stop all over the U.S. including Portland, Sacramento, Los Angeles (September 19th at The Regent Theater), Denver, Virginia Beach, Knoxville, Richmond, Long Island (October 6th at The Paramount in Huntington), Boston, Asbury Park, Baltimore, Cleveland, Green Bay, Minneapolis, Birmingham, and many more before wrapping November 2nd in Porterville, California. See below for full list of upcoming tour dates. VIP pre-sale will be available today (April 23rd) at 12pm local time with the Spotify presale commencing Wednesday, April24th at 10am local time and local presales beginning Thursday, April 25th at 10am local time. The public on sale starts Friday, April 26th at 10am local. Visit www.everclearmusic.com/tour for all details and to purchase tickets.
The setlist for the fall tour will feature all the hits from throughout the band’s extraordinary three decades-long catalog, spotlighting tracks off their album Songs From An American Movie Vol. One, which Everclearwill release on vinyl later this year for the first time ever via Intervention Records. More details coming soon.
“We’re super excited to be hitting the road with both Marcy Playground and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack,” shares Alexakis. “This will be a great time to celebrate our album Songs From An American Movie Vol. One, which was created 25 years ago. A lot of these songs we haven’t played in a while or, in some cases, we’ve never played live before. We’ll of course be playing the hits and fan favorites too. It’s going to be a fun show for both old school and new fans alike.”
In 2023, Everclear released Live at The Whisky a Go Go showcasing the band’s acclaimed and energetic live performance. The 17-track collection, available digitally, on CD, and 2-LP Coke bottle green vinyl via Sunset Blvd Records, features the live recording of the Los Angeles show on Everclear’s 30th Anniversary Tour as well as two bonus studio tracks: “Sing Away,” a powerful singleaddressingteen suicide, and their 2022 politically-charged single “Year Of The Tiger.”
Since forming in 1992, Everclear has enjoyed a lengthy career by any measure, spanning 11 studio releases, including four that have been certified Gold or Platinum, selling over 6 million records, and achieving 12 Top 40 Hit Singles on Mainstream Rock, Alternative, and Adult Top 40 radio, including “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine,” “I Will Buy You A New Life,” “Wonderful” and “Everything To Everyone,” as well as numerous videos, thousands of shows, and various other accolades, including a 1998 Grammy nomination. The band’s 1993 debut album, World Of Noise, released on the Portland independent label Tim/Kerr Records, paired with their significant efforts to break into college radio and the buzz they’d created within the Portland music scene, attracted the attention of major labels, including Capitol Records, which signed the group soon after. Beginning with their major-label debut, 1995’s platinum-sellingalbum Sparkle and Fade, and its massive chart-topping hit “Santa Monica,” Everclear was soon a household name and catapulted into the masses, thus allowing their impressive three-decade career to prosper and endure. In 2019, Alexakis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and has since donated one dollar from every ticket purchased for his performances to charities such as Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and National MS Society. To celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2022, Everclear reissued World Of Noise as a special remastered, deluxe edition, making the album available for the first time on digital streaming platforms with 6 bonus songs in addition to its original 12 tracks. In addition to his thousands of Everclear performances over the band’s lengthy career, Alexakis created and runs the annual Summerland Tour, which features a package of popular ‘90s alt rock bands, and he released his first solo album, Sun Songs, in 2019. PRESS HEREto watcha special commemorative anniversary video, “Everclear – 30 Years Gone: A Retrospective,” hosted by former MTV VJ, current radio host and longtime friend Matt Pinfield.
Everclear is: Art Alexakis (vocals, guitar), Davey French (guitar), Freddy Herrera (bass), Brian Nolan (drums).
EVERCLEAR TOUR DATES
New dates in bold
Friday, May 3 Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho Theater
Saturday, May 4 Ocean City, MD @ OC Springfest
Thursday, May 23 Warrendale, PA @ Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
Friday, May 24 Corning, NY @ Rock the Park at GlassFest 2024
Sunday, May 26 Rockville, MD @ Hometown Holidays
Saturday, June 1 St. Louis, MS @ Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast
Friday, June 7 Peoria, IL @ Park-A-Palooza
Saturday, June 8 Eugene, OR @ Cuthbert Amphitheater
Friday, June 21 Warsaw, IN @ Warsaw Community Summer Concert Series
Saturday, June 22 Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
Friday, July 19 Vernon Hills, IL @ Vernon Hills Days
Saturday, July 20 Arnolds Park, IA @ Preservation Plaza
Thursday, July 25 Springfield, MO @ Ozark Empire Fairgrounds
Friday, July 26 Kansas City, MO @ Ameristar Casino – Star Pavilion
Friday, August 2 London, KY @ Summer Concert Series
Thursday, August 8 Haddon Heights, NJ @ Sundown Music Series
Friday, August 9 Englewood, NJ @ Bergen Performing Arts Center
Saturday, August 10 Liverpool, NY @ Sharkey’s
Friday, August 16 Isle of Palms, SC @ Windjammer
Friday, August 23 LaGrange, GA @ Sweetland Amphitheatre
Saturday, August 24 Franklin, KY @ Summer Vibes Music Festival
Thursday, September 12 McHenry, IL @ Rise Up Music Festival*
Fall Headlining Tour w/ Marcy Playground and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack supporting:
Friday, September 13 San Francisco, CA @ August Hall
Sunday, September 15 Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
Tuesday, September 17 Bend, OR @ Silver Moon Brewing
Wednesday, September 18 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
Thursday, September 19 Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater
Friday, September 20 Reno, NV @ J Resort
Saturday, September 21 Henderson, NV @ Dollar Loan Center
Sunday, September 22 Denver, CO @ Gothic Theatre
Tuesday, September 24 Emporia, KS @ Emporia Granada Theatre
Wednesday, September 25 The Colony, TX @ Lava Cantina
Friday, September 27 Rocky Mount, VA @ Harvester Performance Center
Saturday, September 28 Virginia Beach, VA @ Neptune Festival (free show)
Sunday, September 29 Winston-Salem, NC @ The Ramkat
Wednesday, October 2 Greenville, SC @ The Foundry at Judson Mill
Thursday, October 3 Knoxville, TN @ The Back Alley at Creekside
Saturday, October 5 Richmond, VA @ The National
Sunday, October 6 Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
Tuesday, October 8 Boston, MA @ Royale
Wednesday, October 9 Portsmouth, NH @ Music Hall
Friday, October 11 Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes
Saturday, October 12 Baltimore, MD @ Power Plant Live
Sunday, October 13 Lansing, MI @ Grewal Hall
Wednesday, October 16 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Thursday, October 17 Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Event Center
Friday, October 18 East Moline, IL @ The Rust Belt
Saturday, October 19 Jefferson City, MO @ CRMU Healthcare Amphitheater
Sunday, October 20 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Thursday, October 24 Birmingham, AL @ Soundstage at WORKPLAY
Friday, October 25 Dothan, AL @ The Plant
Sunday, October 27 Pelham, TN @ The Caverns
Saturday, November 2 Porterville, CA @ Eagle Mountain Casino
January 31-February 5, 2025 Tampa, FL @ The 90s Cruise
Almost a year to the day since the release of their UK #1 album “A Kiss for the Whole World“, Enter Shikari are announcing a new companion record “Dancing On The Frontline“. The new record brings together remixes, non-album singles (featuring the likes of Wargasm, Cody Frost, AViVA and Fever 333’s Jason Aalon Butler), plus live recordings from the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show and Future Sounds shows. The record’s opening track ‘Goldfish (Shikari Sound System remix)‘ is out now. Pre-order “Dancing On The Frontline” HERE.
Talking about the new release, lead singer and producer Rou Reynolds says:
“We’re exactly one year on from the release of A Kiss For The Whole World, so it feels like the right time to present all our output from this crazy year, along with some new treats, all in one place. We’ve not had a lot of time or energy to do any Shikari Sound System mixes for a while, so it was great to be able to step back into that chair and remix ‘Goldfish’ and ‘Bloodshot’. We tested out the Goldfish rework live on our UK & European tour and insanity ensued.”
Hear ‘Goldfish (Shikari Sound System remix)‘ on streaming services here and share via YouTube here.
“Dancing On The Frontline” also comes with a Blu-ray of the band’s headline performances at Slam Dunk Festival UK in 2023 and Germany’s Vainstream Festival in the summer of 2022, with both shows edited by the band’s longtime visual collaborator Oleg Rooz.
Their much-lauded live show has since been all around the world, covering the USA, Australia, Europe, UK, Ireland and more. Audiences in the UK also witnessed the band’s biggest ever headline tour to date of the country’s arenas, an audio-visual spectacular that The Guardian awarded four stars and heralded as “the beginning of Enter Shikari’s greatest chapter.”
Watch ‘Bloodshot‘ live from Slam Dunk Festival HERE
Watch ‘Anything Can Happen In The Next Half Hour‘ live from Slam Dunk Festival HERE
Watch ‘The Paddington Frisk‘ live from Vainstream Festival HERE
In October the band will bring special guests You Me At Six out on the road with them, as they journey through North America on what will be You Me At Six‘s final ever shows in the continent, ahead of their split in 2025.
Talking about the upcoming tour, Reynolds continues:
“In October, Enter Shikari bring special guests You Me At Six to the states for a fresh headline run. “North America has always been difficult for Shikari, long tours, thousands of miles, and playing venues smaller than most of the other rooms we get to visit around the world. But we’ve always kept returning because there’s a real zest and passion from our audience out there, even if fewer people ‘get us’.
Recently things seem to have begun sizzling a bit more for us, with more shows selling out and more intensity in the crowds. So it’s some reward for our tenacity that we’re returning in October for what will be our biggest ever North American headline tour. And that will be made all the sweeter by being able to bring our friends You Me At Six with us for this one. We’ve known each other a long time, but somehow only ever played a couple of shows together, so the fact that they’re joining us for what will be their last ever USA & Canada tour really means something to us.”
Australian pop-punks Yours Truly will also be joining the tour as openers on all dates.
2024 North American Tour Dates:
Wed 10/9/24 – Dallas, TX, South Side Music Hall
Thu 10/10/24 – Austin, TX, Empire Garage
Sat 10/12/24 – Houston, TX, Warehouse live Midtown
Wed 10/16/24 – Washington, DC, Howard Theater
Thu 10/17/24 – Philadelphia, PA, Union Transfer
Fri 10/18/24 – Boston, MA, Paradise Rock Club
Sat 10/19/24 – New York, NY, Palladium
Mon 10/21/24 – Montreal, QC, Théâtre Beanfield
Wed 10/23/24 – Toronto, ON, Danforth Music Hall
Thu 10/24/24 – Chicago, IL, Metro
Fri 10/25/24 – Minneapolis, MN, First Ave
Sat 10/26/24 – Davenport, IA, Capitol Theatre
Sun 10/27/24 – St Louis, MO, Red Flag
Tue 10/29/24 – Denver, CO, Gothic Theater
Wed 10/30/24 – Salt Lake City, UT, The Complex
Fri 11/1/24 – Spokane, WA, Knitting Factory
Sat 11/2/24 – Vancouver, BC, Commodore Ballroom
Sun 11/3/24 – Portland, OR, Wonder Ballroom
Mon 11/4/24 – Seattle, WA, Showbox
Wed 11/6/24 – Sacramento, CA, Ace of Spades
Thu 11/7/24 – San Francisco, CA, August Hall
Fri 11/8/24 – San Diego, CA, House of Blues
Sat 11/9/24 – Los Angeles, CA, The Belasco
US Festival Appearances
May 12 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville 2024
May 16 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple 2024
Dancing On The Frontline Tracklisting:
Goldfish (Shikari Sound System remix)
Bloodshot (Shikari Sound System remix)
The Void Stares Back (feat. Wargasm)
Bull (feat. Cody Frost)
STRANGERS (feat. AViVA)
Losing My Grip (feat. Jason Aalon Butler)
It Hurts (BBC Radio 1 Future Sounds session version)
Current and former members of Ice Nine Kills and From Ashes to New have formed a brand new band called HILLHAVEN.
They have shared the video for the new single “Damned to Dream.”
The lineup is comprised of Chris Kelly (ex-INK, ex-Galactic Empire, and who is rumored to play for Babymetal’s band) on vocals, as well as From Ashes to New’s Maty Madiro on drums; Ice Nine Kills’ Ricky Armellino on guitars; From Ashes to New’s Jimmy Bennett on guitars; and bassist Jaime GoWell.
“Hillhaven is two-and-a-half year’s life experience, distilled into a single body of work and bolstered by four monster-level players,” Kelly says. “We’ve all been in this business for a long time and releasing something new, outside of what we’re all typically known for, is both exciting and nerve-racking. A lot of thought has gone into planning this year of releases and, in my opinion, ‘Damned to Dream’ is the best way to kick it off. It’s loud, it’s real, it’s energetic, it’s the perfect taste of what’s to come and we’re all really looking forward to seeing how listeners respond to it.”
“Damned to Dream” is just the beginning. There is plenty more coming from Hillhaven this year, so get to know ’em now. And stay tuned for the next transmission.
“Video game soundtracks have become an integral part of the gaming experience, transporting players into immersive worlds and enhancing the overall gameplay. Two iconic examples that showcase the power of video game music are the soundtracks for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 and Twisted Metal.
The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 soundtrack is widely regarded as one of the best in gaming history, featuring a diverse mix of punk, ska, and hip-hop tracks that perfectly captured the rebellious spirit of the franchise. Songs like “Superman” by Goldfinger and “You” by Bad Religion have become staples of the series, resonating with players and cementing the game’s status as a cultural phenomenon.
Similarly, the Twisted Metal series is renowned for its intense, adrenaline-fueled soundtracks that complement the high-octane vehicular combat. The original Twisted Metal’s soundtrack, with its heavy metal and industrial influences, set the tone for the series’ dark and gritty atmosphere, while later installments continued to deliver memorable musical compositions that enhanced the gameplay experience.
These examples demonstrate the profound impact that video game soundtracks can have, elevating the overall experience and leaving a lasting impression on players. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the importance of exceptional audio design and musical composition will only grow, captivating audiences and solidifying the status of soundtracks as an art form in their own right.” (Perplexity)
The sophomore album is a mission statement as much as it is a band’s best chance to express themselves in a large body of work to their fanbase. In an industry that is heavily shifting towards singles and EPs, diehards like me crave quantity from bands that have proven consistent quality. For With Sails Ahead, I’ve seen just that for the five years I’ve been following them. From their close friendship with pulses. to an intimate live performance halfway across the country in Chicago, With Sails Ahead has kept my attention in the long wait ahead of Infinite Void, and now their time has come for its release. How does this New Jersey group fare in album number two?
It’s easy to compare a band to another band, but not for With Sails Ahead on Infinite Void. Influences for this group range as far as Hail the Sun to Protest the Hero, marrying mystifying guitar harmony with a proggy song structure that deviates from the norm. In the mix is vocalist Sierra Binondo, who can so easily switch from a graceful melody to an impassioned shout in tracks like opener “every day the sky falls” with gusto. Tack on guitarists Joe Warner-Reyes and Santino Costa trading riffs and leads across verses/choruses and it becomes an involved, impressive post-hardcore listen. The grooves coincide with chugs in “Darting Eyes”, and the tempo really picks up in “Ryn” – bringing in synth and the best bridge on Infinite Void.
Lead single “Swear Words” is With Sails Ahead’s best offering to date – a singalong chorus in the band’s first “love song” with the right tinge of choas in the middle made it hard to not put on repeat when it first dropped. A gorgeous guitar interlude at the end of Lemongrab kept my interest at the halfway point of Infinite Void, whereas the lyric that stuck with me the most comes in “Peach Tea (Obituary)”: “Got no common sense to see The outcome so clearly, What if chasing happiness unlocks the bad ending?” The vocal harmony in the bridge of “Picture Perfect Pixels” is another standout moment on this stacked record.
“Oblivion” and “what if i fall” both show off how Sierra can scream as well as she sings – a jack of all trades in the vocal booth. Layered onto the heavier side of WSA, the back half of Infinite Void holds up to the single-heavy first half. Bringing in Kevin Torres of Poeta for “In Search Of” adds an exciting layer to With Sails Ahead’s songwriting, elevating the already-strong track. Instruments shine in the second half of “Catastrophe” which flows into closer “is this really it” – a somber, definitive sendoff to Infinite Void. As a whole, this is something With Sails Ahead should be proud of – a focused, diverse album that will surely turn a few heads when it releases Friday, April 26th.
This is a calmer, restrained Pearl Jam that still has as much focus and direction as you can imagine. Dark Matter relishes in setting a steady mood. Less wild and fired-up overall than previous releases. The steady mood however is smooth and at times hypnotic in the best ways. Vedder’s voice becomes calming while still having volume. This is much less jam band with huge solos and bridges and more of an experience with five friends sitting down and performing from their hearts. The fired-up moments still exist, such as in the amazing song “Running”, but it’s the reserved songs such as “Scared Of Fear” and “Wreckage” that define Dark Matter with attitude and reflection. As is standard, guitarwork is fantastic from Gossard and McCready. I wish they would have shown off a little more in the run time, but I can’t be upset with what we’ve been given. As Pearl Jam ages, the anger and intensity may be restrained but the writing, direction, soul, it’s still there in the matter. 7/10.
“Pearl Jam, the iconic Seattle-based rock band, is set to release their highly anticipated 12th studio album “Dark Matter” on April 19, 2024. The album is expected to continue the band’s legacy of powerful, introspective rock music that has captivated fans for decades. As the band prepares to embark on a massive world tour in support of “Dark Matter,” the album is poised to solidify Pearl Jam’s status as one of the most influential and enduring rock acts of their generation.” (Perplexity)
Everyone who wanted something extra sludgy and gritty will get what they need and then some. Gather The Storm is a continuation of the backbone of High On Fire‘s style over the years. The riffs are top notch and go on for long periods of time, the final track “Darker Fleece” reaching almost 10 minutes. “Burning Down” and “Trismegistus” show Matt Pike at his fiercest. Put that loud growl of a vocalist with some of those riffs and it’s meteorite heavy. High On Fire is normally classified as stoner metal but this is the metal that would rile up even the most stoned burnout. Gather The Storm changes speeds and volume with just enough variation to also keep it from getting repetitive. It’s an enormous, thundering storm and it’s exactly what High On Fire knows how to deliver. 8/10
“Cometh The Storm, the ninth full-length album from the acclaimed heavy metal band High On Fire, is a powerful and captivating release that solidifies the group’s status as one of the most influential and respected acts in modern metal. Featuring the band’s signature blend of crushing riffs, thunderous rhythms, and frontman Matt Pike’s gritty vocals, the album delivers a relentless sonic assault that immerses listeners in a world of dark, primordial energy. With its epic compositions and intense, atmospheric production, Cometh The Storm showcases High On Fire’s mastery of their craft, cementing their reputation as one of the most vital and innovative forces in heavy music today. This album is a must-listen for fans of the band and anyone seeking a truly immersive and powerful metal experience.” (Perplexity)
