Home Blog Page 209

Pennsylvania Goth-Rock Storyteller Jay Luke Confronts Memory On “Ghosts”

Eric Alper
-
0
Pennsylvania Goth-Rock Storyteller Jay Luke Confronts Memory On “Ghosts”

Pennsylvania-based rock musician and author Jay Luke returns with “Ghosts,” a brooding new single now available across major streaming platforms. Known for pairing raw guitar-driven energy with reflective lyricism, Luke leans into a darker, more cinematic space here, delivering a track that lingers long after it ends.

Written as both a chilling and deeply personal piece, “Ghosts” draws inspiration from the psychological tension of films like The Sixth Sense and from Luke’s own experience watching his mother suffer from dementia-related hallucinations. The song explores the fragile boundary between memory and presence, and what it means to feel someone who is no longer physically there.

“This song was my way of processing the frightening beauty and sadness of seeing things that others can’t, the memories that haunt, the visions that stay, and the thin veil between life and what’s beyond,” Luke shares. The emotion in his delivery carries that weight, grounded in lived experience rather than abstraction.

Active in the music scene since 2003, Luke has shared stages with notable acts and released several acclaimed solo albums. Beyond music, he is also an illustrator and the author of When Coal Was Queen. With its goth-rock atmosphere and vivid storytelling, “Ghosts” adds another striking chapter to a catalog built on honesty and grit.

Six-City Punk-Rock Renegades The Balboas Tear In With ‘Bite! Blood! Repeat!’

Eric Alper
-
0
Six-City Punk-Rock Renegades The Balboas Tear In With ‘Bite! Blood! Repeat!’

Six cities, one band, and thirteen tracks of sharp-toothed chaos. The Balboas return with ‘Bite! Blood! Repeat!’, a feral LP that rips through punk-rock, rockabilly, and garage rock with sweat-soaked intent. It is a snarling, surf-laced barrage that feels reckless on impact but tightly coiled underneath.

“When you see piranhas in action you think chaos, but piranhas are extremely organized and efficient, allowing them to strip a carcass to the bone and distribute food in seconds. It’s a dynamic The Balboas are familiar with,” explains co-founder Richard Griffith. “When you first drop the needle on a Balboas record, all you hear is chaos. But, the Balboas are far from random when it comes to making a record, they are methodical as f*ck.” That tension between frenzy and discipline fuels the entire record.

The album features a stacked list of collaborators including Mike Watt, Paul Roessler, Eddie Spaghetti, and Kitten Kuroi. The Balboas also team up with The 5.6.7.8.s for a track inspired by Kill Bill’s Go Go Yubari, aligning with the release of Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair. Jimmy Dale brings his own jolt of energy, noting, “We managed bring quite the curveball of raw energy that the music scene really is lacking. Of course, I’d lay it down on the skins, guitar, whatever for them. I feel right at home.”

Among the standout tracks is “Florida Man,” a grimy, distorted dive into the myth and madness of the Sunshine State. “Florida Man is a greasy, distorted, journey through the stereotype of the crazy lifestyle of the sunshine state,” says Griffith. The track features Dusty Watson on his first washboard recording and finds the band leaning fully into their most depraved impulses.

For more than 25 years, The Balboas have built their reputation the hard way, sharing stages with everyone from Agent Orange and the Dictators to Southern Culture on the Skids and Dick Dale. ‘Bite! Blood! Repeat!’ pushes that legacy forward with grit, swagger, and a reverb soaked sneer that refuses to sit still.

Cardiff Folk-Rock Firebrand Ophelia’s Beard Unveil Biting New Single “Red Sea”

Eric Alper
-
0
Cardiff Folk-Rock Firebrand Ophelia’s Beard Unveil Biting New Single “Red Sea”

Seven decades after Dylan plugged in, folk-rock still shifts and stretches to fit the moment. Cardiff-based folk-rock artist Ophelia’s Beard step into that lineage with “Red Sea,” a striking new single that blends roots warmth with something darker simmering underneath. It is folk with a bite, sharp at the edges and unafraid to turn the tide mid-song.

“Red Sea” opens with a breezy arrangement before gradually morphing into a more ominous undercurrent. The tension builds without losing its melodic pull, and Ophelia Lark Pearce’s soaring vocal performance commands every second. Fans of First Aid Kit and Florence + The Machine will find a familiar sweep here, but there is grit woven through the gloss.

The track showcases a tight, focused band performance. Electric guitar and banjo lines cut through the mix, the rhythm section drives with intent, and the atmosphere feels cinematic without losing its roots. It is a confident statement from an artist already making waves on the local scene.

“Red Sea” is out now on all major streaming platforms via Dirty Carrot Records.

Seattle Speed-Rock Veterans ZEKE Floor It With 7″ Blaster “Peterbilt”

Eric Alper
-
0
Seattle Speed-Rock Veterans ZEKE Floor It With 7″ Blaster “Peterbilt”

Seattle speed-rock lifers ZEKE return with a new 7″ single, “Peterbilt,” and it hits like a brick through a windshield. Since forming in 1992, the band have carved out their own lane with a volatile mix of hardcore punk velocity and rock ’n’ roll grit. On this latest release, they double down on everything that made their name loud in the first place.

The two tracks, “Peterbilt” and “From The Ashes,” are a full-throttle charge. Razor-sharp riffs slice through relentless drumming, the bass rumbles underneath, and Blind Marky Felchtone’s feral snarl drives it straight into the red. There is no warm-up lap here. In under three minutes, ZEKE deliver the kind of impact most bands stretch across an entire record.

Led by founding members Blind Marky Felchtone and Donny Paycheck, alongside Jason Freeman and Jeff Hiatt, the band channel their explosive live energy directly onto vinyl. It feels immediate and unfiltered, like standing too close to the amps in a packed club. “Peterbilt” is high-octane punk rock with zero compromise.

The tracks are not available on streaming platforms, making the 7″ the only way to experience this latest burst of speed. ZEKE are back on the road as well, bringing their breakneck fury across Europe.

Tour Dates:

18.03.2026 – NL – Eindhoven – Effenaar
19.03.2026 – DE – Saarbrücken – Studio 30
20.03.2026 – BE – Aalst – St-Annazaal
21.03.2026 – GR – Athens – An Club
23.03.2026 – DE – Köln – Volta Club
24.03.2026 – tba
26.03.2026 – tba
27.03.2026 – ES – Vitoria-Gasteiz – Jimmy Jazz
28.03.2026 – ES – Madird – Gruta 77
29.03.2026 – PT – Lisbon – Republica da Musica
30.03.2026 – ES – Jerez de la Frontera – La Guarida
02.04.2026 – ES – Valencia – 16 Toneladas
03.04.2026 – ES – Barcelona – Upload
04.04.2026 – FR – Montpellier – Secret Place
05.04.2026 – FR – Marseille – Molotov
07.04.2026 – DE – Freiburg – Atlantik
08.04.2026 – DE – Wiesbaden – Schlachthof
09.04.2026 – DE – Düsseldorf – Pitcher
10.04.2026 – NL – Rotterdam – Baroeg
11.04.2026 – NL – Zwolle – Skroetfest

Jeremy Voltz Trades Equations For Emotion On “Feel It All”

Eric Alper
-
0
Jeremy Voltz Trades Equations For Emotion On “Feel It All”

Burned out mathematician turned indie soul artist Jeremy Voltz returns with “Feel It All,” a tender and searching new single from his 2025 campaign. The song wrestles with the strain of caring for someone through anger, distance, and the fear that comes with letting your guard down. It moves like a quiet confession, steady and patient, circling a feeling that refuses to disappear.

“The song came from a rocky relationship with a friend,” Voltz shares. “I tried for almost a year to distance myself and keep safe at arm’s length. But I realized that no matter how hard I tried not to care about my friend, I couldn’t stop. My anger had dried up without me noticing, and I even tried to cling to it so I wouldn’t have to care, because caring is hard. But ultimately, care blooms in spite of our best efforts.” The honesty lands without filters.

For the first time, Voltz built a release around the Akai MPC, the drum machine and sampler made famous by J Dilla and discovered by Voltz through D’Angelo’s catalog. “It’s an amazing new way to create away from my guitar,” he says. “The track inspired the lyrics, which is usually the other way around for me. When I came up with the beat, these emotions and lyrics flowed out of me almost instantly.” The groove carries the weight of the story.

Voltz adds, “The message of the song is that you can try as much as you want to harden yourself, to not care, but care and concern grow in spite of yourself. Like a flower growing out of a crack in the sidewalk.” That image anchors the track, echoed in lines like:

The cracks are showing
The flowers bloom
Pretend I don’t see ‘em open
With the morning dew

A seasoned performer, Voltz has toured the UK, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the US, and Canada, bringing songs to life in both full band and acoustic settings. His debut album ‘Weekender’ earned Album of the Year at the Ontario Folk Music Awards, and ‘Running Away’ reached national airplay. With “Feel It All,” he leans into a softer sound while still writing with the same unguarded voice that has defined his work.

Confess Reignite ‘In Pursuit Of Dreams’ With “5 Years In A Cave”

Eric Alper
-
0
Confess Reignite ‘In Pursuit Of Dreams’ With “5 Years In A Cave”

Iranian Norwegian metallers Confess return with “5 Years In A Cave,” a searing single drawn from the remastered 10th anniversary edition of ‘In Pursuit Of Dreams,’ out now via their EVIN Productions imprint. The reissue arrives with three previously unheard tracks, expanding an album that already stands as a defining chapter in the band’s history.

Discussing the song, the band share: “’5 Years…’ comes from the darkest days of my youth, a time when depression, anger, and substance abuse were eating me alive. Writing it was like bleeding onto paper, a way to survive when I couldn’t see a way out. Remastering this track now feels like looking my younger self in the eye, not to glorify the pain, but to show that I carried it, and I came through it.”

Frontman Nikan Khosravi reflects on the album’s legacy: “To mark the 10th anniversary of ‘In Pursuit of Dreams’, we are proud to announce a reissue of the album, freshly remastered and featuring three previously unreleased songs, finally revealed after a decade. This isn’t just an album, it’s a piece of history.” He adds that its release in Iran sparked arrests and international attention, cementing its place as one of the most impactful metal records to emerge from the Middle East.

The full tracklisting for ‘In Pursuit Of Dreams’ is:

  1. Teh-Hell-Ran
  2. I’m Your God Now!
  3. See You on the Other Side
  4. Thorn Within
  5. 5 Years in Cave
  6. What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Exhausted!
  7. Tsunami of Hate
  8. New World Order
  9. Aborted Déjà Vu
  10. Dysentery
  11. I Want Nothing More but the Past…
  12. The Alphabet of Power
  13. Did You Get My Last Message?
  14. The Last One Standing
  15. Watch the Decay of Sun (Bonus Track)
  16. Convention (Bonus Track)
  17. Face-Off (Bonus Track)

The band’s momentum continues to build. Their recent album ‘Destination Addiction,’ produced by Khosravi and mixed and mastered by Grammy nominated Alberto De Icaza, featured contributions from George Kollias and Marzi Montazeri and drew praise from major metal outlets. Confess are also featured in the HULU series “Into The Void: Life, Death & Heavy Metal,” standing alongside icons such as Judas Priest and Randy Rhoads. From Tehran to global stages, Confess remain a defiant voice in modern metal.

Equilibrium Unleash ‘Equinox’ And Ignite Cinematic Fire With “Nexus”

Eric Alper
-
0
Equilibrium Unleash ‘Equinox’ And Ignite Cinematic Fire With “Nexus”

Cinematic folk metallers Equilibrium return with their long awaited new studio album ‘Equinox,’ released via Nuclear Blast Records. To mark the arrival, the band unveil an enchanting video for the album standout “Nexus,” a track that captures the record’s sweeping emotional and sonic scope. Arcane riffs, poetic melodies, and ritualistic hooks converge in a work that radiates focus and intensity.

Rene Berthiaume shares insight into the song’s origins. “The work on ‘Nexus’ started with a very simple idea: There was the guitar riff and there was the image of running people. I am very proud of the video because it is fully self made and it was a huge challenge to film this during the coldest days of last year’s winter in Germany. But the actual process of creating something is one of the most important parts for me in art in general.”

He adds that the album reflects a deep period of reflection and renewal. “It’s been 6 years since our last album was released, and a lot of things have happened in that time. We’ve explored what Equilibrium actually means for us and what it should be now and in the future. We’ve continued down the path that we explored throughout the last albums, but at the same time we’ve reconnected with our older works. And on top of that, we’ve explored some new territories. You can now hear this result on Equinox, which is probably the most honest and personal album we’ve ever made. If ‘Equinox’ would be a movie, it would be probably a mixture of ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ and ‘Princess Mononoke.’”

Jessica Rosch calls “Nexus” the emotional core of the record. “For me, ‘Nexus’ is the heart of Equinox. And it’s perhaps the moment where all the different forces of this album collide. The song and video are about that invisible thread between worlds, between who you were and who you are becoming. It’s the story of integrating a soul.” She continues, “With ‘Equinox’ we wanted to build a world and step back into our storyteller roots. To me the album feels like a ritual, like an offering.” The result is a record that moves through grief, rage, beauty, and renewal with striking clarity.

Neil Young Expands ‘Tonight’s The Night’ With 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

Eric Alper
-
0
Neil Young Expands ‘Tonight’s The Night’ With 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

There are albums that feel destined to matter, and Neil Young’s ‘Tonight’s The Night’ remains one of them. Recorded in 1973 and released in 1975, the record has come to be regarded as one of Young’s most powerful statements. Now, the 50th Anniversary Deluxe limited edition revisits that era with six bonus tracks drawn from the original sessions, deepening the story behind this pivotal release.

Often cited as the third chapter in the “Ditch Trilogy,” the album was shaped by a turbulent cultural moment and profound personal loss. The deaths of Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten and road crew member Bruce Berry gave the record its raw emotional weight. The songs move through grief, reflection, and late night reckoning, capturing a time when rock music itself was shifting.

This edition includes previously unreleased original versions of “Lookout Joe” and “Walk On,” recorded during the 1973 sessions at S.I.R. in Los Angeles. It also gathers six bonus tracks from those same sessions, making this the first time they have all appeared together on vinyl. The original artwork has been creatively reimagined, and the release is available on vinyl, CD, and digital formats, with a clear vinyl pressing offered through the Greedy Hand Store and indie retailers.

‘Tonight’s The Night’ 50th Anniversary Edition Tracklisting:

Tonight’s The Night
Speakin’ Out
World On A String
Borrowed Tune
Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown
Mellow My Mind
Roll Another Number (For The Road)
Albuquerque
New Mama
Lookout Joe [New 1973 version]
Tired Eyes
Tonight’s The Night (part II)

Bonus Tracks – all from original TTN sessions at S.I.R.:

Walk On
Wonderin’
Everybody’s Alone
Raised On Robbery [feat. Joni Mitchell]
Speakin’ Out Jam
Tonight’s The Night (take 3)

Five decades later, ‘Tonight’s The Night’ continues to resonate with unfiltered honesty and creative risk. This expanded edition brings listeners closer than ever to the sessions that shaped one of Neil Young’s most enduring works.

Marissa Nadler Dives Into Nine Inch Nails With ‘The Great Below’ Redux

Eric Alper
-
0
Marissa Nadler Dives Into Nine Inch Nails With ‘The Great Below’ Redux

The Redux Series companion album ‘Best of Nine Inch Nails Redux’ has arrived, bringing bold reinterpretations of essential tracks. Among its standout moments is Marissa Nadler’s haunting take on “The Great Below,” now paired with a striking music video she created, directed, and edited herself. The result feels immersive and deeply personal, extending the song’s atmosphere into vivid visual form.

Nadler shares her connection to the track: “Both Milky and I were immediately drawn to the song’s intimate darkness and atmosphere, elements that resonate deeply with our own work. In this version, we aimed to preserve the original’s haunting sense of isolation and shimmering despair.” Her voice floats through the arrangement, honoring the source while reshaping its emotional core.

She continues, praising Nine Inch Nails’ sonic architecture and the film score work of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. “The sense of suspense created by that restraint in ‘The Great Below’ was immensely compelling to us. I’ve always been drawn to the slowest, saddest corners of a record, the ones that can open up into new realms, and ‘The Great Below’ felt like one of those rare portals.” The performance captures that quiet intensity.

Best known as a singer songwriter, Nadler released her tenth studio album ‘New Radiations’ in 2025 to strong acclaim. A mezzo soprano who blends folk, country, and experimental metal textures, she also brings a background in fine art, with degrees in illustration and art education from the Rhode Island School of Design. Painting, bookbinding, wood carving, and hot wax techniques all inform her visual language, and now video art joins that list. This reimagining stands as a compelling bridge between two distinct creative worlds.

The All American Rejects Drop ‘Get This’ And Turn Up The Sandbox

Eric Alper
-
0
The All American Rejects Drop ‘Get This’ And Turn Up The Sandbox

Fresh off an arena run with the Jonas Brothers, The All American Rejects return with “Get This,” a sharp edged indie pop rush from their forthcoming album ‘Sandbox.’ The track signals a confident new chapter while tapping into the melodic instincts that first made them radio staples.

“Get This” carries the punch and swagger of earlier favorites like “Gives You Hell” and “Move Along,” pairing tight hooks with a playful edge. The cheeky music video places the band across five different sets inspired by classic holiday films, leaning into the fun and amplifying the track’s off center charm.

Tyson Ritter shares about the song’s origins: “Little hooks will sit in your pockets like a lead weight that won’t shake out in the dryer. ‘Get This’ was a song born on a drive. It was made in the sunshine on the back porch of our family home. Pure fun like the company it was written around.” That spirit runs through every second of the track.

The momentum has been undeniable. Their breakout “Easy Come, Easy Go” fueled the viral House Party Tour, generating hundreds of millions of views across three music videos and drawing coverage from Nightline, CNN, FADER, Kerrang!, New York Magazine, and NPR. With “Get This” and ‘Sandbox’ on the horizon, The All American Rejects are moving with renewed energy and a growing audience that spans generations.

1...208209210...3,527Page 209 of 3,527

Follow us on Instagram @thatericalper

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

Popular posts

Popular category

© Copyright - That Eric Alper