Cleveland metal/industrial band RIKETS have announced the release of their long-awaited new EP, Tales from the Construct AlphAA v.1, arriving April 20 via Godsize Music. The band will celebrate the release with a special hometown EP release show on April 18 at Cleveland’s iconic Globe Iron.

RIKETS features members of Switched, Erase the Grey, Left4 Dead, and Anchored, bringing together decades of experience from the heavy and industrial underground.

Produced by Ben Schigel (Chimaira, Drowning Pool, Walls of Jericho, MGK), Tales from the Construct AlphAA v.1 is a collection of material written during the COVID lockdowns, exploring themes of isolation, artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and systemic overreach.

The EP marks RIKETS’ first release since 2010, picking up where All American Death Cult left off after a near 16-year hiatus. While the new effort leans heavily into a more synth-driven, industrial sound, the band remains firmly rooted in metal. Tracks like “Misery,” “Infected and Controlled,” and “FEED” dig deep with crushing riffs, infectious hooks, and earworm choruses that linger long after the final note.

To commemorate the release, RIKETS will return to the stage on April 18 at Globe Iron. Presented by live-show titans AEG, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase physical copies of the EP two days before its official release, featuring striking hand-drawn artwork by OMGXERO.

Track Listing:

1. System Boot: Action / Loosh

2. Infected and Controlled

3. FEED

4. Mama

5. Misery

Single “FEED” has been gaining strong traction at radio over the past six months, remaining within the Top 100 at Mediabase and SMR, and peaking at #58 at Active Rock radio.

Quebec metal/hardcore veterans Hopeless Nation erupt into 2026 with the release of their explosive new single “Disaster”, accompanied by a gripping cinematic music video. The track marks the band’s most intense and precise work to date, blending their hardcore roots with modern metal atmosphere and emotionally charged storytelling.
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Formed in 1998 and revitalized after a decade-long hiatus, Hopeless Nation has re-emerged as a powerful force in heavy music. Their 2025 comeback single “Silverspoon” premiered on Hardcore Worldwide (HCWW), earning them accolades from fans new and old. With renewed momentum, the band now pushes further with “Disaster,” the first in a series of new releases leading into an EP.
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​“Disaster” plunges listeners into a world on the brink, cities in ruin, humanity under pressure, and the search for hope amid destruction. Musically, the track delivers crushing riffs, relentless rhythms, and raw vocals that mirror the urgency of a live performance. The accompanying video amplifies the narrative: band members move through collapsing environments as firefighters, first responders, and civilians, navigating danger and fleeting moments of courage. Flickers of resilience cut through the chaos, creating a visual experience that is both cinematic and deeply human.

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​“We’re thrilled to release Disaster and the upcoming singles. These songs are a mix of energy, reflection, and raw honesty, and we couldn’t have done it without the incredible people around us,” adds the band.
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The band highlights the contributions of engineer Francis Perron (RadicArt), known for his work with Voïvod, whose production elevated the music to new heights. They also pay tribute to former members Jonathan Houle and Maxime Dupont, whose years of musicianship helped shape Hopeless Nation’s identity.
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“These releases are our way of honoring their legacy,” says the band.
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​Hopeless Nation’s sound has transformed from fast, raw hardcore into a heavier, more dynamic form of modern metal. Their influences span All Out War, ZAO, Gojira, Darkest Hour, Turnstile, and more, resulting in music that is cinematic, explosive, aggressive, intense, and evolving.
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The writing process remains collaborative and deliberate. Lead guitarist Louis‑Simon Bellerose and the rhythm section spark ideas through riffs and melodies, while arrangements and breakdowns are shaped collectively.

“Every song gets the time it needs. We don’t rush. The goal is impact, not quantity,” adds the band.

LISTEN UP, YOU FILTHY ANIMALS! If you don't know the name BON SCOTT, then you don't know jack about rock and roll! Bon was the ultimate wild man. He had the voice, the grit, and the attitude that made AC/DC the biggest, loudest, and baddest band on the planet! Even though he left us way too soon, his legend is still crushing everything in its path. And guess what? 2026 marks what would have been his 80th birthday, and the world is celebrating with a massive explosion of metal glory! HELL YEAH!

This isn't some weak, quiet tribute. This is a full-on assault! We are getting SILVER AND GOLD BARS with Bon’s face on them from the Perth Mint! Can you imagine? Real metal for a real metal god! There’s also a new statue coming from Knucklebonz based on the Powerage tour. If you don't want a statue of Bon rocking out on your shelf, you’re clearly listening to the wrong music!

But wait, it gets even better! We’re getting killer new gear to wear. Dixxon Flannel is dropping a "Heritage" Tartan shirt, and there’s even a "Bon 80" football jersey. I don't care if you don't play sports—you wear this to the pit and show everyone who the king is! Plus, the ABC is dumping a ton of rare video content onto Bon's YouTube channel. We’re talking interviews with legends like Scott Ian from ANTHRAX and Sammy Hagar talking about why Bon still rules our world 46 years later!

The parties are going to be INSANE! Bonfest in Scotland is turning 20 years old and it’s already SOLD OUT! They’ve got former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade showing up to melt faces! If you can't make it to Scotland, New York City is throwing a massive Birthday Bash, and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame is screening the Let There Be Rock movie! This is the kind of high-voltage energy we live for! Bon Scott is the reason we headbang, and 2026 is going to be the year of the legend! LONG LIVE BON SCOTT!

Want more headbanging action? Tune into THE CLASSIC METAL SHOW LIVE every Saturday night from 9pm to 3am Eastern on Rumble, X, Substack or Odysee!