Home Blog Page 335

SOEN Announce Seventh Album ‘Reliance,’ Out January 16, 2026

Eric Alper
-
0
SOEN Announce Seventh Album ‘Reliance,’ Out January 16, 2026

SOEN announce their forthcoming new studio album Reliance, set for release on January 16, 2026 via Silver Lining Music. With Reliance, their seventh studio album, the Swedish progressive metal powerhouse, spearheaded by Joel Ekelof (vocals) and Martin Lopez (drums), continue to find incredible new pathways into the spatial areas between light and dark, loud and calm, heavy and soothing. And with its seamless march across deeply human emotional terrain, SOEN’s music continues to explore the human mind, heart, and soul with a visionary duty of care, plus an extra edge of heavy.

The first single, “Primal,” released today, is a provoking, barrel-chested roar detailing the existential fight between the human spirit and our current world, with Ekelof’s incredible vocals leading the heavy charge.

Founding member and drummer Martin Lopez comments: “Primal’ is a song that came from a place of frustration with the world we’re living in. The corruption, the division and the suffocating grip that technology has on all of us. It’s heavy and straight to the point, built on riffs and raw energy, but it also opens up into a chorus that feels hopeful, like a reminder that light can still break through the dark.”

“For us, it’s about more than just aggression,” continues Ekelof. “It’s about encouraging people to find that fire again, to reconnect with passion, and to take those steps out of the darkness together.”

Joe Bonamassa Announces ‘B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100,’ Star-Studded Tribute Album Honoring the King of the Blues

Eric Alper
-
0
Joe Bonamassa Announces ‘B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100,’ Star-Studded Tribute Album Honoring the King of the Blues

Today – on what would have been B.B. King’s 100th birthday – Joe Bonamassa has announced the upcoming release of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, produced by Grammy-nominated duo Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, an extraordinary collaborative tribute album celebrating the legacy of one of music’s most iconic figures.

Out via KTBA Records, the project launches with the release of its first five tracks here and a promise of more to come in the months ahead. A total of 32 songs will be released in monthly installments through February 2026, culminating in the arrival of the full digital album as well as the Double CD and Triple LP Vinyl on February 6th, 2026.

“Very few people in music define the genre in which they flourish, and B.B. King is one of them,” says Bonamassa. “When B.B. was alive and active, he was the blues – he was the sun which all planets rotated around. Only a few artists are the true north guiding the genre in which they participated, but he was that shining star.”

The album includes jaw-dropping reinterpretations of King’s most iconic songs by an unprecedented collection of blues legends, rock icons, soul powerhouses, and rising stars. The first five tracks released today include collaborations with Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Bobby Rush, George Benson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and D.K. Harrell.

A true labor of love for Bonamassa, the idea for the album was born after he realized that no major plans had been announced to celebrate King’s 100th birthday. With the blessing of the King estate, he began making calls, starting with longtime friends and collaborators and eventually expanding to a wide network of artists whose lives and music had been shaped by King.
“The Blues are the roots, the rest are the fruits.”

These timeless words from B.B. King capture the essence of his life’s work – reminding us that all music, and indeed much of culture, grows from the Blues.

On behalf of the Estate of B.B. King, the B.B. King Family, Vassal Benford, and Ronald Lebow, we are deeply honored to collaborate with Joe Bonamassa on this special project kicking off Mr. King’s 100th birthday Centennial celebration. Together with Joe Bonamassa, along with other great artists, we celebrate not only Mr. King’s extraordinary music, but also his enduring spirit of love, unity, and the joy he brought to generations. This collection carries his legacy forward-so that new audiences may continue to feel the heart, soul, and humanity of the King of the Blues. – Vassal Gradington Benford III, Chairman, Estate of B.B. King

The result is a bespoke project, nine months in the making, with contributions from Buddy Guy, Keb’ Mo’, Slash, Shemekia Copeland, Marcus King, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Larkin Poe, Jimmie Vaughan, Warren Haynes, Dion, Aloe Blacc, Kirk Fletcher, and many others. Each artist was matched with material that felt personal – sometimes surprising – and all were given space to interpret King’s catalog through their own lens.

Bonamassa, who first opened for B.B. King at age 12, credits the blues titan with shaping his approach to music and life. “He mentored me,” says Bonamassa. “But I wasn’t the only one. All the people in his orbit have the same story about how kind B.B. was, and how he embraced the younger generation.”

As producer, Bonamassa paid special attention to preserving the quality and emotional authenticity of the work. Tracks like “The Thrill Is Gone” were given the full treatment with real strings, horns, and whatever else was needed to do them justice. “You only get one shot to do this correctly,” he says. “And I think we nailed it.”

The project also highlights King’s extraordinary vocal prowess – a trait often overshadowed by his legendary guitar playing. “He’s known as a guitar player, but if Frank Sinatra says, ‘Hey, this is one of my favorite singers in the world,’ you listen,” says Bonamassa. “He could shake the ground with that chest voice.”

For the artists involved, the project was more than a musical endeavor – it was a chance to reflect on King’s cultural and personal significance. Bobby Rush, who met King in 1948, called him “the man I looked up to all my life” and recalls leading the hearse at his funeral. Kenny Wayne Shepherd shared a story about receiving life advice from King on his 16th birthday. Marcus King remembers leaning against the back wall at a B.B. King show as a child, a moment that stayed with him forever.

Other pairings bring together artists from different genres and generations, including Train’s Pat Monahan with guitarist Chris Buck on “Think It Over,” and Shemekia Copeland, Slash, and Myles Kennedy joining forces for “When Love Comes to Town.” The album was released through Bonamassa’s own KTBA Records as part of his ongoing effort to uphold the rich culture and history of the blues as a true American art form.

The album title is a nod to King’s Grammy-winning 1993 album Blues Summit. For Bonamassa, this project is less a swan song than a mission fulfilled. “B.B.’s only wish was, ‘Do what you can to keep the blues alive,'” he says. “Well, hopefully this album gives a B12 shot to his legacy – and to the legacy of the blues.”

King, who passed away in 2015 at 89 years old, left behind a legacy as a performer, songwriter, and global ambassador. With over 50 albums, 15 Grammy Awards, and performances in nearly every corner of the globe, he introduced the blues to millions and inspired generations. As Buddy Guy once said, “Every electric guitarist you listen to, there’s a little bit of B.B. in there.”

The first five tracks from B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 are available on all digital platforms today, with six additional songs to be released monthly through February 9th, 2026 – the date the full album arrives in both digital and physical formats.

B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 – Full Tracklist
Disc 1:
1. Paying The Cost To Be The Boss feat. Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
2. Don’t Answer The Door feat. Marcus King
3. To Know You Is To Love You feat. Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks
4. Let The Good Times Roll feat. Kenny Wayne Shepherd & Noah Hunt
5. Sweet Little Angel feat. Buddy Guy
6. When It All Comes Down (I’ll Still Be Around) feat. Larry McCray
7. When Love Comes To Town feat. Slash, Shemekia Copeland & Myles Kennedy
8. The Thrill Is Gone*
9. Watch Yourself feat. Jimmie Vaughan
10. Why I Sing The Blues feat. Bobby Rush
11. Sweet Sixteen feat. Jimmy Hall & Larry Carlton
12. Don’t You Want A Man Like Me feat. Larkin Poe
13. I’ll Survive feat. Keb’ Mo’
14. Heartbreaker feat. Trombone Shorty & Eric Gales
15. There Must Be A Better World Somewhere feat. George Benson
16. Chains And Things feat. Gary Clark Jr.

Disc 2:
1. How Blue Can You Get feat. Warren Haynes
2.. You Upset Me Baby feat. Chris Cain
3. Ghetto Woman feat. Ivan Neville
4. Night Life feat. Paul Rodgers
5. Ain’t Nobody Home feat. Jade MacRae & Robben Ford
6. Bad Case Of Love feat. Joanne Shaw Taylor
7. Never Make A Move Too Soon feat. Dion
8. Three O’Clock Blues feat. Marc Broussard
9. Think It Over feat. Train & Chris Buck
10. It’s My Own Fault feat. Kim Wilson
11. Every Day I Have The Blues feat. D.K. Harrell
12. Please Accept My Love feat. John Nemeth
13. So Excited feat. Aloe Blacc
14. When My Heart Beats Like A Hammer feat. Dannielle De Andrea
15. Playin’ With My Friends
16. Better Not Look Down feat. Kirk Fletcher

* Special guests for this track will be announced soon

The Offspring to Open for The Who at Hollywood Bowl as Part of Farewell Tour

Eric Alper
-
0
The Offspring to Open for The Who at Hollywood Bowl as Part of Farewell Tour

On the heels of selling out venues across North America on their massive summer tour, The Offspring has been tapped to open for legendary rock band The Who at the Hollywood Bowl on September 19th in Los Angeles, CA as part of The Who’s The Song Is Over North American farewell tour.

The Offspring’s SUPERCHARGED Worldwide in ’25 Tour just wrapped the U.S. leg on September 7th in Denver, Colorado after a 34-date run playing for a record setting number of fans.

Next up, the band will be performing at iHeart Radio Music Festival in Las Vegas, NV on September 20th before heading to Europe.

Ronnie Romero Releases New Single “Eternally” Ahead of Solo Album ‘Backbone,’ Out October 24

Eric Alper
-
0
Ronnie Romero Releases New Single “Eternally” Ahead of Solo Album ‘Backbone,’ Out October 24

Ronnie Romero is pleased to unveil his new track “Eternally,” the second single from his upcoming new solo album, ‘Backbone,’ out on October 24, 2025 via Frontiers Music Srl. “Eternally” arrives accompanied by an official video, available below.

Talking about the new single, Ronnie states: “‘Eternally’ is another very special song I wrote together with my dear friend Roy Z. We had been talking about doing something together for many years and, when it was time to write my album, I asked him if he had any idea and he immediately sent me this music with a very cool riff that Jose (Rubio) and I adapted to the song you can listen to now!

“Since I live in Romania, I had the idea to write about Vlad Tepes (Dracula), so I thought this song was the perfect opportunity. The lyrics are about his loneliness and desperation… A different point of view and how love can keep us alive even in the hardest times”, he added.

‘Backbone,’ Ronnie Romero’s new solo album, is a bold and dynamic statement that marks a major step forward in his solo career. Featuring a collection of powerful and inspired heavy metal tracks, the album showcases ROMERO at the peak of his vocal prowess. The album is produced by ROMERO himself and mixed and mastered by his guitarist Jose Rubio Jimenez.

Special contributions include guitar legend Kee Marcello, as well as acclaimed songwriter Russ Ballard, who penned the track “Hideaway.” The album also features a thunderous cover of Black Sabbath’s “Devil And Daughter,” reimagined with ROMERO’s signature intensity.

Ronnie comments: “I actually have to thank my dear friend Russ Ballard!! Before I started writing the songs, I had this idea to make a song together, to link somehow the Rainbow connection we have. He immediately said yes and sent a cool idea which ended up being the song ‘Hideaway.’ From there it was so easy to get inspired for the rest of the songs”.

“Also, the song we did with my dear Roy Z, and of course the amazing guitar solo of one of our heroes Kee Marcello for the song with Russ… It’s so easy to write music when you are surrounded by such great people!”, he added.

ROMERO continued, “Nothing would be possible without the help of my friend Jose Rubio, in the songwriting process and the wonderful job he did to get the powerful sound through all the album, since he took care of the mixing and mastering. I really believe it’s an important improvement from the previous album. I hope you all gonna like this one!! We feel very proud of what we achieved with ‘Backbone.'”

State Champs Drop New Video for “Common Sense” via Pure Noise Records

Eric Alper
-
0
State Champs Drop New Video for “Common Sense” via Pure Noise Records

Albany-raised pop-punk band State Champs released a new music video for their latest single, “Common Sense,” via Pure Noise Records. It’s a punchy, high-energy track that’s packed with the band’s signature catchy hooks and dynamic guitars, while showcasing a heavier side to their evolving sound.

The band shared their sentiments on the new track: “We couldn’t wait to share the video for Common Sense. This song is deeply personal to us. When we were picking a director, we knew that Lupe could bring the emotions of the song to life in a beautiful way. Go check it out!”

This is the first song the band has put out since their self-titled record came out in November 2024. The album marked a new chapter for the band, showcasing their evolution while staying true to their roots. It featured hit singles including “Light Blue,” “Too Late To Say,” and “Silver Cloud.” The album received praise from the likes of Rolling Stone, AltPress, Rock Sound and New Noise Magazine, admiring its blend of nostalgic Warped Tour-era energy and modern pop punk sounds. It cemented them as torchbearers on the scene and is one of the band’s most celebrated albums to date.

This month the band will be on tour with A Day to Remember and Yellowcard for select dates. Later this year, they will do a small run of shows in Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, and Virgina at a few intimate venues with friends Stateside and Super Sometimes. They will also be performing at several music festivals including Vans Warped Tour Orlando on November 15 – 16 and Aftershock Festival on October 2. They will also be back on the Emo’s Not Dead Cruise in January 2026.

Rufus & Martha Wainwright Announce ‘Hooray for Hollydays’ Benefit Concert with Beck, Lucy Dacus, and More

Eric Alper
-
0
Rufus & Martha Wainwright Announce ‘Hooray for Hollydays’ Benefit Concert with Beck, Lucy Dacus, and More

Rufus & Martha Wainwright announce Hooray for Hollydays, this year’s installment of their annual holiday extravaganza. The benefit concert will take place in Los Angeles on December 6 at the Saban Theatre, and will feature a variety of special guests including Beck, Lucy Dacus, Jordan Firstman, and Jake Wesley Rogers, along with the Wainwright family including Loudon Wainwright III and Lucy Wainwright Roche. More guests to be announced soon.

Net proceeds from the event will go directly to Folk Cancer: The Kate McGarrigle Project, a heartfelt collaboration that Rufus & Martha established with Cancer Can Rock in memory of their mother.

“I’m not a religious person per se, but I do believe in love and light. Over the years our family holiday concerts have imbued both relatives and the general public with these two positive qualities, not to mention a few laughs along the way, and in this present dark and brutal time I’m willing to gage that the effect will be brighter and lovelier than ever!” -Rufus Wainwright

“Hooray for Hollydays is more than a concert-it’s a celebration of courage, creativity, and legacy,” said Katie Daryl, Creative Director of Development at Cancer Can Rock. “Thanks to the Wainwrights’ generosity and vision, this event will empower artists with cancer to create music that lives beyond them. Together, we’re honoring the spirit of Kate McGarrigle and ensuring that these musicians’ stories are never forgotten.”

Isaac Wilson of Dwellings Launches Solo Project Bastion Hollow with Debut Single “Polaroid”

Eric Alper
-
0
Isaac Wilson of Dwellings Launches Solo Project Bastion Hollow with Debut Single “Polaroid”

kill iconic records and Bastion Hollow are excited to announce the release of “Polaroid,” the first solo single from Isaac Wilson of Dwellings. As its introduction to the project, “Polaroid” is an indie-pop departure from Wilson’s principal outfit and reveals a much more carefree and breezy side of his artistry.

“‘Polaroid’ is something I’m super proud of; it checks all the boxes without really putting me into one,” Wilson says of the track. “With this release, it’s a bit funny, silly and catchy with a lighter theme than my previous projects where the themes are a bit darker and more thought-provoking.

“The songs I release as Bastion Hollow are going to be light-hearted, talking about love, making good on mistakes, and straight-up dancing-on-heart strings.”

Vincent Mason Announces Debut Album ‘There I Go,’ Out November 7

Eric Alper
-
0
Vincent Mason Announces Debut Album ‘There I Go,’ Out November 7

Interscope/MCA Nashville/Music Soup songwriter and artist Vincent Mason has officially announced his highly anticipated debut major label album, There I Go, set to arrive November 7.

To mark the news, Mason shares a deeply personal new track, “Days Are Numbered,” out today, September 16. Capturing the relentless grind of chasing a passion, the road-worn anthem was written by Mason alongside Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon, and Geoff Warburton.

“I was always a kid who liked to be very still. My favorite question growing up was always ‘When can we go home?’ ‘I’ve really been that way my whole life. Last year I put out a song called ‘Hell is a Dance Floor’ and since then I haven’t really been home at all,” shares Mason. “The album There I Go is me learning how to live on the road. ‘Days Are Numbered’ captures the two sides of the album and the tension that lies in between. There’s the kid in me that wants to stay home, and the side of me that can’t get enough of being out on the road playing shows. I thank God every day that I have the life that I do, and I wouldn’t trade it. ‘There I Go’ is the through line that captures all the moments of my life since it changed last year.”

This album is a true coming-of-age soundtrack; each song is intimate yet relatable as Mason threads together moments of love, loss, and the fleeting joys that make it all worthwhile. As a songwriter on all but one of the 14 songs, this collection blends harmonica-soaked melodies with midnight musings on slide guitar. There I Go ties the timeless craft of country storytelling to a contemporary sound.

This summer, he supported Riley Green, Luke Bryan, and Parker McCollum on select dates. This fall, he will join Jordan Davis to hit major venues across the country, including The Greek in Los Angeles, Radio City Music Hall in New York, and Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado.

There I Go Tracklist:
There I Go (Vincent Mason and Jack Hummel)
Little Miss (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Ryan Beaver, Jared Keim)
Sink or Swim (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jack Hummel, Devin Dawson)
Damned If I Do (Vincent Mason, Jacob Hackworth, Lauren Hungate)
Old Flame (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Hillary Lindsey)
She Loves Leaving (Vincent Mason, Geoff Warburton, Chris LaCorte)
Anything Took Everything (Vincent Mason, Erik Dylan, Jack Rauton)
Sit With It (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Randy Montana, Jaxson Free)
Painkiller (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird)
American Spirit (Vincent Mason, Abram Dean, Andy Albert, Zach Abend)
Hell Is A Dancefloor (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel)
Wish You Well (Geoff Warburton, Jessie Jo Dillon, Blake Pendergrass, Chris LaCorte)
Days Are Numbered (Vincent Mason, Chase McDaniel, Jessie Jo Dillon, Geoff Warburton)
Good Run (worktape) (Vincent Mason)

Natalie Jane Announces Debut Album ‘the world i didn’t want,’ Out October 24

Eric Alper
-
0
Natalie Jane Announces Debut Album ‘the world i didn’t want,’ Out October 24

Natalie Jane has officially announced her debut album, “the world i didn’t want”, which will be released by Capitol Records / 10K Projects on October 24th. This powerful and deeply personal project marks a new chapter for the rising singer-songwriter, whose raw lyricism and genre-blending sound have captivated a massive global audience. The album announcement coincides with the reveal of her upcoming single, “r u gonna love me?,” which is the fourth track to be released from the forthcoming album.

“This project has taken us over a year now and I have spent every single day making sure every detail is perfect for all of you. I put out my first song ever over 4 years ago, when I was still in high school and had a silly dream that I could be an artist one day. Every song and every show has led me to this moment- where I am able to put every little thing inside my head both sonically and visually into a project for all of you. To everyone reading this, this is only the beginning and I’m so happy you are here with me at the start <3” – Natalie Jane

As Natalie Jane’s most honest work yet, “the world i didn’t want” is a collection of songs that showcase her unique storytelling ability, transforming personal experiences into universal anthems. Listeners can expect her signature powerhouse vocals woven throughout the new body of work. Over the last few weeks, Natalie Jane has released her collaboration with Global dance DJ Duo, Loud Luxury for their massive electronic hit “UH-OH!”. She has also released her three singles, “girls will b girls”, “fallin”, “how u been?” which will also be on the new body of work. Natalie Jane has been doing various pop-up shows across major European cities including Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, London and more.

As she embarks on this new era, Natalie Jane continues to solidify her status as a defining new voice in pop. While being one of TikTok’s most viewed artists, she earned a 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards nomination and has recently received recognition from TMRW Magazine, MTV Fresh Out Live, GRAMMY.com list of “25 Rising Artists To Watch In 2024”, People Magazine, EUPHORIA, Popdust and other major outlets. As she continues to ascend, Natalie Jane remains committed to leading with authenticity and genuineness every step of the way.

Bloodstock Open Air Expands 2026 Lineup with 27 New Acts, Saxon to Headline First-Ever Thursday Main Stage

Eric Alper
-
0
Bloodstock Open Air Expands 2026 Lineup with 27 New Acts, Saxon to Headline First-Ever Thursday Main Stage

Bloodstock Open Air will return to Catton Park, Derbyshire, from August 6th to 9th, 2026. Following up on the recent announcement, which saw 25 bands announced for the festival’s 25th anniversary, organisers have now released the names of 27 new acts joining the bill, including the first-ever Thursday night main stage headliner.

Headlining the opening night on the Ronnie James Dio main stage are none other than British heavy metal legends Saxon. Also joining Thursday’s main stage are Bloodstock favourites Evil Scarecrow, who bring their eccentric, theatrical brand of tongue-in-cheek metal mayhem, and Heavysaurus, the dinosaur-costumed heroes delivering family-friendly metal fun.

Friday will see the true crime-inspired, industrial sounds of Skynd, the outrageous, brutal slamming, death metal riot of Party Cannon, and the serpentine heavy rock theatrics of Battlesnake appear on the RJD stage. The Sophie Lancaster Stage will see German grindcore absurdists Excrementory Grindfuckers, Australian thrash squad Hidden Intent, UK medieval power metallers Sellsword, Danish death metal beasts Neckbreakker, electro nu-core party-starters Seething Akira, and rising Scottish extreme metal outfit Hammer, all appearing.

Saturday sees RJD Stage thrash-fuelled crossover aggression come courtesy of London’s Inhuman Nature, while the Sophie Stage will see UK hardcore institution Stampin Ground, genre-bending heavy hitters Urne, death metal purists Celestial Sanctuary, swaggering stoner rock bruisers Viking Skull, down-tempo brutality from Bound In Fear, technical groove maestros Imperium, and amphibian doom oddballs Froglord joining the line-up.

Closing the weekend in ferocious style, Canadian alt-metal pioneers Kittie make their debut on the RJD stage. Joining them are occult doom bringers Castle Rat, boundary-smashing modern hardcore crew Graphic Nature, and Wild West metal rabble rousers Bootyard Bandits. The Sophie Lancaster stage will see the masked industrial spectacle of Mushroomhead, soaring alt-rockers Dream State, and blackened extremists Trivax round things off.

Further additions to the line-up, and on-site entertainment will be announced over the coming months. For ticket details and all package offers, head over to the Official Bloodstock Website at bloodstock.uk.com.

1...334335336...3,050Page 335 of 3,050

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