NataliezWorld

All in all it was a convention running over the span of three days, Friday, Saturday and Sunday the middle of March, and it would always take place at the convention center right next to Burbank airport. Many fans would come for it, buying merchandise left and right, meet other fans alike, and just enjoy all that can be said and seen in regards to Transformers!

Midsummer Scream announces its return to the Long Beach Convention Center August 15-17, 2025. The three-day event will bring Halloween and horror fans from around the world together for a weekend of thrilling delights!
 
Passes are on sale now at MidsummerScream.com. General Admission passes and VIP Gold Bat passes will be available while supplies last (discounts not available for Gold Bat passes).
 
The 2025 special guest lineup will feature David Howard Thornton (Art the Clown from the Terrifier film series), Kimberly J. Brown (star of Halloweentown), horror hosts Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy the Mail Girl, Barry Bostwick (Rocky Horror Picture Show, appearing Sunday only) and many more to be announced.
 
The Hall of Shadows will be operational all three days, featuring more than a dozen haunted attractions and displays set within a massive, darkened portion of the convention center. This fog-filled area is included with all passes to Midsummer Scream, with so many of the attractions featuring priority queues for Gold Bat pass holders. Featured haunters this year include Mr. Floats, Santa Ana Haunt, The Haunt With No Name… Yet, Rawl of the Dead, Fear Farm, Straite to Hale Productions, The Haunted Harvest, Decayed Brigade, and more. Additional details will be unveiled soon!
 
Throughout the weekend, Midsummer Scream will present a robust lineup of world-class panel presentations featuring Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood,  Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group (LA Haunted Hayride, Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor, Delusion, and Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns), Castle Dark and other Halloween events.

Programming partners include Paramount Scares, Fangoria, Horror Movies & Beyond, and HorrorBuzz. A robust lineup of entertainment and additional programming to be announced in the weeks ahead.
 
Featuring more than 350 vendors and artists, the Midsummer Scream show floor will feature an amazing variety of apparel, masks, posters and prints, unique artwork, toys, oddities and spooky decorations from vendors including The Halloween Shirt Company, Trick or Treat Studios, Backstitch Bruja, Sin City Props, and Froggy’s Fog.
 
More beloved components of Midsummer Scream will return, including Paranormal Pixie’s Pumpkin Patch children’s zone, the Black Cat Lounge kitten adoption center, and the Screaming Room Film Festival presented by HorrorBuzz.

For breaking information about Midsummer Scream, sign up for our digital newsletter at MidsummerScream.com. Follow Midsummer Scream on Instagram and Facebook by searching @midsummerscream.

American Doom/Post-Metal band Solfar released their new single "Cuts You Up". The single was recorded at "Retromedia Sound Studios" in Red Bank New Jersey, and was mixed and mastered there by Adam Vaccarelli. The album artwork was done by friend of the band Hrvoje Bekan.

Check out the single linked below:

https://solfar.bandcamp.com/album/cuts-you-up

https://open.spotify.com/album/6xurT6UQGgxePbw8uwlpTb

Solfar, formed in 2017 by guitarist Lyslos and drummer Chris Rice in New Jersey, evolved from Astral Diaspora to Itinerant before settling on their current name. Joined by Justin Biggs (guitars, bass, keyboards) and Steven Aracic Del Corso (vocals), they released their debut album, Light Tomb, in 2023. The album explores humanity’s exodus from Earth, and their song Your Flesh My Blood appeared on multiple compilations.

Outerburst announce their latest single, "Bloodshot Eyes", a hard-hitting anthem that tackles the dark reality of cyberbullying. With its raw energy, crushing riffs, and emotionally charged lyrics, this song is a scream of defiance against online harassment and a call to reclaim one's life from the shadows of digital abuse.

The track also features Buzz from Memories of a Lost Soul as special guest for the vocal parts. The single is further elevated by stunning visual artistry. The cover artwork has been masterfully crafted by Andriy Tkalenko, capturing the haunting theme of the song.

Alongside Outerburst well-established lineup, the song introduces Gianpiero "Jump" Milione on lead guitars, whose solos add even more fire to the sound. Produced and mixed by Santo Clemenzi at Angle Room Studio, mastered by Erik Peabody at Viking Guitar Productions studio.

In the band’s own words:

“Monsters are real. They lurk in your nightmares, but way too often, they also manifest themselves in real life, every day. A word too many, an insult, mockery or total indifference can cause deep wounds and can also turn into true monsters within the internet and social media. They stick to the skin, slimy, and slowly seep deep inside, making it increasingly difficult to eradicate them. We must stand against them.

This is a song to scream all the anger back, we don’t need hate, we need our life back. Let's all raise our voices against cyberbullies and keyboard warriors.”

The track is now available on major streaming platforms and for digital download.

Below you can check out the single's lyrics video directed by Andrea Mantelli: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KyHtfzUYVA

Esprit D'Air release their single, 'Lost Horizon', on 28 February 2025. Written and produced by vocalist, Kai (current guitarist of The Sisters Of Mercy), the song blends nu-metal, hip-hop, and alternative metal, taking inspiration from artists such as Bad Omens, Bring Me The Horizon, and Linkin Park with a Japanese twist. The single is one of many leading up to their upcoming fourth album Aeons, set to release on 24 October 2025.

'Lost Horizon' explores themes of grief and loss. Kai describes the song as a reflection of their experience navigating the aftermath of personal loss, characterised by a sense of searching for resolution that feels out of reach. "The ‘scream within a dream’ represents the silent but overwhelming pain I felt", Kai explains. "It’s about the struggle to heal while feeling trapped in a state of longing". It’s a cathartic experience for listeners who have faced grief and loss.

Esprit D'Air is the award-winning Japanese electronic rock/metal project led by Kai, a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and vocalist. With a strong DIY ethos, Kai records and produces all music independently, alongside managing every aspect of their tours and releases without a record label, management, promoter, booking agent, or any external financial backing.

Known for their dynamic collaborations, Esprit D'Air has previously worked with renowned artists such as Tim 'Ripper' Owens (ex-Judas Priest, KK's Priest), Ben Christo (The Sisters Of Mercy), and Ryo Kinoshita (Knosis, ex-Crystal Lake), further cementing their reputation in the international rock and metal scene.

Featured in major outlets such as Billboard, Loudwire, Kerrang! Radio, and BBC Radio, their previous albums, Constellations, Seasons, and Oceans, achieved chart success, with singles such as Leviathan and Shizuku entering the Top 10 of the Official Singles Sales Chart without label or management backing.

Esprit D'Air will embark on a 17-date European headline tour, performing double sets without a support band. The line-up features Kai (The Sisters Of Mercy), Takeshi Tokunaga (ex-Knights of Round) on bass, Jan-Vincent Velazco (ex-Ghost, Pendragon, Gus G) on drums, and Yusuke Okamoto on guitar.

'Lost Horizon' is out now on all major streaming platforms, serving as a preview of the upcoming album Aeons, which will be released on 24 October 2025. Check out the new single HERE.

Esprit D'Air European Tour 2025:

22.03.2025: Bristol, GB, Marble Factory
23.03.2025: Manchester, GB, Academy 2
24.03.2025: Newcastle upon Tyne, GB, Digital
25.03.2025: Glasgow, GB, The Garage
26.03.2025: London, GB, Electric Ballroom
15.04.2025: Antwerp, BE, Kavka Zappa
16.04.2025: Cologne, DE, Essigfabrik
17.04.2025: Hamburg, DE, Knust
18.04.2025: Eindhoven, NL, Effenaar
20.04.2025: Berlin, DE, Columbia Theater
21.04.2025: Prague, CZ, Rock Café
22.04.2025: Kraków, PL, Klub Studio
23.04.2025: Budapest, HU, Barba Negra
24.04.2025: Milan, IT, Legend Club
27.04.2025: Madrid, ES, Mon Madrid
28.04.2025: Barcelona, ES, Razzmatazz 2
29.04.2025: Paris, FR, New Morning

Spanish Symphonic/Gothic Metal band Ilunabar released their debut self-titled EP. The release was recorded, mixed and mastered in the "Axular Music Studios".

Check out the debut linked below:

https://open.spotify.com/album/6OtaLb6JLYN09lomw6Du6n

Ilunabar a symphonic gothic rock duo from Mutriku, Spain, was formed in 2021. Featuring Laura Peralta (vocals) and Igor Lez (multi-instrumentalist), the band has released a nine-track CD and played two concerts. Their atmospheric sound blends haunting melodies with powerful instrumentals, crafting a unique take on the genre.

Alternative metalheads PHANTOM LIMBS  have been releasing single's here and there, with furthering plans to release much more music, show plans, and much else is in-store there is no limits for them! In fact, check out the video interview the band put together, to disclose all of these plans at hand below!

VENICE REVIVE is an up and coming metalcore artist with symphonic elements, which has lead them to release a debut album, cover track, with more cover songs expected soon, including an all new album. No touring plans set yet, with no plans on stopping, as far as releasing music and continuing as an artist. Just see what is discussed with us all below.

1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

Venice Revive has always been my dream. I started writing music around the age of 17 and tried finding friends to play with since then, at some point I just stopped waiting for the right people and started creating music alone. I had help from some great friends along the way, but Venice Revive was, well, me.
When people in our scene think “Venice Revive”, they think of me.

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name?

Around the time of Covid-19 lock downs, while all “normal” cities’ roads were free of cars, Venice’s canals were free of boats. There were dolphins sighted swimming around these canals! From the moment I just knew that my project’s name would be.

3. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

I’m living in Ariel, Israel. I’m originally from Petah Tikva, Israel and that’s where I started making music too. The Israeli metal scene is small since we’re a small country, and you always see familiar faces at shows, but everyone’s super friendly and we really love seeing each other. There’s some great talent out here, we suffer from limited exposure but we have some bands that should definitely be on the international stage. Some of my favorites are “Her Last Sight”, “Scardust”, “Stractural”, “The Fading” and “StormbounD”

4. How would you describe your style?

I mix metalcore with symphonic elements. I love metalcore from all its phases in history so some songs sound like 2004 metalcore & some sound like 2024 metalcore, but all of them have pianos, violins, a choir, a harp and much more. I think what I make is really special and I hope you’ll like it too.

5. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

I’ve released a full debut album and a cover for an Israeli song when working with other very talented bands on a project to write an album full of covers for local music. The album talks about how I dealt with the loss of my dad. The first and last songs of the album serve as prologue and epilogue respectively and the 5 songs in between represent the 5 stages of grief. I really recommend listening to the album from start to finish.

6. Do you have any new music in the works?

I have a few covers I want to release before releasing a new album, I have 10 demos already and new material will be released very soon!

7. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

I’d love that. For now it’s a solo project but IF I find the right people, I’d love to tour. I know I have the talent and high quality music for it.

8. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

I’m never planning on stopping, really. I always have what to say and stories to tell & I love sharing them through my music. I wrote my first album hoping people will find comfort in it while dealing with losses themselves, let’s see what my next albums are gonna be about.

9. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Everywhere. It’s on every streaming platform.

10. What is it you’d like a listener to remember the most when hearing your music for the first time

Nothing, I want them to come to it with an open mind, that way they’re opinion will be 100% authentic.

Experimentalists COLLIDE THE GEMINI talks with us about their current debut, singles, and new music in the works! They have some shows lined up, and hope to tour as well, see what else is talked about below.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that? 

The name came from my weird obsession with the word "Gemini" I just thought it sounded cool. The more I researched it, the more I wanted to use the word. The story behind the twins really inspired me and at some point I came up with the "collide" part of the name which I feel reflects what we do musically. Bringing opposing sounds like heavy and soft, dark and light, simple and complex and finding a balance between them.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Not sure what genre we fall into but bands like the mars volta, the fall of troy, and coheed and cambria really inspired us to experiment and not box ourselves into one sound. That's what motivated us to write what we write.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, we've known each other since we were in high school.

4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?

We are based out of El Paso, Texas. Our music scene fluctuates like any other scene but we do have a strong indie rock and hardcore scene. Some bands I'd recommend are Jane like fire, Blushed, Bloomwave, and Fatherwolf.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

I would say other creatives for sure. Other bands/musicians but also traditional artists, photographers, storytellers, etc. 

6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

Our themes range from love and heartbreak to religious and existentialism. Most of our songs are written with a concept in mind. Typically a story we've written.

7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)

Yes, we write our own music. Usually it begins with myself coming up with guitar parts or a lyrical theme. Then I'll flesh out as much of the song as possible. Sometimes I'll have a complete demo recorded with programmed drums. Then I'll bring it to the rehearsal room where it'll get some changes made by the other band members and we'll refine the song until it feels right.

8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?

We've independently released a 5 track EP and a few singles.

9. Do you have any new music in the works?

Yes, we just released a single that will be part of our new EP. Which is currently being mixed and mastered. It'll be out later this year.

10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?

We have a few local shows set for this year. Including a release show for our EP. As far as touring we don't have anything set yet but we are looking to do a Texas run later this year.

11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?

Are goal is to do more touring in the next couple of years. Build our following and put out our debut full length.

12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Our music is on all streaming platforms, spotify, apple, etc. as well as YouTube. We're fresh out of merch at the moment but we will make an announcement on our socials @collidethegemini when and where you can find it!