FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Twisted Sister members Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda are thrilled to announce that iconic vocalist and front man Sebastian Bach will be fronting the band for a handful of select dates this fall. These appearances do not affect or conflict with Sebastian’s current or future solo touring schedule, which remains fully intact.
March 3, 2026 – Held., the trio featuring Douglas Robinson and Sal Mignano of The Sleeping, alongside Coheed And Cambria’s Josh Eppard, have released “CONSTANT TENSION” (https://held.ffm.to/constanttension), the second preview from their forthcoming debut album, GREY (May 15, MNRK Heavy).
The five-minute track arrives on the heels of the band’s debut single, “NEW YOU ANTHEM FT. FRANK IERO,” which Revolver praised for its “lightning-strike guitar… and thunderous drums,” Alternative Press dubbed as “rousing,” and idobi called a “dazzling post-hardcore tune.”
Where Held.’s introduction leaned into catharsis through connection, “CONSTANT TENSION” presents a more unsettled dynamic. Directed by Adam Thomson, the accompanying video builds on the story arc introduced with “NEW YOU ANTHEM,” providing a sci-fi-esque visual companion to the themes behind GREY.
“CONSTANT TENSION’ stems from an everlasting battle within myself to embrace who I am via internal reflection,” Robinson explains. “It’s all of my strengths fighting against all of my weaknesses. There is a ‘constant tension,’ a violent push and pull within my mind every single day. I let myself down so much, to the point where I often feel like I have to somewhat abandon myself and step outside to try and see the bigger picture, but the hurt inside of me pulls me back into my own thoughts. I go completely blank to try and focus, which oddly enough resorts to more tension, and more clouded thoughts. It feels like an endless cycle. The lyrics to ‘CONSTANT TENSION’ mirror all of this.”
The band has also announced an intimate GREY listening party this Thursday, March 5, at Selva in Brooklyn. Held. will be on hand from 7 to 10 p.m. and no RSVP is required.
On GREY, Held. channel decades of collective experience into a debut that reflects both creative evolution and personal reckoning. “The album as a whole truly feels like it’s everything I have ever wanted to write in my time growing as a musician,” Robinson says. “This record has, in many ways, healed me…. or, it’s at least trying to.”
Produced and mixed by Jon Markson (Drug Church, Drain, The Story So Far), GREY was recorded at the Animal Farm in Flemington, N.J.
Album pre-orders, including multiple limited-edition vinyl variants, are available now: https://held.ffm.to/grey.
Held. is Douglas Robinson (vocals/guitar), Sal Mignano (bass) and Josh Eppard (drums)
North America, we’re coming for you, too! We will headline a North American tour of epic proportions, beginningAugust 28 in Orlando, FL and hitting a month of dates before ending in Silver Spring, MD on September 27.
Each night will feature very special guests Visions of Atlantis as direct support, with Frozen Crown opening each show.
My first taste of the invincible OVERKILL was their second studio album Taking Over. Released back in 1987, this masterpiece of thrash metal has stood the test of Metal time, for me. Taking Over should be filed under mandatory old-school Metal, if one is to create such a list.
I purchased this album first on vinyl at a regional record store chain called Strawberries Records & Tapes, while living in Connecticut. This retail chain no longer exists, closing its doors in 2006. Years later I bought Taking Over on CD. I never owned this gem on cassette.
My favorite song on Taking Over is the powerful thrash hym: In Union We Stand. To this very day, this song galvanizes my Metal soul and creates positive chills through my body. Electro-Violence encapsulates everything that a thrash song should be; speed, aggression, explosive and short guitar solos with a blistering rhythm section that induces moshing and head-banging madness.
Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth is still my favorite thrash vocalist of all-time. I always felt that his vocals are so unique that no other vocalist remotely sounds like him. This OVERKILL lineup, with Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth were truly pioneering and legendary, with drummer Rat Skates, bassist D. D. Verni and guitarist Bobby Gustafson.
• Taking Over is the last OVERKILL studio album that drummer Rat Skates would perform on.
Participating retailers to donate 1% of March 8 sales to support mentorship, scholarships, and education in the vinyl industry
March 2, 2026 — This International Women’s Day (March 8), record stores across the country are coming together in support of Women in Vinyl through a one-day national fundraising initiative aimed at creating more access and opportunity within the vinyl and recorded music industries.
On Saturday, participating retailers will donate one percent of their in-store and online sales to Women in Vinyl, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting women and underrepresented communities working across vinyl production and the broader music ecosystem.
The Women in Vinyl 1% Drive is designed as a nationwide, virtual record store “block party,” giving independent retailers a simple way to make a tangible impact with funds raised directly supporting mentorship programs, scholarships, and educational initiatives that help create pathways into careers across the vinyl supply chain.
“Every opportunity starts with someone opening a door,” said Women in Vinyl founder Jenn D’Eugenio. “The Women in Vinyl 1% Drive helps us open more of those doors, creating clear pathways into the vinyl industry through community, education, mentorship, and support for people who may not otherwise see a place for themselves.”
Participating stores include Bull Moose, Vinyl Street Co., Musicology Co., Queen B Vinyl Café, Indie Earth, Streetlight Records (San Jose and Santa Cruz), Monster Music & Movies, and The Record Exchange, among others.
Throughout the day, stores will be celebrating in their own ways, from spotlighting women artists, running themed promotions, to sharing posts across social media in support of Women in Vinyl’s mission.
Women in Vinyl is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to support women and gender-expansive individuals in the vinyl record industry through mentorship, education, and advocacy.
We’re excited to announce our Legacy of Fire tour, celebrating 30 years of Kittie with special guests Kingdom Of Giants and Gore. The Band! Tickets on sale Friday, March 6th, at 10am local.
6/06 – St Louis, MO @ The Pageant 6/08 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre 6/09 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Depot 6/12 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues 6/13 – Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Theater 6/15 – San Antonio, TX @ Aztec Theatre 6/16 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues 6/18 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl 6/19 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade 6/20 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore 6/21 – Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage 6/23 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza 6/24 – Worcester, MA @ The Palladium 6/26 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall 6/27 – Montreal, QC @ Théâtre Beanfield
Yes, on March 1st, 2009, Metal Odyssey was launched. 17 years later, we’re still here! I want to thank EACH and EVERY human being that has subscribed and/or visited Metal Odyssey over these years! Without you, there’s no reason for this blog.
I also want to thank ALL the PR agencies, contributors, musicians and bands for your press releases, written articles, music and input. I live for Metal. Metal is a driving force in my life. Metal Odyssey will continue to spread the Metal word on underground and mainstream Metal for hopefully many more years to come. Metal be thy name – Stone.
Finnish power metal pioneers SONATA ARCTICA have unleashed a brand-new single titled “Freedom Concept.” The track arrives as a powerful statement in the band’s 30th anniversary year, followed by an extensive touring schedule, and delivers the melodic intensity and energy fans have come to expect.
“Freedom Concept” captures the signature blend of soaring melodies, driving rhythms and emotional depth that has defined SONATA ARCTICA for three decades. At the same time, the song explores a thoughtful and timely subject: the complex idea of freedom and the responsibility that comes with it.
Frontman Tony Kakko comments: ”Freedom Concept”, a song about understanding and misunderstanding the concept of freedom, often forgetting it comes paired with responsibility, and how what ever values and thoughts you may have are not automatically transferred to your offspring and how in most cases that’s an effin great thing…(breath in) has been sitting on my desk for a while and we figured this kind of melodic power metal blast we’re known of would be a good way to celebrate the 30th anniversary ”tourette” we’ve started at the end of January 2026 WHILST also working on our next studio album. This song’s NOT gonna be on it. So…extra special snack in between meals. Enjoy!”
SONATA ARCTICA: Tony Kakko (vocals) Elias Viljanen (guitars) Tommy Portimo (drums) Henrik “Henkka” Klingenberg (keyboards) Pasi Kauppinen (bass)
SONATA ARCTICA 30th Anniversary Tour: 28.02.2026 (FI) – Kemi – Kemi Areena 09.04.2026 (SE) – Johanneshov – Slaktkyrkan 10.04.2026 (SE) – Göteborg – Pustervik 11.04.2026 (DK) – Roskilde – Gimle – Epic Fest 23.04.2026 (IT) – Ciampino – Orion Live Club 24.04.2026 (IT) – Trezzo Sull’adda – Trezzo Sull’adda 12.06.2026 (FI) – Hyvinkää – Hyvinkään Vilatehdas – Hyvinkää Rock 13.06.2026 (FI) – Vaasa – Moottorikatu Vasikiluoto – Lisää Löylyä Festival 18.06.2026 (BE) – Dessel – Graspop Metal Meeting 19.06.2026 (HU) – Székesfehérvár – FEZEN Fesztivál 25.06.2026 (SK) – Snina – Rock Pod Kamenom 03.07.2026 (FI) – Oulu – Rokki Raikaa 09.07.2026 (DE) – Balingen – RV Bang Open Air Festival 10.07.2026 (FI) – Turku – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali 24.07.2026 (FI) – Tampere – Rokki Raikaa 07.08.2026 (FI) – Vantaa – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Vantaa 13.08.2026 (CZ) – Moravsky Krumlov – Rock Castle Open Air 14.08.2026 (FI) – Lahti – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Lahti 28.08.2026 (FI) – Jyväskylä – Vauhti Kiihtyy! – Festivaali, Jyväskylä 29.08.2026 (FI) – Valkeakoski – Waltikan Venetsialaiset 09.09.2026 (MX) – Chihuahua – Pistoleros House Of Show 10.09.2026 (MX) – Torreón – Centro de Convenciones de Torreón 11.09.2026 (MX) – Monterrey – Cafe Iguana 12.09.2026 (MX) – Ciudad Obregón – Centro Magno 14.09.2026 (MX) – Ciudad de México – FORO TEAMBRO 16.09.2026 (MX) – Santiago de Querétaro – Foro Arpa 17.09.2026 (MX) – León – Teatro Manuel Doblado 18.09.2026 (MX) – Guadalajara – C3 Stage 20.09.2026 (CR) – Zapote – Pepper Disco Club 22.09.2026 (CO) – Bogotá – Ace Of Spades – Club 23.09.2026 (EC) – Quito – Teatro San Gabriel 24.09.2026 (EC) – Guayaquil – Auditorio Simón Bolivar – MAAC Cine 25.09.2026 (PE) – Lima – Centro de Convenciones Teatro Leguia 27.09.2026 (CL) – Santiago – Teatro Coliseo 29.09.2026 (AR) – Buenos Aires – El Teatro Flores 30.09.2026 (UY) – Montevideo – Live Era 02.10.2026 (BR) – Limeira – Studio Mirage Eventos 03.10.2026 (BR) – São Paulo – Audio 26.10.2026 (UK) – London – O2 Forum Kentish Town – w/ Beast In Black 27.10.2026 (BE) – Bruxelles – Ancienne Belgique – w/ Beast In Black 28.10.2026 (NE) – Tilburg – Poppodium 013 – w/ Beast In Black 29.10.2026 (DE) – Leipzig – Haus Auensee – w/ Beast In Black 31.10.2026 (AT) – Wien – Gasometer – w/ Beast In Black 01.11.2026 (HU) – Budapest – Barba Negra – w/ Beast In Black 02.11.2026 (CZ) – Zlín – NOVESTA SPORT, Ltd., Sports Hall Euronics – w/ Beast In Black 03.11.2026 (PL) – Gliwice – Prezero Arena Gliwice – w/ Beast In Black 05.11.2026 (DE) – Berlin – Columbiahalle – w/ Beast In Black 06.11.2026 (DE) – Hannover – Swiss Life Hall – w/ Beast In Black 07.11.2026 (DE) – Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena – w/ Beast In Black 08.11.2026 (DE) – Offenbach – Stadthalle Offenbach – w/ Beast In Black 09.11.2026 (FR) – Paris – L’Olympia – w/ Beast In Black 11.11.2026 (ES) – Barcelona – Razzmatazz 1 – w/ Beast In Black 12.11.2026 (ES) – Madrid – Sala Riviera – w/ Beast In Black 13.11.2026 (ES) – Bilbao – Sala Santana 27 – w/ Beast In Black 14.11.2026 (FR) – Ramonville-St-Agne – Le Bikini – w/ Beast In Black 15.11.2026 (FR) – Villeurbanne – Transbordeur – w/ Beast In Black 17.11.2026 (CH) – Zürich – Komplex AG – w/ Beast In Black 18.11.2026 (IT) – Milan – Alcatraz – w/ Beast In Black 20.11.2026 (DE) – München – Zenith – w/ Beast In Black 21.11.2026 (LU) – Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal – w/ Beast In Black 22.11.2026 (DE) – Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle – w/ Beast In Black 23.11.2026 (DE) – Hamburg – Inselparkhalle – w/ Beast In Black 24.11.2026 (SE) – Göteborg – Eriksbergshallen – w/ Beast In Black 25.11.2026 (SE) – Stockholm – Fryshuset – w/ Beast In Black
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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