In a charming appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, rock legend Robert Plant shared that his Led Zeppelin bandmates had no idea he was weaving J.R.R. Tolkien references into the band’s lyrics. Chatting with Colbert, Plant reflected on his youth spent in the same Welsh countryside where Tolkien once lived, revealing that those mystical landscapes and epic tales seeped into his songwriting for songs like “Ramble On” and “The Battle of Evermore.” As he put it with a smile, his bandmates were blissfully unaware of the Middle-earth magic behind the music. Plant’s latest album ‘Saving Grace’ is out everywhere now.
Australian Rock Titans Wolfmother Bring the Thunder with 20th Anniversary Tour Celebration
Australian rock powerhouse Wolfmother are roaring back in 2026 to celebrate 20 years of their self-titled debut album with a massive North American tour. Fans can expect the full album performed live each night, a treat that will bring back the raw, riff-fueled magic that first made the band a global phenomenon. The tour kicks off June 7 in Austin and storms through cities including Toronto, Brooklyn, Seattle, Los Angeles, and more before wrapping July 12 in San Diego.
It’s hard to believe two decades have passed since Wolfmother first dropped in 2005. Packed with Zeppelin-sized guitar tones and chest-thumping grooves, the record introduced the world to “Woman,” “Joker & the Thief,” “White Unicorn,” and “Dimension.” The album went gold in the U.S. and five-times platinum in Australia, cementing the trio’s legacy as modern classic rock trailblazers.
Frontman Andrew Stockdale, the band’s steadfast leader through years of lineup changes, is still at the helm, joined by bassist James Wassenaar and drummer Christian Condon. Together, they’re set to unleash a sonic time machine for longtime fans and a blistering first experience for newcomers. The energy, the fuzz, and that unmistakable howl—everything that made Wolfmother legendary—is about to come roaring back to life.
Tickets are already moving fast, with an artist pre-sale underway using the code WOLFPACK26 on Ticketmaster and a general on-sale starting Friday, November 7 at 10 a.m. local time. Whether you caught them back in 2006 or you’re ready to experience “Joker & the Thief” live for the first time, this tour is pure rock adrenaline from start to finish.
Wolfmother 2026 North American Tour Dates:
06/07 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
06/08 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
06/09 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
06/13 – Atlanta, GA @ Buckhead Theatre
06/15 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
06/16 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore
06/17 – Norfolk, VA @ The NorVa
06/19 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
06/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
06/21 – Boston, MA @ Citizens House of Blues
06/23 – Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
06/24 – Toronto, ON @ History
06/26 – Detroit, MI @ Saint Andrew’s Hall
06/28 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
06/30 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
07/01 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union Event Center
07/03 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
07/04 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
07/05 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
07/07 – Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24
07/09 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
07/11 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern
07/12 – San Diego, CA @ The Observatory North Park
How Music Can Help Gamers Focus Better
By Mitch Rice
For gamers, focus is what sets wins apart from losses, even if it is an invisible edge. Whether you’re in the middle of a fast-paced shooter, a strategy game, or a poker game, concentration is key, and it is one of the hardest things to have. Distractions, tiredness, and even the emotional highs and lows of the game can upset your concentration.
Music can really help you stay focused and improve your concentration. It can change your mood and help you sustain your energy during long sessions. For a lot of gamers, a music playlist is almost as important as the monitor, mouse, or controller. With the right type of music, you can really help you reach a state of focus called “the zone” where you game effortlessly and your decisions seem to make themselves.
The Connection Between Music and Focus
Scientists have long studied how music influences cognition. Listening to rhythmic sounds activates areas of the brain associated with attention, memory, and emotion. When dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for motivation and pleasure, is released in response to enjoyable music, it helps keep the mind alert and engaged.
Music also acts as a buffer against distractions. Instead of letting outside noises interrupt your concentration, the steady beat of a track can help you stay anchored to the task at hand. Gamers who play in busy households or noisy environments often find that a pair of headphones and the right playlist can make all the difference in maintaining focus.
Just as music streamlines the mental side of gaming, convenience matters in the gaming experience itself, too. For example, players who enjoy online casino-style games sometimes prefer no verification sites, which allow them to start playing quickly without long registration steps. This kind of seamless experience mirrors what music does for the brain. It removes friction, reduces frustration, and lets the player stay completely immersed in the moment.
Building an Immersive Gaming Environment
Another way music helps you stay focused is by helping you stay locked in. A good soundtrack helps turn a boring gaming session into something memorable. When the music you listen to is the same as the pace of the game, it helps you make snap judgments and quick decisions.
Game developers understand the impact the music has. An explorer in a game will feel epic while adventuring to orchestral music and will assist the player in solving puzzles. A game with calm ambient music will help a player solve puzzles. A player with no soundtrack can still focus on the gameplay. They can control their emotional state to a greater degree by using a playlist that fits their play style.
A Gamer who plays under pressure and needs to make quick decisions, high-energy electronic music is a good choice. Someone with a methodical play style might like lo-fi beats, instrumental jazz, or even orchestral music as a score. The most important thing is to create an environment that matches the game.
How Music Helps Mental and Emotional Balance
Especially in competitive gaming, strong feelings can surface which can be overwhelming. Winning can be very exciting, however, losing can become very frustrating and draining. Music can help emotionally and assist gamers in remaining composed, calm, and resilient.
Repeating and slow tracks can help someone relax and keep calm in times of stress. In contrast, higher tempo and faster tracks can help someone focus and motivate them even more. This can help gamers sustain higher performance levels and avoid burnout.
Listening to a certain playlist can help learn and develop a psychological association. Focusing while playing can become easier if a certain genre of music is played. This mental association can be very powerful, making even a few notes of a song help someone focus.
Finding the Right Music for Your Gaming Style
Not all music has the same effect on focus, and personal preference matters. Instrumental tracks tend to work best because lyrics can compete for your brain’s attention, especially during tasks that require reading or strategic thinking. Genres like classical, chill-hop, ambient, and electronic are popular among gamers for their steady beats and consistent energy.
Tempo is another factor. Fast music can sharpen reflexes and increase adrenaline for action-heavy titles, while slower music promotes clarity and patience during turn-based or puzzle games. Experimenting with different tempos helps you discover what best matches your style and goals.
It is also important to balance the music volume with the game audio. Overpowering the in-game sounds can make you miss important cues like footsteps, signals, or notifications. The ideal mix enhances the environment without overwhelming it.
Cognitive Benefits of Music
Using music while gaming helps with more than just focus. Over time, players report improvements in mental stamina and emotional balance in other areas of life. The same playlists that assist in maintaining focus during games are effective for studying, working, or other creative projects.
Music helps the brain sustain attention and improves concentration. This means that music while gaming can help in the development of patience, rhythm, and adaptability.
Music also helps in creating order. Listening to the same music or sounds creates a routine, telling the brain it’s time to focus. This helps in creating a smoother transition to focus when not gaming.
Conclusion
The gamer’s use of music to improve focus is to increase motivation, lessen distractions, and gain control over emotions and overall performance. The right music not only helps in sharpening reactions and calming nerves but also keeps attention locked on the task at hand. Putting together calming music and a neat gaming setup without distractions lets players keep things in order and adds to players’ performance. Whether you are in a casual game or a serious game competition, having the right music while you play can enhance the experience. Playing the right music makes it smooth, engrossing, and satisfying. So next time you are going to play a game, think about the music you will put on. The background music can help you concentrate and keep your focus and help you play your best game.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
10 Essential Albums for Heavy Metal Beginners
If you’re ready to enter the world of heavy metal but don’t know where to start, this list will crank up your speakers and set your foundation right. From roaring riffs to operatic screams, these ten albums are essential introductions to the genre’s power, precision, and pure adrenaline. Each one shaped the metal landscape and still inspires bands today.
‘Ace of Spades’ – Motörhead (1980)
Fast, dirty, and loud, Ace of Spades tore down the line between punk and metal. Lemmy’s raspy snarl and wall-of-sound bass made it the soundtrack to every act of glorious defiance.
‘Appetite for Destruction’ – Guns N’ Roses (1987)
Raw, rebellious, and unapologetic. Axl, Slash, and company bottled pure danger into an album that brought sleaze and swagger back to rock with “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
‘Black Sabbath’ – Black Sabbath (1970)
The album that started it all. With heavy riffs, haunting lyrics, and an eerie atmosphere, Sabbath invented metal’s dark mystique and gave rock its shadowy twin.
‘British Steel’ – Judas Priest (1980)
Polished but powerful, British Steel defined the sound and style of heavy metal. Rob Halford’s soaring voice and razor-sharp riffs made “Breaking the Law” a forever anthem.
‘Master of Puppets’ – Metallica (1986)
A masterpiece of thrash precision. Complex songwriting meets crushing riffs, showcasing how heavy metal could be epic and intelligent without losing its fury.
‘Number of the Beast’ – Iron Maiden (1982)
Bruce Dickinson’s vocals, Steve Harris’s bass gallop, and songs like “Run to the Hills” turned Maiden into legends. A gateway to the genre’s storytelling and mythic power.
‘Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?’ – Megadeth (1986)
Technical, political, and brilliantly unhinged. Dave Mustaine turned revenge and rebellion into a thrash classic that demanded metal be played fast and smart.
‘Reign in Blood’ – Slayer (1986)
Twenty-nine minutes of pure sonic destruction. Rick Rubin’s production and Slayer’s ferocity pushed the limits of speed, intensity, and precision forever.
‘Vulgar Display of Power’ – Pantera (1992)
Heavy, groove-driven, and aggressive, Pantera redefined metal for the ’90s. Dimebag Darrell’s crushing riffs and Phil Anselmo’s roar created a new standard of intensity.
‘Holy Diver’ – Dio (1983)
Majestic and melodic, Holy Diver showcased Ronnie James Dio’s unmatched vocals and epic vision. It’s the perfect mix of fantasy, power, and pure metal spirit.
‘Stay Hungry’ – Twisted Sister (1984)
Loud, theatrical, and packed with hooks. “We’re Not Gonna Take It” became an anthem for every outsider who ever turned the volume up instead of fitting in.
Gina Alice Releases Playful New Pop Single “Cosplay”
International pop artist and pianist Gina Alice returns with her clever, cheeky, and irresistibly catchy new single “Cosplay,” out now via Republic Records. The track showcases Gina’s signature blend of luminous piano and playful lyricism, exploring the complexities of love with the teasing chorus, “Lemme cosplay as anybody you want me to.”
The accompanying video matches the song’s flair and sophistication, featuring Gina in cinematic close-ups and grand fashion moments as she performs in a striking yellow couture gown. Following her empowering single “Boss” and her acclaimed Dreamcatcher EP, “Cosplay” cements Gina’s reputation as a pop powerhouse with elegance, wit, and musical depth.
Ed Conroy Celebrates Toronto’s TV Legacy with ‘ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids’ TV’
Film historian and Retrontario founder Ed Conroy takes readers on a nostalgic journey through fifty years of children’s television with his new book, ‘ImagiNation: The Golden Age of Toronto Kids’ TV’, out October 14, 2025. From beloved staples like Polka Dot Door, Mr. Dressup, and Today’s Special to the stranger corners of local programming such as Kiddo the Clown, Coming Up Rosie, and Maniac Mansion, the book revisits the vibrant creative hub that defined generations of Canadian childhoods. “ImagiNation took me down memory lane,” says former MuchMusic VJ Erica Ehm. “It shares behind-the-scenes stories about the shows that coloured my world when I was a kid.”
Drawing from extensive archival research and interviews, Conroy chronicles how Toronto became the epicenter of Canadian children’s TV. Beginning in 1952 with CBC’s debut and its first puppet host, Chichimus, the book traces how the city’s studios—CBC, TVOntario, CFTO, and YTV—fueled an extraordinary wave of imagination, producing countless iconic shows that shaped national culture.
Covering over one hundred programs aired between 1950 and 2000, ‘ImagiNation’ is both a cultural history and a love letter to the creators who built this world. Readers will rediscover favourites like The Friendly Giant, Degrassi Junior High, and Readalong, alongside forgotten treasures and the eccentric characters who made Toronto’s kids’ television scene truly unique. For anyone who grew up with Hammy Hamster, the Fraggles, or the Grogs, Conroy’s book is a joyful rewind through the golden age of wonder, whimsy, and made-in-Canada magic.
Hunter Hayes Announces Holiday EP ‘Evergreen Christmas Sessions’
Hunter Hayes has announced his new holiday EP, ‘Evergreen Christmas Sessions,’ out Friday, November 7th. The project was first teased during a live Zoom on the Official Hunter Hayes App, where fans got an early listen and behind-the-scenes preview. Blending his signature storytelling and genre-bending musicianship, Hayes reimagines four classic holiday songs: “Winter Wonderland,” “Run Run Rudolph,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “Silent Night.” The collection shines with soulful vocals, lush instrumentation, and a relaxed, jazz-inspired warmth that captures the heart of the season.
“Creating this project felt really special and full circle,” Hayes says. “We wanted to try something different, so we gave the project a ‘calm Christmas’ vibe with a chill, dreamy take on the season.” The announcement follows his recent collaboration with Straight No Chaser on “Christmas Is Different” and a surprise appearance at their Ryman Auditorium show. Hayes will continue spreading cheer with a performance at Louisiana Christmas Day on November 30th.
Tracklist:
- “Winter Wonderland”
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
- “Run Run Rudolph”
- “Silent Night”
Steve Geraci Releases Soulful New Single “Paradise Lost”
Boston musician Steve Geraci delivers a cinematic emotional storm on his new single “Paradise Lost,” a soulful, tension-filled track showcasing his alto sax and Stratocaster rhythm, out November 7. The song paints a scene of heartbreak on a “cold, wet pavement stage” as Geraci describes it — lovers caught between reconciliation and ruin. With piano, sax, and guitar driving a cool retro alt-soul sound, and a raw, Morphine-style sax solo building to a frenzied finish, the single channels both restraint and release.
Produced and engineered by Dave Westner (Peter Wolf, Dropkick Murphys) and recorded at David Minehan’s Woolly Mammoth Sound in Waltham, MA, “Paradise Lost” continues Geraci’s run of introspective yet daring releases following “Voice In My Head” and “Save Yourself.” The Needham native and frontman of The Tear Downs says the song’s risks and imperfections are part of its appeal: “Rough and raw, but really emotive and relatable.” With a new EP coming in early 2026, Geraci proves again that authenticity and variety remain his creative compass.
In Mourning Unveil Haunting New Video for “Moonless Sky” from ‘The Immortal’
Swedish progressive melodic death metal band In Mourning have released a chilling new video for “Moonless Sky,” the latest single from their August album ‘The Immortal.’ The track, an emotional and slow-burning highlight, now has a visual that captures its deep sense of despair and introspection. “What makes us stay here, when it becomes so very dark. I think that sentence captures this song, and I think Jonna portrays it in a beautiful way with this video,” says guitarist Bjorn Pettersson. Vocalist Tobias Netzell adds, “It’s a song to catch your breath when you are in the middle of the darkest tempest.”
With ‘The Immortal,’ In Mourning reaffirm their status as one of Sweden’s most fearless and inventive metal acts. Blending emotive melodies, intricate riffing, and staggering intensity, the album stands as a testament to their ability to craft music that is as thought-provoking as it is powerful. Both sonically and emotionally, In Mourning continue to push melodic death metal into uncharted territory.