All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or X.
Photo Gallery: Brad Paisley, Jackson Dean, and Meghan Patrick at Hamilton’s TD Coliseum on December 12, 2025
Testament Brings The “Thrash Of The Titans” To The United States
The energy of the Bay Area is heading across the country this spring as Testament officially launches the highly anticipated U.S. leg of their ‘Thrash Of The Titans’ world tour. This monumental trek unites three of the most enduring forces in heavy music with Overkill and the German legends Destruction joining the bill for a month of absolute chaos. Frontman Chuck Billy is looking at 2026 as a year that begins with an explosion as these metal brothers celebrate a friendship that has spanned nearly four decades. It is a rare opportunity to see a lineup this heavy and this seasoned sharing the same stage night after night to prove that the spirit of thrash is as vital as ever.
Tour Dates:
3/14 – Portland, OR – Roseland theater
3/15 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall
3/16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell at the Complex
3/18 – Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
3/20 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
3/21 – Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore
3/22 – Chicago, IL – Ramova Theatre
3/24 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
3/25 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Ballroom
3/27 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
3/28 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
3/29 – Reading, PA – Club Reverb
3/31 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theater
4/1 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live
4/3 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
4/4 – Dallas, TX – The Bomb Factory
4/5 – San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theatre
4/8 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
4/9 – Los Angeles, CA – The Belasco
4/10 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre (no Overkill)
Virtue In Vain Completes A Brutal Trilogy With “Nothing Is All I Am”
Welsh heavyweights Virtue In Vain are stepping back into the light with their most engulfing work to date, a new EP titled ‘Nothing Is All I Am’ arriving on Friday, January 23rd. This record serves as the final chapter in a deeply personal trilogy that began with the exploration of lost identity on ‘For All You Know Is The Mask I Wore’ and the chaotic descent of ‘Dusk // Dawn’. The new material finds the band navigating the wreckage of a fractured mind and picking up the pieces with a raw honesty that feels both painful and necessary. To lead the charge, the band has unleashed a devastating new single called “Blood Eyes” which perfectly sets the tone for the emotional weight of the full project.
Musically, this is the most relentless the quartet has ever sounded as they lean into a barrage of burly riffs and jackhammer percussion. Vocalist Hywel delivers a full-frontal guttural performance that captures the unrelenting anger and pessimism woven into the lyrics. From the opening intensity of “Split” to the final echoes of “The Wit & I,” the EP functions as a cohesive journey through panic attacks and the torment of replaying one’s own failings. It is a massive sonic achievement that manages to be both technically impressive and deeply emotive at the same time.
There is a sense of genuine catharsis in how these tracks come together to tell a story of resilience amidst a mental storm. The band has spent years carving out a fierce reputation across the UK’s heavy music scene and this release confirms their status as thoughtful songwriters who aren’t afraid of the dark. By confronting the struggles of the human condition head-on, they have created a body of work that is absolutely captivating for anyone who likes their music with a lot of heart and a lot of volume. This is the sound of a band reaching their peak and finding strength in the most vulnerable places.
Track Listing:
- Split
- Blood Eyes
- Between Reflections & Silence
- Echoes
- The Wit & I
Big Richard Delivers A Fierce New Era With “Pet”
Bluegrass used to be about the past, but Big Richard is playing for the world we actually live in right now. Their new album ‘Pet’ arrives February 5th via Signature Sounds and it completely ignores the digital polish that kills so much modern music. This Colorado quartet decided to record the whole thing live to tape in single shot performances because they understand that mistakes make you human. Cello player Joy Adams and mandolinist Bonnie Sims wanted to capture the raw energy of their stage show and the result is a record that breathes with a kind of intensity you rarely hear anymore.
The album starts with a medley of “It’s Gonna Fall” and “Old Daingerfield” that confronts environmental collapse without blinking an eye. They follow up heavy themes with instrumentals like “Circus Jerk” where everyone gets space to rip and show off their deep musical pedigree. These women have the degrees and the touring history to back up the bravado, but they aren’t interested in just being technical. They are interested in the collective anger and the eventual catharsis that comes from playing songs like the anti-capitalist anthem “Millionaire” or the vehement “Red Fox Run.”
You see a lot of macho posturing in this genre, but the name Big Richard is a direct reclamation of that old school attitude. The title track “Pet” sounds like a slightly unhinged circus soundtrack while exploring childhood trauma and the feeling of being stuck in the turning world. Even with all the fury, they still find room for the yearning sweetness of “Alaska” and a hushed cover of “Make the World Go Away” to close the set. This is music that unsettles and comforts at the same time because it was made by people who are actually willing to let their creative juices flow.
Obscura Bring The “Stardust Tour” To North America This Spring
Obscura is returning to the United States this spring for the eighteen-date “Stardust Tour” beginning March 15th at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in Hollywood. This run of shows represents a significant portion of their multi-year ‘A Sonication World Tour’ and brings a technical lineup to major markets across the country. Frontman Steffen Kummerer has confirmed that the band will perform material from their latest album alongside several deep cuts that have never appeared on a live setlist before. Fans in cities like Austin, Philadelphia, and Detroit can expect a precise and immersive performance that highlights the band’s complex musicality.
Joining the tour as special guests are Allegaeon and Cognitive who are both recognized as significant forces in the modern progressive death metal scene. The addition of Dutch avant-garde unit Cryptosis completes a diverse bill that spans multiple sub-genres of extreme music. Tickets for these performances are available today starting at 10:00 PST through the band’s official website. This spring trek serves as a precursor to a busy global schedule for the group as they continue their worldwide travels well into the summer months.
Following the final North American date in Roseville, the band will travel to Japan for “The Sun Eater” tour with label mates Fallujah and the group DVRK.
Tour Dates (w/ Allegaeon, Cognitive, Cryptosis):
03.13.2026 USA Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky-A-Go-Go
03.14.2026 USA Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
03.15.2026 USA El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill
03.16.2026 USA Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live
03.17.2026 USA Oklahoma City, OK @ 89th Street Collective
03.18.2026 USA Haltom City, TX @ Haltom Theater
03.23.2026 USA Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
03.24.2026 USA Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows
03.25.2026 USA Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom
03.26.2026 USA Rochester, NY @ Photo City Music All
03.27.2026 USA Lakewood, OH @ Mercury Music Lounge
03.28.2026 USA Detroit, MI @ The Sanctuary
03.29.2026 USA Joilet, IL @ The Forge
03.30.2026 USA Kansas City, MO @ Warehouse On Broadway
03.31.2026 USA Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
04.01.2026 USA Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon
04.02.2026 USA Reno, NV @ Club Underground
04.03.2026 USA Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
Japanese Tour Dates (w/ Fallujah, DVRK):
05.20.2026 JP Tokyo @ Space Odd
05.21.2026 JP Tokyo @ Space Odd
05.22.2026 JP Nagoya @ 3Star Image
05.23.2026 JP Osaka @ Score Factory
05.24.2026 JP Hiroshima @ Reed
Festival Dates:
01.10.2026 NL @ Hedon Zwaar 2026
05.02.2026 IND @ Hammersonic Festival 2026
06.18.2026 FR @ Hellfest 2026
08.15.2026 IT @ Frantic Festival 2026
08.29.2026 CZ @ Brezovska Metalova Noc 19
Universal Music Group and Splice Partner For Ethical AI Tools
Universal Music Group and the popular music creation platform Splice are joining forces to build a visionary roadmap for the next generation of AI-powered creative tools. This strategic alliance focuses on developing commercial products that prioritize artistic control and sonic excellence while fully respecting intellectual property rights. By bringing together the world’s leading home for artists and a ubiquitous production ecosystem, both companies aim to provide a high-fidelity pathway for creators to express their intent with absolute precision. This partnership stands out as a major win for the creative community because it emphasizes a commitment to ethical innovation and the empowerment of human artistry over automation.
The collaboration will specifically explore the development of AI-powered virtual instruments that allow UMG artists to integrate their own signature sounds into the Splice workflow. This move builds on the impressive foundation that Splice has established through its growing suite of AI-native tools and its recent acquisition of the high-end virtual instrument library Spitfire Audio. Artists are expected to play a central role in guiding the development process to ensure the final products meet the rigorous demands of professional studio environments. By fostering this level of direct creative involvement, the partnership ensures that the emerging technology serves as a natural extension of an artist’s unique palette.
Both Michael Nash of UMG and Kakul Srivastava of Splice have highlighted the importance of fair compensation and transparency as they navigate this new technological front. This agreement is a natural extension of their shared history as signatories to the Principles for Music Creation with AI which advocates for responsible and human-centric development. With deeply embedded workflows already existing in industry-standard workstations like Ableton and Pro Tools, these new tools are poised to become an essential part of the modern producer’s toolkit. It is an exciting time to be a creator as these industry leaders work to put trustworthy and powerful commercial instruments into the hands of musicians everywhere.
Megadeth Set To Melt Faces With “Ride the Lightning” At The Buffalo Chip
The legendary Sturgis Buffalo Chip is preparing for a historic heavy metal earthquake as Megadeth makes their highly anticipated debut at the venue on Saturday, August 8th. Rumors are currently circulating that the band will perform a monumental cover of “Ride the Lightning” live for the very first time during this appearance. This iconic track was originally co-written by Dave Mustaine during his early days with Metallica and its inclusion in the setlist offers fans a rare glimpse into a legendary chapter of thrash metal history. This performance serves as a powerful bridge to the band’s forthcoming ‘Megadeth’ album which is currently scheduled for release on January 23rd as their final studio statement.
Since their formation in 1983, Megadeth has solidified their status as a global powerhouse with 50 million records sold and a Grammy Award on their massive shelf of accolades. The upcoming show promises a high-octane celebration of their career including massive hits like “Symphony of Destruction,” “Holy Wars,” and “A Tout Le Monde.” Sturgis Buffalo Chip President Daymon Woodruff is already leaning into the excitement by joking about the face-melting power of the band’s signature riffs. This appearance at the world-famous rally is shaping up to be a definitive moment for the 2026 event lineup which already features superstars like David Lee Roth and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The sheer velocity and precision of the music will surely leave the crowd in awe as the band showcases material from their self-titled ‘Megadeth’ record alongside their classic anthems. Fans can expect a masterclass in guitar work and a production that honors the rebellion and heart of the genre. With seven Top 10 entries on the Billboard 200 and billions of streams to their name, the band continues to command the stage with an energy that remains unmatched. This historic night at the Chip is the ultimate opportunity for diehard fans to witness a legendary outfit at the peak of their powers before they close this incredible studio chapter.
Travis Scott Reveals Sultry New Visuals For “PBT”
Travis Scott is treating the world to a luxurious new experience with the surprise release of the official music video for “PBT” featuring Tyla and Vybz Kartel today. This seductive collaboration emerges as a standout highlight from the chart-topping ‘JACKBOYS 2’ project which recently debuted at the very top of the Billboard 200. Directed by the legendary Nabil, the visual masterpiece travels from the glowing Tokyo skyline into an intimate narrative that perfectly captures the Afrobeats and dancehall energy of the track. Tyla shines with her signature sultry vocals while Vybz Kartel delivers a legendary verse that elevates the entire production to a global anthem status. Producer BBYKOBE provides a vibrant South African bounce that feels right at home in a high-end club or a late-night private party. This release further proves the incredible versatility of the Cactus Jack collective as they continue to lead the industry with boundary-free art and blockbuster collaborations.
Walter Miller Unleashes The Glamour Of “Basic Instinct”
The modern music scene is witnessing a massive surge of adrenaline as rising pop-rock powerhouse Walter Miller electrifies the airwaves with his latest single “Basic Instinct” today. This brand-new release captures the artist’s signature blend of bold theatricality and classic rock bravado while bridging the gap between legendary arena energy and polished modern production. Produced by the talented trio of Walter Miller, Collin Hanley, and Zack Page, the track serves as a soaring lead single from a highly anticipated forthcoming album and celebrates a sense of fluid masculinity. Listening to the track reveals a rich sonic tapestry featuring live drums by Chris Brush and elegant violin work by Brenna Wheeler which adds a layer of sophistication to the raw rock power. Every note reflects a total liberation for the performer who moves effortlessly between traditional roots and high-fashion stage presence to prove he is the future of the genre.
Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries is ushering in an incredible new chapter for home audio with the global reveal of the ‘SONIK’ series. This next-generation loudspeaker lineup aims to bring premium high-fidelity sound to a much wider audience by combining elite engineering with impressive accessibility. Drawing inspiration from the massive success of the award-winning ‘OBERON’ series, these new models incorporate sophisticated technologies originally developed for flagship masterpieces like the ‘DALI KORE’ and ‘EPICON’ ranges.
The ‘SONIK’ evolution features a comprehensive family of seven different models designed to fit perfectly into any living space or dedicated cinema room. From the ultra-compact ‘SONIK 1’ standmount to the commanding ‘SONIK 9’ floorstanding flagship, every speaker benefits from a specialized 29 mm soft dome tweeter and proprietary Clarity Cone drivers. The inclusion of the patented SMC Essential magnet system is a total game changer for this category because it significantly reduces distortion to ensure a clean and emotionally compelling listening experience.
Design enthusiasts will appreciate the modern aesthetic that DALI has perfected with sleek aluminium faceplates and custom magnetic grilles. The cabinets are available in four stunning finishes including Black Ash, Walnut, Natural Oak, and White to ensure they complement any interior decor. Each floorstanding model also comes equipped with aluminium spike outriggers which provide both exceptional stability and a premium visual presence that highlights the meticulous Danish craftsmanship.
The versatility of this range extends all the way to specialized home theater solutions like the ‘SONIK ON-WALL’ and the flexible ‘SONIK CINEMA’ center channel. These options allow movie fans to build a full-scale cinematic environment that maintains the same holographic imaging and clarity found in high-end stereo setups. Head of Product Management Krestian Pedersen describes this launch as a new benchmark for performance that will surely attract a whole new generation of audio fans when these hit the market.