Anticipated Albums

ANTICIPATED ALBUMS: BLACKWATER HOLYLIGHT- NOT HERE NOT GONE

There’s something about the feeling that comes over you when you hear a band that strikes at the right time. It’s not that I haven’t listened to this band before but, the way their new music sparked a sense of “Yes! This is what I’m looking for and I wasn’t even looking.” With that in mind, Blackwater Holylight is the band I’m talking about and if you haven’t heard this fantastic band, you’ve been missing out. In 2026, January 30th to be exact, Blackwater Holylight will be releasing their new album, Not Here Not Gone (via Suicide Squeeze Records). Packed with a sound that is as much intoxicating as it is hypnotic is quite the treat. The elements of shoegaze, doom and metal mixed with the atmospheric/cinematic synths, underlying pulsing rhythms that feel like waves and vocals that soar and swoon, are exactly what I hear in Blackwater Holylight. The two songs released so far, “Heavy, Why?” and “Involuntary Haze” are whimsical and the perfect way to introduce what’s to come. A full US tour will be happening next year with two bands that have been featured on Audioeclectica, Glassing and SOM. The idea of SOM and Blackwater Holylight on the same bill is actually blowing my mind as I think and write this. Truly, I can’t wait for this new album to hit right out of 2026. Now, go check out Blackwater Holylight!

Heavy, Why?:

Involuntary Haze:


Pre-Order NOT HERE NOT GONE:

TOUR DATES:

Glassing supports 2/13-2/27. SOM supports 2/27-3/14.

Fri 2/13 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Sat 2/14 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit
Sun 2/15 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister
Tue 2/17 – Austin, TX – Radio/East
Wed 2/18 – Houston, TX – White Oak
Thu 2/19 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia
Fri 2/20 – Pensacola, FL – Handlebar
Sat 2/21 – Atlanta, GA – Drunken Unicorn
Sun 2/22 – Asheville, NC – Eulogy
Tue 2/24 – Charlottesville, VA – Southern Cafe
Wed 2/25 – Baltimore, MD – Metro
Thu 2/26 – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
Fri 2/27 – Brooklyn, NY – Meadows
Sat 2/28 – Braintree, MA – Widowmaker Brewing
Mon 3/02 – Youngstown, OH – Westside Bowl
Tue 3/03 – Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle
Wed 3/04 – Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village
Fri 3/06 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive
Sat 3/07 – Denver, CO – Hi-Dive
Sun 3/08 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High
Tue 3/10 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Wed 3/11 – Portland, OR – Aladdin Theater
Thu 3/12 – Sacramento, CA – Starlet
Fri 3/13 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel
Sat 3/14 – Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley
Sat 3/21 – Los Angeles, CA – Pacific Electric

ANTICIPATED ALBUMS: HEAVY HALO- DAMAGED DREAM

A little while back I brought up a band called Heavy Halo and I’ve been totally enthralled by them. Their distinctive sound that mixes electronic, industrial, alternative and a bit of goth makes for one hell of an enjoyable listen. Imagine if Nine Inch Nails, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, and a dash of (early) New Order, put that all together and you get Heavy Halo. Their album Damaged Dream comes out on July 25 and it’s definitely one of the most anticipated albums for the rest of 2025 for me. There are so many different things to unpack when listening to this band and their album. One of the things that I love most is the use of melody throughout which brings a different light to the genre. The hooks found in the songs as well, drive home that there is more in these songs than just beats. Lyrically too, its a deeply reflective album that resonates in many different ways. July 25 can’t come soon enough so the rest of you can hear this album! Really stoked on what’s to come from this band and I still have hope that there will be a Los Angeles show in the near future because I need to see this live!

Bloodrush:

The Poisoning:

Erase Your Fate:

Justified:

Final Fall:

Damage Me:

New Blood:

NEW RELEASE: BLACK MAGNET- BETTER THAN LOVE

A couple weeks back the very awesome Black Magnet released “Endless,” the first single from their upcoming new album, Megamantra (out July 25 via Federal Prisoner). “Endless” was just the beginning though as Black Magnet have released another song, “Better Than Love.” If you thought “Endless” was a kick to the teeth, “Better Than Love” expands upon their already punishing industrial sound and adds a great left turn to their style that immediately pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I’m quite stoked for this new album. 2025 looks to be a great year for Black Magnet!!

Black Magnet- Better Than Love:

Pre-Order Megamanta HERE

AGAINST THE GRAIN: ORTHODOX

I’m sure this happens to a lot of you. You are looking for something to listen to and out of nowhere you hear something and it immediately hits you. That was the case this morning as I was searching for something to kick start my day. While checking my email I clicked on on particular email and clicked on the video and the absolute bludgeoning really started my day. Allow me to introduce you to Orthodox. This heavy hitting 5 piece band hails from Nashville and they are surely leaving their mark on heavy music. Their upcoming fourth album, A Door Left Open (out 06.06.25 via Century Media), is an all out assault sonically and internally. The album’s barrage of riffs, shredding solos =and countless breakdowns provide the pummeling while the crushing chugs, accentuated by intricate rhythms , ensures that the head banging whiplash-laden listen never gets comfortable. This is the type of album and band that will for sure kick your teeth in and I welcome more of it! I can tell that Orthodox are going for the jugular with this album. This is as brute force as a record that I’ve heard in a long time.

Pre Order A Door Left Open HERE

Orthodox- Keep Your Blessings:

Orthodox- Sacred Place:

Orthodox- Searching For A Pulse:

ANTICIPATED ALBUMS: THE HAUNTED- SONGS OF LAST RESORT


It’s been almost 8 years since The Haunted, one of the titans of Swedish Melodic Death Metal have released a new album and the wait is almost over. On May 30, 2025, The Haunted will released their tenth, that’s right, 10th studio album, Songs Of Last Resort. 12 songs will be featured on this highly anticipated new album. Already 2 singles have been released. “Warhead” is a punishing and aggressive statement that The Haunted are back. “In Fire Reborn” showcases why The Haunted are one of the best at melodic death metal. It’s a little slower of a song but still packs that walloping punch we’ve all come to know from this band. The 2025 lineup of the band features Marco Aro (vocals), Ola Englund (rhythm, lead guitar), Patrik Jensen (rhythm guitar), Jonas Björler (bass, backing vocals) and Adrian Erlandsson (drums). I personally am quite excited about having a new album from The Haunted. It’s been too long not to have new music from these guys. And I’m just gonna put this out in the universe, a US tour is desperately needed and a great idea would be to have The Haunted come to the US with The Halo Effect and Soilwork! Now that would be one hell of a tour!

Pre-Order Songs Of Last Resort HERE

The Haunted- Warhead:

The Haunted- In Fire Reborn:


NEW RELEASE: BUSH- 60 WAYS TO FORGET PEOPLE


The roll Gavin Rossdale and Bush have been on the past few years is pretty awesome. The past two albums The Kingdom and The Art Of Survival have both been stellar records. In fact so much so that I’d put them right up there with Razorblade Suitcase and Sixteen Stone. In preparation for the band to release their upcoming 10th studio album, I Beat Loneliness (out July 18), Bush has released the first single “60 Ways To Forget People.” If you have dug on the past two albums and singles released, then you will definitely be into this new one. It feels like a continuation of the past two albums only this time around there is more optimism in the song. I’m quite looking forward to this album.

Bush- 60 Ways To Forget People:

Anticipated Albums: Better Lovers- Highly Irresponsible

Ever since Better Lovers was announced as a band I’ve been really excited about it. Their first EP, God Made Me An Animal is one hell of a primal scream of intensity and aggression. Then came the chance to see them live and they came through like a category 5 hurricane. After that, the anticipation for the debut album grew day by day. Now we are only a few weeks away from Highly Irresponsible being unleashed to the world. This album is one of the few that I’ve impatiently been waiting for. Each song released so far has grabbed my attention and caused me to play them really loud and on constant repeat. The time for Better Lovers to come and claim their place is now and be prepared for a full onslaught of heaviness and intensity that is most welcomed!

Highly Irresponsible is out October 25th Pre-order at: https://bfan.link/highly-irresponsible

A White Horse Covered In Blood:

Future Myopia:

At All Times:

New Release: Iress- Falling

I’ve been impatiently waiting for this day so I could write about Iress’s new single, “Falling” from their upcoming album, Sleep Now, In Reverse (out July 26th via Dune Altar)!!! What a way to kick off a week! “Falling” is a beautifully dreamy and haunting song with an undercurrent of heaviness in the shape of a bit of doom and shoegaze. Then you add in the vocals that, send the chills right up your whole body. What a song AND a track one on the album! I personally can’t wait for this album to arrive and for what’s to come for Iress.

Iress- Falling (and Sleep Now, In Reverse Pre-Order):

Iress Online:

http://www.weareiress.com

weareiress.bandcamp.com

instagram.com/weareiress

twitter.com/weareiress

facebook.com/weareiress

youtube.com/@WeAreIress

Anticipated Albums: Sleepmakeswaves- It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It

For many years now, Australia has been a haven for great rock bands. The list of great Aussie bands from Rose Tattoo, AC/DC, Sliverchair, Karnivool and more continues to impress. Even though they have been around for a minute (formed in 2006), I’m just now finding out about Sleepmakeswaves and I’m hooked. This fantastic 3 piece band is about to release their new album, It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It, and it’s one of the best instrumental albums I’ve heard in a long time. What you find on the album are 8 songs that take you on quite the listening journey into another realm. The cinematic sensibilities found throughout the album are oh so sweet. Then you have the elements of different rock genres mixed together to create a soundscape that makes it feel majestic. Sleepmakeswaves have really made an album that stands out not just as an instrumental album but, more as a piece of art. It’s hard to keep people’s attention these days but, these 8 songs will most definitely capture you. If you like bands such as Explosions In The Sky and This Will Destroy You than Sleepmakeswaves is the perfect soundtrack!

Sleepmakeswaves on Bandcamp:



Sleepmakeswaves- Super Realm Park:

Sleepmakeswaves- Ritual Control: