The Dark Side Of Music With Derek Hanjora

Burden of the Sky is an Alternative Metal band hailing from Bloomington, IL. Formed in 2012 by Josh Appel and the late Brad Shaw, the band has built itself as one of the most well-known bands in the Midwest. Led by Lead Singer Scottie James and Guitarist Josh Appel, the band has performed across the Midwest and beyond with many of today’s hottest Active Rock bands. With a lineup rounded out by Drummer Rick Streeter, Bassist Dustin Tritsch, Guitarist and Backing Vocalist Austin Smith, and Keyboardist Mike Mahoney, “BOTS” regularly leaves fans begging for more once they leave the stage.

Having hit the stage with acts such as Sevendust, A Day To Remember, I Prevail, Buckcherry, Asking Alexandria and more, the band continues to show they belong on the big stage. Their debut album, “Cinis Ad Cinis”, featured the single “Same Old Page”, which has amassed millions of streams since its 2017 release. Sophomore album “Sine Timore” was led by “Sirens”, which was featured on many top Spotify playlists. Most recently, the band released a cover of Ellie Goulding’s “Lights”, as well as original single “Whiteout”, which was featured on Apple Music’s “Breaking Hard Rock” playlist. 2022 will bring multiple single releases that were produced and co-written with the likes Morgan Rose (Sevendust) and Ricky Armellino (Ice Nine Kills, Hawk).

Coming in once again from Toronto, Canada: The Reed Effect bends, beguiles, and rocks with "Trampled Under" - their next full-force single/video from their album 1973.

With Lead Vocalist/Guitarist Kirk Reed continuing to honor the memory of his late brother, Chris Reed (bass/backing vocals), The Reed Effect has carried forward their mission to feed the hungry ears of the music masses worldwide. "Trampled Under" is the foundational track upon which their album 1973 that has been solidly built.

Multiple elements converge to strengthen every bond. Four distinct personalities sharpen Any Given Sin’s edge. The Maryland quartet—Victor Ritchie [vocals], Mike Conner [guitar], Rich Stevenson [bass], and Mike Showalter [drums]—infuse metal, hard rock, and alternative into a dark, dynamic, and deep signature style of their own. Amassing nearly 10 million streams and 2 million YouTube views independently and landing multiple number ones on SiriusXM Octane, the group channel this connection on a series of 2021 singles. 

“We have various different influences, but we all meet in the middle,” says Conner.  “Mike Showalter and I have much heavier backgrounds. Rich comes from an industrial background, and Vic is alternative, blues, and grunge. The band is our meeting at a musical crossroads.”

Xero Hour is an American rock band from the Cincinnati Ohio area. Having released a ep/demo in 2020/21 and started doing local shows, the band needed to reform. In 2022 the new quartet is underway with some big shows coming up, and new music coming! No matter what adversity they face, they always over come, give the haters a middle finger, and go out and rock! Tj Leit -Vocals/Guitars, Butch -Bass, B.F.A. -Lead Guitars, Drew-Drums

Influenced by the 90's & 00's rock eras, Velvet Chains' sound is red hot and crowd pleasing - drawing their likeness to Alice In Chains, Audioslave, Stone Temple Pilots, and Velvet Revolver: heavy riffs, driving beats, melodic guitars and soaring vocals.

Australian alternative bright lights Yours Truly have announced their brand new EP is this what i look like? which will be coming out July 15th, 2022 via UNFD. The band have also released a new song and video “Hallucinate” which features Josh Franceschi of You Me At Six. This will be the first full release from the band since their huge debut Self Care back in 2020, and also features a guest spot from DR€W ¥ORK from Stray From the Path.

Speaking about the new single Mikaila Delgado explains “’Hallucinate’ is an anxiety attack turned into music, detailing how it takes over your body so totally that it feels as if you're under the influence of something. I've struggled badly with anxiety and it's debilitating every day to be at war with your own thoughts. It's one of the darkest songs we've ever written but I found a lot of power in pulling out the chaos of how anxiety feels and sounds to me and putting it in a song.”

Preacher is a Metalcore band from Reno, Nevada. The band brings a raw aggressiveness back to the metal sound with songs like "Mora" and “The Man Who Laughs”. Preacher has never been afraid to dive into new genres and explore every avenue of what they can achieve. Their 2022 EP “Dream State” is entirely self-produced, which showcases exactly why they are a force to be reckoned with in the Metalcore genre. 
 Preacher has shared the stage with: • As I Lay Dying • Chelsea Grin • Within the Ruins • Kingdom of giants • Slaughter to Prevail • The Black Dahlia Murder • Attila • And More… 

Alternative hard rock/metal band Breaking In A Sequence released the official video for their single "Leave Me Be" The single is off of their long awaited new EP Defy the Algorithm that was released on April 22nd.

WATCH "Leave Me Be" Official Music Video:

Awake at Last released their new single titled "Bloodline" to all digital outlets!

"Bloodline" is available at:

A Sympathetic Antipathy is the culmination of a few years of musical collaboration. The project was produced & co-written by Morgan Rose along with Leonard Cerzosie Jr., Corey Lowery, and Jim Taylor. In its various stages of recording, engineering talents include Jose Urquiza, James "Fluff" Harley, and Mike Ferretti. The initial inspiration for the EP was the passing of Lenny's mother after years of battling ALS. Tracks like "Miracle" were written about that struggle. Rose & Cerzosie have a history of writing & recording together and included a remastered version of a song they wrote with The Infinite Staircase in 2013 called "No Amends". Other musicians featured on the EP include Chris Caffrey of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Justin Taylor of Alborn.

Lenne has plans to play in support of their new EP throughout 2022. The current band line up consists of heavy hitting, Maryland musicians Mike Slaski, Rob Landon, and Stephen Hybdzinski; alongside Evan Crider ,Taylor from PA and Cerzosie from NY.

"This was originally supposed to just be a session in Atlanta with Morgan & Corey. The plan was to do a song in honor of my mom. We ended up having such cool, sometimes borderline morbid chemistry. Funny fact? The original song that started this whole thing didn't even make the EP. We went along this darker, heavier path while still maintaining all the melodies we initially created" says Leonard Cerzosie Jr.

Orange County's Bleed the Sky have announced that their new vocalist is Rudy Flores. The band released their brand new single "Rot in Flesh" along with an accompanying music video.

"The lyrics of 'Rot in Flesh' represent the choice to overcome negativity from one's own toxic thoughts and others trying to bring you down. Sonically, this   song hints at Bleed the Sky's new direction and what people can expect from our upcoming releases. This is just the beginning. We are very excited to show you what else this new line-up has to offer," says the band.

Stream/Download "Rot in Flesh" at:

Lilith Czar arrives with the force of an otherworldly thunder, arising in visceral rebirth from an untimely grave of surrender and sacrifice. Her voice is the sound of supernatural determination, summoned with a confessional vulnerability and unapologetic authenticity. The girl who was Juliet Simms - her dreams discouraged and dismissed, her identity confined and controlled - is no more. In her place stands Lilith Czar, a new vessel forged in unbridled willpower and unashamed desire.

Her motivation is simple: if it's truly "a man's world"? She wants to be King. Created from Filth and Dust, the debut album from Lilith Czar, is an evocative invitation into her bold new world. It's aggressive music with warm accessibility; huge hooks with driving hard rock—the new larger-than-life icon channels the fierce combativeness of Fiona Apple and Stevie Nicks' seductive witchery. Lilith Czar arms herself with sonic power, theatricality, and confidence. It's a sound where the pulse of Nine Inch Nails, Halestorm's songcraft, and the libertine spirit of David Bowie converge, all in service of a ritualistic ache for a more just and equitable world.

Lilith Czar is more than music. Her songs - like "King", "Bad Love", and "100 Little Deaths". – are anthems. She sounds both larger than life and hauntingly intimate, baring all in the ballad "Diamonds to Dust" or unleashing hell with the banshee wail of "Feed My Chaos." As much as Lilith Czar's music is perfectly suited for modern rock radio, it's simultaneously timeless. Thanks in no small part to Czar's rich voice, Created from Filth and Dust wouldn't sound out of place in any significant rock era.

"I know who I am now, completely,” the singer declares. “I’ve found my purpose, creating art to inspire others to stand up for what they believe, to fight for their dreams, and to never give up.” She summarizes the Lilith Czar origin story like this: “When you find yourself beaten down by the world, in those times you can either let it destroy you or let it create you.”

Created from filth and dust, destined to be King… Lilith Czar.

Having over-come many issues within the band and personally Dying Oath is ready to take 2022 by storm! They have many festivals and shows lined up to show you what they are all about, including Blue Ridge Rock Fest 2022 in September!

Having played in numerous bands throughout the years, Guitarist Greg Antine came to a point in his career where he wanted to branch out and write songs that had more depth and were inspired by his personal life experiences. Having grown up less than two miles from the beaches of South Jersey, The entire vibe of Swim the Current is infused with elements of the ocean and beaches of South Jersey where Greg still resides.

After making the rounds through the south and east coast earlier this year, it is now time for Nonpoint to HEAD WEST! From Wisconsin to LA and everything in-between, they are bringing you the live event that brought sold out shows and monumental moments you caught on their socials earlier this year. NOW THIS TIME, it’s your turn to get RUTHLESS!

They're bringing you the 'Taken Apart and Put Back Together Tour' with very special guests VRSTY. They're playing favorites like “Bullet With a Name,” alongside new hits like “Ruthless,” and their fan-voted cover of Prince’s, “When Doves Cry.” Their stage, their lights, their production and their team is stronger and better than ever. It’s easy to say, you have never seen Nonpoint look or sound like this.

Finally, they are VERY happy to announce that after years of virus dodging and distance, THEY ARE COMING BACK AT THE MERCHANDISE TABLE for pictures and signatures with their fans after our performance every night.

Forged in a furnace of experience, experimentation and existential crisis, Moodring is an entity orbiting a lone, core ambition: to create music with no ceiling.

“I grew up on the alternative bands of the 1990s,” says frontman Hunter Young; “No matter what new interests might come and go, I am forever drawn back to the classic albums of that era; they feel larger than life, not bound to a fad or trend – timeless. That’s what we aspire to with our band, to create songs that can transcend any scene.”

Between them, the members of Moodring – Young, guitarist Sean Dolich, drummer Lindy Harter and bassist Kalan Blehm – have a musical rap sheet longer than any of them care to recall. Yet, despite all this musical promiscuity, it wasn’t until May of 2019 that they finally found the vehicle that could carry forth their most authentic creative selves.

“We were searching for the sound in our heads,” says Hunter. “In modern life, we all struggle to stop, to be still; I know that there are few things that can hold my attention for very long. But when we are writing music for Moodring, we feel a different level of focus. Once we’d tapped the right vein, the sound just started to gush from us.”

Moodring’s Eureka moment came with ‘Gasoline’. A driving slab of rhythm guitars and atmospheric leads topped by moody, ethereal vocals, the song freed the dragon Hunter had been chasing. And, cage unlocked, the songs which comprise debut EP Showmetherealyou burst forth – Moodring was born.

After spending the better part of a decade honing their craft, Bad Luck. presents the best version of themselves to date with Summer of Pain. The twelve-song collection serves as a bridge between childhood ambition and adult realism by exploring the underlying tension of romanticism in our modern world. It's a record about love and sadness that aspires to give listeners a much-needed reality check. Bad Luck. wants to pull you into the present and make you fully aware of your existence.   "We want our being, presence, and band to be socially active," says co-founder Dominick Fox. We want people to know who we are, where we're from, and what we stand for, all of which is laid out in this album."   Stories of heartache, growth, setbacks, and personal triumphs comprise much of the material found on Summer of Pain. The members of Bad Luck. — Dominick Fox, Joe Fox, Charlie Caruso, and Michael Sichel — are documenting the journey of life as it unfolds. The songs do not reflect the beginning of an adventure nor fixate on endings. It's about the messy parts in the middle. Their music is a form of meditation where the members fiercely focus on the work between them and the people they hope to become. It's a document of progress, or lack thereof, told as truthfully as possible.   As Summer of Pain grapples with the difficult task of self-analysis, Bad Luck. delivers accessible punk music that pulls from blends of Northeastern cynicism with the pop-influenced optimism.

They say that music is the language of the soul, and nothing could be truer for this rock band. Composed of a group of inspirational musicians and skillful performers, the artists behind EVA UNDER FIRE have earned their reputation as rocks most exciting up and coming band. From live gigs to studio sessions and more, they continue to touch fans around the world with their distinct, emotive, high-energy musical style. Explore the site and check out their music. There's something inspiring waiting to be discovered.

Chicago's Bad Planning have released the first single ("Throw") off their upcoming Jump Start Records release 'Et Fortes,' out May 6th on Jump Start Records.

Spotify

Radkey is an American punk rock band from St. Joseph, Missouri formed in 2010 by brothers, Dee, Solomon, and Isaiah Radke.

Bad Wolves is an American heavy metal band formed in 2017. Initially finding fame from their first single, a cover of the Cranberries' 1994 hit "Zombie", the band proceeded to find further success with a number of songs topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock songs chart, including "Remember When", "Killing Me Slowly", and "Sober". To date, the band has released three studio albums, Disobey (2018), N.A.T.I.O.N. (2019) and Dear Monsters (2021). In June 2021 Daniel "DL" Lasckiewicz joined the band as the new front man. Tonight, I bring my conversation with D.L.

Bad Wolves will be at Welcome To Rockville 2022 playing Thursday May 19th.

Southern rock artist Cage Willis has released a new single titled "Who I Am" to all major platforms. The single is from his full-length album due out this summer! In support of the album release, Cage Willis will be playing a hometown show at Merchant Park in Mount Carmel, IL on May 14th.

“'Who I Am' is about knowing where you came from, being proud of it. It’s about workin hard for what you want in life, and most importantly believing in yourself" says Cage Willis.

Massive, in-your-face guitar tones, even wider drums, and full, out-front, honest vocals in “Who I Am” are typical of Willis’ sound. Chris Robertson of Black Stone Cherry produced the upcoming album, featuring "Who I Am". Ensuring a superior quality of sound and highest standards of production, the album was engineered by Jordan Westfall of Shaman's Harvest.

"Who I Am" can be streamed/downloaded at:

Big hooks, big guitar riffs, and big emotion... Formed in early 2011, Artifas is a 5 piece hard rock group hailing from Tennessee. Drawing influences from artists all across the musical spectrum, they continue to map out their own unique place in the ever changing rock world, boasting a signature high octane sound and performance... Band members Scottie Somerville (Lead Vocals), Cody Criswell (Lead Guitar, Vocals), Michael Miller (Rhythm Guitar), Anthony Mattox (Bass), and Jared Wainscott (Drums) lay it all on the line with lyrical content depicting the inner struggles of the heart, mind, and soul. Honest songwriting gives you plenty to relate to, all the while wow'ing you with percussive instrumentation, driving grooves, huge vocal melodies, and soaring guitar solos. Their catalog contains a bit of something for every kind of rock fan, as song types range all the way from heavy bangers to lighter radio friendly ballads...

Their new album "Reflections" is out now!

Artifas Buy/Stream link:

Coming off the band’s success with their recent hit single, “Unbreakable” as #1 on Sirius XM Octane’s Big Uns Countdown, Kingdom Collapse released their brand new single "Save Me from Myself." The song is off to a fantastic start! It has also been added into regular rotation at Sirius XM Octane. In addition, the single has been added to the “All New Rock” and “Hard Rock” Spotify editorial playlists!

“We’re fortunate to have such a supportive fanbase as well as the help from our friends at Octane to really make a statement outside of the traditional record deal" says Jonathan Norris.

WATCH Kingdom Collapse - Save Me From Myself (Official video):

IGNESCENT released their new EP Ascensiontoday!

Female fronted and from Chicago, Illinois, IGNESCENT is a rock band founded by Jennifer Benson. Since 2008, the band has been primarily touring throughout the Midwest and Nashville area. IGNESCENT headlined the Budweiser Boneyard Stage last year at Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin. IGNESCENT have opened for Stryper, Flyleaf, Eve 6, Buckcherry, Megadeth, Saliva, Lacey Sturm, Otep, John Cooper of Skillet's band - Fight The Fury, Dan Sperry of America's Got Talent, Another Lost Year, September Mourning, Art of Dying, Letters From The Fire, Like a Storm and has played at fests with Switchfoot, Colton Dixon, Memphis May Fire, The Devil Wears Prada, and Veridia. The band has co-written songs with Jeremy Valentyne of New Years Day, including their release "Exodus," which he also produced and performed on.

IGNESCENT’s first CD, Electrified, was produced by four-time Dove Award winning & Grammy nominated producer Travis Wyrick (10 Years, P.O.D.) and recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville, Tennessee. The first song on the CD, “Calling Out to You”, was co-written with former lead guitarist of Skillet, Ben Kasica. IGNESCENT's newest release was produced by Cameron Pierce Mizell who has worked with Memphis May Fire and Sleeping With Sirens. IGNESCENT also co-wrote a song with Sameer Bhattacharya of Flyleaf called "Fearless". IGNESCENT has already been booked at Rock Festin Cadott, WI summer of 2022 and will be appearing with special guest Sameer Bhattacharya.

WATCH "Remnant" Official Music Video:

POST PROFIT IS...

MATT JACKSON - VOCALS/GUITAR
NICK HAWNER - GUITAR/VOCALS
JORDAN CONLEY - BASS/VOCALS
ZACH HICKS - DRUMS/VOCALS

WHEN YOU THINK IT’S RIGHT IT’S ALWAYS WRONG…

NAMED ETX’S METAL BAND OF THE YEAR IN 2018 AND ROCK BAND OF THE YEAR IN 2019, POST PROFIT ARE THE NEWEST ALTERNATIVE ROCK BAND TO BURST ON THE SCENE WITH THEIR HIT SINGLE ’SAME SAD SONG’ REACHING #23 ON THE BILLBOARD TOP 40 CHARTS FOR MAINSTREAM ROCK. WITH OVER 200 SHOWS UNDER THEIR BELT IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THEIR CAREER, THE BAND HAS HAD THE PLEASURE OF PLAYING WITH WELL-KNOWN ACTS SUCH AS DROWNING POOL, TO WHOM IT MAY, SALIVA, AND SONS OF TEXAS. POST PROFIT HAVE WON COUNTLESS BATTLE OF THE BANDS AND PERFORMED AT INKLIFE FESTIVAL, SO WHAT?! MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM GROUNDBREAKING INDUSTRY NAMES LIKE ROYAL BLOOD, HIGHLY SUSPECT, AND NOTHING BUT THIEVES, POST PROFIT ARE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR WITH AN INTENSE LIVE SHOW AND UNWAVERING ABILITY TO BLEND DIFFERENT GENRES SEAMLESSLY. THE COMBINATION OF MATT JACKSON ON VOCALS AND GUITAR, NICK HAWNER ON GUITAR, JORDAN CONLEY ON BASS, AND ZACH HICKS ON DRUMS DELIVER NOTHING LESS THAN DRIVING BASS LINES, BLISTERING GUITAR RIFFS, AND SOARING VOCALS.

Braincell is a five-piece groove/thrash metal outfit based in Lynchburg, Virginia. With seasoned members coming from a variety of backgrounds, Braincell combines elements of death metal, punk, hardcore, progressive, and traditional heavy metal to offer a unique and powerful blend of full force headbanging madness. The result is a sound of combined aggression and melody, delivered with an unstoppable high energy live show.

Infected Rain is a Moldovan heavy metal band, formed in 2008 in Chișinău. They are signed to Napalm Records. The group was formed in 2008 by the guitarist Vadim "Vidick" Ozhog, the lead vocalist Elena Cataraga aka Lena Scissorhands, and the DJ Ivan Kristioglo aka DJ Kapa. They debuted on 3 August 2008 at a concert dedicated to Slayer.

Tonight, ladies and gentlemen I bring you Lena Scissorhands from Infected Rain!

Make no mistake; the Colorado based Fire Folllows is here on business. Founded, crafted, and led by musician, producer, and writer Chris Watt, the band delivers a melodic, yet heavy rock sound that is defined by anthemic choruses, beautiful piano interludes, and the perfect blend of rap/scream/sing vocals. In an effort to build a dynamic band that is capable of touring in 2021, Chris brought in seasoned musicians Tim Yunker (second vocals) and Emily Gould (drums).  Their influence can be immediately felt on the newest “Glass Grenade” release, showcasing Tim’s gospel/soul inspired vocal stylings, and Emily’s dynamic and precise drumming techniques. Fire Follows gained tremendous industry attention with the “If It’s War You Want” EP release in 2019, and expects that trend to continue with the 5 song “Glass Grenade” release in 2020. The songs demonstrate Chris’s ever evolving writing style, and with a radio ready production quality, are sure to cut through the industry noise. The sophomore release utilizes more scream vocals than it’s predecessor, and the addition of Tim and Emily has taken the overall sound to a whole new level. The hooky choruses are sure to produce multiple hits, and will be enjoyed by fans from pop, classical, and country genres, in addition to traditional hard-rock/meal fans.

The group is already writing for the next album, and actively rehearsing in preparation of touring once the industry gets back on the rails. Want to learn more about the band and its members? Head over to the YouTube channel where you can watch Podcast style dialogues between Chris, Tim, and Emily in studio.

My 2 hour long conversation continues with part 2 as heard on Rock Rage Radio! One of the most out-spoken and controversial men in all of metal, Tommy Vext.

Tommy Vext/ The Lone Wolf have released a brand new single titled "Trust the Science"featuring Billboard topping Hip-Hop artist and TikTok star, Topherto all major platforms.

"'Trust the Science' is for all intensive purposes a protest anthem. It’s a reflection of the damage that happens when people follow blind leaders for solutions that end up causing more harm than good. The song is also a homage to hospital workers and first responders who were unconventionally fired from their jobs for not participating in a mass medical experiment. We see you and we honor your integrity and sacrifice," says Vext.

Tommy Vext is a rock singer and songwriter best known for being the lead singer of Bad Wolves, Snot rfdrfand a short stint as the fill in lead singer for Five Finger Death Punch

"Trust the Science" can be streamed at :

My 2 hour long conversation begins now with part 1 as heard on Rock Rage Radio! One of the most out-spoken and controversial men in all of metal, Tommy Vext.

Tommy Vext/ The Lone Wolf have released a brand new single titled "Trust the Science"featuring Billboard topping Hip-Hop artist and TikTok star, Topherto all major platforms.

"'Trust the Science' is for all intensive purposes a protest anthem. It’s a reflection of the damage that happens when people follow blind leaders for solutions that end up causing more harm than good. The song is also a homage to hospital workers and first responders who were unconventionally fired from their jobs for not participating in a mass medical experiment. We see you and we honor your integrity and sacrifice," says Vext.

Tommy Vext is a rock singer and songwriter best known for being the lead singer of Bad Wolves, Snotand a short stint as the fill in lead singer for Five Finger Death Punch

"Trust the Science" can be streamed at :

The MESSER Machine is fired up once again with another positive energy-driven song, “Hope In This World.”

“Hope In This World” is the newest creation from this modern rock power house known for their catchy hooks and high energy live performances. With 3 top 25 active rock singles, MESSERis poised to raise the bar even higher. Re-energized and focused, MESSERis ready to deliver an experience that goes beyond the music.

"Our new single was born out of the pandemic. We couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. We have a platform and we are compelled to use it for good" says the band.

Stream MESSER Everywhere!

Wanna know what true love feels like in the darkest of times?

Check out The Lonely One's New Single "The Way Out"