In the FromSoftware action RPG Elden Ring, you play as an anonymous, mute character belonging to a caste known as the Tarnished. You’re set loose in the Lands Between, a blighted world that has fallen into chaos. Your mission is to restore the Golden Order and become Elden Lord. In the beginning, you’re a weakling, with poor stats and worse armaments. The first bosses you encounter exist primarily to beat you into the ground, to humble you. The low chime that accompanies FromSoft’s signature “YOU DIED” animation burrows its way into your head through constant repetition. At some point, you realize that you can go somewhere else on the game’s massive, open-world map, so you do. You strengthen yourself in encounters with lesser enemies, and eventually, you return to smash that boss that gave you so much trouble a few hours ago. Repeat that process ad infinitum. That’s Elden Ring.

Jürgen Bartsch, co-founder of the long-running and influential German underground metal band Bethlehem, has passed away. Current Bethlehem singer Yvonne “Onielar” Wilczynska revealed the news of Bartsch’s death in an Instagram post, writing that he last a battle to an unspecified illness on Wednesday. In a note translated from German, Wilczynska says, “He died many times… But death was only temporary.” As of now, Bartsch’s cause of death and age are unreported.

In the past few days, the great Philadelphia hardcore band Jesus Piece has come apart in dramatic, contentious fashion. About a month ago, the Arizona festival One Big Party unveiled its lineup, which features “JE$US PIECE” high up on the bill. Earlier this week, Jesus Piece frontman Aaron Heard reposted the lineup, writing, “that’s me and the homies.” Twenty minutes later, Heard’s Jesus Piece bandmates David Updike, John Distefano, and Luis Aponte shared a joint statement, claiming that the band has broken up and expressing their frustration that Heard would launch another project under what’s basically the same name: “Anything you see associated with this name or similar, playing our music and using our art, is not related to anything we worked for over the last 10 years… To try and continue that without us or in spite of us, is a mockery of what we’ve done and tried to do.” Now, Heard has offered his response.

Upchuck are back with another ripper. The Atlanta punk crew announced their new Ty Segall-produced album I’m Nice Now last month, and “Plastic,” “Forgotten Token,” and “Un Momento” have served as electric previews. Now they’re unleashing “Tired.”

Denver’s Broken Record impressed us with their 2023 album Nothing Moves Me, and today the band announced its followup called Routine. The phenomenal lead single “T-60” is out now.

It’s a fucking tragedy, and I’m going to run through it right now as a personal lament. But first, the short version: Charles Bissell of the Wrens says we should not expect any new music from his post-Wrens project Car Colors. Gah!

In The Alternative Number Ones, I’m reviewing every #1 single in the history of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks/Alternative Songs, starting with the moment that the chart launched in 1988. This column is a companion piece to The Number Ones, and it’s for members only. Thank you to everyone who’s helping to keep Stereogum afloat.

fish narc kicked off the year with the release of his latest album frog song, which was impressive enough to land on our list of the best albums of the year so far. Lucky for us, the indie rocker and GothBoiClique member is already back with a new tune called “make it softer.”

A Wizard Of Oz remake called Dorothy is in development at Prime Video, and Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton are producers. Per Deadline, the series is directed by Gina Matthews and will be a modern, music-infused version.