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Simon Goddard Explores Bowie’s Turning Point In ‘Bowie Odyssey 76’

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Bowie Odyssey 76 is the latest volume in Simon Goddard’s long running Bowie Odyssey series, arriving via Omnibus Press and focusing on one of the most volatile years in modern music history. Set against the backdrop of 1976 Britain, the book traces David Bowie at his most confrontational, publicly embodying the Thin White Duke while navigating a country gripped by political unrest, racial violence, and cultural fracture. Goddard frames the year as a collision of art, provocation, and exhaustion, capturing the moment when Bowie’s public image and private reality were pulling dangerously apart.

As the narrative follows Bowie’s movement toward Berlin alongside Iggy Pop, the book charts a creative turning point that reshaped his future output and secured his reputation as the defining innovator of the decade. Told in stark black and white prose, ‘Bowie Odyssey 76’ reads as both cultural document and personal chronicle, mapping how turmoil, escape, and reinvention fed into a new musical direction. This seventh installment continues Goddard’s year by year approach, offering a focused, unsentimental portrait of an artist standing on the edge of collapse and transformation.

Alternative Doom Trap Artist Mimi Barks Announces Spring 2026 UK Headline Tour

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Mimi Barks has announced a UK headline tour for Spring 2026, marking her return to the stage with a renewed and intensified vision. The run begins March 31 in Swansea and wraps April 9 in London, with support from trap metal act SWARM6IX. Following a period of silence and upheaval, the tour introduces the next phase of Mimi Barks’ evolution, tied to new music, a new EP arriving in 2026, and a wave of visuals shaped by transformation and resolve.

Known for forging her own lane through a collision of metal, industrial, and trap, Mimi Barks has developed what she calls DOOM TRAP, a sound built on weight, emotion, and confrontation. Her path from Germany to Berlin’s underground and onward to London has fueled a rise that includes appearances at Download Festival, Wacken Open Air, Bloodstock, Boomtown, and 2000 Trees. These upcoming shows signal a return sharpened by experience, bringing heavier material and uncompromised intensity into intimate rooms across the UK.

UK Tour Dates 2026:
March 31 – Swansea – The Bunkhouse
April 1 – Plymouth – The Junction
April 3 – Milton Keynes – Craufurd Arms
April 4 – Nottingham – Rough Trade
April 5 – Newcastle – Cluny 2
April 6 – Glasgow – Garage Attic
April 7 – Sheffield – Corporation
April 8 – Manchester – Star & Garter
April 9 – London – Islington Academy 2

New Jersey Emo Alternative Band Capillary Release Debut Album ‘in remembrance’

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Capillary kick off the year with the release of their debut album ‘in remembrance,’ out now via 51st State Records. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Justin Bartlett at Studio 4 in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the album leans into guitar driven momentum, patient builds, and emotionally charged vocals. Drawing influence from Sunny Day Real Estate, Rites Of Spring, Mineral, and Title Fight, the record moves between open armed sing alongs and heavier, inward looking stretches without losing intensity or focus.

Across ten tracks, Capillary trace moments of change, loss, and self awareness that surface during the shift into adulthood. Guest appearances from Dazey Doom on “impermanence” and Koyo on “plainview” expand the album’s emotional range, while the grief soaked centerpiece “disaster//perspective” anchors the record with weight and tension. Vocalist and guitarist Jake Rubin describes the album as a reflection on growth and what comes after, framing ‘in remembrance’ as a body of songs meant to evolve alongside the listener and settle into daily life through repetition and time.

Nick Jonas Opens New Era With “Gut Punch” And Album ‘Sunday Best’

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Golden Globe and GRAMMY-nominated recording artist, songwriter, actor, and producer Nick Jonas celebrates the start of 2026 with the release of his brand new single, “Gut Punch,” out now. The soaring and emotionally-charged track offers the first glimpse of his highly-anticipated solo album, Sunday Best, arriving February 6th and ushers in his most open and personal era yet.

“Gut Punch” opens with sparse piano and introspective lyrics of self-doubt; a moment of brutal honesty that swells into a powerful chant-ready chorus, as he sings “Hit me like a gut punch. I hurt my own feelings. How did I get so good at being mean to myself?”

On the song’s deeper inspiration, Nick shares, “I tend to be hyper critical of myself, not typically about my appearance or getting older, but I was wondering, ‘Am I doing everything to be the best version of myself? Am I a present and thoughtful husband? Am I a good father?’ As time goes by, the stress and complications of life will weigh on you. It’s important to remember there was once a version of you who was carefree and loved the world.”

Sunday Best marks Nick Jonas’ first solo project in nearly five years and captures him at his most open, introspective, and artistically renewed. On the album, he dives deeper than ever before, drawing from important life chapters, both celebratory and challenging, that he’s faced over the past two years and the new perspective he’s gained as both a husband and father. Through unguarded storytelling and vulnerable moments he has never previously shared publicly, the album offers listeners an intimate look into his world and explores honesty, growth, and rediscovery. 

Sonically, Jonas draws inspiration from his musical roots and early years singing in church choirs, infusing the record with the warmth and spirit of musical influences from both his childhood and adult life. Sunday Best features vivid lyricism, rich and soulful arrangements, and warmly layered instrumentation that highlight his most emotionally resonant work to date.

Ring in the new year with “Gut Punch” out now, and get ready for Sunday Best on February 6th.

Canadian Country Star Owen Riegling Shares Road Worn New Single “Phone Call From Home”

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Breakout country star Owen Riegling continues his bold new chapter with the release of his latest single, “Phone Call From Home,” out today via Universal Music Canada and Big Loud Records stateside. 

Produced by hitmaker Oscar Charles (Elvie Shane, Chase Rice) and co-penned by Riegling alongside Ryan Kennedy, “Phone Call From Home” was recorded in Nashville and features a blend of acoustic and electric guitars, bass, and drums, creating a soundscape that captures both grit and warmth.

Riegling shares, “’Phone Call From Home’ is the tether between comfort and the unknown. The moment you’re too far to turn back but not far enough to feel settled. It’s tired eyes chasing the next horizon, the smell of burnt motel coffee, seagulls bickering over a french fry, and the one familiar voice that keeps you steady when the road feels unfamiliar.”

The release follows the runaway success of “Taillight This Town,” No. 1 most added at Canadian Country Radio in its first week. With over 145 million global streams and a growing fan base, Riegling’s grounded storytelling continues to resonate across borders. 

A JUNO-nominated artist, Riegling recently took home the Ford F-150 Album of the Year Award for his expanded EP Bruce County (From The Beginning) at the 2025 CCMA Awards, adding to his 2024 CCMA wins for Songwriter of the Year (“Old Dirt Roads”) and Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Announced today, fans can look forward to a special One Night Only ‘Live In Concert’ performance at Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall on April 18, 2026. Tickets go on sale Friday, November 21 at 10 a.m. local time (more info here). 

Gifted country music artist and award-winning singer-songwriter Owen Riegling blends small-town roots with a modern edge that continues to resonate with fans.

Since winning the 2022 Boots & Hearts Festival’s Emerging Artist Competition, this Universal Music Canada / Big Loud Records recording artist has parlayed his success of his platinum-certified hit “Old Dirt Roads,” and the release of his expanded EP Bruce County (From The Beginning) to leave his comfort zone and explore new songwriting territory. A true road warrior, Riegling played more than 110 dates across Canada in 2024, not only as a headliner but alongside some of country’s biggest names including Brett Young, Jake Owen, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, Chase Rice and Luke Bryan. 

Now, after some months in the studio co-writing with top Nashville hitmakers, Riegling has evolved more confident and self-assured than ever. With new music on the horizon including recently released single, “Taillight This Town,” showing a new level of artistry, the track captures his knack for pairing relatable stories with a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. “I’m just making the music that I would want to listen to and I’m talking about the things that mean something to me,” says Riegling. “I’m out here doing me — and that’s all I’m trying to do.”

New York Pop Rock Band Scotia Rose Lean Into The Moment On “Good Times”

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Scotia Rose share a bright, forward moving statement with “Good Times,” a standout track from their debut EP out now via Deko Music in partnership with ADA and Warner. Built on heavy pop melodies filtered through a rock and roll edge, the song balances big hooks with soaring guitar work, capturing a sense of motion and urgency. The EP arrives after a stretch of electric live shows alongside drummer Richard Stuverud, known for his work with Pearl Jam, a collaboration that helped sharpen the band’s focus and confidence heading into the recording.

Frontman Jeff Weiss describes “Good Times” as a restless inner dialogue about presence, momentum, and learning how to stay inside moments as they unfold. That tension carries through both the song and its video, which blends whimsical public domain animation with live footage from New York venues including Bowery Ballroom, Sony Hall, Brooklyn Bowl, and Cutting Room. The visuals place the band squarely in their element onstage, grounding the song’s questions in real rooms, real crowds, and shared experience. “Good Times” captures Scotia Rose at a turning point, sounding energized, connected, and fully engaged with the now.

Blues Rock Guitarist Ross Harding Announces 2026 UK Dates For “The Blood & The Blues” Tour

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continuing his run of dark edged blues rock across the country. After a busy 2024 that saw performances in cities including Newcastle, Glasgow, London, and Southampton, Harding returns with full electric band shows now appearing under the name Ross Harding & The Dark Blues. The sound stays rooted in grit and groove, driven by sharp guitar work and songs built for live rooms and late nights.

The newly announced dates include several firsts and returns, beginning with a debut headline full band performance at Ram Jam Records in February. Additional stops bring the band to Stockport, Stowmarket, Brightlingsea, Woking, and Stoke On Trent, mixing full electric sets with a solo acoustic opening appearance alongside Big Wolf Band. These shows mark the next stretch of “The Blood & The Blues” tour, with more dates to be announced as the year unfolds.

Tour Dates:
Saturday February 7 2026 – Ram Jam Records, Kingston Upon Thames
Thursday February 12 2026 – Stockport Blues Night at The Spinning Top, Stockport
Saturday February 28 2026 – The John Peel Arts Centre, Stowmarket
Friday March 20 2026 – Colne Delta Blues and Americana Club, Brightlingsea (solo acoustic opening set)
Saturday March 21 2026 – The Fiery Bird, Woking
Friday March 27 2026 – Riff Factory, Stoke On Trent

Bluegrass Americana Storyteller Valerie Smith Shares Career Defining Album ‘Maggie’s Journal’

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Grammy-nominated bluegrass, folk, Americana artist Valerie Smith has released her long-awaited, career-defining project on January 1. An album that has been 12 years in the making, Maggie’s Journal (Bell Buckle Records) is more than a record—it is a monumental act of remembrance and artistic devotion. This profound 30-track musical narrative breathes life into the raw, emotional story of Margaret Attebury Brooks-McCamis, the great-grandmother of Smith, whose voice and vision illuminate one woman’s extraordinary resilience in post–Civil War America.

A true labor of love, Maggie’s Journal seamlessly blends bluegrass, Americana, and roots traditions into a vivid sonic tapestry. Original songs intertwine with spoken-word excerpts taken directly from Maggie’s handwritten journal—discovered decades after her death by Smith’s cousins, Kathy Jones Eads and Fonda Wells, tucked away inside a “Car Load Tablet” buried in an attic trunk.

What emerged from those pages is the gripping, unvarnished truth of a woman married young to a violent man, carving out survival in rural Missouri while hiding a gentle spirit behind a hardened exterior. Her words reveal a life shaped by hardship yet defined by strength, offering powerful insights into American history, women’s and children’s rights, education, and the enduring human spirit.

Crafted with deep reverence, Maggie’s Journal stands as a unique collaboration between Smith and the ancestor she never met. The album’s emotional range spans the haunting reflection of “That Was A Long Time Ago,” the tender hopefulness of “Alva’s Lullaby,” and the gripping narrative of “Jim O’Dell, Straight From Hell.” Each track channels Maggie’s story with authenticity, dignity, and grace.

Smith’s evocative lead vocals—described by NPR’s Dave Higgs as “sassy, sultry, siren-like”—anchor the project with emotional authority. She is joined by an exceptional cast of harmony vocalists including Donna Ulisse, Josie Smith, Mike Rogers, Rosa Vestal, and Aaron Vestal, whose voices enrich the album’s cinematic storytelling.

The instrumental core features world-class musicians Cody Kilby (acoustic guitar, mandolin), Stephen Burwell (violin), Evan Winsor (upright bass), and Scott Vestal (banjo), whose performances breathe life and movement into Maggie’s world.

Produced by acclaimed songwriter and vocalist Donna Ulisse, Maggie’s Journal draws its lyrical depth from the writing partnership of Ulisse, Smith, Daniel Crabtree, and Ann Miller. Recorded at Tim Carter’s Tree House Studio in Ridgetop, TN, and Scott Vestal’s Digital Underground in Greenbrier, TN, the project was engineered with exceptional care by Carter and Vestal.

Chris Latham’s masterful mixing and mastering provide a polished yet soulful finish, while David Lynch’s stunning CD design and John Murray’s breathtaking artwork visually mirror the album’s emotional core—bringing Maggie’s story to a global audience with the reverence it deserves.

With over three decades in music, Smith has earned Grammy, IBMA, and Dove Award nominations and collaborated with icons like Tom T. Hall and Ralph Stanley. Maggie’s Journal stands among her most personal and ambitious works—an album that honors family, uplifts forgotten stories, and bridges generations through the power of music.

“Maggie told her truth in a voice both plain and powerful,” said Smith. “My mission was to honor her courage and give life to the history she never had the chance to share.”

Margaret Attebury Brooks-McCamis’ story—once hidden in an attic—now lives on as a stirring, unforgettable tribute to resilience, memory, and the ties that bind us across time.

European Pop Metal Collective Venus 5 Announce New Album ‘March Of The Venus 5’

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International metal group Venus 5 – comprised of Karmen Klinc, Jelena Milovanovic, Tezzi Persson (Hell in the Club), Herma (Sick N’ Beautiful), and Erina Seitllari – are thrilled to announce the release of their second studio album, titled “March of the Venus 5” and scheduled for March 20th, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

Uniting five distinctive voices from across the continent – Karmen Klinc (Slovenia), Jelena Milovanovic (Serbia), Tezzi Persson (Sweden, singer of Hell in the Club), Herma (Italy, singer of Sick N’ Beautiful), and Erina Seitllari (Albania) – the band pushes its sound to new heights, embracing a more traditional metal direction while retaining the massive hooks and glossy production that defined their debut.

Once again produced by Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere), with songwriting contributions from Jake E. (ex-Amaranthe, Cyhra), the album showcases a more mature, riff-driven approach, rich with symphonic and electronic elements, layered vocal harmonies, and explosive choruses tailor-made for fans of Within Temptation, Amaranthe, and modern European metal.

With performances at several major festivals already under their belt, Venus 5 are now gearing up to return to the stage in support of the new album – ready to prove that their power is just as undeniable live as it is in the studio.

Pre-order & pre-save “March of the Venus 5” here.

Tracklist:
1. March of the Venus 5
2. Like a Witch
3. Far Away
4. Set Me Free
5. Stereotypes
6. Surrender
7. Satelite
8. Invincible
9. Winter on My Skin
10. Take It From the Start
11. The Other Shore

Death Metal Veterans Six Feet Under See ‘Unburied’ And ‘Bringer Of Blood’ Resurrected On Vinyl

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 Six Feet Under see two crucial chapters of their catalog given long overdue physical treatment as Brutal Planet Records unveils first fully distributed vinyl editions of ‘Unburied’ and ‘Bringer Of Blood.’ ‘Unburied’ collects nine unreleased tracks pulled from the Undead, Unborn, and Torment sessions, capturing the band in a stripped down, early form that leans hard into raw aggression. Originally circulating only as a scarce promo, the album now arrives properly remastered by Rob Colwell, pressed on Opaque Turquoise Vinyl, and issued on jewel case CD with a 12 page lyric booklet as part of the Metal Icon Series.

‘Bringer Of Blood’ also receives its first ever U.S. vinyl release, pressed on Blood Red Vinyl and mastered for vinyl by Colwell. Originally recorded in 2003 at Morrisound Studios and produced by Chris Barnes, the album captures Six Feet Under at full throttle, driven by thick riffs, relentless pacing, and Barnes’ unmistakable vocal presence. Limited to 500 copies worldwide, both releases place long out of reach material into proper circulation, delivering high quality pressings that finally match the intensity and weight of these recordings.

SIX FEET UNDER – UNBURIED (Jewel Case CD)
Release Date: Out Now
For years, Unburied was the ghost in the Six Feet Under catalog – originally released digitally in 2018, with only a tiny number of flimsy cardboard-sleeve promo CDs that almost nobody ever found. The nine tracks on this album were pulled from the Undead, Unborn, and Torment sessions, and as Chris Barnes himself has said: “I always felt like these tracks were excellent Six Feet Under material. Real raw and in their earliest form.”

Key Features & Collector Details
First-ever real CD distribution of Unburied
Jewel case CD with 12-page lyrics insert booklet
Nine previously unreleased tracks
Material sourced from the Undead, Unborn, and Torment sessions
Remastered by Rob Colwell
Part of the elite Metal Icon Series on Brutal Planet Records
Original cardboard-sleeve CD was extremely limited and poorly distributed
Licensed from Metal Blade Records
Limited to 1,000 copies worldwide

SIX FEET UNDER – UNBURIED (Opaque Turquoise Vinyl)
Release Date: February 15, 2026
One of the rarest items in the SFU universe is the old Italian kiosk-only vinyl pressing of Unburied. It was never distributed, vanished instantly, and has been almost impossible to locate since the day it appeared.

Key Features & Collector Details
First-ever worldwide retail vinyl release of Unburied
Nine previously unreleased tracks
Traditional jacket with 12×12 lyrics insert
Pressed on Opaque Turquoise Vinyl
Material sourced from the Undead, Unborn, and Torment sessions
Mastered for Vinyl by Rob Colwell
Part of the elite Metal Icon Series on Brutal Planet Records
Licensed from Metal Blade Records
Original Italian kiosk-only vinyl pressing was extremely limited to 444 copies
Limited to 500 copies worldwide

Tracks
Violent Blood Eruption – 1:51
Midnight In Hell – 3:35
Gore Hungry Maniac – 3:37
Re-Animated – 3:10
Intent To Kill – 3:24
The Perverse – 3:26
Possessed – 2:47
As The Dying Scream – 3:58
Skin – 0:31

SIX FEET UNDER – BRINGER OF BLOOD (Blood Red Vinyl)
Release Date: February 15, 2026
Originally released in 2003 and recorded at Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Bringer of Blood was only ever pressed on vinyl once – in Germany over 20 years ago – and has been out of print ever since. This new Brutal Planet edition is the first U.S. vinyl release and is pressed on Blood Red Vinyl as part of the Metal Icon Series.

Remastered by Rob Colwell and packaged with a 12×12 full-color insert, Bringer of Blood captures Six Feet Under at peak ferocity. If you love the classic groove-driven heaviness of Haunted and Warpath, this album is absolutely essential.

From the blunt-force violence of “Amerika the Brutal” to the slow, suffocating crawl of the title track, Bringer of Blood drags listeners deep into the horror-laced world that defined Six Feet Under’s early reign. Long out of print and previously pressed only in Germany, this Brutal Planet Records edition finally does the album justice, pressed on Blood Red Vinyl, newly remastered, and limited to 500 copies.

Key Features & Collector Details
First-ever U.S. vinyl release of Bringer of Blood (2003).
Pressed on Blood Red Vinyl – a collector-exclusive color.
Previously only available as a small 2003 German pressing – long out of print.
Recorded March-April 2003 at Morrisound Studios, Tampa, Florida.
Produced by Chris Barnes (Six Feet Under / ex-Cannibal Corpse).
Includes “Amerika the Brutal,” “One Shot One Kill,” and the title track.
Mastered for Vinyl by Rob Colwell.
Includes full-color 12 × 12 insert with lyrics and band photos.
Officially licensed from Metal Blade Records.
Limited to 500 copies worldwide.

Tracklist
Sick In The Head – 3:03
Amerika The Brutal – 3:02
My Hatred – 2:28
Murdered In The Basement – 2:33
When Skin Turns Blue – 3:05
Bringer Of Blood – 2:53
Untitled – 0:23
Ugly – 2:08
Braindead – 3:21
Blind And Gagged – 2:39
Claustrophobic – 2:51
Escape From The Grave – 3:28