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Grateful Dead Opens the 2026 Archival Season with the Chicago and Tampa Performances for ‘Dave’s Picks’

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The Grateful Dead officially begin their 2026 archival journey by revealing the first two installments of the highly anticipated ‘Dave’s Picks’ subscription series. Opening the year is ‘Dave’s Picks Volume 57’, which captures the band during a high-energy winter run at the Uptown Theatre in Chicago on February 1, 1978. This performance finds the group in peak form as they balance the tight precision of their late seventies sound with the expansive improvisational spirit found on tracks like “Estimated Prophet” and “The Other One”. Fans of this era can also look forward to bonus material from the previous night to complete the story of this historic Chicago stand.

The second release of the year takes listeners back to the legendary jazz-influenced era of 1973 with ‘Dave’s Picks Volume 58’. This volume presents the complete December 18 performance from Curtis Hixon Hall in Tampa, featuring a massive second set anchored by a “Dark Star” into “Eyes of the World” sequence. Subscribers will also receive an exclusive bonus disc containing rare highlights from the band’s first-ever appearance at The Omni in Atlanta. With limited editions of 25,000 copies shipping throughout the year, these releases ensure that the 2026 series remains an essential deep dive into the most fertile chapters of the Grateful Dead live legacy.

‘Dave’s Picks 2026’ Release Schedule:

Jan 30 – Dave’s Picks Volume 57: Uptown Theatre, Chicago, IL (2/1/78)

May 01 – Dave’s Picks Volume 58: Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, FL (12/18/73)

Jul 31 – Dave’s Picks Volume 59: TBA

Oct 30 – Dave’s Picks Volume 60: TBA

Caliban Releases “Dear Suffering” Live Video to Celebrate the ‘Back From Hell (Deluxe Edition)’ Arrival

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German metalcore pioneers Caliban continue their relentless evolution with the digital release of ‘Back From Hell (Deluxe Edition)’ on Century Media Records. This expanded collection features the high-energy new single “Anthem” alongside a massive live video for “Dear Suffering” featuring guest vocals from Andreas Bjulver of Cabal. The band recorded these intense performances during a hometown show in Cologne to give fans an authentic look at the current lineup which now includes the melodic vocal range and songwriting skills of bassist Iain Duncan.

The deluxe package offers a comprehensive journey through the band’s aggressive sound with nineteen tracks including covers of “Shout” and “You Only Live Once”. Founding members Andreas Dörner and Marc Görtz express deep gratitude to their dedicated community for supporting the group through over two decades of genre-defining music. This release arrives just as the quintet prepares to bring back their signature Darkness Over X-Mas tour for a string of end-of-year performances across Germany with special guests Doomcrusher and Strength.

‘Back From Hell (Deluxe Edition)’ Tracklist:

  1. Resurgence (Intro)
  2. Guilt Trip (feat. Mental Cruelty)
  3. I Was A Happy Kid Once
  4. Back From Hell (feat. The Browning)
  5. Insomnia
  6. Dear Suffering (feat. Joe Bad of Fit For An Autopsy)
  7. Alte Seele
  8. Overdrive
  9. Infection
  10. Glass Cage
  11. Solace In Suffer
  12. Till Death Do Us Part
  13. Echoes
  14. Anthem
  15. Shout
  16. You Only Live Once
  17. Dear Suffering (feat. Andreas Bjulver of Cabal Live in Cologne 2025)
  18. Insomnia (Live in Cologne 2025)
  19. Nothing is Forever (Live in Cologne 2025)

Darkness Over X-Mas Tour 2025:

12/27 – Saalfeld, DE – Klubhaus

12/28 – Frankfurt, DE – Das Bett

12/29 – Oberhausen, DE – Kulttempel

Justin Bieber Makes Streaming History as “Mistletoe” Joins Spotify’s Billions Club

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Justin Bieber is officially jingling all the way to a new milestone as his 2011 holiday classic “Mistletoe” joins the elite Spotify Billions Club. Reaching this ten-figure landmark just in time for the 2025 season, the track now sits alongside festive giants like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and Wham’s “Last Christmas.” This achievement marks Bieber’s 19th song to cross the billion-stream threshold, further cementing his status as one of the most dominant forces in streaming history. With over 113 million monthly listeners this December, the “Prince of Pop” continues to prove that his catalog—from teen-pop origins to modern holiday staples—remains an essential global soundtrack.

The “Mistletoe” milestone caps off a record-shattering 2025 for Bieber, fueled by the massive success of his surprise July album ‘Swag’. The project, which features heavy hitters like Gunna and Sexyy Red, didn’t just break his personal records—it obliterated them, surpassing one billion album streams in mere months and launching hits like “DAISIES” onto the global charts. Between his historic 69 billion total career streams and a “Billions Club” roster that includes “Stay,” “Ghost,” and “Love Yourself,” Bieber’s influence is undeniable. As 2025 draws to a close, it’s clear that whether he’s dropping experimental new tracks or revisiting a decade-old Christmas favorite, the world is still hitting play on Justin Bieber.

Carlos Santana, Cher, and Whitney Houston Lead the 2026 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Honorees

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The Recording Academy has just unveiled a breathtaking lineup of legends for the 2026 Special Merit Awards, proving that true greatness only shines brighter with time. On January 31st at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre, the industry will gather for an emotional masterclass in musical heritage, honoring icons like Carlos Santana, Chaka Khan, Cher, and Paul Simon with the Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s list also pays a long-overdue and powerful tribute to the late “Voice” herself, Whitney Houston, and the revolutionary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, whose legacies continue to shape the very pulse of modern sound. It is a stunning convergence of artists who haven’t just made music—they’ve built the foundations of our culture across generations and genres.

Beyond the stage, the Recording Academy is rightly celebrating the visionary minds behind the scenes with the Trustees and Technical Grammy Awards. From the poetic genius of Bernie Taupin to the pioneering executive leadership of Sylvia Rhone and the groundbreaking Latin jazz brilliance of the late Eddie Palmieri, these honorees represent the architects of the industry. We also see technical wizardry take center stage as John Chowning is recognized for his revolutionary discovery of FM synthesis, a feat that transformed the electronic landscape forever. As CEO Harvey Mason Jr. noted, this group’s influence spans the very foundation of music, and celebrating them on the eve of Grammy Sunday is the perfect prelude to the biggest night in music.

Est Gee Shuts Down the Streets with Hypnotic New Anthem “Supreme Sanders”

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Louisville rap titan Est Gee is delivering an early holiday masterpiece with his latest single, “Supreme Sanders,” a speaker-rattling declaration of his undeniable status in the game. Released via CMG/Interscope, the track finds Gee at his most charismatic, weaving intricate bars about his “Supreme Vanson” and Shedeur Sanders-level confidence over a dark, hypnotic soundscape crafted by his longtime collaborator ForeverRolling. This release marks the culmination of a staggeringly prolific 2025, which saw the “Young Shiner” drop two full-length projects—’I Ain’t Feeling You’ and the raw, head-down surprise tape ‘My World’—proving he’s a workmanlike force that simply cannot be canceled. Between the heavy keys and the “too-big-to-fail” energy, Gee is cementing his legacy as the street’s most reflective and relentless storyteller.

The track arrived just as the buzz from last month’s “Thug Club” reached a fever pitch, further solidifying Gee’s reputation for pairing vivid block etiquette with subtly masterful rhyme schemes. This year has been a victory lap for the CMG powerhouse, featuring high-profile link-ups with Lil Baby and Travis Scott, yet “Supreme Sanders” feels like his most personal victory yet—a celebration of the “winding road” that led him from the Kentucky underground to global stardom. With his head down and his wrist on “200 Gs,” Est Gee is closing out the year exactly how he started it: with a head-down, hustler’s ambition that leaves the rest of the pack in the dust. Whether he’s rocking the soulful vibes of “Take my time” or the dark documentary style of “Above the Rim,” Geeski is undeniably the boss of all bosses right now.

NightWraith Blazes a New Trail with Black ‘n’ Roll Anthem “The Candlelight”

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Denver’s genre-bending pioneers NightWraith are back to set the underground ablaze with their infectious new standalone single, “The Candlelight.” Marking a thrilling sonic evolution, this hook-heavy anthem trades technical death metal density for a mid-tempo “black ‘n’ roll” groove that captures the spirit of classic heavy metal without losing the band’s signature blackened edge. Alongside this riff-packed release, the band has officially welcomed the phenomenal Lauren Vieira of Dreadnought as their full-time keyboard and synth player. Vieira’s atmospheric textures add a whole new layer of sophistication to frontman Ben Pitts’ gritty, romantic ode to Denver’s legendary Yellow Bordello punk house. With stunning pen-and-ink artwork by Nate Burns and a mix by NITE’s Van Labrakis, “The Candlelight” is a masterclass in melodic melancholy and a bold harbinger of the band’s fourth full-length album currently in the works.

The flame is only spreading as NightWraith prepares to take their captivating live show on the road for a massive 2026 North American tour alongside black metal titans UADA and dungeon synth legends Mortiis. This “unholy” package will see the band captivating audiences from the Brighton Music Hall in Boston to the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, culminating in a heavy-hitting night at Los Angeles’ Teragram Ballroom. For fans of Opeth and Tribulation, this tour is a mandatory destination to witness NightWraith’s unique brand of “blackened dad rock” in its most potent form. Whether you’re spinning the new single or catching them live on this coast-to-coast trek, one thing is certain: NightWraith is firing on all cylinders and ready to lead the charge into a daring new era of heavy music.

Jeremy Allen White’s Award-Winning Performance Heads Home as ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’ Sets 4K Blu-ray Date

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Jeremy Allen White has officially cemented his status as a cinematic powerhouse, earning a prestigious Golden Globe nomination for his raw and transformative portrayal of Bruce Springsteen in ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’. While the film’s intimate focus on the making of ‘Nebraska’ provided a soulful alternative to the typical blockbuster biopic, it is White’s fearless performance—singing and playing guitar with heart-wrenching authenticity—that has captured the industry’s highest honors. Fans who missed this “brooding masterpiece” in theaters can finally bring the experience home when the film arrives on 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray on January 20, 2026, offering a definitive look at the solitary bedroom sessions that birthed a legend.

The 4K Blu-ray release is a true collector’s haven, featuring a stunning Dolby Vision presentation and a heavy-hitting four-act documentary titled ‘Making Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’. This exclusive bonus content takes viewers from the Asbury Park boardwalk to the recording of the four-track master tapes, detailing White’s deep dive into the grit and grace of “The Boss.” Joined by an elite cast including Jeremy Strong as Jon Landau and Stephen Graham as Bruce’s father, White’s award-nominated turn remains the heartbeat of this “Nebraska” era story. Whether you’re a lifelong E Street devotee or an audiophile seeking the perfect high-definition spin, this home release is the ultimate way to witness one of the most acclaimed performances of the year.

The Reticent Plunges into the Heart of Panic with “The Bed of Wasps” and 2026 Festival Announcements

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Multi-instrumentalist Chris Hathcock has delivered one of the most punishingly brilliant tracks of his career with the new video for “The Bed of Wasps (Those Consumed with Panic).” Taken from the critically acclaimed new album ‘please’, the track is a technical masterclass that sonically mirrors the disorientation of a real-world panic attack through jagged rhythms and dissonant shifts. Engineered by Hathcock himself at Silent Muse Studio and mixed by the legendary Jamie King, the song is a visceral dive into the battlefields of mental health. It’s raw, it’s technically demanding, and it’s a perfect example of why The Reticent is hailed as the most emotionally gut-wrenching band in the progressive metal underground today.

The momentum continues to build as The Reticent prepares to bring their devastatingly powerful live performance art to the international stage in 2026. Fans can witness the group—featuring James Nelson of Nospūn and Paul McBride of Voraath—at the 25th-anniversary edition of ProgPower USA in Atlanta this September, followed by an opening-night appearance at ProgPower Europe in the Netherlands. These performances are set to be landmark events for the band, showcasing the intense storytelling and cinematic metal that made ‘The Oubliette’ a modern classic. With a follow-up record already in development, Chris Hathcock remains at the vanguard of the genre, turning personal tragedy into a sonic haven for fans across the globe.

Tour Dates:

Sep 09 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage (ProgPower USA Day 1)

Oct 02 – Baarlo, Netherlands – Sjiwa (ProgPower Europe)

Blink-182’s ‘Enema of the State’ Joins the Elite Definitive Sound Series as a Premium Audiophile One-Step

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Pop-punk royalty meets audiophile perfection as blink-182’s legendary 1999 album ‘Enema of the State’ becomes the newest masterpiece in Interscope-Capitol’s prestigious Definitive Sound Series (DSS). This isn’t just a reissue; it is a full-throttle sonic restoration of the album that redefined a generation, now meticulously crafted using the state-of-the-art One Step process to deliver unparalleled clarity. Mastered directly from the original analog master tapes by the renowned Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, this 180-gram AAA vinyl pressing allows fans to hear every high-velocity hook and thunderous drum fill from Travis Barker with a depth and punch never before achieved on the format. Limited to just 3,000 hand-numbered copies, the package is a true collector’s dream, featuring a heavyweight Tip On gatefold jacket protected by a custom DSS slipcase and a certificate of authenticity to verify its elite pedigree.

The cultural impact of ‘Enema of the State’ remains massive, having launched the trio into global superstardom on the strength of era-defining hits like “All the Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again?”, and the raw, emotional “Adam’s Song.” By selecting this landmark recording for the DSS lineup, Interscope and Capitol are honoring the architectural influence blink-182 holds over modern alternative music. Pressed at the world-class Record Technology, Inc. (RTI), this $100 limited edition is designed for the most discerning listeners who want to experience the irreverent energy and melodic genius of the late ’90s in its ultimate form. Pre-orders are officially open, with the high-definition discs expected to ship on February 20, 2026—making this the definitive way to “stay together for the kids” and your turntable.