System of a Down have returned with their first new recordings in 15 years. Entitled “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz”, the songs are being released as a way to to draw attention to the “serious war being perpetrated upon our cultural homelands of Artsakh and Armenia,” according to a statement from the band. “The time to do this is now, as together, the four of us have something extremely important to say as a unified voice,” the band explains. “These two songs, ‘Protect The Land’ and ‘Genocidal Humanoidz’ both speak of a dire and serious war being perpetrated upon our cultural homelands of Artsakh and Armenia. “We’re proud to share these songs with you and hope you enjoy listening to them. Further, we encourage you to read on to learn more about their origins and once you do, h...
After a number of social media teases, AC/DC have unveiled their first new song in six years. The track, “Shot in the Dark”, is the first single from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame act’s upcoming album, Power Up. Moreover, the band has officially revealed the tracklist, artwork, and release date for the new LP. Power Up, the band’s 17th studio album, will arrive on November 13th. The LP contains 12 songs, and was produced by Brendan O’Brien. Pre-orders, including a limited-edition deluxe version, are available via AC/DC’s online store. The standard vinyl and CD editions can be pre-ordered via Amazon, as well. “Shot in the Dark” marks the official return of classic members Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, and Cliff Williams, who rejoin Angus Young in the legendary band. The lineup is rounded out...
It’s been 15 long years since Arab Strap dropped new material. That changes today with “The Turning of Our Bones”, their first release since the 2005 album The Last Romance. “WE’RE BACK FROM THE GRAVE AND READY TO RAVE,” the Scottish outfit announced on Instagram on Tuesday. And they weren’t kidding about the rave part. Arab Strap’s music, composed by primary members Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton, helped define the sadcore genre in the late ’90s and early 2000s. However, “The Turning of Our Bones” represents a striking evolution in their sound, as the two musicians now employ electronic drums, disco strings, and bongos that take on a more urgent tone. In a press release, Moffat said the song is an “incantation, a voodoo spell to raise the dead. Inspired by the Famadihana ritual o...
The Go Go’s have returned with their first new song in 20 years. Entitled “Club Zero”, the song’s release coincides with a new documentary on the band premiering on Showtime on August 1st. “Club Zero” was created via email amongst the band’s members and recorded at Lucky Recording in San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to a press release, which adds: “As the band’s stance has always been fervent when it comes to relevant issues, the anthemic, punk-infused paean arrives just in time for a world in desperate need of a voice of optimism and change.” The documentary, simply titled The Go-Go’s, was directed by Alison Ellwood, who was given full access to the band and its archive. [embedded content] [embedded content] Last year, The Go Go’s Kathy Valentine spoke to Kyle Meredith W...
Julia Stone (photo by Brooke Ashley Baron) and St. Vincent (photo by Lior Phillips) Julia Stone is back with her first solo single in eight years, “Break”. The track was produced by none other than St. Vincent and features additional contributions from Bryce Dessner of The National and Warpaint member Stella Mozgawa. On “Break”, Stone layers her folk stylings with more robust instrumentation like synthesizers and brass, citing David Byrne as inspiration. According to the Australian singer-songwriter, this exciting shift in musical direction is tied to the adrenaline rush of a new romance. “It’s when you first meet somebody, and you have that connection, and your chemicals go crazy,” Stone says of the single, which was also co-produced by Sufjan Stevens associate Thomas Bartlett. “It’s abou...
The Go Go’s will return later this month with their first new song in 20 years. Entitled “Club Zero”, the song’s release coincides with a new documentary about the band premiering on Showtime on August 1st. “Club Zero” was created via email amongst the band’s members and recorded at Lucky Recording in San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to a press release, which adds: “As the band’s stance has always been fervent when it comes to relevant issues, the anthemic, punk-infused paean arrives just in time for a world in desperate need of a voice of optimism and change.” The Go Go’s can be seen working on an early version of the song in the documentary. The finished studio version will be released on July 31st. The documentary, simply titled The Go-Go’s, was directed by Alison Ellwood, ...
Mr. Bungle have just released their first new recording in more than 20 years. It comes in the form of a cover of The Exploited’s “USA”, with all proceeds going to COVID-19 relief efforts. Mike Patton joined fellow original members Trevor Dunn (bass) and Trey Spruance (guitar) for a series of reunion shows in February of this year, with Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo rounding out the touring lineup. The shows focused on the group’s hardcore roots, as they performed their early 1986 demo, The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny, along with a number of cover songs. Then in March, news came that the very same touring lineup had convened in a studio shortly after those shows to re-record the 1986 demo, and lay down studio versions of the cover songs ...