It’s often said that art is the only way to make sense of a world that’s stopped making sense, and for Kat Leon of Holy Wars, that’s more than just a theory. The Los Angeles duo’s latest track, “Metamorphosis,” is a heavy, industrial-tinged dive into the mechanics of grief, written after the staggering loss of Leon’s parents and sister. Sonically, it sits in that dark, fertile ground between the jagged edges of Nine Inch Nails and the atmospheric weight of Evanescence—a sound they’ve been honing on massive festival stages like Download and Rock am Ring over the past year. This isn’t just another rock song; it’s a document of a band hitting their stride by embracing the “shadow self” and turning personal wreckage into something visceral and collective. As they gear up to join the ShipRocked cruise in early 2026, Holy Wars are proving that they’ve found their clarity on the road, emerging with a confidence that only comes from surviving the fire.
Post-Hardcore Band Gouge Away Releases ‘Live at BBC’ EP and Plots 2026 Tour
Have you ever noticed how some bands just seem to bottle lightning when the “On Air” sign glows? Florida’s Gouge Away is one of them. Following their 2024 LP ‘Deep Sage’, the group has finally dropped their ‘Live at BBC’ session digitally—four tracks recorded in the hallowed, history-soaked halls of Maida Vale for Daniel P. Carter’s Rock Show. It’s raw, it’s urgent, and it captures that specific brand of controlled chaos they do so well. But the real story here is what’s coming in 2026. After a spring run supporting Wednesday, they’re jumping into the deep end of the stadium circuit, opening for the Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age. It’s a massive leap from the DIY fundraiser they’re playing in Portland this February, but if anyone can make a stadium feel as visceral as a basement show, it’s this lot.
Tour Dates:
Feb 19 – Portland, OR — High Limit Room ^
Mar 13 – Knoxville, TN — Mill & Mine %
Mar 14 – Atlanta, GA — Variety Playhouse %
Mar 15 – Nashville, TN — Brooklyn Bowl %
Mar 17 – New Orleans, LA — Tipitina’s %
Mar 19 – Austin, TX — Emo’s %
Mar 20 – Dallas, TX — Granada Theatre %
Mar 21 – Oklahoma City, OK — Beer City Music Hall %
Mar 22 – Lawrence, KS — Granada Theater %
Mar 24 – St. Louis, MO — Delmar Hall %
Mar 26 – Minneapolis, MN — First Avenue %
Mar 27 – Milwaukee, WI — Turner Hall %
Mar 28 – Indianapolis, IN — The Vogue %
Mar 30 – Columbus, OH — The King of Clubs %
Mar 31 – Buffalo, NY — Asbury Hall %
Apr 01 – Boston, MA — Roadrunner %
Apr 04 – Asheville, NC — Orange Peel %
Apr 05 – Winston-Salem, NC — Ramkat %
Apr 21 – Portland, OR — Revolution Hall %
Apr 22 – Portland, OR — Revolution Hall %
Apr 23 – Seattle, WA — The Moore %
Apr 24 – Vancouver, BC — The Vogue %
Sep 20 – Vancouver, BC — BC Place $
Sep 26 – Las Vegas, NV — Allegiant Stadium $
^ Fundraiser for Northwest Abortion Access Fund with Dry Socket
% with Wednesday
$ with Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age
Alt-Pop Artist Jessie Murph Releases Raw Live Cover of “Hallelujah”
Genre-defying artist Jessie Murph has officially released her powerful live cover of “Hallelujah,” recorded earlier this month during her standout set at iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball. Reimagined with her signature vulnerability and raw vocal delivery, the stripped-back performance has already sparked widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and restraint. This release follows a massive season for the young artist, who recently debuted the deluxe edition of her chart-topping sophomore album, ‘Sex Hysteria’, and premiered the deeply personal short film ‘Sex Hysteria The End’, directed by Logan Rice. Having just wrapped the European leg of her Worldwide Hysteria Tour, Murph continues to cement her status as one of today’s most compelling voices while looking toward an even busier year in 2026.
R&B R&B Singer Zipporah Makes Stunning Debut with Single ‘Consequences’
Australia’s thriving R&B scene has a bold new protagonist in Zipporah, who has officially arrived with her debut single, ‘Consequences.’ A raw and intimate exploration of emotional fallout, the track blends smooth R&B with soulful jazz inflections and velvet-toned vocals. To craft this dynamic soundscape, the Torres Strait Islander artist collaborated with ARIA-winning producers Finbar Stuart and Nikodimos, layering rich beats with live keys and horns. Born into a family of performers, Zipporah infuses the track with cultural depth and a sense of grounded identity that serves as the perfect introduction to her artistry. ‘Consequences’ marks the first taste of her upcoming debut mixtape, NAUNGU URUI, which is set to further solidify her position as one of the most exciting emerging voices in local soul and jazz-inflected production.
Doom Metal Trio Temptress Announce U.S. Tour for ‘hear’
Dallas heavy hitters Temptress are hitting the road this winter to celebrate their upcoming full-length album ‘hear’ with an massive run across the West Coast. This powerful trio blends elements of doom, post-rock, and grunge into a molten sonic experience that is both crushing and ethereal. Known for their incredible live energy and a history of over two hundred performances, the band is set to showcase new tracks like “These Walls” starting with an album release show in their hometown this January. The new record arrives via Blues Funeral Recordings and highlights the band’s ability to fuse searing hooks with dissonant grooves. Fans can catch their liquid metal sound as they travel from Texas through California and the Southwest during this extensive early season trek.
Temptress Tour Dates:
01/23 – Dallas, TX – Puzzles
01/24 – Corpus Christi, TX – House of Rock
01/25 – Austin, TX – The Lost Well
01/27 – Tucson, AZ – Surly Wench Pub
01/28 – San Diego, CA – Tower Bar
01/29 – Yucca Valley, CA – Mojave Gold
01/30 – Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge
01/31 – Sacramento, CA – Cafe Colonial
02/01 – Eureka, CA – Siren’s Song Tavern
02/03 – Redding, CA – The Dip
02/04 – San Francisco, CA – Neck Of The Woods
02/05 – San Luis Obispo, CA – Dark Nectar
02/06 – Palmdale, CA – Transplants Brewing
02/07 – Las Vegas, NV – The Griffin
02/08 – Tempe, AZ – Yucca Tap Room
02/10 – El Paso, TX – Bye Bye Dear
02/11 – Santa Fe, NM – Desert Dogs
02/12 – Colorado Springs, CO – What’s Left Records
02/13 – Taos, NM – Goathead Collective Gallery
02/14 – Tulsa, OK – Whittier Ba
Alternative Rockers Fai Laci Delivers Deeply Personal New Single “Grains of Sand”
The Boston-born alternative rock outfit Fai Laci has unveiled a compelling new single titled “Grains of Sand” as they continue their meteoric rise through the music landscape. Produced by Dan Auerbach at Easy Eye Sound Studios in Nashville, the track explores the lingering anxiety of life and the resilience required when things fall apart. Luke Faillaci captured the raw emotion of the recording sessions during a late-night mix, noting how the live tracking process with his closest friends helped wrap up a difficult personal chapter. This latest release follows their successful label debut “Angels and The Others” and arrives alongside a tour-inspired music video that highlights their recent travels across the East Coast and Midwest. Signed to Easy Eye Sound after amassing over fifteen million streams independently, the quintet is currently focusing on their debut full-length album while building a real sense of community through their urgent and powerful rock and roll sound.
YOUTH CODE Returns With Vicious New “No Consequence” Single
Industrial heavyweights YOUTH CODE have officially broken a four-year silence with the announcement of their latest project ‘Yours, With Malice’ while debuting the lead track “No Consequence” alongside a weaponized performance video. This new output from multi-instrumentalists Sara Taylor and Ryan George represents a powerful chapter for the duo as they join the Sumerian Records roster with a sound that pulverizes expectations through bone-snapping snares and sizzling electronics. Ryan George noted that the time spent away allowed for deep self-reflection and a mountain of new material to be meticulously reworked without the pressure of deadlines. Mixed by Sanford Parker, the music maintains a subtle ear for melody beneath the layers of vitriol and bubbling sub-bass, proving that the band remains a commanding voice in both the electronic and heavy music landscapes.
Megadeth Unleashes “Let There Be Shred!” Ahead of Self-Titled Final Album
Thrash metal titans Megadeth have unleashed a rapid-fire new single and video titled “Let There Be Shred!” as the world prepares for their seventeenth and final studio album. Dropping January 23 via Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint and Frontiers Label Group, the self-titled record ‘Megadeth’ marks the end of a legendary recording career that has spanned over forty years and fifty million album sales. The new track serves as a ferocious manifesto featuring jaw-dropping riffs and what Mustaine describes as a tsunami of sound. Directed by Keith Leman, the accompanying video showcases the band’s signature fretboard ferocity alongside mixed martial arts stunts that pay tribute to the frontman’s personal mentors in the fighting arts.
The excitement surrounding the final album continues to build with several massive global events scheduled for early next year. Fans can experience ‘Megadeth’ in full during the worldwide cinematic event “Megadeth: Behind the Mask” which hits over one thousand theaters on January 22. This immersive film features a career-spanning retrospective interview with Mustaine and a track-by-track breakdown of the new music. Additionally, an exclusive listening event titled “Let There Be Shred: The Ultimate Megadeth Immersive Listening Event” will take place on January 17 in La Vergne, Tennessee. These celebrations provide a rare opportunity for the Cyber Army to connect with the band’s legacy just before the music officially lands.
Looking ahead to 2026, the group is preparing for their epic farewell trek titled “This Was Our Life World Tour” which includes a highly anticipated winter run across Canada. Starting February 15 in Victoria and visiting major cities like Calgary and Toronto, these shows will feature support from fellow thrash legends Anthrax. The finality of the project is underscored by the inclusion of a reimagined version of “Ride The Lightning” as a bonus track, bringing Mustaine’s journey full circle. This massive global send-off will eventually see the band joining Iron Maiden for the North American leg of the “Run For Your Lives Tour” later in the summer.
The Admired Drop New Emo Pop Mini-EP ‘Fame&Money’
The Australian alternative scene has a fresh reason to celebrate as the exciting duo The Admired unveils their brand new mini-EP titled ‘Fame&Money’. This three-track release features the lead single along with the 2010s-inspired anthem “Dancefloor” and the heartfelt “All I’ve Got,” which serves as a love letter to the Tumblr era of music. Frontwoman Bianca Davino and guitarist Max Jacobson successfully blend the nostalgic energy of golden-era emo with modern pop ambition, crafting a sound that feels both familiar and entirely innovative. By recording and producing the entire project in their DIY Enmore bedroom studio, the band has established a commitment to building emotionally charged music from the ground up.
The project shines with professional polish thanks to the mixing and mastering work of Nat Sherwood who has previously collaborated with acts like Stand Atlantic and Yours Truly. This creative momentum follows the duo’s previous success in Grenade Jumper and continues to earn them significant support through national playlisting and radio spotlights. Bianca reflects on the pride the band feels regarding these new songs as they prepare to expand on this vision with even more recording sessions planned for early next year. With the EP now available to the public, the group is quickly solidifying their place as a must-watch act within the thriving Australian indie landscape.
WKRP in Cincinnati Facts Revealed in New Documentary Special
The legacy of the most dysfunctional radio station in television history is back in the spotlight with a fascinating new look at the making of WKRP in Cincinnati. Fans are rediscovering the chaotic brilliance of the 1978 sitcom through a series of weird facts that explain everything from the secret meaning behind the station’s call letters to the real-life inspiration for Dr. Johnny Fever. It turns out that Howard Hesseman actually worked as a disc jockey in San Francisco to prepare for his iconic role, bringing an authentic counterculture energy that made the show a cult classic. The series famously pushed boundaries by using real rock tracks from bands like Blondie and The Rolling Stones, creating a unique loophole that allowed it to feature the best music of the era.