LINKS & NEWS
Find all the links to the up and coming featured artists and rock news elements!
25th September 2026:
Featured Up and Coming Artists:
Swedish hard-rock risers Velveteen Queen’s ‘Talk or Walk’ is the fourth single from their sophomore album, The Greater Good, which was released on Friday, September 18th via Silver Lining Music.
The new album The Greater Good is a record which channels the strut of the Sunset Strip’s glory days via Sweden, with a healthy dash of old-school Guns N’ Roses, alongside spiritual ties to Aerosmith, Velvet Revolver and Hanoi Rocks.
Los Angeles based rockers The Bites have just unleashed their self-titled sophomore album via Earache Records.The new album follows the band's debut album Squeeze, which made the Top 40 of Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. The new record retains the direct, uncompromising attack of the band's debut album Squeeze while taking the band in a new direction.
Whilst the first album took heavy influence from the infamous 80s era Sunset Strip, this new album takes a slightly different approach. Mixing things up with a hint of southern rock, hard rock, country rock and pop rock.
Shogun Mojo - an exciting new collaboration between legendary Kiss guitarist Tommy Thayer and acclaimed singer-songwriter Dan Reed of Dan Reed Network fame – are thrilled to debut on Frontiers Music Srl with “Under The Gun”, the first single from their upcoming self-titled album, set for release on November 6, 2026.
Musically, Shogun Mojo channel the infectious melodic punch of classic late ’70s and early ’80s hard rock, blending the anthemic spirit of KISS with the soulful intensity and unmistakable swagger of Dan Reed’s vocal style. Fans of Dan Reed Network’s Slam will immediately connect with the album’s vibrant mix of massive choruses, funk-infused grooves and feel-good rock energy - but with a warmer, more organic and timeless sound that recalls the golden era of analog-driven rock records.
The guys in Taming Sari are back with another single "Man On A Mountain" the quartet from Ottawa Canada, keep bringing their Canadian rock n roll to the masses. "Man On A Mountain" is the lead track from a 4 track EP called "Picking Up The Pieces", of the recent single releases from the band.
Taming Sari has been rocking the Canadian music scene since 2017 by delivering catchy tunes and captivating live shows. Their 2021 single “Crazy” featured at #35 on the Canadian Active Rock Charts and was streamed over 200,000 times on Spotify. After receiving OAC funding for two full-length albums, as well as opening for esteemed acts such as JJ Wilde and The Lazys, the band is hungry to continue building on its success.
Jon Diva & The Rockets of Love:
Acclaimed rockers John Diva & The Rockets Of Love unleash the new single and official visualizer, “Soundtrack Of My Life”, ahead of the release of their new album, “Your Favorite Drug”, out October 16, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.
Packed with massive hooks, soaring choruses, and razor-sharp riffs, “Your Favorite Drug” showcases the band at the peak of their songwriting power. Standout tracks like “Bigger Than America” and “The Devil’s Got My Back” emerge as true anthems, destined to ignite stages and thrill every hard rock fan with their infectious energy and sing-along choruses.
Greek power metal band Firewind are thrilled to unleash their new single, “The Legend Of Achilles”, taken from the upcoming studio album, “Gods, Myths & Titans”, out on February 19, 2027, the first for the new label BLKIIBLK.
Led by guitar virtuoso Gus G. (Ozzy Osbourne, King Diamond, etc), Firewind have evolved into a powerhouse band with a devoted international fanbase and a string of acclaimed albums.
Norwegian hard rock force Audrey Horne unleashes a hard-hitting new single with "Achilles", the title track of the band's upcoming 8th studio album (out this Friday, September 4, 2026 via Napalm Records!). Roaring guitars meet impactful rhythms, all topped with powerfully captivating vocals. The band showcases the more progressive side of its sound on this ambitious single and the strong sonic contrasts support the lyrics.
UK alt-rock crew The Bitter Pills are set to release their self-titled debut album on Friday 25th September, fuelled by heavy riffs, raw intensity and relentless energy. Ahead of the album, the band release Bad Monday, a raucous new single with a sharp, fuzzy bite, out Friday 18th September and accompanied by a brand-new official video.
Formed in Eastbourne by guitarist and vocalist Nico Sc’erri, The Bitter Pills took their final shape when drummer Chris Cooper joined in 2023. Although relatively new, the pair have known each other for over a decade, first meeting as teenagers and spending years writing, playing and touring together before bringing the project to life.
Drawing influence from Royal Blood, Turnstile and Nirvana, The Bitter Pills blend garage rock, punk and hard rock into a gritty, melodic sound driven by instinct.
Bloodstain is among the most promising young heavy bands to emerge from Sweden in recent years. Formed in Stockholm in late 2023, the band has quickly established a reputation for combining classic metal and hard rock fundamentals with the urgency, confidence, and stage instinct of a modern live act.
Their self-titled debut album, Bloodstain, marks the first full statement of the band’s identity. It presents a young act with clear intent: disciplined songwriting, a distinct visual profile, and an ambition that already extends beyond the club level.
One of the latest singles is “Something Sinister”.
Croatian metal visionaries Manntra will release their new studio album Wild Hunt via Napalm Records on December 25, 2026. Following their acclaimed previous album Titans, the band around mastermind Marko Matijević Sekul takes their distinctive sound one step further, presenting their most atmospheric and focused work to date.
Musically, Manntra continue to evolve their unmistakable sound: crushing metal riffs and modern industrial elements collide with traditional Balkan and Slavic melodies, folk instrumentation, and ritualistic vocal elements.
Gig and Festival Announcements:
Theory of a Deadman to head out on UK tour.
Theory of a Deadman are currently traversing America on a two month long trek with old friends Sevendust, before returning to European shores in 2027, be sure not to miss their electrifying live show in early 2027 across the UK, with tickets selling fast!
Fri 5th Feb - Nottingham Rock City
Sat 6th Feb - Glasgow Garage
Sun 7th Feb - Sheffield Corporation
Tue 9th Feb - Manchester O2 Ritz
Thu 11th Feb - London Shepherds Bush Empire
Fri 12th Feb - Wolverhampton KK’s Steelmill
Sat 13th Feb - Torquay Arena
