Weekly International Music News Roundup

Rock is moving fast this week. Royal Blood are back with a new album and a hard-hitting single, Weezer have mapped out a huge world tour, Mastodon are preparing a dark and ambitious new record, and Styx are returning to paradise with a weekend packed with classic rock legends.

Here is the biggest international rock news from mid-August 2026.

Royal Blood announce fifth album, Dead Company

Royal Blood have officially announced their fifth studio album, Dead Company, due for release on 13 November 2026 via Warner Records.

The announcement arrived with “Ten Over Ten”, a powerful new single that brings the band’s stripped-back sound straight to the front. Mike Kerr’s heavily driven bass and Ben Thatcher’s huge drums do most of the heavy lifting, proving once again how much noise two people can create.

The track is the first new Royal Blood music since the band’s last album, Back To The Water Below, released in 2023. According to the band, Dead Company was written and recorded with the live stage in mind. They entered the studio in 2025 without a strict deadline, giving themselves time to focus on the sound and energy of the songs.

The result is being described as Royal Blood at their most direct and powerful. The band have said the new album strips everything back to the core, with a focus on impact rather than unnecessary extras.

That approach is already clear in “Ten Over Ten”. It is loud, fast and built for a packed festival crowd. Fans can also expect the duo to return to the stage for a series of intimate UK shows in Margate, Southampton and Guildford later this month.

Read the full Royal Blood announcement at NME, then listen to “Ten Over Ten” on YouTube.

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Weezer reveal the massive The Gathering world tour

Weezer have announced one of their biggest international touring plans yet. The Gathering will take the band across North America in 2026, followed by dates in Japan, the UK and Europe in 2027.

The North American arena leg is scheduled to run from September through October 2026, with stops including:

• Sacramento
• San Francisco
• Portland
• Vancouver
• Seattle
• Chicago
• Toronto
• Boston
• New York
• Nashville
• Austin
• Los Angeles

The Shins and Silversun Pickups are set to support selected North American shows, giving fans an impressive alternative-rock double bill before Weezer take the stage.

The band will then head to Japan in February 2027, with shows in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nagoya. Taking Back Sunday will support on this part of the tour and will also join Weezer for the UK and European dates.

The UK and Ireland run begins in Dublin on 12 May 2027, followed by shows in Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, Birmingham, London and Cardiff. The European leg includes Paris, Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki.

For UK fans, the London show takes place at Alexandra Palace on 22 May 2027. It is expected to be one of the standout dates of the entire tour.

The tour announcement also arrives alongside “C.E.O.”, a new Weezer single with a video featuring appearances from Tony Hawk and other familiar faces. The band are also preparing to release The Gold Album on 21 August 2026.

Tickets for UK and European shows go on general sale at 10am BST on Friday, 14 August 2026. Fans should check the official Weezer tour page for the latest ticket information, dates and venue details. You can also find more details in NME’s tour announcement.

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Mastodon tease Marrow Deep with “In The Ruins”

Mastodon are building anticipation for their next album, Marrow Deep, with a new single and video called “In The Ruins”.

The album is scheduled for release on 28 August 2026 via Loma Vista Recordings, making it one of the most anticipated heavy releases of the summer. Marrow Deep is also being described as the band’s first new studio album in five years.

“In The Ruins” arrives with a striking animated video created by Hey Beautiful Jerk. The story follows a one-eyed creature named Frank as it moves through flooded and destroyed landscapes. The visuals are strange, intense and dreamlike, matching the track’s themes of destruction, loss and rebuilding.

The song was inspired by the impact of Hurricane Helene and the personal damage it caused for bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders and his family. That sense of trying to recover after disaster runs through both the music and the video.

“In The Ruins” is the third preview from Marrow Deep, following “Your Ghost Again” and “Snakes For Dinner”, which features guest vocals from Josh Homme. Together, the tracks suggest that Mastodon are preparing an album that will be heavy, emotional and full of atmosphere.

The band have also announced the Poisonous Weapons North American tour with Deafheaven and Alcest. The run is expected to begin in September, shortly after the album arrives.

Watch the official “In The Ruins” video on YouTube, and read more about the release through Blabbermouth.

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Styx return to Rockin’ In Paradise Beach Weekend

Styx are heading back to Florida for Rockin’ In Paradise with Styx & Friends, a three-day beach weekend taking place from 8–10 October 2026 at Seascape Resort in Miramar Beach.

The band will headline two full shows during the weekend, making this more than a standard festival appearance. Styx will also take part in fan activities, including a Q&A session.

The lineup brings together a wide range of classic rock favourites and veteran performers. Guests include:

• 38 Special
• Tesla
• Don Felder
• The Marshall Tucker Band
• Jefferson Starship
• The Outlaws
• Edwin McCain
• The Velcro Pygmies
• Yacht Rock Revue
• Peter Beckett of Player
• Elliot Lurie of Looking Glass
• Walter Egan

The Friday night yacht-rock showcase will bring a different flavour to the weekend, with Yacht Rock Revue joined by artists behind songs such as “Baby Come Back”, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)” and “Magnet and Steel”.

The event is designed as a full music holiday rather than a single-day festival. Fans can choose from several packages, including private coves, sunset suites, the Renegade Pit and the Grand Lawn. Passes include access to three nights of performances, plus activities, food, bars, beach time and other events.

The official event website describes the weekend as a chance to relax, recharge and relive the music that defined generations. With warm weather, white sand and a lineup full of rock history, it is an easy choice for fans looking for a different kind of concert experience.

Find the latest information, packages and ticket details at the official Rockin’ In Paradise website. Tickets are also available through the event’s official Tixr page.

The big picture

This week’s news shows just how wide the rock world has become. Royal Blood are bringing back stripped-down modern rock. Weezer are planning an international arena takeover. Mastodon are pushing into darker and more cinematic territory. Styx are celebrating classic rock in a beachside setting with friends from across the genre.

There is plenty to look forward to over the next year, from new albums and singles to major UK tours and destination festivals.

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