For the first time in over a decade, Anthrax, have released their first new song, “It’s For The Kids.” This new song is the first single from their upcoming album, Cursum Perficio, which will arrive September 18 via Megaforce Records. Cursum Perficio will be the band’s twelfth studio album.
This new album was produced by the band and Jay Ruston. “It’s For The Kids” is a heavy, driving song with a big hook chorus-a combination of classic Anthrax and a bit of a modern twist.
After forty five years of being a band, this new album and song, sees the group firing on all cylinders to make sure their legacy remains!
One of the albums I’ve been anticipating most of 2026 has arrived! Grey, the debut album from Held., is more than just a debut album, it’s one of the most personal and compelling albums of the year.
Grey is the album you didn’t know you needed. While many bands say they wear their heart on their sleeves, Held. is literally pouring themselves out on these songs. The melodic yet heaviness of these songs permeates through the entire album.
The way the album begins with “Defending The Earth” and the very urgent lyrics comes out of the gate with pure intensity. From there the next three songs explode in your speakers. I’m still amazed at “Constant Tension” and the heart strings it pulls on. “Waves Of Fire” is another gem of a song in the way its speed propels the second half of the album. The title track “Grey” is as emotionally charged as it is anthemic. That’s a recurring theme found throughout. It’s not so much about empowerment but, more about self awareness and realization. “I and I Against You All” is one of those songs that hits on the previous theme only this one is more empowering. “Through The Cracks” feels like a very classic post-hardcore song along the lines of Jawbox. “Broken Spacesuit/Decay And Sand” is epic. This Failure-esque song is spacey all the while introspective. Closing the record is “Emptiness: A Side Effect” a song that is an instant classic. This is one of those songs that will make you want to listen again and again. What a song. I’d go into more detail about it but that would just take away from your own listening experience.
The lyrics of singer/guitarist Douglas Robinson are beyond personal and memorable. The way he writes speaks to the listener in a way that it gets under your skin in the best way. Some of my favorite lyrics of the year are on this album. In particular the closing song has my favorite line “Side effect of every side effect you ignore.” What a line! I can hear the audience singing along to this! The rhythm section of Sal Mignano and Josh Eppard is a revelation of thunder. The way they play off each other and create a great tension that plays off the guitar. One of the other aspects of the album that stands out is the production. The way the band feels alive throughout is stellar. You can feel the energy and breath of the performances. Which is something that is missing in modern music.
Grey is hands down one of the best albums of 2026. Having a debut album hit the strides this one does is astounding. Held. have arrived and I genuinely hope are here to stay. The grasp they have on the listener via this album is one that I don’t want to let go of. This is one of the best debut albums I’ve heard in a long time. You wouldn’t even think this is a debut based on the quality of the songs and how great this band sounds.
The wait for the new Genghis Tron album is making me impatient. A few weeks ago, the band released the news that their new album, Signal Fire would be coming out on June 12 and the first single “I Am All” from said album , right out of the gate was sonically pummeling!
Now, as the impatient wait continues, Genghis Tron has dropped another new song “Born Prey” and this one is even more unrelenting than the previous. The song is a welcome return to the bands older and more abrasive side while also pushing the boundaries of where heavy music can go.
I for one am very stoked on this upcoming new Genghis Tron album. Bands like this need to be celebrated more. There’s a real uncanny amount of artistry in this band and it’s really quite stunning. Prepare yourself accordingly!
I’m declaring 2026 to be the year of Converge! The year started off with their new album, Love Is Not Enough, which came out of the gates like a bat out of hell. Then came news that there was a second album on its way, in the form of Hum Of Hurt, which arrives on June 5th!
The second single from Hum Of Hurt has arrived in “Doom In Bloom.” This song is heavy and full of a raw, unrelenting riffs and rhythms. Lyrically it’s introspective in a very optimistic way.
One of the things about Converge that I personally enjoy the most is the honesty in their music. Every album has a different meaning and feeling. The way the artwork plays into the lyrics which in turn plays out through the music. It’s an underrated aspect about Converge and what comes with each album. Bring on Hum Of Hurt, I’m ready!
Late last year, I introduced you all to the band The Owling. Their debut album, You Don’t Bow, You Will Learn” hit me out of nowhere and was a perfect end note to the year. Now, Kal Michael (guitar/vocals) and Art Quanstrom (drums), have kept their creative flow going and have released a new EP titled, Intravenous Flow.
Intravenous Flow is quite the perfect title for this release. Clocking in at just about twenty five minutes, the way this EP plays out really feels more like an album. The title track, “Intravenous Flow” starts things off and truly does have quite the flow. The delicate nature of the guitar creates a warm texture against the ambient cymbals and drums, while the vocals float on top. In a way there’s a post punk tinge to go along with the doom riffs and thunder drums. “Hollowed” is quite possibly my favorite song by The Owling. There’s a really cool almost Neurosis vibe to this song and it’s one of those really great slow burn songs. And then comes the cover song you didn’t know you needed, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Mama I’m Coming Home.” I quite enjoy this version. The way it pays homage to the original but, sways more into Sabbath territory is treat. Closing out this record is an acoustic version of “Intravenous Flow,” And what I said prior still stands, this one truly is THE delicate one.
I haven’t had the chance to see The Owling live yet but, I sure will soon. These songs live are going to be huge! The Owling aren’t just the a typical doom/insert other genre here band. When you listen you hear substance and depth. Something that is truly missing from so much rock music these days. Take your time with this record and really listen.
It’s been five years since the highly influential, Quicksand, have released a new album. Their 2021 release, Distant Populations, was quite the album. So much so that even the B-Sides the band released were so good, that they should’ve been on the record. Now here we are and Walter, Sergio and Alan are roaring back with, Bring On The Psychics (out July 17 via Equal Vision Records).
Two new singles have been released from their upcoming record, including“Get To It” and “Regenerate.” Both songs grab you by the throat. “Get To It” feels like it could’ve been on their first EP or even Slip. This new album was produced by Jon Markson (Drug Church, Drain, Rollin Coffin).
Bring On The Psychics is described as an album with the band pushing past the pre conceived expectations. Across the ten songs, Walter and company examine the past through present reality. Speaking of that Walter said “For this album, I was going back to a lot of my earlier influences about ‘break down the walls’ or ‘start today,'” he explains. “Regardless of whether you’re into hardcore or youth crew, they’re really cool records because they’re speaking to the time and providing possible paths to a better future … with mosh parts. That’s the energy that I wanted to bring to this.”
Look for Quicksand to be on the road later this year into early next year! I will be there for sure!
The idea of making an “album” these days seems to escape most bands. While so many are so focused on the quick song or short attention span fans, Failure have returned with their seventh album, Location Lost, and remind everyone why making an album is so important.
Location Lost is an album that shows Failure at a vulnerable and fragile state that draws from personal, societal trauma and issues. When you put this album on and the crisp sound comes bellowing out of your speakers, it’s a passionate and deep presence felt. There truly is magic between the music created by Ken Andrews, Greg Edwards and Kellii Scott. Each brings in a unique batch of influences and styles thus creating a tour de force of music and art.
Across nine songs and forty minutes, Failure does what they do best, rock! The album opens with “Crash Test Delayed” a delicate space rock song that incorporates the bands early post punk/new wave influences. For a moment you can feel like it’s 1986 but, then realize it’s 2026. “The Rising Skyline” is a beautiful mellow-dramatic piece. The collaboration with Hayley Williams is the perfect choice. Her vocals on the second verse and then intertwined with Ken and Greg’s voices, is stunning! “Solid State” picks up the energy and glistens like a twinkling star. “The Air’s On Fire” is a gem. It’s one of those songs that makes you turn up the volume. You know where too. “Halo And Grain” strikes you with a grabbing bass line that lets you glide into quite the melodic treat. “Someday Soon” is another in the post punk/new wave song, with a sweet twist of melody and delicate pulsating rhythm. The title track “Location Lost” is another treat. It has an almost Magnified era vibe to it as well. “A Way Down” is going to be a classic in the bands catalog. There’s such a fun to this song that it really makes you want to play this one while “taking a ride, with your best friend.” Closing this album is “Moonlight Understands.” The unfolding subtleness allows you to drift along into a fuzzy state that leaves you contemplative.
For those that are new to Failure, this album might not grab you at first. Stay with it though as everything you enjoy about Failure is here in this album. As I mentioned earlier, their post punk/new wave influences shine throughout. Even the production of the album pulls from some of those early albums. If you have a really great set of headphones, put them on while listening. You’ll get a whole other listen out of it. It has been talked about that this could be the final album for the band. If so, it’s a real delight to hear the honesty and passion of Ken, Greg and Kellii. I sincerely hope there is more to come from Failure. For now though, Location Lost has now been found with Failure.
Late last year I introduced you all to a new electronic group called LVX. Their debut song “Writhe” has yet to leave my suicide rotation. I enjoyed it so much that I had to know more and interviewed Justin Hanson, which was an absolutely fantastic conversation. Now here we are as “Hexer” has arrived. This song continues in the cinematic universe with some great twists and turns. There is a heaviness to this song without it being “heavy.” “Hexer” is the type of electronic song that escalates in a subtle manner and will sway you in way that feels weightless. Be sure to check out the video as well as that will take you places as well. I am very pumped for what else is to come!
What a whirlwind year it’s been so far. While the world is falling apart, at least we have music to keep us going. 2026 seems to be quite the year for so much new music. It’s a little overwhelming at times to keep up with everything but, lucky for you all, I’ve spent time listening to so much to pick out the best for your listening enjoyment. In this batch of new music you will find new songs from Ayva, Strata, ‘68, The Pretty Reckless, Evil Island, Saosin, The Owling, and of course the debut record from Nine Inch Noize! Enjoy!
The very awesome and genre smashing, Genghis Tron, has returned with an upcoming new album , Signal Fire, and first single, “I Am All.” The bands previous album, 2021’s, Dream Weapon, was beyond a welcome back album. In fact it’s one of those albums that the more the years go by, certain aspects of that record have come true.
This new album though, shifts from the apocalyptic dreams of the previous album, and into a very unhinged and volatile new world. Like the last one with the lyrical themes becoming reality, Signal Fire delivers an urgency that is very direct and precise. “I Am All” is not just the first single but first track on the album. This song is heavy and punishing as well as quite the soundtrack to the end times.
Signal Fire arrives June 12 via Relapse Records! I’m very impatiently awaiting this release!
