Echos Announce Outlast Records Signing + Releases New Single + Music Video "CAROUSEL"

Echos fans, rejoice! Today, the industrial-tinged, ethereal chanteuse has announced signing with her new label home, Outlast Records. In celebration of the news, Echos released a brand new single "CAROUSEL". Accompanying the release is the official music video that serves as the visual counterpart to the evocative auditory journey of the single. Speaking about the track, Echos creatrix Alexandra Norton shared:

"'CAROUSEL' is about feeling trapped in a never-ending cycle with someone. I initially wrote this as a stream-of-consciousness poem and the line “peel my eyes out I’m on your carousel” is supposed to feel like a scoff at the situation “Here we go again…but for some reason I can’t figure out how to get off of this rollercoaster.”

Los Angeles fans will also have their chance to see Echos' captivating live performance at School Night on Monday, April 15(ticket info here). Stream "CAROUSEL" at the link here, watch the official music video below, and be sure to stay tuned for more Echos news coming very soon.

Alexandra Norton, the voice and songstress behind Echos, weaves her music from the threads of her own tumultuous journey. "It's a sanctuary," she confides, her voice a blend of haunting vulnerability and quiet strength, “a place to make sense of my pain and give it a final resting place.”

Within the labyrinth of her words, she delves into the darkest recesses of human existence—abuse, self-inflicted wounds, and the relentless dance with thoughts of oblivion. Yet, amidst the shadows, she also touches on themes of resilience, introspection, and empathy. "It's about embracing the full spectrum of emotions," she reflects, “creating a space to feel, release, and heal."

With three albums already to her name, her latest endeavor promises to be her most cherished work yet—a testament to her evolution as an artist and her journey—a journey that resonates with listeners seeking solace and connection amid their struggles. Her voice, like a spectral echo, invites listeners to explore the depths of their emotions, rather than bury them in silence.

Benighted Crawl Into Your Head on New Single

From the depths of France's extreme metal scene, Benighted are resurfacing with their most psychologically thrilling album yet. Today, the band are releasing the third single off Ekbom. With its malignant chorus, "Metastasis" is bound to break necks.

Watch the performance video for "Metastasis" below.

Ekbomis out April 12 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order:https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BenightedEkbom
Pre-save:https://orcd.co/benightedekbompresave

"Metastasis" lives up to its name. Germinating from the dark, intricate production that fans have come to expect from Benighted, the band's new single injects pure aural terror, cultivating brutal, blackened death metal into pure mental anguish. 

"This song has probably the heaviest chorus on the entire album!" vocalist Julien Truchan says. "Time to break your neck! 🤘"

The beautifully gory video forMetastasiswas produced & directed byKick Your Eyesproductions, who previously worked with Benighted in 2020 on their single "Nails".

Dive into the darkest realms of the human psyche as BENIGHTED, the French purveyors of brutal death metal & grindcore, unleash their tenth full-length album Ekbom in April 2024. The madness that has defined their discography continues with this radical soundtrack to the twisted times we inhabit.

Born from French Death and Black metal bands DISHUMANIZED, DARKNESS FIRE, and OSGILIATH, BENIGHTED emerged in 1998 with a mission to explore a more brutal, heavy, and modern form of musical expression. The impact of their first self-produced and self-titled full-length album in 2000 transformed BENIGHTED from a side-project into a main act, quickly amassing a devoted fan base. Subsequent albums like Psychose (2002), Insane Cephalic Production(2004), Identisick (2006), and Icon (2007) further cemented their visceral, skull-breaking sound into extreme death metal history.

After a detour into the realms of Necrobreed in 2017, BENIGHTED celebrated their 20th anniversary by capturing the live madness with Dogs Always Bite Harder Than Their Master in 2018.

With Obscene Repressed, they once again took sadistic pleasure in pushing the boundaries of brutality, delving into the disturbed mind of little Michael. His relentless battle against demons, fueled by unresolved oedipal issues with his mother, provided a grotesque tableau for BENIGHTED's sonic butchery. Not content with merely slaughtering everything in their auditory path, BENIGHTED crafted thematically explorative pieces, each turn in their music revealing new layers of horror and despair.

As the relentless journey continues, BENIGHTED is set to unleash Ekbom in April 2024, an album that draws inspiration from the nightmarish 'Ekbom syndrome.' This rare neurological disorder, also known as Delusional Parasitosis, forms the thematic core of the upcoming release. A feeling of having a vile concoction of parasites, worms, and insects crawling under your skin is an apt description of what BENIGHTED have to offer on this newest release. The auditory assault mirrors the repulsive sensations of the syndrome, a visceral and unsettling journey into the abyss of the human mind.

Madness reigns yet again, this time intertwining with the haunting echoes of Ekbom syndrome. Brace yourselves for another mind-shattering chapter in the BENIGHTED saga as they continue to carve their niche in the putrid annals of extreme metal, leaving a trail of sonic disgust in their wake.

Photo by © Anthony Dubois

Line-up
Julien Truchan - Vocals
Emmanuel Dalle - Guitars
Pierre Arnoux - Bass
Kevin Paradis - Drums

Recording studio
Kohlekeller Studios, Germany (Powerwolf, Aborted, Crematory)

Producer, Sound, Mixing & Mastering engineer
Kristian Kohlmannslehner

Guest musicians
Oliver Peters (Archspire) on "Nothing Left to Fear"
Xavier Chevalier (Blockheads) on "Fame of the Grotesque"

Biography: Sébastien Gamez

Cover art: Grindesign (Rob Borbas)

Pre-save: https://orcd.co/benightedekbompresave

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BenightedEkbom

Links:
Official Website: https://www.benighted.fr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brutalbenighted
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benighted_band/
Bandcamp: https://benighted.bandcamp.com/music
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/brutalbenighted
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benighted_band
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@_BENIGHTED
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0dUwIwaPc6UukkCZTaaf7J
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/benighted/267088245
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3919180 
Booking Contact:
France: Rage Tour - philippe@ragetour.com
Worldwide: Redback Promotion - ronny@redback-promotion.com

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Yellow & Black Marbled
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Golden
12" Liquid Vinyl Gatefold - Blood Red Liquid-Filled

Wheel Share New Single "Porcelain"

Anglo-Finnish progressive metallers Wheel previously announced their third studio album Charismatic Leaders, which arrives on May 3.

Today, they launch the second single — the dynamic and expansive "Porcelain." Listen here. Watch the visualizer below.

Vocalist and guitarist James Lascelles comments, "'Porcelain' ended up being about social norms and how the values of the past seem abhorrent by modern standards. In turn, our current values will likely be seen as primitive, careless or even cruel in the future. I think we would all like to imagine that if we had been born long ago, we would have the same world view that we do now but this would likely not be the case. We are all shaped by our surroundings and social conformity, probably more than we would like to admit. It was a humbling topic to dig in to and the more I thought about it, the more empathy I was able to find for our ancestors."

The album's first single "Empire" was released last month, and the video currently has over 220k views. Watch it here.

Charismatic Leaders was meticulously crafted to meet Wheel's ever-heightening benchmarks and recording with engineers/co-producers Daniel Bergstrand and Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah) stretched from August to December 2023. The end result, mixed by Forrester Savell, has consolidated all the gains of what came before: singer/guitarist Lascelles, lead guitarist Jussi Turunen and drummer Santeri Saksala's third album represents their heaviest and most conscious music to date.

Charismatic Leaders clocks in at just under 50 minutes, and will be available as a Limited CD Digipak (also featuring the Rumination EP tracks as bonus), and a Gatefold 180g LP, both featuring artwork from Lucas Mayer (Long Distance Calling, Blackout Problems). Pre-orders are live here.

Wheel will be celebrating the release of their new album with their first ever shows in Australia, supporting labelmates Caligula's Horse, as well as their first ever North American headline shows:

WHEEL U.S. TOUR DATES:
5/2 — Orlando, FL — Conduit 
5/5 — Philadelphia, PA — The Foundry
5/6 — Vienna, VA — Jammin Lava
5/7 — New York, NY — Mercury Lounge
5/8 — Boston, MA — Brighton Music Hall
5/9 — Montreal, QC — Petit Campus
5/10 — Toronto, ON — Adelaide Hall
5/12 — Chicago, IL — Beat Kitchen
5/13 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th St. Entry
5/16 — Denver, CO — Moe's
5/19 — Phoenix, AZ — Underground
5/20 — San Diego, CA — Brick by Brick
5/21 — Los Angeles, CA — 1720
5/22 — Berkeley, CA — Cornerstone
5/23 — Sacramento, CA — Goldfield Trading Post
5/25 — Seattle, WA — Barboza

ZETRA - Announce Highly Anticipated Self-Titled Debut Album + Release Video For New Single 'Starfall' Feat. Svalbard's Serena Cherry

Otherworldly alt. duo ZETRA have emerged from the shadows once more with whisper of their highly anticipated, self-titled debut album, that will be released on 13th September via Nuclear Blast Records. The wanderers have also bestowed upon us the gift of a video for their new single 'Starfall', which features Serena Cherry of the mighty Svalbard.

The wanderers whispers echo:

"The sky illuminates as the meteors begin their cataclysmic descent through the firmament.
Starfall.
The second chapter of our realization emerges. The unveiling of our Opus 1, 'Zetra' continues.
Starfall.
We are united on this journey with the supernatural force that is Serena Cherry of Svalbard.
Begin to know."

Watch the transcendent video for 'Starfall' below.

Pre-order and pre-save Zetra now at: 
https://zetra.bfan.link/zetra.ema

Photo credit: Rebecca Need-Menear

THE PULL OF AUTUMN announces fifth album, releases lead track 'I Was Just Dreaming', paying tribute to Scotland's The Orchids

"A gem... A genuine and welcome earworm" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Beautiful... Pure and simple. Lyrically emotional and thought-provoking. It has perfect instrumentation and musicality" ~ Spill Magazine

"Better to travel well than to arrive... this band is not about merely travelling, this is exploration down the unbeaten paths of the glorious unknown" ~ The Swindonian


US-based art-pop group The Pull of Autumn is back with a new album, having accumulated a wealth of new material since their 2022 album 'Beautiful Broken World' LP, which involved such music luminaries as The Pop Group's Mark Stewart, Living Colour's Doug Wimbish and producer Adrian Sherwood,

The lead track 'I Was Just Dreaming' is a wistful taster of the collective's fifth album 'Memory Tree', featuring Boston-based artist Bruce MacLeod on vocals. Described as "a melancholy remembrance of moments in time and life", the album will be released via Boston-based RBM Records on CD and digitally.

The Pull of Autumn is a ‘super group’ of sorts, orbiting around Rhode Island artist Daniel Darrow of 80s post-punk group Johanna’s House of Glamour and core members Bruce MacLeod, Matthew Darrow and Luke Skyscraper James (I.R.S. recording artist Fashion). Each release involves a revolving door of notable and emerging artists, both from the local music scene and further abroad. The band's debut 2018 eponymous album was followed by 'Afterglow' in 2019, 'Small Colors' in 2020 and 'Beautiful Broken World' in 2022.

'I Was Just Dreaming'  https://thepullofautumn.bandcamp.com/track/i-was-just-dreaming
Spotify  https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZHn08pIrnDqlDUSqHikHV
Album order  https://thepullofautumn.bandcamp.com/album/memory-tree

"I love how 'I Was Just Dreaming' perfectly captures the moment of a dying crush, where you’re still all in enough to have your hopes, but are planning an exit - maybe one with a bit of a flourish. This song is brilliant. I just did the best I could with it, stripped what I had down to a couple of tracks, and sent it to Dan. He knows just what to do - here I like his choppy piano bits and the somewhere out there synth swells, perfect.  The song ends with a couple of the demo tracks spliced back in … a sort of accident, but definite nod to the title of the song," says Bruce MacLeod.

Daniel Darrow adds: "This is a cover of legendary Scotland band The Orchids. Bruce and I are both fans of Sarah Records and our cover of this song is our tribute to a great time in music. We’ve added a modern twist here that retains the core beauty of the song."  

The new 'Memory Tree' album features contributions by such artists as Philip Parfitt (The Perfect Disaster), Ricky Humphrey (This Twisted Wreckage), San Francisco-based artists Leigh Gregory and Julius Manning, Berkeley singer-songwriter Sophia Campbell, and two local music legends - Rhode Island Rock’n Roll Hall of Fame inductee Paul Everett and producer, songwriter and artist Kraig Jordan. 

"For our new 'Memory Tree' album, the usual genre-bending music has been replaced by a well-defined continuous take on electro acoustic ambient music and jazz. I call this “night music”. It’s been created with a singular vision lyrically and musically, speaking to the past memories and touching upon what the future may hold. The album features many veteran Rhode Island artists, whose music has moved me for many years, as well as artists from around the world, including Britain and France," says Daniel Darrow.

'I Was Just Dreaming' is now available exclusively via Bandcamp, where the 'Memory Tree' album (out on May 31) can already be pre-ordered. As of May 31, this record can be obtained from fine digital music platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify.

CREDITS
Produced & Mixed by Daniel Darrow                          
Mastered by Bruce Macleod                            
Cover painting by Paul Everett
         
       
Keep Up With The Pull of Autumn / RBM Records
Bandcamp | Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | RBM Records | Press contact
 
Keep up with Shameless Promotion PR
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram | LinkedIn | Email

Return to Dust Announce Debut Album & Release Soul-Stirring New Single & Video for "Strangers"

The boundary-pushing grunge quartet, Return to Dust, have announced their long-awaited debut self-titled album, available on May 3rd via Jim Kaufman Productions. Accompanying the announcement, the band have also released their latest single, "Strangers" to give fans a glimpse at the upcoming record. Fans can listen to the track HERE, and watch the brand new video animated and directed by Callum Scott-Dyson below.

With more new music on the way, Return to Dust are thrilled to announce the addition of their newest member, drummer London Hudson. This pivotal milestone not only marks a significant evolution in the band's lineup, but also solidifies their core and amplifies their musical identity. As the band embark on their next chapter, they look forward to sharing the stage with him at all shows moving forward, including this year's Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple.

Speaking on today's album announcement, the band shares:

"The timeline for our self-titled album goes farther back than people realize. This record is our warmest welcome, because it comes from the most genuine of places, where we didn’t fully understand ourselves, and the world around us was rapidly changing. It’s a cataclysmic mess of emotions, growing pains, youth and maturity, and we’re proud to call it our first. Aptly named, this album is Return to Dust."

Sharing insight on today's single release, the band continues:

"Strangers was written amidst dark times. We were all recovering from family death and losing friends. We felt very alone in a crowded city. We worked grocery store jobs and often times sat in our car late night after a shift wondering when things would get better, and wondering if we were alone in this feeling. The Strangers music video depicts a very normal guy who found himself somewhere he didn’t want to be. His dreams haunt him and he feels he doesn’t belong. He quickly finds himself consumed by his thoughts and spit out as a version of himself completely different than he was."

Expanding on the "Strangers" video, director and animator Callum Scott-Dyson adds:

"For the 'Strangers' video, we really wanted to capture the feeling of loneliness, isolation, alienation and the humdrum of daily life, living on the clock with no escape. Then we liked the idea of using his dreams to explore the negative stuff going on in his mind, and then having the dreams invade his daily life. In terms of the animation style, I really wanted to push the DIY stop motion vibe I've been honing lately, most the sets are made with card and clay and I made everything myself from scratch. The main note from the band once we were rolling was to keep the tone and visual style a little darker and subdued to most other animation so I enjoyed that challenge, working with a lot of washed out blues and greens. I'm really happy with how it's come out and I hope people dig it when it drops!"

Earning a phenomenal 2 million TikTok views over the course of a weekend, see HERE, Return to Dust have soared to new heights. The TIkTok featuring the band's single, "Belly Up" swiftly impacted the band's trajectory - landing them over 3.1 million streams across DSPs, 57K Spotify Monthly Listeners, and 5.4 million total TikTok views. As the release of their debut record approaches, Return to Dust have truly cemented their position as a rising force in the industry.

Return to Dust, who are heavily inspired by the legendary Alice In Chains, continue to gain traction and acclaim, solidifying themselves as mavericks in the current rock resurgence. Collaborating alongside renowned producer Jim Kaufman (Everclear, Danny Worsnop, Night Riots, Helmet) and earning accolades from rock impresario, Allison Hagendorf, the band's momentum remains unwavering. With their dynamic presence on TikTok, a rapidly growing streaming audience, and a loyal fan base, the band is gearing up for an exciting and promising future.

Stay tuned for what Return to Dust has in store, as they continue to make waves in the music scene and connect with their ever-expanding audience.

Pre-orders for Return to Dust's self titled debut album are available for purchase HERE. The bundle, pictured to the right, features a 12" Vinyl for the audiophiles, a special LP inspired T-Shirt, an 11x17 poster of the album artwork, and an exclusive Snake Pendant Necklace for fans who seek a piece of the band's story to wear close to their hearts.

Photo Credit - Matt Akana

Return to Dust will also be sharing the stage with other rock and metal heavyweights in May of 2024 for Danny Wimmer's legendary Welcome To Rockville in Daytona Beach, FL and Sonic Temple in Columbus, OH. Fans can purchase single day tickets and weekend passes HERE.

Don't miss your chance to see the band live!

ABOUT RETURN TO DUST

Los Angeles based alternative/grunge rock trio Return to Dust (Matty Bielawski, Graham Stanush, Sebastian Gonzalez) has already scripted a karmic saga that traverses decades, pays homage to the past, and plants its roots firmly in the future. Listening within their sonic universe is like time-traveling to the halcyon days of the '90s grunge era. Their sound, influenced by heavyweights of the time, reverberates with the echoes of Deftones, Alice In Chains, and the soul of Nirvana — but, their brilliance doesn't stop there. The band draws inspiration from a diverse palette, blending in bits from bands like The Cure, Metallica, and Cage The Elephant, molding them into their own unique musical tapestry. 

Return to Dust breathes life into a sound that feels both genuine and tailor-made to encapsulate the essence of a bygone era, leaving fans awash in nostalgia. Yet, it's not merely a mimicry of the past; instead, it's a fusion of the old and the new — an alchemy that conjures a sound distinctly their own. At the core are alluring bass lines (Stanush), gritty guitar riffs (Gonzalez, Bielawski) and dual lead vocals (Bielawski, Stanush) that harmonize and intertwine, weaving an ethereal soundscape that resonates with raw emotion and unyielding energy. It's a moody concoction that pays homage to an iconic era while fearlessly exploring uncharted territories. Return to Dust beckons audiences into their world, where the past and present converge, igniting a fervor that keeps the flames of grunge alive. 

Return to Dust found its meteoric rise propelled by a chance encounter with none other than the illustrious producer Jim Kaufman (Helmet, Everclear, Night Riots). Under Kaufman's mentorship, the band's raw talent began to soar. During the darkest days of the pandemic, when the world stood still, Return to Dust seized the opportunity to channel their collective energy into crafting something profound. The result was their debut EP, a mesmerizing creation titled ‘The Black Road.’ It was a labor of love and dedication that not only transcended the barriers of personal growth, but also etched the band's name into the future of rock.

Return to Dust

Matty Bielawski - Vocals & Guitar

Graham Stanush - Vocals & Bass

Sebastian Gonzalez - Guitar

London Hudson - Drums

DVRK Announce Debut EP with Heavy, Glitching New Single

Fresh off of signing with Season of Mist, DVRK are announcing their debut EP with its new glitchy, hard-hitting lead single. 

Watch the official music video for "F.A.M."  below.

Infinite Reminiscence comes out June 7 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & pre-save: https://orcd.co/infinitereminiscence

Since germinating as a solo project back in 2019, DVRK have morphed into a collective force. With gifted vocalist Peter Morgan joined by Bastien Deleule and Gérald Audiard on guitars, Fabien Letren on bass, and drummer Vincent Vidal, the band fuse elements of Deathcore, Nu Metal and Bass. 

Their first single, "F.A.M.", sums up the band's raw energy, their electric feel and ear for heavy melodies. It also speaks to their source of inspiration, drawing from intense personal experiences like depression and addiction, and instilling them into modern metal.  

The video for "F.A.M." was directed and produced by Grupa13 (@Grupa13Official). 

Introducing DVRK, a powerhouse fusion of Deathcore, Nu Metal, and Bass music elements.

Formed in 2019 as a solo project, DVRK has evolved into a dynamic ensemble featuring Peter Morgan on vocals, Bastien Deleule and Gérald Audiard on guitars, Fabien Letren on bass, and Vincent Vidal on drums.

Notable achievements include collaborations with artists like Conquer Divide, Cove Reber, Chunk No Captain Chunk, and Hyro The Hero.

In 2023, DVRK proudly signed their first EP with Season Of Mist, marking a significant milestone in their musical journey.

Lineup
Peter Morgan - Vocals
Bastien Deleule - Guitar
Gerald Audiard - Guitar
Fabien Letren - Bass
Vincent Vidal – Drums

Recording Studio
Nalcon Studio

Production Credits
Bastien Deleule & Fabien Letren - Producers
Matt Thomas (Ashtone Studio) - Mixing & Mastering Engineer

Cover Art:
DVRK

Order & Stream: https://orcd.co/infinitereminiscence

Booking Contact:
Bastien Deleule - bastien@swdjapan.com (Asia Territory Only)

Available Formats:
Digital Download
MCD in Digipak
12" Vinyl Jacket - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Jacket - Crystal Clear w/ White & Black Splatters

Follow DVRK:
Bandcamp: https://dvrk.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearedvrk
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/weareDVRK
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearedvrk
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wearedvrk
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2veLy5cp8tE2IUS47EwzlB

Photo by © Krzysztof Wiktor

Watch the new Take Offense video for 'Assassination'

Cali thrashers Take Offense have released their new single “Assassination” today - the second preview of what’s to come on their upcoming album T.O.tality. 

The track kicks off with a complex riff that would sit perfectly on a Marty Friedman-era Megadeth record before settling into a swinging hardcore groove with unexpected twists. It’s the perfect sample of Take Offense’s fresh take on crossover as the band forge ahead towards new frontiers on T.O.tality .

Frontman Anthony Herrera tells, “‘Assassination’ embodies our mission to be truthful and give everything that you have.” It’s accompanying video, directed by Nicholas Hipa is a metaphor,” adds Herrera. “The assassin in the video represents anyone and anything trying to stop us – it ain’t happening.”

After nearly two decades of grinding and the accompanying blood/sweat, Take Offense have mastered their craft, reaching the pinnacle of their expansive sound. T.O.tality , their fourth overall album and label debut for MNRK Heavy , is marked with a sense of modernity– incorporating the hard-driving ethos of thrash, the finesse of speed metal, the sneering tenacity of hardcore all while nodding to their home of Southern California.

Take Offense look toward the tone and attitude of their California counterparts– bands like EXCEL and Suicidal Tendencies who also leaned heavily into skate aesthetics but worshipped Sunset Strip-and-adjacent guitar dieties like Warren Di Martini and Eddie Van Halen . T.O.tality is a love letter to that scene and those times, delivered in the form of an armada of fourteen nitro-equipped tracks that explode through barricades of genre convention and emptying the clip with fresh ideas. It’s a tribute to local heroes with familiar approaches that are wholly and undoubtedly Take Offense.

CHAYCE BECKHAM SCORES FIRST #1 AT COUNTRY RADIO WITH SOLO-WRITTEN, PLATINUM HIT SINGLE “23”

Highly Anticipated Debut Album - Bad For Me -

Arrives This Friday, April 5

Pre-Order/Pre-Save/Pre-Add HERE

“Next Big Thing”
– MusicRow

“a full-fledged country star”

- CMT

“Chayce Beckham’s debut single is thought-provoking and personal. 

Frankly, it’s the kind of songwriting country music needs more of.” 

- Taste of Country 

“One of the most buzzed-about newcomers in country music today”

- Parade

“This is a real bonafide musical artist and I see you all over Grammys, everywhere, wherever you want to go” - Katy Perry, ABC’s American Idol

 “Beckham translates television, viral success to the stage…a former American Idol winner and a polished entertainer and vocalist further bolstered his career surge thanks to his viral hit ’23.’” 

- Billboard

“That ‘way’ he sings could be described in a multitude of ways, from gritty to powerful to achingly relatable. And when words don't do his talent justice, the music does.” 

- People

“He’s well on his way to finding a permanent spot in the ranks of Nashville’s best and brightest.” 

- American Songwriter

“Beckham is a powerful, soulful singer, and his gritty style gives his songs a real authenticity.” 

- Songwriter Universe

“…Chayce Beckham is a full-blown country music phenom that you need to have on your radar.”

- All Country News

Currently on his own headlining “Bad For Me” Tour, Beckham will join Luke Bryan on his “Mind Of A Country Boy” Tour this summer. For tickets and all touring updates, visit www.ChayceBeckham.com. 

Upcoming Tour Dates:

4/4 - Catoosa, OK - Track 5 

4/5 - Pocola, OK - Choctaw Casino 

4/6 - Manhattan, KS - The Hat

4/11 - Ft Worth, TX -Tannahill's Tavern and Music Hall

4/12 - Grant, OK - Choctaw Casino

4/13 - Stillwater, OK - Tumbleweed Dance Hall

4/17 - Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome*

4/18 - Edmonton, AB - Rogers Place*

4/19 - Vancouver, BC - Coastal City Country Fest

4/24 - Saskatoon, SK - SaskTel Centre*

4/25 - Winnipeg, MB - Canada Life Centre*

5/2 - Columbus, OH - The Bluestone

5/3 - Warrendale, PA - Jergels

5/4 - Winchester, VA - Shenandoah Valley Apple Blossom Festival (Discovery Museum)

5/9 - Schenectady, NY - Frog Alley

5/10 - Binghamton, NY - Touch of Texas

5/11 - Jordan,NY - Kegs Canalside

5/16 - Asheville, NC - Salvage Station

5/17 - Barco, NC - Morris Farm

5/18 - Charlotte, NC - Coyote Joe's

5/23 - Bishop, CA - Mule Days

5/24 - Apple Valley, CA - HillTop Tavern and Inn

6/6 - Fargo, ND - Happy Harry's Ribfest @ Fargo Dome

6/9 - Greenwood Village, CO - Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre/KYGO

6/14 - Orange Beach, AL - The Wharf Amphitheater*

6/15 - Orange Beach, Al - The Wharf Amphitheater*

6/18 - Alexandria, VA - The Birchmere

6/21 - Buffalo, NY - Taste of Country (Sahlen Field)

6/27 - Cadott, WI - Country Fest 2024

6/29 - Brainerd, MN - Lakes Jam

7/12 - Rhinelander, WI - Hodag Country Festival

7/18 - Ankeny, IA - The District at Prairie Trail

7/19 - New Berlin, IL - Danenberger Family Vineyards

8/9 - Oro Station, Ontario - Boots and Hearts

8/15 - Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center*

8/16 - Montréal, Québec - Parc Jean-Drapeau/ Lasso Fest

8/17 - Atlanta, GA - Truist Park*

8/22 - Oklahoma City, OK - Paycom Center*

8/24 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena*

8/25 - Chicago, IL - Wrigley Field*

10/20 - Sacramento, CA - Discovery Park

*with Luke Bryan

Nominated at this year’s CMT Music Awards for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year, Chayce Beckham scores career-first #1 on both Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase Country charts with his solo-written, PLATINUM single “23.” Streaming over 5.8 MILLION per week with over 391 MILLION total global on-demand streams and more than 10 MILLION YouTube views, the iTunes All Genre #1 song is featured on Beckham’s highly anticipated debut album, Bad For Me, arriving this Friday, April 5 via 19 Recordings/Wheelhouse Records/BMG. Pre-order/pre-save/pre-add the album HERE.

“I still can’t believe or process ’23’ is #1 at country radio,” says Beckham. “I wrote this song when I had nothing to my name. Fast forwarding to now, to living out my dream, I just feel so blessed. I want to shake every single person’s hand that made this possible - thank you.”

As reported by Billboard: “23” is the first Country Airplay #1 written by a single person since Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s self-authored “Fast Car” last July. However, prior to “23,” the last Country Airplay #1 solely written by the soloist who also recorded it was Taylor Swift’s “Ours” in 2012.

Additionally, the Amazon Music “Breakthrough Artist to Watch” and CMT Listen Up artist has solidified himself alongside superstars Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, as the fourth winner of American Idol to hit the Billboard Country Airplay Top 10. Earning critical acclaim since his history-making Idol win, “Beckham is no doubt a force to be reckoned with, while proving he will leave a scorching mark on the country music genre for years to come” (PopCulture). 

Photo Credit: Matthew Simmons

About Chayce Beckham: 

Three years after becoming the only artist to win American Idol singing his own songs, 19 Recordings/Wheelhouse Records/BMG country artist Chayce Beckham is living proof of his belief that “You can’t tell someone how to write a song.” Currently nominated at this year’s CMT Music Awards for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year for his #1, PLATINUM hit single “23,” the fiery singer-songwriter laid out a course only he could follow, and today remains even more dedicated to his unique creative compass. A California native schooled on tough times and a mix of country, rock, hip hop and beyond, Beckham started a habit of heart-on-his-sleeve songwriting after some hard times when he felt he had nothing left – and when combined with his warm vocal rasp on “23,” that drive helped him charm the nation on Idol's 19th season in 2021. With more than 391 million streams and counting, the bluesy and brutally honest anthem debuted at #1 on both iTunes’ Country and All Genre singles charts, and now leads Beckham’s first album, Bad for Me, as the emerging star finds his stride. Co-writing nine of 13 songs (three solo), the project shows Beckham opening his soul like most would never dare and embracing a timeless country-rock sound defined by fiddles, steel guitar, and plenty of against-the-grain attitude. With dusky shades of heroes like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson, the set aims to reinforce next-big-thing predictions from CMT, Amazon Music, MusicRow and more, while Beckham hits the road this summer on Luke Bryan’s "Mind Of A Country Boy" Tour and his own headlining 2024 “Bad for Me” Tour.

Scotty McCreery Releases Spiritual New Track "Red Letter Blueprint"

Triple Tigers recording artist Scotty McCreery has never been one to shy away from sharing his faith, even expressing the duality of his spirituality on his No. 1 hit song “In Between” where he sang “I ain’t all Holy water and I ain’t all Jim Beam…I’m somewhere in between.” Just in time for Easter, McCreery is getting personal again with today’s release of his latest track, “Red Letter Blueprint,” from his upcoming album Rise and Fall, out May 10th. Listen to “Red Letter Blueprint” below.
 
“My faith is everything to me,” said McCreery. “It’s held me up during my lows, and it’s been with me when I celebrate my highs. This new album was influenced by the rises and falls in my life through the years, so I wanted to sing about what sustains me. I’ve featured songs about my wife and my son, but I also wanted to share a song about my faith. I hope it is comforting to anyone who may need to hear these words.”   
 
Written by McCreery with Derek George, Brent Anderson, Jeremy Bussey and Monty Criswell, “Red Letter Blueprint” is about taking solace in the belief that no matter how far away true peace seems, the path to get there is clearly marked. Building from a tender piano melody and McCreery’s convicted yet empathetic vocals, this insightful ballad about inner strength and encouragement finds him leaning on the comforting clarity of eternal faith:

       Where can you go when you ain't getting nowhere 
       Every turn is a dead-end road 
       The rain starts to fall and you're so lost out there 
       Really only one place I know 
       When your whole world falls to pieces 
       And you don't know how to build it back 
       There's a red letter blueprint in King James black
 
McCreery is set to return to Talk Shop Live this Tuesday, April 2 at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT in support of Rise and Fall. During his live appearance, which will be hosted by Storme Warren, the country crooner will perform new songs from the album and answer viewer questions while fans will be able to pre-order autographed CDs and vinyl. Tune in here: https://talkshop.live/watch/aIQsXCYbR26a 

McCreery will also make his first-ever appearance at Nashville’s famed Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival on Wednesday, April 3 at 9:00 PM CT. He will join a guitar pull at The Listening Room along with Ingrid Andress and Benjy Davis, as well as Chase McGill who co-wrote “Stuck Behind a Tractor” with McCreery and Rhett Akins that is featured on McCreery’s upcoming Rise and Fall album. For more information on the sold-out show and Tin Pan South, visit tinpansouth.com.
 
Rise and Fall will feature 13 tracks that find him exploring themes of heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood and enduring love, resulting in a project full of insightful storytelling that includes his current Top 10 and rising single “Cab in a Solo.” The album, coming out May 10, was produced by McCreery’s longtime production team of Frank Rogers, Derek Wells and Aaron Eshuis.
 
McCreery co-wrote 12 of the 13 songs on the album, which will be released digitally as well as on CD and vinyl. In addition, Amazon will release a limited edition, forest green vinyl version of the album.

• Pre-order/pre-save Rise and Fall HERE

• Pre-order autographed vinyl and CDs of Rise and Fall HERE

“I know every artist says it, but this is truly my favorite album I’ve made so far,” shares McCreery. “I wanted to create an album that reflected the music I grew up on and wasn’t chasing trends. So, I brought several of my songwriting buddies to the mountains of North Carolina to sit down and write a full-on country album that told a story, start to finish, and spoke to my soul. We’ve been performing most of the album live on the road and the response from the audiences has been overwhelming. I can’t wait for everyone to hear Rise and Fall when it comes out May 10th.”
 
The North Carolina native knows all too well there’s a rhythm to life and a cycle of ups and downs. And right now, he’s on the upswing.
 
Now 30 years old and a seasoned country music veteran selling out concerts across the globe with five consecutive No. 1 hits under his belt, McCreery is also a dedicated husband and father, welcoming a son named Avery in 2022, whose impact on the singer is highlighted in several songs on the album. Recently, he even celebrated the milestone of all milestones for a guy who grew up on Randy Travis, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Ronnie Milsap; he was invited by his musical hero Garth Brooks to become the newest member of the iconic Grand Ole Opry. McCreery’s induction will take place on April 20 with another of his heroes, Josh Turner, officially welcoming him into the Opry family.
 
But folks like McCreery know it means more when you’ve seen the other side. For him, each highlight has come in contrast to a challenge – things like the loss of his first record deal and the year of naysaying uncertainty that followed before he built himself up again, brick by brick. As a result, Rise and Fall comes from an artist who knows to appreciate the ride – no matter where it leads.
 
“I feel like we’re on the rise now, but I’ve fallen pretty low as well,” McCreery admits. “I learned from every little part of that, and it helped me to know who I was as a person – let alone an artist. The rises and the falls helped craft these songs. They made this album what it is.”
 
“Red Letter Blueprint” is the fifth song released from the album, following lead single “Cab in a Solo” (currently Top 10 and rising) and tracks “Slow Dance,” “Can’t Pass the Bar” and “Love Like This.” A full listing of the album’s songs follows.

Tickets for upcoming tour dates are on sale now at ScottyMcCreery.com.
   
About Scotty McCreery
Scotty McCreery has been a household name for nearly half his life, ever since making history in 2011 as both the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut his first studio album, the Platinum-certified Clear as Day, at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. With his forthcoming album Rise and Fall set for release May 10, featuring current single “Cab in a Solo” along with 12 additional tracks, McCreery explores classic themes of heartbreak, rowdy nights, nostalgia, faith, newfound joy, fatherhood, and enduring love, and through it all, felt comfortable being himself, resulting in a project full of electrified twang, rich baritone vocals and insightful storytelling. The 30-year-old has sold more than 4 million albums and achieved 5 consecutive No.1 hits: the RIAA Platinum-certified “Damn Strait,” the RIAA Gold certified “You Time,” the RIAA Gold certified “In Between,” the RIAA Platinum certified “This is It,” and the RIAA Triple Platinum certified ‘Five More Minutes.” The North Carolina native has earned one Triple Platinum, five Platinum and four Gold singles; one Platinum and two Gold albums; won the 10th season of “American Idol” in 2011 at age 17; was named the ACM New Artist of the Year in 2011; won the CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year (“The Trouble with Girls”) in 2012; and BMI Awards for writing One of the Top 50 Country Songs of the Year five times (in 2015 for “See You Tonight,” in 2018 for “Five More Minutes,” in 2019 for “This is It,” in 2021 for “In Between,” and in 2022 for “You Time”). He was awarded Pandora Billionaire status in 2021 in recognition of his music achieving more than one billion streams on Pandora. His song “Five More Minutes” inspired two popular holiday movies which aired on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Network: “Five More Minutes” in 2021 and “Five More Minutes: Moments Like These” in 2022. He released his first book Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream in 2016. His most recent album is Same Truck: The Deluxe Album. This fall McCreery was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame and was most recently invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Garth Brooks. The singer/songwriter married his high school sweetheart Gabi in 2018, and the couple had their first son Avery in October 2022. For more information, visit ScottyMcCreery.com.

Emo Rock Outfit NORTHBOUND Announce Upcoming Album + Release Double Single Via Smartpunk Records

NORTHBOUND ANNOUNCES UPCOMING ALBUM JUNIPER 

ALBUM OUT ON JULY 12 VIA SMARTPUNK RECORDS

Pre-order the album here

Ahead of the album release, the band is also debuting two singles: "Big Tune (Fuck Off Forever)" and "Science" — listen below.

That's right — this isn't an April Fool's Joke! Northbound is releasing a new album this summer and is unveiling two new singles from his upcoming fourth full-length release. After touring worldwide with acts including Simple Plan,State Champs, and more, Jonathon Fraser (the man behind the moniker) is poised to share his most realized iteration of the project on Juniper, which is set to release on July 12.

Speaking about the new single "Big Tune (Fuck Off Forever)," Northbound says, "I picked 'Big Tune' as the first single for the record because I feel it perfectly encapsulates the vibe of the Juniper. It's fast and doesn't take itself too seriously. A lot of my previous work had a brooding tone, and it was important to me that this record launches from a place of empowerment and not self-pity. It's a track mostly about dealing with the feelings that come from monetizing art, social media's role in the music scene, and just wanting to play music. Loudly."

When asked about "Science," he adds, "'Science' is the perfect B-Side for 'Big Tune.' It's not quite an antithesis to 'Big Tune' but it shows a much more vulnerable side to where this record goes. A lot of Juniper is about looking around and trying to find my place in the world, as an artist and human. I'm a real adult now. Who's in my corner? What do I want for myself? Most importantly, what the fuck is going on? 'Science' is a good introduction to those questions."

Speaking on the album, Northbound says "Juniper is my fourth album under the moniker of Northbound. After a few years of laying low and flying under the radar, this album is a bold statement of return. My most focused record to date, Juniper takes heavy influence from the early 2000s era of pop punk with a clear intention: to feel nostalgia for the moment you're currently in. It's fun to listen to, yet simultaneously invites the listener to feel things. It's a record about change, pain, and joy. Juniper doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, but it does spin it in a way that hasn't happened for a while."

ABOUT NORTHBOUND:
"Some flowers never get to bloom," a sentiment that has become all too familiar to Jonathon Fraser. For better or worse, this has fueled Northbound, the emo-tinged rock outfit born out of Boca Raton, Florida. Since 2012, Northbound has established a committed following through several releases and an extensive touring history in the U.S. and overseas. Their resume includes hitting the road with the likes of Simple Plan, State Champs, and many more of the scene's most respected bands. Whether it's at a house show or the 02 Forum in London, Northbound has proven capable of encapsulating nostalgia from the turn of the millennium with none of the cliches typically involved.

Throughout Northbound’s tenure, Fraser has maintained a presence in his songs that feels like an open door to his lived experiences — all bark, all bite. In early 2023, Fraser dug up his lifelong Florida roots and transplanted them to Los Angeles — with something new to prove. 

Juniper sees the project rising to new heights — with the strongest material in Northbound's discography. The themes of the album are on full display — the mental weight that self-awareness can bring, the search for yourself in a world that often doesn't care, and waiting for love that still hasn't arrived. Fraser has no interest in feigning authenticity and refuses to hold back on Juniper. 

Northbound may be the alternative scene's best-kept secret, but those who are paying attention never stop listening. Juniper and a fresh start in Los Angeles mark the beginning of a monumental shift for the trajectory of Northbound. 

ABOUT SMARTPUNK RECORDS:
Smartpunk has been a recognizable name in the scene for a long time (Remember that sponsored Warped Tour stage?!). After exchanging several hands and countless ideas of what it could and should be, they decided to start a record label in 2016 with the main idea of focusing solely on reissuing records that have been out of print or never on vinyl. After all, they're a label of vinyl dorks themselves! After releasing Set Your Goals' Mutiny and Gameface's Good, they started to venture into signing newer bands. They actively balance in between many worlds — putting out amazing music from friends and bands that rock, reissuing older titles, and partnering with other incredible labels in our scene and doing exclusive color variants of their releases.

"Since forming the record label, Smartpunk Records has released timeless albums such as Less Than Jake's Anthem, Nominee's Lowlife, RIVALS' Sad Looks Pretty on Me, Virginity's POPMORTEM, and melodic skate punkers The Swellers' My Everest.

Lightworker Share "Evergreen" Visualizer

San Francisco's Lightworker — Joe Calderon [vocals], Grayson Hurd[guitar], and Ryan Johnson [drums] — will drop their new album How the Beautiful Decay on April 19 via Solid State Records. Pre-order it here.

Today, the band has shared the visualizer for "Evergreen." It's packed with montage footage of the band performing live at different locations — and will leave you incredibly eager to see the band in the flesh. 
 
Watch + listen below.

"On our debut album, we had two songs that could be classified as our version of 'ballads' or 'love songs,'" the band says. "'Evergreen' is that song for thisalbum, and it continues the story from '10/18' off our first album. Lyrically, it's equally melancholy and sweet — the perfect blend for our heaviest 'ballad' to date."
 
Lightworker first emerged with the Resilience EP in 2017. Their signature sound cemented on 2020's full-length debut, Fury by Failure. It tallied over a million streams powered up by "Empyre," "The Willing Martyr," and "Words Dissolve" [feat. Ryan Kirby of Fit For A King]. Meanwhile, a 2021 cover of the Hoobastank hit "Crawling in the Dark" maintained their momentum. During 2022, they recorded How The Beautiful Decay with Beau Burchell of Saosin in the producer's chair. The musicians made a conscious decision to let their heavier impulses lead the way in the studio. As a result, How the Beautiful Decay is a master class in beautiful brutality.

Lightworker will return to the road in May with Dreamwake and Red Keep. All dates are below.

LIGHTWORKER ON TOUR:
WITH DREAMWAKE + RED KEEP:
5/3 — San Diego, CA — The Bancroft 
5/4 — Tempe, AZ — Yucca Tap Room
5/5 — El Paso, TX — The Rockhouse 
5/7 — Austin, TX — Coral Snake 
5/8 — Houston, TX — The End
5/9 — Corpus Christi, TX — Boozerz 
5/10 — Lubbock, TX — Jake’s Backroom 
5/11 — Dallas, TX — Haltom Theater Side Stage 
6/30 — Thompson, CT — Capulet Fest*
*Festival Date

Jenna Paulette’s 20-track ‘The Girl I Was: Red Dirt Deluxe,’ Celebrates One Year of Her Debut Album

In the year that has passed since releasing her debut album The Girl I Was, Jenna Paulette has made her Grand Ole Opry Debut, performed the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo and, most recently, signed a record deal with Leo33. The singer/songwriter from Lewisville, Texas is celebrating her year of milestones with the release of the 20-track The Girl I Was: Red Dirt Deluxe, available tomorrow. 
 
Paulette notes it’s been a journey of self-discovery and redemption, “Red Dirt Deluxe connects my first record to what is coming—an exploration while returning to my roots. These songs hold a very special place in my heart, and I hope they’re as cathartic for listeners as they were for me.”
 
The Girl I Was: Red Dirt Deluxe was produced by Will Bundy. Alongside the 16 original tracks fans have streamed more than 32 million times, the deluxe will also feature four reimagined renditions of fan-favorites “Anywhere the Wind Blows,” “Slow Drawl,” “Country in the Girl” and “The Girl I Was.”
 
Paulette’s debut album, The Girl I Was, was released in March 2023. She swiftly earned critical acclaim from People Magazine, Grammy.com, was named an Apple Music Country Riser of the Month and a CMT’s Next Women of Country.
 
Paulette is currently on the road with Aaron Watson as part of his The Armadillo Dance Hall Tour. For more information on new music and upcoming shows, visit jennapaulette.com or follow @JennaPaulette on all social platforms.

About Jenna Paulette: 
A CMT Next Women of Country in 2022 and Apple Music’s Country Riser of the Month for March 2023, singer-songwriter Jenna Paulette — a cowgirl who came of age amid the gritty realities of ranch life — is part of Nashville’s growing wave of female artists who are rewriting the rules and charting their own paths. Paulette settled in Nashville in 2015, where she struck up a mentorship with Ashley Gorley – a veteran songwriter with 60+ No. 1 tunes under his belt – which ultimately led to her publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music in June 2021. Since collaborating with songwriters Will Bundy, Rhett Akins and Jessie Jo Dillion, as well as opening for Mason Ramsey, Parmalee, John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker and most recently Aaron Watson, Paulette has landed brand partnerships with Justin Boots, Boot Barn, Ely Cattleman and Ranch Water.
 
Her debut album The Girl I Was, is available now, showcasing Paulette’s finely calibrated blend of toughness and sensitivity in tracks like “Country In The Girl” and “Pretty Ugly.” Wearing her heart on her sleeve, Grammy.comremarked it as “transformative,” noting “fuses the sounds of Twain and Miranda Lambert, tackling mental health with the somber ‘You Ain't No Cowboy’ and waxing philosophical on ‘Country In The Girl.’ Paulette continued to spotlight her authentic western lifestyle, performing the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo, making her Grand Ole Opry Debut and performing in multiple festivals including CMA Fest. Paulette recently signed with independent label Leo33. For more information, visit www.jennapaulette.com.

Party Cannon Unleash New Track + Official Video "Not Immediately Life Threatening" via Unique Leader Records

Party Cannon, purveyors of Scotland's finest brutal party slam, have today released their new track "Not Immediately Life Threatening" and the official video via Unique Leader Records. The single is taken from the band's forthcoming concept album 'Injuries Are Inevitable' (inspired by the infamous Action Park) out on Friday, April 26. Speaking on "Not Immediately Life Threatening", bassist Clankenstein stated:

“These are some calorifically dense riffs. These riffs are definitely going to exceed your macro goals for the week. We wanted to have a song so slimy, so beefy, so irresponsible to throw into our live set for when we feel the IQ is just a little too high in the room. Musically this is a love letter to bands like DEHUMANIZED, WAKING THE CADAVER and LUST OF DECAY – the forbidden, spicy death metal bands.”

The band also shared:

“The video continues with our goal of avoiding the usual performance style video in favour of something that’s as visually IQ-lowering as the music. Directed and produced again by Calum “Saint of Patience” McMillan, the video is somewhere between the SAW movies and that old MTV show FIST OF ZEN I used to watch at 2am instead of getting enough sleep before school. Our good friend Bailey from Scapegoat Productions plays the enigmatic skull figure intent on taking down Party Slam in the most devious of ways.”

Prior to today, the band released "Weird, But Not Illegal" and announced signing to their new label, Unique Leader Records. Stream "Not Immediately Life Threatening" here, watch the official video below, and pre-save 'Injuries Are Inevitable' here.

Party Cannon will be touring across the EU (with Cognitive as support) on the EU VOMITOUR 2024 kicking off in early May. Don't miss out and be sure to get your tickets while you can at the link here.

PARTY CANNON are BACK with their HEAVIEST, SLAMMINGEST, and DUMBEST album yet; an overwhelming helping of the henchest and most nauseating Party Slam. The band have doubled down on their signature Party Slam style to bring you an experience so IQ-lowering, so soul-crushing, so life expectancy-reducing that we recommend you wear a helmet while listening for your own safety. 'Injuries Are Inevitable' takes us on a deep dive of the infamous Action Park; the world’s un-safest theme park. Through the medium of guttural vocals, rapid blast beats, and anabolic slam riffs you will be taken on an immersive 4D experience of the debauchery, partying, and downright irresponsibility this iconic park had to offer. 

No admission for cowards, big dumb party riffs only.

THE EXIES Triumphantly Return with New Single; Announce Reunion Show at the Iconic Viper Room

The Exies have announced their much-anticipated return with the release of brand new single 'For What It's Worth'. Coinciding with the release, The Exies have revealed a special reunion show at the legendary Viper Room on LA’s Sunset Strip, set for May 29th, hosted by none other than Matt Pinfield.

Fans can stream "For What It's Worth" HERE and watch the accompanying lyric video below.

Tickets for the Reunion Show are available now HERE.

"For What It's Worth" marks a pivotal moment in, Scott Stevens’ personal and musical journey. The Exies frontman and songwriter shares "Writing 'For What It's Worth" was a cathartic process for me. It was a turning point in my mental stance on my life, where I was questioning if the life I have built for myself and my loved ones was 'enough'...ultimately, the process brought me to the realization that it has to be...because Ive lived and loved the best that I could up till this point in my life …“

Formed in 1997, The Exies released two influential LPs with Virgin Records, 'Inertia' and 'Head For The Door', achieving combined sales of over 500k and spawning singles that charted at rock radio. Both albums secured positions on the Billboard 200 chart. Their third album "A Modern Way of Living with the Truth" came out in 2007 before the group disbanded in 2010.

The Exies’ music gained significant exposure through placements in numerous video games and tours alongside rock giants like Motley Crüe and Velvet Revolver. Following their hiatus, Scott Stevens continued to leave an indelible mark on the musical landscape with co-written songs amassing over 2 billion streams and selling over 40 million albums.

Now, The Exies are poised to pick up right where they left off with their reunion show and latest single, bringing together the nostalgia of their storied past and the freshness of their current creative evolution.

“For the Viper Room, it’s family; it’s where we got signed. Everything that made a difference for us happened there, so it’s fitting that this is where the reunion show would be held,” Stevens shares, emphasizing the sentimental venue choice for their comeback performance.

'For What It's Worth' and tickets for the Viper Room reunion show are available now. Join The Exies as they embark on the next chapter of their extraordinary musical journey.

ROTTING CHRIST Release Proudly Pagan New Single

In celebration of their 35th year as a band, this May, Rotting Christ are releasing their 14th album. ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟU (Pro Xristou) is bound to hold a revered place in the Greeks' heretical history. Always true to their name, Sakis Tolis and his brother Temis pay tribute to the last of the Pagan kings. Today, they're releasing the album's rising and resolute new single, "Saoirse".  

Watch the video for "Saoirse" below.

Pro Xristou comes out May 24 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/rotting-christ-pro-xristou

Pre-save: https://orcd.co/proxtristoupresave

"Saoirse" pays tribute to the Irish King of Tara, who was one of the last kings to resist the expansion of Christianity. In Gaelic, "Saoirse" means "freedom". The song invokes this long-heard ancient battle cry from the very beginning, opening with a distant clang of swords. "I am the wind that blows across the sea", Sakis warns as a riff comes charging in behind him like a tidal wave.

Like all of Pro Xristou, "Saoirse" was recorded and produced in Athens, Greece. Their new single also embodies the history of the band's home country with its resounding choir and thunderous drum fills. But it's also emblematic of the way Rotting Christ has evolved over the past 35 years. Steered by a steadily chugging rhythm section, minor chords and melodic leads unfurl with the towering majesty of an ancient tapestry. At the center of this black metal fresco stands Sakis, the unwavering captain of Rotting Christ's battle ship. "Hails to our ancient Kingdom", he growls, still fierce and full of fight after all these years. 

In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: ROTTING CHRIST. Sakis Tholis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,300 concerts around the globe.  Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision – an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.

Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embrace refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to push boundaries.

But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any and all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek,  English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.

In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offers fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album: Pro Xristou.

Pro Xristou (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style – melodic, yet harsh at times – reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.

Line-up
Sakis Tolis - Guitar, Vocals
Themis Tolis - Drums
Kostas "Spades" Heliotis - Bass
Kostis Fouk - Guitar

Guest Musicians
Amdroniki Skoula - Vocals (on 'La Letra Del Diavolo')
Nikos Kerkiras - Keyboard
Christina Alexiou - Choir
Maria Tsironi - Choir
Alexandros Loyziotis - Choir
Vasilis Karatzas - Choir

Andrew Liles - Narration (on 'The Apostate', 'Pretty World, Pretty Dies')
Kim Diaz Holm - Narration (on 'Ygdrassil')

Recording Studio
Deva Sounds Studios (Athens, Greece)

Producer
Sakis Tolis

Sound Engineer
Fotis Bernando
Aggelos Karatzas

Mixing
Jens Borgen at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)

Mastering
Tony Lidgren at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)

Artwork Artists
Thomas Cole - Artwork
Adrien Bousson - Digital Processing

Biography
Sébastien J. Gamez

Links:
Official Website: https://www.rotting-christ.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rottingchristofficial/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rottingchristofficial/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/athanatoieste
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RottingChristOfficia
Bandcamp: https://rottingchristofficial.bandcamp.com/
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rotting-christ/id28441629
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FhkwcO8Jd7BRWdllBpXBJ

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
CD Clamshell Box - Deluxe Digipak w/ Gold Foil + 2 Bonus
Tracks & Extras
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear, Red & Blue Mixed
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Green
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Turquoise
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Yellow
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Blue
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - silver & Black Marbled
Limited Box Set Vinyl - 12" Gold & Black Marbled w/ Gold Foil + 2 Bonus Tracks & Extras
Cassette

RELIQA - Announce New Album Secrets Of The Future + Reveal Video For New Single 'Killstar (The Cold World)'

Progressive metalcore outfit RELIQA have announced the details of their new album, Secrets Of The Future, which is set to be released on May 31st via Nuclear Blast Records for all territories outside of Australia, where it will be released via Greyscale Records. Alongside the announcement, the band have revealed the video for their brand new single 'Killstar (The Cold World)'.

Vocalist Monique Pym comments:

"We're so pleased with the feedback we received for Terminal, especially because it fuelled our excitement in knowing that Killstar was coming next. It really flips the switch – we've gone from an airy, introspective debut track to this spiteful, sharp-tongued groove that has some more worldly and politically driven themes behind it. We think these two sides of us are the perfect taste test for Secrets of the Future, not because the whole album sounds like this, but because it shows we're not afraid to take risks. Can't wait for you to hear it in May!"

Watch the video for the new single 'Killstar (The Cold World)' below.

Pre-order and pre-save Secrets Of The Future now at: https://nblast.de/Reliqa-SOTF

RELIQA Online

Eric Sardinas Shares Video For "Planks of Pine"

FROM CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM MIDNIGHT JUNCTION 

Renowned blues-rock virtuoso Eric Sardinas ignites the scene once again with the release of his first-ever music video for the track "Planks of Pine" from his latest album, Midnight Junction, available now.

WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW.

Supported by his new bandmates, esteemed bassist Chris Smith, and four-time Emmy winner Scot "Little" Bihlman on drums, the new video captures the band's contagious energy and unbridled joy of playing.

International music press reviews are giving Midnight Junction a perfect 10/10, hailing the new album as Sardinas' "most accomplished album to date" (Fireworks), and concluding with an "approval for a blind purchase" (rcn).

"An outstanding blues/rock record. His best output to date" – Powerplay, 10/10

"The record just seems to get better with each song." – Fireworks

"Conjuring magic on the six strings while singing with a raw edge. Impressive!"– Good Times

"Ultimate party dynamite!" – Blues News

Witness Eric Sardinas and his crew keeping the great blues-rock tradition alive and kickin! Midnight Junction is available as CD Digipak, 1LP (black/180g) and Ltd. Red Marbled 1LP (180g).

ACCESS THE NEW ALBUM HERE. 

Wretched Blessing Announce Self-Titled EP + Share "Spurious Ovation

Wretched Blessing are a band formed in Chicago by Kayhan Vaziri (Yautja, Coliseum) and Rae Amitay (Immortal Bird, Thrawsunblat) in 2023 as a close and fully collaborative duo.

It is an intentional and unrestrained effort to explore the vast spectrum of metal and punk — without microgenre commitments. The band is a cogent and compelling two-piece live, with Vaziri on guitar/vocals and Amitay on drums/vocals.

Wretched Blessing's debut self-titled EP seamlessly combines death metal, black metal, hardcore, and punk for 16 minutes, with each song blending genres in shifting proportions. The lyrics delve into systems of oppression, cronyism, and pure anger. It was engineered, mixed, and mastered by Pete Grossmann (Weekend Nachos, Frail Body, Inclination) and recorded in January 2024 at Bricktop Studios in Chicago. The cover artwork is 'eye rustle' (2017) by Kikyz1313.

The music will appeal to fans of Bolt Thrower, Celtic Frost, His Hero Is Gone, Napalm Death, Integrity, and Pig Destroyer. Pre-order the EP here.

Today, the band has shared "Spurious Ovation."

The song had its premiere via Decibel.

"This is the first song we wrote for this project, and we wanted to cover a lot of stylistic ground while still keeping things tight," says Vaziri. "Lyrically, it's about people who fixate on the projections and perceived lives of others. It's criticizing that behavior, directed toward people who are willfully rotting their minds."

Amitay shares, "Almost everyone employs these parasitic forms of interaction that have been engineered to waste our time and exploit our instability. This song is placing the ire more upon people who seem untroubled, and consumed by these shallow environments."

Both members of Wretched Blessing are multifaceted musicians, having spent most of their lives recording, touring, and performing different roles in various bands since they were teenagers. Vaziri is known primarily as a dynamic and dextrous bassist, though some know him as the high-powered and inexhaustible frontman of Birmingham, AL's long-loved hardcore favorites Legion. Wretched Blessing adds Vaziri in the lead (and sole) guitarist role, front and center, for the first time. Amitay started as an ambitious and adept teen drummer, and in 2011 they were recruited to play for Canadian black/doom metal band Woods of Ypres while still attending Berklee College of Music, shortly before the band came to an end. They subsequently joined Thrawsunblat, a band comprising the final Woods of Ypres lineup. They also played on the post-metal/experimental Eight Bells album Landless recorded in Portland, Oregon by Billy Anderson (Sleep, Melvins, Pallbearer). Following several drummer-for-hire stints, they founded Immortal Bird (20 Buck Spin) in 2013.

The convergence of Amitay and Vaziri's bands took place in 2014 when Yautja (Relapse Records) and Immortal Bird shared the stage for the first time at Southern Darkness Fest in Tampa. A mutual respect was born from there — the bands would continue to closely orbit each other, aligning occasionally on bills with Inter Arma (Relapse), Stress Positions (Three One G), Portrayal of Guilt, and more over the years. In 2021, Amitay and Vaziri found themselves in need of mutual surroundings, and Vaziri relocated to Chicago in early 2022. Wretched Blessing was born from a mutual desire to create music in a way that isn’t limited by stylistic expectations or a particular genre.

"It's exciting to have a new outlet where we can essentially write whatever we want to hear and play, pooling our inuences and strengths. It's not a catch-all for ideas that don’t fit our other bands, it's a project that we want to fully realize over several recordings, live performances, and visual art," says Amitay.

Vaziri adds, "It took a while for us to decide it was time to get into a room and start writing, but once we did, the songs took shape quickly. When we started messing with vocals and heard how distinct but symbiotic our voices sound together, we knew we wanted to make this band as 'real' as possible."

BAT | ANNOUNCE U.S. DATES WITH NECROT ON THE 'LIFELESS BIRTH TOUR 2024'

Richmond, Virginia metal-punk trio BAT has been delivering their own blood-spattered horror since ascending from the underground a decade ago on a dark, leather-winged trajectory. The brainchild of MUNICIPAL WASTE guitarists Ryan Waste & Nick Poulos, BAT leans heavily on the dirtier side of speed metal. On May 17th, the band welcomes the release of their second full-length album Under The Crooked Claw via Nuclear Blast Records.

BAT will be heading across the US on the first half of the 'Lifeless Birth Tour 2024' with headliners NECROT. The tour will kick off on June 5th in Berkeley and will end on June 27th in Boston for BAT. The second half of the tour will continue until July 13 and will include PHOBOPHILIC as well as STREET TOMBS, who will be on the complete tour.
 
BAT's Ryan Waste states, “We’re psyched to finally cover some ground in the US, especially with our die-hard brothers in NECROT. Uniting the two power trios will only induce total debauchery on the road. We’ll both be bringing our new albums hot off the press, so this is one street metal tour you don’t wanna miss!” 

General admission tickets go on sale this Friday, March 29th at 9 AM PST / 12 PM EST at Necrot.com. 

Left to right: Chris Marshall (Drums), Ryan Waste (Bass | Vocals), Nick Poulos (Guitar)
Photo by Jeff Howlett 

Confirmed dates for BAT supporting NECROT on their 'Lifeless Birth Tour 2024' with STREET TOMBS are:
06/05 Berkeley, CA - The Cornerstone 
06/06 Santa Ana, CA - Constellation Room 
06/07 Los Angeles, CA - First St. Billiards
06/08 San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick 
06/09 Phoenix, AZ - Nile Underground 
06/10 Albuquerque, NM - The Launchpad
06/12 Austin, TX - Parish 
06/13 Dallas, TX - Three Links 
06/14 San Antonio, TX - Vibes Underground 
06/15 Houston, TX - TBA
06/16 New Orleans, LA - TBA
06/18 Tampa, FL - Orpheum
06/19 Orlando, FL - Will's Pub 
06/20 Atlanta, GA - Boggs Social 
06/21 Columbia, SC - New Brookland Tavern
06/22 Raleigh, NC - Chapel of Bones
06/23 Pittsburgh, PA - Cattivo 
06/24 Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery 
06/25 Bensalem, PA - Broken Goblet 
06/26 Brooklyn, NY - The Meadows
06/27 Boston, MA - Sonia 

Later this week BAT will joining forces with their friends in the legendary EXCITER to play for all the Heavy Metal Maniacs in Latin America for the first time!

Confirmed dates for the Latin American 2024 tour are:
MAR 29  MX   MEXICO CITY @ Circo Volador
MAR 30  CR   SAN JOSE @ Peppers Club
MAR 31  CO   BOGOTA @ Boro Room
APR 01   AR   BUENOS AIRES @ Arena Sur
APR 04   BR   BELO HORIZONTE @ Caverna Rock Pub
APR 05   BR   BRASILIA DF @ Toinha
APR 06   BR   SAO PAOLO @ Jau Club
APR 08   CL   SANTIAGO @ Teatro Coliseo  

The power trio, completed by drummer Chris Marshall, decamped to Philadelphia in June 2021 where Arthur Rizk recorded the basic tracks for Under The Crooked Claw. Yavé Rust tracked lead guitars and vocals later when the band was back in Richmond, ultimately to be mixed by Rizk and mastered by Joel Grind. The artwork for the album was inked by Brandon Holt and colored by Margaret Rolicki.

Jam-packed with tight, concise songs loaded with punchy choruses and lightning-laced leads, each of the 13 tracks offers a new horror short story mixing the perfect blend of heavy metal, punk, and rock ‘n’ roll or as Waste coins it "primitive heavy speed". 

Watch the band's first single entitled, 'Rite For Exorcism' directed by Norman Cabrera, produced by Maya Kay, and cinematography by Rob Lucas at Wolfpack Studios below.

Stream the new single 'Rite For Exorcism' on all platforms now at:  
https://bat.bfan.link/rfesg

Pre-order/pre-save Under The Crooked Claw:  
https://bat.bfan.link/utcclp

More information:
https://bewareofthebat.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bewareofthebat/
https://www.instagram.com/bewareofbat/
https://www.youtube.com/@BATBAND

BAT is:
Ryan Waste | Bass & Vocals
Nick Poulos | Guitar
Chris Marshall | Drums