Sonic Perspectives

Black Sabbath bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler appeared alongside Foo Fighters’ Nate Mendel in episode two of Fender’s “Lowdown on the Low End” video series, a forum for bass players to trade stories about the Fender Precision Bass and their lives in bands. Butler recalled (transcribed by Blabbermouth) the moment that inspired him to take up the bass: “The one player that totally showed me what you could do with a bass was Jack Bruce.

Korn have released a new track, “Reward The Scars”, tying it to the upcoming Diablo IV: Lord Of Hatred expansion. The song is available now, with the expansion set to launch across platforms on April 28. “Reward The Scars” is the first new material from Korn since Requiem arrived in February 2022. The album, produced by Chris Collier alongside the band, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums chart.

W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless has spent more than five years working on his upcoming memoir, according to a new report from journalist Matt Wardlaw of Ultimate Classic Rock. The book, titled Tales From The Square Mile, focuses on his time living in Hollywood and the impact that environment had on both his life and the wider music scene.

Former Skid Row frontman Erik Grönwall has released the official music video for his new solo single, “Born To Break”. The track is taken from his upcoming album Bad Bones, which is set to arrive on May 22. Known for his strong vocal range and commanding presence on stage, Erik Grönwall built his reputation with Skid Row and H.e.a.t., and also spent time on the road in Europe and Japan performing with guitar icon Michael Schenker. With Bad Bones, he shifts focus to his own material and perspective.

On November 14, 2025, Kirk Hammett, guitarist for Metallica, sat down for a live discussion with music journalist Sean Sennett at the State Library of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. The event was part of his The Collection: Kirk Hammett book tour and focused on his career, along with the stories behind the guitars featured in the release. On Thursday, April 2, Kirk Hammett uploaded the full 90-minute conversation to his official YouTube channel, giving fans access to the entire session.

Shinedown has shared a new track, “Outlaw”, taken from their upcoming eighth studio album Ei8ht, set for release on May 29 through Atlantic Records. The single lands shortly after another major moment for the band, who picked up Rock Artist Of The Year at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 26. It marks their second straight win in that category and adds to a growing list of milestones.

Swedish melodic metal outfit Cyhra are marking their tenth anniversary with the announcement of their fourth studio album, Requiem For A Pipe Dream, due 06/05 via Reigning Phoenix Music. The news comes alongside the release of the new single “Bleed With Pride.” Vocalist Jake E, who co-founded Amaranthe before launching Cyhra in 2016 alongside guitarist Jesper Strömblad (formerly of In Flames, now of The Halo Effect), says the track is rooted in a personal reckoning with the past.

Alice Cooper has wasted no time finding cover for Nita Strauss while she takes maternity leave — and the replacement he’s landed is a 22-year-old shredder from Newcastle, England named Anna Cara. Cara makes her live debut with Cooper tonight (04/02) at the first of three special “Welcome To Our Nightmare” shows in Las Vegas, a collaboration with illusionist Criss Angel running through 04/04 at his theatre inside Planet Hollywood.

For those who had an ear for metal during the 90s, particularly on the western side of the Atlantic, that alternative to the ascendant grunge sound was something a fair bit bleaker and further south. Granted, the stylistic trappings of the NOLA sound that helped kick off the sludge craze shared a spiritual ancestor in the late 80s strides by Melvins to their Pacific Northwest counterparts, but the sonic results were something far more dangerous than even the darkest musings of Alice In Chains.

Multi-million streaming, UK-based collective President continue to exist at the intersection of heavy music, electronic experimentation, and cinematic atmosphere. Launching in 2025 and operating under the cloak of minimalism and anonymity, President have been cultivating intrigue with each single and live performance. Refusing to conform to the traditional structures of genre or identity, President prioritize intent over image.