IST IST – I AM THE FEAR

IST IST – I AM THE FEAR

“I Am The Song Stuck On Repeat… I Am The Fear”, warns frontman Adam Houghton, his baritone oozing with its trademark ominousness.

But rest assured, listeners, there’s nothing to worry about. Piled high with oscillating synth strokes, meteoric basslines, and stacked guitar tones, “I Am The Fear” is a single from the Manchester band that more than bears repeating.

The track arrives with an artistic official video directed and edited by Black Rock Creative and produced by Tom White & Mat Peters. Captured amidst the crumbling surroundings of a Victorian theatre, it features a captivating performance from actor Oliver Marson, alongside on-stage footage of IST IST.

Confident and catchy, ‘I Am The Fear’ arrives as the band’s first new recorded material since 2024’s ‘Light A Bigger Fire’. Produced by Joseph Cross and mastered by Robin Schmitt, it marks yet another bold step forward for a band who demand your attention more with everything they put their name to. 

With the promise of a new album looming, standby for further news on that front very soon…

Over the years, IST IST have forged a formidable reputation on word-of-mouth excitement, amassing a dedicated cult following in the process. Operating with a fierce northern DIY work ethic, the band have an ever-growing back catalogue of successful studio and live releases. Self-releasing their entire repertoire through their own Kind Violence Records label, the band’s output has been championed by BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6Music, Radio X, XS Manchester, KINK FM in the Netherlands, The Times and more.

Their acclaimed fourth record ‘Light A Bigger Fire’ reached 25th in the UK Official Album Charts in 2024, with John Robb praising the record as “glorious yet introspective 21st-century pop music” in a five star review on Louder Than War.

Taking the record out on the road last year, over 8,000 people across thirteen countries turned out in force at iconic venues such as the Paradiso in Amsterdam and New Century Hall in Manchester to support the band in what stands as one of their most successful European tours to date.

Riding this wave into 2025, IST IST returned to Europe for further dates including their SOLD OUT debut Italian shows, and subsequently released two live albums ‘ON FIRE’ and ‘Live In Italy’. The band are book-ending this year with a run of major shows back in the UK – in Leeds, Glasgow, London, and Birmingham across late November and December – as they celebrate their 10th year in business.

And in the last few weeks, IST IST announced their biggest hometown show to date. In 2026, the band will play the salubrious Albert Hall show; a show that presents both an unmissable opportunity to revel in the career high points of their decade long career, while getting a glimpse of their eagerly awaited new album.

Catch IST IST at the following UK shows:

IST IST – 2025/26 TOUR DATES

Friday 28th November – Leeds – Warehouse

Saturday 29th November – Glasgow – Oran Mor

Friday 5th December – London – 229

Saturday 6th December – Birmingham – O2 Academy2

Friday 1st May 2026 – Manchester – Albert Hall

w/ Support from DESPERATE JOURNALIST + THE YOUTH PLAY

Tickets for all shows are on sale here:

Carnage Inc. – ‘Carnage Inc.’ (Independent)

Carnage Inc. – ‘Carnage Inc.’ (Independent)

Indian thrash mongers Carnage Inc. have been around since 2011. They have built up a steady following through gigging intensely. Carnage Inc. have released an EP and a full album in the form of Tenebris, which was unleashed in 2019.

The band’s latest effort is a self-titled EP consisting of five tracks of molten metal. Carnage Inc. sounds like a combination of early Anthrax, Exodus and Testament, and there are tinges of more traditional heavy metal; Judas Priest, Savatage and Queensryche come to mind.

There are some absolute bangers on display here. The band are more than competent musicians, and they can write a metal tune or two. Pounding double kick drums, crunchy riffs and tasty guitar solos are the order of the day. The tracks are well constructed with great production. Epik is my favourite song on the EP. It reminds me of Fistful of Metal era of Anthrax with its raw production and full-on headbanging effect. I’ve played the EP many times since sitting down to review it. It really is fantastic. I’m off to check more of Carnage Inc.’s back catalogue!

If you love your ‘80s metal, be sure to check out Carnage Inc. and you’ll see that thrash is alive and thriving. Horns up!

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

AUSTRALIAS MINI SKIRT RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘BEEN A WHILE’

AUSTRALIAS MINI SKIRT RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘BEEN A WHILE’

NEW ALBUM ‘ALL THAT WE KNOW’ TO BE RELEASED NOVEMBER 14TH VIA BAD VIBRATIONS

PRE-ORDER HERE:

Five long years since their debut album ‘Casino’ snuck into the ears of punk enthusiasts around the world, Mini Skirt’s second full length album, ‘All That We Know’, is now ready to hurl at the world. The Australian pub-punkers continue to deliver their brand of jagged, raw political Aussie grit, delving deeper and leaning harder into their signature blend of Australian punk, ‘All That We Know’ solidifies Mini Skirt’s position at the forefront of a socially inspired noisescape.

Following the release of their ‘Pottsville River’ single last month, Mini Skirt are ready to lob another molten musical grenade at an unsuspecting music world with ‘Been A While’ – a hypnotic, grinding garage disturbance that in just over two minutes, manages to sound like The Fall colliding headlong with Eddy Current Suppression Ring.

“This track was written probably four or so years ago in our first proper writing session for the album, we’d hired a hall out in the hills behind where we live and stayed there for a couple of nights in sleeping bags on the floor,” remembers frontman Jacob Boylan. “I’d just got back from a visit to where I grew up for a funeral and was rattled by the mindset of the mates I’d grown up with that were at the funeral. It’s a bit of a heavy one. I loved the tempo of what the lads put together and fit my headspace like a glove.”

All grit and no glamour, Mini Skirt’s noisy new body of work is underpinned by lyricist and visual artist Jacob Boylan, painting a picture of the modern social climate, every verse and chorus a well-crafted and concise assessment that has the listener replaying each line to be sure they don’t miss a word. This is, as always, laid on top of the dirty, driving guitar/bass tones and skin splitting drums that have helped Mini Skirt to develop their own sound in a heavily saturated and competitive corner of rock’n’roll. Paying homage to Australian pioneers such as X and Radio Birdman, Mini Skirt’s sound remains raw and honest. 

Hailing from Byron Bay in the Far North Coast of New South Wales, the four boys in Mini Skirt produce a timeless sound that’s rough as guts and truly ensconced in the essence of pub rock that captures the climate of current-day Australia. Things aren’t always picturesque and idyllic; the vocals are urgent and frustrated while the music has a rawness and melody, sonically painting a picture of the hope through the struggle.

‘All That We Know’ lands mixed and mastered by Mikey Young (Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Total Control) and is due to be self-released in Australia and via London-based label and gig promoters Bad Vibrations in the rest of the world.

Pre-order ‘All That We Know’ HERE:

Station Nord – ‘Mind Control Radio’ (Tarbeach Records)

Station Nord – ‘Mind Control Radio’ (Tarbeach Records)

A fine production can help peak ones interest in a new album you know nothing about nor the personel involved the fact its on a label who have pedigree for previous releases like Heavy Drapes and New York Junk is enough fo rthis album to hit my player and sit back and let the sounds wash over me.

I’m instantly hit by the mixing pot o finstrumentation going on throughout the opening few songs, reminding me of Strummer and his X Ray Smilie period. Throwing everything at the mix from Melodicas, percussive hits n clicks it’s a liad back bass heavy dub zone on ‘Casino Ghost’ which follows ‘The Whip’ and ‘Blackhill Transmitter’ through the door of interesting post punk rumblings. There are flavours of Joy Division style, but not the cold concrete exterior, more in the vocal department from John McNeill. But the ghost of Strummer looks large over proceedings, which is never a bad thing.

Tune In and drop out for the ‘Prophets Of Dub’ which ghosts in on a meandering thick bit of Bass and atmospherics. I wouldn’t have minded some lyrics to help this one along though.

I’m a sucker for some heavy dub (who isn’t?). Side two starts with the excellent ‘Eye For An Eye’ which weaves a mellow vibe of dubtastic grooves. Continuing the Dub theme its like the late 70s UK and house parties with huge walls of speakers and dancing floorboards as ‘Can’t Blame The River’ washes over you with its horns n keys for good measure.

Sure, it’s not for everyone, and you have to be in the right frame of mind for a lot of this album, but when it does hit the bullseye, it’s great stuff. ‘Brittle’ has added vocals from Mella Barnes.

The album sails away on the sultry saxophone of ‘Million Miles’, adding another dreamy texture with some fine alternative pop I’m again hearing hints of Bernard Sumners songwriting style to compliment the already Strummer heavy influences throughout the album which is a breath of fresh air and proving it doesn’t always have to be loud noisy and chaotic it can also be the complet opposite.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

DEAD PIONEERS ANNOUNCE UK AND EU DATES

DEAD PIONEERS ANNOUNCE UK AND EU DATES

DEAD PIONEERS ANNOUNCE UK AND EU DATES FOR FEBRUARY/MARCH 2026

TICKETS GO ON SALE 9AM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE:

Following their first UK and EU gigs back in May this year, Dead Pioneers, the indigenous punk rock band from Denver, Colorado are set to return in February and March 2026 for their first headline tour.

Supporting their critically acclaimed second album ‘PO$T AMERICAN’, released earlier this year through Hassle Records, the bands unique blend of spoken word, hypnotic post-rock and punk roots has quickly caught the imagination of music fans searching for something new, something real and a band with something to say.

“We’re excited to be heading back to the UK and EU,” says frontman Gregg Deal. “Our time there last spring was eye-opening and an overwhelmingly fantastic experience. As we continue to grow, we’re deeply moved by those of you who grow with us—giving us the chance to share our music, our message, and space together. In these tumultuous and uncertain times, we’re especially grateful to connect with like-minded folks in the joy of music. It’s all love, friends, and we’re moved by it. See you in the spring!”

Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 19th at 9am. Go HERE for tickets.

Support for all UK shows comes from Yakkie, featuring Janey Starling formerly of Dream Nails.

Dead Pioneers emerged as a dynamic extension of vocalist Gregg Deal’s performance art, seamlessly blending music with critical cultural commentary. Rooted in the same themes of identity and resistance that define his visual work, the band’s sound acts as a powerful platform for addressing the complexities of Indigenous experience. Deal harnesses the raw energy of punk and alternative influences to challenge prevailing narratives, using lyrics that provoke thought and evoke emotion. Just as his performance art confronts the legacies of colonization and systemic marginalization, Dead Pioneers – completed by Josh Rivera and Abe Brennan on guitars, bassist Lee Tesche (Algiers) and drummer Shane Zweygardt – engages audiences in a visceral dialogue about survival, resilience, and reclamation of voice. This musical endeavour not only amplifies his artistic vision but also creates a space for collective expression and solidarity, inviting listeners to reflect on the intersections of culture, history, and identity in a contemporary context. Through Dead Pioneers, Deal continues to assert that art, in all its forms, can be a powerful vehicle for activism and change. 

The band are currently playing shows in the US and working on new material and will start recording their third album later this year.

See Dead Pioneers at the following dates in the UK and EU in 2026:

February

26th UK Bristol, The Croft

27th UK Manchester, Rebellion

28th UK Leeds, Key Club

March

1st UK London, The Underworld

3rd NL Arnhem, Willemeen

5th DE Wiesbaden, Schlachthof

6th DE Stuttgart, Juha West

7th DE Cologne, Helios37

9th CH Zurich, Bogen F

11th AT Vienna, Arena

12th DE Munich, Backstage

13th DE Berlin, Cassiopeia

14th DE Hamburg, Hafenklang

Find Dead Pioneers online HERE:

Golem Dance Cult – Shamanic Faultlines’ (Self Release)

Golem Dance Cult – Shamanic Faultlines’ (Self Release)

Two years after the release of their debut album ‘Legend Of The Bleeding Heart’, Golem Dance Cult are back with 13 new songs colliding a rich Gothic undertone with heavy guitar riffs a groovy bass and dark glam vocals.

This time the Franco-Australian got some guitar help from Dick Dens (The Irradiates) on ‘Caveat Emptor’ and ‘God Is Holding His Breath’, Haydn Walker on ‘Ned Kelly’s Arms’ and Michael Gonthier (‘Soul Searcher’.) Organic drums were also added by Peter Micallef (‘Ned Kelly’s Arms’.) Australian singer Inga Liljestrom brings some shiny vocals and presence in songs like ‘Pretty At Dawn’ or ‘Shamanic Faultlines’ while old comrade of the duo Alex Zillon Jean adds some darker vocal vibes in ‘Escher Drawings’. Sure, there are obvious influences like Peter Murphy on the vocal style and maybe more of Daniel Ash on the production and delivery and use of some of the guitars. Let’s also throw some Newlydeads into the melting pot as well, but it’s not all dark, smoky goth at all ‘Beach Stroll’ has a Stooges vibe in its DNA, no question.

Instruments like cello (by Jean-Philippe Feiss), theremin (by Peter Miller), synth (by Locki Lockwood) or organ and Moog (by Boris Boubil) can also be heard on this new albu,m locking in some complex weaving soundscapes that are both charming and interesting as different things jump out of the speakers on each listen.

‘Pretty At Dawn’ works particularly well with the shuffle beat and strings, its haunting and alluring. Whilst the Banshees would love to have a go on ‘Personal Black Hole’, saying that, the middle portion of the album soars with ‘Ned Kelly’s Arms’ being a highlight. ‘When In Rome’ is like latter-day Japan.

If you want something left of centre and a bit dark with goth at its core, then Golem Dance Cult are your band, and this excellent album will spin you round and take you to the dark recesses of your mind and be the soundtrack. Get it!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

New Saints – ‘V 1.0’ (Lux Noise)

New Saints – ‘V 1.0’ (Lux Noise)

Long time readers will be fmiliar with Bitch Queens and  Harry Darling & Melchior Quitt well the Queens are no more but Harry and Mel moved on and didn’t stand still and New Saints were born. Having seen the pair perform at the Hip Priests finale its great to finally get my ears around their synth drenched adjit punk pop hybrid thats thumping away at my skull.

Kicking off with the nasty bruising ‘Top Tier Lizard’ its more an amped up Depeche Mode with a bad attitude , no make that a stinkin attitude. Hot on the heels is the polished brain worm of ‘Probem Child’ with its twitching samples and pulvarising heavy riffs its a mash up of styles that shouldn’t work but it dovetails perfectly. Now if only Manson heard these two he’d have them writing for him all day long.

In a dark sweaty electronic club or in a smelly bar that sells Maidens brew this would work perfectly as long as its dark dank and the dry ice is plentyful New Saints are pulversing as ‘Shitsphere’ takes centre stage waving the middle finger in your face, excellent.

The MO is simple, polished production that hits the sweet spot time after time with well constructed songs that mix and mash electronic with hard rock riffage but the songs weave very nicely. ‘Born Annihilated’ begins with some well executed rapping before th ebeats are joined by that riff and Boom!

Put the Ket and MDMA down its not needed here this album will fuck your brain up if you play it loud and hard enough. The format is simple rince and repeat pen a great riff, accesorise it with tweaks and blips then turn the fucker up – ‘Billionaire Schmillionaire’ is a perfect example and oh I forgot great lyrics.

Its not all crash bang wallop mind, oh no sir. ‘City Of Thieves’ is like 80s Scorpions balladeering but a bit darker even if does a handbreak turn when the guitars go to be replaced by synths. Before the head fuck of the last minute. Huge.

‘Fck The Algorithm’ is punk as fuck but in a futuristic world – when worlds collide into a chaotic meltdown but one that is very appealing and highly addictive. Twelve tracks brought to a crashing halt as ‘Pitch Black’ is a war of the worlds spoken words address before one last hurah! and we slam dance into the distance with our glow sticks on fire hailing these New Saints as the future, All hail New Saints, and long live New Saints you mad pair of noisy bastards. Buy it!

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

James And The Cold Gun – London Headliner

James And The Cold Gun – London Headliner

ANNOUNCE LONDON HEADLINE SHOW

THE LOWER THIRD, LONDON

THURSDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2025

Welsh alternative rock outfit James and the Cold Gun are pleased to announce a headline show at The Lower Third, Denmark Street, London on Thursday 25th September 2025.

The band just played Reading (Saturday 23rd August) and Leeds (Sunday 24th August) festivals. New single “Above The Lake” was just included in the Radio 1 Rock Show Reading/Leeds preview show.

The “Above The Lake” single is taken from the bands “Face In the Mirror” album – on Stone Gossard’s Loosegroove/Prospect Park Records. The brooding song showcases the James And The Cold Gun sound – taught rhythms overlaid with the infectious vocals James Biss. Self-produced by the band and recorded at Studio Litho in Seattle, the track has echoes of Queens Of the Stone Age, a slight departure from the band’s usual punk and roll sound and leans more into some of their alt rock influences.


Connect with James and the Cold Gun: 

Apple Music | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Website | X | YouTube

Saxon take the Tygers out

Saxon take the Tygers out

ANNOUNCE THE SPECIAL ADDITION OF TYGERS OF PAN TANG TO THEIR CELEBRATORY ‘HELL, FIRE AND STEEL’ NEWCASTLE O2 CITY HALL SHOW ON NOV 11

The Mighty SAXON are pleased to announce the special addition of Tygers of Pan Tang to their celebratory Hell, Fire and Steel Newcastle O2 City Hall show on November 11th. 

Singer Biff Byford says: “When we first ventured out to perform Wheels of Steel for the first time 45 years ago, we were accompanied by our mates Tygers of Pan Tang, so it seemed fitting to invite them back to play a special set at our Newcastle O2 City Hall show (their home town) on November 11th on what will be our final ever performance of our classic album Wheels of Steel from start to finish in Newcastle” The whole evening promises to be pretty special with Tygers of Pan Tang performing a special celebratory set, followed by Dirkschneider performing the classic album Balls to the Wall in full, before SAXON round things off by playing the Wheels of Steel album as well as other fan favourites, hits and songs from the new album Hell, Fire and Damnation. 

The band’s Hell, Fire and Steel UK Tour is currently close to being SOLD OUT, so fans are advised to grab the last few tickets quickly to avoid disappointment, as this will be the last opportunity to see SAXON this year in UK and Ireland performing their classic Wheels of Steel album in full from start to finish. 

NOV 4 – Ulster Hall, Belfast (UK) [LOW TICKET WARNING]
NOV 5 – 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin (Ireland ) [LOW TICKET WARNING]
NOV 7 – O2 Apollo, Manchester (UK)
NOV 8 – Octagon Centre, Sheffield (UK) [SOLD OUT]
NOV 9 – O2 Glasgow Academy (UK) 
NOV 11 – O2 City Hall, Newcastle (UK)
NOV 13 – Beacon, Bristol (UK) [LOW TICKET WARNING]
NOV 14 – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton (UK)
NOV 15 – Hammersmith Apollo, London (UK)
NOV 16 – Great Hall, Cardiff (UK) 
For more information and last tickets for all shows go to 
www.saxon747.com/tourdates

Follow SAXON on: 
www.facebook.com/SaxonOfficial/
www.instagram.com/saxon.official
www.twitter.com/SaxonOfficial
www.youtube.com/PlanetSaxon
www.saxon747.com 

The Wildhearts – December Tour and new video

The Wildhearts – December Tour and new video

https://thewildhearts.tmstor.es

The Wildhearts, fronted by the endlessly inventive Ginger Wildheart, are hitting the road for a brand new headline tour. 

Renowned as one of UK’s most fearless and prolific songwriters, Ginger and his band will bring their explosive live energy to venues across the country this December.

“I can’t wait to get this band onstage in front of people. I want to bring this line-up’s energy and spirit for audiences to take home with them.I’m so very excited to share this with everyone.

“We’re also playing some songs that we don’t get to play too often, so that always makes things even more fun.

“I’m honestly buzzing about getting back onstage again. I can’t fucking wait for this!”” 

– Ginger Wildheart 

To celebrate the announcement, the band has released a video for “Kunce”, a track from their current, acclaimed studio album, Satanic Rites of The Wildhearts.

Produced by Jim Pinder (Bring Me The Horizon, While She Sleeps, Bullet For My Valentine) and mixed by Pinder and Carl Bown (Trivium, Machine Head), Satanic Rites Of The Wildhearts is a ferocious reminder of why The Wildhearts remain such a vital force in rock.

🎧 order the album here: https://thewildhearts.lnk.to/SROTW

For over three decades, The Wildhearts have been at the beating heart of the rock scene. Their incendiary live shows, packed with passion and chaos, have secured their reputation as one of the greatest bands of their generation. This tour promises to underline this fact – miss it at your peril.

The Wildhearts UK Tour December 2025

4th  Chester The Live Rooms

5th Preston Blitz

6th Pontypridd Muni Arts Centre

7th Torquay  Arena

9th Southend Chinnerys

10th Brighton  Concord2

11th London O2 Academy Islington

13th Bradford Nightrain

14th Nottingham Rescue Rooms

15th Newcastle NX

🎟 Tickets on sale here : https://www.thewildhearts.com/tour/