Heather Nova, Killswitch Engage, & Cock Sparrer

Catch up on the week in new music and Dig Me Out podcast

Latest Podcast

---

New Releases

---

---

Patterson Hood – Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams

If you’ve ever cranked up a Drive-By Truckers album on a road trip, you know Patterson Hood’s gift for storytelling. His solo work has always felt more personal, more introspective, and Exploding Trees & Airplane Screams sounds like it’s cut from that same cloth. Hood’s knack for wrapping Southern Gothic narratives around sharp songwriting is on full display. And for the vinyl nerds out there—this one’s dropping on a beautiful colored pressing

Killswitch Engage – This Consequence

For anyone who grew up with the golden age of metalcore, Killswitch Engage is a household name. Whether you were belting out The End of Heartache in your car or debating the Jesse Leach vs. Howard Jones era, they’ve been a staple of the genre. This Consequence is their first new album in over five years, which makes it a pretty big deal for longtime fans. Expect a mix of soaring choruses, punishing breakdowns, and that classic Killswitch blend of melody and aggression. Plus, the limited edition colored vinyl makes it even sweeter for collectors.

Edwin McCain – Lucky

Edwin McCain is the guy who made every late-'90s high school dance extra emotional with “I’ll Be.” You probably slow-danced to it whether you wanted to or not. His latest album, Lucky, brings more of his signature heartfelt storytelling, and if his past records are any indication, this one’s bound to have at least one song that makes you feel way more nostalgic than you expected.

Heather Nova – Breath and Air

If you were into the ‘90s alternative scene, Heather Nova was one of those artists who always felt like a secret discovery—her mix of dreamy vocals and poetic songwriting made albums like Oyster essential listening. Breath and Air finds her still crafting those same introspective, beautifully melancholic songs, proving that some voices just never lose their magic.

The 5.6.7.8's – "Dororo / Granada Fuzz" & "Mahjong A Go-Go / Ah, So" (Singles)

Even if you don’t immediately recognize their name, you’ve definitely heard The 5.6.7.8’s if you’ve seen Kill Bill Vol. 1. Their retro garage rock sound, blending surf rock, punk, and rockabilly energy, made them an instant standout. These new singles, “Dororo / Granada Fuzz” and “Mahjong A Go-Go / Ah, So,” deliver that same fuzzed-out, high-energy fun that made them cult favorites.

Melvins/Napalm Death – Savage Imperial Death March

This one’s a wild ride. Take the sludgy weirdness of the Melvins, throw in the sheer brutality of Napalm Death, and you get Savage Imperial Death March. If you’re into the heavier, experimental side of rock and metal, this is the kind of record that’s going to grab you by the collar and drag you through a whirlwind of distorted chaos. It’s exactly as intense as you’d expect from these two legends.

Jason Bieler and The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra – The Escapologist

If you remember Saigon Kick, then you know Jason Bieler was never afraid to get weird with rock music. The Escapologist continues that tradition, blending prog, glam, and straight-up killer songwriting into something that feels like a throwback and a fresh take all at once. It’s got big hooks, quirky twists, and enough variety to keep you on your toes.

---

Idlewild Wins! 90s Rock Battle Royale Ends in Upset

Another Dig Me Out album tournament wrapped, and this one came down to the wire. The DMO Union picked their favorite deep-cut 90s album—leading to a runoff vote between two standout records.

• 🏆 Stone Temple Pilots – No. 4 (19.6%)

• 🏆 Idlewild – Hope Is Important (19.6%)

• 🔥 Butthole Surfers – Independent Worm Saloon (17.4%)

• 🤔 Nickelback – Curb (15.2%)

Other albums, including Senser, Die Monster Die, and Bodyjar, pulled in smaller shares but couldn’t crack the top tier.

Runoff: STP vs. Idlewild

A 48-hour showdown decided the winner:

• 🏆 Idlewild – Hope Is Important (59%)

• Stone Temple Pilots – No. 4 (41%)

STP’s underappreciated album put up a fight, but Idlewild’s raw, punk-fueled debut delivered the knockout punch. The comments section was full of debate—Nickelback defenders, love for Butthole Surfers, and even some unexpected Senser nostalgia.

Did the right album win? Suggest an album for us to rescue.

---

---