News

Ambient Theology was an (wait for it . . . ) ambient side-project from the people behind Virus and The Bubblebaby Experience. It wasn’t ambient in the Brian Eno elevator music sense–having a much more rhythmic feel to it–but it was ambient electronica nonetheless, perhaps more akin to the “ambient techno” genre. This project only released one self-titled album in 1995, although there were at least 5 other full-length albums released via the various other projects. Ambient Theology was an interesting concept. Since electronica is more often than not dominated by instrumental music (sans vocals), the ‘theology’ portion came in the form of well-written, deeply thought out devotionals.… Continued →

*This is an update to an article that originally appeared on Indie Vision Music back in 2018 for the 15th Anniversaries of the albums below. Some wording and arrangements may have been altered. I hope you enjoy this article as much as I enjoy these albums. Happy 20th to all these and many more that may have been accidentally left off the list (my memory is fuzzy). 15 20 years ago, a collection of what can now be determined as “Classic Hits” were unleashed on a crowd that had an insatiable appetite for what was new and considered “ROCK” music.… Continued →

This thrash metal band hailed from Brazil in the region of Belford Roxo, just outside of Rio de Janeiro. They were active in the mid-90s, playing a form of thrash that was occasionally influenced by related styles like death metal, groove metal, and metalcore. They broke up in the late 90s and then re-formed in 2001, and have been active on and off. This video was posted in 2017, but I’m not aware of an accompanying album to go with it. Nonetheless, the band has had at least one full-length and one EP, both on the Brazilian indie label Força Eterna Records.… Continued →

Anberlin are back and in a big way. They will release “Lacerate”, another new song, on June 9th via Equal Vision Records. That is this Friday, folks! Pre-Save right here.… Continued →

This was one of those ‘one and done’ bands, meaning they only released one album as Lovelorn. However, they were connected directly and indirectly to a number of other projects. Vocalist Jayson Holmes had been in metalcore band Eso-Charis, and later formed The Handshake Murders (who mostly recorded on secular labels). Corey Putman (Eso-Charis, Norma Jean) and Arthur Green (Eso-Charis, Living Sacrifice) also made appearances on the album. The album is a wonderfully strange concoction of emo-core, hardcore, indie rock and math rock–almost like Roadside Monument meets Coalesce, but with bits of Karate thrown in just because.… Continued →

Something is rumbling in the Light The Way camp. Something new, something cool. Follow them on social media @lightthewayca and get prepared. You’ll be So Stoked you did and definitely not BRKN. Lots of Hope in the Holy Ghost and you won’t be labeled a Goofball. Sorry for being punny. New logo up too as well as band pics galore. Where is Pumpkin Head though? [Facebook]… Continued →

Those classic Spirit Filled Hardcore OGs known as FOCUSED, are reuniting FINALLY for a show (or shows) this fall or in 2024 (heck, do both!). They have announced there will also be an appearance by a 90’s Spirit Filled Hardcore Legend so my hopes are high that it is one of my faves. We are coming up on the 30th anniversary of both their debut record “Bow” and the launch of Tooth & Nail Records, which actually began right here in Orange County, California almost 3 decades ago.… Continued →

I was just exposed to the music of Nick Webber by one of our writers – Casey G. He creates beautifully moving indie music that is both original and engaging. He’s one of a kind and for an “Indie” artist this is exceptional. Check out his new album “All The Nothing I Know” on all digital networks now, on bandcamp here (listen below), and read our review here. Check this out and you definitely won’t be sorry you did.… Continued →

The Blamed have just announced that they will release a new 2 song 7″ single via The Charon Collective featuring 2 redone songs off the much loved “Frail” album that were recorded live during the pandemic. Pre-order the very limited (50 copies) 7″ right here via bandcamp.… Continued →

Shawn Browning has just released a brand new song titled “Burning Bridges” and it’s out now on all digital networks. Check out the track below. This reminds me of Foo Figthers and Queens of the Stone Age and I mean that in the most sincere of ways. Great stuff! Download all of his new singles right here via bandcamp.… Continued →

A brand new punk rock n’ roll band by the name of TEETH FOR EYES has emerged from the shadows and ready to get to business. The band recently posted their introductory pics which includes behind the scenes studio work. The band features some members of a mostly well-known punk band (to us anyway) called CRUX as well as other notable, associated acts such as Govt Hate Mail and Empty Tomb, among many others. Check them out on Instagram right here or @teethforeyes. Make sure to save, bookmark, or mentally record that account because much more to come including actual music, yay!… Continued →

Check out the new song titled “Suffering By My Own Hand” by a new band that defines the word “Heavy” – Cultist. The songs features none other than Jeremy Schaeffer of another really heavy band deserving of recognition, Earth Groans. The band’s new album “Slow Suicide” and Facedown Records debut will release on July 21st 2023. Check out the song below. Pre-order right here in several different merch options.… Continued →

Titanic’s founder Bill Menchen has been active in the Christian metal scene since the 1980s, first with his band Redeemer, and later with a number of other metal-themed bands including Seventh Power, Menchen, Rev Seven, and perhaps his most well-known, Titanic. Although they formed in the 1990s, they still played traditional heavy metal without any hint of alternative, grunge, or punk, which were so prevalent in that decade. The only 90s influence in Titanic’s music was the updated sonics and production techniques, which added a lot more crunch to the guitar tones than what 80s metal was known for.… Continued →

The absolutely stunning new single from my friends in Names Without Numbers titled “Winter Wars”, is out now on all digital networks and also streaming in the Pop Punk Dads Spotify playlist. This song reminds the listener of all the great times you had in the past with nostalgia running rampant throughout the entirety but not so overbearing that it’d distract one from drawing modern parallels to what’s so great about new music. I really dig the fast pace of the song right from the get-go.… Continued →

It’s been a while since I’ve featured any industrial music, so this seems like a good time to remedy that. globalWAVEsystem has been around since the early 90s, playing a harsh form of electronic industrial or EBM. At times the music is danceable, but it had a much harsher, darker edge than Deitiphobia or November Commandment. Yet the songs were more structured than Mental Destruction or Blackhouse and there were never any guitars present. In fact, their niche take on the genre is probably what kept them from getting broader exposure and more fans than their counterparts in Mortal, Circle of Dust, and the aforementioned artists.… Continued →

Some exciting news has just surfaced. A couple independent filmmakers have moved forward with their plan to document the 2nd big revival that took place 1980-1995 which featured a collection of Christian Artists on a mission to reach the lost and seeking youth who were very much looking for answers and in need of a savior. Click this link here for the GoFundMe campaign that seeks to raise funds to cover some production costs. This follows on the heels of the recent box office success of the “Jesus Revolution” film as well as others like I Still Believe, I Can Only Imagine, and the Jesus Music documentary.… Continued →

Names Without Numbers are releasing another new song and this one is titled “Winter Wars”. Song drops this Friday May 19th on all digital networks and streaming sites. Is there a reason you haven’t listening to NWN yet? Yeah I’m talking to you, the person reading this post right now. Drop what you’re doing and head over to your favorite streaming network or youtube and give these songs by one of our scene’s best kept secrets, a listen right now! “Winter Wars” out this Friday.… Continued →

Shawn Browning of Grave Robber fame has embarked on a solo effort of sorts but in an entirely different direction from the horror punk stuff. It’s a really great sound and draws upon a vast landscape of late 80’s-90’s era alternative rock while keeping it modern and aggressive at points. You can’t help but be feel drawn into Shawn’s songs especially “Let Go, Hold On”. Check out the 3 new songs below (Plus he also released a song on Valentine’s Day). “Burning Bridges” out May 26th!… Continued →

In honor of a special day that serves as a tribute to mothers across the world, I present a little IVM Playlist called “Pop Punk Moms“. Now mind you, not every song is cheery BUT, they are female fronted, angsty, and yet some happiness shines through on quite a few 😉 So head over here on Spotify (for those that use the service) and give it a listen. I have also embedded the playlist below this post if you want to sample it. Any other suggestions in this realm of tunes can do so in the comments below.… Continued →

Early 2000s emo, you gotta love it! One of the best, and painfully one of the most obscure in the genre was twothirtyeight (or sometimes 238). The band hailed from Pensacola, FL in the state’s panhandle. Florida seemed to be a haven for emo and hardcore during that era, and many of those bands ended up on Birmingham, AL’s Takehold Records, and then eventually on Tooth & Nail when they bought Takehold’s roster and much of its back-catalogue. Twothirtyeight played a style of emo that minimized the hardcore influence and instead delved into a deeply emotional form of indie rock, like secular counterparts in Braid, Cursive, or Christie Front Drive.… Continued →

Jettee which is the project of Jett Foreman who happens to be the son of Tim Foreman of Switchfoot, just dropped a brand new song titled “Dancing Alone” and it’s quite good. Check out the song below and make sure to stream at your favorite digital network. Oh, and buy a tshirt here.… Continued →

Orion Walsh just dropped a beautiful acoustic version of his classic song “Melt With The Snow” which is one of my favorite songs by him. It’s a haunting track that attaches to your soul and fills you with a multitude of emotions. Check out the song below and stream it on all digital networks now. Purchase his new collection of songs assembled as “Rambling Heart Vol. 2” right here on CD from Steadfast Records.… Continued →

The Blamed just released 3 “rough” songs off their re-recording of their classic album “21” and have posted them over on Bandcamp here. Check out a stream of the “Sorry for the Delay” EP, below. Who is beyond excited for this? Sounds fresh and new. God bless Bryan Gray and all he has been through. He made it through the other side with a story to tell.… Continued →

Since the genre first emerged in the early 1980s, hardcore (originally hardcore punk) has splintered into dozens of sub-sub-subgenres including melodic hardcore, beatdown, old school hardcore, new school/chugga chugga, d-beat, crust punk/crustcore, metalcore, emocore, and so forth. By and large my favorite artists have generally been those who kept closest to the genre’s origins, even if they took those beginnings in new directions. The old slogan (which I’ve often quoted here on this site) “loud, fast rules!” is apropos here. In the late 90s/early 00s a revival of the style emerged, sometimes referred to as “tough guy hardcore.”… Continued →

In honor of the greatness of a Festival that brings much joy to so many, I’m compiling a short longer list of recent band reunions announced for Furnace Fest 2023. This Fest has had a tumultuous past couple of years in light of the horrors and inconveniences Covid has brought to so many and yet they’ve persevered to cobble together an insane experience with an ongoing commitment to quality and fan adoration. While I haven’t been able to attend in either the past or more recently, I’m there in spirit.… Continued →

Rock & Metal

• Disciple – Skeleton Psalms
• Endeavored Urgency – Wasted Earth
• Relent – World War Me EP
• UnWorthy – Where Light Divides EP

Pop & CCM

• Adryelle – A Storm of Colors EP
• Aryn Michelle – Beautiful EP
• Cat Rea –  Aftermath EP
• Colton Dixon – Canvas
• Dj Em D – I Found Some Tapes #1 EP
• Gable Price and Friends – Live At THE END EP
• JSteph – i’m so happy that we broke up EP
• Turtledoves – Secret Weapon EP

Folk & Singer/Songwriter

• Garden Friend – Pangea EP
• Jeremi Licata – Dear Prodigal
• Mandi Mapes – Levees
• Outside Franklin – Jonah & the Wilderness, Vol.

… Continued →

Names Without Numbers will return with another incredible new song titled “Winter Wars”, on May 19th. Please go check out their last 3 newer songs on your digital network of choice as well as their epic 2019 full length record. Get stoked!… Continued →

A new band I’d like to introduce is called Binder of Light. Its a new band featuring members of Stairwell, Bloodshed, Unashamed, Rainy Days, and more. The band just got picked up by The Charon Collective which is a newer label started by one of of the founders of Pluto Records. Check out the little write up below and make sure to visit them on Instagram @binderoflight and their label – The Charon Collective right here. “The Charon Collective is excited to welcome Binder Of Light to the family!… Continued →

World renown San Diego, CA. based rock band – Switchfoot, will embark on a 20th Anniversary Tour celebrating a much loved, landmark album not just in “alternative rock” but in the realm of Christian music as well called “The Beautiful Letdown”. This fan loved and adored album racked up several hits back in the day that still get radio/satellite plays even now. For dates and locations of this tour click here. How many of you got tickets and who is most excited about this momentous celebration?… Continued →

Gosh, this song . . . this band . . . has a way of evoking memories of a certain period of my life. Lo-fi indie rock with only 2 members. One on guitar and vocals, and the other on drums. They released a very short–only 3 songs–but brilliant self-titled EP on Tooth & Nail in 1997. T&N had a fantastic run of EPs around that time (Pedro the Lion, Warlord, Inner Means, Training for Utopia, etc.) and this was certainly one of them. The songs were lo-fi, but not noisy.… Continued →