XASTHUR reveal the next advance single, ‘Nothing in the Dark’, taken from their forthcoming new album Open to Misinterpretation. This self-recorded exploration of Dark American Folk is scheduled for release on October 2, 2026.
Xasthur comment: “The song ‘Nothing In The Dark’ deals with the emptiness that people meet whenever they go looking for answers in darkness and suffering”, mastermind Scott Conner explains. “In the lyrics, I am asking what is really waiting in the darkness and whether misery can ever truly become the company that people imagine it to be.”
XASTHUR premiere the track ‘Put You Out of Your Misery’ as the first advance single taken from the forthcoming new album Open to Misinterpretation. This self-made recording of Dark American Folk is chalked up for release through Prophecy Productions on October 2, 2026.
Xasthur comment: “Wherever you go, there you are – and you have to live with yourself”, mastermind Scott Conner writes about ‘Put You Out of Your Misery’. “This song revolves around reaching that inner crossroads where something has to give, and you either confront the issues that make you miserable or you are allowing them to destroy you.”
AA
The eminent French philosopher and Literature Nobel Prize laureate Albert Camus posed and taught that the key in dealing with the absurdity of life and the universe is acceptance. Xasthur founder Scott Conner, an astute chronicler of the dark side of the American dream, has come to terms with that idea in his own way.
Conner has learned the hard way that his work can confuse people and be misread. He has come to accept that. This notion is clearly expressed in the title of his new work Open to Misinterpretation. This insight has also firmed his resolve to neither change his artistic direction nor to attempt making his music easier for people to access. Conner is just not interested in chasing what has worked for other people or fitting neatly into a genre.
This does not mean that Xasthur are standing still. Open to Misinterpretation represents a deeper and more developed version of what Conner already does. He keeps honing his expression and to find new sounds and moods for his ideas. As a result, his songwriting has become equally more detailed as well as harder to predict at the same time. The bass is used more prominently and also more technical on this album. A greater variety of guitar tunings opens up new possibilities, while the drum programming has become a serious part of how the songs are built.
The production has audibly been cleared up, even though Conner still aims for the recording process to feel live, organic, and real. Open to Misinterpretation probably feels more complete because these songs have already been performed live on stage due to Xasthur’s prior touring activities on both sides of the Atlantic. This means that the reactions of the audience have become a part of the tracks.
BEES MADE HONEY IN THE VEIN TREE drop the first advance single, ‘Departure’, from their fourth album In Between Strides. The forthcoming new full-length by the German shoegaze rockers has been slated for release on September 18, 2026.
Bees Made Honey comment: “’Departure’ was the first song that we wrote for In Between Strides”, frontman Simon Weinrich reveals. “It was by far the hardest song to write for this record. It exemplifies our struggle of finding out where to go next after Aion. It was clear from the start that we wanted to go into a more melodic direction and more straightforward songs compared to our previous album. The second part of the song started as a separate composition, but we added it later since it is a nice conclusion of the first part. Our first demo of the second part was recorded at a studio near Passau. This is where the inclusion of a Fender Rhodes piano played through our regular guitar-setup stems from. It began as an experiment and was later re-recorded at Milberg Studios. Lyrically, ‘Departure’ portrays the first step and point of departure for our journey beyond our old ways of working. We recorded each song without knowing what the next one was going to sound like.”
Many of Earthside’s most powerful songs come from an overwhelming feeling brought to life in music—with only the words of a thought-provoking title setting the scene.
Such is the case once more with the instrumental calamity called “A Dying Star.” The first taste of music in Earthside’s new era, the track is a bludgeoning journey through the inner cosmos—in all its destruction, disorder, and uncertain promises.
The band state, “’A Dying Star’ is yours. With chaotic intensity cranked to the max, ‘A Dying Star’ bludgeons the senses with the fury of a meteor shower and the heart-wrench of a broken dream.”
Watch the official visualiser video here:
AA
Earthside, a group that burned brightly—and burned themselves out under the weight of their ambitions, convictions, and disillusionment—forged ‘A Dying Star’ in a phase of strife and inner-turmoil within the group. For the first time, geographically, separate and growing apart, the members were tasked with creating an explosive high-energy live song—with only a drummer and piano player available at the initial writing.
The result being an unconventional and chaotic song; different from anything released thus far by the band, but unmistakably Earthside in every identifying sense.
As time passes, the identities, the dreams, the senses of self that defined us from our earliest memories lose their spark and grow dim. Some burn out brightly—others leave a devouring hole in their wake. For some, there is hope that the bright debris of the previous star can nurture creation once again in its aftermath—but for others, the void is all that remains. Such is the chaotic uncertainty and driving angst of ‘A Dying Star’.
A song of many firsts for the band, its process sent the group out of their typical surroundings and up to beautiful Val-David, in Québec, Canada to write and self-record ‘A Dying Star’ on-location at Luckchild Studio. Earthside used the stunning natural vista of the Canadian countryside as a mood-setter for their new output alongside a wealth of vintage pedals and percussion at Luckchild to add new stylistic flavors to the mix.
A Dying Star marks a return to the core of Earthside’s sound—the unmistakable soul of the music its four members create together as an instrumentally-driven unit—Showcasing the group’s spellbinding sense of sonic storytelling with soothing nocturnal atmospheres and crushing, climactic extremes.
Spearheaded by keyboardist Frank Sacramone and his furious piano runs, which collide with Ben Shanbrom’s force-of-nature drumming—the outcome is fresh and unexpected.
Earthside recently announced their debut foray into headlining some key European shows in May/June 2026 to round off the chapter for “Let The Truth Speak”.
Earthside’s blend of cinematic post-rock tendencies with worldly collaborators bring a type of live energy that is unique and compelling amidst their peers. Earthside weaves between an instrumental band and one who is enhanced by visual elements and collaborators, presenting a unique show for all to see.
The band will be supported by cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne across all dates plus local supports.
Earthside live shows:
Friday 22nd May – 229 The Venue – London, UK
Saturday 23rd May – Glazart – Paris, France
Sunday 24th May – Boerderij- Zoetermeer, Netherlands
Wednesday 27th May – MTC – Cologne, Germany
Friday 29th May – Betty – Hamburg, Germany
Saturday 30th May – Stengade – Copenhagen, Denmark
Monday 1st June – Kollektivet Livet – Stockholm, Sweden
Thursday 4th June – On The Rocks – Helsinki, Finland
Friday 5th June – Ankea Festival – Tampere, Finland
HEXVESSEL drop the digital single ‘Horse Tears’, which was previously only available as a bonus song with the premium edition of Finnish psych-folk and occult doom band’s latest album Nocturne. ‘Horse Tears’ is a cover track taken from British electronic duo GOLDFRAPP’s debut album Felt Mountain (2000) and features the original former IN THE WOODS… vocalist Jan Kenneth Transeth.
HEXVESSEL comment: “Me and Jan Kenneth Transeth go way back”, singer and songwriter Mat “Kvohst” McNerney writes. "I have toured Europe with In The Woods… in 1996, a stowaway in their van, after tracking them down to Kristiansand as a young blackpacker (as Black Metal tourists to Norway are now commonly known, myself being one of the first in the mid-90s). I have always adored Jan’s voice and the early In The Woods… demo and records are so important to me. It is such a high honour to have him sing this song, one of my most favourite singers of all time doing a cover with us of one of my favourite songs, ‘Horse Tears’ on one of my favourite albums, Goldfrapp’s Felt Mountain! To have his daughter Lea join him, singing this song with him, makes it even more touching. Those that have missed Jan’s voice with that old sound, can take a trip with us to a time when Avantgarde Black Metal was truly influential and alive. For me those albums and sounds, Jan Kenneth’s voice and the atmosphere that goes with it has never stopped being so vital. Let the shivers take possession!”
Iconic Norwegians TRELLDOM, founded by legendary vocalist Gaahl, unveil the visualiser single ‘Folding the Mind’ as the next advance track selected from their forthcoming new full-length: …by the word…
AA
With …by the word…, TRELLDOM are pushing forward hard into their new musical era that was ushered in by the previous full-length …by the shadows… (2024), which ended a 17-year hiatus of the Norwegian band.
Mastermind Kristian Eivind Espedal aka Gaahl and his diligently selected collaborators have gone even beyond the complex yet sinister sound that they established with …by the shadows… The exponentially grown confidence and hard-gained experience of joining together seemingly quite different musicians is reflected clearly in each track of …by the word…
TRELLDOM have concluded the process of escaping the narrowest definition of black metal without compromising their artistic mission. Their music does not only stay loyal to the spirit of their black metal roots, but the Norwegians are making a solid point that their new sound is even more dark and fierce than ever before – just in more twisted and unhinged ways.
…by the word… is the result of Espedal expanding the immense range of his vocals even further into unexplored territories. And it should be noted that this was partly achieved by his return to the famous Grieghallen Studios in Bergen to work again with legendary producer Eirik Hundvin aka Pytten, who was instrumental in the creation of the ‘Norwegian black metal’sound.
Although Espedal remains firmly at the helm of TRELLDOM, the current line-up plays a massive part in the fresh exploration of musical extremes. Guitarist Stian “Sir” Kårstad (formerly also in DJERV) guarantees a form of continuity as he already contributed to the second and third album of the band. Furthermore, the new constellation features renowned percussionist Kenneth Kapstad, formerly of MOTORPSYCHO and hammering the drums in SPIDERGAWD, MØSTER!, and THORNS. Kapstad brought the internationally acclaimed jazz musician and saxophone player Kjetil Møster (MØSTER!, RÖYKSOPP, THE END) along. Bass player Eirik Øien is the latest addition to the cast of characters.
BLACK LUNG present ‘Follow’ as their next advance single. The subtle yet also dramatic track full of twists and turns is taken from the American heavy psych rockers’ forthcoming new full-length Forever Beyond and presented in the form of a beautiful visualiser. The fifth album from the Baltimore, Maryland outfit is slated for release on March 6, 2026.
BLACK LUNG comment: "I wrote the lyrics for ‘Follow’ after getting out of a job that was bringing me zero joy”, vocalist and guitarist David Cavalier writes. “This song is meant to feel like you are a cog in a machine, and you are breaking the fuck out of it. The verses are tighter, more precise. The bridges and choruses are heavy, wide open, and much more free.”
BLACK LUNG drop the opening track ‘Traveler’ as the first single taken from the American heavy psych rockers’ forthcoming new full-length Forever Beyond. The fifth album from the Baltimore, Maryland outfit is scheduled for release on March 6, 2026.
BLACK LUNG comment on ‘Traveler’: “This song is about relying on one’s anxiety and depression – almost like a super power”, vocalist and guitarist David Cavalier writes. “You think, it’s the things that are going to keep you safe and sharp. In reality, it’s the complete opposite. The song also touches on the idea of living in a blameless world. Radical acceptance of people and who they are. Musically, this is one of my favorite tracks. We made it as dynamic as possible and each section feels like its own moment.”
The forthcoming full-length from Los Angeles–based band Agriculture, The Spiritual Sound, traces a narrative arc through extremes. The album is largely a fusing of the visions of its two principal songwriters: Dan Meyer and Leah Levinson. Though distinct, their voices converge in a singular spiritual grammar—one that defines the totality of The Spiritual Sound, not as separate parts, but as one unified expression.
Dan writes like someone clawing toward the divine through noise, channeling Zen Buddhism, historical collapse, ecstatic grief. Leah’s songs move differently: grounded in queer history and AIDS-era literature, amid the suffocating fog of the present, they carry the weight of survival as daily ritual. Dan takes the lead on their next release, a quieter moment amongst the chaos. About the track, he says;
“This is a love song to a future child. It is so moving to me that even though this child does not exist in the form of a child yet, all of the matter that will one day make up their being is already in the world. And of course this is true of all things that have ever existed. So even though I’m talking about a kid that I want to have one day, I’m really talking about the principle that everything is totally connected.”
AA
Agriculture’s formation mirrors their duality. What began as a loose collaboration between Kern Haug and Dan Meyer in the Los Angeles noise scene evolved into a shared pursuit of the sublime through heavy music. With the additions of Richard Chowenhill and Leah Levinson, the project solidified into the band’s current form. The ecstatic black metal foundation that was laid on 2022’s The Circle Chant expanded into something more precise and far-reaching on their 2023 self-titled full-length, and deepened further with 2024’s Living Is Easy: a record that embraced devotional intensity and radiant heaviness in equal measure.
Agriculture’s writing process is built on dismantling and revision of self. Dan and Leah bring songs to the band and then allow them to be pulled apart and rebuilt communally: reshaped through conflict, repetition, and deep trust. Richard adds guitar melodies and solos, and Kern constructs rhythms which are sometimes familiar but often unconventional. Finally, with Richard producing, the final form of each song is realised through intense collaborative work in the studio. Although a time consuming and ego-frustrating process, this allows the band to find the spirit of the songs not through inspiration, but through persistence.
Yet, even in its most ambitious moments, The Spiritual Sound remains rooted in the ordinary and in the day-to-day relationships between the people who made it. Gas station snacks. Inside jokes. Sleeping on floors. Playing shows in rooms that smell like mildew. The spirit here isn’t abstract, it’s live. This is spiritual music that starts with imperfect gear and a long-in-the-tooth tour van.
Agriculture doesn’t offer salvation. The Spiritual Sound isn’t a map out of the fire. What it offers instead is presence: a confrontation with the moment, however unbearable, however divine. It insists that meaning is still possible, even in a world hell-bent on reducing everything to content, and where suffering itself can be conducive to recovery. As the Buddhist saying goes: “the only way out is in.”
AA
Photo credit: Milan Aguire
AGRICULTURE LIVE DATES 2025:
Sep 17 Kortrijk, BE — Wilde Westen Sep 18 Haarlem, NL — Patronaat
Oct 8 Brooklyn, NY — Union Pool (Record Release Show)
Oct 27 San Antonio, TX — Paper Tiger $ Oct 28 Austin, TX — Mohawk $ Oct 30 Atlanta, GA — Masquerade $ Oct 31 Saxapahaw, NC — Haw River Ballroom $ Nov 01 Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore $ Nov 02 Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer $
Nov 04 Louisville, KY — Zanzabar Nov 06 Oklahoma City, OK — 89th Street Nov 08 Albuquerque, NM — Launchpad Nov 09 Phoenix, AZ — Valley Bar Nov 11 Denver, CO — Hi-Dive Nov 13 Salt Lake City, UT — The State Room Nov 14 Boise, ID — Neurolux Nov 16 Seattle, WA — Madame Lou’s Nov 18 Vancouver, BC — Fox Cabaret Nov 19 Portland, OR — Mississippi Studios Nov 21 Sacramento, CA — Cafe Colonial Nov 22 San Francisco, CA — The Chapel Dec 04 San Diego, CA — Soda Bar Dec 05 Los Angeles, CA — Lodge Room
Industrial metal legends DIE KRUPPS have announced an exclusive tour EP. This hand-numbered collectors’ item, which is entitled Will nicht – MUSS! / On Collision Course, will be sold by the multiple genre-defining band on their upcoming 45th anniversary tour, which will kick off at the DVG Club in the famous Belgian medieval battle-town of Kortrijk tonight, on August 27.
The Will nicht – MUSS! / On Collision Course EP contains guest contributions and remixes from prominent musicians of renowned acts such as MINISTRY with whom DIE KRUPPS have just successfully toured in the US. As a first taste of the EP as well as of the upcoming new album, the Germans have released the advance single ‘On Collision Course’.
AA
DIE KRUPPS comment: “You may be forgiven to think that ‘On Collision Course’ and ‘Will nicht – Muss!’, which translates into ‘don’t want to – have to’, could have been the working titles for our upcoming European tour”, Ralf Dörper quips. “In truth, the 45 years of influential sounds from Düsseldorf has been our guiding theme. In celebration of this anniversary, we have created this exclusive EP as a treat for all the dedicated fans coming to our concerts. It will give you an impression about what sound is currently happening in our steelworks as the above mentioned singles of the double-title will also provide a first and second taste of our upcoming album. The EP also includes some sonic glimpses of the experiences and friendships made on our recent US-tour with Ministry. Watch out for those remixes!”
Aural Aggravation 