Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

January 26, 2026 at 12:59 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up in one hour at 7 p.m. ET is the latest edition of the Hard Rock Empire LIVE on Twitch and YouTube! We'll check out the best new rock and metal from January 16, and two classic albums in the vault. Tune in!

www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal: January 2 & 9, 2026

January 25, 2026 at 11:02 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 100 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Wildhunt and For My Pain. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Jiluka and Warrant.

Tune in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvZe...

January 19, 2026 at 12:56 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at the top of the hour is the latest edition of the Hard Rock Empire LIVE on Twitch and YouTube. We'll check out the best new rock and metal from the first two weeks of January, and discuss two classic albums in the Vault. Tune in!

www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From December 19 and 26, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 99

January 18, 2026 at 11:20 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 99 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Imperatore and Shadowborn. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Starbridge and Vision Divine.

It's the Hard Rock Empire! Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSng...

January 12, 2026 at 12:58 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at the top of the hour is the latest edition of the Hard Rock Empire LIVE on Twitch and YouTube. We'll check out the best new rock and metal from the last two weeks of 2025 and two classic albums in the Vault. Tune in!

www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From December 12, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 98

January 11, 2026 at 11:26 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 98 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Wings of Destiny and Rob Moratti. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Nerv and Vanden Plas Official.

It's the Hard Rock Empire! Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0UD...

January 5, 2026 at 1:05 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at 7 p.m. ET is the latest episode of the Hard Rock Empire. We'll check out the best new rock and metal from Dec. 12, and discuss a couple of classic albums in the Vault. Tune in!

www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

Nerdcast Empire Episode 200! A look back and a look ahead.

January 4, 2026 at 10:39 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 200 of the Nerdcast Empire! This includes our look back at the last 30 months of the Nerdcast Empire. We discuss anime, video games, and pro wrestling, discuss how we got to this point, and where we might go next. Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgWQ...

Nerdcast Empire Episode 200! The Best New Rock and Metal (December 5) - Hard Rock Empire 97

December 29, 2025 at 2:55 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 97 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Idol Throne and Age of Emergence. Then we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Prometheus Rising and Unruly Child. Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSYn...

December 29, 2025 at 2:50 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at the top of the hour is Episode 200 of the Nerdcast Empire and Episode 97 of the Hard Rock Empire LIVE on Twitch and YouTube! Join us for the best new music from Dec. 5, and a look back at the last 18 months of the Nerdcast Empire. Tune in!
www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From November 28, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 96

December 28, 2025 at 11:16 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 96 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Phantom Vengeance, Aktor, Steel Arctus, and Dellacoma. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Wind Rose and Uriah Heep.

Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2KJ...

December 23, 2025 at 1:27 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at the top of the hour is the Hard Rock Empire. We'll check out news headlines, listen to the best new rock and metal from Nov. 28, discuss two classic albums in the Vault, and answer our question of the week in the Power Trio. Tune in!
www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From November 21, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 95

December 22, 2025 at 11:15 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 95 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Darktribe, Frozen Land, Midnite City, and Treat. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Lavos Beckon and TEN.

Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLZ0...

December 15, 2025 at 1:40 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at 7 p.m. ET is the latest edition of the Hard Rock Empire. We'll discuss the latest news, review the best new rock and metal from Nov. 21, check out classic albums in the Vault, and answer our question of the week in the Power Trio. Tune in!

www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From November 14, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 94

December 14, 2025 at 10:26 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 94 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Creaturess, Mezzrow, Skull & Crossbones, and All Sinners. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from CKY and Tak Matsumoto Group.

Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mg...

December 8, 2025 at 1:32 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at 7 p.m. ET is a new episode of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll discuss news headlines, check out the best new music from Nov. 14, recommend two classic albums in the vault, and answer our question of the week in the Power Trio. Tune in! www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From November 7, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 93

December 7, 2025 at 10:55 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 93 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from D'Ercole, The Maple State, Backlash, and Nightblaze. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Stormforge and Starbreaker.

Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Ca...

December 1, 2025 at 1:27 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at the top of the hour is the Hard Rock Empire LIVE. We'll discuss news headlines, check out the best new music from Nov. 7, recommend two classic albums in the Vault, and check out our question of the week in the Power Trio. Tune in!

www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From October 31, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 92

November 30, 2025 at 11:10 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 92 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Solence, Black Soul Horde, Defecto, and Sarayasign. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Powerman 5000 and Sunstorm. Tune in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLhP...

November 24, 2025 at 1:33 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at 7 pm ET is the latest edition of the Hard Rock Empire. We'll discuss news headlines, check out the best new rock and metal from October 31, review two classic albums in the Vault, and answer our question of the week in the Power Trio. Tune in!
www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From October 24, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 91

November 23, 2025 at 10:28 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 91 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Them, Bergfried, Under Black Sky, and Bad Rain. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Benevolent and Resurrection Kings.

Tune in!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ5Z...

November 17, 2025 at 1:46 AM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Coming up at the top of the hour is the Hard Rock Empire. We'll discuss news headlines, check out the best new rock and metal from October 24, discuss two classic albums in the Vault, and answer our question of the week in the Power Trio. Tune in!

www.twitch.tv/nerdcastempire

Welcome to the Twitch hub of the Nerdcast Empire! Join our family and friends as we share our takes on nerdy topics such as music, anime, pro wrestling and video games. Join @mattpxp, @nce_mike, @nerd...

The Best New Rock and Metal Releases From October 17, 2025 - Hard Rock Empire 90

November 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

Not sure about this 5" total but there is certainly way too much of this crap outside for early November.

Alerts from NWS Wilmington OH (UNOFFICIAL) @day.nws-bot.us · Nov 10

Blanchester [Clinton Co, OH] Public reports Snow of 5.00 Inch at 2:15 PM EST --
at Mon, 10 Nov 2025 19:38:17 +0000 via IEMbot
Additional Details Here.

November 10, 2025 at 7:51 PM

Matt Sexton

@mattsextonpxp.bsky.social

It is Episode 90 of the Hard Rock Empire! We'll listen to awesome new music from Infinity Dream, Wings of Steel, Human Fortress, and Æternia. Then, we'll head into the vault to check out classic albums from Nekrogoblikon and Revolution Saints. Tune in!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyy4...