Signals From Mars Episode 475 - September 2026 Albums Review

What were the best hard rock and heavy metal albums of September 2026? Victor M. Ruiz welcomes Ed Ferguson and Jeremy Weltman for a new releases roundup packed with honest reviews, unexpected discoveries, and some sharply divided opinions. From classic hard rock and NWOBHM to thrash, doom, industrial, grindcore, and extreme metal, the trio separates the essential listens from the disappointments.

Anthrax's Cursum Perficio takes center stage: Victor considers it their strongest album since Joey Belladonna's return, but Ed and Jeremy hear things differently. Is this a late-career high point or a step away from the thrash sound fans love? Europe also sparks discussion with Come This Madness, including comparisons to Deep Purple and praise for John Norum's guitar work.

The episode explores Green Lung's Necropolitan, President's Blood of Your Empire, Audrey Horne's Achilles, Accept's Teutonic Titans, Airbourne, and new music from Tygers of Pan Tang, Cloven Hoof, and Stabbing Westward. Ed spotlights underground discoveries including XION's When Stars Collide, Task Force Toxicator's Countdown to Death, Deviated Instinct's Scavenger Gospel, and BRAT's Manslayer. Jeremy weighs in on The Bites and melodic hard rock, while the conversation moves from old-school riffs to modern metal production and genre-crossing experiments.

With hundreds of releases to consider, the discussion highlights established metal legends alongside emerging bands that deserve more attention. Expect contrasting opinions, hidden gems, and some surprising favorites.

Which September 2026 releases deserve repeat listens? Which unexpected album won over the panel? Hear their weekly picks, disagreements, and recommendations, then tell us what made your own list.

Keywords: September 2026 album reviews, new metal albums 2026, Anthrax Cursum Perficio review, Europe Come This Madness, heavy metal podcast, hard rock reviews, thrash metal, doom metal, underground metal, Signals From Mars.

Thank you to my Patrons for all of their support

Steven Sailer

Steve Hoeker

Jeremy Weltman

Mike Jones

Brad Dahl

Mark Strigl

Gabriel Ruiz

Metal Dan

Johan Ederström

Ed Ferguson

Anthony Mackey

Toni Espin

Sean Richmond

Corey J Chatelain

You can become a Patron for as little as $2 a month. Go to

https://patreon.com/signalsfrommars

Social Media Links For Signals From Mars

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars

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Signals From Mars Episode 474 - AI Music With Corey J Chatelain

Can AI-generated music be creative, original, and meaningful? In Episode 474 of Signals From Mars, Victor M. Ruiz talks with Corey J Chatelain about using artificial intelligence to create and release music, with a heavy focus on hard rock, heavy metal, progressive metal, thrash, djent, songwriting, and experimentation.

Corey explains how tools such as Suno helped turn ideas he had carried for years into finished musical projects. The discussion explores AI-assisted songwriting, prompting, lyrics, musical influences, creative control, production, distribution through DistroKid, Spotify releases, copyright concerns, ethics, and whether AI should be viewed as a replacement for musicians or simply another creative tool.

The conversation also gets into the practical side of creating AI music: refining prompts, guiding emotional changes within a song, working through multiple generations, correcting vocal pronunciation, shaping lyrics, and trying to make separate projects feel like distinct bands with their own identities. Corey also discusses how AI can open doors for people who understand music creatively but may not have the instrumental ability to perform every idea themselves.

The episode touches on projects including Paint Bucket, Pawn, Left Field Philosophers, Elixir Vitae, Giganticide, and Bards of the Forgotten Verses, while examining how AI can blend metal with progressive, folk, orchestral, and Middle Eastern influences. Rather than giving you a verdict on AI music, the conversation looks at how the technology is actually being used and leaves listeners to decide what they think about the future of AI in music.

Keywords: AI Music, AI Generated Music, Suno AI, Artificial Intelligence Music, AI Songwriting, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, Thrash Metal, Djent, Music Production, DistroKid, Spotify, Corey J Chatelain, Signals From Mars

Thank you to my Patrons for all of their support

Steven Sailer

Steve Hoeker

Jeremy Weltman

Mike Jones

Brad Dahl

Mark Strigl

Gabriel Ruiz

Chris Vaglio

Metal Dan

Johan Ederström

Ed Ferguson

Anthony Mackey

Toni Espin

Sean Richmond

You can become a Patron for as little as $2 a month. Go to

https://patreon.com/signalsfrommars

Corey J Chatelain / Double C Music

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5QQRPA6lbofim6ybWjGoPl

Social Media Links For Signals From Mars

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars

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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars

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Signals From Mars Episode 473 - Guitar Live Albums

What are the greatest live albums when the guitarist completely takes over the performance? In Episode 473 of Signals From Mars, we focus on Guitar Live Albums: records where the guitar playing is so powerful, expressive, technical, or over the top that it becomes one of the main reasons the album stands out.

Listeners and friends of the show submitted their ten favorite live albums built around unforgettable guitar performances. We break down the results, discuss what makes a great live guitar record, and look at the impact of legendary solos, extended jams, improvisation, tone, stage energy, and musicians pushing songs far beyond their studio versions.

This is not simply a countdown of famous concert records. The focus is on live albums where the guitarist elevates the music and helps define the entire performance. Some players stretch familiar songs into something completely different onstage, while others deliver solos, riffs, dynamics, and improvisation that make the live version essential listening.

We also talk about what separates an excellent live album from a truly memorable guitar showcase. Is it technical ability, emotion, sound, spontaneity, chemistry with the band, or the feeling that the guitarist is taking risks in front of an audience? The voting brings together different eras and styles of rock and metal while keeping the spotlight firmly on live guitar playing.

This episode is for fans of hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock, guitar heroes, live albums, guitar solos, and unforgettable concert recordings. If you love live records where the guitar feels bigger, louder, and more exciting than the studio version, this episode is built for you.

Which live album features your favorite guitar performance? Which guitarist belongs at the top of your own list? Listen to the countdown and compare your choices with the albums that received votes.

Keywords:

Signals From Mars, Guitar Live Albums, Best Live Albums, Greatest Live Albums, Live Guitar Albums, Guitar Solos, Live Guitar Solos, Greatest Guitarists, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Classic Rock, Rock Podcast, Metal Podcast, Music Podcast, Live Music

Thank you to my Patrons for all of their support

Steven Sailer

Steve Hoeker

Jeremy Weltman

Mike Jones

Brad Dahl

Mark Strigl

Gabriel Ruiz

Chris Vaglio

Metal Dan

Johan Ederström

Ed Ferguson

Anthony Mackey

Toni Espin

Sean Richmond

You can become a Patron for as little as $2 a month. Go to

https://patreon.com/signalsfrommars

Social Media Links For Signals From Mars

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/signalsfrommars

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signalsfrommarsofficial/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@signalsfrommars

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/signalsfrommars

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