Episode 34. We’re still here. That’s not nothing.

It’s a Tuesday music news episode. Kid Rock is charging $5,000 for front-row tickets and is mad people pointed that out. Dave Grohl explains what actually happened with Josh Freese. Mikael Åkerfeldt wants a break from being “Band Michael.” Halestorm talks about playing without tracks. Adrian Smith weighs in on AI shortcuts. And Alex Van Halen is digging into unreleased Eddie-era material for a possible new record.

There’s also Rush deluxe reissues, Spiritbox tour news, and a couple stories I started and then immediately lost interest in.

I close it out with what I’ve been listening to — Jay Buchanan, Brent Faiyaz, Willow, Angel Du$t, Graveyard, and The Messthetics with James Brandon Lewis… which I liked before I even realized it was Fugazi guys.

That’s it. Music news. Opinions. A beer.

New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

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It’s a New Music Friday episode, so I’m switching the order: new releases first, then we rip through a LOT of music news so you can grab what you came for and get on with your life.

On the release radar for 2/20/26, it’s a lighter rock/metal week, but we’ve got new stuff from Clawfinger, Michael Monroe, Defaced, Choker, plus more — and I’ll tell you what I’m actually recommending right now.

Then the news run gets busy: Foo Fighters announce a new album (Your Favorite Toy) and a Hollywood Bowl symphonic show, Iron Maiden drop full details for Ed Fest (and it sounds insane), Alex Van Halen talks finishing Van Halen material with Steve Lukather (and the vocalist question is… a thing), Metallica get honored at the 2026 Red Cross Gala, Failure announce a new album + tour (with a Hayley Williams appearance), U2 release a new EP, Arch Enemy reveal their new singer and drop a new track, plus Tomahawk rumors heating up. Oh — and yes, we have to talk about that new Down cover.

Follow / yell at me / send recommendations:

Instagram: @darby.amplified

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All the news, all the noise, all in one place.

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Recorded on a Monday night. Heineken in hand. The booze is back.

This week: Foo Fighters tease new music in a genuinely cool way, Gene Simmons says something dumb (again) and Chuck D responds properly, Warped Tour announces an absurd number of bands, and Avatar has to shut down a show because the stage literally becomes electrified.

We also hit the FCC clearing Bad Bunny’s halftime show, a viral Chad Kroeger moment, Tool possibly eyeing Vegas, and a preview of the Judas Priest documentary.

Plus what I’ve been listening to lately — Jay Buchanan, Black Crowes, Puscifer, Angel Dust and more.

IG: @darby.amplified

TikTok: darby.amplified

X: darbyamplified

New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

All the news, all the noise, all in one place.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.