North West England and North Wales alt-punk force TWO TONNE MACHETE deliver an urgent anthem with their latest single, “PIGS PIGS.” Written during a time of escalating crackdowns, the song confronts the State’s growing use of force and surveillance against peaceful demonstrators. Referencing real police tactics like kettling and tasers, the track is a powerful call for resistance and solidarity.
At its core, “PIGS PIGS” is loud, uncompromising protest music for the present moment. The band, fronted by Emily, infuses full-throttle energy, striking vocals, and razor-sharp guitars with a fierce political ethos confronting misogyny and control. Following a huge 2025 live circuit run, TWO TONNE MACHETE plans a new EP and extensive UK tour in Spring 2026.
Raise a glass to the humorous new single “The Drunken Bellringers” from Scottish folk artist Wave Of The Flood. Inspired by a historical visit to Bath Cathedral, where the bell ringers were once asked to stop for becoming a health and safety hazard due to overindulging in merriment, the song playfully celebrates this lost British tradition with wit and warmth. Lindsay Strachan, the creative force behind Wave Of The The Flood, explained that the long history of bell ringing for community events and holidays struck him, and the comical story of the overly merry ringers who caused their tradition to stop became the inspiration for the track.
Strachan shared: “I visited the belltower on a tour a few years ago and was struck by the beautiful sound of the bells, and the long history that bell ringing has across the land – chiming for weddings, Christmas, and community events. But, they were once a fun regular hobby too, until the bell ringers were asked to stop for being a health and safety hazard The idea really tickled me, so I wrote a comical take on the characters I imagined.” “The Drunken Bell-Ringers” is the seventh in a series of twelve monthly singles released in tribute to the golden era of the forty-five-rpm record and to mark Strachan’s own forty-fifth-birthday year.
The track was produced by acclaimed folk artist Kris Drever of Lau, who lends his signature guitar and rousing vocals to the recording. It also features John McDonald on double bass and Dylan Cairns on fiddle, creating a joyful, toe-tapping slice of festive folk that is the perfect soundtrack to a cheerful Christmas pint.
Iranian-Norwegian metallers Confess have followed up the success of their previous singles with the release of their latest track, “5 Years In A Cave,” unveiled on October 31st. The track arrives ahead of the re-release of their second album, ‘In Pursuit Of Dreams’, available today, November 7th, through their EVIN Productions imprint. This reissue is not just a fresh look at a classic; it comes complete with three previously unheard tracks: “Watch The Decay Of Sun,” “Convention,” and “Face-Off.”
Frontman Nikan Khosravi offered poignant reflection on the featured single. Khosravi stated: ““5 Years…” comes from the darkest days of my youth, a time when depression, anger, and substance abuse were eating me alive. Writing it was like bleeding onto paper, a way to survive when I couldn’t see a way out. Remastering this track now feels like looking my younger self in the eye — not to glorify the pain, but to show that I carried it, and I came through it.” This deeply personal track provides insight into the emotional foundation of an album that quickly became a piece of history.
Khosravi went on to discuss the re-release, marking the 10th anniversary of the album’s initial release while the band was still in Iran. He said, “To mark the 10th anniversary of “In Pursuit of Dreams”, we are proud to announce a reissue of the album, freshly remastered and featuring three previously unreleased songs, finally revealed after a decade.” He emphasized the album’s lasting impact: “This isn’t just an album; it’s a piece of history. The last record we dropped while still in Iran, it became a lightning rod for rebellion, defiance, and unapologetic expression. Just two weeks after its release, the authorities arrested us for its incendiary, protest-fuelled lyrics. This was the spark that ignited a movement and put us on the global map. Widely regarded as one of the most impactful and groundbreaking metal albums in the history of the Middle East, we believe “In Pursuit of Dreams” firmly established our place in the metal world.”
The re-release caps off an incredible year for Confess. Back in January, they released their stunning new album, ‘Destination Addiction’, which earned rave reviews from publications like Metal Hammer and Norway Rock Magazine. The album was produced by Khosravi, mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated Alberto De Icaza, and featured performances from extreme metal luminaries George Kollias and Marzi Montazeri. The band’s extraordinary story of survival, resistance, and musical defiance, following their arrest and exile, was recently featured in a full feature episode of the HULU show “Into The Void: Life, Death & Heavy Metal,” produced by VICE Studios Canada. Confess stated that this exposure proves “that no system can silence metal. We were once called criminals for playing heavy music, now our story is streaming worldwide. That’s not just a win for us. It’s a victory for the entire global metal scene.”
Track Listing for ‘In Pursuit Of Dreams’ (Reissue)
Burned-out mathematician turned indie-soul artist Jeremy Voltz is back with “Feel It All,” a deeply introspective track that captures the push and pull of human relationships. The song is about the struggle to care for someone despite the anger, distance, and vulnerability that connection naturally brings. As the latest release from Voltz’s 2025 music campaign, the single explores the complicated, tender, and ultimately unbreakable nature of these bonds.
Voltz shared the origin of the song, explaining that it came from a rocky relationship with a friend. “I tried for almost a year to distance myself and keep safe at arm’s length,” Voltz shared. “But I realized that no matter how hard I tried not to care about my friend, I couldn’t stop. My anger had dried up without me noticing, and I even tried to cling to it so I wouldn’t have to care, because caring is hard. But ultimately, care blooms in spite of our best efforts.” This honest reflection is captured beautifully in the track’s lyrics, which include the lines:
The cracks are showing The flowers bloom Pretend I don’t see ‘em open With the morning dew
Uniquely, this marks the first song Voltz has ever released that he created using an Akai MPC—the legendary drum machine and sampler made famous by J Dilla. Voltz discovered the instrument through Dilla’s influence on D’Angelo’s music, finding it an amazing new way to create away from his guitar. He explained that the track inspired the lyrics, which is usually the other way around for him. He said, “When I came up with the beat, these emotions and lyrics flowed out of me almost instantly.” Voltz summarized the song’s core message: “The message of the song is that you can try as much as you want to harden yourself, to not care, but care and concern grow in spite of yourself. Like a flower growing out of a crack in the sidewalk.”
A seasoned performer, Jeremy Voltz has toured the UK, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the US, and Canada, playing both full-band shows and intimate acoustic sets. His music has received significant recognition, with his debut album Weekender named Album of the Year at the Ontario Folk Music Awards (2022). His sophomore album Running Away (2023) received national airplay through Stingray and CBC Radio, and his tracks have been featured in commercials for Ford, the NFL, and Honda, as well as on various networks like Hallmark, TLC, Discovery Channel, Great American Family, and Australia’s Seven Network.
The Balboas are back, unleashing their latest thirteen-song LP, ‘Bite! Blood! Repeat!’, a swirling vortex of sharp teeth and bad intention. This record is another notch in the belt of The Balboas’ prolific discography, spanning punk-rock, rockabilly, and garage rock and tearing those genres into raw flesh. The entire album is laced with sex, mysticism, and mayhem, promising a wild ride for listeners.
Richard Griffith, the co-founder of The Balboas and Professor of Psychology at The University of Florida, offered unique insight into the band’s process. He explained that while one might initially hear chaos, the band is anything but random when creating a record. The result is a product of The Balboas’ time tested process, which he described as methodical. The album’s title isn’t just wordplay from song lyrics; it signifies the meticulous way The Balboas go about their business, much like highly organized piranhas.
The album boasts an impressive list of collaborators, demonstrating the band’s wide-reaching influence. It features contributions from Minutemen legend Mike Watt, Paul Roessler of Screamers and 45 Grave, Eddie Spaghetti of Supersuckers, and the powerful vocalist Kitten Kuroi, known for working with Billy Idol. The track list also includes a truly timely collaboration with The 5.6.7.8.s, famous for their role in the Tarantino film Kill Bill. They teamed up with The Balboas on a song about the movie’s psychotic teenage bodyguard, Go Go Yubari, released to coincide with Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, the full four-hour theatrical release out in December.
The excitement surrounding the record is shared by the legendary contributors, including Jimmy Dale, the Son of Dick Dale, who said, “We managed bring quite the curveball of raw energy that the music scene really is lacking. Of course, I’d lay it down on the skins, guitar, whatever for them. I feel right at home.” Discussing one of the album’s drops, the heartshaking “Florida Man,” Richard Griffith commented: “Florida Man is a greasy, distorted, journey through the stereotype of the crazy lifestyle of the sunshine state. The song features The Balboas in one of their most depraved spells, fully immersed in a southern methamphetamine moment. It captures all the anger of a failed attempt to join the ranks of the mythical Florida Man, and features Dusty Watson on his first washboard recording.”
The moment has arrived: ZEKE has unleashed a brand-new 7″ single featuring the tracks “Peterbilt” and “From The Ashes,” delivering an adrenaline rush only this band can provide. Since forming back in Seattle in 1992, ZEKE has been the definitive force in speed rock, forging an unrelenting mix of hardcore punk energy, pure rock ‘n’ roll swagger, and absolutely breakneck fury. Fans of raw aggression and attitude should pay close attention.
The two new tracks are nothing short of a frontal assault. They feature razor-sharp riffs, unrelenting drumming courtesy of founding member Donny Paycheck, rumbling bass from Jason Freeman, and the signature feral snarl of frontman and founding member Blind Marky Felchtone. With Jeff Hiatt on guitar completing the lineup, every second of this single hits like a strike. Every note is pure velocity, representing rock ‘n’ roll pushed deep into the red.
This is the sound of a band channeling their explosive live energy straight onto vinyl. In less than three minutes, they deliver the kind of sonic intensity most bands cannot capture across a whole full-length album. “Peterbilt” stands as uncompromising, high-octane punk rock—raw, direct, and unapologetically loud. Furthermore, the band is committing to physical media, as the tracks are not available on streaming platforms, making this 7″ an essential purchase for anyone who craves aggression, speed, and attitude.
ZEKE is back, sounding faster, louder, and more ferocious than ever, ready to tear through Europe on a headlining tour.
ZEKE Tour Dates
18.03.2026 – NL – Eindhoven – Effenaar
19.03.2026 – DE – Saarbrücken – Studio 30
20.03.2026 – BE – Aalst – St-Annazaal
21.03.2026 – GR – Athens – An Club
23.03.2026 – DE – Köln – Volta Club
24.03.2026 – tba
26.03.2026 – tba
27.03.2026 – ES – Vitoria-Gasteiz – Jimmy Jazz
28.03.2026 – ES – Madird – Gruta 77
29.03.2026 – PT – Lisbon – Republica da Musica
30.03.2026 – ES – Jerez de la Frontera – La Guarida
A beautiful, brand-new Christmas single has arrived just in time for the holidays, and it brings an unexpected gift for music fans. “My Christmas Day,” a track recorded with an incredible 165 fully organic acoustic layers, features special guest performances from three legendary members of Supertramp. This is truly a collaborative holiday treat for the ears.
The contributing Supertramp members are vocalist Jesse Siebenberg, clarinetist John Helliwell, and original co-founder Richard Palmer-James, who appears on the mandolin. The track arrives as a wonderful end-of-year celebration, offering listeners something genuinely warm, cheerful, and human-made. This rich, textural production stands as a refreshing contrast to the rapid rise of AI-generated music, crafted with meticulous care and absolutely filled with classic Christmas brightness.
Beyond the talented Supertramp trio, the single features an absolutely remarkable lineup of session musicians. Bassist Sylvin Marc, known for his work with Chris Rea, adds deep grooves, while Steve Shehan, whose percussion credits include Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Sting, lays down complex rhythms. Furthermore, the single boasts symphonic arrangement work from maestro Lee Holdridge, famous for his contributions to tracks by Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand.
Accompanying the release is a charming animated music video. It is entirely hand-drawn, human-made, and sweetly nostalgic, intentionally echoing holiday film traditions rather than relying on modern digital shortcuts. Warm, deeply melodic, and built with world-class musicianship at its core, “My Christmas Day” lands as a potent reminder of what this season is meant for—connection, creativity, and the kind of beautiful music that brings people together.
The incredible Japanese metal force HANABIE. is gearing up for a huge 2026, announcing the upcoming release of their new EP titled ‘HOT TOPIC’ on January 28. This new collection of songs captures the Harajuku-core quartet at their absolute peak, delivering their whirlwind rock sound at its most chaotic, catchy, and heavy. It is a fantastic opportunity for the band to share their unique musical blend with a global audience following an already monumental year of success and global appearances.
Following the EP’s arrival, the band is setting their sights on North America for their most ambitious headlining tour in the region yet. The tour kicks off in March and runs through April, featuring 21 shows spread across the United States and Canada. This exciting run follows an already successful trip through Europe during the fall, proving the band has built massive international momentum. Even after a busy 2025 that saw them perform at festivals around the world, including Vans Warped Tour, the group still has one major performance left this year at KNOTFEST 2025 in Mexico on December 6.
HANABIE. has truly become a force to be reckoned with since their high school beginnings in 2015 with Yukina on vocals, Matsuri on guitar and vocals, and Hettsu on bass and chorus. Since the addition of Chika on drums in May 2023, the band has perfected their sound, which blends roots in metal, hardcore, and Japanese idol pop into the powerful style they call Harajuku-Core. Their hard-hitting mix of powerful shouts, heavy riffs, and unique Japanese flair has captivated fans both domestically and abroad, demonstrated by their hit single “Pardon Me, I Have To Go Now,” which boasts over 10.7 million views on YouTube.
The quartet made history in August 2024 as the first Japanese all-woman band to perform on the main stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago. This remarkable achievement came just six months after their major debut in July 2023 under Epic Records Japan, which saw them successfully complete a world tour encompassing 45 performances across 17 countries. Their upcoming North American tour promises to deliver the same high-energy performances that have earned them such a dedicated global fanbase, building on the success of their headline Europe Tour and major festival appearances.
Germany’s Future Palace is showing no signs of slowing down, continuing their upward trajectory with the brand new single “Deep Blue.” This striking track is the perfect next chapter in the momentum they have been building over the past months. Following the launch of their new era with their first single under Century Media Records, the band now fully embraces their signature blend of emotional intensity and cinematic storytelling, taking listeners on a riveting musical journey.
“Deep Blue” uses the powerful image of sinking into the deep sea as a poignant metaphor for emotional distance, depression, and the crushing pressure of everyday life. The song beautifully captures the universal fear of drifting away from the people who matter most. Vocalist Maria Lessing explained the core feeling of the track, saying, “It’s about the moment you realize you’re losing someone – or yourself – because everything around you becomes too overwhelming.” The emotion is raw and immediate, making the connection with listeners incredibly strong.
The accompanying video, with cover artwork by Peter Leukhardt, brings this inner conflict to dramatic life through a compelling underwater narrative. The band members appear as a submarine crew searching for a friend who has been alone for so long she has transformed into a siren. Her defensiveness and pain expertly mirror the emotional distortion that isolation can cause—that damaging belief that no one cares, even when help and connection are very close by. It is a brilliant visual representation of the song’s theme.
Musically, “Deep Blue” solidifies the band’s compelling trademark blend of driving heaviness and addictive melody. Guitarist Manuel Kohlert broke down the sonic blueprint, explaining, “It combines our most addictive hooks with a fierce, guitar-driven energy — a mix of what ‘Run’ and ‘Distortion’ did best.” The resulting track feels immediate, atmospheric, and uniquely Future Palace. It stands as a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever felt left behind or felt trapped in their own thoughts, offering a powerful reminder that even in the darkest depths of isolation, connection remains within reach.
The legendary band Duran Duran has unveiled an incredible collaboration with We Are Rewind, resulting in the WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition cassette player. This unique device is more than just a music player; it is a meticulously crafted artifact that channels the band’s renowned visual and sonic universe, injecting that iconic chrome and glamorous style directly into your hands. For longtime fans and new enthusiasts alike, this special-edition player perfectly encapsulates the era when cassettes were king, offering a premium way to engage with physical music.
To make this release even more special, the WE-001 includes a reissue of the band’s album Pop Trash on cassette. This thoughtful inclusion immediately provides listeners with a full-length album experience, tying the new hardware back to the band’s expansive catalog. The player itself has been engineered to deliver a modern listening experience, featuring true hi-fi sound and a unique headphone amplifier specifically optimized for cassette playback. It is a stunning piece of design that genuinely honors the spirit of the band.
Despite its nostalgic appeal, the WE-001 is packed with contemporary functionality. Forget hunting for AA batteries; this unit uses USB C charging for up to twelve hours of continuous playback. The construction uses an aluminum casing, giving it a premium, rugged feel that easily surpasses the plastic decks of decades past. Its most notable modern feature is the integrated Bluetooth connection, which allows listeners to pair their favorite tapes with wireless headphones or modern speakers, bridging the gap between analog purity and digital convenience.
The creative forces behind the project are clearly thrilled with the outcome. Duran Duran creative art director, designer, and photographer Andrew Day shared his enthusiasm, stating, “When Pop Trash was originally released, the internet was in its infancy and streaming really wasn’t a thing. Who knew that 25 years later, a cassette player would be a fitting way to celebrate its anniversary. The team at ‘We Are Rewind’ bent over backwards to make sure this wonderful collaboration with the band was a truly fitting one. The result is something that’s a lot more ‘Pop’, and a lot less ‘Trash’. Over the moon and back with the result, and I’m pretty sure Liberace would approve.” We Are Rewind Founder and CEO Romain Boudruche highlighted the band’s legacy: “Duran Duran always had a look, a sense of style and control of how they looked and how they sounded and their association with cassettes is clear. We’re delighted to work with the band and help music fans connect with the value of music and physical media in an age of streaming.” This partnership arrives as physical media experiences a notable resurgence, reinforcing the value of owning music in an increasingly stream-focused world. The WE-001 Duran Duran Special Edition is available for €169, $199, or £149 here.
