This Week in Music News 04.10.26
Israeli band "No-Mad" has released its self-titled debut album. Featuring eight tracks with a running time of around 40 minutes, it was recorded at the band's studio, produced by guitarist Ofer Tamir, mixed by Assaf Kassimov and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.
The band was formed in 2020 by Tamir. Its current lineup features vocalist Ofir Arnon, guitarists Dor Shaki and Tamir, bassist Omer Yalin and drummer Noam Mantin. Koren Taubuch played bass on the album, before Taboh joined. The band cites "Dream Theater", "In Flames", "Tremonti" and "Tool" among its influences. According to its members, the lyrics explore false love, confronting inner demons, paranoia, optimism and self-discovery.
Definitely worth a listen. We particularly enjoyed "Scatterbrain", which combines growled vocals, rap influences and progressive passages.
For Listening: Spotify
"SUBMASQ", formerly known as "Subterranean Masquerade", released its seventh album, "Spirit Animal", on September 18 through Willowtip Records, with worldwide distribution by Universal Music Group.
The album features nine tracks and is described by the band as a personal work addressing trauma, addiction, bipolar disorder, war, memory and the search for identity and belonging.
Produced by guitarist Tomer Pink, the album was recorded in Israel and at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden. Adam Noble, whose credits include Paul McCartney and Liam Gallagher, handled the mix, while Robin Schmidt took care of mastering.
Guests include guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, who plays a solo on the opening track, "Cardamom", as well as musicians from "Orphaned Land". In January 2027, "SUBMASQ" is scheduled to join "Rhapsody of Fire" on a European tour.
The album is more accessible and less complex than the band's earlier material, yet incorporates instruments such as oud, bouzouki, tabla, violin and cello into its arrangements. To our ears, the tension between its weighty personal themes and more direct structures is one of the things that gives this album its distinctive character. Highly recommended!
For Listening: Spotify
Slash, Myles Kennedy and "The Conspirators" have released their new single and video, "Flying Blind". It is the first single and title track from their fifth album, due on February 26, 2027, following 2022's "4". The 12-track album was recorded largely live in the studio in Florida with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette.
Tony Iommi has released "Stormwatcher", the second single from his new solo album, "From the Dark", due on October 23. The track features vocalist Jorn Lande, whose lyrics were inspired by life's journey and the storms people have to navigate. Bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Karl Brazil also play on the album. It will feature eight songs and two bonus tracks, with "World Alone" having served as its first single. "Stormwatcher" is accompanied by an animated video directed by Daniel Gray and produced by Cub Animation.
"A Perfect Circle" have released their new single, "To Whom It May Concern". It is the band's second single of 2026, following "Starless". Written and recorded this year at guitarist Billy Howerdel's studio in California, the track was produced by Howerdel, with Josh Freese on drums and Maynard James Keenan on vocals. No new album featuring the song has been announced so far, but the band has said that more music is on the way. "A Perfect Circle" have also announced a North American tour for 2027.
Steven Wilson has released "On Chapel Slope", the second single from his ninth solo album, "Requiem For A Village", due on November 6. It follows the title track and succeeds his 2025 album, "The Overview". Directed by Mike Bennion, the video takes place at a wedding in an English village and gradually turns into a folk-horror tale, as figures rise from the churchyard and mingle with the wedding guests. Wilson and his partner Rotem play the central characters. The song is the sixth track on the new album, which is built around a fictional village and an atmosphere inspired by British folklore and horror stories.
"Placebo" have released "Helen Keller", a new single arriving as they begin their 30th anniversary tour. No new album featuring the track has been announced so far.
The song is built around the piano melody of "H.K. Farewell", a hidden instrumental from the band's self-titled 1996 debut album, "Placebo". Brian Molko said the new song was inspired by that melody and named after author and activist Helen Keller. Recorded in London, it was produced by the band and Adam Noble, who also mixed it.
"Alien Ant Farm" have released their new single, "Gaslighter". The song will appear on the band's next album, expected in 2027. Its title and release date have yet to be announced, and "Gaslighter" is its second single. Vocalist Dryden Mitchell said the track takes aim at liars and manipulators in relationships, drawing on influences from "Audioslave" and "Rage Against the Machine". He added that the song gradually moves toward a hopeful ending. "Gaslighter" will also feature in the music game "Stage Tour", expected in December.
Lauren Sanderson teams up with Kellin Quinn, vocalist of "Sleeping With Sirens", on her new single, "NEXT TO YOU".
"Wage War" have released "God Complex", a new track from their sixth album, "Landfall", out today through "Fearless Records". It is the fifth track on the album, which follows 2024's "Stigma" and this year's EP, "It Calls Me By Name". An official visualizer accompanies the song.
"Trivium" have released "Crown In The Grave", the title track from their 11th album, due on November 20 through "Roadrunner Records". It is the album's second single, following "Dead Inside Of Me". The album follows the 2025 EP "Struck Dead" and is the band's first with drummer Alex Rüdinger.
The official video draws inspiration from Japanese Noh theatre and Japanese horror films of the 1950s through the 1970s. Bassist Paolo Gregoletto said this cinematic world helped shape the dark, supernatural atmosphere of the entire album. The song itself was inspired by Akira Kurosawa's film "Throne of Blood".
"Miss May I" have released an official video for "Bury Me Down", the eighth track on their new album, "No Place For Me", released on October 2 through "Solid State Records". It is the band's eighth album and their first since 2022's "Curse Of Existence". Directed by Garrett Drake, the video presents a horror story that matches the song's heavy atmosphere. "Bury Me Down" joins previously released tracks from the album, including "Sanctuary", "Pray For Silence" and "Highbrow Thieves".
"Alter Bridge" have released an official video for "Tested and Able", the sixth track on their eighth album, "Alter Bridge", released on January 9, 2026. Mark Tremonti takes the lead on the verses before Myles Kennedy enters for the chorus, giving the song a more melodic direction. The interplay between their voices connects heavy riffs with expansive melodies and highlights the distinctive dynamic between the two singers.
"The Rolling Stones" have released a video for "Mr Charm", from their 25th album, "Foreign Tongues", released this summer through "Polydor Records" and "Universal Music". Directed by Henry Scholfield and filmed in Palmdale, California, the video stars actor Alexander Skarsgård. The digital single also includes "Bad Luck Hideaway", another song previously unavailable on streaming services. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards share vocals on the track, while Charlie Watts is heard on drums from recordings made at British Grove Studios.
"Royal Blood" have released "Dead Company", the title track from their fifth album, due on November 13 through "Warner Records". The album's opening track follows the singles "Ten Over Ten" and "Swallow the Bomb". This is their first album since 2023's "Back to the Water Below". Mike Kerr, the duo's vocalist and bassist, said the song explores music's power to change our mood and the way we perceive the world. An official lyric video has also been released.
"Enter Shikari" have surprised fans with their new single, "Higher Ground". Written during the sessions for "Lose Your Self", it was left off the album because the band felt it stood on its own.
Vocalist Rou Reynolds explained that the song is about stepping back from difficulties, seeing the bigger picture and finding perspective and clarity. The band finished working on it over the spring and summer, and it arrives ahead of their UK tour in November. The single follows the band's announcement that they will cease activity after 2027.
"Wage War" have released their sixth album, "Landfall", through "Fearless Records". Its 13 tracks follow the EP "It Calls Me By Name" and their 2024 album "Stigma". This is the first album the band have produced themselves, led by vocalist and guitarist Cody Quistad. It moves between the heavy, chaotic metalcore of "Silk" and "Way Of Pain", the industrial sound of "God Complex" and more melodic, pop-oriented songs such as "Stay With Me" and "Figure 8".
For Listening: Spotify
"Dead Poet Society" return with their third album, "Monarch", released through "Spinefarm Records".
The 12-track album was produced by Paul Meany, who also served as a professional sounding board during the creative process. Recording took place at Valley View Studios and The Park in Los Angeles, with Adam Hawkins handling the mix.
For Listening: Spotify
"Miss May I" released their eighth album, "No Place For Me", on October 2 through "Solid State Records". Featuring ten tracks, it follows 2022's "Curse Of Existence".
Vocalist Levi Benton described writing the album as a process of putting long-held feelings into words and learning about himself, even when that self-examination was difficult. According to Kerrang!, the album explores anxiety, self-doubt and emotional exhaustion, among other themes.
For Listening: Spotify
"Amon Amarth" released their 13th album, "The Allfather Awakens", on October 2 through "Metal Blade Records". Featuring ten tracks, it is not a concept album. According to the band, it is a collection of historical stories about conflict and sacrifice for a greater cause. Odin is a central figure in several songs.
The album was written and recorded in two rounds, in spring 2025 and spring 2026, at producer Jacob Hansen's studio in Denmark. Guitarist Olavi Mikkonen said the band wrote and recorded one song at a time, completing the drums, guitars and vocals before moving on to the next. "Upphaf" is the band's first acoustic song.
For Listening: Spotify
"Turnstile" paused their show in Oklahoma City after frontman Brendan Yates left the stage following a confrontation between security staff and a fan. The incident occurred during "Keep It Moving", around three-quarters of the way through the set. Yates said there was no need to hit anyone coming over the barrier and announced that the band would not continue while the security guard involved remained there. The guard was removed from the venue, and "Turnstile" returned to the stage to play eight more songs and an encore.
"Metallica" have launched their "Life Burns Faster" residency at Sphere in Las Vegas, with 24 shows scheduled from October through March. Each weekend, the band play on Thursday and Friday, with different setlists and no repeated songs across the two shows. Alongside the concerts, they are planning a pop-up shop and fan gathering, special Friday openings of the "Black Box" museum and a blood donation station in partnership with the American Red Cross. Donors will receive a limited-edition shirt and be entered into a draw to win Lars Ulrich's drum kit.
A trailer has been unveiled for the "Scorpions" biopic. Directed by Alex Ranarivelo, the film is expected to open in Germany in January 2027, and the trailer is entirely in German. The film intertwines the band's story with the historical events surrounding the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, an era closely associated with their hit "Wind of Change".
"Slayer" are marking the 40th anniversary of their third album, "Reign In Blood", with a limited-edition zoetrope vinyl release, due on November 20. The record contains red liquid and is priced at $79.99 on "The Sound of Vinyl" website.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, "Slayer" are performing the album in full at selected shows, including two concerts scheduled for November at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.
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