Karahka Unleash a Fierce Stoner Rock Blast on “Summer Hell”

Karahka’s new single “Summer Hell” is a burst of aggressive stoner rock that flirts with punk and hard rock. The band spices things up with a touch of metallic edge, resulting in a uniquely aggressive form of rock.

“Summer Hell” is a wryly self-ironic story about the band’s chaotic summer schedule. The “summer hell” breaks loose when gigs are double-booked, one member has scheduled a holiday trip, another has a dentist appointment, and someone is working night shifts.
The new single marks another step toward Karahka’s third album, scheduled for release in early 2027. A substantial amount of material has already been written, and the album’s overarching theme is now clear. The record will consist of stories in which circumstances push people to the brink of madness and what can happen at its worst.

“Summer Hell” represents the lighter, tongue-in-cheek side of that theme.

“The upcoming album will also feature glimpses of hope in the midst of a mad world. Close relationships and communities can carry you through, even when reality feels chaotic. The families and communities we grow up in can either break your mind or help you survive,” says guitarist Juuso Vettenranta.

Formed in 2020, Karahka is a prolific band. Their debut album Dark Side of the Night was released in 2024, followed by their second album Modern Fanfares in December 2025.
The first single from the upcoming album, “Temptations,” was released earlier this spring.

“Summer Hell” available on:
Spotify
Apple Music
Tidal
Qobuz
Deezer
“Summer Hell” lyric video:
YouTube
Line-up:
Jaan Lehti – drums, vocals
Juuso Vettenranta – guitar, backing vocals
Mikko Teittinen – guitar, backing vocals
Ari Enqvist – bass, vocals

Molly Johnson Announces New Album 'Talk to Me' Out June 26

 

 

Recognized as one of Canada’s greatest voices, Molly Johnson announces her new album Talk To Me, arriving June 26 via Universal Music Canada. The 10-track project combines music from Johnson’s recent All I See and Long Time Running EPs with four new recordings, including lead single “Holiday,” out now, further showcasing her unmistakable voice and continued artistic evolution.

Across the album, Johnson collaborates with artists from across generations of Canadian music, including JUNO Award-winning rapper Haviah Mighty, rising producer and artist CUBE, and Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. The result is a deeply collaborative body of work that blends soul, jazz, R&B, and rock through Johnson’s singular artistic lens.

At the heart of the album is “Talk To Me,” a call-and-response collaboration with Haviah Mighty centred around listening, dialogue, and connection across generations. Pairing Molly’s signature vocal style with Haviah’s sharp lyricism, the track reflects a meaningful exchange between two distinct voices and perspectives.

“What does a 67-year-old woman and a 21-year-old kid have in common? A real love of great music,” says Johnson about working with producer and artist CUBE. “I really believe we need to listen to younger voices, and I feel so excited that I get to be part of this new generation of music. The future looks bright to me.”

The album also features Johnson’s stirring interpretation of The Tragically Hip’s “Long Time Running,” recorded with Jim Cuddy of Blue Rodeo. First released in 1991, the song remains a defining piece of the Canadian musical canon, here reimagined with a sense of intimacy and reverence that honours its enduring legacy.

“This has been a long time coming,” says Johnson. “I’ve always wanted to record a duet with Jim. We’ve been friends for years, so to finally collaborate on a song by our beloved The Tragically Hip feels like real magic.”

Across the album, Johnson is joined by her long-time collaborators, including Davide Di Renzo, Mike Downes and Robi Botos, whose enduring musical partnership remains central to her sound. New recordings including “Holiday,” “Happy,” “Sunday Morning,” and “Just As Bad As You” further expand the album’s rich and deeply collaborative musical world.

Talk To Me will be available June 26 via Universal Music Canada.

Kyle Gordon

 

Kyle Gordon is an Atlanta-based indie musician whose songwriting lives in the quiet space between reflection and release. Rooted in melodic honesty and emotional clarity, Gordon’s work carries the weight of lived experience without losing its sense of warmth. His songs often unfold slowly, revealing stories about love, time, and the moments that reshape who we become.

His new single, “Dead Oceans,” is a long-simmering piece that began in 2012 during a recording session for another band’s album, then finally found its full voice nearly a decade later. Written by Gordon and produced by Kristofer Sampson, the track features additional performances from Ben Davidow, Kris Sampson, and Tyler Hobbs. “Dead Oceans” is a song about deep gratitude for a profound love—one that only makes sense after surviving the ones that didn’t. It acknowledges past relationships not with bitterness, but with clarity, recognizing them as necessary steps toward something fuller and more enduring.

 

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Instagram:

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Gjenferd

 

 

We are heading back  Bergen Norway, for a totally different band by the name of Gjenferd and their new single "Bliss" which strangely doesn`t appear of their recently released album Black Smoke Rising which only came out in March. Fronted by Jacob Saervoll on vocals and heavy Hammond organ, you`ll have to step back in time to a very Deep Purple/Uriah Heap/Sabbath era,

Norwegian hard rock band Gjenferd releases their new single “Bliss” April 10, 2026.Bliss is a fast, hard-hitting rock track to be released in the wake of Gjenferd’s second album “BlackSmoke Rising” (March 6, 2026)

Driven by gritty riffs, punchy drums, and heavy hammond organ, it channels raw 70s hard rock energy. Black Smoke Rising has received strong reviews both nationally and internationally, including 3. placeon Doom Charts in March 2026.

 

“Bridging the gap between modern heavy rock and the spirit of the 70’s, GJENFERD takes the best of both worlds and channels it into something fresh and powerful, with Black Smoke Rising standing as an album of the year contender for this Doom Charts contributor.” - Jon McGough (Doom Charts) Gjenferd draws inspiration from classic heavy rock acts such as Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, combined with a modern hard rock approach influenced by Ghost and Hällas. They’re known for energetic live performances, including appearances at festivals such as Desertfest Oslo.

 

https://www.facebook.com/gjenferdband

 

 

LISTEN TO THEM HERE

LIVE STREAM >> HERE

 

OpCritical

 

OpCritical is a response to the critical state of America and the world today.  Its music, lyrics, and videos are a mirror of the monster before us, the Demogorgon, which is and will destroy everything in its wake unless there is a powerful citizen operation to push back. The members of the OC band are not important, but their music is intense, immediate, raw, and emotional to inspire people to get off the couch to protect their fundamental rights.  OpCritical’s first release is “Not Alone,” a take-off of the 1970s Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young anthem that galvanized the nation after National Guard troops killed four students at Ohio State University.  The words and arrangement have been changed to reflect today, but the message is just as powerful.

 

https://opcritical.com/

 

 

LISTEN TO THEM HERE

LIVE STREAM >> HERE

Canadian Blues Music Awards Crown First-Ever Winners at Landmark Toronto Gala

The Canadian Blues Music Awards made history at The Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, crowning the first-ever winners of Canada's new national blues recognition programme across 16 competitive categories. The inaugural gala brought together the finest performers in Canadian blues for a landmark celebration that was more than an awards show. It was a statement about the depth, diversity, and resilience of blues music in this country.

The evening's biggest winner was Brandon Isaak, who took home Electric Blues Recording of the Year, Blues Song of the Year for "Walkin' With The Blues," and Blues Guitarist of the Year, all for his album 'Walkin' With The Blues.' Steve Marriner claimed Blues Producer of the Year for his work on three recordings: 'Hear My Heart,' Big Dave McLean's 'This Old Life,' and David Gogo's 'YEAH!' Sue Foley won Acoustic Blues Recording of the Year for 'One Guitar Woman, A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar.' Crystal Shawanda took Female Blues Vocalist of the Year for 'Sing Pretty Blues,' while Marcus Trummer claimed Male Blues Vocalist of the Year for 'From The Start.' Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne won Blues Keyboard Player of the Year for 'Ooh, Yeah!', and Ollee Owens was named Emerging Blues Artist or Group of the Year for 'Nowhere to Hide.'

The Canadian Blues Music Awards is a fully independent, incorporated national not-for-profit organization built from the ground up with a mandate to govern, develop, and operate Canada's premier blues recognition programme. Initially formed in spring 2024 by Brant Zwicker and Cindy McLeod, the CBMA Governing Committee spent more than a year in extensive research, national consultation, and programme development before incorporating as an independent organization. All artist category awards are decided exclusively by a jury panel of industry professionals drawn from a national pool spanning radio, print, labels, engineering, production, promotion, academia, associations, festivals, and venues. "The Canadian Blues Music Awards represents a complete overhaul," said Quisha Wint, Chair of the Toronto Blues Society. "A whole new programme created to serve the Canadian blues community with greater transparency, fairness, and unity from coast to coast to coast."

Lifetime Achievement honours were presented to five foundational contributors to Canadian blues: Amos Garrett, Bobby Dean Blackburn, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Russell Jackson, and Tim Williams. The gala also featured live performances from Steve Marriner, Crystal Shawanda, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Brandon Isaak, and Dana Wylie of Secondhand Dreamcar, with host Danny Marks opening the evening. The after-party featured sets from emerging artist nominees Glenn Marais and The Mojo Train, Ollee Owens, JP LeBlanc, and Secondhand Dreamcar.

The Canadian Blues Music Awards are now established as the gold standard of blues recognition in Canada, a programme built on transparency, coast-to-coast representation, and a genuine commitment to the music and the people who make it.

2025 Canadian Blues Music Awards Winners:

Emerging Blues Artist or Group of the Year

Ollee Owens (Ollee Owens: Nowhere to Hide)

Blues Song of the Year

Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues (Walkin’ With The Blues)

Acoustic Blues Recording of the Year

Sue Foley: One Guitar Woman, A Tribute to the Female Pioneers of Guitar

Electric Blues Recording of the Year Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues

Blues Producer of the Year

Steve Marriner (Steve Marriner: Hear My Heart; Big Dave McLean: This Old Life; David Gogo: YEAH!)

Female Blues Vocalist of the Year

Crystal Shawanda (Crystal Shawanda: Sing Pretty Blues)

Male Blues Vocalist of the Year

Marcus Trummer (Marcus Trummer: From The Start)

Blues Guitarist of the Year

Brandon Isaak (Brandon Isaak: Walkin’ With The Blues)

Blues Keyboard Player of the Year

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne (Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne: Ooh, Yeah!)

Blues Harmonica Player of the Year TIE

Guy Bélanger (Guy Bélanger: Postcards from London)

Steve Marriner (Steve Marriner: Hear My Heart; Big Dave McLean: This Old Life; David Gogo: YEAH!)

Blues Horn Player of the Year

Jerry Cook (Wailin’ Walker: All Fired Up)

Blues Drummer of the Year TIE:

Jim Casson (Davis Hall & The Green Lanterns: Canboro Canborough)

Sylvain “Sly” Coulombe (Chambers DesLauriers: Our Time To Ride)

Blues Bassist of the Year

Jasmine Colette (Blue Moon Marquee: New Orleans Sessions)

Blues Video of the Year

The Harpoonist: Show Me The Green (Did We Come Here To Dance)

Blues Industry Person of the Year TIE:

Bruce Morel (Morel Music International)

Ken Simms (Think Tank Music Network)

Lifetime Achievement Recipient

Tim Williams

Fan Favourite Award for Blues Artist or Group of the Year

Blue Moon Marquee

Kathreen Halloran

 

Seems like forever since Australian guitarist/songwriter Kathreen Halloran released her debut single "Free With Me", which was November 2024. Kathleen has now recorded a full length debut album, which is due for release on the 8^th May 2026. As a pre-release for the album Kathleen has release her 3^rd single from the album, "Showstopper" which is a moody blues rocker, with a killer chorus.

 

Kathleen Halloran is one of Australia’s most compelling new voices.

 

A Melbourne-based guitarist, singer-songwriter and composer, she has spent years on stages and in studios across the country, earning a reputation built on genuine musical authority — commanding audiences with presence, confidence, and power. She’s a shredder.

 

Her sound carries the confidence and firepower of decades of guitar greats before her, while remaining unmistakably her own. As she prepares to release her debut body of work, Halloran arrives fully formed — undeniable, uncompromising, and built for the stage.

 

 https://open.spotify.com/album/5tHGfsEe6l5qNT1jWMZ8Jx

 

 

LISTEN TO HER HERE

LIVE STREAM >> HERE