Category: new releases

Scarpetta on Prime Video: Everything You Need to Know Before the March 11 Premiere

Nicole Kidman stars in Scarpetta. Photo: Amazon Prime Video.

From Page to Screen: Why We Can’t Get Enough of Forensic Noir

Crime and forensic novels continue to dominate best-seller lists because they offer the perfect cocktail of suspense, mystery, and intellectual challenge. Stories by icons like Agatha Christie and Patricia Cornwell invite us to step into the role of the detective, meticulously analyzing clues and motives alongside the characters. The detailed exploration of forensic science adds a layer of grit and realism, revealing how microscopic evidence can uncover massive, hidden truths.

While these novels delve into the darker side of human nature, they almost always offer the catharsis of justice served. For many of us, the real thrill lies in that race against the clock: can we piece together the mystery before the final revelation?

The Long-Awaited Arrival: Scarpetta on Prime Video

As a lifelong fan of these novels, I am counting down the days for the new series on Amazon Prime Video. Having devoured the Patricia Cornwell Scarpetta novels for years, seeing this world come to life is a dream come true. (Amazon Prime Video, 2026)

Developed by Liz Sarnoff and produced by powerhouse duo Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis, Scarpetta is set to be the television event of the season.

Mark Your Calendars: Scarpetta premieres on Amazon Prime Video on March 11, 2026.

Meet the Cast

The series boasts an incredible A-list ensemble to bring these beloved characters to life:

ActorRoleCharacter Description
Nicole KidmanKay ScarpettaThe brilliant forensic pathologist.
Jamie Lee CurtisDorothy ScarpettaKay’s complicated older sister.
Ariana DeBoseLucy FarinelliKay’s tech-savvy niece.
Bobby CannavalePete MarinoThe rugged former detective.
Simon BakerBenton WesleyThe calculated FBI profiler.

Who is Kay Scarpetta?

Kay Scarpetta is more than just a medical examiner; she is a trailblazer. Inspired by the real-life former Virginia Chief Medical Examiner, Marcella Farinelli Fierro, MD, Scarpetta uses cutting-edge forensic technology to speak for the dead. (Patricia Cornwell, 2026)

Throughout the book series, Scarpetta—a woman of Italian descent—navigates intense investigations across the American South, from the humid streets of Florida and Virginia to the historic corridors of Charleston, South Carolina.

About the Author: Patricia Cornwell

Patricia Cornwell didn’t just write crime fiction; she revolutionized it. While working as a computer analyst at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond, Virginia, she sold her first novel, Postmortem.

It was the world’s first “bona fide” forensic thriller, paving the way for the explosion of forensic-focused entertainment we see today in film, TV, and literature.

A Legacy of Excellence

Cornwell’s impact on the genre is staggering:

  • Award-Winning Debut: Postmortem was the first book ever to win the Edgar, Creasey, Anthony, and Macavity awards, plus the French Prix du Roman d’Aventure, in a single year.
  • Global Reach: Her books have sold over 120 million copies in 36 languages across 120 countries.
  • Literary Honors: She has received the Sherlock Award, the Gold Dagger Award, and the Medal of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters.

Beyond the Morgue

While Kay, Lucy, and Marino are her most famous creations, Cornwell’s curiosity knows no bounds. Her diverse bibliography includes:

  • True Crime: A definitive account of Jack the Ripper’s identity.
  • Lifestyle: Two cookbooks (Food to Die For and Scarpetta’s Winter Table).
  • Other Fiction: Series featuring Boston detective Win Garano and reporter Andy Brazil.

Here is a curated “Essential Scarpetta” reading list to get you into the right mindset for the show:

1. Postmortem (The Origin)

You can’t skip the book that started it all. This is where we meet Kay in Richmond, Virginia, hunting a serial killer known as “Mr. Nobody.” It establishes her grit, her friction with Pete Marino, and the high-tech (for the time) forensic methods that changed crime fiction forever.

2. Body of Evidence (The Introduction of Benton Wesley)

If you’re excited to see Simon Baker as the FBI profiler, this is a must-read. It deepens the relationship between Kay and Benton and introduces the recurring theme of Kay’s past coming back to haunt her.

3. The Body Farm (The Science)

This novel takes Kay to the actual University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility. It’s peak forensic procedural and features a young Lucy (played by Ariana DeBose in the show) starting to show her tech genius.

4. From Potter’s Field (The Ultimate Villain)

Every great detective needs a Moriarty. For Scarpetta, that means Temple Gault. This book is a chilling, snowy cat-and-mouse game in New York City that shows just how high the stakes can get for Kay’s family.

5. Point of Origin (The Fire)

This is a pivotal emotional turning point for the “Core Four” (Kay, Marino, Lucy, and Benton). It involves a series of high-stakes arsons and a massive twist that changes the trajectory of the series for years.

Pro-Tip for the TV Series

Since Jamie Lee Curtis is playing Dorothy (Kay’s sister), you might want to pay extra attention to their sibling rivalry in the earlier books. Dorothy is often the “flighty” contrast to Kay’s “grounded” professionalism, it’s going to be fascinating to see that chemistry on screen.

Dallas Death Metal Unit Frozen Soul Teams Up with Gerard Way for New Single

Frozen Soul photo by Kate Russell, used with permission.

Frozen Soul Announces New Album No Place of Warmth — Featuring Gerard Way

Dallas’ premiere death metal/hardcore unit Frozen Soul has officially emerged from the frost to announce their third full-length studio album: No Place of Warmth. (another side, 2026)

Arriving May 8 via Century Media, the record is described as a monolithic and exigent collection of anthems. It promises the band’s signature blend of ferocity and subtle melody, guided by soaring guitar leads through a “dark chasm of merciless riffs.”

A Letter to the Fans from the Wasteland

While their previous work explored glacial territories, No Place of Warmth turns inward. The album surveys the emotional wasteland of everyday struggle, serving as an open letter to fans. It decries the cold realities of life while providing the tools and motivation to conquer them.

“Life is always coming at you, and death doesn’t stop—you might slow it down, but it’s always coming—so you have to make the best out of it and march on.”

— Chad Green, Vocalist

The Title Track: “No Place of Warmth” (feat. Gerard Way)

In a landmark collaboration, the album opener and title track features Gerard Way (My Chemical Romance). The track is available now on all digital platforms.

  • The Concept: The song explores the choice between letting the cold consume you or finding warmth in a void.
  • The Video: Directed by Brendan McGowen, the visual features actor London Smith (from 2023’s “Morbid Effigy”) returning to play the personification of Death.
  • The Collaboration: Green and Way became friends a few years ago. “I knew he had a love for metal,” Green recalls. “Gerard is an amazing artist and musician whose creative vision has shaped generations.”

Evolution of the “Cold” Sound

Musically, the album sees Frozen Soul distilled to their primordial essence. Expect a “menacing” version of the band focused on maximal minimalism across eleven new songs.

AspectDescription
Vocal StyleChad Green’s “sandpaper-y bellow” acting as a dungeon master/soothsayer.
Musical DNAHardcore punk aggression meets classic American Death Metal (Obituary, Mortician).
InspirationEarly Earache ruination (Carcass, Bolt Thrower).
Philosophy“Stop overthinking it… emphasizing brutality but with an ear for hooks.”

On the Road

Frozen Soul has solidified their place as leaders of metal’s next generation. This April, they will hit the road across the states with Avatar and Fleshgod Apocalypse. See tour information here.

Frozen Soul is:

  • Chad Green / Vocals
  • Michael Munday / Guitar
  • Chris Bonner / Guitar
  • Samantha Mobley / Bass
  • Matt Dennar / Drums

No Place of Warmth – Tracklist:
1 – No Place of Warmth (Feat. Gerard Way)
2 – Invoke War (Feat. Machine Head)
3 – Absolute Zero
4 – Dreadnought (Feat. Sanguisugabogg)
5 – Chaos Will Reign
6 – Eyes of Despair
7 – Ethereal Dreams
8 – Skinned by the Wind
9 – DEATHWEAVER
10 – Frost Forged
11 – Killin Time (Until its Time to Kill)

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Poison Ruin Announces New Album ‘Hymns from the Hills’ via Relapse Records

L-R: Allen Chapman (drums), Nao Demand (guitar), Mac Kennedy (vox, guitar), Will McAndrew (bass). Photo By Kat Bean, used with permission.

Scythes, Spirits, and Synths: Poison Ruin Announces ‘Hymns from the Hills’

Poison Ruin’s upcoming release, Hymns from the Hills, ambitiously rewrites the rules of punk. The Philadelphia outfit is pushing their sound into expansive new terrains without sacrificing an ounce of the bleak symbolism and uncompromising aggression that established them as one of extreme music’s most urgent voices. (another side, 2026)

Expanding their signature approach to grim mythmaking, these new songs feel equal parts natural, undeniably of this world, and phantasmal.

Release Date: April 3 via Relapse Records

Formats: Vinyl, CD, and Digital

Available for pre-order.

A Tapestry of Dispossession

On Hymns from the Hills, Poison Ruin’s previous stories of toil are revealed to be but one chapter etched upon a bleaker tapestry. This is a landscape populated by:

  • Spirits traversing sunless deserts and wilted hillsides.
  • Demonic torture objects lining the psyche.
  • Bodies transfigured into Luciferian snakes.
  • Sadean prisoners bound to the screaming silence of abandoned towers.

Lead Single: “Eidolon”

The band’s signature raw, anthemic aggression pummels through on the lead single “Eidolon,” recently released alongside its official video.

Frontman, lyricist, and guitarist Mac Kennedy explains the track’s bleak inspiration:

“‘Eidolon’ is about being stuck in a broken reality, a cog in a fate-machine doomed to play out the same cursed loop until it fully breaks down. The ones who had the power to affect change have abandoned the scene… Grim reminders of what could have, but will not be.”

Expanding the Sonic Mythos

The record acts as both a forceful restatement and a bold departure. While listeners will recognize the crackling, cassette-dubbed darkness, it is now supported by a carefully sculpted mosaic of new textures:

  • Killing Joke-style hacksaw primitivism.
  • Blast-beats worthy of the Relapse catalog.
  • Crisp analog synth lines.
  • Ambient serenades reminiscent of Scott Walker and The Durutti Column.

The Craft: DIY Grandeur

Meticulously composed and self-recorded, the LP saw Kennedy relocate to a private practice space to meet the record’s greater sonic demands. To polish this “hissing abyss,” the band enlisted top-tier talent for the final touches:

  • Mixing: Jonah Falco (with Kennedy splicing in gritty tape segments for tonal continuity).
  • Mastering: Arthur Rizk.

The result is a rich structure of unconventional frictions—crystalline flashes of polish ripping through low-end grime, only to shatter against the whipping sting of rusted chains.

Mythic Sensibilities

Lyrically, Hymns from the Hills reaches new poetic heights. While the record continues the tradition of employing medieval-inflected fantasy imagery, Kennedy is quick to note that these figures are not intended to be read as historically accurate, but rather as tools for cynicism and defiant bravado.

“I’m not very interested in conveying the historical facts of medieval culture. If we are to make sense of the present, we need to employ a more mythic mode of language and symbol to reach beyond the spiritual malaise that envelopes us. A mythic truth resonates within any time, but its echoes call from outside of time. Medieval and fantasy imagery are simply effective personal starting points for tapping into that mode of communication.”

Hymns from the Hills tracklist:
01 – Intro
02 – Lily Of the Valley
03 – Hymn from the Hills
04 – Eidolon
05 – Howls From the Citadel
06 – Pilgrimage
07 – Guts (Lay Your Self Aside)
08 – Turn To Dust
09 – Puzzle Box
10 – Serpent’s Curse
11 – Sleeping Giant (Interlude)
12 – Crescent Sun
13 – The Standoff

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A Kaleidoscope of Cumbia: Juanes Returns to His Roots with ‘JuanesTeban’

The new album will be released March 3, 2026. Photo: Google

The Latin Rock Titan Returns: Juanes Announces New Album ‘JuanesTeban’

The wait is almost over for fans of the Colombian legend. Juanes has officially announced that his 12th studio album, titled JuanesTeban, is set to drop on March 6. (Hits Daily Double, 2026)

Alongside the announcement, the Latin rock icon released a teaser trailer giving fans a glimpse into what’s being hailed as one of his most personal projects yet. The LP was co-produced by Juanes himself and the reigning Latin Grammy Producer of the Year, Nico Cotton (known for his work with Aitana and Nathy Peluso).

A “Kaleidoscope” of Sound

According to Juanes, this album is a return to his roots, blending his signature rock style with the rhythmic soul of Latin America.

“It’s like a kaleidoscope of my many moods: joyful, enthusiastic, melancholy,” Juanes shared. “I wanted to make the kind of album that would take me back to the land of dancing and cumbia – the feeling of Latin America, the root of folklore.”

Tracklist Teasers & Collaborations

The album features high-energy collaborations and soulful solo tracks, including:

  • “Muérdeme” (featuring Bomba Estéreo)
  • “Una Noche Contigo”
  • “Hagamos Que”
  • “Cuando Estamos Tú Y Yo”

Upcoming Tour Dates & Honors

It’s going to be a massive spring for the “A Dios le Pido” singer. Before the album even hits shelves, Juanes will be honored by Univision at Premio Lo Nuestro with the Lifetime Achievement Award on February 19.

He is also set to headline some of the biggest stages in the world:

  • Viña del Mar (Chile)
  • Vive Latino (Mexico)
  • El Carnaval de Barranquilla (Colombia)
  • Movistar Arena (Madrid, Spain)

About Juanes

With a career spanning over two decades, Juanes remains one of the most influential figures in music history. Since his solo debut Fíjate Bien in 2000, he has secured 26 Latin Grammy Awards and sold over 15 million records worldwide.

Ready to listen? JuanesTeban is available for pre-order.

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Peacock’s ‘Threshold’: A Raw Look at Jessie Diggins’ Journey from the ‘Pain Cave’ to Recovery

‘Threshold’ will premiere on Peacock on February 23. Photo: Brinkema Brothers Productions, used with permission.

The Struggle Behind the Smile: New Documentary ‘Threshold’ Premieres Feb 23

I’m excited to announce the upcoming premiere of Threshold, a powerful feature documentary chronicling the life of Olympic legend Jessie Diggins. The film will debut on Peacock on Monday, February 23rd, strategically timed to coincide with the Winter Olympic Games. (EG PR, 2026)

At a Glance

  • Premiere Date: Monday, February 23rd on Peacock
  • Directed by: Lars Brinkema and Torsten Brinkema
  • Featuring: Jessie Diggins
  • Executive Producers: Torsten Brinkema, Patrick Dempsey
  • Music by: Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore
  • Running Time: 85 minutes

The Story: Beyond the Gold

Threshold is the story of the most decorated American cross-country skier ever, Jessie Diggins, and the painful fight with an eating disorder that occurred at the very peak of her career.

This is more than a sports story; it is a visceral, human account of vulnerability and recovery unfolding in real-time. Through unprecedented access to Jessie and the U.S. Ski Team, the film explores a disorder that often hides in plain sight, yet remains tragically misunderstood in professional athletics.

A Season Lived in Real-Time

The film unfolds over a single, high-stakes season, intercutting present-day vérité footage with decisive moments from Jessie’s past. It traces how a relentless pursuit of perfection led her to believe that controlling her body mass was the only key to success.

From grueling races above the Arctic Circle to the first World Cup on American snow in over 25 years, the documentary tracks the mounting pressure of elite sport. Ultimately, Threshold is a film about hope, proving that relapse is not failure and asking for help is not a weakness.

About the Subjects

Jessie Diggins | Olympic Gold Medalist

A three-time Olympic medalist, Jessie is known for her legendary ability to enter the “Pain Cave” during the closing moments of the world’s most grueling races. As the reigning two-time World Champion, she will compete in an extraordinary six different events at the 2026 Olympic Games.

Off the snow, Jessie is a fierce advocate for:

  • Mental Health: Managing and speaking openly about eating disorder recovery.
  • Sustainability: Raising awareness about the effects of global warming on winter sports.
  • Resilience: Sharing her experience on teamwork and mental toughness.

Lars Brinkema | Director & Cinematographer

Based in Los Angeles, Lars Brinkema began his career in photojournalism documenting the Minneapolis community’s resilience following the murder of George Floyd. His award-winning short, I Pray, set the stage for his feature directorial debut with Threshold.

When Jessie entrusted Lars with her story, the project became a personal mission rooted in his commitment to intimate, character-driven storytelling that fosters genuine social change.

“By allowing herself to be seen, Jessie offers something rare to those living in silence: proof that you can reclaim your health and your dreams.”

Photo: Brinkema Brothers Productions

Ana Cristina Cash Releases New Bilingual Album ‘The Sunshine State’

Ana Cristina Cash explores her roots in her new album. Photo: Gina Binkley, used with permission.

A Fusion of Heritage and Harmony: Ana Cristina Cash Releases New Bilingual Album, The Sunshine State

Acclaimed songstress Ana Cristina Cash has officially released her latest project, The Sunshine State. A masterful blend of her Cuban-American roots and her home in the heart of country music, this bilingual album is now available across all major streaming platforms. (Aristo PR, 2026)

Recorded at the legendary Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, Tennessee and produced by John Carter Cash and Willie Breeding, the album is a testament to Ana Cristina’s versatility. Listeners can expect to hear her remarkable vocal range on full display, transitioning effortlessly from a resonant contralto to a soaring soprano.

The Duality of Sound

Having spent over a decade in Nashville, Ana Cristina’s artistry is firmly grounded in country music. However, her Spanish lineage provides a distinct depth that sets this project apart.

“That duality is present in everything I do,” says Ana Cristina. “I’m proud to be an American living in Nashville… and equally proud of my Hispanic culture. I grew up speaking both English and Spanish at home, so it felt natural to record Spanish versions of several of my songs.”

Track Highlights

The album serves as a cultural crossroads, featuring a mix of English, Spanish, and Spanglish tracks:

  • “Daybreak” / “Un Break”: The breezy opening single and its Spanish counterpart.
  • “Florida Girl”: A heartfelt nod to her roots.
  • “Cheap Margaritas”: Available in both the original and a playful Spanglish version.
  • “Last Call”: A fiery track featured in both languages.
  • Brand New Tunes: Including the nostalgic “Janice” and “Don’t Give Up.”

Inspired by the Everglades

Much of the album’s imagery is drawn from Ana Cristina’s childhood in rural West Miami. She recalls a time when the area was “wild and untouched,” bordered by the Florida Everglades.

“The first home I grew up in… I only had four neighbors, a dirt road, orange trees in the backyard, and our own chickens,” she notes. “That formative period of my life influenced so much of this record.”

About Ana Cristina Cash

Ana Cristina’s career began at the age of six. By 15, she had signed with Sony Music Latin. Her career is marked by historic milestones, including:

  • Historic Performances: The first Hispanic American to perform the “Star-Spangled Banner” at a presidential inauguration (2005).
  • Iconic Venues: Performances at the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Madison Square Garden.
  • Nashville Legacy: Married to John Carter Cash since 2016, she continues to record at the historic Cash Cabin Studio and recently signed a global publishing deal with BMG Rights Management.

The Sunshine State is out now. Experience the soulful blend of country and Latin influences today.

The Sunshine State tracklist:

  1. “Daybreak”
  2. “Cheap Margaritas”
  3. “Florida Girl”
  4. “Janice”
  5. “Last Call”
  6. “Don’t Give Up”
  7. “Un Break (Daybreak Versión En Español)”
  8. “Cheap Margaritas (Spanglish Version)”
  9. “Tu Última Llamada (Last Call Versión En Español)”

Don Winslow’s ‘Broken’ and the Movie Adaptation of Crime 101

Crime 101 is one of the short stories in Don Winslow’s Broken. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Broken by Don Winslow: From Gritty Crime Fiction to the Big Screen

“No matter how you come into this world, you come out broken…”

Don Winslow’s Broken is a blistering collection of crime stories that showcases why he’s long been considered one of the most powerful voices in contemporary crime fiction. Now, one of its standout stories—“Crime 101”—has made the leap from the page to a major motion picture, bringing Winslow’s razor-sharp storytelling to an even wider audience.

About the Book: Broken

Hailed by Stephen King as “one of America’s greatest storytellers,” #1 international bestselling author Don Winslow returns in Broken with six intense short novels. Some feature familiar characters, others introduce new ones, but all are connected by Winslow’s signature themes: crime, vengeance, guilt, and redemption.

With his trademark blend of insight, humanity, dark humor, and propulsive action, Winslow delivers stories that feel both immediate and timeless. These are tales of people living by codes, moral, criminal, or personal, and the devastating consequences when those codes are tested or broken.

Spotlight on “Crime 101”

At the heart of Broken is “Crime 101,” a tightly wound crime story that reads like a perfect noir film waiting to happen.

A series of high-level jewel heists along California’s Pacific Coast Highway has baffled law enforcement for years. The crimes are initially attributed to Colombian cartels, but Detective Lou Lubesnick suspects something else entirely: a lone thief operating under a strict personal philosophy known as Crime 101.

The jewel thief has followed his rules flawlessly, until now. As he plans one final, legendary score, Lou decides to do the unthinkable: break every rule of Crime 101 to stop him.

It’s a story about obsession, intuition, and the thin line between hunter and hunted, and it’s no surprise Hollywood came calling.

About the Movie: Crime 101

The film adaptation of Crime 101 brings Winslow’s story to life with an all-star cast and sleek, tension-filled direction.

Plot Overview

A jewel thief named Mike Davis has executed a series of daring heists along the 101 freeway, leaving police completely stumped. When he sets his sights on the ultimate score, his plans intersect with those of insurance broker Sharon Colvin. Meanwhile, Detective Lou Lubesnick believes he’s finally cracked the thief’s pattern and is determined to bring him down before the next job.

Film Details

  • Written and Directed by: Bart Layton
  • Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and Halle Berry

Crime 101 premiered on January 28, 2026, in London and is scheduled for U.S. release on February 13, 2026.

About the Author: Don Winslow

Don Winslow is the author of twenty-six acclaimed, award-winning international bestsellers, including eight New York Times bestsellers such as Savages, The Cartel, The Force, The Border, and his epic City trilogy (City on Fire, City of Dreams, City in Ruins).

A former investigator, anti-terrorism trainer, and trial consultant, Winslow brings lived experience to his fiction, lending it an authenticity that sets his work apart. He has also written award-winning short stories for Audible, narrated by four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris. Winslow currently lives in California and Rhode Island.

Final Thoughts

With Broken, Don Winslow once again proves his mastery of crime fiction, and Crime 101’s transition from short novel to feature film feels both natural and inevitable. Whether you encounter this story first on the page or on the screen, one thing is certain: Winslow’s world is gripping, morally complex, and impossible to forget.

Photo: Google

trauma ray’s Carnival EP Is a Dark, Shoegaze-Fueled Descent Into Unease

trauma ray announces new album – Carnival. Photo: Erasmo Viera, used with permission.

trauma ray Explores the Dark Funhouse on Carnival EP

trauma ray’s Carnival EP captures the Fort Worth five’s strongest, most intense, and exploratory work within the boundaries of a whirlwind year. Carnival delves into moodier, more cerebral material, like holding their past excursions against a funhouse mirror. There’s a distinct sense of unease in these songs, built in a fleeting window of time, proving the band works best under pressure and when pulling from the darkest corners of their subconscious. (another side, 2026)

Carnival will be available on February 20 via Dais Records.
Pre-save / pre-order here.

Following the Breakout of Chameleon

Carnival follows the breakout success of Chameleon, trauma ray’s 2024 debut on Dais Records. The album helped firmly establish the band amidst the current wave of shoegaze revivalists. Increasingly agile, trauma ray has proven able to weave between scenes, touring extensively with the likes of Deafheaven, Loathe, Touché Amoré, and more.

A confluence of blitzing riffs and stark beauty, trauma ray’s sound continues to evolve, nodding to loud-quiet-loud greats across metal, grunge, and shoegaze, from Slowdive to Smashing Pumpkins.

New Single: “Hannibal”

trauma ray’s new single and video, “Hannibal,” contorts with a tinge of unprecedented evil, slithery and, as vocalist Uriel Avila puts it, “Stone Temple-y, Alice in Chains-y.” Lyrically, the track taps into teenage angst and the feeling of being dissected and rejected.

“It’s a song about the feeling of doing your best as an individual yet still falling short in the eyes of those you hope to make proud,” Avila explains.

“A lot of it stems from internal battles I faced growing up with my father, role models, and religion. Some of it comes from more recent experiences of being put under the microscope by my peers. It’s a gut-wrenching sensation that I was able to tie lyrically to the visceral mood of the instrumentation that kicks off the track and begins the journey through Carnival’s overall theme.”

Recording Under Pressure

During a brief break in their relentless touring schedule last summer, trauma ray regrouped in Texas for a few days to record a flurry of tracks, later sent to Corey Coffman for mixing and mastering. Core songwriting duo Avila and guitarist Jonathan Perez welcomed increased contributions from the rest of the band, most notably guitarist Coleman Pruitt and bassist Darren Baun, who brought an eerier strain of rhythmic and textural ideas.

This shift coincided with a growing sense of collective dread and anxiety, visually captured in a striking photo set of a deserted amusement park near Brighton, England. Shot on tour by drummer Nicholas Bobotas, the images now serve as the EP’s artwork.

Track-by-Track Through the Funhouse

The wordless opener “Carousel” ushers in Carnival’s unsettling atmosphere, with blasts of static and downcast strums giving way to “Hannibal,” the anthemic lead single packed with power riffs and raw emotion.

“Méliès,” named after French illusionist and filmmaker Georges Méliès, cuts between heavy, sludgy chords and a skyward chorus—“from something scary to like a dream state,” Avila says, channeling the surreal abstraction of its namesake.

“Funhouse” dips into doom metal, featuring sparse guitar work and possibly the band’s slowest BPM yet. Lyrics play with shifting perspectives, culminating in a call-and-response outro—“take my hand / this is not your wonderland”—that conjures opposing forces or frames of mind.

A Jarring Exit: “Clown”

In contrast, the final track “Clown” jolts, flashes, and pummels, like emerging from the other end of a house of horrors, now immersed in the disorienting lights of the carnival. Personified by a knotty, synth-soaked lead guitar squall, the song evokes Robin Williams as an archetype of tragic happiness: those who work hardest to make others laugh may privately be the saddest.

Sonically, the band cites influences like Failure’s “Undone” and “Stuck on You,” alongside the omnipresent Loveless. The result speaks to trauma ray’s growing strength: five musicians absorbing, synthesizing, and expanding on what they love.

Carnival offers a brief, highly loopable detour into darkness from a band growing more formidable by the mile.

Carnival EP tracklist: 

1 – carousel
2 – Hannibal
3 – Méliès
4 – Funhouse
5 – Clown

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Final Gasp Expands Their Sound on New Album ‘New Day Symptoms’

New Day Symptoms is the new album by Final Gasp, due out February 27. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Final Gasp Announce New Day Symptoms

Steeped in nocturnal death rock adventurism, driven by post-punk anxiety that feels increasingly like the twitching heart of our modern age, and fueled by hardcore punk intensity, the second studio album from Boston’s Final Gasp, New Day Symptoms, does what all great rock records do. (another side, 2026)

Not only does it place itself within a lineage, summoning and amplifying a spectrum of powers from rock ’n’ roll lore, it makes them resonate in the here and now. The album gives voice to the fears and frustrations lurking just under the surface of waking consciousness and transforms them into a rallying cry.

Produced by Arthur Rizk, New Day Symptoms will be released on February 27 via Relapse Records. Pre-order/Pre-save here.

Channeling Fury and Reflection

Throughout New Day Symptoms, Final Gasp creates a potent emotional reaction, balancing fury and forlorn introspection. Frontman Jake Murphy vocalizes both a supercharged howl into the void and a remorseful echo back, capturing the album’s emotional duality.

Lead Single: “The Apparition”

The lead single, “The Apparition,” tells what Jake describes as “a story of reality being much more horrifying than fiction.”

“It’s about a captain and his crew on a small boat. A storm came and capsized it, and he and his two crew members were forced to swim to some sort of safety. Ultimately, only he survived—having to watch his two friends be taken away by something that could have been avoided. He knew a storm was coming but thought they could make it. It’s all about bad timing and facing the consequences.”

“The Apparition” is available now, along with its haunting video directed by Caleb Gowett and Bill Politis.

Expanding the Sound

Where Final Gasp’s acclaimed 2023 debut, Mourning Moon, was a concentrated shot of acrid underground death rock, its propulsion tanks largely filled with references to Samhain and Killing Joke, New Day Symptoms retains that core urgency while vastly broadening its scope.

With new space to explore, the album feels communal: a mapping of personal trials and dark recesses onto a landscape dotted with rafter-rousing marker points.

A More Democratic Process

Final Gasp’s ability to meld opposing forces into something vibrant and new is encoded into their DNA. Forging a sound that both honored and moved beyond their musical backgrounds required deep soul-searching, placing the band on a path whose destination remains open-ended.

One of the main reasons for the broadened sound on New Day Symptoms is that the album was written far more democratically than Mourning Moon, allowing multiple creative voices to shape its direction.

Themes of Acceptance and Moving Forward

That open-mindedness, paired with a firm grip on underground roots, gives New Day Symptoms its galvanizing force. While its predecessor dealt directly with personal loss and anxiety, this album approaches similar themes from a different angle.

“With this one, I didn’t want it to be as personal,” says Jake. “But then reading the lyrics back, I ended up feeling differently about them—they were personal on a different level. A lot of these songs are written from an outside perspective, what could’ve happened if things were different, but ultimately it didn’t end that way. You can’t change what’s already been done, so you just have to move on. It just means it’s a part of who you are now.”

A Record Built to Last

Above all, New Day Symptoms is one of those rare killer rock ’n’ roll albums whose conviction and honesty set it apart, an album primed to stand the test of time.

As acclaimed tours with Abbath, Gatecreeper, Fiddlehead, Poison Ruin, Devil Master, and Imperial Triumphant make clear, Final Gasp’s appeal is both expansive and unbounded.

Last month, Final Gasp announced a headlining North American tour which crosses both coasts, the Midwest and more.

See below for a full list of dates. Tickets are on sale here.

Feb 26: Cambridge, MA – Sonia
Mar 01: Cincinnati, OH – Dsgn Clltcv
Mar 02: Kansas City, MO – Howdy
Mar 04: Denver, CO – Bar 404
Mar 05: Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon
Mar 07: Portland, OR – The High Water Mark
Mar 08: Vancouver, BC – The Cobalt
Mar 09: Seattle, WA – The Funhouse
Mar 11: Sacramento, CA – Cafe Colonial
Mar 12: Oakland, CA – Stork Club
Mar 13: Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge
Mar 14: Joshua Tree, CA – Joshua Tree
Mar 15: San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
Mar 16: Mesa, AZ – The Nile Underground
Mar 19: Tulsa, OK – Whittier Bar
Mar 20: Austin, TX – The Lost Well
Mar 21: Dallas, TX – Dusty’s
Mar 22: Little Rock, AR – Vinos

Final Gasp is:
Jake Murphy – Vocals
Alex Consentino – Guitar/Synth
Sean Rose – Bass
Peter Micanovic – Guitar
Kevin Ordway – Drums

Photo: Caleb Gowett, used with permission

New Day Symptoms tracklist:
01 – Eternal Silence
02 – Look Away
03 – The Apparition
04 – Gifted Shame
05 – No Hand To Lead
06 – Prediction
07 – Burials Of Birth
08 – Fractures
09 – New Day Symptoms
10 – Pale Sun

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Worm Unveils the Dark Majesty of Necropalace

Worm announces new album Necropalace. Photo: Andreas Marschall, used with permission.

Worm Walks Backwards Into the Future with Necropalace

Worm has incessantly built upon their sonic palette of “Necromantic Black Doom” with roots in nearly every worthy corner of extreme metal’s history, from the grandiose heights of ’90s symphonic black metal to the emotional technicality of ’80s shred metal. (another side, 2025)

Four years after their acclaimed full-length Foreverglade, Worm emerges with their next studio album and first release with Century Media Records, Necropalace. The Floridian band has only grown more powerful, showcasing a level of grandiose songcraft that is beyond modern compare. On Necropalace, Worm has managed to do what many others in this day and age can only attempt: they walk backwards into the future.

A World Untouched by Time

Necropalace lives in a world of its own.

A world of lush velvet and ostentatious gold, covered in the dust of time.
A world where shadows seem to move in your peripheral vision, yet the loneliness never ceases.
A world where wounds of the flesh may heal, but those of the heart never do.

The Gates Open: “Necropalace”

The nightmarish omnipotence of album opener and title track “Necropalace” ushers the listener into a journey through obsessive bloodlust. Spellbinding, powerful vocals from Phantom Slaughter guide the descent, while guitarist Wroth Septentrion flaunts his stunningly masterful songwriting throughout.

“Necropalace” feels like an endless maze of subterranean, candle-lit corridors, each riff constantly shifting and evolving. With multiple listens, however, one discovers that the maze contains many paths that ultimately converge into one another.

Into the Crypt: “Blackheart”

Worm’s latest single, “Blackheart,” is a descent into the nether vaults of the Necropalace. As you make your way through the crypts and catacombs beneath the castle, you find Nightfang’s resting place. Beside his black coffin sits the Blackheart, encased in ice and glowing blood red.

This occult artifact pumps life into the ancient palace walls and keeps the vampire lord immortal.

“Blackheart” serves as part two of Worm’s official Necropalace short-film series, heavily inspired by their obsession with horror from the ’80s and ’90s. Director Norman Cabrera, Producer Maya Kay, and Colorist Alex Nicolaou, under the direction of Ted Nicolaou, continue to bring Worm’s dark fantasy into reality following “Necropalace,” now deepening the vision with “Blackheart.”

The Infernal Masquerade

Enter if you dare, but know the consequences of your choice.

Through the opulent finality of album closer “Witchmoon: The Infernal Masquerade,” featuring guitar virtuoso Marty Friedman, Necropalace reveals itself as the true sonic representation of unbridled, night-bound maleficence.

The album manifests as the soundscape to a star-laden winter sky reflecting off the Everglades’ darkest slough, where death meets the deathless. This is a vociferous call to action for anyone who still possesses ancient vampiric blood in their veins.

Prepare yourself for a full-force attack of zealous guitar agility and heretic spellcraft.

The gates are now open.

Release Information

Necropalace will be released February 13, 2026 via Century Media Records. Pre-order/Pre-Save here.

Necropalace tracklist:
1 – Gates to the Shadowzone (Intro)
2 – Necropalace
3 – Halls of Weeping
4 – The Night Has Fangs
5 – Dragon Dreams
6 – Blackheart
7 – Witchmoon – The Infernal Masquerade (Feat. Marty Friedman)

Photo courtesy of artist, used with permission.