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Shadows Fall Return with Crushing New Anthem “Souls Devoured” — A Genre-Bending Blast of Pure Metal Fury

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Shadows Fall are back with a brand new song and music video – “Souls Devoured” is a straight up metallic anthem – the kind that band has been crafting with vitality and vibrance for decades. You’re in for galloping solos, three-tiered vocals, massive melodies, and thoughtful lyrics.

“Shadows Fall have always been a band that lets all of our influences and ideas show in our music and have never been afraid to mix and match genres within our sound,” says Fair, pulling back the curtain on the process. “‘Souls Devoured’ is a great example of that style of songwriting where we let it all hang out. It opens with a huge groove and rock riff before transitioning into a black metal-inspired verse to add a little evil to the party. Things open up into a half-time chorus that has an almost Pantera-style vibe before we inject some melodic death metal into the bridge and solo section. On paper, that can sound a bit schizophrenic, but we always try to have a cohesiveness and underlying theme that keeps it all unified. It’s a song that captures what I believe is the true essence of Shadows Fall by bringing in elements of our past but with a clear eye towards the future. It has familiar elements but sounds like nothing we have ever written before.”

Fair opens up about the subject matter, saying, “Lyrically, the song is about finding yourself trapped in an apocalyptic event where demons and disasters have begun to consume the world. It’s about fighting for survival as the planet crumbles around you and you realize the only way to survive it is to fight fire with fire. We spend most of our lives trying to quiet the evil voices in our mind or denying they exist but in this scenario tapping into that darkness and letting the personal demons out may be the only way to survive the terror.”

He finishes, “Facing pure evil by becoming that evil yourself. You know, heavy metal type sh*t! I usually write from a personal or philosophical place but ‘Souls Devoured’ allowed me to step outside of that box and tap into a dark form of storytelling that fit the intensity and foreboding vibe of the instrumental side of it. Bang your head and get into it!”

John Lodge of The Moody Blues Returns with “Singer in a Rock and Roll Band” Tour, Celebrating Classic Hits and Moodies Magic

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John Lodge, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, has announced he will be back on the road with an electrifying new show titled ‘Singer in a Rock and Roll Band’!

Following the phenomenal success of his ‘Days of Future Passed’ show over the last two years, John wanted to now go back to basics… what are the songs that he loved performing in the Moody Blues? How could he bring these enduring songs to audiences, staying true to the original sound, yet breathing new life into them? These songs might have been discovered by listeners on release, or by newer generations later, but whenever they first heard them, they made an indelible impression on them. John’s task was clear, he wanted to recreate the sound and the feel of a Moody Blues show of the past, but at the same time bring in the incredible musicianship of his band, and his experience of performing these songs for over 50 years, to give these classic songs that extra dash of magic.

When John wrote the hit single ‘Singer’ in 1972 it was because people were looking to him to change the world… this composition replied that he’s just a singer in a rock and roll band! But his message went on – John wanted everyone to be part of the music, and if you’ve ever experienced one of John’s shows you will know how true this is. The music and camaraderie will lift you up, it may not change the world, but it might make it a little brighter…

This incredible new show will feature songs from ‘the core seven albums’ including ‘Days of Future Passed’, Seventh Sojourn, and more, plus ‘Octave’ and the triple platinum selling album ‘Long Distance Voyager. It will bring together some of the captivating moments of his ‘Days of Future Passed’ show, all of John’s hits with the Moodies, and, of course, tributes to all his bandmates. This truly will be a show of Moodies Magic and ‘a trip worth taking and remembering’! (Tony Violanti review of John’s show March 24, 2025)

Together with Jon Davison of YES and his 10,000 Light Years Band, John will lovingly recreate ‘I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)’, ‘Nights in White Satin’, ‘Ride my See-Saw’, ‘Gemini Dream’, ‘Tuesday Afternoon’, ‘The Voice’, ‘Steppin’ in Slide Zone’, ‘Isn’t Life Strange’ and much more. Also, experience deep cuts from these classic albums, and, together with the electrifying video and lights, be taken on a journey through time.

The tour kicks off on July 19th at the Vogel in New Jersey, and continues through to Des Plaines, IL on August 7th.

Following a stroke at the end of 2023, John has gone from strength to strength, driven by his love for this music, and his deeply held desire to continue to share it with the fans. The critically acclaimed shows in July and November 2024 are testament to his passion and commitment, and as John says, his hope is that people leave with a little bit of joy around them.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure performing Days in its entirety over the last couple of years, but I’m so excited about our new show… there are a few songs I’ve not performed before that I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and many of our classic songs seem to have taken on a new meaning following health challenges, so I hope everyone will enjoy continuing on this journey with me. I’m doing great, and I just love to share this music with the fans. I look out and see familiar faces, and occasionally some new ones, and I love what we’ve shared over so many decades. Thank you for keeping the faith.”

USA Dates
July 19 The Vogel, Red Bank, NJ
July 20 Newton Theatre, Newton, NJ
July 23 Scottish Rite Auditorium, Collingswood, NJ
July 24 Wind Creek Casino, Bethlehem, PA (on Sale May 2nd)
July 26 Lynn Auditorium, Lynn, MA
July 27 Infinity Hall, Hartford, CT
July 29 Flying Monkey, Plymouth, NH
July 30 JPT Film & Event Center, Newport, RI
Aug 1 MCL Pavilion, Newport, KY
Aug 2 Agora, Cleveland, OH
Aug 6 Arcada Theatre, St. Charles, IL
Aug 7 Des Plaines Theater, Des Plaines, IL

RADWIMPS Release Cinematic New Video “Tamamono” for NHK Drama Anpan as Part of 20th Anniversary Celebration

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Acclaimed Japanese rock band RADWIMPS, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary, are excited to release their brand new music video “Tamamono,” the theme song of the new NHK Drama Series “Anpan” available worldwide on NHK World Premium.
 
The music video, directed by video director/graphic designer MESS, depicts in three parts the human society that is tossed about by unexpected events and the tragedy and joy of life, in which suffering, sadness, and joy are repeated like the cycle of life. Like celebrating the “beauty of our miserable lives,” as the lyrics of the song say, this music video tells the story like watching a full length film.


 
“Tamamono” was exclusively written for the NHK Drama Serial “Anpan” and is the first new song release by RADWIMPS in a year and 9 months. The song has been in the making since May of last year, and it took the band more than 6 months to complete the production. “My goal was to write a song that is challenging and adventurous.” As Yojiro Noda commented, the music video is a great representation of the song “Tamamono” which shows various expressions within a single track.
 
“Anpan” is a story based on the lives of Yanase Takashi, the creator of “Anpanman,” a famous Japanese anime character, and his wife Nobu. It depicts how two individuals overcame countless hardships to create “Anpanman,” embodying the idea of ‘justice that never wavers,’ and inspiring love and courage that make the joy of living well up from within.

 
To commemorate the 20th anniversary, the band will be releasing their past albums on vinyl starting with Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To from 2013 which will drop on May 7, 2025. One title will release every month until September. Preorders for Batsu To Maru To Tsumi To,” “Zettaizetsumei,” “Arutokoroni No Teiri,” “RADWIMPS 4 -Okazu No Gohan-and RADWIMPS 3 -Mujintou ni Motteikiwasureta Ichimai- LPs are now available for international fans on their Overseas Store. All titles are limited edition so make sure to preorder to secure your copy.
 
Formed in 2001, RADWIMPS made their major label debut in 2005. Soon after, they garnered a broad fan base, with the younger generation at the core. The band has released nine studio albums thus far. The band’s creation of music for Shinkai’s previous record-breaking animated feature films “Your Name.” and “Weathering with You” led to recognitions at the Japanese Academy Award for Best Original Score. Their musical activities go far beyond Japan, including touring extensively around the world.
 
In Nov. 2021, the band released their latest studio album FOREVER DAZE and went on the road for a nationwide Japanese tour to support the album. “FOREVER DAZE” was written and recorded throughout the pandemic and speaks to the musical challenges the guys faced, their hopes moving forward and features a diverse group of collaborators and experimental elements. In 2022, Radwimps teamed up with highly acclaimed film music composer Kazuma Jinnouchi to create the perfect soundtrack and score for award-winning auteur director Makoto Shinkai’s latest film “Suzume.” To coincide with the movie release around the world, the band went on the road for their 2023 sold out North American, European, Australian and Asian tours with more follow-up dates in Asia and Latin America in 2024.

Lonesome River Band Blends Banjo and Telecaster on New Single “Blues,” a Playful Peek at Upcoming Telegrass Project

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Since the early 1990s, when Lonesome River Bands Sammy Shelor began pulling out a red Telecaster electric guitar to jam away on the group’s signature “Hobo Blues,” the snappy sound of “chicken pickin’” has had a place in the legendary group’s approach to bluegrass. Savvy listeners caught its unobtrusive presence in the quintet’s first single of the year, “I’m on to You,” but on “Blues,” their newest Mountain Home Music Company release, it shares the spotlight with the more traditional sounds of fiddle, mandolin and Shelor’s banjo.  

“We’ve all had the ‘Blues’ in our lives,” says Shelor, “but this Adam Wright song sees the ‘Blues’ in a whole different light. It’s a light-hearted break from the sad songs — one that we have a ton of fun with. Featuring our good friend Rod Riley on the Telecaster, it comes from our upcoming ‘Telegrass’ project.”

Indeed, the Telecaster makes an early appearance in the track, sliding in between the fiddle kick-off and the opening words of the first verse and lingering underneath. Mandolinist Adam Miller’s laconic lead vocal is a perfect vehicle for the deadpan humor of Wright’s lyric:

Last thing you said when you walked out the door
Was ‘I hope you get blues like never before’
I sold the ring I bought and headed off down the road
I didn’t stop ’til I got to the water, and I just want you to know 

I’ve had the blues since you said goodbye
I’ve been watching these big blue waves rollin’ in under a big blue sky
With a girl in a chair with the prettiest pair of baby blue eyes
I’ve had the blues since you said goodbye 

With a round robin instrumental “breakdown” section that sets up the defiant bridge, “I’ve never been better, and I kind of hope that I have these blues forever,” and an extended outro that features the Telecaster trading licks with banjo and fiddle, “Blues” is a tantalizing preview of Lonesome River Band’s “Telegrass” that’s sure to perk up listeners’ ears.

“Blues” is streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL. Listen to it HERE.

Ben Harper Honors Late Guitarist Michael Ward with Moving New Single “Before The Rain Dried” and Announces Summer Tour

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Today, Ben Harper released his emotional new single, “Before The Rain Dried.” The track is a hauntingly beautiful reflection on loss dedicated to his longtime guitarist Michael Ward. “Before The Rain Dried” is the first single from Harper’s yet to be announced forthcoming new album. To watch the music video directed by Ben Pier.

“Songs come to me either in fragments or fully formed — this one arrived complete, production and all. The key is having the time to sit down and follow through, which luckily I did,” Harper shared. “Director Ben Pier, a visionary photographer and filmmaker, had a similar experience. I sent him the track, and he called back almost instantly with a clear concept for the video. Playing piano while getting drenched in the rain was tough, but strangely exhilarating.”

Harper most recently shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music and pop culture at People Have The Power: A Celebration Of Patti Smith, the star-studded tribute show at Carnegie Hall. The fundraising event featured Bruce Springsteen, Flea, Maggie Rogers, Scarlett Johansson, Sean Penn, and many more. The evening marked Harper’s fifth performance at New York’s Carnegie Hall. 

This summer, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals will embark on a 15-date summer tour. The tour will kick off on May 30th at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington DC with stops at The Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York City, Higher Ground Ballroom in Burlington, VT, Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, The Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, WI, and the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA, among other cities. The tour will conclude on August 24th at The Orpheum in Los Angeles.

The tour will see Harper perform fan-favorites from his extensive catalog as well as tracks from his critically acclaimed 2023 album, Wide Open Light (Chrysalis Records), which featured a number of special guests, including Jack Johnson on “Yard Sale,” Shelby Lynne on “8 minutes,” and Piers Faccinion on the title track. For more information and tickets, please visit https://www.benharper.com/tour.

Harper is also continuing to expand his creative pursuits on-screen following his 2023 run in AppleTV+ series “Extrapolations,” with an appearance in the new Jeff Buckley documentary, IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Amy Berg, the film is a compassionate portrait of the late Jeff Buckley, whose music continues to inspire artists worldwide. With beautiful scores and rare live performances, it captures the love, loss, and enduring impact that shaped Buckley, and thus the international music culture of the late 20th century.

As a 3x-GRAMMY-winner, Harper has amassed international critical applause and a worldwide fan following for his own genre-traversing body of work while also producing acclaimed albums by Mavis Staples, Rickie Lee Jones, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Natalie Maines, Ziggy Marley, and others. An inveterate collaborator, Harper has also recorded with a diverse span of artists ranging from John Lee Hooker, Charlie Musselwhite, to Ringo Starr, Keith Richards and, most recently, Harry Styles, to contribute his signature guitar work to the superstar’s chart-topping album, HARRY’S HOUSE. Harper joined Styles for an astounding 12 nights of performances at The Kia Forum in Los Angeles in 2022.

2025 Tour Dates

Tue-Aug-19-25 – Seattle, WA – Woodland Park Zoo Amphitheater

Wed-Aug-20-25 – Portland, OR – Pioneer Courthouse Square

Thu-Aug-21-25 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Pavilion

Sat-Aug-23-25 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater

Sun-Aug-24-25 – Los Angeles, CA – The Orpheum

EarthGang’s Olu (Johnny Venus) Shares Stunning “So Beautiful” Video Featuring 6lack, Showcasing Solo Vision and Cultural Impact

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One half of GRAMMY-nominated award-winning eclectic hip-hop duo EarthGang, Olu, aka Johnny Venus, follows up his most recent offering “So Beautiful” (Sincethe80s/EPIC), featuring one of Atlanta’s biggest and most coveted R&B stars, 6lack, with a captivating new music video.

The single showcases an intoxicating soundtrack, layering warm percussive elements and acoustic riffs that provide a gorgeous bed for Olu’s sultry lyricism and 6lack’s pitched up vocals to glide over. The track was notably featured on the coveted Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Fresh Picks and Essence’s Best New Music This Week lists. Now partnering the track is a stunning music video, developed by SATIN HEART with multidisciplinary creative Deon Hinton featuring the artists against textured, atmospheric backdrops that mirror the song’s mood. The video also features a cameo from AI To The World founder Tanyka Renee as Olu’s muse. A truly significant new step for Johnny Venus in terms of showcasing a rich versatility as well as the earned reputation to tap one of the finest and most elusive R&B stars of the current era.

Fresh from his solo performance at Dreamville Festival and with a co-sign from the legendary Prince’s estate performing at the Paisley Park Celebration on in June, Olu is a true renaissance figure, widely recognised for his outspoken dedication to yoga, meditation and mental health in the face of his life as a successful international rap artist. Olu’s COMPXSS wellness brand was formed to boldly flip the stereotypical rap narrative and landscape that often ignores punishing tour schedules and the mental strains that come with being a successful touring artist. Forming an authentic and vital part of his everyday life, his endeavours with COMPXSS have seen him train NBA superstars and run workshops with the likes of Nike to Lululemon to Soho House.

With global recognition and influence set, Olu’s Johnny Venus alias showcases an exhilaratingly free and considered side to the rap superstar. With further releases promised this year, Johnny Venus feels set to carve his own individual presence in the upper echelons of US and global cultural influence.

Foster The People Unveil Surreal Double Video “See You In The Afterlife / Feed Me” Starring Mark Foster & Julia Garner

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Foster The People have announced today’s premiere of the official music video, “See You In The Afterlife / Feed Me.” Directed by Weird Life Films’ Laura Gordon, Jackson James & Ryan Ohm and co-starring Foster The People lead singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Mark Foster alongside his 3x Emmy Award-winning wife, Julia Garner (Ozark, The Fantastic Four: First Steps) as themselves, the hauntingly powerful double-feature visual is streaming now.

“These videos are transmissions from somewhere between a fever dream and a digital afterlife,” says Mark Foster. “If ‘See You In The Afterlife’ is a satirical take on what life feels like now, ‘Feed Me’ is the hell that follows. It was interesting to tie these two songs together in a short to explore the two sides of consumption – the dopamine rush of intake, and the void that follows.

“Filming ‘Feed Me’ with Julia felt like stepping into a lucid hallucination – a secret world stitched together by static and memory. One where fear and desire intersect and the result is something beautiful and deeply unsettling. The line between the digital and the divine is thinner, and stranger, than we think.”

Mike Dawes Reimagines Sleep Token’s “Euclid” with Stunning Fingerstyle Arrangement, Announces Summer Tour

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Renowned fingerstyle guitarist Mike Dawes brings his signature one-man-band approach to Sleep Token’s “Euclid” reimagining the emotional track as a powerful acoustic instrumental.

Known for his virtuoso performances and intricate arrangements, Dawes reshapes “Euclid” with delicate harmonics, layered tapping, and soaring dynamics. The result is both a tribute to Sleep Token’s genre-blending artistry and a wholly original reinterpretation of the song.

“I’ve been a fan of Sleep Token for quite a while since my ex-college housemate produced some of their early work,” Dawes explains. “They have such a unique sound with stunning melodies and arrangements that translate perfectly to acoustic guitar. After I opened for Periphery in the U.S., I had the opportunity to jump up at the U.K.’s RADAR festival last year and wanted to take on ‘Euclid’ just for that show, as a nod to Sleep Token who headlined that same festival the previous year. The live response blew me away. The melodies work so well in this CGDGAD tuning. I’ve absolutely fallen in love with this arrangement and hope it strikes a chord with others as well.”

Widely regarded as one of the world’s most creative acoustic guitarists, Dawes has earned acclaim for covers of songs by Gotye, Metallica, and John Mayer, amassing millions of views and earning praise from both fans and fellow musicians alike. With “Euclid” he continues to bridge progressive rock with modern fingerstyle, proving that great songs transcend instrumentation.

Dawes recently announced a Summer tour, kicking off on July 24 at The Triple Door in Seattle and featuring a stop at John Petrucci’s Guitar Universe on August 7.

Mike Dawes tour dates:
July 24 Seattle, WA The Triple Door
July 25 Portland, OR McMenamins Mission Theater
July 26 Eugene, OR The WOW Hall
July 27 Bend, OR Tower Theatre Bend
July 29 Mill Valley, CA Sweetwater Music Hall
July 30 Venice, CA The Venice West
July 31 Fontana, CA Stage Red Fontana
August 1 Seal Beach, CA The Bay Theatre
August 2 Tucson, AZ 191 Toole
August 3 Phoenix, AZ Musical Instrument Museum
August 7 Las Vegas, NV John Petrucci’s Guitar Universe

Equal Vision Launches 20th Anniversary Vinyl Repress of The Fall of Troy’s ‘Chaotic Classic Doppelganger’

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New York-based independent rock label Equal Vision Records has launched a new vinyl re-press of Doppelganger, the second studio album from the Seattle progressive post-hardcore band The Fall of Troy.

Serving as the band’s Equal Vision debut and celebrating its 20th anniversary, Doppelganger features melodic, uplifting vocals and harmonies with tortured, assaulting screams adjacent to mathematically precise rhythms and complex fretwork, giving way to loose jam-inspired divergences.

This is the musical crossroads where you’ll find The Fall of Troy, skittering off defiantly in one direction after another, refusing to stick to any one established road. If it sounds like it all adds up to chaos, that’s because it often does, but only in the same beautiful way as our own everyday experience. The brand new Doppelganger press is limited to 1500 units on orange cloud vinyl and is available now in the Equal Vision store here.

The Nixons Unleash Haunting New Lyric Video for “Dreams Of” from Gritty EP ‘Four Zero Five’

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The Nixons have released a new lyric video for their song “Dreams Of.” The single comes from the band’s latest EP, Four Zero Five, which refers to the area code in Oklahoma where the band formed.

Singer Zac Maloy says, “The song ‘Dreams Of’ tells the story of an infamous murder that happened to a young woman from my small hometown in Ada, Oklahoma. Unfortunately, this dark tragedy ended with corruption in the system and an innocent man taking the fall, destroying lives on both sides.”

The song features a blend of melodic but aggressive vocals. The heavy drums by John Humphrey, who also plays full time with Seether, and Ricky Brooks’ ferocious bass lay down the massively thick foundation. Topping it all off is the whirling dervish of guitars by Jesse Davis, at times a wall of sound, shifting effortlessly into the snakelike lead parts that help tell the twisted story through the music.

The Nixons want to embrace the fact that they are a bona fide, loud ’90s rock band that loves to turn the amps up and truly rock. With frontman Zac Maloy at the helm of the new EP, Four Zero Five features modern production and song writing elements that Maloy has developed over the years writing with bands like Shinedown, Halestorm and more.