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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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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.

THE POLICE Lead Single “Message In A Bottle” Highlights Stewart Copeland’s Rhythmic Brilliance

Eric Alper
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THE POLICE Lead Single “Message In A Bottle” Highlights Stewart Copeland’s Rhythmic Brilliance

“Message in a Bottle” serves as the driving lead single from The Police’s 1979 sophomore album, ‘Reggatta de Blanc’, earning the band their first of five UK number-one hits. While the song is famous for Sting’s story of a stranded castaway and Andy Summers’ iconic guitar riff, it is Stewart Copeland’s complex, reggae-influenced drumming that provides the track’s unique kinetic energy. Isolated drum tracks reveal Copeland’s masterclass in orchestration, featuring overdubbed ride cymbal bells on the backbeat and a signature snare sound that, despite its high-pitched “crack,” is actually tuned with a surprisingly musical mid-range overtone. One of the track’s most daring rhythmic choices occurs during the second verse, where Copeland completely drops the snare out without losing the momentum of the groove.

Travis Barker Breaks the Mold on Blink-182’s “Adam’s Song” With Nuanced, Emotion-Driven Drumming

Eric Alper
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0
Travis Barker Breaks the Mold on Blink-182’s “Adam’s Song” With Nuanced, Emotion-Driven Drumming

“Adam’s Song” stands as a poignant departure from the high-octane pop-punk of Blink-182’s 1999 breakthrough album, ‘Enema of the State’. Musically, the track is a masterclass for drummer Travis Barker, whose performance blends Stewart Copeland-inspired embellishments with hip-hop grooves and marching band chops. Despite its slower tempo, the drum part remains intricate and busy, showcasing Barker’s technical versatility and his ability to add sophisticated rhythmic texture to the song’s heavy themes of depression and loneliness.

Neil Peart’s Isolated Drums Reveal the Precision and Power Behind Rush’s “La Villa Strangiato”

Eric Alper
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0
Neil Peart’s Isolated Drums Reveal the Precision and Power Behind Rush’s “La Villa Strangiato”

“La Villa Strangiato” stands as the definitive nine-minute instrumental finale of Rush’s 1978 album ‘Hemispheres’, inspired by the vivid dreams of guitarist Alex Lifeson. Subtitled “An Exercise in Self-Indulgence,” the track serves as an undeniable showcase for the late Neil Peart, whose performance here remains a holy grail for the global drumming community. From the stamina-sapping opening hi-hat and snare patterns to the complex ride and snare paradiddle combinations, Peart’s technical precision and “rare groove” funk sensibilities are on full display. The isolated tracks provide an intimate look at the Canadian prog-rock pioneer’s intricate world-building, proving why he is considered one of the most influential percussionists in history while offering a vocal-free gateway into the band’s virtuosic complexity.

Stevie Wonder’s Isolated Drums Reveal How He Built the Funk Groove of “Superstition”

Eric Alper
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0
Stevie Wonder’s Isolated Drums Reveal How He Built the Funk Groove of “Superstition”

“Superstition” remains the quintessential funk anthem, released in 1972 as the lead single from Stevie Wonder’s seminal 15th studio album, ‘Talking Book’. While famous for its Hohner Clavinet riff, the track is equally renowned for its iconic drum performance, played by Wonder himself. The drum tracks reveal a masterclass in syncopation, featuring a tricky, evolving one-handed hi-hat intro and hidden bass drum ghost notes that often get lost beneath the song’s driving bassline. Reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973, the song earned two Grammy Awards and has since been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest songs of all time, standing as a testament to Stevie’s singular genius as a multi-instrumentalist.

John Bonham’s Isolated Drums Reveal the Genius Behind Led Zeppelin’s “Fool In The Rain”

Eric Alper
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John Bonham’s Isolated Drums Reveal the Genius Behind Led Zeppelin’s “Fool In The Rain”

“Fool in the Rain” stands as a rhythmic cornerstone of the 1979 album ‘In Through the Out Door’, serving as the final single released by Led Zeppelin in the U.S. before their 1980 disbandment. The track is celebrated for John Bonham’s sophisticated half-time shuffle, a groove that cements his legacy alongside masters like Bernard Purdie and Jeff Porcaro. Inspired by the samba rhythms of the 1978 World Cup, the song famously transitions into a vibrant Latin breakdown complete with street whistles and Bonzo’s expertly placed timpani crashes. The isolated tracks reveal the sheer precision of the “hop-skip” riff and the legendary “ankle-killing” triplet bass drum notes that continue to define the pinnacle of rock drumming.

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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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