My most recent interview was with the French metal artist Hex Divided. We talked about his influences, the five riffs that define him, his musical history, and so much more. (In fact, there will eventually be extras from this one; I cut out a lot of our more casual conversation for the initial upload.)
Please check out the interview, and if you enjoy it, subscribe to my podcast. There’s a lot to come over the next couple of months!
Adelitas Way is hitting the road this September with Kingdom Collapse and 3 Pill Morning! Tickets are available at adelitaswaymusic.com!
* Adelitas Way only
Christian rockers Skillet are touring from late summer into the fall. This run is celebrating 20 years of their sixth studio album Comatose. Tickets and VIP are on sale now at skillet.com!
* w/The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
It has been a little more than a year since we last heard from Carbonstone, but the alt-metal veterans from Maryland are back with a brand new song entitled “Not Like This.” The song is set to be released on August 8th with the accompanying video dropping on the 7th.
“Not Like This” is a standout track in Carbonstone’s repertoire, holding a darker edge than others in their career (which is saying something). Musically, it stays true to the heavier-is-better theme that has defined their last few singles, with crunchy guitars and a driving rhythm section layered under frontman Corey James’ haunting vocal talents. With well-timed placements of rage-laced screams, the song evokes rage, pain, and frustration before offering up a note of resolve. Yet perhaps the harshest ingredient in “Not Like This” is its subject matter.
“In a nutshell, it’s a song about losing yourself,” says James. “It’s about the chaos of manipulation, self-doubt, and the war that takes place inside your own mind…standing on the edge of despair, confronting the person you’ve become, and fighting to reclaim your identity.”
“Not Like This” acknowledges both the outer and inner influences that have shaped the narrator, forcing an internal battle that makes the person in the mirror one that (s)he doesn’t recognize. “Use me up like I’m nothing ’til you’re satisfied,” the opening line challenges. “Abuse me, tell me I’m ugly, a waste of your time…”
The song speaks to the hopelessness often felt during moments of self-reflection, digging deep to sort through others’ cruel words and actions that you’ve taken to heart, but also to admit that you are willingly clinging to your own negative thoughts and opinions. “Slowly, I’ll bleed out from these wounds I’m holding inside/Am I worthless? A shadow of myself/I’m dead and alive…”
The most difficult part of the process? Looking at oneself with unfiltered honesty and deciding to let it all go and move forward. “Not Like This” grants the listener that transition from despondency to determination.
“Is this how everything ends, standing on the edge, lost inside of my head?” the narrator wonders before answering, “Not like this again. No, not like this.”
Carbonstone has always been a band that doesn’t shy away from grim realities. They don’t peek behind the curtain so much as throw it wide, allowing the light in and showing the less ideal aspects of being human. “Not Like This” is another prime example of this, of bringing up what is often swept under the rug. The beauty of it all is that James offers us the other side as well, telling us that yes, darkness exists, but we can fight – and most importantly, we can win.
“Not Like This” hits streaming services tonight at midnight! And be sure to tune in for the premiere of the music video at 8 p.m. EST.
When: Formed earlier, circa 2024, but didn’t debut their first single until 2026
Where: New York, Maryland, Massachusetts
Genre: Modern metal/Metalcore
FFO: Spiritbox, I Prevail, Poppy
Velcara has existed in some form for a couple of years, yet they did not unleash their debut single, “Fury,” until January 2026. Since then, the band has released two more songs, “Green-Eyed Suicide” and “Lunacy.” The members are vocalist Janel Monique (formerly of Conquer Divide), drummer Luka Stinar, guitarist Nick Palma, and bassist Kenjamin Smiertelny.
Velcara are still writing, gearing up to share new music and eventually bring all their hard work to the stage! Check them out below and be sure to follow their socials so you don’t miss any updates!
“Fury”
“Green-Eyed Suicide”
“Lunacy”
Pop/rock artist Charlotte Sands has shared September dates with support from Yonaka and Hooked Like Helen. You can get tickets and VIP experiences at charlottesands.com!
Sleeping With Sirens has announced a North American trek alongside Rain City Drive and Shyeye, with special guest Hate It Here or Shade House on select dates. The “An Ending in Itself Tour” is promoting their latest album of the same name which was released in June. Tickets and VIP are available at sirensmusic.co!
* Festival
# w/Hate It Here
^ w/Shade House
In July, I knocked out my last couple of summer themed cozy mysteries, and I’m ready to dive into the ones set in autumn. I think I’m actually going to make a TBR just for October (starting with Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes). But that’s neither here nor there at the moment…
Anyway, here are the books I finished this month!
***
The Resting Place (Camilla Sten)
Rating: 4/5
Beth is Dead (Katie Bernet)
Rating: 4/5
The Starless Sea (Erin Morgenstern)
Rating: 5/5
A Killer Cupcake (Fiona Grace)
Rating: 2/5
The Midnight Feast (Lucy Foley)
Rating: 4/5
A Berry Flavored Obituary (Rosie A. Point)
Rating: 2/5
American Psycho (Bret Easton Ellis)
Rating: 3/5
***
I am currently reading Little Eve (Catriona Ward) and Let’s Split Up (Bill Wood).
Progress: 47/80
Mostly Music 