Highwire Daze Magazine

It was another top‑tier Kelly McGarry Presents showcase at The Viper Room, and on this night before the Fourth of July, Los Angeles‑based singer‑songwriter David Sand was making his long‑awaited debut at the iconic nightclub. Performing acoustically in the downstairs lounge with his friend Tatiana Parfait adding warm, textured guitar lines, Sand drew the packed room straight into his world of emotion, vulnerability, and vivid storytelling.

Photo by Petri Inkinen – Guilty Visuals At Eternity’s Gate: The Ascension of Kneel Before The Death The Helsinki extreme‑metal scene has been sharpening its edge for over a decade, but few bands embody its current momentum as fiercely as Kneel Before The Death. Blending deathcore brutality with sweeping orchestration and emotional weight, the band has carved out a sound that feels both cinematic and deeply personal.

Fast, Loud, and Sweet: Inside Beverly Thrills Before Molly Malone’s There’s a certain electricity that runs through Los Angeles on show nights — that restless, buzzing anticipation that something loud, fast, and unforgettable is about to happen. Before their recent set at Molly Malone’s, I caught up with three members of Beverly Thrills, a pop‑punk force carving out their own corner of the LA scene with high‑energy performances, sharp songwriting, and a genuine sense of community.

Photo Credit: Manuel Schütz CoreLeoni led by Gotthard founding member Leo Leoni, have announced the release of their new studio album Generection, set for release on September 11 via Reigning Phoenix Music. Marking the band’s fourth album since its formation in 2017 and the second featuring vocalist Gent Bushpepa, Generection sees CoreLeoni returning to their roots with their heaviest and hardest-hitting record to date.

Gary John Barden – Photo by Eva Von Der Forst Legendary singer Gary John Barden is excited to share the new single, “Hit The Ground Running”, ahead of the release of his new studio album, “Empowered Emotions”, out on September 18, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl. He commented: “Hit The Ground Running” perfectly captures the energy and spirit of this album. The song started with Michael’s driving, ZZ Top-inspired riff, and from there it took on a life of its own.

Photo Credit: Steffi Kruse German melodic hard rock veterans MAD MAX have announced the release of their brand-new studio album, Stories Of Destiny, set for release on September 4, 2026 via ROAR – A Division Of Reigning Phoenix Music. Celebrating an impressive 45 years of the band’s legacy, the new record bridges past and present while opening an exciting new chapter in MAD MAX history.

Killswitch Engage delivered a ferocious, full‑throttle performance at The Hollywood Palladium on June 25th, turning the iconic venue into a whirlwind of riffs, catharsis, and communal fire. The band hit the stage with commanding force, launching into a barrage of metalcore staples that had the floor instantly erupting.

It may have been a late Sunday night deep within the wilds of the Sunset Strip, but the rock was only just beginning to rumble inside the iconic Rainbow Bar & Grill. The upstairs room—small, sweaty, and absolutely alive—would host not one but two projects led by the ever‑enigmatic Jacobious Lovebone, making his first solo appearance outside the grip of Bastardane.

From Metal Roots to AOR Heights: Devon Kerr on Lockhart’s Breakthrough Lockhart may be the newest name on the AOR horizon, but for vocalist, songwriter, and multi‑instrumentalist Devon Kerr, the story stretches back a decade — through metal clubs, long‑shelved demos, and the kind of friendships that quietly shape entire records.

Fire ‘N Ice out of New Jersey sound like the Sunset Strip brought roaring back to life, and their return to West Hollywood proved exactly why they’re becoming one of the most talked‑about rising bands in hard rock. Opening for the legendary Dokken at the world‑famous Whisky A Go Go, the East Coast quartet delivered a performance so electrifying that even the most diehard Dokken fans couldn’t help but be swept up in the momentum.