HARD ROCK INFO

THE BABOON SHOW ANNOUNCES SUMMER DATES

Swedish punk/rock band The BABOON SHOW will do some tour dates in Europe during the summer.
thebaboonshow.com

THE QUIREBOYS, THUNDERMOTHER, BULLET AND TORCH CONFIRMED FOR HÅRDROCK AT SEA

Hårdrock At Sea will leave Stockholm, Sweden on November 14 for a crusie on the Baltic Sea. Entertainment will come from bands like The QUIREBOYS, THUNDERMOTHER, BULLET, TORCH, GRAHAM BONNET BAND, CIRCUS PRÜTZ, TRENCH DOGS, BALLBREAKER, The GRISTLE etc.
vikingline.se/hardrock | julymorning.nu

NEW SINGLE WITH SOCIAL DISTORTION

SOCIAL DISTORTION has released "The Way Things Were", the third and final song to be released in advance of the band's long-awaited 8th album, "Born To Kill", out May 8 via Epitaph Records.
youtu.be/4XsH7h1HHkI?si=1y3butfH6tlqhTkA

ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ HAS JOINED DRAGONFORCE

DRAGONFORCE has announced Alissa White-Gluz (BLUE MEDUSA, ex-ARCH ENEMY, The AGONIST) as the group's newest member and first frontwoman.
Beginning this Saturday, May 9, at Welcome To Rockville, and Sunday, May 17 at Sonic Temple, DRAGONFORCE's debut live performances with White-Gluz will also kick off the 20th anniversary of "Inhuman Rampage".
instagram.com/reel/DX9aO5Os9eK/....

THE WHO RELEASES NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING LIVE ALBUM

Following the reveal of THE WHO's upcoming live album "Live At Eden Project", earMUSIC presents the album's second single: "You Better You Bet (Live at Eden Project)", available today as an instant gratification track with all digital pre-orders. To accompany the release, the live performance video is also on the earMUSIC YouTube channel.
"You Better You Bet" was originally released in 1981.
"Live At Eden Project" will be released on May 29.
youtu.be/qLgmQ7PyuLk?si=y45EvfVgpBkR10Et

3 TYPES OF METAL

RESTLESS SPIRIT: Restless Spirit (stoner metal)
KONQUEST: Dark Waters (traditional heavy metal)
IGNESCENT: Eternal (modern pop metal)

NEW ALBUM WITH DEEP PURPLE IN JULY

DEEP PURPLE will release a new studio album, "SPLAT!", on July 3 through earMUSIC.
To celebrate the release, DEEP PURPLE will continue their extensive 2026 touring schedule with no fewer than 86 shows across 28 countries on 3 continents.
Pre-order and tour dates: deeppurple.com

NEW ALBUM WITH ROLLING STONES IN JULY

The ROLLING STONES are going to release a new album, "Foreign Tongues", on July 10.
The new single, "The Stars", is available now.
rollingstones.lnk.to/ForeignTongues | linktr.ee/therollingstones

ÅSKVÄDER SIGNS WITH ICONS CREATING EVIL ART

Swedish rock band ÅSKVÄDER has signed with Swedish record label Icons Creating Evil Art. New music coming soon..
facebook.com/askvaderband | icea.se

BOOK ABOUT THÅSTRÖM AND HIS BAND PEACE LOVE AND PITBULLS

Singer and guitarist Sören "Sulo" Karlsson (DIAMOND DOGS, KSMB, Kikki Danielsson) will release a book about Swedish rock artist Joakim Thåström and his 90s, when he left Sweden and formed the industrial rock band PEACE LOVE AND PITBULLS in Amsterdam.
The book will be published by Norstedts and Storytel in August.

ACID REIGN RELEASES MUSIC VIDEO FOR LATEST SINGLE

U.K. thrash metal veterans ACID REIGN will release a new album, "Daze Of The Week", on May 15 via Back On Black. The LP will mark the band's first release since 2019's "The Age Of Entitlement":.
The official music video for the second single from "Daze Of The Week", a song called "Sorrowsworn", is out now.
youtu.be/SeHghSLfaOk?si=Vj-OBpES8GCXenmX

CONVERGE RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO

CONVERGE deliver a music video for "Doom In Bloom", a track taken from the upcoming album "Hum Of Heart", out on June 5 via Deathwish/Epitaph Records.
youtu.be/QRUU-05AFQk?si=zYqsFKJgUuAEXSsF

NEW SINGLE WITH LEX LEGION

LEX LEGION, the new band featuring four-fifths of KING DIAMOND's classic late 80s lineup, has released the official music video for its second single, "Gypsy Tears".
Featuring Andy La Rocque (guitar), Mikkey Dee (drums), Pete Blakk (guitar) and Hal Patino (bass) - alongside vocalist Nils K. Rue (PAGAN'S MIND) - LEX LEGION brings together decades of experience spanning MOTÖRHEAD, SCORPIONS and, of course, KING DIAMOND.
LEX LEGION's self-titled debut album will be released in June via MNRK Music Group.
youtu.be/L0CuHWB_0Zw?si=Gi_sP8pEIUtzKdkh

THE STOOGES TO RELEASE MOBILE FIDELITY VERSION OF "Fun House"

The STOOGES are releasing a new version of their "Fun House" album. This version is in the Mobile Fidelity series. MoFi bills itself as having supreme sound quality. The LP is cut as a 2xLP 45rpm and there is also a SACD version.
instagram.com/mobilefidelityofficial

3 SINGLES AND 1 EP

MÄRVEL: Secrets (melodic energy rock)
The REAL McKENZIES: Black Agnes (melodic punk rock)
LETHAL LIMITS: Elevate (punk rock/power pop)
FORSAKEN PROFITS: Knives (skate punk/thrash metal)

NEW SINGLE WITH FATAL VISION

Canadian melodic rock band FATAL VISION return with their brand-new single and official video, "No More Tears To Cry".
The track is the latest preview from the band's upcoming 4th studio album, "Four Sides To Every Story", set for release on May 22 via Escape Music.
ffm.to/fv-no-more-tears-to-cry | fatalvisionmusic.com | escape-music.com

SEX PISTOLS BASSIST GLEN MATLOCK's AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY SET FOR DIGITAL RELEASE IN USA

VMI Worldwide has announced that the music documentary "I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol" will be available to buy or rent on digital platforms in the U.S. starting Tuesday, May 26, with pre-orders beginning Tuesday, May 12 on Apple TV.
The film is based on the acclaimed tell-all memoir by SEX PISTOLS' founding member Glen Matlock.
Trailer: youtu.be/PYyhc9HZniE?si=s2fqc4gS6TZgApTr

ECLIPSE CANCEL AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Swedish hard rockers ECLIPSE have been forced to cancel their Australian tour next week.
Read more: facebook.com/EclipseSweden

DEEP PURPLE ADDS 3 NEW DATES IN SOUTH AMERICA

DEEP PURPLE have added 3 new dates in South America on their 2026 World Tour.
facebook.com/officialdeeppurple

EXTENDED DELUXE EDITION OF KERRY KING's SOLO DEBUT

Kerry King, the iconic SLAYER songwriter/guitarist, is giving fans more with the release of an Extended Deluxe Edition of his acclaimed debut solo album, "From Hell I Rise", via Reigning Phoenix Music on June 19, expanding the record with 5 previously unheard demos and new visual elements, including cover artwork by James Bousema and a revamped layout with additional photos.
The demos offer a rare window into King's creative process, complete with scratch vocal performances by Kerry. Something that he's been doing for many years, and it's never been heard outside the studio, until now.
kerryking.rpm.link/fromhelldeluxePR | facebook.com/KerryKingOfficial | reigningphoenixmusic.com

SLAVERIET CONFIRMED FOR TYROLENTRALL

SLAVERIET have been confirmed for the Tyrolentrall festival at Tyrolen in Blädinge, Sweden on July 10. It's a punk festival with mainly melodic bands.
Other confirmed bands are VET HUT, RÖD REVOLVER, HAVERI, and MIMIKRY.
facebook.com/tyrolentrall

KINGS OF THRASH RECRUITS STEVE "Zetro" SOUZA FOR NEW SINGLE

Cleopatra Records has released "Bullets Ready", the latest single from KINGS OF THRASH, featuring former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and ex-MEGADETH guitarist Jeff Young.
"Bullets Ready" delivers a powerful vocal duet between KINGS OF THRASH vocalist Chaz Leon and Gabriel Connor, frontman of the rising Los Angeles theatrical rock group RED DEVIL VORTEX. The track also features a special guest appearance by former EXODUS vocalist Steve "Zetro" Souza.
youtu.be/kBLqbLLIfrA?si=QfzPLooTq9lSno2v

MINI MOTÖRHEAD MUSEUM OPENS IN THE UK

According to BBC News, a mini MOTÖRHEAD museum has just opened in Burslem, Stoke on Trent, England, the town where frontman Ian Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister was born.
IFK Legacy CIC created the new venue, which includes a bar serving official MOTÖRHEAD beers and "Lemmy lemonade", alongside the aforementioned museum featuring MOTÖRHEAD memorabilia and artwork.
Fans will be able to visit from Friday, May 1.
bbc.com/news/articles/c3d2e5ely2xo

AT THE GATES LANDS FIRST-EVER No. 1 ALBUM IN SWEDEN

"The Ghost Of A Future Dead", the latest album from Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES, has topped the official chart in the band's home country. It marks the first time ever that AT THE GATES has entered the main Swedish album chart at No. 1.
Released on April 24 via Century Media Records, "The Ghost Of A Future Dead" also landed at No. 1 on the Swedish physical, vinyl and hard rock charts.
The album marks a special tribute to AT THE GATES frontman Tomas Lindberg, who tragically passed away in September 2025.
facebook.com/AtTheGatesOfficial/posts/15137....

NEW TRACK WITH KING ULTRAMEGA

KING ULTRAMEGA have released a powerful interpretation of "Dead Wishes", featuring Brann Dailor (MASTODON) at the helm performing lead vocals, with both acoustic and electric guitars performed by Angel Vivaldi. Strings were conducted by Mark Menghi in addition to arrangements and composition of all orchestral instruments (including sleigh bells, shakers, hand drums, xylophones, violins, cellos), and bass performance, keyboards provided by Frank Mitaritonna, with drums and percussion by Kenny Aronoff.
Recorded in loving memory of Chris Cornell, KING ULTRAMEGA are also raising funds and awareness for MusiCares, the Recording Academy's nonprofit that provides mental health services, addiction recovery support, and emergency assistance to members of the music community.
The song was originally written and performed by Chris Cornell.
youtu.be/JDaqb7qDSD8?si=GnFl9HW1JefmCpoL | kingultramega.com | musicares.org

NEW SINGLE WITH ERIK GRÖNWALL

Swedish hard rock singer Erik Grönwall (MSG, ex-SKID ROW, H.E.A.T) has released the third single, "Praying For A Miracle", from his upcoming solo album, "Bad Bones", which will be released on May 22.
youtu.be/nFrSYxjlcvw | linktr.ee/erikgronwall

NEW SINGLE WITH MÄRVEL

Swedish melodic energy rockers MÄRVEL has released a new single, "Secrets".
marvel.ffm.to/secrets | facebook.com/marveltheband

NEW SONG WITH MIMIKRY

Swedish melodic punk rockers MIMIKRY deliver a new song featuring Swedish singer/songwriter Stefan Sundström. The title is very long..
open.spotify.com/track/7aI6Wqv9yfRp05NU9phAeI............... | facebook.com/mimikrysverige

BULLET ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN TOUR

The BULLET bus will be rolling out on the European highways in October together with S.O.R.M. Most dates will be in Germany, but they will also visit Austria and Denmark (not much of a European tour).
bulletrock.com

SWEDEN vs DENMARK

Singles to shake loose to

BÖDEL: Dödsbringaren (classic d-beat hardcore/punk)
FURNACE: Refracted City Lights (melodic death metal)
BLACK SWAMP WATER: All The Difference (hard rock/heavy rock)
AVARICE: Underling (powerful groove metal brutality)

TROUBLEMAKERS RELEASES COVERS COMPILATION

Swedish punk rock veterans TROUBLEMAKERS has released a compilation of covers, "Samling Covers 1995-2013", on Spotify.
It seems like they will also release a new studio album later this year, and the release party will last for 2 days at Musikens Hus in their hometown Göteborg on September 25-26.
open.spotify.com/album/4QbTC2QjSi4tgbF44............... | facebook.com/punkrockgbg

11 REVIEWS

METAL DESTRUCTION: Ascension (modern metal aggression)
BOLAN: Anything But You (punky street hard rock)
PIRATE QUEEN: Sailing Around The World (pirate heavy metal)
GRIMNER: Irrbloss (folk metal)
BESEECH: End This (gothic metal)
BLOODSTAIN: Something Sinister (hard rock/metal)
MELECHESH: Sentinels Of Shamash (extreme metal)
NEVERTEL: Otherside (modern pop/metal)
GRADE 2: Talk About It (catchy and melodic punk rock)
DEATH LENS: Waiting To Know (feat. MILITARIE GUN) (alt-punk that sounds like indie rock)

PHIL CAMPBELL'S BASTARD SONS ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN TOUR

PHIL CAMPBELL'S BASTARD SONS have announced a dozen of European shows for this summer, including 2 as the support act for JUDAS PRIEST.
MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell and his band PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS were originally scheduled to tour this year before his passing in March. Now, his sons and his BASTARD SONS bandmates Dane, Todd and Tyla will take to the stage under the PHIL CAMPBELL'S BASTARD SONS banner to honor his legacy, delivering a high-energy tribute to his work with MOTÖRHEAD.
facebook.com/PhilCampbellATBS/posts/148555....

GHOST WINS SWEDISH GRAMMIS (again)

GHOST was honored in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" category at this year's edition of the Swedish Grammis awards (Swedish Grammy equivalent), which was held Wednesday night (April 29) at Annexet in Stockholm.
GHOST had been nominated for 7 Grammis awards in the past, and had won the "Hard Rock/Metal" award 4 previous times.

NEW ALBUM WITH THE LEGENDS

VENOM: Into Oblivion
Noise/BMG on May 1 - CD, 2LP, Cassette, Digital
The legend of VENOM began in Newcastle, England in 1979, and they are among the first bands who called their music black metal. They now return with their 16th studio album, which is their first since 2018's "Storm The Gates". The lineup is Cronos (bass/vocals and founding member), Rage (guitar) and Dante (drums).
On this album they are said to combine their classic 80s sound with a more modern, progressive approach. It's hard and heavy, and it sounds more vital and interesting than I thought it would. Yes, I actually thought that this would be a bad album, but it has many good moments. Sure, it's not exactly the classic primitive sound from the early albums, but they has succeeded to take their metal into the present instead of staying in the past. Yet some of the songs will remind you of the classic era as well. So, even if you still think it will stink, you should at least give it a chance before you dismisses it.
bit.ly/4ri9N46 | venomslegions.lnk.to/intooblivionFA | facebook.com/officialvenomband | bmg.com

GLORIOUS BANKROBBERS REPLACE AMH AT SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL

AMH have been forced to cancel their appearance at Sweden Rock Festival. GLORIOUS BANKROBBERS replace them.
The festival happens in Sölvesborg, Sweden on June 3-6.
swedenrock.com

ATTENTAT COVERS CORTEX

Swedish melodic punk rock veterans ATTENTAT will release a new single, "Mörkrets Furste", on April 30. It's a cover of the CORTEX song "Mayhem Troopers", but translated to Swedish.
attentat.nu

TESTAMENT's CHUCK BILLY TELL HIS STORY IN UPCOMING MEMOIR

Chuck Billy, the iconic frontman of San Francisco Bay Area thrash legends TESTAMENT, tells the whole truth in his unflinching memoir, "Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments Of Chuck Billy", due on November 10 via Permuted Press.
Co-written with Dave Erickson, "Holding My Breath" delivers the unfiltered insider story of thrash metal's rise alongside a deeply human account of mortality, miraculous recovery, cultural identity, and chosen family. The book features a foreword by Rob Halford (JUDAS PRIEST) and an afterword by Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD).
chuckbillybook.com

RIOT V PARTS WAYS WITH SINGER

RIOT V, the band featuring members of legendary heavy metal pioneers RIOT, has parted ways with singer Todd Michael Hall. He is being temporarily replaced by Italian musician Valentino Francavilla (WHITE SKULL).
facebook.com/todd.m.hall.9/posts/10174....

HEADCAT TRIBUTE TO BUDDY HOLLY

HEADCAT (formerly The HEAD CAT) - the dream team gathering of Lemmy (MOTÖRHEAD), Danny B Harvey (ROCKATS) and Slim Jim Phantom (The STRAY CATS) - are going to release "Headcat plays Buddy Holly". It's recordings of Buddy Holly songs, which was originally recorded in the summer of 1999, and released in 2006 as part of HEADCAT's "Fool's Paradise" debut album. 9 of the 13 tracks were Buddy Holly songs.
Now, the Holly tracks alone have been isolated, together with 3 previously unreleased alternate mixes, to create "Headcat Plays Buddy Holly", 13 smoking hot slabs of riotous retro rock n roll.
The album will be released on CD and red/yellow split color vinyl on May 15. A digital EP featuring the alternate mixes of "Fool's Paradise", "Peggy Sue Got Married" and "Crying, Waiting, Hoping" will be released the same day.
cleorecs.com | facebook.com/HeadCatOfficial

NEW SINGLE WITH LOUDER

Colombian speed/heavy metal band LOUDER unleash a new lyric video for "Speed Junkie", the second advance single from their upcoming debut album, "Devil's Night", scheduled for release on May 14 through Fighter Records.
youtu.be/2IdmTFohYSc | facebook.com/LouderSpeedMetal

2 ALBUMS FROM MIGHTY MUSIC

Out on Friday, May 1
KISSING KAOS: To Your Limit (melodic street hard rock)
VANSIND: Hævnen (folk metal in Danish)

SIX FEET UNDER RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO

American death metal veterans SIX FEET UNDER have released a music video for their song "Mister Blood And Guts". The track appears on their latest full-length, "Next To Die", out now on Metal Blade Records.
youtu.be/Kdjjlki1M1E?si=wh9CubGlBkBchWCN

METALLICA TO RELEASE "ReLoad (Remastered)" DELUXE BOX SET

METALLICA has announced the definitive re-release of its quadruple-platinum 7th studio album "ReLoad", to be released June 26 via the band's own Blackened Recordings.
"ReLoad (Remastered)" is available in formats including standard 180g 2LP, Wal-Mart exclusive color 140g 2LP, CD, 3CD expanded edition, cassette and digital (including a Spatial Audio mix using Atmos). Additionally, "The Memory Remains (Live in Philadelphia)" video is live now.
metallica.lnk.to/reloadreissue | youtu.be/DWhgn3iAQGg?si=HYHZqhwIGzZbYqAA | metallica.com

NEW SONG WITH EUROPE

Swedish hard rock legends EUROPE has released a new song, "One On One".
A new album, "Come This Madness", will be out on September 25 via Silver Lining Music/Hell & Back Recordings. It will be their 12th studio album, and their first in 9 years.
youtu.be/0PVLyBYNFj4 | lnk.to/EuropeComeThisMadnessAlbum | facebook.com/europetheband

U.D.O. ANNOUNCES TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY TOUR IN 2027

German heavy metal veterans U.D.O. (fronted by former ACCEPT frontman Udo Dirkschenider) are going on a triple anniversary tour in Europe next year. Udo will be 75 years old, U.D.O. have been around for 40 years, and they will release their 20th studio album.
shop.udo-online.de/tourdates.html

ACCEPT CELEBRATE 50 WITH NEW ALBUM

Heavy metal icons ACCEPT celebrate 50 years with a new album, "Teutonic Titans 1976-2026", which will be released through Napalm Records on September 4. On this album they bring together the scene's A-list musicians for a landmark release (for names click here). The band is joined by a staggering 50 guests across 19 reimagined versions of their biggest tracks.
lnk.to/Accept-TeutonicTitans | linktr.ee/acceptworldwide

SOLITUDE AETURNUS PARTS WAYS WITH VOCALIST ROBERT LOWE

Texas doom metal veterans SOLITUDE AETURNUS have parted ways with vocalist Robert Lowe.
No replacement has been named as of yet, however, the band will still be performing at the Maryland Deathfest on May 21 with their good friend and fellow Texan, Jason McMaster, stepping in as guest lead vocalist. Many of you know Jason from his fantastic resume of bands, including WATCHTOWER, DANGEROUS TOYS, IGNITOR, and the recent reformation of SA SLAYER. Jason has also performed as guest vocalist for ACCEPT and ARMORED SAINT.
facebook.com/solitudeofficial

STARCRAZY ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Australian glam rockers STARCRAZY will do several tour dates across Australia in June and July.
starcrazyband.com

DEATH METALLERS CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

DEVENIAL VERDICT: Old Blood - Fresh Wounds
Transcending Obscurity Records on May 1 - LP, CD, Digital
DEVINIAL VERDICT celebrate their 20th anniversary, and with this record they wanted to update some of their older songs. These songs mark some of the most important musical moments for them as a band they say. They also wanted to add the "Soulthirst" EP to this release as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary, and that EP also functions as a bridge between all of their older material and their current sound.
The music is death metal, which can sometimes be spiced with melancholic and atmospheric elements or have brutal passages and rare instances of melody they say. But to me these 9 tracks sounds mainly hard and brutal, yet very well done. They have found their own sound without sounding too weird.
devenialverdictband.bandcamp.com/album/old.... | transcendingobscurity.bandcamp.com

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