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.
Amon Amarth. Photo: Tomas Gidén, used with permission.
Amon Amarth & Dethklok Announce The Amonklok Conquest North American Tour
Swedish metal titans Amon Amarth is joining forces with Dethklok for The Amonklok Conquest, an extensive co-headlining tour crossing North America in Spring 2026. With special guests Castle Rat, the tour promises a night of pure theater and over-the-top heavy metal entertainment. (another side, 2026)
This historic run marks the first time the two titan-sized bands have co-billed together, making it one of the biggest raids of the year.
A Clash of Metal Giants
Amon Amarth has long honored the adventurous ethos of their Viking forebears by taking their music anywhere and everywhere, earning a reputation as one of metal’s most vital and imperious live acts. Hot off a busy year conquering the high seas, supporting Slayer in the U.K. and storming the U.S. with Pantera, the band returns with an all-new theatrical stage production and an extended set for these upcoming dates.
Amon Amarth declares:
“Three bands. One night. The strong will scream. The weak will fall. Limbs will be lost. We will crush skulls beneath our boots and tear the halls down stone by stone. This is not a concert. It is a reckoning. If you survive… perhaps the gods have other plans for you.”
Dethklok: 20 Years of Metalocalypse
In 2026, Dethklok celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades since Metalocalypse premiered on Adult Swim. One of the most essential musical multimedia acts ever, Dethklok is both an animated phenomenon and a live metal juggernaut—combining intense musicianship with breakneck cinematic theatricality.
Joining them each night as special guests is the fantastical heavy metal band Castle Rat.
The Rat Queen proclaims:
“On the heels of the Vernal Equinox, our adjacent universes shall align as we bring .•.The Realm.•. of Castle Rat into battle alongside venerable vikings, Amon Amarth, and Metalocalypse metal-masters, Dethklok! Join us, as we seek to expand and defend .•.The Realm.•. from our arch nemesis: Death, Herself — The Rat Reaperess!”
Tour Information & Tickets
The newly announced North American dates are produced by Live Nation. Tickets and full details are available online. For additional updates and information, visit the official tour site.
New Music & What’s Next for Amon Amarth
Amon Amarth recently celebrated a bountiful year with the release of their new single “We Rule The Waves,” along with its accompanying video. Their first new song in years, it signals what’s to come—a brand-new album arriving in late 2026.
Carved from salt and steel, echoing across oceans and sonically barbaric, modern metal doesn’t get more epic, or more essential, than this.
About Amon Amarth
From pole to pole and sea to sea, Amon Amarth are the undisputed kings of Viking heavy metal. Formed in Tumba, Sweden, in 1992, the band has forged an extraordinary legacy over three decades of thunderous, anthemic metal steeped in Viking history, folklore, and culture.
From their underground smash debut Once Sent From The Golden Hall (1998) onward, Amon Amarth have remained an unstoppable creative force. Albums like Twilight Of The Thunder God (2008) and the conceptual triumph Jomsviking (2016) cemented their reputation for ageless anthems and explosive theatrical live shows, making them standard-bearers for heavy metal as a communal, life-affirming experience.
About Dethklok & Metalocalypse
Dethklok is an extreme metal band and the most successful entertainment act on the planet, along with being the seventh-largest economy in the animated world of Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse. Live, they are a multimedia powerhouse, blending animation, comedy, and sheer brutality while recreating beloved albums and visuals on stage.
Band members include musician and show co-creator Brendon Small and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan, among others.
trauma ray announces new album – Carnival. Photo: Erasmo Viera, used with permission.
trauma ray Explores the Dark Funhouse on Carnival EP
trauma ray’sCarnival 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.
Kings Del Wepa U.S. tour has arrived. Photo: Vesper Public Relations, used with permission.
Kings Del Wepa Announce February 2026 U.S. Tour Dates with Live Nation
Los Angeles, CA — Los Angeles–based production hub Misterpsychedelia has partnered with Live Nation to announce the Kings Del Wepa February 2026 U.S. tour, bringing the group’s high-energy cumbia wepa live performance to five cities across California and Texas. (Vesper Public Relations, 2026)
The February 2026 tour marks a major milestone in Kings Del Wepa’s U.S. touring expansion, with headline shows in key West Coast and Texas markets.
Kings Del Wepa 2026 U.S. Tour Dates
February 10, 2026 — Ace of Spades — Sacramento, CA
February 12, 2026 — The Regent Theater — Los Angeles, CA
February 17, 2026 — House of Blues — Houston, TX
February 18, 2026 — The Echo Lounge & Music Hall — Dallas, TX
February 19, 2026 — The Aztec Theatre — San Antonio, TX
Each concert will feature a 75–90 minute headline set, delivering the full Kings Del Wepa live experience, immersive, percussive, and built for movement. Tickets available here.
Who Are Kings Del Wepa?
Originating from Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico, Kings Del Wepa are known for their commanding stage presence, deep rhythmic roots, and genre-bending sound that fuses traditional cumbia with modern Latin influences.
Their live shows blur the line between concert, cultural ceremony, and dance-floor celebration, making them a standout act in the contemporary Latin music scene.
Popular Kings Del Wepa Songs
Kings Del Wepa have built a strong catalog of fan-favorite tracks that frequently appear on cumbia wepa and Latin dance playlists, including:
Cumbia Lorana, Medio Metro, La Bomba Arabe, Mi Abuela Baila Wepa, La Sampuesana Regreso, Atrévete, Meneando Cinturita, Cumbia de la Cinta, Hey Morros, Wepiriski, and Cumbia Cartagena.
Fans of both traditional cumbia and modern Latin music connect with the band’s catchy melodies, contagious rhythms, and uplifting lyrics, an authentic reflection of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage.
Misterpsychedelia and Live Nation Partnership
The 2026 U.S. tour represents a strategic collaboration between Misterpsychedelia and Live Nation, blending global touring infrastructure with curator-driven programming rooted in underground, international, and Latin music cultures.
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
Bad Brains 1981 backstage at CBGB New York City. Photo: Glen E. Friedman, used with permission.
Bad Brains Partners With Trust Records to Preserve Punk Legacy
NEW YORK, NY — The iconic and highly influential punk rock band Bad Brains announced last month that they have partnered with Trust Records, the company formed to ensure that classic punk and hardcore music continues to endure. (another side, 2025)
A New Chapter With Trust Records
Under the new deal, Trust Records will ensure that Bad Brains’ music remains available for generations to come. In addition, Trust Records has established an Artist Advisory Board, on which Bad Brains bassist Darryl Jenifer will serve. The board will help guide the future creative vision of Trust Records.
The partnership will govern and administer the entirety of Bad Brains’ owned and controlled intellectual property, including:
Music publishing
Recorded music
Name and likeness
Trademarks
Visual intellectual property
This includes the band’s self-titled debut album as well as seminal releases Rock for Light, I Against I, and Quickness.
Darryl Jenifer on the Partnership
“After 40 plus years of forging the spirit PMA through our brand of progressive punk rock aka Hardcore, I’m happy that Bad Brains will be sharing the wheel with TRUST in our ongoing quest to keep Bad Brains alive in the hearts and minds of our supporters as we step into the future. TRUST’s love and knowledge of Bad Brains and the PMA ethos makes them a perfect match to partner with as we keep Bad Brains ‘Sailin’ On’. Stay tuned for what’s next to come. One love and a hefty dose of PMA.” — Darryl Jenifer, Bad Brains bassist
The Legacy of Bad Brains
Formed in 1978 in Washington, DC, Bad Brains is one of the most influential American recording artists to emerge from the punk and hardcore scene. The band’s pioneering artistry, strong ethics, and virtuosic musicianship have had a profound effect on global culture.
Bad Brains are cited as an influence by countless artists, including Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, Sublime, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, and Deftones.
The original lineup consisted of H.R. (vocals), Dr. Know (guitar), Darryl Jenifer (bass), and Earl Hudson (drums).
Trust Records on the Partnership
“We started Trust Records to promote, preserve, and protect punk and hardcore music and the culture that surrounds it. Bad Brains is the absolute top of the mountain in punk and hardcore. They taught the rest of us how to do it. It is the highest honor to partner with Darryl and Bad Brains in the stewardship of their iconic work.” — Matt Pincus, Founder, Trust Records
“Bad Brains are an iconic and legendary band whose impact on global culture cannot be overstated. We are thrilled that they’ve chosen Trust Records as their home and we look forward to working with them to continue to build their fan base around the world.” — Joe Nelson, Co-founder, Trust Records
About Trust Records
Founded in 2020, Trust Records was created to give classic punk and hardcore records the home they deserve. Born from DIY roots, the genre’s most influential releases shaped generations of disaffected youth around the world. As the industry moves further into the streaming age, preserving both the spirit and legacy of this music is more important than ever.
Trust Records focuses on ensuring this music remains accessible to future generations while maintaining historical accuracy and high-quality releases.
Their catalog includes 40th Anniversary Deluxe editions of Circle Jerks’ Group Sex and Wild in the Streets, 7Seconds’ landmark 1984 album The Crew, and reissues of Youth Brigade’s Sound and Fury, DFL’s My Crazy Life, SSD’s The Kids Will Have Their Say, Ink & Dagger’s The Complete Works, and more.
SNFU reissues pivotal punk LP ‘…And No One Else Wanted to Play.’ Photo: Doug Humiski, used with permission.
SNFU’s …And No One Else Wanted to Play Turns 40
Trust Records Announces Deluxe Anniversary Reissue
In 1985, underground rock was staunchly divided. At the heart of it was the crossover movement, the confounding middle ground between the longhairs and their arch enemies, the punks and hardcore kids. While each style had its own version of the punk-meets-thrash approach (itself a confrontation of scene norms), hardcore punk found its true disruptor in SNFU.(another side, 2025)
By bucking all the rules and writing their own, SNFU created a singular document that proved frenetic hardcore pacing and genuine catchiness were not mutually exclusive.
Trust Records is proud to announce the reissue of the bona fide classic, SNFU’s debut full-length …And No One Else Wanted to Play.
A 40th Anniversary Release
This reissue marks the 40th anniversary of the pivotal album and is available now in stores and across digital retailers.
The physical release includes two versions:
Standard Edition: A repress of the original LP
Limited Deluxe Edition:
Housed in a box set
Includes a bonus rarities LP featuring all-new artwork incorporating elements from the original seminal release
Accompanied by a 104-page book documenting the band from 1981–1985
Inside the Deluxe Book
The 104-page book is a treasure trove for fans and historians alike, featuring:
Unseen early photographs
Original fanzine interviews
Flyers, letters, and assorted ephemera
Ty Stranglehold’s oral history of SNFU (1981–1985)
Vocalist Chi Pig’s original yearbook photo
Both editions are available in several color variants.
A Cornerstone of Skate Punk
…And No One Else Wanted to Play stands as a cornerstone of skate punk and a monument to punk rock writ large, helping usher in the burgeoning genre of melodic hardcore.
With the sung vocals of Mr. Chi Pig, the dueling guitars of the Belke brothers, and a pummeling rhythm section capable of blinding velocity and sudden turns, the album achieves the rare feat of doing it all, anchored by a deep-rooted sense of melody and an ear for well-honed songwriting.
Across fourteen classic tracks, SNFU proves they can stand comfortably alongside genre-defining acts like Bad Religion, 7 Seconds, and the Descendents, influencing countless artists and sparking a shift still felt across modern music today.
The Origins of SNFU
SNFU formed in 1981 in Edmonton, Alberta, with core members:
Mr. Chi Pig (Ken Chinn) – vocals
Marc “Muc” Belke – guitar
Brent “Bunt” Belke – guitar
Bonding over skateboarding and punk, the band originally went by Society’s NFU (short for No F*cking Use).
The debut LP was recorded across two hectic days at Track Record Studios in Hollywood, CA, in December 1984, with BYO Records founders Mark and Shawn Stern producing. Jimmy Schmitz (bass) and Evan C. “Tadpole” Jones (drums) rounded out the lineup, departing shortly after the sessions.
Hitting the Road and Making History
Following the album’s release, SNFU embarked on a 48-date North American tour, spreading these then-new classics live and earning cult success from coast to coast.
With the release of …And No One Else Wanted to Play, and the shows that followed, those cities, and the world of punk, would never be the same. And now, after decades out of print, neither will your turntable.
New Music Video: “Cannibal Café”
SNFU is also pleased to share their new official music video for album centerpiece “Cannibal Café.” Compiled by Nathan Drillot, the video features unseen live footage and a special appearance by Mike Belke.
…And No One Else Wanted to Play – Standard LP tracklist:
Side One 1. Broken Toy 2. She’s Not on the Menu 3. Money Matters 4. I’m Real Scared 5. Joyride 6. Seein’ Life Through the Bottom of a Bottle
Side Two 7. Cannibal Café 8. Misfortune 9. Plastic Surgery Kept Her Beautiful 10. The Gravedigger 11. Bodies in the Wall 12. Get Off Your Ass 13. Loser at Life / Loser at Death 14. This Is the End
Begging Dog shares new single Common Place from forthcoming album. Photo: Photo By Kat Nijmeddin, used with permission.
Begging Dog: Jeff Kleinman’s Raw, Everyday Poetry Finds Its Voice
Begging Dog is the indie-punk project of Los Angeles–based artist and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Kleinman. Known for his work with Choir Boy, Kleinman created Begging Dog as an outlet for songs that embrace the mundane with a raw, homespun sound. The project leans into garage-punk grit and plain-language lyricism, capturing the poetry of everyday life. (another side, 2025)
A Demo That Sparked a Buzz
Kleinman’s debut, DEMO 1, spread quickly through underground circles. Word reached Dais Records, who soon signed Kleinman and announced a wider vinyl release of the original album.
Clocking in at just 26 minutes, DEMO 1 is packed with rolling bass and synth lines, charismatic riffs, and motorik drum beats. Sonically lean but emotionally weighty, the project showcases Kleinman’s distinctive storytelling and ear for melody.
Characters, Scenes, and Lived-In Observations
Lyrically, DEMO 1 drifts through a series of lived-in characters and scenes:
a pushy union rep
a mailman with a steady federal job
a compulsive gambler
a beloved neighborhood homeless man
Ex-lovers flicker in and out of several tracks, collaged into sharp, witty free verse. Kleinman cites Bruce Springsteen as an influence, not in genre, but in philosophy. He writes in “plain ink,” opting for direct simplicity over flowery prose.
Loneliness in Plain Sight
Much of DEMO 1 taps into a shared loneliness, universal and uniquely tied to life in Los Angeles. The title track anchors that feeling as Kleinman sings, “no one loves a begging dog.” Borrowed from a friend, the line encapsulates the project’s core: the world can make you feel like a begging dog searching for affection and security, yet there’s beauty in solitude, routine, and the quiet hum of everyday life.
From Solo Recordings to a Seven-Piece Band
Kleinman recorded DEMO 1 almost entirely on his own. But live, Begging Dog expands into a dynamic seven-piece band, giving the songs a new sense of scale and energy.
“No matter how good or not good you have it, you’re kind of like looking for something more,” Kleinman says. He stops short of assigning grand meaning to the work, maintaining a sense of humility that permeates the project. DEMO 1 thrives on this balance of candor, grit, and hook-driven songwriting.
Release Details
DEMO 1 was mixed and mastered by Matt Whitehurst. It’s currently streaming on all major platforms and will be released on vinyl via Dais Records on December 12. It is available for pre-order.
Kleinman’s latest single, “Common Place,” reflects on his five years living in Salt Lake City, another snapshot of everyday life reframed through Begging Dog’s honest, unvarnished lens.
DEMO 1 Tracklist: 01 – Begging Dog 02 – Cave In On Me 03 – Money Tree 04 – The Eel 05 – Laughing Boy 06 – Clamshell Tune 07 – Continuing Education 08 – Tell Me That You Love Me 09 – Common Place 10 – Here For A Good Time
Gran Moreno is Ricardo (guitarist and vocals) and Christian (drums). Photo: Tico Mendoza, used with permission.
Gran Moreno Unleashes New Single “Temple of Fire” Ahead of Debut Album El Sol
This week, Austin duo Gran Moreno released their newest single, “Temple of Fire,” now available on all major streaming platforms. The track originally premiered via The Obelisk, offering an early glimpse into the band’s evolving sonic universe. (US/THEM Group, 2025)
A New Force in Psychedelic Rock
Gran Moreno is quickly emerging as one of the most compelling voices in the new wave of psychedelic rock. Their sound, rooted in analog warmth, expansive textures, and hypnotic grooves, creates an immersive experience that blurs the line between distortion and introspection. With heavy rhythms, emotionally charged melodies, and atmospheric layers, their music feels like a sonic mirage: shifting, evocative, and deeply felt.
A Conceptual Debut: El Sol and La Luna
At the heart of Gran Moreno’s artistry is a dedication to storytelling through sound. Their upcoming debut album is a conceptual, two-part experience:
Side A: El Sol — urgency, energy, and clarity
Side B: La Luna — shadow, mystery, and reflection
The first release, El Sol, captures the band at full intensity, offering a vivid and unfiltered introduction to their creative identity.
A Live Experience That Transcends the Stage
Gran Moreno’s live performances elevate their music into a full-body encounter. Blending sonic power with rich visual elements, their shows draw audiences into a shared trance, one that feels both deeply personal and profoundly communal. Their fierce independence and bold creativity continue to shape a musical world entirely their own.
Release Info
El Sol will be available on LP and digital download on January 17, 2026. Pre-orders are available HERE.
Pivotal 90s hardcore/punks Ink & Dagger announces catalog reissue. Photo: Chris P., used with permission.
Ink & Dagger: The Complete Works — The Vampiric Legends of Philadelphia Rise Again
Philadelphia, PA — From 1996 to 1999, Philadelphia’s Ink & Dagger burned like a Roman candle, blurring the lines between punk, hardcore, and psychedelia. They were an enigma wrapped in rumors, vampire lore, and blood-spattered theatrics. Equal parts chaos and prank, their ever-shifting lineup fed on energy and spat it back as something entirely their own. (another side, 2025)
Controversial, influential, and long out of print, the band’s complete legacy has finally risen from the grave. Trust Records has announced a full reissue of Ink & Dagger’s discography across three standalone LPs:
Drive This Seven Inch Wooden Stake Through My Philadelphia Heart
The Fine Art of Original Sin
Ink & Dagger
All audio has been remastered by David Cooley (M83, Tame Impala, Jimmy Eat World). Each album will be available in stores and on digital platforms for the first time ever on October 31.
The Deluxe Box Set: Ink & Dagger — The Complete Works
A deluxe edition box set, Ink & Dagger: The Complete Works, has also been announced. This limited release (only 500 copies) includes:
All three remastered LPs
A fourth LP titled Experiments in Nocturnal Sound and Energy: Singles 96–99
A book/insert titled “The Almighty” by writer Erik Bader
Box design by visual artist Jeremy Dean
Ink & Dagger: The Complete Works ships March 2026.
The Albums
LP 1 — Drive This Seven Inch Wooden Stake Through My Philadelphia Heart
Includes the band’s first two EPs and a bonus track. This marks the first time the collection is available on vinyl, it was originally CD-only in the ’90s. Featuring blistering early cuts like:
“The Changeling”
“Frigid Shortcomings”
“The Road to Hell”
“Full Circle”
LP 2 — The Fine Art of Original Sin
Originally released in 1998, this was Ink & Dagger’s first full-length album, an unholy collision of punk, hardcore, electronica, and rock & roll. Fine Art captured the band at their creative and chaotic peak.
LP 3 — Ink & Dagger
Released posthumously in 2000 by Buddyhead, this album was the band’s final statement, a swirling, psychedelic soundscape that defied category. It offered a haunting glimpse of a future that never came.
LP 4 — Experiments in Nocturnal Sound and Energy: Singles 96–99
Exclusive to the box set, this LP compiles B-sides, singles, and split releases, a sinister showcase of the band’s boundary-pushing sound experiments.
The Legacy
In 1996, Philadelphia hardcore veterans Sean McCabe (Crud Is a Cult, Mandela Strike Force) and Don Devore (Frail, The Icarus Line, The Lilys) set out to create a new kind of band, a century-ending statement that would explode underground music’s boundaries.
Their vision fused punk aggression with occult mystique and a heavy dose of theatrical mischief. They presented rock & roll as a psychic vampire, feeding on energy to achieve immortality.
Tragically, during what was meant to be a short hiatus, frontman Sean McCabe died in 2000 at the age of 27. His death, like much of Ink & Dagger’s story, remains wrapped in mystery, leaving behind a blazing but brief legacy that refused to die.
For decades, their long out-of-print recordings circulated only among collectors and diehards. Stories of blood-soaked performances and chaotic tours became modern myth.
The Resurrection
Now, decades later, Ink & Dagger’s shock and awe return in full force. A caustic keystone of hardcore history, these reissues don’t just preserve the past, they resurrect it, fangs bared, to inspire a new generation of the wild and the fearless.
Ink & Dagger: The Complete Works Available October 31 (LPs) Deluxe Box Set Ships March 2026
SA Examiner 