Folk N Rock Spotlight Album: ‘The Life Since’ – Paul Piper   I love watching independent artists grow, and I have a feeling we’re about to witness something special with Paul Piper, a singer-songwriter from England whose immense talent shines through in his latest album, ‘The Life Since’. I’m so thoroughly impressed with this record that I can’t wait to go right in and tell you all about it, so that’s just what I’m going to do. The album’s opening track, ‘(deterioration)’ took me into a world of unsettling dissonance, reminiscent of a horror film’s opening scene. Eerie, unnerving sounds ..read more

Folk N Rock The National Parks Return With New Single “Wild Spirit” There’s been a flurry of exciting new releases today for New Music Friday, and one that has truly caught our attention is from National Parks. The band has just dropped their brand-new single, “Wild Spirit,” which is now available on all major streaming platforms. About the track, the band comments: Over the last year or so I felt lost in a lot of ways. It felt like I was on a journey, navigating a forest I had never been through before and feeling unsure of where I was going. I would lay awake at night feeling the weight of ..read more

Folk N Rock Always Winter’- Cultt Of She’s New Lyric Video Speaks To The Pain Not Saying Anything Happy New Music Friday, everyone, and Cultt of She has bestowed upon us a brand new lyrics video for their track, “Always Winter.” Now, this one struck a chord with me, and I’m eager to go into why, because I’m pretty sure it will likely hit with you as well. Have you ever found yourself pouring your heart out in a text message, only to hit backspace over and over until those words vanish into the digital ether? Maybe you weren’t ready to voice those thoughts at that moment, or perhaps the timing ..read more

Folk N Rock Powerwolf Unleashes A Lycanthropic Rage In New Cinematic Video “1589” VDPictures Powerwolf, known for their elaborate and high-quality music videos, has once again pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling with the release of “1589.” This ambitious new video accompanies the band’s latest single, the first from their forthcoming album “Wake Up the Wicked,” due out July 26th via Napalm Records. The High Priests of Heavy Metal have consistently delivered visually stunning and thematically rich videos that enhance their musical identity. With “1589,” they’ve undoubtedly reached a ne ..read more

Folk N Rock Spotlight Album: ‘Triumph Returns Again’ – Shazy Hade Oh boy, do I have a treat for you guys with this spotlight album. Today, I’m looking into an album with one of the most incredible backstories I’ve ever heard. Shazy Hade, a band out of Madison, Wisconsin, is releasing a new record tomorrow – but here’s the twist: these recordings are actually over 15 years old and were only recently rediscovered. You see, Shazy Hade is made up of members from two separate bands, The New Recruits and Huma Machine. This album, their third full-length, was originally recorded all the way back in ..read more

Folk N Rock Spotlight Track: ‘Wolves At Your Back’ – Waking Stone Mina Habibi Today, I’m going to be looking into a new band for me, Waking Stone. This husband-and-wife duo, Jim and Ashley Cash, seem to be stirring up a storm with their alt/hard rock sound from the looks of things. The track in todays spotlight is “Wolves At Your Back,” which I believe is the fourth single off their upcoming album. Now, I could be wrong, but it seems like they’re dropping these singles one by one until the full record hits us with a waterfall release style. Right from the start, the click-clack rhythm in “Wolv ..read more

Folk N Rock Spotlight EP: ‘Fall From Grace” – Message From A Raven As a lifelong metal head, I’m always on the lookout for new bands that grab my attention. Message from A Raven, a rising metalcore outfit, has done just that with their debut EP, “Fall from Grace.” Their music is a great example of  blending heavy, hard-hitting elements with soaring melodies. This balanced duality creates a listening experience that feels like these guys really are brining something new. One moment, you’re being pummeled by bone-crushing breakdowns that beg for a mosh pit, and the next, you’re swept away ..read more

Folk N Rock Sabaton’s History-Fueled Metal Ignites Georgia Crowd on Judas Priest Tour Sabaton’s relentless activity always seems to hint at something brewing beneath the surface. This North American tour with Judas Priest feels like a momentary lull before a storm of new music and projects. With a completed album slated for release later this year, anticipation is high for what the band will unveil next. The interest surrounding their future record and where they go in history next is almost as epic as the music itself. And with Par Sundström’s upcoming video game on the horizon, it’s clear th ..read more

Folk N Rock Amon Amarth Pillages Grand Rapids on Metal Crushes All Tour While the concert calendar may still have plenty of pages to turn, the early contender for North America’s most brutal and breathtaking tour has already made its mark. Melodic death metal Vikings Amon Amarth recently stormed through Grand Rapids, MI, leaving GLC Live at 20 Monroe awash in the aftermath of a truly epic spectacle. Amon Amarth’s command of the audience ranks among the best I’ve witnessed, right up there with the likes of Cannibal Corpse. Their ability to feed off the crowd’s energy is undeniable. Theatrical d ..read more

Folk N Rock Spotlight Album: “Override’ Mirko Pirozzi As a lifelong fan of progressive rock, I’ve always been drawn to its boundless creativity and willingness to experiment. It’s a genre that, much like jazz, embraces improvisation and allows musicians to take a simple idea and explore it in countless directions. The best progressive rock albums are like sonic journeys, filled with unexpected twists and turns, and Italian composer Mirko Pirozzi’s latest offering, “Override,” is no exception. Pirozzi, a seasoned veteran of the progressive rock scene, has delivered an album that pushes boundari ..read more