Markus Burger is a German-born concert pianist, composer, and educator based in Los Angeles, California. Burger is a full-time music professor at Fullerton College and a lecturer for the graduate jazz piano and composition program at San Diego State University. In August 2019, Burger spent two afternoons in Vienna, the music capital of Europe, recording in the Bösendorfer piano showroom, courtesy of Ferdinand Bräu. Burger is releasing The Vienna Sessions, a sixteen-track album from the session via Challenge Records. Burger says, “I have been a fan of Bösendorfer pianos since studying at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen, Germany, [...]

Ayla D’Lyla is a vocalist and songwriter born and raised in New York City. D’Lyla attended performing arts school in midtown Manhattan, where she spent her days being classically trained in opera. That training influences her music, which is pop music with psychedelic, experimental, and dark pop elements. Her singing transports listeners to a seductive world of romance and dark fantasy with her poetic lyrics. D’Lyla’s new single “Money” will catch your attention with its thought-provoking lyrics and blatant sexuality. D’Lyla explains, “This song is exactly what you’d think it’s about. Many of [...]

Tangerine Dream is releasing Raum, the band’s second studio album, after the passing of the founder Edgar Froese in 2015. Raum continues Tangerine Dream development of the concept of its precursor EP Probe 6—8. The seven songs were composed and produced with full access to Froese’s Cubase arrangements (and Otari Tape Archive with recordings from 1977-2013). Tangerine Dream is Thorsten Quaeschning, synthesizer, sequencer; Hoshiko Yamane, violin, electric viola; and Paul Frick synthesizer, sequencer. Together they bring us an interestingly satisfying late-night real-time performance combined with classic studio productions, sequencer-driven haunting [...]

Gregor Barnett is releasing Don’t Go Throwing Roses In My Grave, the first solo record by the beloved frontman of The Menzingers. Barnett explores an electrified Americana side of his music, with yearning melodies, pushing beats, and unforgettable lyrical imaginings. The singer/songwriter tells his stories with a folkier style than in The Menzingers, but his stories are just as moving and compelling. “It was this perfect storm,” says Menzingers guitarist/co-vocalist Gregor Barnett. “The band couldn’t tour, I was going through a really difficult time, and I was stuck at home watching my [...]

Battle Beast is releasing their next installment of European power metal with its sixth studio album called Circus of Doom. The female-fronted metal band is buoyant with symphonic metal driven by agile guitar playing and the grit of singer Noora Luohimo. Who has lost none of her fire over the past 9 years. The sextet has created an album that is easy to listen to while still maintaining an aggressive metal edge. The ten songs have many hooks, riffs, and rebellious driving grooves.

The album sports many symphonic metal anthems, the best being the title track, “Circus of Doom.” There is an edge to the song with its aggressive guitar riffs, [...]