In this episode, Keefy caught up with Core Atoms of Acadea, the synth-forward Progressive Rock band, also featuring Brann Dailor of Mastodon! Their new album “Exodus Of Gravity” – their second, is out now via Relapse Records. Core discussed his long friendship with Brann, starting with their 1990s Space Funk band Gaylord, their mutual love of sci-fi, synthesizers, crazy art, concept albums, zines, and much more!Continue reading
The Exodus of Gravity (Relapse Records) is the follow-up to Arcadea’s 2017 debut. Brann Dailor is still handling the drums and vocals, with Core Atoms returning to handle the bulk of the synth duties. At the same time, they are also joined by Mastodon‘s current touring keyboardist João Nogueira, adding to the layers of prog unfolding here. There is less of a synth wave feel this time around. His drumming is more aggressive. He piles on layers of vocal overdubs to try things he does not normally explore with his day job. The title track would feel more like current-day Mastodon if the synths were replaced by guitars. “Fuzzy Planet’ is the lead single and the best of the first three songs, as it takes things in a more new wave, Gary Numan direction, while applying some funky grooves. This sets the project apart as a more distinct entity. Continue reading
Yes, William Brent Hinds was the former guitarist of Mastodon. But I knew him as my friend who gave the best hugs and said “Man, Benchpress, it feels like you are going to crush me, that’s awesome!”
Tragic news as according to a published report from Consequence of Sound, Brent Hinds, formerly a creative force in Mastodon, has died. He was just 51. He died in a motorcycle crash in Atlanta when a motorist did not yield for Hinds, who was on his Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. Hinds was an expert rider in his adult life. Mastodon has made a statement, which you can read below. Although the split with the band under acrimonius circumstances earlier in 2025, Hind co-founded the band in 2020 and appeared on all eight of their albums, won a Grammy awards, and made a huge impact, especially with his composing and lead guitar playing on albums such as the classic debut Remission, Leviathan (both Relapse Records), Blood Mountain, Crack The Skye and The Hunter (2011) for Reprise Records. RIP.
Bloodstock, the UK’s biggest independent metal festival, opens its gates on Thursday, August 7th, at Catton Park, Derbyshire. The lineup features main stage headliners, Trivium, Machine Head, and Gojira, plus a host of other artists from across the metal spectrum. With just days to go, keep reading below for the most recent information.
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View our Back To The Beginning full recap here and below.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s epic farewell tribute concert Back To The Beginning, was professionally filmed July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK, will hit theaters in early 2026. The sold-out spectacle featured tribute sets from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Lamb of God, Halestorm, Anthrax, Rival Sons, and Mastodon, all honoring the legacy of Ozzy and Sabbath. Livestreamed by millions, the show pulled in over $190 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. According to a report from Billboard, it is the highest-grossing charity concert of all time, exceeding Live Aid, Farm Aid, Fire Aid and more.Continue reading
A tribute project to the legacy of Chris Cornell, King Ultramega have just released a cover of “Rusty Cage,” originally by the late singer’s iconic grunge band, Soundgarden. In addition to metal and rock luminaries, the album was mixed by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God). Delivered in collaboration with Reigning Phoenix Music records and MusiCares, it is the collective’s debut and comes with an animated lyric video. Watch it below and find out more.
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Since their inception in 2011, Colorado Sludge trio In The Company Of Serpents have slowly but noisily gone about making a serious name for themselves in the Stoner Doom scene. With four albums already under their belts, the fifth comes in the shape of an independently released behemoth, A Crack In Everything.Continue reading
We got the band back together to review and debate “Back To The Beginning” – the final show ever for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne!” Was it the show of the century? Did it live up to the hype? Who was great? Who was awful?Continue reading
It’s a moment 50 years in the making. Today, July 5th, Black Sabbath is taking their final bow on the very soil where it all began. Villa Park in Birmingham, UK with a jaw-dropping, once-in-a-lifetime event: Back to the Beginning.Continue reading