NataliezWorld

JRock idol group Schrödinger's dog takes EDM and rock music to create who they have become. With that, they have released numerous singles, albums, EPs, music videos, with a whole lot more in-store.  They hope to head overseas to the U.S., but have plans to play shows, nonetheless. This idol group goes into discussion about how and why they are the one to stand out!

1. Please tell us is this an idol band, group, project, what would you call it?

We are a Japanese rock idol group!

We usually perform as an idol group, but several times a year, for major one-man shows and band events, we also perform with a live band as a full band set.

We don’t want to be just an idol group—we aim to be artists. That’s why we personally prefer to call ourselves a rock group. But for everyone else, it’s totally fine to simply think of us as a Japanese rock idol group!

2. What’s the origin of the band’s name Schrödinger's dog? Who is the “dog”? Is it a real dog? Or does it have nothing to do with a dog at all?

Schrödinger’s dog is a group built around themes of quantum mechanics and philosophy.

The name is actually a word we created by combining “Schrödinger’s cat” and “Pavlov’s dog.”

So unfortunately, there isn’t an actual dog hiding somewhere behind the name!

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

We are based in Tokyo and primarily perform throughout Japan, but we also have many shows in Nagoya and Osaka. Outside Japan, Taiwan is currently the country where we have performed the most.

In Japan right now, Japanese rock—often called “J-rock” or “邦ロック (Hōrock)”—is very popular. Our music, however, has a particularly strong EDM influence, so our sound might be somewhat unusual compared to a lot of what is currently popular.

As for recommendations, that’s a difficult question… so I’ll just say we recommend ourselves! lol

4. How would you describe your style?

Our concept is EDM ROCK.

Some of the artists who have influenced and inspired us are Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas and PassCode.

We think they’re incredibly cool, and we really look up to them.

5. What have you released so far as far as EPs, LPs, singles, music videos? What can someone expect from your works?

This is our sixth year as a group, and so far, we have released singles, albums, EPs, and music videos. You can find our music on major streaming platforms and YouTube, so we’d be very happy if you gave us a listen!

Especially over the past few years, our sound has become much more distinctive and easier to recognize. We create powerful music where heavily electronic EDM sounds coexist with deep, heavy low-end, while many of our songs take a progressive approach, constantly changing their arrangements, rhythms, and musical developments.

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

We’ve actually just released a new EP, but we’ve already started working on our next project for this winter!

We came up with another really interesting concept, so please look forward to it!

7. As far as shows and touring, what is on the agenda? Any hope to come to the U.S.A.?

We’ve just started preparing for our winter one-man show.

Looking ahead to next year, however, we want to become much more active internationally. We’re currently thinking seriously about how we can introduce ourselves and our music to people around the world. Performing in the United States would honestly be a dream for us.

We’re seriously thinking about how we can get people in America to discover Schrödinger’s dog and our music and hopefully reach the point where we can receive offers to perform there.

So, if anyone reading this has an opportunity for us, we would absolutely love to hear from you!

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

As we prepare for our winter one-man show, we’re currently working with our manipulator to revisit and refine our sound.

At the same time, we’re giving the members stage-performance training to help them further develop their skills and quality as rock artists.

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

You can find us pretty much everywhere!

X, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, Facebook—we’re on all of them.

Our music is distributed through TuneCore to all major music streaming platforms, so please search for Schrödinger’s dog and give us a listen!

10. What is it about you that makes you stand out above all the rest? Why should people check you out?

First of all, our members are cute. I can proudly say that! 😂 But the real selling point is that these incredibly cute girls are performing seriously cool, hard-hitting rock music.

We want people who love Japanese idol culture and anime culture, but also love rock music, to discover us and feel like our music brings those two worlds together in a way they can really enjoy.

If you like Japanese idols + anime culture + rock + EDM, we think Schrödinger’s dog might be exactly what you’re looking for.

So please, give us a listen and see for yourself!

Blackened melodic death metal band, REVENANT CURSE! Ae here to stay, because they have taken the time to discuss with us, the history, insight, and origin of themselves, their namesake, what releases they have as far as music, and the future for them!

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

First and foremost, thank you so much for organizing this interview. A couple of years ago, James our lead guitar player approached me at a local gym. He said he was starting a band with his neighbor and asked if I played any instruments. I was a vocalist for a different style of music over 10 years prior and loved the pieces they were putting together musically and decided to jump on board as a vocalist. We have rotated quite a few members, but our solid core remains Weston Parker on rhythm guitar, James Donahue on lead guitar, and me on vocals. Weston joined the band about a year ago when we lost our original rhythm player. Weston brings a plethora of musical knowledge and experience to the table that has become incredibly valuable to us.

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

James on lead guitar actually thought up the name. We ran with it because it was so fitting, we all had done musical projects in the past but had to put those things aside as life happens. Coming back to making music for all of us feels like we are channeling the ghosts of our former selves, hence the name, Revenant Curse.

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 treasure coast of Florida. The music scene is very much alive over here with plenty of local shows and incredibly talented bands to support. Mind Virus are definitely the local heavy hitters here. Their support for the local scene has been second to none, sometimes even showing up to shows they are not playing to lend equipment for other bands, etc.

4. How would you describe your style?

I would most accurately describe our style as blackened melodic death metal with saccharine hair metal guitar solos 😂. I feel like we have accurately blended all of our musical interests and influences, into something incredibly special in our sound.

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

Initially, we released a four-track Self-titled EP. Since then, we have been releasing singles and are continuing to polish our sound as time goes on. Our latest releases “Breath of the Sun,” “Dark Moon Lunacy,” and “Forced into Life” most accurately capture the sound we are chasing.

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

We are always working on new music 😊. Releasing it goes through intense scrutiny from the three of us before getting the greenlight though lol.

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

We are hoping our upcoming show September 4 opening for Colombian American death metal band “No Raza” will be a great jump off opportunity for us to start playing more local shows. We have played a couple already with positive response. We do not have any touring prospects yet. We are looking to dig our heels into the local scene more before looking at expanding.

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

Our biggest plans for the next year include playing more local shows and establishing more of a social media presence, that way as releases come, we have more and more people listening and engaging in what we are working on.

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

All of our releases are streaming on all platforms 🤘 we do not have an online store for a merchandise yet, but we plan to start printing in the very near future.

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

I would like our listeners to remember that this is a project coming out of pure love for the craft from all of us. Music has become incredibly redundant and robotic with songs being generated entirely by AI and some of their favorite artists using AI to generate album artwork. We believe in putting forth the effort, even if it doesn’t generate the same sterile results, we want people to hear and feel the raw emotion we are pouring into our tracks.

Blackened death metal band HKSPK share their story on how they got their namesake, formation, debut album expected to be released this fall, with plenty of plans set for playing shows, touring, and much else in the works! The band talks of all of this below.

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

The name was definitely not planned. Back in 2023 we were in Berlin to buy some new music equipment. On the way to the shop, we passed an underground s** shop with a window completely covered in stickers.

One of them showed Hello Kitty in a latex outfit with the words “I know your fetish, you sick bastard”. We thought the combination was so absurd, stupid and funny that we started building a band name around that image. That is how HELLOKITTISCUMPORNKILLER was born.

Later we shortened it to HKSPK for social media and because, to be fair, it is a lot easier to remember and type. In hindsight the ridiculous name was probably a lucky accident. People remember it.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Black and Death Metal are simply the genres we listen to ourselves. What we like about them is that you can combine very direct aggression with melody and atmosphere without making everything unnecessarily complicated.

We never wanted to write technical music just for the sake of showing what we can play. We like riffs and arrangements that are relatively simple but stick in your head.

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

Arne and I already knew each other because our fathers have been friends for many years. We had met at concerts and other occasions before. In summer 2023 we met again at a Metal event called Peppery Stage. That was also the first time I met Leon.

At the time Arne and Leon already had a band, but things were moving pretty slowly because they had no singer. I was experimenting a lot with Black and Death Metal vocals, so I asked them if they wanted to have a jam session.

At the first rehearsal we mostly played some simple Black Metal covers. At the second rehearsal we already wrote our first proper song, which later became “Holy Scum”. So, things moved pretty quickly from there.

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 from Brandenburg in eastern Germany, around Frankfurt (Oder), very close to the Polish border. The scene here is not huge, which makes the people who actually organize shows, festivals and small underground events even more important.

There are a lot of people doing things themselves instead of waiting for some big structure to appear. If I had to recommend a few bands from the region, I would say Killing Mania, Granit Antler, Scavenger and Nuclear Genocide.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

It can be almost anything. Other bands obviously influence us. Eisregen had quite a big influence on the way we started writing lyrics from more of a storytelling perspective and also on using German more often.

But a lot of ideas come from things that actually happened to us, stories from people around us or historical events that we then exaggerate until they work as a song.

Sometimes it is much simpler than that. Someone comes to rehearsal with a riff, we like it, and suddenly there is a new song.

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

That changes a lot from song to song. On “Heimkehr” we deal with things like war, loss, revenge, memory, friendship, mental exhaustion and collapse.

The album is not one continuous story. Some songs are based on things we experienced ourselves, some come from stories around us and others use historical themes. We usually take reality and exaggerate it until it fits the music.

Our older songs could also be much more absurd. We like playing with the seriousness and clichés of Black Metal without turning HKSPK into a comedy band.

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

Yes. We write everything ourselves. There is no strict formula for songwriting. Usually somebody has a first riff or a basic idea and then we start building around it together.

The character of a song often appears very early. More riffs, melodies and parts get added step by step depending on what feels right.

A melody works for us when it fits the character of the song and, ideally, when we still have it stuck in our heads after rehearsal. All three of us are involved in composing and arranging the songs. We also produce the music ourselves.

We don't try to make things complicated just because we can. If a simple riff works, then it works.

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

Our first full-length album was “Holy Scum” in 2024, followed by the “The Human Butcher” EP in 2025. Since then, we released “Torture” and “Rot in Despair” from the new album.

“Heimkehr” comes out on September 11, 2026.

I think the easiest way to describe our development is that the music has become darker and more personal.

“Heimkehr” has eight songs and runs for just over 25 minutes. It starts very aggressively with short and direct songs, but the further you get into the album, the darker, longer and more atmospheric everything becomes.

So, hearing only “Torture” or “Rot in Despair” does not really tell you what the whole album sounds like.

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

We always have ideas. After finishing “Heimkehr” we actually said that we did not want to release another album anytime soon. But we are also terrible at making promises like that. If the ideas are there, there is no reason to sit around and wait just because we told ourselves we should.

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

There is no full album tour confirmed at the moment. What we want is simply to play as many good shows as possible with the new material and get onto more festival stages.

We have already played shows in Germany and the Czech Republic and shared stages with bands like Asagraum, Enisum and Waldgeflüster.

There are more shows coming, and we are also working on 2027.

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

First of all, releasing “Heimkehr” on September 11, 2027. There is a lot happening around the album with press, interviews, radio and shows. After that the focus goes back to playing live and building towards 2027.

We are still completely independent, so there is always something happening behind the scenes as well. Merch, videos, rehearsals, organizing things and writing new ideas never really stop.

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

The easiest place to start is our website:

https://hkspk.de

You can find us on Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, Instagram and Facebook from there.

“Heimkehr” will be available on all the usual streaming platforms on September 11, 2027!

We are also doing a limited CD edition of 50 copies through Bandcamp, and our merch is available directly through the band.

Alternative post metal act TAKIPNIK have released their debut album "Awakened", as well as a recently new single released titled "Condemned", with more music underway! The band discusses with us, how they formed, music, writing, influences, and plans for the rest of this year!

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

Takipnik is derived from the medical term “tachypnea”, that refers to fast breathing. Our name is a modified version of the adjective form which is tachypneic. Some people have a hard time saying it at first, hopefully that helps it stick better. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Our band is a bit genre bending but I’d say we are leaning more into post metal these days. We find post metal to be the most the expressive genre. The structure is whatever you are feeling at the time of writing. It’s all about taking the listener on an adventure. 

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

The lead guitarist and drummer were in another band prior to this band, other than that we didn’t all know each other. 

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 Denver Colorado. The scene is thriving here, especially with metal it seems. Some other bands to check out are Circling Over, Sungrave and Lost Relics. So many more to name too! 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Typically, the songs are written from experiences that happen in life, typically unhappy ones and the song is a vehicle for handling it. Sometimes a certain type of song will get started after attending a good show or from listening to records too, which will spark some inspiration. 

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

Depression, life events and dogs. 

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

Yes, we do write our own songs. They are written initially by the band lead in a rough draft form and then he works with the other members to iterate on them until they are ready. That process will typically include jamming on parts or working directly in the recording software trying new arrangements.

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

We released a full-length album in October 2024 titled “Awakened”, but most recently we dropped a new single titled “Condemned” along with its music video on July 24th. The music video is the biggest thing we have done so far. Definitely worth checking out on YouTube!

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

Yes, we do and we are currently planning on using the remainder of the year to focus on writing more material for a full-length record.

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

Nothing is set in stone currently. We just got through a run of shows this year. We are discussing some touring possibilities for early summer 2027, and we typically play some local shows in the Denver area earlier in the year. 

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

Writing our best record yet and hopefully get it recorded in the studio.

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

We are on all of the streaming platforms, along with Bandcamp. People can also find us on Instagram and Facebook, along with our website at www.takipnik.com which provides links to just about everything else. Our full-length record is available for purchase on a 180-gram vinyl, which you find on Bandcamp or our website. Thanks!

Experimentalists ARTERY WIRE have taken the experimental route with taking metal, electronic, to create something involving a bit of this and that, such as synthwave and darkwave elements as well. With that, they have gone on to release some single's, with a whole lot newer music in the works! The band talks about themselves, music, and future planning.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Was it planned or did it just come naturally?

Hi everyone, we are Artery Wire. The band name came quite naturally as we were developing the concept behind the project.

It represents the connection between the organic and technology: “Artery” stands for everything human, alive and visceral, while “Wire” represents machines, connection and the digital world.

That duality lies at the very heart of both our music and our universe.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

We are influenced by both metal and electronic music, and we experimented a lot before finding our own identity.

Today, our music combines heavy, atmospheric Thall, inspired by bands and artists such as Vildhjarta, fromjoy and Mirar, with electronic, synthwave and darkwave elements.

Lorna's vocals move between screams, growls and clean singing, allowing us to shift from deeply atmospheric sections to something much more violent.

Above all, we want to create music that feels heavy, immersive and cinematic.

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

No. We actually met through social media, and we immediately connected.

We came from different musical backgrounds but quickly realized that our influences — and especially our vision of what Artery Wire could become — were highly complementary.

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

Artery Wire is based in France, where the modern metal scene has become incredibly dynamic over the past few years.

We could obviously mention bands such as LANDMVRKS, ten56., Ashen, Resolve and Revnoir, each of which showcases, in its own way, the diversity and strength of the current French scene.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

One of our main sources of inspiration comes from the emotions experienced by our vocalist and composer, Lorna.

There is a lot of nostalgia and contemplation in her writing, but also an underlying anger that can suddenly erupt.

Those personal emotions are then transposed into the Artery Wire universe: science fiction ultimately becomes a mirror through which we explore deeply human emotions.

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

The concept behind Artery Wire explores themes such as transhumanism, artificial intelligence, loss of identity, technological control and social tensions within a futuristic dystopian world.

We are heavily influenced by science fiction, anime and video games, which can especially be seen throughout our music videos.

But we wanted to go much further than simply adopting a cyberpunk aesthetic. We created an entire universe with its own history, characters, factions and locations.

Each song represents another chapter of this saga, following our avatars through an adventure where survival, rebellion and existential questions intertwine.

7. Do you write your own songs? Can you tell us about the songwriting process?

Yes. Lorna composes the music and writes the lyrics, drawing inspiration from the concepts, emotions and events we want to explore.

Together, we define the major directions of the story and the atmosphere we want for each song. Lorna then transforms those ideas into music and gives them a much more personal emotional dimension.

The process works both ways: the lore influences the music, but the music can also reshape and expand the lore.

That's what allows us to maintain a strong sense of coherence between the compositions, lyrics, story and visual universe.

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

We have already released four singles, and we plan to continue throughout the rest of the year, with roughly one new track every month as we gradually unveil our debut album.

Discovering Artery Wire isn't simply about listening to a collection of singles. We want to offer a genuine musical and visual journey, where every song moves the story forward.

Anyone entering our universe can expect an experience combining extreme metal, electronic music, storytelling and science fiction.

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

Yes — a lot!

Even while we are still unveiling our debut album, we are already working on what comes next.

Two EPs are currently in development, allowing us to explore new musical and narrative dimensions of the Artery Wire universe.

The story is only beginning.

10. How about playing shows and touring? Do you have anything planned?

Artery Wire is still a very young project, as the band has only existed for a few months.

Our lineup is now almost complete, and our next goal is to bring this entire universe to the stage next year.

We don't simply want to perform our songs live. We are thinking about how to translate the atmosphere and visual identity of Artery Wire onto the stage, so that the live show itself becomes part of the experience.

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

Our main priority is to continue unveiling our debut album.

Every new track will be accompanied by a music video, allowing the music and the story to evolve together.

With each release, the audience will discover new characters and locations, while gradually beginning to understand the true scale of the universe we are building.

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

You can find Artery Wire on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Deezer, as well as on our YouTube channel, where you can watch our music videos and follow the story from the very beginning.

As for merchandise, we'd rather wait for the right moment before officially launching our first pieces.

But several things are already in the works…and we definitely have a few surprises in store.

Hardcore groove metal Mexicano's P4r4s1t0 have been around releasing music for some time, in fact, it's been over 10 years, since the very first and last time we spoke to one another, back then we had done our first interview together! The band has caught up with us to discuss all that's been happening since then with music, playing shows and the plans ahead.

1. It's been 13 years since we first and last spoke, so give me an idea as to what the band has been up too since then up until right here and now!

It’s great to talk, once again, with you, it’s been a while! Since the las time we spoke, I started working in new music and doing some movements with the guys in the band, sadly to say, it didn’t work out the way I want it with the new members and after a couple years the band was over. After the last big earthquake in Mexico City in 2017, I moved to Guadalajara and tried to do some music with other bands but I ended up deciding to relive P4r4s1t0, probably the best decision, one of the things that helped that was the fact that I wrote all the music, so, it belongs to me and I had no problem getting new members and playing again.

We had the chance to open, once again ha-ha, a show for the band Molotov here in Guadalajara and that restarted everything, we released a couple songs, started doing local shows, small ones, and from there we worked in more music, did some music videos, that I’ll share with you, and we even won an award for one of the bests songs in Jalisco in 2025 (Los Cien Jalisco).

2. Would you say the band's line-up is still the same or has things changed along the way?

It totally changed, the only original member in the band is me, right now Vicente Robledo (vocal) and Ernesto Conde(drums) are the new additions to the band, and I couldn’t find better musicians and persons that those two guys. They supported me and increased the vision I had of the band, they’re just the best!!!

3. During our first interview you had mentioned the band wearing masks in their appearance and performances, is that still the same set-up?

Yes, we’re still wear masks, it became kind of a signature thing, and with the change of members it was easier for the people just to see a mask and not miss a former member.

4. Also, back then you discussed your EP "Contra Todo", are you still releasing EP's year after year as you were doing, or did you eventually release your debut LP, what releases are in the catalog nowadays?

No, I wasn’t able to release new music every year, like I said before I messed up with the changes inside the band and everything went to hell!!!!, but now we’re back and finally releasing music every chance we had, since the music industry has been changing, we the smaller bands have to work differently and work more around singles than LPs.

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

We just release new music on July 24th of this year, the album is called R3b0rn. We’re really excited about this new “era” of the band. It’s a seven tracks release with 3 music videos, so far, we’re doing a new one in September, and working on new music all the time, I may have some nice feature on the next single.

For now, check out our music videos:

Verdugo:

https://youtu.be/Iwfas-GxFKo?si=pF-LqjbkLJFiO6lo

62:

https://youtu.be/oRKPwZSDuwI?si=JwsGdKuV8yxi7rXQ

Insaculación:

https://youtu.be/0NV_pkwqBvk?si=jSpGELyvqVJZbX0Y

62 & Verdugo (live):

https://youtu.be/nJgnsCB1nyo?si=qBPNOWIcHD69MzgK

6. Did the band ever tour outside of Mexico, if so, where did you go and why?

No, so fare the band had only played in Mexico.

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

We had some invitations to go to south America for next year, we’re working on a possible tour in Colombia, Brazil and Argentina. And we may do our first show in the US in March, still working on that, but 2027 it’s going to be a great year.

8. Do you or any of the other members have any projects music related or not?

No, we’re all focused on P4r4s1t0, Chente (Vicente) was playing drums for a little while with a punk band, but now he’s 100% with us.

9. What is one thing about your band that no one would expect?

We’re not trying to please anybody, so maybe one day we’ll release a super weird nonmetal song, maybe one day we’ll switch instruments on a show, just for the fun of it, so, you can expect anything from us.

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

For the rest of the year, we have some shows outside Guadalajara, a new video that should be out around October and actually we’re talking with a local record label, they’re interested in us, so, we may have some extra shows this year if that goes through.

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

True to be told, it was something that came out over drinks, the original intention of that name was just to annoy people but ended up being some kind of way to be free to do whatever we want and had no expectations from anybody.

12. Why did you want to play this genre?

I always thought that any form of, metal lets the artist to be free, you can mix any music styles, you can write about whatever you want, you can play super-fast or really slow songs, some other non-metal styles I feel doesn’t give you that freedom.

13. Is that your final answer?

Hell yeah!!!

Hard rockin' heavy metal act NEON DRAGON have a debut track out and about, with a debut album set, but being taken carefully and seriously before its release. The band discusses history, styling, music context, and the plans for the future.

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

Neon Dragon formed a few years ago while on tour in the US with Canadian Metal Legends Anvil. We were having some drama in our previous band, and they encouraged us to form a new band with a clean start. In terms of members, I realized after a few months we wouldn’t probably have a permanent lineup for the time being. It’s hard to keep a lineup together so my philosophy is just to let anyone be a part of it who wants to be a part of it. 

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

We wanted something that would give us some good ideas for artwork and merch. That’s where the ‘dragon’ comes from. The ‘neon’ was just something we thought sounded cool. The imagery from the name certainly gives us a lot to work with, even it is a bit cheesy. 

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 based in Los Angeles, sadly the music scene for this style has declined over the years. There are still some local bands around who I like to check out every once in a while. White Wizzard is still going, I like to jam with them whenever I can.

4. How would you describe your style?

It’s old school heavy music like hard rock. Guitar-wise I’m doing everything with Les Pauls and vintage Marshalls. The sound is very organic, I hate digital amps and plug-ins. I don’t care what anyone says, you can definitely hear and feel the difference, so I avoid that stuff. I’m not saying it can’t sound good but the problem with using those plugins is everyone ends up sounding the same. I have three 100 watt Marshalls from the 70’s and they all sound slightly different. They’re the same model but they each have their own unique little quirks. 

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

We put out our first song ‘Enter the Dragon’ last year. That has Ronnie Romero on vocals. It’s a pretty good song, everyone played really well. As we are still finalizing a lineup our future music might not sound too similar, but it’s a cool song. We also just put out an Anvil cover ‘Ooh Baby’ with Neil Turbin on vocals, Vinny Appice on drums and Becky Baldwin on Bass. That was just kind of a fun thing I wanted to do while we work on our debut album. 

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

Yeah, I’ve been recording our debut album the past year. I’m taking my time with it because I want to make sure I get it right. It’s close to being to finished. 

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

We played some shows in Los Angeles earlier this year. I’ve been touring with another band (Sanctuary) this year and they have shown all over, it’s basically like a world tour. But when our debut album is finished, we’ll look into some touring.

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

Basically, to finish our debut album and get on the road! I’m really trying to achieve my artistic vision for the music and get it sounding right. That might sound a bit pompous but there’s so much generic garbage out there. I really want to make something I’m proud of. I take my music very seriously. The artwork too. I paint all the artwork by hand with oil paints. 

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

The best place is our bandcamp (https://neondragon.bandcamp.com/), we have merch available there. You can stream our stuff everywhere. 

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

This is going to sound very arrogant, but I don’t really care too much about the listener. The music we make is basically for me. If someone else enjoys it, that’s awesome, and of course I want to grow our fanbase. It’s basically like I’m making the music I want to listen to, but if you want to enjoy with me, you’re more than welcome to come along for the ride!

Alternative elemental nu-gaze rockers HAZARDOUS YOUTH have released a few EPs, singles, and videos, with plans set to release newer music, playing shows for the rest of this year, with much more shows and other plans set for the next year! The band talks with us about all of this below!

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

Hazardous Youth was founded in 2025 in Houston by James Lopez as an electronic rock project. Inspired by artists like Twenty-One Pilots, Gorillaz, and Oliver Tree, the early sound focused on production-heavy beats and rap-driven hooks. That period produced our debut album Woke World, available now on all platforms.

As the project evolved, James connected with Arnold, aka Drip, on vocals, pushing the sound into heavier territory. Our second release, the EP This Was Meant to Hurt You, introduced a more aggressive, hip-hop influenced energy.

In 2026 we made the full transition to a live rock format with our third release, Be Yourself. This 5-track EP trades programming for guitars and drums, establishing us as a six-piece alternative metal/shoegaze band.

Following James Mulroy’s departure to pursue Buddhist practice, Nicholas Baldwin joined on guitars, completing our current lineup:

James Lopez — Lead Vocals / Bass

Arnold / Drip — Vocals

Nicholas Baldwin — Guitars

Adrian — Guitars / Vocals

Peter — Drums

Andrew — Keyboards

Be Yourself was recorded at Southwing Audio and engineered, mixed, and mastered by Jimmy Neito. Released July 3, 2026, it captures the band’s evolution from studio project to a full live unit. The focus remains the same: strong songwriting and memorable hooks — now at higher volume.

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

The name Hazardous Youth comes from an Eminem lyric that resonated with James Lopez during the band’s formation. It immediately fit our story and trajectory.

Every phase of the band has carried an element of risk — launching an electronic project in a guitar city, shifting from rap hooks to heavy vocals, rebuilding the lineup, and ultimately moving into alternative metal. The name reflects that willingness to evolve without compromising the songwriting. It’s a reminder that growth requires a level of danger, and we’ve embraced that from day one.

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 based in Houston, Texas. Houston’s music scene is defined by its diversity and crossover. Hip-hop, metal, indie, and electronic acts often share bills, and venues like White Swan and Axelrad actively program mixed-genre events. There’s also renewed support for local rock at the Live Nation level, with rooms like Foundation Room booking Houston-based headliners.

It’s a competitive market, but one that rewards authenticity and work ethic. The city shows up for bands that deliver live. Artists we recommend checking out from Houston: Rowdy, Nothing Who Cares, and Space Rhyno. You can catch a strong cross-section of the current heavy scene at RADFEST, Nov 20-22 at Axelrad. We’re also on the Loko Wrestling bill at White Swan on Sept 18 — they consistently curate high-energy, creative lineups.

4. How would you describe your style?

We describe our sound as alternative metal and shoegaze, with elements of nu-gaze.

Be Yourself blends the rhythmic weight of nu-metal with the atmospheric layers of shoegaze. Key reference points are Deftones, Loathe, Slowdive, and Turnstile, mixed with all the heavy metal we jammed as young men.

Our background in electronic and hip-hop production still informs the songwriting. We prioritize structure and choruses, but execute them with three guitars, keyboards, and dual vocals. The result is a six-piece wall of sound designed for live performance — heavy, melodic, and built on the energy of Turnstile-style hardcore meeting metal atmosphere.

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

Releases to date:

Woke World — Debut LP | Electronic rock | Recorded DIY and produced by James Lopez at Demon House Studio | Available everywhere

This Was Meant to Hurt You — EP | Hip-hop / aggressive vocal focus | Recorded DIY and produced by James Lopez at Demon House Studio

Be Yourself — 5-track EP | Alternative metal/shoegaze | Released July 3, 2026 | Recorded at Southwing Audio, engineered/mixed/mastered by Jimmy Neito

Key singles from Be Yourself:

— First single + official video directed by Danny Staley, lighting by Void Light Design, BTS photography by Alice. Filmed at Peters Warehouse and Downtown Houston.

— YouTube video premiered July 3rd

What to expect: A clear progression with each release. The first two records were fully DIY — written, recorded, and produced by James Lopez at Demon House Studio — showing our self-sufficient roots. Be Yourself represents our move into a professional studio environment with Jimmy Neito, but the songwriting approach is the same: live tracking first, dynamics second, zero filler.

If you’re finding us now, start with Be Yourself — it’s the most accurate representation of who we are today: a live band with studio discipline.

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

Yes. We are definitely working on new music that’s pushing Hazardous Youth to evolve further.

The writing process is active and we’re exploring new sonic territory beyond Be Yourself. That said, the next song you will hear from us is EGO DEATH single and video dropping early October 2026.

EGO DEATH is the heaviest song on Be Yourself and represents the current ceiling of our sound. The video will be shot by Danny Staley.

While we focus on promoting Be Yourself through Fall/Winter 2026, the new material in development will define our next chapter. We’ll begin previewing that direction after RADFEST in November.

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

Fall 2026 Texas Dates:

Thu Sept 18: Loko Wrestling @ White Swan — Houston, TX

Fri Sept 26: Rob Metal Works — San Antonio, TX | San Antonio debut

Wed Oct 15: An Evening With Hazardous Youth — Foundation Room, Houston, TX | Live Nation headline

Thu Nov 20 - Sat Nov 22: RADFEST @ Axelrad — Houston, TX

We are actively booking across Texas and surrounding states through the remainder of 2026. Our October 15 headline at Foundation Room is a milestone show for the Be Yourself cycle and a priority for the band this year.

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

September: Promotion for the video. Content rollout from White Swan and San Antonio shows for socials.

October: single and video release. Headline performance at Foundation Room on 10.15.26. Continued promotion of Be Yourself.

November: RADFEST performance 11/20-22. Professional multi-cam live recording, industry networking, and year-end recap content.

Our objective for Q4 2026 is to support Be Yourself with strong visuals, strategic live shows, and measurable growth in Texas before expanding our touring radius in 2027.

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

Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music — Woke World, This Was Meant to Hurt You, Be Yourself EP

Video: YouTube — Search “Hazardous Youth” for, and behind-the-scenes content

Social: Instagram + TikTok @hazardousyouth

Live: Tickets for Foundation Room, Oct 15, 2026 — link in bio on all platforms

Contact/Booking: hazardousyouthtxds@gmail.com | 346-263-4146

Merchandise: New designs launching alongside the release in October. Updates on Instagram.

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

We want listeners to remember how catchy the music is, and how it connects to core memories — music that makes you think about yourself.

There’s a specific feeling you get from songs that defined your youth. That nostalgia magic. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to. We didn’t start as a metal band — we evolved into one — but the commitment to strong hooks and emotional resonance has been constant since 2025.

Be Yourself is written to be both heavy and memorable. If a chorus sticks with you, if a riff brings back a moment you’d forgotten, then we’ve done our job. We want the songs to hit you the way music hit us when we were kids: honestly, loudly, and permanently.

The takeaway is in the title: Be Yourself. Even if it’s hazardous.

Hard rockers HER NAME ECHOES released an album titled "Cyclic" back in 2016! But since, they have released an array of singles, with much more material set to be unleashed soon! The band discusses playing some local and regional shows, with plan to tour set for some time next year, new music, and much else in the works!

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

We are a group of friends who had initially met during college while living in the dorms at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Some of us were in a punk band that we had started before carrying out the current project that is Her Name Echoes. It allowed us to hone our craft and learn how to release music independently and navigate the music industry. After starting to experiment with what would be the current sound of Her Name Echoes, it wasn't something that fit our punk band but decided to begin pursuing it near the end of our college days. The songs really began to take form after meeting our lead guitarist, Qusai Asaad, whose style brought a whole new level of personality to our sound. 

We released our first single, Innocence, in 2015 and were blown away by the response. After playing several hometowns shows and seeing how strongly audiences connected with the music, we knew we had something special. Our second single, Flatline, received commercial radio airplay, which helped our debut album Cyclic (2016) gain traction independently.

Over the following years, I (Joseph, vocals) began writing our second album. However, both Billy (guitar) and I became extremely busy with medical school and residency, and then the COVID-19 pandemic significantly changed the music industry. We held off on releasing nine completed songs and, by the time we were ready around 2021, we had to relearn how to promote music in a singles-driven, social media-focused era.

Since then, we’ve been releasing tracks from the album and are excited to finally share it in full. Now that we’ve completed residency and are working full-time as physicians, we’re able to dedicate more time to the band. We’ve also invested heavily in our live production, including an automated light show and improvements to our sound quality, so that we’re ready for anything from club shows to festival spots. Honestly, some of our best work is still ahead...I can’t wait for people to hear it!

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

We loved the idea of contrasting an aggressive rock sound with something polished, beautiful, and even feminine. We explored a bunch of options. Many of which were shot down. Our gutiarist, Billy has a miniature dachshund named Layla. One night, he brought her over to my house for a board game night (yes, we’re nerds like that). When they walked into the house, every ignored Billy but began saying "Layla!" at different time almost in sequence as she sniffed around our feet. Billy said, "I swear anytime I go somewhere with her, her name echoes" and then he paused, looked at me and excitedly whispered "Oh! That's a good one! Write that one down!" So... yep. It's because of a dog. 

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 from Tucson, AZ! The music scene is very close knit. Everyone knows everyone in some way, especially among the alternative/rock/metal/punk community. There are some fantastic venues, but unfortunately larger touring acts don't come in as regularly as larger cities. So local music often flourishes even more based on that. It ebbs and flows to be honest. I love Tucson, but especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, we need more consistency. So, if any major label booking agent sees this, please consider Tucson. There are some great local acts in Tucson, and I would highly recommend my homies in Brace Yourself that are similar to our style as well as Pyrotechnica. I also follow an indie band named Steph and the Articles who are incredible. I just recently also moved to Phoenix, AZ where the other members now live which have a pretty vibrant music scene that I am looking forward to diving even more into. 

4. How would you describe your style?

Larger-than-life and cinematic hard rock. grew up on rock and metal from roughly 2004–2010, and that influence definitely comes through. A lot of people describe our music as nostalgic but with a modern edge, which I think fits. We pull inspiration from a wide range of genres, and that variety finds its way into our sound for sure. I’m not a huge fan of labeling music with ultra specific sub-genres because it can feel creatively limiting, but there are definitely elements of modern metal, metalcore, grunge, and post-grunge in what we do. Also, working in medicine, you might notice some similar themes in the lyrics. I guess that’s a natural extension of my day-to-day life. Also, everything must be catchy. If something doesn't make you want to sing-along or stay stuck in your head, then it's not good enough. I strive for that constantly, so you can expect strong hooks in all our music. 

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

We just released a brand-new sing called 'Tragedy' on July 24th, 2026, alongside an animated visual lyric video! Our first album, 'Cyclic' was released early 2016. However, since that time we have been releasing singles as a part of an album. So far, we have put out Save Me, Gravity, Draw The Line, All The Same, Virus, and Over It. We have 2 more songs left to complete this album before bringing some fresh bangers that I am so excited about releasing. 

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

Absolutely. Some of our best songs haven’t even been released yet! There is a lot to look forward to from us. Outside of the band, I also do some additional music production and co-writing with other artists, which helps keep things fresh creatively. I used to do that more frequently, but have been getting back into working with others since I find that it expands my creativity. I can bring that creative energy and learn new things that make it's way into our own music as well.

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

We don’t have a full tour scheduled just yet, but we’re currently looking at late 2026 or early 2027. In the meantime, we’ll be playing local and regional shows. The best way to stay updated is through our Bandsintown page or by joining our email list via our Linktree - https://linktr.ee/hernameechoes.

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

Releasing more music, playing local and regional shows, filming music videos, continuing to write more music, and locking in plans for a tour.

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

Everything is available through our Linktree - https://linktr.ee/hernameechoes - it connects you to our music, merch, videos, show dates, and more.

If you want to support us, the best thing you can do is follow us on your favorite streaming platform, like our songs, and add them to your playlists. Also, follow us on social media and engage with us. We love hearing how people discovered us and what our music means to them.

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

We care so deeply about our music. If it resonates with you, don’t hesitate to reach out. We genuinely love hearing from listeners! One of the most powerful things about music is its ability to transport you somewhere else. For me, creating these songs is an escape. A riff can feel like a sci-fi movie scene or writing a certain melody can capture a specific memory or emotion from childhood. If our music gives you that same feeling or memory and it reminds you of a moment, a place, or a story then please tell us about it! We love hearing that stuff!

Heavy metal hard rockers SAVETTA have unleashed their debut EP this summer, with them already in the writing process towards what will be their debut album come sometime next year! The band talks about how their formation occurred, and the plans set for the remainder of this year!

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

As our lineup was filling out, our rhythm guitarist, Brett, and friend (and now manager), Alan Mares of fellow local traditional heavy metal band Wanted, sat down brainstorming band names. The word “Savetta” came out of just throwing ideas out, and we ended up loving the sort of aggressive connotation with its similar sound to “baretta.” Another big contender was “Razor Heart,” which we absolutely would love to use in an album or song title. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

I (Vaughn) strongly admire the raw talent, skill, and discipline of the older generations of rock and metal that influence our music. I think that heavy metal really seeks to push the boundaries and capabilities of what it means to be a musician and a performer. As a vocalist alone you look at singers like Don Dokken, Sebastian Bach, Klaus Meine: this incredible, inhuman talent that just blows you away and challenges you to become better. The genre demands this inventiveness, discipline, and personal improvement that always keeps me engaged and motivated, and I crave that.

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

In loose jam sessions leading up to the creation of the band, yes. Brett and Grant (lead guitar) were both familiar with our friends in Wanted and were brought together by their lead guitarist, Alan. Brett found our drummer, Liam, at an anime convention, and brought him into jam, laying the foundation for Savetta. Our bass player, Morgan, was picked up to fill out the instrumental sound, and lastly, our singer, Vaughn was recruited to the lineup also via connections with Wanted.

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’re based out of Metro Detroit, with a great rock and metal scene. While traditional heavy metal is definitely a small – but growing! – crowd, Downriver Detroit is a big center for subgenres like hardcore and metalcore. If you like us, our brothers in Wanted are a must-listen. Not only have they essentially invented us as Savetta, but they’ve laid the foundation to bring back heavy metal in our scene – and they have a kick-ass live show and discography to show for it. Our most recent EP release party was opened by local bands, Honeyfoot and Morbid Massacre, definitely some heavy-hitters in the area. 

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

We come from a variety of musical backgrounds, experience, and influences. I (Vaughn) usually take inspiration from movies, my friends, and occasionally my own experiences. We’re all heavily inspired by the raw power, talent, and energy of hair and heavy metal, and a majority of our inspiration comes from simply wanting to emulate our heroes.

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

We certainly try to do justice for the classic 80’s hair and heavy metal themes, such as topics of love and longing – and a little bit of sleaze – in Missing Touch and Heat of the Night. On the other hand, you get more aggressive themes of survival, conflict, and fighting against the odds in the lyrics of Disobey and Kill on Sight. 

I (Vaughn) would personally love to experiment with more fantastical and poetic storytelling like you see in Ronnie James Dio’s discography, especially with Rainbow and Black Sabbath. I think a developed idea like this could do really well in a future album release as we continue writing.

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

Grant: I’d say we almost do something different whenever we write. Sometimes I will come up with a singular riff or full progression leading up to the chorus on my own and I will pitch the idea to the band and in some cases, we’ll start building off from that at the next band practice discussing the note choice or timing of certain changes. We have quite a few songs that’ll be released in the future that were written that way. Another way is that sometimes an idea can just come up right on the spot and collectively we will just roll with it if we believe so strongly in that idea. That is how our track “Disobey” was composed. Our first song we ever wrote as a band and we were simply just jamming and thought very strongly with the idea of that entire progression we played out.

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

We just released our self-titled EP as of May 8th 2026, available on all platforms with its own CD release. It features Heat of the Night, which we released in March as our debut single with an accompanying music video on YouTube. 

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

We have been in the works of writing songs over the last several months in preparation to put out an LP sometime around the spring of 2027. The majority of the album is already written, but there is still a lot of work to do. We still have some more songs that we still need to write out or just simply finish.  We do have some tracks that are done and we currently throw those into a rotation on our setlists when we play live shows to introduce to our audience what we have looking ahead.

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

We are currently in the works of booking shows throughout the state of Michigan throughout this summer in promotion of the EP being out. At the moment we don’t plan on doing a full tour very soon, but something we will consider in the near future for sure.

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

We’re currently preparing to film a music video to release between late August and early October. We’re in the works discussing a possible vinyl release, mini tours, labels, and the next big steps like that. We’re also working on booking shows more regionally and nationally, currently as far as South Carolina.

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

You can find us on all streaming platforms. Merch is available online through our friends at Full Volume Music, where you can now purchase our new EP on CD! 

Store Link: https://www.fullvolumemusic.com/collections/savetta 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/savettaofficial

Alternative rockers SPINORS have released a couple of singles to give a jest of who we're dealing with here. With that, another single is coming, with even more songs expected as well. The band goes into talks about their time together, releases thus far, and the plans for the future.

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

Quantum mechanics is one of my favorite topics. I'm genuinely fascinated by the whole subject, and together with music and Steampunk, I wanted to bring those interests together. That's how Spinors was born, as an expression of everything that captures my imagination.

The name Spinors refers to a quantum property that remains undefined until it's observed. As a metaphor for my music, it means that a song only truly takes shape when someone listens to it. Through their own experiences, memories, and personal perspective, each listener defines the music, makes its meaning their own, and ultimately brings it to life in a way that resonates with them. I thought it was a fitting definition because, even though it comes from a physical phenomenon, it still feels deeply poetic.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

The truth is that I listen to all kinds of music, not just rock or metal. I love symphonic music, and I have playlists for all kinds of moments in my life. But when it comes to making music and performing it live, I don't think there's anything that makes me feel more connected to what I want to express than alternative rock with heavy riffs. The reality is also that I don't think the music we make fits into a single genre, so labeling it as "Alternative Rock" makes it easier to avoid long explanations, and then anyone who's interested will discover different layers shaped by influences from many different genres.

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

I already knew the bassist because we both played in a metal tribute to Britney Spears. Through that project, we had the chance to use Spinors as the opening band, which allowed us to introduce my original music to a much larger audience while taking advantage of the infrastructure that comes with a tribute band, since those are always much easier to promote. I think the strategy is working because we can clearly see that a lot of people are interested in what we're doing.

The truth is that I recorded the music with two musician friends before the band officially came together so we could already have material ready and spend 2026 releasing music, videos, and touring. Gabe and Angie have been the musicians joining me for the live shows since the tour began.

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

The band is based in London, and while we've played with many different bands, there are some that I like more than others. I can recommend a few that I really enjoyed, such as Delta Unit, Healthy Junkies, Polly Pik Pockets, among others! Although I think that, among local musicians, the artist I've gone to see the most has been Santiago Periotti, a great blues guitarist!

We would like to become part of the grunge scene, but it seems quite closed, with the same bands always appearing and even competitions being held to participate, which goes against my personal values. I feel that music becomes commercialized in that way, so I’m eventually planning to create my own grunge scene and try to bring together alternative rock musicians and ’90s influences into a new framework more connected to art rather than commerce.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Music is my escape, my grounding force, the thing I need when darkness clouds my mind. I can definitely say that my inspiration comes from being able to transform everything negative into something beautiful and something that makes me feel good, and I truly enjoy that process through music.

I can also say that my music is influenced by my travels and by discovering the world, which is something that gives me a lot of perspective and makes me reflect more deeply on life.

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

The lyrics and the music are very diverse because I have different triggers that inspire me to write. In the case of the band's first song, WALK ALONE, it is about leaving everything behind for a dream and feeling that after such a long journey, there is no longer a place I can truly call home.

On the other hand, there are less introspective songs with social criticism, such as CHOOSE TO BELIEVE, where I talk about how people can be easily manipulated through propaganda and how the modern reward system created by digital platforms shapes mass behavior according to the interests of powerful puppeteers behind the curtain. Each person chooses whether or not to be part of that system, along with the consequences that come with it, such as loneliness from not belonging to a larger majority of zombies who cannot think for themselves.

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

Yes, I write my own songs! I usually focus on what I feel, and based on that feeling or idea, I build everything around it. I first start with the music and spend several days looking for elements that make me feel connected to the original emotion that started the process. Let's say "nostalgia": I look for riffs, melodies, chords, rhythms, and vocal techniques that make me relate to that feeling, and then I create the structure and record it.

Once the music is recorded, I write the lyrics and record them at home as well. With that "song demo" ready, we usually start rehearsing and playing it, and that allows it to evolve until it's finished. Only then do we go to a studio to record it again with all the updates that came from adapting it to the live band.

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

So far, we have released 2 singles with their respective videos, one to introduce the band and another one with the STEAMPUNK aesthetic fully incorporated. Soon we will release the 3rd video for a song called YOU LOVED THE CAGE, which we are currently pre-producing in order to film it soon and continue this process.

The idea is to keep exploring gothic, steampunk, and dark concepts in greater depth, and to create something that people who enjoy these elements can connect with and enjoy as a representation of what they love. We are not looking to become mainstream; we just want to build a niche audience that truly enjoys what we create.

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

Yes, we have 4 more songs recorded in addition to the ones we have already released, and we will be releasing them one every two months until the end of 2026. This way, in 2027, we can try to record again and take a qualitative step forward as an established band after having performed together for more than half a year.

The next single will be YOU LOVED THE CAGE, and we will soon start working on its music video.

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

Yes, we have planned at least 30 shows between 2026 and 2027. For now, until the middle of next year, we will be playing across the UK, closing that British tour with a big show at THE UNDERWORLD opening for BRITALLICA. Then, during the second half of 2027, we plan to go beyond the UK, playing in Europe and Canada.

The idea is to do as much as possible to share our music with as many people as we can, because we know that the live show and the whole concept are there waiting to be discovered.

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

The idea is to release 3 more music videos, starting with YOU LOVED THE CAGE, and continue playing shows across the UK. The next date is August 15th at THE GREAT SOUTHERN in London, where we will have several guests joining us, and then we will continue playing in different cities across the UK.

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

You can find us on all music platforms and YouTube; I’ll leave the links below:

🔹https://www.youtube.com/@sergievideos

🔹https://open.spotify.com/artist/0asKMw6TsfGdeellBaHSuf

🔹https://www.instagram.com/spinorsband

🔹https://www.facebook.com/spinors

Thank you so much for the invitation and for giving us this space!

Visual kei act DELRIUM out of Seoul, have been at it for some time now, releasing a handful of singles, playing live, and even their debut album expected late this summer! The band discusses with us how they came to be, why go this route with this particular style, and so much more that is in the works for them!

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

We were drinking at a pub, and the beer was DELIRIUM tremens. The word just looked cool, so we took it — and then we found out it's actually a pretty terrifying word: a trembling state of madness where you lose your grip on reality. But honestly, it fit. Our songs run fast and hit hard, but the melodies and lyrics underneath are about a wavering heart — loss, wandering. So, we dropped the "I" from DELIRIUM and made DELRIUM, a word that exists only for us. Maybe it's the feeling of losing your "I" inside a delusion.

That's the spirit behind it — we hope that someone out there in a dark, heavy time can take something from our music, whether it's a little comfort or just the sensation of being alive. Whatever it is, we want every listener to come away feeling their own "emotion."

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Our leader S.J_Hann's favorite band of all time is Mejibray, so from the very beginning he wanted to do visual kei. But while gathering members, we realized the Korean indie scene isn't that big to begin with — and people who want to play visual kei music are even harder to find. So, we almost went down the road of being a metalcore band. In the end, though, we saw that our melodies and our colors got people the most fired up when we leaned into visual kei, so from early this year we started doing full makeup and costumes for real. And if you listen to our songs, you'll hear it — a Korean feeling blended with Japanese visual kei, a strange kind of visual kei that only DELRIUM has.

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

Our guitarist c h ! k a — we first met in an anime music cover band we were briefly helping out. When chika's old band fell apart and we were recruiting under the name DELRIUM, chika applied to the audition, and has been with us ever since as a founding member. Coming from anime music, chika plays a big role in giving DELRIUM's sound that energetic anisong edge.

Our drummer H00N — back when we were suffering through endless drummer trouble, we asked the best drummer at university to help us out "just for one live show." That one show has lasted all the way to today.

Our vocalist SILVA — when our former vocalist announced he was leaving the band, admitting he'd hit his limits, we still had shown left on the schedule. A friend from a band we'd shared a stage with recommended someone who happened to be in the audience that night: SILVA. He sent us an audition file of himself singing the musical REBECCA, and we made him an offer on the spot, zero hesitation. Later SILVA confessed that the first time he saw our live show, he was already thinking "I want to be in that band" — and after hearing that, we signed the eternal contract(?) that made him DELRIUM's frontman.

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

DELRIUM is based in Seoul and the surrounding metro area, but if a chance opens up anywhere else, we'll go anywhere to spread our music. Unlike the famous K-pop, the Korean band scene doesn't really get mainstream attention beyond a small circle of devoted fans. But countless skilled artists keep grinding for their moment to shine, and that relentless effort is what holds the indie band scene up. We're one of them, and we hope the scene keeps growing until Korean bands stand shoulder to shoulder with K-pop in both popularity and skill. For a local band, we'd recommend Phantom Lunatics.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

For S.J_Hann, inspiration starts when I'm hit with negative emotions, or that suffocating feeling there's no way out of. I draw a lot from game stories and anime that express or empathize with those emotions — anime like Evangelion or Berserk.

But the biggest inspiration is our own experiences and emotions. Hope and despair, rage and overcoming, the relationships between people — feelings anyone can relate to, but that hurt so easily. That's what we try to put into music.

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

Our music speaks for the ones who got hurt — the people who had dumped on them the hard situations everyone else ran from and looked away from. We mix grand, powerful, sometimes melodic and emotional expression, pulling listeners not only into the explosive emotions of metal, but into DELRIUM's own melodic, emotional world.

From our upcoming album DELUSION, for example: Scapegoat is a story about exactly that — a scapegoat. In Korea, a slang word "ugkka" meaning "getting bashed for no fair reason" has become so popular that it says a lot about how exhausted and wronged people feel these days. This song takes that feeling of injustice and pushes it to the extreme.

Then there's a song like Afterburn — you fail, and fail again, and nothing changes unless you pick yourself up. We wrote it to say: let's get back up, even in tatters. And funny enough, while we were making this album, the word "delulu" (DELUSION!!) went viral too. We're taking it as a sign to keep rowing ty (_ _)

"DELUSION" itself is becoming a meme — maybe the times have finally come to us(?) — but either way, it feels like people are leaning on imagination over reality more than ever.

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

We write, compose, and arrange everything ourselves.

S.J_Hann builds most of it first — the overall structure and rough melodies — and then leaves the detailed work on each part to the members. When a melody or a lyric won't come, the rest of us jump in and push the song forward together.

One thing that's a bit unusual: we make the first draft of every song in Guitar Pro, so we're writing out full parts for every instrument as the song takes shape.

And since our lineup was only finalized early this year, there was never really anyone to write with before — so from now on, I think we'll be writing together a lot more, don't you think?

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

So far, we've only released three singles — 2022, 2023, and 2024 — so it might not be enough yet to feel DELRIUM's color as one continuous thing from what's out there now.

But to put it into words: Nakhwa (낙화) is a ballad about someone addicted to a fantasy that paints the past beautiful, unable to let go of memories fading away like withered, scattering petals. Lucifer sings, through the fall of the morning star, of the traces of ruin that pride and greed leave behind. And Spark is about facing yourself in the mirror, burnt out like a blackened match — and still trying to blaze again from the small flame that's alive inside you.

From ballads to 215BPM metal — the range of these three songs is the spectrum DELRIUM moves across. And the bigger picture, where these songs connect into one story, is waiting on our first full-length album DELUSION, out August 24.

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

YES!!! On August 24, DELRIUM's first full-length album DELUSION finally comes out!! It will be available for streaming worldwide.

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

We have show's lined up through November, including our first-ever showcase in October, and we're planning an Asia tour for December. In September, we're also playing with KOKESHI, a red-hot band from Japan.

We'd love to play North and South America. Any venue that wants us on their stage — DMs and emails are always open.

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

Like we said, it all kicks off with our first full-length on August 24, 2026, followed by two music videos. We already have shown booked every month, and if we can make it happen, an overseas tour before the year ends. It's full-throttled all year with no breaks — but as long as there are people out there looking for our music, we'll go anywhere on this planet.

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

You can stream us worldwide from August 24, 2026, and you can get our music and merch at https://delrium.bandcamp.com/album/delusion — pre-orders are open right now, so please check it out!!

Website: https://delrium.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/delrium_official

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@banddelrium

Thank you for all the support!!!

And finally — endless thanks to Natalie for reaching out to us first for this interview. Keep watching DELRIUM through our second album, our third, and beyond. We're looking forward to the day we finally meet.

When reality cracks, whispers through the pain. come closer and burn with us.

감사합니다.

Thank you.

Alternative metal band SHARP LIVES have a debut album out and their latest single "Tit for Tat", with much more in the works, including the band playing some shows, and hoping to head out on tour as well! Fronted by a fierce frontwoman, who is not just in this band, but fronts another band FORGE THE SUN. In short, SHARP LIVES goes into talks about releasing new music later this year, plans to play shows and much more!

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

Sharp Lives started in 2023, it transformed into a solo project, a place for singer Ally Rose to create music that is most true to her as an artist. 

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

An MCR song, The Sharpest Lives, inspired the band name! 

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

Band is based out of Detroit, MI. There's so much talent in the MI music scene! Annex Void, Wisher, Shadows Reflection, Second Salem are a few that come to mind as great acts.

4. How would you describe your style?

Early 2000's mall goth meets alternative metalcore.

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

I have released a few covers and my debut EP! Listeners can expect a raw and real reflection of my life in song. The music is heavy but also pretty. I love to mix clean theatrical aspects with metal.

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

Yes, my new original song feat. Snakes At The Gatehouse drops 9/18!

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

The next show is Bitter Bloom Festival 8/8 at the Orchid Theater in Ferndale, MI. Asking all the fans to join my mailing list "Join the Coven" so we can start building tours to see everyone!

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

More writing and recording with a few new producers!

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

https://linktr.ee/sharplivesband is where you can find all my socials, stream music, buy merch, and join my mailing list!

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

I would just hope anyone that's listening can be inspired by my stories!

Thirteen years gone, with relentless work done, an album, a recent single "On Fire" with much more in-store, the band known as CAPTIVES has been doing music for a quite a bit. Playing shows, releasing more music is all set in-stone from these fine musicians. The band discussed their most recent offerings, and the more that they got coming up.

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

We've been around for 10 years. Formed in 2013 in Tasmania Australia. Go look up that island off the bottom of Australia. Cool part of the world. We've toured internationally (Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, China) playing international festivals and supporting a load of rad bands along the way. More recently, we travelled to New Jersey (USA) to record our latest material with producer Jon Markson (The Story So Far, Drug Church, Koyo, Quicksand) and Alan Day from Four Year Strong. 

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

There's nothing groundbreaking to it. We threw a few names around in the early days and the name Captives stuck. 

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 based in Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne has a strong local music scene. Loads of rad bands hail from this city and we love playing here. You should totally check out our good friends 'Mannequin Death Squad' and also a new band on the block called 'Copperhead' (they're actually from Tasmania where we grew up). 

4. How would you describe your style?

Always the hardest question. We tend to think we fit into the Punk or Rock genres. But there's so many genres these days. Who even knows. We're happy for you to decide! 

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

We've released a load of music over the years. A few albums, EP's and singles. Our latest single 'On Fire' came out last week, with more new music on the way from our time over in the states. 

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

There's more new music on the way. Real soon. We're stoked to be back on the block. So keep an ear to the ground as they say. 

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

We're launching our new single in our hometown of Melbourne on August 29th (Bergy Bandroom). It'll be a rad night with some great bands joining us. It'll be a nice way to officially launch some new music. More touring plans are in the works for 2027. 

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

More new music is on the way. We can't wait to share it. 

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

You can find us on Instagram @captivesofficial or on Spotify, Apple music and YouTube. 

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

The music is yours. We hope it brings a good time; you enjoy it and come back for more.