Month: March 2025

In a thrilling musical development, Italy’s punk rock sensation, Hearts Apart, has returned to the scene with their new EP, Summer Bummer. The band’s latest offering, a blend of punk rock, melancholy, and a burst of energy, was officially released on February 28, 2025, via Epidemic Records.

The EP, which represents a fresh and spontaneous evolution of their sound, is available digitally and as a special limited-edition colored vinyl. The recording process was marked by spontaneity and directness, under the direction of producer and friend Maurizio Icio Baggio. The result is a rawer, more visceral, and authentic sound, encapsulating Hearts Apart’s essence: emotional intensity, self-irony, and an unstoppable drive to play punk rock.

The single I Hate The Summer from the EP, offers a taste of the distinctive blend of lighthearted punk rock and the darker emotions of summer that Summer Bummer encapsulates. It is a track that captures the paradox of summer – a time of fun and melancholy, making it a tune you could both dance and sob to.

Hearts Apart’s journey began in the summer of 2018. The band was founded with the aim of channeling the existential struggles of approaching forty into punk rock and rock’n’roll, with Marked Men as a significant influence. The band made their live debut in 2021, and since then, they’ve honed their sound through numerous live shows, cheap beers, and a fervent passion for music.

The band has a big year ahead with shows already scheduled across Italy and Germany, and dreams of taking their music overseas. In the meantime, Summer Bummer is set to win the hearts of punk rock and power pop lovers alike, making listeners sing, dance, and maybe even shed a tear.

With tracks like I Hate The Summer, Forget About Me, and I Wanna Have Fun, among others, this EP is a testament to the band’s growth and their unique formula of despair, irony, and pure rock’n’roll.

Hearts Apart are made up of Checco, Giò, Punch, and Silva. They continue to bring their passion for punk rock, rock’n’roll, and pop punk to the stage, blending melody, intensity, and a good dose of self-irony. Their approach is direct, visceral, and emotional—proving that you can dance and cry at the same time. Less machismo, more authenticity. And why not—more nachos, too.

Europe’s best-kept festival secret, Sjock, has completed its line-up for its 49th edition with the addition of 16 acts. Running from Friday, July 11th through Sunday, July 13th in Poeyelhei Gierle, Belgium, the event promises to be the rock & roll highlight of the year.

The final acts to join the bill include Dutch star Danny Vera, American rockers Nashville Pussy and The Mystery Lights, British band Rifle, Belgian groups Sha-La-Lees and Crackups, and solo artist Nick Shoulders from the USA. They’ve been added to a line-up that already features big names such as Melissa Etheridge, Wolfmother, Refused, and The Undertones among many others.

For over four decades, Sjock has been a beacon for dedicated fans of punk, garage rock, hardcore, trash, surf, rock, psychobilly, and country blues, who consider the festival as their yearly pilgrimage to the rock ‘n’ roll Mecca of Europe. The festival’s three stages – Titty Twister, Bang Bang Stage, and Main Stage – will play host to around 50 bands over three summer days.

Among the highlights for Friday, July 11th are performances from Danny Vera, Sha-La-Lees, Crackups, and Melissa Etheridge. The following day features The Mystery Lights, Rifle, and Nick Shoulders among others, while Sunday’s line-up includes Nashville Pussy and Wolfmother.

Tickets for Sjock 2025 are now on sale at the festival’s official website. A single-day ticket costs €45 for Friday or Sunday and €50 for Saturday, while a short weekend ticket (Saturday and Sunday) is priced at €90. Full weekend tickets cost €120.

Sjock, which was established in 1975, has been going against the grain of current trends, inflation, and other oddities, sticking to its own thing: organizing a sun-drenched music festival in the middle of summer with the coolest acts from diverse rock ‘n’ roll genres. In addition to the music, the festival also offers affordable food and drinks and a friendly atmosphere.

For more information, visit www.sjock.com or follow Sjock on Facebook and Instagram.

The beating heart of the Southern Sludge and Doom Metal scene is pounding harder than ever before. The formidable sound that has become synonymous with the genre’s stalwarts has found a new representative in the form of BRONCO. Today, February 28, 2025, the Cape Fear natives have set loose their self-titled debut album, “Bronco.”

On this momentous occasion, vocalist and bass player Bronco shared his excitement, “It feels like a lifetime of waiting, but we are ecstatic to be releasing our first record at long last!” The album, a culmination of life’s negativity and uncertainty, is a raw and powerful embrace of doom.

The full album is now available for streaming and immediate publication, promising a therapeutic experience that lets listeners let go of all their stresses and woes.

The eight-track album features songs like “Scourge Descent,” “Ride Eternal,” and “Damnation” among others. Each track offers a unique listening experience, rich with the raw energy and unfiltered emotion that BRONCO embodies.

The band’s sound, rooted in doom metal and Southern sludge, is as stubborn, rough and unpolished as the rugged rocks of Cape Fear, the treacherous waters of which have claimed many ships and lives throughout the ages.

BRONCO isn’t a stranger to overcoming adversity. The band rose from the ashes of TOKE after guitarist Tim Bryan tragically suffered a motorcycle accident in 2021. Out of respect for Bryan, vocalist and bass player Bronco, along with drummer JP, decided to carry on their musical journey under a new moniker.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of WEEDEATER, SOUR VEIN, and sharing stages with standard bearers such as BONGZILLA, ASG, and BLACK TASK, BRONCO’s sound is a sonic projection of ash and bone. The band’s debut album, “Bronco,” stands out in its defiant, unrelenting individuality, painting a picture of grim self-reflection and forced acceptance of life’s letdowns.

The album was recorded and mixed by Chris “Scary” Adams at Hidden Audio, Savannah, GA, and mastered by Dennis Pleckham at Comatose Studios, Chicago, IL. Tery Ramdhany and Łukasz Jaszak contributed their talents to the cover artwork and layout respectively.

“Bronco” is available for purchase in digisleeve CD format, and as a petrol green vinyl LP and marbled black & red vinyl LP.

BRONCO’s self-titled debut is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of music. It’s a soundtrack to the trials and tribulations of life, a beacon of hope in the face of despair, and a rallying cry for all those who dare to dream. Dive into the world of BRONCO and let the music carry you away on a journey of self-discovery and catharsis.

For those interested in the band’s journey, follow them on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

In a highly anticipated announcement, Swedish prog-metal titans Opeth have been confirmed as the final headliner for the Dynamo Metalfest. This revelation has sent ripples of excitement through the metal community, signaling the end of a long wait for fans eager to know who would claim the final prestigious spot.

Set to take place in Eindhoven, the Dynamo Metalfest will see Opeth close out the first day of the festival. They will share the stage with a powerful line-up including Mastodon, Fear Factory, Paradise Lost, and Nailbomb, promising an unforgettable start to a weekend filled with metal mayhem.

The event will also feature performances from Gojira, Within Temptation, Kreator, and I Prevail, making it a must-attend festival for any metal aficionado.

Opeth, who have been a pioneering force in the metal scene for the past 30 years, are returning to their death metal roots with their latest album “The Last Will And Testament”. Their presence at the festival is sure to be a much-needed boost for fans who have been longing for live performances in these challenging times.

Tickets for the festival are quickly selling out, emphasizing the demand for this incredible line-up. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this monumental metal event.

The Dynamo Metalfest, brought to you by Loud Noise, stands as a testament to the resilience and passion of the metal community. This year’s festival is shaping up to be an event that will not only satisfy the hunger of the fans but also etch itself in the annals of metal history.

As the calendar pages turn and we inch closer to summer, fans of punk, hardcore, and metalcore music are eagerly counting down to June 26, 27, and 28, 2025. On these dates, the small town of Ysselsteyn in North Limburg, The Netherlands, transforms into a music paradise for the 31st edition of Jera On Air.

This year’s festival line-up boasts almost a hundred bands. Big names such as Bullet For My Valentine, Sex Pistols ft. Frank Carter, and Pendulum are already causing a stir. But there’s more: this week it was announced that bands like Alien Ant Farm, Power Trip, Green Lizard, and Donots will also set the stage ablaze at the three-day event.

Music enthusiasts worldwide can purchase tickets for the entire weekend or individual festival days from the Jera On Air website.

The newly announced bands form part of an impressive list of sixteen fresh additions to the festival line-up. The Toasters, BIB, Driveways, The Haunt, Booze & Glory, Teen Mortgage, and Maria Iskariot have also been confirmed. Additionally, thousands of punk and metal fans can look forward to performances by C.O.F.F.I.N, Press Club, Terminal Sleep, Boni Macaroni, and Karen Dió.

Power Trip promises to deliver a high-energy performance, packed with crushing riffs and a tight show. The band, hailing from Texas, has had to overcome the tragic passing of their frontman, Riley Gale, in 2020. However, with Seth Gilmore taking over vocal duties, Power Trip has bounced back with a vengeance, proving their resilience and dedication to their music and fans.

Alien Ant Farm is sure to incite sing-alongs with their cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’. Their new album takes listeners on a nostalgic trip, reminding them of their teenage years. Similar sentiments will be evoked by Green Lizard, one of the best Dutch punk rock bands of all time, who made a comeback in 2024.

Donots, a band with three decades of experience and a setlist full of punk rock anthems, is known for their ability to get a festival crowd jumping. With a mix of melodic punk rock, raw energy, and catchy refrains, they are one of the most popular live bands in Europe.

Tickets for Jera On Air 2025 are selling fast, with fans from around the globe eagerly snapping them up. Tickets for both the entire weekend and individual festival days can be purchased via the Jera On Air website, where visitors can also find more information about the line-up, festival camping, and other amenities.

In an exciting announcement, the Pukkelpop music festival has revealed seventeen fresh acts joining its lineup for the summer event. The festival is set to kick off on August 15th, and among the new names are Vampire Weekend, The Kooks, and Rudim3ntal, adding to the already buzzing anticipation for the festival.

The festival’s Friday lineup sees a backyard party vibe with artists such as Chappell Roan, Chase & Status, Oscar and the Wolf, Jamie xx, Michael Kiwanuka, and Pommelien Thijs gracing the stage. Festival-goers can also look forward to an electric performance from Berlin-based duo DJ HEARTSTRING, known for their hypertrance beats. Other highlights include I Prevail, known for their viral Blank Space cover and powerful original tracks like Bow Down and Breaking Down, Montell Fish, the DIY artist known for his deep lyrics and dreamy lo-fi sound, and an impressive DJ set by the legendary drum ‘n bass trio RUDIM3NTAL. The Kooks, a band that has been a staple in the music scene since 2006, are also lined up to perform, with indie pop favourites Vampire Weekend rounding off the lineup for the day.

On August 16th, the popular house duo ANOTR, known for their unique mix of disco, soul, funk, and jazz, will be performing. Also featured is Mk.gee, a New Jersey-based artist known for his enigmatic pop sound that blends elements of The Police, Peter Gabriel, and Prince. Sub Focus, a name synonymous with drum ‘n bass, will also be gracing the stage, along with The Last Dinner Party, who’ve gained an enthusiastic fanbase since the release of their 2023 single Nothing Matters. Fans of Wallows have a lot to look forward to with the upcoming release of their new E.P. More and their performance on the festival’s Saturday lineup.

Come Sunday, August 17th, festival-goers can look forward to performances from Queens of the Stone Age, Papa Roach, Justice, AURORA, Royel Otis, and Zwangere Guy. Newly announced acts for the day include MEUTE, who’ve evolved from a modest fanfare in 2019 to a full-blown showband in 2025, Sammy Virji, known as the patron saint of UK Garage, and The Beaches, perfect for those nursing broken hearts or searching souls. MALUGI will be bringing the good vibes to the DJ booth, while the raw, sarcastic post-punk sound of the Swedish Viagra Boys is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Tickets for Pukkelpop go on sale on Saturday, February 22nd at 10 am via the official ticket website: tickets.pukkelpop.be. Day tickets are priced at EUR129, while VIP tickets go for EUR220. The cost includes regular public transport courtesy of NMBS. Festival tickets for Thursday are not available separately, but can be accessed with a Friday ticket or a combi ticket, available for EUR282 (or EUR430 for VIP). Food and drink coupons can also be purchased at a discounted rate until July 31st.

For many, camping is half the fun at Pukkelpop and the festival has made sure to cater to this, with camping information available on their website. For attendees who prefer a bit of luxury, the new Camping Glampy offers a stylish camping experience. More information can be found on the festival’s website.

With its diverse lineup and vibrant atmosphere, Pukkelpop 2025 promises to be a summer event to remember. Be sure to grab your tickets and get ready for a musical extravaganza.

The iconic British rock singer, Arthur Brown, is ready to set the European stage ablaze with an extravagant lineup of live shows slated for 2025. The self-proclaimed “God of Hellfire” is known for his eccentric performances and multi-octave voice that has inspired music legends like Alice Cooper, Elton John, and Bruce Dickinson.

Arthur Brown’s upcoming tour, aptly named “The Crazy World of Arthur Brown,” promises an odyssey of sound and spectacle. But that’s not all. Arthur Brown has a special performance planned at Prophecy Fest, set to take place in the mystical Balver Höhle in Germany. Arthur promises to channel the primeval forces of this ancient site to deliver a performance unlike any other.

The tour will follow the release of Arthur’s forthcoming album, building on the success of his current masterpiece, “Long Long Road,” which was released on his 80th birthday on June 24, 2022. The album reflects Arthur’s rich musical journey, shifting seamlessly from progressive rock and soul to pristine blues rock.

Tickets for Arthur Brown’s live shows are available at www.thegodofhellfire.com/pages/new-gigs. The tour will span across the United Kingdom and Europe, making stops at notable locations and festivals such as The Temple of Prog in Carlisle, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, the Art Rock Festival in Reichenbach, and the Brutal Assault Festival in Josevof, among others.

Arthur Brown’s musical journey is far from over. His recent accolades include the 2019 Prog Awards’ Visionary Artist Award and the 2021 HRH Legend Award. Despite these achievements, Arthur remains as authentic, challenging, creative, and compelling as he was at the beginning of his career.

For those unfamiliar with his work, Arthur Brown is widely recognized as a pioneer of shock rock and progressive rock. His live performances are a dramatic blend of classics, dance, poetry, and new electronic music. Over his seven-decade-long career, Arthur has collaborated with renowned artists like The Who, The Alan Parsons Project, and David Gilmore, leaving an indelible mark on the world of rock music.

With the upcoming release of his new album and the 2025 tour, Arthur Brown shows no signs of slowing down. His star still burns brightly, fascinating audiences wherever he takes to the stage. This is a testament to his undeniable talent and the fiery passion he brings to his art.