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Japanese Metalcore Force CRYSTAL LAKE Announce Seventh Album ‘The Weight Of Sound’ Arriving January 23

Eric Alper
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Japanese Metalcore Force CRYSTAL LAKE Announce Seventh Album ‘The Weight Of Sound’ Arriving January 23

Japanese metalcore force CRYSTAL LAKE have announced their highly anticipated seventh studio album ‘The Weight of Sound’ arriving January 23rd, 2026 via Century Media Records. To celebrate the announcement, the band shares the title track alongside a visually striking music video capturing the raw energy and emotion of the band’s recent live performances, with its powerful blend of vulnerability and hope offering a compelling glimpse into what’s to come, positioning ‘The Weight of Sound’ as the band’s most impactful work to date. Vocalist John Robert Centorrino wrote the title track after being gone from home for a long period, mirroring those emotions of being on tour for a majority of the year where you are quite literally never there for the people you love when they need you, noting people don’t always believe in your struggle and there is a lot of doubt from all sides, but he believes in himself and this life, carrying the weight of sound forever. The song is probably his favorite lyric wise from the album, echoing the saying “They only believe in you at the top of the mountain. You’re a fool along the way.”

The upcoming album, teased since the band joined the label back in 2024, promises to be one of CRYSTAL LAKE’s most ambitious projects so far, featuring a diverse lineup of guest artists across the heavy music spectrum including Jesse Leach from Killswitch Engage, David Simonich from Signs of the Swarm, Taylor Barber from Seven Hours after Violet, Myke Terry from Fire from the Gods and Volumes, and Karl Schubach from Misery Signals, shaping up to be a landmark release in the band’s discography. Guitarist and founder Yudai “YD” Miyamoto reflects that CRYSTAL LAKE has now been active for 23 long years, with the band carving out countless histories together with friends, bandmates and fellow musicians, sharing struggles that drew blood and building this band piece by piece, constantly inspired by the people and environment around him. He notes that to play that music together with comrades-in-arms is what it means to be a band, and the music that band creates has the power to shape a new culture, with ‘The Weight of Sound’ being a reflection of this way of life.

Niall McNamee Releases Debut Album ‘Glass And Mirrors’ Mixing Celtic Passion With Modern Alt-Rock

Eric Alper
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Niall McNamee Releases Debut Album ‘Glass And Mirrors’ Mixing Celtic Passion With Modern Alt-Rock

With a string of acting credits to his name, multi-talented artist Niall McNamee steps back into the spotlight with guitar in hand to release his long-awaited debut album ‘Glass and Mirrors’ via his own label Wellboy, distributed by Absolute. Influenced by the likes of The Pogues and Christy Moore but equally Oasis, Coldplay, Paul Brady and even Brian Wilson, Niall puts a modern twist on his Irish heritage, mixing the best of Celtic post-punk passion with a 21st century alt-rock perspective. A self-described romantic football fan who writes songs, Niall often thinks to himself “this is what I want to say, but how would Shane MacGowan say it,” with the result being a soaring, melodic collection shaped by the chaos, charm and contradictions of his life as a struggling artist living in London. The album opens with recent single “Clapham Wine,” written for a friend following a horrendous breakup, immediately baring pure Celtic soul from Niall’s brogue to the stomping rhythm and gorgeous guitars, while “Falling In Love for the Day” explores the wild romance of planning a future with someone you’ve just met, and the pounding “Magpie With a Mullet” is ready made for ceilidhs everywhere, complete with fiddle, bodhrán and penny whistle.

Niall’s songwriting has crafted beautiful ballads dotted throughout the album, with “Another Life” dramatically picking apart the what-ifs and could’ve-beens of a fractured romance, the 90s-reminiscent title track reflecting a dark period when he was doubting everything and wondering if he’d wasted or fucked up his life, the deeply personal “Leave My Home” featuring stunning falsetto, the pain of revisiting old memories in “Donegal Hill,” and one of his earliest songs “Clones Fireman” written when he was 17 and inspired by the story of his grandparents who met a week before his grandmother moved to England, became pen pals for 5 years until his grandad decided to go over after they lost touch, flipping a coin at Holyhead that brought him to the West Midlands where he bumped into her very quickly and they proceeded to live a long life together. For all the album’s meticulous piecing together, songs like the boisterous “Wokingham” and the rollicking “Man Complete” turn up the noise and are full of life, while “Moon Belongs To You” is presented with a calmer and reflective sway, with the final song “Rose Of Marylebone” ending on a hopeful and happy note feeling like a song only Niall McNamee could have written about falling in love with a girl from a really wealthy background, enjoying the disparity between them and driving this princess in his shit van.

After moving to London at 17, Niall worked on building sites whilst auditioning and playing live in Irish pubs to pay the rent, with his irrepressible personality, songwriting ability and charismatic live shows quickly building him a devoted fan base as well as a role in the West End as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, with film and TV parts following including starring opposite Pierce Brosnan and a major fight scene with Jackie Chan in ‘The Foreigner’ plus taking the lead in award-winning feature film ‘Love Without Walls’ for which he also wrote the original soundtrack. This Autumn sees Niall feature in two brand new films, playing Irish world cup team goalkeeper Alan Kelly in the feature film ‘Saipan’ starring Steve Coogan and Éanna Hardwicke, plus playing the lead in the romantic comedy ‘One Night in Bath.’

Swansea’s The Stray Pursuit Drop Electrifying New Single “Coming Home” Produced By Grammy-Nominated Romesh Dodangoda

Eric Alper
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Swansea’s The Stray Pursuit Drop Electrifying New Single “Coming Home” Produced By Grammy-Nominated Romesh Dodangoda

Emerging Swansea band The Stray Pursuit have released their electrifying new single “Coming Home,” produced and recorded by Grammy-nominated producer Romesh Dodangoda at Long Wave Recording Studios in Cardiff. This blistering rock anthem is rife with explosive guitar riffs and powerful, emotive vocals that bristle with a wake-up call, echoing the incendiary passion, hooks and melodicism of Fall Out Boy or Green Day. The band exposes the illusion of freedom in a world shaped by government control and media deception, noting “Coming Home” isn’t about returning to safety but about waking up, breaking the spell and realising that home was never what they said it was. The Stray Pursuit emerges as a dynamic force in the realm of Alternative Rock, known for their enthralling live performances featuring guitar-driven riffs and captivating vocals inspired by bands like Royal Blood, Foo Fighters and Nothing But Thieves. They have supported Andrew Cushin, The K’s and Vida while playing alongside The Lottery Winners, Pastel and Trampolene, were featured on This Feeling’s Big in 2025, played This Feeling’s stage at Isle of Wight Festival 2025 and were longlisted as ones to watch as part of the Class of 2025 for Drowned in Sound in association with Music Venue Alliance. The four-piece consisting of frontman Aaron Morgan, lead guitarist Dylan Cooney, bassist Fred Wilkinson and drummer Nicholas Bevan faced tragedy when founding drummer Nicky Bevan passed away in December 2022. The devastating loss catalysed a renewed purpose for the band to honour Nicky’s legacy and prove their potential for greatness. Ben Lewis joined in April 2023 to complete the current lineup, with the band collaborating with Romesh Dodangoda at Longwave Studios in Cardiff to record their debut EP ‘Domino Effect’ along with numerous other singles. They went on a South Wales tour that sold out Cwrw in Carmarthen and the final date at The Moon in Cardiff, plus numerous headline shows in their hometown venue The Bunkhouse including June 2025 ahead of their IOW appearance.

Australian-British Jazz Multi-Instrumentalist Nina West Processes Heartbreak On New Single “Here & Now”

Eric Alper
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Australian-British Jazz Multi-Instrumentalist Nina West Processes Heartbreak On New Single “Here & Now”

Nina West is an Australian and British 21-year-old Jazz multi-instrumentalist and songwriter whose love of music began early, playing piano and singing at age 3 and picking up the saxophone as a second instrument at 11, since becoming a Grade 8 Classical and Jazz pianist, Grade 5 Jazz saxophonist and Grade 8 vocalist. Her latest single “Here & Now” is a reflection of finding a voice to express unanswered questions while moving on from heartbreak and processing the advice given to her along the way, with the new single being a song in the works for 3 years. Produced by Steven Spence, the track features Neens on vocals, piano and alto saxophone with Matrick Thorpe guesting on strings. As a new artist finding her feet, Nina’s debut single “Trouble” became a sad anthem for 2024, achieving editorial playlist inclusion on Best of Jazz UK, Fresh Finds UK & IE, Jazz UK, Fine Jazz and The Nightbus on Spotify, written during a very dark and traumatic experience that went on to affect every aspect of her life about how she ignored the red flags and the deep pain this person caused her.

Since her launch, Neens has headed back to Australia and documented some of the contrasts she experiences on her TikTok, gaining over 900k likes and even getting 12 million views on one video comparing British and Australian trains. The 21-year-old continues establishing herself as an accomplished player whose deeply personal songwriting connects with listeners navigating their own emotional journeys, with “Here & Now” showcasing her ability to transform heartbreak into resonant jazz compositions that speak to universal experiences of love, loss and healing.

Atlanta’s Pluto Unleashes Debut Album ‘PLUTO WORLD’ Featuring Sexyy Red, YoungBoy Never Broke Again And Quavo

Eric Alper
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Atlanta’s Pluto Unleashes Debut Album ‘PLUTO WORLD’ Featuring Sexyy Red, YoungBoy Never Broke Again And Quavo

Atlanta’s breakout sensation Pluto has officially unleashed her debut album ‘PLUTO WORLD,’ a bold and electrifying 20-track collection that cements her as one of the most exciting voices in hip-hop today featuring an all-star lineup of collaborators including Sexyy Red, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Nardo Wick, Quavo and Rylo Rodriguez. The high-octane ride through Pluto’s universe is raw, ruthless and larger than life, blending aggressive trap drums, gritty basslines and cinematic melodies with hypnotic flows and magnetic hooks that only Pluto can deliver, from explosive anthems like “Crash Out” and “Bow” to icy street records like “How U Feelin” and “Triffy,” balancing heavy pressure with emotional depth while tapping into her femininity and ferocity at once, flexing dominance on records like “Show Haters” while revealing flashes of vulnerability on “Keep My Head Strong.” Backed by heavyweight features but never overshadowed, Pluto commands every beat whether she’s gliding over spacey production on “Take You To Pluto” or dropping bars on “Just In Case,” with ‘PLUTO WORLD’ being more than a debut but a takeover, a new wave of Southern energy that proves Pluto has arrived. The album features hit singles that had fans buzzing all 2025 including “Motion” featuring Sexyy Red and NaNaski, “Party All Night” and “Pluto Walking,” which showcases Pluto’s signature energy and fearless attitude, with Pluto noting this album is everything she’s been building toward, showing the world who she really is: confident, unstoppable and ready to dominate.


Rob Zombie Returns With “Punks And Demons” From Upcoming Album ‘The Great Satan’ Arriving February 27

Eric Alper
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Rob Zombie Returns With “Punks And Demons” From Upcoming Album ‘The Great Satan’ Arriving February 27

Heavy metal legend, acclaimed filmmaker and pop culture icon Rob Zombie returns for his 8th studio album ‘The Great Satan’ arriving February 27th from Nuclear Blast Records, following the success of his Top 10 charting record ‘The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy’ (2021). Zombie revisits his early Hellbilly roots for a slaughterhouse of anthemic punk infused heavy rock and metal, with the record’s first single “Punks And Demons” accompanied by a video directed by Zombie himself. The 15-track album includes frenetic cuts such as “Heathen Days,” “(I’m a) Rock ‘N’ Roller,” “Tarantula,” “F.T.W. 84,” “Black Rat Coffin,” “Sir Lord Acid Wolfman,” “The Devilman,” “Revolution Motherfuckers,” “Welcome To The Electric Age,” “The Black Scorpion” and “Grave Discontent,” available now for pre-order in a variety of formats including a limited box set and accompanying apparel.

As a rock icon and filmmaker with a unique vision, Rob Zombie has continuously challenged audiences as he stretches the boundaries of both music and film, having sold more than fifteen million albums worldwide while remaining the only artist to experience unprecedented success in both music and film as the writer and director of nine feature films including “HOUSE OF 1000 CORPSES,” “THE DEVIL’S REJECTS,” “THE MUNSTERS” and the number one smash “HALLOWEEN.” Zombie achieved great success in the music industry first as a member of the multi-platinum band White Zombie and later as a solo artist with even greater results collecting numerous multi-platinum and gold albums along the way including ‘Hellbilly Deluxe,’ ‘The Sinister Urge’ and ‘Educated Horses,’ with ‘The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy’ debuting at #9 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, making it his 7th consecutive solo album to debut in the top 10.

Sammy Hagar & The Best Of All Worlds Band Release Live Album ‘The Residency’ Recorded At Dolby Live

Eric Alper
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Sammy Hagar & The Best Of All Worlds Band Release Live Album ‘The Residency’ Recorded At Dolby Live

GRAMMY Award winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar and The Best of All Worlds Band featuring Michael Anthony on bass and vocals, Joe Satriani on guitar, Kenny Aronoff on drums, and Rai Thistlethwayte on keyboards, guitar and vocals have released ‘Sammy Hagar & The Best of All Worlds Band – The Residency’ via Big Machine Rock. The electrifying new live album captures the energy, hits and incredible sound that made Hagar’s Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in 2025 one of the most celebrated rock residencies in Sin City history. The 19-track album includes fan-favorites “Summer Nights (Live),” “Best of Both Worlds (Live),” “Right Now (Live)” and “I Can’t Drive 55 (Live)” alongside sonic masterpieces rarely heard live like “5150,” “Love Walks In” and “Humans Being (Live).”

Hagar reflects that there’s nothing like the sound of this band and that Vegas crowd, with the energy, spirit and friendship, noting ‘The Residency’ is everything he loves about rock & roll: loud, live and bad ass. The album arrives as Hagar prepares to return to Dolby Live in 2026 for new performances of The Best of All Worlds residency, March 11th through 21st and September 18th through 26th, 2026.

South Bay Pop-Punk Artist MEGG Released “Clarity” From EP ‘Low Life Club’

Eric Alper
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South Bay Pop-Punk Artist MEGG Released “Clarity” From EP ‘Low Life Club’

South Bay–born, Nashville-based alternative and pop-punk artist MEGG released her single “Clarity” from her EP ‘Low Life Club,’ with the track taking her back to her roots as a vocalist as a cry for any semblance of honesty in a currently very dark world. A collection of six raw and unapologetic tracks, ‘Low Life Club’ cements MEGG’s status as one of pop-punk’s boldest new voices, blending pop sensibility with punk-rock roots into a sound that’s rebellious, catchy and deeply personal, a fearless soundtrack for tomboys, romantics, loudmouths and misfits alike. Channeling Gwen Stefani’s swagger, Hayley Williams’ firepower and Joan Jett’s grit, MEGG brings early-2000s energy into a modern, unapologetically self-defined era, with the EP feeling like the unofficial soundtrack to the West Coast and easily some of the best music she’s ever put out, multidimensional with heaviness, vulnerability, riot, vocal chops, nostalgia, party and everything in between. A graduate of USC’s inaugural Popular Music Performance Program, MEGG has been tearing up stages across the country from headlining hometown venues like Saint Rocke in Hermosa Beach to packing The End in Nashville, sharing stages with KISS and The Used, opening at Musink, performing at the 30th Anniversary Vans Warped Tour in Long Beach and singing the National Anthem for the LA Dodgers, LA Galaxy and LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Following a string of singles including the bratty fan-favorite “IDC” currently spinning on SiriusXM’s The Pop Off and 107.7 The Bone’s Bone Breakers, MEGG continues building momentum that just might be unstoppable in 2026.

How Music and Sound Design Influence Player Behavior in Online Casinos

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

Music and sound design play a far bigger role in online casinos than many players consciously realize. Every spin, win, and bonus trigger is supported by carefully selected audio elements designed to guide emotions and decision-making. As sound designer Brian Eno once said, “Sound is the emotional glue of experience.” In digital gambling environments, that glue keeps players engaged, relaxed, and focused, even during long sessions.

Online casino platforms intentionally use audio cues to create familiarity and trust. Subtle background music lowers stress, while win sounds reinforce positive feedback loops in the brain. Australian and international players who explore modern casino platforms often respond instinctively to these cues, staying longer and interacting more frequently with games. This approach is especially visible on curated platforms such as The Clubhouse casino, where soundscapes are designed to feel premium, immersive, and balanced rather than overwhelming. At The Clubhouse casino, players encounter clean interface sounds, controlled win effects, and ambient music that supports concentration instead of distraction. This type of sound design encourages users to play responsibly while still enjoying the thrill of real-money gaming in a refined digital environment.

Why sound affects decision-making

Human brains are wired to respond to sound faster than visuals. A sudden tone triggers attention instantly, while rhythmic patterns can influence mood and perception of time. In online casinos, developers use this principle to make gameplay feel smooth and continuous. Soft looping music reduces the sense of waiting between spins, while celebratory sounds after wins increase dopamine release, reinforcing engagement.

Psychologist Charles Spence explained this effect clearly: “What we hear changes how we feel about what we see.” When a win is paired with uplifting audio, players perceive it as more significant, even if the payout is small. This does not force behavior, but it subtly nudges emotional responses in predictable ways.

The role of tempo and rhythm

Tempo is one of the most important sound elements in casino games. Faster rhythms create excitement and urgency, while slower tempos promote calm and longer play sessions. Slot games often adjust tempo dynamically, increasing intensity during bonus rounds and lowering it during base gameplay.

This technique mirrors strategies used in video games and even retail stores. Studies show that slower music encourages people to stay longer, while faster beats increase short-term activity. In casinos, balancing these tempos is essential to maintain enjoyment without creating fatigue.

Audio branding and trust

Sound also helps build brand identity. Just as a luxury hotel has a recognizable atmosphere, premium casino platforms use consistent audio themes to signal quality and reliability. Repeated exposure to the same sound palette builds familiarity, which reduces uncertainty and increases comfort.

Players often associate clean, non-aggressive audio with fairness and professionalism. Platforms that avoid harsh sounds or excessive noise are perceived as more trustworthy. This perception directly affects how confident users feel when depositing, playing, and withdrawing funds.

Common sound elements used in online casinos

Most modern platforms rely on a structured audio framework that includes:

  • ambient background music to set mood
  • win and bonus sounds to reinforce success
  • subtle interface clicks for feedback
  • silence during losses to avoid frustration

Each element is carefully tested to ensure it supports engagement without manipulation.

Sound design and responsible play

Well-designed audio does not aim to pressure players. On the contrary, responsible operators increasingly focus on neutral, controlled soundscapes. Excessive noise can increase impulsive behavior, while balanced audio helps players stay aware of time and spending.

Game developers now collaborate with behavioral researchers to refine audio systems that support enjoyment without encouraging harmful patterns. This shift reflects a broader industry trend toward sustainable entertainment rather than short-term intensity.

Final reflections

Music and sound design quietly shape how players feel and behave in online casinos. From reducing stress to enhancing the excitement of a win, audio influences perception more deeply than visuals alone. The most successful platforms understand that sound should guide, not overwhelm.

As online casinos continue to evolve, sound design will remain a key factor in player experience. When used thoughtfully, it transforms digital games into immersive environments that feel engaging, trustworthy, and enjoyable. For players, recognizing this influence adds a new layer of awareness and appreciation to every spin and every sound they hear.

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

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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

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