#WENEE, our time has come! Wonho’s debut album, Love Synonym #1: Right for Me, is finally here and hits us with a one-two sucker punch, beginning with “Open Mind.” Released in both Korean and English, it’s an unabashed, funky, and seductive banger that knows exactly what it wants and isn’t afraid to go and get it. Wonho takes us from “zero to 100” without a second to waste. Let go of all your inhibitions and tell him your desires because, as the song suggests, he’ll “bring ‘em all to life / for just one night” Whew! Well then, Wonho: Let me have a glass of water and compose myself. This is a strong opening track from a powerhouse Korean soloist, and if this is any indication, it’s just the beginning of what is sure to be a prolific, successful career. Expect the unexpected from Wonho and “...
In a brand new interview with MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn‘s “No Fuckin’ Regrets With Robb Flynn” podcast, TESTAMENT singer Chuck Billy reflected on his band’s first-ever U.S. arena tour, which took place in 1990, with JUDAS PRIEST as the headliner and MEGADETH as additional support. Billy said (see video below): “For the PRIEST tour, we decided we were gonna spend some time on production. We bought a big, fancy Voelker Rack drum set. We bought two new scrims, full-on backline — the whole deal. Nice-looking show. And we get to the first show, and [MEGADETH mainman] Dave Mustaine sees us have it up, and he says we can’t use it. [So] we had a little problem the first week of the tour.” He continued: “I was pissed, because we just spen...
BEHEMOTH frontman Adam “Nergal” Darski and Lucien Greaves from The Satanic Temple and Netflix‘s “Hail Satan” recently sat down and talked about what it is to be a Satanist in 2020. The discussion, which was moderated by ex-Metal Hammer editor and Twin V Ltd. founder Alexander Milas of World Metal Congress, can be seen below. In a 2018 interview with Kerrang! magazine, Nergal, who grew up in Catholic Poland, looked back on how his relationship with religion turned. “There are three sacraments growing up in the Catholic church,” he said. “The first is baptism, just after you’re born. They put some holy water over your head and, all of a sudden, you’re part of a church. The second is communion, age eight or nine. Coming up to the third [co...
RATING: 8/10 As sensible people will be well aware, there are few things more gloriously crushing and brutal than the sound of GODFLESH‘s “Streetcleaner” album cranked to the maximum. The industrial scene’s close relationship with extreme metal has endured several decades at this point, but in the 30 years since that landmark album, very few bands have come close to equaling that sublime collision between man and machine. This year, however, there are at least two superb examples of flagrant and admirable GODFLESH worship on offer. Check out the new REALIZE album, if you haven’t yet had the pleasure, but first head straight to this utterly vicious and untamed 26-minute robo-grind riot. BLACK MAGNET at least appear to be a one-man wrecking crew from Oklahoma Ci...
AUTOPSY‘s first official live album, “Live In Chicago”, will be released on October 30 via Peaceville Records. It will be made available on double gatefold black vinyl and CD format. “Live In Chicago” was recorded at Reggie’s Rock Club on March 7, 2020, and contains 66 minutes of classics spanning the whole 30-plus-year career of the death metal legends. The release also notably includes the brand new track “Maggots In The Mirror”, giving fans something to chew on while the impending next studio release takes shape. Due to recent and somewhat unforeseen global events, this stands as AUTOPSY‘s only gig of 2020, out of what was intended to be a string of several appearances. Luckily, the show was professionally recorded, unknowing of what...
Hotel Garuda’s Aseem Mangaokar continues to shift styles and impress as a solo artist with his debut EP The Tension. Previously a duo, Hotel Garuda produced light, poppy house remixes and dance ballads until Manila Killa amicably split from the project a little over two years ago. Mangaokar continued the project solo and slowly began evolving its sound, producing the upbeat yet brooding single “One Reason” not long after the split before following with “Head in the Trees” in 2019, a soulful, guitar-riff-laden original. After teasing “Mutual” and “Rush” in early 2020, he finally dropped the full EP on September 1st—and it was worth the wait. With Hotel Garuda’s take on house music becoming increasingly emotive and rock-inspired ...
After a Discogs user asked forum contributors to submit information about Black-owned record shops, the popular music platform is now calling on its supporters to help flesh out a snowballing list of stores and establish a “worldwide directory.” The user, Ben Kessler from Washington DC, wants to galvanize those who buy records amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to do so in support of Black record store owners. “After the murder of George Floyd, it became common to share lists of Black-owned businesses serving particular cities or interests,” Kessler told Discogs. “People were already doing their best to stay loyal to their favorite small business — record store or otherwise. And as mainstream America turned its attention to the ind...
WHIPPED CREAM is fresh off her highly praised debut EP WHO IS WHIPPED CREAM? and has no plans to slow down the momentum. She’s now dropped a VIP house edit of the fan-favorite “So Thick” featuring Baby Goth. After originally appearing in the popular 2019 DC Comics superhero film Birds of Prey, the track has received a darker flip to bring it straight to nightclubs we all wish we could be attending. While the original is a quirky hip-hop crossover, WHIPPED CREAM steadies out the beat on the VIP flip, adding in haunting sirens that bring an underground energy to the production. Baby Goth’s vocals pair perfectly with the dark house pattern. She keeps their playful spirit, but adds in elements that make it feel even more sultry then before. Th...
Electronic young gun Snyder has teamed up with 24hrs for a new collaborative single called “Fire,” released independently today. “Fire” is a future pop bop with warm, lush chords courtesy of Snyder and a radio-friendly hip-hop edge, thanks to the impressive 24hrs. The Atlanta rapper and singer-songwriter has joined forces with a litany of influential artists in contemporary music, including Ty Dolla $ign, Nicki Minaj, Wiz Khalifa, Future, Lil Pump, Blackbear, Vic Mensa, PnB Rock, and YG, among others. He is perhaps best known in EDM circles as the velvety voice behind RL Grime‘s melodic trap smash “UCLA.” Pouring gasoline on “Fire,” Snyder also announced his debut album, In The Dark, is slate...
Lil Durk has shared a surprise new single called “The Voice”, as well as a corresponding music video. The track finds the Chicago MC ruminating on the rough times he’s going through. “Money ran low right, felons can’t vote, right?/ I can’t even vote for who I believe in, shit ain’t goin’ right,” Lil Durk spits over a wistful yet clacking beat from TurnmeupJosh. “I just dropped a tear inside the funeral, ain’t more right?” Even if it’s hard to connect with some of the finer details, the overall feeling is still something to which we can all likely relate. “The Voice” is accompanied by a simple visual that depicts Lil Durk rapping in front of a fleet of white cars and on a private jet. Take a look below. Editors’ Picks Lil Durk’s latest solo offering comes amidst a summer season filled...