NataliezWorld

Modernized metalcore act DREAMS AS NIGHTMARES have taken the likeness of the Myspace era of the 2000's and brought it here in the then and now. with the release of their most recent single, with much more music in the works! The band has an array of shows and tours planned out as well. The band chats of all of this below.

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

Dreams As Nightmares formed in the winter of 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although this is the first project, we’ve all shared together, each member comes from different musical backgrounds and previous bands, bringing a wide range of influences to the table. The band consists of Connor Hetzel - Vocals, Rich Thomas - Vocals, Alejandro Gomez - Guitar, Thomas Velasquez- Guitar, Jonny Vega- Bass, and Nick Fisher - Drums. United by the love for music and meaningful songwriting, blending modern metalcore, progressive influences, and melodic elements while telling stories from the heart about life’s struggles, growth, and resilience. Since day one, our goal has been to build more than just a band. We want Dreams As Nightmares to be a place where people who feel like outsiders, alone, or are going through difficult times can find connection, encouragement, and a sense of belonging in a healthy community.

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

Dreams As Nightmares is the embodiment of Yin and Yang, showcasing the concept of light and dark harmonizing together within the world.

3. 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 Las Vegas, Nevada. The music scene is very underground but strong and only growing larger. The community really comes out and supports, and we couldn't be more humbled and grateful to be a part of that. It's truly special. Lots of great local bands to shout out, Hikkari, Glass//Sky, Alura, Requiemcore, Pool Party, Death Is A Virtue all incredible bands we could go on and on, the scene is really strong right now.

4. How would you describe your style?

Metalcore for sure but we feel like we have a sense of that nostalgia from the Myspace days of metalcore. So, a good blend of the classic 2000s, with our modern twist.

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

We just released our fourth single “Ashes” and are blown away by the response so far! We have a ton more to be announced at our show on July 12th at Dustlands, Las Vegas! That’s going to be a free show 21+ with Requiemcore, us, Orange County, CA beasts Blindwolf and the mighty Alura. So come on out for some good music and announcements! We are super excited for this one and honored to be on such an awesome bill.

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

Oh absolutely! But you might just have to come to our show on July 12th to hear when it’s coming. ;)

7. As far as shows and touring, what is on the agenda?

Right now, we are focusing on the west coast, we are playing Utah on July 3rd and hitting San Diego California and more TBA in November and even more places next year, so we are definitely staying busy!

8. What else do you have planned for the rest of this year?

New music, more shows, more merch, more fun!

9. Where can we find you online, listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

Our website https://www.dreamsasnightmares.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4nxrD7AsgYLS6Htu4vJ6Gr?si=1ly8r2DBQRmc54Q_x45gag

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dreams-as-nightmares/1777180144

Follow us on all socials @dreamsasnightmares

https://linktr.ee/dreamsasnightmares

And our merch store at https://dreamsasnightmares.bigcartel.com/

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

The reminder of hope through the dark times. A reminder of how strong and resilient you were to get through those times, even when you felt no one was watching. We hope to bring an escape from the crazy in the world even if only for 30 minutes. Keep going.

Cosmic gumbo go getters' TYKIN have had quite the journey when it comes to their formation. Releasing countless material, with newer creations in the works, including the band playing live for the next couple of months. The band discusses formation, recent releases, and future plans.

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

TYKIN originally formed with just me, my cousin David (drummer), and Zakk (lead guitar). We started the band after a fallout with the previous band that David and I were in together. At first, we were writing what we'd jokingly call "DDR" (Divorced Dad Rock), but we quickly realized we couldn't quite crack that code.

After bringing Jake (rhythm guitar) and Vogel (bass) into the project, we finally found our sound and started playing music that truly reflected who we are and our actual musical tastes.

I've been singing since 2018 in various bands, but it wasn't until TYKIN that things really started getting serious. This is David's second band, having only previously played with me in Mount Hope, an alternative punk band that lasted about two years before fizzling out due to internal band drama.

For Jake and Vogel, this is their first real band. Vogel had only played in a few online projects before joining TYKIN. Zakk, on the other hand, has been playing guitar since he was 12 years old and has contributed a lot to the Rochester metal scene since moving here.

He started in his high school band, B.A.S.H. (based out of Buffalo), before joining the thrash metal band Nuclear Winter. After that came the high-speed symphonic thrash band Polybius. Alongside writing and performing with TYKIN, Zakk currently also plays guitar for the high-energy NWOTHM kung-fu heavy metal band Dysplacer.

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

The origin of the band name was actually an idea I had (Tyler English, lead vocals) for a few years. Originally, I thought I had made the name up myself. It wasn't until about a year after forming the band that I discovered TYKIN is actually a Finnish word meaning "gun" or "cannon." Once I found that out, I decided to fully embrace it and bought a giant Gatling gun fog machine to serve as our unofficial mascot.

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

We're currently based out of Rochester, New York. Unfortunately, the local music scene tends to lean more toward death metal, metalcore, and indie music. One of the few bands we've found that shares a similar style to ours is Spirit 66. We've played with those guys a few times—they sound great and are always a blast to hang out with. For many of our shows, we play alongside Ready To Strike, a band based out of Syracuse. We've become really close with those guys and have some exciting plans in the works for the future.

4. How would you describe your style?

Our style is best described as a mix of Judas Priest's flash and flair with the grit of Motörhead. Call it a cosmic gumbo.

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

So far, we've released four singles, one full-length album, and three music videos. People can expect hard-hitting riffs, leather jackets, and plenty of headbanging material.

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

We currently have two new songs finished that we've already started performing live: "Highspeed Love" and "Finding My Way Home." Once we finish one or two more songs, we'll be heading back into the studio.

7. As far as shows and touring, what is on the agenda?

We'd like to start playing outside of New York more often, beginning with neighboring states. Ideally, we'd love to hit the road and tour alongside our friends in Ready To Strike.

8. What else do you have planned for the rest of this year?

The next big thing on our schedule is playing the first-ever New York City Glam Metal Festival in Brooklyn on June 27th. After that, we're incredibly excited to be opening for Kuarantine (Chris Jericho's KISS tribute band) on August 8th. Beyond that, we'll continue writing music and playing whatever shows come our way.

9. Where can we find you online, listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

All of our current music is available on every major streaming platform. Our full album is available on Bandcamp, and we also have our own website featuring a large selection of merchandise: TykinBand.com.

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

If someone listens to our music for the first time, I'd want them to remember the hooks. Our goal is for people to leave our shows with our songs stuck in their heads, even if they don't know all the words yet. More than anything, we want to make music that makes you feel like the main character in your own movie.

Alternative metalheads' THE LUCIDIA PROJECT have a couple of EP releases under their belts, with them hard at work upon what will be their debut album! The band talks with us about coming together, music, and the plans ahead.

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

I started the band with Ben Jacobs in 2022. For a while we were a studio project. I reached out to him online, and we met for coffee. Slowly we started working and writing together more and found that we have a pretty awesome creative partnership. Then slowly overtime we found more people to work with, and now in 2026 we have our full line up gearing up for live shows this summer. 

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

The name “The Lucidia Project” was chosen for a couple of reasons. I wanted a name that blended metal with progressive/alternative leanings, and two I wanted the name to represent sort of the core idea around why we are making music. 

That part of the concept is about shining light upon darkness or speaking truth to trauma. I was originally going to call the band “The Oculus Project” but then I found the word Lucidia, and its variant Lucidia and the meaning behind the word plus the way it sounds just fit really well. 

Lucida means “brightness” “distant star” or clarity, and its Italian variant Lucidia means something similar, so it just fits perfectly for the vision for this band's sound. 

3. 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 the Fargo-Moorhead region, which is on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota with a population of about 300,000 people. We have a pretty cool underground music scene here with a variety of metal bands ranging from thrash to metal core. There's a death metal band called “Pursuit" that's been gaining a lot of traction here, but as far as melodic or symphonic influenced bands go… I think we are the only ones. 

4. How would you describe your style?

We aim to blend Alternative rock/Alternative metal with Symphonic and melodic death metal. In the mix of all of that we lean heavily on post rock and post metal guitar work, so we are going for this atmospheric and melodic but heavy style. Included in all of this is a confessional way of songwriting, especially with lyrics that are vulnerable and poetic. 

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

Our latest EP The Twilight Affliction was released a year ago, and that is our most cohesive work to date. Those songs we aimed to blend that alternative/Symphonic sound with the melodic death/post metal sound… our first EP was called Requiem, and it was a lot of just tying things out and learning since it was the first release where Ben and I were working together. 

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

We are working on our first album right now. We are still in the writing process right now, but we've selected 14 songs out of like 24 full songs that we finished writing at the beginning of this year, and now we are refining them, writing lyrics and vocals, and coming up with production ideas. We will select 11 out of those 14 to then slowly release next year. It's definitely continuing the sound of the Twilight Affliction, and it's definitely darker. 

7. As far as shows and touring, what is on the agenda?

We have our first show booked for July 3rd in St. Cloud Minnesota. We are working with a really good booking agent, who has been getting us a lot of gig offers. The only barrier right now are people's schedules since we all have loves and day jobs…

8. What else do you have planned for the rest of this year?

We want to play some more shows beyond the July 3rd gig, lots of writing and recording, more photoshoots, hopefully we get another music video done this year. 

9. Where can we find you online, listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

You can find our music anywhere you can stream music. We haven't had a demand for physical media yet, so right now digital and streaming are how you can listen to us. 

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

That they aren't alone. If my words and this music resonate with you at all, just know that you are seen, and that you are precious.

Canadian Heavy/Thrash Metal band Guardians of Purgatory released their new single "Guardians of Hell". The release was recorded at "Wychwood Sounds", mixed by Christopher Martins and mastered by Caleb Hyde and Christopher Martins.

Check out the single linked below:

https://guardiansofpurgatory.bandcamp.com/track/guardians-of-hell

https://open.spotify.com/album/5hFsnTRtoPxxkjjeCuQqaH

Formed in Mississauga, Ontario, in December 2025 by Rylan Jones (vocals/guitar) and Magnus Chien (bass), Guardians of Purgatory is a progressive thrash metal band blending classic speed with technical, modern precision. Evolving from a solo concept into a high-driven collaborative force, the band made waves with their January 2026 debut single, "The Man in The Padded Cell," which amassed over 8,000 streams. Marking an early milestone, their March 2026 debut live performance and cinematic, street-style photoshoot solidified their gritty visual identity, establishing them as a rising force in Canadian metal.

Polish Atmospheric Stoner/Post-Metal band Sunsucker released their new single "Heart". The release was recorded in "WeM Studios" and mixed/mastered by Marek Kubik.

Check out the single linked below:

https://sunsucker.bandcamp.com/track/heart

https://open.spotify.com/album/1dUBp64n5RG66POBnKwQfm

Formed in May 2024, Sunsucker is an immersive post-stoner metal act that translates raw emotional states into haunting, visceral soundscapes. Merging hypnotic guitar dissonance, earth-shaking bass, electronic textures, and piercing vocals, the band rejects trends to focus on confrontation and transformation. Treating their music not as a performance but as a ritual, Sunsucker’s most iconic moments manifest during their live sets, which serve as intense, shared passages through vulnerability and shadow for listeners seeking truth over escapism.

Bulgarian Groove/Thrash Metal band BrainMaze released their new single "Nightmare & Reality". The release was mixed by Ilarion Ivanenko (Ukraine) and mastered in "Finnvox Studios" by Mika Jussila (Finland).

Check out the single linked below:

https://brainmaze-eu.bandcamp.com/track/nightmare-reality

Founded in Bulgaria by mastermind Ivan Shishkov, BrainMaze is an independent, global metal project exploring internal struggle and the subconscious. Following their 2024 debut album, When Your Demons Come, the project reached a cinematic milestone with the single "Nightmare & Reality". Operating completely without creative borders, BrainMaze features a powerhouse international lineup including vocalist Rob Davies (UK), guitarists Ramon Martinez (Venezuela) and German Maldonado (Argentina), midi-drummer Fabian Troya (Ecuador), and acoustic drummer Fabio Alessandrini (Italy).

SJÖBLOM has released a new single called "Time Stand Still". Check it HERE.

Rock band SHARKEOLOGIST whom have only been active for the past 2 years! But have since released a handful of releases, have taken the time to jump in and swim about, with discussing their time together, the most recent EP release and the plans ahead! Check it out in the video below!

Aggressivecore act THROUGH PHOENIX FIRES have a few tracks out and about, with new music underway as well. No plans for shows just yet, as the band is still coming together as a whole, with else set on just releasing music, videos, and building upon it all.... The band chats it up below!

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

Through Phoenix Fires was founded by me, Werner Gross in 2021. Before that, I was mainly involved in different bands and projects, so in many ways this started as an outlet for my own ideas and creativity. What began as a project featuring various guest musicians (including Kevin Paradis from Aborted/Benighted), has become my main band. At the moment, the only other permanent band member is guitarist and producer Romy Osterlehner, who joined TPF in 2024. Since then, we’ve written and released two singles together. For our latest release "Suffer “, we also worked with Rob Flores, a singer and songwriter from Texas.

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

Our band name was created to honor people who find themselves in their darkest moments yet still refuse to give up on their ideals and dreams. It symbolizes an act of liberation and defiance to encourage those suffering to make necessary changes in life.

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

We’re based in Southern Germany, near Munich. The scene here is quite active, and there are some great festivals like the Summerbreeze Open Air. Local bands we’d recommend are Degenernation from Nuremberg and Nacht from Leipheim, as well as bigger acts like Heaven Shall Burn or Obscura.

4. How would you describe your style?

Our style is heavily influenced by Hardcore and Metalcore. The sound is characterized by aggressive down-tuned riffs and breakdowns, melodic hooks, alternative influences, and harsh vocals. Nevertheless, we avoid forcing our music into one particular category as we always try to stay open creatively.

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

We’ve released five songs so far. Each one has its own sound, but you can always recognize the elements defining us. From heavy breakdowns to rap parts and emotionally charged, metaphorical lyrics, we try to take listeners on a journey through different emotional states and experiences.

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

Absolutely. We’re currently recording and working on our next single. The goal is to constantly evolve and continue pushing ourselves creatively with every release.

7. As far as shows and touring, what is on the agenda?

Unfortunately, we’re still searching for band members to complete Through Phoenix Fires. As soon as we’re able to rehearse regularly, we’ll start planning our first live shows. The goal is to play live as often as possible and hopefully go on tour in the future as well.

8. What else do you have planned for the rest of this year?

Our main goal is to write and get out some new music. There’s also a music video planned. Besides that, we’re focused on building a solid live lineup.

9. Where can we find you online, listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

You can find our music on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, etc. You can also connect with us on Instagram - either on Werner’s page @nukeyzen, or on Romy’s page @_damage.inc. Our YouTube channel is called PhoenixHomebase.

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

We’re always happy when listeners remember certain riffs, lyrics or melodies. It also means a lot to us when the emotions and atmosphere we try to create truly connect with people. If our music can serve as an outlet for negative emotions and leave someone feeling better afterward, then we’ve achieved our goal.

Up and coming band KILL STRINGS have been actively creating as well as playing for some time now. Having released an assortment of material, with further plans to release much more, and see where it goes from here on out!

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

The name was a spontaneous idea. We needed a band name for a contest and had to decide quickly. Since we played with so much intensity that our guitar strings often ripped, “Kill Strings” suddenly made sense — it sounded right and it matched the way we played.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We never really chose the genre as a business decision. It was more the sound that felt honest to us: loud guitars, pressure, melody, raw emotion and songs that can still work live. People have described us as alternative rock, post-grunge and even “Hamburg’s Foo Fighters,” but for us it has always been about combining energy with emotion rather than fitting into one exact label. Our sound matches the genres and bands we like to listen to the most:  alternative rock, post-grunge, scratchy guitars, big melodies and like Nothing But Thieves, Foals, Royal Blood, Tigercub and Muse. 

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

Yes. We have known each other since school and had already been through different band constellations before Kill Strings became the two-piece it is now. The band originally existed as a four-piece.

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 in Hamburg, Germany. It is a city with a strong live music culture, lots of smaller venues and a scene where you can start out locally and still aim beyond the city pretty quickly. Early on, we played places and contests like Knust, Hard Rock Rising and other Hamburg show, and later moved into bigger support slots and festivals. Most local bands that we have played with have disbanded since, so we don't have any current recommendations unfortunately.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Most of the inspiration comes from personal pressure, inner conflict, change and the need to turn something difficult into something that has energy. A lot of our songs live between vulnerability and force: trying to make sense of fear, identity, loss, anger, hope and the feeling of wanting to move forward even when things are heavy. Musically, we are inspired by bands that sound big and emotional without losing their edge.

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

Our songs are usually about internal battles: fear, doubt, self-reflection, change, relationships, pressure and the need to break out of old versions of yourself. On Limbo, that feeling is already in the title: being stuck between places, between emotions, between who you were and who you might become. The new single “Goodbye” continues that idea more directly: saying goodbye to an old self and trying to find a new one.

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

Yes, we write our own songs. The process has changed a lot over time because Kill Strings became smaller as a band. Since we became a two-piece, communication and songwriting have become more direct. We usually start from a riff, a rhythm, a vocal idea or an emotional core, then strip it down until it feels like us. For the new chapter, the setup is even more reduced: guitar and bass at the same time, even in recording, with one take and one track. That makes the process more raw, more honest and closer to what the two of us actually sound like in a room.  

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

So far, we have released the EPs Introspection and THINK / LOVE / REBEL, singles such as “Shining Star,” “Drag Me,” “Would You,” “Must Have Been Love,” “Let Me Dream,” “Navigation,” “Black Gold” and “Orange Lilies,” and our debut album Limbo, released in 2022. Someone listening to us can expect alternative rock with big melodies, raw guitars, emotional vocals and a sound that moves between heaviness and vulnerability.  

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

Yes. Our first new single in years is called “Goodbye” and is announced for May 29. It marks a new chapter for us after being quiet for a while, with a more stripped-down setup and a more direct sound.  

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

We have played a lot in the past, including support slots for bands like Cleopatrick, New Model Army, Deaf Havana, The Amazons and Mando Diao, as well as festivals such as Hurricane, The Great Escape, Open Flair, Oakfield and Reeperbahn Festival. We have some upcoming shows in the works, but nothing we are allowed to disclose yet. But we are very excited and eager to announce it!

11. What plans do you have for the rest of this year?

The main plan is to bring Kill Strings back properly: release “Goodbye,” reconnect with people after a long quiet phase, show the new two-piece setup and continue building the next chapter from there.  In addition to that, there will be a few more tracks soon. 

12. Where can we find you online, listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

You can find us as Kill Strings online, especially on Instagram at @killstrings, on our hub https://lnk.bio/killstrings, on every platform that has music and on Bandcamp. Our hub also links to our releases, tour dates and merch, including Limbo vinyl, CD and shirts. Thank you for having us!