- Locust Grove: “The Undertow”
- Tales of an OldSoul: “Not Okay”
- Anemera: “Parasite Drains”
- Ashes Reign: “Awakening”
- The Nocturnal Affair: “Place in Time”
– Honorable Mention –
Metal music
The Mostly Music Podcast, Ep. 7: Gravehuffer 101
I had a great time chatting with the Missouri-based Gravehuffer, a band that explores facets of sludge, doom, crust, punk, and grindcore. We touched on the topics of band history, influences, the writing/recording process, etc., but it was my standard “dream tour lineup” question with which they seemed to have the most fun.
Check out the interview below, and make sure to subscribe to my channel! You can also learn more about Gravehuffer on their various socials and listen to them on your streaming service of choice.
Plush: Mass Hysteria Tour 2026
New York rock band Plush has announced a summer run (and a few dates in October), but has promised there are more shows coming! The Mass Hysteria Tour kicks off August 13th in Uncasville, Connecticut. Several dates feature special guest Major Moment. Tickets and VIP are available at plushrocks.net!
- 8/13 – Uncasville, CT – Wolf Den
- 8/14 – Newburgh, NY – The Ellis*
- 8/15 – Hampton, NH – Wally’s*
- 8/17 – Springfield, MA – 52 Summer*
- 8/19 – Syracuse, NY – Sharky’s*
- 8/21 – Teaneck, NJ – Debonair Music Hall*
- 8/22 – Bel Air, MD – Fallston Barrel House*
- 8/23 – Harrisburg, PA – Capital City Music Hall*
- 8/26 – Harrison, OH – Blue Note*
- 8/28 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop*
- 8/29 – McHenry, IL – The Vixen*
- 9/1 – Kansas City, MO – The Distrkct
- 9/3 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma 2026 Pre Party
- 9/4 – Fort Worth, TX – The Rail*
- 9/5 – San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box*
- 9/6 – Houston, TX – BFE Rock Club*
- 9/9 – Biloxi, MS – The Sanctuary*
- 9/11 – Shreveport, LA – Fondren’s Classic Cars & Guitars*
- 9/12 – Nashville, TN – The End*
- 9/15 – Atlanta, GA – 529 EAV*
- 9/16 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room*
- 9/18 – Sanford, FL – West End Trading*
- 9/19 – Tampa, FL – Brass Mug*
- 9/20 – Jacksonville, FL – Eclipse*
- 9/23 – Wilmington, NC – Reggie’s*
- 9/25 – Virginia Beach, VA – Scandals*
- 10/2 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live [New date!]
- 10/3 – San Diego, CA – Ramona Mainstage [New date!]
- 10/7 – Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go
- 10/9 – Tracy, CA – Grand Theatre Center for Arts [New date!]
* w/Major Moment
Female-Fronted Friday: CloZure
When: 2012
Where: Alabama
Genre: Hard rock
FFO: Dorothy, The Pretty Reckless, Lilith Czar
CloZure was originally formed in 2012 by lead guitarist Michael Cordle, aiming to rid southeast Alabama of its lack of original hard rock bands. After years of lending itself to the local scene, in 2019 drummer Michael McCann and rhythm guitarist Matthew Russell were added, and the project really began to aim higher.
In 2024, CloZure underwent more lineup changes, and with new vocalist Nikollaj Lleshi and bassist Zack Taylor, they released a cover of Evanescence’s “Bring Me to Life.” They were then swept up in a whirlwind of touring, sharing the stage with such acts as Tantric, Saliva, and Powerman 5000. This aided in the amassing of followers, views, streams, etc.
CloZure currently consists of Michael, Matthew, Zack, Nikollaj, and drummer Brad Hardin. Their latest single, “Framed,” was released in March, and the band has been touring almost nonstop this summer.
To keep up with CloZure and ensure you don’t miss out, be sure to follow/subscribe to their various socials!
“Framed”
“The Devil Effect”
“Walk in the Sun”
“Relapse”
BABYMETAL Announces 2026 Dates in North America and Latin America
Japanese kawaii metal band BABYMETAL has announced a world tour. To wrap up 2026, the trio will be hitting North America and Latin America. Tickets are on sale now at babymetal.com!
North America
*w/Halestorm and Violent Vira
+Festival
- 8/30 – San Diego, CA – PetCo Park (supporting My Chemical Romance)
- 9/2 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena*
- 9/4 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island*
- 9/5 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center*
- 9/7 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre*
- 9/9 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center*
- 9/10 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center*
- 9/12 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live*
- 9/13 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek*
- 9/15 – Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater*
- 9/16 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre*
- 9/18 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre*
- 9/19 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life 2026+
- 9/21 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre*
- 9/23 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion*
- 9/25 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion*
- 9/26 – Del Valle, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater*
- 9/29 – Albuquerque, NM – First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater*
- 10/1 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre*
- 10/3 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival 2026+
Latin America
- 11/28 – Sao Paulo, BR – Espaco Unimed
- 12/1 – Buenos Aires, AR – Movistar Arena
- 12/3 – Santiago, CL – Movistar Arena
- 12/7 – Lima, PE – Costa 21
- 12/12 – Mexico City, MX – Fray Nano Stadium (w/I Prevail)
Five Songs I’m Obsessed With [7/13 – 7/19]
Ugly Kid Joe Shares 2026 Dates With Wheatus and Platinum Moon
Tickets: uglykidjoe.net
- 8/20 – Bensalem, PA – Broken Goblet Brewing*
- 8/21 – New York City, NY – Rocks Off Concert Cruise 2026
- 8/22 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
- 8/23 – Carteret, NJ – Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center
- 8/25 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s
- 8/26 – Lakewood, OH – Mercury Music Lounge
- 8/27 – Flint, MI – The Machine Shop
- 8/28 – Cadillac, MI – The Venue Event Center
- 8/29 – Joliet, IL – The Forge
- 8/30 – Green Bay, WI – EPIC Event Center
- 9/1 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line*
- 9/2 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown*
- 9/3 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s*
- 9/5 – Dallas, TX – AM/FM Dallas*
- 9/6 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma 2026*
- 9/8 – Nashville, TN – The Basement East*
- 9/10 – Leesburg, VA – Tally Ho Theater
- 9/11 – Waynesboro, VA – The Foundry
- 9/12 – Harrisburg, PA – Capital City Music Hall
* No Wheatus
The Mostly Music Podcast, Ep. 6: After the Apocalypse 101
Five Songs I’m Obsessed With [7/6 – 7/12]
2026 Covers – Seventh Day Slumber: “Praise”
I have decided to start sharing covers released in 2026 as I find them instead of compiling a year-end list like I did for 2025.
First up is Seventh Day Slumber’s heavy rendition of the Elevation Worship song “Praise.”
Mostly Music 