November 1–7, 2026

The week’s biggest music stories, from the mainstream to the underground.

THE DMR NEWSROOM · WEEKLY EDITION · NOVEMBER 7, 2026

THE BIG STORIES

1. Rush takes its next chapter to the Las Vegas Sphere

Rush has announced five performances at the Las Vegas Sphere: May 21, 23, 26, 28 and 30, 2027. Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson will be joined by drummer Anika Nilles and keyboardist Loren Gold.

The production will combine the band’s legendary catalog with Sphere’s immersive visual and audio technology. It’s a particularly meaningful announcement as Rush continues celebrating its legacy and the music of the late Neil Peart.

Artist presale begins November 11, with general tickets going on sale November 13.

 

2. B2K reunites for its first studio album in nearly 24 years

R&B fans have a reason to celebrate. Omarion, J-Boog, Lil’ Fizz and Raz-B have reunited for ECLIPSE, the group’s first studio album in nearly 24 years.

Released November 6 through BPC Music Group, the 13-track project includes the new single “Co-Sign,” produced by The Underdogs. The group’s lead single, “Mileage,” had already made an impact on R&B radio and streaming charts.

For fans who grew up with early-2000s R&B, this is a substantial reunion. For younger listeners, it’s an opportunity to discover a group that helped define an era.

 

3. Lady Gaga, Jack White, Shakira and Blondie’s Debbie Harry among Songwriters Hall of Fame nominees

The 2027 Songwriters Hall of Fame nominations arrived November 5, bringing together an impressive collection of musical voices.

The performing-songwriter nominees include Lady Gaga, Jack White, Shakira, P!NK, Sia, Boy George, Vince Gill, Ne-Yo, Grandmaster Melle Mel and Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Chris Stein.

The non-performing songwriter category recognizes the people behind some of pop music’s most recognizable hits, including Kandi Burruss, Stargate, Stock Aitken Waterman and Dan Wilson.

This is a reminder that songwriting is bigger than the performer holding the microphone. The people writing the hooks, melodies and lyrics deserve their own spotlight.

Voting closes December 14, with the inductees expected to be announced in early 2027.

 

4. Elton John and CMAT give a holiday classic a new life

It’s not even Thanksgiving, but the holiday music season has officially started.

Elton John teamed up with Irish singer-songwriter CMAT for a reimagined version of “Step Into Christmas,” released November 5 as an Amazon Music Original.

The collaboration retains the original’s rock-and-roll energy while introducing CMAT’s distinctive vocals and a fresh arrangement. The pairing makes more sense than it might initially appear: both artists share an appreciation for theatrical songwriting, country influences and classic pop.

The wider Amazon Music holiday project also features The Beaches, The Head and the Heart, Elvis Crespo, Jalen Ngonda and other international artists.

 

5. MUNA brings Avalon Emerson, Romy and Arlo Parks into the remix room

Los Angeles alternative-pop trio MUNA announced a deluxe edition of Dancing on the Wall, arriving November 13.

The expanded release features four new interpretations from Avalon Emerson, Romy, Arlo Parks and Porches. The first preview, Avalon Emerson’s remix of the title track, arrived alongside the announcement.

It’s an interesting meeting of alternative pop and electronic music, with four artists bringing their own creative fingerprints to the same record.

MUNA’s announcement also marks a welcome return to business following the band’s October tour bus fire.

 

6. Death Angel unleashes “The Never Was”

Bay Area thrash veterans Death Angel released a new lyric video for “The Never Was” on November 5.

The single arrives ahead of the band’s European and Australian tour commitments, along with its annual December holiday performances in California.

Death Angel has remained an important part of the Bay Area thrash legacy. New material from a band with this much history is always worth a listen, particularly for fans who appreciate the genre’s roots.

 

7. Forbidden loses drummer Chris Kontos amid internal disputes

In a developing story, drummer Chris Kontos announced his departure from thrash metal band Forbidden on November 4.

Kontos cited disagreements involving financial transparency, accounting and business decisions. These are his stated reasons for leaving; they should not be treated as independently established findings about the band’s management.

The departure comes shortly after Forbidden released its first studio album in 16 years.

This is one to watch. Forbidden’s return was significant for thrash fans, and the lineup change raises questions about the band’s next chapter.

 

8. Diana Ross announces her return to Australia

The Queen of Motown is heading back down under.

Diana Ross announced a Sydney performance for March 5, 2027, marking her first Australian appearance since 2006. The concert will take place at Centennial Park during the Sydney Summertime series, with Groove Armada also appearing.

Across six decades, Ross has helped shape Motown, soul, disco and pop. Her influence reaches far beyond her original audience, and this announcement gives Australian fans an opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary catalog.

General tickets are scheduled to go on sale November 11.

 

9. Country music delivers a fresh batch of Friday releases

Country music had a busy November 6 release day.

Among the new arrivals:

• Thomas Rhett — “Be There In A Minute”

• Hudson Westbrook — Made You Look

• Chandler Walters — “If You Wanna See The Show”

• Tyler Hubbard — “Playin It Cool”

• The Jack Wharff Band — “Torn Up Sweater”

There is a nice range here, from established Nashville names to artists building their own followings. The Jack Wharff Band’s announcement of an upcoming December record is particularly worth keeping on the radar.

Country music continues to evolve, and some of the most interesting developments are happening outside the biggest radio names.

 

10. Skepta, Lil Baby and a busy week for hip-hop

Hip-hop had a particularly strong release week.

Skepta delivered The Fork and Knife, his new full-length solo album, while Lil Baby released FRESH on November 6.

Other notable releases include:

• Jack Harlow — Sweet Action II

• Statik Selektah — Expensive Taste

• Curren$y & Harry Fraud — Off To The Races

• Mathematics & Wu-Tang Clan — Black Samson: The Saga Continues

• Smoke DZA & Mike & Keys — We Outside

There is something for fans of mainstream rap, underground production, boom bap and the classic Wu-Tang sound.

The particularly interesting thread is the continued strength of producer-driven projects. Hip-hop has always been about more than the voice on the microphone.

 

11. Electronic music: BASHKKA, The Bug and a new wave of club releases

Resident Advisor’s November 6 new-music roundup highlighted a collection of electronic releases worth exploring.

Among them:

• BASHKKA — CORE, a five-track EP on fabric Originals.

• The Bug & Friday Night Plans — “Ladybug 3.”

• Sam Girling — “Drive By Strokes / Primrose Mountain.”

• EYE-DENT — Creature Comforts, a debut album rooted in Sydney’s DIY party scene.

• Headhunter — Raas, released November 6.

The international range is what makes this list interesting. From experimental club sounds to bass-heavy releases, electronic music continues to find new directions outside the traditional festival circuit.

 

12. Music’s next generation gets its own spotlight at Bandcamp

Bandcamp Daily published several genre-focused features this week, including its October jazz, metal, electronic, country and contemporary classical selections.

Among the highlighted records is Songs for Sinners from British jazz drummer and composer Moses Boyd, featured as an Album of the Day on November 3.

The publication also highlighted Anna Webber’s it’s easier to imagine the end of the world…, an experimental jazz release worth investigating.

These editorial selections are not chart rankings. They are useful discovery points for listeners looking beyond the usual commercial release cycle.

 

THE STORY YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED

13. Nepal’s underground metal scene is fighting to keep its music alive

Sometimes the most important music stories aren’t happening in Los Angeles, London or Nashville.

Bandcamp Daily published a fascinating November 3 feature exploring Nepal’s extreme-metal underground, particularly the community developing around Kathmandu.

The article introduces bands including Animality, Nude Terror, Shree 3, Disorder and Strangle. Much of the scene operates independently, with musicians organizing their own performances and supporting one another.

What makes the story especially compelling is how closely the music connects to everyday life. Animality’s album Third World Brutality draws on political and social observations rather than simply relying on traditional metal fantasy.

The scene has faced political restrictions, limited venues and musicians leaving the country for work or education. Yet younger generations continue to form bands and keep the music alive.

This is precisely the kind of story DMR should be telling. These artists might not be filling arenas, but they are building something meaningful.

Our recommendation: Give Animality, Shree 3 and Disorder a listen.

 

LATIN & GLOBAL MUSIC

Holiday music becomes an international collaboration

One particularly interesting part of Amazon Music’s holiday announcement is the international lineup.

Elvis Crespo joins Dominican music legend Fernando Villalona and rising artist Lomiiel for a new interpretation of “Feliz Cumbé,” arriving November 6.

The project connects generations of Dominican music, bringing a classic merengue composition into a new holiday setting.

The wider collection also features Spanish flamenco group Raya Real, French artist Hoshi, Italian singer Sal Da Vinci and other international performers.

It’s easy for American music coverage to become centered on the domestic market. This is a good example of why DMR needs to keep looking outward.

 

MUSIC GEAR & EQUIPMENT

The studio and equipment world had a busy week. Here are three developments worth watching.

LOOKING AHEAD

Here are confirmed dates worth putting on the DMR editorial calendar.

Dates reflect the announcements available at publication time and may change.

DMR BOTTOM LINE

This week gave us a little bit of everything.

Rush is bringing its legendary catalog into one of the world’s most ambitious entertainment venues. B2K is giving R&B fans a reunion nearly a quarter-century in the making. Songwriters are getting their due recognition, and Elton John is introducing a new generation to a holiday classic with CMAT.

Meanwhile, underground metal musicians in Nepal are building a scene without the infrastructure or financial support that many established music markets take for granted.

And that’s the story I keep coming back to.

Music doesn’t need a million-dollar production, a major-label contract or a stadium audience to matter.

Sometimes it’s four musicians in a rehearsal room, a small independent label, a local venue or an artist putting their experiences into a song.

We want to hear all of it.

Different genres. Different countries. Different generations. One shared love of music.

That’s what DreadMusicReview is here to celebrate.

The goal is not to just share one genre, rather help spread the idea that all music is worth hearing.

 

 

 

 

 

AI EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER: This article was written and edited by the DreadMusicReview staff and may have been polished or assisted by artificial intelligence. DMR believes readers have the right to know when AI has played a role in the preparation of our content. All newsworthy information, facts, quotes, and reporting remain the responsibility of the DreadMusicReview editorial staff.