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Progressive metal rocker KRAPF have released thus far, three albums with an all new self-titled expected out this year sometime soon! The band also has plans set for some shows, continuing to reach people old and new, creating and developing a rather cultivating relationship with fans and the industry within. The band discusses all of this below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Krapf is a solo venture started in 2020 by Isaac Krapf. Isaac serves as the main songwriter and the lead vocalist for the band. During live performances, he brings a skilled group of Baltimore based musicians to the stage. 

The band's first work “Seasick” was released in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID Pandemic. Throughout quarantine Krapf continued writing and in 2021 released their second record “The Hollow”. In November of 2022 Krapf released their third record titled "Gates".

In the past year the band has opened for Black Stone Cherry, Paul Reed Smith's band "Eightlock" and Wednesday 13. Their latest single “Mae” released this November and the band is set to release a self-titled record in 2026.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Krapf is the last name of the founder of the band. “Isaac Krapf”.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

Krapf is based out of Baltimore, Maryland. There is a diverse music scene in the city including numerous pop punk, metal and hip-hop artists. 

4. How would you describe your style?

Progressive rock/metal with some hook choruses and pop tones. A lot of clean chordal guitar work layered over heavy bottom end guitars. 

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We have released three records. Seasick (2020), The Hollow (2021) and Gates (2022). 

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

A self-titled record set to release in 2026!

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We have a hometown show on February 21st 2026 and have plans to perform some out of state shows in the new year as well.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

To continue reaching new people & developing / cultivating current relationships with fans and the industry.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

“Krapf” on all streaming services and “Krapfband” on all social media platforms.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

Wherever it takes them in that moment. 

Metal go getters BEFORE THE SIRENS have not one, but three singles and an EP just released this last year. The band talks about making more music, new shows set for this next year, and much more in the works. They just want to be heard and get their name out there!

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

The four of us have been playing in bands together since 2006, so a properly long time! We were previously in Glass Artery together and decided to reconnect for Before The Sirens in 2019 with a new creative direction. 

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Funny story! We originally came up with the name Before The Storm and launched our social media pages, only for an established UK based rock band of the same name to contact us asking us (quite rightly) to change our name. We obliged, but realized that all our branding was centered around the letters B,T, & S. So, over the course of the next few days we threw all sorts of variants around (Before The Sausage was a personal favorite) before settling on Before The Sirens, as we felt it illustrated the dark, bleak and aggressive tones of the music we were writing. 

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We are based out of Hertfordshire, UK. The Hertfordshire metal scene has become a really strong environment of collaboration and most importantly, some really excellent bands. We have had the privilege of playing with the likes of Dead Flesh, Lowdown, Earthbound and The Hot One Two, all of which you should check out and they are top drawer.

4. How would you describe your style?

We have been described under a few different banners over the years; Melodic Metalcore, Classic Metalcore, Hard Rock Metal and our personal favorite, ‘The heaviest rock band you will ever hear’! But to be honest, our music stems from our influences in early 2000s metalcore (Killswitch Engage amongst others) and those ‘Kerrang’ era Nu-Metal bands that formed our sound. We list ourselves as ‘for fans of Killswitch Engage, Alter Bridge, Breaking Benjamin & Metallica’.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We have 3 singles and an EP currently released. Our debut single ‘Control’, our debut EP ‘Desolate Seas and Darkened Skies’ and two singles from last year ‘Pull The Pin’ & ‘Crawl’. 

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

Our new EP ‘As It Is Above, So It Is Below’ is released on 19th December.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We are planning a series of shows to support the new EP in 2026.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

Our predominant agenda with this band is enjoy making the music we want to make. It’s heavy, it’s aggressive, it’s got bucket loads of melody in the vocals, but it has to sound like us. To be honest, we want to continue to be the band we are and get out on the road to see as many of you as possible as that is where we are at our best.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

All our music is on all major streaming platforms and all our merch is available at www.beforethesirens.com and obviously at any shows we play.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time?

Big riffs, crushing breakdowns & soaring vocals. And hopefully that they liked it!!

Metal emo duo GHXSTPUL$E took some time to talk with us about how they came together, when creating this duo act. What they have released so far, as far as singles, albums, new music, if they have played any shows or have plans to tour, they take the time to talk to us about it all in this video below!

Pop punks CAUGHT OFF GUARD just released their debut album this past fall, with further plans for more music come next year, with a follow-up album expected in the next couple of year's time! The band talks about their inspirations, releases, and plans to play more shows and likely tour soon!

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or did it come out just like that?

The idea came from a song lyric from the song "Letters to God" by Boxcar Racer, a song and album that heavily influenced me in my songwriting.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

It's just the only music I've ever been interested in. Blink 182, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Fall Out Boy and so on, were all major influences and the only music that ever peaked my interest growing up.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, we're all friends and have been for several years.. some of our former and current members are even brothers haha.

4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

Caught Off Guard is based out of Charlotte, NC, but we like to think we represent both the Carolina's! The music scene is amazing. Several venues all showcasing the talent that is in the Carolinas. We love it here. However, we want to bring Pop-Punk to the forefront of the scene so when people think about music in the Carolina's, they think "Pop Punk." I'd say heavier rock, nu-metal, goth etc kind of owns Charlotte currently.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

The pop punk legends from the early 2000's that I've already mentioned inspired me to get started. But I also just have this creative itch that basically requires that I write lyrics and riffs on guitar, it's just my creative outlet. I've been writing poetry and lyrics since I was 16.

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

A lot of the songs I write are just about personal experiences, emotions and feelings that I've been through over the years, early teenage years and just throughout life. They dabble in heartbreak, sadness, one of our songs is kind of about revenge, one is a feeling of "pressure" which I wrote when I felt pressure about being successful in music and the pressure to write another song when I was going through writers block.

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

Oh yeah! I, (Tyler), basically have dozens and dozens of songs written. My process is probably unexciting and not very interesting.. but I try to sit down with a guitar and plug into my daw and just mess around until I find a chord progression or riff that I like and just try to write out an intro, verse, chorus and bridge based off of that.. once I have that down, I try to add a lead guitar and have 2 guitar tracks over the whole song. I listen to that recording over and over again and just kind of freestyle/improvise lyrics over it until I find a melody and craft some words around that.

8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

As of now our full length album called "Wondrous Blunders," that released on Halloween of this year 2025!

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

We have plenty of music we're planning on rolling out starting in Spring of 2026 which will eventually lead to our sophomore album in 2027.

10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

As of now we're done playing in 2025. We played our final show in our home city of Charlotte, NC on November 22nd. We headlined and it was an amazing experience and Charlotte did really show up. We have a few shows booked around North Carolina in 2026, and we're starting to work on some small tours that we can knock out for some cities that have been requesting us in the south east and midwest. So keep a look out for those announcements!

11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We plan on continuing performing and growing our social media accounts and working towards becoming a national touring band. We do have the framework for several albums and multiple singles for the next few years so we'll see what happens. No intentions of stopping any time soon though, that's for sure.

12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

We are on all major streaming platforms. Just search Caught Off Guard and our goofy faces will pop up, I'm sure. As for purchasing merch, I'm working on getting stuff set up on our band camp, but feel free to DM the band page and we can try to work something out. I try to be as fair as possible, but the idea that anyone would even want something from Caught Off Guard is amazing.

Up and coming metal act DARKHAWK have released a couple of single's and are currently hard at work upon what will not just be their debut album, but some more singles! They have plans to play and tour all over someday soon, with much else the band had to say about themselves and the music they create....

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

We’ve been playing on and off for around 6 years. Vaughn (vocals), Joey (lead guitar), Jon (rhythm guitar) and Jackson (bass) all went to elementary school. We met our drummer, Liam, in high school and that’s when Darkhawk started to really take form. In October 2024, we met back up with Vaughn and the current lineup of Darkhawk was born.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Darkhawk is a lesser known Marvel Superhero. He had his own comic in the 90’s and never became that popular. When we were looking for a new band name, we stumbled upon one of his comics and thought Darkhawk would be an awesome band name.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local
bands you could recommend?

We’re currently based in metro Detroit. We’re hesitant to say that we’re from Detroit as none of us live in Detroit, we’re all from the suburbs. But the Detroit scene is awesome. There’s music for everyone, from indie bands like LivingAi and Plumwild, to Hardcore bands like Ratmatia,Hitmark, and World of Malice to 80’s hair metal bands like Wanted and Savetta (Vaughn’s other band). Combined with the backdrop of the Motown scene, Detroit has a very distinct, original sound.

4. How would you describe your style?

We try to do a little bit of everything. We’re really inspired by metal bands like Avenged Sevenfold, Baby Metal. Hanabie, Lady Baby and Mastodon, but we listen to a lot of Funk, J-Pop Jazz, and Classical. In the past we’ve stuck more towards metal because it’s our comfort zone, but lately we’re trying to bring other genres of music in what we’re writing.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works? 

So far we’ve released 3 singles. They’re fast, heavy, and an all around good time. Our newest, A Corpse is Talking, is by far our favorite song we’ve written together. We also made a music video for the song, directed by the insanely talented Keanu Sousa Mendes. Seriously, look this guy up and check out his stuff. He's the coolest thing happening in the Michigan indie film scene; a music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUcVVKgswbm

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

We’re currently working on two new singles, as well as our debut album. We’re hoping for 2026 to be a great year for Darkhawk.

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We have our first regional shows in Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids Mi,happening early in 2026, keep an eye out on our socials for details!

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

We all feel passionately about Darkhawk, and people are always telling us that they think we could make it big someday. We would love to tour the world and meet fans from every corner of the globe. More importantly, we’re trying to make music people really connect to. We’re also planning a band trip to Japan, so we’re really looking forward to that!

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

We’re currently on most major streaming services. The best way to support us is to come out to a show, but we’re hoping to have our merch on bandcamp early next year.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first
time?

We want to make music people connect to. Almost something along the lines of “Do you remember where you were the first time you heard Darkhawk?” or “I wish I could hear that Darkhawk song for the first time.” We’re also trying to make music that people will want to get up and move to.

Opal In Sky have announced their first U.S.A. tour with support coming from Villain of the Story and Young Medicine! Tickets available at www.opalinsky.ca and dates below!

TOUR DATES:

March 5 | Seattle, WA
March 6 | Yakima, WA
March 7 | Richland, WA
March 8 | Bend, OR
March 10 | Sacramento, CA
March 11 | Reno, NV
March 12 | Berkeley, CA
March 13 | Fresno, CA
March 14 | Garden Grove, CA
March 15 | Long Beach, CA
March 16 | San Diego, CA
March 17 | Mesa, AZ
March 20 | Midvale, UT
March 22 | Portland, OR

Arizona extreme metal trailblazers SOULFLY are set to join intergalactic shock rock legends GWAR on their extensive spring headlining run, 'The Gor Gor Strikes Back Tour.' This 34-date journey begins March 19th in Richmond, Virginia, and will include performances in major markets like Boston, Green Bay, and Portland before concluding in Charlotte, NC, on April 29th. Australian grind icons KING PARROT will serve as the opening act for all dates.

Max Cavalera states, "I can’t wait for Soulfly to storm the gates with Gwar!!  I’m excited to be part of one of the coolest tours of 2026!  Soulfly bringing the Chama tribal energy and Gwar, the ultimate theatrical madness band! I have been a fan of Gwar for a long time. It will be an honor to support them! Come on out and party with us every night!!"

GWAR's lead vocalist The Berserker Blothar states, “GWAR, Soulfly and King Parrot. This tour will be a ritual orgy of death, sex, violence and rock and fu**ing roll!! Let the severed heads rain, bouncing down the pyramid onto a heap of human skulls. Be there humans, or be left to suffer on this planet while we party in the stars!”

TOUR DATES:

03.19.2026  Richmond, VA @ The National
03.20.2026  Reading, PA @ Reverb
03.21.2026  Albany, NY @ Empire Live
03.22.2026  Huntington, NY @ The Paramount
03.24.2026  Hartford, CT @ The Webster
03.25.2026  Wilmington, DE @ The Queen
03.26.2026  Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
03.27.2026  Boston, MA @ House Of Blues
03.28.2026  Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
03.29.2026  Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
03.31.2026  Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
04.01.2026  St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
04.02.2026  Chicago, IL @ Concord Music Hall
04.03.2026  Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere's
04.04.2026  Saginaw, MI @ The Vault
04.05.2026  Green Bay, WI @ EPIC Events Center
04.07.2026  Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
04.08.2026  Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
04.09.2026  Tulsa, OK @ Cain's Ballroom
04.10.2026  Lawrence, KS @ The Granada
04.12.2026  Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater
04.14.2026  Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
04.15.2026  Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Hall
04.17.2026  Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24
04.18.2026  Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco
04.19.2026  San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
04.20.2026  Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater
04.21.2026  Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
04.23.2026  Austin, TX @ Emo's
04.24.2026  Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
04.25.2026  Mobile, AL @ Soul Kitchen Music Hall
04.27.2026  Chattanooga, TN @ The Signal
04.28.2026  Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
04.29.2026  Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore

Today, Bay Area thrash juggernaut NEFARIOUS surges forward with the addition of Sean Rivera as their frontman. Rivera brings an unlimited vocal range, a larger-than-life presence, and pure stage fury. His energy pushes everything harder, faster and louder.

From the start, NEFARIOUS has sought someone fully committed, present, and ready to grow with the band.

Guitarist Doug Piercy comments:

“We wanted someone who could be in the room with us — creating, rehearsing, and ready to play. It’s hard to get tight as a band when they can’t rehearse on the regular. The Bay Area has always thrived on that energy, and now we’ve got it. Long-distance situations can get complicated when there’s simply no communication."

Rick Hunolt shares:

"Sean Rivera has brought NEFARIOUS to the next level, the metal gods gave us a true musical wizard. Not only is he an amazing singer, and absolute stellar musician (guitar, keyboards), but he is an amazing human to work with and I can’t wait for you all to hear this man sing. Cya on the road in '26 .. Lfgoooooo!"

Sean Rivera adds:

"When Doug & Rick reached out to me and asked if I wanted to try out for NEFARIOUS on vocals, I was excited and nervous. Everyone in the band are fantastic players and have such seasoned musical histories, and stepping into that felt really significant to me. After listening to the album I thought the songs were great and knew it was a project I wanted to be a part of. Thankfully, everyone liked what my vocals added and I was really stoked when they asked me to join. They’re all really great people and have been super supportive with the whole process of learning the songs and becoming a part of the band. I feel really fortunate to be given this opportunity and I’m really excited for all we can accomplish together on the road ahead!"

To mark this new chapter, NEFARIOUS is unleashing its first single with Sean. Entitled “Day After,” the track is accompanied by an official lyric video, which is premiering today via Decibel Magazine. The track captures the band’s signature thrash intensity while showcasing Sean’s explosive vocal range and commanding presence.

Watch the Lyric Video Premier for "Day After" on Decibel Magazine HERE.

Iconic rock legend MARILYN MANSON has extended his “One Assassination Under God Tour” with newly announced spring US shows featuring support from Australian death-pop duo VOWWS. Check out the dates below.

TOUR DATES:

4/23 - Highland, CA - Yaamava’ Theater*

4/25 - Las Vegas, NV - Sick New World*

5/08 - Minneapolis, MN - The Armory

5/10 - Green Bay, WI - EPIC Event Center

5/12 - Louisville, KY - The Louisville Palace Theatre

5/13 - Memphis, TN - Graceland Soundstage

5/15 - Nashville, TN - The Pinnacle

5/16 - Columbus, OH - Sonic Temple*

10/24 - Fort Worth, TX - Sick New World Texas*

*without VOWWS

Iconic Bay Area thrash band TESTAMENT's triumphant return continues in 2026 with the announcement of their "Thrash of the Titans" world tour landing in the US this coming spring! The trek unites the band with fellow thrash legends OVERKILL and DESTRUCTION for one of the fiercest tours of the new year. 

Commenting on the tour TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy says:

"2026 looks like it is going to start with an explosion with the 'Thrash of the Titans Tour.' Joining us will be our Metal Brothers Overkill and Destruction. Our friendship has almost reached 4 decades. This is gonna be a Thrash Metal show you don’t wanna miss!"

OVERKILL's founding vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth states: 

"March can't come soon enough. We are stoked to be part of this killer package, that will lay waste to the States! Let's get this show on the road!” 

Founding bassist for DESTRUCTION, Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer adds: 

"This is killer news — the THRASH OF THE TITANS tour is finally hitting America! So many fans have been shouting for this, and now it’s happening. The best tours happen when you roll with bands you respect, bands you can raise hell with — and when the bill just hits hard."

TOUR DATES:

Mar 14 - Portland, OR - Roseland theater
Mar 15 - Boise, ID - Treefort Music Hall
Mar 16 - Salt Lake City, UT - Rockwell at the Complex
Mar 18 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall
Mar 20 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
Mar 21 - Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore
Mar 22 - Chicago, IL - Ramova Theatre
Mar 24 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
Mar 25 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Ballroom
Mar 27 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Mar 28 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Mar 29 - Reading, PA - Club Reverb
Mar 31 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theater
Apr 1 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live
Apr 3 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
Apr 4 - Dallas, TX - The Bomb Factory
Apr 5 - San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theatre
Apr 8 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
Apr 9 - Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
Apr 10 - Berkeley, CA - The UC Theatre (No Overkill)