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HOLLOW PACT Debuts Hard Rock Anthem “Heavensent” Led by Jager Henry

Eric Alper
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HOLLOW PACT Debuts Hard Rock Anthem “Heavensent” Led by Jager Henry

Stepping out from his solo career into a full band dynamic, rocker Jager Henry has unveiled Hollow Pact and their debut single, “Heavensent.” Comprised of Henry on vocals, Niño on guitar, Cash Lane on bass, and Michael Rose on drums, the quartet formed out of the natural chemistry developed during Henry’s solo performances. Out now, “Heavensent” is a punishing blend of hard rock, metal, and industrial elements that Henry feels better represents the emotional weight of his storytelling. The launch is accompanied by a striking music video directed by Lost Noise, featuring the masked band in a raw, high-energy performance that sets the tone for their new era of heavy, cathartic music.

The transition to Hollow Pact marks a significant milestone for the Florida-based group, who have already graced major festival stages like Aftershock and Louder Than Life under Henry’s previous moniker. By moving to a band identity, they aim to focus squarely on the music’s visceral impact rather than any individual legacy. With an “infectious collision” of alternative sounds that swing from haunting calm to unrelenting chaos, Hollow Pact is positioning themselves as a vital new force for those seeking music forged in raw experience and unapologetic sonic aggression.

XAVI Announces Global ‘X Tour’ with Special Guest Fabio

Eric Alper
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XAVI Announces Global ‘X Tour’ with Special Guest Fabio

After a year of record-breaking success and a historic win for Best New Artist at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, breakout star Xavi is taking his signature sound across the United States with the ‘X Tour’. Set to kick off in Phoenix, Arizona, the 18-date trek will showcase chart-topping hits like “La Diabla” and “En Privado” in major cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago. Joining the tour as a special guest is Xavi’s brother and frequent collaborator, Fabio Capri, ensuring a family-driven celebration of the genre’s new wave. The announcement comes alongside the release of his high-energy cumbia single “No Capea” with Grupo Frontera, further cementing Xavi’s status as a leading voice in música mexicana.

Rising to global fame with the longest-running #1 Latin solo song in Spotify’s Global 200 history, Xavi has seamlessly blended traditional corridos with R&B and pop influences. The ‘X Tour’ follows his successful ‘Poco A Poco’ run and recent high-profile collaborations with artists like Manuel Turizo and Reik. Beyond the stage, Xavi’s impact continues to expand through major fashion campaigns with JD Sports and Adidas U.S., proving he is a true cultural force. Fans can expect an immersive, multi-platform stage experience as he brings his 4.8 billion career streams to life on some of the nation’s most iconic stages.

X Tour Dates:

  • Jan. 14 – San Jose, CA – San Jose Civic
  • Jan. 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Delta Center
  • Jan. 18 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
  • Jan. 22 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre
  • Jan. 24 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live
  • Jan. 30 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater

MIDNIGHT PEG Unleashes Blistering Hardcore Single “Swallow” From New Album ‘Skinning’

Eric Alper
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MIDNIGHT PEG Unleashes Blistering Hardcore Single “Swallow” From New Album ‘Skinning’

Canadian post-hardcore provocateurs Midnight Peg have released “Swallow,” a lightning-strike of a single from their sophomore album, ‘Skinning’. The track serves as a sonic demolition site, obliterating a dreamlike calm with noise-soaked haze and unflinching hardcore breakdowns. Recorded at Half Stack Studios and mastered by Stuart McKillop, “Swallow” captures a grim, visceral portrait of emotional repression and violent grief. Following the success of their debut ‘Horn Colic’ and recent tours with Pussy Riot and D.O.A., the band continues to push their chaotic, experimental energy to new extremes, blending the fury of 90s grunge with an avant-garde post-punk atmosphere that cements their status as a vital force in the modern underground.

Now available as part of the full ‘Skinning’ record, “Swallow” arrived as a searing highlight alongside singles “Thirstland” and “The Hag.” The album is the band’s most dangerous and addictive work to date, showcasing a reputation for genre-bending performances that swing between riotous punk aggression and pulse-pounding futuristic sounds. Midnight Peg has quickly become one of Canada’s most essential alternative exports, earning praise for their ability to fracture identity and power through sound. As listeners dive into the complete ‘Skinning’ experience, “Swallow” stands as a testament to the band’s mastery of disorienting, high-velocity catharsis and their refusal to play by the rules of traditional post-hardcore.

BEEN STELLAR Releases ‘Breakway’ EP Following a Breakout Year

Eric Alper
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BEEN STELLAR Releases ‘Breakway’ EP Following a Breakout Year

New York’s Been Stellar have unveiled “Always On My Mind,” their most immediate and hook-filled track to date. The single serves as the cornerstone for their newly announced EP, ‘Breakway’, which bundles the band’s three 2024 singles—including the intimate “Adored” and the ferocious title track—alongside a new acoustic version of “Adored.” Released via Dirty Hit on 12” vinyl and cassette, the EP follows a massive year for the quintet that included the release of their brutal debut album, ‘Scream from New York, NY’, and high-profile tours alongside The 1975 and Fontaines DC. Vocalist Sam Slocum notes that the new single explores the “circular logic” of longing, infusing classic pop sensibilities with the tinge of anxiety that has become a hallmark of their gritty, NYC-inspired sound.

The band’s rise has been fueled by a relentless schedule, graduating from early shoegaze roots to a sophisticated blend of Sonic Youth-style dissonance and ‘The Bends’-era Radiohead cool. Working with acclaimed producer Dan Carey, Been Stellar has successfully captured the disaffected spirit of 2020s New York, where human connection feels like a “luxury product.” Having recently made their Primavera debut and performed at major festivals like Green Man and Pukkelpop, the group is currently wrapping up a successful run of UK dates at the Reading and Leeds festivals. ‘Breakway’ stands as both a victory lap for their debut era and a showcase of their expanding sonic palette, cementing their status as essential chroniclers of contemporary youth and the dark heart of modern city life.

PUPIL SLICER Ushers in a New Era of Mathcore with ‘Fleshwork’

Eric Alper
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PUPIL SLICER Ushers in a New Era of Mathcore with ‘Fleshwork’

Mathcore trio PUPIL SLICER is back and more ferocious than ever with their third studio album, ‘Fleshwork’, out now via Prosthetic Records. Building on the discordant chaos of their debut ‘Mirrors’ and the melodic growth of ‘Blossom’, this new collection marks the introduction of bassist Luke Booth and a shift toward a more organic, industrial-tinged sound. Recorded at Nø Studio in Manchester, the album explores an “all-encompassing industrial hellscape,” serving as a conceptual deep dive into the systemic dehumanization of marginalized communities. Vocalist and guitarist Kate Davies draws from personal experience to craft what the band calls “trans inclusive radical hatred”—a cathartic, high-velocity response to a society lacking in empathy.

The title track and lead single, “Fleshwork,” is out today, showcasing a move toward groove-oriented industrial writing that the band describes as “hitting like a brick wall.” The accompanying music video, directed by David Gregory, kicks off a cinematic narrative that will span the album’s entire singles cycle. While drawing influence from Nine Inch Nails and Oathbreaker, as well as the dark aesthetics of Chainsaw Man and NieR, the band has created a specialized monster that balances earworm hooks with incandescent fury. ‘Fleshwork’ is a deconstruction of the human penchant for self-destruction and a defiant scream from the margins, proving that PUPIL SLICER remains a vital, uncompromising force in heavy music.

‘Fleshwork’ Track Listing:

  1. Heather
  2. Gordian
  3. Sacrosanct
  4. Innocence
  5. Black Scrawl
  6. Nomad
  7. Fleshwork
  8. White Noise
  9. Cenote

AVATAR Issues Ominous Warning with New Album ‘Don’t Go in the Forest’

Eric Alper
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AVATAR Issues Ominous Warning with New Album ‘Don’t Go in the Forest’

Heavy metal visionaries Avatar have issued a fair warning to the masses: their latest masterwork, ‘Don’t Go in the Forest’, is set for a perfectly timed release on October 31. Vocalist Johannes Eckerström describes the project as a journey into the “darkest woods” of the mind, filled with forbidden thoughts and musical concepts the band has never dared to touch until now. To herald this new era, the band has shared the video for the single “Tonight We Must Be Warriors,” an anthem born from a necessity to find solidarity through shared pain. Following the massive success of their 2023 album ‘Dance Devil Dance’, which earned them their first #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay, the quintet is doubling down on their quest for world domination with their most ambitious and experimental storytelling to date.

The road ahead looks just as dark and busy as the band prefers, with Avatar set to support metal titans Iron Maiden and Metallica on forthcoming tours. This intensive schedule also includes the band’s largest headline show to date in Mexico City, cementing their status as one of the genre’s most formidable live acts. Eckerström emphasizes that ‘Don’t Go in the Forest’ could only have been made at this exact moment in the band’s evolution, capturing a sense of urgency and discovery. While the full tracklist remains shrouded in mystery for now, previously released tracks like “CAPTAIN GOAT” and “In the Airwaves” offer a glimpse into the wild, unchartered territories this album explores.

Avatar Forthcoming Tour Dates:

  • May 15, 2026: Paris, FR – Stade de France (w/ Metallica)
  • May 18, 2026: Paris, FR – Stade de France (w/ Metallica)
  • June 26, 2026: Oslo, NO – Tons of Rock Festival

GREYWIND Confronts Trauma in Melancholic New Single “Swerve”

Eric Alper
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GREYWIND Confronts Trauma in Melancholic New Single “Swerve”

Irish alternative rock duo GREYWIND has unveiled their heart-wrenching new single “Swerve,” a powerful exploration of the longing to disassociate from deep-seated trauma. Guitarist Paul O’Sullivan describes the track as a struggle to destroy the layers of sadness that consume a person, while vocalist Steph O’Sullivan adds that it captures the exhaustive sorrow of wanting to escape into sleep, only to be met by nightmares of the past. The single serves as a focal point for their highly anticipated upcoming album, Severed Heart City, produced by Sam Guaiana (Neck Deep, Silverstein). This “emo epic” marks a definitive new era for the siblings, blending arena-ready hooks with the raw, atmospheric vulnerability that has garnered them a devoted global following.

The journey to Severed Heart City has been a turbulent one for the O’Sullivans, following the high-stakes release of their 2017 debut and the subsequent struggle to reclaim their creative independence. The new album, set for release on September 19th via FLG, acts as an extended allegory for the stages of trauma and the internal fight for resolution. Inspired by genre titans like Jimmy Eat World and My Chemical Romance, GREYWIND has crafted a sanctuary within their music where depression and sadness are acknowledged, but never allowed to extinguish hope. “Swerve” joins previous hits “Acid Rain” and “I.K.A.M.F.” on a tracklist designed to resonate from the biggest stages, offering a soundtrack for anyone attempting to navigate their own “broken city” toward acceptance.

‘Severed Heart City’ Track List:

  1. Acid Rain
  2. I.K.A.M.F.
  3. Happy :):
  4. Waterfall
  5. Swerve
  6. Make Believe (L.O.V.E. ME)
  7. Moon
  8. Let’s See If You Can Float
  9. The Scarecrow
  10. Cope In The Coma

SCORPIONS Celebrate 60 Years of Hard Rock with ‘From The First Sting’ Collection

Eric Alper
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SCORPIONS Celebrate 60 Years of Hard Rock with ‘From The First Sting’ Collection

Pioneering German hard rock legends Scorpions are marking their incredible 60th anniversary with the release of ‘From The First Sting’, a definitive career-spanning collection arriving globally on October 17th via BMG. This thrilling retrospective captures the raw energy and world-changing anthems that have defined the band’s journey from their early days to global superstardom, with over 120 million albums sold to date. The collection features a curated sonic journey through timeless hits like “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and the culturally significant “Wind of Change,” alongside the return of “Mind Like A Tree” to all streaming platforms. For die-hard collectors, the release is packed with rarities, including the previously unreleased track “This Is My Song” and a new version of “Still Loving You” featuring world-renowned British violinist Vanessa Mae.

Beyond their commercial dominance, the Scorpions have long viewed their music as a diplomatic bridge, famously performing in the former Soviet Union and China to foster international understanding. ‘From The First Sting’ honors this legacy with premium physical editions, including a deluxe 2LP & 2CD bookpack for international fans and a 180g gatefold vinyl for the Americas. From the psychedelic roots of “In Search Of The Peace Of Mind” to the modern grit of “Rock Believer,” the set comprehensively illustrates the enduring influence of the masters of their genre. Whether revisiting the “hop-skip” riffs of their classic era or exploring the symphonic layers of their later work, this 60th-anniversary release provides the ultimate blistering ride through six decades of heart-pounding rock and roll.

2LP and 1CD tracklisting

1          In Search Of The Peace Of Mind

2          This Is My Song*

3          Speedy’s Coming

4          In Trance

5          Pictured Life

6          The Sails Of Charon

7          Top Of The Bill (Live)

8          Always Somewhere

9          The Zoo

10        No One Like You

11        Rock You Like A Hurricane

12        Big City Nights

13        Wind Of Change

14        Still Loving You feat. Vanessa Mae*

15        Humanity

16        Rock Believer

*Bonus tracks

2CD tracklisting

CD1
1          In Search Of The Peace Of Mind

2          This Is My Song

3          Speedy’s Coming

4          In Trance

5          Pictured Life

6          The Sails Of Charon

7          Top Of The Bill (Live)

8          Holiday

9          Always Somewhere

10        Lady Starlight

11        The Zoo

12        No One Like You

13        When The Smoke Is Going Down

14        Still Loving You

15        Rock You Like A Hurricane

16        Big City Nights


CD2     

1          Rock You Like A Hurricane (Live)

2          Believe In Love

3          Send Me An Angel

4          Wind Of Change

5          Under The Same Sun

6          Still Loving You feat. Vanessa Mae

7          Mind Like A Tree

8          You & I

9          Wind Of Change (Moment Of Glory)

10        Always Somewhere

11        Maybe I Maybe You

12        Humanity

13        The Best Is Yet To Come

14        House Of Cards

15        Rock Believer

THE LES PALLET: Can a Shipping Pallet Actually Shred?

Eric Alper
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0
THE LES PALLET: Can a Shipping Pallet Actually Shred?

Ever wonder if that expensive mahogany actually makes your guitar sound better, or if it’s all just marketing smoke and mirrors? Musician Christian Boeger of Hometown Sweethearts decided to settle the score by building the “Les Pallet,” an electric guitar crafted entirely from a discarded shipping crate. To the untrained ear, this reclaimed lumber sounds shockingly punchy, proving that with the right electronics, you can find a killer tone in the most industrial of places.

LARS ULRICH’S Tama Bell Brass Snare Defines the Massive Sound of “Enter Sandman”

Eric Alper
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LARS ULRICH’S Tama Bell Brass Snare Defines the Massive Sound of “Enter Sandman”

“Enter Sandman” serves as the seismic opening track and lead single from Metallica’s 1991 self-titled fifth album, a record that fundamentally shifted the band’s career path toward worldwide popularity. The track is a masterclass in massive drum production, featuring Lars Ulrich’s legendary Tama Bell Brass snare sound which has since earned its place as a cornerstone of rock history. Producer Bob Rock and engineer Randy Staub famously spent weeks refining the kit setup at One On One Studios to achieve a “metal-AC/DC” sparseness that provided the high-impact groove room to breathe. Reaching number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and achieving nine-times platinum status, the isolated drum track reveals the sheer power and meticulous engineering that propelled the song to become a definitive cornerstone of heavy metal.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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