This new release is a double-LP vinyl retrospective by Minneapolis, MN heavies The Coup de Grace. The Coup de Grace were a great band.  As background for those who may not know them, The Coup were a thrash metal-meets-90s-hard-alternative-rock band who came up in the fertile Minneapolis music scene in the later 1980s. They post-dated by a few years the more famous bands that arose from that scene (Prince, Replacements, Husker Du, Soul Asylum), and started life as many meta

Free Throw has returned with their latest album, "Moments Before the Wind," and I'm finding it challenging to write this review. I'll always have a special place in my heart for Free Throw because they were the first to give me a chance when I was just starting out in concert photography, even before I became a photojournalist. At the time, I lacked a resume, had only photographed a charity event, and was inexperienced and unfamiliar with the rules, yet they gave me an opport

About a year ago, in one of those rare moments where the internet gets it exactly right, I came across a fragment of a song I didn’t know I needed. I didn’t just like it; I recognised myself in it. There was something achingly familiar within the lyrics, as though it had articulated a feeling I hadn’t yet found the language for. The song was ‘Wet Paint’ by Girl In The Year Above. It lingered in my mind, making me feel as though the song had a magnetic pull that settled under

ERRA is back with a new era… Okay, all bad puns and dad jokes aside, ERRA is back with their newest release, “Silence Outlives the Earth.” I'll admit right away that this album is fantastic. It has atmosphere, grit, clean production, and if you haven’t already listened to it, I highly recommend you do. “Silence Outlives the Earth” has the classic ERRA sound and feel, but they also explore new realms in sound and lyrically. Now let’s dive into “Silence Outlives the Earth.”

The Haunt released their single “Ghost” March 6, 2026. This is the first single from their upcoming sophomore album “Ghost.”  The band is made up of siblings and dual vocalists Anastasia Grace and Maxamillion (Max).  Max is also guitars/production.  The band has an overall electro-gothic pop-punk sound.  Their musical project was launched in 2018 and they have shared stages with The Struts, Filter plus more.  

Social Distortion released its first new music in 15 years. “Bork to Kill” the lead single off of the new album also called Born to Kill slated to be released on May 8th, 2026. At times it seemed like this song and album were never going to be officially released. Born to Kill is actually a song the band has played live going back as early as 2018, but it was well worth the wait to have it officially released.

PINKNOISE, the genre-bending hard rock band lead by singer Kasey Foxx has caught the attention of many on streaming platforms and social media.  With the core mission behind their genre-bending musical project being about telling their story as authentically as possible, the mission has already been a success.  I predict PINKNOISE will blow up with a quickness. With immensely relatable lyrics and the purest of voices that can transition from comforting melodic tones to face-m

Alex Melton has gained recognition as a cover artist on YouTube and other major streaming platforms. You may have heard his versions of “Fix You,” “Wonderwall,” and “Love Story,” and if you haven’t listened to those covers, I highly recommend you do. Alex signed with Pure Noise Records and is releasing his newest album, “The Process,” available on all major streaming platforms on March 6th, 2026.

The hard rock/metal world has been blessed with an onslaught of new music since the beginning of the year from Shinedown to Motionless In White. On February 27th, Beartooth joined the fray, releasing their first single since signing with Fearless Records.