Author: The Anarchist

Mastodon kicked off their North American tour on Thursday at the Factory in Chesterfield, Missouri, marking their second show of 2025. The performance also saw the metal titans introducing their second fill-in guitarist in just two months, following the departure of co-founder Brent Hinds. Introducing Nick Johnston: The New Fill-in Guitarist The honor of stepping in on guitar alongside band members Troy Sanders, Bill Kelliher, and Brann Dailor went to Canadian musician Nick Johnston. Known for his extensive experience in the heavy progressive music scene, Johnston has made quite a name for himself. At 37 years old, he has released…

Oklou Joins Malibu on NTS Show United in Flames Recent Collaboration and Set Highlights Earlier this week, the French electronic pop sensation Oklou teamed up with ambient music producer Malibu for an engaging new episode of her monthly NTS radio show, United in Flames. Their hour-long set was a vibrant mix of sounds, featuring a selection of tracks from Oklou, including a captivating remix of “Blade Bird.” Additionally, the duo played songs from artists like d’Eon, Linda Perhacs, Chvrches, and others, creating an eclectic auditory experience for listeners. You can catch the full session below. Past Guests on United in…

Exploring Rhythm, Timbre, and Pitch in Goat (jp)’s Latest Collaboration The Legacy of Karlheinz Stockhausen In the realm of avant-garde music, Karlheinz Stockhausen’s 1957 composition “Kontakte” stands out for its innovative exploration of sound. The piece features a buzzing tone that erupts into a cloud of sporadic pulses, showcasing the interconnectedness of rhythm, timbre, and pitch. Stockhausen referred to this as the “concept of unity in electronic music,” a notion that highlights the extraordinary ability of electronic instruments to manipulate sound. This foundational idea has influenced countless musicians, including Koshiro Hino, the leader of the innovative Osaka band goat (jp).…

Exploring Atmospheric Metal: Five New Releases to Dive Into Greetings, Decibel readers! As I sit down to write this, the rain has been pouring outside, creating a fitting backdrop for the heavy, dark, and atmospheric music featured in this week’s selection. For those who enjoy the depths of metal, there’s a particularly exciting lineup, including a new release from the legendary Candlemass. Let’s dive into these five albums that perfectly complement the gloomy weather. Candlemass – Black Star Few bands exemplify the concept of aging gracefully quite like Candlemass. As Sweden’s doom-metal titans return, they bring forth two new tracks…

Defining Post-Grunge The term “post-grunge” can often lead to confusion, as many sources take the label literally, suggesting that any rock band that emerged after the height of grunge can be categorized under this subgenre. However, the reality is more nuanced. While numerous nu-metal and alternative rock bands gained prominence in the mid-to-late ’90s, they do not necessarily fit the post-grunge mold sonically. According to AllMusic, post-grunge refers to “a wave of bands who appeared shortly after Seattle grunge hit the mainstream,” which occurred around 1992. The bands typically recognized as the “Big 4” of grunge—Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Nirvana,…

Exploring Gwyn’s Musical Journey and Her Latest Release From High School to Stardom Discovering Her Voice Gwyn, the dynamic artist behind the interactive mystery series, ‘Dreamcrusher,’ has recently opened up about her musical journey. Surprisingly, she never envisioned herself as a musician growing up. “Oh God no, not at all! I didn’t discover that I could sing until high school. I signed up for music class thinking it would be an easy credit, and I had something,” she shares. It was her music teacher, Ruth Elliot, who encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone and embrace performance. Gwyn…

Behemoth Unleashes “The Shit Ov God”: A New Era in Extreme Metal On May 9th, Behemoth, the iconic Polish extreme metal band, released their highly anticipated 13th studio album, The Shit Ov God. The buildup to this release has been intense, with fans eagerly awaiting what the band would bring to the table this time around. This new album promises to deliver the signature sound that has defined Behemoth’s career while pushing boundaries further than ever before. New Music Video: “Sowing Salt” In tandem with the album launch, Behemoth unveiled a striking music video for the track “Sowing Salt.” Known…

KRATORNAS Unveils “Ravaged by Hurakaan” Vinyl and Cassette Demo Release Details Saskatoon, Canada’s Kratornas is gearing up to release a special vinyl demo on May 20th and a remix cassette on May 30th, 2025, through Grathila Records. These releases serve as a tantalizing prelude to their much-anticipated full-length album, “God of the Tribes,” which is set to drop on August 20th, 2025. Artist Insight The creative force behind Kratornas, Bruno Zamora, shares his thoughts on this pivotal moment in the band’s trajectory: “This album marks a turning point for KRATORNAS. Not because it tries to be ‘different’ but because it…

Car Seat Headrest’s High-Concept Rock Opera: An Exploration of *The Scholars* From Humble Beginnings to Grand Concepts Emerging from the backseat of a family car, Car Seat Headrest has always seemed destined for something more ambitious than typical rock band fare. Originating as a solo project by Will Toledo in Virginia, the band quickly evolved beyond simple singer-songwriter fare. Toledo’s 2011 album, *Twin Fantasy*, transcended its emo roots to become a romantic epic, while his 2020 release, *Making a Door Less Open*, served as a commentary on fame itself. This album also introduced the character “Trait,” a persona that would…

Exploring the Bittersweet Depths of Genune’s “Infinite Presence” Album Overview The liner notes for Genune’s third album, Infinite Presence, evoke a sense of bittersweetness. The Romanian black metal band describes their latest work as “the product of the most radiant hope and the deepest absence,” creating a vivid image of extremes colliding. This juxtaposition is further reflected in their unique amalgamation of atmospheric black metal, shoegaze, and post-rock elements. New Single: “Stay a Little Longer” The latest single from Infinite Presence, titled “Stay a Little Longer,” exemplifies the seamless blending of hope and absence. The track invites listeners to experience…