The way the younger generation has been inspired and influenced by what came about during the previous generation has been very interesting to see come to life. The bands that have been able to create music that feels like a throwback but, also put the right spin on it, are the ones to watch. Which brings us to the band of the week.
A few weeks ago at part three of The Cobalt Presents 5 Year Anniversary show, there was a band that played and really turned up the volume and that band is Gerbil. Don’t let the name fool you, this band has teeth. While the 90’s alternative/indie rock is prevalent, the way Gerbil injects a bit of funk, rock, pop and a scoop of ska into their songs is the part that gets you.
The youthful fun energy Gerbil has is infectious when you see them live. Each member brings their own influence to the fold and its plays out in such a great way.
After six years, Hatebreed are back with a brand new album. On November 06, Fatal Paradox will be unleashed. “Kill Count Increase” the first single is also track one on the record and set things off with a bang. The song itself is an all out heavy blast of metal and hardcore. This is a great crossover sound and song. Jamey Jasta sounds superb and aggressive as all hell. The album was produced by longtime collaborator Chris “Zeuss” Harris. Very much looking forward to this record!
The idea of the band Will Haven going in a full on 180 degree direction than their known heaviness is beyond intriguing. Usually when you hear a band, well the majority of a band, step out of their known repertoire it can go a bit haywire. That’s not the case for Foreign Film. While there is still a bit of heavy, their debut album, A Love Letter, is an ethereal ambient melodic rock record that soars in direction that flies through the atmosphere.
Across ten songs and forty two minutes you will get lost in this new world of Will Haven’s Jeff Irwin. Along with his fellow bandmates Mitch Wheeler (drums), Adrien Contreras (bass) and Sean Bivins (guitar) he’s also joined by Rylan Kerr (guitar), Robin Florkin (piano/keys) and Tami Taracena (backing vocals), they’ve made a record that moves in a more “post” rock style that’s emotive and full of lush soundscapes. This project has long been in the making and now comes to fruition.
Each song evokes it own emotion. There’s not one song on here that feels like it repeats itself. Instead it weaves an intricate web of all sorts of inspiration making A Love Letter an album that truly captures the essence of the idea. I urge everyone to listen from start to finish to see the whole picture come to life.
Foreign Film’s A Love Letter truly is a thoughtful piece of music and art that fits stands out on its own. There’s a place for both Will Haven and Foreign Film and rightfully so. Enjoy what this album is. The evolution of what this band can be is only getting started.
The wait is almost over for new Mastodon! That’s right, the best band of the new millennium, yes I said it and stand by it, will be releasing their ninth studio album, Marrow Deep, on August 28, 2026! The band have already released the song “Your Ghost Again” and have now served up “Snakes For Dinner.” Joining Mastodon on this song is Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme. You might remember his guest appearance on “Colony Of Birchmen” from Blood Mountain.
As we all know, this is Mastodon’s first album without the late Brent Hinds. If you’ve been listening to Mastodon as long as I have, you know that when tragedy strikes, the next album is quite the gem.
Rock music has always been about feeling. No matter the genre, the “feel” of the music propels you to hear things in a whole different way. When the music hits right and the words convey a thought that strikes the right chord, that magic is what keeps us all coming back. These days finding a real rock band that does that is quite difficult. So many bands have sounds that while are rooted in straight rock music, it’s a convoluted mess. The Pretty Reckless though, they’re the real deal. And on album number five, Dear God, that “feel” is what sends this record to the heavens.
The Pretty Reckless have put in a really solid amount of time to write an album that feels like a hard rock albums you’d find from the 1970’s mixed with the early 90’s. Taylor Momsen, Ben Philips, Mark Damon and Jaime Perkins have quite the chemistry on this album in a very deep way. Each song is a journal entry that comes to life through Taylor’s vocals. Songs like “For I Am Death,” “When I Wake Up,” “Love Me,” “About You” and “Dear God” are quite the rock songs packed with vigor and emotion. Then you get into a mid tempo territory that gets extremely raw the further it goes. Especially on songs like “Eye Of The Storm” and “Devil In Disguise (Michelle’s Song).”
Upon first listen, the album may seem front loaded but, it actually gets deeper the further you get into the record. There’s a lot of words within the lyrics, it all plays out in a journal come to life. Sure it’s something we all do but, to have someone who grew up in an industry that will eat you up and spit you out just as easily as it will make you feel like you’re the one, it’s quite introspective and revealing. The performance in Taylor Momsen’s vocals are full of every piss and gasoline. Its blues meets grunge and a tinge of goth. Making for a nice twist and turn as it is woven into the accompanying music.
The Pretty Reckless absolutely won me over with their 2021 album Death By Rock And Roll. This is a really solid album and follow up. Definitely look forward to hearing these songs live.
The time for new Mastodon has arrived!! While this news is superb, it is a little bittersweet, as this will be the bands first album without the recently departed, Brent Hinds.
“Your Ghost Again” is a great welcome back for Mastodon. This song has the heaviness, psychedelia, and emotional energy that has become signature throughout their illustrious career. There’s a bit of a Once More Round The Sun vibe to this song and a tinge of Blood Mountain. Be sure to listen till the end, as it’s quite the treat!
When you ignite the future with the right bands, there is a good chance you can see where music is headed. For too long, modern heavy music has gotten too overproduced and frankly generic. Granted that sounds like a blanket statement, when there are bands out there that don’t fall into that trap. Instead what’s happening is a bands full of youngsters are providing a resurgence of a more raw and invigorating sound. There is one band in particular that has caught my attention for some time and has chosen the punk and hardcore route, XCOMM.
XCOMM have released their debut album, Time To Burn, and just like its title, that statement rings very true in a multitude of ways. Across eleven songs and thirty minutes, this unrelenting five piece band, rip through the gamut of the best of what hardcore punk is. While influences like Minor Threat, Black Flag and Bad Brains are the foundations of the genre and can certainly be heard here, Xcomm don’t rest on that. What you hear is part homage and the rest is pure and full of promise.
Kicking things off is “Reasons” a shotgun blast right out of the gate. This is just that start of the boiling tension that starts this album. Also the video for this song was directed by Dean Karr and perfectly executed that feeling. Check it out! Next is “Hot Pursuit/One and Nothing” a two for one song that shows that promise I mentioned earlier. Just listen. “Fake ID” is a fun barnburner of a track. And again, a fun video worth watching. “Borrowed Happiness” is a thrashy punk song that hits at the right melodic tinges. The title track “Time To Burn” is a to the point statement. “Pirates” continues the onslaught with guest vocals from Ghostmane. “Running Zeros” is a departure from the frantic frenzy. In fact this standout is song that shows another side of the band. There’s some great little subtle nods in this song as well towards those inspiring bands. “Relevance” returns to the punk sound with a snarl and crashing backdrop. “No Teeth” will definitely get circle pits going. It has that vibe right from the beat drop. “Purity” is eighty seconds of a a slamming good time. Closing out the album is “Negativity.” Don’t get that twisted though, this song packs a ton of optimism for what’s to come from XCOMM.
What Ross Robinson was able to get from XCOMM on Time To Burn is exquisite. The raw prowess of the production combined with ferocity of the songs really makes for a great listening experience. Having seen the band live, a good amount of their live energy is here in a way that only Ross can capture. Each band member has their own moments through that shows not just their musical abilities but, shows how each member plays a dynamic role in these songs.
XCOMM are without a doubt legit. They have the live show, songs and energy to make you a fan. Time To Burn is a great debut and one hell of a way to get your attention. There is a definite throwback element to this album too that, if you came of age at certain points, will remind you of that time in the best of ways. It’s worth noting too that for all the seriousness on this album, it’s also a fun record. And who can’t use a little fun in their life?!!
A Perfect Circle has returned with a brand new song called “Starless.” This new song kicks off their upcoming European/UK Tour, their first in eight years.
“Starless” is a track that is guitar driven through Billy Howerdel, with a vocal delivery by Maynard James Keenan, that takes many different shapes as Josh Freese’s drums propel the song through intriguing twists and turns. This song live is going to be one that truly hits.
Very much looking forward to more new music from A Perfect Circle! And this is a very welcome back!
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.
