by Seamus Fitzpatrick Zakk Wylde has always worn his heart on his sleeve, but Engines of Demolition marks a new chapter in Black Label Society’s discography. This one is forged with a compulsive creative fire. Released March 27, 2026, via MNRK Records LP. The writing process began in 2022, spanning four years of personal and … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick Mumford & Sons have always understood the power of momentum in the way a song can gather speed from a quiet acoustic strum into a full-bodied song arc with gravitational pull. On Prizefighter, their sixth studio album, that forward motion returns with renewed clarity and purpose. Released February 20, 2026, the record … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick U2’s anthem architecture has typically relied on vertical escalation, starting with a restrained opening passage, incremental rhythmic compression, harmonic stacking, widening stereo presence, and finally a chorus that breaches the established dynamic threshold. The release point is designed to rupture. Days of Ash preserves the framework, although it removes the rupture at … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick On Reliance, SOEN doubles down on a defining principle that has guided much of their recent work, which is cohesion over provocation. Rather than chasing radical formal shifts or overt stylistic reinvention, the band builds a tightly unified progressive metal record where rhythmic chugs and familiar structures do the heavy lifting. The … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick With Sovereign, Rob Moratti delivers exactly what seasoned melodic rock fans hope for from a veteran artist working at full confidence. That is strong songs, big choruses, elite players, and a sound that embraces classic AOR values without apology. It’s not a reinvention, and it doesn’t pretend to be. Instead, Sovereign knows … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick Steve Morse has always written like a craftsman who sees the guitar as a vehicle for speed, tone, and expression. Triangulation, his first Steve Morse Band album since 2009, arrives as a clear reaffirmation of what made his voice so distinct across the Dixie Dregs, SMB, Deep Purple, and Flying Colors: a … Read more
by Semus Fitzpatrick The Pretty Reckless return after four years with “For I Am Death,” a three-and-a-half-minute adventure in modern hard-rock architecture. It’s a track that understands pacing, texture, and voltage. This song reminds us how much power exists between great songwriting and commanding singing. A dry, biting guitar riff opens the piece, its midrange … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick Wolfgang Van Halen has made a career out of proving he is a unique force in the rock genre. With “The End,” his latest single under the Mammoth WVH banner, he again walks that tightrope with commanding presence. The track delivers an adrenaline-shot of hard rock, but what makes it stand out … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick When The Struts first unleashed “Could Have Been Me” in 2013, it was a glam-rock hit with its brash, defiant, and catchy sound. It was big enough to crack the U.S. charts. Now, twelve years later, the band has doubled down on its anthem of empowerment by re-recording it with Queen’s Brian … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick Return to Dust’s latest EP, Speak Like the Dead (Republic/LAVA), is a concise and deeply considered statement. Across six tracks, the band leans into muscular rhythm section interplay, evolving vocal textures, and guitar work that balances warmth, grit, and melodic textures. Produced by Jim Kaufman, the record highlights a young band thinking … Read more